• I've moved around a dozen times. The last move was from a rental into a home I now own.
• Moving is always stressful, but friends and family came together to help lighten the load for me.
• Of course, moving next door made this one easier than most, but I'm grateful for all the help I had.

The first time I moved as an adult, it was to a dorm room in the oldest building on my college campus, up a hill and five flights of stairs. Thankfully, there were burly football players to help.

Since then, I've moved 10 more times. I've done moves cross-country with a U-Haul, with the help of friends, with movers in one day, and while eight months pregnant. None of these were as easy as my recent move with my 10-year-old son, right next door.

It might seem obvious, but a move is a move, and it still ranks high on the list of stressful life events. It would have been easy to be complacent given the short distance, but I was determined to purge before we ever packed a box. That made it easy, and so did the help of 15 friends — mostly moms and kids — all coming together to help.

We hadn't planned to move

When my son and I moved in October 2020, I knew our place was temporary. I underestimated how long we'd actually stay. I'm not a huge fan of moving, and that pandemic move, in one day no less, was stressful enough to keep me from wanting to do it again.

Yet, the perfect circumstances aligned. Our landlord decided to sell our rental, which we didn't want to buy, and our next-door neighbors were planning a move. We loved our neighborhood, which was also a half-mile as the crow flies from my childhood home and a three-minute drive from my aging mother.

I checked in with my son — how do you feel about buying the place next door? Thankfully, he was in and getting as excited as I was. After touring the home together and mutually confirming it was the right place for us, we put in an offer before the house ever went on the market.

My son had an idea

With my son old enough to weigh in on the process, he had his own thoughts. He suggested an old-fashioned fire brigade line, with friends and family all lined up from one door to the next, passing our belongings along.

I had to admit, it seemed like a good idea, so I created an Evite and pressed send.

Then, on a mild winter weekend in January, we gathered all our smaller belongings together in the kitchen nook by the door. About 15 friends and family members came to help us move those items to the entryway of our new home. On the other side of the house, my niece and nephew moved some heavier items from door to door.

Everything we'd collected was transferred in 30 minutes, and yet there were still things to move. My girlfriends said, "You have us here, put us to work."

So, they emptied the cabinets in our old kitchen and moved my clothes from closet to closet. My cousin unpacked the new dishes and glassware into the new dishwasher, and a friend cleaned out my junk drawer, which I highly recommend.

The next day, professional movers carried the heavier items — beds, bookcases, desks, and couches- in under two hours, which helped keep expenses low

The help of so many others made our move less stressful

After the previous high-stress experiences, I gave myself a month to get settled next door, which turned out to be plenty of time. The bulk of our things were moved that weekend, and smaller items like artwork and tchotchkes came over the course of the month, once I knew where everything would go. I was grateful for that extra time.

A few weeks after our move, I was comparing notes with a friend in New York City who also bought a new place and moved around the same time as we did. I made some comment about how "next time I'd do it this way." I was grateful when she reminded me that there won't be a next time. Owning means I don't need to move again anytime soon.

As a yearslong Amazon Prime member, I am a happy testimonial to the endless benefits of subscribing. For only $15 a month, joining unlocks access to on-demand streaming, free two-day shipping, and so much more. For skeptics, you can get an Amazon Prime free trial membership to try the service.

Newcomers can try Prime for free for 30 days before committing to the monthly subscription. If you're reading this in late June, you've come at the perfect time to use one of the best perks of membership, too: access to all of the retailer's Prime Day deals.

Amazon Prime membership usually costs $14.99 a month, plus tax. Alternatively, you can opt for plans including Prime Annual at $140 a year, Young Adults Prime at $7.49 a month, and Prime Access at $6.99 a month. College students and young adults can even enjoy an extended free trial period of six months.

According to JP Morgan, the estimated annual value is $785, so signing up pays for itself. As a longtime Prime member, I definitely see the value in it — each month, I save at least $40 on shipping alone. When I factor in the cost of an additional streaming service, music streaming, and grocery delivery, plus the savings I score on exclusive deals, it's a priceless must-have in my life. However, before deciding whether it's worth it for you, I recommend trying the free 30-day trial.

The freebie period is open to new members. Cancellation is easy and can be done at any time through your membership settings. If you haven't used your benefits at all, you may even be eligible for a refund.

What is Amazon Prime Day?

Prime Day is only days away, returning for shoppers on June 23 through 26. The four-day event promises all-time lows and incredible savings. Keep tabs on the best deals by following our Prime Day coverage.

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See more: How to sign up for Amazon Prime | Best Amazon Prime benefits | How to tell if a Prime Day deal is good | How to find Lightning Deals | Walmart's Prime Day sale

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• Mark Zuckerberg was the chief architect of the AI accords that emerged from Trump's lunch with tech leaders, POLITICO reports.
• Zuckerberg, with the help of Jensen Huang, pitched the AI accords to senior White House officials at the lunch.
• Huang and some Trump administration officials helped shape the pact ahead of the meeting.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was the chief architect of the "morally binding" AI accords that emerged from Tuesday's White House lunch with President Donald Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson, and more than a dozen tech executives, according to five people familiar with the private meeting.

Zuckerberg, with the help of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, pitched the so-called AI accords to senior White House officials and some of the biggest names in tech during the luncheon, three of the people said. Both Huang as well as Trump administration officials helped shape the pact ahead of the meeting, according to two of the people.

All five people were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to share details of the discussions.

As part of the voluntary agreement, signatories would commit to the importance of enacting safeguards to mitigate potential risks from advanced AI models, but without a clear enforcement mechanism, it is unclear what, if any, consequences they may face for failing to do so.

The episode indicates Zuckerberg and Huang's growing influence shaping White House AI policy, and comes as the administration continues to pursue a light-touch approach to regulating the technology. Congress has yet to pass federal legislation reining in AI.

Meta declined to comment. Nvidia and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The idea originated at a state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which Zuckerberg pitched the idea to Johnson, one of the people said. Shortly thereafter, Zuckerberg spoke with Huang who subsequently helped to garner support for it among leadership at the major AI labs, according to two of the people. Since the state dinner until Tuesday's luncheon, executives have been in consistent communication to finalize the document.

Semafor previously reported some of the details of the document's creation.

The accords compel companies to "implement robust internal controls" to monitor AI models' capabilities, partner with external auditors, and create independent committees to review the auditors' reports. It has been criticized by some Democrats and safety advocates who say it is unenforceable and relies primarily on mutual agreement.

"The idea isn't that this is the only thing that we will ever do," Zuckerberg told reporters outside the White House Tuesday. "It is that this is a start and an accord that the whole industry could come to."

Trump has been reluctant to impose additional guardrails on the technology, saying that existing laws will be enough to mitigate the risks the technology may pose. "The only control or 'guardrails' that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades," Trump said in a post on Truth Social earlier this month.

As the White House has weighed how best to regulate AI, Zuckerberg has favored a lighter-touch approach. In an August phone call with Trump, Zuckerberg opposed a proposal that would create an independent regulatory body modeled on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Huang has positioned himself as a coalition builder within the industry. On Monday, Nvidia released a new AI security system the company said would help prevent recent autonomous hacks conducted by rogue AI agents that have made headlines.

Other top tech executives, including Anthropic's Dario Amodei and OpenAI's Sam Altman, have called for the government to have a heavier hand in regulating the technology and called for a slowdown of its development.

Zuckerberg and Huang, though, have largely dismissed critics who say that AI could pose an existential risk to humanity.

This story originally appeared on POLITICO and is courtesy of the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, which harnesses the resources of the company's newsrooms to publish ambitious scoops, investigations, interviews, opinion pieces, and analysis. It allows journalists — including those from POLITICO, Business Insider, WELT, BILD, Onet, and Fakt — to collaborate on major stories for an international audience of hundreds of millions across platforms.

Phil Keoghan returns, along with a new group of globe-trotting contestants. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about where to watch The Amazing Race.

If you don't want to read any further, you can live stream The Amazing Race on Paramount Plus Premium in the US. You can access your usual streaming options from anywhere with a VPN, such as NordVPN. Below, you can find additional details about the new season, including a look at the contestants and a brief promo.

Where to watch The Amazing Race in the US

The Amazing Race airs on CBS in the US. Season 39 will kick off with a special two-night premiere on Wednesday, September 30, and Thursday, October 1. After that, new episodes will air weekly on Wednesdays from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET.

The cheapest way to live stream The Amazing Race is through Paramount Plus. You'll need a Premium subscription, which costs $14 a month, to unlock CBS live streaming. If you're looking to save some money and don't mind waiting a day (or watching with ads), you can stream new episodes on demand on Thursdays with Paramount Plus Essential, which costs $9 a month.

If you're seeking a platform with a free trial and additional channels beyond CBS, a live TV streaming service is the way to go. YouTube TV carries CBS in both its Main and Sports plans. The Main plan (100+ channels) costs $83 a month, but new users can get $15 a month off their first five months. The Sports plan (30+ channels) costs $65 a month, but new users can get $20 a month off their first six months. In addition to these limited-time introductory offers, first-time customers can get a free trial of either plan.

Fubo is another popular option. The platform carries CBS and tons of other channels across multiple plans, including Fubo Pro. Pro (200+ channels) costs $89 a month, but new users can get $25 off their first month after a free trial.

How to watch The Amazing Race from anywhere

If you're traveling abroad, you can still keep up with your favorite shows with the help of a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are handy cybersecurity tools that let people temporarily alter their virtual locations. This way, their usual websites and apps work from anywhere, just like they would function back home. Since the services we've highlighted require US payment methods, this option will work best for Americans who are simply traveling away from home right now.

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs we've tested. It's fast, user-friendly, and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can learn more in our NordVPN review.

• See also: Where to watch American Horror Story | Where to watch Dancing with the Stars | Where to watch The Traitors: New Blood

The Amazing Race contestants and teams

• Ali Krieger (42, pro athlete) and Joanna Lohman (44, pro athlete): Pro athletes and moms from Montclair, NJ, and Silver Spring, MD
• Ann-Marie Tejcek (56, healthcare executive) and Riley Tejcek (29, marine officer): Mother and daughter from Carmel, IN, and San Diego, CA
• Anuar Tager (58, developer) and Andrea Tager Ballesca (25, medical student): Father and daughter from Houston, TX
• Cody Langlois (35, civil engineer) and Jaime Tribo (33, dietitian): Siblings from Los Angeles, CA, and Tinley Park, IL
• Conner Wilson (27, media producer) and Garrett McGuire (27, engineer): Childhood friends from Loomis, CA, and Rocklin, CA
• Dafina (52, bond analyst and DJ) and Saran (51, personal trainer/founder of Kids Leading Kids) Dunmore: Sisters/best friends from Chicago, IL
• Daisha Wilks (28, videographer) and Dalton Hamby (27, videographer): Dating from Flat Rock, AL, and Jacksonville, AL
• Doug (73, retired fire chief) and Dylan (19, college student) Matter: Grandfather and grandson from San Diego, CA
• Erin Taylor (28, head of human resources) and Javi Vintimilla (30, pilot): Married couple from Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Jody Rebhun (44, history teacher) and Jenn Naso (44, forensic scientist): Best friends and moms from Branford, CT, and Larchmont, NY
• Katie (26, esthetician) and Charlotte (20, esthetician) Schultz: Sisters from Murray, KY
• Michelle (31, auto body shop owner and real estate agent) and Matthew (36, business operations director) Patterson: Married parents from Rutherford, NJ
• Zach (30, car salesman and cofounder of Pipley) and Nate (27, director of sales) Johnson: Brothers from Dallas, TX

The Amazing Race trailer

CBS dropped an official promo for the new season last week. In the trailer, fans get a brief look at the new teams and glimpses at some of the challenges they'll face this season. Check out the full video below:

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

• A pilot flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv stabbed his coworker mid-flight, Benjamin Netanyahu said.
• Israel's prime minister added that the pilot tried to crash the plane before passengers intervened.
• Flydubai FZ1073 declared an emergency around two hours into its journey on Wednesday.

Passengers who helped stop a Flydubai pilot from crashing their plane on Wednesday are being hailed as heroes.

"I grabbed the attacker, put him in a chokehold, and pulled him out [of the cockpit]," Yaniv Hayun, a passenger on the plane, told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in front of reporters at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

In the interview, which Business Insider translated from Hebrew, Hayun added that there were no pilots in the cockpit, so he jumped in and pulled back on the yoke to level the plane out, saying he had some aviation knowledge and that the Canadian TV show Mayday helped him know what to do.

He said several passengers and crew members also helped stop the attack, and other pilots on board further stabilized the jet and landed it.

"I salute these heroes, who displayed exceptional resourcefulness and courage," Netanyahu said in an earlier statement on Wednesday. "They saved many lives. They prevented a huge disaster."

President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday afternoon that he'd spoken with Netanyahu about the flight and the passengers' actions.

"I think it's the most amazing story," Trump said.

Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, landed in Saudi Arabia after one of the pilots stabbed the other in an attempt to crash the plane. Passengers were later flown to their original destination in Israel.

Netanyahu has since identified the pilot stabbed during the altercation as Captain Smit Machchhar, calling him a "true hero."

"Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster," Netanyahu said on X. "He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals. I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery."

The plane fell 17,000 feet before stabilizing

Netanyahu's comment came after an attempted hijacking on Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. He said one of the pilots had been arrested after stabbing his fellow pilot and attempting to crash the plane. Footage purportedly from the flight has since been shared widely on social media.

Around two hours into its journey, the jet dropped from a cruising altitude of 34,000 feet to 17,000 feet above sea level in just two minutes, flight-tracking data showed.

Ten minutes later, the airplane squawked 7700, indicating a general emergency. It then changed the code to 7500, which indicates "unlawful interference" with the flight, and is the code used by pilots to alert authorities of attempted hijackings.

A Flydubai spokesperson said in a statement that "an altercation occurred in the flight deck."

"The aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty Flydubai crew traveling on the flight," they added. "All passengers and crew are safe and accounted for."

Yasmin Abukasis, who said her daughter was on the flight, spoke to reporters at Ben Gurion Airport and told Reuters that her daughter said someone "tried to kill the pilot."

"It's very hard to explain what's happened, but it was a big stress," she added in an interview with the BBC.

The flight, which took off from Dubai just after 7 a.m. local time, was scheduled to land at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport about three hours later.

After the incident, it diverted to Tabuk, a city in northern Saudi Arabia, about 270 miles from Tel Aviv. Flydubai said it sent two replacement aircraft to bring the passengers and crew back from Tabuk.

Cluster2, which operates Tabuk's airport, said in a statement that both pilots were injured and taken to the hospital, but did not provide details on the nature of their injuries.

Netanyahu also said he had instructed security agencies to prepare for other potential threats.

"At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation," the Flydubai spokesperson said.

"We urge all parties to refrain from premature speculation while authorities gather the facts."

• Coffee is packed with health-boosting compounds that protect your body and brain from inflammation.
• Its active ingredient, caffeine, has wide-ranging benefits like better focus, fitness, and gut health.
• Get the most out of your brew with tips from coffee-loving experts in longevity and performance.

Forget experimental peptides or expensive pills — the best longevity supplement is probably already in your pantry.

Coffee is one of the most-studied performance enhancers on the planet. Extensive research supports a laundry list of perks, from a short-term boost in strength, endurance, and focus to long-term protection against inflammation and serious illnesses.

In 2026 alone, studies linked coffee to benefits such as improved gut health, better mood, sharper cognition, healthy aging, and lower risk of liver disease.

The daily brew enjoyed by 66% of American adults packs a complex blend of antiaging and disease-fighting compounds to help us live longer and better. Beyond helping to prevent major causes of death like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and dementia, coffee is also the most reliable way to get an edge in daily performance, whether you're an athlete or a CEO.

"Caffeine is one of the most powerful and one of the most consistent tools that we have for performance," sports nutritionist Tom Coughlin told Business Insider.

However, not all coffee is the same when it comes to health benefits. Researchers say that certain types of coffee may be healthier than others, and too much can backfire.

Business Insider spoke with experts about the multiple ways coffee affects your brain and body. They explained how to drink coffee for the greatest benefits and fewest side effects.

Your brain on coffee

Neuroscientist Agenor Limon loves to start the day with a cup of coffee. The daily ritual — grinding beans, heating water, and brewing — stimulates a full sensory experience leading up to that first sip.

"Coffee helps feed the brain with the aroma, the taste, and the moment," Limon, a professor of neurology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, told Business Insider.

As the molecules in coffee hit your system, they interact with important receptors in the brain associated with alertness, attention, and memory, according to Limon. It also affects the vascular system, supporting healthy blood flow in the brain and body.

New research suggests those benefits persist beyond the initial feel-good rush. A study published in JAMA in February found that people who drank two to three cups of coffee daily had a significantly lower risk of dementia.

Why coffee can be good for your health

As if the brain benefits weren't reason enough, a new study found coffee can have a significant effect on our gut microbiome, the tiny critters in our digestive system. Researchers found molecules in coffee help feed the beneficial bacteria that play an important role in our metabolism and even our mood.

Coffee is so complex that researchers are still trying to pinpoint exactly what makes it good for us, said Fang Fang Zhang, an epidemiologist and professor at Tufts University.

One of the biggest contenders is the main active ingredient: caffeine, a stimulant that increases metabolism and reduces inflammation.

Studies link coffee to a huge range of other benefits, too, including:

• Lower risk of cancers, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and liver cancer
• Reduced risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke
• Improved insulin sensitivity and lower risk of diabetes
• Better mood and fewer symptoms of depression

Zhang and others have found that decaffeinated coffee isn't associated with the same health benefits as regular coffee, strongly suggesting that caffeine itself plays a role.

But caffeine isn't the only interesting chemical in coffee.

It's also a rich source of polyphenols, plant-based compounds that help protect our cells from damage.

One such compound is called chlorogenic acid, and studies suggest it's a powerful defense against inflammation, cell damage, and metabolic dysfunction.

"It's one of the most potent antioxidants that we know," Coughlin said. "High doses of antioxidants can be very beneficial for us across loads of different areas within the body."

Coffee also provides a small dose of fiber, a crucial nutrient for gut health. Most of us don't get enough fiber, which helps feed the microbiome of symbiotic bacteria in our digestive system.

Taken together, the healthy compounds in coffee rank it among the best foods for longevity, alongside nutritional powerhouses like olive oil, seeds, and legumes. That said, it's not a substitute for eating your veggies.

"No single food, nutrient, or beverage could save us," Zhang said. "We definitely still need to think about how we're going to consume an overall healthy diet. To have coffee is a great addition."

Coffee to level up your fitness

In addition to its antiaging benefits, coffee is also a performance-enhancing supplement in the gym and in the office. Coughlin said 95% of the athletes he works with have some form of caffeine in their game plan.

"It's part of their strategy in terms of optimizing performance, making the brain work better, and making the body work better," he said.

Caffeine speeds up reaction time and improves endurance, stamina, and strength. And you don't need a pre-workout powder or other product to get the perks, since a cup of coffee works just as well for most people.

"One of the really beneficial things is the fact that this is actually a natural compound and you don't necessarily need a supplement to get those benefits," Coughlin said.

How much coffee is too much?

The benefits of coffee can come with tradeoffs, particularly in higher doses. Too much caffeine can cause symptoms like indigestion, jitters, anxiety, rapid heart rate, and headaches.

Side effects of caffeine overload can occur if you drink upward of 400 milligrams per day — about three cups of coffee — but may start earlier in people who are more sensitive to caffeine.

Extreme doses can be dangerous, but you'd need to drink more than a dozen cups of coffee in a short time period to be at risk.

Be wary of concentrated forms of caffeine like energy drinks, shots, or powder. They can make it easy to have too much, and don't have the benefits of the plant-based compounds in coffee beans.

The best way to drink coffee for health

To reap the biggest longevity boost from coffee, context matters.

Most studies have found that the sweet spot for drinking coffee is one to three cups per day, and no more than five.

"It's not the more, the better. We found that when you go beyond three cups, you don't gain additional benefit," Zhang said.

Certain types of coffee preparations, like French press, can be high in a compound that raises cholesterol. If that's a concern, opt for coffee made with a paper filter.

For best results, avoid added sugar and milk, which may increase inflammation and cancel out the benefits of coffee, Zhang said.

Timing is also crucial. One of the biggest drawbacks of coffee is that it can impair healthy sleep, which is also crucial for longevity.

Coughlin, the sports nutritionist, is a serious coffee lover with an impressive home-brewing setup, but said he limits his habit to no later than 2 p.m. It can take around seven hours to process half the caffeine you've consumed, and more than 10 hours to fully eliminate it.

"I want to make sure that I don't have a massive amount of caffeine in my system when I go to bed," he said.

Finally, take the time to enjoy your daily cup o' joe. Beyond the chemistry of coffee, its social, cultural, and sensory elements can be powerful for longevity, according to Limon, the neurology professor. Sipping your coffee offers a moment to unwind, a chance to connect with other people, and to stay in the present moment.

"If we're very rushed and distracted, we don't focus on things. That's a problem later in life," he said.

• Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth unveiled a string of changes aimed at preparing the military for the future.
• New efforts include a four-star autonomous warfare command and plans to strengthen US bases and supply chains.
• The Pentagon is also tapping big names in tech to help it figure out what it needs for future fights.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's speech on Wednesday went far beyond the expected deep cuts to the number of generals and admirals, laying out a new blueprint for the military he envisions is needed for future wars.

During a speech to junior troops at Marine Corps Base Quantico — an address delivered one year after the defense secretary summoned 800 flag officers to the same location for a speech on fitness and culture — Hegseth presented six initiatives aimed at significantly changing how the US military develops weapons, protects its domestic infrastructure, positions its forces at home, and cultivates specific religious and patriotic ideals.

For starters, the Pentagon is getting a new four-star command devoted to autonomous and robotic warfare. The new Autonomous Warfare command, or AUTOWARCOM, will have "service-like authorities," Hegseth said, and will be developed over the coming months through an effort called Project Agincourt. He didn't specify what the authorities will include, highlighting its focus instead.

"Ukraine's lesson is not that one type of drone wins wars, but rather the need for a purpose-built system that maximizes the ability to adapt," he said, pointing to lethal innovations born on the Ukrainian battlefield, where cheap, deadly drones have become a new war weapon alongside expensive conventional weapons.

The secretary told the audience that the Pentagon needs more of each — high-end weapons and large numbers of cheaper, expendable autonomous systems that can overwhelm an adversary.

"We need bolts of lightning," Hegseth said, referring to costly legacy weapons. "We also need steady wind and rain, mass drones, and other autonomous attritable systems that flip the cost exchange and impose unrelenting pressure on an adversary on the battlefield."

Project Agincourt is intended to speed the fielding and procurement of autonomous systems by pairing commercial developers with active-duty forces and pushing decision-making closer to front-line units, while also creating new military career fields in autonomous warfare.

"We need institutional knowledge and career paths for a new generation of autonomous warfighters," Hegseth said.

"Today, with Autonomous War Command, AUTOWARCOM, we institutionalize and we supercharge the era of [systems integrated]-robotics and autonomous systems, all in order to win," he said.

As the Pentagon transforms itself to more quickly adopt technology already changing warfare, Hegseth wants outside groups and business leaders to help it anticipate what might come next.

A second initiative, Project Meridian, will convene government officials, academics, and private-sector leaders to study technologies and potential future battlefields that could shape conflicts decades from now. The effort will be overseen by the Pentagon's chief technology officer, Emil Michael, and co-led by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who also oversaw President Donald Trump's former Department of Government Efficiency, Anduril founder Palmer Luckey, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

The trio will "creatively look to the future and identify the domains that we must conquer, and capabilities we must master," Hegseth said, working on a compressed timeline to submit their first findings within 120 days. "Their work will be focused on discovering, developing, and fielding the weapons and systems that our children and our grandchildren will need in their lifetimes, without any creative limitations or restrictions."

A third new initiative, called "Fortress America," will focus on military resilience for future warfare, ensuring military installations and supply chains can withstand major attacks or global disruptions. Through that initiative, Hegseth said, every major US military installation will eventually be able to generate its own power without relying entirely on local electrical grids, allowing bases to operate through a cyberattack or other grid failures.

The initiative would also seek to bring critical defense supply chains into the United States, including rare earths, specialty metals, semiconductors, and propellants.

"If the world supply lines break, and in a real war, they're going to break," Hegseth said, "America keeps fighting anyway."

Hegseth's other remaining directives involved a major nationwide competition to build what he described as the first major new military installation in the US in decades, new programs at universities to expand officer development in line with the Trump administration's values, and a new Office of Religious Affairs reporting directly to the secretary to support chaplains and religious activities across the military.

"We're placing spiritual health at the same level as physical health," said Hegseth, who did a workout alongside hundreds of troops earlier in the day. "Our department is, you might say, putting on the full armor of God, because while we wage physical war, we all know the real battle is spiritual. God is good. Evil is not. And America's military must understand the difference."

• David Ellison just introduced Ynon Kreiz as co-CEO to Paramount employees.
• Kreiz, who's been Mattel's CEO, joins as Paramount prepares to take over Warner Bros. Discovery.
• Read Ellison's full memo about Kreiz, whom he said "cares deeply about our creative mission."

Paramount Skydance's David Ellison just introduced his new co-CEO ahead of the company's merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.

Ynon Kreiz, who'd been the CEO at toy maker Mattel since 2018, is joining Paramount on Monday as it finalizes its $110 billion merger with WBD.

"I always planned to partner with an executive of Ynon's caliber. Our skills and experience complement each other, and we share a vision for what this company can become," Ellison told employees in a memo, which was obtained by Business Insider.

Paramount said in its announcement that Ellison would lead the combined company's creative and tech strategy, while Kreiz would oversee day-to-day operations and deal integration.

Ellison said there's "nobody I'd rather have standing next to me" than Kreiz, whom he called a "proven builder and operator, who shares our vision and cares deeply about our creative mission."

Paramount said it expects the merger to close on October 6.

Kreiz took steps to turn Mattel into an entertainment company by adapting toys like Barbie and Matchbox into movies. Mattel's Barbie movie, produced by Warner Bros., grossed over $1.4 billion globally in 2023, though this summer's "Masters of the Universe" film, based on the He-Man toys, fell short of expectations. Under Kreiz, Mattel had planned to make more movies.

Mattel shares are down over 24% in the past 12 months, including a 4% drop after news of Kreiz's exit. The toy maker's stock tanked earlier this year after holiday season sales fell short of expectations.

Ellison highlighted Kreiz's entertainment background, including his time as CEO of the short-form video company Maker Studios and of the independent TV production firm Endemol Group.

"If you don't know Ynon yet, you're about to," Ellison wrote. "If you do, you already know how lucky we are."

Read Ellison's full memo here:

Team,

I'm proud to introduce Ynon Kreiz, who will serve as Co-CEO of the combined company, effective at closing.

Once the WBD transaction is finalized, I always planned to partner with an executive of Ynon's caliber. Our skills and experience complement each other, and we share a vision for what this company can become. Together we are well positioned to integrate, operationalize and run the businesses as we build one of the most ambitious next-generation media companies in the industry's history.

If you don't know Ynon yet, you're about to. If you do, you already know how lucky we are. He is a proven builder and operator, who shares our vision and cares deeply about our creative mission. There's nobody I'd rather have standing next to me as we take this next step.

Most recently, Ynon was Chairman and CEO of Mattel, the global play and family entertainment company, where he led an unprecedented transformation of the business and executed its multi-platform, brand-centric strategy. Before that, he was Chairman and CEO of Maker Studios, a global leader in short-form video and one of YouTube's largest multichannel networks. He previously served as Chairman and CEO of Endemol Group, then the world's largest independent television production company.

Our press release shares more about Ynon, our partnership and why I'm so excited about what it means for our future.

We still have work to do before the deal closes, and nothing changes until it does. But I wanted you to hear this from me first. I hope you're as excited as I am to welcome Ynon to our leadership team.

Can't wait to get started.

David

If you'd rather not be tethered by a power cord while cleaning, the best cordless vacuums deliver top-tier suction power and cord-free convenience. Cordless stick vacuums are also lightweight and easy to carry, and most transform into handheld vacuums, letting you reach all the nooks and crannies around your home.

Over the years, we've tested dozens of the best vacuums. Today's best cordless vacuums are as powerful and reliable as their upright counterparts, but much less bulky and far more agile to maneuver. And yes, they're equipped to handle pet hair without tangling around the brushroll. We evaluated each cordless vacuum on cleaning performance on hard floors and carpets, battery life, and overall ease of use.

Find out more about how Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.

Our top picks for cordless vacuums

Best overall: Shark Cordless PowerDetect Clean & Empty System - See at Amazon

Best budget: Levoit LVAC-200 - See Amazon

Most powerful: Dyson V15 Detect - See at Dyson

Best under $100: Tikom V500 - See at Amazon

Best midrange: Bissell PowerClean FurFinder - See at Amazon

Best upright: Hoover OnePwr Evolve Pet Elite - See at Amazon

Best wet-dry: Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch Ultra - See at Amazon

Best overall

The Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty System earns our top overall pick by combining exceptional cleaning power with the hands-off convenience of a self-emptying dock. Building on what made our previous favorite — the Shark Stratos — so effective, the PowerDetect features a dual-brushroll floorhead that performs well across hard floors and carpeting while lifting pet hair without brushroll tangles and a flexible folding wand to reach under low furniture. It also has smart sensors that automatically adjust suction based on floor type, debris volume, and wall proximity. This also helps conserve battery, which can last for up to an hour. Ultimately, it's also our top cordless option among the best vacuums for pet hair.

PowerDetect sensors eliminated the need to manually toggle power modes. In testing, it excelled at every test and left noticeably cleaner baseboards and edges than competitors. The battery lasted over an hour on hard floors, though runtime varies on plush surfaces. While the vacuum feels slightly top-heavy and faces some resistance on mid-pile carpet, its smooth swivel steering and collapsing arm keep it easy to maneuver.

The self-emptying base holds up to 45 days of debris, sparing you from touching dust for months. When the main wand is attached, strong suction automatically pulls dirt directly into the base's 2-liter container. The self-empty cycle is loud — resembling a mini jet engine. It's pretty effective at sucking everything out, though sometimes long strands of hair get caught and need to be pulled out, and manual bin removal isn't particularly intuitive. A built-in night lock feature helps manage noise if you're cleaning and don't want to empty right away. I think the overall convenience of maintenance is well worth it.

For a lower price and smaller footprint, consider the standalone alternative. If you lack the floor space for a dock or don't care for self-emptying bases, the PowerDetect Essential offers the exact same suction power and smart sensor technology with a standard dustbin for $100 less.

Best budget

Cordless vacuums are almost always lighter than upright vacuums, but the Levoit LVAC-200 is particularly lightweight at just six pounds. It has a comfortable grip and an easy-to-maneuver floorhead, and in testing, this lightweight cordless vacuum never caused arm strain, even during longer cleaning sessions. It's also a breeze to carry up and down stairs — a major bonus if you live in a multi-story home — and unlike most cordless vacuums, it can stand up on its own.

Despite its budget price point, this compact model delivers impressive cleaning performance across both carpets and hard floors. This inexpensive vacuum did a good job in our cleaning tests. It was able to pick up both large and small debris from carpeting and hard floors, and strands of hair didn't get tangled around its brushroll. Larger debris, like cereal, occasionally required a few passes to pick up, but overall, we were impressed with its cleaning performance, especially given its price point. We also liked its sizable dust bin and quiet noise level, but its LED headlights could be brighter, and the battery life is fairly short on the highest suction setting.

Read our Levoit LVAC-200 review for more details.

Most powerful

If you're willing to spend a little more for high-end features and top-tier cleaning power, the Dyson V15 Detect is worth the money. This cordless model is the best Dyson vacuum we've tested, boasting features such as automatic suction adjustment, laser dirt detection, and an LCD screen that shows exactly how much runtime is left. This model is lightweight and easy to drive around, and it comes with a variety of attachments to clean areas all around your home. It also has a long-lasting battery, making it a good option for both deep cleaning and larger homes, though you may find yourself pausing to empty the dustbin because of the large amount of debris it collects.

The V15 Detect is also one of the most powerful cordless vacuums on the market. Its "Fluffy Optic" head picks up fine particles, dirt, and dust from hard floors with ease, highlighting spots you might have missed with its green laser, while the "Digital Motorbar" attachment, which is the traditional cleanerhead found across the Dyson line up with stiff bristles and detangling veins that resist hair wrap, excels on carpeting thanks to its adjustable height setting. The downside is that you need to swap out the floorheads when moving from one type of floor to another, which is a bit inconvenient. It's worth noting that this Dyson has a trigger-style power button, which can be tiring to hold down for longer cleaning sessions.

I still prefer the V15 Detect over Dyson's newer flagship, the V16 Piston Animal. On paper, the V16 offers genuine upgrades: a compressing dustbin, longer runtime, stronger suction, push-button controls, and an all-in-one floorhead with green LED lighting for both carpets and hard floors. However, I found the unit top-heavy, and the redesigned floorhead fell short in practice. Its two rotating conical brush bars pick up hair only when approached at an angle; if hair aligns with the gap between the rollers, the head misses it entirely. It also traps dust inside the housing. For these reasons, the V15 Detect remains my top pick.

Best under $100

For under $100, the Tikom V500 delivers exceptional suction power and easy maneuverability for small, pet-friendly homes. It outperforms most sub-$100 competitors, making it a standout budget buy for tackling cat litter, kibble, crumbs, and drifting fur across hard floors and rugs with minimal hair wrap. While slightly heavy as a handheld, its agile floorhead makes quick daily spot-cleans on couches and hard floors effortless. It offers more powerful suction than any other model I researched under $100, and it's been a great buy so far.

A surprisingly effective LED headlight and reliable battery runtime elevate its everyday usability. The battery performs well for the cost and is more than enough for a small apartment, with 34 minutes in normal mode or 19 minutes on turbo. The LED light reveals smaller debris that I would likely have missed. It gets washed out in brightly lit rooms but excels in low light. The telescoping wand is also useful for accommodating people of varying heights. The bin, however, is rather small, and hair clings to the filter inside quite easily, but this did not seem to hamper suction performance in regular or turbo modes.

