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Today: April 02, 2025
Today: April 02, 2025
Nahal Garakani

Nahal Garakani

Staff Writer

Nahal is a Digital Content Editor with experience in digital strategy and social media. She began her career with internships at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and later worked as a digital and social media planner for Wizard World Comic Con. Currently, she serves as a Digital Content Editor at the L.A. Post, overseeing digital narratives and strategies. Nahal holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Cal State Northridge and enjoys staying active through dance and fitness.

Latest From Nahal Garakani

Health|WrittenByLAPost

Less Sex, More Substance: Gen Z Seeking Relatable Bonds Over Physical Relationships

A new study reveals American adolescents today want to see less sex and romance on screens. Instead, young viewers crave more depictions of platonic friendships reflecting their real-life experiences. The 2022 Teens & Screens report by UCLA’s Center for Scholars and Storytellers surveyed over 1,500 youths aged 10-24. It found a majority want more focus on non-romantic relationships and less expectation that male-female friends will inevitably fall in love. Nearly half felt sex wasn’t needed in most plots, while over a third wanted more asexual or aromantic characters. “Adolescents are seeking modeling in the art they consume,” said the center’s

Less Sex, More Substance: Gen Z Seeking Relatable Bonds Over Physical Relationships
World|WrittenByLAPost

Doctors Make History With Patient's Eye and Face Transplant

In a groundbreaking procedure at NYU Langone Health, surgeons successfully completed a full-eye transplant on a living human, requiring approximately 21 hours. Aaron James, aged 46, now holds renewed optimism following this remarkable surgery. The operation came in the aftermath of a tragic electrical accident that inflicted extensive damage to his left eye and facial features. In June 2021, James, a former soldier from Arkansas, suffered profound facial injuries during his military service. His face made contact with a live electrical wire, delivering a powerful 7,200-volt shock. The aftermath of this incident led to the loss of his left eye,

Doctors Make History With Patient's Eye and Face Transplant
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Is Low Serotonin the Missing Long COVID Clue? New Finding Points to Chemical Imbalance

A new study suggests low serotonin levels in the body could help explain some of long COVID’s most troublesome symptoms, including brain fog, headaches, and fatigue. The research proposes lasting viral traces may hamper serotonin production, depriving patients of the essential chemical. Around 30% of COVID survivors worldwide develop long COVID, suffering prolonged effects like reduced endurance, anxiety, and memory issues months or years later. Though causes remain unclear, the recent study in Cell identifies a possible biological contributor: depleted serotonin resulting from inflammation and impaired nutrient absorption. If confirmed, the serotonin deficiency theory could pave the way for more

Is Low Serotonin the Missing Long COVID Clue? New Finding Points to Chemical Imbalance
Local|Food|WrittenByLAPost

Say Goodbye to Salmon? California Ban Will Slash Supply and Spike Prices

Salmon lovers may need to budget more for the nutrient-rich fish this year as regulators move to halt all salmon fishing off California’s coast for 2023. With the state’s major wild salmon sources off limits, limited supply will drive up costs. The Pacific Fishery Management Council has recommended cancelling the season starting May 16 for salmon fishing in California and southern Oregon. This expected federal approval reflects forecasted low population numbers of Chinook salmon returning to spawn in the Klamath and Sacramento Rivers. “California is really good at providing nutritionally valuable food like salmon to Americans,” said PFMC’s Robin Ehlke.

Say Goodbye to Salmon? California Ban Will Slash Supply and Spike Prices
World|WrittenByLAPost

Cold and Calculated: Microsoft Exec's Ex-Wife Behind His Murder, Police Allege

The former wife of a Microsoft executive who was killed in Florida last year has been arrested for allegedly conspiring with her new spouse to commit the murder. According to prosecutors, Shanna Gardner-Fernandez allegedly planned for several months to have her former spouse, Jared Bridegan, murdered in the presence of their young child. Gardner-Fernandez was indicted by a grand jury for the killing that took place in February 2022. The charges include first-degree murder and child abuse. She was taken into custody in Washington state and will be sent to Florida. Prosecutors are also seeking capital punishment against her and

Cold and Calculated: Microsoft Exec's Ex-Wife Behind His Murder, Police Allege
World|Education|WrittenByLAPost

