Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin Pancakes

Start your day with some festive fall flavors! These pumpkin pancakes are a quick and easy way to make breakfast a little cozier.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp. sugar
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 3/4 cup milk of choice
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp. melted butter or oil
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • Optional: syrup, whipped cream, other toppings

Instructions

1. Combine dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.

2. Combine wet ingredients
In another bowl, mix the milk, pumpkin puree, egg, melted butter and vanilla extract until smooth.

3. Combine dry and wet ingredients
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined.

4. Prepare the pan
Lightly grease a skillet or griddle with butter or oil over medium heat.

5. Cook the pancakes
Pour about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the skillet and cook until bubbles form on the surface (about 2-3 minutes). Then, flip and cook another 2 minutes on the other side or until golden brown.

6. Enjoy
Serve hot with toppings of choice like syrup, whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon and enjoy!

October 15th 2025

October 15th 2025

Thought of the Day

October 15th 2024
Photo by Getty Image

If you want happiness for a lifetime; help someone else.

Wet Nose Wednesday: Meet Butterscotch and Buddy!

Wet Nose Wednesday: Meet Butterscotch and Buddy!

Hey there, I’m Butterscotch – the Hollywood starlet of the feline world! Think of me as the Meryl Streep of cats, ready to steal your heart with my award-winning charm and captivating personality. I’ve recently wrapped up my most challenging role yet – being a supermom to my adorable kittens – and now I’m ready to audition for my forever family’s leading lady. My friendly demeanor means I’m always ready for my close-up, whether that’s cuddling on the couch or striking a pose for my devoted fans (aka my future humans). Are you ready to be my co-star in this amazing adventure called life? Lights, camera, adoption! How did I get here? Transferred from Scotland County Humane Society. **I am currently living at Purr Cup Cat Cafe in Raleigh. Please set up an appointment to complete the adoption process or make a reservation with the cafe to meet me! Ask an adoption specialist for more details.** ~My adoption fee is $65.00~

Lights, camera, action! I’m Buddy, the most charming leading man you’ll ever meet in the world of canine celebrities. I’ve got some seriously impressive skills like knowing “sit” (my Oscar-worthy performance), and I’m always ready to steal the scene with my goofy, bouncy personality. Whether I’m reminding my humans when it’s mealtime with a dramatic “boof” or greeting new people with unbridled enthusiasm, I’m guaranteed to bring excitement and entertainment to your life. So, are you ready to be my forever co-star and make some incredible memories together? This pup is ready for his close-up! I am fully grown at ~95lbs. How did I get here? Transferred from Johnston County Animal Shelter after I was found as a stray; adopted and returned when my owners could no longer care for me. ~My adoption fee is $120.00.~

Meet Butterscotch

Meet Buddy

Instagram says it’s safeguarding teens by limiting them to PG-13 content

Instagram says it’s safeguarding teens by limiting them to PG-13 content

By BARBARA ORTUTAY AP Technology Writer

Teenagers on Instagram will be restricted to seeing PG-13 content by default and won’t be able to change their settings without a parent’s permission, Meta announced on Tuesday.

This means kids using teen-specific accounts will see photos and videos on Instagram that are similar to what they would see in a PG-13 movie — no sex, drugs or dangerous stunts, among others.

“This includes hiding or not recommending posts with strong language, certain risky stunts, and additional content that could encourage potentially harmful behaviors, such as posts showing marijuana paraphernalia,” Meta said in a blog post Tuesday, calling the update the most significant since it introduced teen accounts last year.

Anyone under 18 who signs up for Instagram is automatically placed into restrictive teen accounts unless a parent or guardian gives them permission to opt out. The teen accounts are private by default, have usage restrictions on them and already filter out more “sensitive” content — such as those promoting cosmetic procedures.

The company is also adding an even stricter setting that parents can set up for their children.

The changes come as the social media giant faces relentless criticism over harms to children. As it seeks to add safeguards for younger users, Meta has already promised it wouldn’t show inappropriate content to teens, such as posts about self-harm, eating disorders or suicide.

But this does not always work. A recent report, for instance, found that teen accounts researchers created were recommended age-inappropriate sexual content, including “graphic sexual descriptions, the use of cartoons to describe demeaning sexual acts, and brief displays of nudity.”

In addition, Instagram also recommended a “range of self-harm, self-injury, and body image content” on teen accounts that the report says “would be reasonably likely to result in adverse impacts for young people, including teenagers experiencing poor mental health, or self-harm and suicidal ideation and behaviors.”

