Christmas is the longest and most rollicking birthday celebration in Latin America.

Santa Claus and Rudolph are supporting characters in pageantry where Joseph, a pregnant Mary, and the donkey they rode to Bethlehem take center stage. Stories derived from the Bible surrounding Jesus' birth weave themselves into the folklore of the holiday ...Read more

Technology is helping some states and cities crack down on dangerous driving.

In particular, traffic cameras have spread throughout the nation. These are intended to ensure that drivers fully stop at red lights and maintain posted speed limits, both of which help motorists avoid major safety threats. About 340 communities throughout the ...Read more

Inflation has started to cool but prices remain high, and that's taking a toll on Americans' budgets.

According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food costs have been particularly impacted (up 2.2% from the year before in July), causing people to rethink their grocery lists and shopping habits. Companies say customers ...Read more

A new federal financial aid application rollout was supposed to streamline a complex college application process for students and families. Instead, it created chaos. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA forms, which historically launched on Oct. 1, weren't released until Dec. 30, 2023, and had numerous technical difficulties....Read more

Right now, probably hundreds are playing a new trucking-centered Xbox game: Star Trucker, which launched in September 2024. It's the latest in a diverse collection of trucking simulation games that glamorize the open road—or, in this case, the open galaxy.

Trucking sims are nearly as old as video games themselves, and they have amassed a ...Read more

From E. coli traced to slivered onions on McDonald's Quarter Pounders to mass recalls of frozen waffles due to listeria risk, foodborne illness seems ever-present in the headlines. According to the Food & Drug Administration, foodborne illness affects 1 in 6 Americans every year—that's 48 million cases annually.

Data from the Centers for ...Read more

While the COVID-19 pandemic may already be in the rearview mirror for some, its legacy on America's roadways continues to be acutely felt today.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the national public health emergency changed driving patterns drastically, with "drivers who remained on the roads engaged in more ...Read more

For the first time in several decades, Americans are seeing a significant increase in the portion of their budgets dedicated to buying food.

That's according to a recent study from the Department of Agriculture's research arm, a finding that bucks a long-term trend in which advancements in food processing and production have kept food prices...Read more

The year 2024 has been marked by the deaths of numerous iconic figures in film, television, and music, leaving fans and industry members alike mourning these beloved stars' departures. Some, like James Earl Jones, lived long and illustrious lives, contributing decades of unforgettable work to their craft; others, such as Shannen Doherty and ...Read more

The portion of Americans contributing more than a third of their income to rent has been rising for the past two decades, and today, it sits at around half of all renters, according to recently released Census data collected in 2023.

Since 2021, the cost of housing has been one of the most persistent and potent forces driving a rising cost ...Read more

Nearly half of U.S. consumers are planning to brave the busiest travel period of the year by taking trips during the holidays. According to PwC, men are more likely to be out and about as well, with more than half planning to travel versus just 2 in 5 women. They plan to do it even as concerns for common travel mishaps remain. Among the biggest...Read more

More than 1 million Americans live with human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, with tens of thousands of new diagnoses each year. But with earlier diagnoses and advances in treatment, HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, has become far more manageable. Death rates among diagnosed individuals have dropped, even as recently as the past five years.

...Read more

Smartphones already make day-to-day life more convenient. Soon, they may be widely used to prove identities.

Nine in 10 Americans own smartphones to stay connected, find information, track exercise, play games, capture life's moments, and more, Pew reported in June. Increasingly, smartphones also store highly personal information, like ...Read more

The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point for nursing home care in America. It amplified the dire needs of the nation's vulnerable older adults and spurred families to effect change.

Four years later, nursing homes are struggling. They're hurting for funding, under-regulated amid labor shortages, and facing lawsuits from residents' family ...Read more

America is poised for a high-tech reemergence of the technology once used to dispense newspapers and sell goods to commuters in busy thoroughfares a century ago.

Digital kiosks are taking over restaurant spaces across the country. A whopping 44% of restaurant brands surveyed by retail tech company Qu anticipated adding self-serve kiosks to ...Read more

You've likely been planning your upcoming trip for a while, whether you're preparing to connect with loved ones over the holidays or getting ready for an extended vacation far from anyone you know. To give you peace of mind while you're away, you'll also need to make sure the home you're leaving behind is safe and secure.

The chances of a ...Read more

Gift-giving is a cornerstone of relationships. People express gifting in myriad ways, from spontaneous, smaller-scaled acts like baking treats to more elaborate signs of affection like planning a trip.

Presents can be physical manifestations of social relationships, which remain significant even in a digital age. But amid growing concerns ...Read more

Car buyers weary of electric vehicles often share the same concern: "What if I run out of juice and there's nowhere to charge my car?"

That was a fair question in 2007. At the time, there were only 139 public EV charging stations. But in the years since, public and private entities have invested billions into building out charging ...Read more

Inflation has strained consumers' finances in recent years. It is also having an impact on the charities that depend on donations to do their mission-driven work.

Even as charities feel the economic squeeze, however, those in the grant-giving, civil rights, social causes, and educational sectors have seen substantial growth in donations over...Read more

The holiday shopping season can be the most wonderful time of year for consumers—but it's the most important time of year for small business owners. Yet many small business owners find themselves in a tight spot, as the growth of online shopping transforms major retailers into the go-to for shoppers seeking both convenience and good deals. ...Read more