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With fall weather settling in, it’s hard not to succumb to the festive spirit of the holiday season. Sure, we’ve yet to even reach Halloween, but it’s never too early to start bringing a little bit of Christmas flair into your home.

Fortunately, Costco already has you covered with a brand-new arrival that shoppers are racing to snatch up. Hitting select stores now for just $18.99, the Holiday Embroidered Faux Fur Throw blankets are finally here, with three festive patterns to choose from, each perfectly capturing the charm of the holiday season. Blink, and they could be gone, so you’ll want to snatch up your favorite while you still can.

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Holiday Embroidered Faux Fur Throw, $18.99 at Costco View this post on Instagram

Spotted by @costcohotfinds, who promptly picked up all three to give fans a closer look at the selection, Costco’s Holiday Embroidered Faux Fur Throws are irresistibly soft and an instant fan-favorite whenever a new collection drops. And if the popularity of this season’s Halloween Embroidered Faux Fur Throws is any indication, this holiday lineup just might sell out fast. 

At $18.99 a pop, you can choose from Candy Cane, Tree and Snowflake patterns, each featuring an embroidered faux-fur face and a soft faux-mink reverse. Whether you drape one over your sofa, layer it across your bed or wrap it around yourself while snuggled up on a road trip, each throw delivers cozy comfort with a splash of holiday cheer.

Related: Costco’s New $19 Charcuterie Board Set Doubles as Rustic Home Decor

The Hardest Part Is Choosing a Favorite

“Candy cane, tree, or snowflake? I love them,” @costcohotfinds captioned her post, leaving fans to decide which pattern fits their needs most.

“I can’t even choose a favorite, they’re all so cute,” one fan responded. “Oh these are a must-have for the holiday season,” another viewer chimed in. 

Those familiar with Costco’s popular embroidered throw collections were out in full force in the comments, already predicting the fate of this wintry lineup. “These are gonna be as hard to find as the Halloween ones,” one fan warned. While another agreed, “These are about to be sold out so quickly.”

Measuring 60 inches wide and 70 inches long, each blanket features a traditional holiday color, with Candy Cane in red, Tree in green and Snowflake in white, making the entire lineup a solid investment in holiday decor and comfort alike. Even better, they are machine washable and safe for the gentle cycle in the dryer, making maintenance easy over the long haul. 

At the moment, they aren’t available online, so you’ll have to do a little legwork if you intend on snatching one (or all three) up for yourself or a loved one. If your local store doesn’t have them yet, be patient. Availability varies by location, and your store might just be a little behind others.

Need more holiday gift inspiration? Check out Sam’s Club’s Wooden Mixer & Baking Playset and Target’s Staub Ceramic 3-Piece Rectangular Baking Dish Set.

Related: Sam’s Club’s Portable Game-Day Gadget Delivers Two Forms of Entertainment

Moviegoers getting ready for the big-screen adaptation of Verity now have their first official look at the film in action. Amazon MGM Studios has released two new clips from the upcoming psychological thriller, offering brief glimpses of Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett in their respective roles.

Directed by Michael Showalter (and based on a screenplay by Nick Antosca), the R-rated thriller is set to arrive in theaters on Friday, Oct. 2. The newly released footage introduces the uneasy dynamic between the film’s central characters while giving audiences an early taste of the performances and atmosphere awaiting them on opening weekend.

Related: The ‘Verity’ Trailer Is Finally Here—and Anne Hathaway’s New Thriller Looks Seriously Twisted

‘Meeting Verity’ Introduces Lowen to the Famous Author

The first clip, titled “Meeting Verity,” shows Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson) meeting Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway) for the first time. The brief scene is deliberately quiet, as Lowen gets her first close look at the celebrated author she has been hired to replace.

The encounter also introduces the unusual circumstances that bring Lowen to the Crawford estate. With Verity unable to finish her bestselling book series, Lowen is brought in as a ghostwriter to complete the remaining work—a job that soon places her at the center of the family’s increasingly unsettling story.

Related: Best-Selling Thriller by Colleen Hoover Ranked a Most Read Book on Amazon

‘Say Something’ Gives a Glimpse at the Film’s Uneasy Dynamic

The second clip, “Say Something,” offers a more confrontational glimpse of the film, with Verity at the center of an increasingly tense exchange. The short scene provides another look at Hathaway and Johnson in their respective roles while showing the uneasy atmosphere surrounding the Crawford household.

That tension plays a major role in the larger story. While working at the estate, Lowen discovers what appear to be disturbing autobiographical notes written by Verity. The discovery leaves her struggling to determine what is real and what is fiction as she becomes increasingly drawn into the Crawford family’s private life.

Related: All of the Colleen Hoover Books in Order

How to See Verity in Theaters This October

With its theatrical debut just days away, the newly released clips offer fans of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel their clearest look yet at how the story will unfold on the big screen.

Verity arrives in theaters Oct. 2, bringing its dark mystery to life with Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett leading the cast. Tickets for opening-weekend screenings are now available through participating theaters and major ticketing platforms.

Related: The 80 Best Psychological Thrillers of All Time, From ‘Gone Girl’ to ‘The Silence of the Lambs’

The upcoming Gilmore Girls documentary may have fans in their feels, the show’s star Lauren Graham recently shared.

Speaking with Extra TV on the red carpet for Variety’s Power of Women 2026 event on Wednesday, the actress got to talking about how the recently announced doc will provide fans with a new perspective of the show.

“It’s surprisingly emotional, and I think there’s a lot that fans [haven’t] heard before,” she said, explaining that filming the documentary allowed her to learn where Amy [Sherman-Palladino], the show’s creator, “was when that all started.”

She shared that she’s also had “conversations I’ve never had” with Sherman-Palladino in the process of making the film.

Announced in August, the documentary — the name of which has not been disclosed — will reveal “how the show eclipsed expectations to become a cross-generational phenomenon by unpacking the unique alchemy of the creators, cast, crew and collaborators,” per a Warner Bros. press release.

The documentary will also show “never-before-seen outtakes” of the beloved TV show, which aired from 2000-2007, and followed the mother-daughter relationship of Lorelai Gilmore, played by Graham, and her daughter Rory, played by Alexis Bledel.

Related: Alexis Bledel Just Revealed Why She Thinks ‘Gilmore Girls’ Is Still Timeless

Graham was at the Variety event to support Gilmore Girls co-star Melissa McCarthy, who, along with Jennifer Hudson, Sharon Stone, and Pearlena Igbokwe, was a guest of honor.

While speaking at the event, McCarthy shared how Graham helped her “learn the ropes” of working on set, per video shared by Page Six.

“I loved to stand in Lauren’s light,” she said. “I could not find my mark to save my life, but I was like a guided missile for Lauren’s light and just put my big head right in front of it.”

“Lauren was of course the star of that show, and she could have thrown around her power and pointed out my mistakes,” McCarthy continued. “But instead she was incredibly kind and fun and quietly helped me learn the ropes within the scene, without her breaking character.”

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A delicious meal isn’t just about fresh ingredients — it’s also about having the right tools to bring those flavors to life. Quality cookware can make all the difference, helping you cook evenly, retain heat, and clean up easily. That’s why many home chefs trust brands known for craftsmanship and durability. One of the most respected names in the kitchen world is Le Creuset, famous for combining style with long-lasting performance. Now, one of the label’s iconic pieces is available at a rare discount.

