Today’s Big Story

Marital Status Shifts

The average age of marriage in the U.S. keeps getting older and many are fine remaining single

It’s a big step. A union not to be entered into lightly, as they often say, when two people are about to exchange vows. But in 1930, the median age at first marriage for males and females was 24 and 21, respectively. Last year, the United States Census Bureau reported that the median age for a first marriage was now 30.2 for men and 28.6 for women—a slight increase from 28.4 for women (and no change for men) from the previous year.

It’s clear that American life has changed over the decades. Overall life expectancy has increased and priorities have changed. People stay single longer, marry later, divorce less (now) and widow older. Since 1950, these numbers have consistently trended upward—cultural shifts have driven these changes, as societal views around the institution of marriage has evolved. Christie Kim, a psychotherapist, tells Brides that many couples wait until they are financially secure, take their time dating, and consider their emotional maturity before getting engaged.

Overall views of marriage have evolved, too. For example, for many pairs, a wedding no longer feels like a prerequisite to starting a family. Domestic partnerships also provide similar legal protections without the fuss of a ceremony and reception. And for some, the frequency of divorce is enough to make them reconsider the entire institution.

Also, demographic shifts have put men and women on divergent paths, which some experts say have left more women resigned to being single. More women than men are attending college, buying houses on their own and focusing on their friendships and careers over dating and marriage. Over half of single women said they believed they were happier than their married counterparts in a 2024 AEI survey of 5,837 adults. Just over a third of surveyed single men said the same.

Dating apps aren’t helping. While many log on, hoping to find a potential spouse, people say that the apps have resulted in higher expectations for a would-be match. “Dating apps make people feel like there might always be a better option,” said Melissa Kearney, an economist at the University of Maryland, told the Wall Street Journal. “They view looking for a marriage partner the same way that you view looking for a job candidate.” No one wants to settle for less.

Senate Approves Cuts to Foreign Aid, Public Broadcasting

Trump’s clawback package now heads back to the House ahead of a Friday deadline

Senate Republicans blasted through Democratic and internal opposition to pass President Donald Trump’s multibillion-dollar clawback package early Thursday morning. It just barely passed, over the objections of some Republicans who said it “abdicated the legislative branch’s power of the purse.” The final vote tally was 51-48, with Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joining every Democrat in voting against it. The package will now be sent to the House, which has until Friday to pass it.

The rescissions package cancels previously approved funding totaling $9 billion for foreign aid and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS. Axios reports that it’s a win for conservative fiscal hawks who wanted to follow on DOGE’s work, while Democrats fear the victory for the White House opens the door for more rescissions packages negating bipartisan spending deals.

Sen. Roger Wicker, (Republican from Mississippi), the chair of the Armed Services Committee, told NBC he’s backing the measure “with reservation.” He said it “troubles” him that lawmakers are being so deferential to the executive branch: “It concerns me—as perhaps approaching a disregard for the constitutional responsibilities of the legislative branch under Article I. Congress has the power of the purse. The president has the power to enforce.”

There’s a New Line of Protein-Filled PB&J

As they say … shut up and take my money

All my friends who are fathers have, at one time or another, admitted to loving Uncrustables, the pre-made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches housed in crimp-sealed bread, with (as the name suggests) the crust removed. Clearly, you don’t need to be a kid to enjoy those tasty, tiny sandwiches. According to recent data from The Athletic, the NFL goes through an estimated 80,000 Uncrustables a year.

And why not? They’re tasty and familiar and satisfying. But what if they were even better? Healthier? That’s the goal of a new protein-filled PB&J brand, Jams, which some say is coming for the Uncrustables throne. Founded by 26-year-old entrepreneur Connor Blakley, these protein-rich sandwiches are apparently just as delicious, but equipped with 10 grams of protein and can be found in the frozen section in over three thousand Walmart locations across the U.S.

The athlete-backed Uncrustables dupe is a little bigger than the original and comes in either strawberry or blueberry flavors. Blakely says the biggest selling point of Jams is its lack of seed oils, dyes, artificial colors and flavors, and high fructose corn syrup, in addition to having the “most protein per ounce of any peanut butter and jelly that’s currently on the market.”

Superman’s Super Dog Leads to More Than 500% Surge in Adoption Interest

The DC Studios mascot has sparked a new wave of interest in rescue pets

This is great news. Superman's best friend, Krypto, may be a menace to dog walkers, but he's definitely a hero to all the dogs currently in shelters, waiting on a person to adopt them. Thanks to the film, there’s been a noticeable surge in dog adoption interest.

If you haven’t seen the film yet, Superman is often tormented by, but also assisted in battle by, a scruffy white super dog who is … not well-trained. He’s devoted though, and proves capable in battle (don’t worry, the pup comes out just fine in the end). And, following his appearance in the film, viewers are looking into adopting pups just like him. According to the dog training app Woofz, Google searches for “adopt a dog near me” jumped up 513% after the opening weekend of Superman, while the more specific “rescue dog adoption near me” rose by 163%.

Other related Google searches saw a more modest rise, but were still notable. “Adopt a puppy” increased 31% and, The Wrap said, users wanted to know if they could adopt Krypto’s breed specifically, as searches for “adopt a schnauzer” spiked 299%. (It’s unclear exactly which breed Krypto is, given he's a CGI alien—how has no-one asked writer and director James Gunn for clarification yet?!) Though Gunn did post to social media, “This film has been a barrage of blessings for me: this one may be the greatest.”

The Long Read

A great exchange rate, ChatGPT, and kimono-wearing bros have turned Kyoto into the loveliest tourist trap on earth

Don't give up.