From Food Carts to Food Halls: The Growth of New York City’s Food Markets

Actor/comedian Jimmie Walker found fame as James Evans Jr., a.k.a. 'J.J.', on the classic TV sitcom, Good Times (CBS, 1974-1979). But he grew up poor in New York City. For Jimmie Walker, his early life was a challenge. His mother worked as a teacher's aid to support their family. As Walker told author Peggy Herz in the book, TV's Top Ten Shows and Their Stars, "There were twenty guys I hung out with on the street. Five of 'em were dead before they were old enough to vote."

Jacksonville sheriff’s officers have made 146 arrests since a new homeless law took effect in Florida to prohibit sleeping in public spaces. The Sheriff’s Office reported the number during a meeting Wednesday with City Council members including Ron Salem, chair of the council’s Finance Committee. The agency said it has given out 631 warnings since the new law began.

I recently dove into some updates about the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, and let me tell you, there’s a lot going on. First of all, don’t worry – Section 8 isn’t affected by any temporary federal funding freezes, so if you're relying on this program, you're still covered. The Trump administration never had a valid reason to cancel it, and it’s still going strong.

The cruise industry is having a major moment. Post-pandemic travel is booming, and cruise lines are scrambling to add ships to keep up with demand. But here's the thing: not everyone's thrilled about it.

When Tension Took Control… During a Pap Smear … 🤣. I went in for a routine pap smear, nervous as hell. The room was cold, the speculum felt like a foreign object, and my mind was racing with worst-case scenarios. Then, mid-exam, I felt this sudden urge to fart—nothing I could control. My face turned tomato red, the tech froze mid-procedure, and I heard her whisper to the nurse, “Did she eat beans for breakfast?”

Tech billionaire and advisor to President Donald Trump, Elon Musk said that he “Will check with the President” on a $5,000 Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) dividend for every American taxpayer.

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, recently introduced a young dog named Coco who is searching for her forever family. This adorable 3-month-old puppy may be small in size, weighing in at approximately 4.5 pounds, but she makes up for it with her endless energy and loving personality. Despite her tiny stature, even smaller than the resident cats in her foster home, Coco approaches life with curiosity and enthusiasm. "She has bounds of energy, loves playing with all types of toys, and then ultimately adores snuggling up on her foster mom's lap to get lots of pets," explains Sandy Paws Rescue.

I’ve been a shoe lover my whole life, so when I heard that Peltz Shoes, a longtime Florida retailer that’s been in business since 1957, filed for bankruptcy, it really caught my attention. Shopping habits have changed dramatically over the years, and more people are relying on online purchases rather than visiting stores in person. I’ve seen how that shift affects local businesses, and I’m sad to say it looks like Peltz Shoes, a staple in our state for nearly seven decades, has run into some pretty hefty challenges.

From my observations and own experience, I don't believe that most Floridians are picky when it comes to the exterior appearance of a restaurant - if the food delivers on taste. You can find fantastic cuisine in food trucks, gas stations, and catering stands if you know where to look. There is one "hole in the wall" seafood shack in Key West that doesn't look like much from the outside but its food has caught the attention of Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives and it has authentic New England seafood. It is appropriately named - DJ's Clam Shack.

Okay, let’s get real—expiration dates are more of a suggestion than a hard rule, and we’ve all been there: staring at an item in the fridge thinking, “Is it still good?”

It's been twenty-five years since the tragic death of groundbreaking African-American actress Gail Fisher. She was best known for her Emmy, Golden Globe, and NAACP Image award-winning performance as Peggy Fair on TV's long-running Mannix detective series (CBS, 1967-1976). Fisher, who was one of the first female Black actors to appear on a weekly show in a regular capacity, was also a successful jazz lyricist. Sadly, however, she battled substance abuse and eventually died of renal failure in a Los Angeles hospital on December 2, 2000. She was only 65 years old. This is her story.

According to KTLA news and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, beloved KCAL-TV evening news anchor Chauncy Glover died of an accidental “acute intoxication” from methamphetamine and chloroethane.

Disclosure: State of Alabama-based writer. This article is a work from cited sources for informational purposes and is used with permission. No affiliate links are included. A federal grand jury has indicted two individuals on charges related to a massive bank fraud scheme involving stolen U.S. Treasury checks. According to the Office of Inspector General, authorities revealed that the suspects, Franchesca Calagui, 25, and Dondre Gray, 27, engaged in a fraudulent operation that spanned nearly a year, from May 2022 to March 2023, resulting in the illegal cashing of 339 Treasury checks totaling more than $850,000.

CALIFORNIA – Forever 21, a popular fashion retailer, notified the California Employment Development Department (EDD) that it was closing its corporate headquarters in Los Angeles and laying off 358 employees.

