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New Balance is a fan favorite brand for its designs that combine retro aesthetic with modern technology. While it was originally the ultimate “dad shoe” brand, New Balance is now adored for its wide range of styles, from cool streetwear to athletic styles. Of course, you know Costco caught wind of the New Balance love and is now selling shoes from the beloved company for just $89.99 a pair.

New Balance’s Men’s 327 Shoes are available in two colorways, either navy blue or light gray, giving you options. The shoes feature the iconic N on the side of the kicks, with the bright red “NB” logo on the tongue, and a lace-up closure. These are giving major retro vibes with modern comfort.

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New Balance Men’s 327 Shoe, $89.99 at Costco

Costco

Available in men’s sizes eight through 12, New Balance’s 327 Shoes offer a cushioned footbed that provides stable support, perfect for walking outdoors, running on the treadmill or even just wearing out and about on the town. The mesh fabric lining of the shoes helps make them breathable and comfy.

The shoes also have a lightweight EVA midsole that still provides extra support and shock absorption. The padded collar also makes these shoes extra comfortable, while helping to enhance stability around the ankle.

Related: Costco Is Now Selling Sneakers From a Fan-Favorite Brand That Shoppers Say Have ‘Great Arch Support’

Members are loving these New Balance Men’s 327 Shoes, giving them an average rating of five stars on Costco’s website. Fans appreciate the shoes for their overall comfort and style, with one fan in a five-star review on Costco.com calling them “Comfortable and classy.”

Another Costco Member reported that the shoes were so comfy that their husband even purchased both colors. “My husband loves these,” the customer wrote in their five-star review on Costco’s website. “One of the most comfortable shoes he owns. He ended up buying both colors.”

You can find these New Balance Men’s 327 Shoes in both colors exclusively on Costco.com. Each pair retails for $89.99. Do note, there is a 10-pair quantity limit per Costco Membership.

Related: Shoppers Are ‘Very Impressed’ With Costco’s ‘Sleek’ Japandi Home Upgrade

One of the most recognizable melodies of the 1990s comes from the electronic dance track “Children.”

Released in Nov. 1995 by Italian producer Robert Miles (born Roberto Concina) as the lead single from his debut album Dreamland, the instrumental tune carved out a path in global dance music history with a timeless sound that captivated audiences. 

While it initially began as a low-key club track, it eventually expanded across Europe, topping the charts in more than a dozen countries and becoming one of the biggest dance singles of the decade.

But it has quite an emotional origin story, as it was born during a dark period in Italy’s rave and club culture, when late-night driving accidents became tragically common while young clubgoers headed home.

The problem became so prevalent that it even got its own name in Italy, “Saturday night slaughter” (stragi del sabato sera), per the BBC. 

Miles made the track to serve as a closing song for DJ sets, hoping the euphoric and haunting piano melody would offset high-energy tracks played earlier in the evening, leading to a calming ambiance as people left the club and got behind the wheel.

The title also reflects the inspiration he drew from his father’s humanitarian work in the former Yugoslavia, where he saw images of child war victims.

BBC notes Miles once reflected on playing the track for the first time, stating, “I lifted my gaze and saw a sea of hands reaching up high and a smile stamped on every face.”

The song slowly built momentum following its release, becoming a global phenomenon by 1996. It reached No. 1 in more than 12 countries, was the eighth best-selling single of the year, and became certified gold and platinum in several countries. 

It proved to be a rare example of an instrumental track breaking through on the mainstream charts. In the UK, it peaked at No. 2, while reaching No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 that summer and topping the Dance Club charts in the U.S. 

BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong even named it the Essential Tune Of The Week for three consecutive weeks.

Billboard ranked it among the 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time in 2025, with the song taking the No. 59 spot, proving that a now-iconic instrumental alone can shape a generation of music. 

Miles died from cancer in 2017, at the age of 47, while his timeless melody lives on 30 years later, changing the dance music landscape and perhaps the lives of many clubgoers. 

In 2023, Switch Disco and Ella Henderson sampled the tune for their single “React,” which reached No. 4 on the charts.

To this day, the melody remains instantly recognizable, with the electronic track often credited with helping define “dream trance” and “dream house” sounds, all while remaining a staple in DJ sets and across nostalgic playlists.

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There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about soft serve. Maybe it’s the way a perfectly swirled cone looks like a tiny edible sculpture, or the way the first bite instantly transports you to a summer fair, a roadside ice cream stand, or a childhood trip to your favorite fast-food restaurant. Whatever the reason, soft serve has earned its place as one of summer’s most beloved treats—and soon, it gets its own holiday.

National Soft Ice Cream Day, commonly known as National Soft Serve Day, is celebrated every year on Aug. 19. In 2026, the unofficially sweet occasion falls on a Wednesday. Unlike National Ice Cream Day, which takes place on the third Sunday of July, National Soft Serve Day is all about that lighter, smoother, machine-dispensed style of frozen dessert.

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What exactly makes soft serve different from regular ice cream? For starters, soft serve is served at a warmer temperature, and it generally has more air incorporated into the mixture. That’s what gives it that signature fluffy texture and makes it so easy to twist into those Instagram-worthy swirls. It also tends to be served fresh from a machine rather than scooped from a tub, giving every cone its own made-to-order moment.

Soft serve has also been around for much longer than many people realize. Tom Carvel, founder of Carvel, is often credited with helping popularize soft serve after an ice cream truck mishap in the 1930s. According to the story, a flat tire caused his ice cream to begin melting, and customers ended up loving the softer consistency. According to the National Day Calendar, Carvel’s experience eventually helped inspire the development of equipment and methods for serving soft ice cream.

Of course, Carvel isn’t the only name associated with the frozen phenomenon. Dairy Queen has also played a major role in making soft serve a fast-food staple, while countless ice cream shops, restaurants and convenience stores have put their own spin on the classic cone.

The best part is you don’t need a special occasion to eat soft serve—but Aug. 19 is a pretty good excuse. And when chains like Carvel decide to celebrate with special offers or discounted desserts, things get even sweeter.

Here’s what soft serve deals you can expect from Carvel on National Soft Serve Day 2026—and the rest of the week—along with some year-round ways to save on ice cream at all your favorite ice cream go-tos.

When Is National Soft Serve Day 2026?

Linda Raymond / Getty Images

The holiday takes place on the same date every year—Aug. 19—making it easier to remember than some of the more calendar-dependent food holidays. And while National Ice Cream Day celebrates frozen desserts of all kinds, National Soft Serve Day narrows the focus to those creamy, airy treats that come straight from a soft serve machine.

This year, Carvel is offering some sweet deals on its soft serve and other frozen treats to celebrate everyone’s favorite ice-cold dessert. Here are the Carvel deals worth checking out before they melt away.

Carvel Ice Cream Deals for National Soft Serve Day View this post on Instagram

Carvel has used National Soft Serve Day as the starting point for multiple days of deals. It’s known for offering $1 soft serve promotions and BOGO sundaes, which fans go wild for.

