Daily Voice Readers’ Choice

Nominations concluded. Finalists are being selected. Sign up for alerts to stay updated.
68° Overcast
On Your Side
Americans Changing Christmas Shopping Habits Amid Inflation: New Survey Americans Changing Christmas Shopping Habits Amid Inflation: New Survey Americans Changing Christmas Shopping Habits Amid Inflation: New Survey
Americans Changing Christmas Shopping Habits Amid Inflation: New Survey More than half of Americans fear inflation could "ruin Christmas" as shoppers prepare for another tight holiday season, according to a new survey. About 52% of Americans said inflation is going to ruin Christmas, according to a WalletHub survey released on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The personal finance website's findings come as some shoppers get an early start on holiday gift buying. The survey also arrives as inflation remains stubbornly high at 3.4% as of August, well above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. A major factor behind inflation is soaring gasoline and energy prices due to&nb…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
On Your Side
Kraft Mac & Cheese Launching First Ramen With Bold New Flavors Kraft Mac & Cheese Launching First Ramen With Bold New Flavors Kraft Mac & Cheese Launching First Ramen With Bold New Flavors
Kraft Mac & Cheese Launching First Ramen With Bold New Flavors Kraft Mac & Cheese is moving into the ramen aisle for the first time. The brand will launch Kraft Mac & Cheese Cheesy Ramen nationwide in early 2027, Kraft Heinz announced in a news release on Tuesday, Oct. 6. This will be the popular macaroni and cheese brand's first expansion into a new food category in nearly 20 years. The lineup will combine Kraft's cheese flavor with three typical ramen tastes: spicy, chicken, and pork. The company said the ramen products are made without artificial flavors, preservatives, or dyes. According to market research firm Circana, the …

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
On Your Side
Dr Pepper, 7UP Reveal New Twists On Classic Sodas: See What's Coming Dr Pepper, 7UP Reveal New Twists On Classic Sodas: See What's Coming Dr Pepper, 7UP Reveal New Twists On Classic Sodas: See What's Coming
Dr Pepper, 7UP Reveal New Twists On Classic Sodas: See What's Coming Dr Pepper and 7UP are adding new twists to some familiar flavors. Keurig Dr Pepper announced Dr Pepper Ice Cream Float and 7UP Miami Vice in a news release on Monday, Oct. 5. The company unveiled its upcoming beverage lineup one day before the start of the 2026 National Association of Convenience Stores Show in Las Vegas. Dr Pepper Ice Cream Float blends the soda's signature 23 flavors with a vanilla ice cream flavor and notes of caramel and butterscotch. The new flavor will launch nationwide as a permanent offering in February 2027. The beverage will be available in regular…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
On Your Side
Krispy Kreme's New Halloween Doughnut Lineup Features Looney Tunes Favorites Krispy Kreme's New Halloween Doughnut Lineup Features Looney Tunes Favorites Krispy Kreme's New Halloween Doughnut Lineup Features Looney Tunes Favorites
Krispy Kreme's New Halloween Doughnut Lineup Features Looney Tunes Favorites Krispy Kreme is teaming up with Looney Tunes for a new Halloween collection featuring the classic cartoon characters. The doughnut chain unveiled the limited-time Looney Tunes Halloween Collection in a news release on Monday, Oct. 5. The treats will debut at participating shops nationwide on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The lineup marks the first time the iconic animation franchise has appeared on Krispy Kreme doughnuts. "Looney Tunes characters have entertained generations of fans with their fun, laughter, and mischief, making them a perfect match for Krispy Kreme this Halloween," said…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
On Your Side
AT&T's $177M Data Breach Settlement Approved: How Much Customers Could Get AT&T's $177M Data Breach Settlement Approved: How Much Customers Could Get AT&T's $177M Data Breach Settlement Approved: How Much Customers Could Get
AT&T's $177M Data Breach Settlement Approved: How Much Customers Could Get AT&T customers could soon start receiving money from a $177 million settlement over two massive data breaches. A federal judge granted final approval to the agreement on Friday, Oct. 2, according to the settlement's website. The deal resolves class-action lawsuits over breaches that exposed personal information belonging to millions of current and former AT&T customers. US District Judge Sidney Fitzwater in Dallas also approved $59 million in legal fees for attorneys who negotiated the deal, Reuters reported. The court's final approval order said nearly 5 million clai…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
On Your Side
Headlights May Go Dark In Ford's Latest Recall: What To Know Headlights May Go Dark In Ford's Latest Recall: What To Know Headlights May Go Dark In Ford's Latest Recall: What To Know
Headlights May Go Dark In Ford's Latest Recall: What To Know More than 41,000 Ford SUVs and trucks are being recalled because a headlight problem can cause several exterior lights to dim or stop working. Ford Motor Company issued the recall for 41,748 vehicles, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report filed on Tuesday, Sept. 22. The affected vehicles include certain 2025 through 2027 Expedition SUVs and F-Series Super Duty trucks. The headlight assemblies may contain LED chips that were contaminated at a supplier's manufacturing facility. Depending on the vehicle and headlight type, the problem can caus…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
On Your Side
Mario Cuomo Bridge Discount Coming To Orange County Residents — Here's How Much Mario Cuomo Bridge Discount Coming To Orange County Residents — Here's How Much Mario Cuomo Bridge Discount Coming To Orange County Residents — Here's How Much
Mario Cuomo Bridge Discount Coming To Orange County Residents — Here's How Much Orange County residents who regularly cross the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge will soon get a break on their tolls — and most eligible E-ZPass customers will not have to do anything to receive it.  A 20 percent resident discount is being extended to Orange County residents, state Sen. James Skoufis announced on Monday, Oct. 5.  Skoufis said the discount was secured in this year's state budget with support from Gov. Kathy Hochul and Assembly members Jonathan Jacobson, Chris Eachus, and Paula Kay.  The new benefit extends a resident discount already available to eligible Westches…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
On Your Side
Paramount Completes $111B Warner Bros. Megamerger: See What's Changing Paramount Completes $111B Warner Bros. Megamerger: See What's Changing Paramount Completes $111B Warner Bros. Megamerger: See What's Changing
Paramount Completes $111B Warner Bros. Megamerger: See What's Changing Skydance has officially completed its controversial $111 billion megamerger with Warner Bros. Discovery, creating one of the world's largest media companies. The deal closed on Tuesday, Oct. 6, after receiving all required regulatory approvals, the company announced in a news release. The combined company will operate under the Skydance name. Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders received about $31.02 per share in cash. WBD shares stopped trading on Nasdaq on Tuesday, while Skydance Class B shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "SKYD." The merger brings …

