American Women Suck

— What if your old photo could suddenly start talking? Or you could swap faces in videos without spending hours in editing software? Welcome to the future—where AI turns imagination into reality with just a few clicks. In this fast-evolving digital age, tools like Remaker.ai’s AI Talking Photo and Beart.ai’s Free Video Face Swap are pushing creative boundaries like never before. These two free, browser-based tools allow you to animate still images and swap faces in videos, making content creation fun, fast, and shockingly easy. Let’s explore what these tools can do, who they’re for, and how you can start creating instantly—no technical skills required. Turn Any Photo into a Talking Video with AI (for Free) Imagine a photo—of your friend, your pet, a historical figure, or even a fictional character—suddenly coming to life and speaking. Sounds like a sci-fi movie, right? Not anymore. The AI Talking Photo tool from Remaker.ai lets you upload any image and sync it with speech. The result? A hyper-realistic video of that face talking—complete with mouth movements, head tilts, and natural expressions. Key Features: Photo to Video: Upload any clear facial image and instantly generate a talking video. Custom Voice Input: Add your own script or voice clip, and the AI will animate the face accordingly. Natural Animations: Includes blinking, head motion, lip-sync, and subtle facial expressions. No Sign-Up Required: Fully usable without logging in or installing software. Free to Use: Create AI talking videos at no cost. This tool is a game-changer for creators, educators, and casual users alike. It brings a whole new dimension to storytelling and visual communication. Swap Faces in Video Like a Pro (No Software Needed) Face swapping in images is already popular—but doing it in videos? That’s next-level. The Free Video Face Swap tool by Beart.ai lets you upload a video and another face, and seamlessly merges the two. The result looks realistic, funny, or just wildly creative—depending on your imagination. And the best part? It all happens online, with no video editing experience required. Key Features: Video Upload: Supports short videos in various formats (MP4, MOV, etc.). Real-Time Face Mapping: AI detects faces and aligns expressions frame-by-frame. Ultra-Realistic Results: Maintains lighting, skin tone, and motion consistency. Free Access: No credit card, no subscription, no watermark. Easy to Use: Simple drag-and-drop interface with automatic processing. Whether you’re making a parody, experimenting with visual identity, or simply having fun, Beart.ai’s tool makes pro-level video effects accessible to everyone. How to Use Both Tools Together Want to get even more creative? Here’s a content idea using both tools: Start with a photo– Use Remaker.ai’s Talking Photo to animate a funny or fictional character with a message. Add your face to a video– Use Beart.ai’s Video Face Swap to place yourself in a viral video or scene. Edit, combine, and post– Stitch them together for a hilarious social media reel, short film, or brand promo. The possibilities are endless—and the tools are totally free. Final Thoughts: AI Tools That Let Your Creativity Speak (and Swap) AI is no longer just about automation—it’s about amplifying creativity. With tools like Remaker.ai’s Talking Photo and Beart.ai’s Video Face Swap, anyone can create eye-catching, memorable, and downright fun content in minutes. — This content is brought to you by Hussain Ali Photos provided by the author. The post Bring Photos to Life and Faces to Film: Two Free AI Tools That Redefine Digital Creativity appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By JOHN BOYLE, Asheville Watchdog Man, I would like to get Nathan Pennington’s voice out of my head. Last year, before Tropical Storm Helene hit, I interviewed Pennington, Buncombe County’s planning director and floodplain manager, for a story about how our area’s flood risk will only grow, a result of climate change, more impermeable surfaces — and our penchant for building in risky places. Ten days before Helene pummeled us, Asheville Watchdog published the story, which memorably featured Pennington saying, “We are the United States of Amnesia when it comes to flooding.” We also talked about the 100-year and 500-year flood plains, and how those really are just statistical estimates of the likelihood of a flood — a 1 percent chance in the 100-year area, .2 percent in the 500-year zone. Pennington noted that 500-year zones are unregulated as far as building restrictions. “However, what we’re advising people nowadays is, ‘Please get flood insurance if you’re in the 500-year [zone],” he said. “Please get flood insurance if you’re outside it.” On Sept. 27, when Helene dumped a biblical amount of rain on our area, just two days after a previous deluge, our region flooded. Badly. In my Fletcher neighborhood, about two dozen homes took on water from the normally placid Cane Creek, which expanded from about its normal 25-foot width to a swift-moving monster about a half-mile wide. My house is not in the flood plain, but the water came up our street to my next door neighbor’s driveway before receding. It certainly made me think about flood insurance, as just about every neighbor I talked to didn’t have any, and most had tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Helping a couple of neighbors rip out soaked drywall, insulation and flooring only amplified Pennington’s voice in my head. But then we had about two months of crisp, clear weather, followed by a mild, hurricane-free winter. So I put off checking on insurance. Yes, I embraced the amnesia, at least until Hurricane Erin took a good run at the Carolina coast last week. And there was Pennington again, whispering about flood insurance. So I checked with two companies, including our current home insurance carrier, Travelers. As both front for federally backed National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies, both came back with the same numbers: Right at $2,400 annually for $250,000 in coverage on the structure and $100,000 on the contents. Ouch! This made my cheapskate DNA rearrange itself deep in the core of my brain’s money vault. Hey, we already pay close to three grand a year in home insurance, and another couple thousand in taxes, so our house that is technically paid off continues to cost us more than $5,000 every year. And every time I go to the grocery store my eyes involuntarily bug out of my head when the grand total appears on the screen. My wife Grace and I are both 61, and we’re trying to slam away as much money for retirement as we can, so the prospect of dropping $200 a month on more insurance isn’t appealing. And did I mention that our house is not in the floodplain? Floodplain designation doesn’t mean what it used to The problem, of course, is the flood plain designation doesn’t mean what it used to. Thanks to climate change, lots of folks outside that designation keep getting flooded. As climate scientists will tell you, we’re seeing more and more heavy rainstorms, and when tropical storms come up from the Gulf of Mexico, they pass over those warmed waters, which makes the storms pick up even more moisture. So we’re likely to see more floods. As my neighbor who did his own restoration work told me, a FEMA inspector told him they’ve been going to a lot of allegedly 500-year floods over the past couple of years. Don Hornstein, a law professor at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and director of the school’s Center on Climate, Energy, Environment and Economics, explained why I got sticker shock on my flood insurance quote. In a nutshell, as my colleague Dan DeWitt explained in his excellent July 30 story about hopelessly outdated FEMA flood maps, government-backed flood insurance premiums had been kept artificially low, which in turn encouraged building in riskier areas. Now, Hornstein told me in a phone interview, the federal government has made adjustments. “You have to pay a relative high amount, even though you’re not in a floodplain, in part because they’re using this new approach called ‘Risk Rating 2.0,’” Hornstein said. “That doesn’t make whether you’re in or out of one of these 100-year floodplains the be all and end all, because they realize these maps are hopelessly out of date.” He noted that more than 40 percent of all flooding takes place “out of the so-called ‘100-year floodplains.’” That’s because of the changing climate and more rain-laden storms, and because of, well, human nature. “Once they looked at the 100-year flood plain, people started building like one inch outside of the 100-year flood plain,” Hornstein said. “So all of a sudden you get a lot of construction that’s just over the theoretical line, and because the line between us is theoretical, a huge amount of flooding is taking place outside of the flood plains.” Hornstein pointed out that if you’re in a 100-year floodplain and you have a federally backed mortgage, you’ll likely be required to get flood insurance to keep your lender happy. But now the feds are also looking at your proximity to water and the elevation of your home. This is all smart, because the NFIP program has taken a beating over the past decade or so, and Congress has had to bail it out at least once to the tune of $16 billion. They needed to bump those flood insurance rates up, even those for folks like me who aren’t in the floodplain but are close to it. (Regular homeowners insurance does not cover flooding from exterior sources, by the way.) In talking last week with a couple of my neighbors who got flooded, I was not surprised to learn they still haven’t bought flood insurance. Both said it’s just too expensive, and one said she’d heard about people having difficulty getting a payout. Most neighbors, including these two, got emergency funds from FEMA for their flooding, with amounts ranging from $16,000 to more than $30,000. One neighbor told me he got about $32,000, and his damages cost about $40,000 to fix, so he had to pony up $8,000 out of pocket. (He did a lot of the work himself, though.) So this also fired up my cheapskate mitochondria. I mean, why not just roll the dice, use the $48,000 over 20 years I’d have to pay the NFIP in flood insurance toward a brand new Toyota Tacoma that I’ve always dreamed of, and just wait for FEMA to pony up cash if my house floods, hoping it’ll mostly cover the rebuild cost? Hornstein offered some wisdom on that scenario, too. It seems I could end up living in that Tacoma. “Helene came at a particularly potent political time — (FEMA) was absolutely at its most generous,” Hornstein said. The presidential campaign was in full swing last September when Helene hit, and President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, wanted to look like their administration was ultra-responsive to North Carolina, a key swing state. After President Donald Trump won the election, he came to Asheville four days after his inauguration, vowing to rebuild North Carolina like it’s never been rebuilt before. Later, of course, he talked about getting rid of FEMA like it’s never been gotten rid of, but in the interim, money was flowing to many flooded homeowners. The money flowed quicker than usual, and in the form of grants, too, not loans, Hornstein noted. Trump has also pushed for shifting more of the financial burden of emergency response to the states. That is yet to be worked out. FEMA might not be so generous in the future, Hornstein said. Or it might not even be there. But on the other hand, Hornstein pointed out that NFIP flood insurance is very limited, expensive and it typically doesn’t cover substitute housing if your home is flooded. Also, our home is paid for, so we’re not going to have a bank foreclose on us and give us the boot from our house. I’ll note too that for good or bad, I apparently have a lot of company in not being wild about shelling out for flood insurance. As we reported last October, “Fewer than one percent of Buncombe structures, including homes and businesses, are covered by flood insurance.” DeWitt noted in his story that the number of NFIP policies in Buncombe has risen by nearly 500 since Helene, to 1,424. So a few more folks are heeding nature’s warnings. Good angel, bad angel The upshot of all this is I’m still kind of on the fence, and that makes me a little nervous. I feel like I have the good angel, which looks a lot like the dastardly, probably correct Nathan Pennington, sitting on one shoulder, whispering into my ear, “You know you need the flood coverage, John. It’s the responsible thing to do.” On the other shoulder, the bad angel, which looks surprisingly like me after a couple (or four) weekend IPAs, is waving his hand and saying, “Get the Tacoma! Live a little, man! What are the chances of another thousand-year storm hitting right here again? I like the red metallic color and king cab, by the way.” Then the Pennington angel shouts out, “Enjoy living in your truck, doofus! Hope you can afford a camper top!” Man, that guy gets annoying in my imagination. After hearing me whine about my potential flooding plight and my miserly ways for 20 minutes, Hornstein tossed out another idea: a less expensive insurance option offered in North Carolina by a company called Munich Re (for “Reinsurance”). The company doesn’t sell direct to consumers but rather through insurance carriers, and it provides lower coverage amounts to lower-risk homeowners that also have lower payouts. In a news release, a Munich Re senior vice president said, “Average homeowners in a lower flood hazard area seek basic protection for their home and personal property at a competitive price. Our new Inland Flood Coverage Endorsement is designed to solve that need; it can be offered at lower limits and tailored to the underlying homeowners policy, thus eliminating the cost and administrative burden of a separate, stand-alone flood policy.” That sounds like it might be right up my skinflint alley. I’ll have to check it out. Or maybe just skip it altogether. My penuriousness knows no bounds, you know. In my efforts to have someone tell me what I wanted to hear, I reached out to David Easterling, chief scientist at Future Climate LLC, in Hendersonville. Easterling spent three decades working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, retiring earlier this year as director of the National Climate Assessment Technical Support Unit, part of NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information in Asheville. In full disclosure, he’s also a friend of mine who knows I can be stingy. So I asked him if I should shell out the $2,400 a year or gamble on another whopper storm missing us in the future. “Hmm…assuming I am not going to get sued, my opinion is that if you didn’t get flooded with Helene you are OK without it,” Easterling told me. Yes! But just as I was heading out to the Toyota dealership, I read the rest of Easterling’s message. “But always remember that that kind of flooding or worse can happen,” he said. “The French Broad valley is flat for a reason.” Damn it, man! Can’t a man just be cheap, buy a nice pickup truck and not worry about the consequences, which may include setting up camp in said pickup truck? I’ll also note that going back to the pre-Helene news story last year, I quoted Easterling saying he expects that we will see more heavy rainfall events in the future, as warmer air holds more moisture. Global temperatures have gone up about 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit since 1901, he said then. “As it warms up, we’re seeing more moisture in the air,” Easterling said. “We already see that in the observations. There’s more moisture in the air than 60 years ago, and that’s just going to continue.” The surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, where most tropical storms or their remnants arrive from, ”have gone up considerably,” Easterling said. That doesn’t bode well for us in general, or me in particular. Pennington’s angel just got real loud on my shoulder again. “Get the insurance, dipwad,” he said. Kind of a sassy angel. But, damn it again, he’s probably right. I’ll sleep on it. And pray for a light hurricane season. Asheville Watchdog welcomes thoughtful reader comments about this story, which has been republished on our Facebook page. Please submit your comments there. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. John Boyle has been covering Asheville and surrounding communities since the 20th century. You can reach him at (828) 337-0941, or via email at jboyle@avlwatchdog.org. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org/support-our-publication/. — Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Sally Kestin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter. Email skestin@avlwatchdog.org. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org/donate. *** Does dating ever feel challenging, awkward or frustrating? Turn Your Dating Life into a WOW! with our new classes and live coaching. Click here for more info or to buy with special launch pricing! *** On Substack? Follow us there for more great dating and relationships content. Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A $50 annual membership gives you an all access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class and community. A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group and our online communities. A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: unsplash The post Opinion: Yes, I Should Probably Get Flood Insurance, but I’m Really Struggling With the Price appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— The digital landscape is evolving fast, and AI is at the heart of this transformation. From content creation to keyword optimization, AI SEO tools are reshaping how businesses drive organic growth. With the right tools, marketers can streamline strategies, save time, and gain a competitive edge. In this article, we’ll explore the 9 best AI SEO tools that every marketer should consider in 2025, starting with the innovative Addlly AI. 1. Addlly AI Addlly AI is an advanced AI-powered platform designed to handle marketing tasks like SEO, GEO targeting, social media, and content creation. It uses data-driven insights to automatically generate optimized content, analyze performance, and refine strategies. By streamlining workflows, Addlly AI helps businesses save time while boosting results. Its AI agents are especially valuable for brands looking to simplify SEO without compromising quality. Whether you need optimized blog posts, SEO updates, or engagement-driven social media strategies, Addlly AI delivers automation and accuracy, making it a standout tool in today’s competitive digital marketing environment. 