Furnace Making Strange Noises? Here's What Homeowners Should Know

Portage – September 25, 2026 -- Loud banging, screeching, or rattling from a furnace during winter often signals a mechanical or airflow problem rather than a harmless quirk, according to Bob Marquardt of Johnson Mechanical LLC in Portage, Wisconsin.

Banging sounds may point to delayed ignition

A loud bang at the start of a heating cycle can occur when gas builds up before burners ignite properly. Repeated delayed ignition adds stress to furnace components and can eventually damage the heat exchanger.

Rattling often traces back to loose parts

Unsecured panels, loose screws, or shifting internal components can create vibrations that grow louder during operation. Left unaddressed, the movement can gradually wear down critical parts inside the unit.

USA TODAY Campaign Spotlights Blood Cancer Survivors, New Treatments

New York – September 25, 2026 -- A national awareness campaign on blood cancers and serious blood disorders launches within USA TODAY and online through Mediaplanet's Future of Personal Health digital hub. The Blood Cancers & Disorders campaign brings together clinical organizations, patient advocates and survivors to share trusted information on diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.

The editorial coverage spans adult and pediatric hematology and also addresses sickle cell disease, covering advances in care, patient education, and the experiences of families navigating a diagnosis.

Actor Evan Handler shares his leukemia survivorship story as the campaign's cover feature.

The longtime leukemia survivor offers a firsthand account of life beyond diagnosis and treatment, underscoring the need for continued awareness and support for survivors.

Virtual Home Closings: When Skipping the Table Makes Sense

Jackson – September 25, 2026 -- Buying or selling a home no longer requires sitting at a closing table, but real estate agent Amy McLemore says the shortcut isn't right for every transaction. In a new HelloNation feature, McLemore, a residential real estate expert based in Jackson, Tennessee, breaks down how virtual closings work and where they can go wrong.

Digital platforms verify identity and track every signature

A virtual closing lets buyers and sellers finalize a deal without meeting in person. Title companies and attorneys use secure systems that organize documents, confirm identity, and log timestamps throughout the signing process. Clients can review paperwork privately or hop on a video call with questions.

China's Opera Gala Returns to Kunshan With 46 Genres on Display

Kunshan – September 25, 2026 -- The 2026 Chinese Opera Gala opened September 23 in Zhouzhuang, launching a program of performances, exhibitions and cultural experiences running through November. Co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, the gala presents 57 excerpts and 10 full-length productions spanning 46 opera genres.

Sixteen organizations received recognition for opera media work

At the opening ceremony, 16 organizations received commemorative certificates for outstanding opera-related media projects from across China. Organizers also introduced The China Kunqu Opera Blue Book 2026 and unveiled Meeting Liang Chenyu — The Origins of Kunqu Opera, an AI-generated micro-drama produced in Kunshan.

KB Home Opens New Manteca Community Starting in the Mid $500,000s

Manteca, California – September 25, 2026 -- KB Home has opened Arroyo, a new-home community within the Griffin Park master plan in Manteca, California, with prices starting in the mid $500,000s.

Homes range from one to two stories with up to six bedrooms

The single-family homes offer up to 6 bedrooms and 4.5 baths, designed with modern kitchens overlooking great rooms, expansive primary suites with walk-in closets, and first-floor junior suites that include kitchenettes.

The community sits near major highways and Central Valley employers

Arroyo at Griffin Park is located south of Highway 120 at the corner of Tinnin Road and Hot Springs Drive, giving residents access to Highway 99, Interstate 5, Interstate 580 and job centers in the Central Valley and San Francisco East Bay. Children in the community will attend schools in the Manteca Unified School District.

Beef Industry Rolls Out Three Comfort Recipes for Fall 2026

Denver – September 25, 2026 -- The Beef. It's What's For Dinner. brand, funded by beef farmers and ranchers, has released three slow-cooked recipes aimed at home cooks looking for hearty autumn meals.

