Today is Tuesday, Oct. 7, the 280th day of 2025. There are 85 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Oct. 7, 1998, Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, was beaten and left tied to a wooden fencepost outside of Laramie, Wyoming; he died five days later. Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney are serving life sentences for Shepard’s murder.

Also on this date:

In 1765, the Stamp Act Congress convened in New York to draw up colonial grievances against England.

Related Articles

Google’s Play Store shake-up looms after Supreme Court refuses to delay overhaul of the monopoly

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ lawyers want him sent to a New Jersey federal prison that offers drug treatment

Authorities shoot and kill black bear believed to have fatally mauled man in Arkansas

EF5 tornado that killed 3 in North Dakota was the nation’s first in 12 years

US Treasury sanctions Mexican companies accused of aiding Sinaloa cartel’s fentanyl production

In 1913, the first moving assembly line began operation at the Ford Motor Company factory in Highland Park, Michigan.

In 1916, in the most lopsided victory in college football history, Georgia Tech defeated Cumberland University 222-0 in Atlanta.

In 1985, Palestinian gunmen hijacked the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro (ah-KEE’-leh LOW’-roh) in the Mediterranean Sea. The hijackers shot and killed Leon Klinghoffer, a Jewish American tourist in a wheelchair, and pushed him overboard, before surrendering on Oct. 9.

In 1992, trade representatives of the United States, Canada and Mexico initialed the North American Free Trade Agreement during a ceremony in San Antonio, Texas, in the presence of President George H.W. Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari.

In 2001, war in Afghanistan started as the United States and Britain launched air attacks against military targets and Osama bin Laden’s training camps in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. The U.S. military completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan to end the 20-year war on Aug. 30, 2021.

In 2003, California voters recalled Gov. Gray Davis and elected Arnold Schwarzenegger their new governor.

In 2023, Hamas launched air and ground attacks on Israel, killing nearly 1,200 and taking more than 250 hostages. The attacks, followed hours later by Israeli counterattacks, marked the beginning of the current Israel-Hamas War.

Today’s Birthdays:

Author Thomas Keneally is 90.
Singer John Mellencamp is 74.
Rock musician Tico Torres (Bon Jovi) is 72.
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma is 70.
Recording executive and TV personality Simon Cowell is 66.
Singer-actor Toni Braxton is 58.
Rock singer-musician Thom Yorke (Radiohead) is 57.
Actor Nicole Ari Parker is 55.
Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson is 49.
Singer Taylor Hicks is 49.
Actor Omar Miller is 47.
MLB outfielder Mookie Betts is 33.

The Prime Big Deal Days event is Oct. 7-8 this year. It’s like the little brother of Amazon’s actual Prime Day sale (in July), with pages of Prime member-exclusive deals to sift through.

Related Articles

Google’s Play Store shake-up looms after Supreme Court refuses to delay overhaul of the monopoly

Solar and wind power has grown faster than electricity demand this year, report says

Why fears of a trillion-dollar AI bubble are growing

Transportation Secretary says government shutdown adds stress on air traffic controllers

Bari Weiss is the new editor-in-chief of CBS News after Paramount buys her website

Amazon bills this as a holiday shopping event, but, for deal-conscious consumers, it’s simply a good time to get a price break on popular products.

“I like to say it’s a buyer’s market around this time of year,” says Trae Bodge, the shopping expert at TrueTrae.com.

That’s because it’s not just Amazon rolling out deals. Target’s Circle Week sale is Oct. 5-11, and the Walmart Deals event is Oct. 7-12. Best Buy’s members-only event runs now through Oct. 5.

As you gear up for deal days, it’s important to think about what you need, check prices and set your shopping budget. We’ll help you consider which categories to buy or skip.

Why big sales matter

“Sale moments like this are more important than ever for consumers on a budget,” says Bodge.

Average consumer prices were up 2.9% year-over-year in August, according to the latest inflation data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but in general, everything feels expensive right now.

In the United States, 43% of consumers reported rising prices as their biggest concern, followed by tariff policies (29%), in the McKinsey ConsumerWise Global Sentiment Survey. The data was collected in April-May 2025 and the list of choices included immigration, political polarization, climate change and other key issues.

While cheaper meat and milk would be great, a good price on a new vacuum may have to tide you over.

Early deals are in effect

On Amazon, we’ve spotted worthy “early deals” on items like the Roku streaming stick, a pack of Crest 3D Whitestrips, a Dyson bladeless fan, a vintage-looking cooler from Coleman and a 75-inch LG QNED TV.

If what you want isn’t on sale yet, save the item in your wish list and note the pre-sale price (take a screenshot, even). Refer to that — or a price tracker — when it’s time to buy.

What to buy on Prime Big Deal Days

There are several categories you can count on for deals as you build your shopping list. Based on our coverage of past Prime Day sales, we have a hunch the ‘product we’re watching’ listed below each category will see a price break. Take note of these current prices now so you’ll be able to spot a good deal when you see one.

