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

Saturday, February 21st, 2026
	Willie Colón, salsa pioneer, has died at 75 The South Bronx bandleader took the Latin genre to new heights while recording for Fania Records.
	Vietnam Veterans sue to block proposed 'Independence Arch' near Arlington National Cemetery The lawsuit challenges President Trump's plans for "Independence Arch," a 250-foot structure proposed for Memorial Circle.
	DaaBIN opens in Davenport: latest store to offer deeply discounted items for bargain shoppers NorthPark Mall's newest store filled quicky Saturday morning with shoppers looking to score $8 deals. DaaBIN held its grand opening. The store features bin after bin of discounted items, giving shoppers an opportunity to pick through them looking for treasures. DadBIN was founded in Cedar Falls, Iowa by Andy Weichers after he was doing marketing [...]
	Trump to raise global tariffs to 15% President Trump previously said he would implement 10% global tariffs after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his tariff policies.
	How pin trading became an Olympic tradition — and what to know before you try it Pin trading has become a hallmark of the Olympics in recent decades — and not just for athletes. An official trading center in Milan was a hotspot for longtime collectors and curious newcomers alike.
	Pin trading has taken over the Olympics. Here's what it's like in Milan Pin trading has become a hallmark of the Olympics in recent decades — and not just for athletes. An official trading center in Milan was a hotspot for longtime collectors and curious newcomers alike.
	Alleman "rock" Father Dan Mirabelli dies The Rock Island Alleman community is mourning the loss of longtime teacher and Director of Development Father Daniel Mirabelli. The school announced his death on Facebook Saturday morning. Mirabelli spent 58 of his 74 years of religious life at Alleman after the Diocese of Peoria assigned him to Alleman in 1965. The school remembered him [...]
	The Black Box Theatre announces auditions for 2026 season The Black Box Theatre in Moline has announced auditions for the 2026 season. According to a release, auditions will be held March 14 and 15. Added to the previously announced season will be 'Come From Away' to be performed in late August through September 12 in honor of the 25th anniversary of 9/11. March 14, [...]
	Tip from National Center for Missing and Exploited Children leads to Davenport man's arrest He faces 10 felony charges and five aggravated misdemeanor charges.
	Your Backyard Is Wilder Than You Think (BPT) - By Jason Bittel, author of Grizzled: Love Letters to 50 of North America's Least Understood AnimalsNorth America is home to some huge and awe-inspiring creatures, from 800-pound alligators and surf-cracking great white sharks to rumbling herds of bison and mountain lions — the largest cat on Earth that is able to purr.But for those who can't get to a national park or seashore, there is still plenty of wonder waiting to be discovered on a backyard safari.Death-Dealing Hummingbirds The average hummingbird weighs about as much as a stick of chewing gum and lay eggs the size of jellybeans. And yet, if they were the size of a human, the tiniest birds on Earth would have to consume around 10,000 calories each day to perform their aerial acrobatics.In fact, the hummingbird's need for a constant supply of energy is so strong, putting a little sugar water in a special feeder is all it takes to draw the little wonders near. And if you watch a feeder long enough, you might just see the males do battle.With speeds approaching 60 miles an hour and bills shaped like sharpened stilettos, male hummingbirds have been known to guard their territories with iridescent ferocity. The brightly colored sprites have even been documented attacking golden eagles, a predator that outweighs them by about a thousand times.Amazingly, when hummingbirds battle each other, a beak to the heart can even result in fatalities. The Opossum's Oscar-Worthy PerformanceCommonly spotted scurrying away from a tipped-over trash can or waddling along the roadways at night, opossums are about the size of a house cat and appear rather unconcerned about much of anything.This may be because they have an evolutionary trick up their fluffy little sleeves.When confronted by a predator, opossums can keel over and play dead. Scientists call this death-feigning, or thanatosis. You might know it simply as "playing possum."But opossums are not like fainting goats, falling over every time someone shouts BOO! Theirs is a last-ditch, all-or-nothing cascade of biological responses.First the animal falls on its side and its legs and tail go stiff. The corners of its mouth tighten and drool starts gushing out. The opossum also poops itself and emits a stinky green goo out of its anal glands. The eyes remain open, while the rest of the creature appears to go positively catatonic.You can't help but admire the moxie of the opossum's death dance.Without big fangs or claws to fight off a foe, nor the ability to outrun a hungry predator, the opossum doesn't fight or flee — it fouls, becoming so thoroughly inedible that the attacker turns its nose up at an otherwise free meal.Bravo, indeed. Fireflies Are Secret SavagesScientists have discovered a whopping 2,000 species of fireflies on this planet, and their glowing lights can come in everything from pale blue and neon green to bright yellow and even burnt orange.Also known as lightning bugs, fireflies typically use their flashes as a secret code to find and woo mates. But one type of firefly has found a way to use that code to its own diabolical advantage.Meet the femme fatale fireflies. Females of the Photuris versicolor species complex mimic the flash patterns of other fireflies. And when an unsuspecting male touches down nearby, the femmes fatales pounce from the shadows and tear them limb from limb.In addition to gaining an easy meal, evidence suggests the femmes fatales also steal defensive compounds from the fellas — nasty-tasting chemicals they cannot produce themselves. And the females actually lace their own eggs with those compounds as a way to protect them from predators.So the next time you see a soft twinkle in the night, it could be a lightning bug looking for love. Or it might just be a femme fatale looking for blood.But both are backyard magic. Read more about these magical backyard animals in Grizzled.
	US military airlifts small reactor as Trump pushes to quickly deploy nuclear power The Pentagon and the Energy Department have airlifted a small nuclear reactor from California to Utah, demonstrating what they say is potential for the U.S. to quickly deploy nuclear power for military and civilian use.
	How Nazgul the wolfdog made his run for Winter Olympic glory in Italy Nazgul isn't talking, but his owners come clean about how he got loose, got famous, and how they feel now
	Court clears way for Louisiana law requiring Ten Commandments in classrooms to take effect The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has cleared the way for a Louisiana law requiring displays of the Ten Commandments in public classrooms to take effect.
	Opinion: The enduring dignity of Jesse Jackson Rev. Jesse Jackson died this week at age 84. NPR's Scott Simon remembers covering Jackson's 1984 presidential campaign in Mississippi.
	From cubicles to kitchens: How empty offices are becoming homes Many U.S. cities have too many office buildings and not enough homes. Developers are now converting some old offices into apartments and condos, but it's going slowly.
	Bettendorf plans to turn 13 donated acres near Crow Creek park into nature preserve A Bettendorf woman is donating about 13 acres of land near Crow Creek Park in Bettendorf to become a nature preserve.
	Henry County to receive advice on billing for Hillcrest Home Jan May of the health and social services committee spoke about a meeting with a representative of Plymouth Billing Consultants.
	Mississippi Bend AEA presents teacher job fair The Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency and the Regional Office of Education will host a free teacher job fair from 3:30-5 p.m. Monday, March 2, at the agency, 729 21st St., Bettendorf. The fair is designed to serve as a bridge between school districts actively seeking talent and educators exploring new career paths. Prospective and [...]
	Muscatine hires new golf professional to lead Muscatine Municipal Golf Course Quad-Cities native Michael Hainline was chosen to lead Muscatine’s Municipal Golf Course.
	Should Davenport do away with the city primary? Aldermen considering it It cost Davenport almost $72,000 to hold the city primary in October. Now, aldermen are questioning whether holding a primary is worth it.
	More than 320K Nissan vehicles recalled over defect that could lead to crash More than 320,000 vehicles manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc. have been recalled due to an engine failure risk, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
	'Given a gun and sent to die': Kenyans lured to fight for Russia in Ukraine Kenya's intelligence service warns that over 1,000 citizens may have been recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine, many under false pretenses.
	Discovery Wetlands This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island.For most of the past hundred years, the wetlands along the Upper Mississippi have been disappearing at an alarming…
	With U.S. forces in position, Trump mulls his options for Iran President Trump says he hasn't decided whether to attack Iran. While he weighs his options, a military buildup over the past month means the U.S. now has an expansive presence in the region.
	Former top general calls military's removal of trans troops a costly mistake As several global tensions simmer, the Pentagon is removing thousands of transgender troops under an anti-DEI push. How might a focus on gender identity distract from mission readiness?
	Gov. Pritzker seeks $8.6 billion tariff refund after court ruling Gov. JB Pritzker has sent a letter and invoice to President Donald Trump, demanding a refund of $8.6 billion in tariffs imposed on Mexican, Canadian and Chinese imports, after the Supreme Court ruled against the tariffs.
	What the Supreme Court's tariff ruling could mean for your wallet Don't expect a cheaper grocery bill tomorrow even after the Supreme Court struck down most of President Donald Trump's tariffs.
	Iowa passes first funnel deadline for proposals of legislative session As Iowa passed the first funnel deadline of this legislative session, some controversial proposals will no longer be considered. Our Quad Cities News correspondent Teodora Mitov looks at why bills on seatbelts, fluoride in public drinking water and an abortion ban aren't moving forward and bills about pediatric cancer research, veterans' benefits and animal torture [...]
Friday, February 20th, 2026
	Horror author R.L. Stine holding virtual event at East Moline Public Library The author will attend events for adults and children on Feb. 24.
	Protesters march over Centennial Bridge in opposition of ICE More than a hundred protesters marched over the Mississippi River Friday afternoon, led by leaders in faith. Reverend Tyler Yost was at the head of that march. He believes his religion stands for those who have been targets of immigration enforcement. "Jesus was a champion for nonviolence," said Yost. "He advocated for peace. He also [...]
	Quad Cities faith leaders hold March for Peace protest against violent immigration enforcement Multiple religions and denominations marched across the Centennial Bridge on Friday afternoon.
	Assembly passes bill to ban soda and candy from SNAP and fund positions to keep error rate low The entrance to a Big Lots store in Portland with a SNAP eligibility sign. Up to 3,000 Oregonians who came to the U.S. as refugees, asylum seekers or through other humanitarian protection programs would lose access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program under new federal rules challenged by Oregon and other states. (Stock photo by hapabapa/Getty Images)The Wisconsin Assembly passed a bill that will ban Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients from being able to buy soda and candy with their benefits and will provide funding and positions to the state Department of Health Services to help preempt the state from being penalized by the federal government. Lawmakers also approved a bill aimed at having the state turn SNAP data over to the Trump administration. Gov. Tony Evers and lawmakers have been discussing providing additional funding and positions to the state Department of Health Services to ensure the state keeps its payment error rate low, to avoid costly federal penalties enacted as part of a huge national tax cut and spending bill. A SNAP provision in the federal tax and spending law signed by President Donald Trump last year would penalize states for having a payment error rate above 6%. The Evers administration has estimated a penalty due to the error rate could cost the state up to $205 million. Evers recently urged lawmakers in his State of the State address on Tuesday to provide money to the state agency to keep the error rate low and avoid potential penalties. Lawmakers attached the money and positions to AB 180 in an amendment. The bill passed 71-22 with 23 Democrats joining Republicans in favor of the bill. The amendment included about $69 million and 70 positions for the agency to help ensure quality control of SNAP — also known as FoodShare in Wisconsin — and keep the error rate low. When it comes to the candy and soda ban provisions, the Wisconsin DHA would need to submit a waiver to the federal government for approval to make the change to the program. Under the leadership of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, the Trump administration has pushed for the ban across the country as a part of his “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved waivers for 18 states, including Idaho and Oklahoma, so far, and there are at least five states that are actively implementing the ban. Rep. Ryan Clancy (D-Milwaukee) criticized the bill, saying it “has nothing to do with health,” mentioning he sees people drinking Diet Mountain Dew and other beverages in the Legislature’s chambers, and that the bill is merely “punishing people for poverty.” He also said it is “shameful” to use the candy and soda ban bill to move the money and positions forward. “I’m glad that with the amendment there are necessary dollars here that are coming to help our agencies provide dozens of staff members to push back on the onslaught from the Trump regime,” Clancy said. An amendment to the bill includes $3.5 million to help with development and administration of a food stamp platform that is meant to ensure grocery stores can follow the ban. Rep. Russell Goodwin (D-Milwaukee) said lawmakers shouldn’t be “policing check-out lanes” and that the bill will create a two-tiered system where poor families have their food choices restricted. Rep. Clint Moses (R-Menomonie) said that the bill would ensure that taxpayers are not paying the costs of people eating unhealthy foods. “The original intent… was to go down a path to start looking at what we’re feeding our children, what we’re feeding our families and what’s that doing to our families,” Moses said, adding that he has been interested in the issue long before the “Make America Healthy Again” movement. Moses said “the amount of money that we could lose from the federal government is astronomical” if the bill doesn’t become law. Under the bill, candy is defined as “any solid, semi-solid, or molded preparation of sugar, sweeteners, whether natural or artificial, or chocolate, with or without added ingredients such as flavorings, fruit, nuts, or flour, that is commonly marketed, advertised, or recognized as candy, chocolate bar, chewing gum, or similar confectionery and includes chocolate bars, including chocolate bars containing flour, hard candies, gummies, caramels, taffy, licorice, mints, and chewing gum.” It does not include baked goods. Soda is defined as a “nonalcoholic beverage that contains natural or artificial sweeteners, including soda, pop, cola, energy drinks, sports drinks, or flavored water, or any product, regardless of its ingredients or labeling, that is marketed, labeled, or advertised as a soda, pop, cola, energy drink or energy supplement.” It does not include beverages that include milk or coffee or unsweetened tea. A separate bill would require Wisconsin to compile and turn over data to the federal government on all Wisconsin FoodShare recipients since 2020 in accordance with a July letter from the federal Department of Agriculture. The Trump administration says it is seeking the data so it can investigate fraud and has threatened to cut off SNAP benefits to states that don’t comply. The Assembly passed the bill, AB 1027, in a 54-39 vote with Rep. Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire) joining Republicans in favor. On behalf of Wisconsin, Attorney General Josh Kaul joined a lawsuit with 21 other states to block the order. A federal judge in California recently granted the request for a temporary restraining order. Rep. Ryan Spaude (D-Ashwaubenon) accused his Republican colleagues of being “happy to take up the bidding of the Trump administration” with the passage of the bill. No Republicans spoke on the bill. Evers has expressed opposition to turning over the data, saying that Wisconsin’s system works. He told WISN 12 in December that the SNAP system is “analyzed every single year and we feel confident in it.” “We have people in the state of Wisconsin that need help making sure they’re having nutritious meals. We feel the program right now is working just fine,” he said. Both bills need to pass the Senate before they go to Evers. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Courtesy of Wisconsin Examiner
	Quad-Cities March for Peace and Dignity demands nation welcome the world's marginalized Friday's march went from the Rock Island County Courthouse to the Scott County Courthouse, where there were speeches and songs.
	Big Quad Cities chill arrives for the weekend After some way above normal weather in the Quad Cities this week, right as the weekend arrives we're about to get a whole lot colder! We'll see highs in the 20s and 30s this weekend, with wind chills in the single digits at times. It doesn't stay this way for long though, we warm into [...]
