97.1 FM WDRV The Drive What's That Noise Contest

 

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Chicago's Radio Contest With a Growing Cash Prize

Chicago's classic rock station 97.1 The Drive (WDRV) is running a What's That Noise contest on the Sherman & Tingles morning show — and the cash jackpot keeps climbing every time a caller gets it wrong. The game plays twice each weekday morning, at 6:45 AM and 8:45 AM Central. When you hear the mystery sound (the "Sounder"), be the designated caller at 312-642-9378. The DJ replays the sound for you, and if you name it correctly, you take home the jackpot.

How the Jackpot Grows

The jackpot starts at $100 — and here's the fun part: every wrong guess adds $25 to the pot for the next round. Once somebody nails it, the jackpot resets to $100 and a brand-new sound goes into play. One warning from the official rules: your guess has to match the station's answer exactly. Close doesn't count — the rules even give the example that a near-miss answer won't win while the precise one will. You get one guess per caller per round, but there's no limit on how many times you can call in or how many times you can win.

Who Can Play

You need to be 18 or older and live in the Chicago area: Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, or Will counties in Illinois; Kenosha County in Wisconsin; or Lake and Porter counties in Indiana. If you've won $599 or less from WDRV in the last 30 days, or $600 or more in the last 60 days, you're sitting this one out. The contest has been running since January 2025 and, per the station's rules, continues until a to-be-announced date in 2026 — so check 97.1 The Drive for the current jackpot before you call. This October 2026 contest is a classic listen-to-win setup, and the growing pot makes every wrong guess good news for the next caller.

NASA Is Shopping for Rockets in Bulk to Build a $30 Billion Moon Base as the Falcon 9 Era Winds Down

NASA is serious about getting mankind back on the moon, and they aren't playing around.

Image via Wikimedia Commons (NASA)

NASA's Bulk Rocket Shopping Spree

NASA is getting ready to buy rockets the way warehouses buy paper towels: in bulk. According to Bloomberg, the space agency is close to announcing a big batch purchase of rocket launches to power its roughly $30 billion push to build a permanent moon base where humans can live and work. Carlos García-Galán, who runs NASA's moon base program, said the agency is looking at bulk buys of launchers that could cover all of the base's needs — and that the first round could be announced in the near future. The idea is to order four or five different rocket types at once, pair each one with a commercial lunar lander, and let any leftover capacity go to other government agencies.

Why SpaceX's Falcon 9 Is Stepping Back

The timing isn't a coincidence. SpaceX plans to stop taking new dedicated Falcon 9 bookings after 2028, meaning the workhorse rocket that has dominated launches for years is being eased out of new long-range business. That opens the door for a new generation of rockets: Rocket Lab's Neutron, Blue Origin's New Glenn, United Launch Alliance's Vulcan, plus contenders like Relativity Space, Firefly Aerospace, and Stoke Space. 

Investors noticed — Rocket Lab's stock jumped about 4% on the news. (Note: The author does hold shares in Rocket Lab stock at the time of publication.)

With the whole industry facing a shortage of rockets while demand keeps booming, NASA wants to lock in its rides before the bottleneck hits its own schedule.

The Moon Base Timeline

Here's how the plan unfolds. Through 2028, NASA will send landers and rovers to scout landing spots and hunt for resources. Then the heavy lifting starts: in 2029, the agency expects to begin hauling as much as 60 metric tons of equipment to the lunar surface — power systems, habitats, and other infrastructure for a real outpost. The announcement landed right during World Space Week (October 4, celebrated in more than 100 countries), this year's theme fittingly called the "Rocket Revolution." This October 2026 space news story is one giant leap for bulk buying.

No Cab, No Steering Wheel, No Driver: Driverless Electric Trucks Now Haul Freight Daily in Ohio

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

 

The Trucks With No Cab Up Front

Freight is moving through central Ohio with one thing missing: a driver. Two fully driverless trucks are now making daily runs between warehouses at the 33 Innovation Park in Marysville, Ohio — and these aren't ordinary semis with a robot at the wheel. They have no cab, no steering wheel, and no driver compartment at all. The Swedish company Einride built them, and they're hauling real freight for logistics company EASE Logistics, which has been running the pair since this past summer.

How It Works

The battery-electric trucks shuttle back and forth between two EASE warehouses on roads inside the industrial park, cruising at around 30 MPH. Nobody rides along — instead, the trucks are monitored remotely by operators in Austin, Texas. Each vehicle is loaded with sensors: laser technology on all four corners, more than 10 cameras, and radar in the lower body. The companies say the daily runs are gathering real-world data on safety and efficiency to help shape the future of autonomous vehicles in freight. EASE says it wants a seat at the table as the industry changes — and a chance to feed real supply-chain data back into how the technology develops.

What Drivers Think

Out on the roads, opinions are split. Some drivers told 10TV News they're uneasy, pointing to accidents involving driverless cars and questioning whether the technology is fully tested. Others are converts — one driver who watched Teslas steer themselves down the highway from Buffalo called it simply the way of the future. Love it or fear it, the future of freight is already rolling through Marysville with nobody behind the wheel — because there is no wheel. This October 2026 technology news story is one to watch.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Truck Drivers?

Let's keep this in perspective: these trucks run short, low-speed loops inside one industrial park — not 600-mile highway hauls through the night. Nobody is suggesting long-haul drivers are getting replaced tomorrow. But the direction of travel is hard to miss. Every daily run these cab-less trucks complete is another batch of data proving the concept, and the companies involved say that's exactly the point.

The honest answer is that driving jobs will change shape before they disappear. Someone still has to watch these trucks — right now that's remote operators in Austin, Texas. Tomorrow it could be fleet technicians, safety supervisors, and logistics coordinators managing dozens of autonomous rigs at once. The steering wheel may be going away, but the need for humans who understand freight isn't. 

Truck drivers who start learning the technology side now will be the ones best positioned for whatever comes next.

Target Circle Deal Days 2026: 11 Best Deals to Shop Before Wednesday

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Target Circle Deal Days Is Here — But Only Until Wednesday

Target just fired the starting gun on its biggest fall sale of the year. Target Circle Deal Days kicked off today, Tuesday, October 6, and runs through Wednesday, October 7 — just two days to grab some of Target's deepest discounts before the holidays. The timing is no accident: the sale lines up directly with Amazon's Prime Day event, so it's a perfect week to compare prices and get a head start on holiday shopping.

Most of the deals are open to everyone, but signing up for the free Target Circle loyalty program unlocks extra savings and member-only offers. Here are the 11 best Target deals worth your attention before the sale ends Wednesday night.

The 11 Best Target Circle Deal Days Offers

1. Buy 2, get 1 free — select music and books. Stock up on gifts or your own reading list.

2. Buy 1, get 1 25% off — Halloween candy. With Halloween just weeks away, this is the time to load up on trick-or-treat candy at a discount.

3. Buy 1, get 1 50% off — fall candles. Half off the second candle when you grab two autumn scents.

4. 30% off — select Lego toy sets. A standout for early holiday toy shopping.

5. Buy 1, get 1 25% off — coffee and tea. A nice everyday staple discount.

6. Save $120 — KitchenAid 5-Quart 10-Speed Stand Mixer. One of the biggest single-item markdowns of the sale.

7. 3-in-1 outdoor fire pit table for $99 (marked down $121). A big-ticket patio deal.

8. Save $240 — stylish media console. Furniture shoppers, take note.

9. Buy 2, get 1 free — personal care and grooming items. Stock up on the essentials.

10. 40% off — women's and kids' activewear. Workout gear at a steep discount.

