This week's episode of Riverdaleproved to be another solid one, offering a fair share of Bughead, sass from Cheryl and an introduction to the Southside High Serpents. Aside from that, we finally got to learn even more important details that give insight into who The Black Hood is and why he's attacking people in Riverdale. Here's what we learned about The Black Hood this week.

1. He was described as having blank eyes, like the devil's.

Even though Archie vividly remembers the shooter at Pop's having green eyes, Midge said, based on her encounter, his eyes were blank. 

2. He kept Fred Andrews' wallet as evidence.

Spoiler alert: The Black Hood did in fact steal Fred's wallet after shooting him. But he kept it as evidence of his identity. When he mailed Alice Cooper a letter stating his intentions, he included the wallet to prove he's the one who shot Fred. 

3. The villain also took another item from one of his victims: Ms. Grundy's heart-shaped sunglasses. 

Further proof of his identity that he also included in his package to Alice.

4. He sent Alice a letter (sort of) explaining why he's been attacking people. 

The Black Hood believes that Riverdale is a town filled with hypocrites, degenerates and sinners. Which explains why he went after his past victims: the "adulterer" (Fred), the "child predator" (Ms. Grundy) and the "drug- and sex-addicted teenagers" (Moose and Midge). He wants to rid the town of its sinners.

5. The Black Hood wants Riverdale to fear him, so he asked the Coopers to publish his letter.

That's why he sent Alice the letter. And she had no problem putting it on the front page of the paper. 

6. Aside from inciting fear, he's making enemies.

And with the Red Circle, Archie is ready to be on the offensive. 

If The Black Hood continues attacking people who he believes to be sinners and criminals, this may turn out to be a gruesome season. Because let's face it—most people in Riverdale are guilty of keeping secrets. 

While the educational landscape has undergone a dramatic shift in previous years, it’s not just the way students are learning in the classroom that is changing. For many students, it’s the circumstances they face outside the classroom that are posing a far greater threat to their educations: Food insecurity, and homelessness. That's why Temple University held the first and only national conference on college homelessness and hunger that commenced with outlining where the problem began and where the problem will lead if proper action isn’t taken. 

The conference was rooted in recent study— conducted by Temple University professor Sara Goldrick-Rab, Katharine Broton of University of Iowa and Emily Brunjes Colo of the University of Wisconsin-Madison—that examines the realities for many college students.

According to the study, only 13 percent of college students live on campus. Nearly half attend community colleges. Only 14 percent of students enrolled in college who come from the lowest socioeconomic quartile complete a bachelor’s or higher degree within eight years of high school graduation, and 75 percent of students work for pay while in school—which includes a large portion of these students working full-time.

The reason for these numbers is hard to pinpoint, but the financial burdens college students undergo to get their educations are certainly straining and have increased over the years. According to the study, “From 2007 to 2013, the number of students qualifying for the federal Pell Grant grew from 6 million to 8.5 million." About half of recipients are from families below the federal poverty line. 

The study also cites a 2015 survey that showed, “of low and middle-income undergraduates, mostly in Wisconsin four-year colleges, found that 61 percent reported some food insecurity during prior academic year.” When worrying about where your next meal is coming from, your educational pursuits are inevitably placed on the back burner. During the conference, the hashtag #RealCollege accompanied the event and was used on Twitter to allow students everywhere to lend their voices and their stories to the conversation and shared the unique struggle of balancing these economic anxieties with the anxieties of being a student:

Selma “Justice” Butler, a homeless college student at Houston Community College gave her personal testimony and called for an increase in awareness to these issues an awakening on college campuses. Ruben Canedo, a first-generation college graduate and speaker at the event said that "Basic needs will always be a challenge so long as our systems continue to produce inequality." 

Unfortunately, though, the stigma that surrounds seeking financial aid and even basic essentials is deeply rooted. For many struggling with it in college, it's a familiar feeling that they have carried with them throughout their entire educational career.

“Most students who grow up in poverty continue to have the same financial constraints when they enter college,” Goldrick-Rab noted in her study. However, there is hope and there are viable solutions to these problems. 

In Goldrick-Rab’s, Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream, she outlines ways in which college campuses and the federal government can combat these numbers. She writes that the program National School Lunch Program ensures all children to two well-rounded, nutritional meals a day, and that it can easily be implemented into public colleges and universities.

“Students already identified as qualified for financial aid could be deemed eligible for subsidized college lunches," Goldrick-Rab writes. "Congress merely needs to modify authorizing legislation to redefine 'school' and extend program participation to adults."

So what can college students do right now?

"College students should first be aware that [their] peers may not always have a safe and secure place to live," Goldrick-Rab told Her Campus. "Assume nothing. If a friend isn't ok, ask what's up. Show your campus administrators these stories about homelessness on college campuses and ask if they know how many of their students are affected—and how did they know? Did they do a survey? If not, why not?"

The two-day conference and hashtag #RealCollege was a catalyst for a long overdue conversation and certainly shows the impact a few voices can have. Here's hoping those conversations about the difficult economic realities for today's college students will continue.  

You may have stopped going trick-or-treating when you started middle school, but in college, Halloween is exciting again! Sure, there are theme parties on campus every weekend of the year, but nothing beats an awesome Halloween party. If you're thinking about throwing a soirée of your own but aren't sure how to start planning, check out our helpful tips on how to throw the best Halloween party ever!  

Choose a specific theme

Get creative

Think about the kind of Halloween you and your roommates want to have. Do you want everyone to come dressed as a Disney character or a superhero? Would you prefer something traditionally scary, like having everyone in zombie or vampire costumes? Think about what kind of party you want it to be, and that will help you figure out your theme! If your friends are into more nontraditional Halloween costumes, suggest a theme that will let them show their creative sides. Throw a Lady Gaga-themed Monster Ball with everyone wearing their favorite Gaga outfit, or have everyone dress up as characters from a popular TV show or movie. You can still use Halloween decorations and music, but if everyone’s sticking to a common theme, the party will be more cohesive and way more fun!

