Once a cherished child star, she captured hearts as a bright, mischievous youngster who embarked on countless adventures in a beloved 1980s sitcom.

This iconic show was renowned for its ability to blend humor with poignant moments, often venturing into deeply emotional and thoughtful ‘very special episodes.’

Audiences first met her character when she was left by her mother in a shopping mall. She then found refuge with a retired photographer, charming everyone with her spirited personality and vibrant clothing.

Her character resonated so deeply with young audiences that, after the network decided to cancel the show after two years, it was revived in syndication for another two seasons.

In a delightful glimpse into her current life, she was spotted enjoying an outdoor meal with two of her four children in the sun-drenched city of Los Angeles, just one day shy of her 50th birthday.

Can you guess who she is?

If you guessed Soleil Moon Frye, you are 100 percent correct!

Frye was the little girl with the indomitable spirit in Punky Brewster, and she continues to make appearances at fan events and pop culture conventions, signing autographs and celebrating her role as Penelope ‘Punky’ Brewster.

She has since grown up from her side ponytails and mismatched clothes, but fans might notice the same bright smile and expressive features.

During her recent outing, Frye stayed cool during the summer heatwave by wearing her long brunette tresses piled on top of her head.

She wore a sleeveless white top, black cargo trousers and black sneakers as she strolled down the sidewalk with daughters Poet Sienna Rose, 20, and Jagger Joseph Blue, 18.

The trio dined at Mercedes restaurant where Frye appeared to get exceptionally happy when a woman carrying a baby passed by. Frye was spotted making funny faces at the babe in arms.

Besides her daughters, Frye also has two sons, Lyric Sonny Roads, 12, and Story Indigo Moon, 10, with her ex-husband, Jason Goldberg, who she divorced in 2020 after 22 years of marriage.

Playing a foster child in Punky Brewster must have made an impression on Frye, who used to say she ‘wanted 100 kids.’

‘When I was a little girl, I used to tell my mom I wanted 100 kids,’ she told People shortly before the birth of her fourth child.

‘Then as an adult, I thought that our family was so big with three. Then we have this amazing, incredible surprise with four, and I’m just so thrilled and excited and literally cannot believe it.’

After the original Punky Brewster series ended, Frye appeared in guest spots on television including The Wonder Years, Saved By the Bell, and Friends.

Frye played Roxie King in the last few seasons of Sabrina, The Teenage Witch with friend and series producer Melissa Joan Hart from 2000 to 2003. Coincidentally, Hart had also auditioned for the Punky Brewster part, but lost out to Frye.

In 2005, Frye voiced Jade, a Bratz character, in Bratz Rocks Angelz. She continued to voice the character for the TV series and the subsequent video games and movies.

In 2021, she starred in the Punky Brewster reboot but it was canceled after one season. The 10 episodes are streaming on Peacock alongside the original series.

Frye’s interest in directing began to evolve in the late 1990s, and in 1996 she moved to New York City to attend The New School. Two years later, she directed her first film, Wild Horses.

In 2004, she directed the documentary Sonny Boy about a two-week trip she took with her father, Virgil, who had Alzheimer’s disease.

A few years on, Frye directed another documentary, Kid 90, using archive footage she had shot in the 1990s. Leonardo DiCaprio served as executive producer on the film, which was released in March 2021 by Hulu.

Frye also famously underwent a breast reduction surgery at 16, after years of suffering physical pain and cruel taunts from peers as a young teenager, per People.

These days, she is continuing her work as a documentary director, voice actress and child advocate. She is partnered with the Kids Mental Health Foundation to spread children’s mental health awareness.

As for Punky Brewster, Frye previously said she doesn’t know where Punky ends and she begins. The character was such a massive part of her and a deep inspiration.

‘Punky has always been such a huge part of my heart. I don’t know where she ends and I begin because we’re the same in so many ways,’ she told TVLine in 2021, adding: ‘I’m that person that, literally, if I’m 88 years old and people are still calling me Punky, I’m down. I love her so much. And I am just so grateful.’

In a startling incident captured on video, the Tennessee Highway Patrol has shared footage of a patrol car being unexpectedly hit during a routine traffic stop, leading to a collision with a second vehicle.

This gripping footage, comprising dashcam and bodycam recordings, documents the crash that took place on Interstate 65 in Davidson County.

