New York – October 16, 2026 -- Anyone can now join the global blood stem cell donor registry from home: Gabriel & Co. has opened a digital donor drive that mails a cheek swab kit to supporters, as the jewelry brand marks 10 years of partnership with the blood cancer nonprofit DKMS.

Register with a cheek swab at home

The digital drive extends beyond Gabriel & Co.'s own team. Supporters sign up through a dedicated online link, receive the swab kit by mail and complete it at home. The company says the goal is to make donor registration accessible to its community and beyond.

The stakes are concrete. For many people with blood cancer or other blood disorders, a blood stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor can be a critical treatment option. Because patients often depend on a matching donor outside their family, a larger registry can improve their chances of finding a match.

Belleville – October 16, 2026 -- Third, fourth and fifth graders in Illinois American Water's service area can submit artwork to the "Water Keeps Life Flowing" contest through Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, with up to 10 winners earning classroom prize packs worth roughly $100.

Entries open Oct. 16 and close Nov. 13

Students are asked to capture what high-quality water service means to them. Submissions opened Oct. 16, 2026, one day after the U.S. Water Alliance's Imagine a Day Without Water observance on Oct. 15.

Brian Eisenloeffel, President of Illinois American Water, said the annual contest brings art and science together. He listed drinking, cooking, gardening, public health, local businesses and firefighting among the everyday uses of water.

Brentwood – October 16, 2026 -- Patients who need recurring infusion therapy can book private-suite appointments, including evenings and weekends, at more than 160 IVX Health centers, and the network has now collected 10,000 five-star Google reviews. The company says the count was reached as of October 13, 2026.

Patients get private suites and flexible hours

IVX Health provides outpatient infusion and injection therapy for people with complex chronic conditions. Its centers offer private patient suites, flexible scheduling, and experienced clinical teams. The company says the locations sit close to where patients live and work.

Comfortable recliners, personal televisions, complimentary Wi-Fi and snacks are meant to help patients settle in during treatment. Dedicated care teams support them throughout each visit.

Sacramento – October 16, 2026 -- Museum of Illusions Sacramento opens November 6 at 405 K Street, Suite 110, with general admission starting at $30 for adults and buy-one-get-one-free tickets available before opening day.

The 10,000-square-foot museum is the brand's 72nd location worldwide and its third in California, after San Diego and Santa Monica, which both opened in 2025. It is the chain's first venue in Northern California.

Over 70 hands-on exhibits invite visitors to test their own eyes

Guests can try more than 70 exhibits and attractions, including Building Illusion, Following Eyes and Reverse Room. Each is built so visitors experience the illusion themselves and learn how the eye and brain interpret what they see.

Naples – October 16, 2026 -- Social Security and SSI payments for 76 million Americans will rise 3.6 percent in 2027, lifting the average retirement benefit by about $75 a month. Finance and insurance professional Bobby Garon says many retirees will see a smaller bump in their bank accounts than that headline suggests.

The 2027 COLA is the largest since 2023

The Social Security Administration announced the cost of living adjustment (COLA) on October 14. It is up from 2.8 percent in 2026 and is the largest since 2023's 8.7 percent increase.

Nearly 72 million Social Security beneficiaries will see the increase starting in January 2027. About 7.3 million SSI recipients will get theirs on December 31, 2026.

Youngstown, Ohio – October 16, 2026 -- Patients of Youngstown Orthopaedic Associates (YOA) will become Cleveland Clinic patients on November 1, 2026, when the practice officially joins the health system. The practice says it does not expect any interruption in care.

Dr. James D. Solmen retires October 31

Dr. James D. Solmen will retire from medicine effective October 31, 2026, after a career serving patients throughout the Mahoning Valley. Patients who saw him can continue their care with one of the practice's other orthopaedic physicians or podiatrists. The practice also apologized to Dr. Solmen for an earlier letter that wrongly listed his middle initial as "R."

Plano – October 16, 2026 -- Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra phone, Bespoke AI Family HubTM Refrigerator with AI Vision and Odyssey G8 Gaming Monitor (G80HS) have all been named to TIME's Best Inventions 2026. It is the fourth time Samsung Galaxy devices have appeared on the annual list.

TIME's global network of expert contributors and editors picks the winners. They judge new products and ideas on originality, efficacy, ambition, and impact.

Galaxy S26 Ultra brings a built-in Privacy Display to phones

Samsung calls the Galaxy S26 Ultra its most advanced Galaxy S series experience to date. It is billed as the world's first phone with a built-in Privacy Display, which limits the screen's viewing range to restrict peripheral vision. The feature must be enabled in settings. Depending on angle and brightness, some information may still be visible to others.

Sheridan – October 16, 2026 -- The YiHouse Doublethick washable rug measures about 0.46 inches thick, compared with roughly 0.22 inches for standard washable rugs, and the entire one-piece rug fits in a household washing machine. YiHouse has launched YiHouse.com to sell the collection to U.S. consumers. The rugs are already available on Amazon.

Thin washable rugs prompted the redesign

YiHouse says it reviewed publicly available consumer feedback and repeatedly found complaints about thin construction, limited cushioning and a lack of softness. Some reviewers compared competing washable rugs to a bed sheet laid on the floor.

Eugene – October 16, 2026 -- Patients who finish braces or clear aligners are advised to keep wearing a retainer, starting with full-time use and later moving to nightly wear, according to a HelloNation article featuring Dr. Ben Thornton of Thornton Orthodontics in Eugene, Oregon.

Why straight teeth still need protection

Many patients assume treatment is over once braces or aligners come off. The article says the retention phase protects results while the surrounding bone and soft tissues stabilize. Retainers hold teeth in their corrected positions and reduce the chance of shifting back toward the original alignment.

Shifting is common after treatment, especially during the first year.

Vail – October 16, 2026 -- Vail Mountain is opening its winter with ILLENIUM at the new Dobson Arena on December 11, part of a 2026/27 music lineup that includes seven on-mountain performances, three more than last season, and two brand-new venues.

ILLENIUM and Ian Asher headline Dobson Arena

GRAMMY®-nominated, multi-platinum artist ILLENIUM kicks off the season with a marquee show on December 11. Surprise performances are possible throughout the weekend, and Vail says artist announcements will appear at @VailMtn.

On January 16, Southern California DJ and producer Ian Asher takes over the same stage. He is best known for viral electronic and house remixes, including the billion-stream "Makeba" remix, which earned Remix of the Year honors.