QCA.news - Quad Cities news and view from both sides of the river

Thursday, March 5th, 2026
	2 arrested after Davenport search uncovers 38 firearms amid drug investigation Two people face multiple firearm charges after authorities said a search of a Davenport home uncovered 38 firearms during an investigation.
	Palmer College of Chiropractic planning to add dorms, academic building Davenport City Council has to approve updates to Palmer's campus master plan before it goes into effect.
	Allied Energy to begin utility work on 13th Avenue North project in Clinton The City of Clinton announces that Alliant Energy will begin utility work on Monday, March 9, as part of the first phase of the city’s 13th Avenue North project, a news release says. Crews will start at Springdale Drive and continue working east toward 4th Street. This work represents an early phase of the project [...]
	Clocks spring forward Sunday: What experts say you should do to prepare Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday. Fire officials say it’s the perfect reminder to check smoke alarms, while sleep experts share tips for adjusting.
	Davenport lawmaker hosting docuseries screening Saturday with Pulitzer winner Art Cullen Pulitzer Prize winner Art Cullen will be in Davenport Saturday for a screening of his docuseries, "What's Eating Iowa?"
	Cook review: 7th episode finale is so ridiculous it'll make you want to 'Scream' Not even the presence of Sidney Prescott can save "Scream 7," a mostly fun ride ruined by a completely ridiculous finale that insults its viewers and the franchise as a whole. It's that dopey final, frustrating reveal that brings the movie down. I really liked the beginning, when a fan of the "Stab" movies brings [...]
	Quad-Cities artist opens Alchemist Art Studio to celebrate art and community Local artist, Grace DeVrieze, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday for her new venture, Alchemists Art Studio, in Rock Island.
	Third man pleads guilty in connection with November 2025 shooting in Davenport The shooting occurred early Nov. 1, 2025, at West River Drive and Harrison Street.
	Angela Boelens, president of DeWitt nonprofit IA NICE, receives national courage award Angela Boelens leads IA NICE, a DeWitt nonprofit sponsoring Ukrainians to live and work in Clinton County. She founded the nonprofit in 2022 after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
	Scott County attorney settles open records complaint over six-month delay The agreement resolves a complaint filed by Davenport resident Jonathan Uhl with the Iowa Public Information Board, which mediates open records complaints between residents and government bodies.
	Orion gets timetable for Fifth Street project Orion is moving forward with its Fifth Street project, after obtaining most necessary easements.
	Burlington Store to open Friday in Moline at John Deere Road and 7th Street The new Burlington Store, Moline, will hold a grand opening this weekend. The doors will open for the first time at 8:30 on Friday.
	National Weather Service expects low risk for spring flooding in the Quad-Cities The amount of snowpack, river ice and levels of soil moisture are below normal, decreasing the area's flood risks.
	U.S-Israeli strikes continue across Iran, Iranian drones hit Azerbaijan The U.S. and Israel said they conducted new strikes inside Iran overnight, targeting ballistic missile launchers. Iran claimed it struck a U.S. oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf.
	Olmsted Ferris This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.The devout band of pioneers who founded the town of Galesburg out on the Illinois prairie in 1837 were strict in their…
	In lawsuit, Minnesota accuses Trump administration of 'weaponizing' Medicaid funding The federal government said the state should do more to fight fraud and is holding back funds. Minnesota officials say the attack is unfair as the state's fraud rate is well below national averages.
	Wall Street is betting on tariff refunds after Supreme Court ruling When the Supreme Court struck down many of President Trump's tariffs, it left importers wondering how long they'd have to wait to get their money back. Hedge funds are offering to help out.
	Announcing the 2025 NPR College Podcast Challenge Honorable Mentions Here are some of the best entries in NPR's 2025 College Podcast Challenge.
	The Pain and Promise of Remembrance: Soprano Lily Arbisser at the Figge Art Museum, March 26 New York City-based soprano Lily Arbisser always loves coming back to her childhood home of the Quad Cities at least annually, and an upcoming, week-long visit will be especially meaningful, capped by a special 6 p.m. concert on Thursday, March 26.
	China sets a lower economic growth target of 4.5% to 5% for 2026 as challenges loom China has signaled continuity rather than change for its economy, setting a slightly lower target for growth this year in the midst of a property slump and other headwinds at home and growing uncertainty abroad.
	Tornadoes are hitting the Quad Cities Area more often, here’s how to stay safe Tornadoes are nothing new in the Quad Cities area, but lately they’ve been hitting more often.
Wednesday, March 4th, 2026
	Armstrong named to Midwest Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame NAI Ruhl Commercial Company has announced that Charlie Armstrong, SIOR, has been named to the Midwest Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Hall of Fame for 2025 by Midwest Real Estate News, according to a news release. Armstrong is part of the 16th class of the Midwest Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame, a distinguished group of [...]
	Palmer Chiropractic unveils future plans at Davenport Committee meeting Palmer College of Chiropractic unveiled it’s future plans during a quiet committee of the whole meeting Wednesday night.
	Scott County couple facing firearms charges after 38 guns found in home, deputies say A Scott County couple is facing multiple firearms charges after deputies said 38 guns were found in their home in 2025.
	Eastland advances to Sectional Championship Eastland boy’s basketball advances to the 1A Sectional Championship after defeating Dakota 49-31.
	Officials: Ogle County woman reported missing, found deceased after wandering away from home An Ogle County woman who had been reported missing on Wednesday has been found dead.
	City of Moline asks for input on comprehensive plan The city is hoping to adopt the comprehensive plan in November.
	Palmer College seeking to make changes to its master plan After a public hearing on the proposed changes on Wednesday, the changes would need to pass at three regular council meetings to go into effect.
	Another Iowan confirmed dead among soldiers killed in Kuwait The fallen soldier was identified as 45-year-old Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien.
	Pay It Forward: Quad Cities 'delivery guy' bringing joy to those facing homelessness Dwain Womack started the "Street Friends of the Quad Cities" outreach group over seven years ago.
	FINALLY! A good chance for rain heading for the Quad Cities It has been a long time since we've had a month with above average precip, in the Quad Cities! You have to go back to July when we had 9" of rain and more than doubled the monthly average for rain. Since then we have carved out a significant deficit and now find ourselves in [...]
	Rock Island-Milan elementary schools take the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Ridgewood and Thomas Jefferson elementary schools raised money for Special Olympics Illinois at their own Polar Plunge. Our Quad Cities News photojournalist Mike Colón dove in to get a glimpse of the friendly competition at the Cool School Polar Plunge Challenge.
	Special Weather Statement until THU 12:00 AM CST Patchy Dense Fog Reducing Visibility This Morning
	Muscatine leaders discuss fire department staffing as calls rise Questions about staffing at the Muscatine Fire Department were raised during Tuesday night’s city council meeting as city leaders say they are working to bring the department back to full staffing.
	Free tax assistance still available through United Way Quad Cities Free assistance is still available for qualified individuals and families through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program through United Way Quad Cities. According to a release, through IRS-certified volunteers, VITA provides free, trusted tax preparation for eligible households to ensure families receive the refunds and credits they have earned. Who is Eligible:• Individuals and [...]
	2nd Iowa solider killed in Kuwait, officials say A second Iowa solider was killed in Kuwait on Sunday, officials said.
	Clinton County Sheriff’s Office hosts safety training, how to respond to active shooting situation About 60 participants took part in the three-day training.
	Quad Cities gas prices ticking up amid conflict with Iran On Wednesday, the average price per gallon in Davenport was $2.69. In Moline, that average was $2.97, and experts aren't expecting those numbers to drop soon.
	Iowa House passes bill protecting parental rights based on biological sex The Iowa House has passed a bill protecting parents’ rights to raise their children based on biological sex rather than gender identity.
	Clinton County Sheriff's Office hosts active- shooter incident management course Clinton County Sheriff's Office is making sure that local law enforcement is prepared in the case of an active shooter at a school or a public facility. Public safety officials from police departments, sheriff's offices, fire departments, and emergency medical services are participating in a three-day Active Shooter Incident Management course. The course aims to [...]
	Davenport Central students wrap 1,000 trees for planting The Davenport Central Environmental Club partnered with Live Lands and Waters for the wrapping event.
	West Des Moines soldier killed in Kuwait remembered at Iowa State Capitol Community members and Iowa lawmakers are remembering Army Reserve Sgt. Declan Coady, the West Des Moines soldier killed in Kuwait, as someone who prioritized service.
	Muscatine Fire Department's tight budget causes first-responder shortage The Muscatine Fire Department's budget restraints are causing a shortage of full-time firefighters. The department typically operates with a staff of 47; currently, it's at 45. That may not sound like a big difference, but it impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of the department's firefighting capabilities. The National Fire Protection Association requires a crew of [...]
	Get affordable therapy through the Resiliency Project A local mental health start-up plans to make therapy more accessible to the Quad Cities. The Resiliency Project plans to connect people without insurance to mental health resources at a reduced price. The project started back in January of 2026 as just an idea. "You know, I have seen where people have felt unsupported and [...]
	International Women’s Day saree meet to benefit Gilda’s Club You're invited out to Port Byron on Saturday, March 28, to celebrate with the Friends of India Quad Cities. Proceeds raised will benefit local cancer patients.
	Quad Cities gas prices ticking up amid conflict with Iran On Wednesday night, the average price per gallon in Davenport was $2.69. In Moline, that average was $2.97, and experts aren't expecting those numbers to drop soon.
	Illinois expands food options for WIC Illinois is offering expanded food options for people who utilize WIC, the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children. Corn masa flour, sardines and whole wheat English muffins are three new options available. Participants in the program can substitute items like beans or peanut butter for eggs to suit their families' needs. More [...]
	Western Illinois native gets behind-the-scenes experience on covering football's biggest game Tyler Piester is used to watching the big game from home. But this year, he was behind the scenes, watching the Super Bowl media week unfold in front of his eyes.
	Potential record breaking temperatures As we look throughout the rest of this week temperatures are going to be pretty all over the place through the next 7 days. Our warmest temperatures through the next 7 days are looking to be on Friday and next Monday where we are looking to reach the 70s. Those two days in the 70s [...]
	How The Resiliency Project is filling a gap in access to affordable therapy An area mental health startup plans to make therapy more accessible in the QCA. The Resiliency Project launched in response to a recent suicide. It's available as a resource to people who need mental health assistance but might not have enough insurance, if any. Our Quad Cities News reporter Riley Hemmer looks at how the [...]
	Silvis police officers honored for response to child abduction The suspect was convicted on two counts of aggravated battery and one count of child abduction last month.
	Friends of India Quad Cities hosting saree meet for International Women's Day The local nonprofit is inviting all local women to the event on Saturday, March 28.
	Galva native goes behind the scenes at Super Bowl Tyler Piester is used to watching the big game from home. But this year, he was behind the scenes, watching the Super Bowl media week unfold in front of his eyes.
	Carney says he backs strikes on Iran 'with some regret' as world order frays Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he supports the strikes on Iran "with some regret" as they represent an extreme example of a rupturing world order.
	Ag View FS donates fuel used by first responders during Green River Conservation Area fire Ag View FS announced they are donating the fuel used during the fire at the Green River Conservation Area on Feb. 27.
	Thurgood Marshall moves to E-Learning day on Thursday A notice for families with students at Thurgood Marshall Learning Center.
	Iranian civilians are now fleeing the relentless bombing for neighboring Turkey As the U.S. military broadens its strikes in Iran, traumatized Iranians are reaching the border with Turkey.
	Bird flu detected in Iowa, sixth case of 2026 BUENA VISTA, Iowa -- Officials say another case of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, has been detected, this time in a northwest Iowa flock. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship(IDALS) announced Wednesday that a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was detected in a multi-species backyard flock in Buena Vista County. [...]
	Inside Iowa Politics: Why Sen. Ernst supports U.S. strikes on Iran U.S. Senator Joni Ernst explains why forces had to strike Iran.
	Moline to host ribbon cutting ceremony for City Services Center on Thursday The newly remodeled building is now home to the Parks & Recreation Department and the Community & Economic Development Department.
	Augustana College professors examine the college’s past in "Called to Reckon" Augustana College professors are diving into the school's roots in a new book that talks about how the school adapted to some of the broader movements in American history. Jane Simonesen and Mark Safstrom joined Our Quad Cities News to talk about "Called to Reckon: Replacing History and Reclaiming Mission at a Midwestern College." For [...]
	A Davenport man known as 'The Human Dinosaur Boy,' wife face multiple weapons charges Chadillac Saurus Rexx and Manda Saurus Rexx were arrested Wednesday.
	Have you seen these suspects? Crime Stoppers wants to know! Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities wants your help catching two fugitives. It’s an Our Quad Cities News exclusive. You can get an elevated reward for information on this week’s cases: MARCUS FERRELL, 40, 5’10”, 175 pounds, black hair, brown eyes. Wanted by Iowa DOC High Risk Unit for escape and probation violation on convictions [...]
