Once a seafood powerhouse in America, Red Lobster is bankrupt and shutting down dozens of restaurants. Is Wall Street to blame?

• While AI jobs are booming, many colleges don't have specific degrees in AI yet.
• Allison Krinsky, a data scientist at JPMorgan, emphasizes hands-on experience over formal education.
• Krinsky advises building your own AI projects, like a travel system or sentiment analysis model.

Careers in AI are hot right now. And while many schools are adapting their curriculum to incorporate classes on the topic, there's still a short list of schools that offer an AI major.

Allison Krinsky graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in informatics in 2022. She now works as a data scientist at JPMorgan and makes videos about tech careers in her free time. She told Business Insider that many majors are interchangeable and that several degrees, such as computer science, math, information sciences, and data science, can lead to jobs in the field.

But even though Krinsky studied a traditional curriculum to get a tech job, she said her work at a research lab advanced her career more than anything else. She said during her year at the lab, she did a "heap" of things including building models and managing databases.

Most AI-related jobs require a technical portion in the interview process and Krinsky said candidates need to be able to talk about the projects they've done.

"A lot of times my interviews would just be people asking me about what I had built and what I did and the problems that I faced," Krinsky said.

Krinsky said while Big Tech names may look flashy on your résumé, hands-on experience is crucial to actually landing the job. In the internships she had before the research lab, she said she was given small projects that didn't involve too many skills.

"The internship is great to say somebody hired me, and that's a little bit of credibility," Krinsky said. "But you're not out of the game if you haven't had a traditional internship."

As AI jobs grow more in demand, some companies are growing increasingly picky about what they're looking for. So if you have limited experience or if you want to enhance your résumé, it's not a bad idea to build your own project and skill up. Krinsky said there are a number of avenues you could go down depending on the kind of roles you're interested in.

One option Krinsky recommends is a travel recommendation system built with large language models. She said you could do this project with limited experience and in different ways, like by using prompt engineering, retrieval augmented generation, or fine-tuning.

Krinsky also suggested creating a sentiment classification system for reviews, using natural language processing. She said this involves extracting information from text data and sorting it into entities like positive or negative sentiments. Krinsky said this can be used for financial analysis or identifying investment opportunities or risks.

Krinsky said you can also try an image recognition or computer vision project. This involves finding a set of pictures with labels and teaching a computer to identify what's in the images. She said it's a good way to learn about neural networks.

Krinsky said these projects can take between one and three months, depending on how much free time you have. Most projects start with scraping the web for data and then require building, training, and fine-tuning the model. Krinsky also recommended creating a report detailing the project process and results so that you have something to show for your work.

The projects don't have to be revolutionary, she said, but you should experiment with multiple data sets and be able to explain what's happening. She said anyone can recreate code from a tutorial so it's important to add a unique aspect.

"You have to get past 'I just wrote code and it didn't break,'" Krinsky said.

• Democrats told Politico they believe Nancy Pelosi is playing "3-D chess" behind the scenes.
• Pelosi has been meeting with top Democrats to discuss their doubts about Biden's chances. 
• But as time runs out to either nominate or replace Biden, the stakes of the game are only growing.

Nancy Pelosi may not be openly calling for President Joe Biden to step out of the 2024 race, but she's not exactly giving him her unconditional support either.

Behind the scenes, the former speaker of the House has been meeting with top Democrats to discuss their doubts about Biden's reelection chances, Politico first reported. In front of the camera, she's told the hosts of MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that Biden still needs to decide whether to continue running despite the president's repeated assertions that he will not step down.

What Pelosi has said — and strategically not said — about Biden's campaign crisis in both public and private conversations has led some Democratic insiders to believe she is playing a game of "3-D chess," five Democratic lawmakers and senior aides told Politico.

One lawmaker told the outlet that in a private phone call, Pelosi was "very receptive" to that lawmaker's concerns about Biden's ability to defeat Donald Trump. The member also told Politico that, based on their conversation with Pelosi, they believed she is in favor of Biden leaving the race.

Much like Vice President Kamala Harris, Pelosi has been in a tough spot politically ever since Biden's flubbed debate performance led some Democrats to question his viability as a candidate. If Pelosi openly calls for Biden to drop out, she looks disloyal and could further hurt Biden's campaign if he is not replaced on the ticket. But, if she truly believes Biden cannot win and still chooses to stay silent, then she not only looks complicit but also puts her entire party at risk of major losses in the White House and Congress this November.

That tension may be exactly what's fueling her complex game of chess. But as time is running out for Democrats to either replace or formally nominate Biden, the stakes of the game are only weighing heavier on the future of the Democratic party and the country.

