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We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
Joe Senser, a former standout for the Minnesota Vikings, has passed away at the age of 69, as reported by the team on Thursday.
The details surrounding his death have not been made public.
Senser made a name for himself as a tight end with the Vikings from 1980 to 1984 until a knee injury abruptly ended his playing career. Following his time in the NFL, he faced significant challenges, including his wife’s imprisonment for a fatal hit-and-run incident and his own battle to recover the ability to walk and talk after suffering a stroke.
“The loss of Joe Senser is deeply felt within the Vikings family,” stated Mark Wilf, the team’s owner and president. “On the field, Joe excelled as a Pro Bowler, but his influence extended far beyond his football career, impacting both the organization and the community.”
“Joe was known for his generosity and numerous charitable efforts. He infused every interaction with his uplifting presence, whether engaging with former teammates, Vikings employees, or our family as we took on the stewardship of the franchise. The warmth and openness he brought to those who knew him will remain in our hearts.”
Senser was selected by Minnesota in the sixth round of the 1979 NFL Draft out of West Chester and had a team-leading seven touchdowns on 42 receptions for 447 yards as a rookie in 1980.
However, it was nothing compared to his second season when he caught 79 passes for 1,004 yards and eight touchdowns. It earned him his first and only Pro Bowl nod, and made him the only tight end in Vikings’ history with more than 1,000 yards in a season.
Late in that defining season, Senser suffered a knee injury that ended his career prematurely.
He took a low hit after making a catch on a crossing route during a Week 13 game against the Packers and managed to finish the season, but underwent offseason surgeries followed to fully repair the knee.
Following his retirement in 1984, Senser joined the Vikings’ radio broadcast team, serving as the color commentator for the both the 1993 and 1994 seasons and came back for more from 2001-06.
He was also the owner and operator of Senser’s Bar & Grill, which had several locations in Minnesota. They all closed after 30 years.
In 2012, his wife, Amy was convicted on two counts of criminal vehicular homicide in a fatal hit-and-run crash in Minneapolis that saw Anousone Phanthavong, a 38-year-old chef, struck and thrown 50 feet while putting gas in his car after work at 11 p.m. He landed on a ramp along with pieces of Senser’s SUV.
There were no witnesses.
She claimed she left the scene with the belief she hit a construction cone or barrel.
Amy was forgiven by the Phanthavon family, which played a role in changing her as she cared for Joe following his 2016 stroke.
“We never know how strong we are until we’ve gone through something. And then it comes to the other side, and know that you’ve done the best you can and given and shared and helped the best you can, then you think OK,” Amy told WCCO. “I can fight another day.”
The acclaimed musical that took Broadway by storm is now coming to your living room in stunning detail.
The celebrated production “Hamilton,” winner of multiple Tony Awards, is set to be released for home viewing in 4K UHD Blu-ray, making its debut as part of a special Collector’s Edition on June 16. This release marks over a decade since its Broadway debut, capturing the show’s brilliance in unparalleled clarity and offering fans a treasure trove of new features.
The edition includes a fresh documentary, “Spark into a Flame: Hamilton & Hip-Hop,” which delves into the musical’s hip-hop influences and the creation of the “Hamilton Mixtape,” a reimagining of its iconic tunes. The documentary features insights from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of “Hamilton,” along with reflections from music legends such as Busta Rhymes, Nas, Questlove, and Common.
The “Hamilton” Collector’s Edition, featuring 4K stage recording, bonus features, poster, art cards, lyric book and piano sheet music.Walt Disney Studios
Additionally, the Collector’s Edition offers a sing-along version of the musical, a short feature called “Reuniting the Revolution,” and a selection of exclusive memorabilia. Fans will find a fabric poster, a set of collectible art cards, and a booklet containing the lyrics and piano sheet music of “Alexander Hamilton.”
Be sure to “wait for it” and keep your eyes out for the “Hamilton” Collector’s Edition coming this summer, June 16.
The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of this ABC station.
In an unexpected moment during a heated debate, the mayor of Los Angeles inadvertently used the expletive “firef**k” while defending her management of California’s wildfires.
During the debate on Wednesday night, Karen Bass went head-to-head with Spencer Pratt, a contender for the mayoral position, and current challenger Nithya Raman. According to NBC News, Pratt’s bold debate tactics led 79% of viewers to favor him as the debate’s victor.
The moderator scrutinized Bass over allegations that she had prioritized a pay raise for a firefighters’ union over allocating funds for rebuilding efforts, and pressed her to address claims about fire engines being labeled as “inoperable.”
Bass quickly redirected the blame to then-fire chief Kristin M. Crowly. She stated that Crowly had sent over 1,000 firefighters home, resulting in a surplus of fire trucks but insufficient personnel to operate them.
The slip occurred as Bass became more defensive regarding her response to the 2025 wildfires, inadvertently letting the F-bomb drop mid-discussion.
