usatoday--2020-09-29--'We just don't have words': At least 3 dead as California wildfires explode in wine country, forcing

SAN FRANCISCO — Thousands of fire-sapped California residents were forced to flee a pair of new blazes on Monday that have killed at least three people , torched nearly 70,000 acres and prompted a state of emergency in three counties .
The breakneck Zogg Fire had burned through 31,200 acres near Redding in Northern California , while the Glass Fire had charred more than 36,200 acres in the Napa and Sonoma wine country north of San Francisco , according to Cal Fire .
Both fires were at 0 % containment as of Monday night .
The fires , driven by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday night into Monday morning , including homes in Santa Rosa , as well as the Chateau Boswell winery and the nearby Black Rock Inn in the Napa County town of St. Helena .
The area contains more than five dozen wineries .
`` That fire last night was moving at about 40 mph because of the wind , down the hill into the city of Santa Rosa , and we 're hoping for better conditions here today , '' state Sen. Mike McGuire told KTVU-TV .
`` We just don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Democrat who represents Healdsburg in Sonoma County .
“ It ’ s an incredibly trying and emotional time right now.
” Shasta County Sheriff Eric Magrini confirmed three fatalities at the Zogg Fire during a Monday afternoon press conference , but declined to provide further details .
Evacuation orders for more than 50,000 people were issued in Napa and Sonoma counties , where two smaller offshoots of the Glass Fire , the Shady and Boysen fires , merged to expand the blaze .
Paul Lowenthal , a Cal Fire spokesman , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Santa Rosa .
The entire town of Calistoga , population 5,200 , was put under evacuation orders on Monday night , according to Cal Fire .
`` Tonight — and every night — we ’ re eternally grateful for the firefighters and first responders that are on the frontlines keeping our state safe .
California heroes , '' tweeted Gov .
Gavin Newsom , who declared a state of emergency in Napa , Sonoma and Shasta counties on Monday .
The wine country has been scarred by terrible fires in recent years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people and destroyed more than 5,600 structures in 2017 .
Sonoma County Supervisor Susan Gorin evacuated her home in the Oakmont community of Santa Rosa about 1 a.m. She is rebuilding a home damaged in the 2017 fires .
Gorin told the San Francisco Chronicle that she is numb , and the situation feels surreal .
“ It ’ s like God has no sympathy , no empathy for Sonoma County , ” she said .
Heightened danger : As heat wave brings 'critical risks ' of wildfires , California contends with two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents of the Oakmont Village senior living community fled the fast-moving fires – many in nightclothes and robes and gripping canes and walkers –as ash spewed in the sky , the San Francisco Chronicle reported .
“ It was scary , and I didn ’ t expect it to be so close , ” Doris Tietze , 91 , an Oakmont resident , told the Chronicle .
The fire season in California has taken a huge toll .
Since the beginning of the year , there have been more than 8,100 wildfires that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Cal Fire .
Since Aug. 15 – when California ’ s fire activity elevated – 29 people have died , and more than 7,000 structures have been destroyed .
Crews are battling 25 major wildfires amid gusty winds and low humidity , Cal Fire said .
“ With low humidity , any fuel is just more prone to burn , especially with those dried-out fuels we have right now , ” National Weather Service meteorologist Emily Heller said .
Forty miles to the south of the Zogg Fire , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The largest wildfire in state history , about 130 miles north of San Francisco , has charred more than 878,000 acres and was a major contributor to the dangerous air quality state residents were exposed to for days about three weeks ago and the apocalyptic skies over the Bay Area on Sept. 9 .
Neither the August Complex nor the Creek Fire , which has incinerated more than 304,000 acres of a forest 60 miles northeast of Fresno , is 50 % contained .
They continue to spew smoke and foul up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depending on the wind , even hundreds of miles away .
People with respiratory ailments are especially susceptible to that harmful air , said John Watson , a research professor of air quality science at the Desert Research Institute in Reno , Nevada .
Contributing : Steve Kiggins , USA TODAY ; David Benda and Michele Chandler , Redding ( Calif. ) Record Searchlight ; The Associated Press

