Society & Community

Oakland – October 14, 2026 -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) may shut off power to about 88,000 customers in 29 California counties, starting Wednesday evening, October 14, as a statewide fire weather system moves through.

The planned outage is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). Customers have already received multiple notices, and PG&E says it will notify them again within four hours of their planned shutoff. Six Tribes may also be affected.

Check your address and prepare for a long outage

Customers can see whether their address is in scope and read the latest updates at pge.com/PSPSupdates. PG&E advises those who have been notified to prepare for extended outages:

Ventura County – October 14, 2026 -- Tickets are available for the St. John's Healthcare Foundation's 2027 gala, Adventure. Seats cost $450 each, and all proceeds go to cancer care in Ventura County. The black-tie evening takes place Saturday, May 1, 2027, at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village.

Every dollar raised supports St. John's Cancer Services

The foundation says 100 percent of gala funds will support St. John's Cancer Services. The money is meant to continue and expand access to advanced imaging technology, infusion treatments and oncology services across the county.

The event starts at 4:30 p.m. with a reception featuring tasting stations. It continues with a multi-course meal, wine, entertainment, and silent and live auctions. This year's Spain-inspired theme is "Beneath the Spanish Sky: Rhythm, Recognition and Rich Tradition."

Chicago – October 14, 2026 -- Beltone's third annual Hear2End Hunger Food Drive collected 20,640 non-perishable food items in September for local food banks and hunger-relief organizations across the United States. The total beat the 20,000-item goal and is more than 41% higher than the 2025 haul.

Nearly 40,000 items have been donated since 2024

The month-long drive ran during Hunger Action Month and is organized through Beltone Hearing Centers. Collections have grown every year since the program launched in 2024. Hearing care professionals, patients and neighbors all contributed.

Beltone Hearing President David Molella said the effort began as a way for the centers to give back and has become "truly special."

Three hearing centers earn extra donations for local groups

The Beltone Foundation is adding $4,500 in donations to recognize the three centers that collected the most food:

Fountain Valley – October 14, 2026 -- Strava users logged 19,959,136 miles in Hyundai's Miles for the Warriors Challenge, and Hyundai will donate a total of $3 million to Hyundai Hope on Wheels, which funds childhood cancer research.

The mileage goal was doubled, then smashed

The challenge started with a 400,000-mile target and a $1 million donation commitment from Hyundai. Participants hit that mark within the first 24 hours. Hyundai then doubled the goal to 800,000 miles and its pledge to $2 million. The community passed the new target two days later, and Hyundai added another $1 million in recognition of the record-setting result.

Charlotte – October 14, 2026 -- Hunter Chevrolet, formerly Victory Chevrolet, will hold its Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, October 24, from noon to 4 p.m. at 717 Rhyne Road, with a complimentary five-day cruise offered on eligible vehicle purchases.

Charlotte basketball legend Muggsy Bogues makes a guest appearance

The free, family-friendly event is open to local residents and customers. Visitors can meet the Hunter Chevrolet team and watch for a special appearance by Muggsy Bogues.

Face painting, food, music and prize drawings fill the afternoon

Kids can get their faces painted and try balloon making. Food and music are on the schedule, and guests will have chances to win TVs, iPads and event tickets.

Oakland – October 14, 2026 -- Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) says a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff could affect about 88,000 customers, running from Wednesday evening, October 14, through Saturday afternoon. Customers can check their address at pge.com/pspsupdates.

The scope shifted by 25,000 customers as the forecast changed

As weather conditions evolved, PG&E added approximately 25,000 customers to the event and removed approximately 7,300. The 88,000 figure spans 29 counties and includes about 5,500 Medical Baseline customers and six Tribal governments.

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.

Canton Township, Michigan – October 13, 2026 -- Seniors, adults with disabilities and families facing food insecurity in Castle Rock, Colorado, are getting weekly meal deliveries again. The Human Development Fund (HDF) will fully fund the Wednesday Wheels program run by the nonprofit restaurant Sunday Salmon for the next two months.

Rising costs had cut deliveries to every other week

Wednesday Wheels delivers organic, allergy-friendly meals to seniors on limited incomes, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and families struggling to afford food. As demand grew, so did costs, and Sunday Salmon had to move to biweekly deliveries. Its waiting list climbed to 80 people.

Weekly runs now reach 210 meals and 30 more people

With HDF's funding, weekly service has resumed and expanded:

Calgary – October 13, 2026 -- The 2026 CPKC Holiday Train departs Montreal on Nov. 19 for a 32-day run with live music shows in 182 communities across Canada and the United States, and attendees are asked to bring a cash donation or non-perishable food item for local food banks.

Ten communities get their first Holiday Train visit

The route reaches farther south than ever before. Ten communities in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri will host the train for the first time: Blue Springs (Missouri); Meridian and Jackson (Mississippi); Vicksburg, Monroe, Ruston, DeQuincy, Leesville and Zwolle (Louisiana); and Port Arthur (Texas).

In total, the 182 shows span six provinces and 13 U.S. states.

Twelve acts are on the lineup

Performers include American Authors, Magic!, Maris, Chase Rice, Madeline Edwards, Allen Stone, Jamie Fine, Shawnee Kish, Rafaëlle Roy, Tyler Shaw, Sam Roberts Band and Owen Riegling.

Chicago – October 12, 2026 -- Allstate customers hit by Hurricane Isaias can file claims around the clock and visit five mobile claims centers in Alabama and Florida for in-person help.

Customers can file claims 24/7 through five channels

Allstate asks customers with storm damage to file as soon as it is safe. Filing early starts the claims process and connects customers with support resources. Claims can be filed on Allstate.com, in the Allstate Mobile app, by calling 1-800-54-STORM (1-800-547-8676), through an Allstate agent or at a mobile claims center.

"We're here to answer questions and support them through recovery," said Mike Fiato, Executive Vice President and Chief Claims Officer at Allstate.

Once it is safe, customers should photograph or film the damage and take reasonable steps to prevent more of it. They should also keep receipts for temporary repairs.