samhexum

NYC officials conducted inspections at 180 construction sites. None of the violations posed an immediate danger to the public, they said. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/04/nyregion/nyc-buildings-violations-conversions.html A sweeping review of 180 construction sites across New York City involving firms connected to the redevelopment of a Midtown high-rise that became dangerously unstable found dozens of violations, though none posed an immediate danger to the public, city officials said. Inspectors also shut down some work at several of the sites. The findings were released in an email on Tuesday, as part of the city’s continuing response to the Midtown building where columns buckled on July 7 at 235 East 42nd Street, a high-profile conversion of the former Pfizer headquarters to apartments. Andrew Rudansky, a spokesman with the Buildings Department, said the agency had issued more than 60 violations and had fully or partially shut down work at 19 sites. He said that most of the violations had been issued “for site safety issues that posed a hazard to the workers on site, failing to follow the design drawings and plans, or for administrative issues.” Each of the 180 sites targeted in the review was associated with a developer of the Midtown project, MetroLoft; two subcontractors, Barone Steel and Northeast Specialist Group; or a third-party inspection firm, Domani Inspection Services, that was supposed to be overseeing structural work. Only 24 of the 180 sites were office-to-residential conversion projects. The others included a new three-story development in Williamsburg, Brooklyn; a six-story apartment complex in Lower Manhattan; and a 36-story residential tower in Chelsea near the High Line. Mr. Rudansky said inspectors “did not find any hazardous structural issues that posed an imminent danger to public safety during this sweep.” A spokesman for MetroLoft declined to comment. Northeast, Barone and Domani did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Among the problems discovered in the review: The construction of a 20-story residential building in Gramercy Park involving concrete work on the third floor did not align with the project plans; A wall made of masonry on the roof of a new two-story building in Queens was temporarily being braced by wood and rebar without engineering plans; Construction work was being performed on a Saturday without a special allowance to work on the weekend. A spokesman for Mayor Zohran Mamdani referred questions about the review to the Buildings Department. The episode at the old Pfizer building last month involved the buckling of two steel columns on the 21st floor, prompting the evacuation of thousands and sending construction crews and city officials scrambling to stabilize the building. An analysis by The New York Times of publicly available engineering plans and photographs of the building showed that the columns appeared not to be properly reinforced. The city is continuing its investigation into what went wrong. But the episode has raised questions about the safety of other conversion projects. City leaders have repeatedly sought to quell those concerns, and Mr. Rudansky said on Tuesday that there was “no evidence to suggest that the structural failing at 235 East 42nd Street is in any way inherent to office-to-residential conversion projects.” An investigation by The Times found that several firms, including MetroLoft and Domani, had brushes with the Buildings Department in the past. The investigation into the columns’ failure at the Pfizer building will involve “a massive review of construction documents and reports held by the developer and construction team, interviews with witnesses and responsible parties, a hands-on sweep of the entire construction site and review of available video and photo evidence,” according to the Buildings Department. City inspectors had previously moved to fully or partially shut down work at three other conversion projects. Mr. Rudansky said none of those were connected to the review. One was at 222 Broadway, a 30-plus-story office building being converted to luxury housing in Lower Manhattan, over issues with a horizontal concrete beam on the roof that had cracked and been repaired. The Buildings Department had conducted an inspection based on a tip, and work remained on hold there on Tuesday. After conducting a routine inspection, the department also partially shut down work at 77 Water Street over issues it found during an inspection on July 11, including equipment that was being used without proper certification. Work was allowed to resume a few days later. Some steel work at another high-rise conversion project at 750 Third Avenue also remains on hold. That followed another routine inspection.

she has my sympathy but people gotta stop being so stupid Police from the 102nd Precinct are looking for two con artists who bamboozled an elderly woman in Woodhaven in a fraudulent lottery ticket scam on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 8. Police say the 69-year-old victim was walking past a two-family home at 86-75 78th St. just before 11 a.m. when two strangers drove up alongside her in a gray BMW SUV. The unidentified men exited the vehicle and told the senior that they were in possession of a winning lottery ticket but were unable to cash it due to their immigration status. The suspects then coerced the victim under a false promise to exchange jewelry, which she owned, in return for the winning lottery ticket, police said. The con men proceeded to remove her jewelry, valued at around $5,000, from the victim and then proceeded to ask her to purchase pain medication for them from a pharmacy on Jamaica Avenue. When the victim entered the drug store to purchase the pain medicine, they fled in an unknown direction, police said.

