(Arthur Silver, Contributing Writer) - As young renters face record costs in America's largest cities, a maturing co-living sector is showing it can deliver affordability and strong investor returns at the same time. The emergence of Outpost Group as the country's largest co-living operator may be the proof of concept the industry has been waiting for.

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When Sergii Starostin arrived in the United States, he did not experience the American dream so much as the American housing nightmare. Finding an affordable apartment in New York City as a newcomer - without credit history, without a local network, without savings padded by years of employment - was, as he later described it, an exercise in humiliation. Brokers ignored him. Landlords turned him down. The options that remained were either unaffordably expensive or depressingly grim.

That experience became the founding premise of Outpost, which Starostin co-launched in 2016 with a straightforward mission: create furnished, shared living spaces that were not only financially accessible, but genuinely desirable; places where young people could land in a new city, build a life, and feel part of a community while doing it.

Nearly a decade later, Outpost has become the largest co-living operator in the United States. In November 2025, the company announced a merger with June Homes, a proptech-driven rental platform with roughly 2,600 units across seven major cities. Combined under the holding company Outpost Group, the new entity manages approximately 4,000 units across New York City, Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Austin  - generating an estimated $65 million in annual revenue. Crucially, it is profitable, a distinction that separates it from nearly every major competitor that has tried and failed to crack this market at scale.

The Affordability Case: More Than a Marketing Claim

The term "affordable housing" carries considerable political and regulatory baggage in real estate circles. But the affordability that co-living operators like Outpost offer is not a product of government subsidy, tax incentives, or income restrictions. It is a function of architecture, amenity-sharing, and operational efficiency… and the numbers are striking.

Outpost estimates that its furnished rooms and co-living arrangements are typically 30 to 40 percent cheaper than comparable studios or one-bedrooms in the same markets. In New York City, where the median asking rent for a studio has exceeded $3,000 a month in recent years, a furnished private room in a co-living property with shared common areas, utilities included, can be secured for $1,500 to $2,200 a month -  a difference that, for a 24-year-old arriving from Cincinnati or Columbus with a new job offer and $8,000 in savings, is not marginal but existential.

"Young people still want to move to big cities. They still want opportunity. What they need is a way to afford it, and that's the problem we're here to solve. Thankfully, now at a national scale." — Sergii Starostin, CEO, Outpost

The demand data supports this. Surveys conducted by Outpost indicate that more than 70 percent of young newcomers find it "hard" to secure housing within their budgets, and more than half say they would prefer a private apartment if it were not cost-prohibitive. That second statistic is telling: co-living is not the first choice of most renters aged 18 to 34. It is the rational choice in the face of a market that has priced them out of the alternatives.

The structural forces driving that dynamic show no signs of reversing. High interest rates have suppressed new construction. Zoning restrictions in many cities continue to limit multifamily density. Homeownership has been pushed further out of reach for millennials and Generation Z, extending the renter lifecycle well into what previous generations considered prime home-buying years. The result is a swelling population of young professionals who are committed, long-term urban renters and who represent a stable, growing customer base for the co-living sector.

The Investor Equation: Why Building Owners Are Paying Attention

If affordability were the only story, co-living would be an interesting social enterprise. What makes it compelling as a real estate model is the simultaneous value proposition it delivers to building owners; a proposition that, in many markets, substantially outperforms traditional apartment leasing.

The math begins with density. A traditional three-bedroom apartment in a major city might rent for $4,500 a month as a single unit. Configured as a co-living property with three private bedrooms, shared kitchen and living space, and included utilities and furnishings, the same floor plan can generate $2,000 to $2,200 per room or $6,000 to $6,600 a month total. The tenant pays less per person. The building owner collects more per square foot. Both sides benefit.

Industry data reinforces this. Research from Primior Group found that co-living properties generate 30 to 50 percent more income than traditional apartment configurations on a per-unit basis. A case study of the ALTA development in Long Island City, New York found that co-living units produced 44 percent higher income per square foot than conventional apartments in the same building, with 30 percent higher net operating income per square foot - even after accounting for the cost of housekeeping and additional services.

