Lifestyle

2 days ago

What to know about student loan repayment plans and collections

It's been a confusing time for people with student loans. Collections restarted, then were put on hold. At the same time, borrowers had to stay on top of changes to key forgiveness plans.

2 days ago

Why some women choose Galentines over Valentines. And how they might celebrate

Galentine's Day became a pop culture phenomenon with a 2010 episode of the TV comedy "Parks and Recreation" that celebrated female friendships around Valentine's Day. Amy Poehler's character, Leslie Knope, gathered her gal pals on Feb. 13.

1 week ago

Renters use ‘rent now, pay later’ services to manage monthly payments, but fees raise concerns

Rent can eat up an entire paycheck at the start of the month, so a growing number of renters are turning to a financial product that promises relief by letting them split the bill — for a price.

1 week ago

Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet. Here’s how to start yours

If you want healthy food, experts say to eat what's local, organic and in-season. Those foods benefit the planet too, because they are less taxing on the soil and they don't travel as far. It doesn't get more local, organic and in-season than a backyard vegetable garden.

1 week ago

With caviar McNuggets and heart-shaped pizza, fast food chains hope to win Valentine’s diners

It's a tale as old as time, or at least as old as TikTok: chicken nuggets lovingly topped with a dab of caviar. McDonald's is embracing the trend this Valentine's Day with a limited-time McNugget Caviar kit. The free kit, which will be available on McNuggetCaviar.com on Feb. 10, pairs a one-ounce tin of Paramount's Siberian sturgeon caviar with a $25 McDonald's gift card to buy McNuggets.

2 weeks ago

Where are those darn keys? Tricks for remembering where you put things

With a scarf dangling from your coat pocket and those gloves left behind at the coffee shop, there are simply more things to lose in winter. That's not counting your misplaced keys at home or those exasperated moments looking for your phone when you say, "I just had it!"

2 weeks ago

Being a night owl may not be great for your heart but you can do something about it

Being a night owl can be bad for your heart. That may sound surprising but a large study found people who are more active late at night — when most of the population is winding down or already asleep — have poorer overall heart health than the average person.

2 weeks ago

Eating snow cones or snow cream can be a winter delight, if done safely

As the recent winter storm recedes, residents of lesser-affected areas might be tempted to whip up bowls of "snow cream" — snow combined with milk, sugar and vanilla — after seeing techniques demonstrated on TikTok. Others might want to try "sugar on snow," a taffy-like confection made by pouring hot maple syrup onto a plate of snow.

2 weeks ago

What travelers can expect as Southwest Airlines introduces assigned seats

Southwest Airlines passengers made their final boarding-time scrambles for seats on Monday as the carrier prepared to end the open-seating system that distinguished it from other airlines for more than a half‑century.

2 weeks ago

Shoveling snow? Over-exertion and cold temps can raise your heart risks

Pennsylvania health officials announced three snow-removal related deaths Sunday. All were between the ages of 60 to 84. The Lehigh County coroner's office cautioned people to take breaks and avoid over-exerting themselves.

3 weeks ago

Sleep-tracking devices have limits. Experts want users to know what they are

Your watch says you had three hours of deep sleep. Should you believe it? Millions of people rely on phone apps and wearable devices like rings, smartwatches and sensors to monitor how well they're sleeping, but these trackers don't necessarily measure sleep directly.

3 weeks ago

What to know about FDA’s review of new Zyn advertising proposal

Americans who smoke may soon be hearing a lot more about Zyn, the flavored nicotine pouches that have generated billions in sales while going viral on social media.

3 weeks ago

To clear ice and snow, there are rock salt alternatives that are safer for your pets and yard

It's easy to dash to the closest hardware store to grab a bag of salt, but experts say there are a lot of environmental and other factors to consider when tackling all that ice and snow. Here's what to know.

3 weeks ago

Take these steps to protect yourself from winter weather dangers

Winter weather brings various hazards that people have to contend with to keep warm and safe. These dangers can include carbon monoxide poisoning, hypothermia and frozen pipes that can burst and make homes unlivable.

3 weeks ago

This just in from The New York Times: Its first 2-player game, and an evolving business model

For subscribers to The New York Times who are as interested in solving Wordle or filling in the crossword puzzle as in reading the latest political or business news, Wednesday is a big day.

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7 hours ago in Olympics, Sports

Chloe Kim falls short of Olympic three-peat, taking silver as Choi Gaon wins women’s halfpipe

Chloe Kim fell short in her bid to become the first Olympic snowboarder to win three consecutive gold medals, finishing second to Choi Gaon of South Korea in the women's halfpipe on Thursday.

10 hours ago in Business, Government, Local

Mitchell Garbage Collection Starts at 7 a.m. on Presidents Day; Regional Landfill Closes at Noon

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In observance of Presidents Day on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, Mitchell garbage collection will begin at 7 a.m. and finish by noon, and the Mitchell Regional Landfill will close at noon. Recycling will follow the regular city schedule.

11 hours ago in Business, Education, Local

Homeschooling and Alternative Instruction Rise in South Dakota as Public, Private Enrollment Dips

South Dakota homeschooling numbers; South Dakota alternative instruction enrollment; SD Department of Education enrollment data; 12,433 alternative instruction students; public school enrollment 135,577 South Dakota; homeschool increase 2025-26; hybrid microschools South Dakota; South Dakota private school enrollment decline; South Dakota student enrollment by district.

New South Dakota Department of Education enrollment data show “alternative instruction” — which includes homeschooling and some hybrid or microschool options — increased by nearly 950 students this school year, while public and private school enrollment declined slightly.