United States

Little Rock – September 04, 2026 -- Kidney patients, family caregivers, and living organ donors can attend a four-day national meeting on kidney disease treatment and transplants at no cost starting September 10.

The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is hosting its 51st annual National Patient Meeting from September 10-13 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Admission and meals are free, with pre-registration available online or by calling (800) 749-2257.

The event opens with a policy forum at the Clinton Presidential Center

The gathering begins Thursday, September 10, with AAKP's Public Policy Forum at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, running 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time. Doors open at noon with complimentary lunch, and the session covers kidney research innovation alongside federal regulatory and reimbursement decisions affecting patients.

Clarence, N.Y. – September 04, 2026 -- Homeowners across Western New York are increasingly turning to decorative concrete coatings to upgrade garages, basements, patios, and walkways, according to a new HelloNation article featuring insights from Concrete Coating Experts Ray McDougall and Mitch Wilkinson of Executive Concrete Coatings in Clarence, New York.

Epoxy and polyaspartic systems come in a wide range of finishes

The article explains that today's decorative concrete coatings include epoxy and polyaspartic systems available in a variety of colors, textures, and finishes. These systems let homeowners match traditional or contemporary home designs while protecting concrete from everyday wear.

Austin, Texas – September 03, 2026 -- Homebuyers hunting for a new-built house at a discount should look to Charleston, South Carolina, where new construction now sells for 12.2% less than existing homes, according to Realtor.com's second annual Top Metros for New Construction report.

Charleston-North Charleston tops the ranking of the 100 largest U.S. metros with an overall score of 84.7 out of 100. The median new-build listing there runs $443,273, compared with $504,832 for an existing home -- the widest new-construction price advantage among the top 10 markets.

Southern metros dominate the top 10 rankings

Eight of the 10 best metros for new construction sit in the South. Greenville-Anderson-Greer, South Carolina, ranks second, followed by Boise City, Idaho, in third. Six of the top 10 metros are located in North or South Carolina, and two more are in Tennessee.

Austin, Texas – September 03, 2026 -- Texas is rolling out a string of new hotels, parks and dining honors this year, giving travelers fresh reasons to plan a trip to the state.

New hotels target wellness and accessibility

1 Hotel Austin, a sustainability-focused property, opens in September. In San Antonio, Morgan's Hotel is designed with technology and trained staff to serve travelers of all abilities. Canyon Ranch Texas opens Oct. 15 in Spicewood, spreading a wellness retreat across 600 acres overlooking Lake Travis.

State parks expand hiking and stargazing options

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, 75 miles west of Fort Worth, opened in March as Texas' newest state park, offering nearly 4,900 acres for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing and stargazing. Near Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area added a rugged backcountry section, more than doubling the park's size.

Buffalo, N.Y. – September 03, 2026 -- New Era and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen have launched the 2026 Billustration Collection, eight caps designed by children receiving care at Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo (GCH Buffalo), with every purchase benefiting the Patricia Allen Fund at the hospital.

The caps are available now at neweracap.com, the New Era Buffalo Store, the New Era SoHo Flagship Store, Buffalo Bills Highmark Stadium, and select retail partners.

Eight children turned personal memories into wearable art

The designs come from young patients Jack, Mason, Charlotte, Isaac, Avery, Amar'e, Killian, Caleb and Grace. Allen will debut each design during his tunnel walk at a corresponding Bills home game, starting September 17, 2026 against the Detroit Lions and running through a January 2027 matchup against the New York Jets.

Juno Beach, Fla. – September 03, 2026 -- Florida Power & Light Company has launched an online Assistance Center that helps customers find bill help, energy-saving programs and local support in one place.

The centerpiece is FPL Saving Steps, a new program for income-qualified customers that teaches ways to cut everyday energy use. Customers who complete the program can receive a one-time $200 credit toward a future FPL bill.

FPL rolls out the center as summer heat pushes bills higher

Dawn Nichols, FPL's vice president of customer service, said the tool is meant to make support easier to find, whether customers need help today, want to lower future bills, or need assistance with other costs like medical bills, rent or mortgage payments. She added that customers who don't qualify for government aid should check whether they qualify for Saving Steps.

Clayton, N.Y. – September 03, 2026 -- Georgia pro Caleb Hudson has won the 2026 Pro-Guide Batteries Elite Series Rookie of the Year title, finishing the season with 621 points and a $10,000 bonus.

The 24-year-old edged Alabama's Fisher Anaya by just two points, with Pake South of Texas finishing third at 569 points. Hudson took the points lead after the circuit's second stop and held it through the rest of the season, but the race stayed tight until the final day on the St. Lawrence River.

Clayton, N.Y. – September 03, 2026 -- Trey McKinney, a 21-year-old pro from Carbondale, Ill., has become the youngest angler ever to win the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year title, finishing the nine-event season with 735 points.

McKinney clinched the title with a second-place finish at the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite on the St. Lawrence River, edging Canadian pro Cory Johnston by four points, 735 to 731. The previous record for youngest AOY winner belonged to Kevin VanDam, who was 24 when he first won in 1992.

McKinney earns a $100,000 bonus and pushes career earnings past $900,000

The AOY title comes with a $100,000 check, bringing McKinney's career earnings to more than $900,000 after just three seasons on the Bassmaster Elite Series. Johnston earned a $50,000 bonus for his runner-up finish in the standings.

SEATTLE -- September 01, 2026 -- More than 78,000 renters had their on-time rent payments reported to credit bureaus through Zillow in July, the highest single-month total since the company launched its free rent reporting program in 2024. That figure is up 26% from a year earlier.

PHILADELPHIA -- September 01, 2026 -- David Lozano, a Spanish rider with type 1 diabetes, won the King of the Mountains classification at the Philadelphia Cycling Classic on Saturday, claiming the climber's jersey as America's most prestigious one-day race returned after a decade away. Lozano, who races for Team Novo Nordisk, the world's first all-diabetes professional cycling team, led the day's decisive breakaway over the Manayunk Wall and Lemon Hill. Teammate Filippo Ridolfo finished 12th, the team's top overall result on the day.