The hottest pepper in the world used to be the Carolina Reaper, so it’s little wonder that the current record holder is made by the same person.
Food Republic – Restaurants, Reviews, Recipes, Cooking Tips
Jersey Mike’s has a secret menu from which fans eagerly share items online, including an all-timer sandwich that combines two of its most popular offerings.
Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews
AP-Thousands of Black soldiers performed the backbreaking work of transforming rough-hewn wilderness in extreme weather swings during World War II to help build the first road link between Alaska and the Lower 48.
The work of the segregated Black soldiers is credited with bringing changes to military discrimination policies. The state of Alaska honored them by naming a bridge for them near the end point of the famed Alaska Highway.
Now, eight decades later, the aging bridge needs to be replaced. Instead of tearing it down, the state of Alaska intends to keep two of the bridge’s nine trestles in place as a refashioned memorial. The others will be given away.
The state of Alaska will replace the 1,885-foot (575-meter) bridge that spans the Gerstle River near Delta Junction, the end point of the Alaska Highway about 100 miles (161 kilometers) south of Fairbanks.
Seven of the bridge’s trestles are being offered for free to states, local governments or private entities who will maintain them for their historical features and public use.
The two remaining spans from the old bridge, renamed the Black Veterans Memorial Bridge in 1993, will honor the 4,000 or so Black soldiers who built the first wooden bridge over the river while completing the Alaska Highway.
These two sections, the first trestles on either end, will retain the name of the memorial bridge. The new Gerstle River Bridge will unofficially carry the memorial name unless the Legislature also makes it official. The old bridge will remain in place until the new one opens in 2031.
Mary Leith, a former Delta Junction mayor and member of the historical society, said she’s pleased some of the history will be saved, but she wants the state to have proper signage and a highway pullout area near the historic bridge to allow people to walk on it.
“I would hope that if they’re going to save it, then they save it properly,” she said.
The Black Veterans Memorial Bridge sign will remain and the two sections will be visible from the new bridge, but both will be blocked off to prevent people from climbing or vandalizing them, said Angelica Stabs, a spokesperson for the state transportation department. No pullout is planned.
The new bridge will parallel the existing bridge to the east, leaving about 50 feet of space between it and the old bridge’s location, Stab said.
The project to build a supply route between Alaska and Canada used 11,000 troops from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers divided by race, working under a backdrop of segregation and discrimination. Besides transforming the rugged terrain, the soldiers had to deal with mosquitoes, boggy land, permafrost and temperatures ranging from 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) to minus 70 F (minus 56 C).
“Though conditions were harsh for all, they were nearly unbearable for black soldiers. From the Deep South, most of these soldiers had never encountered anything approaching the severe conditions of the far north. Moreover, since black troops were not typically permitted to use heavy machinery, they made do with picks, shovels, and axes. In addition, they were prohibited from entering towns and were confined to wilderness assignments,” according to a historical account by the National Park Service.
It took Black soldiers working from the north just over eight months to meet up with white soldiers coming from the south to connect the 1,500-mile (2,400-kilometer) gravel road, then called the Alcan Highway, from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to Delta Junction Oct. 25, 1942.
“In light of their impressive performance, many of the black soldiers who worked on the Alcan were subsequently decorated and sometimes deployed in combat. Indeed, the U.S. Army eventually became the first government agency to integrate in 1948, a move that is largely credited in part to the laudable work of the soldiers who built the Alcan,” the National Park Service says.
Alaska was still a territory, and officials long wanted such a road to the Lower 48. However, battles over routes and its necessity led to delays.
Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and Dutch Harbor in Alaska, along with the Japanese invasions of the Alaska islands Kiska and Attu signaled urgency for the road since the ocean shipping lanes to the West Coast could be vulnerable.
Black soldiers working near Delta Junction built a temporary bridge over the Gerstle River in 1942. Contractors finished the steel structure two years later.
The Alaska transportation department is accepting proposals until March 6 for the seven trestles, but you don’t have to take them all. The state will consider all proposals, even those seeking one or two trestles for uses such as a walkway over a creek in a public park.
Winners will have to abide by certain restrictions including not allowing vehicular traffic, paying for removal, transportation and lead abatement, and maintaining the features that make the bridge historically significant.
You either love or hate Peeps, but how would you feel about the sticky sweet in Hostess Cupcake form? We gave the marshmallowy treat a try to see what’s up.
Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews
By: Corinne Smith, Alaska Beacon
The Alaska Department of Corrections spent over $24 million more than the budget approved by the Legislature last year, with a large portion for staff overtime, raising alarm from lawmakers.
DOC officials submitted their additional budget request to the Legislature earlier this month, part of a routine budget process to account for state spending over the past year — but this year’s price tag for the state’s prison system is at a historic high.
