Puerto Vallarta – October 07, 2026 -- Puerto Vallarta has been ranked the Second Best Small City in the World and the top small city in Latin America in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2026, based on votes from 798,867 readers. It is the second consecutive year the Mexican Pacific destination has held a top spot in the ranking.

The city placed behind Victoria, Canada, and ahead of Florence, Italy, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and Lucerne, Switzerland.

Readers cite beaches, cobblestone streets, and the Romantic Zone's nightlife

Condé Nast Traveler pointed to Puerto Vallarta's Historic Center, its culinary scene, art, and sea excursions to Yelapa, Banderas Bay, and the Sierra Madre Occidental as reasons for the ranking.

Cologne – October 07, 2026 -- Segway unveiled two new e-scooters, the ZT3 MAX and MAX G3 Pro, at simultaneous launch events in Cologne and Paris, alongside a new standard for verifying advertised range claims.

Segway targets two common rider complaints with new models

The ZT3 MAX is built for mixed terrain and urban roads, using a new Intelligent Combined Braking System (ICBS) for more stable stopping on uneven surfaces. The MAX G3 Pro targets longer daily commutes with a high-capacity battery and built-in fast charging.

Atlanta – October 07, 2026 -- Habitat for Humanity International has named 44 volunteers from 21 countries as its 2026 honorees, recognizing their work building homes, mobilizing communities and advocating for affordable housing during the organization's 50th anniversary year.

Twelve volunteers earned global recognition out of more than 300 regional nominations

In Jordan, Fadi Miqdady led efforts to build 78 homes, rehabilitate more than 370 others and improve water access in remote villages. In South Korea, Sean Ro organized public running and walking campaigns that engaged tens of thousands of participants and raised approximately $5.7 million to support housing for descendants of independence patriots and war veterans. In Kenya, Roseline Asena mobilized residents of the Mukuru Informal Settlement to push for adequate housing, helping bring local priorities into national policy discussions.

Scottsdale, Ariz. – October 07, 2026 -- Bad Birdie launched its Winter 2026 Collection, called Class of Bad, on October 7, bringing varsity-inspired graphics and cold-weather performance gear to golf courses this season.

Collegiate styling anchors the new lineup

The collection builds on the brand's Fall Tailgate Edit, pairing a palette of bright teal, bold red and dark navy with new prints and silhouettes. The centerpiece is a new Collegiate Crewneck for men and women, made in Peru from 100% cotton French terry with a double-layer rib collar and rib cuffs.

NEW YORK – October 07, 2026 -- Royal Grand Resorts, a new 30-room adults-only hotel built for gay men, opens this November in Manuel Antonio on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast, with reservations now open at royalgrandresorts.com.

The resort skips ultra-luxury pricing for upscale rooms and amenities

Rooms span five categories, from the 290-square-foot Royal Queen Room to the 527-square-foot Royal Grand Suite. Every room includes a private balcony, individually controlled air conditioning, robes, slippers, a mini fridge, a safe and a coffee maker. Breakfast is included every morning.

Chicago -- On Sunday, October 11, 2026, 263 runners will take on the Chicago Marathon's 26.2-mile course as part of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) "Race for Hope" team, turning their mileage into fundraising for mental health research and education.

Team Has Raised Nearly $4.6 Million Since 2010

More than 1,800 participants have run under the Race for Hope banner since the team joined the Chicago Marathon in 2010, collectively raising close to $4.6 million for AFSP. This year's 263-member team is aiming to add nearly $1 million more to that total.

Runners Wear Jerseys With Personal Stories on the Back

Each team member races in a custom jersey featuring the Race for Hope logo on the front and a personal message on the back -- often naming a loved one lost to suicide or reflecting on their own mental health struggles.

Wichita Falls – October 07, 2026 -- Many people with disabilities avoid taking a job because they believe any paycheck will instantly cut off their Social Security benefits, but that assumption is often wrong. David Toogood, an expert on empowering people with disabilities at Work Services Corporation in Wichita Falls, Texas, says Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) both allow work under specific rules rather than cutting people off the moment they earn income.

SSDI includes a trial work period before benefits change.

Findlay, Ohio – October 07, 2026 -- Homeowners dealing with weak faucets or sluggish showers now have a clearer roadmap for diagnosing the problem, according to a new HelloNation article featuring insights from Aaron Basinger, a plumbing expert based in Findlay, Ohio.

Clogged fixtures are often the first suspect

The article identifies mineral deposits and sediment buildup in faucet aerators and showerheads as one of the most common causes of reduced water flow, especially in homes with hard water. Cleaning or replacing the affected fixture frequently resolves the issue.

A partially closed valve can cut pressure throughout the house

Shutoff valves near the water meter, water heater, or under sinks that aren't fully open can drastically reduce flow. The article notes that even a small adjustment to these valves can sometimes restore normal pressure instantly.

Las Vegas – October 07, 2026 -- Lucky Energy debuted a complete brand overhaul at the NACS Show, swapping its old can design for a stark black-and-white look that will hit shelves at select retailers, Amazon, and luckyenergy.co starting in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The redesign, developed with creative agency Dayjob, keeps the brand's signature tape graphic but strips away color except for flavor-specific accents. The company says the minimalist approach makes the simple, zero-sugar, zero-calorie formula easier to understand at a glance.

The company adopts a new mission statement built around gratitude

Lucky's updated tagline, "Every day is a miracle," reframes luck as something consumers create rather than wait for. Founder Richard Laver said the new identity is "cleaner, sharper, and more grown-up" while keeping the brand's original emotional core intact.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – October 07, 2026 -- The 6th Annual Pumpkins & Palm Trees Fall Festival returns to Las Olas Oceanside Park on Saturday, October 24, 2026, with free admission and an expanded lineup of carnival rides, a student pie-baking contest and a musical trick-or-treat trail.

Presented by the City of Fort Lauderdale Beach Business Improvement District (BBID), the family event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., with the Oceanside Community MKT open separately from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free admission covers photo stations, STEM exhibits and candy games

Entry to the festival itself costs nothing. Included activities feature an interactive photo station sponsored by Stoked on Salt, hands-on exploration aboard the MODS STEMobile, balloon artistry from SoFlo Community Markets, lawn games with candy prizes and the Broward Center Spotlights Trick-or-Treat Trail, running from noon to 2 p.m.