A representative for Pelosi did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• JD Vance has criticized US support for Ukraine amid his VP nomination on GOP ticket.
• Vance argues US aid to Ukraine diverts resources from Taiwan and urges more European support.
• Despite the Trump-Vance stance, Zelenskyy said he will work with a potential Trump administration.

Former president Donald Trump's rhetoric on Ukraine has triggered concerns in Kyiv and among US allies and partners. Ohio Sen. JD Vance's nomination for vice president on the Republican Party ticket is unlikely to alleviate those fears.

Vance has been critical of US support for Ukraine, and at the Munich Security Forum earlier this year, Vance said the US should "pivot" from Ukraine and Russia's war.

"I certainly admire the Ukrainians who are fighting against Russia," he said during a speech in May, "but I do not think that it is in America's interest to continue to fund an effectively never-ending war in Ukraine."

One European official told The Wall Street Journal that with the news of Trump's new running mate, "Ukraine is in trouble," while another official told the Guardian that "it's bad for us, but it's terrible news for [Ukraine]."

Worries have also been voiced domestically. Following Vance's nomination, former Rep. Liz Cheney raised several concerns about Vance and criticized his stance on Ukraine and wrote on X that if he were elected, he would "capitulate to Russia and sacrifice the freedom of our allies in Ukraine."

Vance has indicated his sights are set on East Asia.

He called China the "biggest threat to our country" in an interview with Fox News on Monday. And back in April, he wrote in a New York Times op-ed that the US sending weapons and aid to Ukraine is delaying shipments of weapons to Taiwan.

Trump's perspective appears a little different, as he notably said in a new interview with Bloomberg that Taiwan should pay the US for defense. Comparing the US to an "insurance company," he said that the island democracy "doesn't give us anything."

Trump has also been an outspoken critic of European defense spending, even going so far as to say he would permit Russia to harm allied nations that don't pay their fair share. Vance has written that America's European allies should contribute more to support Ukraine.

"While some European countries have provided considerable resources, the burden of military support has thus far fallen heaviest on the United States," he said.

Vance voted against the $61 billion package to Ukraine that was eventually approved by US Congress earlier this year.

Trump has also expressed his desire to move on from Ukraine and Russia, having previously said that if he were president again, he could end the conflict within a day. Though he hasn't said how, the expectation is that Ukraine would have to make unfavorable concessions.

"It ends the way nearly every single war has ever ended: when people negotiate and each side gives up something that it doesn't want to give up," Vance said of the Ukraine war back in December, per NBC's reporting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he believes that the majority of members in the Republican Party support Ukraine and that he is ready to work with the Trump administration.

"If Mr. Donald Trump becomes president, then we will work with him," Zelenskyy said at a recent press conference. "I am not afraid of it." It's less clear, though, what considerations may be playing out privately.

• I love cruises, but I was hesitant to go on them alone because I thought I'd be lonely.
• I was lonely at first but less so once I did what I wanted and stopped worrying about socializing. 
• I love that cruising solo allows me to relax and see the world on my terms.

I'm in my 60s, and I've been fortunate to take over 30 solo cruises over the last 15 years.

I started doing so after I discovered that I love going on cruises, but my wife did not. Fortunately, she's fine with me taking off by myself — I'm not sure if it's because she wants to make me happy or just likes to periodically get rid of me for a while.

Either way, my choice was to cruise solo or not at all. I opted for the former.

My first few cruises were lonely until I freed myself of solo-travel expectations

The first few times I cruised solo, I took three- and four-night cruises to see if I could handle being alone on a ship.

I was a little lonely on those first few cruises, primarily because I didn't know what to do with myself or what was expected of me as a solo traveler.

I felt like I had to attend tons of ship events and have my meals at shared tables with other people, but it didn't actually make me feel less lonely. I didn't enjoy doing things just for the sake of being around other people, either.

Finally, I asked myself an important question: What was I actually looking to get out of the cruise experience?

I wanted to relax and do what I wanted, not what others expected me to do on a cruise.

So, I stopped prioritizing socializing and started only doing things that furthered my own enjoyment. I found these things weren't dependent on being with others, and I became more at peace with being alone.

Eventually, I increased the length of my cruises to seven, 10, and even 16 nights. I'm still amazed at how fast time seems to pass on a ship.

I love getting to do what makes me happy without worrying about others

Turns out, it's OK to do absolutely nothing on vacation. And I don't need company to enjoy the benefits of being on a cruise.