Or go traditional

If you and your roommates just want to let your guests have total creative freedom, don't assign a costume-based theme—just pick decorations and music that set the mood and really make you excited to celebrate Halloween!

Use decorations to set the mood

No party is complete without decorations, so stock up on fun Halloween supplies.

Don’t forget the basics

Orange and black plates, cups, napkins, and cutlery are must-buys, as are some festive tablecloths and streamers.

Add a few extras

Party favors like eyeball erasers and tiny pumpkins make great table decorations. Spider web decorations and skeleton light strings (you can find these and similar pieces at most party supply stores) will take your party to a new level of fun.

It’s not Halloween without plenty of pumpkins

If you don’t know how to or don’t have the time to carve a pumpkin, use acrylic paints to make faces on a few pumpkins to set out around the house (you can buy pumpkins at most grocery stores in the fall).

Use some decorations outside, too

If you’re in a dorm or apartment, this can be a little tricky since you don’t want uninvited guests crashing your party, but even just a few cutout bats, spiders or tombstones will do the trick to get your guests in a party mood before they walk through the front door.

Go for classic activities with fun twists

Host a costume contest, but up the stakes

Have an incentive such as a gift card to your favorite local restaurant as prize—if there’s something to win, people will be more likely to go all out with their costumes. If a gift card seems excessive, a bag of candy will do the trick, too.

Bob for apples… or something else!

If bobbing for apples feels a bit stale, invent a new game, like eating gummy worms or gummy spiders (or any other Halloween candy) without your hands. It will be fun to watch and bring your party guests together.

Make up your own games

If you know your friends would be into a mummifying contest to see who can wrap each other with toilet paper first, go for it! The point of hosting a party is that it’s your own, so don’t be afraid to improvise and come up with your own activity ideas.

No party is complete without food

While you should definitely offer basics like soda and chips, put out some cute, Halloween-themed foods to add more fun to the party.

Choose classic Halloween cookies

We love sugar cookies with orange frosting and black sprinkles, but there are tons of other super easy options to choose from. The Pillsbury sugar cookies printed with ghosts and pumpkins are delicious, and all you have to do is slice and bake them. If you want to get more creative—think bat and cat cookies decorated with licorice and candy corn—Pillsbury has tons of recipes.

Or make your own Halloween cupcakes

Create your own Funfetti dough with Halloween sprinkles to bake festive cookies or cupcakes. Use candy pieces and sprinkles to decorate the cupcakes in Halloween style, like these adorable black cat cupcakes.

Go for tried-and-true Halloween foods like dirt pudding

You loved it when you were younger, and it still tastes just as good. Top chocolate pudding with crushed Oreos and gummy worms, and you’ll have an easy and delicious Halloween treat.

Take the pumpkin theme to a new level

You’re already using pumpkins as decorations, so why not serve pumpkin-themed foods, too? Pumpkin pie is always a safe bet, or be adventurous and use Dreyer’s/Edy’s Pumpkin Ice Cream (about $4 for a carton at most grocery stores) to make Halloween sundaes.

Don’t forget to set out some candy

Reese’s Pieces are a must since they’re Halloween colored, and gummies are festive, too. And, of course, you have to serve plenty of candy corn. Set out a few different options to keep everyone satisfied and add a variety of color to your table.

Don’t forget a killer playlist

If you’re going with a movie theme, you should definitely play a few memorable tracks from the soundtrack, but mix it up with Halloween songs, too. Halloween hits like “Monster Mash” and the Ghostbusters theme are musts, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box. There are tons of ‘80s and ‘90s songs that can be interpreted as Halloween hits—the cheesier, the better. Here are a few of our favorites:

• “She Blinded Me with Science” by Thomas Dolby. This song is great for an eerie party. Bonus points for the cheesy, faux spooky background noises.
• “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult. The only prescription for an awesome party is… more cowbell! But seriously, could anything be more fitting of a Halloween party than something with “reaper” in the title?
• “Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon. This song is about werewolves. Need we say more?
• “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC. This classic track is perfect for a holiday that originated from discussion of souls and the afterlife. “Hell’s Bells” is a great choice, too.
• “Disturbia” by Rihanna. This is a classic party track with just the right amount of eeriness for a Halloween party.
• “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell. This song has a spooky vibe you can still dance to.
• “Secret” by The Pierces. Whether or not you watch Pretty Little Liars, this song will send chills down your spine.
• “This Is Halloween” from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Even without a theme party, this song is a must (for obvious reasons).
• “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. No Halloween party would be complete without this ‘80s hit. What’s even better than just playing the track? Learn the dance with your friends before the party and impress your guests with your awesome moves.

There you have it, collegiettes—now start planning your own Halloween parties! What are your Halloween plans?

On Wednesday, the Satanic Temple erected a billboard over Texas's Route 281 with the message, "Our Religion Doesn't Believe in Hurting Children".

The board, which features an image of a goat skull inside a pentagram, is a part of the Temple's initiative against the use of corporal punishment in the Springtown Independent School District. In 2012, the Springtown high school came under fire when a male assistant principal paddled two female students. 

The Massachusetts-based organization holds this incident as the number one reason they chose this particular area to raise a billboard.  

Visiting the website listed at the bottom of the board will bring you to the Temple's Protect Children Project site, where you can find the initiative's mission, a donation link, and an FAQ.

"Hopefully, our billboard will give pause to passersby who will be forced to confront the fact that [this] school district is being operated by depraved and ignorant sadists who have no business being in education," Spokesperson for the Temple Lucien Greaves said. “The billboard should be a wakeup call that the school district trustees, who voted 6-0 for corporal punishment, need to be replaced by competent and humane members of the community who have children’s best interests at heart.”

