Phoenix acquired the 7-foot center in a deal with the Hornets on Wednesday.
January 2025
Red Sox acquire catcher Blake Sabol from Giants for international signing pool allocation
Sabol, 27, batted .313 in 11 games for the Giants while spending most of the 2024 season at Triple-A Sacramento.
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On Wednesday, MLB’s 2025 international signing period opened, an annual date of significance in which top international amateur players can begin signing with MLB teams.
Bluesky Is Getting Its Own Instagram (Sort Of)
If you are one of the millions who joined Bluesky in recent months, it’s likely you’re turned off by establishment social media platforms. You probably don’t care for sites with predatory data privacy policies, or those that placate to incoming presidential administrations with a disdain for the truth. Maybe you enjoy an online space where people can share thoughts, content, and jokes in a way that doesn’t explicit seek to anger or hurt anyone for profit.
Of course, Bluesky has you covered there, at least as a replacement for X. But if you enjoy sharing photos and videos with the wider internet, you’re likely still tied to Instagram—like it or not. There are other options out there, like Pixelfed, a decentralized photo sharing platform that now has an official app. But if you’re all-in on Bluesky, it’d be great if you could harness the same experience with the community you’ve started to build there.
That’s why Flashes is one of the more interesting social media concepts I’ve seen recently. The app, developed by Sebastian Vogelsang, is based off of his earlier app Skeets, a subscription-optional Bluesky client with a emphasis on accessibility, among other features (if you want to be able to edit your posts, for example, Skeets uses a nifty workaround to do it). But for Flashses, Vogelsang’s focus was to make an Instagram-like experience for photos and videos shared on Bluesky.
Credit: Sebastian Vogelsang
That’s the thing: Flashes isn’t really an Instagram competitor. There is no Flashes platform, you won’t sign up for a Flashes account, and you won’t post photos or videos to a dedicated Flashes feed. Instead, the app is a “photo viewing client” for Bluesky. It essentially pulls all of the photos and videos from your Bluesky feed and displays them in a UI reminiscent of Instagram. You can post photos and videos via Flashes, but you’re really just posting them on Bluesky. Any posts to Flashes, as well as any comments on those posts, will appear on your Bluesky account as well.
If you’re intrigued, unfortunately you’ll have to wait a bit before you can try it: The official Flashes App Bluesky account only started posting today, and Vogelsang anticipates starting an open Testflight Beta next week for iOS users. But once the app officially launches, you’ll be able to use it post four photos or videos at a time. (Videos can be up to one minute each.)
According to TechCrunch, Vogelsand also plans to launch a video-only version of Flashes, called Blue Screen. Perhaps that will be a valid TikTok alternative for truly passionate Bluesky users.
The news of Flashes comes at an uncertain time for legacy social media. Users have flown from X to alternatives like Bluesky; the United States government is on the verge of banning TikTok, prompting users to flee to other Chinese apps in protest; and Meta is repelling many of its users with its bizarre and frustrating decisions. We seem to be at an inflection point, and people are looking for new, alternative platforms. If you’ve already built-up your Bluesky follows, I don’t see a better photo sharing solution than one that simply works with the app you’re already so invested in.
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What Homeowners Insurance Actually Covers (and How Much You Should Have)
While Los Angeles County continues to battle devastating wildfires, you may be wondering about the safety of your own home. More specifically, how are you covered when the unthinkable happens?
Unfortunately, insurance doesn’t function like a gas or electric company; even in the face of disaster, insurers aren’t obligated to service your home. And while homeowners insurance isn’t legally mandated, choosing to forgo protection in an attempt to save money could prove to be one of the most expensive decisions a homeowner can make.
Homeowners insurance is a crucial financial protection for your home and belongings, but many homeowners don’t fully understand their coverage. Let’s take a look at how exactly homeowners insurance works so that you can make informed decisions about your coverage.
What homeowners insurance covers
The main categories of homeowners insurance are structure protections, personal property, liability protection, and additional living expenses.
Structure protection
Your policy’s dwelling coverage protects the physical structure of your home from covered perils. This includes:
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Fire and smoke damage
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Wind and hail damage
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Lightning strikes
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Falling objects
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Vandalism
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Theft
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Vehicle damage to your home
When it comes to costs, the coverage should be enough to rebuild your home entirely at current construction costs, not the market value or purchase price.
Personal property
This coverage protects your belongings inside the home, typically including:
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Furniture
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Electronics
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Clothing
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Appliances
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Other personal items
Most policies cover personal property at 50 to 70% of your dwelling coverage. High-value items like jewelry, art, or collectibles often need additional coverage through riders or endorsements.
Liability protection
This crucial coverage protects you if someone is injured on your property or if you accidentally damage someone else’s property. It typically covers:
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Medical expenses for injured guests
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Legal defense costs
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Court judgments
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Property damage you cause to others
Most experts recommend at least $300,000 in liability coverage, though many suggest $500,000 or more.
Additional living expenses (ALE)
If your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss, ALE coverage pays for:
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Temporary housing
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Additional food costs
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Pet boarding
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Other necessary expenses
What’s not covered by homeowners insurance
Unfortunately, homeowners insurance is not all-encompassing. There are standard exclusions to consider. Most policies don’t cover:
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Flood damage (requires separate flood insurance)
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Earthquake damage (requires separate coverage)
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Normal wear and tear
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Pest infestations
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Mold (unless resulting from a covered water damage event)
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Sewer backup (unless you add specific coverage)
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Business-related liability
How much coverage you need
Understand that how much your home is worth is a different number than what your insurance covers. Your home’s market value includes land value and location premium, while insurance should cover rebuilding costs only. To get an idea of how much coverage you need, use these factors.
Dwelling coverage
Calculate needed coverage based on:
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Local construction costs per square foot
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Your home’s size and features
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Special materials or craftsmanship
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Local building code requirements
Add 10-20% buffer for unexpected costs or construction price increases.
Contents coverage
To determine adequate coverage:
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Create a home inventory with photos and receipts
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Consider replacement cost vs. actual cash value coverage
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Identify high-value items needing separate coverage
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Account for seasonal items and stored belongings
Money-saving tips
Like I mentioned at the top, skipping insurance to save money won’t be worth it. Any short-term savings can quickly transform into devastating financial losses when disaster strikes. Instead of eliminating coverage, consider these money-saving strategies:
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Increase your deductible: Raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can lower premiums by 15 to 20% or more, according to CNBC.
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Bundle policies: Combining home and auto insurance often yields discounts of 15-25%.
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Improve home security: Installing security systems and smoke detectors can reduce premiums while protecting your home.
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Shop around annually: Insurance rates vary significantly between providers. Regular comparison shopping ensures you’re getting the best value.
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Ask about discounts for things like a new roof, smart home devices, or having a claims-free history.
The bottom line
Remember that homeowners insurance is not a maintenance policy, but protection against sudden and accidental losses. Update your policy after completing any major renovations, acquiring valuable items, or after life changes (marriage, children, etc). Regular maintenance and proactive risk management remain your responsibility as a homeowner.
Insurance policies vary widely. Always consult with a professional insurance agent to understand your specific coverage.