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These states will pay you to build a tiny home in your backyard

2025-01-08T19:09:56Z

An ADU built by Villa in a California backyard.

miller.photo for Villa

Building tiny backyard homes can be expensive. The units can range in cost — from under $100,000 to over $300,000.
Three states will help with the cost by providing homeowners with grant money.
Here are the programs, how much homeowners can receive, and who is eligible to apply.

If you've looked into building a tiny home in your backyard, you've probably discovered what many have: While they may save you money in the long run, they can be expensive to build.

These backyard homes, called accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, are small housing units ranging from 150 square feet to 1,200 square feet, depending on where you live.

The average cost of a unit can range from $100,000 to $300,000, not to mention the cost of the permit, and it can be difficult to get a loan to build an ADU.

In California, where most backyard homes are being built, ADU building permits cost anywhere from $450 to $15,000 — even before construction starts, Backyard Unlimited, a company that builds ADUs, said.

That's not all: Other costs could include site preparation, which includes anything from inspections to running utility lines.

All this to say, if you don't have cash lying around or the ability to access financing for the project, it can be cost prohibitive — making it harder for middle- and low-income homeowners to actually build one, studies have shown.

To combat this disparity, promote equity, and ultimately propel the construction of much-needed housing, some states — and nonprofits in some cities — have created grant programs to help.

The deadlines for these programs vary from state to state. Those interested in building an ADU should be prepared for next year's application cycles, as they often experience high demand.

Here are the ADU programs available nationwide.

California: Up to $40,000 per grantee

The funding for 2024 has already been allocated. The state previously provided $40,000 to Californians for pre-construction ADU costs, such as design, permitting, and soil inspections. In 2024, several legal changes were made regarding ADU size, owner occupancy requirements, and more.

An ADU in San Jose, California.

Courtesy of Abodu

Who can apply? Californians that fall in the range of low- to moderate-income limits.

Total funding available: $100 million was allocated in 2021, but by 2023, the money had been fully distributed. The program's funds were infused with $25 million in grant funding for 2023 to 2024, but those have also been fully allocated.

When are applications open? The program is no longer accepting applications for 2024, and applications for 2025 have not yet been announced.

Requirements:

Homeowners do not need to live in the primary home or the ADU they build.
For single-family lots, you can be approved for one ADU (attached or detached) up to 1,200 square feet and one Junior ADU up to 500 square feet.
For multi-family lots, you can build multiple ADUs attached to existing structures and up to two detached ADUs on the property.
Homeowners can build an ADU at least 800 square feet, up to 16 feet high, and must be set back 4 feet from side and rear yards.

Agency or Department in charge of distribution: California Housing Finance Agency

Julie Fornasero and her husband, Tim Logan, built an ADU in their backyard for $170,000.

Courtesy of Julie Fornasero

New York: Up to $125,000 per grantee

The Plus One ADU Program provides eligible New Yorkers up to $125,000 to build or convert an ADU on their property.

In 2024, as part of Mayor Eric Adams's 'City of Yes' housing initiative, New York State legalized permitting ADUs on one- and two-family residential properties in low-density housing districts. However, whether a locality in New York allows ADUs depends on its land use and zoning regulations.

A residential neighborhood in Monroe, New York, in the Hudson Valley.

Kelsey Neubauer/Insider

Who can apply? Homeowners who meet the income requirement of 100% or below the area median income.

Total funding available: The 2022-2023 NYS Capital Budget provided $85 million for the Plus One ADU Program over the next five years. Of the total, $60 million has been distributed across 50 municipalities, with the remaining $25 million available through a competitive RFP.

When are applications open? There are 50 participating localities, all accepting homeowner applications on a rolling basis.

Requirements:

The ADU can be within the existing home, such as a basement or attic apartment, an in-law suite, or a completely independent and detached structure.
A 10-year restrictive covenant is in place to ensure the home remains the owner's primary residence and that the ADU is kept in a livable condition.
The ADU must be occupied by a tenant or a family member, and it cannot be rented out short term.

Agency or Department in charge of distribution: New York State's Homes and Community Renewal

A welcome sign to Boxwill's town.

Courtesy of Helen Boxwill

Vermont: Up to $50,000 per grantee

This program allows Vermonters to receive up to $50,000 to build an ADU on their property. Both landlords and owner-occupied homes with plans to rent are eligible.

A residential neighborhood in Burlington, Vermont.

Kelsey Neubauer/Insider

Who can apply? Any Vermont homeowner can apply through these five regional organizations: RuralEdge, Champlain Housing Trust, NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, Downstreet Housing and Community Development, and Windham and Windsor Housing Trust. These organizations review applications and oversee projects.

Total funding available: As of 2023, Vermont had a $15 million budget.

When are applications open? Open now, on a rolling basis.

Requirements:

Those who receive a grant must abide by certain stipulations, such as complying with local ordinances, maintaining HUD Fair Market rent, and matching at least 20% of the grant funds.
The project must be completed within 18 months of signing the grant agreement.
Those using their ADU as a rental must sign a rental covenant or forgivable loan agreement, committing to charge rent at or below Fair Market Rent for the entire duration of the agreement.

Agency or Department in charge of distribution: Vermont Housing Improvement Program

Marni Leiken and the apartment she built over her backyard carriage barn, visible on the far right of this photo.

Courtesy of Marni Leiken

Colorado: A new grant program still rolling out

In 2024, Colorado passed HB24-1152 to assist homeowners in building ADUs.

Who can apply? The Accessory Dwelling Unit Fee Reduction and Encouragement Grant Program will offer down payment assistance, low-interest loans, and interest rate reductions to eligible low—and moderate-income Coloradans building ADUs.

Total funding available: The General Assembly allocated $5 million for the program. Currently, grants are available to "accessory dwelling unit supportive jurisdictions," meaning local governments actively supporting ADU development. The Department of Local Affairs will manage the grant program created by the bill.

When are applications open? It has not yet been announced when applications will open to local governments or residents.

Requirements: The qualification requirements are still being finalized.

Agency or Department in charge of distribution: The Department of Local Affairs, Division of Local Government

Have you built an ADU on your property? We want to hear from you. Email the reporter, Alcynna Lloyd, at alloyd@businessinsider.com to share your story.

Read the original article on Business Insider

The coldest temperature recorded in every state

2025-01-08T19:04:42Z

Gavilan is in northern New Mexico.

Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock

While some states' coldest temperatures were recorded recently, others were documented decades ago.
Hawaii remains the only state in the US yet to report a temperature below zero degrees Fahrenheit.
The coldest temperature ever recorded in the US was -80 degrees in Alaska in 1971.

Despite record-breaking temperature drops across the US over the last century, the world continues to get hotter. In fact, only three states have recorded their lowest-ever temperatures in the 21st century.

In Alaska, the coldest temperature ever recorded was -80 degrees Fahrenheit in Prospect Creek Camp in 1971 — and all but one of the 50 states has reported a temperature below zero. What's the holdout? Hawaii, which recorded its lowest temperature of 12 degrees Fahrenheit at the Mauna Kea Observatory on May 17, 1979.

According to data compiled by NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee, the coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state are listed below.

Melissa Wells contributed to a prior version of this story.

Alabama's lowest recorded temperature was -27 degrees Fahrenheit at New Market on January 30, 1966.

New Market is located near the Alabama/Tennessee border.

Melissa Bobo/Shutterstock

On this snowy January day, it was Lucille Hereford, the postmaster and town volunteer weather observer, who recorded the -27-degree temperature, calling it a "terribly cold" morning in a 1988 interview with an Alabama State climatologist.

Per a 2021 news report by WHNT, a local news outlet, the official story comes with a caveat: The temperature was initially erroneously recorded as warmer than the -24 degrees Fahrenheit reported at Russellville the same day. It wasn't until years later that a Birmingham reporter uncovered the truth, and the National Climatic Data Center finally issued a correction in its records.

Alaska's lowest recorded temperature was -80 degrees Fahrenheit at Prospect Creek Camp on January 23, 1971.

Prospect Creek Camp is located five hours north of Fairbanks.

Troutnut/Shutterstock

The Anchorage Daily News reported in 2013 that there have been unofficial measurements of even lower temperatures. On the National Weather Service Alaska website, Phil Schaefer said it hit -84 degrees Fahrenheit in Coldfoot in 1989, and Joe Cochran said the temperature in Hughes dropped to -85 degrees Fahrenheit in the '90s, The Daily News reported.

However, the Prospect Creek Camp temperature is the only one that's been verified.

This is the lowest temperature ever recorded in the US.

Arizona's lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit at Hawley Lake on January 7, 1971.

Hawley Lake is located on the San Carlos Reservation.

Alexey Stiop/Shutterstock

Hawley Lake isn't a town so much as a remote weather station, but it's important in Arizona's meteorological history. In addition to setting a state record for 91 inches of snow in 1968, the overseer of Hawley Lake, Stan Bryte, recorded the state's lowest temperature of -40 degrees Fahrenheit in 1971, per AZCentral.

In fact, on the morning of January 7, 1971, Bryte's chief meteorologist told him, "You need to get up to Hawley Lake. I have a suspicion this is going to be a real record."

Arkansas' lowest recorded temperature was -29 degrees Fahrenheit in Brook Farm Pond near Gravette on February 13, 1905.

Gravette is a small town in Arkansas.

Michael t. Morrison/Shutterstock

Brook Farm Pond is near the town of Gravette, which has just over 3,500 residents, according to census data.

It is located in Benton County, which has the motto "The Heart of Hometown America." At one time, it also bore the name of "Gate Community" for serving as a gateway to northwest Arkansas from Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

California's lowest recorded temperature was -45 degrees Fahrenheit in Boca on January 20, 1937.

Boca is close to the border of Nevada.

AJ9/Shutterstock

The Los Angeles Times reported in 1937 that the low temperatures had brought "influenza, frozen toes, broken water pipes and automobile radiators, icy streets and traffic disruption."

Colorado's lowest recorded temperature was -61 degrees Fahrenheit in Maybell on February 1, 1985.

Maybell is in the northwest corner of Colorado.

Teri Virbickis/Shutterstock

CBS News reported in January 2023 that Maybell, located 25 miles west of Craig, is home to just 76 people.

Maybell resident of 56 years Georgia McIntyre told 9News in 2015, "You don't think about how cold it is. You just put all the clothes you've got on, and we even put newspapers in our shoes because we didn't have all these fancy things you have now."

Connecticut has recorded temperatures of -32 degrees Fahrenheit twice: First in Falls Village on February 16, 1943, and then again in Coventry on January 22, 1961.

Falls Village and Coventry are 66 miles apart.

Michael Macsuga/Shutterstock

In 1943, a National Weather Service observer noted February was a "relatively mild month" in Connecticut, only for the state to record its coldest temperature in the state's history 16 days into the month, per a 2023 CT Insider article.

A freezing day in January just 18 years later would hit that same low temperature.

Delaware's lowest recorded temperature was -17 degrees Fahrenheit in Millsboro on January 17, 1893.

Millsboro is around 16 miles north of the Maryland border.

Khairil Azhar Junos/Shutterstock

Thirty-seven years later, a Millsboro weather station recorded a temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit on a scorching July day, according to the National Weather Service.

Florida's lowest recorded temperature was -2 degrees Fahrenheit in Tallahassee on February 13, 1899.

Tallahassee is the state's capital.

Jesse Kunerth/Shutterstock

WTXL Tallahassee reported in 2020 that in Tallahassee 124 years ago, an inch of snow coated the city (its third biggest snowfall ever), and a record low of -2 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded.

Headlines at the time read "All Previous Records Broken," and editors were calling the storm, "The Snow King," "The Ice King," and "the Great Blizzard of 1899," Tallahassee Democrat reported in 2018.

Georgia's lowest recorded temperature was -17 degrees Fahrenheit in CCC Fire Camp F-16 near Beatum on January 27, 1940.

Snow-covered mountains in Georgia.

PaulDaniel5010/Shutterstock

Not even 12 years later, on July 24, 1952, Georgia recorded its highest temperature at 112 degrees Fahrenheit in Louisville and again on August 20, 1983, in Greenville, according to NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee.

Hawaii's lowest recorded temperature was 12 degrees Fahrenheit at the Mauna Kea Observatory on May 17, 1979.

Mauna Kea is located on the Big Island.

Alexey Kamenskiy/Shutterstock

Forecasters think this record may have changed because, on February 11, 2019, several sensors at the Mauna Kea Observatory reported temperatures between 8 and 11 degrees Fahrenheit, Khon2 reported in 2022, but it has yet to be confirmed.

Idaho's lowest recorded temperature was -60 degrees Fahrenheit in Island Park Dam on January 18, 1943.

Island Park Dam is located on Crow Creek.

Grimm Film/Shutterstock

Island Park Dam is located in the Targhee National Forest in the northeast corner of the state. It's tied for the eighth coldest temperature ever recorded in the US.

Illinois' lowest recorded temperature was -38 degrees Fahrenheit in Mount Carroll on January 31, 2019.

Mount Carroll is on the western border of Illinois, close to Iowa.

Randy R/Shutterstock

Frigid temperatures across Illinois in late January 2019 led to a startling discovery: On the morning of January 31, the weather observer at Mount Carroll in Carroll County recorded a temperature drop to -38 degrees Fahrenheit.

Only after an extensive review did the State Climate Extremes Committee collectively validate the reading as the new state record low temperature, The State Journal-Register reported in 2019.

Indiana's lowest recorded temperature was -36 degrees Fahrenheit in New Whiteland on January 19, 1994.

New Whiteland is outside Indianapolis.

Waldos photo/Shutterstock

ABC57 reported in 2020 that all temperatures across Indiana dropped below zero on the morning of January 19, 1994.

