Midwestern states like Illinois, Ohio, and Missouri are home to many coal-fired plants.

A growing number of these plants are shutting down, partly due to the declining costs of renewables. According to one recent Moody's Analytics report, the price of wind power has fallen so rapidly that it could soon replace coal-fired plants in the Midwest.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has confirmed plans to eliminate the Clean Power Plan, the Obama-era program aimed at helping the United States meet its Paris climate agreement goals by curbing carbon emissions from power plants. 

The announcement follows a series of other rollbacks from the Environmental Protection Agency. Under administrator Scott Pruitt, the EPA has reversed a ban on a pesticide that can harm children's brains. It has also moved to repeal the Clean Water Rule, which clarified the Clean Water Act to prohibit industries from dumping pollutants into streams and wetlands.

If Pruitt succeeds with these measures, the US could return to some of the same conditions as we had before air and water quality were regulated. 

Soon after the EPA's founding in 1970, the agency dispatched 100 photographers to capture America's environmental problems in a photo project called Documerica. Of the 81,000 images they took, over 20,000 photos were archived, and at least 15,000 have been digitized by the National Archives.

Here's a selection of Documerica photos of Midwestern cities that were taken in the early 1970s.

SEE ALSO: Vintage EPA photos reveal what New York City looked like before the US regulated pollution

Many Documerica photos show scenes of general life in US in the 1970s, but several also document environmental issues.

Over 125 million Americans live in counties with unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to the American Lung Association's 2017 "State of the Air" report. Looking at recent air quality data, the ALA points to several cities in the Midwest as the most polluted. (Cities in California overwhelmingly top the list, however.)

Coal-mining companies were big polluters in the Midwest in the 1970s. President Trump has promised to bring back the industry, and recently nominated a coal lobbyist as Pruitt's second-in-command at the EPA.

Source: Scientific American

Near Cadiz, Ohio, a coal company stripped mined the land surrounding this abandoned house.

Everyone's measure of and path to success is different.

For some, it's mostly linear. Others encounter more twists, turns, and bumps along the way.

Before becoming the leader of the free world, Donald Trump, was born into a real-estate development family and inherited his father's business at 25.

Kat Cole, the group president of Focus Brands group, on the other hand, saw her 20s as more transformative years, working her way up the ladder from a Hooters waitress to the company's vice president by the time she was 26.

To illustrate how no two paths to success are alike, we've highlighted what 25 highly successful people were doing at age 25.

SEE ALSO: 17 jobs that are quickly disappearing in the US

DON'T MISS: The 21 most promising jobs of the future

Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos had a cushy job in finance.

At 24, the future Amazon founder and CEO went to work at Bankers Trust developing revolutionary software for banking institutions at that time, according to "Jeff Bezos: The Founder of Amazon.com" by Ann Byers.

Two years later, he became the company's youngest vice president.

President Trump took over his father's real-estate-development company.

Trump grew up the wealthy son of a real-estate mogul.

At 25, the young real-estate developer was given control of his father's company, Elizabeth Trump & Son, which he later renamed the Trump Organization, according to bio.

Shortly thereafter he became involved in large, profitable building projects in Manhattan.

Actress Jennifer Lawrence was an Oscar-winner raking in millions.

Twenty-six-year-old Lawrence is Hollywood's highest-paid actress, raking $46 million pretax over 12 months in 2016, and closer to $52 million in 2015, according to Forbes.

By the time she was 25, Lawrence had starred in the box-office hit "Hunger Games" trilogy and worked alongside a star-studded cast in the "X-Men" series.

At 22, she became the second-youngest winner of the best actress Oscar for her performance in "Silver Linings Playbook," and she has won many more awards for her work.

Kitava is on a mission to upgrade fast-casual food in San Francisco.

In 2015, Jeff Nobbs set out to make healthy food approachable. He launched Kitava (formerly known as Mealmade) as an on-demand delivery startup that makes every dish to order and substitutes familiar ingredients with low-calorie alternatives. The service specializes in the diet trends that tech workers love, like paleo, gluten-free, and keto.

And in an amusing twist, the company operates out of a shuttered McDonald's.

A rising number of tech workers in Silicon Valley are shunning sugar and processed foods in favor of high-fat, low-carb diets that claim to boost energy, focus, and cognitive performance. What they put into their bodies has a direct effect on their output, according to Nobbs.

On November 2, the newly rebranded Kitava opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in San Francisco. Business Insider had the chance to try the menu before it opened. Take a look.

SEE ALSO: Generation Z is creating a $5 billion market for fake meat and seafood

Here's what Mealmade's front-of-house looked like before it rebranded as Kitava.

The '80s vibe in this McDonald's made me feel like I was in an episode of "Stranger Things."

The newly rebranded Kitava puts a contemporary spin on the place, replacing the floors, adding wood paneling behind the counter, and decorating with big, leafy plants.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

The Insider Pick:

• The best electric blankets have a broad range of temperatures to choose from, heat up quickly, and are made from soft fabrics. The Sunbeam Queen Size Heated Blanket ticks all the boxes with its plush design, 20 personalized heat settings, and auto-adjust features that provide consistent warmth.

