Latest news with #TNS
The Star
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Sarah Silverman reveals grandfather may have killed her infant brother
Sarah Silverman has opened up on a dark family secret. Photo: TNS Sarah Silverman has opened up on a dark family secret, revealing for the first time what her father told her about the death of her brother when he was three months old. In a new interview for Rolling Stone , the 54-year-old comedian said that for years she and her sisters thought baby Jeffrey died as the result of a crib accident. But in 2022, her father finally told her that he believed his own dad killed him after shaking him in a violent rage. The tragic incident occurred before she was born, when Jeffrey was being babysat while Silverman's parents were on vacation. 'The story was that something happened with the crib, and Jeffrey's little body slid and he got suffocated. But if you look back, there was never a lawsuit with the crib company or anything,' she told Rolling Stone. Silverman said her father delivered the shocking revelation after watching her perform in the off-Broadway musical adaptation of her memoir, The Bedwetter , which included a joke about the infant's death. 'My dad says, 'I always felt that he was crying or something, and my dad shook him,'' she recalled. ''He shook him in a rage and killed him.'' 'As soon as he said it, it was like, 'Of course, that's what happened,'' she continued. 'His mother always stood by her husband. She watched him beat the s— out of her son. I couldn't ask my mum, because she was dead.' Silverman's mother, Beth, died in 2015, while her father – who she called her 'best pal' – died in 2023. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Immigrants fear losing crucial health care if Minnesota legislators revoke access
May 29—By Allison Kite, The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS) MINNEAPOLIS — Micaela has spent three decades tirelessly cleaning houses, working as a clerk and now owns a shop in the Twin Cities that she tends to seven days a week, only closing Christmas and New Year's Day. But those efforts have left telltale signs on her body. She struggles to walk because of debilitating knee pain brought on by years of grueling cleaning work she performed when she first arrived from Mexico. Micaela's daughter, Isis, helps her to and from the car, stocks the shelves and escorts her to the bathroom. Micaela, who only gave her first name because she is undocumented, was hopeful she could finally get treatment when Minnesota opened its state health insurance for low-income residents to undocumented immigrants. She has an appointment scheduled for her knee next month. Now, she's not sure she'll be able to get surgery as the state weighs revoking coverage for Micaela and thousands of fellow immigrants under a budget deal struck between lawmakers in St. Paul. She said she's leaning on her faith for support. "God knows what we can do at this point," Micaela said via translator. "We just — we're at His mercy." The Minnesota Democratic trifecta voted in 2023 to open MinnesotaCare to undocumented immigrants, but since the program began in January, enrollment has far exceeded expectations. The state had projected about 5,800 people to sign-up by the end of March, but more than 17,000 people entered the program. By the end of April, enrollments hit more than 20,000. Only about 4,300 enrollees have had appointments for which the state has paid out, but Republicans warn the costs of the program may balloon as additional claims roll in. Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders struck a budget agreement this month that would remove undocumented adults from MinnesotaCare but allow children to remain on the program. Approximately one-quarter of enrollees are minors, according to the state. The deal, which has not yet been approved by the Minnesota Legislature, has been met with backlash from progressive lawmakers and organizations that advocate for immigrants. In the two weeks since the deal was announced, protesters at the Capitol have shamed Walz and legislative leaders and accused them of abandoning immigrants. Rep. Esther Agbaje, DFL-Minneapolis, criticized Republicans, who have made rolling back MinnesotaCare for undocumented immigrants a priority this legislative session. "It is especially sad that they have injected into the conversation that some people must simply be left to die because their costs are too expensive," Agbaje said at a news conference at the Capitol. Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, said the costs to provide coverage are too great and Minnesota shouldn't "incentivize illegal immigration" by providing benefits like MinnesotaCare. He said his constituents and neighbors are glad to see the Legislature "put Minnesotans first." He noted that Illinois and California are scaling back coverage or pausing enrollment in health plans for undocumented immigrants because of the costs. "It's actually quite unusual to have a broad-based, taxpayer-funded healthcare benefit for illegal immigrants," Rasmusson said, "and in the states that have tried it, it hasn't worked." When Micaela first came to the U.S, she was often required by employers to scrub floors on her hands and knees. After a while, the physical demands of the work took their toll on her joints. "There's not a single day or minute that she doesn't pass with pain," her daughter Isis said via a translator. When Micaela's not at work, she's resting to prepare herself for another day. Micaela said she tried to buy health insurance in the private market, but she couldn't without a Social Security number. She inquired about paying out of pocket for surgery to help with her knee pain, but she can't afford it. Sitting behind the counter of her store, which sells probiotics and other items, Micaela said she doesn't like to ask for handouts. "It gives us shame to even think about being