Cities nationwide are warning teens ahead of Halloween weekend, introducing curfews and stepping up enforcement to prevent the disorder associated with so-called teen takeovers.

From the Jersey Shore to the Atlanta suburbs, local officials are imposing restrictions on teenagers and expanding police patrols. Several of the communities are still responding to previous takeovers that attracted hundreds of young people and led to fights and arrests.

In Oak Park, Illinois, the police chief said the department is working to ensure the town does not see a repeat of last Halloween’s teen takeover.

About 500 teenagers descended on downtown Oak Park last Halloween, according to a department memo. The gathering escalated into fights and gunfire, prompting police to request assistance from six neighboring agencies.

Oak Park Police Chief Shatonya Johnson said more officers will be working the holiday, alongside additional steps designed to keep another large-scale gathering from forming.

In Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, adults are preparing to take a more visible role. Residents plan to fill the streets in large numbers in an effort to deter teen gatherings. The group, known as CollaBOOration, formed after a series of Halloween events between 2016 and 2019 turned violent, according to Block Club Chicago.

Founder Bennie Currie said the group wants to create a strong neighborhood presence before Halloween activities begin. “What we’re really trying to do is establish a critical mass on the street, possibly before the Halloween festivities even start,” Currie said. “So when these large gatherings happen, like we’ve seen every year, we will already have taken over 53rd Street … we’ll be walking up and down in orange shirts and keeping in contact with one another.”

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In Covington, Georgia, anyone younger than 16 must leave the downtown area or be accompanied by an adult after 7 p.m. on Halloween, according to CBS News. The city is located outside Atlanta.

The Long Branch, New Jersey, Police Department will strictly enforce a Halloween curfew for anyone under 17 on Oct. 30 and 31, according to News 12. The restriction runs from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m.

Officials enacted the curfew after hundreds of people gathered during a teen takeover in May. The event produced multiple fights and six arrests.

National Police Association spokeswoman Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith called the heightened preparations a “great idea,” saying police and city officials should act proactively because teen takeovers continue to occur.

Smith said police departments typically see call volumes multiply on Halloween, with residents reporting fireworks, fights in schoolyards and missing children. She added that the growing tendency for large groups of teenagers to take over public spaces—and broadcast the events on social media—creates another layer of concern. “On Halloween night, I can tell you from experience, our call volume goes up, you know, four or five, six times,” Smith said. “People are calling because of fireworks. They’re calling because there’s a fight in a schoolyard. They’re calling because they can’t find their kid. There’s so many different things that people are calling the police for, and then you factor in this desire to have these large crowds of teenagers take over and, again, get it on social media.”

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — National Geographic has taken its marketing for the documentary “Everest: The Other Side” to an entirely new level — and, quite literally, down the side of a billboard.

To mark the film’s theatrical debut, Oscar-winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin and accomplished ski mountaineer Jim Morrison traded the Himalayas for a towering advertisement, rappelling down their own billboard in a daring promotional stunt.

On The Red Carpet spoke with the pair moments after they completed the unusual descent.

Morrison said the experience was both thrilling and unexpectedly large-scale. Seeing the billboard as they approached, he realized how impressive the setup was — and how long it had been since he had worn all of his climbing equipment. Pointing to the skis and gear featured in the display, he said it felt “pretty cool” to return to a vertical environment.

“Everest: The Other Side” chronicles Morrison’s deeply personal effort to become the first person to ski the North Face of Mount Everest. Considered the mountain’s most challenging and dangerous face, it is also regarded as one of the most sought-after ski descents in the world.

Through the film, Morrison hopes audiences will feel encouraged to confront the obstacles he describes as their own personal Everest.

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He said that everyone eventually faces a defining challenge, whether it involves grief, a loved one’s illness, a major personal ambition or several hardships at once. His hope is that viewers leave inspired to move forward, live fully and pursue their goals one step at a time.

Chin, whose documentary “Free Solo” won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, also explained why Morrison’s story appealed to him as a filmmaker.

