The tech industry's annual mega show offers a futuristic look at how to make smarter businesses and smarter homes.

Colleen Francis points out that many sales teams rely heavily on "I" language in their scripts, which can detract from the effectiveness of their pitches. She recommends shifting the focus to the customer by incorporating language that mirrors customer experiences and testimonials.

Social media marketers are primarily concerned—52% of them—about audiences moving to private networks, per the 2025 Sprout Social Index. Other top fears are lack of trust from leadership, managing crises and burnout. The survey also highlights the importance of data in securing budgets, with 62% of marketers showing how social campaigns align with business goals to obtain funding.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments today on a law requiring TikTok's parent, ByteDance, to sell the app or face a U.S. ban. President-elect Donald Trump has filed an amicus brief asking the court to delay the law, citing his ability to negotiate a resolution, and ByteDance argues the law violates the First Amendment, while the Biden administration cites national security concerns.

Another weekly jump in borrowing costs appears to be making prospective home buyers jittery.

A Houzz study shows that 67% of homeowners are opting for full backsplash coverage in kitchen renovations, extending it to cabinets or the range hood. Additionally, 12% are taking it all the way to the ceiling. Designers are creating bold looks with this trend, such as a monochrome yellow kitchen by Hommeboys Interiors and a dramatic black tile design by Tess Interiors.

A Short Hills, N.J., estate has set a local real estate record, selling for $8.25 million, more than $300,000 above the asking price. The 13,000-square-foot home features luxury amenities such as a $55,000 handmade chandelier, a gourmet kitchen and heated floors. The sale was managed by Cristian Perez and Tony Verducci of Serhant New Jersey.

Despite significant setbacks, Florida agent Iris Beaugrand has big plans for her nonprofit animal sanctuary, saying she is living her childhood dream.

Lawmakers and advocates in Vermont have introduced the Housing Access for Immigrant Families proposal to prevent discrimination against undocumented families. The bill would add immigration and citizenship status as a protected class and prohibit the inclusion of Social Security numbers for rental applications or agreements, permitting the acceptance of any government-issued ID instead.

U.S. Federal Reserve Kansas City President Jeff Schmid says the U.S. is nearing its goals for inflation and employment, suggesting interest rates might stabilize soon. "My read of the data is that we are currently pretty close to meeting our dual mandate of price stability and full employment," Schmid says. "The strength of the economy allows us to be patient."