Evangelista & Associates, Inc.

08/05/2026

Online scams are becoming more sophisticated, and new technology is helping criminal networks operate at a larger scale.

An AP investigation found that scam operations have used artificial intelligence, cloud services, internet infrastructure, satellite connections, and social platforms to target people around the world.

Some scams now involve automated messages, real-time translation, fake identities, and carefully scripted conversations designed to build trust quickly.

The financial damage can be devastating. The Federal Trade Commission estimated that scams cost Americans nearly $200 billion in losses in 2024.

The human impact is also serious. Some people working inside scam compounds have been trafficked or forced to participate under threat of violence.

For consumers, the warning signs still matter: pressure to act quickly, requests to keep conversations secret, sudden talk of money or investments, and relationships that move unusually fast.

As scams become more advanced, skepticism can be a form of protection. Slowing down, verifying details, and talking with someone trusted before sending money can make a meaningful difference.


Source:

Technology from American companies is being used to power a revolution in the scam industry, playing a key role in the industrialization and globalization of fraud in ways that have not been clear until now, an AP/“FRONTLINE” investigation has found.

07/29/2026

The price of a first-class Forever stamp rose from 78 cents to 82 cents on July 12.

The increase is part of a series of price hikes from the U.S. Postal Service, which has raised the cost of a first-class stamp several times in recent years.

USPS has cited financial losses, rising operating expenses, and declining mail volume as reasons for the latest increase.

Other postage costs also increased. Domestic postcards rose to 65 cents, while international postcards and letters rose to $1.75.

One important reminder: Forever stamps purchased before the increase still work after the price change. They continue to cover the current cost of one ounce of First-Class Mail postage.

For households and small businesses, postage may seem like a small expense — but recurring cost increases can add up over time, especially for anyone who still relies on mailed bills, invoices, cards, or client communications.


Source:

The cost of a first-class Forever stamp has climbed 41% since 2021, and postal officials have signaled they want prices to rise even more.

07/22/2026

A fossil collected in Antarctica more than 40 years ago has turned out to be a rare dinosaur discovery.

The bone was found in 1985 during an expedition to Antarctica’s James Ross Island and was originally recorded as belonging to a large reptile.

Decades later, a paleontologist reviewing the British Antarctic Survey’s collections recognized that the fossil might be something more specific: a dinosaur bone.

Researchers confirmed that the bone came from the tail of a long-necked, plant-eating dinosaur called a titanosaur. Scientists have not yet identified the exact species.

The discovery is especially notable because dinosaur fossils are rare in Antarctica, where ice makes fieldwork difficult. Millions of years ago, though, the region was much warmer and covered in lush forests.

It is a reminder that discovery does not always happen in the field. Sometimes, progress comes from revisiting what has already been collected with fresh questions, better tools, and new expertise.


Source:

Dinosaur fossils are rare to find in Antarctica because of the unforgiving ice caps. But millions of years ago, the region was populated by lush forests.

07/15/2026

There are so many reasons to create a will this month, but here are three big ones to consider:

Direct Your Property: Creating a will tells the courts how you want your property distributed. Without a will, state laws will determine how your estate is divided, which may not align with your intentions.

Provide instructions to the probate court: A will can help manage the probate process, providing instructions to the court.

Designate Guardianship for Minor Children: If you have minor children, a will allows you to appoint a guardian to care for them. This crucial step directs that your children are raised by someone you trust, rather than leaving the decision to the courts.

07/02/2026

Team Building at its best! Yep. It’s that time of year where we close the office for the afternoon, have lunch at Argo and then spend the day Kayaking down the Huron River. The start of a great holiday weekend. Happy 4th, everyone!

06/25/2026

We are thrilled, humbled and happy to officially share!

06/24/2026

Restoring the Great Wall of China is a careful process, and in some places, it is happening one brick at a time.

The Great Wall stretches roughly 13,000 miles, but it is not one continuous structure. Instead, it is composed of many sections built over several dynasties over about 2,000 years.

One restoration effort focuses on the Jiankou section, a steep, rugged section of the wall north of Beijing. The work requires traditional masonry skills, local knowledge, and a deep respect for preserving the structure’s historic character.

For Cheng Yongmao, known as Old Cheng, the work has become a life’s calling. After decades as a bricklayer and restoration specialist, he now helps guide efforts to protect and repair parts of the wall for future generations.

The project is a reminder that preserving history often depends on patience, craftsmanship, and the people willing to protect what came before.


Source:

NBC News visits the monumental 13,000-mile fortifications, which are not, in fact, one contiguous structure but many segments built over several dynasties spanning about 2,000 years.

06/21/2026

Thanks to everyone who made it to the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum yesterday. What a great day for our annual Family Fun Day!

&AFamilyFunDay

06/17/2026

A rare wildlife moment is drawing attention in Chicago.

Two bald eagle hatchlings were recently spotted in a nest at Park 597 along the Calumet River on the city’s Southeast Side. Officials believe this may be Chicago’s first successful wild bald eagle breeding in more than a century.

The discovery is especially meaningful given the bald eagle’s long recovery story. Habitat loss and insecticide contamination once caused the species’ population to decline sharply, but conservation efforts helped support its comeback over the past several decades.

Park 597 has also gone through its own transformation. The site was previously home to a city water treatment plant, but restoration work improved the natural habitat.

Now, the appearance of two eaglets offers a hopeful reminder of how restored green spaces can support wildlife, even in the middle of a major city.


Source:

Two bald eagle hatchlings have been spotted in a Chicago park in what experts believe is a first for the Windy City in more than a century.

06/17/2026

It's a very exciting day at E&A! We are proud to announce that John has been recognized as one of the top 2026 Financial Advisors to watch. Congratulations John!

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