Parade

Cyndi Lauper is on a roll, with a recently announced 2027 Vegas residency, an auction of her most recognizable outfits and personal memorabilia, and now a remix of one of her classic hits.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer dropped a new version of her first number-one hit, “Time After Time,” on Friday, October 23. The 1984 original song was certified 5-times platinum and became her first number one hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks. It earned a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year and received numerous honors, including the Billboard Award for Best Female Performance.

Now Lauper has collaborated with two Australian musicians, producer Cyril and singer Tones and I, to create the new uptempo track, keeping her original vocals.

“Time After Time” was named after the 1979 sci-fi film starring Malcolm McDowell. Lauper told Billboard she felt divine guidance when she composed the song.

“I think that ‘Time After Time’ is really special to me because I really felt a hand on my shoulder when I started to finish the lyrics,” Lauper said. “I don’t know whose hand that was, but, you know. I think just to write is special and important to me. You know, it’s how it comes together and how you can figure it out that makes it – the art.”

Lauper recalled meeting Tones And I and feeling an immediate chemistry.

“The first time I actually met Tones, she came to my show,” Lauper explained, “but I kinda feel like I met Tones before because I started to listen to her music, and then I was like, ‘Okay, I gotta meet her.’ And then we met and was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, we should do stuff together.’”

“Time After Time” was previously covered as an instrumental track by the legendary trumpeter Miles Davis for his 1985 album, You’re Under Arrest. The Miles Davis Electric Band, led by his nephew, drummer Vince Wilburn Jr., recently performed the song during the Miles Davis Centennial Celebration on October 17 at the 92Y in New York City.

Fans can look forward to hearing Lauper sing “Time After Time” during her 2027 residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award winner is celebrating the 40th anniversary of her second album, True Colors, and released a special Deluxe Edition in September.

If there’s one dessert I’m never turning down, it’s a good donut. A treat so delicious I’ll eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the right one can make all my problems melt away, even if only for a moment. With that said, every donut has its time and place, and with Halloween lurking around the corner, I’ve had my heart set on a batch of Witchcraft Donuts.

A popular 1970s home economics class recipe, Witchcraft Donuts has a hazy history that only adds to its Halloween-themed appeal. Made with Bisquick and quite similar to Betty Crocker donut recipes dating back to the 1950s, these nostalgic spooky-season treats are a testament to the idea that simple is almost always better, with easy-to-follow instructions that leave plenty of room for witchy experimentation. 

😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter🍳🍔

In honor of All Hallows’ Eve and all things spooky snacks, I made Witchcraft Donuts at home to see how the 50-year-old recipe holds up today. With most of the ingredients already in my kitchen, all I had to do was conjure up a bewitching spin of my own. And while this was my first time making them, I had a suspicious feeling it probably wouldn’t be my last.

Follow along to see how to make them yourself.

Ingredients for Witchcraft Donuts

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

A key part of a lot of my favorite recipes is a short ingredients list, especially when most of the items are already on hand. For this recipe, you’ll need canola oil, 4 cups of Bisquick, 1/2 cup of sugar, 2/3 cup of milk, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, 2 eggs and 1 to 2 tablespoons of grated orange rind.

For the icing, you’ll need 2 ounces of unsweetened chocolate, 2 tablespoons of butter, 3 cups of sifted powdered sugar and 1/4 cup of boiling water. This is where I added my own spooky-season twist: I swapped the traditional chocolate icing for white chocolate candy melts, which create a smooth glaze without any extra ingredients. I also picked up orange and purple oil-based food coloring to give the donuts a more seasonally appropriate finish, along with chocolate sprinkles.

How to Make Witchcraft Donuts

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

Start by pouring 1 to 2 inches of canola oil into a large pot and heating it to 375°F. While the oil heats, grab a large mixing bowl and vigorously mix the Bisquick, sugar, milk, vanilla extract, eggs and grated orange rind for about 25 to 30 strokes, just until the ingredients are combined.

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

Turn the dough out onto a flat floured surface and knead it 10 times. Then, use a rolling pin to roll it out about 3/8-inch thick, then cut out the donuts with a floured donut cutter.

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

When bubbles form around a wooden spoon dipped slightly into the oil, it’s frying time, baby. Fry the donuts 3 or 4 at a time, making sure not to overcrowd the pot, for 1 to 2 minutes per side until golden brown.

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

As the donuts finish cooking, transfer them to a wire rack to cool off. Once you’ve completed every batch, it’s time to move on to the icing.

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

If you want to stick to the original recipe, melt 2 ounces of unsweetened chocolate and 2 tablespoons of butter over hot water using a double boiler. Remove from heat, then blend in 3 cups of sifted powdered sugar and 1/4 cup of boiling water, beating until silky smooth. Dip each donut into the icing, then lay them out to rest.

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

If you’d like to follow my lead, however, melt 2 ounces of white chocolate candy melts in the same double boiler, stirring regularly until smooth. Remove from heat, then divide the icing between two bowls. Add a few drops of purple oil-based food coloring to one bowl, stirring and adding more as needed until you reach your desired shade. Repeat with the orange coloring in the second bowl.

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

Starting with the purple icing, dip each donut so the top is evenly coated, then set them aside on a sheet of parchment paper or a wire rack with paper towels underneath to catch any drips. Next, use a spoon to drizzle orange icing across the tops. Create a pattern to fit your theme, or freestyle it with zigzags and splatters, as if chaos has just ensued.

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

For extra flair, I added chocolate sprinkles on top, but this part of the process is a blank canvas for whatever your imagination can come up with. Try different colors to bring your own creepy creation to life, or keep it simple and go with a traditional chocolate glaze.

