Goodbye to electricity bills: Transparent windows that generate electricity could soon change the way American homes and buildings get their energy

Hand holding a piece of transparent solar glass in front of buildings under a clear blue sky

Windows that let in sunlight and quietly make electricity? That’s the promise of smart, photovoltaic glass arriving in the United States, aiming to deliver clean energy without bulky rooftop gear. For homeowners, office managers, and city planners, the appeal is simple: keep natural light, add power generation, and preserve the look of buildings. The catch? … Read more

A man buys a ceramic bowl for €35 at a flea market: it turns out to be from the Ming dynasty and can be sold for $500,000

Ming Dynasty porcelain bowl bought for 35 euros at a Connecticut garage sale displayed in front of house sale

An anonymous buyer’s garage-sale find in New Haven heads to Sotheby’s with a six-figure estimate. A small white porcelain bowl painted in cobalt blue—snapped up last year at a garage sale in New Haven, Connecticut for $35—has been identified as a 15th-century Ming Dynasty piece. Sotheby’s in New York plans to auction the “lotus bowl” … Read more

Official as of September 2, 2025: The policy change announced on July 25 will affect most tourist visa cases

Map of the United States behind a suited official raising a fist, illustrating new tourist visa interview policy effective Sept. 2, 2025.

Embassy spokesperson Michelle Angulo says deterring illegal immigration is the Trump administration’s top priority. The U.S. Embassy announced it will end interview waivers for most non-immigrant visa applications to reduce immigration fraud and combat irregular migration. Michelle Angulo, spokesperson and communications and press attaché in Santo Domingo, shared the update during a visit to Santiago. … Read more

T-Mobile finalizes $4.3 billion UScellular acquisition, promising enhanced rural connectivity nationwide

Exterior of a T-Mobile store sign after completion of UScellular acquisition boosting rural connectivity.

Four million customers, hundreds of stores, and a wide slice of rural spectrum now move under the magenta umbrella—without any forced plan changes. T‑Mobile’s purchase of UScellular is finally a done deal, closing the book on the country’s last major regional player. The carrier is paying $2.6 billion in cash and assuming $1.7 billion in debt, bringing 3,000 additional towers, … Read more

It’s official: Spirit Airlines confirms job cuts with 270 pilots laid off following restructuring plan

Spirit Airlines yellow Airbus A320 at gate B15 with ground crew preparing flight

Cost-cutting move starts Nov. 1, 2025 and signals deeper turbulence for budget carrier’s loyal passengers. Spirit Airlines, the country’s best-known ultra-low-cost carrier, will let go 270 pilots beginning Nov. 1 as it battles a six-year profit drought and the lingering effects of its November 2024 Chapter 11 filing. The decision, officials say, aligns staffing with … Read more

Confirmed: JPMorgan announces new agreement with Coinbase to give customers access to these services

JPMorgan building with logo as bank announces new crypto partnership with Coinbase

Step-change for 80 million Chase clients as loyalty points, checking balances, and credit limits open new on-ramps to digital assets. JPMorgan Chase has signed a wide-ranging deal with Coinbase that promises to turn everyday banking tools into crypto gateways. Beginning this fall, Chase credit cards will fund Coinbase purchases; by 2026, Ultimate Rewards points and … Read more

Construction material prices are rising: how much does it cost to build a house in the United States?

Single-family home under construction in the United States showing scaffolding and brick exterior, reflecting rising building costs.

Sky‑high lumber bills, stubborn inflation, and a tight labor pool are pushing the cost of a brand‑new house higher than ever. Americans planning to pour foundations next year need to know what they’re up against—and where they might trim fat. By early 2025 the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) still pegs the average cost … Read more

New fines of up to $1,000 for buying or selling electric bicycles: these people cannot buy them, according to Gavin Newsom

Governor Gavin Newsom announcing new California electric bicycle fines law

AB 965 closes the purchase loophole for Class 3 electric bicycles and introduces fines that can top $1,000. California’s youngest riders will soon find it harder to buy the fastest electric bicycles. Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 965, a measure that bars retailers from selling Class 3 e‑bikes to anyone under 16, turning a previous riding ban into a purchase … Read more

Retired at 71, she traded her dream home in Arizona for a simpler life in this country

"Retired woman smiling at temple in Bali after moving from Arizona, next to map and airplane symbolizing her travel journey

Former treasurer Victoria Kjos, 71, sold her Phoenix home and convertible to fund a one‑way ticket east. Her journey shows that reinvention is possible long after retirement. Once a fixture of upscale theater nights and gallery openings in Arizona, Kjos began questioning the pricey rhythm around her. “I wondered if I wanted to spend the rest of my … Read more

The famous discount chain plans to open six new stores in the United States this August: here are the dates and locations

Interior view of a TJ Maxx store featuring clothing racks and electronic accessories ahead of new store openings.

