5 things you need to know this weekend
Happy Halloween!
Beware, ghouls and boys, in the Deep South, Great Lakes and Northwest: Rain could spoil Halloween trick-or-treating fun as two separate storm systems move through the regions Saturday evening. (Here are a few other hazards to avoid, from cars to poisons.) If you're still getting ready, here's your guide to everything Halloween, including 10 simple costume suggestions and offensive costumes to avoid. Hanging at home? Here's how to wine and dine your way through the holiday. Have fun and stay safe!
Open enrollment begins for Healthcare.gov
The federal and state health insurance exchanges (a.k.a. healthcare.gov) open for business Sunday as much higher tax penalties face people who don’t have insurance for 2016. How high? Those without insurance and who don’t have a hardship exemption will owe $695 on their taxes. For the first time, healthcare.gov, which serves 38 states, will have an out-of-pocket-cost calculator to help consumers compare plans based on deductibles and cost sharing. And soon it will have a lookup tool for drugs and doctors included on plans.
American Pharoah races one last time
Saturday will be American Pharoah's last race. There's "zero chance" the Triple Crown winner will race again after the Breeders' Cup Classic, said his owner, Ahmed Zayat. Jockey Victor Espinoza, who rode Pharoah for his three historic wins, will race him around the track this last time for the $5 million purse, the richest in North American racing. And then? American Pharoah will head to Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky where "he's going to go to another life and be a stud and hopefully have little Pharoahs," his owner said.
As soon as Halloween's over, the Christmas sales begin
The holiday sale season starts ... now? Yep, as soon as Halloween's over, retailers are moving into Christmas mode, and Walmart will be among the first. On Sunday, the retail giant will begin discounting thousands of items, including toys and electronics. Target stores will also make the switch, with updated decor and products, but isn't targeting specific sales. If you just can't handle the Christmas music over store loudspeakers yet, both companies are offering enhanced in-store pickup.
GOP candidates make 'cattle call' in Iowa
It's the last big Republican "cattle call" before the Iowa caucuses, and 10 GOP candidates will make a festival of politics Saturday. (Ben Carson, Donald Trump, George Pataki, John Kasich and Jim Gilmore are not attending.) The "Growth and Opportunity Party" gives Iowa caucusgoers the chance to hear candidates speak and to stop by their elaborately themed booths for a personal conversation. A creepy back room will be filled with the "scary ideas” of Democrats, said Charlie Szold, spokesman for the Iowa GOP. The last time we saw this many Republican candidates together was, well, just a few days ago...
Bonus: Don't forget to move your clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday.
The weekend essentials:
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Ready for some football? Here's the college football TV schedule and Paste BN Sports' picks for Week 8 of the NFL.
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