News for the insatiably curious.
In partnership with
Good morning, it's Saturday, Oct. 17. Tesla unveiled a car powered by SpaceX technology. First time reading? Join millions of insatiably curious readers. Sign up here.
Also in today's Digest: the hero in the Oregon school shooting is a father of two students (Quick Hits), firefighters help deliver a litter of 15 puppies (Humankind), the origin of haunted houses (Etc.), and much more.
Don’t keep us a secret: Share the email with friends, or share via SMS/social.
One Big Headline
First Flying Car?
Elon Musk's Tesla unveiled its new Roadster this week, touting it as one of the world's first flying cars. The electric sports car features thrusters developed in partnership with Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX, that enable it to briefly go airborne.
The Roadster can reportedly accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than one second and reach speeds exceeding 230 miles per hour. Thursday's demonstration showed the car flipping off a curved ramp and leaping over five other Tesla vehicles (watch here). Production is slated to begin in 2028 with a price tag exceeding $200K. However, the flying version of the vehicle is not yet approved for public road use, and federal regulators have expressed uncertainty about which agency would oversee a vehicle capable of flight.
Society's fascination with flying cars dates back to at least the 1850s, when French sea captain Jean-Marie Le Bris designed a glider modeled after an albatross. The aircraft reportedly reached a height of about 330 feet and traveled roughly 660 feet (scroll for photo).
In partnership with Remi
You Can’t Control Stress While You Sleep ...
But you can protect your teeth from the damage it causes. When you’re stressed, you may be grinding or clenching your teeth in your sleep, without ever realizing it. The result? Headaches, jaw pain, and long-term dental damage.
The fix could be a Custom Night Guard from Remi. And lucky you, their National Dental Hygiene Month Sale is live with 67% off! Remi sends you an at-home impression kit, then their team of in-house dental professionals makes your custom, FDA-cleared night guards and delivers them right to your door. They’re so comfortable you’ll forget you’re wearing them.
With Remi’s 45-night Perfect-Fit Guarantee, you can wear them risk-free. If you don’t love them, Remi will refund 110% of your purchase. Protect your teeth (and your wallet): order your Remi Custom Night Guards today and save up to 67% during their National Dental Hygiene Month Sale.
Please support our sponsors!
Quick Hits
Bystander shot and killed gunman in fatal Oregon school shooting.
Kaylub Giamanco, a 36-year-old carpenter carrying a concealed weapon, reportedly intervened after seeing the shooter enter the Oregon elementary school attended by his two daughters. The 16-year-old suspect allegedly gained entry by shooting through locked doors with a gun purchased by his mother. His subsequent attack killed a teacher and three students in a special education classroom; another teacher and student are in critical condition. (More)
White House press secretary ousted after a week on the job.
President Donald Trump has reportedly fired Katie Zacharia as press secretary after appointing her to the position on Oct. 9. She came under scrutiny after questions arose about her status as a lawyer during her first and only press briefing on Tuesday (watch here). While she does have a law degree, she failed the bar exam and is not licensed to practice. (More)
Sean 'Diddy' Combs moved to new prison, following fight and VIP treatment.
Combs is being transferred to a federal prison in Pennsylvania after reportedly being injured in a fight with another inmate at his low-security New Jersey prison. He had also reportedly been smuggling in Hennessy, using a contraband cellphone, and having fellow inmates cook and clean for him. The hip-hop mogul has been docked 41 days of good-conduct credit, pushing his release date to March 2, 2028. (More)
CDC to send disease detective to investigate Pennsylvania measles outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sending one of its scientists to Pennsylvania to help contain the growing measles outbreak. The state averaged more than 100 new cases weekly last month and accounts for over a quarter of the nation's more than 4,400 confirmed cases (see heat map). Fewer than 1% of Pennsylvania's cases are among those who are fully vaccinated. (More)
Israeli settlers attack West Bank olive harvest, injuring American journalist.
Dozens of Israeli settlers burned olive trees and threw rocks at Palestinians in an attack on a West Bank village's annual olive harvest. At least two people were wounded and taken to a nearby hospital, including a photojournalist with The Washington Post who is in stable condition. Israeli settlers have launched at least 170 attacks since the annual olive harvest began Sept. 27. (More, w/photos, warning—sensitive)
WNBA finals tip off amid record viewership and attendance.