Students of the district are encouraged on the site to register for the project, regardless of their religious affiliations. By signing up, students give the Satanic Temple permission to send a letter to the school board if they receive and report physical punishment. The Temple is even willing to "obtain legal counsel to sue the school district for violating [the] student’s civil rights."

“We hold among our tenets that ‘The body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone,’" Greaves said, citing the Satanic Temple's background. "As such, we have launched a campaign to offer an exemption against corporal punishment and solitary confinement to any student who shares this deeply held belief." 

As of now, the Springtown ISD has not released a statement regarding the billboard. 

If anything positive has come from the Harvey Weinstein scandal, it's that sexual harassment (both in and out of the workplace) is being openly discussed in a serious way. More women and men are coming forward to share their stories and hold their harassers accountable.

Wednesday, on MSNBC’s All In With Chris Hayes, activist Gloria Steinem and actress Jane Fonda appeared as representatives from The Women’s Media Center to discuss the numerous allegations of harassment, assault and rape that Weinstein is facing. In the interview, Fonda made the argument that while this is an important moment because so many women are standing up for themselves, the reason this movement is gaining traction is many of Weinstein’s accusers are famous, white women, with the exception of Lupita Nyong’o.

Fonda said, “It feels like something has shifted. It’s too bad that it’s probably because so many of the women that were assaulted by Harvey Weinstein are famous and white and everybody knows them. This has been going on a long time to black women and other women of color and it doesn’t get out quite the same.”

Fonda makes an excellent point. Some women are not able to speak up about instances of harassment and assault, whether it's because of their race, financial situation or other factors. However, I sincerely believe that this will change in the future.

Women (and men) are banding together to raise awareness to hopefully end—or at least drastically decrease—sexual harassment. And while I hope that in the future no person is ever harassed, a good step toward that future is making sure that every person has the ability to speak up.  

Ohio State Police got the workout of a year after chasing a reckless driver on the highway for an hour. The kicker? The driver was only ten years old. According to the Washington Post, Ohio police received a phone call from a distraught mother 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning.

“My 10-year-old stole his dad’s car, and he’s running from me,” she told the dispatcher.

While waiting for his sister to drop him off to school, the ten-year-old, who remains unnamed, grabbed the keys to his mother’s boyfriend’s car. After realizing what happened, the mother jumped in her car as well and started to follow her son on the busy Ohio highway. According to Cleveland.com, this was the second time within two weeks that the young boy had taken the car out for a joyride.

The chase consisted of the mother chasing her son down West 117th street, then onto Interstate 90 going west. Police intervened in the chase entering at I-80. At that point, the ten-year-old was driving 96 miles per hour. A trooper car pulled up to the boy and motioned for him to stop however the boy just shook his head and continued to drive.

According to Chicago Tribune, the chase concluded when the ten-year-old slowed down and transferred to green, flat strip of land and a trooper bumped the 2004 Toyota Avalon into a milepost sign. The chase ended at around 9:49 a.m. The ten-year-old was taken to a hospital and will be placed into the custody of Erie County Children's Services. 

This week, the F.B.I. released documents detailing the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, where 20 children and 6 adults were murdered by a 20-year-old gunman using guns legally owned by his mother. The documents are full of interviews and information on the investigation into the shooter, Adam Lanza, with large portions and even pages redacted. But one document from 2008 resurfaced during the 2012 investigation —a man knew what Lanza was going to do and reported it to the Newtown Police Department. 

According to the New York Times, the man (his name was redacted) had knowledge of a conversation where Lanza said "said he had an assault weapon and was planning to kill children at Sandy Hook Elementary School and his mother." This must not have been a casual conversation, as the man took it to the police as a serious concern.

However, the police reportedly did nothing about it. The man says he was told that because Lanza's mother Nancy owned the guns they couldn't just take them away. What else could they have done if "All firearms in the Lanza home had been legally purchased"?

This is especially troubling because of the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas, where there is simply no evidence of shooter Steven Paddock's intention to murder 58 people. Some say that if his family or the police knew of his plans, it never would have happened. However, here is a situation where the police department were made aware of a dangerous person with access to guns and intent to do harm and could do nothing. 

In the search for a motive of such a horrifying crime, it's of course not just about guns. However, for advocates of gun control policy, the new information reveals a deeply disturbing blind spot for our authorities to prevent potential tragedies. 

If you’ve haven't heard of Storybook Cosmetics before then 1) what are you doing? 2) you're about to fall in love. This brand is like the Narnia wardrobe for fantasy fans. From wizard makeup brushes to fairytale eye palettes, they’ve got it all. Storybook Cosmetics is constantly hot on what it's followers love, which is probably why a Star Wars collection was just announced––we're honestly surprised it even took this long to cater to the spacey fanbase.

The collaboration was first announced on Instagram by @trendmood, giving a sneak peek at what could be the collection's packaging.

What is it about a fresh manicure that just gives a new sense of confidence? There's nothing like walking out of the salon with hands that slay, or giving your nails a new lewk at home––after a ton of touch-ups and nail polish remover, of course. Since having the time/money to get killer nails isn't always feasible, it's nice when you have a talented little sister to do your manicure for you.

Unlike most of us college kids, this guy does have a talented little sister to do his nails. @sugarsiah recently tweeted photos of his sister practicing her nail technician talents on him, along with a caption summarizing how fierce he felt after. Holding up a jar of pickles to show off his new acrylics, he displayed his firetruck red nails and called himself “bad bitch,” something almost everyone has done (or wanted to) after a fresh mani.

It's a pretty disappointing realization that by the time you hit high school, there are no more treats left for you during Halloween. Sure, it may be good for your waistline, but for all of the effort, time and money you put into an amazing costume, it seems unfair that the only reward you get is some weird Halloween “themed” shot at the bar. 

