Police crack down on Halloween celebrations in China
Halloween celebrations are a relatively new phenomenon in China, but authorities in several major cities reportedly cracked down on public costume events this year. Officials expressed concerns that participants might use their outfits to send subtle messages of dissent toward the government.
Under President Xi Jinping, China’s cultural environment has been tightly controlled, with Western holidays like Halloween facing increased scrutiny. Authorities have imposed sweeping restrictions on cultural expression and political dissent, remaining particularly cautious about ideas that could undermine loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party.
In 2023, young people in Shanghai and other cities embraced Halloween with costumes that hinted at frustrations over COVID-19 restrictions, including hazmat suits and security camera-inspired outfits.
This year, however, the atmosphere was quieter, though police maintained a noticeable presence. In downtown Shanghai, officers lined the streets, checked IDs, and, in some cases, instructed individuals to change out of their costumes. In other cities like Hangzhou, police dispersed crowds, reportedly in response to noise complaints.
Despite these restrictions, Halloween continues to serve as a rare outlet for young Chinese to express themselves through costumes, often with a clever, symbolic twist. This year’s costumes focused less on political themes, incorporating references to historical figures, Chinese folklore, and popular memes, such as Huawei’s tri-fold smartphone.
However, costumes with lighthearted themes occasionally drew police attention.
Attendees noted the unpredictability of police actions, with officers making on-the-spot judgments regarding certain costumes. In one instance, a bar owner reported that authorities advised against hosting Halloween parties entirely.
Shanghai, often seen as a hub of cultural openness in China, has found its Halloween celebrations revealing ongoing tensions between the desire for self-expression and government control.
For some young people, Halloween represents one of the last opportunities for “revenge entertainment,” a chance to break free, if briefly, from the constraints of daily life under government oversight.
Nerds Gummy Clusters rack up $500M in 2024 before Halloween
Straight Arrow News reported earlier this week that M&M’s have been named the most popular candy for this year’s Halloween, according to Candystore.com. But Nerds, a brand more synonymous with 1984 than 2024, is making a case for itself with its newest creation, Nerds Gummy Clusters, taking over the confectionery world.
The clusters, consisting of a chewy ball surrounded by crunchy little Nerds candies, have become so popular that they’ve been recently featured in articles for The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
Nerds hit it big in the 1980s. The Willy Wonka Candy Company debuted its iconic dual chamber packaging in 1983. Nerds was named “Candy of the Year” by the National Candy Wholesalers Association in 1985.
But while being seen with Nerds was popular in the 80s — Nestle acquired the brand in 1988 — the candy lost some of its luster in the 90s and 2000s.
In 2018, Nestle sold Nerds and all its U.S. confectionary business to Ferrera Candy for $2.8 billion. The Nerds brand at the time had around $40 million in sales and was seen as a candy from a bygone era. Then, Nerds returned to the spotlight in 2020 with the invention of Nerds Gummy Clusters.
After years of testing and research groups, it was an Instagram review by influencer Kylie Jenner about the clusters that turned them into a candy sensation.
The company said Nerds Gummy Clusters brought in nearly $100 million in sales in 2021. This year, Nerds Gummy Clusters have already garnered $500 million in sales – and this is before Halloween.
The renewed love for Nerds led Ferrera to nearly double its marketing budget. The company placed its first Super Bowl ad in company history, featuring TikTok star Addison Rae.
Ferrara told The New York Times it plans to release a second Super Bowl ad next year. A TD Cowen analyst told The Wall Street Journal that Nerds sales are now rivaling those of chewy competitors Starburst and Skittles.
Halloween 2024: Early shopping, billions in sales, skibidi costumes
New top candy this year as Americans spend almost $12B on Halloween
With Halloween just around the corner, many people are still deciding on costumes but trick-or-treaters already know what treats they are aiming for. According to a 2024 ranking by CandyStory.com, M&M’s jumped to the No. 1 spot this year, dethroning long-time favorite Reese’s Cups, which came in second.
Sour Patch Kids rose two places to secure the third position. Skittles followed in fourth and Starburst came in fifth.
Hot Tamales, Candy Corn, Hershey’s Kisses, Hershey’s Mini Bars and Butterfinger followed the top five, respectively.
Halloween spending on candy alone is expected to reach approximately $3.5 billion this year. Overall, Americans are expected to spend $11.6 billion on Halloween in 2024. That’s a slight decrease from last year’s record-breaking $12.2 billion.