World Series game 7 scheduled for Halloween. Maybe the Yankees can go trick or treating dressed as competent major league hitters

Wendy’s has lost its place as America’s runner-up to McDonald's, ending a six-year run as the second-largest burger chain, being surpassed by a resurgent Burger King. Burger King reclaimed the No. 2 position as its U.S. turnaround gains momentum, with domestic same-store sales jumping 8.5% in the second quarter. Wendy’s, meanwhile, reported a 7% decline in U.S. same-store sales, marking its sixth consecutive quarter of contraction. Wendy’s new CEO Bob Wright acknowledged the chain’s problems Friday, saying its competitive edge has weakened as customers have pulled back. "Today we are clearly not performing at our potential," he wrote in a statement. "Our traffic, our value proposition and franchisee economics are not meeting our expectations. We have already begun taking action across five areas that we've identified to drive the turnaround: rebuilding a quality menu at compelling value, marketing that drives demand, operational excellence, a digital experience that builds frequency, and restaurants as an engine for growth." McDonald’s remains the dominant U.S. burger chain by a wide margin, leaving Burger King and Wendy’s fighting for a distant second place. Wendy’s had surpassed Burger King roughly six years ago, helped by the successful nationwide rollout of its breakfast menu. But its hold on the No. 2 spot has eroded as Burger King poured money into improving restaurants, advertising and its core menu. Restaurant Brands International, Burger King’s parent company, launched a broad U.S. turnaround effort in late 2022 after sluggish sales. The strategy has included restaurant remodels, increased marketing spending and changes intended to improve food quality and the customer experience. Burger King Unveils 'Whopper Guarantee' With Free Burger If Order Misses The Mark

I'd have to use my car as a handicapped cart

A downstate lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require NY stores selling food to offer a 10% discount to customers using self-checkout lanes. Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas of the 60th District in Brooklyn proposed the bill. If passed, any food retail stores would be required to give customers a 10% discount on any purchase if they use self-checkout. That includes Wegmans, Aldi, Tops, Walmart and Costco. News10NBC’s Garrett Chan spoke with shoppers at the East Avenue Wegmans to see where they stand on the proposal. For most shoppers, anything to save money helps. Valerie Yanus said she and her family already uses self-checkout at Wegmans. “I’m for it. I mean, we use self-checkout anyway, so saving money would be great, especially with the issue prices seeming to be higher than usual,” Yanus said. Chan bought lunch at Wegmans and scanned it through self-checkout. The total cost came to $15.16. If the law was in place, after the 10% discount, he would have paid $13.64. Despite the savings, some shoppers have concerns. “I think my concern with it will be, you know, is it worth it for us if we start implementing this procedure and it results in layoffs or the cutting of hours for service workers who already are desperate for those hours. So I don’t know if that trade off is necessarily worth it in the long run,” Daniel Davis said. Kevin McCully said it sounds like a good idea with one condition. “As long as people behave themselves and don’t go crazy stealing at the self-checkout, I’m all for it,” McCully said. Chan reached out to Assemblywoman Lucas to speak on the bill. She plans to send a statement as soon as possible. Chan also reached out to representatives for Wegmans, Aldi, Tops and Costco. So far, only Tops has responded. Read the full statement below: “As this is only a proposed bill, we haven’t evaluated it or its potential impact. Because the legislation is still in the early stages, it’s premature for us to speculate on any potential financial, staffing, or operational implications. We appreciate you reaching out and will continue to monitor the legislative process.“ At this point, the proposal is just a bill. It hasn’t made it to committee yet, let alone been discussed by the full state legislature. https://www.whec.com/top-news/new-york-state-bill-targets-self-checkout-savings-at-major-retailers-including-wegmans-costco-and-walmart/

