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ABC News •

5-year-old boy dies in hot car, mother thought she dropped kid off at day care: Police

The 22-year-old mother "fully believed" she dropped her son off at day care.A 5-year-old boy in Texas died after being left in a hot car, with his mother "fully" believing the child was at day care, according to the San Antonio Police Department.The mother, 22, typically drops her 5-year-old son at day care at Pinnacle Kids' Academy in San Antonio and then goes to work, which is "right next door," police said. But on Wednesday, she went to work at 8 a.m. -- "fully" believing that the child was a...
ABC News •

Tree limb fatally injures child at Southern California summer camp

The large oak tree branch may have fallen on up to nine kids, officials said.A large oak tree limb fell on a group of kids attending summer camp in Southern California, fatally injuring one child, officials said.The incident occurred at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas on Wednesday afternoon, authorities noted. Children attending Camp Wildcraft -- an art and nature camp based in Los Angeles -- were gathering at the end of the day under a large oak tree for shade when they "heard cracks and sudde...
ABC News •

Golfer struck by lightning while playing on course in New Jersey

Simon Mariani, 28, was struck by lightning while playing golf on Tuesday.A golfer was struck by lightning while playing on a course in New Jersey, according to the Hardyston Police Department.Simon Mariani, 28, was playing golf at the Ballyowen Golf Course in Hamburg, New Jersey, on Tuesday when he was struck by a bolt of lightning at the 15th hole, police said.Brian Delia, a fellow golfer who witnessed the lightning strike, told ABC New York station WABC that he and Mariani -- who he did not kn...
ABC News •

3 dead, including 2 children, in New Mexico flooding, local authorities say

Officials used a "multi-alert" system to alert residents of the floods.A man and two children were killed in a record-breaking flash flood that swept through a village in New Mexico on Tuesday, local officials said.The three were "swept downstream by the unprecedented floodwaters that struck" the Village of Ruidoso, village officials said in a statement."The biggest catastrophe of all are the lives that we lost," Mayor Lynn Crawford said during a press conference on Wednesday.Officials said a ma...
ABC News •

Reward increased for suspect accused of killing congressional intern

Officials have increased the reward for information leading to the person who fatally shot a 21-year-old congressional intern in Washington, D.C., last month.Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, of Granby, Massachusetts, was killed on June 30 at approximately 10:28 p.m. after getting caught in gunfire in northwest Washington, D.C., police said.The Metropolitan Police Department said on Tuesday that a reward of $40,000 is available for anyone who is able to provide information that leads to the "arrest and con...
ABC News •

Deadly floods at Camp Mystic: How the tragedy compares to a similar event in 1987

Camp Mystic, the Christian girls summer camp that was hit with devastating floods on July 4, was part of an eerily similar tragedy that occurred almost 38 years ago to the day, officials said.That tragedy on July 17, 1987, known as the Guadalupe River Flood, began when 5 to 10 inches of rain fell in the upper headwaters of the Guadalupe River basin, which resulted in a "massive flood" that traveled down the river through Ingram, Hunt -- near Camp Mystic -- Kerrville and Comfort, Texas, according...
ABC News •

'30-foot wall of water': Survivors of Texas flooding speak out

More than 100 people have died in Texas as a result of catastrophic flooding.The night that devastating flooding obliterated parts of Texas, Stuart Gross said he was awakened by nearby screams as raging waters swept up homes and citizens.The Ingram, Texas, resident told ABC News he has lived near the Guadalupe River for more than 45 years and has seen other floods, but "this was the biggest.""We had a 30-foot wall of water, 300 yards wide, go down by my house at 85 miles an hour," Gross said of...
ABC News •

Travis Decker search: Father accused of murdering 3 daughters possibly spotted in Idaho by campers

The fugitive father has been on the run for over a month.A possible sighting of Travis Decker -- the dad accused of murdering his three daughters over a month ago -- is being investigated in the wake of a family saying they may have spotted the fugitive father in Idaho late last week, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Washington, on June 2, after they left home for a p...
ABC News •

At least 1 dead as Chantal brings record-breaking flooding to North Carolina

Crews in North Carolina are "overwhelmed" with water rescues and search efforts on Monday after Chantal, then a tropical storm, made landfall a day earlier, causing record-breaking flooding in the central part of the state and at least one death, officials said.While the storm has dissipated as of Monday morning, Chantal -- the third named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season -- brought up to 6 inches of rain in some areas, causing many to be displaced from their homes.A woman in Chatham Count...
ABC News •

Pediatrician allegedly smothered 4-year-old daughter, staged death as drowning: Police

Police say the child's autopsy did not find water in her lungs.An Oklahoma doctor has been arrested for allegedly murdering her 4-year-old daughter while on vacation in Florida and staging the death as a drowning, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office.Dr. Neha Gupta, a pediatrician from Oklahoma, was arrested on Monday and faces a first-degree murder charge. She is accused of smothering her daughter, Aria Talathi, to death and attempting to cover it up as a drowning, the sheriff's office...
ABC News •

Sean 'Diddy' Combs found guilty on 2 of 5 counts: What's next for the rap mogul?

