Spring brings vibrant celebrations, cultural gatherings, and exciting community events across the region. From colorful Holi festivals to energetic dance workshops, these events bring together music, culture, and joyful traditions. People of all backgrounds gather to celebrate the arrival of spring with performances, colors, and community spirit. Here are some exciting upcoming events you can explore this season.

A homelessness prevention program that began in Santa Clara County is expanding nationwide with a goal of helping more than 10,000 families avoid eviction and remain stably housed. Nonprofit Destination: Home announced it is partnering with 10 organizations across the United States to replicate a rental assistance and case management model focused on preventing housing instability before it leads to homelessness. The expansion spans large and small cities, rural regions and tribal communities, including sites in Minnesota, Alaska, Atlanta, Georgia, and Asheville, North Carolina. Through the Right at Home initiative, Destination: Home will work with local partners to implement pilot programs based on its established homelessness prevention framework. The initiative is designed to demonstrate that eviction prevention and supportive services can be effectively scaled and adopted as part of broader housing policy. Destination: Home first launched its homelessness prevention program in 2017 after observing an increase in residents falling into homelessness in Santa Clara County. Backed by private funding, the nonprofit provided rental assistance, case management and supportive services to families at immediate risk of eviction. The approach aimed to stabilize households facing temporary financial crises, helping them maintain housing while addressing underlying challenges. In 2024, Santa Clara County formally incorporated the program into its countywide homelessness strategy and expanded it across the region. Since its launch, nearly 44,000 people in the county have avoided homelessness through the initiative, according to program data. A randomized control trial conducted by the University of Notre Dame’s Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities found that 90 percent of participants who received assistance remained housed two years later, highlighting the long-term impact of early intervention. The national expansion has raised $77 million to date. Under the plan, each participating community will receive at least $5 million over five years, with a target of serving approximately 1,500 households per location. The Lab for Economic Opportunities will collect and analyze data to measure outcomes such as housing stability and economic resilience. Funding partners include Cisco, Sobrato Philanthropies, the Valhalla Foundation and The Audacious Project. Researchers involved in the evaluation say prevention plays a critical role in addressing the affordable housing crisis and rising poverty. Eviction can trigger a chain of negative consequences, including job loss, financial hardship and increased reliance on emergency services. By providing eviction relief and community support before families lose their homes, the program seeks to reduce long-term social and economic costs. For some residents, the program has provided essential support during periods of instability. Desiré Campusano received rental assistance multiple times while navigating job transitions and significant rent increases. The assistance helped her remain housed and later move into an affordable apartment, with continued guidance from a case manager. Advocates argue that as unemployment and economic pressures affect households nationwide, homelessness prevention must be prioritized alongside emergency response systems. Supporters of the initiative say investing in rental assistance and case management before a crisis escalates offers a more stable and cost-effective solution to housing insecurity. By expanding its model nationally, Destination: Home aims to build momentum for broader federal funding dedicated to preventing homelessness before it begins.

A proposal to create a new income tax bracket for Virginia’s highest earners is advancing through the General Assembly, with supporters arguing that the measure could generate significant new revenue for public schools, child care programs and affordable housing initiatives across the state. House Bill 188, introduced by Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler, who represents Virginia Beach’s 96th House District, would establish a higher tax rate beginning in the 2026 tax year. Under the proposal, individuals earning more than $1 million annually would pay a 10 percent tax on income exceeding that threshold. Lawmakers backing the bill say the change would modernize Virginia’s tax structure and target additional contributions from the state’s wealthiest residents. Currently, Virginia uses a relatively flat income tax system in which all income above $17,000 is taxed at a rate of 5.75 percent. Advocates for the legislation contend that the structure places a proportionally heavier burden on middle-income families while allowing top earners to pay the same marginal rate. By creating a new bracket, they argue, the state can make its tax policy more progressive while securing funds for critical public needs. The bill specifies how revenue from the higher tax rate would be distributed. Half of the additional funds would go toward increased basic aid for public schools, a move intended to help districts address teacher shortages, classroom resources and rising operational costs. Thirty percent of the new revenue would be directed to the Child Care Subsidy Program, which assists working families with the cost of care and aims to expand access for low- and moderate-income households. The remaining 20 percent would be allocated to the Virginia Housing Trust Fund to support affordable housing development and homelessness prevention efforts. Supporters say the targeted investments could strengthen education, improve workforce participation and address housing shortages that have affected communities statewide. Critics, however, have raised concerns about potential impacts on business competitiveness and the possibility that higher-income residents could relocate, affecting overall tax collections. Those debates are expected to continue as the measure moves through committee review. In addition to the new tax bracket, HB 188 includes several technical amendments intended to align existing statutes with the proposed changes. The bill remains under consideration in committee, where lawmakers will determine whether it advances to a full vote in the House and Senate. If approved, the policy would mark one of the most significant adjustments to Virginia’s income tax system in decades and could reshape how the state funds key services tied to education, child care and housing.