This year, Carvel announced a full week of deals. From Aug. 17 to 21, you can enjoy sweet deals, social sweepstakes and T-shirt giveaways, according to the company’s Instagram post. Each day it will offer a new deal at participating locations.

• Monday, Aug. 17: $2 off Sundae Dashers
• Tuesday, Aug. 18: $1 small soft serve
• Wednesday, Aug. 19: BOGO sundae and $5 coupon
• Thursday, Aug. 20: $2 off any Carvelanche
• Friday, Aug. 21: $7.50 Flying Saucer 6-pack

You could show up every day and score a sweet treat to celebrate National Soft Serve Day at Carvel.

Related: The Genius Way to Make Strawberry Shortcake 10x Better, According to an Award-Winning Chef

How to Get Free Ice Cream Year-Round Using Reward Apps

You don’t have to wait for National Soft Serve Day to hunt down deals on frozen treats. Restaurant rewards apps can turn birthdays, first purchases and accumulated points into free desserts throughout the year.

1. Dairy Queen View this post on Instagram

Dairy Queen Rewards members can take advantage of app-based promotions throughout the year, including birthday offers. To qualify for the birthday reward, members need to make at least one qualifying $1-or-more purchase during the 45 days before their birthday. The birthday offer is then available for a limited redemption window.

2. McDonald’s View this post on Instagram

McDonald’s may not be the first place you think of for soft serve, but its rewards program can turn regular visits into free desserts.

McDonald’s Rewards currently awards 100 points per eligible $1 spent, and a vanilla cone is among the items available for redemption at the applicable point level. Other frozen favorites, including McFlurrys, may also be available through the rewards program.

3. Wendy’s View this post on Instagram

Wendy’s Rewards is another app worth downloading if you’re a Frosty fan. The program regularly features digital offers, while limited-time promotions can bring the price of a Frosty down even further.

4. Cinnabon Swirl View this post on Instagram

Cinnabon Swirl also has its own rewards perks worth knowing about. New or eligible Swirl Rewards members can receive a free Center of the Roll Sundae with a qualifying purchase, while birthday offers may include a free medium soft serve cup or cone at participating locations.

The easiest way to maximize these programs is to check the app before you order. Deals can be tucked into the rewards section, and some offers are available only for a limited time or at participating restaurants.

Final Takeaways

So, when Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, rolls around, consider it your official permission to chase the perfect soft serve. Whether you treat yourself to a classic vanilla cone or a toppings-heavy chocolate cup, National Soft Serve Day is a delicious reminder that summer isn’t over until the last drop of soft serve melts down your wrist.

And if you happen to get sprinkles on top? Even better.

Related: I Ranked 14 Ice Creams From Aldi From Worst to Best—and the Winner Won by a Landslide

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If you’re ready to bulk up your bedding before temperatures start dropping, now is a great time to upgrade. A complete bed-in-a-bag set makes the process especially easy because you get everything you need in one purchase, often for less than you’d spend buying each piece separately.

One affordable option is the Vccoem 7-Piece Bed-in-a-Bag Comforter Set. Right now, select styles are on sale for 47% off at Walmart, bringing the price down from $60 to $32 for the full-size khaki and beige set. Discounts vary depending on the color and size.

Vccoem 7-Piece Bed-in-a-Bag Comforter Set, $32 (was $60) at Walmart 

Courtesy of Walmart

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The set includes one comforter, two pillow shams, one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and two pillowcases, giving you everything you need for a complete bedding refresh. The fitted sheet features all-around elastic and is designed to fit mattresses up to 14 inches deep.

Constructed from 100% premium microfiber with a cloud-like down-alternative filling, the set is made to feel soft, fluffy, and lightweight while still providing warmth. It’s breathable enough for year-round use and doesn’t have the noisy rustling that can come with some comforters. The bedding is also OekoTex-certified and machine washable for easy care.

The set comes in four versatile color combinations: emerald and sage green, khaki and beige, navy and light gray, and a solid green option. It’s available in twin, full, queen, and king sizes. Most colorways are reversible, giving you two looks in one, while the green version keeps things simple with a fully solid design.

Related: Macy’s ‘Soft’ 3-Piece Floral Duvet Set Is the Perfect ‘Vibrant’ Summer Bedding Upgrade, and It’s 50% Off

When it comes to care, the set can be washed e in cold water on a gentle cycle and tumble dried on low heat. The quilting helps keep the filling evenly distributed while maintaining the comforter’s shape, making it practical for regular use throughout the year.

Shoppers praised the texture and design of this comforter set. One shopper called it the “best quality ever,” writing, “The price was great and everything was perfect. It’s a thick comforter with magnificent quality.” Another shared, “You feel like you are in a cloud — it’s so soft.”

Shop More Deals

• Yepclub 7-Piece Bed-in-a-Bag Comforter Set, $36 (was $72) at Walmart
• Hig 7-Piece Comforter Set, $33 (was $110) at Walmart
• Dhole 7-Piece Comforter Set, $37 (was $55) at Walmart

If you’re looking for an easy way to refresh your entire bed before fall, the Vccoem 7-Piece Bed-in-a-Bag Comforter Set is a great value. With Walmart’s current 47% discount on select styles, you can upgrade your bedding for as little as $32 right now.

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.

In 1962, Neil Sedaka was already one of pop music’s biggest young hitmakers when he released a song that would become his signature.

But one of the most recognizable parts of “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” almost didn’t make it into the song at all.

Sedaka and his longtime songwriting partner Howard Greenfield had been working on the track when Sedaka felt something was missing. According to music historian Fred Bronson’s “Billboard Book of Number One Hits,” the breakthrough didn’t come until 12:30 a.m. the night before the recording session, when inspiration suddenly struck.

The resulting song went all the way to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending two weeks at the top in August 1962, 64 years ago today. And more than a decade later, Sedaka would take a completely different version of the same song to No. 1 on another Billboard chart.

Sedaka and Greenfield had been writing together since they were teenagers, after Greenfield’s mother heard a 13-year-old Sedaka playing piano and introduced him to her aspiring-lyricist son.

By the early 1960s, their partnership had already produced hits including “Oh! Carol,” “Calendar Girl” and “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen.”

According to Bronson’s book, Sedaka came up with the title “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” and brought it to Greenfield, but the lyricist initially wasn’t excited by it.

Sedaka tried again about a week later and got a better response, and a recording session was arranged. But the night before Sedaka was due in the studio, he couldn’t sleep. He felt the song still needed something.

At 12:30 a.m., Sedaka called arranger Alan Lorber and sang the newly conceived opening over the phone: the infectious nonsense syllables that would become one of the song’s most instantly recognizable features.

Sedaka later recalled that he and Greenfield couldn’t find actual words for that section, so the improvised vocalization stayed. The song’s feel also drew inspiration from The Showmen’s “It Will Stand,” with Sedaka acknowledging influences from The Everly Brothers’ “Cathy’s Clown” as well.

“Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on Aug. 5, 1962, and remained there for a second week. It also became an international hit, reaching No. 7 in the U.K.

Sedaka wasn’t even in the United States when he learned he’d scored his first American No. 1. Bronson writes that he was performing at the London Palladium when his wife Leba Strassberg sent telegrams updating him on the song’s sales and chart progress. Eventually, another cable arrived with the news that “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” had made it all the way to the top.

More than a decade later, Sedaka did something unusual with his signature hit: He essentially turned it into a different song.

Singer Lenny Welch had previously approached Sedaka looking for a song that would suit his slower, more dramatic style. Sedaka discovered that “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” worked as a ballad, wrote a new introduction and offered the arrangement to Welch, whose recording reached No. 34 on the Hot 100 in 1970.

Five years later, during Sedaka’s remarkable 1970s comeback, he recorded his own slow version.

The reinvention worked.

Sedaka’s ballad rendition reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976, putting two dramatically different recordings of “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” by the same artist in the Top 10. The remake also reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, giving the song its second trip to the top of a Billboard chart.

The achievement added another chapter to a career that ultimately included more than 500 songs written or co-written by Sedaka, including hits for artists such as Connie Francis and Captain & Tennille.

Sedaka died on Feb. 27, 2026, at age 86, just weeks before what would have been his 87th birthday.

Nearly 64 years after “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” first reached No. 1, its unusual journey remains a fitting example of Sedaka’s songwriting gift: a song finished with a middle-of-the-night phone call became such an enduring part of his catalog that he managed to turn it into a hit all over again.

Related: Neil Sedaka’s Songs Surge 700% After Legendary Pop Singer’s Death

Primal Fear fans won’t need to wait that long for new music.

In a new interview with Knac.com, Primal Fear bassist and producer Mat Sinner revealed that the group is working hard on their next project. The German metal supergroup released their 15th studio album, Domination, last September, which charted on various European music charts and has been a huge success with their fanbase. Their current lineup includes Sinner, Magnus Karlsson, Ralf Scheepers, Thalìa Bellazecca and André Hilgers.

According to Sinner, Primal Fear’s 16th album is set to be released sometime in April 2027, and fans can expect two songs and music videos to be put out by January of next year.

“I’m really looking forward [to it],” the 61-year-old musician said. Sinner also revealed the working album title: Shadow Riders. “Yeah. Let’s start the buzz.”

Mat Sinner of Primal Fear German power metal group performs during the VII Mexico Metal Fest at Parque Fundidora on November 10, 2023 in Monterrey, Mexico.

Medios y Media/Getty Images

Sinner also revealed that their record label, Reigning Phoenix Music, reported that Domination sold more copies than their 2023 album, Code Red.

“I think the super young kids [don’t] listen to our music anyway, so the streamers, they are not our priority,” Sinner explained. “Our priority are people who enjoy the music, who give the music time, put it on, crank it up, listen. These albums also, they’re not made for an iPhone. They are made for proper system that you can really enjoy the music. And this is important. So for me, I still make music not for iPhones.”

Since their formation almost 30 years ago, Primal Fear has released 15 studio albums and has gone on multiple international tours. The supergroup has multiple festival appearances scheduled around Europe this summer, including Milagre Metaleiro Open Air and Sun and Thunder Festival, later this month.

Primal Fear was created in Esslingen, Germany, by Scheepers and Sinner in 1997, who were in different groups and were both constants in the European metal scene before the band was formed. They released their self-titled debut album in 1998, which entered the German LP charts at No. 48, making it one of the highest chart entries for a debut album in German metal.

Related: Rising Country Star Talks Second Album Following Official Announcement

Richard Russo’s latest novel, Under the Falls, is coming up roses. The thriller was just named People magazine’s No. 1 book of August.

A bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Russo delivers a banger with his latest title. It follows a rock musician who returns to his struggling Adirondack hometown for a benefit concert, where a fatal accident then changes everything.

Released Aug. 11, the novel has yet to be determined a bestseller, but it’s already making waves on critics’ lists and best-book roundups.

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​Like his previous novels, Under the Falls operates with a rock-star mentality–this time, courtesy of protagonist Tyler Sinclair, the 30-something frontman of a band named after his hometown, Stone Mountain. It’s an appropriate pathos as the author himself was once dubbed the “Bruce Springsteen of novelists.”

​“Russo is the Bruce Springsteen of novelists; in fact, Springsteen’s latest proletarian pride anthem, “We Take Care of Our Own,” kept playing in my head as I read Russo’s latest book, the memoir Elsewhere,” NPR wrote in 2012.

​The comparison becomes especially apt with Under the Falls, as both artists—The Boss and Russo’s protagonist—“got out” of their working-class communities and made something of themselves, but were eventually pulled back into the complicated clutches of their hometowns.

​According to Publishers Weekly, Russo has been “obsessed” with music since grade school and reveled in writing a book from a rock star’s point of view.

​“Now and then, boy, when I hear the right Bruce Springsteen song, I just want to strap my electric guitar on and go to town,” he said, adding, “Like most artists, I felt the need to make art long before I was any good at it.”

​Now 77, Russo has spent four decades turning places and people he knows into acclaimed fiction. His 2001 novel, Empire Falls, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, while his collective catalog of novels has sold more than 3.5 million copies in the U.S. and Canada, according to his publisher, Knopf. His deep connection to his hometown of Gloversville, New York, has proved a fruitful symbiotic relationship for the author who, like his latest main character, is bound to his birthplace through his art.

​The decline and economic collapse of Gloverstown helped shape four decades of Russo’s fiction, and even after leaving, he never really left the town behind. However, according to Russo, his own story is not without its conflict.

​After his memoir, Elsewhere, some Gloversville residents weren’t happy with how Russo had portrayed them on the page. The controversy is mirrored directly in Under the Falls, which sees the residents of Stone Mountain asking Tyler, “Where’s our cut?” after he makes a killing performing songs he wrote about the life and the people he escaped.

​In the novel, Tyler returns to Stone Mountain after 20 years away for a benefit concert supporting his childhood friend named Doc. Expecting to perform and go, Tyler instead spends time reconnecting with old friends, including the town’s police chief, which forces him to confront the past. When something fatal happens, however, Russo spins a literary homecoming into a suspenseful crime thriller with all the hallmarks of a Russo original.

​“What I love most about Rick as a storyteller,” Russo’s editor, Jordan Pavlin, told PW, “is his irresistible combination of tenderness and wit, and his unerring observation of human folly and fallibility.”

With 10 novels in his repertoire, Russo doesn’t seem to be slowing down. No stranger to adaptations, his 2001 effort, Empire Falls, was adapted for the screen by Russo himself in 2005. The HBO miniseries starred Ed Harris, Paul Newman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Helen Hunt. Under the Falls, too, has a connection to the small screen, but an unexpected one.

Working in reverse, the novel reportedly originated as an unproduced television pilot script that stalled during the 2023 writers’ strike before Russo turned it into a novel. Though there are no details about a screen adaptation at the moment, that could change. Because there’s nothing TV loves more than a great story that blends small-town secrets and great music.

