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Brooklinen Labor Day sale: Get up to 50% off bedding and more
Calling all Brooklinen fans! Brooklinen’s Labor Day Sale is on now. That means you can save up to 50% on sheets in fun seasonal colors, plush towels for end-of-summer vacations and more.
For those not familiar with Brooklinen, think of long-stapled cotton, sustainable manufacturing practices (such as eco-friendly dyes and new organic linens) and modern, stylish colors and designs. Should you ever need to make a return, the company donates those returned goods to charity. Plus, the sheets, towels and robes are insanely soft.
Brooklinen piped classic percale duvet cover:
The Brooklinen piped classic percale duvet cover features a reversible design with piping detail for versatility. Made from breathable percale fabric, it offers a cool, crisp feel that gets softer with every wash.
The duvet cover includes ties to keep your comforter securely in place, ensuring a comfortable night’s sleep.
Regularly $129, you can get this duvet cover for $66 at Brooklinen’s Labor Day sale.
Why we like the Brooklinen piped classic percale duvet cover:
- Percale fabric offers a cool feel for ultimate comfort.
- Duvet ties keep the comforter securely in place for a hassle-free sleep experience.
More of the best Labor Day bedding deals
Ready to make your bed the coziest spot in your home? Shop discounts on must-have pieces from Casper, Cozy Earth, Big Blanket Co., Luna, Sleep Number and so much more.
Buffy Cloud comforter: 20% off
Buffy is throwing a huge Labor Day sale with up to 20% off sitewide on sheets, comforters, pillows and more.
Buffy is a sustainable bedding brand known for its cloud-like cooling bedding. One of the most popular Buffy products is the Cloud comforter. It’s a fluffy, hypoallergenic comforter that offers an airy feel. It’s also an eco-friendly option — the comforter is made with ultra-soft materials spun from recycled plastics.
“This comforter was exactly what I expected and exactly what I wanted. Like a fluffy, warm cloud. We bought two more,” a reviewer on Buffy’s website says.
Why we like the Buffy Cloud comforter:
- The comforter is fluffy but breathable, making it appropriate for all seasons.
- It’s an eco-friendly purchase that upcycles approximately 50 plastic bottles.
- Comes with free shipping.
- It’s machine washable.
Casper Hybrid Snow cooling pillow: 10% off
Casper’s CBS Essentials staff-loved cooling pillow is on sale during Casper’s Labor Day deals event. The 4.6-star-rated pillow is made with high-quality foam for a soft yet supportive feel. Casper’s AirScape Technology keeps the pillow cool and breathable so that you don’t overheat at night. The pillow is marked down from $149 to just $134 right now.
CBS Essentials senior writer Lily Rose, owns this pillow and absolutely loves it. “I tend to sleep hot and this pillow keeps my head and my neck nice and cool throughout the night.” she shared.
Why we like the Casper Hybrid Snow cooling pillow:
- Casper’s Snow Technology helps you sleep cooler for 12 hours.
- Its foam layer prevents clumping or flattening over time, so your pillow stays supremely supportive — no need to fluff it.
- Uses Casper’s AirScape Technology to create a cool and breathable experience.
Shop Casper’s sitewide Labor Day sale and score 30% off all mattresses, with up to 30% off bedding, bed frames and more.
Cozy Earth bamboo bedding deluxe bundle: 20% off
Cozy Earth is a premium bedding brand that has made the “Oprah’s Favorite Things” list in the past. The brand is best known for its super-soft bedding and loungewear made from 100% premium viscose from bamboo.
Right now for Labor Day, you can save 20% on Cozy Earth’s bamboo bedding bundle. The set includes a sheet set, one duvet cover and two pillow cases. The included duvet cover features interior snaps and a bottom tie closure to keep your duvet comfortably in place.
You can currently get the bundle in a twin size for $693, a significant discount from the standard price of $866. You can customize the bundle with your preferred color, style and sizing options. Prices may vary based on customization selections.
Why we like the Cozy Earth Classic bedding bundle:
- People love bamboo material for its cooling properties.
- The lightweight material helps air to circulate around your body and can even help regulate body temperature.
- Bamboo sheets are also naturally hypoallergenic, making them a great choice for people with allergies or sensitive skin.
Looking for more than just sheets? Right now, you can save up to 25% sitewide on the brand’s premium bedding, bath and loungewear items during the Cozy Earth Labor Day sale.
Big Blanket Co. Original Stretch blanket: 15% off
Treat yourself to an extra-large, ultra-cozy blanket from Big Blanket Co. for less before Labor Day. The brand is known for its 10-foot by 10-foot big blankets. Right now, this blanket is 15% off, at $152, reduced from $179.
“These blankets are perfect,” a reviewer raves. “The material is heavier and denser than most blankets, almost giving a weighted blanket feel but still being able to breathe. Not to mention they are sooooo so soft,” they share. “The best part is if you want more weight, more warmth, more squish, there is plenty of blanket to double it up.”
