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Villanova Tax Experts Break Down Legislative Changes, Best Practices Before Filing Deadline
It's time to collect your W-2s, 1098s and 1099s: On April 15, Americans are required to submit their annual tax returns—recapping earnings, income and life events from the past calendar year. Yet, as filers prepare their records and statements for 2025, they should anticipate some substantial departures from the 2024 season. According to Stephen Olsen, JD, faculty director of the Graduate Tax Program at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, and Luke Watson, PhD, associate professor of Accounting in the Villanova School of Business, one of the most significant drivers of change is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025. A sweeping piece of legislation, OBBBA has instituted a number of new tax rules and regulations, including a deduction of $6,000 for taxpayers over 65 years of age, a deduction for certain overtime payments up to $12,500, a deduction for certain tips up to $25,000 and an increase in the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000. Given these policies, most taxpayers should expect a modest decrease in taxes owed this season, and refunds on average should trend higher than in 2025—something borne out by early data from the U.S. Department of Treasury. Of course, the full extent and range of the windfalls have yet to be discovered. "It is unclear if the average refund will be as high as estimated by the administration or what the actual distribution of those tax benefits will be," says Professor Olsen. "Not every taxpayer will receive a significant benefit, and there are so many factors that could cause someone's tax bill to increase, including increased taxable income, the loss of other deductions, changes in filing status and claimed dependents." "There are also many restrictions and phaseouts that changed with OBBBA," adds Dr. Watson. "For example, many seniors and tipped workers paid little to no income tax even under prior law, so they would not necessarily see much benefit with the new legislation." As Dr. Watson's remarks reflect, the question of who exactly qualifies for and benefits from OBBBA's provisions has preoccupied the general public for quite some time. In particular, the deduction-related measure tied to tips, or the "no tax on tips" policy, has sparked curiosity. "Like many things in the Internal Revenue Code, 'no tax on tips' sounds simple, but the actual law is a bit more nuanced," says Professor Olsen. "Only workers who are in an occupation that 'customarily and regularly' receives tips qualify for this deduction. This includes lots of people in transportation, personal services and the food, beverage and hospitality industries—even some in entertainment. "Certain professions, including those in healthcare, law, accounting, financial services and consulting, will likely be prohibited from taking the deduction… Importantly, qualifying workers will need to be able to prove their tip income to take the deduction." "It is also worth noting that, due to the generally lower-wage nature of tipped jobs and the historical underreporting of tips on returns, many taxpayers earning tips paid little to no tax on tips in prior years," says Dr. Watson. "So, they would not experience much of a change under OBBBA." Navigating new provisions like this one, during a process and time already known for provoking anxiety, can be a daunting prospect for many taxpayers. What's more, administrative adjustments at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) could potentially exacerbate levels of stress. "IRS staffing remains lower than in past years, which could impact customer service and processing of returns," says Professor Olsen. "In addition, the current administration has elected to eliminate the IRS Direct File tool for income taxes that was available last year. Taxpayers who used the tool last year will need to find other options for the preparation of their income tax returns." For those concerned about filing and worried about abiding by the new rules and regulations, Professor Olsen and Dr. Watson highlight the importance of remaining organized, maintaining a game plan and, if necessary, seeking assistance. "First, taxpayers should be proactive," says Professor Olsen. "Start gathering information as soon as possible and start the process of preparing your returns as early as possible. That will provide you with more time to troubleshoot issues or find other information you may not have initially gathered." "Free resources are also available for taxpayers," says Dr. Watson. "There is a federal volunteer-run program called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) that operates throughout communities to prepare tax returns for free, and many of the big tax prep companies do offer a free version of their software, despite trying very hard to sell a paid version. "That said, the best advice is to keep thorough tax and financial records throughout the year. Then, seek help—such as through VITA—when you need it. The better your records, the easier it will be for VITA or others to assist you."