The department requested an additional $20 million for staffing and overtime for last year at the state’s 13 prison and jail facilities.
According to department data provided to the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, there were 15 correctional staff that earned over $100,000 each in overtime pay last year, on top of salary and benefits.
Two correctional officers at the Anchorage Correctional Complex worked over 2,000 hours in overtime last year — one officer topped the list working 2,770 hours of overtime, to earn a total of over $225,000 last year.
DOC officials did not respond to questions about the department’s policies around overtime and mandatory overtime on Thursday, but a spokesperson said the department’s current vacancy rate is 11.5% statewide. In budget documents, DOC officials noted the additional funding was needed for minimal staffing requirements for “24/7 operational readiness.”
Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka and co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said while the rising costs in DOC are well-known, going millions over budget is a problem as lawmakers grapple with declining state oil revenues and a growing list of state funding needs this year.
“Their budget has been growing exponentially,” he said Thursday. “It’s not fair, because those funds that are being channeled in that direction could go elsewhere.”
DOC’s budget has seen increases year-over-year throughout Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s term, unlike other agencies who have sustained cutbacks. Since 2019, the state budget for DOC has increased 46% to over $437 million last year, according to state data.
The $24 million in additional funds the agency requested also included $1.1 million for community residential treatment centers, or halfway houses, and $2.95 million in health care costs last year.
Sen. Mike Cronk, R-Tok, also serves on the Senate Finance Committee and expressed surprise and concern at the overtime hours presented to the committee on Thursday.
“That’s literally 100 hours a week. All year long,” he said, and questioned if people were running up overtime for a short time in order to retire or leave the department. “So it’s very concerning. You know, obviously I don’t blame anybody for it, but we have to figure out why this is happening, and we just have to do better. We have to be more efficient and make sure that we’re doing everything we possibly can to keep costs down.”
Stedman questioned the state’s contracts with the union representing correctional officers, the Alaska Correctional Officers Association, in accounting for the extensive overtime.
“My concern is maybe they ought to haggle a little bit better when they do their labor agreements, because this is definitely not appropriate for the public treasury to put up with, and it’s got to get corrected,” he said.
Representatives with the union did not immediately respond to emailed questions about lawmakers’ concerns on Thursday.
Last year, over 9,800 people entered DOC custody in institutions or on supervised release on probation or parole, according to state data.
![<a href="https://tasteofcountry.com/caroline-jones-modern-nursery-rhymes-flaw/" target="_blank">Caroline Jones Calls Out Modern Nursery Rhymes’ Flaw [EXCLUSIVE]</a>](https://townsquare.media/site/204/files/2026/02/attachment-untitled-design-2026-02-18t075342-633.jpg?format=natural)
Caroline Jones has some thoughts on nursery rhymes that every parent can relate to. Let’s see what she has to say about today’s kids’ music scene. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Caroline Jones has some thoughts on nursery rhymes that every parent can relate to. Let’s see what she has to say about today’s kids’ music scene. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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This week, British law enforcement had a birthday surprise for the former Duke of York.
Police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and questioned him for 12 hours.
All the while, some royalists have drawn comparisons between Andrew and his nephew, Prince Harry.
That’s incredibly unfair, right? Harry thinks so.
According to a report by People, Harry understandably bucks at comparisons to his disgraced uncle.
“He was frustrated by the comparisons,” the inside source expressed.
The insider correctly affirmed: “It was never fair to lump them together.”
The source reasoned: “Harry served his country, did the job well, and never engaged in misconduct.” All true!
“Yet lost security and housing,” the insider pointed out, “while Andrew was protected for years.”
Though millions rejoiced — some with envy — as a powerful and well-connected monster was hauled away, many within the royal family reportedly have more complex feelings.
“In this moment, it’s sad and embarrassing for the entire family,” the source explained.
The insider added: “It leaves a stain on everybody.”
Simply put, in order to push the idea that the royal family is a vital cultural institution and not an expensive troupe of mascots that is a generational curse upon their own children and a financial leech upon the public, the royal family needs to seem different. Beyond being rich and aging poorly, that is.
The vile allegations against Andrew (which are, notably, only connected to the reason for his arrest) are not the behavior of some sort of paragon bloodline that deserves a ceremonial role in government. Which puts the entire concept of the crown in jeopardy — as it should.
According to the report, Harry’s thoughts on Andrew’s arrest (and, dare we say it, eventual sentencing?) will come as no surprise.
“Harry believes in justice and accountability,” the inside source affirmed.
The insider pointed out that “that’s very much in line with his character.”
That much is clear to all of us.
But, in case anyone needed, evidence, the source pointed to Harry’s courtroom clashes with notorious British tabloids in recent years. He is a man who cares about right and wrong.