No. 2 seed Golden State Valkyries host No. 4 Atlanta Dream at San Francisco's Chase Center for the first game of the WNBA Finals at 3:30 pm ET. Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-seven series were moved this week from the Dream's 3,500-seat stadium to the 17,000-seat State Farm Arena amid surging demand. Average regular season attendance was up 21% from last year’s record high. (More, w/full schedule)
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers have reached the World Series for the first time in 44 years after defeating the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers. They will host Cleveland or Tampa Bay in the World Series opener on Oct. 23. (More)
Ovaries remain active decades after menopause, according to landmark study.
The reproductive organs undergo structural tissue changes and experience increased inflammation, with molecular patterns often associated with cancer. The finding challenges the long-held assumption that ovaries go dormant after menopause and raises questions about whether ovaries should be removed later in life to support healthy aging. (More)
Separately, the nation's leading OB-GYN group issued its first updated guidance on treating common menopausal symptoms in over a decade, strongly recommending hormone replacement therapy for hot flashes and night sweats. (More)
Humankind
Georgia firefighters help veterinarian deliver rare 15-puppy litter; one firefighter adopted a puppy for his daughter. (More, w/photos and video)
Bride jokingly surprises her dad with the emergency credit card he gave her when she left for college and let her keep through wedding planning. (More)
Teen triathlete raises more than $30K to distribute 400 bikes and 500 helmets to low-income families, and host dozens of bike clinics. (More)
Retired firefighter and fisherman coordinate six-hour community rescue of a dolphin stuck on a sandbar. (More, w/video)
Woman secretly pays off her family's more than $58K debt with careful budgeting and over $40K in donations from a supportive online community. (More, w/video)
In partnership with Money
Your Loyalty Could Be Costing You
Car insurance is one of those things we don’t think about very often. The problem with setting it and forgetting it, though? Some insurers quietly raise premiums over time even for long-term customers—meaning you could be paying more just for being loyal.
Plus, after years of steep increases, car insurance premiums now average about $2,700 annually—more than double what drivers paid just a few years ago. You don’t have to settle for a higher bill.
Humankind(ness)
Today, we're sharing a story from reader Kati B. in Kentucky.
"I was in a very long line at the grocery store. When I finally got close to the register, I realized I had forgotten something. And I guess because of the look on my face, the lady behind me knew. She just looked at me and said, 'Run!' I did! And she just moved my cart up for me. When I got back, I helped her unload her groceries, too. That’s when I looked down and saw she had a broken foot."
Humankind(ness) is a reader-built corner of joy. So, what act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here. And if this story made you smile—share our email (copy URL here).
Etcetera
Browse this year's best inventions.
How participation in social activities has changed since 1995. (w/chart)
This year's Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, explained with ice cream. (w/audio)
The 21st century's bestselling albums of each year.
Cornstarch saves a monarch butterfly that landed in refried beans.
Half of US adults say they don't use chatbots. Here's why.
Create your own crossword puzzle.
How long would your pet survive in the wild? (w/video)
Taipei tops list of cities with best public transit.
How Fenway Park feeds over 37,000 fans every game. (w/video)
Restaurants are bringing back happy meals for grown-ups.
Why haunted houses became popular during the Great Depression.
Most Clicked This Week: The food that may actually be healthier as leftovers.
Historybook: Actress Rita Hayworth born (1918); Mae Jemison, first Black woman in space, born (1956); Eminem born (1972); Mother Teresa wins Nobel Peace Prize (1979); Earthquake near San Francisco kills 63 (1989).
"The arts and sciences are avatars of human creativity. It's our attempt to influence things, the universe internal to ourselves and external to us."
— Mae Jemison
Behind the Name. Why 1440? The printing press was invented around the year 1440, spreading knowledge to the masses and changing the course of history. More facts: In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. We’re here to make each one count.
Want to connect with 4.7 million insatiably curious minds? Become a 1440 partner here.
Need a breather? Snooze this email for 30 days.
1440 Media 111 N Canal St, Suite 1210 Chicago, IL 60606
Copyright © 2026, 1440 Media, All rights reserved.
Unsubscribe from this email or update my subscription preferences.