In a newscast from 1994 for WRTV Indianapolis, a mail carrier told former Channel 6 meteorologist David James, "Well, I'll tell you, it's better today than it was yesterday, 'cuz there's not that wind. So, I don't mind this at all."

Iowa's lowest recorded temperature was -47 degrees Fahrenheit in Elkader on February 3, 1996. Previously, it was in Washta on January 12, 1912.

Washta and Elkader are 240 miles apart.

Lisa J Loewen/Shutterstock

Iowa was one of many states in the Midwest that experienced the "1996 Cold Wave," as KCRG-TV9 described it in 2016.

Kansas' lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit in Lebanon on February 13, 1905.

Lebanon is just south of Nebraska.

Julie Denesha /Getty Images

The winter of 1905 was reportedly so bitterly cold that "it was impossible for one to face the storm," according to "Reno County Kansas, Its People, Industries, and Institutions," by B.F. Bowen & Co. Inc. of Indianapolis, published in 1917 and reported in 2014 by The Kansas City Star.

Kentucky's lowest recorded temperature was -37 degrees Fahrenheit in Shelbyville on January 19, 1994.

Shelbyville is a suburb of Louisville.

Alexey Stiop/Shutterstock

According to meteorologist John Belski, January 19, 1994, "was certainly a day for the history books."

"Those who were not around in 1994, it was the only time I can remember when grocery stores in parts of Louisville ran out of food and gas stations ran out of gas that week since no deliveries were able to be made for several days. It was so strange to see people walking in the middle of Bardstown Road and also Broadway," he recalled for WLKY News in 2020.

Louisiana's lowest recorded temperature was -16 degrees Fahrenheit in Minden on February 13, 1899.

Minden is 32 miles east of Shreveport.

Logan Rhoads/Shutterstock

Over two weeks in February 1899, freezing weather swept over the US, with record-low minimum temperatures recorded in 12 states. According to weather historian David Ludlum in "The Great Arctic Outbreak and East Coast Blizzard of February 1899," this was "the greatest arctic outbreak in history" at the time.

Maine's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Big Black River on January 16, 2009.

This area is just over the US/Canadian border.

Andrew Siegel/Shutterstock

After a month of scrutinizing weather data, scientists said in February 2009 that Maine had reached a record low: 50 below freezing.

After much evaluation by the State Climate Extreme Committee, "It turned out [the -50 reading] was spot on," Bob Lent, Maine director of the US Geological Survey, said, as reported by NBC News in 2009.

Maryland's lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit in Oakland on January 13, 1912.

Oakland is in the northwest corner of Maryland.

Richard Bizick/Shutterstock

Oakland, Maryland, is home to 1,851 people, according to census data. It was established in 1849 and became a well-known tourist spot when the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad built a rail line that traveled through the town, according to Britannica.

Massachusetts's lowest recorded temperature was -35 degrees Fahrenheit in Chester on January 12, 1981; in Coldbrook on February 15, 1943; and in Taunton on January 5, 1904.

Chester is located in western Massachusetts.

scott conner/Shutterstock

The same temperature was previously recorded in Coldbrook on February 15, 1943, and in Taunton on January 5, 1904.

Michigan's lowest recorded temperature was -51 degrees Fahrenheit in Vanderbilt on February 9, 1934.

Vanderbilt is on Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

John McCormick/Shutterstock

Only 11 states have recorded colder temperatures than Michigan: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Minnesota's lowest recorded temperature was -60 degrees Fahrenheit in Tower on February 2, 1996.

Tower is close to the Canadian border.

JordanSchopper/Shutterstock

The average low in this sparsely populated former mining town is usually around 4 degrees Fahrenheit in February, according to WorldClimate.com.

Mississippi's lowest recorded temperature was -19 degrees Fahrenheit in Corinth on January 30, 1966.

The town of Corinth borders Tennessee.

Barbara Windham / 500px/Getty Images

By contrast, Mississippi's highest recorded temperature was recorded 36 years prior on July 29, 1930, when the mercury in Holly Springs hit 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

Missouri's lowest recorded temperature was -40 degrees Fahrenheit in Warsaw on February 13, 1905.

Warsaw is just over 100 miles outside Kansas City.

Tara Ballard/Shutterstock

Interestingly enough, the coldest and hottest temperatures recorded in Missouri have both been in Warsaw, according to the University of Missouri Climate Center. The hottest temperature was a whopping 118 degrees Fahrenheit on July 14, 1954.

Montana's lowest recorded temperature was -70 degrees Fahrenheit in Rogers Pass on January 20, 1954.

Rogers Pass is located on the Continental Divide.

Urban Images/Shutterstock

"It's a day that will probably live in American history forever," Corby Dickerson, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said of the record, NBC Montana reported in February 2023. "It was the coldest day ever observed in the lower 48 states."

Nebraska's lowest recorded temperature was -47 degrees Fahrenheit in Oshkosh on December 22, 1989. Previously, it was in Bridgeport on February 12, 1899.

Oshkosh is located in western Nebraska.

Diana Robinson Photography/Getty Images

The biggest snowstorm on the southeast US coast was known as the "Christmas Snowstorm of 1989," according to The National Weather Service, and it was felt all the way to Nebraska. It broke snowfall records in several states, and unheard-of temperatures followed.

Nevada's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in San Jacinto on January 8, 1937.

San Jacinto is a ghost town.

Neil Lockhart/Shutterstock

Fifty-seven years after the state's cold temperature, a weather station in Laughlin recorded a temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit in June, per data from NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee.

New Hampshire's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Mount Washington on January 22, 1885.

Mount Washington is the highest peak in the northeast.

Ed Dods/Shutterstock

More recently, sensors on Mount Washington logged the US' coldest windchill on record: -108. The Weather Service office serving Mount Washington posted in February 2023 that its recording software refused to log the reported low number.

New Jersey's lowest recorded temperature was -34 degrees Fahrenheit in River Vale on January 5, 1904.

River Vale is not far from New York City.

Andrew F. Kazmierski/Shutterstock

"That was a very cold morning in northeastern New Jersey," David Robinson, a New Jersey State Climatologist, told NJ.com in 2019.

"A deep fresh snow cover, the valley location, adjacent to a pond that was used to make ice, and a generally treeless landscape near the station all helped contribute to the excessive cold."

New Mexico's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Gavilan on February 1, 1951.

Gavilan is in northern New Mexico.

Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock

Conversely, the hottest temperature in New Mexico was recorded on June 27, 1994, at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Loving, where it reached a blazing 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

New York's lowest recorded temperature was -52 degrees Fahrenheit in Old Forge on February 18, 1979.

Old Forge is not far from the Canadian border.

PureADK/Shutterstock

Jane Tormey, the official weather watcher for Old Forge for CNY Central, recalled in 2013, "People were saying their milk froze on the way home from the store to home. A lot of cars obviously couldn't get started. My car window driver's side was shattered."

North Carolina's lowest recorded temperature was -34 degrees Fahrenheit in Mount Mitchell on January 21, 1985.

Mount Mitchell is the highest peak in the Appalachian Mountains.

Bonita R. Cheshier/Shutterstock

One of the past century's most extreme arctic outbreaks occurred between January 18 and January 22, 1985. According to the National Weather Service, newspapers at the time reported at least 165 deaths related to the weather.

North Dakota's lowest recorded temperature was -60 degrees Fahrenheit in Parshall on February 15, 1936.

Parshall is located in the Fort Berthold Reservation.

CJ Cagney/Shutterstock

Coincidentally, both the hottest and coldest temperatures recorded in North Dakota's history happened in the same year, with Steele hitting 121 degrees Fahrenheit on July 6, 1936, KYFR-TV reported in 2023.

Ohio's lowest recorded temperature was -39 degrees Fahrenheit in Milligan on February 10, 1899.

Milligan is 60 miles outside Columbus.

Michael Shake/Shutterstock

Ohio was another state affected by the unprecedented cold of February 1899. The US Weather Bureau reported 105 fatalities between January 29 and February 13 from the arctic temperatures and avalanches brought on by "the Great Arctic Outbreak."

Oklahoma's lowest recorded temperature was -31 degrees Fahrenheit in Nowata on February 10, 2011.

Nowata is near the Osage Reservation.

Wichakorn Kitrungrot/Shutterstock

2011 was reportedly Oklahoma's third snowiest year, and the state's record for most snowfall in 24 hours was reached in Spavinaw, with 27 inches, FOX23 News reported in 2020.

Oregon's lowest recorded temperature was -54 degrees Fahrenheit in Ukiah on February 9, 1933, and in Seneca on February 10, 1933.

Ukiah and Seneca are 100 miles apart.

Wasim Muklashy/Shutterstock

Ukiah and Seneca are occasionally known as "Oregon's Icebox" due to their icy winter conditions. That said, Meacham residents have said the temperature once plummeted to -62 degrees Fahrenheit, but it has never been proven officially, The Oregonian wrote in 2010.

Pennsylvania's lowest recorded temperature was -42 degrees Fahrenheit in Smethport on January 5, 1904.

Smethport is near the Pennsylvania/New York border.

Marcello Sgarlato/Shutterstock

By contrast, in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, two consecutive days of 111 degrees Fahrenheit were recorded on July 9, 1936 and July 10, 1936, in the hottest temperature ever recorded in the state.

Phoenixville is five hours from Smethport, where the coldest temperature was recorded 32 years prior.

Rhode Island's lowest recorded temperature was -28 degrees Fahrenheit in Wood River Junction on January 11, 1942.

Wood River Junction is 10 miles from the Atlantic Ocean.

JonPeckham/Shutterstock

According to NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee, -25 degrees Fahrenheit was previously reported at Greene, Rhode Island, on February 5, 1996, but it could not be verified.

South Carolina's lowest recorded temperature was -19 degrees Fahrenheit in Caesar's Head on January 21, 1985.

Caesar's Head is close to North Carolina.

Casual Creation/Shutterstock

In 1985, in the Carolinas, the coldest temperatures ever recorded were dubbed "The Coldest Day," WMBF News reported in 2020.

South Dakota's lowest recorded temperature was -58 degrees Fahrenheit in McIntosh on February 17, 1936.

McIntosh is around 170 miles from South Dakota's capital, Pierre.

Byron Banasiak/Shutterstock

McIntosh was home to just 111 people in 2020. It is the county seat of Corson County.

Tennessee's lowest recorded temperature was -32 degrees Fahrenheit in Mountain City on December 30, 1917.

Mountain City is in the northeast corner of Tennessee.

RichardBarrow/Shutterstock

The two days of 113 degrees Fahrenheit were recorded in Perryville on July 29, 1930, and August 9, 1930, making them the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Tennessee.

Texas' lowest recorded temperature was -23 degrees Fahrenheit in Seminole on February 8, 1933. The same temperature was also recorded in Tulia 6NE on February 12, 1899.

Tulia and Seminole are 150 miles apart.

Chris Jeans/Shutterstock

Texas is known for its heat, but even this state has seen severe drops in temperatures — the best known was during the Great Blizzard of 1899.

Some unofficial reports even claim temperatures reached -30 degrees Fahrenheit in February 1899 at Wolf Creek, Texas. Either way, the Concho Valley Homepage reported in 2022 that newspapers in 1899 described the temperatures as "the worst freeze ever known in the state."

Utah's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Strawberry Tunnel (East) on January 5, 1913.

A hiker ventures along the snowy trails of Utah.

Ashley Hadzopoulos/Shutterstock

By contrast, the city of St. George has been home to the state's record for hottest temperature — twice. A temperature of 117 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded in July 1985 and again in July 2021.

Vermont's lowest recorded temperature was -50 degrees Fahrenheit in Bloomfield on December 30, 1933.

Bloomfield is just 25 miles from the Canadian border.

andrew12832/Shutterstock

Bloomfield, a town in Essex County, had a population of 217 in the 2020 US census. The weather station existed from 1906 to 1968, according to Century 21 Farm & Forest.

Virginia's lowest recorded temperature was -30 degrees Fahrenheit in Mountain Lake Biological Station on January 21, 1985.

The Mountain Lake Biological Station is outside Roanoke.

mbell/Getty Images

Centered in the Allegheny Mountains is Mountain Lake, one of only two freshwater lakes in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Just a year after this temperature was recorded in 1985, Mountain Lake was made famous again for "Dirty Dancing," which is where the movie was filmed.

Washington's lowest recorded temperature was -48 degrees Fahrenheit on December 30, 1968, in two different towns: Mazama and Winthrop.

Mazama and Winthrop are just 14 miles apart.

Marina Poushkina/Shutterstock

On June 29, 2021, Hanford, Washington, reached 120 degrees Fahrenheit, the hottest recorded temperature in that state.

West Virginia's lowest recorded temperature was -37 degrees Fahrenheit in Lewisburg on December 30, 1917.

Lewisburg is the county seat of Greenbrier County.

Malachi Jacobs/Shutterstock

Just 13 years later, the highest temperature recorded was 112 degrees Fahrenheit in Moorefield, West Virginia, on August 4, 1930.

Wisconsin recorded the lowest temperature in the state's history on February 2, 1996, in Couderay. Two days later, it broke its own record at -55 degrees.

Couderay is 150 miles northeast of Minneapolis.

Michael Tatman/Shutterstock

The coldest temperature recorded in Wisconsin ranks ninth in the nation.

Wyoming's lowest recorded temperature was -66 degrees Fahrenheit in Riverside Ranger Station in Yellowstone National Park on February 9, 1933.

Yellowstone National Park is one of the largest national parks in the US.

Bruce Beck/Shutterstock

Although Yellowstone's temperatures in Wyoming haven't plummeted to the levels they once did in 1933, "since most of the park lies at an elevation of 6,000 feet above sea level or higher, unpredictability characterizes Yellowstone's weather," the National Park Service has said.