‘So yes, there were firetrucks that were broken, but there were also firef**ks – trucks – that were out of use because she had sent the firefighters home,’ Bass said, quickly correcting her mispronunciation.
‘You are correct, there was supposed to have been deployment and pre-deployment in the area – that did not happen,’ she added. ‘But the same way LA was not prepared, neither was the county.’
Pratt, her Republican rival, blamed Bass for the fallout from the deadly Palisades Fire, which destroyed his $3.8 million home and more than 11,000 properties across Southern California last January.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass accidentally blurted out the word ‘firef**k’ while defending her handling of the 2025 wildfires
Bass approved roughly $17.6 million in cuts to the city’s fire department shortly before the tragedy
Bass faced off Wednesday night against mayoral hopeful Spencer Pratt and challenger Nithya Raman
The reality TV star blamed Bass for the fallout from the deadly Palisades Fire, which destroyed his $3.8 million home
‘I blame this person for burning my house down,’ the 42-year-old reality TV star declared during the debate.
Pratt has been a vocal critic of Bass’s wildfire response, grounding his campaign in allegations of mismanagement after the fires burned down his home, which he shared with his wife, Heidi Montag.
He posted a campaign video just last month comparing the neighborhoods of Bass and Raman before cutting to an Airstream trailer next to his destroyed property.
‘They let my home burn down. I know what the consequences of failed leadership are,’ the Republican said in the footage.
‘That’s why I am running for mayor, for my sons and the rest of these Angelenos that want to stop these corrupt politicians from destroying our city,’ he added. ‘We are going to get the golden age of Los Angeles back.’
His comments were in regard to Bass’s absence during the unfolding crisis, including travel to Ghana amid a powerful windstorm and questions over whether sufficient pre-fire resources were deployed.
The mayor also approved roughly $17.6 million in cuts to the city’s fire department shortly before the tragedy.
On Tuesday, in response to Pratt’s comments over the alleged bungling of the city’s response, Bass accused him of ‘exploiting’ the tragedy to score political points, according to Fox News.
Bass’s absence was under fire during the unfolding crisis, including travel to Ghana amid a powerful windstorm and questions over whether sufficient pre-fire resources were deployed
Bass blamed the fire chief, claiming she sent more than 1,000 firefighters home, leaving enough trucks but not enough responders
Bass argued that her experience leading the wildfire response and serving in Congress makes her better qualified than Pratt
Bass accused Pratt of ‘exploiting’ the tragedy to score political points
‘Honestly, before this, I had never heard of Spencer Pratt,’ Bass told MeidasTouch during an interview.
‘The thing I am concerned and feel about him is that I feel like he’s exploiting the grief of people in the Palisades and I just think that’s just reprehensible,’ she added.
‘That’s the main thing and I think he is about his own celebrity – he’s famous now again.’
It was revealed Tuesday that the LAFD union president filed a lawsuit against Bass, alleging she conducted a ‘smear campaign’ in response to his criticism of the city’s fire response resources, according to The New York Post.
Freddy Escobar, a 36-year veteran of the LAFD and head of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles Local 112 (UFLAC), launched a federal legal action against Bass and the City of Los Angeles.
In his complaint, Escobar claims that Bass and senior aides instructed fire officials to suggest to the media that he was being investigated for overtime issues, as part of an alleged effort to suppress his criticism of the fire budget.
Bass has maintained her argument that her experience in Congress and leading the wildfire response makes her better qualified than Pratt, whom she accused of not understanding ‘how government works.’
She also pointed to climate change, saying ‘hurricane-strength winds and no rain’ are unusual conditions for LA and beyond.
Pratt called Bass’s response ‘insane’ and ‘psycho,’ during an appearance on Fox News’ The Will Cain Show
Bass also appeared to blame the wildfires on climate change
The destruction of Spencer Pratt’s home after wildfires
The LAFD union president filed a lawsuit against Bass, alleging she conducted a ‘smear campaign’ in response to his criticism of the city’s fire response resources
Her comments drew swift backlash. Roxanne Hoge called Bass’s response ‘tone-deaf,’ while attorney and strategist Elizabeth Barcohana accused the mayor of attacking a fire survivor who is ‘living in a trailer on his burned-out lot.’
Former Trump campaign adviser Janiyah Thomas also criticized Bass, arguing Pratt’s personal losses give him legitimacy and accusing the mayor of being absent during the crisis.
‘I’m not sure if Karen Bass forgot she let my house burn down and my parents’ house burn down and I had actual neighbors burn alive across the street from my childhood home,’ the reality star said.
‘The only grief is my grief, my community’s grief that I initially started this fight on behalf of,’ he added.
‘It’s the most insane, psycho, diabolical thing I’ve heard in a minute – but it’s not shocking.’
This article contains discussions about suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
A retired Army Special Forces veteran, accused of attempting to murder his wife, has been found dead following a widespread multi-agency search, according to officials.
