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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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. […]

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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 […]

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