Tikom V500 isn't capable of free-standing, and is very top-heavy, so you'll likely want to install the wall mount, which also has accessory storage. That said, as a renter who doesn't want to add holes to my wall, I regularly just prop it up in a corner, and it hasn't fallen down yet. I'm a big fan of the white design as limited closet space and cleaning up constantly after the cat means I want to keep it handy, but it blends in well with the white walls compared to the range of colorful alternatives from the other cheap models I've seen. — Brendan Griffiths, senior commerce director

Best midrange

Retailing at $230 (and often on sale for $180), the Bissell PowerClean FurFinder is a standout mid-range option with HEPA filtration and a freestanding design. It offers three cleaning modes, LED headlights, and a motorized FurFinder tool that excels at lifting embedded pet hair from carpets and upholstery. While long human hair can wrap around the primary brushroll, its deep-cleaning power makes it a great choice for pet owners.

Its suction easily lifts small particles, though bulky debris can trigger clogs. The vacuum gets about 40 minutes on Eco, but I preferred using medium power, which was also sufficient on carpet, and lasted about 22 minutes. While it excelled at small-particle pickup on hard floors and rugs, larger items like cereal were pushed forward, and once they entered the floorhead, the curvature of the dustbin created a buildup that kept the pieces from entering the bin. It also picked up 83% of the fine flour on the carpet, though fine dust caked onto the floorhead afterward, presenting a separate clean-up opportunity. Note that our testing has now shifted to using baking soda to stress-test fine particles, as it doesn't coat the machine like flour.

Emptying the bin requires two hands, but the hygienic design keeps your hands clean. You can empty the dustbin without detaching the wand from the handheld unit, though releasing the suction-sealed lid takes a few extra beats. Fortunately, debris drops out cleanly, so you rarely need to reach inside to pull out trapped dust, and the vacuum's self-standing build makes it easy to park anywhere mid-clean.

Best upright

The convenience of a cordless vacuum but the power of an upright model, the Hoover OnePwr Evolve Pet Elite offers the best of both worlds. It's essentially a smaller, lighter version of the best upright vacuums, weighing in at just 9 pounds, and it has a convenient freestanding design that's more stable than other cordless vacuums. This means it will stand on its own if you have to pause cleaning, unlike other models that must be leaned against something.

It excels on carpeting and pet hair with a high-capacity dustbin, though it trades off on battery runtime and above-floor versatility.

In testing, it created a tight seal on carpets to lift debris of all sizes, while its tangle-resistant brushroll easily picked up pet hair. Its dustbin is also larger than that of most cordless vacuums. However, it's not the best at picking up fine particles on hard flooring, and it doesn't come with any attachments or a hose, so it can't be used for any above-floor cleaning. Its battery life was about 20 minutes per charge, whereas other models tend to last longer.

Best wet-dry

Simultaneously vacuum and mop with the Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch Ultra, which is the best wet-dry vacuum we've tested. It uses fresh water and cleaning solution across three modes (Auto, Max, and Suction Only) to lift both grime and dry debris. Its self-propelled drive and smooth swivel steering make steering around obstacles effortless, while its lie-flat design allows it to glide under low bed frames and furniture without leaking or disrupting suction.

In testing, this wet-dry vacuum made quick work of all types of messes. The Tineco picks up everything from flour to Cheerios and even liquids like syrup and barbecue sauce in just one pass. It continuously rinses its brush roll as it cleans to avoid spreading dirt across the floor, and when you're finished cleaning, you can run the self-cleaning cycle to flush the machine with hot water, then heat-dry its mop bar. You will have to promptly empty the dirty water tank, though, which can get a little grimy depending on what you suck up.

Read our full Tineco wet-dry vacuum comparison of several of the brand's models.

Our top picks compared

What else we tested

• Shark Stratos Cordless Vacuum ($400): This is an all-around great vacuum, only to be bested by the Shark PowerDetect for its longer battery life and convenient auto-empty design. When you can find it on sale, it's a great deal, but now that newer Shark technology is available at comparable prices, it makes more sense to opt for the newer models. Read our Shark Stratos cordless review for more details.
• Shark Vertex Lightweight Cordless ($380): This was a previous best overall pick with solid cleaning performance. Again, more current models like PowerDetect offer more refined features, like automatically adjusting suction power, more battery life, and higher suction power. The Vertex Pro version introduces an LED display.
• Dyson V16 Piston Animal: Dyson's 2026 launch features genuine upgrades like a compressing dustbin, up to 70 minutes of runtime, 315 air watts of suction, and a new all-in-one floorhead with green LEDs for extra visibility that you don't need to switch floorheads for (though it also includes a dedicated hard floor soft roller). I'm still testing to decide if it should knock anything out, but it feels more top-heavy to maneuver around. While the new conical brush bars don't wrap hair as promised, you have to come at it from a certain angle, and the cleanerhead traps dust in the center. It's also almost $1,000.
• Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones ($599): This vacuum honestly feels more like a toy than a cleaning device at just four pounds. It has the distinction of being the slimmest vacuum on the market because its dustbin is integrated into the handle. The cleanerhead is also unique, featuring four conical brush bars that can pick up dust and debris from any angle and spiral hair into a clump to deposit it in the bin. The PencilVac is designed only for hard-floor cleaning and has a 20-minute runtime. Read our Dyson PencilVac review.

• Shark Cordless Pet Vacuum ($169): This best-selling vacuum on Amazon caught our attention as one of Shark's most affordable cordless vacuums, but despite the name, fell short of being a top option for pet parents, as hair wrapped around the brush roll, did not have a particularly effective pet tool, and it struggled with fine particles. For the price, it is easy to use, has great suction, and the battery lasted as promised. Read our Shark Cordless Pet Vacuum review.
• Tineco S10 ZT ($198): Tineco's $200 Walmart-exclusive is a decent vacuum, and there's not much out there at this price point that also automatically adjusts suction, further complemented by Tineco's visual dirt detection indicator. However, it's pretty bare bones in terms of attachments, just a crevice tool and a dusting brush, and battery life was just OK. Read our Tineco S10 ZT review for more details.
• Electrolux Ultimate600 cordless vacuum ($299): The Electrolux is a reliable cordless vacuum with great suction power and decent battery life, but hair did wrap around the brush roll, and it's not HEPA-rated. Its attachment-rich Complete edition comes with an additional soft-roller floorhead reminiscent of the Dyson that blew our reviewer away. Read our Electrolux Ultimate 600 review.
• RYOBI ONE+ 18V Vacuum Cleaner Kit ($209): This battery-powered option from the electric tool brand has a lot of fans, but it's just not as comfortable to use as our top picks. We found it to be quite top-heavy and awkward to maneuver, and its performance on carpeting was lackluster. The battery lasted for 18 minutes on normal suction power, but if you have other ONE+ batteries from the brand, you can swap them in to extend your cleaning time.

What to look for in a cordless vacuum

• Battery life: Most brands list their vacuum's battery life in the product specs, but remember that this is the maximum possible runtime on the lowest suction setting. In reality, most cordless vacuums only last 20 to 30 minutes on standard suction, and switching to a boost setting drops battery life even further. If you have a large home, look for models with removable, swappable batteries so you can keep a backup ready.
• Weight and size: Cordless stick vacuums typically weigh under 10 pounds, but top-heavy motor placement can cause wrist strain over time. If you pause frequently while cleaning, prioritize a freestanding design that stays upright on its own.
• Dirt disposal: Compact dustbins require frequent trips to the trash, especially in homes with shedding pets. Models with self-emptying docks automatically pull debris into a sealed base station and are growing in popularity, as are models that can compress the dust. We like dustbins that are at least 0.2 gallons in size.
• Filtration: Vacuums with HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters are the gold standard for air filtration, meaning the filter can trap at least 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns. If you have allergies or are sensitive to dust, a HEPA filter is essential, but most can settle for general filters from various brands, which have not been tested to the same standard as HEPA filters. A fully sealed design also keeps suctioned particles inside and prevents them from being pushed back into the air. Some vacuums require filter replacements, while others, like Dyson or Shark, can be washed with water. You'll want to clean the filter regularly to maintain suction performance.
• Attachments: Specialized tools, like motorized pet hair brushes, crevice nozzles, and soft dusting attachments, expand your vacuum's versatility. Look for docking stations with integrated storage to keep accessories organized and nearby.
• Docking: Freestanding or wall-mounted charging stations automatically recharge the battery whenever the unit is parked, eliminating the hassle of manually plugging in cables or removing battery packs between cleans.
• Budget: Cordless vacuums can vary significantly in price, ranging from $100 to upward of $1,000 for premium models. If you're looking for a supplementary cleaning tool, a more budget-friendly option will generally be fine for light-duty cleaning, but if you want a cordless model to be your home's primary vacuum, you may need to spend a bit more to get powerful suction and longer battery life.

How we test cordless vacuum cleaners

We've tested more than a dozen cordless vacuum cleaners from top brands like Shark, Dyson and Tineco, and our testers evaluate each model on the following criteria:

1. Cleaning performance: The most important factor when selecting a vacuum is its cleaning abilities, so we put each model through a series of tests to see how well it can pick up different types of debris. We measure out preset amounts of baking soda, ground coffee, Cheerios, and cat litter, then vacuum each one up, weighing the vacuum to see if it truly picked up all the debris. We repeat these tests on both hard floors and carpeting. We also use each vacuum to clean up pet hair, noting whether it gets wrapped around the brushroll, and we try out any attachments that come with the vacuum.

An example of one of the test results:

2. Battery life: The battery life of cordless vacuums often varies significantly from the marketed runtime, so we test each vacuum to see how long the vacuum realistically lasts during use. Starting with a full charge, we run each vacuum on its normal setting until it dies. If the vacuum has a boost mode, we repeat the test to see the runtime difference between the two settings.

3. Comfort and ease of use: While testing each vacuum, we consider its ergonomics, weight, and overall comfort. Some of the factors we evaluate include: how tiring it is to hold, how easy it is to maneuver, and the effort required to activate the power button. We also note whether it can fit under low spaces and any additional helpful features, like a headlight to illuminate your cleaning path.

4. Disposal method: During each cleaning session, we evaluate the size, cleanliness, and ease of emptying the dustbin. We note how often we had to empty the bin, how easy it is to open, and whether any debris gets stuck and needs to be fished out.

5. Storage: Finally, we consider how easy each vacuum is to store. For models that come with a dock, we consider ease of installation and stability, as well as whether there are storage slots for the vacuum's accessories.

6. Warranty and customer service: I registered each vacuum, noted warranty terms, and spoke to customer service reps to evaluate the ease of registration and quality of service.

Cordless vacuum FAQs

Are cordless vacuums worth it?

If you want a vacuum that's smaller and more convenient to use for day-to-day cleaning, a cordless vacuum is generally the way to go. These battery-powered models are lighter and more mobile than upright or canister vacuums, and because you're not tethered by a power cord, you can quickly suck up all kinds of messes, from small spills to spider webs in the corners of your home. Some of today's best cordless vacuums are even powerful enough to serve as your primary vacuum, especially if you live in a small home and only need 30 to 40 minutes of battery life.

Cordless vacuum vs. corded vacuum: how do they compare?

Are cordless vacuums as powerful as corded models?

Generally speaking, cordless vacuums don't offer the same suction power as corded models, but some particularly powerful models come close. For example, the Dyson V15 Detect and LG CordZero All-in-One are two of the more powerful cordless vacuums we tested, with 240 and 265 air watts of suction power, respectively. By comparison, Dyson's corded upright, the Ball Animal 3, offers 290 air watts, so the cordless models deliver similar cleaning performance while offering convenient cord-free operation.

What is the difference between Air Watts, Pascals (Pa), and motor watts when measuring suction power?

Suction metrics vary wildly by manufacturer, making direct comparisons tricky:

• Air Watts (AW): Measures the combined airflow and suction force at the cleaner head. It's the most accurate indicator of real-world cleaning performance (150-300+ AW is typical for high-end cordless models).
• Pascals (Pa or kPa): Measures raw suction pressure (pulling force). Common on budget and wet-dry vacuums, 15,000 to 40,000 Pa indicates strong static suction on hard surfaces.
• Motor Watts (W): Measures how much electrical power the motor consumes, not how effectively it converts that energy into suction.

Because brands test under different conditions, lab metrics rarely tell the whole story, which is why hands-on pickup tests remain the best gauge of actual performance.

Which cordless vacuums are allergy- or asthma-friendly?

Look for cordless vacuums with HEPA filters, which are recommended for allergy and asthma sufferers. Without a HEPA filter, these tiny particles are likely to be released back into the air after being sucked up. All the vacuums we recommend are equipped with HEPA filters.

Are self-emptying docks worth the extra money?

If you have allergies, shedding pets, or simply hate dealing with dust clouds during manual emptying, a self-emptying base is well worth the upgrade. When docked, strong suction pulls debris out of the vacuum's dustbin into a sealed, high-capacity container that holds up to 45 to 60 days of dirt. However, docks add to the machine's overall cost, take up dedicated floor space, and can be loud during the clearing cycle.

How long does a cordless vacuum battery last before it needs to be replaced?

Most lithium-ion cordless vacuum batteries last between 2 to 5 years (or about 300 to 500 charge cycles) before holding noticeably less charge. To extend your battery's lifespan, avoid storing it in extreme temperatures and try not to run it completely flat on Max/Turbo mode every time you clean. Choosing a model with a removable battery makes it easy to replace the power pack down the line without having to replace the entire vacuum.

Why is my cordless vacuum losing suction?

A loss of suction is not caused by a battery but more likely by a clogged filter, a jammed brush roll, or trapped debris in the wand. Washable foam and felt filters should be rinsed under cold water at least once a month and left to air-dry completely for 24 hours before reinserting. Additionally, regularly clearing hair that wraps around the roller and keeping the air intake paths clear will help your vacuum maintain peak performance.

Amazon Prime memberships are useful subscriptions that offer several great member-only benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to popular streaming services (like Prime Video and Amazon Prime Music), and access to exclusive deals during Amazon Prime Day, which returns October 6-7, 2026.

But for $139 a year or $15 a month, the expense may not be worth it to everyone for the entire year. Fortunately, it's easy to cancel Amazon Prime in just a few steps. Canceling your subscription is a straightforward process available on Amazon's website and app, whether you're a paying customer or hoping to cancel before your 30-day free trial is over.

Below, you can find a step-by-step guide on how to cancel your Amazon Prime account. We'll highlight how to manage your membership, how to terminate Prime Video, and how to get a refund after you cancel (and whether you might be eligible for a refund in the first place). Keep reading for instructions on canceling from either a web browser or the Amazon mobile app.

How to cancel Amazon Prime membership

You can end your Prime membership on a web browser or via the Amazon Shopping mobile app.

On a web browser

1. Log in to your Amazon account through the Amazon website, hover over Account & Lists, and click on Prime Membership in the drop-down menu.

2. At the top right of the page, click on Update, cancel, and more under the Manage Membership heading. Then click End membership.

3. On the next page, click Cancel My Benefits.

4. You'll then be asked to reconsider your decision, but if you still want to go ahead, click Continue to Cancel.

5. Amazon will ask you to reconsider again, but since you're certain you want to cancel your Prime subscription, click Cancel Membership.

On the mobile app

1. Open the Amazon Shopping app on your iOS or Android device and log in to your account.

2. Tap the profile icon in the menu at the bottom.

3. Tap Your Account.

4. Scroll down and tap Memberships & subscriptions.

5. Tap Prime Membership Settings.

6. Tap Manage membership.

7. Tap Manage Membership - Update, cancel, and more — the last option in that menu.

8. Tap End membership.

9. Scroll past all the benefits that try to entice you to keep your Prime membership and tap Cancel My Benefits.

10. Ignore the benefits again and tap Continue to Cancel.

How to cancel Amazon Prime Video

Prime Video is a top pick in our guide to the best streaming services, and it's home to popular original shows like "The Boys" and "Fallout." It's included as part of a Prime membership for $15 a month/$139 a year, or as a stand-alone plan for $9 a month (plus an additional $5 a month to go ad-free with Ultra). But if you're ready to cancel, whether you're a full Amazon Prime subscriber or only subscribe to Prime Video, here's how to terminate your service. 

Note: If you're an Amazon Prime subscriber, this will cancel your entire Prime plan, not just Prime Video. 

1. Open Amazon in any web browser. If you aren't already signed in, do so now.

2. Once signed in, hover your mouse over Account & Lists in the top-right. In the drop-down menu, click Your Prime Membership.

3. Near the top of the page, click Manage Membership.

4. In the drop-down menu, click End Membership, and then confirm this is what you really want to do. 

5. Amazon will make you go through several pages where you have to confirm that you want to end your subscription on every page. Be sure to confirm all of them. 

Once you confirm your cancellation, your membership will end.

How to get a refund after canceling Amazon Prime 

According to Amazon, customers who paid for a Prime membership but never used their benefits could be eligible for a full refund. You can learn more in our guide to Amazon Prime benefits.

If you cancel your membership within three business days of converting from your free trial, you're also eligible for a full refund, provided you didn't use any Prime benefits during that time.

Those who have used the benefits could be eligible for a partial refund based on the remaining time in their membership and their use.

Amazon will process all refunds within three to five business days.

To inquire further about Amazon Prime refunds, you can contact Amazon customer service via phone, online chat, or email.

• Startup Factory AI says a former advisor held meetings with rival Cognition while advising the company.
• Factory also alleges Cognition employees posed as job applicants to seek product information.
• Degnan, the former board member, and Cognition deny that information about Factory was sought or shared.

Factory AI and Cognition, two high-profile San Francisco-based AI startups building coding agents, are publicly feuding over the departure of a former Factory board observer and advisor who is joining Cognition as chief revenue officer.

Factory CEO Matan Grinberg posted on X on Wednesday that the company had terminated Chris Degnan's role after learning that he had been holding recurring conversations with Cognition executives while advising Factory on confidential matters.

The dispute highlights the high stakes in the AI coding market, where startups and Big Tech are racing to build autonomous software engineers to sell to enterprise customers. Cognition is best known for Devin, an AI coding agent designed to automate software engineering tasks. Factory sells a product that helps companies deploy AI agents across the software development process.

"It feels as though ethics is being thrown out of the window in the AI era," Grinberg wrote. "For weeks, while he sat in our board meetings and advised our leadership team, he was also confiding with executives of our largest competitor." Grinberg also alleged that Cognition employees faked interviews with Factory to gain access to internal information.

Degnan, who is an advisor to several startups and previously served as Snowflake's chief revenue officer, denied the allegations. He wrote on X that he had resigned from Factory this week and that he had told Grinberg he was joining Cognition. According to Degnan's post, Grinberg asked him to consider a full-time position at Factory, but he declined.

"Cognition has never asked about information on Factory, nor would I ever give it," Degnan wrote.

Grinberg, Degnan, and Cognition did not respond to requests for comment.

Cognition CEO Scott Wu also disputed Grinberg's allegations. Wu rejected Grinberg's claim that Cognition employees had posed as job candidates to gather information about Factory's products before recruiting people with knowledge of its confidential plans.

"We would never ask our engineers or anyone on our team to collect info about any competitor under-the-table," Wu wrote on X.

The clash comes weeks after both companies announced major funding rounds that underscored investor enthusiasm for AI coding tools. Earlier this month, Factory announced a $200 million fundraise at a $5 billion valuation. Cognition raised more than $2 billion at a $48 billion valuation just days earlier.

In an unprecedented move, Khosla Ventures founder Vinod Khosla, whose firm previously invested in Cognition and led Factory's previous fundraise, wrote on X that Factory was a "struggling second tier competitor" acting out of desperation.

Keith Rabois, managing director at Khosla Ventures, took the other side. "It is unethical per se to even interview at a competitor while attending Board meetings and Board dinners," he wrote on X.

Competitive conflicts have prompted high-profile board departures in Silicon Valley before, though rarely with such public accusations. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt resigned from Apple’s board in 2009 as the companies became more direct competitors. LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman stepped down from OpenAI’s board in 2023, citing potential conflicts involving his investments and AI startup activities.

Henry Chandonnet contributed reporting.

Have a tip? Contact Rya Jetha via email at rjetha@businessinsider.com or Signal at rjetha.07. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• Peter Thiel said that while he is critical of the movement, early effective altruists were right about AI.
• In a clip of Walter Isaacson's "The Builders" podcast, shared exclusively with BI, Thiel compared effective altruism to a cult.
• "There was one big thing they knew that the other people did not," he said.

Many AI leaders have turned their ire to effective altruism. Peter Thiel isn't a fan himself, but he thinks the movement got "one big thing" right.

Thiel spoke to Walter Isaacson on his forthcoming podcast, "The Builders." In a clip shared exclusively with Business Insider, Thiel compared effective altruism to a cult — but said that followers were right in their early AI predictions.

"It had maybe the good dimension of a cult, where there was one big thing they knew that the other people did not," Thiel said.

Effective altruists believe in using evidence and reason to pick how best to use their money and careers to benefit humanity. While the movement was once personified by FTX founder and convicted fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried, it has taken on new meaning with the calls for AI safety.

On the podcast, Thiel said that the AI theories of past effective altruists were closer to reality than one might expect. In the midst of an "AI desert," when the technology was overpromised but never fully developed, these futurists believed it would come, he said.

The effective altruists predicted that it would be an "enormously socially transformative thing," Thiel said, and that "it could be weaponized."

Thiel also linked effective altruism to the AI giant Anthropic.

"A billion-dollar company seems bigger than a crazed cult could build," Thiel said. "Has a cult ever done something like that?"

Anthropic cofounders Dario and Daniela Amodei both have histories with effective altruism, though neither currently identify with the title. The Financial Times reported that more than 60 current and former Anthropic employees pledged to donate part of their income.

Thiel was deeply critical of effective altruists. This was his argumentation strategy, he said: he was trying to "steel-man" them by pointing out one big thing they got right.

Isaacson asked him to clarify exactly what the one thing was.

"AI," Thiel said. "AI is around the corner."

After the extravaganza of nostalgia that was Survivor 50, the much-loved reality show returns for its second run in 2026. And without wanting to become branded as the comedown from that huge anniversary series, Season 51 is set to be the start of a whole new era for the show — its so-called Open Era. Ready to head back to Fiji? Then stick with us to see all the ways you can watch Survivor.

You won't be surprised to learn that Survivor Season 51 will go out on CBS in the US, with the network's Paramount Plus and OTT cable alternatives like YouTube TV and Fubo all good options for cord cutters. The show goes out on the free-to-air Global TV north of the border in Canada, while the Stan subscription service is the place to view it in Australia now, since it left the free 9Now.

So what is the Open Era? As stalwart presenter Jeff Probst explains in the series trailer (which you can watch at the bottom of this article), it means that "every type of advantage, every twist we've ever done, is in play." So you can expect the show's producers to replay some of the greatest hits from previous iterations, with all the most grueling, soul-destroying, tribe-splitting challenges coming back to haunt the 21 castaways, all desperate to end up as Sole Survivor and $1 million richer.

With 11 females and 10 males starting things off, there are a couple of potentially familiar faces in the list of contestants; actor Devin Way has appeared in Grey's Anatomy and Queer as Folk, while Brady Booker is no stranger to the physically demanding after his career as a professional wrestler. Can they manipulate and fight their way to the final Tribal Council? To find out, follow our guide on how to watch Survivor, with advice on what you need to do if you're traveling overseas when it's on.

How to watch Survivor in the US

Just like all previous 50 seasons, Survivor 51 will go out on CBS in the US, so you're good to go if you pull CBS down via your antenna or as part of a cable package. As per usual, it's in its 8 p.m. ET/PT slot on Wednesday nights, with the two-hour premiere taking place on September 23. It's also possible to watch online thanks to the network's Paramount Plus streaming service.

If you want to stream episodes at the same time as they go out on CBS, then you'll need the Paramount Plus Premium plan for $14 a month. Or, if you don't mind waiting a day to stream episodes, you can opt for the more affordable Paramount Plus Essential, which costs $9 a month.

There are other options for cord-cutters, too, with CBS appearing in the channel lineup of most online OTT cable alternatives. Take YouTube TV, for example. It starts at $65 a month for the Sports plan, which includes CBS, with a reduction on your first few months. The Main plan carries CBS and 100+ other channels for $83 a month, but there's an introductory savings opportunity on the first five months. New users also get the benefit of a free trial.

CBS is also available in multiple Fubo plans, including Pro, Elite, and Elite with Sports Plus. Pro comes with 200+ channels and access to ESPN Unlimited. Pro subscriptions cost $89 a month, but first-time customers can get $25 off their first month after a free trial.

How to watch Survivor in Australia

Survivor fans in Australia need a subscription to Stan to watch the latest season (it used to go out for free on 9Now, but not since Season 49). Episodes drop on the platform a day after they air in the US, so the premiere will be Thursday, September 24. Stan subscriptions start at $10 a month for the Basic tier, but you can upgrade for perks or get the Sports add-on if you're looking for even more content Down Under.

How to watch Survivor in the UK

Unfortunately for reality TV fans in the UK, the US show isn't broadcast at all on your side of the pond. British versions of Survivor's popular format have come and gone over the years — most recently in 2023 — but poor ratings mean that the show itself has failed to survive in the UK.

How to watch Survivor in Canada

With two Canadians — Danny and Ana — in the OG Survivor Season 51 cast, you can watch episodes as they go out on Global TV on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT. That means that you can also stream every episode absolutely free on the Global TV website and app, with new installments typically landing the day after their air date and generally available for one week only. This is a great free streaming option if you don't mind not watching live. Catching up with episodes from earlier in the run? You'll need your cable login details to access those.

How to watch Survivor from anywhere

Whether you're an American wanting to watch on Paramount Plus, a Canadian on Global TV, or an Australian on Stan, you'll be prevented from streaming episodes on those platforms if you're traveling overseas due to geo-restrictions. This can be circumvented if you use a VPN — or Virtual Private Network. These apps make your smartphone, laptop, tablet, or other streaming device think they're back at home, so you can view the show as normal when you're away.

NordVPN is the most accomplished provider available right now. It's fantastic at unlocking streaming services that would normally be blocked, and you don't have to be a hardened survival expert to work out how to use it; its clients and apps are so easy to operate. Still not sure? Read our extensive NordVPN review for more information and take confidence that you can take advantage of its no-quibble 30-day money-back guarantee if you're not completely happy.

• See also: Where to watch Toy Story 5 / Paramount Plus streaming service | Where to watch Dancing with the Stars

Survivor 51 contestants

• Aaliyah Puglia — Chef, 24, Providence, Rhode Island
• Alexis Levine — Criminal defense attorney, 34, Atlanta, Georgia
• An "Thien An" Nguyen — Medical student, 24, Fort Worth, Texas
• Ana Sani — Voice actress, 34, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Angelica "Jelly" Loblack — Sociology professor, 29, Bloomington, Indiana
• Brady Booker — Professional wrestler, 27, Knoxville, Tennessee
• Carter Krull — Livestock farmer, 24, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
• Cristian Chavez — Head of HR, 26, Salt Lake City, Utah
• Danny Kilby — Game designer, 30, London, Ontario, Canada
• Devin Way — Actor, 33, Los Angeles, California
• Eric Macksoud — Mental health counselor, 34, Windsor Locks, Connecticut
• Jenna Doore — Wedding photographer, 30, Toledo, Ohio
• Kristin Flickinger — Crisis management, 49, Santa Barbara, California
• Lewis Kelly — Farmer, 28, Puerto Rico
• Linnea Capobianco — Entrepreneur, 25, Jersey City, New Jersey
• Maggie Nestor — Farmer, 40, Charles Town, West Virginia
• Mike Pinsky — Baseball executive, 32, New York City
• Ori Jean-Charles — Personal trainer, 27, Spring Valley, New York
• Patt Cannaday — Federal prosecutor, 33, Washington, D.C.
• Rob Antonson — Airline gate agent, 40, Cumberland, Rhode Island
• Sharonda Cox — OBGYN resident, 34, Richmond, Kentucky

Survivor 51 trailer

"You are birthing a new game — the Open Era of Survivor." That's the promise laid down by legendary presenter Jeff Probst to the cast of Survivor Season 51 at the start of the official trailer. From there, Coolio's 'Gangsta's Paradise' is heard in the background as we see smiles turn into grimaces of pain and cheers become tears, with reality dawning on the wannabe survivors about what's in store for them on Fiji's Mamanuca Islands. Check out the full trailer below:

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

This year, TCL is putting the "super" in quantum dots, the tiny nanocrystals that have been enhancing TV colors and brightness for over a decade. TCL's newly developed Super Quantum Dot (SQD) TVs, including the midrange QM7L, take QD technology to new heights. They're designed to compete with other cutting-edge TV tech, such as RGB LED and OLED.

As the first SQD TV I've tested, the QM7L had a lot to live up to, and in many ways it exceeded my expectations. Its black levels and contrast rank among the best I've seen in a TV with LED backlighting (read non-OLED), and it pairs that with striking brightness and, as promised, expansive colors.

The QM7L still reveals its midrange status in a few small shortcomings, including a notably reflective screen and so-so off-center viewing, but in most ways it comes tantalizingly close to premium performance. It's a worthy successor to last year's QM7K, and recent discounts have cemented its status as one of the best TVs of 2026.

The QM7L is stylish and available in many sizes

The QM7L comes in five sizes: 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, and 98-inches. In keeping with the current big-screen trend, my review unit was a 75-inch model rather than the traditional 65-inch. Even at this size, TCL has kept the weight down to just 44 pounds, which makes unboxing the TV and attaching its pedestal stand relatively easy as long as you've got a partner.

Peeling off the last of several layers of clingy plastic reveals a stylish set with a relatively thin frame and slim, smoked-chrome bezels. The faux-metal stand looks good, but at 14.5 inches long, it takes up a lot of space on your console. Unlike Hisense's similar midrange TV, the U7SG, the QM7L uses a glossy rather than matte screen. Though this finish makes black levels look more convincing in bright rooms, it results in significantly more reflections, even in low lighting.

The TV has onboard microphones for hands-free smart commands, now handled by Gemini rather than the Google Assistant. However, I prefer to mute this feature (there's a physical switch on the panel) and use the remote for voice control instead. The wand-style remote is generally intuitive, save for the mute key, which is oddly banished to the far left corner. That caused me to mistake it for the power and input keys several times.

At the TV's right flank is a solid collection of inputs, including four HDMI ports, though only two are high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 with support for gaming features like VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) at up to 144Hz. That's on par with what Sony and Panasonic offer on their flagships, but TCL's pricier models now have four high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports. However, I appreciate that neither gaming input overlaps with the HDMI eARC port, leaving it free for connecting an audio device. The built-in Bang & Olufsen speakers include dual woofers along the back panel for decent bass, but you'll still do much better with a good soundbar or surround system.

As with previous TCL models, the QM7L supports all major HDR flavors, including both dynamic formats in Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Other handy features include support for Dolby Atmos and DTS: X audio, streaming via AirPlay and Chromecast, and Bluetooth 5.4. One notable omission for those with indoor TV antennas is ATSC 3.0, which supports NextGen channels for 4K HDR broadcasts. TCL is far from the first to drop the feature, which seems to be falling out of favor across brands.

Contrast and colors are a big step up, but there's still room to grow

TCL says the QM7L's Mini LED backlight system uses up to 2,100 dimming zones to preserve black levels (though it doesn't specify by size), further refined by the company's Enhanced Halo Control system. That's supplemented by the titular Super Quantum Dot layer and a specialized color filter, which, in theory, allows the TV to achieve up to 100% of the next-gen BT.2020 color gamut.

TCL says that number is based on "typical achievement," and results may vary due to multiple factors. I measured a still-impressive 85% of the BT.2020 spectrum using a Portrait Displays C6 HDR5000 colorimeter, a G1 pattern generator, and Calman software. Frankly, BT.2020 isn't a huge benefit for most content available right now, since most movies and shows still stick to the narrower DCI-P3 color spectrum. But the TV covers nearly all of P3 and should be primed for the future.

Contrast — the way our eyes perceive the difference between the darkest and brightest elements of an image — has always been key to TV performance — and one of the biggest challenges for backlit TVs. That includes Mini LED TVs that use tiny light modules and tons of dimming zones, like the QM7L. No matter how good the design, it's tough to replicate the perfect black levels and laser-cut precision of OLEDs that light each of their millions of pixels independently.

Even so, today's best Mini LEDs are blurring the lines beyond recognition for most viewers, and this new SQD tech gets marvelously close. The QM7L looks fantastic, rendering ultra-bright images on black backgrounds, from dim TV shows and sizzling demo reels. It even handles torture tests, like Spears & Munsil's starfield scene, without major issues. That said, the TV's dimming still can't match the micro-contrast of an OLED. If you look for it, you'll see some foggy light bleed, especially in a pitch-black room or from off-axis, but man, are these screens getting good.

Speaking of off-axis viewing, that's still largely OLED's domain. Due in part to the inherent design of LED local dimming, you'll naturally lose some image color and brightness at a hard angle in nearly all backlit displays, and the QM7L is no exception. It still looks good from a few feet left or right, providing a small improvement over previous models, but it washes out quickly from my side-set easy chair. On the bright side, the TV's screen uniformity is among the best I've seen at its price point, offering clear sailing for skylines or a soccer pitch, with few noticeable smudges or aberrations (AKA dirty screen effect).

Brightness is where Mini LED TVs really excel, and while I never clocked the 3,000 nits TCL claims, I measured around 2,400 nits in the TV's most accurate Filmmaker Mode. That's a solid 600 nits higher than last year's QM7K model. This means the QM7L is plenty bright, to the point where my wife could barely look at the screen during contrast demos. There's more than enough juice for HDR streaming content, and even most well-mastered 4K HDR Blu-rays. The TV tends to overbrighten some scenes, but it mainly does so judiciously, and dimmer films tend to look natural in its most accurate picture modes.

However, I did encounter an oddity in one of my brightest test discs, "Mad Max: Fury Road," in which a few bright white highlights were rendered an odd blue. Senior tech editor Steven Cohen noticed a similar issue when reviewing the step-up TCL X11L TV, and though neither of us has seen it crop up with other content, it's worth noting. We reached out to TCL to learn more, and their reps told us this is a known issue with the film due to its HDR10 grading. While this is the first I've heard about the disc's potential mastering issues, it's not something I noticed in other high-brightness content.

The QM7L's hottest feature, its expansive color reproduction, is almost as showy as its brightness. While the colors aren't wholly accurate out of the box, they mostly look natural, with some hyperrealism in blues and greens that served to zhuzh up scenes like a neon coral reef in aqua waters or the vividly detailed green mangroves in Netflix's "Our Planet." Skin tones look excellent in HDR and SDR content alike, including impressive detail in subtle color shifts, such as Harry Potter's maroon undershirt beneath his denim button-down in my HD Blu-ray version of "The Deathly Hallows."

