The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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Just as inflation can drive up costs, macroeconomic shifts, layoffs, or industry downturns can lead to declines in household income, potentially posing challenges to families affording housing, groceries, and other necessities. For some, a dollar doesn't stretch as far when income drops faster than expenses increase. According to the latest Census Bureau data, household income changes can vary widely across cities, and while some cities see incomes outpace inflation, others may experience sharp...
Inflation regularly increases the prices of goods, services, and resources, making the cost of living less affordable with a dollar that does not keep up with that growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics clocked the 12-month inflation rate from the end of 2022 to the end of 2023 at 3.35%. Meanwhile, household income estimates shifted a median of 4.22%, but swung as much as multiples above or below that—depending on the city—offsetting or exacerbating the impacts of price changes. With this in...
By now, there has been endless speculation about whether the incoming Trump administration might close the U.S. Department of Education. It remains just that: speculation. Congress would have to be involved, and even a Senate and House controlled by the same party as President-elect Donald Trump would not necessarily go along with this idea. However, in a statement about his nomination of Linda McMahon for education secretary, Trump underscored his campaign pledge to disband the department,...
What do Mary, Olivia, and Jennifer have in common? They've each had a turn as the most popular name for American girls born over the past 100 years. Many of today's most popular girls' names borrow heavily from decades—and centuries—past. To show this, Spokeo used data from the Social Security Administration on popular baby names to track the ups and downs of common girls' names in the United States over the past 120 years. In particular, this analysis focuses on how popular names from 100 yea...
Group exercise is very popular: Nearly 40% of regular exercisers participate in group fitness classes. In advance of the coronavirus pandemic, the American College of Sports Medicine predicted that group fitness would be one of the top three fitness industry trends in 2020—for good reason. Exercise has clear benefits for health and well-being, and the side effects—think lowered blood pressure, improved glycemic control, better sleep—are overwhelmingly positive. And exercising in groups may h...
It's November, and it's unseasonably warm as John John Brown, a Muscogee elder, works to replant peach saplings. "I haven't had much luck growing them from seed," he says. The reason, he thinks, is because peaches need lower temperatures. Around him, tiny peach trees the size of pencils stand above the browning grass underneath their parent tree. Brown harvested around 200 peaches this year from his small orchard—enough for his family and neighbors—but he had competition: A fox has been pok...
Declines in a community's population can result in a decreased demand for businesses, housing, and services. This could potentially lead to higher per capita costs among the remaining tax base for maintaining infrastructure and even the closure of local amenities. Additionally, an aging or shrinking population can affect the local job market and culture, among other things. Keeping this in mind, SmartAsset ranked 610 cities across the U.S. based on the one-year decline in population, drawing on...
Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman, Ph.D.'s "What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain, and Health" episode on his podcast Huberman Lab has garnered over 4 million views. For good reason: Everyone is looking for validation that their post-work Friday cocktail (and, let's be honest, nightly glass or two of wine) habit is justified. Or at least not terrible for them. A 2023 study offers one more scientific reason to take the edge off. Researchers found that light to moderate consumption of alcohol (one...
After a long holiday season indulging in sweet treats and perhaps a few too many spirits, January can be a great time to reset and return to healthy habits. Dry January, a health campaign that originated in the U.K. in 2013, encourages participants to abstain from alcohol for the entire month of January. Drinking too much alcohol has been found to cause heart and liver damage, disrupt mood, sleep, and behavior, and more. While a month of sobriety may seem daunting, it can come with significant...
If you're looking out your window mid-afternoon to a sunset, you're not alone. As winter settles in and the days grow shorter, most of us are all too familiar with the fatigue that seems to come along with the season. It's easy to point to colder weather, reduced sunlight, and overcast skies as the culprits behind those feelings of sluggishness and low mood. But here's a twist you might not have considered: While we often think of the winter months as a time for more sleep, the shorter days...
Golfing among U.S. presidents is culturally embedded in the job—even if you come into the White House as a casual player. It's seen as a stress reliever for one of the toughest jobs in the world. One of the first presidents to take up a club was William Howard Taft, who served from 1909 to 1913. Taft loved golf, so much so that it garnered him detractors during his 1908 presidential campaign for playing a "rich man's game." But Taft isn't the only president with an ardent love for the game. Thro...
Americans are increasingly breathing toxic air as ozone smog rises and wildfires become more common and intense due to climate change. Poor air quality impacts more than your lungs. Despite decades of progress, a 2024 American Lung Association report found that 11.7 million more people are breathing unhealthy air compared to last year. Northwell Health partnered with Stacker to look at the most polluted cities in the United States using data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the...
Reading the news today, you might wonder if earning a college degree is still worth the investment. With stories of declining enrollment, rising student debt, and the growing success of high-profile entrepreneurs who skipped college altogether, it's no surprise many are questioning the value of a degree. Yet, despite these concerns, college remains a smart choice for most people. In this article, Study.com separates fact from fiction—debunking myths, exploring affordable pathways, and showing h...
Healthcare is a dynamic field that's constantly evolving, and allied health professionals consistently step up to meet growing challenges. The allied health workforce is extensive, encompassing a broad range of non-nursing, non-physician roles, from radiologic technologists and respiratory therapists to dietitians and occupational therapists. Whether making advances in medical imaging technology or delivering specialized therapies that improve patient outcomes, these skilled experts play...
Here are the top 10 states with the most and least public land, reports LandTrust, the land-sharing marketplace for outdoor recreation—including the number of acres and percentage of public land compared to the state's total land mass: Top 10 States with the Most Public Land Rank | State | Public Land (acres) | Percentage of Public Land | 1. Alaska | 365,481,600 | 95.8% | 2. Nevada | 56,972,280 | 87.8% | 3. Utah | 37,019,770 | 75.2% | 4. Idaho | 35,244,800 | 70.4% | 5. Oregon | 32,614,136 | 6...
With Miami's location at the southern tip of the U.S. and its huge Cuban population, it's no surprise that its food scene is as diverse as it is delicious. Narrowing down what to eat is tricky, with Cuban, Mexican, Caribbean, American, and many more flavors across the city's menus. Lara Serlin, writing for GetYourGuide, picks out the 10 must-eat foods to seek out when visiting the city, from stone claw crab and Cuban sandwiches to Florida's famous key lime pie. Explore neighborhoods like Little...
Over the past two decades, extreme weather events and record-breaking temperatures fueled by climate change have put more lives at risk. In the United States and around the world, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and heat waves have become more frequent, intense—and deadly. But for America's most vulnerable populations, including older adults, these catastrophic weather events pose a heightened threat. Just look at Florida, where, in October, hurricanes Helene and Milton hit back-to-back. Milton,...
"It's hard to put a price tag, if you will, on the amount of human suffering that people are experiencing right now," Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. surgeon general, told All Things Considered in 2022, shortly after issuing an advisory that sounded the alarm on the epidemic of loneliness in the U.S. Human connection keeps us healthy, but many Americans report feeling lonely and isolated. According to an October 2023 Pew Research poll, 8% of Americans have no close friends. As political divisions...
The sooner you can start your small business financial planning for next year, the better. To get a jump on your to-do list for 2025, NEXT has compiled a list of tasks to help you and your business get the most out of the next calendar year. The 11 financial planning tasks for small business owners include: - Create attainable goals for the year - Make a roadmap to scope out every goal - Create a financial plan for the next fiscal year - Set up or refresh cash flow projections - Add 2025 tax...
Most financial experts agree that the best time to start using a credit card is 18, as long as one is equipped with the financial education to tackle the responsibility of taking on debt. The sooner someone can begin building a history with banks, the better. In a country where taking part in the banking system is a necessary tool for economic opportunity, about 1 in 25 Americans still don't participate. Who are they, and why don't they manage their finances with banks? These adults who don't...
When choosing an engagement ring, many shoppers focus on design, aesthetic, symbolism, and quality. But people often forget that their engagement ring is something they'll wear every day. Your diamond ring should feel comfortable for daily wear, but it should also complement your daily fashion. VRAI, a fine jewelry brand featuring lab-grown diamonds, covers how to pair your engagement ring with your daily attire, including seasonal styling tips and how to accessorize. Know Your Ring's Style...
The real estate market experienced notable transformations in 2024. RentCafe leveraged its data to provide renters with a comprehensive understanding of the latest market dynamics entering 2025. 2024 Rental Market Trends Recap: - America's rental landscape hit a historic milestone as apartment construction surged past 500,000 units for the first time. And with it, apartment sizes increased to an average of 916 square feet nationwide. - Minneapolis emerged as the most sought-after city for...
Donald Trump (R) is set to be sworn in as the 47th president on January 20, 2025. After succeeding Trump in 2021, President Joe Biden (D) signed 42 executive orders in his first 100 days in office, 21 of which directly aimed at revoking Trump administration actions. Ballotpedia tracked five Biden executive orders, enacted in the first five months of his presidency, that revoked 14 Trump executive orders that aimed to reform the administrative state. Trump's 2024 campaign agenda said that a...
Property taxes are an unavoidable part of owning a home. They are generally wrapped into the mortgage payment to ensure that your home doesn't incur a lien, or worse—foreclosure. And even after your mortgage ends, property taxes are a lifelong homeowner expense. These taxes pay for local amenities, such as schools, infrastructure, police, and fire support, among other local services. How much you owe will vary from place to place and may even change over time. And while there may be discounts an...
A new UCLA study has confirmed Los Angeles' ambitious wastewater recycling initiative would strengthen the city's water security amid growing climate challenges and potential natural disasters, LA Post reports. The analysis, conducted by researchers at the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation, examined the city's Pure Water L.A. project. It's a $6 billion infrastructure investment aimed at recycling all of the city's wastewater for drinking water by 2035. The project would generate more than...
