Dallas – October 16, 2026 -- The 21st annual Sam's Night raised $1.7 million, based on preliminary totals at press time, for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), and donations are still open at SamsNight.org. The Killian family of Rockwall, Texas, hosted the fundraiser on Thursday, October 15, at Victory Social.

Sam's Night has raised more than $10 million since it began

The event started more than two decades ago as Sam's Family Fun Day. It has grown alongside Sam Killian, now 24, who was diagnosed with Duchenne in 2005. Today it is an evening fundraiser that draws the Killians' friends, family, colleagues, and supporters.

The money supports PPMD's work on research, care, advocacy, and access to therapies. PPMD describes itself as the leading U.S. nonprofit driving Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy care, research, and advocacy.

San Francisco – October 16, 2026 -- Human Longevity, Inc. (HLI) now offers up to $1 million in treatment and clinical support to eligible members diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, after expanding its Cancer Prevention Pledge to cover the disease. The support is subject to program terms.

CEO and Chairman Dr. Wei-Wu He says the company is confident enough in its detection approach that no member under its ongoing care should reach stage IV without earlier detection. The pledge is meant to provide backing if advanced cancer develops anyway.

Whole genome sequencing anchors the screening approach

HLI combines genome sequencing, advanced diagnostics, and ongoing physician care. Its program includes three elements:

Los Angeles – October 16, 2026 -- Two families shopping for baby supplies at Target have received a year's supply of wipes from Millie Moon, the luxury baby care brand, in a surprise delivered by dad and creator JC Caylen.

A Target baby aisle becomes the surprise location

JC walks into the baby aisle at Target and meets parents during their regular shopping trips. The first recipient is Adriana, who is shopping with her young daughter, Victoria. JC shares the surprise on behalf of Millie Moon.

The brand says the gift is meant to take one everyday essential off parents' worry list. Victoria received the gift emotionally and described how hard the past year of health challenges has been for her family.

Helena – October 16, 2026 -- The Montana Heritage Center, a 165,000-square-foot museum next to the State Capitol, opened in December 2025 and now anchors a history road trip that runs from Helena to Glendive and beyond.

Three galleries cover 10,000 years of Montana history

The Homeland Gallery traces more than 10,000 years of Montana history, from ancient landscapes to today's communities. The Russell Gallery displays masterworks by Western artist Charles M. Russell, who worked as a cowboy near Lewistown and eventually Great Falls. The Changing Gallery rotates art and artifacts from the Montana Historical Society's collections. Visitors move through different time periods as they walk from gallery to gallery.

Los Angeles – October 16, 2026 -- MagBak has opened pre-orders for the MagBak Elite for iPhone Duo, an $89 case designed for the first folding Apple phone, with new orders expected to ship in mid-November. Initial pre-orders have already sold out twice.

A foldable changes shape dozens of times a day, and the case is built around that. Ronny I., MagBak's head of product, said the aim was a case that works across multiple form factors, whether the phone is open or folded.

A kickstand and finger loop work in both open and folded modes

The built-in metal kickstand supports portrait or landscape use, folded or unfolded, and clicks away when not in use. A silicone finger loop makes one-handed and two-handed use more stable, extends how much of the screen a thumb can reach, retracts when not in use, and does not interfere with charging. Grip grooves along the edge make the case easier to open.

Pompano Beach – October 16, 2026 -- The 30-year fixed mortgage rate now averages 7.4%, the highest since November 2023, even as the US housing market tilts toward buyers for the first time in years. The 15-year fixed rate averages 6.73%, up from 5.53% a year ago.

Sellers outnumber buyers by 58% nationwide

In August, there were 58% more sellers than buyers, the widest gap since Redfin began tracking the data in 2013. The National Association of Realtors puts supply at 4.9 months at the current sales pace, the highest in almost ten years.

Homes.com reports that inventory rose in 70% of 930 markets, while buyers stayed cautious. Seattle listings climbed 21.5% to 15,959 homes, yet sales fell 12.8%. In Nashville, listings rose 18.7% and sales dropped 7%, with sellers offering incentives of up to $36,000 and lower commissions.

Tamarac, Florida – October 16, 2026 -- Families weighing long-term care in South Florida have a new data point: Tamarac Rehabilitation & Health Center, operated by Sabal Health, ranked #20 among facilities with 100-149 beds on Newsweek's America's Best Nursing Homes list for 2027.

Newsweek and Statista screened 14,693 nursing homes

Newsweek compiles the list each year with global data research firm Statista. The 2027 edition highlights 1,325 of the nation's top nursing homes out of 14,693 analyzed.

The evaluation draws on performance data, peer recommendations, accreditations and satisfaction. It also uses data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Manassas – October 16, 2026 -- Meant, a telehealth platform for GLP-1 weight care, is promoting two features that run alongside the prescription decision: ongoing Care Coach support and a supplement kit on eligible plans.

Licensed providers decide on treatment, not Meant

Meant does not diagnose or prescribe. Eligibility and prescribing decisions are made case by case by licensed providers at its clinical partner, OpenLoop Health. Treatment is not guaranteed for every applicant.

A short online questionnaire is the first step

The program starts with an online health assessment, a brief questionnaire reviewed by a licensed provider. That provider determines whether a prescription is appropriate.

San José – October 16, 2026 -- Brazilian poker player Gabriel "kingqueensuited" Tavares took home $204,657 by winning Americas Cardroom's Sunday Banana two weeks in a row, on Oct. 4 and Oct. 11. He has also reached Day 2 of the $5 Million GTD NLH Venom PKO.

Two Sunday Banana titles pay $96,336 and $108,321

The Oct. 4 Sunday Banana, a $1,050 buy-in event, drew 436 entries and built a $436,000 prize pool. Tavares won $96,336. A week later, he finished first among 502 entries competing for $502,000, earning $108,321.

"Consistency is very important," Tavares said in an Americas Cardroom interview. He credited discipline at the second final table, where he held a medium stack against much shorter opponents.

Encinitas – October 16, 2026 -- Blank Slate, the restaurant near Moonlight Beach run by chef Aron Schwartz and co-owner Pam Schwartz, now serves dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

The restaurant sits at 101 N. Coast Highway 101, next to Encinitas Surfboards. Reservations are available through the restaurant's website or by phone at 760-454-9991, and a reservation calendar shows availability and special events.

Local columnist called his dinner 'a perfect meal'

David Boylan, longtime host of Lick the Plate and a culinary columnist for The Coast News, reviewed Blank Slate in a May 20 feature titled "So much to love about Blank Slate in Encinitas." He has since named it one of the best new restaurants in Encinitas. He credited the owners' combined culinary talent, their wine pairings and the frequency of their menu updates based on fresh ingredients.