AAA: Risks rise with Halloween being on a Friday night
While Halloween is traditionally one of the most dangerous nights of the year for both pedestrians and drivers, the risks could be even higher this year, AAA warns. The holiday falling on a Friday will create a hazardous mix: increased foot traffic from trick-or-treaters, more weekend parties and a greater likelihood of driving impaired. In 2023, half of all crash fatalities on Halloween night were alcohol related, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. AAA’s Crashes Hit Different campaign reminds drivers that impaired driving is among the four leading ...
Keeping animals healthy and safe this Halloween
Getting ready to celebrate Halloween? Make sure it doesn't turn out to be a frightful night for pets, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development advises. "Considering the needs of our animals is important when making plans for Halloween to ensure they won’t have any unpleasant scares or additional stress,” State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland said in a news release. “From keeping them away from the candy bowl to ensuring they have up-to-date identification, there are many precautions owners can take to keep their animals safe this Halloween.” MDARD offers ...
First Amendment speakers should not become Pentagon publicity outlets
An important set of circumstances is playing out at the Department of Defense these days that many readers either may not be aware of or know about it but haven’t thought it through. On Oct. 15, Defense Department officials — read Secretary Peter Hegseth and others in his orbit — said they wanted media organizations to sign onto new Department of Defense media policies that would limit access and information. At least 30 news organizations refused to agree to the policy. The reason given was the same one federal officials always give when clamping down on the press: Hegseth is ...