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Top 4 Morning Exercises to Combat Muscle Loss in Seniors Better Than Heavy Lifting

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Forget the barbell—fighting off age-related muscle loss is simpler than you think. All you really need is a chair, a wall, and a resistance band to keep those muscles strong.

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The muscle loss that typically kicks in after 60 doesn’t hit like a bolt of lightning. It’s more of a slow, creeping process. Year by year, a bit more muscle vanishes. Suddenly, those grocery bags seem heavier than ever, stairs appear steeper, and getting off the couch feels like a workout. Sarcopenia, the technical term for this decline, quietly starts in your 30s and picks up speed after 60.

But don’t stress about loading up at the gym. The National Institute on Aging assures us that you don’t need to lift heavy weights to stay strong. Consistent resistance training is your secret weapon—and the beauty is, you can ditch the squat rack. A simple chair, wall, or resistance band can perform the job admirably, helping older adults maintain muscle and improve their quality of life.

If you’re overwhelmed by exercise choices, you’re not alone. It can be hard to know which moves and times of day work best. To clear up the confusion, we turned to James Bickerstaff, CPT, a personal trainer at OriGym. He’s crafted a straightforward, four-exercise morning routine that works your essential muscle groups, all without needing a dumbbell in sight.

“A well-structured routine that only uses your body weight and a resistance band can indeed conserve and even revitalize muscle post-60,” Bickerstaff affirms. “The secret is in regularly challenging the muscles that support your daily activities.”

(Next up: If You Can Hold a Chair Sit This Long After 65, Your Leg Strength Is Top-Tier.)

Sit-to-Stand Squats

First up are sit-to-stand squats, which Bickerstaff says are an excellent strength boosting exercise for older adults. “This move strengthens your glutes, quads, and core while replicating one of the most important daily movements,” says Bickerstaff. “Being able to repeatedly stand up from a chair is a strong indicator of functional strength and independence.”

How to do it:

  1. Sit toward the front of a sturdy chair with your feet hip-width apart.
  2. Lean slightly forward and engage your core.
  3. Drive through your heels to stand up.
  4. Slowly lower yourself back to the chair with control.
  5. Complete two to three sets of 10 to 12 reps, resting for 45 to 60 seconds between sets.

Wall Push-ups

Next, the morning routine shifts to a more joint-friendly pressing movement. “Wall push-ups are a brilliant upper body exercise because they strengthen your chest, shoulders, triceps, and core without placing excessive stress on the joints,” explains Bickerstaff. “They’re ideal for rebuilding strength safely while still providing enough resistance to stimulate muscle growth.”

How to do it:

  1. Stand facing a wall with your hands spaced just wider than shoulder-width apart.
  2. Step your feet back until your body forms a straight line.
  3. Lower your chest toward the wall by bending your elbows.
  4. Press yourself back to the starting position.
  5. Keep your core braced throughout the entire movement.
  6. Aim for two to three sets of 12 to 15 reps. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds between sets.

5 Wall Exercises That Firm Upper Body Faster Than Push-Ups After 55

Step-ups

This next move adds a cardio element on top of the strength work, which research shows can help you build more muscle overall. “Step-ups strengthen several major muscle groups at once while also challenging balance and coordination,” says Bickerstaff. “They mimic climbing stairs, making them one of the most functional lower-body exercises for maintaining mobility and muscle mass as you age.”

How to do it:

  1. Stand facing a sturdy step or bottom stair.
  2. Step up with one foot while pressing firmly through your heel.
  3. Bring the other foot onto the step.
  4. Lower yourself back down slowly and with control.
  5. Perform two to three sets of 12 to 15 reps per side. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds between sets.
  6. Complete all reps on one side before switching legs.

The 10-Minute Chair Routine That Restores Leg Strength Faster Than Squats After 65

Resistance Band Rows

Many older adults spend more time sitting than they realize, which studies suggest can contribute to weaker upper back muscles and poor posture. “Resistance band rows help reverse muscle loss by strengthening the muscles between your shoulder blades while improving pulling strength for everyday activities,” explains Bickerstaff.

