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Business
Fire Pits Sold At Retailers Nationwide Recalled After Multiple Burn Injuries Reported Fire Pits Sold At Retailers Nationwide Recalled After Multiple Burn Injuries Reported
Fire Pits Sold At Retailers Nationwide Recalled After Multiple Burn Injuries Reported Nearly 90,000 popular fire pits sold at major retailers nationwide are subject to a federal recall due to concerns about flames escaping from their containers and causing critical injuries. Homeowners have been advised to stop using several Colsen-branded fire pits after receiving multiple reports of serious burn injuries suffered by users, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). "Alcohol flames can be invisible and lead to flame jetting when refilling the fire pit reservoir," a CPSC notice states.  "Flame jetting is a serious event that can occur while pouring …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
TikTok 'Cultivates Addiction' For Kids, Harming Their Mental Health, NY AG’s Lawsuit Alleges TikTok 'Cultivates Addiction' For Kids, Harming Their Mental Health, NY AG’s Lawsuit Alleges
TikTok 'Cultivates Addiction' For Kids, Harming Their Mental Health, NY AG’s Lawsuit Alleges TikTok knowingly harms young users’ mental health all in an effort to turn a profit, a new multistate lawsuit alleges. New York Attorney General Letitia James was among a bipartisan coalition of 14 attorneys general who filed a lawsuit against the social media platform on Tuesday, Oct. 8, alleging fraudulent and deceptive business practices, among other offenses. According to the complaint, TikTok falsely claims its platform is safe for young people despite “addictive features” that worsen their mental health and body image issues. Those features include around-the-clock notifications lea…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
New Poll Reveals NYers' Views On Banning Cell Phone Use In Schools New Poll Reveals NYers' Views On Banning Cell Phone Use In Schools
New Poll Reveals NYers' Views On Banning Cell Phone Use In Schools With the new school year comes renewed debate over the use of cell phones in the classroom. Among New York parents of school-age children, 77-percent support barring cell phone use in schools during the day, a Mount Sinai South Nassau “Truth in Medicine” poll found. Most parents, 72-percent, said they still want their child to have their phone on them in case of an emergency, the poll found. Earlier Report: Hochul Signs Bill Restricting 'Addictive' Social Media Feeds Targeting Children The poll was conducted by 600 parents with at least one child under the age of 18 in New York Cit…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Social Media Sites Should Be Forced To Display Warning Labels, NY AG Argues Social Media Sites Should Be Forced To Display Warning Labels, NY AG Argues
Social Media Sites Should Be Forced To Display Warning Labels, NY AG Argues You’ve seen them on cigarettes and alcohol – now social media accounts could come with their own warnings if New York Attorney General Letitia James gets her way. James was among a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general who sent a letter to Congress on Tuesday, Sept. 10, urging lawmakers to approve US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's request for warnings on sites like TikTok and Instagram about potential adverse mental health effects for minors. Murthy made the request in June, citing new research showing that adolescents who spend more than three hours per day on social media face an incr…

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by Michael Mashburn
Sports
NY Singer Aims To Perform National Anthem At Every MLB Stadium NY Singer Aims To Perform National Anthem At Every MLB Stadium
NY Singer Aims To Perform National Anthem At Every MLB Stadium New York’s Ali Berke is hoping for a grand slam of her own. The 23-year-old Long Island resident, from Oceanside, is crisscrossing the country on a mission to perform the national anthem at all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums. She got the wild idea after landing a singing gig at Boston’s Fenway Park before a Red Sox game in 2023. “Me and my dad started thinking, 'how cool would it be if I could sing at all 30 MLB parks?'” Berke told Daily Voice. Instagram/alitheanthemgirl As of early September, she's well on her way. The pop singer/songwriter has already wowed crowds at 12 MLB stadium…

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by Michael Mashburn
Lifestyle
YouTube Star, Boxer Jake Paul Seen During Police Boat Escort On Lake Mahopac YouTube Star, Boxer Jake Paul Seen During Police Boat Escort On Lake Mahopac
YouTube Star, Boxer Jake Paul Seen During Police Boat Escort On Lake Mahopac Social media was abuzz after YouTube star and professional boxer Jake Paul was sighted during both a police boat escort on a Hudson Valley lake and a private helicopter ride.  The sightings happened on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 15, when Paul, an internet icon who began a boxing career in 2018, was seen in Putnam County during a ride on Lake Mahopac.  Paul was seen being escorted by Carmel Police officers in videos posted to TikTok, including one from user ryzy15.  In addition to the boat ride, Paul was also seen taking a private helicopter to Petra Island in the middle of the lake that took…