Former CBS Essentials writer Kaylyn McKenna is also a big fan of this blanket. “I never knew that I needed a 10-foot blanket, but this Big Blanket Co blanket has been such a game changer. It’s super soft and stretchy, and most of all spacious. It has a comfortable weight and doesn’t slide off the bed while I sleep,” she says.
Why we like Big Blanket Co.’s Original Stretch blanket:
- This blanket is made with temperature-regulating material.
- This blanket is moisture-wicking and features a four-way stretch.
- Choose from 18 colors.
Shop the Big Blanket Co. Labor Day sale
Luna cooling weighted blanket: 10% off
You need a weighted blanket that won’t make you sweat. This cozy but cooling weighted blanket provides enhanced comfort and is associated with better sleep. Plus, it’s 10% off now. That’s $73, reduced from $81.
“The first thing that impressed me were the high-quality materials,” says an Amazon customer. “The cotton fabric feels soft and gentle against the skin, and the cooling feature ensures that I stay comfortably cozy without overheating during the night.”
Why we like the Luna cooling weighted blanket:
- The Luna weighted blanket is made with high-quality, breathable cotton and premium glass beads.
- This cooling weighted blanket is available in full, queen and king sizes.
- It comes in a wide variety of colors.
- Prices vary by size, weight and color.
- It’s machine washable.
Eli & Elm cotton side-sleeper pillow: save $18
This special pillow from Eli & Elm features a U-shape design that’s perfect for side sleepers. This pillow promises to be temperature-regulating and features a breathable cotton cover. You can save a bit by buying it on Amazon today, at $102, reduced from $120.
“I have a pinched nerve in my shoulder and would often wake up with neck pain to the point where I couldn’t turn my head,” says an Amazon customer. “I’ve been using this for a couple months now and haven’t had any issues since! It’s pretty comfy and keeps my head elevated so I’m not stressing my shoulders at all while sleeping. Worth the money.”
Why we like the Eli & Elm cotton side-sleeper pillow:
- This pillow’s shape may help alleviate neck pain and promote spinal alignment.
- It features removable latex and polyester filling.
- The pillow cover is removable and machine washable.
Sobel Westex Sahara Nights pillow: 25% off
These premium hotel-quality pillows are designed for back and stomach sleepers. The pillow is meant to maintain its shape throughout the night to keep you comfortable and supported. The bestselling standard-, queen- and king-size pillows are currently on sale for 25% off for Labor Day. You’ll pay just $45 for a standard, reduced from $60.
The pillow features a quilted 233-thread-count woven fabric exterior and a soft gel fiber fill that offers a comfortable, down-like feel.
Why we like the Sobel Westex Sahara Nights pillow:
- Sobel Westex pillows offer hotel comfort at home.
- The pillow is hypoallergenic.
- They can provide neck support for side and back sleepers to reduce neck pain.
Plufl dog bed for people: Save $200
Here’s an unorthodox bedding deal. It’s a pet bed, but for people. Like a sofa bed, you can lounge in it with your dog, cuddle in it with your partner or just chill out alone on the Plufl. Plus, it’s currently $200 off for Labor Day. That makes it $299, reduced from $499.
One Amazon customer almost threw out their own mattress in favor of this pet bed.
“It truly doesn’t get any better,” the reviewer says. “Listen, I almost got rid of my bed for this. The Plufl is so comfortable, and my fur baby thinks it’s his! Whether it’s laying down for a quick nap, or being on the go like long travel or camping, my Plufl is my go to… I’ve fallen asleep on my Plufl so many times when my bed was right there.”
Apparently the Plufl is so comfortable, a customer shares that it “feels better and provides more support than my Tempur-Pedic bed.”
Why we like the Plufl:
- It can be stored away when not in use.
- It’s great for children, college students and people who want an extra place to snuggle.
- It’s machine washable.
CBS News
Social Security Fairness Act passes U.S. Senate
Legislation to expand Social Security benefits to millions of Americans passed the U.S. Senate early Saturday and is now headed to the desk of President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign the measure into law.
Senators voted 76-20 for the Social Security Fairness Act, which would eliminate two federal policies that prevent nearly 3 million people, including police officers, firefighters, postal workers, teachers and others with a public pension, from collecting their full Social Security benefits. The legislation has been decades in the making, as the Senate held its first hearings into the policies in 2003.
“The Senate finally corrects a 50-year mistake,” proclaimed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, after senators approved the legislation at 12:15 a.m. Saturday.
The bill’s passage is “a monumental victory for millions of public service workers who have been denied the full benefits they’ve rightfully earned,” said Shannon Benton, executive director for the Senior Citizens League, which advocates for retirees and which has long pushed for the expansion of Social Security benefits. “This legislation finally restores fairness to the system and ensures the hard work of teachers, first responders and countless public employees is truly recognized.”
