CHICAGO (WLS) — With the arrival of another academic year, college students are eagerly returning to campuses across the nation.
These students are a diverse mix. Some are teenagers fresh out of high school, stepping into higher education for the first time, while others are seasoned professionals aiming to advance their careers and secure a better future.
This brighter future is characterized by the promise of innovative, 21st-century roles that demand high-tech skills.
So, what strategies are Chicago’s educational institutions implementing to ensure student success in this evolving landscape?
According to Dr. Eddie Phillips, President of National Louis University, the institution has been conducting in-depth market research focused on students’ needs and aspirations for several years.
“What we’ve learned about things that college students are looking for, in this exact order, are time, convenience, cost and quality. With a focus on career success, career readiness and career outcomes,” Phillips said.
Phillips says nationally there’s talk of an “enrollment cliff.”
“There’s fewer 18-year-olds…who are ready to go to college, it’s kind of one challenge we’ve been working against. But there’s also kind of a broader public perception about the value proposition of a college degree. ‘Is the time and the money that I invest in a degree really worth it on the back end when I finish my degree and I go to work?’ We have made a big commitment to make sure that our students are career prepared,” Phillips said.
He says a lot of students don’t have four years to devote to earning a degree.
“Workforce has become a big part of our academic strategy. We have a number of short-term credentials and a program called ‘Accelerate You’ that allows students to get through a credential and get to work in as short as five-to-six months,” he said.
The City Colleges of Chicago have been around since 1911. They consist of: Harold Washington College, Harry S. Truman College, Kennedy-King College, Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College, Richard J. Daley College, and Wilbur Wright College.
City Colleges also have five satellite sites, the Washburne Culinary and Hospitality Institute, Sikia Restaurant, Child Development Centers and a radio station, WKKC-FM.
Juan Salgado is the Chancellor of the City Colleges. He says it’s important for their students to understand there is a “marketplace for them. A job that meets their love and their passion.”
“They just have to discover what that is. And at City Colleges, we have a wide offering that will allow them to do that,” Salgado said.
According to Salgado, City Colleges has seen an increase in students.
“We’ve seen our largest increase, since 2021, a 41% increase in Black male enrollment. A 38% increase in Latino male enrollment,” he said.
“Making sure that we’re supporting our students holistically,” Salgado said. “So, we have wellness services for our students. In fact, last year, we served over 10,000 students with therapy appointments. Over 20,000 counseling sessions. So, you have to make sure that your students understand you are going to be there for them academically, career wise, but also with those human needs. And if you do holistic student supports, along with a rigorous curriculum that leads to high demand jobs, populations, that quite frankly when you think about men, have been leaving higher education, come back.”
For more information:
National Louis University
https://nl.edu/
City Colleges of Chicago:
www.ccc.edu/appy or call 773-COLLEGE
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Development, Associate of Applied Science
Scientists Tackle Creation of Artificial Life Breakthrough
In Mary Shelley’s classic tale “Frankenstein,” the infamous monster comes to life when an assortment of salvaged human organs and animal parts are stitched together and zapped with electricity. A mystical blend of science and imagination brings the creature to life with a burst of lightning.
Unlike fiction, the real-world creation of life is far from simple. However, using nature’s own biological tools could pave the way to addressing many of humanity’s challenges.
Recently, a groundbreaking innovation took center stage: a “synthetic cell” known as SpudCell. Bioengineered from essential biomolecules like proteins, lipids, and DNA, this artificial cell has sparked excitement among scientists for its potential to replicate living cell functions and its promise for revolutionary therapeutic advancements.
Yet, this leaps us into an age-old philosophical dilemma: Are we daringly taking on the role of creators, much like Dr. Frankenstein?
Synthetic cells hold promise as minuscule couriers for delivering medication directly to diseased tissues. They might be engineered to synthesize crucial substances such as insulin, antibiotics, and vaccines right inside a patient. Envision a future where these artificial cells not only produce anticancer drugs but also transport them straight to a tumor, potentially rendering chemotherapy and other harsh treatments obsolete.