11. Buy 1, get 1 free — Liquid I.V. The hydration packets are BOGO.

How Long Does the Sale Last?

Target Circle Deal Days runs Tuesday, October 6, through Wednesday, October 7, 2026 — the same dates as Amazon's fall Prime Day event. When the clock runs out Wednesday night, these prices are gone, so don't sleep on it. Happy deal hunting!

Starbucks Sued Over 'Sugar-Free' Protein Drinks That Allegedly Pack Up to 21 Grams of Sugar

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"Sugar-Free" — With a Side of 21 Grams of Sugar

Your sugar-free Starbucks drink might have more in common with a candy bar than you'd think — at least according to a new lawsuit. A proposed class action lawsuit filed October 2 in federal court in Seattle accuses Starbucks of slapping "sugar-free" on eight of its protein drinks even though they allegedly contain 13 to 21 grams of sugar per venti serving.

To put that in perspective: a venti Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Matcha allegedly packs 21 grams of sugar — roughly five teaspoons, or about as much as a Kit Kat bar. A Reese's peanut butter cup, for comparison, has 11 grams. The complaint, brought by the law firm Hagens Berman on behalf of three customers in California, New York, and Washington, calls the labeling "false, deceptive and unlawful."

The 8 Drinks Named in the Lawsuit

The suit targets eight hot and iced beverages from Starbucks' protein line, launched in September 2025: Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Latte, Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Latte, Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Matcha, Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Matcha — plus iced versions of all four.

Here's the twist: nobody claims Starbucks is dumping sugar into the cup. The company says the sugar comes from lactose, the naturally occurring sugar in the protein-boosted milk it uses, and that it adds no sugar and flavors the drinks with sugar-free syrup. The plaintiffs' argument is that the finished drink is what matters: federal rules cited in the complaint say "sugar-free" items must contain less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving. The suit also alleges Starbucks skipped required disclaimers noting the drinks aren't low-calorie foods. "Beverages with this much sugar are like drinking a candy bar," said Steve Berman, the firm's co-founder.

Starbucks Fires Back

Starbucks isn't backing down. The company says it "strongly disagree[s]" with the allegations, believes "these claims have no merit," and intends to vigorously defend itself. It points out that it publishes full nutrition information for the drinks across its menus, website, and app — including the sugar content and the "no added sugar" note.

So who's right? That's for the courts to decide — this is a proposed class action, and none of the claims have been proven. But it's a good reminder for the October 2026 health news files: "sugar-free" on the menu board and sugar-free in the cup aren't always the same thing. Check the nutrition panel before you sip.

Sailors Offered Up to $25,000 Per Trip to Run Oil Through the Dangerous Strait of Hormuz

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

A $25,000 Bonus for the World's Most Dangerous Commute

How much would it take for you to sail a supertanker through a war zone? For a growing number of sailors, the answer is $25,000 — per trip. According to The Wall Street Journal, shippers are offering crew members as much as $25,000 for a single round trip moving oil out of the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most dangerous waterways on the planet right now.

One ship-staffing company based in Shandong, China, is advertising the $25,000 payout to recruit oilers and ordinary seamen for a very large crude carrier making repeated runs into the Gulf. For many of these sailors — a large share of them from India, the Philippines, and China — that bonus is worth two or three times a typical month's pay. For the lowest-paid crew members, it can top an entire year's wages.

What a "Shuttle Run" Actually Is

Producers aren't sending regular tankers straight through anymore. Instead, they've turned to what the industry calls "shuttle runs." A giant crude carrier slips into the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, loads up at regional ports, slips back out — and then hands the oil off to a second vessel waiting just outside the danger zone, near transfer points off Fujairah, Sohar, and Shinas. The customer's ship never has to enter the war zone at all.

The shuttle fleet is growing fast: the core group of tankers doing four or more of these runs has jumped from 30 vessels at the end of August to 39 now, according to maritime tracker Vortexa. The system took off after drone attacks knocked out Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline bypass, forcing even Saudi Aramco to join the shuttle game.

The War-Zone Economics Are Wild

Each round trip through Hormuz now costs producers between $30 million and $40 million — roughly $15 to $20 per barrel before insurance, according to shipbrokers. Hiring a supertanker to sail from the Persian Gulf to China topped $1.2 million a day in late September. Before the war, that same trip cost about $231,400 a day. Back in early January, it was under $40,000.

And yet the oil keeps flowing. Crude exports through the Strait of Hormuz hit 16.5 million barrels a day in September — way up from the March low of 5 million barrels a day, according to research firm Kpler. Leaving the oil trapped in the Gulf would cost producers even more than these eye-watering freight bills. As maritime-risk CEO Dimitris Maniatis told the Journal, shipowners are seeing "revenues at levels rarely seen in the industry's recent history." Shipbroker Richard Matthews was blunter about the sailor bonuses: "Given the millions being made at the moment, that's absolutely nothing to the shipowners."

The Human Cost Behind the Oil Prices

The danger is real. Nine commercial vessels were attacked near the strait in just the past two weeks, leaving two crew members injured and one seafarer dead, according to the International Maritime Organization and the UK Maritime Trade Operations center. One first mate who made the crossing twice in the past month described sailing at night with the ship's lights off, losing satellite navigation for hours and plotting position by radar against the coastline. He earned triple his normal pay — and said he worried about drones, not missiles.

On Monday, the market noticed the oil moving: Brent crude eased 1.5% to $100.74 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate slipped 1% to $90.16 on news that Gulf exports are running at their fastest pace since the Iran war began. The economy runs on oil, and right now it runs on the courage of sailors willing to risk it all for $25,000 a trip. This October 2026 shipping news story is one to watch — because as long as the attacks continue, those bonuses are only going up.

Someone Tosses Scalding Hot Liquid in a Thermos on a Man Outside a Cravin Crispy in East Harlem

The Most Unhinged Takeout Order in New York City History

Johnny Alacantra, 44, was doing the most NYC thing imaginable: standing outside Cravin Crispy on Park Avenue near East 116th Street, scrolling his phone, waiting for his takeout order. It was around 8:45 p.m. on a Monday. Then, according to police, a complete stranger walked up behind him carrying what looked like a steaming thermos — and dumped a scalding mystery liquid all over him.

Let that sink in. Not a brick. Not a bat. A thermos. The thing your grandpa packs soup in. Somewhere out there is a person who woke up, filled a thermos with a boiling unknown substance, and thought, "today's the day."

Scalding Liquid Thrown Outside a Cravin Crispy

Let's talk about the real headliner here: Cravin Crispy, the East Harlem comfort-food joint located at 1638 Park Avenue is where all of this went down. This place slings halal-certified crispy chicken, chicken and waffles that regulars call the best in Harlem, saucy wings, beef patties with coco bread, and handcrafted milkshakes — and it stays open until 2 a.m. on weeknights and 4 a.m. on weekends, because Harlem gets hungry late.

Cravin Crispy, East Harlem

The Reviews Don't Lie

The reviews back it up: 4.3 to 4.5 stars across the delivery apps with hundreds of ratings. "One of the best spots in East Harlem," one customer wrote. "The chicken cheesesteak on the coco bread [is the] best sandwich I had," said another. So let's be clear about one thing: Johnny Alacantra knew exactly what he was waiting for. You don't stand on a sidewalk at 8:45 p.m. scrolling your phone for mediocre tenders.