There's plenty of good shadow detail in that film's challenging scenes, like Voldemort's hilltop attack, with only minor crushing or obscuring of finer images. The TV's shadows aren't quite as good with HDR video, but I was still able to use the dimmest and most accurate Dolby Vision setting, Dolby Vision Dark, in all but the darkest content, like the "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina." The TV's reflective screen doesn't help, revealing a fair bit more of my room than premium models or midrange matte screens like Hisense's U7SG.

I encountered a few other quibbles during testing, such as noticeable moiré or flickering in some images with dense fabrics, and minor motion stuttering. Even without using the motion interpolation settings, though, the display's zippy refresh rate handles high-speed content well, from fast-paced sports to video games.

Google TV is intuitive and responsive

Setting up the QM7L's Google TV smarts is quick and straightforward, if slightly more onerous with the Google TV app than the previous Home app. You'll have to wade through legalese, including several screens where both Google and TCL want the green light to track your viewing, but you can bow out of most of these options and change the settings later.

Google TV makes streaming, finding content, and adjusting picture performance a breeze, and the interface was snappy and responsive throughout testing. I also love the extras that reward those more deeply invested in G Suite, like the ability to use Google Photos as screen savers for a constant stream of nostalgia. Gemini is more invasive than Google Assistant, especially with some of the creepier voices you can choose from, but it's smarter and works well for voice search and other commands if that's your bag.

Gaming looked great by default, but you can easily adjust settings on the fly with TCL's game bar, including options like VRR, picture modes, and even a virtual crosshair. The response felt quick thanks to ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), and it's easy to get immersed in games, especially on a 75-inch screen.

Should you buy the TCL QM7L TV?

If you're looking for a relatively affordable TV that goes well beyond your average LED, the TCL QM7L is a great pick. Its blend of striking contrast, showy brightness, vivid colors, good screen uniformity, and intuitive usability adds up to real value. The picture has its quirks, but hardly anything worth kicking it to the curb.

Though the QM7L's launch price was a tad high, it's been getting consistently great discounts over the last couple of months, and I only expect those to get better as we enter the holiday shopping season. The 75-inch model I reviewed is often on sale for $1,298 and has even dropped to $1,198, which is excellent for this level of performance. Even the massive 98-inch screen size is a great value at a typical deal price of $2,498 to $2,998.

However, if you want to push things further, TCL's more expensive QM8L is a good step-up alternative. It's pricier, but it provides improved performance, including higher peak brightness, more refined image quality across the board, and two more HDMI 2.1 ports. On the other hand, if you're more worried about screen reflections than next-gen colors, Hisense's U7SG offers a lot of the same goodies as the QM7L for around the same price, but it uses a matte screen designed for more challenging viewing environments.

You're spoiled for choice in the current TV landscape, but if you want a bright, highly capable performer, TCL's QM7L is a sweet midrange set and easily one of the best TCL TVs on the market.

• Paramount Skydance is getting a new leader ahead of its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.
• Ynon Kreiz is joining David Ellison as co-CEO after leading toy giant Mattel for over 8 years.
• Ellison will run the combined company's creative and tech strategies.

David Ellison will share the reins of the combined Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery with Mattel's exiting CEO, Ynon Kreiz.

Kreiz will join the new-look Paramount as co-CEO on Monday, October 5, Paramount announced on Wednesday. Ellison had been Paramount's sole CEO since its merger with Skydance last August.

Both Ellison and Kreiz will oversee employees at Paramount and WBD, which are expected to join forces in the coming days as part of a $110 billion mega-deal. Ellison will head up the creative and technology strategies while Kreiz will manage day-to-day operations and the merger integration, Paramount said.

Paramount said it expects the merger to close on October 6.

During Kreiz's tenure at Mattel, which started in 2018, he looked to turn the toy giant behind Barbie and Uno into an entertainment powerhouse. He had initial success when "Barbie" became a billion-dollar blockbuster. However, Mattel's "Masters of the Universe" movie in June, based on the He-Man action figures, was a flop. Mattel has a slew of other entertainment projects in the works.

Kreiz said in 2024 that Mattel's entertainment strategy was "ultimately about big brands, franchises that move the market, with built-in fan bases."

Mattel shares are down more than 24% in the past year, including a 4% decrease after news of Kreiz's exit. The stock plunged earlier this year after holiday sales disappointed.

In a memo to Paramount staffers, Ellison highlighted Kreiz's time as CEO of the short-form video company Maker Studios and of the independent TV production firm Endemol Group.

Mattel announced earlier on Wednesday that it would replace Kreiz with Roger Lynch, who had been the CEO of publisher Condé Nast.

Paramount's merger with WBD, the parent company of HBO and CNN, is nearing the finish line after a monthslong saga complete with hostile bids, a competing offer from Netflix, and lawsuits from 12 US states and Hollywood writers.

Living in New York City means walking everywhere. On a typical day, I'll clock one to two miles just from walking my dog, running errands, and commuting to and from the train. For most people here, that kind of mileage automatically means sneakers. For me, it doesn't. I love the added height, elegance, and confidence that a great pair of heels brings — and yes, I firmly believe Carrie Bradshaw would never show up to brunch in sneakers.

That mindset led me to a very specific mission: finding heels that can actually keep up with a walking-heavy lifestyle. I tested dozens upon dozens of pairs across every category, logging miles, enduring blisters, and pushing past sore arches to see which ones truly delivered on comfort. After all that trial and error, I've narrowed it down to the heels that are genuinely wearable — even on city streets.

How I tested for the most comfortable heels

For the research part of my testing, I scoured the internet to find out which brands and styles of shoes people were raving about. I went deep on Reddit threads, asked my coworkers and friends for their recommendations, and talked to shoe experts. This gave me a starting list of over 40 individual pairs, with brands like Naturalizer, Inez, and Vivaia coming up over and over.

Then, I tested the heels for myself. Armed with my phone's step counter, I tried to walk a mile in each of the recommended heels. In some heels, I could scarcely walk down my street without getting pain or blisters. None of those made the list.

But after months of testing, I came up with a list of stellar heels that were comfortable for the entire mile walk and more. Over the past two-and-a-half years, I've tested over 90 heels and counting. I'm constantly trying out new brands and new styles that promise comfort.

These are the heels that have past the mile walk test with flying colors.

For more of our rigorously-tested shoe coverage, see our articles on the most comfortable dress shoes and best walking shoes for women.

The comfortable heels matrix

Because "comfortable" can mean different things depending on the occasion, I mapped each heel on two axes: classic to trendy, and everyday easy to event-ready. Every pair here passed my comfort test, but this matrix shows where each one shines.

A: M.Gemi Lizza Due | B: Ally Classic Pumps | C: Reef Sunset Ibiza | D: Naturalizer Joy Dress Sandal | E: Inez Mia | F: Nomasei Baghera Sandals | G: Birdies Kiwi Kitten Flower | H: Margaux Ada | I: Naturalizer Elaine Slingback | J: Inez Camilla | K: Elizee Fiorella Sandal | L: Margaux Platform | M: Bared Footwear Towhee | N: Vivianly Clear Heels | O: Dream Paris Low Heel P: Calla Margot | Q: Naturalizer Grace Sandal | R: Naturalizer Tressa Sandal | S: Oasis Society Celine T: Vince Camuto Paigey Mule U: Frankie4 Coco

A quick look at some of my favorite comfortable heels for fall 2026

Which brands make the most comfortable heels?

From least to most expensive, here's what we would recommend:

• Dream Paris makes budget-friendly heels that are famous on Amazon. They're staggeringly low-priced, with most costing between $25-$40. You get somewhat more than you pay for, because these are much more comfortable than other brands at the same price point — but the quality doesn't compare to any of the other brands on this list.
• Naturalizer makes high-quality, versatile heels that are wearable (think simple block heels, classic pumps, etc.). Most of their shoes cost around $150, but there are tons of sales on seasonal colors. We trust this brand for details like padded arches, stabilizing straps, and walkable silhouettes.
• Vivaia is known for heels that are all made with a stretchy knit fabric that cradles the foot. This makes them great for people with wide feet, since the fabric is more accommodating than materials like leather. Most heels cost about $150, but they also have frequent sales.
• Frankie4 is an Australian-based, podiatrist-founded footwear brand that we keep coming back to. Despite the emphasis on podiatry, the styles are all cute and wearable. Expect to spend about $200 a pair, but you'll be able to feel the attention to comfort details.
• Inez is a luxury pick with careful Spanish craftsmanship to back up its slightly higher prices (at least $250 a pair). The designs are sophisticated with a contemporary flair. I've been wearing shoes from the brand for years, and each pair has held up beautifully in both construction and style.

Best overall: Naturalizer Joy Dress Sandal

What we love: With a heavily padded footbed and a super versatile silhouette, these are the ultimate wedding guest heels. These beloved shoes come in over 40 colors (check multiple links if you're looking for a specific shade), so you can find one to match your outfit perfectly.

Not ideal for: People with narrow feet, since these only come in a regular and wide fit.

First of all, can I just say how impressed I am with Naturalizer? Over a decade ago, I remember following my grandmother into the store while she picked out loafers that you could tell were a podiatrist's dream. But now, you'd be hard-pressed to find anything like those orthopedic loafers on their site.

Instead, they've incorporated all the comfort that they're known for into shoes that are actually cute. So while the inside of the shoe might still be a podiatrist's dream, the outside will be trendy and chic — exemplified by the bestselling Joy Dress Sandal.

You can see how thick the padding is by just looking at it. The insole is contoured to your foot, providing arch support and taking pressure off the balls of your feet. The heel itself is a whopping three-and-a-half inches, but they absolutely do not feel that high when you have them on.

I've recommended these to tons of friends as the perfect wedding guest (or even wedding day!) shoes, and have gotten countless post-event texts about how amazingly painless these are. I've personally danced the night away in these heels at least half a dozen times.

Check out our article on the best bridal shoes for more of our top picks for heels for your big day.

Best slingbacks: Elaine Slingback Pointed Toe Pump

What we love: These extremely comfortable slingbacks have a high vamp that provides extra stability and a foam footbed that feels great to walk on. The shoe also comes in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide fits.

Drawbacks: Certain colorways are prone to scuffing.

Shoes with a high vamp have been an under-the-radar trend that's slowly seeping into the mainstream. In case you're unfamiliar, the vamp of a shoe refers to the upper section that covers the top of the foot, starting at the toe. Most of the slingbacks on this list give me a little bit of "toe cleavage," but these extend farther up my foot. And while I was initially skeptical about the look and fit of the Elaine Slingback, it took me almost no time to be sold.

The higher vamp actually adds a lot of stability that other slingbacks lack. It keeps your foot from wiggling in the shoe and provides a stable base for walking. Plus, these have the cushioned footbed that I've raved about in other reviews of Naturalizer shoes. The heel on these shoes is almost three inches high, but they feel much lower than that.

I got these in the medium width, but they also come in narrow, wide, and extra wide fits. And these come in a ton of colorways — both basic leather shades and some unexpected seasonal designs like a shiny black pick coverd in silver studs and plaid fabric pattern.

Best budget: Dream Paris Chunky Low-Heel

What we love: These Amazon ultra bestsellers get heaps of praise for their good value. For under $40, they're a great, comfortable block heel that isn't too high.

Drawbacks: Though these are a great budget option, they lack premium comfort features like a padded footbed or contoured construction.

I knew that I needed to test these shoes because they have a whopping twenty-four thousand reviews on Amazon and four-and-a-half stars. People in the reviews rave about wearing these all night, walking miles in them, and how they feel like they cost way more than the under-$40 price tag.  Plus, they have nearly thirty colors available. 

After walking over a mile in the Dream Paris Low Heel Sandals, I understand what the hype is about. The heel is a perfect everyday height and you can't beat the simplicity and versatility of the silhouette. Plus, they are absolutely everything that Amazon reviewers claim them to be — super affordable and very walkable. 

However, if you're committed to the single-strap silhouette and want shoes that will last you through every summer wedding you attend, I would still recommend our best overall pick, the Naturalizer Joy Dress Sandal. It has an almost identical silhouette, but the Naturalizer pair has far more footbed padding. Plus, the padding is brilliantly contoured to your foot. This Dream Paris pair is great for getting pretty comfy heels at a good price, but you might face some issues with the toe strap rubbing and your foot feeling fatigued if you're planning to wear these all the time. 

Best pumps: Ally Classic Pumps

What we love: These are available in four different widths, providing a near-custom fit. They're also perfect for wearing to work.

Drawbacks: Higher price point compared to other options, since these are meant to be an investment piece.

Even if you're a pump enthusiast, you probably haven't felt pumps like these. Ally's shoes feel custom since they're available in four (yes, you heard right, four) different widths. And you can absolutely feel what a difference it makes to have a shoe in your exact size. 

I took Ally's fit finder quiz to nail down which width would fit me best and was blown away when I received the shoes. Inside, there are layers of padding that perfectly cradle the arch of my foot. And there's even toe box contouring to support the balls of your feet. Seriously, these have all the comfort bells and whistles that you could ask for. 

The only drawback of these Ally pumps is that they're a touch expensive, but compared to actual custom shoes, these are a steal.

Best for walking: M. Gemi Lizza Due

What we love: It's a notably comfortable platform heel thanks to its shallow pitch, which keeps your foot from sitting at too steep an angle, and the wide ankle straps make it feel especially stable and secure while walking.

Drawbacks: It has the heft of a platform heel, and the wider straps may feel a bit bulkier than those of a more delicate sandal silhouette.

After testing the Lizza Due, what impressed me most was how much more stable and wearable it felt than a lot of platform heels I have tried. One of the biggest reasons is the fairly shallow pitch (the angle at which your foot sits). That makes a real difference in comfort over time, since the shoe does not have that steep feel that can leave the balls of your feet aching after just an hour or two. I tested the suede version rather than the metallic leather, and in that finish, it felt especially easy to wear — polished and dressy, but a little softer and more versatile than a high-shine party shoe.

The fit also feels especially secure on foot, which adds a lot to the overall walkability. The wide ankle straps help keep your foot stable, so you feel more supported and less wobbly than you might in a strappier or more delicate-looking heel. That combination of a platform sole, shallower pitch, and grounded ankle support makes this a strong option for anyone who wants height without the usual tradeoff in comfort. It still looks elevated and occasion-ready, but what makes it stand out is that it actually feels practical enough to wear for a full event, not just for photos.

For more of our thoughts on the brand, see our M.Gemi shoes review.

Best leather slingback: Frankie4 Coco

What we love: These beautifully constructed slingbacks support your whole foot. They've solved the problem of squished toes in pointed shoes.

Drawbacks: No narrow or wide fits are available.

These slingbacks come from Frankie4, one of our favorite brands ever for podiatrist-designed shoes that are actually cute.

When I've tested uncomfortable pointed-toe slingbacks, the common theme is that they squish my toes together at the point. This gets even worse when you walk for a distance because the forward motion pushes the front of your foot deeper into the narrow toe. And don't even get me started on the damage this does to pedicures.

But the Coco slingbacks don't give me that issue. They work because the toe box is wider, and the insole's structure cradles your foot so it stays in place. The shoes even come with gel forefoot cushions to help with this support, but I have never even needed them. Plus, they even have a strap across the toe, which I previously thought was just a design choice — but the strap is adjustable and also helps stabilize your foot.

All in all, these are the perfect fall heels. I've worn them with tights and a dress, with jeans and a tee, and with everything in between.

Best for summer: Reef Sunset Ibiza

What we love: These shoes have a 3.7 inch heel but are so lightweight and squishy that you won't feel the height at all. Plus, they're under $100.

Drawbacks: The detailing on the outside is not raffia but foam painted to look like fibers. This is actually a plus for me since real raffia would make these heavier, but it won't stand up to up-close inspection.

The Sunset Ibiza heels from Reef just became my new summer go-to sandals. They're super high — nearly four inches! But you don't feel the height at all. You just feel like you're walking on foam.

Despite the stilt-level height, I can't stop wearing these. Since I'm five-foot-two, so many of my pants and maxi dresses drag on the floor without heels. But I slip these on with about as much care as I would slip on a Birkenstock — no worries about eventual foot aches or blisters.

Best for a wedding: Inez Camilla

What we love: These platform heels come in wedding-ready colors like silver, nude and black. They're comfortable enough to dance in and high enough to keep your maxi dress off the floor.

Drawbacks: Unlike many of Inez's shoes, this style only comes in a standard width.

I've worn the Camilla shoes to three different weddings and have danced the night away every time with no issues. The high platform means that these shoes have a relatively shallow vamp, but your foot is still at an elegant, leg-lengthening angle.

They're also almost four full inches high, which is great for me since I'm petite and tend to have an issue with long dresses dragging on the floor. These keep the hem firmly off the ground.

I also appreciate that these are available in formalwear neutrals — like silver and shiny black. Part of the reason I love these so much is that they go with anything, no matter the dress code.

Read more in our full Inez Camilla review.

Best for work: Antonia Saint NY All Occasion Heel

What we love: The brand's SoftSurround System is fantastic. It keeps your foot stable and makes it feel like your foot is surrounded by a foamy cushion.

Drawbacks: Some people report that the shoes run a little larger than expected.

If your office dress code is a little more formal, these pumps will be your new best friend. They pair perfectly with the best suits for women or formal work dresses.

The All Occasion Heels from Antonia Saint New York have an internal cushioning system that surrounds the whole foot rather than just padding the footbed. I love the comfort and, crucially, the support this offers. Instead of sliding around, my foot is firmly braced by the shoe. This is especially helpful for safety since instability can cause ankle injuries.

Usually, I size down a half-size in pumps because the pitch of the heel tends to push my toes deep down into the toe box, leaving extra space at the back. But I opted not to size down in these, and I'm glad I did. The brand's proprietary SoftSurround System keeps my foot enveloped in foamy support so my toes don't slip down.

The shoes are also made from soft, shiny leather that looks great and photographs well. The brand also claims that the heel is made from materials that won't nick. I know I'll be wearing these a ton, so I'll report back if I experience any damage, but so far, so good!

Best strappy: Bared Footwear Towhee

What we love: Walkable summer heel with a shallow pitch, contoured footbeds, and optional gel cushions for those prone to pain in the ball of the foot
Drawbacks: Not ideal for extra-wide feet or long toes

I've seen similar versions of this modern strappy sandal from like Quince, Vagabond, and Marcella — but I highly doubt any are as comfortable as the Bared Footwear Towhees. These come with podiatrist-designed footbeds that are highly cushioned and contoured, with raised arch support and subtle notches to even out the pressure heels put on your metatarsals. This pair feels perfect for special occasions in warm weather that require standing all day.

Their heel cups keep you from sliding forward and help relieve weight from your forefoot. And the smooth, adjustable straps are made of rolled leather, so they don't cut into your skin even if your feet swell. I also love that they don't make much noise when I walk (sometimes I would rather not click-clack with every step), and the rubberized heel caps are softer and grippier than most heels.

The narrow block heels have a wide base to make up for the thin straps, so I wasn't teetering any time I had to pick up the pace. I tested them on a 20-minute walk to break them in ahead of a family wedding. A while in, I had to adjust the straps to keep my toes from sliding forward over the edge, but this was more of a fit preference, not a major discomfort. If you have long toes like mine, a sandal with a platformed toebox like the Inez Camillas may work better. —Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor, Business Insider Reviews.

Best for bunions: Calla Shoes Margot Heel

What we love: Made especially for people with bunions, these shoes are built with a wider toe box and a stretch lining to accommodate mild to moderate bunions.

Drawbacks: The ankle strap is a little too thin to offer extra stability.

If you have bunions, you have to check out Calla. The brand makes heels, sneakers, flats, and more designed to accommodate mild to moderate bunions. And for particularly large ones, they even have picks with extra-wide toe boxes.

But these shoes are a far cry from the orthopedic loafers that you might expect from a comfort-focused, bunion-solution shoe brand. Instead, you'll find silhouettes on par with most trendy footwear retailers. Chief among them, in my opinion, are the Margot Heels that look like a stylish platform heel on the outside, but have tons of comfort features on the inside.

To accommodate bunions, these have a stretch lining, a wide toe box, and lots of interior padding. They're incredibly comfortable despite being over four inches tall. Plus, they're built for stability — I would have no issues dancing the night away in these. However, my only minor critique is that the ankle strap is a little thin; I would have preferred a thicker, cushioned strap like the one across the toe box.

Bottom line: these are best for anyone who wants a dressy heel that feels more wearable — especially if you're sensitive in the forefoot, want extra toe room, or prioritize stability over a delicate silhouette. Before you check out, it's worth double-checking the measurement guide if you're between sizes, then taking advantage of the brand's exchange/return options if you need a tweak.

Best slingbacks: Inez Mia

What we love: A sleek standout from one of our favorite comfortable heel brands, these slingbacks are beautifully crafted and come in narrow, standard, and wide widths.

Drawbacks: The elastic is a little flimsy; we would have much preferred a buckle.

Slingbacks are the style of the season and there's no style more comfortable than this pick by Inez. It's available in a bunch of colors — and it comes in narrow, standard, and wide fits.

Inez is one of our favorite brands ever for comfortable heels — which is why you'll find a bunch of their shoes on this list. In our Inez review, we raved about the brand's commitment to only the highest quality of craftsmanship. They are made in Spain and have proprietary plush insoles, which you can absolutely tell make a huge difference. When you slip them on, you can feel immediately how they cradle your foot for maximum stability and comfort.

The Mia slingbacks, especially in the beautiful orchid color, got me tons and tons of compliments. I cannot recommend them enough.

Highest heel: Elizee Fiorella Sandal

What we love: For a heel this high (and a pitch this steep), it's incredible how comfortable these are. I highly recommend them as some of the best bridal heels around.

Drawbacks: At over $600, they're definitely a splurge.

At nearly four inches with a three-inch pitch, the Fiorella Sandals from Italian brand Elizée look a little intimidating — but don't let that fool you. They're super lightweight, with a cushioned insole and a thick strap that wraps around your ankle for stability. 

When I wore them for the first time, I was blown away by the construction. This is a true stiletto heel. And yet, I didn't feel any of the discomfort of basically walking around on my tippy-toes for hours. 

It's a little on the pricier side, but it's a perfect choice for a wedding, whether it be yours or one you're attending as a guest. It has the rare combination of being a classic, formal stiletto while also being a shoe that you can dance in all night. 

Just not that when I first tried this, I had buckled it too loosely around my ankle. It felt much less comfortable because my foot was wiggling around too much. Make sure you fasten these on tightly (even tighter than you think you need to) for the best fit.

Best heeled flip-flop: Naturalizer

What we love: This is the rare heeled flip-flop that actually feels walkable. The cushioned sole, arch support, and sculpted shape help keep your foot in place, so you're not constantly pushing against the sensitive area between your toes. It also has a manageable 2.5-inch covered heel and Naturalizer's Contour+ Comfort Technology, which gives the trendy silhouette more support than most.

Drawbacks: The thong-sandal silhouette can be tricky in general, so this still may not be the best choice if you know you hate any pressure between your first two toes.

The heeled flip-flop is the shoe silhouette of the summer, showing up everywhere from runways to street style. But as effortless as the trend looks, it can be surprisingly hard to wear. I tried tons of heeled thong sandals while testing comfortable heels, and almost all of them put too much pressure between my first two toes.

The Naturalizer 27 Edit Tressa Dress Sandal was the only one I could actually walk a mile in comfortably. It still has the clean, open-toed look of a minimalist thong sandal, but the construction makes it much more wearable than most versions of the trend. The cushioned sole, arch support, and curved floor of the shoe cradle the foot so it stays in place instead of sliding forward with every step.

That extra stability makes a huge difference. Rather than feeling like I had to grip the shoe with my toes or brace against the thong strap, my foot felt supported from underneath. The 2.5-inch covered heel gives it enough lift to feel dressy without pushing it into true high-heel territory, and the slip-on design keeps the whole thing easy and casual.

The Tressa also has a more fashion-forward shape than your average comfort sandal. It gives you the runway-adjacent, street-style look of a heeled flip-flop, but with enough cushioning and support to make the trend feel realistic for actual walking.

Best lightweight: Crocs Brooklyn Heel

What we love: These are hands down my most-worn pair of heels. I slip them on to do errands, walk my dog, and even wear them out to dinner. They're incredibly lightweight and have such a shallow pitch that you barely feel like you're wearing heels at all.

Drawbacks: Though it's small, the Crocs logo does appear on the outside of the shoe. Plus, the white color has some issues with scuffing.

Yes, that's right, these are Crocs. They're made of the same lightweight, foam-like material that made the clogs famous. And if you're wondering if they feel the same; they really do. 

Like the clogs, the Brooklyn Heel footbed is cushioned and has bumps on it that are like little massage beads. At first, I was dubious about this feature, but I like how the little bumps stop my foot from sliding around. And they're lightweight like the Crocs clogs, too. 

These chunky heels lean into the '90s vibes and give you a full extra three inches of height. Plus, unlike other chunky heels, these don't feel like you're lugging around rocks on your feet. And they're just cute. I really enjoyed shocking my coworkers by telling them I was wearing Crocs. 

The only issue I foresee with these is scuffing. I got the Brooklyn Heel in white, so it's hard to not get little black marks on them. If I were to do it again, I would probably get the black color to avoid this issue. 

Best heeled ballet flat: Margaux Ada

What we love: With a shorter heel and a slightly square toe, these elegant shoes fit like a glove.

Drawbacks: Finding the correct size and width can be difficult.

We've long admired Margaux's commitment to beautiful leather and chic silhouettes. The Ada looks like an elegant ballet flat, but it has a little heel that adds slightly over an inch of height.

I got it in the color Espresso Crinkle Patent, which is a shiny brown color that feels like the epitome of fall. The leather is supple and molds to your feet for a glove-like fit. Plus, the insole has a memory foam-like padding that cradles your foot.

But sizing is a little tricky to get right. I've always characterized my feet as being on the wider end of typical, but I very rarely find myself having to opt for a wide fit shoe. In almost all situations, a regular width works just fine. But with Margaux shoes, I've learned to always go for the wide.

The shoes come in three widths: narrow, medium, and wide. If you're on the fence about which would work for you, opt for the more generous fit.

For more of our favorites from the brand, see our Margaux review.

Best velvet: Birdies Kiwi Kitten Flower

What we love: The velvet flower makes these shoes really stand out — and the arch support and padded footbed make them comfortable to stand or dance in.

Drawbacks: The sole of the shoe is completely smooth, so it takes some breaking in to prevent slipping on tile floors. Also, the heel isn't as stable as I would like.

We've reviewed Birdies' loafers, sneakers, and more throughout the years, but heels are somewhat new for the brand. The Kiwi Kitten Flower is a style standout, with a statement rose and a delicate heel.

Comfort-wise, the details that matter are built in. Birdies uses a memory foam comfort insole with full arch support and a contoured footbed for that plush, cushioned feel underfoot. The sole is also designed to flex, with the brand's signature rubber front pod that can help with grip where you actually push off when you walk.

These aren't perfect — I do wish the heel was a little more stable. And when I first tried them, I felt myself sliding around because the sole lacks traction; this got much better once I had worn them a bit and broken them in by walking on concrete.

But they're so cute that some flaws are easy to overlook. I got an overwhelming amount of compliments on these, and it's easy to see why.

Best sculptural: Nomasei Baghera

What we love: These were surprisingly comfortable right out of the box. The leather feels soft and flexible, almost like a second skin, and the memory-foam padding helps prevent the usual ball-of-foot pain that can come from hours in heels. The block heel is also a big plus for weddings — sturdy on grass and wide enough that it won't get stuck between patio slats.

Drawbacks: The V-shaped design is really flattering, but it doesn't give you the same locked-in feel as an ankle strap. They also caused one small heel blister after a full night of wear, so they're not totally immune to break-in pains — just much better than expected for a brand-new pair worn to a six-hour wedding.

The Nomasei Baghera sandals prove that a statement heel doesn't have to come at the expense of comfort. With their sculptural silhouette, soft leather, and sturdy block heel, they're the kind of shoes you can actually stay in for hours.

Gabrielle Chase, a senior associate style editor for Insider Reviews, wore them straight out of the box for a long day and night on her feet — a gamble she doesn't usually take with heels. "I packed six Band-Aids, assuming I'd need them all," Gabrielle said. "Reader, I'm happy to report that I shuffled and slid to my heart's content and only sustained one tiny heel blister the entire night."

The sandals have a flattering V-shaped upper that creates a leg-lengthening effect, along with soft, flexible leather that molds comfortably to the foot. "They're made with a leather that's so soft and flexible that they feel like a second skin," Gabrielle said.

Comfort-wise, the memory-foam padded insoles are a standout feature. Gabrielle said they helped prevent the metatarsal pain she usually gets after spending too much time in heels. The block heel also adds stability, making these easier to walk in than many dressier stilettos.

"These are the kind of heels that look special but don't punish your feet for wearing them," Gabrielle said. She also appreciated how well the block heel handled different surfaces. "When the wedding moved outdoors, their block heels were sturdy enough for grass and too thick to get caught in the slats of the patio," she said.

These are a great choice if you want a fashion-forward sandal that's still comfortable enough for hours of wear. The only caveat is that the V-shaped design doesn't provide the same locked-in feel as a traditional ankle strap, so they may not be ideal if you prefer extra support around the ankle.

And while they're dressy enough for formal occasions, they're versatile enough to style more casually, too. "I loved them so much that next I'm excited to dress them down with some ragg socks and jeans," Chase said.

Best with a bow: Oasis Society Celine

What we love: It combines several comfort-friendly details — a stable block heel, cushioned insole, adjustable ankle strap, and a more manageable 3.75-inch height — that make it easier to walk in.

Drawbacks: The textured woven floral textile and textile-wrapped heel look beautiful, but they may be more delicate and harder to keep pristine than smoother materials. Plus, they run a little narrow.

After testing the Oasis Society Celine in Rose Garden, I was impressed by how comfortable and walkable it felt for such a cute, dressed-up heel. The floral fabric and oversized bow make it feel especially charming and feminine, and it definitely reads as a statement shoe — the kind of pair that can instantly dress up a simple, solid-color outfit and make it feel more styled. Comfort-wise, the padded footbed gives it a softer feel underfoot, while the block heel adds stability that makes it easier to walk in than a lot of similarly decorative occasion heels.

My main caveat is that while the cushioning helps, I wish the padding were wider and extended across the full footbed for more complete support. Even so, it still felt notably comfortable in testing, and the secure ankle strap and grounded heel shape make it feel practical enough for events where you actually plan to be on your feet. It is a great option if you want a heel that feels romantic and standout, but is also genuinely wearable.

Highest pump: Inez Alta

What we love: If you want the highest walkable pump possible, this is it. It's steep, but Inez is great at making steep shoes comfortable.

Drawbacks: These do get uncomfortable after a while of walking.

Another winner from a brand that we love. Here's what I said about these stellar pumps in our Inez Review:

Pumps are difficult to get right. Unlike platforms or other kinds of creatively-designed shoes, there's no way of getting around the steep pitch. In fact, these are particularly steep. Aptly called the Alta, they have a towering heel height of 3.5 inches. You can get the style in a lower-height heel, called the Lola, if this sounds a little too tall for you. But don't be afraid to go with the higher heel. The shoes are far more comfortable than they look.

And while I probably wouldn't recommend these for running around, they are the ultimate secret weapon for feeling authoritative and stylish at work. Paired with one of the best suits for women, the Alta pumps make the ultimate power outfit.

Best mules: Vince Camuto Paigely Mule

What we love: These leg-lengthening mules have a thick footbed padding that makes standing in heels this high much less painful.

Drawbacks: The steep pitch means that you can't walk much more than a mile in these, and the toe box might be too narrow for some.

These Paigey Mules by Vince Camuto are miraculously leg-lengthening. Since there's no ankle strap and the vamp is low and flatteringly curved, it gives the illusion that your legs go on forever. In fact, if I'm ever taking a full-body mirror selfie, I love throwing these on for the pic at home — even if I'm wearing other shoes out.

The best part of these is that the footbed is among the thickest of all the heels I tested. It's not cloud-soft, more like a firm mattress that still offers support. The significant cushion does prevent these from being suitable for people with high-volume feet, since the toe box can be a bit narrow.

However, the leg-lengthening effect comes from your feet being at a steep angle in these. The pitch is dramatic, so they'll never be the shoes that you can walk across town in — a mile is probably the max. But they're perfect for wearing to events where you're doing a mix of sitting and standing.

Best kitten heel: Naturalizer 27 Edit Grace Sandal

What we love: This shoe has tons of padding. It's obvious even in the picture above how padded the toe strap is.

Drawbacks: Some people report that the bottom is slippery.

I've already touted the supreme comfort of Naturalizer heels and these are another stellar option. 

Not only is the footbed padded, but the straps are also cushioned. In fact, the toe strap is downright foamy. It makes a huge difference when you're walking since the repetitive motion can make typical straps cut into you. 

I also appreciate the stability of the kitten heel on the 27 Edit Grace Sandal. Sometimes, heels this this make you feel slightly wobbly. But these are secure and I feel sure-footed, even when walking on uneven surfaces.

Best platform: Margaux The Platform Sandal

What we love: These chic sandals are beautifully constructed, and Margaux's signature "X"-shaped toe strap design provides plenty of stability.

Drawbacks: We've had some issues with Margaux's sizing, so we highly recommend ordering the wide width even if you normally order regular width shoes.

Margaux makes an amazing selection of carefully designed comfortable heels. This one is a slightly higher version of their City Sandal — another winner when it comes to construction. But at a full three inches high, The Platform takes the cake for the best heel overall when it comes to combining height with walkability. 

There are lots of features that contribute to the comfort of this fabulous heel. First, it has five millimeters of cushioned padding on the sole that makes it feel like you're putting on a slipper. Plus, the toe straps form Margaux 's signature "X" which adds stability that you wouldn't get from a narrow, single strap. And finally, these shoes are handmade in Spain, meaning that there's a ton of effort focused on the construction of the shoes that you won't find in just any shoe made on an assembly line. 

Overall, I found these to be so walkable that I started using my pair as an everyday shoe — and not just the pair of cute heels that I only pull out for special occasions. In fact, I'm going to pack them for walking around and sightseeing when I'm in Italy, which is a huge testament to this heel's top spot as the most comfortable heel.

Make sure you check out Margaux's other shoes (like The Heel, a pump) for similarly stellar construction. We even reviewed Margaux's Demi Flats and loved those too. 

Though I found it super comfortable on my typical-to-wide feet, some reviewers note that the heel area is a little wide for people with narrow feet. Also, there are reviewers who note that the ankle strap is a little bit loose. If that's an issue for you with these (or any shoe), I suggest getting a leather hole puncher to add extra holes for the buckle. I have one and use it on everything from purses to belts and more!