2. Surfer SEO Surfer SEO is a favorite among marketers for its ability to create content that aligns with Google’s ranking factors. Its Content Editor tool provides keyword suggestions, content structure, and optimization guidelines in real time. Surfer also includes a SERP Analyzer, allowing users to compare their content with top-ranking pages. This data-driven approach helps refine strategies and achieve better rankings faster. By combining AI with SEO insights, Surfer empowers marketers to create optimized, user-friendly content that performs well in search engines. Its balance of automation and control makes it a must-have for SEO professionals. 3. SEMrush SEMrush is a comprehensive AI-driven SEO suite offering everything from keyword research to competitor analysis. Its SEO Writing Assistant uses AI to check readability, tone, and keyword optimization, ensuring content is both user-friendly and search-engine ready. Beyond content, SEMrush provides insights into backlinks, technical SEO, and paid search campaigns. With its AI-powered reporting, users can make smarter, data-backed decisions. It’s especially valuable for businesses that want an all-in-one solution to cover every aspect of digital marketing. SEMrush continues to be one of the most trusted platforms in the SEO industry. 4. Jasper AI Jasper AI is a powerful content creation tool that leverages AI to generate SEO-optimized blog posts, product descriptions, and web copy. It’s known for producing high-quality content at scale, saving time for busy marketers. Jasper includes SEO templates, tone customization, and integration with Surfer SEO for deeper optimization. Its ability to generate creative, keyword-rich content makes it an excellent choice for businesses looking to scale their publishing efforts. With Jasper, you can quickly produce engaging articles that not only appeal to readers but also meet SEO standards effectively. 5. Frase Frase focuses on answering user questions and aligning content with search intent. Its AI-powered tools help marketers discover the questions their audience is asking and generate SEO-friendly answers. The Content Brief feature streamlines content creation by providing outlines, keyword suggestions, and competitor analysis. Frase’s AI Writer then assists in producing drafts optimized for both readers and search engines. By centering on search intent, Frase ensures content resonates with audiences while improving rankings. It’s particularly useful for businesses aiming to build authority in niche markets. 6. Clearscope Clearscope is highly regarded for its advanced content optimization features. It provides keyword recommendations, readability insights, and competitor comparisons, ensuring every article is crafted for maximum visibility. With its AI-driven analysis, Clearscope makes it easy to identify gaps in content and improve ranking potential. The platform is also user-friendly, making it suitable for teams of all sizes. For businesses that prioritize content quality and relevance, Clearscope delivers a strong balance of simplicity and advanced SEO insights. Its results-focused approach helps brands achieve sustainable traffic growth. 7. MarketMuse MarketMuse leverages AI to evaluate your existing content and suggest improvements. It analyzes topics, authority, and gaps to recommend strategies for better coverage and higher rankings. The platform also generates detailed content briefs, helping writers stay aligned with SEO goals. MarketMuse excels at optimizing large content libraries, making it especially useful for enterprises and publishers. By focusing on content depth and authority, it ensures your site becomes a go-to resource for readers and search engines. This makes MarketMuse a valuable investment for long-term SEO success. 8. RankIQ RankIQ is built for bloggers and content creators who want to rank quickly. Its AI-driven keyword research identifies low-competition, high-traffic opportunities. The built-in content optimizer provides step-by-step suggestions for improving drafts. RankIQ also offers topic libraries tailored to different niches, making it easy for creators to find relevant ideas. By simplifying keyword strategy and optimization, RankIQ enables smaller teams and solo entrepreneurs to compete with larger websites. For content creators aiming to maximize impact with minimal effort, RankIQ is a practical and effective tool. 9. WriterZen WriterZen is an AI-powered tool designed to simplify keyword research and content creation. Its Topic Discovery feature identifies trending topics, while its Keyword Explorer helps uncover long-tail opportunities. The platform also includes a plagiarism checker to ensure originality. WriterZen’s AI writing assistant aids in drafting SEO-friendly content that aligns with search intent. By combining research, planning, and creation in one platform, it saves time and effort. WriterZen is especially suitable for teams looking for a user-friendly solution that covers multiple aspects of SEO and content marketing. Final Words AI SEO tools are no longer optional—they’re essential for staying competitive in today’s digital world. From automating tasks to improving keyword strategies, these tools deliver real value. Addlly AI leads the pack with its automation-first approach, but each tool on this list offers unique strengths. Choosing the right mix can help businesses save time, improve rankings, and maximize growth opportunities. FAQs What are AI SEO tools? AI SEO tools are platforms that use artificial intelligence to optimize content, analyze rankings, and automate SEO tasks, helping businesses improve visibility and save time. Is Addlly AI suitable for small businesses? Yes, Addlly AI is designed for businesses of all sizes. Its automation simplifies SEO and content creation, making it especially useful for small businesses with limited resources. Can AI SEO tools replace human marketers? AI SEO tools enhance efficiency but don’t fully replace human marketers. They provide data insights and automation, while human creativity ensures content resonates with audiences authentically. Which AI SEO tool is best for bloggers? RankIQ and Jasper AI are excellent for bloggers. RankIQ helps find low-competition keywords, while Jasper AI assists in creating engaging, optimized content quickly and effectively. — This content is brought to you by IQNewswire Photo provided by the author. The post 9 Best AI SEO Tools to Boost Rankings in 2025 appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Kate Denning, Carolina public press Teacher pay has been a long and storied battle in North Carolina, with the state consistently ranking among the lowest teacher salaries in the country. But while educators are often pinching pennies and stretching dollars to make ends meet, a new report from CouponBirds shows North Carolina teachers are spending an average of $1,632 out of their own pockets to supply their classrooms. That’s the second-highest in the country according to the study, just $5 less than Pennsylvania teachers. It’s a 22% increase from the average amount NC teachers spent in 2024 and is well above the report’s national average of $1,021. President of the North Carolina Association of Educators Tamika Walker Kelly told Carolina Public Press that teachers tend to spend the most money on consumable products like notebook paper, pencils, tissues and cleaning wipes. While many teachers will ask parents to purchase these supplies for their children — or even for communal use — at the beginning of the school year, Kelly noted that families are often experiencing economic hardships themselves. [Subscribe for FREE to Carolina Public Press’ alerts and weekend roundup newsletters] “Educators stand in the gap most of the time to provide resources for students and families who cannot afford them,” she said. “And we have to turn over those resources throughout the year — not just at the beginning of the year, but throughout the duration of the academic season.” It’s a national trend for teachers to post their “classroom wishlists” online in hopes good Samaritans will purchase some of the items. Kelly said crowdfunding for supplies is nothing new to NC teachers, but it has become more routine as resources have shrunk. “Unfortunately, that has become more commonplace, but it shouldn’t be because we need our North Carolina legislators to invest in the basic resources that our students need in order to thrive,” she said. “We should not be dependent on crowdfunding our classrooms when we have a constitutional obligation to make sure that every student has the resources that they need here in our state.” In the wake of slimmed budgets and decreased resources, teachers often have to get creative to make ends meet in the classroom. Kelly told an anecdote of a teacher who cut composition books in half to double the amount of notebooks she was able to distribute to her students. A more common hack is to wrap a rubber band around hand sanitizer dispensers. This limits the amount that comes out of the bottle, prolonging the bottle’s life span, Kelly said. Many educators already work second jobs to pay for their supplies each year or simply to sustain their lifestyle, Kelly said. Additionally, teachers can also be parents who have to purchase supplies for their own children on top of stocking their classroom. “For our educators to be spending as much money as they do to supply their own classrooms, in contrast to the data that shows that we are one of the lowest-paid states in the nation for educator pay really highlights the dissonance and the really deep investments in care that our educators take into putting into their classroom versus the lack of care that our lawmakers are putting in to making sure that we continue to retain these educators,” she said. Finding solutions for classroom spending Madeline Blobe is the executive director of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation, a nonprofit that raises additional funding for schools in the area. The organization funds scholarships, innovative projects and teacher awards, as well as offering a Teacher Supply Store for educators to “shop” for classroom supplies. They work closely with the East Chapel Hill Rotary Club, which does 85% of the fundraising for PSF each year. The supply store is meant to defray some of the financial burdens teachers face when it comes to stocking their classrooms by spending out of their own pockets, Blobe said. This year, more than 1,100 teachers in the district will be able to “purchase” $50 worth of supplies from the store for free of charge. Available items range from two composition books for $1 to an electric pencil sharpener for $30. “If you’re at the store, you feel it — what this means to teachers, how happy it makes them all. It seems like a little thing, but it really is a big thing to them,” Blobe said. “They’re obviously devoted to their jobs or they wouldn’t come to work. They have very hard jobs. They’re not paid well. It’s obviously a passion for them, but it is definitely the generosity of our community that means a lot.” Although PSF is a nonprofit organization and cannot lobby for legislation or political causes, Blobe said she does feel it is her responsibility to keep her donors and community informed about the state of education resources. While generosity from the community is something teachers undoubtedly appreciate and sometimes even depend on, it is ultimately the state’s responsibility to fund public schools and ensure access to a quality education, Kelly said. That starts with investing in students and increasing the access educators have to resources, as well as raising teacher pay for both new and veteran teachers, she said. “We believe that dual investment, both in the overall funding of our public schools but also investing in comprehensive educator pay increases, will help us address this issue so that we don’t continue to face it in the future,” Kelly said. National trends Executive Director of AdoptAClassroom.org Ann Ruhr Pifer said the organization was designed to relieve the burden of teachers spending out of their own pockets. In North Carolina, 766 teachers are currently seeking support from the organization, which supplied 680 classrooms during the 2024-2025 school year. Teachers create a page on the website detailing their classroom needs and what they hope to spend any donated funds on. Donors can decide to donate to individual teachers, a school or directly to AdoptAClassroom. Any donations that a teacher receives goes into an account managed by the organization and can only be spent on an e-commerce marketplace containing educational and office supplies vendors. No money changes hands, and items are shipped directly to the teacher’s school. Similarly to PSF, AdoptAClassroom sees its role as meeting the immediate needs of teachers across the country. But it’s not about simply choosing to focus on charity or legislation, Pifer said. “Today, those funds can get right into the classrooms. Changing public education funding is a bigger issue,” she said. “And when I’m talking to potential donors or speaking to groups, I always say it’s not an ‘either, or’ — it’s a ‘yes, and.’” Since the COVID-19 pandemic, AdoptAClassroom saw increased awareness from donors and teachers alike. Pifer said she thinks the pandemic drew attention to how much teachers do, so people felt more inclined to offer help. But teachers also struggled more and sought additional support. AdoptAClassroom has conducted its own studies on teacher spending, and it found that teacher spending has increased 50% in the last 10 years. It’s clear that the burden has increased for teachers, and many are concerned that inflation is playing a role, Pifer said. Not only does inflation impact the price of items directly, but it creates a domino effect across school districts. “In talking to school principals, I realized that it also has a significant indirect effect. So inflation, and cost increases driven by many things, is increasing the cost of janitorial supplies, services that the school depends on, supplies and services just to run the school,” Pifer said. “So now the principal’s budget is strained too, and maybe they used to be able to give teachers $200 for classroom supplies. Maybe now they can only give them $100 or maybe nothing. It may be gone, because the inflation pressure on the school budget is significant.” A viral video recently sparked controversy when a parent voiced concerns online about her experience at her child’s teacher’s classroom at an open house. She was underwhelmed by the classroom, specifically the empty bins and lack of a rug. Teachers responded in droves, explaining how they are largely expected to supply and decorate their rooms by spending their own time and money. So while many teachers are focused on essential supplies, there is often still an expectation for a decked-out classroom. Blobe said decorative items, like soft lighting fixtures and posters, tend to fly off the shelves quickly at the Teacher Supply Store when they are lucky enough to have them available. Teachers also like to purchase items like rugs or comfortable seating options through AdoptAClassroom, Pifer said. Kelly said she is concerned about the increasing financial burden on teachers contributing to teacher burnout. Some teachers are getting to a point where they have to make tough decisions and opt not to stock their classrooms by spending as heftily as they typically would, she said. In the worst cases, teachers are leaving the classroom entirely. Sometimes they’ll leave to work for education-related companies where they can still utilize the same skills. Other times, they’ll step away from education altogether. Kelly cited the “educator to real estate pipeline” as one example. “Many educators are choosing to leave the profession or are being pushed out of the profession because it is no longer sustainable for them and their families, and that is why we are continuing to deal with the educator shortage here in North Carolina,” she said. “And until it is adequately and properly addressed through the North Carolina General Assembly, we’ll continue to see educators be pushed out of a career that they love to do, into the private sector, or into other states that compensate their educators more.” This article first appeared on Carolina Public Press and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. — Carolina Public Press is an independent, in-depth and investigative nonprofit news service for North Carolina, republished here with Creative Commons License Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: iStock The post NC Teachers Among Biggest Spenders on Classrooms, Despite Low Pay appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— There’s a kind of stress most families don’t talk about. It’s the flicker of lights during a summer storm, the spike on a utility bill that wasn’t in the budget, the worry when the news says rolling blackouts might be coming. For millions of households, that’s not just an inconvenience. It becomes a life disrupted. The Department of Energy reports that nearly 70 percent of America’s grid infrastructure is more than 25 years old, and outages have more than doubled in the last two decades. And as demand rises, so do costs. Sandra Namukaya has spent her career trying to change that challenge that so many Americans experience. An Infrastructure and Sustainability Economist with more than a decade of experience at the World Bank, Oregon’s Public Utility