Insolite & Divers

A groundhog that attacked a homeowner in Mullica Township has tested positive for rabies, according to the Atlantic County Division of Public Health. The groundhog was found on the 1300 block of Weekstown Road on July 27, 2026, after it attacked the homeowner, health officials said. It was sent to a state laboratory for testing, where officials confirmed it was positive for rabies on July 31. Health officials said the case is the second confirmed rabies case in Atlantic County this year. The first involved a raccoon found in Mullica Township in late January. An investigation by the Atlantic County Division of Public Health identified one human exposure and two outdoor cat exposures. The homeowner is receiving post-rabies-exposure treatment, and the two outdoor cats have been placed under a four-month informal observation period. Health officials said that rabies can be transmitted through direct contact with saliva, broken skin, or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth. If left untreated, rabies can be fatal. Human cases result from a bite by an infected animal, health officials said. If you are bitten by an animal, you should wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention.

Ariana Grande plans to step away from the public eye following scrutiny, a representative told People, as discussion swirls around her health. The representative told People that Grande will take “a step back from visibility after she completes the “Eternal Sunshine Tour,” which will wrap next month. Following the announcement, Empire Street Productions confirmed that Grande has “decided to step back” from the revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park With George,” which will open at the Barbican Center in London next summer. Grande was set to star as both Dot and Marie in the musical, opposite her “Wicked” co-star Jonathan Bailey. “We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support,” the production company said. “We wish her nothing but the best.” The company said that the production will continue as planned and that new casting will be announced “in due course.” NBC News has reached out to Grande’s representatives for comment. Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Tour, promoting the 2024 album of the same name, will conclude in London on Sept. 1. “She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny,” a representative told People. “This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.” Grande’s health has been a topic of public discussion for several years. Last year, she addressed criticism of her appearance that amassed around the release of “Wicked: For Good.” At the time, she shared a 2024 interview in which she said that in society, “there’s a comfortability that we shouldn’t have, at all,” including commenting on how other people look, calling it “dangerous for all parties involved.” Grande released her eighth album, “Petal,” on Friday. In an interview with Apple Music, she said it feels “very experimental and different,” adding that she tapped into the “unfiltered rage that I think we all feel sometimes.” Public discourse around Grande’s body increased after the release of the music video for the title track. Grande portrays an actor named Pepper, who is repeatedly declared “not good enough” by casting executives in auditions before she kills them with a chain saw. As the video ends, a director yells “cut,” and Grande walks off the set, where she is praised for her talent. Grande is next scheduled to appear in the film “Focker-in-Law” alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. The “Meet the Parents” franchise movie has a Nov. 25 release date and will be distributed by Universal Pictures — which shares Comcast as a parent company with NBC News.

HBO’s “Task” is returning to the Philadelphia area for another round of filming, with crews scheduled to be at Wissahickon Valley Park this month. The crime drama television series stars Mark Ruffalo and is set in the Philadelphia area. It follows an FBI agent who leads a task force investigating a string of violent crimes. In July, production crews began filming the show’s second season. They previously filmed in Manayunk and parts of Delaware County. Delaware County Jul 9 Upper Darby issues parking restrictions as award-winning series begins filming Philadelphia Apr 29 Bilingual Latino actors wanted in Philly for Season 2 of HBO series ‘Task' Friends of the Wissahickon shared in a social media post that crews are scheduled to film at Wissahickon Valley Park Monday, Aug. 3 through Friday, Aug. 7. The organization released a detailed schedule of closures and access changes tied to filming: Monday, Aug. 3 – The Bells Mill West Lot will be closed to the public and will reopen the following day. Visitors can park in the Bells Mill East Lot in the meantime. Tuesday, Aug. 4 and Wednesday, Aug. 5 – The trail entrance at Manatawana Avenue will be inaccessible. Visitors are encouraged to access Houston Meadow via the Houston Playground entrance or the Yellow Trail. Throughout the week, the “Task” production crew will be filming in various sections of Forbidden Drive, according to Friends of the Wissahickon. While Forbidden Drive will remain open, visitors should expect to see production vehicles and equipment and follow all posted signs, including those warning of “equipment ahead” or “slow ahead.”

