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

Tuesday, March 17th, 2026
	Sample snacks and drinks at Taste of LeClaire Enjoy tastings from around town at Taste of LeClaire on Saturday, March 21 from 1 – 3 p.m. Visitors can receive free food and/or beverage samples or discounted specials from various shops, restaurants and bars in the village. Guests must be 21 and older to sample alcoholic beverages. Participants and offerings are subject to change [...]
	3 Things to Know \| Quad Cities morning headlines for March 17, 2026 Bettendorf police will step up speed enforcement along State and Grant Streets, and trash collection is set to resume after Monday's severe weather.
	Ukraine strings nets over cities as killer drones turn streets into war zones In eastern Ukraine, white nylon nets now stretch over roads and city streets, a low-tech defense against deadly FPV drones that dominate the battlefield and threaten civilians near the front line.
	Sparse evidence for cannabis to treat mental health conditions highlights research gap A new analysis represents the largest effort yet to systematically parse all the data from high-quality clinical trials on cannabis and mental health. The evidence is lacking.
	Matt Brooke resigns as Clinton City Administrator Clinton City Administrator Matt Brooke has submitted his formal resignation, effective March 24, 2026, consistent with the terms in a mutually approved separation agreement, according to a news release from the city. The City Council voted to accept the resignation and approve the resignation agreement and release at a special City Council meeting on March [...]
	The most popular 2026 NCAA tournament players, according to PrizePicks data The most popular 2026 NCAA tournament players, according to PrizePicks dataAs college basketball fans fill out their NCAA Tournament brackets every year, they search for the next breakout player in college basketball.Last year, it was Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. powering the Gators to a national championship. Before that, UConn’s Kemba Walker ripped through the field in 2011. And it doesn’t apply to just national title contenders: Davidson’s Stephen Curry led a memorable Cinderella run in 2008.Who could be the next breakout player to carry their team through the NCAA Tournament?PrizePicks analyzed millions of college basketball picks from the 2025-26 college basketball season to find the most popular players for users — and compared early and late-season trends to spotlight this year’s biggest risers who could make their name known.Here’s what data tells us about the standout college basketball players that could define the 2026 NCAA Tournament.Most Popular College Basketball Players in the 2026 NCAA TournamentDuke power forward Cameron Boozer leads one of college basketball’s best squads as the favorite to win Naismith Player of the Year, earning Boozer a top spot in 2026 NBA mock drafts. The true freshman’s long list of accomplishments has certainly secured one thing: popularity.PrizePicks users picked Cameron Boozer more than any other player in the 2025-26 college basketball season — they also backed him with more entry fees, too. Among PrizePicks college basketball picks, Boozer’s points projection was the most popular choice by total entry fees, across all stat types and players.Another freshman phenom, BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, was the second-most popular player in total picks; Dybantsa’s points projection was the second-highest entry fees for picks by stat type on PrizePicks.If there’s one theme this season, it’s all about freshmen. Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, and Houston point guard Kingston Flemings are additional first-year players among the most popular players.Here’s a full list of the top 10 most popular college basketball players by total picks from the 2025-26 regular season.Duke F Cameron BoozerBYU F AJ DybantsaMichigan State PG Jeremy Fears Jr.Wisconsin SG John BlackwellAlabama G Labaron PhilonGonzaga F Graham IkeArkansas PG Darius AcuffKansas G Darryn PetersonHouston PG Kingston FlemingsIowa State F Joshua JeffersonGuards often rule the NCAA Tournament, and seven of the 10 most popular college basketball players are in the backcourt.Acuff draws the eye, as he finished 28th among players for the highest hit rates — or correct picks — while averaging 22.2 points this year.Gonzaga F Graham Ike joins Acuff as a top-10 player in total picks to also finish in the top 30 of hit rate (19th). The senior big man brings experience to the NCAA Tournament as one of the nation’s best frontcourt players.Will These College Basketball Players Stay Hot in the 2026 NCAA Tournament?In the NCAA Tournament, it’s not about what you did to start the year — it’s what you do to finish it. So what about the players who are at the right time?PrizePicks calculated the greatest change in total picks from the first half of the season (Nov. 1-Jan. 11) to the second half of the season (Jan. 12-March 5).Frankly, not many star players appear on the list, as many stars have made themselves known all year.Tennessee guard Bishop Boswell, Texas A&M guard Marcus Hill, and Nebraska guard Sam Hoiberg are all within the five highest midseason shifts; however, each player logs under 11.0 points per game (PPG).Perhaps this hints at unlikely players rising to the occasion in the tournament.The Houston Cougars — who are among the national title favorites — feature two players who have seen more picks in the second half of the season: Joseph Tugler and Emanuel Sharp.Could this highlight a run from the Cougars with some of their best players peaking for the postseason?Here’s a full list of the top 10 college basketball players with the greatest change in total picks since the midseason point of the 2025-26 regular season.Tennessee G Bishop BoswellTexas A&M G Marcus HillTCU F Xavier EdmondsSaint Louis C Robbie AvilaNebraska G Sam HoibergHouston F Joseph TuglerTexas Tech G Donovan AtwellHouston G Emanuel SharpArizona G Brayden BurriesWisconsin G John BlackwellLeading one of the nation’s best mid-major teams, Saint Louis C Robbie Avila could have the makings of a postseason darling as a key piece for the 9-seed Billikens.Avila had the fourth-highest spike in pick volume in the back half of the season. He also generated real-money wins, with the second-highest hit rate among players since Jan. 12.TCU F Xavier Edmonds boasts the highest season-long overall hit rate among the top 10 on this list, finishing second for the 2025-26 regular season. If the Horned Frogs sneak into the NCAA Tournament, they could have their star to lean on.Shifting focus to national championship contenders, the secret could be out on Arizona G Brayden Burries, as he finished ninth for the largest change in total picks since the midseason. Since Jan. 12, Burries has five 20+ point games, including 31 points versus Colorado to finish the regular season.Once again, Burries fits the stellar freshman narrative for the 2026 NCAA Tournament on a team that looks poised to make a run.This story was produced by PrizePicks and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Butterfly Blessings gathering remembers lost babies UnityPoint Health – Trinity invites families who have lost a baby during pregnancy or after birth to attend the Butterfly Blessings Memorial Gathering on Sunday, March 29 from 2 - 3 p.m. at UnityPoint Health-Trinity Rock Island, Jardine Auditorium, 2701 17th Street in Rock Island. The ceremony was created to honor and remember the lives [...]
	Can’t sell your house? How to survive 2026’s frozen market Can’t sell your house? How to survive 2026’s frozen marketIf you can’t sell your house right now, you’re far from alone. Across the country, housing markets have frozen as elevated mortgage rates keep millions of potential buyers on the sidelines. While scores of buyers wait to see which direction mortgage rates go next, listings linger on the market, and deals take far longer to crystallize than they did just a few years ago.Declining purchasing power is one of the many culprits. Higher borrowing costs mean the same monthly payment now buys much less house, leaving the average American priced out of 75% of the market. As a result, countless households can no longer qualify for homes that once fit their budgets.For sellers, a lack of buyers drastically changes the listing process. Because properties take longer to attract serious interest, the familiar strategy of listing a home and quickly receiving multiple bids no longer works. Now, as TurboTenant outlines in this article, sellers have no choice but to ponder new ways to navigate 2026’s frozen housing market.Why (and where) the 2026 U.S. housing market is ‘frozen’A “frozen” housing market describes a time when home sales slow dramatically because buyers and sellers struggle to meet in the middle. In today’s context, home prices surged during the pandemic but never meaningfully corrected, while mortgage rates have more than doubled since the sub-3% levels seen during the COVID era. Combine these conditions with inflation and tighter household budgets, and housing activity has ground to a halt.Many homeowners remain locked into ultra-low pandemic-era mortgage rates and hesitate to sell if doing so means financing their next home at today’s much higher costs. Giving up a 3% mortgage for a new loan at current rates can dramatically increase monthly payments, even for a similarly priced home. As a result, many homeowners feel trapped and choose to stay put rather than sell. At the same time, cautious buyers are unwilling to stretch their budgets, thereby reducing transactions across many metros.Several U.S. housing markets illustrate this trend particularly clearly:Austin, Texas: Austin’s pandemic housing boom pushed prices sharply upward. As demand cooled and borrowing costs rose, listings lingered on the market while many sellers resisted major price cuts.Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Rising insurance premiums, higher property taxes, and expensive mortgages have cooled buyer demand, leaving more homes unsold in this once red-hot coastal market.Charlotte, North Carolina: Rapid population growth has driven prices higher in recent years, but affordability challenges and higher interest rates now limit buyers’ budgets. Sales, as a result, have slowed across many suburban neighborhoods.Seattle, Washington: Elevated home prices combined with expensive mortgages have sidelined many buyers, while tech-sector uncertainty has further stifled demand.Markets that experienced the fastest price growth during the pandemic often show the clearest signs of today’s slowdown, as higher borrowing costs expose the gap between home prices and what buyers can realistically afford.Option No. 1: Adjust your selling strategy (and get creative)When homes sit on the market longer, sellers must get creative and rethink their listing approach. Small adjustments, like lowering the asking price or offering closing concessions, can make a big difference to cautious buyers. Put simply, homeowners must adjust their selling strategy in response to the market.Investing in professional staging, high-quality photography, and compelling online listings can capture buyer attention when competition is intense. Many prospective buyers with tighter budgets prioritize homes that feel move-in-ready. As a result, even relatively small upgrades, such as fresh paint, landscaping, or minor repairs, can help a property stand out when buyers are methodically mulling their options.Some sellers are also experimenting with ultra-creative marketing tactics that go beyond traditional open houses. In some higher-end markets, realtors sometimes use unique experiences to generate interest and emotional connection. For example, some luxury listings now offer “try-before-you-buy” sleepovers so potential buyers can roll up their sleeves (ahem, sleeping caps) and test-drive the home before committing.When a listing needs fresh hope, nothing is off the table.Option No. 2: Turn your home into a rentalWhen homes aren’t selling, many homeowners opt to adjust their expectations and temporarily rent out the property while they wait for the market to heat up. In many cases, this approach can be a smart way to buy time, as leasing out your home can generate income while you wait for better selling conditions.Long-term rental (LTR)If you can afford to hold onto your property, renting it out on a six- or twelve-month lease may help offset costs while the market recovers. Finding reliable renters who cover most or all of the mortgage while preserving the home’s value is a tried-and-true way to ride out a slow housing market. The key is to screen carefully, set competitive rent, and market the property effectively to find great tenants.Of course, turning your home into a rental raises an obvious question: Where will you live? Some homeowners become renters themselves, creating a break-even arrangement where tenant income covers the mortgage while they rent elsewhere. Others downsize temporarily, move in with family, try house hacking, or even purchase a smaller property while waiting for better market conditions.Mid-term rental (MTR)Mid-term rentals can offer a practical middle ground if you are not ready to commit to a full-year lease. These stays typically last 30 days to six months, longer than a typical Airbnb booking but shorter than a traditional lease. That flexibility allows homeowners to generate income while keeping future options open.The typical mid-term guest is often a mobile professional or someone in transition. Traveling nurses, contract workers, remote employees on temporary assignments, and families between homes often seek furnished housing for stays lasting several months. Providing furniture, including utilities, offering flexible move-in dates, and making the property as turn-key as possible can make the home far more appealing to these types of renters.Short-term rental (STR)Some homeowners decide to turn their property into a short-term rental on platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo while waiting for the sales market to turn in their favor. In the right location, nightly rates can generate far more income than traditional mid- or long-term rents. However, STRs usually require much more hands-on work, from managing reservations and guest communication to coordinating frequent turnovers.Running a short-term rental can quickly feel like operating a small hotel. You’ll have to manage cleaning schedules, respond to guest questions, and handle last-minute issues alongside unpredictable booking patterns. And while most guests are respectful, hosts occasionally live out Airbnb horror stories that other hosts warn about. With all this in mind, before listing your property on a STR site, review local regulations, taxes, and HOA restrictions.Option No. 3: Stay put and hold on for a more favorable marketSometimes the best move is no move at all.If you aren’t under immediate pressure to sell, waiting out a slow market may be the simplest strategy. Housing markets move in cycles, and today’s affordability squeeze will not last forever. Over time, buyer demand, borrowing costs, and housing supply will likely shift, creating stronger conditions for sellers.While you wait, focus on strengthening your financial position and maintaining the property. Paying down your mortgage, building equity, and keeping the home in good condition can all work to your advantage. Long-term U.S. housing trends show that interest rates, affordability, and buyer activity tend to shift gradually. In other words, if conditions aren’t ideal now, you’ll likely have a more favorable opportunity to sell later on down the road.By choosing not to rush into a weak market, you’ll buy yourself time to watch local trends and see how inventory, mortgage rates, and buyer activity evolve. If momentum begins to return for sellers, you can list your property rather than competing in today’s market, where the cards are stacked against you. Buyers’ markets never last forever, so hitting the pause button might be the move you need to make.What to avoid during a frozen marketWhen housing markets are stagnant, sellers sometimes make hasty decisions out of frustration or urgency. If you want to protect your home’s value and up your chances of closing a deal, avoid these common mistakes.Overpricing your home: Pricing based on pandemic-era comparables can discourage buyers before they even schedule a showing. Overpriced listings often linger on the market, eventually forcing larger price reductions that make buyers wonder if something is amiss with the property.Listing your home without proper preparation: With most people starting their search online, making a compelling first impression is essential. Homes that appear messy, dated, or poorly maintained are easy for buyers to scroll past. Decluttering, fresh paint, minor repairs, and strong listing photos can make a powerful difference to your digital audience.Taking negotiations personally: Low offers can feel insulting, especially if you have invested time, money, and years into your home. But reacting emotionally may scare off a serious buyer in a market where fewer people are actively making offers.Waiting too long to pivot: If your home sits on the market for weeks or even months without meaningful interest, it may be time to adjust the price, tweak your marketing strategy, or consider renting until conditions tilt back in your favor.Frozen markets require patience, flexibility, and realistic expectations. Sellers who adapt and stay open to new strategies often navigate slow conditions much more successfully.Your options as a seller in a frozen marketIf your house isn’t selling right now, what’s your next move?Start by stepping back and taking stock of your flexibility, timeline, and willingness to adjust your strategy. Some sellers may decide to reduce their asking price. Others may temporarily rent out the property until conditions improve. Some may simply keep living in their home and wait for the market to thaw. Even during slow conditions, homeowners still have several practical paths forward.Housing slowdowns are a normal part of real estate cycles. Periods of rising interest rates, affordability pressure, and economic uncertainty can temporarily stall activity. Over time, however, markets tend to rebalance as borrowing costs shift, inventory adjusts, and buyer demand inevitably returns.Sellers who stay patient, flexible, and poised typically navigate slower markets more successfully. In some cases, renting the property, whether as a long-term or mid-term rental, can generate temporary income while you wait for stronger selling conditions. If you’re considering that option, use a rental property calculator to determine whether turning your home into a rental makes financial sense.This story was produced by TurboTenant and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Renovated Greenwood Cemetery Chapel, Muscatine, open for community use The Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department has announced that the restored Greenwood Cemetery Chapel is now available for community use, a news release says. This historic space—featuring its original altar, podium, and seating for up to 50 guests—offers a peaceful, intimate setting for meaningful moments. Families, friends, and community groups are invited to reserve the [...]
	American CueSports Illinois Association 29th annual 8-ball championships, 9-ball tournament at Bend Expo Center The American CueSports Illinois State Association is hosting the 29th annual 8-Ball Championships & 9-Ball Tournament March 18 – 22 at the Bend Expo Center, 922 Mississippi Parkway in East Moline. This is the first time the tournament will be held on the Illinois side of the Quad Cities. The multi-day event is expected to bring [...]
	Crime Stoppers Solved: Man wanted for escape arrested Dylan Sherer, 20, was wanted by the Iowa Department Of Corrections High Risk Unit for escape.
