According to a report from the National Restaurant Association, 42% of restaurants surveyed nationwide said they were not profitable last year.
With Americans watching their wallets, restaurants are feeling the pinch.
In its State of the Industry report for 2026, the main trade group for the nation’s restaurants and eateries is projecting sales will only grow moderately this year, rising 1.3%.
“It’s been a pretty challenging year for restaurants,” said Chad Moutray, chief economist for the National Restaurant Association. “We’ve seen costs rise pretty significantly for food, for labor costs, just a whole host of costs across the board.”
According to the report, 42% of restaurants surveyed nationwide said they were not profitable last year.
“Here in the D.C. area, obviously, we’ve had a lot of uncertainty with DOGE and government shutdowns and a lot of other kind of headwinds that have really hit the sector hard,” Moutray said.
Consumers are also thinking twice about eating out, as they face higher prices.
“At the same time, affordability is a big issue right now, and you have a situation where a lot of consumers are pushing back against price increases and really struggling to make ends meet,” Moutray said.
He said Americans are searching for comfort foods right now, like smashed burgers and protein.
“I think in times of uncertainty, people gravitate to soups and stews and burgers and meatloaf. I know I love those things,” Moutray said.
And with the popularity of weight loss drugs, he said Americans are seeking out healthier food options and cleaner recipes, and restaurants are learning to adapt.
“I think you are certainly seeing some restaurants that are leaning into protein, maybe leaning into smaller portion sizes, or appetizers and things along those lines,” Moutray said.
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Good morning. When a chief executive succession race narrows to just a few contenders, losing doesn’t always mean losing out. I’ve noticed lately that some high-profile CEO contests have resulted in hefty compensation packages for the executives who came in second.
The big bucks reflect the big stakes of retaining top talent. A leader who has ascended to the level of CEO contender is likely a high performer with broad institutional knowledge and deep relationships, both inside and outside the firm. Such a star walking out the door can scramble organizational operations, ruin team morale, and dent a company’s bottom line. Top executive turnover typically costs many multiples of the person’s annual salary.
Paying for executives’ loyalty works—to an extent. A recent report from consultancy FW Cook found that the grants have “a strong, but limited, retentive effect—typically lasting approximately two to three years.” That time frame likely reflects the awards’ vesting schedules, says Marco Pizzitola, a consultant at FW Cook and coauthor of its new report.
FW Cook’s report examined 100 large‑cap U.S. companies and identified 47 that swapped out their CEOs between 2016 and 2020. At roughly a third of those companies, boards rolled out succession-related retention grants to 39 named executive officers who did not become CEO.
Companies were more than twice as likely to hand out the grants if they hired external CEOs, suggesting “there’s greater concern” about an executive exodus with an outsider chief executive than with an internal promotion, Pizzitola says.
You can read more about this trend—and the second part of the consolation package that Disney awarded Walden—here.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s board has officially deemed Paramount Skydance’s all-cash offer of roughly $111 billion or $31 per share a “superior proposal” over its existing deal with Netflix.Netflix declined to raise its bid, calling the deal “no longer financially attractive,”which clears the path for Paramount CEO David Ellison to assemble a media empire that aims to rival Disney.
As CEOs push return-to-office mandates, a San Francisco Fed study of 25,000 French workers delivers a counterintuitive finding: remote and hybrid employees earn 12% more per hour than fully in-office peers. Even after controlling for demographics, a 6% wage premium persists—suggesting flexibility has become a perk reserved for top talent.
The markets
S&P 500 futures are down 0.31% this morning. The last session closed down 0.54%. The STOXX Europe 600 was up 0.30% in early trading. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 was up 0.41% in early trading. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was up 0.16%. China’s CSI 300 was down 0.34%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up 0.95%. South Korea’s KOSPI was down 1.0%. India’s NIFTY 50 was down 1.25%. Bitcoin was down to $67K.
EXCLUSIVE: “If it’s not the biggest hit out of Canada ever, it’s one of them,” says Sean Cohan about Heated Rivalry, the red-hot Canadian-produced ice hockey romance. Cohan is President of Bell Media, the media giant that owns CTV and Crave, the streamer that launched the Jacob Tierney show, which is produced by Brendan Brady under the Accent Aigu banner.
Bell Media now plans to capitalize on this distinctly Canadian content moment. “There is absolutely more coming post Heated Rivalry,” says Cohan. “In addition to the fact that Heated Rivalry will go on, we’ve got high hopes for Jacob and Brendan and the folks at Accent Aigu, and what they’re going to produce in that universe and elsewhere.”
In March 2024 and in his first interview after joining Bell Media, Cohan told Deadline that he was “pot committed” on content. When Bell bought UK-based distributor Sphere Abacus, he explained why the company was doing that deal as well as backing ‘Northern Lights’ – meaning Canadian creators with worldwide ambitions. When we sit down with the former Nielsen and A+E exec during the London TV Screenings he says: “We recognized that the Canadian market, the product and the creative brand was misunderstood and underestimated. It’s a very nice case study or proof of the point having an incredibly buzzy show like Heated Rivalry.”
Crave, along with the likes of Stan in Australia, is one of a new breed of domestic streamer that is making or co-producing international hits. Other Crave shows that have bubbled up include Empathy from Quebec-born actor and screenwriter Florence Longpré. The second season is a co-production with France’s Canal+. From the CTV side there is Sullivan’s Crossing, which airs in the U.S. on The CW.
In terms of the pipeline of new shows from Crave, there is Slo Pitch, which Bell Media announced with the headline ‘Beer, Lesbians and Baseball!’ From Shaftesbury, Boss & Co and Elliot Page’s Pageboy Productions, the half-hour mockumentary follows an underdog queer softball team. Buzz has been building around that one this week at the Screenings.
There’s also Yaga, a half-hour drama starring Carrie-Ann Moss (The Matrix), Noah Reid (Schitt’s Creek), Clark Backo (Letterkenny), as well as Heated Rivalry’s Hudson Williams. Kat Sandler is writer-showrunner on the mystery thriller, which is based on her play. For Bell Media, it’s an in-house affair with Blink49 Studios, which it backs, producing alongside Front Street Pictures, and Sphere Abacus selling it internationally.
Tom Green’s Funny Farm is coming out of a development deal with Tom Green Productions and there should be news soon of what’s coming out of a deal with Seth Rogen’s Point Grey.
‘Re-Heating’
Six of the top-ten most-watched shows on Crave were Canadian originals over the all-important holiday viewing period and the streamer has added about a 1.5 million subs over the last two years. It had 4.6 million subs at the last official count.
Cohan says there is a Heated Rivalry effect on the numbers, which can partly be discerned by analyzing what new customers tune into first after they sign up. “It’s definitely delivered an uptick,” he says. “There’s a decent number of subs that have joined for that.” He also talks about ‘re-Heating’, a term coined by Canadian press for the folks who have Heated Rivalry on repeat. “Roughly a third have watched it more than two times and I’m hearing about really amazing stats where some people are even getting into the double-digit viewing, which is wild.”
Heated Rivalry will not, however, be winning any Emmys – it not eligible. Cohan says: “People say: ‘The Emmys isn’t allowed to give Heated Rivalry an award. Is that a problem?’ Well, the show’s already got a fair bit of recognition, and the fans love it, and they’re re-watching it, and we’re going to continue to drive it.”
Awards aside, Cohan and Bell Media want to harness the buzz and use that to put a new generation of Canadian shows on the map. “It’s not just the Bell Media story, but we want to be at the center of it,” he says. Heated Rivalry may just be sparking a Canadian drama power play.
Two of Australia’s top ten bestsellers in 2025 were cookbooks, both by Nagi Maehashi of RecipeTin Eats. Other popular books include Brooke Bellamy’s Bake with Brooki and Steph De Sousa’s Easy Dinner Queen. Yet increasingly, people are cooking from YouTube videos and other social media clips. What is the appeal of cookbooks today?
Cooking content on social media has become one of the most popular categories globally. Dedicated apps like SideChef have been created to help beginners understand technical terms in online recipes and automatically generate shopping lists.
In a 2025 study, SideChef found there were more than 4.6 million #TikTokFood posts and Pinterest listed food and drink as a top category. On YouTube, there are 6.74 million food and drink channels, which are 99% creator-driven. All-time YouTube views of food content reached 5.9 trillion in 2025.
Short-form videos provide step-by-step instruction and glamorous depictions of your next meal, but hard-copy cookbooks are more than just a collection of recipes.
Most cookbooks are technically categorised as illustrated non-fiction, filled with close-up photographs of food and images of the author in action. These illustrate the recipes, integrated with accompanying conversational text to engage the reader.
The three types of cookbook readers
Today’s cookbook audiences can be divided into three major groups: aspirational readers, everyday cooks and escapists.
The aspirational readers may want to cook like a chef, hoping the author will share secrets and include them in an inner circle of confidants. Others may aspire to a gendered ideal of domesticity, or seemingly effortless sophistication (just a little smoked duck breast and pickled fennel salad with pomegranate seeds and candied mandarin peel they threw together at the last minute).
The everyday cooks are looking to answer the dreaded question: what’s for dinner tonight? Some of these readers seek reliable, practical, frugal, and efficient solutions for the task of making food at home.
Others are seeking specialised instruction for new generations of appliances offering shortcuts or hands-off cooking, such as slow cookers, air fryers, or electric pressure cookers.
The escapists, however, are less concerned about 30-minute meals or how to reverse sear a steak. Their ideal cookbook is instead a fantasy, travelogue, or memoir, transporting the would-be cook to a nostalgic past or a far-off land, such as Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi’s Jerusalem.
Food porn
The most extreme form of this escapism was described by US food writer Molly O’Neill as “food porn”, a substitute for actually engaging in the physical act of cooking.
Stripped of the connections of community and shared meals, food porn is an extreme form of self-indulgent food writing that replaces the depth of social and cultural connections with “prose and recipes so removed from real life that they cannot be used except as vicarious experience”.
Cookbooks in this category are more like coffee-table books, meant to be perused at leisure rather than addressing an urgent need to get a meal on the table. Impractical recipes with difficult techniques, specialised equipment, and exotic ingredients are no barrier to this genre. The reality that time is also an expensive ingredient is not a consideration.
The most successful, bestselling cookbooks in Australia in recent years, like Maehashi’s RecipeTin Eats: Dinner or De Sousa’s Easy Dinner Queen, combine some elements of aspirational and everyday cooking, while turning away from the extremes of food porn. Their appeal extends beyond competent instructions and dependable results.
Maehashi’s recipes start with a pitch to the reader: Why should I make this, and why should I use this recipe? How will the dish fit into my repertoire of standbys? Her unpretentious, personable tone is reassuring for anyone developing their skills.
The notes to the methods include helpful tips, substitutions, and explanations, avoiding technical terms. Many recipes are easy enough for rank novices, but include a wide range of cuisines and dishes that elevate the everyday cook. Her most challenging recipe is beef wellington, now infamous for its connection to the “mushroom murders”.
As with other successful cookbook authors, Maehashi’s popularity benefits from social media crossover. She has 1.7 million Instagram followers alone.
Is there a generational divide?
While there is a presumption that younger readers are more likely to get their food inspiration online and older readers prefer hard copy, the desire to limit screen time and “be present” also drives print sales.