Like most dads, I keep a close eye on our thermostat — much to my family's chagrin. If you are willing to give up a few degrees here and there, you can save big on utility bills during the cold months, while helping the environment. Of course, there are sure to be members of any household who are chronically cold. For them, there are electric blankets.

Just about every electric blanket these days features an auto shut-off function, which automatically turns your blanket off after a set amount of time to save on power. Most throws shut off after three hours. The blankets that are large enough to use in bed generally have a 10-hour shut-off. Also, queen- and king-sized blankets usually have two controllers to allow for individual temperature settings.

For the most part, electric blankets are safe, but even the best models can potentially overheat. Manufacturers do a pretty good job of addressing this issue as is the case with each of the blankets we chose as our top picks.

We chose which electric blankets to include on our list based on hundreds of ratings and reviews from experts and average customers. The main criteria we focused on were comfort, warmth, and long-term, consistent performance.

Read on in the slides below to learn why the Sunbeam Queen Size Heated Blanket is our top pick and why you should also consider the Sunbeam Electric Throw Blanket, the Biddeford Sherpa Electric Blanket, the Sunbeam Reversible Heated Throw, and the Soft Heat Micro-Fleece Electric Blanket.

The best electric blanket overall

Why you'll love it: The Sunbeam Queen Size Heated Blanket not only feels soft to the touch but the heat adjusts on its own to stay at your ideal temperature.

Sunbeam has a broad range of electric blankets that are among the best on the market. That’s why we focus on three of the company's top offerings in this buying guide. We chose the Luxurious Velvet Plush Heated Blanket as the best electric blanket overall because of its ThermoFine warming system, which provides consistent warmth.

In order to keep the blanket cozy, it monitors the temperature and auto-adjusts to the perfect amount of heat. There are 20 personalized heat settings, including a pre-heat setting and an auto-off function. The dual controls allow for two individuals to choose the setting that works best for them.

The blanket is made of 100% polyester velvet plush fabric with hemmed edges. It comes in eight colors, including brown, ivy green, beige, and lagoon blue. The entire blanket is machine washable and safe for the dryer. Sunbeam stands behind this product with a five-year limited warranty.

The Sunbeam Luxurious Velvet Plush Heated Blanket was runner-up on Consumer Search’s list of the best electric blankets. The reviewers liked that it heats up quickly, the fabric is soft, and that auto off options are available. However, they disliked that it wasn’t low voltage. The10Pro ranked it among the best heated blankets because it's machine washable and features a ThermoFine warming system, which monitors temperatures and makes adjustments for improved sleep. 

Around 78% of the people who reviewed the Sunbeam Luxurious Velvet Plush Heated Blanket on Amazon gave it four or five stars. The main reason that users like this blanket is that it is incredibly soft on your skin. One buyer compared it to a teddy bear. They also comment that it heats up quickly and makes it so they can turn the thermostat down and save on their utility bills.

There were a few complaints, of course. You may feel the wires within the blanket. Also, one buyer complained that their feet tended to still get cold and recommended bunching the blanket up by your feet.

Pros: Soft velvet plush fabric, quick heating that auto-adjusts, dual controls, five-year warranty

Cons: Uses standard voltage, may have dead spots

Buy the Sunbeam Queen Size Heated Blanket Luxurious Velvet Plush on Amazon for $114.82

The best electric blanket on a budget

Why you'll love it: If you want an affordable way to stay warm this winter without cranking the thermostat, the Sunbeam Microplush Electric Throw Blanket gets the job done.

The Sunbeam Microplush Heated Throw is made of 100%, extra soft, plush polyester. The throw measures 50 by 60 inches and is machine washable and dryer safe. Like our top pick, this Sunbeam blanket features the ThermoFine warming system which adjusts the temperature to provide consistent warmth.

There are only three heat settings (Low, Med, High) on this blanket, and the auto-off feature turns off after three hours, which does not make it ideal for staying warm through the night. There are eighteen colors to pick from, including walnut, brown, garnet, and royal blue.

Consumer Search awarded the Sunbeam Microplush Heated Throw the title of “Best Heated Throw Blanket” because it heats quickly, has a three-hour automatic shut-off, features soft material, and is a convenient size. Check What’s Best loved the affordable price of this throw blanket and its three heat settings. Your Best Digs also ranked this throw highly because of its easy-to-use controller and excellent performance.

The Sunbeam Microplush Heated Throw has more than 1,400 five-star reviews on Amazon. For the most part, buyers like the plush, soft fabric and that the blanket heats up evenly and quickly. We did not find complaints about cold spots or dead zones. However, there have been a few reports of the controller overheating and melting. In the instances we found, the overheating happened at around the one-month mark of ownership. Be aware of this issue and contact Sunbeam if you experience overheating.

