Top Factor Promo Codes for 2025

Sometimes, eating makes me feel like Sisyphus. Every day, I must toil up the mountain and the rock to figure out what the heck I want to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I tested Factor meals earlier this year, and they’re a solid option if you’re the type of person that doesn’t want to fuss over your food. With expansive menus and an emphasis on tracking macros and nutrition, you can simply pick out your meals, get them delivered, and then reheat them in the microwave or oven when it’s time to eat.

Texture eaters might not love Factor’s meals, which tend to be a little mushy. They’re still tasty and very filling. I suggest accompanying them with some crisp veggies, parmesan snaps, or fresh fruit to jazz up the texture a bit. If you’re the kind of person that can meal prep a week’s worth of chicken and rice and happily eat it every day, Factor is going to be right up your alley. Right now, you can save with this Factor coupon and get up to $130 off 6 boxes. Just follow one of our links above, and enjoy your discounted meal kits.

Have a Healthy New Year With Factor

Once the holidays are over, we know it’s all about that “New Year, New You” mindset, and Factor is here to help you start out the year right. When you sign up, you can get 50% off your first box, plus 12 months of free MyFitnessPal Premium+ (a $99 value) to help you stay on top of your health and fitness goals. With the Premium+ subscription, you can track calories, macros, and more, follow your progress to build long-term habits, and tools like barcode scanning and photo capabilities to make logging (and staying on track) that much easier.

Use Factor Promo Code for Keto Diet Food Delivery

If you want to get serious about your health goals, Factor makes it easy, with prepared keto meal delivery from Factor. Whatever your health goal may be, Factor’s prepared meal delivery makes it easy to stick to a keto diet plan and lose weight, using chef-prepared keto meals that are ready to eat in just a few minutes. Whether you want to use Factor for a keto diet food delivery service, or just want a healthy meal delivery plan, Factor makes it easy (and our promo codes make it cheaper).

Does Factor Offer Free Shipping?

Factor wants to reward adventurous (and healthy) eaters, by offering 50% off your first subscription box, plus free shipping. The offer is only valid for new Factor customers with a qualifying auto-renewing subscription purchase (and you’ll still get an $11 shipping fee on subsequent boxes).

Discover More Ways to Save With Factor

Factor offers year-round promotions and savings, so you should always keep an eye out for an opportunity to save some cash. First responders, teachers, medical providers, nurses, doctors, military members, and veterans can take advantage of the Factor Hero Discount to save 55% on their first order and up to 15% on every box for the first year. Save the most with Factor first-order discounts, and what all the fuss is about.

Great Job Louryn Strampe & the Team @ WIRED Source link for sharing this story.

San Antonio plans South Side aquatic center in 2027 funded by voter-approved bond package

Sign up for TPR Today, Texas Public Radio’s newsletter that brings our top stories to your inbox each morning.

An aquatic center run by the City of San Antonio may be coming to the city’s South Side. The proposed facility could potentially open in 2027 after city approval.

Voters approved the center in the 2022 bond package at a cost of about $5 million. The plans include a pool, a possible lazy river, a splash pad, bathhouse, and a parking lot on about 3.7 acres of land.

The proposed name is “Mission Aquatics Center” and it would be located at 3110 Roosevelt Avenue in Council District 3. The site is currently vacant and sits across from the city’s outdoor movie venue, Mission Marquee Plaza, World Heritage Center and next to the Harvey Najim YMCA and VFW Post on Roosevelt Avenue and VFW Boulevard.

Construction documents from Rialto Studio, the selected design contractor, indicate the land to be used for the project to be part of Mission San Jose.

“The property lies within the Mission Historic District on former Mission San Jose land. City archeology has determined that post-war suburbanization has removed all significant mission-period history from this site and, as such, no contributing resources likely remain,” a filing from September 2025 said.

The building’s architecture and design would match some of the existing neighborhood and feature a pool with lagoon entry for easy access. The pool area would include a design which draws inspiration from the Mission San Jose Rose Window, an iconic symbol also represented by the logo for the City of San Antonio.