Physical cookbooks are an antidote to the false efficiency of recipes on social media. Influencers often ask you to follow, comment and like to get their recipes. This content often ends up unread in your inbox or in a jumbled folder of saved posts and screenshots.
Without an extra paid app, such as ReciMe, and the time to organise the content, locating that viral recipe may take longer than pulling a book off the shelf and flipping to an old favourite. Some print cookbooks, like Jerusalem, now offer access to the e-book edition, so you don’t have to lug the hard copy around the grocery store or take photos of the cookbook with your phone.
Historically, cookbook audiences were first limited by literacy levels and the cost of purchasing books. Because of this, the first cookbooks were written by, and for, an elite audience rather than skilled professionals.
During the 17th century, French cuisine as a distinct mode of cooking became the standard for noble households across Europe, and cookbooks for nouvelle cuisine gained popularity. Many skilled chefs, however, were illiterate and were prohibited from sharing the methods of their guilds.
Before printing technology increased the availability of books in the early modern period, cooking and baking were reliant on oral tradition and apprenticeship to teach skills and share knowledge. Chefs working in noble households, however, were exempt from guild restrictions and revealed their trade secrets to an elite audience only.
Tangible evidence of time and effort
Today’s hard-copy cookbooks bear the scars of use – tangible evidence of time and effort in the kitchen, covers stained with splatters of tomato or pages stuck together with drips of pancake batter. The dirtiest, dog-eared cookbook is the one you turn to for dependable, familiar results. This contrasts with the pristine, glossy cookbook gathering dust in the front room, filled with recipes you will never make.
Like yellowed, handwritten recipe cards from a bygone era, a physical cookbook becomes an heirloom to pass on to the next generations. Smudged with butter, dotted with red wine, and covered in annotations (too much salt!), the cookbook becomes part of family history.
The ubiquity and convenience of digital recipes, often fleeting, has not replaced the physical cookbook as a touchstone of reliability, a cultural archive, or a guilty pleasure.
new video loaded: The Web of Companies Owned by Elon Musk
In mapping out Elon Musk’s wealth, our investigation found that Mr. Musk is behind more than 90 companies in Texas. Kirsten Grind, a New York Times Investigations reporter, explains what her team found.
By Kirsten Grind, Melanie Bencosme, James Surdam and Sean Havey
February 27, 2026
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Kirsten Grind, Melanie Bencosme, James Surdam and Sean Havey
The horse racing broadcaster offers up his five best bets from this weekend’s racing in the UK, including one in the lucrative Morebattle Hurdle.
With all the Cheltenham hype going on at present, it may come as a surprising fact that the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso on Saturday has a more valuable prize pot at £120k than any of the Festival handicap hurdles. Couple that with the chance to win the £100k bonus if Morebattle success is followed by a win in any Festival race just over a week later, and it still does not get the appreciation the race deserves.
The Shunter in 2021 is the only horse so far to complete that double, so initially in ante‑post lists bookmakers took no chances with Charles Byrnes’ entry I Started A Joke. However, his non‑declaration leaves the way clear for CRACKING RHAPSODY 5/1(14:55 Kelso) to win the race for a third time. He reserves his best for Kelso and Ayr, and it was his victory last season in the Scottish Champion Hurdle that makes a persuasive case for him still being reasonably treated off a mark of 136 on Saturday. Having won the Morebattle off 132, he lined up at Ayr off a mark of 137 where he beat no less a horse than Kabral Du Mathan, with Breeders’ Cup and Ebor winner Ethical Diamond in the ruck. Four horses won next time out from that race, and the form is strong enough to show he is still competitive back at his beloved Kelso, where his form figures read 621111.
Earlier on the card, BREIZH RIVER 7/1(13:10 Kelso) can continue his resurgence in the first of 10 ITV races. A course‑and‑distance winner off as high as 131 in October 2024, his form dipped significantly, resulting in him being rated just 117 over fences when he moved to Tristan Davidson earlier this season. After a pipe‑opener over hurdles, Breizh River placed at Newcastle before winning at Musselburgh, where the application of a tongue‑tie for the first time may also have helped. It would be helpful if the ground could dry out a little more, but, in the spirit of his owners Border Caravans Ltd, hopefully they can all stay stuck behind him!
There is also £80k up for grabs in the Premier Hurdle, where LORD BYRON 9/1(14:15 Kelso) looks the play. It looked as if he might have been lined up for a tilt at the Fred Winter, but the stable has a bigger player there in Winston Junior, and Lord Byron comes here for his third run—too late to qualify for the Fred Winter but with an eye on an equally valuable prize. Twice raced for Aidan O’Brien on the flat, he has run well on both hurdling starts behind Klycot and, last time, behind leading Triumph Hurdle hope Maestro Conti at Cheltenham. The fifth horse that day, La Luna Artista, franked the form when winning the Adonis, and the stable remains in good form.
It is Grimthorpe day at Doncaster, where it might be worth an each‑way investment on dual winner MORODER (EW) 20/1 (14:30 Doncaster). He is now rising 12, but his trainer Seamus Mullins recently ended a 56‑race losing run with a few others placed, and Moroder is off a 5 lb lower mark than when a shock winner of this race at 33/1 last year, having won it off an even higher mark back in 2023 at 18/1. Clearly this will have been his long‑term target, and, at a similarly big price, he is worth a speculative throw at the stumps.
Earlier at Doncaster, the step up to 3m should suit LIVINGONAPRAYER 15/2(13:25 Doncaster) in the Listed Mares’ race and hopefully give Joe Anderson his biggest winner to date. Jamie Snowden is having an excellent season, already notching a campaign‑best 71 winners, with a maiden century a real possibility. He has plenty of success in Mares’ races (another debutant winner at Wetherby on Thursday), and the next four horses home behind her victory at Wincanton have all won since.
CHELTENHAM CORNER
The big news of the week was Constitution Hill not being asked to go back hurdling, with the main impact on the Champion Hurdle being a shortening of Lossiemouth in the belief that she is now more likely to take her chance here rather than in the Mares’. The main Cheltenham betting angle, however, could now be to top up the each‑way ante‑post bet on Take No Chances in the Mares’, as her price has not shortened but her chances of making the frame would clearly be much improved were Lossiemouth not to show up. She will be well suited by the switch of the race to the New Course, having placed in the race 12 months ago, and has been the subject of a couple of negative rides recently which have not shown her to best advantage.
A woman with multiple sclerosis wanted to be able to walk up the stairs at home without losing her balance. Her doctor prescribed medicine that helped, but then approval from her insurance plan for the drug expired.
“Why do I need a prior authorization for something that I am already prior-authorized to take? If my doctor says that they want me on a medication, why does my insurance have another say in that?”
— Jaclyn Mayo, Lunenburg, Massachusetts
Jaclyn Mayo has multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease that damages the nervous system and can mess with coordination and balance. To get steadier on her feet, Mayo had been trying to lose weight: A lighter body puts less stress on the joints and leads to greater flexibility.
After Mayo didn’t have much luck with diet and exercise, her physician prescribed Zepbound, a GLP-1 weight loss medication that suppresses appetite.
“It was really helping me,” she said. “I could go up and down stairs and not feel like I was going to fall.”
As a happy bonus, the GLP-1 seemed to ease other MS symptoms for Mayo: She started sleeping through the night, and the frequent numbness in her hands went away.
After being on Zepbound for seven months, she fell into an insurance pitfall: prior authorization.
In August, her pharmacy wouldn’t refill her prescription, and it wasn’t clear why.
She called her pharmacist, then her doctor’s office, the pharmacist again, then her insurance company. After speaking with the insurance company’s pharmacy benefit manager — a third-party company that oversees prescription drug plans for insurers — Mayo figured out that the advance approval her insurer had granted for the drug, known as prior authorization, had expired.
Insurers require prior authorizations for certain treatments or tests, especially costly ones. When they do, your doctor has to make the preauthorization request to your insurance company, explaining why you need the treatment. Next, the insurer decides if it agrees that the care is medically necessary and if it will pay for it.
Mayo had been taking the weight loss medicine for less than a year and didn’t understand why a new prior authorization was needed so soon. She said she never got a letter or email notifying her that the clock had run out on her first prior authorization. As someone with a chronic illness, Mayo said, she keeps close track of her medical paperwork. She feels like she did everything right, which, she said, made the situation especially infuriating.
Her doctor submitted the necessary paperwork then found out the new approval would take seven to 10 business days.
At this point, Mayo had been off her medication for two weeks. Her sleep was getting worse, and the tingling numbness in her hands returned. So she asked that her prior authorization be expedited, only to learn that her doctor, not Mayo, would need to make the request for an urgent review.
“That red tape was completely avoidable,” she said. “And all that they needed to do was communicate clearly to me. And then I could have continued my medication without delays. But they didn’t.”
Why Insurers Want Prior Authorization
Doctors are often frustrated by the prior authorization process, but insurers argue it helps keep costs down.
AHIP, the insurer trade group formerly known as America’s Health Insurance Plans, declined an interview request. But in an emailed statement, it said that prior authorizations are an important safeguard that helps ensure patients receive safe, evidence-based care and keeps coverage affordable.
In a 2024 letter, the American Medical Association, which represents physicians, said the way health plans use prior authorizations is “opaque and overly complex,” creating delays in care and greater administrative burden.
Patients are also frustrated. A recent poll found that 1 in 3 insured adults call prior authorizations a “major burden” to accessing health care.
Mayo hit preauthorization hurdles likely because her physician prescribed a GLP-1, an expensive class of medication. The more costly the treatment, the greater the scrutiny, said Miranda Yaver of the University of Pittsburgh, who studies health politics and administrative burdens within the insurance system.
Issues with prior authorizations are common. Policymakers could standardize how insurance companies evaluate prior authorization requests to prevent more Americans from experiencing medical disruptions, Yaver said.
“It’s a solvable problem, if we have the will and the political conditions are ripe. I don’t think that they are at this particular moment,” she said.
Here’s what to know about getting prior authorization requests approved in a timely manner.
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1. Find Out When Your Prior Authorization Expires
Individual insurance companies, and even the individual plans within those companies, often have different policies for prior authorizations.
“As you can imagine, that becomes an absolute nightmare,” said physician David Aizuss, chair of the AMA’s board of trustees.
While expensive treatments are more likely to be targeted for prior authorization review, Aizuss said it also happens for low-cost generic drugs.
To figure out how long your prior authorization lasts, reach out to customer service at your insurance company or pharmacy benefit manager, whichever handles your plan’s prior authorizations.
2. Don’t Procrastinate
Getting a prior authorization isn’t always quick, so build in time for things to go wrong.
It took Mayo nearly three weeks to sort out the prior authorization issue for her GLP-1 prescription. She made the initial refill request about a week before her medication was set to run out and ended up without the drug for over two weeks.
3. Ask Your Doctor To Request an Expedited Review
As you wait for your prior authorization to go through, your doctor might not know how much medication you have left, or that your health may be declining. You can have your doctor request an expedited review. Though, as Mayo found, insurance companies and PBMs won’t always volunteer that as an option.
When an expedited review is appropriate is up for interpretation, said Kaye Pestaina, director of the Program on Patient and Consumer Protections at KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.
“No one knows the specifics of what urgent means,” she said.
