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Today: March 22, 2025
Today: March 22, 2025
Sirisha Dinavahi

Sirisha Dinavahi

Staff Writer

Sirisha is a staff writer for the L.A. Post with a background in digital marketing, specializing in blog writing, SEO-optimized content, and social media. She has previously worked as a content specialist, honing her skills in creating engaging digital narratives. A writer by day and a reader by night, Sirisha loves reading and listening to music!

Latest From Sirisha Dinavahi

Health

HPV vaccine could prevent rising throat cancer cases, UCLA doctor says

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for as many as 70% of oropharyngeal cancers, which affect the middle part of the throat. Despite this connection, many people remain unaware that HPV vaccination can protect against these cancers. “Around 2018, when new data was just coming out on this, I was in medical school,” said Dr. Lauran Evans, a PGY-5 otolaryngology resident in the University of California Los Angeles Department of Head and Neck Surgery. “I talked with my medical school colleagues, residents, and professors about it. I found it shocking that no

HPV vaccine could prevent rising throat cancer cases, UCLA doctor says
Education

How the Department of Education cuts could change federal support for schools

President Donald Trump’s administration’s recent decision to significantly reduce the U.S. Department of Education’s workforce has raised concerns about the potential impact on the stability and quality of American education. Over 1,300 employees were laid off and nearly 600 resigned voluntarily. This move aligns with Trump’s long-standing objective to dismantle the Department of Education, a goal shared by many conservatives who advocate for reduced federal involvement in education. Established in 1980, the department oversees various programs, including managing a $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio and enforcing civil rights laws in educational institutions.  Education Secretary Linda McMahon described the layoffs as

How the Department of Education cuts could change federal support for schools
Education

Faculty, students discuss effects of institutional neutrality on key issues

As universities navigate an increasingly polarized political landscape, many have adopted institutional neutrality policies, limiting official statements on social and political issues. Supporters say these policies preserve academic freedom and prevent institutions from endorsing particular viewpoints, while critics argue they suppress important discourse and leave students feeling unheard. The University of Michigan’s Board of Regents unanimously approved a new policy – institutional neutrality for university leaders – on Oct. 17, 2024. This decision aligns with a broader trend among higher education institutions to limit official commentary on contentious topics. Regent Mark Bernstein emphasized the policy aims to empower individual faculty

Faculty, students discuss effects of institutional neutrality on key issues
Local

Third Bald Eagle egg begins hatching in Big Bear Lake

The third and final egg in the closely watched nest of bald eagles Jackie and Shadow has begun to hatch, signaling the likely arrival of an unprecedented triplet of eaglets for the famous Big Bear Lake pair. Observers spotted the first signs of hatching, known as a “pip,” in the third egg on the morning of March 6. This development follows the successful hatching of two siblings earlier last week. “Earlier this morning, we saw the pip in the third egg, and the hole has gotten bigger,” said Sandy Steers, executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, the conservation

Third Bald Eagle egg begins hatching in Big Bear Lake
Environment

Will La Niña's cooling effect end early? Here's what scientists say

The current La Niña climate pattern that emerged in January is likely to be short-lived, with a 60 percent chance it will fade by May, according to an announcement on March 6 from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Meanwhile, scientists are tracking an unexpected warming pattern called El Niño Costero or Coastal El Niño developing off the coast of Peru. This pattern could have far-reaching weather implications, including potential impacts on hurricane formation and global temperatures. The WMO report indicates this shift could contribute to continued near-record global temperatures and might reduce the likelihood of another hyperactive Atlantic hurricane season.

