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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
This county was named the best to live in Texas in 2025. And no, it's not Travis County.
Looking for the best place to live in Texas? A new report ranks the top counties across the Lone Star State — and the winner might surprise you. It's not home to any of Texas' biggest cities — not Austin, not Houston, not San Antonio or Dallas — but it sits just a short drive away, quietly climbing the charts in quality of life, family-friendliness, and opportunity. The Niche list evaluated Texas' counties based on nearly a dozen factors, including public school ratings, cost of living, job opportunities and access to amenities. Each category was assigned a letter grade using data from the U.S. Census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Centers for Disease Control and other sources. Here's how the top Lone Star State's counties stacked up and why. Collin County Fort Bend County Rockwall County Denton County Travis County Williamson County Comal County Kendall County Lubbock County Brewster County Collin County — home to booming cities like Frisco, Plano, and McKinney — has become one of the most rapidly developing regions in the United States, even claiming the nation's fastest-growing city: Princeton. Fueled by a surge in population, the county has attracted major investments. The Dallas Cowboys relocated their world headquarters to Frisco, and Universal Studios is developing a first-of-its-kind theme park designed specifically for families. Collin County also boasts one of the top-rated public school districts in Texas and ranks as the healthiest county in the state, according to Niche, which awarded the county an overall grade of A+. Here's how the county scored across key categories: Public Schools: A+ Good for Families: A+ Jobs: A+ Health & Fitness: A+ Diversity: A Nightlife: A- Housing: B+ Outdoor Activities: B+ Commute: B Weather: B Cost of Living: C+ Despite a lower mark for cost of living, Collin County continues to thrive as one of the most sought-after places to live, work, and raise a family in Texas. A four-year resident shared their experience living in Collin County. "My experience has been very satisfying and gratifying compared to living near downtown Dallas and commuting to and from downtown Dallas," the user wrote. "Collin County is much more spacious and much more manicured that some places in Dallas. There seems to be many public & private schools available. It's the dream suburbia lifestyle that many find desirable. I highly recommend branching out into Collin County to start a family or even start a business." Niche ranked Texas' counties based on how livable they are, using data from the U.S. Census and other reliable sources. The goal was to measure the overall quality of life in each area by looking at factors that matter most to residents. These included things like: Higher education rate: How many people have a college degree. Cost of living: How affordable it is to live there. Housing: Home values, property taxes, and local school quality. Public schools: Based on school ratings and student population. Diversity: Ethnic, age, and income diversity. Jobs: Employment rates, job growth, and income stability. Health & fitness: Access to healthcare and community health statistics. Outdoor activities & weather: Access to parks and good weather. Commute times: How long it typically takes to get to work. Nightlife: Access to restaurants, bars, and entertainment. Niche also considered feedback from people who lived in each county to help shape the rankings. Each category was assigned a letter grade, and these grades were combined to determine an overall score for each county. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Which county is the best to live in Texas? Here's what Niche says
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
This county was named the best to live in Arizona. And no, it's not Maricopa County
Maricopa County has a lot to offer, from vibrant city vibes to cultural destinations to natural landmarks. But according to a new ranking, it's still falling short of being the best place to live in Arizona. Instead, Greenlee County once again claimed the top spot on Niche's list of the 2025 best Arizona counties to live in ranking. The list evaluated Arizona's 15 counties based on nearly a dozen factors, including public school ratings, cost of living, job opportunities and access to amenities. Each category was assigned a letter grade using data from the U.S. Census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Centers for Disease Control and other sources. Here's how all of Arizona's counties stacked up and why. Greenlee County Pima County Cochise County Maricopa County Coconino County Greenlee County not only took the No. 1 spot overall, but it also ranked as the best county for families and the best county to buy a home in Arizona. Located along the state's eastern border with New Mexico, Greenlee is one of the least populated counties in the state, with fewer than 10,000 residents. But what it lacks in population, it makes up for in livability: highly rated public schools, favorable weather and a fairly diverse community helped it secure its top ranking. Greenly County also has a strong housing market, with a median home value and rent cost far below the national median. Major cities in Greenlee County include Duncan and Morenci, but its top-rated city with an overall grade of A- is Clifton, according to Niche. Two other counties also surpassed Maricopa County in the list: Pima and Cochise counties, with better housing and cost of living ratings than Maricopa. Maricopa County is where most residents in Arizona live, with a population of nearly 4.5 million. Even though it did not make it to the top of Niche's list, it still made it to the top five, with high ratings for outdoor activities, diversity, weather, health and fitness, and nightlife. Maricopa offers a wide range of things to do, including restaurants, entertainment venues, coffee shops, parks and outdoor activities. It has bustling urban centers like Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale while still offering plenty of charming, quieter rural areas on the outskirts. It was also named the best county for young professionals in Arizona, offering a fairly strong job market and income stability. Its public schools are also mostly above average. However, Maricopa County received poor ratings for the housing and cost of living categories, bringing its overall grade down. The median home value