The brand’s Stoneware Mini Round Cocotte is currently marked down from $34 to just $22 at Wayfair, making right now a smart time to add this classic piece to your kitchen collection. You can also score it for the same price at Amazon in a wide variety of hues. Whether you’re upgrading your tools for the fall baking season or gifting someone who loves to cook, this miniature Dutch oven blends timeless design with practical performance — no matter your skill level or recipe.

Le Creuset Stoneware Mini Round Cocotte, From $22 at Wayfair and Amazon

Courtesy of Wayfair

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With just 8 ounces of capacity, this petite stoneware baking dish is perfect for serving up personal portions of your favorite dips, sides, or desserts. Available in 8 rich colors at Wayfair and over a dozen at Amazon, it adds a splash of charm to your table, whether you’re hosting friends or enjoying a quiet night in. Choose from green, blue, orange, white, yellow, red, and more hues.

The classic knobbed lid and side handles aren’t just stylish touches — they’re designed for effortless lifting while keeping your food fresh and warm. Crafted from durable stoneware that resists chips and stains, it’s built for real-life use but still looks right at home on a styled kitchen shelf or dinner table. Whether you’re warming up a silky aioli, baking a mini dessert, or just using it to serve olives or mixed nuts, it brings a bit of charm to whatever role it plays.

As one of the brand’s most famous and bestselling products, it’s no surprise that this “high quality” and “versatile” cocotte is receiving plenty of accolades in the reviews section.“This mini cocotte is the perfect size and gets used quite often,” one shopper shared, adding that they use it to cook “in the oven and store small things in the fridge.”

Another shopper shared that it heats evenly, gets “hot quickly,” and “cleans up nicely.”

Related: Le Creuset’s Stoneware Christmas Tree Dish Is the Prettiest Way to Serve Up Small Holiday Snacks

If you’re in the market for high-quality, long-lasting cookware backed by a legacy of craftsmanship and design, the Le Creuset Stoneware Mini Cocotte is a smart place to start. Currently on sale for just $22 at Wayfair and Amazon, grab yours now before this deal ends!

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

Bob Chapek ran Disney for less than three years before the company fired him. Ask him what he did wrong and the answer is short.

Nothing.

“The answer, again, is nothing,” he writes in a memoir that lands Sept. 29. Disney fired him in November 2022, and nearly four years on, this is the first time he’s given his account of it.

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He Says the Man Who Hired Him Spent 3 Years Undoing It

Bob Iger picked Chapek to succeed him in 2020. By November 2022 Chapek was out, and Iger had the job back.

Chapek’s account is that this was the plan. He describes a “relentless three-year campaign to push me out,” and says Iger played an “intentional and preconceived role” in ending his run.

The book calls it “relentless sabotage.” Chapek says Iger disparaged him privately and questioned his judgment on pandemic-era movie decisions. He also floats a theory he does not back up, that Iger stepped aside in 2020 because he saw COVID coming and expected to come back.

Neither Iger nor Disney has responded to any of it.

‘It Pisses Me Off’

The firing still stings, and he doesn’t hide it. “I didn’t get a chance to finish what I started,” he writes. “In truth, it pisses me off.”

What bothers him most is how it was done. “The way Disney’s board and Bob Iger handled my firing made it seem as if I had committed some terrible offense,” he writes.

He Isn’t Taking Any of It Back

Behind the Castle Walls: My Thirty Years at the Happiest Place on Earth runs through three decades at the company, and Chapek uses it to defend the decisions that turned Disney fans against him, the ticket prices and the FastPass overhaul among them.

He stands by the price increases that ran through his tenure, arguing the higher annual pass and ticket prices “reduced crowds and increased guest satisfaction.” That puts him opposite Michael Eisner, another former Disney chief, who went after the company’s prices in February and said it had gotten too expensive.

Everyone Involved Has Moved On

Iger announced in January that he’d step down before the end of the year, after a run that included pulling Jimmy Kimmel off the air.

Iger isn’t running Disney anymore. Josh D’Amaro is, and Chapek takes credit for that too.

Nearly one month after Dolly Parton‘s death at age 80, following her secret cancer battle, country music legend Willie Nelson has made his first comments about losing his friend of more than 60 years.

In an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Wednesday, September 23, Nelson, 92, said he had no idea Parton was sick when he saw her “shortly before” her death on August 25.

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“Oh, she was great,” Nelson gushed when Cooper brought up Parton’s passing. “I loved her.”

When Cooper asked if Nelson was aware she’d been ill, the Always On My Mind singer replied, “No, I had no idea. I did an interview with her shortly before that, and she seemed fine.”

Nelson posted a 1984 video of him and Parton singing Everything’s Beautiful (In It’s Own Way) hours after her death was announced, but his remarks to Cooper marked the first time he had written or spoken publicly about her in the month since her passing.

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The two had been friends since the mid-1960s, when they met in Nashville and hit it off, both renegades who chose to march to the beat of their own drummer.

“I love Willie as much as I love anybody outside of my own family, and he feels like family to me,” Parton told the Pensacola News Journal in 2016, the same year she received the Country Music Association’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. “I’ve known Willie since we both came to Nashville in the early ’60s. We used to sit out in the same building and write songs for the same publishing company and record for the same record label, and we’ve known each other for a long time.”

“Willie is one of the sweetest, most generous people I know,” she noted, “in addition to being one of the greatest songwriters and greatest stylists of all time.”

Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson on ‘Dolly,’ in 1987.

ABC Photo Archives / Getty Images

During Cooper’s chat with Nelson, he read aloud another quote from Parton about him, which made the country star chuckle: “You’d think we’d work great and we do sound good; it’s just that trying to catch him or trying to figure out where in the song he’s trying to go is a big job.”

“My phrasing is a little crazy,” Nelson acknowledged to Cooper. “And I don’t do it the same way every time, so that’s difficult.”

Nevertheless, the two made magic together with multiple recordings over the years. Their Everything’s Beautiful duet was part of a 1982 collaborative compilation album called The Winning Hand that they appeared on with Kris Kristofferson and Brenda Lee. That song went to No. 7 on the country chart, according to American Songwriter.

On that same album, the friends’ cover of “Happy, Happy Birthday, Baby,” a cover of the 1957 hit by the Tune Weavers. Years later, Parton and Nelson re-recorded her 2012 song with Kristofferson, “From Here to the Moon and Back.” Their new rendition was featured on Nelson’s 2013 album of duets, To All The Girls, and Parton later included it as a track on her 2014 box set, Blue Smoke.

Then, in 2020, the old friends teamed up again for her holiday album, A Holly Dolly Christmas, for a new version of “Pretty Paper,” which he wrote in 1963, per American Songwriter.

For the month ahead, lucky cosmic energy peaks for people born in the following three months. Mars, our energetic planet, has felt sluggish as it was forced to mellow out in Cancer for the past few weeks. Burnout took its toll. Inspiration felt hard to reach.

The vibe shifts for the better dramatically as the planet of ambition and drive finally enters the passionate fire sign, Leo. Greater confidence, vitality, and courage abound. Discover the three blessed astrological birth months that are finally ready for more inspired action to open their horizons, and what their horoscopes foretell.

Mars Enters Leo, Shifting the Energy Into High Gear

Mars, the planet associated with action, motivation, desire, and momentum, enters Leo on September 27, 2026. The warrior will travel through this sign until November 26. Mars tends to operate boldly in Leo, a fixed fire sign known for confidence, creativity, self-expression, and a strong sense of individuality. This transit can amplify the desire to take center stage, pursue personal passions, defend what matters to you, and act from the heart rather than overthink your every move. It can also bring a stronger need for recognition and the courage to take risks when something feels personally meaningful.