This year, Halloween shoppers started early. Nearly half started Halloween shopping before October. Retailers like Spirit Halloween, Home Depot and even Costco began setting up seasonal displays as early as August.
Tokyo’s Shibuya shuts down Halloween celebrations amid crowd safety concerns
One of the world’s premiere locations to celebrate Halloween is taking steps to crack down on crowds. Tokyo’s Shibuya ward has officially “closed for Halloween” this year, as authorities move to prevent chaos experienced in recent times.
Shibuya has a reputation for street parties, drawing crowds since the early 2010s. As the crowds grew, so did the problems, with drunken behavior, vandalism and even violence during these parties.
Last year, Japanese officials took a stand. They started a campaign with signs which read, “No event for Halloween in Shibuya streets,” and this year, they’re doubling down with a new message, “Shibuya is closed for Halloween.”
A year-round overnight alcohol ban on the street around Shibuya Station was also introduced. Officials are asking shops not to sell alcohol in the last week of October.
There will be a significant amount of police also present, with extra crowd control measures in place. Interestingly, they can’t technically ban people from dressing up or walking around, but the plan is to make Shibuya as inconvenient as possible for partygoers, hoping it will drive them somewhere else.
In the past, “somewhere else” has been Shinjuku ward, and recently the two wards announced that they will be working together to lessen these crowds. The ban on alcohol consumption is in effect daily in Shibuya from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. in areas surrounding JR and Keio Shibuya stations, while Shinjuku’s ban will be in effect for 12 hours, starting at 5 p.m. on Oct. 31.
These precautions reflect the growing concern globally about the dangers of overcrowded areas, whether it’s locals or tourists. This is a fear brought into stark focus by the tragic events in Seoul in 2022.
Just last week, another police officer was sentenced to prison in South Korea for his failure to prevent the deadly Halloween surge that resulted in 159 deaths.
A sex offender brought his case to court over a Halloween law, he won
A U.S. federal judge ruled on Wednesday, Oct. 2, that a Missouri law requiring sex offenders to post warning signs for trick or treaters is unconstitutional. Under Missouri law, convicted sex offenders are mandated to keep outside lights off, stay inside and put up signs saying that they had “no candy” to handout at their homes on Halloween night.
Now, the sign requirement can no longer be enforced by law enforcement throughout the state this Halloween.
The judge’s decision to toss the provision came after Missouri resident Thomas Sanderson, a registered sex offender, filed a lawsuit last year arguing that being forced to put out the warning violated his right to free speech.
Police arrested Sanderson after Halloween in 2022, saying that he put out a large Halloween display and handed out candy to kids.
Sanderson claimed that he was told by authorities in 2006 and 2012 the statute didn’t apply to him because his crime happened before the law was enacted in 2008, and he said that he never had a problem legally before 2022.
Sanderson pleaded guilty to one charge of failure to comply with the Halloween restrictions.
Missouri’s attorney general opposed the effort to overturn the provision, arguing that the law isn’t a violation of First Amendment rights because the state’s duty is to protect vulnerable kids.
Sanderson’s lawyer said there are already protections in the law for children, and she said that parents “should check” sex offender registries “themselves” and “take responsibility.”
Spirit Halloween fires back at ‘SNL’ in cheeky way
A spooky season staple took being the subject of a “Saturday Night Live” parody commercial in stride on Monday, Sept. 30. Spirit Halloween put out its own version of a popular meme to respond to the long-running sketch comedy show’s bit.
During its 50th season premiere the night of Saturday, Sept. 28, the NBC show aired a parody commercial which joked about the Halloween store “providing vulnerable communities with the things they need most: Wigs that give you a rash, single-use fog machines and costumes of famous characters tweaked just enough to avoid a lawsuit.”
The comedy bit also referenced the retailer’s habit of taking over abandoned stores in strip malls, something the company’s website even references.
But Spirit had a joke of its own up its sleeve. Its official X account did a quote post of the sketch with the caption, “We are great at raising things back from the dead.” In the accompanying image, a mocked up costume package reads “Irrelevant 50-year-old TV show,” which includes: “Dated references, Unknown Cast Members, and shrinking ratings.”
Halloween spending is expected to reach a total of $11.6 billion this year according to the National Retail Federation. Candy accounts for $3.5 billion of that while costumes and decorations, Spirit’s bread and butter, account for $3.8 billion each.
Spirit Halloween raked in $1.1 billion of that in revenue in 2023, according to employment recruiters Zippia. The store is owned and operated by Spencers, an equally puzzling mall staple that sells everything from lava lamps to lewd t-shirts, which brings in a reported $4.3 billion in revenue annually.