However, ColourPop is here to save the holiday! While your neighbors may not be willing to give you free candy anymore, Sephora announced that the cosmetic brand, previously only available online, will be carried starting October 31. While the whole ColourPop spread won't be available at Sephora immediately, there will be a number of exclusive items available. All of the products are variations of some of the best-selling, most beloved buys ColourPop has too offer. So, if you’ve been avoiding ordering from ColourPop’s own website because you’re scared of the shipping and duties (I’m Canadian––I understand your pain), or you simply like to swatch and see your makeup in person before buying, then these exclusive items are perfect for you. 

Here’s everything that will be coming to Sephora this Halloween.

Golden State of Mind Eyeshadow Palette ($26 at Sephora)

The palette is made up of 15 “super-pigmented pressed powder shadows with a glitter finish.” These glitters are all fairly neutral and warm, perfect to add a bit of holiday cheer to your average neutral brown and gold eye. While I would not recommend this palette as your only eyeshadow appointment, it's definitely perfect for anyone who is a glitter lover, or just to add a bit of sparkle to their next night out. 

Feelin' Fine Lip Gloss Trio ($18 at Sephora)

  
This set includes three lip glosses that are described as “high shine.” These champagne to warm shades come in a formula that I personally love. While I’m not the biggest fan of lip glosses (who likes having their hair permanently stuck to their mouth?), this formula is fairly lightweight and less sticky. The most I would recommend pairing it with would be a lip liner of a similar color to get a very Kardashian-esque look.  

Legit AF Super Shock Highlighter Trio ($24 at Sephora)

If you haven’t already figured this out by now, I have a pretty extensive ColourPop collection myself. Out of everything I own, I have to say that their Super Shock Highlighters are my favorite. Their cushiony formula is quite buildable and easy to use for highlight in smaller areas, such as your inner corner, brow bone and cupid’s bow. It's way harder to do that with a  traditional powder. 

ColourPop is sure too stay on trend with this pink holographic color that’s perfect to play around with for just $8. 

Polite AF Super Shock Shadow Collection ($30 at Sephora)

The Super Shock Shadows have a unique formula that I’ve never seen anywhere else. Using a combination of a creme and a powdered shadows, these are perfect for “easy” looks. If you have two minutes to get out the door, but still want a little bit of color, a simple swipe of these make for the perfect look. However, personally, I find them difficult to use while doing a more intricate, blended look.

Semi Precious Shadow Palette ($26 at Sephora) 

Personally, I love these jeweled tone shades that are perfect to wear during any Christmas party. However, currently all reviews on Sephora’s website are referencing the high price point of the palette. One user wrote, “Why am I shocked that Sephora jacked the prices of ColourPop? Seriously $33 for a palette when I can order off of ColourPop website for a 12 pan palette for around $20 Canadian. Disappointed.”  I have to point out that while the price of the palette on Sephora is undoubtedly more expensive that it in on the ColourPop website, you need to factor is, especially as a Canadian, the shipping and (sometimes unplanned) duties that accompany ordering straight from the website. Last time I ordered straight from the website, I was charged $40 in duties, which, while factored in, give these affordable products a more luxury price. 

The entire collection is available in store and online on October 31. What will you be buying?

Isn’t it fun when two different worlds collide? Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour isn’t just capable of influencing the entire fashion industry in a second, she also has an educated political opinion and is using her huge platform to share what she believes in. 

Recently, on the ever-funny The Late Late Show with James Corden, the usually prim and proper fashionista played a cringe-inducing game “Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts.” The premise of the game is simple: Corden and his guest take turns asking each other soul-destroying, embarrassing or sometimes downright rude questions. The person being asked has the option to either answer the question or eat the disgusting food or drink, that has included bull penis, chicken feet and pig blood curd. 

Corden asked Wintour, “Who would you never invite back to the Met Gala?” She didn’t even need to think about her answer. "Donald Trump." 

Trump has been a regular at the Gala since the ‘80s, bringing different guests with him, including his ex-wife Ivana, current wife Melania, and daughter Ivanka.  

Notably this past January, after being elected as POTUS, Trump and his wife did not attend the gala, and his daughter. Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner, claimed that they were “too busy” to go. This really isn’t all that disappointing considering that the family, particularly Ivanka and Melania, have a long history of not participating in the elaborate and wild themes, which are arguably the most important part of the whole event. 

I doubt that Wintour was that heartbroken over their lack of attendance––after all, Vogue recently made history by endorsing Hillary Clinton as a political candidate in 2016. "Vogue has no history of political endorsements," Wintour explained in letter from the editors. "Editors-in-chief have made their opinions known from time to time, but the magazine has never spoken in an election with a single voice. Given the profound stakes of this one, and the history that stands to be made, we feel that should change." 

In Wintour’s world, she has the power to say whats in or out, and this fall loud prints and the President are definitely on her "don't" list. 

After a teenager said she was sexually assaulted by two New York City Policemen, New York City Councilman Mark Treyger announced that he will be proposing legislation to make it “illegal for an NYPD officer to engage in sexual conduct with someone in the course of law enforcement activity,” Broadly reports.

According to a report by The Intercept, there is a clear discrepancy in New York law, where it is illegal for corrections officer to have sexual relations with those they guard, but there is nothing that states that it is illegal for police officers to have relations with those in their custody.  

The 19-year-old teen, who was only 18 at the time when the two officers assaulted her, testified before a grand jury on Monday, according to The New York Post. The teen, who calls herself Anna Chambers on social media, claimed that NYPD detectives, Richard Hall and Eddie Martins, sexually assaulted her after she and two male friends were pulled over by the officers for being in Calvert Vaux Park in Coney Island after dark, The New York Post reports.

One of the male friends talked with The Post and said that the officers searched the car and found prescription pills in Chamber’s purse. “They said she’s not allowed to have them outside the bottle, they’re a controlled substance, and she has to go to the precinct,” the friend told The Post. “I saw them put her in cuffs. She was like, ‘Are you serious?’”

Chambers alleged that the two officers then sexually assaulted her in a Chipotle parking lot on September 15, while still handcuffed in the back on the police van, according to The Post. Both officers forced Chambers to give them oral sex, and one officer raped her. Following the results of a rape kit, the officers’ DNA was found to be a match, but the officers have since tried to attack Chamber’s credibility by saying that the encounter was consensual. Furthermore, in a letter to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, the officers accused Chambers of “rebrand[ing] herself as a wannabe rapper named ‘Fi5ty Milli’” after filing a $50 million claim with the city, and attacked her online behavior, citing a “provocative selfie” which is supposedly “unprecedented for a depressed victim of a vicious rape,” The Post reports.

However, according to Broadly, Councilman Treyger said in a statement that Chamber’s case impacted him. “Regardless of legal outcomes, we know that it is wrong for two police officers to use their positions of authority to engage in sexual activity with a teenager. Everyone deserves to be treated with professionalism in the course of their interactions with the police; the abuse of power exercised by these two detectives rattles the foundations of positive police-community relations that the law enforcement community has been working to build,” Treyger wrote.

Assistant Director of Intervention Programs at the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, Josie Torielli, said that she supports Treyger’s fight to end police sexual violence and that this update to New York’s law could be “impactful,” Broadly reports. “I'm just sorry it took a case where there was an [alleged] egregious misuse of power to make that happen.”

“Legislation can help us to raise awareness,” Torielli said. “For a lot of survivors, one of the reasons they go through a criminal legal process is to have something named as a crime, and to have something named as illegal. It's important to do that. Leaving aside the limited remedies that the criminal legal system sometimes offers, there is sometimes a great deal of comfort in having something named as illegal, even if it shouldn't have to be so.”

With Halloween approaching, you’re probably spending most of your time watching ‘Hocus Pocus’ on a loop, making pumpkin spice-flavored everything and maniacally pinning the most epic Halloween costumes you can find. If you’re in a relationship, you’ve probably also had to consider whether you and your SO should attend the festivities dressed as Peanut Butter and Jelly, Morticia and Gomez Adams, Thelma and Louise, or Poussey and Taystie. Before you break out the DIY supplies, consider these five reasons to skip the matching costumes this year.

1. You can’t agree on an idea

This is the ultimate deal breaker because you can’t exactly match with someone else if you both go dressed as completely incompatible characters. It’d be like bookworm Rory Gilmore going out for a night on the town with daredevil Deadpool—it’s just not a good idea and, honestly, is a telltale sign of poor planning and even worse foresight. Chelsea Jackson, a junior at Iowa State University, says that she and her ex-SO decided against matching costumes because they had different tastes. “I’m always extra with my Halloween costumes and he was very low key, like putting on his Wal-Mart vest and going as a Wal-Mart employee type of low key,” she explains. “It just wouldn’t have been fun to try to get him to sit still for an hour of makeup to turn him into a merman to match my mermaid costume.”

Of course, not being able to agree on a couples costume doesn’t mean that your relationship is destined to fail but it’s a good indication that you should both opt for solo alternatives. It’s not worth the fight or the miserable night one of you is bound to have in a costume that you despise.

2. You (or your SO) just aren’t into it

Halloween is cool—just ask Marnie Piper—and that pretty clearly means that you should have fun with it! If one of you isn’t enthused about the idea of matching costumes, the whole experience could be a nightmare. Certified counselor and relationship coach Jonathan Bennett says, “Couples costumes can be cute. But, too often, one partner does the planning and is excited about the choice, while the other goes along with it and is neutral or secretly miserable.” Half the fun of matching costumes is that you both get to come up with it and work on it together. Bennett warns, “Unless you and your partner can both be excited about the costumes and fully on board with it, just go with your individual choices.” 

3. You’re already going as part of a group costume with your platonic friends

Sometimes when you’re in a relationship, especially a new one, it can be easy to neglect friends and life responsibilities that aren’t directly related to your SO. You’re happy and possibly in love and it’s okay if you want the whole world to know it. Still, Halloween is a good excuse to reunite with those friends who’ve always been there for you—through your old and new relationships, the good, the bad and even the ugly cry. What better way to show them you still care to be a part of the squad than to plan the best group costume of all time? Elaine Thompson, a home and lifestyle expert at JustEnergy.com, says, “My boyfriend and I are not trying to match our costumes this year [even though it’s] our first Halloween together. He and his guy friends have plans for a group costume and I have one in mind for myself. Zero matching going on here!”

If your SO truly cares about your relationship, they’ll understand the need to make time for your friends. They should do the same, too!

4. You want to assert your independence

Even if you’re not going as a group, planning a costume just for yourself is still a good way to reaffirm your personal identity outside of your relationship.  Try not to forget who you are and what makes you happy. Thompson says, “I think when you’re in a relationship, there are a lot of things that you compromise on to share with the other person, but that shouldn’t lead to surrendering your own identity.” For her and her boyfriend, skipping the matching costumes was never really a point of discussion. “We both value our independence and have our own styles,” she adds. If you’ve had an idea for a costume for a few months now and it doesn’t require a partner, don’t feel bad about going for it anyway.

5. You don’t want to annoy your single friends

There’s nothing a single friend finds more nauseating than the PDA-heavy couple that shows up as Cinderella and Prince Charming (although, they’d probably be more accepting of Pam and Jim). Everyone’s here to have a good time and no one wants to have their nose rubbed in their singlehood. If you have a friend who’s still getting over a breakup or who hashtags every social media post with #foreveralone, you might want to consider his or her feelings before making a grand, arm-in-arm entrance with the firefighter to your Dalmatian.

Related: The 11 Costumes You'll See at a College Halloween Party

When you’re in a relationship, there can be a lot of pressure to dress up in the cutest matching costumes with your SO (#doitforthegram), but that doesn’t mean you have to if you don’t want to. Your relationship is more important than the Instagram likes and if it’s simply not your or your SO’s cup of tea, that’s okay. Bennett says the important thing is to “be honest with your boyfriend or girlfriend and respect their opinions. You don’t need to prove anything about your relationship by choosing a couples costume.”