How to do it:

  1. Secure a resistance band around your feet or a sturdy anchor at chest height.
  2. Hold one end in each hand and step back until there’s light tension in the band.
  3. Pull your elbows backward while squeezing your shoulder blades together.
  4. Slowly return to the starting position.
  5. Do two to three sets of 12 to 15 reps, resting for 45 to 60 seconds between sets.

Tragic Multi-Scene Shooting in Rural Michigan: Multiple Fatalities Confirmed, including Suspect

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In the tranquil setting of Missaukee County, Michigan, a tragic series of events has left six individuals, including a man suspected to be the gunman, dead. The devastating news unfolded across multiple locations in this rural area, as reported by local authorities.

On Friday morning, Michigan State Police took to social media to alert the public about an ongoing investigation into a shooting spree. The authorities were in pursuit of 39-year-old Chad Hickman, whom they warned was “armed and dangerous,” urging caution to residents in the vicinity.

The pursuit came to a conclusion later when law enforcement officials confirmed they had located Hickman.

The investigation commenced following a grim discovery early Friday—three victims were found deceased and another person injured inside a residence situated near LaChance Road and Kelly Road, in Richland Township, as reported by UpNorthLive.

Mug shot of Chad Hickman

In a tragic turn of events, authorities located Chad Hickman deceased, bringing an end to the search. (Michigan State Police)

A fourth person was reportedly found dead in another home, and a fifth person was found dead in a wooded area.

News Media has reached out to Michigan State Police.

Hickman was later found dead, according to UpNorthLive.

Michigan State Police vehicle

Michigan State Police shared on social media Friday that officers were investigating a shooting in the area and that authorities were looking for the gunman. (Emily Elconin/Getty Images, File)

“Not only is this difficult for our investigators and our troopers, but it’s very hard for this community. You know, this type of loss is tragic,” MSP Public Information Officer Lt. Ashley Miller told the outlet. 

“And we’re going to conduct a thorough investigation. And we want to make sure to keep our community members up to date on our current situation and what we’re discovering throughout this process.”

Police haven’t given any more details about what led to the shootings.

Revitalized Palisades Village Ready for Spectacular Comeback

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Pacific Palisades is joyously welcoming back its cherished Village.

After enduring the extensive damage from the destructive Palisades fire over 18 months ago, the community is set to revive its spirit as Palisades Village reopens this Saturday. This grand reopening promises to restore a vibrant hub of restaurants, shops, and entertainment, providing a familiar haven for a neighborhood still healing and rebuilding.

The fire that ignited on January 7, 2025, left a trail of devastation in its wake, ravaging over 23,000 acres. The inferno obliterated 6,845 structures and inflicted damage on an additional 975. Tragically, it claimed the lives of twelve individuals and injured four others, including a firefighter bravely combating the flames.

Today, the Village stands as a testament to resilience and resurgence, rising from the ashes to symbolize hope and renewal.

Before the celebratory reopening, The California Post had exclusive access to a preview of the dramatically transformed Village. The scene was bustling with workers eager to apply the final touches to the monumental $100 million reconstruction project that developer Rick Caruso initiated almost immediately following the devastating fire.

The massive 19-month overhaul included rebuilding restaurant kitchens and replacing drywall, appliances and air-conditioning ducts in apartments across the property ahead of its Aug. 15 reopening.

“We made a critical decision … right after the fires,” Caruso told The Post. “We’re going to bring back the Village as quickly as possible and better and stronger.”

The goal, he said, went far beyond reopening stores.

“I really believe that hope alone can be an empty promise unless it’s attached to something tangible,” Caruso said.

The luxury retail and residential property will welcome back longtime tenants including Erewhon, Blue Ribbon Sushi, Buck Mason and Anine Bing, along with local businesses rebuilding after losing their storefronts in the fire, including K Bakery, Loomey’s Toys and LUDUS martial arts studio.

About one-third of the Village’s tenants are new.

Newcomers include Nancy Silverton’s Italian steakhouse Spacca Tutto, The h.wood Group’s Alphabet Bar & Grill, beauty retailer Violet Grey, L.A.-based designer Xirena and apparel brand LESET, which is opening its first West Coast store.

The dining scene is also roaring back.