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by Ben Crnic
Business
NY Mom Claims To Find Human Blood In Daughter's Burger King Meal: 'She Is Traumatized' NY Mom Claims To Find Human Blood In Daughter's Burger King Meal: 'She Is Traumatized'
NY Mom Claims To Find Human Blood In Daughter's Burger King Meal: 'She Is Traumatized' A New York mother is considering a lawsuit against Burger King after claiming she found human blood in her daughter’s meal. Erie County resident Tiffany Floyd, of the hamlet of Getzville, recounted the horrifying incident in a now-viral TikTok video posted Friday, July 26. In the clip, Floyd recounts how she stopped by a Getzville Burger King for lunch with her 4-year-old daughter and went through the drive-through. “Obviously, I’m a busy mom, I just gave her the bag to eat the food,” she said. “And I heard, ‘Mom, I don’t want ketchup.’” Floyd then grabbed the bag of hamburger and fries, …

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
Hochul Signs Bill Restricting 'Addictive' Social Media Feeds Targeting Children Hochul Signs Bill Restricting 'Addictive' Social Media Feeds Targeting Children
Hochul Signs Bill Restricting 'Addictive' Social Media Feeds Targeting Children Big changes are on the horizon for those TikTok and Instagram feeds. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed new legislation Thursday, June 20, meant to combat what lawmakers called “addictive” social media algorithms aimed at minors, the first such law in the country. Under the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) For Kids Act, social media companies will be required to display content chronologically for users under 18 unless they get parental consent allowing them to show content that is selected algorithmically instead. Content that is algorithmically curated relies on a user’s behavior and past …

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Weight Loss Drug Illegally Purchased On Social Media Sickens Westchester Woman, Feds Say Weight Loss Drug Illegally Purchased On Social Media Sickens Westchester Woman, Feds Say
Weight Loss Drug Illegally Purchased On Social Media Sickens Westchester Woman, Feds Say A wannabe social media influencer from New York hoping to cash in on the medication weight loss craze illegally sold Ozempic and other drugs on TikTok, sickening at least one victim, federal prosecutors allege. Long Island resident Isis Navarro Reyes, age 36, of Shirley, is named in a six-count indictment that was unsealed in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, May 1. Prosecutors allege that Reyes posted dozens of TikTok videos advertising and selling various misbranded and adulterated weight loss drugs, including Ozempic, Mesofrance, and Axcion, between November 2022 and January 2024. S…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Jimmy Fallon Crashes NY College Party, Pokes Fun At Alma Mater's Impending Closure Jimmy Fallon Crashes NY College Party, Pokes Fun At Alma Mater's Impending Closure
Jimmy Fallon Crashes NY College Party, Pokes Fun At Alma Mater's Impending Closure Funnyman Jimmy Fallon ginned up plenty of online buzz after crashing a college party in upstate New York. The 49-year-old “Tonight Show” host and “Saturday Night Live” alum made a surprise appearance at what appears to be a frat party at a house near the UAlbany campus on Saturday, March 9. Video shared on TikTok shows dozens of students screaming with excitement while trying to snap selfies as Fallon is led through a crowd and into the residence. It was not immediately clear how long he stayed at the party. @victoriaspadaro Kegs & Eggs 🍀 #jimmyfallon #ualbany #upstateny #capital…

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by Michael Mashburn
Lifestyle
NY's Own Billy Joel Releases First New Song In Decades NY's Own Billy Joel Releases First New Song In Decades
NY's Own Billy Joel Releases First New Song In Decades New York’s own piano man has ended a decades-long song drought with the announcement of his new single, “Turn The Lights Back On.” Billy Joel has done it again. The 74-year-old singer and songwriter, a lifelong Long Islander, dropped his brand-new song on all streaming platforms on Thursday, Feb. 1. His first single release since 2007, Joel first hinted at the release in his first TikTok video in December of 2023. “We don’t have anything new to play for you,” he had said in the video, which was taken at one of his recent concerts. “The good news…we got a little something we’re working …

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by Sophie Grieser
Business
NY's Own Billy Joel Named Among Best Investors 2023: Report NY's Own Billy Joel Named Among Best Investors 2023: Report
NY's Own Billy Joel Named Among Best Investors 2023: Report The Piano Man himself has made it to the top of the list when it comes to diversifying his wealth, a new report claimed. Finance and trading experts with FOREX.com, an online foreign exchange broker, recently commissioned a list of the best celebrity investors in the game – and New York's own Billy Joel comes in at spot number three, according to findings. Sitting right behind iconic musician Babyface and TikTok star Chase Hudson, Joel, age 74, was dubbed a “savvy investor” by the broker for netting a more than 52 percent return on his $230 million net worth. The “New York State of Mind”…

