Dallas – September 17, 2026 -- Southwest Airlines kicked off its Week of WOW sale, offering up to 40% off base fares for flights booked by Sept. 17 for travel between Oct. 5, 2026, and March 3, 2027.

Discounted routes include Austin-San Diego and Nashville-Chicago

Nonstop routes on sale include Austin to San Diego, Nashville to Chicago Midway, Denver to San Diego, Seattle to Nashville, and Austin to San Jose, all available now on Southwest.com. The fare discount requires a 21-day advance purchase and applies before government taxes and fees, with restrictions, exclusions, and blackout dates in effect.

Fredericksburg, Va. – September 17, 2026 -- Retirement planning usually centers on savings and investments, but a lesser-discussed factor -- muscle mass -- can significantly shape how those retirement years actually play out, according to the co-founders of the Fitness & Finance Radio podcast.

"We spend decades building a financial portfolio for retirement, but we should be building our physical portfolio at the same time," said Jennifer Scherer, co-founder of Fitness & Finance Radio and founder of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. She notes that muscle protects the ability to move, stay independent, and enjoy the life people worked to build.

Washington – September 17, 2026 -- GED Testing Service will mark National GED Day on September 16, honoring adults who earned a high school equivalency credential and the millions still working toward one.

More than 30 million U.S. adults lack a high school diploma

The GED program offers those adults a route into college, workforce training, military service, and jobs in healthcare, manufacturing, skilled trades, and technology, according to GED Testing Service.

One graduate turned her GED into a healthcare career

Iris earned her GED and now works as a Medical Assistant at a fertility clinic. She plans to become a Phlebotomy Technician next, with a longer-term goal of becoming a nurse. "My GED helped me take the first step toward the career I wanted," Iris said. "It was challenging and rewarding at the same time. My advice is to keep trying because it's never too late to invest in your education and build a better future."

Baltimore – September 17, 2026 -- Mercy Medical Center has introduced Mako SmartRoboticsTM technology for shoulder replacement surgery, making it among the first providers in the Mid-Atlantic region to offer the robotic-arm assisted procedure.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gregory Gasbarro leads the new program

Gregory V. Gasbarro, M.D., a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained shoulder specialist at Mercy, is now performing robotic Mako shoulder arthroplasty for patients. He treats patients ages 15 and older through The Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Center at Mercy.

The technology builds a 3D surgical plan from a patient's own CT scan

Mako SmartRoboticsTM uses a detailed 3D CT scan of each patient's shoulder to generate a personalized surgical plan. During the operation, the robotic-arm assisted system helps the surgeon execute that plan with added precision while allowing real-time adjustments.

Hong Kong – September 17, 2026 -- Luxury Group by Marriott International and Sotheby's have expanded their global partnership into Asia Pacific for the first time, launching a new masterclass series called "The Art of Knowing." The program combines short digital videos with exclusive in-person events, giving hotel guests closer access to rare craftsmanship, collecting, and connoisseurship.

The initiative follows last year's debut of private tours at Sotheby's Maison during Sotheby's Hong Kong's Luxury Week.

Port Neches – September 14, 2026 -- Texas does not require golf cart owners to carry traditional auto insurance, but driving a cart on public roads in Port Neches can leave uninsured owners financially exposed if an accident occurs.

Homeowners policies rarely cover cart accidents on public streets

Many Port Neches residents assume their homeowners insurance automatically covers golf cart incidents. That assumption only holds up in limited cases. Homeowners policies typically extend coverage only to accidents that happen on the insured property, not on public roads. Owners are advised to review their policy directly with an agent to confirm what is and isn't covered.

Akron, Ohio – September 17, 2026 -- Spins Bowl Akron has been named the 2026 Akron Community's Choice Awards winner in the Bowling Center category, an honor decided entirely by public nomination and voting.

Local voters picked Spins Bowl Akron as their favorite bowling and entertainment spot

The Akron Community's Choice Awards recognize businesses that stand out in the region, with winners selected through community nominations rather than judged criteria. For Spins Bowl, part of Diamond Hospitality Group (DHG), the win comes directly from the guests who visit the center.

"We are incredibly proud of the Spins Bowl Akron team and grateful to everyone in the community who voted for us," said Bill Diamond, CEO of Diamond Hospitality Group. "Our team works hard to create a place where families, friends, league bowlers and groups can come together, have fun and feel welcome."

Highland, Calif. – September 17, 2026 -- A Rancho Cucamonga resident turned a $5 progressive wager into a $1,977,758 payout after hitting a five-card royal flush in diamonds while playing Ultimate Texas Hold'Em at Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel.

The diamond royal flush is the top qualifying hand in the game's progressive jackpot structure, and the win occurred during the casino's 40th anniversary celebration.

The casino has awarded nearly $4.5 million in major table game jackpots this year

The Ultimate Texas Hold'Em win adds to a string of large payouts at Yaamava' in 2026. In August, two Club Serrano members split a $1.24 million progressive baccarat jackpot, and in March a Los Angeles resident won $1.2 million from a $100 bet.

Cibolo – September 17, 2026 -- Family Care Center has opened a new outpatient behavioral health clinic in Cibolo, Texas, giving patients in-network access to therapy, psychiatry, medication management, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) under one roof.

The Cibolo location is Family Care Center's 50th outpatient clinic

The opening marks a milestone for the organization, which now operates 50 outpatient behavioral health locations across five states. The clinic serves children, teens, and adults, and accepts major insurance plans, expanding in-network care options for patients throughout the San Antonio area.

Katy, Texas – September 17, 2026 -- Academy Sports + Outdoors is running a five-week workwear sale from September 13 to October 17, offering weekly discounts on brands including Ariat, Wolverine, Skechers, Carhartt, Justin Boots and CAT, both in-store and on Academy.com.

Week one cuts $20 off select Ariat styles

The promotion runs September 13-19 on Ariat work and Western footwear. Academy's own Brazos work boot brand is discounted throughout all five weeks.

Wolverine gets its turn September 20-26

Shoppers can save $20 on select Wolverine work boots and apparel during week two.

Skechers and Carhartt share the spotlight in week three

From September 27 to October 3, customers get 25% off the entire Skechers workwear assortment plus $25 off select Carhartt styles.