The dashcam video vividly details the moment a vehicle crashes into the rear end of the stationary patrol cruiser, propelling it into the car initially pulled over by the trooper.

The bodycam footage offers an internal perspective of the impact, where the collision’s force dislodges the body camera from the trooper’s attire, sending it to the floor.

THP said it released the video as a reminder for drivers to follow Tennessee’s Move Over Law.

“When you see flashing lights ahead, move over when it is safe to do so,” the agency wrote in a social media post. “If you cannot move over, slow down and proceed with caution.”

The warning comes as law enforcement agencies across the country continue to highlight the dangers officers face during roadside stops, with several similar crashes and near-misses making headlines this year.

Last month, Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth reported that a Forney police officer and a Kaufman County sheriff’s deputy narrowly escaped injury when a passing vehicle struck a parked patrol cruiser during a roadside investigation. The officers were missed by only a few feet and authorities used the incident to remind drivers to obey Texas’ “Move Over or Slow Down” law.

In June, the outlet also shared that a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper had to run for cover after an impaired driver slammed into the back of his patrol cruiser during a traffic stop. Authorities said the driver was later found to be under the influence and in possession of drug paraphernalia.

Earlier this year, Fox 13 Tampa Bay reported that a Florida Highway Patrol trooper and a Volusia County sheriff’s deputy jumped into a ditch to avoid being struck after a driver veered onto the shoulder of Interstate 95, sideswiping both patrol vehicles.

A change is on the horizon for the New York Knicks’ coaching staff as one of their assistant coaches gears up to leave.

Carson Shanks, who has been integral to the Knicks’ bench for the past three seasons, is not renewing his contract this off-season, according to sources within the league.

Shanks, known for his role as the assistant director of video/analytics and player development, brought his expertise to the court, especially during pre-game routines with the team’s big men. The former college basketball player from North Dakota and Loyola Chicago stands out with his impressive seven-foot frame.

Reflecting on his impactful stint in New York, Shanks shared a heartfelt message on Instagram: “Three years at the Mecca of basketball, experiencing the vibrancy of the city, and proudly being part of the Knicks’ legacy, along with unforgettable memories and enduring relationships.” He fondly recalled the electrifying atmosphere of Madison Square Garden, coupled with personal milestones like the celebratory parade vibes, the taste of victory champagne, and the feel of the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Eagerly looking forward to new opportunities, he added, “While I’m thrilled about what comes next, I’m deeply grateful to New York for three of the most memorable years of my life.”

All of coach Mike Brown’s front-of-the-bench assistants are expected to be back next year, though there could be some other movement further down the pecking order.  

Strolling through her neighborhood, you’d likely glimpse at her and think nothing more than she’s a typical local on her way to lunch with friends. Her demeanor is simply that of a friendly, well-off resident.

However, beneath this modest exterior are hints revealing her true identity. The woman in her fifties could easily pass unnoticed, yet she’s one of the most iconic female rock stars, last seen in the public eye in 2009.

A telltale sign is her long, jet black hair, complemented by a classic black and white striped Breton top. She’s often seen with a luxurious $1,500 Gucci purse, and her ride—a uniquely painted Ford in red, black, and white—adds another clue.

This is none other than Meg White, the elusive and beloved drummer who formed The White Stripes with Jack White, becoming a rock legend in her own right.

At 51, Meg White reflects on a time of incredible success alongside her ex-husband Jack. In the early 2000s, their musical collaboration soared to fame shortly after their four-year marriage concluded, just as the new millennium began.

Her drumming was initially panned as primitive by music critics, only for Meg’s skills to later become revered and praised as ahead of their time. 

Meg and Jack’s 2003 song Seven Nation Army has become an NFL anthem and remains one of the most popular tunes of the 21st century, 23 years after its release.

The pair’s striking red, white and black style was so iconic that they appeared as themselves on The Simpsons.

Meg also fronted a fashion campaign for Marc Jacobs, while she and Jack infamously pretended to be siblings for a time, to try and avoid questions about their failed marriage.

They released their sixth and final album Icky Thump in 2007, made their last public appearance on The Conan O’Brien Show in 2009 – then confirmed their split in 2011.

Meg, who suffered from severe anxiety, subsequently disappeared into a life of contented Midwest anonymity, until now. 

