The IRS confirmed the federal tax filing deadline is Wednesday, April 15, 2026, and the agency expects to process about 164 million individual returns this season. As of early March, the average refund stood at $3,676 — up 10.6% from the same point in 2025 — driven in part by new deductions under the One … Read more
Polarization is at record levels. Approval of Congress sits near historic lows. Yet data from the Miller Center at the University of Virginia finds that enacted laws are almost as bipartisan today as they were 50 years ago. The gap between the perception and the reality of congressional cooperation is the story most people aren’t … Read more
Local elections have historically drawn only 15–27% of registered voters. In cities that moved their elections onto federal election dates, turnout has tripled or quadrupled overnight — sometimes on the same ballot where turnout in the same city was under 15% the previous cycle. A structural reform, not a change in civic culture, is responsible … Read more
Employee health insurance. Commercial auto. Cyber liability. Property coverage. All four are rising simultaneously — and for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, the combined pressure is at its highest point in over a decade. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York found health insurance costs hit harder than any other business expense last … Read more
New import tariffs proposed in the United States could soon raise the prices of many everyday products. Tariffs—taxes placed on goods imported from other countries—are often used by governments to protect domestic industries or respond to trade disputes. But economists say these policies can also increase costs for businesses and consumers. According to data from … Read more
For decades, buying a home has been considered a key milestone of financial stability in the United States. But in 2026, fewer Americans are purchasing homes compared with previous years. Rising mortgage rates, high property prices, and economic uncertainty are making homeownership more difficult for many households. Housing market data released by the U.S. Census … Read more
Restaurants across the United States are still struggling to hire and retain workers in 2026. Despite strong demand for dining and hospitality services, many restaurant owners report ongoing staff shortages that affect daily operations. The restaurant industry was one of the hardest-hit sectors during the pandemic. Although employment has recovered in recent years, the workforce … Read more
Homeowners in many coastal regions of the United States are facing another year of rising insurance premiums. From Florida and Louisiana to parts of Texas and the Carolinas, insurance costs for homes near the coast have increased significantly over the past several years. For many households, the rising cost of home insurance is becoming one … Read more
According to new mortgage market data from the Freddie Mac, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage has climbed back above 6% in early 2026, ending a short period of lower borrowing costs late last year. For many Americans hoping to buy their first home, the increase could significantly affect affordability. Mortgage rates play … Read more
America is on the move — and the destination is increasingly the South and West. New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that between 2020 and 2025, the country added more than 10 million people — but nearly three-quarters of that growth landed in just one region: the South. Meanwhile, New York lost over … Read more