	Do this when you can’t get approved for a loan Do this when you can’t get approved for a loanAre you tired of getting your loan application denied because you don’t have the best credit? The good news is that there are still plenty of options to get money even when it feels like no one will lend it to you. CreditNinja outlines the best options to use and those to avoid when you need money fast.Try a Personal LoanPersonal loans are one of the best options when you need money fast. Here’s how they work:A loan provider gives you money and then you make monthly payments until you’ve paid off your original loan amount plus interest.Depending on the loan provider, you can get anywhere from a couple hundred bucks to $50,000, and with some of the lowest interest rates out there.The problem is it’s harder to qualify for personal loans, especially the ones that lend out a lot of cash when you don’t have the best credit score. Some of the bigger loans have minimum credit score requirements in the 700s. But worry not, there are loan providers that use different qualification requirements and can probably help you even if you have a lower credit score.What makes personal loans great is that they have longer repayment periods ranging from months to years and typically have better interest rates compared to other bad credit options.Try Peer-to-Peer LendingThe next option to get money fast is peer-to-peer lending. And this is an option that most people haven’t heard about, but it’s one of the most reliable ways to get the money you need.Here’s how peer-to-peer loans work.There are online platforms that connect you, the borrower, with another individual, the investor, who is willing to lend you money. This individual is a person like you. You’re not getting money from a bank or a payday loan provider or anything like that.The investor will open an account on the site and deposit money to fund their loans.When you apply for a loan, you’ll post a financial profile and be assigned to a risk category, which affects the interest rate you will have to pay to borrow.And yes, these sites often require credit checks, so you should have a credit score around 580 and up.After you apply, you’ll receive loan offers from one or more investors and then you choose one to accept. The money transfers to your account, and the monthly loan payments to the lender are handled through the platform.Loan amounts are similar to personal loans, ranging up to 40 to 50K depending on your credit, but remember that APRs or interest rates can be pretty high. If you’re interested in peer-to-peer lending platforms, some of the most popular ones are:LendingClubPureformProsperAsk Your Employer For a LoanAnother form of peer-to-peer lending involves reaching out to friends, family, or your employer, and should probably be one of your top options to consider.Now, if you’re down financially, you’ve likely either already tried this or it’s too sensitive of a topic to bring up with your friends and family. That’s understandable. If something goes wrong, you could strain that relationship big time and Thanksgiving will be incredibly awkward. However, asking your employer for a cash advance is a valid option that could get you the money you need without the awkwardness that comes from asking a family member.The money is usually interest free and you can get a portion or even your whole paycheck early depending on your employer, so it’s worth a shot.Credit CardsFor those of us with credit cards, we’ve heard about credit card cash advances. This isn’t really a loan, but it’s an easy way to get cash using your credit card’s credit limit. You can usually get the money from an ATM or bank without any credit check, which is convenient in a pinch.But be careful. Credit card cash advances start accruing interest immediately and usually at a higher rate than normal credit card purchases. There might also be upfront fees. This means if you only make minimum payments, that cash advance can snowball into a growing balance before you know it.Auto Title LoansAuto title loans are one of the riskiest options on this list, but they’re also one of the most popular. For these, you offer up your vehicle’s title as collateral to borrow money. You get the cash and you get to keep driving your vehicle. But if you stop making your payments on time, the loan provider will likely hire a repo person to seize your car.In fact, about one in five people who take out a single payment car title loan end up having their vehicle seized by the lender for failing to repay. That’s a 20% chance of saying goodbye to your ride and turning a short-term money problem into a long-term crisis. The money you get is usually between 25% and 50% of your car’s resale value.So, if your car is worth $5,000, you can get around $1,000 to $2,500 loan. If you don’t need that much money, you can always borrow a smaller amount. Title loans usually have to be paid back in 30 days or less. So, be prepared to pay the lender back immediately.But when you compare title loans to personal loans, you can get more money, have a longer repayment window, and you don’t have to put your car on the line when you get a personal loan.Loans to AvoidAnd speaking of risky loans, let’s take a second to cover emergency loan alternatives that you may want to avoid.Payday LoansPayday loans are famous for giving almost anyone cash in a hurry, even without a good credit score. A payday loan will almost always say yes when other lenders say no, which can feel like a lifesaver when you’re desperate. But this is part of their trap, or business model. Payday loans come with the highest interest rates for any form of debt with some interest rates as high as 700%. Plus, they make you repay this loan within two weeks.The problem is 80% of payday loans don’t get paid back on the first loan. And payday lenders rake in a fortune off of people who need to take out another loan to pay off their current loan.Cash Advance AppsCash advance apps are similar to payday loans in the sense that it’s easy to get trapped because of their fee structure. They advertise their loans as low or zero interest, but you often have to give a tip to get full access to their platform. Without tipping, your withdrawal amounts could be very limited, and it might take longer to get your cash.Pawn Shop LoansAnd then there’s pawn shop loans, another no credit check method. Here, you bring a valuable item to a pawn shop and they lend you money based on the item’s value. It’s pretty much guaranteed approval as long as your item is valuable enough. The pawn shop doesn’t care about your credit score, only the item.But if you don’t repay on time, they keep your item and will sell it. So only pawn something you truly are prepared to lose.This story was produced by CreditNinja and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The Postal Service may be out of cash in 2027 without Congress' help, postmaster says The U.S. Postal Service's leader says it is set to run out of money in less than a year and may have to stop deliveries because of declining mail volume and what USPS sees as burdensome requirements.
	Joe Kent, a top counterterrorism official, resigns citing Iran war Kent said he "cannot in good conscience" back the Iran war. In his resignation letter, he says Iran "posed no imminent threat to our nation."
	Clinton Fire responds to weekend structure fire The Clinton Fire Department responded to an early morning fire over the weekend, according to a news release from the department. Clinton firefighters were called to the 700 block of W. Deer Creek Road for a report of a structure fire on March 14 at about 2:25 a.m. The response included two engines, a ladder [...]
	St. Patrick’s Day 2026: Where to find food deals and special holiday menu items Celebrate with deals, discounts and limited-time eats at restaurants across the country.
	Another round of snow and then a warming trend After kicking off the week with a blizzard that dropped between 7-8" of snow in the Quad Cities, another system brings more accumulating snow tonight. After the snow tonight, a warming trend begins Wednesday. Here's your full 7-day forecast.
	Why borderless digital products require a universal compliance posture Why borderless digital products require a universal compliance postureIn 2024, corporate legal departments were blindsided by an unexpected adversary: the VHS tape. Over 250 class-action lawsuits were filed under the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), a federal law passed in 1988 originally intended to protect physical video rental records.The legal theory was as disruptive as it was ingenious: Plaintiffs discovered that embedding a third-party video player without proper consent mechanisms could expose companies to liability under that 36-year-old statute.These were not “gray area” companies; they were ordinary businesses using routine web infrastructure that suddenly found themselves facing settlements running into the millions. As digital compliance platform Clym explains in this article, this phenomenon represents a new reality: Compliance is now a sprawling, fast-moving landscape where old laws are being repurposed to police modern code.The Jurisdictional Trap: You Don’t Choose Your PerimeterA common insight that growing companies discover too late is that compliance obligations do not follow a simple rule based on where a company is incorporated.Whether a regulation applies depends on a complex intersection of factors: where the business is established, the sector, total revenue, the type of data processed, and the residency of the users.Unlike a physical business that expands market-by-market, a digital product is global from the day it launches, and its compliance obligations follow. A product built in Austin that picks up users in California, Germany, and Canada is immediately in scope for the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) from the moment the first user signs up.A Multi-Front Regulatory WaveThe financial and operational stakes of this “day one” global footprint are no longer theoretical:Global Enforcement: GDPR applies to any organization targeting EU users, and €5.88 billion in cumulative fines since 2018 make clear that “not being a European company” is no defense.The US Patchwork: Nearly 20 US states now have comprehensive privacy laws in force or taking effect, each with different thresholds, exemptions, and enforcement mechanisms.Mandated Accessibility: The European Accessibility Act (EAA) came into full enforcement in June 2025, requiring any business serving EU consumers, including those based in the US or UK, to meet harmonized accessibility standards.Operational Transparency: The EU Whistleblower Directive requires companies with over 50 employees to operate secure internal reporting channels, regardless of where the headquarters sits.The businesses struggling with these shifts aren’t necessarily negligent. They are simply facing obligations that have multiplied faster than any reasonable compliance posture was built to handle.The Intersection of Engineering and LawThe most significant risk today is that many compliance decisions are actually hidden inside routine product decisions. When an engineering team ships a video embed or deploys a session-recording tool without legal review, they are making a compliance decision without realizing it.Most companies approach this by solving each problem as it arrives, bolting on a cookie tool for GDPR or an overlay for accessibility. This results in a fragmented stack of separate vendors and contracts with no coherent view of where the business actually stands.The market is beginning to consolidate around platforms because the “point-solution” approach has become unmanageable.Compliance is no longer a downstream legal task; it is a fundamental property of how a product works. At the scale and speed that digital products now operate across jurisdictions, treating compliance as an isolated legal inbox is an expensive assumption. The companies that handle this well treat these obligations as a core property of their product strategy, not because regulators demanded it, but because there is no other way to stay on top of it.The surge in VPPA and session-replay litigation proves that routine product decisions are now the primary source of legal exposure. Leading companies are shifting their mindset from reactive compliance to product integrity, ensuring that global standards are part of the “Definition of Done” for every new feature.The question for any company with a global user base is no longer if they are subject to these standards, but whether they have decided to be part of the structural shift required to manage them.This story was produced by Clym and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	The 50 most expensive ZIP codes for renters—#1 costs $95,833/month The 50 most expensive ZIP codes for renters in America (2026 rankings)While national rent growth has stabilized in many mid-tier markets, the ultraluxury sector is operating in a different reality. In America’s most exclusive ZIP codes, renting is no longer a stepping stone to ownership—it is a strategic lifestyle choice for the ultrawealthy.From the Hamptons’ summer estates to the cliffside villas of the California coast, the price of admission for a premier rental continues to climb. A new analysis of Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) data conducted by Good Life Property Management’s Orange County office reveals the 50 most expensive ZIP codes in the U.S. entering 2026, where monthly leases often rival the cost of a luxury vehicle.The data reveals a stark “luxury decoupling.” While the average U.S. rent hovers around $2,000 per month, the entry point for the top 50 markets now averages over $6,500, with the most exclusive enclaves commanding well over $40,000 per month. This surge is driven by a shift in high-net-worth behavior: the rise of the “forever renter,” individuals who prioritize flexibility and liquidity over tying up capital in high-maintenance estates.MethodologyZip codes were ranked by their ZORI value as of Dec. 31, 2025—the most recent data available to start the new year. This analysis utilized the “Smoothed, Seasonally Adjusted” dataset to account for volatility in vacation markets. Only ZIP codes with a minimum population of 2,000 were included to eliminate statistical outliers and ensure the rankings reflect active rental markets.The Geography of Wealth: East Coast Seasonality vs. West Coast StabilityThe 2026 rankings reveal a stark geographic divide in the ultraluxury rental market. The top 10 list is dominated by the seasonal enclaves of New York’s Hamptons, where extreme scarcity during summer months skews annual averages. Water Mill, New York (11976), takes the top spot with a staggering typical rent of $95,833 per month, followed closely by Sag Harbor and East Hampton.However, when controlling for seasonal volatility, Southern California emerges as the leader for year-round residential luxury. While the Hamptons are defined by the “summer rental,” the California coast is defined by the “lifestyle lease”—12- to 24-month contracts for primary residences.Notably, Orange County’s coastal ZIP codes are now trading at parity with historically more expensive markets like Beverly Hills and Malibu. Newport Beach (92625), for instance, has surged to rank #14 nationwide, sitting just one spot behind the famous 90210 ZIP code.The Full Top 25 List (2026 Rankings)#1 Water Mill, NY (11976): $95,833#2 Sag Harbor, NY (11963): $41,809#3 East Hampton, NY (11937): $40,745#4 Southampton, NY (11968): $40,058#5 East Quogue, NY (11942): $38,000#6 Montauk, NY (11954): $27,736#7 Margate City, NJ (08402): $26,417#8 Snowmass Village, CO (81615): $21,000#9 Southold, NY (11971): $19,500#10 Aspen, CO (81611): $18,333#11 Malibu, CA (90265): $12,756#12 Los Angeles, CA (90077 – Bel Air): $12,610#13 Beverly Hills, CA (90210): $11,495#14 Newport Beach, CA (92625): $9,102#15 Naples, FL (34103): $8,605#16 Spring Lake, NJ (07762): $8,472#17 Naples, FL (34102): $7,865#18 Newport Beach, CA (92662): $7,724#19 New York, NY (10007 – Tribeca): $7,566#20 Los Altos, CA (94024): $7,499#21 Ventnor City, NJ (08406): $7,485#22 Santa Monica, CA (90402): $7,478#23 Newport Beach, CA (92657): $7,096#24 Siesta Key, FL (34242): $7,000#25 Indian River Shores, FL (32963): $6,986The Rest of the List: Rankings #26-50The second half of the top 50 list highlights the diversity of the luxury rental market, featuring everything from equestrian estates in Florida to tech-centric enclaves in Silicon Valley.#26 Naples, FL (34108): $6,863#27 New York, NY (10282 – Battery Park City): $6,854#28 New York, NY (10013 – SoHo/Tribeca): $6,789#29 Saint Helena, CA (94574): $6,700#30 Key Biscayne, FL (33149): $6,631#31 San Marino, CA (91108): $6,367#32 Tiburon, CA (94920): $6,244#33 Los Altos, CA (94022): $6,179#34 Los Angeles, CA (90272 – Pacific Palisades): $6,163#35 Boston, MA (02120): $6,151#36 Palm Beach Gardens, FL (33412): $6,111#37 Palm Beach, FL (33480): $6,070#38 Jackson, WY (83001): $5,900#39 Short Hills, NJ (07078): $5,873#40 Southlake, TX (76092): $5,850#41 Corte Madera, CA (94925): $5,768#42 Jupiter, FL (33477): $5,648#43 Rolling Hills Estates, CA (90274): $5,639#44 Los Angeles, CA (91436 – Encino): $5,619#45 New York, NY (10014 – West Village): $5,381#46 Manhattan Beach, CA (90266): $5,374#47 Garden City, NY (11530): $5,370#48 New York, NY (10069 – Upper West Side): $5,360#49 New York, NY (10001 – Chelsea): $5,338#50 Saratoga, CA (95070): $5,218The 2026 rental rankings highlight the geographic contrast in ultraluxury markets: from the cliffside estates of Newport Coast, California, to the high-rise penthouses of New York City. Good Life Property Management Conclusion: The Era of ‘Real Estate as a Service’The 2026 data confirms a structural change in the housing market: the “American Dream” is bifurcating. For a growing segment of the ultrawealthy, the ultimate luxury is no longer a mortgage but mobility. The premium rents paid in these top 50 ZIP codes are not just for location or square footage—they are the price of admission for liquidity and freedom.For investors holding these blue-chip assets, the takeaway is clear: The days of passive “mailbox money” in the luxury sector are over. A tenant paying a premium north of $10,000 per month expects a living experience comparable to a five-star hotel. In this new landscape, the most successful property owners will be those who pivot from simple rent collection to active, hospitality-driven asset management.Data analysis by Good Life Property Management’s Orange County Office.This story was produced by Good Life Property Management and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Illinois primary election 2026: What you need to know before voting Polls are open across Illinois for Primary Election Day. Here’s what makes a primary different — and what you need to bring before heading out to vote.
	Rental property recordkeeping rules every landlord should follow Rental property recordkeeping rules every landlord should followKeeping rigorous records is essential for landlords, especially property managers overseeing multiple units. By treating your rentals as a true business and following best practices, you’ll stay organized, maximize financial benefits, and avoid costly mistakes. In this guide, RentRedi outlines the key recordkeeping rules every landlord should follow. Let’s dive into how solid recordkeeping can protect your income, streamline rental property accounting, and simplify tax time.Quick Takeaways:Treat rentals as a business: Use dedicated accounts and professional habits from day one.Document everything: Track rental property bookkeeping down to each receipt, bill, and lease document.Stay consistent: Update records regularly, reconcile accounts monthly, and use a set accounting method.Leverage technology: Use landlord software to automate tracking and reduce errors.Retain records safely: Store files securely and keep them for the recommended years for taxes and legal protection.Separate Your Business and Personal FinancesOne foundational rule is to never commingle personal and rental finances. Treat your rental income and expenses as a standalone business. This starts with using a dedicated bank account exclusively for rent payments and property expenses. Maintain a separate checking account for your rentals. By doing so, all rent deposits, maintenance payments, and other transactions flow through a single system, making them easy to identify and track.Using separate accounts is also about legal and tax compliance. Many states require holding tenant security deposits in a separate escrow account, and mixing those funds with personal money can lead to penalties. Beyond that, if you own multiple properties, consider separate sub-accounts or tagging transactions by property. This way, each property’s finances remain distinct. You can produce a mini profit-and-loss report for each unit, and you must prepare a separate Schedule E tax form for each property you own. Segregating accounts demonstrates you run your rental operation like a business, with transparent records and no commingling of funds.Actionable Tip: Open a new business bank account for your rental activity. Deposit all rental income into it and pay all property-related bills from it. If managing properties for others, use trust accounts as required. This clear division will prevent endless confusion and provide a clean paper trail. As your portfolio grows, such separation becomes even more crucial. It not only helps day-to-day but also provides an audit-ready trail that demonstrates you manage your rental finances professionally.Track Every Income and Expense in DetailAccurate bookkeeping for landlords boils down to diligently recording all money flowing in and out of your rentals. Every rent payment, late fee, utility reimbursement, and any other income must be logged. Document every expense related to the property: maintenance, repairs, property taxes, insurance premiums, mortgage interest, management fees, and advertising costs. No transaction is too small to record. By tracking rental property taxes and expenses line by line, you gain a clear picture of your property’s cash flow and profitability.A systematic approach to income and expense tracking is the backbone of successful rental accounting. It not only keeps your finances organized, but also ensures you don’t overlook deductible expenses come tax time. Each dollar you spend on the property affects your bottom line. Meticulously recording these expenditures gives you insight into where your money goes and prevents any “missing” funds. It also means that if a tenant or vendor dispute arises, or if you face an audit, you have the evidence on hand.How to implement: Establish a process to log transactions regularly. Some landlords use a simple spreadsheet with columns for date, description, amount, and category. Others might use a ledger or an app. Choose a system that you will use consistently. The key is regularity. Set aside time each week or month to update your books. It’s much easier to input receipts and payments as you go than to reconstruct months of transactions from memory. Many experienced landlords treat bookkeeping as a routine part of property management, alongside inspecting a unit or responding to tenant requests. Make it a habit, and your records will always be up to date.Also, organize by property if you have more than one. This means either maintaining separate spreadsheets or segments in your ledger for each address. That way, you can see the performance of each rental on its own. Did Property A bring in more rent than Property B this year? Is one property dragging down your portfolio with high expenses? Separate records will tell you. Keeping things combined might mask an underperforming unit by averaging with others. By tracking income and expenses on a per-property basis, you ensure each asset stands on its own merits.Track rent collection diligently. Log not just that rent was paid, but when and how. Note if a tenant paid on the 1st via ACH or on the 5th in cash, for example. Keeping a detailed rent roll with dates can help you spot chronic late payers and enforce policies. It also provides documentation if you ever need to evict for non-payment or prove income for a loan. In short, leave no dollar unaccounted for.Save Receipts and Documentation for Every ExpenseRecording a payment in your ledger is good, but without proof, it may not hold up under scrutiny. Create a habit of saving and organizing all these supporting documents. Good recordkeeping means not only logging a $200 plumbing repair in your spreadsheet, but also keeping the plumber’s invoice and the receipt for the $200 payment. The IRS emphasizes that you generally must have documentary evidence to support your expenses if you want to deduct them. This means that if you claim $5,000 in repair costs on your taxes and are audited, you’ll need to provide receipts or invoices for those repairs. If you can’t, the deduction may be disallowed.But this isn’t just about taxes. Thorough documentation can protect you in other ways, too. Suppose a tenant claims you never fixed a broken appliance. If you have the work order and receipt from the technician who repaired it, you can easily prove the job was completed and paid for. If a vendor attempts to double-charge, your canceled check serves as proof of payment.Best practices for receipts: Go digital whenever possible. Physical receipts are notorious for fading, getting lost, or piling up in shoeboxes. Consider scanning or photographing paper receipts and storing them in a cloud drive or an app. Many modern rental accounting software platforms allow you to upload receipt images and attach them to transactions. For example, you can snap a picture of a Home Depot receipt for paint supplies and link it to the maintenance expense entry for that property. This not only keeps everything organized but also ensures you have a backup copy. If you prefer physical files, set up a filing system by