Related: The 1990s Classroom Halloween Party Snacks We Desperately Need Back

What I Thought of Witchcraft Donuts

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

As I mentioned earlier, I’m a sucker for donuts. Being able to recreate a recipe at home and have as much success on the first try as I did with this batch is the kind of kitchen magic only a witch could have conjured up. I was admittedly nervous about veering off track with my own icing endeavors, but the rest of the recipe was an absolute breeze, which gave me the confidence I needed to continue experimenting.

While I myself was not alive in the 1970s, these donuts do strike a nostalgic cord, as I’ve experienced their consistency and flavor numerous times over the years in other donut forms. It’s one of those recipes that truly never gets old, and the fact that it is so easy to alter and make your own only further solidifies it as a reliable recipe to keep in your back pocket well beyond Halloween.

Tips for Making Witchcraft Donuts

Courtesy Nathan Hutsenpiller

Here are some useful ways to make these donuts even better.

1. Don’t overmix the dough.

Once you’ve combined all of the ingredients, try not to mix too far beyond the recommended amount. Overworking dough can result in tougher donuts rather than the soft, fluffy texture you’re after. Stick to the 25 to 30 strokes the recipe suggests, then put the spatula down.

2. Choose the right oil.

To keep the oil from overpowering the sweetness of the donuts, canola oil is your best bet thanks to its neutral flavor. If you don’t have that on hand, vegetable and palm oil work too, or you can use olive oil if you’re in a pinch, though its flavor may come through a bit more.

3. Opt for candy melts to save some time.

Time is money, even when you’re at home. If you want to cut down on prep time, white chocolate candy melts are a lifesaver. They melt into a smooth glaze without any added ingredients, and you can add oil-based food coloring to create different shades for every occasion. With a little creativity, Witchcraft Donuts can become NFL game day donuts, Christmas donuts and more.

Hopefully this recipe has inspired you to get a little witchy with your own baked creations this Halloween. And now that you have everything you need to recreate them at home, you can be the star of the next holiday party with a tray of deliciously spooky Witchcraft Donuts.

Related: I Baked Lucille Ball’s Forgotten 1950s ‘Apple John’ Recipe—and It Might Be Better Than Traditional Apple Pie

The holidays bring loved ones together and fill the calendar with parties, gift exchanges and family traditions. They also bring peak travel season, packed airports and train stations, and a nonstop blitz of sales. The stress can be overwhelming, and that’s where Walmart wants to lend a hand.

The retailer is hosting its Walmart Holiday Studio, a holiday self-care experience in New York City, on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Union Square Kitchen. According to Walmart, the afternoon is designed to help guests find small, accessible moments to feel their best during the busiest stretch of the year.

The highlight is a 3 p.m. fireside chat with fitness star Ally Love and Walmart Chief Medical Officer Dr. Emily Aaronson, who will talk about staying healthy throughout the season. With so many people running on little sleep, rich food and packed schedules from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, it’s a conversation that could resonate with plenty of shoppers.

Walmart

Guests can also expect a hands-on beauty bar, a build-your-own smoothie station and gifting inspiration. The event spotlights Walmart’s wellness offerings, which span beauty, self-care, nutrition, sleep, and everyday essentials.

The idea is simple: self-care doesn’t have to mean an expensive spa day or a week away. Sometimes it’s a good night’s sleep, a nourishing snack between errands or a few quiet minutes with a favorite skincare product.

As the holiday rush gets underway, Walmart’s message is that taking care of yourself can be just as important as checking everything off your gift list.

This Halloween weekend, Applebee’s Grill + Bar is celebrating with Kids Eat Free specials at participating locations.

On Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, the restaurant chain will offer children ages 12 and under a complimentary Kids’ Meals with the purchase of one adult entrée. There is a limit of two children per family.

Applebee’s Kids’ Meals include an entrée, a side, and a beverage. Popular options include Cheesy Pizza, Chicken Tenders, Classic Cheeseburger, and Corn Dog. Side choices range from MOTT’S Applesauce Cup and Seasoned Broccoli to Classic Fries, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Mozzarella Sticks, and Vanilla Yogurt & Strawberries. For drinks, kids can choose 1% Milk, 1% Chocolate Milk, Apple Juice, Brewed Iced Tea, or a fountain drink.

The Kids Eat Free deal is available only on October 30 and October 31 for parties dining in. The promotion is offered at participating Applebee’s locations, which are owned and operated by Potomac Family Dining Group in the D.C. Metro Area, Greater Richmond, Virginia, Maryland, Southern Pennsylvania, and Southern West Virginia.

The Potomac Family Dining Group was founded by Timothy M. George in 2010. It is a privately owned Applebee’s franchise based in Richmond, Virginia. They are celebrating 15 years as an Applebee’s franchisee.

Anika Rashaun, who appeared on MTV’s The Real World: Seattle: Bad Blood and The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions, has died at 34, more than a year after being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.

According to Page Six, Rashaun died on October 1. News of her death was reported publicly on October 23, as friends shared tributes remembering her life and personality.

Rashaun first appeared on The Real World: Seattle: Bad Blood in 2016. The season featured cast members reconnecting with people from their past, including Rashaun’s former boyfriend, Will Groomes.

She later joined The Challenge: Invasion of the Champions in 2017. Her time on the competition series ended in its third episode, but her work extended beyond reality television.

Rashaun was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer more than a year before her death, according to reports. Her friend Tiara Ramos remembered her in a tribute, highlighting her adventurous spirit, loyalty and determination to pursue her ambitions.

Rashaun also shared her experiences with cancer through Breast Friends Forever: BFFs Battling BC, a podcast she co-hosted with Ramos. The project gave the friends an opportunity to discuss their diagnoses and experiences navigating life with breast cancer.

In addition to her television appearances, Rashaun worked as a professional matchmaker and founded ASKANIKA, a brand focused on lifestyle, relationships and entertainment.

Rashaun married her husband, Kyle, on Valentine’s Day in February 2026 in San Marcos, California. She had described the wedding as a dream come true, according to Page Six.

