Latest news with #Ms.Rachel
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Boy, 3, with Autism Lay Dead 'for Hours' at Daycare Owned by Former City Councilwoman, Mom Claims
A mother in Missouri is alleging that her son with autism died while at a daycare owned by a now former city councilwoman PEOPLE obtained a copy of the redacted lawsuit, which alleges Conrad Ashcraft "suffered a fatal injury" on May 16 while at Poppy's Playhouse 2 in Park Hills, Missouri In his obituary, Conrad is remembered as a boy who "loved swimming, Toy Story, Ms. Rachel, Cocomelon, and the movie Cars"A mother in Missouri is alleging that her son with autism died while at a daycare owned by a now former city councilwoman. According to a copy of the redacted lawsuit obtained by PEOPLE, Tara Williams claims that her son, who was later identified as Conrad Ashcraft, "suffered a fatal injury" on Friday, May 16, while at Poppy's Playhouse 2 in Park Hills, Mo. She claims that an employee of the daycare, who was not named, "through the use of lower extremities, applied weight and pressure" to his "chest and/or abdomen, while he was laying down, in order to subdue" him "in an effort to sleep." Williams claims that the defendant, Poppy's Playhouse, LLC, "failed to properly train and supervise its employees" and "knew and approved of the technique of using human extreminities and/or other devices to apply weight and pressure to a child's body in an effort to subdue a child into sleep." Because of this, Williams claims that the day care failed to recognize when her son "was suffocating or had suffocated" and, allegedly, therefore, "was killed and remained laying on the floor of Defendant's facility for hours without any effort to determine his wellbeing." While not mentioned in the suit, Lacey Hardie, Conrad's aunt, told KDSK that Conrad was nonverbal with autism, noting that his "words were limited" and he had "recently learned to say I love you." In his obituary, Conrad is remembered as a boy who "loved swimming, Toy Story, Ms. Rachel, Cocomelon, and the movie Cars." "He also loved pizza and enjoyed spending time with his parents and his family," the obituary reads. The city of Park Hills confirmed in a statement that the daycare is owned by a member of the Park Hills City Council, which led them to refer the matter to the St. Francois County Sheriff's Department. "This ensures the investigation is conducted independently and without influence," the statement said. "We understand the community's grief and concern. The city has full confidence in the independent investigation and believes that accountability is essential, regardless of the circumstances." According to court documents reviewed by PEOPLE, the daycare is owned by Spring Gray. Mayor Stacey Easter said in a statement on Tuesday, May 20, that Gray "submitted her formal letter of resignation from her position as Ward 2 City Council member." The city of Park Hills also confirmed her resignation in their own statement, expressing that "her decision follows recent developments involving her privately owned business." St. Francois County Sheriff Jeffrey Crites said in a press release that the sheriff's office "immediately launched an inquiry and continue to work diligently to uncover all relevant facts surrounding the incident." "Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking event," the press release said. It asked anyone with relevant information to come forward as the investigation remains active. PEOPLE has reached out to the sheriff's department for comment. On Wednesday, May 21, KDSK reported, citing the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, that Poppy's Playhouse 2's operating license has been suspended amid the sheriff department's death news station said the suspension was immediate, and the daycare had 10 days to appeal the decision. A Google listing for Poppy's Playhouse 2 shows the daycare as "temporarily closed." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. PEOPLE reached out to a number listed for Poppy's Playhouse 2 for comment, as well as the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gen Z creators may soon have a new $20,000-paying side-gig thanks to this new Instagram feature
Instagram content creators may soon make up to $20,000 to convince their followers to switch from rival social apps like TikTok and YouTube. The photo-sharing platform is testing a new program which will pay out $100 for every new user or eligible visit. How would you like to be $20,000 richer for simply getting people to download an app? Instagram is now willing to dish out fat paychecks—so long as you can bring new users to the platform. In a new program called 'Referrals,' creators who convince users to visit the app or sign up for an account will be rewarded. The program is currently being tested with a select group of U.S.