The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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The average mortgage payment in the U.S. has risen sharply since 2020 for every generation except baby boomers, a clear side effect of still-elevated mortgage interest rates and home prices hovering near all-time highs. While longtime homeowners haven't seen much motion in their payments since 2020 thanks to fixed interest rates, newer (and oftentimes younger) homebuyers have borne the brunt of recent disruptions in the market. According to Experian data from the second quarter of 2024, millenni...
Fourteen states have taken up a challenge to significantly reduce the rate at which children miss a lot of school, responding to a recent call from a bipartisan coalition for states to prioritize school attendance, Chalkbeat reports. Some of the states making the pledge have had among the highest rates of chronic absenteeism in recent years, such as Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado. Others signing on include: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, Ohio, Rhode Island,...
================================================== ERROR IMPORTING STORY: ERROR 4891: There was a problem importing this Stacker Story. Please notify Lions Light. ================================================== Have you recently received a moving violation and are concerned about its impact on your driving record and insurance rates? Traffic school can be a valuable tool to help mitigate the consequences of these violations. CheapInsurance.com explores the impact of traffic school on driving...
================================================== ERROR IMPORTING STORY: ERROR 4891: There was a problem importing this Stacker Story. Please notify Lions Light. | ERROR 4891: There was a problem importing this Stacker Story. Please notify Lions Light. ================================================== This year, citizens across the country will take time out of their busy days to vote. Lyft's Election Day rideshare data provides a preview of how, and when, millions of them will be getting to...
The NFL isn't just about football games; it's a cultural powerhouse in the United States. With millions of fans across the country and beyond, it's no wonder the league dominates sports headlines year-round. But what really grabs people's attention is the battle for popularity among the teams. Fans show their loyalty not only by filling stadiums but also by following their favorite teams on social media platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Facebook. So, which is the most...
Efficiently managing business travel expenses is crucial for a company to thrive. Fortunately, there are a number of software solutions that can help with this. These include Ramp, Zoho Expense, SAP Concur, Expensify, Emburse, TravelPerk, and Rydoo. In this article, Ramp will explain what goes into travel and expense management, how to design an effective T&E policy, important tax considerations, and how software can streamline this often difficult process for your company. What Is Travel a...
For all its billion-dollar gyrations, the actual investment strategies behind a highly valued and hotly debated stock portfolio of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appears to be a relatively staid affair. Analysis of the $54.7 billion stock fund managed by the faith's investment arm, Ensign Peak Advisors, shows money managers have carefully steered those huge holdings to closely mirror the investment mix of a leading stock index known as the S&P 500, which tracks the performance...
As the gig economy continues to evolve, more and more consumers depend on it not only for their own late-night cravings and weekly groceries, but also for at least some of their income. How gig workers, or independent contractors, are treated and even defined have become election issues at both the state and national levels in recent years, Experian reports. There's no easy way to get one's arms around the size of the gig economy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, for example, has found that only...
One of the biggest challenges employers face is keeping their employees engaged and empowered to do their best. Over half of firms with fewer than 500 employees reported challenges in hiring or retaining qualified staff, according to the Fed Small Business' 2024 report on employer firms. Upskilling is one staff investment industry experts say can pay off in dividends for employers. Though it may sound like a trendy phrase, upskilling invests in employees' knowledge and skills for the long term,...
From former presidents and famous movie stars to accomplished engineers and lawyers, it is not uncommon for children to choose the same career as their parents. Even Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson followed in his father's footsteps as a professional wrestler after a stint in the Canadian Football League and a slew of injuries that cut short his path to football stardom. But does following in a parent's footsteps speak to the importance of parental influence and involvement, or the value of role...
As smartphones advance and social media options increase, more Americans across generations are finding solace in a digital playground. People have become so attached to their mobile devices that many have admitted in polls that they can't imagine life without them. As different generations have different communication preferences, smartphone use inevitably varies across age groups. Spokeo analyzed generational trends in and perceptions of smartphone use amid public health concerns, using data...
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...
As COVID-era "Zoomtowns" and the urban exodus fade into history, which city in every state is most popular for Americans who want to move now? Between 2020 and 2023, the fastest-growing cities exploded with incoming remote workers who wanted to live larger and cheaper. And many sought homeownership—buying a home is a key factor in where Americans choose to put down roots. But the fastest-growing cities of 2021 or 2022 aren't the boomtowns of today. So why are we relying on backward-looking c...