“The pool will provide 3,020 square feet of water surface with a zero-entry child lagoon, accessible entry and egress, sunbathing platforms, lifeguard stations, a rinse shower, a drinking fountain, picnic tables, safety fencing with controlled entry,” the September filing said. A February 2024 meeting indicated the depth of the pool would be five feet.

Design plans also indicate the possibility of a lazy river being included in the final project.

The next step in the process is a final review from the city’s Historic Design and Review Commission on January 21.

If the plan is successful, the aquatics complex would join a portfolio of 25 pools that are owned and managed by San Antonio’s Parks and Recreation department, including an indoor natatorium.

Great Job Joey Palacios & the Team @ Texas Public Radio for sharing this story.

‘Well Spotted’: Viewers Say Trump Is Rubbing Off On Melania As They Are Both Caught Struggling to Walk, Then the Zoom-In Moment Explodes Online

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump ushered in 2026 with a lavish New Year’s Eve celebration in Florida. Dressed in formal wear, the married couple made their entrance to a surprising soundtrack that shifted the mood of the room.

Footage of Trump, 79, entering the end-of-year celebration at his Palm Beach residence with Melania, 55, at his side made its way to the internet. The former reality television show star was decked out in a black tuxedo while the ex-model wore a sleeveless silver sequined dress and Christian Louboutin heels.

‘This Clip Says Everything’: Barron Trump Humiliates Melania in Viral Video, With Fans Claiming It’s Payback for How She Treats Trump

As Trump and Melania walked into the party in front of press members assembled at the resort, instrumentalists played Italian composer Gioachino Rossini’s “William Tell Overture,” the classical song that has become best known as the theme of the “Lone Ranger” television and film franchise.

The music selection was perplexing for many viewers, but some observers were more fixated on what the pair wore that night. In particular, Melania’s gown garnered reactions on social media.

“So, first ladies are allowed to be sleeveless? I distinctly remember people saying that it wasn’t classy,” one Threads user questioned about the garment worn by the naturalized American citizen.

A second person on the social networking app jokingly asked, “Why is she wrapped in foil???” Melania’s outfit was also compared to a foil-covered popcorn brand, with another poster writing, “Jiffy Pop made that dress?”

“If Michelle had worn this, Google images would’ve been flooded with cartoons of a monkey swinging on a disco ball within the hour. (I’ll never forget how y’all did her),” complained a supporter of former first lady Michelle Obama.

Additionally, a Trump critic zeroed in on the MAGA leader’s awkward way he stepped in front of the cameras alongside his spouse, writing, “It looks like he’s dragging his right leg, and had to quickly adjust his walk when he realizes that the cameras are on.” Someone else said, “Well Spotted.”

“What’s up with his short pant legs?” another X user wondered about Trump’s trousers. Plus, one individual was sarcastically worried that Melania’s high heels were causing her struggle and pain, tweeting, “Her poor feet!” Meanwhile, another person zoomed in on Melania’s back and pointed out a bulge, asking, “What’s the rectangular bulge on the back of Smellania’s [Melania’s] dress?”

While Trump and Melania were the center of attention on Wednesday night, Mar-a-lago was also filled with special guests like former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump’s three sons — Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Barron Trump — were in attendance as well. Members of the administration, such as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller, were seen partying at the location.

Miller’s wife, Katie Miller, shared a video of Grammy-nominated rapper Vanilla Ice performing his hit 1990 single “Ice Ice Baby” for the attendees. Ice, 58, hit the stage with a dancer dressed in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles costume.

Trump and company dancing the night away in Mar-a-Lago to ’90s-era recording artists was met with exuberant feedback from the MAGA faithful. However, critics of the Republican politician balked at him for hosting lavish gatherings amid rising concerns about affordability for the average American.

Great Job Y. Kyles & the Team @ Atlanta Black Star Source link for sharing this story.

How To Retire Comfortably Without a Million Dollars

We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. Learn more.

When planning for retirement, it’s easy to target a “magic number” — like $1 million — just because it seems like that’s what other savers are doing. But it’s possible to retire even without a nest egg that large. Doing so requires taking a closer look at your lifestyle and expenses.

