Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments there is. More than a place to live, homeownership is an asset with the potential to tremendously rise in value. Given the current state of the real estate market, housing affordability plays a determining role for buyers. As of May 4, 2022, the 30-year fixed […]
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Posted inArts & Culture
50 images of the universe from the Hubble Space Telescope
On April 24, 1990, the Space Shuttle Discovery launched, carrying the Hubble Space Telescope (or just “Hubble”). This orbiting telescope was the first of NASA’s Great Observatories. For more than 30 years, HST has provided astronomers with incredible scientific data on everything from solar system objects to some of the most distant galaxies in the […]
Posted inNews
Top 25 LGBTQ+ films, according to critics
Queer representation in film was, for a long time, limited to villains, perverts, or characters who met violent or tragic ends by the conclusion of the story. But the narrative is beginning to flip. Over the past several decades, LGBTQ+ characters have seen increased representation—and better representation—than ever before. While independent productions have historically pioneered […]
Posted inSports
Favorites to win the Kentucky Derby
More than 150,000 will pack into Churchill Downs on May 7, 2022, to see what’s been dubbed as “the most exciting two minutes in sports.” Like Super Bowl Sunday, the Kentucky Derby horse race is an annual sports tradition that speaks to some of the greatest American passions—high-stakes competition, athletics, and pageantry. The event has […]
Posted inNews
Counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in Rhode Island
The vaccine deployment in December 2020 signaled a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of May 2021, 40% of the U.S. population was fully vaccinated. But as vaccination rates lagged over the summer, new surges of COVID-19 came, including Delta in the summer of 2021, and now the Omicron variant, which comprises […]
Posted inNews
Experts rank the best US presidents of all time
Since George Washington was sworn in as the country’s first president in 1789, his presidential successors have made many integral and difficult decisions to help shape this country. Civil and international wars, economic crises, and deep-rooted bigotry are just a few major installments our presidents have had to tackle. It’s common to debate the efficacy, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
32 groundbreaking NASA missions in photographs
The universe is nearly 14 billion years old. Human existence makes up a tiny fraction of that time—if the history of Earth was 24 hours, humans came into the picture just before 11:59 p.m.—and yet we’ve spent much of that time fascinated with space. For so long, we have posited theories and done our best to reach […]
Posted inNews
5 new Netflix series to watch this weekend
There’s hardly ever a shortage of options when it comes to finding something new to watch on Netflix. The streaming service is constantly dropping new original content—be it films, documentaries, or binge-worthy TV series. When it comes to spending, Netflix annually shells out $17 billion on original content. Despite being in a multi-year pandemic, the […]
Posted inArts & Culture
How countries around the world celebrate Mother’s Day
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill that designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day, a holiday that was intended to celebrate “the best mother in the world, your mother.” Although he made it a federally recognized occasion, the 28th president didn’t come up with the idea for the holiday himself—that honor […]
Posted inNews
100 best sci-fi movies of all time
Like most movie genres, science fiction goes back almost as far as the medium itself, all the way to 1902, to be exact. That was when Georges Méliès—an innovative genius of many talents—unleashed his 14-minute masterwork: “Le Voyage dans la Lune,” better known to American audiences as “A Trip to the Moon.” Inspired by the […]
Posted inNews
Richest women in America
The overwhelming majority of those who make it onto “richest people” lists—in all 50 states or the world—are men. This face is unsurprising considering the storied histories of discriminatory workplace practices and various barriers to women’s wealth, including barring women from having credit cards until the 1970s. Even today, an income gap leaves women earning $0.82 […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Space discoveries that will blow your mind
Space discoveries that will blow your mind Since NASA’s inception in 1958, astronauts have landed on the moon, parked a robot-controlled rover on Mars, and discovered thousands of exoplanets—planets that orbit stars outside of this solar system. Scientists can even explore the 95% of invisible space comprised of dark energy, dark matter, and dark radiation. The […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Inside the biggest wave of salary increases since 2008
