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Trent Nelson // The Salt Lake Tribune For much of its history, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a faith centered around meetinghouses, which were a buzz of activity throughout the week. That is far less the case today. Leaders have reoriented the 17.5 million-member church — outside of the home, at least — around a new focus: temples. Go as often as circumstances allow has been the mantra poured from the pulpit at General Conference and repeated in Sunday worship services. And even if members cannot go, they are urged to prepare to do so by living the standards — pay a full tithe and no extramarital sex, tea, coffee, alcohol or tobacco — required of temple attendees. But as Jonathan Stapley, author of the newly released “Holiness to the Lord: Latter-day Saint Temple Worship,” explained in a recent episode of The Salt Lake Tribune’s “Mormon Land” podcast, the approach to these sacred sites and the liturgies housed there would come as a surprise to many Latter-day Saints of previous generations. Here are lightly edited excerpts from that show about that shift, as well as a look at other evolutions in meaning and practice in Latter-day Saint temple worship over time. Not all of the rituals that faith founder Joseph Smith introduced stuck. What are some of the ones that came and went? And what does it tell us that Latter-day Saints no longer perform them today? From the beginning, the temple was viewed by church leaders and members as a special site for physical healing. People would be immersed in the temple fonts, and there was a special baptismal prayer that was offered. They had both male and female temple healers. These are people whose job it was to take the sick who came to the temple and anoint and bless them. The temples were viewed in some ways as a site of pilgrimage for healing up until the 1920s. There’s a lot of aspirational resonance with scripture. Jesus healed at the temple, and it’s a place that’s holy. In the modern era, we understand that it’s probably not wise to bring sick people and immerse them in water that other people are using or to have people touch them. So there’s a pragmatic element. But, ultimately, the decision to move away from that sort of healing in the temple was based largely on the emphasis of doing proxy work for the dead. Latter-day Saints have baptism, confirmation and their temple ceremonies — an endowment, washing and anointing and sealing ceremonies. They do that for themselves, for the living. They also do that for their ancestors who are dead. In the 1920s, they were running out of resources in the temples for the people who wanted to participate in those salvific — meaning saving — ceremonies. So they pivoted. They said, “Look, we’re not going to have healing in the temple anymore. We’re not going to have temple choirs. We’re going to cut down on the food offered. We’re going to focus on the work that can only happen in the temple.” Latter-day Saints are frequently taught that the temple rituals are sacred, not secret. But some parts are intended to remain secret and not be discussed outside the temple. How did you walk that line in writing the book? Latter-day Saints promise, they use the language of covenant, but it’s a promise, to keep certain elements of the temple ceremonies isolated to the temple and not discuss them outside of the temple. These are a small portion of the overall ceremonies, but for the majority of the church’s history, church leaders have instructed members to basically keep the entirety of their experiences isolated to the temple. So there is a small bit that church members promise to keep secret. How church members and church leaders protect the sanctity or enact the secrecy of the temple does change over time. For example, during Joseph Smith’s life, in General Conference, he talked about items of the temple ceremonies that would later in the 20th century be no longer permissible for discussion. In the late 19th century, church members…

Dontree_M // Shutterstock Today, “GenZ makes only 1 in 7 payments by cash, compared to 1 in 3 prior to 2020,” according to FNBO, and it has left many of them wondering, “Can I pay rent with a credit card?” While Gen Z is far from the only group paying rent, tenants across the nation like the convenience and benefits of credit card payments. First, when digital options are available, they don’t have to go to the bank to withdraw cash or buy a cashier’s check. Second, and more importantly, many credit cards offer cash back and travel rewards that make the first of the month a little less painful. With that in mind, TurboTenant breaks down the pros and cons of paying and collecting rent via credit cards to help you determine if it’s the right move for you. Benefits of Paying Rent with a Credit Card for Tenants Paying rent with a credit card offers several advantages, primarily flexibility. If you don’t have enough cash in the bank to pay rent when it’s due, using a credit card can give you some wiggle room to avoid missing a payment. And depending on your card, there are personal benefits worth considering. Rewards Credit cards typically offer a range of rewards for account holders. Some incentives include cash back, travel rewards, and 0% APR, meaning there is no interest on balances or transfers for a set period. For example, if you pay rent with a credit card that offers travel rewards, each rent payment can help you put aside some money for your next trip. Credit Building If you’re starting to build your credit score, remember that you won’t have an official score until six months of consistent payments and data are available. However, once you consistently make on-time payments on your card charges, including your monthly rent, your score will improve. Plus, putting your monthly rent on a credit card isn’t the only way to boost your score. Several companies offer rent reporting services that will report your on-time payments to credit bureaus. When you use these tools in conjunction, you could see your score improve quickly. Buying More Time Since credit cards don’t have to be paid off until you get your monthly statement from the credit card company, paying your rent with a credit card can help alleviate financial stress. Of course, everyone’s pay schedule is different, and some people may not receive their paychecks until