Correction: January 9, 2024 — An earlier version of this story included an image that was mislabeled as Minden, Louisiana. The photo has been replaced with one of Minden.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Photos show Jimmy Carter lying in state at the US Capitol as politicians and members of the public pay their respects

2025-01-08T18:56:46Z

Former President Jimmy Carter's casket at the Capitol.

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Former US President Jimmy Carter died on December 29 at the age of 100.
His casket arrived at the US Capitol for a lying-in-state ceremony on Tuesday.
Politicians, Supreme Court justices, and members of the Carter family were in attendance.

On Tuesday, former US President Jimmy Carter's casket arrived at the US Capitol, where it will lie in state until his state funeral on Thursday.

Carter, who served as president from 1977 to 1981, died on December 29 at the age of 100.

Photos show lawmakers and members of the public paying their respects to the 39th president of the United States.

Ahead of former President Jimmy Carter's state funeral, his casket arrived at the Capitol to allow the American people to pay their respects.

A photo of former President Jimmy Carter at the US Capitol.

Nathan Howard/Getty Images

Carter's casket will lie in state at the Capitol until his state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday.

Lawmakers attended a lying-in-state ceremony on Tuesday before the Capitol Rotunda opened to the public.

Former President Jimmy Carter's lying-in-state ceremony at the Capitol.

Kent Nishimura/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

President Abraham Lincoln was the first president to lie in state at the Capitol after his assassination in 1865. Carter's casket lay on the catafalque, or raised platform, designed for Lincoln, according to the Architect of the Capitol.

Carter's flag-draped casket was carried into the Capitol by military service members.

Former President Jimmy Carter's casket at the Capitol.

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

The casket was first brought to the US Navy Memorial in a tribute to Carter's Navy service on the first fleet of nuclear submarines, then transported to the Capitol on a horse-drawn carriage.

Members of the Carter family watched as his casket was placed in the center of the Capitol Rotunda.

Members of the Carter family attended the lying-in-state ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter.

Tierney Cross/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Carter's four children — Jack Carter, Chip Carter, Jeff Carter, and Amy Carter — were all in attendance at the lying-in-state ceremony.

Lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle put their differences aside to pay tribute to Carter's legacy.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Majority Leader John Thune at former President Jimmy Carter's lying-in-state ceremony.

Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Majority Leader John Thune placed their hands over their hearts as they approached Carter's casket.

Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi greeted Republican Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming while gathered with members of Congress.

Members of Congress and guests at former President Jimmy Carter's lying-in-state ceremony.

Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Pelosi, who is recovering from hip replacement surgery, entered the Rotunda using a walker and remained seated for the ceremony.

Politicians from Carter's home state of Georgia attended the ceremony.

Sen. Jon Ossoff and Sen. Raphael Warnock at former President Jimmy Carter's lying-in-state ceremony.

Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Sen. Raphael Warnock and Sen. Jon Ossoff, both Democrats from Georgia, joined other members of Congress at the Capitol.

Supreme Court justices paid their respects.

Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh, John Roberts, and Elena Kagan at former President Jimmy Carter's lying-in-state ceremony.

Tierney Cross/AFP via Getty Images

Justices Brett Kavanaugh, John Roberts, and Elena Kagan stood quietly by Carter's casket with their heads bowed in respect.

In her speech, Vice President Kamala Harris memorialized Carter as "that all-too-rare example of a gifted man who also walks with humility, modesty, and grace."

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Vice President Kamala Harris at former President Jimmy Carter's lying-in-state ceremony.

Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

"Throughout his life and career, Jimmy Carter retained a fundamental decency and humility," Harris said in her remarks at the event. "James Earl Carter, Jr., loved our country. He lived his faith, he served the people, and he left the world better than he found it."

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune also delivered eulogies.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson at the lying-in-state ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter.

Ricky Carioti/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

"In the face of illness, President Jimmy Carter brought lifesaving medicine," Johnson said. "In the face of conflict, he brokered peace. In the face of discrimination, he reminded us that we are all made in the image of God."

Crowds formed at the US Capitol Visitor Center as members of the public waited for their turn to enter the Rotunda.

Members of the public waited to view the casket of former President Jimmy Carter at the US Capitol.

Nathan Howard/Getty Images

After Carter's state funeral, he will be buried at his home in Plains, Georgia.

Visitors signed a guest book with condolence notes.

A guest book at former President Jimmy Carter's lying-in-state ceremony.

Nathan Howard/Getty Images

Mementos with photos of Carter were also available to visitors.

A military guard of honor remained next to Carter's casket as the American people came to say goodbye to the 39th president.

A military guard of honor stands next to the flag-draped casket of former US President Jimmy Carter.

Andrew Harnik/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

"May his life be a lesson for the ages and a beacon for the future," the vice president said of Carter in her speech.

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The untamed wildfires still tearing through LA have killed two, torched homes and displaced thousands

2025-01-08T18:50:32Z

A building burns in LA's Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

Apu Gomes/Getty Images

Multiple major fires are making their way through parts of the Los Angeles area.
The Palisades Fire had burned over 5,000 acres at 0% containment as of 8 a.m. local time Wednesday.
One climate scientist said it was the worst wildfire in Southern California since 2011.

People across the Los Angeles area battled major fires Wednesday — with at least 70,000 people under evacuation orders, two people reported dead, and more than 1,000 homes burned.

Images of people escaping their homes, abandoning their cars, and searching for safe harbor in less-threatened parts of the area, careened across television and social media. Planes dropped water on huge flames whipping through canyons and mountain passes.

And it's not going to get better anytime soon, officials said: Extremely dry conditions, combined with high winds, have helped fuel the multiple fires burning around the metropolitan area. They were zero percent contained as of Wednesday morning, officials said.

"This is apocalyptic," one fleeing resident told a local TV station. "We've had small fires — nothing like this."

Two people died as a result of the Eaton fire burning near Pasadena, to the northeast of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.

Multiple blazes in the area have injured residents and destroyed hundreds of structures, Marrone said at a press conference Wednesday morning. None of them were contained, and the cause of the fires was unknown, he said.

The largest of four active fires in Los Angeles County, the Palisades Fire, had burned 1,000 structures, including homes, as of Wednesday morning local time. It has threatened tens of thousands more homes in the affluent community and forced people to flee on foot amid traffic jams, according to KNBC.

The Palisades Fire broke out around 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, and quickly spread.

It had burned over 5,000 as of 8:00 a.m. local time Wednesday, officials said.

Evacuation orders and warnings have also been issued for two further fires. The Hurst fire, in the north of the region, covered over 500 acres, and the Eaton fire, in the north-east, covered over 2,200 acres, both as of 9.30 a.m. local time.

The fires forced some Los Angeles-area landmarks to close, including the Hollywood sign and the Los Angeles Zoo. Even miles from the fires in South Los Angeles, smoke reduced visibility to just one block, officials said.

High winds kept firefighters from dropping water on the fires, though officials said that they hoped to resume the drops as winds calm down later Wednesday.

Police also made some arrests for looting as some people tried to steal in the areas affected by the fires, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at Wednesday morning's press conference.

Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA, said in a BlueSky post on Tuesday that it was the worst wildfire in Southern California since 2011.

Smoke and flames from the Palisades Fire on Tuesday.

TIffany Rose/Getty Images

The National Weather Service said that "extreme" fire weather conditions were set to continue until mid-afternoon Wednesday.

Almost 33,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, while residents not under an evacuation order, such as in the coastal city of Malibu, which is home to many celebrities, were told by city officials to prepare to leave.

More than 377,000 Californians were out of power as of 8:39 a.m. local time, according to a tracking site.

As of 9 a.m., electricity provider Southern California Edison said that it had cut power to more than 35,000 homes and was considering cuts to a further 121,345 "due to heightened wildfire risk" in Los Angeles County.

The cause of the fires is still being investigated.

Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin M. Crowley said earlier more than 25,700 people were threatened by the fire, as well as around 10,367 homes and 13,208 structures.

The median home price in Pacific Palisades, an affluent area, was $3.2 million as of November, according to Redfin.

Crowley said the fire was being fueled by strong winds and the surrounding topography, which were "making it extremely challenging" for firefighters on the scene.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for the area all the way down to the Pacific Ocean.

California's Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday.

"There's no fire season, it's fire year," Newsom said at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, noting other fires California has faced in recent months, including the Franklin and Mountain fires. "It's year-round."

In a post on X on Wednesday, Newsom said that 1,400 firefighters were involved, with more on their way.

During the press conference, Newsom encouraged residents to heed the evacuation orders. He also announced Tuesday that the state had secured federal assistance from FEMA to support the fire response.

Live footage on ABC7 showed houses burning Tuesday afternoon.

People flee from the advancing Palisades Fire, by car and on foot.

AP Photo/Etienne Laurent

The fire could spread further and grow stronger as extreme winds in the area are forecast to peak in the evening through Wednesday morning.

As winds pick up, humidity is set to decrease.

"Just about everything is going to get worse before it gets better," Swain, the UCLA scientist, said in a video update Tuesday afternoon.

Evacuees abandoned cars as traffic stalled

Palisades Drive, the major road out of the neighborhood, was packed with slow-moving lines of cars shortly after noon Tuesday, as people evacuated beneath a smoky haze and bright-orange flames licked the hillside in the distance, shown live on ABC7.

The state agency CalFire reported that the fire was on both sides of Palisades Drive.

ABC7 spoke to multiple people who were evacuating on foot, including some who had abandoned their cars on the road.

One resident told the news channel that "a whole bunch of neighbors" were stuck in their homes on Palisades Drive.

"This is apocalyptic. We've had small fires, nothing like this," they added.

Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire.

AP Photo/Etienne Laurent

Jonathan Vigliotti, a CBS News correspondent who was on the ground as a neighborhood went up in flames, said on X that there was "mass panic in the streets."

Historic windstorm is 'worst possible scenario'

Officials have not yet determined how the fire started, but it erupted during a high-risk major windstorm that created extreme fire conditions in the area.

Warm, dry Santa Ana winds from the deserts of Nevada and Utah were expected to bring gusts up to 100 mph to Southern California through Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service called the windstorm "life-threatening and destructive" and warned that these could be the strongest north winds in 14 years.

Experts say the dry winds helped fuel the fire.

Apu Gomes/Getty Images

With low humidity and dry vegetation in the region, the winds created a perfect storm for fire ignition.

The NWS urged residents to be ready to evacuate, as such winds can rapidly spread any fire that breaks out.

"This is pretty much the worst possible scenario for a firefight," David Ortiz of the LAFD told local news station KTLA.

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I'm an American who spent 6 months moving around Europe. Here are the 5 things that surprised me most about the experience.

2025-01-08T18:49:15Z

My husband and I spent six months moving around Europe.

Emily Pogue

As an American who spent six months moving around Europe, I encountered lots of surprises.
I learned the hard way that not every country in the European Union uses euros.
Not being able to understand background conversations was a bizarre feeling.

When I traveled around Europe, visiting places like France, Great Britain, and the Czech Republic, several things instantly stood out about how different living in Europe was from living in the US.

However, there were also some "slow burn" realizations I discovered the longer I was immersed in different cultures. Although some of them were pleasant surprises, others were less-welcome eye-openers.

Here are the five things that surprised me most about life in Europe.

A close trip for me was considered exceptionally far by some locals.

I took a few long train rides.

Emily Pogue

Like many Americans, I'm used to taking long road trips. In my opinion, anything less than 12 hours is reasonable to drive in a day.

So, I applied this same mindset to traveling around Europe. Instead of driving, though, I enjoyed the passing hours on trains.

However, I noticed several times that my travels shocked the locals. For example, my eight-hour train ride from Basel, Switzerland, to Amsterdam surprised one hotel worker, who couldn't believe I'd be traveling that far in a day.

When I tried to explain my experience with road trips in the States, I'd often receive blank looks in return. One woman was shocked when I told her you could drive for 12 hours in Texas and still be in the same state.

A Google search later, we realized she could drive for the same amount of time from her hometown of Brussels all the way to Milan.

I realized how much your perspective changes when traveling between countries, not states.

Not every country in the European Union takes euros.

Although the Czech Republic is in the European Union, the country does not use euros.

Emily Pogue

I rarely carry cash anymore. However, I knew some remote areas I'd be visiting in the Czech Republic may not take credit cards. So, I pulled out some euros.

However, I received a bewildered look from a Czech takeout worker when I tried to pay with this currency.

I learned that although the Czech Republic is part of the European Union, it doesn't use the euro. In fact, of the 27 nations in the EU, seven countries don't use euros: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden.

Although some of these countries may adopt the use of euros in the future, I'll double-check before traveling to these places.

Not being able to understand background conversations was a bizarre feeling.

I sometimes felt lonely because I didn't speak the local language.

Pandora Pictures/Shutterstock

I spent three months in areas where English wasn't the primary language. At first, it was exciting to try my hand at broken French or German to communicate with a shop owner.

I also met locals who spoke fluent English, allowing me to still have rich conversations in my native tongue.

However, around two months in, I realized that I was desperately missing something that I'd never given much thought to: background conversations.

These are the discussions that you pass by, but you're not in: a couple figuring out dinner plans, a mom and child choosing which apples to buy, or a worker helping a customer find a certain size.

Although I was often surrounded by people, I didn't anticipate the loneliness that set in when I couldn't understand the everyday conversations happening around me.

I was impressed by how well-behaved the dogs were.

Many of the dogs I saw weren't on leashes.

Emily Pogue

Living in Colorado, I'm used to dog-friendly shops and restaurants. However, if I see a dog in public, that pup is on a leash.

This wasn't the case for much of Europe. Whether in a quiet neighborhood, park, or busy city center, people would go about their business with their dogs next to them — without leashes.

Although the dog might straggle behind, one whistle and they'd promptly return to their owner's side.

I'm not sure what the Europeans are doing to train their pooches so well — but it's obviously working.

