The COVID pandemic has had some devastating effects on millions of Americans dealing with unemployment, homelessness and health issues. But for those who have been watching their retirement funds boom during a surprisingly strong stock market performance, there is a silver lining.

According to Fidelity, the largest purveyor of 401(k) savings accounts, more than 365,000 clients now have over $1 million in their funds, a new record that is more than double last year's total. The number of IRA accounts exceeding $1 million balances also set a record at 307,600.

“These are people making it a goal to do as much as possible with these retirement accounts,” Jessica Macdonald, a vice president at Fidelity Investments, said. “It’s not something that happens overnight, it’s really an example of staying the course and taking a long-term approach.”

The trend also reflects the disparity between how Americans have been impacted by the pandemic. While many relied on government assistance to get through the year-plus shutdowns in some segments of the  economy, others have fared well enough to put some aside for the future.

SEE HOW THE STOCK MARKET HAS BEEN GOOD TO SAVERS

There was a time when Snapchat was the sort of low-key alternative to more established social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thanks to growth and global expansion, all the cool kids are using it.

In announcing yet another expansion with new partnerships and features, Snapchat also dropped some more insight into the emerging platform's success. It now has more than a half-billion active users around the world.

"We now reach over 500 million monthly active users, and nearly one of every two smartphone users in the United States is on Snapchat," said CEO Evan Spiegel, adding the latest growth is coming from Asia. "Our community outside of North America and Europe is growing rapidly," 

Spiegel credits pandemic lockdowns for the increases in users looking to connect virtually, but also points to Snapchat's aggressive expansion of services. Originally developed to offer disappearing messages, Snapchat now features games, news, entertainment and augmented reality.

CHECK OUT SNAPCHAT'S NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH DISCOVERY

In the never-ending saga surrounding the smash-hit series "Tiger Kings," the federal government seized 68 big cats from the park formerly owned by Joe Exotic for repeated violations against the Endangered Species Act.

The Oklahoma park, now owned by "Tiger Kings" co-stars Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe, was cited for multiple violations of sub-par conditions for the cats, which include tigers, lions, ligers (lion-tiger hybrids) and one jaguar.

"This seizure should send a clear message that the Justice Department takes alleged harm to captive-bred animals protected under the [ESA]  very seriously," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jean Williams.

Meanwhile, Joe Exotic continues to serve his 22-year prison sentence for conspiring to have rival cat-keeper Carole Baskins murdered. His appeals for a presidential pardon have fallen on deaf ears as he suffers the ironic fate of being locked up just like the animals he kept in captivity for years.

FIND OUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE RESCUED BIG CATS

Big cats get all the headlines, but one pint-sized feline gained fame for being the smallest cat on record. What was the cat's name and breed?

Thursday's answer: Although many claim to be the creator of the corn dog, the name on the patent belongs to Sylvia Schur of Buffalo, N.Y.

SEND YOUR ANSWER HERE TO SHOW OFF YOUR KNOWLEDGE

We hope you are enjoying waking up to Fast Start, and we say the more the merrier. Introduce your friends to us by forwarding them a copy and encourage them to subscribe. Tell them to let us know you sent them.

HERE'S THE EMAIL ADDRESS YOUR FRIENDS WILL NEED