Carrie Ann Weinberger Morneault never experienced a problem with her medical coverage, according to CBS News, until she changed her Medicare Advantage insurer to HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) last year. At that point, she said her medical claims began getting denied. Weinberger Morneault explained that after multiple calls, she learned that Medicare has a character limit for names. And between her insurance, Social Security and medical bills, her name ends up abbreviated or spelled in different ways — which makes it seem as though the claims are for different people. That led to rejected claims for things like physical therapy and mammograms, as well as mounting unpaid medical bills that CBS noted had been sent to collections. “This whole process really wears on your mental health and well being,” Weinberger Morneault, told Moneywise. “It is such BS, and I am unable to wrap my head around it.” Medicare’s site doesn’t mention character limits for names — or any problems that can arise if you go over the limit — and a representative didn’t return Moneywise’s request for comment. Healthspring, meanwhile, told Moneywise that they are “committed to expanding access to quality, cost effective care” and “working directly with our members to help resolve their concerns” but do not “discuss the specifics of member inquiries.” Weinberger Morneault, for her part, said that one of her outstanding claims has since been settled, though she’s not clear how and says no one contacted her about it. She added that her outstanding balance now sits at nearly $600, for mammogram screening and some physical therapy. And though Weinberger Morneault’s story is unique for the reasons related to her name, millions of Americans across the country know the sting of having a medical claim turned away. A July 2026 Commonwealth Fund survey found that, in the last year, 21% of working-age adults with private insurance had a doctor-recommended treatment denied, or had a family member with the same. The survey found that 70% of those people incurred extra expenses as a result, while 43% said they’re still paying off the medical debt. The majority of denied payments were over $1,000, while many of those surveyed said the debt “made them hesitant to get healthcare again.” Weinberger Morneault told Moneywise the same, saying she put off doctor’s appointments because “rather than potentially deal with this again, I’ve gone into avoidance mode.” While no national statistics currently exist for how much medical debt Americans have incurred specifically from denied claims, a ProPublica investigation found that, broadly speaking, “insurers deny between 10% and 20% of the claims they receive.” Meanwhile, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reported that the amount of unpaid U.S. medical debt in collections totals $88 billion and impacts a fifth of Americans. They also warned that debts over $500 can appear in your credit reports if it’s not paid within a year. And while claim denials can occur for something as simple as a clerical error, research shows that more than two-thirds of Americans are unaware of their right to appeal claim denials. That’s unfortunate, given appeals can potentially save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in medical costs — if you know how to go about the process correctly. A first step in the appeal process is going over your claim denial and your policy to see if you can understand why the insurance company won’t pay. If, after that, you believe you have an appeals case, experts suggest collecting all of your documentation related to the claim and adding it to a formal appeal that includes your personal info and policy number, claim details, reasons you were given for the denial, and why the medical treatment is necessary. They also suggest you remain persistent in following up. Others note that a letter from your medical provider could help your appeal case and that you can also ask your insurer to not send the bill to collections until the appeal process is done. It’s important, too, to be aware of deadlines for appeals, as missing a window of days or months to file could nullify your case before you even get to argue it. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services notes that if your first appeal is denied, some cases allow for multiple follow-ups. As well, you can opt for an external appeal by a third party to review your claim, or consider a regulatory complaint to your state’s Department of Insurance — which could lead to a closer investigation of the insurer themselves. Patient advocate groups also help those whose claims are denied navigate the appeals process and sometimes complicated insurance landscape. Appeals, of course, aren’t always successful. The Commonwealth Fund survey found that only about a third of those who reported appealing a rejected claim got the decision reversed or the amount owed eliminated. Weinberger Morneault noted her frustration with the appeal process she’s endured, but did offer some firsthand advice for those looking to challenge a claim denial. “Keep notes, document everything, and put on your boxing gloves,” she said. “Persistence may be your friend.”

The first night of his prison sentence?

