Happy St. Patrick's Day! If you're celebrating the holiday with a pint or a plate of corned beef and cabbage, you might be doing so at a local Irish pub — cornerstones of community in much of the U.S. That's especially true in Chicago, where the city's oldest Irish bar has been operating since 1938. Go inside Shinnick's Pub, which has been passed down through three generations of the same family.
Must Reads
Who is Banksy? A Reuters investigation claims to have unmasked the elusive street artist
US Cigarette Smoking Hit an All-Time Low in 2024, Research Finds
Colleen Michaels—iStock Editorial/Getty Images Plus
In 1964, more than 40% of Americans smoked cigarettes. Now, newly published research shows that the number dropped to less than 10% in 2024, marking the first time the rate has dipped into single digits. The decline stems from decades of public health campaigns launched after a 1964 report from the surgeon general on the dangers of smoking. Lifesaving measures since then — including ad campaigns, tobacco taxes, and smoking bans — have prevented nearly 4 million lung cancer deaths among Americans, according to American Cancer Society data. Still, the work isn't done. Public health officials are targeting a 6.1% adult smoking rate by 2030. "Sustained implementation of evidence-based tobacco control strategies — comprehensive smoke-free laws, increased tobacco taxes, and barrier-free cessation support — is critical to further reduce tobacco use," wrote study author Israel Agaku.
Together With Free People
Find Your Favorite Spring Staples
Spring is about shedding layers and refreshing your style. The Spotlight Washed Chino Trousers from Free People are a sleek closet staple with a bold, masculine edge — a perfect piece for the transition into spring. Featuring a barrel silhouette, washed cotton twill, and a slouchy dropped fit, these pants make a statement with every wear. Whether you're dressing up or keeping it casual, they pair effortlessly with everything from your favorite t-shirt to your fanciest top. Choose from neutral shades like Tofu, Dusty Olive, and Iced Coffee, and add an instant favorite to your spring rotation.
"Should Belong to All of Us": Oregon Moves to Buy a Beloved Waterfall
Valentina Gatewood/iStock
Tucked in Oregon's Santiam State Forest, Abiqua Falls isa 92-foot waterfall that looks like something out of a fairy tale — and a new bipartisan bill aims to make sure everyone can enjoy it. This month, lawmakers proposed acquiring the privately owned land surrounding the falls, allocating $2.1 million to purchase about 40 acres from the Abbey Foundation, which listed the property for sale last month after owning it for over a century. "This is one of the nicest things I've ever had to work on," said State Sen. Fred Girod at a recent committee meeting, per the Oregon Capital Chronicle. Girod, whose district includes the land in question, is behind the plan to ensure the site is open to the public for generations to come, and his fellow legislators on both sides of the aisle are backing him up. "We are making sure that our children and grandchildren inherit not just stories about Abiqua Falls, but the ability to stand there themselves," Oregon House Majority Leader Ben Bowman said in a statement. "This place should belong to all of us." The bill passed both chambers of the legislature and is now headed to the governor's desk for signature.
Tech
How to Look at Your Screens Less, According to 3 High Schoolers
pixdeluxe/iStock
Want to use your phone less? Take a cue from three New Jersey high schoolers who recently participated in a weeklong experiment to reduce their screen time, which they said typically ranged from four to 13 hours daily, often peaking around bedtime. The trio of teens agreed to not take their phones to bed and instead test different tools to build healthier digital boundaries, CBS News reported. Senior Gianna Colon used Brick, a physical device that blocks specific apps (to unblock them, a user must physically tap the phone against it). Sophomore Hamza Ramach tried ScreenZen, a donation-supported app that prompts mindful delays to help users avoid compulsive app opening, and his classmate Sebastian Fazio enabled grayscale mode to make the screen less appealing. Three days in, the teens reported positive shifts in recorded video diaries, noting more time for hobbies and family, better focus on schoolwork, improved sleep, and more energy in the morning. After a week, all three teens found their respective tools effective — and seemed to walk away with a newfound appreciation for offline life. "You don't need to depend on your phone for everything," said Colon. "Like there's so much more out in the world … besides just sitting on your phone for hours and scrolling through TikTok or Instagram."
In Other News
Costco launched a new IVF program that offers members discounts on some fertility-related meds (read more)
A physics first: Scientists created hexagonal diamonds, and found they may be harder than conventional ones (read more)
The world's oldest-known wild bird welcomed a darling grandchick to the family (read more)
An 11-year-old invented color-changing glasses to help fellow people with dyslexia read more easily (read more)
Mikaela Shiffrin won her 109th World Cup race in a slalom in Åre, Sweden, tying the all-time record (read more)
Inspiring Story
A lifetime of service (and beyond)
Dale Steele, a World War II veteran from Nebraska, became the oldest organ donor in U.S. history at age 100 when his liver was successfully transplanted after his death. "This is a story about a life of service that didn't end at death," said Kyle Herber, president and CEO of a local organ donation nonprofit. "Mr. Steele lived a full century giving to others, and through donation, that generosity continues in a way that will impact lives for years to come."
Photo of the Day
Alex Kent/Getty Images
The National Mall was in full bloom over the weekend for the first-ever Tulip Day, organized by the Dutch Embassy in Washington, D.C. Visitors were treated to a sea of 150,000 tulips and invited to make their own free bouquets. See more photos of the flowery spectacle.
Save With Metro's 6-Month Unlimited Plan
When you buy six months of service upfront, you save $20 a month on Metro's unlimited phone plan — meaning $120 in total savings. You get unlimited 5G data, talk, and text and a five-year price guarantee, all on America's best network, according to Ookla Speedtest. Offer for new customers when you bring your phone; exclusions apply.
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