Dozens of costumed canines get their chance to trick-or-treating at Howloween event in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Dogs dressed up as everything from Elvis Presley to Scooby Doo’s Mystery Machine went trick-or-treating in Michigan. It was part of the annual Howloween event organized by a local pet store. The costumed canines made a loop through Lansing’s Old Town arts district, stopping outside restaurants, gift shops and jewelry stores, where owners were waiting to provide treats and a scratch behind the ears. The event is organized each year by Preuss Pets, an Old Town fixture. The number of dogs is capped at 200, and they have to preregister. It is part of an effort to keep the numbers down for safety’s sake.
Ah, rats! Researchers say some other critter likely created Chicago's 'rat hole' sidewalk landmark
Ah, rats! Researchers have debunked the origin of Chicago's so-called “rat hole," concluding some other critter was likely responsible for creating the macabre sidewalk landmark. The rat hole was a full-body impression of a small creature crossing wet cement in the city's Roscoe Village neighborhood 20 to 30 years ago. The imprint closely resembled a rat, hence the namesake. It became a tourist attraction in 2024 after comedian Winslow Dumaine tweeted about its existence. Someone filled it in later that year, but the city preserved the slab. A team of researchers published a study Wednesday in the journal Biology Letters saying they measured the imprint and concluded a squirrel or muskrat — not a rat — likely created it.
200-1 shot Powerful Glory becomes most unlikely winner in elite horse racing in Britain
ASCOT, England (AP) — Powerful Glory has become the most unlikely winner in elite British horse racing. The 3-year-old horse, ridden by Jamie Spencer for trainer Richard Fahey, won the Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot at remarkable odds of 200-1. That made him the longest-priced winner in Group One races in Britain, the Press Association reported. Powerful Glory made up a huge amount of ground to beat Lazzat, the 2-1 favorite. Quinault was third at odds of 66-1. It was one of the races on British Champions Day, the final day of the flat season and Britain’s richest race day.
Firefighters rescue stranded pup from rising floodwaters in Southern California
OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — A firefighter has rescued a stranded pup from rising floodwaters in Southern California. Video captured the Ventura County firefighter climbing down a ladder to reach the dog during Tuesday's rare October storm. The pup was stuck on reeds on the edge of a flood channel northwest of Los Angeles. Officials said the 19-pound female pug or French bulldog mix was cold but otherwise unharmed. She did not have a tag or microchip. According to the Ventura County Animal Services' website, the dog is staying at the Camarillo Animal Shelter. She could be adopted as soon as Saturday if her owners are not identified.
California engineer wins pumpkin contest with 2,346-pound gourd
HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (AP) — A California engineer and gardening enthusiast has won the top prize at a pumpkin-weighing contest in Northern California. Brandon Dawson of Santa Rosa clinched victory Monday at the 52nd World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay. His giant pumpkin weighed 2,346 pounds. That's roughly the same weight as a small sedan or a large bison. Dawson celebrated by sitting his two children on top of the massive gourd and pumping his arm in the air for photos. He says his 4-year-old son now pays attention to the growing process, especially since giant pumpkins can grow 50 to 70 pounds a day. Dawson, who works at Rivian Automotive, has been growing massive pumpkins for five years.
An estimated 1 million cats prowl the streets of Cyprus as officials scramble to check their numbers
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus has a cat problem. Officials estimate the small island nation in the Mediterranean has about one cat for every one of its approximately 1 million human population. And given cats' predatory nature, feline overpopulation could negatively impact the island's ecosystem. Officials say an existing cat sterilization plan is too limited in scope and can't cope with a burgeoning population. With a cat history going as far back as 9,500 years, Cypriots are enamored of their felines and are keen to protect them.
A long-lost ancient Roman artifact reappears in a New Orleans backyard
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A family cleaning their backyard in New Orleans discovered an unusual marble tablet with some characters in Latin. Daniella Santoro turned to an archaeologist friend for help. It turns out to be a grave marker for a 42-year-old Roman sailor named Sextus Congenius Verus, who died 1,900 years ago. The tablet had been held at a museum in the seaside town of Civitavecchia that was destroyed during World War II. That's where the grandfather of the home's previous owner was stationed, and fell in love. The couple apparently brought the tablet from Italy after the war. Now the FBI is in talks with Italian authorities to repatriate the tablet.
Scrapple sculpture contest winner prevailed in Eagles country by putting the pig into pigskin
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In the contest for best scrapple sculpture in Philadelphia on Friday it was the “Mush Push” fashioned from the regionally popular pork breakfast meat that got Patrick Moser’s entry over the goal line. The Norristown tattoo artist’s tribute to the Philadelphia Eagles’ trademark short yardage play known as the “tush push” took the top honor Friday. He won a lighthearted art contest to kick off the Scrapple and Apple Festival. The contestants at Reading Terminal Market were allowed 90 minutes to fashion art from five pounds of the pork-based breakfast meat. Scrapple is sometimes the butt of jokes, but when made properly it’s a porcine delicacy.
Critically endangered baby black rhino makes its debut at Cleveland zoo
CLEVELAND (AP) — A baby eastern black rhino has made its debut at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, giving a boost to efforts to conserve the endangered species. The 120-pound rhino, which made its public debut Friday, was born earlier this month to 22-year-old mother Kibibbi and 25-year-old father Forrest. The rhino could be seen running around its enclosure in the Daniel Maltz Rhino Reserve. The zoo was also holding a contest to name the rhino. The zoo has a long history of caring for the species, which has fewer than 583 adults in the wild.