He said he is drawn to movies built around powerful human experiences that can resonate with audiences. With “Everest: The Other Side,” Chin hopes viewers are emotionally affected and inspired, while also giving them a perspective on Mount Everest unlike anything they have seen before.

“Everest: The Other Side” is now playing in theaters and IMAX.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of National Geographic and this ABC station.

Anyone planning to visit relatives or friends this holiday season may face a steep travel bill, with airfares, hotel rooms and rental cars all becoming more expensive.

Travel booking platform Hopper says the average domestic round-trip flight for Thanksgiving is now $402, representing a 31 percent increase from last year. Christmas flights are averaging $452, up 23 percent.

Travel specialists warn that postponing bookings could be particularly costly this year, as prices for the busiest holiday dates continue to move higher.

Experts shared several ways travelers can reduce their holiday travel costs, including flying on the holiday itself, considering alternatives to air travel and cutting back on unnecessary add-ons.

The most effective strategy is flexibility. Being open to different travel dates, airports and departure times can make a major difference when holiday prices are rising.

Sally French, a travel analyst with personal finance website NerdWallet and co-host of the Smart Travel podcast, told the Daily Mail that travelers should not assume last-minute flight deals will appear.

Holding off in the hope that fares will drop may ultimately cost more. Prices on popular holiday routes are expected to climb between now and Christmas, while both Thanksgiving and Christmas are on track to record their highest airfares in a decade. Higher jet fuel costs are adding to the pressure.

Hotel rates are rising too, though the increase differs between the two holidays. Christmas accommodations are averaging $197 per night, 18 percent higher than in 2025, while Thanksgiving stays remain comparatively stable at about $170.

Change your travel dates – and consider flying on Thanksgiving

Following the traditional pattern of leaving on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and coming home the Sunday afterward may be especially expensive this year.

Hopper estimates that domestic round-trip flights returning on Sunday, November 29, will cost an average of roughly $604.

Travelers who can delay their return until Monday or Tuesday could pay about $350 instead, potentially saving as much as $250 on each ticket.

Flying to the destination on Monday, November 23, is also projected to be more affordable. Average fares are expected to be around $370, compared with approximately $420 for a Wednesday departure.

Those prepared to give up some time with family could find another bargain by traveling on Thanksgiving Day, when average fares are estimated at about $371.

‘I know, nobody wants to spend Thanksgiving morning at the airport,’ French said. ‘But because the holiday is typically one of the least expensive days to fly during the season, it can be the simplest way to cut costs.’

A similar tactic could work for Christmas. Moving a departure away from the weekend immediately preceding December 25 may bring the price down significantly.

Susannah Streeter, a personal finance specialist at Wealth Club, advises travelers to review fares throughout the week instead of focusing on a single departure date.

‘With demand surging around Thanksgiving and Christmas, the cost of getting from A to B can take a hefty bite out of holiday budgets,’ Streeter told the Daily Mail.

‘If you can move your departure by a day or two, check prices across the entire week rather than committing to one date. It is also worth comparing nearby airports and a range of departure times.’

Book early, travel early and don’t gamble on a last-minute bargain

Anyone still holding out for a dramatic airfare price drop may want to rethink their strategy.

French warned that, unlike hotels and cruises, where last-minute deals can sometimes appear, cheap flights are much harder to find as departure dates approach.

Her advice is to book rather than wait in the hope that fares will suddenly tumble. Hopper is also urging travelers to secure their flights and hotel stays before Halloween, warning that prices are already elevated and availability will become increasingly limited.

Once tickets are booked, the time of day you travel can be just as important as the date. French recommends choosing the first flight out in the morning, as delays can snowball throughout the day when aircraft and crews are held up by earlier disruptions.

An early departure gives passengers a better chance of getting away on time and, if something goes wrong, leaves more opportunities to be rebooked onto another flight.

She also advises avoiding tight connections, particularly during winter when bad weather can wreak havoc with schedules.

If a layover is unavoidable, allowing extra time between flights could save the misery of being stranded overnight in an airport.