Angelini Osteria will return with its Italian fare, while Porta Via will reopen alongside Alphabet Bar & Grill, a new restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Tim Hollingsworth in partnership with The h.wood Group.

Caruso said his company stripped interior spaces down to the wood studs, tested and treated the wood and rebuilt only after determining the spaces were clean and free of toxins.

The Village is 99% leased, Caruso said, and roughly 70% of its tenants are expected to be open Saturday. That stands in sharp contrast to the surrounding neighborhood, where the residential recovery is still grinding forward.

Only 1,000 rebuilding permits have been issued since the fire, according to Pali Builds, including 99 in June. Just 17 new homes have received certificates of occupancy, meaning they were cleared for residents to move in.

The permitting process also remains lengthy, averaging about 141 days in June, up from 106 days in March. Insurance battles, financing and infrastructure concerns have slowed families trying to return.

But bringing the Village back has been no easy feat either.

While the property escaped the worst of the flames, smoke poured into the complex, forcing crews to essentially gut and rebuild the interiors from scratch.

“There’s no playbook for this,” Caruso said. “We’ve never been through a whole community burning down.”

Caruso said the Village was designed with fire-resistant, noncombustible materials because it sits in a high-risk fire zone. His company also had an emergency response plan that included deploying private firefighters when wildfire threatened a property. “When it’s predictable, it’s preventable,” he said.

The result will finally be unveiled Saturday.

The celebration kicks off with a 10:30 a.m. ribbon cutting, followed by the opening of stores and restaurants at 11 a.m.

Pop-ups, tastings, live entertainment and family activities will run throughout the day before an 8 p.m. finale.

Faulty Ride Tragedy: Teen’s Fatal Ejection Sparks Lawsuit

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In a heart-wrenching lawsuit, a Montana mother seeks justice after her teenage son tragically lost his life due to a malfunctioning fairground ride.

Thirteen-year-old Clayton Phillips was ejected from the Yo-Yo swing ride at a carnival in Butte last June, suffering critical injuries from the high-speed incident that ultimately cost him his life.

Initially treated at a local hospital in Butte, Clayton’s condition required an emergency airlift to a Kalispell hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries two weeks later, leaving a community in mourning.

Clayton’s mother, Ashley Hossack, has taken legal action against Butte-Silver Bow, Midway West Amusements, Shady Acres Safety Services, and its owner, Dennis Sutherland, seeking damages for her immense loss.

The lawsuit also calls for punitive damages from 20 additional parties allegedly responsible for various aspects of the ride’s safety, including inspection, maintenance, and operation, as detailed in documents obtained by NBC Montana.

According to the lawsuit, at least 10 of the chairs of the Yo-Yo ride were defective and had missing restraints which were ‘visible and readily discoverable.’

The chairs remained on the ride on the day of the accident, with Midway West owner Michelle Jensen admitting that the only precaution given was operators verbally instructing riders to not use them. 

She admitted that to law enforcement after the crash, saying that replacement parts for the faulty chairs had been ordered, the suit claimed. 

Clayton Phillips, 13, died from his injuries after being thrown from his seat on the Yo-Yo swing ride at high speed while attending a carnival in Butte

Clayton Phillips, 13, died from his injuries after being thrown from his seat on the Yo-Yo swing ride at high speed while attending a carnival in Butte

The youngster was rushed to Butte hospital and then airlifted to a hospital in Kalispell with serious injuries where he died two weeks after the incident, the ride is seen here

The youngster was rushed to Butte hospital and then airlifted to a hospital in Kalispell with serious injuries where he died two weeks after the incident, the ride is seen here

The ride was inspected twice in the month before the fatal incident, with Sutherland allegedly signing off on the inspection. 

Butte-Silver Bow, which received a portion of the gross revenue from the carnival, is accused in the suit of failing to implement ‘reasonable procedures to verify the safety of the Yo-Yo’ ride. 

The suit added that Butte-Silver Bow did not require Midway West to provide an inventory of each ride. 

It said that Butte-Silver Bow had a duty of care in the ‘ownership, management, supervision, and control of its premises’.

The suit also claimed that Butte-Silver Bow had the authority to ‘reasonably inspect the carnival premises and the passenger-loading areas of the rides.’