Pros: Heats up quickly and evenly, soft

Cons: Potential overheating hazard, only comes in one size

Buy the Sunbeam Microplush Electric Heated Throw Blanket on Amazon for $48.79

The best electric blanket for king-sized beds

Why you'll love it: The Biddeford MicroPlush Sherpa Electric Heated Blanket comes in twin, full, queen, and king sizes so you can stay warm no matter what size bed you have.

What sets the Biddeford MicroPlush Sherpa blanket apart from the competition is the amount of control you have. First of all, it comes in twin through king sizes (but not California king). There are also nine colors to choose from, including cream, blue, brick, and denim.

The king- and queen-sized blankets come with two controllers, which allow for two different heat settings. There are ten heat settings to pick from, too, so you're sure to find one that suits your needs. The auto shut-off lasts for ten hours, which should get you through the night.

The blanket itself has a 100% polyester MicroPlush top and Sherpa bottom. The Biddeford MicroPlush Sherpa is machine washable and comes with a five-year warranty in case of problems.

The Biddeford MicroPlush Sherpa Electric Blanket was included in Warm Electric’s look at the best heated covers. The reviewer was impressed with the multiple heat settings and how the blanket would stay at the temperature you select. Top Electric Blankets performed a thorough review of this model and liked that the larger models come with multiple controllers, it heats up quickly, has a wide range of settings, and is energy efficient. However, they found the controllers are not durable and the blanket may be too thick for temperate climates.

Around 69% of reviewers on Amazon gave it five stars. Buyers commented that they like that the temperature range goes from slightly warm to roasting. They found that the fabric is soft. One user commented that their blanket arrived with a defect, and the seller fixed the issue immediately. The biggest complaint was that the auto shut-off was too short, though it is one of the longest on our list at 10 hours. One workaround is to turn the blanket off and then on again right before you drift off to sleep.

Pros: Wide temperature range, illuminated digital display, five-year warranty

Cons: Controller has some durability issues

Buy the Biddeford MicroPlush Sherpa Electric Heated Blanket on Amazon for 464.95 (Twin), $79.95 (Full), $99.95 (Queen), or $109.95 (King)

Every month, job review site Glassdoor sifts through the troves of data submitted by its users to see make sense of the labor market.

Across the board, US workers saw a 1.6% jump in October compared to the previous year, but in some cities that growth was over 2%.

"U.S. wage growth is steady but slow. We've seen incremental increases over the past few months after a slight decline of U.S. median pay over the summer months,"said Glassdoor’s chief economist Andrew Chamberlain. "While we are still well below the 3.5 percent pay growth rate of January, I am encouraged by the slight salary increases recorded since August and anticipate growth to continue to accelerate through the end of the year."

While the data isn’t official — government numbers were released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday— the results provide an insight to which metro areas were seeing the biggest wage growth,  and by how much.

Here are the 10 US cities where paychecks are growing the quickest:

SEE ALSO: The 10 jobs that got the biggest raises in October

10. Houston

Year-over-year wage growth: 0.0%

Median base pay: $54,136

9. Philadelphia

Year-over-year wage growth: 0.4%

Median base pay: $54,142

8. Washington D.C.

Year-over-year wage growth: 1.1%

Median base pay: $58,676

If only we could all travel like royalty. Whether they're heading off to a far-flung destination or merely hopping aboard the Royal Train for a domestic engagement, the royal family really knows how to travel in style — and it's not always cheap.

The 2017 annual report from Buckingham Palace revealed that the royal family spent roughly $6 million on travel in the past year, a staggering sum by almost any standard. Some of those trips were vacations, others official government trips and a good few seemed to be a bit of both. Click through to see how the royals like to travel.

SEE ALSO: The royal family is hiring an intern — here's what they're looking for

India and Bhutan

· Total cost of trip: $129,187

· Household: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

· Method of travel: Scheduled flight, charter

Prince William and Kate Middleton's official Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) visit to India and neighboring Bhutan was one of the costliest excursions of the year. Chalk it up to a hefty transportation bill for these wealthy royal family members, with scheduled flights from London Heathrow Airport to Delhi and back, along with charter flights to spots like Tezpur, Pero and Agra.

But the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge certainly packed a lot into their trip, which stretched from April 9 to 17, 2016. In addition to meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and laying a wreath at the India Gate to honor the Indian regiments who served in World War I, the couple managed to squeeze in an open-air safari in Kaziranga National Park, and tried their hands at archery — Bhutan's national sport — in Paro, Bhutan.

Northern Ireland

· Total cost of trip: $31,912

· Household: The queen and the Duke of Edinburgh

· Method of travel: Charter, S76 helicopter

Queen Elizabeth II's first official engagement following Britain's "Brexit" vote to leave the EU saw Her Majesty the Queen travel to Northern Ireland on June 27 to 28, 2016. She was accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The queen met with First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness before taking a scenic drive on the Giant's Causeway and attended the unveiling of the Robert Quigg VC memorial statue in Bushmills with Prince Philip.

While it wasn't the costliest trip the royal family made all year, the charter flight to Belfast — along with use of The Queen's Helicopter Flight — made it anything but cheap.