Combs was found guilty on two counts, but acquitted of the most serious charges.Sean "Diddy" Combs was found guilty of two of the five charges he faced in his racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking trial on Wednesday, marking the end to a 10-week trial.The jury found Combs guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution -- one each for his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, and for another former girlfriend who testified under the pseudonym "Jane."But Combs was found not gu...
ABC News •

9-year-old Texas girl dies in hot car while mother was at work: Police

The child was left in the car approximately from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., police said.A 9-year-old girl has died in after she was intentionally left alone in a hot car while her mom was at work, according to Harris County, Texas, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.The girl's 36-year-old mother left the child unattended in a white Toyota Camry on Tuesday from approximately 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. while she worked at a manufacturing plant in Galena Park, Texas, near Houston, the sheriff's office said during a press conference...
ABC News •

DNA evidence links Travis Decker to murder of 3 daughters: Police

It has been one month since the girls' bodies were found near a campground.As the manhunt for Travis Decker -- the father accused of killing his three daughters near a Washington state campground -- reaches the one-month mark, DNA found at the scene of the crime now links the murders to the fugitive father, according to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office.Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, were killed after they left home for a "planned visitation" with Decker on May 30, an...
ABC News •

Woman allegedly leaves over 100 cats inside U-Haul, arrested: Police

Jeannie Maxon was arrested on 93 counts of animal abuse, officials said.A woman was arrested after leaving over 100 cats inside a U-Haul in a Southern California parking lot, according to the Merced County Sheriff's Office.Jeannie Maxon, 69, was arrested on Sunday after deputies were dispatched to a parking lot of a Taco Bell in Santa Nella, California, to "check on the welfare of several cats in a U-Haul van," the sheriff's office said in a statement on Monday.Once on the scene, the deputy obse...
ABC News •

Man arrested for allegedly posing as US Marshal during attempted robbery, police say

Jonathan Prince was arrested Saturday for the incident that occurred on June 15.A man in Texas is now in custody after allegedly posing as a U.S. Marshal during an attempted robbery outside a liquor store last month, according to the Houston Police Department.Jonathan Prince, 39, was arrested on Saturday after he allegedly tackled and attempted to rob the owner of La Sultana Liquor Store on June 15, the Houston Police Department confirmed to ABC News.The owner of the store was taking out the tra...
ABC News •

Eiffel Tower closes early as Europe swelters under heat wave

Temperatures are expected to hit 101 degrees Fahrenheit in Paris on Tuesday.As a heat wave scorches most of Europe, the Eiffel Tower announced it would close early on Tuesday with France expected to hit triple-digit temperatures.With temperatures in Paris expected to reach 38.3 degrees Celsius -- approximately 101 degrees Fahrenheit -- on Tuesday, the Eiffel Tower closed at 4 p.m. local time, according to a statement on the landmark's official website.Last entry for ticket holders is at 2:30 p.m...
ABC News •

Travis Decker timeline: How an 'active dad' ended up allegedly murdering his 3 daughters

Decker has been on the run for nearly a month.In a mystery that has captured national attention, Washington father Travis Decker picked up his three young daughters on May 30 for a "planned visitation," and never came back.The three girls -- Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5 -- were found dead near a Washington state campground on June 2, according to police.Decker, who has been accused of murdering the three girls, has since disappeared, sparking a multi-agency manhunt. N...
ABC News •

S&P 500, Nasdaq hit record closing highs as stock market surges

The S&P 500 has soared more 20% since April.The S&P 500 closed at an all-time record high on Friday afternoon, extending breakneck gains achieved in recent weeks as investors shrugged off concerns about newly imposed tariffs and war in the Middle East.Despite stocks dipping slightly after President Donald Trump's announcement that the U.S. would end all trade talks with Canada, the S&P 500 recovered to close at a record high -- 6,173. Previously, the all-time high closing price was 6,144.The tec...
ABC News •