The lawsuit also included a copy of the permit for the carnival that said Midway West was required to have public liability insurance of $1 million for each occurrence, and another $1.5 million for bodily injury and property damage. 

It is unclear at this time the exact amount being sought but it will extend to ‘all compensatory, general, special, economic, and noneconomic damages,’ recoverable by the youngster’s estate.

This will include the cost of the victim’s suffering, lost earnings, funeral expenses, costs of the emergency and medical response, loss of earnings and more, the suit added.

Clayton is pictured here alongside his mother Ashley Hossack who filed the lawsuit

Clayton is pictured here alongside his mother Ashley Hossack who filed the lawsuit 

According to the lawsuit, at least 10 of the chairs of the Yo-Yo ride were defective and had missing restraints

According to the lawsuit, at least 10 of the chairs of the Yo-Yo ride were defective and had missing restraints

Butte-Silver Bow has three weeks to provide a formal response in court to the lawsuit, which was filed on August 7. 

County Attorney Matt Enrooth previously told MTN News that an investigation found no criminal culpability.  

An obituary for Clayton said: ‘Clayton attended Butte Central Elementary and Junior High School, where he recently graduated from 8th grade on May 27, 2026. 

‘He was part of the Orphan Girl Theater for the past 6 years, where he shared his heart, his humor, his curiosity, and wonderful sense of character with everyone.

‘Clayton had many hobbies, including Legos, Music (Eminem), YouTube, Harry Potter, reading, traveling with family, hanging out with friends, and playing Minecraft.’

Why Australian Doctors Are Urging Patients to Ask This Life-Saving Question

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These days, when you visit your GP, you might encounter a new query: “Do you give your consent for an AI transcription tool to be used during your appointment?”

This question is becoming commonplace as AI scribes significantly penetrate the healthcare sector in Australia. Currently, about 40% of Australian GPs utilize this technology—a jump from 22% in August 2024, as revealed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) survey findings.

Dr. Janice Tan, an RACGP expert committee spokesperson, explained that GPs and healthcare providers deploy AI scribes to document patient conversations, systematically generate notes, and provide clear summaries of discussions.

“Throughout consultations, AI scribes listen attentively and produce a draft note post-session,” she elaborated to SBS News. “They also frequently assist in drafting referral letters, care plans, and straightforward summaries for patients.”

However, she emphasized that while the software records interactions comprehensively, it does not play a role in determining care strategies.

“A product that starts suggesting a diagnosis or treatment the clinician didn’t state is no longer a scribe, and sits in a different regulatory category,” she said.

But another expert said more safeguards are needed to protect patients — and the benefits aren’t as clear-cut as they first appear.

The good

For GPs, Tan said the appeal comes down to reduced burnout and more patient-centred care.

“There’s less documentation after hours, which is a real driver of burnout and people leaving the profession,” she said.

“The doctor is looking at you rather than the keyboard … there’s more patient-centred consults, not quicker ones.”

“The most underused benefit is the patient-facing summary … [which features] what we discussed, what changed, when to come back. That’s valuable for anyone managing something complex, and for carers.”

She also said it allows for “better and more consistent records”, which are particularly helpful if you don’t always see the same GP.

The bad

Andrew Cullen from the University of Melbourne’s School of Computing and Information Systems agrees GPs are the clear winners — but is more cautious about what patients get out of it.

“GPs and clinicians love scribes, because they no longer need to take notes — so they can devote more time to their patients,” he told SBS News. “However, for patients, the benefit is a lot less clear.”

His main concern is ‘hallucination’ — when AI systems, including scribes, confidently make up facts. He cited a 2025 study which he said found “up to 20 per cent of notes made by AI scribes contained major errors”.

“The quality of these notes is hugely important — they’re the way doctors keep track of patients long term, and how they share concerns with specialists,” he said.

“So if AI gets things wrong, patients can be misdiagnosed, or provided inappropriate care, based upon an AI’s mistakes.”

Tan said the most common error type is omission — where details are left out — which she puts at roughly three-quarters of all errors.

“They’re the hardest to catch because you have to notice something isn’t there,” she said.

Both experts flag the tools can also struggle with strong accents, speech impediments, or noisy rooms, raising equity questions about who the technology best serves — though Tan notes this is improving with newer models.

