Month: April 2026

Ahead of the 2026 MLB season, a new analysis from DuelBits has revealed the most baseball card-obsessed states in the country. In order to obtain results, DuelBits analyzed annual Google search volume for 52 baseball card-related terms. These included searches for each MLB team’s card, the top manufacturers, and the most valuable cards in circulation. The results were then adjusted for population to create a per-capita index score.

Nevada Is the Most Baseball-Obsessed State in the Country

Nevada claimed the number one spot with an impressive 13,8882 baseball card searches per one million residents, earning a perfect index score of 10 out of 10. While Nevada generated 45,360 total searches—ranked 27th nationwide—its population adjustment sets it apart from other states. Nevadans searched for “baseball cards” 19,200 times last year; and the state’s most-searched individual card was the legendary Honus Wagner T206, which drew 3,120 searches. Mickey Mantle and Ryan Nolan each followed with 1,080 searches each.

Vermont ranked second overall with 12,953 searches per one million people. The Green Mountain State recorded 8,400 total searches in spite of its comparatively slim population. South Dakota followed in third place with 12,718 total searches for baseball-related terms.

New Hampshire ranked fourth with 12,519 searches per one million citizens, and Maine followed with 12,470. Pennsylvania, at number six, had the highest volume of searches of any state within the top 10. Last year, the state generated a massive 158,400 searches for baseball-related terms. This is roughly 12,111 searches per one million people. Kentucky came seventh with 12,057 searches, and Washington took eighth place with 11,596. Missouri (11,183) and Delaware (11,180) rounded out the top 10.

The Memorabilia Industry Is Having a Major Moment

The study arrives at a time when the sports collectibles market is booming. The global sports trading card industry is now valued at roughly $13.5 billion, according to the study, with rare cards demanding particularly high prices. The iconic Honus Wagner T206 card recently sold for a whopping $5.12 million, while a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle graded 9.5 fetched an unprecedented $12.6 million. Even a fairly common 1968 Nolan Ryan Topps rookie card has exceeded prices of $600,000, which underscores the striking demand for MLB memorabilia.

Severe weather is striking all over the United States this week, with heavy thunderstorms, strong winds and even some possible tornadoes in the forecast.

On Wednesday, the focus is on the central and southern plains, where strong storms are expected to impact several states.

What to know

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center projects an “enhanced risk” of “severe thunderstorms across northwest Texas, western and central Oklahoma and south-central Kansas.”

“Severe thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts, large hail and a few tornadoes are likely across the southern and central Plains this afternoon and evening,” the SPC said. “Strong to severe storms are also possible from parts of the Ohio Valley, central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic.”

Meanwhile, The Weather Channel says tornadoes, golf-ball sized hail and wind gusts possibly up to 75 mph are possible across the “central, southern Plains from north Texas to western Missouri” this afternoon into the evening and overnight.

“These late afternoon and early evening storms is where the threat of tornadoes is highest, along with larger hail, before the threat turns to primarily damaging wind gusts at night,” The Weather Channel said. “Storms will reach the Interstate-35 corridor during the late evening and overnight hours.

“More isolated severe storms are possible in parts of the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic, with hail or strong wind gusts.”

Legendary meteorologist issues warning

On Tuesday, longtime weatherman Jim Cantore said “severe” storms will be present in different regions through this weekend.

“Expect SEVERE storms every day this week into the weekend. Chicago will have another threat today and Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The later we get into the week the more potent the atmospherics for SEVERE. Expect SPC outlooks for Friday and Saturday perhaps as early as today,” Cantore said.

You can read more on the forecast beyond Wednesday here.

Most guys hear “calcium” and think about bone health and dairy, not a vital mineral that actually impacts how they train. Its inclusion in your diet (or lack thereof) often feels more like a long-term concern, not something that affects how you train today.

But calcium sits much closer to performance than most men realize. It shows up in how your body handles training stress and keeps things running as fatigue builds. When you’re not getting enough calcium, you won’t always notice it right away, but over time, it starts to affect how you perform, recover, and handle your workload.

The main issue? Most men assume they’re getting enough without ever thinking about where it’s coming from. If calcium-rich foods aren’t consistently part of your diet, that assumption can quietly work against you.

