In Houston, Texas, a poignant memory marked Dr. Stacy Norton’s early life—losing her mother to colon cancer at just seven years old. This personal history of aggressive familial tumors inspired Norton to take a step forward decades later. She joined efforts testing a groundbreaking vaccine with hopes of shielding herself and her children against cancer’s relentless grip.
Dr. Norton is among approximately 1 million Americans living with Lynch syndrome, a genetic predisposition inherited from parents that significantly elevates the risk of colorectal cancer and other malignancies. As a preventative measure, those affected endure frequent screenings, often subjected to annual colonoscopies, aimed at detecting and removing precancerous polyps before they progress.
Innovations in preventive medicine are now advancing, with scientists working on vaccines that would teach the immune system to fend off emerging colon cancers associated with Lynch syndrome before they escalate into tumors. Currently, three potential vaccines are under development, with two undergoing early clinical trials in the United States and another embarking in the United Kingdom.
The vaccine that Norton assisted in testing has shown such potential that Dr. Eduardo Vilar-Sanchez from MD Anderson Cancer Center anticipates the commencement of a more extensive study early next year.
“It gives me hope,” expressed Norton, 59, associated with Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Having survived a Lynch-related cancer herself and with two children in their twenties who have inherited the mutation, she eagerly awaits the vaccine’s fruition. “If successful, my children might not have to undergo annual colonoscopies for the rest of their lives,” Norton envisions optimistically.
Lynch syndrome is caused by an inherited genetic mutation
Everyone has what are called mismatch-repair genes, which are essentially spellcheckers to help fix DNA mistakes that can occur when our cells multiply. With Lynch syndrome, one of those genes can’t do its job properly, making it harder for the body to stop a buildup of abnormalities that can lead to tumors, often before age 50.
Colorectal cancer
Teen’s Gun Mishap Kills Child, Attempted Cover-Up Unravels
Inset: Brandon Sir Neveah McCloud is pictured (Orange County Jail). Background: Law enforcement officers in Orlando, Florida, investigate after the tragedy involving McCloud and a 4-year-old boy (WKMG).
Authorities report that a Florida teenager, aged 18, was in bed handling a firearm when it accidentally discharged, tragically striking and killing a 4-year-old boy in the chest.
Brandon Sir Neveah McCloud now faces manslaughter charges following the heartbreaking death of young Kayden Pearson in Orlando. Police apprehended McCloud on Wednesday.
The Orlando Police Department was alerted to a child being shot around 11:30 a.m. on July 17 at the Stella West Apartments, as detailed in a probable cause arrest affidavit. Officers arriving at the scene encountered a woman carrying an unresponsive child through the parking lot. The child was swiftly transported by paramedics to the hospital, where doctors later pronounced him dead.
Inside the apartment where the incident unfolded, officers discovered bloodstains in both the living room and bedroom, along with an empty shell casing discarded in the trash. A family member who arrived at the scene informed police that McCloud could have been involved. Subsequently, officers located and apprehended McCloud in a nearby apartment.
He spoke with investigators and claimed that he and his girlfriend were returning from the store when they heard a gun go off and saw that Kayden was shot. But when cops tried to pin McCloud down on further details, he requested a lawyer and investigators ended the interview, the affidavit stated. He was released.
Detectives spent the next couple of weeks determining what exactly happened in the apartment.
They spoke with the woman seen carrying Kayden through the parking lot. She said she lives in the apartment next to where the shooting occurred. She said several people began frantically knocking on her door saying a boy who lived in the apartment had been shot. The neighbor said she went into the apartment and saw Kayden suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. She was going to take the boy to the hospital and was running to her car when she saw cops, who took over lifesaving efforts.
The owner of the apartment where the shooting occurred said she was making a cake in her bedroom when Kayden walked into the room holding his stomach and collapsed. She said McCloud and his girlfriend were the only other people inside the apartment at the time of the shooting.
In an interview with the cops, the girlfriend said she and McCloud went to a store and returned to the apartment where Kayden followed them into a bedroom. She and McCloud were on the bed while Kayden was on a nearby couch. She was looking at her phone when she heard a gunshot and saw Kayden had been shot.
While she admitted she saw McCloud with a gun earlier in the day, she was “inconsistent” in her statements about whether her boyfriend was holding the gun in the bed, cops said.
