Good morning, it's Saturday, Oct. 31, and we're exploring what's trending this Halloween. First time reading? Join millions of insatiably curious readers. Sign up here.
Also in today's Digest: North Korea may be responsible for a $6.3B crypto heist (Quick Hits), a man adopts a stray kitten at the airport (Humankind), a touchscreen T-shirt (Etc.), and much more.
PS—Remember to set your clocks back tonight, as daylight saving time ends tomorrow.
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Children across the US will dress up as Dolly Parton, dumplings, and more in search of candy tonight, as nearly three-fourths of Americans say they plan to celebrate Halloween. Search the trending costumes in your ZIP code here.
Halloween traces its roots from an ancient Celtic festival marking the shift from summer to winter and was brought to the US by Irish and Scottish immigrants in the 19th century (see full history). Modern trick-or-treating became mainstream in the mid-20th century to curb hooliganism, with Americans expected to spend roughly $115 per person on costumes, decorations, and candy—up roughly 3% from last year in total spending. However, some neighborhoods may be quieter this year, as only half of kids now trick-or-treat in their own neighborhoods. Our collective sweet tooth is also evolving, with Americans increasingly favoring fruity and sour candies. Scroll here for the states with the biggest and smallest sweet tooth.
New York City was crowned the best place to celebrate this year, based on a combination of weather, fun, and friendliness. See where your hometown ranks here. |
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North Korea is suspected to be behind largest-ever crypto heist.
Experts say an elite North Korean hacking unit appears to be behind a hack that stole roughly $6.3B from Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange. Binance said it believes hackers breached its systems from multiple points of attack in what it describes as a "complex hack." The exchange is working with the FBI and Secret Service to recover stolen assets, but analysts estimate roughly $2.4B may be unrecoverable. The exchange has pledged to cover all customer losses. (More) |
President Donald Trump to rally in Kansas and Iowa tomorrow.
The Republican president reversed his decision to cancel back-to-back rallies in the two states, both of which have competitive Senate races. The shuffling comes as early voting in Iowa and Kansas has surged roughly 30% compared with 2022, raising questions about whether Republicans maintain an edge. Trump is also hosting about 20 tele-rallies this weekend. (More) |
Christa Pike releases first public statement since botched execution.
Pike, 50, said she is in constant mental and physical pain and struggles to speak after surviving a lethal injection in Tennessee last month. She blamed the failed execution on "incompetence," while thanking the medical workers who attended to her in the aftermath. Pike's attorneys have urged Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to reduce her sentence to life in prison. (More) |
Police investigate former Prince Andrew and Epstein activities at royal estate.
Scottish authorities confirmed they are conducting active inquiries following allegations that the former prince, Jeffrey Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell trafficked women to Balmoral Castle. The US Justice Department previously released photos of Andrew and Epstein shooting at the royal residence, which is where Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022. King Charles currently owns the property. (More) |
Scientists identify meteorite found in Sahara as 4.1-billion-year-old piece of Mars.
A NASA study has determined that a nearly two-pound, rose-colored meteorite discovered in Mali's Sahara desert came from Mars (see 101). It is one of the three most ancient Martian meteorites on Earth, providing rare insight into how the red planet's crust formed as magma cooled and then changed upon contact with subsurface water. The data suggests Mars may have had a more dynamic water cycle than previously believed. (More) |
Linguists rediscover earliest spoken audio of Louisiana's dying Creole language.
Recorded in New Orleans in 1935, the audio offers a rare perspective on a language largely studied through written records. Enslaved Africans developed the language in the 18th century, blending French with West African grammar and incorporating Native American words for unfamiliar plants and animals. The people in the recordings include a retired police officer, schoolteachers, and a pianist. (More, scroll for audio) |
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City employee comes to the rescue after a 5-year-old's beloved stuffed animal fell down a storm drain. (More) |
Minnesota man finds a stray kitten at Chicago's O'Hare airport during a missed connection, buys a kennel and brings it home. (More, w/video) |
British woman living in DC starts weekly "Great British Bake Off" watch parties at a local bar, building a new community. (More, w/video) |
Engineering students refurbish a 2020 Hyundai and donate it to a disabled Navy veteran who hasn't owned a car in over two years. (More) |
Australian diver saves kangaroo stranded nearly two miles from shore. (More, w/video) |
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Today, we're sharing a story from reader Ted R.
"For over 50 years, Halloween in Emsworth meant a mandatory stop at a very special home that three generations of neighborhood trick-or-treaters know very well. It was the house where Jackie and Walt Kenderski transformed their driveway with pumpkins, scarecrows, and cornstalks. No matter the weather, Jackie would sit outside in her signature witch’s hat, welcoming the costumed visitors with open arms. If it rained, they simply opened the garage doors and kept the magic alive.
They didn't just hand out store-bought candy. Every single year, Jackie and Walt
purchased local orchard apples and poured their hearts into making at least 100
homemade, individually wrapped candy apples. It was a true labor of love that
became an Emsworth Halloween tradition."
Humankind(ness) is a reader-built corner of joy. So, what act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here. And if this story made you smile—share our email (copy URL here). |
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Millions of Americans will head to the polls Tuesday. But no single authority oversees every US election. So who's actually in control, and what happens when the rules collide? In the latest episode of "1440 Explores," host Sony Kassam and 1440's Jeremy Cronig investigate. Listen here or click below to watch: |
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Pope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in US election.
How to adjust your body to daylight saving time changes.
Birds get jet-lagged, too.
The US states getting happier and sadder.
Should children of the future be born in a pod?
Touchscreen shirt that can display photos, answer calls. (w/video)
AI models gave a common answer when asked what they think about us.
Prince William reveals he once aspired to be a DJ.
... and this British royal title may be cursed.
What happens if you don't brush your teeth for a year? (w/video)
Why it's okay if you don't understand kids' Halloween costumes.
How PB&J became America's go-to sandwich.
Why TV shows nearly never tell stories chronologically. (w/video)
Most Clicked This Week: See the 25 best places to retire in 2027.
Historybook: English poet John Keats born (1795); Magician Harry Houdini dies (1926); Mount Rushmore National Memorial is completed (1941); Actor and comedian John Candy born (1950); First female prime minister of India Indira Gandhi is assassinated (1984). |
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"It’s Halloween! It’s Halloween! The moon is full and bright and we shall see that can’t be seen on any other night." |
— American children's poet Jack Prelutsky |
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