Tag: Business

• I've made all of Ina Garten's recipes — these are my favorite recipes for Thanksgiving. 
• Her Parmesan smashed potatoes, shaved Brussels sprouts with pancetta, and popovers are great sides.
• Ina Garten's make-ahead turkey gravy and autumn sangria are some of my favorites.

If Ina Garten's taught me anything, it's that a solid game plan is the key to a successful Thanksgiving dinner.

I may go overboard by planning my dishes, timeline, and grocery list in early October, but my meal prep runs like a well-oiled machine every year.

Fortunately, I have you covered when it comes to planning a menu.

I've cooked all of the Barefoot Contessa's 1,300-plus recipes, and here are my absolute favorites for Thanksgiving dinner.

Her autumn sangria packs a punch.

"Cook Like a Pro," page 24

When guests arrive, I love to kick things off with a seasonal cocktail.

So many sangrias can be cloyingly sweet, but Garten's autumnal recipe is a perfectly balanced mix of cabernet sauvignon, apple cider, apple and pear brandy, and cinnamon syrup.

Even better, you can make it days ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld. Be careful, though, as the Barefoot Contessa's drinks pack a punch.

Parmesan smashed potatoes are pretty easy to make.

"The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook," page 158

Garten's truffle mashed potatoes are an absolute favorite of mine, but her Parmesan smashed potatoes are my go-to when I'm planning to smother my spuds in gravy.

The potatoes contain sour cream, which adds a nice tang as the Parmesan takes these to the next level. One big perk of this recipe is that it lets you skip the annoying task of peeling potatoes.

Making a turkey roulade is a good alternative to carving a whole bird.

"Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics," page 109

I'd always preferred dark-meat turkey until I tried this roulade.

It's a deboned turkey breast packed with a cranberry, sausage, and fig stuffing that's rolled, baked, and sliced.

With this recipe, you don't need to carve an entire bird as your guests arrive. But if you're going with a full bird, I'd suggest Ina's Accidental Turkey — the dry-brined method is a game changer!

Her make-ahead turkey gravy with onions and sage is fabulous.

"Make It Ahead," page 103

I joke that I make extra of this gravy to sip on while making the rest of the Thanksgiving meal — it's that good.

It can be made days in advance and then rewarmed with the turkey drippings the day of the big meal. Even without the drippings, it's a fabulous gravy.

Mushroom-and-leek bread pudding is packed with flavor.

"Foolproof," page 188

For years, I never fully appreciated the appeal of dressing or stuffing. Sure, it was good, but with so many delicious Thanksgiving sides, I often only grabbed the smallest amount of it.

That changed when Garten introduced me to savory bread pudding — stuffing's moister, much more flavorful cousin. This mushroom-and-leek one is my favorite.

Her shaved Brussels sprouts with pancetta are loaded with flavor.

Food Network

If you grew up in the '80s or '90s, there's a good chance you hated Brussels sprouts, which were almost always boiled and never delicious.

Now, they're one of my favorite veggies, and nothing complements them better than a little bacon or pancetta and syrupy balsamic vinegar.

For this recipe, I recommend using a food processor to quickly shred your sprouts.

Maple-roasted butternut squash is a great side dish.

"Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics," page 158

I take back all the bad things I said about butternut squash when I was growing up.

It makes for a dreamy side dish when paired with pancetta, maple syrup, and sage in this recipe.

Popovers can be sweet or savory.

"Parties," page 189

These popovers are impressively puffy and can skew sweet or savory — serve them with jam or gravy.

The key is getting the popover pan as hot as possible before adding the batter — I usually heat the pans for 10 minutes rather than the two minutes Garten recommends.

Pecan squares are a good alternative to the classic pie.

"The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook," page 188

Pecan pie was a must at Thanksgiving until I discovered these.

Garten swaps the pie dough for a shortbread crust and tops it with a chewy, crunchy pecan mixture with a hint of orange.

Go ahead and gild the lily by dipping the squares in the optional chocolate. This recipe yields a lot of bars — I usually cut it in half and make the dessert in a 9-inch by 13-inch casserole dish.

Skip pie and opt for pumpkin-mousse parfaits instead.

"Barefoot Contessa at Home," page 180

Forget making pumpkin pie this year and instead prep this show-stopping, light-as-air treat.

The ethereal pumpkin mousse layered with whipped cream and spicy, crunchy crumbled ginger cookies is the perfect cap to an otherwise heavy meal.

This story was originally published on November 16, 2023, and most recently updated on November 21, 2025.

• Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers is stepping down from his teaching position at Harvard.
• Summers announced he would step back from public life due to his connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
• When a professor said the Harvard community would miss Summers' "wisdom," one student disagreed.

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said he would no longer teach at Harvard University after his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were recently made public.

The scandal, however, continues to play out in his old classrooms.

A video posted on TikTok on Thursday showed a professor addressing a room full of Summers' former students about his absence. The Harvard Crimson, the university's student-run newspaper, reported that the professor was Summer's co-instructor and that the exchange took place in a course Summers taught called "The Political Economy of Globalization."

"As I'm sure you are all aware, Larry has decided to step down from his teaching responsibilities this semester," the professor said. "I'm really sorry for the undoubted disruption it's going to cause all of you."

"We will miss his insights and his wisdom."

In response, a student yelled out, "No, we won't."

A different student could be heard saying in the video, "Yes, we will."

The professor, for his part, ignored both students before introducing the guest speaker for that class: former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The video was viewed over 4.3 million times in 24 hours.

That same day, a student group called The Harvard Feminist Collective began circulating a petition demanding "Harvard revoke Larry Summers' tenure and investigate and cut ALL university ties with Epstein."

Epstein was an American financier and convicted sex offender who killed himself in prison in 2019 before the start of his sex-trafficking trial. Epstein's deep connections to numerous politicians, celebrities, and top-level executives, including President Donald Trump, have led to calls for documents related to the investigation into his crimes to be made public.

Last week, the House Oversight Committee released emails showing Epstein's private messages with several prominent people, including top Goldman Sachs lawyer Kathryn Ruemmler and Summers.

The emails showed that Epstein and Summers had years' worth of correspondence, including one exchange in which Summers asked Epstein for advice on how to romantically pursue a woman he said he was mentoring. As public scrutiny mounted, Summers said he would step back from the public sphere.