Meta says the new restrictions go further than its previous safeguards. Teens will no longer be able to follow accounts that regularly share “age-inappropriate content” or if their name or bio contains something that isn’t appropriate for teens, such as a link to an OnlyFans account. If teens already follow these accounts, they’ll no longer be able to see or interact with their content, send them messages, or see their comments under anyone’s posts, the company said. The accounts also won’t be able to follow teens, send them private messages or comment on their posts.

Meta said it already blocks certain search terms related to sensitive topics such as suicide and eating disorders, but the latest update will expand this to a broader range of terms, such as “alcohol” or “gore” — even if they are misspelled.

The PG-13 update will also apply artificial intelligence chats and experiences targeted to teens, Meta said, “meaning AIs should not give age-inappropriate responses that would feel out of place in a PG-13 movie.”

For parents who want an even stricter setting for their kids, Meta is also launching a “limited content” restriction that will block more content and remove teens’ ability to see, leave, or receive comments under posts.

Cozy Pot Roast

Cozy Pot Roast

This recipe is super easy and super flavorful! It’s the perfect warm, low-effort dinner for the end of a long fall day.

Ingredients

  • 3–4 lb chuck roast
  • 1 packet onion soup mix OR 1 tbsp onion powder + 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce (optional)
  • 1 lb. baby potatoes
  • 3–4 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven
Preheat oven to 300°F.

2. Build the base
Put the potatoes, carrots and onion in the bottom of a large, oven-safe dish.

3. Season the roast
Season the roast with salt and pepper to taste, then place it on top of the veggies.

4. Add liquids
Pour the broth and Worcestershire sauce over everything and sprinkle the onion soup mix over the roast.

5. Bake
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 3.5-4 hours or until the meat is easily pulled apart with a fork.

6. Enjoy
Remove from the oven and enjoy this cozy fall meal!

October 14th 2025

October 14th 2025

Thought of the Day

Photo by Getty Image

Nothing ruins the truth like stretching it!

SpaceX launches the 11th test flight of its mega Starship rocket with another win

SpaceX launches the 11th test flight of its mega Starship rocket with another win

By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer

SpaceX launched another of its mammoth Starship rockets on a test flight Monday, successfully making it halfway around the world while releasing mock satellites like last time.

Starship — the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built — thundered into the evening sky from the southern tip of Texas. The booster peeled away and made a controlled entry into the Gulf of Mexico as planned, with the spacecraft skimming space before descending into the Indian Ocean. Nothing was recovered.

SpaceX launched another of its mammoth Starship rockets on a test flight Monday, successfully making it halfway around the world while releasing mock satellites like last time. (AP Video)

“Hey, welcome back to Earth, Starship,” SpaceX’s Dan Huot announced as employees cheered. “What a day.”

It was the 11th test flight for a full-scale Starship, which SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk intends to use to send people to Mars. NASA’s need is more immediate. The space agency cannot land astronauts on the moon by decade’s end without the 403-foot (123-meter) Starship, the reusable vehicle meant to get them from lunar orbit down to the surface and back up.

Instead of remaining inside Launch Control as usual, Musk said that for the first time he was going outside to watch — “much more visceral.”

The previous test flight in August — a success after a string of explosive failures — followed a similar path with similar goals. More maneuvering was built in this time, especially for the spacecraft. SpaceX conducted a series of tests during the spacecraft’s entry over the Indian Ocean as practice for future landings back at the launch site.

Like before, Starship carried up eight mock satellites mimicking SpaceX’s Starlinks. The entire flight lasted just over an hour, originating from Starbase near the Mexican border.

NASA’s acting administrator Sean Duffy praised Starship’s progress. “Another major step toward landing Americans on the moon’s south pole,” he said via X.

SpaceX is modifying its Cape Canaveral launch sites to accommodate Starships, in addition to the much smaller Falcon rockets used to transport astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station for NASA.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

North Carolina GOP announce plans to vote on new House map amid nationwide redistricting battle

North Carolina GOP announce plans to vote on new House map amid nationwide redistricting battle

By GARY ROBERTSON Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican legislative leaders announced plans Monday to vote next week on redrawing the state’s U.S. House district map, with a likely aim to secure another GOP seat within already right-leaning boundaries.

The move comes amid an emerging mid-decade battle nationally between Republicans and Democrats seeking advantage in the way U.S. House districts are drawn in several states for the 2026 session.

