Ohio man retrieves $100,000 lottery ticket from trash
An Ohio man who accidentally threw away a scratch-off lottery ticket retrieved it from a dumpster and discovered it was a $100,000 winner, the Ohio Lottery reported.
3 MIN READTAG · Religion & Society
lifestyle and leisure
Michigan man's road trip ritual leads to $2 million lottery prize
A 27-year-old Mackinac County man won $2 million on a Michigan Lottery scratch-off ticket after buying it as part of his road trip ritual. The winner told Michigan Lottery officials that he purchases a Two Million Dollar Cashword ticket…
3 MIN READMarilyn Monroe centennial auction draws bids on gowns, makeup, and intimate mementos
An auction of personal items that belonged to Marilyn Monroe, from a 1950s evening bag to her lip pomade, opened on the 100th anniversary of her birth and swiftly collected bids upwards of $70,000, Julien's Auctions said Thursday.
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S.C. man wins $75,000 lottery prize while helping a relative
A South Carolina man bought a $3 scratch-off ticket while driving a family member to a medical appointment and won a $75,000 prize, lottery officials said.
3 MIN READLoose chicken takes dip in pool after leading chase through Kentucky neighborhood
A chicken on the loose in a Kentucky neighborhood led an animal control officer and residents on a chase Friday night that ended with the fugitive fowl taking a swim in a neighbor's pool before being captured.
3 MIN READUber's Lost & Found Index lists dentures, breast milk, ankle monitor among oddest items
Uber released its 10th annual Lost & Found Index on Tuesday, cataloging the most common and most unusual items passengers left behind in ride-hailing vehicles over the past year. This year's list includes dentures with only two teeth,…
3 MIN READWhite Castle permanently adds Southwest veggie slider to menu
White Castle said Monday it has permanently added a meat-free slider to its menu, making the Columbus, Ohio-based chain the latest fast-food company to expand its plant-based offerings even as the broader veggie-burger market faces a sales…
3 MIN READOura CEO addresses health anxiety as company releases smaller ring
Oura released a redesigned smart ring focused on a smaller form factor after users requested a less obtrusive wearable, Chief Executive Tom Hale said in a June 1 interview with The Wall Street Journal.
3 MIN READMusic tuned to 432 hertz gains workplace following, despite lack of proven benefits
A growing number of office workers and remote employees are streaming music tuned to 432 hertz during the workday, drawn by social media claims that the alternate tuning promotes focus and well-being. Scientists say there is no rigorous…
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Jim Henson’s Creature Shop begins offering tours in New York
Jim Henson’s Creature Shop has begun offering public tours of its Queens workshop, letting visitors meet puppet builders and see a puppetry demonstration. The 80-minute tours cost $150 per person and run on Saturdays, according to the…
3 MIN READNew York City offers 1,000 World Cup tickets at $50 to residents
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Thursday that New York City will distribute 1,000 World Cup tickets priced at $50 each through a lottery opening May 25, with free roundtrip bus transportation to MetLife Stadium for ticket holders. The…
3 MIN READNYC residents can buy $50 World Cup tickets through May 25 lottery
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that 1,000 $50 World Cup tickets will be made available to city residents for seven matches at MetLife Stadium, with distribution through a lottery that starts May 25. The tickets will include…
3 MIN READScientists measure black hole jet power and speed for first time
For the first time, scientists have measured the instantaneous power of jets blasting from a black hole. An international research team reported the jets from Cygnus X-1—a binary system 7,200 light-years away in the Milky Way's Cygnus…
4 MIN READComic and behavioral science explain how to make habits stick
A behavioral scientist says turning a habit into a repeatable routine depends on more than willpower—people also need the ability to perform the action and a clear prompt. An NPR “Life Kit” comic episode, created by cartoonist Vreni…
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Serbian 'ironed sausage' tradition earns international acclaim
In the southeastern Serbian town of Pirot, a traditionally crafted spicy sausage in the shape of a horseshoe has long been said to lift spirits during long winter months. The "ironed sausage"—or peglana kobasica in Serbian—is made from…
3 MIN READRanch dressing dominates American tables after decades of rise
Ranch dressing has reigned as America's best-selling salad dressing since the late 1990s, when it displaced Italian dressing from the top spot. What began as a creamy condiment for iceberg and romaine salads now competes with ketchup and…
4 MIN READDelaware Latino grocery store turns produce aisle into a music stage
NEW CASTLE, Del. — A family-owned Latino grocery store in northern Delaware has turned its produce aisle into a concert stage for bilingual indie and Latin acts as part of its monthly “Mercadito” sessions, pulling small in-store crowds and…
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Emails show FBI Director Kash Patel went on a “VIP snorkel” at Pearl Harbor
The FBI Director Kash Patel visited Hawaii last summer for official meetings at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, but emails obtained by The Associated Press say he later took part in a military-coordinated “VIP snorkel” around the USS…
3 MIN READSouth Dakota says high gas prices may be ‘silver lining’ for tourism
South Dakota tourism officials say rising gasoline prices could prove an unexpected boost for the state’s visitor industry, as travelers opt for regional driving trips over expensive flights. The state, which relies heavily on Midwest and…
4 MIN READFoxhound parade brings howls and beer-tent antics to Nashville steeplechase
The 85th Iroquois Steeplechase kicked off Saturday with its most popular event: a parade of more than 20 foxhounds that ended with one hound’s unauthorized detour into a beer tent as 25,000 spectators cheered.