"I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused," Summers told Business Insider in a statement earlier this week. "I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein."

A representative for Summers told Business Insider on Friday that he had no further statement. Harvard did not reply to requests for comment on Friday.

The petition circulating among Harvard students calling for the university to revoke Summers' tenure specifically cites the former Treasury secretary's emails.

"With the newest release of emails, including Summers' communication with Epstein about abusing power as a professor in pursuing sex with a mentee, it confirms what survivors and Harvard community members have said for years: Summers is unfit and unsafe to teach at Harvard," the petition said.

Jessica Wang, an organizer in the Harvard Feminist Collective and one of the students behind the petition, told Business Insider in a statement that Summers' tenure should be revoked to prevent him from returning to the university.

"Although it's a step in the right direction that Summers has stepped down from teaching, he is still a tenured professor at Harvard. That means he is still employed by the university and could come back to teach a classroom in a year or two," Wang said. "The University must cut all ties to Summer and revoke his tenure to take a strong stance against sexual violence and harassment."

After Congress voted to release documents related to the Justice Department's investigation into Epstein, Trump signed the order on Wednesday. The Trump administration had initially pushed back against releasing the files, which are expected to be heavily redacted.

• Carol Klenfner credits ping pong for keeping her mind sharp and active in her 80s.
• She began playing table tennis in her late 60s after seeing a documentary on senior athletes.
• Klenfner's daily exercise routine and competitive spirit highlight the benefits of active aging.

Carol Klenfner had played ping pong on and off since growing up and into adulthood, but it wasn't until she was 69 that she picked up the paddle to compete.

Within just a few months of playing consistently, she began to notice a difference.

"I remember when I started playing ping pong," she told Business Insider's Sarah Andersen in April, "I noticed that my reflexes were faster than they had been."

Now, after more than a decade of playing and competing at the national level and earning more than 50 medals, she attributes the sport to keeping her mind sharp and engaged as she enters her 80s.

Andersen followed Klenfner as she trained for the 2025 National Senior Games in Des Moines this summer:

Ping pong's speed demands full attention — the spin of the ball, the bounce off the paddle, and the angle of each return. That focus, repeated hundreds of times a day, has helped tune both Klenfner's body and mind, she said.

"If I'm in the bathroom and something falls off the medicine chest, my hand is there catching it before it even registers in my head," Klenfner said.

Klenfner's experience aligns with what researchers have found on the effect of regular physical activity and strength training on the aging human brain.

Building balance, coordination, and fine motor control can strengthen neural connections, reducing the risk of cognitive decline and frailty in older adults.

What's more, picking up ping pong later in life gave Klenfner a renewed sense of adventure.

"The single most important thing that I've learned, and the advice that I would give to somebody who wants to pick up something new later in life, is that it's never too late to learn," she said. "It's never too late to start something new."

Picking up a new sport later in life

Before tackling table tennis, Klenfner had spent most of her life avoiding sports. She was injured in a car crash in college that dislocated her hip. After that, running, playing tennis, and general athletics were off the table.

"It changed the trajectory of my life till now," she said of the event. "I kind of stopped playing sports at that point."

Then, in her late 60s, she saw the documentary "Ping Pong" on PBS, which follows a group of seniors, ages 80 to 100, going to the World Masters Championship.

"I watched that documentary and I said, 'Well, I can't play tennis anymore because of my back and my sciatica, but I think I could play ping pong,'" she said.

Now, at 80, she plays table tennis and trains several times a week.

She's competed in many events, including the Empire State Senior Games and the National Senior Games. She won gold for women's singles at the national games in Pittsburgh in 2023 and took fifth at the 2025 games in Iowa, which disappointed her but didn't deter her from continuing.

"Winning's better, but I love to play and playing is the goal," she said.

How she stays in shape at the competitive level in her 80s

Klenfner says she works out every day, morning and night. Space is limited in her small studio Manhattan apartment, but she gets creative.

She completes about 60 squats, including one-legged squats, each morning while her oatmeal warms.

Then, she'll do some stretches specifically for her back and sciatica, followed by side planks to strengthen her oblique muscles, which are key for the side-to-side motion in ping pong, she says.

After that, she'll typically head to either PingPod to practice with their coaches or her private Pilates trainer, whom she sees twice a week.

In the evenings, she completes sets of resistance exercises with a weight band that she attaches to the only door in her place: the bathroom door.

Klenfner says there are three main reasons she's so committed to exercising daily: staying strong for her tournaments, staying strong for her life, and helping her mental health. "I am happy when I'm moving," she said.

"I'm currently living the best chapter of my life in a lot of ways. I am doing what I want to do when I want to do it."

• A bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery is brewing between Paramount, Comcast, and Netflix.
• Despite the deep pockets of Paramount and Netflix, Comcast may need WBD the most of the three.
• HBO Max has limited overlap with Peacock and could help bring it global, analysts say.

The battle for Warner Bros. Discovery has officially begun. But for all the talk about Paramount Skydance, Comcast could be the most motivated bidder.

Many in Hollywood have assumed for months that David Ellison's Paramount has the inside track. Ellison seems to have a strong relationship with President Donald Trump and is backed by his father Larry Ellison's astronomical wealth.

However, Comcast and Netflix are also suitors for WBD's movie studio and streaming business. And while Netflix may not need those assets, several media analysts believe Comcast does. Rich Greenfield of LightShed Partners led this charge with a trio of late October notes, and he's far from alone.

"We believe it's time for Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts to make a bold move to change the narrative around Comcast," Greenfield wrote. He also said buying WBD would be "a once-in-a-generation opportunity" for Roberts and Comcast.

Brandon Katz of entertainment data provider Greenlight Analytics also thinks the NBCUniversal parent needs WBD. He told Business Insider that "it's clear that NBCU has the most to gain in raw streaming upside from a WBD acquisition."

If NBCU and Peacock's parent company can add Warner Bros. Studios and HBO to its arsenal, it could become a media powerhouse that could challenge the likes of Disney.

"Comcast has always had Disney envy, and now it has a clear opportunity to create a Disney-like story, with an asset mix that could be even more compelling than Disney," Greenfield wrote.

Comcast declined to comment, and WBD didn't respond to requests for comment.

WBD could solve Comcast's streaming shortcomings

Both Comcast and Paramount would greatly benefit from integrating HBO Max, said Joe Bonner of Argus Research.

