eMed chief wellness officer Tom Brady and eMed CEO Linda Yaccarino discuss GLP-1 market growth and the company’s latest funding round on ‘Mornings with Maria.’
As the market for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs explodes toward a projected $150 billion, NFL legend Tom Brady is stepping into the arena — not to promote a magic pill, but to infuse the clinical surge with his trademark “TB12” discipline.
“Making a difference in other people’s lives, trying to share some of the things that have been in my mind that I’ve learned from incredible mentors, understanding and trying to inspire through the different people that have come into my life to communicate the messages that I’ve been able to get, that have helped me kind of live my dream, and I want to do that for others,” Brady said in an exclusive “Mornings with Maria” interview that aired Thursday.
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The seven-time Super Bowl champion and eMed CEO Linda Yaccarino joined forces to announce a massive $200 million funding round, valuing the digital health company at more than $2 billion. The duo is aiming to revolutionize “population health” by using AI and clinical oversight to provide employers with a sustainable way to offer GLP-1 weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro, while slashing corporate insurance claims.
“The raise confirms immense momentum and establishes us as the definitive company for population health and helping employers break the runaway health care costs and break their cost curve,” Yaccarino told Bartiromo.
“When you have overweight or obese people, their health care costs are two times the average employee who’s not obese,” she continued. “So that is the question that hasn’t been answered yet, that finally, eMed steps in, is able to deliver those solutions to employers all over the country.”
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Tom Brady at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic Press Conference & Practice held at BMO Stadium on March 20, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images)
While many Americans use GLP-1s as an easy weight-loss solution, Brady views the eMed platform as a kickstart for those who lack the biological advantage of natural high-willpower. He insists that medication must be based on a foundation of clinical support and personal accountability.
“This isn’t about shortcuts for anybody. This is about a well-delivered program for people to kick-start their health journey in certain ways,” Brady clarified. “I’ve been so fortunate to be around the best professionals, the best doctors, the best trainers, the best nutritionists. And I realized how fortunate I was at having that guidance.”
“I really want to kind of break the stigma around the fact that, you know, discipline and hard work and willpower are something that… we’re born with. I was born with that, and I have the ability to do that. I think there’s a lot of other people that that is something that is more of a struggle,” he added. “But we need to be able to provide support for those people as well.”
Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and Aescape CEO Eric Litman discuss the NFL star’s partnership with next-generation AI massage technology on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
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Brady further detailed how his most valuable asset required a level of maintenance that is only now becoming mainstream.
“I realized because I was an athlete, my body was my asset,” the former quarterback said. “If I loved playing football and I love being on the field, then I love performing my very best. I had to treat my body, you know, a very certain way. I tried to get a lot of muscle work to repair injured tissue. I hydrated all the time. I tried to eat a low inflammatory diet. I tried to get the proper rest.”
“How can I ever stop? This is my life, I tell you, I’ve been so obsessed with training. I would feel horrible and worse if I didn’t move all the time. I feel like I have a lot of energy… I want to stay active. I have three children. I want to go out there and play basketball and swim and hit the golf ball, and play volleyball with my daughter in the backyard,” Brady said.
Novo Nordisk President and CEO Mike Doustdar joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to discuss the launch of the first GLP-1 weight-loss pill in the U.S., the lawsuit against Hims & Hers and talks with the Trump administration on drug pricing.
Yaccarino — the former CEO of X Corp who declined to comment on Wednesday’s social media verdict — explained that the goal of eMed is to take Brady’s “rigor” and apply it to the American workforce and minimize chronic diseases.
“Ninety-percent of people stay on our program. They do two things: First, and most important, what Tom was referencing, they get healthier,” she said. “And when you get people on the program, when you deliver those health outcomes, that’s the secret sauce for employers, for CEOs, CFOs — who you have on your show all the time — because they get their return on their investment.”
