11%: The increase in late-night (11pm-5am) spending in New York City compared to pre-covid levels, per Mastercard. Meanwhile, Resy data shows 5pm is the fastest-growing dinner reservation time across the US, with 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm reservations having dipped compared to 2019. (Perhaps people are taking more post-dinner, pre-going out naps than ever?)
2,749 pounds: The new world record for heaviest pumpkin, set by Travis Gienger, a horticulture teacher from Anoka, Minnesota, and winner of the 50th World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, California. For this feat, Gienger received a $30k prize. Also of note: You could make 687+ pies with this massive gourd.
$51: Average amount workers who’ve returned to the office spend per day on things like coffee, meals, parking, and commuting, according to a report from Owl Labs. This figure increases to $71/day for those who need pet care, and drops to $36/day for those who work from home.
~300k: Blockages that UK water companies fix per year due to plastic wet wipes people flush down the toilet, which can merge with oil and create pipe-blocking “fatbergs.” The government is considering banning such wipes, potentially saving water companies $122m annually.