	A split Senate votes against measure to constrain Trump's authorities in Iran Democrats in the Senate were facing an uphill climb Wednesday in their push to restrain President Trump's ability to wage war against Iran.
	Ameren provides resources to create emergency kits ahead of daylight saving time It’s also the ideal moment to prepare for the unpredictable weather that comes with spring and summer.
	WATCH: How traffic dried up in the Strait of Hormuz since the Iran war began The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz is "about as wrong as things could go" for global oil markets. Iran achieved it not with a naval blockade, but with cheap drones.
	Iowa home used disabled residents’ money to pay for office furniture, supplies A state-licensed care facility for people with disabilities has been cited for routinely using residents’ money to pay for office furniture and facility supplies.
	Mercer County School District eliminates 26 positions amid budget struggles The Mercer County School Board eliminated 26 positions Tuesday night.
	Public invited to provide feedback on proposed U.S. 52 Causeway construction The Iowa DOT said the public is invited to an open house to share feedback on the project anytime between 5 and 6:30 p.m. March 10 at 411 Broad St.
	49-year-old man charged after undercover officer poses as teenage girl for several months Deputies said 49-year-old Dylan E. Lumsden was arrested after a seven-month child sexual abuse material investigation.
	Thurgood Marshall Learning Center in Rock Island to use E-learning on Thursday Thurgood Marshall Learning Center classes will be online on March 5 due to work being done by the city that will disrupt water service.
	Thurgood Marshall Learning Center closed Thursday due to water service work All in-person classes and school-related activities are canceled for the day. Students will shift to e-learning.
	The new era of cancer screening: What ‘Multi-Cancer Early Detection’ really means (BPT) - For years, routine screening recommendations have been limited to four cancers — breast, cervical, colorectal, and high-risk lung cancer — leaving nearly 70% of annual cancer cases and deaths with no recommended screening options.1,2,3,4 This unmet need leaves many adults vulnerable to cancers that are often found too late for effective treatment.2 Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing introduces a new way to get ahead of cancer.The Cancerguard® test is a simple MCED blood test that analyzes DNA and protein biomarkers and helps detect over 50 cancer types and subtypes,1,5 supporting other standard screenings by broadening types of cancers that can be found, even at early stages. The Cancerguard test can detect some of the deadliest cancers, such as pancreatic, ovarian, liver, and esophageal — even before symptoms appear.1,2,5Why early detection mattersCancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States with roughly 600,000 deaths each year.2 Early detection is one of the most effective tools we have to help improve those outcomes. MCED testing can detect signals of cancer in the body and provide insight before symptoms even appear. Finding cancer early, before it spreads, may help increase the chances of treating and potentially surviving cancer.1,2 How the Cancerguard test worksCancerguard is the only marketed test of its kind that uses a multi-biomarker class approach. It searches for cancer signals within several types of biological markers, not just one. With one blood sample, the test analyzes both methylated DNA markers and protein biomarkers that can indicate the presence of cancer. By combining these biomarkers, the Cancerguard test casts a wider net for detecting cancer in its early stages, including some of the deadliest types.1,2What you can expect with Cancerguard testingOnce a healthcare provider places your Cancerguard test order, you can schedule your blood draw where it works best for you — at your doctor's office, an approved lab or health system partner, or even in the comfort of your home. Once the sample is received at the lab, most people will get their results in about two weeks.The Cancerguard test is designed for reliability and features a 97.4% specificity.1 This limits false positive results to help ensure patients receive clear, dependable information.1 If no cancer signal is detected, you should continue with screenings recommended by your provider and can consider annual MCED testing with the Cancerguard test for expanded cancer screening. If a cancer signal is detected, review your test results with your healthcare provider to plan your next steps. It is not a diagnosis and does not confirm that you have cancer. Imaging (radiology) scans and other medical tests are typically needed to locate and confirm a cancer diagnosis.While a positive result can feel overwhelming, Exact Sciences provides support, including care navigation resources that help guide patients through next steps with comprehensive support systems. In addition, Exact Sciences offers an imaging reimbursement program which reimburses up to $6,000 for non-covered imaging costs to help reduce the financial impact for eligible patients.** Patients must apply. Eligibility depends on program qualifications, is not guaranteed, and is subject to change. The program will not reimburse any covered imaging costs, including copay, coinsurance and/or deductible amounts determined by insurance. For more information patients should contact to apply, call 1-844-870-8870.Choose Cancerguard with confidence From clear and reliable results to guided next steps, Cancerguard is built with the patient experience at the center. For adults who want to take a more proactive role in their health, Cancerguard offers a meaningful way to screen for cancers with a simple blood test, helping individuals stay empowered and informed. The Cancerguard test may benefit people who:Are proactive in their approach to their healthHave increased risk factors, such as smoking, alcohol use, obesity, or are over age 50Haven't had a cancer diagnosis in the last three yearsHave a family history of cancerThis test is not recommended for individuals who have had cancer within the past three years or who are pregnant, and it does not replace recommended screening. Individuals interested in taking the Cancerguard test should talk to their doctor about whether the test is right for them.Learn more at www.cancerguard.com.Disclaimer: The Cancerguard test was developed, and the performance characteristics validated by Exact Sciences Laboratories following College of American Pathologists (CAP) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The test is performed at Exact Sciences Laboratories. Exact Sciences Laboratories is accredited by CAP, certified under CLIA regulations, and qualified to perform high-complexity clinical laboratory testing.Cancerguard and Exact Sciences are trademarks of Exact Sciences Corporation. © 2026 Exact Sciences Corporation. All rights reserved.[1] Cancerguard Clinician Brochure. Exact Sciences Corporation. Madison, WI.[2] Siegel RL, Kratzer TB, Giaquinto AN, et al. Cancer statistics, 2025. CA Cancer J Clin. 2025;75:10-45.[3] Data on file. Cancers without USPSTF recommended screening. 2025. Medical Affairs, Exact Sciences, Madison, WI[4] USPSTF. A & B Recommendations. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation-topics/uspstf-a-and-b-recommendations[5] Data on file. Cancerguard Cancer Subtype Analysis. Exact Sciences. Madison, WI; September 2025. [MED-REF-01259]
	How pet parents can breathe easier with good air quality (BPT) - Your pets are an integral part of your family that bring so much joy to your life. From cuddles and companionship to exercise and entertainment, pets can be a bright spot on even the toughest of days. That said, your four-legged friends can also impact your home's indoor air quality (IAQ) with their dander, hair and odors. These pet allergens may cause sneezing and watery eyes, and could set off other allergic reactions.Of course, your pets deserve clean air, too! They spend the majority of their lives indoors, making indoor air quality critical to maintaining your furry family member's long-term health. This is especially important if your pet has allergies or lung issues.Good indoor air quality is a key part of responsible pet ownership, protecting against preventable sickness and discomfort for all household members. The good news? You can still enjoy quality time with your furry family members and reduce allergens so you can breathe easier. All you need is to take a few proactive steps to improve your IAQ, so you can continue to curl up with your canine companions and feline friends. Check out a few suggestions below!Install an air quality monitorInstall an air quality monitor to track dander, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and other pollutant particles. Real-time data helps you spot problems quickly and reduce pollutants in your home.Increase ventilation throughout your homeVentilating promotes airflow, improving IAQ for you and your four-legged friend.To keep the air in your home balanced and fresh consider using an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) like the BalancedHome ERV. This whole-home ventilation solution is ideal for improving airflow and IAQ. Plus, the BalancedHome ERV is built to deliver high-performance ventilation, manage humidity and improve energy efficiency at a cost-effective price point for a single-family home.Another all-in-one whole house option to consider is the WhisperGreen Select Fan, a precision solution to ventilate your bathroom, laundry room, sun room, basement or garage. With its built-in, multispeed selection, you can easily customize fan speed to meet your space's ventilation needs and improve your IAQ. Best of all, you can easily install the WhisperGreen Select yourself!Improving your IAQ isn't just about cleanliness. It's also about maintaining a healthier living environment for everyone in the household. Using these easy tips, you can actively manage airflow and remove airborne pollutants to maintain a balanced and healthier indoor environment.Groom your pets oftenIt may seem counterintuitive, but grooming your fur babies can actually help prevent pet allergens from becoming airborne. Daily brushing and weekly bathing can remove loose fur, dander and dirt, capturing these particles and preventing them from circulating in your home. This is an easy way to remove allergens that can trigger or worsen allergies, asthma and other respiratory issues, so everyone can enjoy spending time indoors.Vacuum twice a weekPet dander, fur and allergens can easily settle on top of your carpets, upholstered furniture and floors. To remove these particles from your home, vacuum twice a week, at least, though you may have to vacuum more frequently depending on how many furry family members you have. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, poor-quality vacuums can put dust in the air instead of removing it. Make sure to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove particles before they become airborne so you can enjoy a healthier environment with your paw-tners in crime.Neutralize pet odors with an air purifierPet odors aren't just unpleasant to smell; they're a sign that dander and fur are circulating throughout your home. While grooming pets and vacuuming can do a lot for your air quality, pairing these habits with an air purifier can significantly improve your IAQ, leaving cleaner, fresher air.Frequently wash bedding, blankets and cushionsYour pet's bed, favorite blankets and pillows easily accumulate dander, fur, saliva and skin oils, all of which can irritate your breathing. If your furry friends spend a lot of time on your bed or furniture with you, these areas can also become allergen-laden.To remove these particles before they become airborne, make sure to regularly wash these fabric items with hot water. If your pet's bed and your furniture have removable covers, you can throw them into the wash with the bedding, blankets and pillows. If these items don't have removable covers, no worries. Vacuum the surface, spot treat stains, deodorize the fabric with baking soda and vacuum it up when you're done.
