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Anger is such a weird emotion and it’s totally not anger’s fault. It’s just existing for valid reasons but shows up when we feel like it shouldn’t. The thing with anger is that in many cases it acts as a coat for an underlying emotion hiding that for some reason or another isn’t ready to be revealed.

But sometimes anger is hiding something bigger than a fleeting emotion. Emma McAdam, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and host of the YouTube channel, Therapy in a Nutshell, posted a video explaining how anger and irritability can actually be a symptom of depression.

The video really breaks down how the media portrays depression versus some of the lesser known symptoms of depression. When people think of depression, they often imagine someone that’s extremely sad all the time and struggling to do basic skills. But depression can show up hidden behind other symptoms like irritability, insomnia, loss of appetite, and lack of focus.

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“Depression isn’t just feeling sad. It’s a whole body experience that can impact every aspect of your life,” McAdam says.

The therapist points to research that shows that rage or anger is reported by 30% to 40% of people as part of their depressive symptoms. With one researcher even going as far as calling the anger people feel with their depression as anger attacks. One of the reasons McAdam lists for anger showing up in people with depression is externalization.

“Some people externalize these feelings, so instead of pointing their pain inward they project it outward onto other people and situations, McAdam reveals. “It can feel really comforting to blame others for your pain.”

“So when depression shows up as anger or irritability, it’s often because the person is grappling with these feelings of despair or worthlessness, and the way they manage these feelings is through hostility or aggression,” she adds later.

Watch the video below to learn more:

Demi Lovato just reinvented themselves with their new album Revamped, followed by a triumphant performance at the MTV VMAs. The singer is known for their positivity; in 2015, they shared their album Confident, and have been advocating for themselves throughout their entire career.

In a chat on the LadyGang podcast on Tuesday, September 19, they discussed confidence in detail. “I feel the most confident when I’m having sex,” they said. “‘Cause you’re so present that you’re not thinking about what is actually like… what clouds your judgment throughout the rest of the day, or at least that’s how it is for me. It’s not that way for everybody.”

Upon the announcement of Revamped, Lovato shared a statement about their intent of the album. “With Revamped, I wanted to pay homage to the songs that resonated the most with fans and played a big role in my career by breathing an exciting new life into them,” they said. “Creating this project has been incredibly fun and allowed me to express my passion for rock music in a new way, and I feel so much closer to my older music because of it. I can’t wait for everyone to hear more!”

Listen to the podcast episode below.

Donald Trump always talks a big game. Does he deliver? Not really. That southern border wall? He never completed it, even after shutting down the government to get it funded. He’s even lied about how it is completed, which, again, it’s not. Earlier this year he claimed that were he back in office, he’d magically end the Ukraine invasion in 24 hours. Was he talking out of his butt? Almost certainly. Indeed, the nation’s president is basically telling him to put up or shut up.

While in America to visit both the UN and D.C., Volodymyr Zelensky sat down for a chat with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, who asked him about Trump’s claim that he could negotiate a “fair deal” between he and Vladimir Putin. Zelensky’s response said it all.

“First of all, I don’t see any details in this,” Zelensky said of the former president’s boast. “Of course we have another year before the elections. If he’s got some smart ideas, he could share it with us, of course. We need a strong position, obviously.”

He then stressed that if Trump actually has a plan, why wait to share it?

He can publicly share his idea now. Not waste time. Not to lose people. Yes, and say that ‘my formula is to stop the war and stop all this tragedy and stop Russian aggression,’ and he say how he see it. How to [inaudible] Russian from our land. Otherwise, he is not, I mean, presenting a global idea of peace. So the idea is how to take the part of our territory and to give Putin? That is not the peace formula.

Of course, it’s hard to picture Trump doing anything less than giving his good buddy Putin everything he wants, especially since his base is so rabidly anti-Ukraine.

(Via Mediaite)

Earlier this year, Marilyn Manson‘s defamation claims against Evan Rachel Wood were dismissed. She had accused him of psychological, sexual, and physical abuse and then rescinded her allegations. Now it’s been revealed the musician has been going to court for other alleged misbehavior.