Israel

· Total cost of trip: $96,958

· Household: The Prince of Wales

· Method of travel: Charter

Members of the royal family don’t often travel to Israel, but Prince Charles made an exception on Sept. 29, 2016, joining other world leaders — including former President Barack Obama — to attend the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres.

Charter flights from Aberdeen to Ben Gurion Airport and back made the trip a costly one. But it gave Prince Charles a rare opportunity to visit the grave of his paternal grandmother while in Jerusalem.

• Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, was indicted on Monday morning on a range of charges, including money laundering and tax fraud.
• Manafort used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle for himself and his family, including multimillion-dollar homes and antique furnishings, the indictment says.
• The indictment says he also spent millions of dollars on "personal items" like Range Rovers and on shopping in New York and California.

Four Range Rovers, millions of dollars in antiques, and nearly $850,000 worth of men's clothing are just a few of the "personal items" President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, bought using money in offshore accounts over nearly a decade, an indictment says.

Manafort and his business associate Rick Gates were indicted by a grand jury on Monday on a range of charges, including money laundering and tax fraud. The men are accused of laundering more than $21 million — more than $18 million by Manafort and more than $3 million by Gates — from 2006 to at least 2016. They surrendered to the FBI on Monday morning.

The indictment says that from 2008 to 2014, Manafort used offshore accounts to wire over $12 million to fund a luxurious lifestyle and an additional $6.4 million to purchase two New York City properties — a condominium on Howard Street and a brownstone on Union Street — and a house in Arlington, Virginia.

Keep scrolling to see the vendors of the lavish "personal items"the indictment says Manafort bought using funds in offshore accounts.

SEE ALSO: The indictment of Paul Manafort shows he spent over $12 million on Range Rovers, men's clothing, and home improvements in the Hamptons

$20,000: Housekeeping in New York

$31,900: Purchases from an art gallery in Florida

$46,000: Property management company in South Carolina

• Wall Street is wary of the Republican tax plan because of the concessions and compromise that will be necessary to pass it
• The economic impact is still expected to be positive, specifically for companies and their stock prices
• The plan's proposed mortgage-interest deduction isn't beneficial to new home owners, some analysts said

 
The Republican's massive tax plan is getting a cautious response from Wall Street. Analysts are wary about what it will take to get this passed and note that any concrete progress will require heavy concessions and compromise from all involved.

Analysts also noted a few provisions of the plan that aren't quite as appealing as they appear on the surface. Morgan Stanley in particular had such an issue with the plan's proposed mortgage-interest deduction — which has also drawn the ire of the National Association of Home Builders.

From an economic perspective, Wall Street is still bullish on what a corporate tax rate cut would do for both companies and the overall market. Both highly taxed US companies and multinational corporations with large overseas cash holdings rallied as traders bought assets expected to benefit most from a change in tax policy.

Without further ado, here's a roundup of Wall Street commentary on the tax plan:

Morgan Stanley: in an all or nothing scenario, legislative failure is the base case

Morgan Stanley reiterated its base case that the Republican tax plan will spur modest stimulus and "plenty of execution risk," while noting that it's "still at the drawing board." Here are some select comments from the firm:

• On corporate tax cuts:"Corporate tax rate could still go higher ... Many pay-for provisions in the bill are likely to be challenged by members and lobbyists. Hence, proponents of an immediate corporate rate cut may still be disappointed ... A rate closer to 25% (our base case) could also be a necessary maneuver to compel votes."

• On pass-throughs:"The influential National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has already come out against the bill because they believe the pass-through provision does not help most small businesses. This may continue to be a subject of debate."

• On repatriation:"As expected, the bill proposes a one-time favorable repatriation rate ... However, a 12% mandatory tax on cash-backed foreign retained earnings is higher than expectations and prior Republican proposals."

• On mortgage interest deduction:"On the surface, the plan preserves the mortgage interest deduction. However, the devil, as always, is in the details. While the current mortgage interest deduction is preserved for existing mortgages, for homes purchased going forward, the mortgage interest deduction will be capped at $500k, reduced from its current cap of $1 million."

• "A key risk to our view is that producing a limited deficit-expansion bill becomes politically untenable as contentious pay-fors deny leadership the votes to pass one or either chamber of Congress. In this case, Republicans could attempt the 'Hail Mary' option, pursue an 'all cuts' bill that substantially increases the deficit and implied stimulus."

• On possible failure and market impact:"In this 'all or none' scenario, we think legislative failure would likely become the base case, as there may be enough deficit hawks and rules purists in the Senate to deny passage. But it would also signal an increased probability of meaningful stimulus. This dynamic could encourage rates volatility."

UBS: Pushback from drug and energy companies will be large

UBS reiterated Morgan Stanley's view that tax reform is "far from a done deal," but adopted a more negative stance. The firm identified several sticking points that will prevent tax reform from getting done this year or next. It said:

• On expensive proposals:"The combination of lowering the corporate tax rate to 20%, the increase in the family tax credit, and the elimination of the alternative minimum tax are all costly plans that will require substantial revenue offsets to keep the overall size of the tax plan within the Senate's $1.5 trillion deficit over ten years."