Because Leo is associated with visibility, creativity, romance, pleasure, and personal identity, this fiery planet’s transit through the sign can set these areas of life in motion. Ditch sitting it on the sidelines. You’ll feel far more compelled to finally go after what you want.

These 3 Birth Months Are Blessed in the Month Ahead

If you were born in February, July, or August, luck awaits you in the following weeks.

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Born in February: You’re realizing which relationships or commitments still deserve your energy.

You’re feeling compelled to open your mind to collaboration. As a dreamy Aquarius or sensitive Pisces, you often know how to take care of yourself and go it alone. However, your cosmic forecast nudges you to open your mind. Through relationships and others, revitalizing realizations are mirrored back. It may be tempting to lock your feelings away. Playing it safe is predictable. However, there’s greater opportunity in the month ahead when you swap nonchalance for transparent vulnerability. You never know who will emerge out of the woodwork to help make your dreams a reality, February-born.

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Born in July: You’re done waiting for the green light.

Are you ready for increased drive? As the cosmos hits your visibility sector, you’re ready to take up space. While there’s a time and place for humility, now is certainly not the time to downplay your capabilities. Let your talents shine, July-born. Confidence is the key to your success in the week ahead. As you start a fresh chapter of taking initiative and bold leadership, the near future allows you to expand out of your comfort zone. Mars in Leo will last until late November. There are plenty of opportunities for people born in July to stand out and shine.

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Born in August: You’re ready to put yourself first.

Suddenly, this week brings back the spark to those with August birthdays. After a period of contemplation, solitude, or feeling introverted, you’re coming out of your shell. The universe gives you quite the noticeable push – shoving you awake from an apatehtic daze. Leap into proactive action. Strategize around your passions. Most of all? Take your desires seriously. As your personal ambitions become clearer, you’re feeling particularly creative, romantic, and grateful for the chance to make the most of your current resources.

UP NEXT:

Kaia Gerber’s cat is missing.

Gerber, daughter of Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, and her friends are searching for her gray cat, Tony, after a difficult week. The model and actress’s brother, Presley Gerber, died from a suspected overdose.

On Sept. 23, Gerber’s boyfriend, actor Lewis Pullman, along with director Carissa Gallo and influencer Jake Shane, were seen hanging missing-cat posters, according to TMZ-published photos.

The group is photographed hugging while putting up the flyers in Los Angeles. They included an image of Tony sitting and the location where he was last seen. They also reveal that he has a tracker on his neck and state that the cat is “shy.”

Gerber’s brother died earlier this week at a rehab facility on Sept. 20, according to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records obtained by People. He was 27.

After an autopsy was conducted on Monday, the Santa Monica Police Department wrote in a statement, “the cause and manner of death have been deferred, which means additional testing and/or studies were requested in order to make a determination.”

A month before her brother passed, Gerber spoke to Vogue for the Aug. 11 cover interview. She opened up about Presley’s “decade-long struggle with addiction.” She shared her parent’s Crawford and Rande see him as an “absolute teacher” of honesty.

“My parents for most of our lives were very, very private and didn’t share anything — and now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, ‘I’m gonna be very human for everyone,’” she said. “There’s only so much you can hide from the world.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available 24 hours a day through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Hotline at 1-800-662-4357.

Dolly Parton left fans with one final recording before her death at age 80, and it will arrive this fall as a duet with U2 frontman Bono.

Parton’s final vocal recording “Torn” will close U2’s upcoming album Carnaval De Luz, according to Rolling Stone. The country legend recorded her vocals in June, just two months before her death in August.

“When she got ill, she got out of her bed to sing this song,” Bono told Rolling Stone. “And you can hear that. And I can’t even listen to it now.”

Parton shares a writing credit on “Torn” with U2 and Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid. According to Bono, the collaboration came together after he initially approached Parton about contributing to a separate project inspired by Irish folk music.

After Bono played her some of the material over the phone, Parton apparently decided it wasn’t quite for her.

“She said, ‘That’s a little too Irish for me,'” Bono recalled. Instead, Parton offered up a song of her own called “Torn” and asked whether he wanted to see where he could take it.

Bono and McDaid subsequently reworked the lyrics around the story of a mother watching her family fall apart, and Parton agreed to record the new version.

Related: Linda Ronstadt Mourns ‘The Most Extraordinary’ Dolly Parton

“She sang her heart out,” Bono told the outlet, “and I cannot believe that’s an 80-year-old woman.”

The recording also features longtime U2 collaborator Daniel Lanois on pedal steel guitar. Larry Mullen Jr.’s drum part was inspired by Bob Dylan’s “Most of the Time,” which Lanois produced for Dylan’s 1989 album Oh Mercy.

Importantly, Parton got to hear and approve the finished version of the song before her death.

“Dolly loved it,” producer Garret “Jacknife” Lee told Rolling Stone. “She was so proud of her vocal and the recording.”

Lee said the team had been nervous that Parton might not approve of the final result or might feel uncomfortable with it, but instead, “she loved it.”

For Bono, hearing the recording now carries an entirely different weight.

“It’s very moving to have had these intimacies with such a figure,” he said of Parton, adding that knowing she is no longer there to call “other than through her songs, is very sobering.”

U2 Announces First New Album in Nine Years

“Torn” will serve as the 12th and final track on Carnaval De Luz, U2’s first full-length album of new material in nine years.

The album is due in November and was produced by longtime U2 collaborator Jacknife Lee. Other contributors include Brian Eno, Martin Garrix, Ryan Tedder and Lanois.

U2 also released the new single “Silencio” alongside the album announcement. The band’s previous single, “Street of Dreams,” arrived in July.

The new record comes during U2’s 50th anniversary year and follows the surprise digital EPs Days of Ash and Easter Lily. Neither EP shares material with Carnaval De Luz, meaning the band will have released 24 songs in 2026 once the new album arrives.

U2’s ‘Carnaval De Luz’ Track List

• “Go (Carnaval De Luz)”
• “La Reina”
• “Street Of Dreams”
• “The Mirror Maker (Rosalía)”
• “Superficiality”
• “If The World Is At War We Better Not Be”
• “Silencio”
• “The Greatest Show On Earth”
• “Glorify”
• “Midnight Sunshine”
• “Can’t Stop Us Now”
• “Torn” (Feat. Dolly Parton)

Related: Dolly Parton’s Final Projects Revealed, With a Roadmap for ‘Decades to Come’ Left Behind By the Country Legend

Before “Karma Chameleon” became one of Culture Club’s biggest hits, Boy George had to convince his own bandmates that the song was worth recording. 

“I wrote it when I was in Egypt on holiday, and when I sang it to the band, they kind of laughed at me, and they just said, ‘Oh, this is awful. It’s a country song,’” the frontman told Liz Hayes during a 60 Minutes interview. “And I had to kind of fight to get it on the record.” 

Boy George got his way, and the song took off, spending six weeks at No. 1 in the U.K. and ending 1983 as the country’s biggest-selling single. 

But there was more to the track than its upbeat sound. In an interview with Billboard, the singer explained that “Karma Chameleon” was about the pressure to change who you are to please other people. 

“The song is about the terrible fear of alienation that people have, the fear of standing up for one thing,” Boy George said. “It’s about trying to suck up to everybody. Basically, if you aren’t true, if you don’t act like you feel, then you get Karma-justice. That’s nature’s way of paying you back.”

“Karma Chameleon” pulled from pop, soul, blues, rock and country, which was very much in line with what Culture Club wanted to do. 