SNL just premiered it’s 50th season amid a contentious presidential election while this will be Spirit Halloween’s 41st season in operation.
‘Most haunted’ roads in the US detailed in newly released list
With October here, the spooky season is right around the corner. A new list has recently been released detailing and ranking some of the world’s most haunted roads. A spot in New Jersey is near the top of that list.
Clinton Road in West Milford ranks as the most haunted road in the U.S. and the second most haunted in the world, according to Sixt.com.
Tucked away in North Jersey’s forests, it has a reputation that stretches back years. The ghost of a young boy is said to haunt a bridge along the road. The story goes, if a coin is tossed into the water, the boy’s spirit might throw it right back, with the person then chased by an unseen presence.
Interstate 4 in Florida takes the second spot on the list. Locals say there is a “dead zone” along the highway where cellphone and radio signals completely drop. Drivers have even reported mysterious floating balls of light.
Third on the list is owned by Wisconsin’s Bray Road, home to the “beast of Bray Road.” Drivers say a werewolf-life creature is said to prowl the rural highway.
Now there’s a good chance most of this is local hype. The list was compiled by measuring search trends, using Google and TikTok for the road names and accompanying words like “ghost” or “haunted.”
Halloween 2024: Early shopping, billions in sales, skibidi costumes
Halloween 2024 is still weeks away but that hasn’t stopped people from getting ready for it. According to a recent survey of nearly 8,000 people by the National Retail Federation, 47 % began their Halloween shopping before October, up from 32% just 10 years ago.
What’s the reason for the Halloween head-start? Most (48%) say it’s because they are looking forward to the fall season, 38% say it’s to avoid last-minute shopping stress, and 37% say Halloween is just their favorite holiday. Simple as pumpkin pie.
Shoppers are spending “scary” amounts of money on the holiday this year. The Nation Retail Federation said total Halloween spending is expected to reach $11.6 billion in 2024, just under the $12.2 billion record set last year.
And what are people buying to celebrate the holiday? Not surprisingly, three main items: $3.5 billion on candy and $3.7 billion on both decorations and costumes.
If there is any indicator of the state of pop culture in America, it’s the Halloween costume. The NRF said the top costume for kids this year will be Spider-Man with 2.6 million planning to dress up as Marvel’s web-slinger. That’s followed by Halloween staples of ghosts, princesses and witches.
As for adults, witches top the charts, with 5.8 million kids at heart dressing up in wicked attire. Vampire comes in next with 3 million adults donning the Dracula look.
But while the NRF gives a more traditional outlook on this year’s costumes, retailer Spirit Halloween has a different take. The chain dropped its annual list of the hottest costume trends of 2024 on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and its picks are anything but the usual cast of characters.
Tik Tok trends and YouTube sensations make up a good portion of Spirit Halloween’s list, including characters from series popular with Generation Alpha like “The Amazing Digital Circus” and “Skibidi Toilet,” a series that popularized the term “skibidi” for the younger generation, though its meaning is debated.
No ghosts or witches on this list.
And Spirit Halloween seems to be on point as “Skibidi Toilet” is so popular, it’s being developed into a TV and movie franchise by director Michael Bay.
So it appears many already have their Halloween plans in order, whether you plan to go trick or treating as Spider-Man or as Speakerman.
Why are Halloween candy prices up this year? Blame the weather
Dry conditions in Mexico, West Africa, and India are pushing the cost of candy up which could leave trick-or-treaters with less bounty this Halloween. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, candy prices are up 7.5% compared to last year, and are 20% higher than 2021.
Cocoa prices are trading at a 44-year-high, and global sugar prices are at 12-year highs.
The rise in candy cost is thanks to poor harvests related to dry weather along with the high cost of fertilizer. West Africa, which produces most of the world’s cocoa, is facing one of its worst droughts in 20 years.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Mexico, a top U.S. sugar supplier, saw its sugar production fall more than 15% this year due to drought.
The USDA said the decrease in production in Mexico “is due to high fertilizer prices and drought conditions in the main growing regions like Veracruz and Jalisco.”
India, another top sugar producer, has also been hit with dry weather which has affected this years harvest. India has restricted sugar exports to protect its domestic supply.
The rise in candy cost comes as Americans have already been dealing with high food costs. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, from 2021 to 2022, retail food prices rose 11%, the largest annual increase in more than 40 years.
