Chris Spiker

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Hartford, CT

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New No. 1 Rises In Convenience Store Rankings As Northeast Leaders Slip Sheetz and Wawa have slipped in the rankings of the nation's best convenience stores for customer satisfaction, according to a new study. The American Customer Satisfaction Index released its 2026 Convenience Store Study on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Midwest-based chain Meijer ranked No. 1 nationwide with a score of 82 out of 100, up 5% from 2025. Sheetz and Wawa finished in a three-way tie with QuikTrip with scores of 80. Sheetz and Wawa each fell 2% from 2025, when they both scored 82. Kwik Trip, which led the industry in 2025 with a score of 84, dropped 6% to 79. Murphy USA, a gas stati…

by Chris Spiker

10/06/2026

Hartford, CT

On Your Side

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 …

by Chris Spiker

10/06/2026

Hartford, CT

On Your Side

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" …

by Chris Spiker

10/06/2026

Hartford, CT

On Your Side

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…

by Chris Spiker

10/06/2026

Hartford, CT

On Your Side

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…

by Chris Spiker

10/05/2026

Hartford, CT

On Your Side

Fastest Drive-Thrus, Best Experiences Ranked In New Study: See Who's On Top Starbucks has beaten out fast-food giants for the nation's best drive-thru experience, according to a new study. Intouch Insight released its 26th Annual Drive-Thru Study on Thursday, Oct. 1. Starbucks was ranked No. 1 overall, posting a 99% customer satisfaction rate. The study was based on 2,145 mystery-shopper visits, with 165 stops conducted at each of the 13 chains measured nationwide between June and July. Shoppers visited at different times of day and on different days of the week to measure performance under varying conditions. Intouch Insight measured how satisfied shoppers w…

by Chris Spiker

10/05/2026

Hartford, CT

On Your Side

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…

by Chris Spiker

10/05/2026

Hartford, CT

On Your Side

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…

by Chris Spiker

10/05/2026

National Interest

Karoline Leavitt Lands New Fox News Role After Leaving Trump's White House Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has revealed her next major role after leaving President Donald Trump's administration. Leavitt will join Fox News as an on-air contributor, The New York Times reported on Monday, Oct. 5. The 29-year-old is expected to appear on programs across the conservative network, including both news and opinion shows. The Atkinson, New Hampshire, native is expected to begin her Fox News tenure on Sunday, Nov. 1. "Karoline's firsthand experience in the White House and on the presidential campaign trail gives her a distinct understanding of…

by Chris Spiker

10/05/2026

Hartford, CT

On Your Side

Most Trendy, Spooky Costumes Of 2026 Revealed By Spirit Halloween Superheroes, Toy Story characters, and video game favorites are expected to be among the most popular Halloween costumes in 2026. Spirit Halloween released its annual costume trends on Thursday, Oct. 1. The Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey-based retailer said it follows trends throughout the year to see what will be the most popular costumes. The company especially looks at pop-culture categories like TV, movies, gaming, social media, and nostalgia. "People often ask how we predict Halloween trends," executive vice president Kym Sarkos said in a news release. "The realit…

by Chris Spiker

10/05/2026

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