Their potential benefits extend to the stars. Long-term space exploration poses all sorts of medical risks. Artificial cells could heal astronauts when doctors aren’t around. If a space cadet gets sick, all he’d have to do is open a packet of synthetic cells and add water — the necessary medications could be manufactured on demand.
These little wonders could even be deployed into the environment to consume toxic chemicals or clean contaminated water.
What could go wrong?
A lot.
For every positive use of synthetic cells, someone out there would create an evil use. Infectious biowarfare capabilities could be apocalyptic.
Or consider another foreseeable nightmare scenario where we produce synthetic cells that consumes oil to clean up spills. Everything is going gangbusters. Until the cells find their way into the world’s oil reserves and eat those up too.
The entire balance of nature could be overthrown.
What if synthetic cells have better Darwinian fitness than natural microorganisms, outcompeting earth’s native bacteria? Some have sounded alarms about the possibility of so-called “mirror life” — hypothetical synthetic cells that function like normal bacteria. But their internal internal enzymes would be flipped compared to all known bacteria. That means our immune systems — and the rest of nature’s — might not recognize these invaders and would have no ability to combat them. They could devour all existing life.
Could this be our punishment for trying to create artificial “life”?
And the question remains: Should these creations be considered truly alive? If recent reactions to SpudCell are any indication, then the media is eager to hype the inventions as real life.
In response to recent successes by Kate Adamala, a University of Minnesota synthetic biologist, CNN claimed, “Scientists say they have built a cell from scratch for the first time that can feed, grow and replicate like a natural cell.”
But SpudCell isn’t alive — if we mean to describe something that can survive in a natural environment, metabolize nutrients, and perpetually self-replicate. And it was hardly made “from scratch.”
Even the New York Times acknowledged that “SpudCell’s originators do not claim to have created life.” Still, one of the scientists involved called it “a genuine milestone on the road toward” the question of lab-engineered life.
Even this is misguided.
Life excels at multiplying. But SpudCell can only survive for a handful of replications before its machinery degrades and ceases to function. This is because SpudCell cannot produce ribosomes — highly complex biomolecular machines that all living cells make to manufacture proteins. SpudCell must be fed a steady diet of ribosomes — all originally made by other real cells.
SpudCells also lack a functional metabolism. As a result, they must be suspended in a “broth” of biomolecules which allow them to perform fundamental functions.
Another area where SpudCell fails to qualify as life is its inability to fully pass on traits to future generations. As bioengineer Tara Daens stated, “It doesn’t reliably pass on its genetic material.”
None of this negates SpudCell’s impressive abilities, of course. But even if we’re playing God, we can’t become Him.
There’s an old joke about scientists who boast to God that they’ve figured out how to make a man. “We start with some dirt,” they begin, until God interjects, “Hold on — you’ve got to get your own dirt!”
This is the essence of SpudCell: Its creators borrowed all the “dirt” in the form of functional information-rich genes, molecular machinery, and enzymes, stolen from living cells.
SpudCell is a testament not only to the cleverness of man, but also a powerful reminder that life originates only through intelligent design.
Casey Luskin is a PhD scientist and Associate Director at Discovery Institute.
Israeli Minister Ben Gvir Calls for Nightly Gaza Strikes in Shocking Post-Hostage Conversation
JERUSALEM – An Israeli politician known for his extreme views, part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s alliance, stirred controversy by advocating the nightly killing of “30 to 40” individuals in Gaza. These remarks were revealed Sunday and rapidly disseminated by Palestinian news outlets.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed these views during a conversation with Rom Braslavski, a former hostage in Gaza, on Braslavski’s podcast. Their dialogue centered around Israel’s response to the Hamas attack dated October 7, 2023, and Ben-Gvir voiced strong disapproval of Israel’s reduction in strikes on Gaza.