The Serious Part

Alacantra suffered severe burns to his face and neck and was taken to Harlem Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. He told police he did not know his attacker. The attacker fled north on Park Avenue and, as of this writing, has not been caught. All jokes about the weapon aside, this was a cruel and random attack, and we hope police find the person responsible fast.

Pretty Bizzare: Only in East Harlem

The day after the attack, a white residue was still visible on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. Cravin Crispy employee Oscar Perez summed it up for NBC New York: "pretty bizarre." Which might be the understatement of the year. Fellow East Harlem resident Tanya Leslie put it more bluntly: "You can be walking and someone randomly approach you and do this to you, we just have to be vigilant."

So the next time your takeout is taking forever, remember Johnny Alacantra — the man who just wanted his Cravin Crispy and ended up in the strangest crime news story of the week. Stay safe out there, and maybe keep an eye out for anyone approaching you with a suspiciously steamy thermos. This has been your weird news dispatch for October 2026 — please let the next viral news story involve literally anything else.

AT&T $177 Million Data Breach Settlement Approved: How to Claim Up to $5,000

Photo via SDxCentral

The Settlement

A federal judge has approved $177 million in class action settlement deals with AT&T over 2024 data breaches that exposed the personal information of tens of millions of customers. U.S. District Judge Sidney Fitzwater in Dallas signed off on the agreements on Friday, over objections that the payouts were too small.

Who Can Get Paid

Eligible customers can receive up to $2,500 or $5,000 in money from the settlements, depending on which breach affected them and the losses they can document. If your personal information was caught up in AT&T's 2024 breaches, check your mail and email for a settlement notice with filing instructions.

The Objections

Dozens of people objected to the deals. Some argued that $177 million paled next to the $350 million settlement T-Mobile reached in related data-breach litigation. Others accused AT&T of negotiating with the least effective attorneys to lock in a cheap deal — a tactic critics call a "reverse auction." The plaintiffs' lawyers defended the settlement and denied that claim, and the judge approved the deals anyway. AT&T denied any wrongdoing in agreeing to settle.

$59 Million for the Lawyers

The judge also approved $59 million in legal fees: $49.7 million to one group of plaintiffs' lawyers, including Houston-based Mark Lanier, and $9.3 million to a second group. The law firms BakerHostetler and Skadden Arps represented AT&T.

How to File Your Claim

Do not wait for a reminder — deadlines on settlement claims pass quietly. Use only the official settlement website listed in your notice, and never pay anyone to file for you: scammers love building fake claim sites around big legal news like this.

This October 2026 has been a big month for consumers winning in court: a Delaware jury just awarded a 77-year-old retiree $2.6 million over 15 years of credit report errors, and cybersecurity failures keep landing companies in nine-figure settlements. If your data was exposed in a data breach, protect yourself — freeze your credit, watch for identity theft, and keep your consumer rights paperwork in one place.

77-Year-Old Delaware Retiree Wins $2.6 Million After 15 Years of Credit Report Errors

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

The Verdict

Mildred Robinson, a 77-year-old retiree from Delaware, has won a $2.6 million jury verdict against Tower Federal Credit Union, ending a nearly 15-year battle over errors on her credit report. The verdict was returned in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware on October 5, 2026.

According to her legal team, the credit union repeatedly reported accounts that did not belong to Robinson, attaching someone else's credit information to her file. She disputed the accounts successfully more than once and the bad information was removed — only for the very same errors to resurface on her reports, year after year.

What makes the case especially striking: Tower Federal Credit Union's own records showed Robinson was not the account holder, yet the inaccurate reporting continued anyway.

One of the Largest Fair Credit Reporting Act Verdicts

The award ranks among the largest non-class-action jury awards ever under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the federal law that governs how credit bureaus and the companies that report to them must handle your information. It also continues a run of high-value verdicts for Robinson's legal team in 2026.

"What's the point of having a dispute process if the information is never actually fixed?" said James Ristvedt, managing attorney and trial counsel at Consumer Justice Law Firm, after the verdict.

Why Credit Report Errors Hit So Hard

Errors like these are not just annoying. Your credit score and the reports behind it can decide whether you get approved for loans and credit cards, what interest rates you pay, and even whether you land housing or insurance. Robinson described years of uncertainty and frustration, at times wondering whether she had been a victim of identity theft — all while the dispute process kept failing her.

What This Means for You

If you spot an error on your own reports, federal law is on your side. Pull your free reports from AnnualCreditReport.com, dispute mistakes in writing with both the credit bureau and the company that supplied the information, and keep copies of everything. If a company keeps reporting information it knows is wrong after you have disputed it, a consumer finance attorney may take your case — and verdicts like this one show juries take these failures seriously.

More Money News This October 2026

Robinson's win lands in the same season that claims are open in the $100 million Equifax settlement, where eligible consumers have until December 28, 2026 to file a claim. Big legal news for borrowers is stacking up this month.

Equifax's $100M Settlement Is Now Paying Claims: How to File Before the December Deadline

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Equifax has opened the claims window for a $100 million class action settlement, and if an incorrect credit score of yours was reported to a lender in the spring of 2022, you could be owed money.

What Happened

Between March 17 and April 8, 2022, a coding error inside Equifax known as the "OMS Issue" caused wrong credit scores and attributes to be reported to lenders that pulled consumer files. For about three weeks, the numbers going out the door simply did not match the files behind them.

The lawsuit — In re Equifax Fair Credit Reporting Act Litigation, No. 1:22-cv-03072, filed in federal court in Georgia — was preliminarily approved on August 17, 2026. A final fairness hearing is set for January 22, 2027. Equifax has denied any wrongdoing.

Who Qualifies

The class covers people in the United States whose credit score was misreported to a third party during that March 17–April 8, 2022 window. Equifax identified class members from its own records, and notices are being sent by email and by mail.

If you received a notice, it should include a Claim ID and PIN for filing. Never got one? You can still contact the settlement administrator through the official settlement website before December 28 to find out whether you are included.

How Much Could You Get

The Equifax settlement fund totals $100 million, but it is not split equally among every class member. Court-approved attorneys' fees of up to one-third, plus the costs of administering the settlement, come out of the fund first. Whatever is left is divided equally among everyone who submits a valid claim.

The plaintiffs estimate that individual payments could fall between $95 and $280. Treat that number as an estimate, not a promise — the final amount depends on how many valid claims come in.

How to File Your Claim

Filing happens online. Head to the official settlement website, click "File Your Claim," and enter the Claim ID and PIN printed on your notice. The whole process takes only a few minutes.

If no notice ever reached you, reach out to the administrator through the official settlement website before the December 28 deadline to ask about your eligibility and file a claim.

Key Deadlines

Mark these dates. The claims deadline is December 28, 2026. Anyone who wants to opt out of the settlement or object to it must do so by November 27, 2026.

One more timing note: payments will not go out until the court grants final approval and any appeals are fully resolved, so do not expect money the day after you file.

Why This Story Matters

This piece of legal news is a reminder of how much weight a single number carries in consumer finance — your score can shape loan approvals, interest rates, and more. As of October 2026, the claims window is open, so if you think a lender saw the wrong score for you that spring, it is worth a few minutes to check.

Michael B. Jordan Could Star in Sony Pictures' Battlefield Video Game Movie

One of Hollywood's hottest stars is attached to the new Battlefield movie that studios are competing for. We can't get enough Michael B. Jordan on the big screen!