Friends also remembered her around what would have been her 35th birthday, celebrating her love of adventure and the impact she had on the people closest to her.

Her death marks a heartbreaking loss for her loved ones and for viewers who remember her from MTV’s reality-TV shows.

In 1921, a Minneapolis flour company found itself with an unexpected problem: Customers had questions, lots of them, and the company needed someone to answer.

Its solution was a woman named Betty Crocker. There was just one catch. Betty Crocker didn’t exist.

More than a century before the name became synonymous with cake mixes, frosting and cookbooks, Betty Crocker was created by the Washburn-Crosby Company, the Minneapolis milling business that would later become part of General Mills.

It all started with an advertisement for Gold Medal Flour in The Saturday Evening Post in 1921. The promotion invited readers to complete a puzzle and mail it to the company in exchange for a pincushion shaped like a sack of flour.

The response was enormous. According to General Mills, approximately 30,000 completed puzzles arrived at the company, along with hundreds of letters from customers asking questions about cooking and baking.

Washburn-Crosby’s advertising department needed a way to respond to those questions with a consistent, personable voice.

So Betty Crocker was born.

The company chose “Betty” because it sounded friendly, while “Crocker” honored William G. Crocker, a recently retired Washburn-Crosby director.

Female employees were then asked to submit examples of how Betty Crocker’s signature should look. A version created by company secretary Florence Lindeberg was selected, becoming the basis for the signature still associated with the Betty Crocker name.

What began as essentially a customer-service persona quickly grew into something much bigger.

In 1924, Betty Crocker found her voice on the radio with a cooking program that would become the Betty Crocker Cooking School of the Air. The program eventually expanded nationally, helping turn an imaginary employee of a Minneapolis flour company into a trusted presence in American homes.

Betty didn’t even have an official face at first.

Related: In 1964, a 73-Year-Old Kentucky Cook Sold His 600-Restaurant Business for $2 Million; 7 Years Later, It Sold Again for $285 Million

That changed in 1936, when artist Neysa McMein created the first official Betty Crocker portrait. According to General Mills, the portrait was inspired by women working in the company’s Home Service Department.

By then, Betty’s identity had become far more than a clever way to sign correspondence.

During World War II, she helped Americans navigate food shortages and rationing. At the request of the U.S. Office of War Information, Betty Crocker became the personality behind the radio program Our Nation’s Rations, which offered advice for making the most of rationed foods.

And by 1945, the fictional Betty had accomplished something remarkable.

According to General Mills, an April 1945 issue of Fortune identified Betty Crocker as the second best-known woman in America, behind only first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

In other words, a character dreamed up to answer customers’ baking questions had become more recognizable than nearly every real woman in the country.

The Betty Crocker name soon began appearing on more products. Her first namesake grocery product, a soup mix, arrived in 1941, according to PBS, followed by Betty Crocker cake mix later in the decade.

Then came another enormous success: Betty Crocker’s Picture Cook Book, first published in 1950. The cookbook became a bestseller and helped cement Betty’s transformation from fictional letter writer to American food institution.

But there was never one real Betty Crocker behind it all.

Instead, generations of home economists, writers, broadcasters, actresses and other employees collectively became Betty, answering questions, developing recipes and offering cooking advice under her name.

The character’s appearance has changed repeatedly over the decades, too. General Mills has commissioned multiple official portraits designed to keep Betty’s image contemporary while retaining the familiar persona customers had come to trust.

More than 100 years after Washburn-Crosby invented her, Betty Crocker remains a major food brand.

It’s an extraordinary legacy for someone who began with no kitchen, no family and, technically, no existence at all.

Related: In 1935, a Traveling Salesman Named Duncan Hines Sent Friends a List of 167 Restaurants to Try; His Name Later Became One of America’s Biggest Baking Brands

Maya Hawke may have found it “overwhelming” to join the star-studded The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping cast, but amid that whirlwind experience, a “total starstruck moment” with Hollywood icon Glenn Close on set still stands out in her memory.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Hawke recalled their unexpected interaction while on FirstWeFeast’s Hot Ones, where the actress reflected on her experience shooting the Hunger Games prequel. She remembered starting every day thinking, “Who am I gonna see today that I’ve been admiring for 20 years?”

On one occasion, she was shooting with Close on a windy tarmac in Germany, where the two engaged in a playful exchange.

“She’s like, totally chill. I was freezing and my teeth [were] chattering,” Hawke said. “And she was in heels, tall, just chatting [and] making up limericks, little dirty limericks.” Hawke recalled Close turning to her and asking, “‘Do you ever just look around and think about what everyone’s like in bed?’”

To make sure their newfound repartee continued, the Stranger Things actress replied, “Absolutely, yes, I do.”

Afterwards, Hawke told her family and friends about the moment, which she describes as the collision of her career and personal interests.

“I went home and wrote in my diary about it and called everyone I know,” she said. “It was like, ‘This is where the working actor and the fan part of my brain is colliding. I am non-functional with how epic this moment of my life has been, getting to be with her.’”

In The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which follows a young Haymitch Abernathy (Joseph Zada) participating in the 50th annual Hunger Games, Hawke will play a former winner from District 3 who helps Abernathy ahead of the Games. Close plays a harrowing Capitol escort who oversees the District 12 reaping and its tributes. The movie is scheduled to release Nov. 26.

The View will still be in the Halloween spirit next week, just minus one of its popular holiday segments.

Entertainment Weekly confirmed that the talk show hosts will once again not take part in the costume segment. It marks the third year in a row that the co-host will not dress up in elaborate costumes, a holiday tradition that had been done for decades since Barbara Walters‘ time on the show.

The segment often included the current co-hosts dressing up in elaborate costumes, with the last segment taking place in 2023. During the segment, Sara Haines wowed fans by wearing prosthetics and a costume to look exactly like Carl from the Disney film Up! Sunny Hostin took on James Cameron‘s hit film Avatar by painting parts of her body blue to look like a Na’vi character.