Why Calcium Matters for Muscle Function

When you hit the gym, every rep you perform depends on calcium. “Calcium is the ‘on switch’ for muscle contraction inside the fiber,” says Mike Young, PhD. It binds to troponin (a kind of protein complex found in heart and skeletal muscle cells), allowing the proteins responsible for contraction to interact and generate force. Once calcium is pumped back into storage, the muscle relaxes and resets for the next rep.

That process repeats with every lift and stride, driving each muscle contraction from start to finish. It isn’t just happening in the background. Calcium also helps determine how efficiently your muscles can turn effort into movement, especially as fatigue starts to build and your body has to keep producing output from set to set.

Plus, it plays a role in how quickly muscles contract and relax, which matters for anything that involves speed, coordination, or repeated effort. When that system is working well, movements feel more controlled and consistent. When it’s not, performance can start to feel off.

Meagan O’Connor, MS, RDN, CSSD, says that when calcium intake falls short, performance tends to follow. You may notice more fatigue, occasional muscle cramping, or a drop in output during training. It also plays a role in cardiac function, which affects how efficiently blood and oxygen reach working muscles when intensity climbs.

Related: Magnesium Explained: Which Type Actually Supports Sleep, Recovery, and Performance?

The Overlooked Link Between Calcium and Hydration

Most guys think of sodium, maybe potassium, when it comes to hydration, especially with the rise in electrolyte supplements. And while calcium doesn’t get the same attention, it still plays a role in performance. Sodium and potassium handle the electrical signal along nerves and muscle membranes, says Young, while calcium turns that signal into an actual contraction. You tend to notice that more as workout intensity picks up.

In simple terms, your body can send the message, but calcium helps carry it out. Aimee Dempsey, RD, explains that calcium works alongside other electrolytes to support fluid distribution, nerve signaling, and muscle contractions, including the heart. It also helps regulate how fluids move in and out of cells, which becomes increasingly important as you sweat and your electrolyte balance shifts.

When that system begins to drift, performance usually follows. You may notice earlier fatigue, reduced efficiency, or a drop in output as sessions wear on. While calcium isn’t the primary electrolyte lost through sweat, it plays a supporting role in keeping everything working together, especially during longer or more demanding training sessions.

Why Many Men Still Fall Short

Your calcium intake usually comes down to what you’re eating throughout the day. “If you’re consuming a balanced diet with adequate overall calories, you likely are getting enough calcium in your diet,” says O’Connor. “However, most athletic men find it hard to consume all of the nutrients necessary to support daily life and exercise.” 

For example, she notes that men who avoid dairy and don’t replace it with calcium-fortified foods or leafy greens are much more likely to fall short.

Dempsey points out that calcium intake dropped as many people moved away from dairy without adequately replacing it. If dairy, leafy greens, or fortified foods aren’t showing up regularly in your meals, intake can slip more quickly than you’d expect.

When that happens, your body still works to keep calcium levels steady by pulling calcium from the bones. Over time, that can increase the risk of stress fractures and make recovery from high-impact or high-volume training a bit tougher.

Related: The 2 Nutrient Additions Lipid Specialists Are Begging Men Over 35 to Prioritize for Heart Health

How to Get More Calcium Without Overthinking It

Getting enough calcium comes down to building it into your day with a few consistent choices. It’s less about tracking numbers and more about what shows up on your plate regularly. When calcium-rich foods become part of your normal routine, intake takes care of itself without adding extra thought or effort.

The easiest way to do that is by working calcium-rich foods into meals you already eat. Making simple additions such as Greek yogurt or milk, including leafy greens like kale or collards, or choosing fortified options like plant-based milks, tofu, cereals, or orange juice can all help you move toward your daily intake.

Dempsey states the easiest way for most men to reach their daily goal of 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams is by eating three calcium-rich servings of a mix of dairy or fortified foods. Supplements can help, but they’re best used with intention. O’Connor suggests prioritizing food intake first, then using blood work and professional guidance to determine whether supplementation is actually needed.