I'm posting this as an economics/finance item. If it's considered politics, please just delete it and don't penalize me. Companies that collected higher prices on everything from TVs to school clothes are now getting billions back in tariff refunds. Your refund: $0. Even though the tariffs in question are gone, as the Supreme Court threw them out in February, the government is refunding the money to brands like Walmart, Apple, Ford and Amazon, among others. Walmart’s refund could reach roughly $2.4 billion by CNBC’s calculation. Following Walmart’s lead is Apple, whose refund is roughly $2.2 billion, though the company disclosed only the effect on its margins. Ford’s filings show $1.3 billion. Nintendo hit $936 million, and Amazon named its own figure outright: $600 million. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., called those numbers out in a Facebook post and closed with: “Your refund: $0.” About $86 billion has flowed out of the Treasury, roughly half of what’s owed, and none of it has been offered to American households. Stranger still, Trump spent months promising Americans a $2,000 tariff check. Then, in April, he told CNBC’s Squawk Box that Apple was holding off to avoid upsetting him. “If they don’t do that, I’ll remember them,” he said of companies skipping refunds. Dozens applied anyway. Here’s why the money is going to corporations, and whether any of it could still reach your pocket. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on February 20 that a 1977 emergency-powers law never gave the president authority to impose tariffs. Some 330,000 importers had paid about $166 billion under it. Steel, aluminum and auto tariffs imposed under other statutes survived. The Court said nothing about refunds, so the trade court ordered them, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection built a portal that opened April 20. That order is now on appeal. A tariff is a tax paid at the border, and customs rules recognize only the company that paid it there. You paid Walmart, Walmart paid customs, customs is now paying Walmart back and there’s no federal system for reaching the person at the end of that chain. Walmart has been here before: when it warned last year that tariffs could force price increases, Trump told the retail giant to eat the tariffs. This May, CFO John David Rainey confirmed to CNBC that Walmart had applied anyway, calling the refund “a relatively small part of our overall business.” It equals about 0.5% of Walmart’s U.S. sales — the portion where the company was the importer on record. On $483 billion in U.S. sales, CNBC calculated that at roughly $2.42 billion, a number Walmart has never stated. The refund returns an unlawful tax to the businesses that legally paid it, which shareholders would expect any public company to claim. The people who ultimately covered those duties have no equivalent paperwork to file. What the tariffs cost the American citizens Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee tallied the expense at $1,744.75 per household over the tariffs’ first year, from $231.35 billion in consumer costs. Nonpartisan New York Fed economists confirmed that nearly 90% of the burden landed on U.S. firms and consumers rather than foreign exporters. So where’s the check Trump promised? On November 17, he told reporters in the Oval Office the payments would be sent out “probably in the middle of next year.” That window has since closed. No bill has passed, and a draft rebate proposal from Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., for $600 a person, has sat in committee since July 2025 without a cosponsor. Yale’s Budget Lab priced $2,000 checks, capped at incomes under $100,000, at $450 billion — against roughly $240 billion in projected tariff revenue, estimated before the Court ruled. Tariffs aren’t over, either. The 10% surcharge that replaced the struck-down duties expired July 24, and new ones took effect the same morning — 10% or 12.5% on goods from 60 economies faulted over forced labor. Where you might see some money back Amazon is the rare company offering a direct path back. CFO Brian Olsavsky said it found “a limited set of circumstances” where it can trace an import charge to a specific buyer. Where possible, the refund is issued automatically. Walmart has said the money will go toward lower prices, without committing to an amount or a timeline. Apple CEO Tim Cook says his company’s refund goes into U.S. innovation and advanced manufacturing. Nintendo, already facing a class-action lawsuit, has moved to dismiss the case against it, arguing purchasers are not entitled to a share. Whether they keep it all is now a question for the courts. Thompson Coburn counts more than 100 putative class actions since February, arguing companies collected twice — once at the register, once from the government — with the Walmart complaint alone claiming $10.2 billion. All of it is still an allegation, and no court has ruled on the merits. Moneywise reached out to Apple and Walmart. The two have yet to comment.

Last night, Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a fly ball to the wall in left-center field. Marlins outfielders Heriberto Hernández and Esteury Ruiz converged at the landing point, and … This one was also ruled a home run in real time, and will probably stay that way, because who would you charge the error to? It hit both gloves!