Boy George, who was 22 at the time, told Newsweek in 1983, “The aim is to be creatively fluid to make everything we do a little different. We want to be a bridge between white rock and black soul. I want Culture Club to represent all peoples and minorities.” 

“Karma Chameleon” became Culture Club’s second No. 1 single there, following “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me.” It sold 955,000 copies in the U.K. in 1983 and was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. It has since sold more than 1.52 million copies in the country. 

The song eventually became so recognizable that Boy George said he couldn’t travel without hearing it. 

In 2017, he told U.K. TV host Piers Morgan, “It’s one of those things that wherever I go in the world, everybody thinks, like, no one else has ever done it. Someone comes up and sings ‘Karma Chameleon.’ I’ve had it at Moroccan carpet markets. I’ve had it at the Pyramids. I’ve had it up the Himalayas.” 

But the song’s reach also brought a plagiarism claim. Singer-songwriter Jimmy Jones said “Karma Chameleon” borrowed too much from his 1959 hit “Handy Man.”

Speaking to Rolling Stone, Boy George denied intentionally copying the song. “I might have heard it once, but it certainly wasn’t something I sat down and said, ‘Yeah, I want to copy this,’” he said.

The dispute was ultimately settled out of court, although the terms of the settlement were not publicly disclosed.

Related: 1979 Stevie Nicks Song, Written in a Single Night, Took 34 Years to Explain

The disco group Chic turned a night of misunderstanding and anger into one of their biggest chart succcesses, that became a classic in the genre and on the dance floor.

By the late ’70s, disco music was still thriving and the Chic’s already popualr 1977 hit “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” was being played in nightclubs. That didnt stop them from ebing denied entry into New York’s legendary club, Studio 54. As a result, Chic wrote and released their global hit “Le Freak.”

“Le Freak” is a funk-disco song that released in 1978 and the first single from their second album C’est Chic. It was written and produced by co-founders Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers and would make the already succesfull group even bigger stars.

The track landed at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the Hot Souls Singles chart, the Dance Club Songs chart, and Cash Box. It would then take its popualrity oversease wher either landed at No. 1 in several countries from South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia. “Le Freak” also landed in the Top 10 in other parts of the world. The disco song was also the first song to score the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 three separate times.

As the story goes, “Le Freak” happened after a night of misunderstanding and anger. According to SongFacts, the song was created on New Year’s Eve in 1977 at Studio 54. Chic has been invited to the legendary night club by singer Grace Jones as guests to discuss her next project. When Chic arrived, they were denied entry because their names weren’t on the list. They were unable to convince the doorman of who they were and wrote “Le Freak” as a response to what happened.

Rodgers recalls to Southbank Center that a “guy slammed the door in our faces and told us to F-off. Fortunately I lived one block away from the stage door of Studio 54. We bought two bottles of Dom Perignong, which we used to call ‘rock ‘n’ roll mouthwash,’ picked up our instruments and I started playing this riff.”

He goes on to explain that the lyrics of the song were originally “F*ck off!” and they had gotten pretty drunk by the time they were working on the rest of the lyrics. His partner saw their moment of fun and laughter as their next hit, but they thought it wouldn’t work on the radio due to its bad words. They retooled the lyrics and it became a “celebratory” song about what would be happening inside Studio 54 with its iconic line of “aaaahh Freak Out!”

While it became a global hit, the record label thought otherwise. No one was impressed by the seven-minute long track.

“By the time the song ended, after about seven and a half minutes, we’d cleared the conference room. We were just sitting there by ourselves – myself, Bernard Edwards and our attorney. Everybody else was outside trying to figure out how to tell us how much the song sucked, and wondering did we have anything else on the album that was better,” said Rogers.

They were proven wrong and “Le Freak” was even selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

Related: 1968 No.1 Hit, Written by Robin Gibb About Death Row, Is Still a Soft Rock Classic 58 Years Later

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Looking to update your bedroom? As a large focal point in your room, your bed plays a huge role in determining the aesthetic of your space. A bedding upgrade can make all the difference and give your room a complete makeover. If you want to make the switch effortless, a matching comforter set can instantly make your bedroom look put-together and intentional. For those who can’t get enough of the cottagecore trend, this Mocassi 10-Piece Sunflower Comforter Set at Walmart is a fabulous choice. 

Cheerful and statement-making, this comforter set will brighten up your bedroom and transform it into a charming cottage-inspired oasis. There’s no better time than right now to get it because it’s currently on sale for $50, marked down from either $75 or $85. This comforter set is available in two sizes, including full/queen and king/California king. You can get the full/queen set in black, gray, or navy blue, and the king/California king set in dusty rose, gray, navy blue, and white. 

Mocassi 10-Piece Sunflower Comforter Set, $50 (was $85) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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This comforter set comes with everything you need for a cohesive bed setup, including a comforter, a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, two pillowcases, two pillow shams, and three accent pillows. Everything is machine-washable, making this set a breeze to care for. 

Featuring a nature-inspired design with ruffles galore, this comforter set oozes with cottagecore charm. It boasts a subtle sunflower pattern that’ll brighten up your space without going overboard. The comforter, round accent pillow, and pillow shams are ruched, with the fabric gathered at various points, creating dainty sunflower shapes. The middle of each sunflower is pleated, adding some additional depth and dimension. 

Made of double-brushed microfiber, the fabric has a velvet-like texture that’s soft to the touch, keeping you comfortable all night long. The comforter is filled with microfiber, which mimics the plushness of down feathers. It has the same fluffy feel, delivering that luxurious cloud-like feel at a budget-friendly price. Microfiber is also hypoallergenic, making this comforter set a great option for those with allergies and sensitive skin. 

Mocassi 10-Piece Sunflower Comforter Set, $50 (was $85) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

For convenience, the fitted sheet has two side pockets that’ll be especially handy if you don’t have a nightstand. You can use these pockets to keep all your bedtime essentials within reach so you don’t have to get up after cozying up in bed. It’s ideal for phones, books, remote controls, and more. 

The three accent pillows come in different silhouettes, including round, square, and cylindrical. They’re more decorative than they are functional, tying everything together and adding some extra cozy touches. 

Walmart shoppers loved everything about this comforter set, from its gorgeous style to its soft feel. “It’s good quality and very chic looking,” one reviewer raved. A second customer commented that it’s “so pretty and comfortable.” A third person said that it’s “beautiful” and “warm although it’s not that thick.” 

For size reference, the full/queen comforter measures 90 inches by 90 inches, and the king/California king comforter measures 90 inches by 108 inches. The full/queen fitted sheet can fit mattresses up to 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, and the king/California king can fit mattresses up to 78 inches wide and 80 inches long. 

Shop More Comforter Sets 

• Virtu 7-Piece Pleated Queen Comforter Set, From $31 (was $103) at Walmart
• Virtu 7-Piece Seersucker Queen Comforter Set, From $43 (was $60) at Walmart
• Jolusere 3-Piece Floral Queen Comforter Set, From $43 (was $71) at Walmart

Related: Macy’s Has an Elegant 8-Piece Reversible Comforter Set That Exudes French Countryside Charm for Under $40

If you want to bring some lively cottagecore energy to your room, don’t hesitate to snag the Mocassi 10-Piece Sunflower Comforter Set at Walmart while it’s still on sale for just $50! 

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The student Stanford erased from its own banner became the story. The two it kept said nothing.

On Thursday they ended their silence. Three words did most of the work: “We felt embarrassed.”

The pair asked the Stanford Daily, the university’s other student paper, to withhold their names because of ongoing harassment. They have filed a Title VI report for discrimination and asked for a transparent investigation into how the image was made.