According to Associated Press, Manson has been sentenced to 20 hours of community service and fined about $1,400 after spitting and blowing his nose on a concert videographer. The event transpired at a Gilford, New Hampshire concert in 2019. The videographer, Susan Fountain, said in a court statement, “For me, I’m a professional person and I’ve been in this industry for 30 years. I’ve worked for a lot of companies, and in all the years I’ve worked with people, I’ve never been humiliated or treated like I was by this defendant. For him to spit on me and blow his nose on me was the most disgusting thing a human being has ever done.”

“I understand this was not a big criminal charge to begin with, but I was hoping that the defendant would receive a sentence that would make him think twice before doing something like this again,” the statement continued. She was not present in court. The judge called Manson’s acts “egregious.”

Since beginning his first congressional term, John Fetterman has played by the rules, which is to say he’s shown up on Capitol Hill not wearing his customary hoodies and gym shorts. That all changes now. On Monday Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that he was easing the government body’s long-standing dress code. This made some people a lot more mad than they should be about such a trivial manner. But as usual, Fetterman knew how best to clap back.

On Tuesday, the Dr. Oz conqueror released a new line of merch, including clothes that address the latest round of controversies. Some of them addressed the dress code mishegoss. There’s a black t-shirt bearing quotes from far right critics, including Marjorie Taylor Greene calling him “disgraceful,” Donald Trump calling him “disgusting,” and classy guy Tucker Carlson going with “crazy stroke victim.” Another was a hoodie bearing the words “I vote in this hoodie.” (All of the clothes are black, by the way.)

Another tee tackled some other recent nonsense, namely the bananas conspiracy theory that he has a doppelgänger, which Fetterman himself dragged with a Simpsons joke. That one read, “John Fetterman’s body double.”

Fetterman has always known how to clip his opponents down to size, namely with jokes that outsmart them. As weird fury erupted over the idea of him wearing homewear on the Senate floor, he knew how to defend himself: torching the MAGA likes of Greene, Lauren Boebert, and Meatball Ron.

The Uproxx 2023 Fall Travel Hot List is live! Visit here for the full experience!

It’s no secret that the Uproxx crew loves a great American road trip. The freedom that comes with setting out on the open road is intoxicating. “Road trips are so good for us in the head, and the heart, and the spirit” — thus spoke a trending TikTok audio of Matthew McConaughey. But it’s not just a social media or film trope — the open road is a teacher. It takes us away from our ordinary and into the unknown.

If we let it, it’s a diversion from our lives that brings us closer to the lives of others. And that’s just what I set out to do – on the most famous road in America: Route 66.

Labeled the “Mother Road” by John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath, the nearly 100-year-old road – winding over 2,400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles – is legendary. What began as a transportation corridor during the Depression and World War II eventually became the poster child for freedom and optimism post-war. As the shortest year-round route between the Midwest and Los Angeles, families packed up their cars for long road trips to Disney, the Grand Canyon, and the storied American Southwest, stopping at roadside attractions, unique motels, and natural wonders along the way.

With the advent of Interstates in the later part of the century, many small towns and curiosities that made a trip on Route 66 so memorable were bypassed completely. Route 66 looked likely to become a string of ghost towns (this is pretty much the plot of the Disney movie, Cars, BTW). Luckily, various heritage groups sprung into action to preserve the iconic road, its local economies, and its place in American history.

In 1990, the US Congress passed a law recognizing that Route 66 had “become a symbol of the American people’s heritage of travel and their legacy of seeking a better life” — which led to the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. With the 100th anniversary of the road coming in 2026, it’s the perfect time to revisit this storied road, get off the interstates, and take the long way. As an Illinois native, I was most interested in the beginning portion of this route, traveling between Chicago and St. Louis.

Here is my guide:

START IN CHICAGO

The official “beginning” of the road is in downtown Chicago in such an unassuming place that my Uber driver insisted I gave him the wrong address. But no, steps from Millenium Park at Adams Street and Michigan Avenue intersection lies the sticker-covered “Begin Route 66” sign where our journey launches.

Now, Chicago isn’t necessarily the sort of small-town vibe I envisioned when I decided to drive a portion of Route 66 solo, but as America’s “Second City” it would be a crime to touch down and not spend a couple of days exploring before hitting the road.

