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Today: April 15, 2025
Today: April 15, 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

Are these social media fitness trends actually healthy for you?

Health and fitness experts are warning against several popular social media trends that they say promote unsustainable habits and misleading information about exercise and nutrition. Massachusetts General Hospital lifestyle medicine program director Dr. Amy Comander said fitness advice on social media platforms often contains misinformation and unrealistic promises, particularly regarding targeted weight loss and quick-fix solutions. “All of us have different heights, different weights, different body compositions,” Comander said, cautioning against following generalized workout and nutrition advice from social media influencers. The “75 Hard” challenge, which gained widespread attention on social media platforms last year, has drawn criticism from fitness

Are these social media fitness trends actually healthy for you?
Technology

Cable TV Outlets Find New Purpose in Home Networking

A practical alternative to unreliable Wi-Fi connections allows homeowners and renters to create wired networks using existing cable TV outlets, eliminating the need for new wall or ceiling modifications. The solution uses Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) technology to transmit high-speed internet through coaxial cables originally installed for television service. The latest version, MoCA 2.5, supports speeds up to 2.5 gigabits per second. While Wi-Fi offers mobility, wired connections provide faster speeds and lower latency for video conferencing, file sharing, and gaming. However, installing 50 or 100 feet of Ethernet cabling throughout a home often proves costly and impractical, especially

Cable TV Outlets Find New Purpose in Home Networking
Local

Here's some new family leave benefits in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif.: In 2025, California will expand family leave benefits and workplace protections through laws to support working families across the state. The centerpiece legislation increases wage replacement rates for Paid Family Leave and State Disability Insurance. Under SB 951, authored by Senator María Elena Durazo of Los Angeles, lower-income workers can receive up to 90% of their wages while on leave, with middle-income workers qualifying for 70% wage replacement. This makes it easier for more Californians to take time off to care for family or recover from illness. “California’s new laws tackle today’s biggest emerging challenges head-on,” Governor Gavin

Here's some new family leave benefits in California
Health

Can Your Morning Habits Affect How Fast You Age?

The battle against time may be fought – and potentially won – in the first hours after dawn. New research reveals that your morning routine could be the secret weapon in slowing down the biological clock, with scientists identifying seven key habits that may influence how quickly we age. While aging remains inevitable, health researchers note that individual aging rates vary significantly, often correlating with established morning routines. These practices range from proper hydration to mindful meditation and consistent sleep patterns. Research indicates that hydration plays a vital role in the aging process. The human body comprises 60 percent water,

Can Your Morning Habits Affect How Fast You Age?
Education|Local

More states mandate screenings for reading challenges in young kids

California will join 40 other states in screening kindergarten through second-grade students annually for reading difficulties.  The Reading Difficulties Risk Screener Selection Panel approved screening instruments designed to identify students at risk for reading challenges, including dyslexia. Students who don’t read at the grade-level by third grade are more likely to miss school and face more difficulties in an academic setting, according to research.  “I know from my own challenges with dyslexia that when we help children read, we help them succeed. By finalizing the reading difficulties screening tools, we are taking an important step toward early, universal reading screenings

More states mandate screenings for reading challenges in young kids
Celebrity|Crime

Brad Pitt's Body Double Sentenced in Landmark Stealthing Case

Luke Ford, 35, a former body double for Brad Pitt, was sentenced to 16 years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh after being convicted of 19 sex crimes, including Scotland’s first prosecution for “stealthing,” according to People magazine. The man was found guilty of multiple charges relating to physical and sexual abuse against women over a 12-year period, prosecutors said. According Ford’s abuse included strangling victims, smashing a partner’s head against a car window, slapping another across the face, and blackmailing women by threatening to share illicit photographs with their employers or families, according to the BBC. “Ford

Brad Pitt's Body Double Sentenced in Landmark Stealthing Case
Local

70% of Your Paycheck Going to Rent? LA's 2025 Increases Could Make It Worse

Renters across Los Angeles face rent increases of up to 8.9% in 2025, with rent-controlled properties capped at 4% increases, according to city regulations. Housing data shows more than 63% of Los Angeles residents are renters, many of whom received notices of upcoming rent increases as the new year began. Under city regulations, rent-controlled properties have a 4% maximum increase cap, with an additional 2% permitted if landlords cover utilities. For properties without rent control, increases can reach 8.9%. “You’re getting ready to celebrate the new year, but then you get hit with, ‘Oh, your rent is going to go

70% of Your Paycheck Going to Rent? LA's 2025 Increases Could Make It Worse
Local

Pet Owners Embrace San Luis Obispo County For Dog Friendly Beaches and Wineries

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — The Central Coast region of California offers visitors a blend of outdoor activities, wine tasting, and pet-friendly amenities across several small towns nestled between the Pacific Ocean and wine country, according to tourism officials. San Luis Obispo County, home to nearly 300,000 residents, encompasses coastal communities like Morro Bay and Pismo Beach and inland destinations like Paso Robles and San Simeon. The area is approximately three hours from both Los Angeles and San Francisco, positioning it as a prime location for weekend travelers from California’s major metropolitan areas. Despite the longer five-hour drive, the region

