The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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On Jan. 27, 2025, the White House issued a late-night directive that paused federal grants and funding in order to locate and eliminate "woke" government spending. The pause seemingly included funding for public schools, such as the Farm to School Program that provided schools with locally sourced food. It wasn't long before Jared Cordon, superintendent of a rural school district in Roseburg, Oregon, started receiving calls from concerned community members. "If kids can't eat, where can I drop...
Of the lucky pups who were adopted last year, it seems more have found their forever homes: The number of dogs surrendered by their owners has decreased by about 4.5% since 2023, according to a 2024 report from Shelter Animals Count. Collecting data from 13,527 animal shelters and rescues in the U.S., Canada, and U.S. territories, the SAC report also found that the overall dog adoption rate has dipped by about 1% from 2023. However, it's worth noting that when this figure is broken down by the t...
In the past, finding a private sports coach often meant word-of-mouth referrals, expensive training facilities, and time-consuming scheduling. But as technology continues to reshape the way we work, learn, and connect, the world of youth sports training is getting its own upgrade. Just as Airbnb revolutionized travel and Uber reimagined transportation, new digital platforms are now decentralizing the $20 billion youth sports industry, giving families more direct access to qualified...
For affluent individuals, building and preserving wealth involves more than picking the right stocks or stashing cash in savings accounts. It requires intentional, strategic investing that accounts for the unique opportunities and challenges of high-income earners. With elevated income levels come tax implications, portfolio considerations, and the need for sophisticated wealth management strategies. This is where advanced investment approaches like Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) and tax-loss...
In the modern job market, salary has long stood as the holy grail of employment decisions. Yet, in an age where medical bills can spiral into bankruptcy and health crises strike unexpectedly, a different factor has emerged as a silent but potent influence: healthcare benefits. Whether it's a routine doctor visit or catastrophic medical care, the cost-sharing structures employers offer can deeply affect employees' lives—and influence whether they accept, stay in, or leave a job, explains S...
Mother's Day is an opportunity to recognize the presence, love, and influence of mother figures in all their forms—from biological mothers and grandmothers to stepmothers, chosen family, and mentors. And while no single gift can ever capture all they do, jewelry offers a timeless way to honor their impact and celebrate their style. This year, instead of one-size-fits-all suggestions, VRAI, a fine jewelry brand specializing in lab-grown diamonds, suggests considering jewelry that feels as intenti...
The 2025 tax season is in full swing, and IRS data is beginning to paint a clearer picture of how business owners are faring. 95% of U.S. business owners pay their business taxes through personal tax returns, known as "pass-through entities," and only 5% pay their taxes at the "business level." Refunds are down compared to 2024. Filing is slower, and many business owners are taking a wait-and-see approach. These numbers also provide an opportunity to plan smarter and avoid costly mistakes. Every...
Leveraging its in-house global trade and compliance expertise, Passport breaks down how the April 2 and subsequent tariff announcements are creating new challenges for international e-commerce—and what brands can do to adjust their strategies. The Trump administration has announced major changes to U.S. tariff policy throughout April 2025—making waves across global e-commerce. A 10% blanket tariff on all imports, the end of de minimis for China and Hong Kong, and escalating reciprocal tar...
A $100,000 salary may sound like a comfortable income but how far it goes varies largely depending on where you live. Earning $100,000 places an individual tax filer at the upper limit of the 22% federal tax bracket. On top of that, FICA taxes for Social Security and Medicare apply, and depending on where you live, state and local income taxes could take another bite. But taxes aren't the only factor. The cost of living varies widely across the country, affecting how much purchasing power...
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming workplaces, boosting efficiency, and reshaping job roles. According to a 2024 Gartner poll, 59% of CEOs believe AI will have the biggest impact on their business in the next three years. However, about a third expect it to deliver a more than 15% boost in worker productivity within the next two years. But this optimism may be misplaced if organizations don't focus on investing in the right processes and support to bring their employees along f...
In Idaho, homes have become 90% more expensive relative to income over the past decade. That's not a typo. A state once considered a haven of relative affordability is now one of the starkest examples of America's housing crisis. In 2013, home values in the state were a little over 3 times the median annual household income. By 2023, they had risen to 6 times the household income. But Idaho is hardly an outlier. A new analysis from the real estate agency immoverkauf24 in collaboration with the...