	5 GLP-1 trends to expect in 2026: Expanded uses, oral options, and more 5 GLP-1 trends to expect in 2026: Expanded uses, oral options, and moreOriginally developed for Type 2 diabetes, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have transformed the weight-loss medication market. And in recent years, their popularity has soared due to their effectiveness and versatility.Looking ahead to the rest of 2026, several key trends are set to redefine the GLP-1 landscape — from broadening applications to expanded access. GoodRx, a platform for medication savings, takes a closer look at what to expect.Key takeaways:In 2026, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are expected to continue expanding into new FDA-approved uses. Examples include peripheral artery disease and certain types of heart failure.New injectable GLP-1s are advancing through clinical trials. CagriSema (cagrilintide / semaglutide) is the furthest along, with an FDA response expected sometime in 2026.Oral GLP-1s are now a reality. The Wegovy pill launched in January 2026. Orforglipron, a non-peptide GLP-1, could be approved in the second quarter of 2026.Direct-to-consumer access to GLP-1s continues to grow, reshaping how people start and pay for treatment.What are GLP-1 receptor agonists?GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic a natural gut hormone in the body called GLP-1. GLP-1 is involved in regulating blood glucose (sugar), appetite, and digestion. GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists work in a similar way. But they mimic GLP-1 and a second hormone called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) for added benefits.Most GLP-1s are injectables. Two oral options, Rybelsus (semaglutide) and the Wegovy pill (semaglutide), are available. Currently, there are 11 FDA-approved GLP-1 medications: GoodRx Next, read on for five GLP-1 trends to watch in 2026.1. Expanded uses and higher dosesIn 2026, GLP-1s are no longer viewed solely as diabetes or weight-loss medications. They’re increasingly positioned as versatile therapies with benefits for several of the body’s organs, including the kidneys, heart, liver, and more.GLP-1s could gain approval for new uses in 2026, including:Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF): Semaglutide has significant potential for HFpEF among people with a larger body size. Obesity is a potential cause of HFpEF and can worsen symptoms, making GLP-1s a natural fit for treatment. Wegovy is currently under FDA review for HFpEF treatment.Peripheral artery disease (PAD): PAD is common among people with Type 2 diabetes and can cause leg pain and difficulty walking. Ozempic is under FDA review for PAD, based on studies showing improvements in walking distance and quality of life.Examples of other potential uses under investigation include treatments for polycystic ovary syndrome and substance use disorders.New GLP-1 doses could also be approved in 2026. The highest Wegovy injection dose is currently 2.4 mg. But a higher 7.2 mg dose is being reviewed by the FDA. During clinical trials, people in the Wegovy 7.2 mg group lost almost 19% of their starting body weight. Those who stayed on treatment the whole duration lost nearly 21%.2. New injectable GLP-1sSeveral promising injectable GLP-1 therapies are in development, with the potential to deliver even better results. Of these, CagriSema is the furthest along, with approval pending in 2026.CagriSema is semaglutide paired with cagrilintide. Cagrilintide is a new, long-acting medication that acts like amylin. Amylin is a hormone that helps promote fullness after meals. The effects of semaglutide with amylin appear to be greater than either medication on its own.In clinical trials, people in the CagriSema group lost about 20% of their starting body weight at 68 weeks (about 16 months). Those who stayed on the medication the entire trial lost about 23%.CagriSema is also being studied for weight loss among people with Type 2 diabetes and for cardiovascular benefits among people with heart disease.Other promising injectable GLP-1 medications advancing through clinical trials include:RetatrutideSurvodutideVK27353. Oral optionsNot everyone is comfortable giving themselves shots, which makes oral GLP-1 medications an appealing alternative. After launching in January 2026, the Wegovy pill quickly gained attention as a needle-free option for weight loss.Today, oral semaglutide — sold under the brand names Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus — is the only GLP-1 receptor agonist available in oral form. But another GLP-1 pill, called orforglipron, may be approved in the second quarter of 2026.Unlike peptide-based GLP-1s, orforglipron is a small molecule that’s made by linking together simpler chemical building blocks. This can make it easier and less expensive to produce.During clinical trials, people taking the highest orforglipron dose lost about 11% of their starting body weight at 72 weeks (about 17 months). Another trial showed that orforglipron helped people maintain weight loss after treatment with injectable Wegovy and Zepbound.4. Direct-to-consumer accessDirect-to-consumer (DTC) models have become one of the biggest access trends for GLP-1 medications. In 2026, many people are starting or managing GLP-1 therapy outside traditional in-person visits and retail pharmacies.Several manufacturers now offer DTC pharmacy programs that can simplify access and, in some cases, lower out-of-pocket costs. For example, NovoCare Pharmacy and LillyDirect allow eligible people to receive their GLP-1 medication shipped directly to their home. These programs often use manufacturer-sponsored discounts and cash-pay pricing that bypass traditional insurance hurdles.Telehealth platforms have also expanded GLP-1 access by offering virtual evaluations, prescriptions, and ongoing support. These options can improve convenience and speed, and may provide similar manufacturer cash-pay pricing, giving people more ways to start and maintain treatment.5. Insurance coverage changesIn 2026, insurance coverage for GLP-1 medications is increasingly splitting in two directions. Many plans continue to cover GLP-1s for Type 2 diabetes and certain cardiovascular uses. But coverage for weight loss alone is tightening.Commercial and employer plans: Most individual and employer-sponsored plans still cover GLP-1s for diabetes and cardiovascular risk reduction. But many treat weight loss as optional and either exclude it or apply strict eligibility rules. Some insurers, including certain Blue Cross plans, are dropping or scaling back coverage for medications like Wegovy, Saxenda, and Zepbound when they’re used only for weight loss.Medicare and Medicaid: Medicare and Medicaid are testing a new voluntary program to make GLP-1 medications easier to get, while keeping costs in check. The program will roll out first in Medicaid and later in Medicare drug plans, with an earlier temporary Medicare effort planned so some people can start accessing these medications sooner.Cost, access, and DTC options: Insurance coverage for weight loss remains limited and uneven. As mentioned above, many people are turning to cash-pay and DTC options as a result. These options may offer discounted pricing. But they aren't insurance benefits, and long-term affordability remains a challenge.The bottom lineIn 2026, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists will continue to reshape the treatment landscape for Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and beyond. Expanded uses, new injections and oral options, and direct-to-consumer access are a few trends to watch.The future of GLP-1 insurance coverage presents a complex picture. Some insurers are limiting or dropping coverage for weight loss. But there are also efforts to expand access through Medicare and Medicaid. And a growing list of indications could also broaden coverage.This story was produced by GoodRx and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How Americans are rethinking wellness in 2026 How Americans are rethinking wellness in 2026Every January, millions of Americans set resolutions, hoping a new calendar year will bring new control. But as 2026 rolls into March, the reset feels different.Instead of chasing fleeting fads, people have been responding to a deep-seated burnout fueled by economic instability and the relentless demands of hybrid work. This exhaustion is steering many away from generic fitness trends and toward the precision of wearables, health apps, and AI-driven tools.Rather than following broad influencer advice, Americans are now using their own biometric data to map a wellness plan that reflects their actual lives. This article from Elk Marketing explores these shifting attitudes to wellness.Why does the New Year still trigger health overhauls?Behavioral scientists describe January 1st as a “temporal landmark,” a psychological dividing line that creates distance between past failures and future possibilities. By creating a distinct boundary between time periods, the new year provides the psychological clearance needed to initiate ambitious changes that might otherwise feel overwhelming.It’s also socially reinforced. When an entire culture moves in sync to pursue health resets, the high social visibility provides a form of “social proof” that validates the effort. This collective momentum lowers the friction of starting over, making the start of a new year a rare window where personal motivation aligns with shared expectation.What’s different about health kicks in 2026?The rigid fitness plans and extreme dieting protocols that once defined new year’s resolutions are losing their grip. Years of burnout from unsustainable all-or-nothing approaches have taught people that willpower alone rarely sustains change, prompting a recalibration toward what actually endures.Rather than demanding sweeping lifestyle overhauls, the 2026 approach emphasizes micro-habits — small, repeatable actions that build real momentum over time.“The 2026 health kick isn’t fading, it’s maturing,” said Alyssa Marafino, VP of Growth at real-food supplement company Equip Foods. “Instead of chasing dramatic reinventions, Americans are building quieter systems that actually fit into daily life.”This downsizing has made space for new priorities, with sleep optimization, stress management, and nervous system regulation moving to the center rather than lingering as secondary concerns.This focus has shifted toward what researchers call “healthspan” — the preservation of strength, mobility, and mental clarity across decades rather than months.And personalization drives this evolution, as wearable devices and at-home biomarker testing allow individuals to tailor routines based on their specific physiological responses rather than adhering to generic protocols. The ambition remains intact, but the path forward is smarter, quieter, and more responsive to how change actually unfolds.The role of technology in shaping modern wellnessTechnology has quietly reshaped modern wellness, and wearables now sit at the center of that shift. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about one in three U.S. adults regularly uses a fitness tracker or smartwatch — tools that passively monitor sleep, movement, and recovery without disrupting daily life.AI-powered platforms build on those signals, offering adaptive feedback that helps people adjust routines based on how they feel, not just what they planned.And telehealth has followed a similar trajectory. Once viewed as a temporary fix, remote care is now routine. By 2022, nearly 40% of Americans had used it, with usage reaching 57% for those seeking mental health support, according to the CDC and NIH. This has made access to care more flexible, especially for those managing stress, sleep, and recovery.Still, the flood of health metrics has created fatigue. As The Good Trade notes, “The shift we’re seeing for 2026 is intentional, strategic use of data, not constant monitoring.” However, that fatigue is not only cognitive. It’s also financial.The economic reality behind modern health goalsAccording to a KFF Health Tracking Poll, healthcare costs have become the top economic worry for American households, with 32% reporting they are “very worried” about affording care.These anxieties are already reshaping behavior as rising premiums and deductibles push individuals toward prevention rather than treatment. This move is less about wellness idealism and more about the cold reality that catching problems early costs significantly less than managing them later.Johns Hopkins reports that only 2% to 3% of U.S. healthcare spending goes toward prevention. Yet preventive care remains the most affordable entry point for people trying to avoid the medical debt tied to as many as 65% of personal bankruptcies.Time scarcity compounds the issue, forcing a choice of sustainable routines over dramatic transformations because consistency requires less daily effort than constant reinvention.That shift has quietly replaced perfectionism with pragmatism, where “good enough” health becomes the realistic goal rather than an optimized ideal. And these constraints are now fueling broader skepticism toward an industry that has long prioritized profit over accessibility.The backlash against traditional wellness cultureNow valued at $6.8 trillion, the wellness industry has become a target of its own success. Influencers promoting miracle supplements and unproven protocols have eroded trust, often providing little evidence to support their claims.In fact, NPR reports that science communicators now spend most of their time countering wellness misinformation rather than advancing public health knowledge. This erosion of credibility has killed patience for performative health challenges designed more for social media engagement than actual physiological improvement.The Global Wellness Institute identifies this as “over-optimization backlash,” where people reject the pressure that “wellbeing must be constantly engineered, displayed and perfected to be legitimate.” That rejection has redirected attention toward mental balance and nervous system regulation rather than visible transformation.Success is now being redefined around how people feel rather than how they look, prioritizing functional capacity over aesthetics. And this shift reflects a deeper cultural reckoning about whether wellness was ever designed to serve the people or merely the industry profiting from their pursuit.Broader Cultural ImplicationsAs 2026 unfolds, the high-pressure New Year health kick is entering a long-overdue evolution.What once revolved around extreme, January-only resolutions is giving way to a more realistic model, one where wellness is woven into daily life rather than treated as a seasonal, all-or-nothing event. This shift suggests that the familiar “new year, new you” promise is being replaced by “new year, same me, just better supported” routines.This movement is heavily driven by aging Millennials and emerging Gen Z, who are challenging old norms by prioritizing mental balance and using wellness as a tool to manage the high stress of their careers. Health is no longer a frantic reinvention of the self; it is a sustainable form of self-expression.As we look forward, Americans are increasingly defining "healthy" through the lens of functional resilience and metabolic health. The 2026 health kick isn't fading; it is transforming into something more intentional and flexible, proving that the most effective wellness resolution is the one that actually fits into everyday life.This story was produced by Elk Marketing and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	529 plans just got a major upgrade. Here’s what high earners need to know 529 plans just got a major upgrade. Here’s what high earners need to knowThe One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted in July 2025, brought a wave of tax changes. Permanent tax brackets, updated standard deductions, and itemized deduction modifications got the attention. But buried inside the legislation are meaningful updates to 529 savings plans that are worth a close look, particularly if you’re planning to fund an elite education for your children.Range breaks down what changed with 529s starting in 2026 and what it could mean for your planning.Key TakeawaysThe K-12 annual distribution limit doubled to $20,000 per beneficiary starting in 2026K-12 529 distributions can now be used for expenses beyond tuition, like tutoring, test prep, educational therapy, and curriculum materials.529 funds can now cover expenses for postsecondary credentialing programs, not just traditional four-year programs.State rules don’t automatically follow federal law. Confirm how your state treats these changes with a tax professional before acting.What Is a 529 Plan?A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings account designed specifically for education expenses. Contributions grow tax-deferred, and withdrawals used for qualifying education expenses are free from federal income taxes. States often offer additional tax deductions for contributions. The accounts are owned by a parent or grandparent, with a named beneficiary (typically the child whose education you’re funding).Key Changes to 529 Plans in 2026The K-12 Distribution Cap DoubledUnder previous rules, families could only withdraw up to $10,000 per beneficiary per year from a 529 plan