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by Sophie Grieser
Business
‘What The F*** Just Happened?’ NY Sisters Riding High After Landing Deal On ‘Shark Tank’ ‘What The F*** Just Happened?’ NY Sisters Riding High After Landing Deal On ‘Shark Tank’
‘What The F*** Just Happened?’ NY Sisters Riding High After Landing Deal On ‘Shark Tank’ They swam with the sharks and made it out with a deal. New York sisters Taylor Capuano and Casey Sarai – who hail from Albany County and graduated from Bethlehem High School – appeared on an episode of “Shark Tank” that aired on Friday, Dec. 15. The twins were seeking a $300,000 investment for a 5 percent stake in their business, CAKES Body, which sells seamless, silicone nipple covers with no adhesives. Earlier Report: 'Nipple Freakout' Solution Lands Bethlehem Sisters On 'Shark Tank' Early in their pitch, they had the “shark” investors laughing with their term for what happens wh…

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
'Nipple Freakout' Solution Lands NY Sisters On 'Shark Tank' 'Nipple Freakout' Solution Lands NY Sisters On 'Shark Tank'
'Nipple Freakout' Solution Lands NY Sisters On 'Shark Tank' These twin sisters are looking to make a deal. New York natives Taylor Capuano and Casey Capuano Sarai will pitch their business, CAKES Body, on an episode of “Shark Tank” set to air Friday, Dec. 15. The Albany County natives, who graduated from Bethlehem High School, first got the idea for their no-adhesive nipple covers following an admitted “nipple freakout.” “I used to go to the gym with my coworkers in my workout top and I’d throw the pads out and it was super embarrassing working out with ‘nipple freakout’ with my boss right next to me on the treadmill,” Taylor told the “Startup to S…

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by Michael Mashburn
Lifestyle
Entrepreneur From Northern Westchester Earns Spot On Forbes' 30 Under 30 List Entrepreneur From Northern Westchester Earns Spot On Forbes' 30 Under 30 List
Entrepreneur From Northern Westchester Earns Spot On Forbes' 30 Under 30 List For Northern Westchester native Tom Weingarten, simply following his passion for sports and coaching and taking a chance ended up bringing him to a level of success that is now earning recognition from major national outlets. Weingarten, age 29, who serves as the chief growth officer for sports media company Overtime, was named on the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list, which is released annually and features 600 successful young entrepreneurs, stars, and leaders who have already exhibited plenty of potential.  Since Weingarten joined Overtime in 2015 as a startup, it has grown to have …

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by Ben Crnic
News
NY AG James Urges Social Media Companies To Stop Hateful Content After Attacks In Israel NY AG James Urges Social Media Companies To Stop Hateful Content After Attacks In Israel
NY AG James Urges Social Media Companies To Stop Hateful Content After Attacks In Israel New York Attorney General Letitia James has sent a series of letters to several social media companies urging them to take action and remove hateful content posted in response to the violence taking place in Israel.  The letters, announced by the Attorney General's Office on Friday, Oct. 13, all request that each company provide thorough explanations of how they are stopping the spread of hateful content that encourages violence against Jewish and Muslim people or institutions in the aftermath of violent attacks committed against Israel by the Hamas militant group.  Jame…

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by Ben Crnic
News
'I'm Being Canceled': NY's Own Bethenny Frankel Bashed For Giving TJ Maxx Workers Used Makeup 'I'm Being Canceled': NY's Own Bethenny Frankel Bashed For Giving TJ Maxx Workers Used Makeup
'I'm Being Canceled': NY's Own Bethenny Frankel Bashed For Giving TJ Maxx Workers Used Makeup A random act of kindness didn’t go over so well for reality TV star and entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel. The 52-year-old Skinnygirl founder, who owns a home on Long Island in the hamlet of Bridgehampton, drew the internet’s ire after posting a TikTok video of herself giving out bags of used makeup to a TJ Maxx store manager. In the now-deleted clip, Frankel explains that the women who work at the store “are so nice” and are always complimenting her on what she buys. “So, I wanted to bring them some of the leftover makeup that I just tried, like opened up and put in a giveaway pile. But it’s…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
'Autopsy Bae' Posted Graphic Morgue Images On Social Media, NY Lawsuit Alleges 'Autopsy Bae' Posted Graphic Morgue Images On Social Media, NY Lawsuit Alleges
'Autopsy Bae' Posted Graphic Morgue Images On Social Media, NY Lawsuit Alleges A New York hospital is suing a former morgue employee for allegedly sharing graphic and “disturbing” autopsy images on social media. In a lawsuit filed in Nassau County Supreme Court on Friday, April 28, Northwell Health claims that former morgue attendant Quantaise Sharpton was fired after 45 days for posting “macabre” photos and videos from the morgue of Long Island Jewish Medical Center. According to the hospital, the Brooklyn resident was hired in December 2022 and was tasked with receiving and releasing bodies of the deceased, transporting bodies through the morgue, and cleaning and or…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Students At Carmel HS Impersonated Administrators, Police In Racist Videos, BOE Says Students At Carmel HS Impersonated Administrators, Police In Racist Videos, BOE Says
Students At Carmel HS Impersonated Administrators, Police In Racist Videos, BOE Says Several students at a high school in the Hudson Valley used artificial intelligence to impersonate both school district administrators and police in racist videos on social media, officials said. The videos were created by students in Putnam County who go to Carmel High School, the Carmel Central School District's Board of Education announced on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 15.  Both Carmel Central School District administrators and members of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office were impersonated in the videos, which contained inappropriate and racist content and were posted on TikTok…