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South Dakota tourism leader: High gas prices could hold “silver lining”
South Dakota tourism officials say higher gas prices could boost road-trip travel as Americans look for shorter, regional vacations. Tourism Secretary Jim Hagen said the state has outperformed others when fuel costs were high or rising,…
3 MIN READFoxhounds kick off 85th Iroquois Steeplechase tradition in Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Foxhounds wearing GPS collars paraded Saturday to kick off the Iroquois Steeplechase, an 85-year-old steeplechase tradition where horse races and fox hunting remain closely linked. More than 20 hounds—trained to run…
3 MIN READInjured US veterans find relief and awe swimming with whale shark at Georgia Aquarium
A group of Wounded Warrior Project veterans — many carrying physical scars from Iraq and other conflicts — swam alongside a 20-foot whale shark, manta rays and giant groupers at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta on Wednesday, describing the…
4 MIN READInjured veterans swim with manta rays and whale shark at Georgia Aquarium
An event for injured U.S. military veterans brought them to Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta for a healing swim Wednesday, part of the Wounded Warrior Project’s recovery support through marine-life encounters. Staff said the program offers…
4 MIN READFenglin, Taiwan, embraces slow living with snail races
Fenglin, a Taiwanese town of about 10,000 residents, is drawing tourists by hosting snail races that celebrate a slower, more sustainable pace of life. The town has been known for years for quality-of-life efforts that include joining the…
3 MIN READUSPS to release Route 66 centennial stamps based on photographer’s 42 trips
The U.S. Postal Service will release eight stamps to mark Route 66’s centennial, featuring photos created by David J. Schwartz from 42 trips along the road. The stamps will highlight scenes in each state the “Mother Road” passes through,…
3 MIN READDenis Leary’s “Firefighter for a Day” event raises money for fire departments
Denis Leary’s annual “Firefighter for a Day” challenge turns civilians into temporary FDNY trainees, drawing donations for the Leary Firefighters Foundation. The event, held at the FDNY Fire Academy on Randall’s Island in New York City, is…
3 MIN READWegovy, Ozempic change how users experience Thanksgiving and other food-heavy holidays
For Claudia Stearns, last Thanksgiving was the first in memory not dominated by the anxiety and guilt of overeating. After losing nearly 100 pounds with the help of Wegovy, a powerful weight-loss medication, the 65-year-old from…
6 MIN READBavarian village raises maypole in May Day tradition of community, beer, and 'Hau-Ruck'
As a brass band played and villagers cheered, the young men of Kühbach, Germany, hoisted a freshly painted 28-meter maypole upright with long wooden rods — a centuries-old ritual celebrating community, spring, and a healthy dose of…
3 MIN READ
Chonkers the Steller sea lion draws crowds to San Francisco’s Pier 39
A colossal Steller sea lion nicknamed “Chonkers” has become the star attraction at San Francisco’s Pier 39, where visitors have flocked to glimpse a pinniped estimated to weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds. First spotted last month, the…
4 MIN READVillage celebrates with Bavarian tunes and beer as maypole rises
Kühbach, Germany, marked May Day on Friday with the erection of a new maypole in the village center, drawing people from across Bavaria to watch the pole rise. Beer, brass-band music and chants of “Hau-Ruck” accompanied the festivities as…
3 MIN READChonkers, giant Steller sea lion, draws crowds at San Francisco’s Pier 39
San Francisco’s Pier 39 has drawn crowds after a giant Steller sea lion nicknamed “Chonkers” arrived and lounged among the smaller resident sea lions. The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito said the animal is likely from the Pacific…
3 MIN READCaring about your climate footprint doesn’t end when you die
Millions of Americans are weighing how to reduce the environmental impact of death, with some families choosing options such as green burial, natural organic reduction and alkaline hydrolysis. An Associated Press report describes practices…
3 MIN READEvery state got a replica Liberty Bell, and these fans aim to see them all
A small group of “bell hunters” is traveling the United States to visit Liberty Bell replicas distributed by the Treasury Department in 1950 for a savings bond drive. The fans say the replicas—placed at state capitols, museums and other…
3 MIN READEdmunds pits Ford Mustang GT, Dark Horse against Dodge Charger R/T, Scat Pack