Inside the Frat-Boy Crime Ring That Swept the South

The flowed facade of fraternity life has long obscured a troubling underbelly of secretive wrongdoing. This was never more apparent than in the unraveling of a sprawling fraternity crime ring that recently sent shockwaves across the southern United States. Led by an ambitious college student named Mikey Schmidt, this clandestine criminal enterprise exploited the loyalty and resources of fraternity networks to facilitate an array of illicit activities. Over time, the seemingly innocuous traditions and rituals of fraternity life became breeding grounds for increasingly serious criminal transgressions. The eventual downfall of this crime ring would expose unsettling truths about the capacity

Inside the Frat-Boy Crime Ring That Swept the South
Business|Economy|WrittenByLAPost

Inside the Coordinated Effort to Roll Back State Child Labor Laws

When Iowa legislators voted in April to allow 14-year-olds to work overnight shifts, they advanced an agenda stealthily coordinated by a major conservative advocacy group. The Foundation for Government Accountability has orchestrated a systematic state-level push to weaken child labor regulations, achieving remarkable success in rolling back protections. This lobbying effort comes as the Biden administration scrambles to enforce federal child labor laws amid surging violations. The FGA notched its biggest win in March, playing a key role designing a new Arkansas law eliminating work permits and age verification for workers under 16. The legislation’s sponsor openly acknowledged it “came

Inside the Coordinated Effort to Roll Back State Child Labor Laws
Entertainment|Political|WrittenByLAPost

From Pop Concerts to MAGA Rallies: How Fandom Fuels Trump

When pop icon Taylor Swift appeared at an NFL game to support her boyfriend, it set off a media frenzy, underscoring the magnetic pull between megastars and their superfans. This same magnetic force continues to sustain former President Donald Trump’s political movement, revealing how modern fandom dynamics now shape public life. Just as Swifties flock to her concerts in costume and find community in collective musical passion, Trump supporters gather at rallies wearing MAGA hats while finding tribal identity in their political allegiance. This phenomenon transcends mere popularity to become an immersive culture and powerful group identity. While fandom has

From Pop Concerts to MAGA Rallies: How Fandom Fuels Trump
World|WrittenByLAPost

Trainer's 527 Citations for Safety Violation Expose Crisis of Enforcement

Santa Anita Park, a renowned Southern California horse racing venue, has built a reputation for having stringent safety measures to protect its equine athletes. However, recent revelations have raised serious concerns within the horse racing community regarding hypocrisy and favoritism at the track. The issues center around trainer Dan Blacker, who was cited for a staggering 527 violations by the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) for failing to schedule veterinary examinations within 72 hours of racehorses’ workouts. This violation was uncovered following the tragic breakdown and subsequent euthanization of Blacker’s unraced 2-year-old filly, Animae, after a workout. Investigators found that

Trainer's 527 Citations for Safety Violation Expose Crisis of Enforcement
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Can't Face Another Burpee? Meet "Cozy Cardio," Exercise for the Rest of Us

Amid the sweat-drenched aura of high intensity workouts, a TikTok creator is pioneering a radically different fitness vision centered on low-impact “cozy cardio.” This feel-good approach reimagines exercise as a self-care ritual rather than a draining chore, garnering devotees and expert praise. Hope Zuckerbrow coined the “cozy cardio” concept in videos showing her exercising casually while wearing pajamas and watching TV. This unorthodox routine was born when Zuckerbrow, unable to fall back asleep one morning, started walking on her treadmill with coffee in hand. She decided to film this relaxing activity, dubbing it “cardio…but make it cozy.” The video amassed

Can't Face Another Burpee? Meet "Cozy Cardio," Exercise for the Rest of Us
Entertainment|Sports|WrittenByLAPost

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce: Real Romance or NFL Cash Grab?

The National Football League (NFL) has made millions in recent weeks thanks to an unexpected source: pop superstar Taylor Swift. Rumors linking Swift to NFL player Travis Kelce, tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, have driven up television ratings, merchandising revenue, and ticket sales. This windfall illustrates how the NFL capitalizes on every money-making opportunity associated with its players. Dating speculation began swirling in September 2022 when Swift was spotted in the stands at a Chiefs home game, seated near Kelce’s mother. Kelce then mentioned in an interview that he had given Swift his phone number and invited her

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce: Real Romance or NFL Cash Grab?
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Public Restroom Warning About Toilet Paper Sparks Alarm

Using public restrooms is an everyday necessity for most people. However, a recent viral TikTok video has raised alarming concerns about the potential health risks hidden in plain sight in these public spaces. The now infamous video by user Dane Jones displays an image of a toilet paper roll covered in small red flecks and thin streaks. Jones claims these stains come from intravenous drug users cleaning their needles on the toilet paper, leaving behind traces of contaminated blood. With over 7 million views, the graphic advisory has left many viewers fearful of using public restrooms. But how credible are

Public Restroom Warning About Toilet Paper Sparks Alarm
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Is self-checkout making us lonelier?

