Mike Bloomberg’s Lifetime Giving Reaches $6.4 Billion in 2018: Ranked #2 On List of Top Philanthropists (Chronicle of Philanthropy)
The former New York mayor and founder of the Bloomberg financial-news empire gave big in 2018, bumping his lifetime giving to nonprofits to more than $6.4 billion personally and through his Bloomberg Philanthropies. He made headlines last year when he promised his alma mater, Johns Hopkins, $1.8 billion (which he plans to pay out in 2019) for financial aid for low-and middle-income students. The move allows the university to offer need-blind admissions and forgo student loans in the financial-aid packages it offers students.

Hot on the Bloomberg:
How a 27-Year-Old CEO Built a Near $1 Billion Fashion Startup (Bloomberg)

Economy Watch:
Best U.S. Job Numbers Ever? Not If You’re Out of Work for a Year (Bloomberg)
By one key measure, far from a boom, the labor market hasn’t even returned to a normal state. Over the past 12 months, the share of unemployed people out of work for 52 weeks or longer has averaged 13.2 percent — higher than at almost any point in data from 1976 to 2008.

U.S. Small-Business Optimism Hits Two-Year Low Amid Shutdown (Bloomberg)

Brexit Update:
-Theresa May Says EU Talks Need ‘A Little More Time’ (Bloomberg)
-Mark Carney Says Brexit Could Provide ‘Acid Test’ for Global Economy (Bloomberg)
-U.K. Economy Falters as Brexit Looms. Amsterdam Sees Risks, and Opportunity. (New York Times)

Markets Today:
-Traders With $515 Billion Boycott Stocks for Cash Despite Rally (Bloomberg)

Bloomberg’s Climate Pragmatism and the 2020 Democrats (Associated Press)
No presidential prospect has done more to confront climate change than the billionaire Democrat, who measures his progress in the metric tons of carbon emissions he’s helped eliminate. While virtually every top Democratic White House contender embraced the so-called Green New Deal immediately after it was released last week, Bloomberg was not among the cheerleaders. He welcomed more focus on climate change, but questioned the ambitious plan’s feasibility.

“I’m focused on what are we going to do tomorrow. I’m not a legislator. I’m an executive. That means doing things and not just talking about them,” Bloomberg said in an interview with The Associated Press. Bloomberg’s allies on climate change include former longtime Sierra Club executive director Carl Pope, who calls Bloomberg “clearly the greatest environmental innovator being talked about for president for 2020.”

‘A New Era on Guns:’ Gun-Safety Groups Look to 2020 a Year after Parkland (CNN)

Former Astronaut Mark Kelly, Husband of Gabby Giffords, Announces Senate Bid in Arizona (Washington Post)

Bill de Blasio heads to New Hampshire, Contemplates Run for President (Politico)

Climate Change: Hawaii Recorded The Lowest Elevation Snow in State History (San Francisco Chronicle)

Future of Philanthropy: These 5 Public Art Projects Just Won $1 Million Each to Spark Discussion about Social Issues (Fast Company)
The winners of this year’s Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge examine gun violence, climate change, food equity and more.

Best of late night.

“Valentine’s Day is less than one week away. And you’ll know your boyfriend waited too long to make your dinner reservation when he asks ‘so do you want to eat at 4:30pm or 10:15pm?’”
— Jimmy Fallon

“I was all set to host the Grammys. But at the last minute, I was never asked.”
— Conan O’Brien

“The Grammys are the biggest night of the year for music. And also the biggest night of the year for your parents to text you asking ‘who are these people??’”
— James Corden

For more best of late night from the New York Times, click here.