Christian A. Marrero, Deputy U.S. Marshal, informed Fox News Digital that Craig Berry is deceased and “no longer poses a threat to the public.” The Stewart County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee reported that preliminary findings suggest Berry died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Berry allegedly shot his wife during a domestic dispute at their Dover, Tennessee residence early on Friday morning before fleeing the scene. Authorities had been seeking him on charges including attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, domestic assault, and leaving the scene of an accident.
An undated photo of Craig Berry, released by the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office.(Stewart County Sheriff’s Office)
Stewart County Sheriff Frankie Gray told NBC News that Berry’s wife, who isn’t being named by authorities, tried to get away from the area in her car before her husband fired a shot at her.
She drove away, Gray said, and Berry tried to follow her until he crashed the car, leaving it totaled.
Berry’s wife was taken to a hospital and has been released, the sheriff said. Gray described her injuries as “life-threatening.”
Investigators have spoken with Berry’s wife several times, according to the report.
The sheriff said there was a possible “financial situation” with the couple but declined to speculate on “problems” between the couple.
The Stewart County Sheriff’s Office says Craig Berry was captured by a trail camera wearing camouflage clothing.(Stewart County Sheriff’s Office)
One family member spoke with Berry on the phone just after the incident, according to Gray, who said they believe the attempted murder suspect destroyed his phone.
Gray said the search for Berry was “urgent” and had warned residents in the area should “lock all your doors.”
He was concerned that Berry would try to steal a car in his attempt to flee.
Craig Berry was last seen near River Trace Road, and authorities are conducting a “very detailed search” of the area from River Trace Road to Highway 79 to parts of Highway 232 this week, the sheriff’s office said Monday.(Stewart County Sheriff’s Office)
In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said it was continuing to assist the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service with helicopters and troopers, as needed, in the hunt for Berry.
The U.S. Marshals were offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that helped lead to his capture.
Berry had been added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted list, according to an X post from the agency.
An Army spokesperson told Fox News Digital that Berry was an infantryman and Special Forces medical sergeant in the Army from 1992 to 2016, leaving the Army as a sergeant first class. He deployed to Iraq four times between 2003 and 2014, according to the spokesperson.
In the hours after the shooting, troopers from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and deputies and investigators from the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office searched through a densely wooded area for Berry, according to a video released by the state agency.
In an earlier social media post, the sheriff’s office warned that Berry was considered “armed and dangerous.”
Deputies added that Berry was an “excellent swimmer and diver” and was believed to be in “good physical shape,” stating he had “extensive training” in survival tactics.
Stewart County Schools said in a statement on Facebook that Berry’s wife is a schoolteacher.
“We are aware of a serious incident involving one of our staff members. We understand this news may be upsetting to students, staff, and families. Please know that this incident did not occur on school grounds, and there is no ongoing threat to our schools,” the school district said.
“Our thoughts are with our staff member and her loved ones during this time. We will continue to respect her privacy.”
Adam Sabes is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Adam.Sabes@fox.com and on Twitter @asabes10.
Aditya Goel has long envisioned a bustling household filled with the laughter of children. Conversations about starting a family are frequent between him and his partner, with whom he has shared his life for over two years.
At 32, which aligns with the average age of first-time fathers in Australia, Aditya finds himself questioning whether even welcoming one child into their lives is feasible.
Aditya and his partner, both successful professionals—he a tax consultant and she an engineer—do not face fertility issues. Yet, the couple from Melbourne is daunted by the financial implications of raising a child amidst soaring costs of living, such as groceries, childcare, and rent.
Additionally, they harbor aspirations of owning their home in the future, adding another layer of financial consideration to their decision-making process.
Plus they want to buy their own home one day.
Aditya says he “can’t comprehend” how young people on low incomes can afford to have children. Source: Supplied
“We are in a position which is a lot more privileged than the average Australian. But even in a household like ours, the cost is a big factor … I wonder how somebody who’s probably not earning as much, I don’t even know how they comprehend this,” Aditya told The Feed.
“In an ideal world, we would probably have four kids, but when we think of the cost to raise kids, we go, maybe it’s just not realistic.”
Cost ‘a way bigger factor’
Glynis (surname withheld) understands this predicament well.
The 28-year-old is looking forward to starting a family with her long-term partner over the next five years or so. The pair have stable, professional jobs and own a one-bedroom apartment in Canberra, but aren’t sure if they can afford to upsize in an area they want to live in.
“If we want to have kids, we would like at least a second room, preferably a third. But if we want to live in an area that’s got the schools that we want our kids to go to and to be close to our parents, we need to be earning way more than we currently do.
“The idea of staying in a one-bedroom apartment and raising a family … is so not an ideal situation. Cost is becoming a way bigger factor in having kids than I thought it would’ve been even 10 years ago.