Related: Best-Selling Author’s New Novel, Fueled by Taylor Swift, Becomes One of Amazon’s Most-Sold Books

Dua Lipa is a “goddess” in new bikini photos from a gorgeous Italian getaway.

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, the “Levitating” singer, 30, took to Instagram with a carousel of snapshots from her vacation in Italy.

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In the featured image, Lipa—who married actor Callum Turner in May—rocked a multi-colored, striped, string bikini as she lay on her side under an umbrella. Other shots showed the “New Rules” songstress posing with friends, wearing that same two-piece swimsuit, and taking in stunning views from her trip.

“Baci 💋,” Lipa captioned the update, using the Italian word for “kisses.”

View this post on Instagram

In the comments, followers showered her with praise, with one Instagram user declaring, “Summer vacay queen ☀️👙👑.”

Another fan exclaimed, “Goddesss 😍😮‍💨.”

Someone else proclaimed, “Need this bikini.”

A different follower jokingly claimed, “I love you more than your husband 🫶.”

Meanwhile, yet another Instagram user commented, “What the hell? They’re goddesses ❤️‍🔥,” referring to all the women in the pictures.

A different update on Aug. 17 revealed what the new bride was up to in Italy—supporting a friend who was about to walk down the aisle.

“Gaaaaaals trip bc Ella’s getting HITCHED 💍💍💍💍,” she captioned the Instagram post.

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On May 31, Lipa and Turner said “I do” during a civil ceremony in London. They celebrated again in early June with a much larger, star-studded wedding in Sicily. Turner and Lipa first sparked dating rumors in January 2025.

Although the couple mostly keeps details of their relationship private, Lipa did post a couple of photo dumps from the wedding on her Instagram grid. “Mr & Mrs,” she captioned one update, while simply sharing their wedding date, “31.05.2026 🤍,” in another post.

Next: Halle Berry Rocks Bikini in “Stunning” Poolside Photos After Turning 60

Sometimes, novels are brought into the world because someone takes a chance on them. In the case of the beloved classic Watership Down by Richard Adams, had it not been for a one-man publisher, the novel that is now considered one of the “greatest book(s) of all time” may have never happened.

After being published in November of 1972, the book was lauded as a masterpiece and a pinnacle of children’s literature. The book became a massive bestseller and to date has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. In addition to being commercially successful, Watership Down received the highly regarded UK Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize in 1972.

Today, Watership Down is ranked No. 2 of the “Best Books of the 1970s” on Goodreads, just behind The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. On Goodreads, the book holds a rating of 4.1, more than half a million ratings from users, and over 21,000 reviews.

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The premise of Watership Down was born from stories that Adams would tell his two daughters during road trips. When they insisted that he write his tales down, he had a completed manuscript after 18 months. The book was rejected seven times before it was accepted by Rex Collings, a one-man publisher who opted to take a chance on the book. Adams dedicated the novel to his two daughters.

Watership Down follows a group of eight rabbits living in England’s Downs who make the difficult decision to flee when Fiver, a clairvoyant rabbit, predicts its destruction. Fiver and another rabbit, Hazel, lead the group on a dangerous journey in order to find safety and a new home. They ultimately land on a hill that the book is named for, where they’re confronted by more challenges in their search for peace and a perfect society.

Watership Down is available wherever books are sold.

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Related: Best-Selling 1979 Douglas Adams Novel Ranked ‘Best Book of the 1970s’ on Goodreads

Dan Rather has a bright smile on his face alongside former 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi.

The iconic newsman, 94, who served as CBS Evening News anchor from 1981 to 2005, smiled with Alfonsi, 54, by his side. While Alfonsi was fired from 60 Minutes back in May, the journalism powerhouse was just appointed Journalist in Residence for the 2026–27 academic year at Columbia Journalism School alongside Scott Pelley. But despite their pasts at CBS News, the two looked happier than ever in a sweet photo together.

“My heroes have always been cowboys. Especially this one. So great visiting with Dan Rather this morning. Funny and charming as ever! My heart is full. ❤️❤️❤️,” Alfonsi captioned her photo with Rather.

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Rather Spoke Candidly About Changes at CBS News

Last year, Rather, who stepped down from CBS Evening News in 2005 after 24 years as anchor, took to Substack to share his feelings about Bari Weiss, founder of The Free Press, becoming the editor-in-chief of CBS News. CBS acquired The Free Press for $150 million, the Wall Street Journal previously reported.

“The former opinion writer for The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times is not a reporter. She has never worked in television news, and she has never led a staff larger than a few dozen,” Rather wrote on his Substack, which has more than 530,000 subscribers, according to the New York Times. “That all changed this week when David Ellison, whose Skydance Media recently acquired CBS, installed Weiss in a position created for her. She will not report to the president of CBS News — as one might expect — but to David Ellison directly.”

Rather continued, calling it “a dark day in the halls of CBS News.”

“The American people will pay the price for this move, as will the journalists of CBS News who can no longer credibly serve as watchdogs because the ones they are meant to hold to account are signing their paychecks and hobnobbing with the president,” Rather stated.

He Supports the Other Anchors

Rather opened up to the New York Times about how he still watches the nightly news on each major network, and stated that he supports each of the anchors.

“I give Muir credit. He goes to where the work is,” he said of David Muir, anchor of ABC World News Tonight, which has the top ratings. He called Tom Llamas, the new anchor of NBC Nightly News, “a real talent.”

Related: Scott Pelley and Sharyn Alfonsi Already Have Their Next Jobs After ‘60 Minutes’ Shake-up

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Summer footwear has a tricky job: It needs to look polished enough for dinners, vacations, and special occasions, but feel comfortable enough to handle everything that comes before and after. Because while a cute pair of sandals or flip-flops may look perfect when you first put them on, the wrong pair can quickly lead to sore feet, tired arches, and the moment you start searching for a place to sit. That’s why Clarks has long been a go-to for shoppers who want style without sacrificing support. 

For today only, Macy’s has the Clarks Laurieann Ruby Scalloped Twist Strap Slide Sandals marked down 60%, dropping the price from $100 to just $40. With a trendy strap detail, ergonomic design, and classic silhouette, you can wear them from morning errands to evening plans without having to change.

Clarks Laurieann Ruby Scalloped Twist Strap Slide Sandals, $40 (were $100) at Macy’s

Courtesy of Macy's

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Instead of relying on plain straps, the upper of these sandals embraces one of this season’s biggest footwear trends — scalloping. Three wide bands sweep across the foot in an intricate woven design, with layered, stitched edges looping over and under one another to create a braided, almost lace-like effect. The peekaboo cutouts keep the silhouette light and airy while adding texture and dimension, giving the sandals the handcrafted look of designer leather styles seen throughout resort collections. Small metallic hardware accents at the side of each strap provide a subtle, shiny finishing touch while disguising their hook-and-loop closure. 