2 Milwaukee police officers shot, suspect arrested

Two Milwaukee police officers were shot after responding to a call for a person with a weapon late Thursday, police said.A suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting on Friday morning, police said.In what is being described as an "ambush," officers were fired upon as they approached an alley, according to police.A 32-year-old officer has been hospitalized in critical condition while a 29 year-old officer hospitalized with a non-life-threatening injury, police said.The identity of...
ABC News •

After 1 month search, father accused of killing 3 daughters could still be alive, expert says

Travis Decker has been on the run after allegedly killing his three daughters.It's been nearly a month since Travis Decker went on the run after allegedly killing his three young daughters near a Washington state campground, and at least one expert told ABC News he believes the fugitive father is likely still alive and will "eventually surface."Paityn Decker, 9; Evenlyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, were killed after they left home for a "planned visitation" with Decker at approximately 5 p.m...
ABC News •

Landscaper arrested for throwing 'large, unauthorized' house party while homeowners were away: Sheriff

A North Carolina landscaper was arrested for throwing a "large, unauthorized" house party while the homeowners were away on vacation, according to the Union County Sheriff's Office.Michael Brown, 37, was arrested Saturday after he "took it upon himself to invite several hundred people" to a home where he had previously been hired for lawn maintenance, the sheriff's office announced on Monday.Brown also allegedly charged each partygoer an entry fee "that he then pocketed," officials said.Deputies...
ABC News •

20 people injured in lightning strike while swimming at South Carolina beach

It was a "bright and sunny day" when the strike hit the water, officials said.Twenty people were injured by a reported lightning strike while swimming at a beach in South Carolina, officials said.The incident occurred at approximately 5 p.m. on Tuesday, when multiple agencies responded to a "reported electrocution" due to lightning at Dominion Beach Park near the Lake Murray Dam in Lexington County, South Carolina, officials said in a press release.When first responders arrived on the scene, 20...
ABC News •

How extreme heat impacts people with mental illness

As triple-digit temperatures hit the East Coast, individuals with a mental illness -- specifically those who take prescribed medication -- are at risk for heat intolerance, with psychiatric hospitalizations peaking in the summer months, according to experts.During heat waves or especially warm days, there is often an uptick in the frequency of psychiatric hospitalizations, with one study finding that "higher temperatures may trigger bipolar disorder relapses that require hospital admission, and...
ABC News •

Washington state man rescued after falling from tree, spending days in woods

The man allegedly spent four to five days in the wilderness, officials said.A Washington state man who was "stuck in the woods for days" after falling from a tree was rescued and is now recovering, according to the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office.The man was found on Saturday in Poulsbo, Washington -- located in the Puget Sound region -- after someone nearby called 911 when they heard a "voice in the woods calling for help," the sheriff's office said in a statement.When a deputy arrived on the sc...
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Features: Fashion/Lifestyle/Entertainment

INTERSECT MAGAZINE •

Can we please stop talking about men all the time?

Now, perhaps this is because I just went through a breakup six months ago, and any sight of testosterone makes me want to hurl my guts out. Nevertheless, I have tried to avoid anything remotely concerning dating, relationships, and men (gag) as soon as I was on my own. Thus, I embraced the single life by spending copious amounts of time (and slurping down an ungodly amount of espresso martinis) with my friends. I also partook in all the girly activities (because feminism is the sole breakup anti...
INTERSECT MAGAZINE •

The Rise of the Coach Brooklyn Bag

At the start of autumn, I expect my social media feeds to be filled with Gilmore Girls watch parties, someone trying the latest Starbucks drinks, and where to find the best lightweight sweaters. But I wouldn’t expect one single handbag to take over my entire TikTok For You Page.Remember in “Schitt’s Creek,” when Moira (played by Catherine O’Hara) is devastated because David stole her beloved brown crocodile bag? She is screaming in agony, not because her son took off, but because she no longer h...
Medill Reports Chicago •

Q&A: Meet Abbey Sadleir, an influencer reinventing the London's ‘It-Girl’

LONDON — Every Tuesday, with hot-pink rollers in her honey blond hair and a black “mob wife” fur coat around her shoulders, Abbey Sadleir records a few new TikTok videos about her home in central London. During the other days of the week, when she hits up restaurants and vintage stores, she gets her tally up to two dozen. Although the 28-year-old grew up in New Zealand, she has lived in the U.K. for nearly two years – where she became a 20-something’s “expert” source for where to eat, drink and
Medill Reports Chicago •

Flowers or tomatoes? Theatergoers share mixed reviews of ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ and ‘Dear Octopus’ revivals

By Medill Explores: Arts and Culture in London students

Medill Reports

Two reimagined classic shows — one on the West End and another at the Royal National Theatre — earn stars from some Medill master’s students who recently traveled to London. But even the curtain calls come with caveats.

Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” sound like they belong on a playlist for a mediocre karaoke bar — not the score for a West End show. With sequined corse
Medill Reports Chicago •

To read or not to read: British books to binge before your London holiday

By Medill Explores: Arts and Culture in London students

Medill Reports

Why not grab a cup of tea and curl up with an England- or royals-themed novel, guide or exposé? Medill master’s students turned hundreds of pages to immerse themselves in U.K. culture before heading across the pond.

“The Diana Chronicles,” British journalist Tina Brown’s 2007 biography of “the people’s princess,” thoroughly covers both famous and intimate moments from a highly scrutinized life and death. The former editor
Patch •

Andersonville Typewriter Poets Take To The Street To Personalize Prose

She approached the table and discovered two poets – Edgewater resident Lisa Marie Farver, 42, and her literary partner, 33-year-old Uptown resident who goes by the single name Coelti – writing custom poems for people on the corner of Clark Street and Berwyn Avenue. The rules were simple: Smith provided a prompt and in the span of a few minutes, a poem appeared, written by Coelti, who then read it aloud.

The poem was about her and her partner, Warren, who would soon become her fiancé. It was tit
Newport Beach News •

Newport Beach Teen Spreads Laughter Through Community Service Project

By Megan Forrester | Special to the NB Indy

Back in the first grade, Newport Beach resident Emma LeSieur told her very first joke. “Why did the chicken cross the road? To get more diapers,” LeSieur said.

Sure, it might not have been as sophisticated as most jokes, but to LeSieur at the time, it was pure comedy gold. She recalls even receiving a few chuckles from her parents, even though she now recounts them as pity laughs.

All these years later, now about to start her senior year at Newport
Newport Beach News •

Newport Beach Elected Officials Face Off in Mac and Cheese Eating Contest to Support Make-A-Wish Foundation

By Megan Forrester | Special to the NB Indy

Growing up, one of Anaheim Hills resident Zach Mauldin’s fondest memories was riding his bike from his home to the landmark Newport Beach restaurant Cappy’s Cafe. The combination of being with friends and indulging in Cappy’s famous fluffy pancakes made the restaurant a beloved part of his childhood.

Now, years later, Mauldin has returned to Cappy’s for a different reason. Instead of a plate of pancakes, Mauldin supervised 10 servings of mac and chee
Newport Beach News •

Newport Beach Resident Donates $25K in Gift Cards to Newport Beach Police Department - Newport Beach News

By Megan Forrester | Special to the NB Indy
When Newport Beach resident Dotty McDonald first started volunteering at the Newport Beach Police Department back in 2015, she realized two important things: each member of the department cares significantly for the community and every cop loves a good slice of pizza.
So, after hearing everyone at the station praise Sgt. Pepperoni’s pizza (a longtime Newport Beach favorite), and McDonald notably remembering one officer loving a ham and pineapple pie, s...
The Panther Newspaper •

Chapman alumna designs ‘real, honest clothing’ in online storefront — The Panther Newspaper

"She would be like, 'Yes, after this we are going to Limited Too,'" Hancock O'Neill said. "We finished and she was like, 'Oh, we spent all the money, we can't go to Limited Too.' And every year I was like, 'Okay maybe next year.' I literally never got to go to Limited Too. But, I still wear a lot of the lux styles that I grew up wearing."

With her mom's sense of style as an inspiration, Hancock O'Neill strived to create clothing that any simple dresser could attain at an affordable price. Her s
The Panther Newspaper •

Chapman's next top model balances catwalks with college life — The Panther Newspaper

"I was walking into one of my finals, and I got a call from my agent in Arizona and he was like, 'Check your email, Wilhelmina wants to sign you,'" Jaclyn Reid said. "I was like, 'What? What are you talking about?' I was so happy and I couldn't even focus on my final.”

Since becoming a part of Wilhelmina, Jaclyn Reid has been offered around 10 modeling jobs this past school year, including a Bulgari jewelry show in San Diego and an Oscar de la Renta show in Indian Wells. Recently, on April 20,
The Panther Newspaper •

Chapman professor gains national recognition over challenge proposed to his social media marketing course — The Panther Newspaper

In order to affirm the power of social media, Prince created the TikTok challenge, which Bastardo achieved through her viral video of her and her friend sitting in Prince's classroom. The story has gathered the attention of people across the country, with Bastardo and Prince featured in The New York Times, CBS Los Angeles, KNX News Radio and more.

