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Chris Spiker
Reporter
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Chris Spiker's Contributions
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Hidden Valley's Black Ranch Dressing Comes With Spooky Twist For Halloween
Hidden Valley is getting into the Halloween spirit with a spooky twist on its classic ranch dressing. The company announced its new limited-edition Spooky Ranch on Thursday, Sept. 24. The Halloween-themed dressing keeps Hidden Valley's usual zesty and tangy blend of buttermilk, herbs, and spices but comes in an all-black color. The limited-edition dressing is available exclusively at Walmart while supplies last. A bottle costs about $4, USA Today reported. View this post on Instagram The black color comes from fruit juice and cocoa powde…
Arlington, VA
On Your Side
USPS Reveals 2026 Holiday Shipping Deadlines: When To Send Gifts
The US Postal Service has announced its recommended holiday shipping deadlines for anyone hoping to get cards and packages delivered before Christmas. The USPS released its mailing and shipping dates for the 2026 holiday season on Tuesday, Sept. 22. The agency is urging customers to plan ahead and send packages early to help ensure they arrive by Friday, Dec. 25. For the contiguous US, including the Northeast, the recommended deadlines are: USPS Ground Advantage - Thursday, Dec. 17 First-Class Mail - Thursday, Dec. 17 Priority Mail - Friday, Dec. 18 Priority Mail Express -&…
Arlington, VA
On Your Side
Rearview Camera Problem Prompts Recall Of 98K+ Rivian EVs
About 100,000 Rivian electric vehicles are being recalled because a rearview camera problem can block a driver's view while reversing. Rivian Automotive issued the recall for 98,828 vehicles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a report filed on Wednesday, Sept. 16. The recall affects certain 2022 through 2027 models. The issue involves a notification that can appear over the rearview camera image after a driver shifts into reverse. The obstruction can reduce rear visibility and increase the risk of a crash while in reverse. Rivian discovered the problem during inter…
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Crocs Accuses Five Below Of Selling $7 Knockoffs Clogs In Lawsuit: Reports
Crocs is stepping into a legal battle with Five Below after accusing the discount retailer of selling knockoff versions of its famous foam clogs, according to reports. A lawsuit was filed by Crocs and its subsidiary, Jibbitz Charms, against Philadelphia-based Five Below in US District Court in Colorado, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The lawsuit takes aim at Five Below's $7 "Juniors Charm Clog," which Crocs said copies distinct elements of its Classic Clog. Crocs claims the Five Below shoes have a similar arrangement of holes, trapezoid-shaped openings, and a textured band. T…
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Dairy Queen Adds New Blizzard, Spooky Drink With First Halloween Menu
Dairy Queen is getting into the Halloween spirit early with several spooky treats, including a new Blizzard flavor. The chain announced its first Halloween-themed lineup in a news release on Tuesday, Sept. 22. The limited-time Spellbound Series will launch on Monday, Sept. 28, and be available through Sunday, Nov. 1. The new Enchanted Oreo Blizzard Treat combines Oreo cookies with a sweet ube-flavored base and purple shimmer blended into DQ soft serve. Dairy Queen is also adding the Bubble Brew DQ Sparkler, which bubbles and foams more as it is stirred. The drink is made wit…
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
CVS Customers May Get Cash In Data Privacy Settlement: See If You Qualify
Many CVS customers could get payouts in a class action settlement after the pharmacy giant was accused of sharing customer data with third parties. The settlement comes from a lawsuit claiming CVS illegally shared user data from its website and app with advertising company Criteo and other technology providers. Anyone who accessed CVS.com, CVSHealth.com, or the CVS mobile app in the US before Monday, July 27, 2026, may be eligible for a payment, according to the settlement website. Eligible customers can get up to $10 with proof showing they used CVS' websites or the Rhode Island…
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
National Coffee Day 2026: Where Free Cups, Special Deals Are Brewing
Cafés, restaurants, and retailers are celebrating National Coffee Day with plenty of freebies and deals! National Coffee Day in 2026 falls on Tuesday, Sept. 29. The annual holiday celebrates one of the most popular drinks in the US. The earliest credible evidence of coffee drinking dates to the middle of the 15th century at Sufi monasteries around Mokha in Yemen, according to National Day Calendar. Monks roasted coffee seeds and brewed coffee using methods similar to those used today. Yemeni traders brought coffee from Ethiopia and began cultivating it in Yemen. Coffee later spread to Euro…
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Chili's Planning Dozens Of New Restaurants, Including Northeast Locations: Reports
Chili's is preparing for a major expansion after years of surging sales, according to reports. The casual dining chain plans to open about 20 to 30 new restaurants per year through fiscal 2029, Restaurant Dive reported. Parent company Brinker International is targeting annual restaurant growth of 2% to 3% after Chili's same-store sales jumped 71% over the past five years. The company has identified as many as 300 potential sites across the US, chief financial officer Mika Ware said during Brinker's 2026 Investor Day. Chili's had more than 1,200 restaurants nationwide as of late July, a…
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Starbucks To Close 250 Locations In Major Coffeehouse Shake-Up
Starbucks is closing about 250 cafés across North America while moving ahead with a major remodeling effort for hundreds of other locations. Chief operating officer Mike Grams told employees about the closures in a message on Thursday, Sept. 24. Starbucks will close approximately 1% of its more than 18,000 North American coffeehouses. The shutdowns are part of the company's ongoing "Back to Starbucks" plan, which is also focused on upgrading stores and improving the customer experience. "We have carefully reviewed our North America coffeehouse portfolio and identified locations where …
Springfield, MA
Obituaries
Bob Pettit Dies: NBA's First MVP Remembered As 'Gentle Soul'
The NBA's first Most Valuable Player and one of basketball's most dominant power forwards has died. Bob Pettit died on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 93 years old. His alma mater, Louisiana State University, announced his death on Thursday, Sept. 24. In a statement to WAFB 9News in Baton Rouge, Pettit's family said he died "very peacefully at his home" in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie. "He was the most amazing father," the statement read. "The most kind, humble and gentle soul. We are so blessed to have him in our lives and we will miss him dearly." The Baton Rouge native starred for h…
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