Fox Corp. Completes $22 Billion Acquisition of Roku

Fox Corp. announced the completion of its $22 billion acquisition of Roku, a leading smart TV company. Lachlan Murdoch, executive chair and CEO of Fox Corp., emphasized the company’s commitment to serving audiences and partners while maintaining flexibility and choice on the Roku platform. This deal marks Fox’s deeper involvement in the streaming sector after selling its film and television studio to Disney in 2019 for $71 billion.

This strategic acquisition grants Fox an edge in free, ad-supported streaming as major platforms introduce advertising alongside subscription services. Fox, already the owner of Tubi, now also controls the Roku Channel, both leaders in free streaming media. The deal’s completion, announced in June, includes a mix of cash and stock, effective immediately. Roku shares were halted on the Nasdaq stock exchange in response.

Historic Senate Race in Mississippi

In a significant political development, former Virginia governor L. Douglas Wilder expressed his amazement at the Mississippi Senate race results. Scott Colom, a Black Democrat, appeared to make history by nearly winning a U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi, a state with a history of racial violence. Wilder, 95, recalled his shock as he watched the election outcomes, drawing on his personal experience as the first African American elected governor post-Reconstruction.

Wilder reflected on Mississippi’s turbulent past, recalling the lynching of Emmett Till and expressing disbelief that a state with such a legacy might elect a Black man to the Senate. Additionally, five other states elected Black governors, a sign of significant changes in political representation. Despite challenges such as civil rights and inflation, Wilder voiced hope for America’s future.

Trends in College Costs Highlight Economic Shifts

A recent report by the College Board highlights a decline in the overall cost of college education over the past decade. The average attendance cost for in-state freshmen in 2026 is estimated at $21,660, reflecting a 14% decrease. Private nonprofit colleges saw a 9% reduction in net costs to $38,540 since 2016. Several factors contributed to this trend, including increased state support for public colleges and competition for a reduced number of high school graduates.

The slowdown in tuition rises, coupled with grants and scholarships, significantly alleviates costs for students. The College Board collected data from 2,913 schools, confirming that financial aid from institutions, states, and federal government is crucial in reducing students’ financial burdens.