Covering Cuba? Augusta has one of the leading experts ready to help with your coverage
Cuba is facing one of its most severe crises in decades, as compounding economic and energy challenges continue to strain everyday life on the island. Persistent fuel shortages have led to rolling blackouts, transportation disruptions, and reduced industrial output, while inflation and shortages of basic goods have eroded purchasing power for ordinary Cubans. Tourism, once a critical source of foreign exchange, has struggled to fully recover, and the country continues to grapple with declining productivity and limited access to international capital. These pressures have contributed to rising public frustration, increased migration, and a government response that blends cautious economic reforms with efforts to maintain stability. Paolo Spadoni is an ideal expert for journalists covering this evolving situation. As a specialist in Cuba’s political economy, his work focuses on the island’s external sector, including foreign investment, remittances, tourism and the impact of international sanctions. He brings a rare ability to connect on-the-ground developments – such as energy shortages or policy changes, to the broader structural realities shaping Cuba’s economy. With deep academic research and ongoing analysis of current reforms, Spadoni offers clear, credible insight into whether Cuba’s latest measures signal meaningful transformation or simply short-term responses to a prolonged crisis. Paolo Spadoni, PhD, is a widely recognized expert on Cuba and its international relations. He is a tri-lingual political economist with a specialization in international relations and a focus on Latin America’s political and business environments. His research focuses on international relations theories, Cuba's economy and business market, foreign investment in Cuba and U.S.-Cuba relations. View his profile Since this crisis escalated, Spadoni has been the 'go-to' expert for reporters with media from across North America like Reuters, Bloomberg and The New York Times connecting with him for his expertise, input and perspective on the situation. LA TERCERA: “The Cuban tourism sector was already struggling before the Covid pandemic. The best year for international tourism in Cuba was 2017 in terms of foreign exchange earnings. That was the year in which $3.3 billion was collected, and tourism represented 10% of Cuba's GDP at that time. In terms of employment, it provided 120,000 direct jobs and roughly 500,000 indirect jobs. So it played a significant role. That was the best year for international tourism in Cuba, which coincidentally ended in November of that year with the sanctions imposed by the first Trump administration. From then on, tourism from North American visitors began to decline, but European and Canadian visitors were already decreasing,” Spadoni explained to La Tercera. CBC NEWS: "Most of those investments are real estate investments more than tourism investments, meaning the Cuban military has taken possession of prime locations in the best tourism areas of Cuba," said Paolo Spadoni, an associate professor at Augusta University in Augusta, Ga., and co-author of the 2025 book The Cuban Tourism Industry: Evolution, Challenges and Prospects. Columbia Law School: "While seeking to finalize an economic agreement with Cuba, the Trump administration could secure deals across various sectors of the economy. However, tourism holds the most promising opportunities in the short term." Global News (Canada):
Oil Shock: How the War in Iran Could Send Global Fuel Prices Soaring
The ongoing war involving Iran has rapidly become one of the most consequential energy stories in the world. Oil markets have reacted sharply as military escalation threatens critical energy infrastructure and shipping routes in the Persian Gulf. Brent crude prices have surged past $100 per barrel as traders react to supply disruptions and the growing risk that the conflict could persist or expand across the region. At the heart of the concern is the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but vital shipping corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows. Any disruption to this route has immediate ripple effects across global energy markets, transportation costs, supply chains, and ultimately consumer fuel prices. Analysts warn that if disruptions continue, the world could face sustained higher oil prices, tighter energy supply, and inflationary pressure across multiple sectors including transportation, manufacturing, and food production. In some scenarios, oil prices could climb significantly higher if shipping through the region remains restricted or if energy infrastructure becomes a sustained target in the conflict. For journalists covering the evolving situation, the energy implications of this conflict are complex and rapidly changing. From geopolitical strategy and energy security to economic ripple effects and consumer fuel prices, reporters need credible expert voices who can explain what’s happening and what comes next. ExpertFile connects journalists with leading experts across energy economics, geopolitics, global supply chains, and international security who can provide timely analysis on questions such as: Why the Strait of Hormuz is so critical to global oil markets How war in the Middle East impacts gasoline and diesel prices worldwide Whether oil prices could spike to $120 or higher The economic ripple effects of energy shocks on inflation and global markets How governments and energy companies respond to supply disruptions What the conflict could mean for long-term energy security and global trade Journalists covering the global energy story can connect with the many experts available through ExpertFile to provide context, analysis, and insight as this rapidly evolving crisis unfolds. Our experts can help! Connect with more experts here: www.expertfile.com