Underneath the fashion-forward upper is the comfort Clarks is known for. A softly contoured footbed cushions every step, while tiny perforations throughout the insole improve breathability on warm days. The slip-on silhouette makes them an easy choice for everything from morning errands to vacation sightseeing, and the wide straps offer a secure, supportive fit that feels far more substantial than a typical slide sandal.

A raised 1.4-inch platform on these sandals gives you a small lift without compromising stability, while the lightweight manmade outsole features a subtle rocker shape that encourages a smooth, natural stride. Finished with visible contrast stitching where the leather upper meets the sole, the design blends classic craftsmanship with modern styling. Pair them with linen trousers, wide-leg jeans, breezy midi dresses, or tailored shorts. They have the versatility of an everyday comfort sandal with enough trend appeal to go with dressier outfits.

Available in classic white, black, and tan color options, these sandals are offered in sizes 5 through 12, including half sizes in medium and wide widths, making it simple to find a comfortable fit. Macy’s shoppers said the hook-and-loop closure is “easy to adjust”, which is especially helpful if your feet “swell throughout the day.” 

Footwear fans had plenty of praise for these “stylish,” “supportive,” and “cushiony” sandals. Customers noted that they feel “like walking on clouds,” dubbing them “great for summer” and “comfortable right out of the box.” Many shoppers own these shoes in “multiple” shades, with one shopper writing that the style is their “go-to pair for home wear and errands.”

Related: Macy’s Tanzanite Bracelet Has Old Hollywood Sparkle Without the 4-Figure Price 

Whether you’re traveling this summer or simply need a sandal that can keep up with everyday life, the $40 Clarks Laurieann Ruby Scalloped Twist Strap Slide Sandals are an easy choice. Grab them at Macy’s while they’re still 60% off today!

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Actress Jenna Fischer is revealing why the beloved NBC comedy The Office came to an end after its ninth season in 2013.

During an appearance on the August 18 episode of Jesse Tyler Ferguson‘s podcast, Dinner’s on Me, Fischer, who played artistic secretary Pam Beesly throughout the show’s nine seasons, said wrapping up the workplace comedy “was very emotional.” She then noted that the show’s star Steve Carell, who played Michael Scott, exited the series following its seventh season. In addition, she said that Ed Helms, who played Andy Bernard, and Rainn Wilson, who played Dwight Schrute, were committed to other projects, which lessened their availability for The Office Season 9.

Fischer went on to say that she and John Krasinski, who played Pam’s eventual husband, Jim Halpert, “were kind of the last of the original main cast who had signed up for a full season.” She explained she began to feel as though the show was “one by one kind of losing people,” especially after the show’s writers, producers, and actors, Mindy Kaling, B.J. Novak, and Mike Schur, stepped away from The Office. According to Fischer, Krasinski proposed that the remaining Office cast could choose when the show ended.

“Mindy had moved on. B.J. had moved on. Mike Schur had moved on,” continued the actress on the podcast episode. “So, it was actually John Krasinski who said, ‘Gosh, it would be great if we could like call it out, if we could know that this is our last season and we could write toward that. And we can end it all together.’ And so I think NBC would have liked to have had us stay another year, maybe, but we sort of said, ‘Let’s all go out together.’ And so they wrote toward that ending. And there were aspects of it where I think we also felt a little like we were finished.”

She then said while she and her castmates “were curious about doing other things” away from The Office, leaving the show came with some career instability.

“As an actor, having the security of a job for 9 years and having a schedule that you could like know where you were going to be, like I just knew I was going to be in Los Angeles from July to April every year ’cause that’s when we shot The Office. And that was an amazing thing. And that was really jarring because now I had to go back to like cobbling together the work from various places,” said Fischer in the August 2026 interview.

She also said that the end of The Office affected her social life due to her closeness with the show’s crew and cast.

“Those were my best friends and not just the cast, like the crew. We were very, very close to our crew and still are very close to our crew. And that was rough,” said Fischer.

The tiny landlocked country of Liechtenstein has changed its laws that govern the line of succession in the royal family.

With a population of 440,000 Liechtenstein was the last monarchy in Europe in which women were not allowed to ascend the throne.

However it was announced during Liechtenstein’s National Day celebrations on Saturday that the country is abandoning its system of agnatic (male-only) primogeniture.

It is moving to a model of absolute primogeniture which means that from now on the oldest child of the monarch, regardless of gender, will inherit the throne.

The current Prince of Liechtenstein is Hans-Adams, who has reigned since 1989.

Related: This Is What Princess Charlotte’s New Title Will Be When Prince William Becomes King

His 58-year-old son and oldest child is Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein, who is set to inherit the throne when his father dies.

Male-preference primogeniture in the British royal family was ended in 2013, under which model second-born sons in the royal family took precedence over first-born daughters.

13-year-old Prince George is the eldest child of Prince William and Kate Middleton, placing him first in the line of succession. But when their youngest child Prince Louis was born in 2018, the change in rules meant that he did not automatically rank higher in the line of succession than his older sister Princess Charlotte.

Charlotte, 11, is the first princess in British history to rank higher than a brother.

The principality of Monaco still practises male-preference primogeniture. When Prince Albert II’s twins were born in 2014, Princess Gabriella was born two minutes before her brother Jacques. But as a male he is first in line to the throne.

The royal House of Liechtenstein said in a statement, “”Dear citizens of Liechtenstein, the ability to combine continuity with renewal is a principle we also uphold within the Princely House.

Related: King Charles Keeps Wearing This Tiny Gift From Princess Charlotte—Here’s Why

“Throughout our centuries-long history, we have benefited greatly from making decisions with a long-term perspective and careful deliberation.

“I am pleased to inform you today of a decision of great importance to our House—one that has been discussed within the family, in part, for decades.

“It entails an amendment to the House Law; concrete work on this began late last year, and on Wednesday, it secured the necessary two-thirds majority among family members entitled to vote.

“This amendment grants all female descendants of the Princely House the same rights of participation in matters concerning the House Law as their male counterparts. 

“Furthermore, the order of succession is shifting from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture. This means that, in the future, the firstborn child—regardless of gender— will become the heir to the throne and, subsequently, the Princess or Prince of Liechtenstein.”

But there’s a twist! The rule change does not apply to current members of the royal family. It will only come into effect upon the birth of any future descendants of Hereditary Prince Alois and his wife Princess Sophie.

The royal couple have four children aged between 31 and 25: Prince Joseph Wenzel, Princess Marie Caroline, Prince Georg Antonius, and Prince Nikolaus Sebastian.

Liechtenstein is a 15-mile country nestled between Austria and Switzerland. It is famous for its fairytale medieval castles and its stunning alpine scenery.

Next, Kate Middleton and Prince William’s Surprise Family Outing Had Everyone Noticing One Unexpected Detail

According to birth month astrology, the month you were born may reveal the gentle reminder your soul often needs.