• On eliminating special-interest deductions:"We believe this line is likely to reduce the subsidies to the energy sector, the pharmaceutical sector, and other large corporate interests. Push back from these groups will be large."

• On state and local tax deduction, and the mortgage interest cap: "Although these states are predominately Democratic, a substantial number of Republican representatives hail from those states and have already stated opposition to these reductions."

• "We have long held the view that finding the revenue offsets for the ambitious tax reform plan will be difficult. The combination of lowering the corporate tax rate to 20%, the increase in the family tax credit, and the elimination of the alternative minimum tax are all costly plans that will require substantial revenue offsets to keep the overall size of the tax plan within the Senate's $1.5 trillion deficit over ten years."

Deutsche Bank: this won't turn up in S&P 500 earnings

Deutsche Bank shares a similar view to the firms outlined above, expressing concern that tax reform will be implemented without considerable compromise. It also dove deep into the potential impact on corporations and the overall market. The firm said:

• "Republicans urgently needing something they can present as a success currently appears to be the main reason why the reform has a chance of being implemented."

• On the cost of the plan:"According to the budget draft, the tax package is allowed to have a maximum net cost of $1.5 trillion over the coming decade. And several Republicans think that this amount is considerably too high."

• On public interests:"Citizens are considerably less interested in a tax reform than in the healthcare issue. They might still be outraged if the tax reform turned out to be nothing more than a tax cut for corporations and top income earners."

• On the corporate tax cut:"We expect that the corporate tax rate will be reduced from 35% to 25% (the Republicans are currently aiming at 20%). However, this tax relief will not be directly reflected in the S&P 500 earnings."

• On the effect of repatriation:"The effect on earnings after tax might be reinforced by new provisions on the repatriation of U.S. corporate earnings held abroad. This might lead to higher equity buybacks. However, much will depend on the details. We believe that earnings per share might rise by up to 1.5% as the number of outstanding shares is reduced."

• On Fed impact (or lack thereof):"The tax cut alone (i.e. unaccompanied by additional fiscal stimulus or deregulation) is unlikely to have a significant impact on the interest-rate decisions of the Federal Reserve. We continue to expect up to three rate increases in 2018."

• On competing pressures:"The haggling will only intensify, as further details become available. So might conflicts among Republicans within the Senate and the House of Representatives, and between both chambers. Interventions from the White House add another source of uncertainty. And of course, various lobby groups will vehemently try to influence the final package. In the midst of all this, hammering out the many remaining details will not be easy."

• "The term 'tax cut' appears more appropriate than 'tax reform.'"

If you're planning a road trip in the US, there are plenty of beautiful routes worth passing through.

It's hard to imagine we'll get to all of them in this lifetime. But if you want to try, consider this a guide to finding the best of the best out there.

Scroll down for a closer look:

SEE ALSO: These 7 luxurious trains offer breathtaking views for your next vacation

ALASKA: Seward Highway

Take a two-hour drive between Anchorage to Seward, a tiny seaside community, and you will pass the Chugach Mountains and the gorgeous shores of the Turnagain arm.

ARIZONA: Highway 89

Although Route 66 has become synonymous with American wanderlust and freedom, there are other choices in Arizona with some staggering views. Take Highway 89 from Flagstaff, Arizona to see views of the Grand Canyon, Echo Cliffs, and the Vermilion Cliffs.

CALIFORNIA: Pacific Coast Highway

This is a very common recommendation, but for a reason. The winding Pacific Coast Highway is the longest state route in California and provides sweeping views of the water. It doubles as an easy route to popular cities like Long Beach and the San Francisco Bay Area.

The streets, parks, and landmarks of New York have been romanticized in books, on film, and in song, so it makes sense that its hotels enjoy a similarly idealized status. And it doesn’t hurt that they genuinely have l’amour down to a science, with just the right blend of ambiance, amenities, and impeccable service to impress the object of your affection no matter what the occasion. To help you plan the perfect rendezvous, we’ve rounded up 10 of Manhattan’s most romantic hotels.

SEE ALSO: One of the most famous airport terminals in the world is about to become a swanky hotel

The NoMad

Although it doesn’t have the pop culture legacy of some of the other hotels on this list, The Nomad is as romantic as they come. Inspired by the Parisian apartment French designer Jacques Garcia grew up in, the 1903 Beaux Arts gem is a plush retreat complete with freestanding claw-foot tubs, antique Persian rugs, and leather headboards that complement the mahogany writing desks in each of the 168 rooms.

The moody bi-level library, cocktail bar, and restaurant, helmed by Daniel Humm and Will Guidara, are equally elegant in both setting and menu; don't miss the foie gras and truffle–stuffed roast chicken for two.