I couldn't get over the sheer age of everyday places.

I visited a pub that opened in 1360.

Emily Pogue

Europe is famous for its centuries-old churches and landmarks, but what I enjoyed most was finding history in ordinary properties. I'd wander into a deli or bookshop and spot a small sign revealing that the building was older than my home country.

My favorite instance of this was a pub in Edinburgh that I was told to check out. Before walking in, I did a double take when I saw the year the pub opened: 1360. As I sipped on my drink, I couldn't help but wonder who else enjoyed a pint in this very same spot throughout the years.

But that was a discovery for another day. There are only so many surprises a gal can take.

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Amazon's 5-day RTO is proving to be more flexible in Europe than the US

2025-01-08T19:00:25Z

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced a five-day-a-week return-to-office policy in September.

REUTERS/Mike Blake; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI

Internal documents show Amazon workers in the UK can apply to work from home for up to two days a week.
Staff in the Netherlands are following previous guidance for three days in the office, BI has learned.
Amazon implemented a global five-day-a-week return-to-office policy on January 2.

Amazon's five-day-a-week return-to-office policy appears to be more flexible for some European employees than their US-based counterparts.

Employees in the UK can apply to work from home for one or two days a week, while Amazon workers in the Netherlands are currently following previous guidance allowing them to work from home for up to two days a week, Business Insider has learned.

A copy of Amazon's "Flexible Work Arrangement" policy document for the US, seen by BI, does not explicitly state that employees can request to work from home for one or two days a week. The document, last updated on December 17, states that Amazon "may grant exceptions for work arrangements" to staff in the US "who are in good standing on a case-by-case basis."

It follows Amazon's September announcement that employees globally would be required to work from the office five days a week, starting January 2. Some locations have delayed a five-day RTO policy because of insufficient office space, BI previously reported. In other cases, it appears to have been delayed by local employment requirements.

Amazon's management team in the Netherlands sent employees an email, seen by BI, on December 20 that says it entered into discussions with its works council — an organization representing employees — to define and introduce a flexible working arrangement.

It says, "Until further notice, while everyone is welcome and encouraged to work from the office for five days per week, you may continue to follow the current in-office guidance for your role and team into the new year."

Under that guidance, employees in the Netherlands can work up to two days a week from home until they have been notified of the outcome of ongoing discussions between the works council and management, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Nafsika Karavida, an attorney at law firm Reavis Page Jump, told BI that the differences between Amazon's RTO rollout in Europe compared to the US are "most likely due to cultural, legal, and operational differences" that could limit its "ability to act unilaterally."

Karavida added that employers in the Netherlands cannot legally enforce an RTO policy without the approval of a works council.

Like Amazon employees in Germany, staff in the UK can make a formal application to work from home for one or two days a week, according to an internal policy document seen by BI. It states employees based in the UK have a "statutory right to make a formal application" to change their work location, among other working conditions. If an application is approved, it will be subject to a three-month trial period, the document says.

Karavida said that Amazon's policy in the UK is shaped by flexible working regulations that took effect last April. "Although these regulations do not grant employees an automatic right to work from home, they obligate employers to consider such requests reasonably on a case-by-case basis," she said.

Amazon faces RTO delays

The UK, Netherlands, and Germany are the latest examples of Amazon's five-day RTO being implemented in different ways and at different speeds. An internal list shows more than 40 locations where Amazon's full five-day RTO policy is delayed, including Santa Clara, California; Hamburg, Germany; and Belfast, UK.

Amazon's CEO, Andy Jassy, said in a September blog post that the decision to return full-time to the office was to help the company "further strengthen" its culture and teams.

An Amazon spokesperson referred BI to that same blog post, in which Jassy also said "it was not a given" that staff could work remotely two days a week before the pandemic, and "that will also be true moving forward."

In the US, Amazon employees can submit requests for offsite work for the entirety of a week or more than 90 days, which are also reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

However, unlike the policies for the UK and Germany, the US flexible working document does not specifically mention the option for employees to formally apply to work from home for one or two days a week. It only details the offsite work arrangements and part-time work arrangements.

An internal Amazon FAQ document circulated at the time of the RTO announcement last year says that employees with existing approval, such as a "Military Spouse Remote Work Exception," do not need to change where they work.

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Behind the 'weather whiplash' that turned the LA fires into monsters

2025-01-08T19:05:18Z

Firefighters battle fires razing beachfront homes along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu in the Palisades Fire.

MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images/MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Firestorms in Los Angeles have burned over 5,000 acres, destroying homes and killing two people.
One of the two biggest blazes, the Palisades Fire, could turn out to be the costliest in US history.
The fires have spread so fast in part because of a windstorm and flood-drought whiplash.

All was well in Los Angeles at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

Less than 24 hours later, 2,925 acres of the Pacific Palisades were ablaze in what is being called the worst wildfire in Southern California since 2011.

Three more blazes have ignited in the area, with one, the Eaton Fire, engulfing another 2,000-plus acres.

Firefighters were unable to contain any of the burning area as of Wednesday morning, the LA Fire Department reported.

More than 1,000 structures have burned, at least two people have died, and the blazes could get even worse in the coming hours.

California is no stranger to fires, but this situation is different and especially dangerous for a few reasons.

An 'urban firestorm' that could be the costliest in history

High winds spread the fires' flames across California.

AP Photo/Ethan Swope

Few brush fires in California history have intruded into such vast areas of dense, urban housing.

The UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain declared it an "urban firestorm" as he assessed live imagery of the developing Eaton Fire on Tuesday morning.

Perhaps the best historical comparison, the 1991 Tunnel Fire that raged through more than 1,500 acres of Oakland, was smaller than either of the two giant blazes in Los Angeles. It killed 25 people and injured 150, and ranks as the third-deadliest and third-most-destructive fire in California history.

The true toll of this week's fires won't be clear until later.

Swain said that he and multiple colleagues have estimated that the Palisades Fire could turn out to be the costliest on record in the US, due to the number of structures burning and the fact that those homes are some of the most expensive in the world.

"We are looking at what is, I think, likely to become the costliest wildfire disaster in California, if not national history, along with a number of other superlatives," Swain said.

A historic windstorm spread the fire fast

Homes at risk are some of the most expensive real-estate in the world.

AP Photo/Eugene Garcia

A powerful windstorm buffeted the flames throughout Tuesday and into Wednesday morning, with gusts of wind reaching up to 90 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

During a two-and-a-half hour period overnight, the Palisades Fire's size more than doubled, per the fire service's reports.

On Tuesday evening the winds were so powerful that water- and retardant-dropping aircraft could not fly.

It's a phenomenon that scientists have warned about: A deadly combination of high winds and dry, open land — such as the brushland currently being swept by flames in Los Angeles — amounting to fires that can move faster than emergency responders can keep up with.

"It's certainly unusual how fast it's grown," Douglas Kelley, an expert in wildfires at the UK's Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, told Business Insider. "It's definitely a lot faster than I guess a lot of people were expecting in the area at the time."

A study published in Science in October last year has found that while only about 3% of US fires over a nearly two-decade period could be considered "fast fires," they did disproportionate amounts of damage.

"The most destructive and deadly wildfires in US history were also fast," wrote the study's authors, led by University of Colorado Boulder's Jennifer Balch.

Between 2001-2020, fast fires accounted for 78% of fire-destroyed buildings and a full 61% of suppression costs — or $18.9 billion, the scientists wrote. And they are getting more frequent, the study said.

The windstorm was bad luck. But the other primary factor in the fires' rapid explosions — the fuel — is strongly linked to the climate crisis.

Weather whiplash made abundant fire fuel

The remains of a beautiful staircase in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

AP Photo/Ethan Swope

The last two winters in Southern California have actually been quite wet with heavy rainfall and flooding, which is a huge part of the problem.

Abundant rainfall spurred an explosion of grasses and brush, which is the primary fire fuel in Southern California. Then the last few months saw very little precipitation in the area, flash-drying all that vegetation.

Kelley said those dry conditions made the Palisades especially susceptible to fast-spreading fire.

This is part of a growing phenomenon that Swain calls "hydroclimate whiplash" or weather whiplash. As global temperatures rise, many parts of the world, especially California, are seeing more violent swings between extreme wet and extreme dry conditions.

The same confluence of weather whiplash and extreme winds was behind the Camp Fire, Swain said. That November 2018 blaze in Paradise, California was the deadliest and most destructive in the state's history, destroying 18,804 structures and killing 85 people.

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Chuck Schumer says Democrats would support renaming the Gulf of Mexico if Trump works with them to lower costs

2025-01-08T18:33:28Z

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer challenged Trump to address the cost of living for Americans, saying that if he did so, Democrats would back renaming the Gulf of Mexico.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says he's fine with renaming the Gulf of Mexico.
Only, though, if Trump works with them to lower costs for Americans, he said.
Schumer said it "may be a zany new idea" but it won't "help people save money at the grocery store."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Wednesday that Democrats were open to President-elect Donald Trump's idea of renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America."

However, he noted that he'd only do so if Trump works with Democrats on "an actual plan to lower costs for Americans."

"That is what the American people want us to focus on first, not on renaming bodies of water," Schumer said in a floor speech, adding that his party's priorities "are so much more closely aligned with the concerns of the American people than Donald Trump's seem to be."

Trump floated the idea at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, where he also refused to rule out the use of military force to take control of Greenland or the Panama Canal.

The Democratic leader's comments essentially amount to a challenge to Trump to focus on the economic issues that helped him regain the presidency, rather than merely changing names.

Over the next several years, Democrats will be making the case that their economic agenda is more beneficial for the working class than Trump's.

"Renaming the Gulf of Mexico may be a zany new idea, but it isn't going to help people save money at the grocery store. It's not going to make trips to the pharmacy more affordable," Schumer said. "If Donald Trump wants to rename a gulf to sound more patriotic, I'd say we will help him on one condition and only one condition: let's come up with a real plan first — not a concept of a plan — to lower prices for Americans."

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I went on a 2-week ultra-luxury cruise for about $480 a night. It felt like a wildly good value, and I explored so many places.

2025-01-08T18:30:02Z

I went on an ultra-luxury cruise with Explora Journeys and had a great time.

David Morris

I spent two weeks on a luxurious Explora Journeys cruise exploring the Mediterranean with friends.
When broken down, we spent about $480 a person per night for an ocean-view suite.
The ports were great to explore, and we had delicious meals and fun experiences on board.

Having previously visited Greece and enjoyed it, I wanted to explore more of the Adriatic with some friends and family for my 40th birthday.

Since we'd be traveling during peak season, flights and hotel rates were quite high. So, I decided to look into a luxury cruise instead — it seemed like an especially good value if we wanted to see multiple places.

I ended up booking a two-week itinerary throughout Greece and the Adriatic Riviera with Explora Journeys, a luxury line from the MSC Group. Our ship stopped in places like Italy, Montenegro, and Croatia.

Unfortunately, this exact itinerary no longer seems to be available, though similar ones can be found on the Explora Journeys website.

I shared an ocean-terrace suite with one other person, and we each paid about $480 a night. Our fare included all of our food and drinks (except for one meal at a specialty restaurant), gratuities, and port charges.

Here's what our experience was like on a luxury sailing with Explora Journeys.

The ship felt impressively big.

We boarded our cruise in Greece.

David Morris

We began our cruise in Piraeus, Greece, and the process was quick and easy.

Within minutes of arriving at our ship, we were brought on board and given Champagne.

Every cabin on this ship is a suite.

We stayed in an ocean-view suite on our Explora Journeys cruise.

David Morris

When booking our spots on the 813-foot-long ship, we could choose from three tiers of cabins: suites, penthouses, and residences. Residencies are the highest tiers and can come with butlers and private jacuzzis.

My roommate and I were happy with our 377-square-foot, entry-level ocean-terrace suite, which had two twin beds, a balcony, a walk-in closet with a dressing room, and a lounge area.

My favorite feature was the heated floor in the bathroom.

Our bathroom felt pretty spacious.

David Morris

The heated floors were a nice touch in our fairly spacious bathroom.

I also loved the sizable walk-in shower, strong water pressure, and ample counter space.

The room featured a Dyson hairdryer and other solid amenities.

The light-up mirror in our dressing room was also a hit.

David Morris

The dressing room was spacious, with ample storage and a vanity area complete with a light-up mirror.

My friends were particularly excited that cabins come with a quality Dyson hair dryer, as some cruise lines restrict the wattage you can use for these devices.

There were also nice touches throughout the room, like wireless charging pads for cellphones built into the nightstands.

Our cabin host also ensured our complimentary minibar was fully stocked with coconut water, ginger beer, Belvedere, and other items throughout our trip.

I loved that our terrace had a daybed.

The terrace felt pretty cozy.

David Morris

All cabins come with private outdoor spaces. Ours had a comfortable daybed and a table with two chairs.

The ship has multiple restaurants, but Fil Rouge was my favorite.

I enjoyed the lobster thermidor at Fil Rouge.

David Morris

The ship had numerous dining options, from a pan-Asian eatery to a steakhouse. Fortunately, meals atmost were included in the cost of our cruise fare.

My favorite was Fil Rouge, as I thought its French-inspired menu was very well executed. Standout dishes included crab cakes, escargot, lobster thermidor, veal Wellington, and daily soufflés.

My second-favorite eatery was the ship's only added-cost dining room.

I took part in the tasting experience at Anthology.

David Morris

Meals at the onboard Italian-inspired eatery Anthology were not included in our cruise fare, but we headed there for my birthday.

We participated in its seven-course tasting experience for 140 euros a person, plus an extra 60 euros each for wine pairings. It wasn't cheap, but we paid for it with onboard credits that came with our booking.

Our food was excellent, with bites featuring Oscietra Royal caviar, lobster, truffle, and A5 Japanese wagyu.

