Osteopathic medical schools have experienced significant growth in recent years. Since 2019, the number of osteopathic medical schools has increased from 38 to 44, with campuses now operating at 71 locations across 36 states. This expansion has resulted in a student body of about 40,000, marking a 10,000-student increase since 2019. The growth is attributed to the field's flexibility, willingness to establish schools in underserved areas, and a community-based approach that differentiates them from traditional MD programs.

The US Treasury has launched an online payment system for President Donald Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, clarifying that the fee applies to petitions for beneficiaries outside the US. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has clarified that the fee does not apply to amendments, changes of status, or extensions for noncitizens already in the U.S.

Instead of waiting for permission from others, living authentically requires you to consciously permit yourself to act in ways that align with your values, including taking risks and expressing vulnerability, says Alaina Love, the CEO of Purpose Linked Consulting. In this interview with SmartBrief's Candace Chellew, Love outlines how permission works and how her new book, "Permission to Be You," can provide a "coach in a box" to help you recognize and honor who you already are.

The financial value of a bachelor's degree varies significantly by state, with California leading at a $23,732 annual premium for graduates, followed by Georgia at $19,110 and New York at $18,783, according to CEOWORLD's analysis of US Census Bureau data. States with high-paying industries, such as technology, finance, and biotech, offer greater returns on education. In contrast, states like Wyoming and the Dakotas show smaller premiums due to their strong blue-collar sectors.

Indiana University is facing backlash from alumni after suspending the print edition of the Indiana Daily Student and firing the paper's adviser, who refused to remove news coverage at the administration's request. Alumni donations are being withdrawn in protest, with some questioning the use of previous contributions to the student publication. IU maintains that the move to digital aligns with a business plan to address financial deficits, but alumni view it as censorship.

Chunkosaurus Rex, a squirrel from Dinosaur Valley State Park, has won the first Fat Squirrel Week competition in Texas, beating Chunk Norris from Fort Richardson State Park. The event, inspired by Fat Bear Week in Alaska's Katmai National Park, was decided by social media likes and aimed to celebrate the state's squirrels as they prepare for winter.