Columbus, OH

Summer has been here for a while, and the sun is shining bright in our faces. It has been a great time to go on a hike, relax on the beach, and generally spend a lot more time outside the house. We’re halfway through it and planning all the things we want to do before it ends. We’re trying to slot in reading on our overflowing to-do list. Short books are here to our rescue. When my days feel too packed with activities, I’m less likely to commit to a book that will require a lot of hours. Short books take less time to get through while still satisfying our yearning of wanting to engage with someone’s mind. They’re less intimidating to begin and help us slow down just the same.

8 of The Best Short Books To Read For the Rest of Summer

Welcome to Today in Books, our daily round-up of literary headlines at the intersection of politics, culture, media, and more. J.K. Rowling Named in Olympic Boxer’s Cyberbullying Suit. J.K. Rowling has a long, ugly history of transphobic comments—the reason Book Riot hasn’t promoted her books or products for several...

J.K. Rowling Named in Criminal Complaint for Cyberbullying

New Haven, CT

Community Voices represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program but not yet verified their accounts. Community Voices are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

community_voice

Herbie J Pilato

He was born on April 2, 1949, in New Haven, Connecticut, and died of a heart attack at only 63 on August 14, 2012, in Palm Beach Gardens. His birth name was Ronald Gabriel Paolillo, but his stage name was Ron Palillo who was best known as Arnold Dingfelder Horshack on TV's hit 1970s sitcom, Welcome Back, Kotter.

The Tragic Death of 'Welcome Back, Kotter' Actor Ron Palillo: A Look Back

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

writer

A Dime Saved

Deception has a long history in human storytelling. People have always told tall tales and fabricated stories, sometimes to impress, sometimes to protect, and sometimes just for the thrill of it. From mythical creatures to legendary curses, these untruths have left a lasting mark on humanity's collective imagination.

12 Biggest Lies Told in Human History

The List

Barack and Michelle Obama have been married for decades, but just because their partnership is strong doesn't mean they haven't gone through some tough times.

Strange Things About Barack And Michelle Obama's Marriage That Everyone Ignores

Golden Glitter

The world of the paranormal continues to captivate and mystify, with recent reports of ghostly encounters, haunted locations, and unexplained phenomena coming in from various corners of the globe. As technology advances and the curiosity surrounding the supernatural grows, more individuals are diving into the eerie and often unsettling world of the paranormal. Here are some of the most intriguing recent developments and stories that have emerged in 2024.

Unraveling the Mysteries of the Paranormal: New Stories and Sightings in 2024

The Guardian

Devastating documentary Sugarcane reveals horrifying stories from controversial Indigenous residential schools

‘Designed to tear families apart’: a shocking film exposes abuse and infanticide

Ever wondered what lurks behind the doors of haunted hotels? These eerie establishments have captivated the imaginations of thrill-seekers and ghost hunters alike. From ghostly apparitions to unexplained noises, haunted hotels offer a unique blend of history and mystery. Some of these places have been the sites of tragic events, while others have legends passed down through generations. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, the stories behind these haunted hotels are sure to intrigue you. Ready to learn more about the spine-chilling tales and paranormal activities that make these hotels famous? Let's dive into 30 fascinating facts about haunted hotels that will leave you both spooked and curious.

30 Facts About Haunted Hotels

Las Vegas, NV

Contributors represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. They have also demonstrated their experience writing hard news for other outlets. Contributors are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

contributor

Bellingham Metro News

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - A magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck areas near Las Vegas on Tuesday night, according to the United States Geological Service (USGS). The quake, which occurred at 8:06 p.m., was centered approximately 45 minutes from Las Vegas, near Indian Springs.

Magnitude 4.4 Earthquake Shakes Areas Near Las Vegas

Do ghosts exist? This question has puzzled humans for centuries. Some swear by their eerie encounters, while others dismiss them as mere figments of imagination. Ghost stories span cultures, from ancient Egyptian spirits to modern-day hauntings. Believers argue that ghosts are the souls of the departed, lingering due to unfinished business or strong emotional ties. Skeptics counter with scientific explanations, attributing ghostly experiences to psychological phenomena or environmental factors. Whether you’re a firm believer or a curious skeptic, the mystery of ghosts continues to captivate our minds. Let’s explore 13 intriguing facts about these elusive entities.