Toys

Knocking out toy purchases is a logical way to get ahead of the holiday curve, says Bodge. And according to Amazon’s press materials, you can expect deals on the brands kids love, like Lego, Fisher-Price, Magna-Tiles and Tonies. Kids like bikes, scooters and board games, too. With toys, you can buy now and save for Christmas.

Product we’re watching: Magna-Tiles classic 100-piece set (Amazon price at the time of writing: $119.99).

Name-brand tech (like Apple)

Prime Day sales are known for good deals on gadgets, and Amazon often sells Apple products cheaper than Apple does. The regular price of the just-released AirPods Pro 3 earbuds is $249, for example, but Amazon may take a few bucks off this hot new product for the sale.

Check out AirPods Pro 2 (still available on Amazon at the time of writing) or AirPods 4 for the chance to save more. Look for deals from other popular brands, such as Beats, Sony, Samsung, LG and Sonos. Reputable tech brands would be remiss to skip a sale with this much attention.

Product we’re watching: Apple iPad 11-inch Wi-Fi model with 128GB (price on Amazon at the time of writing: $319).

Small home and kitchen appliances

Need a new air fryer, stand mixer, coffee maker or vacuum cleaner this season? Prime Big Deal Days is a great time to get gadgets that make life easier.

Product we’re watching: Ninja 12-cup programmable coffee brewer in stainless steel (price on Amazon at the time of writing: $89.99).

Everyday essentials

Do you need pet food, shampoo, paper towels, socks or granola bars? Use Prime Big Deal Days, Target Circle Week and Walmart’s sale to replenish the stuff that runs out — at a discount. It could be the most guilt-free way to get in on the October sale action. On Amazon, you can navigate to the “buy it again” tab in your cart, then scroll through past purchases.

Product we’re watching: Larabar cashew cookie pack of 16 bars (price on Amazon at the time of writing: $18.56).

What to skip during Prime Day in October

Some product categories may not be worth your time or money during Prime Big Deal Days. Consider skipping:

Large appliances, furniture and mattresses: Steer clear of the big household items — like a new bed or refrigerator — you’d typically buy around Labor Day. “Those were just on sale, so I wouldn’t even look at them right now,” says Bodge.
Off-brand electronics: Gadgets from brands you don’t know well or items without many reviews may lack quality. Plus, a deal on something already priced low may not be as valuable. Take advantage of good discounts from tech brands you trust. Look for items that come with a warranty and good customer service.
Winter apparel: “You’re not going to find clearance-level deals on apparel,” predicts Bodge. Instead, try for later in October or wait for Black Friday sales in November, when many more clothing brands roll out deals.

How to confirm good deals on Big Deal Days

All the sale activity can be “dizzying for consumers,” Bodge says. A little research can level you out.

You can refer to your screenshot of the product price before the sale. You can also spend a few minutes on a site like Keepa or CamelCamelCamel to check the price of products sold on Amazon over time and confirm the quality of an advertised markdown.

Another price history hack? Ask AI for the ‘going rate’ of a popular product. I tried this on ChatGPT for the 2025 base iPad and got results that say somewhere around $299 is a common price for the 128GB Wi-Fi model among retailers in recent weeks, despite the Apple Store price of $349.

Look for less than that at Amazon and other stores on Prime Big Deal Days, or leave it.

But just because it’s a good time to buy stuff, doesn’t mean a new tech product fits into your budget.

“Slow down, take a breath, and be methodical about what you buy,” advises Bodge.

If you miss the chance to save this time, we have a hunch Black Friday will bring another dizzying set of deals.

Tommy Tindall writes for NerdWallet. Email: ttindall@nerdwallet.com.

The article A Buyer’s Market: What To Get During Prime Big Deal Days originally appeared on NerdWallet.

Colin Bracewell didn’t get any chairs to turn for his blind audition on “The Voice” on Monday night, but the judges encouraged the Stillwater singer to keep trying.

Bracewell, dressed in a fuzzy pink cardigan and brown slacks, sang the Bee Gees’ classic “More than a Woman” in the nationwide singing competition on NBC. He ended the song by singing in falsetto.

“I wish you would have sung it in falsetto from the beginning,” Snoop Dogg said. “You put your own spin on it. But I started to hear all the things that you could do with your vocals towards the end, and then the clock ran out. This is just one day, and one day doesn’t make your career as long as you live to see the next day.”

Bracewell, 24, also sang several bars of opera at Snoop Dog’s request.

Niall Horan, who became famous as a member of the boy band One Direction, told Bracewell to continue to pursue his passion. He also told Bracewell that he loved his outfit.