Ford Mustang and Dodge Charger rivals for decades are once again vying for drivers’ attention, with Edmunds comparing today’s Mustang GT and Dark Horse against the Charger R/T and Scat Pack. The review, provided to The Associated Press by…
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Barefoot trails invite visitors to connect with nature, step by step
The Associated Press follows barefoot trails in Germany and northern Arizona that invite visitors to walk without socks or shoes as a way to connect with nature. The stories highlight how the parks are designed around different surfaces…
4 MIN READHow weighted vests can help your workout
Weighted vests—jogging and fitness-class gear with removable weights—are increasingly showing up in workouts, but experts say research on their benefits is limited. A certified strength coach and a team physician said the vests can add…
3 MIN READMilan spotlights “The Devil Wears Prada 2” as fashion pop-up draws fans
Milan is embracing “The Devil Wears Prada 2” with fashion-week energy and a retail pop-up that lets fans pose at replicas tied to the film. The movie premieres in Italy’s fashion capital Thursday, ahead of a global release next week, and…
3 MIN READJudge orders man shot by ICE in California to remain in custody
A California judge on Monday ordered a man shot multiple times during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest to remain in custody, citing flight-risk concerns. Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, 36, who holds dual citizenship from El…
4 MIN READBeef tallow and salmon sperm gain popularity as natural skin care
Beef tallow moisturizers and salmon sperm facials are gaining popularity among consumers seeking natural alternatives to synthetic skin care products, even as dermatologists and cosmetic chemists say these products lack robust medical…
4 MIN READPepsiCo pivots Gatorade toward non-athletes as wellness drink sales surge
PepsiCo said Thursday that Gatorade, the 61-year-old sports drink it owns, is pivoting away from its core athletic identity to target everyday consumers seeking hydration benefits such as electrolyte replacement. The announcement came as…
4 MIN READMillennials, Gen Z push back against smartphones in growing 'attention liberation' movement
Dozens of millennials and members of Generation Z gathered in Brooklyn apartments and converted office spaces this spring to set their phones aside for evenings of reading, drawing, and face-to-face conversation — part of a small but…
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How influencers’ prep work and planning make Coachella content look easy
Coachella is now a content machine as creators map outfits, partnerships and filming schedules weeks ahead, turning the festival into streams of short-form and shopping-linked videos. For content creators like Sam Mintesnot, getting a…
3 MIN READiPod revival: secondhand sales surge as listeners seek distraction-free music
Apple stopped selling the iPod about four years ago, but secondhand sales have surged as consumers turn to the device for distraction-free listening. The comeback is driven in part by younger users who want to avoid algorithm-driven…
3 MIN READMichigan to consider “one buck rule” limiting hunters to one antlered deer
Michigan’s Natural Resources Commission is considering a proposed “one buck rule” that would limit hunters to killing no more than one antlered deer per season in the Lower Peninsula, according to the state. The commission is expected to…
3 MIN READThe psychology of sitting in your car before going inside
Many people pull into a driveway or parking spot and stay in their cars for a few minutes—sometimes while scrolling on a phone, other times just sitting—before going inside. Psychologists told the Associated Press that these brief…
4 MIN READRoute 66 celebrates 100 years, mixing kitsch, migration and preservation
Route 66 marked its 100th anniversary this year, drawing travelers to the “Mother Road” for its neon towns, roadside diners and storied past. Despite losing federal status as a main highway decades ago, the 2,400-mile route from Chicago to…
3 MIN READChilean zoo stages Easter egg hunt for its animal residents
Santiago, Chile — Bioparque Buinzoo held an Easter egg hunt for its animal residents on Sunday, with food treats shaped like holiday eggs placed in enclosures. The zoo’s director said the event is meant to entertain visitors while…
3 MIN READHelicopter drops thousands of marshmallows in annual Detroit-area event
WESTLAND, Mich., and Trenton, Mich. — Kids raced at two Detroit-area parks Friday to grab thousands of marshmallows dropped from a helicopter as part of Wayne County Parks’ annual Marshmallow Drop. Organizers held the events about two…
3 MIN READOrthodox Lent in Greece: monks and even McDonald’s embrace meatless rules