Will La Niña's cooling effect end early? Here's what scientists say
Local

Contamination fears drive push to remake state cannabis agency

Growing concerns over pesticide contamination in California’s cannabis products have prompted local officials to call for major reforms to the state’s regulatory framework, challenging Gov. Gavin Newsom’s oversight of the $5 billion legal marijuana market. Last week, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution asking Newsom and the Legislature to strip the Department of Cannabis Control of key oversight responsibilities and reassign them to agencies with more experience in pesticide regulation and laboratory accreditation. The resolution, co-sponsored by Supervisor Justin Cummings, who also chairs the California Coastal Commission, cited an investigation by the Los Angeles Times that

Contamination fears drive push to remake state cannabis agency
Local

California breaks ground on first steel mill in 50 years, promises new jobs

Pacific Steel Group broke ground March 5 on a new steel mill in Mojave, marking the first such facility to be built in California in over 50 years. According to state officials who joined local leaders and private sector partners at the ceremony, the 500,000-square-foot Mojave Micro Mill aims to revolutionize steel manufacturing with zero carbon emissions while creating hundreds of jobs in Kern County. The project is expected to generate nearly 700 jobs, including positions for electricians, millwrights, welders, computer systems operators, and automation, controls, and robotics specialists. “Projects like the Mojave Micro Mill show how we can grow

California breaks ground on first steel mill in 50 years, promises new jobs
Local

LADWP dashboard shows progress on Pacific Palisades water restoration

Residents of Pacific Palisades who have been unable to use their tap water safely due to carcinogenic contamination now have a new resource to monitor progress as officials work to restore water quality. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has created an online dashboard allowing affected residents to track water quality restoration efforts in their neighborhood zones. Most Pacific Palisades communities have been under a “do not drink” order since Jan. 10, when LADWP advised residents to avoid drinking tap water or using it for specific purposes. The advisory was issued three days after the start of the

LADWP dashboard shows progress on Pacific Palisades water restoration
Entertainment

Hollywood sees setback in industry representation

LOS ANGELES — Film studios have largely retreated from diversity in casting and creative roles despite evidence that movies with diverse casts perform better at the box office, according to the latest Hollywood Diversity Report from University of California, Los Angeles. The 12th annual report, which analyzed the top 200 films released globally in theaters in 2024, found opportunities for people of color declined across all key employment areas after recent historic gains. Women saw mixed results, with increased lead roles but continued underrepresentation behind the camera. Researchers found a stark disconnect between audience preferences and studio offerings, as films

Hollywood sees setback in industry representation
Technology|Lifestyle

Parents overlook online safety risks as AI targets children

In today’s digital age, it’s virtually impossible to avoid the Internet. From social media and gaming to online learning and communication, children are exposed to the online world at an early age. Research suggests, while the Internet offers vast opportunities for entertainment, education, and social connection, it also presents significant risks.  Here’s the bombshell hitting schools: Kids are using AI “nudify” apps, a deepfake twist, to create disturbingly realistic nudes from fully clothed images of their classmates.  In September 2023 alone, the social network monitoring firm Graphika discovered that 24 million people visited undressing websites. In 2024, research suggests there

Parents overlook online safety risks as AI targets children
Crime|News

Police accountability federal database shut down

The Department of Justice has shut down the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database (NLEAD), a federal repository tracking misconduct among law enforcement officers, operating since December 2023. The database closure follows an executive order from President Donald Trump’s administration rescinding 78 directives from the previous Biden administration.  “Agencies can no longer query or add data” to the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database, the Department of Justice posted online. There were 4,790 records of federal officer misconduct and 4,011 federal law enforcement officers in the database, spanning from 2018 to 2023, according to a statistical brief released by the DOJ in

Police accountability federal database shut down
Health

Health officials warn of new Bird Flu symptom in humans

Health officials are urging medical providers across the United States to watch for conjunctivitis – or eye inflammation – as a potential early warning sign of H5N1 bird flu in patients who have had contact with infected livestock, marking a significant shift in how the virus presents in humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 70 human cases of H5N1 across 12 states since 2024, with most infections linked to exposure to sick dairy cows and poultry. Though the CDC maintains that public health risks remain low, the agency has intensified surveillance efforts nationwide. According to the