Commission, and the Ministry of Finance in Uganda, she’s worked at the intersection of policy and investment long enough to know that science alone isn’t enough. “Moving electrocatalysts or any emerging technology from the lab to large-scale deployment is rarely a straight path,” she told me. “It is under such circumstances that having strong public private partnerships is critical.” The U.S. is never short on scientific breakthroughs. Labs across the country are producing new ways to create and store energy every year. Electrocatalysts, for example, could transform how we produce clean fuels that balance the grid when renewables dip. But too often, those ideas stay stuck in pilot mode. Namukaya sees the missing piece clearly. Without government-backed risk sharing, private investors hesitate to move. Building shared testing labs, funding demonstration projects, and creating regulatory certainty can flip the switch. When public and private players align, investors step in faster, timelines shrink, and technologies scale before they go obsolete. Americans are paying more than ever for electricity. In just two years, residential prices climbed almost 15 percent. For families already stretched, that’s no small thing. So how do you ask utilities to adopt expensive new tech without pushing those bills even higher? Namukaya says you stop judging projects only on upfront costs. “Many of these technologies generate significant benefits over time through improved reliability and avoided costs,” she explained. Those avoided costs include fewer grid failures, less money wasted on fossil fuel volatility, lower maintenance, and they matter more than the sticker price on day one. “If the technology performs, it will be rewarded.” That’s the kind of signal she believes regulators need to send, one that encourages innovation but still protects ratepayers. Reliability is the part you only notice when it fails. Texas learned that in 2021 when a winter storm knocked out power for millions. Namukaya believes electrocatalysts and other advanced technologies are part of the solution. By producing clean fuels that can be stored and dispatched during peak demand, they act as a buffer for renewables that come and go with the weather. “On the reliability side, they enable the efficient production of clean fuels and chemicals, that can be stored and dispatched during peak demand periods or times of low renewable output,” she said. That means families can trust the lights will stay on even when the wind dies down or the sun sets. Energy isn’t just a monthly bill. It’s tied to everything such as economic competitiveness, job creation, even national security. Clean energy that’s reliable and affordable can help the U.S. cut dependence on imported fuels, stabilize household budgets, and give businesses a cost edge globally. But without frameworks that let innovation scale, we risk being left behind. Namukaya’s focus on policy and economics may not make headlines like a shiny new solar panel, but it’s just as critical. She’s helping build the market structures that determine whether these technologies ever reach the people who need them. America’s grid is fragile, families are paying more, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Namukaya’s work points to a path forward that includes partnerships that share risk and investments that prioritize both innovation and affordability. Because reliable energy isn’t just about keeping the lights on. It’s about keeping the country strong, competitive, and ready for the future. — This content is brought to you by Melissa Moraes. Photo provided by the author. The post The Cost of America’s Aging Grid and One Economist Determined to Fix It appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Shannon Roberts, UMass Amherst and Anuj Kumar Pradhan, UMass Amherst The last few weeks of summer, heading into Labor Day weekend, can sometimes mean vacations and driving more miles on the road for all people, including teens. Traffic crashes are the No. 1 cause of death for teens, and the crash rate for teen drivers is disproportionately higher than the share of licensed teen drivers. In addition to this grim statistic, summer is the riskiest time for teen drivers. The 100 deadliest days represent the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day when the number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers dramatically increases. A third of each year’s teen driver crashes occur during the summer. We are scholars who research transportation safety and teen driver behavior. Our expertise helps us understand that these 100 days are not just a statistical fluke – they reflect a dangerous intersection of factors such as inexperience and a propensity to take risks. What makes summer different? Regardless of the season, some teen drivers engage in risky behaviors that increase their likelihood of a fatal crash, such as getting distracted, driving with friends in the vehicle, driving under the influence, not wearing seat belts and a lack of hazard awareness. Teens also have more free time in the summer, since most aren’t in school. Combined with the longer days and better weather, teens drive more over the summer. More time on the road means more risk, especially for inexperienced drivers. Teens may also be more likely to drive after dark during the summer, in comparison to more experienced drivers. But nighttime driving is also when visibility is reduced and crash risks are higher, particularly for teens who haven’t fully developed the skills necessary for night driving. This increased exposure, in addition to teens’ general risky driving tendencies, contributes to the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers. The increased crash risk for teens over the summer isn’t equally distributed either. Crashes with teen drivers that lead to serious injuries are more likely to occur with male drivers, in rural areas, for those of lower socioeconomic status and for those with disorders, such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. Teaching young drivers Driver’s education programs are the formal method to teach teen drivers the rules of the road. In driver’s education programs, teens receive information about driver and road safety though classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction in preparation for the licensing exam. Some states require teens to complete a driver’s education course if they want to receive a license under the age of 18. Of teens who have a license, nearly 80% of them have gone through some form of driver’s education. Though driver’s education programs can be helpful, their effects are not equally felt. In some states, teens and their guardians must pay out of pocket for driver’s education courses to obtain a license. This makes driver’s education and, as a consequence, obtaining a driver’s license inequitable. There are also driving school deserts – areas where the poverty rate is 20% or above and there are no behind-the-wheel driver education courses within a 10- to 15-minute drive. This makes driver education courses inaccessible. Many of these driving school deserts happen to be in areas with high populations of minorities. Over 20 years ago, graduated driver licensing was introduced to reduce teen crash rates. This is a phased licensing system wherein teen drivers are restricted in terms of when, where and with whom they can drive until they turn 18. Such a system allows teens to gradually learn and gain experience with driving over time. Graduated driver licensing has been implemented in all 50 states, and it has been shown to reduce teen driver crash rates. However, its effectiveness is limited to those who participate in the system. A large number of teens are unlicensed and are of low socioeconomic status. Many of these unlicensed teens forgo the entire process and remain unlicensed but still drive, well into their 20s when the graduated driver licensing restrictions are lifted. Making summer safer There are two things people can do to turn the 100 deadliest days into the 100 safest days. First, it is important that communities offer free supplementary training programs for teen drivers, because becoming a safe and responsible teen driver shouldn’t be limited to those with resources. As one example, in collaboration with industry partners, we have developed a program called Risk-ATTEND. It is a free, online, evidence-based program that teaches teen drivers how to anticipate risks while driving. Our research has shown that programs such as these can improve teen driving skills and may be especially effective for teen drivers in high-poverty areas. Second, our research has shown that parents and guardians still play an important role in influencing teen driver behavior. Studies show that teens mirror the behaviors they observe: If they see adults text and drive, they’re more likely to do the same. Once teenagers become old enough to drive, it is also important to establish rules and guidelines about expectations to establish clarity and accountability. Written agreements or checklists can address high-risk conditions such as nighttime driving, driving with other young passengers, phone use and adherence to speed limits. Systems to help monitor and enforce rules have been shown to be effective in improving teen driver behavior. One such program is Checkpoints, which is a Connecticut-based program in which families agree to limit teen driving during high-risk conditions. Teens face consequences for violating these limits, such as a temporary loss of driving privileges. However, the limits are gradually lifted as they gain driving experience. More than rules matter Ultimately, preventing crashes in the summer and beyond extends beyond mere adherence to regulations. Avoiding them fundamentally hinges on cultivating a robust safety culture that emphasizes a collective commitment to risk reduction and continuous improvement in driving practices. For teens, the summer months present unique challenges and opportunities. Drawing on best practices, such as training programs, teens can build essential skills in varied conditions before gaining full, unsupervised privileges. Shannon Roberts, Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering, UMass Amherst and Anuj Kumar Pradhan, Assistant Professor, UMass Amherst This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. — Previously Published on theconversation.com with Creative Commons License *** Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: iStock The post Teen Drivers Face Unique Challenges During ‘100 Deadliest Days’ of Summer, but Safety Measures Can Make a Difference appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— Introduction In today’s competitive digital landscape, e-commerce businesses are constantly looking for ways to streamline processes, improve customer experiences, and boost overall revenue. Magento, one of the most powerful and flexible e-commerce platforms, provides business owners with countless opportunities to grow by integrating with advanced systems, tools, and extensions. From improving user engagement to optimizing backend operations, Magento 2 enables enterprises to run seamlessly while meeting customer expectations. With scalable solutions, customizable storefronts, and integration capabilities, Magento has become the go-to choice for enterprises that want to remain ahead in the digital marketplace. This article explores key aspects of Magento integrations and highlights practical solutions that every merchant should consider. Enhancing Customer Engagement with Smart Popups One of the most effective ways to interact with online shoppers is by using modal popup Magento 2 extensions. These popups can be customized to display targeted promotions, collect customer feedback, or highlight limited-time offers. Unlike intrusive advertisements, modal popups integrate smoothly into the shopping journey, drawing attention without disrupting the experience. They are also highly adaptable, allowing businesses to personalize content based on customer behavior, demographics, or cart activity. For example, a store may show a discount code popup when a visitor is about to exit the site, increasing the chances of saving an abandoned cart. Similarly, newsletter signup forms presented via modal popups can expand mailing lists and improve long-term engagement. By leveraging this tool, merchants can capture leads, reduce cart abandonment, and increase conversions while ensuring visitors remain engaged with the website. Over time, businesses that use popups strategically can build stronger customer relationships and higher lifetime value. Streamlining Operations with ERP and CRM Integrations As businesses scale, managing data across multiple systems becomes increasingly challenging. Magento’s ability to integrate with ERP and CRM solutions such as SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, or Salesforce helps companies centralize operations, synchronize real-time data, and eliminate duplication errors. These integrations enable automated workflows, improved reporting, and better decision-making. For instance, combining Magento with Microsoft Dynamics 365 ensures a seamless flow of inventory, sales, and customer information, giving managers a complete view of business performance. Similarly, integrating Magento with Salesforce allows companies to track leads, optimize customer journeys, and create personalized campaigns. With synchronized data, businesses not only save time but also improve accuracy and transparency across departments. This not only reduces operational costs but also empowers businesses to adapt quickly to market changes. In today’s fast-paced environment, such automation is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity for sustainable growth. Boosting Sales with Digital Gift Solutions Customers are increasingly looking for flexible gifting options, making digital vouchers and e-cards essential. Implementing a Magento gift card feature allows businesses to expand their product offerings while catering to diverse customer needs. Gift cards provide a convenient solution for buyers who are unsure of what to purchase, and they also encourage repeat visits when recipients redeem them. Offering gift cards benefits both customers and merchants. Buyers enjoy the convenience of purchasing a ready-made gift, while recipients appreciate the freedom of choice. Merchants, on the other hand, enjoy increased brand visibility and secure upfront revenue. Advanced Magento extensions allow for customization, such as personal messages, variable amounts, and scheduling options, which further enrich the customer experience. For special occasions like holidays, birthdays, or corporate events, gift cards can play a significant role in boosting seasonal sales while encouraging customer loyalty. Expanding Reach Through Marketplace Integrations One of the most effective strategies for scaling an online store is integrating Magento with popular marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, or Google Shopping. This creates opportunities for businesses to reach new audiences while managing orders, products, and customer data from a centralized Magento dashboard. For example, connecting Magento with Amazon ensures real-time synchronization of pricing, stock, and delivery details, which improves accuracy and reduces manual work. A seller can update their product catalog once in Magento and have the changes reflected across all connected channels instantly. This level of efficiency prevents overselling, reduces customer complaints, and saves valuable time. Additionally, this approach allows brands to maintain consistency across multiple channels, creating a unified shopping experience for customers. Marketplace integrations also open the door to international sales, giving businesses a chance to establish themselves on a global scale. Building a Strong Digital Presence with a Magento Website A professional Magento website is more than just an online store—it is the foundation of your brand’s digital identity. With its robust architecture, Magento enables merchants to design fully customizable storefronts optimized for performance, security, and scalability. Responsive themes, advanced SEO capabilities, and seamless CMS integrations with platforms like WordPress or Joomla further enhance visibility and brand awareness. The platform’s flexibility means businesses can create tailored experiences that reflect their unique values. For example, retailers can design product pages that highlight specific features, incorporate multimedia, and provide in-depth product comparisons to help customers make informed decisions. A Magento website also supports advanced SEO features such as metadata customization, URL optimization, and structured data, all of which are crucial for ranking higher in search engines. By leveraging Magento’s flexibility, businesses can create a unique online experience that reflects their brand values while meeting customer expectations. This makes Magento an ideal choice for enterprises seeking to grow sustainably in a competitive environment. Improving Logistics and Customer Satisfaction with Shipping Integrations Efficient order fulfillment is a cornerstone of customer satisfaction. Magento’s integration with shipping carriers such as DHL, FedEx, or UPS simplifies logistics by automating tasks like generating shipping labels, calculating real-time rates, and tracking deliveries. This ensures transparency for customers while reducing errors and operational costs for merchants. For businesses managing a large volume of orders, shipping integrations can eliminate bottlenecks by streamlining workflows. Customers can receive accurate shipping estimates at checkout, which minimizes surprises and improves trust. Merchants also benefit from automated order tracking and the ability to provide real-time updates, which reduces the burden on customer support teams. Furthermore, businesses can expand their shipping capabilities by offering multiple delivery options, including express and international services, which helps improve customer