But Peacock may need it more. Comcast's flagship streamer is US-only and has been stuck at 41 million subscribers for three straight quarters, while Paramount+ is global and has grown steadily to 79.1 million subscribers. Both streamers could use a viewership boost, with roughly 1.5% to 2% of US TV viewership each, according to Nielsen.

Veteran media analyst Craig Moffett of MoffettNathanson told Business Insider that HBO Max is "the most obvious partner" for the "inarguably sub-scale Peacock."

"It's hard to call any asset 'must-have,' but HBO Max and the studios would be a great fit for Comcast," Moffett said.

Peacock may be the best dance partner for HBO Max, since only 20% of HBO Max subscribers in the US also have Peacock, according to Greenlight Analytics. The firm also found that 40% of HBO Max customers pay for Paramount+ and two-thirds have Netflix.

The limited overlap across Peacock and HBO Max means a bundle between the two may drive more incremental revenue than a tie-up with Paramount+ or Netflix could.

Comcast has also shown its commitment to the streaming wars by spending heavily on NBA and MLB media rights and luring star showrunner Taylor Sheridan away from Paramount.

"They must have something cooking beyond just the hopes of landing the studio and streamer side of WBD," Katz said. "The massive outlay for sports rights alone doesn't make sense for US-only distribution."

Comcast's cost savings opportunity may outweigh risks

Outside streaming, Comcast could save a boatload by owning both Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Studios.

"NBCUniversal should have greater synergies with Warner Bros. Discovery, given far less cost-cutting than has been done at Paramount or Warner Bros. in the past five years," Greenfield wrote.

Buying WBD could jump-start Comcast's streaming business and its stock price, both of which have been stagnant.

Comcast isn't a perfect bidder for WBD, however. Like Netflix, it's only interested in WBD's studio and streaming business, since it's spinning off most of its cable TV networks, while Paramount wants all of WBD.

Unlike the Ellison-backed Paramount or cash-gushing Netflix, Comcast also may be limited by its languid stock and hefty debt load. Moffett said that Comcast's price-to-earnings ratio is the lowest of any S&P 500 stock, so a big deal "is probably out of Comcast's reach."

Another potential headache is the regulatory process, as Trump has spoken negatively about Roberts and Comcast — which owns the left-leaning TV network MS NOW — in the past.

"It's hard to imagine that this administration would greenlight a deal over what they could, or would, claim to be antitrust concerns," Moffett said.

Still, Comcast could be very motivated to figure out a way forward, as losing out on WBD could leave "Peacock stranded without an obvious merger partner and at a meaningful content deficit," Greenfield wrote. He thinks Comcast could secure regulatory approval to buy WBD by placating Trump. The media giant recently donated to Trump's new White House ballroom project.

Comcast has a history of shaking up bidding wars, as WBD found out during the NBA media rights negotiations. If the cable giant decides it needs WBD, Ellison shouldn't be surprised if securing his prize is harder than he anticipated.

• The annual salaries of state governors vary, with the lowest being $70,000 in Maine.
• Kathy Hochul, Gavin Newsom, and Josh Shapiro are among the highest-paid US governors.
• The average annual salary for a state governor is $167,128 in 2025.

In some states, being the governor doesn't automatically make you a top earner.

There's a wide range in what state governors earn each year, from $70,000 in Maine to $250,000 in New York.

Across all 50 states, governors earn an average official annual salary of $167,128 and are subject to federal and state income taxes, except in states without them, such as Florida or Texas.

By comparison, the top 1% of US earners each make at least $731,492 a year, placing the average governor below the ultrarich but also well above the average US wage of $69,846 in 2024, according to the Social Security Administration.

While governors across all 50 states are generally allowed to earn money beyond their state salary through investments, book deals, and other sources, the income they're permitted to take in is closely regulated, and rules vary by state.

Some, like Florida's Ron DeSantis, have brought in yearly incomes of over $1 million thanks to book royalties, while others, like Illinois' JB Pritzker, earn eight figures due to investment gains and even gambling wins.

As such, some governors, like Pritzker and Connecticut's Ned Lamont, who are independently wealthy, have chosen to forgo their six-figure salaries from the state.

Beyond the salary, other financial perks of being a governor may include living in the governor's mansion, receiving private transportation from the state, and having access to security and staff.

See how much your governor makes every year, as determined by state legislatures.

Alabama

Governor: Kay Ivey (Republican)

Salary: $131,800

Alaska

Governor: Mike Dunleavy (Republican)

Salary: $176,000

Arizona

Governor: Katie Hobbs (Democrat)

Salary: $95,000

The Arizona governor, which has the second-lowest salary out of all US governors, will be eligible for a salary of $165,000 starting in 2027, per the state legislature.

Arkansas

Governor: Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Republican)

Salary: $166,771

California

Governor: Gavin Newsom (Democrat)

Salary: $242,295

As of December 2024, the California Department of Human Resources listed the governor's salary as $242,295, making Gavin Newsom the third-highest paid governor in the US.

Colorado

Governor: Jared Polis (Democrat)

Salary: $134,632

The Colorado governor, previously one of the lowest-paid governors in the nation, has received a $134,632 salary since 2023, as outlined by state law. It is now the 11th-lowest governor's salary across all states.

Connecticut

Governor: Ned Lamont (Democrat)

Salary: $226,711 (forgone)

Although the State of Connecticut sets the governor's salary as $226,711, the independently wealthy Ned Lamont has chosen to forgo the salary during his gubernatorial run. Lamont made his money in telecommunications and investments, and is the great-grandson of Thomas W. Lamont, a former chair of J. P. Morgan & Co. who built substantial wealth in banking.

The state has the fifth-highest salary for a governor in the US.

Delaware

Governor: Matt Meyer (Democrat)

Salary: $185,096

From July 2025 until 2029, the salary for the governor of Delaware is $185,096, per the state legislature.

Florida

Governor: Ron DeSantis (Republican)

Salary: $141,400

The Florida governor makes $141,400 each year, although the Florida state legislature has approved a raise to $251,414 for the office starting in 2027, which would make the Florida governor the highest paid in the nation, if other high-paying states do not also increase their salaries.

Georgia

Governor: Brian Kemp (Republican)

Salary: $182,000

While Georgia Governor Brian Kemp currently earns $182,000 a year, a recent proposal could tie him with New York Governor Kathy Hochul as the highest-paid in the nation, as reported by the Associated Press.

