THE HAPPIEST STATE IN THE USA

But first, looks like the Federal government will be shut down just after midnight tonight.  How terrible is that?

• To begin, there have been 14 of these since 1980, including three during Trump's first term.  
• In 2018, for 34 days, from December 22 to January 25.
• This broke the 21-day record on one under President Bill Clinton.
• How will the stock market react?  Many times, goes up.  In anticipation of what could happen tomorrow:

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose 0.2%. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose 0.4%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) gained 0.3%, coming off modest closing gains on Wall Street.  Both the Nasdaq and S&P 500 notched their best third quarter since 2020.

• Want more details on what to expect?  Read this.

About that other matter of importance, Time magazine had some details:  Trump and Netanyahu Announce Major Gaza Deal, Threaten Dire Outcome if Hamas doesn't Sign On.

Can't imagine the Hamas accepting all 20 points of Trump's plan for eternal peace.  In fact, American views have significantly changed.  From the New York Times this morning:

The Times/Siena poll documented a turnabout in public sentiment. At the end of 2023, nearly half of Americans sympathized more with Israelis and 20 percent more with Palestinians. Now, 34 percent sympathize more with Israelis, 35 percent more with Palestinians and 31 percent equally with both. “I actually was pretty pro-Israel the last few years,” one voter told our pollsters. “It just doesn’t feel like a level playing field anymore.” There’s also this:

One more newsworthy item of the day, the Major League Baseball post-season opened today with the wild-card series.

• This is still September, and these games could extend into November if all seven world series game are played.
• Today, all EDT:

• 1:08 p.m. - Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians (ESPN)
• 3:08 p.m. - San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs (ABC)
• 6:08 p.m. - Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees (ESPN)
• 9:08 p.m. - Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (ESPN)

• The first team to win two games goes on to the next round.  The higher seeded team hosts all three if game 3 is necessary.
• Most dangerous team?  The Cincinnati Reds have not won a playoff series in 30 years, and they start Hunter Greene, a player I have used on my fantasy teams.  This year he won 7 and lost 4, with a 2.76 earned run average.  He strikes a lot of batters out.
• But here are the DraftKings and FanDuel World Series odds:

• Philadelphia Phillies: +425 to +450 (meaning, their chances of winning are around 18.5%)
• Seattle Mariners: +450 to +550  (15% chance)
• Los Angeles Dodgers: +500 to +550 (16% chance)
• San Diego Padres:  +1600 to +1400  (around 6%....but they have a good team)

Now, on to my posting of the day.  When I opened up my computer this morning, I clicked on Hotmail.  Got a message from Condé Nast indicating This is the Happiest State in the U.S. according to a new study.  There was also a photo of Waikiki Beach and Diamond, just like at the top of my blog site.  So of course I had to see which state was the happiest.  And yes, it is Hawaii.

The Aloha State topped the list due to myriad factors — residents reported the highest levels of life satisfaction in the nation, the second-lowest depression rate, and one of the lowest unemployment rates. Hawaiians also have the longest life expectancy in the U.S., and 72% of adults report being active and productive every day.

• 
  This comes from WalletHub, which has historically roasted Hawaii for having a really high cost of living, also true.
• Based on thirty key metrics in three categories: 1) emotional and physical well-being, 2) work environment, and 3) community and environment. Within each dimension are dozens of sub-factors, including share of adult depression, life expectancy, commute time, weather, safety, and economic security. Each metric was weighted, and the numbers were added up to determine the final scores—a score of 100 represents maximum happiness.
• Worst state for happiness?  West Virginia.

• 
  Happiest states?

1. Hawaii
2. Maryland
3. Nebraska
4. New Jersey
5. Connecticut
6. Utah
7. California
8. New Hampshire
9. Massachusetts
10. Idaho

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