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Business
Cracker Barrel Unveils New Logo, Menu Changes Despite Large Fan Pushback Cracker Barrel Unveils New Logo, Menu Changes Despite Large Fan Pushback
Cracker Barrel Unveils New Logo, Menu Changes Despite Large Fan Pushback Cracker Barrel is rolling out sweeping updates, even though many loyal fans say they want things left the way they were. The Tennessee-based chain unveiled its first new logo in nearly 50 years on Tuesday, Aug. 19. The familiar image of a man sitting beside a barrel is gone, replaced with a simplified, text-only design. Cracker Barrel said the refreshed look is even closer to the company's early days, when it also had a text-only logo. "Anchored in Cracker Barrel's signature gold and brown tones, the updated visuals will appear across menus and marketing collateral, including the…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Massive $6.2B Merger Would Reshape Local TV: See Which Stations Are Affected Massive $6.2B Merger Would Reshape Local TV: See Which Stations Are Affected
Massive $6.2B Merger Would Reshape Local TV: See Which Stations Are Affected Two companies that together own more than 260 local TV stations have agreed to a massive merger that could reshape their industry. Nexstar Media Group will acquire Tysons, Virginia-based TEGNA in a $6.2 billion cash deal, the companies announced in a joint news release on Tuesday, Aug. 19. Nexstar will purchase TEGNA for $22 per share, a 31% premium over TEGNA's 30-day average stock price before reports of the deal surfaced. The overlap is significant in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC, where Nexstar and TEGNA already own major affiliates. If approved, the merge…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Trump Is Blocking Crime Victim Funds Over Immigration Laws: MA Fights Back Trump Is Blocking Crime Victim Funds Over Immigration Laws: MA Fights Back
Trump Is Blocking Crime Victim Funds Over Immigration Laws: MA Fights Back New Jersey is leading a coalition of 21 attorneys general from states including New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts in suing the Trump Administration over what officials call unlawful conditions placed on federal funding for crime victims, officials announced Monday, Aug. 18. The lawsuit challenges the Trump Administration’s move to withhold Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant money from states unless they comply with federal immigration enforcement priorities, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said.  VOCA funds are used for advocacy services, sexual assault forensic exams, funera…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
MA Named Best State To Live In, New Study Says: Here's Why MA Named Best State To Live In, New Study Says: Here's Why
MA Named Best State To Live In, New Study Says: Here's Why From the best schools in the nation to some of the highest incomes, several Northeast states are among the best places to live, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 list of "Best States to Live In" on Monday, Aug. 11. The study ranked all 50 states using 51 measures of livability, from housing affordability and income growth to education, health, and safety. Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, said it's important to look beyond just economic factors. "When deciding on a place to move, you should first consider financial factors like the cost of living, housing prices, and…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Multiple Wegmans Cheese Products Recalled Over Listeria Fears Multiple Wegmans Cheese Products Recalled Over Listeria Fears
Multiple Wegmans Cheese Products Recalled Over Listeria Fears A popular cheese sold at a supermarket with locations across the East Coast has been pulled from shelves following a supplier alert that triggered a multi-state recall. Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. announced it is recalling its Medium Camembert Soft Ripened Cheese and several products containing the cheese due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  The bacterium can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  Healthy individuals may experience short-term symptoms including high fever, sev…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
As Husband Sexually Abused Child, Wife — CT School Employee — Stayed Silent: Cops As Husband Sexually Abused Child, Wife — CT School Employee — Stayed Silent: Cops
As Husband Sexually Abused Child, Wife — CT School Employee — Stayed Silent: Cops A Connecticut man and his wife are accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a child, authorities announced.  David Desimone and Holly Desimone, of Plainfield, were the focus of the Plainfield Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit after a report was made in June.  Investigators determined that David Desimone had engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with the victim on multiple occasions. Police said his wife, Holly Desimone, knew about the abuse but failed to report it or take steps to protect the victim, Plainfield police said.  David Desimone was arrested and char…