Recently named a Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International, Azim Eskandarian, D.Sc., the Alice T. and William H. Goodwin Jr. Dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) College of Engineering, received one of the organization’s highest honors. The designation recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary and sustained impacts on the mobility industry through technical excellence, leadership, innovation and dedicated service to the profession and to SAE International. “SAE Fellows – whose leadership and technical contributions strengthen our organization embody the highest level of professional achievement,” said Carla Bailo, 2026 SAE International president and chair of the board of directors. “Election to SAE Fellow reflects an individual’s lasting influence on mobility engineering and reinforces the standards of excellence that guide SAE’s strategic direction.” Selected through a comprehensive review process led by the SAE International Fellows Committee and approved by the SAE International Board of Directors, SAE Fellows exemplify the organization’s mission to advance mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity. “It is a great honor to receive this distinction from an organization that is so essential to the advancement of the automotive industry,” said Eskandarian. “I hope to continue collaborating with engineers, researchers and other professionals who share a vision for the great work we can do to improve the safety and efficiency of transportation.” Numerous scientific and technical contributions to automotive safety, academic programs, workforce development in crashworthiness, collision avoidance, advanced driver assistance systems, intelligent vehicles, and autonomous driving have stemmed from the more than 40 years of work Eskandarian has pioneered. His research on intelligent and autonomous vehicles includes the development of novel methods for driver safety systems. As an academic leader, Eskandarian’s enduring commitment to education, mentorship and service led him to start impactful academic programs at several universities. This includes robotics and autonomous systems programs and new master’s concentrations at the VCU College of Engineering, a graduate academic program in intelligent transportation systems and an undergraduate concentration in transportation engineering at George Washington University, and an automotive engineering concentration at Virginia Tech. Eskandarian is also a Fellow of two other technical societies, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Reading for pleasure in free fall: New study finds 40% drop over two decades
A sweeping new study from the University of Florida and University College London has found that daily reading for pleasure in the United States has declined by more than 40% over the last 20 years — raising urgent questions about the cultural, educational and health consequences of a nation reading less. Published today in the journal iScience, the study analyzed data from over 236,000 Americans who participated in the American Time Use Survey between 2003 and 2023. The findings suggest a fundamental cultural shift: fewer people are carving out time in their day to read for enjoyment. “This is not just a small dip — it’s a sustained, steady decline of about 3% per year,” said Jill Sonke, Ph.D., director of research initiatives at the UF Center for Arts in Medicine and co-director of the EpiArts Lab, a National Endowment for the Arts research lab at UF in partnership with University College London. “It’s significant, and it’s deeply concerning.” Who’s reading and who isn’t The decline wasn’t evenly spread across the population. Researchers found steeper drops among Black Americans than white Americans, people with lower income or educational attainment, and those in rural (versus metropolitan) areas — highlighting deepening disparities in reading access and habits. “While people with higher education levels and women are still more likely to read, even among these groups, we’re seeing shifts,” said Jessica Bone, Ph.D., senior research fellow in statistics and epidemiology at University College London. “And among those who do read, the time spent reading has increased slightly, which may suggest a polarization, where some people are reading more while many have stopped reading altogether.” The researchers also noted some more promising findings, including that reading with children did not change over the last 20 years. However, reading with children was a lot less common than reading for pleasure, which is concerning given that this activity is tied to early literacy development, academic success and family bonding, Bone said. Why it matters Reading for pleasure has long been recognized not just as a tool for education, but as a means of supporting mental health, empathy, creativity and lifelong learning. The EpiArts Lab, which uses large data sets to examine links between the arts and health, has previously identified clear associations between creative engagement and well-being. “Reading has historically been a low-barrier, high-impact way to engage creatively and improve quality of life,” Sonke said. “When we lose one of the simplest tools in our public health toolkit, it’s a serious loss.” The American Time Use Survey offers a unique window into these trends. “We’re working with incredibly detailed data about how people spend their days,” Bone said. “And because it’s a representative sample of U.S. residents in private households, we can look not just at the national trend, but at how it plays out across different communities.” Why are Americans reading less? While causes were not part of the study, the researchers point to multiple potential factors, including the rise of digital media, growing economic pressures, shrinking leisure time and uneven access to books and libraries. “Our digital culture is certainly part of the story,” Sonke said. “But there are also structural issues — limited access to reading materials, economic insecurity and a national decline in leisure time. If you’re working multiple jobs or dealing with transportation barriers in a rural area, a trip to the library may just not be feasible.” What can be done? The study’s authors say that interventions could help slow or reverse the trend, but they need to be strategic. “Reading with children is one of the most promising avenues,” said Daisy Fancourt, Ph.D., a professor of psychology and epidemiology at University College London and co-director of the EpiArts Lab. “It supports not only language and literacy, but empathy, social bonding, emotional development and school readiness.” Bone added that creating more community-centered reading opportunities could also help: “Ideally, we’d make local libraries more accessible and attractive, encourage book groups, and make reading a more social and supported activity — not just something done in isolation.” The study underscores the importance of valuing and protecting access to the arts — not only as a matter of culture, but as a matter of public health. “Reading has always been one of the more accessible ways to support well-being,” Fancourt said. “To see this kind of decline is concerning because the research is clear: reading is a vital health-enhancing behavior for every group within society, with benefits across the life-course.”