WHAT TO DO:

What can’t you do in Chicago, honestly? I’ve spent many weekends in the Windy City (and Uproxx has written plenty on it) and I’ve still never run out of things to do. For this trip, I decided to keep it somewhat “touristy” and check out some of the most famous landmarks, restaurants, and museums in town.

MILLENIUM PARK

Is it a trip to Chicago if you don’t stop by “The Bean” in Millenium Park?

The art installation – officially named Cloudgate – has become an icon of the city. (Note: construction will limit access to Cloudgate until spring 2024) Stroll through this beautiful public park, stopping at The Bean, Lurie Garden, Crown Fountain, and catching a Jay Pritzker Pavillion show.

SECOND CITY

Head to The Second City for an unforgettable improv experience. The comedy theater is legendary, launching the careers of almost every notable comedian I can think of – John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Jordan Peele, and many others. There are several different shows to choose from – I opted for “The Best of The Second City: Chicago Style” on my last visit, and barely had time to sip my drink without spitting it out from laughter.

RIVERWALK

Stroll along the redeveloped Chicago Riverwalk, along the infamous Chicago River. Enjoy public art, eating, drinking, or people-watching. I loved sipping a glass of wine at City Winery while watching the boats pass me by.

URBAN KAYAKING

For the adventurous, rent a kayak or head out on a guided kayak tour with Urban Kayaks, with locations along the Chicago Riverwalk and North Avenue Beach; there is an adventure for all skill levels. I loved kayaking downtown on the Chicago River for a sunset guided tour. It’s a great alternative to the popular architecture tours – if you’d like to get your heart pumping.

WHERE TO STAY:

ARLO CHICAGO

I loved my stay at Arlo Chicago – just steps from Millenium Park and the start of Route 66. Formerly the Hotel Julian, the hotel has recently undergone a reopening and reimagining that is worth a look — with views of The Bean right from your window to a bustling bar and restaurant, impeccable service, and stylish but understated decor – it’s the perfect place to be if you want to get in the action of Michigan Avenue.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK:

FOOD TOUR

I opted for a food tour of classic Chicago restaurants on this visit, to go complete tourist. And I was not disappointed. The Chicago Favorites Walking Tour, with Bobby’s Bike Hike, was a great way to learn some Chicago history and enjoy classic Chicago dishes while meeting new people worldwide. We made stops at Lou Malnati’s for classic Chicago deep-dish, the SNL famous Billy Goat Tavern for a Chicago-style hotdog (always hold the ketchup), an Italian Beef, and a brownie for dessert.

Add a craft beer package at three stops, or buy drinks for a boozy and filling trip.

ABOUT LAST KNIFE

I was lucky to visit About Last Knife, the restaurant at Arlo Chicago, on the first days of their new menu for dinner and breakfast. My seared tuna appetizer was incredible, followed by truffle pasta with short ribs cooked to perfection – I loved it so much that I opted for a short rib hash the following day for breakfast. The vibe is hip without being overdone, with a great mix of travelers and locals.

FESTIVALS

There always seems to be a street festival in The Windy City, and it’s the perfect excuse to try new dishes. I headed to the Tacos Y Tamales Festival in Pilsen for some tamales (obviously), a churro ice cream sandwich, and some brews.

LOU MITCHELLS

Before I left Chicago to embark on the next leg of my Route 66 road trip, I had to stop at the iconic Lou Mitchell’s for breakfast. The classic American diner, located right near the beginning of Mother Road, has been serving travelers and locals for 100 years. Before hitting the road, come early to get a table and enjoy classic diner fare, complimentary donut holes, and homemade ice cream.

LEG 2: CHICAGO TO PONTIAC, IL — TWO HOURS

The first leg of the trip winds from Chicago to Pontiac, Illinois. The town of just over 11,000 people is home to the Route 66 Museum, countless murals, and small-town vibes.

WHERE TO STOP:

TOUR OLD JOLIET PRISON

On the way to Pontiac, I stopped at the Old Joliet Prison for a tour – as historic prisons are always one of my favorite roadside attractions. The iconic former State Penitentiary housed inmates for over 150 years, appearing in The Blues Brothers, and was a filming location for the show Prison Break. These days, you can take self-guided or guided tours of the massive property and learn about its history and famous inmates.