The Greenwich Hotel

It makes sense that a hotel owned by actor Robert DeNiro feels like a living movie set. Located on a cobblestone street in Tribeca, arguably one of New York’s most picturesque neighborhoods, The Greenwich combines stylish midcentury design with accessories that look like they were sourced from flea markets around the world, including oriental rugs and Moroccan tiles in the 88 individually decorated guest rooms and leather club chairs and marble-topped bistro tables in the lobby. 

• We tried the New York Times' five highest-rated cheap restaurants.
• The offerings ranged from barbecue and Thai food to ramen and veggie burgers.
• While some weren't as impressive as we hoped, others offered bold flavor combinations at excellent prices.

The New York Times reviews an impressive variety of restaurants, from high-end Manhattan institutions where meals can cost thousands of dollars to small falafel shops where you can find a gyro for under $10.

But, most of the restaurants that receive stars from the Times' critics tend to fall on the more expensive end. Of the 274 restaurants that hold two-, three-, or four-star ratings (unlike traditional arts criticism, most restaurants don't receive stars, so a one or two-star rating is a positive designation), only five are labeled as "inexpensive" by the Times.

We went to all five, and while we were mostly impressed, a few didn't quite live up to their billing. We ranked the five best cheap restaurants in New York City, as designated by the Times.

SEE ALSO: One of America's best chefs just opened a cocktail bar with drinks like nothing you've ever seen

5. Spicy & Tasty

Located in Flushing, Queens, this Chinese restaurant was reviewed by a former Times' restaurant critic (and current columnist), Frank Bruni, in 2006.

He said the restaurant "deserves citywide attention from food lovers whose primary interest isn't simply a modestly priced meal off the beaten path, but a hugely enjoyable, eye-opening experience."

He praised its liberal use of peppercorns and chili peppers, which deliver a hot, tingling sensation when combined. That combination appeared in a few of the dishes I tried — beef tendon, lamb with red chili sauce — but the restaurant's use of heat was more interesting in theory than in practice. What was missing were the distinctive flavor combinations that defined our favorite of the Times' recommendations.

We found Spicy & Tasty to be something of a one-trick pony.

4. Mighty Quinn's Barbecue

Critic Pete Wells loved this East Village barbecue joint, calling the pulled pork "staggeringly good" and claiming that the baked beans "may be the best I've tasted." Of course, we had to try both.

And while we enjoyed them, the precise balance of textures and rich flavors Wells identified weren't so vivid when we visited. While our meal was satisfying, it seemed a little mild compared to the more decadent offerings at Hill Country Barbecue (which also received a two-star rating from Wells).

3. Superiority Burger

Many vegan alternatives to traditionally meat-based dishes end up feeling like a compromise. You sacrifice immediate pleasure for the comfort of knowing that you're not clogging your arteries. But that compromise is not necessary at Superiority Burger, which operates in the East Village.

Wells praised many of the veggie burger joint's less traditional dishes — a sloppy joe made with tofu rather than ground beef, a variation on a Philly cheesesteak made with yuba and cashew cheese — but the signature burger, which replicated the umami sensation of a beef-based burger without loads of grease, was more than enough for us.

• &pizza is a popular fast-casual pizza chain with 23 stores in four states.
• It just raised another round of funding to grow even more. 
• In a taste test, we found the pizzas lived up to the hype.

Americans love pizza — nearly 100 acres of it are eaten every day in the US. Yet the pizza business has stayed more or less the same for years, in the form of local delivery chains and corner pizzerias.

And while these are indispensable threads in the tapestry of American dining, a new trend is finally emerging: fast-casual pizza. 

Chains like Blaze Pizza, MOD Pizza, and Pizza Studio are gaining a foothold in the US by offering almost entirely customizable personal pizzas at fast-casual speeds and prices. 

Now, Washington, DC-based &pizza is entering the arena with a recent round of undisclosed funding from RSE Ventures, which also has investments in SoulCycle and Equinox. The investment is aimed at cracking into the Northeast market with expansion plans targeting Boston and New York, as well as openings expected in Miami. 

We decided to visit this rapidly growing chain to see if their pizza can tough it out in the fickle fast-casual market. 

SEE ALSO: We went to Costco's food court — and it was one of the best fast food experiences we've ever had

ALSO READ: We tried chicken tenders from every major fast-food chain — and the results are surprising

We visited the &pizza location at 28th Street and Broadway, one of two in NYC. The chain has locations in four states and Washington, DC — a total of 23 stores, with three more opening soon. This recent funding round is meant to fuel its expansion into the Northeast.

The chain offers online ordering both on its website and through its app. Choose what pizza you want, and show up to pay and pick it up.

The store is incredibly stylized — crisp, graphic, black-and-white decor is front and center. It's clean and stark, almost to the point of sterility.

• The Rogue Dogue is a special one-off Nissan "Project Car."
• It was created for the car-show circuit to show off how a popular compact SUV could be modified for maximum canine pleasure.
• Nissan let us borrow it, and we tried it out on a real live dog.

Compact SUVs are crazy popular now — nearly 2.5 million have been sold this year — and one of the craziest popular of all is the Nissan Rogue.