Self-checkout lanes are on the rise, and while most customers prefer the privacy of self-checkout, experts have argued that increased reliance on automated transactions chips away at critical social bonds. According to Catalina Marketing, self-checkout now accounts for nearly 40% of checkout lanes at grocery stores. Research reveals the number of lonely Americans has risen steadily since self-checkout’s emergence. With less daily interaction between customers and frontline workers, so-called “weak ties” that boost wellbeing fade. And 75% of Americans say innovations like self-checkout have decreased social skills despite their convenience. Toni Antonucci, a University of Michigan psychology professor, explains weak

Is self-checkout making us lonelier?
Food|WrittenByLAPost

No-Knead Bread: The Recipe That Launched a Thousand Loaves

In November 2006, the food world glimpsed the start of a baking revolution. At the test kitchens of Cook’s Illustrated magazine, colleagues crowded around a just-baked loaf of bread. Still steaming and crackling as it cooled, the open, moist crumb and glossy crust were astonishing. This was no-knead bread, a technique recently published by Jim Lahey and Mark Bittman in The New York Times. It would profoundly impact how home bakers saw yeast breads. “This was the recipe that democratized bread-baking,” says chef Peter Reinhart, author of The Bread Baker’s Apprentice. Both simple and foolproof, no-knead bread yielded superior flavor

No-Knead Bread: The Recipe That Launched a Thousand Loaves
Economy|WrittenByLAPost

Supreme Court Rejects Outdoor Exercise for Solitary Confinement Prisoners

The Supreme Court made a controversial decision on Monday by choosing not to consider the case of an Illinois inmate who has been kept in solitary confinement and without outdoor exercise for nearly three years. The court’s brief order rejecting the case gave no rationale, as is customary. But three dissenting liberal justices penned a forceful rebuttal, decrying the appalling mistreatment suffered by inmate Michael Johnson. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, described the harrowing conditions imposed on Johnson at Pontiac Correctional Center. “Throughout that period, Johnson occupied a cell without windows, constantly illuminated,

Supreme Court Rejects Outdoor Exercise for Solitary Confinement Prisoners
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Is it Anxiety or a Panic Attack? Learn to Tell the Difference

While commonly used interchangeably, “anxiety attack” and “panic attack” refer to distinct conditions, each with significant differences. Learning to identify each can help assess when professional treatment may be needed. While both create distress, their causes, onset, severity and duration vary. Recognizing the divergence equips individuals to better manage symptoms. Unlike panic attacks, anxiety attacks have no formal clinical definition. The presence of those conditions is not explicitly recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, the DSM-5 defines anxiety as a feature of disorders like generalized anxiety, social anxiety, PTSD and more. Anxiety often relates

Is it Anxiety or a Panic Attack? Learn to Tell the Difference
World|WrittenByLAPost

Netflix Family Awarded $261 Million After Medical Nightmare

In a controversial ruling, the Supreme Court on Monday refused to consider the appeal of an Illinois inmate who has been kept in isolation and denied outside recreation for nearly three years. The court’s brief order rejecting the case gave no rationale, as is customary. But three dissenting liberal justices penned a forceful rebuttal, decrying the appalling mistreatment suffered by inmate Michael Johnson. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, described the harrowing conditions imposed on Johnson at Pontiac Correctional Center. “Throughout that period, Johnson spent almost every hour of his life in a cell

Netflix Family Awarded $261 Million After Medical Nightmare
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Running vs. Walking: Study Finds Picking Up The Pace Adds Health Benefits

Walking is rightfully lauded as an accessible, enjoyable activity with proven health benefits. But science shows that making even part of your regular walk a jog or run delivers advantages in less time. While both provide a path to fitness, running edges out walking for improving cardiovascular health and longevity based on key research. With a thoughtful progression, it’s possible to transition gradually from walking to running within two months or less. It’s simple why walking is so popular worldwide – it requires no equipment except shoes and can be done almost anywhere. Studies confirm walking helps lower anxiety, depression,

Running vs. Walking: Study Finds Picking Up The Pace Adds Health Benefits
Food|WrittenByLAPost