"The point I was trying to make through the challenge was that anyone has the potential of going viral and having influence," Prince said. "Everyone
The Panther Newspaper •

Love, and a little Harry Styles, emphasized in Chapman student's business — The Panther Newspaper

With that, her online business Lovers in Lace skyrocketed.

"Someone wants to spend money on something that I created, that's crazy!" Leong said. "This person works $15 an hour and they're going to spend $100 on an order? The people that support Lovers in Lace are very loyal."

Lovers in Lace is an online storefront that strives to "spread love and kindness throughout the world." Leong started out with just an Etsy shop in 2018 and now the store has its own website with over 1,000 orders on an a
The Panther Newspaper •

Chapman student wins $20,000 on 'The Price is Right' — The Panther Newspaper

McGarry said she has always been fond of games involving strategy, not any revolving around pure luck. So when Carey announced they would be playing "Time is Money," McGarry was thrilled. The game is simple: the player has 10 seconds to place five grocery items into three different price categories. With all her practice leading up to this moment, McGarry successfully matched each item, meaning she would go home with $20,000 in her pocket.

"I didn't even know how to react (when I won)," McGarry
The Panther Newspaper •

Chapman can't help falling in love with Austin Butler — The Panther Newspaper

Along with discussing the trajectory of his career, Butler joined an audience of Chapman students on March 1 for a Master Class to disclose his dedication to the craft, his career shifts from Nickelodeon to theater and the recognition he has received from his portrayal of the music icon.

The Master Class, which was held in the Folino Theater, was moderated by Executive Editor of Awards at The Hollywood Reporter and trustee professor Scott Feinberg and was preceded by a screening of "Elvis," whi
The Panther Newspaper •

Meet Toby: the unofficial mascot of Dodge College —

That soulfulness has been with Toby from the very beginning — with Galloway noticing that characteristic the moment he scooped him up at an animal shelter in San Fernando Valley five years ago.

Toby, who spent the first year and a half of his life in Mexico, was separated from his family due to a devastating earthquake, which led to animal nonprofits taking stray animals to Los Angeles to find a home. As far as the name Toby, that was not up to par for Galloway, who sought to connect his dog to
Newport Beach News •

Sage Hill School in Newport Beach Impacts the Community One Hand at a Time

By Megan Forrester | Special to the NB Indy

Two years ago, junior high school student Serena Chao saw a young girl receive a prosthetic hand for the very first time. When she saw the little girl beaming from ear-to-ear in excitement, Chao knew she wanted to be a part of whatever was helping this child’s dreams come true.

Chao found out the prosthetics were made possible through an elective at her school, Sage Hill School in Newport Beach. The class, titled 3D Design, Modeling and Fabrication,
The Panther Newspaper •

Singer-songwriter ella jane mixes media consumption and personal stories into heartfelt anthems —

Although it started as a high school English assignment, one of the first singles by singer Ella Jane Roth — who goes by the stage name ella jane — amassed over 26 million streams on Spotify since its release in 2020.

The song, titled "nothing else i could do,” is based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" and pulls one of Jay Gatsby's lines: "I wrecked my house a hundred times just to see you walk into a room." A memorable theme throughout the 1925 novel is the imagery of the green ligh
The Panther Newspaper •

Two bi-coastal friends develop sustainable fashion brand —

Despite becoming "pandemic friends" while they were both in New York, each socially distanced outdoor dining session revealed how much common they truly have. Thus, during the height of the COVID-19 quarantine, the duo told The Panther they knew they wanted to start a project together — but the question was what kind of endeavor would they pursue?

"It was a podcast at first, then it was a magazine and then it was a blog,” Chan said, “Nothing really worked out. We've always done these very weird
TV Tea •

Comedy Spotlight: Meet Sarah Tollemache

Comedian Sarah Tollemache suffers from stress induced by buying avocados. When she bought five on sale, she realized that there is only a quick window of time where they are ripe enough to be eaten in their perfectly green color.

“‘I’ll just call into work and be like ‘I don’t know if I’m going to make it to work today I think my avocados might be hatching at any second,” Tollemache said during her stand-up at New York Comedy Club. “Or you’re just running home to scarf three in a row over your
Newport Beach News •

Unique Local Father-Son Duo Emphasizes Love and Acceptance No Matter the Curveballs

By Megan Forrester | Special to the NB Indy

Sports can have an extremely positive impact on a father-son relationship. Whether it’s learning how to ride a bike, throw a baseball or swim a lap, the practice of sports creates a bond between any two people.

