Scientists have been studying remote work for four years and have reached a very clear conclusion: “Working from home makes us happier.”

I’m not sure we actually needed a scientific study to tell us that. Now we just need someone to slip that report to employers… and the President

Think you’re ‘middle class’ in America? Pew research shows there’s a roughly 49% chance you’re not actually

Everyone wants to be middle class. You’re not rich or poor enough for any group of politicians or talking heads to hate you. That’s the dream.

More Stories Below, but first some new content in the News Sidequest Podcast Universe…

Auditory Anthology

SCI-FI SHORT STORIES - NARRATED BY DARREN MARLAR & PRODUCED BY KEITH CONRAD

This week’s story is Slaughter On Dornel IV By Ivar Jorgensen. Most of the time, getting in a fight in a bar is a very bad idea. But for Larry, a human getting ready for a big boxing match on Dornel IV, it just might save his life

Slaughter On Dornel IV By Ivar Jorgensen Keith Conrad / Darren Marlar Episode

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Blocking Jurko, Smoking Cubans, and Belichick’s Mermaid Muse

THE CHICAGO SMOKEHOUSE WITH JOHN HOWELL AND RICK TELANDER

John Howell and Rick Telander return to their favorite cigar-scented studio to talk about everything except politics. The conversation swirls from charity softball heroics and Beatles trivia to a truly baffling public image makeover by one of football’s most famously stone-faced coaches.

Blocking Jurko, Smoking Cubans, and Belichick’s Mermaid Muse John Howell / Rick Telander Episode

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Breaking Down the Fantasy Behind "Liberation Day" and Trump’s Tariff Promises

AS I WAS SAYING WITH BIG JOHN HOWELL

John Howell breaks down Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” promise to replace income taxes with tariffs—and shows why the math just doesn’t work. Howell explains how even best-case scenarios leave the U.S. deep in deficit territory.

Breaking Down the Fantasy Behind "Liberation Day" and Trump’s Tariff Promises Big John Howell Episode

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Also Worth A Look…

• Restaurant tipping rules are quietly changing — and service charges could rise to 20% - This particular article is from the UK, but I think tipping culture in the US is also reaching a… tipping… point

• School evacuated after student brought grenade to show-and-tell - In fairness to the student, it was probably the most unique thing anyone brought. That means they win, right?

• ‘It’s like a one in a million chance’: Teen will be the only one in her high school’s graduating class - That’s going to be a boring high school reunion in a few years

• 8-Year-Old Finds a Shipwreck - What were you doing when you were 8?

• Registration open for clothing-optional 5k race in South Carolina - There’s “good naked” and “bad naked” and I can’t imagine that sweaty running is “good naked”

• Texas man sues Whataburger for nearly $1 million after burger had onions on it - As someone who dislikes onions, give that man his money

• Pope Leo’s personal trainer reveals shock at learning client became next pontiff - It’s about time we had a Pope who is swole

• Shirtless, shoeless man steals party bus in Nashville, hitting multiple cars - I’m not surprised he crashed. Have you ever tried to drive without shoes?

• No pilot for 10 minutes during a Lufthansa flight in 2024 because of fainting incident, report says - Ted Striker was unavailable for comment

• 10 escape from New Orleans jail through hole in cell wall while lone guard left to get food - They didn’t even need a poster of Raquel Welch

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