When the Latino Economic Development Center in St. Paul surveyed its members in January, it found 44% had temporarily closed. Fewer than 20% were operating normally, and 28% were open with limitations, such as shortened hours.

Some 40% of business owners said they would still be viable if they could count on outside support such as grants and donations. About a fourth said they were only viable after downsizing their staff, and 9% were considering “exit strategies,” or closing for good.

Alarmed by those and similar findings, the St. Paul Area Chamber, Minneapolis Regional Chamber and a dozen additional Twin Cities economic development organizations have assembled an online listing of organizations collecting donations to support small businesses during Operation Metro Surge.

The listing is online at WeLoveTC.com.

Among other resources, the website includes links to legal guidance for employers from Hospitality Minnesota and additional business coalitions.

In St. Paul, the Latino Economic Development Center is working with the East Side Funders Group to back immigrant-owned businesses on the city’s East Side with cash grants. The goal is to raise $2 million by March 1 for rent relief, payroll and loan debt service. More information is online at LEDCMN.org.

Additional organizations collecting donations for small business grants include the Constellation Immediate Response Fund, MainStreet Alliance’s Open for Tomorrow Small Business Fund and the Minneapolis Foundation’s Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund.

GiveMn.org has assembled a “Community Response” webpage with listings of front-line community organizations throughout Minnesota assisting the public, including food shelves, nonprofit legal aids and social service providers.

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By DEVI SHASTRI

Cortisol, what is known as the stress hormone, is the talk of the internet.

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Wellness influencers warn about the various symptoms of chronically high cortisol: waking up at 3 a.m., swollen “cortisol face” and accumulating belly fat. And many offer diet and exercise routines that they claim will help.

But do you really need supplements and advice from influencers to control your cortisol? Doctors say it’s very unlikely.

Don’t be so quick to label this hormone as a villain, they say. And if you suspect something is off, talk to a professional.

Here’s what to know.

Cortisol keeps you alive and disorders are relatively rare

Cortisol is a hormone and you need it to survive. It comes from the adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, and is one of many hormones at play in times of stress. It can influence inflammation, the immune system, metabolism, blood pressure and many other bodily functions.

Cortisol is incredibly attuned to your body and environment. It fluctuates throughout the day, rising in the morning when you wake up and falling at night before you go to sleep. It also rises when you’re sick or in other times of stress, doctors say.

“Our cortisol level is regulated by the minute,” said Dr. Roberto Salvatori, a Johns Hopkins University endocrinologist. “It is very sensitive.”

It’s rare that people have a disorder where cortisol on its own is the cause. If a person’s cortisol level is chronically low, doctors would diagnose them with adrenal insufficiency. This includes an autoimmune condition called Addison’s disease, in which the immune system attacks the adrenal gland.

People with Cushing’s syndrome have cortisol levels that are too high. Among its causes are tumors, which are usually benign, in the adrenal or pituitary glands. It is treated with medication, surgery or both.

Talk to your doctor before ordering a cortisol test

The symptoms of either high or low cortisol are wide-ranging and can overlap with signs of other health issues.

Adrenal insufficiency can manifest as fatigue, unintentional weight loss, low blood pressure and loss of appetite. Cushing’s syndrome comes with weight gain, high blood pressure, brittle bones, weight gain around the face and belly, abnormal hair growth in women, sleep issues and more.

Diagnoses take time, multiple tests and an understanding of a patient’s overall health, doctors said. Cortisol can be measured through the patient’s saliva, blood or urine.

“There’s a lot of nuance to interpreting cortisol and that’s what makes me a little bit nervous about patients getting cortisol testing for themselves without having some kind of physician oversight,” said Dr. Katie Guttenberg, an endocrinologist at UTHealth Houston.

A one-off cortisol blood test won’t provide useful information for most people, she said, and could lead to unnecessary stress and medical follow-ups. For example, women who are on birth control will have falsely high cortisol blood results, because of how the medicine works in the body.

Be cautious of supplements that claim to lower cortisol

Endocrinologists say there are no proven over-the-counter treatments for high or low cortisol, despite claims that supplements like ashwagandha and magnesium are helpful in “lowering cortisol.”

Beyond Cushing’s syndrome, chronically high cortisol is a concern, said Dr. James Findling, an endocrinologist with the Medical College of Wisconsin, but more research into treatments is needed.

He worries about people taking unregulated supplements when it’s not always clear what’s in them.

“They’re not innocuous,” Findling warned.

Even in patients who have Cushing’s syndrome, the medications have to be carefully dosed, Salvatori said, because an overcorrection could drive cortisol levels too low and cause other health issues.

