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Miss Manners: Neighbor trims vines and tosses the scraps in my yard

Thu, 10/30/2025 - 01:39

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I discovered what looked like a batch of pruned vines in my backyard. There is some ivy that grows on the walls shared by several of us in proximity, and it appears the neighbors behind us cut the pieces that were hanging in their yard and tossed them over into ours.

While I am always willing to help our neighbors, I thought it rude of them to toss the mess into our yard. What is wrong with people that they feel they cannot approach their neighbors to ask if we could cut the plants — or for any favor, for that matter?

By the way, this neighbor also drilled a foot-high eyebolt (to support patio lights) into the shared block wall without mentioning it or otherwise considering us. Sadly, this course of action is just another example how neighborly etiquette has gone out the window.

GENTLE READER: You mention the eyebolt in passing, but it is at the root of the problem. Too many homeowners, if asked why they did not approach a neighbor about a planned improvement, exaggerate reasonable amounts of selfishness and fear into worst-case scenarios.

“It’s really not up to them what color curtains I have” becomes “I have an absolute right to do what I want with my house,” while “I’d rather not be yelled at by someone I barely know” becomes “What if they have a gun?”

But the link between not talking to the neighbors and the breakdown in civility is cause and effect. Why be considerate of someone you barely know?

Miss Manners’ solution would be to find an excuse to do one or two things that require minimal effort, but are neighborly, such as turning over mail meant for them, but misdelivered to you, in person — rather than throwing it at the window as you leave the driveway.

These days, such things are so unexpected they should make your neighbor think twice next time they are pruning the vines.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife and I have a difference of opinion about emails sent from “do not reply” addresses.

I say that, in principle, they display poor manners. They are akin to saying something to somebody and then putting your hands over your ears and repeating “I can’t hear you” (like children do).

Now, I understand why a business or nonprofit (or scammer or spammer) would want to send out thousands of emails without accepting replies, which they might be obligated to respond to.

But I say if you start a dialogue by sending me an email, then you should be ready to continue the dialogue by letting me reply.

GENTLE READER: The reason you cite — not having to monitor responses to automated, bulk, commercial emails — is indeed why “do not reply” email addresses were invented.

Miss Manners notes this because she finds that new technology requires new etiquette much less frequently than technophiles imagine. The pre-internet equivalent is the sign on the company warehouse that reads, “This is the company’s central shipping facility. If you are looking for retail sales or customer service, please call this number.”

If there are limitations on the sender’s ability to respond, it is not rude to say so, so long as they provide alternative means. But you should certainly object if your wife proposes to hang such a sign on the front door.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, gentlereader@missmanners.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Ask a real estate pro: Can I sue owner of building next door over damage caused by sprinklers?

Thu, 10/30/2025 - 01:10

Q: I live next to a building that has two feet of plants and grass next to the property line. Their sprinklers are directed to my property instead of the other way around. Over the years, the water has damaged my garage and an adjacent room. They are constantly flooded to the point of sinking. Can I sue the owner for the damage? — Helga

A: Yes, you probably can.

The law requires every property owner to use their property in a way that does not cause unreasonable harm to others. While your neighbor has every right to water their landscaping, that right ends when their actions damage your property.

If their sprinklers have been directing water onto your land for years, and that has caused flooding and structural damage, you may have a valid claim.

The most likely legal theories would be negligence, private nuisance, or trespass.

In simple terms, your neighbor has a duty to maintain their property in a reasonable way, and failing to correct a situation that repeatedly floods your property would likely be seen as unreasonable.

Start by gathering evidence. Write down everything you can remember about the situation and keep this journal current as the issue progresses. Take photographs and videos that clearly show how the sprinklers are positioned, when they run, and how the water accumulates on your side. Try to document the resulting damage over time.

You may also want to hire a contractor or engineer to evaluate the cause and the cost of repairs.

Having this information will help prove your case if you end up in court.

If you have not already done so, you should send your neighbor a polite but firm letter explaining the issue, showing the evidence, and asking them to redirect their sprinklers and pay for the necessary repairs.

Many of these disputes can be resolved without a lawsuit once the neighbor understands the extent of the damage.

If that does not work, you should consult with an experienced attorney about filing a lawsuit.

The evidence you gathered, along with your documentation and notes, will help determine the best way to pursue your claims.