trust and encourage repeat purchases. Conclusion Magento 2 continues to empower businesses by combining advanced features with powerful integration capabilities. From interactive popups to digital gift cards, marketplace expansion, and robust shipping solutions, merchants have countless tools at their disposal to optimize performance and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Building a reliable Magento website serves as the backbone of these efforts, ensuring scalability and adaptability in an ever-changing digital world. By investing in smart integrations and customer-focused enhancements, e-commerce businesses can unlock long-term growth and remain competitive in today’s global market. — This content is brought to you by Sky Link Building iStockPhoto The post Unlocking Growth with Magento 2: Essential Tools and Integrations for Modern E-Commerce appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Ben Jodway, Buckeye Flame Ohio’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws are beginning to shape the state’s economy as one organization decided to not host a conference in Cleveland that could have pulled thousands of attendees. The Plain Dealer first reported that the International Studies Association, a higher education organization of scholars in the field of international studies, sent a letter to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Aug. 22 to inform him that, unless Ohio’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws are reversed, it will no longer consider Cleveland as an option for a future conference. According to the letter, the annual conference brings 5,000 to 6,500 attendees from around the world. The organization was also concerned about Ohio legislators’ and DeWine’s support of the federal administration’s push to deploy the U.S. military in cities, said ISA Executive Director MJ Bosia in an email to The Buckeye Flame. “These actions have the potential to place our members at risk, and at the same time, for many members, recall their own struggles at home with anti-transgender policies and the militarization of their cities,” Bosia said. “We have seen how xenophobic enforcement policies have swept up foreign nationals, visa holders and U.S. citizens, including some who are LGBTQ+, in draconian expulsion and imprisonment policies.” DeWine’s office did not comment before publication. ISA will keep its 2026 conference in Columbus, a decision made eight years ago. However, ISA’s letter to DeWine noted that the contract for the venue includes a clause to protect their members from discrimination. If the members’ “rights are restricted” by the government or “other disruptions,” the contract could be canceled. “We do hope for a successful and productive convention in Columbus next year, and hope that you will do everything in your power to ensure that our attendees can enjoy Columbus, whatever region of the world they are from and without regard to their sexuality or gender identity,” the letter concludes. The decision to host the conference there was made in 2018, when Republican John Kasich was Ohio’s governor, Bosia said. To keep members safe, the ISA has an “online venue” attached so they can still engage with their colleagues. “As a global society of scholars, our mission is to ensure that our members can engage in research dialogues for the betterment of the world,” the ISA said in a statement. “With that responsibility, we must offer alternatives for our members in difficult times, but in planning for the future, we must do our best to ensure that all members can meet in the venue that provides them with the optimal ability to engage in dialogue and scholarship.” IGNITE ACTION More information on ISA’s 2026 convention in Columbus can be found here. To register to vote or to check your voter eligibility status in the state of Ohio, click here. To find contact information for your Ohio state representative, click here. To find contact information for your Ohio state senator, click here. To access an interactive map of Ohio’s state House and Senate districts, click here. — The Buckeye Flame is an online platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ Ohioans to support community and civic empowerment through the creation of engaging content that chronicles their triumphs, struggles, and lived experiences. *** Does dating ever feel challenging, awkward or frustrating? Turn Your Dating Life into a WOW! with our new classes and live coaching. Click here for more info or to buy with special launch pricing! *** On Substack? Follow us there for more great dating and relationships content. Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: thebuckeyeflame/illustration by Ben Jodway The post Higher Ed Association Will No Longer Host Conferences in Ohio Due to State’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

The details remain “extremely confidential,” the French president said European countries are prepared to offer security guarantees to Ukraine once a peace deal between Kiev and Moscow is signed, French President Emmanuel Macron has said. He made the comments after months of debate within NATO about possible models for post-conflict Ukraine, which have coincided with US President Donald Trump’s renewed efforts to mediate a deal between Ukraine and Russia. “We Europeans are ready to offer security guarantees to Ukraine and its people on the day a peace deal is signed,” Macron said following a meeting with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky in Paris on Wednesday. “The contributions prepared, documented, and confirmed this afternoon at the level of defense ministers, in an extremely confidential manner, allow me to state that the preparatory work is complete,” he added, without specifying the details. “We are ready for a robust peace and a lasting peace for Ukraine and for Europeans,” Macron said. Zelensky expressed confidence that “firm security guarantees” would be agreed during the meeting of Ukraine’s backers, known as the Coalition of the Willing, on Thursday. Kiev has been pressing the West to provide guarantees that could serve as a substitute for NATO’s collective defense after the US effectively blocked Ukraine’s bid to join the alliance. Several European nations, including France and the UK, have voiced readiness to deploy peacekeepers, while Germany recently said it has no such plans. Trump has also ruled out sending American troops to Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly warned that it would not tolerate NATO soldiers on Ukrainian soil, even under the guise of peacekeepers. President Vladimir Putin has listed an end to Western military aid to Kiev as one of the conditions for a ceasefire. View the full article

— This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial advice. Tax season shows up, you open a paycheck or a profit-and-loss report, and questions start piling up. Which number is the one the tax folks actually use? Is it the big one on top, or the smaller one that feels closer to your real life? Nakase Law Firm Inc. often gets a version of the same question from clients staring at pay stubs and invoices: how do gross vs. net income impact tax calculations? Let’s set the table, then keep things practical. The big picture is that both numbers matter, just not in the same way. California Business Lawyer & Corporate Lawyer Inc. often hears clients ask a direct follow-up: what is gross income and how does it differ from net income? Once you see how the two numbers feed into your return, the whole process starts to settle down. A quick way to picture the two Here’s a simple picture you can hold in mind. Gross income is the sticker price. Net income is what you actually take home after the tax and expense “line items” do their work. Think of buying concert tickets: the headline price pulls you in, and then fees and taxes show up at checkout. Your final charge is the closer match to net income. What sits inside gross income For someone on payroll, gross income is the salary number your offer letter mentions—plus bonuses, freelance side gigs, rental money, interest, and dividends. For a shop or service business, gross income starts with revenue and then subtracts the direct cost of goods or services (ingredients for a bakery, parts for an auto shop, materials for a contractor). At this point, broader bills like rent, marketing, insurance, and staff pay have not been counted yet. So yes, gross is the wide-angle view. Net income, the number you live on Net income is the part that feels real. For employees, it’s the deposit that lands in your bank account after tax withholding, Social Security, Medicare, health premiums, and retirement contributions. For a business, it’s the profit after rent, payroll, software, equipment, interest, and taxes. If gross is the starting gate, net is the finish line. Where taxes start: gross and AGI Now to connect the dots. Taxes often begin with gross income and then move to adjusted gross income (AGI). AGI is gross income minus a short list of allowed adjustments. Common ones include certain retirement contributions and student loan interest. AGI can influence your eligibility for credits and deductions. So if gross is the headline number, AGI is the trimmed-down version that sets many thresholds. Where taxes end up: net and the bill you pay Next comes the number that shapes what you actually owe. After deductions (standard or itemized) and credits are applied, you reach the amount that leads to your final bill or refund. For a business, the journey is similar: start from revenue, work down to gross income, then subtract operating costs to reach net income—the piece that feeds into the return and points to cash left for growth, savings, or owner pay. Paycheck snapshot Picture a new hire at $90,000. On paper, that looks generous. Then the first paycheck arrives. The deposit is smaller than the mental math you did on offer day. That gap is everything that sits between gross and net—tax withholding, Social Security, Medicare, benefits, and retirement savings. So the next time a paycheck feels “light,” it isn’t a mistake; it’s the system doing what it always does. And yes, you can adjust parts of it—like how much goes into your retirement plan—so the split better fits your plan for the year. Small business snapshot Now switch to a small landscaping company. Revenue for the year hits $200,000. Nice headline. Then the owner lists the costs of trucks, fuel, mowers, repairs, payroll, insurance, and software. Add a few surprise fixes after storm damage. By the time the dust settles, net income is closer to $60,000. That smaller number is the one that matters for taxes and for decisions like hiring, buying a new trailer, or setting aside cash for slow months. How the split helps you plan Here’s where the difference between the two numbers pays off in a practical way—day to day and at tax time. Avoiding surprises: When you plan life around gross, bills can feel tight. Plan around net, and your budget reflects reality. Better withholding and savings choices: Small adjustments to retirement contributions or HSA funding can improve AGI, which can open doors to credits and deductions. Clearer business decisions: Watching net helps you see which expenses are carrying their weight and which ones just need to go. Cleaner records: When your books separate direct costs from overhead, your gross and net become clear, which makes tax prep faster and less stressful. Common mix-ups to watch for Two repeats show up year after year. First, a salary offer gets mistaken for take-home, and the monthly budget is built on the bigger number. Second, a business owner focuses on revenue and overlooks deductions that could soften the tax bill. Both are fixable. A quick review of withholding or a midyear check-in on expenses can bring the numbers back in line. A few small stories that stick A teacher I spoke with started the year worried about a tight budget. She shifted a bit more into her retirement plan, which trimmed AGI enough to qualify for a credit she had missed the year before. That single tweak made the refund feel less like a guess and more like a plan. A café owner noticed food costs creeping higher each quarter. Instead of raising prices across the board, he renegotiated a supplier contract and switched to seasonal specials. Net improved without chasing away regulars. The tax result at year-end told the story: same vibe, better margin. What pros actually do for you Accountants and tax attorneys connect the steps for you, start to finish. They help map your gross income, apply adjustments, and confirm AGI. Then they work through deductions and credits to shape the final figure that drives the bill or refund. For business owners, the help includes expense tracking frameworks, depreciation schedules, and advice on timing large purchases. If the tax agency asks questions, a legal pro can step in, interpret letters, and keep the process on track. Quick self-check you can use anytime Is the number in front of me the headline amount or the take-home one? If it’s the headline, what items typically shrink it for me? If I change one lever—like retirement savings—does that help me qualify for a credit or keep me in a friendlier bracket? For the business: which costs drive sales, and which just add noise? Bringing it home So, where does this leave you? Gross income sets the stage for taxes and for a lot of eligibility rules. Net income shows the life you actually live month to month—and the number that your return leans on at the end. Keep both in view, make small moves during the year, and the spring filing rush starts to feel less like guesswork and more like a routine you can handle. — This content is brought to you by Chris Reyes iStockPhoto The post Gross vs. Net Income: How They Shape the Taxes You Actually Pay appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

Why Staying Friends After a Breakup Is a Myth (And a Mistake) The final conversation has happened. The painful, yet necessary, words have been spoken. The relationship is over. In the emotional rubble of that moment, a well-intentioned but often perilous offer is frequently extended: “I hope we can still be friends.” It sounds like the mature, compassionate thing to do. It softens the blow, preserves the connection, and avoids the ugly finality of a true goodbye. We tell ourselves that this person knew us better than almost anyone; to cut them out completely would be to discard a chapter of our lives. But beneath this veneer of emotional intelligence often lies a minefield of unresolved feelings, false hope, and delayed healing. The truth is, for the vast majority of couples, attempting an immediate friendship after a breakup is not a sign of health — it’s a form of emotional denial. Here’s why you should seriously reconsider the impulse to stay friends. 1. You’re Not Mourning; You’re Managing A breakup is a loss, and loss requires grief. Grief is not a linear process; it demands time, space, and silence to process the absence. By immediately transitioning into a “friendship,” you are essentially putting a giant bandage over a deep wound. You’re managing the symptoms of loneliness and withdrawal without actually treating the injury. True healing involves sitting with the discomfort, not avoiding it by maintaining a diluted version of the relationship. This “management” technique prolongs the agony, stretching out the pain of withdrawal over months of confusing “friendly” interactions instead of enduring a few weeks of intense, but productive, sorrow. 2. The “Friendship” is Rarely Equal One person is almost always ahead of the other in the moving-on process. The one who initiated the breakup may feel guilt and a desire to soften the blow through friendship, mistaking it for kindness. The person who was broken up with often agrees to the terms, seeing it as their only way to maintain a foothold in the other’s life, secretly hoping for a reconciliation. This creates a fundamental power imbalance. One is a benefactor, offering the crumbs of their attention. The other is a supplicant, anxiously accepting those crumbs. This is not friendship; it is an emotional dependency disguised as one. 3. It Sabotages Your Future (and Theirs) Imagine starting a new relationship and explaining that your “best friend” is the person you were passionately in love with just a few months ago. Even the most secure new partner would find this dynamic challenging, and rightfully so. Lingering emotional intimacy with an ex creates a shadow that falls over any new connection you try to build. Furthermore, your continued presence prevents your ex from fully moving on. You are a constant reminder of what was, making it harder for both of you to embrace what could be. A clean break is an act of respect — for yourself, your ex, and your future partners. 4. You’re Avoiding the Inevitable Second Breakup Most post-breakup “friendships” have an expiration date. They often end when one person starts dating someone else, when the emotional crutch is no longer needed, or when the unresolved resentment finally boils over. This means you are voluntarily signing up for a second breakup somewhere down the line. You’ve gone through the pain of dismantling a romantic relationship, only to set yourself up for the pain of dismantling a fractured friendship later. 5. It Blurs All the Necessary Boundaries A romantic relationship is built on a specific set of boundaries: emotional intimacy, physical closeness, and primary commitment. A breakup is the process of dissolving those boundaries. A friendship requires an entirely new, and much more distant, set of boundaries to be healthy. Attempting this overnight is like trying to turn a cathedral into a coffee shop without any renovation. You’re left in a confusing space that still feels like a cathedral, where every whispered conversation and familiar glance carries the ghost of what used to be. Without time and distance to redefine the relationship, you’ll constantly fall back into old patterns, old intimacies, and old pains. So, Is It Ever Possible? Yes, but with major caveats. Genuine friendship can sometimes be possible after a significant period of no contact. This isn’t a few weeks; it’s often months or even years. It requires both people to have fully, and completely, moved on. The romantic feelings must be entirely platonic for both parties. You must be able to think of your ex with someone else and feel genuine happiness for them, not a pang of jealousy or nostalgia. When you meet again, it shouldn’t feel like picking up where you left off. It should feel like meeting a new person who just happens to know a lot about you. The Kindest Cut The kindest thing you can do for each other after a breakup is to grant the gift of space. A clean break is not an act of hatred; it is an act of profound respect for the relationship you once had. It acknowledges that what you shared was too significant to be reduced to a lukewarm friendship. It allows both of you the freedom to grieve, to grow, and to eventually become the people you need to be for the next chapter of your lives. Sometimes, the most loving gesture after a breakup is not a promise to stay, but the courage to let go completely. — This post was previously published on medium.com. Love relationships? We promise to have a good one with your inbox. Subcribe to get 3x weekly dating and relationship advice. Did you know? We have 8 publications on Medium. Join us there! Hello, Love (relationships) Change Becomes You (Advice) A Parent is Born (Parenting) Equality Includes You (Social Justice) Greener Together (Environment) Shelter Me (Wellness) Modern Identities (Gender, etc.) Co-Existence (World) *** – Photo credit: Kelly Sikkema On Unsplash The post The Clean Break appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