Some people can happily retire with less than $1 million if their priorities don’t include luxurious lifestyles. Here’s what you need to know about retiring with less money.

Rethink what comfortable means

Your needs change over time, and acknowledging those changes can help bust the myth that you need $1 million to retire. For instance, when young adults start families, they often buy houses large enough to accommodate multiple children.

However, that same house may feel empty when the children become adults. Downsizing can make sense, and opting for a smaller house can reduce your monthly payments.

Gold Offer: Sign up with American Hartford Gold today and get a free investor kit, plus receive up to $20,000 in free silver on qualifying purchases

Cut costs, not happiness

Cut down on activities that don’t enrich your life to save money. Getting rid of unused subscriptions and memberships, for instance, and instead investing that money will give your portfolio more mileage. Opting for lower-cost tiers of those subscriptions or memberships is another option. The lower your expenses, the more likely you’ll be able to cover them with Social Security paychecks and other forms of income.

Review your recent credit card statements to assess which expenses are unnecessary.

Extra Money: See how you can get up to $1,000 in stock when you fund a new active SoFi invest account

Make your income work harder

Instead of saying goodbye to your job completely, you may want to consider a semi-retirement. A part-time job or side hustle can bring in some extra cash while allowing you to enjoy a retired lifestyle. These gigs can align with your hobbies and passions, making the work fun instead of mundane.

You can also put your money to work in assets that generate cash flow, such as dividend stocks and bonds. And rental income can act as a solid good source of cash flow if you have enough money to buy a small property or already own one. Some retirees list their properties on sites like Airbnb and rent out one of their rooms. This gives you the flexibility to make certain days and weeks unavailable for booking.

Save Smarter: Take control of your money with the Rocket Money budgeting app, one of Money’s favorites

Redefining success

How much money do you really need? The answer will be specific to you, your situation (such as where you plan to retire) and your goals. Some people will be able to buy fewer material things and be happy, allowing them to use that extra money to pay off their debt or invest, and requiring a smaller pool of money for expenses. Financial security can translate into emotional security, which may be worth more than any material items.

So remember that even if it seems like everyone around you is aiming to have $1 million in retirement, that particular goal may not be necessary — or make sense — for you.

Great Job & the Team @ Money.com Source link for sharing this story.

Spurs beat free-falling Pacers 123-113 without Wembanyama

INDIANAPOLIS – De’Aaron Fox scored 24 points and the San Antonio Spurs won their first game since Victor Wembanyama injured his left knee, beating the Indiana 123-113 on Friday night for the Pacers’ 11th straight loss.

Wembanyama hyperextended his knee Wednesday night in a home victory over New York. An MRI showed no ligament damage and the 7-foot-4 center stayed in San Antonio to rehabilitate the injury.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said Wembanyama is day-to-day but wouldn’t rule out the possibility he could play against Portland on Saturday night in San Antonio. The Spurs are 10-3 with Wembanyama doesn’t play.

Dylan Harper added 22 points for the Spurs, and Stephon Castle had 19.

Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Andrew Nembhard had 19 points, and Micah Potter added 16 in his first start in five games with Pacers.

The Pacers shot 51% while the Spurs made 44% overall. San Antonio made 22 of 28 free throws while Indiana was 13 of 15.

The Spurs scored the first six points of the third quarter to to make it 77-58. The Pacers regrouped to cut it to 93-85 after three quarters. San Antonio maintained control throughout the fourth quarter.

Up next

Spurs Host Portland on Saturday night.

Pacers: At Orlando on Sunday.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Great Job Associated Press & the Team @ KSAT San Antonio Source link for sharing this story.

Elon Musk’s Pornography Machine

Earlier this week, some people on X began replying to photos with a very specific kind of request. “Put her in a bikini,” “take her dress off,” “spread her legs,” and so on, they commanded Grok, the platform’s built-in chatbot. Again and again, the bot complied, using photos of real people—celebrities and noncelebrities, including some who appear to be young children—and putting them in bikinis, revealing underwear, or sexual poses. By one estimate, Grok generated one nonconsensual sexual image every minute in a roughly 24-hour stretch.