property and year, and file each paper receipt promptly.Keep in mind certain documents beyond purchase receipts, too. Save lease agreements, tenant communications, inspection reports, and repair logs. Anything that could serve as a record of an event or transaction related to your rental is worth keeping. Landlords who maintain comprehensive tenant files are better prepared if a dispute ever arises. Organize these documents in a logical way. Many landlords use a combination approach: a digital folder for each property and a corresponding physical file for critical hard copies. Always label files clearly with dates and descriptions. The goal is to enable you to retrieve any required record within minutes when needed. Remember, good documentation is part of good recordkeeping.Categorize Expenses and Maximize Your DeductionsBy grouping expenses into categories, you gain insights into where your money is going. More importantly for landlords, proper categorization ensures you don’t miss out on rental property tax deductions. Landlords are entitled to many deductions, from mortgage interest and repairs to depreciation and beyond. But to claim these, you need detailed records sorted by category.Common categories to use in your bookkeeping include:Maintenance and Repairs: e.g., plumbing fixes, painting, handyman labor.Utilities: if you pay any utilities (water, garbage, electricity for common areas, etc.).Insurance: landlord insurance premiums for the property.Property Taxes: the annual real estate taxes.Mortgage Interest: the interest portion of your loan payments (usually reported by your lender as well).Property Management Fees: if you pay a management company or even certain software fees.Advertising and Tenant Acquisition: listing fees, credit check fees (if you cover them), etc.Administrative: office supplies, mileage for trips to the property or hardware store, legal or accounting fees related to the rental.By consistently tagging each expense with a category, you make life easier for yourself. You can evaluate your spending patterns and also ensure you don’t forget a deduction. For instance, many landlords forget to track mileage for rental–related trips, but those miles are deductible as a travel expense if properly documented. If you have a category for “Auto/Travel” and you log those miles with dates and purpose, you can deduct them.Let’s briefly discuss capital improvements vs. deductible expenses, as this is a common area of confusion in recordkeeping. Small repairs and maintenance are deductible in the year paid, whereas improvements that add value usually must be capitalized and depreciated over time. It’s important to distinguish these in your records. You might have categories or flags for “CapEx” (capital expenditures), separate from regular repairs. Keep documentation describing the work done. It will help you and your tax preparer determine the proper treatment. If in doubt, consult a tax professional, but your job as a landlord is to have the records either way. Finally, don’t overlook depreciation. While not an out-of-pocket expense, depreciation on the property is one of the biggest tax deductions you get as a rental owner. Keep a record of your depreciation schedules and any asset additions or dispositions.Be Consistent and Use a Set Accounting MethodConsistency is king in recordkeeping. Landlords should establish a routine for managing their books and stick to it. This includes choosing an accounting method (cash or accrual) and consistently applying it, as well as performing regular reconciliations and audits of your own records. By being methodical and timely, you prevent small errors from snowballing into big problems.Most individual landlords use cash-basis accounting, meaning you count income when you receive it and expenses when you pay them. This is simpler and often makes sense for smaller operations. Alternatively, accrual accounting counts income when earned and expenses when incurred. Accruals can give a more accurate long-term picture but are more complex. Pick the method that fits your business and understand the implications. Once you pick one, be consistent year over year.Avoid letting your bookkeeping pile up. Many landlords fall into the trap of procrastinating: tossing receipts in a drawer and telling themselves they’ll “do it later.” Before you know it, it’s the end of the year, and nothing is organized. To prevent this, set a regular interval to update your records, whether it’s every Friday afternoon or the first weekend of each month, and schedule time to bring the books up to date. Log all new income and expenses, file new receipts, and review the past period’s entries for accuracy. This habit keeps you in tune with your property’s performance and makes recordkeeping less overwhelming.Embrace Technology: Use Software and Apps to Streamline RecordkeepingModern problems require modern solutions. In an age where technology touches every aspect of business, landlords have a wealth of tools available to simplify recordkeeping. Utilizing rental accounting software and a rent collection app for landlords can save you time, reduce errors, and provide professional-level financial management at your fingertips.Why go digital? Managing rentals with pen and paper or basic spreadsheets can become cumbersome, especially as you scale up. Digital tools automate much of the work that landlords traditionally did manually. The best accounting software for rental property owners can automatically log rent payments made by tenants online, generate expense reports, and even prepare key tax documents for you. It’s not about laziness. It’s about efficiency and accuracy. Automating repetitive tasks reduces the risk of human error and improves consistency. Purpose-built landlord software is designed to handle exactly the challenges rental owners face, from tracking income/expenses by property to integrating with online payments and leases.Many landlords initially use general small-business accounting software or simple apps, but they may find that those fall short for rental needs. Dedicated landlord accounting software offers features tailored to rental properties. They often support multi-property tracking. They may include modules for tenant management, maintenance requests, and document storage, so your rental property bookkeeping ties into your tenant records. These systems also often include built-in reminders, such as alerts when a lease is about to expire or when it’s time to raise rents or renew insurance. Crucially, they can automate rent collection and late fees, which directly tie into your financial records.One big advantage of using digital rent collection is the improvement in on-time payments and record transparency. Studies have shown that while digital payments are now the most common way tenants pay rent, about 40% of renters still pay by paper check or money order. By introducing an easy rent payment app for landlords, you can encourage more electronic payments. This not only reduces the incidence of late or lost checks but also ensures each payment is recorded instantly. When a tenant pays through an app, you get an electronic record with date, time and amount, and often an automatic update to your accounting system. No more waiting on the mail or making bank trips for deposits. Additionally, tenants appreciate the convenience of online payments, especially younger renters who rarely use paper checks. Many apps support ACH (bank transfers), credit/debit cards, and cash payments via partners, giving tenants flexibility while keeping you in the loop. The increase in digital payments is a win-win: tenants pay on time more often, and landlords collect more than 99% of rent due when digital options and incentives like credit reporting are in place.When selecting the best accounting software for rental properties, consider features like bank integration, receipt scanning, customizable expense categories, and report generation. Also, look at whether it handles things like depreciation tracking or integration with tax prep tools. If you manage properties for others, trust accounting features are important. And of course, ease of use and good customer support are factors. The fanciest software is useless if you don’t actually use it because it’s too complicated. The best accounting software for landlords is one that fits your portfolio size and your workflow, whether that’s a simple mobile app for a couple of units or a robust cloud platform for hundreds of units.Don’t forget mobile accessibility. It’s extremely useful to snap a photo of a receipt with your phone and attach it immediately, or to check whether a tenant’s payment has cleared while you’re on the go. Most landlord bookkeeping software today offers mobile apps or at least mobile-friendly websites, meaning you can update your records from anywhere.Rent collection apps often include additional benefits, such as automatic reminders for tenants, the ability to enable auto-pay, and features like splitting payments between roommates or scheduling partial payments. These features remove you from being the “nag” for rent. The system handles it. When rent comes in, it’s logged, and you can have the app deposit it directly into the dedicated bank account recommended in Rule 1. Just be aware that as you grow, investing in proper property management and accounting software can greatly simplify your life.Maintain Tenant and Property Records for Legal ProtectionFinancial records aren’t the only documents you need to keep. Comprehensive recordkeeping for landlords also means maintaining organized files on tenants, leases, and the property itself. These records can be your first line of defense in legal disputes and are critical for effective property management. Every landlord should have a system for storing leases, tenant communications, maintenance logs, and other important documents, and should know how long to retain them.Retain and Back Up Records for the Required Time PeriodsThe final rule addresses how long to retain these records and how to ensure they’re securely backed up. Record retention is a vital part of recordkeeping discipline. It’s no use to meticulously maintain documents if you discard them too soon or lose them in a computer crash. Every landlord should follow guidelines for how long to retain different types of records and implement a backup system for important files.For tax-related documents, the IRS generally recommends retaining supporting documents for at least three years after the return’s filing date. This is because the IRS typically can audit returns filed in the last three years. However, there are scenarios where they can go back farther — up to six years if they suspect significant underreporting of income, or indefinitely in cases of fraud. Many financial advisors thus suggest keeping records for seven years, which covers the 6-year audit window plus a cushion. Keeping seven years of records is a common and prudent approach for landlords. If you sold a property, keep its records for at least that long after the sale, as they may be relevant to tax audits or capital gains calculations.For property documents and leases: Keep leases and related tenant files at least a few years after the tenant moves out. A common recommendation is at least five years, because a tenant might sue over a security deposit or an injury within the statute of limitations. If your state’s laws say tenants have X years to bring certain claims, use that as a baseline. Documents related to property ownership should be kept as long as you own the property. Mortgage documents and payoff statements should be kept indefinitely or at least until the loan is settled and you have proof of payoff. Insurance policies are kept for the policy period plus a few years. If there’s a claim, keep those records indefinitely related to that incident. These timelines are considered rental property recordkeeping best practices, as they balance practicality with protection.By following these rental property recordkeeping rules, you’ll establish a rock-solid foundation for your landlording business. You’ll find that decisions become easier with clear data at hand, tax season becomes far less stressful, and potential disputes are much easier to resolve in your favor. From the start of a tenancy to years after it ends, your diligent records are your secret weapon.In summary: Keep finances separate, document everything, stay organized with consistency and tech tools, and retain records for the long haul. These habits may require some effort to establish, but they deliver financial savings, peace of mind, and professionalism.This story was produced by RentRedi and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	5 budget-friendly travel destinations to add to your retirement bucket list 5 budget-friendly travel destinations to add to your retirement bucket listRetirement is steadily becoming less of a time for slowing down and more of an opportunity to explore the world. According to AARP, travel remains one of the top priorities for retirees, with about 70% of adults age 50 and older planning trips in 2025, up from 65% the year before.Many retirees also expect to take multiple trips each year, even as cost remains their biggest travel concern. Below, Splitero explores retirement travel on a budget, including planning strategies and destination ideas that help you balance meaningful experiences with long-term financial stability. How to plan retirement travel on a budgetThe key to smart retirement travel planning is using methods that work for multiple trips, instead of relying on luck or one-off deals. Retirees who own their homes often have extra flexibility when budgeting for travel, even while still paying off a mortgage. Many prioritize destinations that balance affordability, comfort, accessibility, and the ability to travel at a slower pace, helping stretch travel budgets across multiple trips.Several factors consistently influence retirement travel costs:Travel timingVisiting travel destinations during off-season months can significantly reduce costs and improve the overall experience. Off-season travel usually means smaller crowds, shorter lines at attractions, and more flexible booking options, making trips less stressful and more enjoyable. Lodging and vacation rentals often offer lower rates or long-stay discounts during these quieter months, helping you save on accommodations.Timing things just right can help with flight costs, too: Data from Hopper shows that traveling in off-season months like September or October can save travelers around 40 % on round-trip domestic airfare compared with peak summer months.Trip length, pacing, and extended-stay opportunitiesPlanning fewer trips but staying longer in each destination can reduce transportation expenses and allow you to have fuller, richer experiences in each location. By staying longer, you can take advantage of long-term rental rates or off-season pricing, making each trip more rewarding and cost-effective.Some destinations also offer visa or residency options that make longer stays easier.Daily expenses such as meals, transportation, and entertainment vary widely between destinations, and understanding these costs can make a big difference for retirees on a budget. For example, dining out in parts of Southeast Asia, Latin America, or Southeastern Europe can cost a fraction of what it would in major U.S. cities, with local markets, street food vendors, and casual restaurants offering high-quality meals for just a few dollars.Even small expenses can add up over time, so choosing destinations with lower daily costs of living can support longer and more enjoyable stays.Accessibility and comfortTraveling on a budget is easier when you have access to walkable neighborhoods, reliable public transit, and quality healthcare resources. In some international destinations, pharmacies are plentiful, medications are available over the counter at affordable prices, and clinics are often easier to access than in many U.S. cities.Areas with adequate public transportation also tend to be more wheelchair-friendly, often featuring elevators, ramps, and lifts to access buses, trains, and subway stations. Walkable neighborhoods and well-connected transit systems reduce reliance on taxis or rental cars, allowing you to navigate cities more affordably, efficiently, and safely. 5 budget-friendly destinations for retirement travelFrom exploring historic plazas and vibrant markets to hiking the misty trails of the Great Smoky Mountains, these destinations mix cultural discovery with natural beauty. You can relax on Puerto Rico’s beaches, wander Portugal’s riverside neighborhoods, or enjoy the Gulf Coast’s laid-back charm while keeping travel costs manageable. The Global Guy // Shutterstock 1. George Town, MalaysiaGeorge Town offers retirees an ideal getaway for foodies at a relatively moderate cost. Round-trip economy flights from major U.S. gateways to destinations across Asia typically range from about $800 to $1,300 when booked in advance, and travelers can often find better value in spring and fall. December through February typically brings the most comfortable weather in the region, with slightly lower humidity than at other times of year.The city’s compact layout makes it easy to explore at a slower pace, whether by foot, public transit, or taxi. Visitors can tour the historic Blue Mansion, stroll Armenian Street to see famous murals, or visit Khoo Kongsi, a beautifully decorated Chinese clan house with ornate carvings and an ancestral shrine.You can also wander the waterfront at Chew Jetty and enjoy the city’s world-renowned street food, which boasts famous noodle dishes such as char kway teow and assam laksa. The affordable food and gentle pace make George Town a standout destination for those who want to experience the thrill of culinary adventure without overspending. jharsh21 // Shutterstock 2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United StatesThe Great Smoky Mountains provide one of the most accessible and cost-effective domestic travel options for retirees seeking to reconnect with nature. The park offers free entry, scenic drives, accessible visitor centers, and a wide range of low-impact hiking trails. Visitors can also explore wildlife habitats, visit historic homesteads, and marvel at seasonal foliage displays.Nearby towns such as Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina, provide lodging options that range from cabins to extended short-term rentals, allowing retirees to adjust accommodations to their travel budgets.You will often encounter the best value for your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains in late winter and early spring (January through March), when visitor traffic slows down and lodging availability increases.Adults age 62 and older may also qualify for a National Parks Senior Lifetime Pass, which can reduce entry costs across multiple federal recreation sites and support long-term retirement travel planning. Pamela Brick // Shutterstock 3. San Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan offers retirees a tropical travel experience with fewer logistical hurdles than many international destinations. U.S. citizens can visit without a passport, which can simplify planning and reduce administrative costs. And because Puerto Rico uses the U.S. dollar, Americans can avoid foreign currency conversion considerations when budgeting their trip.Flights to San Juan are frequently competitive with other Caribbean destinations. There is also a wide range of accommodations to choose from, including hotels, extended-stay rentals, and vacation apartments. Visitors can explore beaches, historic landmarks in Old San Juan, and nearby natural attractions such as El Yunque National Forest. Walkable neighborhoods and established tourism infrastructure help support comfortable, low-stress travel.Overall costs for visiting San Juan are often lower during late spring and early fall (roughly May and September through early November), since tourism demand declines between peak winter and summer travel seasons. Daniel Vine Photography // Shutterstock 4. Lisbon and Porto, PortugalPortugal continues to attract retirees who are seeking European travel experiences with relatively moderate daily living costs compared with many Western European destinations.Lisbon offers historic waterfront neighborhoods, plentiful cultural landmarks, and public transportation that connects major attractions, while Porto boasts scenic riverfront views, impressive architecture, and noted wine cellars. Train travel between the two cities makes it easier to experience multiple regions within one trip. When planning a trip to Portugal, you will often find lower airfare and lodging costs during late fall through early spring (November through March), excluding major holidays. Portugal’s mild winter climate makes off-season travel particularly appealing for retirees seeking fewer crowds.Portugal has also historically offered residency options that appeal to retirees interested in longer stays, although eligibility requirements may change and should be reviewed carefully. Mark Winfrey // Shutterstock 5. Gulf Shores, AlabamaGulf Shores offers retirees a coastal vacation option that is often more affordable than other, higher-profile U.S. beach destinations.Located along the Gulf Coast, the region offers public beach access, state parks, fishing opportunities, wildlife viewing, and historic sites. Gulf Shores supports slower-paced travel with ample opportunities for extended regional stays.While the area welcomes visitors year-round, you will often find better value during the late fall and winter months (November through February). Mild winter temperatures still encourage outdoor recreation such as beach walking, nature trail hikes, and wildlife viewing through the cooler months.Because Gulf Shores is drivable from many central and southeastern U.S. states, you may consider reducing airfare expenses by planning a road trip or taking time to explore the region by car. Funding travel in retirementEven with careful budgeting, retirement travel may require some supplemental funding beyond retirement savings. Retired homeowners have a few different ways to help fund their retirement travel goals.Travel rewards credit cardsSome retirees use travel rewards credit cards to offset airfare, lodging, or activity costs. When used responsibly, rewards programs can help reduce overall travel expenses through points or mileage accumulation. However, you should review fees and interest rates carefully and avoid carrying balances that could increase long-term costs.Renting or subletting part of your homeSome retirees supplement their travel budget by renting out a spare room or a portion of their home. This can be done either through short-term rental platforms like Airbnb or through long-term leases. These options can help offset travel expenses while allowing homeowners to continue living on their property.Just be sure to consider local regulations, insurance costs, and management responsibilities to ensure that the arrangement is safe, legal, and hassle-free.Reverse mortgageA reverse mortgage is a type of loan available to homeowners age 62 and older that allows them to access their home equity without making required monthly payments. Interest accrues over time, and the balance is typically repaid when the home is sold or ownership changes. While reverse mortgages can support retirement cash flow, you should carefully consider the long-term financial implications and your estate planning goals.Home equity investment optionA home equity investment (HEI) option allows you to access your home equity without monthly payments. Instead, you receive a lump sum of cash in exchange for a share or split of your home’s future value.With an HEI, you can continue living in your home while using funds for retirement priorities such as travel, healthcare, or lifestyle planning. Unlike many loans or financing options, HEIs typically don’t require traditional income verification, making them accessible to homeowners with diverse income streams or retirement income. Depending on the agreement, you may repurchase your investment option later or settle it when selling your home down the line. Bottom lineRetirement opens the door to traveling on your own schedule and with your own vibe, whether that means exploring lively cities in Latin America, scenic regions in the United States, historic neighborhoods in Europe, or vibrant cultural hubs across Southeast Asia. No matter your budget or preferred travel style, there are options available that range from nearby, easy-to-reach destinations to international trips that let you experience new cultures.Funding these adventures does not have to come at the expense of your financial security as a homeowner. Resources like home equity investments can provide flexible access to funds, making it easier to plan longer stays, visit multiple regions, and enjoy deeper connections to your travel destinations while continuing to live in your own home. With thoughtful planning, well-timed travel, and smart budgeting, retirees can build a retirement lifestyle that feels both secure and full of adventure.This story was produced by Splitero and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	When Using a Generator: Keep Safety in Mind (NAPSI)—It’s good to have a home generator on hand when the power goes out, but it’s best to use it with safety in mind. For example, set it up away from your home. Never put it in the house, garage or carport, or near an open door or window. Use an outdoor rated extension cord. Install a working carbon monoxide detector. Use fuel that’s E10 or less and not more than 30 days old. And be sure to secure the generator against theft so you’ll have it when you need it. Learn more at OPEI.org.Word Count: 95
	Polling places across Illinois are ready for state's primary election day Most polling places will be open starting at 6 a.m., and for people looking to vote, remember to bring two forms of ID.