Susan Miller and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY

'We just don't have words': At least 3 dead as California wildfires explode in wine country, forcing thousands to flee
Show Caption Hide Caption Zogg fire time lapse video of Whiskeytown Lake PG&E video from near Whiskeytown Lake that shows how close the fire has come to the recreation area. Redding Record Searchlight
SAN FRANCISCO — Thousands of fire-sapped California residents were forced to flee a pair of new blazes on Monday that have killed at least three people, torched nearly 70,000 acres and prompted a state of emergency in three counties.
The breakneck Zogg Fire had burned through 31,200 acres near Redding in Northern California, while the Glass Fire had charred more than 36,200 acres in the Napa and Sonoma wine country north of San Francisco, according to Cal Fire. Both fires were at 0% containment as of Monday night.
The fires, driven by gusty winds, burned several structures on Sunday night into Monday morning, including homes in Santa Rosa, as well as the Chateau Boswell winery and the nearby Black Rock Inn in the Napa County town of St. Helena. The area contains more than five dozen wineries.
"That fire last night was moving at about 40 mph because of the wind, down the hill into the city of Santa Rosa, and we're hoping for better conditions here today,'' state Sen. Mike McGuire told KTVU-TV.
"We just don’t have words," said McGuire, a Democrat who represents Healdsburg in Sonoma County. “It’s an incredibly trying and emotional time right now.”
Shasta County Sheriff Eric Magrini confirmed three fatalities at the Zogg Fire during a Monday afternoon press conference, but declined to provide further details.
Fires: Red flag warning issued for nearly all of Northern California National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for nearly all of Northern California after two new fires wreak burning havoc. USA TODAY, Storyful
Evacuation orders for more than 50,000 people were issued in Napa and Sonoma counties, where two smaller offshoots of the Glass Fire, the Shady and Boysen fires, merged to expand the blaze. Paul Lowenthal, a Cal Fire spokesman, said more than 13,000 homes were threatened in Santa Rosa.
The entire town of Calistoga, population 5,200, was put under evacuation orders on Monday night, according to Cal Fire.
"Tonight — and every night — we’re eternally grateful for the firefighters and first responders that are on the frontlines keeping our state safe. California heroes," tweeted Gov. Gavin Newsom, who declared a state of emergency in Napa, Sonoma and Shasta counties on Monday.
The wine country has been scarred by terrible fires in recent years, including the Tubbs Fire that killed 22 people and destroyed more than 5,600 structures in 2017.
Sonoma County Supervisor Susan Gorin evacuated her home in the Oakmont community of Santa Rosa about 1 a.m. She is rebuilding a home damaged in the 2017 fires. Gorin told the San Francisco Chronicle that she is numb, and the situation feels surreal.
“It’s like God has no sympathy, no empathy for Sonoma County,” she said.
Heightened danger: As heat wave brings 'critical risks' of wildfires, California contends with two new blazes
In Sonoma, about 4,500 residents of the Oakmont Village senior living community fled the fast-moving fires – many in nightclothes and robes and gripping canes and walkers –as ash spewed in the sky, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
“It was scary, and I didn’t expect it to be so close,” Doris Tietze, 91, an Oakmont resident, told the Chronicle.
The fire season in California has taken a huge toll. Since the beginning of the year, there have been more than 8,100 wildfires that have burned more than 3.7 million acres, according to Cal Fire. Since Aug. 15 – when California’s fire activity elevated – 29 people have died, and more than 7,000 structures have been destroyed.
#RedFlagWarning - The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning across much of Northern California due to critical fire weather. Watch this short video to learn more.
Caption version available here: https://t.co/qt35V5toVG pic.twitter.com/TWAP2I92YU — CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) September 27, 2020
Crews are battling 25 major wildfires amid gusty winds and low humidity, Cal Fire said.
“With low humidity, any fuel is just more prone to burn, especially with those dried-out fuels we have right now,” National Weather Service meteorologist Emily Heller said.
Forty miles to the south of the Zogg Fire, the enormous August Complex Fire continues to burn. The largest wildfire in state history, about 130 miles north of San Francisco, has charred more than 878,000 acres and was a major contributor to the dangerous air quality state residents were exposed to for days about three weeks ago and the apocalyptic skies over the Bay Area on Sept. 9.
Neither the August Complex nor the Creek Fire, which has incinerated more than 304,000 acres of a forest 60 miles northeast of Fresno, is 50% contained. They continue to spew smoke and foul up the air in their surroundings and, depending on the wind, even hundreds of miles away.
People with respiratory ailments are especially susceptible to that harmful air, said John Watson, a research professor of air quality science at the Desert Research Institute in Reno, Nevada.
Contributing: Steve Kiggins, USA TODAY; David Benda and Michele Chandler, Redding (Calif.) Record Searchlight; The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-09-29--Opinion: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs prove they're in separate class from Ravens, rest of NFL

BALTIMORE — One , two , three , four .
As he jogged back to sideline after tossing a touchdown pass to offensive tackle Eric Fisher to put the Kansas City Chiefs up 34-20 — the deciding score of Monday 's victory over the fellow AFC power Baltimore Ravens — with 8:14 left , Patrick Mahomes stared at his right hand , counting his digits , and then shrugged , a half-smirk on his face .
With that , the quarterback set off a debate .
Four ?
Four , what ?
It wasn ’ t the first time we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figuring with his fingers .
After a fourth-quarter touchdown pass last December in an eventual blowout win over the Chicago Bears , who in 2017 made the woeful decision to select Mitchell Trubisky with the No .
2 overall pick in that year 's NFL draft , Mahomes counted to 10 on his fingers to remind everyone he had fallen eight spots further in the draft before the Chiefs snatched him up .
Monday night , he was back at it .
Was it his touchdown pass tally for the night ?
Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ranking on this year ’ s `` NFL Top 100 '' — a list determined by player votes that awarded the top spot to Lamar Jackson , whom Mahomes thoroughly outplayed in the Ravens ’ own stadium ?
At the time of the list ’ s release earlier this offseason , Mahomes tweeted a note-taking GIF to let everyone know he wouldn ’ t forget .
Was he issuing a reminder with his late-game celebration ?
“ I think I had four touchdowns at that point , ” he said before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you wish .
But one thing is clear : with his 411-yard ( 385 passing , 26 rushing ) , five-touchdown ( four passing , one rushing ) performance against Baltimore on Monday night , Mahomes left no room for doubt about the rarity of his game-changing talents .
And the Chiefs erased any doubts about whether they remain the crème de la crème of the NFL .
Monday ’ s display of dominance didn ’ t come against just any old team .
Mahomes and the offense shredded one of the stoutest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City ’ s defense had contained one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL as well as Jackson , a typically electrifying player who took home regular-season MVP honors last season after torching foes with his legs and arm .
The contest had the buildup of a heavyweight bout .
Mahomes vs. Jackson .
Chiefs vs. Ravens .
The defending Super Bowl champs against the squad that boasted the best regular-season record in 2019 .
An early-season meeting of unbeatens .
But the matchup never lived up to the hype .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and very good .
From the time Mahomes and his unit went to work , answering the Ravens ' long game-opening drive with a six-play , 75-yard series capped by a 3-yard Mahomes touchdown run , the visitors appeared to be on a mission .
And the Ravens appeared overmatched .
The Chiefs boasted the more talented quarterback .
They boasted the more creative and diverse offensive game plan .
They even owned the better defense for the night .
“ Our Kryptonite , ” said Jackson of Mahomes and the Chiefs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a starter in the regular season .
Against the rest of the league , he 's 21-1 .
On Monday , Jackson managed only 97 passing yards , a touchdown and 83 rushing yards while fumbling twice .
The greatest disparity between Monday ’ s opponents revealed itself in the team 's offensive versatility .
Mahomes and Jackson certainly are two of the league ’ s most talented young quarterbacks .
Each is equally important to his team ’ s success .
But the Chiefs are constructed in a way that enables them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Need an aggressive , quick-strike aerial attack ?
They ’ ve got it .
Mahomes can slice and dice an opponent , delivering the ball from whatever arm angle necessary .
He can fool defenders with his pump fakes or spin moves .
He can leap into the air and deliver a laser-beam pass .
He can hang tough in the pocket and chuck a bomb downfield to any one of his many track-star wide receivers .
Or , if they so wish , the Chiefs can slow things down by handing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who gives them the all-purpose back that they lost when they cut Kareem Hunt two years ago .
If the Chiefs were a boxer , they ’ d be Sugar Ray Leonard , who could fight in any style necessary .
Don ’ t let Monday night fool you .
The Ravens are indeed an impressive team .
But as a boxer , they ’ re a great first-punch fighter .
If they can get that first shot off and dictate , they ’ re a nightmare matchup .
But if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offense centers largely on Jackson ’ s dual-threat capabilities and a heavy rushing attack .
But it ’ s hard to play that way when you ’ re in a hole .
The numbers don ’ t lie .
Since he took over as their starter in 2018 , Jackson and the Ravens are 0-6 when trailing at halftime .
According to NFL Research , they 're the only team in the NFL without a single win after trailing at halftime since 2018 .
Jackson has worked hard to improve as a passer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more talent at wide receiver and tight end .
But the Ravens remain a run-first team , and until they ’ re able to add another dimension to their offense , they ’ ll continue to come up short against an opponent like the Chiefs .
Jackson has shown flashes of being a capable pocket passer .
But the room for growth remains , both on his part and the parts of his play-callers .
And as the offense struggles , pressure mounts on their defense and limits that unit .
Chiefs players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ravens threw many different looks at them that they had never seen on film .
But again , here ’ s where the wizardry of Mahomes and offensive architects Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy comes in handy .
All three equipped to respond accordingly .
And given a healthy lead , Kansas City ’ s defense has the luxury of playing with aggression as well .
Given all this , the Chiefs remain the best of the best .
If you were expecting a drop-off after their Super Bowl victory , think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed the 23-20 overtime victory they eked out against the Chargers in Week 2 with such disdain that you would have thought the Chiefs had lost .
“ We let ourselves down ( against the Chargers ) and we wanted to come out and get that nasty taste out of our mouths , ” Clark said .
And Monday ’ s victory certainly helped accomplish that .
Meanwhile , the Ravens no doubt are left with a nasty taste in their own mouths as they search for ways to shrink the gap that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Follow USA TODAY Sports ’ Mike Jones on Twitter @ ByMikeJones and listen to the Football Jones podcast on iTunes .