“I openly disagree with the prime minister,” Ben-Gvir declared. “I advocate for targeted assassinations in Gaza, taking down 30 to 40 people nightly. It shouldn’t only be about those posing immediate threats — some people there are undeserving of life. They shouldn’t exist at all. They’re not human.”
Historically, Ben-Gvir and other Israeli officials have faced significant backlash for similar rhetoric. Such statements have often been submitted to the UN world court as allegations of genocidal intentions. Nevertheless, Israel firmly refutes any claims of genocide within Gaza.
Israeli media has given limited attention to these remarks, underlining how once-marginal viewpoints like those of Ben-Gvir are gaining traction ahead of the Israeli elections on October 27.
Figures like Ben-Gvir have become more popular among Israelis since Hamas’ brutal attack in 2023, when the militants killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostage. Many hostages have recounted long-term starvation, physical and psychological abuse and, in some cases, sexual abuse.
Ben-Gvir oversees Israel’s police force and prisons
Ben-Gvir does not have power over the country’s military and cannot order strikes on Gaza. But, after operating for decades within Israel’s far-right fringe, he is now one of the most influential people in the country.
He has substantial control over key parts of Israel’s security apparatus, running the country’s prisons — where thousands of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank are incarcerated — as well as the national police force.
He has previously boasted of lessening food rations for Palestinian prisoners. Israel’s top court ruled in 2025 that the prison service under Ben-Gvir was depriving Palestinians of a minimum subsistence diet.
Ben-Gvir criticizes drawdown of Israeli strikes in Gaza
Until recently, Israel was striking Gaza nearly every day, attacks that have killed over 1,250 people since an October truce deal came into effect, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Israel’s military, which says the strikes have targeted Hamas militants, appeared to ease off on the attacks in a quiet concession to U.S. President Donald Trump after Netanyahu rejected the president’s latest attempt to move the truce forward.
Israeli media last week reported that the authority for carrying out strikes has now been limited to the army’s chief of staff, raising the ire of right-wing lawmakers such as Ben-Gvir.
Ben Gvir advocates mass emigration, expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza
In the same taped appearance, the lawmaker advocated for mass emigration of Palestinians from Gaza — a proposal that international lawyers say could amount to ethnic cleansing — and resettlement of Gaza by Israel.
Twenty years ago, Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip, dismantling a block of 21 Jewish settlements known as “Gush Katif” and pulling out its forces.
“I see all of Gaza as ours,” said Ben-Gvir in the interview. “Settlements not just in Gush Katif but throughout Gaza, encouraging as much emigration as possible, sending them to their countries, and for the terrorists, no emigration, nothing, just to kill them one by one.”
Trump’s latest proposal involves Hamas gradually giving up its weapons while Israeli forces halt their attacks and begin withdrawing from Gaza. Hamas accepted the deal, although the group linked the surrender of its heaviest weapons to the creation of a Palestinian state, something Israel’s current government and most of its political class adamantly reject.
Netanyahu says Israel will not retreat from any of its positions in Gaza until Hamas has been completely disarmed. The stance leaves other elements of the ceasefire, including the deployment of international forces and any reconstruction of the devastated territory, on hold.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Exclusive Details: Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s Private Wedding Unveiled
On a quiet Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo, the world-renowned billionaire footballer, tied the knot with Georgina Rodríguez in an intimate ceremony at their home in Portugal. Sporting a casual T-shirt beneath a suit jacket, Ronaldo kept the occasion low-key yet meaningful as the couple exchanged vows.
The duo celebrated their union on a special date, the decade-long milestone since first crossing paths. Their love story began at a Gucci store in Madrid, where Rodríguez, then a shop assistant, first met the athlete. With Ronaldo now 41 and Rodríguez 32, the date held profound significance.
Contrary to swirling rumors and heightened public interest, the couple opted for a simple affair. The event transitioned seamlessly from their living room to a nearby church, a location that evoked deep emotions in Georgina, who admitted she couldn’t hold back her tears during the heartfelt moment.
