A $20 million divorce unraveled over a paltry $49 toaster oven. In another case, a woman had a tanning bed moved out of her marital home and into her hotel room mid-divorce — to keep up appearances, obviously. Then there was the man who tried to claim a couch. Not for comfort, but because it … Read more
These invisible invaders are getting some peace of “mind” on your vacation. Often associated with big skies and purple mountains majesty, the US National Parks are increasingly becoming a cesspool for an insidious scourge — brain-eating amoebas. Researchers with the US Geological Survey and Montana State University found the parasitic interloper at thermal zones in three … Read more
Something exciting is brewing in the skincare world. A new study suggests that a byproduct of beer production could make sunscreens more effective at blocking harmful ultraviolet B rays, which are responsible for sunburns. The finding could be significant, as studies have shown that many products on store shelves don’t deliver the level of protection … Read more
Wendy’s has brought back its Sweet and Sour dipping sauce after months of backlash from customers. The sauce was scrapped in September 2025 as part of a broader menu shake-up that cut several originals, including Ghost Pepper Ranch and BBQ, and introduced a new lineup featuring Signature, Scorchin’ Hot, Creamy Ranch, Honey BBQ, Honey Mustard … Read more
Heart racing, palms sweating and breath quickening? You’re not alone. Stress and anxiety may be part of modern life, but for millions of Americans, these occasional mood killers have become daily struggles — and it’s not just younger generations feeling the pressure. Gallup’s 2025 Global Emotions Report found that nearly half of US adults feel … Read more
Barry Hoffner is a man who belongs to the world. An investment banker-turned-philanthropist, Hoffner set out to explore the world — every country except North Korea, which he plans to visit later this year, that is — after his wife died in 2017. Determined to be deepened, rather than defined by his loss, Hoffner set … Read more
Turns out that guilty pleasure may be a virtuous vice. We tend to categorize food in black-and-white terms — “good” or “bad” for you, “naughty” or “nice.” There are “healthy” staples, like fruits, vegetables and fish that provide essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. A steady diet of these foods can lower the risk of chronic … Read more
How to Be Cultured Menu 1. Greatest onscreen performance? “Marlon Brando in ‘On the Waterfront’ (1954). He’s so calm, and he speaks the way he’d speak in real life, kind of mumbling. Paul Newman, too, in ‘Cool Hand Luke’ (1967). These men were almost father figures for me. I observed them in the absence of … Read more
How to Be Cultured Menu 1. Poem everyone should memorize? “Pablo Neruda’s ‘Ode to the Onion’ (1954). I find his adoration of simple objects appealing. It springs to mind when I’m cooking.” 2. Recipe everyone should know? “Italian ceci, or chickpeas. They should be roasted or fried, so they’re crispy, and garnished with nothing but … Read more
How to Be Cultured Menu 1. Novel that explains the world? “ ‘We’ (1924) by Yevgeny Zamyatin, one of the first to be censored in the Soviet Union. It’s a portrait of the ways technology serves as a tool of autocratic control, a precursor to George Orwell’s ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ (1949) and a stunning read.” 2. Relatable … Read more
California’s favorite burger export is planting a flag at the gates of the wilderness. In-N-Out Burger is officially heading to St. George, Utah — the sun-drenched “gateway” town that serves as a primary pitstop for millions of tourists trekking to Zion National Park. For the burger-obsessed legions of West Coast travelers, the news is better … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My favorite aunt was dying. Her daughter is my favorite cousin, so I texted her almost every day with encouragement. When the doctor said the end was near, I backed off messaging to give the family space to themselves. Thirteen days later, I received a text with a photograph of my aunt’s grave. … Read more
Costco shoppers are buzzing about a food court staple found in the frozen foods aisle — and some say it might be even better than the original. The Washington-based warehouse club’s cult-favorite chicken bake, long considered a must-order alongside the $1.50 hot dog and oversized pizza slices, is gaining fresh attention after appearing in the frozen aisle … Read more
Her fashion sense will never go out of style — especially at this Manhattan store. A SoHo vintage shop went viral this week for revealing that Carolyn Bessette Kennedy shopped there in the ’90s — and it was the fashion icon’s go-to for her signature Levi’s jeans. What Goes Around Comes Around’s West Broadway location … Read more
Her fashion sense will never go out of style — especially at this Manhattan store. A SoHo vintage shop went viral this week for revealing that Carolyn Bessette Kennedy shopped there in the ’90s — and it was the fashion icon’s go-to for her signature Levi’s jeans. What Goes Around Comes Around’s West Broadway location … Read more
Gott’s Roadside, the Northern California institution that turned a humble roadside stand into a James Beard Award-winning culinary destination, is finally making its long-awaited SoCal debut. Gott’s Roadside, the Northern California institution that turned the humble roadside diner into a James Beard Award-winning culinary destination, is finally making its long-awaited SoCal debut. The cult favorite … Read more
Jennifer Prevot had been anxiously living in an empty Colorado apartment for nearly a month when the movers she hired for her cross-country move from New York finally arrived with her belongings. But instead of Piece of Cake Moving’s large, signature hot-pink truck, a small U-Haul pulled up — and she was about to get … Read more
Even as cartel carnage continues to cast a shadow, Californians’ favorite Mexican escape is turning up the heat on its tourism tax. A fee that has already pushed this vacation paradise out of “bargain” territory isn’t just sticking around — it’s skyrocketing. The government of Baja California Sur, which includes popular destinations like Los Cabos, … Read more
Bartenders spend their shifts crafting drinks to suit their customers’ many tastes — but their own preferences often look quite different once the bar closes. After hours of mixing cocktails, some bartenders reach for something familiar and comforting, rather than what patrons might expect. Sometimes it’s a popular staple; other times, it’s a lesser-known pour reserved for … Read more
CBS has spoken. “Survivor” fans were heartbroken when the Season 50 cast was announced and Rob Cesternino from Season 6 and Season 8 didn’t make the cut — despite Jeff Probst once calling him the “smartest player to never win”. Cesternino, 47, still got to return to reality TV when he ended up on the … Read more