And while paying more for a nonstop flight might initially seem painful, it could prove money well spent during the busiest travel period of the year.

Think twice before flying – driving, buses and trains could be cheaper

For families traveling together, taking to the road could work out considerably cheaper than buying individual plane tickets.

Streeter suggests comparing the full cost of driving against flying, including luggage, airport transfers, parking and car rental.

Long-distance buses such as Greyhound can also provide a more affordable way to travel between US cities, particularly for those booking ahead and avoiding peak departure times.

Amtrak trains are another possibility on suitable routes, although travelers should remember that rail and bus fares can rise when demand is high, too.

A longer journey does not necessarily have to mean a miserable one, with downloaded movies, podcasts, games and playlists helping to keep passengers entertained.

For those hiring a car, however, the advertised daily rate is only part of the story. Additional-driver charges, tolls, fuel policies and one-way drop-off fees can quickly inflate the bill.

Kara Gammell, a personal finance expert at MoneySuperMarket, advises shoppers to examine the small print before committing to a rental agreement.

She also suggests checking whether an existing auto insurance policy or credit card already provides suitable rental car protection, rather than automatically paying for additional cover.

However, travelers should check exactly what is included, as liability insurance and damage protection for the rental vehicle are not necessarily the same thing.

Don’t ditch travel insurance to save a few dollars

When budgets are stretched, travel insurance can look like an easy expense to cut. But experts warn that skipping cover could leave travelers facing a far bigger bill if something goes wrong.

A medical emergency overseas, an unexpected evacuation or a cancelled trip could result in thousands of dollars in costs, particularly if flights, hotels and excursions have already been paid for and cannot be refunded.

Streeter says travelers should look for a policy that matches their destination and the type of trip they are taking, rather than simply choosing the cheapest option.

For international trips, medical expenses and emergency evacuation limits deserve particular attention.

Those traveling within the US should check what their existing health insurance covers away from home, alongside protection for cancellations, delays and lost baggage.

Gammell also recommends arranging travel insurance when booking a holiday, rather than leaving it until the last minute. This means eligible cancellation cover can be in place before departure, subject to the policy’s terms and conditions.

Both experts also advise checking existing credit card benefits and insurance policies before buying additional protection, as there is little point paying twice for the same cover.

Watch the hidden charges – and keep an eye out for holiday deals

The price displayed when booking a holiday can be deceptively attractive, with a growing list of extras capable of turning a bargain into a budget-buster.

Checked baggage, seat selection, airport transfers and additional insurance can all add considerably to the final cost.

French recommends traveling with carry-on luggage where possible, not only to avoid baggage fees but also to give passengers greater flexibility if they need to change flights at short notice.

Those heading overseas should also check whether their debit or credit cards charge foreign transaction or ATM withdrawal fees. When paying abroad, choosing to be charged in the local currency rather than US dollars will often result in a better exchange rate.

Streeter advises carrying a backup card and keeping it somewhere separate from the main one in case it is lost, stolen or blocked. She also warns against being tempted by non-refundable hotel and travel bookings without considering the potential consequences if plans change.

A slightly more expensive flexible booking could ultimately save money if bad weather, illness or an unexpected family situation means a trip has to be cancelled.

Cruises deserve particular scrutiny, too, as the advertised fare can be just the beginning once port fees, gratuities, drinks packages, Wi-Fi, excursions and transport to the departure port are included.

Gammell told the Daily Mail travelers should set a realistic spending budget before leaving, taking into account everything from transport and accommodation to meals, activities and everyday spending.

‘Ultimately, the cheapest headline price won’t always represent the best value. Taking a little time to compare the full cost and stripping out extras you don’t need can make a real difference to your holiday budget,’ said Gammell.

There could also be opportunities for those who are still hoping to book a getaway without paying peak-season prices. 

French expects travel companies to offer discounts around Black Friday and Travel Tuesday, with hotels and cruise operators potentially among those offering attractive promotions.

She believes some travel brands will be keen to entice customers who have been priced out of holidays by rising costs.