Outpost's model for building owners goes beyond yield. The company offers landlords two distinct structures: a standard property management arrangement and a master-lease co-living model, in which Outpost leases the building and assumes operational responsibility, including vacancy risk. For building owners who want predictable income without day-to-day management exposure, the master-lease structure functions as a performance guarantee backed by an operator with a national portfolio and the financial discipline to honor it.

That reliability has become a significant differentiator. The co-living space has been littered with well-funded casualties, namely operators that grew quickly on venture capital, burned through reserves, and left landlords stranded with broken leases and empty buildings. Outpost has, in several instances, been the entity that stepped in to restore order. Since 2019, the company has absorbed the portfolios of failed operators including Bedly, interns.nyc, and, most recently, Common, in each case stabilizing properties and restoring landlord confidence. It is a track record that speaks directly to the counterparty risk concerns that have historically made some building owners hesitant to enter co-living arrangements.

"We built Outpost to be the reliable operator in a very unpredictable industry. Where others chased growth at any cost, we focused on choosing great projects, controlling expenses and treating every building owner like a long-term partner." — Sergii Starostin

The June Homes Merger: Building for the Long Term

The merger with June Homes adds both scale and complementary capabilities to Outpost's platform. June Homes, backed by SoftBank Ventures Asia, built its reputation not on the co-living experience per se but on the rental process itself,  creating a system that allowed renters to discover, apply for, and move into an apartment in as little as three hours, with no broker fees and transparent pricing. For renters arriving in a new city, it addressed a different but equally painful friction point: the sheer difficulty of navigating an opaque, time-consuming, and often exploitative rental process.

"We created June Homes to bring more transparency into the rental market and make the process easier for both renters and landlords," said Dan Mishin, June Homes' founder. "Now, we're excited to join forces with Outpost to continue that effort by creating a market leader in the flexible living category positioned for further expansion and acquisitions.”

Mauricio Zuniga, June Homes' CEO, will serve as President of the combined company, and June Homes' full operations team will remain in place. The newly merged organization employs approximately 200 people across its seven-city footprint and will extend June Homes' events and community programming across the entire Outpost portfolio.

For Starostin, the merger is a milestone in a longer-term ambition. He speaks openly about building a "Marriott for co-living;”  a nationally recognized brand that makes medium- and long-term furnished rentals as simple and reliable as booking a hotel room, with consistent quality standards, a trusted experience, and the infrastructure to expand internationally. His five-year target: more than $500 million in revenue and a continued consolidation of a sector that still has significant fragmentation.

A Sector Coming of Age

The broader co-living market has matured considerably from its early days, when the concept was often dismissed as glorified dormitory living for adults who hadn't yet earned their independence. Today, the global co-living market is valued at roughly $16 billion and is projected to reach $30 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate exceeding 11 percent. In the United States, the sector has been shaped by a period of painful consolidation. The failure of high-profile operators has weeded out the undisciplined and elevated the companies with genuine operational depth.

That winnowing is, in many respects, good news for real estate investors evaluating co-living as an asset class. The companies that survived the shakeout, Outpost chief among them, did so by building real businesses rather than growth narratives. They have occupancy data, operating cost structures, and landlord relationships that can be underwritten. They have demonstrated the ability to manage through economic cycles. And they are operating in a demand environment that is, by almost every structural indicator, exceptionally favorable.

The United States faces an estimated housing shortfall of more than four million units. New household formation continues to outpace new construction. The cohort of renters aged 22 to 35 is the largest in American history, and a substantial portion of them are moving to cities where a traditional apartment is simply not an accessible entry point.

The Bottom Line

The most interesting thing about flexible shared living in 2026 is not that it has survived -  it is that the dual value proposition at its core has proven durable. Young renters gain a foothold in expensive cities at costs that would otherwise be prohibitive. Building owners unlock superior revenue per square foot with a reliable operational partner assuming the complexity. And the best operators, having endured a brutal period of industry consolidation, have emerged leaner, more credible, and better positioned than ever.

For real estate investors, developers, and building owners still on the fence about co-living, the Outpost-June Homes merger provides a useful reference point. This is what the sector looks like when the model works: profitable at scale, disciplined in operations, and solving a problem.  The inability of an entire generation to afford to live in the cities that drive the American economy shows no sign of going away.

For more information, visit www.outpost.me.

(NewsUSA) - As search evolves beyond blue links into AI-driven answers and zero-click results, a new competitive frontier has emerged for business owners: structured data.