Federal regulations require that urgent requests made by people with employer-based plans be decided within 72 hours. And, on Jan. 1, a federal rule took effect that creates a similar requirement for all Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program plans. However, this rule doesn’t apply to medications.
4. Consider Other Treatment Options
When Mayo’s doctor first suggested that she try a GLP-1, approval for the specific medication was taking a long time. When it became clear the request would probably be denied, the doctor canceled that initial request and put in a prior authorization request for a different brand of GLP-1, Zepbound. It was approved.
Ask your doctor about treatment alternatives. Health plans have different formularies — lists of medicines that are routinely approved. It might be easier to switch medications than to fight to get your health plan to approve coverage.
But be aware that your insurance company might change your health plan’s drug formulary anytime and require you to get a new prior authorization.
5. Don’t Be Afraid To Appeal
Submit an appeal, even if you’re worried you’ll lose. Yaver said that, based on the research set to be published in her book, Coverage Denied: How Health Insurers Drive Inequality in the United States, people who appeal a prior authorization or claims denial win about half the time.
First figure out where to send your appeal. Usually, it’s an insurance company, but if the treatment you need is medication, it may be a PBM.
Include detailed records in your appeal.
If you’re trying to get approval for a specific medication, Yaver said, send documentation showing that you tried other medications or treatments that didn’t work. This helps make your case and can speed up the process.
“I actually just went through a prior authorization for my migraine drug,” Yaver said. “It actually went through very quickly.”
Health Care Helpline helps you navigate the health system hurdles between you and good care. Send us your tricky question and we may tap a policy sleuth to puzzle it out. Share your story. The crowdsourced project is a joint production of NPR and KFF Health News.
Without a doubt, career and technical education (CTE) is priceless for high school students wanting to get real-world, hands-on job skills before they graduate and turn their interests into career paths. Increased support for CTE programs at the federal and state levels, coupled with evolving technology and new research-led learning approaches, has placed CTE programs on center stage for 2026.
There is growing evidence that CTE functions as an early talent pipeline for employers, not just a preparation program. It is with certainty, employers value CTE experience, actively hire participants, and see partnerships with CTE programs as a way to build a skilled workforce aligned to real business needs. As a result, states and employers are increasingly integrating CTE into broader workforce and talent development strategies.
Here are six CTE trends to watch in 2026.
1. AI literacy becomes a baseline (for entry-level jobs). Practical exercises using AI tools will be essential in pathways like IT, engineering, and manufacturing, but not only those educational focuses.
2. CTE programs increasingly align with national reindustrialization. Skilled workforce/trades are viable options to improve economic viability. Plus, many high-demand and high-paying careers now prioritize specialized skills, certifications, and hands-on experience over a general academic degree.
3. Enhanced employability. Today’s companies value durable skills like critical thinking, communication, and collaboration just as much as–or even more than–technical skills. Look for more CTE programs to focus on these skills, and online learning platforms like KnoPro to sharpen these interpersonal and behavioral qualities essential for workplace success.
4. Alumni trajectories. CTE providers will see an increased value in alumni trajectory studies that track graduates’ success in careers and further education, showing they often have higher graduation rates, better wages, and smooth transitions to work or college programs.
5. Work-based learning (WBL) expansion. While fewerhiring managers think high school graduates are ready for the workforce. More states are incorporating WBL standards into their graduation requirements. Look for more students to take advantage of comprehensive job shadowing, worksite tours and internships to build skills, social capital, and informed career choices.
6. Dual enrollment and industry certifications on the rise. It’s no secret that dual enrollment is experiencing significant growth in American high schools, where students are earning college credits and industry-recognized credentials to accelerate their path to the workforce or a degree. Also, look for more students earning industry certifications to gain specialized skills, improve employability, and potentially increase wages and lower college debt.
Dirk Butler, NAF
Dirk Butler is NAF’s Chief Program Officer. NAF is a national education non-profit that brings schools and businesses together to better prepare students of all backgrounds. NAF helps students explore career options, create a plan for the future, and take part in hands-on, work-based learning unlike anything traditional public education systems can offer. NAF puts students on a path to achieving their full potential. During the 2024-25 school year, over 112,000 students attended over 600 NAF academies across 34 states and territories.
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WTOP is relaunching “Friday Freebies,” bringing you the top freebies you can get in the D.C. region, every week.
We’ll run them down every Friday morning on air at 103.5 FM and here on WTOP.com.
Know of a freebie you’d like featured in WTOP’s Friday Freebies roundup? Let us know!
February 27, 2026 5:00 am
By Michelle Basch
BOGO hot dogs, free t-shirts and pancakes
(FILE – Courtesy Pitango)
On Feb. 27, come early to the grand opening of Pitango Gelato and Coffee’s new location in D.C. on 14th Street NW, starting at 5 p.m. The first 50 guests get free t-shirts and tote bags. The shop will also be handing out free shots of Hot Italian Sipping Chocolate.
This is closing weekend for “The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art” exhibition at the National Gallery of Art. Admission is free, and events on Feb. 28 include artist and gallery talks, and musical performances featuring the didgeridoo. It’s a rare chance to hear this wind instrument played live.
At SONIC, Footlong Quarter Pound Coneys are buy one, get one free through March 1. You have to order through the SONIC app and be a registered user. One more thing: The deal is only good once a week.
On Feb. 28, head to Harmony Hall Arts Center in Fort Washington for a free Black History Month family day. Kids can enjoy hands-on fun, and there will be guided tours of the center’s exhibition: “Black County, Black History: Preserving, Promoting, and Protecting Black History in Prince George’s County.”
March 3 is free pancake day at IHOP. That means a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes is yours when you dine in at participating locations between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. While you’re there, you’re invited to support your local food banks by donating to Feeding America.
February 20, 2026 6:50 am
By Michelle Basch
Hockey clinics, chicken biscuits, chalupas
View of Arby’s restaurant on January 25, 2018 in Dawsonville, Georgia. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Arby’s)
Are the Winter Olympic Games getting your kids interested in hockey? Sign up now for “Try Hockey For Free Day” on March 7. Several rinks around here are offering free hockey clinics for kids ages 4 to 9.
At Tractor Supply’s Farm Bash on Feb. 21, bring in your leashed pet for free dog and horse treat tastings (that would be a lead rope for a horse). There will be giveaways, activities, doorbusters and more. Some locations will hold dog adoption events, too.
Arby’s Rewards members can get a free “crafted” sandwich with a $10 order, now through Feb. 22. Those include the Smokehouse Brisket, Corned Beef Reuben and Roast Turkey & Bacon Ranch.
Trying to save money on your upcoming wedding? Admission is free to the Upcycled Wedding Fair, Feb. 22 at Rockwood Manor Park in Potomac. It’s a chance to buy used wedding items at super cheap prices, and get advice from experts.
Now through Feb. 28, Chick-fil-A One members can get a free Chicken Biscuit during breakfast hours, no purchase necessary.
If you didn’t file your taxes with TurboTax last year, you can do them yourself for free this year through the app. The offer applies to people in all tax situations, and it ends Feb. 28.
Also, TurboTax is also offering free Uber rides worth up to $25 to select TurboTax stores where you can meet with an expert in person.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupas are available for a limited time at Taco Bell. Sign up for Taco Bell rewards in the app to get one free, now through March 19.
February 13, 2026 12:00 am
By Michelle Basch
Valentine’s Day food, art and more!
In this photo illustration a cheeseburger and drink is served up at a Shake Shack restaurant on January 28, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
BLACK INK, an open house celebrating Black artists, is back at the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center in Hyattsville on February 14. Admission is free, but you need to RSVP. There will be an artist talk, hands-on demos of things like screen printing and bookmaking, and you’ll be able to explore artists’ private studios.
On Feb. 14 at Shake Shack, buy one True Love Shake and get a second one free. They’re made by mixing strawberry puree into vanilla frozen custard, and covering it with a dark chocolate shell you can crack open. But there’s more. The whole thing gets topped with chocolate whipped cream and strawberry curls.
You and your pet are invited to the grand opening of the new CityVet Chevy Chase location on February 14. Along with tours of the place on Wisconsin Circle, enjoy free hot cocoa, a kissing-booth style photo area, and let an artist make a caricature of you and your best bud.
Giveaway alert! Head to a Target store on Feb. 14 between noon and 4 p.m. for Valentine-themed freebies, while supplies last.
Valentine’s Day will be particularly cheesy at all California Tortilla locations in the D.C region. On Feb. 14, buy an entree and you can get a free small chips and queso, or chips and salsa. Just say “I love cheese” at the register, or use code ILUVCHEESE when you order through the app or online.
February 6, 2026 4:00 am
By Michelle Basch
Score free wings for the Super Bowl, plus free coffee deals
Homemade Spicy Buffalo Chicken Wings with Celery and Blue Cheese
If you have a Bank of America card, you can get into several local museums for free Feb. 7 and 8, including the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Rubell Museum, and the Phillips Collection.
There are two ways to score freebies at participating Buffalo Wild Wings. First, make a $25 preorder by Feb. 7 for pickup Feb. 8. You’ll earn six free wings you can claim on a future visit through March 10. Second, if the Super Bowl goes into overtime, everyone earns six free wings that be claimed Feb. 23.
Here’s another super deal for the Super Bowl: On Feb. 8, you can get 20 boneless wings free with any $40 online purchase for takeout or delivery at Applebee’s. Just use promo code SBWINGS26.
At Noodles & Company, buy a catering pan and you’ll get a free dessert tray. The offer is valid through Feb. 8.
If you’re a Popeyes rewards member, this one’s for you: Get six free wings with a $10 online purchase on Feb. 8. You can choose boneless or bone-in.
Don’t fumble a super night out by drinking and driving home. You can get a free Lyft ride home — worth up to $15 — through the SoberRide program. Rides will be available starting Feb. 8, into the wee hours of Feb. 9.
On Feb. 9, Starbucks Rewards members can grab a free tall brewed hot or iced coffee with the purchase of another drink of equal or greater value.
Here’s a Monday freebie for Paris Baguette rewards members: Make a pastry purchase Feb. 9, and you’ll get a free medium hot or iced coffee.
On Feb. 10, head to Mount Vernon Triangle’s “Together Tuesdays” event in the Bar Noir lounge area of the new restaurant Kaché. The first 50 attendees to check in during happy hour, which starts at 5 p.m., get a free drink.
January 30, 2026 4:00 am
By Michelle Basch
Croissants, Valentine’s gifts and vacations with your pet
Stock image of croissants.
Jan. 30 is National Croissant Day! La Madeleine is giving away free regular croissants with any purchase. Burger King and Paris Baguette are offering freebies too.
Lidl is also giving away free croissants in its stores on Jan. 30. Use code FREECROISSANT in the MyLidl app to get yours.
Tubi is a free streaming service with 4-6 minutes of ads per hour. In February it’s adding new, original content, along with a whole bunch of movie favorites.
QDOBA has a heavenly deal for 2026. On the day of each month’s full moon, you can get queso and chips for free when you buy a full-sized entree. You have to be a QDOBA Rewards member to take advantage. Upcoming full moons include Feb. 1, March 3 and April 1.
Do you enjoy traveling with your pet? The pet-friendly hotel chain Staypineapple has an offer for you. Book a stay in February, and your pet earns free hotel stays all year. The standard pet fee of $29.95 a night will be waived. Staypineapple has locations in places like New York City, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco.