A one-string banjo doesn’t sound happy. Overconfidence in one strength brings leaders down. Visionaries fail when they can’t get stuff done. Relationship builders fail when they don’t have tough conversations. Doers without empathy build disengaged teams. Vision needs execution. Relationships deal with conflict. And “Git-R-Done” types without empathy are taskmasters. Leadership is a three-legged stool, not a one string banjo. 5 Reasons Leaders Fail #1 Neglecting Balance Leadership is a three-legged stool: Vision – direction Relationship – engagement Execution – results Leaders collapse when they neglect any pillar. #2 Ignoring Self-Awareness You damage people unintentionally when you don’t appreciate your impact. Without honest feedback, you repeat blind spots with confidence. Growth slows. Trust erodes. Teams fragment. #3 Avoiding Collaboration Solo problem-solvers become bottlenecks. Refusing to delegate isn’t about standards, it’s about control. Micromanagers wonder why no one steps up. Heavy-handed leaders drain energy. #4 Resisting Personal Growth Leaders who don’t develop can’t grow their organizations. Avoiding conflict, resisting feedback, or clinging to past success guarantees future failure. Growth requires letting go. #5 Losing Touch with Reality Brilliant strategies die when disconnected from people and execution. You don’t fail because of bad ideas. You fail because of bad follow-through. You don’t fail all at once. You fail a little at a time by ignoring weaknesses, minimizing your impact on people, and refusing to evolve. If you want to thrive long-term, ask yourself: What strength am I overusing? What skill am I neglecting? Leadership is not a fixed trait. It’s a capacity that must keep growing or it dies from within. What are some reasons leaders fail from your point of view? Don’t miss: Why Talented Leaders Fail This post is based on the wonderful work of Richard Hagberg PhD and Tien Tzuo. Read their new book Founders, Keepers: Why Founders Are Built to Fail, and What it Takes to Succeed. — Previously Published on leadershipfreak with Creative Commons License *** Does dating ever feel challenging, awkward or frustrating? Turn Your Dating Life into a WOW! with our new classes and live coaching. Click here for more info or to buy with special launch pricing! *** Subscribe to The Good Men Project Newsletter Email Address * If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. On Substack? Connect with us there. — Photo credit: unsplash The post Why Good Leaders Fail (And Don’t See It Coming) appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— Gambling may be illegal in your jurisdiction. Please check your local laws before gambling. Listing five Hollywood celebrities in five seconds is an easy task. How about listing five celebrities in the casino niche off the top of your head? In distinct industries worldwide, several people have worked to ensure that their respective industries thrive despite the challenges they may have to face. The casino niche is no different. Since they were newly introduced until now, casinos have had plenty of people who have contributed positively or negatively to their growth. In this article, we’ve identified five of the biggest celebrities in the casino niche and shared their stories with you. Let’s dive in. Biggest Celebrities in the Casino Niche The list may be endless, but these influential celebrities have excelled in the casino niche. Bill Krackomberger Bill Krackomberger, popularly known as Bill Krackman, was born in New York in 1968 and started gambling early as a nine-year-old who worked in pizza shops and arcades. Bill is now a professional bettor, casino specialist, TV personality, and one of the biggest celebrities in the casino niche. Famous for being a prolific professional gambler, Bill focuses mainly on sports betting, and his fame and expertise have made him appear on television networks like CNN, Fox, ESPN, Sports, and other podcasts and radio shows. He is a regular guest author and host for OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos.org. After an incident he encountered at age 15 – where he was $10,000 deep in debt and had to be bailed out by his father’s friend – Bill decided to gamble responsibly and has since encouraged people to do the same. With his skills and experience, Bill helps other players make excellent gambling options and ensures that they make profitable bets while focusing on the advantages of gambling and shining a light on its disadvantages. Krackman has a YouTube channel where he responds to the questions sports bettors may have. If you’d like to ask a few questions or join any of his sessions, you can search for him using the username KrackWins. Denise Coates The daughter of Stoke City FC owner Peter Coates, Denise was determined to forge a path different from her father’s. Her dream was to revolutionize the casino industry. In the early 2000s, while gambling was not as widely accepted as now, Denise grabbed the opportunity and included a delectable twist to sports betting. She came up with the idea to offer in-play betting, and following the success of the first few tries, bet365 was created. Bet365 became the first betting company to accept in-play betting, introducing an exciting upgrade to how people played sports bets. Having won several awards, Bet365 currently has its headquarters in Stoke-on-Trent and boasts over 7,000 employees. Bet365 remains one of the industry’s leading live casinos and sportsbooks, making Denise Coates a formidable and highly influential figure. William Hornbuckle Hornbuckle’s primary role is leading MGM Resorts International, and, to his credit, not once has he ‘buckled’ under the weight of that responsibility. His company has been described as the “heavyweight in the global casino and resort industry,” making his opinions highly relevant and sought-after. Chairing the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which directly advises the US Secretary of Commerce, Hornbuckle’s relevance comes as no surprise. Also, with the global visibility MGM has acquired over the years, it has cemented its place as one of the major casino real estate companies worldwide. Amy Howe Amy Howe, current CEO of FanDuel, is a vibrant leader who has won the respect and loyalty of her employees through her transparency, work ethic, and dynamic approach to organizational affairs. Bursting into the spotlight in 2021, she has propelled FanDuel forward in the gaming industry and spearheads the whirlwind change happening in the firm. Howe has caused significant growth in FanDuel, introducing a positive work culture and fostering the need for workers to understand the essence of teamwork. Under her leadership, the company has won multiple awards, like the Digital Operator of the Year award, and gained the premier position in several states. Howe has won twice the American Executive of the Year award at the 2022 Global Gaming Awards in Las Vegas. Lui Che Woo Building his empire was difficult, but Lui Che Woo pulled it off excellently. His empire, Galaxy Entertainment Group, owns and manages land-based gambling sites in Macau, including StarWorld and City of Dreams. Over the years, Woo has built his enterprise from the ground up with his wit, excellent business strategies, and undeniable prowess. Now, his wealth is approaching $12.2 billion, making him one of the Far East’s most influential – and wealthiest – business owners. Seeing how much he has achieved, one might expect him to be an arrogant businessman, but this would be far from the truth. Woo is a philanthropist who donates his wealth as he deems fit to several charity organizations in Hong Kong. His notable acts have earned him awards like the Outstanding Contribution Award and Citizen of Honor. Did these celebrities work alone to get to where they are? They possibly built their successes from scratch by themselves, but no man is an island, and at some point, these celebrities partnered with different people over the years to be as successful as you see them. Denise Coates, for instance, owns only part of Bet365 shares, while her brother owns the rest. A lot goes on behind the scenes in the gambling industry, and several people have worked to ensure that the industry gets to the level it is currently at. Although this list covers most top dogs, many other influential people still work hard to maintain the thrilling world of the casino niche. As the industry continues to evolve, a batch of new influential figures will emerge, adding to the visionaries who have made different sacrifices for the industry to thrive. And we will be here to welcome them. — This content is brought to you by Sara Ferrero iStockPhoto The post Biggest Celebrities in the Casino Niche appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

Your Love and Best Friends You know, every guy experiences a true love at least once in his life—the girl who felt like she was meant to be your wife. The one whose smile became your personal mission. And the thing is, she set such high standards in your life that no other girl has been able to match them since. It doesn’t necessarily have to be your ex-girlfriend I’m talking about. It could be her, but it could also be your best friend—the one you never had the courage to confess your feelings to. Or maybe it was the girl with whom everything was going perfectly, but you weren’t ready for commitment, so you let her go. You know what all these situations have in common? You only realize she was your true love when her return to your life becomes impossible. And when her memories come back, they stir up a strange, indescribable feeling. It’s not that you’re unhappy in your life. Maybe you’re doing great—successful, even. But sometimes, away from the eyes of the world, you find yourself scrolling through her profile, reminiscing about her, seeking comfort in old memories—the kind of peace you once felt with her. And perhaps that’s why we call it true love—because no matter how hard you try, you can never truly let it go. Thank you for reading. — This post was previously published on medium.com. *** Does dating ever feel challenging, awkward or frustrating? Turn Your Dating Life into a WOW! with our new classes and live coaching. Click here for more info or to buy with special launch pricing! *** —– Photo credit: Şervan Bingöl on Unsplash The post Your First Love 😘 appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

Moscow dismissed the allegations as “preposterous” Russia has strongly rejected claims that it attempted to jam the GPS system of a plane carrying the EU’s leader. According to Brussels, the alleged incident occurred during European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s trip to Bulgaria last week. At a press briefing on Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the allegations “preposterous” and “100% false.” She added that Moscow will continue to combat “the West’s web of lies” aimed at discrediting Russia on the world stage. Zakharova suggested the claims were meant to distract the public from “actual events,” including problems in the EU’s economy and the recent summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tianjin, China, which concluded on Monday. “It is not just paranoia, but a cynical plot to distract their own population from the EU’s worsening economic situation and from considering the real culprits behind the European crisis – the irresponsible, kleptocratic political elites of the European Union,” she said. Zakharova pointed to data from the flight-tracking website Flightradar24, which indicated that von der Leyen’s jet “reported good GPS signal quality from take-off to landing.” Since 2024, Nordic and Baltic countries have accused Russia of disrupting communications on planes and ships as part of “hybrid warfare,” allegations Russia has denied. View the full article

— There’s a kind of silence couples don’t talk about. It’s the quiet after another negative test, the space between appointments, the pause when someone asks, “So when are you having kids?” For nearly 17% of couples in America, that silence is their reality. And it carries a weight most of us can’t see, emotional, physical, and financial. Dr. Tiao-Virirak Kattygnarath knows that silence well. He’s spent more than 20 years in exam rooms and labs helping families who want nothing more than a child. “Becoming a father changed how I saw everything,” he told me. “I realized this little baby was the most precious part of my life, and I would do anything to protect him.” For him, fertility isn’t just about science, it’s about giving families back the joy that silence steals. Infertility isn’t simply about getting older or unlucky biology. It’s a disease, officially recognized by the World Health Organization, and yet in the U.S. it’s often treated like an elective procedure. Insurance coverage is inconsistent. Government support is practically nonexistent. And the result is that access depends far more on wealth than on medical need. “Many people think infertility is only about age or biology, but it is also about access and fairness,” Dr. Kattygnarath explained. “It should be treated like other diseases and funded by insurance or government, the same way cancer is.” Right now, many families are shut out of treatment simply because they can’t afford the $15,000-plus average cost of a single IVF cycle. That’s not just unfair, it’s unsustainable. Beyond individual heartbreak, declining birth rates have national consequences. Countries like Japan and South Korea are already staring down shrinking populations, weakened workforces, and unstable pension systems. America isn’t immune. Without fertility support, our demographic curve could bend the same way. “Supporting fertility treatments should be part of a national plan to keep birth rates high,” Dr. Kattygnarath said. From his perspective, investing in reproductive health isn’t just family policy, it’s economic policy. Every successful treatment means new citizens who will one day become workers, innovators, and taxpayers. It’s about securing the country’s long-term competitiveness as much as it is about helping a couple start a family. Of course, numbers only tell part of the story. The emotional cost of infertility runs deep. Couples blame themselves, carry guilt from past choices, and often wrestle with depression. “Infertility can cause strong emotions like low self-worth, guilt about past events, and sometimes depression,” Dr. Kattygnarath said. “It can be a serious test for a couple’s relationship.” Some partnerships fracture under the strain. Others survive, but with emotional scars and financial stress that linger long after. And yet, he’s quick to point out, many couples display extraordinary resilience, sticking together even after multiple failed attempts. That persistence inspires him as much as it challenges him. In a healthcare system known for rushing patients in and out of exam rooms, fertility care demands a different approach. It’s intimate, emotional, and life-altering. “Being kind and caring does not take much time,” he said. “Whether patients pay themselves or not, they all deserve our full attention.” That philosophy comes not only from decades of professional practice but from his own journey as a father. He knows firsthand that when someone entrusts you with their hopes for a family, you can’t treat it like just another appointment on the schedule. If he could change one policy tomorrow, Dr. Kattygnarath wouldn’t hesitate to encourage insurance or employer coverage for egg freezing. Many women choose to delay children for career, education, or financial reasons. But biology doesn’t wait. “Once fertility declines, we cannot reverse it, and it is heartbreaking to tell someone their only option is egg donation,” he said. Funding egg freezing would give women real control over their futures instead of closing doors on them later. That single shift could change millions of lives, keeping more families intact, expanding workforce participation, and strengthening the country’s demographic outlook. Infertility is often seen as a private struggle. But it’s not. It’s a public health issue with economic, cultural, and generational consequences. Left unaddressed, it threatens the stability of families and the strength of the nation. Dr. Kattygnarath’s work reframes the silence of infertility into a call to action. His vision is simple but powerful. He aims to make fertility care