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‘We Felt Embarrassed’

“Seeing the AI-altered picture at first was shocking, but we didn’t put much thought into it because we were preoccupied with our own lives,” they said. “We felt embarrassed with how our ethnic facial features got altered and the comments we saw online.”

Stanford University is facing criticism after using artificial intelligence to alter a photo of three students and changing the appearance and race of people depicted in the image, prompting accusations that the university violated its own AI policy.

Full story plus Stanford… pic.twitter.com/HIE7mw9Rkb

— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) September 24, 2026

Title VI is the part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that bars discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin at institutions that take federal money.

They’ve been in contact with Jay Hamilton, the vice provost for undergraduate education. They have not heard from President Jonathan Levin.

What Stanford Did to the Photo

Stanford’s Residential & Dining Enterprises, the department that runs campus housing and dining halls, took a photo from a Lunar New Year dinner at Stern Dining and ran it through generative AI for a promotional banner.

It slimmed the faces of the two students who filed. It put everyone in Stanford merchandise they hadn’t been wearing. And it replaced the third, Billy Ramirez, a Hispanic student in the class of 2027, with an AI-generated Black woman who doesn’t exist.

Then it hung the result outside a dorm at Governor’s Corner. The banner has since come down. Ramirez found out from a friend’s text on the drive back from his hometown. “I was immediately baffled,” he told the Stanford Review, the student paper that broke the story on Sept. 21.

He said he first thought the swap was hilarious. Later he said he felt “silenced and erased.”

Stanford Broke a Rule It Wrote Itself

The university confirmed it. “Stanford’s AI policy is clear: The use of AI in producing or altering images of Stanford people, events, research, facilities, or achievements is strictly prohibited,” Charlene Gage, Stanford’s director of university public relations, said in a statement.

Gage added that both the alteration and the failure to disclose it broke that policy. The university said it would give the department additional training and review its materials going forward.

The story landed on r/nottheonion, a Reddit forum built entirely for true stories that sound made up. “This is so creepy, what are we doing,” one commenter wrote. Another put the whole edit in six words: “Race and gender swap. Then beautify.”

That reaction tracks with what happens whenever AI gets pointed at a real face. Travis Kelce spent part of the summer responding to a fake AI photo of himself. Robin Williams‘ three children broke a 12-year silence on his Instagram in August to push back on AI versions of their father. Billy Joel had nothing to do with an AI documentary that rebuilt his face at 22, and fans were not happy about it.

Stanford didn’t put any of this out. Ramirez did, with a side-by-side on a campus app called Fizz.

The Sunday scaries can leave you with serious cognitive overload. You may feel frazzled, forgetful, and like you’re spinning in too many directions as you worry about everything you have to do in the week ahead—work, caregiving, or a dentist appointment you’ve been dreading.

We’ve all been there. It can be a literal and figurative headache that brings butterflies to your stomach, and not the good kind. As a board-certified neurologist, Dr. Adam Mednick, MD, Ph.D., can’t specifically talk about the flutters in your gut, but he can help you with your brain health and overall mindset (which may help the butterflies fly away). In fact, he believes that Sunday is actually a great time to develop and maintain good brain health habits.

“Sunday tends to be less scheduled, making it the easiest day to set aside time to build new habits,” Dr. Mednick tells Parade. “Attaching a new behavior to a predictable cue, such as Sunday morning, is one of the most effective ways to make habits stick. A calmer, more structured day also supports what your brain thrives on, including unhurried movement, time outdoors, real conversation and home-cooked meals.”

These ideas may seem basic, but that’s the glorious thing about habits for brain health. “As with any healthy lifestyle habit, brain health is built one day at a time,” he says.

Or, as Dr. Mednick might say, brain health may be built one step at a time. That’s how he’s approached Sundays for the last three decades. Below, he explained his favorite Sunday habits for brain health and how to get started yourself.

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‘I’m a Neurologist—Here’s My Sunday Habit for Better Brain Health’

Dr. Mednick’s has a multi-part Sunday routine that includes walking through a nearby state park, often with friends and family. He says he’s walked on most Sundays for the last 30 years and recommends it to his patients.

“Physical activity is one of the best ways to protect your brain,” Dr. Mednick explains. “The most physically active people have lower rates of cognitive decline and a reduced risk of dementia. For example, walking improves attention and mood and lowers stress hormones like cortisol, so you often feel the benefits throughout the day.”

He also points to research suggesting a link between about two and a half hours of brisk walking per week and a 25% lower risk of depression. And, if you have a dog, bring Fido along: One 2023 study indicated that dog parents who regularly walked with their pets showed slower cognitive decline.

“That is why I always encourage my patients, especially dog owners, to get out and walk,” Dr. Mednick states, noting that you can achieve instant gratification from a walk, but brain health is a long game.

“Some benefits are immediate,” he states. “Mood, stress and attention often improve the same day after a single walk. The deeper, brain-protective benefits build gradually over months to years of consistent practice, so the mindset should be: Steady with weekly practice.”

Related: Neurologists Are Begging People To Stop Pairing This Supplement With Migraine Medication

How To Start Walking Your Way to Better Brain Health

It can take a while to form a habit, and it’s not always easy to maintain one. Dr. Mednick shares a few “first steps” to take if you want to develop a walking habit for better brain health, like his.

• Pick a fixed time. For instance, Dr. Mednick says you might choose to walk on Sunday, immediately after breakfast. He suggests putting “walk” on the calendar like any other appointment, such as a client meeting.
• Start small and be realistic. Even 10 to 15 minutes is something.
• Choose nature routes if you can. No offense to walking pads, but Mother Nature rules. Dr. Mednick uses state parks, but he says tree-lined streets can also provide benefits.
• Consider a walking partner. Family and friends bring social connection and accountability, Dr. Mednick shares.
• Increase the duration or pace over several weeks. Ten to 15 minutes may develop into 20 to 30 minutes after several weeks. No time? Consider picking up the pace so your heart beats faster, and it’s harder to talk. Importantly, Dr. Mednick says it’s important to do this gradually and only as your body tolerates it to avoid injury.

Related: The One Hobby Neurologists and Psychologists Both Recommend After Retirement

Other Great Habits for Brain Health

Besides walking, Dr. Mednick builds models alone and prepares a sit-down dinner to enjoy with family and friends each Sunday. Here are a few other habits he recommends for better brain health.

1. Get adequate sleep

You’ll want to do this one most nights—not just Sunday nights.

“Sleep helps clear waste proteins from the brain, and both short and poor sleep are linked to a higher risk of dementia, so a regular sleep and wake schedule is one of the simplest protective habits,” Dr. Mednick says.

2. Eat a brain-healthy diet

Dr. Mednick spends late Sunday afternoon preparing a sit-down dinner for family and friends. Generally, he recommends that patients eat a brain-friendly diet, like the Mediterranean–Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (MIND) diet.

It prioritizes vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish, nuts and olive oil, and it’s linked to slower cognitive decline and a lower risk of dementia.

3. Stay mentally engaged

Dr. Mednick says it’s important to stay mentally and socially engaged by reading, learning new skills, playing challenging games and spending time with others. He’s partial to model building, and you’ll notice his walks and sit-down dinners are often with family and friends. Research suggests that hobbies and social engagement support brain health.