Also, check your homeowner’s insurance policy. It may cover some or all of the repairs, and it could determine whether you end up suing your neighbor or your insurance company does it for you.

Board-certified real estate lawyer Gary Singer writes about industry legal matters and the housing market. To ask him a question, email him at gary@garysingerlaw.com, or go to SunSentinel.com/askpro.

Today in History: October 30, Gerald Ford tells New York City ‘Drop Dead’

Thu, 10/30/2025 - 01:00

Today is Thursday, Oct. 30, the 303rd day of 2025. There are 62 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Oct. 30, 1975, the New York Daily News ran the headline “Ford to City: Drop Dead,” a day after President Gerald R. Ford said he would veto any proposed federal bailout of New York City, which was on the verge of bankruptcy. The city ultimately evaded bankruptcy despite weathering a severe fiscal crisis.

Also on this date:

In 1912, Vice President James S. Sherman, running for a second term of office with Republican President William Howard Taft, died six days before Election Day. (Taft was defeated by Democrat Woodrow Wilson in the election).

In 1938, the radio play “The War of the Worlds,” starring Orson Welles, aired on the CBS Radio Network. The broadcast panicked some listeners in its portrayal of an invasion by Martians.

In 1961, the Soviet Union tested a hydrogen bomb, the “Tsar Bomba,” with a force estimated at about 50 megatons (over 3,500 times that of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima). It remains the most powerful nuclear weapon ever detonated.

In 1972, an Illinois Central Gulf commuter train was struck by another train on Chicago’s South Side, killing 45 people and injuring about 350.

In 1974, Muhammad Ali, 32, knocked out George Foreman, 25, in the eighth round of a scheduled 15-round bout known as the “Rumble in the Jungle,” in Kinshasa, Congo (then Zaire), to regain his world heavyweight title.

In 1995, voters in the province of Quebec narrowly defeated a referendum that called for sovereignty with a new economic and political partnership with Canada.

In 2005, the late Rosa Parks was the first woman to lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda; Parks became a civil rights icon by refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus to a white passenger in 1955.

In 2018, gangster James “Whitey” Bulger was found beaten to death at a federal prison in West Virginia; the 89-year-old former Boston crime boss and longtime FBI informant had been transferred there just hours earlier.(Three inmates entered plea deals and were convicted in Bulger’s killing).

In 2023, the United Auto Workers said it reached a tentative deal with General Motors, capping a whirlwind few days in which GM, Ford and Stellantis agreed to terms that would end the union’s targeted strikes over six week.(UAW members later ratified the contracts).

Today’s Birthdays:

Author Robert Caro is 90.
Football Hall of Fame coach Dick Vermeil is 89.
Rock singer Grace Slick is 86.
Songwriter Eddie Holland is 86.
R&B singer Otis Williams (The Temptations) is 84.
Actor Henry Winkler is 80.
Broadcast journalist Andrea Mitchell is 79.
Country/rock musician Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles) is 78.
Actor Harry Hamlin is 74.
Country singer T. Graham Brown is 71.
Actor Kevin Pollak is 68.
Actor Michael Beach is 62.
Musician Gavin Rossdale (Bush) is 60.
Actor Nia Long is 55.
Actor Matthew Morrison is 47.
Business executive and former presidential adviser Ivanka Trump is 44.
Olympic gold medal gymnast Nastia Liukin is 36.
NBA guard Devin Booker is 29.
NHL defenseman Cale Makar is 27.

Brutalist-style Galleria has got to go | Letters to the editor

Thu, 10/30/2025 - 01:00

The Galleria mall in Fort Lauderdale, as it exists, needs to go. Its near-brutalist architecture is a testament to a lack of form and function. The interior is a mausoleum of cold, wasted space and confusing, disconnected levels.

I’m not thrilled about the possibility of nine massive housing towers and the impact on our resources, but clinging to the memory of a mall that once was does nothing for our residents and visitors. We also cannot ignore the need for more housing.

It’s time to think bigger with a mix of retail and onsite housing (including affordable housing).

For starters, get some inspiration from Rick Caruso’s Americana at Brand in Glendale, Calif., and his other successful projects there.