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
On Your Side
New Frozen Food Recall: What Shoppers Should Check New Frozen Food Recall: What Shoppers Should Check New Frozen Food Recall: What Shoppers Should Check
New Frozen Food Recall: What Shoppers Should Check Your freezer may hold products covered by an expanding food recall, giving shoppers another reason to check before taking a bite. Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., based in San Carlos, Chile, has expanded its recall of frozen organic berries over potential E. coli O145:H28 contamination, according to the company announcement posted on the FDA website. The expansion covers additional lots of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend and Organic Blueberries, both in 10-ounce packages, plus one lot of Trader Joe’s Organic Mixed Berry Blend in 12-ounce packages. The affected Great Value products …

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
On Your Side
Starbucks Reveals New Drinks, Food On Holiday 2026 Menu: See What's Coming Starbucks Reveals New Drinks, Food On Holiday 2026 Menu: See What's Coming Starbucks Reveals New Drinks, Food On Holiday 2026 Menu: See What's Coming
Starbucks Reveals New Drinks, Food On Holiday 2026 Menu: See What's Coming Starbucks is bringing back several festive favorites while adding new drinks, food, and merchandise for the holiday season. The coffee chain unveiled its 2026 holiday menu on Monday, Oct. 5. The seasonal lineup, which includes popular items like Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Sugar Cookie Latte, and Gingerbread Chai, will return on Thursday, Nov. 5. The holiday launch comes as Starbucks makes major changes. The company recently closed about 250 cafés, including nearly 50 across the Northeast, as part of its ongoing "Back to Starbucks" restructuring plan. Starbucks h…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
On Your Side
National Taco Day 2026: Where To Score Free Tacos, Spicy Deals National Taco Day 2026: Where To Score Free Tacos, Spicy Deals National Taco Day 2026: Where To Score Free Tacos, Spicy Deals
National Taco Day 2026: Where To Score Free Tacos, Spicy Deals Several major restaurant chains are offering special deals on a huge day for taco lovers. National Taco Day in 2026 falls on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The holiday was permanently moved to the first Tuesday of October in 2024 to always line up with "Taco Tuesday." The holiday itself began in San Antonio in the 1960s, according to National Day Calendar. Many companies revived the celebration in 2009. The history of tacos dates back centuries to Indigenous people in ancient Mexico. The first "taco feast" documented by Europeans was hosted by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés. The modern word "taco" …

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
On Your Side
KFC Shrinks Famous Bucket With New $3.49 Snack Option KFC Shrinks Famous Bucket With New $3.49 Snack Option KFC Shrinks Famous Bucket With New $3.49 Snack Option
KFC Shrinks Famous Bucket With New $3.49 Snack Option KFC is taking its famous bucket in a much smaller direction with a new snack-sized option. The fast-food chain launched Go Buckets on Monday, Oct. 5. The new menu item starts at $3.49 and combines chicken with either fries or wedges. Customers can choose four nuggets, two wings, or one tender. KFC said the six available combinations contain between 16 and 18 grams of protein. Unlike the chain's traditional family-sized bucket, the new version is small enough to hold in one hand and is shaped to fit in a standard car cupholder. "People want food to fit into their day, not the other way aro…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker