SUMMARY: Cracker Barrel is suspending its restaurant remodels after longtime fans criticized changes to its design and logo. The company remodeled four of its 660 locations, adding brighter lights, lighter paint, and simplified antiques while keeping key elements like fireplaces. CEO Julie Felss Masino, who launched the transformation plan in May 2024 to boost relevance and traffic, said customer feedback showed the modern design didn’t reflect what fans love. Despite initial positive responses, many customers opposed the updates and logo simplification, preferring the chain’s traditional, antique-style decor. Cracker Barrel will continue investing in maintaining its restaurants without major aesthetic changes.

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SUMMARY: The New Orleans Archdiocese agreed to a $230 million settlement for survivors of clergy sexual abuse, surpassing a previous $179.2 million offer deemed insufficient by survivors’ attorneys. The archdiocese, which filed for bankruptcy in 2020 to manage claims collectively, views the settlement as a significant step forward. Survivors have until late October to vote; approval by two-thirds would initiate payouts by next year. The bankruptcy case is one of the longest and most contentious among U.S. Catholic Church abuse cases. Critics warn of prolonged court battles if the settlement fails, while some survivors emphasize that financial compensation can’t fully address lifelong trauma.

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SUMMARY: Researchers have confirmed the presence of the invasive Asian longhorned tick in Maine for the first time, marking its farthest northeast detection in the U.S. Native to East Asia, this tick can spread infections like spotted fever. First found in New Jersey in 2017, it has since spread to over 20 states, mainly in the eastern U.S. The juvenile tick was discovered in southern Maine, with no additional specimens found nearby. This species can reproduce without mating, posing infestation risks. Ongoing research aims to understand its disease-spreading potential. Public health officials advise preventive measures like tick checks and protective clothing.

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