The vote came down to the wire, as the Senate looked to wrap up its current session. Senators rejected four amendments and a budgetary point of order late Friday night that would have derailed the measure, given the small window of time left to pass it.
Vice President-elect JD Vance of Ohio was among the 24 Republican senators to join 49 Democrats to advance the measure in an initial procedural vote that took place Wednesday.
“Social Security is a bedrock of our middle class. You pay into it for 40 quarters, you earned it, it should be there when you retire,” Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat who lost his seat in the November election, told the chamber ahead of Wednesday’s vote. “All these workers are asking for is for what they earned.”
What is the Social Security Fairness Act?
The Social Security Fairness Act would repeal two federal policies — the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) — that reduce Social Security payments to nearly 3 million retirees.
That includes those who also collect pensions from state and federal jobs that aren’t covered by Social Security, including teachers, police officers and U.S. postal workers. The bill would also end a second provision that reduces Social Security benefits for those workers’ surviving spouses and family members. The WEP impacts about 2 million Social Security beneficiaries and the GPO nearly 800,000 retirees.
The measure, which passed the House in November, had 62 cosponsors when it was introduced in the Senate last year. Yet the bill’s bipartisan support eroded in recent days, with some Republican lawmakers voicing doubts due to its cost. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the proposed legislation would add a projected $195 billion to federal deficits over a decade.
Without Senate approval, the bill’s fate would have ended with the current session of Congress and would have needed to be re-introduced in the next Congress.
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12/20: CBS Evening News – CBS News
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Saturday is the winter solstice and 2024’s shortest day. Here’s what to know about the official start of winter.
The 2024 winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, happens on Saturday, Dec. 21, in the Northern Hemisphere. The celestial event signifies the first day of winter, astronomically.
What is the winter solstice?
The winter solstice is the day each year that has the shortest period of daylight between sunrise and sunset, and therefore the longest night. It happens when the sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn, a line of latitude that circles the globe south of the equator, the National Weather Service explains.
The farther north you are, the shorter the day will be, and in the Arctic Circle, the sun won’t rise at all.
How is the day of the winter solstice determined?
The winter solstice occurs because of the Earth’s tilt as it rotates around the sun.
When the Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the sun, the nights last longer. The longest night happens on the solstice because the hemisphere is in its furthest position from the sun. That occurs each year on Dec. 21 or 22.
This year, it falls on Dec. 21 at 4:21 a.m ET, to be precise.
On the summer solstice, when the northern tilt is closest to the sun, we have the longest day, usually June 20 or 21.
The solstices are not always exactly on the 21st every year because the earth’s rotation around the sun is 365.25 days, instead of 365 even.
Will days start getting longer after the winter solstice?
Yes. Each day after the solstice, we get one minute more of sunlight. It doesn’t sound like much, but after just two months, or around 60 days, we’ll be seeing about an hour more of sunlight.
When will winter officially be over in 2025?
The meteorological winter ends on March 20, 2025. Then, spring will last until June 20, when the summer solstice arrives.
How is the winter solstice celebrated around the world?
Nations and cultures around the world have celebrated the solstice since ancient times with varying rituals and traditions. The influence of those solstice traditions can still be seen in our celebrations of holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah, Britannica notes.
The ancient Roman Saturnalia festival celebrated the end of the planting season and has close ties with modern-day Christmas. It honored Saturn, the god of harvest and farming. The multiple-day affair had lots of food, games and celebrations. Presents were given to children and the poor, and slaves were allowed to stop working.
Gatherings are held every year at Stonehenge, a monumental circle of massive stones in England that dates back about 5,000 years. The origins of Stonehenge are shrouded in mystery, but it was built to align with the sun on solstice days.
The Hopi, a Native American tribe in the northern Arizona area, celebrate the winter solstice with dancing, purification and sometimes gift-giving. A sacred ritual known as the Soyal Ceremony marks the annual milestone.
In Peru, people honor the return of the sun god on the winter solstice. The ancient tradition would be to hold sacrificial ceremonies, but today, people hold mock sacrifices to celebrate. Because Peru is in the Southern Hemisphere, their winter solstice happens in June, when the Northern Hemisphere is marking its summer solstice.
Scandinavia celebrates St. Lucia’s Day, a festival of lights.
The “arrival of winter,” or Dong Zhi, is a Chinese festival where family gathers to celebrate the year so far. Traditional foods include tang yuan, sweet rice balls with a black sesame filling. It’s believed to have its origins in post-harvest celebrations.
Researchers stationed in in Antarctica even have their own traditions, which may include an icy plunge into the polar waters. They celebrate “midwinter” with festive meals, movies and sometimes homemade gifts.