Kelli Ballard

In many ways, apprenticeship is a disappearing tradition. Not because there is no longer a need for skilled workers, but because fewer people have the opportunity to learn directly from those who have spent decades mastering their craft. Every retiring carpenter, machinist, mechanic, electrician, chef, or printer takes a lifetime of knowledge with them unless someone is there to learn it. Colleges will always have an important place, but they can't preserve every trade, technique, or hands-on lesson that has been passed from one generation to the next. If apprentices continue to fade away, America won't just lose another career path – it risks losing the knowledge, craftsmanship, and mentorship that helped build the nation in the first place.

, and the left went bananas, claiming no such thing has happened or even could happen? Even though there are numerous reports of deceased people still on voter rolls, illegal immigrants voting in elections, and other issues, so many media outlets and left-leaning critics insist this isn't happening. Well, move over, naysayers, because New Jersey just discovered more than 6,000 noncitizens were registered to vote, and it isn't the only state or jurisdiction to have this problem.

Using China's artificial intelligence programs to fix America's – what could go wrong? The story, in brief

Boredom isn't just a state of the mind; it's a healthy activity for the brain. For thousands of years, people had no choice but to spend time with their thoughts – something modern-day humans are losing the knack for, as every spare minute can be filled with entertainment, news, or notifications. Every great thinker, from Isaac Newton to Abraham Lincoln to Albert Einstein, spent long stretches of time walking, reflecting, or simply thinking. Today, however, people go out of their way to get out of their own heads and be distracted by outside stimulation.

Experts don't agree on what caused the decline of crime. The story, in brief After decades of ever increasing crime rates, the tide may finally be turning.

Whatever happened to the art of being interesting? The story, in brief Humans aren't born interesting.

What does a Democratic Socialist leader do when her city is facing a $175 million budget deficit? Why, raise taxes, of course. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson isn't winning any brownie points with citizens or other politicians. The cost of doing business in the Emerald City has been driving companies away, and Wilson's wave-goodbye indifference has only heightened the problem. Now, the mayor wants to boost taxes – again – to help cover transit costs, and at least one Democrat had harsh words of warning for her.

From Mexico to Venezuela: Who's coming to America today? The story, in brief

Cravings: We all get them from time to time, and some of us are better than others at resisting that chocolate bar or extra slice of pie. Sometimes nothing is better than a bit of comfort food to improve our moods. But what drives the need for those salty or sweet goodies? Scientists believe the gut may have a say in what our minds are telling us we want to eat.

Why the act of waiting is important to our health. "To lose patience is to lose the battle." ~ Mahatma Gandhi