Photo via Peter Kudlacz

Studios Compete to Bring 'Battlefield' to the Big Screen

The race to bring Battlefield to the big screen is heating up. Sony Pictures has emerged as the frontrunner in a competitive bidding war for Electronic Arts' movie package based on the bestselling video game series, and the studio is now in talks to land the project. Nothing has been finalized yet, but the deal is already being described as one of the biggest bidding battles of the year.

Sony Leads the Bidding War for 'Battlefield'

Five studios submitted bids for the Battlefield package: Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. Discovery, Amazon MGM Studios, Universal, and Netflix. Sony has pulled ahead of the pack and is in talks to close the deal. A Sony representative declined to comment on the reports.

McQuarrie and Jordan's Roles

Christopher McQuarrie is set to write, direct, and produce the adaptation. Michael B. Jordan, fresh off his Oscar win for Sinners, is on board to produce and could potentially star in the film as well. The producer lineup also includes Jesse Stern of Electronic Arts, Carter Swan of Emerald Neon, Roy Lee and Miri Yoon of Vertigo, and Elizabeth Raposo of Outlier Society.

Battlefield vs. Call of Duty on the Big Screen

The first Battlefield game launched in 2002, and the franchise reached a new high last year when Battlefield 6 became the bestselling entry in the series. In 2025, Battlefield 6 outsold Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 in the United States, marking the first time an EA shooter has beaten Activision's shooter in annual domestic sales. Battlefield is not the only military shooter headed to theaters: Paramount is developing its own Call of Duty movie with Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg.

Long Island NYC Student Aces Chemistry Exam to Win Teacher's 25-Year-Old $100 Challenge

No student in any of his classes had ever done it, and Anthony Simonelli was starting to think no one ever would. Then he graded the last chemistry Regents exam of the pile. The paper belonged to Jojo Yawson, a sophomore at Baldwin High School on Long Island, New York — and it was flawless. Yawson had earned a perfect 100 on every section of the June 2026 test, one of the most demanding Regents exams in the state. Simonelli says his jaw "nearly hit the floor" when he found out he won.

Photo via CBS News

The 25-Year Challenge

The remarkable score ended a challenge Simonelli had offered for a quarter of a century. His promise to every class was simple: score a perfect 100 on the final Chemistry Regents exam, and he would hand-deliver $100 to your front door. Year after year, nobody ever pulled it off. For 25 years the reward went unclaimed — until the very last paper Simonelli graded.

The Perfect Score

Ironically, Yawson had walked out of the exam convinced he had failed. He went home dejected, certain he had answered several questions wrong. Instead, he hadn't missed a single one. The $100 prize had been on his mind going into the test, and he kept himself focused on answering every question carefully rather than rushing.

His mother, Ama Karikari, spoke proudly of her son and said she hopes his success encourages students with learning differences — and their families — to believe that a learning difference can still mean learning brilliantly. And the chemistry test wasn't even Yawson's first perfect Regents result: he scored 100 on the Biology Regents as a freshman.

What the Student Plans to Do With the $100

Simonelli kept his end of the deal in person, showing up at Yawson's front door with a signed $100 bill and a thank-you note. Yawson has considered framing the bill as a keepsake, but he may spend it instead. The moment carries extra weight because it may never be repeated: New York is redesigning its science exams, and Regents testing is being phased out of high school diploma requirements by 2028. That could make Yawson the last student Simonelli ever teaches with a chance at a perfect 100 on the Chemistry Regents — and fittingly, the last exam graded was the one that finally did it.

National Taco Day 2026 Deals: Free Tacos, BOGO Offers, and Discounts

Photo via Underdogs Tres

National Taco Day lands on Tuesday, October 6 this year, and chains are rolling out tacos in every style, with deals ranging from free tacos and BOGO offers to deep discounts — some stretching across the whole week.

A quick note before you head out: deals may vary by location, many of these require the chain's app or loyalty program, and offers are good while supplies last. That said, October 2026 is shaping up to be a banner month for fast food deals — here's where to find them.

Monday, October 5: National Taco Week Kicks Off

• Chronic Tacos is stretching the celebration into National Taco Week (October 5–9). Chronic Tacos Loyalty members get a different in-app offer each day: BOGO tacos on Oct 5, a free taco on Oct 6, buy 2 tacos get 2 free on Oct 7, $2 off a taco plate on Oct 8, and BOGO tacos again on Oct 9.

Tuesday, October 6: National Taco Day Freebies

• Jack in the Box: score 2 free tacos with any $1 or more in-app purchase on Oct 6 — and keep the party going with 2 tacos for $0.75 every Tuesday through December 27.
• Del Taco: Del Yeah! Rewards members get a free taco with any purchase on Oct 6 (app or online only) as part of the chain's "Tacoberfest" celebration.
• Taco John's: rewards members can grab a free Beef Crispy Taco with any purchase on Oct 6 — just redeem it within 14 days.
• Taco Bell: the chain is dubbing Oct 6 "Global Taco Day." Order any Doritos Locos Tacos and you'll get a free limited-edition Duo Habanero Sauce packet (a Duolingo collaboration); rewards members can also claim one free month of Super Duolingo through the app.
• Chuy's: dine in dressed like a taco on Oct 6 and post a photo with #ChuysTacoDay to score a free entrée — plus $1 taco add-ons and $1 'rita floaters.

BOGO and Discount Tacos All Week

• Del Taco: Del Yeah! Rewards members get a BOGO Carnitas Big Fat Taco Oct 7–10 (app or online only), and the chain's weekly BOGO series keeps going through Oct 31.
• Moe's Southwest Grill: Moe Rewards members can grab tacos for $2 each (up to 3) from Oct 6–11.
• El Pollo Loco: rewards members get 3 tacos for $5, Oct 2–6.
• Chronic Tacos: the National Taco Week deals keep rolling Oct 7–9 — buy 2 tacos get 2 free on Oct 7, $2 off a taco plate on Oct 8, and BOGO tacos on Oct 9.

Grocery and Retail Deals This Week

• Kroger: BOGO deals on cereal, soup, Snapple, dressing, and hummus run through Oct 6, with a new weekly ad starting Wednesday, Oct 7.
• Walmart: the Fall Deals event kicks off Monday, Oct 5 at midnight ET with up to 30% off food and 50% off home — no membership required — launching one day ahead of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days.

Whether you're after a free taco Tuesday or stocking up at the grocery store, this is a solid week to eat well for less. These restaurants are giving taco lovers plenty to celebrate — just check your favorite chain's app before heading out, since most of these offers require signing up for rewards.

Jeni's Launches Appalachian Acorn Pie Ice Cream Made With Ohio Acorns

Columbus-based Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is betting that acorns — yes, acorns — belong in ice cream. The company has launched Appalachian Acorn Pie, a limited-edition new flavor made with flour milled from foraged Ohio acorns. The dessert arrives in October 2026 just in time for fall, drawing inspiration from Appalachian food traditions.

Photo: Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (jenis.com)

The Flavor

So what does acorn ice cream actually taste like? According to Jeni's, it's nutty and sweet — somewhere in the realm of hazelnut, coconut, and chestnut. The fragrant acorn flour is folded into sweet cream and finished with a graham cracker swirl, calling to mind a nutty cream pie with a graham cracker crust.

What Makes Acorns Work in Ice Cream

The idea took root about five years ago, when the Jeni's research and development team asked a simple question: could acorns become an ice cream? Acorns are abundant across the United States and historically served as a food source for Indigenous Americans, yet they aren't regulated or distributed commercially as a food ingredient here. Early experiments with imported acorn flour showed promise — fragrant, nutty, and unlike anything the team had tasted — but overseas sourcing didn't work out.