	Alaska lawmaker’s chief of staff arrested on sex trafficking and child exploitation charges Craig Scott Valdez (left) and an image of his Snapchat avatar he allegedly used to solicit minors for sexual exploitation. (Photo courtesy of the US Attorneys Office, District of Alaska in charging documents)A legislator’s chief of staff was arrested in Juneau on Friday on federal charges of sex trafficking and child exploitation, enticement and coercion and creating child sexual abuse material. Craig Scott Valdez, 36, was chief of staff to Sutton Republican Sen. George Rauscher since November, and worked in Rauscher’s office since 2021, according to a government staffing website Legistorm. Rauscher was not immediately available for comment Friday. Craig Scott Valdez was arrested in Juneau on Feb. 20, 2026 on charges of sex trafficking and child exploitation. (Photo provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska) A spokesperson for the Senate Minority Caucus, of which Rasucher is a member, said Friday afternoon that Valdez had been terminated from his employment with the Legislature, effective immediately. Valdez also served as the chair of the Anchorage Young Republicans since January 2025, according to the organization’s social media posts. A spokesperson for the Alaska Republican Party said in a statement Friday said the charges were “nothing short of horrifying” and said Valdez has been removed from any and all positions within the Alaska Republican Party and Young Republicans. Valdez has been charged with four felony charges, including sex trafficking, child exploitation and production of child sexual abuse material, or CSAM — formerly referred to as child pornography — coercion and enticement of a minor, and receipt of CSAM. The charges are connected to an incident in October involving a 15-year-old girl he allegedly enticed to his Anchorage home through the social media app Snapchat, for “the purposes of sexually exploiting the child to celebrate his birthday,” according to court documents. Documents say the girl’s sibling alerted their mother, who used a tracking app and drove to his home and intervened, and called the Anchorage Police Department. Court documents say the mother “entered the residence, struck Valdez once in the face, and recovered the child who exhibited signs of extreme drug or alcohol intoxication and had difficulty walking and maintaining consciousness.” Police arrived, the documents say, but Valdez had fled the home. The mother recovered the girl’s phone and took screenshots of the Snapchat messages, which she turned over to law enforcement, according to court documents. The girl reported she was introduced to Valdez through other children when she was 13 or 14 years old. Federal agents said they believe this was not the first time Valdez exploited the girl, and believe he victimized others. The FBI has identified at least 11 other victims after reviewing Valdez’ Snapchat communications and use of the Cashapp platform. Under the usernames “NONAME20233132” or “DOCHANK,” the FBI said Valdez exhibited a “compulsive pattern of behavior bombarding children he finds on Snapchat with requests for sexually explicit images and even more concerning, causing and attempting to cause children to engage in commercial sex acts.” The investigation is ongoing, led by the FBI Anchorage office and the Anchorage Police Department, and the agencies say anyone with additional information can report anonymously to tips.fbi.gov. Valdez is scheduled to appear in federal court on Feb 23. If convicted, he faces between 15 years to life in prison. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Courtesy of Alaska Beacon
	QC Solidarity March crosses Centennial Bridge, seeks justice and peace The NAACP of Rock Island County, Quad Cities Interfaith and One Human Family helped organize the march from the Rock Island County Courthouse to the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport, where many people held protest signs, sang inspirational songs, and argued for the U.S. to live up to its ideals of welcoming immigrants and treating all people equally.
	Highlight Zone: Week 7, high school basketball, State wrestling Catch up on another week of the best plays and takedowns from high schools across the QCA.
	How Bettendorf Police Department uses data-based tools to solve speeding problems The Bettendorf Police Department says it's using data-based tools to solve speeding problems in our area. The department's records management system shows the increase in traffic enforcement over the last year. From January 1 through February 20 last year, there were 760 recorded incidents. In the same time this year, more than 1,100 incidents have [...]
	A Rock Island mystery solved: Chief Black Hawk Statue found A TV6 Investigates update to a story involving the missing Chief Blackhawk Statue.
	Hilltop Campus Village leaders plan for future growth The Hilltop Campus Village is unveiling plans to improve the direction and future of the district over the next decade.
	Stretch Zone reopens in Bettendorf Stretch Zone is a practitioner assisted stretching studio that uses straps to isolate and stabilize muscles.
	Moline High School students walk out of class to protest ICE actions More than 50 students marched along Avenue of the Cities before gathering for a protest at 41st Street, calling for reform to ICE.
	Iowa Sen. Cindy Winckler and Rep. Ken Croken announce bids for re-election Iowa State Rep. Ken Croken, D-Davenport, and Iowa State Sen, Cindy Winckler, D-Davenport, will be running again. They teamed up for an announcement at the MLK Interpretative Center in Davenport Friday. Several community leaders, as well as the Iowa Senate minority leader, were there to voice their support. Winckler says one of her biggest concerns [...]
	Tama County farmer reacts to SCOTUS tariff ruling Berleen Wobeter told News 8 that when tariffs were in place, she saw higher input costs and lower profits.
	Kewanee School District implements a cellphone ban for students Illinois Governor JB Pritzker proposed a statewide ban of student cellphone use earlier this week. The Kewanee School District is already ahead in implementing that policy. They decided earlier this month to ban cellphones for students in the classroom starting in the 2026-2027 school year. "I am trying to protect children from an invisible threat," [...]
	Gov. Pritzker joins teachers to call for cell phone ban in state classrooms Illinois Governor JB Pritzker joined city leaders to call for a cell phone ban in state classrooms
	People walk across Centennial Bridge in March for Peace People walked across the Centennial Bridge for the March for Peace Friday afternoon.
	QCCA Expo Center to hold RV and Camping show Locals can look inside the RVs and campers while checking out the latest camping gear and outdoor products.
	Traffic alert: Intersection of Washington Street to be closed for repairs A traffic alert for Burlington drivers.
	Celebrate music for sax at the Shockingly Modern Saxophone Festival Celebrates new and experimental music for the saxophone right here in the QCA! Randall Hall, John Sampen and Mark Bunce joined Our Quad Cities News with details on the Shockingly Modern Saxophone Festival at Augustana College. For more information, click here.
	Bird's-eye views from across the Quad Cities region for the week of Feb. 20, 2026 Sit back, relax and enjoy these scenes captured by the News 8 drone from across the Quad Cities region this week.
	Now what? US Supreme Court strikes down Trump tariffs Iowa politicians reacted to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that found President Donald Trump did not have legal authority to implement his tariffs on some foreign imports.
	Crews battle house fire on Moline-Rock Island border A two-story home caught fire on 4th Avenue along the Moline–Rock Island border, prompting a multi-department response and shutting down westbound Illinois Route 92.
	Davenport police chief announces retirement The Davenport Police Chief Jeffery Bladel announced that after 31 years he will be retiring on March 2.
	Arconic to expand, expected to bring dozens of new jobs to QCA Arconic will be expanding and brining new jobs to the QCA with the construction of a new casting complex in Bettendorf.
	Arconic opening new complex The Davenport Works facility will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the Pit 10 project next week.
	In Berlin, there are movies, there's politics and there's talk about it all Buzz around whether the city's film festival would take a stance on the war in Gaza has dominated conversation in recent days.
	Where to find a fish fry near you this Lent in the Quad Cities You don’t have to be Catholic to love a fish fry. Here’s a list of dinners going on throughout Lent in the Quad Cities.
	Registration open for summer camp at Camp Liberty Registration is open for summer camp sessions at Camp Liberty. All girls are invited to attend the summer camp, even if they are not currently members of Girl Scouts. Camp Liberty is located at 4415 295th Street in New Liberty. Click here to learn more about summer camp and register for sessions. Girl Scout Summer Camp lets girls with various backgrounds, abilities and experiences come together to have fun and build new skills. The trained [...]
	St. Alphonsus Lenten Fish Fry gets underway, Friday night For years, St. Alphonsus Parish’s Fish Fry has been a Lenten tradition for the community, and their annual event kicks off Friday night.
	QC’s EveryChild seeks $650,000 in public part of $2.7-million capital campaign Formerly known as the Child Abuse Council, the nonprofit agency provides child abuse prevention, education, and treatment programs for children and families, and earlier this month moved into the former JTM Concepts building at 420 23rd St., Rock Island, after 11 years in downtown Moline at 524 15th St.
	Alex Ferreira wins 10th gold medal for Team USA, matching America's highest total in Winter Olympics Freeskier Alex Ferreira clinches a tenth gold medal for the U.S. in these Games, tying the U.S.'s all-time record for gold medals in a Winter Olympics.
	Wind damages Iron Tee Golf netting Repairs are underway but golfing is suspended while everything is repaired, Iron Tee said.
	Win tickets to see Quad City Storm's home game on February 28, enter by February 24! Register now for a chance to win tickets to Quad City Storm's home game on February 28, 2026. Don't miss the registration deadline on February 24.
	Davenport Democratic lawmakers Ken Croken, Cindy Winckler to seek reelection Ken Croken has represented Davenport in the state House since 2022. Cindy Winckler has represented Davenport in the Legislature since 2001.
	4 Your Money \| Fun Flows An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is a “basket” investment that holds many different assets, such as stocks, bonds, or commodities, commonly with a similar theme or strategy. David Nelson, CEO of NelsonCorp Wealth Management, shares how ETF’s continue to grow in popularity primarily because it provides investors instant diversification.
	Consumer spending trends: Why exclusive retail and discount shopping keep winning Consumer spending trends: Why exclusive retail and discount shopping keep winningFor households navigating the persistent gap between stagnant wages and rising costs, the definition of "essential spending" is undergoing a radical shift. Consumer spending remains a vital barometer of economic health, yet recent data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reveals a fragile equilibrium: Disposable personal income rose by a mere 0.1% in October 2025, while the personal saving rate dipped to 3.5%.The numbers tell a clear story. Americans are increasingly dipping into reserves to maintain standard outlays, forcing a strategic pivot in the retail sector. As prices remain high, the focus for both brands and consumers has moved toward high-exclusivity deals and aggressive bargain hunting. This analysis by The Barcode Group, a specialist retail agency, evaluates the data behind these shifts and clarifies the complex state of affairs currently defining the retail landscape. The Barcode Group The Meaning of Modest Spending GrowthThe most recent BEA estimates of personal income and outgoings cover October and November of 2025, with the disruption caused by the government shutdown meaning December’s data has yet to be published. In this report, disposable personal income (DPI) was up by just 0.1% in October and 0.3% in November, while personal consumption expenditures increased 0.5% each month.The implication is that the typical outlays involved in modern living are rising faster than disposable income, further illustrated by the reduction in the personal saving rate to 3.5% in November, from 3.7% in October. In other words, people have less to set aside from their earnings and more to earmark for essential purchases.Overall, consumer spending rose by $108.7 billion in November, with healthcare accounting for the largest portion of this uptick, with $25.6 billion. In comparison, the $1.5 billion increase in food and beverage spending showed minimal growth. Clothing and footwear spending in this period rose by $4.2 billion, again indicating where priorities lay.All this points to the steady climb of discount shopping as a priority not just for low-income households, but the middle classes as well. A Reuters report on National Retail Federation (NRF) data for Black Friday and Cyber Monday of 2025 crystalizes this. A record-breaking 186.9 million people hit stores during the retail industry’s biggest discounting event of the year, with the NRF forecasting November’s retail sales to have exceeded $1 trillion, up 4.2% year-on-year.Similarly, data from VTEX shared by Business Wire signals that 73% of consumers made at least one holiday season purchase via a discount retail outlet, whether in-person or online, in 2025. In short, consumers have greater economic incentives to seek out discounts, and more opportunities to channel their spending accordingly.The DTC DilemmaA parallel trend worth dissecting is the direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand phenomenon and how it is adapting to meet demand for discounts and the importance of omnichannel retail. DTC operators must join other retail organizations in diversifying how their products are distributed, rather than being too narrow in their focus.For instance, data cited by Deloitte point to challenging conditions for the stalwarts of DTC, with most publicly traded companies seeing their stock prices plummet by at least 50% since their IPOs. The DTC sales model isn’t entirely eroded by this reality; rather, a more holistic strategy that incorporates aspects of traditional retail should be adopted.That’s why DTC brands are striking more exclusive retail deals with long-established brick-and-mortar outlets like Target. Brands that might be suffering from reduced consumer spending can maintain momentum by getting their products on shelves in places that were previously out of reach.Exclusivity can still be adopted in these contexts, of course. DTC brands may choose to partner with only one specific retail outlet, or leverage options such as timed exclusives, location-specific product drops, and cross-industry collabs. It’s a moment where innovation is rewarded above and beyond raw price positioning and value propositions.Predicting an Omnichannel FutureConsumer spending trends that shift toward discount shopping and exclusive retail partnerships with DTC brands can be hard to attribute to a single cause. The economic pressures acting upon the market at the moment are certainly relevant, although they don’t explain everything we’re seeing right now.Retailers and brands looking to remain buoyant in these challenging, changing conditions must take heed of the flexibility and certainty that an omnichannel presence provides. As disposable income and spending flatline, this seems to be the most robust route forward.This story was produced by The Barcode Group and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	13 coping skills for anxiety that actually work 13 coping skills for anxiety that actually workAnxiety isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some people, it feels like a tight chest or a racing heart. For others, it shows up as constant worrying, spiraling thoughts, or panic that makes everyday situations feel overwhelming. However it shows up for you, anxiety is probably not something you enjoy living with—and you may be ready to get a better handle on it. That’s where coping skills for anxiety come in.This guide by Spring Health breaks down practical, evidence-based coping skills you can actually use in the moment, how to figure out which ones work best for you, and when extra support—like therapy—can make managing anxiety feel more doable.How Do Coping Skills Help With Anxiety?Anxiety activates the body’s fight-or-flight system, preparing you to respond to perceived danger. This can lead to racing thoughts, muscle tension, rapid breathing, avoidance behaviors, and cycles of worry that feel hard to shut off.While coping skills won’t eliminate anxiety altogether, they can help you find some relief when symptoms pop up. Coping skills can help ground you, interrupt spiraling thoughts, regulate your nervous system, and give you a sense of control when you’re feeling anxious. Over time, consistent use of coping skills can lower the intensity of your anxiety and make those anxious moments feel more manageable.Therapy is often the best place to learn, personalize, and practice coping skills for anxiety, especially when your symptoms feel chronic or overwhelming. But if you’re looking to brush up on your coping skills or learn a few new ones, this guide is a great place to start.13 Coping Skills for AnxietyBelow are coping skills supported by research and commonly used in therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure-based treatments, and mindfulness-based approaches1. Diaphragmatic BreathingWhat it is: Slow, deep breathing that engages the diaphragm rather than the chest (also called belly breathing).How to do it: Place one hand on your chest and one hand on your belly. As you slowly breathe in through your nose, focus on extending your stomach outwards rather than letting your chest rise. Exhale slowly through your mouth as you let your belly fall. Repeat for one to two minutes.2. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)What it is: Systematically tensing and releasing muscle groups throughout the body.How to do it: As you sit or lie in a comfortable position, do a mental body scan starting from the top of your head and moving down to your toes. As your mind moves over each body part, focus on tensing the muscles in that area for a few seconds, then releasing them fully for a few seconds. Repeat this until you’ve scanned the length of your body.3. Grounding TechniquesWhat it is: Focusing on your senses to help you shift attention away from anxious thoughts and back to the present moment.How to do it: Focus on the feeling of your feet on the floor or your body in a chair. Take in your surroundings as you slow your breathing and remind yourself that you are safe.4. The 5-4-3-2-1 MethodWhat it is: A specific grounding technique that draws your attention back to the present and away from feelings of panic or anxiety.How to do it: Name five things you can see, four things you hear, three things you can touch, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.5. Cognitive ReframingWhat it is: A way to slow down and examine your anxious thoughts more objectively, so you can find a more neutral and objective thought.How to do it: Write down the anxious thought you’re having right now. Underneath that, write down what evidence you have that this anxious thought is true and what evidence you have that it isn’t true. Taking that all into consideration, write down an alternative thought that feels more realistic and positive.6. Worry TimeWhat it is: Scheduling a specific time to focus on worries instead of letting yourself ruminate on them all day.How to do it: When you find yourself stuck in an anxious thought spiral, write your worries down and return to them during a set “worry time.”7. Creative ExpressionWhat it is: Using art to ground yourself in the present moment, regulate your nervous system, and even process your thoughts and emotions.How to do it: When you’re feeling anxious or restless, try doing something creative like coloring, painting, or playing with clay. If your thoughts start to drift back to what’s worrying you, gently redirect them to your art project. No need to focus on perfection—the point is just to give your thoughts and emotions another outlet.8. Exposure HierarchiesWhat it is: Gradually facing your fears instead of avoiding them—ideally under the supervision of a mental health professional.How to do it: Work with a therapist to identify something you’re anxious about (like flying across the country). Then, work together to create a list of least-to-most anxiety-provoking steps that help you eventually tackle the situation that you’re anxious about.9. Gentle MovementWhat it is: Light physical activity like walking or stretching to help regulate your nervous system and distract you from anxious thoughts.How to do it: A five-minute walk or a guided stretching video is enough to begin.10. Mindfulness PracticesWhat it is: Noticing thoughts and sensations without judgment to help bring you back to the present moment when you’re spiraling.How to do it: Focus solely on your breath (slowly inhaling through your nose and slowly exhaling through your mouth) for one minute while gently redirecting your attention whenever it wanders.11. Self-Soothing StrategiesWhat it is: Comforting the body using the senses.How to do it: Try warm tea, calming music, soft textures, or familiar scents.12. Name the EmotionWhat it is: Putting clear words to what you’re feeling (like anxiety, fear, embarrassment) instead of sitting with a vague sense of distress.How to do it: Pause and ask yourself, “What emotion am I feeling right now?” Try to be as specific as possible and say it out loud or write it down (like: “I’m feeling anxious and overwhelmed”). Notice how simply naming the emotion can make it feel less intense and more manageable.13. JournalWhat it is: Getting your anxious thoughts out of your head and onto paper.How to start: Set a five-minute timer and write freely without editing yourself. You can also try revisiting these journal entries once you’re in a calmer headspace to remind yourself that many of the things you once worried about didn’t end up being as bad as you expected them to be.How to Know Which Coping Skills to TryNot all coping skills work the same way, and you don’t need to use all of them all the time. The most effective approach is starting with a small set of strategies that match how your anxiety shows up in daily life.Here’s a simple way to narrow it down:If anxiety feels physical (racing heart, chest tightness, restlessness): Body-based skills like breathing exercises, grounding, or movement can help calm your nervous system.If anxiety lives in your thoughts (constant worry, overanalyzing, “what if” loops): Cognitive skills like reframing or journaling may be more effective once the intensity passes.If anxiety leads to avoidance (canceling plans, procrastinating, staying stuck): Behavioral strategies like gradual exposure can help rebuild confidence over time.Your background matters, too. Neurodivergence, trauma history, chronic stress, or burnout can affect which coping strategies feel accessible or overwhelming. If a skill doesn’t work for you, that doesn’t mean you failed, it means that tool wasn’t the right fit for that moment.If anxiety feels persistent, confusing, or hard to manage on your own, working with a therapist can help you personalize coping strategies instead of relying on trial and error. You can learn more about the signs it’s time to start therapy for anxiety or how to find the right therapist for anxiety when you’re ready.Why Coping Skills Don’t Always Work Right AwayIf you’ve tried coping skills before and felt frustrated, you’re not alone. There are several reasons a skill might not help in the moment, and none of them mean you’re doing it wrong.Timing matters. Cognitive skills work best after the nervous system has calmed, not at peak anxiety.Intensity matters. When anxiety is very high, body-based regulation often needs to come first.Consistency matters. Many skills reduce anxiety over time, not instantly.Your history matters. Trauma, neurodivergence, or chronic stress can change how your nervous system responds.A Simple Way to Sequence Coping SkillsInstead of trying random techniques, it can help to match coping skills to your anxiety level:When anxiety is high: Start with body-based regulation (breathing, grounding, muscle relaxation)When anxiety has eased slightly: Use cognitive tools (reframing, thought records, journaling)Many people get stuck because they try to “think their way out” of anxiety before their body feels safe. Sequencing helps skills work together instead of against each other.Common Myths About Coping With AnxietyA lot of anxiety advice online sounds reassuring, but quietly sets unrealistic expectations. Let’s clear up a few common myths:Myth: Coping skills should make anxiety disappear.Fact: Coping skills don’t erase anxiety. They help you function, feel safer, and move forward with anxiety present.Myth: If I can’t calm down instantly, I’m doing it wrong.Fact: Many coping strategies work gradually. Progress often looks like recovering faster, not feeling calm right away.Myth: Anxiety means something is seriously wrong with me.Fact: Anxiety is a common nervous system response, especially during stress, transitions, or uncertainty. Learn more about proven anxiety treatment options.Myth: Therapy is only for severe anxiety.Fact: Therapy supports people across the full spectrum, from occasional anxiety to chronic symptoms. It can also be a great place to learn coping skills that you can use the next time you’re feeling anxious.Myth: Everyone else is handling life better than I am.Fact: Anxiety distorts your perception. What you’re seeing is comparison, not reality.If these myths sounded familiar, you’re in good company. Anxiety has a way of convincing people they’re behind, broken, or missing some secret everyone else figured out. In reality, most people are learning as they go, and coping looks a lot messier than the internet makes it seem.Using coping skills doesn’t mean you’ll always feel calm. It means you’re practicing how to meet anxiety with a little more patience, understanding, and flexibility. Sometimes, the most helpful coping skill is getting support instead of trying to manage everything alone.Ready to Get Help That Actually Works?Coping skills can make a real difference, especially when you don’t have to figure them out alone.One of the biggest benefits of working with a therapist is getting support from someone who has deep experience with anxiety in all its forms. Anxiety doesn’t look the same for everyone, and neither should treatment. Some people struggle with constant worry or rumination. Others deal with panic attacks, social anxiety, burnout, trauma-related anxiety, or stress that shows up in their body.The goal isn’t to “fix” you or force anxiety to disappear. It’s to find the kind of care that actually fits your life and helps you move forward.Frequently Asked Questions About Coping Skills for AnxietyDo coping skills work for everyone?Coping skills help many people, but no single skill works the same way for everyone. Anxiety shows up differently depending on the person, context, and nervous system, so finding the right fit matters.Can coping skills replace therapy?Coping skills can be helpful on their own, especially for mild or situational anxiety. Therapy adds structure, personalization, and support when anxiety feels persistent, confusing, or hard to manage alone.What if coping skills don’t help?That doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It often means the skill isn’t the right match for that moment, or that additional support could help.Are coping skills helpful for panic attacks?Yes, breathing and grounding techniques are commonly used to reduce panic symptoms by calming the nervous system and bringing attention back to the present moment.How long do coping skills take to work?Some coping skills, like breathing or grounding, can reduce anxiety in minutes. Others, like cognitive reframing or exposure, work best when practiced consistently over weeks. Progress often looks like anxiety passing faster, feeling less overwhelming, or being easier to tolerate.Why do coping skills work sometimes but not others?Anxiety fluctuates based on stress, sleep, health, and life circumstances. A skill that helps one day may feel less effective another, and that’s normal.What if I’ve tried coping skills and still feel anxious?That doesn’t mean coping skills are useless or that you’re “too anxious.” It may mean your anxiety needs more personalized support (like therapy) or a different combination of strategies.Do I need therapy if coping skills help a little but not enough?Many people use coping skills alongside therapy. Therapy helps tailor those skills to your nervous system, history, and goals so they’re more effective over time.This story was produced by Spring Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Top global expansion ecommerce markets: Where US-based brands are growing next Top global expansion ecommerce markets: Where US-based brands are growing nextAs cross-border ecommerce continues to outpace many domestic channels, U.S.-based brands are looking beyond their home market for their next phase of growth. Globally, 59% of shoppers purchase from retailers outside their home country, and 35% do so at least once a month, underscoring how mainstream international buying behavior has become. Certain international markets consistently provide the right mix of demand, infrastructure, and consumer readiness to support scalable expansion. According to this article from global ecommerce solutions provider Passport, the following regions stand out as the best places to start for brands pursuing global growth.1. CanadaCanada is often the first international market U.S.-based ecommerce brands prioritize, with its ecommerce market valued at about $40.3 billion in 2025 and online sales representing roughly 13.6% of total retail. Geographic proximity, cultural familiarity, and strong cross-border buying behavior make it one of the lowest-friction expansion opportunities. Trade agreements such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement simplify shipping and help limit tariff exposure, while shorter transit distances reduce cost and variability, making Canada a practical and scalable entry point for global growth.Market OverviewCanada has a mature ecommerce environment with high internet penetration and consumers who are accustomed to purchasing from U.S. brands, particularly in beauty, apparel, wellness, and consumer packaged goods. Shopper expectations closely mirror those in the United States, especially around price transparency, reliable delivery, and seamless checkout. When duties and taxes are presented upfront, and delivery timelines are predictable, international conversion rates can closely resemble domestic performance.Tax and Import ConsiderationsCanada applies a 5% federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) to most imported goods. Some provinces charge a separate Provincial Sales Tax (PST), while others use a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) that combines federal and provincial taxes.For courier (non-postal) shipments entering Canada:The tax de minimis threshold is $40 CADThe duty de minimis threshold is $150 CADFor most direct-to-consumer shipments, duties and taxes are assessed at the border, and many U.S. ecommerce brands are not required to register for a Canadian tax ID, simplifying compliance during early expansion.Recent Regulatory Developments: Starting in 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency is implementing a “Last Sale” mandate that requires duties to be calculated based on the final retail sale that triggered export to Canada, rather than an upstream cost transaction. The change is intended to close valuation loopholes and may increase landed cost calculations for certain direct-to-consumer models. Brands must meet a strict eight-point “Substantial Presence” test to use an earlier sale price; otherwise, the retail price is the default for duty calculation. Brands should review their duty assumptions accordingly.Product ConsiderationsWhile Canada is relatively accessible, certain product categories require closer attention:Cosmetics and beauty products must comply with Canada’s Food and Drugs Act and Cosmetic Regulations, including ingredient restrictions.Supplements and health products are generally allowed under personal-use exemptions when limited to a supply of fewer than 90 days, though restricted ingredients may trigger additional scrutiny.Food products may qualify for personal-use exemptions when quantities remain below established thresholds.Pet products, particularly those containing animal-derived ingredients, are more heavily regulated and may face additional clearance requirements.2. United KingdomFor many U.S.-based ecommerce brands, the United Kingdom is the first European market they prioritize. Online sales in the UK made up about 28.3% of total retail spending in late 2025, one of the highest ecommerce penetration rates among major European economies, and are projected to reach nearly 30.7% by year’s end. A digitally mature population, strong cross-border buying behavior, and a shared language make the UK one of the most accessible entry points into Europe.Market OverviewUK consumers are highly comfortable purchasing from international brands, particularly in fashion, beauty, wellness, home goods, and specialty products. Price transparency and delivery clarity are critical to conversion. Unexpected VAT charges or handling fees at delivery are a common cause of cart abandonment, while brands that present total landed costs upfront and clearly communicate delivery timelines tend to see stronger conversion and repeat purchase rates. High mobile commerce adoption and social-driven discovery further reinforce expectations for seamless checkout experiences that mirror domestic standards.Tax and Import ConsiderationsThe UK applies Value Added Tax (VAT) to imported goods, with specific rules that brands must account for when selling directly to consumers.For shipments valued at £135 or less, merchants are required to collect VAT at checkout and remit it to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). For orders exceeding £135, VAT is typically assessed at the border.From a customer experience perspective, many brands choose to include VAT in the purchase price to avoid surprise charges and delivery delays, which can negatively impact conversion and customer satisfaction.Recent Regulatory Developments: The UK has confirmed plans to phase out its £135 duty de minimis threshold by March 2029, signaling a long-term shift toward full duty assessment on low-value imports. While implementation remains several years away, brands should factor evolving customs policies into their long-term UK pricing and fulfillment strategies. A government consultation on the design of these new arrangements is active through early March 2026.Product ConsiderationsAlthough the UK departed from the European Union in 2020, many product regulations remain closely aligned with EU standards.Cosmetics and beauty products must comply with ingredient and safety requirements similar to those enforced across Europe.Supplements and vitamins are generally regulated as foods and subject to personal import limits intended for individual use.Weight loss and sexual wellness products receive heightened scrutiny and may be restricted depending on ingredients, formulation, and marketing claims.For brands planning to expand further into Europe, launching in the UK can provide valuable insight into regional compliance requirements and customer expectations before navigating additional markets.3. European UnionAfter gaining traction in the United Kingdom, many U.S.-based ecommerce brands expand into the European Union to access broader scale and diversified demand. B2C ecommerce turnover across Europe reached approximately €842 billion in the latest reporting year, underscoring the region’s substantial online retail scale. In addition, 77% of internet users in the EU purchased goods or services online, reflecting widespread digital adoption across member states.Market OverviewThe EU spans 27 member states operating under a shared trade framework, giving brands access to hundreds of millions of consumers through interconnected customs and tax systems. While expectations around price transparency, delivery clarity, and checkout experience are broadly consistent, buying behaviors and preferred payment methods vary significantly by country.Demand for U.S. brands remains strong in beauty, fashion, wellness, consumer electronics, and premium lifestyle goods, but conversion is closely tied to how clearly VAT, duties, and delivery timelines are communicated. Brands that succeed in the EU balance regional efficiency with thoughtful localization, building on infrastructure established in earlier international launches.Tax and Import ConsiderationsValue Added Tax (VAT) applies to all goods imported into the EU, though specific rates vary by member state. Standard VAT rates generally range from 17% to 27%, with an average around 21%.For shipments valued at €150 or less, the EU offers the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) framework, which allows VAT to be collected at checkout and remitted through a single monthly return. This simplifies compliance for brands selling into multiple EU countries and helps avoid delays or surprise charges at delivery.For orders above €150, VAT and duties are typically assessed at the border, and additional customs requirements may apply depending on product category and destination country.Recent Regulatory Developments: The EU is also implementing broader customs and sustainability reforms in 2026, including the phaseout of the €150 duty de minimis threshold. This bridges the gap until July 1, 2026, when a temporary €3 EU-wide customs duty will begin. Notably, Italy and France both apply an extra €2 fee based on where goods are imported and released into free circulation, rather than just the final delivery destination. Additionally, expanded Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) enforcement, and new supply chain documentation requirements under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). These measures may affect landed cost, sourcing, and compliance obligations for ecommerce brands.Product ConsiderationsThe EU is known for having stricter product and labeling regulations than many other markets, particularly for regulated categories. That said, enforcement often differs between direct-to-consumer shipments and traditional retail imports.Cosmetics and beauty products must not contain prohibited ingredients and are subject to safety and labeling standards.Supplements and health products must comply with ingredient restrictions and approved concentration levels, with additional requirements for retail distribution.Product claims, especially related to health or wellness, are more closely regulated and may require substantiation.For many U.S. brands, full retail-level compliance is not required when selling directly to consumers, but understanding category-specific rules remains essential to avoid customs delays or rejected shipments.4. AustraliaFor U.S.-based ecommerce brands expanding beyond Europe, Australia is often a high-priority market. In the most recent reporting year, Australians spent a record $69 billion online, with about 9.8 million households shopping online, reflecting strong digital adoption and deep ecommerce engagement. Strong purchasing power and widespread comfort with cross-border shopping make Australia an attractive opportunity despite longer shipping distances.Market OverviewAustralian consumers regularly purchase from overseas brands, particularly in apparel, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and specialty categories. Because international shipping is common, shoppers tend to be more patient with delivery timelines than in closer markets. However, price transparency remains essential. Clearly communicating total cost, taxes, and delivery expectations plays a central role in conversion and repeat purchase behavior. As an English-speaking market with relatively high average order values, Australia allows brands to extend global reach while maintaining operational simplicity compared to launching across multiple countries simultaneously.Tax and Import ConsiderationsAustralia applies a 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) to most goods sold to Australian consumers. The country also has a relatively high duty and tax de minimis threshold of $1,000 AUD, meaning shipments below this value generally clear without duties or taxes being assessed at the border.However, GST registration requirements can still apply. Brands that exceed $75,000 AUD in annual sales to Australian customers are required to register for GST and collect the 10% tax at checkout, even for orders below the de minimis threshold. Once registered, GST must be remitted to the Australian Taxation Office on an ongoing basis.Product ConsiderationsAustralia maintains stricter controls over certain regulated products, particularly in the health and wellness category.Supplements and vitamins are classified as “complementary medicines” and regulated as non-prescription drugs. Some ingredients commonly used in U.S. products are prohibited.Personal-use exemptions generally apply to direct-to-consumer shipments when quantities are limited to a three-month supply.Commercial resale or bulk imports face significantly higher regulatory requirements.Brands selling regulated products should review ingredient lists carefully to avoid customs delays or shipment rejections.A Strategic Approach to Global Expansion for Ecommerce BrandsSuccessful international expansion is rarely about entering every market at once. The brands seeing the strongest results prioritize countries where consumer demand, infrastructure, and regulatory requirements are well understood, reducing friction early and building momentum over time. Markets like Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Australia offer proven pathways for U.S.