Kevin Schoeler, Fort Lauderdale

Disenfranchising voters Florida House District 87.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has finally set the special election for state House District 87 in Palm Beach County. (The seat is vacant because DeSantis appointed former Rep. Mike Caruso as the county court clerk.)

The general election is set for March, 24, 2026. This will be 11 days after the scheduled end of the 2026 Legislative session, thereby disenfranchising more than 114,281 voters.

In my opinion, the date is intentional to avoid what will likely be a pro-Democratic vote. As Republicans have overwhelming control over the state House, one more Democratic vote would make zero difference in the outcome of any House floor votes.

Nonetheless, the people of District 87 deserve to be represented in Tallahassee. The disenfranchisement of this many Floridians of representation in the Legislature is very undemocratic.

Marc Dickerman, Fort Lauderdale

Keep us laughing, Pat CourtesyA long-time Florida journalist, Pat Beall is a Sun Sentinel editorial writer and weekly columnist.

After reading Pat Beall’s latest column in Saturday’s Sun Sentinel (“Halloween at the old Trump place,” Oct. 25), it occurred to me that she is the only remaining local journalist regularly writing about political matters from a humorous and sarcastic standpoint.

Similar writers from other South Florida papers are now retired, including Carl Hiaasen (of The Miami Herald) four years ago, and Frank Cerabino (Palm Beach Post) earlier this year.

Pat Beall must carry this torch for as long as possible.

Jack Lippman, Boynton Beach

Remembering June Lockhart SCI-FI CHANNELJune Lockhart, left, was in TV's "Lost in Space" and was best known as Timmy Martin's Mom on "Lassie."

Many tributes to June Lockhart, who has died at age 100, focus on her wholesome, maternal image.

But to see what might have been, check out her two episodes on “Have Gun Will Travel” in the role of Dr. Phyllis Thackeray.

Television may be a cool medium, but the chemistry between Lockhart and the show’s star, Richard Boone, positively sizzles.

She played the roles she was offered, and she could have been so much more. The world is a smaller place without her.

Ann Carter, Merritt Island

No guns in Publix

I wholeheartedly agree, no guns or knives in Publix (“It’s time for sanity at Publix,” Letters to the editor, Oct. 26).

I will not set one foot in their stores, with fear for my safety and for my grandsons.

Publix corporate heads obviously do not care about the safety of their employees or their customers.

Next, it will be “Publix rage” instead of road rage. Then come the lawsuits. Good luck, Publix — and good riddance!

Lisa Cutlip, Brooksville

Please submit a letter to the editor by email to letterstotheeditor@sunsentinel.com or fill out the online form below. Letters may be up to 200 words and must be signed with your email address, city of residence and daytime phone number for verification. Letters will be edited for clarity and length.

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Morning Update: South Florida’s top stories for Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

Thu, 10/30/2025 - 00:16

Here are the top stories for Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Get the weather forecast for today here.

SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get our free Morning Update email. Sign up here.

Nine 30-story towers? Critics blast massive project proposed for Galleria mall

Man hospitalized, one person detained after shooting on Interstate 95 near Boca Raton

DeSantis wants Florida universities to ‘pull the plug’ on H-1B staff from foreign countries

Weekend things to do: Moonfest, Day of the Dead, ‘Stranger Things’ party, Toby Keith tribute

Boca Raton school speeding crackdown draws more than 300 citations so far. What’s next.

Dolphins, Ravens go into Thursday night on similar trajectories but with different expectations

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show opening day | PHOTOS

Doctors muffled as Florida moves to end decades of childhood vaccination mandates

Families of 2024 Halloween shooting victims sue Orlando, Wall Street Plaza operator

Miss Manners: Is it wrong to warn a foolish stranger about theft risks?

St. Thomas Aquinas girls volleyball eyes three-peat after dispatching West Boca

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 20:04

FORT LAUDERDALE — The St. Thomas Aquinas girls volleyball team is heading back to the state final four as the host Raiders cruised past West Boca Raton 25-10, 25-13, 25-13 in a Class 6A regional final on Wednesday night.

St. Thomas Aquinas (26-4) advances to the Class 6A state semifinal at Polk State College in Winter Haven on Nov. 6. The Raiders, which have won 15 straight matches and swept opponents in seven consecutive matches, will be searching for their third consecutive state championship. The Raiders girls volleyball program has captured eight state titles in school history.