Power of attorney documents give one or more people the right to act as your agent when you're unavailable, incapacitated, or otherwise indisposed. Beyond more general types of POAs, specialized versions exist to address specific situations, such as real estate transactions or end-of-life care decisions. Depending on the power of attorney you choose to use, you can protect yourself financially, make business dealings more convenient, or ensure that your wishes are taken care of if you're...
This Halloween season, fur may overtake fear: American spending on pet costumes will reach $700 million in 2024, according to the most recent data from the National Retail Federation. Americans really love dressing up their pets for Halloween. According to a 2022 PetSmart survey conducted by Wakefield, more than 3 in 4 (76%) pet owners dress their pets for the holiday. About a third of pet owners reported their costume-wearing pets attract the most attention, while over a third said that...
Marcus Hadden, a father of three from central New Jersey, texts and talks with his oldest son, a college sophomore, a few times a week. His 19-year-old son attends Rutgers University just a half-hour away, but Hadden said the easy communication has helped them feel closer. Occasionally, his son, a dedicated hiker, shares his phone's location with his parents. "We don't monitor him, but if he's out hiking on a remote trail, which he does most weekends around the tristate area, it feels like a...
Retirement will likely be the most significant expense of your lifetime, which means saving for retirement is a big job. This is especially true if you envision a retirement that is rich with experiences such as traveling through Europe or spending time with your grown children and grandkids. A retirement savings plan can help you achieve these financial goals and stay on track. There are all types of retirement plans to help you build your wealth, from 401(k) to Individual Retirement Accounts,...
Around midnight on Pioneer Day two years ago, a pair of 21-year-olds—a man and a woman—decided to make a trip from Davis County to Utah County to retrieve the man's "church clothes," presumably to wear hours later that Sunday morning, The Salt Lake Tribune reports The man, according to a recently filed lawsuit, was "tired and not in a condition to drive as an ordinarily prudent driver." The woman also couldn't drive because she was tired and suffering from a headache, according to the law...
With the 2024 presidential election just days away, Democrats and Republicans in rural areas are directing their focus beyond the top of the ticket and toward state and local-level offices. So-called "down-ballot" races feature candidates for state legislature, city council, local school boards, and even judges and police commissioners. These elected officials decide on issues in their community, such as education, housing services, public transportation, and health care. Thus far in 2024, 75%...
As the 2024 presidential election hurdles closer, voters are clamoring for more information about what policy might look like under Democratic nominee Kamala Harris or Republican nominee Donald Trump. For agriculture policy, experts predict it could follow two very different paths depending on the results of the election: more tariffs and subsidies for big farmers under Trump, or climate investments and expanded crop insurance under Harris, The Daily Yonder reports. To know what might happen...
Inside a North Philadelphia high school, a class of 11th graders talked frankly about the most controversial aspects of the 2024 election: abortion, Project 2025, the prospect of the first female president. Nearly 650 miles away at a middle school in Indianapolis, an eighth grade teacher avoided talk of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, holding a mock debate about cellphones and cafeteria food instead. As the presidential election took over classroom conversations t...
On Nov. 5, tens of millions of Americans will head to the ballot box to vote in one of the most consequential presidential elections in recent history. With so much on the line, anxious election-watchers naturally want clarity on the outcome. But can any poll, no matter how precise, offer a reliable glimpse into where the cards will fall on Election Day? The answer is complicated, especially given that this year's election is particularly tricky to forecast. For starters, there's no clear...
The intersection of political leanings and hunting participation presents an interesting paradox in American culture. Based on research from the land-sharing marketplace for outdoor recreation, LandTrust, this article explores the top 10 liberal and liberal-leaning states with the highest number of hunters per capita and the top 10 conservative and conservative-leaning states with the least number of hunters per capita, challenging common stereotypes about hunting and political affiliations. Top...
When you're a kid, going to school feels like a given—no matter how much you beg to play outside instead. But for school-aged children with disabilities, going to school wasn't always a guarantee. For decades, many states legally refused to properly support the educational needs of children with disabilities, often putting them in institutions that did little to impart vital knowledge and life skills. This unequal treatment also burdened their families, who rarely had other options or access to...