“And that’s not even factoring in child-related costs.”
Glynis wonders how she’ll afford nappies, the extra food and childcare — and whether the federal government’s Parental Leave Pay of 26 weeks (as of 1 July) will stretch far enough.
She says conversations with others her age reflect similar concerns.
“I’ve had multiple conversations with friends, and [the] cost of living is just pumping up and up and kids are getting just pushed back.”
The cost of raising a child
There are various figures published around how much it costs to raise kids, which are all calculated differently.
A 2018 study from the Australian Institute of Family Studiesfound that parents could expect to spend around $170 a week raising a child — around $8,840 per year.
Studies from AMP and the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) have published three reports on the cost of raising children. Back in 2002, they calculated that raising two children from birth until they left home would cost a typical family $448,000. In 2007, this cost had jumped to $537,000; in 2012, $812,000 — if they left home at 18, that would work out at more than $45,000 per year.
Since those studies, living costs have skyrocketed, inflation has soared to its highest level since 2023, and the Reserve Bank of Australia has hiked rates three times this year, with more increases expected.
So in 2026, the actual amount parents are spending to raise children is likely much higher than what previous research suggests.
Aditya says he’s astonished by the estimations of what it costs to raise a child.
“Four kids could very well be one person’s salary,” he said.
Costs going up, babies going down
Financial pressures are changing people’s fertility choices.
Nearly half (46 per cent) of Australians aged 25-34 have changed their family plans because of financial pressure, with 15 per cent ruling out children altogether, according to research published in March by Primara Research.
And financial anxiety is shaping life decisions early, the survey shows. Nearly one in four (24 per cent) of Australians aged 18-24 have already reconsidered having children, while 24 per cent of 35-44 year olds have changed their plans, with 14 per cent deciding against more children.
The 2025 Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey shows a similar story — with more Australians choosing to have no children or fewer children than they were 20 years ago.
“More people are now deciding that they don’t want children,” said Inga Lass, senior research fellow at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research and member of the HILDA research team.
“The general cost of having children is the factor that people now consider most important. It was surprising how clear this picture was.”
Australia’s fertility rate in 2024 (the most recent year for which the ABS has released data) was 1.5 births per woman, the lowest in the nation’s history.
By comparison, this rate was 1.8 in 2004, 2.3 in 1974 and 3.2 in 1964.
History shows birth rates are closely linked to economic conditions. The largest declines over the last century occurred during the Great Depression in the 1930s, which severely impacted Australia’s export-reliant economy, and throughout the 1970s, when the 1973 oil shock drove Australia’s unemployment from 2 per cent to 6 per cent.
Financial pressures are having an impact on Australians’ family plans. Source: SBS
Declining birth rates age the population, which shrinks the taxpaying workforce and threatens economic growth, labour markets and welfare sustainability — especially pensions and healthcare.
Primara Research data shows birth rates have fallen sharply across all major cities over the past decade, with the data revealing a clear link to housing unaffordability and rising living costs.
“Australia’s birth rate crisis is no longer a demographic footnote; it is a direct consequence of a housing and cost-of-living emergency that is reshaping the nation’s future in real time,” the report said.
Birth rates have declined across the country. Source: SBS
Wanting the best for your child
At 41, Priya Randhawa knows her window for having a child is narrowing. The Sydneysider, currently on a career break, has been married for five years and says babies are often on her mind.
She worries about various factors that could make parenthood difficult: being an older mother, AI-driven job insecurity, geopolitical instability impacting the global economy and — most critically — rising living costs.
“The entire financial instability surrounding all of us — that’s a major, major question mark around whether we should consider starting a family. If money was not an issue or a concern, then I think starting a family would definitely be a much easier decision and not be put off for later.”
Priya wants to make sure she can afford to give her child a high quality of life. Source: Supplied
Priya and her husband want to be sure that they can give their child a high quality of life without sacrificing their own.
“You’d want to put your child through the best possible avenues, whether it’s schools, colleges or universities.”
But she believes wages aren’t rising fast enough to make this possible.
“Currently, it just seems that costs are rising at a phenomenal rate versus say the earning component and the rise in [wages] … We have to consider supplementing or having two incomes and two working individuals to make life comfortable.”
Professor Michael Dockery at Curtin University’s School of Economics and Finance says while fears around these costs are understandable, estimates around what a child needs can be overestimated.
“Rising expectations about what children have to have and how much that will cost is putting couples off having children, [but] a lot of those estimates are overblown. A lot of what is required to raise a happy and healthy child does not require that much additional expenditure,” he told The Feed.
He says research shows that couples tend to “manage very well” financially after having children.
“They accumulate wealth at almost the same rate as couples who don’t have children. If you have children, you’re more likely to invest in property, and over that time, property’s been a very good investment.”
He adds that parents also tend to live in ways that are less income-intensive.