For Newport Beach resident Paul Miller, he said he dreamed of teaching his son to play hockey. Since Paul grew up playing the sport in his home state of Minnesota and was even drafted for the North Stars in 1982, his passion for hockey was som
The Panther Newspaper •

Content creator Eli Rallo empowers women to share their voice — The Panther Newspaper

Back in 2020, life for Eli Rallo was solely about the aesthetic of Chex Mix.

Even though she was a recent graduate of the University of Michigan and about to begin a master’s program in journalism at Columbia University, the peace in her life was putting together a jar of snacks with her brother during quarantine.

Despite the chaos of a worldwide pandemic, Rallo grabbed a large jar — which she would fill with a variety of gluten-free snacks to help with her celiac disease — and propped her pho

Food Stories

Food Republic •

The Simple Way To Enjoy Baileys Chocolate Liqueur That's Not In A Drink - Food Republic

It's a no-brainer that Baileys, the iconic Irish cream liqueur, is the perfect companion for an Irish coffee or any dessert cocktail. But have you ever thought about adding it to your food?
By combining Baileys chocolate liqueur with ice cream, you can create the ultimate sweet and decadent treat. After scooping any flavor of ice cream or gelato you'd like (vanilla serves as a great foundation) into a bowl, pour the liqueur on top and adorn it with sprinkles or chocolate shavings. If you want to...
Food Republic •

The Fascinating Tennessee Origins Of The Moon Pie - Food Republic

When you think of Tennessee, you probably picture loads of country music, the Smoky Mountains, and copious amounts of Nashville-style hot chicken. But did you know that the moon pie dessert also comes from the Volunteer State? 
This sweet treat — marshmallow sandwiched between graham crackers and dipped in chocolate — actually goes all the way back to 1917. According to MoonPie, a Kentucky coal miner approached a traveling salesman for the Chattanooga Baking Company, questioning why there wasn't...
Food Republic •

Which Spices Does The Pioneer Woman Use In Her Chicken Pot Pie Filling? - Food Republic

In one of "Weird Al" Yankovic's comedic songs notably named "Chicken Pot Pie," he sings, "If there's one thing in the world that I like better than a corned beef on rye, it's chicken pot pie." This classic dish, known for its flaky exterior and hearty interior, is a household staple. It's comforting, simple, delicious, and somehow feels like you are getting a hug while you are eating it. But want to know how to make it even better? Ree Drummond, known as the Pioneer Woman, adds a selection of sp...
Food Republic •

Forget Bread And Make One Breakfast Item The Star Of Your Next PB&J Sandwich - Food Republic

It's no secret that the U.S. loves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. In fact, according to a survey by Peter Pan, the average American is expected to indulge in about 3,000 PB&Js during their entire lifetime (via Daily Mail). Even though the sandwich is known for its straightforward ingredients, have you ever wanted to give it a little twist? Well, you should try swapping the bread for waffles. 
You can use either store-bought toaster waffles or make your favorite homemade version (we have a r...
Food Republic •

How Katie Lee Combines Pizza And Salad For The Ultimate Mashup - Food Republic

When you're dining at a local pizzeria or making homemade pepperoni pies, there is a certain question that always arises: What should we have as a side dish with our cheesy star of the show? Well, many settle on Caesar salads. But, have you ever thought about combining the two together into one food? Lucky for you, Katie Lee already has you covered. 
Lee, author of several cookbooks and host of the Food Network show "The Kitchen," posted a video on Instagram detailing how to make a Caesar salad...
Food Republic •

Ina Garten's Favorite Store-Bought Cookies Are A Southampton Icon - Food Republic

You might think that Ina Garten, also known as the Barefoot Contessa, would never dare incorporate store-bought food into her culinary creations. However, she actually does love grocery store vanilla ice cream and the Trader Joe's French apple tart. And as for Garten's favorite store-bought cookie? Why, that honor goes to Tate's Bake Shop chocolate chip cookies.
That's right, something you can scoop up during your next grocery run has received an enthusiastic thumbs-up from the queen of cuisine....
Food Republic •

The Muffin Pan Hack To Make Mini Pie Shells - Food Republic

Suppose one day, you have the biggest hankering for a particular dessert: a slice of homemade pie. But you cannot, for the life of you, find the proper pie dish to use in your kitchen. Well, luckily you are not at a total loss because there is a hack to making mini pie shells: a handy dandy muffin pan.
Using puff pastry (you can either make that yourself or pick it up at the store), just roll it into one large log, cut it into 1-inch thick slices, and press each slice into the cups of your muffi...
Food Republic •