With the involved parties vague on details, cops looked to McCloud’s phone to tell the story. Investigators uncovered critical information.
They discovered a video taken about 75 minutes before the shooting that allegedly showed McCloud smoking marijuana and appearing to be impaired.
More significantly, in the minutes after the shooting McCloud conducted a Google search with the phrase “how to get gunpowder off you,” the affidavit said.
“This brief interval represented a critical period during which life-saving aid could have been rendered to Kayden,” cops wrote. “Instead, the search demonstrates that Brandon used his phone to seek information regarding the removal of gunpowder residue from his person during the immediate aftermath of the shooting. This showed Brandon’s mentality was focused on escaping guilt rather than taking the opportunity to preserve life, adding to a consciousness of guilt.”
Cops concluded that McCloud’s “reckless handling of a loaded firearm directly and proximately caused” Kayden’s death. McCloud was arrested Wednesday and remains in the Orange County Jail without bond. He’s slated to appear before a judge on Monday.
The post ‘How to get gunpowder off you’: Teen was messing with gun in bed when it went off, killing 4-year-old boy — then he tried to cover it up, cops say first appeared on Law & Crime.
Bear Grylls Champions Family Values and Faith in New Inspiring TV Series
Bear Grylls rarely takes on a television project that doesn’t mean more than just work to him.
“My aim is to create something positive that families can enjoy watching together,” Bear, at 52, shared in an exclusive interview with Us ahead of the premiere of The Chosen in the Wild With Bear Grylls on Sunday, August 9. “It can be tough as a parent to find shows that you feel confident watching with your children, knowing they foster the right values. It’s something we take pride in.
As Grylls embarks on his latest venture with Prime Video, he teams up with the talented cast of The Chosen. Known for its historical storytelling, the cast embarks on a grand adventure through dense forests, harsh deserts, and deep canyons.
The cameras capture Bear as he guides actors Jonathan Roumie, Paras Patel, Elizabeth Tabish, Noah James, and Luke Dimyan through the formidable terrains of Utah’s Castle Valley, Canyonlands, the Ausable River, the Colorado River, the Great Basin Desert, and the Adirondack Forest.
The Easter Sunday countdown is underway, and many Hollywood personalities are openly embracing their faith. Through various platforms like social media, podcasts, TV series, and films, celebrities share glimpses of their spiritual paths with their audience. For some religious leaders, this transparency is appreciated and seen as a demonstration of love […]
“That is an intentional kind of thing as a team is we try and keep integrity to what we do and true to how we are as individuals,” Bear explained. “Faith has been a part of my life, as is respect for the outdoors and a love of a fellow man and doing our best and all that good stuff. We try and keep those values at the heart of the show.”
He continued, “I’m proud that Chosen in the Wild is such a sort of firm, family-friendly, positive, faith-forward, family-impacting type show.”
While working on Running Wild With Bear Grylls, Bear would often have conversations with celebrities centered less around faith and more on their personal battles and triumphs.
Jonathan Roumie, Bear Grylls Courtesy of Prime
In Chosen in the Wild, he’s excited to say he “can get straight into” religion and spirituality.
“Viewers, I think, really want that. That’s why they’re watching the show,” he said. “They want to hear, ‘How has it affected you?’”
After a monumental theatrical release, The Chosen season 5 is finally available to stream. The Christian historical drama, created, cowritten, directed and produced by Dallas Jenkins, has captivated fans with its latest episodes about the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. The series, which first premiered in 2017, has been a smash success, so much so […]
While fans will have to see how The Chosen cast was transformed by the show, Bear was struck by the diverse backgrounds of faith and culture within the participants.
“What I love about the wild is that there’s space and time to actually talk about things in a real way where it’s not just a sound-bite,” he said. “You can actually say, ‘Actually, tell me about that. That sounded hard.’ You sit around a campfire or on the edge of a cliff and you hear those stories in a very raw, real way. I love that.”
The Chosen in the Wild with Bear Grylls premieres on Prime Video Sunday, August 9, with all six episodes debuting at launch.
Father Fights School’s Silence on Biological Males in Daughter’s Bathroom Facilities
In a case that has sparked attention across North Carolina, a father from the state has taken legal action against his children’s school district. He claims the officials have been unresponsive to concerns about whether biological males are permitted to share restrooms with his fourth-grade daughter.