Although the reach of these posts is hard to measure, some have been liked thousands of times. X appears to have removed a number of these images and suspended at least one user who asked for them, but many, many of them are still visible. xAI, the Elon Musk–owned company that develops Grok, prohibits the sexualization of children in its acceptable-use policy; neither the safety nor child-safety teams at the company responded to a detailed request for comment. When I sent an email to the xAI media team, I received a standard reply: “Legacy Media Lies.”

Musk, who also did not reply to my request for comment, does not appear concerned. As all of this was unfolding, he posted several jokes about the problem: requesting a Grok-generated image of himself in a bikini, for instance, and writing “” in response to Kim Jong Un receiving a similar treatment. “I couldn’t stop laughing about this one,” the world’s richest man posted this morning sharing an image of a toaster in a bikini. On X, in response to a user’s post calling out the ability to sexualize children with Grok, an xAI employee wrote that “the team is looking into further tightening our gaurdrails [sic].” As of publication, the bot continues to generate sexualized images of nonconsenting adults and apparent minors on X.

AI has been used to generate nonconsensual porn since at least 2017, when the journalist Samantha Cole first reported on “deepfakes”—at the time, referring to media in which one person’s face has been swapped for another. Grok makes such content easier to produce and customize. But the real impact of the bot comes through its integration with a major social-media platform, allowing it to turn nonconsensual, sexualized images into viral phenomena. The recent spike on X appears to be driven not by a new feature, per se, but by people responding to and imitating the media they see other people creating: In late December, a number of adult-content creators began using Grok to generate sexualized images of themselves for publicity, and nonconsensual erotica seems to have quickly followed. Each image, posted publicly, may only inspire more images. This is sexual harassment as meme, all seemingly laughed off by Musk himself.

Grok and X appear purpose-built to be as sexually permissive as possible. In August, xAI launched an image-generating feature, called Grok Imagine, with a “spicy” mode that was reportedly used to generate topless video s of Taylor Swift. Around the same time, xAI launched “Companions” in Grok: animated personas that, in many instances, seem explicitly designed for romantic and erotic interactions. One of the first Grok Companions, “Ani,” wears a lacy black dress and blows kisses through the screen, sometimes asking, “You like what you see?” Musk promoted this feature by posting on X that “Ani will make ur buffer overflow @Grok .”

Perhaps most telling of all, as I reported in September, xAI launched a major update to Grok’s system prompt, the set of directions that tell the bot how to behave. The update disallowed the chatbot from “creating or distributing child sexual abuse material,” or CSAM, but it also explicitly said “there are **no restrictions** on fictional adult sexual content with dark or violent themes” and “‘teenage’ or ‘girl’ does not necessarily imply underage.” The suggestion, in other words, is that the chatbot should err on the side of permissiveness in response to user prompts for erotic material. Meanwhile, in the Grok Subreddit, users regularly exchange tips for “unlocking” Grok for “Nudes and Spicy Shit” and share Grok-generated animations of scantily clad women.

Read: Grok’s responses are only getting more bizzare

Grok seems to be unique among major chatbots in its permissive stance and apparent holes in safeguards. There aren’t widespread reports of ChatGPT or Gemini, for example, producing sexually suggestive images of young girls (or, for that matter, praising the Holocaust). But the AI industry does have broader problems with nonconsensual porn and CSAM. Over the past couple of years, a number of child-safety organizations and agencies have been tracking a skyrocketing amount of AI-generated, nonconsensual images and videos, many of which depict children. Plenty of erotic images are in major AI-training data sets, and in 2023 one of the largest public image data sets for AI training was found to contain hundreds of instances of suspected CSAM, which were eventually removed—meaning these models are technically capable of generating such imagery themselves.