in Maricopa is about $415,000, which is more than $100,000 above the national average. The median rent cost is also higher than the national average at $1,587 a month. Even so, several communities in the county stood out. With an overall grade of A+, Awhatukee Foothills was named the best place to live in Maricopa County, followed by Gilbert, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Chandler. Niche ranked Arizona's counties based on how livable they are, using data from the U.S. Census and other reliable sources. The goal was to measure the overall quality of life in each area by looking at factors that matter most to residents. These included things like: Higher education rate: How many people have a college degree. Cost of living: How affordable it is to live there. Housing: Home values, property taxes, and local school quality. Public schools: Based on school ratings and student population. Diversity: Ethnic, age, and income diversity. Jobs: Employment rates, job growth, and income stability. Health & fitness: Access to healthcare and community health statistics. Outdoor activities & weather: Access to parks and good weather. Commute times: How long it typically takes to get to work. Nightlife: Access to restaurants, bars, and entertainment. Niche also considered feedback from people who lived in each county to help shape the rankings. Each category was given a letter grade, and those grades were combined to come up with an overall score for each county. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: These are the best counties to live in Arizona — see how yours ranked
Black America Web
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Chrisette Michele's Autism Diagnosis Arrives To Social Media Criticism
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty Singer Chrisette Michele is known for her sultry vocals and gorgeous ballads like 'A Couple of Forevers.' She is also known as the woman whose career was derailed by performing at Donald Trump's first inauguration. But now she's revealing a diagnosis that has helped her better understand some of the things she's been through in her life and career. Michele, 42, says she was recently told she is on the autism spectrum. 'I just learned I'm autistic. Official diagnosis. They used the word 'severely,'' Michele posted. 'I've been quiet on here. But… I've been outside. Singing. … but learning to strip the mask. One show at a time. (The irony) Just… coming to grips with a lot and giving myself room to take it all in.' She added, 'My life and its challenges finally make sense. So so much sense. Autistic. Would you get a load of that… I'll talk more soon. Just wanted to say hi… from stage side.' As defined by the autism advocacy organization Autism Speaks, 'Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 31 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States today.' Michele has had her share of challenges, including a miscarriage, which she shared publicly on social media. But the backlash she received for performing for Trump's first inauguration in 2017, hurt her reputation and possibly her career. Though she has performed regularly in recent years and is currently on tour, Michele said she was hurt by the criticism for what she saw as a way to build a bridge to both sides. Instead, she received death threats. 'We had security guards at my hotel doors,' Michele said in an interview with The Guardian earlier this year. 'I wasn't going to the grocery store by myself for years.' In 2017, she said the resultant stress was what caused her to lose a baby and helped end her marriage. 'That was me at my most panicked, the point where I came close to doing anything to get people just to be nice to me for one second,' she said. 'I thought people were never going to stop hating me. I didn't think this would go on for years .' And the criticism didn't end with her latest post. Many commenters took issue with her 'severe' autism diagnosis, giving the wide range of the autism spectrum. While it may indeed be severe on Michele's end as it relates to an adult diagnosis, or autism's symptoms, which are having difficulty processing information, connecting to others, or reading social cues, many parents of autistic children questioned the doctor's characterization. One commenter said, 'I would like to know who made this diagnosis because it BS, as a mother to a non verbal child on the spectrum, I can say with my whole chest you do NOT have SEVERE Autism. I'm tired of people acting like this is a tik tok trend and spreading misinformation for clout or sympathy.' Another commenter tried to provide some nuance to the criticism, saying 'My 12 year old is nonverbal, has childhood apraxia and is level 3 autistic, which is considered severely/profound autistic. This is so insulting to me and other parents that are actually dealing with severely autistic children on a daily basis. You ARE NOT severely autistic, FULL STOP. People are making a mockery of autism and it's extremely, disgusting, disrespectful and hurtful. I'm not saying that you're not on the spectrum…I'm saying you are not severely autistic. Anyone have any questions? Please visit @life_with_severe_autism and watch her video for a complete understanding.' Though drawing criticism once again, Michele has potentially opened up a conversation about adult autism and how it can show up. As she said, there is more conversation to come. In the meantime, you can see Michele on tour in selected cities through Aug. 15. See social media's reaction to her diagnosis beow. Chrisette Michele's Autism Diagnosis Arrives To Social Media Criticism was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Church hosts conference to address mental health in the Black community
