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These Are All the New License Plates in 2026—Does Your State Have One?

It’s fun to try to decipher the clever sayings people put on their license plates: “2COOL4U,” “FASTDRV” and “ROADRNR” are just a few examples, and these vanity plates might catch your eye on the road. But what really sets a car apart? The plate design itself. While every state has its own standard look, many also offer specialty plates that can make your ride feel even more personal. Each year, states roll out new designs—often tied to schools, charities and local causes. And this year, there’s a common theme for many of them. Ahead, we’ve rounded up which states are introducing new plates in 2026, what they represent, how you can get your hands on one and more. Plus, we’ll give you details on the special celebratory designs popping up nationwide, so keep reading. Get Reader’s Digest ’s Read Up newsletter for more fun facts, cleaning, travel, tech and humor all week long. Which states are getting new license plates this year? Nearly a third of states are getting new license pl...

Is It Really Rude to Eat on a Video Call?

Having to listen to people eat is the bane of my existence. Truly, I would rather listen to a plane full of screaming babies next to road construction than someone slurping soup. And someone chewing gum next to me makes me so crazy, I have literally offered my open palm to strangers and said, “Please. Just spit it in my hand.” (And they have.) I know. I know. But here we are. I have misophonia—a mental health condition that makes sufferers extremely sensitive to certain repetitive noises, and eating sounds are among the most common triggers. So it was with much dismay that I recently joined a Zoom call for work and discovered that one of the attendees was eating sushi. With her mouth open. And juicily licking her cursed fingers . I couldn’t tell you a single thing that was discussed in that 45-minute meeting because all I could hear was lick , smack , slurp , gulp , swallow . I feel nauseous just thinking about it. So clearly I’m not a fan of people eating on video calls. But—an...

Happy 100th Birthday, Route 66! 25 Cool Facts That’ll Make You Want to Take a Road Trip in 2026

Even if you’ve never driven on Route 66, you’ve definitely heard about it—and you’re probably humming along to the classic song about it right now. (Don’t even try to deny it!) Shaped by open highways and desert stretches, this U.S. route has long been a symbol of easygoing freedom and nostalgia. Built in 1926 to connect small towns with major cities and open up westward travel, it quickly became one of America’s most iconic roads. Even though it was officially decommissioned in 1985 and replaced by interstate routes, plenty of it still survives today as “Historic Route 66” scenic drives that you can explore. And with its 100-year anniversary approaching in 2026—it was named on April 30, 1926, and first opened a few months later on Nov. 11—the “Mother Road” is back in the spotlight once again. That alone is a great reason to plan a road trip … or just dig into some very cool Route 66 facts . Well, you’re about to take a (virtual) joyride through Route 66’s wild history and larger-th...

We Asked AI to Describe Our Favorite Movies. How Many Can You Guess Based on These Descriptions?

A routine work assignment goes horribly wrong A group of employees follows procedure to investigate a minor issue, inadvertently onboarding a clingy new addition that their company prioritizes above all else. Answer: Alien   Mixing friend groups under stressful conditions A young man brings together several different social circles to help deal with his inheritance, but the project involves frequent delays, unexpected detours and heated disagreements about what to do next. Answer: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring A couples getaway leads to consequences back home After experiencing some personal issues, a woman sets out looking for answers with her boyfriend. They both return feeling transformed, although his new outlook leads to a series of intense changes at home. Answer: Barbie A rural teen gets recruited by a retiree A bored teenager gets some help from a quirky older man with a strong belief system. The teen receives minimal training be...

This Is the Real Reason Candy Doesn’t Taste the Way You Remember It

As a kid, I once received an extra-large Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Crème Bar as a gift (that’s the one that’s 2.5 times larger than your standard chocolate bar), and I’m fairly certain I ate the entire thing in one sitting. Nowadays, when I come across my former favorite candy , I’ll have a rectangle or two before putting it down because it doesn’t quite hit the same way anymore. In fact, it seems like most candy doesn’t taste as great as we remember. This idea has actually been in the news in recently. In February, Brad Reese, the grandson of the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, called out Hershey for changing the recipe his grandfather created and replacing the ingredients with cheaper, less tasty ones. But is this happening across the board? And is it only recipe changes that make our favorite candy taste different? Not necessarily! We talked to Michelle Schwenk, a candy scientist and the president of Bellis Food Solutions, a food and candy development firm, to get to the bott...

10 Things That Were Affordable 10 Years Ago—And Now Feel Like a Luxury

Everyone’s talking about 2016 these days, and it’s got us feeling nostalgic … and also a little angry. I mean, do you remember what eggs cost back then? Concert tickets? Fast food? Seriously, a family of four could have gone to a proper restaurant for what they’d pay for a McDonald’s meal today. And those Taylor Swift concert tickets didn’t cost more than a mortgage payment. But are we remembering this correctly? Has it really gotten that much worse? According to an unofficial Facebook poll we conducted, the answer is a resounding yes. Readers chimed in with what was hurting their wallet the most, and well, let’s just say there’s very little that isn’t noticeably more expensive. Even basic things feel like a true luxury right now. We dug into the data to find out whether it’s just vibes or whether costs really have climbed that much in the past 10 years. Plus, we asked financial expert Sarah Brady to share her thoughts on when costs may go back down and how to keep money in your po...