-based ecommerce brands to grow internationally. With the right preparation and operational alignment, expansion into these regions can become a sustainable, repeatable driver of long-term global growth.This story was produced by Passport and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Say what? The most baffling slang terms of each generation Say what? The most baffling slang terms of each generation.The words and phrases people use in casual conversation are a dead giveaway for the generation they’re a part of. Whether it’s “gnarly” or “6-7,” the slang that sneaks into your everyday life reveals a little something about your true identity. Slang is a pillar of every culture, and it can evolve. It has always been a part of the human experience, and it’s present with all generations. It can even be the linguistic glue that holds contemporaries together. However, some slang terms are outright baffling. Spokeo broke down the most interesting slang terms of Gen Alphas, Gen Zers, millennials, Gen Xers, and baby boomers.Gen Alpha: The brain-rot generationNonsensical phrases are the hallmark of Gen Alphas, kids born between 2010 and 2024. Looking closely, however, Gen Alpha slang has just as much context as any other generation.“6-7”: 6-7 is the most recent slang phrase that has seemed to confuse and upset older generations. But as an NPR “It’s Been a Minute” podcast episode describes, 6-7 doesn’t really mean anything at all. It’s almost an inside joke between kids, a “if you know, you know.” It’s a trend to repeat these numbers and make a comparative gesture with the hands.“Rizz”: Rizz is a bit more intuitive. It’s a shortened version of “charisma.” If someone has rizz, it means they have romantic appeal or charm, according to Merriam-Webster.“Ohio”: Forbes reports that using Ohio as a slang term became popular in the summer of 2024, when people started posting video clips of weird things that happened in Ohio. Like “Florida man,” “Ohio” refers to a person or event that’s weird and bizarre.Gen Z: The social media addictsGen Zers, those born between 1997 and 2009, grew up with social media right in their pockets. As a result, much of their cultural slang was developed, popularized, and spread through online content.“Bet”: Bet has a long origin in Black American English. It likely stemmed from longer phrases like “you bet,” or “you can bet on it,” according to Merriam-Webster. It’s been universally adopted by all Gen Z cultures after gaining prominence on social media in the early 2020s.“Cringe”: Cringe is used to describe a thing or person that is “cringy.” It denotes awkwardness and describes the physical reaction a person’s face or body might have to witnessing something that is socially uncomfortable.“NPC”: As Today describes, NPC, or “nonplayable character,” is a video game term Gen Z uses to call people boring or uninteresting. An NPC is an entity in a video game that is not controlled by anyone, a background character who doesn’t add much to the story.Millennials: The avocado toast generationMillennials, born between 1981 and 1996, witnessed the widespread adoption of the internet firsthand. As a result, this generation is strongly bound by references and slang terms that have evolved from media and digital trends.“Salty”: Picture the characteristics of salt. Coarse and maybe even a little bitter. Millennials have adopted the term salty to describe someone who exhibits these characteristics, often after someone gets upset.“Clap Back”: Merriam-Webster defines clap back clearly: a witty comeback to criticism. This slang became popularized after Ja Rule’s 2003 song “Clap Back.”“Woke”: Millennials became adults in an age of social justice. Woke originated in Black culture and describes a person who is informed and educated about social equality, according to ABC News. However, it’s also been used pejoratively to describe people seen as overly focused on these social issues.Gen X: The latchkey kidsGen X, born between 1965 and 1980, raised themselves independently, often going home from school with their own set of keys, earning the nickname latchkey kids. This independence gave rise to a flurry of unique slang terms that the entire age group came to understand.“Take a chill pill”: This slang is a reference to anti-anxiety medications that were common during the benzodiazepine era of the 1970s and 1980s. This phrase was used to tell people to calm down.“Gnarly”: The use of gnarly began with surfers in the 1970s to describe challenging waves. It was later picked up by popular culture in the early 80s and used to describe anything dangerous, disgusting, and exciting, according to Etymonline.“Yuppie”: A word that’s used to describe the young, urban, professional people of the 1980s who were often seen as affluent and successful. Investopedia mentions that it can be used derogatorily.Baby boomers: The far-out folksBoomers, born between 1945 and 1964, were the groovy generation, born during the hippie era. Their slang is often used to redescribe ordinary events with flair. Today, these terms seem like they’re straight out of Hollywood, but for boomers, they’re a part of everyday vernacular.“Right on”: Right on was used regularly by baby boomers as a way of saying they agreed with something.“Dig it”: Dig it was used when a baby boomer liked or approved of something. For example, if they thought a song sounded cool, they might say, “I dig that song.”“Groovy”: Groovy is one of the most iconic slang words of this generation. It’s a direct product of the hippies and the psychedelic music scene at the time. As the Bozeman Daily Chronicle describes, “groovy” was adapted from musicians who used to say “in the groove.” For baby boomers, it means excellent or fine.Generations change, but slang is here to staySlang words are used by culture to simultaneously bring people together and alienate them. Those who know and use the words are accepted by peers. Those who don’t are left out, forced to mingle amongst their own generation.Society will continue to birth new generations, but one thing is certain. Slang is going nowhere. Try to keep up.This story was produced by Spokeo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The most common challenges in managing a med spa The most common challenges in managing a med spaDo you love helping people look and feel their best? If you’re involved in med spa management, it means you get to do that every single day. Let’s not forget the professional and personal fulfillment that also comes with it. But is it always a walk in the park? Maybe not.Behind the glamour of managing a med spa and beneath the polished experiences you provide to clients, you are likely to encounter a few challenges, some more complex than others — everything from business-related issues to tricky regulatory compliance. Whether you are new to the industry or have several years of experience under your belt, you should be prepared to tackle hurdles head-on.Here, Meevo explores common challenges and tips for mitigating potential risks. Meevo Legal ChallengesUnlike a traditional spa, you’re performing medical treatments for your clients. These procedures may involve higher risks, which demand adherence to legal frameworks that can be challenging to navigate.You’re legally required to maintain thorough and up-to-date records on a daily basis. On top of that, you have a responsibility to comply with ever-changing laws and regulations. It can feel overwhelming to juggle these mandatory requirements. Explore some of the common regulatory and legal challenges you’ll likely encounter when managing a med spa below.Regulatory ComplianceSeveral laws and regulations govern the med spa industry, and they vary from state to state. Maintaining compliance can be difficult. To complicate matters further, these laws get updated frequently, which means you may need to make operational adjustments each time the law changes. This can introduce another layer of complexity to your schedule. There are several federal and state laws regarding marketing and advertising materials that you must also comply with.Noncompliance is a significant issue that attracts more than just a slap on the wrist. It puts your med spa at risk of one or more of the following consequences:Fines and penalties: Failing to comply with the relevant regulations can result in your med spa facing substantial fines, which can be costly.Lawsuits: Noncompliance increases your risks of facing a lawsuit or several lawsuits. That means negative press, a hit to your reputation, and loss of the trust that you worked so hard to build with your clients.Business closure and license suspension: In severe cases, noncompliance can result in the closure of your med spa. Even worse, you could lose your license.One of the best practices for managing a med spa is to regularly identify, review, and maintain detailed records of applicable regulations and laws. Next, build and document robust policies and procedures that’ll serve as roadmaps to ensure everyone on the team consistently adheres to all legal requirements.Legal LiabilityThe med spa industry is a sensitive one due to the delicate nature of the services it offers. Your team is performing medical procedures that can have adverse effects on a person’s health if not done correctly.With this territory comes an increased risk of malpractice and negligence. You have a duty of care to ensure that your clients are safe during and after medical procedures. A breach of this duty can lead to medical accidents, which can result in malpractice suits. Employees must have adequate training, certifications, and knowledge of safety best practices to avoid unknowingly exposing clients to harm.Every treatment requires careful execution and attention to detail. However, certain types of treatments are inherently higher risk than others, and if performed incorrectly, they can have more severe consequences.Always conduct thorough consultations. Dig deep into every client’s medical history. Doing so can help you identify any factors that may increase their risk of an adverse reaction or other issues.Next, make obtaining informed consent from clients a nonnegotiable. Don’t hire any candidate without doing your due diligence. The key is to hire only qualified professionals who have all the necessary certifications. Remember, the right team will be one of your most significant assets, and the wrong one, a potential liability.Financial ChallengesIt takes much more than just equipment to launch and manage a med spa successfully. It requires a significant amount of financial resources, which can be a hurdle, whether you’re just starting or have been in the game for years. Let’s break down some key financial challenges you’ll likely face managing a med spa.High Startup CostsHigh startup costs can be a significant challenge when opening a new med spa. Everything, from high-grade equipment and management systems to registration and licensing, requires substantial financial investments. Since these are up-front costs, it can place a financial strain on you long before you start seeing returns on your investments.You can’t make startup costs go away, but you can explore more cost-effective strategies to reduce your expenses. For instance, instead of buying new equipment, consider leasing to reduce expenses.Seasonal Fluctuations and Inconsistent Cash FlowSome seasons are more profitable than others in the med spa industry. For instance, summer usually comes with increased demands for med spa services because clients have a greater desire to look their best for vacations and outdoor activities. However, as the cold winter months arrive, things can slow down considerably. These seasonal fluctuations can lead to inconsistent cash flows, making it challenging to consistently cover operating costs.First, get smart with your planning. Create cash flow forecasts months in advance using your historical data, and don’t forget to factor in economic trends that shape how people spend on wellness. Next, develop revenue diversification strategies for those slower months. Consider incorporating product sales, membership programs, and corporate wellness initiatives to boost your cash flow.Increased Operating CostsAs your med spa grows, you can almost always expect an increase in operating costs. Whether it’s the expenses of hiring additional staff and investing in their training, or rising inventory and fixed spending, such increased operating costs can create financial challenges.Take some time to scope out your competitors’ pricing to gain insight into what others in your industry are charging for similar services. Fine-tune your pricing strategies to maximize revenue and effectively manage rising operating costs. Additionally, you can adjust your staff schedules to reduce avoidable labor expenses without sacrificing service quality.Delayed Payments and Unpaid InvoicesLate payments and outstanding invoices can create headaches for med spas. These challenges can cause cash flow issues and increase administrative expenses and burdens. Additionally, it can cause tensions in client relationships that are bad for business.Set clear payment expectations with your clients from the outset. Don’t hesitate to send friendly payment reminders. A little nudge can go a long way in keeping unpaid invoices at the forefront of clients’ minds. Additionally, offering multiple payment options is a good practice to ensure seamless payments.Human Resource ChallengesWith the right people on your team, you can be confident that your customers will have the best possible experience. However, building a dream team of reliable, qualified employees is not always easy. When managing a med spa, you can expect to face one or more of the following human resource challenges.Attracting and Retaining Top TalentThe med spa industry is constantly growing, and with this growth comes increased competition for qualified and experienced professionals, like aestheticians or licensed nurse practitioners. A common challenge that med spas face is high turnover rates, which can lead to operational disruptions and a loss of client trust.Several factors contribute to high turnover rates. For instance, depending on the workload in a med spa, the job of an aesthetician may be highly taxing both physically and emotionally, leaving them feeling burnt out. Overwhelming workloads can cause qualified employees to quit in search of more favorable work environments. Other causes of high turnover rates include a lack of training and career advancement opportunities, as well as negative work culture and ineffective leadership.To tackle the high turnover rate challenge in your med spa, take steps to prioritize employee well-being and morale through a positive workplace culture, competitive compensation, and career development opportunities. It’s all about making the right investments in your people.Employee RisksIt’s one thing to hire employees and another to hire qualified ones — the kind who will not accidentally expose your med spa clients to harm and increase your risks of malpractice.While hiring experienced and competent staff is the best way to minimize employee risks, doing so alone is not enough to create a safe and effective workplace. You must also keep your employees up to date with proper training and certifications.Thoroughly investigate candidates’ backgrounds before bringing them on board to join your team. It also helps to create uniform protocols and checklists for each procedure to ensure consistency and accuracy across the board. Finally, invest in regular training and certification programs to keep your employees’ knowledge up to date.Cybersecurity RisksMed spas handle a range of private client information, which, if not properly managed, can get into the wrong hands and compromise confidentiality. For this reason, it’s important not to overlook cybersecurity.One of the common causes of cybersecurity breaches in med spas is human error. It’s not always entirely caused by malicious attackers from afar. Sometimes it’s an external threat that slips in through a phishing email or even an internal threat from a disgruntled employee.Conduct regular security awareness training to arm your employees with the right tools and resources they need to be your frontline defense in keeping sensitive information safe online.Marketing ChallengesThe growth of your med spa depends significantly on the quality and effectiveness of your marketing strategy. With the market saturation in the industry, it’s even more crucial to stay competitive.Here are some common marketing-related med spa challenges.Brand BuildingDue to the sensitive nature of your services, it can be challenging to build a brand that clients can trust for medical procedures. You may either face difficulties establishing consistency in branding or struggle to develop a unique value proposition that stands out in a saturated market.Collaborate with marketing experts to define the core elements of your med spa brand, such as your brand voice and personality, and your unique selling proposition. Ensure your visual identity aligns with the typical expectations of a med spa’s clients.Lead Generation and ConversionGenerating leads and converting them into paying clients is a unique challenge for med spas. You want qualified leads in your pipeline, along with practical strategies for nurturing and converting them.What makes lead generation even more challenging is the overwhelming number of marketing channels and options available to explore. You may be conflicted when choosing where to invest your time, money, and resources to get the best results.Define and study your ideal target audience to understand their pain points and interests. This step will help you craft messages and design marketing materials that resonate with potential clients. You also want to utilize social proof and client testimonials, especially before and after photos, as they are effective tools for attracting leads. Explore various marketing channels and optimize the most effective ones to maximize your reach and impact.Client RetentionGenerating and converting leads is only one piece of the puzzle. Retaining clients is a vital component of sustaining a profitable business. However, competition is fierce, and you’ll need to put in effort to make clients stick with your brand long-term. The infrequency of treatments can make it more challenging to build the consistent engagement and loyalty required to retain clients.Create loyalty perks to encourage them to choose your med spa over competitors. Enhancing client experiences through personalized touches, simple booking processes, and minimal wait times can also be advantageous for your business.Customer-Related ChallengesManaging a med spa involves striking a delicate balance between delivering high-quality treatments and ensuring satisfaction. Here are a few customer-related challenges your team may face when serving clients.Unrealistic ExpectationsNo matter your team’s skill level or the incredible results you’ve provided to clients previously, you’re bound to encounter patrons who walk through your doors with unrealistic expectations. To make matters worse, when those expectations are not met, they may complain or write negative reviews that can harm your business reputation.Conduct thorough consultations before setting a date for a treatment. Ask open-ended questions during each consultation to ensure you deeply understand your clients’ specific goals and expectations. Take the time to educate them on the process and limitations of each procedure. Visual aids are helpful in this context to illustrate the typical results that they can expect.No-Shows and Scheduling IssuesNo-shows do more than disrupt your med spa’s schedules and operations — they lead to costly revenue losses. Scheduling problems can stem from client oversights or poor staff communication. Whatever the case, they are a challenge you need to tackle.Invest in an innovative med spa management software that streamlines the booking appointment process for your clients. This way, your clients receive multiple automated reminders containing their appointment details in advance. And for those last-minute cancellations? You should implement and clearly communicate a strict cancellation policy to deter unnecessary cancellations and no-shows. Meevo How to Measure the Success of Your Med SpaSome of the challenges you’ll encounter in managing your med spa can directly affect your bottom line and operations. Closely monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to accurately measure the success of your med spa. Doing so will give you an idea of where your business is thriving and where you can improve.A few med spa KPIs to focus on include:Client retention rate: Evaluate the percentage of first-time clients who become loyal and regular visitors to your med spa.Average revenue per client visit: This figure measures the average amount clients spend per visit. You can use it to gauge the profitability of your pricing and determine whether you need to put more effort into upselling.Client conversion rate: This metric provides insight into the number of new clients your business generates from its marketing efforts.Appointment no-show rate: It’s essential to know how effective your med spa management software and overall scheduling processes are. A high no-show rate may indicate a problem in your process that you need to fix.Turn Your Med Spa Challenges Into OpportunitiesDespite the potential challenges, managing a med spa remains a fulfilling profession. You get to do what you love while helping others look great and feel even better. These common hurdles present opportunities for growth and service enhancement. The key is to identify them early and take the necessary steps to address them before they impact your business.This story was produced by Meevo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Iowa State Patrol car smashed into during snowy road assist The Iowa State Patrol is urging drivers to slow down when road conditions are less than ideal after a patrol vehicle was damaged in a crash.