“When you have children, you might eat out less and spend more time taking your kid to the park, for example. You don’t have the same rivalry of conspicuous expenditure.”
Creating a new path
Lass at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research says social expectations around what a typical family looks like have diminished.
“It has socially become much more acceptable to have no children or fewer children,” she said. “There are so many other things that you can do with your life that compete. Plus today, women are highly educated and want to work.”
However, this offers little solace to those who would love to start a family if they felt more financially secure.
Aditya is trying to accept he may never realise his dream of being a dad.
“I still do want kids. I’ve always wanted kids, I guess, but it seems more and more difficult to have them.”
Glynis worries that the housing situation may push her plans for children back to the point where she may experience fertility issues.
“I think if we reached the point where we would be considering IVF, cost would be a huge factor in whether we went ahead,” she said.
“If cost was the prohibitive factor of having a kid, I would be really upset … I’ve always wanted to have my own family, and the idea of not being able to do that just because everything is so expensive is really disheartening.”
In 2023, California Congressman Jim Costa faced scrutiny following claims of making unwelcome advances towards two interns, as reported by NOTUS.
The allegations against the Fresno Democrat involved inappropriate conduct with one intern in 2020 and another in 2021, according to a complaint lodged three years ago with congressional ethics authorities.
After investigations, both the Office of Congressional Conduct and the House Ethics Committee decided not to pursue the case further. “There wasn’t sufficient evidence to continue,” an insider revealed.
The first incident reportedly involved Costa, then aged 67, approaching a 22-year-old intern at a California nonprofit event as she was about to leave. According to her account, Costa questioned why she was departing and urged her to stay and dance.
“I told him, ‘I’ve already danced.’ He responded, ‘Well, I didn’t dance with you,'” recounted the woman, who is now employed as a lobbyist.
After she repeatedly declined, she alleged that Costa awkwardly asked the intern to “shimmy” with her, so the two did so in the checked bag area.
“Every time I leaned back, it seemed like he got farther forward. So I was grateful that I could do a back bend. It was a very uncomfortable situation,” she alleged.
Then, Costa allegedly told the intern he could help her with her congressional career and gave his personal number.
“He just said ‘I would love to help you with your career. Let’s get dinner.’ Which when it comes from a powerful man, does not mean I want to help you,” the woman claimed in her interview with ethics officials. “I’m not dumb. I knew what it meant.”
The next day, she bumped into Costa again, who allegedly inquired why the intern didn’t give him a text and asked if she had a boyfriend. She alleged that he asked her to send her resume to his chief of staff.
The intern eventually did, she said, because she felt “if I didn’t do these things, my career would be ruined.”
Costa then allegedly asked the woman if she would like to go to dinner, according to texts reviewed by NOTUS. Per those communications, she instead suggested a midday meetup, of which afterward the congressman did not respond.
The woman also claimed she spotted Costa in another dancing incident with another intern a year later at an event hosted by the same nonprofit. He allegedly approached a Senate intern and asked to dance, and this time, the intern said yes.
“She very uncomfortably and awkwardly said yes. At which point he started spinning her around, like, touching, dancing,” the woman claimed. “Everyone was staring. A lot of people were taking photos. At which point, I looked at [the male staffer] and said, you go grab her hand and I will grab his.”
Costa, confronted about the dancing, was reportedly flabbergasted and left the event. That intern later cried in the bathroom at the event, the male staffer told NOTUS.
Costa’s office said in a statement shared with the Post that “all ethics complaints should always be taken seriously.”
“Rep. Costa fully cooperated with a review conducted by the Office of Congressional Compliance and the House Committee on Ethics several years ago. The OCC recommended dismissal, and the Ethics Committee unanimously voted to dismiss the matter,” the statement went on, adding those dismissals “speak for themselves.”
This is not the first time the congressman was alleged to make inappropriate romantic or sexual advances.
When Costa was a state assemblymember in 1986, 34-year-old Costa and a 19-year-old prostitute, who were traveling in a state-leased car, approached another woman and allegedly agreed to pay her $50 for an act of prostitution, Sacramento police reported.
“I made the mistake. I accept full responsibility for my error in judgment on last Saturday,” Costa apologized then.
Costa appears to be single and has not been reported to be married. A question on his marital status was not returned.
The news of his alleged advances comes amid renewed scrutiny on such conduct after the implosion of another California congressman’s career. Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress this year and dropped his leading bid for the governorship after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. Swalwell has denied those claims.
Take a minute to count your steps. The number you reach in 60 seconds can be a telling indicator of your physical fitness.
Walking is perhaps one of the most underestimated exercises for enhancing health. It promotes movement, elevates your heart rate, and lays a foundation for overall well-being. Through my experience working with numerous individuals, those who make walking a regular part of their routine tend to experience improved well-being, enhanced mobility, and quicker recovery times. The beauty of walking is its simplicity—it doesn’t require any special setup. Whether you step outside, stroll through a park, wander around your neighborhood, or use a treadmill, it all contributes positively to your health.