SYDNEY — Artificial intelligence engineers and aged care workers are spearheading Australia’s fastest-growing occupations in 2026, as the nation’s labour market grapples with technological disruption, an ageing population and infrastructure demands, according to the latest projections from Jobs and Skills Australia and industry reports.
BoliviaInteligente / Unsplash
Employment across Australia is forecast to expand by hundreds of thousands of positions through 2026, with health care and social assistance, professional services and education driving much of the growth. While overall job gains have moderated from pandemic-era peaks, specific roles in AI, care services and engineering are seeing explosive demand.
Jobs and Skills Australia’s employment projections highlight that four service industries — health care and social assistance, professional scientific and technical services, education and training, and accommodation and food services — will account for nearly two-thirds of new jobs by late 2026. Professionals and community/personal service workers are expected to deliver about 60 per cent of total employment growth.
Here are the 10 most rapidly rising jobs for 2026, compiled from recent data by LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise list, Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts, Hays, Morgan McKinley and SEEK analyses. Rankings blend percentage growth, absolute job increases and hiring trends:
AI Engineer LinkedIn named AI Engineer the No. 1 fastest-growing job for 2026, with massive surges in postings as businesses integrate artificial intelligence for data analysis, automation and predictions. Roles often overlap with machine learning engineering. AI literacy has become the single most in-demand skill across all positions, with eight in 10 global leaders preferring candidates comfortable with AI tools. Salaries frequently exceed $150,000.
Aged and Disabled Carer Projected to add nearly 75,000 positions with 28 per cent growth over five years to 2026, this role tops absolute increases in community and personal service occupations. Australia’s ageing population and National Disability Insurance Scheme expansion fuel relentless demand. Many positions require Certificate III or IV qualifications.
Registered Nurse Health care remains the fastest-growing industry overall. Registered nurses, especially in aged care, mental health and acute settings, are projected to grow by more than 40,000 roles. Shortages could reach tens of thousands by 2035 without action. Average salaries range from $85,000 to $120,000, with strong migration pathways.
Software and Applications Programmer / Software Engineer Digital transformation continues unabated. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts strong growth for software programmers, with related ICT roles like database and systems administrators plus cybersecurity specialists also surging. Tech shortages persist despite global headwinds.
Cyber Security Specialist As businesses and government face rising threats, cyber roles rank highly on Hays’ in-demand lists. Demand spans infrastructure, procurement and technology security, with salaries often topping $140,000 for experienced professionals.
Data Engineer Morgan McKinley’s 2026 outlook placed data engineers at the top of in-demand tech roles, with salaries between $110,000 and $190,000. They build the data pipelines powering AI and analytics initiatives across industries.
Mechanical Engineer / Power System Engineer Engineering disciplines feature prominently on LinkedIn’s fastest-growing list. Infrastructure projects, renewable energy transitions and manufacturing needs boost demand for mechanical, civil and power systems engineers.
Disability Support Worker Closely tied to aged care growth, these roles benefit from NDIS rollout and community care shifts. Community and personal service occupations as a group are projected to add nearly 189,000 positions.
Project Manager (Senior) Large-scale infrastructure, construction and tech implementations drive demand for experienced project managers, particularly those handling $5 million to $10 million projects. Salaries often reach $160,000–$200,000.
Mental Health Support Worker / Psychotherapist Rising awareness and investment in mental health services have lifted demand for support workers and therapists. Health care and social assistance growth includes expanded community mental health roles.
Other notable mentions from 2026 reports include Chief Risk Officer, Director of Artificial Intelligence, sustainability consultants and electric vehicle technicians — reflecting dual pressures of digital innovation and the net-zero transition.
Healthcare Dominates Volume Growth Health Care and Social Assistance is forecast to add more than 300,000 jobs in the coming years, far outpacing other sectors. An ageing population, chronic disease management and post-pandemic care backlogs underpin this trend. Registered nurses and carers alone could fill tens of thousands of vacancies.