According to digital marketing firm iLocal, Inc., companies that once competed on keyword rankings alone are now facing a different challenge—ensuring search engines can fully interpret, categorize, and trust their content. The shift is subtle but significant: search visibility is increasingly determined not just by what a page says, but by how clearly it communicates meaning to machines.

Structured data—standardized code added to websites to help search engines understand content—has existed for years. However, its role has expanded dramatically with the rise of AI-powered search experiences, voice search, and enhanced search results like featured snippets, local packs, product carousels, and knowledge panels.

“Search engines are no longer just crawling pages; they’re interpreting entities, relationships, and intent,” said a spokesperson at iLocal. “If your website doesn’t clearly define who you are, what you offer, and how it connects to user queries, you’re competing at a disadvantage.”

The Visibility Problem Businesses Didn’t See Coming

Many small and mid-sized businesses report steady traffic declines despite maintaining consistent content output. In many cases, the issue is not poor content quality but structural ambiguity. Search engines struggle to confidently extract business information, services, reviews, events, FAQs, and product details without proper schema markup.

This becomes especially critical in local search. For service-based businesses, missing or improperly implemented local business schema can mean losing eligibility for rich results—even when the company is highly relevant.

The result? Fewer clicks, reduced brand authority, and diminished presence in AI-generated summaries.

From Optimization to Interpretation

Traditional SEO focused on keywords, backlinks, and on-page optimization. While those fundamentals still matter, structured data is transforming optimization into interpretation.

Schema markup clarifies:

• Business type and service areas
   
• Products, pricing, and availability
   
• Reviews and ratings
   
• FAQs and educational resources
   
• Events, promotions, and announcements
   

When properly implemented, structured data increases eligibility for enhanced search features and improves content discoverability across evolving search interfaces.

Why the Timing Matters

The urgency is tied to broader changes in how search engines deliver information. AI-powered overviews and answer engines rely heavily on structured signals to validate and contextualize information. Websites lacking these signals risk becoming invisible within automated summaries—even if their content is accurate and authoritative.

iLocal reports that businesses incorporating comprehensive schema frameworks alongside technical SEO improvements are seeing stronger impression growth and improved engagement metrics compared to competitors relying on traditional optimization tactics alone.

A Strategic Advantage, Not a Technical Add-On

Experts caution that structured data should not be treated as a one-time technical task. Instead, it requires strategic alignment with content, brand positioning, and user intent. Inconsistent implementation or generic templates often fail to deliver measurable impact.

For business owners, the takeaway is clear: SEO is entering a more semantic, entity-driven era. The battleground is shifting from simply ranking pages to defining digital identity in machine-readable language.

As search platforms continue to evolve, structured data is no longer optional infrastructure—it is emerging as a decisive competitive edge.

To learn more about iLocal and its local visibility solutions, visit https://ilocal.net/

(NewsUSA) - For more than a decade, digital success was often distilled into a single metric: ranking #1 on Google.

In 2026, that metric alone is no longer enough.

A new industry analysis released by iLocal, Inc. suggests that businesses focusing exclusively on top-position rankings are overlooking a broader transformation in how search visibility actually works. The report outlines a growing disconnect between rankings and results—where high placement does not always translate into traffic, leads, or authority.

“Ranking #1 used to be the finish line,” said a spokesperson for iLocal. “Today, it’s just one variable in a much more complex visibility equation.”

The Fragmentation of Search Results

Search engine results pages have evolved dramatically. Between AI-generated overviews, featured snippets, local service panels, map packs, video carousels, and “People Also Ask” sections, traditional organic listings are increasingly pushed below multiple layers of information.

In many cases, users receive immediate answers without ever clicking through to a website. This rise in zero-click search behavior has created a new challenge: a business can technically rank first in traditional organic listings while still being visually overshadowed by other search features.

For local and service-based companies, the impact is particularly significant. If competitors dominate AI summaries or enhanced results, they may capture attention and credibility—even without holding the top organic position.

From Position to Presence

The shift signals a move from position-based competition to presence-based competition.