I found that I like spending meals alone with a book, free from feeling obligated to converse or wait for others to finish eating before enjoying my next course.

Going to the nightly onboard shows is still fun for me, but I stopped doing on-shore excursions that don't further my relaxation. Sometimes, I just watch movies on the television in my cabin.

Although I no longer prioritize socializing, I still strike up conversations with people often, and I welcome those who ask to join me when they see me sitting alone.

But above all, cruising solo has taught me to be more comfortable in my own skin and more confident in myself. It's also allowed me to see the world without waiting for others.

I've now traveled throughout North America and made bucket-list trips to Antarctica and Iceland.

These days, the one downside of being alone is having to pay the dreaded single supplement, which usually doubles a cruise's base fare. But by booking an inside cabin, I can somewhat mitigate this cost of traveling solo.

• I was a Starbucks barista for nearly a year, so I've tasted a lot of the iced drinks on the menu.
• I love ordering refreshing coffee drinks like the salted cold-foam cold brew.
• Some customers don't know that you can now order frozen refreshers that are kind of like slushies. 

I always recommend the chain's salted cold-foam cold brew.

This is a personal favorite. But trust me, as long as the barista doesn't forget to add the caramel pumps, it's sure to become one of your top iced drinks, too. 

The salted sweet foam perfectly combines with the strong black cold brew. It's basically a fancier and tastier version of your basic coffee with sugar and milk.

You can't go wrong with any of the Frappuccinos, but the mocha cookie crumble is a highlight.

I've always been a huge fan of Starbucks' Frappuccinos — they're basically a milkshake-like dessert. But one standout is the mocha cookie crumble.

If you're looking for a chocolaty flavor that's not too rich, this one's for you. It's basically the equivalent of a McDonald's Oreo McFlurry with caffeine.

An iced peach green tea is the perfect alternative to coffee when you're still in need of a caffeine boost.

There are some days when I can acknowledge that my caffeine intake is a bit high. In these cases, Starbucks offers a wide variety of lower-caffeine and caffeine-free teas that are a pretty decent alternative. 

I typically live by the chain's black iced tea. But in the summer, the seasonal iced peach green tea is a must.

It's quite a light tea, and you can still adjust the added sweeteners to your liking. Plus, it has a hint of mintiness, which is always a welcomed surprise.

If you're lactose intolerant, the iced brown-sugar oat-milk shaken espresso is a delight.

You can already swap nondairy alternatives for any of Starbucks' milk-based drinks, but the chain specially crafted the iced brown-sugar oat-milk shaken espresso.

And as a nondairy milk enthusiast, I can assure you that oat milk is the perfect choice for this drink. It's creamy and pairs wonderfully with the blonde espresso and brown-sugar syrup. The end result almost tastes like graham crackers or s'mores. 

Starbucks' refreshers have been popular for years, but now there are frozen versions.

I've always been a slushy advocate, and now Starbucks has finally agreed that the popular refresher drinks would be better blended. 

This summer, I highly recommend trying a frozen refresher. You can order three flavors, frozen pineapple passion fruit, frozen strawberry acai, or frozen mango dragon fruit, with or without lemonade.   

I personally don't like adding lemonade to drinks, so I recently tried the frozen mango-dragon-fruit option without it, and it was heavenly.

This story was originally published in July 2023 and most recently updated on July 17, 2024.

• I took two ferries to get from Bremerton to Bainbridge Island in Washington.
• Both ferries were clean, spacious, and comfortable, so I enjoyed the journey. 
• I loved downtown Bainbridge Island's independent stores and restaurants.

Since I moved to Washington, I've been trying to explore my area more. Recently, I took two ferries to Bainbridge Island, a popular spot for daytrippers.

Bainbridge Island is home to about 25,000 people, and the downtown area is full of independent stores, museums, restaurants, and bars. The island, located only a few miles from Seattle, is also known for its natural beauty and scenic nature trails.

Like many excited visitors, I looked forward to seeing the beautiful waterways and shops on the island, which USA Today readers named one of the best small towns in the West.

I took a day trip to the island from my home in Bremerton, which is about 16 miles from Seattle. For this trip, I took two vessels through the Washington State Department of Transportation, which operates the largest ferry system in the US.

Here's what the journey was like.

I started my journey to Bainbridge Island in Bremerton, the city where I live.

Despite being separated by less than a mile of water, it takes about an hour to drive from Bremerton to Bainbridge Island. I didn't want to drive, so I figured the ferries would be the best option.

For the first part of my journey, I headed to the ferry terminal in Bremerton and boarded the Walla Walla Ferry.

