Author: admin

• I gave up my career to become a stay-at-home mom and turned into the CEO of my children’s lives.
• I chose their schools and extracurriculars, and made sure their lives went smoothly.
• I recently realized it was probably time to resign as their CEO and just be a mom on the sidelines.

A few weeks ago, my 18-year-old daughter was planning a weekend beach trip with friends.

She’s self-reliant, dependable, and not a partier, so I completely trust her to get the job done in situations like this.

I knew she’d be OK, but I still wanted to step in anyway, searching for the perfect hotel and safe beaches for them to visit. I had a pile of work on my desk, unrelated to my daughter’s trip details, but this wasn’t the sort of thing that would usually stop me from helping.

I’ve been the CEO of their lives

When I gave birth to my daughter in 2007, I ended my writing career and became a full-time stay-at-home mom.

It wasn’t really a decision for me. I knew I’d never be able to put my children in daycare. I wanted to be the one guiding them, after all, I’m the one who could love them best. And I did it.

Then two years after my daughter was born, I had my son. During their toddler and early childhood years, the three of us spent our days baking, crafting, going to the playground, and learning to garden. We went to playgroups and raised goats and chickens. I threw myself into this new identity.

As my children grew, it became clear that I was in charge. I wasn’t just a mom, I had become the CEO of their lives. I went full-tilt boogie during their school years, carefully choosing their charter school, teachers, and extracurriculars.

When my daughter started high school, I shifted to college planning. Even though she was excelling in her hardest AP classes, I tracked her assignments and grades and pointed out whenever she fell below 90%. I liked reminding her that every B on her transcript would be a door closing. When a good friend heard I repeated that phrase to my kids, she said, “Oh, Nicolle, that’s harsh. In our house, we say ‘An A is not the only way.'” I was chagrined, though only a little.

It was time to be in charge of my own life, not theirs

My daughter’s high school years flew by, and before I knew it, she was starting her senior year. When it came time to apply to colleges, I was shocked to find she had been working with a local college counselor she had found on her own. At first, it was unsettling to lose control of such a big decision in her life, and yet, after years of managing so much for her, I was also a little relieved. Still, I wondered to myself how someone else was going to handle this gargantuan task. I couldn’t help weighing in when she showed me her list of schools.

“Didn’t we decide you’d apply to some Ivies?” I asked her.

“We did not decide,” she replied, “I decided that I want to enjoy my life in college, and the thought of attending an Ivy stresses me out.”

I wanted that too for her — all I ever wanted for her was a good, happy life. She was telling me what she needed and that she didn’t need my help finding it. It was a lot to take, but it also became a moment I was proud of.

Something shifted for me

Soon after she submitted her college applications, she started planning that beach trip with her friends. I’d recently begun freelance writing again since both of my kids were now driving and more independent. But, as usual, I couldn’t resist butting in. I instantly set aside my own work to research hotels for her.

But as I opened the Hotels.com app, I paused. She hadn’t asked for my help. My daughter was ready to leave home and take charge of her life, she could likely take care of this without any issues. I closed the app and shifted my focus back to the pile of work on my desk.

I have put my daughter and her brother first for 18 years. And while I’ll never stop caring for and supporting my children, I’m learning that it may finally be time to take charge of my own life and resign as the CEO of theirs.

• After visiting all 63 major US national parks, I think some are best experienced in the fall.
• In many of the parks, the fall months bring fewer crowds and cooler weather.
• In my opinion, the fall is the best time to visit parks like Acadia and Cuyahoga Valley.

Summer is winding down, but that doesn’t mean national park adventures have to end. In fact, many of the 63 major US national parks are at their best during the shoulder seasons.

After visiting every single park solo, I’m often asked which ones are best to visit in autumn.

Whether you’re chasing vibrant foliage or simply cooler, less-crowded days, these six national parks truly shine this time of year.

Acadia National Park offers stunning fall foliage.

Acadia National Park in Maine is famous for its vibrant fall colors, with bright maple and oak trees scattered across its gorgeous, rugged coastline and forested hiking trails.

Although the park can definitely get crowded this time of year — especially at spots like the Cadillac Mountain summit (where you’ll need a timed-entry reservation) and Jordan Pond — I think the views are worth it.