-based creators, Meta confirmed to Fortune. The program was first reported by Business Insider. Creators are offered one of two options: earn $100 for every eligible new user who signs up for an Instagram account or earn $100 for every 1,000 'eligible visits' to the Instagram app, according to BI. The maximum payout is $20,000, if they're able to bring in 200 new users or 200,000 eligible visits over the course of six weeks. This extra bit of cash could be a game changer for some in the creator economy, who have struggled with many sponsorships and brand deals going to a select group of top-tier influencers. And with nearly two-thirds of young people including Gen Z saying they have or have started a side gig to supplement income, the program could be another way to earn extra income. Young people grew up watching their favorite influencers—from MrBeast to Ms. Rachel—make millions off of their online content. And as they chart their own future in an era where the worthiness of college degrees are in question, content creation seems like a fun, attractive way to make a living. In fact, becoming YouTubers and TikTokers are the top job aspirations of Gen Alpha. While online influencing is a field with relatively low barriers to entry—just a smartphone and some creativity will do—success is relatively unpredictable among newcomers. Moreover, Bank of America data has shown the number of its customers earning income as content creators has continued to decline due to a slowdown in paid partnerships and most brand collaborations being available to a select few top creators. But, for those who post videos on a part-time basis, it has an exciting level of unpredictability; it can just take one video to go viral to change a creator's future. The 'Referrals' program is Instagram's latest attempt to keep young people interested as TikTok and YouTube have become fierce competition for the attention of Gen Z. In fact, over the years, Instagram has spent 'hundreds of millions' of dollars trying to woo creators, the CEO of Instagram Adam Mosseri said earlier this month during the ongoing FTC antitrust trial against Meta. Facebook, too, has ramped up its incentives for creators to post on its platform by monetizing its Stories function, with some users earning $5,000 for content that otherwise would have yielded no income. With the future of TikTok still up in the air, the short-form video platform is also leveraging a rewards program to attract new users. After inviting friends to the app, both users are given 'TikTok Rewards' that could be eventually withdrawn as cash. Rachel Muse, a content creator with over 260,000 TikTok followers told Fortune earlier this year that while the then-TikTok ban would affect her income, she'd simply have to join all the other influencers in adapting to the shifting environment. 'It's such a gift to document and share the things I love and I plan to continue doing so on other platforms like Instagram and YouTube,' she said. 'I don't think that short-form video is going anywhere and though it technically makes my job harder, being anxious about that won't help the situation at all.' This story was originally featured on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Buzz Feed
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
43 Perfect Birthday Gift Ideas For Toddlers
Wooden stacking rocks that'll hopefully distract your kids from trying to collect the stones you purposefully created a pathway to your yard with — they're each a different size, color, and weight to make creating a tower way more challenging (and fun!) than a standard stacker toy. A Ms. Rachel Speak & Sing Doll that boasts 4 songs and 16 phrases — all of which have been embedded into parents' brains already. If you *don't* know all the words to "Icky Sticky Sticky Sticky Bubble Gum" you're about to 😉. Little Tikes Story Dream Machine Starter Set, which will absolutely buy you some time to take a breath (maybe even rest your eyes?!) while your toddler is enamored by projections of classic stories. A personalized name puzzle that'll help toddlers work on learning letters, colors, and how to pronounce that very unique moniker you've given them — it'll also look super cute on display in their room! Polarized toddler sunglasses that fold up super small so when your tyke decides they no longer want to wear them, you can stash them in your pocket or diaper bag without accidentally snapping them in half. Binoculars kids will love using to get *up close and personal* with nature without actually getting all that close — a must-have for littles who are curious but a bit skittish about bugs and whatnot. And a bug catching kit for curious kiddos who would love nothing more than to get a closer look at some creepy crawlers then set 'em free. Classic Crocs, because there are few things as adorable and terrifying as a kid running at full speed in a pair of clogs. OK, but in all seriousness, they are the most effortless shoes to get on your mini-me when they're itching to get outside STAT. A travel busy board packed with activities that'll keep your toddler from asking you a zillion