• Google Nixes Policy Urging Teens to Override Parents
  
  Google says it's ending its practice of emailing 13-year-old children detailed instructions on how to remove parental controls following backlash from outraged parents and parental rights advocates.
• Why the Right Tires Matter More Than You Think
  
  Most drivers don't give their tires much thought until something goes wrong. Yet tires are the only part of a vehicle that actually touches the road, and the difference between an average tire and the right tire can dramatically affect ride quality, safety, noise levels...
• OpenAI to Begin Testing Ads on ChatGPT in the US
  
  OpenAI will begin testing advertisements inside its popular ChatGPT chatbot in the coming weeks, marking a major shift for the artificial intelligence company as it looks to expand revenue, CNBC reports.
• Melania Trump: Use AI, But Keep Thinking for Yourself
  
  First lady Melania Trump delivered a message of encouragement and caution to young Americans on Friday, calling artificial intelligence a powerful tool for creativity while warning against relying on it as a substitute for independent thought.
• 2026 Earnings Outlook: Another Year of Optimism
  
  The Wall Street consensus forecast for 2026 earnings growth is strong by historical standards. Analysts are giddy and projecting another year of double-digit growth in S&P 500 earnings per share (EPS).
• Why 'Affordability' Became a Hot Political Issue
  
  Even as inflation slows, families still struggle to pay basic bills and feel pessimistic. The baseline price level is so much higher. As if working to fix these affordability challenges weren't enough for the Trump administration, there is the national debt.
• Spotlight Dims for EVs at Detroit Auto Show
  
  At the North American International Auto Show, tires squeal as gearheads put shiny new vehicles through their paces on a pair of indoor tracks that sprawl across the event space.
• Gold Soared 70% in 2025 & Keeps Hitting New Records
  
  Gold prices have delivered one of the most dramatic runs in years , and investors are taking notice, the Financial Times reports.
• Californians Get New Data-Deletion Privacy Tool
  
  New year, new privacy rules. At least for Californians. Since Jan. 1, residents of the Golden State can use a new tool to request removal of their personal information held by more than 500 data brokers.
• Add Up to 4 Healthy Years to Your Life
  
  You don't need a new diet plan or a gym membership to improve your health in 2026. New research suggests that very small daily changes like sleeping a few extra minutes, moving a little more and eating slightly better may help people live longer and stay healthier as they...
• Wikipedia Inks AI Deals With Microsoft, Meta & Perplexity
  
  Wikipedia unveiled new business deals with a slew of artificial intelligence companies Thursday as it marked its 25th anniversary.
• Homes Could Become Affordable in 20 Major Metros
  
  Homes are on track to become affordable in 20 of the nation's 50 largest metropolitan areas by the end of 2026 - the most since 2022 - driven by slower price growth, falling mortgage rates and rising incomes, according to a new forecast from Zillow.
• Meadows: Trump's Boom Coming When Rates Fall
  
  Mark Meadows told Newsmax on Wednesday that voters are about to feel the economic upswing President Donald Trump has promised, arguing that lower interest rates and easing costs will matter more at the ballot box than foreign crises, even as the White House juggles flash ...
• Mortgage Refis Jump 40% After Trump's $200B Move
  
  Mortgage refinancing demand surged 40% in a single week after President Trump ordered a sweeping $200 billion purchase of mortgage bonds , a move that briefly pushed mortgage rates below 6% for the first time in years and sent homeowners scrambling to lock in lower...
• Medical Debt Linked to Rent, Mortgage Problems
  
  People burdened with medical bills may also be more likely to struggle to keep a roof over their heads, a new study finds.
• 2025 US Home Sales Stuck at 30-Year Low
  
  The U.S. housing market slump dragged into its fourth year in 2025 as sales remained stuck at a 30-year low with rising home prices and elevated mortgage rates keeping many prospective home shoppers out of the market.
• Online Shopping Linked to Higher Stress Levels
  
  Are you trying to lower your stress by scrolling eBay for rare finds, or shopping Amazon for bargainsYou might be barking up the wrong tree, a new study says.
• Trump Takes on Cost-of-Living Crisis
  
  President Trump's ideas to lower costs and boost spending power could reshape housing, energy, and finance.
• ACA Enrollment Slips in Early 2026 as Premiums Rise
  
  Early enrollment figures for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans show a decline from a year ago, an initial sign that the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies may be discouraging some consumers from signing up for health insurance as costs rise.
• Florida's Retirement Boom Is Now for the Rich
  
  For decades, Florida was a place where retirement was within reach for almost anyone willing to trade snow for sunshine. That bargain is now breaking down.
• Gold Blasts Past $4,609 on Fed Rate-Cut Bets
  
  Gold hit a record high Tuesday, as U.S. inflation data cemented bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts this year and persistent geopolitical and economic uncertainties drove safe-haven demand, while silver also hit a fresh peak.
• Bargain Grocer Aldi Seizes the Moment and Expands
  
  The discount grocery chain Aldi is expanding rapidly and plans to open more than 180 U.S. stores this year as more Americans skip nights out at restaurants and cook at home due to anxiety over the nation's economy.
• Trump: Working With Tech Giants to Lower Power Bills
  
  Microsoft is planning "major changes" to ensure that Americans don't see their utility bills climb higher because of the increased power needs for data centers, and other technology companies will follow, according to President Donald Trump.
• Banks: Trump's Credit Card Rate Cap Will Hurt Consumers
  
  U.S. banks and financial institutions Monday pushed back against President Donald Trump's proposed cap on credit card interest rates, citing new data that showed it would result in millions of American households and small businesses losing access to credit.
• Google, TikTok & Roblox: A Wake-Up Call for Parents
  
  American parents are no longer grappling with a hypothetical issue. They are confronting a disturbing reality that is well-documented and increasingly hard to ignore. Major digital platforms that children frequently engage with are exposing them to sexual content,...

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