Washington, D.C. – October 17, 2026 -- Five Guys has a new blackberry milkshake in stores through the middle of August, and shoppers at about 155 locations in DC, Maryland and Virginia can get a free reusable tumbler with it.

The shake is built around Marion blackberries

The seasonal shake highlights Marion and other blackberry varieties. Five Guys describes the flavor as both sweet and tart, and says each shake is hand-spun and thick.

New York – October 16, 2026 -- Only 47% of American adults surveyed agree that mothers with children feel supported by those around them, according to new findings released alongside March of Dimes' 2026 Collective events in New York and Los Angeles.

Few respondents see moms getting time or help

The survey points to gaps in everyday support. Just 42% of respondents agree that mothers have opportunities to take time for themselves, and 41% agree that mothers have help caring for their children.

Traverse City – October 16, 2026 -- Homeowners facing a failing furnace or air conditioner can weigh repair against replacement using a few practical checks, according to a HelloNation article featuring HVAC expert Leslie Roe of Precision Plumbing and Heating Systems in Traverse City, Michigan.

Anaheim Hills – October 16, 2026 -- Savers can lock in 7% APY for seven months with a new limited-time Share Certificate from Credit Union of Southern California (CU SoCal), open to deposits from $500 to $7,000.

The certificate caps deposits at $7,000 in new funds

The offer runs through December 31, 2026. The minimum deposit is $500, and the maximum is $7,000 in new funds. The credit union describes the 7-month term as a way to earn more without committing to a long-term product.

Myrtle Beach – October 16, 2026 -- Calabash-style seafood, a light-coated fried specialty that began in a small North Carolina fishing community, is a staple of Myrtle Beach dining, according to a HelloNation article featuring seafood expert Mamie Howard Gunter of The Original Benjamin's Calabash Seafood.

New York – October 16, 2026 -- Anyone can now join the global blood stem cell donor registry from home: Gabriel & Co. has opened a digital donor drive that mails a cheek swab kit to supporters, as the jewelry brand marks 10 years of partnership with the blood cancer nonprofit DKMS.

Belleville – October 16, 2026 -- Third, fourth and fifth graders in Illinois American Water's service area can submit artwork to the "Water Keeps Life Flowing" contest through Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, with up to 10 winners earning classroom prize packs worth roughly $100.

Entries open Oct. 16 and close Nov. 13

Students are asked to capture what high-quality water service means to them. Submissions opened Oct. 16, 2026, one day after the U.S. Water Alliance's Imagine a Day Without Water observance on Oct. 15.

Brentwood – October 16, 2026 -- Patients who need recurring infusion therapy can book private-suite appointments, including evenings and weekends, at more than 160 IVX Health centers, and the network has now collected 10,000 five-star Google reviews. The company says the count was reached as of October 13, 2026.

Sacramento – October 16, 2026 -- Museum of Illusions Sacramento opens November 6 at 405 K Street, Suite 110, with general admission starting at $30 for adults and buy-one-get-one-free tickets available before opening day.

The 10,000-square-foot museum is the brand's 72nd location worldwide and its third in California, after San Diego and Santa Monica, which both opened in 2025. It is the chain's first venue in Northern California.

Naples – October 16, 2026 -- Social Security and SSI payments for 76 million Americans will rise 3.6 percent in 2027, lifting the average retirement benefit by about $75 a month. Finance and insurance professional Bobby Garon says many retirees will see a smaller bump in their bank accounts than that headline suggests.

The 2027 COLA is the largest since 2023

The Social Security Administration announced the cost of living adjustment (COLA) on October 14. It is up from 2.8 percent in 2026 and is the largest since 2023's 8.7 percent increase.