Up Next:

Related: A Neurologist Wishes More People Knew This About Eating Eggs Every Day

Sources:

• Dr. Adam Mednick, MD, Ph.D, a board-certified neurologist and author of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: From Diagnosis to Treatment
• Physical activity as a protective factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: systematic review, meta-analysis and quality assessment of cohort and case-control studies. British Journal of Sports Medicine.
• Association Between Physical Activity and Risk of Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry.
• Pet Ownership and Maintenance of Cognitive Function in Community-Residing Older Adults: Evidence from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Science Reports.
• Sleep disturbances as risk factors for neurodegeneration later in life. Nature.
• Trial of the MIND Diet for Prevention of Cognitive Decline in Older Persons. NEJM.
• Associations between social connections and cognition: a global collaborative individual participant data meta-analysis. Lancet.
• The Influence of Hobby Engagement on Cognitive Function Among Older Adults: A Population-Based Cohort Study Using Statistical Analysis and Machine Learning Predictions. Neurology International.

After a summer filled with fun in the sun, it always feels a little bittersweet when fall arrives. Then again, autumn brings us fabulous foliage, cozy sweaters and apple picking, so the transition into cooler weather isn’t all that bad.

As you start planning all your fall outfits, switching up your nail polish can be a great way to welcome the new season. Not sure what to ask for when you head to the salon for your next appointment? Parade spoke with several top manicurists and asked them to share the seven nail colors that everyone is requesting for fall.

Fall nail polish shades are often a bit moodier than the neon and pastel hues that typically dominate summer. Still, there’s something particularly charming about a chocolate brown nail polish or deep oxblood burgundy nails, if you ask us.

The pros know a thing or two about what makes a nail polish shade feel right for this seasonal transitional period and they’re quite skilled at choosing the most flattering fall nail color for your skin tone. So we picked their brains on the autumn manicure trends that are worth your time and also asked them to share some long lasting manicure tips.

Related: The Clever Nail Cuticle Trick We Wish We’d Known About Sooner

Top Nail Colors for Fall 2026

• Most Requested Fall Nail Color: Wine
• Best Fall Nail Color for Fair Skin: Emerald
• Best Fall Nail Color for Medium Skin: Chocolate Brown
• Best Fall Nail Color for Dark Skin: Pumpkin Cream
• Most Versatile Fall Nail Color: Nude
• Best Fall Nail Color for Short Nails: Black Cherry
• Most Unexpected Fall Nail Color: Denim/Royal Blue

What Makes a Polish Shade Feel Right for Autumn Transitioning

We tend to dress in layers and opt for less bright colors when the fall rolls around. But how do you find a nail polish color that matches the transition to autumn?

“A transitioning shade should welcome fall while still holding some spirit of summer. A dark color like berry or navy with a vivid undertone is a great way to achieve this. Berry colors usually have a magenta undertone, and navy can have a bright blue undertone,” celebrity nail tech/artist Zim Okala, who has worked with Kesha, says. “You can also go for a shade with a more sheer application or even a semi-opaque jelly, like the amber used in tortoise shell, which gives a similar effect.”

Star Touch Rising Artist Rachel Arreola-Rodriguez says deeper, warmer and more muted hues are the name of the game in early fall.

“Nail colors tends to shift with the season, almost like the leaves on a tree. We start gravitating toward richer oranges, reds, greens, browns and other earthy tones,” she says.

Related: Stop Wearing Pale Pink: Why ‘Safe’ Nail Colors Can Actually Make Mature Hands Look Older

How To Choose the Most Flattering Fall Nail Color for Your Skin Tone

Star Touch Rising Artist Tara Haye likens choosing a flattering nail color to selecting the best foundation shade for your face.

“First, you need to know if you have a warm, cool or neutral skin tone,” the celebrity manicurist, who has worked with Courteney Cox and Brooks Nader, says.

Star Touch Rising Artist Isabel Cardenas-Gonzalez recommends turning to the color wheel and choosing complementary colors to find the right fit for your skin tone.

“For fair complexions, cool tones are complementary. Medium complexions are best for dark/warm tones and for dark complexions, rich or metallic shades,” the celebrity manicurist, who has worked with Camila Moronne, says.

Manicurists are used to finding flattering shades, but if you’re not sure where to start, Okala says it’s easier than you may think.

“Every color has a cool-to-warm spectrum and a companion. So when you’re selecting, if you like a shade but it looks a little off, try the warm or cool companion shade. Whichever adds vibrancy and liveliness to the skin is your best guide,” the manicurist tells Parade.

Vicki Ornellas, a manicurist and global educator at Salon Perfect, put together this quick cheat sheet to help determine some of the best fall nail shades by skin tone and undertone.

• Light skin tone: Wine, cranberry, chocolate brown, forest green and mauve
• Medium skin tone: Rust, olive green, burgundy, mustard and espresso brown
• Dark skin tone: Deep burgundy, plum, espresso, burnt orange and emerald
• Warm undertone: Rust, caramel, terracotta, cinnamon, chocolate, olive and gold-toned shades
• Cool undertone: Berry, plum, wine, navy, cool burgundy, mauve and blue-based reds
• Neutral undertone: Warm and cool fall shades

Related: The #1 Thing a Nail Technician Wishes Clients Asked More Often 

How To Prep Your Nails So Your Fall Manicure Lasts Longer Without Chipping

Getty

When you take the time to paint your nails, you want to make sure they last a while. To avoid instant chipping, consider following these pro tips:

• Prep nails properly: “I always wipe with alcohol or acetone first to make sure the nail plate is clean and fully dehydrated,” Ornellas says.
• Use a base coat: “I use a base coat for best adhesion and this helps prevent staining. My go-to choice is China Glaze Strong Adhesion Base Coat,” Ornellas explains.
• Finish with a top coat: “After applying two coats of color, I make sure to seal with a great top coat. I use Salon Perfect Plumping Gel Top Coat for the best shine or China Glaze Fast Forward Top Coat when I need a quick dry,” Ornellas says.
• Go waterless: “I do all my services waterless. No water means that the nail plate won’t swell as it’s soaking (even for a few minutes, the nail plate can swell). It affects the adhesion and longevity of the nail coating, whether it’s gel polish, lacquer, acrylic, press-ons, Gel-X, etc.,” celebrity manicurist and educator Julie Kandalec, who has worked with Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain, Camila Cabello, Viola Davis and Maren Morris, tells Parade.
• Consider a Russian/gold manicure: “This involves proper cuticle prep so that the cuticle pocket is gently pushed back to allow space for polish to be applied as close as possible without touching skin. By doing this, a perfect fall manicure grows out seamlessly concealed longer than three weeks. This is also followed by your favorite jojoba and vitamin E oil to help your nails stay flexible and healthy during the seasonal weather changes and combat dryness,” Cardenas-Gonzalez says.

7 Trending Fall Nail Colors for 2026, According to Top Manicurists 1. Most Requested Fall Nail Color: Wine

Isabel Cardenas-Gonzalez

Cardenas-Gonzalez says wine is a popular pick for fall because of its “richness and elegance.”

The best part about the color? “It can be dressed up or down,” she explains.

2. Best Fall Nail Color for Fair Skin: Emerald

Isabel Cardenas-Gonzalez

“A cool shade of green instantly brightens fairer skin without overpowering it. Emerald green reminds people of a deep forest vibe,” Cardenas-Gonzalez says.

3. Best Fall Nail Color for Medium Skin: Chocolate Brown

Isabel Cardenas-Gonzales

Cardenas-Gonzalez says chocolate brown is a great option for medium skin due to its warmth.

“Brown has always served as a minimalist alternative and pairs nicely with everyday natural materials, especially layered fabrics during the colder season,” she explains.