questions like, "Is that a red light?" "Why are we listening to your music, Mom?" "Why is the sky blue?" while you're trying to drive. They'll keep their head down and their fingers busy so you can enjoy some peace. A quirky tape measure, level, and protractor all-in-one for kids who would love nothing more than to be able to lend a hand the next time you decide to take on a home improvement project. It measures up to eight feet (!!!) and has a built-in kid-safe retraction (no tears, please). Next, you'll have to teach them the age-old motto: "measure twice, cut once." A Magna-Tiles set that'll surely be a big hit with any budding architect. They can use it to build all kinds of cool 3D structures, then knock 'em down and start again the next day. My son loves sorting all the tiles by color and then building rainbow-colored towers, in case you're in need of some easy-to-build inspo. ✨ A set of plastic knives for any exhausted parent who would appreciate even the smallest bit of help prepping dinner — it'll also keep your kiddos entertained so you can get the rest of the meal ready. A 5-in-1 indoor climbing set toddlers will scream with delight over when they see it for the first time — it comes with a triangle ladder, a ramp, and arch climb, a rocker, and a slide for them to explore. (This is a must-have for rainy days!) A splash pad you'll thank your lucky stars for when it's hotter than the sun itself outside and your kids are looking for a way to have fun and cool down. Washable dot markers, so the next time your tyke demands to paint you won't have to mentally prepare yourself for a next-level mess. Hand 'em over to your little artist and relax while they craft you something beautiful. Crayola Color Wonder Frozen Coloring Pages and Markers, so your kids can color to their heart's content without also creating a rainbow of chaos all over themselves and your home — the markers *only* color on the special paper that comes with the kit. And/or a Melissa and Doug On the Go Water Wow! Reusable Water-Reveal Activity Pad you'll want to tell all of your parenting friends about. Keep one of these with the pen filled in your tote or diaper bag, and you'll *always* have a way to keep your kiddo entertained when you're in a bind. A LeapFrog 100 Words Book that'll interact with your eager-to-learn little one and teach them all kinds of useful words in both English and Spanish! Say "¡Hola!" to your kiddo's new favorite pastime. An InnyBin for tots with an endless amount of curiosity — it comes with chunky shapes for them to push through the elastic bands and into the cube. (We love fine motor skills!) A Melissa & Doug ice cream station to encourage kiddos to indulge in some imaginative play — they can stack up the flavors and toppings and offer sweet treats to everyone in the A light-up fountain bath toy you can count on to keep your kiddos entertained for a whale-y long time in the tub. Silly Poopy's Hide and Seek — which is pretty much exactly what you'd think it is. It's a rainbow, light-up poop-shaped toy littles can take turns hiding throughout the house. It'll shout out clues and play a song when it's finally found! A set of 500+ puffy stickers any crafty kiddo would squeal with delight about — fear not, they actually don't leave any residue and unstick very easily!!! A wooden grocery store play set kiddos will have no problem playing creatively with — just prepare to hear them say, "sorry, we're all out of oat milk," or some other too-adult comment they've likely overhead already while you were food shopping. Oops. A set of massive bubble wands so enchanting that toddlers will be absolutely mesmerized by it — prepare to hear them saying "more, more, more!" for the rest of the day. Or a bubble machine that'll have your toddler scoffing at the old handheld bubble wands they're used to seeing — this one will take playtime to the next level without filling the house with extra noise. Skip Hop pour buckets with an animal on each one and a variety of different size holes for water to drain through the bottom — little ones will love filling these buckets up, sprinkling the water all over, and then stacking 'em up. And a pipe system for the tub that would absolutely impress Mario and Luigi. (You know, they're plumbers, right?) Your kiddo will have a blast arranging the pipes, playing with the various valves, and watching as water flows through their creation. A balance bike that'll leave any little one grinning from ear-to-ear — hope you're prepared to run after them though, because they're going to be zoooooming away in no time. A Dyson Ball toy vacuum with the ability to actually suck up the crackers your kiddo crushed into your carpet — it's about time they started helping around the house. 