Politician Caught In Awkward Scandal After Constituents Notice Background In Livestreamed Meeting Millions of people across the world may never know what New Zealand Councilor Jo Galer’s political beliefs might be. But they do know what her undergarments look like, because Galer believed her toilet was a perfectly good place to take a city council meeting. “Who does a Zoom in their bathroom?” viewers asked as they debated whether the moment was embarrassing or simply relatable. A routine council meeting turned viral after New Zealand councilor Jo Galer joined a livestream from her bathroom Local government officials and council staff suited up in preparation for a council call on the morning of August 3. Dunedin City Councilor Jo Galer also did. But she decided to do things a little differently while joining the council call remotely. In a viral video circulating online, Mayor Sophie Barker was heard announcing that two councilors would be joining online. Moments later, Galer appeared on the boardroom screen, sitting in the middle of her bathroom like it was completely normal. Mayor Barker quickly stepped in, attempting to gently give Galer the option of changing up her background so that her uninvited laundry wouldn’t become a full-blown spectacle. Mayor Sophie Barker tried to intervene politely after noticing the unexpected backdrop “You might want to move your camera,” the mayor said. Galer seemed completely unfazed and gave a blasé response: “Why, where is it?” “We can see your washing,” the mayor said in what can only be described as the politest possible way to say your underwear is on display to the public. “Umm ok… can you see me?” Galer responded, clearly focusing on what she felt was the more important question. When Barker confirmed that yes, everyone could see her (and her laundry), Galer decided that was good enough and went straight to business. The Kiwi politician then matter-of-factly began sharing her views on the “frivolous” council spending. Galer appeared completely unfazed and didn’t mind her uninvited laundry being part of the discussion Meanwhile, viewers spotted a shadowy figure moving behind the glass door just a few feet away from her. “Who was in the shower? Was it her man? Was she holding someone hostage?” one viewer commented on the livestreamed meeting. Others joked about her Zoom etiquette, saying, “Tell me you’re a working mom, without telling me you’re a working mom.” “Her laundry had better attendance than most council meetings,” one said. Another said, “What a freaking comedy show paid for by the taxpayer.” “She got the job done, so what is the issue?” one asked. “I didn’t find anything wrong here,” wrote another. “She is presenting herself confidently and clear.Why people are so concerned about unnecessary stuff.” “Not all hero’s wear capes..because some have laundry day,” one said. A similar incident took place last year after a Glasgow councilor, Bailie Hanif Raja, had to be reminded that he was on camera. As councilors geared up to discuss an application relating to a battery storage system, Raja was seen placing his laptop on the floor of his bathroom. He then loosened his trousers and sat on the toilet with the camera still running. A Glasgow councilor was seen loosening his trousers and using the toilet in a webcast last year One of his colleagues decided to intervene and said, “Before we start, Bailie Raja, are you aware that your camera is live?” Raja later apologized while speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service and said it happened “by mistake.” “The button was pressed, and I didn’t notice,” he said. “I’m diabetic. I need to go to the toilet every hour or so. I take a comfort break every time,” he went on to say. “You don’t sleep at night, you have got to wake up three or four times. That was the reason.” At the time, a Glasgow City Council spokesperson addressed the incident and said the webcast would be temporarily taken down. “We have temporarily taken the webcast recording offline this morning,” they said. “It will be edited, without removing any of the discussion, and reuploaded.”

I haven't eaten fast food in five years and price is the entire reason why. I used to indulge a few times a year.

I watched a couple of YouTube shorts tonight of Dan and Chris from the emptynetters podcast talking with Alex Ovechkin, who is the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer. He's 41, gray haired, looks like he's built like a tank, and has a Russian accent, so I'm channeling Ilya at the end of his career and finding him somewhat attractive. In this clip, they talk about his relationship with Sidney Crosby, who would be the equivalent of Shane… The teenage phenom who became the most popular player in hockey for two decades. In the clip, Ovi talks about how they've become good friends over the last few years and I'm wondering which one of them has a cottage.

The two most valuable players in baseball this season went at it... Ohtani, who led off the game with a homer, just hit a two run shot to cap a five run eighth to bring LA within 7-6 Fortunately, PCA, who led off the bottom of the first with a homer, also had a 3 run shot (and a double) and the cubs held on. PCA suddenly began taking A LOT of walks a couple of months ago and is looking like the superstar he appeared to be the first half of last season. They signed him to an extension after the second half swoon that now looks like a mega bargain. If Atlanta wins tonight they tie the Dodgers for the second best record, so the Dodgers MIGHT not get a first round bye.

boy, did this turn out to be a boring item... I was SURE Hallmark was gonna give us a movie involving bears of a different sort... The Hallmark Channel original movie "Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story" has revealed its cast, led by Lyndsy Fonseca ("Nikita") and Robert Buckley ("One Tree Hill"). Also set to appear are Marsha Mason ("Grace and Frankie"), Barbara Alyn Woods ("One Tree Hill"), Khary Payton ("The Walking Dead"), Hallmark regulars Tamera Mowry-Housley and Marilu Henner, Jake Connelly ("Stranger Things"), and Dyon "Mojo" Brooks ("Miss Governor"), along with cameo appearances by Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson, tight ends Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet, Bears alumni Mike Singletary, Charles "Peanut" Tillman, and Dan Hampton, Walter Payton's widow Connie Payton, and the team's mascot Staley Da Bear. The movie is slated to premiere later this year as part of Hallmark's 17th annual "Countdown to Christmas" programming event.

Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing has a partial tear of the UCL in his right elbow, The second-year backstop landed on the 10-day injured list yesterday with what the team initially called elbow inflammation. Rushing will continue to hit but is being shut down from throwing. That could last as long as 4-6 weeks and potentially threaten his ability to throw for the remainder of the season. Catching suddenly looks like a significant question mark for them with Will Smith on the 60-day injured list with a lingering neck issue, though he has resumed baseball activities

https://www.tvline.com/2230463/heated-rivalry-season-2-everything-we-know/ I ain't reading the article; haven't watched any videos; won't read the books. Want to wait to let the magic wash over me.

