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Today’s Big Story

Trunk or Treat

Rather than go door-to-door, a lot of kids these days get their Halloween candy by going car-to-car

I’m sorry ... allow me to rant for a minute, but I recognize that I am not a parent, so I don’t know what I’d feel if I had a little one of my own preparing to trick or treat this Halloween. But, to me, there’s a sacred tradition of walking through your neighborhood in the twilight hours and scoring treats from your neighbors. It’s supposed to be a little unnerving and that excitement makes the haul of candy even more worth it, right?

But more and more, I’m seeing kids trick or treating at malls? And now, several media outlets report that rather than knocking on neighborhood doors, kids (and their parents) pile into a designated parking area—perhaps at a church, a local soccer field, or school—and get candy at each car.

Mental Floss says it’s “essentially kid-friendly Halloween tailgating. Kids wear their costumes, and adults take the opportunity to decorate their car.” Sounds sweet. But isn’t this like a stationary parade? And just how did the phenomenon of trunk-or-treat become so popular in suburban America?

According to their findings, churches were already offering safer (and perhaps less satanic) alternatives to the typical spooky, haunted Halloween activities. The first recorded mentions of trunk-or-treat popped up in the early ’90s, often at church events. A Baptist congregation in Alabama, for example, hosted one in 1994; churches across the South were adding the event to their calendars by the early 2000s. By 2006, the New York Times was showcasing the growth of trunk-or-treat’s popularity.

And there are a few reasons, beyond candy concerns, why parents began embracing trunk-or-treat so quickly. The biggest one is traffic concerns: Car accidents were (and still are) the biggest Halloween hazards. Trunk-or-treating moved kids out of the streets and into controlled spaces. And let’s be real, most American neighborhoods aren’t exactly walkable these days. If your neighbors live far apart and sidewalk access is slim, door-to-door trick-or-treating becomes more tedious (and dangerous) than fun. But damn, I’m sad that kids today will miss out on the surge of adrenaline when your friends would dare you to go up to the “dark, scary house” at the end of the block.

Both Parties Are Resigned to Deadlock

Democrats’ defiance on shutdown shows a new, tougher approach to Trump

At the White House, President Donald Trump is posting AI-generated memes about the government shutdown, depicting his wonky budget director dressed as the Grim Reaper and ready to visit death on the federal bureaucracy. Over in the Senate, Democrats show no sign of backing down from their demands in the shutdown fight, while Senator John Thune, Republican of South Dakota and the majority leader, has given verbal shrugs to reporters who ask about the status of his negotiations with the other party about how to bring the crisis to an end.

According to the Washington Post, Democrats’ defiant approach to the current government shutdown reflects a party mood that has shifted dramatically. Of course, many Democrats outside Washington say party leaders took far too long to adopt this more combative approach. Refusing to help the Republican majority pass a budget and end the current shutdown is about more than energizing the Democratic base. Shutdowns inevitably harm federal workers and the millions of Americans who rely on their services, but the Trump administration is illegally removing federal employees and dismantling government programs already, part of its broadside on Congress’s domain.

And while more Americans disapprove of how Republicans and President Trump are handling the government shutdown than disapprove of congressional Democrats, it seems no one appears to be sailing smoothly in a new poll released Sunday. A majority of Americans, however, are at least somewhat concerned about a shutdown's effect on the economy, the military, federal employees and a range of other issues, according to a new CBS News-YouGov poll conducted at the beginning of this month.

Sober October?

The global challenge benefits your health and raises awareness for cancer

With the rise of sober-curious people, there’s a new sobriety challenge akin to Dry January. Welcome to Sober October. For 31 days participants get a chance to step back from drinking habits, reset their relationship with alcohol and see how it affects their daily life.

Of course, many do it for physical health reasons—better sleep, clearer skin, improved mood, weight loss and more energy. But there’s also a fundraising component: The campaign started in the U.K. as a fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support. And now it’s widely taken up informally around the world as a wellness challenge. Some keep it strict (“no drinks at all”), while others set personal rules (no weeknight drinking, only special occasions, etc.). When my friend tried it last year, she tracked the benefits like improved productivity, better workouts and even the money she saved.

If you’re looking for alternatives to your go-to cocktails and beer, Punch has a round-up of a dozen easy and delicious mocktails. Vice says the perfect solution is a THC mixer. These mix-ins can be added to almost any beverage, turning a plain drink into a high time.

Hawaii’s Regenerative Tourism Plan

It’s a smart solution, but experts say there are still serious challenges

It’s never been easier to travel. But that also comes with unintended consequences like overcrowding, ecological damage and cultural disrespect. Many conscientious travelers now want to find a way to visit locales in a way that is respectful of local residents, the ecosystem and the history of the region. It’s an ethos that’s taken root in Hawaii, where a system of regenerative tourism is now in place.

Can that ambitious plan survive a broader challenge to the region’s tourism? That’s the question at the heart of a new report by Sara Kehaulani Goo at the Washington Post. She explains that regenerative tourism has a number of benefits for visitors and locals alike, including “increasing in-state tourism business ownership and addressing the cost-of-living crisis.” And in theory, doing so can also result in visitors getting a deeper appreciation for the place they’re visiting.

However, there are a few obstacles to making this initiative stick—many of which are economic. InsideHook cites a recent decline in visitors relative to last year, along with a more substantial drop in travelers from Japan making their way to Hawaii. Earlier this year, The Guardian reported that the state is planning to raise taxes on some aspects of tourism as a means of responding to the environmental effects of travel to and from the state. Purdue University’s Jonathon Day told the New York Times that this approach is all about making it better for future generations, but that’s a tall order and it remains to be seen if this bold initiative will succeed at all of its goals. But for Hawaii’s sake, I hope it does.

Jeff Bezos Says This New Breakthrough is Like "Science Fiction"

Jeff Bezos Says This New Breakthrough is Like “Science Fiction”

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Nerd out.