Even if the idea of matching costumes really excites you, it might not have the same effect on the other person. Kayleen Parra-Padron, a junior at Florida International University, and her boyfriend dress up in matching costumes every year. She says that after being Snow White for 18 straight years before meeting her boyfriend, she’d never go solo again. But even she admits, “If my boyfriend ever wants to dress up as something different, I wouldn't mind. I'd be offended AF, but I'd understand.”  

Choosing a Halloween costume should never come between you and your SO. Don’t be afraid to go solo this year!

Catalonia declared independence on Friday after a 70 to 10 vote in favor of declaring themselves legally separate from Spain, which would transfer all legal powers to an independent Catalonia, The Washington Post reports.

Crowds in support of independence stood outside Parliament and cheered and waved the Catalan flag as the results were announced, according to CNN. One woman from the crowd cried, “We're finally free. We are oppressed here. We're fighting for our freedom.”

There was, however, discontent among some Catalans, BBC reports: “It's disastrous,” said one man. “It's the result of an extended manipulation which does not reflect the will of the Catalan people.”

“We have won the freedom to build a new country,” Catalonia’s vice president, Oriol Junqueras, tweeted after the announcement.

But less than an hour later, the Spanish Senate voted 214 to 47 to invoke Article 155 of Spain’s 1978 constitution, which has never been used before, The Post reports. The Article would allow for the Spanish central government to take direct rule over Catalonia, according to BBC. According to BBC, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy told the senators that direct rule afforded under the Article was necessary to restore “law, democracy and stability” to Catalonia.

“Catalans must be protected from an intolerant minority that is awarding itself ownership of Catalonia, and is trying to subject all Catalans to the yoke of its own doctrine,” the PM Rajoy said, according to The Post.

“Exceptional measures need to be adopted when there are no other ways to go back to normality,” PM Rajoy said.

“Those measures are not against Catalonia but aiming to stop Catalonia being abused," he added. "Not to suspend the autonomy of Catalonia but to consolidate it; not to cut back rights but to restore them to legality. What's threatening Catalonia is not Article 155 but the behavior of the government of Catalonia.”

PM Rajoy took to Twitter to announce that he had dismantled the Catalan government, dismissing Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and Catalan ministers, dissolving the Parliament and demanding all Catalan diplomats return to the region, The Post reports. Furthermore, according to CNN, it was said that the Spanish central government would take over the Catalan administration starting this weekend.

“Spain is a serious country, a great nation and we will not allow some people to blow up our Constitution,” PM Rajoy said to journalists in Madrid. He added for Spanish citizens to remain calm at this time, and said that the government would be planning how to respond in a “proportionate way.”

“The government will make any decisions needed to go back to legality, and we will do that this evening,” PM Rajoy said.

According to CNN, Spain’s general prosecutor confirmed that there would be a lawsuit filed against President Puigdemont, members of Parliament who voted in favor of independence and the Catalan government.

Puigdemont said that the decision to declare independence was made by legitimately elected lawmakers, according to CNN. “We are facing a period in which we will need to stay strong and in peace, dignified and civil as we have always been, and I'm sure we will keep being so,” Puigdemont said.

Foreign leaders have also weighed in on the declaration for independence. According to The Post, the U.S. State Department released a statement in support of Spain. “Catalonia is an integral part of Spain, and the United States supports the Spanish government’s constitutional measures to keep Spain strong and united,” the State Department said. The United Kingdom and Germany have also already remarked that they would not be recognizing an independent Catalonia.

The European Commission Chief Jean-Claude Juncker said the European Union “doesn't need any more cracks, more splits,” BBC reports. European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted, “For EU nothing changes. Spain remains our only interlocutor. I hope the Spanish government favours force of argument, not argument of force.”

Puigdemont responded to Tusk on Twitter, “Catalans always favor the force of arguments."

With so many awesome journalism-related costumes, why not dress up as one for Halloween this year? Here are seven Halloween costumes only journalism majors will appreciate:

1. A Girl on Deadline

We all know making deadline can be stressful at times. By dressing in sweats and carrying around a coffee and papers, people will get a kick out of your costume. You may not even have to dress up!

2. Rory Gilmore

If you’re a fan of Gilmore Girls, Rory may be the perfect costume for you. With a plaid skirt and knee socks, you can look just like the private school girl. Don’t forget a notebook (and a cup of coffee)!

3. Barbara Walters

If you’re a diehard fan of The View, dress up as this beloved journalist for Halloween. Wear a short blonde wig and chunky jewelry, and don’t forget to flash everyone a smile.

4. The AP Stylebook

We all know journalists live and breathe the AP Stylebook. Give everyone a laugh by decking yourself out in a cardboard box decorated as the AP Stylebook. Bonus points if you pass out cupcakes!

5. Carrie Bradshaw

Who wouldn’t love to be Carrie Bradshaw for the night? With her signature curls and a pretty dress, you can do just that. Do you see Mr. Big anywhere?

6. Rachel Maddow

If you’re a diehard fan of The Rachel Maddow Show, your costume is set. Wear a short brown wig and a suit to dress up at this TV host. Glasses are optional!

7. Andy Sachs

Some of us may know how it feels to be in Andy’s shoes in The Devil Wears Prada. Whether you chose to dress up as her pre or post-makeover, you’ll look fabulous either way.

Which of these costumes do you love, collegiettes?

With Halloween just around the corner, we’re all developing a little bit of a sweet tooth. Looking to indulge in some swoon-worthy Halloween treats without undoing all of your gym efforts? Look no further! These delicious recipes don’t just taste good but are good for you, too! So hit up the grocery store, put on your favorite Halloween movies and bask in all the healthy deliciousness.