for K-12 expenses, and that was only for tuition. Starting in 2026, that annual cap has increased to $20,000 per beneficiary.That’s a significant shift for families sending children to private elementary or secondary schools, where annual tuition can easily approach or exceed that threshold.What’s more, the list of qualifying K-12 expenses has been significantly expanded beyond tuition. Distributions can now be used for:Curriculum materials and textbooksTutoring expensesEducational therapy costsStandardized test fees (think SAT, ACT, and subject tests)Dual enrollment fees for postsecondary programsFor families spending $40,000–$60,000 or more annually on private school, the $20,000 limit still won’t cover the full bill, but it meaningfully increases the tax-free portion that can flow through the account each year.Note: These changes apply at the federal level. Not all states have adopted OBBBA’s updates to 529 rules. Contact your tax professional directly to confirm how your state treats K-12 withdrawals before putting this strategy into motion.New Qualifying Uses for Postsecondary CredentialsThe OBBBA also expanded what 529 funds can cover at the postsecondary level. Beyond traditional four-year college expenses, 529 plans can now be used for tuition, fees, books, and exam fees tied to postsecondary credentialing programs (such as the Certified Nursing Assistant certification, cosmetology licenses, apprenticeships, and the Automotive Service Excellence certificate), including fees to maintain those credentials over time.For children who pursue professional certifications, trade credentials, or other nontraditional educational paths alongside or instead of a traditional college degree, this opens up new flexibility that didn’t exist before.Who Benefits Most From These Changes?Families sending children through private K-12 schools stand to benefit immediately from the doubled distribution limit and expanded list of qualifying expenses. The ability to pull $20,000 per year tax-free, covering not just tuition but tutoring, test prep, and curriculum materials, makes the 529 a more useful vehicle for the full arc of a child’s education, not just college.For parents planning to fund an elite undergraduate education and potentially graduate school beyond that, the accelerated gifting strategy may make sense if you have a large cash position and want to get money growing inside the tax-advantaged structure as early as possible. With private university costs potentially reaching $90,000-$100,000 per year by the time today’s young children enroll, front-loading early gives that money the most time to grow.Accelerated Gifting: Fund a 529 in One Large ContributionFor high-income families sitting on significant cash reserves, accelerated gifting (sometimes called superfunding) is one of the most efficient ways to get money into a 529 quickly.The IRS allows you to front-load five years’ worth of annual gift tax exclusions into a 529 plan in a single year without triggering federal gift tax. With the current annual exclusion at $19,000 per person, that means:Single contributor: Up to $95,000 per beneficiary in a single contributionMarried couples using gift-splitting: Up to $190,000 per beneficiary in a single contributionIf you contribute additional funds to that same beneficiary’s 529 during the five-year period, those amounts may be subject to federal gift tax. You’d also need to file a gift tax return (Form 709) in the year the accelerated gift is made.To illustrate the difference between the two approaches, here’s what investing the same total amount ($120,000) could look like over time, assuming 7.4% annual growth. One path spreads $12,000 per year over 10 years; the other puts the full $120,000 up front: Range Note on chart: For illustrative purposes only. Not a guarantee of any future return or outcome.The difference at year 13, a reasonable proxy for when a child starting kindergarten today reaches college, is roughly $84,000. That gap reflects the additional years of tax-deferred growth the upfront contribution has access to, and it can go a long way toward covering tuition at a top-tier university.Timing tip: If you’re later in the calendar year, you could make a $38,000 contribution in December ($19,000 if a single contributor) and then make the full accelerated gift in January of the following year. Since those contributions fall in separate tax years, you’re not doubling up on the same year’s exclusion — even though the two contributions are only a month apart. This approach maximizes the dollars going into the account without adverse gift tax consequences.What Happens If You Over-Fund a 529?Over-funding is a real concern for high earners who contribute aggressively. If your child receives substantial scholarships, attends a lower-cost school, or decides not to pursue a traditional college path, you could end up with significant leftover funds.Noneducational withdrawals from a 529 are subject to ordinary income taxes plus a 10% penalty on the earnings portion. That’s a costly outcome worth planning around.There are several strategies worth considering when excess funds remain:1. Roll excess funds into a Roth IRA. Under the SECURE 2.0 Act (effective 2024), unused 529 funds can be rolled tax- and penalty-free into the beneficiary’s Roth IRA (up to $35,000 lifetime). The rollover counts against the beneficiary’s annual Roth IRA contribution limit and is reduced by any other IRA contributions made in that tax year. The beneficiary must also have earned income in the year of the rollover at least equal to the amount being rolled over.There are two important requirements before attempting this: the 529 account must have been open for at least 15 years, and the funds being rolled over must have been in the plan for at least 5 years. If the beneficiary on the account changes, the 15-year clock may reset, so this isn’t a strategy to rush.2. Hold funds for graduate or professional school. An Ivy League or top-tier undergraduate degree is expensive, but graduate school, law school, or medical school can be equally so. Keeping remaining funds available for advanced education is often the simplest path forward.3. Transfer funds to another family member. 529 funds can be transferred tax-free to a wide range of relatives: spouses, children, siblings, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, first cousins, in-laws, aunts, and uncles. If one beneficiary’s account holds excess funds, those dollars can shift to support another family member’s education costs.A Few Things to Confirm Before Acting529 rules involve federal and state legislation that don’t always align. Before implementing any of these strategies, it’s important to confirm:How your specific state treats 529 distributions for K-12 expenses under OBBBAWhether your state offers a tax deduction for 529 contributions (New York, for example, offers up to $10,000 for married filing jointly)Whether a Roth IRA rollover makes sense given the beneficiary’s income, existing IRA contributions, and the 15-year account seasoning requirementFrequently Asked QuestionsCan I use 529 funds for private school tuition starting in kindergarten?Yes. Under OBBBA, 529 plans can be used for K-12 expenses at private, public, or religious schools. Starting in 2026, the annual distribution limit for K-12 costs is $20,000 per beneficiary — up from the prior $10,000 cap. Qualifying expenses now extend well beyond tuition to include tutoring, educational therapy, standardized test-prep fees, curriculum materials, and dual-enrollment fees for postsecondary programs. State tax treatment of these withdrawals varies, so confirm your state’s rules with a tax professional before withdrawing.What happens if my child gets a full scholarship and we don’t need the 529 funds?You have several options. You can roll up to $35,000 lifetime into the beneficiary’s Roth IRA tax- and penalty-free (subject to annual contribution limits, earned income requirements, and the 15-year account seasoning rule). You can hold the funds for potential graduate or professional school. Or you can transfer the balance to another qualifying family member — including siblings, cousins, in-laws, or grandchildren — for their education costs.What is accelerated gifting, and is it right for every family?Accelerated gifting lets you contribute up to five years’ worth of annual gift tax exclusions into a 529 in a single year — currently up to $95,000 per child for individuals, or $190,000 per child for married couples using gift-splitting. It works well for families with significant cash reserves who want to grow a large sum in a tax-advantaged account as early as possible. The trade-off is that you generally can’t make additional gifts to that same beneficiary for the remainder of the five-year window without potential gift tax consequences, and you’ll need to file Form 709 in the year the gift is made.Can I change the beneficiary on a 529 without losing the Roth IRA rollover option?Changing the beneficiary may reset the 15-year clock required for a Roth IRA rollover. If a parent changes the beneficiary to themselves or another individual, it’s likely viewed as a means of circumventing income limits on direct Roth IRA contributions, which could nullify the rollover strategy entirely. Reach out to your financial planner directly before making any beneficiary changes if a future Roth rollover is part of your plan.How much can a married couple contribute to a 529 each year without triggering gift tax?Each spouse can give up to the annual exclusion amount — currently $19,000 — to each beneficiary per year, for a combined $38,000 per child annually between two spouses. Accelerated gifting scales up to $190,000 per child in a single year when spouses elect to gift-split, covering five years of contributions upfront.Does my state follow the new federal 529 rules under OBBBA?Not necessarily. While OBBBA’s changes apply at the federal level, states set their own rules around 529 plan deductions and qualified withdrawals. Some states have already adopted the federal changes; others haven’t.What’s the difference between the OBBBA changes and the SECURE 2.0 Act changes to 529s?OBBBA (enacted in 2025) expanded the qualifying uses and raised the distribution limit for K-12 expenses, and added postsecondary credentialing programs as a qualifying use. The SECURE 2.0 Act (effective 2024) introduced the ability to roll unused 529 funds into a Roth IRA — up to $35,000 lifetime. Both sets of changes are now in effect and can be used together as part of a broader education funding strategy.The information contained in this communication is for informational purposes only. This content may not be relied on in any manner as specific legal, tax, regulatory, or investment advice. While we strive to present accurate and timely content, tax laws and regulations are subject to change, and individual circumstances can vary.This story was produced by Range and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Oakland figure skater Alysa Liu’s gold medal story has a surprising lesson for cities Oakland figure skater Alysa Liu’s gold medal story has a surprising lesson for citiesIt could have easily become a high-rise luxury condo complex. Or maybe a struggling office tower now being converted into luxury condos. Maybe a parking garage, or a data center.But instead, 30 years ago this spring, Alameda County Parcel Number 8-641-8-5 became home to the Oakland Ice Center — where recently crowned Olympic gold-medalist figure skater Alysa Liu still trains. Next City traced how that rink came to be — and survived long enough to nurture a champion.Located just north of downtown Oakland, in what the city considers the Uptown Retail and Entertainment Area, parcel 8-641-8-5 was just a vacant, privately owned lot back in 1991. But in that year, Oakland’s now-defunct Redevelopment Agency acquired it as part of a three-parcel transaction for $1.8 million.The Bay Area was a hot spot for ice sports in the early 1990s. Mountain View’s Brian Boitano had won a figure skating gold medal at the 1988 Winter Olympics. Fremont’s Kristi Yamaguchi was on her way to figure skating gold in the 1992 Winter Olympics. After a brief flirtation with the NHL’s Minnesota North Stars moving to Oakland (the team infamously moved to Dallas in 1993), the Bay Area finally got its first NHL team in the San Jose Sharks, who dropped the puck for their inaugural season in the fall of — you guessed it — 1991.Oakland City Council Members came to believe an ice sports center was just what they needed to revitalize a struggling downtown. The eight other ice sports facilities in the Bay Area were overbooked with youth and adult hockey leagues as well as figure skaters of all ages training, twirling and competing.Projections came in that a new ice center would bring in 500,000 visitors annually to downtown Oakland, generating nearly $5 million a year in retail, food and lodging revenue. So in April 1995, Oakland’s Redevelopment Agency signed a ground lease with a private developer team to build and operate the facility, which the agency financed with $11 million in tax-exempt bonds.Those projections were way off, of course. The private developer team went belly-up just three months after the Oakland Ice Center opened in March 1996. It would take more than a decade and three changes in private operators to stabilize the Oakland Ice Center. The parent company of the San Jose Sharks, which still manages the facility today, took over in October 2007 — when Liu was just 26 months old.The city of Oakland now owns the Oakland Ice Center. But the community investment program that enabled this center’s development has been dissolved: The state of California contentiously eliminated its 400-plus local redevelopment agencies in 2012 as part of closing a $26 billion state budget deficit.While budget hawks and accountability groups praised the move, it meant eliminating specialized public entities that created redevelopment plans, funded local infrastructure improvements, assembled parcels, assisted developers, brokered deals and sold tax-exempt bonds to pay for all the above.California’s redevelopment agencies had their flaws and missteps, but planners and community development leaders across the state say no entity has truly filled the gap they left, both as long-term stewards of publicly owned land and sources of local public dollars dedicated to local economic and real estate development.And so the ecosystem that created Liu’s home rink — and shielded it from the pressures of the market until it could find its footing — no longer exists.Complicated rootsAt the time California’s redevelopment agencies were dissolved in 2012, they were recipients of $5.6 billion a year in property tax revenues. Enough for Next City to label them “America’s Biggest Redevelopment Program.”The story of California’s redevelopment agencies begins in 1945, when state lawmakers passed the Community Redevelopment Act. The legislation gave cities and counties the authority to establish redevelopment agencies (RDAs) as independent, publicly affiliated entities with a mission to eliminate blight through development, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of residential, commercial, industrial, and retail districts.Those agencies were supercharged after Congress passed the Housing Act of 1949. Title I of that legislation infamously created “slum clearance” powers that allowed cities across the country to declare entire neighborhoods as “slums” and offered federal loans and grants to bulldoze them and make way for private developers to rebuild. To access those federal loans and grants, local governments needed to come up with their own matching funds. In 1951, California passed new legislation that provided RDAs with matching dollars via the nation’s first “tax-increment financing” scheme.With tax-increment financing, also known as TIF, cities or counties designate an area or sometimes a single property as “blighted” and in need of new investment. Upon designation, the existing amount of property taxes paid to the local government (as well as to the school district, parks district, transportation district or other local government bodies) is frozen within that area. Over time, if property values within the designated area rise, any property taxes assessed above the frozen amount are set aside to subsidize redevelopment projects or fund other eligible activities within the designated area.Fueled by Title I slum clearance and their new TIF dollars, California RDAs went right to work, using eminent domain to demolish cherished homes and neighborhoods wholesale in the name of “urban renewal.” The project that incited James Baldwin to redub urban renewal as “Negro removal” was in fact a project involving the San Francisco RDA bulldozing a huge chunk of the Fillmore District, a predominantly-Black enclave in San Francisco.Oakland created its RDA in 1956. Its first large-scale project involved bulldozing the 34-acre Acorn neighborhood, home to around 500 primarily low-income families (78% African American, 20% Mexican American, and 2% white) living in some 600 dwellings.But it wasn’t as simple as RDAs being wielded only to destroy Black neighborhoods and hand them over to white developers and contractors.In the aftermath of Acorn’s 1962 destruction, John B. Williams became the head of Oakland’s RDA in 1964, making him among the first