later in the month, while rent is typically due on the first of the month. Putting rent on your credit card can help reduce stress and make the monthly calendar change easier to manage. How to Pay Rent with a Credit Card Communicating with your landlord during difficult times will enable open, honest conversations so you can both find a solution to pay rent on time, either by developing a payment plan or negotiating alternative options. Renters can easily pay rent with a credit card via online rent collection accounts set up by their landlords using rent collection software. It’s a secure, effective way to pay rent online that benefits both parties. Plus, many companies offer free, easy-to-set-up software that helps landlords professionalize their rent collection processes without paying anything out of pocket. But if you’re a tenant, be sure to take this into account: When you pay rent with a credit card, it is vital to keep up with your credit card bills as best you can so you don’t hurt your credit score or incur interest on the amount owed. Luckily, paying rent on the first of the month when bills are typically due at the end of the following month allows you time to pay yourself back. Some other easy things you can do if you’re using a credit card to pay rent are: First, avoid charging other expenses to your credit card; second, set reminders for when rent and your credit card payments are due. If you’re concerned about processing fees, consider linking your bank account to pay rent via ACH, which typically incurs no fee. Digital Rent Payments Mean More On-Time Payments As noted above, landlords…

Norman Studio // Shutterstock Americans doing business online are facing a rapidly changing legal landscape. In the first half of 2025 alone, more than 2,000 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) website accessibility lawsuits were filed, a 37% increase compared to the same period in 2024. What’s more, nearly 70% of these lawsuits targeted e-commerce retailers, many of them small businesses with annual revenues under $25 million. That surge isn’t confined to major brands or national chains. Small businesses that sell products online or take customer information through their website are increasingly being drawn into litigation driven by simple accessibility barriers. Local governments and business departments from coast to coast are starting to notice and quietly raising the bar for how they expect business websites to function. For these reasons, Clym examined the rise in ADA website accessibility lawsuits. Why Local Governments are Paying Attention Local officials may not be filing lawsuits, but they deal with the effects. Complaints from residents with disabilities often surface at city halls and county business offices before they become legal filings. As awareness grows, many municipalities are updating guidance for business permits, local grants, tourism programs, and small business resources to include basic expectations for accessible websites. For owners, that means digital accessibility is becoming part of the conversation in local business planning meetings, not just something for big corporations or tech departments. The eCommerce Connection According to recent data, about 69% of ADA-related web accessibility cases in 2025 were filed against online retailers. Why eCommerce? Because online shopping involves multiple steps where barriers can block a customer’s ability to browse, add to cart, and complete purchase flows, triggering legal claims when people using assistive technology encounter problems. Common issues include: Product images are missing descriptive alt text Poor color contrast on buttons and calls to action Unlabeled icons like shopping carts or “add to cart” buttons Checkout forms that don’t work with screen readers or keyboard navigation These seemingly small gaps can stop a sale and expose a business to legal risk, even if the owner had no intention of excluding anyone. Local Impact Beyond Litigation Small business owners often assume accessibility rules are only for household-name brands, but the numbers tell a different story. A majority of eCommerce defendants in 2025 were companies with less than $25 million in revenue, highlighting how even locally owned shops and boutique online stores are vulnerable. That’s why more local governments are incorporating accessibility considerations into their business guidance and why many chambers of commerce and small business associations are sharing resources on accessibility best practices with members. Catching Issues Before They Escalate For many business owners, the goal isn’t legal perfection; it’s awareness. “Most small businesses don’t know where their websites stand until someone points out a problem,” said a spokesperson from Clym, an all-in-one digital compliance solution that tracks accessibility trends. “What we’re seeing is owners wanting a clearer signal, not a legal opinion first.” Some businesses are running periodic website scans that return a general accessibility score, often broken down by state or country. Some tools help add context by showing which accessibility and website-related laws may be relevant based on business size, industry, and location. “The biggest surprise for owners is how localized expectations can be,” the spokesperson said. “What’s acceptable in one state may raise questions in another.” A local issue reaching broader audiences As web interactions become central to how customers find and support local businesses, accessibility is increasingly seen as a business risk and opportunity, not just a legal requirement. For…