Manitobans are still eager to travel, but how and where they’re going is changing, and so are the risks they may not see coming. New survey findings released as part of CAA Manitoba’s Travel Wise Week show a clear shift toward staying closer to home. Sixty per cent of Manitobans prefer travelling within Canada, while just 20 per cent are planning a trip to the United States. Global uncertainty, rising costs, and changing perceptions about international destinations are influencing those decisions. “We’re seeing more Manitobans choosing Canada because it feels familiar and safe,” said Susan Postma, Regional Manager, CAA Manitoba. “But that sense of comfort can lead people to underestimate the financial risks that can still come with travelling, even within our own borders.” Staying in Canada and Leaving Coverage Behind While Canadians feel confident travelling within their own country, many assume “home turf” means low risk. This misconception leaves millions exposed to unexpected costs when trips don’t go as planned. The survey found that 64 per cent of Canadians did not have travel insurance for their most recent trip within Canada. Provincial health coverage often provides only limited protection when travelling outside your home province, and in some cases, does not cover services such as air ambulances, extended hospital stays, or trip interruption costs. Recent media stories have highlighted Canadians facing unexpected medical bills, emergency transportation costs, or sudden trip changes, all during trips that never left the country. “People are often surprised to learn how quickly expenses can add up if something goes wrong,” says Postma. “A simple injury on a hiking trail or a family emergency back home can turn a short trip into a major financial stress.” With recent geopolitical incidents in Cuba, Mexico and the Middle East, CAA’s Travel Wise Campaign is focused on helping Canadians understand risk, avoid misinformation, and make decisions grounded in facts rather than fear or speculation. Here are some tips: Understand what an “avoid non-essential travel” advisory really means: Travel advisories reflect real-time safety risks, and an “avoid non-essential travel” signal indicates rapidly changing conditions that may change quickly, and support may be limited. Know that advisories can affect your insurance and your exit options: Travelling against government advice can limit your travel insurance, including medical care or emergency evacuation. Coverage must be in place before conditions deteriorate. Flexibility is essential; review cancellation and change policies now: Travellers should proactively confirm cancellation deadlines, refund eligibility, rebooking options for all reservations and understand the limits of credit card protections, employee benefits, and pension coverage benefits. Stay connected to Canada while abroad: Canadians should monitor official updates from Global Affairs Canada and register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service before departure or while on location if something arises. Rely on reputable sources and be cautious of misinformation online: Canadians should rely on official government sources, established travel organizations, and verified news outlets for travel guidance. Additionally, the CAA Air Passenger Help Guide helps you understand your rights when faced with common flight disruptions, such as delayed or cancelled flights or lost bags. The guide can be found at CAA.ca/AirPassengerHelpGuide. For more information on travel insurance and how to stay protected, visit www.caamanitoba.com/travelwise The online survey was conducted by DIG Insights from September 29 – October 8, 2025, with 2,0210 Canadian travellers aged 25 to 64 who have travelled outside their province of residence in the past three years and plan to travel again in the next five years, out of which 137 travellers were from Manitoba or Saskatchewan. Based on the sample size of n=2,021 and with a confidence level of 95%, the margin of error for this research is +/- 2%.)