Black people to head a city agency in the United States.A Baptist preacher born in Covington, Georgia, Williams also had a fine arts degree and helped found First Enterprise Bank, the first minority-owned bank in Northern California. According to Places Journal, with his fine arts background, he supported art as a means to engage community members in the agency’s work. He was the first Oakland official to enforce minority training and hiring policies and required that the agency employ laborers and award contracts proportionate to city demographics. Williams led Oakland’s RDA until he died of cancer in 1976.Complicated demiseSince proliferating across the country, TIF schemes differ from state to state, and they go by many names. In Texas, it’s known as a tax increment reinvestment zone, or TIRZ. Florida calls it a community redevelopment area, or CRA. Back in 2018, Chicago infamously had around 150 TIF districts, as many as the next nine largest U.S. cities combined, according to a study of TIFs by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.For local public officials, TIF can seem like a magical way for redevelopment to pay for itself. Cities can borrow dollars up front, based on projected future TIF area property tax payments, then use those dollars to do almost anything they want — like build the Oakland Ice Center. If all goes as planned, property tax revenues will then be collected within the TIF area to repay the debt automatically as time goes by.TIF schemes also vary greatly in how decisions get made about what projects to finance or which properties to acquire for redevelopment. Not all TIF schemes create an RDA-like entity that can acquire properties. In Chicago, TIF districts don’t have a separate governing entity, only separate bank accounts whose dollars are ultimately doled out by the city’s Department of Planning and Development, which is really controlled by the mayor. In Texas and Florida, each TIRZ or CRA has its own board of commissioners that oversees an entity that controls its dollars, acquires properties and sets up partnerships with private developers.Back in California, each city or county established an RDA with the power to designate multiple TIF areas, acquire properties and spend TIF dollars on projects located in the designated areas where the dollars came from. City and county legislators had the flexibility to control RDAs directly themselves or create an appointed commission to wield RDA powers.Since it derives revenue from local property taxes, TIF is often seen as pulling money away from schools, fire departments, parks, libraries and other local public services usually supported by local property taxes. TIF projects also don’t often require direct approval from mayors, city councils or voters, so TIF dollars also often end up being used as a slush fund to support local politicians’ pet projects that happen to be developed by their biggest campaign donors. For these and other reasons, TIF continues to be a hot-button issue in places like Chicago or St. Louis.Ultimately, it was the TIF funding mechanism that led to the demise of California’s RDAs.When former Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown came into office as California governor in 2011, he inherited a $26 billion state budget deficit from the Governator. Although Brown had been a huge beneficiary of Oakland’s RDA during his time as mayor, the RDAs suddenly became sacrificial lambs to help close that giant hole.Under the state laws governing RDAs, the state was obligated to pay local school districts for any revenues lost to tax-increment financing. The state, he argued, could no longer afford those payments. At the time, RDAs accounted for 12% of all property taxes paid across California; in some places, they earned more property tax revenue than the local city or county government that created them.Cities, counties and RDAs fought back vehemently. Gov. Brown first tried eliminating them by executive order. When that didn’t work, the state passed legislation that the RDAs and local governments later fought in court. The state emerged victorious, leading to the dissolution of RDAs in 2012.More than moneyLosing RDAs has meant losing more than just funding for local economic and real estate development across California.While many of the decisions they made were questionable or arguably malicious, each RDA, over time, came to build its own internal capacity for wielding land and money in ways that always had the potential to reflect the best of public interest. And that capacity that has never really been replaced.Helen Leung is the executive director of LA Más, a nonprofit fighting against real estate speculation in Northeast Los Angeles, where she was born and raised. She previously worked as a planning and land use staffer for former LA city council member Eric Garcetti, who held that office from 2001 to 2013 before becoming mayor.“It was fascinating to see how much money and land the redevelopment agency had access to, how much power it had to put together giant economic development projects,” Leung tells Next City. “Projects took a long time, but they were also catalytic and had community benefits or contributions that weren’t possible outside the redevelopment agency area or without redevelopment agency investment.”Things have changed for planners and local officials attempting to revitalize their cities.“All the things we do now to require things like prevailing wages on projects or inclusionary housing was just done deal-by-deal by the redevelopment agency,” she says. “I can appreciate that power as someone with a planning background and who used to work for local government — but I can also understand the fear or skepticism of big agencies with a lot of power and the ability to move fast.”While they had the power to move fast, as public entities, RDAs also had the ability to be patient when warranted.After the Oakland Ice Center’s original developers went belly-up, Oakland’s Redevelopment Agency was able to step in quickly and take ownership of the facility, keeping it open as it searched for a new private partner to operate it. The second manager it picked ended up having political ties as a campaign contributor. They were gone after three years. The third manager it picked only signed a two-year lease, but stayed on month-to-month for five more years as the facility continued to lose money.It wasn’t until 2007 that Oakland’s Redevelopment Agency finally found a partner — the corporate parent of the San Jose Sharks — who was able to work out a sustainable business model for the facility.Models for this sort of dedicated, long-term stewardship of real estate by public or quasi-public independent entities have shown long-term success in other places, most notably Seattle.In 1973, the Seattle City Council created the Pike Place Preservation and Development Authority to steward the landmark eponymous public market, which the city previously tried to convert into a parking garage. Created in 1974, Historic Seattle stewards a citywide portfolio of historic cultural venues. Created in 1975, the Seattle Chinatown-International District Preservation and Development Authority stewards a growing portfolio of properties in its eponymous neighborhood.Around 20 such entities operate in and around Seattle, including the Social Housing Public Development Authority, created in 2023 to acquire and build a citywide portfolio of mixed-income housing. The new social housing development authority shows that it’s not necessary to fund redevelopment entities using TIF schemes, either: It’s funded by a 5% tax on local employee salaries of $1 million or more. The tax netted $115 million in its first year, far exceeding projections.The success of California’s redevelopment agencies varied greatly from city to city, sometimes TIF area by TIF area, within a single redevelopment agency. There’s also more than one way to define or measure success: A neighborhood where RDA-supported projects succeed in catalyzing new private investment without RDA support may also be targeted for speculative investment that displaces the very people who were supposed to benefit from their own property tax dollars being invested locally.“Redevelopment agency projects also gentrified some communities,” Leung says. “Hollywood looks a lot different now than it did back then. Everyone you talk to about redevelopment agencies will have lots of pros and cons, whether they’re in the weeds or not in the weeds.”This story was produced by Next City, a nonprofit newsroom covering solutions for equitable cities, and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Is cyber liability insurance worth it? Is cyber liability insurance worth it?Small businesses are often easy targets for malware, ransomware attacks, data breaches and other cyber attacks. For many, these incidents can be a serious threat that result in downtime, lost income, loss of customer trust, expensive cleanup and even legal action. Could cyber liability insurance help with the fallout of some of these instances? For many small business owners, the answer is yes. ERGO NEXT explains what a cyber insurance policy can cover, who really needs this kind of insurance, who can skip it (for now), and practical steps to help reduce your business risk and policy costs.4 reasons small businesses could benefit from cyber liability insurance46% of small and medium-sized businesses were victims of cyber attacks — and almost one in five affected businesses closed their business or filed for bankruptcy — according to a recent Mastercard report.With those kinds of odds and vulnerabilities, cyber insurance is increasingly worth serious consideration.Here are some of the top reasons why cyber liability insurance coverage could make sense for many small businesses.1. Small businesses are easy targets for hackersCybercriminals go after the easiest opportunities. And small businesses tend to have limited resources and invest less in anti–cyber threat protections. They often run their business operations using a hodgepodge of devices, computer systems and accounts without proper oversight. Password reuse, unsecured email accounts, outdated software and limited monitoring create the kind of openings that cyber attackers look for.2. Your business model creates unavoidable exposureIf you accept credit card payments, you’re handling sensitive financial data. If you’re a consultant, accountant or other professional, you likely store client contracts, invoices and personal information in cloud tools like email, file-sharing apps or CRMs. If you run a restaurant or retail shop, your POS system is central to daily operations. Many small businesses depend on digital systems that leave them vulnerable to cyber risk.These kinds of digital tools are essential for many types of businesses. But if they’re disrupted by malware or a cyber attack, your business can grind to a halt.3. Most cyber incidents start with everyday human actionsMany cyber events start with normal work happening at speed. A realistic phishing email. A fake DocuSign request. A shared password. A lost laptop. When small business owners and teams are busy juggling tasks from marketing to operations, it’s easy for mistakes to happen. It only takes one wrong click for attackers to get inside.4. Real-world costs quickly add upEven a “small” cyber incident can trigger multiple expenses at once: forensic investigations, legal support, customer notifications, credit monitoring, public relations management and lost income if your systems go down. For many small business owners, these combined costs can quickly exceed what they can afford.Why a cyber insurance policy may not be necessary (yet)Cyber insurance may not yet be a priority for every small business. If your exposure is minimal, you may consider holding off on cyber coverage.You may not need cyber insurance right now if:Your business is truly offlineYou don’t use any digital systems (no email, cloud tools, etc.)You don’t store sensitive data like customer informationYou don’t accept digital paymentsSome small businesses might also opt to defer coverage if budget is tight and other business insurance coverages are a higher priority, such as general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance or commercial property insurance.If you opt out of cyber coverage, it’s worth revisiting if you start taking digital payments, storing client info, using cloud tools, hiring staff or signing contracts with clients that require coverage.What can cyber insurance cover?Cyber liability insurance coverage varies by insurance provider, but some common cyber incidents it may help cover include:1. Data breach response costsIf customer or employee data is stolen or leaked, coverage may help pay the financial costs of:IT forensics and investigationLegal fees and regulatory supportCustomer notificationCredit monitoring / identity protection2. Ransomware attacks and cyber extortionIf a hacker locks your systems and demands payment to give you your access back, cybersecurity coverage may help with ransom payments (with prior written consent and law-enforcement notification) as well as negotiation and investigation costs.3. Business interruptionIf a covered cybercrime shuts your systems down so you can’t operate, invoice or take payments, this type of coverage may help replace lost income and pay extra expenses to keep your business running.4. Legal defense and some regulatory supportIf customers, partners or regulators take legal action after a breach, your cyber coverage may help with defense costs, settlements and some penalties (policy-dependent).5. Brand and reputation supportIf bad publicity directly results from a covered incident, some policies can help cover reputation support and related losses.4 examples of cyber insurance coverage in actionTo illustrate the point, here are a few common cyber incidents that different kinds of small businesses may face — often without realizing they’re even at risk until it’s too late. (Please note that the coverage examples below are for illustrative purposes only. An individual’s policy documents govern, terms and exclusions apply. Coverage is dependent on actual facts and circumstances giving rise to a claim.)1. A phishing attack exposes client dataWhat happens: A management consultant clicks on what looks like a legitimate client email, and they unknowingly give a hacker access to their inbox or cloud files. Client contracts, financial documents and personal information is exposed. They face client notifications, potential legal claims and serious damage to hard-earned reputation and client trust.How cyber insurance can help: Coverage may help pay for investigation, legal defense, client notification costs and reputation support while you work to contain the breach.2. A fake vendor email reroutes your paymentWhat happens: A general contractor receives an email that looks like it’s from a regular supplier asking to update their banking details. The next vendor payment is sent to the new account. Days later, the real supplier follows up asking why they haven’t been paid — while the attacker is trying to drain your bank account.How cyber insurance can help: Coverage may help with investigation costs, legal support and response expenses as you work to limit financial damage.3. A ransomware attack shuts down a restaurantWhat happens: An employee accidentally clicks a malicious email link, and suddenly your systems are locked. Your POS won’t process payments, online orders are down and schedules and payroll are inaccessible. A ransom message appears demanding payment to restore access.How cyber insurance can help: Coverage may help with ransomware response, expert support and lost income while your restaurant works to get systems back online.4. A retail shop’s POS system is compromisedWhat happens: A store’s point-of-sale system is breached, exposing customer payment information. Card processors shut down transactions while the issue is investigated. Customers are notified but the negative reviews start piling up and regulators may get involved.How cyber insurance can help: Coverage may help with breach response costs, legal support, customer notifications and public relations or reputation management.What’s not usually covered by cyber insurance?Cyber insurance is a financial backstop for the moments when prevention fails, but it isn’t a catch-all.Common exclusions include:Bodily injury and physical property damage (these are usually handled by general liability or commercial property coverage)Known incidents that started before the policy beganCertain widespread or state-sponsored cyber eventsVendor/system-wide outages (often excluded as “dependent system failures”)Intentional or criminal acts by you or your employeesCyber insurance can help with your cyber incident response and financial recovery, but it won’t replace every kind of loss.Tips to help lower cyber liability insurance costCybersecurity coverage can start as a low-cost addition to your general liability policy. This low cost of cyber insurance could make it a valuable addition to your overall cybersecurity measures and risk management plan.The average cost you pay for coverage depends on a number of factors, including your operations, data exposure and controls.Here are some tips to help lower your cyber risk (which could help lower your premium):Use multi-factor authentication (MFA). This is