Opinion: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs prove they're in separate class from Ravens, rest of NFL
Show Caption Hide Caption NFL home-field advantage tracker: Despite thrilling win, Seattle misses their 12th man SportsPulse: While both Seattle and New England found ways to win Sunday both teams mentioned to our reporters how much they missed their home fans this week. We go around the league to track how home-field advantage played a factor in Week 3. SportsPulse, USA TODAY
BALTIMORE — One, two, three, four.
As he jogged back to sideline after tossing a touchdown pass to offensive tackle Eric Fisher to put the Kansas City Chiefs up 34-20 — the deciding score of Monday's victory over the fellow AFC power Baltimore Ravens — with 8:14 left, Patrick Mahomes stared at his right hand, counting his digits, and then shrugged, a half-smirk on his face.
With that, the quarterback set off a debate. Four? Four, what?
It wasn’t the first time we’ve seen the Chiefs’ star figuring with his fingers.
After a fourth-quarter touchdown pass last December in an eventual blowout win over the Chicago Bears, who in 2017 made the woeful decision to select Mitchell Trubisky with the No. 2 overall pick in that year's NFL draft, Mahomes counted to 10 on his fingers to remind everyone he had fallen eight spots further in the draft before the Chiefs snatched him up.
Monday night, he was back at it.
Was it his touchdown pass tally for the night? Or was the reigning Super Bowl MVP referring to the ranking on this year’s "NFL Top 100" — a list determined by player votes that awarded the top spot to Lamar Jackson, whom Mahomes thoroughly outplayed in the Ravens’ own stadium?
At the time of the list’s release earlier this offseason, Mahomes tweeted a note-taking GIF to let everyone know he wouldn’t forget.
Was he issuing a reminder with his late-game celebration?
Mahomes played coy at his postgame news conference.
“I think I had four touchdowns at that point,” he said before flashing a knowing smile.
QUARTERBACK STRUGGLES: Whose early-season issues are actually worrisome?
PETE CARROLL: Seahawks coach 'pissed' after Cowboys DT Trysten Hill rolled with Chris Carson's leg
Believe what you wish. But one thing is clear: with his 411-yard (385 passing, 26 rushing), five-touchdown (four passing, one rushing) performance against Baltimore on Monday night, Mahomes left no room for doubt about the rarity of his game-changing talents. And the Chiefs erased any doubts about whether they remain the crème de la crème of the NFL.
Monday’s display of dominance didn’t come against just any old team. Mahomes and the offense shredded one of the stoutest defenses in the league. And Kansas City’s defense had contained one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL as well as Jackson, a typically electrifying player who took home regular-season MVP honors last season after torching foes with his legs and arm.
The contest had the buildup of a heavyweight bout. Mahomes vs. Jackson. Chiefs vs. Ravens. The defending Super Bowl champs against the squad that boasted the best regular-season record in 2019. An early-season meeting of unbeatens.
But the matchup never lived up to the hype. Instead, it revealed the difference between elite and very good.
From the time Mahomes and his unit went to work, answering the Ravens' long game-opening drive with a six-play, 75-yard series capped by a 3-yard Mahomes touchdown run, the visitors appeared to be on a mission. And the Ravens appeared overmatched.
The Chiefs boasted the more talented quarterback. They boasted the more creative and diverse offensive game plan. They even owned the better defense for the night.
“Our Kryptonite,” said Jackson of Mahomes and the Chiefs, against whom he is now 0-3 as a starter in the regular season. Against the rest of the league, he's 21-1.
On Monday, Jackson managed only 97 passing yards, a touchdown and 83 rushing yards while fumbling twice.
The greatest disparity between Monday’s opponents revealed itself in the team's offensive versatility.
Mahomes and Jackson certainly are two of the league’s most talented young quarterbacks. Each is equally important to his team’s success.
But the Chiefs are constructed in a way that enables them to attack in any way they desire. Need an aggressive, quick-strike aerial attack? They’ve got it. Mahomes can slice and dice an opponent, delivering the ball from whatever arm angle necessary. He can fool defenders with his pump fakes or spin moves. He can leap into the air and deliver a laser-beam pass. He can hang tough in the pocket and chuck a bomb downfield to any one of his many track-star wide receivers.
Or, if they so wish, the Chiefs can slow things down by handing the ball off to rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who gives them the all-purpose back that they lost when they cut Kareem Hunt two years ago.
If the Chiefs were a boxer, they’d be Sugar Ray Leonard, who could fight in any style necessary.
Don’t let Monday night fool you. The Ravens are indeed an impressive team. But as a boxer, they’re a great first-punch fighter. If they can get that first shot off and dictate, they’re a nightmare matchup.
But if they fall behind, they struggle. Their offense centers largely on Jackson’s dual-threat capabilities and a heavy rushing attack. But it’s hard to play that way when you’re in a hole.
The numbers don’t lie. Since he took over as their starter in 2018, Jackson and the Ravens are 0-6 when trailing at halftime. According to NFL Research, they're the only team in the NFL without a single win after trailing at halftime since 2018.
Jackson has worked hard to improve as a passer, and his front office has acquired more talent at wide receiver and tight end. But the Ravens remain a run-first team, and until they’re able to add another dimension to their offense, they’ll continue to come up short against an opponent like the Chiefs.
Jackson has shown flashes of being a capable pocket passer. But the room for growth remains, both on his part and the parts of his play-callers.
And as the offense struggles, pressure mounts on their defense and limits that unit.
Chiefs players praised Baltimore’s defense, saying the Ravens threw many different looks at them that they had never seen on film. But again, here’s where the wizardry of Mahomes and offensive architects Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy comes in handy. All three equipped to respond accordingly. And given a healthy lead, Kansas City’s defense has the luxury of playing with aggression as well.
Given all this, the Chiefs remain the best of the best. If you were expecting a drop-off after their Super Bowl victory, think again.
Pass-rusher Frank Clark and others discussed the 23-20 overtime victory they eked out against the Chargers in Week 2 with such disdain that you would have thought the Chiefs had lost.
“We let ourselves down (against the Chargers) and we wanted to come out and get that nasty taste out of our mouths,” Clark said.
And Monday’s victory certainly helped accomplish that.
Meanwhile, the Ravens no doubt are left with a nasty taste in their own mouths as they search for ways to shrink the gap that the Chiefs appear to have widened.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Mike Jones on Twitter @ByMikeJones and listen to the Football Jones podcast on iTunes.


