Across Illinois, IL|News|
Legendary Chicago Bears Coach, Hall Of Fame Tight End Mike Ditka Dies
Ditka coached the Bears to the team's legendary 1985 Super Bowl win.
Andrea Earnest, Patch Staff
US News
Across America|News|
America’s Creepiest Roads Have Some Seriously Disturbing Backstories
From ax-wielding rabbits to faceless hitchhikers, America’s creepiest roads have legends and histories that seem written for Halloween.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Is Trick-Or-Treating Becoming A Zombie? [Block Talk]
More Americans are celebrating Halloween, but traditional trick-or-treating is losing ground as families embrace organized events.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
![Is Trick-Or-Treating Becoming A Zombie? [Block Talk]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20261009/104846/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-70173520___09104608634.jpg)
Across America|News|
New Federal School Scholarships Could Cover Private Tuition, But There's A Catch
A new federal tax-credit program could help pay for private school tuition, tutoring and more, but eligibility won't guarantee an award.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Huge Rats Move In, Drive Families Out: Weird News & Oddities
A stolen porta-potty, a suspect with terrible timing, a giant porcupine with 20-inch quills, America’s creepiest roads, and more weird news.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Respiratory Illnesses On The Rise: See What’s Circulating
As respiratory illnesses begin circulating this fall, here's how to tell them apart, when to see a doctor and who needs a vaccine.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Congress Recesses For Midterms As Push For Year-Round DST Intensifies
Daylight saving time is scheduled to end next month, despite a push by President Donald Trump to make it the year-round permanent time.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
An Abandoned Mine Could Be Hidden Beneath Your Home
Centuries-old mines beneath neighborhoods can trigger sinkholes and other collapses, and officials don’t know where all of them are.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Nature’s Strange Clues About The Winter Ahead
Persimmon seeds, woolly bears, acorns and other bits of weather folklore are still used to predict winter, even if science says otherwise.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Some, But Not All, Medicare Recipients Are Getting A $90 Surprise
The Trump administration is sending checks to millions Medicare enrollees to lower health care costs. Here’s who qualifies.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Record El Niño Forecast To Have A Big Effect On Snowfall, Temps This Winter
El Niño is expected to rearrange storm tracks and bring warm winter temperatures to areas that typically see cold weather.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|Sponsored|
Meet The Top 40 Schools Competing For A $1 Million Home Field Upgrade
From a brand partner: Voting is now open in T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition. Here's how you can help pick the winner!
Across America|News|
Gatorade Recalled Nationally Over This Ingredient
The Gatorade could contain an ingredient missing from the product label.
Ainsley Martinez, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Inching Toward Election Day Issues -- “The Sunday Political Brunch” - October 4, 2026
My weekly analysis of the top political stories
Mark Curtis, Patch Contributing Writer
Across America|News|
Dead Mouse Claim, E. Coli And Listeria Put Foods On Alert: Recall Roundup
Peppers, cheese, frozen berries, pasta and salad dressing pulled from shelves over rodent, E. coli, listeria and salmonella concerns.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Sexy Costumes, Politics And Booze At The Office Halloween Party [The Question]
Can you skip it? Are political costumes OK? How sexy and gory is too much? Is it OK to mock your company or job? And what about drinking?
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
![Sexy Costumes, Politics And Booze At The Office Halloween Party [The Question]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20261002/020904/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-2533780867___02140552316.jpg)
Across America|News|
Grotesque Halloween Yard Displays Push Neighborhood Limits: Block Talk
Readers say Halloween should be scary, but gore, traumatized kids, noisy props and giant skeletons that linger past Oct. 31 cross the line.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Amazon Prime Refunds Of Up To $200 Are Coming To Millions Of Americans
Millions more Prime customers are eligible for automatic refunds of up to $200 under Amazon’s expanded $2.5 billion FTC settlement.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|Sponsored|
7 Mistakes High-Earning Couples Make Before Retirement
From a brand partner: High-earning couples may save well but miss planning gaps when accounts, taxes and deadlines aren’t coordinated.
Across America|Sponsored|
5 Money Habits of People Who Retire Early
From a brand partner: Explore strategies to invest, cut expenses and earn extra income.
Across America|News|
These Halloween Costumes Are Everywhere In 2026
Pop culture is driving 2026 costume trends, with many looks easy to pull together from closets, thrift stores and a little DIY ingenuity.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