A half‑dozen fresh storefronts are on the horizon for bargain hunters who swear by a treasure hunt. The off‑price retailer confirms openings will roll out from August 10 to August 28, touching four states and the nation’s capital. Shoppers in Virginia, Connecticut, Utah, North Dakota, and Washington, D.C., stand to gain first dibs on new markdowns. The move follows … Read more

Confirmed: Amazon announces new mega facility creating over 1,000 local jobs

Amazon logo on the exterior of a distribution facility ahead of the new job-creating Terrell Texas expansion

Amazon’s new Terrell hub will bring 1,000 jobs to North Texas Amazon secured a 120‑acre property near Dallas. Amazon has begun building a massive cross‑dock center in Terrell, about 30 miles east of Dallas. The project promises quicker deliveries across the region and—more importantly—more than 1,000 fresh jobs for local residents. Hunt Realty Investments confirmed Tuesday … Read more

US government now closely watching cash withdrawals of $200 or more near border areas: select border zip codes

Person withdrawing 200 dollars from an ATM, subject to US federal monitoring in select border zip codes.

The Treasury’s new rule brings extra paperwork—and fresh worries—to everyday customers living near the southern border. Everyday errands just got a twist. Beginning April 10, 2025, anyone who pulls $200 or more in cash from a money‑transfer service or currency‑exchange office inside certain California and Texas communities will be reported to federal investigators. The policy, issued as … Read more

The Walmart heiress is investing millions to fund a debt-free medical school and transform rural healthcare in Arkansas

Aerial view of Alice Walton's innovative medical school campus in Bentonville, Arkansas, dedicated to rural preventive healthcare

The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine opened its doors in Bentonville, Arkansas, with 48 trail‑blazing students and a promise to make preventive, patient‑centered care the norm rather than the exception. On July 14, the inaugural class stepped into a glass‑walled campus tucked beside Ozark woods and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Their four‑year journey is … Read more

It’s official: Alaska confirms $1,702 August stimulus checks for eligible residents

Alaska welcome sign with cash representing the $1,702 August 2025 stimulus checks

Hopeful Alaskans can start planning their budgets: the state’s popular Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) program has locked in a $1,702 payout for the final wave of recipients this August. As July gives way to August, one question is on many lips—will your name appear on the next payment list? Below is a quick rundown of … Read more

Confirmed: New SSA verification rules could mean hours of waiting for older Americans

People waiting in long lines outside a Social Security Administration office due to new SSA verification rules

The Social Security Administration’s next anti‑fraud move may look small on paper, yet advocates warn it could force 3.4 million older Americans to queue up in person before summer’s end. For years, a quick call has been enough to update an address or request a benefit letter. That may change on August 18, when the SSA expects … Read more

He spent $500 on used tires from Facebook Marketplace but Discount Tire delivered shocking news instead

Mechanic inspecting used tire after buyer's Facebook Marketplace purchase flagged unsafe at Discount Tire

A TikTok lesson in tire shopping shows why a “good deal” can quickly flatten your budget—and your ride. Wyatt Alton thought he’d scored a bargain when a Facebook Marketplace seller promised tires with “about 70 percent tread life.” Hours later, a Discount Tire crew broke the bad news: hidden bulges meant the set couldn’t be balanced and was … Read more

Costco introduces stricter safety measures around free samples, impacting young customers

Exterior view of Costco Wholesale store illustrating stricter safety measures for children's free samples

Parents must now be present whenever children request a bite at the famous tasting carts, a move warehouse‑club leaders say puts safety before snacking fun. Free samples are still flowing, but employees will refuse to hand them to minors unless an adult is right there to give the nod. Families planning their weekend treasure hunt … Read more

Bring the legendary cowboy-inspired fast food chain back to town after years of absence

Roy Rogers fast food restaurant interior counter showing roast beef, burgers, and chicken menu items

The cowboy‑themed chain that once dotted the nation is riding back into town, promising roast beef, burgers, and nostalgia in equal measure. Roy Rogers, the fast‑food brand named for Hollywood’s “king of the cowboys,” is staging a comeback that could delight anyone who still dreams of the chain’s legendary fixin’s bar. After shrinking from 640 restaurants … Read more

Say goodbye to dated vertical blinds with this elegant update from Nate Berkus

Interior designer Nate Berkus at an HP promotional event

Interior designer Nate Berkus says it’s time for American homeowners to retire decades‑old vertical blinds and embrace ceiling‑height drapery panels that instantly elevate sliding glass doors and brighten living spaces. For households still hanging onto those fabric vanes, the message is simple: drapes deliver more style, better light control, and a warmer feel—without major construction … Read more

The well-known US retail chain is being forced to close all its stores: only one survives in California after 140 years of history

Exterior of the last remaining Sears store in California located at Sunvalley Shopping Center

Iconic retailer’s retreat leaves Sunvalley Shopping Center in Concord as the state’s last outpost, stirring questions about the brand’s future. The wave of department‑store shutdowns has finally washed over Sears in Burbank, trimming the onetime retail titan to just one California location. Shoppers who once relied on dozens of Golden State branches now have a … Read more