1. “Boo”-nana Pops

These ghoulish snacks are the perfect combination of fruity and creamy and the perfect way to get your scare—and your healthy—on. Plus, bananas are an awesome source of potassium, which makes them awesome pre-workout snacks, and are super high in antioxidants.

Recipe from Skinnytaste

Ingredients:

• 1 medium banana (at your preferred ripeness)
• 1 cup white chocolate for melting
• 8 mini chocolate chips
• 4 Popsicle sticks
• Wax paper

Instructions:

1. Cut the banana into quarters by first cutting lengthwise and then in half.
2. Insert Popsicle sticks into the flat end of the banana. Place bananas on wax paper and freeze for about an hour.
3. Once the bananas are frozen, fill a microwave-safe bowl or coffee mug with the white chocolate.
4. Melt the chocolate by heating it in the microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring between each set.
5. One at a time, dip the bananas into the chocolate, scraping the excess chocolate off of the back of the banana.
6. Place the banana on the wax paper and quickly (before the chocolate hardens) put two chocolate chips in the place of eyes.
7. Put the bananas back into the freezer until frozen.

2. Candy Corn Fruit Cup

How cute are these? Get all the sweetness of some candy corn with the health of some fruit with this delicious recipe.

Recipe from Family Fresh Meals

Ingredients:

• Cut-up pineapple (about a half cup, but you can eat as little or as much as you’d like)
• Cut-up oranges
• Whipped cream

Instructions:

1. In a clear glass, pour in pineapple.
2. Layer the oranges on top of those and then the whipped cream.
3. Store in a refrigerated space.

3. Monster Eggs

Get some protein in your diet this Halloween with these monstrous hard-boiled eggs!

Recipe from PBS Parents

Ingredients:

• Hard-boiled eggs (one egg will make two monsters)
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon pickled relish
• A pinch of curry powder
• Black olive slices or shred of skin of eggplant for eyes
• Broccoli for legs

Instructions:

1. Hard-boil your eggs.
2. Cut each egg in half.
3. Scoop out the yolk and mash it with a spoon.
4. Mix mustard, mayonnaise, pickled relish and a pinch of curry powder with the yolk. Spoon it back into the egg (this makes the monster’s mouth).
5. Add black olives/eggplant skin to where the eyes will be.
6. Place broccoli stems where the legs would be.

4. Zombie Jaws

These apple treats are as delicious as they are creepy! We’re getting a real The Walking Dead vibe from these zombie jaws.

Recipe from Another Lunch

Ingredients:

• 1 apple
• A handful of almond slivers

Instructions:

1. Slice apple lengthwise—do not remove the skin.
2. Insert almond slivers along the skin edge of the apple.
3. Arrange slices of apples next to each other to make mouths.

5. Pumpkin Pita Bread

Who doesn’t love some delicious hummus? Spread it on some pita bread to look like a pumpkin, and you’ll have an adorable Halloween snack!

Recipe from BabyCenter

Ingredients:

• Pita bread (1 per “pumpkin”)
• Hummus (enough to spread over the whole slice of pita bread)
• Optional yellow food coloring (to make the hummus look more the hue of a pumpkin)
• Toppings (cheese, carrots, cucumbers, olives, any other veggies you’d like!)

Instructions:

1. Spread some hummus over your entire slice of pita bread.
2. Arrange your toppings to look like a jack-o’-lantern face—try cutting your cucumbers into triangle eyes, using carrots for jack-o’-lantern teeth and using some olives for a nose! Get creative with this to make your creation fun and adorable.

6. Witch’s Broom                                                                                

These witches’ brooms are exactly what any cheese-lover needs in her life. Props to cheese sticks for being a low-calorie source of dairy, right?

Recipe from A Healthy Slice of Life

Ingredients:

• String cheese sticks
• Pretzel sticks

Instructions:

1. Cut cheese sticks in half.
2. Cut cheese stick vertically about ¾ of the way (do not cut all the way to the top).
3. Peel cheese stick apart a few more times using the same technique.
4. Insert pretzel stick into the top of the cheese stick where there are not any cuts made.

7. Clementine Pumpkins

Deliciously sweet, these clementine “pumpkins” are sure to get you—and your taste buds—in the Halloween mood, all while giving you a great vitamin C boost!

Recipe from One Little Project

Ingredients:

• Clementines (as many as you want to eat)
• 1 stick of celery

Instructions:

1. Peel the clementine.
2. Cut the celery into thin, 1-inch strips.
3. Pull the pieces at the top of the clementine apart slightly.
4. Insert one of the celery pieces into the top of the clementine to create a pumpkin stem.

These recipes are sure to appease your Halloween-loving inner Martha Stewart and are way healthier than candy.

What are your favorite healthy Halloween treats? 

The first charges in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into whether or not Russia meddled in the 2016 election (and whether President Trump's campaign team had anything to do with it) have officially been filed as of Friday night.

CNN reports that, while the charges are still sealed under orders from a federal judge, those charged could be taken into custody as early as Monday, October 30. In addition to who exactly is being charged, it is also still unknown what the charges will be.

Both lawyers representing Trump, Donald Trump Jr, former campaign manager Paul Manafort, former national security advisor Michael Flynn and Jared Kushner, as well as a spokesman for Mueller's office, have declined to comment.

"Know nothing," John Dowd, one of the POTUS's lawyers told BuzzFeed News in an email.

The investigation, which former FBI Director James Comey began in July of last year, is looking into possible Russian meddling in the 2016 election, as well as whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians. In May of this year, Trump's firing of Comey raised questions about whether the President had obstructed justice by firing the official leading the investigation into his campaign.

Meanwhile, as BuzzFeed reports, Trump has called the investigation and all allegations of his campaign's ties to Russia, a "witch hunt." 

Hopefully we will finally get some answers this week as these first charges in the investigation are made public.

On Friday, Taylor Swift dropped a music video for her Reputation single "...Ready For It." And as is typical with any T-Swift music video release, the Internet had plenty to say about it — including pointing out the fact that she appears to be naked through most of the video.