	Not Plain Jane Consignment boutique opens March 17 in Moline Not Plain Jane Consignment boutique opens this week in Moline and will hold a grand opening Saturday, March 21.
	Proposed changes to Rock River dams spark community debate The Illinois Department of Natural Resources revealed its study on possible changes to two Rock River dams, with some community members voicing concerns.
	Israel says it killed two top Iranian commanders in targeted strike Israel says it killed Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, the highest profile assassinations since the targeting of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war.
	Israel says it killed 2 top Iranian commanders in a targeted strike Israel says it killed Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, the highest-profile assassinations since the targeting of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the war.
	A Trump official quits over the Iran war, as Israel says it killed 2 Iranian commanders Israel says it killed Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani. Iran has yet to confirm but it would be the highest-profile killings since the targeting of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
	Is there a more fair way to sell World Cup tickets? World Cup tickets are expensive, and buying them has been frustrating and confusing. But this is what economics is for: figuring out the best ways to allocate scarce resources. FIFA, steal these ideas.
	Walter Butler This is Roald Tweet on Rock Island."If you build it, they will come" is an Iowa idea that goes back at least as far as the beginnings of Iowa City.On May…
	I'm concerned about my blood pressure. Can I check it at home? If you get a high reading at the doctor's office, it may not be definitive. Here's what to know about your risk — and testing your blood pressure at home.
	Bringing marine life back to South Florida's 'forgotten edge' Seawalls are great at protecting property and people. A new nature-inspired seawall add-on is trying to make them better at protecting marine wildlife too.
	Reproductive health clinics scramble as Title X funding cliff approaches Title X is a 56-year-old federal grant program that supports thousands of clinics that provide birth control and STI testing and treatment around the country. Now those clinics could face a funding gap because of a Trump administration delay.
	'Rewarding loyalists,' punishing critics: How Trump's Treasury sanctions foreigners Spain's Prime Minister called U.S. strikes against Iran "unjustified." When other foreigners in power have used similar language against the U.S. or Israel, they were sanctioned by the Treasury.
	From Descartes to punk rock, X has an extraordinary history The letter X can be a lot of things: rebellious, mysterious, religious. For this Word of the Week, we examine its origins and many uses.
	Last protester in detention after Trump's campus crackdown has been released Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old from the West Bank who has lived in New Jersey since 2016, had been held in a U.S. immigration detention center in Texas since last March.
	RI County Sheriff candidates share priorities before primary Rock Island County residents will narrow down several races with the primary for the 2026 midterm elections Tuesday. One race includes the Rock Island County Sheriff. It will be an open job after current Sheriff Darren Hart announced he's retiring. Three deputies are on the Democratic Party's ballot. Marcus Herbert, a sergeant with the department, [...]
Monday, March 16th, 2026
	Navigating Cholesterol: What You Need to Know for a Healthy Heart (Feature Impact) With so much information available, it can be difficult to understand what cholesterol is - and why it's important. Knowing your personal risk of developing heart disease and managing your cholesterol early through healthy habits, regular screening and informed care is key for heart and brain health. This advice from the American Heart Association can help you understand why cholesterol matters, how to manage it and how lifestyle habits may affect your long-term heart health. Cholesterol is Essential Cholesterol is a waxy substance found throughout your body. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs for important jobs, such as helping to build cells and make certain hormones. The concern is having too much "bad" cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) in the blood, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Having enough "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) in your blood can help reduce your risk. "Cholesterol itself isn't the enemy - our bodies need moderate levels to function," said Roger S. Blumenthal, MD, FAHA, chair of the 2026 Dyslipidemia Guideline writing group and an American Heart Association national volunteer expert and cardiologist. "The goal is balance. Healthy lifestyle habits are a powerful step in keeping LDL cholesterol in a healthy range and protecting your heart and brain over the long term." Cholesterol in Your Blood vs. Cholesterol in Food Too much blood cholesterol - the type measured on a cholesterol test - can cause plaque buildup in arteries (atherosclerosis), increasing your risk for heart disease and stroke. Blood cholesterol levels are influenced by overall eating patterns, lifestyle habits, genetics and other health factors, not just the cholesterol found in foods. Enjoy vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, unsaturated fats and lean proteins as part of an overall healthy eating pattern. Limit ultra-processed foods that are high in saturated fats, added sugars and sodium. Know Your Numbers and Understand Your Risk Adults ages 19 and older should have their cholesterol checked at least every five years, as recommended by the American Heart Association. A lipid profile, or cholesterol test, is a blood test that will provide results for your HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and total blood cholesterol. Other risk factors like age, family history, smoking status and more should also be considered to determine your risk of developing heart disease or stroke. Work with your health care professional to understand your results and design a treatment plan based on your risk. Managing Cholesterol: Lifestyle is Essential For many people, healthy lifestyle habits are the foundation of cholesterol management. Eating a nutritious diet, getting regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough sleep, avoiding tobacco products and managing blood pressure and blood sugar can all help support heart health. Cholesterol-Lowering Medications In addition to healthy lifestyle habits, some people may require cholesterol-lowering medication based on their overall risk of developing heart disease or stroke. If side effects occur, talk with a health care professional. Another medication or approach may be a better fit, and staying on the recommended treatment plan can support long-term heart health. Cholesterol in Children High cholesterol doesn't just affect adults. It can begin in childhood, particularly for children with inherited conditions or other risk factors, which is why early screening is important. Cholesterol screening is recommended for children not previously screened between the ages of 9-11 to help assess risk and guide care, along with kickstarting wellness habits such as prioritizing healthy foods, daily exercise and adequate sleep. These small lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke through adulthood. For more information and heart health resources, visit Heart.org/KnowYourCholesterol. Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
	The Cost of Ignoring Technical SEO in a Competitive Market (NewsUSA) - In highly competitive local markets, visibility is no longer won solely through content and keywords. Increasingly, it’s determined by infrastructure.While many business owners invest in branding, paid ads, and social media campaigns, a growing body of SEO audits suggests that technical foundations — often invisible to the end user — are quietly determining who ranks and who doesn’t. According to analysts at iLocal, technical SEO issues are now one of the most common barriers preventing small and mid-sized businesses from gaining traction in search results.And the cost of neglecting it is compounding.The Invisible Ranking FactorTechnical SEO refers to the behind-the-scenes elements that allow search engines to properly crawl, index, and evaluate a website. This includes site speed, mobile optimization, clean code, structured data, secure connections (HTTPS), XML sitemaps, and logical internal linking.When these elements are misconfigured, search engines struggle to interpret the site’s authority and relevance — no matter how strong the content may be.Common technical oversights include:Slow page load times caused by oversized images or poor hosting Broken links and crawl errors Duplicate content due to improper URL parameters Missing schema markup Poor mobile responsiveness None of these issues are immediately obvious to business owners reviewing their own websites. Yet collectively, they can significantly suppress ranking potential.The Competitive ShiftSearch algorithms have evolved. In crowded industries — legal services, medical practices, home services, financial consulting — competitors often produce similar content targeting similar keywords. When relevance is equal, technical performance becomes the differentiator.Google increasingly prioritizes user experience signals. Core Web Vitals, page stability, load performance, and mobile usability are no longer secondary considerations. They are ranking signals.In competitive markets, even marginal technical advantages can shift visibility from page two to page one — or from the bottom of page one to the top three local results.The Compounding Revenue ImpactThe consequences of technical neglect aren’t limited to rankings. Slower websites experience higher bounce rates. Mobile usability issues reduce engagement. Broken pages damage credibility.For businesses relying on inbound leads, even a modest drop in organic traffic can represent thousands — or tens of thousands — of dollars in unrealized annual revenue.What makes the issue particularly costly is that many businesses continue increasing ad spend to compensate for declining organic visibility, rather than addressing the structural cause.From Marketing Expense to Digital InfrastructureA growing trend among performance-driven firms is the reframing of SEO as infrastructure rather than marketing. Instead of viewing it as a campaign with a start and end date, technical SEO is treated as ongoing maintenance — similar to maintaining a physical storefront.Proactive businesses are implementing regular technical audits that evaluate:Crawlability and indexation Structured data implementation Page speed and performance metrics Security configurations Internal linking architecture These audits often uncover latent issues that, once resolved, unlock performance gains without additional content production.The Emerging DivideAs digital competition intensifies, a divide is forming between businesses with optimized technical foundations and those relying on surface-level tactics.In today’s search landscape, visibility is no longer earned by content alone. It’s supported — and sometimes limited — by code, structure, and performance.Ignoring technical SEO in a competitive market isn’t just a missed opportunity. It’s a structural disadvantage.And in an environment where small ranking shifts can dramatically impact lead flow, structural disadvantage carries a measurable cost. To learn more, visit https://ilocal.net/
	Moline community voices concerns over plans for steel dam on Rock River It was a packed house Monday night in Moline to figure out what to do with the steel dam on the Rock River.
	Illinois DNR discusses possible changes to Steel and Sears dams The DNR will collect comments on the proposals until March 31, and then a final report is expected in June.
	What's in the SAVE America Act? The bill requires people to show documentary proof of citizenship when they register to vote, and it's one of President Trump's biggest priorities.
	Knox County deploying snowmobile rescue team due to hazardous road conditions Officials with the Knox County Sheriff's Office said residents should stay home if possible.
	Kevin McKee is golden once again as sled hockey team tops Canada US sweeps all the hockey competitions in Milan.
	Knox County deploying snowmobile rescue team due to hazardous road conditions Officials with the Knox County Sheriff's Office said residents should stay home if possible.
	Knox County deploys snowmobile rescue team amid dangerous road conditions The Knox County Snowmobile Rescue Team has been deployed to help stranded drivers as the QCA
	A look behind-the-scenes at Moline Public Works' snow plow crews following winter storm After inches of snow were dumped across the Quad Cities region, we give you a look behind the wheel on how plow drivers work to clear roadways.
	Traffic Alert: I-74 West to I-80 West ramp blocked due to crash The ramp is from I-74 West to I-80 West, according to Iowa 511.
	QC Rollers move to new venue for 20th season home opener game This year is the 20th season of the QC Rollers.
	County attorney: West Liberty officer ‘legally justified’ when he shot man A West Liberty police officer was “legally justified” when he shot a man during a domestic disturbance call, the Muscatine County Attorney’s Office found.
	Crews respond to crash on I-80 in Henry County, Illinois Emergency crews are responding to a crash on I-80 near Geneseo.
	Scott County EMS gets a fresh look with updated colors The Scott County ambulance service has gotten a makeover.
	Tennessee teens sue Elon Musk's xAI over AI-generated child sexual abuse material The three girls say that the nonconsensual nude images were created by a perpetrator who used AI company xAI's image generation tools.
	Hyundai recalls Palisade SUVs after child dies Hyundai is recalling nearly 70,000 of its 2026 Palisade SUVs while an investigation into the death of a young child continues, the carmaker announced Friday.
	Traffic Alert: I-74 East down to 1 lane due to crash I-74 East is down to one lane after a crash Monday evening.
	Afghanistan says 400 people killed in Pakistan strike on Kabul hospital Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of targeting a hospital for drug users in the Afghan capital with an airstrike, marking a dramatic escalation of a conflict that began late last month. Pakistan has dismissed the accusation.
	Traffic Alert: G62 and U Avenue closed due to semi-trailer crash Lousia County deputies closed both lanes of traffic to keep responders safe, according to a Facebook post.
	Galesburg-based Jet Air Inc. buys 3 new facilities The company has rebranded the facilities at airports in Davenport, Muscatine and Moline.
	Iowa bill to restrict collegiate diversity, equity and inclusion programs fails A bill in Iowa to add more restrictions to diversity, equity and inclusion programs failed in a senate education subcommittee. House File 2488 would withhold state tuition grants from private colleges and universities in the state failed in a senate education subcommittee. All three subcommittee members spoke against the bill on grounds it violates religious [...]
	Former Iowa City man found not guilty of election misconduct The verdict is the latest in six cases brought by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office over allegations of improper voting by individuals without full U.S. citizenship.
	Interstate 74 eastbound closed because of crashes: Knox County Sheriff's Office Interstate 74 eastbound from Woodhull to Galesburg is closed as of 6:30 p.m. Monday because of multiple crashes, according to a Facebook post from the Knox County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office asks that drivers avoid the area and seek alternate routes while emergency crews respond. The post says updates will be provided as more [...]
	Traffic Alert: Part of I-74 East closed due to multiple crashes The interstate is closed from Woodhull to Galesburg, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
	Traffic Alert: I-88 West closed due to crash The interstate is shut down at mile marker 26, according to Whiteside County Dispatch.
	Blizzard wrap-up for the Quad Cities What a blast of wintry weather Sunday night into Monday around the Quad Cities! We saw about 7" of snow in most of the area. Winds made matters MUCH worse though! We had winds gusting to around 50 mph for several hours late Sunday night and Monday morning. Here's a look at some of the [...]
	'Gathering of the Green' celebrates John Deere's role in America's story for 250th anniversary The four-day event highlights John Deere’s role in shaping agriculture, innovation and American history.
	Federal judge halts RFK Jr.'s changes to children's vaccine policies In a rebuke, a federal district court judge blocked the administration's reduction in the number of immunizations recommended for kids and also changes to an influential vaccine committee.
	Clinton to celebrate America's 250th anniversary with 250-mile cycling challenge Clinton invites cyclists to join their celebration of America's 250th anniversary with a 250-mile cycling challenge.
	OQC Crime Watch Episode 58: Stay safe from IRS 'dirty dozen' of tax-time scams Watch crime reporters Linda Cook and Sharon Wren talk about crime and courts in our area with the latest episode of the Our QC Crime Watch Podcast. In this episode Linda and Sharon discuss: updates on: To view, click the video above or watch on-the-go on Spotify. The QC Crime Watch Podcast \| Podcast on [...]
	Blizzard pushes emergency shelters to capacity overnight Blizzard conditions overnight created dangerous situations for people without a place to stay, pushing local emergency shelters to their limits.
	Former Scott County deputy sues Scott County sheriff A former Scott County deputy is suing Sheriff Tim Lane for what he calls an “illegal termination.”
	Traffic Alert: US 67 blocked in both directions due to crash The road is blocked at County Road Z36, three miles south of the Camanche area, according to Iowa 511.
	Gleason: Aldermen setting new path for Davenport From roads to the riverfront, a conversation with Davenport's new city administrator.
	No injuries in East Moline house fire First responders said no one was home when the blaze broke out.
	Traffic Alert: Left lane blocked on I-80 West due to crash The crash is between U.S. 61 and Exit 292: North West Boulevard (Davenport), according to Iowa 511.
	Monmouth-Roseville School District names next superintendent The Monmouth-Roseville School District has named the next superintendent who will take over the position in the coming years.
	Supreme Court to hear expedited arguments on protected status for migrants The court temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting some 6,000 Syrians and 350,000 Haitians who were granted Temporary Protected Status.
	What's ahead for the Quad City Steamwheelers? Sports fans, get ready for all the rough and tumble action of indoor football! Cory Ross and Quian Williams joined Our Quad Cities News to talk about what's ahead for our Quad City Steamwheelers as they take on the Iowa Barnstormers opening night. For more information, click here.
	Gathering of the Green returns to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary The Quad Cities will welcome Gathering of the Green, a national conference celebrating the legacy of John Deere and its impact on American agriculture.
	Groundbreaking early Black filmmaker to celebrated in Davenport March 22 A pioneering but little-known Black filmmaker will be celebrated in a free screening and talk on Sunday, March 22 at The Last Picture House, 325 E. 2nd St., Davenport.
	Groundbreaking early Black filmmaker to be celebrated in Davenport March 22 A pioneering but little-known Black filmmaker will be celebrated in a free screening and talk on Sunday, March 22 at The Last Picture House, 325 E. 2nd St., Davenport.
	Officials: Clinton County, Secondary Road Department to pause plowing as blowing wind continues Monday afternoon, Clinton County, Iowa Secondary Roads posted to Facebook with an update.
	2 people hurt in Bureau County crash Two drivers were taken to a local hospital with injuries, troopers said.
	'Go slow': Blizzard dumps 7 inches on the Quad-Cities, winds create tough driving Monday's combination of 7 inches of snow and wind gusts as high as 50 mph made for difficult driving conditions.
	A new drug could be the beginning of the end for sleeping sickness The goal in the world of global health is to bring an end to this scourge by 2030. A new drug looks as if it could do the job.
	Meet Rock Island Co. Sheriff candidate: Sgt. Marcus Herbert Four people are running--three Democrats and one Republican and we introduced each candidate during an appearance on the News at Noon.