Pet Owners Embrace San Luis Obispo County For Dog Friendly Beaches and Wineries
Health

Breaking Down The Truth About Rising Autism Numbers

The vaccine-autism theory gained traction following a now-discredited study of 12 children published in The Lancet medical journal in 1998 by Andrew Wakefield. Multiple large-scale studies, including one encompassing Denmark’s entire child population, found no connection between vaccines and autism, regardless of vaccine type, ingredients, or scheduling. The Lancet retracted Wakefield’s article, and he lost his medical license. Social and institutional changes have played a significant role in increasing autism identification. Before the 1980s, many individuals with autism were institutionalized, limiting public awareness of the condition’s characteristics. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the introduction of special education services

Breaking Down The Truth About Rising Autism Numbers
Technology

FBI Warns of 'Hyper-Realistic' Email Attacks: How to Protect Yourself

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has launched a campaign warning email users about rising phishing attacks targeting Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail platforms, emphasizing three key checks to identify malicious messages amid a surge of AI-enhanced cybersecurity threats. According to the FBI’s warning “Scammers often offer too-good-to-be-true deals via phishing emails or ads. Such schemes may offer brand-name merchandise at extremely low prices, offer gift cards as an incentive, or offer products at a great price, but the product you receive is different than ordered.” The FBI campaign coincides with Google’s report of increased email traffic since mid-November, creating enhanced

FBI Warns of 'Hyper-Realistic' Email Attacks: How to Protect Yourself
Uncategorized

What Happens to Unclaimed Bodies? Inside the $180 Billion Industry

Boston Scientific, one of America’s largest medical technology companies, used unclaimed human bodies for medical training through its subsidiary Relievant Medsystems, according to internal emails and documents obtained through public records requests. The bodies came from the University of North Texas Health Science Center’s BioSkills laboratory, which received them from two local counties. The center has since closed its laboratory and ended its use of unclaimed bodies following revelations of what its president called “deficiencies in leadership, standards of respect and care, and professionalism.” Between 2019 and 2023, Relievant Medsystems paid more than $352,000 for access to bodies and lab

What Happens to Unclaimed Bodies? Inside the $180 Billion Industry
Health

What California's emergency declaration over bird flu means

California officials declared a state of emergency as the H5N1 bird flu virus spreads through dairy farms, while health experts maintain the risk to the general public remains low. Since August, the virus has infected 645 dairy operations in California and reached herds in 15 other states, prompting increased surveillance and protective measures for farm workers at risk of exposure. Gov. Gavin Newsom stated that the emergency declaration was “a targeted action to ensure government agencies have the resources and flexibility they need to respond quickly to this outbreak.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 61 human cases

What California's emergency declaration over bird flu means
Crime

Marine Charged in Death of Reality TV Star: Multi-State Investigation Reveals Shocking Details

An active-duty Marine has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a reality television contestant whose body was found in a pond in an abandoned neighborhood in Mobile, Alabama, after she disappeared while working as an escort in Pensacola, Florida. Willie Ellington, 20, stationed at Naval Air Station Pensacola, was arrested on Wednesday, December 18, following the discovery of Tshey Bennett’s body in an abandoned Mobile neighborhood, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office reported. According to sheriff’s officials, Bennett, 26, who appeared on the HollyHoodTV series “Skrippa Bootcamp,” was last seen on Saturday, December 14, at the Sweet Dream

Marine Charged in Death of Reality TV Star: Multi-State Investigation Reveals Shocking Details
Local|Health

Gen Z yearns for safety and kindness, new UCLA study finds

A recent study by the University of California, Los Angeles revealed Gen Z’s top concern is feeling secure in an uncertain world. Young people overwhelmingly reported that safety was their number one priority. This also indicated how young people are still more inclined to prioritize empathy and compassion over gaining attention. When asked about their goals, most of the 1,644 young Americans surveyed put safety at the top of their list. Other high-ranking goals included “to be kind,” “to have a lot of fun,” “self-acceptance,” and “to be in good shape.” In this study, “being rich” and “being famous” were

Gen Z yearns for safety and kindness, new UCLA study finds
Local

California offers new options for high-paying careers without college

Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a comprehensive framework on Monday aimed at creating high-paying career pathways for state residents with or without four-year college degrees. The framework includes removing degree requirements for nearly 30,000 state jobs. The Master Plan for Career Education framework, supported by new budget investments, focuses on strengthening career pathways, prioritizing hands-on learning, and advancing educational access across California. The plan includes provisions for veterans to convert military service into college credits and introduces digital Career Passports to help workers showcase their skills to employers. “Every Californian deserves the opportunity to build real-life skills and pursue a fulfilling

California offers new options for high-paying careers without college
Travel

Travel advisory: Major cruise lines bypass some ports

The United States State Department issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Nicaragua, warning Americans to reconsider visits to the Central American nation due to risks including arbitrary law enforcement and potential targeting of U.S. citizens. The advisory affects the cruise port of San Juan del Sur, previously a destination for major cruise lines, though current sailings have already been adjusted to exclude the port. According to State Department officials, “In the past year, the Government of Nicaragua has subjected U.S. citizens to arbitrary entry and exit bans, expulsions, arrests, revocations of Nicaraguan citizenship, and other actions.”  The agency detailed