There’s a reason why walking is a staple in nearly every fitness regimen I craft. It offers numerous benefits without being overly taxing. Walking boosts cardiovascular health, aids in weight management by increasing daily activity, and keeps your joints flexible without causing undue stress. It’s an activity you can easily incorporate into your daily life without much hassle, fitting seamlessly into almost any schedule.
This is what makes walking such an effective exercise. It’s adaptable to frequent practice, can be done anywhere, and allows for pace adjustments based on your energy level. By incorporating a simple time-based test, like counting your steps over a minute, you get a quick and clear snapshot of your current fitness level and overall health.
That’s what makes it so effective. You can do it often, anywhere, and adjust the pace based on how you feel. When you add a simple time-based test like this, it gives you a quick way to see where you stand. One minute, count your steps, and you’ve got a clear snapshot of your conditioning (and health).
What a 60-Second Walking Test Reveals
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This test gives you a quick look at how well your body moves when you pick up the pace and stay consistent. It’s not about sprinting. It’s about how efficiently you can turn your legs over, keep a rhythm, and stay in control for a full minute. Your step count reflects more than just speed. It shows how well your stride, coordination, and posture work together. When those pieces line up, your movement feels smooth and repeatable, and your pace stays steady without extra effort.
It also ties directly into your cardiovascular fitness. Even for 60 seconds, your heart and lungs have to support the effort. A higher, steady step count usually means your body can deliver oxygen efficiently and keep you moving without a drop in pace. On top of that, walking offers real value in terms of energy output. A steady pace can burn around 80 to 120 calories per mile for most adults, depending on body size and speed. Stack that over days and weeks, and it becomes a simple, reliable way to support overall health, conditioning, and daily movement.
As you move through the minute, the goal stays simple. Keep your steps quick, stay tall, and hold a steady rhythm from start to finish. When that holds together, it shows your body moves efficiently and can support a higher level of fitness.
How to Perform the 60-Second Walking Test
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You don’t need much for this: just a timer and a clear space.
How to Do It:
Stand tall with your feet under your hips.
Start a 60-second timer.
Walk at a brisk, steady pace in place or across a flat surface.
Lift your feet enough to keep a natural stride.
Count each step as your foot hits the ground.
Finish the full minute and record your total steps.
You can do this outside, on a track, in your home, or on a walking pad. Keep it simple and focus on staying consistent.
How Your Step Count Stacks Up After 60
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This test works best when your pace stays steady from start to finish.
Under 80 steps: You’re building your base. Focus on finding a comfortable rhythm and gradually increasing your pace.
80 to 110 steps: This is a solid range. Your body moves well and supports steady activity.
110 to 130 steps: You’re in great shape. Your coordination and conditioning allow you to maintain a quicker pace with control.
130+ steps: This is excellent. Your movement stays efficient, your pace is strong, and your body handles the effort with ease.
How to Improve Your Walking Speed and Conditioning
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Walking improves quickly when it becomes part of your routine. The goal is to build a pace you can maintain, then gradually push that pace forward without losing your rhythm. Small adjustments in how you walk can make a noticeable difference in both speed and efficiency. Over time, those improvements show up in how you feel during longer walks and how easily you can pick up the pace when you need to. The key is to stay consistent and give your body enough exposure to adapt.
Walk regularly: Daily or near-daily walks help build a strong aerobic base and keep your body moving well.
Add short bursts of speed: Mix in 20- to 30-second intervals where you walk faster, then return to your normal pace.
Focus on quick, light steps: Shorter, faster steps often help you move more efficiently than overstriding.
Use your arms: Let them swing naturally to help set your pace and keep your rhythm steady.
Stay tall through your posture: Keep your chest up and your head level so your stride stays smooth.
Build your time gradually: Longer walks improve endurance and make faster paces feel more comfortable.
Walk on different surfaces: Mix in sidewalks, trails, or slight inclines to challenge your body in new ways.
Stay consistent over time: The more often you walk, the more natural and efficient your pace becomes.
References
Ungvari, Zoltan et al. “The multifaceted benefits of walking for healthy aging: from Blue Zones to molecular mechanisms.” GeroScience vol. 45,6 (2023): 3211-3239. doi:10.1007/s11357-023-00873-8
Serwe, Katrina M et al. “Effectiveness of long and short bout walking on increasing physical activity in women.” Journal of women’s health (2002) vol. 20,2 (2011): 247-53. doi:10.1089/jwh.2010.2019
Harvard Health Publishing. “Calories Burned in 30 Minutes for People of Three Different Weights.” Harvard Health, 8 Mar. 2021, Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
It’s a scene that might leave even Carrie Bradshaw raising an eyebrow.
For years, Sarah Jessica Parker, renowned for her role in “Sex and the City,” embodied the quintessential fashion icon whose love for Manolo Blahniks often led to her financial woes.
