Author: TECH

Relationships thrive when you make time to connect with your partner in meaningful ways. Whether you’ve been together for years or just a few months, planning special activities together helps keep your bond strong and exciting. This guide offers 27 romantic ideas that range from adventurous outdoor experiences to cozy nights at home, giving you plenty of options no matter your budget or style. You’ll find activities that help you learn new skills together, explore your surroundings, and create lasting memories. Some ideas work great for spontaneous plans while others are perfect for special occasions. 1) Sunrise hike and cliff-top…

This week, no birth-date group is getting the usual Wednesday retirement payment. Instead, the story is about timing. When a scheduled Social Security payment date falls on a weekend, the Social Security Administration (SSA) moves it up rather than making people wait. That’s exactly what’s happening now — Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients are scheduled to get paid on Friday, July 31, instead of the 1st, because August 1 lands on a Saturday. It’s a reminder that not every Social Security check runs on the same schedule. Some retirees receive senior benefits of up to $5,181, though the…

Each month, the U.S.’s Social Security Administration (SSA) sends out over 71 million payments to beneficiaries of the Social Security program, most of whom are retired workers. The benefit amount paid out to a retiree depends on several factors, including: their age at retirement; the duration of their work history; and their income and Social Security tax contributions during their career.Social Security Horror Stories, a 2023 book by the Boston University economist Laurence Kotlikoff and the personal finance expert Terry Savage, walks current and future beneficiaries through typical mistakes and questions that people claiming benefits often run into. We looked…

86 years ago today, Bugs Bunny, the wisecracking Warner Bros cartoon character, first debuted in an animated short entitled A Wild Hare. Supervised by Fred ‘Tex’ Avery, it featured a hunter named Elmer Fudd pursuing a wily rabbit voiced by Mel Blanc. The pair became beloved, and their debut received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short. WATCH the opening scene and learn more… (1940) The Looney Tunes cartoon opens with Elmer tiptoeing as he tells the audience, “Shh. Be vewy, vewy quiet; I’m hunting wabbits.” Elmer then tries to lure Bugs out of his hole with a carrot, while hiding…

Registration is open for the STEPtember for Suicide Prevention, Awareness & Remembrance Walk as the community comes together to support hope, healing and awareness. The event will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, at Chapman Park – Pavilion 1, 1463 Route 31, Bridgeport. It’s supported by BRiDGES/MCCASA. Sign-in starts at 10 a.m. and the opening ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. The registration fee of $35 includes a lunch provided by Firehouse Hot Dogs and a walk giveaway item while supplies last. This walk is a time to honor those we’ve lost, support those who may be struggling, and remind everyone that…

The US FDA has issued its strongest safety warning for montelukast, highlighting the risk of serious mental health side effects, including suicidal thoughts and behavior. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued its strongest safety warning for montelukast, a medicine widely prescribed for asthma and allergic rhinitis, after receiving reports of serious mental health side effects, including suicidal thoughts and actions. The agency now requires a Boxed Warning on the drug’s prescribing information, urging healthcare professionals to carefully balance its benefits and risks before prescribing, especially for patients with allergic rhinitis. This important safety update aims to help…

Home means something different to everyone. For some, it’s the place where they grew up—the house filled with childhood memories, family traditions, and familiar comforts. For others, home is less about a physical location and more about the people who make them feel accepted, supported, and loved. Whether it’s a hometown, a favorite destination, or a special relationship, the idea of home often carries deep emotional significance. As life changes, our relationship with home changes too. Leaving home to pursue new opportunities can be exciting, but it often comes with feelings of nostalgia and longing. Returning after years away may…

                                July 2026 Three developments this month are worth noting for every workers’ compensation pharmacy professional and payer. Texas is taking a proactive step that other states should watch closely—and it has now opened a comment window that closes August 6. The federal government just released results that should end a long-standing debate over managed care pharmacy. And West Virginia passed a spread pricing ban with a structural quirk that will have unintended consequences for workers’ comp payers in that state. Plus, a few brief…

Millions of Americans who rely on Social Security benefits or are planning for retirement could soon see several important updates as the Social Security Administration prepares its annual adjustments for 2027.While the agency will not confirm the final figures until October, current projections suggest higher monthly benefit payments, increased earnings limits for working beneficiaries and a higher maximum taxable earnings cap.The expected changes come as inflation remains elevated and wage growth continues, making this year’s announcement particularly significant for retirees and workers seeking to understand how the Social Security Administration’s 2027 updates could affect their finances.Expected 2027 COLA IncreaseOne of…

Grabbing yourself something small – a pastry, a fun drink, a beauty product, a bunch of flowers – has the surprising power to brighten an otherwise ordinary day. Enter little treat culture, a self-care phenomenon that’s become internet shorthand for indulging in something small. It’s all about romanticising everyday life and celebrating the small things that bring joy.Brands are embracing the trend, too. McCafé, for one, is launching 10 new cold drinks this month dedicated to the delight of one little drink. It might sound frivolous, but research shows that allowing yourself a little treat has psychological benefits, delivering glimmers…