Prior years also had Whoopi Goldberg dressed as The Simpsons matriarch Marge, and past co-host Raven-Symoné as Cartman from South Park. According to the ABC program schedule, The View will go on to air the “Boo Are You Wearing?” children’s segment.

With a fun twist on Halloween, the children dress up in costumes meant to mimic topics that were discussed by the co-hosts during the Hot Topic discussions. The costumes can range across different topics during the year and even include controversial moments.

In 2022, a child was dressed as an Academy Award trophy with a red handprint across its face. The costume was meant to reference the highly televised and talked-about on-stage moment when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock. The following year, a child dressed as a high-altitude surveillance balloon to represent the Chinese Spy Balloon incident.

Just last year, one child dressed as former Astronomer executives Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot. The two were caught in a viral corporate affair scandal when they were caught on the Kiss Cam at a Coldplay concert.

In 2024, producer Brian Teta announced the cancellation of the segment that year because it was only a few days shy of the presidential election. She commented that, due to the elaborate production of the segment, it’s often done on tape, and “we can’t be on tape three days before the election.”

The View will also air a performance from Broadway’s The Rocky Horror Show. While the talk show has had some memorable costume moments, Joy Behar once admitted it’s a hassle for them to get dressed up on the air. Behar will be absent from the Halloween festivities as she’s on hiatus due to a shoulder injury.

Related: ‘Power Rangers’ Star Amy Jo Johnson is ‘Happy to Be Alive’ After Donnie Wahlberg’s Plane Skidded Off Runway

Matthew Perry’s success in Hollywood earned him global recognition but didn’t necessarily bring him the happiness he’d been seeking. In the upcoming Netflix documentary, The One About Matthew Perry, his sister describes the emotional turmoil he went through as a young man.

The anecdotes give a much more personal insight into the man behind the role of Chandler Bing and underline the chasm between the public persona of success and the private man who continued to grapple with his own feelings.

Matthew Perry’s Sister Recalls the Loneliness He Experienced Despite Being Famous

In the three-part documentary, Perry’s sister, Mia Perry Bowick, noted how Perry initially relished the attention that came with fame. She feels his relationship with the celebrity aspect of it became more complicated over time. Moreover, the actor constantly spoke of feeling very lonely and of being unable to find any sense of contentment despite the incredible success of his career.

Bowick also talks about how hard it was for her brother to find a place where he felt safe as a kid. She doesn’t know where his sense of insecurity came from, but her memories of him suggest that there was a lot of emotional turmoil going on that wasn’t really visible to the fans of Friends.

“In the beginning, he liked the fame. But at some point, it did start to shift. He would talk about that feeling of kind of a sense of emptiness or loneliness that he couldn’t quite fill. It’s impossible to know where these kinds of thoughts come from. But when he was younger, I know it was hard for him to find a space that he felt really secure in,” Perry’s sister said in the documentary.

PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 9: Actress Jennifer Aniston and actor Matthew Perry attend the 47th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 9, 1995 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo

Moreover, Perry’s upbringing was one of moving between his mother’s home in Canada and his father’s in California. His mum was in Canada, his dad in California, so he was moving between the two once he was old enough. That experience may well have fed into the sense of not quite belonging that the documentary looks at in terms of his early life.

Bowick stated, “As a kid, Matthew’s mom lived in Canada, and his father lived in California. So there was, like, a lot of going back and forth once Matthew was old enough to do that. I can sense how destabilizing it could feel and how that would add to maybe this sense of, ‘Where do I fit in all of this?'”

Matthew Perry Admitted Fame Couldn’t Fix His Inner Struggles

Archival audio in the documentary gives us another angle on what happened after he’d become famous.

Perry, while reflecting on that period, said, “I was extremely happy when I got famous. Then, after like six months, I was like, ‘Uh-oh.’ This didn’t fix what’s inside me. This didn’t do what I thought it was gonna do. I came from having core negative thoughts about myself.”

His words make the distinction between achieving a lifelong ambition and achieving personal happiness. The fame brought him professional success, but it didn’t in any way get rid of the negative things he thought about himself.

“I always believed I was too needy, I wasn’t enough, and I didn’t matter,” Perry said in the archival audio.

Helmed by Mary Robertson, The One About Matthew Perry features the testimony of people who knew Matthew Perry personally and is intended to be a portrait of his life outside of his most famous TV role.

It premieres on Netflix on October 27, 2026.

Related: Matthew Perry’s Sister Reveals the Painful Reality Behind ‘Friends’ Wedding Episode

Related: ‘Clayface’ Ending Explained: Is Matt Hagen Alive? Does Batman Appear in the End?

Related: Ethan Hawke Explains How the ‘Before’ Trilogy Made Its Dialogue Feel So Real

Related: Chris Pratt Addresses ‘The Terminal List’ Season 3 Possibility

For more than 70 years, PEZ candy has been a pop culture phenomenon, with its colorful plastic candy dispensers topped with the busts of iconic cartoon characters, superheroes, and TV icons. But that’s not what the little rectangular sweet treats were first known for.

Long before the brand became famous for its playful character dispensers, it was invented in Europe as a peppermint candy for adults, created as an alternative to smoking cigarettes.

According to the official PEZ company history, Austrian entrepreneur Eduard Haas III introduced the candy in Vienna in 1927. His goal was to offer a refreshing peppermint treat that could help people resist the urge to smoke. The candy’s name comes from the German word Pfefferminz, meaning peppermint, and the company’s early slogan was “Smoking Prohibited – PEZ Allowed.”

Originally, PEZ mint candies came in a tin box. But in 1949, the company introduced a mechanical dispenser, designed by Austrian engineer Oscar Uxa to resemble a small lighter, further driving home the anti-smoking message.