	Trump calls SCOTUS tariffs decision 'deeply disappointing' and lays out path forward President Trump claimed the justices opposing his position were acting because of partisanship, though three of those ruling against his tariffs were appointed by Republican presidents.
	Canada’s biggest nickel mine could store carbon in its waste rock, if all goes to plan Canada’s biggest nickel mine could store carbon in its waste rock, if all goes to planIn 2006, scientists descended upon a remote open-pit mine in Australia to study air that turns into rock.Like many mines, after churning through rock to get at a mineral, the Mount Keith nickel mine was left with piles of waste rock, which it held in huge, exposed reservoirs called tailings. This waste rock, however, was reacting with carbon dioxide in the air to form new minerals. It was effectively pulling the carbon out of the air and embedding it within the rocks, a kind of natural version of carbon capture and storage.The scientists wanted to investigate exactly how much, and how quickly, this natural phenomenon was leading to carbon being captured and mineralized at the mine. Pinpointing this, they figured, would provide insight into how mines with similar tailings could offset their greenhouse gas emissions.They took more than 800 samples of the mine waste to test and study and discovered something intriguing: The majority of the carbon was being pulled out of the air at Mount Keith by one mineral. Brucite is a waxy, pearly crystal that’s often a dull yellow or blue. It is highly reactive with carbon dioxide, and leveraging that reactivity could boost carbon storage at the mine many times over, the researchers found.“As we studied the site and became more aware of the presence of brucite, I think then we understood that, ‘Oh yeah, brucite was really doing a lot of the work,’ ” said Ian Power, one of the scientists who travelled to Australia to study the mine, and now the Canada Research Chair in Environmental Geoscience and an assistant professor at Trent University.Brucite is now a key part of the carbon storage aspirations of a proposed nickel and cobalt mine near Timmins, Ont. Critical minerals, including copper, nickel and lithium, are essential components in renewable energy systems such as solar panels, wind turbines and batteries. They’re also used in a wide variety of other products, from phones to laptops to weapons. In this article, The Narwhal explores the plans for the Timmins venture, and how brucite plays a role in the mine’s approach to carbon capture and storage.The proponent of the Timmins mine, Canada Nickel Company Inc., says its Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project will be “Canada’s largest nickel mine.” The project, expected to last 41 years, involves an open pit and stockpile areas, two ore processing plants, a new rail line and relocating a portion of a provincial highway and existing power line.The project’s greenhouse gas emissions over its lifetime are detailed in a report for the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. Before enacting any net-zero plans, the mine was expected to emit roughly 15,200 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, or about as much as 3.5 million gas-powered cars driven over a year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s calculator (Natural Resources Canada’s calculator was not functioning at the time of publication).The company expects to lower those emissions considerably by, for example, electrifying parts of its operation. All told, its net-zero plans could reduce emissions to 154 kilotonnes per year by the year 2030, it said.But Crawford Nickel will also be capable of storing more than a megatonne of carbon dioxide per year, amounting to 54 megatonnes over the life of the project, the company said — and it will be relying on brucite in its tailings to do the heavy lifting.The company expects to start construction on the mine this year after it secures its remaining federal and provincial permits. It says it has moved its carbon storage technology along to the point where it’s filing for patents.Beyond its own operations, it plans to source carbon from industrial emitters in the region, although the details of how this will work are still unclear. Questions also remain about whether the technology will work as advertised and the mine’s overall environmental impact.The little mineral that couldTaking advantage of brucite — as well as other minerals that aren’t quite as efficient — to store carbon is a different technique for “carbon capture and storage” than the one that gets the lion’s share of attention.The technique the fossil fuel industry has used for years involves taking a stream of carbon dioxide gas and injecting it deep underground into porous rock formations. Traditionally this has been used to loosen up remaining oil reserves and extract more oil, but more recently, and in smaller amounts, it has been used to store that carbon underground.The problem with mineralization, as Canada Nickel plans to use, has been that the natural process of carbon turning into a solid can take thousands of years under normal conditions.Artificially speeding it up has been a scientific pursuit for years at places like the University of British Columbia, where Power worked with other trailblazers in the field. A study he authored in 2020, for example, showed how carbon storage could be accelerated at a nickel deposit northwest of Prince George, B.C., by bubbling carbon dioxide and other gases through a powdered mixture containing brucite.Sourcing the rock from mine tailings is part of the appeal, Power said, because the rock has already been pulverized from ore processing. That exposes much more surface area to carbon dioxide for chemical reactions. Bubbling the gas through brucite also helps the process.“We were kind of at the forefront of the field, and then [there was] a lot of research, field studies, experiments,” Power said. “And then people at this stage now are thinking, ‘Okay, how can we get to commercialization?’”Canada’s environmental regulations and subsidies for green technology development from government and other private sources could be prodding companies to take carbon storage more seriously, he said.One of the leaders of the field is Greg Dipple, who worked at the University of British Columbia on carbon mineralization for two decades before retiring and co-founding Vancouver-based company Arca, which calls itself an “industrial mineralization company.”Dipple told The Narwhal he was familiar with Canada Nickel but had not had a chance to work with it yet. Arca’s technology involves capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, he said, rather than from direct sources like Canada Nickel is planning.“To meet the world’s climate targets, no one company or pathway can do it alone,” Dipple said. “We look forward to Canada Nickel’s success in their carbon removal plans.”How Canada Nickel plans to store carbon at its Crawford mineThe sites studied by Power, Dipple and others involve magnesium-rich rock, often home to nickel and chromium, and where brucite is also often found. The Crawford mine has this type of rock, and is targeting nickel, chromium, cobalt and other mineral deposits for extraction.To make use of the carbon-hungry mineral, and expedite its reaction with carbon dioxide, the company plans to run its tailings through a series of tanks as a final step at its ore-processing plant, said Pierre-Philippe Dupont, vice-president of sustainability at Canada Nickel, in an emailed response to questions from The Narwhal.Inside the tanks, the carbon dioxide will be “bubbled and stirred into the tailings for several hours,” Dupont said. By using “high strength” carbon dioxide streams and controlling for “certain conditions,” he said, the company expects to “fully utilize the brucite in the tailings” to store more carbon.It will be the first time the technology is being realized at the scale of a full commercial mine.In its Impact Assessment Agency submission, the company described its mineralization process as being “at the research stage.”Asked by The Narwhal to describe its readiness today, the company pointed to several announcements it has made since 2023 showing the technology advancing through testing and pilot projects, to filing for a patent.“While [the technology] has not yet been implemented at full commercial production scale, these disclosures show that the technology has progressed … and is being actively advanced toward commercialization as part of broader carbon management efforts,” Dupont said by email.Capturing public funds for carbon captureBoth Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have a lot riding on the mine’s success.It’s the first project in Canada to get named to both the federal Major Projects Office and the provincial “One Project, One Process” list. Both the federal office and the provincial process are meant to make project approvals happen faster and smoother.In press releases, both governments touted the Crawford Nickel project as “low-carbon” and both linked its production to “batteries and green steel.” Both also cited research showing its projected emissions would be “90 per cent below the global average.” Both governments have also made millions of dollars available for the project to happen. For example, federal dollars have funded its mineralization technology as well as its electrification plans.In a January 2026 investor presentation, the company acknowledged it’s drawing on between US$100 and US$300 million of government funding, including support from federal and provincial critical minerals funds. It also has US$500 million in long-term debt financing through the Crown corporation Export Development Canada.It’s also banking on US$600 million it expects to receive from two Canadian federal tax credits, one for carbon capture and the other for clean technology manufacturing.“While Crawford could move forward without government support, our project economics includes eligibility for existing federal and provincial programs, including investment tax credits, as well as other forms of government support available to strategically significant critical minerals projects,” Canada Nickel CEO Mark Selby told The Narwhal in an emailed response to questions.Bringing additional carbon to Crawford Nickel mine could involve a pipeline, or railAs part of its carbon capture plans, Canada Nickel wants the region around Timmins to become a “low-carbon or potentially zero-carbon industrial cluster.”The company has proposed a scheme where the emissions of potential future nickel processing and stainless steel facilities in the region would be transported to the Crawford mine for carbon mineralization.Its subsidiary, NetZero Metals, is “advancing plans” for those facilities, Selby told The Narwhal. But he acknowledged there are no detailed plans yet for how it would transport the emissions.The company has had “discussions” with “potential suppliers” of emissions, which have considered both the idea of constructing a carbon dioxide pipeline in the Timmins region as well as using rail transport, Selby said.Whether a pipeline or rail, or another solution is pursued, there would need to be “further engineering work, regulatory frameworks and project approvals” first, Selby said.Meanwhile, the company’s priority is to reduce its own expected emissions first by electrifying operations and sourcing green energy.Building a mine creates emissions, through wetland and forest destructionThe mine’s footprint, too, could itself create carbon emissions. Northern Ontario is home to the boreal forest and a vast peatland, which is a net absorber of carbon dioxide and also acts like a filter for clean water, keeping flooding and drought in check and supporting wildlife and biodiversity.Peatlands are under threat in Canada from industrial uses like forestry, mining and agriculture — all of which can disturb the sequestered carbon, releasing it into the atmosphere. The Wildlife Conservation Society Canada has warned some peatlands overlie major mineral deposits, including Crawford.The company’s Impact Assessment Agency of Canada submission calculated the total forgone carbon sequestration over the project’s life was estimated at roughly seven million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.At the same time, the proposed mine is situated in an area that’s already partially disturbed and near roads — unlike the proposed mining developments in the so-called Ring of Fire farther north, which would involve pushing deep into undisturbed peatland to build new mining sites, and building new roads to access them.“It’s not in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, for example, where there are billions of tons of carbon stored in peatlands,” Adam Kirkwood, a research associate for forests, peatlands and climate change at Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, said in an interview.“My perspective is, it’s still in the boreal forest, where we do have quite a few peatlands as well.”Kirkwood said the area around Timmins is a “mosaic” of forests, lakes and wetlands that may turn into peatlands in the future. He said there was an opportunity for the company to try to minimize its impact so peatland, which takes thousands of years to form, is left undisturbed.Canada Nickel says the mine’s footprint was assessed federally and, where there are areas that overlap with wetlands and peatland, “these features have been identified and assessed as part of the environmental effects evaluation.”“Where impacts are unavoidable, we have proposed mitigation, monitoring and compensation measures consistent with regulatory requirements and the commitments made through the Impact Assessment process,” Dupont said.This story was produced by The Narwhal and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to manage registration and payments for large events How to manage registration and payments for large eventsRegistration for any event can be complicated. From creating the registration process to ensuring that all attendee sign-ups are gathered and processed accurately, even the basics can be burdensome — particularly when it’s for a large event with hundreds or even thousands of attendees.One way that event organizers can simplify the entire process is to use automated registration software. To help you create and manage a smooth automated registration process for your event, Regpack has put together this handy guide.Why Is Automated Registration Important?The more people who sign up for an event, the more vital automated registration becomes. Compared to a manual process, automated registration can lead to a better attendee experience while saving your business both time and money.Attendee expectationsThe registration process will likely be one of the earliest points of contact the attendee has with your event, if not the very first. They’ll expect it to be easy and seamless.Automated registration helps you meet this expectation. Instead of communicating with an agent or visiting the business premises in person, automated registration is instant, easy, and convenient. Plus, in this digital era, most registrations can be completed online. If your attendees can only register for your event by contacting your team, it can portray you as old-fashioned.Reduced manual workManually registering someone for an event involves taking down all of their details before processing the registration, which is far from efficient.Automated registration eliminates the need for your team to manually register attendees. For large events, this can save you dozens of man-hours and hundreds or even thousands of dollars.Less human errorFrom misplaced registration forms to inaccurate information collection, manual registration is highly prone to errors. Automated registration reduces this risk since all registrations are processed automatically, and the information is recorded exactly as the attendee provides it.Useful data collectionAutomated registration allows you to quickly receive additional information from your attendees. In some cases, this can help improve your knowledge of your attendees and more successfully deliver an event they will enjoy.In other cases, your attendees may want an easy way to deliver additional information about themselves that they feel is important for you to know. This could be information on accessibility needs, a disability, or food allergies. This type of information will help you provide a safe and inclusive event for all your attendees.You’ll also want to be able to receive certain information automatically so you can improve your business operations, such as:Demographic information about attendeesWhat device attendees use to registerWhat time of day attendees registerHow far in advance attendees registerThe attendee’s customer journey.Integration to other aspects of your eventRegistration is just one aspect of organizing your event, but it doesn’t have to be an isolated process. Instead, you can use the registration process to inform and improve other aspects of your event.Automated registration can make this easy. For example, if your event will provide food that needs to be ordered in advance, you could take down the attendees’ meal choices when they register. Once registration is complete, each attendee’s meal choices can automatically be forwarded to the relevant team. Without automated registration, your team would have to send this information over manually, which could result in delays or inaccurate information.Registration Best Practices for Attendee SatisfactionThe following best practices can help ensure your registration process meets your attendees’ expectations and delivers everything it should. Regpack Keep it simpleRegistration shouldn’t be an obstacle that people must overcome to attend your event. Instead, it should be as easy and efficient as possible. This means you should:Allow attendees to withhold non-vital informationAsk simple and easy-to-answer questions whenever possibleUse a layout that’s intuitive and not too busyMake it mobile-friendlyGone are the days when the bulk of our online activity took place on a desktop. Now, mobile devices account for nearly 63% of global website traffic.So, it’s no surprise that your attendees will expect to be able to register on their phone, which makes this an essential feature to provide.Mobile-friendly registration can benefit you, too, as a mobile site is more accessible than one that is only desktop-friendly. This allows you to broaden your audience and increase the number of people who can register for your event.Lean into your brandingThe registration process is an opportunity to make a stellar impression on your attendees, which is why your branding should be visible throughout. This could include using the colors, voice, logos, and anything else that is unique to your brand.Beyond familiarizing your attendees with your brand, this also helps create a more seamless experience. For example, if the attendee has clicked from an email filled with your branding to a registration process that looks like it belongs to another business, it can be jarring. Inconsistent branding can also reduce brand recognition over time, which makes it difficult to establish your presence in the market.Use a clear call to actionClarify what action your attendee will accomplish when they complete the registration process. Have they booked entry to your event? Or have they just reserved a spot to buy entry tickets at a later date? Or perhaps they’ve just signed up for email reminders to let them know when tickets are released.A clear CTA can reduce the likelihood of miscommunication between you and your attendees.Include a confirmation messageTo provide further clarity for your attendees, it’s always useful to have a confirmation message. This message can either be a pop-up that appears as soon as they’ve booked, or an email confirmation. The pop-up message is instant but temporary, while an email may take a few seconds to go through. However, an email confirmation can also remind the attendee of the event details in the future, and can be useful for them to refer back to closer to the event.Test the registration processFew things frustrate users more than services or products that don’t work as they should, and event registration is no different. It can also create a poor impression of your business — if you can’t even get a registration form right, how can they expect you to run a great event?To reduce the risk of your registration process not performing as expected, you need to test every aspect and feature. You also need to ensure:The attendee is able to register and pay for the eventThe copy is free from typos or grammatical errorsAll information provided is accurateAny confirmation messages are received promptlyMust-Have Registration FeaturesIn theory, registration should be a simple process. But when you start to dig into the details, you’ll realize that there’s plenty you need to consider when creating your registration process. Here are the key features you should include to keep your attendees happy. Regpack Anonymous registrationWhile this might not be possible for all events, some attendees may wish to register for your event anonymously. Whenever this feature is possible for your event, you should always offer it. It allows attendees to register for your event without creating an account or providing personal details.This anonymous process can streamline registration for many attendees.Mobile payment optionsTo make the process more convenient, it’s best to allow attendees to pay for any registration fees with mobile payment options such as Apple Pay. It’s a feature that many attendees will expect to find when they register, as many other event registrations will offer it.When you provide mobile payment options, you need to ensure your site is fully secure so that they can make their payments safely. You should also display security logos and make it clear what the total cost is, all of which will provide peace of mind for your attendees.If possible, give your attendees multiple ways to make a mobile payment, such as with PayPal or Buy Now, Pay Later services.Attendee supportSome of your attendees will likely have questions about your event before they arrive. A dedicated support service can provide these answers and keep your attendees informed and happy. These answers could be delivered in the form of:An FAQ section that gives information on common queriesA chatbot that can provide simple answers and direct attendees to where they can find more detailed answersA support team that can answer complicated or unique questionsDetailsIt may be a basic feature, but if your registration doesn’t provide the necessary details, it can confuse your attendees and leave basic questions unanswered. For some attendees, this will merely be an annoyance, but for many, it could turn them away from registering.Some basic details to provide with any registration include:Date and timeLocationCostDepending on your event, you may wish to provide additional details, such as the timeline of events, guest speakers, or food options. The goal is to provide all the essential details your attendees will need, without giving too much away or overwhelming them with information.Edit/cancel capabilitiesPlans can change between registration and the event, and attendees will often need to alter their registration details. Make it easy for your attendees to add or remove people from their party, adjust their arrival time, or even cancel their attendance altogether. This improves the attendee experience and keeps your event clear of surprise cancellations or amendments.Common Registration Challenges for Your Business and How to Solve ThemWhile you may create the perfect registration process for your attendees, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s perfect for your business, too. Here are some common challenges you may face and how you can overcome them.Lack of reportingManual registration requires manual reports, which can be time-consuming. But reports on your event’s sales, attendees’ data, and other information points can massively boost every aspect of your event.The best way to receive detailed and easily accessible reports on your automated registration is through software with built-in reporting tools.Fixed registration formsEvery event is unique, as is the business that runs it. That’s why fixed registration forms can feel restrictive and unsuited to your event. On the other hand, the ability to customize the registration process to better suit your event can be extremely useful.Automated registration software that allows for customized forms can give you the freedom to create the perfect registration form. This customized form can provide the information you need to know specifically for your event.Integration with other softwareOne of the benefits of automated registration is that it allows you to integrate your registration process with other aspects of your event. But this isn’t always as easy as it could be. If the data from your registration software can’t translate to another program, you may have to tediously reformat the data before uploading it to other software programs.For the most seamless integration, make sure your chosen automation software uses application programming interfaces (APIs) to simplify data transfers from the registration phase.Subscription managementIf your event is recurring, you may want to offer your attendees the option to subscribe. This makes it easier for them to register for future events and guarantees you have visitors signed up for future events.To make this as easy as possible, your registration software should allow for subscriptions and recurring payments.Creating a Seamless Registration Process for Your Large EventA lot of work and consideration goes into creating a registration process that works for both your business and your event’s attendees. But one of the best ways to design the perfect registration process for large events is to leverage automated registration software.The ideal event registration and payment software will go beyond a smooth process for your attendees — it will also give your business the tools it needs to improve every aspect of your event through detailed reporting tools, seamless payment methods, and more.This story was produced by Regpack and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Project NOW reports surging demand for emergency shelter in Moline The Lift Now emergency overnight shelter, which opened last month in downtown Moline, is averaging 49 people each night.