Senior middle blocker Isabella Sangha recorded a team-high 14 kills, senior Sydney Guerrier had 10 kills and senior outside hitter Emmi Merhi added seven kills and eight digs. Senior setter Hailey Trebbien registered 21 assists in the victory. Senior libero Adriana Medrano and sophomore outside hitter Isabella Cabrera also stepped up for the Raiders.

Sangha, a Notre Dame commit, has made an impact in her first season with the Raiders. “It’s definitely awesome to help lead my team and to have this opportunity with the girls,” Sangha said. “It was our last home game, so we wanted to finish strong. I am very happy to be here, especially having an amazing coach like Coach Z (Lisa Zielinski). She has really exceeded my expectations and how she leads the program. It’s been a great experience and a blessing.”

Merhi previously played at West Boca during her first two seasons in high school. She was excited for another opportunity to play against her former school.

“It was exciting and a big opportunity for me,” Merhi said. “I wanted to beat them. It’s win or go home now, so I need to get it done and I think our team did that. We need to continue to show up. We’re excited for states.”

The Raiders delivered a dominant performance and jumped out to a 7-0 advantage in the first set. The Raiders took a 15-4 lead and had their biggest lead at 24-6 before winning by 15.

The Raiders scored the first three points in the second set. The Raiders led 13-10 before Sangha’s kill sparked a 6-0 run to extend the lead to nine. They led 22-13 and closed the set on a 3-0 spurt.

The Bulls took their first lead of the match at 4-3 in the third set. The Raiders led 9-8 before scoring three straight. After the Bulls recorded a point, the Raiders pulled away with a 6-0 run to force the Bulls to call timeout. The Raiders led 22-13 and scored the final three points.

“I thought we blocked very well tonight,” Zielinski said. “I thought Sydney and Izzy blocked very well. Emmi played very well. I just thought everyone contributed. We have multiple players that can contribute and that just makes it more challenging for the other team to stop and defend. I think that is one of our strengths. We now have an opportunity to go to states and prepare for that match. It’s one match at a time and one game at a time. I feel really comfortable with our offense right now. I think our defense is pretty good too.”

From left, Emmi Merhi and Isabella Sangha. (Alex Kushel/Correspondent)

St. Thomas Aquinas defeated West Boca in the playoffs for the third straight season. The Raiders cruised past the Bulls in three sets in the regional semifinal last season and held on for a five-set victory in the regional semifinal in 2023. The Raiders are 13-0 against the Bulls dating back to 2007.

West Boca (11-13) had won six consecutive matches prior to the regional final.

“St. Thomas is a great team, super physical and aggressive,” West Boca coach Quan Oliver said. “We have seen a lot of adversity this season and I commend them for how we have responded and kept moving forward. I am really grateful that we have made it this far. I wish we could have done a little bit more. I am proud of the girls for their fight this season.”

The Bulls were led by senior outside hitter Hailey Ferwerda, who led the team in kills. Junior Hendrix Goodwin, junior Chloe Khoury, sophomore Sofia Maldonado, sophomore Karina DaSilva and senior Caitlin Dreyer were among the team leaders as well.

“Hailey is a senior and has been working hard since I arrived to this program last year,” Oliver said. “She is going to do some big things at the next level I believe. I wish her and all the seniors the best of luck. They gave it all they got.”

The Raiders will play in the state semifinal in Winter Haven on Thursday against an opponent and at a time still to be determined as of Wednesday night.

Gators’ Vernell Brown III ruled out vs. Georgia, leaving UF without leading receiver

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 19:33

GAINESVILLE — Florida starting receiver Vernell Brown III will miss his first Georgia game with a shoulder injury, leaving the Gators without one their most dynamic weapons and productive players.

The former Orlando Jones standout and tailback Jadan Baugh are tied with 726 all-purpose yards, including a team-high 451 receiving yards for Brown. Among the true freshman’s team-leading 32 receptions are three of UF’s four pass plays of at least 40 yards.

The 5-foot-11 ¼, 178-pound Brown has been a bright spot on an offense averaging an SEC-low 17 points against FBS competition. But he injured a shoulder during the Gators’ 23-21 homecoming win Oct. 18 against Mississippi State.

The ailment isn’t considered significant enough to sideline Brown for long.