The ferry from Bremerton to Seattle took about an hour.

Traveling via the Washington State Ferries from Bremerton to Seattle was free, and no ticket was required for a single ride.

The ferry was pretty large and could carry up to 2,000 passengers, with a maximum of 188 vehicles able to fit on board. I didn't want to bring my car along on this journey, but it's good to know I have the option for future trips.

The Walla Walla ferry had plenty of seating and other amenities.

I noticed plenty of seating options inside and outside the cabin, including booths and individual seats.

The ferry was accessible with ramps and elevators, and had an outdoor deck, restrooms, and vending machines. However, there was no WiFi.

I enjoyed the views from my booth.

My favorite part about taking the ferries in Washington is the scenery. On a previous journey from Bremerton to Seattle, I spotted a pod of orcas.

This time, I chose a window seat in a booth and admired the view throughout the hourlong journey. I even thought the large cushions were quite comfortable for a commuter ferry.

Though it was a long journey, it was a peaceful and relaxing ride thanks to the slow speed and the views of glistening water, evergreen trees, and, eventually, the Seattle skyline.

I needed a ticket to board the next ferry for the second part of my journey.

When I arrived in Seattle, I disembarked the Walla Walla ferry and went inside the terminal building to wait for the next vessel.

Tickets for walk-on passengers could be purchased online or at the terminal booth. They cost about $9.90 for adults and $4.90 for those 65 and older, though they were free for passengers under 18.

There was a 20-minute wait between the ferries, so I sat in the terminal lounge, which had lots of seating, visitor information, vending machines, and restrooms.

The ride from Seattle to Bainbridge Island took 35 minutes.

My journey from Seattle to Bainbridge Island was aboard the Tacoma vessel, which frequents this route along with the Chimacum ferry.

The Tacoma is slightly larger than the Walla Walla and can fit 2,499 passengers and a maximum of 202 vehicles.

The Tacoma ferry featured a full-service restaurant, bar, and coffee shop. 

Both ferries were similar, but this vessel had more amenities, including a coffee shop, bar, and restaurant. I noticed many tables, booths, and armchair-style seats.

Like the Walla Walla, this boat had an outdoor deck and was accessible with elevators and ramps. Unfortunately, this ferry didn't have WiFi either.

I grabbed a coffee and enjoyed the comfortable ferry ride.

I decided to grab a cappuccino at the on-board café before sitting down. Like my first journey, I opted for a window seat in a booth — but this time, I had a table.

Despite the shorter journey, this part of the trip was more comfortable due to the ferry's amenities, like the table and coffee shop.

Once we arrived, I spent four hours exploring Bainbridge Island's downtown area.

Downtown Bainbridge Island, also known as Winslow, seemed very walkable. The area is home to many independent stores, cafés, restaurants, bars, and the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.

Pickleball was invented on Bainbridge Island, so many of the local shops played into this theme.

Most gift stores I visited carried pickleball-themed goods, like paddles, clothing, homeware, and stationary, because Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum invented the game on Bainbridge Island in 1965.

I stopped for a tasty lunch, too.

After checking out some stores, I headed to a seafood restaurant called Proper Fish for lunch. I ordered the British fish and chips, which closely matched the dish I would enjoy in my native England.

Overall, the ferries were a great way to explore Bainbridge Island.

Although the journey times were long, the ferries were a great way to explore Washington, especially without a car.

Both ferries were clean and comfortable, and the free Walla Walla ferry and low prices for the Tacoma made them accessible for many budgets. Depending on the season, passengers may even get lucky and spot some wildlife on the rides.

I can't wait to take the ferry and see more of my state again.

• I tried eight brands of whipped cream from the grocery store to see which one is best.
• The lone nondairy option held it's own, but it didn't make it to the top of my list. 
• My favorite brand, Cabot, was a classic, and it had the coolest-looking can.

I've never once thought about if I wanted whipped cream on ice cream, hot cocoa, or pancakes. But I don't think I've ever said no, either. 

It's like an extra in a movie — you barely notice it, but things don't feel right when it's missing.

I decided to try eight store-bought brands of dairy and nondairy whipped cream and rank them from worst to best. I tasted each product on its own and with strawberries for a fair comparison. 

8. Foodtown sweetened light whipped cream

First Impression: Everything about this feels generic, but I still want to try it.

The packaging has a classic but uninspired feel, like someone recreated it from their hazy childhood memory of a whipped-cream can.

I didn't like this at all.