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock Homeowners insurance has traditionally been a background cost of owning a home, but in many markets, it is becoming a defining factor in housing affordability. Recent industry research and real estate surveys show that insurance premiums are rising faster than many household expenses, driven by climate-related risk, higher construction costs, and increased claim severity. In this article, Cheap Insurance explores how rising home insurance costs are affecting homeownership decisions, insurer risk exposure, and the broader housing market—focusing on why premiums continue to increase and what these trends mean for buyers, homeowners, and lenders. The Rising Cost of Homeowners Insurance Homeowners Insurance Costs Are Increasing NationwideHomeowners insurance rates have risen steadily over the past several years, with many regions experiencing double-digit premium increases. These higher costs reflect a growing mismatch between risk exposure and historical pricing models. Insurance carriers are responding to: Higher claim frequency Larger claim payouts Greater volatility from weather-related losses As a result, homeowners insurance costs are becoming a more prominent line item in monthly housing expenses. Climate Change and Home Insurance Risk How Climate Risk Impacts Home Insurance Availability Climate-driven events such as wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and severe storms are increasing both in frequency and severity. This has led insurers to reassess their exposure in certain regions, particularly coastal areas, wildfire-prone zones, and regions experiencing extreme weather volatility. In response, insurers may: Raise homeowners insurance premiums Reduce coverage limits Increase deductibles Decline to write new policies in high-risk areas These changes directly affect buyers’ ability to secure financing, as lenders typically require adequate home insurance coverage. The Cost to Rebuild Is Driving Higher Claims Inflation, Labor Shortages, and Material Costs One of the biggest drivers of rising homeowners insurance costs is the increasing cost to settle claims. Even modest property damage now requires significantly higher payouts due to: Inflation affecting construction services Skilled labor shortages in the building trades Rising costs for core materials such as lumber, concrete, steel, and roofing products Additional cost pressures tied to tariffs and global supply constraints When insurers project higher future claim costs, those expectations are reflected in premium pricing. Real Estate Agents Report Growing Home Insurance Challenges Insurance Issues Are Becoming More Common in Home Sales Recent real estate agent survey findings from Redfin highlight how home insurance is increasingly affecting residential transactions. Nearly half of all surveyed agents (47%) reported encountering more insurance-related issues during home sales compared to the prior year. This suggests that insurance availability and affordability are becoming more frequent obstacles during the closing process. The impact is especially pronounced in higher-risk states. Agents in California and Florida reported significantly elevated levels of insurance-related complications, with more than seven in ten agents in each state encountering increased insurance issues during transactions. These regions face heightened exposure to wildfires, hurricanes, and other climate-driven risks, which directly influence underwriting decisions and premium pricing. Insurance Issues Are Not Universal—but Are Concentrated Despite the overall increase, insurance challenges are not affecting every transaction equally. When agents were asked what percentage of their customers experienced insurance-related issues during a sale: 37.6% of agents said none of their customers had insurance issues 25% of agents said only a few customers were affected (defined as 1%–19% of transactions) This suggests that while insurance problems are becoming more…

By Elisabeth Buchwald, Lisa Eadicicco, CNN (CNN) — President Donald Trump enacted a new 25% tariff on “certain advanced computing chips” on Wednesday, according to a White House fact sheet. That includes Nvidia’s H200 chip and AMD’s MI325X. However, chips imported to support building up the US technological supply chain would be exempt. It’s unclear, though, what criteria would need to be met to qualify for the exemption. The White House did not immediately respond to CNN’s inquiry.The White House fact sheet also warned that the president in the near future “may impose broader tariffs on imports of semiconductors and their derivative products.” The move comes amid Trump’s broad push to boost technology manufacturing in the United States and cement the US as a leader in AI. Nvidia, whose chips are vital to powering the data centers fueling AI services, has been at the center of the AI boom, thrusting CEO Jensen Huang into Trump’s orbit. In enacting the tariff, Trump cited national security concerns and Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows presidents to address such concerns with tariffs on specific products. Trump previously said Nvidia would be permitted to sell its H200 chip in China but that the US would take a 25% cut. Nvidia said in an emailed statement that it applauds Trump’s “decision to allow America’s chip industry to compete to support high paying jobs and manufacturing in America.” “Offering H200 to approved commercial customers, vetted by the Department of Commerce, strikes a thoughtful balance that is great for America,” the statement read. AMD said in a statement that it complies “with all U.S. export control laws and policies.” It’s not the first time Trump has discussed tariff exemptions to incentivize building in the US. The president in August threatened 100% levies on chips and semiconductors but said companies that have committed to building domestically would avoid such a charge. Trump has made AI a cornerstone of his second term, signing multiple executive orders related to the technology and introducing an AI action plan meant to peel back regulation and increase the adoption and development of AI. But some, including Huang, have been critical of tight export controls to China in the past, saying such restrictions have only boosted innovation in China. That has put chip giants, especially Nvidia, in the middle of Trump’s trade scuffles with China. In August, Nvidia and AMD said they would pay 15% of chip sales made in China to the US government, although that agreement seemingly referred to older chips from both companies. Trump initially said last February he planned to impose 25% chip tariffs by April. However, it wasn’t until months later that he formally initiated an investigation into chip imports, a precursor to Section 232 tariffs. These types of tariffs are separate from those being challenged in a case before the Supreme Court. This story has been updated with additional context and developments. The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. The post Trump enacts 25% tariff on chips — with a caveat appeared first on News Channel 3-12.