So Jeni's did something it had never done before: it built its own supply chain from the ground up. The company signed grant letters for the Route 9 Action Network, an Ohio agricultural cooperative, to expand its work from chestnuts into foraging and processing acorns. That process includes washing and leaching the acorns' bitter tannins so the nuts are safe to consume. Then a nearby Amish farm — contacted the old-fashioned way, by snail mail, a community phone, and in-person visits — mills the prepared acorns into flour for the ice cream.

Where to Get It

Appalachian Acorn Pie launched on October 1 in Jeni's scoop shops nationwide and online. The company describes the release as a "very limited supply," so fans should act fast. As of this writing, the flavor is already listed as sold out on Jeni's website — your best bet is checking a local scoop shop before the season's most unusual pint disappears.

Maine Woman Grows 170-Pound Zucchini, Breaking North American Record

Photo via NewsCenter Maine

A Maine gardener has cultivated a zucchini about as heavy as a grown adult — and it now stands as the largest ever documented in North America.

Meet Secretariat, the 170-Pound Zucchini

Sarah Whitty of Damariscotta, Maine — known to her online followers as Pumpkinista — shared on October 1 that her giant marrow zucchini, nicknamed "Secretariat," officially tipped the scales at 170 pounds. The Maine Pumpkin Growers Association broke the news of the milestone, which is said to beat the former North American record by 7 pounds. In clips from the October 2026 weigh-off, Whitty poses next to the massive dark-green vegetable, beaming in a "got zucchini?" t-shirt while holding a sign that reads "170 lb 2026."

Redemption After Last Year's Heartbreak

This record tastes even sweeter because Whitty narrowly missed out last year. She grew a 162-pound zucchini the previous season, but a crack in the vegetable knocked it out of contention — a familiar risk with giant marrows. This year's perfect 170-pound specimen left no room for doubt.

The Internet Is Obsessed with 'Secretariat'

Whitty chronicled Secretariat's whole growing journey for her audience, and the big reveal went viral. Roughly 13 hours after posting, her TikTok announcement had pulled in more than 254,000 likes, nearly 6,000 comments, and upwards of 14,000 shares. Followers who had watched the zucchini's progress for months rejoiced as though the win were their own — one commented, "I just screamed to my husband 'OMG SHE GOT THE RECORD, SHE DID IT!!'" And the excitement isn't over: Whitty's giant pumpkins, War Admiral and Seabiscuit, still have their weigh-ins ahead.

A Lifetime of Giant Vegetables

Whitty is far from new to supersized harvests. She has been raising giant vegetables for over ten years, with a few of her pumpkins crossing 1,400 pounds. Her accolades already include a 2023 Maine state record for a 60.5-pound marrow and a 2024 state record for a 5.19-pound tomato — though that tomato mark has since fallen to a 6.92-pound fruit grown by Leon Busby of South Bristol. She heads the Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization as its president and posts educational gardening videos for an audience of more than 130,000 YouTube subscribers.

How Secretariat Stacks Up Against Past Records

Whitty's 170-pound marrow didn't just set a record — it smashed the old one. According to NewsCenter Maine, Secretariat weighed in 7 pounds heavier than the previous North American record, which stood at roughly 163 pounds. 

To put that in perspective, Whitty's own 162.5-pound marrow from 2025 fell just half a pound short of that old mark before a crack disqualified it — so she essentially spent a year chasing a number she has now blown past.

But the North American record is still a long way from the world record. Per Guinness World Records, the heaviest marrow ever grown weighed 116.4 kilograms — that's 256 pounds 9.8 ounces — grown by Vincent Sjodin of the United Kingdom. Sjodin set the mark on September 23, 2021, at the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championships in Malvern, Worcestershire, beating the previous world record by a full 50 pounds. His secret? Fish guts and heads in the compost.

So while Secretariat reigns supreme in North America, there's still nearly 90 pounds of glory separating Whitty from the world crown. Given her trajectory — from a disqualified 162-pounder to a record-setting 170-pounder in a single year — nobody should count her out.

One woman, one zucchini, 170 pounds — and a North American record that will be tough to beat.

Where Is Chef Katsuji Now? Inside KatSushi Bar, His New RTP Sushi Spot

Photo via Alo Japan

Months after his shocking walk-off from Yes, Chef!, one question keeps popping up among viewers: Where did Chef Katsuji go? 

Straight back to the pass, it turns out. Top Chef veteran Katsuji Tanabe has just launched KatSushi Bar — a fast-casual sushi concept in Boxyard RTP that already has the Raleigh-Durham food scene talking.

KatSushi Bar Opens in Boxyard RTP in NC

The October 2026 debut plants KatSushi Bar inside Boxyard RTP, the food hall built from shipping containers in Research Triangle Park. Tanabe shares ownership with Raleigh restaurateur Anthony Rapillo. Their new restaurant moves into the old Lagoon Bar footprint, joining La Taqueria, the duo's other Boxyard operation.

What's on the Menu

At KatSushi, hand rolls are the heart of the menu: seasoned fish and rice wrapped in crisp toasted seaweed, assembled to order right in front of guests. Opening-day offerings include marinated salmon, spicy tuna with truffle mayo, crab salad, and a passion fruit and shrimp roll. Rice bowls and bright tropical drinks fill out the rest of the menu, while ramen bowls — once part of the plan — are on hold for now.

Hours and Location

KatSushi Bar welcomes guests Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Boxyard RTP.

Katsuji's Growing Triangle Empire

KatSushi marks the newest collaboration for Tanabe and Rapillo, who have opened a string of Triangle spots together in recent years — among them Flour & Barrel on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh and the Mexican eatery La Taqueria. Word is that a comeback for Tanabe's High Horse is also being plotted for RTP.

From a stunning reality-TV departure to an expanding restaurant portfolio, Chef Katsuji shows no signs of slowing down — and KatSushi Bar could be his next big hit.

Related: Why Chef Katsuji Tanabe Abruptly Left

The Transformers and G.I. Joe Crossover Movie Is Officially Cancelled, But G.I. Joe Reboot is a Go

Photo via The Straits Times

The big-screen team-up fans have dreamed about for more than a decade is officially off the table. Paramount has killed its plans for a live-action Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover movie, closing the book on years of anticipation that kicked off with a post-credits tease.

What Happened to the Crossover Movie?

The news broke in an October 2026 report that Bradley Cooper has been cast as Duke in a new standalone G.I. Joe film directed by Danny McBride. Per the report, McBride's movie has been "uncoupled" from the Transformers franchise, with the previously planned crossover no longer moving forward at Paramount.

How the Crossover Was Set Up

The idea of a crossover was first hinted at in 2023's Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. In its final scene, Anthony Ramos' Noah Diaz shows up for what looks like a government security interview — but ends up being recruited into the G.I. Joe organization by Michael Kelly's Agent Burke.

The studio then made it official at CinemaCon in April 2024. Derek Connolly — who wrote Jurassic World and Kong: Skull Island — was hired to write the script, while Chris Hemsworth was reportedly being eyed to star. Hemsworth was no stranger to the franchise, having voiced a young Optimus Prime in 2024's animated Transformers One.

In spite of all that momentum, the movie never got in front of cameras.