The Rogue is the number-two bestselling company crossover in the US market, sandwiched between the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V. I've always liked the Rogue as a sort of semi-luxurious alternative to Toyota's and Honda's stalwarts, and my colleague Danielle Muoio is a big Rogueista (Rouger?).

At the New York Auto Show earlier this year, Nissan showed a concept called the "Rogue Dogue," a Rogue kitted out with a sort of dog-ue-y (Get it?) amenities. Back in April, I didn't own a dog. But thanks to the unrelenting pressure of my entire family, I now do. His name is Marco.

Here's what it was like to travel with him in the Rogue Dogue.

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Don't get the wrong idea. I'm a secret dog lover. Marco, our new hound, is also a terrific traveler. He normally likes to sit up front, on the floorboards of the passenger side.

Behold the Rogue Dogue. It looks just like a normal Rogue ...

... similar to the sort that we've reviewed and enjoyed at BI.

Read the review.

College football action is heating up as the season enters its crucial final weeks.

With the playoff committee releasing its first ranking, teams finally have a sense of where they stand in the eyes of committee voters, and what they'll need to do to secure their spot in the postseason.

For some, the equation is simple, win out or you're done. For others, the math is a bit more complex. 

Last week was another winner for our bets, going 4-3 against the number and just an overtime loss shy of 5-2. Also, for those who followed directions, we made all the money we've lost betting on UCLA this year back, after tripling up our bet on Washington against them.

This week, we're back at it again, trying to identify the values, underdogs, and trending-upward teams that can help us add money to our bankroll.

All lines are courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook.

LAST WEEK: 4-3
OVERALL: 34-29

NC State (+8.5) over Clemson

Despite NC State getting rolled by Notre Dame last week, they are a solid team that still controls its own destiny in the ACC. Last year they took Clemson to overtime as the visiting team, only losing by a touchdown. Additionally, according to SportsInsights, 78% if bettors are taking Clemson in this spot, making this an interesting contrarian play. Defending home turf with talented team that now has another year of football under their belts, look for the Wolfpack to at least keep this one close.

South Carolina (+23.5) over Georgia

Georgia has been the most dominant team in the country so far this season, and was rewarded for that effort with a number one ranking from the playoff committee. But this is just a lot of points to give to a talented South Carolina team. Granted, the Bulldogs have now won six straight games by 25 points or more, so if you like that trend go the other way. But that feels like a bubble waiting to burst.

Oklahoma (+2.5) over Oklahoma State

Baker Mayfield hasn't lost a Bedlam game and I don't expect him to drop the ball here. As huge in-state rivals, there will be no underestimating each other, setting the stage for a great game where the best players on the field control the final outcome. For my money, Mayfield is the best player on that field.

Salesforce and WeWork are taking their relationship to the next level: They're moving in together.

Salesforce Tower, a 1,070-foot-high skyscraper that will be the tallest and most expensive building in San Francisco when it's completed, has signed on WeWork as a major tenant. The co-working giant will lease three floors for its second headquarters (the other is in New York City), according to Recode. Some space will be designated as WeWork office rentals.

WeWork, a startup that leases trendy, millennial-friendly office space to startups and Fortune 500 companies, has been scooping up real estate after a $4 billion funding infusion from SoftBank. Its $20 billion valuation makes it the most valuable startup in New York.

In April, Salesforce opened the doors of Salesforce Tower to the media for a sneak peak inside.

"It seems like everywhere I am in this city or around the Bay, I can see this tower," Marc Benioff, founder and CEO of Salesforce, told the crowd at the event.

Take a look inside the new $1.1 billion Salesforce Tower.

SEE ALSO: WeWork raised $4.4 billion in 3 months — here's how the co-working giant became the most valuable startup in New York City

Salesforce and its billionaire CEO, Marc Benioff, are riding high these days.

Salesforce celebrated 18 years in business earlier this year. It was No. 8 on Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2017, and the cloud-computing company is on track to become a $100 billion organization in the next three years, according to some analysts.

The near completion of Salesforce Tower is the cherry on top. It rises 61 stories over the city's Financial District, making it the tallest building west of Chicago that's capable of being occupied.

It was originally named Transbay Tower, but the enterprise giant bought the naming rights in a landmark real-estate deal. Salesforce will pay the developer Boston Properties close to $560 million over 15 and a half years to lease 30 floors at the tower, on Mission and Fremont streets.

It didn't take long after Apple's new iPhone X arrived in the company's stores Friday morning for scalpers to get to work. 

Soon after the throngs of people lining up at stores around the world started making their way into the outlets and buying the new device, scalpers among their number turned around and started making some quick money off the hotly anticipated phone.

Check out these images of scalpers at work in Hong Kong, China:

SEE ALSO: PHOTOS: The iPhone X is on sale now — and people lined up for days to buy it

This crowd of people is checking the street price of resale iPhone X's.

Here, a woman is reselling a small stack of iPhone Xs.

 It looks like most of the deals are done with just a calculator and cash.