	Early 2026 housing trends: Rates improve, incentives expand, confidence lags Early 2026 housing trends: Rates improve, incentives expand, confidence lagsEach month, NewHomeSource parent company Zonda surveys homebuilders to gauge sentiment about the housing market. The builder-focused insights reveal how the companies building homes feel about market sentiment and trends. For homeowners and prospective buyers, these insights can be a valuable tool to understand what is happening, what is coming in the housing market, and how to move forward.The main takeaways from the January report center on demand-side topics such as mortgage rates, financing incentives, and buyer confidence.Rates Retreat, Demand ReturnsJust over half of the builders surveyed by Zonda reported that demand was on track with their expectations in January, double the share reporting such levels of demand in December and the highest share of “on track” responses since April 2024.While this may be an indication that demand is returning in the new year, this may also reflect adjusted expectations. Since the “on track” metric has no quantitative association, it’s possible that builders are reporting demand is in line with lower expectations given current conditions.One quarter of builders surveyed attributed the improvement to lower rates, up from 14% of builders a month ago. However, the pickup in traffic has been uneven: 16% of builders reported no change in traffic tied to rates while a quarter of respondents said buyers remain spooked by overall market conditions.Incentives Still Reign SupremeFour in five builders surveyed reported the use of mortgage rate buydowns in January, with 55% of builders offering buydowns in the 4% range. Another 20% of builders reported offering buydowns in the low- to mid-5% range.The survey results show incentives are still an essential tool for builders in the current market. For buyers, this means there are plenty of deals out there that may help ease their economic uncertainty. For some, the difference between the average mortgage rate and the rate with a builder buydown may be enough to move them from the fence and fully into the housing market.Buyer Confidence Remains a ChallengeConsumer confidence weighed on the housing market for much of 2025 and early indications show it remains a limiting factor early in 2026. It was cited as the primary holdup for buyers for the fourth consecutive month by builders surveyed by Zonda.Beyond confidence, the labor market, affordability, and overall economic uncertainty are factors keeping buyers on the sidelines. While lower rates and buydowns can move some buyers off the sidelines, the survey reveals some confidence issues stem from issues separate from mortgage rates.This story was produced by NewHomeSource and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Fundraising readiness is a cap table problem, not a pitch deck problem Fundraising readiness is a cap table problem, not a pitch deck problemFounders often assume fundraising readiness is about perfecting a pitch deck, tightening a narrative, or refining metrics. But in practice, many fundraising delays happen after investor interest is secured, when the cap table comes under scrutiny.As startups grow, equity structures become more complex, and small decisions made early can quietly turn into major blockers. Cake Equity explains why fundraising readiness is less about how well a story is told and more about whether ownership is clear, accurate, and defensible.Why Pitch Decks Rarely Slow FundraisingA strong pitch deck still matters. It sets context, builds conviction, and gives investors a reason to lean in. Clear storytelling, credible metrics, and a compelling vision remain essential parts of any successful raise.But once investor interest is established, pitch decks are rarely the source of meaningful delays. Most investors move past the deck quickly and shift their focus to validation. Delays tend to appear later in the process, when legal, finance, and investment teams begin validating ownership structure, dilution mechanics, and equity rights.Across growing startups, investors often spend significantly more time reviewing cap tables than pitch materials once initial interest is established. Ownership clarity, not storytelling, tends to be the gating factor that determines how quickly a round progresses.Investors often care deeply about the story a cap table tells, how ownership evolved, how dilution is managed, and whether equity decisions reflect discipline.How Cap Table Complexity Quietly Builds UpBetween early traction and meaningful scale, cap tables evolve rapidly. Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) contracts accumulate, option pools expand, advisors are added, and early employees begin vesting. What once fit neatly in a spreadsheet becomes a web of assumptions, conversions, and edge cases. Many founders underestimate this complexity until investors start asking detailed questions.By the time companies prepare to raise their next major round, cap tables often include multiple equity instruments, historical pricing assumptions, and forward-looking dilution scenarios that are difficult to model accurately without dedicated systems.The Cost of Cap Table FrictionOther issues can derail your raise. Causing extra diligence cycles, legal cleanup, and recalculations can add weeks or months to a fundraising process. In competitive environments, these delays can affect valuation leverage, momentum, and investor confidence.Founders frequently discover cap table issues only after term sheet discussions begin, when corrections are more costly and time-consuming. Even small things.Founders sometimes make this shift after investors request clearer visibility into ownership history, dilution scenarios, and post‑round outcomes, requests that are difficult to satisfy with static spreadsheets.From Storytelling to Operational ReadinessAt a certain stage, fundraising becomes an operational readiness test. Investors want confidence that ownership is well managed, employee equity is understood, and dilution outcomes are predictable. A clean cap table signals maturity, internal alignment, and readiness to scale.Founders who treat the cap table as living infrastructure, not a static record, have greater success in attracting investment and are able to close funding rounds in faster time frames. Centralizing equity data, modeling dilution scenarios in advance, and ensuring employees understand how ownership works all help reduce friction when capital is on the line.Founders who make this transition earlier are often better prepared for diligence, with fewer follow‑up questions and less last‑minute cleanup once investor conversations become serious.Founder TakeawaysFundraising delays often start during diligence, not pitching. Cap table complexity compounds faster than most founders expect. Clean ownership structures signal operational maturity to investors. Equity clarity helps align both investors and employees.Pitch decks open doors, but cap tables determine how quickly startups can walk through them. For founders preparing to raise capital, fundraising readiness increasingly comes down to one question: Does the cap table hold up under scrutiny?This story was produced by Cake Equity and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The U.S. men's hockey team to face Slovakia for a spot in an Olympic gold medal match After an overtime nailbiter in the quarterfinals, the Americans return to the ice Friday in Milan to face the upstart Slovakia for a chance to play Canada in Sunday's Olympic gold medal game.
	NASA eyes March 6 to launch 4 astronauts to the moon on Artemis II mission The four astronauts heading to the moon for the lunar fly-by are the first humans to venture there since 1972. The ten-day mission will travel more than 600,000 miles.
	What is ChatGPT Pulse and how is it changing discovery? What is ChatGPT Pulse and how is it changing discovery?So, what is ChatGPT Pulse? ChatGPT Pulse is a mobile AI feature for Pro users that delivers personalized updates and information directly in users’ feeds. This new “push” approach gives brands an opportunity to reach audiences proactively, even before they search for content.To appear in ChatGPT Pulse, focus on building content that is authoritative, clear, and AI-ready. Establish verified brand profiles, maintain canonical pages, and publish regularly updated, time-stamped content. These steps help your brand get surfaced reliably in Pulse updates and build credibility within this emerging AI-driven channel.WebFX shares strategies that outline how brands can optimize content, build a Pulse-ready presence, and increase visibility in ChatGPT Pulse.What is ChatGPT Pulse?Launched earlier this week, ChatGPT Pulse is a proactive feature from OpenAI that delivers personalized updates based on users’ chats, feedback, and connected apps — all before they search.With the launch, ChatGPT can now do asynchronous research on your behalf, delivering curated updates from quick dinner ideas to custom workout plans. ChatGPT Pulse is currently available to Pro users on mobile.ChatGPT Pulse ushers in AI’s “push” eraThe launch of ChatGPT Pulse signals a shift in how people discover and engage with brands. Instead of waiting for search queries, ChatGPT Pulse delivers updates directly into users’ feeds, marking one of the first true AI push channels.For businesses, this means always-on visibility in the tools customers already use and more opportunities to build credibility and early-mover advantage as a trusted source. And with features like ChatGPT Instant Checkout, that discovery-to-purchase journey will happen entirely inside ChatGPT — making visibility even more valuable.ChatGPT Pulse also signals where AI is headed — monetized discovery experiences. By building organic traction now, brands will be better positioned to capture a first-mover advantage when AI-native ads roll out (anticipated this year).How to appear in ChatGPT PulseAppearing in ChatGPT Pulse requires specific optimization strategies.To stand out in ChatGPT Pulse, you need AI-ready content built for trust, clarity, and reach. Here are five steps to boost your visibility:1. Build third-party authority with citations from reputable sitesChatGPT Pulse prioritizes trusted, credible sources. Citations or links from authority websites and industry experts showcase that credibility.Similar to traditional SEO — these citations act as votes of confidence, making ChatGPT Pulse (and other AI models) more likely to surface your content.Strengthen your third-party authority by:Earning industry mentions in reputable trade publications, news outlets, or blogs.Utilizing digital PR to attract backlinks.Publishing original data and research studies that are often cited in articles and reports.Collaborating with industry experts on research or content that expands reach.A steady stream of trusted citations signals to AI platforms and search engines that content is authoritative.2. Make your content machine-readable with structured dataYour content also needs to be machine-readable, so OpenAI’s crawlers can quickly parse and classify your pages.Adding structured data to your content provides the clarity and context that AI models like ChatGPT need to surface your pages.Make sure your content is machine-readable by:Implementing structured data (Article, FAQ, Product, HowTo schema, etc.) to help AI understand the purpose of your content.Adding “last updated” fields to help AI prioritize fresh content (crucial for ChatGPT Pulse feeds)Validating schema with Google’s Rich Results Test to ensure accuracy and avoid crawl errors.Structured data makes your content clear and discoverable in ChatGPT Pulse.3. Create a verified brand GPT with ActionsCreating a verified brand GPT is a method for gaining visibility in ChatGPT Pulse. These custom GPTs act as your brand’s official presence inside the OpenAI ecosystem, giving you a direct channel for delivering updates and information.A verified brand GPT signals that your content is authentic and authoritative, and when combined with Actions (custom connections to your APIs and data), you give ChatGPT a real-time pipeline for your brand’s updates.4. Establish canonical entity pagesCanonical entity pages are your “source of truth” — definitive, authoritative sources AI models use to understand, verify, and surface your brand. Some examples include your “About Us” page, team bios, and product pages.To create effective canonical entity pages:Build a brand hub: Create a central “About Us” page that clearly defines your business. Use structured data for your logo, leadership, and locations to help AI connect the dots.Create dedicated product and service pages: Develop standalone pages for each product and service you offer with consistent naming, metadata, and schema markup.Link out to authoritative profiles: Boost credibility by connecting your entity pages to reputable third-party sources like LinkedIn or Google Business Profile.Maintaining canonical entity pages makes it easier for ChatGPT Pulse to consistently find and surface your updates.5. Publish Pulse-friendly update streamsChatGPT Pulse, like other AI models, wants to surface fresh, relevant, and trusted content.That means your brand needs dynamic update streams to show ongoing activity, whether that’s publishing new blog posts, updating product pages, or releasing new industry research. Consistency is key when it comes to building visibility in ChatGPT Pulse.Format matters too. AI thrives on structured, time-stamped content that it can easily parse and distribute. In other words, creating predictable, feed-like activity signals your brand is active and authoritative.Maintaining Pulse-friendly content involves several technical elements:Allowing OpenAI crawlers by ensuring robots.txt and meta directives don’t block ChatGPT’s agents.Implementing proper schema markup, like Article, FAQ, Product, and HowTo schema to help ChatGPT Pulse classify your updates.Maintaining stable URLs to avoid unnecessary redirects that break continuity.Adding “last updated” timestamps to give AI machine-readable signals about content freshness.Publishing Pulse-friendly update streams with the correct technical setup helps maintain a consistent and reliable presence.This story was produced by WebFX and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Abandoned kittens find second chance through foster care Three newborn kittens found abandoned are now safe in a Davenport foster home, as shelters urge pet owners to spay, neuter and consider fostering.
	Boil order lifted after water-main break impacted service A water-main break at 38th Avenue and 16th Street impacted a large area of Moline Wednesday.
	Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel announces retirement Chief Bladel will retire on March 2 after more than three decades with the department.
	Arconic receives $6.55M in tax credits for new casting complex in the Quad-Cities The $131 million project to add a new casting complex is expected to create 40 jobs.
	Deadline soon for Rock Falls Hometown Heroes Military Banner Program Time is running out to honor Rock Falls residents who are/were members of the military with special banners. The deadline to apply for the Hometown Heroes Military Banner Program is March 2. Each banner features the service member’s name, photo and branch of service. Banners measure 2 feet wide by 4 feet high (24” × [...]