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Tech and AI Accelerate AI-related roles have transitioned from experimental to mainstream. Organisations are hiring not just engineers but directors of AI and organisational development managers to embed the technology responsibly. Cybersecurity and data specialists complement this shift, as businesses protect and leverage vast datasets.
Trades and Infrastructure Hold Steady Construction, renewable energy and housing projects sustain demand for electricians, civil engineers and related trades. Government infrastructure spending and the energy transition create opportunities in power systems, solar and battery technologies.
Challenges persist despite the opportunities. Employers report ongoing skills shortages in regional areas, where many high-growth roles are located. Wage pressures, training pipelines and migration settings will influence whether supply meets demand. Unemployment hovered around 4.1–4.3 per cent in early 2026, with participation rates near record highs.
Jobs and Skills Australia notes that higher-skill occupations — those typically requiring bachelor degrees or above — will account for a large share of growth, though certificate-level roles in care and trades also expand rapidly. Emerging positions in green skills, such as sustainability consultants and energy engineers, are gaining traction but remain smaller in volume.
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Education and training providers are adapting. Universities and vocational institutions report increased enrolments in nursing, IT and engineering courses. Apprenticeships in electrical and construction trades continue to attract interest amid strong pay and job security.
For job seekers, the message is clear: skills in AI, data, care delivery and engineering offer the best prospects. Upskilling in digital tools, even for non-tech roles, is increasingly essential. “AI literacy is now table stakes,” one LinkedIn analysis noted.
Regional disparities matter. Metropolitan areas lead in tech and professional services, while aged care and disability support needs are acute everywhere, including remote communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce participation initiatives aim to tap underrepresented talent pools.
Economists caution that global uncertainties, interest rates and productivity trends could temper overall employment growth to around 0.8 per cent in 2026. Yet structural drivers — demographics, technology adoption and the clean energy shift — provide resilience in the highlighted occupations.
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As Australia navigates 2026, these 10 rising jobs illustrate a workforce in transition: caring for an older population while building the digital and sustainable economy of the future. Workers with relevant qualifications, flexibility and a willingness to upskill stand to benefit most.
Government, industry and educators will need coordinated efforts to address shortages, expand training and ensure equitable access to these opportunities. For many Australians and skilled migrants, 2026 could mark the start of rewarding careers in fields that are not just growing — but reshaping the nation.
Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk and current CEO and chairwoman of Turning Point USA, has sent a fresh cease-and-desist letter accusing an online activist of defamation, escalating a public feud over baseless claims linking her to her husband’s assassination and sex trafficking allegations tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
Erika Kirk
The letter, dated March 18 and signed by attorney Paul Edgard Harold of SouthBank Legal, targets Collin Scott Campbell, the Maryland-based figure behind the “Project Constitution” brand. It demands he stop spreading statements alleging Kirk’s involvement in Charlie Kirk’s September 2025 murder and other unsubstantiated claims.
Kirk, 37, assumed leadership of the influential conservative youth organization shortly after her husband’s assassination at a Turning Point USA event on the campus of Utah Valley University. The board voted unanimously to appoint her as chair and CEO, a role she has used to vow that the group’s mission would grow “stronger, bolder, louder and greater than ever.”
In the months since, Kirk has navigated grief while stepping into the national spotlight. She has spoken at her husband’s memorial, where she publicly forgave the shooter, citing her Christian faith. She has hosted events, appeared on major media outlets and continued Turning Point USA’s campus organizing, AmericaFest conference and podcast efforts.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly honored Kirk and her late husband. In February, Trump recognized her during his State of the Union address, calling Charlie Kirk a “great friend” and using the moment to condemn political violence. Trump later appointed Kirk in March to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, filling the seat previously held by her husband. The 16-member board advises on academy morale, curriculum, instruction and other matters.