At Victoria’s Secret, some beauty gift sets are buy one, get one free through Feb. 16. Many are packaged especially for Valentine’s Day giving.
January 25, 2026 12:00 am
Snow day deals in DC include all-day happy hours, $3 hot dogs, $5 Fireball shots
In addition to tracking a mighty January storm, WTOP is tracking weather-related freebies and deals for Sunday and Monday (Jan. 25 and 26) and beyond.
We’re posting them here, if you’d like to venture out on foot to a neighborhood favorite (local leaders are urging you NOT to drive during the storm).
WASHINGTON, DC — JANUARY 25: Snow falls over the U.S. Capitol on January, 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. A massive winter storm is bringing frigid temperatures, ice, and snow to nearly 200 million Americans from Texas to New England.. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
American Ice Co. in Northwest D.C. has declared Sunday “Sleet Day.” Specials include glasses of Narragansett and Pabst Blue Ribbon beer for $4.99 each, and hot spiked apple cider for $11.99.
Bluejacket Brewery in D.C.’s Navy Yard is open Sunday, offering $10 liters of lagers. It’s serving up half-priced wings, and a $10 grilled cheese and tomato soup combo.
On Sunday, Brass Rabbit Pub in Arlington, Virginia, is open and offering free Jell-O shots while you watch the NFL conference championship games.
The Duke’s Grocery locations in D.C.’s Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom and Woodley Park are open Sunday. They’re pouring four different drinks for $8 each, including boozy hot chocolate and an espresso martini.
All-day happy hour is happening Sunday at El Tamarindo in Northwest D.C. You can also order $49 Storm Day Survival Kits for pickup or delivery. They’re loaded with six pupusas or tamales, two sides and a 32 oz. Agua Fresca. You can add on some margaritas for an extra charge.
The Midlands Beer Garden in Northwest D.C. will be open Monday with happy hour specials from 1-5 p.m.
The Muni in Northwest D.C. is throwing a snow party on Monday, starting at 1 p.m. It has golf simulators, virtual putting greens and interactive darts — and all games are 50% off. It’s also offering $3 hot dogs, $5 drafts and more.
The Roost food hall in Southeast D.C. is open Sunday, offering free hot cocoa, activities for kids and $5 and $10 drink specials for adults.
Winter storm specials can be found at Union Pub in Northeast D.C. on Sunday and Monday. Enjoy $1 off rail drinks and beers, and $5 Fireball Apple shots.
Whitlow’s is offering “snow day drink specials” all day Sunday at its D.C. locations on U Street and The Wharf. A $9 Frostbite Fighter is made with Rumple Minze, Irish cream, hot cocoa and amaretto whipped cream. Also, $10 gets you a glass of Capit-Ale Golden IPA and a shot of Rittenhouse rye.
January 23, 2026 12:00 am
Where to head in the DC area for a chance at free croissants for a year
Stock image of croissants. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/ziche77)
Jan. 23 and 30 are “Fully Loaded Fridays” at participating Dickey’s Barbecue Pit locations. That means Giant Loaded Bakers are buy one, get one free. They’re baked potatoes packed with pit-smoked meats and classic Dickey’s sides.
Fresh Baguette opens a new location in Germantown on Jan. 28. At the 8 a.m. ribbon cutting, everyone gets a free baguette while supplies last. Plus, the first 20 people in line get free croissants for a year. That’s a lot of butter!
A lunchtime-only pop-up called Taco Taco kicks off Jan. 28 at Cranes, a Spanish-Japanese fusion restaurant in D.C. During opening week, you can get a pretty amazing deal. Tacos will be buy one, get two free while supplies last!
On National Croissant Day, Jan. 30, Burger King is giving Royal Perks members a free Croissan’wich with a $3 purchase.
January 16, 2026 12:00 am
Headed to the movies on MLK Day? What to wear to get a free large popcorn
A bucket of popcorn is seen in a movie theater in this stock image. (Getty Images/Tero Vesalainen)
IHOP is offering free, all-you-can-eat pancakes (served two at a time) when you buy certain breakfast combos. Fill up while you can, because the deal is only good for a limited time at participating restaurants.
Get a free Chicken Shack or Chicken Shack Lettuce Wrap with a $10 order at Shake Shack every Sunday through June 28. Place your order at an in-store kiosk or on the app, and use code “CHICKENSUNDAY” at checkout.
Williams Sonoma is offering cooking and baking classes at its stores on Jan. 18 and 25. They’re free, but you need to reserve a spot in advance. One is called “The Art of the Tart.”
On National Popcorn Day, Jan. 19, dress up like your favorite movie star to get a free large popcorn at Regal Theatres. Just be prepared to tell the person at the concession stand who you’re dressed as!
Hungry Howie’s has brought back its limited-edition garlic ranch flavored pizza crust. The option is available for free on any pie you buy, now through March 31, or while supplies last.
Jan. 22 is Guest Appreciation Day at Chicken Salad Chick. That means you can stop by and get a free scoop of Classic Carol chicken salad, no purchase necessary, while supplies last. If you order online or through the restaurant chain’s app, you’ll get a free scoop with every meal you buy.
Buy two boxes of Club Extra Buttery crackers in a single transaction, and you can claim a promo code good for a free Fandango at Home movie rental.
December 29, 2025 2:00 pm
By Michelle Basch
Freebies on coffee, chicken biscuits and rides home from New Year’s festivities
Two doughnuts and a cup of coffee rest on a counter at a Dunkin’ location, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.
WTOP’s Friday Freebies are coming to you early this week in honor of the New Year ahead.
If you’re a Dunkin’ Rewards member, use code PRODUNKTIVITY in the app on Dec. 29 — while supplies last — to get a free, any size hot or iced coffee.
If you have kids who want to ring in 2026 without the staying up really really late part, Noon Yards Eve is for you! The free celebration at the Yards in D.C. runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 31 and includes carnival games, train rides, bounce houses and a “sparkling” balloon drop at noon.
Frederick, Maryland, welcomes the new year on Dec. 31 with a free “key drop” on Carroll Creek. A big key covered with lights will descend from the William O. Lee Memorial Bridge at midnight!
Through Jan. 1, My Sheetz Rewards customers can enjoy a free self-serve coffee through the Sheetz app. Just check the OFFERZ tab.
Doughnut lovers, consider a trip to Hagerstown for the Krumpe’s Doughnut Drop at Meritus Park on Dec. 31. The fun starts at 5 p.m. with live music, a kids’ zone and more. A giant doughnut will be dropped just before 7 p.m., followed by a fireworks finale. Admission is free, and free doughnuts will be handed out to the first 5,000 people. Everyone gets free coffee and hot chocolate too!
Avoid drinking and driving by taking advantage of a free ride home from Lyft, worth up to $15. Limited quantities are available nightly through the SoberRide program, until 4 a.m. Jan. 1.
December 19, 2025 9:11 am
By Michelle Basch
Winter books, burritos and Christmas cheer for free
The National Christmas Tree is lit on the Ellipse, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, near the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Dec. 19 is the last day to book a roomette on Amtrak and bring a companion for free. It’s a private sleeper cabin with two seats that transform into upper and lower beds and it comes with free meals. The deal is good for travel in 2026 between Jan. 4 and March 31.
Dec. 20 is “Extra Sweater Day” at Chipotle. Wear a festive or “over-the-top” sweater and buy an entree to get a second entree free.
There’s nothing like a live performance of Christmas carols to lift your spirits. You can catch one every night now through Dec. 23 at the Willard Hotel near the White House. The free performances in the hotel’s lobby — which are a longtime tradition — run from 6 to 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 to 8 p.m.
Want to add some winter-themed books to your Kindle or other e-reader? Indie Author Collective is offering some for free, and others for just 99-cents through Dec. 20.
This year’s holiday display at the U.S. Botanic Garden has been invaded by dinosaurs! In addition to festive holiday decor, you’ll see model trains snaking through displays of ancient beasts made from plants! Admission is free. The outdoor display and conservatory are open daily through Jan. 4, except on Dec. 25.
California Tortilla will give you a coupon that’s good for a free burrito or bowl, for every $25 in physical gift cards you buy at one of the chain’s locations. The offer is good through Dec. 31, and the coupons are valid in January of next year.
All through December, visit the National Christmas Tree and see the “America Celebrates” display that surrounds it. It features ornaments made by students from every state, territory and D.C. There’s no charge to visit the display.
December 12, 2025 5:00 am
By Michelle Basch
Footlongs, toys and pet photos with Santa
Subway has a special on its sandwiches. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Burger King is offering freebies with purchase every day, all the way through Christmas Eve. They’re all available through the fast food chain’s app. The deal for Dec. 12 is a free Hershey’s sundae pie with a $5 purchase.
If you’re a Disney+ member, Dec. 12 is the last day to take advantage of some holiday perks. They include a free footlong from Subway, $20 back when you buy a $100 Nordstrom gift card, up to 30% off performances of Disney on Broadway’s Aladdin and more.
Reserve a time slot to take your pet to a nearby PetSmart for a free photo with Santa Dec. 13 or 14.
Dine in at Cracker Barrel anytime between now through Dec. 24, and you’ll get a free toy worth up to $5 when you buy a kid’s meal.
On Dec. 13 from 4 p.m. to close, buy a burrito at Chipotle, and get a free entree.
The Eastport Yacht Club’s annual Lights Parade of boats along Annapolis Harbor and Spa Creek, is set for Dec. 13 at 6 p.m.
Potbelly Perks members, this one’s for you. On Dec. 16, buy a big or original sandwich or wrap, and you’ll get an original sandwich or wrap free.
Dec. 18 is the last Midnight Madness event of the holiday season in downtown Annapolis, where you can take advantage of free parking, street entertainment and in-store treats.
Hulu is offering seasonal perks for subscribers, dropping weekly. For example, KFC Rewards Members who make a $5 online KFC purchase through Dec. 21, get a free classic chicken sandwich.
Burgers, bags and bargains that are pure holiday magic
A decorated boat sails in the District’s Holiday Boat Parade. (Courtesy The Wharf)
Some handbags and wallets are buy one, get one free online at Montana West, for a limited time.
Shake Shack has freebies with purchase every week in December, starting with a free Big Shack Burger when you make a $10 purchase through Dec. 7.
Chipotle is serving up buy one, get one free offers during the first three Saturdays in December, that change each week. For instance on Dec. 6 after 4 p.m., buy a three-taco entree and you’ll get another entree free. Chipotle Rewards members will also see offers such as free chips or free guac added to their wallets throughout the month.
The Wharf’s Holiday Boat Parade and Party in D.C. on Dec. 6 includes live music and fireworks.
The American Red Cross is handing out free Red Cross x PAC-MAN socks while supplies last, if you give blood by Dec. 7.
Subway’s Sub Club is back! Join the loyalty program, and you’ll earn a free footlong after every three footlongs or six 6-inch subs you buy.
November 27, 2025 7:00 am
Black Friday freebies, Nationals ticket deals and holiday events begin
People admire a Christmas tree illuminating CityCenterDC in downtown D.C., on Dec. 15, 2021. (Photo by Eva Hambach/AFP via Getty Images)
Alexandria calls Black Friday “Plaid Friday” to honor its Scottish heritage, and on Nov. 28 many of its independent shops are offering discounts, deals and freebies. Parking at the city’s meters is free that day, too!
