A Data Visualization Newsletter

We helped Yelp create its latest trend report, which highlights how women have been a driving force for economic growth and recent consumer trends. Yelp data shows a 17% increase in women-owned business openings in 2023, with the biggest spikes in categories like hotels & travel and professional services. Across entertainment, literature, and fitness, women are shaping business and culture.

Last week, we lived through an anomaly that only happens once every four years: February 29. But leap years aren’t just a fun novelty; they play a vital role in keeping our calendar on track. Otherwise, by 2777, the winter solstice would actually fall in June. This interactive from CNN breaks down the origins and importance of the leap year.

The US Border Patrol had nearly 250,000 encounters with migrants at the US-Mexico border in December 2023, a new record. According to immigration court records, many of these new migrants are flowing to major metropolitan areas like New York, Chicago, and Denver. But others are flocking to rural areas with significant work in the meatpacking and agriculture industries.

McDonald’s may be among the most legendary brands in fast food, with over 13,000 locations in the US. But does that figure surpass the number of golf courses across America? Spoiler: it turns out that the country's fairways outnumber its fryers, particularly in more rural and suburban areas of the country. Check out these maps from FlowingData for the full breakdown.

Caitlin Clark, Iowa’s senior point guard, just surpassed Pete Maravich to become the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I basketball history. It’s a remarkable feat, one of many in Clark’s already legendary college career. The Washington Post published this article a few weeks ago, when she passed Kelsey Plum on the scoring list.