Managing stress is good for you, regardless of cortisol

Salvatori notes there is a condition called “pseudo Cushing’s syndrome,” which is often milder but causes some of the same physical effects despite the patient not having a tumor. It can be caused by alcoholism and other chronic issues.

It is generally treated by addressing the underlying cause, doctors said, like getting the patient to stop drinking.

Endocrinologists are learning new potential benefits for treating high cortisol, said Findling, who studies the condition. For example, it could potentially help diabetics who are on multiple drugs better control their blood sugar.

The doctors also acknowledged that stress is highly subjective and Cushing’s syndrome patients can go unheard and undiagnosed.

But their advice for the vast majority of people: Talk to a doctor if you are concerned.

For healthy people, rather than focusing in on one elusive hormone, the doctors recommended going back to the basics of stress management: Eat well, get enough sleep, move your body or go to therapy.

“Nothing new about any of that,” Findling said.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

By Amanda Barroso, NerdWallet

The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.

The year has barely started, and my kindergarten parents group chat is already buzzing with summer camp anxiety. Registrations are opening and spots fill fast.

I’ve been doing research and here’s what I’ve learned: Camps aren’t cheap. But there are creative ways to work camp into your spending plan, this year and next.

The cost of summer camp

For many families with school-aged kids like mine, summer camps are a necessity. Schools are out and many parents work full-time. Summer camps fill an important child care gap.

But even for parents who are high earners, paying for camps can be a shocking expense. If you have more than one kid, paying for camp can seem almost impossible.

Affordable options do exist, says Henry DeHart, CEO of the American Camp Association, which oversees a national accreditation program for camp health and safety.

“There is a quality camp in your community at a price point that will work for you,” DeHart says.

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Summer camp prices can differ widely. Costs are often driven by how long a camp runs, whether it’s a day or overnight program, and the activities offered. Specialty camps — such as those focused on horseback riding, boating or STEM — tend to cost more because they require additional staff, equipment or materials.

It’s also hard to pin down an average camp price because there are so many options.

“There are at least 20,000 camps out there,” DeHart says.

Like many services, camp prices have increased in recent years due to inflation. Staffing and food costs are higher, so camper tuitions are often higher, too, DeHart says.

I found a half-day dance camp at a local high school for $225 a week and a full-day KPop Demon Hunters camp for $555 a week. The vacation Bible school at the church up the street only charges $10 for the week for a half-day, which is also on my radar.

Costs start to add up quickly.

How to build camp into your budget

Start planning now

Even if you feel like you are late to the game, there are still early registration discounts available and time to start setting aside money before summer begins.

If you don’t know where to start, the American Camp Association’s “Find a Camp” tool can help narrow your search. Depending on the camp, you might be able to pay any registration fees now, and tuition later — or in installments over time.

Waiting until closer to summer to look for camps can be costly. You may miss discounts, find top-choice camps are full and end up paying more for options that don’t meet your needs — such as limited programming, inconvenient locations or camps without safety certifications.

Break camp costs into monthly payments

For next year, you can plan ahead. Treat camp like a seasonal fixed expense that you account for in your budget every month, similar to a mortgage payment or utility bill. You can create a sinking fund just for camp costs.

If your total camp costs for June add up to $1,200, starting in September will give you roughly 10 months to save about $120 a month. That cushion can help cover early registration fees in winter or spring, while you continue saving for the remaining tuition.

“Saving money automatically before it hits your checking account is a good strategy,” says Carolyn McClanahan, a certified financial planner in Jacksonville, Florida. “Small amounts add up, and having money saved is much less expensive than high credit card payments.”

This year, if your budget for camp feels tight, McClanahan suggests looking around the house. “Consider selling items you don’t need or want,” she says. “Have a garage sale, take items to a consignment store, or sell items online. It is a hassle, but is a good way to raise money without going into debt.”

Offset costs by cutting back elsewhere

Look for costs that naturally go away or shrink during the summer. Can you redirect your aftercare costs into camp savings? Do you scale back or pause extracurricular activities that only run during the school year, such as sports, music lessons or clubs? Use that money to help cover camp costs.

“Think about spending that isn’t bringing you or your child much value, such as unused subscriptions or easy ‘click’ spending on Amazon,” McClanahan says.

Even small shifts can help. Our son’s half day preschool isn’t open during the summer, so we can redirect his tuition to help us cover any camp costs for my daughter.

But some tradeoffs matter more than others, especially when it comes to long-term savings.

“If you have to cut back on savings to pay for camp, always make sure you are saving enough to at least get your 401(k) and HSA match at work because you can never get that money back,” says McClanahan.