The company first introduced PEZ candy to the U.S. in the early 1950s. When the anti-smoking message didn’t excite American consumers, executives decided to branch out by targeting children with fruit flavors and redesigned dispensers. The first character-head dispenser, featuring a Halloween witch, was introduced in 1957. Soon, the company was licensing well-known Disney characters, and kids began collecting the dispensers, turning PEZ candy into a pop culture phenomenon that lasts to this day.

According to CBS Sunday Morning, PEZ produces five billion candies a year at its headquarters in Orange, Connecticut, which includes a 4,000-square-foot museum of PEZ dispensers. Collectors from all over the world have already sold out the 100th anniversary party being held there in May 2027, though there’s a waitlist in case space opens up.

Meanwhile, new dispensers are always being designed. In October and November, PEZ has plans to release new dispensers featuring Pikachu (the most popular Pokemon character), a generic Christmas puppy, and gift sets featuring the KPOP Demon Hunters gift set and Bluey characters.

The New York City Marathon is about to get a little sweeter for runners, thanks to some special perks from Delta Air Lines.

Ahead of the November 1 race, Delta is rolling out marathon-themed treats and activities at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA), giving runners and their supporters a little extra help during race weekend.

On Oct. 29 and 30, starting at noon and while supplies last, travelers can stop by stations near baggage claim at both airports to pick up marathon essentials. There will also be sign-making stations where friends and family can create cheering signs before heading out to support runners along the course.

The perks continue after the race. On Nov. 1 and 2, marathon runners departing from JFK or LaGuardia will receive priority boarding through what Delta is calling “Marathoners’ Zone 1.” Gate announcements will also recognize runners for completing the race.

With nearly 60,000 runners expected and more than two million spectators anticipated, the airport extras offer a welcome bit of celebration for those making the trip to New York for marathon weekend.

The event has come a long way since its debut in 1970, when just 55 runners finished a course made up of loops around Central Park. In 1976, to celebrate the United States bicentennial, the marathon expanded to all five boroughs for the first time, creating the iconic citywide route runners know today.

This year’s 2026 TCS New York City Marathon marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic five-borough, 26.2-mile course.

Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

The holiday season is the perfect time to add a little extra magic to your table, whether you’re hosting a festive dinner, serving up seasonal snacks, or gathering with loved ones for a cozy night in. If you’re looking for an easy way to bring classic Christmas charm to your spread, the Martha Stewart Manor Rimmed 4-Piece Tidbit Bowl Set does just that. The cheery ceramic bowls are on sale for over 50% off at JCPenney for a limited time. 

Right now, you can snag the adorable four-pack for just $13, down from $30, with the code GHOSTS.  The charming set comes with four small ceramic bowls decorated with nostalgic holiday prints, like a red sleigh or a gold bell. The timeless designs make them a lovely addition to your holiday tablescape, while the elegant red and green rims add a stylish finishing touch..

Martha Stewart Manor Rimmed 4-Piece Tidbit Bowl Set, $13 (was $30) at JCPenney 

Courtesy of JCPenney

Shop at JCPenney

Whether you’re setting out candy, nuts, dips, or other bite-sized treats, these bowls bring seasonal style to every gathering. Each dish measures 4.5 inches wide and holds 10 ounces, making them just the right size for serving appetizers, dips, holiday sweets, and party snacks. The round bowls are crafted from 100% ceramic and feature a smooth glazed finish that enhances durability for repeated use throughout the holiday season. 

These festive bowls are also designed to be as convenient as they are beautiful. They’re both dishwasher- and microwave-safe, making cleanup hassle-free and effortless during holiday festivities. Warm up a quick snack between dinner party preparations, or easily clean the bowls after an evening of entertaining.

Related: Martha Stewart’s $36 LED Christmas Garland Brings a Festive Touch to Mantles, Doorways, and Tables

With their cheerful design and versatile size, these tidbit bowls would also make a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves hosting or decking out every room of their home for their holidays. The set not only has a timeless look that will enhance any tabletscape year after year, but they’re also practical for all your seasonal festivities.

Shop More Holiday Decor Deals

• North Pole Trading Co. 6-Foot Poinsettia Christmas Garland, $27 (was $62) at JCPenney
• North Pole Trading Co. Holiday Velvet Plush Throw,  $10 (was $30) at JCPenney
• Martha Stewart 28-Inch Norfolk Greenery Red Ribbon Wreath, $36 (was $80) at JCPenney

At just $13 for all four bowls, the Martha Stewart Manor Rimmed Tidbit Bowl Set is an affordable way to bring a little extra holiday cheer to your home this season. Pick one up before this limited-time deal ends at JCPenney. 

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.

Jenna Ortega is getting candid about her longtime experience with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), including the daily rituals she has followed since she was just seven years old.

In a new cover story for Vogue’s November issue, the 24-year-old Wednesday star opened up about how the condition has affected her life since childhood and the ways she’s learned to navigate it.

Ortega recalled realizing something was different about how her mind worked when she was growing up. While her siblings were still sleeping, she’d wake up early to complete a very specific morning routine before school.

American actress Jenna Ortega at Rome Film Fest 2026, Klara And The Sun Red Carpet, Rome (Italy), October 17th, 2026 (Photo by Marilla Sicilia/Archivio Marilla Sicilia/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

“There’s a lot of different trains rolling in my brain at the same time,” Ortega told Vogue. “I had to open the bed sheet a certain way, and open the drawer one way, and brush my hair in a slow-paced way.” 

At the time, she didn’t fully understand why she felt compelled to perform these actions. However, after looking back on her life, Ortega eventually recognized them as early signs of OCD.