What G.I. Joe Looks Like Now

Rather than a crossover, G.I. Joe is being rebooted from scratch. Danny McBride, the creative force behind The Righteous Gemstones, is directing and co-wrote the screenplay with Jeff Fradley and John Carcieri. Bradley Cooper takes on Conrad "Duke" Hauser — a character previously portrayed by Channing Tatum in 2009's G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and 2013's G.I. Joe: Retaliation. The project is described as a franchise reimagining, and filming is reportedly expected to begin next year.

How Bradley Cooper Landed the Role of Duke in G.I. Joe Reboot

Photo via Nicki Swift

According to Deadline, Bradley Cooper closed his deal to play Duke in early October after several weeks of negotiations — and it was the script that sealed it. Cooper, 51, had real scheduling concerns: he's currently directing and starring in Warner Bros.' Ocean's Eleven prequel alongside Margot Robbie, with filming underway in Europe. But after meeting with Danny McBride and reading the screenplay McBride co-wrote with Jeff Fradley and John Carcieri, Cooper signed on.

McBride reportedly always had Cooper in mind for Duke — First Sergeant Conrad S. Hauser, the field leader of the Joe team — after winning a competitive pitch process to write and direct the film for Paramount. The casting also reunites the two: Cooper guest-starred in a 2025 episode of McBride's HBO comedy The Righteous Gemstones, and the pair previously co-starred in the 2015 film Aloha. Channing Tatum played Duke in 2009's G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and 2013's G.I. Joe: Retaliation, while Henry Golding headlined the 2021 prequel Snake Eyes.

What's Next for Transformers

This marks yet another setback for Transformers at the box office. After Michael Bay's fifth installment, Transformers: The Last Knight, disappointed at the box office, the follow-ups — Bumblebee, Rise of the Beasts, and Transformers One — never got back to the billion-dollar hauls the series used to deliver. A new Transformers film from writer Jason Fuchs is reportedly in the works, picking up Noah Diaz's story from Rise of the Beasts — just without the Joes alongside him.

So the post-credits scene meant to kick off a shared Hasbro universe now sits alongside all those other franchise teases that never went anywhere. Duke gets his reboot, the Autobots carry on solo, and fans can only keep dreaming about that team-up.

Weekend Fast Food Deals: Free KFC Bucket, BOGO Burgers, $2 McDonald's Breakfast and More

Photo via Vecteezy

If you're eating out this weekend, don't pay full price. Some of the best fast food deals of the season are live right now — free buckets of chicken, buy-one-get-one burgers, $2 breakfast sandwiches, and cheap footlongs. Here are the weekend deals worth grabbing in October 2026 before they expire.

This Weekend's Fast Food Deals

KFC — Free Bucket of Chicken

KFC Rewards members can get a free bucket with promo code KFSPEED on an online order of $15 or more at KFC.com or in the app. Pick from 8-piece dark meat chicken, 8-piece Tenders, 10-piece Wings, or 24-piece Nuggets. Limit one per account, no substitutions, at participating locations. The offer runs through October 11.

Smashburger — BOGO Free Burgers (Ends Today)

Buy any burger or Big Dog and get a second one free with code SEPBOGO26, valid online or in-restaurant. Crispy Chicken and Brisket are excluded. This deal ends today, October 3, so don't wait.

McDonald's — $2 Breakfast Sandwich and Free Fries

The McDonald's app has two weekly offers for Rewards members, both good through October 4. Grab a $2 breakfast sandwich — choices include the Egg McMuffin, Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit, and Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles — during breakfast hours. Plus, get free medium fries with any $1 or more purchase, once per week. Both offers are app-only at participating restaurants.

Subway — Footlong for $6.99

Use code FL699 to get any footlong for $6.99. The offer expires October 11.

Sonic — BOGO Free Footlong Coneys

Sonic Rewards members can get buy-one-get-one free Footlong Quarter Pound Coneys once per week through November 1.

Schlotzsky's — $5 Pizzas After 5 PM

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, core pizzas drop to $5 and premium pizzas to $7 after 5 PM at participating Schlotzsky's locations, while supplies last.

Wendy's — Free Fries and $1 Boo! Books

Wendy's is offering free any-size fries with a $5 or more purchase through its digital Fryday offer. And the $1 Boo! Books are back — each book packs five free Jr. Frosty coupons plus a Kids' Meal offer, while supplies last.

Taco Bell — $1 Drinks Every Afternoon

Taco Bell's Happier Hour runs daily from 2 to 5 PM with $1 medium fountain drinks and regular Freezes at participating locations.

Zaxby's — BOGO Free Milkshakes

Zaxby's Rewards members can get buy-one-get-one free milkshakes during Happy Hour from 3 to 5 PM, and half-price shakes are available through October 26.

Deals, prices, and participation vary by location, so check the restaurant's app before you head out. With this much free food up for grabs, it's a great weekend to eat out — and these restaurant deals won't last long. Happy saving — and happy eating.

Gas Station Gourmet: Gordo Ninos Serves Up a Taste of "Hou-Mex" in Houston

Photo via diningout.com

Some of the best food in Houston is hiding in the most unexpected place: inside the Motu Convenience Store in the Clear Lake area, where Chef Machete — Trinidad "Machete" Gonzalez — runs Gordo Ninos, a Hou-Mex counter serving tacos that have built a genuine cult following.

Chef Machete: From $1 Tacos to a Cult Following

His nickname nods to his sharp precision in the kitchen — and the action movie series. A self-taught cook born and raised in Galveston, he learned to cook from both sides of the family kitchen: his mother cooked inside, his father outside. After working in California restaurants and spending eight years cooking aboard maritime vessels, he came home to put family first and started his own venture the humblest way possible: selling tacos for one dollar in front of his father's mechanic shop. That $1 taco stand grew into Gordo Ninos, now operating out of a Clear Lake convenience store at 1419 East NASA Parkway — and don't let the gas station location fool you.

What is 'Hou-Mex' Style Food?

Hou-Mex is Chef Machete's signature style: classic Mexican food filtered through Houston's bold, bigger-everything attitude. The menu leans into over-the-top creations alongside beloved staples. The undisputed star is the viral Purple Lean Sauce, a signature sauce that regulars rave about and that has become the restaurant's calling card.

What to Order

Fan favorites include the Pastor taco and the carne asada killa-dilla — both drenched in that famous purple lean sauce — along with Spliff Tacos, which one reviewer called their new obsession, rolled tacos, the Wabo (a loaded wet burrito), and the Double Cup Elote. Reviewers consistently praise the food as hot, fresh, and packed with flavor, with several calling it the best taco spot they've tried after sampling ten or more places around town. Tamales, burritos, and a secret menu of over-the-top specials round things out, and the spot does cheap takeout and delivery for a quick lunch or dinner.

Chef Machete Takes Hou-Mex From Clear Lake to National TV

Chef Machete's Houston hustle has gone national: he appeared as a contestant on Next Level Chef, bringing his bold Hou-Mex flavors to television audiences. The City of Houston has even issued a proclamation in his honor. With a second location in Kemah and a growing following, Gordo Ninos is proof that great food doesn't need a fancy dining room — sometimes all it needs is a gas station, a chef with something to prove, and a sauce people can't stop talking about.

Gordo Ninos is located at 1419 East NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058, inside the Motu Convenience Store in Clear Lake. Hours are Monday through Friday 11 AM to 7 PM and Saturday 11 AM to 5 PM. Takeout and delivery are available, including through DoorDash, as of October 2026.

What Will Happen in the Below Deck Mediterranean Season 11 Finale?