Hawaii

Governor: Josh Green (Democrat)

Salary: $184,860

Idaho

Governor: Brad Little (Republican)

Salary: $151,400

Illinois

Governor: Jay Robert "JB" Pritzker (Democrat)

Salary: $205,700 (foregone)

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a member of the Pritzker family that owns the Hyatt Hotels Corporation, has chosen to forgo his salary. The state has set the governor's salary at $205,700 as of 2023, per the Illinois General Assembly, making the position the ninth-highest paid governor in the US.

Indiana

Governor: Mike Braun (Republican)

Salary: $220,418

Indiana governor Mike Braun, who makes $220,418 each year per the Indiana state government, is the sixth-highest-paid governor in the US.

Iowa

Governor: Kim Reynolds (Republican)

Salary: $130,000

Kansas

Governor: Laura Kelly (Democrat)

Salary: $110,707

Kentucky

Governor: Andy Beshear (Democrat)

Salary: $184,826

Louisiana

Governor: Jeff Landry (Republican)

Salary: $129,394

Maine

Governor: Janet Mills (Democrat)

Salary: $70,000

With a salary of $70,000, Maine governor Janet Mills is the lowest-paid governor in the US.

Maryland

Governor: Wes Moore (Democrat)

Salary: $192,000

As of his third year as Maryland governor, per the state legislature, Wes Moore has a salary of $192,000, making him the 10th-highest paid US governor.

Massachusetts

Governor: Maura Healey (Democrat)

Salary: $222,185

Massachusetts governor Maura Healey received a salary of $222,185 in 2024, per the Office of the Comptroller of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, making hers the fifth-highest governor's salary in the US.

Michigan

Governor: Gretchen Whitmer (Democrat)

Salary: $159,300

Minnesota

Governor: Tim Walz (Democrat)

Salary: $174,775 (although Walz accepts $127,629)

The Minnesota governor's official salary is $174,775 as of July 1, 2025, and will increase to $200,000 in July 2026, per the Minnesota Legislature. However, Walz has repeatedly declined the raises and accepts the previous salary of $127,629.

"This is about the state workforce," he said, as reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune in March. "I don't want this to be an issue about the governor trying to pay himself. I think I'm compensated fairly by the state of Minnesota for the work I do at this point."

Mississippi

Governor: Tate Reeves (Republican)

Salary: $160,000

Missouri

Governor: Mike Kehoe (Republican)

Salary: $142,658

Montana

Governor: Greg Gianforte (Republican)

Salary: $141,517

Nebraska

Governor: Jim Pillen (Republican)

Salary: $105,000

Nebraska governor Jim Pillen, who earns $105,000 a year in 2025, per state legislature, is the fourth-lowest paid governor in the US.

Nevada

Governor: Joe Lombardo (Republican)

Salary: $170,062

New Hampshire

Governor: Kelly Ayotte (Republican)

Salary: $163,510

New Jersey

Governor: Phil Murphy (Democrat)

Salary: $175,000

Although the current New Jersey governor, Phil Murphy, earns $175,000 a year in 2025, the office he will vacate in 2026 is slated to receive a raise to $210,000, the Associated Press reported.

New Mexico

Governor: Michelle Lujan Grisham (Democrat)

Salary: $110,000

New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is the sixth-lowest-paid governor in the US.

New York

Governor: Kathy Hochul (Democrat)

Salary: $250,000

With a salary of $250,000 established by New York law, Kathy Hochul is the highest-paid governor in the US.

North Carolina

Governor: Josh Stein (Democrat)

Salary: $203,073

North Carolina governor Josh Stein has a salary of $203,073 in 2025, making him one of the top-10 highest-paid governors in the US.

North Dakota

Governor: Kelly Armstrong (Republican)

Salary: $163,107

Ohio

Governor: Mike DeWine (Republican)

Salary: $172,665

As of 2024, the Ohio governor, Mike DeWine, has a salary of $172,665.

Oklahoma

Governor: Kevin Stitt (Republican)

Salary: $147,000

While the current Oklahoma governor, Kevin Stitt, has a salary of $147,000 in 2025, his successor will see a raise to $185,000, per Oklahoma's Journal Record.

Oregon

Governor: Tina Kotek (Democrat)

Salary: $98,600

The Oregon governor takes home the third-lowest pay out of all governors.

Pennsylvania

Governor: Josh Shapiro (Democrat)

Salary: $245,760

Shapiro received two raises since 2023, as shown in the state's budget office data. In 2025, he makes a $245,760 salary, making him the second-highest-paid governor in the US.

Rhode Island

Governor: Daniel McKee (Democrat)

Salary: $163,295

South Carolina

Governor: Henry McMaster (Republican)

Salary: $106,078

With a salary of $106,078 in 2025, per state records, the South Carolina governor is the fifth-lowest-paid governor in the US.

South Dakota

Governor: Larry Rhoden (Republican)

Salary: $146,472

Tennessee

Governor: Bill Lee (Republican)

Salary: $204,336

The Book of the States lists the Tennessee governor's salary at $204,336 as of 2023, which would be one of the top-10 highest governor salaries in the US, although reports by the Nashville Fox channel WZTV and watchdog organization OpenTheBooks have put the figure at $224,000 for current governor Bill Lee.

Texas

Governor: Greg Abbott (Republican)

Salary: $153,750

As of 2021, Texas governor Greg Abbott makes $153,750 a year, per state records.

Utah

Governor: Spencer Cox (Republican)

Salary: $182,900

Vermont

Governor: Phil Scott (Republican)

Salary: $234,379

Vermont governor Phil Scott's 2024 salary was $222,371, with the number rising to $234,379 in 2025, per the Vermont General Assembly.

Virginia

Governor: Glenn Youngkin (Republican)

Salary: $175,000

Although the Virginia governor has a salary of $175,000, the independently wealthy Glenn Youngkin has chosen to donate his earnings each quarter, per his office.

Youngkin built his fortune during his 25 years working in private equity before running for state office. Between 2018 and his gubernatorial campaign in 2020, he served as the co-CEO of The Carlyle Group, an investment firm.

