My wife, Autumn, has spent nearly a quarter of the past four years in ERs and hospitals, untangling and battling three chronic conditions — and a shamefully broken U.S. medical system.
We live in Washington, D.C., with top-rated hospitals in our backyard. Yet her experience has been eye-opening and often horrifying, especially for a nation that spends twice as much on medical care as our rivals.
What it's like: ERs so hauntingly jammed she's often stacked like cargo in hallways, on a stretcher, waiting double-digit hours for care.
Extreme heat is testing Italy's cheese banks, the vaults that hold Parmigiano Reggiano while it ages for years.
Why it matters: It's an 800-year-old industry that employs thousands and generates about $5 billion a year — and it actually has something in common with one of the biggest questions troubling the trillion-dollar AI buildout.
As venues adopt new security technology and fans wear cameras, attending a live event can come with privacy concerns.
Why it matters: Safety has always been a concern at large gatherings. But technology is giving venues more powerful ways to identify and track who's inside.
Sports have become one of the most lucrative forms of live entertainment in the country, thanks to the extraordinary media rights fees they command over other categories.
Why it matters: Even as game attendance continues to climb, media rights now account for far more sports revenue than tickets.
Admission prices for movies, theaters and concerts in the U.S. have jumped more than 41% since January 2016, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Why it matters: That's just the ticket. Fans may complain about higher costs, but they're still showing up and spending for travel, food and other expenses.