According to the International OCD Foundation, OCD is defined as “a serious and often debilitating mental health disorder that affects people of all ages and walks of life, and occurs when a person gets caught in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that trigger intensely distressing feelings. Compulsions are behaviors an individual engages in to attempt to get rid of the obsessions and/or decrease distress.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 19: Jenna Ortega attends Columbia Pictures’ “Klara And The Sun” New York Screening at Crosby Street Hotel on October 19, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dominik Bindl/WireImage)

Ortega is still actively managing her obsessions. She revealed that when she’s tired, jet-lagged, or anxious about a new project, she’ll “just bite the bullet and do the routine,” which includes repeating the phrase “take care” numerous times, stepping on set with her left foot first, and holding her breath while she counts to 71.

While navigating the condition hasn’t always been easy, Ortega has explored different ways, like therapy and medication, to balance her symptoms. She also found that approaching some of her rituals like a game helped “to take some of the pressure off.”

But interestingly enough, Ortega admitted that the same career that sometimes heightens her anxiety has also provided an unexpected source of relief. Being in front of the camera forces her to focus on the present moment and reminds her to breathe when thoughts and compulsions creep in.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Jenna Ortega attends the BFI London Film Festival Gala Screening of Klara and the Sun at the Royal Festival Hall on October 15, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Maher/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)

And this isn’t the first time Ortega has opened up about her OCD diagnosis. During a 2025 Vogue interview, she revealed that she’s maintained the same routine for seven years, including counting to specific numbers while showering and putting on clothes in a particular order.

By sharing these experiences, Ortega is actually giving a glimpse into a condition that’s often misunderstood and misrepresented in the media. It shows how something that may appear small to an outsider carries a much greater emotional weight for the person experiencing it.

If you or someone you know is struggling with OCD or other mental health challenges, know that support is available. Visit the International OCD Foundation for educational resources, treatment options, and to connect with a mental health professional.

Jordyn Woods had a wedding-day scare before marrying NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns, when a key part of her bridal look suddenly went missing.

The model and entrepreneur revealed that her custom wedding veil was accidentally left behind before the couple’s August wedding in Malibu, California. 

Fortunately, the situation was resolved before she walked down the aisle.

Speaking on Today with Jenna & Sheinelle on October 23, Woods explained that she was generally a relaxed bride, but the missing veil became her biggest source of stress.

According to People, Woods and her team had left their Airbnb for the wedding venue when they realized the veil had been forgotten. 

Because it was an important part of her carefully planned bridal look, she wanted to find a solution quickly.

Woods contacted her wedding dress designer, Danielle Frankel, to see whether an emergency replacement could be arranged from the designer’s Los Angeles showroom.

The bride was understandably upset, but her younger sister, Jodie, reassured her that the original veil would turn up. 

Thankfully, it was eventually recovered before the ceremony, allowing the wedding to go ahead as planned.

Woods married Towns, a New York Knicks star, on August 15 in a ceremony overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The couple celebrated with family and friends, including several well-known guests.

For the ceremony, Woods wore a custom strapless silk-wool gown designed by Danielle Frankel. The dress featured a draped bodice, a full skirt and delicate lace appliqués, with a long veil completing the look.

As Vogue reported in its coverage of the couple’s wedding, the pair wanted their celebration to feel personal and meaningful rather than simply extravagant.

The wedding also included special tributes to their late parents. Woods’ father, John Woods, died in 2017, while Towns’ mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, died in 2020. 

The couple honored them during the ceremony with flower-adorned chairs and personal keepsakes.

Despite the last-minute veil scare, Woods was able to wear the bridal look she had envisioned for her big day. 

Sydney Sweeney continues to push boundaries, this time pretending to shave her face while wearing a push-up bra in her Syrn lingerie campaign.

Sweeney, 29, rose to stardom on HBO’s hit series Euphoria and later earned critical acclaim for her role on The White Lotus. Now a veritable movie star with hits like The Housemaid under her belt, Sweeney is taking on a variety of entrepreneurial pursuits. That includes her lingerie line, Syrn. In the latest shot for the campaign, which was shared on Instagram, Sweeney’s face is covered in shaving cream as she pretends to shave it off with a razor. However, it’s the navy blue push-up bra that she’s selling that likely caught the eyes of most viewers.

“Meet Hibernation Nation, the cozy part of the SYRN Holiday Special. Sign up for exclusive early access on SYRN.com and be the first to shop the collection on 10.27. 💙,” Sweeney captioned the shot, which is part of her campaign’s holiday line.

View this post on Instagram

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 

Sweeney Dressed Up as Wonder Woman

It’s not even Halloween yet, but Sweeney had the time of her life this summer showing off her famous curves in a Wonder Woman costume. Boasting a bright smile on her face, Sweeney sported that trademark silver lasso on her belt as she channeled Lynda Carter, who starred as the DC Comics superhero Wonder Woman in the TV series of the same name from 1975 to 1979. While Sweeney may be a proud blonde unlike Carter’s brunette, the star made that costume look wonderful.

View this post on Instagram Sweeney Prefers to Stay Mum on Politics

CHRIS DELMAS / Getty Images

While Sweeney creates quite a stir on the TV and movie screens and on social media, she’s made it clear that she’s not really one for speaking out about politics.

“I’m in the arts. I’m not here to speak on politics,” Sweeney said in an interview with Cosmopolitan earlier this year. “That’s not an area I’ve ever even imagined getting into. It’s not why I became who I am.”

“I became an actor because I like to tell stories,” she added, emphasizing that she doesn’t discriminate against anyone. “I don’t believe in hate in any form. I believe we should all love each other and have respect and understanding for one another.”

Related: Sydney Sweeney Goes Full ‘90s ‘Baywatch’ in a Red Bathing Suit That Shows off Her Every Curve

As Jon Bon Jovi gears up for added dates to Bon Jovi’s Forever Tour, he’s looking back at his vocal cord issues, revealing they were so bad at one point that he couldn’t even sing “Happy Birthday.”

According to People, during a recent interview with the Australian show A Current Affair, the singer opened up about undergoing vocal cord medialization to fix a damaged cord in 2022.