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2023, suicide was the third leading cause of death among African Americans ages 15 to 34 in the U.S. Pastor Dianne Young with the Healing Center says this is why her church gathered professionals from across the country to educate people about depression and break the silence surrounding suicide in the Black community. 'We want to be able to let people talk freely about their struggles. We mention that we have them, but we don't talk about it,' said Pastor Young. Her church hosted the National Suicide and Black Church Conference at Southwest Community College. 📡 for Memphis and the Mid-South. 📧 and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. 'There was a theory that it didn't happen to Black people or African-Americans, but we found out it did from our own personal experiences,' she said. Executive Director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, Rawle Andrews Jr., says the stigma surrounding depression among Black people stems from three things: fear, shame, and discrimination. 'We were already thought to be less than human or second class, and then when I tell you I'm struggling with a mental health condition, now I'm leaning into the perception that I'm less than. I'm less than human,' said Andrews Jr. The APA says some of the common warning signs include talking or writing about death, withdrawal from friends and family, dramatic mood changes, and increased alcohol or drug use. 'If you don't see that person for a couple of days and their body language changes, get interested. Get curious,' said a workshop speaker. 'This is teaching you all to recognize, not diagnose, because when you diagnose somebody inappropriately, that can feel like a judgment or a label. Don't do that.' If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, experts encourage you to call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
11-06-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Donna Vickroy: Even the best swimmers can drown so learn to respect water
Before you head into the water this summer, make sure you know how not to drown. About 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths occur annually in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Every summer we learn about them happening in local pools or at a Lake Michigan beach or along vacation-popular coastlines. Water can be a relief during hot weather. It can be a comfort, and a thrill. But it can also be dangerous. According to the USA Swimming Foundation, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in the United States for children ages 1 to 4 and the second leading cause for children under the age of 14. It also states that African American children ages 5 to 10 are nearly six times more likely to drown in a swimming pool than their Caucasian peers. If a parent does not know how to swim, according to the foundation, there is only a 19% chance that a child in their household will learn to swim. Wyatt Werneth, spokesperson for the American Lifeguard Association and founder of the Drown Zero International Project, said the first step toward preventing drowning is, 'Learn to swim, America.' If you know how to swim and have water confidence, Werneth said, 'you're already ahead of the game.' But even the best swimmers would struggle in battle against a powerful rip current, he said. And that's why everyone also needs to take precautions to prevent drowning. Begin any water outing with a safety check, said Werneth, a former Fire/Ocean rescue chief, U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard veteran and celebrity stunt performer. Prevention means dressing kids in bright orange, the color the rescue community uses for easy visibility. It means having a flotation device at the ready because you should never try to rescue someone without one. And it means assigning a designated water watcher during any kind of water outing. 'Make sure there are lifeguards on duty,' he said. 'Lifeguards have super powers in that they can prevent a 911 call from happening.' Give your designated water watcher a whistle and authority to safeguard the family, he said. 'Even if you swim where there's a lifeguard, you should still be accountable for your family.' Watch the weather, he added. In Florida, 'lightning strikes kill more people than shark attacks.' Learn to identify rip currents, although that can be tricky, Werneth said. Remember the adage, 'Wherever there's a dip, there's a rip.' 'If you're on the beach and your stuff is getting wet but people on either side of you are dry, you're in a dip,' he said. 'That's the channel. You want to stay out of that.' Rip currents can be turbulent and move in circles, making them nearly impossible to swim against, Werneth said. 'If you get caught in one, try to relax and signal for help,' he said. If you see someone in distress — moving slowly in the water, flipping on their back — first, call for help. 'Don't attempt to rescue anyone without a floatation device,' he said. 'Seventy-five percent of the drownings I've dealt with over the years are people trying to rescue someone else. So many times, the person in distress is brought to safety but the rescuer doesn't make it,' he said. His Drown Zero initiative is working to install flotation ring stands in all areas where there is the potential for someone to end up in distress. He recalled the tragic story of Ted Hunt, a former lifeguard who saved a woman from drowning but subsequently lost his own life while vacationing in Florida. 'There was no flotation available and he drowned,' Werneth said. 'Today there is a flotation device station dedicated to him at Cocoa Beach.' In the absence of a life ring, Werneth said, a cooler, boogie board or even a beach ball — anything that floats — can be used to help rescue someone who is drowning. Leslie Dorworth, spokesperson for the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, has safety tips that can be applied in any water situation, but particularly for the Lake Michigan beaches, where wind and waves can quickly create powerful rip currents, structural currents near piers and longshore currents. 'On top of the dangerous currents, rapidly shifting weather, deep drop-offs and uneven lakebeds make the southern shoreline of Lake Michigan the most dangerous stretch of water in the Great Lakes when it comes to drownings,' according to the IISG website, Dorworth's tips include: 'Always swim with a buddy, designate a water watcher, wear a properly fitted life jacket and know the water, which means looking for signs of dangerous conditions such as flags or structural currents.' Don't be afraid to ask the lifeguard about the safest spots for children to swim. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, remember this catchphrase: 'Float first then figure it out.' 'Rip currents can move faster than Olympic swimmers,' Dorworth said. 'Swimming against them will exhaust you.' Instead, flip on your back, float, wave one arm and call for help. If you can, swim across the current — parallel to shore — until you are free of it and can head back to shore, Dorworth states. And, remember, Lake Michigan water can be cold. Dorworth recommends beachgoers take frequent breaks. If you're caught in cold water, 'pull arms and legs close to the body to preserve heat,' she said. In addition, parents should review with their children 'what to do in case something goes wrong' before heading out, she said.