The Trump administration has indicated it may target the food stamp program, also known as SNAP, for deep budget cuts. It also may strengthen the work requirement for SNAP. Many SNAP recipients are already required to work, especially those who are able bodied and under the age of 54. “If you are age 16 to 54 and able to work, you will probably need to meet the general work requirements to get SNAP benefits,” according to the SNAP website. “The general work requirements include registering for work, participating in SNAP Employment and Training or workfare if assigned by your state SNAP agency, taking a suitable job if offered, and not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing your work hours below 30 a week without a good reason.”

A honeymoon cruise on Carnival Valor saw a man jump off a cruise pier to save his wife's hat, creating a stir among passengers and raising questions about port safety. According to news reports, the incident happened on February 20, 2025, when the Carnival Cruise Lin ship stopped in the Mexican port of Progreso.

Homeless people often are immersed in drugs and they aren’t getting the substance abuse treatment they need, an original investigation published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, or JAMA, shows.

My neighbor’s “security” lights and blaring alarms go off every time I step into my own driveway — it’s like living in a prison yard. 🚨 After she lost her bogus lawsuit against us (over a fence she moved!), she doubled down with CPI Security sensors aimed at OUR yard.

So this happened a few days ago, and I’m still annoyed. I called an Uber like I always do, heading to a work meeting. The driver pulls up, and before I even get in, he tells me he’s only being paid $8 for the ride and that I need to pay him an extra $40 cash if I want to go. Excuse me?!

The Doris Day Show originally aired on CBS from 1968 to 1971, and remains one of the last great TV family sitcoms in history. The series is also known for its various format changes through the series, while most of its cast has since passed away. That includes its leading lady (in 2019), and most tragically, its youngest cast member Todd Starke (in 1983).

Sandy Paws Rescue, a dedicated foster-based dog rescue in Massachusetts, recently introduced a small approximately one to two year old dog named Cactus who is searching for his forever family. Originally found as a stray and brought to a high-kill shelter in Texas, this brave pup faced a dire situation when he developed a simple cold that nearly cost him his life. "Cactus had a rough start, found as a stray and brought to a high-kill shelter, he ended up on the euthanasia list simply because he caught a common doggy cold. Thankfully, he made it out just in time and is now looking for a forever home that will give him the love he deserves," explains Sandy Paws Rescue. Luckily for Cactus, the nonprofit rescue stepped in to save him and is now helping him find a loving home.

(MA) Meet Bebe, a tiny little pup who is ready to dive into your heart and pocket. This Tea Cup Yorkie is truly itty bitty weighing only 3 pounds! This sweet older pup has spent her whole life loved by a single owner, but sadly that person had to move into a nursing home that does not allow dogs. Therefore, through no fault of her own, Bebe entered Great Dog Rescue New England's care and has transitioned well into her foster home. That being said, she will be very happy when she can be the main lady in someone else's life again. Could she be looking for you?

(MA) While it is always sad when a dog who is supposed to be protected and loved by their owner is abandoned, what the pup you are about to meet went through is truly heartbreaking. Star Bright is a 2-year-old pup who was previously living with a 'family' in a home. Unbelievably, when that so-called family moved away, they left poor Star trapped in a locked closet. She was not discovered until the new family who purchased the home moved in and found her.

So, imagine this: one minute, I’m just living my life, and the next, I’m in a hospital bed for two whole months after a complication from surgery. You’d think hospitals would be set up for long stays, but no. Here’s what I wish I knew on day one:

If you rely on Section 8 or invest in rental properties, you’ll notice this. They’ve changed the way they calculate voucher amounts, and it could seriously impact renters and landlords.

A charming Shih Tzu/Maltese mix named Zoey is ready to find her forever family in Lutz, FL. This 5-year-old pup, currently under the care of AnimalLuvr's Dream Rescue locally in Hillsborough County, is hoping to start the new year in a warm, loving home.

Meet the real "heroes in scrubs" behind the operating room doors 👇. They stitch wounds with precision tighter than a sewing machine—no shaky hands here! 🧵💪. （ surgeons’ hands are steadier than most people’s hands holding coffee ☕️）

CALIFORNIA – Joann announced, February 12, that it was closing 500 stores nationwide, including 61 in California. According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) sent to the Employment Development Department, 209 Joann employees are also being laid off at a Visalia distribution center effective March 31.

There is lots of lore and legend here in South Carolina; stories of haunted buildings, cemeteries and more. But, one Spanish-American War fort built on the edge of the Earth in the Lowcountry has a lot more than visitors on its grounds. For years, reports grow of its hauntings.

Folks, check out this epic fail from my landlord: Rent shot up by $275 in January, and their “repairs” are straight-up crayon-level disasters. Instead of fixing the rotting wooden columns, they just hammered tons of nails into the base like they’re building a Pinterest project. Then, to cover up the white paint nightmare on our lawn, they rinsed paint buckets directly on the grass and… ​