(StatePoint) The New Year offers the perfect time for a fresh start and a renewed commitment to getting finances back on track after a season of spending – one where many Americans felt the effects of the pandemic on their wallets even before the onset of the holidays.

(StatePoint) Agriculture contributes about 17 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, according to the United Nations. And while the sector is a key contributor to climate change, it is also vulnerable to its effects -- with climate-related impacts such as droughts, flooding and longer fire seasons posing increasingly serious challenges to farmers and ranchers around the world.

(StatePoint) Love them or hate them, college entrance exams are unavoidable for most college-bound students. While every university has their own specific formula for evaluating prospective students, most schools do require that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores, and some even require or recommend additional exam scores, such as SAT Subject Tests. To get your student prepared for test day, consider the following tips:

(StatePoint) As the country takes steps toward economic recovery amidst an ongoing pandemic, women business owners are reporting increased optimism about the current economic outlook, which may be accredited to their resilience and decisive action, according to a recent survey of women-owned businesses by PNC Bank.

(StatePoint) The nearly 13 million small businesses owned by women nationwide are essential to the U.S. economy. Accounting for 42% of U.S. small businesses, they employ nearly 9.4 million people and generate $1.9 trillion in revenue annually.

(StatePoint) There is a growing demand for in-home caregivers and there is good reason for that, say experts. There are many unique advantages that healthcare at home, or in another familiar setting, provides.

(StatePoint) Want to encourage your child to embrace science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education both inside and outside of the classroom?

(StatePoint) Despite increased digital options, the typical consumer still spends 13 hours on hold each year! And of course, there are plenty of things that most people would rather be doing with that time, particularly during the busy holiday season.

(StatePoint) It’s estimated that influenza sent up to 400,000 people to the hospital with flu complications and caused an estimated 22,000 deaths in the United States in the 2019-2020 flu season. As more Americans return to their workplaces, employers can play an important role in flu prevention.

(StatePoint) What if your family’s playtime was not just fun, but a pathway to future success? In a recent survey of parents conducted by OnePoll on behalf of The Genius of Play, a leading online hub of expert-based play ideas and resources for families, 87% of respondents said the skills they learned while playing as a child helped them achieve success in their adult careers.

(StatePoint) As students navigate finding their voice in today’s society, it is necessary that educators are equipped with the resources to empower leadership and self-expression. These skills provide students with the capacity to lead beyond the classroom and make an actionable difference now and in the future.

(StatePoint) While it may sound counterintuitive, foreign aid actually benefits average Americans in a number of ways, according to leaders in the Midwest, who say the global pandemic has only highlighted how interconnected we are.

(StatePoint) New research reveals that not only has America’s largest generation -- millennials -- become more civically engaged since the pandemic began, but that the time is right for nonprofits and companies to help all Americans see how profoundly they can influence social change.

(StatePoint) The average military spouse moves eight to 12 times in the span of a 20-year military career. Each move results in starting over in the new location and dealing with the struggle of meeting new people, sustaining meaningful employment, and feeling a sense of community in each new location.

(StatePoint) The Peace Corps, established in 1961, partners with communities abroad to develop sustainable solutions for the world’s most pressing challenges at the grassroots level. While all volunteers returned home in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency is working to return to service and is now actively recruiting volunteers of backgrounds historically underrepresented in the organization, including African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Asian-Americans.

(StatePoint) 3M Sponsored Content. The pandemic has deeply impacted learning experiences for students across America. As educators and students return to school this year, they will continue to navigate these challenges as they look for ways to redefine learning. The pandemic also put a stark spotlight on inequities in the sciences and science education, especially the lack of equal access. The good thing is that this has sparked an increased awareness and a desire for change to begin addressing these issues.

(StatePoint) The pandemic has changed our lives in numerous ways. As a result of all the upheaval, many people are reassessing their priorities and thinking about early retirement. According to Pew Research, 28 million baby boomers retired in 2020 and a recent study found 39% plan to retire by 65, while 18% said they plan to retire by age 59. Before taking that step, here are four questions to ask yourself.