Sometimes the advice we need to hear the most is so simple, yet we still need the reminder. We all have patterns we fall back into, whether that means putting too much pressure on ourselves, worrying about what other people think, or forgetting to make space for what actually makes us happy. Astrology can help us recognize some of these tendencies, and your birth month offers a unique combination of the two zodiac signs that share it. From giving yourself permission to rest to remembering that you don’t need all the answers right now, here’s the reminder you may need to hear based on the month you were born.

Each Birth Month’s Reminder

Check the month you were born below.

January: You Don’t Have to Earn Your Rest

For people born in January, it can feel especially hard to put work down in order to take a break. A to-do list may feel endless, but that doesn’t mean you need to stay focused on your tasks to “earn” your rest! Ambitious Capricorns are goal-oriented and find it difficult to step away when things are unfinished. Curious Aquarians have inquisitive minds that never stop, filled with ideas, interests, and projects, making it hard to shut off and enjoy some peace. Both signs would benefit from the reminder that rest is essential to productivity and feeling good! But you don’t have to accomplish everything before you’re allowed to take a break.

February: Not Everyone Will Understand You, and That’s Okay

Those born in February march to the beat of their own drum, and while being unique is wonderful, it can be challenging when others don’t understand you and your lifestyle. This is your reminder that you don’t need to explain yourself to anyone in order to trust yourself. Independent Aquarians see the world differently and question societal norms, which means their ideas and choices won’t always make sense to everyone around them. Dreamy Pisces can feel equally misunderstood because they experience life through their emotions and their intuition in ways that can be difficult to explain to someone who doesn’t move through the world in the same way. Instead of wasting time trying to convince others to understand your perspective, remember that the right people will appreciate what makes you different. You weren’t meant to make sense to everyone, and there’s freedom in realizing you don’t have to.

March: You’re Allowed to Change Your Mind

Changing your mind doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice before, and those born in March could use this reminder from time to time. Sentimental Pisces can become attached to their dreams, plans, and relationships because of what they once meant to them, even if their feelings have begun to change. Determined Aries, on the other hand, can become so committed to moving forward with something that turning around feels too much like admitting defeat. But you’re allowed to receive new information, have different experiences, and realize that something you once wanted no longer feels right. Changing your mind can simply be a sign that you’ve changed too, and there’s nothing wrong with choosing differently when you know yourself better now.

April: You Don’t Have to Prove How Strong You Are

You don’t always have to be the strongest person in the room, even if you’re used to everyone seeing you that way. Courageous Aries meet their challenges head-on and may feel like admitting they’re struggling contradicts the confident image they present to the world. Dependable Tauruses are equally capable, but their stubborn independence can make asking for help feel much harder than simply handling something themselves. For those born in April, your reminder is that strength can also look like the vulnerability of admitting when something is difficult, accepting support, or letting someone else take care of you for a change. The people who love you don’t need you to prove how much you can handle, and you don’t need to do everything alone to know that you’re capable.

May: Your Curiosity Is Taking You Somewhere

You don’t need to know exactly where an interest will lead before you let yourself explore it. Curious Geminis are happiest when they’re learning and following whatever captures their attention, while grounded Tauruses may be more selective but become more invested once something really fascinates them. For those born in May, your reminder is to take your interests seriously, even when they don’t seem particularly practical or productive. Why not read a book, take a class, visit a new place, or try out a hobby simply because you want to know more about it?! Not everything you explore needs to become a career, accomplishment, or lifelong passion to be worthy of your time and energy.

June: You’re Allowed to Outgrow People

Not every relationship is meant to remain the same forever, and accepting that can be especially difficult for people born in June. Social Geminis can’t help but connect with people everywhere they go and may struggle to let go of someone who played an important role in their lives. At the same time, sentimental Cancers hold tightly to shared history and the people tied to their most meaningful memories. But growing in a different direction doesn’t diminish what a friendship or relationship once meant to you. Some people are meant to accompany us through a particular season rather than every chapter that follows. This is a reminder that you can appreciate everything someone brought into your life while still recognizing when a connection no longer fits the person you’ve become.

July: Stop Apologizing for Caring So Much

Caring deeply is not something you need to play cool about, especially if you were born in July. Tenderhearted Cancers become deeply invested in the people and places they love, while loyal Leos are similarly generous with their affection, attention, and enthusiasm for what they care about. Both signs can feel vulnerable when their level of investment isn’t matched, which may tempt them to pretend they care less than they actually do. But enthusiasm is not embarrassing, sincerity is not a weakness, and loving something wholeheartedly is never something you need to apologize for! Your reminder: save your energy for the people who appreciate how much heart you bring to everything, rather than trying to become less caring for those who don’t.

READ: Your Signature Nail Polish Color, Based on Your Birth Month

August: You Don’t Have to Be the Best to Be Worthy

You are allowed to enjoy something without needing to be the best at it, a reminder that people born in August may need to hear a little more often. Proud Leos want to shine and can become discouraged when they aren’t receiving the recognition they hoped for, while perfectionistic Virgos have a habit of focusing on everything they could have done better rather than appreciating what they’ve already done well. But your value doesn’t depend on being the most talented, successful, impressive, or accomplished person in the room! You can be a beginner, make mistakes, come in second, or simply do something because it makes you happy. This is your reminder that there’s so much more to life than proving how good you are at living it.

September: Your Life Doesn’t Need to Look Good to Everyone Else

A life that looks impressive from the outside isn’t necessarily one that feels fulfilling to the person living it. Detail-oriented Virgos can put enormous pressure on themselves to make the “right” choices, and socially conscious Libras are haunted by the awareness of how they’re perceived and may find themselves considering everyone else’s opinions before their own. If you were born in September, this is your reminder that you’re the one who actually has to live with the choices you make. You don’t need the relationship, career, home, or lifestyle that makes the most sense to everyone else if something entirely different makes you happy, and a decision doesn’t need universal approval to be the right one for you.

October: Your Needs Deserve To Be Heard

The people around you won’t know what you need unless you’re willing to tell them. Diplomatic Libras are so accustomed to considering everyone else’s perspective that they can lose sight of their own needs. Private and protective Scorpios tend to keep their deepest desires close to their chest rather than risk feeling too exposed. If you were born in October, your reminder is that being honest about what you want doesn’t make you demanding or selfish. The people who truly care about you deserve the opportunity to know the real you, not just the version who makes everything easy for everyone else.

November: You Don’t Need All of the Answers Just Yet

For people born in November, this is your reminder that sometimes clarity arrives with time, not through your own endless searching. Investigative Scorpios have a desire to get to the bottom of everything to understand the real reason something happened. Philosophical Sagittarians are constantly searching for greater meaning in their experiences. Because of this, it’s good to remember that everything doesn’t have to make sense immediately! You’re allowed to leave a question unanswered, admit that you don’t know what comes next, or just experience something before deciding what it means. Answers are usually revealed when you have enough distance to understand them, so give yourself permission to let some things just unfold on their own.

