Tech Report: More students skip college, e-commerce sales growth slows
(LILAMAX)- A growing number of high school graduates are choosing technical schools, apprenticeships, and bootcamps over traditional two- or four-year colleges. The shift comes amid rising student debt and expanded incentives for vocational education. New survey data from the nonprofit American Student Assistance reveals that nearly half of teens—45%—are not interested in attending college. Fourteen percent say they plan to enroll in trade or technical programs, while 38% are actively considering nondegree pathways.
U.S. e-commerce sales grew in the first quarter—but at the slowest pace in over two years. According to the Department of Commerce, this ends a nearly two-year streak of e-commerce growth outpacing overall retail sales. Analysts say rising tariffs and broader economic concerns have dampened consumer spending online.
Anne Wojcicki, co-founder and former CEO of 23andMe, has reacquired the genetic testing company through her nonprofit TTAM Research Institute. TTAM outbid Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, purchasing most of 23andMe’s assets—including its genome services and telehealth subsidiary—for $305 million. Wojcicki says she’s excited to continue the mission of making genetic information more accessible and useful.
Amazon is ramping up its environmental efforts, announcing plans to use recycled water to cool data centers at 120 U.S. locations by 2030. The move is part of the company’s broader push to reduce the environmental impact of its energy-intensive infrastructure.