usatoday--2020-09-29--Oregon man dies in 100-foot fall off cliff into ocean while posing for photo in tree

SALEM , Ore. — An Oregon man died Sunday after plunging 100 feet into the ocean during a hike at @ @ @ @ @ Oregon Coast .
Troopers and medics responded at 1:48 p.m. to Oswald West State Park @ @ @ @ @ person who fell off a cliff , according to state police .
Investigators say Steven @ @ @ @ @ Seaside , and a second person , walked down Devil 's Cauldron trail to take @ @ @ @ @ viewpoint .
When Gastelum climbed up a tree to pose for the picture , a @ @ @ @ @ to fall 100 feet into the water below .
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and @ @ @ @ @ Fire Department helped find Gastelum and brought him to shore .
More : Man dies @ @ @ @ @ at Machu Picchu Gastelum was taken by ambulance to Tillamook Regional Medical Center where he @ @ @ @

Virginia Barreda, Salem Statesman Journal

Oregon man dies in 100-foot fall off cliff into ocean while posing for photo in tree
SALEM, Ore. – An Oregon man died Sunday after plunging 100 feet into the ocean during a hike at a state park on the Oregon Coast.
Troopers and medics responded at 1:48 p.m. to Oswald West State Park for a report of a person who fell off a cliff, according to state police.
Investigators say Steven Gastelum, 43, of Seaside and a second person walked down Devil's Cauldron trail to take a photograph at the cliffside viewpoint. When Gastelum climbed up a tree to pose for the picture, a limb broke, and he fell 100 feet into the water below.
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and rescuers from the Nehalem Bay Fire Department helped find Gastelum and brought him to shore.
More: Man dies while posing for a photo at Machu Picchu
Gastelum was taken by ambulance to Tillamook Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Follow reporter Virginia Barreda on Twitter @vbarreda2.


usatoday--2020-09-29--10 best-selling deals to bookmark for Amazon Prime Day 2020—or buy on sale now

