The arrival of fall and its milder temperatures—especially welcome this year after the fourth hottest summer on record in the U.S.—have many looking forward to the return of "sweater weather" and all things cozy—wraps, hoodies, loungewear, scarves, and scrunchy socks. The brutal heat of the past few months is gone; now closets and drawers...Read more

On Nov. 5, tens of millions of Americans will head to the ballot box to vote in one of the most consequential presidential elections in recent history. With so much on the line, anxious election-watchers naturally want clarity on the outcome.

But can any poll, no matter how precise, offer a reliable glimpse into where the cards will fall on ...Read more

This Halloween season, fur may overtake fear: American spending on pet costumes will reach $700 million in 2024, according to the most recent data from the National Retail Federation.

Americans really love dressing up their pets for Halloween. According to a 2022 PetSmart survey conducted by Wakefield, more than 3 in 4 (76%) pet owners dress...Read more

Marcus Hadden, a father of three from central New Jersey, texts and talks with his oldest son, a college sophomore, a few times a week. His 19-year-old son attends Rutgers University just a half-hour away, but Hadden said the easy communication has helped them feel closer. Occasionally, his son, a dedicated hiker, shares his phone's location ...Read more

Hydration equals health, we're often told—and it looks like that message is widespread. Hydration apps such as Waterllama can help you track how much water you drink in a day. Reusable water bottles from companies like Yeti and S'Well are now fixtures while walking around town. Cheeky, hyper-marketed waters with names like Liquid Death have ...Read more

On Oct. 1, thousands of dockworkers with the International Longshoremen's Association, the union overseeing dockworkers across East Coast and Gulf Coast ports in the U.S., went on strike. Forecasts warned it could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars a day and cause supply chain disruptions at a time when retailers are stocking up for the ...Read more

Like it or not, generative artificial intelligence will likely be part of your daily work life in the near future. While most companies have taken a wait-and-see approach to implementing AI technology—in2017, just 6% of companies used AI, per theNational Bureau of Economic Research—the introduction of ChatGPT in 2022 offered a number of ...Read more

One of the biggest challenges employers face is keeping their employees engaged and empowered to do their best. Over half of firms with fewer than 500 employees reported challenges in hiring or retaining qualified staff, according to the Fed Small Business' 2024 report on employer firms.

Upskilling is one staff investment industry experts ...Read more

From former presidents and famous movie stars to accomplished engineers and lawyers, it is not uncommon for children to choose the same career as their parents. Even Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson followed in his father's footsteps as a professional wrestler after a stint in the Canadian Football League and a slew of injuries that cut short his path...Read more

As smartphones advance and social media options increase, more Americans across generations are finding solace in a digital playground.

People have become so attached to their mobile devices that many have admitted in polls that they can't imagine life without them. As different generations have different communication preferences, ...Read more

As the days grow shorter and a chill creeps into the air, Halloween comes alive with a sense of mystery and excitement. There's something undeniably magical about the crisp autumn leaves, glowing jack-o'-lanterns, and anticipation of donning costumes to become something—or someone—completely different, even if just for a night. Throwing a ...Read more

New Biden administration rules have raised the maximum salary eligible for overtime pay and put in place a mechanism that ensures the salary threshold keeps pace with rising wages and prices.

As of July 1, 2024, hourly workers making the equivalent of $43,888 a year are eligible for overtime pay, up from $35,568, which will increase to $58,...Read more

With fast-evolving technologies, near-ubiquitous internet use, and increasingly realistic scams, cybercrime is on the rise—and Americans, in particular, are being swindled out of billions. Hundreds of thousands more cybercrimes were reported in the U.S. in 2023 than the other top 19 countries combined.

Drata identified states with the ...Read more

When it comes to movie franchises, most people think of the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe, or perhaps the still-enchanting "Harry Potter" series. These days, franchises comprise most ticket sales at American movie theaters, but the movie franchise is hardly a new phenomenon.

Franchises, which include movie series that share titles, ...Read more

For many Americans, early November not only signals Election Day but also means it's time to choose a health insurance plan for the upcoming year.

This year, open enrollment for public health insurance plans begins Nov. 1, 2024, and closes on Jan. 15, 2025. During the open enrollment period, Americans have the option to enroll, renew, or ...Read more

Fewer teenagers are using drugs after rates precipitously dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic, but overdose rates are on the rise as fentanyl becomes more common.

Substance Use Treatment Facilities examined data from the University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future survey and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ...Read more

As high school seniors across America prepare to make consequential college decisions, their parents might not be ready to let them leave the nest—or foot the bill. Among parents with a child attending college, fewer than half (44%) felt prepared to make the first tuition payment for their child, according to a 2024 survey from College Ave.

...Read more

On a planet that holds more cellphones than people, it might be hard for some to imagine anyone still has—or uses—a landline.

Today, many may consider landline phones obsolete. However, this legacy technology remains a staple in households across the country, influenced in part by geography. Spokeo analyzed landline usage across the U.S....Read more

Big cities in America have undergone seismic shifts in recent years, largely influenced by the shift to remote work that accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. As white-collar workers transitioned to remote and hybrid work models, many businesses found they were no longer tied to the physical office. Workers scattered beyond cities, ...Read more

The number of Americans falling behind on their mortgage payments has risen in recent months, nearly climbing to rates last seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Netspend analyzed data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to show the uptick in homeowners falling behind on their mortgage payments since 2021.

Since lows recorded in 2021, ...Read more