	Cómo entender el colesterol: lo que necesita saber para un corazón saludable (Feature Impact) Con tanta información disponible, puede resultar difícil entender qué es el colesterol y por qué es importante. Conocer su riesgo personal de desarrollar enfermedad cardíaca y controlar su colesterol desde una etapa temprana mediante hábitos saludables, exámenes regulares y atención informada es clave para la salud del corazón y del cerebro. Los siguientes consejos de la American Heart Association pueden ayudarle a entender por qué el colesterol es importante, cómo controlarlo y cómo los hábitos de estilo de vida pueden afectar la salud de su corazón a largo plazo. El colesterol es esencial El colesterol es una sustancia cerosa que se encuentra en todo el cuerpo. Su cuerpo produce todo el colesterol que necesita para realizar funciones importantes, como ayudar a formar células y producir ciertas hormonas. El problema surge cuando hay demasiado colesterol “malo” (lipoproteína de baja densidad, o LDL) en la sangre, lo cual puede aumentar el riesgo de enfermedad cardíaca y ataque o derrame cerebral. Tener suficiente colesterol “bueno” (lipoproteína de alta densidad, o HDL) en la sangre puede ayudar a reducir ese riesgo. “El colesterol en sí no es el enemigo. Nuestros cuerpos necesitan niveles moderados para funcionar”, dijo Roger S. Blumenthal, MD, FAHA, presidente del grupo redactor de la Guía de Dislipidemia 2026 y experto voluntario nacional de la American Heart Association y cardiólogo. “El objetivo es el equilibrio. Los hábitos de vida saludables son un paso poderoso para mantener el colesterol LDL dentro de un rango saludable y proteger su corazón y su cerebro a largo plazo”. Colesterol en la sangre vs. colesterol en los alimentos Tener demasiado colesterol en la sangre, el tipo que se mide en un examen de colesterol, puede provocar acumulación de placa en las arterias (aterosclerosis), lo que aumenta el riesgo de enfermedad cardíaca y ataque o derrame cerebral. Los niveles de colesterol en la sangre están influenciados por los patrones generales de alimentación, los hábitos de estilo de vida, la genética y otros factores de salud, no solo por el colesterol presente en los alimentos. Disfrute verduras, frutas, granos integrales, frijoles, nueces, semillas, grasas no saturadas y proteínas magras como parte de un patrón general de alimentación saludable. Limite los alimentos ultraprocesados que tienen un alto contenido de grasas saturadas, azúcares añadidos y sodio. Conozca sus niveles y entienda su riesgo Los adultos de 19 años o más deberían revisarse el colesterol al menos cada cinco años, según lo recomienda la American Heart Association. Un perfil de lípidos, o examen de colesterol, es un análisis de sangre que proporciona resultados de su colesterol HDL, colesterol LDL, triglicéridos y colesterol total en sangre. También se deben considerar otros factores de riesgo, como la edad, los antecedentes familiares, si fuma y otros factores, para determinar su riesgo de desarrollar enfermedad cardíaca o ataque o derrame cerebral. Trabaje con su profesional de la salud para comprender sus resultados y diseñar un plan de tratamiento basado en su nivel de riesgo. Control del colesterol: el estilo de vida es fundamental Para muchas personas, los hábitos de vida saludables son la base para controlar el colesterol. Llevar una alimentación saludable, realizar actividad física con regularidad, mantener un peso saludable, dormir lo suficiente, evitar los productos de tabaco y controlar la presión arterial y el nivel de azúcar en la sangre pueden ayudar a apoyar la salud del corazón. Medicamentos para reducir el colesterol Además de los hábitos de vida saludables, algunas personas pueden necesitar medicamentos para reducir el colesterol según su riesgo general de desarrollar enfermedad cardíaca o ataque o derrame cerebral. Si se presentan efectos secundarios, hable con un profesional de la salud. Es posible que otro medicamento o enfoque sea más adecuado, y seguir el plan de tratamiento recomendado puede ayudar a proteger la salud del corazón a largo plazo. El colesterol en los niños El colesterol alto no solo afecta a los adultos. Puede comenzar en la infancia, especialmente en niños con afecciones hereditarias u otros factores de riesgo, por lo que la detección temprana es importante. Se recomienda realizar pruebas de colesterol a los niños que no hayan sido evaluados previamente entre los 9 y 11 años para ayudar a evaluar su riesgo y orientar la atención médica, además de iniciar hábitos de bienestar como priorizar alimentos saludables, hacer ejercicio diariamente y dormir lo suficiente. Estos pequeños cambios en el estilo de vida pueden ayudar a reducir el riesgo de enfermedad cardíaca y ataque o derrame cerebral en la edad adulta. Para obtener más información y recursos sobre la salud del corazón, visite Heart.org/KnowYourCholesterol. Fotos cortesía de Shutterstock
	Vaccine critics keep the pressure on, even as RFK Jr. shifts focus Anti-vaccine activists rally supporters to try to keep the momentum going on changing federal vaccine policies. This comes even as the White House tries to tamp down attention to the unpopular issue ahead of the midterm elections, and a powerful federal advisory committee plans to meet to consider even more moves.
	Camine más para estresarse menos: Muévase para mejorar su bienestar (Feature Impact) Hace más de 10 años, apenas cinco palabras asustaban a los oficinistas de todo el mundo: “sentarse es el nuevo fumar”. Aún así, muchas personas en Estados Unidos caminan menos que antes. Pasar largos días sentado puede pasar factura con el tiempo, impactando negativamente en el cuerpo y la mente. Una investigación de la American Heart Association muestra que 1 de cada 4 adultos en los Estados Unidos permanece sentado durante más de 8 horas cada día, lo que aumenta el riesgo de padecer enfermedades cardiovasculares, obesidad, diabetes tipo 2, ciertos tipos de cáncer y muerte prematura. Es común sentirse abrumado por las exigencias de la vida cotidiana. Sin embargo, simplemente agregar 20 minutos de actividad física diaria puede reducir el riesgo de enfermedades y mejorar la salud mental, según una investigación publicada en “JAMA Internal Medicine”. Además, estar físicamente activo trae consigo muchos beneficios a largo plazo. Mantenga su mente alerta a medida que envejece; los estudios muestran que niveles más altos de actividad física están relacionados con una mejor atención, aprendizaje, memoria de trabajo y resolución de problemas. También reduce el riesgo de depresión y aumenta una sensación general de alegría. Las investigaciones continúan demostrando que la actividad física, como caminar, reduce el estrés, mejora el estado de ánimo y promueve el bienestar general. Este año, en honor al Día Nacional de la Caminata, creado por la American Heart Association hace más de 10 años para fomentar más movimiento a lo largo del día y ayudar a las personas a vivir vidas más largas y saludables, paso a paso, considere estas ideas para hacer que su cuerpo se mueva para ayudar a reducir el estrés, mejorar el sueño, levantar su estado de ánimo y apoyar la salud mental y física. Adéntrese en la naturaleza Ponerse un par de zapatos cómodos para caminar y salir al aire libre es una forma sencilla de incorporar más movimiento a su vida. Caminar al aire libre tiene el beneficio adicional de ayudar a reducir el estrés, mejorar el estado de ánimo y estimular la salud cardiovascular. La luz solar también brinda un aporte de vitamina D y refuerzo inmunológico. Hágalo divertido Piense en el movimiento como algo que le da a si mismo al moverse más a su manera. Cuando elige actividades que disfruta, es más fácil convertirlas en parte de su día. Si no puede encontrar 20 minutos para caminar al aire libre, incluso pequeños movimientos pueden ayudar. Caminar en el mismo lugar a un ritmo rápido, subir y bajar las escaleras de su casa, buscar una rutina de baile rápida en línea o incluso hacer ejercicios sentados y descansos para estirarse durante el día pueden ayudarlo a sentirse más renovado y listo para asumir las tareas cotidianas, como cocinar y hacer recados. Camine con un amigo peludo Las mascotas pueden ser un gran motivador para empezar a moverse. Además, sacar a pasear a su amigo peludo puede favorecer la salud del corazón, reducir el estrés y aumentar la felicidad general. De hecho, un estudio publicado en el “Journal of Physical Activity and Health” muestra que los dueños de perros tienen un 34% más de probabilidades de alcanzar sus objetivos de fitness y realizar la cantidad recomendada de actividad física que aquellos que no tienen perro. Caminar con su mascota también puede generar una mayor conexión social, como conocer vecinos u otros dueños de mascotas. Golpee el pavimento con un amigo Caminar solo puede ser bueno para la introspección, pero ir acompañado de un amigo, familiar o compañero de trabajo puede hacer que el tiempo pase más rápido y agregar conexión a su rutina. Explore un área verde, una zona costera o un centro comercial cubierto para encontrar una forma nueva de caminar. Si un ser querido no está disponible para acompañarlo, haga una llamada telefónica mientras camina o realice una reunión o conferencia telefónica al aire libre si su trabajo lo permite. Cada paso cuenta. Visite Heart.org/movemore para obtener más consejos para comenzar a moverse.
	The network of 38,000 inexpensive US lakefront campsites you've probably never heard of The network of 38,000 inexpensive US lakefront campsites you've probably never heard ofAsk most campers to name a federal campground system and they will say National Parks, maybe National Forests. Very few will say Army Corps of Engineers. That is a mistake. Outwander.com explains.The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the largest federal campground network in the country: 994 campgrounds across 226 lake projects in 37 states, with 38,552 individual campsites bookable through Recreation.gov. The average nightly rate, weighted by campsite count, is $20. Half of all USACE campgrounds price their cheapest sites under $20 per night. Nearly all of them sit on lakefront property with boat ramps, swimming areas, and fishing access.The National Park Service gets 331.9 million recreation visits a year and wall-to-wall media coverage. The Corps gets north of 370 million visits and a fraction of the coverage.How the Army Got Into the Campground BusinessThe Corps of Engineers didn't set out to become a recreation provider. Its core mission is building and maintaining dams, locks, and levees for flood control and navigation. But when you build over 600 dams across 43 states, you end up controlling a lot of shoreline. More than 55,000 miles of it.Rather than leave that land idle, Congress authorized the Corps to develop recreation areas along its reservoirs starting in the 1940s. Today, those recreation areas include over 4,300 sites across 438 lake and river projects: campgrounds, day-use parks, boat ramps, marinas, and trails.For context: The National Park Service manages roughly 27,000 campsites across its 63 parks. The Corps manages 38,552 on Recreation.gov alone, plus thousands more first-come-first-served sites that don't appear in the reservation system.Why So Few People Know About ThisThere are three reasons a system this large stays invisible.First, branding. "Army Corps of Engineers" sounds like a military outfit, not a recreation agency. Few people Google "Army Corps camping." They search for "lakeside camping near me" and get private campground ads.Second, the Corps doesn't market. The NPS has a $3+ billion annual budget, a communications team, and national park designations that function as brand names. The Corps has project-level websites that look like they were built in 2004, because many of them were.Third, there is no single front door. Each lake is managed by a regional district. There is no unified "Camp Corps" app, no centralized campaign, nothing equivalent to the NPS arrowhead. The closest thing to a hub is Recreation.gov, where USACE campgrounds show up alongside Forest Service, NPS, and BLM listings without standing out.The result: 38,552 campsites priced below the market, with little brand awareness driving demand.What You Get for $20 a NightUSACE campgrounds share more DNA with state parks than with private RV resorts. Expect roomy sites along a lake or river with electric hookups (and often water hookups), a fire ring, a picnic table, and access to basic but clean restroom and shower facilities. Most campgrounds include a dump station, a boat ramp, and a swimming beach. Some offer full hookups with sewer.Here is how the pricing breaks down across 617 USACE campgrounds with published nightly rates on Recreation.gov:Under $20/night: 307 campgrounds (49.8%)$20 to $30/night: 247 campgrounds (40.0%)$30 to $40/night: 49 campgrounds (7.9%)Over $40/night: 14 campgrounds (2.3%)The simple average across those 617 campgrounds is $22.98 per night.For comparison, KOA's published rates for full-hookup sites at popular locations routinely top $75. A family spending 10 nights at USACE campgrounds instead of private campgrounds saves $390 to $470 on site fees alone.Visitors aged 62 or older get a 50% discount at USACE campgrounds. The America the Beautiful Senior Pass ($80 lifetime) works at Corps sites the same way it works at national parks.The 10 Best USACE Lakes for CampingOutwander.com ranked all 226 USACE lake projects with campgrounds by total campsite count and cross-referenced user ratings, pricing, and campground density (how many separate campgrounds each lake offers).A note on ratings: Lake-level ratings are averages of each campground's Recreation.gov score, weighted by review count. Across all 854 rated USACE campgrounds (172,368 total reviews), the system-wide weighted average is 4.43 out of 5 stars.The top 10:1. Greers Ferry Lake, Arkansas (13 campgrounds, 1,018 sites, avg $19/night, 4.3 rating)A 31,000-acre lake in the Ozark foothills with clear water, striped bass fishing, and sites spread across 13 campgrounds on both the north and south shores. At $19 a night for 1,018 sites, it is the highest-capacity and lowest-cost combination in the system.2. Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, Mississippi/Alabama (22 campgrounds, 709 sites, avg $31/night, 4.7 rating)The highest-rated project in the top 10. The Tenn-Tom is a 234-mile navigable waterway connecting the Tennessee and Mobile rivers, with 22 separate campgrounds strung along its length. The 4.7-star average across its campgrounds is the best of any USACE property with significant review volume.3. Beaver Lake, Arkansas (11 campgrounds, 677 sites, avg $20/night, 4.0 rating)Northwest Arkansas's anchor lake, popular with bass anglers and kayakers. War Eagle and Lost Bridge South fill fast; Prairie Creek and Horseshoe Bend offer more availability.4. Table Rock Lake, Missouri/Arkansas (12 campgrounds, 657 sites, avg $18/night, 4.4 rating)Twelve campgrounds near Branson with rates starting at $16. Baxter and Indian Point are the most popular; Aunts Creek and Big M draw fewer crowds.5. Lake Texoma, Texas/Oklahoma (10 campgrounds, 640 sites, avg $16/night, 4.1 rating)An 89,000-acre reservoir straddling the Texas-Oklahoma border, known for its striped bass fishery. Ten campgrounds, some with full hookups, at $16 per night on average.6. Lake Shelbyville, Illinois (14 campgrounds, 555 sites, avg $17/night, 4.2 rating)The most campground-dense lake in the system: 14 separate campgrounds around an 11,100-acre reservoir in central Illinois. Individual campsites run $16 to $18 per night. Easy access from both Springfield and Champaign.7. Saylorville Lake, Iowa (11 campgrounds, 553 sites, avg $20/night, 4.5 rating)Fifteen minutes north of Des Moines. Eleven campgrounds, a 50-mile trail system, and 553 sites within commuting distance of Iowa's capital. The textbook example of the USACE's proximity advantage.8. Harry S. Truman Lake, Missouri (8 campgrounds, 533 sites, avg $14/night, 4.5 rating)The cheapest option in the top 10 at $14 on average. A 55,000-acre reservoir in west-central Missouri-popular with crappie fisherman.9. Tenkiller Ferry Lake, Oklahoma (6 campgrounds, 518 sites, avg $13/night, 4.1 rating)Known locally as "Oklahoma's Clear Water Lake" for its visibility. Six campgrounds at $13 average.10. Lake Sidney Lanier, Georgia (14 campgrounds, 508 sites, avg $26/night, 4.1 rating)The Atlanta metro's go-to lake, 50 miles northeast of downtown. Rates are higher than the USACE average given the proximity to 6 million people, but still roughly half of private campground pricing in the same market.The Geography: 37 States, Heavy in the Southeast and MidwestThe Corps campground footprint tilts toward the states where dam-building was most active: the Arkansas-Oklahoma-Texas triangle, the Great Plains, the Ohio River valley, and the Southeast.The top 10 states by total campsites on Recreation.gov:Arkansas: 5,081 campsites (115 campgrounds)Texas: 4,375 (95 campgrounds)Oklahoma: 4,254 (87 campgrounds)Missouri: 3,049 (56 campgrounds)Kansas: 2,575 (61 campgrounds)Georgia: 2,057 (70 campgrounds)Kentucky: 1,919 (51 campgrounds)Iowa: 1,901 (42 campgrounds)Illinois: 1,664 (42 campgrounds)Mississippi: 1,494 (70 campgrounds)Note the gap between campground count and campsite count: Mississippi and Georgia tie for 4th in campgrounds (70 each) but rank 10th and 6th in campsites. Many of Mississippi's entries are small day-use areas or picnic shelters with one or two bookable units. Campsites are the more useful measure of actual camping capacity.Eight states have no USACE campgrounds: Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Utah, and Wyoming. The Corps Lakes Gateway lists recreation areas in 42 states total, but campgrounds cluster in the 37 states above.Why the West is mostly missing: When Congress divided federal water management in the early 1900s, the Corps got jurisdiction over river systems east of the Rockies (flood control, navigation, hydropower). The Bureau of Reclamation got the 17 western states (irrigation, water supply, dam construction). Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Shasta Lake: those are all Bureau of Reclamation projects. The handful of Corps lakes out west, like Libby Dam in Montana and Lucky Peak in Idaho, are exceptions where the Corps built flood-control projects in Reclamation's territory.Reclamation runs its own campground system: roughly 549 campgrounds with over 12,000 RV/trailer sites across those 17 western states. It is equally under-the-radar.This geographic split fills a gap in the federal camping map. The NPS and Forest Service are strongest in the Mountain West and Pacific states. The Corps is strongest in the regions where NPS and USFS camping options are thinnest. If you live in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, or Kentucky and want affordable federal campground access, the Corps is your primary option.The Swap Guide: USACE Alternatives to Overcrowded National ParksThe Outwander National Park Overcrowding Index identified the parks with the highest visitor density per acre during peak months. Several of the most overcrowded parks have USACE campground alternatives within driving distance.Instead of Hot Springs National Park (65.4 visitors/acre in June): Lake Ouachita, 20 miles west. Thirteen campgrounds, 381 sites on Arkansas's largest lake, 40,000 acres of clear water with scuba diving and island camping. $18/night.Instead of Great Smoky Mountains (2.9 visitors/acre in October): Center Hill Lake, 80 miles east in Tennessee. Five campgrounds, 295 sites on a quiet 18,000-acre lake. Full hookups, $22/night.Instead of Cuyahoga Valley (12.2 visitors/acre in July): Summersville Lake, 250 miles south in West Virginia. Crystal-clear water, cliff jumping, scuba diving, 4 campgrounds with 338 sites. $28/night.Instead of Rocky Mountain National Park (3.8 visitors/acre in July): Chatfield Reservoir, 60 miles south near Denver. Corps-managed reservoir with RV hookups, boating, and mountain views. $28/night.The trade-off: You are swapping a marquee national park experience for a lake. But if your goal is getting outdoors, parking your RV somewhere scenic, and not fighting for a reservation six months out, the Corps fills that gap at a fraction of the cost.How to Find and Book USACE CampgroundsAll reservable USACE campgrounds are booked through Recreation.gov. Search for the lake name or browse the interactive map. You can filter by hookup type (electric, water, sewer), pull-through sites, pet-friendly sites, and ADA-accessible sites.A few booking tips:Reservation windows vary. Most USACE campgrounds open reservations six months in advance, but some open at 12 months. Check the specific campground page on Recreation.gov for its booking window.First-come-first-served sites still exist. Not all USACE campgrounds require reservations. Many have a mix of reservable and walk-up sites.Start at the Corps Lakes Gateway. The Corps Lakes Gateway lets you browse by state and lake, check which campgrounds are currently open, and find contact info for the ranger office. Use it to explore, then move to Recreation.gov to book.Check satellite campgrounds. Big lakes like Greers Ferry (13 campgrounds) and Lake Shelbyville (14 campgrounds) have multiple camping areas. If the popular campground is booked, the one three miles down the shore often has openings.Season dates matter. Most USACE campgrounds run from April through October. Some in the Deep South extend into November. Winter camping is limited.RV-Specific NotesUSACE campgrounds are disproportionately RV-friendly compared to other federal camping options. Most sites include at least 30-amp electric, and many offer 50-amp. Water hookups are common. Pull-through sites are available at most larger campgrounds. Dump stations are standard.A month of camping at USACE sites at $20/night runs $600 total, compared to $1,800+ at private campgrounds. For RVers doing extended trips, that math is hard to ignore.The top Corps lakes for RV-equipped camping: Lake Texoma (TX/OK), Greers Ferry Lake (AR), Beaver Lake (AR), Saylorville Lake (IA), and J Percy Priest Lake (TN).MethodologyThis analysis used the Recreation.gov Search API to identify all campgrounds managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The query returned 994 USACE-operated campground listings as of February 2026. For each campground, we collected: name, location (state, city, GPS coordinates), total campsite count, user rating, number of ratings, parent lake or project name, and nightly price range.Rankings: Lake project rankings sort by total campsites aggregated across all campgrounds at each lake. We chose campsites over a composite weighted score because it is the most concrete, verifiable metric.Pricing: The $20.10 weighted average uses the minimum published nightly rate for each campground, weighted by campsite count (617 campgrounds, 37,078 sites). "Minimum rate" means the cheapest available site type, typically a basic electric site. Full-hookup and waterfront premium sites cost more. Group camps ($100-$240/night) and day-use shelters were excluded. Rates vary by season; treat these as baseline figures.Ratings: Lake-level ratings average each campground's Recreation.gov user score, weighted by review count (854 campgrounds, 172,368 total reviews). Self-selection bias applies: campers who leave reviews skew toward strong opinions in either direction.State coverage: The 42-state figure for recreation areas comes from the Corps Lakes Gateway (438 lake and river projects). The 37-state figure for campgrounds comes from Recreation.gov, covering only the subset with online reservations.What this data does not include: First-come-first-served campgrounds not listed on Recreation.gov. The Corps operates an unknown number of walk-up-only campgrounds that don't appear in any centralized database. Our 994/38,552 numbers are a floor, not a ceiling. We also lack hookup-type breakdowns (electric vs. water vs. full) at scale; the Recreation.gov API does not expose this field in search results.The NPS overcrowding comparison uses the Outwander National Park Overcrowding Index, which calculates peak-month visitor density per acre using 2024 NPS IRMA data.Data sources:- Recreation.gov Search API (campground listings, pricing, ratings, Feb 2026)- Corps Lakes Gateway (state coverage, lake count, operational status)- USACE Civil Works Recreation (aggregate recreation statistics)- NPS IRMA Stats REST API (2024 monthly recreation visits, via Outwander Overcrowding Index)This story was produced by outwander.