Prospective jurors throughout the Philadelphia court system are now able to fill out mandatory juror questionnaires online, instead of needing to complete them on paper and mail them in, officials said Monday. The Philadelphia Courts announced that, starting this week, prospective jurors will begin receiving postcards that notify them that they have been selected for jury duty and include a QR code to allow them to connect to a mandatory online questionnaire. In a statement, Patrick Martin, Jury Commissioner for the Philadelphia Courts, said the online effort is intended to make this process easier for prospective jurors. “The QR code feature will make it easier and more convenient for prospective jurors to fill out the mandatory Juror Questionnaire. This will eliminate the need for jurors to fill out a multi-page paper questionnaire and return it via the U.S. Postal Service,” Martin said in a statement. Officials said prospective jurors will need only to scan the QR code with a mobile phone camera to access the mandatory juror questionnaire. “We are continuing to embrace technology to increase efficiency, improve convenience, and help save taxpayer dollars,” Martin said. Also, officials said, by moving this process online, the court system expected to save about $165,000 a year in paper and postage costs as, on average, about 400,000 people a year are called for jury duty. The questionnaire, officials said, must be completed before the date that the prospective juror is scheduled to be in court. And, it must be completed within five days of the prospective juror receiving the postcard, officials said. Officials said that if a prospective juror has a problem after completing the questionnaire or if they are unable to serve on their scheduled court date, they should call 215-683-7170. Also, those who would like to submit a hardship request can do so by emailing here. However, officials noted that not everyone summoned for jury duty will be required to appear for possible selection. To determine whether you are still needed for service, jurors are instructed to check their email and/or text messages after 5 p.m. the day before their scheduled date or scan the jury services questionnaire QR code. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

A First Alert for heavy rain and strong storms is in effect Monday until 7 p.m. for all Philly neighborhoods. Ongoing storms this Monday morning with downpours have already led to flash flood warnings. Already, as of about 5:30 a.m., the Philadelphia International Airport had seen flight cancelations and delays due to the storm and a “Ring The Bell” back-to-school bus event planned at MLK High School was canceled due to the weather. Officials said a rescheduled date would be announced in the near future. With the potential for more periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms, a flash flood watch continues until 11 p.m. on Monday night. Downpours could lead to flash flooding and some thunderstorms could be stronger, producing damaging wind. Very warm humid air is fueling these showers and thunderstorms as a cold front slowly pushes through the area early Monday and through the evening. During the storms Monday, commuters in New Jersey’s Camden County found roadways flooded. After storms in the morning, we will see breaks of sunshine this afternoon, and that may heat the atmosphere up just enough for another round of strong thunderstorms later this afternoon and early this evening. But, it won’t be storming all day with much of the afternoon turning partly cloudy. The high will be 85° and it will feel like 91° with the high humidity. The cold front pushes through Monday night and beautiful sunny weather returns Tuesday. It will be a warm August day with partly to mostly sunny skies and a high of 88°, but with very low humidity. The chance of showers comes back Wednesday along with the humidity. A steamy day and afternoon showers are likely Wednesday. Then, hot and humid weather for the balance of the week and the weekend with chances for afternoon showers and thunderstorms Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Highs during this period will be in the 90s and temperatures will feel like the mid to upper 90s. Get the latest weather updates by downloading the NBC10 app and following the NBC10 First Alert Weather team.

One of country music's most recognizable voices is heading back on the road this fall with a new tour, new music and a special guest joining select dates.

Ariana Grande plans to step away from the public eye following scrutiny, a representative told People, as discussion swirls around her health. The representative told People that Grande will take “a step back from visibility after she completes the “Eternal Sunshine Tour,” which will wrap next month. Following the announcement, Empire Street Productions confirmed that Grande has “decided to step back” from the revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park With George,” which will open at the Barbican Center in London next summer. Grande was set to star as both Dot and Marie in the musical, opposite her “Wicked” co-star Jonathan Bailey. “We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support,” the production company said. “We wish her nothing but the best.” The company said that the production will continue as planned and that new casting will be announced “in due course.” NBC News has reached out to Grande’s representatives for comment. Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Tour, promoting the 2024 album of the same name, will conclude in London on Sept. 1. “She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny,” a representative told People. “This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.” Grande’s health has been a topic of public discussion for several years. Last year, she addressed criticism of her appearance that amassed around the release of “Wicked: For Good.” At the time, she shared a 2024 interview in which she said that in society, “there’s a comfortability that we shouldn’t have, at all,” including commenting on how other people look, calling it “dangerous for all parties involved.” Grande released her eighth album, “Petal,” on Friday. In an interview with Apple Music, she said it feels “very experimental and different,” adding that she tapped into the “unfiltered rage that I think we all feel sometimes.” Public discourse around Grande’s body increased after the release of the music video for the title track. Grande portrays an actor named Pepper, who is repeatedly declared “not good enough” by casting executives in auditions before she kills them with a chain saw. As the video ends, a director yells “cut,” and Grande walks off the set, where she is praised for her talent. Grande is next scheduled to appear in the film “Focker-in-Law” alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. The “Meet the Parents” franchise movie has a Nov. 25 release date and will be distributed by Universal Pictures — which shares Comcast as a parent company with NBC News.