As Us Weekly reports, however, while at first glance Swift looks to be baring it all as a sexy cyborg, the singer was actually just rocking a high-tech nude body suit — and she took the opportunity to set everyone straight with a quick clapback in her Instagram story.

"It truly warms my heart that ppl had so much to say about this bodysuit," she said, along with the laughing-so-hard-I'm-crying emoji.

BYE HATERS. Meanwhile, I'd just like to know where I can buy one before Halloween?

As for the video's many Easter eggs (because you knew they'd be there), so far, fans have noticed everything from the numbers 89 and 91 (Tay and her rumored boyfriend Joe Alwyn's birth years), to another possible reference to her eight exes via eight black cyborgs.

Watch the whole thing below and get ready for Reputation's release on November 10:

So you've decided to dress up as one of the leading ladies from Harry Potter this Halloween. But how do you choose which one? We've broken it down for you, based on your personality.

1. If you want to go classic...

Channel your inner Hermione Granger!

You can go for the well-known Hogwarts look, but don't be afraid to add your own spin. Accessories such as a time-turner or a DIY copy of Hogwarts: A History will complete your outfit.

2. If you're feeling a bit bolder...

Dress up as Ginny Weasley!

If you're looking for a Harry Potter costume idea that consists of something other than Hogwarts robes, dress up as Ginny in her quidditch gear! Add a red-haired wig if you aren't a natural, and you're all set.

3. If you're the creative type...

Do your best Luna Lovegood!

Because Luna is such a quirky character, you can have a lot of fun with this costume. Mix and match patterns, wear radish earrings and don't forget an upside-down copy of The Quibbler!

4. If you aim to scare...

You'll make the perfect Bellatrix Lestrange!

Dark makeup, dark hair and dark clothes are all you need to become Bellatrix Lestrange for the night. Draw a dark mark on your arm... if you wish.

5. If you want to get a laugh...

Moaning Myrtle is your girl!

Invest in a (clean!) toilet seat cover, and Sharpie on a clever caption. Add round glasses and pigtails, and everyone will know who you're supposed to be.

Have a magical night, collegiettes!

Whether it was the channel or the studio, Disney never failed to create brilliant Halloween movies that managed to both scare and entertain children around the nation. Every year, kids were treated to a new round of laughably scary movies to watch, which only contributed to Disney's status as a master of the '90s. Let's take a trip back through time to remember some of the most popular Halloween-related Disney movies. 

1. Hocus Pocus (1993)

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Perhaps one of the most loved Halloween movies of all time, Hocus Pocus is watched almost religiously during the season of spook. 2013 marked 20 years since its release, and the film still frequently ranks highly on lists of popular Halloween movies. Hocus Pocus follows the revival of three witches who were hanged in the 1600s and their quest to gain not only revenge, but everlasting youth. Of course, their plot is foiled by a group of teenagers (as always, right?). There were rumors of a potential sequel to the cult classic, but Disney has since laid those rumors to rest by telling The Huffington Post very clearly, "The studio is not developing a sequel to Hocus Pocus." That's a shame, but at least the original is still vastly popular. 

2. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

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Debates spring up between those who think this movie is a Christmas movie and those who think it’s a Halloween movie, but regardless of when you decide to watch it, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is undoubtedly fit for both holidays. Featuring ghouls and ghosts of all kinds, this movie is another popular choice for Halloween lovers everywhere. It follows Jack Skellington on his mission to take over Christmas and essentially turn it into a second Halloween. Many people argue that The Nightmare Before Christmas wasn’t a Disney movie, but it was released through Touchstone Pictures, which is a division of The Walt Disney Company.

3. Halloweentown (1998)

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Disney does it best. Not only did they bring Hocus Pocus to the people, but they brought us Halloweentown as well, which follows three (apparently magical) siblings as they discover a mystical town that—as the name implies—is decked out in an entire Halloween theme. The film went on to gain three sequels, though the original one is still arguably the best. The effects are cheesy, and the entire film throws viewers into a fit of late-'90s nostalgia, which is why Halloweentown is awesome.

4. Under Wraps (1997)

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Under Wraps was another Disney Channel Original Movie created just in time for Halloween, and it's still one of their best classics. The film follows three friends who discover a mummy named Harold and their quest to return him to his sarcophagus before midnight on Halloween. Some people may have trouble remembering this movie, which is understandable as it hasn't been shown on television for some time—or, at least, it hadn't until a couple years ago, when it was shown as part of Disney's "Throwback Thursday." So why is a movie that's rarely shown on our list of top Halloween films? It takes the classic mummy, a generally scary thing, and turns him into a bumbling, bashful idiot who requires the help of three kids. What about that isn't perfect?

5. Don't Look Under the Bed (1999)

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Disney’s final attempt at a “true” horror film, Don't Look Under the Bed, was about a teenage girl whose imaginary friend turned out to be a boogeyman. Surprisingly enough, there were actually a few moments of sheer terror in this movie. Author's note: This movie actually made me afraid to look under my bed for years, so I totally understand why this may have been their last shot at making a real horror film... because it worked.

6. Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire (2000)

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Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire starred The Nanny cast member Charles Shaughnessy as Dimitri Denatos, a man who may or may not be a blood-sucking vampire. This 2000 Disney Channel Original found three siblings trying to prove that the man their mom was going out with was actually a vampire. Spoiler alert: He totally is. 

7. Phantom of the Megaplex (2000)

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This one came out just after Halloween but has still been shown on Disney from time to time around the October holiday. A modern take on Phantom of the Opera, Phantom of the Megaplex took a group of siblings on a humorous adventure through a movie theater to find out who—or what—was haunting the megaplex.

So now that it's October, the season of scare is officially in motion. Disney will no doubt be showing some of their classics, but we're sure they're ready to introduce a few new movies for today's generation of youngsters. Let's just hope they don't forget their laughably terrifying roots, though!