United States

St. Louis – September 17, 2026 -- A fireplace update can change the entire feel of a living room for less than the cost of a kitchen or bathroom remodel, according to a new HelloNation article featuring insights from Fireplace Expert John Bubenik of The Color Craftsmen in St. Louis, Missouri.

High mortgage rates are pushing homeowners to renovate instead of relocate.

With interest rates elevated, the article notes that many homeowners are choosing to stay put rather than accept a higher rate on a new mortgage plus closing and moving costs. A focused project like a fireplace remodel offers a way to make a familiar home feel new again.

New York – September 17, 2026 -- The Financial District building that once processed most of the diamonds entering America is welcoming residents instead of jewelers. The ten-story Diamond Exchange at 14 Maiden Lane, completed in 1894, has been converted into nine full-floor condominium homes plus a commercial space, with pricing starting just under $2.6 million.

The building's oversized bay windows were built for diamond dealers, not daylight photos

Mount Airy, GA – September 17, 2026 -- The Lutzie 43 Foundation will hold a Safe Driving Summit at Habersham Central High School on Tuesday, September 22, running from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 2059 St. Hwy 197 S. in Mount Airy, GA. Sponsored by Bulldog Kia, the event targets distracted, impaired and unsafe driving among high school students.

Mike Lutzenkirchen opens with his son's story

Executive Director Mike Lutzenkirchen will deliver the keynote, recounting the death of his son Philip Lutzenkirchen, a former Auburn University football standout killed in a single-vehicle crash in 2014. Lutzenkirchen said the goal is to have students adopt the foundation's '43 Key Seconds' safe driving routine, calling the combination of Philip's story and firsthand accounts from law enforcement, trucking and healthcare partners 'an eye-opening experience.'

Denison, Texas – September 17, 2026 -- Homeowners near Lake Texoma are being urged to inspect shingles, gutters, flashing, and attic spaces after severe storms to catch damage before it worsens, according to a HelloNation article featuring roofing expert Cody Slagle of Denison, Texas.

Shingles show the first signs of storm damage

Slagle notes that shingles are often the first area to reveal problems after heavy wind or hail. Cracked or lifted shingles can indicate the storm pushed them out of place, and scattered hail may mark several roof slopes at once.

Gutters reveal hidden impact points

Dents in gutters can show where hail struck with enough force to affect roofing materials. Sagging or loose gutters may signal that water overflowed during the storm, sending it back toward the roof instead of away from it. Slagle says strong North Texas winds frequently blow debris into gutter channels, making this a recurring inspection point.

New York – September 17, 2026 -- A kitchen staple just walked the streets of Manhattan during New York Fashion Week, as If You Care unveiled a fully wearable dress made entirely from its Parchment Baking Paper.

Actress and longtime If You Care fan Busy Philipps debuted the custom piece, calling the concept "a fun, unexpected way to show what this everyday kitchen staple can actually do."

The dress is built from the same parchment used in home kitchens.

If You Care Parchment Baking Paper is designed to prevent sticking and ease cleanup for roasting, baking, and sheet-pan meals. The paper is unbleached, chlorine-free, non-toxic, and compostable after use -- properties the brand carried directly into the fashion piece.

Dallas – September 17, 2026 -- Southwest Airlines kicked off its Week of WOW sale, offering up to 40% off base fares for flights booked by Sept. 17 for travel between Oct. 5, 2026, and March 3, 2027.

Discounted routes include Austin-San Diego and Nashville-Chicago

Nonstop routes on sale include Austin to San Diego, Nashville to Chicago Midway, Denver to San Diego, Seattle to Nashville, and Austin to San Jose, all available now on Southwest.com. The fare discount requires a 21-day advance purchase and applies before government taxes and fees, with restrictions, exclusions, and blackout dates in effect.

Fredericksburg, Va. – September 17, 2026 -- Retirement planning usually centers on savings and investments, but a lesser-discussed factor -- muscle mass -- can significantly shape how those retirement years actually play out, according to the co-founders of the Fitness & Finance Radio podcast.

"We spend decades building a financial portfolio for retirement, but we should be building our physical portfolio at the same time," said Jennifer Scherer, co-founder of Fitness & Finance Radio and founder of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. She notes that muscle protects the ability to move, stay independent, and enjoy the life people worked to build.

Washington – September 17, 2026 -- GED Testing Service will mark National GED Day on September 16, honoring adults who earned a high school equivalency credential and the millions still working toward one.

More than 30 million U.S. adults lack a high school diploma

The GED program offers those adults a route into college, workforce training, military service, and jobs in healthcare, manufacturing, skilled trades, and technology, according to GED Testing Service.

One graduate turned her GED into a healthcare career

Iris earned her GED and now works as a Medical Assistant at a fertility clinic. She plans to become a Phlebotomy Technician next, with a longer-term goal of becoming a nurse. "My GED helped me take the first step toward the career I wanted," Iris said. "It was challenging and rewarding at the same time. My advice is to keep trying because it's never too late to invest in your education and build a better future."

Baltimore – September 17, 2026 -- Mercy Medical Center has introduced Mako SmartRoboticsTM technology for shoulder replacement surgery, making it among the first providers in the Mid-Atlantic region to offer the robotic-arm assisted procedure.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gregory Gasbarro leads the new program

Gregory V. Gasbarro, M.D., a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained shoulder specialist at Mercy, is now performing robotic Mako shoulder arthroplasty for patients. He treats patients ages 15 and older through The Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Center at Mercy.

The technology builds a 3D surgical plan from a patient's own CT scan

Mako SmartRoboticsTM uses a detailed 3D CT scan of each patient's shoulder to generate a personalized surgical plan. During the operation, the robotic-arm assisted system helps the surgeon execute that plan with added precision while allowing real-time adjustments.

Port Neches – September 14, 2026 -- Texas does not require golf cart owners to carry traditional auto insurance, but driving a cart on public roads in Port Neches can leave uninsured owners financially exposed if an accident occurs.

Homeowners policies rarely cover cart accidents on public streets

Many Port Neches residents assume their homeowners insurance automatically covers golf cart incidents. That assumption only holds up in limited cases. Homeowners policies typically extend coverage only to accidents that happen on the insured property, not on public roads. Owners are advised to review their policy directly with an agent to confirm what is and isn't covered.