Day of the Dead is taking on Halloween traditions, but the sacred holiday is far more than a ‘Mexican Halloween’

Halloween’s influence is transforming popular festivities around Día de los Muertos and its ceremonial customs in rural and urban areas of Mexico in some fascinating ways.

Victorian ghost photographs amused viewers with spooky thrills

In the mid-19th century, photographs with ghostlike figures became collectible amusements thanks to the invention of the stereoscope – a device that created three-dimensional optical illusions.

23 Halloween candies ranked from healthiest to unhealthiest

Hers ranked 23 of the most popular Halloween candies in the U.S. based on the pounds sold in each state and their nutrition content.

When Halloween became America’s most dangerous holiday

In the early 1970s, rumors about poisoned candy on Halloween led to mass paranoia. A historian explains why such fears emerge – and what, in reality, feeds them.

The latest Halloween trick-or-treat trends, according to Instacart data

Instacart shares insights about the top candy picks state-by-state, what's uniquely popular in different regions, how many people plan to trick-or-treat and pass out candy this year, and more.

5 spooky reads perfect for a dark and stormy night

(BPT) - As Halloween approaches, it's the perfect time to curl up in front of a crackling fire on a dark and stormy night with a spooky read. Here are five spine-tingling books from National …

Holding harvested marigold blossoms, farmer and educator Maddy Bartsch said, “We’re land stewards really, those of us who are working to develop our local fiber system.”

Three Rivers Fibershed connects people with local fiber

Marigolds, hollyhocks, cosmos, and black eyed Susans. These are just a few of the late-summer flowers bursting into bloom right now. While many are cutting them for bouquets, farmer Maddy Bartsch is …

Ericsson resident Jessica Wyn Miller (right), an entomologist, leads a Bug Club adventure into the world of bugs near her Minnehaha Creek-side home. She has found that her work as an artist intersects with insects.“I got excited for aquatic insects when I found out they reflect the health of a water,

She hated bugs – so she decided to become an entomologist

Jessica Miller still shrieks sometimes when a spider jumps on her, but the south Minneapolis environmental entomologist has found that makes her more approachable when she’s teaching classes on …

Joel Albers and Eric Johnson, both Seward residents, are working to save the historic Bethany Church from being demolished. They think the community will regret destroying a historic structure.

Activists rally to save historic Seward Church

For 70 years, Eric Johnson has lived in the shadow of Bethany Church, but that shadow may soon disappear if the building’s current owner, Augsburg University, moves ahead with plans to demolish …

What can one person do to help birds avoid collisions with windows? Close your curtains at night, especially during the migration season, to reduce light spread. Make sure outdoor light is directed downward and use minimally. And consider using window markings.

Make the Twin Cities more bird-friendly

Cradling the Mississippi River on either side, the Twin Cities are a critical, yet hazardous, resting place for migrating birds. An estimated 40 million birds migrated through the Mississippi River …

A rain barrel collects roof runoff so you can save the rainwater for later use. Reroute downspouts away from pavement and onto grass, a rain barrel or a rain garden. (Photo courtesy of the University of Minnesota Extension)

A watershed moment

What is a watershed? What is our local watershed called? Where does it begin and end? What is the largest watershed in the U.S.? According to board chair of the League of …

Ashley Dedmon looks at family photos with her father. With a family history of cancer on both her mother and her father’s side, Dedmon underwent genetic testing and learned she is a carrier of the BRCA2 mutation that predisposes her to breast cancer.

What We Don’t Know Can Hurt: New Survey Reveals Knowledge Gaps About Breast Density and Cancer Risk

(NAPSI)—The latest Cancer Risk Survey: Breast Cancer Edition from Myriad Genetics shows that more than half (63%) of women do not know that breast density can reveal an increased risk of breast …

Between regular sales calls, robocalls from legitimate businesses, online surveys, political or donation calls and outright scams—scam calls with malicious intent make up the majority of all unwanted communication.