accessible, compassionate, and equitable. That way, more couples can move from quiet heartbreak to joyful noise. And for a country that depends on strong families and a stable future, that might be one of the most important investments we can make. — This content is brought to you by Melissa Moraes. Photo provided by the author. The post The Silence of Infertility and One Doctor Who Refuses to Accept It appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Nerida Spina, Rebecca Spooner-Lane, Elizabeth Briant and Julia Mascadri When it comes to new teachers, there is an expectation that they are “classroom ready” from day one on the job. Yet there is mounting evidence that new teachers are being sent into schools that are short-staffed and where experienced teachers are leaving the profession, feeling high levels of stress and burn out. Clearly, even at the best of times, teaching is a complex profession. Developing proficiency to work in this kind of context requires time, experience, and supported opportunities for feedback and reflection. “Classroom readiness” has become a buzzword in education policy and teacher education; all initial teacher education providers need to assess graduates’ readiness through Teaching Performance Assessments. Given that it is so challenging to create workplaces that keep experienced teachers in the profession, our research looked at these expectations of new teachers. We conducted a scoping review to examine what ‘classroom readiness’ means, and whether or not it can – or should – be assessed. Assessing new teachers’ classroom readiness We found that classroom readiness is conceptualised in three broad ways: as adherence to a set of regulations and standards; as a policy construct; and as a professional journey. Given the requirement that all initial education providers assess pre-service teachers through Teaching Performance Assessments according to teacher professional standards, it is not surprising that much of the literature defines classroom readiness according to these standards. There has been an ongoing discussion about the suitability of this approach for some time. Back in 2009, Connell described teacher standards this way: What teachers do is decomposed into specific, auditable competencies and performances. The framework is not only specified in managerialist language. It embeds an individualised model of the teacher that is deeply problematic for a public education system. The arbitrariness of the dot-point lists means that any attempt to enforce them, on the practice of teachers or on teacher education programmes, will mean an arbitrary narrowing of practice. (p. 220) As a policy construct, classroom readiness is used by governments and regulatory bodies to justify reforms in teacher education, and to reassure the public that teacher educators are held to high standards. This approach has seen initial teacher education providers absorb the high costs associated with implementing and moderating teaching performance assessments. Finally, others describe readiness as an ongoing journey of growth and development rather than a fixed state that can be measured at a single point in time. Even the best beginning teachers continue to learn and adapt as they encounter new challenges and contexts. This view argues that they should not be expected to be fully prepared from the start. Authors in this final group instead advocate for adequate recognition of the complex and relational aspects of teaching that cannot be assessed in a TPA. The problem with “readiness” The first problem with the rhetoric of ‘readiness’ is that it has the potential to place unrealistic expectations on beginning teachers. Assessing readiness through a narrow lens that has a focus on planning, teaching, assessment and reflection has the potential to gloss over the support that new teachers really need. Teachers’ work is primarily relational in nature and measuring classroom readiness overlooks aspects of teaching that are hard to quantify, but yet are foundational for teaching and learning. Teaching is complex and one assessment cannot capture the diverse contexts and level of adaptability and resilience required of beginning teachers. The second problem with readiness is that there is no agreement across the literature, or even in policy itself, about how it could be possible to assess whether a new teacher can do everything from supporting students experiencing complex trauma, through to managing excessive workloads. The OECD’s Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2018 indicates that Australian teachers report higher levels of stress than the OECD average and that 30% to 50% of all teachers leave the profession in the first five years. This is the context into which new teachers find themselves. A serious question is whether it is realistic for anyone to be ‘ready’ for these circumstances; and if so, how it would be possible to assess readiness to work in these conditions. It takes a system to support beginning teachers It is not realistic to expect that just because new teachers can plan and teach a lesson during a supervised placement, they are fully prepared for the complex schools where they are likely to work. In fact, expecting beginning teachers to work independently from day one, without sufficient ongoing mentoring, risks reinforcing the very conditions that push more experienced teachers out of the profession. It is undoubtedly important that ITE programs equip pre-service teachers with strong understandings of curriculum and assessment, teaching practices, and student diversity. However, if we want beginning teachers to have long and rewarding careers, they must be met with appropriate support once they enter the profession. Recent research shows that beginning teachers need support that is specific to their context, which requires sustained government investment. This is not to say there are any easy solutions for how to support new teachers. Experienced teachers are already operating at their limits, particularly in hard-to-staff schools where teacher shortages and turnover have substantially increased the workload of experienced teachers. Without adequate resourcing for time release, reduced teaching loads, professional development and networking, mentor teachers themselves risk burnout, further compromising the support new teachers need. It is understandable that policy makers and systems want assurance that new teachers are ready to tackle the demands of the job from day one. However, the real-world complexities of teaching mean that no amount of preservice teacher preparation can full equip graduates for every situation they will encounter. What beginning teachers need are fair workloads, ongoing mentoring, opportunities for collaboration, and access to professional learning that is responsive to the evolving demands of their specific school context. A professional journey of growth Rather than viewing classroom readiness around a set of standards to be achieved by the end of a degree, we should view it as the beginning of a professional journey of growth. New teachers require time, support, mentorship and opportunities to reflect and learn as they navigate the demands of their early years in the classroom. Nerida Spina is an associate professor at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia. Nerida’s research expertise is teaching and leadership for equity and social justice. Rebecca Spooner-Lane is an associate professor at the Queensland University of Technology. Her research explores the professional development and career progression of teachers from graduate to lead teacher. You can find her on LinkedIn. Elizabeth Briant is an associate lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology. Her research explores contemporary social conditions that shape the growing use of private tutoring in Australia. Julia Mascadri is a senior lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology. Her research interests include pedagogical practice in early childhood education, educational leadership, and assessment in initial teacher education. You can find her on LinkedIn This article was originally published on EduResearch Matters. Read the original article. — Previously Published on aare.edu.au with Creative Commons License *** Photo credit: iStock The world is changing fast. We help you keep up. We’ll send you 1 post, 3x per week. The post Readiness To Teach? That Will Take Time and Development appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— Managing money is one of the most important parts of running a business. From sending invoices to tracking expenses and staying on top of taxes, it takes time and accuracy. For many companies, having a full-time accounting team costs too much and slows things down. That’s why more businesses now choose Accounting Process Outsourcing (APO). APO is an easy, smart way to handle your accounting. It saves money, gives you access to skilled experts, and lets you focus on growing your business. This blog will explain how APO works, why it’s worth it, and how to choose the right outsourcing partner. What is Accounting Process Outsourcing? Accounting process outsourcing refers to hiring a third-party provider to handle part or all of your accounting and financial operations. The goal is to offload time-consuming, complex tasks to specialists who can perform them better, faster, and cost-effectively. Outsourced accounting services typically include: Bookkeeping and general ledger maintenance Payroll processing Accounts receivable and payable Bank reconciliations Tax compliance and filing Financial reporting and forecasting Audit preparation Budgeting and cost control Top Benefits of Outsourcing Accounting Services 1. Budget Friendly Outsourcing eliminates the need to hire full-time employees, invest in accounting software, or build a dedicated finance team. You pay only for the services you need. 2. Access to Finance Experts When you outsource, you get access to skilled accountants and tax experts. Many certified professionals (like CPAs or CAs) know the latest tax laws and accounting rules. They ensure your finances are in good hands, so you don’t have to worry about making mistakes. 3. Real-Time Financial Visibility Most outsourcing companies use cloud tools like QuickBooks or Xero. These platforms let you see your financial information whenever you want. You can check your cash flow, track expenses, and monitor your profits anytime, helping you make better decisions faster. 4. Compliance & Accuracy Accounting mistakes can lead to penalties or legal problems. Outsourcing helps you avoid errors by having professionals handle your finances. They make sure your records are accurate and meet all the necessary rules and regulations, reducing the chance of penalties. 5. Business Scalability Outsource accounting services to scale without the hassle of hiring and training new staff. Whether launching new products, expanding into new markets, or increasing your operations, your outsourced team can easily adjust to meet your growing needs. When Should You Consider Accounting Process Outsourcing? Your internal team is overworked or lacks expertise. Your business is growing rapidly, and you need a scalable financial operation. You want to reduce overhead and back-office complexity. You lack real-time visibility into your finances. You struggle with compliance or tax filing errors In-House vs Outsourced Accounting Factor In-House Team Outsourced Services Cost High fixed cost Flexible pricing Talent Limited local expertise Certified experts Technology Outdated or basic tools Latest cloud-based platforms Scalability Requires hiring Instantly scalable Compliance High risk of errors Audit-ready and compliant Choosing the Right Accounting Outsourcing Partner Here’s what to look for: 1. Industry-Specific Experience A good outsourcing partner should have hands-on experience working within your industry. Whether in eCommerce, healthcare, fintech, or real estate, familiarity with your sector’s financial nuances ensures compliance with industry regulations, better forecasting, and tailored reporting. 2. Certified Accounting Professionals Look for firms with certified professionals like CPAs (Certified Public Accountants), CAs (Chartered Accountants), or ACCAs. Their qualifications ensure your books are managed according to global accounting standards, providing credibility, accuracy, and strategic financial insight. 3. Use of Cloud-Based Accounting Tools The right partner leverages technology to streamline operations. Platforms like QuickBooks Online, Xero, Zoho Books, and NetSuite enable real-time data access, faster reconciliations, and seamless collaboration. Cloud integration also means fewer errors and improved data security. 4. Strong Commitment to Data Security Outsourcing accounting involves sharing sensitive financial data. Ensure your partner follows robust security protocols, such as end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, secure file transfers, and certifications like ISO 27001 or SOC 2 compliance. This safeguards your business from data breaches and financial fraud. 5. Transparent Service Level Agreements (SLAs) & Pricing A reliable outsourcing firm should provide clear SLAs that outline deliverables, timelines, support terms, and escalation processes. Equally important is transparent pricing, no surprise charges, fixed or tiered plans based on your business size, and clarity on what’s included. 6. Real-Time Reporting and Proactive Communication Look for regular reporting schedules, access to live dashboards, and easy communication channels (email, Slack, or dedicated account managers). Proactive updates and insights help you stay in control and make data-driven decisions. Conclusion In a world where businesses must do more with less, accounting process outsourcing is not just a cost-saving tactic but a strategic decision. It empowers businesses to stay compliant, gain real-time financial insights, and easily scale operations. Want reliable, expert-managed financial services? Collar Search offers end-to-end accounting process outsourcing for growing businesses like yours. Custom packages to suit your business sizeSecure cloud-based platforms, reduced costs, and better compliance. — This content is brought to you by Soffy Loren iStockPhoto The post Accounting Process Outsourcing – Why It’s the Future of Financial Management appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Washington State The new study in the journal Earth’s Future offers detailed projections of lightning across the Western US for the mid-21st century. The largest change in lightning is expected in parts of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, with four to 12 more days of lightning per year in some parts of the Rocky Mountains. Researchers also matched those lightning projections with future wildfire risk to calculate the changes in daily risk of lightning-caused fires. Although there is variability across the region in the projections, the trend was clear: a heightened risk of lightning-caused wildfires across 98% of Western lands susceptible to fire. “The Northwest is emerging, in this study as well as in others, as the region where fire- and fire-related hazards are likely to increase substantially more than in other parts of the western US,” says Deepti Singh, an associate professor in the School of the Environment at the Washington State University Vancouver and coauthor of the paper. The study adds urgency to the need to manage forests for wildfire risk and prepare at-risk communities for fires, as the planet continues to warm and wildfires grow in size and severity, the researchers say. Lightning already accounts for more than two-thirds of the acreage burned in wildfires across the West, but current global climate models are unable to directly simulate future lightning because they rely on geographic resolutions too coarse to capture the conditions that create it. The machine-learning models developed in this study zoom in to create the most detailed picture yet of future lightning patterns and lightning-caused fire risk across the West. “There are already a lot of studies that say future wildfire activity will increase in the Western US and that’s without even considering potential lightning increasing, which we’re showing is going to happen in many areas,” says Dmitri Kalashnikov, lead author of the paper. “We’re also making projections for the near-term future—2031 to 2060. That period starts in just a few years, so it’s on our doorstep.” To make these projections, Kalashnikov applied a machine learning technique known as a convolutional neural network. These neural network-based predictive models were tailor-made for each grid cell of 1 degree by 1 degree across the Western US. That’s an area of roughly 69 miles on each side, which is the typical spatial resolution of climate models. This approach allowed for targeted lightning projections at finer geographic scales than previous studies. These neural-network based predictive models were the subject of a paper published in 2024, led by Kalashnikov and coauthored by Singh, among others. In the current project, the team used data from three key meteorological variables conducive to lightning from the summers of 1995–2022 to train the network in each grid box to make mid-century projections. “Instead of developing one model to predict lightning everywhere, we really went in on a finer scale to predict lightning at each 1-degree box,” Kalashnikov says. The models identified days where cloud-to-ground lightning would be likely for each grid; researchers also quantified how many of these days are expected to be high fire-weather weather days, using the Fire Weather Index, a measure of wildfire risk based on weather and climate conditions. Critically, the authors found that most locations will experience an increased risk of lightning-caused fires due to increases in the Fire Weather Index, even in places where lightning occurrence might not increase. An increase in lightning days does not result in a 1-to-1 increase in fire risk, however, because fire risk depends on other variables, such as temperature, rainfall or wind, and vegetation dryness. Across the Rockies, for example, the number of days with a high likelihood of lightning-caused fires is expected to grow by three or more days by the mid-21st century though the overall increase in lightning days is larger. On the other hand, parts of Utah and Arizona showed a reduction in lightning days—but an increase in days of potential lightning-caused fires, due to higher wildfire risk in general. The Southwest showed fewer projected increases in lightning days—and even declines in some areas—but the region is still expected to see a rise in days with a likelihood of wildfires ignited by lightning. Kalashnikov led the project while completing his PhD at WSU and is now a post-doctoral fellow at the University of California, Merced. Coauthors included researchers from UC Merced, Colorado State University, Portland State University, and other institutions. Source: Washington State University Original Study DOI: 10.1029/2025EF006108 — Previously Published on futurity.org with Creative Commons License *** – The world is changing fast. We help you keep up. We’ll send you 1 post, 3x per week. Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: iStock The post Northwest US Will Face Higher Lightning and Wildfire Risk appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

