Guest commentary: Support employee health and wealth
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Brian Hutchin In today’s economy, it’s more important than ever for employers to focus on attracting and retaining employees. The current competitive market environment and higher expectations from candidates mean employers need to differentiate themselves, and one way to do this is with workplace benefits. WORKFORCE RETENTION SOURCES While some employment metrics are promising — Read More →
Guest commentary: Government funding cuts, rising costs at community colleges impact students
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Anne Paul King Think back to when you attended college. The costs were high, but not insurmountable. Community colleges were an option that offered post-secondary education close to home with affordable tuition. Today, while education costs at community colleges are still low compared to four-year universities, it might be surprising to some that the Read More →
Guest commentary: Is the Sable Offshore restart a genuine safety crisis, or has the finish line been moving for years?
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Jim Lisi Oil is flowing again. On March 14, 2026, Sable Offshore Corp. began shipping crude through a pipeline that had been inactive for nearly eleven years — one that ruptured in May 2015, releasing roughly 101,000 gallons of crude oil near Refugio State Beach, with an estimated 21,000 gallons reaching the Pacific. That Read More →
Guest commentary: Economic market update — AI, Iran, inflation and K-shaped consumption
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Eric Kelley 2026 has already been a year replete with spicy news items, including the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and the initiation of military strikes against Iran. Additionally, the Supreme Court struck down the initial tariff regime. AI SHAKES MARKET Mid-month, a smaller research firm, Citrini, issued a thought piece on the possible economic Read More →
Guest commentary: Employ caution with labor law — Tips to prevent misclassification
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Elke Kane Central Coast courts are increasingly facing labor law claims, with filings rising in recent years. Remote work and changes to employee classification have changed the rules for many people. At Trusted Legal, we’ve found that most misclassification stems from using outdated assessments and evolving job responsibilities, not intentional violations. However, those oversights Read More →
Guest commentary: You need to name an executor of your estate — now what?
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Brooks J. Hollister The conversation of getting your future affairs in order can be an uncomfortable one, but it is a necessary one, nonetheless. As Father Time remains undefeated, it is important to be prudent in contacting an estate planning attorney to assist you in creating your will and trust. In doing so, one Read More →
Guest commentary: Preparing for the next wave of franchise M&As
Latest news, Op/Eds, OpinionBy Luke Rhyner After two years of subdued activity, the franchise M&A market is entering an opportune window for prepared operators. Valuations have recalibrated, operators have rebuilt liquidity, and buyer demand in the 10- to100-unit segment is showing renewed momentum. Recent, well-publicized transactions demonstrate that deal flow is returning, including the consortium of private investors that Read More →