	What features should laundromat owners look for in a payment system? What features should laundromat owners look for in a payment system?Laundromats can be lucrative business ventures that allow you to collect passive income while offering a crucial service to the community. Depending on the customer demographic, location and business size, laundromats can offer several popular payment options.If you’re trying to figure out the best option for your business, you’ve come to the right place. This guide from Setomatic Systems highlights the top features owners should look for when choosing a laundry payment system.What Are the Best Features to Look for in a Laundry Payment System? Setomatic Systems More laundromats are adopting cashless transactions because of their unmatched convenience. When choosing a laundry payment system, some things to consider are who the manufacturer is, how long they have been offering laundry payment systems and whether their system offers the flexibility and features your laundry needs to be successful. Here are some of the top features to look for:Payment FlexibilityLaundry payment systems that offer a wide range of cashless options have a larger capacity to cater to customer preferences and improve user experience. These options are also especially beneficial for certain demographics, like younger customers who may be more likely to rely on their smartphones. One survey on 2,500 Americans found that 80% of Gen Z participants use mobile wallets. The vast majority of all payment transactions in North America are Tap-and-Go contactless credit cards. As such, it’s important to make sure your system has this capability.Payment flexibility is especially important at a laundromat, where customers want to pay the same way they pay at the grocery store or any big box retailer.Tap-and-Go contactless credit/debit cardsMobile payment options like Apple, Google and Samsung PayContact credit/debit cardsAccept loyalty cardsRemote Management CapabilitiesOne of the key benefits of getting into the laundry business is the capacity for passive income. Payment systems with remote management features give you and your customers maximum convenience. For example, some card payment systems allow you to monitor laundromat usage and revenue in real time while operating from a remote location. You can adjust pricing and introduce discounts without leaving your couch. Here are some examples of remote management features to look out for:Remote refund and credit processingCentralized dashboard for data insightsLoyalty programs like 10th wash freeManage loyalty cardsMachine CompatibilityIt’s important to look for a payment system that fits into your infrastructure and doesn’t inconvenience your customers when handling payments. Look for universal systems that are compatible with any washer or dryer model, so payments are seamless for your customers.Customer Support and System IntegrationPayment systems should make things more convenient for your customers, so you don’t want an overly complicated system. Find one that offers reliable customer support and helps you solve customer issues efficiently. User-friendly interfaces make it easier for customers to complete their transactions, improving their experience and helping them remain loyal to your laundromat.Pricing ControlLaundry payment systems should make pricing control easy. Choose a system that integrates with the washer controls and follows the settings on your washer. You do not want your payment system to take over the washer controls, as this will very often stop cycles from operating as the washer intended. Here are some of the features to look for:Pricing for different machines: Payment systems that allow you to set prices according to machine size or model. Many stores can have several brands, so make sure your payment system is compatible with all of them.Automate loyalty and bonuses: Look for a solution that makes it easy to roll out different loyalty systems to keep your customers coming back. Even if you do not offer a loyalty card, your system should be able to offer loyalty bonuses like free wash programs with your customer's credit card.Cycle modifiers: Payment systems should have the capacity to allow you to charge for common upselling like super-wash, hot water and other add-ons. This feature also makes it easier for customers to modify their loads according to their preferences for clothing types. This drives additional revenue to your laundry.If you own multiple laundromats, it’s important to look for a payment system that can be used across many locations seamlessly. Reporting and analytics should be simple to access across all locations.Modern payment systems provide you with detailed reports to help you make informed decisions. These reports highlight everything from customer visit frequency to promotion effectiveness and machine revenue and activity. Here are some reporting and analytics features to look for:Real-time updates: Systems that offer live revenue updates and showcase active machines and errors help you manage your business more easily.Machine performance: Reporting and analytics systems that allow you to track your machine’s performance can make it easier to keep them in peak condition and set repairs and maintenance during idle time.Time analysis: Time analysis can give you insights into weekly trends and heatmaps, helping you spot peak hours and common slumps. You can then offer promotions during low-traffic hours to fill out those gaps.Multi-store benchmarking: If you own multiple laundromat locations, payment systems that come with reporting tools can help you manage all locations from one account.Security and Fraud PreventionSecurity is the most important feature to look for in a laundry payment system. It’s a nonnegotiable that protects both business owners and customers. Look for a payment system that offers data protection to keep your customers’ personal information safe. Customers will feel more confident supporting your business if you’ve taken steps to protect their financial data and offer them secure payment methods.Payment systems with fraud detection features can help add an extra layer of security to your laundromat business, protecting sensitive information from potential breaches and prying eyes. Look for an option that integrates directly into your washers and dryers. Systems that offer contactless laundry payment options like tap-and-go also give your customers a safer alternative to carrying cash.What Are the Different Types of Laundromat Payment Systems? Setomatic Systems There are three main categories of laundromat payment systems — coin-based, loyalty card (can be loyalty card only or Modern Day Card Only) and hybrid. Each one offers unique benefits depending on the kind of laundromat you own, the location and the size. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of laundromat payment systems:Coin-Operated MachinesCoin-operated machines are simple, old-school laundromat systems that require customers to insert coins to use. They’re inexpensive to install and don’t require advanced setup steps. Customers simply insert coins to use the machines.The downside of coin-operated machines is that they aren’t as convenient. If customers don’t have coins on them, they can’t use the machines. Owners also need to employ more staff for the ongoing cash handling. Constant coin jamming is also a common problem that causes customer frustration and calls for more staff support. Coins also hold a higher risk for theft and vandalism, so business owners will need to invest more in store security. Coins are also more expensive to handle, as banks charge fees for handling a great deal of coins.Loyalty SystemsLoyalty card systems can be broken into two categories.Your typical “loyalty card” only system, where the customer must purchase a card that can only be used in that laundry. They must go to a kiosk to add value to that card and use it.The “Modern Day Card Only” laundry will also use loyalty cards, however, the customer is not forced to buy a loyalty card, as they can also use their own credit/debit card, Apple/Google or Samsung Pay at the washers and dryers. The big advantage here is that you are not forcing the customer to have to purchase a loyalty card that can only be used at your store.Here are the key benefits of laundromat card payment systems:Improves customer experience: The tap-and-go nature of card payment systems means fewer jams and no out-of-change moments. Customers can also get digital receipts for added convenience. It also makes multi-cycle bundles easier and allows companies to provide birthday credits and bonuses with ease.Boosts revenue growth: Card payment systems make upselling for cycle modifiers like extra rinse and super wash more accessible. They also reduce customer walkouts, especially among demographics who are more likely to carry their card instead of cash.Offers customers their preferred method: Research shows that 76% of customers prefer businesses that accept card payments, and 58% of people are more likely to spend the most when there’s a card payment option. These systems are mutually beneficial for businesses and customers.Reduces labor costs: Laundromats that implement card payment systems can save on labor costs by handling less cash. No coin jams or on-site cash refunds call for fewer staff.Improves security: Card payment systems mean less cash on the premises, which can help reduce theft risk and deter criminals. Since every payment is logged automatically, it also makes it easier to investigate disputes and prevent staff mismanagement.Hybrid SystemsHybrid systems include a range of payment types, which allow people to pay everywhere they go, including coins. They maximize flexibility and convenience for customers and also optimize customer reach by offering options suitable for tourists, unbanked users and tap-to-pay users. Customers who are transitioning toward contactless options also enjoy the smoother transition that hybrid models offer.Hybrid payment options give customers more freedom and reduce walkaways from inconveniences. For example, if a customer doesn’t have coins on them, they can simply use their card or mobile phone to make the payment instead of leaving.How to Choose the Right Type of Payment System for Your Laundromat BusinessChoosing a laundry payment system is crucial because customers value convenience. With the right payment options, customers are more likely to come back. Data shows that laundromats have had a 94.8% success rate over five years, making them a stable business option — so, it’s important for owners to think about the best payment option for their establishment.There are several factors to consider when choosing the best laundry payment system. Laundromats serve a range of demographics, such as college students, truckers and tourists. Understanding your demographics is important when making your decision. Older clients may prefer cash, but younger customers may find mobile and card payments more convenient. If your laundromat is set in a busy city, then you should consider contactless options, but laundromats set in rural areas may see more coin payments.Since there are so many customer preferences, it’s best to offer many options to satisfy a wider range of groups. Bringing in as many options as possible can help your customers reap more rewards, like bonuses from credit card pay, while also offering them other methods, like coins.It’s also essential to consider the type of business you’re running. If you’re a large business offering bulk laundry, consider offering as many options as possible to suit your larger demographic. Smaller laundromats like those set in small apartments can get away with old-school coin machines but would still benefit from offering more options.The Right Payment Systems Are Crucial for Laundromats to SucceedWith so many payment options, it’s crucial for companies to select the one that best suits their customer base and business dynamics. Look for features like payment flexibility, remote management and customer support to offer maximum convenience to your clients. By taking these features into account, your laundromat will be able to provide better service, helping you build a more consistent and loyal customer base.This story was produced by Setomatic Systems and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Defense bill includes more than $100 million for Rock Island Arsenal programs The funding is for a variety of uses, from 3D printing to manufacturing and shop equipment. The bill, signed earlier this month, also bars the appropriated funds from going to close the Rock Island Arsenal Museum.
	Skis? Check. Poles? Check. Knitting needles? Naturally A number of Olympic athletes have turned to knitting during the heat of the Games, including Ben Ogden, who this week became the most decorated American male Olympic cross-country skier.
	Your Weekly Michigan Political Brief Illustration by States Newsroom Endorsements Abdul El-Sayed on Thursday announced the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pennsylvania) as he seeks the Democratic nomination for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat. Michigan Senate Majority Whip Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) was endorsed Wednesday by U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vermont) in her bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. Barb Byrum’s campaign for the Democratic nomination for Michigan Secretary of State announced on Tuesday the endorsement from IBEW Michigan, composed of over 15,000 professional electrical workers from across the state. Joanna Whaley, a Democratic candidate for the Michigan House 2nd District seat has officially received the endorsement and certification from “The Oath of Office” in Washington D.C., and has taken The Politician’s Creed (TPC). Katrina Manetta was endorsed in her campaign for the Democratic nomination to the 58th Michigan House District by Run for Something, a national organization that recruits and supports the next generation of progressive leaders for state and local office. The Michigan League for Public Policy on Thursday endorsed the Invest In MI Kids ballot proposal. Announcements U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) announced Friday that Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield will be her guest at the 2026 State of the Union on Tuesday. Courtesy of Michigan Advance
	Arconic, other Iowa companies receive $268M in new capital investments from Iowa Economic Development Authority The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board approved awards for five companies that will help create 536 jobs and $268.2 million in new capital investment for the state. The projects are located in Bettendorf, Bondurant, Hiawatha, Vinton and Waverly. These awards are the first to come through the state’s Business Incentives for Growth (BIG) program. The program, [...]
	AI governance: What it is and why it's crucial for every business AI governance: What it is and why it's crucial for every businessAI is like the Wild West, but for autonomous robots. Improper AI use can break things: your reputation, your budget, or even the law.Here, Zapier will show how to learn the risks of AI and how to innovate while controlling your tech stack.What is AI governance?AI governance is what lets you operate (and develop) AI ethically, securely, and responsibly. It's the rulebook your company follows that includes policies and best practices for:Choosing reputable AI vendors and toolsTraining on how employees should use AI responsiblyGating access to specific AI systems via access controlsComplying with regulations and privacy laws for AIRoles and responsibilities (and accountability) for AI useAuditing AI models and dataDocumenting how AI decisions are madeConsider traditional governance, like HR policies, financial controls, codes of ethics, and operations or project management frameworks, just to name a few. AI governance is an extension of that. Because AI comes with unique risks and opportunities you can't ignore, you need a security framework specifically designed to manage them.Why is AI governance important?The usual motivation behind AI governance is risk management. Nobody wants to watch their brand's reputation tumble or pay legal penalties because the company's customer service chatbot started giving discount codes in exchange for Social Security numbers.But the benefits go way beyond just covering your bases. Here's how a strong AI governance framework can help you:Avoid costly, high-profile mistakes: One biased algorithm, data leak, or bad prompt can lead to a PR nightmare. But governance acts as a quality control checkpoint, making sure outputs are accurate and ethical through testing before they reach the public.Reduce data security and privacy risks: Every time employees feed an AI tool data, they assume it's protected with solid security and privacy features. But you can't really know for sure without established accountability or auditing practices. Governance sets strict protocols for managing input data by setting rules for which tools you can and can't use, and which controls they need in place.Build trust with customers and stakeholders: Customers are more likely to engage with brands that enforce sound policies for AI use and set strict security standards. A governance framework is what sets these standards and proves you're handling their information with care.Improve AI fluency with compliance training: Formal governance rules and training around AI create a culture of responsible use. It lets everyone understand their role in using AI safely, and treats it as more than a corporate formality.Maintain ethical standards: Governance bakes company values into your technology. It helps you do right by your customers, employees, and industry by preventing harmful outcomes from biased decisions, privacy violations, and data leaks.Don't think of responsible AI governance as a roadblock. It's more of a guardrail for innovation, letting you go full steam ahead on AI adoption safely, not recklessly.Key objectives of AI governanceAn AI governance program should offer an endpoint, a spot where you stop and say, "We're using AI securely and responsibly." So, while planning the governance journey, keep these target outcomes top of mind:AI ethical standards and trustworthiness: Do your AI systems earn user confidence by respecting fundamental rights, dignity, and ethical principles? Are you auditing for bias, being transparent on data usage, and bringing in human insight where necessary?Algorithm transparency and explainability: Can you demystify the "black box" and clearly articulate how your AI makes decisions or produces outputs? When a customer asks "why?" do you have a real answer, or just a guess?Product accountability and ownership: Is it crystal clear who in your organization is on the hook when an AI system succeeds (or fails)? Have you assigned responsibility for outcomes, or is it disappearing into the gaps between teams?Safety, reliability, and risk mitigation: Are you proactively building guardrails to ensure your brand and customers don't experience bias or hallucinations? Have your AI tools been tested for these errors and other potential misuse?AI (input) data privacy and security: Do you have controls around the sensitive data fueling your AI systems? Can you assure the world it's not being leaked, misused, or becoming a liability that walks out the door with an employee?Regulatory compliance and future-proofing governance: Is your governance framework agile enough to adapt to new laws, standards, and technology? Are you just reacting to headlines, or building a system that supports proactive compliance?If you can answer yes to these questions, you've mastered governance.6 AI governance examplesIt's one thing to talk about principles, but it's another to see them in action. Here are six real-world AI governance models shaping how businesses deploy and use the technology today.1. OECD AI PrinciplesAdopt if: Your business operates in any of the 38 countries that are part of the co-op.The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) brings together 38 countries to solve emerging challenges. And yes, one of those challenges is responsible AI use.Members of OECD have agreed on five main principles that set the baseline of "good" AI:Inclusive growth and well-being: AI should benefit people and the planet, driving fair development and improving quality of life for everyone.Human-centered values and fairness: AI must respect the rule of law, human rights, and democratic values. It should include safeguards to ensure a fair and just society (i.e., no shady algorithms allowed).Transparency and explainability: There should be clear disclosure that lets people know the reasoning and logic behind an AI's logic outputs (no more mysterious black boxes).Robustness, security, and safety: AI systems must be secure, reliable, and built to fail safely. They shouldn't be easy to manipulate or compromise, as that can lead to harm.Accountability: Organizations and individuals developing, deploying, or operating AI systems should be held accountable for their proper functioning. Someone always has to be responsible for the outcomes.2. EU AI ActAdopt if: Your business operates within the EU.The EU AI Act is the world's first enforceable AI law on the books. It sorts AI systems by risk, from "unacceptable" (which are outright banned, like government-run social scoring) to "high-risk" (which face strict requirements for implementation in areas like hiring, education, and essential services).Internal governance policies might suggest auditing for bias; the AI Act requires it. Similarly, a company's values might promote transparency. But the Act mandates that users know they're interacting with an AI.For any business operating in or with the EU, this legislation isn't just another compliance checklist; it's the definitive framework your entire AI governance strategy must be built upon.3. ISO/IEC 42001Adopt if: You want a certified, internationally recognized framework for constructing an AI governance program.With ISO/IEC 42001, you can certify that you've established and maintained an AI management system fitting the ISO-recommended best practices.Like other similar standards, ISO/IEC 42001 offers a practical way to bring AI governance into your business. It's basically a "how-to" guide for building a program from the ground up, providing the step-by-step framework to navigate AI lifecycles from policies to continuous program improvement.4. NIST AI Risk Management Framework (RMF)Adopt if: You need a basic, flexible foundation to build governance from scratch.Created by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the AI RMF provides guidelines for using AI and managing its risks. These really are just guidelines, so it's not quite as strict as the EU AI Act (a law) or ISO/IEC 42001 (a compliance standard).NIST isn't about hard rules, so it works particularly well for businesses needing a stress-free baseline for AI governance. It's basically a playbook addressing four key areas: ways to map your AI context and risks, measure how your systems perform and where they might fail, manage those risks with clear policies and controls, and govern your entire AI lifecycle to ensure continuous oversight.5. AI ethics boardsAdopt if: Your AI programs carry significant brand or legal risk and require broad oversight.Ethics boards offer a more collaborative, human-centered approach to AI governance. These cross-functional committees bring together experts to review proposed AI projects before deployment to make sure they align with company values, ethical principles, and regulatory policies.Many ethics boards include a mix of lawyers, engineers, compliance managers, data scientists, and product leads. Together, they'll look at AI in terms of technical feasibility, potential (regulatory or ethical) red flags, public trust and marketing implications, the list goes on. Then they can decide whether a project is a go or a no-go—and if it's a go, how the project should be managed.6. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)Adopt if: Your business operates or handles the private, personal data of EU citizens.GDPR isn't new, and it wasn't explicitly designed for AI, but it's still a critical piece of the governance puzzle. Its core principles—data minimization, purpose limitation, and data security—directly shape how organizations collect and use the data that fuels AI systems.When you look closely at GDPR's requirements for lawfulness, fairness, and transparency, you'll find they directly tackle two major AI challenges: preventing algorithmic bias and informing individuals when automated systems are making decisions about them.How to implement AI governance in your business: 6 stepsIf you're tired of reading about AI governance and ready to start doing it, here are some practical steps you can take to bring the above frameworks to your organization.1. Define your foundationYou can't manage what you haven't defined. So, create a set of core principles for AI and how you want it used in your business. Don't be afraid to steal some (or all) principles from existing governance frameworks.During this time, define your non-negotiables, like zero tolerance for biased outcomes or mandatory human review for consumer-facing decisions. Double and triple-check whether you're subject to any regulations (e.g., the EU AI Act or GDPR). Once you know the rules, you can start sketching a playbook for how to actually live by them.This is your foundation, so document it. It'll ultimately be your North Star for every governance decision that follows.2. Choose reputable AI vendorsMost of us aren't building complex learning models and algorithms from scratch; we're using AI product vendors. Who you partner with matters, so ask yourself: Does the provider follow the same guiding AI principles as your business? Are they transparent about their data handling and model training processes? Do they have policies for navigating ethical issues?Choosing a vendor with solid governance in place can save you a ton of risk downstream.3. Establish roles and responsibilitiesIf AI governance is everyone's problem, it becomes no one's. Assign clear ownership and make it someone's job to own the framework, track compliance, and escalate issues.Some businesses have even hired a Chief AI Officer (CAIO) or AI Transformation Leader who oversees all AI-related programs and projects. Others use a dedicated compliance or ethics committee. You could also add it as a responsibility for your CTO, CDO, risk manager, or compliance officer.The point is that someone has to be accountable for AI governance oversight. Otherwise, if things do go sideways, you'll have a conference room full of people pointing at each other like the Spider-Man meme.4. Train your staffYour governance framework will be useless right out of the gate if your teams don't know it exists. It's critical to train every employee on everything they need to know for compliance, including:Policies for how to identify and avoid inputting sensitive company or customer data into public AI toolsHow to recognize prompts or use cases that could generate biased, unethical, or illegal outputsThe approved process for selecting and vetting new AI vendors and toolsUnderstanding the specific AI risks relevant to their department (like hiring bias for HR)Knowing when a decision requires human oversight as opposed to leaning on automation or AI agentsHow to properly document and disclose AI use in projects and communicationsReporting guidelines for potential AI incidents or security flawsAnd this training isn't just for product engineers. Anyone with access to AI tools is now a stakeholder in need of guidance and training.5. Gate your workBad data leads to risky AI outcomes. And you don't want just anyone being able to alter records or manipulate algorithms. So, use technical controls to enforce your policies.Role-based access controls, for example, ensure only authorized personnel (like the AI lead or compliance officer) can manage sensitive AI systems. Also, implement a strict approval workflow for launching new AI models into production as a quality and safety checkpoint.And don't forget to create detailed audit logs to help track how your AI is being used, when, where, and by whom.6. Monitor your operationsGovernance is a never-ending cycle. Monitor your AI systems for performance, drift, and unintended consequences. If something is off, you might have to rethink your governance framework and revise policies from the ground up.You may also want to establish a feedback loop so employees and customers can report issues or red flags. Don't stress if your governance model isn't perfect from the start, since it's a living system that should be improved over time.How are AI governance and AI ethics different?The terms "AI governance" and "AI ethics" are often used in the same conversations, but they don't mean the same thing. Here's the best way to distinguish them:Ethics are principles. They define what's right and what's wrong. In the context of AI, for instance, your company might believe that AI shouldn't replace human intuition, or that people should have autonomy and not be manipulated by AI systems. These are the kinds of principles that dictate AI governance.Governance defines how AI is managed in practice. To support the ethical principles above, you might implement a policy that any customer-facing AI chatbot must clearly introduce itself as non-human, and add warnings to its outputs, like: "AI merely makes suggestions" and "all final decisions should be consulted by experts."In short, ethical principles inform governance structures.To give one more example, think of an AI that automatically triages customer support tickets. An ethical guideline might be to always escalate "urgent, safety-related issues" to (human) staff.The corresponding governance protocol would be a hard-coded rule in the workflow that overrides the AI's general ranking to always bump tickets containing keywords like "safety hazard" or "outage" to the front of the queue.This story was produced by Zapier and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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	America's wasteful spending habits: From impulse deliveries to dead subscriptions America's wasteful spending habits: From impulse deliveries to dead subscriptionsFrom impulse DoorDash orders to forgotten streaming subscriptions, wasteful spending is a habit for many Americans, and younger generations are leading the charge.Nearly one in 10 millennials (8%) waste money every day, while 32% of Gen Z say boredom drives unnecessary purchases, according to a Motley Fool Money survey.To reduce the impact of impulse buys on your budget, small behavioral changes, like tracking spending through budgeting tools, setting spending limits, and pausing before purchase, can make a difference. Automating transfers from a checking account to a high-yield savings account (HYSA) also helps by putting money that would otherwise be spent impulsively into a separate account.A high-yield savings account is a type of savings account that pays a higher interest rate than a traditional bank savings account, while still offering easy access to funds. These accounts are typically offered by online banks, are FDIC-insured, and are designed for money you want to keep safe but not locked away. High-yield savings accounts are commonly used for emergency funds, short-term goals, and cash people want to protect from impulse spending while still keeping it accessible.The most common wasteful spending habits, rankedMost Americans (83%) say they engage in wasteful spending at least occasionally, with frequent dining out topping the list at 31%. Buying food and beverages from the convenience store is the second-most common source of wasteful spending (26%), while online impulse buys, like those on Amazon, account for another 26%. Motley Fool Money Wasteful food spending dominates the top five behaviors. One in five respondents reports unnecessary orders from delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats. Usage skews young: 28% of Gen Z and 24% of millennials report regular food delivery spending, versus 8% of baby boomers. 21% regularly discard leftovers or let food go to waste, with baby boomers slightly more likely to do so.Paying for unused streaming subscriptions is another common form of wasteful spending: 26% of millennials, 22% of Gen X, and 9% of baby boomers admit to paying for streaming services they don’t use.Budgeting tools can provide instant clarity into what categories and retailers are responsible for more spending than individuals might think. Uncovering invisible spending and understanding how much is going towards unnecessary purchases is an important first step in tackling wasteful spending.Millennials and Gen Z report the highest rates of wasteful spendingYounger generations are far more likely to admit they waste money, and do so more frequently. While just 1% of baby boomers say they waste money daily, that figure jumps to 6% among Gen Z and 8% among millennials.Seventeen percent of Gen Z and 16% of millennials say they waste money a few times a week, far outpacing Gen X and boomers. And when it comes to self-control, boomers are twice as likely as Gen Z to say they never waste money.Roughly 40% of millennials and 37% of Gen Z admit to wasting money a few times a month, compared to 75% of boomers who say they waste money less than once a month or never. Motley Fool Money Younger generations are more prone to emotion-driven, wasteful spendingFrom ads to emotional impulse buys, there's no shortage of spending temptations. Different generations are more likely to pull out their wallet for different triggers, but across all ages, sales and discounts are the number one driver of wasteful spending.Sales and discounts dominate wasteful spending across the board. Nearly six in 10 survey respondents overall cite deals as their top trigger (58%), and that holds steady across every generation: 59% of Gen Z, 59% of millennials, 55% of Gen X, and 59% of baby boomers.After that, the generational divide widens quickly. Other triggers are more generation-specific:Emotional shopping — driven by stress or boredom — affects 47% of Gen Z and 51% of millennials, compared with 37% of boomers.Digital triggers like online ads influence 28% of Gen Z and 31% of millennials, but only 18% of Gen X and 16% of boomers.Social influence matters more to younger consumers: 33% of Gen Z and 28% of millennials say social media trends drive impulse purchases, compared with 13% of Gen X and 4% of baby boomers. Additionally, 26% of Gen Z and 22% of millennials report that peer pressure drives spending, compared with 9% of Gen X and 5% of boomers. Motley Fool Money Everyone falls for a good sale, but younger generations face a wider, more digital set of spending traps that older generations claim to tune out. Setting up spending limits and notifications for overspending in specific categories and retailers is a great way to create real-time accountability and cut through the noise of endless products pushed by influencers and friends on social media.When do Americans overspend the most? When they're bored.Shopping habits vary by generation, but boredom is the most common time that Americans open up their wallets for impulse buys. That's particularly true for Gen X, 37% of whom said they most frequently engage in wasteful spending when they're bored, compared to just 29% of baby boomers.Older generations are more prone to wasteful spending during shopping trips and on holidays and special occasions. Younger generations are more likely to splurge online late at night or during or after social events — a reflection of lifestyle differences between older and younger Americans. Motley Fool Money Taking a night before making a purchase can short-circuit one-click checkout impulse buys driven by late-night boredom or wanting to keep up with the latest trend. Separating checking and savings, and automating deposits into a high-yield savings account, creates a natural separation in your finances. That helps reframe money as something to protect and grow, rather than something that’s always available to spend in the moment.Gen Z is more than twice as likely as boomers to spend $200+ per month on impulse buysYounger generations are far more likely to drop serious cash on unplanned purchases, while boomers overwhelmingly keep their wasteful spending under $100 per month.Only 4% of baby boomers spend more than $200 impulsively per month, compared to 10% of Gen Z and 18% of millennials. On the flip side, 58% of boomers limit impulse buys to under $100 compared to just 49% of Gen Z and 39% millennials.Forty-six percent of millennials and 38% of Gen Z spend more than $100 per month on impulse purchases, far above the rates among older generations. Motley Fool Money Most budgeting tools allow spending limits for specific categories and retailers, and flag purchases that exceed those limits. That type of accountability can help break unwanted spending habits.Big impulse buys may also be driven by consumers leaving large amounts of cash in their checking accounts. Sending extra money to a savings account creates a clear mental distinction between spending money and cash set aside for an emergency fund or a larger planned expense, which can reduce the likelihood of large impulse buys.Nearly half regret impulse buys, led by younger generationsMillennials and Gen Z are more likely than older generations to experience buyer's remorse, especially after unplanned purchases. Over half (51%) of millennials and 47% of Gen Z say they regret most of their impulse purchases. Just 36% of boomers and 43% of Gen X say the same.Only 21% of all survey respondents say they never regret impulse buys. Regret is the norm, not the exception. Motley Fool Money To avoid impulse purchases that turn into regrets, wait 24 hours to decide if the item is really worth buying or set a spending cap on unplanned purchases, with anything exceeding it triggering a pause.Tackle wasteful spending with high-yield savings accounts and budgeting toolsFrom boredom-driven buys to social-media-fueled splurges, younger generations admit to being the most susceptible to wasteful spending, but the result is the same for everyone: less saved and more regret.Simple behavioral changes, such as waiting a night before buying, using budgeting tools, and automating savings, can redirect impulse spending toward long-term savings habits. These tools add structure, separation, and visibility to money decisions.CDs and HYSAsOne of the most effective steps is separating spending money from savings. Moving excess cash out of a checking account, where it’s easy to spend, and into a high-yield savings account or, for longer-term goals, a certificate of deposit (CD), creates a clear mental boundary. Money labeled as savings and kept in a separate account is less likely to be spent impulsively."When buying something feels too easy, you’re way more likely to impulse spend and blow your budget without thinking twice,” says Motley Fool Money personal finance expert Joel O’Leary. “Setting up automatic transfers into a high-yield savings account creates space between your spending money and your savings. That little bit of separation makes you pay attention more — and usually save a lot more over time."Another bonus is that the best high-yield savings accounts and CDs offer annual percentage yields (APYs) that are meaningfully higher than those of traditional savings or interest-bearing checking accounts. That means your money can grow instead of trickling into dead subscriptions or instant-checkout impulse buys.High-yield savings accounts are interest-bearing deposit accounts that pay a higher annual percentage yield than traditional savings accounts. APY reflects both the interest rate and how often interest compounds, which means your balance can grow faster over time without taking on any risk.What to look forLike standard savings accounts, most high-yield savings accounts are FDIC-insured (or NCUA-insured at credit unions) up to applicable limits. Rates can change over time and may vary based on balance size, with some banks offering tiered APYs that pay higher rates on larger balances.Common features to compare and pay attention to when choosing a HYSA include:Fees: Some accounts waive monthly fees only if minimum balance requirements are metMinimum or required balances: Higher balances may unlock better rates. Some accounts require a minimum balance.Tiered APYs: Interest rates that increase as balances growLinked accounts: Many HYSAs are linked to a checking account for transfers, rather than daily spendingRelationship rates: Some banks offer higher yields when accounts are paired with other deposit productsVariable APYs: Interest rates can change over time, so monitor rates offered by different banks frequently.It's also worth paying attention to transfer limits or processing times between accounts.How to use high-yield accounts to lessen wasteful spendingActionable steps to separate spending money from savings in order to cut back on wasteful spending include:Opening a high-yield savings account specifically for short-term goals or emergency savings. Compare the best savings accounts to make sure you're getting a competitive rate.Set up automatic transfers on payday so savings happen before spending.Consider parking extra cash in a certificate of deposit account for long-term savings, especially if you think you might be tempted to treat your savings account like a checking account.Budgeting tools and appsBudgeting tools can make spending easier to track and harder to ignore. Most wasteful spending is unplanned — like food delivery, social media-driven purchases, or boredom buys — or invisible, like charges for unused subscriptions.Budgeting apps counter that by surfacing spending patterns in real time and painting a clear picture of where your money is going. When it’s obvious where your money is going and how much is being spent, it’s easier to reflect on spending decisions and habits.The best budgeting tools can:Automatically categorize transactions, giving a clear picture of spending habitsSet spending limits by category or retailer and flag overspendingShow trends that reveal where money regularly leaks so you can cut subscriptions or be aware of other patterns to addressTogether, automated savings and awareness around spending habits are a powerful combination that doesn’t rely on constant discipline. Less money sitting idle in a checking account means fewer impulse buys. More awareness of your spending means fewer small expenses quietly add up. Over time, savings will grow, spending will shrink, and you won’t feel stressed about staying on track.MethodologyMotley Fool Money surveyed 2,000 U.S. adults on Jan. 19, 2026, via Pollfish. Results were post-stratified to generate nationally representative data based on age and gender. Pollfish employs organic random device engagement sampling, a method that recruits respondents through a randomized invitation process across various digital platforms. This technique helps to minimize selection bias and ensure a diverse participant pool.This story was produced by Motley Fool Money and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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	Teenager charged with making a threat of terrorism related to Maquoketa schools A 16-year-old has been charged with making a threat of terrorism against Maquoketa Community School District, police said.

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