supported by government," Micaela said, "but the thing is, I haven't asked for anything at this point, and I pay for taxes when I run my business." "Everything I've done, I still can't afford to even cover my surgeries," she added. Minneapolis City Council Member Jason Chavez's father also faces the possibility of losing his access to health insurance as he undergoes treatment for cancer. Chavez spoke about his father's diagnosis in a news conference at the Capitol earlier this month. He had been keeping his father's illness relatively private, he said in an interview, but decided to go public in the hope that " would think about not stripping health care away from our most vulnerable community members." "For my father," Chavez said, "I had to." Chavez said his father did not want to be interviewed. Chavez joined Agbaje and other lawmakers in the People of Color and Indigenous, or POCI, Caucus at the Capitol to urge their colleagues to protect MinnesotaCare. He criticized Democratic legislative leaders for using health care "as a bargaining chip to balance a budget" and said Democrats' top priority had been protecting health care access "for all Minnesotans." "I'm disappointed that that isn't a priority anymore," he said. On social media, he said he was "extremely disappointed" that Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, signed off on the deal given Democrats control the Senate by a one-vote majority. "We won't forget that your re-election is next year," he wrote. POCI Caucus members pounded on the door of the governor's reception room as Walz, Murphy and House leaders announced their proposed budget deal, accusing them of "killing our communities." Faith groups have held news conferences at the Capitol and read stories of immigrants like Micaela hoping to sway lawmakers. A factory worker in southern Minnesota lost a foot to diabetes she couldn't consistently manage, said Melissa Gonzalez, a pastor at Tapestry Richfield. Now on MinnesotaCare, she has access to insulin and regular doctor's appointments. Murphy and House Democratic Leader Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, have said the decision was a difficult one. "I'm not at all surprised that this is the response," Murphy said as DFL lawmakers and others pounded on the door two weeks ago. "They are Minnesotans," she said. "They work in our communities. They work with and alongside us. They go to church with us. They are our neighbors." With a tied House and a razor-thin Democratic majority in the Senate, legislative leaders are struggling to put together a budget. Lawmakers adjourned May 19 without a budget, and with each week that passes, Minnesota draws closer to a partial government shutdown. Whether to end MinnesotaCare for people like Micaela has proven among the most contentious issues and could make it difficult for leaders to get DFL votes for a budget deal without health care for immigrants. Rep. Jeff Backer, R-Browns Valley, who volunteers as an emergency medical technician, said he feels compassion for those who need access to health care, but lawmakers have to ensure the system is solvent to serve "law-abiding Minnesotans." Backer, co-chair of the House Health Finance and Policy Committee, said he has to "look at the whole ecosystem of our healthcare system." Micaela's appointment for her knee is just around the corner, and as she awaits treatment, she's heartbroken that MinnesotaCare might be revoked. To keep her spirits up, though it's exhausting, she says she'll keep coming to work.
The Star
4 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Salt: Essential, but requires a proper balance
It's important to maintain the right level of sodium in our body as too much or too little can both cause health problems. — TNS I have a weird habit of checking out food labels; it goes with the job. This one really grabbed my attention. It was on an electrolyte beverage and stated its case for the 1,000mg of sodium in each 16-ounce (473ml) can. 'Welcome to the Salty Rebellion,' the label reads. 'The latest science reveals we've misunderstood salt. 'Electrolytes, particularly sodium and potassium, are the driving force behind energy production in our cells, nerves, and muscles – but many of us have yet to unlock their full benefits. 'That's why we say MORE SALT, NOT LESS.' Sure enough, the nutrients (which are also electrolytes) in this beverage are salt (sodium chloride), magnesium and potassium, with some added natural flavours and stevia leaf sweetener. Electrolytes – essential minerals such as sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium – are named for their ability to carry an electric charge when dissolved in water or other body fluids such as blood. In our bodies, they help trigger the action of nerves and the contraction of muscles. And they are crucial to keep the fluids inside and outside of our cells in balance. Sodium is the most abundant electrolyte in the body. If we have too little or too much, serious health issues can result in a hurry. Sodium is a major determinant of blood pressure, for example. So excess is not good, but neither is a deficiency. Believe it or not, science has not yet determined what amount of daily sodium is the best for everyone. Many experts say we should not exceed 2,300mg a day. Others say somewhere between 3,000 to 5,000 mg is more realistic. It's my view that one size does not fit all. Athletes and people who sweat a lot usually need more sodium. People with high blood pressure or poor kidney function generally need less. That's why a universal claim on a beverage for 'more salt, not less' is scary. ALSO READ: Salt: How low should you go? The only way to determine if you need 1,000mg of extra sodium in your diet is to count how much you're already eating in your food. Most of us have no idea. If much of your food comes in a package or from a restaurant, you can rest assured you're getting more sodium than you know. A typical fast food cheeseburger and medium order of fries, for example, contains 1,000mg of sodium, plus a fair share of potassium and magnesium. ALSO READ: The salt we didn't even know was there Unprocessed foods such as fresh produce, fresh meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy foods also contain sodium in much smaller amounts. And if you salt your food? One teaspoon of salt contains 2,360mg of sodium. Curious if you need that extra 1,000mg of sodium from a beverage? Check food labels for a few days and count how much sodium you really eat. No label? Look it up at USDA Food Data Central. Then talk to your healthcare provider to see if you need more or less sodium in your diet. – By Barbara Intermill/Tribune News Service Barbara Intermill is a registered dietitian nutritionist in the United States.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
