Latest news with #Downing
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Teen Stuns Viewers as 'Vintage' Prom Dress Donated by Millennial Goes Viral
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Gen Z teen's dress-up session with her millennial neighbor's prom gowns has captured the internet's heart. Erinn Downing (@er1nnh), 34, from San Diego, shared a TikTok video of her 16-year-old neighbor trying on three of her old prom dresses—garments that Downing wore almost two decades ago, in 2006 and 2008. The video, which juxtaposed clips of the teen in each outfit alongside throwback photos of Downing wearing them at the time, has amassed 4.5 million views and 367,700 likes. "I am so happy I saved them! Watching her try them on brought me right back to being 16 and how beautiful I felt in those dresses! They brought back the joy and excitement of prom!" Downing told Newsweek. Downing shares an incredibly close bond with her neighbor, who she has known since the day she was born. The dresses included a floor-length green mermaid gown from Cache, a pink satin gown with diamante details around the chest and waist from Bloomingdale's, and a white gown with silver embellishments—also from Cache. Each one fit the teen perfectly. "Emily had mentioned that wearing 'vintage prom dresses' were 'in.' So luckily I had saved all of my dresses and were just goofing off one night where she tried them on and modeled them for my parents and her mom! My parents and especially my mom loved it because she had gone shopping with me for all three of the dresses so she loved re living it all through Emily, who is like a daughter to them both," she said. A split image showing Erinn in her white prom dress in 2007 and Emily rocking the gown in 2025. A split image showing Erinn in her white prom dress in 2007 and Emily rocking the gown in 2025. @er1nnh/@er1nnh Reflecting on the significance of each dress, Downing explained that the white gown had a special purpose beyond prom. She told Newsweek she got it because she was part of NCL—the National Charity League. "Seniors have a sort of debutant ball where they have to wear a white dress! When I found the white one it worked for both NCL presents and prom!" she said. As for the pink dress, the motivation was simple: "The pink one I'm sure I bought just because pink has and always will be my favorite color!" Of all three, Downing still holds a soft spot for the mermaid-style green gown. "My personal favorite is the green one! At the time I wore it—I felt the best in it! Something about that giant center stone and the mermaid flow made me feel invincible!" While it may seem surprising that clothes from the 2000s are now considered "vintage," the label isn't far off. According to Martha Stewart, an item is generally considered vintage if it is at least 20 years old but less than 100. That makes Downing's 2006 and 2008 prom dresses officially vintage as of the mid-2020s. The video also sparked a wave of nostalgia online, with TikTokers sharing memories and reactions to the throwback looks. "That white one was ahead of its time," commented one user. "Ok white one still slaps," added another. Jen chimed in: "Oh my god I had that white one in hot pink!" Others were astonished Downing had kept them all these years. "How do you even have these still? The only thing I've kept from high school is my senior yearbook," one viewer commented. And many millennial viewers had a moment of existential crisis. "'Vintage' just hurt my feelings. I was class of '08," said Anna McDowell. Ultimately, Emily did not end up wearing any of the dresses for prom, but Erinn is holding out for her senior year. Do you have any viral videos or pictures that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Democratic lawmakers in Montana urge defense of Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood signage is seen in the Financial District neighborhood of Manhattan on April 16, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Democratic lawmakers in Montana asked the state's congressional delegation Tuesday to defend 'affordable health care access' for Montanans and oppose efforts to 'defund' Planned Parenthood and 'slash Medicaid' in the reconciliation bill under consideration in Washington, D.C. The letter, signed by Democratic legislative leaders in the Montana House and Senate plus 45 other legislators, said Planned Parenthood is a 'trusted, irreplaceable part' of the state's health care system, and it has served communities for more than 55 years. 'We write in support of the thousands of Montanans who rely on Planned Parenthood health centers, especially those who live in rural, remote and medically-underserved communities where Planned Parenthood is the only provider who can care for patients, many of which are Medicaid recipients,' said the letter. The lead signers to the letter were Rep. Katie Sullivan of Missoula and Sen. Pat Flowers of Belgrade, minority leaders in the House and Senate, respectively. The massive tax and spending bill is in the U.S. House, and Republican Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Tuesday it still has 'a number of loose ends to tie up,' according to States Newsroom's Washington, D.C. bureau. The letter from Montana Democrats was directed to U.S. Sens. Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy and U.S. Reps. Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing, all Republicans. Daines, Sheehy and Zinke did not respond Tuesday to requests for comment. Downing, however, said many Americans don't want federal money to pay for abortions. 'For too long, the U.S. government has subsidized abortions at Planned Parenthood with complete disregard for the sincerely held beliefs of millions of Americans,' said Congressman Downing in an email from his office. 'If the brutality of abortion should exist in this country, may it never receive another penny of federal funding.' Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana describes Planned Parenthood as the largest provider of sexual and reproductive health care in Montana, with four health centers in the state and telehealth services for thousands of patients, including Medicaid recipients. The advocacy group said Planned Parenthood is like any other health care provider, with health centers reimbursed through health programs like Medicaid: 'Medicaid funds are not used for abortion other than in rare exceptions due to the Hyde Amendment.' The federal law known as the Hyde Amendment disallows federal funds for abortion except to save the life of the parent or for pregnancies that are the result of rape or incest. Mary Sullivan, with Planned Parenthood Advocates, said language in the bill is specifically pointed at Planned Parenthood, but because the Hyde Amendment already restricts funding for abortion, the effect would be a limit on other services. 'Really, where they're drawing the line is birth control, cancer screenings, STI (sexually transmitted infection) screenings,' Sullivan said. The bill (Sec. 44126) identifies entities prohibited from receiving funds as nonprofit organizations that receive more than $1 million and are 'primarily engaged in family planning services, reproductive health, and related medical care.' Sullivan, of Planned Parenthood Advocates, said if health care centers were forced to close, many patients would have nowhere to turn, and the health care landscape in Montana is 'already overwhelmed.' In a statement, Quinn Leighton, with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, said the organization would continue to work to ensure care remains available and affordable for Montanans. 'Every Montanan, no matter where they live or how much money they have, deserves access to essential, affordable health care,' Leighton said. A 2025 public opinion report about abortion and reproductive health policy said respondents generally opposed 'a number of actions' the Trump administration could take, including taking away funds from Planned Parenthood. 'Opposition crosses party lines — with about four in 10 Trump voters or more in opposition (including 63% who oppose taking away funds from Planned Parenthood),' said the report from PerryUndem, which describes itself as a nonpartisan public opinion research firm. In the letter from Democrats, the legislators said the consequences of 'defunding' Planned Parenthood 'could be catastrophic.' 'No other provider would be able to fill the gap left by Planned Parenthood, and making cuts to Medicaid would put rural hospitals and medical centers in jeopardy,' the letter said. A separate letter Monday organized by the State Innovation Exchange's Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council described the prohibition in the federal bill as the latest in 'politically motivated attacks' against Planned Parenthood and abortion providers. The letter was signed by 562 lawmakers from all 50 states, according to the council.
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
£12 product can transform viral hairstyle loved by Molly-Mae Hague in one swipe
The Aussie slick back bun has become a firm favourite for a reason. However, the slick, shiny hairstyle can be taken to its next level with this one £12 product that you can buy today The Aussie slick back bun has been a staple for the girls on the go since its comeback a few years ago, with tutorials on the viral hairstyle averaging well over 2 million views each on TikTok. However, some are still struggling to perfect the slick-back look. Phillip Downing the Creative Director of Bed Head tells The Mirror that the Aussie slick back is a "super feminine hairstyle" that can level up an entire look. And a wax product, such as Bed Head's Wax Stick - which is just £12 at Boots and Superdrug - can help. He says: "I think the reason why it's so popular right now is down to how it combines functionality with elegance. It can easily be dressed up as a chic hairstyle paired with an evening look, or dressed down too, as it keeps the hair off the face, which is practical when you're at the gym, or out and about.' However, one £12 product may be the only thing you need to achieve the hairstyle in no time at all. Downing said: 'When it comes to nailing a sleek hairstyle like this, there are three key areas to focus on: slickness, hold and gloss.' The hair guru shared his expertise, detailing the products and steps to get the look to last all day. He said you should start with untangled hair, use a comb to section and part two equal sized front pieces of hair, keeping them aside to help frame the face and