At Lowe’s on Black Friday, the first 50 MyLowe’s Rewards members in each store get a free bucket of products, and a chance to win a free appliance.
Nov. 28 is “Frosty Friday” in Downtown Frederick, with free parking around town, goodie bag giveaways for early visitors to local shops, live holiday music and more.
On Nov. 28, the first 100 shoppers at each Target store get a free swag bag full of goodies. Some bags have an extra treat inside worth $99 or more.
In Merrifield on Nov. 28, Santa will ride through Mosaic District on a fire truck to greet onlookers. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. followed by a tree lighting at 7 p.m.
Starting Nov. 28, LEGO has free gifts with purchase on several items, while supplies last. One is a free Star Trek Type-15 Shuttlepod, with purchase of a Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D.
Reston Town Center’s annual holiday parade happens Nov. 28 at 11 a.m. along Market Street. The fun continues later in the day with a tree lighting at 6 p.m.
Holiday candy, chicken sandwiches and Thanksgiving burritos
Strawberry, vanilla, chocolate ice cream with waffle cone on marble stone backgrounds (Getty Images/iStockphoto/ahirao_photo)
Walgreens has buy one, get one free holiday candy right now. We’re talking seasonal goodies from Dove, Hershey’s and M & M’s.
On Nov. 22 look for floats, marching bands and inflatable turkeys on the streets of Silver Spring, Maryland, during the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade. It steps off at 10 a.m.
Love Häagen-Dazs? Get the rewards app and sign up to get a free cup or cone. You’ll also be all set to earn points toward more freebies at their shops.
Buy a one-year Costco Gold Star Membership for $65, and get a free $40 Digital Costco Shop Card. It’s a Groupon deal available until Dec. 21.
Here’s a freebie for “Friendsgiving”: Sign up to get a coupon for a free drink on Nov. 25 at any Capital One Cafe.
Take part in any “turkey trot” run this Thanksgiving while dressed up as a QDOBA burrito, and you’ll be rewarded with a free burrito. You’ll also have a chance to win free burritos for a year. You must be a QDOBA rewards member (it’s free to join), and post a photo of yourself in costume to Instagram on Nov. 27 or 28. Check out all the requirements before you make that post.
Chicken sandwiches are buy one, get one free Nov. 27-30 at 7-Eleven’s Raise the Roost locations. There are two sites in the D.C. area in Manassas and Purcellville.
November 14, 2025 12:00 am
Bundt cakes, Panera bakery treats and millions of Christmas lights
The Christmas tree at the National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland. (WTOP/Liz Anderson)
Through Nov. 16, MyPanera members can get a free bakery treat when they place a minimum order for delivery. There are also daily deals for members through that date.
Uniqlo’s grand reopening at Tysons Corner Center includes freebies each day, Nov. 14-19. They include free goodie bags and free breakfast for early shoppers, as well as free Japanese Taiko drum performances.
Corner Bakery has a yummy offer for National Bundt Cake Day. Buy one Baby Bundt or Bundt Bite and you’ll get one free at participating shops on Nov. 15, while supplies last.
National Harbor’s 60-foot-tall holiday tree has been lit, and there are nightly light and sound shows every half hour from sunset until 9 p.m. now through Dec. 27. On Saturday nights, there are fireworks shows, too!
The first 100 people in line for the grand opening of a new Chicken Salad Chick restaurant on Elden St. in Herndon get freebies on Nov. 18, followed by giveaways with purchase for early visitors Nov. 19-22.
Wizards fans can get free food through the Chick-fil-A app. During home games, when an opposing player misses two free throws in a row in the fourth quarter, you win a free sandwich. You have until the day after the game to claim the offer, and five days to redeem it.
Bass Pro Shops are once again offering free photos with Santa through Christmas Eve. Reserving a spot in advance is recommended.
November 7, 2025 12:00 am
Freebies for veterans, military members on Veterans Day
Close-up of American flags in a row. (Getty Images/leekris)
Buy six mini doughnuts at Ice Cream Jubilee’s Georgetown location, and you’ll get six more free. The deal is good through Sunday.
Make any purchase through the SONIC App, and you’ll get a free any size Coca-Cola. You can customize your free drink with as many flavor add-ins (there are 11) as you want.
Cracker Barrel wants to fill your table for Thanksgiving. Preorder a Heat and Serve Feast or Dinner by Sunday for pick up Nov. 22-30, and you’ll get a free pair of mini salt and pepper shakers.
Saturday and Sunday, get a free slice of Andy’s Pizza with purchase of a pint of beer at the new Atlas Bridge District Brewery and Tap Room in Southeast D.C.
Williams Sonoma stores are hosting free Thanksgiving cooking classes this Sunday and Nov 16. Just find your local store and sign up.
National Park Service sites that normally charge admission will be free to enter on Veterans Day, Tuesday. Beware: Some sites are closed because of the federal government shutdown.
Dave and Buster’s Veterans Day offer is a little different. It’s serving up free entrées to veterans, along with free $10 Power Cards to use for games.
Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Night runs from 4 p.m. to close on Tuesday. Anyone who has served in the U.S. military can come in for a free dinner.
At Sheetz locations in the Mid-Atlantic, active duty military and veterans can get a free half turkey sub and regular fountain drink on Tuesday, along with a free $9 car wash at locations that have them.
Veterans, military members and military spouses can get a free tall brewed coffee at Starbucks.
Sport a Halloween costume and get free Krispy Kreme, Avocado Toast and more!
Insomnia cookies announces plans for global expansion and new U.S. stores in 2023. (AP/Business Wire)
If your Halloween party involves a little too much alcohol, you can get a free Lyft ride home through the SoberRide program. Rides will be available starting at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and continuing until 4 a.m. the next morning.
Donning a Halloween costume will get you a bunch of perks on Oct. 31. At Krispy Kreme, you can pick up a free Original Glazed or Classic Ring doughnut for free.
Kids in costume can grab a free cookie of their choice at participating Corner Bakery shops on Halloween. The only rule is, they have to be accompanied by an adult.
On Oct. 31, the first 50 guests in costume to visit a Thompson Restaurants location get a scratch-off card for a chance to win things like a free appetizer or even a $50 gift card. Those restaurants include Big Buns, Makers Union, Milk & Honey, The Ridley, Social House and Wiseguy Pizza.
Show up in an avocado costume at participating Smoothie King locations on Oct. 31, to get a free Avocado Toast.
Kids in costume get free admission to the National Radio & Television Museum in Bowie from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. There will be Halloween fun, including spooky radio shows to listen to.
Insomnia Cookies will give you a free Classic Cookie with any purchase if you show up in costume Oct. 31 through Nov. 2.
Oct. 31 at Qdoba, “BOOGO” is back. Rewards members can get a free entrée with purchase of an entrée and a drink. Costumes are encouraged, but not required.
Dress your dog or cat in a costume Oct. 31, and bring them to a participating Petco for a free treat from the treat bar.
Kids eat free at participating Green Turtle locations on Halloween.
At Paris Baguette, rewards members get a free pastry with the purchase of a drink on Oct. 31.
7-Eleven and Speedway rewards members who buy a whole pizza will get another one free on Oct. 31. The offer is also good through 7NOW Delivery.
On Halloween, get a free kid’s meal at Outback Steakhouse with purchase of an adult entrée. Dine in or order online with code SPOOKYFREE.
Moe’s Southwest Grill is offering buy one, get one free entrées Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at participating locations.
“Boo-tacular” is back at Chuck E. Cheese through Nov. 2. At participating locations, kids can enjoy free candy, 500 free e-tickets if they come in costume and more.
During Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s Fan Fest, buy a bowl or food to get a free 24 oz. smoothie from Nov. 3-9. You must be a Tropic Rewards member and order through the app.
The Silver Spring Zombie Walk returns Saturday. Because of construction, this year’s walk starts with a gathering and dance party at All Set Restaurant. Then, “undead” after-parties will be held at various spots downtown.
On Sunday, the Del Ray Halloween Parade takes over Mount Vernon Avenue. There will be contests for costumed pets and people with strollers.
“Harbor Halloween” at National Harbor is Sunday. Kids and dogs in costume get a free ride on The Capital Wheel when an adult buys a ticket. The fun will also include trick-or-treating at participating shops and restaurants, a “Pet Pawrade” and costume contest, and a free screening of “Hocus Pocus” on the Plaza.
A must-see event is returning to the Dupont Circle neighborhood for a 38th year. The 17th Street High Heel Race is set for Tuesday. The fun begins with a parade of costumed drag queens at 6:30 p.m., followed by the race itself at 9 p.m.
Furloughed federal workers, WTOP continues to have your back! Check out our updated list of freebies and deals to help you through the government shutdown.
October 17, 2025 12:00 am
Free spooky movie screenings and Halloween events, plus how to score a free taco
A house with Halloween pumpkins and Halloween decorations are seen in this stock photo (Getty Images/iStockphoto/vzphotos).
Lime, the company that offers e-scooter and e-bike rentals in D.C., wants to give you some freebies! Lime’s “More Store,” described as a corner store on a bike, will be giving away free snacks, rides and Lime merch on Friday. Look for it around Dupont Circle between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Get more information on Lime’s Instagram page.
Taco Bell Rewards members: Place an order on the Taco Bell app, use Venmo to pay, and you’ll be rewarded with a free Cantina Chicken Soft Taco you can claim on a future order. The offer is good for orders placed through Dec. 31.
Get your kids in the mood for spooky season at the Yards in D.C. with a free outdoor screening of Disney’s “Halloweentown” on Friday.
Kids Eat Free Weekends are back at Potbelly for a limited time. After 3 p.m. on Fridays, and all day on Saturdays and Sundays, buy any entrée and you’ll get a free Kids Combo meal for those 12 and under.
Sassy Woof in Sterling is throwing a free “Dog Trunk or Treat” event on Saturday. You’re invited to dress up your pup in costume, and bring them over for treats, toys and photo ops. Free trick or treat bags will be handed out to the first 200 visitors.
Saturday is Centreville Day at Historic Centreville Park. The event will include a “trick or treat trail,” a parade, a ghost tour and vendors. Admission, parking, entertainment and children’s rides are all free!
Early heads up: PumpkinPalooza at Alethia Tanner Park in NoMa happens Oct. 22. Starting at 4:15 p.m., free pumpkins will be given away (one per person) while they last! There will also be live entertainment, a petting zoo, a costume parade, a free movie screening and more.
If you’re a furloughed federal worker, we continue to update our list of freebies and discounts being offered to you during the government shutdown.
ROHNERT PARK, CALIFORNIA — Dec. 13: A sign is posted in front of a Chili’s restaurant on Dec. 13, 2024 in Rohnert Park, California. Casual dining restaurant chain Chili’s was founded in Texas in 1975 and has over 1,500 restaurants worldwide. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
A band that churned out hits in the late 90s and early ’00s — Smash Mouth — performs for free at Reston Town Center on Oct. 11, during Rocktoberfest at the Pavilion.
Clarksburg Premium Outlets is throwing a Fall Festival on Oct. 11, with music, face and pumpkin painting, exclusive shopping offers and more. Also, kids are invited to trick-or-treat at many stores.
Interested in IV vitamin and hydration therapy? The DRIPBaR opens its newest location Oct. 11 in Georgetown. Book a visit before Oct. 11 to get 50% off your first IV drip and a free B12 shot.