Brandon Matthews, the father in question, has two children attending Mount Pleasant schools. His daughter is enrolled in fourth grade at Mount Pleasant Elementary School, while his son is gearing up for his senior year at Mount Pleasant High School. In May, Matthews approached the principals at both institutions with a straightforward request: to be informed if any students of the opposite biological sex were allowed to use the same bathrooms or locker rooms as his children.
Importantly, Matthews’s request did not involve an identification of any specific student, as clarified by the details of his federal lawsuit.
According to his attorney, the father remains in the dark, still waiting for answers from the school district.
The federal lawsuit, filed against Cabarrus County Schools, demands transparency regarding the policies and practices related to the access of sex-separated restrooms and locker rooms at the two involved North Carolina schools.
“Brandon Matthews does not currently know whether a male is using his fourth grade daughter’s bathroom,” Nicholas Barry, senior counsel at America First Legal Foundation, told News Media.
“And does he have a constitutional right to know that? We say ‘yes,'” Barry said. “Without that information, he’s just in the dark and… He really can’t make any good decisions without that information.”
Matthews’ concerns over the district’s bathroom practices predate the lawsuit.
At a May 11 school board meeting, Matthews appeared with his daughter and urged officials to keep boys and girls in separate bathrooms.
“Nobody’s targeting a child,” Matthews told the board. “All we’re asking is that the bathrooms are accessible to each gender. If they want that, then create a new bathroom.”
Matthews then turned to his daughter and asked her to address the board.
“I’m personally a girl and I wouldn’t want a boy following me in the girls’ bathroom,” she said. “It’s inappropriate.”
Matthews also used heated language during his remarks. He repeatedly warned officials that he could “get aggressive” and, while discussing protecting his daughter, said, “Anytime somebody touches this little girl, I’m gonna hang them from my garage.”
Less than three weeks later, Matthews put his concerns in writing.
He asked his daughter’s principal to notify him “in the event that any biological male is permitted to use the female restroom facilities” she uses. He made a similar request concerning his son’s facilities.
Brandon Matthews, the father of two Cabarrus County Schools students, is asking a federal judge to require the district to disclose its policies governing access to sex-separated facilities. (TNS/Getty Images, File)
Both principals responded June 8, according to court filings.
The elementary school principal said that “[b]ecause matters involving individual students are confidential,” the school “cannot confirm, disclose, or provide advance notice regarding the status, identity, or accommodations of any particular student.”
The principal told Matthews that if he or his daughter became aware of a specific situation affecting her experience, they could contact the school to discuss his concerns. The high school principal sent a nearly identical response, according to the filing.
Barry argues that didn’t answer Matthews’ question.
“The explanation is fairly straightforward. They don’t want to answer him,” Barry told News Media. “Well, nobody asked for individual student information, so that’s a non-answer,” he added.
Brandon Matthews says he remains unable to determine whether his children could be expected to share school restrooms or locker rooms with members of the opposite sex, according to court filings. (Houston Chronicle via Getty Images, File)
Matthews filed suit in the Middle District of North Carolina against the Cabarrus County Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. John Kopicki and the principals of his children’s schools. America First Legal Foundation and co-counsel Philip Thomas are representing him.
On Friday, Matthews also sought a preliminary injunction asking the court to require the district to disclose its policies governing sex-separated bathrooms and locker rooms and whether members of the opposite sex are permitted to access, or have accessed, facilities used by his children.
Matthews, a practicing Christian, says in his sworn declaration that his religious beliefs include that sex is immutable and that his children should not be expected to undress or use restrooms in the presence of members of the opposite sex.
The lawsuit does not allege that Matthews knows a biological male has used his daughter’s bathroom. His attorneys argue that he cannot determine whether it has happened or is permitted to happen.
Matthews said in a sworn declaration that he has been unable to locate a written, publicly available policy explaining when students at either of his children’s schools may be expected to share restrooms or changing facilities with members of the opposite sex.
Matthews sought a preliminary injunction asking the court to require the district to disclose its policies governing sex-separated bathrooms. (Getty Images, File)
At an April 13 school board meeting, School Board attorney William Isenhour said “the district addresses the [bathroom and locker room] situation at each school on a case-by-case basis with the goal of addressing concerns of all students and their families,” according to court filings.
News Media sent Cabarrus County Schools detailed questions about the allegations, the district’s bathroom policies, whether parents receive advance notice and its response to the lawsuit.