There were also bars and lounges on board.

Lobby Bar had plenty of seating.

David Morris

We had plenty of spots to hang out in on the ship, from a whisky bar to a mixology lounge.

My favorite was Lobby Bar, which was centrally located on the ship. Some of my friends preferred the Explora Lounge, which served afternoon tea and offered sweeping views of the ocean.

I also liked the onboard spa, high-end retailers, and pools.

I made sure to spend some time at the spa.

David Morris

I had two incredible massages at the onboard spa, which was fantastic. Much to my surprise, going there didn't cost me extra — on most cruises, travelers must pay for spa access.

There were also numerous pools and jacuzzis on board and some seriously high-end retailers. We looked through luxurious pieces from brands like Cartier and Piaget, and my friend was even able to purchase a Rolex.

Still, the ports really made this cruise.

I enjoyed our stop in Greece.

David Morris

Our cruise stopped in numerous places throughout Greece, Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro.

The Greek island of Paros was a highlight for me. Its beaches were truly stunning, and I loved how authentically Greek the towns felt.

We also particularly loved Dubrovnik in Croatia. As my friends enjoyed shopping for leather goods, I relished walking through the walled city made even more famous by HBO's "Game of Thrones."

My favorite experience, though, was visiting the walled city of Kotor, Montenegro, and spending the afternoon at nearby Nikki Beach.

Overall, my Explora Journeys cruise gets high marks from me.

Nikki Beach was one of my favorite places we visited.

David Morris

I was really impressed by the service, amenities, and rooms on this cruise.

Plus, we stopped in so many places and our small ship spent a decent amount of time docked in each. I really felt like I could take my time experiencing every city because we'd typically arrive at port very early in the morning and sometimes leave as late as 11 p.m.

As the MSC Group continues to grow Explora Journeys by adding new itineraries and ships, I think it will become a really prominent player in the luxury-cruise space.

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A glass of milk's worth of calcium has been linked to a lower colorectal cancer risk. Here are 6 foods you might not know contain the mineral.

2025-01-08T18:02:55Z

Figs, kale, tofu, and certain seeds contain calcium.

vaaseenaa/Getty Images

The amount of calcium in a glass of milk could lower the risk of colorectal cancer, a study on women found.
Many foods, including seeds, canned sardines, and figs, are high in calcium.
The studies comes as cases of colorectal cancer in people under 50 rise in the US.

Consuming the amount of calcium found in a glass of milk could reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, according to a new study involving women.

That was regardless of whether the calcium came from dairy or non-dairy sources. Foods such as figs, leafy greens, and tofu are among the non-dairy sources of calcium.

In the study published on Wednesday in Nature Communications, the authors said this suggests calcium itself, rather than milk, was the main factor responsible for cutting the risk.

Using dietary and health data provided by more than 542,000 women with an average age of 59 over for around 16 years, researchers from Oxford University studied whether 97 foods affected colorectal cancer risk. They found that consuming an extra 300mg of calcium a day was associated with a 17% lower colorectal risk from the baseline. In the US, the lifetime risk of developing the disease is approximately 4.4% for men and 4.1% for women.

Calcium is commonly known as a mineral the body needs to build and maintain strong bones. But calcium may have a protective effect against colorectal cancer because it binds to bile acids and free fatty acids in the colon, which helps reduce their cancer-causing potential, the study said.

Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related death in US men and the forth-leading cause in US women, according to The American Cancer Society. The rate of people being diagnosed with the condition has fallen since the mid-1980s, but in people under 55, rates have been increasing by 1% to 2% a year since the mid-1990s.

The link between colorectal cancer risk and diet is well-established, and experts recommending people cut down on ultra-processed foods and red meat, and instead eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. But the new findings could help provide even more targeted dietary guidance.

The study was observational, meaning the researchers didn't intervene in any way, and more research is needed to confirm a link between calcium intake and cancer risk.

"It is difficult to separate the effects of individual nutrients from an effect of milk per se," Tom Sanders, professor emeritus of nutrition and dietetics at King's College London, said.

"We already know that around half of all bowel cancers could be prevented by having a healthier lifestyle, and this new research supports this, with a particular focus on dairy," Lisa Wilde, director of research and external affairs at the charity Bowel Cancer UK, said. If you don't drink dairy milk, there are other ways you can get calcium and still reduce your bowel cancer risk, she added.

Americans should consume around 1,000mg of calcium a day, according to the Office for Dietary Supplements.

Here are six foods that are high in calcium, including some that might surprise you.

Seeds

Some seeds pack a punch when it comes to calcium content.

One tablespoon of sesame seeds, for example, contains 100mg of calcium, while one tablespoon of poppy seeds contains 127mg or around 10% of the daily recommended amount.

They are also high in other nutrients such as fiber and healthy fats.

Whey protein

As well as being high in protein and helping to promote muscle growth, whey protein powder is very high in calcium.

A 1.2-ounce scoop of whey protein powder isolate contains about 160 mg or 12% of the daily recommended amount.

Leafy greens

Leafy greens are rich in many nutrients, including calcium.

One cup of cooked collard greens has 268 mg of calcium, or about 21% of the amount the average person needs in a day. And kale has around 250 mg of calcium per 100g, which is more than the 110mg in 100g of whole milk.

Spinach and chard contain lots of calcium, but they also contain a group of molecules called oxalates that bind to calcium and make it unavailable to our bodies.

Tofu, kale, and sesame seeds all contain calcium.

vaaseenaa/Getty Images

Tofu

Whether it's firm, soft, or silken, tofu is also a good source of calcium. 120g of the plant-based protein steamed or fried contains 200mg of calcium.

Edamame beans, which are young soybeans, also contain the mineral.

Canned fish

Canned fish is higher in calcium than fresh fish because it contains bones that have become soft through cooking and can be eaten.

Canned sardines and salmon are particularly rich in calcium, with 60g of canned sardines in oil containing 240 mg, while 85 grams of canned salmon with bones contains 19% of the daily recommended amount.

Figs

Dried figs contain more calcium than any other dried fruit. Just two figs have 100 mg or 10% of the calcium we need each day.

They are also high in fiber, copper, potassium, manganese, magnesium, and vitamin K.

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'Murder Hornet': The Navy's got a new nickname for the missile-packed F/A-18 fighter jets it flew into the Red Sea fight

2025-01-08T17:48:54Z

An F/A-18E Super Hornet launches off the deck of the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea in April 2024.

US Navy photo

The US Navy is officially referring to F/A-18s armed with nine air-to-air missiles as "Murder Hornets."
This loadout was first observed during Red Sea combat operations last year.
The loadout consists of four AIM-9X and five AIM-120 missiles.

The US Navy is officially using the term "Murder Hornet" to describe F/A-18 fighter jets armed with nine air-to-air missiles, a munition configuration first spotted amid Red Sea combat operations last year.

The office of the Chief of Naval Operations highlighted the new term for these missile-packed Super Hornets in a document outlining the Navy's achievements over the past year. It said the configuration, which was used in combat as the sea service faced off against numerous airborne threats, involves arming the jets with four AIM-9X instead of two and five AIM-120 missiles.

This air-to-air loadout was first seen on a Boeing-made F/A-18 Super Hornet during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea last April. The Ike and the other ships in its strike group had deployed to the region for several months in response to repeated Iran-backed Houthi rebel attacks on shipping lanes off the coast of Yemen.

The Navy took steps to boost the air-defense capabilities of its Super Hornets amid pressing threats in the Red Sea. Navy aircraft and warships have routinely shot down Houthi drones and missiles above the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since October 2023.

An F/A-18 with the Murder Hornet loadout launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea in April 2024.

US Navy photo

The head of Naval Air Systems Command's Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons, Rear Adm. Stephen Tedford, said last year that the heavy air-to-air configuration, among other efforts, was brought about due to the need for "a lot more firepower and capability immediately in support of Red Sea operations and counter-UAS," The War Zone, which first reported the new nickname, previously reported.

The AIM-9X is the latest model in the decades-old Sidewinder family of short-range missiles, and the AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) is a beyond-visual-range missile capable of all-weather engagements. Both munitions are manufactured by US defense contractor Raytheon, now known as RTX Corporation.

The Eisenhower, where the Murder Hornet configuration was first showcased, is one of four carriers that, along with their strike groups, have participated in counter-Houthi operations. US forces are routinely tasked with intercepting rebel drones and missiles; the Navy said it has defended military and civilian ships from more than 180 attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Using a range of other munitions, the US military has also carried out airstrikes targeting the Houthis. Just on Wednesday, for instance, American forces bombed two underground weapons storage facilities in Yemen.

Despite a year of combat action, the Houthis still maintain the ability to launch attacks, which they claim are done out of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. In recent weeks, the rebels have stepped up drone and missile attacks on Israel, which has responded by bombing their facilities.

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I tried every flavor of Rao's Alfredo sauce and ranked them from worst to best

2025-01-08T17:42:02Z

I tried five varieties of Rao's Alfredo sauce.

Lizzy Briskin

I tried all of Rao's Alfredo-sauce varieties and ranked them from worst to best.
I thought the brand's bacon Alfredo sauce was quite salty.
At the end of the day, I thought Rao's classic Alfredo sauce was the best.

In my opinion, few meals are as delicious as pasta with Alfredo sauce. Sure, you could make homemade sauce from scratch, but the grocery store has plenty of delicious options as well.

For example, popular sauce brand Rao's, which is now owned by Campbell's Soup, is known for its high-quality sauces and makes five Alfredo varieties.

To find out which sauces were best, I sampled all five flavors and ranked them from worst to best. Here's how they stacked up.

Rao's bacon Alfredo sauce was my least favorite.

I thought Rao's bacon Alfredo was salty.

Lizzy Briskin

This version of Rao's Alfredo sauce contains tiny morsels of crumbled bacon (most of which you'll find at the bottom of the jar).

It had more texture than the other sauces I tried, and the dried-bacon pieces looked almost identical to store-bought bits. The bacon added a smokiness and sweetness that other Rao's Alfredos didn't have.

However, this sauce would've been better made with higher-quality bacon. I found it to be quite salty, and the sweetness from the bacon was distracting and unexpected in an Alfredo sauce.

The brand's Alfredo arrabbiata had some heat to it.

Rao's Alfredo arrabbiata was the thickest sauce I tried.

Lizzy Briskin

Rao's Alfredo arrabbiata was the thickest sauce in the bunch and had a markedly different texture from the others I tried.

Though it was still pourable, the arrabbiata had a distinct grittiness to it. It also had a pinkish tint and didn't have the same tiny speckles of seasoning as the classic Alfredo — because it was seasoned with ground red pepper instead.

The spice wasn't immediately noticeable upon first bite, but built up as I ate more.

I liked the heat — which lingered and sat at the back of my throat — for a few bites. However, I thought it dominated the other tasty flavors from cheese and cream too much after a while.

The four-cheese Alfredo was heavy and rich.

Rao's four-cheese Alfredo was packed with flavor.

Lizzy Briskin

Rao's four-cheese Alfredo is made with Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, and fontina cheeses. This quartet added major umami flavor and richness to the light cream-based sauce.

This Alfredo was brighter and whiter than the others I tried, and it also tasted richer and denser. Though I loved the thicker texture and salty, cheesy flavor, this sauce was pretty heavy. For that reason, I probably wouldn't eat as much of it.

Rao's roasted-garlic Alfredo had a lot of flavor.

Rao's roasted-garlic Alfredo sauce wasn't as cheesy or salty as the other flavors I tried.

Lizzy Briskin

This sauce was overflowing with sweet and concentrated roasted-garlic flavor. It had a touch of smokiness and didn't taste as cheesy or salty as the four-cheese or bacon sauces.

According to the ingredient label, this sauce contains pureed garlic and granulated roasted garlic, which explains the strong allium concentration in every bite.

The brand's classic Alfredo sauce came out on top.

Rao's Alfredo sauce was smooth and creamy.

Lizzy Briskin

At the end of the day, Rao's classic Alfredo sauce was my favorite. The yellowish sauce was pourable and completely smooth, but thick enough to coat slippery noodles.

The sauce is speckled with cracked black pepper, which adds more color than flavor. Taste-wise, this traditional Alfredo was satisfyingly creamy and cheesy but not overly heavy.

It had a light fluffiness to it, and the Parmesan and Romano cheeses added a ton of umami flavor and savoriness — so it didn't feel like I was just eating cream.

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12 of the best breakfasts ideas for the DASH diet, one of the healthiest ways to eat

2025-01-08T17:35:37Z

Eggs, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains help to make up a DASH-friendly breakfast.

Alexander Spatari/Getty

The DASH diet promotes low-sodium meals with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Eggs, oats, whole-wheat toast, and yogurt with fruits or veggies make up a DASH-approved breakfast.
Wraps, smoothies, overnight oats, and parfaits are great to-go options for a healthy morning meal.

Dietitians have called the DASH, or dietary approaches to stop hypertension, diet one of the healthiest ways to eat.

It emphasizes foods that are rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, and studies have shown that the eating plan may help followers lower their sodium to better regulate their blood pressure. It also emphasizes vegetables, fruits, and whole grains with small portions of low-fat dairy, fish, and poultry.

Business Insider consulted nutritionists and dietitians to come up with a list of DASH-friendly breakfast ideas packed with protein, vitamins, and healthy fats.

Avocado toast with salmon and arugula is a protein-packed breakfast idea.

Avocado toast topped with an egg adds healthy fats and protein to a meal.

Ekaterina Markelova/Shutterstock

Registered dietitian Rima Kleiner of Dish on Fish shared an elevated twist on classic avocado toast.

She recommended smashing avocado onto a slice or two of whole-wheat toast and topping it with arugula, smoked salmon, and a light drizzle of olive oil.