“Many factors that affect the food supply chain can affect retail food prices,” the GOA said. “Such factors include global trade issues, weather events and climate change, animal and plant disease, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.”
Shoppers are expected to spend $3.6 billion on Halloween candy this year, up 16% from last year, per the National Retail Federation.
Straight Arrow News business correspondent Simone Del Rosario has more spooky stats in her latest Five For Friday.
House Republicans propose $14.3 billion in aid to Israel, cut IRS funding: The Morning Rundown, Oct. 31, 2023
House Republicans unveil their plans to send aid to Israel with a bill cutting funding for the IRS. And have you purchased your Halloween candy yet? You might have some sticker shock when you do. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023.
House GOP unveils $14.3 billion Israel aid bill; cuts IRS funding
Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which focused on climate change, health care costs and, taxes, allotted $80 billion in funding for the IRS, for the agency to hire thousands of agents, improve taxpayer services and target wealthy tax evaders.
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In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Oct. 30, Johnson defended the GOP’s bill, saying he knows it will be unpopular with Democrats in the Senate and plans to speak with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
“I understand their priority is to bulk up the IRS. But I think if you put this to the American people and they weigh the two needs, I think they’re going to say standing with Israel and protecting the innocent over there is in our national interest and is a more immediate need than IRS agents,” Johnson said.
Johnson has said he would want aid for Israel and Ukraine to be handled separately.
The House Rules Committee is expected to consider the Republican’s Israel funding bill on Wednesday, Nov. 1. If it passes the House, it would most likely be rejected by the Democratic-controlled Senate and White House.
In a statement, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the bill a “non-starter.”
Netanyahu rejects calls for ceasefire; Israel frees hostage
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said he is rejecting calls for a ceasefire in its ongoing war with Hamas. At a news conference in Tel Aviv on Monday, Oct. 30, Netanyahu said, “Israel will fight until this battle is won…The future of our civilization is at stake.”
Earlier in the day, the Israeli army said during a ground raid in Gaza, it had freed one of the more than 230 hostages taken by Hamas in the deadly terror attacks more than three weeks ago.
Officials said the Israeli soldier was found to be in good condition, and she was reunited with her family. Netanyahu said the soldier’s release a turning point in the war and called for the immediate release of all hostages.
Bankman-Fried is accused of defrauding FTX customers and investors of billions of dollars. In one instance, the prosecution brought up statements he made on social media, promising that customers’ assets would be safe.
Bankman-Fried responded multiple times throughout the questioning with a one-word answer of “yep” or “no.”
He has pleaded not guilty to all fraud and conspiracy charges. If convicted, Bankman-Fried could face decades in prison. The judge in the case has told jurors the trial might wrap up this week.
FDA warns certain over-the-counter eye drops may be contaminated
The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers to stop using certain over-the-counter eye drops that could cause eye infections. The warning covers 27 eye drop products and includes some marketed under store brands like CVS Health, Rite Aid, Target’s Up and Up and Walmart’s Equate, in addition to drops from Rugby and Velocity Pharma brands.
The FDA advised manufacturers to recall the products on Oct. 25 after investigators found “unsanitary conditions” and harmful bacteria in the facility that manufactures the eye drops.
Cost of Halloween candy rises amid drought conditions
Tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 31, trick-or-treaters will be heading to house after house for some candy and chocolate, free of charge. But those same treats are costing shoppers much more at the grocery store this year.
According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, candy prices are up 7.5% compared to last year. Cocoa prices are trading at a 44-year-high, and global sugar prices are at 12-year highs.
Mexico saw its sugar production fall more than 15% this year due to drought.
Shoppers are expected to spend $3.6 billion on Halloween candy this year, up 16% from last year, per the National Retail Federation. Our business correspondent Simone del Rosario has more spooky stats in her latest Five For Friday.
How old is too old to go trick-or-treating?
If you live in Jacksonville, Illinois, it’s unlawful to trick or treat if you are 13 or older. The law is the same if you’re in Rayne, Louisiana. Until a few years ago, there was a law in Chesapeake, Virginia, from the 1970s threatening jail time for teens who went trick or treating.
The law was never enforced and eventually tossed in 2019, though an amendment did pass saying trick-or-treaters should be 14 years old or younger. Anyone older could be fined up to $250 — but no jail time.
According to a recent NBC News survey, 46% of parents believe children are never too old for trick or treating. The next highest number, 16% of adults, felt the trick or treating should stop around age 17 or 18.