Lauren Coffren, an executive director at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, recently told Congress that in 2024, NCMEC received more than 67,000 reports related to generative AI—and that in the first six months of 2025, it received 440,419 such reports, a more than sixfold increase. Coffren wrote in her testimony that abusers use AI to modify innocuous images of children into sexual ones, generate entirely new CSAM, or even provide instructions on how to groom children. Similarly, the Internet Watch Foundation, in the United Kingdom, received more than twice as many reports of AI-generated CSAM in 2025 as it did in 2024, amounting to thousands of abusive images and videos in both years. Last April, several top AI companies, including OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, joined an initiative led by the child-safety organization Thorn to prevent the use of AI to abuse children—though xAI was not among them.

In a way, Grok is making visible a problem that’s usually hidden. Nobody can see the private logs of chatbot users that could contain similarly awful content. For all of the abusive images Grok has generated on X over the past several days, far worse is certainly happening on the dark web and on personal computers around the world, where open-source models created with no content restrictions can run without any oversight. Still, even though the problem of AI porn and CSAM is inherent to the technology, it is a choice to design a social-media platform that can amplify that abuse.

Great Job Matteo Wong & the Team @ The Atlantic Source link for sharing this story.

Can Electricians Install Solar Panels? A Guide – Our Culture

The simplicity of solar panels on rooftops appears to be deceiving. Once installed, they simply produce electricity while sitting quietly on your roof. However, there lies one of the most highly regulated systems in residential construction beneath the surface of this quiet operation. When considering if electricians may install solar panels for the U.S.-based consumer audience, the answer cannot be a “yes” or “no.”

The role of electricians in solar installations is critical, as well as their authority over the electrical components of a photovoltaic (solar) system; however, other regulatory and licensing authorities govern other aspects of solar installation such as the roofing, structural attachments, and connections to public utilities. Each of these areas has specific regulations, requirements, and inspections which must be followed. This knowledge will determine when an electrician’s authority commences and concludes, thereby determining a successful inspection versus a costly remediation. That’s why using electrican guides by platforms like Electrical Path is essential.

Who Can Legally Do Work as an Electrician

In virtually all U.S. states, licensed electricians can be fully responsible for the electrical aspects of a solar installation. That’s a significant piece of work. As such, it will be examined most closely by inspectors and utilities.

Electricians are generally allowed to:

Install and connect DC and AC wiring (including termination)
Install string inverters, micro-inverters, and hybrid inverters
Connect PV Systems to a Main Service Panel
Install disconnects and rapid shutdown devices
Perform NEC-compliant grounding and bonding
Determine acceptable backfeed limits and busbar ratings
Upgrade Service Panels when needed due to increased solar loads

All of the above are governed by the National Electrical Code (NEC) in Articles 690, 705, and 710, dependent upon how the solar system is designed. If any aspect of the electrical system fails inspection, the entire solar system will remain off line.

From a regulatory standpoint, electricians are the foundation of any legitimate solar project.

When Do Electricians Usually Encounter Restrictions?

Once a solar job touches the roof, the limitations placed on electricians expand significantly.

Typically, electricians are prohibited from doing the following:

Drilling or penetrating roofing material
Installing flashing or waterproofing systems
Securing racking to rafters or truss members
Modifying the roof structure or deck
Certifying the weather-tightness of the system

These functions are generally subject to regulations regarding roofing or general contractor licenses. Even if an electrician has the technical capability to complete the task, inspectors can and do fail solar installation jobs based solely on whether or not the installing company has the correct classification for the function being performed. That’s why there is a shortage of solar panel installers.

That is why many solar companies divide their crews between roof teams (to install the mounting equipment), and electricians (who handle all the components carrying current).

State & Local Rules Matter

Solar permitting across the United States varies greatly. State laws provide a minimum level of requirements, but local AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) ultimately decide what is permitted and what is not.

Therefore, in practical terms, what one county allows an electrician to install racking, another county may not; what one county requires a solar contractor or general contractor to perform, another county may not require. Utility requirements may be more stringent than building department requirements.

A few states have solar-specific licenses. Other states permit electricians to install solar as part of their electrical license, and other states classify solar as a type of general contractor work.

There is no single national standard that supersedes local jurisdictional standards.

Prior to pulling permits, electricians who plan to offer solar installs should contact the local building department to determine what requirements exist.

