HFN

10/06/2026

🌠 October is bringing a little celestial entertainment! The annual Draconid meteor shower is expected to peak on the night of October 8–9, with excellent viewing conditions thanks to an almost moonless sky.

Unlike many meteor showers that are best viewed in the early morning hours, the Draconids are an evening event. This year's peak is expected around 9 PM EDT on October 8, so there's no need to stay up until dawn. 🌌

Here's how to make the most of it:
🔭 Find a dark spot. Head somewhere away from city lights with a clear view of the sky.
✨ Give your eyes time to adjust. Allow about 30 minutes to get used to the darkness.
🌙 Leave the equipment at home. You won't need a telescope or binoculars. Just look up and take in as much of the sky as possible.

The Draconids typically produce around five meteors per hour under ideal conditions, although they've surprised skywatchers with spectacular displays in the past.

The shower runs from October 6–10, so you may have several opportunities to catch a shooting star, weather permitting.

Will you be watching? 🌠

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Good news! The Draconid meteor shower peaks under almost moonless skies on Oct. 8-9.

09/30/2026

🌕 Somewhere on the Moon, there's a crater that wasn't there two years ago, and it's the biggest one scientists have ever caught forming in real time.

A NASA researcher spotted it during what started as a routine check of lunar images. After comparing old and new photos, he realized he'd found the largest newly formed crater ever recorded anywhere in the solar system. It's now officially named McGetchin, after a pioneering lunar scientist, and it was carved out sometime between April and May of 2024, when a comet or asteroid roughly the size of a five-story building slammed into the surface.

The crater stretches about 728 feet across, roughly the length of two football fields, and drops 141 feet deep, enough to stack three school buses. 🔭 Scientists estimate that an impact this size only happens on the Moon about once a century.

There's more to it than just the hole itself. Researchers also found a patch of ground about four miles wide around the crater that stays noticeably cooler at night than the surrounding terrain, evidence of just how much a single impact can reshape the nearby surface.

It's a good reminder that even something as familiar as the Moon still has surprises waiting to be noticed; sometimes it just takes someone looking closely enough to catch them.

Source:

Scientists have discovered a crater on the moon that's bigger than the Roman Colosseum, the result of a powerful impact two years ago.

09/23/2026

🏛️ The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate this week for the first time in three years, lifting the federal funds rate a quarter point to a range of 3.75% to 4%. Most officials expect at least one more increase before the year's end.

A few things are driving the move:
▪️Energy prices have climbed amid global tensions
▪️Spending tied to AI infrastructure has surged
▪️Together, they've pushed inflation above the Fed's 2% goal

The effects reach different corners of your budget in different ways:
▪️Credit cards and auto loans tend to reprice quickly
▪️Mortgage rates track longer-term Treasury yields, which have also climbed, pushing the 30-year average to nearly 7%

💼 The labor market has held steady through it all, with unemployment at 4.1%.

This is exactly the kind of shift worth talking through together, especially anywhere it touches your own borrowing or spending decisions.

Source:

Most officials penciled in one more increase this year. An energy shock and a surge of AI investment have reshaped the inflation outlook.

09/16/2026

Social Security Recipients Could Get Their Biggest Raise in 3 Years. Here's Why -

09/09/2026

Dolly Parton’s legacy reaches far beyond music.

Over the years, she gave millions to causes ranging from disaster relief and medical research to education and children’s literacy. Her Imagination Library alone has distributed more than 330 million books to children across five countries.

After devastating Tennessee wildfires in 2016, her My People Fund provided displaced families with $1,000 a month for six months, no strings attached. She also donated $1 million toward COVID-19 vaccine research and supported schools, scholarships, pediatric care, and communities close to home.

What tied so much of that work together was remarkably simple: trust people, see a need, and respond.

Her example is a meaningful reminder that generosity doesn’t have to follow one formula. It starts with deciding what matters to you and finding a way to make an impact.

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Dolly Parton's death is shining a new light on the country music icon's philanthropy. The Library of Congress has called Parton a “titan of children’s literacy” for the millions of free books provided monthly through her Imagination Library.

09/04/2026

Happy Labor Day! 🛠️
Today, we take a moment to recognize and appreciate the hard work of individuals across the nation.

Whether you're relaxing at home or enjoying a well-deserved day off, I hope you're able to recharge and enjoy this special day.

To the builders, creators, and doers: Happy Labor Day!

HFN will be closed on Monday, September 7th in observance of the Holiday. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday the 8th.

08/26/2026

Gold's record January run gave way to a 20% summer slide, but prices are finding their footing.

A softer dollar, renewed demand, and surging central-bank buying are reshaping the outlook. unpacks the turnaround and what it could mean for portfolios: https://bit.ly/4xftUni

08/19/2026

For many homeowners, the biggest weather risk may no longer be hurricanes.

New research from First Street found that severe convective storms, including tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds, have become the costliest insured natural disasters worldwide.

In 2025, these storms accounted for one-third of global natural disaster economic losses. Insured and uninsured losses totaled $82 billion, with $68 billion concentrated in the U.S.

Hail is the biggest driver of insurance payouts within this category, followed by severe winds.

These storms tend to move quickly, but they can cause widespread damage to homes, cars, businesses, and infrastructure.

For homeowners, the growing cost of severe weather can show up in more than repairs. It may also affect insurance premiums, property maintenance, emergency savings, and long-term housing costs.

As weather risks shift, it can be worth reviewing coverage, deductibles, and how prepared your household is for unexpected property damage.

Source:

Severe "convective" storms account for roughly a third of global natural disaster economic losses, a new study finds.

08/12/2026

The latest solar eclipse will only last for a short while on Aug. 12, so don’t miss it!

08/05/2026

🎒📚 Back to School! 🍎✏️

Hey everyone! As the summer sun begins to set, it's time to trade in those flip-flops for some fresh kicks and head back to school. Whether you're starting a new grade, meeting new teachers, or reuniting with friends, this school year is your blank canvas. Let's fill it with laughter, learning, and unforgettable memories. Remember, every day is a new adventure waiting to unfold. Wishing you all a fantastic and successful school year ahead!