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed ’ s editors .
Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission .
In case you were living under a rock this morning , Amazon announced that this year ’ s annual Prime Day 2020 savingspalooza will take place on October 13 and 14 .
We couldn ’ t be more excited for this incredible event , but if you simply ca n't wait—and let ’ s face it , who can ?
—we 're going to let you in on a little secret : You can shop some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discount right now to avoid the virtual crowds—and potential sellouts .
Need help finding products ?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter .
It ’ s free and you can unsubscribe at any time .
From highly-rated robot vacuum cleaners to awesome toasters and countertop blenders , these were the price drops that everyone jumped on last year—particularly when it came to Reviewed readers .
In addition to current sale prices , we 've also highlighted their Prime Day 2019 prices , so you can decide for yourself if it 's worth waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even further come next month ( though you 'll want to note there 's no guarantees ) .
Without further ado , we give you the best deals to bookmark in hopes of an Amazon Prime Day 2020 markdown—or buy on sale now .
1 .
This 2-for-1 deal on an Echo Dot Amazon manufactures some seriously popular smart devices for your home , and Prime Day is a great opportunity to grab ‘ em on sale .
Last year , the third generation Echo Dot dropped as low as $ 22 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has dropped early for Prime members ( sign-up for a free trial now ) is even better : You can get two for $ 39.98 when you enter coupon code DOTPRIME2PK at checkout , making them just $ 19.99 apiece ( non-Prime members will pay $ 39.99 for a single ) .
As one of our favorite Amazon Echo smart speakers , we love this entry-level pick for its affordable price point and easy Bluetooth connectivity .
Prime Day is an awesome time to purchase big-ticket appliances for your home .
Each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sell out before we can even say “ Roomba , '' and when it came to the top sellers of 2019 , eufy reigned supreme .
Last year , the brand's11S Slim robot vacuum was a huge hit at its discounted price of $ 149 .
You 'll pay a bit more for it right now at $ 189.99 when you click the coupon box beneath the price than you probably will in a few weeks , but it 's still a $ 30 discount from its normal price of $ 219.99 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ affordable vacuum thanks to its slim design , which allowed it to clean more floor area than its competitors and provide impressive dirt pickup performance ( around 11.6 grams per run ) .
Get the eufy 11S Slim Robot Vacuum for $ 189.99 ( Save $ 30 ) Instant Pots were all the rage last year , and they ’ re guaranteed to be a cold-weather staple again in 2020 thanks to their incredible versatility .
You can whip up everything from rice and yogurt or slow cook , steam , sauté or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multi-use cookers —the opportunities are seriously endless .
The Instant Pot 6-Quart 7-in-1-Duo , in particular , flew off the shelves for 2019 's Prime Day at just $ 49.99 , and while the current discount isn ’ t quite as steep , it 's still down $ 20 from its typical $ 99.95 at $ 79 .
Complete with a near-perfect rating from more than 100,000 Amazon shoppers , we featured this model in our roundup of the best pressure cookers for its simple set-up , affordable price point and solid cooking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch it with chili : Ours came out more soupy than stew-like .
Get the Instant Pot 6-Quart 7-in-1 Duo for $ 79 ( Save $ 20 ) In the age of 2020 , video doorbells offer an added layer of protection that normal ones just can ’ t offer .
The Ring Video Doorbell 2 ( currently sold out ) was a huge seller last year at its marked-down price of $ 139 , which was $ 60 off its usual $ 199 .
While the new model is unavailable , Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ring Video doorbell Pro for $ 99.99 for a $ 60 discount or a new , alternate-yet-equally popular eufy WiFi security doorbell for $ 149.99 when you click the coupon located beneath the price .
( Note that you can also get it for a few bucks cheaper here . )
When we tested the latter out , we dubbed it our best value smart doorbell thanks to its impressive slew of features , like the free , encrypted local data storage ( this essentially acts as an enforced barrier that ensures that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity zones and facial snapshots , along with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa connectivity .
Get the Eufy WiFi Security Video Doorbell for $ 149.99 ( Save $ 10 ) 5 .
This professional countertop Blender with more than 13K reviews While we ’ ve yet to try out this particular Ninja blender , we ’ re huge fans of the brand and have featured several of its products in our roundups of the best blenders for smoothies , personal blenders and more .
Amazon customers shopped this professional countertop blender in droves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as low as $ 59 .
Complete with a 4.7-star rating from more than 13,000 reviewers , buyers raved about its powerful speeds and single-serve options .
Those who do n't want to hold out for October 13 to see if it drops that low again can grab this best-selling Ninja blender on sale right now for $ 99.99 , which is down 15 % from its retail price of $ 117 .
You ’ ll nab a 72-ounce pitcher and lid with an 1100-watt base , along with two 16-ounce cups and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ninja Professional 1100-Watt Blender for $ 99.99 ( Save $ 17.01 ) Another huge Prime Day seller ?
This Ecovacs Deebot 500 robot vacuum cleaner , which was a customer-favorite last year when it dropped from its usual $ 279.99 to $ 169.99 .
Today , you can snag it for even less , as it 's currently going for $ 152.27 .
That 's a whopping 46 % off !
Although we ’ ve yet to test this exact Ecovacs cleaner , we had awesome experiences with similar models , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 199.99 ) , which we found to offer great value , and the Ecovacs Deebot T8 Ozmo ( on sale for $ 699.99 ) , which is one of our all-time favorite robot vacuums .
The Deebot 500 at hand is equipped with two side brushes and a main brush that allow the machine to lift , sweep and vacuum dirt and grime on hardwood floors ( auto mode ) , small areas ( spot mode ) and the edges of carpets or corners ( edge mode ) .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , plus , it can run for up to 110 minutes on a full battery .
Get the Ecovacs Deebot 500 Robot Vacuum for $ 152.27 ( Save $ 127.72 ) 7 .
Our favorite toaster oven of all time If you ’ ve been eyeing a new high-tech kitchen appliance , Prime Day is the typically the time to strike .
This was definitely the case when it came to Breville 's BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro , which was on sale last year for $ 199.95 ( a $ 150 markdown !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorite toaster oven of them all , and while Amazon 's current discount is n't nearly as steep as last year ’ s just yet , it 's still $ 70 off the usual $ 349.95 ahead of the site 's huge savings event .
This machine comes with 10 pre-sets , including bake , roast , pizza , cookies and bagels , and can hold up to six slices of bread or a 13-inch pizza .
The interior is nonstick , too , so cleaning is super breezy .
In addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garnered a 4.6-star rating from more than 4,000 Amazon shoppers , with one buyer writing that they ’ d “ buy it again without a second thought.
” Get the Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro for $ 279.95 ( Save $ 70 ) 8 .
An iRobot Roomba you 're sure to love iRobot 's Roombas are highly coveted , but they also tend to teeter on the more expensive side of the smart vacuum cleaner spectrum , making them a justified purchase for Prime Day sales .
Last year , the iRobot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the brand , since it was discounted down to $ 299.99 .
Ahead of Prime Day , the ultra-popular machine is on sale for $ 379.99 , which is down $ 70 from its standard $ 449.99 .
We haven ’ t tested it out just yet but it has a collective 4.2-star rating from nearly 2,500 Amazon shoppers , and according to buyers , there ’ s a lot to love about this robot vacuum .
Between the three-stage cleaning system and the super-powerful suction that loosens and lifts dirt , dust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a big winner—especially on sale .
On a full battery , it can run for up to 90 minutes , and it also can be paired with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant .
Get the iRobot Roomba 891 Robot Vacuum for $ 379.99 ( Save $ 70 ) Sony 's WH-1000XM3s—a.k.a .
our former favorite noise-canceling headphones of all time—reigned supreme last Prime Day—they sold more than any other deal we posted lastt year .
While you 'll have to wait and see if these bad boys , $ 348 , drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 298 ) , you can pick up a pair of Bose Solo Pro wireless noise-canceling headphones in the meantime for even less .
Once $ 299.95 , they ’ re down by more than $ 100 as one of Amazon 's early Prime Day 2020 deals , falling to $ 183.95 in red or $ 199.95 in dark blue or a teal .
They 've got a 4.6-star rating from more than 1,500 Amazon shoppers who pledge for the high-tech design .
The active noise-canceling feature is meant to block external @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is perfect for pairing with your devices .
On a fully juiced battery , the company claims you 'll get up to 40 hours of listening time .
Get the Bose Solo Pro Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones from $ 183.95 ( Save $ 100 ) We weren ’ t lying when we said that eufy was a huge brand for Prime Day 2019 .
In addition to the robot vacuum mentioned above , the eufy BoostIQ 30C Max Robot Vacuum was another solid performer at its discounted price of $ 199.99 .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day price drop , you can grab it for $ 259.99 right now when you click the $ 40 off coupon beneath the price .
This robot vacuum offers everything we already loved about the aforementioned 11S Slim , plus it allows you to dictate cleaning schedules and check on the battery status from your phone .
Better yet , it 's just 2.85-inches thick for optimal cleaning on hard floors .
In addition to the vacuum , you 'll receive 13.2-foot boundary strips , a remote control , a charger base , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tool and an extra set of high-performance filters , along with four side brushes , five cable ties and a year-long warranty .
Get the eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 30C Max for $ 259.99 ( Save $ 40 ) The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered .
Follow Reviewed on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram for the latest deals , reviews , and more .
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time .