“Colin, I’m so sorry, man,” Horan said. “Going in and out of head and chest voice is so difficult to do. Honestly, come back because I’m telling you a different song and a different mood with that tone. You’ll go places, no doubt.”

Bracewell’s older brother, Chad, also appeared on the show wearing a “Chad ‘The Merch Man’ Bracewell” T-shirt. Chad Bracewell, who has a rare genetic disorder and is on the autism spectrum, is a well-known fixture at Bracewell’s concerts, helping sell merchandise and chatting with fans.

“My brother inspires me to make the most of every opportunity,” Colin Bracewell said. “I can always count on him. Everyone knows him at my shows now, and he’s great. … My brother is an inspiration to chase this dream. If there’s some way that I can continue to do music, having my brother be there with me every step of the way, that would be the dream. I wouldn’t want anything else.”

Related Articles

Forest Lake schools presses state leaders to follow federal order on trans athletes

Woodbury: Kids paint ‘Peanuts’ mural at Shriners Children’s hospital between visits

Woodbury Central Park to reopen this month in phases

With city hall crumbling and its replacement burned, Lakeland officials explore buying

Stillwater Harvest Fest celebrates fall with pumpkin drops, races

Chad Bracewell was invited to come out on stage and gave each of the judges — Horan, Snoop Dogg, Michael Bublé and Reba McEntire — one of his brother’s hats.

“This is better than my merch,” Bublé said.

@nbcthevoice

Colin Bracewell shines on #MoreThanAWoman by BeesGees! #TheVoice | @NBC and Peacock

♬ original sound – NBC’s The Voice

The Forest Lake School board and close to 100 school board members from districts across Minnesota are asking the state education department and the state governing body for high school athletics to comply with a Trump administration demand to bar transgender athletes from girls sports.

Forest Lake board members voted to send a letter to statewide leaders last week after a federal civil rights investigation found that Minnesota and the Minnesota State High School League had violated Title IX, federal law banning sex discrimination in education, “by allowing males to compete in female sports and occupy female intimate facilities.”

In a ruling released last Tuesday, the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services’ civil rights offices gave the league and the state of Minnesota 10 days to make changes or risk losing federal funding.

A group of close to 100 school board members from around 40 districts from across the state independently signed on to a similar letter on Monday, largely from smaller communities outside the Twin Cities metro, though a few signed on from Washington County Schools, Anoka Hennepin Schools, and other suburban communities.

Forest Lake School Board President Curt Rebelein introduced the letter to members at their Oct. 2 meeting, saying the district needed to push the state and league to act as noncompliance could risk continued funding.

“As recipients of federal financial assistance, failure to correct these violations directly threatens our schools’ ability to serve our students and communities,” Rebelein wrote in a letter, which also was signed by school board member Tessa Antonson.

“Protecting fairness in women’s sports is paramount,” the letter continues. “The federal determination highlights how permitting males to compete on female teams displaces female athletes from podiums, denies them advancement opportunities, and diminishes their visibility and recognition in competitions.”

4-3 vote by Forest Lake school board

A resolution to send the letter passed on a 4-3 vote of the school board, with opposed members raising concerns that it was not placed on the agenda and that they did not have enough time to review the letter.

Board member Gail Theisen voted against sending the letter because it came as a surprise and because school district attorneys hadn’t reviewed the language. Rebelein said he had his own attorneys review the letter and that he wanted to send it as soon as possible because federal officials had given state officials just a little over a week to comply.

As of Monday, the Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison had not released their plans on how they will react to demands from the administration of President Donald Trump.

In a statement last week, the department said it was reviewing the letter and “remains committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and supportive school community.”

Transgender athletes

It’s unclear just how many transgender athletes participate in Minnesota school sports. Federal officials said they found transgender athletes had participated in girls’ sports, including lacrosse skiing, track and field, volleyball and softball.

The Minnesota State High School League, which has allowed students to decide whether to participate in boys or girls sports based on their gender identity since 2014, had not publicly signaled its plans as of Monday.

MSHSL Executive Director Erich Martens couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Monday.

The recent Title IX investigation is the latest development in the Trump administration’s push to end transgender participation in girls’ sports. Trump issued an executive order on the issue earlier this year and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi threatened Minnesota officials with legal action if they did not comply.

The MSHSL following the order would likely violate the state Human Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause of the state Constitution, which includes protections for different sexual orientations and gender identities. But the group said it would cooperate with a Title IX investigation.

The league also sought advice from Ellison, who later issued an opinion supporting their stance.

Related Articles

Woodbury: Kids paint ‘Peanuts’ mural at Shriners Children’s hospital between visits

Woodbury Central Park to reopen this month in phases

With city hall crumbling and its replacement burned, Lakeland officials explore buying

Stillwater Harvest Fest celebrates fall with pumpkin drops, races

For Stillwater singer Colin Bracewell, appearing on ‘The Voice’ is the chance of a lifetime