Meanwhile, interim head coach Billy Gonzales, the Gators’ longtime receivers coach, also ruled out redshirt sophomore receiver Aidan Mizell. The absence of Brown and Mizell, a former Orlando Boone star, will require true freshman phenom Dallas Wilson, who has 11 catches and three touchdowns in three games, and UCLA transfer J. Michael Sturdivant (15 catches, 214 yards, one score) to shoulder more responsibility.

Redshirt sophomore Tre Wilson will also receive more opportunities during a disappointing season featuring just 118 receiving yards on 18 catches. Meanwhile, redshirt freshman TJ Abrams, who averages 16.2 yards on six catches, also could have a larger role as the Gators aim to play more multi-receiver packages.

In addition to Brown and Mizell, backup tailback Ja’Kobi Jackson will miss his fourth straight game while true freshman Duke Clark is questionable. Redshirt freshman KD Daniels served as Baugh’s backup against Mississippi State.

Florida is due to return three starters in the secondary after three-year starting safety Jordan Castell and cornerback Cormani McClain sat out homecoming while cornerback Devin Moore left the game and returned with a sling on his right shoulder. Backup tight end Tony Livingston also is cleared after sitting out against Mississippi State.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Halloween is a challenge for chocolatiers as high prices bite

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 17:08

By Ilena Peng, Bloomberg News

Halloween is shaping up to be a test for the chocolate industry, as high cocoa costs threaten to accelerate a consumer shift toward cheaper and trendier sweets such as sour gummies.

For candy makers, Halloween remains crucial — the holiday made up nearly 18% of annual U.S. candy sales last year, second only to Christmas. But chocolate makers have been passing along costlier input prices to consumers, and that’s leaving an opening for rivals — who have already seen a shift toward non-chocolate treats — to grab more market share.

It’s the latest example of demand destruction as the chocolate industry is grappling with high prices amid a precarious supply outlook. While cocoa futures in New York have slumped about 50% from a record set in December, they’re still historically elevated. Chocolate makers are hoping nostalgia during the Halloween season can offset the broader shift away from their products.

“Chocolate is chocolate,” said David Branch, a sector manager at Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute. “We’re seeing less sales away from holidays and more sales during holidays. People are not buying it all the time, but when they want it, they want it.”

The problem is that, increasingly, they’re wanting it less often. Chocolate candy volumes dropped 6% in the 12 weeks ending Oct. 5, as the average price per pound jumped nearly 14%, according to data from consumer research firm Circana. Meanwhile, sales volumes for non-chocolate Halloween-themed candy — think Haribo sour gummy bats — rose 8.3% during the same period.

“I feel like it’s a weekly game between chocolate and non-chocolate, who’s winning that race,” said Sally Lyons Wyatt, Circana’s chief adviser for consumer goods and foodservice insights. Shoppers are still embracing chocolate despite the price increases, she said, but “it’s a jump ball almost between who’s going to get the shares right now.”

More than half of shoppers said they would prioritize gummy candies in their Halloween spending, and just shy of half said the same for hard candies, NielsenIQ researchers found.

Sugarfina, where gummies make up about 85% of its offerings, is selling out its product lines at a faster pace than last year, including a new tangerine-flavored “super sour” star that was gone by mid-October, according to Chief Executive Officer Scott LaPorta. The profitability of gummies has increased relative to chocolate as cocoa costs have risen, he added.

Haribo, best known for its gummy bears, is also seeing higher demand this year, said Hannah Curlee, the company’s seasonal brand manager. Higher chocolate prices have played a role, but gummies also provide a “seasonal creativity that chocolate can’t always match,” Curlee said.

Chocolate companies are fighting back with more promotions and seasonal offerings. They’re also taking action to keep prices down, using nuts and creams to cut back on costly cocoa ingredients.

Some of the biggest companies are stretching their broader portfolios. At Mondelez International Inc., owner of the Cadbury and Toblerone brands, gummies are the priority in the American market, said Chantal Butler, president of the company’s U.S. confectionery segment. Limited-time offerings like Halloween-themed Sour Patch Kids and Oreos “contribute significantly to the demand we see this time of year,” she added.

Still, the U.S. market in particular “is slower than we’ve seen in quite a while,” Mondelez CEO Dirk Van de Put said on an earnings call Tuesday. The company in response has launched more affordable products after its promotional strategy earlier this year “was not giving us the volume effect that we were hoping for,” he said.

