The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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When the Marshall Fire swept through the grassy plains and foothills outside Boulder, Colorado, in late December 2021, it burned down more than 1,000 homes—and left many young people shaken. "It can just be pure anxiety—you're literally watching a fire march its way across, and it's really, really close," said David Thesenga, an 8th grade science teacher. Some of his students at Alexander Dawson School in the small town of Lafayette lost their homes to the fire. As more students come to sch...
In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, a quiet revolution in end-of-life practices is underway. At Ramsey Creek Preserve near Westminster, South Carolina, the deceased do not rest under rows of cold marble, but beneath meadows and oaks, their presence woven into the natural world, Reasons to be Cheerful says. The first body Billy Campbell buried on his land was the stillborn child of friends. Then a colleague who died suddenly in a car accident "solidified the rightness of it," Campbell...
Pet ownership in the U.S. has exploded over the last few decades. As of 2025, about 74% of U.S. households own a pet, according to the American Pet Products Association; a significant increase from 56% in 1988. The biggest sector of pet owners is millennials, followed by Gen Xers and baby boomers. Dogs are by far the most popular pets for Americans, with 68 million households owning one. It's long been said that dogs are a human's best friend. And for good reason: They provide company,...
Kidney disease is a serious yet often overlooked condition that affects millions worldwide. Despite its impact, it is frequently underestimated compared to illnesses like cancer and heart disease. The science journal Nature called it a "hidden epidemic," as it now occupies the third spot on the list of the most quickly growing causes of death worldwide. Compare Dialysis Centers examined Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data and other sources to explore the risk factors for chronic...
Private sports coaching has long been a behind-the-scenes part of youth athletics, but in recent years, it's become a booming micro-economy—fueled not by schools or clubs, but by everyday families looking for something different. The demand for high-quality private coaching is only growing stronger, Athletes Untapped says. A combination of youth sports specialization, college recruiting, and a cultural push for individualized development has created the perfect opportunity for private c...
The overwhelming majority of those who make it onto "richest people" lists—in all 50 states or the world—are men. This fact is unsurprising, considering the history of discriminatory workplace practices and various barriers to women's wealth, including barring women from having credit cards until the 1970s. Even in 2025, an income gap leaves women earning $0.83 on average for every $1 a man makes. Madam C.J. Walker, an early 20th-century purveyor of hair care and cosmetics for Black women, is...
Tax laws change frequently, with updates impacting the best tax planning practices for businesses across industries. Over the next year, there will be significant changes to tax laws with the potential sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and economic changes in the White House led by the Trump administration. Polston Tax has put together a guide to the major tax law changes you can expect to be enacted in 2025 and occur prospectively in 2026. It will also review potential changes that hav...
Gas prices have gone up by about 4 cents per gallon since this time last month but are still down by nearly 50 cents compared to this time last year. The national average fuel price is about $3.17, with Tyler, Texas, seeing the cheapest metro-area prices at $2.60 and Salinas, California, with the most expensive at $5.11. After issuing multiple pauses on tariffs against Canadian and Mexican imports since taking office, President Trump in early April announced a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on...
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a...
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a...
Sure, tending to plants and flowers brings pleasant fragrances, vibrant colors, and a little buzz for the birds and bees, but the real groundbreaking magic happens beneath the surface. A garden does more than brighten up an outdoor space—it can transform your health in ways you might not expect. Does gardening count as exercise? Are there any mental health benefits to growing your own plants? Yes to both. From lowering stress to supporting weight management, gardening offers lots of powerful m...
Gas prices have gone up by about 4 cents per gallon since this time last month but are still down by nearly 50 cents compared to this time last year. The national average fuel price is about $3.17, with Tyler, Texas, seeing the cheapest metro-area prices at $2.60 and Salinas, California, with the most expensive at $5.11. After issuing multiple pauses on tariffs against Canadian and Mexican imports since taking office, President Trump in early April announced a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on...
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities' Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey. Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a...
Since A&W Root Beer became the first American restaurant to franchise in 1925, the U.S.—not to mention the rest of the world—has been dominated by chains. Iconic establishments like the now-defunct Howard Johnson's trained customers to look toward its distinctive orange roofs for consistency and comfort, while McDonald's revolutionized the industry with its focus on speed and affordability. Over the years, chains have had a tremendous influence on American culture, from Little Caesars mak...
