Did you hear about this? The Transportation Security Administration just announced plans to launch a new service called TSA Gold+. In what industry experts call an about-face for the TSA, the agency is now ramping up efforts to privatize security at U.S. airports.

The recent government shutdowns, which left TSA agents unpaid for months and led to long lines, have fueled a push to expand the Screening Partnership Program, which uses private contractors to staff security checkpoints, and to roll out a new voluntary public-private screening initiative like this.

Twenty airports, including San Francisco International, currently participate in the Screening Partnership Program. While lines at airports like Houston’s Hobby, which uses TSA, extended outside terminals during the last shutdown, passengers often waited 10 minutes or less at the non-TSA airports.

Initially, TSA Gold+ screenings will look and feel the same as other airport security checkpoints. Perhaps the lines will be shorter—and for travelers, that’s a win. However, as private contractors innovate and streamline their operations with improved technology, TSA Gold+ operations may become a significantly different experience. And the shorter lines may be because smaller airports are generally the primary participants in the Screening Partnership Programs. The government’s push for privatization is not yet focused on major hubs and international airports.

We’ve already got a former reality TV star in the White House and now another reality TV alum wants to be the mayor of America’s second largest city. Spencer Pratt is running for Los Angeles mayor after his house burned down in the 2025 Palisades fire. What seemed to be another one of his savvy grabs for attention has now got people talking seriously about his prospects.

Pratt stole the show early in a recent debate. He called current LA Mayor Karen Bass an “incredible liar” and said homeless people were using “super meth.” His campaign has captivated residents who are frustrated with the slow pace of fire recovery and with Bass. The latest independent polling shows Bass leading four challengers, with Pratt and Nithya Raman, a City Council member, within striking distance of each other for second place.

According to the Wall Street Journal, he earned a political science degree at the University of Southern California but hasn’t held public office. Supporters see Pratt as a fresh face who talks openly about the city’s dysfunction. He’s doing much of that talking about podcasts, mixing Trumpian rhetoric with meme-able videos and social-video savvy reminiscent of other millennial politicians, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Perhaps it’s not surprising in the age of “vibe coding,” but a growing number of Gen Z tech enthusiasts are turning to “cyberdecks”—custom-built, portable computers assembled from mismatched parts—as a hands-on alternative to mass-produced devices.

According to Newsweek, the trend blends retro-futuristic aesthetics with practical computing, often using single-board systems like Raspberry Pi paired with small screens, keyboards and custom enclosures. What’s more, most cyberdecks are typically built from thrifted or repurposed materials, giving each device a distinct look and function shaped entirely by its creator.

Some of these young tinkerer are also using 3D-printed parts and the idea has resonated across social media, where users share designs ranging from rugged field devices to colorful, handcrafted machines. Of course, when in doubt, you can always ask ChatGPT and Gemini to help.