But the key is to compare offers carefully rather than assuming every advertised discount represents a genuine bargain.

For those prepared to be flexible, travel slightly outside peak dates or consider a different way of getting to their destination, the festive getaway need not cost a small fortune.

A Southside Virginia lawmaker is calling for an investigation after a constituent received an official certificate restoring the rights of Biscuit, a beagle-hound mix from Goochland County that died roughly five years ago.

The case follows the “Betty No Last Name” controversy in Chesapeake, in which the rights of a purported convict without a surname were restored. It also raises new questions about Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s vetting process just days before voters decide whether to automatically restore voting rights to felons through an Election Day ballot measure backed by Richmond Democrats.

Del. Tom Garrett, R-Buckingham, received the certificate from Biscuit’s owner and is demanding an investigation into how the governor’s office could have restored voting and jury-service rights to a deceased dog.

“This is not a question of whether people who have served their sentences deserve a second chance. This is a question of whether the Commonwealth is exercising one of the Governor’s constitutional powers with even the most basic level of review,” Garrett said.

“Biscuit was a dog. Biscuit has been dead for five years. Yet an official document bearing the governor’s signature says the executive reviewed the particulars of Biscuit’s criminal case and determined her rights should be restored. Virginians deserve an explanation for how that is possible.”

Biscuit’s owner, who asked not to be identified because of concerns about political backlash, confirmed the letter’s authenticity to Fox News Digital. In a statement to Garrett, the owner described Biscuit as a “good dog” who “is greatly missed.”

“To my knowledge, she was never convicted of a felony, nor did she ever show any interest in voting,” the owner said.

Fox News Digital contacted Spanberger’s office for comment.

A Spanberger spokesperson responded, “Of course we did not restore the rights of a dog. We cannot disclose this individual’s information, but we can tell you that it is associated with a person with a date of birth and Social Security number.”

Fox News Digital sought additional clarification about the possible error but did not receive a response.

The owner said Biscuit was never taken to a pound or had any other contact with Richmond that might have led to her being placed on voter-registration records.

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The owner said a sibling is currently incarcerated but maintained that the connection is irrelevant because Spanberger’s stated initiative applies only to former convicts who have been released.

Garrett pointed to a July statement from the Spanberger administration saying Secretary of the Commonwealth Candi Mundon-King would be “proactively identifying Virginians who had lost their rights, confirming that those individuals were eligible, and restoring their rights.”

In August, Spanberger said the initial estimate of 66,000 people had grown to 100,000 individuals whose rights had been restored since the Democrat took office in January.

“The administration told Virginians these individuals were being identified and their eligibility confirmed,” Garrett said. He called for an investigation into how a restoration certificate bearing Biscuit’s name was issued.

“The document itself represents that the executive reviewed the particulars of each case. If a deceased family pet made it through that process as a convicted felon, then we need to know what was actually reviewed, what databases were used, what safeguards existed, and how many other erroneous restorations were issued.”

Garrett, who works as an attorney in Fluvanna County when he is not legislating, said Virginia should immediately conduct an independent audit of Spanberger’s rights-restoration actions. He also called for the release of the underlying record that led to “Biscuit Rigsby” being identified as a convicted felon, along with an explanation of what the governor’s office means by its “review of the particulars” of Biscuit’s case.

He said the investigation should determine how many certificates and citations were issued to deceased, nonexistent or duplicate individuals and should require the immediate preservation of relevant data.

Garrett said his concerns are not partisan, adding that Virginians who support restoring the voting rights of released felons should be outraged by the Biscuit case.

“At what point does rank incompetence and malfeasance become criminal conduct?” Garrett said in a video posted to social media.

With Virginians set to vote Tuesday on whether to make voting-rights restoration automatic upon release from incarceration, Garrett is demanding answers about the administration’s existing review process — including how a dog that died five years ago apparently made it through.

A long-running dispute over the type of gravel allowed in front yards has erupted into a pepper-spray confrontation in an affluent Arizona community, leaving one homeowners association director hospitalized.

