When Dog Walkers Don’t Bag Poop, What Should You Do? [Block Talk]

Readers raise a stink about dog walkers who let their pets “squat and go,” leaving their neighbors to clean up the mess left behind.

Hawaii Governor Warns Scores More Could Be Dead In Maui Wildfires

Fires that consumed most of the historic town of Lahaina are already the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century with at least 96 dead.

Maui Wildfires: Death Toll Reaches 80; Communities Left In Ruins

A fast-paced wildfire on the Hawaii island of Maui killed at least 80 people, authorities say.

Small-Town Sweet’; New Hope For Quadriplegic; 9 Good News Stories

Hospital employees turn wedding planners; meals program skips bureaucracy; kitties hitch a ride; “guard” dog makes friends with bike thief.

Maui Wildfires: At Least 55 Dead; Residents Given Little Warning

Wildfires on Maui killed at least 55 people and wiped out a historic town.

Photos Show Devastation In Maui: Thousands Flee As Fire Rages

Residents and tourists race to get off the island of Maui as a fire blazes, wrecking a historic town and killing at least 36 people.

At Least 36 Dead On Maui As Fires Burn Through Hawaii

Thousands of Hawaii residents raced to escape homes on Maui as blazes swept across the island.

Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks This Weekend: When To Watch For Fireballs

The Perseids are known for swift, bright meteors that frequently leave behind long “wakes” of light and color, and also for fireballs.

August Is National Water Quality Month: 5 Things You Need To Know

“Forever chemicals,” climate change and Supreme Court limits on EPA regulatory power could affect the water coming out of Americans’ taps.

Help Patch Recognize Outstanding Community Leaders Across The Country

Community leaders are found in service and nonprofit groups, elected and appointed positions, and anywhere good things are happening.

Mega Millions Players Spurned Again As Jackpot Climbs To $1.55 Billion

No one matched all six numbers and won Friday's estimated $1.35 billion jackpot.

Digging Out Of An Unforgiving Hole; ‘An Army Of Hundreds’: Good News

“Becoming Ms. Burton” award-winning author’s story inspires inmates; why these endangered sea turtles have a much easier time recovering.

Is It OK To Put Dog Poop In A Neighbor's Trash Bin? [Block Talk]

Many readers get over it if dog owners drop the doo in their empty trash cans; another wants to know “who is sniffing trash cans, anyway?”

Record Heat Illuminates Plight Of Poorest Americans Without AC

Air conditioning, once a luxury, is a matter of survival as climate change fans hotter, longer heat waves and record-breaking temperatures.

Do You Believe In Angels? About 7 In 10 U.S. Adults Do, Poll Shows

Americans' belief in angels is about on par with belief in heaven and the power of prayer, but bested by belief in God or a higher power.

Mega Millions Jackpot Climbs To $1.05 Billion After No Winner Friday

No one managed to beat the massive odds and match all six numbers for Friday's estimated $940 million jackpot.

11 Good News Stories: Art Of Living After A Stroke; Tumbleweed’s Trips

Happy pastures for a cow after a senior prank goes south; surfboard-stealing otter claims hearts, too; swimming with orcas; rats vs. humans.

August Has Two Supermoons, One An Exceptionally Bright Blue Moon

The full sturgeon supermoon on Tuesday could wash out Delta Aquariid meteors, but the blue moon supermoon will rise after Perseids peak.

Delta Aquariid, Perseid Meteor Showers Ramp Up: When To See Fireballs

The Delta Aquariids could be a bust, but conditions look good for the Perseids, which NASA calls “the best meteor shower of the year.”

Is It OK To Put Dog Poop Bags In A Neighbor’s Trash? [Block Talk]

Is dropping the bag of poop in the first available trash can a reasonable thing to do? Or is it enough that dog walkers bother to bag it?

How Early Is Too Early To Use Power Tools On The Weekend? [Block Talk]

If you’re still in bed at 8, are you the problem? Do climate and gig jobs change weekend power tool rules? Is dawn to midnight OK with you?

Shark Week Hypes Apex Predators, But Are Beachgoers At Risk?

Shark bites decline — along with an alarming drop in the population of the apex predators, which play a critical role in marine ecosystems.

America’s Best Hot Dog: Should We Let Chicago And Jersey Fight It Out?

Readers in Chicago, New Jersey, New York City, Detroit and elsewhere claim the best franks in Patch’s National Hot Dog Day survey.

Vanishing Whale's Decline Worse Than Previously thought, Feds Say

The North Atlantic right whale numbers less than 350, and it has been declining in population for several years after a huge 2017 die-off.

Homeless World Cup's US Debut In CA Scores Victories Beyond The Field

Thirty countries are competing in the games with teams that include people who have lived on the streets to refugees to foster children.

9 Good News Stories: Uplifting And Quirky Stories On Patch

“Theater-splaining” sports; kids win with “downstairs” deodorant; 115 million-hear-old dinosaur bones a paleontologist’s dream come true.

Regional Hot Dog Styles: What City Has The Best Wieners? [Survey]

For National Hot Dog Day, we want to know where to find the best hot dogs in America. Defend your choice in the “wiener wars.”

​Native American Leaders Visit Archeological Dig At Boarding School

The Nebraska boarding school was one of about 400 such facilities charged with assimilating Indigenous people into white culture.

Spotted Lanternfly Reaches Adult Stage: Squish Or Trap It Now

Established in 14 states, spotted lanternflies are reaching the adult stage. Squish these planthoppers now before they can lay egg masses.

7 Good News Stories: Perfectly Timed Proposal; ‘So American’

Stranger pays stranded missionaries’ hotel bill; stolen family keepsakes returned; recognizing “apathy is a killer,” social worker steps up.

Nosy Neighbors: Should You Be Kind Or Call The Cops? [Block Talk]

When neighbors don’t mind their own business but are harmless, chill; some readers described situations that escalated far beyond nosiness.

Aurora Borealis Displays Could Dazzle 17 States Next Week

If chasing the northern lights is on your bucket list, the colorful ribbons of light could dance across the northern U.S. next week.

Power Tools On The Weekend: When Is It OK To Make Noise? [Block Talk]

Some neighbors sleep late on weekends. Others like to get an early start on hot, noisy jobs. What’s the magic hour when the noise can start?

9 Good News Stories: Kid Rocks; Helping Teachers; $1K A Week For Life

Besides stories about people doing good things, we “shoehorn” in a couple of stories about unique places to stay if you need a getaway.

The Bottom Line On 4th Of July Fireworks Is Respect [Block Talk]

Many readers are down with their neighbors’ DIY 4th of July fireworks shows, but there are exceptions — ones they say should be respected.

7 Good News Stories: Lessons From A ‘Draft Dodger’; Wedding Cops

Sixth graders see food insecurity all around them and do something about it; Afghan family reunites in time for graduation; life well lived.

We Love You, Dad: 13 Awesome Fathers & Why They Rock

Find out if a father in your town got a special shoutout on Patch!

Nosy Neighbor Horror Stories: What Do You Do? [Block Talk]

How do get busybody neighbors to back off without completely crushing them? Or do you just run away and hide when you see them?

9 Good News Stories: Father’s Day Gratitude; 'Butt,' It Was Funny

Instead of “hoarding” his tips, a musically gifted teen aims to help veterans walk; after 51 years, class ring washes up; a “Swift” save.

5 Planets Line Up Saturday: When You Need To Get Up To See Them

Find an unobstructed view of the horizon, and take along binoculars or a telescope to see Saturn, Neptune, Jupiter, Uranus and Mercury .