VISIT THE ROUTE 66 MUSEUM

After your slightly macabre morning, drive into downtown Pontiac to spend an hour (or three) at the massive Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. The sprawling museum showcases an incredible amount of paraphernalia from all along the route, including — my favorite — the van and converted art school bus (the Road Yacht) of legendary artist and environmentalist Bob Waldmire. Spending much of his life traveling back and forth along Route 66 from Illinois to Arizona, Waldmire sold pen and ink drawings and told stories of life on the road.

Waldmire is beloved in the Route 66 community and was even the inspiration for Fillmore in the movie Cars. I loved seeing his vehicles, photos, and art on display in the museum. After your visit, explore downtown Pontiac for an impressive amount of murals and quaint small-town charm.

GRAB A BITE AT ACRESINN

Just steps away from the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum lies the locally-owned cafe, restaurant, and market ACRESinn. I loved the fried Korean BBQ sandwich with Korean BBQ, slaw, and kimchi mayo with a side of potatoes.

ENJOY A FLIGHT AT PK UNKORKED

After a long day, I loved finding PK Unkorked Wine Shop and Tasting Room. I settled in for a tasting with my book while local performers got ready to play. It was not fussy but offered great wine and a community feel.

LEG 3: PONTIAC TO SPRINGFIELD, IL — 2 HOURS

The second leg of my trip took me to Springfield — the capital of Illinois. As someone who grew up in Central Illinois, I know Springfield well — mostly through school field trips — so I was excited to explore some old haunts again — this time with a drink.

WHERE TO STOP:

WALK THROUGH LEGENDS NEON PARK

One of the coolest stops I made was Legends Neon Park at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Walk through the park at dusk or later when iconic neon signs from Route 66 are illuminated on a path that takes you from Chicago to St. Louis. The attention to detail is impressive, and it’s kitschy fun to see all of the neon signs.

VISIT THE LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM AND LINCOLN HOME

You can’t visit Springfield without visiting some Abraham Lincoln attractions — they’re everywhere, and for good reason. Although the 16th President was not born in Illinois (despite it being known as the Land of Lincoln), he spent much of his life there from practicing law to becoming elected as President. I had visited Lincoln’s Home — a National Park Service Historic Site — many times but loved having a private tour with a park ranger on this visit before heading over to the impressive Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

The museum is surprisingly engaging and interactive – doing a great job of leading visitors through Lincoln’s life from birth to death — including a great exhibit set at my alma mater that I am, of course, partial to.

STEP BACK IN TIME, STAYING AT THE BRESSMER

I stayed right Downtown in Springfield at The Bressmer, a historic victorian style home with each floor available to rent. My ground floor suite was like stepping back in time — and was enormous. I had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, dining room, and office to relax in after a day exploring.

ORDER A HORSESHOE AT OBED AND ISAACS

Just down the street from The Bressmer is a Springfield classic — Obed and Isaacs Microbrewery. I popped in for dinner and ordered the Springfield-originated classic Horseshoe — an open-faced sandwich of toast layered with protein, cheese sauce, or gravy and topped with french fries — with one of their craft brews before heading next-door to 7th Street Cidery for some taster pours on the large patio.

GRAB LUNCH AND A LOCAL BREW AT LA PIAZZA

Just steps from the State Capital lies La Piazza where I enjoyed a salad, warm bread, and a local Cannibal Cupcake brew from local Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling. It’s a great place to sit outside and people-watch.

GRAB A COFFEE AND PASTRY AT CUSTOM CUP

Before leaving Springfield I stopped by Custom Cup Coffee for a lavender latte and pastries. The micro-roastery specializes in custom, small-batch, roasted-to-order coffees right in the heart of the city.

LEG 4: SPRINGFIELD TO ALTON, IL 1.5 HOURS

The next leg of the trip took me from Springfield to Alton, Illinois — on the banks of the Mississippi River. The historic town, along with the nearby Pere Marquette State Park have long been a stopping point for travelers heading West.