“I didn’t lose faith, but had [my doctor] told me it was going to be four years, I might’ve contemplated saying, ‘It’s been great’ [and leaving his office],” he said. “Because the process was so damn long and I would see the progress, but it was incremental. It was inches. I couldn’t sing ‘Happy Birthday.’”

The singer recalled it taking years to get his voice back to a “phenomenal” place.

“I’ve gone through hell and I would not, could not, compromise the legacy. I could not, would not go out and hold the mic out to the crowd. Holding ourselves to a standard that we’ve had for some 40 years now, it’s important to me to be the best we can be,” he said. “I realized that it took four years. That four years was my doing. I don’t go out [on tour] after the two years. People were saying, ‘It’s fine, let’s go.’ Ask the promoter Paul Dainty how many times he’s had on a piece of paper a tour booked and I’ve said, ‘No, can’t do it. Just don’t do it.’ And after the four-year process I was like, ‘Yeah, it’s ready.’”

The 64-year-old said he finds it “joyous” to be on stage and can “sing without thinking about singing” again, knowing he can tackle performing his extensive discography.

“The beautiful thing that I aspired to for these years was, I have 18 albums. I want to be able to pick any song from any record and know that I can do them,” he said. “And that’s what was happening by the end of Wembley [Stadium]… We’re playing all the hits but I can give them all the album tracks that people love.”

Costco shoppers have more reasons to get excited this November, following a busy October of new openings. The warehouse giant is preparing to open nine locations across the United States and Canada, including a special type of store that many members may never have visited.

According to Costco’s official list of upcoming locations, five openings are planned for the United States and four for Canada. The complete November lineup includes South Meridian, Idaho; Vallejo, California; Chandler, Arizona; Newport News, Virginia; and Franklin, Wisconsin. In Canada, Costco is adding locations in northeast Edmonton and Lloydminster, Alberta, as well as east Windsor and Wasaga Beach, Ontario.

But the Chandler location is particularly interesting. Unlike a traditional warehouse, it will be a Costco Business Center, designed primarily for restaurants, offices, convenience stores and other businesses.

Despite the name, you don’t need to own a business to shop there. Anyone with a regular Costco membership can visit. What really sets these stores apart is what they sell.

According to Costco, approximately 70% of the merchandise at its Business Centers differs from what shoppers find at traditional warehouses. Instead of focusing on televisions, clothing, furniture and seasonal decorations, these locations emphasize restaurant supplies, commercial kitchen equipment, cleaning products, beverages, individually packaged snacks and food sold in larger quantities.

That makes them particularly useful for people stocking up for parties, large families or community events, even if they don’t run a business.

The new Chandler Business Center is located at 1111 West Pecos Road and is scheduled to open November 7, according to Costco’s warehouse page.

Meanwhile, the new Vallejo warehouse is scheduled to open November 6 at 860 Admiral Callaghan Lane. Costco says it will include a pharmacy, optical department, hearing aid center, tire service center and gas station.

The retailer is also advertising a limited-time membership promotion for qualifying new members joining ahead of the Vallejo opening, with digital Costco Shop Cards.

With nine new locations planned for November, Costco’s expansion is continuing just as shoppers prepare for the holiday season.

They say the secret is in the sauce, so if you love the rich, earthy, nutty flavor of truffle, Shake Shack has a delicious surprise.

The burger chain is celebrating the return of its Black Truffle menu with a free pop-up in New York City that lets fans add truffle sauce to just about anything. The Black Truffle Window is open Friday, Oct. 23, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 204 Mulberry St., between Spring and Kenmare streets. Visitors can bring any food they like to have it topped with the chain’s limited-time Black Truffle sauce, according to the company.

That means a slice of pizza, a bagel, a bag of fries or even leftover pasta is fair game. The window is free and walk-up only, with no RSVP required, but it’s only open while supplies last.

The concept is inspired by Florence’s historic wine windows, small openings in the walls of Italian buildings that were once used to hand out wine directly to customers on the street. Shake Shack says the pop-up is a nod to the Italian roots of the black truffle oil in its sauce, and its spot near Little Italy adds to the theme.

View this post on Instagram

For fans who can’t make it to Mulberry Street, the Black Truffle menu is back at Shake Shack locations nationwide for a limited time. The company calls it one of its best-performing limited-time menus ever. This year, the sauce is also available as an add-on for sides, including the new Mac & Cheese Bites, Chicken Bites and Onion Rings.

Whether you’re dunking onion rings, dressing your salad, or bringing your own creation (*savory doughnut) to the window, this weekend offers a chance to give your favorite food a truffle upgrade.

Long before soft, low-stakes coffee shop magic took over our feeds, readers were nursing an unapologetic obsession with the things that go bump in the night. From tortured, century-old bloodsuckers and moon-bound shapeshifters to modern witches balancing urban covens with mortal life, there’s always been an electrifying pull to stories where falling in love comes with a dangerous set of fangs or claws.

Welcome to the world of paranormal romance.

It’s a powerhouse publishing category where shadowy fantasy meets the pulse-pounding, emotional beats of a classic love story. In these novels, finding “the one” isn’t just about chemistry—it’s a high-stakes balancing act of secret societies, ancestral rivalries and life-or-death survival.

Here’s everything you need to know about paranormal romance, the moody, swoon-worthy genre that continues to dominate our bookshelves, plus five must-read titles to kick off your TBR (to-be-read list).

Related: 35 Best Spicy Books of All Time, According to Librarians

So, What Exactly Is Paranormal Romance?

At its core, paranormal romance blends the emotional structure of the romance genre with supernatural, Gothic or speculative elements. It frequently grounds its magic right next door—setting stories in shadowy corners of real cities, small coastal towns or secret academic archives—but invented worlds are common too.

According to the official definition from the Romance Writers of America, paranormal romance encompasses “romance novels in which fantasy worlds or paranormal or science fiction elements are an integral part of the plot.”