Washington

Governor: Bob Ferguson (Democrat)

Salary: $218,744

West Virginia

Governor: Patrick Morrisey (Republican)

Salary: $190,424

Starting in 2025, the West Virginia governor's salary has been set to match the US Office of Personnel Management's locality pay area for the rest of US, per state legislature. That puts current governor Patrick Morrisey's salary at $190,424.

Wisconsin

Governor: Tony Evers (Democrat)

Salary: $175,802

Wyoming

Governor: Mark Gordon (Republican)

Salary: $140,000

• The fashion of the Miss Universe pageant has evolved since the first competition in 1952.
• The winners used to be crowned in their swimsuits, but that changed in the '60s. 
• Today, contestants wear sparkly gowns that sometimes include nods to their countries.

The 74th annual Miss Universe pageant came to a close in Bangkok, bringing an end to one of the most dramatic seasons of the event to date.

Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch was crowned Miss Universe, just weeks after she went head-to-head with a pageant director who yelled at her. She wore a glittering red gown to ascend the throne.

Bosch's shimmering dress was par for the course for modern Miss Universe contestants, who typically wear sparkly gowns with eye-catching details. However, contestants have chosen simpler dresses for the pageant in years past, and in its earliest days, Miss Universe was crowned wearing a swimsuit. 

Take a look back at the outfits contestants have worn to be crowned Miss Universe throughout the pageant's history. 

Armi Kuusela was crowned the first Miss Universe in 1952.

Wearing a classic bathing suit from the '50s, Armi Kuusela of Finland was crowned the first-ever Miss Universe. 

Christiane Martel represented France at the 1953 Miss Universe pageant.

Christiane Martel accepted her crown in a strapless swimsuit. 

Miriam Stevenson was the first Miss USA to become Miss Universe.

Miriam Stevenson donned a halter-top swimsuit with crystals when she was crowned.  

Hillevi Rombin represented Sweden in the 1955 Miss Universe pageant.

Looking closely at Hillevi Rombin's swimsuit top, you'll notice the pearl detail, which perfectly matches the Miss Universe crown and scepter. 

Gladys Zender of Peru became the first Latin American woman to win Miss Universe in 1957.

The cascading pearls on Gladys Zender's swimsuit top help draw your eye.

Luz Zuluaga, who won in 1958, was the only Colombian to win Miss Universe until 2014.

Luz Zuluaga's V-neck swimsuit was a welcome change from the sweetheart neckline of past winners. 

Akiko Kojima was the first Japanese woman to win the Miss Universe competition in 1959.

Akiko Kojima's blue one-piece was an unexpected pop of color that stood out against the red coronation robe. 

Linda Bement was crowned Miss Universe in 1960.

The one-shoulder chiffon dress made Linda Bement look ready for a ball.

Iêda Maria Vargas was the first Brazilian to be crowned Miss Universe in 1963.

Iêda Maria Vargas took the crown wearing a sky-blue gown with sewn crystals all over and a chiffon sleeve made to blow in the wind as she walked onstage.

Corinna Tsopei of Greece paid tribute to the country's flag with the colors of her winning gown.

In addition to its eye-catching blue color, Corinna Tsopei's gown featured bedazzled frills hanging off her shoulders, which matched the bling of her crown and scepter.

Apasra Hongsakula represented Thailand in the 1965 Miss Universe pageant.

Bling is the first word that comes to mind after seeing Apasra Hongsakula's winning gown. 

Margreta Arvidsson was the second Swedish woman to win the Miss Universe crown in 1966.

Margreta Arvidsson wore a pink strapless gown to accept her crown. If you look closely, you'll see the hem detail also matches the outline of the scepter. 

Sylvia Hitchcock represented the US at the 1967 Miss Universe competition.

Sylvia Hitchcock's white gown, featuring a one-shoulder strap across her chest, was unexpected but added just the right amount of edge.

Martha Vasconcellos chose a blue and silver gown for the Miss Universe pageant in 1968.

The silver tiers of Martha Vasconcellos' blue dress resembled tinsel. 

Kerry Anne Wells wore a muted, flowy dress at the 1972 Miss Universe competition.

Kerry Anne Wells' dress was made for flowing in the wind as she walked down the stage with her Miss Universe crown on.

Margarita Moran chose an elegant, embellished gown at the Miss Universe pageant in 1973.

Margarita Moran's long gown included a cape-like shoulder detail, a high neckline, and minimal embellishments throughout. 

Shawn Weatherly stole the show with this beaded gown in 1980.

The beaded stripes on the dress were a great contrast to the crystals hanging from the cuffs. 

Irene Sáez was pretty in pink at the 1981 Miss Universe pageant.

Irene Sáez wore a pink gown covered in crystals and complete with dramatic flower sleeves.

Karen Baldwin was the first Canadian to win the Miss Universe competition in 1982.

Unlike previous winners, Karen Baldwin went for a black gown with a bedazzled bodice detail. 

Yvonne Ryding's dress at the 1984 Miss Universe pageant looked simple at first glance.

Yvonne Ryding wore a layered look, donning a white, long-sleeved gown with an overlay and floral embroidery throughout.

Deborah Carthy-Deu was the second Miss Puerto Rico to win the Miss Universe competition in 1985.

The gold stripes of Deborah Carthy-Deu's gown balanced out with the thicker gold sequins running down the front.

Angela Visser represented Holland at the 1989 Miss Universe competition.

Angela Visser glowed in this floor-length evening gown made with gold, silver, and white sequined scales. 

Mona Grudt was the first Norwegian to win the title of Miss Universe in 1990.

Although Mona Grudt chose a classic white gown, the dramatic flare of the skirt made it a statement-worthy piece.

Lupita Jones was the first Mexican woman to win the title of Miss Universe in 1991.

Lupita Jones wore a beaded, off-the-shoulder red gown. 

Dayanara Torres, who was crowned Miss Universe in 1993, wore a white gown with a daring slit.

The thigh-high slit of Dayanara Torres' floor-length white gown added an unexpected sexy element. It also had a strapless neckline and a fitted bodice.

After winning the 1994 Miss Universe competition, Sushmita Sen went on to pursue a career in Bollywood.

When she accepted her crown, Sushmita Sen wore a beaded dress with gold floral sleeves. 

Chelsi Smith was the first Miss USA to be crowned Miss Universe in 15 years.

Chelsi Smith looked regal in this sweetheart chiffon gown. The matching scarf and red lipstick completed the look. 

