I noticed that when interest rates went up, my 401k bond market funds went into the toilet.  It seems there is an inverse correlation between the two that I don't fully understand.  But if you want to make up for the lower interest rates, look into a bond fund. They are less volatile than stocks and may be attractive in your stage of life.

I asked AI to explain why this is and received the following:

While it might seem counterintuitive, there's a simple reason why bond prices and interest rates move in opposite directions.Think of it like this: When interest rates rise, newly issued bonds offer a higher interest rate to attract investors. This makes older bonds with lower interest rates less attractive. To compete, the price of these older bonds must decrease.Here's a breakdown:
[list=1]
[*]Interest Rates Rise: The Federal Reserve increases interest rates to curb inflation or other economic factors.   
[*]New Bonds Become More Attractive: Investors can now get higher returns from newly issued bonds.
[*]Old Bonds Become Less Attractive: Existing bonds with lower interest rates are less appealing to investors.   
[*]Price Adjustment: To make older bonds more attractive, their prices must decrease.
[/list]
In essence, the value of a bond is inversely related to the interest rate available in the market. When interest rates rise, the value of existing bonds falls, and vice versa.    

I wondered why the APR actually decreases as the period of the CD increases.
It must be the lock-in of the rate and the bank covering its ass.
You are right that now is a good time to take advantage of it.

Totally normal election cycle.
FEMA contractors ordered to “stand down” after security threats, messages show (msn.com)

“Effective immediately, disaster wide -- cease inspections today and return to your hotels,” an alert from Vanguard Inspection Services read on Saturday. “FEMA received news that the Title 10 (active military unit deployed to NC) came across some trucks of militia units who said they were out hunting FEMA personnel.”


Trump suggests using military against ‘enemy from within’ on Election Day | CNN Politics

“I think the bigger problem is the enemy from within, not even the people that have come in and destroying our country, by the way, totally destroying our country, the towns, the villages, they’re being inundated,” he said, referring to immigrants whom Trump has repeatedly attacked with dehumanizing rhetoric.


 

Some people are really fucked up.