Related: 50 Chic Almond Nail Ideas for Your Next Set

4. Best Fall Nail Color for Dark Skin: Pumpkin Cream

Isabel Cardenas-Gonzalez

“Fashion drops bright colors to rustic tones to set the autumnal mood. This polish shade enhances golden undertones and pairs well for fashionistas,” Cardenas-Gonzalez says.

5. Most Versatile Fall Nail Color: Nude

Getty

Cardenas-Gonzalez says a warm or cool-toned nude is ideal for fall.

“It complements any attire, event and season. All the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic nail lovers who aren’t ready for the season to change absolutely love it for its consistency,” she tells Parade.

6. Best Fall Nail Color for Short Nails: Black Cherry

Julie Kandalec

“I absolutely adore a deep black cherry nail on short nails in the fall,” Kandalec says.

The manicurist recently created this marvelous and moody look for Carrie Coon for the Tony Awards.

7. Most Unexpected Fall Nail Color: Denim/Royal Blue

Zim Okala

“Denim blue and royal blue nail polishes are just bright enough to create interest but dark enough to have an edgy, cool vibe that works really well in the fall. Think of what dark wash denim can do for an outfit,” Okala says.

Up Next:

Related: These Are the 3 Best Nail Shapes To Elongate Short Fingers, According to a Professional Nail Tech

Sources:

• Rachel Arreola-Rodriguez is a manicurist and a Star Touch Rising Artist.
• Isabel Cardenas-Gonzalez is a celebrity manicurist, Long Island Russian manicure master and a Star Touch Rising Artist. She has worked with Camila Moronne and other celebrities.
• Tara Haye is a a Star Touch Rising Artist and celebrity manicurist based in New York City who has worked with Courteney Cox, Lily Rabe and Brooks Nader.
• Julie Kandalec is a celebrity manicurist who has worked with Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain, Camila Cabello, Viola Davis and Maren Morris. The Star Touch Agency co-owner also serves as a beauty mentor and entrepreneurship coach via her Julie K Nail Academy.
• Zim Okala is an Atlanta-based celebrity nail tech/artist who has worked with Kesha.
• Vicki Ornellas is a manicurist and global educator at Salon Perfect.

It’s safe to say that hockey romances are having a true moment. And few can attest to that more than Canadian author Elle Kennedy, whose Off Campus series has absolutely exploded in popularity.

Currently made up of five books, with more planned for release, the next as early as spring of next year in 2027, the Off Campus series follows the team members of the collegiate hockey team on the fictional campus of Briar University and their subsequent love lives. The best-selling series kicks off with the first book, The Deal, which has reignited in popularity thanks to the Amazon TV adaptation that released earlier this year. The series, which premiered in February, holds a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and has been renewed for a second season.

Over on Goodreads, the most popular online reading platform, the series of novels is also seeing a resurgence in popularity. Currently, The Deal is ranked among the “Most Read Books of 2026.” The book holds a 4.1 rating on the site, as well as over a million overall ratings and 121,000 reviews from platform users.

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A classic “fake dating” scenario, The Deal follows college students Hannah Wells and Garrett Graham who agree to a pretend date in order to make Hannah’s crush j ealous in exchange for her tutoring Garrett, so he’ll be elligble for the University’s hockey team. But when a pretend kiss leads to something definitvely NOT pretend, the pair’s chemistry becomes undeniable and begs to question, is there anything fake about this at all?

Following The Deal, the Off Campus series contains sequels The Mistake, The Score, The Goal, and The Legacy. Bad Idea, the latest novel in the universe, is forthcoming.

The Deal and the rest of the books currently in the Off Campus series are out now and available wherever books are sold.

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Related: Best-Selling Emily Henry Rom-Com Ranked a ‘Most Read Book of 2026’ on Goodreads

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Finding termites in your home can turn a routine weekend project into a much bigger concern. The first question is usually simple: Can you handle the problem yourself, or do you need a professional?

For subterranean termites, DIY treatment has a fundamental limitation. Killing the termites you see does not necessarily address the colony, which typically remains hidden in soil or concealed areas of the structure.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says termite treatments require careful application, and improperly applied soil termiticides can fail to protect a structure or contaminate a home or nearby drinking-water sources.

If you’ve found live termites, mud tubes or suspected damage, an inspection is a better starting point than repeatedly spraying the visible insects. Request a free Orkin inspection and quote now.

Can you do DIY termite treatment safely?

DIY termite treatment is possible with products labeled for homeowner use, but treating an established infestation safely and effectively is more complicated than spraying visible insects. Subterranean termites spend much of their lives underground or inside protected areas, so surface treatments can miss the source of the infestation.

Why Termite Sprays Often Fail

A spray can kill termites it reaches. It cannot eliminate a colony it never contacts.

Subterranean termites typically live in soil and travel through protected routes to reach wood. The EPA recognizes soil-applied liquid termiticides and termite baits as termite-control methods, but it stresses that products must be applied according to their labels.

Orkin’s termite guidance likewise explains that treating visible termites does not necessarily resolve an infestation elsewhere in the structure or soil.

Related: DIY vs. Professional Flea Control: Eradicating Deep-Carpet Infestations

Why are subterranean termites difficult to treat?

Subterranean termites are difficult to control because the insects homeowners see may represent only a small part of the infestation. The colony and much of its activity can remain underground or inside structural areas.

Orkin entomologist Ron Harrison, Ph.D., has advised homeowners to watch for signs such as mud tubes and damaged wood because termite activity is often concealed.

The species also matters. Subterranean and drywood termites live differently and require different control approaches. A professional inspection can help determine the species, extent of activity and conditions contributing to the infestation.

DIY vs. professional pest control: What’s the difference?

DIY termite treatment

Professional termite control

Usually focuses on accessible or visible areas

Begins with an inspection

Depends on the homeowner identifying the pest

Treatment is based on species and infestation location

Hidden activity can be missed

Professionals assess concealed activity and entry points

Application is the homeowner’s responsibility

Products are applied according to their labels and professional procedures

Monitoring falls to the homeowner

Treatment may include monitoring and follow-up

What about pesticide safety?

Termiticides are pesticides, and the EPA requires registered products to carry instructions governing where and how they can be used. Those directions are legally enforceable.

The EPA warns that incorrectly applied termite treatments can fail to protect a home and potentially contaminate drinking-water sources. The agency recommends using licensed, trained pest management professionals for termite work requiring specialized application.

State requirements can also apply. Some termiticide labels restrict certain applications to licensed or registered professionals, so homeowners should check both the product label and local regulations.

What should you do if you find termites?

Start by documenting the evidence rather than trying to eliminate every termite you see.

Look for:

• Mud tubes along foundations, walls or other structures.
• Discarded wings near windows, doors and other areas where termites swarm.
• Wood damage, including weakened or hollow-sounding wood.
• Live termites around damaged or damp wood.

Photographing what you find can help during an inspection. Avoid unnecessary disturbance of suspected activity until you know what you’re dealing with.

You can also reduce conditions that encourage termite activity by fixing leaks, addressing moisture problems and keeping wood away from direct contact with the structure.

Related: Hidden Exterminator Costs: What’s Included in Your Initial Service Quote?

When should you call a professional?

Professional evaluation makes sense when termite activity keeps returning, you find structural damage, activity appears around the foundation or you cannot determine where the insects are coming from.

Orkin’s Ron Harrison, Ph.D., has emphasized the importance of cooperation between homeowners and pest-control professionals when addressing pest problems. The goal isn’t automatically to use the strongest treatment. It’s to identify the pest and choose a method that addresses the actual infestation.