Gas prices have gone up by about 4 cents per gallon since this time last month but are still down by nearly 50 cents compared to this time last year. The national average fuel price is about $3.17, with Tyler, Texas, seeing the cheapest metro-area prices at $2.60 and Salinas, California, with the most expensive at $5.11. After issuing multiple pauses on tariffs against Canadian and Mexican imports since taking office, President Trump in early April announced a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on...
Gas prices have gone up by about 4 cents per gallon since this time last month but are still down by nearly 50 cents compared to this time last year. The national average fuel price is about $3.17, with Tyler, Texas, seeing the cheapest metro-area prices at $2.60 and Salinas, California, with the most expensive at $5.11. After issuing multiple pauses on tariffs against Canadian and Mexican imports since taking office, President Trump in early April announced a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on...
Gas prices have gone up by about 4 cents per gallon since this time last month but are still down by nearly 50 cents compared to this time last year. The national average fuel price is about $3.17, with Tyler, Texas, seeing the cheapest metro-area prices at $2.60 and Salinas, California, with the most expensive at $5.11. After issuing multiple pauses on tariffs against Canadian and Mexican imports since taking office, President Trump in early April announced a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on...
Gas prices have gone up by about 4 cents per gallon since this time last month but are still down by nearly 50 cents compared to this time last year. The national average fuel price is about $3.17, with Tyler, Texas, seeing the cheapest metro-area prices at $2.60 and Salinas, California, with the most expensive at $5.11. After issuing multiple pauses on tariffs against Canadian and Mexican imports since taking office, President Trump in early April announced a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on...
Gas prices have gone up by about 4 cents per gallon since this time last month but are still down by nearly 50 cents compared to this time last year. The national average fuel price is about $3.17, with Tyler, Texas, seeing the cheapest metro-area prices at $2.60 and Salinas, California, with the most expensive at $5.11. After issuing multiple pauses on tariffs against Canadian and Mexican imports since taking office, President Trump in early April announced a sweeping 10% baseline tariff on...
Mother's Day is just around the corner and millions of adult children will travel home for the holiday. However, an increasing number of adult children won't be traveling home—because they are already living at home with their parents. To better understand why and where adult children live with their parents, researchers at TruckInfo.net analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Federal Reserve. They found the following trends. Adult children are twice a...
Pizza has been a staple of the American diet since the late 19th century and has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry. How much do Americans love pizza? $50 billion in estimated sales for 2024 should give you a rough idea. What's more, that number is expected to grow, with technology research company Technavio projecting the global pizza market will increase by $70.1 billion between 2025 and 2029. Americans buy approximately 350 slices of pizza every second. Crust, cheese, sauce, and, of co...
Stunning as it may sound, nearly half of Americans ages 20 years and up—or more than 122 million people—have high blood pressure, according to a 2023 report from the American Heart Association. And even if your numbers are normal right now, they are likely to increase as you age; more than three-quarters of Americans age 65 and older have high blood pressure. Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Most Americans don't know the normal...
KaTiedra Argro has been on a mission: restore her school's reputation as a premier Philadelphia educational institution where young women hone their skills, excel as leaders, and find their voices. The principal of the Philadelphia High School for Girls spent last fall visiting 48 elementary and middle schools to recruit students. She went all over the city, from Northeast to Southwest, to sell kids on an historic all-girls school that was founded 13 years before the Civil War. A member of Girls...
As a small business owner, you pour time, energy and passion into doing all the things you need to do to build and run your business and guarantee its success. Or so you think. One thing small business owners don't always consider is this: Are you prepared to protect your business from unexpected setbacks? And are there gaps in your small business insurance coverage that could leave you vulnerable? Here, NEXT has identified some of the most commonly overlooked gaps in small business...
When you think about improving your health, you may focus on finding time to exercise, breaking bad habits, or changing your diet. But prioritizing your mental health is just as important. By prioritizing self-care and considering therapy, you can maintain good mental health and prepare for challenges before they arise. Taking a proactive approach to your well-being can equip you with the tools you need to manage stress, face adversity, and handle unexpected changes with resilience and confidenc...