All eight episodes drop September 10. Season 3 "picks up after the Season 2 cliffhanger of Gordon's unexpected proposal to Ashley," per the official synopsis, and "reveals the aftermath of the ill-fated proposal, but while Gordon and Ashley are determined to move on from past embarrassments, they can't seem to shake their collective baggage. And even as life moves on, with challenges at work, ongoing family battles and new friendship dramas, something keeps pulling this flawed, funny pair back into each other's orbits. Do Gordon and Ashley belong together — or is their beloved dog Colin the only thing keeping their futures intertwined?"

Harry Melling will be in season two of Task on HBO, the show created by the man who was behind Mare of Easttown.

Harry Melling of PILLION will be in season two.

I laughed

This 1,300-mile Drive Is Called ‘America’s Most Scenic Road Trip’—and It Connects 7 Stunning National Parks A scenic view of Glacier National Park from U.S. Route 89.Credit: Sean Xu/Adobe Stock Key Points U.S. Route 89 stretches more than 1,300 miles from Arizona to Canada, passing within easy reach of seven national parks and numerous monuments, forests, and state parks. Beyond the national parks, the route offers hot springs, film locations, Indigenous cultural sites, historic towns, and nearly three dozen certified Dark Sky Places. Travelers should plan at least one to two weeks, check park reservations and seasonal closures, and download offline maps before setting out. Near the spine of the United States’ Continental Divide, there’s a highway that goes by many names—it’s been dubbed “America’s Most Scenic Road Trip” and the “National Park Highway.” Both are understandable monikers—after all, the route passes by no less than seven national parks, and an assortment of national monuments and forests. But avid road-trippers might recognize this drive better by its official name: U.S. Route 89. Officially stretching from Flagstaff, Arizona to the border with Canada (not counting an older, decommissioned leg that runs from the Mexican border in Nogales to Flagstaff), Route 89 sprawls across more than 1,300 miles. Add that historic section and a couple of alternative routes, and you’re looking at an almost 2,000-mile road trip. Along the way, you’ll pass a veritable laundry list of America’s most popular national parks, including Grand Canyon, Zion, and Yellowstone, all within a two-hour detour of the highway. Though all those national parks are the main attraction, a drive down Route 89 has much more in store. “People gravitate to the seven national parks along the route, but the national monuments and state parks should not be overlooked,” says Vicky Derksen, the owner of USRoute89.com, a digital resource on all things Route 89. She also notes that “U.S. Route 89 is a stargazer’s paradise, with about three dozen Dark Sky Places that are certified by DarkSky International. Having access to gorgeous night skies is a treasure.” To top it off, Route 89 affords a unique chance to explore Western heritage and history. Though the highway first opened to drivers in 1927, the corridor’s real story goes back much, much further. “U.S. Route 89 tells an extraordinary story of geological history and human history,” says Derksen. “This landscape has witnessed 10,000 years of human habitation, from the Rockies to the Sonoran Desert. The cultural centers along the route help tell their stories and give you a chance to meet some of the people who still call these landscapes home.” Here’s what you need to know before planning a drive along U.S. Route 89. Best Things to Do Explore a National Park Sunset Point overlook in Bryce Canyon National Park.Credit: Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure Including its historic southern section, U.S. Route 89 passes within a stone’s throw of seven national parks: Saguaro, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier, all majestic in their own right. While some of these parks won’t be right on the route, you can get to any of them within a short drive. Pick which park sites you want to see in advance so you don’t run out of time or accidentally miss them along the way. Soak in Hot Springs Numerous scenic hot springs are tucked into the forests surrounding Route 89. To name just a few, there’s the impressive recreational complex at Yellowstone Hot Springs in Gardiner, Montana, and two geothermal pools at Chico Hot Springs resort in Pray, Montana. The hot springs resorts continue south of Montana, too—Monroe, Utah’s Mystic Hot Springs is famous for its striking, bright orange rock formations and cast iron bathtubs. Do a Little Set-jetting Western aficionados will likely recognize some of the landscapes along Route 89, as these scenes have served as the backdrops for numerous films and TV shows. Down south in Flagstaff and Cameron, you can see several different settings from “Easy Rider.” A little further north, you’ll pass through the town of Kanab, nicknamed “Little Hollywood.” More than 200 different Westerns were filmed here—to name just a few, there’s “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” and the iconic TV series “Gunsmoke.” Explore the Wilderness Courthouse Butte in Coconino National Forest.Credit: Oralleff/Getty Images While you can’t miss out on the deserts, forests, and mountain peaks of the national parks along Route 89, don’t forget to add some of the highway’s quieter destinations to your itinerary. You’ll pass by national forests like Coconino, Dixie, and Bridger-Teton, as well as a variety of state parks and national monuments well worth a stop. “Some of my favorite places along this route include Wupatki National Monument, Cedar Breaks National Monument, the auto tour at Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park near Great