Mississippi Pot Roast targets busy weeknights

The dish features tender beef in savory seasonings and rich juices, designed as a set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker meal. It can be served over couscous, mashed potatoes or noodles.

Country-Fried Steaks bring Southern comfort to the table

Classic Country-Fried Steaks & Gravy pairs crispy, golden steaks with creamy gravy for a nostalgic, stick-to-your-ribs option suited to cozy weekends at home.

Beef Pot Pie is built for feeding a crowd

The recipe combines tender beef and vegetables under a flaky, golden crust, offering a lower-effort option for fall gatherings with family and friends.

Guillermo Ochoa Fronts BC.GAME's Push Into Mexico's Regulated Betting Market

Mexico City – September 25, 2026 -- Five-time World Cup goalkeeper Guillermo "Memo" Ochoa is fronting a new campaign for BC.GAME, the crypto and iGaming platform operating in Mexico as BCGAME.mx, built around his personal vetting of the company's license and payout practices.

In the video, Ochoa says he checked BC.GAME's regulatory standing before agreeing to the deal. "BC.GAME holds a legitimate SEGOB permit and operates legally in Mexico," he says, adding that he confirmed players can deposit at OXXO stores or transfer funds directly through Mexico's SPEI bank-transfer system.

Ochoa says withdrawals clear in minutes, not weeks

Ochoa frames his endorsement around payout speed, a common friction point for betting platforms. "The real question is: do they actually pay you when you win? The answer is yes," he says in the campaign, comparing his scrutiny of the platform to a goalkeeper's read of the game.

Quay Named Top Polarized Sunglasses Brand for 2026 by Consumer365

New York – September 25, 2026 -- Consumer365 has named Quay its top choice for polarized sunglasses in 2026, citing the brand's glare-reducing lenses for driving, fishing, and outdoor use.

The review credited the designation to the practical value of Quay's polarized lenses, the variety across its collection, and 100% UVA and UVB protection included on both polarized and non-polarized styles.

Polarized lenses target glare differently than tinted ones

Non-polarized sunglasses generally reduce overall brightness through tinted lenses, according to the review. Polarized lenses add a filtering layer that targets glare from sunlight bouncing off flat surfaces like roads and water, rather than simply darkening the view.

Dr. Daniel Amen Films 20th Public TV Special on Brain Health

Costa Mesa, Calif. – September 25, 2026 -- Psychiatrist and bestselling author Dr. Daniel Amen will film a new public television special, BRAIN RESCUE: The Amen WHOLE-4 Solution to Protect Your Memory, Mood, Health & Future, before a live audience on October 7, 2026.

The taping takes place at First Christian Church of Huntington Beach, located at 1207 Main Street in Huntington Beach, California. It marks Dr. Amen's 20th public television special, following two decades of programs that have aired on public television stations nationwide, including Memory Rescue and Raising Mentally Strong Kids.

The WHOLE-4 approach targets four connected areas of health

BRAIN RESCUE centers on Dr. Amen's WHOLE-4 framework, which addresses Brain & Body, Mind, Relationships and Spirit as interconnected factors in long-term brain health. The special aims to give viewers practical tools to protect memory and mood over time.

New Guide Breaks Down CBD, THC and CBN Options for Menopause Symptoms

Honolulu – September 25, 2026 -- Rare Cannabinoid Company has published a new educational guide, "CBD for Menopause: A Guide to Cannabis, THC, CBN and Hemp," aimed at women navigating perimenopause and menopause who are exploring cannabinoids for sleep, mood, focus, appetite and physical comfort.

The guide's central point is that there is no single "menopause cannabinoid." It breaks down seven distinct compounds and their commonly reported uses: CBD for calm and everyday comfort, CBN for nighttime relaxation, THC for deeper relaxation and soreness relief, CBG for physical discomfort and recovery, CBC for mood-oriented formulas, THCV for daytime energy and appetite-conscious routines, and CBDV for social ease and reduced irritability.