NEXT: These 4 Birth Dates Are Guided By Ancestors As Mars Enters Cancer 

December: You Are More Than What You Accomplish

For those born in December, it can be hard to remember that your life doesn’t need to be a constant pursuit of the next big thing! Because of their go-go-go personalities, adventurous, forward-leaning Sagittarians are always looking toward the next experience on the horizon. Ambitious Capricorns can become so focused on achieving their goals that they immediately start working toward another one as soon as they accomplish something. Let this be your reminder to resist measuring your life solely based on how much you’ve done, achieved, or experienced. You don’t always need another goal to chase or milestone to reach to feel like your time is valuable.

UP NEXT:

Rick Springfield‘s fit physique at 76 is blowing fans away.

Springfield, 76, skyrocketed to fame with “Jessie’s Girl” in 1981. He kept the hits coming throughout the ’80s and also found acting success with roles on Californication and American Horror Story. But despite pounding out the hits over the years, it’s Springfield’s fit physique that’s blowing people away on social media. A video from a concert back in June is back in the headlines, as people are paying attention to just how jacked Springfield is. With his 77th birthday next week, Springfield is looking healthier than ever.

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Commenters Couldn’t Believe How Fit Springfield Is

In the comments, people were shocked to discover that Springfield is 76 years old.

“HOW is if POSSIBLE he’s 76?!?! Damnnnnn,” one person said.

“He’s visiting us from a Time Machine from 1981 😮,” another person chimed in.

“He’s 76???? He found the fountain of youth 🙌🎸👏,” someone else said.

“Looks like Jessie’s Girl has been very good to him!” a commenter replied.

What Is Rick Springfield’s Diet Like?

Last year, Springfield told Men’s Health he starts the day with a breakfast of scrambled eggs or egg whites. Later, he has a protein shake made by his wife, and follows that up with tea and water. Lunch is a turkey sandwich.

“I play the guitar, she cooks the food,” Springfield shared, pointing out his wife. “Fair division of labor. She’s great at that, and I’m moderately proficient at the guitar thing, so it’s working out.”

What Is Rick Springfield’s Workout Regimen?

Springfield works out with Larry Willis, the same trainer who keeps Dick Van Dyke healthy. He told MH that since Rick’s work revolves around movement, they focus on athletic movement and conditioning to keep him extremely energetic onstage.

“We do a lot of plyometrics, we do a lot of stairclimber—which he hates,” Willis shared.

“We’re all in better shape than we were before we met him,” Springfield added.

That’s why it’s no surprise he doesn’t look very different from back in the day of “Jessie’s Girl”!

Related: Watch Tommy Lee and Joe Rogan Lose It Over Rick Springfield’s Viral Shirtless Performance of ‘Jessie’s Girl’

While it’s hard to believe it, summer is already coming to a close. And with only a few weeks left before the official start of fall, now’s a good time to take stock of your living space and see just where a little seasonal refresh might be needed.

Thankfully, Hobby Lobby has us all covered, especially if you’re looking for easy ways to make a big impact without breaking the bank. Introducing the Round Pleated Velvet Pillow, your ticket to adding chic, retro-inspired charm to any room, currently on sale for just $13.79.

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Round Pleated Velvet Pillow, $13.79 at Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby

Part of Hobby Lobby’s current pillows, rugs, throws and doormats sale, the Round Pleated Velvet Pillow adds a beautiful, earthy shade of sage to any room in need of a splash of retro style. Normally priced at $22.99, it maintains a casual elegance through its pleated, vintage-adjacent design, perfect as a colorful living room accent, bedroom throw pillow or functional cushion anywhere else around the house.

Whether it lives on your sofa, bed, favorite chair or pet’s bed, this pillow’s round shape and thick, fluffy construction make it a solid choice to buy in pairs while it’s on sale. And considering it features a 100 percent polyester shell and 100 percent polyester fiber fill, it’s extremely easy to keep clean long-term, turning an easy $14 investment into something that complements your home for years.

Related: Shoppers Are ‘Very Impressed’ With Costco’s ‘Sleek’ Japandi Home Upgrade

Shoppers Love Its Retro Vibe

With a near five-star rating online, shoppers have clearly been more than impressed with this stylish and cozy pillow. One fan praised its “beautiful” color, noting that they were pleased to find it because it “added the touch I needed for my sofa.”

Another fan echoed the sentiment, adding that it captures a “great retro vibe,” with the deep green color helping to pull it off nicely. “Very well made and large,” they wrote, adding that it is “very comfortable,” too.

In the search for creating the ultimate lounging experience at home, it’s hard to beat Hobby Lobby’s round Pleated Velvet Pillow. Measuring 15 inches in diameter with a five-inch thickness, it fits well almost anywhere you put it, easily blending with retro, boho, mid-century modern and eclectic decor styles.

Snag one (or a pair) today and instantly transform your living room, home office, bedroom or dorm room. And while you’re there, check out Hobby Lobby’s Lift-Top Coffee Table and quaint Three-Tiered Wood Shelf.

Related: Aldi’s Rustic $15 Kitchen Organizer Looks Like a Crate and Barrel Style Over 5x the Price

It’s the summer of… eyedrop recalls?

Earlier this season, Parade reported on a nationwide recall of millions of eyedrops. Produced by Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. based in Florida, the prescription drops were initially recalled on June 4 before getting a Class II status update on June 30.

Class II recalls are issued when there is “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” says the federal agency.

On a similar note, the FDA more recently issued a nationwide recall for more than 39,000 bottles of CLEAR EYES Maximum Itchy Eye Relief eye drops due to a “lack of assurance of sterility” and “potential contamination.”

This latest recall was actually issued on July 29, but the agency updated the classification on August 14 to a Class II recall.

The ongoing voluntary recall was issued by Prestige Consumer Healthcare, the parent company of Medtech Products, Inc., its subsidiary that operates as a manufacturer/distributor of several OTC brands — including CLEAR EYES, according to Eyes on Eye Care.

More About CLEAR EYES

As fans of the brand are well aware, CLEAR EYES is an over-the-counter eye drop brand for relieving minor eye redness, dryness and irritation. Its Maximum Itchy Eye Relief product is intended to be used to relieve itchy eyes, dryness, burning, redness and other irritations, per the packaging.

More specifically, there are 39,060 15 mL bottles included in this recall — but it’s limited to one specific lot:

• Lot number: 2552A, expiration date: 09/30/2027

Another OTC Recall This Summer

Back in June, the FDA issued another major medical recall, but this time for over-the-counter stomach and gas medication brand Gas-X.

Four lots of Gas-X Extra Strength Softgels 125mg, 120 ct. and 72 ct., which were distributed on or about April 13 through May 14, were recalled due to potential contamination from machine coolant. Find out more here.

Frank Beard, the longtime drummer for ’70s rock band ZZ Top, died at the age of 77.

“It was announced today that Frank Beard, ZZ Top’s drummer for the past 56 years, has died,” the band’s publicist shared on Tuesday, August 18. “He was in hospice care when he passed away at his ranch in Richmond, TX with family members at his side.”