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Kirk’s appointment drew attention as a continuation of her husband’s influence in conservative circles. She has also been announced as the 2026 commencement speaker at Hillsdale College and has joined events with figures like Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Yet Kirk’s rising profile has come with intense scrutiny and online controversy. Critics, including some on the right such as Candace Owens, have questioned her leadership style, personal life and decisions at Turning Point USA. A leaked Zoom call from days after the assassination showed Kirk addressing staff, which some interpreted as overly focused on operations. Allegations have circulated online about past texts and personal conduct, though many remain unverified or contested.
The latest cease-and-desist reflects Kirk and Turning Point USA’s aggressive pushback against what they describe as defamatory attacks. The letter accuses Campbell of spreading falsehoods that have damaged Kirk’s reputation. Such legal threats highlight deepening divisions within conservative activist circles following Charlie Kirk’s death.
Before her husband’s assassination, Erika Lane Frantzve (now Kirk) built her own public presence. Born in 1988 in Ohio and raised in Arizona, she won Miss Arizona USA in 2012. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from Arizona State University, a juris master’s in legal studies from Liberty University and has pursued further studies in Christian leadership.
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Kirk launched a faith-based clothing line called PROCLAIM and a Bible-in-365 ministry focused on daily scripture engagement. She hosted devotional podcasts and described herself as a supportive wife and mother of two young children while often appearing alongside her husband at events.
Following the September 2025 shooting, Kirk has spoken openly about her grief, including in interviews detailing the hardest parts of daily life without her husband. She has shared emotional tributes, emphasizing resilience, faith and a commitment to family values. In one reflection, she described praying during the tragedy and finding blessings amid sorrow.
Supporters praise her poise and determination to carry forward Turning Point USA’s mission of engaging young people in conservative principles. Detractors, however, have accused her of turning personal tragedy into a “spotlight” moment or questioned internal organizational dynamics, including reports of some campus chapters reconsidering affiliations.
A luxury retailer, Alo, faced potential backlash after an alleged leak of Kirk’s purchase history was used in online smears. Broader discussions have touched on everything from her appearance and public demeanor to policy questions, such as her comments on family, motherhood and political violence.
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Kirk has largely responded by focusing on faith, forgiveness and legacy-building. She has rejected political violence and called for unity in the conservative movement. In public appearances, she has stressed that her husband’s work must continue through grassroots activism on campuses and beyond.
The defamation dispute with Project Constitution fits into a pattern of legal and rhetorical clashes. Turning Point USA has defended its operations amid questions about finances, direction and internal culture. Some online voices have amplified conspiracy theories, while others defend Kirk as a grieving widow unfairly targeted.
As of late March 2026, no lawsuit has been filed in the latest cease-and-desist matter, but the letter signals Kirk’s unwillingness to let accusations go unchallenged. Legal experts note that defamation cases involving public figures require proving actual malice — knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth.
Kirk’s story reflects broader themes in American conservatism: the intersection of faith, politics, personal loss and public leadership. A former pageant winner and entrepreneur turned nonprofit executive, she embodies contrasts that have fueled both admiration and criticism.
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Friends and allies describe her as resilient, pointing to her quick return to public work while raising children. In a TIME100 Next profile, she was highlighted for modeling strength and grace after tragedy. Critics counter that some appearances, including a leaked call showing her addressing business matters shortly after the assassination, suggest a focus on continuity that some find jarring.
Turning Point USA, founded by Charlie Kirk in 2012, has grown into a major force for conservative organizing, with chapters on hundreds of campuses. Under Erika Kirk’s leadership, the group has maintained its schedule of events despite challenges, including reported disaffiliations by some local chapters.
Kirk has participated in faith-focused tours and spoken about biblical leadership. She has addressed topics like gender roles, marriage and delaying family, drawing from her own journey from a career-oriented background to married life and motherhood.
The Air Force Academy appointment adds a formal government advisory role, potentially allowing Kirk to influence recommendations on curriculum and cadet life. It also keeps the Kirk name connected to institutions her husband engaged with.