Even a short hike or drive through the park offers a classic New England autumnal experience, and a visit is definitely something I’d recommend putting on your travel bucket list.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the perfect fall escape.

In my opinion, Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a hidden gem for fall colors.

The forests along the Cuyahoga River are great for leaf peeping, and I find that the rolling hills remain peaceful even when the park is busy.

Popular trails like the Brandywine Gorge Loop to Brandywine Falls and the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath offer classic autumnal views, but there are tons of quieter spots that allow visitors to enjoy the foliage without the crowds.

Cool, crisp air and vibrant scenery make it a perfect fall escape that’s easily accessible from the Cleveland area.

Rocky Mountain National Park offers stunning views.

Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is always gorgeous — but in my opinion, it’s especially beautiful in the fall.

By mid-September, the tall aspen trees in the park turn a brilliant gold, standing out against the high mountain peaks. Walking around Bear Lake is one of my favorite ways to take in the fall foliage.

Just keep in mind that if you’re visiting the park through mid-October, timed-entry reservations are required for certain parts of the day.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park feels magical in the fall months.

In my opinion, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is located in North Carolina and Tennessee, is one of the best spots in the country for fall color.

The park is home to over 100 species of native trees, and the foliage season lasts for weeks, from late September in the higher elevations to early November in the valleys. By October, the mountains turn into rolling waves of red, orange, and gold.

Scenic drives on Kuwohi Road bring spectacular views, and a hike on the Alum Cave Trail puts you right in the middle of the color.

Plus, cooler temperatures make fall an especially magical time to explore the most-visited US national park.

The fall months are the perfect time to experience Grand Canyon National Park.

Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park is stunning at any time of the year, but I really love visiting in the fall, when cooler temperatures make hiking and sightseeing a little more comfortable.

Although parts of the North Rim are closed due to flash floods, the popular South Rim remains fully open and ready for visitors. It offers classic views of the canyon’s layered cliffs and dramatic sunsets.

I’ve even found that popular viewpoints, like Mather Point and Desert View, are less crowded than they are in the summer.

Plus, trails like South Kaibab allow you to explore the canyon without the peak-season heat that can make hiking there dangerous.

Grand Teton National Park is the perfect place to take in nature.

Fall in Grand Teton National Park is spectacular, as the aspens and cottonwoods turn gold against the classic jagged mountain peaks.

In addition to the beautiful foliage, the wildlife is also very active — you might spot elk or moose grazing in the meadows.

Overall, September and October are great times to visit this Wyoming park, as these months typically bring cooler weather and smaller crowds.

This story was originally published on September 10, 2025, and most recently updated on September 14, 2026.

• Oracle started a new round of layoffs on Monday as costs related to its data center buildout mount.
• Severance includes 4 weeks’ base salary plus 1 week per year of employment.
• That appears less generous than severance policies at Oracle’s peer companies that BI recently reviewed.

Oracle is offering recently laid-off employees four weeks of severance and an additional week per year of service, according to documents viewed by Business Insider.

The latest documents did not state Oracle’s maximum severance, but the company’s standard pay plan, as reported by Business Insider in March, capped severance at 26 weeks. That package stated: “four weeks of base salary for your first year of employment, plus one week’s salary for each additional year of employment, based on your most recent hire date, up to a combined maximum of 26 weeks of base salary.”

Oracle did not respond to a request for comment.

Oracle started a new round of layoffs on Monday, confirming Business Insider’s recent reporting that the company had drawn up plans to reduce payroll as it racks up billions in debt to fund AI infrastructure.

“After careful consideration of Oracle’s current business needs, we have made the decision to eliminate your role as part of a broader organizational change,” copies of the latest layoff notification email stated. “As a result, today is your last working day.”

Oracle’s severance package appears less generous than those offered by its Big Tech peers.

Salesforce’s standard policy offers up to 30 weeks of severance pay, with a minimum of 9 or 13 weeks based on role, plus an additional 3 weeks of service per year.

Microsoft offered employees in its latest round of layoffs this summer up to 39 weeks’ base pay, with a minimum of 60 days and one or two additional weeks per six months of service, depending on seniority.

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• WalletHub ranked the states with the highest and lowest vaccination rates in the US.
• The analysis examined vaccination rates among children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly.
• Vermont had the highest vaccination rate in the US, while Mississippi had the lowest.