Photo via Peacock

NOTE: The post below may contain predictions based on episode previews and trailers — and also some from the season. It does not contain unrevealed information about actual events that take place in the finale episode.

The Below Deck Mediterranean finale for season 11 airs on October 5, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

When Is the Below Deck Mediterranean Season 11 Finale?

The eleventh season of Below Deck Mediterranean, with Captain Sandy Yawn at the helm, debuted on Bravo on June 8, 2026, airing new episodes every Monday. The season runs 18 episodes, and the season 11 finale — titled "Tick, Tick, Boom" — is expected October 5, 2026. Notably, no reunion special is planned this time; both seasons 10 and 11 skipped reunions, so the finale itself must wrap up the season's biggest storylines.

The Nathan, Joe, and Aesha Showdown

The biggest powder keg heading into the finale is the broken relationship between bosun Nathan Gallagher and deckhand Joe. Joe has tried to make amends with Nathan, but the tension between them has only intensified, and previews for the finale suggest they're approaching a point of no return, despite Joe's honest attempt to reconcile in the next to last episode.

Chief Stew Aesha Scott is stuck in the middle. Previews tease one final confrontation between Nathan, Joe, and Aesha that could permanently alter their dynamic — expect this clash to be the emotional centerpiece of the finale, and don't be surprised if their professional relationships look very different by the final scene.

Luke's Surprise Return Threatens Gen's Fresh Start

Stew Gen Lillie spent the back half of the season working to turn things around — repairing things with Joy and Kayley and showing a brighter side after weeks of negativity that had left her isolated from the crew. But previews hint an unexpected visitor is about to upend her fresh start: Luke Brumer, the deckhand who departed mid-season. Luke's exit followed his hookup with Gen in Nathan's bed, leaving behind evidence from a hookup with Gen he failed to mention until Nathan had already slept in the sheets — something Nathan angrily called out and Captain Sandy deemed a fireable offense. 

Luke has stayed in touch with Chef Joy despite his departure, messaging her and sending her flowers, which has only stoked Gen's jealousy. You may remember in an episode when Gen is actually holding the flowers that Luke sent to Joy on the boat. When she finds out they were from Luke, it sends her into a spiraling depression.

Luke's unexpected return in the finale threatens to rip open all of those old wounds, while Gen has attempted to reinvent herself to finish out the season on a positive note, despite many personal setbacks.

A Brutally Difficult Final Charter

The crew is in for a rough ride with the finale's charter guests. Previews describe an extremely challenging group, including a billionaire with his fiancée and five other boyfriends, plus a protein-obsessed polycule. The final charter already led to two head injuries — Joe gashed his forehead diving onto a rock, and a guest named Vitor hit his head on the waterslide, needing medical attention. With Massi showing interest in Joy and Gen pushing what previews describe as 'a new agenda,' the crew will be stretched thin trying to deliver the luxury experience reality TV viewers expect from Bravo.

Finale Predictions

Connecting the dots, here's what we anticipate from the Below Deck Mediterranean season 11 finale: the Nathan/Joe/Aesha confrontation finally boils over and reshapes the deck team; Luke's return throws Gen's redemption arc into chaos just as she was winning people back; the demanding final charter pushes an already-fractured crew to the brink, with the injuries adding real stakes; and with no reunion episode to tie up loose ends, the finale must provide closure on the season's rivalries and romances in a single episode. Whether this crew can deliver one final seamless charter while unraveling behind the scenes is the question the finale must answer.

Related: Bravo Parts Ways With Below Deck's Nathan Gallagher

Update: What Actually Happened in the Season 11 Finale

Spoiler alert: the finale (Season 11 Episode 18, "Tick, Tick, Boom") has now aired on Bravo — here's how it played out. The final charter guests left a $35,000 tip, bringing the season's total tips to roughly $253,000. Luke made his surprise return in disguise for Chef Joy — and it went sideways fast, with Gen throwing a glass of red wine on his white sweater and telling him off. Kat broke up with Cooper, saying she was coming out of the season strong. Nathan and Joe's goodbyes stayed tense, while Aesha reflected on starting a new chapter as a married woman. And in a twist, Cooper invited Joe — not Kat — to travel with them after the season. Off screen, Bravo has confirmed it has no plans to work with Nathan Gallagher again following his December 2025 arrest in Australia.

Things We Expect to See in NCIS: NY Premiere Episode

Photo via sandrarose.com

SPOILER ALERT: This post reveals details from the NCIS: New York series premiere, including plot points and a guest-star appearance. If you'd rather watch it fresh, come back after you've seen the episode.

When Does NCIS: New York Premiere?

The new series debuts in October 2026, premiering Tuesday, October 6 at 9/8c on CBS as the middle chapter of a full night of NCIS programming — the flagship series launches its 24th season at 8 p.m., and NCIS: Origins returns for season 3 at 10 p.m. New episodes will air weekly on Tuesdays and stream on Paramount+, where Premium subscribers can watch live and on demand and Essential subscribers get each episode the day after it airs.

Sam Hanna Gets His Own Team

At the heart of the show is Sam Hanna, once again played by LL Cool J, who embodied the special agent for 14 seasons of NCIS: Los Angeles. This time, Sam heads home to New York City to take charge of a brand-new NCIS field office team. The premiere, titled "Pilot," turns personal right away: Sam's friend and Navy reservist Jack Halloway is found dead, and Sam gets Robyn Wells' permission to investigate the death himself. Wells pairs him with Nick Schaeffer, played by Scott Caan, and the fledgling team begins to come together around the case.

Meet the New York Cast

Alongside LL Cool J and Scott Caan, the ensemble includes Jennifer Beals and Devin Druid. The premiere also introduces fellow team members Robyn Wells, Wyatt Sellers, Addy Ross, and Sean Sullivan. It's a fresh lineup, but not a reboot — the series builds directly on Sam Hanna's established history and expands the existing NCIS universe into a new city.

A Surprise Crossover in the Very First Episode

Here's the most exciting part of the debut: Brian Dietzen guest-stars as Dr. Jimmy Palmer, giving NCIS: New York its first franchise crossover before a single episode has even aired. Palmer reunites with Sam Hanna, and the two share history from an earlier three-show crossover spanning NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and NCIS: Hawai'i, during which both characters were kidnapped alongside Vanessa Lachey's Jane Tennant. Dietzen has played Palmer since the flagship's first season and became a series regular in season 10 — this is his third spinoff appearance in the role, following NCIS: New Orleans and NCIS: Hawai'i. Showrunner Byron Balasco has said the door is open for more familiar franchise faces to stop by, so Palmer may just be the beginning.

Why New York Changes the Formula

The franchise has already taken viewers to Los Angeles, New Orleans, Hawai'i, Sydney, and back in time with Origins. New York offers something different: one of the world's busiest ports, major transportation hubs, a massive population, and endless institutions and neighborhoods for stories to grow out of. The city itself is being positioned as almost another character on the show, giving the writers a huge new playground while keeping the franchise's familiar mix of investigation, action, teamwork, and personal stakes that define its crime drama identity.

What Comes Next

The second episode, titled "Family Business" and airing October 13, follows stolen military explosives with deadly consequences. With a personal mystery driving the premiere, a beloved crossover character in episode one, and the promise of more familiar faces, NCIS: New York is launching with real momentum. The question now is whether Sam Hanna's new team can carve out its own identity — and if the premiere is any indication, fans have a lot to look forward to.

