21-Year-Old Woman Killed In Western Mass Crash Had 'Stunning, Contagious Smile' 21-Year-Old Woman Killed In Western Mass Crash Had 'Stunning, Contagious Smile' 21-Year-Old Woman Killed In Western Mass Crash Had 'Stunning, Contagious Smile'
21-Year-Old Woman Killed In Western Mass Crash Had 'Stunning, Contagious Smile' Authorities have identified a 21-year-old Western Massachusetts woman who was killed when the car she was riding in struck a guardrail and came to rest in a backyard last week. Lexani Velazquez, of Westfield, was killed in the crash Friday, Oct. 2, around 1:15 a.m. near the rotary at Park Street and South Street in Easthampton, according to the Northwestern District Attorney's Office.  Velazquez was a passenger in the vehicle, which was traveling on Park Street when it struck the guardrail before coming to rest in a home's backyard, according to the preliminary investigation. The driv…

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Gatorade Recall Spans 37 States: Check Your Bottles Gatorade Recall Spans 37 States: Check Your Bottles Gatorade Recall Spans 37 States: Check Your Bottles
Gatorade Recall Spans 37 States: Check Your Bottles More than 122,000 cases of Gatorade are being recalled, giving shoppers across dozens of states a reason to check their bottles. PepsiCo Inc. is recalling 122,021 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade because they contain undeclared Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6, according to the FDA enforcement report. The New York-based company is located in Purchase, in Westchester County. The recall covers four varieties: Gatorade Lemon Lime, Gatorade Lemon Lime Zero, Gatorade Orange, and Gatorade Orange Zero. The drinks were distributed in 37 states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Cal…
Dr Pepper, 7UP Reveal New Twists On Classic Sodas: See What's Coming Dr Pepper, 7UP Reveal New Twists On Classic Sodas: See What's Coming Dr Pepper, 7UP Reveal New Twists On Classic Sodas: See What's Coming
Dr Pepper, 7UP Reveal New Twists On Classic Sodas: See What's Coming Dr Pepper and 7UP are adding new twists to some familiar flavors. Keurig Dr Pepper announced Dr Pepper Ice Cream Float and 7UP Miami Vice in a news release on Monday, Oct. 5. The company unveiled its upcoming beverage lineup one day before the start of the 2026 National Association of Convenience Stores Show in Las Vegas. Dr Pepper Ice Cream Float blends the soda's signature 23 flavors with a vanilla ice cream flavor and notes of caramel and butterscotch. The new flavor will launch nationwide as a permanent offering in February 2027. The beverage will be available in regular…
Karoline Leavitt Lands New Fox News Role After Leaving Trump's White House Karoline Leavitt Lands New Fox News Role After Leaving Trump's White House Karoline Leavitt Lands New Fox News Role After Leaving Trump's White House
Karoline Leavitt Lands New Fox News Role After Leaving Trump's White House Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has revealed her next major role after leaving President Donald Trump's administration. Leavitt will join Fox News as an on-air contributor, The New York Times reported on Monday, Oct. 5. The 29-year-old is expected to appear on programs across the conservative network, including both news and opinion shows. The Atkinson, New Hampshire, native is expected to begin her Fox News tenure on Sunday, Nov. 1. "Karoline's firsthand experience in the White House and on the presidential campaign trail gives her a distinct understanding of…
Dennis Hastert Dies: Record Speakership Overshadowed By Teen Sexual Abuse Scandal Dennis Hastert Dies: Record Speakership Overshadowed By Teen Sexual Abuse Scandal Dennis Hastert Dies: Record Speakership Overshadowed By Teen Sexual Abuse Scandal
Dennis Hastert Dies: Record Speakership Overshadowed By Teen Sexual Abuse Scandal A former House speaker whose Washington career ended in disgrace has died, leaving a legacy overshadowed by the secrets he tried to bury. Dennis Hastert was 84. Authorities in Kendall County, Illinois, confirmed Monday, Oct. 5, that he died at home over the weekend from natural causes. The Illinois Republican served as speaker from 1999 to 2007, becoming the longest-serving Republican in the role. His criminal downfall came years after he left Congress. Hastert pleaded guilty in 2015 to illegally structuring cash withdrawals to evade federal reporting requirements. US District Judge Thoma…