Earlier this week, the Daily Mail tracked Meg down in Detroit – the city where she grew up and where she continues to live.

She still has her famous long hair, which was partially covered with a sun hat to shield her pale skin from the fearsome August glare.

Meg donned a simple black and white top, loose jeans and a chunky pair of black boots for a lunch outing to an Italian restaurant with two female friends.

Afterwards, they shared a cigarette and a chat while toting bags of leftovers. 

She and Jack were famous for wearing complementary red and white outfits at the height of their success, although Meg sometimes switched her clothing color palate to the black and white look that she displayed on Wednesday.

When approached by the Daily Mail, Meg, who is famously shy, was extremely friendly and laughed out loud as she denied being the famous rocker.

But when complimented on her music, she politely said ‘Thank you’ and gave the game away. 

Earlier the same afternoon, Meg was spotted leaving her historic mansion, whose unusual exterior decor has long been the subject of local gossip. 

The yellow stucco property, which was built in 1905, has its exterior walls covered with giant decorative spiders and bats. 

Its beautifully-tended gardens are filled with plastic skeletons – some of them clad in the flag of the Detroit Tigers baseball team. 

Meg’s love for her home city clearly runs deep. Like many in Motor City, she only drives cars manufactured locally, with two Fords parked at her property.

The four-bedroom house, which Meg bought for $507,000 in 2004, is regularly discussed on local internet forums.

Commenters often speculate as to the identity of its owner – with Meg’s name occasionally mentioned, but never previously confirmed, until now. 

Chatter about its spooky decor grew so feverish in 2021 that a woman named only as ‘Tina’ spoke to a local NPR affiliate about her decorating philosophy.

‘Tina’ told MPR: ‘I don’t do gory and I don’t do cute. I just do old fashioned Vincent Price scary.’

She added: ‘It’s my house. I can do what I want.’

‘Tina’ explained how she had long loved Halloween more than Christmas – but added that she makes a concession to the festive season each year by putting Santa hats on her skeletons.

Meg – who was married to second husband Jackson Smith between 2009 and 2013 – is so private that there is no information on whether she has since met a new partner, or had any children.

But in the MPR interview about Meg’s mansion, the woman named as Tina displayed a maternal side by revealing how much she enjoys giving out candy to thousands of young trick-or-treaters each Halloween.

‘It’s fun. It’s crazy,’ she said. ‘I love the madness of it. Just having like a thousand kids run at you wanting candy, it’s amazing. It’s the best feeling.’ 

While Jack White has gone on to continued music success, Meg shows no sign of wanting to leave her bubble.

Even her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025 failed to lure her out of seclusion, with Jack thanking organizers for the honor on her behalf.

So, with no bad blood with her former bandmate, plenty of money and a life of simple  but eccentric anonymity that she evidently adores, there seems less chance than ever of a White Stripes reunion.

And while many fans clamor to see Meg back by Jack’s side, a growing number concede that her refusal to return to the spotlight only burnishes her incredible enigma. 

This story discusses suicide. If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

In a tragic incident in Missouri, a mother and her teenage daughter were tragically shot and killed in their home by a neighbor following a dispute, according to authorities.

On July 25, Robert Winkelman, aged 73, approached the home of his neighbors, the Lashlys, in House Springs, Missouri. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported that he voiced concerns to 38-year-old Jessica Lashly about activities at her residence. An exchange ensued, leading Winkelman to fatally shoot Lashly in the head.

Tragedy compounded when Jersey Greer, only 17, attempted to aid her mother and was also shot in the head by Winkelman, as confirmed by the sheriff’s office. Winkelman then pursued another individual in the house, but that person escaped unharmed. Despite medical efforts, both Lashly and Greer succumbed to their injuries in a nearby hospital a few days later.

When deputies arrived at Winkelman’s home and moved to confront him, he turned the gun on himself.

He died at a local hospital on Aug. 2, according to investigators, who said he would have been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action.

According to reports, investigators said that Winkelman initially went to Lashly’s home to complain about noise. A spokesman for the sheriff’s office characterized the incident to News Media as a “dispute between neighbors.”

Investigators learned that Winkelman had “ongoing frustrations” with activities at Lashly’s home.

Justice Greer, the teenage victim’s twin sister, told KSDK, “She was literally just the funniest person ever.”