In a candid discussion with Vogue for the magazine’s Summer digital issue, Rodríguez shared insights about their choice of venue: “We wanted to do it in the very room of our home where we share our daily meals and capture the essence of our everyday life…”
She continued, expressing a sentimental future vision, “In 30 years, I hope our children reflect on this table and think about something wonderful — the wedding vows of their parents.”
Billionaire footballer Cristiano Ronaldo married Georgina Rodríguez in his living room in Portugal on Tuesday – and wore a T-shirt and suit jacket as they exchanged vows
‘When I was a little girl I dreamt of the biggest castle, the biggest carriage, the longest dress, a crown full of diamonds. And now I’m saying: no. I want something intimate, with my partner and our children, at home.’
However, the beauty did promise in the interview that they would in the future have a ‘big wedding’ to celebrate with their wider family and friends but did not elaborate further on their plans.
Another surprising element of the day was their choice of clothes, however, the couple explained the reason they both wore Gucci was due to them meeting at the Gucci store in Spain all those years ago.
They called the idea a ‘full circle’ moment.
Georgina wore a sheer white shirt and skirt, satin shoes teamed with sparkling diamond jewellery from Chopard.
Cristiano meanwhile wore a custom light beige cotton suit, T-shirt and loafers for the big day. The children all wore matching outfits.
‘He’s not going to dress us up,’ Georgina explained. ‘I didn’t want us to go into a day that was so simple for us in costumes.’
The couple married on the 10th anniversary of the day they first met while Georgina was working as a shop assistant at the Gucci store in Madrid
After the ceremony at home they drove to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, an hour away, where a priest gave them a blessing.
The couple won’t be going on a honeymoon and have already jetted back to Saudi Arabia where he plays football.
The couple have daughters Alana and Bella together, and welcomed twins Eva Maria and Mateo through surrogacy.
Bella had a twin brother named Angel, but he sadly passed away shortly after birth. Ronaldo has a final child, Cristiano Jr, from an earlier relationship.
The footballer shared that he and Georgina had tied the knot after ten years together by sharing a snap of their wedding bands on Instagram.
The footballer shared that he and Georgina had tied the knot after ten years together by sharing a snap of their wedding bands on Instagram
He captioned the post: ‘C❤️G.’
A representative for Ronaldo also confirmed news of the union, saying: ‘Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez were married today in a civil ceremony in Cascais, Portugal, and are now officially husband and wife.
‘The ceremony was a private and intimate moment attended by their five children.’
Jornal de Noticias published a copy of the couple’s marriage certificate late on Thursday, saying only four witnesses were present as well as their children.
Cristiano’s mother Dolores Aveiro and his three siblings Hugo, Elma and Katia, were not present at the intimate civil ceremony.
His family found out he was marrying his long-term girlfriend just moments before he married Georgina, a local report has claimed.
The pair have two biological children, though she helps raise all five of his kids. Cristiano Jr. (pictured left) hugs his baby sister Eva while Georgina cradles Mateo on her lap, Cristiano (pictured right) holds his two daughters baby Bella and Alana Martina
It was Portuguese television presenter Cristina Ferreira who claimed the footballer’s family’s absence from his big day will ’cause problems’.
Speaking on TVI programme Dois at ten, she said: ‘It will cause a lot of problems because the family wasn’t present.
‘And they shouldn’t even have known. Or if they did know, it was 30 seconds beforehand.’
Claudio Ramos added on the programme: ‘I really hope that what we said here, which had to do with the impressions we get from what exists on social media, did not actually cause sadness in the family, that things were not as they apparently seem.’
Dolores, who has had to refute claims over the years of a bad relationship with her daughter-in-law, gave her blessing to the star couple’s union.
Shortly after they announced they were married she posted a heart emoticon on Cristiano’s official social media alongside the snap he published of their rings.
Cristiano’s sister Katia, who is based in Brazil but travelled to her native Madeira at the weekend to meet family and friends, did the same.