I didn't like the flavor of the whipped cream's artificial sweetener. And there was a bit of a funky aftertaste that didn't make things much better. 

Trying it on a strawberry didn't mask anything, either. I felt like I was eating a lousy fruit salad.

7. Whole Foods whipped topping

First Impression: I don't love the look of this can at all. It's bland, and the 365 logo seems out of place.

I understand that whipped cream is white, but a bland can isn't exciting to look at.

It was pretty good but much lighter than I prefer.

I thought the whipped cream melted in my mouth a little too quickly.

The use of cane sugar was a nice touch, and I certainly tasted the difference from the Foodtown brand, but it wasn't immense.

I put a bunch of this on a strawberry and the consistency left a little to be desired. I think good whipped cream enhances the flavor of fruit, but this struggled not to get lost.

6. Dairy Star original dairy whipped topping

First Impression:  I don't expect to like this one too much. The can looks a little too sterile for my taste.

But all the other red, cow-themed cans were good, so I'm keeping an open mind.

This is delicious.

All I could think about was how this one would be especially good with coffee. It tasted like there was a little hint of cinnamon, which I knew was just in my mind. 

It was also very good with the berry.

But it wasn't my favorite overall because I lost a little of the unique flavor when I used it as a topping — the berry was slightly overpowering.

5. Coconut whipped topping

First Impression: The can is unassuming, but I've actually had this before and remember loving it.

To further the hype, the Trader Joe's cashier couldn't stop raving about this product when I bought it. 

I'm not sure I'd want to eat this on its own, but it was delicious.

I tasted a very fresh coconut flavor, and I love how fluffy it is. It's a great alternative and holds its own against dairy whipped cream. 

Coconut and strawberry isn't my go-to flavor combination, but I thought they also paired nicely without canceling each other out.

I think the lightness of the coconut cream gives it great versatility and allows it to work with many flavors.

4. Original Reddi-Wip

First Impression: The can here is lovely — sleek and beautiful. It stands out among all the others on the shelf.

I don't know if this is actually the "original" canned whipped cream, but the design makes me feel that way, which I'd say is an accomplishment.

(I looked it up, and it actually was the first aerosol whipped cream.)

It's so good.

The cream is light, fluffy, and perfectly sweet. I could eat this out of a bowl with a spoon. 

I wasn't sure I even wanted to try it with the strawberry. It just melts away so quickly and leaves you with a milky-sweet taste. 

But the sweetness of the fruit went well with the cream. If the cream was a little thicker, I would've been even happier.

3. Krasdale original dairy whipped topping

First Impression: I don't have a great feel for this one.

The can looks like a nicer version of the other generic products I tried. But the cream looked great coming out of the can. 

This was the closest thing to the whipped cream I remember eating as a kid.

The cream was light and airy, with a sweet but not overpowering taste.

It got a boost in my ranking for the nostalgia factor.

The whipped cream also went perfectly with the strawberries. There was enough sweetness to prevent the flavor from getting lost, but I didn't feel like it was overpowering the fruit. 

2. Farmland real whipped light cream

First Impression: The can looks great. I like the cow logo and the spots.

It reminded me a lot of the Cabot can. 

This was very milky and had a richer flavor than most.

It actually did remind me a little of Cabot, though less textured and vanilla-y. It kind of tasted like Cool Whip without the tang.

This whipped cream brought a bolder flavor than most to the strawberry, but it worked just as well, if not better.

The topping felt fresh instead of just like an accent, like some of the others.

1. Cabot premium natural sweetened light whipped cream

First Impression: Now this is a can of whipped cream. I love the pink — it really stands out — and you can't get any more classic than cow spots.

I can't wait to try it. 

This felt like the closest I'll ever come to drinking milk straight from a cow on a farm.

I know the can says light, but this had a thickness to it that I appreciated.

It was also far milkier than the others, and though it could have been a little sweeter, I was eager to eat more.

The cream and strawberries genuinely went together. The richness of the fruit didn't outmatch the creaminess of the topping.

I liked Reddi-Wip more on first taste, but I kept going back for more of Cabot's whipped cream.

Foodtown is the only brand I wouldn't buy again, mostly because I didn't love the flavor. But I probably wouldn't get the Whole Foods brand again, either, unless I was in a pinch.

I preferred the thicker whipped creams like Reddi-Wip, Krasdale, and Farmland. 

Cabot was easily my favorite one of the bunch. It was so simple and rich, making the strawberries an experience to eat.

I felt like I was enjoying a full-fledged dessert rather than just some berries and cream.

This story was originally published in July 2023 and most recently updated on July 17, 2024.