Deep Frying: The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Turkey

As interest grows in over-the-top culinary concoctions, one author eschews modern gimmicks while embracing a classic: deep-fried turkey. Though frying a whole bird may seem a stunt itself, when done properly the technique beautifully crisps the skin while keeping the meat remarkably moist. The dish has become a new tradition across the American South. Deep-frying a turkey produces the best bird this author has ever tasted. The high heat of the peanut oil seals in turkey juices while imparting crackling skin and rich, crispy flavor even into the meat. While stunt dishes like gold-leaf steak or wine with snakes hold

Deep Frying: The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Turkey
Travel|WrittenByLAPost

Raging Passenger Duct-Taped After Groping Allegations

A 22-year-old’s extreme mid-flight meltdown recently gained international attention thanks to viral videos showing the consequences of his unruly behavior – namely, getting duct-taped to a seat by frustrated flight attendants. Maxwell Berry now faces assault charges after apparent intoxication sparked harassing and violent acts towards crew and passengers. The severe incident spotlights ongoing issues of passenger misconduct in the air, especially abuse targeting airline staff enforcing safety rules. It further raises questions on appropriate restraining methods when verbal de-escalation fails with severely disruptive travelers. According to accounts, Berry’s outburst occurred aboard a Frontier Airlines flight last August. Having already

Raging Passenger Duct-Taped After Groping Allegations
Entertainment|WrittenByLAPost

Mariah Carey Sued Again: Did She Steal That Christmas Song?

Mariah Carey faces another lawsuit alleging she stole her defining Christmas pop hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” from a decades-old country song bearing the same unique title. Songwriter Andy Stone, who performs as Vince Vance, filed a complaint in Los Angeles claiming his 1989 Yuletide release predates Carey’s blockbuster. It marks the second attempt by Stone to legally dispute the smash single’s origins through accusations of copyright infringement. The latest lawsuit demands $20 million in damages while spotlighting the legal gray areas around proving musical inspiration versus theft in court. According to the suit, Stone’s band Vince

Mariah Carey Sued Again: Did She Steal That Christmas Song?
Health|WrittenByLAPost

FDA Bans Cancer-Causing Straighteners

This week the FDA proposed banning hair straighteners containing formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, targeting products marketed mainly for Black women despite over a decade of evidence on cancer risks. The agency determined frequent chemical straightener use significantly elevates uterine cancer chances, with toxicity also linked to breast and ovarian malignancies. But though the FDA itself deemed formaldehyde carcinogenic in 2015, only mounting publicity and Congressional regulation recently prompted concrete plans to halt allowable exposure from cosmetics. Specifically, the agency now moves to outlaw hair products emitting formaldehyde directly or through release from compounds that convert to the chemical through air

FDA Bans Cancer-Causing Straighteners
Food|WrittenByLAPost

The Truth About Your Daily Coffee Limits

While offering an array of potential wellness benefits, America’s beloved coffee habit also carries side effects from overdoing caffeine consumption. Experts say most adults can safely drink up to 4 cups daily, or 400 milligrams, but our bodies process the stimulant differently based on genetics and lifestyle. Understanding your limits and how speedily you metabolize caffeine helps strike balance between coffee’s pros and cons. Tracking physical cues makes recognizing excess straightforward for those willing to tune into their own rhythms. Specifically, the average person clears about half a caffeine dose every four to ten hours, with quick metabolizers avoiding later

The Truth About Your Daily Coffee Limits
Food|WrittenByLAPost

Baby Carrots Aren't What They Seem – The Disturbing Truth

The shelves in supermarkets are just a trick. One vocal blogger says the tiny doppelgangers are just made from poor, full-grown rejects so that many of them are the same and are only two inches long. This system might make results more efficient by automating the peeling, cutting, and polishing processes. That being said, the blogger says the finished goods don’t have complicated flavors, waste resources, cost too much, and spread false ideas about how great they are through dishonest advertising that makes health halos. In fact, most tiny vegetables that look like carrots are really just picked baby root

Baby Carrots Aren't What They Seem – The Disturbing Truth
Health|WrittenByLAPost

Here's Why Your Cold Seems More Severe After Bedtime

If your cold or cough seems worse at night, science confirms it’s not your imagination. Physicians identify biological rhythms, hormone fluctuations and body positioning as key factors aggravating overnight symptoms. Simple home remedies like hydration, humidifying and cough drops can ease disruption, but understanding the body’s natural circadian cough cycle helps normalize the experience. Tuning into the outsized reaction at one point of the daily clock offers reassurance while combatting its severity. Specifically, our inner sleep/wake programming directs key immune cells to rev up activity after dark seeking pathogens. But their well-intended efforts also spark inflammation temporarily compounding congestion, irritation

Here's Why Your Cold Seems More Severe After Bedtime

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