After winning Miss Universe 1996, Alicia Machado pursued acting and appeared on various reality competition shows.

The silver spikes on Alicia Machado's mint gown gave it an edgy feel.

After winning Miss Universe 1997, Brook Lee went on to host TV shows in Asia and the United States.

The sparkly halter, beaded waistband, and thigh-high slit design elements of Brook Lee's dress worked together seamlessly. 

Wendy Fitzwilliam made history at the 1998 Miss Universe pageant as the first contestant to win wearing a bikini in the swimsuit competition.

When she was crowned Miss Universe, Wendy Fitzwilliam wore statement earrings and a beaded gown. 

Mpule Kwelagobe, crowned in 1999, was Botswana's first-ever Miss Universe winner.

A simple, flowy skirt made the sparkly off-the-shoulder top of Mpule Kwelagobe's gown stand out. 

Lara Dutta took the Miss Universe crown in 2000.

Lara Dutta brought the festive vibes with this sparkly red gown.

Denise Quiñones won the Miss Universe title in 2001.

Denise Quiñones' white halter gown, featuring different-colored beads throughout, matched the crystals on the Miss Universe crown.

Oxana Fedorova was crowned Miss Universe in 2002.

Like other Miss Universe winners in the past, Fedorova went with a simple white gown for her crowning. 

Four months after she was crowned Miss Universe, though, Fedorova was dethroned because "she was unable to fulfill her duties," the former president of the Miss Universe Organization, Paula Shugart, said, according to CBS News. 

The first runner-up, Miss Panama Justine Pasek, was then crowned Miss Universe 2002. 

Amelia Vega was the first person from the Dominican Republic to win the Miss Universe title in 2003.

Amelia Vega took the traditional white gown a step further with the crystal-embellished sleeves and shoulder straps. 

Jennifer Hawkins looked like a walking gold statue at the 2004 Miss Universe competition.

Jennifer Hawkins stunned judges when she appeared onstage in a textured gold dress with flower details everywhere and a sparkling bracelet and necklace to match.

Natalie Glebova was only the second Canadian to hold the Miss Universe title.

For the 2005 Miss Universe competition, Natalie Glebova rocked a white gown with a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit. 

Zuleyka Rivera wore one of the most daring gowns of the 2006 Miss Universe competition.

With a low-cut top, a high slit in the front, and dazzling beaded work, Zuleyka Rivera had one of the most memorable looks of the 2006 competition.

Riyo Mori was the second Japanese woman to be crowned Miss Universe in 2007.

For her winning gown, Riyo Mori wore a kimono-inspired black and floral evening gown from the Spring/Summer 2007 Gucci collection. 

Dayana Mendoza was crowned Miss Venezuela 2008 before winning Miss Universe.

For her crowning moment, Dayana Mendoza wore a strapless yellow gown covered in beads. The thigh-high slit and turquoise statement earrings add to the drama of the look. 

Stefania Fernández's 2009 Miss Universe win was a milestone, as it was the first time a country had won back-to-back crowns.

Unlike her predecessor, Dayana Mendoza, Stefania Fernandez went with a more extravagant look, wearing a red floor-length gown. 

After her Miss Universe win in 2010, Ximena Navarrete went on to star in Spanish soap operas.

Ximena Navarrete accepted her Miss Universe crown wearing a flowy, floor-length red gown. What you can't see under the sash is the one-shoulder strap adorned with red beads and the slit underneath her skirt. 

Leila Lopes made history as the first woman from Angola to win the Miss Universe pageant in 2011.

Leila Lopes wowed the audience with her sleeveless white gown covered in white, silver, and blue beads and feathers. 

After being crowned Miss USA, Olivia Culpo went on to win the title of Miss Universe in 2012.

For her crowning moment, Olivia Culpo wore a red dress with long velvet sleeves and a plunging neckline.

When Gabriela Isler was crowned Miss Universe 2013, she made history as the seventh woman from Venezuela to win.

Gabriela Isler stepped onto the stage in a long-sleeved silver gown embellished with crystals and a striped pattern that resembled Jennifer Lopez's 2012 Zuhair Murad dress. 

Paulina Vega won the title of Miss Universe in 2014.

The silver beaded and striped details on Paulina Vega's gown made for an elegant look.

Pia Wurtzbach was the third woman from the Philippines to win the Miss Universe title in 2015.

Pia Wurtzbach's royal-blue gown matched the gems on the Miss Universe crown. 

When Iris Mittenaere won in 2016, she was the first Miss France to do so in 63 years.

Iris Mittenaere took home the Miss Universe crown in a long-sleeve sparkling gold gown with geometric details.

Demi Nel-Peters was the second Miss Universe winner from South Africa.

Demi Nel-Peters dazzled in this flesh-colored dress stitched with silver crystals in a geometrical pattern. 

Catriona Gray was crowned Miss Universe in 2018.

Catriona Gray wore a red dress featuring a plunging, asymmetrical neckline and a thigh-high slit. 

Zozibini Tunzi represented South Africa at the 2019 Miss Universe competition.

Zozibini Tunzi's silver, gold, and blue sequined evening gown stood out on the Miss Universe stage. The draped sleeves and high neckline balanced out the thigh-high slit and peekabo detail across the chest.

Andrea Meza was only the third Miss Mexico to be crowned Miss Universe.

Like many others, Andrea Meza wore a sparkly gown when she was crowned Miss Universe.

The gown had a high neckline and a dramatic cutout on the bodice, as well as tiers of tassels on the skirt and a removable cape.

Harnaaz Sandhu was also the third Miss India to be crowned Miss Universe.

Harnaaz Sandhu's look was one of the most daring dresses a Miss Universe has worn to be crowned.

Her floor-length dress had a plunging neckline, offsetting the sparkly, see-through fabric that covered the dress in a geometric pattern. Tassels flowing down the center of the gown completed the look.

Putstyle and Saisha Hinde designed Sandhu's gown, and Bharat Gupta was the fashion director for her look.

R'Bonney Gabriel was the ninth Miss USA to be crowned Miss Universe.

R'Bonney Gabriel is a Texas-based fashion designer with her own sustainable clothing line.

According to the Manila Bulletin, Gabriel's blue dress was designed by Filipino designer Rian Fernandez.

Sheynnis Palacios was the first Miss Nicaragua to win Miss Universe in the pageant's history.