"This easy bistro-style breakfast provides one to two servings of whole grains and a serving of vegetables, which are both rich in dietary fiber to help lower blood cholesterol levels and provide important nutrients and phytochemicals," she told BI.

Overnight oats are filling and simple to prepare.

Overnight oats can be topped with nuts, fresh fruit, or seeds to add nutritional benefits.

Irina Marwan/Getty Images

Registered dietitian and nutritionist Shena Jaramillo told BI that overnight oats are an easy way to start off a DASH-friendly day of eating.

"This is a high-fiber food that will help to keep cholesterol in check and provide you with plenty of vitamins and minerals," she said. "Best of all, it's ready when you wake up, and it can be prepared in advance."

Overnight oats can be made with low-fat dairy or nondairy milk, your favorite fruit, and a sprinkle of coconut or chocolate chips. Simply mix uncooked oats with your choice of milk and let the mixture sit in the fridge until the oats are tender.

Clean out your fridge and boost your protein intake with a vegetable omelet.

Omelets are a great way to use leftover produce.

OnlyZoia/Shutterstock

Whipping up a veggie omelet is a sneaky way to use up leftover produce and start your day with some protein.

"For this dish, throw in all the leftovers from the fridge. Spinach, onions, bell peppers, and jalapeños are some of my favorites," Jaramillo told BI. "This is a higher-protein food to help keep you full throughout the day."

Along with the protein punch from the eggs, the vegetables in this dish deliver some fiber and micronutrients.

Start your day on a lighter note with a juicy mango bowl.

Mangoes contain high levels of vitamins A and C.

Aris Setya/Shutterstock

Certified nutritionist and skin-health specialist Ann Ramark told BI that a mango bowl may be the perfect breakfast for those who have a sweet tooth.

She suggested topping thawed-out frozen mango chunks with fresh berries, a scoop of pea protein powder, and a handful of chopped almonds.

"With this sweet breakfast alternative, you get an extra boost of antioxidants from the fruit and protein from the powder," she said. "The healthy fats from the nuts will also increase the uptake of the antioxidants from the fruit and berries."

Try a Mediterranean sandwich for a grab-and-go DASH breakfast.

Mediterranean cuisine often includes tomatoes, olive oil, and herbs.

Tukhfatullina Anna/Shutterstock

If you don't usually have time for a sit-down breakfast, Ramark suggested making a Mediterranean-inspired sandwich with sourdough bread, hummus, bell pepper, tomato, and a few slices of avocado.

"By choosing a whole-grain bread like sourdough, you're avoiding added sugar and sodium," she told BI. "Hummus is also a great spread with lots of extra fiber, protein, healthy fats, and even extra antioxidants from the chickpeas."

This breakfast can also be cobbled together the night before to keep your morning routine as streamlined as possible.

A carrot and ginger smoothie is packed with vitamins and flavor.

Pack extra vegetables and vitamins into breakfast with a smoothie.

Reuters

Carrot and ginger may sound like an odd breakfast combo, but Ramark told BI that the smoothie blend is a great way to load up on fruits and veggies.

To make the smoothie, blend a handful of kale with some chopped carrot, a knob of fresh ginger, some mango chunks, a scoop of protein powder, and a squeeze of lime. Serve it up with a handful of nuts or seeds on top.

"This is a powerful smoothie with tons of fiber, antioxidants, protein, and healthy fats from the nuts to make sure you get a great nutrient uptake," she said.

Peanut-butter toast topped with berries can keep you full for hours.

Toast with peanut butter and berries packs carbs, protein, and fat into breakfast.

Svitlana Pimenov/Shutterstock

Registered nutritionist and dietitian Erica Ingraham told BI that peanut-butter toast made with whole-wheat bread and topped with berries is a fantastic DASH option that's both sweet and savory.

"This breakfast has all the macronutrients: carbs, protein, and fat," she said. "Nuts contain monounsaturated fats, which are heart-healthy. Fruit is also a good source of fiber. Fiber may also help lower blood pressure and inflammatory markers in some individuals, contributing to a healthy heart."

Vegans may be delighted by this DASH-friendly tofu scramble.

Tofu is a plant-based option for scrambles and skillets.

Elena M. Tarasova/Shutterstock

The DASH diet recommends reducing animal products such as meats, cheeses, and butter, and adding in more plant-based foods.

Ingraham told BI she recommends trying a tofu scramble to boost your protein and fiber intake sans animal products.

"Sauté tofu with onions, peppers, greens, mushrooms, or whatever vegetables you have left in your fridge," she said. "This tofu scramble is a great way to get some plant-based protein and an extra few servings of veggies into your day."

Try an egg-white "tortilla" with vegetables for a low-carb morning snack.

Egg whites are a good source of protein.

Shutterstock

Registered dietitian Melissa Nieves told BI that whipping up an egg-white "tortilla" and packing it with veggies is a hearty, low-sodium breakfast option.

"Eggs are a great source of high-quality protein, which can make for a filling breakfast," she said.

Adding potassium-rich vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, and broccoli will further help increase your overall daily vegetable intake.

To make the "tortilla," simply separate the yolks from the whites of two to three eggs and allow the whisked whites to cook in a non-stick pan until they are solid enough to flip. Then ladle in as many veggies as you like.

A granola-and-nut parfait is a healthy and spoonable breakfast treat.

Switching out regular yogurt for a Greek variety can add protein to a dish.

Rachel Askinasi/Insider

For a heart-healthy meal that comes together in seconds, Nieves recommended loading a cup or so of Greek yogurt with a spoonful of unsweetened granola, chopped fruit, and a handful of nuts such as walnuts or almonds.

"I like to recommend Greek yogurt over regular yogurt since it's much higher in protein and therefore keeps you fuller for longer," she told BI. "Also, yogurt is full of potassium and calcium, minerals which are necessary for healthy blood pressure and which the DASH diet emphasizes."

A nut butter and yogurt smoothie can keep you full until lunchtime.

Smoothies are an easy way to pack vitamins and nutrients in the morning.

Lauren Schumacker for Insider

Nieves suggested blending up a smoothie that uses a base of low-fat yogurt with a dollop of nut butter and a handful of frozen fruit.

"Adding nut butter to your smoothie increases the protein content and provides heart-healthy plant-based fats," she said. "Nuts may also help reduce the tightness in blood vessels, which contributes to high blood pressure."

Smoothies have the added bonus of being super easy to make, and you can even batch-prepare the ingredients and freeze until ready to use.

Mix chia seeds with dairy or plant milk for a satisfying morning pudding.

Chia pudding is full of omega-3 fats and fiber.

Northerner/Shutterstock

Registered dietitian Madeline McDonough told BI that chia pudding is a surprisingly easy and filling DASH-approved breakfast.

"Chia seeds are rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats as well as insoluble fiber," she said. "If you're making your own at home, you can opt for a low-fat milk or milk alternative as the base and top with your favorite fruit or nut butter for the perfect DASH breakfast."

Add cinnamon to your chia pudding for some sugar-free sweetness, or sprinkle on some fruit for an additional boost of vitamins.

This story was originally published in January 2020 and most recently updated on January 8, 2025.

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Quant hedge funds — led by industry stalwarts like Renaissance Technologies — had a strong 2024

2025-01-08T17:33:49Z

Samantha Lee/Business Insider

2024 was a good year for many of the industry's biggest quant names.
Players like Renaissance Technologies and Marshall Wace returned more than 20%.
Cliff Asness's AQR also had a big year, with its multistrategy Apex fund returning more than 15%.

Much like their peers in the multistrategy world, quant hedge funds had a strong 2024.

Algorithm-driven trading firms mostly delivered double-digit returns across different quant strategy types, including "quantamental" funds that blend systematic and human-run qualities into one and trend-following offerings. However, most of these funds failed to match the S&P 500's 23% gain.

In 2024, the biggest and oldest names in computer-run hedge funds led the way, such as Renaissance Technologies, the firm founded by the late billionaire Jim Simons.

The firm's two main funds available to investors — Renaissance Institutional Equities Fund and Renaissance Institutional Diversified Alpha — were up 22.7% and 15.6%, a person close to the manager told Business Insider. Of course, the manager's legendary Medallion fund, which now runs around $12 billion of internal capital, performed even better with a 30% return, Simons' biographer and Wall Street Journal reporter Gregory Zuckerman said in a Linkedin post.

In the UK, longtime strategies for $70.9 billion Marshall Wace and $13.1 billion Winton Group had good years. Marshall Wace's TOPS fund, an alpha-capture pioneer that systematically evaluates ideas and research from humans to create its portfolio, made 22.7%, according to a person close to the London-based firm. The all-quant multistrategy Winton Fund was up 10.3% last year, a person familiar with the firm told BI.

French quant firm Capital Fund Management, which is expanding its US presence, made 14.2% in its Stratus fund, which manages roughly $11.8 billion. The firm overall runs $16.7 billion across its half-dozen strategies, all of which were up double-digits in 2024, a person close to the firm said.

Cliff Asness's AQR meanwhile made 17.9% in its $2.5 billion trend-following Helix fund, a firm spokesperson told BI. The manager's $2.3 billion multistrategy fund, Apex, returned 15.1% on the year.

Graham Management was also up, returning 11.9% in its quantamental fund known as Proprietary Matrix while its trend-following option returned 6.7%, according to a person close to the Connecticut-based manager with $20 billion in assets.

But these managers have no time to rest. Artificial intelligence advancements have firms racing to build out systems and teams to better their processes. A new fund from OpenAI alum Leopold Aschenbrenner has the backing of Stripe's founders and former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman and is "focused on" a type of AI that would match human intelligence.

"The industry is experiencing an information arms race with respect to how much information can be gathered and how quickly it can be processed," a new release from Don Steinbrugge, an industry consultant who runs Agecroft Partners, reads.

"Information advantages are often short-lived, and many managers will continue investing in a host of new technologies."

More firms' performance figures will be added as they are learned.

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I live in one of the fastest-growing cities in the US. It's a perfect blend of small-town vibes and big-city benefits.

2025-01-08T17:28:58Z

I moved to Celina, Texas, in 2022, and I love living here.

Claire Gautreaux

I moved to Celina, Texas, in 2022 and absolutely love living in the city.
I like the area's small-town feel and the sense of community among its residents.
There are tons of local shops and restaurants, and there always seems to be an event downtown.

When I first moved to Celina, Texas, I was excited to live in an area filled with young families and business-minded people.

However, I didn't realize the up-and-coming town, which many residents call Rollertown, would top the Census Bureau's list of the fastest-growing US cities with at least 20,000 residents, based on its data recorded between 2022 and 2023.

Celina, which had just 6,000 residents in 2010, grew to over 43,300 people in 2023, according to recent Census data. The quaint town, pronounced "seh-line-ah," is about an hour north of Dallas and gives Texans a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and form lasting roots within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Since relocating from nearby Frisco, Texas, in 2022, I've seen the city make significant investments in its expanding shopping centers and downtown area to accommodate its increasing population.

Here's why I love living in Celina.

I was drawn to Celina's small-town vibe

Celina offers quite a few local shops and restaurants to explore.

Claire Gautreaux

One of the things that drew me to Celina is that although the city is growing, it still has a small-town feel.

Popular chains like Costco, Lifetime Fitness, PetSmart, and many big-name food stores are opening just down the road from my apartment, but Celina also has a rich downtown area filled with local shops.

During the day, I love walking my dog and stopping at the library or Granny's Bakery, a local shop with delicious fresh-baked treats. Small boutiques give me the opportunity to find unique outfits without relying on big-box stores.

Celina is also full of great restaurants. I like to go to Heyday, a late-night hangout spot serving elevated cocktails with an upscale dinner menu and atmosphere. It's a great place to celebrate an accomplishment or catch up with my friends.

Celina offers a real sense of community

I love walking through the Celina Historic Square.

Claire Gautreaux

The downtown Celina Historic Square hosts community fairs, holiday events, and local markets. I love seeing the Square transform for events like the Friday Night Market, an opportunity for residents to purchase local produce and handcrafted items, or Cajun Fest, where attendees can feast on crawfish and watch live alligator shows.

Seeing children with face paint running around, watching friendly competitions, and having the chance to support local artists makes each event feel special.

Residents also show their commitment to the community as football fans decked out in Bobcat orange fill the stands at Celina High School on Friday nights. I attend the games to cheer on my younger sister as she takes the field with her flag during the halftime color-guard show.

I'm grateful to call Celina, Texas, my home

I have no regrets after moving to Celina, Texas.

Claire Gautreaux

I have no regrets after moving to Celina, Texas, and I'm proud to call it my home.

The sense of community here is amazing — I felt like I belonged in town from day one.

The beautiful scenery and friendly faces make Celina an awesome spot to settle down, whether you're starting a family or just looking for a place to connect with others.

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Biden says Trump privately praised parts of his economic record

2025-01-08T17:16:35Z

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Biden in a new interview said Trump was "very complimentary" of a portion of his economic record.
The president made the statement while speaking with USA Today days before he's set to leave office.
Trump's 2024 election victory was fueled by voter dissatisfaction over large parts of the economy.

In a newly-published interview with USA Today days before he's set to leave office, President Joe Biden said President-elect Donald Trump praised of a portion of his economic record during a private meeting.

"He was very complimentary about some of the economic things I had done," Biden said. "And he talked about — he thought I was leaving with a good record."

Biden in the interview didn't specify exactly what policies Trump praised, and the gesture could've simply been an element of the courtesies that presidents and president-elects generally extend to each other when discussing a White House transition.

The president during the interview also issued a warning for his predecessor and soon-to-be successor regarding tax policy and the economy overall.

"I think if he moves on the tax cuts of $5 trillion, I think if he moves on dealing with increasing tariffs across the board, all they are is increasing costs of consumers in America," Biden said. "And if he decides to do away with some of the major programs, whether it's dealing with the rescue plan or infrastructure or the climate law, I think he's just going to, you know, hurt himself, hurt the economy."