one of the most impactful things you can do to dramatically reduce account-takeover risk.Train employees on phishing scams and payment verification. Many cybercrimes begin with human error. Instituting basic training and a “verify before you pay” rule can go a long way.Patch and update regularly. Outdated software is an open door. Keep your operating systems, browsers, plugins and tools up to date.Back up critical data. Backups won’t prevent an attack, but they can help reduce downtime and recovery costs if you’re a victim of cybercrime.Bundle cyber coverage with other policies. Buying cyber liability insurance as an add-on policy with other business insurance coverage can be a cost-effective way to get coverage.This story was produced by ERGO NEXT Insurance and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Traveling to Mexico this spring? Here’s what to know about current advisories Traveling to Mexico this spring? Here’s what to know about current advisoriesFor some travelers counting down to spring break, recent headlines about violence in parts of Mexico have sparked a new question: Should I cancel my trip? Travel advisors say they are seeing a surge in calls and emails from clients trying to determine whether developments in one region affect major resort areas elsewhere.The questions follow several days of unrest in parts of Mexico after security operations targeting organized crime leaders prompted temporary flight disruptions and shelter-in-place guidance for U.S. government personnel in areas including Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. In this article, ALG Vacations explains what current travel advisories mean for spring break travelers heading to Mexico.The U.S. State Department evaluates Mexico state by state, not as a single destination, and advisory levels vary by region. Many major beach destinations, including Cancun, Riviera Maya, Tulum and Los Cabos, are currently under a Level 2 advisory, which encourages travelers to exercise increased caution. It does not discourage travel.Part of the confusion stems from geography. Puerto Vallarta, on the Pacific coast, is roughly 1,300 miles from Cancun and the Riviera Maya on the Caribbean side, about the distance between New York and Miami. Because advisories are assigned state by state, developments in one region do not automatically alter another.In recent days, that uncertainty has translated into additional inquiries about whether specific resort areas are experiencing disruptions. U.S. Embassy security alerts issued this week indicate that temporary shelter-in-place guidance affecting Puerto Vallarta was lifted and that flight operations resumed. The advisory level for the Mexican state of Quintana Roo remains unchanged.Some clients are asking about alternatives, advisors say, but many are continuing with their plans after reviewing official updates. Travel patterns often shift in response to breaking headlines, they add, before stabilizing as clearer information becomes available.The State Department assigns travel advisories on a four-tier scale ranging from Level 1, exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, do not travel. While Level 2 encourages increased awareness, Level 3 and Level 4 carry stronger language discouraging or restricting travel.Advisories are reviewed regularly and can be updated as conditions evolve. The State Department’s Mexico advisory page breaks down conditions by state, reflecting the country’s federal structure rather than issuing a single national designation. Travelers can also enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which provides real-time security updates and allows U.S. officials to contact citizens in an emergency.Embassy notices state that airports, hotels and tourism services in Quintana Roo are operating normally. Security conditions across Mexico vary widely by state, with some regions carrying higher advisories and others designated Level 1. Most destinations popular with U.S. travelers are currently classified as Level 2.As spring break approaches, advisors say informed decision-making depends on reviewing the advisories assigned to a specific destination and monitoring official updates, rather than reacting to national headlines alone. Travel decisions ultimately depend on individual comfort levels, they add, but advisory levels are assigned regionally and should be evaluated accordingly.This story was produced by ALG Vacations and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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	Why Trump can’t cancel the 2026 midterms, and why election experts say that fear distracts from the real risk Why Trump can’t cancel the 2026 midterms, and why election experts say that fear distracts from the real riskEarly January, President Donald Trump floated the idea of canceling the 2026 midterm elections, drawing widespread attention and concern even as White House officials later dismissed the remarks as facetious.But election experts consistently agree that Trump has neither the legal authority nor the practical ability to cancel elections. And state and local election officials consistently say they will carry out the elections they’re legally required to run.The election system is under real strain, and bad-faith efforts to undermine it are serious. But after talking with local election officials, lawyers, and administrators across the country, there is a lack of evidence that upcoming elections are at realistic risk of not happening at all. Elections happen because thousands of local officials follow state and local law that mandates them — and history shows they’ve done so before, even under immense pressure. The greater danger isn’t no election, but one that’s chaotic, unfairly challenged, or deliberately cast as illegitimate after the fact.Stephen Richer, the Republican former recorder in Maricopa County, Arizona, tells Votebeat that the idea that a president could simply halt or meaningfully cancel an election misunderstands how elections function on the ground. The system, he said, is “made up of so many disparate actors” — thousands of local officials, courts, vendors, and administrators operating under different authorities and timelines. Even if there were a coordinated attempt to get these people not to go through with the election, “you’ve got to figure at least half of those people aren’t big fans of the president, and many of the rest are on autopilot regardless of what they think of the president.”Some election processes are fixed by law and timing. Military and overseas ballots, for example, must be sent on a specific schedule — a deadline Richer described as “an immutable deadline, like gravity.” Any attempt to disrupt that selectively would quickly become obvious. “How absurd would it be that one county got ballots and the next one didn’t?” he said, predicting “a gazillion lawsuits” and court orders compelling officials to move forward.Richer also pointed to the scale of U.S. election administration: more than 9,000 jurisdictions and more than 90,000 polling locations nationwide. “You are not going around and shutting those down,” he said. He noted that even voter-intimidation efforts would face immediate legal challenges and injunctions, while plenty of voters would have cast ballots via other means (e.g., early or mail voting) anyway.That assessment is echoed by David Becker, the executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, who speaks regularly with local election officials. Becker said nearly 1,500 local officials across 47 states have participated in his monthly informational sessions, which he’s held since Trump put out his executive order last March, and none of them have suggested canceling the election or violating state law.“Every single one of them is committed to putting on the best election they possibly can,” Becker said. Even under pressure, officials aren’t signaling they’ll stop. “They are getting it done,” he said, adding that if support doesn’t come from the state, “they will band together and do it themselves.”But state election officials aren’t backing down, either. Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar, a Democrat, says elections will proceed as planned regardless of what Trump might say. The academics and media stars gaining popularity and attention for saying otherwise are being “disingenuous” and “dangerous,” he said.Courts have also played a critical role when local officials have threatened to overstep their authority. In 2020, even light suggestions that Trump might delay the election to accommodate COVID were met with outrage. After the 2020 election, judges made clear that certification is not discretionary and ordered officials to follow election law and move the process forward, even amid intense political pressure.Those same state and local laws remain in place today. Courts and election offices are also better positioned than they were four years ago, with legal strategies drafted, training in place, and judges already familiar with these arguments. Across the country, clerks and secretaries of state describe updating contingency plans, consulting attorneys, and stress-testing procedures much as they would for a natural disaster or cyberattack.If you’re worried about what lies ahead, election officials say there are meaningful ways to respond — and that spreading fear isn’t one of them. Richer said the bigger danger now is renewed distrust of election results. That distrust makes it easier for those in power to make bad-faith attempts to twist the math after votes are cast.His advice is straightforward: “Continue being a repository for facts and truth about election administration, and kindly and sensitively inject those into conversations that you are a part of if you hear something you know to be wrong.” He added, “Don’t be dismissive. It never works.” And, he said, “you are responsible for the false information you spread.”Aguilar said that academic voices predicting doom “don’t understand the nuances” of state and local law and that voters should be skeptical of them. Those who want better information should go to their local and state elections offices.There’s also a risk that continually framing elections as likely not to happen — or as already lost — could have the opposite of the intended effect, discouraging participation rather than protecting democracy. People who want to get involved can sign up to be a poll worker, volunteer to help register voters, offer their business or community space as a polling location, or donate to organizations preparing to defend election laws and certification in court.Elections don’t happen just because people assume they will. They happen because people — especially at the local level — show up and do the work.This story was produced by Votebeat and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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	What 1,000 euros a month gets you living as a student in Europe What 1,000 euros a month gets you living as a student in EuropeChoosing where to study abroad is not just an academic decision. It is also an important financial one. Beyond tuition fees, students need to consider rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, health insurance, and personal expenses. Knowing the typical costs in each country helps students plan a realistic and manageable budget.Housing is often the largest monthly expense, and prices can vary widely between cities and countries. This guide draws on data from HousingAnywhere’s international rent index to show average student accommodation costs across Europe, giving a clear picture of what students can expect to pay.Below is a breakdown of estimated living costs for students in 10 popular European study destinations. Included are rent, food, transport, health insurance, and part-time work opportunities to help students make informed choices about budgeting and lifestyle while studying abroad.GermanyGermany offers world-class education alongside relatively manageable living costs compared to many Western European countries. The cost of living in Germany varies by city, with Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin among the most expensive, while smaller university towns remain more affordable.Housing is typically the largest monthly expense. Shared rooms usually cost between €250–€450 per month, while private studios range from €500–€800, depending on location. Public university tuition fees are minimal or entirely waived, generally ranging from €0–€400 per semester. Monthly living costs for groceries, transport, health insurance, and personal expenses average €700–€900.Students can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, earning about €10–€15 per hour, and many programs include paid internships. Government-funded scholarships, such as DAAD programs, also help international students manage costs.Estimated monthly cost of living in Germany: €800–€1,000 (excluding tuition)The NetherlandsThe Netherlands combines high-quality education with a highly international academic environment. The cost of living in the Netherlands depends on the city, with Amsterdam and Rotterdam being more expensive than smaller cities such as Groningen or Maastricht.Rent represents the largest portion of monthly expenses. Shared accommodation typically costs €350–€700 per month, while studio apartments range from €700–€1,200. Tuition fees for non-EU students generally fall between €6,000–€15,000 per year, though university and government scholarships are widely available. Monthly non-rent expenses, including food, transport, and insurance, average €900–€1,200.Students can work part-time for up to 16 hours per week during the academic year, earning around €10–€14 per hour. Many degree programs include paid internships for practical experience, and government-supported scholarships, including the Holland Scholarship and university-specific grants, help offset tuition and living costs.Estimated monthly cost of living in the Netherlands: €900–€1,200 (excluding tuition)FranceFrance offers a diverse academic landscape and a culturally rich student experience. The cost of living in France varies by location, with Paris being the most expensive and cities such as Lyon, Toulouse, and Grenoble offering more affordable alternatives.Housing is the primary cost driver, with shared rooms ranging from €350–€700 per month and studio apartments costing €700–€1,500. Public university tuition remains highly subsidized, typically between €170–€600 per year. Monthly expenses for food, transportation, health insurance, and daily needs average €800–€1,100.Students can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, earning roughly €9–€12 per hour depending on the role and location. Paid internships are often part of degree programs, and government-funded scholarships, including the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship and Campus France programs, provide financial support for eligible international students.Estimated monthly cost of living in France: €800–€1,100 (excluding tuition)ItalyItaly attracts students with its strong academic tradition and culturally immersive lifestyle. The cost of living in Italy differs by city, with Milan and Rome being the most expensive, while Bologna, Turin, and smaller towns offer more affordable options.Shared accommodation generally costs €250–€500 per month, while studios range from €500–€900. Tuition at public universities typically falls between €900–€3,000 per year, with extensive regional and merit-based scholarship options available. Monthly living expenses, including food, transport, and insurance, average €700–€1,000.Students can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, earning approximately €8–€12 per hour. Paid internships are frequently offered in collaboration with local industries, and government and regional scholarships, such as DSU and MAECI programs, help reduce education and living costs.Estimated monthly cost of living in Italy: €700–€1,000 (excluding tuition)SpainSpain offers a balanced combination of academic quality, vibrant city life, and relatively affordable living costs. The cost of living in Spain depends on the city, with Madrid and Barcelona being more expensive than cities such as Valencia, Seville, or Malaga.Housing costs typically range from €250–€500 for shared rooms and €450–€900 for studios. Tuition fees for non-EU students usually fall between €1,000–€3,500 per year. Monthly living expenses for food, transport, and insurance average €700–€1,000.Students may work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during their studies, earning about €8–€12 per hour depending on the sector. Paid internships are widely available and often integrated into degree programs, while government-backed scholarships, including MAEC-AECID and regional grants, help manage study-related costs.Estimated monthly cost of living in Spain: €700–€1,000 (excluding tuition)PortugalPortugal is increasingly popular among international students due to its welcoming culture and comparatively low living costs. The cost of living in Portugal varies by city, with Lisbon and Porto being more expensive than smaller cities such as Coimbra or Braga.Shared accommodation typically costs €200–€450 per month, while studios range from €400–€800. Tuition fees for non-EU students generally fall between €1,000–€3,500 per year. Monthly living