ZZ Top found Billy Gibbon added, “Today, Elwood [Francis] and I lost a great friend and collaborator, and the world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas. His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top. The band of which he was part for six decades is going to keep on keeping on as he had wished.”

Frank Beard Cause of Death

As of publication, no official cause of death has been announced. However, Beard was suffering from health issues in the months leading up to his passing.

Beard temporarily stepped away from touring in 2025, citing a need to “to attend to a health issue.”

Despite his return, the ban was forced to cancel a scheduled performance at the Hollywood Bowl earlier this month.

“Insurmountable obstacles require canceling our Hollywood Bowl performance,” frontman Gibbons said in a statement shared to the band’s Instagram page. “Friends, fans and followers of ZZ Top are the best in the business and the band is counting on everyone to bear with us for this brief interruption.”

TMZ later reported on August 10 that Beard was “dealing with serious health issues,” and that that was the reason for the band’s cancellation.

Beard joined the band in 1969, later releasing their first album, ZZ Top’s First Album, in January 1971.

He leaves behind three children, whom he shared with wife Debbie Meredith.

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If your books are piling up on your coffee table or your trinkets are taking up real estate on your work desk, it may be time to invest in a new storage unit. While these items may be organized, they create visual clutter if they’re jam-packed in one spot. Bookcases are a stylish storage solution, providing a space to show off your prized possessions and simultaneously working to declutter those crowded spaces. Looking to get your hands on one? Walmart carries a ton of budget-friendly options that effortlessly blend style and quality. 

Boasting major farmhouse charm, this Satifur 5-Tier Bookcase is one of our favorite Walmart finds. Right now, you can score it on sale for less than $55! It normally retails for either $75 or $83, but it’s now marked down to just $52 in a rustic brown and a black finish. This bookcase is also available in a narrow six-tier version and a standard six-tier style, which you can purchase for $53 and $55, respectively. 

Satifur 5-Tier Bookcase, $52 (was $83) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Featuring five spacious shelves, this bookcase offers a generous amount of storage space to help streamline your home. Every tier, except for the top one, has a 12.2-inch clearance, providing plenty of vertical room so you can store items of various heights. Sturdy and durable, each shelf has a 55-pound weight capacity, so it should hold up to hefty items. 

This bookcase comes with two fabric drawers that you can easily remove if you prefer to leave all the shelves open. However, they’ll come in handy if you want to store miscellaneous items to reduce the visual clutter. 

Boasting exposed woodgrain surfaces, this bookshelf nails the farmhouse aesthetic. The woodgrain gives this piece rustic charm and makes it feel raw and natural. With its clean lines and sleek appearance, it’ll complement the furniture and decor in any room. Wherever you place this bookcase, whether it’s your living room, kitchen, or anywhere in between, it’ll instantly warm up your space and add a cozy and inviting vibe. 

This bookcase is ideal for all your storage and organization needs. You can use it to display your extensive book collection, curated decor pieces, and LEGO creations. Alternatively, you can use this bookcase to store linens, clothes, and personal care items. The possibilities are seemingly endless. 

Satifur 5-Tier Bookcase, $52 (was $83) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Measuring 20 inches wide, 10.6 inches deep, and 60.8 inches tall, this bookcase takes advantage of vertical space, which makes it ideal for both small and large homes alike. It’s made of wooden boards and boasts a strong metal frame. The wooden boards are wear-resistant and have a waterproof finish, making this bookcase suitable for bathroom storage as well. 

“It’s absolutely perfect for small spaces,” one reviewer commented. “It’s sturdy and looks expensive.” A second shopper noted that it’s “sleek, cozy, and classy,” while a third customer added that it’s “beautiful.” 

For stability, the legs are equipped with adjustable footpads, ensuring that the bookcase remains even and preventing it from wobbling. If you want additional security, you can install the anti-tip kit to secure it to the wall to keep it from falling over. As a bonus, many shoppers raved about how easy it was to assemble, so you should have it ready to go in no time! 

Shop More Deals 

• Iotxy 7-Cube Bookcase, From $88 (was $99) at Walmart
• Better Homes & Gardens Horizontal Bookcase, From $92 (was $123) at Walmart
• Walsunny Triple-Wide 5-Tier Bookshelf, From $75 (was $150) at Walmart

Related: Walmart Has a ‘Beautiful’ and ‘Sturdy’ $18 2-Tier Side Table That Makes the Most of Small Spaces

Whether your home could use extra storage or you want to display your most prized possessions, you can’t go wrong with the Satifur 5-Tier Bookcase. Don’t hesitate to snag it at Walmart while it’s still on sale for just $52. 

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.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods got married this weekend in a Malibu wedding celebration fit for the NBA’s reigning king and queen, but it’s Woods’ stunning Danielle Frankel dream wedding gown that’s getting all the attention. In an article for Vogue Weddings, the New York Knicks star and his influencer and entrepreneur wife are giving fans a peek inside their star-studded wedding celebration, including Woods’ fairytale gown and KAT’s wedding-day look created by Ralph Lauren.

Jordyn Woods’ Fairytale Wedding Gown View this post on Instagram

“For her walk down the aisle to marry @KarlTowns, @JordynWoods turned to @DanielleFrankel to create her dream wedding gown—a fitting choice for the bride. “We took a dress and made it me, and it’s different from any other design she’s done so far,” says Jordyn. Karl was similarly decisive when it came to his wedding-day wardrobe, knowing from the start that he wanted to wear @RalphLauren. “Ralph is always a part of my life,” he says.”

Woods says of her cliffside wedding ceremony, “There was so much love surrounding us, and you could genuinely feel how happy everyone was to be there witnessing that moment with us.”

The couple may be one of the NBA’s most recognizable power couples, but the pair actually bonded through heartache. Friends for years before their friendship turned romantic, the two connected deeply over the loss of her father in 2017 and the loss of his mother in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related: Steve Jobs’ Daughter, 27, Stuns in Just-Released Wedding Photo: ‘Absolutely Radiant’

Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods’ Love Story @jordynwoods

ESPYS 🖤

♬ until the end of time – cxannii._

Engaged on Christmas Day 2025, the couple is rarely seen apart, and Woods is a regular on the Knicks sideline, including at this year’s NBA Championships, which the Knicks won.

Towns may have brought the NBA Championship trophy to his wedding, but Woods’ gown was the center of attention.

“Stunning! Love a classic look,” shared one fan online. Another gushed, “So gorgeous.”

“Jordyn looked like an absolute goddess on their special day!!!”

Stars Turned Out for the Malibu Wedding

Jordyn Woods and Karl-Anthony Towns’ wedding was packed with celebrities, including Timothée Chalamet and girlfriend Kylie Jenner, Justin Bieber and wife Hailey Bieber, and KAT’s Knicks teammate Jalen Brunson and his wife Ali. But at this fairytale wedding, all eyes were on the bride.

Related: Hollywood Star’s Custom Monique Lhuillier Wedding Dress Leaves Fans Divided

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