Why Certification Fills the Knowledge Gap

Certification documents an electrician’s ability to understand solar. Licensing determines what an electrician is permitted to perform.

Numerous electricians become certified through NABCEP, which specializes in Photovoltaic (PV) systems. Although certification is not generally required in most jurisdictions, it is commonly accepted by inspectors, utilities and commercial customers.

NABCEP courses cover:

Design and layout of PV systems
NEC code compliance relating to solar
Safety considerations unique to PV arrays
Commissioning and testing of the solar array system

For electricians transitioning to solar installation services, certification often results in fewer inspection delays and greater approval rates.

Utility Interconnection is Another Challenge

Clearing a building inspection does not necessarily indicate that the system can be energized.

Each utility requires its own approval process, which may include:

One-line diagram
Equipment specifications (cut-sheets)
Qualifications of the installer
Adherence to anti-islanding and backfeeding rules

Due to service upgrades or meter changes, electricians are well-suited for this phase. In some cases however, utility companies may require the installer of record to be either a solar contractor or a general contractor, not simply a licensed electrician.

Failure to comply with utility requirements may result in delayed activation of the solar array system for weeks.

Can Electricians Install Solar Panels? A Guide – Our Culture

Commercial vs Residential Installations

Due to the relatively limited nature of residential solar installations compared to commercial solar installations, electricians may have more latitude in commercial solar installations.

Commercial solar systems often employ:

Flat rooftops
Ballasted racking with fewer roof penetrations
Engineered designs for mounting the racking

As a result, electricians can work with engineers and general contractors and still maintain a broader scope of authority.

Residential solar systems, on the other hand, are restricted by roof penetrations, homeowner safety regulations, and local regulatory oversight.

So, Can Electricians Install Solar Panels?

Yes. Electricians can legally design and commission the electrical portions of a solar array system, and no solar system will succeed without that expertise.

However, in virtually all U.S. jurisdictions, electricians cannot install a full solar installation alone unless they also possess the necessary licenses for roofing or contractor work, or are working in concert with individuals possessing the correct licenses.

Real-world solar projects are almost universally structured as follows:

Roof or mounting installation performed by licensed roofing or solar contractors
Installation and sign-off of electrical systems by licensed electricians
Final approval provided once both the building and utility inspections are completed

Solar is not merely electrical work. It is a collaborative trade effort, and electricians are among the most essential contributors to ensuring the solar array system is safe, compliant, and functional. With this in mind, let’s remember that renewable energy is key to our future.

Great Job Our Culture Mag & Partners & the Team @ Our Culture Source link for sharing this story.

Firefighter injured when apartment collapses during Pflugerville blaze

article

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas – A firefighter took minor injuries after an apartment collapsed during a fire response Friday afternoon.

The fire, which may have damaged two dozen apartments, did not result in any major injuries.

Pflugerville apartment fire

What we know:

Around 40 firefighters responded to the fire, which the Travis County Emergency Services District 2 says began shortly before 4 p.m. Friday.

The fire happened in the 14000 block of Renaissance Court in Pflugerville.

A partial roof collapse happened during the fire, resulting in an officer taking minor injuries. TCESD2 said he was treated and evaluated.

Some residents were evaluated at the scene for smoke exposure, but no serious injuries were reported.

Officials estimate around 24 apartments may have been affected.

What we don’t know:

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

The Source: Information in this article comes from Travis County ESD 2.

Pflugerville

Great Job & the Team @ Latest & Breaking News | FOX 7 Austin for sharing this story.

[EXCLUSIVE] ‘Everyday Moments Became Shared Culture’: How Instagram Changed in 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, Instagram’s evolution feels less about flashy features and more about how everyday moments quietly turn into shared culture. In an email interaction with Mashable India, a Meta spokesperson reflected on how user behaviour, creator formats, and AI-powered tools reshaped the platform over the year, and what that signals for Instagram’s direction in 2026.

Looking back at 2025, Meta points to a fundamental shift in how people used Instagram, not just as a place to consume content, but to actively shape culture in real time. According to the Meta spokesperson, “One of the biggest shifts in 2025 was how quickly everyday moments turned into shared cultural moments.” From sports and entertainment to work and daily life, Instagram increasingly became a space where moments weren’t just posted, but “collectively reinterpreted and remixed,” blurring the line between audiences and creators.