Sheynnis Palacios was 23 when she was crowned Miss Universe wearing a heavily beaded dress.

Nidal Nouaihed designed the dress, which featured a sweetheart neckline and semi-sheer paneling on the bodice.

The rest of the dress was completely covered in intricate beading, and a blue cape that honored Nicaragua's flag accented the look, as Nouaihed shared on Instagram.

Likewise, Victoria Kjær Theilvig became the first Miss Denmark to be crowned Miss Universe in 2024.

Victoria Kjær Theilvig popped in a pink gown when she was named Miss Universe 2024.

The dress, which was covered head-to-toe in sparkles, featured off-the-shoulder sleeves made of strands of beads. Coordinating gloves completed her regal look.

Fátima Bosch became the fourth Miss Mexico to win Miss Universe in November 2025.

Bosch, 25, was crowned Miss Universe in a red gown, as the other three Miss Mexicos who had won the top crown had done before her.

The form-fitting gown had long sleeves and a high neckline, and it was covered in red sparkles. An intricate pattern of gold adorned the front and cuffs of the sleeves, and a sheer cape flowed out behind her.

The look was regal even before Bosch added the Miss Universe tiara to it.

• Harvey CEO Winston Weinberg said that the company conducts interviews asynchronously via Google Docs.
• "In my experience, this is the best way to separate good interviewers from good operators," he told Business Insider.
• All recent executive hires have passed the Google Doc test, per the company.

Job interviews have transitioned from in-person to Zoom — and now, at least at one AI company, to Google Docs.

Interviewers are finding new and inventive ways to safeguard their candidate tests from online cheating, AI, or some plain old sweet-talking. Winston Weinberg, cofounder and CEO of the AI legal tech startup Harvey, told the "Access" podcast that he uses a shared document.

"Very quick writing samples, doing a written project back and forth, is very, very helpful," Weinberg said.

Weinberg said that he has interviewed candidates who are good at "presenting things," but that they "break down" when writing out responses to direct questions.

Going back-and-forth on a problem set in Google Docs is a "very good indicator of how well we'd work together," he said.

Since its founding in 2022, Harvey has raised over $500 million. Lawyers at eight of the 10 highest-grossing US law firms use the platform, and the company was last valued at $5 billion.

The company has also grown to about 350 employees — many of whom have passed the Google Doc test. Harvey used the interview style for all recent executive hires, the company said.

"In my experience, this is the best way to separate good interviewers from good operators," Weinberg wrote in a statement to Business Insider.

"Talent density" is one of the tech industry's go-to phrases this year, as CEOs seek to make their teams smaller and more efficient. Identifying top talent may require employing some unconventional interview techniques. Stripe abandoned the whiteboard interview for a computer-based test and open-sourced interview questions from its staff, according to the company's former CTO.

AI cheating tools have also disrupted the tech interview process, leading some tech companies to revert to in-person interviews to verify candidates' truthfulness.

On the podcast, Weinberg said that a hiring problem for non-engineering roles was "folks that are really good at talking and terrible at doing.

"To me, what that's going to turn into is that they ask for a billion one-on-one strategy questions," he said.

Weinberg proposed starting the interview process asynchronously, because that's what most of the company's work looks like.

"With the reports that I work best with, it's async," he said. "Otherwise, we're going to have 17 strategy meetings to do anything."

• We sold our house with plans to put a mortgage-free manufactured home on my in-laws' property.
• We'd planned to live in our trailer until the house was done, but we've faced many setbacks.
• After many months, we're finally seeing progress on our new home.

In April 2024, my wife and I sold our 4,000-square-foot home in the small town of Concrete, Washington.

Then, we moved into the 23-foot trailer on my in-laws' property with our teenage son, three English bulldogs, and a territorial iguana named Rawr.

This wasn't some dreamy escape into the minimalist #vanlife trend. In reality, we were desperate to be free from a mortgage, and we wanted to live closer to my in-laws so we could assist them as they age.

Though our Concrete house once felt full of character and potential for endless renovations, it had become a burden, with ever-rising property taxes and insurance costs.

So, we made a plan: Use the funds from selling our house to build a modest detached accessory dwelling unit (DADU) on my in-laws' 5-acre property in Arlington, Washington.

This way, we'd finally be able to live in a home mortgage-free.

During construction, we'd simply stay in the Forest River Evo trailer we'd bought a few years ago to use for camping trips. It seemed like a perfectly fine setup for just a few months, maybe four maximum, we thought.

However, this project began over 16 months ago, and we're still not in our house.

The delays started piling up almost immediately

We purchased a manufactured home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms that falls within our county's 1,200-square-foot DADU limit.

It turns out that buying the house was the easy part.

From there, we still had a lot of work to do — applying for a permit, scheduling a wetland survey of where we planned to build, testing the nearby well for contaminants, designing a septic system, and more.

Though we had some help from a contractor and other subcontractors, we felt like we got a lot of mixed messages about what needed to be done and in what order.

Ultimately, we had a lot to figure out on our own. Throughout the process, we became very familiar with local rules and the approval process for building in our county.

Still, progress seemed to move at a glacial pace, from dealing with delays from our septic designer to waiting for inspections for electrical, water, and the septic system.

However, the biggest hold-up to installing our manufactured home was the discovery of a new wetland on the property that became subject to regulation.

We needed to make corrections and changes before re-filing our permit, which alone delayed our project by five months.

Meanwhile, living in our trailer has been tougher than anticipated

While all of this was happening, we've been living in a tin can.

The small trailer has a slide-out for extra breathing room, but the space is still tight. Adding an extra-tall baby gate to keep our dogs from fighting only made it worse.

We have to basically pole vault back and forth over the things to move around the trailer.

Our son's "room" is the casket-sized bottom bunk, while Rawr enjoys the upper tier with a view. The dining nook doubles as my writing workspace, but is now mostly taken up by our son's gaming computer.

My poor wife has been relegated to the bed for everything from dinner to downtime.

Cooking gets interesting. We choose between microwaving, air-frying, or using the crockpot.

Precariously balancing plates on tiny counter edges or on top of the coffee pot makes for fun little wagers. Will our dinner hit the ground? How long will it take for the dogs to gobble it up? Many times it's easier to just go out.

Regardless, we've adapted to never-ending trailer chores, glitchy WiFi, mentally defeated dogs, and all the rest.

