diff --git a/app/static/index.html b/app/static/index.html
index 4012750..5074875 100644
--- a/app/static/index.html
+++ b/app/static/index.html
@@ -2630,6 +2630,9 @@ initSettings();
 initMarketTicker();
 checkHealth();
 initMap();
+// Ticker lives on the map HUD — load after overlays start so it does not
+// contend with the first bbox burst. Payload is slim (no article bodies).
+setTimeout(() => loadNews(true), 400);
 setInterval(checkHealth, 30000);
 </script>
 </body>