VCU College of Engineering receives $600,000 for AI-driven cybersecurity research
To advance AI-enabled cybersecurity research, the National Science Foundation (NSF) presented Kemal Akkaya, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science, with a $600,000 grant through the organization’s Cybersecurity Innovation for Cyberinfrastructure program. Akkaya’s three-year project will explore how large language models (LLMs) can automate packet labeling for intrusion detection systems. “From transportation and healthcare to finance, improving the accuracy of machine learning algorithms used to defend the networks that underpin these sectors’ cyberinfrastructure is critical for protecting them from cyberattacks. Strengthening these defenses helps ensure the reliability and security of the essential services people rely on every day,” said Akkaya. Intrusion detection systems monitor network traffic to identify suspicious or malicious activity. These systems rely on machine learning models trained on large volumes of accurately labeled data. Producing those datasets, however, is time intensive and often requires expert cybersecurity knowledge. As digital systems increasingly power transportation, health care, finance and communication, the volume and sophistication of cyber attacks continue to grow. At the same time, artificial intelligence is reshaping how both attackers and defenders operate. Improving how quickly and accurately security systems can be trained is critical to protecting the infrastructure that supports daily life. Akkaya’s project will investigate how generative AI can help address this challenge. The team will fine tune open-source large language models using network data, threat signatures and expert annotations. Model accuracy will be strengthened through retrieval-augmented refinement, ensemble modeling and human-in-the-loop verification. Labeled datasets will be released in stages to support the development and evaluation of cybersecurity models. Using data from AmLight, an international research and education network operated by Florida International University (FIU), the project includes collaboration with researchers from FIU. The award strengthens VCU’s growing leadership in AI-enabled cybersecurity research and provides hands-on research training for graduate students. Resulting datasets from this work will support machine learning education for undergraduate students.
Expert Q and A: Understanding "Punch," The Baby Monkey That Captured The World's Heart
A tiny Japanese macaque named Punch has unexpectedly become one of the internet’s most talked-about animals. Born at a zoo in Japan and rejected by his mother shortly after birth, the young monkey was hand-raised by staff and given a stuffed toy for comfort—an image that quickly ricocheted across social media worldwide. Videos showing Punch tentatively approaching other macaques, sometimes being pushed away or corrected as he tried to socialize, struck an emotional chord. What began as a local zoo update rapidly turned into international headlines, with audiences from North America to Europe weighing in on what they saw as loneliness, resilience and the universal need for belonging. But experts say the story is more nuanced than a viral clip suggests. The interactions that many viewers interpreted as bullying are, in fact, typical components of macaque social development, part of how young primates learn boundaries, hierarchy and group norms. While Punch’s early maternal separation makes his integration more delicate, gradual acceptance into the troop is a positive sign. As internet users continue to share and comment, the moment has sparked broader conversations about animal emotion, anthropomorphism and the realities of wildlife behavior in managed care settings. Florida Tech's Catherine Talbot offered insight into the complexities of animal behavior. Catherine F. Talbot is an assistant professor in the School of Psychology at Florida Tech and co-director of the Animal Cognitive Research Center at Brevard Zoo. Her overarching research goal has been to study the ultimate (evolutionary) and proximate (behavioral, biological, and developmental) mechanisms underlying sociality. Q: Is it normal for mother macaques to abandon their babies, or is this an unusual occurrence? What circumstances can cause this to happen? It’s not necessarily normal, but also not that uncommon in primates, unfortunately. It’s more common in first time mothers that are inexperienced and sometimes lower ranking mothers. A number of factors can increase the likelihood of abandonment including stress on the mother and unfavorable conditions such as limited resources. Q: How does abandonment affect development in young macaques? Early maternal contact is critical for normal behavioral and emotional development. Infants rely on their mothers for nutrition, warmth, protection and learning how to navigate social dynamics. When infants do not have their mothers during critical developmental periods like infancy, in the short term, they tend to have elevated stress responses and difficulty with emotional regulation. In the long-term, it depends on whether the infant is able to form other types of attachment. In the worst-case scenario, they may have increased aggression, abnormal and/or self-injurious behavior, digestive issues and may lack social skills. But primates are resilient, and with social support and gradual integration into a troop, Punch can form new attachments, learn socially appropriate behavior and ultimately live a fairly normal monkey life. Q: Is it obvious to the rest of the troop when a young macaque has no mother? How does this affect integration? Japanese macaques have really complex social worlds, so they are really in tune with the