13 Facts About Do Ghosts Exist

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

A historic marker could be erected to honor the victims of the racist mass shooting at the Dollar General store in Jacksonville’s New Town neighborhood nearly a year ago. If approved by the Jacksonville City Council, a marker would be installed at Kings Road and Canal Street on Aug. 25, a day before the first anniversary of the shooting, when a white gunman took the lives of three Black people.

Memorial considered to honor Dollar General victims

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 10, 2022. It has since been updated. Faced with the reality of being slaves in a foreign land, Igbo people chose death as they walked into the ocean and drowned while still chained to each other. It was one of the first documented acts of rebellion from the people of Africa against white slave traders. It was the year 1803 and 75 West Africans, with a majority of them being Igbo, were sold for $100 each to John Couper and Thomas Spalding. Originating from Nigeria, the Igbo people were renowned for their industriousness, independence, and pride in their work. John Couper and Thomas Spalding "bought" the Igbo people with the intention of taking them to work on plantations in St. Simons Island, Georgia, in the U.S. They were packed onto a slave ship but as the ship neared Georgia, Igbo people rebelled and took over the ship, killing the captain and some of the crew. The ship ran aground in Dunbar Creek, off St. Simons Island, according to Mother Jones.

Igbo landing: Remembering enslaved Africans who chose death over slavery by walking into the ocean

Virginia State

Editor's note: This article was originally published on February 17, 2022. It has since been updated. When Kimberly Morris started tracing her family roots, stretching back to her ancestors' enslavement in the 1800s, she didn't expect to uncover an incredible piece of history. Her genealogy journey led her to a decaying, one-room schoolhouse hidden in the woods of Virginia's Caroline County, a place overtaken by nature since her father's childhood. "This is my family's history," Morris told The Washington Post about the century-old building with its torn-up floor, precarious roof, and missing windows.

Black woman digging for her roots discovers father's segregated schoolhouse decaying in Virginia woods

Colorado State

David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

Today is Relaxation Day! I know that with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be hard to stop and take a breather. But it is important to take those moments for yourself because it will help in the long run. You know what will help? Bookstore Romance Day is this Saturday! *confetti*

Medical Romance Novels To Make Your Heart Race

Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are two of the biggest celebrities in modern times. While much of the happenings between the two involved their marriage and divorce, there are bigger things for them to focus on. Most notably their children.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s Son Diagnosed With Rare Skin Condition

Honesty may be the best policy, but it doesn’t generally make for very exciting reading. Many of today’s comics show the entertainment value in faking it until you make it (or at least make out)!. Bookish Goods. Deadpool Birthday Card by YeaOhGreetings. No birthday is complete until Deadpool...

Fake Relationships, Real Comics

South Carolina State

Colleton County, SC

Explore Beaufort SC

Some beachgoers were in for a surprise this week when a bizarre looking prehistoric fish washed ashore in Colleton County along Edisto Beach at Edisto Beach State Park. It turned out to be an atlantic sturgeon.

Rare Atlantic sturgeon washes ashore on South Carolina beach

Pompano Beach, FL

Akeena

In a shocking revelation, Kings Mart, a grocery store in Pompano Beach, has been slapped with a series of severe health violations by the Florida Department of Agriculture. The inspection, carried out by Francis Odio, uncovered a disturbing range of problems that have led to the immediate closure of several sections of the store.

An inspection found bugs in the food and rodent poop on the shelves at a Florida grocery store

If you learned it at school, it’s natural to assume it’s true. But if you ask historians, you might be surprised to learn the stuff your teacher stated as facts in history lessons is often riddled with inaccuracies. Things we assume are real, like Columbus discovering America or...

19 History Facts Taught in School That Are Actually Wrong

NewsBreak

8 Beautiful BIPOC Family Sagas To Lose Yourself In

Udonwa’s family is at war — a war of relationships, played out under the tyranny of a monster dad. Age twelve, Udonwa has a peculiar love...

8 Beautiful BIPOC Family Sagas To Lose Yourself In

Comments / 0