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Some 42 million people in the U.S. who rely on SNAP benefits could soon join the already long lines at the nation's food banks and pantries that are also serving struggling federal workers.

Otay Ranch Town Center in Chula Vista will mark Hispanic Heritage Month with its annual Celebration and Family Festival on Tuesday, September 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The popular retail and dining destination in eastern Chula Vista is proud to once again host this community celebration filled with live music, cultural performances and free fun for the whole family celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month which runs September 15 to October 15. "As one of our cornerstone annual events, the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration is a fantastic opportunity for our neighbors and community to come together and honor the rich traditions and contributions of generations," said Otay Ranch Town Center General Manager Tim Kilcourse. "Paired with our popular weekly Farmers Market, the event provides countless opportunities to support local businesses, including a large number of locally owned, Hispanic-led vendors," he added. The event will feature musical and dance performances, meet and greet opportunities with themed characters, Loteria game with prizes, a fun photo booth, face painter and kids' giveaways tied to Hispanic Heritage Month. First added in 2024, this year's event brings back "Salsa Under the Stars," a pop-up Salsa dance celebration and musical performance that will run from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., overlapping with many of the event elements, with guests having many activities to choose from. Hosted by the Manny Cepeda Orchestra quartet, this free program encourages anyone interested in getting their salsa on with some basic instruction and no partner needed, along with fantastic live music to get your feet moving! Location: Otay Ranch Town Center; 2015 Birch Road, Chula Vista 91915 Event web link: https://www.otayranchtowncenter.com/en/events/24177/ Otay Ranch Town Center on Facebook / Instagram

The ocean comes alive after dark as Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego casts a spell of science and seasonal fun with Halloween Aglow! This year’s event takes place on October 24 and 25 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for two nights of Halloween festivities with an educational twist. From unusual animals to eerie illuminations, Halloween Aglow celebrates the wonders and mysteries of the ocean in a family-friendly atmosphere. Enter through a vibrant display of hay bales and pumpkins and dive into fall fun featuring ocean science and hands-on exploration. New this year — trick-or-treat in Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery as it transforms from day-to-night with special lighting and glowing surprises around every corner. Plus don’t miss the science of slime as you embrace your inner scientist! “The ocean is filled with unique, alien-like — but most importantly, slimy — creatures!” said Matthew Arrollado, Public Programs Coordinator. “In the Boo and Goo Lab, young scientists will get a chance to play in some sensory slime, explore the science of Oobleck and touch some slimy ocean animals.” Don’t miss the chance to show off your Halloween costume during the parade through the aquarium or watch as Birch Aquarium divers demonstrate their underwater pumpkin carving skills! Other activities include live music from Billy Lee and The Swamp Critters, pop-up science stations, classic arcade games and more! Tickets for Halloween Aglow are separate from general admission and go on sale September 26 to the general public, with a member presale from September 22 – 25. Tickets are $45 for adults and $40 for children, with members receiving 50% off admission. Children 2 and under are free. For more information, visit the aquarium website. Birch Aquarium at Scripps on Instagram / Facebook / TikTok

Disney’s Newest Broadway JR Musical Comes to San Diego – Now Casting Local Youth for Fall Production! T3 Triple Threat Youth Mentors is thrilled to announce open auditions for "Dare to Dream JR," Disney’s brand-new Broadway JR release, coming to San Diego this fall. The production offers young performers ages 8–17 a professional-level musical theatre experience — and every participant is guaranteed a featured role, no child is turned away regardless of ability to pay! Auditions are Saturday, August 30, at the North Park Recreation Center. No prior experience is required — just a willingness to learn, collaborate, and shine on stage. “This is more than just a theatre class,” says Morie Williams, founder and director of nonprofit T3 Triple Threat. “Our students train like pros, build unshakable confidence, and experience the magic of live performance in a supportive and inclusive environment.” In addition to professional training in acting, singing, and dance, students participate in a fully staged production with costumes, sets, and choreography. Audition Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025 Location: North Park Recreation Center – 4044 Idaho Street, San Diego, CA 92104 Program Tuition: $360 (or 3 monthly payments of $120) – Needs-based scholarships available Performance Dates: November 21 & 22, 2025 T3 Triple Threat is a San Diego–based nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through the performing arts to benefit underserved communities. Partnering with the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation, T3 provides high-quality training in musical theatre, acting, dance, and music to students from diverse backgrounds. T3 Triple Threat San Diego on Facebook / Instagram

Melissa Ann Pinney's photographs capture everyday moments of adolescence inside Chicago Public Schools over the course of a seven-year artist residency.

Ancient Greek and Roman statues didn't originally look like they do now in museums. A new study says they didn't smell the same, either.

Elon Musk's new online encyclopedia aims to challenge Wikipedia, which he has accused of left-leaning bias. We used them to search for data about each other.

The five groups said they’re ready to help with food, financial assistance and mental health.

This week, President Trump pardoned allies accused of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election. It is part of an uptick in "insider pardons" issued in his second term, one legal expert says.

National Coming Out Day is celebrated on Oct. 11 to recognize the courage of LGBTQ+ individuals who come out publicly. This year, NPR is inviting people to share their coming out stories.