5 Things Homeowners Should Check Before Hiring a Plumber

Westport, Conn. – September 23, 2026 -- Homeowners facing a burst pipe or leaking water line often hire the first plumber they find, a decision that can lead to costly mistakes. A new HelloNation article, featuring insights from August Wildman of Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Southern Fairfield County in Westport, Connecticut, lays out five factors to evaluate before making that call.

Licensing confirms a plumber has met state testing and experience requirements

The article notes that a licensed plumbing company has passed state or local testing and verified experience checks. This helps ensure work follows proper codes and reduces the chance of future problems. Licensing also creates a formal channel for homeowners to raise concerns if something goes wrong.

KC Current to Pack 18,000 Fans Into Stadium and New Riverfront Zone

Kansas City – September 23, 2026 -- The Kansas City Current will host its largest crowd in club history on Sunday, Oct. 25, expanding CPKC Stadium capacity to 12,000 while opening a new adjacent viewing area for 6,000 additional fans.

A new Grounds Pass lets fans watch from outside the stadium for $10

The event, called One Current 2026: Bigger Home. Bigger Future., introduces the Current Landing Grounds Pass, a first-of-its-kind ticket priced from $10 that lets fans experience matchday just steps from CPKC Stadium. Standing Room Only tickets inside the stadium cost $20. Current Club members can buy up to four Grounds Pass tickets with a complimentary reserved seat in the Current Landing bleachers through Oct. 1, while seating lasts.

Buying Vacant Land? Here's Why It's Nothing Like Buying a House

Lebanon, NH – September 23, 2026 -- Buyers eyeing an empty lot instead of a finished house face a checklist that looks nothing like a standard home purchase, according to real estate expert Vanessa Stone of Vanessa Stone Real Estate, LLC in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Zoning rules can quietly block a buyer's plans

Local zoning ordinances dictate how a parcel can be used, including setbacks, minimum lot sizes, and rules on accessory buildings. Stone notes these restrictions can determine whether a buyer's intended structure is even legally possible before construction begins.

Scenic land often hides costly site work

Wooded or sloped lots may offer privacy and views, but wetlands, drainage patterns, rock, and steep grades can raise construction costs and limit where a structure can sit.

Fall Festivals, Banana Pudding and Foliage Fill Nashville's Big Back Yard

Leiper's Fork, Tenn. – September 23, 2026 -- A string of fall festivals is rolling out across the rural communities bordering the Natchez Trace Parkway, the 100-mile stretch of National Park land anchoring what organizers call Nashville's Big Back Yard.

Lavender and pudding lead the harvest lineup

Near Hohenwald, the Oak Grove Lavender Farm hosts an all-day Fall Festival on Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with artisan vendors, seasonal food and a dog costume contest. In Centerville, the National Banana Pudding Festival runs Oct. 3-4, featuring a cook-off and a tasting trail dubbed 'The Puddin' Path.'

Lennar Opens 300-Home Active Adult Community in Douglassville, PA

Douglassville, PA – September 23, 2026 -- Lennar is opening Venue at Leaf Creek, a 55-and-better community in Amity Township, Douglassville, Pennsylvania, with homes priced starting in the $400,000s and an opening anticipated this fall.

The community offers more than 300 single-family homes across 10 floorplans.

Homes range from 1,570 to 3,700 square feet, with two to four bedrooms and two to four bathrooms. Each layout is a single-level, open-concept design that includes an exterior deck.

Every home comes with Lennar's Everything's Included program built into the base price.

That covers gourmet kitchens with modern appliances, upgraded bathroom finishes, premium flooring, Ring doorbells, and wireless thermostats.

Needed's Prenatal Vitamins Recognized for 200mg Choline Dose

New York – September 23, 2026 -- Expert Consumers has named Needed the top pick in its 2026 review of prenatal vitamins with choline, citing a disclosed 200 mg dose delivered through both capsule and powder formats.

A 200 mg dose covers 44% of pregnancy's daily choline target.

The National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements sets the adequate intake for choline at 450 mg per day during pregnancy and 550 mg during lactation. Needed's 200 mg serving meets about 44% of the pregnancy target and 36% of the lactation target, according to the review. NIH guidance notes many prenatal supplements contain little or no choline, a nutrient tied to cell membrane structure and early brain development.

Morphy Richards Marks 90 Years With Award-Winning Gear at IFA Berlin

Berlin – September 23, 2026 -- Morphy Richards closed out IFA Berlin 2026 with two award wins, including recognition for a hose-free portable air conditioner and a dehumidifier honored for design.

The British small appliance brand, marking its 90th anniversary this year, presented its "Smart Ideas" product philosophy at the trade show, spanning both kitchen appliances and home air treatment devices.

The D1 Ultra Dehumidifier earned a Best in Design honoree spot at the IFA Innovation Awards.

The award is judged by an international panel recognizing innovation, design, and engineering across consumer tech categories.

Zahav Foods Adds Matbucha and Harissa Hummus to Whole Foods Shelves

Philadelphia – September 23, 2026 -- Zahav Foods has launched two new hummus flavors, Zahav Hummus Matbucha and Zahav Hummus Harissa, now stocked at 185 Whole Foods Market locations across 20 states, including Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Phoenix, Denver, Los Angeles and San Diego.

The brand was co-founded in 2024 by five-time James Beard Award-winning restaurateurs Chef Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook, the team behind Philadelphia's Michelin-recommended Zahav and Laser Wolf. Each 10 oz package retails for $7.99 and is Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Kosher, and Seed Oil Free.

Attack Shark's New MEGA B2 Mouse Ditches Mechanical Switches for Magnets

New York – September 23, 2026 -- Attack Shark has launched the MEGA B2, a gaming mouse that replaces traditional mechanical switches with TMR-based Magnetic Micro-Switches, letting players set actuation distances as fine as 0.1mm.

Magnetic switches allow adjustable trigger sensitivity

Instead of physical contacts, the MEGA B2 detects button movement through magnetic sensing, a design the company says reduces switch wear over time. The mouse also supports Rapid Trigger technology, letting activation and reset points shift dynamically so players can fire repeated inputs without waiting for a fixed reset distance. Both primary buttons include linear motor haptic feedback, with independently adjustable trigger sensitivity and tactile intensity.

Ladder-Free Gutter Cleaner EZ Elephant Debuts at Western Roofing Expo

Las Vegas – September 23, 2026 -- EZ Elephant, a ladder-free gutter cleaning tool, will be on display at Booth #834 during the Western Roofing Expo, running September 27–29, 2026.

The device lets users clear leaves and debris without climbing a ladder

The American-made system uses an extended-reach pole with adjustable angles to reach gutters from the ground. Its attachment, called the Elephant Clip, holds a gutter screen that tilts to let accumulated leaves and debris fall away.

The company describes the process as "Hook, Flip, Clean," saying it takes only minutes and can be repeated as needed without ladders, harsh chemicals, or professional cleaning services.