Abbott Elementary star lost her bags on vacation: What you're owed if it happens to you.
Even celebrities have travel headaches sometimes.
Sheryl Lee Ralph, best known these days for playing kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard on the hit ABC show "Abbott Elementary" posted on social media Tuesday about how her bags had been lost by the airline on a trip to Italy.
The post, which included a meme from her character on the show, put a positive spin on the setback, with Ralph writing "I am making the choice to be happy and enjoy Italy because it's easy for one bad experience to spoil many great ones."
Woke up this morning and still have not received my luggage from @ITAAirways but I am making the choice to be happy and enjoy Italy because it's easy for one bad experience to spoil many great ones. pic.twitter.com/KaOuvhG8dU
— sheryl lee ralph (@thesherylralph) June 24, 2025
Airlines are generally pretty good about baggage handling, but their officials recognize it's extremely frustrating for travelers when they get it wrong.
According to the Department of Transportation, U.S. airlines on average mishandled 0.6 of every 100 bags transported in 2024, a 0.1 point increase over 2023.
Want to ride an airport bag belt?: You can't, but we can show you where they go.
If a bag is never recovered, passengers are entitled to compensation for their lost goods.
Airlines are allowed to cap their damage liability to $4,700 for domestic flights or about $1,700 for international itineraries, according to the DOT. Carriers are allowed to exclude some things from their liability responsibility on domestic itineraries, including fragile or perishable items, electronics, cash and other valuables, so long as those exceptions are disclosed in the airline's contract of carriage.
For delayed bags, airlines are required by the DOT to provide reasonable compensation to travelers for daily incidentals.
The DOT suggests filing a lost luggage claim as soon as possible if your bag does not show up on the belt after your flight.
Fortunately, for Ralph, her luggage was recovered. In a later post on Tuesday, she shared a picture of her suitcases with the caption, "The bags have arrived!!!!!"
Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sheryl Lee Ralph's luggage went missing: What to do in that case
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New York Post
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- New York Post
‘Abbott Elementary' lead hairstylist reveals how changing this character's look helped shape their story arc
Season 4 of Abbott Elementary was a memorable one for the characters on the show, but what stood out most were the bold hair statements throughout the 22 episodes. One of the most notable hair changes viewers saw this season was with Ava Coleman, played by Janelle James, 45. Ava, the school's principal, is known for her eccentric personality, untraditional leadership skills, and memorable one-liners. She has lied, threatened, stolen, and negotiated with everyone for what viewers can argue is the betterment of the school. 13 Moira Frazier, a two-time Emmy nominee for Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling, is the Makeup Department Head for 'Abbott Elementary.' Courtesy of Moria Frazier Moira Frazier, the Makeup Department Head for the show and a two-time Emmy nominee for Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling, explained how she wanted to show Ava's character arc through her wigs. 'Okay, in the beginning of her character building, she always had her hair like, you know, a different wig every single episode, like that was her thing. That was her vibe,' Frazier said. 'But this season, this past season, season four, it came more at we wanted to show her stability and her coming into her role as being the principal of the school and taking that role a lot more seriously,' she continued. Since being introduced to Ava in Season 1, she has been known for having different hair colors, primarily blonde. 13 Frazier explained how Janelle James's character (Ava Coleman), right, changed throughout the season. Disney The eccentric principal is also known for wearing 18-20 inches of long hair. However, in the first half of Season 4, Ava's hair had an ombre effect, going from black to burgundy. 'For me, I wanted to introduce this color that we really haven't seen too much in TV and film, and it reads so well on her because a lot of times you can do like that red ombre, but sometimes if it's not color right, it's going to show off too bright, and doesn't really go with the skin tone,' Frazier said. 'But for her, this particular color, it just blends seamlessly.' As the series progressed, viewers saw a shift in Ava's character when she started to deeply care for her staff and students. 13 James's character went from having long ombre hair to straight jet black hair halfway through the season. Disney At the height of the season, Ava got fired for taking the fall for her staff after the school district found out about their scheme for the new golf course. In these two moments, Frazier decided to give this character a different hairstyle to show how determined Ava is not only in her position but also in proving to others that she can do her job. When Ava rocked a jet black, short lob, Frazier revealed she specifically wanted that hairstyle to help define her character growth and 'show variety.' 