The bigger questions

Bigger questions around regulation and privacy still surround the technology, with the two experts split on whether current oversight goes far enough.

Privacy

Concerns around how AI tools handle personal information aren’t unique to healthcare — but Cullen argues the stakes are higher here than in most industries.

“We don’t know how these notes are being used, we don’t know how safely they’re being held, and clinicians aren’t well equipped to handle these conversations within an appointment,” he said.

“Patients really need an empowered regulator, supported by government, to actively look out for their interests, to ensure that their private medical information is treated safely, and that their data is protected.”

Tan said retention of audio files varies by product, while draft notes go into the practice’s clinical software, where they’re covered by the Privacy Act and state health records legislation like any other health record.

“RACGP advises practices to check where data is stored and processed and whether the vendor can reuse it for other purposes,” she said. “Asking your practice whether that check was done is fair.”

Regulations

Then there’s the question of whether an AI scribe constitutes a medical device, which are subject to far stricter regulatory oversight.

While AI scribes are covered by multiple regulatory frameworks, including the Privacy Act and guidance from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, oversight from the Therapeutic Goods Administration only applies if a tool crosses into medical device territory.

“A scribe becomes a medical device once it interprets the conversation, including generating a diagnosis or treatment recommendation the clinician didn’t state,” Tan said. “That’s the right line in the sand.”

Cullen argues that threshold “completely misses the risk that biases and mistakes in an AI’s output could affect diagnoses” and said there is a need for further safeguards.

“Treating a scribe as a medical device would require the companies behind these systems to perform much more rigorous testing, and to be far more open about who has access to patient information,” he said, adding that other countries have moved to treat AI scribes as medical devices.

But Tan cautions against regulatory overcorrection.

“Make compliant tools hard to use, and clinicians will reach for ungoverned ones on personal devices, which is a worse outcome for patients,” she said.

She said that, ultimately, an AI scribe requires clinician oversight — and patient consent.

“Like every tool in medicine, it needs training, oversight, checks, and a clinician who takes responsibility for the output,” she said.

“If patients take one thing away: being asked for consent is a good sign, and asking your GP what happens to the recording is a reasonable question.”


FBI Apprehends Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Linked to Sinaloa Cartel

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In a significant law enforcement victory, the FBI quickly apprehended Ten Most Wanted fugitive Gregory Henderson Jr. A mere three days after he was added to their notorious list, the alleged Indianapolis gang leader was in custody. Authorities had enticed informants with a tempting reward of up to $1 million for tips that would lead to his capture.

Henderson, now 46, had managed to avoid the clutches of law enforcement since a major federal crackdown on his purported criminal network in August 2023. He is now facing a slew of federal charges including conspiracy to possess and distribute controlled substances, money laundering, and involvement in orchestrating an animal fighting ring.

Federal investigators have accused Henderson of being at the helm of a violent gang based in Indianapolis. This criminal enterprise was allegedly connected to the Sinaloa Cartel, distributing illicit drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl not only across Indianapolis but also throughout the greater Midwest region.

FBI Ten Most Wanted poster for Gregory Henderson Jr. marked captured following his arrest

The FBI stamped the word “CAPTURED” over Gregory Henderson Jr.’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives poster following his detention. (FBI)

This capture is noteworthy, marking Henderson as the ninth individual from the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list to be apprehended since President Donald Trump reassumed office. Collectively, these nine fugitives had evaded justice for more than half a century. The FBI notes that these nine captures significantly surpass the four such apprehensions made during the Biden administration.

FBI Director Kash Patel told News Media exclusively that Henderson’s capture reflected a broader increase in Ten Most Wanted apprehensions under the Trump administration.

“Nine Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitives is more than twice as many as captured under the entirety of the prior administration — and this FBI and our partners did it in 18 months under President Trump’s brilliant leadership,” Patel said. “Gregory Henderson Jr. had been on the run for a year, wanted for his alleged involvement in major drug trafficking operation and animal fighting conspiracies as the alleged leader of a violent neighborhood-based gang located in Indianapolis, Indiana – a gang with significant drug distribution ties to the Sinaloa Cartel.”