WHERE TO STOP:

ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS

There are plenty of Route 66 attractions on each leg of the trip, but I loved the kitschiness of those on this leg the most. Stop in the massive Pink Elephant Antique Mall, Shea’s Gas Station Museum, Route 66 Motorhead’s Bar and Grill, and the original historic Route 66 brick road, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

RIDE THE ALPINE COASTER AT AERIE’S RESORT BEFORE DINNER WITH A VIEW

Head to Aerie’s Resort in nearby Grafton to take the gondola up for a great view over the Mississippi, with an alpine coaster (the first in Illinois), zip-lining, great food, and a great wine selection. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped out of the midwest and into the mountains.

WAKE UP OVER THE RIVER AT THE CRACKER FACTORY

I loved staying in downtown Alton at the Cracker Factory, a converted historic building with upscale suites to rent. I was lucky to have the Penthouse all to myself with two bedrooms, a huge great room, amazing large terraces with views of downtown and the river. It’s perfectly situated in downtown Alton with lots of eclectic shops nearby.

LEG 5: ALTON TO STATE LINE AND ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI — 30 MINUTES

The last leg of Route 66 in Illinois is from Alton to nearby St. Louis, Missouri. From there you can head into STL to explore or continue on Route 66 all the way to California.

WHERE TO STOP:

CAHOKIA MOUNDS STATE HISTORIC SITE

A visit to Cahokia Mounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is essential if you’re anywhere near St. Louis. Named after the nearby modern-day community of Cahokia, the State Historic Site preserves the remains of an ancient Native American city that was once the largest and most sophisticated settlement in pre-Columbian North America. With more than 70 earthen mounds of varying sizes and purposes, it is recognized as one of the most important archaeological sites in the United States.

WORLD’S LARGEST CATSUP BOTTLE

I lived in Illinois outside of St. Louis as a kid for a few years, and one of my greatest memories is driving by the “Worlds Largest Catsup Bottle” on the way to school. A quirky Route 66 landmark and photo-op, the 170-ft water tower has been a staple for Route 66 travelers since its construction in 1949.

CONTINUE ON THE MOTHER ROAD… MAYBE ALL THE WAY TO CALIFORNIA.

The social media joint formerly known as Twitter hasn’t been the same since You Know Who took over. It’s become a haven for resurrected anti-Semitic accounts, once avoidable verification issues, threats that all of it could become pay-only, and, of course, a dumb name change. But it still has problem that plagued the before-Elon Twitter: Name accounts can still be hacked.

As per The Daily Beast, On Tuesday fans of Christina Applegate were rightly alarmed when her account suddenly took a hard turn towards cryptocurrency.

“I am loving NFTs!” read a post that was soon pinned to the top of the actress’ account. “I almost lost my NFTs a few days ago, I had to migrate my NFTs cause of the new contract upgrade! DONT LOSE YOUR MONEY!!!! I CARE ABOUT ALL MY FANS!!! I CRYPTO! #CRYPTO #Bitcoin #Ethereum.”

There were other, non-crypto posts that were still suspect, including one that read, ““Comment ‘applegate’ letter by letter on my tweet, and i will choose 50 people that did to follow back! ”

At one point the suddenly questionable account addressed the elephant in the room. “Everyone, i am not hacked. I have simply been struggling with my illness and have been looking into internet currency (like Cryptocurrency) please stop this accusation,” read the post, referencing Applegate’s struggles with multiple sclerosis. “Thank you. I don’t like being made fun of.”

But Applegate’s publicist eventually contradicted that assertion, telling The Daily Beast, “Her account was indeed hacked. We are trying to fix that.”

By late Tuesday, the crypto posts had been zapped from Applegate’s feed, suggesting (hopefully) that all had been set right.

(Via The Daily Beast)

Earlier this year, Queens Of The Stone Age released In Times New Roman…, their first album since 2017’s Villains. In the interim, they’ve announced a slew of tour dates. They’ve also been on the road since August and will play shows through the end of the year.