“She could make anybody laugh. She was really supportive about anything and everything. She could always tell when someone was sad or needed uplifting, and she was always the one to do it,” Justice Greer said.

“Jersey’s last moments, she was trying to save my mom. It just shows how brave she is, and I hope I can be half as brave as she is,” she added.

Justice Greer said Lashly was a single mother who did everything she could to support her daughters.

“It was always just us three,” Justice said. “It’s going to be really hard because that’s all I’m used to.”

Abby Feldmann, who coached lacrosse for both Justice and Jersey Greer, told KSDK that Jersey is someone who can “change your whole perspective on life.”

“There’s not one person who would refuse to follow her,” Feldmann said. “Everyone’s behind her. She’s really an amazing girl.”

Rev up your engines, because here’s the latest on an unexpected parking fiasco.

An attempt to streamline alternate side parking rules in Brooklyn hit a major speed bump this week. A flawed rollout of the new system led to numerous drivers in Prospect Heights being wrongly issued with bright green “shame” stickers and slapped with $65 fines.

These penalties were mistakenly given after the city announced that alternate side rules were reduced to once a week in the neighborhood, starting Monday. Unfortunately, the memo didn’t reach all the enforcers on time, resulting in legal parkers erroneously getting ticketed.

Instead of simplifying parking for locals, the botched communication left many residents outraged and bewildered by the enforcement mishap.

“That’s just unacceptable! This is the digital era, so there’s no reason for this kind of blunder,” protested Glenn Sainsbury. His nephew Christopher found himself among those unjustly fined. “With all the tech for emails and texts, this doesn’t make any sense,” he added, expressing his frustration.

Christopher woke up Monday to find an ugly green adhesive stuck to his car window, which he was more upset about than the $65 ticket.

“It’s not easy stuff to get off. You’ve got to take up a spatula or something, or a razor to get it off. I guess they get tired of people not moving their cars,” said Sainsbury.

This week marked the first that the wealthy neighborhood was meant to enjoy a reduced ASP schedule that sliced the number of times drivers needed to move their cars for street sweepers in half.

Prospect Heights is typically saddled with twice-weekly sweepings per side of the road — which results in the neighborhood being littered with more double parking than trash.

Monday was intended to be the first day, but the traffic agents who doled out tickets had never heard of the pilot initiative, sources said.

Each ticket, issued for failing to move a car during scheduled street sweeping, costs $65.

The Sanitation Department told The Post it notified several agencies like the NYPD and Finance Department about the program in the weeks ahead of its start date.

But a source close to the issue said just one notice was sent on the issue without confirmation or follow-up, leading to the orange-ticket blunder.

There was a lack of “coordination” between the DSNY and NYPD, the insider said.

The NYPD emphasized that the slip-up had already been resolved.

“These summonses were issued in error and have already been voided. We will ensure that the Department of Sanitation creates a formal process for notifying the NYPD about any requests for changes to longstanding parking rules,” a spokesperson said.

Police could not share how many summonses were issued, but City Councilmember Crystal Hudson’s office received about 12 complaints.

“Drivers have notified our office that they received summonses on days when enforcement was not supposed to occur in the pilot area,” Hudson told The Post.

“Our office has reached out directly to the Department of Sanitation, local NYPD precincts, and the NYPD Chief of Traffic to ensure traffic enforcement agents do not issue tickets on non-enforcement days. The City has assured us that any summonses issued on non-designated enforcement days will be dismissed.”

The blunder will be corrected for next week, her office said.

The pilot program — aimed at determining whether once-per-week sweeping is enough to keep the neighborhood clean — will continue through Sept. 25.

The family of a British woman, whose body was tragically found in a suitcase in Athens, has broken their silence regarding the incident. Their loved one was allegedly murdered by an Afghan migrant.

Sharif Ahmadzai, a boxer from Afghanistan, is currently in custody in connection with the death of Elisabeth Jane Ross. On Thursday, he notably declined to submit a plea.

Ms. Ross was a frequent visitor to Greece, dedicating her time to various NGOs. Her volunteer efforts focused on assisting refugees, the homeless, and vulnerable people, particularly those from Afghanistan and Iran.

Originally from Edinburgh, Ms. Ross arrived in Athens on June 26. She initially stayed with Greek friends in Keratsini, the main seaport near the city.