She has yet to address reports she and other members of Cristiano’s family were absent from the Cascais wedding ceremony.
Georgina’s sister Ivana, Cristiano’s long-time friend Miguel Paixao and a Spanish couple named as Jose Rodríguez Sangil and his wife Monica Gonzalez Martinez were the only witnesses.
Registrar Maria Manuel Ferreira de Campos Folhadela de Oliveira travelled from the northern Portuguese city of Porto to Cascais to officiate the ceremony.
And the star couple, who married exactly one year to the day after they announced their engagement on social media, have decided to keep their pre-nuptial assets separate despite tying the knot after a decade-long romance.
They signed a pre-nup agreement to define their property regime on August 10, a day before the ceremony at a public notary’s office in Lisbon.
World Series Tragedy: Wrong-Way Driver Causes Fiery Crash, Ending Unborn Baby’s Life and Mother’s Dreams
Inset: Jorge Alvarez-Mathuzima (Milwaukee County Jail). Background: Authorities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, rush to aid a pregnant woman following a highway collision caused by Alvarez-Mathuzima driving erratically (WISN).
A significant prison term awaits a man from Wisconsin after a horrific crash, where he collided with a woman’s vehicle on the highway, tragically ending the life of her unborn child. The crash occurred when he was driving on the wrong side of the road, leading to a fiery collision.
At 40, Jorge Alvarez-Mathuzima received a sentence of 17 years in state prison, plus eight additional years on probation. He admitted his guilt on charges of first-degree reckless homicide, noted in official court records.
“His actions stole this woman’s opportunity to become a mother,” remarked Grant Huebner, Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney, during the court proceedings, detailed by local news outlet WISN.
Following the incident, Alvarez-Mathuzima’s arrest revealed a blood alcohol concentration nearly twice the permissible limit. Though the woman was approximately five and a half months into her pregnancy, and she survived, the unborn child did not.
“He did so because he got drunk watching, I believe, the World Series, got into a car he should have never gotten into, drove past signs telling him it’s the wrong way, drove past multiple cars, drove past a deputy, and drove into an expectant mother,” Huebner said.
The crash occurred shortly before 4:30 a.m. Oct. 26 on Interstate 43. The woman’s car caught fire upon impact. She was trapped inside. A Milwaukee County sheriff’s deputy was able to pull her to safety.
Alvarez-Mathuzima took responsibility for his actions and asked for forgiveness.
“If I had the power to relive that moment, I would gladly trade places with you and sustain all of your injuries,” he said during sentencing, per WISN. “I would gladly trade my life for that of your unborn son.”
Judge David Swanson said the defendant appeared to have high character based on the number of letters supporting him but it does not make up for his actions that night.
“You took an incredibly careless and reckless risk with the lives of everyone who was on the road that early morning,” Swanson reportedly said.
The post Man kills unborn baby robbing woman’s ‘chance to be a mother’ in fiery crash when he pulverized car while driving wrong way down highway after watching the World Series first appeared on Law & Crime.
Glenn Close Stuns in Cruella Costume at D23 Surprise Appearance
Glenn Close revisited her iconic character, Cruella de Vil, captivating audiences at the 2026 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event for a remarkable one-night-only performance.
Close, now 79, took the stage on Saturday, August 15, at the famous convention, fully transformed in Cruella’s unmistakable style. The outfit featured a striking black-and-white wig, an eye-catching red-and-black fur coat, and an elegant pillbox hat.
In a playful nod to fellow Disney villain Maleficent, Close-as-Cruella joked in a video shared online, “Well, I heard that overstuffed purple handbag was getting her own ride,” alluding to the much-anticipated Maleficent roller coaster planned for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. She added with a laugh, “Surely, that can’t be. Dragon skin? Ha ha, heaven’s no! Leather is just so passé.”
Continuing her comedic flair, she remarked, “There isn’t a woman in all this wretched world who wouldn’t rather have fur, darling.”