Best clear heels: Vivianly Transparent Stiletto Heel

What we love: These under-$40 heels make you look like you have legs for days.

Drawbacks: Since they're made of clear plastic with no give, it's not a good idea to wear them for long walks.

If you haven't heard about the miracle of clear heels, allow me to educate you. There are certain features of shoes that make your legs look shorter: an ankle strap cuts your leg off, and platforms don't create the leg-lengthening tippy-toe shape that traditional heels do. But clear heels are the holy grail of making your legs look like they go on for days. 

I've had these clear heels from Amazon for over two years and I take them out whenever I wear a cute minidress. They're comfortable enough that you can dance in them at night, but I wouldn't recommend wearing them for long walks since the repetitive motion can make the plastic cut into your feet. One mile was fine, but anything over that might be a little dicey. 

But for $40 Amazon shoes that I've had for years, they really do the trick. And don't just take my word for it — these shoes have six thousand reviews on Amazon and nearly five stars, with people in the comments amazed at how comfortable they are. 

FAQs

What are the most comfortable types of heels?

The shape of the heel will definitely affect how comfortable it is. Here are a few common types.

• Platforms are typically the most comfortable because they reduce the angle of the pitch (the incline between the heel and the toe). You can even get platforms (often called 'flatforms') that have no pitch at all and are completely flat.
• Block heels are also pretty comfortable because the thick heel offers stability that thinner heels don't. If you want the look of a block heel but the comfort of a platform, look for shoes that have a platform under the toe.
• Kitten heels are thin and typically two inches or lower. Most shoes with kitten heels are aesthetically delicate, so they have a much different look than chunky block heels or platforms.
• Stilettos are the hardest to pull off, comfort-wise. The heels are thin and tall, often tapered to be thinner at the point where the heel hits the ground. If you like the look of a stiletto but find it hard to balance, try looking for "spool" heels, which are flared at the top and bottom to offer more stability.

What heel height is best for all-day comfort?

Here's the secret: It's not about how high the heel is — it's about how steep the pitch is. For example, a five-inch platform with a one-inch pitch will be loads more comfortable than a two-inch kitten heel.

When you're looking for heels, look at the angle of the pitch and prioritize a shallow incline over a lower heel.

What features make a heel comfortable?

In addition to a low pitch, here's what you should look for when shopping for comfortable heels.

Cushioned insoles: Prioritize shoes that have padded insoles. Walking on a surface lined with foam is infinitely better than walking on unlined wood or plastic.

Arch support: Without arch support, your feet will get tired quickly. You want to avoid flat insoles, even if the heel is low.

The right toe box: Wider toe boxes and open-toed shoes will be easier on your feet. Pointed-toe shoes can force your foot into a position where your toes get squished, especially if you're walking all day.

What heels are good for people with wide feet?

If you have wider feet, we highly recommend looking for brands that have specific wide-foot fits, like Naturalizer.

But we also recommend checking out brands that use stretchy material, like Vivaia. Since Vivaia's signature stretchy knit construction gives a lot of wiggle room in terms of width, it's a great choice for people with wide feet.

Verizon is one of the biggest wireless carriers in the US, with nationwide 5G coverage and a lineup of unlimited plans that vary by speed, hotspot data, and international access. Its myPlan system includes three main options: Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, and Unlimited Ultimate, and families can mix and match plans across different lines on the same account. On the other hand, the Verizon Simplicity plan targets single- and dual-line accounts, keeping costs low no matter how many users you add.

Thanks to its feature-packed, reliable, and widespread plans, Verizon is one of the top picks in our guide to the best unlimited data plans. Its services are relatively customizable, with add-ons that can be removed if unnecessary, a variety of offerings to choose from, and a pricing sliding scale that makes group plans more affordable per person.

Below, we'll break down Verizon's unlimited plans and prices, what you get with each tier, and which option may make the most sense depending on how you use your phone.

Verizon plans compared

*Bulk line prices are based on the lowest possible price per line. This is achieved by signing up for four lines on your plan.

All of Verizon's plans include unlimited 5G data, but the speed and performance vary by tier.

Verizon's Simplicity Plan costs a flat $45 per line per month with an Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount, or $55 without. Newcomers can also currently lock in $10 off every month when they switch from another carrier, bringing it down as low as $30 a month. It includes unlimited 5G Ultra Wideband data, 10GB of mobile hotspot data, talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada, satellite texting, Verizon Family, and discounts on eligible connected-device plans. One important caveat: after 500GB of smartphone data in a billing cycle, speeds are reduced to 4 Mbps, while hotspot speeds fall to 1 Mbps after the included 10GB is used.

Unlimited Welcome is Verizon's most basic myPlan option, with unlimited talk, text, and smartphone data on its 5G and 4G LTE networks, plus usage in Mexico and Canada, international texting, and satellite messaging. It doesn't include premium hotspot data or full 5G Ultra Wideband access by default, though Verizon offers those features as optional add-ons. Video streams at up to 480p over standard 5G or LTE, and up to 720p over 5G Ultra Wideband on a compatible device.

Unlimited Plus adds 5G Ultra Wideband and 30GB of premium mobile hotspot data each month, along with premium video streaming and discounts on eligible watch, tablet, and other connected-device plans. After the 30GB hotspot allowance is used up, speeds drop to up to 3 Mbps on 5G Ultra Wideband or to 600 Kbps on standard 5G and 4G LTE. The plan also includes unlimited talk, text, and data usage in Mexico and Canada, international texting, and satellite messaging.

Verizon's top myPlan tier is Unlimited Ultimate with 5G Ultra Wideband, 200GB of premium mobile hotspot data, 4K video streaming on compatible devices over 5G Ultra Wideband, and international service in more than 210 countries and destinations. Travelers get 15GB of high-speed international data a month, followed by unlimited data at speeds up to 1.5 Mbps, while hotspot speeds drop to 6 Mbps after the first 200GB. The current version of the plan also includes Verizon Family Plus, Identity Secure, Global Choice, and up to 50% off two eligible watch or tablet plans.

Verizon myPlan vs. Simplicity

If you're initially confused by the difference between Verizon's myPlan and Simplicity offerings, you're not alone. I dug into the details to identify the specific features that set them apart, so you can choose the best one for you.

The biggest difference between Verizon Simplicity and Unlimited Welcome is what you get for the base price. Simplicity costs a flat $45 per line with Auto Pay, regardless of how many lines are on the account, and includes full 5G Ultra Wideband access plus 10GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data. Qualifying customers switching to Verizon can currently get Simplicity for $30 per line with an eligible discount. Everyone on the account must move to Simplicity at the same time.

Unlimited Welcome is more bare-bones, but its per-line price drops as you add people. With Auto Pay, Verizon currently charges $65 for one line, $55 per line for two lines, about $40 per line for three lines, and $30 per line for four lines. It includes unlimited talk, text, and smartphone data, including usage in Mexico and Canada, but it doesn't include high-speed hotspot data by default, and data may be temporarily slowed during congestion. Unlike Simplicity, myPlan also gives households more flexibility to mix Unlimited Welcome with higher-tier Verizon plans on different lines.

For individual customers or smaller households, Simplicity generally offers more for the money, particularly if you use your phone as a hotspot or want Verizon's faster 5G access included. That said, you may find Verizon's MVNO, Visible, a more flexible, affordable, and pared-down solution for your needs. Learn more in my Visible review.

Unlimited Welcome can make more sense for larger families focused on keeping the base bill low, especially once you reach three or four lines and don't need much hotspot data. It's also the more flexible choice if different family members need different levels of service.

See more: Best unlimited data plans | Verizon free phone deals | Verizon iPhone 18 Pro bundles | Visible review

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• I made the lasagna soup by Ree Drummond, star of "The Pioneer Woman."
• The dish features lasagna noodles, ground beef, pork, and plenty of herbs and cheese. 
• Drummond's soup is meaty, cheesy, and so comforting on chilly nights.  

There isn't much to love about colder weather, at least in my humble opinion. But one thing I can always get behind is the full embrace of comfort food.

And what's more comforting than pasta or soup? Well, what about pasta and soup?

After seeing lasagna soup all over my social media feeds, I decided it was finally time to try the dish. And who better to lead the way than Ree Drummond, aka the Pioneer Woman?

Ree Drummond's lasagna soup comes packed with meat, herbs, and cheese.

To make 8-10 servings of Drummond's lasagna soup, you'll need:

• 12 uncooked lasagna noodles
• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 pound of pork sausage, casings removed
• 1 14.5-ounce can of whole tomatoes with juice
• 1 yellow onion, halved and sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 sprigs of thyme, minced
• 1 sprig of oregano, minced
• 4 cups of vegetable or chicken stock
• ¾ cup of white wine (or stock)
• ½ cup of heavy cream
• ¼ cup of olive oil
• 3 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley, plus more for serving

For the ricotta dumplings, you'll need:

• 1 cup of whole-milk ricotta cheese
• ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon of minced parsley
• 1 tablespoon of minced basil, plus more for garnish
• ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper

I began by chopping all my herbs and veggies.

Compared to some soups I've made, such as Ina Garten's chicken chili, there's very little required prep for Drummond's recipe.

All I had to do was slice the onions, chop some parsley, and mince my garlic, thyme, and oregano.

I added olive oil to a big pot and threw in my onion, garlic, oregano, and thyme.

I cooked the veggies and herbs over medium heat for about two minutes, stirring occasionally, until they began to soften.

I threw the beef and pork into the pot, seasoning them with salt and pepper.

I increased the heat to medium-high before adding the ground beef and sausage.

I let the meat cook for about five minutes.

I broke up the beef and sausage with a meat masher, which made this step super quick. A wooden spoon would also do the trick.

Drummond recommends draining off "at least half of the grease" once your meat is ready.

I added the tomato paste, letting it cook for a minute before I added the white wine.

I stirred everything together again, allowing the wine to deglaze the bottom of the pot.

Then I threw in the can of whole tomatoes with their juice.

Drummond's recipe calls for a 14.5-ounce can, but I could only find 28-ounce cans at the store. I decided to use the entire can so my soup would have even more broth.

I crushed the whole tomatoes with a wooden spoon as I stirred everything together.

I also added the chicken stock.

I used store-bought stock when I tested this recipe, but if you have extra time, homemade chicken stock would make it even better.

I added the parsley, then brought my broth to a boil.

Once my soup was boiling, I reduced the heat so it could simmer.

Drummond recommends simmering your soup for 20 minutes. I had some extra time and wanted the flavors to develop a little longer, so I opted for 40 minutes instead.

While my soup was simmering, I cooked the lasagna noodles.

Drummond's recipe calls for 12 lasagna noodles, but I used the entire box. I have a strict No Noodle Left Behind policy.

I filled a pot with salted water and brought it to a boil, breaking the noodles into smaller pieces as I added them.

Drummond says you should let the noodles cook for about a minute less than the package instructions, until they're almost tender, so I cooked my pasta for nine minutes total.

After draining the noodles, I drizzled some olive oil on top to prevent them from sticking together. I had a feeling my broth would need far more liquid once I added the noodles, so I also saved the pasta water.

I also prepped the herbs for my ricotta dumplings.

All I needed to do was mince some more parsley and basil.

Once the soup finished simmering, I added the heavy cream.

My soup was almost ready!

Then I added the lasagna noodles, along with a few extra ladles of pasta water.

I let the soup simmer for five minutes after adding the noodles and pasta water.

I made the ricotta dumplings while the soup continued to simmer.

I added the ricotta and Parmesan cheeses to a bowl, along with the chopped parsley and basil.

I seasoned the mixture with salt and pepper and stirred everything together, molding it into one big ball I could scoop my little dumplings out of.

I served each bowl with dollops of ricotta dumplings, plus a sprinkle of basil on top.

I loved how the ricotta dumplings popped against the deep-red broth of the soup, and the sprinkle of basil on top was a nice touch. The curves of the lasagna noodles peeking through the surface made my bowl look especially inviting.

I opted for small dumplings because I liked their presentation, but you could also use big dollops if you prefer.

The Pioneer Woman's lasagna soup is perfect for a chilly night.

I made Drummond's lasagna soup for my fiancé, who called it "the best of both worlds." That first spoonful of meat, pasta, and cheese instantly warmed our souls.

The broth needed a little more salt to taste, but it went so well with the creamy ricotta dumplings. I recommend really mixing them into the broth to give your soup even more of a flavor punch, and make sure to break the noodles into smaller pieces so they're easier to pick up with each spoonful.

Whether you're looking to de-stress or want a cozy night in, Drummond's lasagna soup is the comfort dinner of dreams.

• Google has announced its first Gemini 4 AI model, Argon.
• The company said Argon is competitive with OpenAI's Astra in cybersecurity.
• Inside Google, employees have been testing the model.

The Gemini 4 era has begun.

Google on Wednesday announced a new AI model named Gemini 4 Argon — the first of the 4 series — which the company is calling its "next era of frontier intelligence."

Google said the new model offers frontier performance in areas such as coding, cybersecurity defense, and enterprise knowledge work in domains like legal and finance.

Gemini 4 Argon is Google's latest attempt to reassert itself in the race to build AI for high-stakes work, including security and coding. While Google has launched several updates to its Flash series of models, it has fallen behind the frontier to rival models from OpenAI and Anthropic in areas such as engineering and cybersecurity.

The new model could put Google back on the frontier. The company previously promised to release a new frontier model, Gemini 3.5 Pro, in June. The model, which was postponed several times internally due to poor performance, was ultimately not released.

To begin with, Google is making Argon available to a set of trusted partners in its Fairwind Program, an initiative for vetted governments and cyber authorities to proactively test new models and address cyber vulnerabilities.

Google said Argon ties with OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra for the highest score on the CWE-bench, a test of how models can find and patch security vulnerabilities. Google also claims the model sets a new high score on a test of how models perform in real-world, long-horizon engineering tasks.

Google didn't say when Gemini 4 Argon will be publicly available, but said it was "actively engaged" in the US government's early-access framework for assessing cybersecurity and other risks of frontier models before launch.

Inside Google, employees are already using the new model for tasks such as debugging and large-scale codebase migrations, the company said on Wednesday.

It also said Argon has helped engineers free up more than 300 tebibytes of memory across its data centers without new hardware.

To reduce the risk of Argon acting in ways it shouldn't — a behavior known as misalignment — Google said it implemented systems to track Argon's chain of thought and stop it from performing when necessary.

Google said these safety measures also included precautions regarding how the model is given feedback to avoid teaching Argon to evade monitoring.

Have something to share? Contact this reporter via email at hlangley@businessinsider.com or Signal at 628-228-1836. Use a personal email address and a non-work device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• Anne Hathaway, a mom of two, announced on Instagram in June that she's pregnant.
• Her maternity fashion over the years has been showstopping, with minidresses and gowns.
• Lately, she's worn princess-esque dresses and tops that show her baby bump.

You can call her Andy Sachs, the princess of Genovia, or a soon-to-be mom of three.

Anne Hathaway announced on Instagram in June that she and her husband are expecting. They now have two children, ages 6 and 10.

Since then, "The Odyssey" actor has graced red carpets, photo shoots, and the streets of New York with glamorous fashion.

Here are the best maternity looks she's ever worn, from a ruffled minidress to showstopping event gowns.

Anne Hathaway glimmered in gold at the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscars party.

Naeem Khan designed her two-piece gown, which featured a strapless black garment that hugged her body beneath a mesh overlay.

The latter was embellished with gold beads and sequins in asymmetrical stripes.

The outfit was memorable and styled perfectly with gold earrings, dramatic makeup, an updo, and a gold clutch.

Hathaway was pregnant with her first child at the time.

While pregnant with her second child, Hathaway wore a fuchsia midi dress.

The Brandon Maxwell design was as fun as it was daring, with a sleeveless bodice, a halter neckline, and waist cutouts. Inside the dress was a custom tag that read "Anne + 1."

She wore it to attend the opening night of "Sea Wall/A Life" on Broadway.

In the summer of 2026, after announcing her latest pregnancy, the actor stepped out in red.

She was photographed in Tribeca this June while wearing a red jumpsuit from the New York fashion label Ashlyn.

The long-sleeved piece had a peplum waist, flowing capris, and a scoop neckline. Vogue later reported that Hathaway had worn the outfit backward, as the latter was meant to be scooped at the back.

Hathaway completed the vibrant outfit with red peep-toe heels from Aquazzura, thick gold Bvlgari jewelry, and statement Krewe sunglasses.

She then showed off her maternity street style.

For another New York City outing in July, Hathaway paired oversize blue trousers from La Ligne with a black ATM shirt and a knit Brunello Cucinelli blazer.

The variety of textures made for an eye-catching outfit. Her accessories, which included mesh Alaïa flats, a black Ferragamo purse, and Bvlgari sunglasses, tied it all together.

The actor embraced summer fashion with a yellow, floral gown.

The stunning, strapless dress she wore in July — the same day as the last outfit — was designed by Lela Rose. It was made from vibrant velvet and stamped with floral shapes across its bodice.

Hathaway wore it with gold Bvlgari bracelets, a matching choker necklace, and brown-tinted Krewe sunglasses.

Hathaway later proved that you can never have too many accessories.

Ahead of a photocall, the actor was photographed leaving a hotel in a ruffled white minidress by Blumarine.

It was a statement on its own, but Hathaway made it look even better with suede Gianvito Rossi knee-high boots, a heart-shaped Chanel handbag, Bvlgari jewelry, and white Trussardi sunglasses.

She looked like a princess at "The Odyssey" premiere in London.

Her strapless, blue gown was custom-made by Jonathan Anderson for Dior. It had delicate pleats, a floor-length skirt, and a floral appliqué attached at the waist.

Hathaway wore it with simple jewelry, her hair down, and a red lip.

The same could be said when she attended a photocall in Paris.

Still on "The Odyssey" press tour, Hathaway stepped out in Paris for a photo event wearing a custom Prada look.

The navy-blue dress had a strapless neckline, a floor-length skirt, and a dark tulle cape that extended across the front of Hathaway.

The latter also extended to the floor and was decorated with gold pieces.

Hathaway stunned at the New York City premiere of "The Odyssey" in a pleated and sequined gown.

Once again, Prada designed her custom look. Its halter top was decorated with silver sequins and a triangle cutout. Its lengthy skirt, on the other hand, was pleated and made from silk.

Hathaway completed the look with an updo hairstyle and diamond jewelry.

She looked like she was ready for a summer in Greece while visiting New York City.

She was photographed walking around town in a blue Alaïa dress. It had straps in place of sleeves, a rounded neckline, and a pleated skirt that ended just above her gold sandals.

She also wore a thick gold choker necklace, a matching bracelet, and dark sunglasses.

In August 2026, Hathaway visited "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in the ultimate cool-girl outfit.

She wore satin trousers with prominent pleats, a ruffled tank top that was mostly unbuttoned to show her belly, and a choker necklace.

The actor also wore sandal heels, black sunglasses, and gold jewelry.

She reclaimed her royal style the following month.

A lilac Alexander McQueen gown made for one of her more recent maternity looks. The strapless piece had a ruched neckline, flowing fabric, and a floor-length skirt.

She wore it with red lipstick, a purple purse, and gold sandals.

Hathaway was effortlessly chic when she visited "The Drew Barrymore Show."

She wore flowing trousers with a mesh top that showed off her stomach.

The latter also featured an off-the-shoulder neckline and long sleeves, lending the daring blouse a more elegant feel.

Hathaway added diamond earrings and black sunglasses to complete the look.

• I dreamed of living in Los Angeles, but I wasn't in a financial position to rent a spot of my own.
• After finding a post online, I moved into a single-family home with a roommate for $2,000 a month.
• Although this setup isn't forever, I've saved money — and my roommate has become a good friend.

Twenty years ago, I accepted a short-term teaching job at a university in Los Angeles. As a born-and-raised Midwesterner, I hadn't considered West Coast living, but I was open to the experience.

Though I was there for only four years, I grew to love LA: the natural abundance of wildly diverse landscapes, the creativity of the entertainment industry, and, of course, the fantastic weather.

Family obligations drew me back to my roots, but the City of Angels was lodged in my heart. Last year, my teaching assignment in my Missouri hometown ended. My parents were safely situated with the care they needed. Not long after, my senior dog passed away.

Suddenly, I felt ready to make a change.

I was ready to move back to LA, but my bank account wasn't

Los Angeles, my dream city, is not particularly affordable — but I knew in my gut that it was where I wanted to be. I came up with some creative solutions to gain a little more financial security, like selling my furniture and car along with my home.

This gave me the freedom not just to make a short-term move, but to try a freelance writing career. This past fall, I booked a short-term Airbnb in Burbank, a community in the San Fernando Valley just over the hill from my former home in Hollywood.

I absolutely loved it. I found everything I needed locally and mastered the area's public transportation system. Meanwhile, I wrote every day, poolside; in the evenings, I watched the sun set over the Verdugo mountains.

The nostalgic scent of night-blooming jasmine convinced me I made the right move, despite the uncertainty of my living situation.

After settling in, I felt ready for a deeper commitment

About one month into the rental, I knew it was time to find more permanent housing, but I still wasn't in the financial position to rent and furnish a place on my own.

While perusing Craigslist one Sunday, I saw a post for a furnished house share in a quiet, well-located corner of Burbank. The photos were stunning: a 1920s bungalow-style home painted bright blue with green trim. The single-family home had been renovated to expand the master suite into a studio.

I would later learn that Beth, the owner, was renting out the studio to offset her mortgage. A yoga instructor and dance professional, she seemed like an ideal housemate: a creative, spiritually-minded person for whom peace is the priority.

We met several times in person to discuss the expectations of this unconventional arrangement, and I fell in love with the home. She'd transformed the original driveway into a covered porch; the pergola was replete with fragrant jasmine and fuchsia bougainvillea.

I've been cohabitating with Beth, no longer a stranger, for the past 10 months

My $2,000 rent is all-inclusive, which helps me manage my budget. Plus, it's been comforting to have a housemate when working from home in a new location.

At first, I was tentative, not wanting to make a fuss. Beth, on the other hand, was friendly and gregarious. She invited me to a holiday block party, and we attended a nearby street festival one evening.

On our walk, I mentioned my need for a stylist. She told me that her daughter-in-law owns a local salon; Rachel has been cutting my hair ever since.

When I expressed my interest in adopting a cat, Beth was supportive. In fact, she keeps my cat company when the occasional in-person gig keeps me away for a longer period of time. Similarly, when Beth leaves town, I water the plants and turn on the porch lights.

The reciprocity of our arrangement has given me a sense of neighborly connection in this familiar, yet new place.

Admittedly, the small size of my living space leaves me a bit crunched occasionally. At these times, the porch and hammock provide respite.

Although my kitchenette includes a full-sized refrigerator, it doesn't have an oven, so cooking options are limited. Always gracious, Beth lets me use her fully-equipped kitchen when I need it.

Living with a stranger at this point in my life was not what I imagined. Yet it has afforded me the chance to live in my dream city that would otherwise be off-limits.

At some point, I'll seek something more private, but this setup has been a fortuitous experience. It's reminded me that I don't have to have it all figured out before I take a chance on myself — and that, as the saying goes, strangers are just friends you haven't met yet.

• I'm an American who moved to the Netherlands earlier this year.
• Although I've always loved traveling around Europe, I'm now able to do so with ease.
• Some of my favorite cities to explore include Salzburg, Budapest, and Barcelona.

I've always loved traveling around Europe. But now that I moved from the US to the Netherlands, I have even more of an excuse to explore the continent.

Over the years, I've checked 19 European countries off my bucket list. Here are five of my favorite cities to visit.

Salzburg, Austria, offers a perfect mix of history and movie nostalgia.

I'll admit, I was originally pulled toward Salzburg, Austria, because I wanted to see the fountain from "The Sound of Music" (and it didn't disappoint).

However, I found the city offers so much more. My husband and I stumbled upon Mozart's childhood home, explored the sprawling Fortress Hohensalzburg that towers over the city, and had a pretzel and beer at the Stiegl brewery.

I wasn't quite done with my personal "The Sound of Music" tour, though, so we also visited the Felsenreitschule Amphitheatre — the stone venue where the von Trapp family sings in the film. It's also where the Salzburg Music Festival is hosted every summer.

I learned so much during my time in Budapest.

During my visit to Budapest, one of my favorite activities was exploring Margaret Island, a 1.6-mile-long stretch of land that has everything from swimming pools to an outdoor theater.

After the sun went down, I loved visiting the Musical Fountain, where I caught a colorful water and light show complete with music. It looked like something straight out of the movie "Fantasia."

I also recommend heading to some of the museums and memorials to learn more about some of the darker chapters in Budapest's history. These experiences were emotional but I learned a lot.

For example, I held back tears while touring the House of Terror museum, which commemorates victims of Hungary's fascist and communist dictatorships.

Visiting the haunting "Shoes on the Danube Bank" memorial — which honors the Jewish victims who were shot into the Danube by members of the Arrow Cross Party — was also a moving and worthwhile experience.

Florence is the perfect Italian getaway.

I love Florence because, in my opinion, the city feels like a giant open-air museum. You turn one corner, and you're face-to-face with the iconic Duomo. Go a few more blocks and duck into an unassuming museum and you're greeted by Michelangelo's 17-foot-tall David statue.

Although the art museums in Florence are unmatched, my favorite experience was grabbing a pistachio cannoli as big as my forearm, crossing the bridge to Piazzale Michelangelo, and soaking up the view under the warm Italian sun.

Another great thing about Florence? Its proximity to the smaller Italian cities that are equally worth a visit, like Siena, Pisa, and Vinci.

Meandering around Bath, England, makes me feel like Georgian royalty.

If I'm going to England, I'm going to make every effort to hop on a train to Bath. Walking around blocks filled with honey-colored limestone buildings really does feel like you've been transported into a Jane Austen novel.

Despite being a smaller city, I've never had difficulty finding something to do. Of course, there's the tour of the beautifully preserved 2000-year-old Roman baths.

Then there's my favorite spot in town: the Royal Crescent, a row of 30 terraced houses that has been featured in "Bridgerton" and several "Persuasion" adaptations. I particularly enjoyed touring the No. 1 Royal Crescent Museum, which is decorated as if a Georgian family still lives there.

But honestly, when I go to Bath, I don't want to pack my schedule. I want to amble around, sit in a park, or enjoy a cup of tea with a scone and clotted cream.

Barcelona won me over with its tapas and architecture.

I visited Barcelona during my first trip to Spain. At the time, I knew very little about Spanish history, including architect Antoni Gaudí. However, I felt like he was an invisible host throughout the city, with the buildings he designed peppered all around.

One of his greatest works of art, however, is the Sagrada Família — the famous basilica that was recently completed after 144 years of construction. Touring its towers was a highlight of my trip.

But what really stuck with me (physically and symbolically) was the cuisine in Barcelona. From the simple pa amb tomàquet (bread with olive oil and tomatoes) to pan-fried Padrón peppers, I found myself constantly on the hunt for my next mini-meal.

• Chef Heena Patel of Besharam in San Francisco shared her tips for finding a great Indian restaurant.
• Patel said you should always try an Indian restaurant that makes its roti and naan in-house.
• Okra, bitter melon, and opo squash are green flags on any Indian restaurant menu.

When Heena Patel first moved to the Bay Area in California, she started selling her homemade Gujarati food at the local farmers market. She'd often come home without making a profit, but she refused to give up on her dream — or her cuisine.

Patel is now the James Beard-nominated owner and chef of Besharam, a regional Gujarati restaurant in San Francisco that pays tribute to the dishes of her heritage and childhood.

"Just as my guests step outside their comfort zones, I do the same with them, trusting they'll embrace my menu with an open mind," Patel told Business Insider. "That's how I hope to put Gujarati food on the map."

Patel also hopes to help diners expand their perception of Indian cuisine. Here are her tips for finding a great Indian restaurant.

Okra and bitter melon are green flags

"Produce like okra, bitter melon, and opo squash are common in Indian cooking," Patel said. "So if you see these ingredients on a menu, you're in for a treat."

One of Patel's favorite okra dishes is bhindi masala, which she said "allows okra to shine with its crisp texture."

A variety of regional dishes on the menu

"India has so much to offer, and each dish is rich with history," Patel said. "Growing up, we tried foods from many different regions that have enriched my palate and helped shape me as a chef."

"If you see menus that highlight different dishes from various regions in India, it is a good indication that the chef is focused on authentic regional cuisine," she added.

When it comes to Gujarati dishes, Patel recommends trying rotla — a traditional flatbread which, unlike naan, is unleavened — and dhokla, a savory sponge cake.

For North Indian cuisine, Patel loves sarson ka saag — a Punjabi dish of mustard greens cooked with spices — and the lamb kebabs of Uttar Pradesh.

You can't go wrong with vindaloo, a spicy and tangy curry dish from Goa in western India, or sambhar, a lentil-based stew from Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state. Bengal's mishti doi dessert will give you a taste of the east, while chana samosas from Chhattisgarh will take you to India's central region.

The bread is key

"It is definitely worth trying an Indian restaurant that makes rotis and naan in-house," Patel told Business Insider.

Indian cuisine also features a variety of flatbreads popular in different regions. Patel recommends trying rotli, paratha, and bhakri.

And once you've found a great restaurant, don't play it safe and always stick to the same dishes.

"Indian food isn't just about individual dishes; it's about building each bite with different flavors," Patel said. "A curry or a dal on its own is just one part of the experience."

"The real magic happens when you layer flavors by adding chutneys, pickles, rotis, and rice," she added. "My advice? Trust your server."

• Rebecca Yarros brought readers back into her "Empyrean" universe with "Threshing Day."
• The collection of stories offers clues about the series' future, which ended on a cliffhanger.
• The author has also shared hints about how Violet Sorrengail's story will continue in interviews.

Rebecca Yarros' next "Fourth Wing" book is out, but it's not the fourth novel in the "Empyrean" series.

It's been over a year since Yarros released "Onyx Storm," which continues the story of Violet Sorrengail's journey to become a dragon rider and fight forces of dark magic at Basgiath War College after books one and two in the series, "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame." The series is set to comprise five novels, all published by Entangled's fantasy imprint, Red Tower.

"Onyx Storm" — the fastest-selling adult novel released in 20 years — ended on a cliffhanger, so Yarros' readers have been clamoring to get their hands on the next romantasy novel in the series since the moment they finished book three.

Yarros has confirmed on Instagram that she is writing book four, but it will still be a while before it's published. However, on Tuesday, Yarros released a collection of short stories set in the "Empyrean" universe, "Threshing Day," giving readers a taste of what the future of her series may hold.

Keep reading for a rundown of everything we know about "Empyrean" book four and how "Threshing Day" fits into the series.

Warning: The rest of this article has spoilers for the "Empyrean" series, including "Threshing Day."

Yarros started writing the fourth 'Empyrean' novel in March 2026

Yarros released the first three books in the "Empyrean" series in under two years. "Fourth Wing" came out in April 2023, "Iron Flame" was released in October 2023, and "Onyx Storm" hit shelves in January 2025.

Yarros made clear she wouldn't be writing book four at the same pace. Speaking at an engagement in Philadelphia on January 25, 2025, Yarros said she wouldn't commit to a release date, as she was planning to write a contemporary novel first.

Yarros later told Elle that she intended to rest before returning to writing in part because the amount of work she did in recent years wasn't good for her mentally or physically, as she has chronic medical conditions, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, and POTS, an autonomic nervous system disorder.

She kept her word, keeping largely quiet about book four for the rest of 2025. Then, on February 8, 2026, she shared on Instagram that she had begun plotting, and on March 19, 2026, she posted a Reel announcing she had begun writing the next "Empyrean" novel.

In the Reel, Yarros walks up to a board and writes "#4" at the top.

"And now that my latest contemporary novel is off to my editor, I'm back writing in the Empyrean world for the foreseeable future," Yarros captioned the post. "Let's ride."

The author has posted a few updates about her progress since then, most notably on June 13. She shared a short video clip on Instagram of an ocean view and said in her caption that she would be spending the summer writing at the beach.

"Our home is undergoing distractingly noisy work, which gives us the perfect excuse to pack up our kids and spend the summer on Deverelli time while I'm writing book 4," she said. Deverelli is an isle that Violet visits in "Onyx Storm," and it plays a key role in the book's plot.

It will still be a while before the fourth "Empyrean" book hits bookshelves, but fans can rest assured that Yarros will be focused on the novel in the coming months.

The fourth book will hopefully address unanswered questions from 'Onyx Storm'

There was no shortage of drama at the end of "Onyx Storm."

First, Xaden took more power from the earth, speeding up his transition into a dark magic-wielding venin, one of the main antagonists in the series, and sending him down a path toward evil. Another unnamed dragon rider turned venin as well.

One of Violet's dragons, Andarna, returned to her after her time away with the irid dragons, and Violet woke up with a wedding ring and blessing of her marriage to Xaden from the goddess Dunne, with no memory of the last 12 hours of her life.

In the book's final line, her fellow rider Imogen Cardulo reveals she used her signet power to wipe Violet's memory of the night — at her request. Violet's brother, Brennan, also revealed that six dragon eggs and four riders, including Xaden and his best friend, Garrick Tavis, are missing.

Hopefully, the fourth book in the "Empyrean" series will reveal what happened between Violet and Xaden, where Xaden and the other missing riders are, the location of the missing eggs, what Andarna learned from her time with the irids, and how Xaden's additional use of his venin powers harmed his soul.

Likewise, Violet will likely still be searching for a cure to save Xaden from being venin, but as his wife, she also becomes the Duchess of Tyrrendor. She will have new power and responsibility in his absence, and readers will have to wait to see how she balances her new role as she develops her signets.

Hints from 'Threshing Day'

On September 29, 2026, Yarros released a new "Empyrean" collection called "Threshing Day." It tells the stories of 13 cadets at Basgiath as they bond with their dragons in the high-stakes, often life-threatening experience known as Threshing. Violet made history as the first rider to bond two dragons on her Threshing Day in "Fourth Wing."

Most of the "Empyrean" series is told from Violet's point of view, but Yarros said during an appearance on the "Fantasy Fangirls" podcast in October 2025 that she plans for the fourth installment to be told from multiple perspectives, including the character Sloane Mairi specifically. "Threshing Day" offers a bridge to those new perspectives, as all the featured riders are characters who could tell future "Fourth Wing" stories, like Sloane, Xaden, and Imogen.

The collection also addressed a plot device Yarros has used in the novels. After riders bond a dragon, the rider announces the dragon's name to the Scribes so it can be recorded, rather than the dragons communicating directly with the Scribes. Yarros previously said that creates the possibility that the dragons or riders are lying about their identities.