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by Josh Lanier
Business
Cookies Sold At Target Stores In 20 States, Including MA, Pulled From Shelves Cookies Sold At Target Stores In 20 States, Including MA, Pulled From Shelves
Cookies Sold At Target Stores In 20 States, Including MA, Pulled From Shelves A sweet treat sold at one of the nation’s biggest retailers is now under a safety alert covering 20 states and Washington, DC. The recall involves Favorite Day Bakery Frosted Sugar Cookies, a 10-count product sold under Target’s private label brand.  According to the Food and Drug Administration, manufacturer Give and Go Prepared Foods Corp. of Canada pulled the cookies due to possible contamination with wood. A total of 803 cases are affected. The cookies were distributed through three Target distribution centers — in Connecticut, Maryland, and Ohio — and reached stores in: Connect…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Cracker Barrel's Remodel Plan Hits Nerves With Loyal Fans: 'Country Charm Is Gone' Cracker Barrel's Remodel Plan Hits Nerves With Loyal Fans: 'Country Charm Is Gone'
Cracker Barrel's Remodel Plan Hits Nerves With Loyal Fans: 'Country Charm Is Gone' Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is giving its restaurants a brighter, modern look, but the makeover is polarizing among the restaurant's biggest fans, with some saying the chain is losing its country charm. Cracker Barrel is in the process of remodeling dozens of its roughly 660 locations nationwide. The effort includes lighter paint, fewer antiques on the walls, updated menus, and streamlined cooking processes aimed at attracting a wider range of diners. Early remodels have already rolled out in multiple states, The Wall Street Journal reported in May. Cracker Barrel plans to update or re…

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by Chris Spiker
News
MA Ranked Best State To Have Baby, New Study Says: Here's Why MA Ranked Best State To Have Baby, New Study Says: Here's Why
MA Ranked Best State To Have Baby, New Study Says: Here's Why Families in some Northeast states may have a much easier time welcoming a new baby than others, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 list of Best & Worst States to Have a Baby on Monday, Aug. 4. The study compared all 50 states and Washington, DC, across 31 metrics, from average hospital bills to infant mortality rates and child-care availability. The leaders boast strong health care systems, parental support programs, and child care access. "The best states for having a baby minimize costs while providing top-notch care for both newborns and their …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Repeat Jobless Claims Hit Four-Year High Amid Weak July Jobs Report Repeat Jobless Claims Hit Four-Year High Amid Weak July Jobs Report
Repeat Jobless Claims Hit Four-Year High Amid Weak July Jobs Report The number of Americans continuing to file for unemployment benefits has surged to its highest level in nearly four years, according to new federal data. Continued unemployment claims topped 1.97 million during the week ending on Saturday, July 26, the Department of Labor said on Thursday, Aug. 7. That's the most since early November 2021, when the insured unemployment level reached 2.04 million. Repeat claims rose by 38,000 from the previous week. The DOL data signals that more jobseekers are struggling to find work and remain on unemployment. In the Northeast, se…

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by Chris Spiker
News
Stop & Shop Recall Issued Over Salad Label Confusion Stop & Shop Recall Issued Over Salad Label Confusion
Stop & Shop Recall Issued Over Salad Label Confusion A mix-up in the deli aisle has triggered a new food recall across much of the Northeast, and it’s the label, not the recipe, that’s causing concern. Hans Kissle is recalling 66 containers of its Red Bliss Potato Salad after discovering a labeling error that could pose a serious risk to people with wheat allergies. The affected product was shipped to Stop & Shop stores in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, and may still be sitting in consumers' refrigerators. While the container’s front label correctly identifies it as Tri Color Twist Pasta Salad, the to…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Comedian Matt Rife Becomes ‘Legal Guardian’ of Annabelle Doll, Warren Family’s Haunted Items Comedian Matt Rife Becomes ‘Legal Guardian’ of Annabelle Doll, Warren Family’s Haunted Items
Comedian Matt Rife Becomes ‘Legal Guardian’ of Annabelle Doll, Warren Family’s Haunted Items Matt Rife is most well-known for his comedy chops. Now, he's dipping his toes into the horror genre. The comedian took to social media to announce that he and content creator Elton Castee have "officially purchased" the home and museum of the Warren family in Monroe, Connecticut, which includes their "entire haunted collection"  — as well as the infamous Annabelle doll. Rife made it official in what he dubbed an "INSANE ANNOUNCEMENT."  "I have officially purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren’s home and Occult Museum, including being the legal guardian for at least the next (five years…

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by Zak Failla