In November of last year, former President Donald Trump announced his plans to run for president again in 2024. Despite potential complications presented by his indictment over falsifying business records in March and a jury finding him liable for defamation and sexual abuse in civil court in May, Trump has not announced any changes to […]
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Strawberries, white bread, and other groceries that rose in price last month
After more than a year of historical inflation, grocery prices are finally falling. The overall cost of groceries fell over the course of March and April for the first time since September 2020. Urban grocery prices fell by about 0.2% from March to April, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The drop over the […]
Eggs, tomatoes, and other groceries that dropped in price in April
Grocery shoppers continued to feel a slight reprieve in April as grocery prices fell month-over-month for the second consecutive month, after a run of increases spanning back to September 2020. The decline was moderate, at about 0.2% since March, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. It certainly didn’t undo the two years of historically […]
Cities with the most expensive homes in the Providence metro area
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. But with home prices reaching record heights, affordabilityplays a huge role for buyers. High mortgage rates are also making monthly payments more expensive; as of May […]
Here are some key health policies that will and will not change with the COVID-19 public health emergency's end
The public health emergency declared for the coronavirus pandemic expires on May 11. The emergency declaration began in 2020, followed by various other legislative and administrative actions, allowing the federal government to waive or modify rules and expand the health care system’s capacity to provide care and coverage for all Americans during the worst pandemic […]
States that drafted the most men in World War II
As of September 2022, there are just over 167,000 American veterans of World War II alive, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Since most are over 90 years old, it is estimated that three in every 10 will pass away in 2023. More than 16 million people served in the U.S. Armed Forces […]
Gaming revenue grew most in Oregon and New York last year—here's how it breaks down across the rest of the US
Gambling in the United States brought in a record $60.4 billion in revenue in 2022, according to the American Gaming Association. The vast majority of that year’s revenue was from in-person gambling, but online betting accounted for about a fifth of that. Just a few states across the U.S. saw the most gaming revenue growth. […]
Offbeat adventures: Travel to the coolest hidden wonders in every U.S. state
Americans spent $93 billion on travel in February 2023—5% above 2019 (before COVID-19) and 9% above 2022, according to the U.S. Travel Association. As more and more people venture out to make up for the last few pandemic-ridden years, you might be looking to go a little farther off the beaten path to avoid the […]
Baby names losing popularity in the 21st century
There is a clear life cycle for virtually everything humans have created, including baby names. What was popular or trendy 10, 50, or even 100 years ago often isn’t popular now, while other trends cycle back into popularity every few years—or even decades. The 1980s saw plenty of babies named after the British royal family […]
Counties with the worst droughts in Rhode Island
Over a fourth of the continental U.S. is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. While severe to exceptional drought conditions persist in the West—which is currently experiencing a brief reprieve from its driest period of the last 1,200 years—other parts of the country less associated with drought, like the […]
The most popular dog names of 2022 in every state
You’ve done everything on your checklist. Got pet insurance and found a great, affordable veterinarian. Didn’t forget to puppy-proof the house and scanned high and low for the best quality dog food. Just one important thing left to decide: What will you name your new furry family member? In the past century, our furry best […]
A brief history of America's oldest seagoing military branch—and it may not be the one you think
The United States Coast Guard plays a critical role in maintaining the country’s national, border, and economic security. The oldest seagoing branch in the U.S. military, it is one of the nation’s eight federal uniformed services, its duty resting in securing the maritime domain. While the Navy concentrates on guaranteeing navigational freedom and American power […]
The most common undergraduate degrees awarded in every state
A paper published by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce in 2011, titled “The College Payoff,” analyzed the ever-present debate about the financial worthiness of a college degree, many times obtained through ballooning debt. The study found that over a lifetime, “bachelor’s degree holders earn 31% more than those with an associate’s degree […]
Top education colleges in each state by acceptance rates, SAT scores, and affordability
National College Decision Day falls on May 1st, and students are expected to finalize their choice of college to attend by that date. The best college for a student can depend on many factors, such as geographic location, tuition cost, and the student’s SAT scores. Additionally, one of the most significant aspects to consider when […]
Oldest cities in America
American history conjures images of tricorn hats, the “Star-Spangled Banner,” and cobblestone streets in quaint colonial towns. While the colonial era is certainly part of American history, it’s only one small part of it. Evidence of humans inhabiting North America dates back 13,000 years, with some indication of human settlements stretching back as far as […]
18 ways to live with less plastic
Plastic is harming our planet, overflowing landfills and polluting oceans. But it’s also bad for our personal health. Growing evidence links phthalates — chemicals used to soften and form plastics — to a wide variety of adverse conditions, including hormone disruption, insulin resistance, and reproductive dysfunction. Humans have generated more than 6.3 billion metric tons […]
Cities with the worst commute in Rhode Island
When the COVID-19 pandemic made millions of Americans remote workers, it also abruptly ended many of the commutes that bookend the workday. As some of those workers return to the office, conversations around the drawbacks of commutes have become more intense. For a while, those workers enjoyed more time in the morning and evening that […]
10 states with the highest levels of tree cover loss
The United States has lost 44.3 million hectares of tree cover in just the past two decades. A hectare is about 2.5 acres, and this cumulative loss represents a 16% decrease in tree cover nationwide since 2000. This is equivalent to 17.4 gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions. Deforestation presents a distinct threat to most of […]
How climate change is affecting America’s national parks
Yellowstone National Park regularly receives over 4 million visitors during its peak season. Its geothermal features, wildlife, and scenery make it one of the most popular parks in the U.S. But last June, park officials closed the more than 2 million acre park for over a week due to historic levels of flooding. Reports later […]
Best public high schools in Rhode Island
As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a ’96 commencement address at Wellesley College, “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” If that’s the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all. It’s a place where students explore their interests, dive into […]
Here are the states with the most expensive college tuitions—and what to know about paying for them
According to National Center for Education Statistics, 16 million individuals attend post-secondary institutions in the United States each year. Over the years, the average cost of college has risen dramatically. While there are several different post-secondary educational pathways that students can take, the one most commonly discussed is a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited […]
Fastest-growing jobs for college grads
The U.S. labor market remained strong in 2022, adding another 223,000 jobs in December. But the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the job market may cool off in years to come, projecting that total employment will grow only 0.5% annually between 2021 and 2031, which is half the growth rate between 2011 and 2021. […]
Average temperature change in every state for the last 100 years
The global climate is changing. And according to numerous scientific experts, nothing will be spared from its effects—no acre of land, no human being, and no animal will be completely insulated from the changes that will occur over the next century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s latest report, issued in April 2022, warned that […]
How long it takes 50 common items to decompose
The word “decompose” means “to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds,” according to Merriam-Webster. Biodegradation is a similar process, but one that is defined by elements that can be broken down into innocuous parts by the action of living things like worms or microorganisms. All non-living things are eventually broken down […]
These industries provide the most jobs in every state
By almost any measure, the U.S. economy has rapidly recovered jobs since roughly 8 million Americans were laid off in the spring of 2020. Jobs bounced back throughout 2021 and much of 2022 in nearly all sectors, spurred by consumer demand for furniture, homes, appliances, and vehicles. But in the latter half of 2022, consumers […]
