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The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities’ Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of that journey.

Whether you’re a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you. Backstage compiled a list of projects casting right now across the U.S., and which roles they’re looking to fill.

Amazon MGM ‘CTTS’

– Project type: feature film
– Roles:
— BG Pedestrians (background / extra, 18+)
— KIDS AGES 6-15_BACKGROUND ROLES LOCAL TOWNIES, AVAIL TBD MID FEB-MARCH, HUDSON VALLEY AREA NEW YORK STATE (lead, 6-15)
– Roles pay up to: $224
– Casting locations: New York, NY; Kingston, NY; Saugerties, NY; Newburgh, NY
– Learn more about the feature film here

‘Let’s Talk About It’

– Project type: feature film
– Roles:
— Audrey (lead, female, 24-36)
— Chet (supporting, male, 25-32)
— Anthony (day player, male, 40-60)
– Roles pay up to: $1,650
– Casting locations: Atlanta, GA; New York City, NY
– Learn more about the feature film here

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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) significantly reshapes U.S. healthcare savings. It makes the most substantial update to health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA) benefits in over a decade. The OBBBA revises eligibility, contribution limits, and plan design for employers, brokers, and benefit administrators. It also expands access and flexibility for employees amid rising healthcare and dependent care costs.

Here, The Difference Card explains the OBBBA’s impact on HSA and FSA benefits. Find out how this creates new opportunities for tax-advantaged savings, especially for families managing child care costs and individuals relying on telehealth or nontraditional care models.

How the OBBBA Is Impacting HSA and FSA

Signed into law in late 2025, the OBBBA broadly addresses healthcare affordability by updating multiple account-based programs. This includes expanded HSA eligibility and a permanent increase in the dependent care FSA reflecting modern child care and eldercare costs.

At a high level, the law focuses on three goals. First, it removes barriers that exclude people from using telehealth and alternative care models. Second, it recognizes lower-cost insurance options as compatible with an HSA. Third, it increases tax-advantaged savings for working families.

Legislatively, the OBBBA amends the Internal Revenue Code sections governing HSA and FSA benefits. IRS Notice 2026-5 clarifies implementation details, provides operational guidance, defines key terms, and offers transition relief. Employers should review both, as the notice addresses practical questions the statute leaves unanswered.

The Difference Card

Here are the key changes as of Jan. 1, 2026.

• Telehealth services: Regardless of deductible status, telehealth services no longer disqualify HSA eligibility.
• Primary care: Specific direct primary care arrangements may coexist with an HSA, subject to particular limitations.
• HSA compatibility: Bronze-level and catastrophic plans on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace are HSA-compatible.
• Contribution limits: The dependent care FSA annual contribution limit increases and becomes permanent.
• Document changes: As of the plan year beginning in 2026, employer

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Choosing where to study abroad is one of the biggest decisions you can make. For U.S. students looking at 2026, it is not just about picking a country. It is about choosing the right city, a place that becomes your classroom, your community, and the launchpad for your career. The best student cities blend top-tier universities with vibrant culture, clear job pathways, and a lifestyle that makes every day rewarding.

This guide from HousingAnywhere walks U.S. students through 10 top European cities, highlighting leading universities, key scholarships, valuable internships, local living costs, and the unique culture that makes each city a place to truly thrive.

1. Munich, Germany

Munich, Germany, is a powerhouse of education and industry, home to over 150,000 students. The city’s population of around 1.5 million is balanced by a large international community, with students from across Europe and beyond drawn to institutions like the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU). Researching the leading universities in Germany, like these, is the first step to accessing their industry-integrated programs. This direct link to corporate giants like BMW and Siemens then creates unparalleled access to paid internships in Germany, often integrated directly into study curricula. For those needing financial support, organizations like the DAAD provide generous scholarship opportunities in Germany specifically for international candidates. This ecosystem makes studying in Germany from Munich a strategic long-term investment in a career at the heart of Europe’s strongest economy.

2. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands, is a historic center alive with a young energy, fueled by a student population of over 125,000 in the metropolitan area. The city is a true melting pot, where nearly half the students at the University of Amsterdam come from outside the Netherlands. Daily life is defined by cycling along canals, exploring world-class museums, and a famously open social scene. The widespread use of English in both lectures and daily conversation makes settling in remarkably easy. To gain local work experience, the dynamic startup scene offers plentiful opportunities for internships in the Netherlands, especially in tech and creative fields. This practical experience perfectly complements the innovative, problem-based teaching methods you will experience while studying in the Netherlands.

3. Stockholm, Sweden

Stockh

Christine Shields // Shutterstock

The start of a new year is when millions of consumers try to make lasting changes in their lifestyles and habits, many aligning with their health and wellness ambitions.

While not unique, this trend’s knock-on effects are felt across a number of industries and sectors.

Furthermore, each generation sets its own health and wellness goals and is influenced by its own set of external pressures and expectations. So hobby planning around New Year’s resolutions is more diverse and changeable than you might expect.

To understand this interplay in more detail, Magical Butter looked at the kinds of projects people are picking for their 2026 resolutions as a result.

From New Year’s Resolutions to Daily Rituals: How Gen Z is Redefining Wellness

The global wellness industry, which generates $2 trillion annually, is being reshaped by the habits and preferences of Gen Z and Millennial consumers, forcing brands and businesses within it to adapt, according to McKinsey.

The most significant shift experienced in recent years is one of routine; while health and wellness-focused hobbies might be adopted as part of a plan for annual transformation at the start of the year, they now play out day by day. So, for instance, rather than a person pledging to improve their fitness by exercising once a week, this is more likely to be achieved through meaningful, mindful reconfigurations of daily habits.

Diet is a particular focal point for hobby planning, because its impact on overall health—both in the short term and long term—is widely recognized by modern consumers. The weight management market is growing 9.94% a year, and the momentum it has achieved with younger people is reflected in other data sources.

For example, the International Food Information Council’s 2024 survey found that 66% of Gen Z respondents had adopted at least one specific diet in the previous 12 months. Compared with the 50% adoption rate for Gen Xers and around 40% for Baby Boomers, it’s clear that wellness matters more to the under-40s.

In terms of New Year’s goal-setting specifically, wellness habits continue to dominate resolutions made in different parts of the world. A January 2025 YouGov survey found that physical health improvements were the most common ambition, chosen by 52% of people for the following year.

DIY as a Central Principle

Another facet of modern wellness trends that sets them apart from their predecessors is a return to the do-it-yourself ethos. In the past, a person planning changes for the new year might have gone all-in on preprepared meals to cut calories from their diet. Now, cooking at home is far more commonplace. Read more