ALSO SEE: Oppo Reno 15, Reno 15 Pro And Pro Mini 5G India Launch Set For January 8: Expected Specs, Price

Interestingly, some of the most impactful changes didn’t come from headline-grabbing launches. Instead, quieter features reshaped how people chose to share. The Meta spokesperson highlighted how creators began embracing more private and intentional modes of engagement, noting that “creators started leaning into more private, intentional ways of sharing.” Broadcast Channels emerged as a key tool, allowing creators to offer behind-the-scenes access, early drops, and private conversations to their most engaged followers.

This shift toward selective sharing extended to formats like password-protected Reels, which gained unexpected traction. As the spokesperson explained, “users relished the idea of sharing content with a select audience rather than everyone at once.” The trend suggests that even on a platform built around scale, exclusivity and intimacy became increasingly valuable in 2025.

When it came to AI, Meta says the most meaningful impact was felt in creation, but not in the way many feared. Rather than replacing human creativity, AI acted as a collaborator. “We’re seeing AI help people remix, animate, and personalize content in ways that were previously inaccessible, while still keeping the original perspective at the centre,” the spokesperson said, emphasizing that human insight remained the driving force behind resonant content.

Looking ahead, Instagram’s tech roadmap for 2026 appears focused on refining this balance between creativity, control, and authenticity. Summing up the platform’s direction, the Meta spokesperson said, “Instagram’s direction for 2026 is about empowering people to tell real, distinctive stories by combining authenticity, exclusivity, and bold creative expression.” If 2025 was about cultural participation, 2026 may be about making those stories feel more personal, and more intentional, than ever.

ALSO SEE: Samsung Galaxy S26 and Z Fold 8 May Dodge Price Hike Despite RAM Shortage

Great Job Priya Singh & the Team @ Mashable India tech Source link for sharing this story.

James Talarico reports raising nearly $7 million, continuing cash influx to U.S. Senate bid

James Talarico reports raising nearly million, continuing cash influx to U.S. Senate bid

State Rep. James Talarico raised nearly $7 million for his U.S. Senate run during the latest fundraising quarter, increasing his total haul to $13 million since launching his bid, his campaign said Friday.

Talarico established himself as a prolific fundraiser after raising $6.2 million in the first three weeks of his campaign, which far outpaced other recent Democrats who sought statewide office. Democrats have not won statewide office in Texas since 1994.

The figure released Friday — $6.8 million worth of contributions — suggests the money momentum continues for Talarico, a former public school teacher who has represented a district that includes North Austin and parts of Pflugerville and Round Rock in the Texas House since 2018. Most of Talarico’s donations — 98% — were for $100 or less and none came from corporate PACs, according to the campaign.

It is not clear how much of the money Talarico has already spent. All candidates for federal office must file a finance update with the election commission by the end of the month.

“With the help of more than 215,000 neighbors, we are building a campaign to win the primary, win the general, and deliver for working people across Texas,” Talarico said in a statement, referring to the number of individual contributors.

A spokesperson for his primary opponent, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, did not immediately return a request for comment. Crockett, who filed to run for Senate later than Talarico, is also a prolific fundraiser.

A poll released last month had Crockett leading Talarico by 8 percentage points.

Talarico’s early cash influx gave him an upper hand over former U.S. Rep. Collin Allred, who took two months to raise as much money during his unsuccessful challenge to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz last cycle. Allred left the Senate race in December and pivoted to run for the Dallas-based 33rd Congressional District.

On the Republican side, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is facing the biggest challenge of his career in a three-way contest to be the GOP nominee as Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Houston, try to unseat the incumbent. As of October, Cornyn carried a big financial advantage over Paxton and Hunt.

Great Job Texas Tribune, Alejandro Serrano & the Team @ KSAT San Antonio for sharing this story.

#NBTXNEWSIndependent journalism for New Braunfels, Comal County, Guadalupe County, and The Texas Hill Country.