Health officials warn of new Bird Flu symptom in humans
Local|News

Lawsuit against Norwalk over homeless shelter ban advances

NORWALK, Calif. — State officials announced a lawsuit challenging the city of Norwalk’s ban on homeless shelters will move forward after a judge denied the city’s motion to dismiss. The lawsuit, filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Gov. Gavin Newsom in November, alleges Norwalk’s ordinance banning new homeless shelters violates state housing laws. The state argues the city’s policy unlawfully restricts housing access for individuals experiencing homelessness and low-income residents. “Norwalk’s ban on new housing for unhoused individuals and lower-income households at risk of homelessness is illegal,” Bonta said in a statement. “At a time when affordability issues

Lawsuit against Norwalk over homeless shelter ban advances
Political|News

How deportation anxiety limits education for undocumented students

Concerns over immigration policy and the fear of deportation have resulted in schools facing an increase in absenteeism. Immigrant families are facing barriers in education, as parents and children fear the possibility of separation or detainment by immigration authorities.  “The purpose of our schools is to educate children, and to educate all our children,” said Wendy Cervantes, director of immigration and immigrant families at the Center for Law and Social Policy (Clasp). “Immigration enforcement of any kind should stay out of our schools, period.” For years, schools were considered “safe zones” where immigration officers could not enter to detain people.

How deportation anxiety limits education for undocumented students
Health

Three health factors identified as risks for liver disease in heavy drinkers

LOS ANGELES — Three common medical conditions may explain why some heavy drinkers develop advanced liver disease while others do not, according to new research from Keck Medicine of University of Southern California. The study, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that heavy drinkers with diabetes, high blood pressure, or high waist circumference face up to 2.4 times greater risk of developing advanced liver disease compared to those without these conditions. “The results identify a very high-risk segment of the population prone to liver disease and suggest that preexisting health issues may have a large impact on how alcohol

Three health factors identified as risks for liver disease in heavy drinkers
Political

USAID's future hangs in balance amid shutdown efforts led by Trump, Musk

The United States Agency for International Development has long been a target for conservative critics who say it spends wastefully and promotes progressive ideas that contradict American interests. In recent weeks, President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have taken steps to close it. The agency now faces the prospect of being folded into the State Department under the direction of Marco Rubio, the secretary of state. The agency has been established since 1961, focusing on delivering humanitarian relief for generations. However, the agency – which addresses global health crises, responds to disasters and alleviates poverty, has faced scrutiny in recent years.

USAID's future hangs in balance amid shutdown efforts led by Trump, Musk
Health

UCLA researchers develop new test for Alzheimer's seizures

Researchers at University of California, Los Angeles Health have found that specific brain rhythm patterns can predict seizure risk in Alzheimer’s disease patients, offering a potential breakthrough in early detection and treatment. According to a study published in Brain Communications, the research team found that rapid brain signals called high-frequency oscillations occur at rates two to three times higher in Alzheimer’s patients than in those without cognitive impairment. UCLA neurologist Dr. Keith Vossel, who led the study, has previously established that more than 40% of Alzheimer’s patients experience silent seizures that can accelerate cognitive decline beyond the 20% who have

UCLA researchers develop new test for Alzheimer's seizures
Health

New Cancer Patterns Signal Major Shift in Women's Health

Cancer rates are rising among young and middle-aged women in the United States, marking a notable shift in a disease traditionally associated with aging, according to a report released by the American Cancer Society. The report reveals while overall cancer survival rates have improved, six of the 10 most common cancers are increasing, with women bearing a disproportionate burden of new cases. These include breast and uterine cancers, as well as colorectal cancer in people under 65, prostate cancer, melanoma and pancreatic cancer. “These unfavorable trends are tipped toward women,” said Rebecca L. Siegel, an epidemiologist with the American Cancer

New Cancer Patterns Signal Major Shift in Women's Health
Local

Newsom launches L.A. fire relief efforts with deadline extensions

LOS ANGELES — Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a new executive order to streamline Los Angeles fire relief efforts for survivors by reducing administrative barriers and extending critical deadlines for affected residents. The order suspends various regulations and provides regulatory relief to help families access essential services, including childcare, education, rental housing, health care, and tax assistance as they work to rebuild their lives. “As Los Angeles rises, we will continue to remove the barriers that would stand in the way,” Newsom said. “This executive order provides targeted relief from regulations that impact victims and would otherwise slow this community’s quick