9 best-selling deals to bookmark for Amazon Prime Day 2020—or buy on sale now
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
In case you've been living under a rock, Amazon announced that this year’s annual Prime Day 2020 savings palooza will take place on October 13 and 14. We couldn’t be more excited for this incredible event, but if you simply can't wait—and let’s face it, who can?—we're going to let you in on a little secret: You can shop some of last year’s best-sellers at a discount right now to avoid the virtual crowds—and potential sellouts.
Need help finding products? Sign up for our weekly newsletter. It’s free and you get recommendations just like these delivered directly to your inbox.
From highly-rated robot vacuum cleaners to awesome toaster ovens and countertop blenders, these were the price drops that everyone jumped on last year—particularly Reviewed readers. In addition to current sale prices, we've also highlighted their Prime Day 2019 prices, so you can decide for yourself if it's worth waiting around to see if they'll drop even further come next week (though you'll want to note there's no guarantees). Without further ado, we give you the best deals to bookmark in hopes of an Amazon Prime Day 2020 markdown—or buy on sale now.
1. The beloved Echo Show 5
Amazon manufactures some seriously popular smart devices for your home and Prime Day is a great opportunity to grab ‘em on sale. Last year, the Echo Show 5 dropped as low as $49.99, and this year, the deal, which has come early for Prime members (sign-up for a free trial now) is even better: You can snag it for just $44.99! As one of our favorite Amazon Echo smart speakers, we love this pick for its full Alexa capabilities, integrated camera cover and compact yet easy-to-read screen size. Additionally, the 1.65-inch speaker allows you to make hands-free video calls and drop in on video doorbells, baby monitors and smart cameras.
Get the Echo Show 5 for $44.99 (Save $45)
2019 Prime Day Echo Dot Price: $49.99
2. Our favorite affordable robot vacuum
Prime Day is an awesome time to purchase big-ticket appliances for your home. Each year, top-rated robot vacuums seem to sell out before we can even say “Roomba," and when it came to the top sellers of 2019, eufy reigned supreme. Last year, the brand's 11S Slim robot vacuum was a huge hit at its discounted price of $149. You'll pay a bit more for it right now at $189.99 when you click the coupon box beneath the price than you probably will in a few weeks, but it's still a $30 discount from its normal price of $219.99. This eufy model is our all-time favorite affordable vacuum thanks to its slim design, which allowed it to clean more floor area than its competitors and provide impressive dirt pickup performance (around 11.6 grams per run).
Get the eufy 11S Slim Robot Vacuum for $189.99 (Save $30)
2019 Prime Day Eufy 11S Slim Robot Vacuum Price: $149
3. Everyone's favorite pressure cooker
Instant Pots were all the rage last year, and they’re guaranteed to be a cold-weather staple again in 2020 thanks to their incredible versatility. You can whip up everything from rice and yogurt or slow cook, steam, sauté or warm your food with these handy little multi-use cookers —the opportunities are seriously endless. The Instant Pot 6-Quart 7-in-1-Duo, in particular, flew off the shelves for 2019's Prime Day at just $49.99, and while the current discount isn’t quite as steep, it's still down $20 from its typical $99.95 at $79. Complete with a near-perfect rating from more than 100,000 Amazon shoppers, we featured this model in our roundup of the best pressure cookers for its simple set-up, affordable price point and solid cooking abilities, though you'll want to watch it with chili: Ours came out more soupy than stew-like.
Get the Instant Pot 6-Quart 7-in-1 Duo for $79 (Save $20)
2019 Prime Day Instant Pot 6-Quart 7-in-1 Duo Price: $49.99
4. These über-popular smart doorbells
In the age of 2020, video doorbells offer an added layer of protection that normal ones just can’t offer. The Ring Video Doorbell 2 (currently sold out) was a huge seller last year at its marked-down price of $139, which was $60 off its usual $199. While the new model is unavailable, Prime members can currently pick up a refurbished Ring Video doorbell Pro for $99.99 for a $60 discount or a new, alternate-yet-equally popular eufy WiFi security doorbell for $149.99 when you click the coupon located beneath the price. (Note that you can also get it for a few bucks cheaper here.)
When we tested the latter out, we dubbed it our best value smart doorbell thanks to its impressive slew of features, like the free, encrypted local data storage (this essentially acts as an enforced barrier that ensures that your data stays yours), custom activity zones and facial snapshots, along with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa connectivity.
Get a Refurbished Ring Video Doorbell Pro for $99.99 (Save $60)
Get the Eufy WiFi Security Video Doorbell for $149.99 (Save $10)
2019 Prime Day Ring Video 2 Doorbell Price: $139
5. This professional countertop Blender with more than 13K reviews
While we’ve yet to try out this particular Ninja blender, we’re huge fans of the brand and have featured several of its products in our roundups of the best blenders for smoothies, personal blenders and more. Amazon customers shopped this professional countertop blender in droves last Prime Day when it sold for as low as $59. Complete with a 4.7-star rating from more than 13,000 reviewers, buyers raved about its powerful speeds and single-serve options. Those who don't want to hold out for October 13 to see if it drops that low again can grab this best-selling Ninja blender on sale right now for $98.99, which is down 15% from its retail price of $117. You’ll nab a 72-ounce pitcher and lid with an 1100-watt base, along with two 16-ounce cups and lids with your purchase.
Get the Ninja Professional 1100-Watt Blender for $99.99 (Save $18.01)
2019 Prime Day Ninja Professional Countertop Blender Price: $59
6. This highly-rated smart vacuum
Another huge Prime Day seller? This Ecovacs Deebot 500 robot vacuum cleaner, which was a customer-favorite last year when it dropped from its usual $279.99 to $169.99. Today, you can snag it for even less, as it's currently going for $150.78. That's a whopping 46% off! Although we’ve yet to test this exact Ecovacs cleaner, we had awesome experiences with similar models, including the Ecovacs Deebot 901 (on sale for $199.99), which we found to offer great value, and the Ecovacs Deebot T8 Ozmo (on sale for $699.99), which is one of our all-time favorite robot vacuums.
The Deebot 500 at hand is equipped with two side brushes and a main brush that allow the machine to lift, sweep and vacuum dirt and grime on hardwood floors (auto mode), small areas (spot mode) and the edges of carpets or corners (edge mode). It’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, plus, it can run for up to 110 minutes on a full battery.
Get the Ecovacs Deebot 500 Robot Vacuum for $169.99 (Save $110)
2019 Prime Day Ecovacs Deebot 500 Robot Vacuum Price: $169.99
7. Our favorite toaster oven of all time
If you’ve been eyeing a new high-tech kitchen appliance, Prime Day is the typically the time to strike. This was definitely the case when it came to Breville's BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro, which was on sale last year for $199.95 (a $150 markdown!). This Breville model is our favorite toaster oven of them all, and while Amazon's current discount isn't nearly as steep as last year’s just yet, it's still nearly $75 off the usual $349.95 ahead of the site's huge savings event. This machine comes with 10 pre-sets, including bake, roast, pizza, cookies and bagels, and can hold up to six slices of bread or a 13-inch pizza. The interior is nonstick, too, so cleaning is super breezy. In addition to our vote of confidence, it's garnered a 4.6-star rating from more than 4,000 Amazon shoppers, with one buyer writing that they’d “buy it again without a second thought.”
Get the Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro for $279.95 (Save $70)
2019 Prime Day Breville BOV845BSS Price: $199.95
8. An iRobot Roomba you're sure to love
iRobot's Roombas are highly coveted, but they also tend to teeter on the more expensive side of the smart vacuum cleaner spectrum, making them a justified purchase for Prime Day sales. Last year, the iRobot Roomba 891 was a top-selling model for the brand, since it was discounted down to $299.99. Ahead of Prime Day, the ultra-popular machine is on sale for $379.50, which is down a little more than $70 from its standard $449.99. We haven’t tested it out just yet but it has a collective 4.2-star rating from nearly 2,500 Amazon shoppers, and according to buyers, there’s a lot to love about this robot vacuum. Between the three-stage cleaning system and the super-powerful suction that loosens and lifts dirt, dust and pet hair, it seems to be a big winner—especially on sale. On a full battery, it can run for up to 90 minutes, and it also can be paired with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Get the iRobot Roomba 891 Robot Vacuum for $379.99 (Save $70)
2019 Prime Day iRobot Roomba 891 Robot Vacuum Price: $299.99
9. A great pair of noise-canceling headphones
Sony's WH-1000XM3s—a.k.a. our former favorite noise-canceling headphones of all time—reigned supreme last Prime Day—they sold more than any other deal we posted lastt year. While you'll have to wait and see if these bad boys, $348, drop as low as they did last year ($298), you can pick up a pair of Beats Solo Pro wireless noise-canceling headphones in the meantime for even less. Once $299.95, they’re down by more than $100 as one of Amazon's early Prime Day 2020 deals, falling to $199.95 in dark blue or a teal. They've got a 4.6-star rating from more than 1,500 Amazon shoppers who pledge for the high-tech design. The active noise-canceling feature is meant to block external noise, while the easy-to-use Bluetooth connectivity is perfect for pairing with your devices. On a fully juiced battery, the company claims you'll get up to 40 hours of listening time.
Get the Beats Solo Pro Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones from $199.95 (Save $100)
2019 Prime Day Sony WH-1000MX3 Price: $298
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.