We're finally starting to see progress on the house — and we've learned so much

Our house was delivered in late June. Its two halves are now married together and stabilized with concrete blocks.

Septic, electrical, and interior work are underway, and the water line will soon be run to the existing well.

There's still a lot of work to be done before it's completely move-in-ready. However, over $275,000 later, we can finally see the shape of what's ahead.

And what's a few more months in the trailer? This extended camping experience has tested our marriage more than anything else in our 12 years together.

We've screamed at the Gods. We've shouted at each other. We've nearly become the Torrance family in "The Shining."

If we had to do it again (never in a million years), we'd give ourselves a timeline of a year or two. We'd also be prepared to cover additional, unknown costs, like county recording fees and septic-system monitoring, beyond the general estimate provided by our contractor.

Still, we're holding on to the dream of simplifying our lives and owning our home outright.

Staring across the property at our unfinished house is torture. But, we're hopeful that when it's complete, this nightmare we've been through will have been worth it.

Time will tell if we'll ever be able to go camping again, though.

• A new Google update enabled AirDrop and Quick Share interoperability between iPhone and Android devices.
• Apple and Pixel 10 users can now transfer files directly.
• Google plans to expand this secure, peer-to-peer sharing feature to more Android devices.

Another wall between iPhones and Androids just went down.

Starting this week, sharing files and photos between devices is getting a lot easier for iPhone and Android owners.

AirDrop and Quick Share are wireless file-sharing features that have been available on iPhones and Androids, respectively. Thanks to an update from Google, the two features can now talk to each other for the first time.

As part of a Thursday update, iPhone and Pixel 10 owners can now transfer files using Quick Share and AirDrop. It works with iPad, macOS devices, and the entire Google Pixel 10 series of devices.

The change is the latest example of increased feature compatibility between the two major smartphone operating systems. After a yearslong marketing campaign from Google aimed at Apple, the iPhone maker in 2024 adopted the RCS communication standard, which improved the messaging experience between iPhones and Androids — even if the much-maligned green text bubbles didn't go anywhere.

To take advantage of the interoperability between AirDrop and Quick Share, Apple device owners must set their device to be discoverable by everyone, which will allow their device to show up on the Pixel 10 owner's Quick Share options. On an iPhone, the request should be received like any other AirDrop interaction that can be accepted or denied. It works the same way the other way around.

Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment by Business Insider.

Google said the compatibility feature was designed with security in mind, and there are plans to expand it to more Android devices.

"This feature does not use a workaround; the connection is direct and peer-to-peer, meaning your data is never routed through a server, shared content is never logged, and no extra data is shared," the tech giant said in a blog post.

• We made a transatlantic move from San Francisco to Bristol, a port city in the UK.
• Missing familiar faces and a network of fellow parents, we've worked hard to build community here.
• An LGBTQ+ family coffee morning, improv classes, and fitness groups helped us meet people fast.

As former San Franciscans, my husband, toddler, and I quickly felt at home in Bristol.

The progressive UK port city boasts an iconic suspension bridge, heaps of counterculture, and — not least because it's the birthplace of Banksy — a vibrant creative scene.

We've found comfort in these parallels, but we've faced challenges, too. One of the hardest parts was leaving behind my loving in-laws and the robust community of friends I'd met during my decade living in America.

What's more, I grew up on the opposite side of England, which means Bristol is a new place for all of us.

Since arriving in the South West last year, we've worked tirelessly to find a new circle of friendly faces and allies who embrace and understand us as a queer family. Sadly, it's not something we can ever assume will automatically be the case.

Bristolians welcomed us with open arms and open minds — once we bribed them with tea and biscuits

Upon arrival, we moved into a cozy Victorian terraced house on a densely populated street. We'd heard again and again that in big cities, people don't really know their neighbors, but we wanted to challenge that stereotype.

A few weeks after moving in, we sent notes — and cookies — to people in the neighborhood, inviting folks to share a Saturday morning cuppa on our front doorstep.

The response was overwhelmingly positive. People were eager to meet and chat, and we found that sometimes all it takes is a little boldness (or shamelessness) to make the first move.

We also found a monthly coffee morning for LGBTQ+ families in our area, which became an instant support network for us, and joined a citywide WhatsApp group for queer parents.

As a queer family, sometimes it can feel disheartening when we feel like the odd ones out in the playground, at parenting groups, or during drop-off, but discovering other families that look like ours is always affirming.

By taking turns as 'babysitter,' we salvaged our social lives and explored our new city

It can be challenging to maintain a social life as young parents, and even harder to meet new people.

Because building community was so important to us, we came up with a game plan. By taking turns staying at home with our sleeping toddler, we've both been able to regularly spend social time with other adults multiple times a week.

From board-game nights and volunteering to trying out improv classes, we've pushed ourselves to leave our comfort zones and meet new people. Improv, in particular, has given me a lot of newfound confidence, along with friends.

It's time away from my spouse, but I ultimately find that it nourishes our marriage and family life because I come home recharged and energized.

We learned that recurring outdoor activities help us build friendships

As we've settled in, our family's mental and physical well-being has been boosted by time together outdoors. Beyond the health benefits, the best part has been the continuity of meeting the same people and parents in the same place, week after week.

Every weekend, we attend a kid-friendly, 2-kilometer "race" in a nearby park. Dozens of families gather to complete the leafy circuit and cheer each other on. You can't beat fresh air and the splash of muddy puddles in the rain.

Meanwhile, I've joined an outdoor fitness boot camp. My husband heads to a running club at dusk once a week. Both groups provide plenty of opportunity for conversation and camaraderie, which have helped us get to know others over time.

Seasonal festivities create opportunities for us to bond with other families

As the seasons change, it's clear that Bristol has so much going on year-round. We're especially looking forward to Pride and the city's famous hot-air-balloon festival each summer, when around 100 colorful balloons ascend over the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Festive occasions, such as our recent Halloween party, have been the perfect excuse to invite new friends to gather together. Surrounded by spooky decorations, I loved seeing our daughter laugh and play with her new pals.

These moments reassured me that our efforts have paid off, and we're building the kind of life we hoped for.

With each passing day in this city, I realize there's much more to Bristol than Banksy and its famous bridge. I am grateful to have found a community of warm, welcoming people where our transatlantic queer family can truly thrive.