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Articles by Michelle Kitz
Schaefer Family Honors Mom With Cancer Center Kids Room
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer and his family opened the Jennifer Schaefer Child Support Room on Monday at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center in Lake Success, N.Y., a space dedicated to his mother, Jennifer Schaefer, who died of breast cancer in February 2024. The hockey-themed room gives children a place to play while their parents undergo cancer treatment nearby. The $150,000 project was funded by a donation from the Islanders Children’s Foundation.
Dream vs Valkyries Game 5 Preview: Finals Tied 2-2
The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries meet Monday with the WNBA Finals tied 2-2, setting up a winner-take-near-edge Game 5 at Chase Center. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET, with the Dream looking to seize control on the road and the Valkyries looking to protect home court after alternating wins and losses through the first four games.
Minnesota Beats Iowa 13-10 on Late Field Goal
Luke Drzewiecki kicked a 46-yard field goal with five seconds left to lift the Minnesota Golden Gophers past the Iowa Hawkeyes 13-10 on Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium. The kick capped a game decided by four Iowa turnovers and a Minnesota defense that forced three interceptions off Hawkeyes quarterback Hank Brown. Iowa tied the score at 10-10 with 3:46 remaining when Brown found Reece Vander Zee for a 37-yard touchdown, Vander Zee’s lone catch of the drive and his fourth reception of the day.
Casting Whimsy Tea Overtaken by the Faelight Festival!
Woodstock, Illinois, played host to the fae on Oct. 3, 2026, as the Faelight took place at the Casting Whimsy tea room. What on Earth is a Faelight? According to proprietor Randy Aitken, it is a portal between the world of fairy and the world of mortals.
Weekly Free Games on the Epic Games Store Oct 1, 2026
October has arrived, and with it comes spooky season and another round of free games from the Epic Games Store. Fittingly, they’ve included an FPS horror game for PC as well as a visual novel murder mystery. For mobile, we have a casual game of building bridges, literally. Let’s play! System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster In honor of the official start to Halloween season, I’m starting with System Shock 2 from Nightdive Studios.
Weekly Free Games on the Epic Games Store Oct 1, 2026
October has arrived, and with it comes spooky season and another round of free games from the Epic Games Store. Fittingly, they’ve included an FPS horror game for PC as well as a visual novel murder mystery. For mobile, we have a casual game of building bridges, literally. Let’s play! Screenshot from System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster courtesy of Nightdive Studios and Atari In honor of the official start to Halloween season, I’m starting with System Shock 2 from Nightdive Studios.
Pawbay: Cat Chaos Review: Knock Things Over, Steal Fish, Repeat
Have you ever wanted the freedom of a cat to just wander the streets in freedom while creating the mayhem that cats are famous for? If that’s a yes, then you’ll want to have a look at Pawbay: Cat Chaos from Commando Panda because this game is exactly that. Sure, you have objectives. But that all seems optional. This is the coziest of cozy games, if you’re a cat at heart. To be fully transparent, I did receive the game code for free; however, that doesn’t affect my opinions.
Pawbay: Cat Chaos Review: Knock Things Over, Steal Fish, Repeat
Have you ever wanted the freedom of a cat to just wander the streets in freedom while creating the mayhem that cats are famous for? If that’s a yes, then you’ll want to have a look at Pawbay: Cat Chaos from Commando Panda because this game is exactly that. Sure, you have objectives. But that all seems optional. This is the coziest of cozy games, if you’re a cat at heart. To be fully transparent, I did receive the game code for free; however, that doesn’t affect my opinions.
Weekly Free Games on the Epic Games Store Aug 27 – Sep 3, 2026
The Epic Games Store offers free games each week, changing over every Thursday. They’re free to keep and include a mix of genres and even platforms. This week, starting August 27, 2026, the games include an action game in space for PC, a horse racing sim for PC and Mac, and an indie puzzle adventure for mobile. Let’s have a look at those games and get them added to your library! Breathedge The description of Breathedge reads like a dark comedy come to life through a game.
Free Games! On Amazon Prime Gaming – August 10, 2026
Amazon Luna for Amazon Prime members has 16 games available to claim for free as of August 10, 2026. Several will look familiar if you read our post from July. As always, there’s quite a mix of genres here, from psychological horror to turn-based RPGs to puzzle games and more. Read on for all the details! On Amazon Luna from Amazon Prime Free games from Amazon Luna, available through Amazon Prime Gaming, can be downloaded and played in the Amazon Games app.