complete the style later. Then, gather and snatch the rest of the hair together using a soft brush, keeping the hair as close to the scalp as possible - as the real success to a refined ponytail is a taught and tight hairline perimeter, vs. loose baby hairs. Secure the hair into a ponytail, using your free hand to press and smooth the hair as you go, taming any frizz and maintaining tightness. Deciding where the pony falls on the head makes a big difference to the overall look. Consider a higher ponytail for a sporty, fun look, or opt for lower if you're going for more formal, elegant vibes. Once you've tied your pony, use the back of a comb to slot through the middle of your hair and subtly lift. This will add body and create a more volumised look at the crown. Then comes the hero product. Applying a wax product, like Bed Head's Wax Stick, to slick down the sides of your hair helps you achieve that glossy, iridescent finish. Start at the front of your head and glide the wax ergonomically back until you reach the pony, guided by the head shape. Downing tells us that the wax stick product is perfect for taming flyaways without making hair stiff or greasy. For the final touch, spray hairspray all over the head. This will not only support the ponytail but give you a vinyl effect, particularly where the wax is applied.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
In unusual move, Alaska House declines to honor conservative political writer
The Alaska House of Representatives is seen in action on Monday, May 5, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) The Alaska House of Representatives has issued messages honoring high school sports teams, Olympic gold medalists, farmers, anniversaries, and even notable animals. In an unusual move on Friday, it declined to bestow honors on conservative political commentator Suzanne Downing. In a 21-17 vote, the House tabled a citation from Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River that praised Downing. Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, led the vote to turn down the citation. 'I have not objected to dozens of citations for people who had views strongly opposed to mine … I objected to this citation because there is a long record of outright dishonesty with this particular person, and it's caustic in our discourse,' he said on the House floor. When it became clear that there were enough votes to vote down the citation altogether, members who supported Downing asked that it be tabled out of courtesy. Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna, was the lone member of the House's Republican minority who voted for the tabling motion. 'I think that was the way to go, to not go down the road of rejecting a citation,' he said. Downing, who has a background in journalism and Republican politics, founded the website Must Read Alaska in 2016 to spread conservative news and commentary, mostly in support of conservative members of the Alaska Republican Party. In 2023, she sold the website to Jon Faulkner, a prominent Republican donor and owner of the Land's End Resort in Homer. Allard said in a text that Downing deserved the recognition. 'There's an entire page in the U.S. Congressional Record dedicated to Suzanne Downing and her many extraordinary contributions to the state of Alaska,' Allard said. 'She has obviously moved the needle, much to the irritation of a few Democrats. Zack Fields has been the target of some of her criticism over the years, and so naturally he is taking this quite personally. Sad!' Legislators present on the House floor Friday said they couldn't recall the last time the House failed to approve a citation for someone. In 1994, as an April Fool's Day joke, a lawmaker submitted a citation praising conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh, entitled 'Honoring Excellence in Broadcasting.' Several House members, including multiple Democrats, cosponsored the citation before realizing it was about Limbaugh, then voted it down. 'I'd rather see his very ample butt flossed with barbed wire,' said then-Rep. Joe Sitton, D-Fairbanks, before voting against it. After Limbaugh's death, the House did eventually vote to honor him with a citation. On Monday, Fields noted that he voted for that citation as well as another posthumous honor for conservative radio talk show host Dan Fagan. 'Someone who's willfully and repeatedly dishonest, I just I'm not going to vote for that, and I don't think it's appropriate for the Legislature to commend them for being willfully dishonest,' he said. While individual legislators have occasionally voted against particular citations, it is extraordinarily unusual for a legislative body to vote them down collectively, even when the person being honored has been convicted of crimes. In 1994, legislators censured Sen. George Jacko for sexually harassing a legislative page. On Jacko's last day in office, they passed a citation that praised Jacko for having 'a great sense of humor as well as the esteem of his staff and colleagues.' Former state Rep. Tom Anderson was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the VECO corruption scandal. Last year, after Anderson's death, the Legislature unanimously passed a citation honoring his life. Legislative citations have occasionally drawn ire, too. In 2008, legislators issued a citation praising attorney Wayne Anthony Ross. The following year, they rejected Gov. Sarah Palin's decision to name him attorney general, marking the first time the Legislature had ever turned down a cabinet appointment. 'The hypocrisy there is quite glaring. I believe they need to be called out on that,' Palin said at the time. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Thousands in Cincinnati mourn Deputy Larry Henderson, who walked 'the path of justice'