relationships they have with one another and recognize the relationships between other individuals. That can certainly make it more difficult for Punch to be accepted back into the troop – he needs to find some friends and possibly even a surrogate parent. With social support, he should be able to recover from the absence of a mother. It’s really great to see that the care staff stepped in to support Punch as he begins to recovery from the stress of this experience. It’s even more important that Punch is around other monkeys of the same species so that he can continue to learn from them and respond appropriately to social communication cues. I’m thrilled to see that Punch is now making friends. Q: Punch is obviously attached to his stuffed orangutan. We can understand how this happens from our own human experience, but can you explain, on a biological level, how he bonded with this stuffed animal? Primates, including humans, are neurobiologically wired to form strong social bonds with a caregiver very early in life. In many primate species, infants are born highly dependent on their mother. Punch’s attachment to the stuffed orangutan reflects this need for attachment. That physical touch – warmth, softness, graspable limbs, a stable physical presence – can partially activate those same calming biological pathways, including the release of oxytocin which regulates stress and promotes feelings of safety. Without activation in those pathways, Punch would likely experience stronger feelings of separation or loneliness and ultimately social withdrawal. These biological pathways are crucial to proper social and emotional development of any primate species. Any way we can help mitigate those effects for Punch is crucial for successful integration back into his troop. Q: How does sociality among Japanese macaques compare to that of similar species? Japanese macaques live in large multi-male, multi-female social groups that can range from roughly 50 to 150 individuals. Like many macaques species, they form stable, female-bonded societies. Females remain in their natal group (or the group they were born into) for life, inherit their mother’s rank, and form strong kin- based alliances whereas males emigrate to a new group at adolescence. Their societies are organized around matrilines or extended female family lines in which rank is very important. They have strong dominance hierarchies and generally high levels of aggression, but levels of aggression and tolerance can vary a good amount from group to group. Entire matrilines can outrank others, which dictates access to food, grooming partners, and coalitions. Within a single troop, you often see multiple matrilines with long-standing dominance competitions. I sometimes compare it to a Romeo and Juliet-style Montague and Capulet dynamic, where beneath the surface of daily grooming and foraging is a complex political landscape structured by kinship and status. Q: What behaviors can Punch expect from the rest of the monkeys as he continues to integrate with the troop? What behaviors can the troop expect to see from him? As Punch continues to integrate into his troop, I would expect to see some social testing by other members of the group to see how Punch responds- they may use mild aggression like open mouth threats or direct stares (which arethreatening is macaques), brief chases, and displacement from resources like food/resting spots. These will help clarify Punch’s rank and help form and maintain a stable hierarchy. Therefore, I hope to see Punch make at least a few strong social bonds (friends), to help defend him against more intense aggression. As long as he makes a few friends, he should begin to receive more affiliative behavior. Integration is usually gradual as these bonds form and strengthen and these skills develop. I would expect to see more play and grooming with conspecifics and less reliance on his stuffed orangutan as real social bonds start to form. Grooming is especially important for forming and maintaining social bonds and there are already videos showing Punch receiving some grooming from older monkeys, which bodes well for him. He also needs to respond in socially appropriate ways, like grooming others and showing submission to higher ranking individuals. Essentially, he needs to understand and follow the rules of Japanese macaque society. Q: What message do you have as people continue to root for Punch? It's uplifting to see how much support Punch has gained across the world. And while Punch is clearly adorable and so vulnerable that you just want to love him and give him (or other monkeys like him) a home, it’s important to remember that more than anything else, he needs to live with other monkeys so that he can live a life that is true to his species and nature. Unfortunately, many people still have monkeys as pets. The illegal wildlife trade is a multi-billion-dollar industry, ranking as the fourth largest illegal trade after drugs, arms, and human trafficking. Within the United States, it is estimated that there are more than 15,000 nonhuman primates living in unsuitable conditions. Primates are intelligent, sentient beings that need complex communities and relationships to thrive. There currently is no federal legislation that protects primates from private ownership, but the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R.3199/ S.1594) has been proposed to prohibit the private possession of nonhuman primates and the sale or transportation of nonhuman primates for the wild pet trade. If you're interested in connecting with Catherine and learning more about animal behavior, let us help. Contact Adam Lowenstein, Assistant Vice President for External Affairs at Florida Institute of Technology, at adam@fit.edu to arrange an interview today.