The Parchment Paper Hack For An Easy Piping Bag - Food Republic

We've all been there: you just finished baking a delectable birthday cake and are getting ready to adorn it with frosting, sprinkles, and candles. But then you realize, you don't have a piping bag! Should you just settle for using a butter knife to slather the spread on like an amateur? Not today. Luckily, there is a hack to frost a beautiful confection in a flash, and that is by using parchment paper.
Simply take a sheet of parchment paper, roll into a cone shape, and cut a hole at the bottom –...
Food Republic •

Change Up Plain Store-Bought Ice Cream With A Popular Salty Snack - Food Republic

There is nothing like a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's comforting, classic, and never goes out of style. But of course, there are several ways to spice it up a little. Sprinkles or a "cherry on top" are the obvious choices, but have you ever thought about adding Fritos?
The popular deep-fried corn chip, known for its curved shape and salty taste, is the unexpectedly perfect companion for your frosty dessert. Whether you're using Tillamook Old-Fashioned Vanilla or Van Leeuwen Vanilla Bea...
Food Republic •

Alton Brown's Egg Carton Hack Makes Storing Condiments Hassle-Free - Food Republic

If you're like us, you probably have a ton of condiments in your fridge. Whether it's ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, or packets of sauce from your favorite fast food establishment, these all can take up significant real estate in your refrigerator, especially if they're nearly empty. Leave it to celebrity television personality Alton Brown to give us the secret to storing condiments and getting the most out of them: an egg carton. 
In a highly dramatized video clip on YouTube, after Brown searche...
Food Republic •

Ice Cubes Are All You Need For Creamier Homemade Dips - Food Republic

In the hit television series, "Only Murders in the Building," Oliver Putnam (played by Martin Short) has an obsession with dips. He admits in an episode, "This is all I eat" (per MovieWeb). If you can relate to Oliver and are a fellow dip enthusiast, you are probably always on the hunt for the perfect recipe. Here's one big tip: For the creamiest dip you have ever tasted, add some ice cubes.
When you are just about finished combining your dip ingredients, toss in a couple of ice cubes, and blend...
Food Republic •

Never Break One Utensil Rule When Dining At A Restaurant - Food Republic

Some of the most important dining etiquette tips include starting with the smallest fork or utensil and working your way inward toward your plate, not placing your elbows on the table, and chewing with your mouth closed. You should also put your phone away at the dinner table, keep your napkin on your lap during the meal (and only use it for light dabbing on your face), and always keep the salt and pepper shakers together. However, there are some other, slightly more obscure rules you should als...
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The Right Way To Break Graham Crackers For An Even Split Every Time - Food Republic

Picture this: You just opened a fresh sleeve of graham crackers and are ready to whip up the gooiest s'more your taste buds have ever experienced. But, when you attempt to break the cracker in half, it splits in an uneven matter or separates into a million little crumbly pieces. Why even have designated lines on the snack when they don't even help? Well, we have actually been doing it wrong the whole time. 
Instead of looking at the front of the cracker (with the holes and two perpendicular line...
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The Best Shortcut For Tasty Soups Is Already Sitting In Your Fridge - Food Republic

When the temperatures start to drop and you break out your favorite turtleneck sweater, it's the perfect time to whip up your favorite comforting soup recipe. Whether it's split pea or classic chicken noodle, adding pickle brine to your broth is the secret to creating the most delectable soup you've ever tasted.
You might be thinking, "Pickle juice? With soup? What?" But surprisingly, just a small splash of this brine will liven up the dish, bringing to life a saltier, tangier flavor profile. Th...
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The Fascinating Story Of How Taco Bell Flopped In Mexico - Food Republic

Tacos, quesadillas, nachos — all of these dishes bring to mind Mexican cuisine. So, one might assume a dining establishment that offers these items, like Taco Bell, would thrive in Mexico. Yet, even though the chain has tried two times, ultimately it failed at becoming a staple in the country. 
Taco Bell began its efforts in 1992, when it introduced a food cart in Mexico City where customers could purchase soft-shell tacos, burritos, and Pepsi. The chain opened several other locations in Mexico,...
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With One Extra Step, You Can Make Slicing Pizza A Breeze - Food Republic