Dress your pup in costume for the “Howl-O-Ween Bar(k) Crawl” at The Yards in D.C. on Oct. 15. In addition to doggie-themed eats and drinks that will be available for purchase, participating restaurants will give away “pup perks” for dogs while supplies last. The freebies will range from doggie treats to toys and bandannas.
On Oct. 3, Corner Bakery is celebrating World Smile Day with a big batch of giveaways. Every customer gets a free cup of coffee with any purchase and a free Funfetti Bundt Bite. Show up early and the rewards get bigger. The first 20 guests at each location get a free Smiley Mug and free coffee for a year, no purchase necessary.
Every Friday is “Free Fries Friday” at McDonald’s all year long. Get free medium fries with any purchase of $1 or more in the McDonald’s app.
Art on the Avenue in Alexandria returns for a 30th year on Oct. 4. The street festival in the Del Ray neighborhood features artists, music, food and kids’ activities.
Wear a football jersey or shirt, or bring a ticket stub from an October football game to Cracker Barrel, and you’ll get a free side of pancakes when you buy an entrée and dine in. The offer is available through Oct. 31.
Oktoberfest at the Wharf in D.C. happens Oct. 4, and includes the always popular Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash, a stein hoisting contest, a polka-dancing lesson and more.
On Oct. 4 and 5, Bank of America cardholders can enjoy free admission to The Phillips Collection and the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Both remain open during the government shutdown.
Attention federal workers: WTOP is keeping a constantly updated list of freebies and deals available just for you, during the government shutdown.
September 26, 2025 12:00 am
Lots of free coffee and visit a National Park on National Public Lands Day
A couple of espresso drinks sit on a counter at Fuego Coffee Roasters, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Rochester, N.Y. (Max Conway via AP)
Get a free coffee when you buy a breakfast sandwich at a participating 7-Eleven, through Oct. 28.
Catch special free performances by the Washington Ballet at CityCenterDC on Sept. 26 and 27, as part of the company’s citywide Dance For All initiative.
If you’re an Ikea Family member, enjoy a free breakfast plate on Sept. 27. The company is offering 40 weeks of deals, giveaways and events to mark 40 years since it opened its first U.S. store.
Fiesta D.C. returns Sept. 27 and 28 with a festival along Pennsylvania Avenue, and a Sunday parade along Constitution Avenue.
The Clarendon Day free street festival takes place Sept. 27. There will be live music, kids activities and more than 150 exhibitors.
The National Coffee Day fun starts days EARLY at Paris Baguette. Rewards members can get a free medium hot or iced brewed coffee with any purchase Sept. 27-29.
Sept. 29 is National Coffee Day; Dunkin Rewards members are invited to pick up a free medium hot or iced coffee, when they make any purchase through the app.
Krispy Kreme’s National Coffee Day deal is especially generous. Visitors to participating shops on Sept. 29 will get a free medium hot or iced coffee and a free doughnut of their choice. You don’t have to buy a thing!
Sheetz is honoring National Coffee Day from Sept. 29-Oct. 1. That’s when customers can get any size self-serve coffee free, with any purchase.
At Shipley Do-Nuts, loyalty members get a free doughnut (its new Cold Brew flavor, or Original Glazed) with the purchase of any coffee at participating locations on Sept. 29.
Even Smoothie King has a National Coffee Day offer. Visit before 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 29, prove you’re a member of Dunkin or Starbucks rewards, and you’ll get a free 20 ounce smoothie. The flavors being given away are Coffee High Protein Almond Mocha and Pumpkin Coffee High Protein.
September 19, 2025 4:26 am
Free queso and BOGO treats from Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
This April 2, 2015 photo shows pretzels a Rita’s Italian Ice location in Philadelphia. Rita’s and other Philadelphia-area purveyors are taking their regional brands far beyond the mid-Atlantic region. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Sept. 19 is “Talk Like a Pirate Day!” At Long John Silver’s, talk like a pirate to get a free piece of fish or chicken, or dress like a pirate to get a free two piece basket of fish or chicken.
For the first time, the entire U.S. Constitution is on display at the National Archives Museum through Oct. 1. The museum will be open longer than usual on Sept. 20 & Sept. 21 to accommodate more visitors. If you’re considering checking it out, you’re encouraged to reserve timed entry tickets in advance.
Looking for an adventure, on foot? Events DC WalkingTown continues through Sept. 20, and there’s still time to register in advance for a free walking tour.
Sept. 20 is National Queso Day, and everyone gets a free cup of queso at participating Moe’s Southwest Grill. You don’t have to buy anything to get yours.
National Mall of Pickleball happens Sept. 19 to Sept. 21. Missed your chance to sign up in advance? There are online waitlists, and there will be opportunities to show up on the day of, to play.
Kids can get behind the wheel of snow plows, fire trucks, police cruisers and more at Alexandria’s free “Tons of Trucks” event on Sept. 20. It starts with a “sensory friendly” hour from 10-11 a.m.
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is offering buy one, get one free treats every Wednesday through Oct. 15. The deal is for rewards members only, and available through the Rita’s app.
Hello to all of our veterans and 94.7 WCSX Classic Rock listeners. Friday is upon us and for this week, our I Thank You shout out goes to US Army Veteran and VFW Post 582 Commander Dennis Hoffman.
Some veterans have the opportunity to share their stories in their own words. For others though, their stories come from those who know them best or for this week’s “I Thank You Friday”, from a neighbor who recognizes the dedication and patriotism of one individual whose service to community and country is admirable.
Dennis Hoffman was nominated by a community neighbor who goes by Nick, who had this to say about his friend and the recognition for the hard work Dennis has done for his fellow man.
Nick: “Good Morning 94.7 WCSX, I wanna give a shout out to in my opinion one of the hardest working veterans you’ll find here in Ortonville. His name is Dennis Hoffman, and he is the Post Commander of our tiny community, VFW Post 582. Mr. Hoffman has been commanding the VFW for over 10 years and in that time has made our town a better place thanks to his assistance in programs such as the Honor Guard Rifle Team, and outreach programs with our local teachers and our local cub scout troop. Mr. Hoffman continues to represent and serve our country and community with a smile and a sense of duty. KEEP PLAYING THE BOB SEGER WCSX, your station is #1!”
Post 582 Sr. Vice Commander Carl Jeffrey & Post Commander Dennis Hoffman
Patrick McAbee
From left, Ted Lambiris, Dennis Hoffman, and Cliff Filhart. Members of the Ortonville VFW Post 582 during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Ortonville Cemetery.
The Man Behind the Uniform
Dennis Hoffman’s service to his country began in 1968 with his draft notice to the United States Army. As detailed in this letter from a State of Michigan House Committee Testimony, US Army Veteran Dennis Hoffman has served honorably for the Stars & Stripes and faced challenges that only few can relate to.
A small sample of it reads: “Commander Hoffman was drafted to the army in June 1968 following Boot Camp at Fort Bragg North Carolina and advanced infantry training at Fort Polk Louisiana. The USS Pueblo was seized by the North Koreans and international waters on January 23, 1968 in the crew held hostage. Due to this new conflict his battalion in October was split in half some going to Vietnam and some including Commander Hoffman sent to the DMZ (Korean demilitarized zone).
“I was disappointed says Hoffman, I was trained for jungle warfare, and I wanted to fight. I didn’t fight the draft. I just felt it was part of my duty as a US citizen.”He patrolled the DMZ for 13 months and dealt with conflicts as people tried to sneak through the fence. There was a mile to the military demarcation line, and it was filled with bunkers and foxholes, allowing Hoffman and his battalion to patrol the area. He left the army after his two-year draft period was complete.
When the Ortonville VFW post was charted in 1984 he joined and continues to give to the 16 programs supported by the VFW. Those of which include, Honor Guard-Rifle Team, Voice of Democracy Essay contest, Oakland County Campout, Poppy Program, VFW national home for children in Eaton Rapids, and local food banks. The list goes on… Thank you, Commander Hoffman for all you and your fellow VFW members do for the community.”
Voices of Veterans Must Never Go Silent
VFW Post 582 Accepting Buddy Poppy donations
VFW Post 582 located at: 486 Mill St., Ortonville, MI 48462 is always looking for volunteer assistance and donations to continue the many local programs and charities that are supported through the VFW under Commander Hoffman’s watch. Joining as a member of the VFW is also an option for those who have served and can find out more by visiting the Post itself during one its meetings, calling their number (248) 736-4104 , or by going to their Facebook page to talk to a fellow veteran to find out more.
The unwavering support for the Red, White, & Blue and service to the U.S. Army and the community of Ortonville is appreciated and never forgotten. For those here at 94.7 WCSX, we say Thank You Dennis Hoffman!
Every Veteran has a Story to Share
Remember, when you see a veteran, thank them for their service and listen to their journey and stories. Let them know that their sacrifices will never be forgotten, and that they are appreciated for their service which allows us to enjoy the freedoms that we have today.
The Sunrise cheerleading team from Kharkiv, Ukraine, competes in the Ukraine Cheer Cup competition in the capital, Kyiv, on Dec. 13, 2025.
Anton Shtuka for NPR
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Anton Shtuka for NPR
KHARKIV, Ukraine — In a mirrored basement studio in this front-line city, seven women are practicing jumping splits.
They’re in their 50s and 60s — some have grandchildren. They wear matching Ukraine T-shirts and shake silvery pompoms to the beat of “She’s A Lady” by Tom Jones.
This is Sunrise, a competitive cheerleading squad. They have embraced this feel-good American sport as a way to cope with extreme stress and anxiety during four years of Russia’s all-out war on Ukraine.
“We train no matter what,” says Iryna Nesterenko, the squad’s captain. “When it’s dark, and we’re walking through the street while everything is burning. When there’s no light. I tell my girls: ‘We are the light.'”
Nesterenko, the squad’s captain, explains why they chose Sunrise as their name.
“We used to be fearful of the sunrise,” she says. “The war began at dawn. We were often bombed at dawn. But I did not want us to be afraid. I wanted us to find a way to rejoice.”
Iryna Nesterenko, 63, (left), captain of the Sunrise cheerleading squad, and team member Olena Zolotchenko, 57, apply makeup before they compete in Kyiv during the Ukraine Cheer Cup competition on Dec. 13, 2025.
Anton Shtuka for NPR
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Anton Shtuka for NPR
Since Ukraine became a modern independent state in 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union, it has embraced American culture. Cheerleading began its rise 20 years ago and has surged in popularity since the full-scale war, says Andriy Bolyak, president of the Cheerleading and Cheer Sport Federation of Ukraine.
He says many squads fled the country after the 2022 Russian invasion.
“As of today, though, we are back to prewar numbers. That’s because we have a lot of new teams,” he says.
Bolyak attributes the rise in cheerleading’s popularity to Ukrainians seeking emotional respite from wartime stress and terror. Only 4% of Ukrainians describe their mental health as good, according to a January survey by Helsi, the largest medical information system in Ukraine.
Bolyak says that though children make up most of the teams, several new ones are composed of women over 50, including Nice Ladies, a team profiled in a 2024 documentary. Like Sunrise, Nice Ladies also hail from Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, where Bolyak says some of the first national cheerleading competitions were held.