The first batch of gigs they announced had a plethora of openers on select dates: Phantogram, Viagra Boys, The Armed, and Jehnny Beth. However, all of the dates with Phantogram and Viagra Boys have since passed. The dates with The Armed and Jehnny Beth are happening now and end on October 8. Beginning December 5 is the second leg, which boasts the band Spiritualized.

Check out the remaining tour dates below.

09/19/2023 — Omaha, NE @ Steelhouse
09/20/2023 — Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
09/22/2023 — Indianapolis, IN @ TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park
09/23/2023 — St. Louis, MO @ Saint Louis Music Park
09/24/2023 — Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life
09/26/2023 — Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP
09/27/2023 — Oklahoma City, OK @ The Criterion
09/29/2023 — Denver, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
09/30/2023 — Salt Lake City, UT @ The Great Saltair
10/02/2023 — Portland, OR @ Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10/03/2023 — Vancouver, BC @ Pacific Coliseum
10/04/2023 — Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
10/06/2023 — San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
10/08/2023 — Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock
12/05/2023 — Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theatre
12/06/2023 — El Paso, TX @ Abraham Chavez Theatre
12/08/2023 — Austin, TX @ Moody Center
12/09/2023 — Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall
12/10/2023 — Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
12/12/2023 — Albuquerque, NM @ Revel
12/15/2023 — San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena
12/16/2023 — Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum

Even though America is the world’s wealthiest nation, about 1 in 6 of our neighbors turned to food banks and community programs in order to feed themselves and their families last year. Think about it: More than 9 million children faced hunger in 2021 (1 in 8 children).

In order to solve a problem, we must first understand it. Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, released its second annual Elevating Voices: Insights Report and turned to the experts—people experiencing hunger—to find out how this issue can be solved once and for all.

Here are the four most important things people facing hunger want you to know.

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Hunger is still an urgent crisis despite signs of economic recovery. In the months following the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, headlines report that the nation’s economic health is bouncing back after years of hardship. However, a big chunk of our population is experiencing a different reality. Recovery has been uneven nationwide, and grocery prices are still higher than normal despite easing supply chain issues. With the end of the federal support offered throughout the pandemic, child poverty rates have shot up, and families like Donnette McManus’ are feeling the squeeze.

“Even though you have your list, you have your budget, things are changing so quickly. Your salary can’t keep up. So, you get to the store with the same exact list, the same 10 items can cost you 50% more,” said McManus, who lives in Massachusetts.

People facing hunger say that ending food insecurity is about more than just food. Ending hunger may sound like a simple task: make sure everyone, regardless of who they are and where they live, has access to the food they need. However, as neighbor-advocate Jennifer Estrada of Wisconsin pointed out, the reality is a bit more complex, especially considering that hunger is only a symptom of bigger economic challenges.

“As much as you work, the system is set up for you to continue in a cycle of food insecurity,” said Estrada. “Your whole check goes to a rent payment if you’re not fortunate enough to own a house, with nothing leftover. But you get kicked off if you make $2 more. There needs to be some security, there needs to be a revamping of the whole system … It seems like instead of creating less barriers to help the families in our community, it seems like policies and procedures continue to make more barriers.”

One of the biggest takeaways from the 2023 Insights Report is that housing is unaffordable. Working 40+ hours a week still isn’t enough to get by for many folks. Stopping hunger in its tracks is as much about strengthening economic well-being as it is about providing equitable access to enough nourishing food.

Hunger is an issue that intersects with more than what we put on our plates. Hunger strikes without discrimination, affecting anyone, anywhere, at any time. Millions of people in the U.S. are just one job loss, missed paycheck, or medical emergency away from experiencing food insecurity. Due to a long history of racism, discrimination, and oppression in our country, hunger impacts some communities more than others, including communities of color and communities in rural areas.

While the impact of hunger is widespread, people facing it note that the stigma associated with it can strip people of their dignity or deter them from accessing the food assistance programs they’re eligible for and need. There are also inequitable systems in place that do not work for everyone.

“Your basic clerk at your local DHS [Department of Human Services] office is only employed to input information and output information back to you. A lot of times, you feel like you’re not even a human. You’re just a number to them. And if I’m just going to be a number to you, I have a mental meltdown,” said Kimberly Harris, a resident of Washington, D.C.