Visibility in 2026 is shaped by several interdependent factors:

• Inclusion within AI-generated summaries
   
• Structured data clarity and entity recognition
   
• Local optimization and map pack prominence
   
• Review authority and trust indicators
   
• Multimedia integration (video, images, FAQs)
   
• Brand consistency across digital platforms
   

“Search engines are no longer just ranking pages,” the iLocal spokesperson explained. “They’re assembling answers. And the businesses that are clearly defined, authoritative, and technically structured are more likely to be included in those answers.”

The Misleading Comfort of Rankings

Many business owners monitor ranking reports as their primary performance indicator. However, iLocal’s research suggests that rankings alone can create a false sense of stability. Companies may maintain strong keyword positions while experiencing fluctuating traffic or declining engagement.

This occurs because modern search systems interpret user intent more dynamically. They synthesize information, prioritize context, and increasingly rely on machine-readable signals such as structured data and consistent entity references.

In other words, being relevant is no longer enough. Being interpretable is essential.

A Strategic Recalibration

The death of “just ranking #1” does not mean SEO is obsolete. Rather, it signals a maturation of the discipline.

Businesses that adapt are shifting toward holistic visibility strategies—combining technical SEO, content depth, structured data implementation, and brand authority development. They are optimizing for inclusion, credibility, and user trust rather than simply chasing positions.

As search continues to integrate AI-driven interpretation and dynamic result layouts, the competitive landscape will favor organizations that understand visibility as a multidimensional strategy.

In 2026, the most successful companies will not ask, “Are we ranking first?”

They will ask, “Are we present wherever decisions are being made?”

To learn more about iLocal and its local visibility solutions, visit https://ilocal.net/

(NewsUSA) - Premature babies face unique challenges from the moment they arrive. Born weeks or months before their bodies are fully developed, these fragile infants need every advantage to grow strong and healthy. The good news? Research shows that the right nutrition can help improve both their immediate health and their development years down the road.

Helping Preemies Grow Strong

Extremely premature babies need significantly more calories, protein, and nutrients than full-term babies to catch up on the growth they missed in the womb. This is why doctors often add something called a nutritional "fortifier" to mom's breastmilk or donor milk for the smallest preemies. These fortifiers provide the extra nutrition necessary for healthy growth and development.

There are two types of fortifiers available in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): one made from cow milk, and one made from donor breastmilk. In the U.S., both are labeled "human milk fortifiers," which can be confusing for parents. However, only those from Prolacta Bioscience are 100% donor breastmilk-based, free from cow milk and corn syrup ingredients. For extremely premature infants — those born weighing 2.75 pounds or less — this difference can be life-changing.

Nutrition Choices That Last a Lifetime

What preemies are fed in the NICU doesn't just matter today; it impacts tomorrow's developmental milestones. A recent study followed more than 1,000 premature babies from birth through age 3 to see how their early nutrition affected their development. The results were striking: babies fed an Exclusive Human Milk Diet (EHMD) including breastmilk and Prolacta’s human milk-based fortifiers were significantly less likely to have motor skill delays at age 3 compared to those fed a non-EHMD. These motor skills help toddlers walk, run, climb, and explore their world, along with other children their same age.

The positive health outcomes go beyond motor skills. Earlier research showed that an exclusive human milk diet also leads to significantly higher cognitive scores (thinking, learning, attention) at 18-22 months. Together, these studies reveal that the feeding choices parents and care teams make in the NICU can shape a child's development for years to come.

Not All Human Milk Processing Methods Are Equal

Breastmilk contains hundreds of bioactive compounds that work together to protect and nourish premature babies in ways that other feeding options cannot. Prolacta's unique human milk processing methods are specifically designed to help maintain the natural benefits in mom’s milk, including important fats that support brain development. Other human milk processing methods, such as homogenization, alter the human milk fat globule and are known to destroy milk fat components that premature infants may need for brain development.

Timing matters, too. In the critical early weeks, a premature baby's brain and organs are developing rapidly. Early fortification with the right nutrition supports this critical growth when babies need it most.

Advocating for Your Baby

In 2025, more than half of the Level 3 and 4 NICUs in the U.S. used 100% breastmilk-based fortifiers for their smallest patients. If your baby is in a NICU, you have a voice in their care. Talk to your care team about the best nutritional options for your child. You can ask for Prolacta nutritional products by name, and your hospital can order them without a contract, often for overnight delivery, even for one baby.