expenses, including food, transport, and insurance, average €650–€950.Students can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, earning around €7–€10 per hour. Many academic programs provide access to paid internships, particularly in technology and tourism sectors, and government-funded scholarships from DGES and university financial aid programs support international students.Estimated monthly cost of living in Portugal: €650–€950 (excluding tuition)AustriaAustria offers a high standard of education with a student-friendly cost structure. The cost of living in Austria differs by city, with Vienna being more expensive than Graz or Salzburg.Shared rooms typically cost €250–€500 per month, while studios range from €500–€900. Tuition for non-EU students at public universities usually falls between €1,500–€2,500 per year. Monthly expenses for food, transport, health insurance, and personal needs average €700–€1,000.Students can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, earning roughly €9–€14 per hour depending on experience and location. Paid internships are common in engineering, technology, and tourism-related programs, and government-supported scholarships, including OeAD grants and university programs, help reduce financial pressure.Estimated monthly cost of living in Austria: €700–€1,000 (excluding tuition)EstoniaEstonia stands out for its affordability and strong focus on digital innovation and technology. The cost of living in Estonia is highest in Tallinn, while smaller student cities such as Tartu are more affordable.Shared housing typically costs €150–€350 per month, while studio apartments range from €300–€600. Tuition fees for non-EU students usually range from €3,000–€8,000 per year, with scholarships available through universities and government programs. Monthly living expenses average €600–€900.Students are allowed to work part-time without strict hourly limits, as long as studies remain the priority, earning about €8–€12 per hour. Paid internships are especially common in Estonia’s tech and startup ecosystem, and government-funded scholarships, such as Dora Plus and Estonian government study grants, help international students financially.Estimated monthly cost of living in Estonia: €600–€900 (excluding tuition)PolandPoland offers one of the most affordable study environments in the European Union while maintaining strong academic standards. The cost of living in Poland varies by city, with Warsaw and Kraków being more expensive than smaller cities such as Wrocław or Poznań.Shared rooms typically cost €150–€300 per month, while studios range from €300–€600. Tuition for non-EU students generally falls between €2,000–€6,000 per year. Monthly living expenses average €600–€900.Students can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, earning approximately €6–€10 per hour. Paid internships are often available in IT, engineering, and business services, and government-supported scholarships, including NAWA programs and university grants, help manage education costs.Estimated monthly cost of living in Poland: €600–€900 (excluding tuition)Czech RepublicThe Czech Republic combines respected universities with affordable living costs, particularly outside Prague. The cost of living in the Czech Republic varies by city, with Prague being more expensive than Brno or Olomouc.Shared accommodation typically costs €150–€350 per month, with studios ranging from €300–€600. Tuition fees for non-EU students generally range from €2,000–€8,000 per year. Monthly living expenses, including food, transport, and insurance, average €600–€900.Students can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week, earning roughly €6–€10 per hour. Paid internships are frequently offered through partnerships with international companies, and government-funded scholarships, such as Czech Government Scholarships and university-based aid, help reduce costs for international students.Estimated monthly cost of living in the Czech Republic: €600–€900 (excluding tuition)When planning to study in Europe, evaluating living expenses is as important as comparing academic programs. Housing costs, city choice, and lifestyle preferences significantly influence monthly budgets, while scholarships, part-time employment, and internships can help manage overall expenses. By comparing cost structures across countries, students can align their educational ambitions with realistic financial planning and make informed decisions about studying abroad in Europe.This story was produced by HousingAnywhere and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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	Can cities make landlords care about energy efficiency? Can cities make landlords care about energy efficiency?With the federal government retreating from climate action, cities and states have increasingly stepped in to ease emissions and address the crisis. But new research finds that those efforts often fail to reach renters — one of the largest and most vulnerable segments of the housing market — leaving a persistent gap in local climate policy. Grist examines how local governments are trying to close it.Roughly one-third of U.S. households rent, according to a Redfin analysis of Census Bureau data — about 46 million in all, and they tend to be lower-income. Yet many rebates, incentives, and other programs aimed at improving energy efficiency or getting a home off of fossil fuels are targeted at landlords, even though it’s tenants who usually pay the utility bills.Those programs often focus on upgrades like installing heat pumps or higher-efficiency appliances, or improving insulation. But because property owners typically don’t cover day-to-day energy costs, they have little motivation to make those investments, even when they would lower emissions and reduce tenants’ bills. Economists call this dilemma a “split-incentive,” and Dovev Levine, who runs the New England Municipal Sustainability Network — a group of about 40 collaborating municipalities — says this quandary is not uncommon.“The issue of split incentives comes up every single meeting,” he said.Researchers at Binghamton University in New York wanted to better understand how state and local governments are addressing this. They interviewed dozens of officials from around the country and published their findings earlier this month in the journal Energy Research & Social Science. Only about half of the 59 officials they interviewed said their agencies offered initiatives aimed at improving energy efficiency in rental units.“A lot of meaningful upgrades remain undone,” said Kristina Marty, a professor at Binghamton and a coauthor of the study. “We’re kind of writing off this kind of very big sector of the residential market.”That does not shock Levine. What he’s found more surprising is that combating the problem remains “a pretty novel effort.” Renters aren’t always a priority for city planners and managers, but Stefen Samarripas, who works on local policy issues at the nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, says that has started to change over the last decade or so.“I have seen that more local governments are starting to wrestle with this idea,” he said, noting that progress has been particularly noticeable in recent years. “I think there’s been a lot more interest and emphasis.”Samarripas has seen municipalities implement a number of effective strategies. One approach is engaging with landlords when they are making replacements, repairs, or renovations and encouraging them to choose more efficient options. If a furnace breaks, for example, state or local governments can help lower the cost of installing a heat pump.Highlighting the benefits of efficiency in common areas is also important. “In many rental properties, there is going to be some energy cost that the owner is responsible for,” said Samarripas. While weatherizing a building may largely save tenants money, landlords stand to gain as well.Funding also plays a key role. Alachua County in Florida makes up to $15,000 for efficiency improvements available based on either a renter’s or owner’s qualifications. Minneapolis provides up to $50,000 per building. Other jurisdictions also offer low or zero-interest financing to help.Even when help is available, navigating those resources — or finding out about them at all — can be difficult. In October 2025, Boston launched an “Energy Saver” program that provides individual consultations to help address this challenge. The city plans to deliver $300 million in benefits through the initiative by 2027.Sometimes, though, even the biggest incentives aren’t enough. Marty’s study found 13 jurisdictions that turned to regulations to address the issue. In most cases, the laws applied only to new construction or major renovations, though some target existing housing stock. Burlington, Vermont, wasn’t included in this latest research, but in 2021, the city passed an ordinance requiring that rentals gradually become more efficient.“Despite rebates, we weren’t seeing a lot of change,” Jennifer Green, director of sustainability for the Burlington Electric Department, said about the decision to go the regulatory route. “This is one of the tools in the government’s toolbox.”That tactic won’t work everywhere. In Florida, for instance, state law prohibits local governments from forcing landlords to make efficiency upgrades. Still, Samarripas remains hopeful that renters will be increasingly taken into account as municipalities develop climate policies.“I’m optimistic about being able to address these issues,” he said, pointing to the ingenuity of the government officials he’s worked with. “Those folks have really stretched their minds and worked to be creative and innovative in how they’re approaching this problem.”This story was produced by Grist and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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	The ultimate guide to caviar The ultimate guide to caviarCaviar is raw sturgeon roe, prized for its unique, briny, buttery taste and smooth texture. Labor-intensive harvesting and sturgeon scarcity make it a luxury, high-cost item. It's a nutritious food packed with omega-3s and vitamins. To preserve its delicate flavor, serve it directly from the can on crushed ice using a nonmetallic utensil. Enjoy with blinis, crème fraîche, and freshly sliced veggies.Are you interested in experiencing the bliss of creamy, briny, luxurious caviar but unsure what to look for? Caviar offers an unparalleled culinary experience, providing rich flavors and a delightful texture. To truly enjoy the best caviar experience, it's essential to know the available options and how to serve them.This guide from Petrusco Caviar unpacks everything you need to know about caviar, from the different types available to their health benefits and serving recommendations.What Is Caviar?Caviar refers specifically to raw sturgeon eggs or roe. This family of fish is a large and ancient species native to the Caspian and Black Sea regions, having inhabited them for millions of years.This particular type of roe is celebrated for its unique textures and flavors, which are extracted using a hint of salt and a maturing process. As they approach maturity, which can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, the salt binds with the caviar, influencing its flavor spectrum and legendary texture.This careful process is pivotal to making the sturgeon roe such a delicacy and the only one worthy of the caviar title. However, this distinction also exists because while all female fish lay eggs, many fish eggs aren't suitable for human consumption. Additionally, other popular types of fish roe — such as trout, flying fish, and salmon — are commonly used in sushi, on toast, and as cheaper substitutes for caviar. However, they aren't caviar and lack the unparalleled texture and flavors caviar offers.What Does Caviar Taste Like?Caviar has a salty, briny flavor, like the ocean in a bite that bursts in your mouth. The inside offers a velvety, buttery texture that melts in your mouth, delivering a rich and decadent feel. With that comes surprisingly meaty and umami flavors, uncommon to seafood. Petrusco Caviar However, caviar's flavors exist on a spectrum, varying by the type of sturgeon from which it was harvested. Its complex flavor profile can offer subtle notes of earthiness, sweetness, or even fruitiness, depending on the maturation process and the quality of the eggs. To truly appreciate the nuances of caviar and its subtle differences, you need to try its varieties. Here are the five most common flavors associated with caviar:Nutty: Kaluga and Ossetra caviar, among others, are well-known for their nutty undertones, which add complexity to the flavor profile, ranging from mild to pronounced.Umami: One of the most appealing taste sensations of caviar is its savory, umami flavor, which stems from its rich glutamate content.Oceanic: People often compare the taste of caviar to that of fresh seaweed or oysters, highlighting the subtle flavor of the sea.Buttery: A common texture that enhances the flavor of caviar, particularly high-quality caviar, is characterized by a creamy, smooth, or buttery flavor, most notable in Kaluga and Beluga caviar.Rich and complex: Caviar offers a nuanced flavor profile, with variations like Baika caviar delivering a nutty, mildly earthy flavor with subtle notes of sweetness and a finish that lingers in the mouth. On the other hand, Sevruga caviar presents a slight minerality and a clean finish. Alverta is creamy and subtle, and Ossetra embraces you with a rich flavor and aromatic scent.Health Benefits of CaviarWhile caviar has a reputation for being a luxurious delicacy, it offers more than just decadent flavors — it also provides various health benefits for your mind and body. A single serving is packed with over double the vitamin B12 you need in a day, which is essential for your nervous system and your body's red blood cell and DNA production.However, the secret sauce responsible for most of caviar's potential health benefits is omega-3 fatty acids, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Here are the main potential health benefits of caviar:Supports Heart HealthCaviar is rich in nutrients, with one in particular that's known to promote long-term heart health — omega-3 fatty acids. These fats are increasingly being used to manage, prevent, and improve heart disease risk factors by helping reduce triglycerides, lower blood pressure, support healthy cholesterol levels, and improve circulation.Boosts Brain FunctionThe rich omega-3s in caviar are linked to improved memory, cognitive performance, and mental clarity. Omega-3 fatty acids may also help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain, which contributes to diseases like Alzheimer's.Enhances SkinCaviar is rich in vitamins A and E that help boost skin regeneration and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also improve skin elasticity and protect your skin against environmental damage that could cause premature aging. Regularly consuming foods high in vitamins A and E can contribute to a smooth, glowing complexion, and the omega-3s prevent the breakdown of collagen fiber.Strengthens ImmunityThe combination of vitamins D and B12, iron, and selenium can help boost defense against inflammation and illness. These nutrients are pivotal to supporting cellular repair, regulating immune response, and maintaining a resilient immune system, especially during seasonal changes or periods of stress.The omega-3s in caviar may also support your immune system. They help lower inflammation, repair damaged white blood cells, and rebuild your skin's, lungs', and intestines' barrier functions, which aid in the prevention of harmful bacteria and disease.Supports Mental Well-BeingAmong the many nutrients found in caviar, several have brain-boosting properties that help enhance cognitive health and regulate mood. These include vitamin D, B12, and omega-3, which may help support mental clarity, reduce anxiety, regulate stress response, and promote mental focus and balance. Studies show a link between depression and lower levels of omega-3s, suggesting that increasing omega-3 intake could improve symptoms.Why Is Caviar Expensive?Caviar is expensive because of its scarcity and labor-intensive production. The delicate eggs provide an indulgent taste that's typically reserved for special occasions. Caviar has long been associated with luxury, lavishness, and high price tags. The delicate flavor and creamy texture provide an eating experience that tastes and feels luxurious, so many are willing to pay top dollar for caviar. Here are some of the factors contributing to the high cost:Limited availability of the sturgeon fish: It takes around 15 years for male lake sturgeon to reach reproductive maturity and 20-25 years for females to reach sexual maturity. Females don't lay eggs annually and, despite having existed for millennia, are now an endangered species because of pollution, overfishing, and habitat loss. This unpredictable and limited availability has contributed to the high prices of caviar.Unique taste and texture of caviar: Caviar is considered a multisensory experience by critics, as it bursts with nutty, sweet, umami, and briny flavors. It also delivers an indulgent, velvety, buttery texture. These complex characteristics make each type of caviar unique