Yet, off-screen, Parker’s priorities tell a different story.
This past Wednesday, the 61-year-old actress was spotted at the launch of a budget-friendly fashion retailer in New York City. Joined by her friend Andy Cohen, Parker was seen browsing through a selection of affordable sweatshirts.
The pair were part of a star-studded crowd attending the unveiling of Primark’s newest storefront in the city, gearing up for its official opening on May 8th.
It comes after Parker pulled another Bradshaw faux pas – she skipped the Met Gala.
Sarah Jessica Parker celebrated the launch of budget fast fashion retailer Primark with pal Andy Cohen in New York City on Wednesday
It’s a store Carrie Bradshaw probably wouldn’t have given a second thought
Yet Parker was smiling just as wide at Primark as she has at the Met Gala, mingling with other fashion-forward stars celebrating the arrival of the affordable retailer.
It’s a store that Bradshaw may not have given a second thought, but with clothing priced considerably cheaper than her go-to designer wear, one that would have been a relief to her wallet.
Bradshaw infamously had financial struggles on the show, with her credit card being embarrassingly declined at Dolce & Gabbana.
Her priorities clearly were in her wardrobe.
Carrie’s closet was full of expensive shoes, including red bottom Louboutins, her favorite Manolo Blahniks, and Jimmy Choo heels. In fact, the Vogue writer infamously spent $40,000 on fabulous footwear, which her friend Miranda Hobbes (played by Cynthia Nixon) calculated.
The chic New Yorker also wore enviable designers Christian Dior, Vivienne Westwood and Dolce & Gabbana. At least her clothing withstood the test of time and proves equally popular with Gen Z today, which would make it easy to re-sell now. Her bag brands were just as illustrious, including Fendi, Dior and Louis Vuitton.
Of course, her maxed out credit card money wasn’t just spent on designer duds – she had a stunning apartment, although it was rent stabilized and $750 a month.
Other expenses included exclusively taking cabs, lavish dinners out, regular catch-up brunch on the weekend, and cocktails with her friends, as well as her seemingly endless supply of cigarettes.
Parker, however, is much more sensible when it comes to her own spending habits, even when she was trying to make it as an actress at age 18.
Fashionista Carrie Bradshaw loved Manolo Blahniks and maxed out a credit card funding her designer clothing obsession
However the budget-friendly shop would have been a relief to Bradshaw’s wallet, as she famously was in credit card debt
In real life, Parker has been open about having to budget her way through New York when she first moved to the big city
The new Primark will be opening on May 8
Parker and Cohen perused a rack of trendy clothing
One could only wonder what Bradshaw would have to say about Primark in her column
‘I moved out when I turned 18, I had a little money in the bank from Square Pegs but not a big amount. I knew exactly how much money I had in the bank and I took it out like very judiciously,’ she recently said on the Call Her Daddy podcast.
‘I tried to get by on $40 for three days, because I just didn’t know for sure. I knew I would work, but the investment that 10 auditions for the one job or the 20,’ she said.
Those days of pinching pennies are now behind her after she found smash success as the star of Sex and the City.
The show – which starred Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, and Kim Cattrall – followed the lives of fashionable 30-something year old women living in New York City.
The original show ran from 1998-2004, and a spin-off series, And Just Like That, along with two films followed.
In today’s challenging landscape of rising fuel costs, Circle K is stepping up with a significant offer for its customers in Houston. This Thursday, the convenience store chain is providing an attractive discount on gas purchases.
The special offer will be available all day on Thursday, May 7. While everyone can enjoy the reduced prices from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., those enrolled in the Inner Circle rewards program can take advantage of the discount earlier in the day, from 12:01 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Updated:
HOUSTON (KIAH) – It’s tough to find cheap gas these days, but Circle K is offering a sizable discount at the pump for customers on Thursday.
The promotion runs throughout the day on Thursday, May 7. Everyone can get the discount between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., but customers who sign up for Inner Circle rewards can also get the discounted price between 12:01 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Rewards members just need to enter their phone number at the gas pump to unlock the discount. The gas station chain says there’s still time to sign up by downloading the Circle K app or texting JOIN to 25050.
The discount comes at a good time – the national average cost of gas hit $4.56 on Thursday, according to tracking by AAA. That’s about 50% higher than the average price of gas before the war in Iran started.
All Circle K locations that sell gas and are operated by Circle K are participating. You can use Circle K’s interactive map to find the closest location to you.
Ten percent of the profits made during the 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. sales window, up to a maximum of $250,000, will be donated to the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. The charity offers scholarships and educational help to children who have lost a parent to military service.
A former NFL star has taken aim at Mike Vrabel following reports tying the coach to a boat outing with Dianna Russini, who was reportedly pregnant at the time.
According to TMZ, Vrabel and Russini were connected to a boat rental back in June 2021, which lasted between two and three hours.