It is forbidden for riders to bond with their direct ancestors' dragons, as it allows riders to develop second signets. In the text, it appeared like some dragons wanted to bond with the children or grandchildren of rebels they had worked with in the past, skirting the rules. However, it wasn't clear how that worked until "Threshing Day."

In some cases, like that of Imogen's dragon Glane, the dragon pretends to be someone he or she is not, taking advantage of the fact that it is difficult for humans to tell dragons apart. For others, it is human lies that allow them to break the rules. Xaden's dragon, Sgaeyl, was able to bond with him because his grandmother lied about who his grandfather was.

Yarros also included scenes showing dragons specifically seeking out the rebel children, confirming that the dragons are invested in the fight against venin as well. Both Sloane and Xaden's cousin, Bodhi Durran, are told by their older peers during their Threshings that a dragon is looking for them, intending to bond with them in part because of their ties to the rebels.

"Threshing Day" offered further insight into who may have turned venin at the end of "Onyx Storm" as well.

Speaking at an event in Denver on February 2, 2025, Yarros advised readers to "pay attention to who's missing at the end" and "someone who feels like whatever they have given is not enough, which is always the case when you turn venin."

Bodhi, Garrick, and Violet's brother Brennan fit that description at the end of "Onyx Storm," and all three appear in "Threshing Day." Yarros seemed to foreshadow that Bodhi or Garrick, in particular, could have turned venin based on their behavior during their Threshings, with Garrick putting others before himself too often and Bodhi feeling like it is his personal responsibility to keep Xaden safe.

You can read more about the most important details in "Threshing Day" here.

Yarros shared some clues for book four while promoting 'Onyx Storm'

Yarros went on an "Onyx Storm" book tour after the book's January 2025 release, offering some insight into the series' future as she connected with fans.

At an event in Los Angeles on January 21, 2025, Yarros said, "Someone you love won't make it in book four." That comment isn't that surprising, as beloved characters have died in each installment of the series. However, Yarros got more specific with her hints as her book tour continued.

At an event in St. Louis on January 31, 2025, Yarros shared that readers have more to discover about the isles Violet explores in "Onyx Storm." When host Lexi Ryan asked her why there was no map of the isles included in "Onyx Storm," Yarros said it "was deemed to be too spoilery" by her editorial team, suggesting Violet doesn't know all she will about the isles by the end of book three.

Speaking more on signet powers in Denver, Yarros said readers had only seen "like 10%" of Violet's dream-walking abilities, in part because others who developed the power would have been killed, making it difficult for Violet to learn how to use the signet.

"There's probably one person alive that can train her," Yarros said, though she gave no information about who that person is.

She also said Xaden's "inntinnsic" signet has only reached "like 50%" of its potential, so his mind-reading abilities will likely grow in book four.

And Yarros revealed at the Los Angeles Festival of Books in April 2025 that she has a title picked out for the fourth book, though she didn't say what it was.

Yarros offered more information about the next 'Empyrean' novel in late 2025

When Yarros appeared at Romantasy Bookcon in Orlando in October 2025, hosted by Fabled Fantasy Events, she spoke with the hosts of the "Fantasy Fangirls" podcast, Lexi Ayala and Nicole Holleman, about the "Empyrean" series.

First, Yarros discussed how the dramatic ending of "Onyx Storm" will impact the next book, telling Ayala and Holleman that readers will know what happened to Violet during her 12 missing hours by the novel's end.

Yarros also warned that readers "should really be prepared in book four to see Xaden enter his villain era," indicating his marriage to Violet won't stop him from going full venin in the next "Empyrean" novel.

The "Fantasy Fangirls" also asked Yarros if Imogen had been wiping Violet's memories at other times in the "Empyrean" series, which many readers had been wondering after the ending of "Onyx Storm." Rather than giving a direct answer, Yarros said, "I think it depends on what you believe of Imogen's character. What has Imogen shown you of her character? What has she told Violet about her signet?"

In the "Empyrean" series, readers only see Imogen wipe memories when Violet or Xaden specifically ask her to. However, since the series is largely told from Violet's limited perspective, there may have been occasions when Imogen wiped people's memories without Violet's knowledge. The inclusion of multiple POVs in book four could offer new insight.

Likewise, Yarros addressed some of her readers' concerns surrounding Bodhi, as there is a contingent of "Empyrean" fans who think Xaden's cousin has feelings for Violet, saying, "Bodhi has a thing for what Xaden has. But he doesn't want to."

Her response indicates that Bodhi may be jealous of Xaden rather than in love with Violet. And considering he is one of the potential candidates to have turned venin at the end of "Onyx Storm," Yarros' response is particularly eyebrow-raising.

Finally, Yarros told readers to pay attention to the black dragons in the "Empyrean" series, encouraging them to ask themselves why there are so few black dragons in the world, adding that it's "very relevant" that two new baby black dragons hatched in "Iron Flame."

Hopefully, Yarros' clues can tide readers over until book four is published. In the meantime, they can read other romantasy novels to make the wait a bit more bearable.

South Park is back for Season 29, and this time the adult animated comedy series has rebranded as South America (with a new intro theme to boot). We've compiled everything you need to know about where to watch South Park, including global streaming options and an episode release schedule.

If you don't want to read any further, new episodes will be available to live stream on Comedy Central in the US via services like Philo, YouTube TV, and Fubo. New episodes are available the next day on Paramount Plus in the US, Canada, and Australia. You can access your streaming options from anywhere with a VPN, like NordVPN.

*New episodes will drop every other week

Where to watch South Park in the US

New episodes of South Park air on Comedy Central on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT in the US. Season 29 episodes will drop every other week, starting September 16. Cord-cutters looking to live stream the new season have a few different options to explore.

One of the cheapest ways to live stream Comedy Central in the US is through Philo, a budget-friendly platform that ranks among the best live TV streaming services we've tested. Subscriptions start at $25 a month for 70+ lifestyle and entertainment channels, including Comedy Central. Philo Essential offers a seven-day free trial for new customers.

YouTube TV and Fubo are two other popular live TV streaming services with Comedy Central. They're more expensive than Philo, but they offer a massive selection of popular channels and serve as true cable alternatives (though they're available month-to-month, so there are no long-term contracts).

YouTube TV is one of the top live TV services on the market. Comedy Central is available in the service's Main plan, which carries over 100 live channels, including local networks and cable favorites. Subscriptions cost $83 a month, but a limited-time YouTube TV deal will knock the first five months of service down to $68 a month after a free trial for new users.

Fubo also carries a massive selection of networks, ranging from local channels to cable networks. Subscriptions start at $89 a month for the Comedy Comedy-friendly Pro plan. First-time customers can get $25 off their first month after a free trial.

If you're looking for a cheaper option and don't mind waiting a day, new episodes of South Park will drop on Paramount Plus on Thursdays. We checked the platform on Thursday morning, and the season premiere was already available, so you won't have to wait too long for episodes to turn up. Subscriptions start at $9 a month for ad-supported programming with the Essential tier. You can upgrade to Premium for $14 a month, which unlocks ad-free on-demand programming, Showtime content, and a CBS live stream.

How to watch South Park in Canada and Australia

International South Park fans in several regions can catch new and old episodes on Paramount Plus. The latest season is available in multiple countries, and exact Paramount Plus subscription prices vary from region to region. In Canada, subscriptions start at $8 CAD a month. In Australia, subscriptions start at $8 AUD a month.

How to watch South Park from anywhere

New episodes of South Park will also be available on Paramount Plus on Thursdays in select regions, including Canada and Australia. However, if you happen to be traveling through a region where you find yourself unable to access your usual streaming methods, you can still do so with the help of a VPN.

Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are handy tools that let people temporarily alter their virtual locations, so their favorite websites and apps work just like they would back home. A VPN is also an instant way to boost cybersecurity. Since the services we've highlighted require country-specific payment methods, this option will work best for those who are just traveling away from home.

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs around. It's fast, user-friendly, and has a 30-day money-back guarantee if you find it's not what you're looking for.

• See also: Paramount Plus streaming service | Where to watch Dancing with the Stars | Best streaming services

South Park Season 29 release schedule

• Episode 1: September 16
• Episode 2: September 30
• Episode 3: October 14
• Episode 4: October 28
• Episode 5: November 11
• Episode 6: November 25

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

• Great burger joints can be found in every corner of the country.
• We found the most famous burger restaurants nationwide based on local lore and reviews.
• From nostalgic drive-ins to local institutions, here's the most iconic burger joint in every state.

Fire up the grill or hit the road — few foods are more quintessentially American than a great burger.

We found the most iconic or best-known burger joints in every state, from nationally known institutions like In-N-Out Burger in California to tiny roadside stands that have become local legends.

Our list includes burger destinations with historical or regional significance and devoted local or national followings. Many have been serving their signature patties for decades, earned major accolades, or been featured on TV — proof that an unforgettable burger can be found in every corner of the country.

Here's the most iconic burger joint in every state.

ALABAMA: Vicki's Lunch Van in Montgomery

Vicki's Lunch Van isn't much to look at from the outside, but that's part of the charm of this no-frills Montgomery institution.

Open since 2003, it's best known for thick, hand-patted burgers that are much bigger than you'd expect from a place called a lunch van, served simply with classic toppings and golden fries.

ALASKA: Arctic Roadrunner in Anchorage

Arctic Roadrunner has been feeding Anchorage since 1964, when Richard Sanchis started selling cheeseburgers from a trailer before opening a permanent restaurant.

Its burgers feature names inspired by the state, such as the Kenai Whopper and Kodiak Islander, while longtime customers can even earn a spot in the restaurant's photo gallery, which spans over 20 years of visits.

ARIZONA: The Chuckbox in Tempe

The Chuckbox has been grilling burgers in Tempe since 1972, and thankfully, not much has changed. Burgers are still cooked over an open mesquite fire, giving them their signature smoky char, and the restaurant remains cash-only.

Locals recommend the Tijuana Torpedo, topped with jalapeño jack cheese and green chile, for a burger with distinctly Southwestern heat.

ARKANSAS: Hugo's in Fayetteville

You have to head underground to find one of Arkansas' most beloved burgers. Located in a basement just off Fayetteville's historic square since 1977, Hugo's has become a longtime hangout for generations of University of Arkansas students.

Its burgers, homemade fries, beer-cheese soup, and famously retro atmosphere have helped make the restaurant a Fayetteville institution.

CALIFORNIA: In-N-Out Burger in Baldwin Park

California's most iconic burger is also one of its most widely available — at least in the state; not so much elsewhere in the country.

Harry and Esther Snyder opened the first location in Baldwin Park in 1948, where the restaurant's two-way speaker system helped pioneer the drive-thru ordering experience.

More than 75 years later, the tiny menu, Double-Double, Animal Style fries, and red-and-yellow branding are practically synonymous with Southern California.

COLORADO: My Brother's Bar in Denver

My Brother's Bar has only had its current name since 1970, but people have been drinking at its Denver address since 1873, making it one of the city's oldest continuously operating bars.

Today, it's nearly as famous for burgers like the three-cheese Johnny Burger and buffalo-bison Ralphie burger as it is for its lengthy history.

CONNECTICUT: Louis' Lunch in New Haven

Louis' Lunch has one of the strongest claims to inventing the hamburger, so naming it Connecticut's most iconic burger joint was a no-brainer.

The Lassen family says Louis Lassen first put ground steak between slices of toast for a customer in a rush way back in 1900. The restaurant still cooks its burgers in antique vertical broilers and serves them on toast with only cheese, tomato, or onion available as toppings.

DELAWARE: The Charcoal Pit in Wilmington

The Charcoal Pit looks like the kind of burger joint you'd see in a 1950s movie … except it really has been around since 1956.

Flame-broiled burgers, triple-spun milkshakes, red booths, and a giant neon sign have made the local restaurant a nostalgic favorite for generations of Delaware diners.

The restaurant's customers over the years have included US presidents, including Barack Obama and Delaware native Joe Biden, who has been going for years.

FLORIDA: El Cap in St. Petersburg

There are plenty of flashy places to grab a burger in Florida, but El Cap has become a St. Petersburg favorite by being pretty much the opposite.

The old-school neighborhood joint keeps its burgers straightforward, serving thin patties with classic toppings like lettuce and tomato alongside pints of ice-cold beer.

GEORGIA: Holeman and Finch in Atlanta

Holeman and Finch turned its burger into an Atlanta legend by making it almost impossible to get at first. After opening in 2008, the restaurant famously served just 24 burgers at 10 p.m. each night, prompting crowds to gather for a chance to try it.

The double cheeseburger became so popular that it eventually made its way onto the regular menu.

HAWAII: Teddy's Bigger Burgers in Honolulu

Teddy's Bigger Burgers grew out of backyard cookouts before founders Ted Tsakiris and Rich Stula opened their first restaurant near Diamond Head in 1998.

The homegrown chain became known for big, charbroiled burgers topped with everything from avocado to grilled pineapple. After decades of local "best burger" recognition and expansion beyond Hawaii, Teddy's remains one of the islands' biggest burger success stories.

IDAHO: Hudson's Hamburgers in Coeur d'Alene

Hudson's Hamburgers has been keeping things simple since Harley Hudson opened his first burger stand in Coeur d'Alene in 1907. The menu has barely changed in more than a century: Burgers come with pickles and onions, and you still won't find fries or milkshakes.

Five generations of the Hudson family have worked the grill, making this tiny counter spot a piece of Idaho history.

ILLINOIS: Au Cheval in Chicago

Au Cheval has only been around since 2012, but its burger didn't need long to become a Chicago icon.

Bon Appétit raved about it almost immediately, calling the griddled burger — stacked with American cheese, Dijonnaise, and pickles — potentially its favorite in the country and "just about perfect." The resulting hype helped turn long waits into part of the Au Cheval experience.

INDIANA: Powers Hamburgers in Fort Wayne

Powers Hamburgers has been slinging tiny sliders in Fort Wayne since 1940, when founder Leo Powers sold them for only a nickel apiece.

The burgers are still made with thin beef patties, cooked with a generous pile of sliced onions, and served on steamed buns. The original 20-seat diner with a wraparound counter is the last surviving location of what was once a larger regional chain.

IOWA: Dixie's Biergarten in Decorah

Dixie's Biergarten is a newcomer to Iowa's burger scene, but it already has a pretty convincing claim to fame: Its smashburger was named Iowa's Best Burger in 2026 by the Iowa Beef Industry Council.

The winning burger stacks two chuck-and-brisket patties with American cheese, fried onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and house smash burger sauce.

KANSAS: The Cozy Inn in Salina

If the smell of onions doesn't hit you before you enter the Cozy Inn, it certainly will once you're inside.

The six-seat Salina institution has been making tiny, onion-laden sliders since 1922, when they sold for just 5 cents each. More than a century later, the menu is still remarkably simple, and ordering a sack of sliders remains a Kansas tradition.

KENTUCKY: Laha's Red Castle in Hodgenville

Opened in 1934, Laha's Red Castle is the kind of old-school burger joint where watching your lunch hit the griddle is half the experience.

The tiny Hodgenville diner is known for thin, juicy burgers cooked with onions on a well-seasoned griddle right behind the counter, filling the restaurant with the smell of sizzling beef and caramelized onions.

The patties are small enough that regulars often order them as doubles or triples, stacked on soft buns for a simple, old-school burger that hasn't needed much updating over the years.

LOUISIANA: Port of Call in New Orleans

Port of Call started as a small neighborhood steakhouse in 1963, but these days, its burgers are just as famous as its steaks.

The French Quarter institution serves massive half-pound burgers alongside loaded baked potatoes and has collected numerous local "best burger" honors over the years.

MAINE: Fat Boy Drive-In in Brunswick

Fat Boy Drive-In has been serving burgers from its retro Brunswick drive-in since 1955.

The restaurant spent more than 50 years under the same family before changing hands in 2020, with its new owner pledging to preserve the nostalgic experience and simple menu of burgers, fries, and homemade-tasting milkshakes.

MARYLAND: Abbey Burger Bistro in Baltimore

You can have it your way at this Baltimore burger bar. Opened in Baltimore's Federal Hill neighborhood in 2008, Abbey Burger Bistro features a choose-your-own-adventure approach to burgers.

Customers can select everything from classic beef to more unusual proteins and then work through a checklist of buns, cheeses, sauces, and toppings to create their ideal burger.

MASSACHUSETTS: White Hut in West Springfield

White Hut is a Western Massachusetts institution built around one gloriously simple formula: thin burgers, griddled onions, and soft buns.

Since it opened in 1939, generations of locals have crowded around the counter for its inexpensive burgers, often topped with the restaurant's signature fried onions and melted white American cheese.

MICHIGAN: Motz's Burgers in Detroit

The name of this iconic burger joint has changed over the decades, but Motz's says the style of its famous sliders hasn't. Originally the location of a White Castle, Motz's traces its history to 1929, when its flagship location opened on Fort Street.

Its little burgers are still made with fresh beef and onions, then paired with crispy shoestring fries, onion rings, and classic milkshakes for an appropriately old-school Detroit meal.

MINNESOTA: Matt's Bar and Grill in Minneapolis

You can't talk about Minnesota burgers without talking about the Jucy Lucy, and Matt's Bar has one of the strongest claims to inventing it.

The restaurant says the cheese-stuffed burger was born shortly after it opened in 1954, when a customer asked for cheese to be sealed between two patties and exclaimed that it was "one juicy Lucy" after taking a bite.

MISSISSIPPI: Stamps Super Burgers in Jackson

Stamps began as a Jackson grocery store purchased by Algernon Stamps Sr. in 1970, before the family eventually shifted its focus from groceries to burgers.

The family has long been known for its thick, generously sized beef patties. Three generations of the family have continued the tradition.

MISSOURI: Town Topic Hamburgers in Kansas City

Town Topic has been serving burgers since 1937, when two former White Castle employees opened the original Kansas City location and sold hamburgers for just 5 cents.

The thin, griddled burgers proved so popular that the business expanded, though today its historic locations retain the feel of old-school lunch or diner counters.

MONTANA: The Burger Dive in Billings

The Burger Dive is famous for its berry-topped burger, invented by owner Brad Halsten, which won the burger category at the 2016 World Food Championships, the Billings Gazette reported.

The "I'm Your Huckleberry" burger combines Angus beef with huckleberry-Hatch chile barbecue sauce, bacon, goat cheese, roasted red pepper mayo, and arugula.

NEBRASKA: Dinker's in Omaha

Dinker's started as a South Omaha bar in 1965, when founder Frank "Dinker" Synowiecki added a hot plate to serve hungry factory workers coming off overnight shifts.

Burgers eventually became the bar's main attraction, with a long list of toppings and combinations turning the neighborhood bar into one of Omaha's best-known burger destinations.

Decades later, it still feels much more like a neighborhood watering hole than a polished burger restaurant, which is part of the local appeal.

NEVADA: Best Burger in Las Vegas

In a city packed with celebrity-chef restaurants and over-the-top casino dining, Best Burger keeps things refreshingly simple.

The 24-hour Las Vegas spot is known for straightforward cheeseburgers, patty melts, fries, and thick milkshakes, making it as useful for a go-to lunch as it is for a very late-night Vegas meal.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Papa Joe's Humble Kitchen in Milford

Chef "Papa Joe," his wife, son, and daughter opened this burger-focused restaurant turned local institution in 2009 after years in the New Hampshire restaurant business.

Its burgers are made from the family's signature seasoned, fresh-ground beef, which is then scooped onto the grill and served on toasted buns. Its simplicity has made this tiny burger spot a New Hampshire favorite.

NEW JERSEY: White Manna in Hackensack

Few New Jersey burger joints are as instantly recognizable as White Manna, a tiny white building where customers crowd around the griddle to watch their sliders cook.

The Hackensack institution is famous for little patties cooked under a mountain of onions, topped with cheese, and tucked into soft potato rolls. They're served on top of a crowded counter, backed by the sizzle of a grill, making the experience distinctly New Jersey.

NEW MEXICO: Buckhorn Tavern in San Antonio

New Mexico takes its green chile cheeseburgers seriously, and the Buckhorn Tavern has one of the state's most famous versions.

The Buckhorn Burger piles green chile and cheese onto beef with mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles, and famously beat Bobby Flay in a Food Network competition back in 2009.

NEW YORK: J.G. Melon in New York City

J.G. Melon has been serving one of New York City's most famous burgers from its Upper East Side home since 1972.

The cheeseburger keeps things classic with a thick, juicy griddled patty on a toasted bun, best paired with the restaurant's signature cottage fries and a Bloody Mary.

More than 50 years later, the green-checkered tablecloths, walls adorned with watermelon artwork, and perpetually busy dining room make grabbing a burger here a quintessential New York experience.

NORTH CAROLINA: Melvin's Hamburgers & Hot Dogs in Elizabethtown

Melvin's has been an Elizabethtown institution since 1938, when it opened as a pool hall that happened to serve burgers and hot dogs.

It's now regarded by Southern Living as one of the most beloved burger joints in the South, and the menu is still refreshingly simple.

Order the burger "all the way," and it comes topped Carolina-style with mustard, chili, onions, and the restaurant's closely guarded slaw.

NORTH DAKOTA: Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews in Bismarck

Sickies Garage doesn't exactly believe in keeping the burger menu short, and that's what's made it one of the most popular spots in a state known for its meat.

According to its website, the North Dakota-born concept offers roughly 50 different kinds of burgers, ranging from straightforward cheeseburgers to a Glazed Doughnut Burger that uses exactly the kind of bun you'd guess from its name.

OHIO: Swensons Drive-In in Akron

Swensons has been an Ohio tradition since 1934, a year after founder Wesley "Pop" Swenson started selling burgers from his station wagon.

Its signature Galley Boy burger stacks two patties with two secret sauces and tops the bun with a single green olive, while employees still bring orders directly to customers' cars, car-hop style.

OKLAHOMA: Sid's Diner in El Reno

Sid's Diner has famously kept the tradition of the fried onion burger alive with its signature offering, which sees cheap onions pressed into beef to stretch patties further and create what became one of Oklahoma's defining foods.

Sid's even helped launch El Reno's very own annual Burger Day in 1989, a tradition that's celebrated each year with a gigantic fried onion burger.

OREGON: Five Stars Family Burger in Cornelius

Five Stars Family Burger puts an Oregon-meets-Korea spin on the neighborhood burger joint. The restaurant has earned accolades, including being ranked by Yelp as Oregon's best burger joint.

Alongside classic cheeseburgers made with local beef and Tillamook cheese, the family-run Cornelius restaurant serves burgers incorporating kimchi and bulgogi, reflecting the Yim family's Korean roots.

PENNSYLVANIA: Lucky's Last Chance in Philadelphia

Lucky's Last Chance isn't afraid to get weird with a burger, and that's exactly what made it stand out in a city better known for its melted cheesesteaks.

This iconic burger joint's PB & Bacon burger tops thick beef patties with peanut butter, American cheese, and bacon, with grape jelly on the side.

The burger is so popular that it has twice won the People's Choice award at the Philadelphia Burger Brawl.

RHODE ISLAND: Harry's on the Hill in Providence

Harry's proves you don't need a giant patty to make a memorable burger. The Providence spot specializes in freshly ground sliders served two at a time.

Throw in a craft beer or boozy milkshake, and you'll see why Harry's has turned the humble slider into one of Rhode Island's signature burger experiences.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Little Jack's Tavern in Charleston

Opened in 2016, Little Jack's Tavern may look more like a classic, old-school neighborhood steakhouse in the historic city of Charleston, but its burger has become the real celebrity.

The Tavern Burger keeps things nice and simple with a thin griddled patty, American cheese, onions, sauce, and a sesame bun.

Bon Appétit helped to put the burger on the national map, telling readers to "ignore the alluring steaks section of the menu in favor of the thin four-ounce patty," which the magazine said "evokes a drive-thru burger in the best possible way."

SOUTH DAKOTA: Sugar Shack in Deadwood

The Sugar Shack is the kind of roadside burger spot you'll always remember fondly from your cross-country road trip.

The tiny, casual restaurant outside Deadwood is known for big, juicy burgers served with little fuss, drawing locals, bikers, and travelers exploring the area and the Black Hills.

TENNESSEE: Dyer's Burgers in Memphis

Dyer's Burgers has been a Memphis institution since 1912, and its unusual cooking method is a big reason.

The burgers are deep-fried in cooking grease that the restaurant says has been continuously strained and replenished since founder Elmer "Doc" Dyer made the first batch more than a century ago.

That means the original grease isn't literally still being used to fry its burgers — fresh grease is added as needed, but still preserving what Dyer's calls its "century-old flavor."

TEXAS: Dirty Martin's Place in Austin

Dirty Martin's has been feeding Austin since 1926, when John Martin opened what was then called Martin's Kum Bak Place. It had eight stools and a literal dirt floor, which eventually inspired its name.

Since then, generations of University of Texas students have come for griddled burgers, including the O.T. Special, which the restaurant says was Austin's first bacon cheeseburger.

UTAH: Lucky 13 in Salt Lake City

Lucky 13 certainly isn't the only burger restaurant in Salt Lake, but it's got one of the most creative menus.

From the Nut Butter Burger, topped with peanut butter, bacon, and cheddar, to the habanero-loaded Ring of Fire, the burgers on this menu are anything but simple, earning them a statewide reputation.

VERMONT: Worthy Burger in South Royalton

Worthy Burger has been serving burgers in South Royalton since 2012. The farm-to-table restaurant cooks grass-fed Vermont beef over a hardwood fire for a signature smoky flavor, then tops its Worthy Burger with locally made Plymouth cheddar and house-made special sauce.

Its commitment to local ingredients is just one reason the spot has become a favorite among Vermont burger lovers.

VIRGINIA: Burger Bar in Bristol

Burger Bar has been serving burgers in downtown Bristol since 1942, making it one of the most historic burger restaurants in the state.

The restaurant is also tied to country-music history. Legend has it that Hank Williams ate his final meal there before he died in 1953, though the details of the story have been debated.

Today, the restaurant leans into that connection with burgers named after Williams' songs while continuing to serve classic burgers, fries, and shakes in a diner-like setting.

WASHINGTON: Frisko Freeze in Tacoma

Frisko Freeze has been serving burgers, fries, and milkshakes from its tiny Tacoma drive-in since 1950.

The building and its distinctive neon sign are so closely tied to the city that Frisko Freeze was even added to the Tacoma Register of Historic Places in 2008, a local news source reported at the time.

More than 75 years after opening, customers still line up for its classic cheeseburgers and old-school drive-in experience.

WEST VIRGINIA: Hillbilly Hot Dogs in Lesage

While you definitely want to also try a signature hot dog at this quirky roadside restaurant, its burgers come with similarly over-the-top toppings.

The restaurant has also become a West Virginia tourist attraction thanks to its collection of old school buses, license plates, signs, and other Appalachian-themed decor, drawing visitors from near and far.

WISCONSIN: Solly's Grille in Glendale

Solly's Grille has been serving Wisconsin's signature butter burgers since 1936. The iconic local burger features fresh sirloin topped with stewed onions and a generous amount of Wisconsin butter that melts across the patty and bun, earning a reputation for its juiciness.

In fact, the burger is so famous that the James Beard Foundation named Solly's an America's Classics winner in 2022, recognizing the family-owned diner's place in Wisconsin food history.

WYOMING: The Bird in Jackson

The Bird opened in Jackson in 2010 and has become a popular local stop for burgers, beer, and views of the surrounding mountains.

Its half-pound burgers are made with freshly ground beef and served on English muffins rather than traditional burger buns.

The restaurant has been awarded gold for Best Burger in Jackson Hole for eight consecutive years.

• Tennis phenom Ben Shelton said his training focuses on exercises for stability and explosive power.
• He said suffering through split squats and Copenhagen planks makes it easy to keep up on the court.
• His supplement stack has some gym bro favorites like creatine.

For nearly four and a half hours, Ben Shelton battled Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in a quarterfinals marathon.

More than a million viewers tuned in to the late-night match, one of the most-watched at the 2026 US Open. Fans were on the edge of their seats until around 3:30 a.m. on September 9, when the American finally claimed victory. Some joked about calling in sick to work after.

For Shelton, it was "another day at the office."

"The more you build up your match count, you build up your tolerance to playing that long; it starts to feel normal," he told Business Insider.

The 23-year-old, coached by his dad, former ATP champ Bryan Shelton, went pro in 2022 and now ranks fourth in the world.

Shelton has no plans to slow down, he said in our interview about his partnership with Thorne supplements. For the rising star, career longevity is as much a priority as winning matches now.

He shared details of his intense training regimen and how every set, rep, and drill is an investment in the long game.

"Many of the decisions that we make are choices not just for today, but for a long-term goal," Shelton said. "I know I'm not in my prime yet. I know I'm building toward something."

Exercises for explosive power

For a pro tennis player, Shelton was late to the sport. He grew up trying a little of everything — football, baseball, basketball, and swimming. It turns out to be an advantage, helping him build a versatile skillset before specializing in tennis.

His current training builds on his well-rounded athletic foundation by focusing on specific movement patterns for his tennis game.

That means a lot of single-sided exercises, like Bulgarian split squats, to hone balance and power on one leg at a time, ideal for agility.

"Bulgarians," as Shelton calls them, are perfect if you like feeling the burn. To do them, elevate one foot behind you onto a bench or box, bend the standing leg to 90 degrees, then straighten it, keeping your torso upright and engaging the glutes and quads. For more of a challenge, hold a weight, such as a dumbbell or kettlebell, in one or both hands.

To cultivate explosive power, Shelton uses plyometric moves like mini-hurdle hops and box jumps. Both types of exercise help ensure he has the engine to power through long, grueling sessions on the court.

He also takes his core training and stability seriously, repping out his "least favorite exercise in the world," the Copenhagen plank, to work the hip adductors, obliques, and deep abs.

It's a brutal variation on a side plank that involves balancing your top leg on a bench and lifting your hips to create a straight line from your foot to your shoulder. The bottom leg hovers under the bench — you need to use your inner thigh muscles to keep it off the ground.

"No matter how many times you do them, they still suck," Shelton said. "If you're going to be a pro athlete, you've got to be used to doing things that you don't enjoy."

The isometric hold in the plank — creating muscle tension from a static position — helps to strengthen small stabilizer muscles, joints, and tendons to prevent injury.

"A lot of serious injuries start with small ones or start with a different part of the body that makes you compensate," Shelton said. "Staying on top of the little things is really important."

Shelton's muscle-building supplement stack

Off the court and outside the gym, Shelton said he focuses on the basics like good sleep and good nutrition.

From there, he said, adding supplements gives him an extra edge that adds up to better performance over time.

"When you are consistent and build up over months or years, it really does start making a huge difference," he said.

Shelton's supplement stack includes:

• Whey protein: a convenient, easily-digestible strategy to get enough protein for muscle growth and recovery.
• Creatine powder: an affordable, multi-purpose boost to the body's energy stores to support muscle-building and brain health.
• Magnesium: a mineral that helps regulate the nervous system, supporting healthy sleep.
• Electrolytes: to replenish the nutrients lost through sweating to prevent dehydration and muscle cramps.
• Daily multivitamin: as insurance against nutritional deficiencies and to shore up the immune system.

Down time: watching movies and workout dates

Shelton's schedule isn't all business.

In his free time, he indulges in being a bit of a couch potato.

"I'm a homebody," he said. "I've watched more movies this year than probably anybody. I'm a pretty simple person."

He also unwinds by spending quality time with his girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, of the US Women's National Team. Tennis and soccer have similar off-seasons, so the pair use that time to work out together, in addition to supporting each other at competitions.

"I'll come out to her practice and play soccer with her, and she'll come out to mine and play tennis, and it's really enjoyable to be able to experience those things together," Shelton said. "I've learned from her how to enjoy myself more and take myself less seriously at times."

• New proposed SEC rules were announced on Wednesday to make it easier to invest in private markets.
• Previous rules required investors to have a certain amount of money to make private bets.
• One proposal would allow anyone over 18 to take a test and become an accredited investor.

Sharpen your pencils. If you weren't rich enough to invest in private equity before, you soon may just have to pass a test to put your money into the private markets.

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced on Wednesday a suite of proposed rules and regulatory actions to make it easier for people to invest in private equity, credit, and other private-market funds.

These funds are mostly only open to accredited investors, which has historically meant people with a net worth of more than $1 million, excluding their primary home, those who make more than $200,000 a year individually or $300,000 with a spouse, or certain licensed financial investing professionals.

One proposed regulatory change would open up accredited investing to more professional licenses — accountants, financial planners, investment bankers, and research analysts — but also add a new potential way to become an accredited investor: an exam.

The exam, yet to be developed, would be created by the brokerage-industry agency, Financial Industry Regulatory Agency, or FINRA. The idea, said SEC Chair Paul Atkins, is to allow investors to invest in private markets without having to prove their purse is big enough, even though he notes there are still "risks."

"I agree with the fundamental notion ingrained in today's notices that accredited investor access to private offerings should not be limited solely to individuals satisfying financial thresholds and that such thresholds are not the sole indicators of a person's ability to assess the merits and risks of an investment," Atkins said in commentary at the SEC public meeting.

A 2025 study sponsored by the SEC found that 12.6% of the population qualified as an accredited investor under the current rules.

What an exam might look like

While the exam is still in the works, it would be largely modeled on FINRA's existing Securities Industry Essentials Exam, which tests on basic securities-industry knowledge. Proposed topics include definitions and structures of securities, investment risks, disclosures, and conflicts of interest. Unlike the exam taken by aspiring financial professionals, passing it would not qualify someone to work in the securities business.

It would be open to anyone 18 or older and would have a fee similar to the SIE exam, $100.50. Those wanting to get access to private markets would have to do the test in person.

A push to private

These changes follow President Trump's executive order asking agencies to expand access to private markets and subsequent moves by the Trump administration's Department of Labor to make it easier to put private assets in 401(k) plans.

The other potential rules announced by the SEC have similar goals. One proposal would make it so that all business development companies, the structure behind many retail private credit funds, can offer multiple share classes that help advisors make more money selling the funds. Another rule would adjust redemption rules on controversial interval funds that were part of the focus of this spring's private credit redemption rush.

Finally, the Commission is proposing to make it easier for financial advisors to charge performance fees on their clients' accounts. Previously, they could only charge these fees on "qualified clients" with over $1.4 million in assets under management with the advisor, or those with a net worth of over $2.7 million.

US financial advisors currently allocate $1.9 trillion to private market strategies that are fully liquid, according to research firm Cerulli Associates. It expects that number to grow to $3.7 trillion through 2029.