Have American employers finally put more power behind the paycheck? The country’s workforce is now seeing the highest wage increase averages in 14 years as evidenced by budget increases that companies dedicate to worker compensation. Kazoo compiled a list of facts and statistics about what is causing these increases, combining research from employer surveys, business […]
Posted inNews
How gas prices have changed in Rhode Island in the last week
The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $4.19—up seven cents this week compared to last. Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in Rhode Island using data from AAA. Gas prices are as of May 2. State gas tax data is from World Population Review. Three states, Connecticut, Georgia, and Maryland, have […]
Posted inNews
Richest billionaires in Massachusetts
The first billionaire ever is thought to be Standard Oil magnate John D. Rockefeller back in 1916, or perhaps Henry Ford in 1925. Fast forward some 100 years to 2021: as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to rage, a record-breaking 660 people became billionaires globally, growing the previous year’s number by 30%. While the U.S. is […]
Posted inNews
Famous commencement speeches from 10 public figures
Joshua Lott // Getty Images Famous commencement speeches from 10 public figures The excitement surrounding college graduation ceremonies leaves many future alumni wondering if they’ll remember anything beyond their name being announced, receiving their diploma, then moving their mortarboard tassels from the right side to the left. Despite the adrenaline rush, students often tune in […]
Posted inHistory
Most popular girl names in the 70s in Rhode Island
While many women throughout history have achieved amazing things, most little girls’ names are popularized by the stars of the entertainment industry: a child actress who was a beacon of hope during the Great Depression; the title of a popular song; or the name fictional characters gave their baby in a sitcom. Stacker compiled a […]
Posted inNews
20 great books by Asian American authors
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and what better way to celebrate than to stack your to-be-read lists with some of the many incredible works from Asian American authors. Although much of popular culture in America still struggles with producing consistent and diverse Asian American representation, there is a treasure trove of […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Counties with the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate in Rhode Island
The vaccine deployment in December 2020 signaled a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of May 2021, 40% of the U.S. population was fully vaccinated. But as vaccination rates lagged over the summer, new surges of COVID-19 came, including Delta in the summer of 2021, and now the Omicron variant, which comprises […]
Posted inReal Estate
US weekly real estate update
Canva US weekly real estate update The spring homebuying season is known to be fairly robust, but with interest rates continuing their steady climb it’s anyone’s guess what this spring will ultimately result in. This past week, the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached 5.37%, up from 5.20% last week and still […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Highest-rated breweries in Rhode Island
Just a few decades ago, the list of breweries to visit in any given area were small—perhaps a handful around larger metro areas and a few more tucked away in rural spots. Thanks to the craft brewery revolution, though, no one need look too hard to find a bounty of venues to visit. Retail sales […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island among states with the largest unionized workforces
Kerem Yucel // Anadolu Agency via Getty Images States with the largest unionized workforces Unions spent the first half of the 20th century transforming a massive industrial peasantry into the American middle class. In the second half of the 20th century, big business fought back by pressing for so-called “right-to-work” laws, which dilute the influence […]
Posted inNews
Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Rhode Island
Food insecurity is a widespread problem in the United States, with people experiencing food insecurity in every single county in the nation. The nonprofit Feeding America describes food insecurity as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.” Food insecurity hits children particularly […]
Posted inNews
Highest rated beer in Rhode Island
If you drink beer—any beer—you’ve likely heard of the craft beer revolution, and you likely fall into one of two camps: IPA warrior or lager loyalist. The great thing about a beer-related revolution is that there is no wrong side. Whatever your preference, cheers to you. The burgeoning brewery business is indeed a revolution by […]
Posted inReal Estate
1 in 4 home offers are now cash—here’s what that means for the average home buyer
Natee Meepian // Shutterstock 1 in 4 home offers are now cash—here’s what that means for the average homebuyer Real estate in the last few years has produced one of the hottest—if not the hottest—markets in the last quarter-century. With a limited number of houses for sale, competition is fierce and bidding wars abound. To […]