“This administration is letting good cops be cops and they are delivering in historic ways. I’d like to congratulate our FBI Indianapolis team who led this case from the beginning and thank our great Justice Department and law enforcement partners who righteously pursued this case with us,” he added.

Gregory Henderson Jr., who was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in August 2026

Gregory Henderson Jr. was captured after being added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on Aug. 11. (FBI)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General was among the federal partners involved in the case.

“I would like to thank the FBI, DOJ, and our USDA OIG among many other federal partners in their relentless pursuit for justice. Mr. Henderson had sought to evade the law after committing multiple crimes and leaving behind pain and anguish for many people and animals, but today is the end of that devastation,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins told News Media “President Trump has focused his administration on delivering justice for those targeted by violent crimes, and we will not rest until we achieve this goal.”

The FBI added Henderson to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on Aug. 11, describing him as armed and dangerous.

Henderson and 20 others were federally indicted in the Southern District of Indiana in August 2023 on drug trafficking and dog fighting conspiracy charges. More than 300 federal, state and local law enforcement officers carried out a takedown later that month, arresting 18 people while Henderson evaded capture.

Federal agents seized 61 guns, quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, $98,000 in cash and 166 fighting dogs during the operation, according to the FBI.

Law enforcement also uncovered what the FBI described as a significant dog fighting and illegal gambling operation allegedly led by Henderson.

“Henderson Jr. has a long history of criminal activity, including street violence, intimidation, assault, and weapons, in addition to drug trafficking and animal cruelty,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Tim O’Malley.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel (C) speaks at a news conference at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice building on June 23, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Details about where and how Henderson was captured were not immediately available.

Bruce Willis Joins Daughter Tallulah’s Wedding Bliss in Heartwarming Photo

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Bruce Willis was seen joining the celebration in honor of his daughter, Tallulah, and her newlywed husband, Justin Acee. The touching moment was captured during their wedding festivities.

A monochrome image, which surfaced in Vogue on Friday, showed the iconic “Die Hard” star embracing Tallulah, who was cozily leaning on his shoulder.

The 71-year-old actor smiled alongside Acee, who was engaged in a handshake with him. Sporting a fedora and a short-sleeved button-up shirt, Willis stood out, while Tallulah, 32, donned an understated white cotton Alaia dress, one of several remarkable outfits she wore for the occasion.

Acee opted for a relaxed suit complemented by a rose boutonniere. Meanwhile, the bride held a bouquet seemingly composed of wildflowers.

“A tender moment with my dad and Justin at the start of wedding weekend,” Tallulah wrote in the image caption.

Tallulah — the youngest of Bruce and ex-wife Demi Moore’s three daughters — and Acee tied the knot in an upscale outdoor wedding at the famous family’s Hailey, Idaho, home on Saturday.

She wore a custom Balenciaga silk satin gown with a draped train and a bow bustle by Pierpaolo Piccioli for the occasion. The look was accentuated by an elegant floor-length veil.

According to the outlet, the bride opted against a traditional walk down the aisle — she was led from her mother’s bedroom, where she readied herself for the ceremony, to the property’s bridge by stylist Brad Goreski, walking from there alone to meet her groom before taking her vows.

Tallulah’s sisters, Scout, 35, and Rumer, 37, were bridesmaids for the celebration, wearing coordinating strapless gowns in summer-ready seafoam green.

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude and delight to begin this next chapter,” she said of the nuptials. “The wedding was more than my wildest dreams.”

Tallulah and Acee dated for nearly two years before announcing their engagement in a triumphant December 2024 Instagram post.

Along with the three daughters Bruce shares with Moore, he also shares daughters Mabel, 14, and Evelyn, 12, with wife Emma Heming Willis, whom he married in 2009.

The “Sixth Sense” star was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023, just months after he retired from acting amid a diagnosis of aphasia.

Tallulah and her sisters have periodically shared updates on their father’s battle with the condition.

In June 2025, Tallulah shared several photos with her father — including one in which Acee placed his arm around him.

In another, she embraced her father for a hug. In yet another, she sat at his feet as he relaxed in a chair, holding his hand affectionately.

“Sunday funday at Grams! Grateful 🕊️,” she captioned the snaps.

