The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Sorted by date Results 601 - 625 of 2031
Survey: 60% of teachers used AI this year and saved up to 6 hours of work a week Nearly two-thirds of teachers utilized artificial intelligence this past school year, and weekly users saved almost six hours of work per week, according to a recently released Gallup survey. But 28% of teachers still oppose AI tools in the classroom. The 74 breaks down the findings from the poll, published by the research firm and the Walton Family Foundation in June, which includes perspectives from 2,232 U.S....
5 ways to make quick cash: Online and offline solutions It’s not uncommon to hit a moment in your financial life when you could use some cash ASAP. Whether due to an unexpected major expense or getting laid off, you may need a chunk of change to make ends meet. To help out, SoFi shares a list of 23 ways to get some money flowing your way. Some are online methods, others are in-person, but all can help you out when you are in a pinch. Read on to see which of these ideas may suit you, plus t...
Pharma industry and Ballard Partners dominate the lobbying space in second quarter of 2025 Pharmaceutical and health products companies continued to dominate the lobbying space in the second quarter of 2025, spending $105.4 million to influence public policy. That industry has spent more on lobbying than any other, during every quarter but one, since 2010, according to an OpenSecrets analysis of disclosure reports. That total was down from the industry’s first-quarter total ($121.4 million) but...
Mish.El // Shutterstock Mortgage rates fall to 10‑month low, offering relief for Huntsville buyers Redfin Real Estate economists say the recent dip in mortgage rates gives serious house hunters a window of opportunity to lock in a lower monthly housing payment. The daily average mortgage rate dropped to 6.57% on August 4th – the lowest level in 10 months. That's down from a peak of 7.08% in May, giving buyers some relief after months of higher rates. In Huntsville, where the median sale pri...
How accounting teams use AI to get more work done every day Thanks to AI, the accounting profession is experiencing a significant shift. Researchers from Columbia University and elsewhere found that native AI agents within enterprise resource planning (ERP) software can reduce processing times by up to 40% and error rates by up to 94% when handling workflows like wire transfers and employee reimbursements. These advances represent a shift in how accounting teams operate, moving from reactive man...
Do freelancers need commercial insurance? Freelancing offers unmatched freedom and flexibility, allowing professionals to work on their own terms. But with that independence comes the responsibility of managing risks that would typically be handled by an employer. One of the most overlooked parts of that responsibility is insurance. While many freelancers assume they do not need commercial coverage, the reality is that even solo professionals face liabilities that can lead to serious financial...
“It’s never too late”: How 3 founders launched successful businesses later in life One of the best parts of entrepreneurship is that it doesn’t come with an expiration date. If you have a great idea and the passion to see it through, it’s never too late to bring it to life. In fact, folks who are 55 and older own more than half of America’s businesses, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. As an entrepreneur, having some experience under your belt can actually be one of your...
Can this 30-second challenge predict how long you’ll live? The 30-second sit-to-stand test has gained popularity for its gimmicky promise of predicting how long you’ll live, Hone Health reports. While it’s not a crystal ball for aging, the simple challenge can provide insights about your flexibility and balance, two important indicators of healthspan and longevity. The test is straightforward: Start standing, lower yourself to the floor or a chair, and then stand up again. Repeat for 30 secon...
Mish.El // Shutterstock Mortgage rates fall to 10‑month low, offering relief for Mobile buyers Redfin Real Estate economists say the recent dip in mortgage rates gives serious house hunters a window of opportunity to lock in a lower monthly housing payment. The daily average mortgage rate dropped to 6.57% on August 4th – the lowest level in 10 months. That's down from a peak of 7.08% in May, giving buyers some relief after months of higher rates. In Mobile, where the median sale price is $23...
Mish.El // Shutterstock Mortgage rates fall to 10‑month low, offering relief for Decatur buyers Redfin Real Estate economists say the recent dip in mortgage rates gives serious house hunters a window of opportunity to lock in a lower monthly housing payment. The daily average mortgage rate dropped to 6.57% on August 4th – the lowest level in 10 months. That's down from a peak of 7.08% in May, giving buyers some relief after months of higher rates. In Decatur, where the median sale price is $24...
Mish.El // Shutterstock Mortgage rates fall to 10‑month low, offering relief for Auburn buyers Redfin Real Estate economists say the recent dip in mortgage rates gives serious house hunters a window of opportunity to lock in a lower monthly housing payment. The daily average mortgage rate dropped to 6.57% on August 4th – the lowest level in 10 months. That's down from a peak of 7.08% in May, giving buyers some relief after months of higher rates. In Auburn, where the median sale price is $35...
Mish.El // Shutterstock Mortgage rates fall to 10‑month low, offering relief for Montgomery buyers Redfin Real Estate economists say the recent dip in mortgage rates gives serious house hunters a window of opportunity to lock in a lower monthly housing payment. The daily average mortgage rate dropped to 6.57% on August 4th – the lowest level in 10 months. That's down from a peak of 7.08% in May, giving buyers some relief after months of higher rates. In Montgomery, where the median sale pri...