Matthews says he ultimately seeks advance notice and a meaningful opportunity to opt his children out before they are expected or required to use intimate facilities in the presence of a member of the opposite sex. His preliminary-injunction motion asks the court, while the case proceeds, to require the district to disclose its policies and whether opposite-sex individuals are permitted to access, or have accessed, facilities used by his children.
It also seeks notice when a member of the opposite sex “has been authorized to enter, or is expected to enter” a facility used by their child.
Barry told News Media that a victory could have implications beyond Cabarrus County.
“Yes, I think if we continue to push Mahmood forward, and we start getting wins on it, schools around the country are going to have to start disclosing to parents what their policies are and providing parents the opportunity to opt out,” Barry said.
Matthews’ attorneys rely heavily on the Supreme Court’s decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor. (iStock)
“I do think as Mahmoud percolates out and as cases like this get decided, it’s going to require that school districts provide notice and an opportunity to opt out to parents on this specific issue.”
That is Barry’s interpretation of what a victory could require. The court has not yet ruled on Matthews’ claims.
Matthews’ attorneys rely heavily on the Supreme Court’s decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, which involved parents seeking notice and an opportunity to opt their children out of certain LGBT classroom instruction on religious grounds.
AFL argues that if parents are entitled to notice in that context, the same principle should apply to children sharing bathrooms, locker rooms or changing facilities with members of the opposite sex.
Matthews alleges the district violated his rights under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
The case is America First Legal’s second lawsuit against Cabarrus County Schools over sex-separated facilities.
Its first lawsuit alleges female students at Cox Mill High School were required to share girls’ restrooms, locker rooms and changing spaces with a biological male.
Those allegations are separate from Matthews’ case and do not establish that a biological male has used the restroom at his daughter’s elementary school.
Barry drew the same distinction in his interview with News Media.
“The first lawsuit we filed, there are allegations that a male is using our three client females’ restroom and locker rooms and changing spaces,” Barry said. “Which is different than what we’re doing here. Here, it’s a straightforward attack on Cabarrus County Schools policy to get information about it and to know whether it’s impacting our clients’ daughter and son at school right now.”
Matthews’ attorneys also stressed in their preliminary-injunction motion that he is seeking information and notice, not an order barring another student from a particular facility.
“Plaintiff seeks only notice and information—he does not seek to prevent any student from using any facility,” they wrote.
Cabarrus County Schools did not immediately respond to News Media’s request for comment.
AOC Embraces Egg Freezing: A Bold Step Toward Her 2028 Vision
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the progressive “Squad,” is turning to social media for a personal reveal. The New York representative has embarked on the journey of egg freezing and is chronicling her experience on Instagram, sharing even the minutiae, such as administering hormonal injections, with her supportive followers.
At 36, Ocasio-Cortez took to the platform over the weekend to share insights into her decision, which she describes as a long-considered plan. Declaring herself a “badass” for joining the multitude of women opting for this procedure, she highlighted her readiness to tackle this transformative step.
The Congresswoman expressed a sense of empowerment in initiating this process during the August recess, a time when Congress temporarily pauses its schedule.
“This is a choice I am making to have more control over my life,” she stated emphatically, asserting her autonomy. As a leading figure in the Democrat Socialists of America, she also acknowledged that people might speculate about her decision and invited them to do so, standing firm in her sense of empowerment.
Ocasio-Cortez also addressed the ongoing rumors about her potential 2028 presidential bid. She criticized the media’s narrow focus on political ambition, reminding observers that public figures also navigate personal considerations that extend beyond mere aspirations for power.
“The media will run up and ask a question like, ‘Are you going to run for this? Or are you going to run for that?’ And it is almost through this very two-dimensional, craven understanding or ambitious understanding of power,” she grumbled.
“I think a lot of us actually approach these considerations or these decisions through the larger context of our lives as whole human beings and what is happening in our lives, this whole human beings.”
AOC said despite knowing that the risk of being so open could backfire on her politically, she wanted to help inform other women about their options and normalize those discussions.
The New York City congresswoman noted that she had a scheduled interview Sunday on ABC News’ “This Week” and planned on taking hormonal shots in its waiting room before going on air to discuss politics.
“I want you all to see that. And because women can do anything, and I think it’s badass that I’m going to be giving myself shots in the green room [as I] get my glam on,” she said.