Knowing your options helps ensure your baby gets the nutrition they need for better health today and long after the NICU. Don't be afraid to ask questions and advocate for the nutrition that gives your baby the best chance to thrive.

(K12) - A few years ago, as children quickly shifted to online classrooms, parents shared one common question: How does virtual school work? At the time, many families saw it as a temporary fix in response to a global crisis.  

Except it didn’t fade away. If anything, attention on online schooling deepened curiosity. Questions moved from logistical to philosophical: Could online school be a better fit for my child? Would they be happier in a more flexible setting?  

More parents are rethinking how and where their children learn. Here are some of the top questions they ask—and a few answers that may surprise you. 

Where can I find online school options? 

An online search will show options in your state: tuition-free public and charter schools, private schools, and state-run programs serving a range of grades from kindergarten through high school. Use an online school search engine to compare options and read reviews. You’ll also want to ensure the school is accredited by a recognized body, such as Cognia.    

Is online school a good option for students struggling in traditional school? 

Absolutely. In many programs, including K12-powered online schools, classes are taught by state-certified teachers who meet one-to-one with students. Flexibility allows learners to work at their own pace, spending extra time on challenging concepts before moving on.  

Do online schools offer special education? 

Yes. Online students in special education receive required services and accommodations, often with more individualized support and one-to-one time with special education teachers.  

Are online schooling and homeschooling the same? 

They are quite different. Online schools provide structure, certified teachers, live classes, and a standard curriculum—without requiring parents to serve as instructors. 

How do online students make friends and socialize? 

Many online schools prioritize socialization and create meaningful opportunities for connection and friendship. Virtual campuses like the K12 Zone at K12-powered schools, national competitions, clubs, local meetups, and virtual field trips help students make friends and experience school spirit. 

How do online schools prepare students for college and careers?  

From career pathways, dual enrollment, and internships to honors and AP courses, game-based learning, and group projects, online students can experience a high-quality education that prepares them for the future. 

Online school has permanently expanded the education landscape. Because of these options, high-quality education, career preparation, and enrichment are more equitable and accessible than ever, giving families a real choice for their children—regardless of location or circumstance. 

(NewsUSA) - For generations of workers, retirement benefits represented the reward for years of dedication and hard work. But for today’s working parents, a more immediate investment has quietly taken center stage: child care.

Across kitchen tables, carpool lines and late-night email sessions, parents navigate a daily reality that feels increasingly fragile. One canceled caregiver, one closed classroom, or one sick day can send an entire work week into chaos as parents try to balance child care and work needs simultaneously. While flexible schedules and remote work help, they haven’t solved the core issue: reliable child care is essential for working families.

As a result, parents are reassessing what they need from their employers. Recent national research from KinderCare Learning Company’s annual Parent Confidence Index shows that parents now view child care as one of the most important benefits when deciding whether to stay in a job, even ranking it ahead of traditional long-term benefits like retirement plans. In fact, 85% say child care support should be considered as essential as healthcare, reflecting how closely it’s tied to daily productivity, focus and peace of mind.

Jessica Harrah, Chief People Officer at KinderCare Learning Companies, a national provider of early learning programs, says this shift reflects what families have experienced for years.

“Parents want to do great work and build meaningful careers,” Harrah said. “But when child care is unpredictable or hard to access, it creates stress that spills into every part of life. Supporting parents with child care is about giving families stability so they can show up fully, both at work and at home.”

At the same time, many parents say these benefits are either unavailable, poorly communicated or difficult to understand. That gap between what families need and what workplaces offer can feel discouraging. Parents don’t have to navigate this alone though, says Harrah. Connecting with coworkers, employee resource groups, or leaders who understand caregiving responsibilities can help normalize these conversations.

“When more parents speak openly about child care needs, it becomes easier for employers to recognize where gaps exist,” said Harrah. “When approaching a manager or HR team, parents don’t need to frame child care as a personal favor. Instead, connect it to productivity and consistency. When families have access to reliable care, stress levels drop, loyalty increases, and parents are more engaged and able to do their best work at the office or on the job.”

The future of work isn’t just about where or when people work, it’s about whether families have the stability and support they need to keep going. Child care has become the benefit that makes everything else possible. To learn more about how KinderCare provides stability for thousands of families across its nationwide footprint of KinderCare Learning Centers, visit kindercare.com.