usatoday--2020-09-29--Duchess Kate toasts marshmallows with Scouts during visit to praise their pandemic work

The coronavirus pandemic locked down millions of outdoors-mad British kids in their homes for spring and summer but leave it to the Scouts to come up with ways to help them cope – a stance now getting praise from Duchess Kate of Cambridge .
The duchess , who is as fond of the great outdoors as her countrymen , joined Cub and Beaver Scouts in outdoor activities during a visit to a London Scouts group on Tuesday , to thank volunteers who helped support more than 500,000 youths and families throughout pandemic lockdown .
Dressed in an official red , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a light blue blouse and a dark vest , pants and combat ankle boots , Kate , 38 , also met with parents and caregivers of youths who have been supported by the Scouts .
The Boy Scouts movement , founded by an English military hero in 1908 ( and soon spread to America ) , had to adapt like everyone else during the pandemic , going online to continue providing Scouting sessions and other activities through # TheGreatIndoors campaign .
Over the decades , The Scout Association has helped support and train @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 25 to acquire life skills , making Scouts the largest coed youth educational movement in the country .
Through its work , the Scouts aim to help build stronger communities across the United Kingdom , according to Kensington Palace .
During her visit , Kate joined Beaver and Cub Scouts to toast marshmallows on a bonfire and make cards to send to a local residential care home .
This year , Scout groups across the U.K. have contributed more than 10,000 `` acts of kindness '' by sending cards and greetings to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are closely tied to the Scouts .
Queen Elizabeth II is the royal patron of The Scout Association while one of her cousins , the Duke of Kent , is the organization ’ s president .
Soon after her 2011 marriage , Kate took on a leadership role in the Scouts ; she volunteered with them during the time she and Prince William lived in Anglesey , Wales , before and after their wedding .
She also has visited other Scouts groups in recent years , including a special Cub Scout Pack meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrate 100 years of Cubs , and a visit with the Menai Bridge Scouts in Wales in 2019 with Prince William .
Last year , Kate visited the Scouts Headquarters at Gilwell Park to learn more about the Scouts ’ Early Years pilot program , and to celebrate the site ’ s 100th anniversary year .
The duchess is known to be fond of outdoor activities and her three children , Prince George , 7 , Princess Charlotte , 5 , and Prince Louis , 2 , seem to be just as happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially at their Norfolk country retreat , Anmer Hall , where they spent most of their months in quarantine .
Kate , who often takes the pictures of her kids released to the public , frequently snaps them in outdoor settings .
Over the weekend , in an unexpected announcement , Will and Kate released two new pictures of themselves and George , Charlotte and Louis with nature documentary filmmaker Sir David Attenborough , 94 , a longstanding ally in royal campaigns to fight wildlife poaching and the damaging effects of global climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week in the gardens of Kensington Palace , after Attenborough gave Will a private screening of his upcoming film `` David Attenborough : A Life on Our Planet . ''
During the visit , Attenborough gave George a tooth from a carcharocles megalodon , an extinct giant shark species that lived more than 3 million years ago and was three times the size of modern great white sharks , according to the palace .
Attenborough told the intrigued children he found the tooth during a family holiday to Malta in the late 1960s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will seek to retrieve the tooth as a piece of natural heritage .
Culture Minister Jose Herrera told The Times of Malta he will “ get the ball rolling ” to bring back the tooth to be exhibited in a Maltese museum .
“ There are some artifacts that are important to natural heritage which ended up abroad and deserve to be retrieved , ” he said , according to The Times .

