General

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.

Post Falls – – October 16, 2026 -- Pet owners can use a handful of clear warning signs to decide whether a sick or injured animal can be watched at home or needs a vet right away. A new HelloNation article draws on advice from Dr. Annie Bowes of Aspen Veterinary Service in Post Falls, Idaho.

Difficulty breathing, seizures and collapse demand immediate care

The article names difficulty breathing, repeated vomiting, seizures and collapse as signs of a pet emergency. It says these symptoms should never be ignored, because waiting can put a pet's health at serious risk.

Minor limping and small cuts can be monitored briefly

Minor limping, small cuts or slight behavioral changes may not need emergency care. Careful observation shows whether the symptoms improve or worsen. Mild issues that resolve quickly may not need immediate attention, but persistent or worsening symptoms should not be ignored.

Charlotte, N.C. – October 15, 2026 -- Guests at more than 650 participating Extended Stay America hotels can now find voter registration information on-site ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

STAY Counted offers information in person and online

The program is called STAY Counted. Extended Stay America describes it as a nonpartisan initiative that helps eligible guests and team members access voter registration resources.

Information is available on esa.com, on the @ExtendedStay social media channels and in email newsletters. It is also available on-site at the participating locations. All of these channels direct people to official state and federal elections resources.

Rules differ from state to state

Registration eligibility, requirements and deadlines vary by state, according to the company. Guests should check the official resources the program links to for the rules where they live.

Mount Horeb – October 14, 2026 -- Duluth Trading Co. has released a 10-piece limited-edition apparel and gear collection with WD-40 Brand, with prices from $5.95 to $94.95. It is available now at duluthtrading.com and in Duluth's 60+ U.S. retail stores while supplies last.

The collection borrows the blue-and-yellow look of the can that has been a toolbox staple since 1953. It applies WD-40 Brand's colors and graphics to Duluth favorites, including Heritage hoodies, Fire Hose® gear and Buck Naked® underwear.

Apparel runs from a $19.95 beanie to a $94.95 robe

The Men's Buck Naked Boxer Briefs ($24.95) carry an allover print of cans, tools and different uses for the WD-40 Multi-Use Product. The Men's Graphic Standard Fit T-Shirt ($29.95) comes in two styles: a co-branded blue-and-yellow logo design and an "Elbow Grease Only Gets You So Far" graphic.

Sedalia – – October 13, 2026 -- Families planning a veteran funeral can request military honors, a government-provided headstone or marker, and possibly burial allowances, but none of these benefits is automatic. A HelloNation guide featuring Brad Rea of Rea Funeral Home in Sedalia, Missouri, walks through the options and the steps needed to claim them.

Military honors include the flag and Taps

The folded American flag is presented to the family as a symbol of the nation's gratitude. Depending on eligibility, honors may also include the playing of Taps and a ceremonial flag presentation by uniformed service members. They are available for both cremation and traditional burials.

Memphis – October 12, 2026 -- Memphis homeowners voted Choate's Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing, and Electrical the 2026 Best of Memphis winner for Best HVAC Co., the company's fourth win in the category in five years.

The award comes from readers of the Memphis Flyer, who choose the winner by majority vote. The company points out that this differs from industry certifications based on internal metrics.

Choate's has ranked at the top for five straight years

Choate's has held a top-tier ranking for five consecutive years, starting in 2022. That run includes a second-place finish in 2025. The company attributes its results to technical reliability and community involvement, and says they reflect strong retention among multi-generational customers.

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.

Jersey City, N.J. – October 07, 2026 -- BetMGM has been voted the Most Trusted Online Casino Brand in America, tied for top spot, according to the 2026 BrandSpark American Trust Study conducted in partnership with Newsweek.

More than 35,000 consumers weighed in on brand trust

The independent survey polled over 35,000 U.S. consumers, measuring trust across hundreds of brands and categories. BrandSpark's analysis credited BetMGM's standing to strong consumer perceptions of quality, reliability, dependable payouts and overall platform credibility, with particular strength among higher-income and older demographics.

BetMGM CEO ties the award to regulatory standards

"Trust is the foundation of everything we do," said Adam Greenblatt, Chief Executive Officer of BetMGM, pointing to the company's game portfolio, responsible gambling tools and platform security as pillars of its regulated-market approach.

Midland, Texas – October 06, 2026 -- When a loved one dies, families often don't know where to begin, and a new guide from Willowbrook Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Midland, Texas, lays out the immediate steps to take.

A legal pronouncement of death comes first

Funeral Services Expert Sparky Clark explains that if a death occurs in a hospital, hospice, or nursing home, medical professionals typically handle the legal pronouncement. If it happens at home without hospice care, families must contact emergency services or local authorities before any other arrangements can proceed.

Notifying relatives can be shared among family members

Once death is legally confirmed, families should reach out to close relatives and trusted friends. Clark notes that splitting phone calls among siblings or relatives eases the burden and gives everyone time to inform employers, clergy, and others connected to the person's life.

San Jose, Costa Rica – October 02, 2026 -- Americas Cardroom will kick off its Dual Venom PKO tournaments this Sunday, October 4, offering a combined $6.5 million in guaranteed prize money.

Two flagship events launch at 1:05 p.m. ET with a shared $2,650 buy-in

The $5 million guaranteed No-Limit Hold'em PKO and the $1.5 million guaranteed Pot-Limit Omaha PKO both start at 1:05 p.m. ET on October 4. The PLO event ties the largest PLO PKO guarantee in Americas Cardroom history. Players earn bounties by knocking out opponents, with individual NLH bounties potentially reaching tens of thousands of dollars.

Five Day 1 flights run through mid-October before the finals

Each tournament offers five Day 1 flights, scheduled for October 4, 8, 11, 15 and 18, all starting at 1:05 p.m. ET. Day 2 play happens Monday, October 19, with both final tables set for Wednesday, October 21.