Every month, newsrooms across the country challenge readers to test their recall of the headlines that shaped their communities. On September 30, 2025, both the Times Union and Chicago-area news outlets published their latest monthly news quizzes, inviting residents to see just how well they’ve been paying attention to local and state developments. The quizzes, which have become a recurring fixture, offer not only a bit of friendly competition but also a snapshot of the events and personalities making waves in their respective regions.
The Times Union’s September quiz, as reported by the publication, served up six questions covering a wide array of topics that dominated the Capital Region’s news cycle. From culinary figures and broadcast veterans to casino ownership and pop culture throwbacks, the quiz was designed to jog memories and perhaps inspire a little local pride (or embarrassment, depending on your score).
One of the questions spotlighted Chef Ric Orlando, a familiar name in the region’s food scene. Orlando was recently featured in a “20 things you don't know about me” segment, prompting the quiz to ask readers about the restaurant he was most recently associated with. For foodies and regulars of local eateries, this was a chance to show off their culinary knowledge—or realize they’ve missed a few dinner reservations.
The quiz also tipped its hat to a long-standing figure in local journalism: Greg Floyd, the CBS6 newscaster. Floyd’s recent announcement of his retirement marked the end of an era, and the quiz tested readers on when he first began his news career in the Capital Region. For many, Floyd’s familiar face and steady reporting have been a constant through decades of change. According to the Times Union, his career has been a touchstone for viewers who have come to rely on his coverage of the community’s biggest stories.
Local economic developments also made their way into the quiz. Sullivan County’s decision to become a co-owner of the struggling Resorts World Catskills casino was a notable headline, raising questions about the future of regional gaming and economic revitalization efforts. The quiz asked which New York casino opened first, nudging readers to recall the chronology of the state’s casino boom and its impact on local economies.
The intersection of entertainment and local history was another theme. Adam Sandler, the comedian and actor beloved by many, had his first comedy show in Albany—a fact highlighted in the quiz. For those who attended or remember the buzz, it was a nostalgic callback to a night when Hollywood came to town.
Pop culture nostalgia continued with a question about Tom Dittus, who recently created a fleet of cars inspired by his love of “National Lampoon’s Vacation” and the iconic Family Truckster. The quiz asked which beloved ’80s movie came out first, blending local ingenuity with a broader cultural touchstone. Dittus’s project brought a bit of Hollywood whimsy to the streets, reminding residents that creativity and fandom can intersect in unexpected ways.
Education, too, found its place among the quiz questions. Siena University, which recently celebrated a name change from its previous moniker, Siena College, was featured alongside a query about the oldest local educational institution. Such changes often spark debate and reflection about tradition, growth, and the evolving identity of academic institutions. The Times Union’s quiz used this moment to encourage readers to think about the region’s educational heritage.
Behind the scenes, the quiz was a collaborative effort. Editing was handled by Daniel Roberts of the Times Union, while design and development came courtesy of Miko Deloso at Hearst DevHub. The result is a polished, interactive experience that not only tests knowledge but also serves as a living archive of the month’s headlines. According to the Times Union, a new batch of questions is uploaded on the last Tuesday of every month, and readers can sign up for an email alert to be notified when the latest quiz is published.
Meanwhile, over in Chicago, a similar tradition played out. On the same day, a local news outlet published its own monthly Chicago news quiz, inviting readers to see how well they kept up with state and local headlines during September 2025. While the specific questions weren’t detailed in the source, the intent was clear: to foster engagement, spark conversations, and highlight the stories that defined the city’s news landscape over the past month.
These quizzes, while lighthearted on the surface, serve a deeper purpose. They encourage residents to stay informed, revisit major events, and reflect on the people and policies shaping their communities. In an era of information overload, where headlines can be fleeting and news cycles relentless, the monthly quiz format offers a chance to pause and take stock. Did you remember when a beloved broadcaster signed off for the last time? Can you recall which casino opened its doors first, or the year a famous comedian brought laughter to your city?
For some, the quizzes are a fun challenge—a way to compete with friends, family, or even strangers online. For others, they’re a gentle reminder that local news matters, and that staying connected to one’s community is about more than just scrolling through headlines. It’s about engagement, memory, and shared experience.
The popularity of these quizzes hints at a broader trend in journalism: the blending of interactivity, nostalgia, and news literacy. By inviting readers to test their knowledge, newsrooms are not only recapping the month’s events but also reinforcing the value of local reporting. Each question is a nudge to remember, to care, and, perhaps, to dig deeper into the stories that might otherwise slip by unnoticed.
As September 2025’s quizzes fade into the rearview mirror, readers can look forward to next month’s batch of questions—and another opportunity to prove just how well they know the places they call home. Whether you aced every question or found yourself stumped by a few, the message is clear: local news is alive and well, and there’s always more to learn.