— The surge in popularity of electric mobility has changed the way people think about commuting, exercise, and sustainable transportation. Electric bikes have become the go-to option for many riders looking for a convenient, eco-friendly, and versatile mode of travel. At the same time, the adult tricycle has gained traction as an alternative, especially for riders who value stability, comfort, and practicality. The discussion of electric trike vs electric bike is more relevant than ever as more people consider which option is better suited for their lifestyle. While both vehicles are powered by electric assistance and designed to reduce dependence on cars, their differences in design, function, and usability can have a major impact on the rider’s experience. The Appeal of Electric Bikes An electric bike functions much like a traditional bicycle but includes a motor and battery system to assist the rider. The assistance can come in the form of pedal-assist, which makes pedaling easier, or a throttle system, which can power the bike without pedaling at all. This versatility is one of the biggest reasons for their success. Riders appreciate the ability to travel longer distances, climb hills with less effort, and arrive at their destinations without being completely exhausted. Electric bikes come in a wide variety of styles, from lightweight city cruisers to rugged mountain eBikes and cargo models designed for family transport. Their adaptability means they can appeal to everyone from daily commuters to fitness enthusiasts. Because they are designed with two wheels, they maintain the speed, agility, and maneuverability of a traditional bicycle, which makes them particularly useful in urban environments with heavy traffic or limited space. The Case for Adult Tricycles While electric bikes are immensely popular, the adult tricycle presents a different set of advantages. Instead of two wheels, these bikes feature three, usually with two wheels in the back and one in the front. This simple adjustment changes the riding experience significantly. The additional wheel provides stability and balance, which is particularly appealing for seniors, riders with mobility challenges, or anyone who feels uneasy balancing on two wheels. When combined with electric power, the tricycle becomes even more versatile. An adult tricycle e-bike provides the same pedal assistance as a regular e-bike but removes the worry about tipping over or losing balance when stopping. The design also allows for larger cargo space, making it especially practical for errands, shopping, or even small deliveries. This is why many commuters consider the best electric trike for commuting to be more practical than a standard bike in certain situations. Comparing Riding Experience The heart of the electric trike vs electric bike debate lies in the riding experience. An electric bike offers speed, agility, and the thrill of a traditional cycling experience enhanced by electric assistance. It feels natural for anyone who has ridden a standard bike before. However, it does require good balance and a certain level of physical confidence. Riders must be prepared to manage two-wheel stability when starting, stopping, or maneuvering through tight spaces. In contrast, an adult tricycle offers a slower but steadier ride. Stability is guaranteed, so there is no fear of falling, even at low speeds. This makes it more comfortable for leisurely rides or for people who want to focus on enjoyment rather than balance. On the downside, tricycles are generally wider and heavier, which means they are not as agile or easy to maneuver in narrow lanes or crowded areas. However, for many riders—especially seniors or those carrying cargo—the stability and security far outweigh the reduced maneuverability. Pros and Cons of Electric Tricycles To fully appreciate whether an adult tricycle might be better than an electric bike, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of an adult tricycle e-bike. On the positive side, tricycles provide unmatched stability, making them ideal for seniors or anyone with balance concerns. The ability to stop and rest without needing to balance is a huge relief for many riders. They are also excellent for carrying cargo, whether that means groceries, a pet carrier, or work supplies. For those looking to replace a car for short trips, this practicality can be transformative. Furthermore, the comfort of wide seats and upright handlebars makes longer rides more enjoyable. On the downside, adult tricycles are bulkier and heavier than regular eBikes, which can make them harder to transport or store. They are slower and less nimble, meaning they may not suit riders who value speed or need to navigate dense urban traffic. Additionally, because of their larger footprint, parking a tricycle in tight spaces can sometimes be a challenge. Pros and Cons of Electric Bikes For comparison, the electric bike offers its own strengths and weaknesses. The key advantages include agility, speed, and versatility. An electric bike is usually lighter than a tricycle, making it easier to carry up stairs, store in apartments, or transport on a car rack. Riders who enjoy the sensation of cycling will find an e-bike closer to that experience. EBikes are also more common on the market, with a wider range of designs and price points. However, the reliance on balance is a major drawback for some riders. Falls and injuries are more common with two-wheel bikes, especially among seniors. They also generally offer less cargo capacity, limiting their usefulness for shopping or errands. For riders who need both stability and practicality, a two-wheel e-bike may not fully meet their needs. Commuting with EBikes vs Tricycles One of the most common reasons people invest in electric mobility is commuting. Here, the choice between an electric bike and the best electric trike for commuting depends heavily on the rider’s circumstances. If the commute involves crowded bike lanes, narrow streets, or a need for higher speeds, an e-bike is usually the better choice. It can weave through traffic and cover ground quickly. On the other hand, if the commute involves carrying bags, groceries, or equipment, a tricycle may be more convenient. Its cargo space and stability allow riders to bring more with them without worrying about balance. For suburban or rural commuting where speed is less important, an adult tricycle can be the more reliable option. In this sense, the decision is less about which vehicle is better overall and more about which one better fits the rider’s lifestyle and environment. Health and Lifestyle Considerations Beyond commuting, the debate of electric trike vs electric bike also touches on health and lifestyle factors. Riding either option promotes physical activity, even with electric assistance. However, the style of exercise differs. An electric bike typically involves more balance, coordination, and exertion, making it closer to traditional cycling. This can be ideal for riders who are physically active and want to combine exercise with transportation. An adult tricycle, on the other hand, offers a more relaxed experience. The physical effort is still there, but without the stress of maintaining balance. For seniors or those recovering from injuries, this makes cycling more accessible. Tricycles also promote mental well-being by removing the anxiety associated with falling or losing control. For many, the stability of an adult tricycle e-bike actually encourages more frequent use, which in turn provides consistent physical and mental health benefits. Environmental and Economic Benefits From a sustainability perspective, both electric bikes and tricycles provide significant benefits. They reduce reliance on cars, cut down on emissions, and lower transportation costs. Charging an e-bike or trike is far cheaper than filling up a gas tank, and maintenance is relatively simple compared to a car. For individuals and families looking to save money while reducing their carbon footprint, both options represent smart investments. Economically, the choice between an electric bike and an adult tricycle may depend on intended use. If the primary goal is fast, lightweight commuting, the electric bike may offer better value. If the goal is to replace short car trips and carry cargo, the adult tricycle may be worth the higher upfront cost due to its long-term practicality. Making the Right Choice So, which option should you choose? The decision between an electric bike and an adult tricycle ultimately comes down to personal needs and priorities. Riders who prioritize speed, agility, and a traditional cycling experience will likely prefer an e-bike. Those who need stability, comfort, and cargo capacity may find the best electric trike for commuting to be the superior option. Both vehicles highlight the broader trend toward sustainable, independent mobility. Whether it’s the sleek design of an electric bike or the stability of an adult tricycle, both options empower individuals to move more freely, save money, and reduce their impact on the environment. By carefully weighing the pros and cons of an adult tricycle e-bike against the advantages of a two-wheel electric bike, every rider can find the solution that best fits their lifestyle. Conclusion The rise of electric mobility means that today’s riders are no longer limited to traditional bicycles or cars. With the growing availability of both eBikes and tricycles, individuals now have the freedom to choose a solution that aligns with their health, commuting needs, and personal comfort. The debate of electric trike vs electric bike is not about declaring one better than the other; it is about recognizing that both serve unique purposes. For those who crave speed and agility, the electric bike remains the classic choice. For those who value stability, safety, and practicality, the adult tricycle could very well be the smarter investment. In the end, the best option is the one that allows you to ride more often, enjoy the journey, and make cycling an integral part of your daily life. — This content is brought to you by Sky Link Building Photo provided by the author. The post Comparing eBikes vs Adult Tricycles: Which One Fits Your Lifestyle Best? appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Nicholas Gutteridge, The Texas Tribune, and Atirikta Kumar, The Texas Tribune “ACLU, other groups sue to block Texas’ DEI ban on K-12 public schools” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and a group of LGBTQ+ and student rights organizations are suing to block a new state law that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in K-12 public schools. In a lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court, attorneys from the ACLU of Texas and Transgender Law Center argue that Senate Bill 12 violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments as well as the Equal Access Act. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the legislation last June, and it will go into effect Sept. 1 alongside an array of other transformative laws for public education in Texas. “Senate Bill 12 is a blatant attempt to erase students’ identities and silence the stories that make Texas strong,” said Brian Klosterboer, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Texas. “Every student — no matter their race, gender, or background — deserves to feel seen, safe, and supported in school.” [Texas’ DEI bans: What to know about the term and the debate] Supporters of SB 12 say DEI programs use class time and public funds to promote political agendas, while opponents believe banning those initiatives will disproportionately harm marginalized students by removing spaces where they can find support. Here’s what you need to know about the effort to block the law. What the ban would do: Authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, SB 12 prohibits public school districts from considering race, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation in hiring decisions. The ban also bars schools from offering DEI training and programs, such as policies designed to reduce discrimination based on race or gender identity, except for when required by federal law. The law requires families to give written permission before their children can join any school club, and prohibits school groups created to support LGBTQIA+ students. Parents will be able to file complaints if they believe their schools are not complying with the DEI ban, and the law requires school districts to discipline employees who knowingly take part in DEI-related activities. Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Allen, said SB 12 builds on a 2021 state law barring public schools from teaching critical race theory, an academic discipline that explores how race and racism have influenced the country’s legal and institutional systems. While critical race theory is not taught in Texas public schools, the term has become a shorthand used by conservatives who believe the way some schools teach children about race is politically biased. DEI advocates say initiatives that promote diversity provide support for marginalized communities in workforce development and higher education, while critics say DEI practices give preference to people based on their race and ethnicity rather than on merit. What the lawsuit says: Attorneys from the ACLU and the Transgender Law Center are suing Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath and three school districts on behalf of a teacher, a student and her parent. They’re also representing the Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, two organizations that say they would be harmed by the ban. The suit calls SB 12 an “overzealous” attempt to ban DEI in public schools and argues that it censors constitutionally protected speech and restricts students’ freedom of association. It’s also vague and overly broad, the suit says. “S.B. 12 seeks to erase students’ identities and make it impossible for teachers, parents, and volunteers to tell the truth about the history and diversity of our state,” said Cameron Samuels, executive director at Students Engaged in Advancing Texas. “The law also guts vital support systems for Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian, and LGBTQIA+ students and educators.” As part of the lawsuit, the Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network claims SB 12 singles out the organization by explicitly restricting student clubs based on “sexual orientation or gender identity,” language the group uses to describe the student organizations it sponsors at schools. That restriction harms the freedom of speech of the group and its members, the suit says. The Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network has chapters in Texas at more than a dozen school districts, according to the filing. Lawsuits against similar laws have had mixed results in the past. Because of SB 12’s ban on discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms, opponents have compared it to Florida’s “don’t say gay” law, which attracted widespread media attention in 2022 due to its far-reaching impacts in public schools. Civil rights lawyers sued to block it, saying the law violated free speech and the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection clause. But a federal judge dismissed the case and said the plaintiffs had no legal standing and had failed to prove harm from the law. The attorneys ultimately agreed to a settlement with Florida education officials that clarified the law to allow discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms only if it’s not part of instruction. The Texas Education Agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The broader push against DEI: The DEI ban on K-12 schools comes two years after the Texas Legislature passed a similar ban for the state’s higher education institutions. Senate Bill 17 requires public universities to close their diversity offices, ban DEI training and restrict hiring departments from asking for diversity statements, or essays in which a job candidate expresses their commitment to promoting diversity in the workplace. [Texas’ DEI debate centers on a disagreement about whether programs perpetuate or prevent discrimination] Creighton, who also authored that bill, has warned higher education leaders that they could lose millions of dollars in state funding if they fail to comply with the law. Earlier this year, Abbott threatened Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh III’s job after claims spread online that Texas A&M was sending students and staffers to a conference that limited participation to people who are Black, Hispanic or Native American. At the national level, President Donald Trump has ordered all federal agencies to end “equity-related” practices and asked contractors to certify they do not promote DEI efforts. Trump also told schools and universities they would lose federal money if they do not eliminate diversity practices. Over the last five years, Texas and other Republican-led states have also taken other steps to abolish and ban DEI efforts in public education and the workforce. Similar to Trump, Abbott issued an executive order in January mandating that Texas agencies end all forms of DEI practices. “We must always reject race-based favoritism or discrimination and allow people to advance based on talent and merit,” Abbott said. Disclosure: ACLU Texas and Texas A&M University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here. More all-star speakers confirmed for The Texas Tribune Festival, Nov. 13–15! This year’s lineup just got even more exciting with the addition of State Rep. Caroline Fairly, R-Amarillo; former United States Attorney General Eric Holder; Abby Phillip, anchor of “CNN NewsNight”; Aaron Reitz, 2026 Republican candidate for Texas Attorney General; and State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin. Get your tickets today! TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/29/texas-aclu-k-12-public-schools-dei-ban/. The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. — The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. *** Does dating ever feel challenging, awkward or frustrating? Turn Your Dating Life into a WOW! with our new classes and live coaching. Click here for more info or to buy with special launch pricing! *** On Substack? Follow us there for more great dating and relationships content. Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo: The ACLU and a group of LGBTQ+ and student rights organizations are suing Texas to block the state’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in K-12 public schools. Credit: Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Texas Tribune The post ACLU, Other Groups Sue to Block Texas’ DEI Ban on K-12 Public Schools appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