A true Hollywood icon, Glenn Close has dominated the stage and screen since the early 1980s, proving her prowess regardless of elusive Oscar wins. Known for her captivating performances, the Fatal Attraction star holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations, with eight throughout her illustrious career.
Close subsequently confirmed that Walt Disney World’s highly anticipated “Villains Land” would include a Cruella-inspired attraction.
“Let’s go work on my ride,” she quipped. “Yes, and all the cars will be full of little dogs.”
Close famously starred as Cruella in 1996’s 101 Dalmatians and its 2000 sequel, 102 Dalmatians. Based on the classic animated feature, the villainous Cruella has a notorious penchant for caring very little about the animals maimed in the name of fashion.
“I realized the meaner she was, the better she was. I loved that character,” Close recalled of filming 101 Dalmatians during a 2021 interview with Refinery29. “I got in my contract that I got to keep all my costumes that I wore in the movie. Then, when they found out how expensive they were, they were unhappy that it was in my contract. They wanted to make another copy, another set, for me. I said no.”
Close later revealed that her portrayal was based on the “terrifying” animated version of Cruella from the original 1961 film.
Glenn Close has pinpointed the movie that she believes made audiences finally realize she could be more than Cruella de Vil — her 1978 film Fatal Attraction. “I think it was the first time people realized I could be sexy,” Close, 77, said during an interview with Today’s Willie Geist on the Sunday, January 19 […]
“That character in the original 101 Dalmatians is the most terrifying; she says the [most] terrible things! ‘Drown them!’ I mean, she’s terrible,” Close said on a 2025 appearance of The Drew Barrymore Show. “In fact, we put some of her lines back into the movie because I didn’t think that Cruella in the movie was mean enough … and [the character has] the best voice for her to go by. I learned pretty fast that the meaner I was the funnier, it was ultimately funnier.”
Decades after Close’s portrayal, Emma Stone took over the Cruella mantle for a 2021 prequel film.
“She has two movies to look at. She doesn’t have to talk to me,” Close previously told Us exclusively in 2019 about Stone’s casting. “I can’t wait to see what she did. My Cruella was that, and we’ll see something new.”
Prince Harry Redirects Diana Fund Donations to New Causes
In a recent move, Prince Harry has shifted the allocation of funds from the memorial dedicated to his late mother, Princess Diana, away from Sentebale—a charitable organization he started with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho nearly two decades ago.
Prince Harry has allocated funds to Elephants Without Borders
Initially, these funds from the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund had flowed regularly to Sentebale since 2020. However, the final contribution was made in 2024. This fiscal re-direction occurred after Prince Harry stepped back from Sentebale’s board of trustees in March 2025, following a dispute involving the trustees and board chair Dr. Sophie Chandauka. Now, the latest allocation has been redirected to Elephants Without Borders, a group focused on conservation efforts.
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund was founded shortly after her death in 1997 and was closed in 2012, with the Royal Foundation assuming legal control the following year to safeguard any future income, which comes from legacies and occasional donations. The bulk of the proceeds went to charities chosen by Harry and his brother Prince William.
When Harry and wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, stepped down from royal duties in 2020, the brothers agreed to divide the future proceeds of their mother’s memorial fund between them as part of the separation of their charitable activities.
Paul Gorton and Kate Welcome Baby Boy: See the Cute Name
Paul Gorton, famed for his role in “The Traitors,” and his wife, Kate Waldron, joyfully revealed on Instagram this Thursday that their family has grown by one. The couple has just welcomed their second child into the world.
The popular BBC personality and his partner delighted followers with a heartwarming collection of photos capturing precious moments with their newborn baby boy, along with sharing his endearing name.
Among the tender images, one particularly stood out: Paul, deep in slumber, lay nestled beside his wife in the hospital bed, the couple’s new addition sleeping serenely in a nearby crib.
Adding to the family album, Kate captured the momentous ‘dad leaving the hospital’ shot, holding their tiny bundle snugly in a car seat as they made their way homeward.