Katsuji's Yes, Chef! Exit Wasn't the First: 6 Food Network Stars Who Left Abruptly

Photo via Vecteezy

If you landed here wondering why Chef Katsuji Tanabe abruptly walked away from Yes, Chef!, you're not alone — that question is driving a wave of searches right now. In case you are wondering, the details of Chef Tanabe's exit are covered in great detail in my earlier post found here.

Sudden exits are practically a tradition in food television. Here are six big Food Network personalities whose departures shocked fans.

1. Robert Irvine — Fired Over a Fabricated Royal Resume

Dinner: Impossible was a hit, but his stardom imploded in 2008 when the St. Petersburg Times exposed what it called "embellishments and inaccuracies" in his resume. Irvine had claimed to be a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, a personal chef to U.S. presidents, and the owner of a castle. In reality, while he had worked in the White House Navy Mess, he had never been anyone's personal chef; a university could find no record of his attendance; and the creator of Prince Charles and Princess Diana's wedding cake said Irvine had nothing to do with it. Food Network declined to renew his contract. (Irvine would later return to the network with Restaurant: Impossible.)

2. Valerie Bertinelli — "Ghosted" After Budget Cuts

Valerie Bertinelli was one of Food Network's warmest presences, hosting Valerie's Home Cooking and co-hosting Kids Baking Championship. Then she was suddenly gone. Bertinelli later revealed she was told she would not be returning to Kids Baking Championship because of budget cuts — a decision she said deeply hurt her feelings — and that she felt "ghosted" by the network, expressing disappointment with the direction it had taken.

3. Giada De Laurentiis — Walked Away After 21 Years

In early 2023, Giada De Laurentiis announced she was leaving Food Network after 21 years, signing a multi-year deal with Amazon Studios. She later explained she had grown burnt out and bored, couldn't see an exciting path forward at the network, and wanted to pour her energy into her lifestyle brand Giadzy. "If I'm getting bored, my viewers are getting bored," she said.

4. Paula Deen — Cut Loose Overnight

Paula Deen was one of the biggest stars on the channel when Food Network severed ties with her in 2013, after she acknowledged in a legal deposition that she had used a racial slur. The fallout ended one of the most successful careers in food television almost overnight and reshaped the conversation about accountability for celebrity chefs.

5. Anne Thornton — The Recipe Plagiarism Accusations

Pastry chef Anne Thornton seemed to hit the jackpot when Food Network gave her Dessert First in 2010. But during its second season, the New York Post reported that network staff had noticed striking similarities between her recipes and those of culinary giants like Martha Stewart and Ina Garten. The show was not renewed for a third season, and Thornton quietly faded from the network's roster. She has maintained she never copied anyone's recipes, saying she simply drew inspiration from chefs she admired.

6. Katie Lee Biegel — Fired From Top Chef Before She Was Famous

Before she became a Food Network fixture on The Kitchen, Katie Lee Biegel hosted the very first season of Bravo's Top Chef — and was promptly fired, with Bravo chief Andy Cohen and Biegel mutually deciding the show "wasn't a fit." She has said she then spent seven years being told no by Food Network, which told her she seemed "icy" on Top Chef. She kept pitching, kept cooking, and eventually landed The Kitchen, which ran for more than a decade.

From fabricated knighthoods to budget-cut firings, food TV history is full of exits as abrupt as Katsuji's. Which departure shocked you the most?

Big Brother 28 Winner: Rick Devens Takes the $750,000 Prize After Survivor Heartbreaks

 Disclaimer: The following post contains spoilers about the Big Brother Season 28 finale.

Photo via TheThings

After nearly three months locked away from the outside world, "Big Brother" Season 28 has a champion: Rick Devens won the live CBS season finale on Thursday, October 1, 2026, beating Taylor Brown in a 6-1 jury vote to take home the $750,000 grand prize. For Devens, the win is sweet redemption — the reality TV veteran came up short twice before on "Survivor."

Who Won Big Brother 28?

The live finale showed all three parts of the final Head of Household competition. The first two parts had already been filmed, and the deciding third part played out live: Devens and Taylor squared off in a game that used video statements from the jury members, challenging them to spot which of three statements in each video was false. Devens answered every question correctly and won 5-3, becoming the season's final HOH.

That win gave Devens the power to choose his final two partner — and he made a brutal, tearful decision. He voted out Drew Campbell at the final three, despite a father-son style bond that carried them all season and despite Drew saving Devens at the final four by voting out Dee Valladares. Devens said he didn't want to risk losing votes to Drew.

The Jury Votes 6-1 for Devens

A seven-member jury heard the final two houseguests' speeches before casting their votes. The result: a 6-1 vote for Rick Devens. Taylor Brown's lone vote came from LaTrice Verrett. Notably, the jury roundtable — hosted for the first time by "Big Brother" Season 26 winner Chelsie Baham — stayed civil this time around, a sharp contrast to past seasons' shouting matches.

From Survivor Heartbreak to Big Brother Glory

Devens is a Virginia news anchor and reality TV veteran who previously fell short on "Survivor" seasons 38 and 50. This time, he played a dominant game: two HOH wins, one veto, one blockbuster competition victory, and a vote in every single eviction up until the final four. He even kept a secret weapon in his back pocket — Devens quietly unleashed the "Pharaoh's Curse" twist earlier in the season, which also netted him an extra $10,000 on top of the grand prize.

Taylor Brown leaves as runner-up with the $75,000 second-place prize after a strong social game of her own. But on October 1, the night belonged to Rick Devens — third time's the charm.

3 Canadian Radio Contests With Cash Prizes: Win $50,000, $47,000 or $25,000 (Canada Only)

Photo via Vecteezy

If you live in Canada, your radio dial could pay off big this month. Three Canadian radio stations are running radio contests with cash prizes right now — up to $50,000 — but all three are open to Canadian residents only, so check the eligibility rules for your province before you get excited.

Bounce Radio's Bounce to the Bank — $50,000 (Canada Only)

Bounce Radio is giving one listener a life-changing $50,000 cash grand prize, plus twenty-eight separate $500 prizes. To enter, keep your radio tuned in and listen for the keyword announced on air, then submit the official entry form on the station's website. This one is open to residents of Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. The contest closes October 23, 2026.

94.5 Virgin Radio Vancouver's Cash It Or Stash It — Up to $47,000 (Canada Only)

Vancouver's 94.5 Virgin Radio is putting a twist on the cash giveaway: contestants picked to get on air are offered $250 on the spot — or they can “stash it,” giving up the $250 for a shot at a growing jackpot. The grand prize starts at $20,000 and climbs by $250 every time someone stashes, up to a maximum of $47,000. There are up to 108 of the $250 secondary prizes, with multiple chances to get on air every weekday. Open to legal residents of British Columbia age 19 and older. The contest runs through October 15, 2026, with the grand prize draw on the morning of October 16.

107.5 Dave Rocks' $25,000 Upgrade — $25,000 (Canada Only)

107.5 Dave Rocks is handing one winner $25,000 in cash to spend on whatever upgrade they want — a vacation, a vehicle, a home project, or just some financial breathing room. Listen for daily code words between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m., then submit the code word through the station's online entry form (one entry per code word). Open to legal residents of Ontario who are the age of majority. The contest closes October 11, 2026, with the draw on or about October 13.

A quick reminder: every one of these October 2026 contests is limited to Canadian residents — most U.S. listeners will not be eligible. Always read the official rules on the station's website before entering, and never pay anyone who contacts you claiming you won a radio contest. Good luck to all the listeners who want to win money in these radio cash giveaways!