Firefighters were battling a brush fire that broke out in Jurupa Valley on Sunday, officials said. The approximately 10-acre blaze was reported near Mann and Holmes avenues just after 7:30 p.m. and had a moderate rate of spread, according to Cal Fire. While crews had difficulty accessing the fire due to the heavy fuels and terrain, the agency said good progress was made by 9:30 p.m. Firefighters were expected to work throughout the night to put out hot spots and strengthen containment lines. No injuries have been reported, Cal Fire said. Investigators are still working to find the cause of the blaze.

The Los Angeles Dodgers — who else? — are the big winners so far at the Major League Baseball trade deadline after adding two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal to a loaded roster as they chase a third straight World Series title. Over in the American League, Tampa Bay beefed up its rotation by adding right-hander Freddy Peralta while the New York Yankees acquired young slugger Luis García Jr. to give their Aaron Judge-less lineup a little more pop. MLB 16 hours ago Dodgers reinforce status as MLB's dominant power and public enemy with Tarik Skubal trade Los Angeles Dodgers Aug 1 Dodgers land Cy Young ace Tarik Skubal in blockbuster deadline deal The trade deadline is Monday at 3 p.m. California time and some of the biggest pitching prizes are already off the board. But other enticing options still remain, including San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller, San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez and Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho. Also on Sunday, the Chicago Cubs added Kevin Gausman to their rotation in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. In other recent deals, the surprising Chicago White Sox picked up right-hander Luis Castillo from the Seattle Mariners, and the Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder Lane Thomas from the Kansas City Royals. Phillies acquire three-time batting champ Arraez from Giants The Phillies have acquired three-time batting champion Luis Arraez from the San Francisco Giants in a move for the proven bat Philadelphia’s lineup needed in its chase for a fifth straight trip to the playoffs and first World Series championship since 2008. Arraez is batting a National League-best .324 with four homers and 47 RBIs with an .801 OPS. He’s a four-time All-Star and, of importance in the free-swinging Phillies lineup, is a contact hitter who rarely strikes out. He has struck out just 236 times over his eight-year career. Arraez has 25 walks to 21 strikeouts this season. The Phillies .304 on-base is second worst in the majors, only ahead of the New York Mets. The Phillies also acquired right-hander reliever Caleb Kilian in the trade in exchange for minor league right-handed pitchers Ramon Marquez and Marty Gair. Dodgers land Tarik Skubal Skubal is the latest star to join the high-priced roster for the Dodgers that already has big-name players like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Mookie Betts. If everyone is healthy, he could be part of a rotation with Ohtani, reigning World Series MVP Yamamoto, fellow two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. The Dodgers led the majors with a 3.36 ERA from their starting pitchers going into Sunday’s games and now add Skubal to the mix. “I’m excited to be a Dodger,” an emotional Skubal said on Saturday night. “I’m excited to get down there and meet all those guys and chase three championships in a row. That’s hard to do, so I’m so excited to a part of that. But it’s a lot of different emotions. Definitely kind of a roller coaster a little bit.” The Tigers received three minor league prospects in right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith and outfielder Zyhir Hope. Skubal is 7-5 this season with a 2.79 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 96 2/3 innings. He is 61-42 with a 3.04 ERA over seven seasons, all in Detroit. In two postseasons, Skubal is 2-1 with a 2.04 ERA in six starts. Skubal is scheduled to make his Dodgers pitching debut Tuesday against the Cubs. Mets unload Peralta to Rays The last-place New York Mets traded Peralta to the Rays for three minor leaguers, outfielder Aidan Smith, infielder Émilien Pitre and right-hander Gary Gill Hill. Peralta, a two-time All-Star who can become a free agent following the World Series, has been a disappointment with the Mets after they acquired him from Milwaukee in a January trade. But he could boost the middle of a strong rotation for the pitching-rich Rays, who began the day with the best record in the American League at 65-45 and…