Deadly Countertops: 3 Dozen Dead, 600 Ill from Popular Trend

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Nearly 36 individuals have lost their lives, and countless others have fallen ill due to a deadly lung disease contracted from working on popular quartz countertops.

A recent report from health authorities in California reveals that since 2019, there have been 31 deaths and over 600 illnesses attributed to conditions associated with these countertops, with a marked increase in cases in the past few years.

All the affected individuals were diagnosed with silicosis, also known as ‘black lung,’ an irreversible condition that severely impairs breathing and elevates infection risk.

In recent years, quartz countertops have surged in popularity due to their toughness, resistance, and affordability compared to traditional stone or marble surfaces.

These countertops consist of 90 percent silica mixed with resin and pigments, and during the fabrication process, workers are exposed to fine silica dust released into the air.

This can be breathed in by workers and, once inhaled into the lungs, the particles can become trapped in the lung tissue, triggering scarring and silicosis.

There is no cure for the condition, and the only effective treatment is a lung transplant. 

Trendy quartz countertops for kitchens are being linked to a spike in silicosis cases among workers (stock image)

Trendy quartz countertops for kitchens are being linked to a spike in silicosis cases among workers (stock image)

When cut, the countertops release silica dust, which can be breathed in by workers and damage their lungs (stock image)

When cut, the countertops release silica dust, which can be breathed in by workers and damage their lungs (stock image)

In the report, released this week, health officials said that patients were 45 years old on average, while, among those who died, the average age was 52 years.

Sixty-five of the cases also resulted in a lung transplant, they said, while 113 were referred for the procedure.

Almost all were men and from a Latino background.

From 2019, California was recording four to five cases of silicosis every year, the report suggests.

But since 2021, that number has surged into double digits. In 2025, 103 cases were confirmed while, so far in 2026, 150 cases have been detected.

It is not clear why cases are surging, but experts say this may be linked to rising awareness of the condition leading to more patients coming forward. In some cases, the condition is also initially misdiagnosed.

Dr David Michaels, an occupational health expert who led the report, said: ‘Hundreds of workers have been sickened making quartz countertops, a product we do not need, especially when a safer alternative is available.

‘Given the hundreds of diagnosed cases of silicosis in California, there are likely thousands of more cases across the country.

The above graph shows the number of cases of silicosis diagnosed by year in California

The above graph shows the number of cases of silicosis diagnosed by year in California

‘Health care practitioners and public health departments should be on the lookout for casesa and join the effort to stop this epidemic and save workers lives.’

Experts hope that the report may now underline the need for greater surveillance of silicosis across the US. 

It is not clear how many people in the US may have silicosis, but the American Lung Association estimates 2.3 million workers in the US are exposed to silica in the workplace, including 2 million in construction.

A 2023 study that analyzed official data suggested that West Virginia had the highest rates of silicosis in the US, followed by New Mexico and Nevada. 

Those who are at risk of the condition are people that chip, cut, drill or grind quartz, granite, sandstone or other materials that can expose them to silica dust. 

Alongside countertop fabrication workers, those who work in demolition, mining and foundries are also considered to be at higher risk. 

People who have quartz countertops in their homes are not considered to be at risk from silicosis because they are not cutting into the stone. 

Warning signs of the condition include a long-lasting cough, difficulty breathing and chest or back pain. It can also trigger fatigue, muscle weakness, unexplained weight loss, fever, night sweats and chest pain.

The American Lung Association says it is possible to prevent silica dust exposure by wearing tight-fitting N95 masks while working with substances that can release the dust.

Employers in the US are required by law to protect their workers from silica, the organization adds.

Court Permits Trump Administration to Proceed with Border Wall Construction on Tribal Land

WASHINGTON – In a pivotal decision on Friday, a federal judge upheld the Trump administration’s plans to proceed with the construction of a 62-mile segment of the international border wall, a section that runs along a Native American reservation, despite the tribe’s objections.

Judge Richard Leon of Washington, D.C., turned down the Tohono O’odham Nation’s plea to halt the construction on their 2.8-million-acre reservation, stating that the tribe could not demonstrate that the proposed wall would alter the boundaries of their land without congressional approval.