The likelihood of experiencing a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak has much to do with where you live.

A September report from the personal finance website WalletHub analyzed US vaccination rates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, using data from the US Census Bureau, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration, IBTimes, Kaiser Family Foundation, and ProCon.org.

The analysis examined vaccination rates among children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly, as well as differences in access and other factors that influence vaccination rates. WalletHub then scored each state and DC through a weighted average across all metrics.

New England states made up the top 5 and had among the highest flu shot rates, while Mississippi ranked last. The data comes as flu season enters full swing and measles outbreaks continue across the US.

CDC data show that fewer than 44% of people in the US aged 6 months and older received a flu shot during the 2024-2025 season, compared with roughly 52% in 2020-2021. About 51 million people caught the flu that year, with about 710,000 people hospitalized due to complications and 45,000 dying from it.

As of February 2026, an estimated 47% of adults got the flu shot for the 2025-2026 season.

Measles vaccination rates are also lower than a few years ago. Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and other states have reported measles outbreaks and rising case numbers.

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said anti-vaccination rhetoric and skepticism toward vaccination benefits since COVID-19 have contributed to lower vaccination rates.

“Seeing as being anti-vaccination has become trendy in some circles, and misinformation is all over the internet, it’s more crucial now than ever to spread awareness of the benefits of vaccines and make sure as many people as possible receive potentially life-saving immunizations,” he said.

Still, some diseases, like smallpox, have been completely eradicated, thanks to widespread vaccinations. Lupo said the states that vaccinate the most people “provide the safest environments when it comes to public health” and have a lower likelihood of outbreaks.

Here are the states with the highest and lowest vaccination rates nationwide.

10. Washington

Score: 66.75

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 13

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 7

9. Minnesota

Score: 66.78

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 24

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 6

8. Virginia

Score: 67.75

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 7

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 17

7. Wisconsin

Score: 68.55

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 18

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 8

6. Pennsylvania

Score: 68.60

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 6

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 15

5. Maine

Score: 69.04

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 17

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 2

4. Rhode Island

Score: 69.16

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 4

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 18

3. New Hampshire

Score: 73.67

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 5

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 2

2. Massachusetts

Score: 80.63

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 1

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 4

1. Vermont

Score: 84.77

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 2

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 1

41. Florida

Score: 47.44

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 27

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 48

42. Idaho

Score: 46.92

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 38

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 40

43. Tennessee

Score: 46.80

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 42

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 43

44. Kentucky

Score: 45.93

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 45

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 32

45. Nevada

Score: 42.53

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 35

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 49

46. Texas

Score: 37.95

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 47

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 42

47. Wyoming

Score: 37.79

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 48

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 44

48. Alaska

Score: 35.15

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 49

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 34

49. Alabama

Score: 34.43

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 43

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 50

50. Oklahoma

Score: 34.18

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 50

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 38

51. Mississippi

Score: 17.54

Children and Teenagers Immunization Rates Rank: 51

Adult & Elderly Vaccination Rates Rank: 51

• CBS News is building anticipation for “60 Minutes” as it relaunches under Bari Weiss.
• Weiss and top producer Nick Bilton brought back longtime correspondents and landed Ross Douthat.
• Read the full memo the newsroom leaders sent to staff celebrating the show’s relaunch.

CBS News is getting employees hyped about the first full season of “60 Minutes” under top editor Bari Weiss, months after a string of high-profile exits.

“We don’t often send notes to the whole newsroom. But today calls for it. It’s a big moment for 60 Minutes and CBS,” newsroom leaders, including Weiss, wrote about the new “60 Minutes” season in a memo sent to staffers on Sunday.

The memo teases an interview — that “everyone has been chasing” — with a US Air Force officer who was rescued from Iran in April.

The 59th season of “60 Minutes” will have 10 regular contributors, including five correspondents: Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, Jon Wertheim, Norah O’Donnell, and Ross Douthat, who joined CBS from The New York Times in July.

“60 Minutes” is kicking off its highly anticipated season following a turbulent early-summer stretch for the storied news program.

Lead producer Nick Bilton, who was handpicked by Weiss in May, started his tenure by firing longtime correspondent Scott Pelley after a noisy confrontation in front of “60 Minutes” staffers.