😉 The Book with No Pictures by The Office's own B.J. Novak that'll leave you and your mini-me giggling past their bedtime (we'll let it slide, just this once). A Disney Princess Little People Toddler Play set featuring lights, sounds, two characters, and a whooooole lot of magic to keep your kiddo entertained. A handheld card reader for kiddos who are eager to learn new words — all you have to do is turn it on, slide a card in, and let the machine read it aloud. There are two words per card, so your little one will be chatting up a storm in no time! A pack of Mega Bloks for wild toddlers who love nothing more than making towers and then knocking them down like they're a tiny King Kong terrorizing the city. A bubble-spewing dolphin that also plays classic nursery rhymes to convince your kiddo to hang in the tub long enough for you to give them a chance to scrub 'em down and wash their hair. A twist on a classic Eric Carle book featuring 30 buttons that play different animal sounds — kiddos will be clucking, mooing, and learning about their fave farm creatures while *also* reading a book. Win-win! A Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set, which is essentially a tiny stereo toddlers can control all on their own just by swapping out which character magnetically sits on top of it. Each individual figure tells different stories and sings different songs — it's a great way to keep kids entertained without a screen. A LeapFrog Build-a-Slice Pizza Cart that'll encourage your toddler to dive into some imaginative play *and* keep them occupied so you can sit down for a few minutes and catch your breath. An adorable wooden piano that plays real music and includes six sets of beginner "sheet music" so your mini Beethoven can slowly but surely learn some tunes (or, you know, just bang away happily on the keys). A playhouse for your kids that'll make your backyard a go-to destination for all the neighborhood provide them with the perfect opportunity to play House Hunters. 😅 An adorable Cuddle + Kind hand knit doll, available in so many sweet creatures you won't know which one to buy! Each doll that's purchased helps to donate 10 meals to children in need. A massive 160-piece pack of sidewalk chalk they'll be *so* excited over they might just forget to pester you about extra screen time — encourage them to create all kinds of art at the playground or leave funny pictures for passersby. And, of course, a drum set that might just become the bane of *your* existence but will likely be the light of your kid's life. The good news is it has a volume button!
NBC News
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Robert De Niro — and his 2-year-old — spend their days with Ms. Rachel
Just like the parents of millions of toddlers and preschoolers, Ms. Rachel is a part of actor Robert De Niro's life. The Oscar-winning actor watches the YouTuber's popular programs with his little one, a 2-year-old daughter, whom he shares with girlfriend Tiffany Chen. De Niro, 81, shared his viewing habits with Andy Cohen on Sirius XM's Radio Andy. In addition to "Ms. Rachel," De Niro said he watches "The Wiggles" and "Blippi." "'The Wiggles' are sort of cheap, but 'Ms. Rachel,' we started with it and still stay with it," De Niro said. De Niro said his daughter has gotten "more discerning" the more she watches "Ms. Rachel," and tells him when to skip ahead when she's ready to watch something new. Ms. Rachel has amassed millions of followers across multiple social media platforms, as well as a Netflix show, with content catered to little kids. She's recently taken a two month break to attend to family matters, she said.
CNN
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Robert De Niro, Oscar winner and toddler dad, is apparently a ‘Ms. Rachel' fan
Robert De Niro is embracing all that fatherhood has to offer as he spends time with his two-year-old daughter Gia. The Oscar winner opened up about spending quality time with his daughter, revealing on a recent episode of Sirius XM's Radio Andy that he and his daughter love to watch kids TV and internet shows together. 'Ms. Rachel,' 'The Wiggles' and 'Blippi' are just a few of the shows De Niro listed off, saying that he and his daughter had watched 'Ms. Rachel,' a popular children's show led by educator and YouTuber Rachel Griffin Accurso, earlier that morning. ''The Wiggles' are sort of cheap,' he told host Andy Cohen. 'But 'Ms. Rachel,' we started with it and still stay with it.' The 'Alto Knights' star went on to say that his young daughter is becoming 'more discerning because she's seen it so many times.' 'We're waiting for new episodes and new skits and new music things that they do,' he said. De Niro and his girlfriend Tiffany Chen welcomed Gia in 2023. 'She's such an adorable baby. So sweet,' the 81-year-old said in a 2024 interview with People. '(When I) look at her, everything else goes away. So it's a great joy and relief to just be with her in the moment.' Gia is De Niro's seventh child. He shares two adult children with his ex-wife Diahnne Abbott and two adult sons with ex-girlfriend, Toukie Smith. De Niro was also previously married to Grace Hightower before they split in 2018. The pair are parents to a son and a daughter.