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As controversies swirl — from legal threats to online memes and commentary — Kirk continues her dual role as mother and movement leader. She has posted heartfelt messages about sorrow not having the final word and the importance of Christian forgiveness.
Political observers note that her trajectory places her among prominent women in the MAGA-aligned space, often facing intense personal scrutiny. Supporters urge focus on her policy work and faith; skeptics demand greater transparency from Turning Point USA.
With 2026 bringing commencement speeches, ongoing tours and potential further legal developments, Erika Kirk remains a central, polarizing figure in conservative politics. Her ability to steer the organization her husband built, while countering personal attacks, will likely shape Turning Point USA’s future influence.
Kirk has not commented publicly on the most recent cease-and-desist as of Thursday. Turning Point USA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
She added that clean steelmaking, the development of the Celtic Freeport and the expansion of floating offshore wind meant Port Talbot was firmly at the heart of south Wales’s growing clean energy economy, supporting thousands of new, high-quality jobs and helping deliver Britain’s clean power mission.
The US fast-food chain sells Mexican-inspired dishes and is known for its tacos and burritos
Taco Bell is opening across the South West of England, Wales and Midlands(Image: Handout)
US fast-food restaurant Taco Bell is set to open a number of outlets in the West of England, Wales and the Midlands. Franchise operator Campana has secured an eight-figure funding package which will be used to establish the new branches, with six sites due to open across the cross-border region in the coming months.
Part of the SYMBRO Group, Campana currently operates 23 Taco Bell locations in South West England, Wales and the Midlands.
It is understood the business plans to open around 12 new restaurants a year, building a portfolio of more than 50 Taco Bell sites in the UK by 2029.
The next phase of growth will focus on further locations in Wales, the South West, along the M4 and M5 corridors, plus further expansion in and around the Midlands.
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The £20m investment programme is expected to create around 600 jobs and increase revenue by between 50 and 60 per cent as the business continues to expand.
David Morgan, finance director at Campana, said: “Since opening our first Taco Bell six years ago, and with every additional new restaurant opening since, we’ve consistently seen strong demand for this much-loved brand, bringing craveable, Mexican-inspired flavours and unbeatable value to a new generation of UK consumers.”
The company secured the latest finance package from HSBC UK. It is understood the lender also provided Campana with a revolving credit facility, giving the business access to capital as new locations are secured and construction and fit-outs get under way.
Paul Lane, relationship director at HSBC UK, added: “Campana has built a strong Taco Bell franchise business since opening its first location, and its ambitious rollout plans highlight the opportunity within the UK’s hospitality sector, despite ongoing pressures.
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“The quick-service restaurant market continues to show resilience, with franchising offering a scalable and effective route to growth. Against this backdrop, the business’ clear expansion strategy and proven track record made a compelling case to support this significant funding package and its next phase of growth.”
SYMBRO Group currently owns and operates 60 QSR franchises across the UK and the Netherlands, including Taco Bell, Subway and Starbucks.
Hello, and thank you for standing by. My name is Bella, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to M-tron Earnings Call for Q4 2025. [Operator Instructions]
I would now like to turn the conference over to Linda Biles, Executive Vice President of Finance. You may begin.
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Linda Biles Executive VP of Finance & Secretary
Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining our M-tron Q4 2025 and Fiscal Year 2025 Earnings Call. Please note that this call will be recorded, and we will make the recording available on our website www.mtron.com shortly after the call. Tuesday afternoon, we released our earnings for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2025 and annual fiscal year 2025.
Before getting underway, we are required to advise you that the following discussion should be taken in conjunction with our most recent financial statements and notes is contained within our 2025 10-K, which was filed today on March 26 with the SEC.
This discussion may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements contain known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which are detailed in our filings with the SEC.