Lonnie Muto, a director of the Scottsdale Mountain Community Association, became involved in the August 6 incident with neighbors David Creed and Sheila Janisch near 136th Street and East Via Linda Road in North Scottsdale.

A police report obtained by The Arizona Republic said Muto was traveling with his wife, Jane, when he stopped and got out of the vehicle carrying pepper spray. He believed the couple had thrown an object at their car.

The dispute soon became physical, and Creed and Janisch were also exposed to pepper spray during the clash.

Muto was transported to a hospital for minor injuries, while Creed and Janisch were treated for the effects of the spray, according to the report.

Police recommended an assault charge against Muto, but he was not taken into custody.

On August 10, four days after the confrontation, a Scottsdale City Court judge issued an order of protection against Muto. It was not immediately clear who the order was designed to safeguard.

The dramatic street encounter represents the latest flashpoint in a neighborhood conflict that has continued for years and began with a seemingly ordinary question: which types of decorative rock residents could use in their yards.

The disagreement traces back to 2020, when Janisch altered the landscaping at her home, reportedly as part of efforts to address water damage.

In a lawsuit filed in 2024, Janisch and Creed alleged that the Scottsdale Mountain Community Association, several board members and Jane Muto retaliated against them because of the landscaping work.

They said they were singled out for using gray riprap and Table Mesa brown rock, arguing that other homeowners had installed the same materials without receiving comparable scrutiny.

The HOA’s design rules prohibit river-run rock in front yards and require residents to secure approval from the architectural committee before making landscaping changes.

The guidelines also limit decomposed granite to three approved colors: Madison Gold, Desert Gold and Desert Tan.

What began as a disagreement over landscaping eventually developed into a wide-ranging legal battle.

Janisch and Creed alleged that the association and the other defendants threatened foreclosure proceedings, defamed them, disabled their electronic gate access, withheld HOA records and conducted executive sessions without giving proper notice.

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Under the association’s gate policy, access transmitters can be disabled when homeowners violate the rules. Restoring access requires a $250 payment for each transmitter, separate from any fines that may have been assessed.

The feud intensified again in 2025, when an anonymous letter was reportedly distributed to approximately 700 homeowners while Janisch was seeking a position on the HOA board.

The lawsuit said the letter accused Janisch and Creed of making numerous false claims in their legal case and suggested that Janisch was pursuing a board seat so she could forgive her own fines and sanctions.

The association has pushed back against the accusations, insisting it believes the evidence will show it followed its governing documents and applicable Arizona laws.

Board representative and attorney Chuck Oldham said the association was aware of the police report but had no comment on the incident at the time.

He added that the board would not discuss specific allegations while the litigation remained active, while Creed was advised by his attorney not to comment.

The case also shines a light on the wider tensions surrounding homeowners associations across Arizona, where disputes over property rules, fees and enforcement can turn neighbors into bitter adversaries.

Dennis Legere, founder of the Arizona Homeowners Coalition, told The Arizona Republic that HOA conflicts were common across the Phoenix-area Valley, with some associations even bringing security guards or police to meetings.

Arizona law sets requirements for HOA meetings and certain records, although the rules governing what must be disclosed depend on the circumstances.

Scottsdale Mountain is no ordinary suburban enclave, with the guard-gated community home to around 700 properties in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains. 

According to Williams Luxury Homes, current listings include homes priced at around $1.9 million to nearly $3.5 million, with larger custom properties offering expansive desert views, swimming pools and substantial lots. 

The neighborhood also boasts tennis facilities and easy access to hiking trails, making it a sought-after address for buyers looking for luxury living in the Arizona desert. 

Scottsdale Mountain’s association has also pursued legal action over unpaid assessments, including a separate case involving a property owner that ended with an appeals court ruling in the association’s favor.

For the residents caught up in the latest confrontation, however, the neighborhood battle has moved well beyond landscaping committees and arguments over decorative stones.

What began as a disagreement over the look of a front yard has now spilled onto the street, with pepper spray, a hospital visit and a court protection order adding a dramatic new chapter to the long-running feud.