Southwest Airlines to end free checked bags policy for first time in its 54-year history

Southwest Airlines boasts that its passengers’ “bags fly free” — but not for long.  Starting May 28 — just in time for the busy summer travel season — only Southwest’s most elite Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and passengers who book their top-tier Business Select fares will receive two free checked bags. Frequent flyer A-List … Read more

Court upholds conviction of man in murder of wife whose Fitbit exercise tracker helped crack case

Despite finding “improprieties” were committed by a prosecutor, the Connecticut Supreme Court on Monday upheld the murder conviction of a man found guilty of killing his wife in a case that drew wide attention because the victim’s Fitbit exercise tracker contradicted his statements to police. The justices ruled in a 6-0 decision that Richard Dabate … Read more

Rodrigo Duterte, former Philippines president, arrested on ICC warrant over drug killings

Manila, Philippines — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Manila’s international airport Tuesday on order of the International Criminal Court in connection with a case of crime against humanity filed against him, the Philippine government said. Duterte was arrested after arriving from Hong Kong and police took him into custody on orders of … Read more

Americans spending more and more time at home, with COVID pandemic accelerating trend

Brian D. Taylor is a professor of urban planning and public policy at the University of California, Los Angeles, Eric Morris is a professor of city and regional planning at Clemson University and Sam Speroni is a PhD Student in urban planning at the University of California, Los Angeles. In his February 2025 cover story for The Atlantic, journalist Derek Thompson dubbed our … Read more

Should you open a home equity loan before the March Fed meeting?

A home equity loan can provide borrowers with access to affordable financing in today’s elevated rate climate. Getty Images/iStockphoto A home equity loan can be an affordable and effective borrowing tool in most economic climates, especially in recent years. While interest rates on unsecured debt types like credit cards and personal loans surged, rates on … Read more