Free Games! On Amazon Prime Gaming – August 10, 2026
Amazon Luna for Amazon Prime members has 16 games available to claim for free as of August 10, 2026. Several will look familiar if you read our post from July. As always, there’s quite a mix of genres here, from psychological horror to turn-based RPGs to puzzle games and more. Read on for all the details! Free games from Amazon Luna, available through Amazon Prime Gaming, can be downloaded and played in the Amazon Games app.
Inside the Jared Leto Allegations: What the BBC Documentary Reveals and What He’s Saying Now
The BBC aired a new documentary, “Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret,” on July 29, 2026. The film documents the stories of four young women who have accused the actor and Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman, Leto, of having sexual relations with them when they were underage, between 2002 and 2016. The documentary, and many previous reports of his conduct, are chilling. Leto has denied the claims, calling them “categorically false.” However, this is the third wave of allegations against him since 2005.
Weekly Free Games on the Epic Games Store July 16 – 23, 2026
This week is all about the spooky things on the Epic Games Store, at least for PC. We have 90s nostalgia, psychological horror, and, on mobile, chess. The chess isn’t spooky, though it is more than just chess. From the descriptions and trailers for these titles, I’m sure we won’t be getting bored this week. So, my gaming friends on a tight budget, here are the free games available this week.
Kitty Witchy Review: A Cozy Puzzle Adventure with a Language Hiccup
Kitty Witchy is an indie game developed by a team whose first language is clearly Portuguese. No problem! But the game’s language in Steam is listed as English, and everything before the tree was English. Color me confused. This isn’t a deal breaker, though. It’s something we can easily move past with a little extra technology. And it’s surely a bug that will be fixed. The puzzles are fun, the environments are lovely, and the game is overall cozy, relaxing, and entertaining.
Weekly Free Games on the Epic Games Store July 9 – 16, 2026
The Epic Games Store has three freebies for us this week. Simulation fans will be particularly happy with not one but two sims! You can settle on a new planet, run a tattoo parlor, or be a magical bunny-girl farmer! I’ll bet you didn’t expect those things all together in one sentence. Nova Lands Nova Lands settles you on one of many islands on a new planet. Set up your base, use robots to automate things, explore, and fight (or make peace with) giant boss monsters.
Free Games! On Amazon Prime Gaming – July 6, 2026
July has arrived with explosions of fireworks and celebrations of the 250th anniversary of our country. For those who aren’t the partying type, Amazon Prime has an incredible 22 games available for free right now! Games are available through Amazon Luna (Amazon Prime Gaming), Epic Games, Legacy Games, and GoG. Most are free PC games, but there is a free Mac game as well. These games are all free as of the writing of this article on July 6, 2026. The free periods end on different dates.
Free Games! On Amazon Prime Gaming – July 6, 2026
July has arrived with explosions of fireworks and celebrations of the 250th anniversary of our country. For those who aren’t the partying type, Amazon Prime has an incredible 22 games available for free right now! Games are available through Amazon Luna (Amazon Prime Gaming), Epic Games, Legacy Games, and GoG. Most are free PC games, but there is a free Mac game as well. These games are all free as of the writing of this article on July 6, 2026. The free periods end on different dates.
Free Games on the Epic Games Store June 25 – July 2, 2026
For the last week of June, the Epic Games Store is giving away a simulation classic and a fantasy horror platformer for PC, plus Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on mobile. There are hours of entertainment here in these games, and it will cost you nothing! Let’s talk about them. RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition Screenshot from RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition, Courtesy of Frontier Developments & Atari If you’ve never played a RollerCoaster Tycoon game, you’ve really been missing out.
DreamForge Review: Can AI Really Build You a Custom Video Game From Scratch?
DreamForge is described as “an AI-powered gaming platform where you create, play, and share highly personalized story adventure games.” And that is exactly what it is. But what is it like to use it? How was the result? How does it work? And, what does it actually cost? I had the opportunity to play with DreamForge. And I reached out to the developers with some questions. They were quick to provide answers.
Solarpunk Review: Floating Islands, Airships, and the Most Peaceful Survival Game Ever Made
Yes, Solarpunk is worth the $22.99 price tag. If you want something relaxing where you can explore, gather, plant, and build, then this is a perfect choice. The thing to keep in mind is that Solarpunk is being developed by a tiny team of two people. But it’s been wishlisted over a million times! This game is beautiful. The art style is calming, the sounds of the world are gentle, and it’s all very soothing. This isn’t the kind of game that’s going to cause rage.