Just four West African countries are the foundation of an industry worth more than $100 billion. In the tropical nations of Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria, rows of cacao trees sprout pods bearing dozens of seeds. Once harvested, these humble beans are dried, roasted, and processed into something beloved worldwide. Chocolate has been coveted for millennia and, particularly on Valentine's Day, is an unmistakable token of love. But as increasingly erratic weather continues driving up...
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 l...
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...
Romantic love may come and go, but finding the Thelma to your Louise is forever. Friends—besties, squads, workplace buddies, college roommates—play a unique role in our lives. They're companions and confidants; they share our stories and know us better than we know ourselves. Whether they show up in real life or drop the perfect response in the group chat, having a friend who just gets it is priceless. Still, in a nation grappling with social isolation and a loneliness public health crisis, a t...
At 34, Natalie, a doctor from Oregon, was struggling to build the family she longed for. At times, her sense of helplessness was overwhelming. "All my friends had kids; they were all having their baby showers and their first birthdays. And you know, that stereotype about babies is everywhere. You couldn't get away from it," she told Stacker. After trying to conceive for a year, Natalie turned to in vitro fertilization. However, her choices were limited since her insurance covered just three...
SearchGPT is a search engine created by OpenAI. It differs from search engines like Google and Bing because, at the foundational level, they are looking for specific words that match the search terms. Instead, SearchGPT uses AI to understand the intent behind a user's query and delivers direct answers, not just a list of relevant websites with possible answers to the query that require the user to visit and search each listed site for the answer, Consultwebs explains. SearchGPT also cites its...
New Jersey's Democratic state government trifecta is somewhat vulnerable in 2025, and a new Democratic trifecta in Virginia is a moderate possibility according to Ballotpedia's 2025 trifecta vulnerability ratings. A state government trifecta occurs when one party holds the governorship and majorities in both state legislative chambers. Ballotpedia's annual trifecta vulnerability ratings estimate the chances of trifectas breaking and forming. Our assessment of gubernatorial races is based on race...
The Trump administration announced on March 26 a 25% tariff on imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts, aiming to bolster U.S. manufacturing and protect national security. Unsurprisingly, it sent shockwaves through the automotive industry and financial markets—consumers rushed to buy cars ahead of potential price hikes, and investors scrambled to assess the fallout. According to Finder data, there was plenty of fallout. To add to the uncertainty, on April 14, President Donald T...
In a small recording studio near Nashville, Tennessee, conservative activist Kelly Schenkoske urged an online audience of parents to scour school district websites for contracts that mention social and emotional learning. "Social-emotional learning is far more than just kindness," Schenkoske said. "It is a bait and switch." The bait, according to Schenkoske and other panelists at the recent Moms for Liberty training event, is small shifts in the school day to introduce students to lessons about...
In the treatment of mental health disorders like depression and anxiety, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed as first-line treatments. Among the most popular SSRIs are Zoloft (sertraline) and Lexapro (escitalopram)—each with its own strengths, side effect profiles, and clinical indications. While both drugs are designed to regulate serotonin levels in the brain, understanding their nuanced differences can help patients and clinicians make informed treatment decis...
Way.com compiled data on parking rates and options at Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport. Parking options range from more convenient and expensive options on-site to cheaper parking lots that may require a taxi or shuttle. On-site parking options at Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport range in price from $10 to $24. Around the country, airport parking lots cost anywhere from $5 to $168. Surprisingly the most expensive airport parking lot is in Denver, not in New York Cit...
For founders, entrepreneurs, and other business owners, access to capital often determines the difference between thriving and merely surviving. While personal credit scores may help launch a venture, establishing business credit creates financial flexibility, reduces personal liability, and unlocks growth opportunities that remain inaccessible to companies without established credit histories. Yet many business owners find themselves asking a critical question: How long does it take to build...
For middle-class Americans, the dream has long been a life of reasonable comfort—a stable home, the ability to save enough money to retire, and enough left over for periodic splurges like family vacations, updated cars, or home improvements. But with living costs surging over the past few years, that dream is getting pricier. The latest data shows that the income needed to maintain a middle-class status has climbed, reflecting both inflation and shifting wages across the U.S. Using Pew R...