Mish.El // Shutterstock Mortgage rates fall to 10‑month low, offering relief for Tuscaloosa buyers Redfin Real Estate economists say the recent dip in mortgage rates gives serious house hunters a window of opportunity to lock in a lower monthly housing payment. The daily average mortgage rate dropped to 6.57% on August 4th – the lowest level in 10 months. That's down from a peak of 7.08% in May, giving buyers some relief after months of higher rates. In Tuscaloosa, where the median sale pri...
7 easy ways to start saving for Christmas The holidays are a time to celebrate. It's a great idea to go into the festive season with a plan to save and spend your money wisely, avoiding the need for debt relief next year. There are plenty of ways to start saving for Christmas this year that don’t bring on financial stress, and there’s no time like the present to start, Freedom Debt Relief explains. Key Takeaways: - Decide how much you want to spend on holiday expenses and open a Christmas sav...
Dogs and their people: Companions in cancer research After a train carrying chemicals derailed and caught fire in East Palestine, Ohio, in 2023, residents were exposed to carcinogens such as vinyl chloride, acrolein and dioxin. Since tumors are typically slow to develop, it could take decades to know what that did to the locals’ cancer risk, but there may be a quicker route to an answer: The residents’ dogs were also exposed, and dogs develop cancer more quickly. Studying dogs and their can...
How AI can make infectious disease surveillance smarter, faster, and more useful Public health agencies are under pressure to move faster, detect threats earlier, and make better decisions, even as their funding is cut and their authority reduced. While most public health agencies will have to do less with less, artificial intelligence systems provide an opportunity to maintain and possibly improve performance in one critical area: infectious disease surveillance. Healthbeat reports that even...
Transpacific shipping rates hold steady as tariff uncertainty keeps importers on the sidelines Reciprocal tariffs are back, rates are back to 2024 levels — for now — and more. Last week, global trade policy was dominated by sharp escalation in U.S. tariffs under the Trump administration. On July 31, a sweeping executive order set new reciprocal tariffs, ranging from 15 % baseline to as high as 50% on imports from countries like Canada, Brazil, India, Taiwan, and Switzerland, scheduled to take...
What is contributing to rising college costs? Higher education tuition has doubled in the last 20 years, with some institutions today hitting the $100,000 mark for a four-year degree. These escalating costs have discouraged many prospective students from taking the leap into academia, as well as those experiencing waves of ballooning debt. However, it’s not only students who feel the pinch. As costs rise, higher education institutions and communities feel it, too. The prospect of federal f...
The average cost of private sports coaching: What families should expect Private sports coaching has become a growing fixture in youth athletics — offering personalized, game-changing benefits. With demand surging, families across the country are curious: What’s the typical cost in today’s market? Most private coaching lessons range $40–$120 per hour, depending on the coach’s experience, credentials, and the region’s cost of living. - Entry-level coaches, like high school or college players, of...
Ghosting: The modern dating dilemma You're staring at your phone screen. It's been hours, maybe days. The last message you sent sits unopened. There's no reply, no read receipt, just … silence. This is the experience of digital ghosting, when someone cuts off all communication suddenly with zero explanation, leaving the other person bewildered, anxious, and often hurt. These days, most conversations happen through texts, DMs, and dating apps, so it's no surprise that ghosting is everywhere. B...
How vacant marketing roles are costing businesses billions The modern economy runs on digital presence. From brand awareness to direct sales, marketing is the engine driving growth for countless businesses. Yet, an often-overlooked threat is quietly undermining this vital function: the prolonged vacancy of key digital marketing roles. These vacancies aren’t just human resources headaches; they are silent growth killers, with financial tolls compounding daily, impacting everything from revenue p...
Cities with the most available housing inventory Potential homebuyers are seeing a healthy increase in housing inventory after nearly unprecedented lows in late 2021 and early 2022. From fewer than 400,000 listings in January 2022 to more than one million today, the U.S. housing inventory is continuing its climb to pre-pandemic numbers. December 2019 was the last month prior to May 2025 with more than 1 million national listings. The recovery in inventory, however, has been disproportional...
How much car can I afford? As if car shopping weren't challenging enough already, figuring out how much to spend on a car is a moving target even among financial experts. Some believe that, all combined, automotive expenses, including gas, insurance, car payments and maintenance, should not exceed 20% of your pretax monthly income. Other experts say that a vehicle that costs less than half of your annual take-home pay may be affordable. Some frugal personal finance gurus say you should spend no...
Ace the test: How to boost credit scores Every American knows how critical their credit score is. Or at least, they should. A high score unlocks a whole host of financial opportunities: Lower car payments, cheaper mortgages, or even approval for that new rental apartment or job you’ve been eyeing. But here’s something you may not know: Some parts of the country are doing better than others when it comes to boosting credit scores, reports Current, a consumer fintech banking platform. The fin...
Unlocking the benefits of affordable insurance Insurance is one of those financial products that often feels like a burden until you need it. Whether you are protecting your car, home, or personal belongings, having the right coverage in place can make the difference between a manageable situation and a financial disaster. But the word “affordable” often raises eyebrows. Does affordable insurance actually offer enough protection? Or does it just mean cutting corners? The good news is that aff...