Weekly Free Games on the Epic Games Store June 18 – June 25 2026
Welcome to the middle of June, gamer friends. This week, the Epic Games Store has three more games up for grabs entirely for free! Two are PC only (sorry Mac users) and one for mobile (Android only if you’re outside the EU). We have an RPG in space, a sci-fi musical shooter, and a brand new Construction Simulator for mobile. Let’s get to it! Citizen Sleeper First up, the Epic Games Store brings us Citizen Sleeper, a science-fiction RPG inspired by the mechanics of tabletop role-playing games.
Fine Work Act 1 Review: Beautiful Art, Strange Worlds, and a Rhythm Game Twist
I recently had the privilege to play Fine Work Act 1 without really knowing what I was in for. This visual novel is rendered in bright colors with creative characters and a world unlike any you’ve experienced before. There’s a reason it has a kind of dictionary right in the game. If you love fantasy and you’re yearning for a story full of beautiful and strange beings, music, and mystery, then keep reading. Fine Work might be for you. What is Fine Work?
Hawthorn Demo Impressions: A Tiny Animal, A Big Open World
Open-world sandbox RPGs are nothing new to gamers. But what if you were a mouse, owl, or otter? Hawthorn takes the genre and puts a twist on it that seems unlikely, creating something interesting and new. I spent some time playing with the proof-of-concept demo, and it was enough to give me some thoughts. Hawthorn will be coming to Steam, but the release date hasn’t been announced.
Hawthorn Demo Impressions: A Tiny Animal, A Big Open World
Open-world sandbox RPGs are nothing new to gamers. But what if you were a mouse, owl, or otter? Hawthorn takes the genre and puts a twist on it that seems unlikely, creating something interesting and new. I spent some time playing with the proof-of-concept demo, and it was enough to give me some thoughts. Hawthorn will be coming to Steam, but the release date hasn’t been announced.
Weekly Free Games on the Epic Games Store June 11 – 18, 2026
Happy second week of June, gaming friends! If it’s as hot where you are as it is here, you’ll be grateful for another round of free games from the Epic Games Store. Stay in that air conditioning or sit in front of your fans, gamers! Grab your favorite chilled drink and snacks, then jump in on these games. Oh, and if you’re gaming on a Mac, we’ve got one for you, too, this time.
Free Games! On Amazon Prime Gaming – June 1, 2026
School’s out, summer is here, and it’s time for more free games to fill our time. Amazon Prime subscribers can head to the Amazon Luna page to claim a whole 16 games to add to our game libraries. We have games from Amazon Games, Epic Games Store, Legacy Games, and GOG. These titles are all free as of the writing of this article on June 2, 2026.
“The Testaments” Review: “The Handmaid’s Tale” Sequel That Surprised Everyone
Season one of “The Testaments” is now fully available on Hulu (and Disney+ if you have the bundle). As a fan of it’s predecesor, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” I had my reservations about whether they could put together something that could live up to that powerful series. I won’t keep you waiting to tell you, I watched every episode with rapt attention and looked forward to the next. Light spoilers ahead.
Weekly Free Games on the Epic Games Store May 28-June 4, 2026 Original
Gamers! Get excited! This week, the Epic Games Store has free games for PC, Mac, and mobile! That’s right. Even the Mac users have something to claim this week. We have a casual open-world sim (with a cat café), a rogue-lite strategy, and a mobile strategy game based on Norse mythology. Let’s dig in! Screenshot from Calico, Courtesy of Peachy Keen Games & Whitethorn Games First up, the Epic Games Store is offering Calico. It’s available for both PC and Mac and is rated E for Everyone.
The Epic Games Store New Freebies Include a Mac Surprise, a Lara Croft Glow‑Up, and a Fresh Mobile Launch – May 21, 2026
The Epic Games Store is setting us up with plenty of opportunities for adventure this week! And, this time, even Mac users aren’t being left out. Users of the Mobile Epic Games Store are getting a rare treat, too. It’s a big week for those of us who partake in the freebies! Let’s have a look at what’s available starting today, May 21, 2026. Screenshot from Down in Bermuda, Courtesy of Yak & Co We’re going to start with Down in Bermuda, an indie adventure with puzzles for both PC and Mac.
Is Greenhearth Necromancer the Next Cozy Hit? A Magical Balcony Awaits Original
With a name like Greenhearth Necromancer, you’re likely to be wondering what it’s all about. What kind of game is it? If I were to define it, I’d call this a cozy gardening sim with visual story elements. But it’s also semi-idle, uses cards, and gives you customization options. You have narrative choices, and you’re a necromancer tending both live and undead plants. There’s a lot to explore here. Screenshot from Greenhearth Necromancer by Michelle Kitz, Courtesy of Silverstring Media Inc.