13 'But this season, this past season, season four, it came more at we wanted to show her stability and her coming into her role as being the principal of the school and taking that role a lot more seriously,' Frazier said. Disney 'You have to be able to show your leadership role. You got to be able to show that 'I'm not messing around role,' you know what I mean. So in all of these different leadership roles, I feel like each wig complements that role. And for this particular role, it wasn't 'I'm coming to this budget meeting begging y'all,' it's 'I'm telling y'all this is what you're going to do' because blunt bobs mean business,' Frazier said. This isn't the first time that Frazier used hair to show Ava's character in a different light. Back at the beginning of Season 3, Ava got a whole new wardrobe, showing how mature she had become during the break and how seriously she was taking her role as principal. 'Yes, she adjusted to Harvard, and she wanted to get her little stuff together, but it still has to be Ava,' Frazier noted. 'So Ava always makes a statement, no matter how subtle, no matter how, um, whatever stage she is in her life.' 13 Ava rocked a jet black, short lob, a hairstyle that Frazier specifically wanted to help define her character growth and 'show variety.' Disney In 'Abbott Elementary,' Frazier made it a point for every character to be recognizable by their hair and outfits. The mockumentary-style sitcom, which follows the everyday lives of school faculty, shows viewers which teachers have been at the school longer than others through hair and makeup. Ava is always seen with long hair and form-fitted outfits, while Janine Teagues (Quinta Brunson) has a long, curly wig. Melissa Schemmenti (Lisa Ann Walter) has fiery and voluminous red hair, and Barbara Howard (Sheryl Lee Ralph) has short hair with a side bump. 13 Quinta Brunson (left) and Janelle James (right) in 'Abbott Elementary.' Disney Frazier describes Barbara as the 'vet' of the group of teachers and wants to pay homage to elderly women like Barbara, who 'pretty much paved the way for all of us to even be where we are today,' which was why she wanted to get her hair right for the show. 'Yes, she's been there the longest, but she's the pillar. She's the one that's going to have that consistent hairstyle. We count on her to be the same, and the same thing with Ms. Schemmenti. That's why they're friends. That's why they're best friends.' Barbara was another character who went through a small identity crisis this season. During the 100th day of school episode, Barbara asks Ava for a makeover because she doesn't want to be seen as an 'old grandmother.' 13 Frazier also uses wigs to help shape character personalities in the show. Melissa Schemmenti (played by Lisa Ann Walter), right, has fiery and voluminous red hair, and Barbara Howard (played by Sheryl Lee Ralph) has short hair with a side bump. Disney While Ava gave Barbara a fresh, new, younger look, Frazier thought that it would be a good idea to add a pop of color to her hair to show her dedication to wanting to look and feel young. 'And even with people like Barbara, there's a lot of people like Barbara that's like, 'I want a little change. So let me pop this blonde in there because I want to look young. I want to be called grandma. Yet don't call me grandma. Don't call me elder,'' she said. Frazier said that the idea of changing Barbara for this specific episode was a collaboration between her and Brunson, who is the show's creator. 13 While Ava gave Barbara a fresh, new, younger look, Frazier thought that it would be a good idea to add a pop of color to her hair to show her dedication to wanting to look and feel young. Disney 13 'And even with people like Barbara, there's a lot of people like Barbara that's like, 'I want a little change. So let me pop this blonde in there because I want to look young. I want to be called grandma. Yet don't call me grandma. Don't call me elder,'' she said. Courtesy of Moria Frazier 'That was actually a collaboration between me and Quinta,' Frazier shared, going on to say that they 'wanted her [Ralph] to be relevant to the average Philly girl or Philly woman' who wanted to be a young grandmother. When asked how often she and Brunson collaborate with hair and makeup for the series, Frazier said that she 'doesn't run or execute anything without Brunson's approval.' 'Nine times out of 10, we're always on the same page. So she'll be like, 'Oh yes, this is what I was thinking. Oh yeah, girl, you got it,' you know, things like that. And sometimes, you know, when it's something very specific, she'll be like, 'Well, something like this,' and then, you know, we execute like that, but it's more so me and her collaborate a lot like a lot, and she just lets me be free.' 13 Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard in a fur-trimmed denim jacket and jeweled jeans at a school event on 'Abbott Elementary.' Disney A major collaboration with Brunson and Frazier in this last season was during the 100th day of school episode, where Frazier had to create over 150 unique wigs, afro puffs, scarves, bonnets, and hats. 