Mix high- and low-cost camps

If you need to cobble together multiple camps to get through the summer, consider splurging on your top pick and supplementing with cheaper options, perhaps through local churches, YMCAs, or city or county programs.

Use your dependent care FSA, if you have one

If you have a dependent care flexible spending account, you can use those pretax dollars to pay for eligible summer camp expenses. If you don’t have one but your employer offers them, you can look into signing up next year, which can also lower your tax bill.

For example, if you contribute $2,000 into a dependent care FSA and use it to reimburse summer camp costs, you could save roughly $400-$600 in taxes, depending on your tax bracket. Overnight camps will probably not apply, so check the eligibility.

Plan for hidden costs

Getting your child to and from camp can add to the total cost. This may include daily driving expenses or airfare if the camp is in another state.

Some camps also offer extended hours — such as drop-off before camp starts or pickup after it ends — for an additional fee. On top of that, supplies, field trips and lunches or snacks can increase your costs.

“Coordinating with other parents attending the same camp makes it easy to set up carpools and even share afternoon care, so you can skip some of the costly add-ons,” says Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet.

How camps help families manage costs

There are traditional ways to get help with camp costs, like scholarships and grants offered directly by the camps themselves or through foundations and community organizations, like churches.

Camp directors are also getting more creative with financial assistance.

“There are all sorts of programs built in to help camps be affordable,” DeHart says. “There’s early registration discounts and sibling discounts.”

Referral fees are also popular. Some camps offer discounts if you can get one or two friends or family members to sign up for camp, too.

Some camps offer community service discounts for families working in public service, teachers, nurses, first responders, clergy and members of the military, DeHart says.

Not all forms of financial aid and discounts are advertised, Palmer says, so reach out to the camp’s director.

“If you have a preteen, consider asking if they can serve as a counselor in training for a discount,” Palmer says. “They might be able to earn volunteer hours as well as valuable experience, while saving you money.”

Benefits of summer camp beyond child care

Adding camp as a line item in your monthly budget can feel overwhelming. It’s another expense competing with emergency funds, retirement investing and college savings. But a quality program can offer experiences that are hard to replicate at home, DeHart says.

Your money isn’t just paying for adult supervision. It’s paying for enrichment. Many camps are no- or low-tech, giving kids a chance to unplug.

“It’s time away from social media. It’s time doing face-to-face relationships. It’s time outdoors, being active,” DeHart says. “You know, all these things that parents want.”

My daughter is still young, but going through summer camp sign-ups has made me think about the experiences I want her to have — and how to plan for them.

I ended up picking a few lower-cost camps. Still, I did jot down a few highly recommended camps and feel more confident about asking for creative payment solutions.

I just pulled up my bank app and moved $75 into a high-yield “camp fund.”

Better start preparing for next year.

Amanda Barroso writes for NerdWallet. Email: abarroso@nerdwallet.com.

The article My Quest for an Affordable Summer Camp Without Sacrificing My Savings originally appeared on NerdWallet.

By KATE BRUMBACK, Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — Fulton County has filed a motion in federal court seeking the return of all documents from the 2020 election that were seized last week from a warehouse near Atlanta by the FBI, officials in the Georgia county said Wednesday.

FBI Deputy Director Andrew Bailey, right, stands with members of the FBI at the Fulton County Elction HUB, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in Union City, Ga., near Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

The motion also asks for the unsealing of a law enforcement agent’s sworn statement that was presented to the judge who signed off on the search warrant, according to the county chairman, Robb Pitts. The county is not releasing the motion because the case is under seal, he said.

The Jan. 28 search at Fulton County’s main election facility in Union City sought records related to the 2020 election.

President Donald Trump and his allies have fixated on the heavily Democratic county, the state’s most populous, since the Republican narrowly lost the election in Georgia to Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Trump has long insisted without evidence that widespread voter fraud in the county cost him victory in the state.

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Pitts defended the county’s election practices and said the county has conducted 17 elections since 2020 without any issues.

“The president himself and his allies, they refuse to accept the fact that they lost,” Pitts said. “And even if he had won Georgia, he would still have lost the presidency.”

Pitts cited comments by Trump earlier this week on a podcast where he called for Republicans to “take over” and “nationalize” elections.

“This case is not only about Fulton County. This is about elections across Georgia and across the nation,” he said.

A warrant cover sheet provided to the county includes a list of items that the agents were seeking related to the 2020 general election: all ballots, tabulator tapes from the scanners that tally the votes, electronic ballot images created when the ballots were counted and then recounted, and all voter rolls.