North Carolina Republicans already created a map in 2023 that resulted in GOP candidates winning 10 of the state’s 14 U.S. House seats in 2024. That division compared to the 7-7 seat split between Democrats and the GOP under the map used in 2022.

Now only one of the state’s House district’s –- the 1st District currently represented by Democratic Rep. Don Davis –- is considered a swing district and could be targeted by the GOP for an 11th seat. Davis won a second term last year by less than 2 percentage points, so shifting slightly portions of the district covering nearly 20 northeastern counties could help a Republican candidate in a strong GOP year.

A news release from the state’s Republican legislators said their planned action “follows President Donald Trump’s call urging legislatures across the country to take action to nullify Democrat redistricting efforts.”

Trump kickstarted the redistricting battle this summer by calling upon Republican-led Texas to reshape its U.S. House districts so that the GOP could win more seats in next year’s elections.

As Texas redrew its districts to give Republicans a shot at winning five more seats, Democrats in California reciprocated by passing their own redistricting plan aimed at helping Democrats win five additional seats. Then lawmakers in Republican-led Missouri approved revised U.S. House districts intended to help Republicans win an additional seat.

The new Texas map faces a legal challenge. The California map still needs voter approval in a Nov. 4 election to take effect. And the Missouri map faces both court challenges and an initiative petition campaign seeking to force a statewide referendum on it.

Bill Belichick says he never sought an early departure from the North Carolina job

Bill Belichick says he never sought an early departure from the North Carolina job

By BOB SUTTON Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Bill Belichick has denied reports that he’s been seeking an exit strategy from his North Carolina coaching role.

“Some of the reports out last week about my looking for a buyout and trying to leave here and all that is categorically false,” Belichick said Monday during his first public comments since a blowout loss to Clemson. “Glad I’m here. Working toward our goals and the process.”

Next up for the Tar Heels (2-3, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) is Friday night’s game at California (4-2, 1-1).

During the second of two off weeks in a three-week span, the subject of Belichick’s status and future with the Tar Heels was a hot topic, so much so that last Wednesday the university released brief statements from the coach and athletics director Bubba Cunningham reaffirming commitments between Belichick and the school.

“It’s a learning curve,” Belichick said Monday. “We’re all in it together, but we’re making a lot of progress.”

On Monday, there was double the media turnout compared to Belichick’s normal game-week availability. University chancellor Lee Roberts also attended along with high-ranking officials in the athletics department.

With only one game during a span of nearly a month, it has allowed off-field drama to command plenty of attention. Yet Belichick was spotted attending a high school game Friday night, perhaps an indication of normal in-season functions in terms of recruiting.

Belichick said the program has approximately 40 high school players committed for the next recruiting class.

Results on game days haven’t given Tar Heels fans much reason to be encouraged.

“Obviously we’re all a little frustrated with the results, but the only thing we can do is continue to work and improve,” Belichick said. “We’ve made a lot of progress. Right now, unfortunately, the scoreboard doesn’t reflect that, but I’m confident that it will.”

The former Super Bowl-winning coach disputed suggestions that there’s division within the team and a lack of progress.

“We’ve made a lot of improvements,” Belichick said. “I think that’s exciting for all of us to see, certainly for the individual players to see it, in the units that they work with. So I don’t know what kind of perspective some of those people have that are saying that.”

Offensive lineman Christo Kelly, who talked about the team coming together and buying into the process, said the Tar Heels shouldn’t be bothered by reports regarding Belichick.

“Some of that outside noise stuff doesn’t affect what we do day-in and day-out,” Kelly said.

Belichick referred to the Tar Heels as a developmental program, calling them similar to other teams he has overseen.

“I’ve been involved in a lot of programs where things started and where things ended up are honestly where they should go,” he said.

Belichick is in the first year of a deal that guarantees $10 million in base and supplemental pay for each of the next two seasons. Team general manager Michael Lombardi, a former NFL executive who’s largely a partner with Belichick in this college endeavor, is making $1.5 million for each of the next two seasons.

Belichick defended Lombardi, who has been the subject of criticism stemming from some local media reports.

“I think Michael has done a great job of keeping the people close to the Carolina program up to date in what we’re doing, what our process is,” Belichick said. “We’re all working together. We’re all learning together.”

North Carolina has been blown out in three games against power conference opponents, including a 38-10 belting from Clemson in the most-recent game that resulted in a largely empty stadium in the second half. The Tar Heels surrendered 28 first-quarter points in that game.