Penguin Random House highlights the subgenre as a space where readers can “dive into a world where love transcends the ordinary and the supernatural intertwines with the everyday,” offering stories “where the boundaries of reality blur and hearts defy the odds.”

Rather than focusing strictly on saving the universe, paranormal romance often asks deeply personal questions: What happens when a mortal falls for a predator who has lived for centuries? Can two sworn enemies break ancient laws for a chance at love? How do you trust someone when their very nature is a deadly secret?

Related: The 32 Best Romantasy Books of All Time

Key Hallmarks of Paranormal Romance

Nicolata Bratosin's Images, Canva

To understand what gives a paranormal romance its signature bite, you have to look at the irresistible tropes that keep readers hooked page after page.

Common hallmarks of the paranormal romance genre include:

• Fated Mates & Cosmic Bonds: A favorite in werewolf and shifter lore, this trope revolves around an instinctual, soul-deep connection that irrevocably binds two characters together through destiny.
• Forbidden Love & Rivals-to-Lovers: Romance blooms where it’s most dangerous. Whether it’s a vampire paired with a vampire hunter, a witch allied with a demon or members of opposing packs, love carries severe consequences.
• High-Stakes Peril: Loving a creature of the night comes with built-in jeopardy. Central relationships are tested against dark curses, ancient blood feuds and shadowy government agencies.
• Visceral & Biological Lore: From the dangerous pull of a vampire’s bite to the physical fever of a full moon shift, the supernatural physiology of these characters amplifies every layer of romantic tension.
• Hidden-in-Plain-Sight Worlds: The supernatural exists just beneath the surface of everyday human reality—hiding in plain sight within bustling modern cities, secluded Pacific Northwest towns or historic university libraries.

Why Is the Genre Booming Right Now?

While supernatural love stories have captivated readers for decades—anchored by 1990s and 2000s classics like Christine Feehan’s Dark series, J. R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood and Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight—the category is currently experiencing a massive modern renaissance.

Today’s surge is heavily energized by BookTok and online reading communities, where fans celebrate the genre’s blend of high emotional stakes, familiar tropes and moody escapism. Contemporary authors are continuously reinventing the space by mixing traditional creature lore with sharp romantic-comedy banter, modern subversions and diverse casts.

As paranormal romance author Ashley Poston explains, adding supernatural elements injects an unpredictable thrill into love stories: “Personally, I get bored reading just a straight contemporary romance. I want someone to throw a curveball at me. And those curveballs that I want thrown are magical.”

By merging the comforting promise of a romantic ending with the exhilaration of dark magic, paranormal romance gives readers the ultimate cozy-yet-dangerous escape.

Related: What Is Dark Academia? The Moody Book Genre Explained

5 Essential Paranormal Romance Books To Add to Your TBR

Ready to plunge into the shadows? Here are five standout novels that perfectly capture the magic of the paranormal romance genre:

1. Bride by Ali Hazelwood: A Vampyre leader’s daughter enters a marriage of convenience with a rival Werewolf Alpha to preserve a fragile peace, sparking an enemies-to-lovers romance filled with secrets.
2. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris: The novel that launched the Sookie Stackhouse series follows a telepathic Louisiana waitress who falls for a vampire amid a string of mysterious murders.
3. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness: When a witch and scholar discovers an enchanted manuscript in Oxford, she attracts the attention of a vampire scientist, sparking a romance steeped in history and magic.
4. Dark Lover by J. R. Ward: The leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood falls for a half-human, half-vampire woman who knows nothing of her supernatural heritage.
5. Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison: After surviving a vicious animal attack, a woman grapples with a frightening transformation in this darkly comic horror novel with romantic elements.

Have you picked up a paranormal romance read lately? Which supernatural creature has your heart—vampires, werewolves or witches?

Related: What Is Gothic Romance? The Book Genre Where Love Meets Dread

This article was drafted with the assistance of AI and thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by Parade editors. See our complete AI Policy.

Paris Hilton, the ultimate ‘It’ girl of the 2000s, threw it back to the decade with a Halloween costume honoring one of Britney Spears‘ iconic moments.

Taking to Instagram on Friday, Hilton donned a look-alike outfit that Spears wore on the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards stage, where she performed her hit “I’m a Slave 4 U,” notoriously dancing with a snake around her shoulders for part of it.

The Simple Life icon nailed the look, down to the exact design of the top — and even the snake.

View this post on Instagram

Fans, of course, couldn’t get over it.

“WE are SCREAMING,” one wrote.

“WHAT A SLAY!! You did that!!! You look GOOOD!!!” added another.

“OMGGGG THIS IS SO ICONIC” said a third.

Related: Paris Hilton Channels Britney Spears in Red Latex Bodysuit: ‘Honoring My Queen’

This isn’t the first time Hilton has dressed as her longtime friend Spears for the spooky holiday. Last year, she channeled the iconic singer in a red bodysuit inspired by Spears’ “Oops! I Did It Again!” video.

“Love you sis,” she captioned her social media post at the time.

She also dressed as Spears in a schoolgirl outfit, paying homage to the singer’s “…Baby One More Time” video, according to a recent Instagram post in which Hilton showed off previous costumes.

Britney Spears and Paris Hilton in 2006.

Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images

Beyond Halloween costume inspiration, the pair’s friendship has endured over the years, especially at the height of when the media scrutinized them both.

“I was just with Britney a few weeks ago for her birthday in Mexico and we were just talking about how cruel and mean-spirited people were back then,” Hilton said on a podcast episode of I’ve Never Said This Before with Tommy DiDario earlier this year. “And she is someone that can relate to that. Very few people can. It has made us both so strong.”

The heiress also said on the podcast, “I am just proud of what a strong woman she is.”

Hilton also attended Spears’ 2022 wedding to Sam Asghari. The two split shortly after.

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