In Greece and other Orthodox-majority countries, millions of Orthodox Christians follow Lent’s 40-day ritual by avoiding meat, dairy, eggs and fish, with weekday restrictions also limiting oil and wine. The practice comes before Orthodox…
4 MIN READDisney opens World of Frozen at renamed Paris park
Disney opened World of Frozen on Sunday at Disneyland Paris, debuting an Arendelle-themed land anchored by a 118-foot mountain of ice. The expansion is part of a 2 billion euro transformation that also renames one of the resort’s two parks…
3 MIN READCherry blossoms hit peak bloom in Washington as festival runs
Washington’s cherry blossoms have reached peak bloom, the National Park Service said, sending a brief wave of pink across the capital. The timing also means the four-week National Cherry Blossom Festival is underway, with events running…
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Las Vegas’ Shark Reef Aquarium feeds sharks hundreds of pounds weekly
LAS VEGAS — At the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s Shark Reef Aquarium, aquarists say they feed 15 species of sharks three times a week inside a 1.3 million gallon tank. Zebra sharks can snatch herring from the aquarists’ tongs within…
3 MIN READMini Irish pubs roll into New England for St. Patrick’s Day
For St. Patrick’s Day, an Irish pub has been showing up in suburban driveways across Massachusetts, offering a small-town version of a neighborhood bar. The Wee Irish Pub — built by brothers Matt and Craig Taylor — has been towed in for…
3 MIN READConfront mortality at Thailand's "Death Fest"
Thailand is holding a “Death Fest” that invites people to confront mortality while also offering palliative-care and end-of-life services, organizers said. The three-day fair, now in its second year, drew visitors and health, funeral and…
3 MIN READMaking mezcal in Mexico shows slow craft rooted in Indigenous knowledge
Mexico’s agave spirit mezcal is still made largely the same way as in past generations, with work guided by knowledge passed down within Indigenous families, the Associated Press reported. In villages in Oaxaca, where mezcal is produced,…
3 MIN READClimbing stairs for exercise has its upside and its challenges
People who climb stairs for exercise say the routine can strengthen legs, heart and lungs, and can add up across a day. But gym and building access can make stair workouts harder, with some landlords limiting use of stairwells due to…
3 MIN READJapan officially announces start of cherry blossom season in 3 cities
Tokyo’s weather officials confirmed the first cherry blossom bloom in three Japanese cities on Monday, signaling the official start of the season. The Japan Meteorological Agency examined benchmark Somei Yoshino trees in Kochi, Gifu and…
3 MIN READClimbing stairs for exercise has upside and challenges, experts say
Stair climbing can be an effective short-burst workout, but some people say they struggle to find safe access to stairwells in offices and other buildings. In a trend that health experts say can add up over a day, climbers report being…
3 MIN READJapan’s cherry blossom season officially starts in 3 cities
Japan’s government spotters have announced the first cherry blossoms in three cities, marking the official start of the sakura season. The announcement was made Monday after Japan Meteorological Agency officials inspected benchmark Somei…
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Making mezcal in Mexico shows slow, physical work from Oaxaca agaves
Mexico’s agave spirit mezcal is still produced much as it has been for generations, with much of the work passed down within Indigenous families, an Associated Press report said. In many villages in Oaxaca, the spirit is used as a home…
3 MIN READThousands celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in South Boston
Boston held its annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in South Boston on Sunday, drawing crowds from across Massachusetts and beyond as marching bands, floats and veterans’ groups moved through the neighborhood. Police lined the route while…
3 MIN READYoung people turn to analog hobbies to get off their phones
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Young adults say they are turning to analog hobbies to cut back on phone time, seeking activities that feel hands-on and can reduce stress. The trend ranges from needlepoint and knitting to gardening, origami and…
3 MIN READYoung people turn to old-school hobbies to unplug, reconnect
Young people are embracing analog hobbies and offline activities as a way to spend less time on phones and reintroduce hands-on creativity, an Associated Press report said. The shift spans needlepoint, knitting, gardening and other…
3 MIN READDenmark weighs recognizing gastronomy as art, as chefs stage immersive dinners
