Massachusetts is a birthing utopia
WalletHub evaluated all 50 states across 31 metrics covering affordability, healthcare access, and family-friendliness, and wouldn't you know it... Massachusetts came out on top once again.

The Bay State boasts the nation’s best parental leave policies, top-ranked neonatal hospitals, and exceptionally low infant and maternal mortality rates. Minnesota follows close behind with its low health insurance premiums and excellent care quality.

Meanwhile, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida rank in the bottom three. Mississippi has the worst healthcare rank, while Florida ranks near the bottom in healthcare costs.

To see where your state ranks, click here. They also have added statistics, such as listing the states with the highest and lowest hospital cesarean-delivery charges, and average annual infant-care costs.

💰 Taking out a loan for school supplies
Back-to-school shopping is delivering massive sticker shock this year. A new report reveals that supply and lunch costs have surged, pushing annual spending to nearly $4,000 per child. Lunch box prices are up nearly 30% while notebooks are up around 20%. Meanwhile, the contents that might fill that lunch box? Oh boy. Blueberries are up nearly 50%, sandwich bread 22% and apple juice 20%. More depressing stats here.

🥑 Speaking of costly food, what's the avocado oil myth?
That premium avocado oil mayonnaise, salad dressing, or bag of chips you’re paying extra for might not actually contain pure avocado oil. A new UC Davis study tested 54 packaged foods listing avocado oil as their sole oil, and found that 89% were adulterated with cheaper alternatives like soybean oil. Surprisingly, olive oil products tested alongside them passed with flying colors.

💉 Even RFK Jr. wants you to vaccinate against measles
US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. went on CNN to urge parents to vaccinate their children against measles as US infections hit a 35-year high. Surpassing 2025’s record with over 2,370 cases this year, the surge threatens America’s measles elimination status. Here are all the facts surrounding the measles vaccine.

📈 High blood pressure during pregnancy is going up in every state
Rates of gestational hypertension are soaring nationwide, according to new CDC data. More than 1 in 10 mothers who gave birth in 2024 experienced high blood pressure or preeclampsia. That's a 73% jump since 2016. Because the increase spans every age and BMI group, experts say rising maternal age isn't the sole culprit. Instead, researchers are investigating whether environmental exposures like pollution and microplastics could be behind the surge.

🏈 NFL QB lists 4 reasons your kids should play multiple sports
NFL legend Drew Brees is warning parents against letting kids specialize in just one sport year-round. Now coaching his four children, the Hall of Famer says playing multiple sports prevents overuse injuries and burnout while building better overall athletes. Brees also emphasizes how team sports teach vital life skills, like overcoming setbacks and working together.

⏰ 7,000
That's how many minutes you're "losing" to driving your kids to school activities every year. Imagine how much that might increase if your kid is playing multiple sports... thanks a lot, Drew!

Last week, we asked whether you’d tip at a kid's birthday party, and ~60% of you said, "Heck no!" while, "Sure, why not?" came in second with ~25% of the vote.