Newsom launches L.A. fire relief efforts with deadline extensions
Local|Travel

Why Joshua Tree is the Ultimate Escape—and How to Avoid the Crowds

If you’re planning a trip to Joshua Tree National Park this winter, be prepared for heavy traffic and crowded trails. Park officials warn that the peak season, which runs from October through May, brings a surge of visitors, especially on long weekends and holidays. The Joshua Tree Visitor Center alone can see more than 4,000 people per day. With its stunning landscapes, unique rock formations, and star-filled night skies, the park offers a one-of-a-kind experience that draws outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and adventure seekers from all over the country. The dramatic desert scenery provides the perfect backdrop for hiking, rock climbing,

Why Joshua Tree is the Ultimate Escape—and How to Avoid the Crowds
Health

New Study Links Popular Thyroid Medication Levothyroxine to Bone Loss Risk in Older Adults

New research from Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that a popular thyroid drug, Levothyroxine, may raise the risk of bone loss in older adults. Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is treated with levothyroxine, which is marketed under brand names including Synthroid. In the United States, it is the second most often prescribed drug for senior citizens. Approximately 23 million Americans, or 7% of the population, are prescribed this medication.  The preliminary study found that levothyroxine users experienced greater bone mass and density loss over a six-year period than non-users, even when their thyroid function tested in the normal range. The study

New Study Links Popular Thyroid Medication Levothyroxine to Bone Loss Risk in Older Adults
News|Entertainment

Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: The courtroom showdown

The story unfolding from the sets of It Ends With Us has reached a new peak, with lawsuits filed by both the lead actors.  What started as messy promotions at the premiere in August 2024 and a ‘he said, she said’ discourse has now evolved into accusations of sexual harassment, smear campaigns, and unethical crisis management tactics when Blake Lively filed a lawsuit in December 2024. As the dispute intensifies, Lively and Baldoni’s legal teams prepare for a trial that could redefine the stars’ reputations.  The root of the conflict can be traced back to the premiere of the movie,

Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni: The courtroom showdown
Lifestyle

Do you engage in 'boomerasking' behavior in small talk?

A common conversational behavior called “boomerasking,” where people ask questions only to redirect attention back to themselves, undermines genuine dialogue and social connections, according to a study published in the Wall Street Journal on Jan. 21. In her study, Alison Wood Brooks explains that the phenomenon often plays out in everyday exchanges. A typical scenario unfolds when someone asks about weekend plans, receives a brief response, and then immediately launches into describing their own elaborate activities, like going to a lake house for a massive bonfire or attending a medieval fair to use their homemade trebuchet. Boomerasking describes a pattern

Do you engage in 'boomerasking' behavior in small talk?
Entertainment

Drake sues Universal Music over alleged defamation in 'Not Like Us' lyric claims

Drake filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against Universal Music Group, claiming the company put his life and reputation at risk by releasing and promoting a Kendrick Lamar diss track that he says falsely portrays him as a pedophile. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges Universal valued “corporate greed over the safety and well-being of its artists” by publishing and promoting Lamar’s chart-topping single “Not Like Us.” Drake, whose legal name is Aubrey Drake Graham, claims the record label “approved, published, and launched a campaign to create a viral hit out

Drake sues Universal Music over alleged defamation in 'Not Like Us' lyric claims
Health

Does parental divorce raise stroke risk for adults?

Adults whose parents divorced during their childhood face a 60% higher risk of experiencing a stroke compared to those whose parents remained married, according to new research from the University of Toronto. The study, published in PLOS One, analyzed data from 13,200 adults aged 65 and older who reported no history of childhood abuse. About 14% of participants had experienced parental divorce before reaching adulthood, and 7% reported having a stroke. “The magnitude of the association between parental divorce and stroke was comparable to well-established risk factors for stroke such as male gender and having diabetes,” said Esme Fuller-Thomson, senior

Does parental divorce raise stroke risk for adults?

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