This exam is still a long way off. But under the proposal, studying up and passing an exam could be enough to open the private markets to investors without seven-figure net worths — though fund minimums mean you may need more than pennies to actually invest.

• The Netflix movie "Unabomber" looks at the life of Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, and how he was captured.
• Shailene Woodley plays an FBI agent hot on his trail.
• Retired FBI agent James R. Fitzgerald, who helped bring down the Unabomber, tells Business Insider what the movie got right and what it got wrong.

Ted Kaczynski's decades-long acts of domestic terrorism that led to him being known as the Unabomber have been chronicled in books, documentaries, plays, and movies for years. Now Netflix is taking its swing.

In the streaming giant's original movie "Unabomber," the story splits between a young Kaczynski (played by Jacob Tremblay) as a test subject during his time at Harvard by a professor he idolizes (Russell Crowe), and the FBI investigation that inevitably ended with him being captured in a small cabin in Montana in 1996. Kaczynski pleaded guilty in 1998 to 13 federal counts of bomb attacks, for which he was given multiple life sentences. He died by suicide in 2023.

As the "Unabomber" movie shows, linguistics, the study of human language, was a major factor in revealing that Kaczynski was the Unabomber and bringing him to justice. Shailene Woodley plays Joanne Miller, a fiery FBI agent whose obsessive study of the Unabomber's 35,000-word manifesto, which was published by The New York Times and The Washington Post in 1995, leads her to discover the Unabomber's true identity.

Though the Miller character is fictitious, she seems to be based heavily on FBI profiler James R. Fitzgerald, who became the lead on linguistics for the Unabomber Task Force in 1995 after discovering a hidden message in one of Kaczynski's letters.

In "Unabomber," Miller's actions, like suggesting the UTF investigate the Sylvan Learning Center, which is mentioned in the manifesto, and matching old Kaczynski writings to the manifesto, are all things Fitzgerald did during the real investigation. Fitzgerald says he was never contacted by the "Unabomber" production.

Fitzgerald has written a book about his experience hunting down the Unabomber, and in the 2017 Discovery Channel miniseries "Manhunt: Unabomber," he was portrayed by Sam Worthington. (Fitzgerald was also a consulting producer on that show.)

Fitzgerald said he doesn't take offense to creative license, admitting that "Manhunt: Unabomber" also got some things wrong, but he felt there were problems with the Netflix movie beyond the Miller character.

In response to a request for comment on Fitzgerald's perspective, a Netflix spokesperson told Business Insider that the Miller character isn't based on a specific person.

Here, Fitzgerald breaks down what is accurate and what isn't in "Unabomber."

The opening surveillance scene really happened — sort of

"Unabomber" opens with Miller as part of a surveillance team in San Francisco, hoping to catch the Unabomber while he buys a copy of The Washington Post, which has printed his entire manifesto.

A suspicious man in a hood buys a handful of newspapers, then runs away when Miller and another FBI agent follow. They ultimately catch him at his house and then let him go after searching it and finding nothing that would make him a suspect in the Unabomber case.

Fitzgerald said the surveillance was accurate, but that was the extent of the truth in this scene.

"They said in the movie, 'We chose The Washington Post because nobody in San Francisco reads it,' but we chose the Post in reality because only two stores sold The Washington Post in the San Francisco Bay area, so it made it easier to do surveillance," said Fitzgerland.

"During that entire surveillance, there was no foot chase, no gun play, no guy running buying a bunch of copies, nothing like that," he said, going against what is shown in the scene.

No FBI agent ever called the Unabomber hotline

Later in the movie, Miller is seen alone in the Unabomber Task Force's offices answering the hotline. On the other end is an FBI agent with a tip.

Fitzgerald said that would never happen.

"Agents aren't calling the line," he said. "It would be a teletype or an inside phone they would call. And the tipline phone was manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The real UTF was a beehive of activity." 

Ted Kaczynski's brother, David, was a major help to the FBI's manhunt, as the movie depicts

Ted's younger brother, David, is shown in the movie as a reluctant source for the UTF. He provided the team with materials written by Ted, which would inevitably lead the FBI to discover that Ted was the Unabomber.

"David turned over to the UTF a 23-page document that he was hoping we would rule his brother out as the author of the manifesto," Fitzgerald said. "In 'Unabomber,' Miller is given a document by David, she looks at it and then says, 'I got him.' In real life, I looked at that 23-page document for a few hours, I was in Quantico, I called back San Francisco, I said 'You've got your man.'" 

No agent went rogue in the search for the Unabomber's identity

In "Unabomber," Miller gets fed up with her superiors on the team not believing her linguistic hunches, so she decides to go against her superior's orders and travels to Lincoln, Montana, on her own to get intel that confirms her suspicion that Kaczynski is the Unabomber.

Fitzgerald said surveillance was eventually done on Kaczynski, but that was all approved, and no one ever went rogue.

"For an agent to not even tell the local FBI agents what she's doing, that would be, I don't know if it's a fireable offense, but you'd get highly disciplined," he said. "You just do not do that."

Yes, the FBI did have to stop CBS from running a Unabomber story, but not exactly as the movie depicted

In the movie, as the UTF gets closer to raiding Kaczynski's cabin, they discover that CBS has caught wind that the Unabomber lives in Lincoln. Miller gets on the call with the network and convinces them to hold the story; in return, the FBI will give them an exclusive, including the revelation that his brother, David, gave him up.

Fitzgerald said it's accurate that CBS had the scoop, but that no one on the UTF conversed with the network.

"Dan Rather himself called FBI director Louis Freeh. He told Freeh they had information that the Unabomber lived in Lincoln, Montana. But they didn't have his name," Fitzgerald recalled. "Louis Freeh worked out getting us three extra days. All he promised CBS was an exclusive, nothing about the brother. But no one on the ground at the UTF in San Francisco or certainly in Lincoln was negotiating directly with CBS. That's way above our pay grade."

The movie left out an important part of how the Unabomber was caught

Fitzgerald said he was disappointed that "Unabomber" left out one of the most famous clues that led to the capture of Kaczynski.

In Kaczynski's manifesto, he wrote in one sentence, "You can't eat your cake and have it too," misquoting the famous proverb, "You can't have your cake and eat it too." Fitzgerald came across the same misquote in a letter Kaczynski wrote, which David gave to the UTF team.

"It was the linguistics smoking gun, which got us the search warrant to get into his cabin," Fitzgerald said. "We originally were going to go to the cabin in a month, but because of CBS, we had to speed things up. Within a week, we got him."

Fitzgerald was upset by the Kaczynski audio used at the end of the movie

Fitzgerald took issue with the audio of the real Kaczynski played before the end credits.

While still photos of the real Kaczynski behind bars are shown on screen, audio of him is played. In one excerpt, he says, "If I could be used as a symbol for promoting revolutionary activity, that's fine with me because the main thing, in my opinion… is to get rid of the industrial system by whatever means may be necessary."

Fitzgerald felt that including language like this opens the door for copycat behavior.

"I thought that was a very poorly done ending," he said. "Besides all the mistakes in the movie, now we have an ideological issue that, quite frankly, bothered me more than anything in the movie."

"Unabomber" is currently available on Netflix.

• Bill Gates says he wants workers to pay their fair share — even if they're not human.
• By taxing robot workers and AI tokens, Gates says the US can ensure its social safety nets remain.
• Gates first proposed the robot tax back in 2017.

Bill Gates has a plan to ensure that humans keep getting paid in an AI jobs apocalypse: Tax the robots.

In an interview with Ezra Klein of The New York Times that aired on Tuesday, the billionaire philanthropist said that "society gets to decide" how to support its workers — even if AI is pushing them out.

"You define a unit of labor and say, independent of whether that's delivered by a human or robot, you are paying the same FICA tax that a human worker would pay," Gates said, referring to the US payroll tax.

FICA taxes work by having workers pay portions of their paychecks toward benefits like Social Security and Medicare, with employers matching the workers' contributions. Taxing robots that take human jobs would ensure both a monetary safety net for citizens and continued tax revenue for the government, Gates said.

"Just because the economic signals say that it'd be lower cost to use an AI doesn't mean society has to do that," he said.

Gates, who cofounded Microsoft in 1975, has previously warned that AI and robotics are poised to lay waste to white-collar jobs. In a nearly 6,000-word essay he published in August, he said office jobs are already being hit "modestly," and speculated that blue-collar jobs are soon to follow.

Though Gates said that physical robots are lagging behind AI systems in development, he said people underestimate how soon humanoid figures will catch up.

In the essay, Gates also said that taxing AI tokens "would slow the rush away from human labor a little and raise money for retraining and a stronger safety net."

Gates is not alone in arguing that the AI boom needs a new approach to taxation.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has called for more robust tax policies — potentially targeted at AI companies — to spread the technology's gains more broadly, while OpenAI has proposed taxes tied to automated labor as part of a wider plan to respond to AI-driven disruption.

Gates first called for robot taxes in 2017 during an interview with Kevin Delaney, who was then the CEO of Quartz. Nearly 10 years later, the idea remains on his mind.

"I'm still a big proponent of it," Gates wrote in his essay. "Although it is not the whole solution to the threat of AI, it is part of a wise response."

• Michael Burry said markets should tumble to stop OpenAI and Anthropic from going public.
• The "Big Short" investor has stepped up his bets against an AI boom he expects to unravel.
• OpenAI has pushed any IPO to 2027, while Anthropic is reportedly targeting November this year.

Michael Burry says a market crash that stops two of the biggest AI companies from going public would be good for humankind.

"For the benefit of humanity, the markets should tank hard and prevent the OpenAI and Anthropic IPOs," the "Big Short" investor wrote Tuesday on X.

In follow-up replies, Burry offered more detail on his post. He said the companies would "suck up" and then destroy "TRILLIONS of dollars of capital," adding that this would be "the least of the damage they do."

Burry also replied "Along those lines" to a user who quipped: "tank the market so Skynet can’t IPO" — a reference to the destructive artificial-intelligence system in the "Terminator" movies.

Whatever wider damage Burry had in mind, the financial stakes around the two companies are already enormous.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said earlier this month that going public in 2026 would be "ill-advised" amid AI-safety concerns. Anthropic, meanwhile, is likely to IPO after November’s midterm elections, according to a prospectus seen by Reuters.

OpenAI and Anthropic didn't respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

Both require substantial capital to develop advanced models and build the computing infrastructure that supports them. Going public could give them access to deeper pools of capital by opening them up to a wider range of investors.

Burry said in a Substack post this week that he was "more confident than ever" that his bearish AI thesis would play out over the next year, bringing forward his previous base case of 2028.

The investor said his conviction led him to refresh his bets against a slew of targets, including Nvidia, Palantir, Micron, Oracle, and the Nasdaq 100.

Burry has argued that debt-fueled spending on chips and data centers is unsustainable and vulnerable to higher interest rates. If spending slows, he wrote, "it all comes apart."

However, AI stocks have largely shrugged off concerns in their march to record highs this year.

Two years after I zipped my feet into a pair of Tecovas boots for the first time, these Western-style ankle boots have only become more comfortable while the leather has gained a beautiful patina.

Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised they've held up so well, since Tecovas has gained a stellar reputation through a combination of quality craftsmanship, fair pricing, and great customer service. If you're looking a rugged, Western style that can pass for men's dress shoes, its Dean Boots are the best place to start.

Where are Tecovas boots made?

Tecovas boots are all made in León, the heart of Mexico's renowned leather footwear industry, where artisans go through 200 steps to create a single pair. This includes hand-laid cording — the design motif found on many cowboy boots — and Goodyear welting, which allows for easy resoling.

First impressions of the Dean Boots

When I first unboxed them, the Dean Boots had that rich, distinctive leather smell. There was no weird chemical odor or the scent of glue that you sometimes get with cheaply-made boots. The zippers are solid and zip up smoothly.

The uppers are made from a buttery soft full-grain calfskin. They're also lined in leather and come with a zipper guard on the inside to prevent the metal from chafing your ankles. The shafts are slim and fitted, which means you don't need bootcut jeans to fit your pant hems over them. Their 1 1/4-inch heels are made of stacked leather, with rubber caps for better traction.

These boots are Goodyear welted so they can easily be resoled, and they also have hand-hammered lemonwood pegging rather than metal nails. This traditional Western boot technique is a sign of great quality used by the best cowboy boot brands — since lemonwood and leather absorb moisture at similar rates, these pegs will remain in place over the long haul.

Do Tecovas boots run true to size?

My Dean Boots fit me true to size and broke in easily. By my second wear, they were comfortable enough for a four-mile stroll through the city. The goatskin is soft with a good amount of flexibility, yet still incredibly durable.

Update after 2 years of wear

Two years in, the Tecovas Dean Boots have conformed to my feet for a fit that feels like they were made just for me. The uppers have only gotten more handsome. The calfskin is still soft and supple and has aged gracefully. The hand laid decorative cording remains in perfect condition and the stitching remains intact, and the zippers continue to function smoothly. 

The leather outsoles are holding up well, with just a bit of thinning at the toe. The lemonwood pegs are still solidly in place and the stacked leather heels remain in perfect condition. The rubber cap is also looking good.

Since I initially reviewed Tecovas' Dean Boots, more colors and leather choices have been added to the line. Besides the Bourbon, a rich brown; and Midnight, a stunning black (both in a supple calfskin), there are now three more: the Cafe, a chocolate-brown, the Scotch, a reddish brown, and Sand, an earthy beige.

The Dean Zipper boots are very versatile style-wise. I've paired them with suits and T-shirts, leather jackets, and jeans with equal ease. About the only thing I haven't tried them with is shorts, which is a look that's nearly impossible to pull off.

How I make my leather boots last longer

I've honestly had to do little in terms of care. I shine the goatskin leather using a high-quality cream shoe polish a few times a year after cleaning them with a damp rag — and that's it. I can't stress enough that you should use the best shoe polish to help keep your leather boots looking their best. It's a worthy investment.

About Tecovas

Back in 2021, I interviewed Paul Hedrick, founder and CEO of Tecovas. Hedrick told me he had one simple goal: "We want to be the best Western footwear company of all time." As the first direct-to-consumer Western boot brand, Tecovas is well on its way to achieving this. It not only has the best cowboy boots for men, but denim, shirts, outerwear, belts, and bandanas. Tecovas has also done collaborations with folks like country music star Thomas Rhett and fashion designer Kristopher Brock, while opening several brick-and-mortar locations from Dallas to Denver.

Tecovas has continued to keep its handcrafted boots priced far below the high-end offerings of brands like Lucchese and Tony Lama, without sacrificing quality. Their Dean Boots combine Western flair with rock-and-roll panache. Besides their sleek look, the boots' versatility appealed to me.

Cons to consider

After two years of wear, I'm still unable to find any cons about these boots. The only drawback is that the price has risen from $265 to $295 a pair (though that's still hundreds less than what you'll find at Lucchese or Frye).

The bottom line

The high-quality materials and workmanship, timeless style, and ability to pair well with pretty much any look makes the $295 Tecovas Dean Boots a real standout and well worth the investment. Compared to other Western boot brands, you're unlikely to find a better men's leather dress boot under $500.

I continue to highly recommend Tecovas, and especially the Dean boots, for both cowboy boot connoisseurs and newbies alike.

• I made Ina Garten's and Martha Stewart's favorite simple pasta dishes. 
• Both pastas are meat-free, but they rely on different cooking techniques.
• Garten's recipe requires soaking tomatoes in olive oil for four hours, while Stewart's takes just 20 minutes total. 

When I'm searching for a quick and easy dinner, I always turn to Ina Garten and Martha Stewart for inspiration. 

Both women have mastered the art of creating delicious recipes accessible to home chefs of any skill level. And each has a popular, simple pasta dish with nearly identical ingredients — but very different cooking techniques.

So I whipped up Garten's summer garden pasta and Stewart's one-pan pasta to see which would come out on top. The winner took a bit more prep, but the extra step was worth it.

I first made Garten's summer garden pasta, which only needs a few ingredients.

To whip up Garten's favorite summer pasta, you'll need: 

• Angel hair pasta
• Parmesan cheese
• Cherry tomatoes 
• Minced garlic 
• Basil leaves
• Red pepper flakes 

Garten's recipe also calls for "good" olive oil, which — as you'll see — is a very important component to this dish.

The prep for Garten's summer garden pasta is minimal.

I halved my cherry tomatoes, minced three cloves of garlic, and julienned nine basil leaves, per Garten's recipe (which I halved for three servings instead of six). 

I then threw the ingredients into a bowl and seasoned them with half a teaspoon of salt, some red pepper flakes, and a few twists of freshly ground black pepper. 

The main difference between Garten's and Stewart's recipes is that you have to start prepping the summer garden pasta hours before cooking.

While Garten's dish has minimal prep, it gets most of its flavor from soaking the tomatoes in olive oil for four hours before serving. 

It may seem like a time-consuming step, but I easily whipped up the mix on my lunch break. I soaked everything in ⅓ cup of olive oil, tossed it together, then covered the bowl with plastic wrap and set it aside (it needs to stay at room temperature). 

The whole process took less than five minutes. As Garten would say, how easy is that? 

Garten's recipe requires more prep time, but it cooks much faster than Stewart's one-pan pasta.

Garten's summer garden pasta is made with angel hair, which cooks much faster than other types of pasta because it's so thin. 

The "Barefoot Contessa" star even warns in her recipe to be extra careful when cooking the noodles because "it only takes two to three minutes!" 

After I drained my pasta, I threw my noodles into a bowl with the tomato mixture.

The minute I took the plastic wrap off the bowl of tomatoes, I was hit with a deliciously crisp, fresh scent that reminded me of bruschetta. 

After tossing everything together, I added freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.

Garten's four-hour marinade was worth the wait.

I couldn't believe how much flavor had been injected into those cherry tomatoes. They were so rich and delicious, I started snacking on them before I took my first bite of the pasta. 

The angel hair noodles were also the perfect base for this dish, balancing out the richness of the tomatoes and olive oil with their fluffiness. It was a nice contrast in both taste and texture, keeping the pasta light without sacrificing flavor. 

Next up was Stewart's one-pan pasta, which has almost the same ingredients.

Both Stewart and Garten use cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, red pepper flakes, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. 

But Stewart opts for linguine instead of angel hair pasta for her dish, and she also adds an onion into the mix. 

As with Garten's recipe, Stewart's one-pan pasta requires very minimal prep.

I also only needed to chop up three ingredients for Stewart's dish. First, I halved the tomatoes, then I thinly sliced my onion and a few cloves of garlic. 

Much like Garten's dish, it only took me five minutes. 

Unlike Garten's dish, I was ready to cook Stewart's pasta right after I finished the prep.

All you have to do is toss all the ingredients into a pan. You don't even boil the water first! 

I threw in the linguine, cherry tomatoes, onion, and garlic into the pan with 4 ½ cups of water. 

Then I added two basil leaves, 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes, 2 teaspoons of salt, and a few twists from my pepper grinder. 

Stewart's pasta takes far longer to cook than Garten's recipe.

After a few minutes had passed and the softened noodles had become fully submerged in the water, I felt almost tranquil as I delicately turned and flipped them with my tongs. 

Within minutes, my entire kitchen filled with the most inviting aroma.

Stewart's pasta took 20 minutes total to cook.

Per Stewart's recipe, I waited until the water had "nearly evaporated" before I turned off the stove. 

Stewart's pasta looked delicious and definitely tasted fresh, but it was just a tad too plain for me.

There was a hint of richness thanks to the olive oil and tomatoes, which had a lovely blistered texture, but there wasn't much oomph to this pasta. 

I was able to get more flavor out of the noodles after adding a lot more pepper and crushed red pepper flakes, but the winner of this showdown was clear. 

Garten's summer garden pasta is proof that, sometimes, one or two extra steps can make a world of difference.

• In my 50s, I left the US to buy a property in France, renovate it, and create a new business.
• After years of hard work, I've turned an old estate into a haven for creative retreats.
• This journey has been challenging and surprising, but I'm grateful for the midlife reinvention.

In May 2022, I found myself longing for a new life.

I had spent the last 20 years rebuilding my life after my husband's death in the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks — raising a 2-year-old and 6-year-old alone, moving across the country to Seattle, writing books about grief, and rediscovering painting.

My kids had both finished college and moved on with their lives, and I was alone and free for the first time since my 20s. I felt adrift.

Then, my daughter showed me a YouTube video about a young couple with two small children renovating a chateau in France.

They reminded me of my husband and me long ago, and how we'd renovated historic houses in cities like London and Boston while raising young children. As newlyweds, we'd dreamed about one day living somewhere in Europe, maybe a small cottage in the French countryside, but it became a faraway fantasy when he was relocated to the US for work.

After watching those videos, that dream came bubbling back — and I realized now might be the perfect time to start chasing it.

I headed to France in hopes of buying a place of my own that I could turn into a retreat space for creatives

I loved the idea of renovating a property in a place I'd dreamed about living while also following my passion for art and connection. I was lonely in Seattle, and I longed to create a space abroad that inspired people to gather, reflect, dream, and start fresh.

My vague idea was to find a place where I could host creative retreats for writers and artists.

So, single and in my late 50s, I planned a trip to France to explore historic buildings for sale. Visiting historic properties while enjoying the French countryside was a perfect form of solo travel for me.

I decided to look for properties with multiple bedrooms that didn't need overly extensive renovations, weren't far from international transportation, and were located in an area that wouldn't get too cold in the winter. Toulouse seemed a perfect place to start.

For three weeks, I drove over 600 miles looking at chateaux, manor houses, and farmhouses — many dilapidated, or near busy highways or in the middle of nowhere. I spoke with real-estate agents every day and veered off the road several times to peer through the gates of beautiful properties.

I returned to Seattle empty-handed, expecting that the desire to buy a chateau would have fizzled — instead, the flames were fanned. The retreat center idea became more solidly embedded in my mind, and within the year, I was back, visiting more potential properties.

At last, I stumbled upon a dilapidated manor house nestled into limestone cliffs, where the outbuildings were actual caves. After seeing it online, I convinced my real-estate agent to leave his locale and show me the property.

Château de Borie in the Lot and Garonne region in southwestern France, between Toulouse and Bordeaux, had been unoccupied for several years. It had 12 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, and, more importantly, new septic, electrical, plumbing, and heating systems.

After viewing more than 15 properties over two separate trips, I knew having these updated essentials in place in an older building was a rare gift. I told myself the property was in a state I could manage on my own — it just needed an interior facelift and some furniture.

After a one-hour viewing, I impulsively made a low-ball offer, nearly 70,000 euros below the asking price. Within 30 minutes, we had settled on the price of 610,000 euros.

I was unable to schedule a return visit before my flight the next day, so I relied on the few photos I took to remind me what I was getting myself into.

As I moved forward with buying a property and making a business plan, I still had doubts

Back home in Seattle, I questioned my sanity as I arranged to have 50 pages of French legal documents translated.

I took out a home equity loan on my Seattle home, which, with some additional savings, would allow me to pay for the house in cash, since getting a loan in France would be extremely difficult.

To help obtain a visa, I had to create a business plan for my ill-conceived retreat idea in order to get a "real and serious business" certificate, a name I found humorous. As silly as this sounded, doing this helped me solidify my vision.

Still, I spent nights awake, now acutely aware that I would be leaving my home, my children, my life back in Seattle. How was I going to manage two houses when I often felt I could barely manage one? Could I run a business on my own? What was I thinking?

Yet, three months later, I was back in France (alongside a friend and translator) for the closing, signing what felt like a thousand pages. Later, with a bottle of Champagne in hand, I found myself — for only the second time — at that giant green front door, turning the key.

The following days and months were filled with cleaning, painting, and battling with heaving shutters during a particularly violent thunderstorm.

Eventually, the hard work paid off — and I've built a life I'm proud of, even if it has challenges

At my daughter's urging, I started documenting every step of the journey on YouTube and Instagram as the "Chateau Chronicles" — it helped get the word out about my business, and over time, I built up more than 100,000 followers and subscribers across platforms.

I offered my first retreat — a sketchbook-and-yoga week for 14 people — in fall 2023, just one year after purchasing the chateau. Prices ranged from 2,900 to 3,400 euros for the week, depending on the room. It sold out almost immediately.

Attendees flew in from across North America and even Australia to sketch. Some were already artists, others were not, and the week was magical.

We stood around a table full of secondhand store (brocante) knickknacks or in the chateau garden to sketch, we visited other chateaux for cooking lessons and tasting regional wines. Even three years later, the WhatsApp group I created for the attendees is still active.

Since then, I've hosted many things from writing retreats to a supper club with a Michelin-trained chef. Four years later, the retreat business supports itself, earning a gross income of around 80,000 euros a year.

My goal isn't to scale endlessly, it's to deepen. To attract the right people, offer them something authentic, and send them home transformed.

The people who come here are often at a turning point — in their careers, identities, or relationships — and looking for a reset. The chateau has become a sanctuary for people seeking a place to land as they undergo a transformation. They usually come away with wonderful memories and a whole new group of friends.

However, running a retreat space in a historic building means there's always something breaking or needing attention.

I market the business, manage the guest experience, develop new offerings, and oversee ongoing renovations. I've painted most of the interiors myself.

Even a few weeks away comes with consequences — leaking roofs, burst pipes, dead goldfish, and falling trees and rocks. I also struggle with language barriers, finding contractors and artisans, complex French bureaucracy, and geological challenges that I didn't fully anticipate.

However, I've also been lucky enough to find help through volunteers and friends, both new and old. And by now, I know which windows stick, and I have a special broom for clearing away spiderwebs.

My life and business are now in France, and I'm grateful

What I thought would be a part-time venture has become my full-time life. Although it's hard work, this place continues to inspire me and frustrate me in equal measure.

Things aren't always easy in France, but my life here is rich with beauty, incredible food, and a continuous stream of new friends.

I thought leaving my kids in the US would be difficult — and it can be — but when they visit, I get a week or so of uninterrupted time with them, more than the dinner or two a month if we lived in the same city.

I cherish those times. I even recently hosted my daughter's wedding at the chateau, a truly magical experience.

Reinvention, it turns out, is something I have in common with so many women in their 50s and 60s who are done apologizing for wanting a life filled with joy, depth of meaning, and beauty.

Widowhood forced me to reinvent myself, but also gave me the incredible gift of freedom to make the impulsive decisions necessary to live my best, unexpected life.

• My youngest son's medical needs turned caregiving into a full-time job.
• Even part-time and remote work didn't give my family the flexibility they needed.
• I started my own business so I could control when and how I worked.

For most of my 20s, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what my career would look like.

I graduated from college with a political science degree, lots of ambition, and very sincere plans to "change the world." Instead, I ended up working in a small office where I spent a lot less time changing the world and a lot more time looking at Excel.

I liked working, but I never needed my career to be the biggest thing in my life. That became even clearer after I had my first son.

I switched to part-time work

I wanted to keep working and keep that part of my identity, but I also wanted more time at home with him, so I went part-time. My husband has a career he genuinely loves, and as we grew our family, it made sense for me to have a more flexible schedule.

For a while, part-time work suited our family. I was contributing financially while still having the time with my kids that I wanted. I thought I had found a setup that could grow with our family.

Then I got pregnant with our third son. At my 20-week ultrasound, we learned he had clubfoot. It was treatable, but his first year would involve regular orthopedic appointments, casting, and bracing. With two other kids already in preschool, I knew our calendar was about to get more complicated. I was up for the challenge.

What I didn't know was that the clubfoot diagnosis would become one of the easier things we managed that year.

Managing my baby's medical care became an unpaid full-time job

When my youngest son was 4 months old, I took him to the pediatrician for what I thought was yet another sick visit. His breathing worried her enough that she sent us straight to the emergency room. I drove him there myself, and as we walked through the doors, he stopped breathing. The hospital called a code blue.

He was admitted to the PICU and placed on high-flow oxygen. That hospital stay was followed by two more admissions and a new specialist at every turn. We added pulmonology and immunology to the orthopedics appointments already on our calendar. Managing his medical care quickly became an unpaid full-time job.

At the same time, my oldest son was having medical issues we couldn't explain. He was breaking out in hives, getting unexplained fevers, and complaining that his joints hurt. Soon, we were adding his specialists to the calendar too. I was firmly in over my head.

I hated asking for permission to take time off

Even working part-time wasn't flexible enough. I was spending more time in waiting rooms than at my desk, constantly asking for permission to leave early or switch my office days.

I hated those conversations. I knew my kids needed me, but I also knew I couldn't be the kind of employee my small office needed anymore. No matter where I was, it felt like I was letting someone down.

I spent a lot of time thinking about how I could get the flexibility I needed, without losing myself to motherhood with medically complex children. I started noticing women around me were rethinking traditional work settings as well. One of my friends started a virtual assistant business after being laid off. Another left teaching and built a craft kit business that gave her more flexibility with her kids.

When I later read in Forbes that 455,000 women had left the workforce last year, with nearly half citing caregiving responsibilities, I wasn't exactly shocked. Interested, but not shocked. The article went on to say that "we are not losing women because they lack ambition. Rather, we are losing them because the workplace was designed for a world that no longer exists."

This was a problem so many parents, including me, were encountering. Work happens alongside life's responsibilities, not in spite of them.

Leaving the workforce and becoming a one-income household wasn't an option for my family, especially with the medical bills piling up. So I did what was starting to come pretty naturally in this season of life. I pivoted.

I started my own company to have the flexibility I needed

I took a remote job as a virtual assistant because working from home seemed like it would solve at least some of the problems, and it did. But I was still working for someone else, which meant appointments, sick kids, and last-minute changes still required the same conversation I was used to having at my office job. I was home more, but I still didn't have control over my time.

Eventually, I started wondering why I needed an agency in the middle at all. I took all that ambition I had stored up and started my own company. I knew how to help small businesses with operations, marketing, and all the random things that keep a business running. Now, I could decide when and how I did that work.

Starting a business in the middle of a medical crisis is not for the faint of heart. I built a client list from hospital waiting rooms, after bedtime, and early in the morning, before anyone else was awake. There wasn't exactly a five-year business plan. Most days, I figured out what needed to happen next and did it.

Somewhere in all of that, the thing I started because I needed work that could fit around our life became a career I really enjoyed and cared about.

It isn't a traditional career, and I still haven't figured out the secret to balancing medical motherhood with running a business. I take specialist calls in the middle of meetings and work after bedtime when an appointment eats up half my day. There are weeks when my carefully planned schedule is useless by Tuesday morning. Even with the flexibility I have now, I couldn't make it work on my own. My husband picks up the slack at home when I need to be the medical point person, and our small village steps in when we inevitably need another set of hands.

But now I have the autonomy to adjust when that happens, whether that means moving a meeting, working later, or shutting my laptop and taking my kid where he needs to go.

I spent my 20s thinking ambition would shape my career. Motherhood taught me that knowing when and how to pivot might be the more valuable skill.

• Citadel Securities says that the US risks falling behind China in the AI race.
• The firm sees energy constraints as a risk even if China's models lag those made by US peers.
• China doesn't need the best models if it has better physical infrastructure, the firm says.

America is leading the way on frontier AI development, but a major infrastructure bottleneck means that China could pull ahead even if its models are less capable.

Citadel Securities says there's a risk that the US gets tripped up by constraints in its own power grid, with the energy bottleneck emerging as an obstacle right as China is poised to massively expand domestic generating capacity.

Nohshad Shah, head of EMEA fixed income sales for Citadel Securities, wrote on September 26 that, in general, while China might have less capable models, more robust physical infrastructure could be the secret to its success against the US.

"China does not need the world's best model in every domain if it can combine a slightly less capable (and much cheaper) one with more factories, robots, vehicles, drones, and industrial equipment," Shah wrote in a blog post.

He highlighted the difference between two key terms that may determine the AI race's overall winner: development and deployment. The former is driven by the labs building the models and the latter hinges on a country's ability to put AI to work throughout the broader economy.

Energy is the big bottleneck. Shah said that the possibility is looming that the US lacks the power supply to support a rapid expansion of AI capabilities.

Local opposition to data centers has prompted some Wall Street analysts to warn of risks to their AI outlooks, particularly as politicians double down on advocating for stricter regulation ahead of the November midterm elections.

All the while, China continues to grow its power supply.

"China will add almost six times as much power-generation capacity as the US over the next five years, whilst America remains constrained by grid connections, permitting, and local opposition to data centres," he wrote. "That creates an uncomfortable possibility: America develops the better models…but China has more places to run it."

Shah predicts that the US can still come out ahead, but to do so would require more political support and looser regulation. He made a similar case in August, arguing that the next big AI bottleneck would be permission, rather than any physical asset.

He added that the recent AI doomsday warnings are not only an overreaction, but they could end up holding the US back from in the race with China.

"The mistake is to tell the public that AI may eliminate their jobs (or indeed humanity itself!) and then ask the same public to provide the land, electricity and permits required to build it," Shah said. "The industry has spent several years making the strongest possible case for why AI is powerful…and the weakest possible case for why ordinary people should want it."

• DoorDash is beta-testing a new text-to-order feature.
• The option will text users pictures of food and allow them to reorder items quickly.
• AI agents like Instinct, which have a similar text interface, are gaining steam.

DoorDash's latest pilot skips its app and asks customers to text in their orders.

Users can order food and groceries by texting the company like they would a friend or family member, DoorDash said on Wednesday. The text-ordering option is being beta-tested in the US, and users can join a waitlist to get access to it.

The new feature lands as delivery apps try to make it easier for customers to place orders, often with help from AI. Competition in the space is also growing with new delivery partnerships and even new entrants like Walmart.

The option lets users ask for suggestions on what they should order and can text the photos of food provided by restaurants, DoorDash said.

If customers already know what they want, they can text DoorDash a specific order or ask to reorder something they've bought before.

"It's less like traditional online ordering and more like texting a friend while they're standing in line at your local coffee shop," DoorDash said in a press release. "They already know your milk preference and can order your usual, or send you the menu so you can tell them what you want."

DoorDash's texting option comes as AI agents gain popularity. Some, such as Instinct, also allow users to text them with tasks to complete.

The texting interface is an expansion of Ask DoorDash, a chat function within the company's app designed to help users decide what to order, including by uploading a photo of a shopping list or a recipe.

"Managing tasks like ordering lunch or groceries shouldn't feel like work," DoorDash co-founder Andy Fang said. "We built a personal shopper that helps you discover and compare thousands of items while identifying ways for you to save on DoorDash.

Do you have a story idea about DoorDash? Contact this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com or via encrypted messaging app Signal at 808-854-4501. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

The MLB Wild Card games are playing out, and an iconic rivalry has been reignited in the American League East. We've rounded up everything you need to know about how to watch the Red Sox vs. Yankees, including channels and live streaming options for the entire series.