Outbound’s 1.0.8 Update Brings Positive Changes and Here’s What’s Coming Next Original
Outbound, the cozy van-life simulator, has had a kind of tumultuous start, but the developers haven’t lost heart and are making up for the snafus with some great quality-of-life upgrades and a plan for the months ahead. Full disclosure: I backed this one on Kickstarter, and I’ve only played a couple of hours, but I’ve enjoyed it so far. Let’s talk about those updates and what’s ahead, campers! The newest patch to Outbound includes some quality-of-life and balancing changes.
Equinox: Homecoming v1.4.0 Update Adds Screenshot‑Friendly Tools, New Outfits, and More Original
May 13, 2026, brought the latest patch to Equinox: Homecoming, the fourth since the game officially released on March 5. The developers have been busy adding features and making quality-of-life improvements that, I think, we can all agree are welcome. Screenshot of new cosmetic bundles in Equinox: Homecoming, by Michelle Kitz, Courtesy of Blue Scarab Entertainment Equinox: Homecoming is an RPG, after all.
Epic Games Store Drops 3 Free Games This Week — Including a Co‑Op Hit and Batman’s Darkest Tale
It’s that time again! The Epic Games Store has two PC games available to claim completely free until May 21 at 10 AM CT. Add to that a freebie on mobile, and there’s plenty of fun to be had. And, since one of these is a co-op multiplayer game, don’t forget to share this with your friends! Screenshot from Sunderfolk – Standard Edition, Courtesy of Secret Door & Dreamhaven, Inc.
Peanut Allergy Alert: Fly By Jing Recalls Creamy Sesame Noodles Sold Nationwide
If you shop Whole Foods or Thrive Market and you love some noodles, check your pantry, especially if someone in your home has a peanut allergy. Fly By Jing has issued a voluntary recall of its Creamy Sesame Noodles because the product may be contaminated with peanuts. That’s not a surprise you need when you’re just going for a quick, healthy meal. These packets of noodles were sold nationwide through Whole Foods, Thrive Market, FlyByJing.com, and other retailers.
Your 2026 Pulitzer Prize Book Guide: Winners, Finalists, and What to Read Next Original
The 2026 Pulitzer Prize winners were announced on May 4, 2026. The Pulitzer Prizes are well known for their journalism awards, and that makes sense since they were established by the 1904 will of renowned newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer. But they also give book awards, a music award, and a drama award. The awards themselves began in 1917 and have continued since under the guidance of the Plan of Awards and the Pulitzer Prize Board. They’ve increased from the original 13 awards to 23 in 2026.
2026 Kentucky Derby Results: Golden Tempo Wins in Historic First for Female Trainer
The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby ran May 2, 2026, in its famous home of Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The first race of the world-renowned Triple Crown is easily the most anticipated horse race of the year. The weather was fantastic for the race, with great visibility, a fast track, and over 150,000 live spectators. Before the horses could even step on the track, there were some shake-ups.
The First Astra Book Awards: 17 Phenomenal Books Were Recognized
The Astra Awards have a history of recognizing excellence through the Astra Creative Arts, Film, Podcast, and TV Awards. These awards are presented by the Hollywood Creative Alliance, whose mission is to “build a collaborative and inclusive community—one where all voices are welcomed, amplified, and celebrated.” Now, for the first time, they’ve presented the Astra Book Awards.
Game Review: LAVALAMP, A Psychedelic Experience For the Best Possible Price Original
My first question upon being presented with this game was, “What is LAVALAMP?” Oh, I know what a lava lamp is, but this game? It was not clear at first. And, after over half an hour in the game, I’m still hard-pressed to explain it. But I’m going to try. And, so there’s no misunderstanding, I liked it. Screenshot from LAVALAMP, courtesy of The Space Lemmings from Space Productions First off, the screenshots I’m sharing do not do LAVALAMP justice.
Game Review: Treeplanter, Relaxing, Educational, and Eco-Friendly with a Dog
As gamers, we’re generally “indoor people.” The stereotype is that we avoid the sun and the outdoors. But what if there was a game that helped plant trees and flowers? Treeplanter is that game. And it isn’t just a charity buy. It really has some things going for it. I’ve had the opportunity to play it myself. Let’s talk about the good and the not-so-good. In Treeplanter, you choose a starting scene, then add trees, plants, ruins, and more to design a beautiful, interesting landscape.
