United States

Canon's EOS R8 Mark II Adds Joystick, Faster Buffers

New York – September 18, 2026 -- Canon has unveiled the EOS R8 Mark II, a full-frame mirrorless camera that keeps the 24.2-megapixel sensor of its predecessor while adding in-body image stabilization, a rear joystick, and a deeper buffer for burst shooting. The camera is available as a body alone or bundled with the RF 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens.

The body gets a sharper, more angular redesign

Compared to the smooth curves of earlier Canon models, the R8 Mark II features a more angular shell with fewer visible controls on top. The mode dial, power switch, record button, and M-Fn button remain in familiar spots, but the video mode switch beside the viewfinder housing has been removed.

A long-requested joystick finally arrives

Canon has added a multi-controller joystick to the back of the camera, letting users move autofocus points and navigate menus more easily. The AF-on button has also been relocated for a more comfortable grip.

Boulder County Turns Wildfire Prep Into Public Art With Two New Murals

Boulder, Colo. – September 18, 2026 -- Two new murals have gone up in Nederland and Lyons, Colorado, part of a campaign urging homeowners to treat wildfire mitigation as routine home upkeep rather than an emergency response.

Wildfire Partners commissioned the artwork to reach residents directly

The murals, funded by Boulder County's Wildfire Partners program, are located at Nederland Feed and Pet on CO-72 in Nederland and on Broadway between 4th and 5th Ave. in Lyons. Artists Taylor Shaw and Rachel Dinda designed the pieces, each carrying the campaign headline "Home Sweet Mitigated Home" alongside embedded images of properly mitigated homes -- including examples of removed juniper plants, a highly combustible landscaping choice near many county houses.

X-Golf Launches Nationwide Indoor League With $10,000 Grand Prize

Loveland, Colo. – September 18, 2026 -- X-Golf America has launched X-League: Fall Season, a nationwide 3v3 indoor golf competition open to players of every skill level, with a $10,000 grand prize on the line. The league runs at all 138 X-Golf locations across 38 states, using a handicapped scoring format so beginners and low-handicappers can compete on equal footing.

Players compete on digital re-creations of Pebble Beach and Oakmont

Local qualifying rounds take place on newly remastered, enhanced-graphic simulator versions of famous American courses, including Pebble Beach, Kapalua, and Oakmont. Every shot is captured digitally, and players must physically chip and putt to finish each hole rather than relying on auto-converted results near the green.

Why Two Similar Remodels Can Cost Wildly Different Amounts

Somerset, Ky. – – September 18, 2026 -- Homeowners planning a renovation often ask for a price per square foot, but a new HelloNation article argues that number rarely tells the full story. The piece features insights from Construction Expert Jon-Brent Bernard of Secure Structure in Somerset, Kentucky, on why remodeling budgets vary so widely even for similar-looking projects.

According to the article, project scope is the single biggest driver of cost. Cosmetic updates like flooring, paint, cabinets, or fixtures sit at one end of the spectrum, while larger jobs that involve moving walls, replacing plumbing, upgrading electrical systems, or swapping out heating and cooling equipment sit at the other.

Jeweler's Simple Daily Habits Can Extend Your Jewelry's Life

Elizabethtown – September 18, 2026 -- Patrick Clark of Clark Jewelers in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, says jewelry owners can protect their rings, necklaces, and bracelets without expensive products or complicated routines, just consistent daily habits.

Removing jewelry before chores prevents chemical damage

Clark recommends taking off rings before washing dishes, swimming, or applying cosmetics, since even mild household cleaning products can dull metal finishes and loosen settings over time. He advises cleaning jewelry gently with warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth to remove daily buildup of dirt and oils.

Frequent cleaning isn't necessary, but consistency is

A quick wipe after each wear helps stop buildup that clouds gemstones and reduces brilliance, according to Clark. He notes that properly drying jewelry after washing is often overlooked, yet it prevents water spots and moisture damage.

LA Fitness Reopens Indianapolis Club After $1.4M Renovation

Indianapolis – September 18, 2026 -- LA Fitness has reopened its Lawrence-Pendleton Pike club at 9930 Pendleton Pike in Indianapolis following a $1.4 million renovation, giving members new training spaces and upgraded amenities as of August 21.

New training zones target strength and coaching

The club now features dedicated Functional Training and Personal Training areas for guided workouts and individualized coaching. The LIFT free weights section has been expanded with a new multi-station rig system and specialized glute training equipment.

Pilates studio joins the fitness lineup

A new Pilates by LA Fitness studio has been added, aimed at helping members build strength and improve mobility. New cardio and strength machines have also been installed across the fitness floor.

Grech RV Offers $10,000 Rebate at America's Largest RV Show

Riverside, Calif. – September 18, 2026 -- Grech RV will exhibit as a Platinum Sponsor at the 57th Annual America's Largest RV Show, running September 16-20, 2026, at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, alongside nearly 1,500 RVs from about 40 manufacturers.

A $10,000 rebate runs through September 30, 2026
The California coachbuilder is promoting its Sprinter RV Upgrade Program, a limited-time offer giving qualifying customers a flat $10,000 rebate toward any new MY 2026 or MY 2027 Grech RV model. The rebate applies to the STRADA-ion, TERRENO-ion, TURISMO-ion, and VACANZA-ion lineup, with the VACANZA-ion now included at the full $10,000 discount. No trade-in is required, and the rebate is applied directly at the time of sale.

Lennar Launches 'The Farm' Community With Homes Starting in the High $400Ks

Jurupa Valley – September 18, 2026 -- Lennar has opened sales for The Farm, a new resort-style community in Jurupa Valley, California, with condominiums and single-family homes priced from the high $400,000s.

Sixteen floorplans span four home collections

Buyers can choose from 16 designs across four distinct collections, ranging from 845 to 2,869 square feet. Homes include one to four bedrooms and one-and-one-half to three-and-one-half bathrooms, giving options for first-time buyers, growing families and downsizers alike.

Every home includes Lennar's Everything's Included features

Under Lennar's Everything's Included® program, base prices cover stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, hard-surface flooring, cabinetry and designer fixtures, removing the need for costly upgrade packages.

Giggles Ditches Trading Mechanics, Relaunches as Simpler Social Video App

New York – September 18, 2026 -- Giggles, the fast-growing social video app, has relaunched with a ground-up redesign that swaps its old trading mechanics for a new points system called Aura and a set of collectible "trend cards."

Aura replaces trading with a simple rewards system

Users earn Aura by participating on the app and spend it on interactions and creator rewards. Aura carries no cash value, marking a clear departure from the trading economy the app was previously known for. Trend cards, meanwhile, are digital collectibles earned with Aura that mark viral moments and celebrate creators, memes, and content that define the platform.

The app remains focused on short-form video across five categories

Giggles still functions as a short-form video platform where users create, watch, and share content across comedy, food, sports, music, and memes.

Norwegian Cruise Line to Debut Whitney Houston Tribute Show at Sea in 2027

Miami – September 18, 2026 -- Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled the entertainment lineup for its new ship, Norwegian Aura, set to debut in May 2027, headlined by an original stage production titled "Whitney: A Celebration of Whitney Houston."

The show is built with the singer's estate and her music publisher

Developed in partnership with The Estate of Whitney E. Houston and Primary Wave Music, the 45-minute production reimagines Houston's catalog through contemporary arrangements and live performance. Houston sold more than 220 million records worldwide, scored seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits and won six Grammy Awards. The show will feature hits including "It's Not Right, But It's OK," "I Will Always Love You," and "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)," a track certified nine-times platinum by the RIAA and named Best Pop Song of All Time by Billboard in 2023.