If you don't want to scroll any further, we've got you covered. You can live stream the Red Sox vs. Yankees on NBC via Peacock in the US. You can access your streaming options from anywhere with a VPN, like NordVPN. Keep reading to learn additional streaming options and details about the series.

*Wild Card games are a best-of-three series, so Game 3 will only take place if necessary.

What channel are the Red Sox vs. Yankees games on?

The Red Sox vs. Yankees Wild Card series will air on NBC in the United States. All of the games will air on the network.

How to watch Red Sox vs. Yankees in the US

Cord-cutters have a few options for live streaming games. The cheapest and most direct way is through Peacock, NBCUniversal's direct streaming counterpart. The Wild Card games are available in both the Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus tiers. Subscriptions start at $13 a month for Premium, but the $20 a month Premium Plus option will unlock ad-free on-demand streaming and a full NBC live stream.

If you'd prefer something with a free trial and other channels beyond just NBC, then live TV services like YouTube TV and Fubo might be of interest.

YouTube TV carries NBC and 100+ other channels in its Main plan, which usually costs $83 a month. However, a limited-time deal will knock your first five months down to $68 a month. YouTube TV also offers a Sports plan, which carries NBC and 30+ other channels in its lineup. Subscriptions cost $65 a month, but new users can get $20 a month off their first six months with a limited-time deal. The plans also offer free trials for new customers.

Fubo carries NBC in several of its sports-friendly plans. The Pro plan costs $89 a month for 200+ channels, but new users can get $25 off their first month after a free trial. The platform ranks among the best live TV streaming services we've tested.

How to watch Red Sox vs. Yankees from anywhere

Baseball fans traveling abroad can still keep up with their usual streaming options with the help of a VPN, or virtual private network. VPNs are handy tech tools that let people temporarily change the virtual location on their electronic devices. This way, their favorite websites and apps work from anywhere — just like they would back home. The services we've highlighted require US payment methods, so this option will work best for Americans who are just traveling away from home right now.

NordVPN is our top recommendation for the best VPNs. It's user-friendly and offers a massive selection of global servers. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

• See also: Where to watch the WNBA Playoffs | How to watch NFL games | How to watch college football games

Who is favored to win Red Sox vs. Yankees?

The Yankees are favored to win the match-up. According to DraftKings (at the time of writing ahead of the second game), the Yankees are -136 on the moneyline, while the Red Sox are +113.

Where is the Red Sox vs. Yankees series held?

The New York Yankees will host all of the Wild Card games at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

Who won Game 1?

The Yankees won Game 1 of the Wild Card Series on Tuesday night. It was a decisive victory for New York, which beat Boston 9-0. Five of the runs came in the bottom of the eighth inning.

When did the Red Sox and Yankees last play?

The Red Sox and Yankees last played each other on August 30, 2026. The Yankees walloped the Red Sox 16-1, marking the third win for New York in a four-game series against Boston.

What team will the winner play?

The winner of the Red Sox vs. Yankees Wild Card series will go on to play the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Division Series.

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

• Would you rather spend 90 minutes in the air or 15 hours on the rails?
• I chose the latter when I hopped on an overnight train from Denver to Salt Lake City.
• Taking the long route didn't feel like a waste of time.

Sleeper trains can be many things — comfy, cramped, awe-inspiring, mundane, isolating, social, luxurious, and hardly bearable.

I've spent nearly 200 hours traveling 6,400 miles on overnight trains in the US and Europe, and I've fallen in love with it.

I prefer long-distance trains over any other form of travel because, unlike most things in my life, they force me to be still and enjoy the view. And even the most insufferable nights on the rails have helped me truly appreciate the great rides, like the one I took on a frosty day in January 2025.

I boarded an Amtrak in Denver for a 15-hour ride to Salt Lake City. The train was cozy and social, and the views were striking and diverse. It was one of the best experiences I've had on the rails.

Ride along with me.

A double-decker sleeper train

The California Zephyr runs from Chicago to San Francisco on Amtrak's Superliner fleet, which is two stories tall and comprises coach and first-class sleeper cars, as well as a dining car and an observation car.

I booked the lowest-tier accommodation in the sleeper car, a roomette, for $400.

From Denver to Salt Lake City in a private sleeper cabin

The roomette was a 23-square-foot space with a sliding door. Inside, two seats folded out into a bed, and another bunk pulled down from the ceiling. There was also a foldout table between the seats, a shelf, a mirror, and a thin closet.

I had access to four shared bathrooms and a shower in the sleeper car, and my ticket included meals.

Hour 1: Boarding and breakfast

I arrived at Denver's Union Station at 8:30 a.m. for an 8:45 a.m. departure on a snowy day in January. I headed straight to the train, which was already waiting for me.

There were two boarding lines on the platform — coach and first class, which refers to sleeper accommodations.

The coach line had about 10 people, but I whizzed through the empty first-class line and found my car easily, thanks to the big signage.

I stepped on board and found my cabin on the first floor. There wasn't much room to stand in the small space, but I easily stretched out by reclining both seats and using one of them as a leg rest.

The recently upgraded vinyl seats were cushy and more comfortable than any train seats I've booked in the US.

My first-class attendant came by to introduce herself and let me know I could call her at any time using the button on my seat.

She also took my lunch reservation (noon) and told me that breakfast in the dining car on the second floor ended at 9 a.m., so I needed to hurry.

The train took off at 8:45 as I sat down for breakfast. A couple and I were the only remaining passengers to feed. As is typical on an Amtrak train, we were seated together in one booth.

I ordered French toast with sausage, topped with syrup, powdered sugar, strawberries, and whipped cream. It was pretty decent for a train meal. I thought the French toast was fluffy and the strawberries tasted fresh.

While waiting for my meal, I chatted with the couple headed to California after visiting their kids in Denver. They were in for a 36-hour ride on their first overnight train.

Hour 2: No WiFi, no worries

By 10 a.m., I realized that this train route didn't have WiFi, and I had no signal. But none of that mattered to me once I looked out the window.

The scenery heading west from Denver reminded me of the Swiss Alps. The train moved through tunnel after tunnel. Each opened to reveal panoramic views of snow-capped mountain forests. I was constantly in awe of my surroundings. I couldn't look away.

Around this time, the attendant asked if I wanted to make a reservation for the observation car, a communal space on the second floor with two rows of windows bleeding into the ceiling for optimal views.

The observation car doesn't typically require reservations, but it gets crowded when the train passes Rocky Mountain National Park in the early afternoons. Later, in the observation car, an attendant said managing the crowds with 30-minute time slots was easier. I took the 11:30 a.m. slot.

Hour 3: Fresh air

We stopped for the first time since Denver at around 10:50 a.m. in Fraser, Colorado. The train didn't always stop long enough for passengers to step outside, so I took the opportunity to get some fresh air.

It was sunny and crisp on the snow-covered platform. I stretched my legs as others posed for pictures and checked their phones.

It was easy to spot who was continuing on the journey and who had arrived at their destination by looking at their baggage and attire. Some passengers scurried out in the snow in sweatshirts and shorts, hopping like rabbits and rubbing their arms to warm up. Others were bundled up from head to toe with suitcases in hand.

After about five minutes, a whistle blew, signaling everyone to board.

Hour 4: Epic views before lunch

At 11:30 a.m., I headed upstairs to the observation car. It was much brighter than the other cars, especially since it was sunny. It was also packed to the brim. I was seated next to a quiet couple. Together, we spotted highland cows in a valley surrounded by forests.

The dining car was right next to the observation car. I strolled in at noon and was seated with a particularly social group. One was a high-school student visiting her sister at college. Across from us was an older couple who had taken overnight trains before. They were traveling to California.

We discussed our travels as I dined on a Caesar salad with grilled chicken. It was on par with good, budget-friendly restaurants I'd been to before, and it ended up being my favorite dish of the trip.

Hour 5: Kicking back in the cabin

After a fulfilling lunch and fun conversation, I returned to my cabin for some downtime. The winter wonderland views continued as I read a book in my cozy chair.

Hour 6: Time to stretch

Just before 2:30 p.m., the train stopped for another break in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, for about 15 minutes.

I had time to walk the length of the train. It was a bit warmer outside, so I stepped onto the platform without my jacket.

Hour 7: A change of scenery

By 3 p.m., the passing landscape started to transform. The snow melted as we rolled alongside rivers and streams, and the trees were smaller and sparser in southwestern Colorado.

My attendant came by during this time to ask when I wanted to have dinner. Since I was already getting hungry, I opted for the earliest slot: 5 p.m.

Hour 8: Grateful for curtains and skincare

Around 4 p.m., the sun started hitting my window in various locations along the length of the room. That's when I noticed how much the curtains came in handy.

Blocking the sun wasn't limited like it is in a car with a visor. I could slide the two curtains back and forth, scrunch them up, and spread them out to block glare.

Before dinner, I went to the bathroom to wash my face and noticed it had been cleaned since my last visit. Then I returned to my cabin to moisturize in front of the mirror. The crisp Southwestern air made my skin drier than usual, so I was glad I packed my full skincare routine.

Hour 9: Dinner with a view

I strolled into the dining car at 4:59 p.m. It was empty except for employees who appeared confused about my arrival.

"I'm here for my dinner reservation," I said.

"You're supposed to wait for the announcement," one of them called out. Oops.

Seconds later, one employee welcomed guests to the dining car over the intercom, and another told me to sit at the first table.

After a talkative breakfast and lunch, I wasn't feeling too chatty. Luckily, the trio of young women I shared the booth with seemed to have the same idea. We said hello to each other and then dined quietly. All of us took pictures of our meals when they arrived.

The dinner was three courses. I had a Brie salad, followed by a flat-iron steak with mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, and a wine sauce. I was surprised by how flavorful the steak was; it was cooked perfectly for me.

The dessert was a decent white chocolate blueberry cobbler cheesecake. It was no New York cheesecake, but it was tasty, and I ate nearly all of it.

Hour 10: Providing my own turndown service

When I got back to my room after dinner, I was ready to lie down and get cozy. I reclined the seats in my cabin to form the lower bunk.

An hour later, the attendant announced they could provide turndown service. But I'm no stranger to converting train bunks. And since I'd be getting off the train around midnight, I wanted to get a few hours of rest beforehand.

The bunk was more spacious than most I've experienced on trains. And the cushions were surprisingly easy on my back.

The blanket provided was extremely soft — one side felt like velvet. The pillows were dense and fluffy. I only needed to rest one under my head, as I do at home.

Hour 11: TV in a cozy bed — just like home

Watching TV before bed brings me comfort — especially when I'm traveling.

That's why earlier in the trip, when I had service, I downloaded a few episodes of "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

I stretched out on the cot, put my headphones in, and soaked up the comedy as we rode through the night.

Hours 12-14: Night naps

The last intercom announcement at 9:45 p.m. informed passengers that 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. are quiet hours.

After a few TV episodes, I put the screen down and closed my eyes. I drifted in and out of sleep for the final hours of my trip.

Hour 15: A midnight arrival

We arrived in Salt Lake City just before midnight. An attendant knocked on my door about 10 minutes before to let me know we were close, and I started to gather my things.

I exited the train at the back of a long platform, which was brightly lit despite the late hour. I watched other departing passengers greet their loved ones at the station as I called an Uber to take me to my next adventure — a stay at one of Salt Lake City's only five-star hotels.

• It would have been easy to say no when my friend invited me to join her on a trip to St. Croix.
• It was just before the start of the school year, and I had a ton of things on my to-do list.
• For the first time in 13 years, I went on a trip without my kids. It was just what I needed.

This summer, my best friend said she was planning to celebrate her mom's birthday by taking a trip to St. Croix. She asked if I wanted to join them, but I paused.

At first, I was unsure. A tropical trip just for us girls did sound great, but it would mean returning a week before school started for my two kids. Looking at my to-do list, it would've been easy to say no, but something in me told me not to miss out on this chance to go to paradise.

So I agreed to my first girls' trip since becoming a mom, 13 years ago.

I had to act fast

I was prepping for back-to-school shopping, and money felt kinda tight. I bought an airline ticket immediately after talking to my friend. I knew if I hesitated, I would end up wimping out.

Timing was on my side. The dates lined up so that my kids would be having fun in Cancun and Cozumel with my ex, while I would be spending four incredible days on a Caribbean island.

When I became a mom, I put any dreams of beachy trips out of mind. I had no desire to be that far away from my kids. My life was all about mothering, and it felt strange to imagine sitting under a palm tree on a gorgeous beach so far away from them

Only I really wanted to do just that, especially as my kids got older. I knew all the giving involved with parenting can lead some mothers to miss out on making other memories. I had to just go for it.

Later, while packing, I kept telling myself, the kids will be okay, they can handle me taking a trip, and so can I.

Saying yes to the trip has inspired me to not miss out on other things

By early August, I was on the beach sipping a piña colada, with ocean-blue views that went on and on.

"I can't believe this is real," I kept saying while my friend and I lounged on the shore, enjoyed great food and drinks, rode jet skis, shopped in town, and documented it all with selfies.

Since returning home, I've been working hard to remember how peaceful I felt stepping off the tour boat and onto Buck Island, only accessible by boat, among protected coral reefs and white-sand beaches. It a great reminder that I can enjoy things too, just for me.

For a little while, I was on Island-time, and all that mattered was admiring beauty and savoring the moment with my dear friend and her mom. The trip made me realize that this beautiful place had been there all along, waiting for me to experience it. Now I wonder what else is out there for me to discover.

This unexpected trip gave me permission to believe I can be both a deeply caring mom and also say yes to myself, too.

• CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator isn't concerned about the data center backlash.
• Intrator said the moratoriums and regulations ultimately mean the facilities will be built elsewhere.
• "It's just a question of where you put it," Intrator said.

CoreWeave CEO Michael Intrator is shrugging off the data center backlash.

"There has absolutely not been any reduction in orders," Intrator said Wednesday morning during an interview on CNBC's "Squawk On The Street."

Intrator, who leads an AI cloud provider that started as a crypto mining company, said that any regulatory crackdown on data center buildouts will simply result in companies focusing on communities that welcome the construction.

"The regulations that are being brought out around data centers, all they are going to do is they're going to relocate the infrastructure," he said. "They're not going to in any way reduce the demand."

The market, Intrator said, is looking for more data centers.

"It's just a question of where you put it," he said. "Nothing more than that."

CoreWeave is among a handful of AI infrastructure companies that would be affected if a broader AI backlash leads to significant nationwide restrictions.

In July, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the nation's first statewide moratorium on large-scale data centers. Other governors, including Republicans, have moved to cut back on tax incentives and other benefits data centers have historically received. It remains to be seen what will happen after November's midterm elections, where candidates from both parties have raced to portray their opponents as too friendly to the AI industry.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump told reporters that data centers "are gonna be very popular" based on how the AI and tech industry will work with local communities. Trump made those comments alongside leaders from Anthropic, OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta, Google, Nvidia, and other companies, which he welcomed to the White House for a private lunch to discuss the future of the technology.

"This is a group that loves local communities," Trump told reporters. "They love our country, and they are going to work with local communities for the data centers, in particular. And they're going to make the community happy."

Polling shows voters continue to oppose data center construction in their communities. A NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll national survey found that more than 6 in 10 registered voters (65%) opposed "the construction of a data center in your community."

Companies like CoreWeave have cited data center moratoriums as a potential risk in quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. CoreWeave's latest 10-Q, covering the second quarter, added a mention of New York's moratorium.

During the company's earnings call, Intrator expressed a similar outlook.

"Ultimately, at the end of the day, it is in our interest, and it is in their interest for us to be good neighbors of their community," he said.

• The cost of attending over a dozen US schools now exceeds $100,000 yearly.
• Some of the costliest schools in the country also offer generous financial aid packages.
• College costs are often driven by the local cost of living in cities like New York or Los Angeles.

College tuition costs in the US are reaching new heights.

Today, a bachelor's degree at some of America's top schools can cost upward of nearly half a million dollars over four years. And the trend doesn't seem to be slowing down.

In June, The Princeton Review collected a list of 15 US colleges with sticker prices exceeding $100,000 annually for their 2026 Best Colleges release.

The numbers, collected through institutional surveys of over 2,000 colleges, include the annual costs of tuition, fees, housing, food, transportation, books, and other expenses for each undergraduate student.

For many, the choice to attend one of these schools comes with an attached lifelong commitment — in the form of student loan debt.

But many others at some of these institutions also benefit from generous financial aid, ranging from loan-free packages to free tuition or more, for families below an earnings threshold.

At some of these schools, the investment is also matched by high earnings after graduation.

See which schools are in the six-figure club — and what kind of relief they offer their students.

15. Haverford College

Sticker price: $100,026

Average need-based scholarships and grants: $70,718

Average out-of-pocket cost: $29,308

Students from families earning under $65,000 a year may receive financial relief through loan-free financial aid packages from Haverford College.

14. Colgate University

Sticker price: $100,224

Average need-based scholarships and grants: $72,605

Average out-of-pocket cost: $27,619

With a cost of attendance over $100,000 per year, Colgate University provides free tuition for families earning under $175,000 and loan-free financial aid packages for families earning under $200,000.

13. Georgetown University

Sticker price: $100,864

Average need-based scholarships and grants: $58,163

Average out-of-pocket cost: $42,701

Located in the heart of DC and recognized for its influential network on Capitol Hill, Georgetown University promises to meet 100% of students' demonstrated need through financial aid packages.

12. New York University

Sticker price: $100,998

Average need-based scholarships and grants: $60,191

Average out-of-pocket cost: $40,807

NYU, like other New York City schools, has some of the highest tuition costs in the US, driven by the local cost of living. The school, however, covers full tuition for families making under $100,000.

11. Wesleyan University

Sticker price: $101,030

Average need-based scholarships and grants: $72,372

Average out-of-pocket cost: $28,658

Despite being one of the most expensive colleges in the US, Wesleyan offers loan-free financial aid packages to admitted students.

10. Vassar College

Sticker price: $101,051

Average need-based scholarships and grants: $67,214

Average out-of-pocket cost: $33,837

Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, is also among the costliest to attend. The school keeps its promise to meet 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students through financial aid packages.

9. Claremont McKenna College

Sticker price: $101,990

Average need-based scholarships and grants: $68,936

Average out-of-pocket cost: $33,054

Claremont McKenna College, which ranks among the most selective schools in the US, also has some of the highest costs of attendance, though the school is committed to meeting 100% of students' demonstrated need through financial aid packages.

After graduation, however, students of the social science-focused school rank among the highest-earning graduates in the US.

8. Fordham University

Sticker price: $102,188

Average need-based scholarships and grants: $41,919

Average out-of-pocket cost: $60,269

President Donald Trump attended Fordham University for two years, and it's among the colleges with the highest cost of attendance in the US, largely driven by the high cost of living in the New York City area.

7. Smith College

Sticker price: $102,226

Average need-based scholarships and grants: $73,031

Average out-of-pocket cost: $29,195

Smith College, the largest women's college in the country, now offers loan-free financial aid packages for students, and students with families making under $150,000 receive free tuition.

6. Washington University

Sticker price: $102,260

Average need-based scholarships and grants: $75,880

Average out-of-pocket cost: $26,380

Washington University in St. Louis, which has one of the highest costs of attendance in the US, also provides a fully free undergraduate education to students from Missouri and parts of southern Illinois with families making under $75,000 a year.

5. Barnard College

Sticker price: $103,000

Average need-based scholarships and grants: $60,320

Average out-of-pocket cost: $42,680

Barnard College, a women's liberal arts college in New York City, provides its students with access to Ivy League resources through its historical partnership with Columbia University and is also committed to meeting students' demonstrated need.

4. University of Southern California

Sticker price: $103,162

Average need-based scholarships and grants: $50,322

Average out-of-pocket cost: $52,840

Despite being one of the most expensive colleges in the US, the University of Southern California also offers its students some relief.

First-year students with families earning under $80,000 can receive free tuition, although they're still responsible for covering the cost of their food and housing, which is impacted by Los Angeles' high cost of living.

3. University of Chicago

Sticker price: $103,821

Average need-based scholarships and grants: $78,651

Average out-of-pocket cost: $25,170

The University of Chicago is America's third-most expensive college by full cost of attendance.

Beginning next fall, undergraduate students from families earning up to $125,000 will receive free tuition, fees, housing, and meals, and families earning under $250,000 will also get free tuition.

2. Duke University

Sticker price: $103,975

Average need-based scholarships and grants: $70,439

Average out-of-pocket cost: $33,536

Despite being the second-most expensive college in the US by full cost of attendance, Duke University offers full tuition grants to students from South and North Carolina with families earning $150,000 or less yearly, as well as loan-free financial aid packages for students from the Carolinas with families earning $65,000 or less a year.

1. Harvey Mudd College

Sticker price: $104,512

Average need-based scholarships and grants: $64,941

Average out-of-pocket cost: $39,571

Harvey Mudd College is the most expensive college in the US, with a sticker price of $104,512 per year.

However, the STEM-focused California college also has the fourth-highest-paid graduates in the country.

• My 22-year-old son moved out sooner than I expected after accepting a job in another state.
• I was happy for him, but sad about losing our everyday life together.
• I realized I could be happy for my son while still missing the life we had at home.

"I've got news," my 22-year-old son said as he sat across the dinner table from my husband and me on a warm summer night.

"I accepted a new job in Indiana, and I'll be moving there in a month."

I froze. I was surprised, not that he was moving out, but that he was leaving months earlier than I had expected.

It was my understanding that he would be living at home until closer to his wedding in November.

I was happy for him, of course. Aren't these things what every parent wants for their child? A good job and a future with someone they love?

But beneath that happiness came a sadness I hadn't anticipated. My son was ready to begin the next chapter of life, and I realized I was going to miss having him home — something I thought I had a few more months to prepare for.

Last year, after graduating from college, he moved back home

My adult son wanted to save money for his future — a future that would include his long-term girlfriend, who was attending graduate school a few hours away.

When they got engaged shortly thereafter, we were thrilled. They set their wedding date for this November. So I had assumed that he would live at home until sometime closer to the wedding, giving him more time to save money.

Instead, here he was announcing his departure.

I was going to miss having him around the house

In what seemed like mere minutes, we were packing up his things and helping him move into his new apartment. Along with the physical exhaustion of moving, I was surprised by the emotions that came with it. I felt almost numb.

But was I mourning? What was I actually going to miss? Not cooking for him, since I don't particularly enjoy cooking, or the fact that he never unloaded the dishwasher or replaced the laundry detergent he used.

I was going to miss simply having him around — seeing him and talking to him when our work schedules allowed. I was going to miss his sense of humor and our shared love of ice cream and cats. I know my husband would miss having someone to hit golf balls with and living with another sports fan to talk about teams and trades.

There had been an initial readjustment to living with him at home last year, but since then, we had settled into a comfortable rhythm. We had our routines, little day-to-day interactions, and the simple pleasure of having him down the hall.

And now that would be gone.

I've felt this feeling of loss before

Although I didn't recognize it at first, this feeling was familiar. I had felt it before, as a parent, in other moments when something wonderful was beginning, and something else was ending.

I felt it when I was pregnant with my second child. I was thrilled to have another baby, one I desperately wanted, but I hadn't expected to grieve our life as a family of three. I loved that version of our family. It was good. And it would never be that way again.

Then I felt it again when I dropped my son off at college. I was excited for him, while I also grasped that what our family looked like at home would change. He would no longer be a part of our everyday life in the same way.

Now, here I was again. My son had gotten a good job, was marrying the girl of his dreams, and was starting a life of his own. And yet, I was sad to see the version of our family where he lived with us come to an end. Thinking this way, too, made me feel guilty, just like it had the times before.

As my husband and I drove home after helping him move, I came to terms with the fact that my son probably would not live with us again. That was startling to think about.

The sadness has lessened

My son and I have resumed texting funny memes and cat pictures, just like we did when he was in college. We discuss wedding preparations. I'm so pleased to hear that his new job is going well, and the wedding is almost here.

It's been strange to feel both joy and sadness as our family changes. I still miss having my son down the hall, but I'm looking forward to the wedding and to what comes next.

I'm realizing that being happy for your child doesn't mean you can't miss what you had before.

• Citadel founder Ken Griffin is putting his personal wealth to work in Miami.
• The billionaire has been a big donor to hospitals and schools in the region.
• His latest gift is a $3 billion check to Carnegie Mellon University, most of which will go to a new Miami campus.

Successful cities and top-tier universities often exist symbiotically.

Stanford has fueled the rise of Silicon Valley. Harvard and MIT have made Boston a top-notch research city. A pipeline of public-policy wonks from Georgetown and George Washington University keeps Washington, D.C., humming.

So it's only natural that Ken Griffin, the billionaire founder of $76 billion hedge fund Citadel and marketmaker Citadel Securities, focuses on education as he reshapes Miami, where his firms are headquartered. His latest splash: the largest-ever gift in higher education history that will bring a top-tier university to the Magic City.

Griffin, a Harvard alum who gave the largest gift in that school's history in 2023, is now giving $3 billion to Carnegie Mellon University, according to a press release on the donation. A majority of the gift — $2 billion — will go to developing a Miami campus for the Pittsburgh-based school, with plans to begin admitting students in 2028.

"The opportunity to bring Carnegie Mellon to Miami places our city at the heart of humanistic and scientific advancement and amplifies the University's international reach and impact," Griffin said in the release.

The 35-acre campus in Miami's artsy Wynwood neighborhood will "contribute to Miami's economy and community, and advance the prosperity of our nation," said Griffin, who, according to Bloomberg, has a net worth of $57.5 billion. He's a major donor to the Republican Party who has funded, among other endeavors, the hiring of the current US Men's National Team coach and a play about World War I.

His "civic engagement initiative" — known as Griffin Catalyst — has helped build mini soccer fields in Miami, pumped tens of millions of dollars into medical research at local hospitals, and funded charter school expansion in the region.

Griffin, who grew up in Boca Raton but founded his hedge fund in Chicago as an undergrad, has been the biggest whale in Miami's rapidly growing money scene since he moved his firms there in 2022. Citadel's $2.5 billion tower will remake the city's skyline, and his personal real estate portfolio includes more than $250 million worth of property in the ritzy Star Island and Coconut Groves enclave, to go along with his 27-acre Palm Beach compound.

What keeps Griffin's fund, the most profitable in industry history, churning is a constant supply of top talent. Bringing a pool of capable quants and researchers to his firm's backyard is another way Griffin is trying to win the hedge fund talent war, while also adding to his adopted city's clout.

"CMU Miami represents a generational opportunity to build a new center of research and intellectual life — one that will attract exceptional students, scholars, and researchers from across the globe and rank among the world's most important academic institutions," Griffin said in the release.

• Meredith Whitney says the impacts of the Iran war are starting to be felt by high-income Americans.
• She notes that high gas prices are starting to impact spending even among high-earning consumers.
• "Even higher-income households are making choices because of this stinging psychological effect of over-$4 gas prices."

A renowned forecaster on Wall Street says the economic pain of the Iran war is becoming more widespread among US households.

Meredith Whitney, also known as the "Oracle of Wall Street," says the inflationary impact of higher oil and gas prices is starting to impact high-income Americans.

High-earners have been thought to be largely sheltered from cost pressures drummed up by the war, while lower-income Americans are struggling to keep up with the pace of inflation. But "high-end" bank customers look like they've been tightening their wallets lately,

The analyst, who rose to fame for calling the housing crisis ahead of the 2008 recession, pointed to weekly credit card balances, which have started to diverge from the rise in gas prices in recent weeks, though credit card debt previously had a nearly 1-to-1 correlation with gas prices.

"Over the last three weeks, that correlation has diverged, which means even higher-income households are making choices because of this stinging psychological effect of over-$4 gas prices," Whitney told Bloomberg on earlier this week.

Oil prices have resumed their rise in recent weeks after cooling from summertime peaks. The latest supply disruptions in the Middle East and the lack of progress on a US-Iran peace deal sent Brent crude as high as $109 a barrel this month.

The national price for the average gallon of regular unleaded gas clocked in at $4.43 on Wednesday, up from last year's $3.15 average.

Higher energy costs from the Iran war have cost the average US household an additional $927 a month, per the latest estimate from Brown University.

Higher oil prices have also stoked fears about inflation and caused the market to price in higher interest rates, which could also spark pain even for borrowers with top-notch credit, Whitney said. The benchmark 10-year US Treasury yield, which influences borrowing costs across the economy and has climbed alongside rate expectations recently, hovered around 5.23% on Wednesday, close to its Great Financial Crisis peak.

"They're lending to people who don't need the money," Whitney said, adding that credit lines overall were likely to get more expensive.

The K-shaped economy — the idea that lower-income Americans are struggling while high-earning Americans are thriving — has garnered more attention recently as oil and gas prices have soared.

More economists have floated concerns recently that Americans in the upper-K portion of the economy could pull back on spending. Consumer spending has been a ballast for the US economy in recent years, and has largely been accounted for by high earners who haven't been deterred by rising prices.

Lower-income households have already made sacrifices to accommodate higher energy costs, Whitney said, pointing to how grocery spending has been flat or seen drops compared to levels last year. In the last quarter, 71% of middle-income Americans surveyed by Primerica said their income was falling behind the cost of living, while 74% said their ability to save for the future was "not so good" to "poor."

• Wait times on Uber have increased over the last few years, a new study shows.
• The increase happened in five of six metro areas, according to data from Uber drivers.
• Price per mile also increased, the study found.

You might be waiting longer for your Uber ride to arrive — and paying more for it.

The time between when Uber matched a driver with a rider and when the car arrived grew 19% between the first quarter of 2023 and the same period this year, according to a new analysis by Len Sherman, an executive in residence and adjunct professor at Columbia Business School.

Over the same period, the price per mile that Uber charged rose 53% on average, per the analysis.

"You're charging more for less, for degrading the service," Sherman told Business Insider in an interview. Sherman released the wait-time and price findings on Wednesday in a new report.

"This analysis relies on a number of inaccuracies, which we've publicly refuted," an Uber spokesperson said. The spokesperson declined to comment specifically on Sherman's findings about wait time and per-mile cost.

The spokesperson referred Business Insider to a January blog post from the company, which said it was "false" that "the only reason Uber was able to become profitable was by raising prices while taking an ever larger share" of fares.

The data provide another example of how Uber has changed for riders over the last decade.

Once among startups that burned cash to acquire users, Uber has more recently used its upfront pricing strategy to become profitable. It is often done by charging riders more and paying drivers less, Sherman has previously contended.

Sherman examined 37,500 trips completed by drivers in six US cities, compiled using data from GigU, an app that shows drivers how much they will make per minute and per mile on a trip before they accept it. Wait times increased in five of the six cities, including Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston.

In the sixth city — Tampa, Florida — wait times declined slightly.

The data do not include the time that riders spent waiting for Uber to pair them with a driver, Sherman said, since he relied on data from drivers. Once a rider requests a ride, Uber sends the ride offer to nearby drivers, often at different payout rates.

That process can add minutes to rider wait times, Sherman said. "By definition, it's an underestimate," he said.

By increasing wait times and prices, Uber is risking its relationship with customers, Sherman said. The rise of AI agents means that riders are more easily able to compare prices with rival Lyft or local alternatives, he added.

Sherman's study also pointed to the 2026 Axios Harris Poll 100, which ranks major companies based on their reputation. This year's edition placed Uber 72nd on the list, lower than its position as 58th in 2025, with declines on metrics including trust, character, and ethics.

"This is a company that has acted in a way that clearly has lost the trust of their customers, riders, and drivers," Sherman said.

Sherman's report is his latest on Uber. His previous studies showed that Uber increased the share of each rider fare that it kept, known as the company's take rate, therefore reducing the pay that went to its gig-worker drivers.

Another study earlier this year showed that Uber's commercial insurance and operational charges varied significantly across seemingly identical trips.

Do you have a story idea about Uber? Contact this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com or via encrypted messaging app Signal at 808-854-4501. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• Berea College in Kentucky is one of 10 federally recognized work colleges in the US.
• Work colleges offer students tuition-free models in exchange for required work hours.
• The tuition-free model has helped Grace Mullins, a rising senior, attain her education.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Grace Mullins, a rising senior and sociology major from Indiana at Berea College, a private liberal arts work college in Kentucky. This story has been edited for length and clarity.

I wouldn't have been able to afford college without taking out a lot of student debt.

As a student at Berea College, I don't pay tuition; the school was the only way I could graduate without an insane amount of debt that would follow me for the rest of my life.

For me, the only things that I really have to cover are housing and meal plans. Most people I know are paying less than $500 a semester, and I know a lot of people who are getting money back.

My parents are college-educated, but they also had a lot of debt and were paying it off while I was growing up. I saw that part of our budget was paying off their student loans, and I feel so incredibly blessed that I won't have to worry about that.

I'm not graduating completely debt-free — I have a little under $10,000 in loans — but I think I'll be able to pay them off by the time I graduate.

I always thought I was going to be a teacher

I always loved working with kids. Up until my freshman year of college, I was dead set on being an elementary school teacher. I had spent pretty much 18 years of my life planning to become a teacher and doing everything I could to prepare to be the best teacher possible.

I found out about Berea during my college search, and I realized with the current world and how high the cost of education is — and how little educators end up getting paid — that Berea was going to be the best model for me to actually be able to graduate and afford to live and afford to be a teacher.

The first people I told about it were my grandma, my aunts, and my uncle, and they didn't believe it existed. They were like, "That's not a real school." I remember nobody in my high school believing that it was real.

At Berea, every student has a job

Everybody has a job on campus. All students are required to work at least 10 hours a week starting their freshman year.

You submit your résumé, they assign a job based on it, and then, for the next three years, you're allowed to apply and pick your own job.

In my freshman year, based on my experience in childcare, I was assigned to work in the child development lab. Every morning, I would wake up at 7 a.m. and walk down to the lab, and I would change diapers and feed babies. I loved it.

Now, I work as a Resident Advisor in the dormitories.

By the time I graduate, four years of work experience will already bulk up my résumé. Being part of a labor college is something that I'll always be very proud of.

Time management is a huge thing — especially in my job now, I've learned so many leadership skills because I'm in a management position.

Students have classes, work, and clubs; some are student-athletes. It can be stressful — we call it "Berea Busy" — but people find a routine because this is how we get to the end goal: graduation.

The tuition-free model gave me room to change my mind

When I got to Berea, I took a sociology class and realized there was a lot more to the world for me than just being a teacher.