Hershey Co. has new Halloween flavors and packaging in the gummy product lineup it launched last year in partnership with Shaquille O’Neal. That’s alongside ghost-shaped Twizzlers and “trickies” Jolly Rancher gummies with colors that don’t always line up with the expected flavors. Sugar-based sweet sales are stacking on top of chocolate sales, with few consumers explicitly choosing one over the other, according to a Hershey spokesperson.

Guittard Chocolate Co., a California-based chocolate company that sells largely to specialty candymakers, expects Halloween demand to be consistent with past years even as the industry works through cocoa supplies purchased earlier this year at much higher prices.

Some confectioners are coming out with new products to “take some of the pressure off” but consumers also require consistency in their favorite products — even at higher costs, said CEO Gary Guittard.

(With assistance from Kristina Peterson.)

Daily Horoscope for October 30, 2025

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 17:00

General Daily Insight for October 30, 2025

It’s time to molt old feathers. The intuitive Moon aligns with balanced Venus, teaching us to charm others, improve relationships, and turn tension into a deeper emotional understanding. Communicative Mercury sextiles transformative Pluto at 6:06 pm EDT — they show us how to embrace inner transformations that allow us to heal old wounds. Luna also supports bittersweet Chiron. In turn, this supports us to see our past pain as a healed lesson, not as a permanent wound. Let’s embrace who we’re becoming.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Learning updated information can put you in the presence of possible friends. You may be taking a class, going on a walking tour, or exploring the world with community members in another way. It’s important to learn from the context that you’re in together, but there’s also lots to learn from each other in the process. This is a key time for learning more about the world and putting yourself on the path to personal success, so keep your ears and eyes open.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

You know what — and who — is presently worthy of your trust. Depending on a steady friend or relative is a great way to build practical success. This person may be someone that has been in your life for a long time, someone who’s trusted you as you’ve already trusted them in prior experiences. There’s so much that you’re able to do on your own, but sometimes, you have to lean on someone else. Make sure you’re leaning on someone steady.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Like-minded people are possibly seeking you out. In turn, you might have been searching for friendships in which you can develop that strong sense of connection and belonging. Someone who could fit that category is likely to be entering your life at any moment. Of course, you probably have to put yourself out there rather than wait for this person to make themselves known. Remember, you’re likely to find them by the shared interests that you have. Seek out that special spark.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Long-held problems can begin melting away. It may be that you’re replacing negative habits with positive ones, allowing mistakes to become simply part of one chapter of life. Maybe you’re letting time heal sores that once prevented you from moving forward emotionally. It might seem almost too easy to watch those issues fizzle away, but you’ve already done the work to minimize them. You have broken up the boulders, and the universe is just sweeping away the remnants! Don’t hang onto outdated pain.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Your more vulnerable side is potentially ready to be seen. This is particularly relevant if you’ve been hiding yourself away or only showing parts of your personality, instead of showing your full self. Showing your soft side is brave! While you don’t have to reveal everything, keep your eyes peeled for chances to grow closer with people, close friends and shallower acquaintances alike, throughout your day. Being generous with your soul can comfort them and strengthen your connection. It’s okay to be sensitive.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Someone else could feel like home to you at present. Think back on those in your life who have shown up for you when others haven’t. Even if there’s been any less pleasant tension between you as of late, today represents an opportunity to work with them and find a way forward. Instead of continuing petty disputes or holding onto grudges, you can release whatever took place between you and see if there is a way to salvage your connection. Be open to healing.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

You might be sending risky messages. The planets are emboldening you with cosmic courage, which isn’t automatically a bad thing. Their alignments are strengthening you to reach out to others, saying things that you might normally be too scared to verbalize. That being said, thinking before you speak is even more crucial than usual. While some uncertain olive branches will end in success, others may turn out quite disappointing. Before you leap, make sure you’re ready for the landing — wherever it may be.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Protecting your current connections is valid, but overly aggressive walls could be keeping additional connections locked out. It’s possible that you’ve closed off your friend circles, not wanting to invite anyone new onto the scene. Changing the dynamic with any additional influences can be intimidating. Don’t miss out on opportunities to make friends with great people. Otherwise, you might miss out on something amazing by guarding your ongoing friendships so intensely. Take a chance on someone new — you might love their energy!