Can DIY termite control prevent serious damage?

DIY prevention has a role, but it should not replace an inspection when there are signs of an active infestation. Surface-level treatments can kill exposed termites without establishing that the colony has been controlled.

The EPA recommends following pesticide labels precisely and using trained professionals when termite treatment requires specialized application.

If you see termites, mud tubes or suspected damage, schedule a free Orkin termite inspection and get a personalized quote before spending more on repeated DIY treatments.

Things are about to get even more cutthroat on The Challenge.

Two-time UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is heading to Thailand for an upcoming episode of The Challenge: Cutthroat, and she isn’t merely stopping by to give the competitors a pep talk.

Shevchenko will surprise the remaining Challengers with a Trial By Combat, and the stakes couldn’t be much higher: A coveted ticket to the final will be on the line.

Related: Who Wins ‘The Challenge: Cutthroat’? Season 42 Spoilers, Eliminations, Disqualifications and Finalists

When Is Valentina Shevchenko on ‘The Challenge’?

Shevchenko will appear on the Sept. 30 episode of The Challenge: Cutthroat. According to Paramount, her arrival will catch the players off guard and “put the fate of the teams in jeopardy.”

Based on the trailer, the two captains—Tori Deal for Orange and Adrienne Naylor for Gray—will be the one’s taking Shevchenko on in the arena. The game appears to be what has previously been called “Balls In,” where one player tries to score by putting a ball into a barrel or basket while the opposing player plays physical defense.

Related: Did CT Really Throw the Eating Challenge on ‘The Challenge’ to Protect Cara Maria Last Week?

Exactly how the Trial By Combat will work hasn’t been revealed, but the wording suggests Tori and Adrienne will have an opportunity to bypass at least some of the remaining game by succeeding in Shevchenko’s trial.

We don’t yet know if both women can secure their spot in the final or if only one of them can. Knowing this show, it’s probably only one of them.

Who Is Valentina Shevchenko?

Shevchenko is one of the most accomplished fighters in UFC women’s history.

The MMA star is a two-time UFC women’s flyweight champion, making her a particularly intimidating person to see walk onto a Challenge set immediately before something called a “Trial By Combat.”

Shevchenko’s appearance also continues The Challenge tradition of dropping unexpected twists on competitors just when they think they’ve figured out the game.

Related: The Real Reason Why Josh, Nelson and Leo Got Kicked Off ‘The Challenge’

How Does ‘The Challenge: Cutthroat’ Work?

Season 42 brought The Challenge back to Thailand and divided its competitors into teams, with $500,000 at stake.

Unlike seasons in which individual players ultimately compete for the prize, Cutthroat requires the winning competitors to cross the finish line as a team. That has made the season a balancing act between individual survival and keeping a team strong enough to win the final.

Captains have also wielded considerable power throughout the season, forcing players to navigate both their own alliances and what’s best for the team.

Related: Leo and Nelson Break Their Silence on Getting Kicked Off ‘The Challenge’: ‘Pretty Messed Up’

Now Shevchenko’s Trial By Combat threatens to shake up that structure once again.

And with a direct path toward the final potentially hanging in the balance, the remaining Challengers may be about to discover that getting through Thailand was merely the warm-up.

New episodes of The Challenge: Cutthroat season 42 drop every Wednesday at at 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m. PT on Paramount+.

Related: How Old Are Johnny Bananas, CT Tamburello, Cara Maria and Brad Fiorenza From ‘The Challenge’?

Kristen Bell and Adam Brody’s Netflix rom-com series Nobody Wants This quickly captured audiences’ hearts when it was first released in 2024, and it continued to be a smash hit last year when season 2 landed on the streaming platform. Now, the show is heading into its third season, which will drop on Netflix on Oct. 22. Ahead of that release, Netflix has just shared a brand-new trailer for season 3, and in addition to offering some major updates on Joanne (Bell) and Noah (Brody), the clips teased one relationship fans have been eagerly waiting for.

Specifically, after a shocking split between Esther (Jackie Tohn) and Sasha (Timothy Simons), Noah’s sister-in-law and brother, Nobody Wants This seems to be paving the way for Sasha to finally get with Joanne’s sister Morgan (Justine Lupe)—something that viewers have wanted to see since the first season, despite the fact that Sasha was already married to Esther.

This is a truly complicated conversation, especially because Esther is also a fan-favorite character, and this potential couple feels rather unfair to her. However, some fans feel that this arrangement is best for everyone, as they want to see Esther reclaim her independence and find more happiness on her own. That does seem to be where her character arc is headed for season 3, as Tohn previously teased in an exclusive interview with Parade.

Whether or not that’s the case, though, fans of the show are making it clear in the comments under Netflix’s Nobody Wants This season 3 trailer on YouTube that this is what they want to see. One commenter wrote, “I’m still watching for Morgan & Sasha’s relationship!!! They should get together this season,” and another said, “Love this show. Love the chemistry of the leads and the sister and brother,” seemingly referring to Joanne and Noah in terms of the former and Sasha and Morgan in terms of the latter.

It’s possible that season 3 will see Morgan and Sasha getting together, or this may just be teasing what could be in their future (if Nobody Wants This gets picked up for a fourth season, that is). Either way, fans seem more than ready for the show’s Oct. 22 release date.

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When fall arrives, there’s nothing quite like having a cozy sweater you can reach for again and again. Whether you’re pairing it with your favorite jeans for a casual weekend look or layering it over leggings on a chilly morning, a roomy knit is a fall wardrobe staple. One Amazon find puts a stylish spin on the classic look for less ahead of Prime Big Deal Days on Oct. 6 and 7.

The Venuchur Oversized Color Block Sweater is currently 50% off at Amazon, bringing the price down to $20 from $40. The relaxed pullover has a soft, oversized fit that’s perfect for layering, while its color-block stripes add a touch of vintage-inspired style. Shoppers loved its laid-back look, with one reviewer calling it the “ultimate cozy-chic fall and winter sweater.” 

Venuchur Oversized Color Block Sweater, From $20 (was $40) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Amazon

Made from a blend of acrylic, polyester, and spandex, this knit sweater has a soft, chunky feel that makes it a cozy choice for cooler days. The oversized silhouette features a crewneck with a ribbed neckline and cuffs, plus lantern sleeves for a relaxed fit that’s easy to layer. 

Sizes run from small to extra-large, and it comes in five striped color options — dark green, blue, pink, khaki, and army green — so you can find a shade that works well with the rest of your fall wardrobe. Prices vary by color, but you can snag any option for under $27. One shopper called the color-block stripes “eye-catching” and said they give the sweater a “fun casual look.” 

Amazon shoppers also praised its soft feel. One reviewer called the fabric “incredibly soft and fuzzy,” adding that the oversized fit made it “even more comfy.” They also wrote that it would be great for layering through winter and spring. 

To care for the knit, it is recommended to machine wash in a laundry bag or hand wash in cold water to help keep its texture and shape intact. 

Shop More Deals

• Amwgimi Sunflower Touch Table Lamp, $15 at Amazon
• Newaonasen Flower Table Lamp, $22 (was $24) at Amazon
• Clarks Carleigh Jade Boots, From $60 (were $120) at Amazon

Related: Walmart’s New Faux-Suede Ballet Flats Are a ‘Must-Have for Fall’ and Look ‘High-End’

At just $20, the Venuchur Oversized Color Block Sweater is an easy way to add a trendy layer to your fall wardrobe without spending a fortune. Shop it at Amazon while it’s 50% off ahead of October’s Prime Day event.

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