'That was a Quinta idea,' Frazier recalled of shooting the episode. ' I was so busy making sure we had all those 100-plus wigs for the kids that I forgot to make Barbara a little mini Barbara's wig. So I'm up there freaking out, like, 'Oh my god, what the heck?' So I'm going through my drawers, pulling stuff out, throwing stuff everywhere.' During the episode, one of Barbara's students decided to dress up like her since it was the 100th day of school, and students were encouraged to look like senior citizens. 13 A major collaboration with Brunson and Frazier in this last season was during the 100th day of school episode, where Frazier had to create over 150 unique wigs, afro puffs, scarves, bonnets, and hats. Disney 'I ended up having to make a baby quick weave. So I took the smallest little Styrofoam head, and I sat there, and I did that quick weave in, like, 15 minutes old school with it. I was talking about a plastic cap. I had to do the shower cap, met like the whole baby,' Frazier said. 'I went old school, and I did them little tracks, and I'm just sewing together, not sewing, but gluing together. And then I put it on her and cut it on her. And it was perfect because the idea was not to look exactly like Barbara. It was supposed to look like a little; it was supposed to look like she took a mama's wig.' With any character on a TV show, hair can help show viewers where a character is in their arc, whether that be starting fresh, going into a spiral, etc. Frazier said that for any hair and makeup artist, you 'have to do your research' when showing a character arc growth or regression. 13 Frazier said that for any hair and makeup artist, you 'have to do your research' when showing a character arc growth or regression. Courtesy of Moria Frazier 13 'Abbott Elementary' latest season ended on April 16, 2025, on ABC. All four seasons are currently on Hulu. Disney 'Everything is not a hair show, if you know what I mean. Everything is not always artistic, but you can still flex your artistic skills when you're doing subtle hairstyles,' she explained. 'So even though it's straight, we'll add a little color, even though it may be black, or do a little brass and dazzle with the curl. Either way, you want to be able to show creativity and versatility and also authenticity.' 'I hold a very high standard when it comes to doing authentic hairstyles. I want people to resonate with the hairstyles that they see across the screen based on the character that I'm doing. So, a teacher, I'm not gonna put her in a ponytail with a bang, like I'm not gonna make a teacher look like that. You know what I mean, unless she's in a specific demographic, unless she's in a specific school setting, or unless that culture of that area is where it is,' Frazier said. Season 4 of ABC's 'Abbott Elementary' ended on April 16, but all seasons are currently available to stream on Hulu.
USA Today
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
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Alabama's most famous cryptids: Legends told around the campfire that haunt the backwoods
Something is lurking in Alabama's woods, or so the stories go. Tales of strange sightings and eerie encounters have been passed around campfires for generations. Whether it's backcountry whispers or blurry photos, the legends endure and they're as much a part of Alabama as the pine trees and red clay. There are Alabama's creepiest cryptids, perfect for your next campfire story. The White Thang is Alabama's most legendary cryptid, and no one can quite agree on what it is. Some say it looks like a white Bigfoot, while others swear it's more like a giant cat or wolf. Standing nearly eight feet tall with glowing red eyes, the creature is fast, elusive and known for an eerie screech. Most sightings of the White Thang occur in north Alabama between Morgan, Etowah and Jefferson counties. However, it has also been spotted in Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, Walnut Grove and Happy Hallow. The creature's reach isn't limited to one corner of the state; reports have popped up in other areas of Alabama and even in neighboring states. The last major sighting was reported in the early 2000s, but some say White Thang is still out there. Reports surfaced as recently as last year, and a Facebook group dedicated to the creature has locals swapping stories and asking, "Have you seen it, too?" The Wolf-Woman of Mobile is one of Alabama's most mysterious legends. In 1971, people in Mobile reported seeing a creature with a woman's head and a wolf's body. Witnesses described glowing eyes and eerie howls. Though dozens claimed to see her, no proof had turned up, and then she seemed to disappear. But stories keep popping up, with locals and students saying they've heard strange sounds deep in the swamps. Whether real or just a spooky tale, the Wolf-Woman remains a haunting part of Alabama folklore. Alabama's cryptid stories don't stop with the White Thang and Wolf-Woman. There's Hugging Molly, the Witch in the Woods, the Sipsey Creature, the Coosa River Monster and plenty more strange legends lurking in the state's backwoods. Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: What are Alabama's most famous cryptids? Here's what to know about them