Ticket registration for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles opens on January 14 at 9 a.m. Central Time and will remain available until March 18. Fans who sign up within this window at the official registration site will be entered into a lottery system. Notifications will be sent starting March 31 to indicate assigned time slots for ticket purchases. Those selected in the lottery will be able to begin purchasing tickets on April 2. The initial purchasing window, running from April

Congress adjourned for the year without renewing enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, a decision expected to significantly affect health coverage across Ohio beginning in 2026. State health policy analysts warn that as many as 140,000 Ohio residents could lose insurance coverage as premiums rise sharply following the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits at the end of 2025. The Affordable Care Act has provided premium tax credits since 2014 to help eligible individuals a

India’s housing finance sector is witnessing a strategic shift as lenders begin treating defence personnel as a separate borrower category rather than grouping them under standard salaried profiles. With urban housing demand cooling and competition intensifying in metro markets, lenders are increasingly turning to defence families as stable, long-term borrowers who require customised solutions rather than generic home loan products. This change in approach has been highlighted by

AUSTIN, Texas – Authorities are investigating a large overnight fire that erupted at an affordable housing development under construction in Southeast Austin, causing widespread damage and prompting concern among nearby residents. The Austin Fire Department reported that the intensity of the flames forced crews to take a defensive approach, battling the blaze from the outside due to rapidly growing heat and structural instability. The incident occurred at a building site along Sou

Senior advocate Sai Deepak has challenged the account presented by the Pakistan High Commission in the United Kingdom regarding a scheduled debate between Indian and Pakistani speakers at the Oxford Union. The event, which was expected to feature prominent figures from both countries, became the centre of a controversy after the Pakistan High Commission publicly claimed that Indian participants withdrew at the last moment, resulting in what it described as a walkover. Deepak rejected this ver

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced on Thursday that he will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House to address what he calls the most pressing issue facing the city: affordability. Speaking at City Hall Park, Mamdani outlined his intentions ahead of the meeting and emphasized that New Yorkers expect their leaders to confront the rising cost of living that affects millions across the five boroughs. The meeting, scheduled for Friday, has drawn considerable attention

A new children’s attraction at American Dream in East Rutherford is giving young fans of a popular family vlogging channel the ability to step directly into the world they usually watch online. Ninja Kidz Action Park, which opened in August, transforms the energy and excitement of the Ninja Kidz YouTube channel into a full-scale indoor adventure space designed for active play, exploration, and family fun. The park features 20 different attractions, offering a wide variety of physi

Open enrollment for Covered California began Monday with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joining state and local officials in encouraging residents to enroll early in health coverage. The new enrollment period opens against a backdrop of financial uncertainty, as ongoing federal funding debates threaten to reshape the affordability of health insurance for millions across the state. This year’s enrollment marks a critical moment for the state’s health care marketplace. Covered Calif

Dublin, California — The City of Dublin is inviting residents to attend two public Zoom meetings to learn more about the proposed Sunflower Hill at Grace Pointe, a 60-unit affordable housing project designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The development, a partnership between Sunflower Hill and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), aims to provide long-term independent living opportunities while enhancing accessibility and inclusion in the Tri-Valley

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, one of the most influential figures in modern American politics, announced her retirement Thursday morning in a video message to her constituents. Pelosi, a Democrat from California who made history as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, confirmed she will not seek re-election in 2026, closing a chapter on a congressional career that has spanned nearly four decades. “San Francisco, know your power,” Pelosi said in her recorded message.

Democrat Ghazala Hashmi has made history by becoming the first Indian-origin and Muslim woman to be elected as Lieutenant Governor in the United States. Her victory in Virginia marks a major milestone in American politics, as she defeated Republican candidate John Reid in a closely watched race. The win also cements her place as one of the most prominent voices for progressive causes, including education, gun reform, and women’s rights. Hashmi, who previously became the first Musl

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey — The race to become Jersey City’s next mayor is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent history, featuring a diverse lineup of seven candidates, including former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey. Each contender is offering distinct visions for the city’s future, with housing affordability, development, and integrity in governance emerging as central themes in the campaign. McGreevey, once a prominent figure in state politics, is attempt

San Jose’s cooling pipeline for conventional homebuilding has put unusual emphasis on one small-scale format that continues to deliver results: accessory dwelling units. Backed by a wave of California legislation that curbed local barriers and clarified property rights, ADUs—once a niche backyard project—have evolved into a central element of the city’s growth strategy. Because they are constructed on existing lots and typically require fewer discretionary approvals than multifamily p

The question of whether college is truly worth the cost has become one of the most pressing issues for students and families across the United States. Soaring tuition prices, growing student loan debt, and a challenging job market have left many young Americans reconsidering whether a college degree guarantees a secure future. For many, the decision to attend college is now less about personal growth or academic curiosity and more about financial return and long-term value. Public con

A property collective known as Petra, which manages three apartment complexes in Washington, D.C., has been ordered to pay $700,000 after being found liable in a housing discrimination lawsuit. The legal action accused Petra of intentionally discriminating against lower-income residents in order to boost profits, violating several District housing laws. The outcome represents a significant step in the city’s continuing efforts to ensure equal access to affordable housing and to hold landlords

The University of Oxford has once again secured the top position in The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, marking its tenth consecutive year as the world’s leading academic institution. Released today, the rankings reaffirm Oxford’s strength in research innovation, teaching quality, and global reputation. The 2026 edition also reflects changing dynamics in higher education worldwide, showing shifts in the United States and Asia and modest but steady pro

United States President Donald Trump warned on Sunday, October 5, that his administration would launch fresh airstrikes against Iran if the country attempts to restart its nuclear program. Speaking at a Navy Day event at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, Trump said the United States “won’t wait so long this time” to act. His remarks referred to the June 22 airstrikes that targeted Iranian nuclear sites, an operation he described as “perfectly executed.”