(BookTrib) - “Death for Sale” by Erik S. Meyers

Nestled in the Ozarks, the tight-knit town of Berry Springs is gearing up for Thanksgiving when several beloved seniors fall mysteriously ill at the community dinner. As deaths follow, suspicion spreads faster than holiday cheer.

Enter Sally Witherspoon — a sharp-witted, 50-something accountant turned biker-bar owner with a knack for puzzles and a habit of helping local law enforcement. Think Miss Marple meets a Cheers bartender. Between running her bar, worrying about her aging parents and facing her own milestone birthday, Sally has plenty on her plate. But when poisoning threatens her friends — and possibly her family — she digs in her heels to uncover the truth.

With lively characters, small-town charm and steady suspense, “Death for Sale” is a spirited holiday whodunit perfect for readers who enjoy lighter mysteries with heart, humor and a determined amateur sleuth at the helm.

Learn more about the Sally Witherspoon Mystery series and purchase "Death for Sale" at https://amzn.to/4s3XFVm.

“She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe, Book One” by Sarah V. Barnes

Set more than 6,000 years ago on the ancient Pontic-Caspian steppe, “She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe” introduces Naya, a clan chief’s daughter whose fiery red hair and independent spirit set her apart. While her people hunt wild horses for meat, Naya dreams of something different — partnership, not conquest. When she discovers a chestnut filly as uncommon as herself, she begins the slow, daring work of earning the young horse’s trust.

But fate intervenes when Naya is struck by a stranger’s arrow, leaving her wounded and separated from her clan during a brutal winter migration. As she heals alongside the young archer amid strangers struggling to survive, bonds deepen — between girl and horse, and between former enemies.

Rich in historical detail and emotional depth, Sarah V. Barnes’ novel reimagines the dawn of horseback riding as a story of courage, connection and the spiritual bond that forever changed humanity. A perfect read for the Year of the Horse!

Available in paperback, ebook and now in audiobook, “She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe” can be purchased at https://amzn.to/4cnkQ8z.

“Both Sides of the Same Coin” by Michael Weiner

Spanning a century of ambition, sacrifice and reinvention, this historical saga traces the intertwined destinies of the Doyle, Carbone and Roth families as they journey from Ireland and Italy to the promise of America. Against the sweeping backdrop of New York City’s rise — from post-Depression grit to wartime resilience — unlikely visionary Oscar Klein emerges from the streets of Philadelphia to unite them all.

With Patrick Doyle and Anthony Carbone, Oscar builds an empire of taxi medallions, clubs and restaurants, culminating in a glittering Plaza Hotel wedding that draws the city’s elite — and the shadow of the Cosa Nostra. Success brings wealth and influence, but also heartbreak, addiction and loss.

Praised as a compelling, page-turning saga rich with family values and New York landmarks, “Both Sides of the Same Coin” explores ambition and responsibility — and the delicate balance between prosperity and purpose.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/40g56N8.

“Champions in Life: The Playbook for Teens and Their Parents with 10 Essential Skills to Optimize Mental Health” by Elaine J. Brzycki, Ed.M. and Henry G. Brzycki, Ph.D.

In a world where teen mental health is often addressed only in crisis, “Champions in Life” takes a refreshingly proactive approach. Written by positive psychology pioneers Elaine J. Brzycki, Ed.M., and Henry G. Brzycki, Ph.D., this interactive guide empowers teens to build the skills they need to flourish — not just cope.

Grounded in the authors’ Integrated Self Model™ and their widely used Champions program, the book introduces 10 essential mental health skills designed to strengthen resilience, self-esteem, internal motivation and hope. Through 30 hands-on experiences, teens are encouraged to explore their emotions, clarify their dreams and discover their unique life purpose.

More than a book to read, this is a playbook to live — and a powerful tool for sparking meaningful conversations between teens and parents. At its heart, “Champions in Life” reminds young people that they aren’t passive observers of their future — they can actively shape it.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/4banZY4.