In 2020, Harry and Meghan stepped away from their royal duties, no longer serving the firm that continuously threw his wife under the bus in order to protect or simply distract from whatever was going on with William and Kate at the time.
The Sussexes did discuss whether they might lose their protection detail. However, at the time, Harry was confident that the would not.
The reason was simple: Andrew, this revolting creature, had retained his royal protection.
(Andrew would lose taxpayer-funded protection only in 2022, after losing his lawsuit from the late Virginia Giuffre)
But, as we know, Harry and Meghan lost their security detail. These are people with powerful enemies and crazed stalkers and young children.
We can more than understand why Harry has bristled at these absurd comparisons to Andrew. But we can also understand where they’re coming from.
Harry isn’t a monster. But he did speak about the royal family, sharing his own experiences within his family in a way that could arguable threaten the strange tradition that is the monarchy.
From a human perspective, that is nothing like Andrew’s allegations. But from a royal perspective, Andrew bringing disgrace to the royal firm is wrong for the same reason. Because people might doubt the monarchy.
Many have argued that King Charles hasn’t thrown his brother to the wolves because he wants to see an evil man punished. Rather, refusing to protect Andrew means that Andrew’s disgrace reflects a little less upon him, William, and other monarchs to follow.
We have to see royalists like stan Twitter — like the most unhinged of Swifties (or Barbz). They support the crown no matter what, so any threat (be it Andrew’s alleged crimes or Harry’s truths) is an enemy in equal measure.
Prince Harry Resents Comparisons to Disgraced Ex-Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
Luke Bryan is back with a brand-new release, “Word on the Street,” which is also the song that inspired his 2026 tour and leans into his small-town roots.
“It’s finally out! I hope you guys are BS free out in BFE somewhere listening. Can’t wait to hear what you think,” Bryan wrote in a new Facebook post.
The laid-back vibe of the track fits right into the country superstar’s catalog and perfectly sets the tone for his summer of performances on the books. Penned by Payton Smith, Josh Thompson, and Justin Ebach, “Word On The Street” finds Bryan tapping into a “B.S. free” mentality as he captures the desire to stay clear of any gossip or drama that might be circulating in the world. He trades that for the kind of quiet only country life can deliver.
Fans hear the Georgia-born singer begin by setting up the conflict that pertains to him, and how it started his longing to stay out of the line of rumors. He explains the “word on the street” is that an ex has moved on, and that people are talking about him and “draggin my name through the mud.”
As the song continues, he lets out his frustration over all the social chatter and people’s tendancy to speculate and jump to conclusions without knowing both sides of the story. Regardless, Bryan makes it clear he wants to stay out of the rumor mill and instead retreat to the serenity of wide-open backroads, rivers, and pine forests, aka places where there’s no gossip, no judgment, and no one asking about personal business.
“No rumors on the rollin’ river/ No talk in them tall pine trees/ Just the wind and a whippoorwill whisper/ B.S. free in B.F.E./ I don’t wanna hear how your movin’ on’s movin’ since me/ And backroads mind their own/ So I don’t hear the word on the street,” Luke Bryan sings on the chorus.
Reflecting on the new song, he admits that he instantly fell in love with its clever lyrics and summer-ready sound that sets the tone for his upcoming tour.
“This one felt right to get out asap after naming my summer tour from the title,” he shared in a statement. “When I first heard the demo, I knew I had to go in and record it. I loved everything about how the writers approached this song- it just felt fresh. Can’t wait to get out on the road and perform it for you live!”
“Word On The Street” marks the first of more new music to come from Bryan this year and serves as a follow-up to his 32nd No. 1 hit, “Country Song Came On” which hit the top spot last summer.
His 2026 headline run will launch with back-to-back shows on May 29 and 30, 2026, in Gilford, New Hampshire. Joining on Bryan for select dates of the trek are openers Drew Baldridge, Karley Scott Collins, Lanie Gardner, Randall King, Zach John King, Shane Profitt, Raelynn, Lauren Watkins, and Jake Worthington.
In addition to the Word On the Street Tour, Luke Bryan has also confirmed plans to hit the road for his 17th annual Farm Tour. For the second year in a row, he will kick things off with a run of spring shows in California before expanding to traditional farm stops in the fall.
His 2026 calendar is also stacked with several other major appearances and festival dates including the Extra Innings Festival on February 27, the Houston Rodeo on March 9, and a show at Sanford Stadium (Dooley Field) at the University of Georgia on April 25 with Jason Aldean.
Luke Bryan will also appear on ABC every Monday night for a new episode of American Idol.
The post Luke Bryan Sets The Tone For 2026 Tour With New Song, ‘Word On The Street’ appeared first on Country Now.
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‘American Idol’ alum Caleb Flynn, who once praised his wife on TV, now faces murder charges in connection with her shooting death. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