Larry Henderson's fellow deputies at the Hamilton County Sheriff's office knew what to expect when he relieved them at the end of their shifts. He arrived early, usually by at least 15 minutes, so he could get a good briefing about the work ahead on his own shift. He wanted to be as prepared as possible, and he wanted his colleagues to know he wouldn't let them down. And if anyone worried about leaving too much for him to do or suggested staying late to help him, Henderson always had a quick response. 'Go home,' he'd say. 'I got it.' Those who knew and worked with Henderson, who was struck and killed by a car May 2 while directing traffic, remembered him Friday at his memorial service as the guy who always seemed to know the right thing to say and do, no matter the situation. Whether he was disarming explosives as a member of the bomb squad or handling a routine change of shift, they said, Henderson, 57, built a reputation during his 33 years at the sheriff's office as a reliable pro and a great friend. Lt. Dave Downing, a friend for years, said in his eulogy that he'd heard Henderson tell him and other deputies countless times to 'go home' at the end of their shifts, assuring them he could handle whatever still needed to be done. 'When I heard that,' Downing said, 'we all knew that everything was going to be just fine.' He said Henderson, a retired Marine, routinely volunteered for the most dangerous jobs, risking his life on many occasions, but he also showed up for the routine tasks. He led by example. One of those routine jobs came May 2, when Henderson, who'd retired from the sheriff's office months earlier, agreed to take on traffic duty outside the University of Cincinnati's commencement ceremony. It was there that Rodney Hinton Jr. spotted him, police say, and intentionally ran him down as he worked a traffic signal on Martin Luther King Drive. Prosecutors say Hinton, who is charged with aggravated murder, sought out a law enforcement officer after his 18-year-old son, Ryan Hinton, was shot and killed by Cincinnati police as he ran from a stolen car with a gun. 'The only target was a police officer, any police officer,' Downing said. But as thousands of friends, family and strangers honored Henderson during two funeral processions and the memorial service at Xavier University's Cintas Center, few spoke of the violent act that took his life. Instead, most remembered Henderson as a devoted father of five, as a man who joined the Marines before he'd graduated high school, as a respected, 33-year veteran of the sheriff's office, as a foster father who volunteered his time at schools, and as the kind of deputy who knew when to lighten the mood with a well-timed joke and when to buckle down and get serious. An emotional Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey urged the hundreds of officers who attended the memorial, many of them from around the country, to rally around Henderson's friends and family. She said those who loved him may not be sworn law enforcement officers, but, in their own way, they took the same oath to 'walk the path of justice' that he took. And with that oath, she said, they also assumed the burden that goes with it. 'Our families,' McGuffey said, 'they have their hands raised, too.' She said Henderson's family need not suffer alone now, because they are part of the extended family of law enforcement officers. 'It is then, in the darkest of times, that we must grab on to each other, so we do not lose our way,' McGuffey said. 'We will never walk alone.' Rabbi Mendy Kalmanson, the sheriff department's chaplain, urged those at the memorial service to honor Henderson by living their lives as he did, as 'someone who quietly and consistently did good.' Doing so, he said, is the best way to combat the darkness many of them feel as they grieve for Henderson and his family. 'A little light dispels much darkness,' Kalmanson said. 'In a dark room, even a flicker of light can change everything.' Outside the arena Friday, thousands of people seemed to heed that message. They gathered along Hamilton County streets, clutching American flags and signs bearing Henderson's photo, waiting for his funeral procession to make its way to Spring Grove Cemetery. Downing, in his eulogy, said the love and respect shown to Henderson after his death speaks to the man he was in life. Turning to the deputies and police officers at the memorial, Downing told them it was now their turn to relieve their friend. He asked them to say to Henderson what he had said to them so many times over the years. 'Go home. I got this.' Enquirer reporter Patricia Gallagher Newberry contributed to this report This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Larry Henderson's funeral: Sheriff says he walked 'path of justice'