Falls,” Derksen says. Learn About Local Cultures Route 89 passes through several areas that have a rich history of human habitation dating back millennia. In Kanab, Utah, the Moqui Cave museum showcases a massive collection of Native American artifacts, including pottery and arrowheads. Close to the route’s northern terminus, meanwhile, the Museum of the Plains Indian in Browning, Montana displays historic items and fine art pieces crafted by the Blackfeet, Crow, Sioux, and other Indigenous peoples. How to Plan a Trip A sign for U.S. Route 89 in Utah.Credit: redtea/Getty Images Driving more than 1,300 miles is no small feat, so you’ll want to set aside at least seven to 14 days to travel U.S. Route 89 in its entirety. You should also do a little bit of itinerary planning in advance, picking the parks, trailheads, and museums that you don’t want to miss. No matter which places you choose to visit, take the time to double-check the national parks’ websites beforehand. “The most important planning tip is to check national park websites before you go,” says Derksen. “Closures can happen at any time due to fire, flooding, snow, or other natural events.” Drivers should also make sure they snag all necessary permits. At the time of writing, Glacier and Zion National Parks both require reservations for certain activities (in the case of Glacier, it’s Going-to-the-Sun Road; in Zion, it’s the Angel’s Landing trail). Book those timed-entry permits well in advance so you don’t miss out, and while you’re at it, reserve your hotel rooms and campsites. National park-adjacent lodging fills up quickly along the route during the summer. One last thing to do before you go: download your route long before you hit the road. Cell service is limited along the route, so it’s crucial to have your maps ready if and when you happen to hit a dead zone. When to Go An aerial view of U.S. Route 89 winding through mountains in Arizona.Credit: Adam Borowski/Getty Images Some sections of Route 89 close during winter, not to mention portions of the national parks that line the road. To get the best weather and the most openings, drivers tend to set out between late summer and early fall, from late July to September. There is a caveat, though—some weather windows are better for certain sections than others. “U.S. Route 89 definitely has seasonality to it,” says Derksen. “From Salt Lake City to the border of Mexico, late fall through early spring is the best time of the year. North of Salt Lake to the border of Canada is best visited between late spring and fall. Yellowstone is an exquisite place in the winter, but it can only be accessed through one entrance and requires extra planning, while access to much of Glacier is closed in the winter.” Where to Stay, Eat, and Drink Flagstaff, Arizona Downtown Flagstaff, Arizona.Credit: Amanda Blackard/Travel + Leisure The route’s official southern terminus has been designated as the gateway to the Grand Canyon, and there’s no better place to make your base camp while you explore one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. Flagstaff also has an impressive culinary and lodging scene, with standouts like Shift Kitchen & Bar and the High Country Motor Lodge providing comfortable counterparts to the city’s great outdoors. Kanab, Utah Within striking distance of both Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park, Kanab is set among some truly gorgeous scenery. Otherworldly ochre and golden sandstone formations—including The Wave and Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon—surround the town. For stays, Kanab has a wide range of well-known hotel chains, as well as boutiques like Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile. Stop by eateries such as Sego Restaurant and Wild Thyme Bistro for seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine, the perfect way to refuel after a day in the driver’s seat. Salt Lake City, Utah The capital city of Utah, Salt Lake teems with both fascinating history and outdoor recreation opportunities. It’s got more hotels than you can shake a stick at, but one of the buzzier recent additions is Kimpton Hotel Monaco, which has gained a reputation for its thoughtful amenities and luxurious suites. Venture downtown to dine at upscale restaurants like Felt Bar & Eatery, or casual spots like Pie Hole, an open-late pizza joint popular with students at the nearby University of Utah. Do yourself a favor and order a slice of potato bacon pie. Jackson, Wyoming A guest room in Four Seasons Jackson Hole.Credit: Four Seasons Hotels Jackson enjoys a prime position near Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, as well as the National Elk Refuge and Bridger-Teton National Forest. Befitting its status as one of the West’s premier resort towns, Jackson boasts an array of luxury lodgings too numerous to name here, including an outpost of the Four Seasons and the independently owned Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa. As for dining options, Cafe Genevieve serves an excellent breakfast and brunch, and Million Dollar Cowboy Bar draws crowds for a taste of Western-style eats like bison burgers and elk sliders. Livingston, Montana Right on the banks of the Yellowstone River, Livingston is a well-rounded destination for just about every kind of outdoor activity imaginable, from cross-country skiing during winter to mountain biking and fishing during summer. All of those outdoor activities are complemented by an equally world-class lodging scene. The historic Murray Hotel puts guests in the heart of the action, with plushly furnished suites right downtown. In the evening, mosey around breweries and bars like Whiskey Creek Saloon & Casino. The building’s second floor is an events venue that hosts lively music performances most evenings.

