From a new trend in Halloween spending to Arkansans participating in a strange cook-off competition, THV's Tom Brannon catches you up on some Weird But True headlines.
In what could be a sign of economic growth, Americans are expected to spend $370 million on costumes for their pets this Halloween.
That big number is up 19 percent, or $40 million, from 2011, according to the survey conducted by the National Retail Federation.
The survey also determined which pet costumes will be the most popular. Pumpkins will be the most sought-after critter costume while "Devil" will be the second-most popular.
In other weird but true news, major soda makers, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Dr Pepper Snapple Group, will start displaying calorie counts on vending machines and encourage consumers to make lower-calorie choices, starting in 2013.
The new vending machine labels will encourage consumers to "Check Then Choose" or "Try a Low-Calorie Beverage." Calorie counts will also be inserted on buttons.
The plan falls in line with the Affordable Care Act's requirement that vending machines and restaurant chains with more than 20 locations display calorie information.
The initiative is the industry's latest move to counter growing criticism of sugary beverages as a major cause of obesity in the U.S. and to fend off cities' efforts to reduce consumption.
From low-calories to strange-tasting, it's the first-ever World Champion Squirrel Cook-Off and it happened right here in Arkansas.
"We have a panel of five judges, and each team is judged on their side dish and on their entree," says founder Joe Wilson. "The predominant meat for your dish has to be squirrel."
Twenty contestants set up in Bentonville and made their best and most-original squirrel dishes.
Wilson has been having squirrel cook-offs with his close friends for years, until this year when the Travel Channel called. Andrew Zimmern with the show Bizarre Foods gave the event a taste.
Brothers Brandon and Blayne Estes won the competition with their squirrel sliders.