Ending food insecurity requires a catalyzing movement. While hunger remains a widespread and persistent problem, our country already has the tools to eradicate it forever—they just need to be utilized. Most people facing hunger said that federal and local governments should treat hunger as an urgent crisis—signaling that it will take all of us to bring hunger to a halt.

So how can you take action right now? Do your part and visit FeedingAmerica.org/ElevatingVoices to read the 2023 Elevating Voices: Insights Report and sign a petition to encourage Congress to pass legislation that will help ensure no one in America goes hungry. Let’s all pitch in to make the wealthiest nation become the happiest and most prosperous—for all.

Houston, Texas is the birthplace of many a music icon — Beyoncé, Paul Wall, Travis Scott, and Bun B all hail from the largest city in the Lone Star State. So when one of those legends decides to launch something in H-Town, it’s sure to make some noise. Still, few could have predicted the buzz when the UGK’s Trill OG himself opened his new burger concept, Trill Burgers, in June after a few years of popping up at festivals around the country.

Drake has been to Bun’s new joint. So has Shaq. E-40, Luda, and Tyson have all dropped by. So it’s no wonder that locals and tourists alike are ready to brave the line, which often wraps around the storefront.

Thankfully, that snaking line moves quickly and efficiently. Upon entry, diners are greeted with a thumping mix of dirty south hip-hop from the likes of Outkast, Paul Wall, Gucci Mane, and of course, UGK. The walls are graffitied with paintings of Bun, as well as his late bandmate Pimp C. Bun has always been the holder of Pimp’s legacy and the decor underscores their brotherhood.

Trill boasts a simple menu of their standard “OG Burger” — a smash burger with two patties, two slices of American cheese, pickles, caramelized onions, and a signature sauce. Diners can also order the triple OG burger, a vegan OG burger made with Impossible Foods patties, and a triple vegan OG burger. It’s In-n-Out-level sparse without the secret menu — a strategic decision to make sure quality control is kept on lock.

Good Morning America recently named Trill Burgers the best burger in the nation. It was also a hit at this year’s Coachella. So naturally the Uproxx crew had to pay a visit.

Tasting Notes & Thoughts:

After about a 15-minute wait in line, I ordered the OG burger combo, which comes with fries and a drink. With slim patties smashed with pickles and caramelized onions, slathered with the special sauce, and sandwiched between two Martin’s buns, the burger already has the makings of a down south favorite. And I’m here to spoil this review by telling you — it delivers on flavor.

The OG burger is notably juicy; that’s literally the first note I wrote down. The sweetness of the onions, sauce, and pickle balances well with the umami savoriness of the patty. The burnt outer edges of the smash burger also give the burger a nice crisp texture. Some smash burgers rely on an assortment of toppings and garnishes but Trill’s are seasoned so well that even with only two toppings (and the sauce) the burger literally bursts with flavor.

I did feel like it would have been nice to balance out the meat with some lettuce or tomatoes but I certainly like the Trill OG more than Smashburger, based on flavor alone. Perhaps lettuce or tomato options will be added as the restaurant finds its footing.

The fries contain a crispy outer coating, which gives them a sweet taste and an almost cheddar-esque aftertaste. I wondered if the potatoes were brined in pickle juice before going to the fryer but that notion was denied by an employee, who noted that the taste comes from the restaurant’s assortment of secret seasonings. Regardless, these fries are undeniably delicious and even more so when dipped in the secret burger sauce (ask for it on the side).

The visit proved to be rather quick, with guests entering and exiting quickly. The burgers and fries don’t sit too heavy, which is ideal if you’re walking around Houston after your lunch. Trill is located in a shopping district with a locally-owned music store, a used book store, and a comic book and game shop — plenty of ways to kill time if you make a day trip from Dallas (like we did).

The Bottom Line:

Trill is great. Incredible, even. Granted, opening a restaurant in Houston – a mecca for southern staples like barbecue and burgers – is a tough bet. But with a legend behind it and a strong customer base from both near and far, the burger joint is sure to become a city staple. And don’t be surprised if the Trill OG has plans to franchise throughout Texas and beyond.

Trill Burgers is located at 3607 S. Shepherd Dr. in Houston, TX