Picture this: You just pulled a piping hot pepperoni or margherita pizza out of the oven and are drooling as you prepare to cut the perfect slice for dinner. But as soon as your pizza cutter graces the pie, the ingredients slide all over the place — utterly ruining your culinary masterpiece. But luckily, there is a hack to preventing pizza mayhem. The solution? Rearrange your toppings before cooking to ensure each slice looks as delectable as it tastes. 
Before you pop a frozen pizza into the ov...
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The Appliance That Transforms Canned Biscuits Into A Crispy Treat - Food Republic

When you return home from a long day at the office, there is nothing more satisfying than the "pop" sound that comes from opening a can of biscuits. That simple noise means you are minutes away from a delectable carb, the perfect accompaniment to any meal. But, instead of baking them in the oven, have you ever thought about cooking them in the air fryer?
Rather than waiting for the oven to pre-heat, line your air fryer with parchment paper (eliminating any clean-up time) and place your favorite...
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How Often Do You Need To Replace Sheet Pans? - Food Republic

Think about everything you put your sheet pans through: roasting vegetables, baking chocolate chip cookies, broiling meat (the list goes on). They are an integral tool for daily cooking. But did you ever think about how long you can put these pans through the wringer before they need to be replaced? 
Well, it depends on how often you use them. If you're someone that lives in the kitchen and cooks with the pans more than three times a week, you are looking at a life expectancy of four to five yea...
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Oil Vs Butter: What's The Best Choice For Making French Toast? - Food Republic

Back during the days of the Roman Empire, there was a recipe circling around called "pan dulcis." This is believed to be the earliest version of one of our favorite breakfast dishes, and many are often surprised by these unexpectedly ancient origins of French toast. Back in the fourth century, Romans gathered bread, drenched it in a milk and egg mixture, and fried it in oil or butter. Ever since, there has been a debate as to whether to cook your French toast in oil or butter — but why not both?...
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The Intense Coffee Drink Ina Garten Calls Rocket Fuel — in A Good Way - Food Republic

In season one, episode two of the hit television series "Gilmore Girls," Lorelai Gilmore (played by Lauren Graham) rushes into her favorite diner and exclaims, "This is a coffee morning. This is a jumbo coffee morning, I need coffee in an IV." For those days when you feel the same — not only needing coffee, but something with enough caffeine to make you feel like the Energizer Bunny — you need to try the drink that's Ina Garten's go-to: a vanilla coffee shakerato. 
This cuppa joe, which Garten r...
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Whatever Happened To Ben & Jerry's Fossil Fuel Ice Cream? - Food Republic

It can be heartbreaking when something you've grown fond of is removed from your life forever. For many, those pangs of sadness were felt in 2016 when Ben & Jerry's announced it would be discontinuing its beloved Fossil Fuel flavor. Sweet ice cream swirled with pieces of chocolate cookies, fudge dinosaurs, and even more moist fudge throughout — gone forever. But have you ever wondered why?
While the name referenced the prehistoric era of raptors and T-Rexes, the company feared it might suggest i...
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Your Homemade Iced Coffee Is Yearning For A Fresh Strawberry Twist - Food Republic

In the modern age, java fans can choose from all kinds of creative embellishments for iced coffee, whether it be sweet cream cold foam, pumpkin spice, or sprinkles. But day after day, if your drink starts with just espresso or cold brew (and maybe a hint of milk or creamers), you can easily get bored by this beverage. To avoid repetitiveness, switch up the base of your drink and add strawberries to your next cup of joe. 
A strawberry latte is a fruity, juicy, sweet spin on this beloved refreshme...
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Swap Out Salad Croutons With A Crunchy Snack Already In Your Pantry - Food Republic

The crunch and flavor of croutons can perk up any bag of lettuce and dressing, whether store-bought or homemade (and we have the secret to making the best croutons out there). But if you want to stray away from salad norms while still achieving the crispiness that croutons offer, try adding potato chips.
It might sound unconventional — a snack you can buy at a gas station mingling with fresh vegetables — but it's actually the perfect way to get the crunch you've been craving in your bowl. Simply...
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Seriously, Try Adding Some Vanilla To Your Mashed Potatoes - Food Republic

Mashed potatoes: a reliable food that's always there for you when you need it. Just had your wisdom teeth removed and can only eat soft foods? Mashed potatoes. Looking for the perfect side dish for your steak dinner or holiday gathering? Mashed potatoes. The smooth texture and creamy flavor bring comfort to any meal, but there's an ingredient that can make your mashed potatoes even better: vanilla.
Everything you already love about mashed potatoes — the cottony softness, the buttery taste — is h...
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