Understanding Spam—And How To Stop It

(NAPSI)—The next time your phone rings, there’s a good chance it will be a spam call. According to recent research Americans average 2.7 billion such calls a month, lasting about 4 minutes each. …

You can get the medications and other pharmacy items you need quickly without having to drop what you’re doing.

Medications and Wellness Essentials Delivered to Your Front Door

(NAPSI)—Whether you’re tied up at work, busy with school or just not feeling well, home delivery is a convenient and affordable way to get the products and medications you need. Good news: while …

How pollsters have adapted to changing technology and voters who don’t answer the phone

Modern survey research does face challenges from changes in technology and in how people live their increasingly busy lives.

The rural Americans too poor for federal flood protections

The Daily Yonder reports on a data-driven disaster tool exhibiting a "bias" against rural communities.

8 vitamins and supplements for weight loss backed by science

Ro shares what to know about losing weight with supplements and the best research-backed supplements to boost metabolism.

Wisconsin legalized ballot drop boxes, but some local officials are fighting them

Votebeat reports on the circumstances surrounding a Wisconsin mayor who faces a criminal investigation for carting away his city's drop box.

Most common first names of presidential campaign donors (and whom they're supporting)

Spokeo examined data from the Federal Election Commission to find the most common first names of presidential campaign donors and whom they support.

3% of American don't know the Presidents Name

(Peter Fiorillo) - Message Delivery is Key for, standing out from the competition. You need to be unique in your message and branding let us create and deliver your message to 100 million Americans …

5 Tips to Pick the Right Dental Plan

(Mayra Garza, Head of Group Benefits Strategy and Retail Segment at Guardian and Shawn Patrick, Director of Strategic Growth at Kelsey National) - Open Enrollment is here.For many Americans, this is …

5 Ways to Transform Your Kitchen and Bath with the Look of Luxury

(NewsUSA) - According to a recent Houzz report, kitchens remain the most renovated interior room (29%), followed closely by guest and primary bathrooms (27% and 25%, respectively). In 2023, the …

The Importance of Medicare Options for America’s Seniors

(Mark Gibbons, President/CEO of RetireSafe) - With the start of Medicare’s open enrollment period, it’s important that older Americans explore their healthcare options to make the best choice …

Reap the Rewards of Shared Family Meals

(Family Features) Addressing the epidemic of loneliness can be as easy as sharing one more meal with family members each week. This National Family Meals Month, commit yourself to reaping the benefits of shared meals.

5 Reasons Family Meals are a Recipe for Success

(Family Features) Address the epidemic of loneliness by joining the Family Meals Movement and sharing a meal with friends and family today.

Combat the Epidemic of Loneliness by Eating Together

(Family Features) According to the U.S. Surgeon General, Americans face a lack of social connection that poses a significant risk to individual health and longevity.

Woodworker Bill Dossett (left) and Joe Hayes look over a set of windows being restored. According to Dossett, the dust collection system in the new building is an upgrade that has made a big difference for staff. Plus there's a room just for planing.

Hayes Window expands into new location, offers storm windows

Lost your storm windows over the years? Have windows you can’t open anymore because they were painted shut? Does the glass rattle in the wind? These problems don’t mean that you need to …

Many trees in the community went down in storms over the summer on both private and public land. The very dry conditions of the previous drought damaged tree roots.

What’s up with our trees this year?