No sugar-coating, I did some toxic shit. I lied to a dude about wanting to be in a relationship with him, not because I actually wanted him, but because I didn’t want to lose him. I know that already sounds selfish, but hear me out before you start screaming in the comments. There was this one guy who was just so good to me. He loved me in the way most teenage girls dream of a boy loving them. He was reliable, sweet, and at every possible opportunity made sure I knew he had been looking for something real. The problem? I wasn’t that into him. At least not enough to decide to invest. But his attention towards me was too tempting to give up. So when he asked me outright whether I pictured us together long-term, I said what he wanted to hear. I said yes. Not because I meant it, but because it kept him with me. It was safety. It was validation. And, if I’m being honest, it was selfish comfort. For me, the thinking was simple: Losing him would mean losing the comfort of being loved. And I wasn’t willing to let go of that then. I didn’t think about what it was doing to him, how unfair it was to him; I thought about how much I liked the way he made me feel. Most women won’t admit this, but sometimes, we like the chase, the attention, the effort — even if we don’t like the guy enough to choose him. OK, so now, let’s look at it from his perspective. He actually saw me pulling back at times, being evasive, not quite returning his feelings — but he brushed it off. Why? Because he believed that his effort could change my mind. He told me over and over that if he just kept proving himself to me, I would eventually fall as hard as he had. This is how guys get trapped. They see a few crumbs of attention and think it’s the whole loaf. They tell themselves that she’s “just guarded” or “still healing,” and they can break through the walls. But the reality? Sometimes she’s just not attracted enough to that guy. Here’s what you need to remember if the girl you’re dating is playing hot and cold: If you see the warning signs of this early on and you’re not picking up real interest, cut and run. Walk away. Trust me, if she really wanted you, you wouldn’t need to decode mixed messages. You wouldn’t need to beg for attention. A girl who is interested in you will let you know without you needing to play detective. The hardest truth is that, no matter how much you try, you can’t “convince” someone into actually wanting you. And the longer you stick around when she’s not fully in it, the more you’re giving her the power to use you as a backup plan, a safety net, or just free validation. When I think about it now, I realize I didn’t give him what he deserved. He deserved honesty. He needed someone on his level, not someone using him like a free Uber. But don’t put all the blame on me — he saw the signs and chose to ignore them. Well, gentlemen, at least let my mistake be a lesson. Don’t confuse attention with affection. Don’t think she’ll come around if you just try harder. She’s not interested. If she wanted you, she’d have you — simple as that. And to the man I lied to — yeah, you probably hate me for making this confession. Maybe you’ll call me manipulative or heartless. But in a way, you should thank me too. Because if this article helps even one guy wake up and stop chasing someone who doesn’t actually want him, then maybe all this foolishness wasn’t for nothing. — This post was previously published on medium.com. Love relationships? We promise to have a good one with your inbox. Subcribe to get 3x weekly dating and relationship advice. Did you know? We have 8 publications on Medium. Join us there! Hello, Love (relationships) Change Becomes You (Advice) A Parent is Born (Parenting) Equality Includes You (Social Justice) Greener Together (Environment) Shelter Me (Wellness) Modern Identities (Gender, etc.) Co-Existence (World) *** – Photo credit: Sudatip T. on Unsplash The post I Lied About Wanting a Relationship Just to Keep Him Close appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

By Filip Noubel, Jean Sovon, Jean-Christophe Brunet Francophone literature from Africa faces a dual challenge. On the continent, the prohibitive cost of imported books means that access to texts remains a privilege, while publishing in Africa also faces many obstacles, such as high production costs, poor distribution systems, and linguistic fragmentation. In the francophone countries of Europe, recognition of African literature, flourishing today and with roots stretching back to the 19th century, has come only relatively recently, as they were long subordinated to texts written by Europeans within a perspective shaped by colonial legacies. Early pioneers such as Léopold Sédar Senghor secured a place for it in Europe and across the world in the 1960s, and since then, writers like the Senegalese author Mohamed Mbougar Sarr, whose 2021 Goncourt Prize highlighted the vitality and richness of francophone African literatures, have carried it forward. Events like the Paris African Book Fair and the new Rive Noire Literature Festival, featured in this TV5 Monde video, are helping to make francophone African literature more visible and more accessible in France: The decision to end the Orange Book Prize in Africa in 2024, created in 2019 to support writers and publishers working on the continent, shocked many authors when it was announced and underlines the fragility of such structures. In an email interview, Global Voices asked Togolese writer Sami Tchak, who is also appearing at the Saint-Malo literary festival Étonnants Voyageurs (Surprising Travellers), how he defines and develops his francophone writing. Born in Togo in 1960, Sami Tchak, the pen name of Sadamba Tcha-Koura, began his career as a primary school teacher before going on to study philosophy and sociology in both Togo and France. In 2001, he published the iconoclastic novel “Place des Fêtes,” which brought him recognition in the francophone literary world for its exploration of sexuality. He went on to travel in Latin America, which became the source of inspiration for several of his novels. His many works include “Al Capone le Malien,” “La couleur de l’écrivain,” “Les Fables du Moineau,” and “Profaner Ananda,” co-written with Annie Ferret. Global Voices (GV): Would you describe your journey as that of an exile, a traveller between continents, or a curious spirit that refuses to look from above and instead searches for a more horizontal view? Translation Original Quote Sami Tchak (ST): None of the situations you mention applies to me. I am not an exile. I arrived in France with a study grant provided by my country, chose to make my life here after completing my studies, and return to Togo every year as often as I can and want to. Back home, I am regarded by some Togolese as one of the writers whose names are associated with national pride. So I am not an exile but a man living freely outside his own country. That is not the same thing. Nor do I define myself as a traveller. I am simply, like many other men and women in the literary world, a writer fortunate enough to be invited to conferences. I do not have the means to live as a traveller. I only travel when I am invited and my expenses are covered, and wherever I go, I barely have the chance to see anything beyond the spaces where the literary events take place. Travelling for work is not the same as living the life of a traveller. I am a curious man, as many people on this earth are, and also because writing requires us to pay close attention to the world, to nurture a desire to learn, to discover and to enrich the imagination. Yet this curiosity is not in any sense an attempt to pursue horizontality over verticality. In all the books where I address verticality, I do so as an observation and try to understand what it implies for our lives and, above all, for our ways of thinking. GV: Your exploration of the body and of sexuality has offered another perspective on the African experience. In what sense is this focus on the body both revealing and essential? Translation Original Quote ST: I am not sure what the African experience is supposed to mean, and I doubt there is anyone in the world who could explain what such an experience would involve. In what terms could it be defined? Historical, religious, political? To me, the idea of an African experience seems like an excessive essentialisation, which I portray in my novel “Le continent du Tout et du presque Rien.” This essentialisation reduces the complexity of a continent, together with the diversity of its peoples, cultures and experiences, to a generalised idea based on the shared destinies produced by colonisation. The body is also an essential element in all literature, but what matters, I believe, is the way each writer depicts and explores it. For me, the body, and sexuality above all, serve as a stage for human relationships and as a way of giving substance to philosophical reflections and to a vision of the world. This reflects a personal approach that others are free to interpret as they wish, as do those who devote their theses to my work. GV: Can literature be defined by its language or geography? Are you a francophone author, a Togolese author, an author from francophone Africa, or one without borders? Translation Original Quote ST: I addressed these issues in a book entitled “La couleur de l’écrivain.” In my view, it is our specific position as writers from colonized peoples who use the language of the colonizer that accounts for this kind of questioning, which has been raised for more than a hundred years. I am a Togolese living in France, and I write in French. I do not define myself as a francophone author, nor as an author without borders, but as a Togolese writer who writes in French. Even so, I realize that saying this does not stop such recurring questions, which have nothing to do with literature or with my approach as a writer. Still, I believe it is more useful to read authors whenever possible and to question them on the basis of their books. General questions do not allow for a genuine discussion of literature, nor do they help to bring a particular writer to light. GV: Which authors from francophone Africa, in your view, have most contributed, or are still contributing today, to the visibility and originality of francophone African literatures? Translation Original Quote ST: Literary experts would be better placed to give an intelligent answer to that question. For my part, I am aware that the visibility of some African authors, writing in French, English, Portuguese… is shaped by the European and American literary gatekeepers. In this YouTube video, Tchak talks about the relationships he maintains with his publishers: Read more: For African literary criticism: Interview with the founder of francophone ‘African literary chronicles’ — This post was previously published on globalvoices.org under a Creative Commons License. — Subscribe to The Good Men Project Newsletter Email Address * Subscribe If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. — Photo credit: iStock.com The post ‘The Body as a Stage for Human Relationships‘: A Literary Perspective by Togolese Writer Sami Tchak appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article

The US defense secretary blamed Biden-era policies for bringing Moscow and Beijing closer The US is seeking to restore deterrence against both Russia and China, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has said. Speaking to Fox News, Hegseth argued that the large military parade in Beijing on Wednesday, attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighted the closer ties between the two neighbors. “Unfortunately, the weakness of the previous administration has driven Russia and China closer together. That was a terrible development of a lack of American leadership and a lack of American strength,” Hegseth said. “But that’s why President Trump has charged us at the Defense Department to be prepared, rebuild our military in historic ways, restore the warrior ethos, and reestablish deterrence,” he added. Hegseth later clarified that although the US does not seek conflict with Russia or China, it aims to “maintain strategic advantage.” Moscow and Beijing have described their relations as a strategic partnership “without limits.” After the West imposed sweeping sanctions in response to the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Russia redirected much of its trade and supply chains toward China. Both countries have condemned Washington’s “Cold War mentality” and pledged to work toward a fairer, more equitable model of international relations. View the full article

Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital and other self-publishing platforms have opened the floodgates for creative freedom, faster publishing timelines and higher royalty potential — but it also means there’s a lot more noise. Standing out is the new challenge, says veteran book publicist Trish Stevens. “In the past, book publicity was mostly reserved for traditionally published authors. But today, self-published and hybrid authors are investing in professional publicity services to help drive visibility — and often finding tremendous success,” said Stevens, founder and CEO of Ascot Media Group. “But you can’t market a book that doesn’t look, read or feel professional, so first impressions are key.” According to Stevens, it all starts with a professional product: Invest in a great cover designer (this is a critical first impression!). Hire a professional editor (developmental and copyediting are both important). Write a compelling back-cover blurb that hooks readers and captures the book’s core message. Don’t skimp on formatting (print and e-book both matter). The search for a reputable book publicist can begin as soon as a publication date is imminent, Stevens added, and continue for months — even years — after a book hits the marketplace (as long as the content isn’t tied to quickly outdated information like technology). “A book publicist can help you keep your book in the public eye; they can communicate with the media and secure interviews and appearances for you; help keep your story in print and on the internet/social media; and they can help you reach new audiences,” she said. The bottom line, Stevens emphasized, is that visibility is a long game. The authors who succeed are the ones who keep going. “If they used a publicist during the first few months and got little to no results, they need to consider the possibility that the publicist just didn’t do a good enough job for them,” Stevens said. “Don’t let your dream die because someone failed to get you in the public eye.” Lastly, Trish added, “There’s nothing more gratifying to me in this book world than seeing authors get so excited after their campaigns kick off and watching them on TV discussing their books. Many of these authors’ books failed in publicity years earlier. We reignite their dreams with those older books, and it is extremely rewarding.” On more than one occasion, Stevens said she has heard authors describe their excitement as like being a kid again on Christmas morning — running downstairs, getting on their PCs to see just how many media hits have come in, along with Google Alerts. Many of these types of exciting testimonials can be found along with direct author contact information at https://ascotmedia.com/testimonials/. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t keep marketing your book,” Stevens added. “As long as you have a passion for it, there’s no reason you can’t continue to reach new readers and touch their lives, for years to come.” — Subscribe to The Good Men Project Newsletter Email Address * Subscribe If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member today. All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here. Photo credit: iStock The post The Self-Publishing Boom: How to Market a Book and Stand Out from the Crowd — Veteran Publicist Weighs In appeared first on The Good Men Project. View the full article