and exquisite — a true mark of luxury.Labor-intensive harvesting process: Raising sturgeon and harvesting and processing their eggs is an incredibly delicate and labor-intensive endeavor. They're raised in pristine conditions until their eggs are ripe and ready to be harvested, which is a brief window that workers must identify before extracting the eggs by hand. Cleaning, processing, grading, and packing them also demands meticulousness to minimize loss and maximize quality, making caviar extremely valuable and scarce.Strict quality control standards: Maintaining the quality of caviar requires strict processes, which begin with gently rinsing the harvested eggs multiple times with cold water to remove impurities. From there, the caviar is sorted by size and color and then packaged following the malossol method, which highlights the roe's subtle brininess. Caviar is also sensitive to temperature fluctuations, making proper refrigeration essential.Different Types of Caviar Petrusco Caviar Caviar is renowned for its unique flavors and texture, prized by connoisseurs worldwide. This acclaim also exists because it comes in several grades and varieties, each displaying distinct characteristics and culinary applications. Below is a breakdown of the different types of caviar and their varying textures, colors, and flavor profiles.OssetraOssetra sturgeon, native to the Caspian Sea, spawns one of the top-ranked caviars, recognized by its large, deep brown to golden color, often adorned by greenish or grayish hues under certain lighting. This type of caviar offers a complex flavor profile, characterized by subtle sweetness and notes of butter and nuts. It has a firm texture that melts on your tongue.SevrugaSevruga caviar comes from the Sevruga sturgeon of the Black and Caspian Seas. Their eggs are delicate and small, often displaying a jade-like color. They are known for their distinctly briny flavor and notes of sweetness and nuttiness. Their texture is typically a bit firmer in comparison to Ossetra caviar, making that bite all the more satisfying.River BelugaRiver Beluga or Kaluga caviar comes from the Kaluga sturgeon of the Amur River basin that flows between China and Russia. Its eggs are firm and large, featuring colors ranging from dark amber to brown. They offer a smooth, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture that delivers a mild, buttery flavor.AmurThe Amur River basin is also home to the Amur sturgeon, which features large, dark brown caviar that bursts with rich, nutty flavors. Its flavor profile is paired with a smooth, buttery texture that melts on your tongue.How to Store and Serve CaviarCaviar is a luxury food item that's very perishable, and storing and serving it correctly can help preserve its delicate flavor and texture. Store caviar in the coldest part of your refrigerator. You should never freeze caviar, as this can destroy its delicate, buttery texture. Once you've opened the jar, cover the container with plastic wrap to minimize its exposure to air and consume within a few days.Improper storage and serving of caviar can compromise its luxurious flavor, resulting in a fishy or metallic taste. The spoon you use to serve it is just as crucial as correct storage. Use nonreactive materials, such as bone or mother-of-pearl, to protect the purity of the flavor and bring a traditional caviar experience.The thin casing of caviar can easily absorb flavors, and the salt in the roe causes a subtle chemical reaction with metals, so it's crucial to use the proper utensils to truly enjoy the pure taste and texture.What to Eat With CaviarThe golden rule when eating caviar is to keep it cold but not frozen. The classic way to do this is by serving it in its original tin and nestling it in a bowl of crushed ice. When serving caviar at an event, aim to serve 1 to 3 ounces per guest, allowing them to appreciate the nuances of each variety fully.You could eat it the purist's way by doing a caviar bump on your hand and enjoying the pure flavor. Alternatively, you can enjoy it with these popular accompaniments:Blinis: These traditional Russian pancakes offer a neutral, slightly tangy base that pairs well with the buttery, briny mouthfeel of caviar.Cheese: Mild, soft cheeses like goat cheese or unsalted mascarpone perfectly complement and enhance the richness of caviar.Crème fraîche: For the ultimate creamy and tangy bite, enjoy caviar with crème fraîche and blinis, endive leaves, or toast points.Potato chips: If you enjoy a more casual feel or are looking for a crunchy texture, plain salted potato chips provide a delicious contrast to the buttery, briny caviar.Chocolate: For an adventurous pairing, try dark chocolate with 70% cocoa or more, which offers a beautiful balance of rich, bitter, and briny flavors.Fruits and veggies: For a healthy touch to your caviar pairings, include some crisp apple slices, cucumber rounds, avocado, or grilled avocado.Where to Buy CaviarFor the ultimate caviar experience, it's essential to select the right place to purchase from. Online stores make purchasing more convenient, and free shipping options can make it more affordable. Look for popular types of caviar, such as Royal Ossetra and River Beluga Hybrid Caviar, to verify it's authentic and not a cheaper alternative. If purchasing online, look for cold chain handling to ensure your caviar stays in perfect condition.Companies with ethical harvesting practices indicate sustainable caviar, so you can enjoy caviar that's farmed with kindness and for maximum flavor. Look for traditional tins as an indicator of premium quality and examine images for glistening eggs. The process of producing high-quality caviar is laborious and expensive, so look for pricing that reflects a premium product and consider bundle buys for the best deal. Another good indicator of a reputable company is multiple channels for customer support.Enjoy Your Caviar ExperienceCaviar is more than a meal — it's an experience. It's buttery, creamy, and bursting with the symphony of the ocean. To enjoy caviar at its best, ensure that you serve it cold but not frozen and avoid metal utensils. Its briny, umami flavor makes it the perfect pairing to an array of accompaniments, including blinis, potato chips, and even chocolate. Whether you're a seasoned caviar connoisseur or a newbie, if you follow the tips in this guide, you're sure to enjoy the rich, luxurious taste of caviar.This story was produced by Petrusco Caviar and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Illinois bill would require schools to tighten cell phone policies A proposed Illinois law could change how schools manage student cell phones. Rock Island–Milan school district leaders say stronger statewide backing may help enforce existing rules.
	The weight loss boom is reshaping American aesthetics The weight loss boom is reshaping American aestheticsAn estimated 63% of weight loss drug patients now seeking facial treatments have never set foot in a cosmetic clinic before.Thirty-one million Americans are now taking GLP-1 weight loss medications, according to KFF polling data from November 2025.The weight comes off fast. What many patients do not expect is what it does to their face. The phenomenon has developed a viral name to describe the gaunt, hollowed appearance some patients develop after rapid medication-driven weight loss.Social media users and news outlets have labeled it “Ozempic face.”Clinically, it refers to a loss of facial volume in the temples, cheeks, and under-eye area, often accompanied by loose skin and deeper creases.It has also created an entirely new patient population. RIVKIN Aesthetics, a Los Angeles-based provider of facial cosmetic procedures, traces the data from 31 million prescriptions to a cosmetic industry scrambling to keep up.The numbers tell the story. McKinsey's 2025 survey of 174 aesthetics providers found 63% of GLP-1 patients seeking facial treatments had never been active cosmetic medicine users.Roughly half had never thought about cosmetic work until their weight loss changed the face they saw in the mirror.GLP-1 drugs are not creating a new demographic. They are turning an enormous existing group, women aged 40 to 64 who already make up the majority of filler patients, into first-time cosmetic clients.The demand from clinics, the market data, and the search trends all point in the same direction. The cosmetic medicine industry is not being reshaped by changing beauty standards.It is being reshaped by a class of drugs.The Scale of the Prescription SurgeThree years. That is how long it took monthly semaglutide prescriptions to grow fivefold, from roughly 472,000 fills in January 2021 to more than 2.5 million by December 2023, per IQVIA data published in JAMA Health Forum.The broader picture is even more striking. GLP-1 prescriptions for weight loss rose 587% from 2019 to 2024, according to FAIR Health claims data. Among patients using the drugs for weight management rather than diabetes, the increase was 1,961%.The pharmaceutical industry is scaling to match. Novo Nordisk's semaglutide portfolio generated approximately $29.3 billion globally in 2024. Eli Lilly's competing tirzepatide franchise hit $16.4 billion. Goldman Sachs Research projects the global anti-obesity drug market will reach $95 billion by 2030. Morgan Stanley puts it at $150 billion by 2035.What the Drugs Do to the Face — and What Remains UnknownThe clinical trial data is precise about what leaves the body. In the two largest body composition studies of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, the STEP 1 and SURMOUNT-1 trials, patients lost between 19% and 34% of their total fat mass. Roughly three-quarters of all weight lost was fat. The remaining quarter was lean tissue, including muscle.But here is the critical gap: No published study has directly measured facial fat loss using imaging in patients on these medications. Every clinical description of the hollowed temples, sunken cheeks, and deepened folds is based on physician observation, not hard data.What is emerging is more concerning than simple weight loss. A 2024 paper in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal identified GLP-1 receptors on the stem cells that maintain skin health. The drugs appear to inhibit those cells from producing collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, the proteins that keep skin firm and full. A separate lab study confirmed GLP-1 shifts those same stem cells away from producing fat cells entirely.A 2025 paper in the journal Endocrine put it plainly: the facial aging effect is ‘not exclusively related to decreased facial fat.’ Additional mechanisms have yet to be identified.The science suggests these drugs may age the face through pathways beyond weight loss alone. The evidence is still early, drawn from lab models rather than clinical trials on human skin.The demand for treatment, however, is not early at all.837,000 Patients and CountingThe American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported more than 837,000 GLP-1 patients were seen by its member surgeons in 2024. Of those, 39% were considering surgery and 41% were considering nonsurgical treatment.Those patients are reshaping clinical practice. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery documented a 50% increase in facial fat grafting procedures in its 2024 survey, driven largely by weight loss drug patients. Nearly half of facial plastic surgeons reported a noticeable rise in patients citing GLP-1 side effects. One in 10 AAFPRS members have begun personally prescribing GLP-1 medications. They are now on both sides of the equation.The pattern holds across specialties. A survey of 400 clinicians presented at the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery found unanimous reporting of significant patient increases, with 81% reaching for hyaluronic acid fillers as the first treatment.The profile of these patients matters. McKinsey's data shows 61% had lost between 11% and 30% of their body weight. And 63% were not coming in about a single wrinkle or fine line. They were coming in because their whole face had changed.What It CostsThe financial math is layered. GLP-1 medications themselves run $800 to $1,350 per month at list price, though Novo Nordisk recently lowered its direct-to-consumer price to $349 per month. Medicare's negotiated price is $245 per month.Correcting the facial side effects adds a second bill. A single syringe of hyaluronic acid filler averages $684 to $750 nationally, according to ASPS data. Biostimulatory injectables like Sculptra, the type doctors now recommend first for weight-loss patients per a 2025 international consensus study, run $850 to $1,200 per vial. Most patients need multiple vials across multiple sessions.McKinsey found a telling split. Sixty percent of GLP-1 patients actually reduced their overall cosmetic spending, with drug costs eating into their budgets. But 40% spent more. And the wave of first-time patients represents a customer base the industry never had before.Where Demand Is Growing FastestThe geographic story reveals a mismatch that may reshape where cosmetic medicine is practiced in the United States.GLP-1 prescriptions concentrate in the Southeast and Midwest, the states with the highest obesity rates. Cosmetic procedure infrastructure concentrates on the coasts. The result: Demand is building fastest where providers are scarcest.Real Chemistry's analysis of more than 300 million U.S. patient records shows where GLP-1 usage is highest: RIVKIN Aesthetics The lowest rates belong to Hawai'i (0.4%), Arizona (0.5%), and Colorado (0.6%).The cosmetic industry's footprint looks nothing like that map. Miami leads the nation with 3.9 plastic surgeons per 100,000 residents. Salt Lake City follows at 3.12. The Mountain and Pacific regions account for more than a third of all cosmetic surgical procedures, per ASPS data.Google Trends data mirrors the prescription map. The states with the highest search interest in GLP-1 facial side effects are Mississippi, West Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama, and Oklahoma. A 2025 study in PRS-Global Open found those searches directly correlate with rising interest in facial fillers, but not surgical procedures.Patients are looking for injectable solutions, and many are looking in places where those solutions are hardest to find.The Industry ResponseThe U.S. dermal filler market recorded roughly 6.26 million procedures in 2024, according to ASPS data. That total has doubled since 2017. But the growth is shifting beneath the surface.Traditional hyaluronic acid filler growth slowed to 1% year-over-year in 2024. The category gaining ground is biostimulatory fillers, products like Sculptra that trigger the body's own collagen production rather than simply adding volume. Galderma reported double-digit global growth for Sculptra in 2024. Qsight market tracking data confirms biostimulators are now carrying the broader filler market while traditional fillers flatten out.New entrants are betting on GLP-1 patients specifically. Evolus received FDA approval for its first hyaluronic acid fillers in February 2025, citing weight loss drug demand directly in its marketing. The med spa sector has grown to over $17 billion, according to the American Med Spa Association. The number of U.S. med spas jumped from 8,899 in 2022 to 10,488 in 2023, a 15.2% increase in a single year.KFF data suggests the wave has not crested. Usage among adults aged 50 to 64, the age group most likely to see visible facial changes and most likely to seek treatment, stands at 22% and rising. Drug prices are dropping. Insurance coverage is expanding. The pool of patients is getting larger, and the faces looking back at them in the mirror are getting thinner.MethodologyGLP-1 prescription data was sourced from the IQVIA National Prescription Audit (as reported in JAMA Health Forum), the ClinCalc DrugStats Database (Medical Expenditure Panel Survey), the CDC's National Health Interview Survey (NCHS Data Brief No. 537), FAIR Health claims data, KFF Health Tracking Polls, and RAND American Life Panel surveys. Procedure volume data was sourced from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons 2024 Procedural Statistics report and the AAFPRS 2024 annual survey. Clinical evidence was drawn from the STEP 1 body composition substudy (Journal of the Endocrine Society), the SURMOUNT-1 substudy (Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism), and mechanistic studies in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2024) and Endocrine (2025).Market data was sourced from company earnings reports (Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Galderma), McKinsey & Company's 2025 survey of aesthetics providers, Goldman Sachs Research, Morgan Stanley Research, and the American Med Spa Association 2024 State of the Industry Report. Geographic data was sourced from Real Chemistry's IRIS platform analysis of over 300 million U.S. patient records. Search trend data was sourced from peer-reviewed analyses in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2026), PRS-Global Open (2025), and the Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2024). All data represents the most recent publicly available reporting as of February 2026.This story was produced by RIVKIN Aesthetics and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

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