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	How to pick bedroom paint colors to suit your sensibility How to pick bedroom paint colors to suit your sensibilityWhat if your bedroom walls could help you sleep better, think more clearly or even wake up happier? Color psychology plays a significant role in how we experience a space, and in the bedroom, paint color can influence everything from relaxation to focus. Choosing the right paint color depends on the mood you want to cultivate, and understanding how different shades affect the brain can help you create a bedroom that aligns with your needs. But how do you know which colors will actually support the vibe you're going for? Naturepedic explainsWhy Color Matters in the BedroomColor psychology explores how different hues can influence our behavior, mood and mental clarity – a concept supported by over 128 years of psychological theory and research. Studies have shown that certain colors can affect heart rate, stress levels and cognitive performance, which makes them especially important in spaces like the bedroom, where these factors can all influence the quality of rest. Because the bedroom is where we sleep, wake and recharge, choosing a paint color that aligns with these activities can support and enhance them. Sure, choosing the right wall color in your bedroom seems like it’s just aesthetics, but it can truly affect your well-being.Calming Colors for Better SleepCertain hues can help calm the nervous system, reduce stress and cue the brain for sleep. Here are a few. Naturepedic Soft bluesConsistently ranked as the most calming color, blue tones have been linked to lowered heart rate, reduced blood pressure and a greater sense of mental clarity. For this reason, soft blues are a classic choice for creating a peaceful environment in the bedroom. Lighter shades like powder blue, mist or robin’s egg can lend a clean, calm, airy feel to the space. These soothing bedroom paint colors work especially well in rooms that get a lot of natural light, where they can reflect sunlight throughout the day. Paired with natural materials like organic cotton bedding, blue walls can cultivate a tranquil space that’s just right for rest and relaxation.Sage greenSage green is a versatile, earthy hue that brings a subtle connection to the natural world indoors. Its gray-green base makes it soft enough to act as a neutral that doesn’t overpower the room, while still adding color and character to your walls. This makes it a great option for those looking to introduce some color without straying too far from a minimalist palette. If your goal is to design a nature-inspired space or you simply want your room to feel grounded and harmonious, sage offers just the right amount of color and calm.Warm neutralsWarm neutrals like ivory, sand, oatmeal and taupe offer a timeless, easygoing canvas for your bedroom. These hues don’t demand attention, but that’s exactly what makes them so effective at bestowing a sense of calm. Warm neutrals adapt beautifully in a variety of design styles, including rustic, modern, coastal and Scandinavian. Thanks to their neutrality, these warm hues help create an understated, welcoming bedroom that feels effortlessly comfortable and naturally restful.Energizing Colors to Wake Up HappyYour bedroom doesn’t have to be all about winding down — it's also where you start each day. If you're looking to bring a bit of lightness and energy to your mornings, try these colors. Naturepedic Sun-kissed yellowsShades of yellow, especially those on the softer, warmer end of the spectrum, can add a cheerful glow to your bedroom. Think buttercream, golden straw or muted ochre — colors that offer warmth without being too bold. Used across an entire room or even just one focal wall, these shades can make the room feel brighter and more inviting. Pair with neutral textiles and organic textures for a grounded, natural look that still radiates energy.Peach or coral accentsPeach and coral come in warm, approachable shades that can add a gentle liveliness to your bedroom walls. These colors work especially well in rooms with lots of natural light, where they pick up the sun's warm rays throughout the day. Consider a soft peach for all four walls of color or a slightly stronger coral for an accent wall. Both options bring a playful, yet polished feel — ideal for balancing rest at night with a spark of joy in the morning.Light terracotta or clayFor something earthy yet vibrant, try painting your walls in a pale terracotta or soft clay tone. These grounded colors add depth and character without overpowering the space. They pair beautifully with natural elements like wood furniture, linen bedding and woven rugs, creating a warm and sun-washed atmosphere that still feels restful. Terracotta walls can also give your bedroom a distinctive, collected feel that works across many design styles while offering a happy wake-up in the mornings.Romantic Colors for Cozy NightsIf you’re creating a romantic space, the wall color you choose can help set the tone. These soft, rich hues invite a sense of intimacy to enhance the mood of your room. Naturepedic Blush pinkBlush pink is soft, soothing and effortlessly timeless on bedroom walls. It adds a hint of color without overwhelming a space, making it an ideal choice for those who want a palette that feels warm and gentle. Paired with creamy whites, brushed brass or soft gray linens, blush walls can offer a versatile backdrop that lends itself to a cozy, layered bedroom environment ready for an evening of romance.Deep plum or burgundyIf you prefer something moodier and more dramatic, consider a deep plum or burgundy. These rich hues create a sense of depth and character, enveloping the room in a cocoon-like feel that’s especially appealing in the evening hours. They also bring an elegant, grounded quality to the space and pair well with darker woods, velvet accents or candlelit lighting.Warm rose tonesA warm rose — somewhere between pink and terracotta — adds romantic warmth without leaning too sweet or too stark. When used on all four walls or as an accent wall behind the bed, this color can create a soft, inviting canvas that works beautifully with natural textures and cozy details. Warm rose tones feel both modern and nostalgic, making them a lovely fit for bedrooms that blend comfort with charm — and create an atmosphere perfect for cuddling.Focus-Friendly Colors for a Multi-Use BedroomSometimes bedrooms must serve more than one role: part sleep space, part workspace, part anything-in-between. If your bedroom doubles as a home office, reading nook or creative studio, choosing a paint color that helps support both focus and relaxation is key — try these. Naturepedic Muted teal or blue-greenPainting your bedroom walls in a soft teal or blue-green can create a fresh and balanced atmosphere. These dual-toned hues bring rich color to the space without being overly stimulating, which makes them ideal for rooms that require both clarity and calm. Muted teals work well with natural materials like rattan, walnut or wool, and provide a lovely contrast to neutral bedding and soft lighting.Slate graySlate gray makes for a sophisticated, grounding wall color that adapts beautifully to a wide range of styles. It's clean and modern, yet still warm enough to feel cozy, especially when softened with texture — like cotton drapes or a wool area rug. A slate-gray bedroom offers a stylish, uncluttered backdrop that supports focus and rest.Warm greigeA mix of beige and gray, warm greige is a quietly refined option for bedroom walls. Its soft, warm undertones create a sense of calm while offering enough neutrality to work with nearly any design scheme. Plus, it isn’t a color too rich to be distracting while trying to focus on your work. Greige walls can tie a space together while allowing your decor and personal touches to shine in both minimalist and maximalist spaces.Tips for Choosing the Right ShadeChoosing the perfect paint color isn’t just about the shade itself, it’s also about how it lives in your space. Several factors can influence how a color looks and feels once it’s on your walls, and you don’t want to go through the work of getting the color up without it being the right one.Check natural light: North-facing rooms need richer tones and south-facing spaces can use cooler shades.Test samples: Try swatches at different times of day and with different lighting. The same color can look completely different depending on the light in the room.Consider ceiling, trim and textiles: The subtle, often neutral tones from these elements frame your walls and impact mood, too.Use low‑VOC paint: Especially important for sensitive sleepers — less off‑gassing means cleaner air.Style supports mood: Paint sets the tone, but textiles, plants, lighting and art bring it home.There’s no universal list of best bedroom colors — it’s about finding what best suits your personal rhythms, lifestyle and taste. Use color psychology as a guide, not a rule, and remember: Even small shifts in color can significantly change how a room feels.By taking the time to test, observe and consider all elements of your room, you’ll be better equipped to choose a shade that truly supports your desired mood. A thoughtful approach, paired with healthy, low-VOC paint, can help you create a bedroom that not only looks beautiful but feels just right.This story was produced by Naturepedic and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	2026 NCAA Tournament bracket strategy: Tips and trends to help you win your pool 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket strategy: Tips and trends to help you win your poolOne of the country’s favorite traditions in sports is back at last. The 68-team 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket is set, and tens of millions will fill out their own brackets in the coming days, chasing bragging rights and the near-impossible perfect bracket across 67 games.With upsets on tap, Cinderellas emerging, and blue-blood programs chasing another national title, everyone is searching for an edge with their bracket strategy.There’s no guaranteed formula, but NCAA Tournament history offers clues. PrizePicks, a real money sports pick app, shares its NCAA Tournament bracket tips, and trends that can improve your college basketball bracket picks to help you win your bracket pool this year.2026 NCAA Tournament Bracket Strategy: 8 Tips to Win Your PoolMany people know the one co-worker with minimal “ball knowledge” who has won the bracket pool by winning coin flips for every game. Or the friend who nailed the national semifinal teams by picking based on mascots.You can put in hours of research on advanced metrics, matchup breakdowns — and somehow, your bracket is busted before the first weekend ends.If there’s one bad habit we have for brackets, it’s overthinking the wrong things. After hours spent diving into the data, it’s easy to get lost in the sauce.Let’s narrow this bracket strategy to eight NCAA Tournament tips and trends to focus on when filling out brackets, melding together historical trends with this year’s tournament teams.Tip #1: Don’t Sweat the UpsetsUpsets are what separate the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament from any other tournament, constantly providing results that no one could have expected.Of course, upsets will happen, but how much do they really impact your bracket pool ranking? Most pools double your points by round for each correct pick. For example, you may earn 10 points for a first-round pick, followed by 20 points for the second round, and up to 320 points for nailing the National Champion.With that said, maybe people place too much emphasis on the upsets.Someone may be seen as a genius for predicting a 14-seed to upset a No. 3. But in the Round of 32, that 14-seed loses. In the end, that bracket only has a small advantage — usually 10 points — over the competition.That’s dust in the wind compared to 80 points for a correct national semifinal pick.Time could be best served focusing on the later rounds — the teams that have tournament longevity. High accuracy in hitting your final eight teams can easily erase any first- and second-round woes.Tip #2: Make Your National Champion Pick With DataOver the last 23 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournaments, 22 champions entered the bracket ranked in the top 25 of adjusted offensive efficiency and adjusted defensive efficiency on KenPom — an advanced analytic resource for college basketball.Eight teams currently fit that metric: Duke, Arizona, Michigan, Florida, Houston, Iowa State, Michigan State, and Louisville. PrizePicks Team Picks has the first six teams above listed as the favorites to win the NCAA Tournament, while Michigan State and Louisville are longer shot picksOddly enough, Week 6 of the AP Top 25 Poll also holds some magic, with 21 consecutive and 35 of the last 36 champions ranking in the top 12 of the Week 6 poll. Out of the eight squads, Florida is the only team that doesn’t fit the trend, ranked No. 18 in December’s poll.Tip #3: 5 Seeds Have Never Won a National TitleWhen selecting a champ, team seeds should be kept in mind. Every seedline one through eight has won a national title — except for No. 5 seeds. In 2023, No. 5 San Diego State appeared in the national championship game, but it fell short against No. 4 UConn.In the last 40 tournaments, 26 No. 1 seeds, five No. 2 seeds, four No. 3 seeds, two No. 4 seeds, one No. 6 seed, one No. 7 seed, and one No. 8 seed have won it all. As expected, the consistent pick is with No. 1 seeds, taking home 65 percent (26) of the past 40 titles.No. 1 seeds are even more dominant in recent history; over the past 10 NCAA Tournaments, eight No. 1 seeds cut down the nets (or 80%). Perhaps the top seed isn’t the most exciting pick, but it yields results more often than not.Tip #4: Recent Tournaments Have Been ChalkyThe 2025 NCAA Tournament featured all four No. 1 seeds in the national semifinals for the first time since 2008. An average of 1.6 No. 1 seeds per tournament appeared in the national semifinals from 2014 to 2024.From 2013 to 2023, an average of 0.9 No. 1 seeds per tournament lost in the first weekend of play — the first or second round. Recent history busted that trend, with all four No. 1 seeds advancing to the Round of 16 in the last two tournaments.While upsets are still bound to happen, the top dogs are creating separation from the pack. Perhaps this is a recent trend that could continue, with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) introduced in the 2021-22 season, allowing the teams with the most financial backing to recruit and pay the best talent — even more so than before.With that in mind, don’t be afraid to lean on more chalk by selecting the lowest seed in matchups, especially when it comes to the top teams.Tip #5: And Then There Were FourThe national semifinals also win some serious points in your bracket pool. Let’s go over a few trends for selecting the four teams that will play for all the marbles in Indianapolis this year.Before the 2025 NCAA Tournament, a No. 4 seed or higher had advanced in the national semifinals in 14 consecutive brackets. Last year bucked that trend, but there’s still plenty of history there.On average, one ACC team per tournament has appeared in the national semifinals since 2015. This included some improbable runs, such as No. 11 NC State in 2024 and No. 5 Miami (Florida) in 2023.Perhaps that’s support for circling Duke in 2026, which is tied as the favorite to earn a national semifinal berth on PrizePicks Team Picks.Predicting the correct national championship game produces a truckload of points in bracket pools, too, and six of the last 10 title games featured two No. 1 seeds duking it out.Tip #6: Expect Some Double-Digit Seed UpsetsThese tips have focused plenty on the later rounds with juicy bracket pool points. But is it any fun without upsets? Don’t worry, there will be plenty of them.Since the 2015 NCAA Tournament, an average of 8.9 upsets — or the lower-seeded team defeating the higher seed — occurred in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.This pertains to any lower seed grabbing a dub, including No. 9 seeds over the No. 9 seedline. Last season featured only seven first-round upsets, emphasizing the chalk discussed above.However, over the last 10 tournaments, Nos. 10, 11, and 12 each average at least one first-round win per tournament.No. 10 seeds – 1.5 average first-round wins since 2015No. 11 seeds – 2.0No. 12 seeds – 1.3No. 13 and No. 14 seeds (combined) – 1.3A No. 15 or 16 seed has not won a game over the last two tournaments. That’s the first time since 2014 and 2015 that back-to-back tournaments featured all one and two seeds advancing to the second round.With that said, even last season’s chalky bracket still had seven first-round upsets — and five were double-digit seeds snagging Ws.Tip #7: Prepare for First Weekend ChaosUpsets are still frequent in the first weekend — consisting of the first and second rounds, meaning surprise teams continue to earn Round of 16 bids.Over the last 10 tournaments, 1.6 double-digit seeds per tournament advanced to the second weekend of the tournament.Nine of the past 10 tournaments had a double-digit seed in the Round of 16. Even the chalky 2025 NCAA Tournament featured No. 10 Arkansas knocking off No. 2 St. John’s in the Round of 32.Eight of the last 10 tournaments had at least one No. 2 seed losing in the first weekend of play. Furthermore, an average of 1.7 No. 3 seeds lost in the first weekend per year over the last 10 tournaments.Maybe fans haven’t enjoyed the usual Cinderella runs or No. 1 or 2 seeds falling in the first round, but upsets still occur, even in the chalkiest brackets.Tip #8: A Perfect Bracket is Nearly ImpossibleAbove all else, have fun with your bracket. Don’t let the multitude of trends and data drive you to insanity. Roll with your favorite data and go with your gut. Bumps in the road are inevitable.You think winning the Powerball is impossible? Try hitting a perfect bracket. In fact, your chance at a perfect bracket — with zero ball knowledge — is a 1 in 9.2 quintillion chance.There has never been a verified perfect bracket. A man from Ohio holds the best verifiable win streak with 49 consecutive correct picks to begin his 2019 NCAA Tournament bracket.In short, try to be easy on yourself as you fill out your 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket, as no one has ever pulled off the nearly impossible feat of a perfect bracket.This story was produced by PrizePicks and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	PTA PSA: Notes on the 2026 Academy Awards Telecast All awards-season long, One Battle After Another v. Sinners felt like the friendliest of rivalries, an unusual happenstance no doubt augmented by both films coming from the same studio. Why pitch the titles against each other when Warner Bros. was gonna win either way?
