September 25, 2026
Endings and Beginnings
This week on Slow News Co., the stories seemed to hinge on things that outlast us, and the ones we choose to let go.
Second Acts, Unlikely Pivots
The week opened in Munich as Oktoberfest kicked off with the ceremonial first keg, a tradition that has drawn millions year after year. Across the ocean, an Iowa family proved traditions can be rewritten when a hog farm traded bacon for mushrooms, transforming their land into something entirely new. Meanwhile, Albany, Australia, is quietly shedding its rough-edged reputation for an ambitious dining scene, and orphaned raccoon kits in Mississippi got a crash course in survival at a wildlife boot camp, learning to thrive in the wild after losing everything familiar.
Munich's mayor kicked off Oktoberfest by tapping the ceremonial first keg in front of a roaring crowd. The 16-day festival draws millions of visitors from around the world each year to celebrate Bavarian beer culture and hearty food. This year's opening ceremony set the tone for weeks of lederhosen, oompah bands, and endless steins.
The Faaborg family's central Iowa farm once raised thousands of hogs for slaughter, but now they're cultivating specialty mushrooms instead. Tanner Faaborg and his family made the leap from livestock to fungi, transforming their operation into something entirely new. It's a surprising pivot that shows how farmers are rethinking what the land - and their business - can produce.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Albany-Australia-Dining-Destination-FT-DGTL09260-hero-e37d710c9b0c41d8aaa82f7c117848d2.jpg)
Perched on Australia's rugged southern coast, Albany is trading its unpolished reputation for an ambitious new dining scene.
A Mississippi wildlife facility is teaching abandoned raccoon kits the skills they need to survive in the wild.
Things That Endure (and Things That Refuse to Let Go)
Some stories this week celebrated what refuses to fade. A centuries-old Aztec manuscript made its way home to Mexico after years abroad, while the two Voyager probes, launched in 1977, are still sending data from the edge of interstellar space, defying all odds. A new research study suggested learning a second language might be one of the best ways to keep your brain sharp as you age, and Futurama proved yet again it knows how to say goodbye better than any show before it, approaching another finale with grace.
Some endings, though, felt messier. A royal book exposed the complicated bond between a famous sibling pair, and Robert Pattinson dove headfirst into the twisted psyche of a predator-hunting TV host in a film that might be the finest role of his career. Across New York, chaos erupted when a pop-up shop led to a bookstore owner's arrest, and newly divorced men opened up about the painfully awkward world of dating apps after a split.
A centuries-old manuscript chronicling Aztec history has returned to Mexico after years spent abroad. The rare document offers a fascinating glimpse into the civilization's rich cultural legacy.
NASA launched two probes in 1977 to explore the outer solar system, taking advantage of a rare planetary alignment. Decades later, the Voyager missions are still sending data from the edge of interstellar space.
New research suggests that learning a second language is one of the most effective ways to protect your brain as you age. The mental gymnastics required to master new sounds, grammar, and vocabulary appear to strengthen cognitive resilience over time.
As Futurama's 11th-season finale approaches on September 28th, the show proves once again that it has mastered the art of ending, unlike almost any series before it.
As Charles Spencer's explosive new book puts him at odds with the royal family, a closer look reveals the complicated bond he shared with his sister, Princess Diana. Their relationship moved from close childhood companionship to more distant adult years.
Robert Pattinson dives headfirst into the tangled psyche of Chris Hansen, the man behind To Catch a Predator. Director Lance Oppenheim's Primetime turns a media crusade into a hypnotic character study. Pattinson's performance might just be the finest of his career.
A Harry Styles merchandise pop-up brought swarms of fans to the East Village this week, and the chaos didn't stay contained to the sidewalk. A local bookstore owner found himself swept up in the commotion, ultimately leading to his arrest. The bizarre incident has left neighbors buzzing about how a pop-up shop turned into a police matter.
-1b068b9f.jpeg?trim=675,160,929,364&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
Divorced dad Stephen Armstrong opens up about navigating dating apps and awkward run-ins with younger women, revealing why so many men rush to move on after a split.
The Small and Strange, the Wonderful and Weird
The week had no shortage of surprises, from Alaska's fattest bears competing for glory in the annual Fat Bear Week tournament to an opera about a dead son getting a haunting sneak peek at a Brooklyn cemetery. A single-celled organism set a heat record by reproducing at 145°F, and China confirmed ancient records of nasal amputation as punishment with a skeleton discovery. Ikebana practitioners found mindfulness through flower arranging, and an aerial cellist in Las Vegas proved you can play upside down in midair if you really commit to it.
Some small joys landed close to home. Seven one-pan Mediterranean dinners promised big taste with minimal cleanup, a simple fridge trick finally stopped onion tears, and Katz's Deli brought back its cult-favorite pickle ice cream. Food & Wine editors rounded up their favorite bites of the year so far, and a crunchy apple cucumber salad welcomed fall with just the right balance of sweet and cool.
Have a great weekend, and come back to Slow News Co. for more stories that stick around.
Alaska's salmon-fattened brown bears are ready to battle it out in the biggest Fat Bear Week tournament yet. Fans can vote for their favorite chunky contender as the bears prepare for hibernation.
A new opera exploring the tragic death of Abraham Lincoln's young son is getting a haunting sneak peek at Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery. The eerie setting promises to add extra chills to this historical tale.
Scientists have discovered Incendiamoeba cascadensis, a single-celled organism that can reproduce at temperatures up to 145°F, setting a new heat record for complex life.
Archaeologists in China found a skeleton with damage around the nose, possibly confirming ancient records of nasal amputation as punishment.
The centuries-old Japanese practice of ikebana continues to attract people seeking mindfulness and tranquility through flower arranging.
Cellista trains and performs her instrument while suspended in the air, blending acrobatics with music in a Las Vegas-based act.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20250828-SEA-GreekChicken-JenCausey-00-e22924780d50488e9af605e008acd941.jpg)
These seven one-pan dinners bring the vibrant, sun-soaked flavors of the Mediterranean to your kitchen table. From green shakshuka to spicy salmon with eggplant, each recipe promises big taste with minimal cleanup.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20220511-CuttingOnions-Amanda-Suarez-_34-2a017b21b6ad46ea8b1a51a4b62e9b45.jpg)
Turns out chilling your onions before you chop them can seriously cut down on the tears.
The iconic New York deli has teamed up with Kith Treats once again to serve its cult-favorite pickle-flavored ice cream.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Best-Bites-2026-According-FW-Editors-FT-DGTL0926-LeChene-c6827032153741859060eff6d05a91a0.jpg)
Food & Wine's editors traveled coast to coast this year to track down the most delicious dishes in America.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20260923-SEA-AppleandCucumberSalad-MorganWard-HERO-f68edee28138467fa561834dad0a7448.jpg)
This crunchy, refreshing salad combines sweet apples and cool cucumbers for a burst of autumn flavor.