During this period, Vrabel held the position of head coach for the Tennessee Titans, while Russini served as ESPN’s beat reporter covering the team. It’s reported that they were the sole occupants on the vessel.
Expressing his disbelief on X, the ex-defensive tackle remarked, “Seven months pregnant, and Vrabel, you’re on a boat with another man’s wife!? I don’t care if Russini believed it was acceptable.”
He further speculated on the situation, adding, “You can only wonder what they were up to on that boat. Mike Vrabel, as a man, that’s just lame. She’s carrying another man’s child.”
An ex-NFL player criticized Mike Vrabel for his alleged boat trip with a pregnant Dianna Russini
Breiden Fehoko slammed Vrabel for being on a boat with another man’s wife while she was carrying her husband’s child: ‘I don’t even care if Russini freaky a** thought it was ok’
If the account is accurate, this rendezvous occurred about one year after Russini married her husband, Kevin Goldschmidt.
The report from TMZ adds that Vrabel and Russini were hesitant to have their pictures taken. The outlet claims Russini declined to have her photo taken with fans, while Vrabel agreed to a photo on the condition it wasn’t posted online.
Two months later, in August of 2021, Russini would give birth to the first of her two sons.
The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Russini and Vrabel for comment.
Rumors of an affair between the two began in March when the New York Post published photos of the NFL insider and current New England Patriots head coach hugging and hanging poolside at an adults-only Arizona resort.
Although both initially denied cheating on their respective spouses, Vrabel has since apologized for his ‘actions,’ while stopping short of specifically admitting to an affair. The married father of two adult sons briefly stepped away from the Patriots during April’s draft to go through counseling with family.
The Post has since published photos of Vrabel and Russini enjoying breakfast together at the aforementioned Arizona resort and other pictures showing the two kissing at a New York bar, reportedly, in March of 2020.
Dianna Russini has covered Mike Vrabel since his days as Tennessee Titans head coach
Russini and husband Kevin Goldschmidt were married in New Jersey in September of 2020
Furthermore, The Daily Mail has also published photos of Vrabel with Russini at a Biloxi, Mississippi casino in January of 2024.
The Russini-Vrabel fallout is still permeating the NFL and The Athletic, where she worked until her recent resignation.
Steven Ginsberg, the executive editor at website, finally addressed the matter during a late-April meeting with staff by admitting his messaging on the matter could have been better.
He also mentioned the investigation into Russini’s reporting that was previously reported by The Daily Mail and other outlets. That probe is being led by standards and editorial quality editor Mike Semel and it is expected to be lengthy, according to FOS.
Ginsberg did not take questions after addressing staff and spoke for about 10 minutes, according to Front Office Sports.
Another source told The Daily Mail that the speech was closer to five minutes and included Ginsberg’s compliments to The Athletic staff for their recent work.
The New York Times declined to comment to The Daily Mail for this story.
Similar to Ginsberg, Vrabel has also done an about-face after initially calling the resort photos ‘laughable’ in a statement to the Post.
Vrabel has been married to his wife, Jen, for over two decades and they have two children
Vrabel admitted in a press conference that he was dealing with a ‘private and personal matter’ and that he needed to have ‘difficult conversations’ with his family.
Days later, Vrabel addressed media and announced he would miss the third day of the NFL Draft to attend a counselling session with his family.
‘I understand that there are questions, but I take accountability for my actions and the actions that caused a distraction to the people that I care most about, my family, this football team, the organization and our fans,’ Vrabel said prior to the first round of the NFL Draft.
‘That’s going to start, that has started, and that’ll continue this weekend and it’ll continue for however long it takes for me to give them and to complete that promise of giving them the best version of me possible.
‘My priorities are my family and this football team – and in that order – and there’s a balance there that I am going to create. My family needs me this weekend and that’s where I’ll be.’
On that Saturday, Vrabel and his family reportedly took a trip to Utah to attempt to clear the air.
Patriots’ billionaire owner Robert Kraft said they are fully supportive of Vrabel on Thursday
But as a source told The Daily Mail, the New England coach also feels remorse over Russini’s situation after she quit her job at The Athletic.
‘Mike feels terrible on many levels, especially since Dianna’s career is pretty much over, and that blood is on his hands,’ the source said.
‘He feels terrible that he is responsible and that she may never be able to work again.’
They continued: ‘There happens to be so many emotions going through him right now that for whatever counseling he is taking part in will be a continued situation for the foreseeable future.
‘All of this is not going to be fixed overnight. He has to get on the right page with himself, and everyone involved, and that is easier said than done, and we are currently on the bottom of that mountain.
‘He has a lot of climbing to do to get to the top of the mountain and on level footing. He’s hoping that the saying time heals all wounds is true. He’s resting his beliefs on that right now and drowning himself in work.’
Vrabel has been married to his wife Jen since 1999.