(BookTrib) - “When Waiting Becomes Life” by Jeff Deaton, MD

“When Waiting Becomes Life” gently illuminates the often unseen emotional landscape of infertility — a journey many walk in silence. Drawing on heartfelt, real-life stories from women and couples who have faced failed cycles, loss and years of uncertainty, Dr. Jeff Deaton blends compassionate medical insight with deeply human narrative. Each chapter offers not only the raw honesty of lived experience but also practical, encouraging advice that helps readers process grief, confront shame and navigate complex treatment decisions with greater clarity and confidence.

Readers praise the book for its warmth and wisdom, noting how Deaton’s balanced mix of hope, science and empathy makes even the most difficult moments feel shared rather than endured alone. Whether you’re living the struggle or supporting someone who is, this book offers solace, strength and a reminder: waiting isn’t the whole story — growth and resilience can be part of the journey too.

Purchase at https://tinyurl.com/when-waiting-becomes-life.

“Choosing Emotions: Thinking with Your Head and Acting with Your Heart” by D. Earl Johnston

What if emotional intelligence begins not with regulation — but with vocabulary? In “Choosing Emotions,” D. Earl Johnston presents what he calls an “Emotionary”— a cross-disciplinary reference that defines 272 emotional states drawn from philosophy, psychology, science, art and spiritual traditions. After nine years of research and integrating more than 1,800 contributors spanning 3,000 years of recorded thought, Johnston points out that emotional literacy depends on definitional clarity.

From everyday experiences like admiration and confidence to complex states such as trauma and procrastination, each entry’s source ranges from clinical terminology to street expressions alongside insights from history’s great thinkers. Johnston also introduces a provocative linguistic idea: emotions function as the adverbial drivers of behavior — shaping how we act as much as what we do.

Designed equally for browsing or deeper study, “Choosing Emotions” invites readers to name, understand and easily navigate the full spectrum of human experience. Purchase at https://amzn.to/4kRi4KU.

“Summertime & Short Stories” by Stanislas M Yassukovich

In "Summertime & Short Stories," Stanislas M. Yassukovich invites readers into a world of privilege, longing and moral reckoning. The title novella unfolds among Long Island’s old-money elite, where a respected general practitioner embarks on an affair with a patient — a transgression that entangles both in layers of professional guilt and unresolved family ties.

The accompanying stories traverse elegant international settings and intimate emotional terrain. A brass rubbing hobbyist discovers a gravestone bearing his own name. A pleasure-seeking gentleman seeks redemption through charity. An introvert is swept into an insider trading scandal by his domineering girlfriend. Elsewhere, a painter’s canvas mysteriously fades, a polo-playing playboy confronts loss, sisters clash over love, and a father weighs the measure of his bond with his son.

By turns ironic, reflective and quietly provocative, this collection explores desire, consequence and the fragile façades that shape human lives.

Purchase at https://amzn.to/46LyAGi.

“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” by Bobby “Z” Zielinski

The rite of passage: from the schoolyard – to the candy store – to the bar.

The bar in the ‘50s and ‘60s was where you cashed your paycheck, socialized with your friends, borrowed money, and bought various items that “just fell off” the back of a truck! It was where you also bet the numbers for the horses and paid off the “shys.”

Every Friday, from 3:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning, everything revolved around Slippery Eddie, the bartender. Every hour, a different story unfolded.

As an 84-year-old vet, cancer and Covid survivor, recovering alcoholic (46 years), original Jersey City ‘50s bad boy, high school dropout, and published author and poet, Bobby “Z” has lived it all – and lived to tell the tale.

“Friday Nite at the Bucket of Blood Bar” could very well be the next “Bronx Tale,” “Goodfellas” or “Sopranos.” Purchase at https://amzn.to/49DUux3 or visit the author’s website, Tales of the Junkyard Dog, at https://talesofthejunkyarddog.wordpress.com/ for more information. Zielinski can also be contacted at [email protected].

(NewsUSA) - The Department of Defense's, now renamed the Department of War by the current administration, acquisitions, notoriously sluggish and inefficient, is undergoing a change to make its historically sluggish acquisitions system more agile and responsive.

Defense acquisition is the process by which military forces, such as the U.S. Department of Defense, identify needs, manage investments, and procure technology, systems, and services. The goal of an acquisition plan is to deliver whatever warfighters need in a timely and cost-effective way.

The main components of the United States’ Defense Acquisition System include identifying the warfighter’s needs, allocating resources/securing funds, and managing the development and purchase of systems.