Pelley had publicly questioned Bilton’s qualifications, pressed his new boss on why fellow correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi were let go, and accused Weiss of “murdering” the iconic Sunday night telecast while trying to “kill” CBS News.

Weiss later addressed the firing, telling staffers she’s “only interested in working in a newsroom that is built on trust and mutual respect.” Bilton told “60 Minutes” employees that his first week had been “a trying and difficult few days.”

Veteran correspondents Whitaker, Wertheim, and Stahl — who’s been with “60” since 1991 — decided to return to the program, saying that they “don’t want to see 60 Minutes die.” They said they’re “working to build trust” with Bilton and “heard all the right things” in his memo.

“If we can continue doing the work that made this show what it is — committing acts of independent, fearless journalism and storytelling — we’re here for it. If not, we leave,” Stahl, Whitaker, and Wertheim wrote in their memo.

Read the full memo sent to CBS News staffers here:

All —

We don’t often send notes to the whole newsroom. But today calls for it. It’s a big moment for 60 Minutes and CBS.

Ahead of our premiere, we wanted to congratulate the team on the launch of what will be an exciting season—and to thank everyone across the CBS newsroom.
Tonight’s episode is a powerful start with three original, revelatory stories that showcase 60 at its best. We begin with the interview everyone has been chasing. Then, a hidden camera investigation and a profile of a NFL superteam’s wunderkind coach. We also have a cameo from one of our new correspondents on the story of our time: AI.

We are deeply thankful to everyone across CBS News for the support over this summer. That especially goes for social, digital, graphics, marketing, and, above all, the investigative unit.

Last but not least: You’ve probably seen the great “It’s Time” campaign everywhere. That push continues through tonight’s game. We’d be grateful if you can spread the word to your friends and followers by sharing these promos today.

This is just the start and there’s so much more to come. See you tonight at 7:30pm!

Nick, Bari, and Tom

• Turns out humanity has nothing to worry about.
• Palantir cofounder Joe Lonsdale said Sunday the world “is going to be alright, guys.”
• His comments came as top AI leaders warn that advanced systems could pose grave risks.

Everything’s fine! Take it from the cofounder of Palantir.

In an X post on Saturday, Joe Lonsdale brushed aside the salient worry that advanced AI systems could cause mass human extinction, a concern that numerous engineers and leaders from frontier AI labs have raised in recent days and weeks.

“The world is going to be alright, guys,” Lonsdale said. “Leaders have big responsibilities and challenges ahead, but it doesn’t help to scare everyone. We are on top of it.”

That’s unlikely enough to calm the nerves of a human population that’s been repeatedly told that AI could take control and do all manner of untoward things, including taking everyone’s jobs.

After Anthropic engineer Jacob Coxon quit the company this week and issued dire warnings that frontier AI companies like Anthropic and OpenAI are “gambling with our lives,” numerous leaders echoed his concern in posts and essays.

On Saturday, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said in a blog post that AI swarms could soon take over the entire internet. He called for more stringent safety regulations and a global, coordinated slowdown on AI development.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind founder Demis Hassabis, and Hugging Face CEO Clément Delangue all said they agreed with Amodei.

Lonsdale? Not so much.

Lonsdale is a famously conservative contrarian. He founded the University of Austin in 2021 alongside now-CBS News editor Bari Weiss, which counts “the unhindered pursuit of truth without cancel culture” as one of its core principles.

“It’s not as much about the politics as it was about being contrarian. I’ve always relished standing out from the crowd, standing up and disagreeing with everyone,” he once told Business Insider in a 2017 interview.

The company he helped found and later left, Palantir, builds AI software that helps governments and corporations analyze large amounts of data. The company has several lucrative contracts with the US government. It credited 93% year-over-year revenue growth in Q2 to companies purchasing its enterprise software.

In his weekend take that everything’s going to be just fine, Lonsdale appears aligned with President Donald Trump. The president has repeatedly scoffed at AI doomerism, emphasizing the need to stay ahead of China in the AI race.

In Ireland on Sunday, Trump said AI leaders who have issued warnings about the tech’s potential for misuse are “bringing up things that won’t happen.”

“Whoever wins with AI wins,” the president told reporters.