Pennsylvania Officials Highlight Snow Squall Safety
Research by Dr. Jase Bernhardt, Hofstra University associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability, was recently highlighted during a press conference held by several state agencies in Pennsylvania on snow squall safety. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike), Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and the National Weather Service (NWS) highlighted investments by Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration that have led to an average of 7% fewer winter crashes and a 34% decrease in serious injuries and fatalities in those crashes. Media outlets that covered the press conference included the Times News Online.
Need a tourism expert? Connect with Florida Atlantic today
Tourism is a cornerstone of both Florida’s and America’s economy. In Florida alone, visitor spending exceeds $100 billion annually and supports roughly one in every ten jobs statewide, making it one of the state’s largest industries. The ripple effect extends far beyond hotels and attractions, fueling restaurants, retail, transportation, construction, real estate, and public tax revenues that help fund infrastructure and services. Nationally, tourism contributes hundreds of billions to U.S. GDP each year and serves as a key indicator of consumer confidence and economic momentum. When travel demand rises or falls, it signals broader shifts in spending behavior, business investment, and workforce stability , which is why tourism remains a critical economic beat for journalists. Peter Ricci is Clinical Associate Professor & Director, Hospitality Management Programs at Florida Atlantic University. He is a hospitality industry veteran with over 20 years of managerial experience in segments including: food service, lodging, incentive travel, and destination marketing and is considered an expert in food service, lodging, incentive travel, and destination marketing. View his profile Peter offers research-based insight into visitor trends, workforce dynamics, and destination strategy. His expertise helps media connect travel patterns to economic impact, providing clear analysis of how tourism shapes Florida’s economy and influences broader industry trends across the United States. Recent media coverage: South Florida Sun Sentinel Peter Ricci, director of the hospitality and tourism management program at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business, cited the openings of the 801-room Omni Hotel next to the county convention center in Fort Lauderdale, the revamped Pier Sixty-Six Resort nearby and a variety of high-profile events as reasons for promising visitor traffic this year. “South Florida should expect to have a relatively strong 2026 with major events in the area [PGA Tournament, Formula 1, et al] and the Southern White House of Mar-a-Lago enhancing higher average daily rates in The Palm Beaches,” he said by email. “Broward is perfectly positioned to capture demand both to its south and north and I expect that hotels and restaurants will have a good year ahead,” he added. Newsweek "The tariffs, staffing shortage, perception of it being difficult to emigrate to the USA, and any possible anti-USA sentiment all go into the 'ingredients of the soup' as I call it," Peter Ricci, Director of Florida Atlantic University's Hospitality and Tourism program, told Newsweek. South Florida Sun Sentinel This is actually a complicated process behind the scenes, said Peter Ricci, director of the hospitality and tourism management program at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. “Restaurant profit margins are slim, so training and development are often not a part of the process,” he said. “Also, one must recognize that restaurant front-of-house roles are somewhat high-turnover compared to other industries. With higher turnover, there is less likelihood for development of training, knowledge of all the systems (which can lead to dissatisfaction among guests), and a ‘new face’ every time regular guests return to the venue.” The Daytona Beach News-Journal When asked if Florida is experiencing a "restaurant apocalypse," Ricci said, "I don't see that as the case. I don't see it like a disaster, but I have seen more (restaurant) closures the past six months. The reasons include operating costs that are higher than ever in an industry with low (profit) margins to begin with." "Closures are being driven by rising rent, rising costs of labor, rising costs of goods (food, glassware, supplies, cleaning services, deep cleaning surcharges, et al.), and changing consumer habits." Orlando Sentinel Peter Ricci, director of the hospitality and management program at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business, said he has not heard of hoteliers suddenly losing foreign nationals from their staff. But it’s the confusion that is perplexing many. “I hear frustration and confusion of what changes will occur on a regular basis for owners, operators and managers,” Ricci said. “It’s more of the unknown that’s disconcerting than, ‘I’m now worried about losing workers in my hotel or restaurant.’”