In a recent podcast with the at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness in AI, Steve Blank, co-founder of the Stanford Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, discussed the recent revision of the Department of War’s acquisition system. Blank shared how an attitude shift has the potential to drive changes in DoW activities to maintain competitiveness in the future.

Changes in acquisition start by changing the culture of those involved in the process, Blank said. Those in charge need to switch to a problem-centric and minimum-deployable model, he explained.

In late 2025, the DoW announced the implementation of a new "Acquisition Transformation Strategy" (ATS), announced in late 2025, to shift to a wartime-oriented, rapid-fielding model focused on speed, industrial base expansion, and leveraging commercial technology. Key pillars include empowering the workforce, maximizing flexibility, reducing bureaucratic oversight, and strengthening lifecycle risk management. 

Key elements of the new ATS include:

• · Workforce Transformation: The Defense Acquisition University is being redesigned as the "Warfighting Acquisition University" (WAU) with the goal of instilling a more efficient warrior mindset, according to the DoW.
• · Streamlining development: Reducing bureaucracy, including the number of test managers, is intended to accelerate the acquisition process.
• · Going commercial: The new strategy includes adopting existing commercial off-the-shelf technology and using outside contractors, when possible, in order to speed up procurement.
• · Broadening the base: Rebuilding and diversify the defense industrial base is needed to ensure a steady, reliable demand signal.
• · Taking more risks: The ATS allows for accepting higher, calculated risks to deliver capabilities faster, rather than waiting for long-term, traditional cycles. 

This new strategy marks a shift from a "requirements-based" to a "solutions-based" acquisition model, that is designed to get tools into the hands of warfighters more quickly.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more about the evolution of DoW strategies and other issues related to America’s global competitiveness.

(NewsUSA) - While February is recognized as National Random Acts of Kindness month, Marine Toys for Tots knows kindness doesn’t have to be spontaneous to be powerful. That is why Toys for Tots celebrates Not So Random Acts of Kindness. The Program sees the impact of intentional acts of kindness every time someone chooses to give, volunteer, or lend support—not just during the holidays, but in the middle of ordinary days, busy seasons, and challenging moments.   

Thanks to the not so random acts of generosity of local Coordinators, donors, National Corporate Partners, and supporting organizations, the Program distributed 24 million toys, books, and other gifts to nearly 11 million children in need in 2025.

These contributions weren’t random gestures. They were choices made by individuals and communities who believed every child deserves hope, comfort, and joy. Together, these choices created a nationwide ripple effect that reached far beyond city centers and suburban neighborhoods.

Some of those ripples traveled farther than most.

Across Alaska’s North Slope and Northwest Arctic Borough, U.S. Marines with Detachment Delta Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, carried out a mission defined by purpose and resilience. As part of Operation Polar Knight, Marines delivered nearly 14,000 pounds of toys to some of the most remote communities in the United States—places where winter roads don’t exist, weather can ground aircraft for days, and access to basic goods is limited.

This mission was only possible because of collective efforts: the generosity of the American public, the dedication of the Anchorage Toys for Tots Chapter, and the determination of the Marines who carried the mission across snow, ice, and Arctic skies. Without these combined efforts, children living in some of the most isolated regions of the country would not experience the magic of the holiday season.

“These deliveries weren’t random gestures either. They were purposeful acts of kindness—planned months in advance, supported by countless volunteers, and executed with precision in some of the harshest conditions on Earth,” said Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Every gift was a conscious choice to support a child in need and a promise to keep the spirit of the season shining, even in the most remote corners of Alaska,” he emphasized.

Operation Polar Knight is just one example of how intentional acts of kindness transforms lives. Across the country, the Program’s supporters continue to make a difference all year long. Through year-round literacy efforts, support for children in Foster Care, and disaster response and recovery distribution events, donors help ensure that children in need receive comfort, encouragement, and opportunity.

Now in their 79th year, Toys for Tots continues to demonstrate that generosity is not random. It is a commitment—renewed year after year—to bring hope to children everywhere. Toys for Tots’ mission as a year-round force for good reminds us what happens when intentional acts of kindness come together: communities are strengthened, children are uplifted, and the spirit of giving reaches places where it matters most.

To learn more about Toys for Tots or to make a donation, please visit www.toysfortots.org.