Egg-harvesting allows women to have some of their unfertilized eggs taken from their ovaries when younger and then store them at subzero temperatures till they are ready to have them implanted either in themselves or a surrogate.
The process increases their chances of a successful pregnancy later in life, as women’s egg quality often declines rapidly in their mid-30s.
To freeze their eggs, women have to go through about two weeks of hormone treatment before undergoing the procedure to harvest their eggs.
“This is just not something that men deal with,” AOC said.
“Men run for office, or frankly, they interview for jobs, and people don’t think in the back of their mind, ‘Okay, this guy is running for office. How old is he? Oh, well, is he going to want to start a family,’ ” she said.
AOC has been engaged to Riley Roberts, who has worked in marketing and web development, since 2022.
“I got sworn into the House of Representatives when I was 29 years old,” she reflected. “There’s this flip side where you have to then grow up in the public eye in a time that most people usually get to grow more privately.”
Meghan Markle’s 45th: Dive into Her Celebratory Pool Splash
Celebrating with jubilant flair, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, turned 45 by releasing lively images of herself diving into a swimming pool, balloons in hand, marking the occasion with a splash.
Celebrating her 45th birthday in true playful spirit, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, shared delightful snapshots of herself jumping into a pool, joyfully clutching balloons.
Expressing gratitude for the outpouring of “birthday love” from her supporters, Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, also paid homage with a special nod to its founder. On Tuesday (04.08.26), the Duchess, wearing a swimsuit paired with sunglasses and a ponytail, shared two black-and-white Instagram photos showcasing her leap into an outdoor pool, her hands tightly gripping a vibrant bouquet of balloons.
The Duchess of Sussex captioned the post simply: “Thank you for the birthday love!”
As Ever simultaneously shared its own birthday message, posting a recent portrait of Meghan alongside a childhood photograph and referencing the brand’s Signature Candle No. 084 – named after her birth date.
Tallulah Willis Weds Musician Justin Acee in Heartwarming Idaho Ceremony
Tallulah Willis has stepped into a new chapter of her life as a married woman.
The youngest daughter of Hollywood icons Bruce Willis and Demi Moore tied the knot with musician Justin Acee on a picturesque Saturday in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Vogue reveals that Tallulah gracefully walked down the aisle in an exquisite, custom-designed Balenciaga gown. The strapless dress was meticulously crafted from silk satin, featuring a draped train elegantly gathered with a bow.
Before the big day, her older sister, Scout, shared a heartfelt moment on social media. She posted a photo of the beaming couple as they obtained their marriage license at Blaine County Courthouse in Hailey, Idaho.
Tallulah, 32, exuded style in a chic red polka-dot halter dress, accessorized with sunglasses, as she stood joyfully next to Acee. The former Made Violent drummer, who now releases music as NIGHTIES, opted for a laid-back look in black jeans and a blue flannel shirt, proudly displaying their marriage license.
“‘My angels got their marriage license,” Scout, 35, shared on her Instagram Stories on Aug. 4.
The newlyweds have been dating since January 2023, and got engaged in December 2024. Tallulah shared pics and footage from his romantic proposal on Instagram, showing off her engagement ring.
Acee filled a room with candles and scattered rose petals on the ground for the special moment. In a video clip, he can be heard saying off-camera, “We did it, it was a team effort.”
Tallulah’s sisters clearly approve of Acee, with her eldest sister, 37-year-old Rumer, commenting, “The most beautiful love to witness and watch grow.”
“I love you both so much,” she added. “Justin I’m so lucky I get to call you my brother. Baby Lula my gift my queen my heart is so full. Obsessed with you both.”
Meanwhile, the Willis sisters’ stepmom, Emma Heming Willis, simply commented, “❤️❤️.”
Back in June 2024, Tallulah shared pics of her and Acee spending time with her dad. The “Die Hard” actor, 71, has been battling frontotemporal dementia — which affects a person’s speech, personality and behavior — since 2022.
The family has been supportive of Willis since his diagnosis. In March, Moore, 63, celebrated her ex-husband’s birthday by sharing new photos of him holding their granddaughter, 3-year-old Louetta.
The “Substance” star — who was married to Willis from 1987 to 2000 — captioned the sweet snaps, “All you need is LOVE. Happy birthday, BW! ♥️.”