Rail projects across the U.S. are proving harder for the Trump administration to stop than to start By Jackie Snow There is a lot of train infrastructure being built in the U.S. right now despite the Trump administration’s effort to choke off passenger rail funding. It killed $4 billion earmarked for California’s high-speed line, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy calling the project a waste of taxpayer money. The president has mocked it directly, and his administration is now pushing Congress to restrict funding for transit projects more broadly. And yet, across the country, contractors are pouring concrete and laying track on projects worth tens of billions of dollars. In many cases, the money was committed and the contracts signed before Trump took office again. That head start has given the industry momentum that is proving difficult to stop. Some train passengers are already experiencing the changes. Riders on the Northeast Corridor, the busiest rail line in the country, have had a faster commute for the last year. Amtrak’s new NextGen Acela now tops out at 160 mph between Washington and Boston, the quickest scheduled train in America. Work on the Hudson Tunnel project, a $16 billion effort to add rail capacity between New Jersey and New York, has continued after a court blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to withhold its funding over diversity practices. New York also awarded a $1.02 billion contract for a separate subway extension this spring. Chicago’s $5.7 billion Red Line Extension broke ground in April despite local political fighting. Los Angeles opened the first section of its $2.4 billion D Line subway extension in May, with the rest targeted for completion before the 2028 Olympics. There’s movement in Congress as well, where two representatives re-introduced a bill that would direct up to $205 billion toward high-speed rail over five years, with 46 co-sponsors from 20 states. It stalled in committee the last time it came up, but its return signals that appetite for rail investment hasn’t disappeared on Capitol Hill, even if it currently lacks a path to the president’s desk. States are also looking for ways to attract more private capital as federal support retreats. California’s High Speed Rail Authority signed a co-development deal with a consortium called Momentum Alliance Partners to explore private investment options, and it opened bidding for a $2.4 billion extension project. Brightline West, a privately operated high-speed rail project backed by a mix of public and private financing, is building a line between Las Vegas and Southern California, though its projected cost has grown from $12 billion to $21.5 billion. The momentum has limits, especially when compared to other countries. The Urban Institute estimates the U.S. added just 3.7 miles of subway track and about 13 miles of light rail in 2025, a fraction of what cities like Madrid or Seoul managed during their expansion years. New York’s Second Avenue Subway extension, one of the only true heavy rail projects underway, is expected to cost $7 billion for roughly two miles of new track, making it one of the most expensive subway projects ever built. California’s project remains the starkest example of the gap between ambition and delivery. The state needs $126 billion to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles and has only $39.3 billion secured or projected through 2045, leaving an $87 billion hole. Even the Amtrak win comes with an asterisk. At 160 mph on decades-old Northeast Corridor track, the Acela still falls short of the 186 mph threshold most experts use to define true high-speed rail. By that stricter definition, no one in the U.S. can currently ride a true high-speed train. There is also a new competitor for political attention. Autonomous vehicle funding has more than tripled in 2026, driven largely by Waymo’s $16 billion raise earlier this year. The Trump administration is also supporting autonomous cars as part of its broader AI push. Rail projects do not stop costing money once the ribbon is cut. Systems require continued spending on operations, maintenance and future expansions. At the same time, autonomous vehicles could create new demands for road upgrades, curb space and other infrastructure that give policymakers another reason to prioritize cars over transit. This focus on car infrastructure isn’t new. Starting in the 1950s, the country chose to pour money into highways instead of the passenger rail systems already in decline. That choice may end up repeating itself, this time in favor of a driverless car fleet over light rail and subway lines still inching forward.