Throughout the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump hammered President Biden over his economic record, repeatedly needling the commander-in-chief on issues like inflation and housing affordability.

When Biden stepped aside as the Democratic nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris became the party's standard-bearer, Trump pursued the same strategy, tying voter dissatisfaction with the economy to Biden's No. 2.

The president-elect in November was victorious in the major swing states — making significant gains with groups that had long backed Democrats — in large part because of his focus on the economy.

Trump during his first term pledged to get an infrastructure agenda in place and even sought to work with congressional Democrats on the issue.

However it was Biden — an ardent Amtrak fan — who oversaw passage of the gargantuan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, also known as the bipartisan infrastructure law. The law is one of the biggest domestic accomplishments of Biden's presidency, and one that's poised to reshape his economic legacy years — and potentially decades — after he leaves office later this month.

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung in a statement to Business Insider said Trump was elected to a second term to "continue the massively successful economic policies" of his first administration.

"Joe Biden's disastrous policies led to record inflation and an economy that left behind all Americans," Cheung said.

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I ate at Louis Vuitton's new café, and while I enjoyed 'luxury snacking,' it's not a place I'm rushing to revisit

2025-01-08T17:16:27Z

The new Louis Vuitton flagship store on Fifth Avenue.

Louis Vuitton

I visited Le Café, Louis Vuitton's first eatery in the US, at its flagship store in New York City.
The menu mainly includes French and Mediterranean dishes alongside American classics like burgers.
For $210, I had a drink and four dishes, including the monogrammed waffle and Dover sole meunière.

Louis Vuitton may have experienced a slump in sales last quarter, but at its new Fifth Avenue store, especially in its new café, business feels like it is booming.

During my visit to its café in December, I noticed everyone, from wide-eyed tourists to locals, hoping for a taste of the brand. The most asked question of the night was, "Do you have a table available?"

Fashion labels like Tiffany, Armani, and Dior have used in-store dining to provide an experience for their guests beyond solely purchasing products. It comes as brands seek to increase their appeal in Gen Z circles, who increasingly value experiences over items.

And their strategy, at least in the case of Louis Vuitton, seems to be working, with the café fully booked for weeks.

It's not just brands that benefit; these partnerships work for restauranteurs, too.

At Louis Vuitton's café, a "luxury snacking" menu has been created in partnership with Philadelphia-based hospitality group Starr Restaurants, executive chef Christophe Bellanca, executive pastry chef Mary George, and French chefs Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric.

For me, the visit felt like stepping into a cozy private club that was expertly curated, at least, in part, for Instagram. But I liked that I didn't have to spend a grand to enjoy a meal here and could still get a taste of luxury.

Although it's not a place I'll be setting reservation alarms for again, I will think about some of its dishes, like the pomme mousseline, for a long time.

Here's what it was like to eat at Le Café, Louis Vuitton's first restaurant concept in the US, inside its new Fifth Avenue store in New York City.

Le Café is on the fourth floor of Louis Vuitton's new flagship store on Fifth Avenue.

The new Louis Vuitton flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City opened last year.

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton opened the new flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City in November. The five-floor store will temporarily house the brand while its old outpost, across the street, undergoes renovation.

Inside, each floor represents a different collection. The first floor features the house's leather goods, followed by its womenswear collections on the second floor and menswear on the third.

On the fourth is Le Café, the brand's first restaurant concept in the US, which opened its doors on the same day as the store.

The fifth floor is separated into three private salons and includes space for Louis Vuitton's high-design and tableware collections, Objets Nomades and Art de la Table.

On the day I visited, there was a long line outside the store.

I arrived to find a line outside.

Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider

I visited the café the Saturday before Christmas Day. Since it was peak tourist season in New York City, I wasn't surprised to see a long line outside the store despite the cold.

However, since I had a reservation, I used an alternate entrance next to the main door, showed my confirmation to the guard, and was let in immediately.

Upon entering the store, I was greeted by an expansive atrium lined with four sky-high trunk towers.

Inspired by New York City's skyline, four different varieties of Louis Vuitton trunks have been used in place of traditional pillars in the store. Pictured is the view from the fourth floor.

Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider

As soon as I stepped inside, I observed — and then copied — other visitors as they strained their necks to get a full view of the atrium, which was home to four stacks of trunks measuring nearly 52-foot tall.

The towering trunks, an instant hit with the influencer crowd, made for a mesmerizing sight, much like the New York skyline by which they were inspired.

They were designed by Shohei Shigematsu — who's also designed exhibitions for Prada, the Venice Architecture Biennale, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and more — of architecture studio OMA.

Pro tip: For the best view of the store (and the trunks), peek over the railings by the restaurant's reception on the fourth floor.

On each floor, I saw distinct stand-alone pieces from previous collaborations.

(L-R) Richard Prince x LV, Takashi Murakami x LV, Yayoi Kusama x LV, and Supreme x LV murals are displayed in-store.

Bryan Bedder/Getty Images/Louis Vuitton

Since I was early for my reservation, I decided to squeeze in a quick store tour.

A standout feature at the back of every floor was the brand's photo wall, which featured popular pieces from previous collaborations with artists and brands such as Richard Prince, Yayoi Kusama, Supreme, Takashi Murakami, and Stephen Sprouse.

The holiday hustle was in full swing, and while I made my way past different sections, I watched visitors taking selfies of the store alongside people shopping for last-minute gifts.

Leading to the restaurant's reception was Le Chocolat, a chocolate kiosk conceptualized by pastry chef Maxime Frédéric.

Le Chocolat by Maxime Frédéric at the Louis Vuitton store.

Bryan Bedder/Getty Images/Louis Vuitton

The chocolate shop — its fourth globally after Paris, Singapore, and Shanghai — is full of beautiful themed chocolate creations.

When I reached the fourth floor, I was greeted by a long line of visitors — alongside the fashion house's iconic monograms, lines seemed to be a recurring theme at the store.

Some people were waiting to see the chocolate shop, while others hoped to snag one of the six sought-after open spots by the café's bar.

I couldn't jump the queue, so I only got a glimpse of the chocolate shop from afar but the chocolates looked artfully crafted. Each piece blended Frédéric's style and the brand's aesthetics, like the Damier Ebène checkerboard print on chocolate bars.

The reception featured elegant floral displays and a selection of books by Louis Vuitton.

Le Cafe Louis Vuitton is on the fourth floor of the store.

Louis Vuitton

Since I was early for my 7 p.m. reservation, I was asked to wait while my table was set.

In the meantime, the hostess checked my coat, and I took a moment to soak in the atmosphere. From my spot, I got a full view of the store and saw shoppers browsing through monogrammed goods.

The restaurant feels like one of the most coveted reservations in New York City.

Reservations for Le Café can only be made using Resy and are available 28 days in advance, but they are booked up almost immediately.

Louis Vuitton

As I waited, the one question I heard at least 10 people ask every few minutes was, "Do you have a table available for tonight?"

While the hostess' job is to check in guests and manage seating, her real role, I thought to myself, was saying "no" to the many hopefuls who thought they'd land a last-minute table at the café. (A lucky few can get seats at the bar, but only before 7 p.m. as the café closes at 8:30 p.m.)

Getting a reservation at Le Café, like most coveted spots in New York, is a battle. The reservations are released on Resy and are available 28 days in advance.

It took a week in November to get mine: I set alarms and had Resy tabs open every night before I finally snagged a spot for a month later. In under 60 seconds, most slots were gone.

Inside, the 70-seat dining room was symmetrically designed, with every item featuring an LV motif.

The dining room inside Le Café Louis Vuitton.

Louis Vuitton

There was a 15-minute delay in seating me, but given that it was only a month-old establishment, I assumed it might have been an operational hiccup. I was led to my table once it was ready.

Stepping into the dining area, I felt like I had entered a chic private club. The lights had been dimmed for the evening service, and the space was illuminated by neon lights hooked to columns throughout the room. Pops of orange and turquoise added a playful twist to the café.

Some tables were lined with a beautifully arranged bookshelf, which, per the brand, features over 650 titles that guests can browse while dining in.

To maintain its intimate ambiance, the 70-seat venue usually hosts up to 60 diners at once.

Overall, the atmosphere felt romantic, making it the perfect setting for date nights or special celebrations.

A rounded bar at the front of the restaurant evoked a sleek, upscale vibe.

Guests who prefer having a drink and a quick bite to a sit-down dinner will enjoy Le Café's bar and beverage menu.

Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider

At the front of the café sat an eight-seat bar. It had a curved countertop, allowing guests dining at the bar enough space.

It was framed by plush, leather-upholstered stools in the brand's signature orange, complementing the dark glass top. Behind the bar, a variety of alcoholic beverages were neatly staked and illuminated by bright-yellow lights.

Another reference to the brand was visible on the restaurant's ceiling, which was lined with scores of branded bag tags.

Luggage tags designed by Louis Vuitton are used as decor for the ceiling at the café.

Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider

If you thought I was exaggerating when I said every corner of the space was decked in the brand's motifs, I really wasn't; even the ceiling has been converted into a display space.

Rows of hanging branded bag tags added a unique touch to the space.

Before I arrived, my cozy table for two had been set with placemats, menus, and cutlery.

The table I ate at in Le Café was well staged before I got there.

Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider

Every element, from the leather placemats stamped with metal rivets bearing the brand's name to the dishware lined in the house's floral motifs, reflected an attention to detail that felt uniquely Louis Vuitton but also a standard I expected from the brand.

The café's menu is divided into two sections: breakfast items, such as truffle eggs "à la a coque" and avocado tartine, and more elaborate fare for lunch or dinner, like the crab Louis and tuna tartare.

I decided to try a variety of dishes — including a few signature items — from its evening menu, which features a mix of French and Mediterranean items with some local influences, like its lobster rolls and "Le burger 1989." Signature dishes were marked with an LV logo, so it was easy to spot them.

To begin, I ordered a signature, mezcal-based, Speedy Spicy cocktail.

While deciding on my order, I got a spicy cocktail to start.

Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider

The cocktail cost $24, excluding tax and tip. While expensive, it felt in line with the cost of craft cocktails at other high-end bars in New York City.

When it was served, a block of ice embossed with the Louis Vuitton flower floated in the drink.

The cocktail had a kick from the Montelobos mezcal, which was balanced by zesty flavors of passionfruit and lime juice, and the subtle heat from the piment d'espelette — pepper powder — added a nice spicy twist.

Other options on the menu include classics such as a Manhattan, dirty martini, and daiquiri.

For food, I started with a monogrammed waffle with tzatziki and a complimentary side of bread and butter.

The complimentary bread and butter and waffle with tzatziki.

Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider

When I was served a side of complimentary bread and butter, I appreciated how artfully the butter had been set into the brand's flower monogram.

The bread was nice and toasty on the outside but soft inside.

By the time I finished my meal, I'd devoured the entire four-piece bread basket and was seriously impressed the butter had not melted.

The waffle, despite its crisp look, was slightly soggy.

A crisp monogram waffle at Le Café.

Louis Vuitton

Before visiting, I'd seen many people recommend the monogrammed waffle — pictured above in a photograph from the brand — in reviews online, and I was excited to try this all-day staple.

Unfortunately, the $32 only-just-bigger-than-bite-size waffle was a miss for me.

While it had a lovely crisp exterior, the inside was a bit soggy and had a strong smell of eggs, which threw me off a bit.

I paired my waffle with a bowl of tzatziki — made using Greek yogurt and cucumber — but guests can also opt for a side of crème fraîche topped with caviar for an additional cost.

The tzatziki, which was served in cute glassware with tiny cucumber balls, paired well and offered a cool, refreshing contrast.

For my entrée, I chose the Dover sole meunière and paired it with pomme mousseline Louis Vuitton.

The Dover sole meunière and pomme mousseline Louis Vuitton.

Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider

At $62 — and the most expensive item on the entrée menu — the sole felt like a splurge but, as someone who loves grilled fish, it was also the most exciting for me.

When I received the plate, the fish was perfectly golden-brown. It was served with a slice of lemon and mint, and the server poured some lemon butter sauce over the top.

The fish was perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.

The fish was perfectly cooked: equal parts crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider

The texture of the Dover sole was the highlight of this dish for me.

It's all too easy to overcook fish, especially when grilling, and I've had my fair share of missteps. But at Le Café, the fish was cooked to perfection. The outside had a delicate crispness, offering just the right crunch, while the inside remained soft and tender.

The accompanying sauce was creamy and citrusy, which complemented the grilled fish.

The Dover sole meunière at Le Café was the most expensive entrée.

Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider

The sauce had a slight buttery richness and complemented the fish beautifully. Its creamy texture, with a subtle hint of lemon, added a nice tang that enhanced the sole without overpowering it.

I chose to lightly dip my fish into the sauce to keep the focus on the fish, but there was plenty of sauce on the side for anyone who enjoys a more indulgent, sauce-soaked bite.

Speaking about his process behind including this dish in the menu, executive chef Christophe Bellanca told Business Insider over email that he "wanted to create a menu that captured both the elegance of France while blending local New York flavors."

But the star, for me, was the silky pomme mousseline.

The pomme mousseline is a silky concoction of mashed potatoes, truffle shavings, and tiny slivers of fried potatoes.

Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider

The pomme mousseline, which I ordered for a side and cost $22, was easily the best dish I had that night and perhaps the most inventive take on mashed potatoes I've ever experienced.

The potatoes were creamy, earthy, and melted in my mouth. Each spoonful felt indulgent yet light, making it the perfect pairing with the fish.

What stood out most was the dish's unexpected texture. Unlike the smooth consistency I expected, it combined silky potato purée with tiny, crispy fried chunks of potato topped with drops of truffle sauce.