Authorities confirmed that she relocated to Rethymnou Street in central Athens on July 2. There, she volunteered with a Christian-based NGO focused on refugee support. Tragically, just two weeks later, her body was discovered in an abandoned building.

In a statement on Thursday, her family said: ‘Lisa will always be remembered by us as kind, principled and selfless.

‘Her integrity was absolute, and she dedicated her life to helping others in need.

‘We are in deep pain, and we ask for time and privacy as we come to terms with our loss.’

Ahmadzai, 26, is accused of manslaughter, robbery and illegal gun possession and exercised his right to silence and did not respond to the charges as toxicological test results are still pending, according to a legal source. 

His American wife has given an emotional testimony, describing how she had a realisation that Elisabeth, also known as Lisa, could be dead.

US-born Christian Alaina Hall told police that she had met Elisabeth through volunteer work in Athens and had last seen her on July 12, after a Bible study meeting, Greek news outlet Protothema reports.

Days later, she heard news that a body had been found stuffed in a suitcase in a derelict building in Athens.

Later that night, Alaina recalled waking up with a ‘terrible’ feeling.

The following morning, she sent a message to Elisabeth and received two replies, which raised her suspicions.

‘These messages were not in Lisa’s style, both in terms of her level of English and the use of emojis that she never used.’

Alaina added that she tried to call Elisabeth but never received a response.

In her testimony, Alaina also told police she grew suspicious of her husband after she woke to find him missing on the evening of July 15, and, after checking his shared location, she saw that he was at Elisabeth’s flat.

When she confronted him, he told her that he was out watching a football match, but had gone to Elisabeth’s apartment to use the toilet.

‘I don’t know what to tell you, but all of the above made me feel strange. Especially combining the dates, the messages and my husband’s behaviour, I have various thoughts that make me feel uncomfortable,’ she told police.

Officers started probing Ahmadzai after his wife allegedly reported her husband had been behaving suspiciously on July 30.

Detectives found CCTV footage which allegedly shows him leaving the apartment where Elisabeth was staying with a suitcase and dropping it where her remains were found on July 16.

Earlier this week, Protothema reported that Ahmadzai told police in a statement on Saturday that he did not kill the 38-year-old, claiming he found her dead before panicking and taking a series of unjustified actions.

During the testimony, he said: ‘I never did harm to anyone. I want you to understand me and believe me. I was just in a panic.’

He claimed he had visited the house where Elisabeth was staying, and found her lying on the bathroom floor.

‘[She] was spitting something like water out of her mouth. I spoke to her two or three times, but she didn’t respond. I froze. My legs went numb,’ he said.

The 26-year-old claimed he then panicked and left the house, where he encountered an elderly man near a bus stop. He reportedly asked the man what he should do after finding a dead body.

‘[The old man] told me that he worked with hospitals and he knows about them and what I should do is remove it from the house, or I will get into trouble. I sat and thought about what he told me for a few hours.’

He then admitted that he returned to the apartment the next day and placed Elisabeth’s body in a black suitcase, before placing it in the boot of the red Peugeot he was driving.

‘I started in the Peugeot, arrived near my house and parked it,’ he said, ‘I got out of the car, took the suitcase out of the trunk and walked to an abandoned building across from the Panhellenic University.

‘There I found the old man I told you about who gave me the advice. He told me to leave the suitcase with him, and he would take care of it.’

Ahmadzai told police he had taken Elisabeth’s phone and bank cards.

‘In addition to Lisa’s cards, I also took her mobile phone. From that, I sent some messages to people close to her to reassure them that she was okay. ‘

‘I don’t know what I was thinking. I wasn’t thinking clearly. I gave all the money I took out of Lisa’s cards to the old man because he was blackmailing me that he would tell everything to the police.

‘As far as I know, this old man’s name is Nikos, and he frequents the place where I left the suitcase.’

He appeared in court on Wednesday, where he denied killing Ross but claimed that an ‘old man’ had persuaded him to move the body.

In addition to ‘intentional homicide’, he has also been charged with robbery and weapons offences.

Ahmadzai reached the island of Lesvos in 2016. He then converted to Christianity and married US-born Christian Alaina Hall in 2023 before they set up a ministry helping refugees in Athens.