Monday, October 19

Mt. Pleasant Fire Chief Doug Lobsinger Retires After 33 Years of Service

After 33 years of service to the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, Fire Chief Doug Lobsinger is retiring at the end of the month…Doug joined the department as a paid-on-call firefighter in October of 1993…He became a full-time firefighter in 1997 & was named Fire Chief in 2023…October 30th is his last day of service after 33 years

The Farmer’s Almanac says:

The Farmers’ Almanac is out with its winter forecast for 2026 and 2027, and it’s calling for snow, sleet, and plenty of surprises. Here in Michigan and across the Great Lakes, temperatures are expected to be pretty close to normal, but we could see sudden snow squalls and plenty of back-and-forth between freezing and thawing. Of course, the Farmers’ Almanac isn't always right, but its advice this year? Keep the snow shovel, rain boots, and ice scraper handy.

Aldi’s Thanksgiving Deal

We haven’t even made it to Halloween yet, but Aldi is already thinking Thanksgiving! The grocery chain just announced its Thanksgiving Meal Deal for this year, and they say you can feed 10 people for less than 39 bucks! The deal includes a 16-pound turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, veggies, rolls, cranberry sauce ingredients, and even everything you need to make pumpkin pie. No coupons, no special memberships, and no complicated math required. Just look for the little Aldi turkey logo on store shelves. Some items are available now, with turkeys arriving after November 4th.

Safety Hazards to Check Before Trick-or-Treaters Hit Your Porch

Before the little ghosts and goblins show up at your door Halloween night, you might want to give your porch a quick safety check. Experts say to make sure your outdoor lights are working, clear away anything kids could trip over, like hoses, toys, or wet leaves, and check that your handrails are secure. If you've got jack-o'-lanterns, use battery-operated candles instead of real flames. And don't forget your pets! Keep them away from the front door and make sure they can't get into the Halloween candy.

New Ranking Reveals the Best Protein Sources

Everybody seems to be obsessed with protein these days, but which foods actually give you the most bang for your buck? A researcher at the University of Cambridge ranked 20 popular protein sources based on nutrition, cost, availability, and environmental impact. And the winner? Tofu! Yep, tofu beat out beef, chicken, eggs, and even salmon. Chia seeds came in second, followed by beans and quinoa. Lentils were the cheapest source of protein, while cod had the least saturated fat. And bringing up the bottom of the list? Mozzarella, lamb, beef, and cheddar cheese.

Young Adults Say Halloween Is as Big as Christmas

Move over, Santa! Halloween is giving Christmas some serious competition, at least with younger adults. A new survey finds that more than half of adults between 25 and 34 say Halloween has become just as big a deal as Christmas, if not bigger! And it's not just about the candy. Younger adults say they love decorating for Halloween, have more fun celebrating it, and actually look forward to it more than Christmas. The survey also found that a majority of Americans would like to see Halloween become a national holiday.

YouTube Is Flagging AI-Generated Music

Ever hear a song and wonder if you're listening to an actual musician or a computer? Well, YouTube wants to help clear that up. The company says it's going to start labeling songs on YouTube and YouTube Music that were primarily created using artificial intelligence. YouTube says listeners want to know when the music they're hearing is AI-generated. Other streaming services, including Spotify and Apple Music, are making similar moves.

Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips

Halloween is almost here, and before you send the kids out to collect enough candy to last until Easter, a few safety reminders. Experts recommend adding reflective tape or glow sticks to costumes so drivers can see the kids after dark. Stick together in groups, and if you're driving through neighborhoods Halloween night, slow down and watch for little trick-or-treaters. For younger kids, consider writing your phone number on their arm in case you get separated. And when they get home, give that candy a quick look for choking hazards or anything that appears tampered with.

Forget Vision Boards, Try an Intentions Wall

If your to-do list is getting out of control, TikTok has a new idea that might help you get organized. It's called a monthly "intentions wall," and all you need is a big sheet of butcher paper and a marker. At the beginning of each month, you write down everything you want to accomplish. Then hang it somewhere you'll see it every day. It's basically a giant to-do list that doubles as wall art. And unlike that list buried somewhere in your phone, this one is pretty hard to ignore!

Ten Little Ways to Stop Wasting Money

Trying to save a little money? Sometimes it's not the big purchases draining your wallet, it's all those little expenses you barely notice! Financial experts say there are some simple changes that can really add up, like bundling your streaming subscriptions, switching to annual billing when it's cheaper and using digital grocery coupons before you shop. Another good trick is removing your saved credit card information from shopping websites, because having to get up and find your wallet might be just enough time to reconsider that impulse purchase.

Want Better Skin and Joints? Check Your Grocery List

If you're looking for healthier skin and stronger joints as you get older, you might want to pay a little more attention to what's in your refrigerator. Collagen is a protein that helps support your skin, joints and connective tissues, but your body naturally makes less of it as you age. The good news is that certain foods provide nutrients your body needs to make collagen. Chicken, turkey, beans and dairy products provide protein, while oranges, kiwi, berries and red bell peppers deliver vitamin C. Cashews are another good choice because they contain copper and zinc. So before spending a fortune on collagen supplements, you might want to start with a trip to the produce aisle!

Nine Hobbies That Could Help Keep Your Brain Sharp After 40

Want to keep your brain sharp as you get older? It might be time to pick up a new hobby! Experts say activities that challenge your mind, teach you something new or keep you socially connected can help support brain health. Some suggestions include learning a musical instrument, playing cards, birdwatching, pottery, sewing and building models. Reading is another great option, and even attending community get-togethers can help keep you mentally engaged.

Want to Wake Up Looking Better? Start the Night Before

If you wake up looking like you just went twelve rounds with your pillow, a few bedtime habits might help! Beauty experts say washing your face before bed, sleeping on a silk pillowcase and making sure your hair is dry before hitting the sheets can help you look a little more refreshed in the morning. Sleeping on your back may also help prevent those temporary pillow creases on your face. And of course, getting seven to eight hours of quality sleep is one of the best things you can do for your skin.

The Mouse-Proofing Trick Every Homeowner Should Know

With cooler weather arriving, mice are looking for warm places to spend the winter, and your house might be at the top of their list! Pest-control experts recommend checking for openings and sealing them with mouse-resistant materials, like steel wool secured with an appropriate sealant. Just be careful not to block any necessary ventilation. And remember, if you can fit a pencil eraser through that little crack, a mouse might already be planning where to put its furniture!

Move Over, Protein! Fiber Is Getting All the Attention

For years, everybody's been talking about getting more protein, but now nutrition experts say there's another nutrient that deserves some attention: fiber! fiber is important for digestion, heart health, metabolism and your immune system, but most of us aren't getting enough. The good news is you don't need some expensive supplement to add more to your diet. Foods like oatmeal, beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables are all great sources. She even recommends starting your day with fiber. So while everybody else is counting grams of protein, maybe it's time to give your morning oatmeal a little more credit!

Smelling Chocolate Could Make You Better at Working Out

apparently, smelling chocolate might help you exercise longer! A study found that people who smelled chocolate while exercising were able to complete more repetitions without feeling like they were working any harder. Dark chocolate seemed to produce the biggest improvement, and participants even reported feeling less hungry afterward.