What's affecting our health? See the risks and cures in Miami
Health Care What's affecting our health? See the risks and cures in Miami Miami's health is always changing. Expanding access to care, Mount Sinai Medical Center is building a new hospital and emergency room in Westchester to serve the area's aging population. Meanwhile, lower childhood vaccination rates in Florida have raised worries about potential disease outbreaks, as some parents grow hesitant amid mixed messages and misinformation. Biscayne Bay struggles with pollution from stormwater, but recent pilot projects using advanced filtration technology aim to improve water quality. In Overtown, programs like Blue Zones cooking classes are promoting affordable, healthy eating and building community, showing residents simple ways to improve long-term health. A nurse double-gloves before handling and preparing doses of the measles, mumps and rubella virus vaccine at a pop-up clinic at the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Administration Building in Carrollton, Texas, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Liz Rymarev/The Dallas Morning News/TNS) NO. 1: WHY FEWER KIDS ARE GETTING VACCINATED IN FLORIDA — AND HOW THAT COULD AFFECT OUTBREAKS 'I have seen a growing rise in parents who are concerned.' | Published March 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante Kayla Smith, 19, left, double check the recipe as the 'Sweet and Sour' cooking team prepare their meal with help from sisters - Dynasty, 19, and Dominique Daniels, 21, right during a pilot cooking program funded by Miami Beach resident and longevity expert Dan Buettner, at the Overtown Youth Center on April 3, 2025, in Miami, Florida. By Carl Juste NO. 2: WILL THIS SOUP LEAD TO A HEALTHIER AND LONGER LIFE? SEE WHAT'S COOKING IN MIAMI They're taking tips from the world's Blue Zones. | Published April 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante An orange, floating berm used to collect garbage and debris stretches across the Little River just north of the South Florida Water Management District's flood control device near NE 82nd St and NE fourth Pl. Friday October 15, 2021. The berm also marks the end point for any water vessels heading east along the Little River. To continue along the river past this point boats would have to be lifted out of the water and carried across NE 82nd St. By Emily MIchot NO. 3: BISCAYNE BAY IS POLLUTED. MIAMI-DADE HOPES THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY WILL HELP CLEAN IT UP Three pilot projects have been installed in Miami-Dade rivers and canals. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Courtney Heath Mount Sinai Medical Center, which has its main hospital in Miami Beach, is opening a new emergency center in Westchester. NO. 4: A MIAMI BEACH HOSPITAL IS EXPANDING ACROSS THE BAY. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HEALTH CENTER There will be an ER and more. | Published April 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
The Star
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Hugh Jackman's wife files for divorce 2 years after split
The 'Deadpool & Wolverine' star and award-winning 'Shame' actress met in 1995. Photo: TNS Hugh Jackman's estranged wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, filed for divorce in New York, nearly two years after the pair announced they were ending their 27-year marriage. Furness, 69, filed for divorce on Friday (May 23) in Suffolk County Supreme Court, according to court documents obtained by TMZ. The outlet reports the divorce will be finalised once the judge signs off on the complaint and other documents Furness submitted – filings regarding continuing health care coverage, a medical child support order, the New York State child support registry form, the exes' settlement deal, a proposed judgement of divorce and official certificate of dissolution. The Deadpool & Wolverine star and award-winning Shame actress met in 1995, working on the Australian miniseries Correlli , and married the following year. They later adopted son Oscar and daughter Ava, now 25 and 19 respectively. In September 2023, the couple announced their separation in a joint statement to People . 'We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage,' the actors said at the time. 'Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth. … We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love and kindness.' Jackman sparked romance rumors with his Music Man co-star Sutton Foster as far back as 2022, though the Broadway stars only confirmed their relationship earlier this year. Furness' filing comes seven months after 50-year-old Foster filed to divorce screenwriter Ted Griffin in October, after a decade of marriage. The exes share daughter Emily, whom they also welcomed via adoption. Prior to Griffin, Foster was married to fellow Broadway veteran Christian Borle, who, like Jackman and the Thoroughly Modern Millie actress, has won two Tony Awards. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