Trees are an important part of the landscape in South Minneapolis. They shade our streets and yards, provide habitat for wildlife, improve the air, and reduce the urban heat island effect. If …

How to garden in a small space

Many of us in south Minneapolis have small outdoor spaces, so we need to do more with less. It can be a challenge to make space for a garden alongside everything else we use our yards for – …

Unusual fruits for your Minnesota garden

You probably know that many different fruits are commonly grown in Minnesota, like apples, raspberries, and grapes. But did you know we can also grow kiwis? Read on to learn about some unusual fruits …

Slow mow summer

You’ve probably heard of “No Mow May” – a slogan designed to encourage everyone to avoid mowing their lawns until June and letting spring flowers bloom to support pollinators. …

Clinical trials are needed to develop new medicines for children and teens living with seizures

(BPT) - Epilepsy at any age can be challenging to navigate, even more so when a patient is a young child or teen. Some medications can help manage seizures for many patients. However, one-third of …

This holiday season, keep medicines up and away to keep kids safe

(BPT) - The holidays are such a delicious time of year. Halloween candy can last until Thanksgiving, the whole house smells of baking cookies, and chocolates and other sweet treats can be found …

How early screening for type 1 diabetes and follow up monitoring can help you plan for the future

(BPT) - Sponsored by SanofiLife often brings surprises, and many can be welcome. However, sometimes being caught off guard can be scary or overwhelming. This is especially true when it comes to your …

Mitigate wildfire risks with essential prep tips

(BPT) - Human activity and climate change continue to amplify the frequency and intensity of wildfires, making it crucial to understand and prepare for these disasters. Each year, Mercury Insurance …

USDA Celebrates Farm to School Month and National School Lunch Week with Major Investments in Local Food for Schools

(BPT) - [Courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)] October marks National Farm to School Month and National School Lunch Week, making it a great time to highlight the importance …

4 common myths about personal finance, busted

(BPT) - Financial Planning Month is a great time to clear up common misconceptions and misunderstandings about your money. These myths about banking and personal finance can set up unnecessary …

Just 5% of America's food waste is composted. Which states are getting it done?

Machinery Partner mapped the quantity of compost per capita in each state using data collected by the Environmental Protection Agency.

A history of fast fashion: ethical issues, high demand, and outsized influence on the US clothing market

The RealReal analyzed shifting trends in U.S. clothing imports over the past two decades using data from the International Trade Administration.

How and why states are committing to electric vehicles

Truck Parking Club compiled information from the Department of Energy to illustrate EV regulations and support in states across the nation.

How to overcome infidelity and heal individually or as a couple

Rula shares tips to help couples heal and move forward after infidelity.

1 in 5 Vehicles on the Road Has an Open Recall—Yours Could Be One of Them

(NAPSI)—Considering young drivers are at a higher risk of motor vehicle crashes, it’s important for guardians to encourage safe behaviors such as wearing a seatbelt, observing the speed limit, …

Make your shower a sanctuary of self-care

(BPT) - The self-care movement is having a moment. Over the summer we observed Self-Care Month from June 24 to July 24, with the symbolic notion of 24/7 (July 24) self-care being top of mind in our …

Heart disease isn't just a man's disease - everyone should know their risk by taking these 3 simple tests

(BPT) - Are you concerned about your cardiovascular (CV) health? Even if you don’t have a family history of CV diseases, it’s important to find out if you’re at risk so you can …

Tackling a tiling project? Great grout makes all the difference

(BPT) - Whether you're a professional or DIYer, laying tile is one of those skills that looks easy when it's well done, but can be complicated and physically demanding. The fun part is choosing the …

How Arizona tackles a language barrier to provide Navajo voters a ballot they can listen to

Votebeat examines the current translation practices for Navajo voters in Arizona, and where they fall short when providing the full picture.

How stressed are American cities about the election? Plus, election anxiety tips from a psychologist

Hers takes the pulse of national stress levels regarding the upcoming presidential election.

Investigation: Nearly 1,000 Native children died in federal boarding schools

The 74 details the abuse and killing of Native children at federal boarding schools in the U.S., drawing from an Interior Department report.

Does caffeine help treat erectile dysfunction?

Ro shares insights from research about the effects of caffeine on erectile dysfunction.

Election 2024: Comparing the presidential candidates' tax policy stances

Wealth Enhancement breaks down each of the presidential candidates' visions for tax policy, a critical topic for voters ahead of the upcoming election.