Furthermore, Leon dismissed the tribe’s argument that the wall’s construction would unlawfully encroach upon their reservation.

“Overall, the government’s priorities—border security, immigration law enforcement, and public safety—carry more weight than any potential irreparable harm at this point,” wrote Leon in his rationale.

At the time of the ruling, representatives of the tribe had not responded to requests for their reaction to this judicial outcome.

The O’odham reservation in the Sonoran Desert in Arizona abuts 62 miles of the Mexico border. The tribe has over 37,000 members, including thousands who live in Mexico.

Building the border wall would led to “significant devastation” on the reservation, including the destruction of mountain peaks that are sacred to the O’odham, tribe attorneys said.

“It would fray the ties between O’odham communities and families on opposite sides of the border, interfere significantly with O’odham religious rituals and practices, and destroy plant and animal resources sacred to the O’odham,” the lawyers wrote.

In 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt issued a proclamation reserving a 60-foot strip of public land along the U.S.-Mexico border for a buffer zone called the “Roosevelt Reservation,” which was formed a decade before the reservation’s establishment.

Tribe attorneys say it is “fanciful at best” to suggest that border wall construction can be confined to a 60-foot-wide corridor.

During a July 22 hearing, Leon appeared to be skeptical that U.S. laws tip in favor of the tribe’s bid for a preliminary injunction, calling it an “extraordinary” request. Leon, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, said he couldn’t find a previous court ruling under comparable circumstances.

“This is a novel case with novel issues,” the judge said.

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Blowtorch Assault: Man’s Rampage Sparks Dangerous Standoff, Tragically Ending with Teen’s Death

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A still image from police body-worn camera footage capturing the tense moments of a domestic violence incident involving a man wielding a blowtorch in Las Vegas (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department).

A dramatic confrontation unfolded in Las Vegas this week, resulting in the deaths of a teenage girl and a male assailant during a domestic violence episode. Local law enforcement officials described the event as chaotic, with officers ultimately using deadly force in response.

The ordeal began on Monday when police were dispatched to a home on Pigeon Point Court. The 911 call came from a distraught woman who reported that her boyfriend, 48-year-old Jason Simmons, was pursuing her with a dangerous weapon—a blowtorch.

Amid the panic, the woman cried out to the emergency operators, “He’s about to burn me up!” Her chilling words underscored the gravity of the situation, prompting an urgent police response.

During a press briefing on Thursday, Assistant Sheriff Fred Haas from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department provided a detailed account of the incident, shedding light on the tragic events that transpired that day.

The 911 caller stayed on the line for some time, police said, eventually hiding in a bathroom after she got shot, and telling dispatchers the man had set his sights on torching the entire house.

When officers made their way inside, they eventually encountered the suspect, who barricaded himself in a room and then fired seven rounds through the locked door, police said. One of those rounds injured Officer Zaira Venegas-Hernandez, 36, breaking through her Kevlar vest.

The officer fired back 11 times with her Glock 9 mm, according to law enforcement. After that, police scrambled out of the residence and declared a barricade or standoff situation.

As police left, another officer also returned fire on the suspect, Capt. Adam Seely said, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

“They had to deal with fire, smoke, gasoline in the area, and still responded into that residence to help those people that were in need,” Haas said. “Imagine the emotions from this department.”

Eventually, the woman who made the 911 call told police that Simmons had shot himself, according to law enforcement.

Back inside the residence, a SWAT team and crisis negotiators discovered the suspect and a teenage girl suffering from gunshot wounds, police said. Both the girl — who has not been identified by name — and Simmons were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police later identified the girl as the daughter of the 911 caller. Police have not revealed who shot the girl.

As for the woman, she was able to leave the residence shortly before police arrived. She was found suffering from a gunshot wound and burns, and she was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she remains in critical condition from her injuries, police said.

Investigators said the suspect was found with a .223-caliber rifle, three handguns and a blowtorch in his possession.

Had Simmons survived, he would have been charged with murder, attempted murder, arson, kidnapping, mayhem, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, Haas said.

The post ‘He’s about to burn me up!’: Boyfriend uses blowtorch to try to set girlfriend on fire, goes berserk on cops, resulting in standoff and teenage girl’s death, police say first appeared on Law & Crime.