The Cheerleading and Cheer Sport Federation of Ukraine says the sport has grown popular since the full-scale invasion, as Ukrainians seek emotional respite from wartime stress and terror. Most teams are made up of girls under 18.
Anton Shtuka for NPR
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Anton Shtuka for NPR
The city is just 20 miles from the Russian border.
“We were bombed every night”
Nesterenko has lived in Kharkiv nearly all her life. She’s 63, a lifelong athlete who used to be a competitive gymnast.
She meets NPR at a Kharkiv tea house, along with two other Sunrise cheerleaders and the team choreographer.
“How can you distract yourself during a war?” Nesterenko asks. “How about exercising with pompoms?”
She sounds lighthearted but the truth is more painful. The war has traumatized every member of the team.
Nesterenko recalls the terrifying first days of the Russian invasion in February 2022. Her home was bombed.
“We hid in the basement for five days,” she says. “Then our food ran out, our cat food ran out, everything ran out.”
She and her husband grabbed their cats and drove west. When they returned in 2023, after Ukrainian troops drove Russian forces out of the Kharkiv region, the city was no longer under imminent threat of occupation. Russia, however, was still constantly attacking.
Nesterenko’s friend Inna Skryl, a chemistry teacher, told her the strikes came like clockwork.
“We were bombed every night at the same time,” Skryl says. “We huddled in the hallways. That pushed me into depression.”
Chemistry teacher Inna Skryl, 56, says joining the Sunrise cheerleading squad helped lift her out of a deep depression caused by the constant bombing of her hometown, Kharkiv, in Ukraine’s northeast.
Anton Shtuka for NPR
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Anton Shtuka for NPR
The two friends soon realized everyone in their circle was struggling with extreme stress. Nesterenko saw no end to it.
“You think, tomorrow the war will be over, or in a month, or soon but no no no, we are living with this war.” she says. “So we decided to stop waiting and start living.”
“We will heal you”
In 2024, Nesterenko brought pom-poms to an aerobics class she was teaching to friends. Something clicked.
“We moved as one, like a united Ukraine, everything synchronized,” she says. “And suddenly cheerleading was the only choice.”
Cheerleading became more than a wartime sport to distract Nesterenko and her friends from the war. The team’s first name was Best Friends, Nesterenko says, because the women lifted each other up, sometimes literally.
Halyna Plakhuta, a 63-year-old economist, had been a full-time caretaker during the war and had grown physically fragile. She told Nesterenko she had a bad arm and shaky knees and would make a lousy cheerleader.
“I said, look, is there anything you can do about that?” Plakhuta says. “And she made a star out of me.”
Accountant Halyna Plakhuta, 63, had a bad arm and shaky knees when she joined the Sunrise cheerleading squad. She had been a full-time caretaker during the war and had grown physically fragile. “Now I jump so high, my granddaughter is impressed,” she says.
Anton Shtuka for NPR
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Anton Shtuka for NPR
Plakhuta says she can now jump high enough now to impress her young granddaughter, who made good-luck amulets for the team when they competed in the European championships.
Every Monday, Plakhuta joins the other cheerleaders in the basement studio. They include a doctor, an accountant and a beautician who makes the team’s costumes.
Natalia Pivovarova is a 59-year-old accountant. She cared for her bedridden mother as Russian attacks blew out their windows.
Cheerleading, she says, has been the best therapy.
“My friends abroad call me, saying they’re depressed,” she says. “And I say, come to Kharkiv. We will heal you.”
“Our best life”
During a recent rehearsal, the cheerleaders line up behind Nesterenko, who cues a medley for their routine. The first song is by ABBA. The women smile and step forward.
“We are living our best life,” Nesterenko declares. “We may train underground, we may huddle in shelters from bombs, but no matter what, this is going to be our best life.”
A few weeks later, the Sunrise cheerleaders arrive in the capital, Kyiv, for a national competition.
They wear navy-blue leotards and rub glitter on their faces.
“We always compete to win,” Nesterenko says. “But really, we have already won.”
It’s a bit of a joke, since Sunrise is the only team in the over-25 age group competing today. Nesterenko, however, is talking about a symbolic victory, one that helped a group of friends in one of Ukraine’s most bombed cities to flex optimism like a muscle.
“Look around,” she says. “Listen to all that joy.”
The auditorium is filled with cheerleaders who are all decades younger, some as young as the Sunrise squad’s own grandchildren. The cheerleaders shriek and clap loudly as the women of Sunrise run to center stage, ready to shine.
The Sunrise cheerleading team performs at Kyiv’s Ukraine Cheer Cup competition on Dec. 13, 2025.
Over the course of 2025, Jayant Mishra of Mission Viejo, California, progressively developed scaly, itchy red patches on his skin. Then came the pain and swelling in the joints of his hands, making it difficult to do his work at a bank.
His primary care doctor referred him to a rheumatologist, who diagnosed psoriatic arthritis. She advised Mishra that while there’s no cure, there were many new medicines that could keep the autoimmune disease in check, and she recommended one, Otezla.
At first, Mishra balked. He knew the medicines were expensive. He worried about side effects. He thought he could manage with over-the-counter drugs.
But by September he was in so much pain that he agreed to try a starter pack provided by Otezla’s manufacturer, Amgen. It worked: The skin lesions disappeared, and the joint pain that kept him up at night dissipated. He was sold.
His rheumatologist got approval for the drug from his insurer, UnitedHealthcare, and signed him up for Amgen’s copayment assistance program. Having enrolled other patients, she told Mishra the copay card, similar to a credit card, should last a year, he said, shielding him from the drug’s high list price: around $5,000 for a 30-day supply, according to GoodRx.
He said the doctor explained that, in her patients’ experience, insurers and their pharmacy benefit managers negotiated a deeply discounted price with Amgen — she estimated $1,400 to $2,200 a month. Patients paid a percentage of that amount, their “patient responsibility,” using the copay card.
Mishra said he was approved for a copay card covering $9,450 a year. “I was happy when I got the message,” he said.
He added that the doctor reassured him about the cost. “She said: ‘You shouldn’t have to pay anything out-of-pocket. Your copay card will cover this.’”
He started the medicine and, at first, paid nothing.
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The Medical Service
Otezla, which comes in a pill, is approved to treat some autoimmune disorders, including psoriatic arthritis.
The Bill
$441.02, for the second month’s fill of the drug — before Mishra chose to ration rather than refill his prescription, because his copay card was empty.
The insurance statement from UnitedHealthcare’s pharmacy benefit manager, Optum Rx — another subsidiary of the same parent company, UnitedHealth Group — showed it did not provide a negotiated discount and covered just $308.34 of the full $5,253.85 charge for a 30-day supply. The charges for the second month depleted the copay card and left Mishra owing the balance.
The Billing Problem: Copay Card ‘Tug-of-War’
Copay assistance programs are part of a “tug-of-war between drug manufacturers and insurers,” said Aaron Kesselheim, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School who studies the pharmaceutical industry.
The value of drugmakers’ copay cards has become more unpredictable as insurers try to restrict their use. Many insurance plans, for instance, do not count the money from a copay program toward a patient’s deductible.
And patients who use a copay card can wind up paying full or nearly full price rather than the discounted rate negotiated by their insurer’s pharmacy benefit manager.
“When you purchased your medication a Manufacturer Coupon was used,” Mishra’s explanation of benefits statements read, in tiny letters. The amount the copay card covered “was not applied towards your Deductible and Out of Pocket Maximum.”
Caroline Landree, a spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare, said that “the copay card is an arrangement between the patient and the pharmacy. It is used outside of insurance.”
In an emailed statement, Elissa Snook, a spokesperson for Amgen, expressed a different view of who was responsible for Mishra’s dilemma: “Copay assistance programs are designed to help patients start and stay on prescribed therapy, but the value of that assistance can be exhausted more quickly when a health plan requires patients to pay the full list price of a medicine.”
Few patients can afford the list prices that pharmaceutical manufacturers charge in the United States for brand-name drugs.
Insurers insulate themselves and their customers from those higher prices through pharmacy benefit managers’ negotiated discounts. They might, for example, designate certain drugs as preferred medications for plan members in exchange for the manufacturer agreeing to a significant price reduction.
Manufacturers’ copay assistance programs offer another way for patients to avoid paying full price. The assistance is intended to encourage patients to choose an expensive, brand-name drug — not one that “treats the same condition that the insurer has gotten for a cheaper price,” said Fiona Scott Morton, an economist at the Yale School of Management who studies drug pricing.
The assistance also discourages patients from discussing with their doctor whether a cheaper, generic drug would do, drug industry researchers said.
While the Food and Drug Administration first approved a generic version of Otezla in 2021, Amgen has sued to block U.S. sales of its generic competitors, ensuring the brand-name drug has patent protection until 2028. Generic versions are available overseas and in Canada, where patients can purchase it in some cases for less than $100 a month.
Mishra said one of his children joked he could cover a trip to visit relatives in India simply by purchasing his medicine while he was there.
The Resolution
Mishra has a health plan with a $5,000 deductible and contributes to a tax-free health savings account.
In September, he paid for the first month’s supply of Otezla with the copay card. But paying for October’s supply emptied the card — which he originally expected to last a year — and he said he used his HSA to pay for the roughly $400 that remained.
But wary of what the drug would cost in November and December, Mishra said, he tried to spread out the pills he had left from the starter pack and the first two months’ supply. He skipped some days and took only half of the prescribed dose to stretch the supply for two more months, knowing he would get a new copay card with the new year. Many of his symptoms returned, he said.
In January, he got another copay card, good for $9,450, which again wasn’t sufficient to pay for two months’ supply. He again paid the remaining balance in February from his HSA to count toward his $5,000 annual deductible. This time he owed $550, he said.
Mishra said his symptoms have resolved. With no clue what he’d be charged for March’s supply, he called UnitedHealthcare in late February and was told he would need to pay $4,450 for the month to meet his out-of-pocket maximum, he said.
But he said he pressed the representative further, asking why UnitedHealthcare doesn’t have a negotiated price. It does, they told him. “Actual price is $6,995.36.”
Mishra says his doctor reassured him that a copay card would cover his out-of-pocket costs for an expensive drug to treat psoriatic arthritis. But the assistance ran out much sooner than he’d expected.(Ariana Drehsler for KFF Health News)
The Takeaway
Copay cards and drugmaker programs that promise patients “you could pay $0” work in mysterious ways.
On the one hand, they encourage patients to use brand-name or expensive drugs that are off insurers’ formularies, or lists of preferred, covered drugs. On the other, many patients couldn’t afford prescribed medicines without them.
Patients with public insurance, such as Medicare and Medicaid, are not permitted to use the cards, because the government considers them an end run around its attempts to bring down drug spending.
Using a copay card has gotten trickier as insurers push back. First, patients need to understand whether there is an annual dollar or time limit on the card and how it works with their insurance. Otherwise, they risk ending up reliant on a drug they can’t afford.
Less expensive drugs often can suffice. For example, there are a number of medicines to treat psoriatic arthritis, some of which may be cheaper or have better coverage from a particular insurer. Patients should ask their doctors whether cheaper medicines will work.
It also can help patients to consider their prescriptions when they select a health plan. Landree, of UnitedHealthcare, said Mishra could have selected a plan for 2026 that would have covered Otezla for a $100 copay each month, though that would have meant a higher premium.