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MA Retirement Costs Revealed In New Nationwide Ranking MA Retirement Costs Revealed In New Nationwide Ranking MA Retirement Costs Revealed In New Nationwide Ranking
MA Retirement Costs Revealed In New Nationwide Ranking Retirees in several Northeast states face some of the highest costs in the country, according to a new study. Retirement Living released its 2026 list of the most affordable states to retire, comparing all 50 states based on housing costs, everyday expenses, and tax-friendliness. The study looked at median rent for a one-bedroom home, median home sale prices, grocery spending, gas prices, and average Medicare Advantage premiums. Researchers also considered whether states tax Social Security benefits, along with income and property tax rates. "Affordability plays a major role in retire…

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Dead Passengers, Fake Drivers: NJ Woman, Colombian Lover's $13M Scheme Unravels Dead Passengers, Fake Drivers: NJ Woman, Colombian Lover's $13M Scheme Unravels Dead Passengers, Fake Drivers: NJ Woman, Colombian Lover's $13M Scheme Unravels
Dead Passengers, Fake Drivers: NJ Woman, Colombian Lover's $13M Scheme Unravels Some of the passengers were dead. Some of the drivers had never driven a car. But a New Jersey woman and her Colombian lover apparently had no trouble taking taxpayers for a ride. For years, prosecutors say, Jael Watts, 45, of Alloway, operated Pearl Transit Corporation, a New Jersey-based company that purported to have drivers scattered across the country giving rides to elderly and disabled people while also conducting outreach for homeless Americans. Watts and Luis Pino-Copete, 42, of Bogota, Colombia, were convicted following a multi-week federal trial in Utica of orchestrating a spraw…

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Most Trendy, Spooky Costumes Of 2026 Revealed By Spirit Halloween Most Trendy, Spooky Costumes Of 2026 Revealed By Spirit Halloween Most Trendy, Spooky Costumes Of 2026 Revealed By Spirit Halloween
Most Trendy, Spooky Costumes Of 2026 Revealed By Spirit Halloween Superheroes, Toy Story characters, and video game favorites are expected to be among the most popular Halloween costumes in 2026. Spirit Halloween released its annual costume trends on Thursday, Oct. 1. The Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey-based retailer said it follows trends throughout the year to see what will be the most popular costumes. The company especially looks at pop-culture categories like TV, movies, gaming, social media, and nostalgia. "People often ask how we predict Halloween trends," executive vice president Kym Sarkos said in a news release. "The realit…

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Most Trendy, Spooky Costumes Of 2026 Revealed By Spirit Halloween Most Trendy, Spooky Costumes Of 2026 Revealed By Spirit Halloween Most Trendy, Spooky Costumes Of 2026 Revealed By Spirit Halloween
Most Trendy, Spooky Costumes Of 2026 Revealed By Spirit Halloween Superheroes, Toy Story characters, and video game favorites are expected to be among the most popular Halloween costumes in 2026. Spirit Halloween released its annual costume trends on Thursday, Oct. 1. The Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey-based retailer said it follows trends throughout the year to see what will be the most popular costumes. The company especially looks at pop-culture categories like TV, movies, gaming, social media, and nostalgia. "People often ask how we predict Halloween trends," executive vice president Kym Sarkos said in a news release. "The realit…

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Nationwide Recall: Salmonella Concerns Trigger Shopper Warning Nationwide Recall: Salmonella Concerns Trigger Shopper Warning Nationwide Recall: Salmonella Concerns Trigger Shopper Warning
Nationwide Recall: Salmonella Concerns Trigger Shopper Warning Salmonella concerns have triggered a nationwide recall of a vegetable-growing product, with buyers urged to toss it and seek refunds. EAK Distribution LLC, based in Casper, Wyoming, is recalling Home Grown Green Sprouting Calabrese Broccoli Seeds, Heirloom, in 8-ounce packages, according to the company announcement posted on the FDA website. The seeds were sold through Amazon to consumers nationwide between Thursday, Aug. 20, and Friday, Sept. 18. The recalled product comes in a cream-colored pouch with UPC 850056627443. Production lot code AUG172026 is embossed on the top seal. Consumers…