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It's Saturday, May 16, 2026, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• The average student loan defaulter is no longer a broke 22-year-old.

• Eating chocolate might do something beneficial for your body! 

• Seven common morning habits that are keeping you anxious all day long.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

US News

The Student Loan Crisis Has A Surprising New Face

Do you picture the average person defaulting on their student loans as a cash-strapped 22-year-old who’s fresh out of college? As per new research from the New York Fed, the typical defaulter right now is nearly 40 — two and a half years older than before the pandemic — and that number has been climbing ever since the payment pause on student loans ended in 2023. Borrowers aged 50 and older are now at a higher risk of defaulting than the youngest generation of grads.

The Numbers: More than 3.5 million Americans defaulted between October and March alone, pushing past-due student debt to over 10%. It’s not a case of old habits, though, since most of these borrowers were in good standing before the pandemic. Many are Gen Xers who went back to school later in life or took out loans to fund their kids’ education. Right now, it’s triggering a domino effect — nearly 40% are also behind on auto loans, and over half are missing credit card payments. For young borrowers, polls suggest that entire timelines have been altered. Two-thirds of Gen Z borrowers have delayed at least one major life milestone because of their debt.

What's Next: The Biden-era SAVE plan, which lowered monthly payments for millions, is ending. Its replacement — the Repayment Assistance Plan — doesn’t arrive until July. In the interim period, millions are transitioning onto harsher plans with higher bills. The Fed warns another wave of defaults is coming.

Out of 186 stories we covered through Monday, this is 

WHAT EVERYONE READ THIS WEEK

🥗 Eating healthy? MAHA’s found a new diet to adhere to and well, it’s holy. 

🥊 Move over, Pickleball! Gen Z is obsessed with this 90s after college popular trend.  

💪 Scientists just found a secret protein powerhouse hiding in your flower beds. 

👶 What’s in a name? Check out the top baby names of 2025 and the data’s in on how the most common names have changed. 

🚶 You might have heard of the “fart walk”, but the Italians have a way more sophisticated version of the same thing — with plenty of unexpected health benefits. 

🍫 Good news for chocolate lovers! This tasty habit is doing something incredible for your body. 

🚫 You could reduce your plastic chemical exposure by up to 60% in seven days. A new study says these three specific changes make the most of the difference. Your favorite lotion says goodbye …. 

💡 Lights out! Science says this little sleeping hack is the ultimate for your health. 

⚠️ Stop! You’re unintentionally pouring gasoline on your morning cortisol spike. These seven common wake-up habits are basically keeping you anxious all day long. 

🩺 In a historic move for women’s health, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been officially renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).

Astrology

THE ZODIAC CLUB

What’s hot

GO. SEE. DO.

📺 Watch | 6 new movies critics are talking about this week. 

🎧 Listen | The podcast describing the history of America …. in 100 unlikely objects. 

🍔 Cook | Recipes straight from the NYT’s 100 best restaurants.

📚 Read | The greatest literature ever published in English & the best-selling divorce memoir that has married women panicking. 

🧼 Wash | The right way to load your washing machine for truly clean clothes.  

"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars."

— Kahlil Gibran