California’s dining scene just scored another major bragging right. The Golden State crushed the competition in a new Robb Report ranking of the 10 best new restaurants in America for 2026, claiming nearly half the list, and the coveted number one spot. Taking the crown at the top is Lilo, an ultra-intimate fine dining destination … Read more
Keep holding on to those $2 bills — soon there may be none left to collect. As America approaches its 250th anniversary next month, the US Mint is celebrating the milestone with special coin releases, but the semiquincentennial also marks a pause in $2 bill printing. The Federal Reserve’s print order for $2 bills this … Read more
They’re slimming their frames in Jesus’ name. For the A-list likes of Oprah Winfrey and Andy Cohen, Ozempic and other anti-obesity shots have hit the spot. For controversial “Almond Moms” like supermodel-turned-reality TV star Yolanda Hadid, eating just a few nuts a day is the way. But unlike the VIPs and their thin-by-any-means schemes, Kayla Bundy, … Read more
A round of beer seems like an appropriate way to celebrate America’s upcoming 250th birthday — especially when it’s inspired by the original recipe of President George Washington himself. To commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence — and as part of their “250 Years: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” programming — … Read more
California’s dining scene cleaned up on a prestigious new ranking of North America’s best restaurants, with nine Golden State eateries earning coveted spots on the annual list — including four in Los Angeles. The World’s 50 Best Restaurants — a global dining guide voted on by hundreds of culinary experts — unveiled its ranking during … Read more
Alcatraz became famous as a prison. It stayed famous as a myth. And now, more than 60 years after the last inmate left, that myth is powerful enough that President Donald Trump wants to turn it back into a prison. For 29 years, from 1934 to 1963, Alcatraz served as America’s most notorious federal penitentiary. … Read more
Late-night fast food and 24-hour dining — once staples of American convenience — have shrunk dramatically in recent years, though some chains are beginning to expand overnight hours again. Across the country, fewer chains are keeping locations open overnight, a shift that began during the COVID-19 pandemic and never fully reversed. Restaurant sales plunged 47% in April 2020 from … Read more
This summer, Americans are trading international itineraries and Aperol spritzes on the Amalfi Coast for all-American road trips, national parks, and nostalgic stateside escapes. Travel experts say rising costs, economic uncertainty and soaring airfare are pushing more Americans to trade big international vacations for shorter, easier getaways closer to home this summer. “Compared to last … Read more
Disney is bringing back a dose of Americana nostalgia to one of its most beloved rides as “Soarin’ Across America” prepares to take over Disney World ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday. The House of Mouse announced that Soarin’ Across America will officially debut at Disney California Adventure on July 2, 2026 and at EPCOT … Read more
MODESTO, Calif. — Before every important test, teacher Nancy Barajas dims the lights, turns on a disco ball and blasts music from her playlist. Her sixth graders dance together as a “pre-celebration” to boost their confidence, then take their exam. Lately, there’s been a lot to celebrate in elementary schools in Modesto, California. Both reading … Read more
Passenger satisfaction is soaring — for now. Air travel hasn’t been easy as of late, with all kinds of hassles such as TSA troubles, long lines, flight delays and cancellations, and rising ticket prices and baggage fees due to rising jet fuel costs. Even with all the trouble, overall satisfaction with airlines in North America … Read more
Americans should be rightly alarmed that the country’s birth rates have declined to yet another new low — falling by 23% over the last nearly two decades. But they aren’t dropping for political reasons — the drop is as stark in Texas as it is in New York. They’re dropping, I fervently believe, because America … Read more
Few fashion motifs are as recognizable as Ralph Lauren’s American flag sweater. The designer, who has spent his illustrious, nearly 60-year career transforming Americana into a global lifestyle brand, is now the first individual to curate an official stamp collection in collaboration with the United States Postal Service as part of the country’s 250th anniversary … Read more
As a mother of nine, Rachel Campos-Duffy has certainly had practice at pulling off Mother’s Day without a hitch. And she’ll certainly be front and center when the family celebrates today with a brunch at a friend’s house — although not until she’s finished her shift co-hosting “Fox and Friends.” “It’s the same for all … Read more
America didn’t lose all its malls to the internet. It traded them in for Botox. Walk into any strip center worth its rent in 2025 and you’ll find the same thing: a med spa where the shoe store was and an IV drip lounge where the electronics store used to be. Now there’s data to … Read more
Listen closely to how some Californians talk and you’ll hear it. The T sound in words like “water” or “accent” can soften or disappear. “Water” becomes “wader.” “Mountain” turns into “moun-in.” Even “winter” can sound like “winner.” They are small changes. Easy to miss. But linguists say those subtle patterns are part of something bigger. … Read more
California colleges are dominating a new ranking of the best-value schools in America — stacking the top spots with a mix of elite private institutions and standout public options. The Niche list ranks colleges based on net price, student debt, graduation rates, alumni earnings, and an economic mobility index that measures how well schools help … Read more
A sleepy Central Coast escape just a few hours from Los Angeles has been crowned the best coastal small town in the US — and locals aren’t surprised. Pismo Beach has taken the top spot in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, eclipsing tons of seaside destinations across the country after thousands of votes were … Read more
WASHINGTON — Most of America “springs forward” Sunday for daylight saving time. Losing that hour of sleep can do more than leave you tired and cranky the next day; it also could harm your health. Darker mornings and more evening light knock your body clock out of whack — which means daylight saving time can usher in sleep … Read more
Americans may be feeling “tip fatigue,” but most are still leaving gratuities for a range of services — and where they live appears to shape how much they give, according to a new report. South Carolina tops the list, with an average tip rate of 20.71%, making it the only state to surpass the 20% … Read more