Evanston – September 30, 2026 -- A new Mather Institute study finds that older adults who age alone and own pets report significant boosts to physical activity, emotional wellbeing and social connection, with dog owners showing the strongest gains.

The online survey of 900 solo agers aged 55 and older found that 76% reported improved emotional wellbeing, 62% reported reduced stress and 45% reported increased physical activity. Nearly half said pets help reduce loneliness, and a third said pets led to more social interactions through daily walks and outdoor time.

Dog owners show the biggest activity gains among solo agers

Dog owners reported physical activity levels 42% higher than pet-free adults, the study found. Cat owners also described frequent short bursts of movement tied to feeding, play and household routines. Solo agers without pets recorded the lowest weekly activity levels of any group surveyed.

Dallas – September 30, 2026 -- Advance ER is opening its lobbies to community voting for its annual Staff Pumpkin Decorating Contest, with ballots open from Monday, October 5 through Sunday, October 11 at its Park Cities and Preston Hollow/Galleria locations.

Staff spent 14 days transforming blank pumpkins into displays

Undecorated pumpkins were set out in both lobbies on September 16, giving Advance ER staff two weeks to carve and paint their entries before public voting begins.

Families get treats while they vote

During voting week, kids can pick up candy and small gifts, and adults receive a complimentary first-aid kit for the car, limited to one per family. The first five children to vote at each location get a free squishy toy, also limited to one per family.

Catalina Foothills, Ariz. – September 30, 2026 -- Hairline cracks on a clay or concrete tile roof might look harmless, but roofing professional Drew Nelson of Apex Roof Pros LLC says they can quietly let water reach the underlayment beneath the tiles, weakening a roof's waterproofing over time.

In Tucson's dry, high-heat climate, daily temperature swings cause tiles to expand and contract, a cycle Nelson says gradually widens existing cracks and adds stress to the roof system.

Cracked tiles shift weight and expose the underlayment during storms

Nelson explains that cracked tiles distribute weight unevenly, creating stress points across the roof. When monsoon winds or heavy weather hit, that uneven pressure can cause a tile to slip or break entirely, exposing the underlayment and leading to more complex repairs.

Somersworth – September 30, 2026 -- Atlantic Digestive Specialists has notified patients that their Social Security numbers, medical records, and financial data may have been accessed by unauthorized parties during a network breach earlier this year.

Suspicious network activity triggered an investigation in March 2026

The New Hampshire-based gastroenterology practice detected suspicious activity on its systems and immediately secured its network, then hired outside cybersecurity experts to investigate. That probe found that intruders may have viewed or acquired data between March 16 and March 17, 2026.

Spiceland, Indiana – September 30, 2026 -- The Spiceland National Youth Campus officially opened its doors this past weekend with a culture and sports festival that drew young people, families and guests from across the United States.

Sports Teams Traveled Nationwide to Compete at the New Campus

Teams from around the country arrived in Spiceland, Indiana, to compete and connect during the opening weekend. The festival also featured live music, a fashion show, artisanal vendors and family-friendly activities, drawing attendees from all walks of life for a weekend centered on community and culture.

Highlands Ranch, Colo. – September 30, 2026 -- A new HelloNation article breaks down how Denver-area home sellers can set an accurate listing price by reading comparable sales, inventory levels, and buyer demand rather than simply reaching for the highest possible number.

An overpriced home can scare off buyers before a showing even happens

The article warns that a home pricing strategy built around wishful thinking rather than market data often backfires. Instead, sellers need to gauge current buyer demand for their specific type of property, which can shift quickly based on interest rates, seasonal patterns, and how much inventory is available.

New York City – – September 30, 2026 -- Hilarity for Charity (HFC), the nonprofit founded by filmmakers Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen, will host its fifth annual HFC Comedy Night on Friday, October 2, at Racket NYC, 431 W 16th St, raising funds for Alzheimer's caregiver support and brain health education.

The 21-and-over event kicks off with a VIP reception at 6:00 PM, followed by general admission doors at 7:00 PM and showtime at 8:00 PM.

Desi Lydic emcees a lineup of stand-up comedians and live music

Comedian Desi Lydic will host the evening, with stand-up sets from Byron Bowers, Jay Jurden, Bryan Safi, Jo Sunday and Maddie Wiener. No Static Orchestra will provide live music, and organizers promise additional surprises throughout the night.

New York – – September 30, 2026 -- Tmrw, a daily longevity drink formulated to replace more than 20 individual supplements with a single scoop, officially launched in the U.S. today. The NSF Certified for Sport product packs 88 science-backed ingredients into one clinically dosed formula covering longevity, gut health, cognition and foundational nutrition.

Founders Anthony Baxter and Stuart Vaughan, previously behind Simply Nootropics, spent more than two years and over 100 formulation iterations developing the product. Baxter said the idea grew from watching customers stack one supplement for energy, another for gut health and another for longevity, and from his own burnout while running a high-growth digital agency.

New York – September 30, 2026 -- Couples can now exchange vows inside One Times Square, the building famous for hosting the New Year's Eve Ball Drop, after the launch of a new venue called One Times Square Weddings. Reservations are open now at OneTimesSquare.com, with ceremonies for up to 75 guests starting at $600.

Four rooms offer distinct views of the Crossroads of the World

Ceremonies run 30 to 60 minutes and take place in one of several spaces on the building's upper floors. The Eternal Room offers natural light and access to the 15th floor lobby, while the Ruby Room uses red drapes and carpet for a more intimate feel. The Harmony Room looks directly onto the intersection of 7th Avenue and 42nd Street through floor-to-ceiling windows, and the 15th Floor Bowtie Balcony puts couples above the street-level crowds for photos.

Oak Brook, Ill. – September 30, 2026 -- Vehicle thefts in the United States fell 21% during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, with all 50 states posting year-over-year declines, according to a new analysis from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

A total of 268,415 vehicles were reported stolen to law enforcement between January and June 2026, translating to a national theft rate of roughly 77.81 thefts per 100,000 people.

Every state saw thefts decline, but the drops varied widely

The District of Columbia posted the steepest improvement, with thefts down 52% versus the first half of 2025. Despite that drop, D.C. still recorded the highest theft rate of any jurisdiction analyzed, at 181.94 thefts per 100,000 residents.