Running back Caleb Hood announced last week that he was ending his playing career. Belichick said he had a conversation with Hood similar to ones he has had with many athletes through the years.

“For him, it was time, so I respect that,” Belichick said.

There was a light moment Monday when Belichick was asked about a phone call he made to ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit during the weekend. He said he was answering a text sent by Herbstreit, though the timing wasn’t ideal.

“I didn’t realize he was on the air,” the coach said.

Also last week, the school announced that cornerbacks coach Armond Hawkins has been placed on suspension for violating rules connected to improper benefits. He’s on leave while the school “further investigates other potential actions detrimental” to the team and school.

This comes following months-long tabloid-level interest involving Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, who has been on the sidelines prior to games.

North Carolina effort wipes out $6.5B in medical debt for 2.5M people

North Carolina effort wipes out $6.5B in medical debt for 2.5M people

By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — More than 2.5 million North Carolina residents are getting over $6.5 billion in medical debt eliminated through a state government effort that offered hospitals extra Medicaid funds from Washington if they gave patients the financial relief and implemented policies to discourage future liabilities.

Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, the state health department secretary and other officials announced Monday results so far from what then-Gov. Roy Cooper unveiled 15 months ago as a first-of-its-kind initiative.

While helping almost one-quarter of North Carolina residents, Stein said the effort has exceeded expectations in giving individuals and families a second chance to succeed financially after medical crises. Officials previously estimated it could help about 2 million people get rid of $4 billion in debt. The debt that had been held by hospitals, and are usually difficult to recover, will be pulled from credit reports, the governor said.

“This is life-changing news for so many families,” Stein said, adding that recipients on average will have $2,600 erased. “No one chooses to have a heart attack or get diagnosed with a chronic condition — you just have to deal with it. Today’s announcement will free people from the financial stress so that they can focus on getting healthy.” Another news conference speaker described patients who avoided services or threatened to halt treatments to prevent debt from accumulating on themselves or their family.

Hospitals that agreed to participate have already alerted many patients to tell them their debt is essentially canceled, state health officials said Monday. And Undue Medical Debt, a national group working on the effort and taking over some hospital liabilities, plans to send 255,000 notices this week to other recipients.

The effort germinated from what’s called the Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program, which state legislators approved in 2023 at the same time as expanded Medicaid coverage to working adults who couldn’t otherwise qualify for conventional Medicaid. Hospitals pay assessments to draw down billions of dollars in federal money.

The state Department of Health and Human Services last year proposed that ertain hospitals could receive higher program reimbursement levels to treat Medicaid enrollees if they agreed to medical debt initiatives. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services signed off on the plan details, and by August 2024 each of the roughly 100 acute-care, rural or university-connected hospitals that qualified decided to participate.

Under rules previously announced, the hospitals had to eliminate medical debt going back to early 2014 for patients who are Medicaid enrollees. They also would later have to eliminate other debt for non-enrollees based on income levels. And the hospitals were directed to discourage debt by doing things like automatically enrolling people in charity care programs or curbing certain debt collection practices. The $6.5 billion figure includes debt relieved directly through the initiative and through hospital policy changes to implement it, Stein’s office said.

Other state and local governments have tapped into federal American Rescue Plan funds to help purchase and cancel residents’ debt. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced in July that $429 million in medical debt had been erased for more than 352,000 state residents.

“North Carolina’s approach is completely unique,” said Jose Penabad, the Undue Medical Debt vice chair. Several states are following North Carolina’s use of Medicaid incentives closely, he added.

North Carolina debt eradication exceeded initial estimates in part because patients outside the population being targeted also had their debt eliminated, Stein said. Hospitals, for example, sometimes have eliminated debt for patients incurred at associated physician practices, said Jonathan Kappler, a state deputy health secretary. More debt will be eliminated in the future, he added.

State health secretary Dr. Dev Sangvai, told reporters the law approved by Congress in July that made cuts and policy changes to Medicaid won’t immediately affect the debt elimination initiative.

Some hospitals were initially hesitant about the debt relief efforts because of strings placed upon higher reimbursements, Cooper said last year. The North Carolina Healthcare Association, which lobbies for nonprofit and for-profit hospitals, said Monday in a statement that it’s concerned “recent and proposed government policies could add financial pressures” that prevent hospitals from expanding programs to help low-income patients.

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