Duchess Kate toasts marshmallows with Scouts during visit to praise their pandemic work
The coronavirus pandemic locked down millions of outdoors-mad British kids in their homes for spring and summer but leave it to the Scouts to come up with ways to help them cope – a stance now getting praise from Duchess Kate of Cambridge.
The duchess, who is as fond of the great outdoors as her countrymen, joined Cub and Beaver Scouts in outdoor activities during a visit to a London Scouts group on Tuesday, to thank volunteers who helped support more than 500,000 youths and families throughout pandemic lockdown.
Dressed in an official red, white and navy Scouts scarf paired with a light blue blouse and a dark brown Really Wild vest, chocolate Massimo pants and See By Chloe combat ankle boots, Kate, 38, also met with parents and caregivers of youths who have been supported by the Scouts. The duchess wore a light blue mask as she arrived, but removed it while participating in the event. The U.K. government currently only requires masks to be worn in indoor settings.
The Boy Scouts movement, founded by an English military hero in 1908 (and soon spread to America), had to adapt like everyone else during the pandemic, going online to continue providing Scouting sessions and other activities through #TheGreatIndoors campaign.
Today The Duchess of Cambridge has become Joint President of @UKScouting with The Duke of Kent. pic.twitter.com/I1t0JA8TEq — The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) September 29, 2020
Over the decades, The Scout Association has helped support and train hundreds of thousands of youths age 6 to 25 to acquire life skills, making Scouts the largest coed youth educational movement in the country.
Through its work, the Scouts aim to help build stronger communities across the United Kingdom, according to Kensington Palace.
During her visit, Kate joined Beaver and Cub Scouts to toast marshmallows on a bonfire and make cards to send to a local residential care home. This year, Scout groups across the U.K. have contributed more than 10,000 "acts of kindness" by sending cards and greetings to residents, the palace said.
Royals are closely tied to the Scouts. Queen Elizabeth II is the royal patron of The Scout Association while one of her cousins, the Duke of Kent, is the organization’s president.
Soon after her 2011 marriage, Kate took on a leadership role in the Scouts; she volunteered with them during the time she and Prince William lived in Anglesey, Wales, before and after their wedding. On Tuesday, she joined the Duke of Kent in becoming joint president of the association.
“For many children and young people, The Scout Association plays a key role as they build relationships and develop the skills they need to succeed in later life," Kate said in a statement. "When I volunteered with the Scouts on Anglesey eight years ago, I was struck by the huge impact the organization has on inspiring young people to support their communities and achieve their goals."
She added that she is "delighted" for her new role and looks forward to "working with Scouts across the country as they strive to make a positive difference to our society.”
She also has visited other Scouts groups in recent years, including a special Cub Scout Pack meeting in King's Lynn in 2016 to celebrate 100 years of Cubs, and a visit with the Menai Bridge Scouts in Wales in 2019 with Prince William.
Last year, Kate visited the Scouts Headquarters at Gilwell Park to learn more about the Scouts’ Early Years pilot program, and to celebrate the site’s 100th anniversary year.
The duchess is known to be fond of outdoor activities and her three children, Prince George, 7, Princess Charlotte, 5, and Prince Louis, 2, seem to be just as happy to hang out in fresh air, especially at their Norfolk country retreat, Anmer Hall, where they spent most of their months in quarantine.
Kate, who often takes the pictures of her kids released to the public, frequently snaps them in outdoor settings.
Over the weekend, in an unexpected announcement, Will and Kate released two new pictures of themselves and George, Charlotte and Louis with nature documentary filmmaker Sir David Attenborough, 94, a longstanding ally in royal campaigns to fight wildlife poaching and the damaging effects of global climate change.
The pictures were taken last week in the gardens of Kensington Palace, after Attenborough gave Will a private screening of his upcoming film "David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet."
During the visit, Attenborough gave George a tooth from a carcharocles megalodon, an extinct giant shark species that lived more than 3 million years ago and was three times the size of modern great white sharks, according to the palace.
Attenborough told the intrigued children he found the tooth during a family holiday to Malta in the late 1960s.
On Monday, Malta said it would seek to retrieve the tooth as a piece of natural heritage. Culture Minister Jose Herrera told The Times of Malta he will “get the ball rolling” to bring back the tooth to be exhibited in a Maltese museum.
“There are some artifacts that are important to natural heritage which ended up abroad and deserve to be retrieved,” he said, according to The Times.
But on Tuesday, there was an embarrassing backlash: One critic pointed out on Twitter that the government had better things to do than focus on a shark tooth that could be purchased for $40 on eBay.
Herrera and Malta reversed course and announced they would no longer pursue the tooth.
Kensington Palace has not commented on any of this.
Contributing: The Associated Press