Here someone is using a phone to make a quick cost calculation.

This week, Rihanna collaborated with Pharrell Williams' N.E.R.D on a track, and Miguel released a new single from his upcoming fourth album.

SEE ALSO: The 5 best songs from last week — Weezer, Big K.R.I.T., and more

N.E.R.D — "Lemon" (feat. Rihanna)

Rihanna steals the show with an emphatic rap verse on N.E.R.D's humorous new single, "Lemon," which features an outro refrain of Pharrell Williams rapping, "Bath, bath salt / Bitin' speakers in the face," nine times in a row.

Tom Misch — "Movie"

English singer Tom Misch's latest single, "Movie," mixes layers of electric guitar with a classy piano solo in a well-executed, slow-jam love song. 

Pinegrove — "Intrepid"

New Jersey indie band Pinegrove crafts a poignant, lo-fi rock ballad with "Intrepid," the group's first single since the release of its critically acclaimed album "Cardinal" in 2016. 

It's been hard to keep up with Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez over the years: One minute they're together, and the next they seem to want to move on from each other for good. 

If you've been confused by them, you're not alone. That's why we took a deep-dive and compiled everything you need to know about their years-long relationship, break up, and reported reunion. 

December 2010: They were first spotted together at an IHOP.

Selena and Justin initially sparked romance rumors when they were spotted eating pancakes at IHOP. Selena later told Us Weekly that "it was just pancakes."

Apparently pancakes turned into a lot more because abut a week later, they were spotted by Justin's tour bus in Miami looking pretty cozy, according to The Daily News. 

January 2011: They were spotted kissing on vacation.

Justin and Selena hadn't confirmed their relationship yet, but photos of them kissing on vacation in the Caribbean pretty much sold fans that they were an item. 

February 2011: They appeared on the red carpet together.

They made their first red carpet appearance together at the Vanity Fair Oscars party. 

• Air New Zealand has been named the best airline in the world by AirlineRatings.com.
• This is the fifth year in a row the carrier has won.
• AirlineRatings evaluates airlines based on 13 criteria including customer service, product offerings, and financial performance.
• No Airlines from North America made the top 10. 

For the fifth year in a row, AirlineRatings.com has named Air New Zealand as the best airline in the world.

"Air New Zealand is being honored for the fifth consecutive year for its continued record-breaking financial performance, in-flight innovations, environmental leadership, young fleet and motivation of its staff," AirlineRatings.com editor-in-chief, Geoffrey Thomas wrote. "These factors have stamped the airline as an industry trendsetter."

While other airline review sites look exclusively at the consumer-facing aspects of the industry, AirlineRatings.com takes a more holistic approach to airline evaluation.

To find the best airline in the world, the Aussie airline safety and product review site's veteran team of eight editors settled on 13 criteria which they believe represent the"heartbeat of the airline."

They include: product rating, safety rating, passenger reviews, fleet age, profitability, whether the airline offers premium economy, whether it offers flat bed seats in business class, does the company hold an investment grade rating, its performance on environmental report, does it have labor issues, has it been involved in any serious incidents, is the airline an innovator, and it must be a top 50 ranked airline.

Based on those criteria, the editorial team selected their picks for the top 10 airlines in the world. Here they are:

SEE ALSO: Check out Singapore Airlines' stunning new Airbus A380 luxury suites

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10. Japan Airlines: Of Japan Airlines, Thomas wrote, "The airline continues its rebuild from the dark days of its financial collapse in 2010-11. The airline today is leaner and bears little resemblance to its former self. Its product is outstanding and it has a modern fleet."

9. Cathay Pacific: "The airline has had a tough year as it adjusts to a wave of new competitive threats both in Hong Kong and from greater China," Thomas wrote. "However, the fundamental product is excellent."

8. Korean Air: "Quite possibly the greatest turnaround story in aviation," Thomas wrote. "From a pariah in the industry in 2000 to an airline of first choice today, Korean Air continues to impress."

In the US, prison is synonymous with punishment.

That's not the case in all countries around the world, where many prisons are built to rehabilitate even the most violent offenders or sometimes house people who haven't committed any crimes.

The amenities in these places can get pretty swanky — relatively speaking. Think pristine basketball gyms in Norway or pool tables in Wales.

Here are a dozen prisons around the world that redefine what it means to be locked up.

SEE ALSO: Photos of maximum-security prisons in Norway and the US reveal the extremes of prison life

In Finland, Suomenlinna Prison has no barbed wire to keep inmates within its borders. Instead, there is a small picket fence. For that reason, it is often called the "open prison."

Source: This is Finland

In nearby Norway, Halden Prison lets inmates cook, play video games, shoot hoops, and sleep on plush beds. Rooms look more like college dorms than cells. The idea is to treat convicts like people, so they will re-enter society in a healthy mindset.

Source: The New York Times

Like Halden, the Otago Corrections Facility in New Zealand looks more like a teenager's bedroom than a prison. There are health facilities and a library designed to keep people feeling like members of society.

Source: Otago Daily Times