Berea gave me the ability to kind of not know what I wanted to do at first, and I had enough support to figure it out, learn, and gain experience that would get me into a job someday.

You can't really get a job right out of graduation with a sociology degree that isn't working in a nonprofit, but because I'm graduating with zero debt, I feel a lot more inclined to pursue grad school.

Berea has so many opportunities to help us get into grad schools, make connections that will get us there, and secure funding that I feel a lot safer going with sociology.

I feel ready for the future

At Berea, you can do pretty much any job that you might want to pursue. You can find a job on campus that will help you build those skills.

Even if I step out into the world and I'm not as prepared as I thought, I think I'll be able to get through it thanks to the support network the school has given me.

Editor's Note: Berea College is one of 10 federally recognized work colleges, in which every resident student is required to work as part of their education, and has not charged tuition since 1892. In August, the school announced it would begin covering the full cost of attendance for all students through loan-free financial aid packages starting in Fall 2027.

• We're 85-year-old best friends who have traveled to 53 countries together.
• Since we're retired, we look for senior discounts and affordable hotels, but splurge on excursions.
• We love proving that adventure has no age limit, and can't wait to continue exploring the world.

We are 85 and have been best friends for the past 25 years. Known as the "Traveling Nanas," our adventures together have taken us to 53 countries, and we have no plans to stop anytime soon.

Whether we're exploring caves in Slovenia, taking a boat along the Spree River in Germany, or witnessing the beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, seeing the world together — usually in our matching T-shirts — has been one of the greatest thrills of our friendship.

Even though we're in our 80s, we're not slowing down — plus, we're not even breaking the bank.

We love showing others that adventure has no age limit

Twenty years ago, we met while on an international trip to Zambia, and after bonding over the grief of losing our husbands, we became friends and discovered a shared curiosity about the world and a willingness to say "yes" to adventure.

So, after visiting several countries together, we decided in 2023 to embark on an ambitious journey: going around the world in 80 days in our 80s.

In those 80 days, we visited all seven continents, 18 countries, and multiple wonders of the world. We rode a husky sled in Finland, took a hot-air balloon in Egypt, flew over Mount Everest, and went on a spontaneous trip to Argentina.

Throughout this 80-day adventure, we learned to adapt to the unexpected and discovered a lot about each other — namely, that one of us is the "sweet" one and the other is the "spicy" one.

Sandy opens her arms to people wherever she goes and has taught Ellie to do the same. In turn, Ellie has encouraged Sandy to step outside her comfort zone and say yes to every adventure.

We weren't looking for fame, but after posting about our travels online, we gained a following and caught attention from people around the world.

Since then, we've written a book about our experiences and have even taken our grandchildren on several trips — encouraging the next generation to experience the world as well.

Despite our love of travel, we still take our age into account when planning these adventures. Even though we have a lot of energy, we've learned that traveling on our own — instead of joining larger group tours — works best for us, since it lets us go at our own pace and take in all the sights without worrying about keeping up with other people.

However, we typically don't make time to rest, since we prefer packed itineraries and early bedtimes over daytime naps.

For us, seeing the world as retirees doesn't need to be costly

Because these adventures are so important to us, we knew we needed to plan carefully to cover the cost of these trips, given that we are both retired.

We've chosen to spend our money on travel instead of new cars and other luxuries. Because we own our homes and our retirement income covers all the other everyday expenses, we're able to use our savings to pay for our trips.

Plus, we've also earned an income from social media and book sales, which has helped us fund more adventures.

Luckily, we've both been big savers for most of our lives, but once we started traveling together more frequently, we became even more frugal and intentional about spending. For example, we like to save on hotel accommodations, transportation, and food.

One of our favorite places we've stayed at is the Royal Pyramids Inn in Giza, located in the Cairo metropolitan area, which was only $12 a night. Not only was the price incredible, but we got a great value for our stay. We'll never forget sitting on the rooftop of the inn with a nice cup of tea while watching the light show over the pyramids.

Another perk about traveling in our 80s is the ability to qualify for some senior discounts, including at museums, on trains, and on ferries.

And even though it can be enticing to collect souvenirs at each destination, we rarely buy any — since we'd rather spend our money on riding camels in a Syrian desert or fishing for piranhas in the Amazon River.

But our one spot where we love to splurge is on excursions that create the most incredible memories — whether that's snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, going on a "Happy Swing" in Bali, or hiking on Easter Island. These moments are what keep us going and are absolutely priceless.

We're not stopping anytime soon

We plan to keep going on adventures for as long as we can. In February, we're headed to Southeast Asia to visit more countries on our bucket list.

Since our around-the-world trip, we've been exploring one continent at a time, spending about 30 days on each journey.

Overall, traveling together has taught us that adventure has no age limit, and we can't wait to see what's next.

• The Education and Treasury Departments are launching an online support center for defaulted student-loan borrowers.
• It's part of the Education Department's plan to transfer federal student-loan accounts to the Treasury.
• The new portal allows defaulted borrowers to make payments online, eliminating the need for paperwork.

The Trump administration is moving forward with its transfer of federal student-loan accounts to the Treasury Department.

The Treasury and Education Departments announced on Wednesday, first reported by Business Insider, that they are launching the "Defaulted Loans Support Center." The new online portal is intended to serve as a centralized hub for borrowers in default to return to good standing and access default resources.

Previously, defaulted borrowers had to file printed paperwork to access rehabilitation and consolidation resources. The agencies said the new support center would streamline the process, making it faster for defaulted borrowers to reenter repayment.

A senior Education Department official said in an interview that the two agencies spent the past few months beta-testing the portal with 15,000 borrowers, and that more than 5,000 of those borrowers have made a payment online during the testing period.

"It's a complete modernization of how we engage with borrowers who have unfortunately gone off the track," the official said.

The Education Department announced in March that it would be transferring management of the defaulted student-loan portfolio to the Treasury. The transfer is set to occur in phases, with plans for the Treasury to eventually oversee non-defaulted federal student loans as well. The department official said that work for the second phase is underway, but did not provide further details.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement on Wednesday that the department "was never intended to serve as the fifth largest bank in America, and that's exactly why we partnered with the Treasury Department to improve the administration of federal student aid programs that millions of American students, families, and borrowers rely on."

Lawmakers and former administration officials have expressed concerns with the Treasury's capability to manage the $1.7 trillion student-loan portfolio. Sarah Bloom Raskin, who served as former President Barack Obama's deputy treasury secretary, previously said that collecting defaulted student loans is "operationally quite challenging, and you need the right people there in your career service who can handle this."

Over 60 Democratic lawmakers called on the Education Department in June to stop the transfer to the Treasury. Meanwhile, a Republican-led bill is pushing to codify the plans.

In addition to the new support center, the Treasury Department is also seeking to partner with vendors to facilitate collections on defaulted student loans, a Treasury official previously told Business Insider. Involuntary collections, which include wage garnishment and the seizure of federal benefits, are paused, and the administration has not commented on when the pause will lift.

Defaults on student loans continue to climb. Recent data from Federal Student Aid showed that, through June 30, 9.3 million borrowers were in default — an increase of 400,000 from the prior quarter. An additional 1.5 million borrowers were in late-stage delinquency and at risk of entering default in the next six months, FSA said.

Treasury Scott Bessent said in a statement that the new online portal for defaulted borrowers is "bringing Treasury's unique financial and operational expertise to the program, providing defaulted borrowers a clearer path back to repayment, and building a more efficient and accountable system that better serves borrowers and taxpayers."

Have a story to share about student loans? Contact this reporter at asheffey@businessinsider.com.

• Actors James Van Der Beek, Hayden Panettiere, Robert Duvall, Chuck Norris, and Dennis Haskins died in 2026.
• So did musicians Dolly Parton and Duncan Sheik.
• Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, activist Gloria Steinem, and media mogul Ted Turner also died this year.

Below, we look back at the celebrities we lost in 2026, listed in alphabetical order.

Scott Adams, 68

Scott Adams worked at a telephone company in the 1980s. The experience inspired his beloved comic strip, "Dilbert."

By the end of the decade, the character and his satirical office humor began appearing in comic strips.

At its peak, "Dilbert" was syndicated in over 2,000 newspapers. A cartoon series debuted in 1999, running for two seasons.

Adams gained notoriety when he began writing blog posts praising Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential run. In 2023, "Dilbert" was pulled from newspapers across the US following racist comments made by Adams.

Adams died on January 13 from metastatic prostate cancer.

Brad Arnold, 47

The lead singer of 3 Doors Down, Brad Arnold launched the group into fame with the 2000 rock anthem "Kryptonite," which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year.

The success led to other hits like "Loser," "Here Without You," and "When I'm Gone." Arnold's vocal range and lyrics focused on love and love lost, which fueled the group to stardom.

Arnold died on February 7 from a type of kidney cancer.

Afrika Bambaataa, 68

A hip-hop pioneer during the 1970s and 1980s, Lance Taylor, known professionally as Afrika Bambaataa, first gained attention as a DJ in the Bronx.

He signed with Tommy Boy Records in 1981 and released landmark songs like "Jazzy Sensation" and "Planet Rock." He would go on to influence the likes of Queen Latifah and A Tribe Called Quest throughout his career.

Bambaataa founded the hip-hop awareness group, Universal Zulu Nation, in the 1970s to steer kids away from gang life. Bambaataa stepped down as the head of the organization in 2016 after accusations of sexual abuse.

Bambaataa denied all claims.

He died on April 9 due to prostate cancer.

Rob Bass, 59

One of the icons responsible for bringing hip-hop to the mainstream, Rob Bass crafted the iconic track "It Takes Two" alongside DJ E-Z Rock.

The track, released in 1988, reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Songs chart and later went certified platinum. In 1989, it was voted the greatest single of all time by Spin magazine.

Bass died on May 22 following cancer.

Nicholas Brendon, 54

Nicholas Brendon was a television actor, best known for playing Xander Harris in all seven seasons of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

He also starred in "Criminal Minds" and "Kitchen Confidential."

Brendon died in his sleep on March 20 due to natural causes, according to his family's statement.

In 2023, Brendon suffered a heart attack and was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. He also had cauda equina syndrome, which led to several spinal surgeries.

"While it's no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis, and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing," the statement to The Hollywood Reporter read. "Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination, and heart."

Peabo Bryson, 75

Two-time Grammy winner Peabo Bryson is best known for his classic love ballads.

Bryson began releasing music in the late 1970s, but one of his first major hits was opposite Roberta Flack on the 1983 duet, "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love." He continued hit-making a year later with the smash "If Ever You're in My Arms Again," and in 1991, he topped the R&B charts with "Can You Stop the Rain."

Bryson found global stardom with his renditions of two Disney classics. In 1991, he released the pop version of "Beauty and the Beast," alongside Céline Dion, and a year later, he duetted with Regina Belle on "A Whole New World" from the 1992 release of "Aladdin."

Bryson died on June 2. No cause was given.

James Burrows, 85

An 11-time Emmy winner and co-creator of "Cheers," director James Burrows helped shape modern TV comedy through his work on iconic sitcoms including "Will & Grace," "Friends," and "Frasier."

Known for his comedic timing and elaborate blocking, Burrows got his start directing episodes of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Throughout his career, he directed episodes of "Frasier" (winning an Emmy for the pilot episode), "Will & Grace," "Friends," and "The Big Bang Theory." He directed over 50 pilot episodes.

Burrows died on June 19. No cause was given.

Kyle Busch, 41

Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Busch was considered one of the greatest racers of all time.

Busch was hospitalized on May 21, before two upcoming races. Hours later, he was pronounced dead.

Busch died from severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis.

Robert Carradine, 71

Robert Carradine was best known for his roles as Lizzie McGuire's dad and as the iconic geek Lewis Skolnick in the 1980s franchise "Revenge of the Nerds."

As a member of Hollywood's famed Carradine family, Robert was destined for an onscreen career.

He received one of his first screen credits starring in his brother David Carradine's popular 1970s TV series "Kung Fu" and went on to land roles in everything from Samuel Fuller's World War II classic "The Big Red One" to the "Lizzie McGuire" series.

Carradine's family shared statements with Deadline that emphasized being open about his struggles with mental illness.

"We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby's valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder," Carradine's family said. "We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness."

Carradine died by suicide on February 23.

If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or has had thoughts of harming themself or taking their own life, get help. In the US, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is also available through the Crisis Text Line — just text "HOME" to 741741. The International Association for Suicide Prevention offers resources for those outside the US.

Bud Cort, 77

Most famous for his role as Harold in the 1971 cult-classic "Harold and Maude," Bud Cort became the epitome of 1970s counterculture thanks to his baby-faced looks, wit, and sophisticated persona.

The dark comedy starred Cort as Harold, a man in his 20s who is obsessed with suicide until he meets 79-year-old eccentric Maude (Ruth Gordon).

Before that, Cort scored bit parts in Robert Altman's "M*A*S*H*" (1970) and "Brewster McCloud" (1970).

After "Harold and Maude," Cort worked steadily for the rest of his life, occasionally showing up in hit movies like Michael Mann's "Heat" (1995) and Wes Anderson's "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" (2004).

Cort died on February 11 following a long illness.

Tim Curry, 80

Curry is best known for playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult-classic musical "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," after originating the role in the original stage production.

Over six decades, Curry carved out a niche playing outlandish villains like Rooster Hannigan in the 1982 film "Annie" and Pennywise in the 1990 miniseries "It." Other notable roles include Wadsworth the Butler in "Clue" (1985) and Mr. Hector in "Home Alone 2: Escape from New York."

Curry suffered a major stroke in 2012, which required brain surgery. He said in 2025 that he was "still recovering."

Curry died at his Los Angeles home on August 26. No cause was given.

Eric Dane, 53

Long before becoming one of TV's most recognizable heartthrobs, Eric Dane was building his career with guest roles on series like "Saved by the Bell" and "Married… with Children."

He later gained wider attention with appearances on "Charmed" before landing his breakout role as Dr. Mark "McSteamy" Sloan on "Grey's Anatomy." He most recently starred in HBO's "Euphoria," where he played Cal Jacobs, the father of Jacob Elordi's character, Nate Jacobs.

Dane has two children with his wife, Rebecca Gayheart. In April 2025, the actor said that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

Dane died on February 19 at age 53, his publicist confirmed in a statement to Business Insider.

"He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world," his publicist said.

Clive Davis, 94

A legend in the music world, Davis was responsible for elevating pop music to unthinkable heights by discovering talents like Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Whitney Houston, and Alicia Keys, to name a few.

Over his 50-year career, along with being an executive behind millions of album sales, he also won five Grammys, including two for Album of the Year ("The Bodyguard" soundtrack and "Supernatural" by Santana).

Davis died on June 22. No cause was given.

Robert Duvall, 95

Robert Duvall starred in a plethora of timeless classics, including "The Godfather," "The Godfather Part II," "Apocalypse Now," "THX 1138," "The Natural," "Days of Thunder," and "The Apostle."

Duvall will be best remembered for starring in three of director Francis Ford Coppola's iconic films: playing Tom Hagen in the first two "Godfather" movies and Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore in "Apocalypse Now," in which he delivers one of the most memorable lines in movie history: "I love the smell of napalm in the morning."

Duvall was lauded for his acting talent, from not saying a word while playing Boo Radley in his first big screen role in the 1962 classic "To Kill a Mockingbird" to his portrayal of a country singer dealing with alcoholism in 1983's "Tender Mercies," which earned him an Oscar.

He died on his ranch in Virginia on February 15. No cause was given.

Brenda Fricker, 81

This Irish actress was a fixture on the stage and screen for six decades. But she's most known for showing up in the "Home Alone" sequel.

As The Pigeon Lady in 1992's "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," Fricker has become a fixture for families during the holiday season for decades (and in 2020 became the subject of a popular meme).

But Fricker's acting talents go beyond playing a spooky wanderer of Central Park.

In 1990, she became the first Irish actress to win an Academy Award, as she was given the best supporting actress Oscar that year for her performance in "My Left Foot."

Fricker died on July 16; no cause was given.

Mark Fuhrman, 74

Fuhrman cemented his place in popular culture as one of the lead LAPD detectives on the 1995 murder case of O.J. Simpson's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.

Fuhrman found the famed bloody glove on the Simpson estate, and during the trial, he gained infamy when Simpson's defense team used his past racist language to discredit him as a witness.

Fuhrman retired from the LAPD after the Simpson trial and moved to Idaho, where he wrote true crime books.

Fuhrman died on May 12 of throat cancer.

Valentino Garavani, 93

For over six decades, one name has been synonymous with women's high fashion: Valentino.

The Italian designer launched his fashion business in Rome in 1960 and never looked back. Soon, every star wanted to be seen in his creations. They've been worn by icons like Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Collins, Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, Sharon Stone, and more.

Though Garavani retired from designing in 2008, his label is still a red carpet staple, as is his famous shade of bright red dubbed "Valentino Red."

Garavani died on January 19. No cause was given.

Donald Gibb, 71

No one defined a bully for a generation more than Gibb's hulking fraternity character Ogre in the "Revenge of the Nerds" movies of the 1980s.

Since the original raunchy comedy was released in 1984, Gibb's intimidating size and loud yells of "NERDS!" have become as memorable as the pocket protectors worn by the movie's geeks.

Gibb went on to star opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme in his classic 1988 action movie "Bloodsport." He also landed guest star roles through his career on shows like "Quantum Leap," "Magnum P.I.," "MacGyver," "Night Court," and "Cheers."

Gibb died on May 12 following health complications.

Chad Gilbert, 45

Gilbert was the guitarist and backing vocalist for the punk band New Found Glory.

The band's hit albums include 2002's "Sticks And Stones" and 2004's "Catalyst." Both showed up in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Gilbert died on September 20; no cause was given, but Gilbert told People in April he was battling stage 4 adrenal cancer.

Glen Hansard, 56

Irish singer-songwriter Hansard was the frontman of the rock band The Frames and one-half of the band The Swell Season. But he was perhaps best known for writing and starring in the hit 2007 indie film "Once," in which he and his Swell Season bandmate Markéta Irglová play two struggling musicians who fall in love. The duo won an Oscar for best original song for the film's standout track, "Falling Slowly."

Hansard also embarked on a solo career; his 2015 album, "Didn't He Ramble," was nominated for a Grammy for best folk album.

Hansard died on July 29 in a motorcycle crash in Dublin.

Dennis Haskins, 75

For those who grew up in the '90s, Dennis Haskins was your favorite high school principal, Mr. Belding.

Starring in the hit TV series "Saved By The Bell," Haskins' Belding character traveled the halls trying to be a step ahead of the hijinks inflicted by Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) and his friends. But unlike many school principals in pop culture who were mean and seemed to hate kids, Haskins played his authority role with a playful, good-natured style.

He was on the show's full four-season run from 1989 to 1993, and also starred in the spin-off, "Saved By The Bell: The New Class," from 1993 to 2000.

Haskins' other credits include "The Bold and the Beautiful," "Mad Men," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," and "New Girl."

Haskins died on September 27; no cause was given.

Anthony Head, 72

Rising up through the UK stage scene in the 1980s, Head found fame when he was cast as Rupert Giles, who became a father figure to Sarah Michelle Gellar's Buffy Summers in all seven seasons of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Most recently, he played the bitter former owner of AFC Richmond on "Ted Lasso."

Head's death was announced by his family on June 5. They stated the cause was "complications due to pneumonia."

David Hockney, 88

British painter David Hockney was renowned for his striking portraits and figurative pop art. Many of his best-known paintings, including 1966's "The Splash" and 1972's "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)," were inspired by the bright colors and sun-dappled pools of Los Angeles.

Hockney moved to Los Angeles in the late '60s, and his work became synonymous with the warmth and leisure of Southern California. He was also one of the few popular artists at the time to depict openly gay scenes, and Hockney was outspoken about anti-gay censorship.

Throughout his career, Hockney split time between California, England, and France. He died at his home in London on June 12 at age 88, his publicist confirmed to The New York Times. No cause of death was given.

Jesse Jackson, 84

The Rev. Jesse Jackson was a leader of the Civil Rights Movement, a minister, and an activist icon who twice ran for president.

Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson experienced Jim Crow segregation on public buses and at school firsthand. It would shape the rest of his life.

His fight for civil rights began in the 1960s, when he helped organize protests and demonstrations across the US and worked closely alongside civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

His decadeslong career as a leading civil rights activist included support for modern national movements, such as the push for voting rights, the fight against racism, and a higher minimum wage.

Jackson ran for president twice, both times as a democrat. He placed third for the party's nomination in 1984 and second in 1988. This marked the most successful presidential runs of any Black candidate prior to Barack Obama.

Jackson announced in 2017 that he'd been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In November 2025, Jackson was treated in a Chicago hospital after complications from progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative condition.

Jackson died on February 17.

Yayoi Kusama, 97

Kusama was a famed Japanese pop artist who often used polka-dot motifs in her work, initially rising to prominence in Japan in the 1950s.

In 1959, Kusama presented her first solo exhibition in New York: a collection of abstract paintings that an ARTnews review praised as "strong, advanced in concept and realized."

Kusama later branched into sculptures, performances, and immersive installations. She continued to expand her influence and relevance into the social media era, when her mirrored "Infinity Room" installations became Instagram-friendly attractions that inspired many copycats.

Kusama died on August 14 in Tokyo. She was 97.

Bob Mackie, 87

As one of Hollywood's most renowned costume designers, Bob Mackie's eye set the style for decades.

Known as the Sultan of Sequins, the Rajah of Rhinestones, or the Guru of Glitter, a signature of Mackie's work was its use of sparkle, which made everyone from Cher to Elton John to Dolly Parton to Sabrina Carpenter shine on stage.

He also was the costume designer on "The Carol Burnett Show" for all eleven seasons through the 1970s. He won nine Emmys, a Tony Award, and was nominated for three Academy Awards for his work.

Mackie died on September 14; no cause was given.

Patrick Muldoon, 57

In the 1990s, you couldn't escape the piercing eyes of Patrick Muldoon.

He played Austin Reed on "Days of Our Lives" for most of the decade, and when he wasn't on the soap, he was over on "Melrose Place" playing the villain role of Richard Hart.

If being on two iconic shows wasn't enough, he also showed up on "Saved by the Bell" and had a role in the cult classic movie "Starship Troopers."

Muldoon died on April 19 after a heart attack.

Sam Neill, 78

With a career spanning more than five decades and including countless memorable performances in movies and television, Sam Neill was one of the most versatile actors of his generation,

The New Zealand actor starred opposite Nicole Kidman in the 1989 thriller "Dead Calm," played the loyal first officer opposite Sean Connery in 1990's "The Hunt for Red October," played the lead in John Carpenter's 1994 horror "In the Mouth of Madness," and most recently starred in the hit series "Peaky Blinders."

But Neill is best known for playing the brave and all-dinosaur-knowing Dr. Alan Grant in the "Jurassic Park" franchise.

Neill died on July 13; no cause was given. Neill was battling a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer, but was cancer-free at the time of his death, according to a post on his Instagram account announcing his passing.

Tom Noonan, 74

Standing at a towering 6' 5", Tom Noonan was born to play the bad guy. And he did just that, starring as the villain in movies like "Manhunter," "RoboCop 2," and "Last Action Hero."

But this actor had more to show off. He showcased his comedy chops as Rodney Dangerfield's degenerate gambling friend in the 1983 comedy "Easy Money," and set up the heist for Robert De Niro in Michael Mann's 1995 classic "Heat."

His knack for storytelling also translated behind the camera. Noonan wrote, directed, and starred in the drama "What Happened Was," which won the grand prize at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival.

Noonan died on February 14; no cause was given.

Chuck Norris, 86

Few action stars have Chuck Norris' credentials.

Before he ever stepped in front of a camera, he was a martial arts champion and a black belt in Karate, judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Taekwondo, and Tang Soo Do.

His talents would become known the world over in 1972, when he faced off against Bruce Lee in "The Way of the Dragon."

Through the 1980s, Norris became one of the biggest action stars in the world thanks to movies like "A Force of One," "The Octagon," and the "Delta Force" and "Missing in Action" franchises.

In the 1990s, he took over the small screen, playing the lead in the "Walker, Texas Ranger" TV show, which aired in over 100 countries during its run from 1993 to 2001.

Norris was hospitalized on March 19 in Hawaii and died the following day, according to his family. No cause was given.

Catherine O'Hara, 71

O'Hara, who was best known for her roles in "Beetlejuice" and "Home Alone," got her start in the Canadian comedy scene, appearing in the now-legendary cast of "SCTV."

It would mark the beginning of a fruitful partnership with fellow actor Eugene Levy, who became her frequent costar and collaborator in memorable appearances in Christopher Guest films like "A Mighty Wind" and "Best in Show" and television series like "Schitt's Creek," which earned her an Emmy Award for outstanding lead actress in 2020.

O'Hara's representative confirmed her death to Business Insider on January 30. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed in a death certificate viewed by People that O'Hara died of a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer listed as an underlying cause.

Hayden Panettiere, 36

Panettiere began acting as a child, landing one of her earliest major roles as Sarah Roberts on the ABC soap opera "One Life to Live," on which she appeared from 1994 to 1997.

As her career progressed, she became best known for portraying Claire Bennet on "Heroes" and Juliette Barnes on "Nashville."

Over the years, Panettiere had spoken openly about her struggles with alcoholism and postpartum depression. She detailed those experiences in her memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning," which was released in May.

Panettiere died on August 16. A final autopsy report by the Greenville County Coroner's Office ruled her death an accident caused by the toxic effects of fentanyl and other drugs.

Dolly Parton, 80

Parton released her debut album, "Hello, I'm Dolly," in 1967 and went on to pen country hits like "I Will Always Love You" and "Jolene," both of which were released as singles in 1974.

In addition to her music, Parton was beloved for her flamboyant style and her philanthropy. She founded the Dollywood Foundation in 1988, a charitable organization focused on education and community initiatives in her home state of Tennessee. She continued to fund scholarship programs and donate to hospitals, public health initiatives, and disaster relief programs throughout her life.

Parton is known as the best-selling female country music artist of all time. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.

Parton's 49th and final solo studio album, "Rockstar," was released in 2023. The tracklist included both original material and covers of classic rock songs, featuring an array of guests like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sting, Joan Jett, and Parton's goddaughter, Miley Cyrus.

News broke on August 25 that Parton died following unspecified health issues. She was 80.

Vincent Pastore, 80

This character actor found fame appearing in a string of mob movies in the 1990s, like "Goodfellas," "Carlito's Way," and "Men of Respect." But Pastore truly became a star when he was cast in the hit HBO series "The Sopranos."

As Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, Pastore was part of the main cast for the first two seasons of the show, playing Tony Soprano's mob enforcer-turned-FBI informant. Bonpensiero's shocking death was one of the most famous in the show's history and proved that no one was safe from getting whacked.

Pastore died on August 1. No cause was given.

Valerie Perrine, 82

Perrine found herself cast alongside the biggest stars of the 1970s.

She played the love interest opposite Jeff Bridges in 1973's "The Last American Hero" and Robert Redford in 1979's "The Electric Horseman." She earned an Oscar nomination for starring alongside Dustin Hoffman in 1974's "Lenny."

For most, she'll be remembered best for sharing the screen with Gene Hackman as the secretary to his evil Lex Luthor in 1978's "Superman." She also starred in the sequel. As Ms. Teschmacher, her loyalty to Luthor is questioned when she rescues Superman (Christopher Reeve) after he's chained with Kryptonite.

Perrine died in her home in Beverly Hills on March 23. She was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2015.

Sonny Rollins, 95

One of the most influential jazz musicians in history, Rollins recorded more than 60 albums over his seven-decade career.

His live album, "A Night at the Village Vanguard," is considered one of the greatest jazz albums ever made.

Rollins died on May 25; no cause was given.

Neil Sedaka, 86

Sedaka is responsible for some of the biggest pop songs of the 1960s and 1970s.

The Brooklyn native wrote over 500 songs, including classic hits like "Laughter in the Rain," "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," "Bad Blood" and the Captain & Tennille song, "Love Will Keep Us Together."

Sedaka died on February 27; no cause was given.

Gene Shalit, 100

Before there was Rotten Tomatoes or even Siskel & Ebert, movie lovers got their recommendations from Gene Shalit.

The iconic movie critic could be seen sporting his signature look of glasses, bushy hair, and big mustache as a staple on the "Today" show from 1973 to 2010. If he wasn't interviewing the biggest movie stars, he was reviewing movies with incredible puns ("'Ishtar' is Ish-terrible.")

His larger-than-life presence left a mark on pop culture: he was parodied as a Muppet and on countless episodes of "SCTV" and "Saturday Night Live."

Shalit died on June 12; no cause was given.

Duncan Sheik, 56

Sheik found success in the late 1990s with his hit song "Barely Breathing." He later pivoted from alt-rock to a career on Broadway, composing the music for the Tony-winning musical "Spring Awakening." His other stage credits include "American Psycho" (2013) and "The Secret Life of Bees" (2019).

Sheik died on September 17 after a cardiac arrest.

Kiki Shepard, 74

In her 15-year tenure as a co-host on "Showtime at the Apollo," Kiki Shepard was considered royalty at Harlem's famed Apollo Theater.

Known in the building as "Apollo Queen of Fashion" thanks to her dazzling outfits, Shepherd was a fixture on the show from 1987 to 2002.

Throughout her career, Shepard also appeared on TV shows like "Baywatch," "A Different World," "NYPD Blue," and "Grey's Anatomy."

Shepard died on March 16 after suffering a heart attack.

Gloria Steinem, 92

An icon in the women's liberation movement of the 1970s, Steinem dedicated most of her life to fighting sexism.

Starting her career as a journalist, she became a columnist for the newly founded New York Magazine in 1968. She cofounded Ms. magazine in 1971, which focused on women's issues. She also helped launch the Women's Action Alliance, which focused on tackling sexism.

Steinem was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.

Steinem died on September 2, according to a post on her social media. No cause was given.

Béla Tarr, 70

Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr became a legend in the arthouse world for his unflinching work featuring several-minute-long takes.

With movies like "Family Nest" (1979) and "The Turin Horse" (2011), Tarr showcased his slow cinema style while focusing on marginalized characters living bleak lives. Tarr pushed the envelope with his style when he made "Sátántangó" in 1994, which had a run time of 450 minutes.

His work influenced several arthouse filmmakers, including Jim Jarmusch and Gus Van Sant's "Death Trilogy" ("Gerry," "Elephant," and "Last Days").

Tarr died on January 6 following a battle with a "long and serious illness."

James Tolkan, 94

You might not recognize the name, but if you're a movie fan, you know the face.

Tolkan's tough-guy persona made a mark on movie history in films like "Top Gun" and the "Back to the Future" franchise.

In "Top Gun," he played Commander Tom "Stinger" Jardian, who famously gives Tom Cruise's character a tongue lashing, saying, "Your ego is writing checks your body can't cash."

In "Back to the Future" and its sequels, he played Principal Strickland, who had zero tolerance for "slackers."

Other credits include "Serpico," "WarGames," "Masters of the Universe," and "Dick Tracy."

Tolkan died on March 26; no cause was given.

Ted Turner, 87

Ted Turner changed the television landscape thanks to his maverick maneuvers to harness the 24-hour news cycle.

After taking over his father's advertising company in the 1960s at the age of 24, Turner embarked on a path to change the media landscape by buying up radio and TV stations around the South. He even bought sports teams including the Atlanta Braves MLB team and the Atlanta Hawks NBA team.

All of that programming would eventually become part of TBS, a "super station" that showed old movies, reruns, and Braves and Hawks games.

Turner then set his sights on the news. He founded CNN, the first 24-hour news channel, in June of 1980.

Over the decades, Turner gained celebrity status, particularly after marrying Jane Fonda, a union that lasted from 1991 to 2001. In 1991, he was named Time's "Man of the Year." He sold his networks to Time Warner for $7.5 billion in 1996.

Turner died on May 6; no cause was given.

Bonnie Tyler, 75

Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler became one of the biggest artists of the 1980s thanks to her legendary power ballads.

Tyler was behind hits like "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Holding Out for a Hero," which was also featured on the 1984 "Footloose" soundtrack. Both songs were chart-toppers that have since become two of the best-selling singles of all time.

Over her career, Tyler was nominated for three Grammys and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

Tyler died on July 8 in Portugal, where she was being treated for an illness, according to a statement posted on her social media.

James Van Der Beek, 48

Van Der Beek was beloved all over the world for his role as the titular teen Dawson Leery on the WB series "Dawson's Creek."

The series, which ran from 1998 to 2002, turned Van Der Beek into a star and a teen heartthrob. While "Dawson's Creek" was still airing, he'd cement his stardom playing the lead role of high school quarterback "Mox" Moxon in the 1999 coming-of-age drama "Varsity Blues."

Van Der Beek found steady work the rest of his career in movies like "Texas Rangers" and "The Rules of Attraction, and memorably played a fictional version of himself on the TV series "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23," and performed on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2019.

Van Der Beek learned he had stage 3 colon cancer in 2023, and publicly announced his diagnosis in late 2024.

Van Der Beek previously told Business Insider that the news came as a shock, given the subtleness of his symptoms and his efforts to stay as healthy as possible.

"I was doing everything," he said. "I was doing sauna, cold plunge, weightlifting, Pilates. I would dance and also do football training."

Van Der Beek died on February 11.

Bob Weir, 78

Weir was one of the founding members of the Grateful Dead.

The singer-songwriter wrote and/or sang on songs like "Sugar Magnolia," "Playing in the Band," "Truckin,'" "I Need a Miracle," and "The Other One."

After the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Weir went on to form several other bands, including Kingfish, Bobby and the Midnites, RatDog, The Other Ones, and, alongside John Mayer, Dead & Company.

In the summer of 2025, Weir was diagnosed with cancer.

Weir died on January 10.

Victor Willis, 74

Willis was the lead singer of the iconic disco band the Village People.

Along with being the lead vocalist and dressing as the police officer (and sometimes naval officer), Willis was also the cowriter on many of the band's hits, including "In the Navy," "Macho Man," and the song that will keep the Village People in pop culture lore until the end of time, "Y.M.C.A."

Willis left the band to embark on a solo career in 1979, then re-formed the Village People in 2017.

Willis died on June 30 following a "short but aggressive illness," according to the Village People Facebook page.

Frederick Wiseman, 96

For over five decades, Wiseman's brand of non-fiction storytelling put a spotlight on everyday people.

From high schoolers to hospital workers to Air Force cadets training for nuclear war, Wiseman's close to 50-film catalogue is an unvarnished reflection of America over the last half century.

Wiseman died on February 16. No cause was given.