“Personally I’m not in financial distress — I can afford it,” Mishra said. “But it was sticker shock, and it just doesn’t seem right.”
Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by KFF Health News and The Washington Post’s Well+Being that dissects and explains medical bills. Since 2018, this series has helped many patients and readers get their medical bills reduced, and it has been cited in statehouses, at the U.S. Capitol, and at the White House. Do you have a confusing or outrageous medical bill you want to share? Tell us about it!
Mary Cosby Moving Forward With ‘RHOSLC’ Filming After Son’s Death
Published
Mary Cosby is planning to move forward with the upcoming season of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” … despite the sudden death of her son … TMZ has learned.
Sources connected to production tell TMZ … while some assumed Mary might step away when cameras go up for Season 7 after losing her son, Robert Cosby Jr., that’s not the case as of now. We’re told the decision to continue filming is entirely hers.
We’re told Mary sees returning to work as a way to maintain some structure during an incredibly painful time as she leans heavily on her faith and inner circle. Our sources say Mary will participate in filming at whatever pace she feels is right … and there’s zero pressure.
As we first reported … filming was postponedthis week after Mary learned of Robert’s death. The show is currently in pre-production, but when cameras officially begin rolling, Mary intends to be part of the season.
We broke the story … the Salt Lake City cast has put aside any lingering on-camera drama or past fractures to rally around Mary. Whatever tensions may have existed simply don’t matter right now.
The first official trailer for The Christophers, Steven Soderbergh’s latest film, has just dropped.
Distributed by NEON, this upcoming black comedy-drama is set for a limited theatrical release in select theaters starting April 10, 2026 (with broader international dates following, such as May in the UK and Ireland). Ed Solomon penned the screenplay.
The cast features powerhouse performances from Michaela Coel (known for I May Destroy You and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings, Avengers: Doomsday), Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer), and James Corden (Cats, Cinderella).
In the trailer, Ian McKellen stars as Julian Sklar, a once-celebrated figure from London’s vibrant 1960s and 70s pop art scene. Now, decades later, he hasn’t picked up a brush in years, is financially broke, and lives in isolation in his decaying London townhouse.
The story revolves around Julian’s estranged children (played by James Corden and Jessica Gunning), who are desperate for an inheritance. They hire Lori (Michaela Coel), an art restorer with a past as a forger, to pose as a prospective assistant and secretly complete several of Julian’s long-abandoned unfinished paintings—known as “The Christophers”—to boost their value after his death.
Plentiful sunshine returns this weekend, but get ready for a chilly & cloudy start to the workweek.
Happy Friday! Our final day of the workweek is off to a foggy, but mild, start as temperatures only bottom out in the 40s & 50s across the board. Don’t expect much change throughout the day in the mercury department; highs will struggle to warm much due to clouds and northeasterly breezes this afternoon. More fog may build in overnight into Saturday morning, but the skies should quickly clear as high pressure builds in from the southwest, allowing for highs to finally reach into the mid-to-upper 60s for most across the Piedmont & Foothills. The sunny skies and warmer highs crescendo into Sunday; count on afternoon temperatures to soar into the mid-70s at the very least around the Metro, while the High Country enjoys highs in the mid-60s.
Unfortunately, the good times come to a screeching halt by the start of March’s first workweek as a cold front sweeps into the Carolinas by Monday morning. While the incoming front won’t bring much, if any, rain, highs may struggle to clear the 30s & 40s across the board as high pressure brings a wedge setup back to the WCCB Charlotte viewing area. The American model even brings some wintry weather to the High Country, Foothills, and Piedmont north of I-40 as a weak clipper disturbance passes north of the Queen City. While meaningful precipitation is unlikely, this could be something to watch between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Regardless of what happens to start the week, much warmer air filters into the Carolinas by Wednesday. Charlotte will likely string together multiple days in the 70s between Wednesday and the following weekend; highs may even approach 80° on March’s first Saturday. Just three weeks away from spring!
Today: AM fog and a stray shower. PM mostly cloudy with a stray shower. High: 56°. Wind: NE 5-10.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog late. Low: 47°. Wind: Light.
A public showdown between the Trump administration and Anthropic is hitting an impasse as military officials demand the artificial intelligence company bend its ethical policies by Friday or risk damaging its business.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei drew a sharp red line 24 hours before the deadline, declaring his company “cannot in good conscience accede” to the Pentagon’s final demand to allow unrestricted use of its technology.
Anthropic, maker of the chatbot Claude, can afford to lose a defense contract. But the ultimatum this week from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posed broader risks at the peak of the company’s meteoric rise from a little-known computer science research lab in San Francisco to one of the world’s most valuable startups.
If Amodei doesn’t budge, military officials have warned they will not just pull Anthropic’s contract but also “deem them a supply chain risk,” a designation typically stamped on foreign adversaries that could derail the company’s critical partnerships with other businesses.
And if Amodei were to cave, he could lose trust in the booming AI industry, particularly from top talent drawn to the company for its promises of responsibly building better-than-human AI that, without safeguards, could pose catastrophic risks.
Anthropic said it sought narrow assurances from the Pentagon that Claude won’t be used for mass surveillance of Americans or in fully autonomous weapons. But after months of private talks exploded into public debate, it said in a Thursday statement that new contract language “framed as compromise was paired with legalese that would allow those safeguards to be disregarded at will.”
That was after Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s top spokesman, posted on social media that “we will not let ANY company dictate the terms regarding how we make operational decisions” and added the company has “until 5:01 p.m. ET on Friday to decide” if it would meet the demands or face consequences.
Emil Michael, the defense undersecretary for research and engineering, later lashed out at Amodei, alleging on X that he “has a God-complex” and “wants nothing more than to try to personally control the US Military and is ok putting our nation’s safety at risk.”
That message hasn’t resonated in much of Silicon Valley, where a growing number of tech workers from Anthropic’s top rivals, OpenAI and Google, voiced support for Amodei’s stand late Thursday in an open letter.
OpenAI and Google, along with Elon Musk’s xAI, also have contracts to supply their AI models to the military.
“The Pentagon is negotiating with Google and OpenAI to try to get them to agree to what Anthropic has refused,” the open letter says. “They’re trying to divide each company with fear that the other will give in.”
Also raising concerns about the Pentagon’s approach were Republican and Democratic lawmakers and a former leader of the Defense Department’s AI initiatives.
“Painting a bullseye on Anthropic garners spicy headlines, but everyone loses in the end,” wrote retired Air Force Gen. Jack Shanahan in a social media post.
Shanahan faced a different wave of tech worker opposition during the first Trump administration when he led Maven, a project to use AI technology to analyze drone footage and target weapons. So many Google employees protested its participation in Project Maven at the time that the tech giant declined to renew the contract and then pledged not to use AI in weaponry.
“Since I was square in the middle of Project Maven & Google, it’s reasonable to assume I would take the Pentagon’s side here,” Shanahan wrote Thursday on social media. “Yet I’m sympathetic to Anthropic’s position. More so than I was to Google’s in 2018.”
He said Claude is already being widely used across the government, including in classified settings, and Anthropic’s red lines are “reasonable.” He said the AI large language models that power chatbots like Claude are also “not ready for prime time in national security settings,” particularly not for fully autonomous weapons.
“They’re not trying to play cute here,” he wrote.
Parnell asserted Thursday that the Pentagon wants to “ use Anthropic’s model for all lawful purposes” and said opening up use of the technology would prevent the company from “jeopardizing critical military operations,” though neither he nor other officials have detailed how they want to use the technology.
The military “has no interest in using AI to conduct mass surveillance of Americans (which is illegal) nor do we want to use AI to develop autonomous weapons that operate without human involvement,” Parnell wrote.
When Hegseth and Amodei met Tuesday, military officials warned that they could designate Anthropic as a supply chain risk, cancel its contract or invoke a Cold War-era law called the Defense Production Act to give the military more sweeping authority to use its products, even if the company doesn’t approve.
Amodei said Thursday that “those latter two threats are inherently contradictory: one labels us a security risk; the other labels Claude as essential to national security.” He said he hopes the Pentagon will reconsider given Claude’s value to the military, but, if not, Anthropic “will work to enable a smooth transition to another provider.”
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AP reporter Konstantin Toropin contributed to this report.
It was already many months ago when we made our predictions as to which spring 2026 shoe trends will become the most noteworthy, and while our runway predictions are never far off, the overall look of spring is beginning to take shape which means its time to revisit the season’s top footwear—and what’s actually resonating IRL.
While the runways at Chanel, Prada, and Fendi, among others, offered us the first glimpses at what would become the season’s defining shoes, the fashion set is already styling many of these early favorites with their spring looks, so we can finally say with certainty that the seven styles below are clearly on top right now.
The Top Spring 2026 Shoe Trends:
1. High Vamps
The chicest shoe choice you can make in 2026 is a high vamp. Whether flats or pumps, the silhouette brings a cool modern feel to just about anything, from classic jeans to a cocktail dress.
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight/Toteme)
Le Monde Béryl
Babouche Leather Pump
COS
Square-Toe Leather Heeled Shoes
Jeffrey Campbell
Fathom Flat
COS
Minimal Leather Ballet Flats
2. Cap-Toe Shoes
Two-tone shoes have long been a signature at Chanel, but with Matthieu Blazy’s modern spin for spring, they’re quickly becoming as sought-after as they are timeless.
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight/Chanel)
Tory Burch
Cap Toe Mary Jane Pump
MARGAUX
The Elise Cap-Toe
L’AGENCE
Garlan Pointed Cap Toe Kitten Heel Pump
3. Hybrid Sneakers
Sneakerinas, Mary Jane sneakers, “air” sneakers—spring 2026 is getting an influx of sneaker trends that are anything but traditional.
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight/Fendi)
Prada
Collapse Suede-Trimmed Re-Nylon Sneakers
Bottega Veneta
Orbit Mesh Mary-Jane Sneakers
ZARA
Leather Lace-Up Low Heel Shoes
COS
Suede-Nylon Mary-Jane Sneakers
4. Ruched Loafers
Yes, loafers are “trending”—obvious, right?—but more specifically, there’s a single detail that’s separating the coolest ones from the pack, and that’s a ruching seam that lends a forward feel to the otherwise timeless shoes.
BLACK SUEDE STUDIO
Arrow Loafer
5. Eel Embossing
Suede may have been the catalyst, but this season, texture is becoming even more luxurious and rarified with the rise of eel-print finishes that are emerging on the chicest loafers, flats, and even sandals.
Loro Piana
Rebecca Eel-Printed Flats
LE MONDE BERYL
Eel-Effect Leather Wedge Sandals
Dries Van Noten
Leather Ballerina Sneaker
6. Closed-Toe Wedges
I’m just as surprised as you are, but it’s becoming clear that wedges are once again a top shoe choice in 2026. Instead of their chunkier predecessors, fashion people are gravitating towards closed-toe edges mules that are ultra-sleek and modern.
Black Suede Studio
Alysha Mules 70mm
Larroudé
Loulou Mule Beige Raffia
Reformation
Marilyn Wedge Mule
7. Almond Toe Shapes
They’re not pointed, but they’re not quite rounded, either—instead, almond-toe shoes occupy an in-between category that we never knew our closets needed. With their retro appeal, a pair of almond-toe flats or kitten-heel pumps is a surefire way to look sophisticated this spring.
