Today’s Big Story

Road Rage on the Rise

And now, AAA says nearly every driver is guilty

No one thinks they’re a bad driver, right? And, I’m guessing, no one thinks they’re a raving, road-raging maniac behind the wheel, either. But AAA has some unsettling news. Nearly everyone—we’re talking more than 96% of drivers—admit to aggressive driving in the past year. That includes speeding, tailgating, cutting people off, or even blocking someone from merging. And that’s before the weapons come out. In short, nearly all of us are guilty. To make matters worse, AAA found that aggressive driving is contagious. So it’s a dangerous and never-ending cycle.

According to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, driving while angry and aggravated has become something of a national pastime for Americans. And drilling down into the data shows how it’s only gotten worse over the past decade: Cutting off other drivers is up 67%, while honking out of anger has jumped 47%. On the bright side, they found tailgating is down 24% and yelling from behind the wheel has dropped 17%.

But according to Autoblog, here’s where things get really interesting. With cars safer than ever before, many might risk a crash out of impulse because, in the back of their mind, they know their car will keep them unharmed. That sense of invincibility, combined with modern distractions, makes a risky mix. Touchscreens in cars and texting while driving have turned everyday commutes into a minefield.

What’s more, it’s not just you stereotyping vehicle types—researchers found the make and model really does play a role. Drivers of sports cars, big trucks and motorcycles are more likely to admit aggressive tendencies. Some even said their vehicles “made them feel more powerful or dominant.” And although AAA doesn’t mention it, Lending Tree points out that Tesla drivers are the worst ones on the road. There are gender and geographical factors, too. Turns out, Boston seems to be the riskiest city for North American drivers, and worldwide data suggests men are worse drivers than women (don’t kill the messenger).

Government Shutdown Looms Larger

Republicans, Democrats digging in as Trump says shutdown likely

Thousands of federal workers (including my own brother) are bracing for mass layoffs after the White House threatened mass firings if an agreement isn’t reached to avoid a government shutdown. And it’s appearing more and more likely as Wednesday’s deadline looms. But on Sunday, it was announced that President Donald Trump and congressional leaders will meet today for last-minute talks.

Trump told CBS News the shutdown seems inevitable unless Democrats back down on their demands, saying that negotiations are at a stalemate. House Republicans narrowly passed a bill this month that would fund the government into late November and add millions for security for lawmakers and other officials, but Democrats blocked that measure in the Senate and are seeking bipartisan negotiations on healthcare funding.

CNN says this is about far more than the classic feud over how the government spends its money, and whether a White House or its Capitol Hill foes will prevail in a political test of wills. “The clash comes against the backdrop of the most aggressive attempt by a president to impose unfettered power in modern times … So the shutdown brinkmanship will take on a wider narrative of whether a rampant president can be slowed or stopped on any issue.”

Gen Z and Divorce

Speed is of the essence and yes, of course, AI is involved

The kids are going to be alright. The senior-most members of Gen Z are already in their late 20s: old enough to have gotten married, but also old enough to regret it. As this generation enters divorcing age, it’s finding little shame in the act—especially when a split is motivated by prioritizing one’s mental health. And rather than quietly moving on, younger divorcés are often highlighting this facet of their story, even after they’re in new relationships.

And these days, splits often feel less like scandals and more like rebrands. “I feel like with social media at our fingertips, we are just so much more aware of all the lives we could be living,” one person told the New York Times. They found that while members of Gen Z aren’t universally opposed to marriage, of course, many simply refuse to be trapped by it. It’s a generation accustomed to all sorts of relationship structures, and divorce can be presented as an option like any other.

And, of course, they’re using AI to help them do it. Cosmopolitan asked lawyers when you should and shouldn't use a bot while getting separated. “I’m seeing them turn to ChatGPT for legal issues and for help drafting agreements that they’ll then want me to look at,” one lawyer tells the magazine. I’m like, ‘maybe we should do this the proper way.’ But it’s just a whole new world [we’re] living in.”

Bad Bunny to Headline Super Bowl Halftime Show

The spectacle, presented by Apple Music, will air live Feb. 8 from the Bay Area

There were a lot of theories and rumors, but it’s now official: Bad Bunny will headline the 2026 Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

“What I’m feeling goes beyond myself,” the artist told Billboard. “It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.” Will he top last year’s performance by Kendrick Lamar, which set the record for the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show with 133.5 million viewers. His performance surpassed the audience of Michael Jackson’s legendary 1993 show.

The Puerto Rican superstar's selection comes amid another career-defining run. He's fresh off a historic Puerto Rico residency this month that drew more than half a million fans and is leading all nominees at the Latin Grammys in November. He has become one of the world's most-streamed artists with albums such as "Un Verano Sin Ti," an all-Spanish-language LP. Bad Bunny will also be hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend.

Seize the Season

Building new looks with timeless fashion

Autumn always brings a shift, not just in weather, but in how we think about dressing. And according to the team at MR PORTER, Fall 2025 is about layering smart, investing in pieces that feel both fresh from the runway and seamlessly wearable day to day. Think versatile staples that work as easily with a T-shirt as they do under a tailored coat. From textured knits and elevated shirting to relaxed denim and transitional outerwear, these are the building blocks that let you shift effortlessly between crisp mornings, mild afternoons and cool evenings. Consider them the modern essentials: designed for now, and yet classic enough to last well beyond the season.

Shine some light this week.