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

You have the opportunity to express yourself more clearly, regardless of your recent surroundings. You might have been wishy-washy at one time, not letting others know what was really on your mind and maybe not knowing yourself. Today, though, you may have something vital to say. You’re speaking up for yourself! Once you feel the urge to vocalize something, try to speak up ASAP. If a decision is made before you take the chance to say something, you might regret remaining silent.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Your dreams have something to tell you at this time. It pays to have a dream journal where you can write down your dreams — the more you do, the more memorable they’ll become. You could record yourself speaking about your dream immediately after waking if you think you’ll lose details. Looking into the symbolism of your dreams can teach you a lot! It may even shape certain decisions that you’ve been thinking over. Look to your subconscious for the clues that you’re seeking.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

The support of loved ones should never go unappreciated. You can build or strengthen a positive network for yourself by simply spending time getting to know people that you encounter in day-to-day life. At some point, they could pop up right when you need them! Make sure that you’re showing gratitude for their assistance, and don’t forget to give back. You have to be a friend to have a friend, so make sure that you’re keeping a balance between give and take.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

New heights are calling your name! You might not be sure how to get there yet, but you know in your heart, presuming you continue on the road that you’re presently following, you’ll end up where you want to be. You never know when you’ll be provided with an opportunity by an unexpected benefactor, or what project of yours will lead to your work being seen on a larger stage. Keep putting yourself out there, and trust in the universe to strengthen you through uncertainty.

Scary movies and haunted houses: Researchers study how the brain responds to fear

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 16:57

Everyone knows someone — or maybe is that person — who shuts their eyes tight during the scary parts of a horror film and forces their friend to go first in the haunted house.

Others avoid scary movies and haunted houses altogether during Halloween. In a study published in August, a team at the University of Colorado Boulder studied how people’s brains respond to threats and fear.

Brain cells in the interpeduncular nucleus glow green in a mouse’s brain after a shadow appears on the ceiling. (Photo courtesy of CU Boulder)

The researchers found that a group of neurons, called the interpeduncular nucleus or IPN, plays a role in controlling how people respond and adapt to threats. IPN is a brain circuit located in the midbrain near the brain stem. The team discovered that this circuitry is highly activated the first time a person sees a potentially threatening situation, but as soon as individuals realize there is no threat anymore, the IPN shuts down.

“The first time that you see a very scary movie and there is a scene that you are not anticipating, your IPN is going to be very activated,” psychology and neuroscience professor Susanna Molas said. “But if you see this movie, you re-watch the movie over and over across the same week, your IPN is going to start learning that the scary scene is not as scary anymore, and the IPN will be less active across repeated exposures. It’s the same if you go to a haunted house.”

The more frightened a person is, the more the IPN should be engaged, Molas said. It’s also possible that people who love haunted houses and have a high tolerance for scary movies might have a less active IPN. There may also be a cognitive aspect of the person having more rationale when dealing with spooky situations.

“I think that there is an interplay between natural threat responses, but at the same time, more cognitive assessment,” Molas said. “So it’s possible that some people have a different balance of the natural threat response versus thinking whether this situation is actually creating a danger or a harm.”

For the study, the research team exposed mice to a projected shadow periodically over three days that mimics the approach of an aerial predator. The mice’s instinct was to run away. The team used advanced imaging techniques to measure the mice’s brain activity during the threat. Molas said she was surprised by how quickly the mice adapted their behavior and stopped running away from the shadow.

“I was struck to see that by three days, the animals already understood that the threat is not a danger anymore,” Molas said.

Disruptions in the IPN circuit could also play a role in mental health conditions, such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. About 19% of adults in the U.S. have an anxiety disorder, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. In a normal threat response, the IPN activity decreases once the brain identifies that there’s no real threat. With anxiety, the IPN remains active in anticipation of a negative effect happening in the future.Related Articles

It’s important to understand the causes and some of the brain regions involved with anxiety so scientists can develop better, more specialized treatments for it, Molas said.

“Anxiety is a very prevalent disorder in our society and the neural circuits behind that are still not completely understood,” she said. “There’s been huge progress, but there are some brain areas that, like the IPN, have not been considered for many decades.”

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