Travel advisory: Major cruise lines bypass some ports
Health|Lifestyle

New 'snowmanning' trend raises STI transmission concerns

Medical professionals are raising concerns about potential health risks associated with “snowmanning,” a seasonal dating behavior where relationships end abruptly after holiday festivities conclude. Dr. Crystal Wyllie, a general practitioner at Asda Online Doctor, warns that this trend could increase the spread of sexually transmitted infections, particularly when partners fail to exchange contact information. “December is a time of celebration and connection, but it’s important to stay informed about sexual health,” Wyllie told the Daily Mail. “Planning ahead with contraception, or accessing support after unplanned sexual activity, is key to enjoying the festive season while staying safe.” The term ‘snowmanning’

New 'snowmanning' trend raises STI transmission concerns
Health

The Dark Side of Dietary Timing: What Your Fasting Routine Might Be Doing to Your Hair

A new study suggests that while beneficial for metabolism, intermittent fasting may have an unexpected side effect: slower hair growth. Research published Friday in the journal Cell found that mice and humans following time-restricted eating patterns experienced reduced hair growth compared to those with unrestricted eating schedules. “We don’t want to scare people away from practicing intermittent fasting because it is associated with a lot of beneficial effects — it’s just important to be aware that it might have some unintended effects,” said Bing Zhang, senior study author and stem cell biologist at Westlake University in China. The research team

The Dark Side of Dietary Timing: What Your Fasting Routine Might Be Doing to Your Hair
Crime

Court Rules on Sitter Who Hit Paralyzed Man with a Remote

Washington D.C.: A 76-year-old patient sitter was sentenced to 24 months of probation for striking a 68-year-old paralyzed patient with a hospital bed remote control at Southeast Washington Hospital United Medical Center. Eleanor Flowers was sentenced on Dec. 10 for criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult and attempted threats stemming from a Jan. 4, 2021, incident, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Columbia. Superior Court Judge Deborah J. Israel ordered Flowers to “stay away from the victim and is prohibited from working, volunteering, or participating in any activity involving the elderly, vulnerable, cognitively disabled, or children, to include

Court Rules on Sitter Who Hit Paralyzed Man with a Remote
Travel

Your In-Flight Entertainment Has Been Interrupted by… Someone's Hand

A social media post of an airline passenger blocking a seatback entertainment screen has sparked an online discussion about airplane etiquette. The photo shared on X, formerly Twitter, shows a passenger’s hand draped over their reclined seat, obstructing the video screen of the traveler seated behind them. The incident occurred on a commercial flight equipped with personal entertainment systems. pic.twitter.com/f3sGQNgpvv — John Kennedy (@FrazzleMyGimp) December 1, 2024 The passenger who captured and posted the image reported they were watching comedy sketches from “Key and Peele” at the time and were not significantly bothered by the obstruction. The post joins a

Your In-Flight Entertainment Has Been Interrupted by… Someone's Hand
Health

'Fake It Till You…?' Study Reveals Surprising Trends in Female Sexuality

A new European study finds that while a significant number of women have admitted to simulating orgasm, many eventually abandon the practice as they foster more open communication with their partners and develop a greater sense of sexual self-acceptance. The research, published in the Journal of Sex Research, analyzed responses from 11,541 participants across six European countries. The data showed that 13% of respondents currently fake orgasms, while 28% reported having done so in the past before stopping. About 51% stated they had never engaged in the practice. Women were more than twice as likely as men to currently fake

'Fake It Till You…?' Study Reveals Surprising Trends in Female Sexuality
Health

Study uncovers alarming new cancer spike for some women

Cases of late-stage breast cancer rose sharply among women under 40 over a recent 17-year period, according to research that points to a growing cancer risk for younger adults. The American College of Radiology study found that metastatic breast cancer cases increased by 3% from 2004 to 2021 in women aged 20 to 39, compared to a 1.4% rise in women in their 70s. The research team analyzed breast cancer diagnoses from 2004 to 2021, focusing on patients with aggressive breast cancer that had spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body at the time of diagnosis. “It’s

Study uncovers alarming new cancer spike for some women
Lifestyle

New TikTok trend puts new spin on potluck dinners

A delivery-based spin on potluck dinners has gone viral on TikTok. Groups of friends play what they call “Uber Eats Roulette,” a game in which participants order food without revealing their choices to one another. The trend features friends ordering set-price meals through food delivery apps, creating suspense as multiple orders arrive with unknown contents. In a viral video that attracted 5.1 million views, country music artist Lily Rose and four friends each ordered $30 worth of food, resulting in a spread that included Taco Bell, Chinese food, Mexican dishes, chicken wings, and tacos. “Everyone spends $30 to $40 and

New TikTok trend puts new spin on potluck dinners

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