It almost felt like I was eating several different items at once, but really, it was all just potatoes!

For dessert, I chose the hazelnut entremet.

The hazelnut entremet also featured the brand's signature flower.

Louis Vuitton

There are three signature desserts on the menu, all of which cost $24.

The menu, crafted by executive pastry chef Mary George, was inspired by her time in France and her "culinary philosophy of utilizing fewer, high-quality ingredients and emphasizing them in ways to create depth and richness," she told BI.

When it came to ordering, I was conflicted between two entremets — one satisfied my love for dark chocolate, while the other incorporated hazelnuts. I asked my server for a recommendation, and she said that if I were a Ferrero Rocher fan, I would enjoy the hazelnut entremet.

And so, given that her previous suggestion of pairing my Dover sole with the pomme mousseline had been a hit, I decided to follow her lead.

The monogrammed sweet was perfectly layered.

The hazelnut entremet features hazelnut butter on top, praline pieces, a nutty cake, and mousse inside.

Priyanka Rajput/Business Insider

And once again, her suggestion was spot on.

The hazelnut entremet arrived looking almost too beautiful to eat, adorned with Louis Vuitton's signature monogram.

Each bite revealed different layers: a glossy hazelnut glaze, velvety mousse, crunchy praline, and a nutty cake. The hazelnut butter on top was slightly too sweet for my liking, but that's because I don't enjoy anything too sugary.

This dessert perfectly embodied George's fewer but high-quality ingredients philosophy.

Le Café is not your everyday dining outpost, but still well worth a one-time reservation … if you can get it.

Le Café's menu is indulgent and as luxurious as Louis Vuitton's collections, but as a dining spot, it is best saved for a special occasion.

Louis Vuitton

In the end, I paid $210 for my meal (including tax and tip), and though it felt a bit steep for "snacking," it felt appropriate for a special occasion or one-time treat. (At least that's what I told myself in the spirit of the festive season.)

The café, with its chic vibe and meticulous design, is undeniably Instagrammable and is accessible to more than just Louis Vuitton's core shoppers.

To New Yorkers, it's worth attempting to get a reservation and checking out once to enjoy the atmosphere and food and snap that perfect shot for your socials. I enjoyed the restaurant's service and loved some dishes, like its inventive take on mashed potatoes in its pomme mousseline.

But for those visiting the city, I think several other iconic New York City food establishments should be much higher on your list of spots to visit. While the restaurant delivers on style and presentation, the appeal feels more rooted in the novelty of the setting and the big brand name attached to it.

The food, though enjoyable, doesn't break new ground. For me, it's a one-time spot partly because of the hassle of getting a reservation but mainly because there are countless other dining spots in the city with more innovative and exciting menus that are truly worth setting alarms for.

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A complete timeline of Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber's relationship

2025-01-08T17:13:17Z

Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler at the 2022 Met Gala May 02, 2022.

Kevin Mazur/MG22/Getty Images

"Elvis" actor Austin Butler, 33, and model Kaia Gerber, 23, were romantically linked in late 2021.
The couple went public in 2022, and reports that they had parted ways came in early 2025.
Here's a complete timeline of Butler and Gerber's three-year relationship.

December 19, 2021: Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber were first spotted spending time together.

Austin Butler in Paris on October 04, 2021.

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

According to Us Weekly, Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber attended a yoga class in Los Angeles on December 19, 2021. In photos obtained by Daily Mail, the "Zoey 101" star and the model can be seen talking together while walking on a sidewalk before driving away in Gerber's car.

Three days later, the two were photographed packing their suitcases into a car before heading to the Los Angeles airport, per E! News.

The 23-year-old, whose own exes include Pete Davidson and Jacob Elordi, is the daughter of 1980s supermodel icon Cindy Crawford and business mogul Rande Gerber.

February 14, 2022: The two spent their first Valentine's Day together.

Kaia Gerber at the 2021 Met Gala.

Taylor Hill/WireImage/Getty Images

Butler and Gerber celebrated their first Valentine's Day together in London, England.

In photos obtained by Just Jared, the two were seen bundled up in coats as they enjoyed coffee and snacks in the UK capital.

March 24, 2022: Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber made their first official outing together.

Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler at the W Magazine's Annual Best Performances Party 2023.

Presley Ann / Getty Images for W Magazine

Three months into their relationship, Butler and Gerber attended W Magazine's annual pre-Oscars Best Performances party together.

They were seen walking hand-in-hand into the party at Gigi's in Hollywood. The Instagram account for the outlet shared a photo of the two that showed Butler planting a kiss on Gerber's cheek and referred to the actor as Gerber's "boyfriend" in the caption.

May 2, 2022: They made their red carpet debut as a couple at the Met Gala.

Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler arrive at the 2022 Met Gala May 02, 2022.

Kevin Mazur/MG22/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

The young lovers opted to walk the red carpet separately as Butler officially attended the event with Elvis Presley's widow, Priscilla Presley, according to People.

However, they later joined together and posed for photographers when they reached the top of the Metropolitan Museum of Art staircase.

May 25, 2022: Butler and Gerber kiss on the red carpet following the premiere of "Elvis" at Cannes.

Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler embracing after the screening of "Elvis" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival.

Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Gerber joined Butler at the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival where his new movie, "Elvis," premiered. Again, they walked the red carpet separately but were photographed holding each other's faces and kissing.

July 28, 2022: Gerber appears in Butler's Elvis-inspired photoshoot.

Austin Butler as Elvis Presley in "Elvis."

Warner Bros. Pictures

Gerber — or part of her, at least — appeared in Butler's photo shoot for V Magazine's VMAN 49's fall-winter 2022 issue. In two photos that show Butler with his back toward the camera and dressed in an Elvis Presley-esque outfit, Gerber's arms can be seen draped around his neck.

Although her face and body were hidden from the camera, Gerber's "I know" wrist tattoo can be seen in both shots.

January 10, 2023: Gerber and Butler are seen kissing backstage at the Golden Globes.

Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler at the TIME100 Gala 2023.

Nina Westervelt / Variety via Getty Images

Butler won his first Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of the King of Rock n' Roll and was caught on camera sharing a kiss with Gerber backstage after giving his acceptance speech to the audience.

March 12, 2023: Gerber and Butler also attended the Vanity Fair Oscars party together.

Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars Party.

Karwai Tang / WireImage

Butler missed his opportunity to win his first Oscar after the best actor award went to Brendan Fraser. While Gerber was nowhere to be seen on the red carpet for the main event, she supported her boyfriend afterward at the Vanity Fair Oscars party.

March 30, 2023: Gerber and Butler volunteer together at a children's hospital in LA.

Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler at TIME100 Gala 2023.

Taylor Hill / FilmMagic

On 30 March, the official Instagram account for Children's Hospital L.A. shared that Butler and Gerber had visited the patients there during their Make March Matter campaign. In some of the photographs and videos, Butler can be seen teaching the children how to play the guitar.

August 2023: Gerber and Butler are spotted attending Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in LA.

Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour.

Emma McIntyre/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Taylor Swift's 2023 Eras Tour was attended by several celebrities, especially at the LA concerts.

Numerous videos shared on social media showed Butler and Gerber attending one of Swift's concerts at LA's SoFi Stadium.

While Butler went to the concert incognito, wearing a face mask and a cap, Gerber was not shy about being at the event and even received friendship bracelets from fans.

August 17, 2023: Gerber and Austin celebrate the actor's 32nd birthday together.

Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler at TIME100 Gala 2023.

Sean Zanni / Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

According to People, Butler and Gerber were spotted on August 17 spending time together in LA and going to lunch, presumably to mark Butler's 32nd birthday.

October 2023: Butler supported Gerber during Paris Fashion Week.

Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber photographed in December 2023.

James Devaney/GC Images/Getty Images

According to People, the "Bikeriders" actor watched on as Gerber opened the Valentino Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show during Paris Fashion Week.

October 27, 2023: The couple attended a Halloween party dressed as Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick.

Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler attend the Annual Casamigos Halloween Party on October 27, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Casamigos

The couple attended a party put on by Casamigos, the tequila brand her father Rande Gerber cofounded with George Clooney and Mike Meldman.

January 7, 2025: Reports emerged that the Butler and Gerber had split up.

Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler at the TIME100 Gala in April 2023.

Nina Westervelt/Variety via Getty Images

On January 7, People reported that the couple had separated after three years of dating, citing a source who confirmed the news to the outlet after TMZ first reported it.

Neither outlet shared the reason behind Butler and Gerber's split, although TMZ stated that the couple had ended their relationship near the end of 2024.

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What we know about 'Reacher' season 3, the action drama based on Lee Child's Jack Reacher books

2025-01-08T16:46:07Z

Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher in "Reacher" season three.

Amazon Prime Video/YouTube

Prime Video's "Reacher" season three arrives in February.
The series follows Alan Ritchson as the former military policeman Jack Reacher.
Here's what we know about "Reacher" season three.

Based on Lee Child's "Jack Reacher" books, Prime Video's "Reacher" series shows no signs of slowing down. Season two wrapped up last January with an action-packed finale, and season three will be out in February.

The show follows Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher, a former military investigator who has become a nomad since leaving the armed forces and frequently gets caught up in conspiracies, assassination attempts, and underworld shenanigans.

The first season introduces Reacher in a mystery involving corruption in a small town, season two focuses more on his past, and it seems like season three is setting up a bigger challenge for the titular hero.

Here's what we know about "Reacher" season three.

The 'Reacher' season 3 trailer confirms that it is based on the 2003 book, 'Persuader'

On Wednesday, Amazon released a full "Reacher" season three trailer. It confirms the basic plot alongside some wince-inducing action and an intimidating new opponent for Reacher: Paulie.

Paulie is a seven-foot-two henchman who is more than a match for Reacher, as seen when he knocks him down with a slap. He's played by Olivier Richters, a Dutch bodybuilder.

In the trailer, Reacher is recruited by the Drug Enforcement Administration to go undercover with a shady group who appear to be using a rug business as a front for selling illegal weaponry. This is the basis for Child's 2003 Reacher book, "Persuader."

Frances Neagley (Maria Sten), who used to work on Reacher's Special Investigators team back in their military days, also makes an appearance in the teaser.

The show's synopsis also teases what to expect.

It reads: "Reacher hurtles into the dark heart of a vast criminal enterprise when trying to rescue an undercover DEA informant whose time is running out. There he finds a world of secrecy and violence — and confronts some unfinished business from his own past."

'Reacher' season 3 starts on February 20, 2025

Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher in "Reacher" season three.

Amazon Prime Video/YouTube

Following the "Reacher" season three teaser, Amazon confirmed that the first three episodes will drop on February 20, 2025.

New episodes will then be released weekly until the finale on March 27.

Alan Ritchson is joined by some newcomers in 'Reacher' season 3 cast

Maria Sten as Frances Neagley in "Reacher" season three.

Amazon Prime Video/YouTube

Alongside Ritchson, Sten, and Richters, Anthony Michael Hall, Sonya Cassidy, Brian Tee, Johnny Berchtold, Robert Montesinos, and Daniel David Stewart, have been cast in undisclosed roles.

In October 2024, Deadline reported that Amazon greenlit a "Neagley" spinoff series, with Ritchson set to make a guest appearance.

So it seems likely that "Reacher" season three will set up the spinoff.

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US corporate bankruptcies hit a 14-year high in 2024 amid high rates and record debt levels

2025-01-08T16:41:31Z

Robert Alexander / Getty

Corporate bankruptcies hit their highest level in over a decade in 2024, according to S&P Global.
There were 694 bankruptcy filings in 2024, S&P said.
Delinquency rates on business and personal loans also climbed last year, Fed data shows.

Corporate bankruptcies rose to a 14-year peak in 2024, jumping to the highest level seen since the years following the Great Financial Crisis, according to data from S&P Global.

A total of 694 US companies filed for bankruptcy last year, the intelligence firm said in a report on Monday. It represents the highest number of bankruptcies in the corporate world since 2010, when 828 firms filed for bankruptcy.

Corporate bankruptcy filings in 2024 rose to their highest level since 2010, per S&P Global data.

S&P Global Market Intelligence

Filings for the year were up 9% compared to levels in 2023, and up 86% compared to levels in 2022, when just 372 firms filed for bankruptcy protection.

Consumer discretionary was the most distressed sector in 2024, with 108 companies filing for bankruptcy. That was followed by industrials and healthcare industries, where 88 and 65 firms filed for bankruptcy, respectively.

"The consumer discretionary sector has been particularly susceptible to economic headwinds, even with strong overall US retail sales activity, as consumer buying trends have shifted and budgets have tightened due to inflation," the report said.

Higher levels of debt distress also reflected the strain of high debt balances, as well as higher rates in the economy broadly, the report said.

Over 30 companies that filed for bankruptcy last year had more than $1 billion in liabilities at the time they filed, according to a list compiled by S&P Global. Companies on the list included high-profile bankruptcies like Party City, Spirit Airlines, and Red Lobster.

Meanwhile, credit-rated nonfinancial US firms held a record $8.45 trillion worth of debt in the third quarter of 2024, the firm said.

Central bankers have lowered interest rates in recent years, but borrowing costs for many consumer and business loans remain elevated.

The average yield on seasoned AAA-rated corporate bonds was 5.2% in December, about double the rate in December 2020, according to Moody's data.

The average yield on seasoned AAA-rated corporate bonds was north of 5% in December, according to Moody's.

Moody's/Federal Reserve

Signs of debt distress have increased in recent years as the impact of higher rates continues to work through the economy.

The delinquency rate on business loans held by commercial banks rose to 1.16% in the third quarter of 2024, the highest level since the pandemic. The delinquency rate on consumer loans, meanwhile, rose to 2.73% in the third quarter, the highest level in 12 years.

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