Denmark’s government plans to explore whether gastronomy could be formally recognized as an art form, a move that could change how chefs are funded and classified. The idea is championed by Copenhagen chef Rasmus Munk, whose restaurant…
3 MIN READSober workers navigate corporate drinking culture as recovery advocates push workplace change
Workers in recovery from alcohol addiction face persistent pressure in American workplaces where after-work happy hours, corporate parties, and client meetings at bars remain expected in many industries, treatment professionals and workers…
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In Moorhead, Minn., people line up for Dairy Queen ice cream at 6 degrees
Moorhead, Minn. residents gathered Sunday for the annual March 1 opening of a 77-year-old Dairy Queen walk-up, despite single-digit cold. The temperature was 6 degrees Fahrenheit (-14 Celsius) when the shop opened, and customers queued for…
3 MIN READMadonna sits front row at Dolce & Gabbana show in Milan
Madonna made a star appearance in Dolce & Gabbana’s front row during Milan Fashion Week on Saturday, sitting next to Vogue editor Anna Wintour as the Fall-Winter 2026-27 show began. The singer, 67, hugged actor Alberto Guerra, with whom…
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Demna unveils new Gucci vision at Milan Fashion Week with skin-tight minidress
Demna presented his first Gucci runway show at Milan Fashion Week on Friday, unveiling designs that he described as grounded in pragmatism and aimed at delivering a “feeling” rather than what he called an intellectual exercise. The show,…
3 MIN READTampa airport says pajama “ban” post was a joke after backlash
Tampa International Airport sparked debate online after it posted that it wanted to ban travelers from wearing pajamas at the airport in Florida. The airport later clarified the post was “another playful nod” to day-of-travel fashion…
3 MIN READSix planets to parade across night sky at month's end
Six planets will line up in the night sky at the end of February, with four visible to the naked eye if skies are clear. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn can be spotted from the ground, while Uranus and Neptune require binoculars or…
3 MIN READLocals push to keep Trinidad’s carnival affordable as costs rise
Trinidad and Tobago’s annual carnival reached its climax Tuesday as the country’s creative community tried to keep the celebrations affordable for residents squeezed by higher prices. The Associated Press reported that ticket costs for…
4 MIN READNew Orleans celebrates Mardi Gras with revelry, parades and costumes
New Orleans marked Mardi Gras — the culmination of Carnival season and the day before Ash Wednesday — with a parade that drew revelers to wrought-iron balconies along St. Charles Avenue. People lined the route and watched marching bands…
3 MIN READLunar New Year celebrations welcome the Year of the Horse
Lunar New Year celebrations ushered in the Year of the Horse on Tuesday, with traditional prayers, fireworks and street festivities held across parts of Asia and beyond, including in Beijing, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The holiday also appeared…
3 MIN READChina expects record 9.5 billion trips for Lunar New Year travel rush
China’s Lunar New Year holiday travel period, known as “chunyun,” begins Feb. 17, with the government estimating record demand of 9.5 billion trips during the 40-day stretch around the festival. The expected movement includes 540 million…
3 MIN READWhite Castle’s Valentine dinners turn fast-food visits into traditions
Valentine’s Day dinner at White Castle is returning for a 35th straight year, with restaurants across the U.S. offering candlelit, tablecloth-lined meals that customers say carry on family traditions and personal milestones. This year, one…
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What Phoenix’s lovebirds can teach us about love and partnership
Phoenix, Arizona, is home to a large, established colony of rosy-faced lovebirds that has survived in the desert by clustering around people and heat sources, and experts say their lifelong bonds may offer a Valentine’s Day lesson about…
3 MIN READLarry the cat marks 15 years as Britain’s “first feline”
LONDON — Larry the cat will mark 15 years on Sunday as the British government’s official rodent-catcher and its unofficial “first feline,” a fixture at 10 Downing St. described as a steady presence through multiple prime ministers. The…
3 MIN READParaty’s mud Carnival in Brazil turns revelers into a prehistoric tribe
Revelers in the Brazilian coastal town of Paraty are covering themselves in mud for a Carnival tradition in which participants roll in silty shallows and march as a unified crowd, not in glitter and sequined outfits. AP reported on the…
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