	Free coffee and soup available for snow removal crews, first responders at select Happy Joe's locations The promotion is only available at Happy Joe's Spruce Hills Drive location in Bettendorf and its W. 50th Street location in Davenport, while supplies last.
	Aging-in-place renovations surge as homeowners invest in safety and accessibility upgrades Aging-in-place renovations surge as homeowners invest in safety and accessibility upgradesThe conversation around America’s aging population usually focuses on the macro-level: rising healthcare costs and the future of social security. But in 2026, the most visible shift is happening inside the American home. We’re seeing a massive departure from the traditional move toward retirement communities. Instead, as this article from Five Star Bath Solutions explores, older adults are doubling down on their current properties, choosing to stay independent through a trend known as “aging-in-place.”While this choice might have seemed like an uphill battle a decade ago, modern design and better tech have made it a viable reality. The data shows that turning a family home into a safe, accessible “forever home” is now the primary driver of the domestic remodeling market. Five Star Bath Solutions Aging in Place Picks Up PaceThe demographic shift isn't just a talking point; it's a massive economic force. Census Bureau figures show that as of 2024, the 65-and-over population hit 61.2 million, growing by over 3% annually, while the under-18 demographic actually began to shrink.This shift has flipped the renovation market on its head. According to the 2025 Improving America’s Housing report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) of Harvard University, older homeowners are now outspending their younger counterparts. Back in 2003, people over 65 accounted for just 14% of the remodeling market. By 2023, that number surged to over 27%, officially overtaking the 35-44 age bracket.Financially, the logic is hard to argue with. With the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program pegging annual nursing home costs at over $112,000, spending $20,000 or $30,000 on high-end home modifications isn't just a luxury—it’s an investment that pays for itself in less than a term of care.A total of over $600 billion was spent on remodeling across all demographics last year, including major improvements, minor maintenance, and work on rental properties. Older homeowners, aged 65 and over, accounted for above-average spending. The shift is particularly apparent when compared with bygone decades.Specifically, in 2003, the over-65s accounted for just 14% of renovation spending, while 35- to 44-year-olds accounted for 28%. By 2023, this flipped, with over-65s making up 27.2% of the total, compared with just over 20% for the 35-44 age bracket.Today, around 28% of homeowners aged 65 and above spent money on improvements in the past year. In terms of that expenditure which went towards projects focused on accessibility and safety, the JCHS study puts this at 9.5%. That’s more than twice the proportion for under-65s.Acting on the DataThe current wave of renovations is also seeing a shift in aesthetic expectations. Older homeowners aren't just looking for “functional” fixes; they want high-quality design that doesn't scream “hospital room.”Industry specialists have noted a significant uptick in requests for shower conversions and curbless entryways that blend seamlessly with modern interior design. The JCHS study notes that nearly 10% of all renovation spending for seniors is now hyper-focused on these specific accessibility features. This isn't just about adding a grab bar; it's about re-engineering the most dangerous room in the house—the bathroom—to ensure long-term safety without sacrificing the home's resale value.The JCHS data indicate that there’s a greater need and demand for renovations than there is adequate capital to fund them. A fifth of households spent nothing on improvements or maintenance in the past year, while 14% had budgets of just $500 to work with. Unsurprisingly, the lowest-income households had the lowest uptake of improvement spending, while 86% of the highest-income households pursued at least one renovation project.Analysts advise that additional public funding for renovations aimed at enabling aging-in-place is required to close the gap between the most affluent and poorest households. Given that it is cheaper to live at home and receive care than to move to a nursing facility, so long as accessibility is improved, it’s an efficient option in the long term.A Positive Outlook for Aging In PlacePeople want to live independently for as long as possible and, ideally, remain in their family home for their entire lives. To achieve this, safety and accessibility upgrades must be implemented. Moreover, these improvements must be affordable without compromising on quality, or they will fall short of the needs and the expectations of older people.The trend for aging in place will only gather momentum, with the aging population presenting its own challenges that can be partly addressed by allowing people to adapt their homes for comfortable living into their golden years.This story was produced by Five Star Bath Solutions and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Hatching trends: How America is celebrating Easter, according to DoorDash data Hatching trends: How America is celebrating Easter, according to DoorDash dataWhether you’re planning an egg hunt, building a basket for someone you love, or simply stocking up on “just one more” sweet for yourself, this is the egg-stra scoop on what everyone was actually reaching for. From crowning the top Easter candy nationwide to spotlighting state favorites and mapping the most-loved Peeps colors and flavors, these DoorDash trends from 2025 offer a snapshot of how America snacks when spring officially springs.Key HighlightsReese’s Pieces claimed the No. 1 spot nationwide, proving that a festive plastic carrot full of peanut butter candy is the ultimate egg-hunt essential.Yellow Peeps kept the crown, but blue is trailing close behind as the season’s breakout pastel hue.Parents went full DIY basket mode, driving spikes in storage baskets (up 440%), chalk (360%), food coloring (220%) and arts and crafts (70%).The second the spring weather hit, backyard BBQs officially kicked off with grill orders jumping over 130% on Easter.No matter what you’re celebrating this spring, brunch is in full bloom, with deliveries of croque monsieur (210%), eggs Benedict (60%), and deviled eggs (60%) soaring, and latkes (50%) and lox (40%) close behind.These insights reflect ordering spikes on Easter (4/20/25) versus the prior three months across restaurants and retail, grocery, and convenience.Easter’s Top 10 Sweets UnwrappedHalloween might be the ultimate candy holiday, but Easter is its pastel-fueled cousin, serving up chocolate in every form, from foil-wrapped bunnies to egg-shaped favorites and shareable handfuls made for snacking.With Reese Pieces at No. 1, it’s clear that America loves Easter candy that’s basket-ready, egg-hunt friendly, and easy to share (or snack). And when it comes to holiday cravings, chocolate and peanut butter remain undefeated: The same combo that topped Halloween is still hopping into carts for spring. DoorDash The Candy Egg Hunt: Top Easter Candy by StateHere’s a breakdown of the specific treats that uniquely over-index in every single state for Easter. DoorDash Bunny Business: Reese’s Peanut Butter Bunnies hopped into the top spot in 35 states, including California, New York, Texas and Florida, making the bigger bite of the popular chocolate the clear MVP of Easter baskets.Pieces Party Pack: The candy-coated crunch of the Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Easter Candy Gift Bag was the favorite in seven states including Alaska, Vermont and Wisconsin.Treats & Toys: Kinder Joy Eggs cracked the top spot in four states, including Colorado, Maine, Washington and Wyoming.Sour Standouts: A tangy twist won across three states including Delaware, Hawai’i and Virginia, where Haribo Sour Easter Grass beat out the classic chocolate favorites.Bougie Bunny: New Mexico is the lone state crowning the Lindt Dark Chocolate Gold Bunny as its top pick.The Most Popular Peep Color in Every StateYou can’t talk about Easter without talking about Peeps. From classic yellow to modern color drops (and a few delightfully unexpected flavors), these marshmallow chicks are basically the unofficial mascots of the season. And while yellow still leads the pack, the data shows America’s Peeps preferences have officially gone full pastel, plus a side of unexpected flavors. With blue trailing closely behind, that may be the shade to watch this Easter. DoorDash Feeling The Blues: Blue is close behind, rising in 16 states including California, Florida, Virginia, Wyoming.Lavender League: Nine pastel-loving states like Delaware, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania prefer the soft, spring vibes of lavender marshmallow chicks.Pink Picks: Two major trendsetting states including New York and Ohio are keeping it vibrant with pink Peeps as the top choice for their sugar fix.One-off Standouts: A few states went off-palette: South Carolina kept it minimalist with white, Maryland opted for cream-colored Rice Krispie-flavored Peep, Iowa went with burgundy Dr Pepper-flavored chicks, New Hampshire preferred brown Chocolate Pudding-flavored Peeps, while Kansas stayed dessert-forward with Milk Chocolate chick.Holiday Weekend FavoritesFrom brunch orders to last-minute hosting hauls, here’s what was hopping into carts during Easter last year:Easter Bunny Essentials: Parents went full Easter Bunny mode to curate the ultimate DIY baskets, driving demand for storage baskets (up 440%), sidewalk chalk (360%), food coloring (220%), and arts and crafts supplies (70%).Ultimate Brunch Spread: Restaurant deliveries saw spikes for brunch favorites like croque monsieur (210%), eggs Benedict (60%) and deviled eggs (60%), along with latkes (50%) and lox (40%) rising too.Roasts and Toasts: For those playing head chef, traditional holiday roasts anchored the table. Orders for lamb (70%) and turkey (70%) climbed across grocery and convenience stores, while sparkling wine bubbled up 60% for the ultimate toast to the new season.Spring Hosting: To get the yard guest-ready for the egg hunt, shoppers drove orders for water toys (260%), floral blooms (90%), and extra outdoor chairs (100%).Backyard BBQ Kickoff: As soon as the spring weather hit, grills came out in full force: New grill orders jumped 130% across retail stores.Methodology: Based on ordering data in the two week period ending on Easter last year (4/7/25-4/20/25)Insights reflect ordering spikes on Easter (4/20/25) versus the prior three months across restaurants and retail, grocery, and convenience.This story was produced by DoorDash and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Where the most people are close to retirement age Where the most people are close to retirement ageMany individuals aged 55 to 64 are at the peak of their earning, contributing to local taxes and sometimes with plenty of discretionary income to spare on local businesses. On average, 11.0% of the population in large cities, and an estimated 17.1% of households in this age bracket make $200,000 or more, earning the “high income” label, according to IRS standards.But many people change their budget, lifestyle, and even location when they enter retirement — generally around age 65 — which may impact the local business demand mix and tax revenues alike. In fact, the median household income in large cities drops from an estimated $96,745 in the years before retirement to $59,990 once the householder is aged 65 or older.With this in mind, SmartAsset evaluated 2024 Census Bureau data for 317 of the largest U.S. cities to determine where the population skews toward the 55 to 64 age bracket, including income statistics about these local cohorts.Key FindingsPre-retirees account for over 16% of the population in two cities. Hialeah, Florida, has the highest frequency of people aged 55 to 64 at 16.64%. The estimated median household income for this group is $71,622, and roughly 4.7% of these households are high income. On the opposite coast, Huntington Beach, California, ranks second for most pre-retirees at 16.57%. Higher incomes are more common here, with a median household income of $139,134 for this age bracket, with 33.5% earning at least $200,000.The average pre-retiree in these two cities earns more than $200,000. Bellevue, Washington, has the highest estimated median household income for the pre-retiree group at $214,900, while the median in Fremont, California, is estimated to be $202,314. Bellevue’s frequency of this cohort is slightly below average at 10.62% of the total population, while Fremont’s is slightly above average at 11.75%.The 55 to 64 cohort is small in number but high in income in these cities. The three cities with the lowest rates of pre-retirees are Provo, Utah (5.36%); Cambridge, Massachusetts (5.56%); and College Station, Texas (6.16%). In Provo, the median household income for pre-retirees is $106,419, with 26.4% designated as high income. In Cambridge, those figures are a $182,926 median income and 46.2% prevalence of high income. And in College Station, the median pre-retiree household earns $116,364, with 28.3% over $200,000.More than 30% of the population is retired in Sandy Springs, Georgia. This is the highest nationwide, compared to a national average of 8.2% of the population being aged 65 or older in large U.S. cities. Meanwhile, the pre-retiree cohort in Sandy Springs accounts for another 13.18% of the population. Other cities with particularly high frequencies of retirees include Boca Raton, Florida (27.1%); Arlington, Virginia (27.1%); Cambridge, Massachusetts (26.6%); and Berkeley, California (25.7%). SmartAsset Top 25 Cities With the Highest Rate of Pre-RetireesCities are ranked based on the percentage of the population that falls between the ages of 55 and 64.Hialeah, FloridaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 16.64%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 39,163Median pre-retiree household income: $71,622Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 4.7%Huntington Beach, CaliforniaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 16.57%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 32,018Median pre-retiree household income: $139,134Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 33.5%Inglewood, CaliforniaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 15.67%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 16,107Median pre-retiree household income: $79,414Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 12.1%Cape Coral, FloridaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 15.25%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 35,536Median pre-retiree household income: $104,988Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 13.1%Clearwater, FloridaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 15.11%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 17,651Median pre-retiree household income: $72,376Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 10.9%Boca Raton, FloridaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 14.95%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 15,288Median pre-retiree household income: $140,404Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 36.7%Garden Grove, CaliforniaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 14.81%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 25,519Median pre-retiree household income: $103,323Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 20.2%Spring Valley, NevadaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 14.32%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 31,701Median pre-retiree household income: $91,888Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 10.8%Carrollton, TexasPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 14.29%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 19,333Median pre-retiree household income: $121,115Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 22.9%St. Petersburg, FloridaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 14.13%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 37,726Median pre-retiree household income: $96,841Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 18.7%Scottsdale, ArizonaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 14.03%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 34,541Median pre-retiree household income: $146,385Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 37.3%Peoria, ArizonaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.97%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 27,929Median pre-retiree household income: $127,553Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 26.9%El Monte, CaliforniaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.92%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 14,568Median pre-retiree household income: $83,731Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 13.4%Pembroke Pines, FloridaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.78%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 24,712Median pre-retiree household income: $108,582Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 24.9%Fort Lauderdale, FloridaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.68%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 26,088Median pre-retiree household income: $101,573Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 23.0%Concord, CaliforniaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.67%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 16,954Median pre-retiree household income: $127,308Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 29.0%Torrance, CaliforniaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.59%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 18,967Median pre-retiree household income: $131,738Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 30.6%Cary, North CarolinaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.58%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 24,696Median pre-retiree household income: $158,568Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 39.4%High Point, North CarolinaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.55%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 15,865Median pre-retiree household income: $76,281Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 9.3%Brockton, MassachusettsPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.51%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 14,287Median pre-retiree household income: $79,833Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 11.6%Everett, WashingtonPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.50%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 15,260Median pre-retiree household income: $95,227Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 14.6%Richmond, CaliforniaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.47%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 15,542Median pre-retiree household income: $124,718Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 15.8%Paradise, NevadaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.42%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 24,688Median pre-retiree household income: $66,947Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 9.6%Yonkers, New YorkPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.42%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 28,320Median pre-retiree household income: $101,440Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 20.0%Santa Clarita, CaliforniaPre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.41%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 30,736Median pre-retiree household income: $151,250Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 31.3%Top 25 Cities Where Pre-Retirees Earn the MostCities are ranked based on the estimated median household income for people aged 55 to 64.Bellevue, WashingtonMedian pre-retiree household income: $214,900Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 10.62%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 16,399Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 53.6%Fremont, CaliforniaMedian pre-retiree household income: $202,314Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 11.75%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 26,811Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 51.9%San Mateo, CaliforniaMedian pre-retiree household income: $183,921Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 9.22%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 9,501Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 46.6%Naperville, IllinoisMedian pre-retiree household income: $183,142Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 12.83%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 19,678Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 44.3%Cambridge, MassachusettsMedian pre-retiree household income: $182,926Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 5.56%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 6,735Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 46.2%Arlington, VirginiaMedian pre-retiree household income: $174,834Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 9.96%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 23,883Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 43.5%San Jose, CaliforniaMedian pre-retiree household income: $173,467Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 12.09%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 120,627Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 43.1%Berkeley, CaliforniaMedian pre-retiree household income: $170,681Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 8.45%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 10,284Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 43.7%Sunnyvale, CaliforniaMedian pre-retiree household income: $168,088Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 9.87%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 15,467Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 40.9%Irvine, CaliforniaMedian pre-retiree household income: $162,542Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 9.37%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 29,856Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 41.7%Sandy Springs, GeorgiaMedian pre-retiree household income: $162,327Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.18%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 13,910Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 42.9%Arvada, ColoradoMedian pre-retiree household income: $160,672Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 12.38%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 15,169Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 35.1%Cary, North CarolinaMedian pre-retiree household income: $158,568Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.58%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 24,696Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 39.4%San Francisco, CaliforniaMedian pre-retiree household income: $154,484Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 11.97%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 99,032Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 40.6%Santa Clarita, CaliforniaMedian pre-retiree household income: $151,250Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 13.41%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 30,736Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 31.3%Boulder, ColoradoMedian pre-retiree household income: $151,001Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 8.02%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 8,570Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 37.3%McKinney, TexasMedian pre-retiree household income: $150,342Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 12.00%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 27,296Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 36.0%Alexandria, VirginiaMedian pre-retiree household income: $149,366Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 11.10%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 17,662Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 31.7%Scottsdale, ArizonaMedian pre-retiree household income: $146,385Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 14.03%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 34,541Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 37.3%Gilbert town, ArizonaMedian pre-retiree household income: $144,293Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 9.88%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 28,536Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 28.1%Roseville, CaliforniaMedian pre-retiree household income: $143,563Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 11.95%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 19,515Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 27.9%Chandler, ArizonaMedian pre-retiree household income: $143,207Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 12.23%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 34,399Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 27.8%Plano, TexasMedian pre-retiree household income: $141,625Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 12.50%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 36,569Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 32.5%Elk Grove, CaliforniaMedian pre-retiree household income: $140,811Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 12.62%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 23,058Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 27.5%Seattle, WashingtonMedian pre-retiree household income: $140,442Pre-retirees as a percentage of total population: 9.77%Pre-retirees (ages 55 to 64): 76,338Percent of pre-retirees earning $200K+: 38.8%Data and MethodologyThe population of people aged 55 to 64 is compared to the total population in order to determine the rate of presumed pre-retirees. Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau 1-Year American Community Survey for 2024 for 317 cities for which full data was available. Median income and the portion of households earning over $200,000 is considered for the age bracket that includes households aged 45 to 64. The same data for those aged 65 and older is assumed to represent the cohort of retirees.This story was produced by SmartAsset and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Enterprise delivery blindspots: Powerful capabilities high-volume shippers often overlook Enterprise delivery blindspots: Powerful capabilities high-volume shippers often overlookAs your e-commerce business grows, complexity increases faster than volume. Processes that once worked begin to hold you back as you scale from shipping hundreds of parcels a day to thousands. Manual decisions introduce risk. Customer expectations rise. Costs get harder to control.At enterprise levels, a seamless delivery experience is a survival skill, not a nice-to-have.At the same time, shipping is now a more visible and influential part of the customer journey. If there are weaknesses in your delivery operation, they won’t stay hidden for long.Metapack shares six blind spots high-volume shippers commonly overlook—and the capabilities of modern tools that can help close them.Blind spot 1: Manual decisions hidden inside “automated” processesMany high-volume retailers believe they’re automated. In practice, key decisions are still manual. In enterprise environments, every small manual step slows you down, introduces inconsistency, and increases risk.Teams may be spending time entering addresses, comparing carrier rates, printing labels, and deciding which service to use for each order. These repetitive tasks are not only inefficient but are error-prone. Manual data entry naturally leads to mistakes—wrong addresses, wrong services, or forgotten custom requirements—and those errors ripple outward, leading to increased costs and unhappy customers.True automation brings structure to shipping operations. At the heart of this automation are shipping rules: instructions that tell your system how to route, label, and manage every parcel. Shipping rules take complex decision-making out of human hands and into software that runs at scale and applies your strategy consistently to every shipment.With this transition from manual choice to automated logic, a shipping workflow becomes repeatable and reliable.Automated carrier selection, driven by preset rules, brings advantages. Instead of relying on staff to select carriers, choose service levels, calculate costs, route orders, and update inventory, the system automatically applies your policy.Manual shipping also throttles growth. As order volumes rise, the labor required to keep up increases in step unless you automate. That means hiring more staff just to maintain basic throughput. In contrast, automation changes how businesses scale. Robust shipping rules absorb the growth.Shipping rules also support strategic flexibility. When your business needs change—whether you adjust service levels, add carriers, or open new warehouses—automated rules can adapt to new priorities. Rather than reprogramming your entire workflow or retraining teams, you update the rules that govern decisions.The bottom line: Automation creates operational infrastructure and shifts shipping from a reactive, ad-hoc activity to a predictable, measurable process.Blind spot 2: Ignoring the post-purchase delivery experienceThe customer journey doesn’t end with a purchase. What happens after a customer buys can shape how they view your brand and whether they come back. Retailers need solutions that don’t just solve logistics problems, but also strengthen customer trust and loyalty.After a customer places an order, they wait. But that waiting period is not a blank space. It’s a window of opportunity. If customers feel uncertain about the status of their order or have to jump to carrier sites with confusing interfaces, their confidence can drop. Built-in delivery tracking changes that. Instead of directing them to an external service, it keeps them on your site and shows delivery status in a familiar, branded environment.This continuity keeps the experience cohesive and reinforces your identity at every step.Tracking built into the site also reduces customer support demands and costs by lowering “where is my order?” inquiries.Keeping customers informed in real time and through proactive notifications gives them control and reduces anxiety about their purchase. When tracking pages align with the brand tone and design, every delivery update becomes another interaction that supports loyalty and opens the door to future sales.A similar principle applies to a returns platform. A poor returns experience can undo the goodwill built during the sale and delivery stages. Slow response times, unclear policies, or forcing customers to navigate carrier sites can lead to frustration. Returns software may offer tools like a self-service portal that automates return authorization, lets customers initiate a return, choose how to return items, see expected timelines, and monitor progress, just like they do with deliveries.This self-service approach signals respect for the customer’s time and autonomy. They can manage their return on their own terms.But there’s another strategic benefit: data. When returns are handled through a unified platform, you can see patterns—why items are returned, what carriers perform best, and where bottlenecks occur. That insight helps you refine product descriptions, sizing guidance, inventory decisions, and packaging that reduces return rates over time.Returns software also protects margins. By automating return authorization and offering carrier choices, you can cut service costs and streamline warehouse workflows. At the same time, customers don’t feel abandoned post-purchase. They see clear instructions, receive confirmations and notifications, and watch their refund or exchange process unfold from your branded portal.The bottom line: Together, post-purchase capabilities reinforce the customer’s choice to buy from you. When tracking is easy, returns are seamless, and notifications keep them up to date, customers feel valued. The post-purchase period ceases to be a liability and becomes a driver of retention and long-term growth.Blind spot 3: Having data, but lacking clarityEnterprise retailers generate vast amounts of shipping data. But it usually remains untapped potential. Collecting data isn’t the hard part—it is interpretation.Many teams can see total volume and total spend. Fewer can see performance by carrier, service type, or warehouse. Even fewer can measure how actual delivery performance compares to the promise you made at checkout.The right tool unlocks insights from data, enabling teams to work smarter and leaders to make important business decisions. A unified shipping analytics platform can help give a granular or complete view of your entire shipping operation and network.An intelligent reporting solution consolidates and standardizes tracking events from hundreds of carriers and translates them into easy-to-understand statuses. Businesses can monitor performance across all carriers, services, regions, and warehouses in one place, rather than working across multiple platforms, manually stitching together reports, or building custom tools.This visibility extends across the full journey, covering parcels in the warehouse, in transit, out for delivery, delivered, and returned.Teams can identify shipments that are stuck before dispatch, parcels delayed in the carrier network, and orders at risk of missing their promised delivery date. Instead of reacting after a customer complains, operations teams can intervene early—rerouting, expediting, or proactively communicating.Carrier reports support contract negotiations, service reviews, and allocation decisions. They also strengthen revenue recovery efforts by identifying trends in underperformance, losses, or damage, with evidence to support claims.Warehouse performance reports highlight dispatch delays, processing bottlenecks, and handover timing issues that could impact carrier collections. By connecting warehouse and carrier data, businesses can see where breakdowns occur—whether delays originate internally or within the last mile.Loss and exception reporting is equally valuable, showing lost, damaged, or high-risk shipments by carrier, service, geography, or other criteria. Rather than reviewing historical reports, teams can manage live risk. For high-volume retailers, this level of proactive oversight reduces customer service contacts and protects brand reputation during peak periods.Shipping profile reports reveal cost per parcel, service mix, delivery type distribution, and regional performance variations. This is especially useful in guiding decisions around cross-border expansion and new market entry.Role-based dashboards ensure each team sees what matters most to them—from customer service exception queues to transport performance metrics. For deeper analysis, data feeds can be integrated into internal business intelligence systems, allowing businesses to merge shipping intelligence with sales, CRM, and financial data.The bottom line: Visibility reduces surprises. And at scale, fewer surprises mean stronger margins. The right kind of reporting transforms delivery operations into a strategic advantage.Blind spot 4: Static pricing in a dynamic environmentAt enterprise volumes, even small per-parcel cost differences compound into significant annual savings.Carrier optimization is not a one-time configuration. Rates change. Fuel surcharges fluctuate. Service performance varies by region and season. Static allocation logic cannot keep up.Instead of relying on fixed services or manual decisions, a modern platform compares carrier rates in real time and selects the most cost-effective option that still meets the required delivery promise.Rate shopping allows the system to evaluate multiple carriers and service levels for each individual shipment, eliminating the need for manual checks and preventing defaulting to a single carrier out of habit or convenience.It considers destination, parcel size and weight, transit time, and contracted pricing. Based on defined business rules—such as prioritizing lowest cost, fastest service, or a balance of both—the software automatically assigns the best-fit option. This ensures you are not overpaying for speed when it is not needed, or risking delays when delivery certainty matters.Dynamic allocation rules further support discount strategies. Volume can be distributed across carriers to meet contractual commitments or minimum thresholds without operational disruption. If a carrier underperforms or peak capacity becomes constrained, shipments can be redirected quickly while maintaining cost control.High-volume shipping software also helps businesses unlock and manage carrier discounts. By consolidating volume across services or locations, shipping platforms help companies strengthen their negotiating position. Instead of negotiating on estimates, businesses can negotiate with precise data.In addition, access to a broad carrier library reduces the cost and complexity of onboarding new services. Businesses can trial alternative carriers in specific regions or lanes to benchmark performance and pricing before committing larger volumes. This prevents over-reliance on a single provider and encourages competitive pricing across the network.The bottom line: High-volume shipping is about balancing cost, service reliability, transit time, and contractual obligations at scale. Shipping software automates these decisions, ensuring every parcel is allocated in line with commercial goals while protecting the delivery experience.Blind spot 5: Fragmented carrier managementManaging multiple carriers is essential at an enterprise scale. But managing them independently creates complexity.Separate integrations. Different tracking formats. Inconsistent reporting. Slow onboarding of new services. High maintenance overhead. Fragmentation limits flexibility. It slows your ability to respond to disruption and increases technical debt.A unified carrier integration layer changes that. Tracking events are normalized. Reporting is consistent. Volume can be quickly redistributed to address performance issues.Different carriers excel in different regions and service levels. Shipping software that integrates with many international and regional carriers enables enterprises to leverage the strengths of different carriers for different markets and optimize carrier selection by destination, service level, and cost without managing separate systems for each carrier. There’s no need to learn different processes for different carriers. The software automatically adapts to each carrier’s requirements.The bottom line: Carrier flexibility should not increase complexity. It should reduce it.Blind spot 6: Inefficiencies in cross-border shippingInternational expansion offers clear growth potential but introduces operational strain. Customs rules vary by country. Documentation requirements differ by product type. Carrier capabilities shift across regions. What works domestically rarely translates cleanly across borders.Shipping software built for enterprise operations turns cross-border fulfillment from a manual, high-risk process into a structured and repeatable workflow. Instead of treating international shipping as an exception, the platform manages it as part of your standard operation.Customs documentation is often the largest obstacle. Creating commercial invoices, forms, and other required paperwork manually for thousands of shipments is slow and error-prone.Automated customs documentation changes this entirely. The system can pull product data, such as item descriptions, HS codes, country of origin, and declared values, directly from your catalogue and account settings. It then generates the correct documentation for each shipment.This improves accuracy, reduces duplication and reliance on manual input, and protects against incomplete or incorrect forms that delay delivery.Advanced platforms can also support the electronic submission of customs data directly to carrier systems. By sending information in advance, businesses can accelerate customs clearance without printing and attaching separate paperwork. This shortens transit times and improves the reliability of delivery promises.Compliance management is another critical area. International shipping involves changing trade rules, product restrictions, and local regulatory requirements. Enterprise shipping software centralizes these controls, helping businesses apply correct documentation rules, manage duties and taxes, and adjust processes as regulations evolve.In practice, streamlined international shipping supports faster market entry. Businesses can launch in new regions without building separate operational processes for each country. They can test demand, adjust carrier allocation, and refine their cross-border proposition without major development overhead.The bottom line: International expansion will always involve complexity. The difference is whether that complexity is handled manually or systematically.The blind spots outlined here share a common theme: Decisions are being made, but not always intelligently.Automation that still relies on human intervention. Fulfillment that executes without optimizing. Data that exists but does not guide action. Carrier relationships that lack flexibility. International expansion that adds complexity instead of controlled growth. Together, these gaps shape margin, customer trust, and long-term scalability.High-volume shipping is not about moving parcels faster. It is about making better decisions at scale. The retailers who perform best are those that remove friction, strengthen automation, build visibility across their network, and improve their entire delivery management system.Exposing and closing blind spots is strategic. And the right shipping capabilities turn them into advantages.This story was produced by Metapack and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
	Quad-Cities area Eagle Scouts win District Eagle Project of the Year for 2025 Five Eagle Scouts were selected for the District Eagle Project of the Year awards. There will be an award ceremony in April where the council-wide winner will be announced.
	Paleontologists uncover a new ‘Spinosaurus’ species by following a clue from a decades-old book into the Sahara Desert My fixation on a small, desolate locale in the heart of the Sahara Desert started with a single line buried in a 630-page tome in French about the rocks of the central Sahara: “Dent de Carcharodontosaurus saharicus Depéret,” which translates to “tooth of Carcharodontosaurus saharicus Depéret” – “Depéret” refers to the scientist who originally named the species. The intrepid French geologist Hugues Faure (1928-2003) had collected one saber-shaped tooth in the early 1950s at a small exposure he labeled “Akarazeras” on one of his maps, identifying the tooth as belonging to the T. rex-size predator Carcharodontosaurus. That beast was named years before based on fossils in the Western Desert of Egypt, and Faure correctly figured the tooth and outcrop in Niger might be the same age. Faure’s tooth, unfortunately, was never figured or photographed and has been lost. In the 70 years since Faure’s account, no paleontologist had ventured back to this hyperarid, windswept landscape to attempt to relocate Akarazeras. In truth, the tooth might have been all that was there, and the site itself could easily have disappeared under drifting dunes. Yet, after reading about it early in my career as a paleontologist, Akarazeras became my fossil Shangri-La, a place I dreamed of visiting. Akarazeras relocated With a small exploratory team in 2019, I followed a desert trail to the remote oasis of Tanout, the closest inhabited point to Akarazeras. There we refreshed our supplies – food, water and fuel – to survive a three-day foray in the open desert in search of the locale. Besides binoculars, we had a few gadgets Faure couldn’t have imagined: GPS hand units and a drone. Navigating using Faure’s map brought us to a flat, barren spot with nothing in sight to the horizon. We drove several kilometers to the north, climbed to the top of our vehicles and launched the drone. One of my team members spotted a low rocky outcrop at distance. Soon after arriving at the exposure, we found several Carcharodontosaurus teeth and, a short distance away, the rim of an infilled, hand-dug well. We had found Akarazeras. By the next afternoon, we had finished packing up a few dozen fossil teeth and bones. We probed in every direction and sent the drone farther to see if there was anything else to find. Nothing but sand. A chance encounter That might have been the end of the story had not a tall, lanky man arrived in our Tanout campground the evening we returned. Looking like a Tuareg Marvel character, Abdoul Nasser stood next to his Honda motorbike, dressed in a full-length black overcoat, a cheche head wrap, sunglasses and a sheathed sword slung over his shoulder. “I can take you to some large bones, farther than Akarazeras,” he said in Tamasheq, with guides translating to French. This seemed more than a boast or scam. I decided to devote our final three days to this venture. Our Tuareg guide to the site of the new Spinosaurus species, Abdoul Nasser, left, with paleontologist Dan Vidal, right, en route to the fossil area Jenguebi. Alhadji Akamaya A day and a half later, we had spent half our fuel chasing our motorbike guide over an endless dunescape. Just as we questioned going farther, Abdoul slowed to a stop in front of the largest fossil hind leg I had ever seen, its thigh bone nearly 6 feet (2 meters) long. As the sun set, we scurried from skeleton to skeleton – it was a veritable dinosaur graveyard. The next morning we had a half-hour at this place locals called Jenguebi before we had to leave. I and my colleague, Spanish paleontologist Dan Vidal, quickly collected large jaw pieces of what we assumed was Carcharodontosaurus. Paul Sereno, left, and paleontologist Dan Vidal, right, next to the gigantic hind limb of a long-necked dinosaur moments after arriving at Jenguebi. Matthew Irving/Fossil lab Epiphany in the lab and field Back in Chicago, the cleaned and assembled jaw pieces told another story. They belonged to the giant fish-eating dinosaur called Spinosaurus, which refers to a group of semiaquatic, T. rex-size beasts known from the northern shores of Africa. For more than two years, plans to return to Niger were scuttled by the pandemic. Finally, in 2022, I led an international, 20-person field crew with a larger guard back to Jenguebi to see whether we could turn up more of the elusive predator. I was busy arranging the campsite an hour after arriving when Dan Vidal approached, wide-eyed. “You won’t believe what we just found … the snout end of our skull!” The team quickly gathered around the toothed bone jutting from the surface of the desert, some in tears, bearing witness to an extraordinary discovery. The snout end fit onto one of the jaw pieces we had collected in 2019. Hours later, Dan approached again with a curved bone in hand. “What do you think this is?” he asked, wanting confirmation for what we both immediately recognized as a landmark discovery. Expedition member Ana Lázaro holds the cranial crest of Spinosaurus mirabilis at the Jenguebi site. Alvaro Simarro The scimitar-shaped bone he held came from the top of the skull. Unlike the low, fluted crest atop the cranium of Spinosaurus from Egypt, called Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, this bone swept upward and backward over the orbital – the space for the eyes. In the cool of the evening, the team gathering around Dan and his laptop to get a glimpse of an initial skull reconstruction, an assembly of digital versions of the bones we had discovered. In awe, we saw the Jenguebi spinosaurid for the first time, a spectacular southern variant of the sail-backed predator first described in Egypt in 1915. Back in the lab, we coined a species name in Latin that captured our collective “astonishment” upon its discovery, Spinosaurus mirabilis. The expedition team watches the laptop of paleontologist Dan Vidal to see the first digital reconstruction of the scimitar-crested skull of Spinosaurus mirabilis. Expedition Impossible LLC An organization I launched with Nigeriens, NigerHeritage, has visualized new museums in the country’s capital, Niamey, and closer to the fossil sites in Agadez that will preserve and display these and many other fossils. A secure homecoming for these remarkable finds also involves a new generation of Nigerien museologists, scholars and museums. An inland fish-eater Other animals at the site included two new long-necked plant-eaters, a partial skull of Carcharodontosaurus, a large skull of a freshwater fish and fossil wood. All of the fossils came from a layer of river-borne sediment less than a meter thick, indicating they lived in the same forested inland area far from a marine coastline. In recent years, the giant fish-eater Spinosaurus has been depicted in Hollywood’s “Jurassic World Rebirth” as a swimming, diving ocean predator alongside other undoubtedly marine creatures like mosasaurs. In 2020, a team of researchers had reinterpreted Spinosaurus aegyptiacus in this way. Dubbed the “aquatic hypothesis,” the key inspiration was the discovery that the sail on its back extended over its tail. The structure of the tail and other lines of evidence, however, led me and my research team to an alternative view of the fish-eater – as a shallow-water, wading, ambush predator with little capacity for swimming and none for diving. Aside from its crest, S. mirabilis is very similar to its cousin S. aegyptiacus from the northern coast of Africa. Their lifestyles likely also were very similar. A flesh model of Spinosaurus mirabilis. Dani Navarro Evolutionary stages The early record of spinosaurids, known only from a few teeth, is rooted in the Jurassic, when they first gained a taste for fish. Over the past few years, researchers have found spinosaurid fossils in many locales in rocks of Early Cretaceous age in southern Europe and Asia, sites that once were near the ancient Tethys Sea. At that time, 115 to 130 million years ago, spinosaurids had split into two subgroups – baryonychines and spinosaurines – that collectively dominated the Tethyan realm as the largest predators of the day. By the dawn of the Late Cretaceous, only spinosaurines remained as larger and more specialized and flamboyant fish-eaters on the southern side of the Tethys Sea in coastal and inland habitats. S. mirabilis is among the last of these great predators. It is perhaps best understood as a “hell heron,” the likes of which we can only imagine when observing the more graceful, if less fearsome, herons of today. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Paul C. Sereno, University of Chicago Read more: Dinosaur ‘mummies’ help scientists visualize the fleshy details of these ancient animals Growing quickly helped the earliest dinosaurs and other ancient reptiles flourish in the aftermath of mass extinction Did male and female dinosaurs differ? A new statistical technique is helping answer the question Paul C. Sereno received funding from an anonymous donor for the 2022 expedition and subsequent research on the new spinosaurid.

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