What This Means for Your Training

Calcium may not have the same street credit as other electrolytes, but it plays a direct role in how you perform and handle training stress over time. When you dial in your intake, your body is better equipped to keep things running smoothly.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Calcium helps drive muscle contractions, which affects how much force you can produce.
• Along with other electrolytes, calcium supports hydration and overall performance.
• Low intake can show up as fatigue, cramping, or reduced training output.
• Consistently low levels can increase the risk of stress fractures and hinder recovery efforts.
• Most men fall short when calcium-rich foods aren’t part of their daily routine, especially if they avoid dairy-based foods.
• Aim for roughly 1,000 to 1,200 mg per day through consistent food choices.
• Build intake through dairy, leafy greens, or fortified options before turning to supplements.

Related: These Underrated Nutrients Can Make or Break Marathon Performance, Sports Dietician Says

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is sending four astronauts on humanity’s furthest journey into space since Apollo 17 landed on the moon in 1972.

While Artemis II astronauts won’t be landing on the moon, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will be part of a 10-day test mission.

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is running through its final checks to ready the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the crew’s journey around the Moon. 

NASA’s ‘Primary Concern’ Regarding Weather

On Wednesday, April 1, NASA announced the weather forecast for launch day shows an 80% chance of favorable weather conditions.

“NASA and weather officers with the U.S. Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 45 will continue to monitor the weather leading up to liftoff,” it announced.

In the announcement, NASA revealed the primary weather concerns ahead of launch are cumulus clouds, ground winds, and solar weather. 

NASA Has List of Weather Criteria Before Launch

NASA has a full list of weather criteria that must be perfect before considering a launch.

Everything from basic weather, to temperature to winds must be within a certain threshold for the launch to go ahead as planned. In fact, NASA revealed 23 possible reasons to either not roll to the launch pad or outright cancel the launch if the criteria isn’t met.

“These guidelines include criteria for various meteorological conditions. Weather teams refer to these criteria while monitoring the elements and implement constraints when conditions could affect rollout or liftoff. The criteria are broadly conservative and developed to avoid possible adverse outcomes,” NASA said in a statement.

The two-hour launch window opens at 6:24 p.m. ET.

Related: Heavy Snow Warning for 6 States as 30 Inches of Snow, 100 mph Winds Approach: ‘Delay All Travel’

One of the most celebrated films in Hollywood history hit theaters on this day in 1965. More than six decades later, The Sound of Music still holds a special place in audiences’ hearts.

‘The Sound of Music’ Reached Theaters Nationwide 65 Years Ago Today

The Sound of Musicwas released in theaters nationwide on April 1, 1965. Produced by 20th Century Fox, the film starred Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, and more. It was adapted from the popular stage play of the same name by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Howard Lindsay, and Russel Crouse.

The film is often listed with the release date of March 2, 1965, because that marked the start of its exclusive roadshow premieres. Yet, its true arrival for most moviegoers came on April 1, when it opened widely. That is the date that really matters since it is when it started to shape its lasting legacy with everyday fans.

Why ‘The Sound of Music’ Became One of the Greatest Ever Despite the Doubts

At the time The Sound of Music was released, there was a lot of uncertainty about whether it would succeed after other musicals had recently flopped at the time. Still, it quickly connected with viewers, allowing it to gross more than $161.5 million at the worldwide box office after being produced for just $8.2 million. The film was such a major success that it has been credited with saving 20th Century Fox when the studio was reeling from the Elizabeth Taylor movie Cleopatra becoming an expensive flop.

A major critical darling, The Sound of Music also went on to win several awards in the months after it came out. Most notably, it won five Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, and Best Scoring of Music – Adaptation or Treatment. That is in addition to being nominated for another five Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Julie Andrews.

Since its release, The Sound of Music has been consistently celebrated. Movie fans recognize it for combining gorgeous cinematography, unforgettable songs, magnetic performances, and a story that feels both comforting and surprisingly tense at times. All of those strengths and more explain why it has often been named as one of the best films ever made.

In 2007, the American Film Institute ranked The Sound of Music as the 40th greatest American movie ever. The same group had named the film the fourth-best musical the previous year. In 2011, Time included the film on its list of the 25 best movie soundtracks in history. Perhaps the greatest honor The Sound of Music ever received was being deemed to be of such historical significance that it was selected to be preserved in the United States Library of Congress’ National Film Registry.