Equinox: Homecoming Patch v1.2.0 – New Horse Packs, QoL Improvements, and More Original
In case you’ve been missing out on Equinox: Homecoming, let me fill you in. This is more than just a horse game! It’s difficult to put it in a firm category, but it’s a live-service RPG with mystery, exploration, an engaging story, and horses. And the horses are beautiful. It has its flaws, but nothing is ever perfect, and this horse-loving girl can’t get enough.
Weekly Free Games on the Epic Games Store April 16 – April 23, 2026
Every Thursday, the Epic Games Store offers one or more games to claim totally free. Build up your game library with amazing titles from a range of genres and styles. This week, we have a strikingly visual game that isn’t for the faint of heart. Add a classic award-winning game from 1996 now on mobile, and we have a winning pair for the more mature gamers out there.
Weekly Free Games on the Epic Games Store April 16 – April 23, 2026
Every Thursday, the Epic Games Store offers one or more games to claim totally free. Build up your game library with amazing titles from a range of genres and styles. This week, we have a strikingly visual game that isn’t for the faint of heart. Add a classic award-winning game from 1996 now on mobile, and we have a winning pair for the more mature gamers out there.
Game Review: Before Exit: Gas Station, Daylight DLC – Hunting Creepy Anomalies With a Camera
Before Exit: Gas Station is a creepy gas station simulation with a deep mystery and odd happenings. The Daylight DLC adds another dimension to the story by bringing in the original protagonist’s significant other. She’s searching for him, and she’s brought her camera to capture the evidence.
Game Review: Nippets, A Cozy Hidden Objects Game on Steam Original
Nippets is a cozy hidden-object game released on Steam on April 7, 2026. At first glance, you’d think this is just your average puzzle game with nice graphics. But once you’re into the game, you’ll find so many engaging features that you’ll want to keep coming back. Screenshot from Nippets, Spring scene, Courtesy of Blink Industries The art style is the first thing you’ll notice when you see this game. The hand-drawn art is colorful and just so much fun to look at.
Free Games! On Amazon Prime Gaming – April 13, 2026 Original
April showers bring new gaming powers! Amazon Prime Gaming has a massive 20 games available for free right now. That’s a lot of gaming fabulousness to fill your rainy days for the rest of the month and beyond. The games come from Amazon Games, Epic Games Store, Legacy Games, and GOG.com. Let’s get started on those downloads! Free games from Amazon Luna, available through Amazon Prime Gaming, can be downloaded and played in the Amazon Games app.
Product Warning/Recall: Rozato Tabletop Fire Pits for Fire Risk, 1 Death Reported
What’s up with this? Is it a recall or not? That’s a good question, and we have some more information for you. I can see the appeal. Having a cute little tabletop firepit to roast snacks with your friends while you enjoy the warm weather. But what you never bargain for is that firepit causing a fire to break out that sends you or your guests to the emergency room. Or worse.
Weekly Free Games on the Epic Games Store April 9 – April April 16, 2026
It seems like it was just yesterday that I reported on the Epic Games Store free offerings, and here we are again. Plus, we have some real deja vu. One of the games that was available last week remains available now. So we have two games available for PC and one for mobile. But if you claimed last week’s games, PC users will have just one to add to their libraries.
Starsand Island, Cozy Life Sim, Shockingly Pulled from Steam Store April 9!
The popular cozy life sim, Starsand Island, was suddenly removed from the Steam store on April 9, 2026, but the developer, Seed Sparkle, released an announcement on both Steam and X last night as well. The bad news, you can’t buy the game right now. The good news, you can still play if you already own it. What Happened to Starsand Island? In the game, there’s a cute little arcade where you can play mini games. This is where the problem popped up.
Starsand Island, Cozy Life Sim, Shockingly Pulled from Steam Store April 9!
The popular cozy life sim, Starsand Island, was suddenly removed from the Steam store on April 9, 2026, but the developer, Seed Sparkle, released an announcement on both Steam and X last night as well. The bad news, you can’t buy the game right now. The good news, you can still play if you already own it. Screenshot from Starsand Island, Courtesy of Seed Sparkle Lab In the game, there’s a cute little arcade where you can play mini games. This is where the problem popped up.
Recap: ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 Episode 4, ‘Gloves Off’
Holy cow! Episode four of “Daredevil: Born Again” season two was explosive. Not in the literal sense (though this season has had its share of that, too), but I did say “Wow” out loud at the end of the episode. Even if you read this recap, you shouldn’t miss this episode if you’re a fan.
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