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Although the company believes that the forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions regarding its business and future market conditions, there are no assurances that the company’s actual results will not differ materially from any results expressed or implied by the company’s forward-looking statements.
Thursday’s Opening Day may be the calm before the storm for Major League Baseball.
The league’s collective bargaining agreement with its players expires at the end of this season. Owners, with the commissioner’s backing, are almost sure to push for a salary cap (which would likely come with a salary floor to get players to the negotiating table).
MLB owners have never been able to get a cap passed by the players union. It’s unclear if the end of the 2026 season will lead to a different result, but MLB Players Association Interim Executive Director Bruce Meyer told ESPN last month he expects a lockout is “all but guaranteed.”
In addition to the CBA’s expiration, there are major shifts underway for baseball media rights. One-third of the league’s teams didn’t have local TV deals in place for this season until this week.
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Nine MLB teams – the Washington Nationals, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, and Detroit Tigers – announced Wednesday their brand new MLB-operated team channels will be carried by DirecTV.
Most of those teams had previously been part of Main Street Sports (previously Diamond Sports Group), which operates FanDuel Sports Networks (previously Bally Sports). That entity has been teetering with liquidation, and the teams terminated their contracts with the company due to missed payments earlier this year.
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MLB ideally wants the rights to all 30 teams in its control by the end of the 2028 season so that it can sell the in-market local games as a national package to a streamer. That would become the modern replacement to regional sports networks, and it would likely be a new, coveted package for streaming services such as ESPN and Amazon Prime Video.
Also at the end of the 2028 season, MLB’s national media rights for all of its packages will expire, allowing the league to redistribute games to its partners and potentially select new ones.
NBC, ESPN, Fox and a combined CBS/Turner have dominated national rights for the past few decades.
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“The key in media negotiations now is having all of your rights available,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred told me last year. “If you have all of your content – all of your playoffs, all of your regular season – available, there will be buyers, and I’m confident there will be buyers at a higher price for us.”
Manfred has even floated the idea of expanding to 32 teams and realigning the league geographically, upending or even eliminating the American and National leagues that have existed for more than 100 years.
Soaring TV ratings
It’s, of course, unclear how much of this hypothetical change will actually come to fruition.
But the potential for transformation at MLB is greater than at any of the other Big 4 professional leagues in the U.S.
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And yet, baseball isn’t struggling — on the contrary. The implementation of the pitch clock in 2023 has led to shorter games, rising attendance and higher TV ratings.
Rob Manfred, Commissioner of the MLB, attends the annual Allen and Co. Sun Valley Media and Technology Conference at the Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho, U.S., on July 9, 2025.
David A. Grogan | CNBC
More than 50 million people in the U.S., Canada and Japan watched Game Seven of the World Series last year – the most-watched baseball game in 34 years. MLB recently wrapped up the World Baseball Classic – a global preseason tournament – which captured nearly 11 million viewers on Fox and Fox Deportes for its final game.
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MLB team valuations rose 13% from last year. The average MLB team is now worth $2.95 billion, according to CNBC Sport data.
Still, the profitability of the league is in far worse shape than it is for the NFL, NBA and NHL, according to CNBC’s calculations. In 2025, MLB’s 30 teams had an EBITDA — earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization — margin of under 2%. Team average revenue was $426 million with average EBITDA of $7 million, including non-MLB ballpark events. In contrast, the comparable margin for the NFL was 20%; the NBA, 21% and the NHL, 22%, according to CNBC’s most recent valuations.
The new CBA at the end of this season could be the first significant step toward a very different MLB. But, similar to the WNBA, which announced its new CBA earlier this week, MLB must ensure negotiations to get a new labor agreement don’t jeopardize a wave of positive momentum.
Mortgage rates rose for the fourth straight week to the highest level since September, a sharp reversal that threatens to chill the start of the important spring home-buying season.
The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage was 6.38% this week, up from 6.22% last week, Freddie Mac said Thursday.
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