Once safely back in the comfort of their home, Paul was seen enjoying a calm moment on the sofa, gently cradling the infant as he introduced the newest family member to two-year-old Charlie.
The Traitors ‘ star Paul Gorton and his wife Kate Waldron announced on Instagram on Thursday that they have welcomed their second child together
The BBC star and his partner shared a gallery of adorable snaps of their newborn son and revealed his sweet name
Kate penned: ‘Welcome to the world Cooper ♥️ What a crazy last couple of days! My waters broke and he was here later that day weighing a chunky 8.7lbs, the exact same weight Charlie was!
‘Enjoying every second of newborn bliss as a family of 5 as we know how fast it goes this time around!!’
Friends and fans of the couple quickly took to the comments to share their congratulations including Paul’s Traitor co-star Harry Clark, who penned: ‘Mini Traitor!’
Paul and Kate revealed they were expecting their second child in June as they shared a sweet video with their son Charlie.
In the clip, Charlie sweetly touched his mother’s bump, with Kate leaning in to give her son a kiss.
Paul and Kate filmed the announcement for their almost 200,000 collective followers in a field.
They captioned the post: ‘We’ve been keeping a little secret. #babyannouncement #pregnancyannouncement #babynumber2’.
Fans took to the comment section to share their congratulations. Anna Maynard, who is in a relationship Paul’s Traitor’s co-star Harry Clark, wrote: ‘The best news ever’.
Others said: ‘Congratulations darling’ and ‘Cannot wait for baby to arrive’.
In one snap, Paul was seen fast asleep in his wife’s hospital bed lying next to their bundle of joy who slept peaceful in a crib
Kate penned: ‘Welcome to the world Cooper ♥️ What a crazy last couple of days! My waters broke and he was here later that day weighing a chunky 8.7lbs, the exact same weight Charlie was!’
Friends and fans of the couple quickly took to the comments to share their congratulations including Paul’s Traitor co-star Harry Clark, who penned: ‘Mini Traitor!’
Kate is a content creator and has been with Paul for over 11 years.
They welcomed son Charlie in April 2022 and, in April 2024, Paul recalled a cruel comment a midwife said at Charlie’s birth.
Paul, who was a contestant on series two of The Traitors in January, spoke about the incident on Lorraine.
He said: ‘When my wife gave birth it was very traumatic and we were in hospital for a week.
‘One of the first things a nurse said to me was: “I bet you’re glad your son is not ginger”, and it was the first time I was really offended by that.’
Paul also spoke about how being ginger affected his childhood, saying: ‘From an early age, I had constant name-calling.
‘Then there was physical stuff like punching and kicking. The ginger thing is not taken seriously, it’s still seen as being humorous.’
Paul became notorious on the BBC show for his ‘Oscar-worthy’ acting skills and being unafraid to throw his fellow contestants under the bus.
His actions during the show divided viewers, with many desperate to see him found out by the Faithfuls and banished, while others praised him for providing entertainment.
Yet Paul almost didn’t make it onto the BBC show after he suffered a life-threatening injury just weeks before the show began.
Paul and his wife Kate announced they were expecting their second child in June with a sweet video with son Charlie, who they welcomed in April 2022
Paul became notorious on the BBC show for his ‘Oscar-worthy’ acting skills and being unafraid to throw his fellow contestants under the bus
He explained to OK! magazine: ‘My lung collapsed. I was outside A&E, screaming and crying, and I was on morphine and CAT scans and all that type of stuff.
‘I nearly had an emergency operation to re-inflate my lung because it had depressed so much, and yeah, it was chaos.’
Paul then explained there were complications regarding the painkillers he was on due to his body’s reaction so recovery wasn’t straight forward, but in the back of his mind he knew he had to get better before filming for The Traitors began.
Paul admitted it was hard not helping out as much at home, especially with his son, and the timing couldn’t have been worse as he was also starting a new job.
‘There was all sorts of stuff going on, but I would have regretted it if I had pulled out [of The Traitors].’