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by Ben Crnic
Lifestyle
New Survey Reveals Gen Z’s Favorite Restaurant New Survey Reveals Gen Z’s Favorite Restaurant
New Survey Reveals Gen Z’s Favorite Restaurant When it comes to satisfying those hunger pangs, it turns out nothing does it for Zoomers quite like the delectably irresistible taste of America’s favorite chicken shack. A new survey by investment firm Piper Sandler found that Generation Z’s favorite restaurant is Chick-fil-A. Of those polled, 18 percent picked the Atlanta-based chicken chain as their favorite place to eat, followed by Starbucks (17 percent) and Chipotle (13 percent). The restaurant category was just one of several that was gauged as part of Piper Sandler’s 44th semi-annual “Taking Stock With Teens” survey, which includ…

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
Guide Dog, Fighting For Life, Travels To NY For Treatment Guide Dog, Fighting For Life, Travels To NY For Treatment
Guide Dog, Fighting For Life, Travels To NY For Treatment A guide dog from Massachusetts who has been dubbed the "Goodest Girl in STEM" on TikTok is in need of help as she fights for her life in New York. O'Hara was hospitalized after she was diagnosed with meningitis encephalitis with inflammatory brain lesions earlier in July. She initially sought treatment in New York City and is now getting care back in her native area right outside Boston.  O'Hara's owner Isabella 'Bella" Scott has been traveling with her the entire time. Last we heard, Scott said her dog was showing some signs of improvement but was still struggling to get better. "An impo…

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by David Cifarelli
News
'Weasel': Doja Cat Feuds With Westchester Native, 'Stranger Things' Actor Over Leaked DMs 'Weasel': Doja Cat Feuds With Westchester Native, 'Stranger Things' Actor Over Leaked DMs
'Weasel': Doja Cat Feuds With Westchester Native, 'Stranger Things' Actor Over Leaked DMs New York native and star of the Netflix megahit “Stranger Things” Noah Schnapp has found himself in the crosshairs of Doja Cat after he leaked private messages between the two on TikTok. The “Kiss Me More” singer, age 26, vented to fans about the leak during an Instagram Live session Thursday, July 7, in which she called the 17-year-old Westchester County native's actions “borderline snake (expletive)” and “weasel (expletive).” So what exactly was in those messages that has Doja Cat so fired up? In the now-deleted TikTok video, the singer can be seen asking Schnapp about his “Stranger Thin…

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
McDonald's Is Giving Away Free Item For Two Days This Week McDonald's Is Giving Away Free Item For Two Days This Week
McDonald's Is Giving Away Free Item For Two Days This Week Astrology buffs fretting over the so-called Mercury retrograde can take solace at their local golden arches. Tuesday, May 10, marks the start of a two-day promotion at McDonald’s where customers can receive a free McChicken or McDouble by purchasing medium fries via the McDonald’s app, Yahoo News reports. The idea is to quell any anxieties people may have ahead of the supposed turbulent period using one of the best coping mechanisms around - fast food. During retrograde, the planet Mercury appears to move backward in the sky thanks to an optical illusion. The phenomenon is slated to end Fr…

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
Charli D'Amelio, Age 17, Of Fairfield County Is Outearning Top CEOs By Millions Charli D'Amelio, Age 17, Of Fairfield County Is Outearning Top CEOs By Millions
Charli D'Amelio, Age 17, Of Fairfield County Is Outearning Top CEOs By Millions A teen social media star from Connecticut is outearning some of the most successful CEOs in the US by millions of dollars, according to new reports by Forbes and the Wall Street Journal. With 133 million TikToker followers, 17-year-old Fairfield County resident Charli D'Amelio, of Norwalk, who started posting to TikTok in 2019 -- has the video-sharing app's largest following, Forbes says. Last year, she brought in $17.5 million. The median pay for chief executives of S&P 500 companies in 2020 was $13.4 million, the WSJ reports. Darren Woods was the highest-earning CEO of 2020, brin…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
'Stranger Things' Star From Westchester Announces His College Choice 'Stranger Things' Star From Westchester Announces His College Choice
'Stranger Things' Star From Westchester Announces His College Choice A star of the popular drama series "Stranger Things" who grew up in Westchester County has announced where he's headed for college. The actor on the Netflix show rocked a Wharton UPenn hoodie and held hands with his twin sister Chloe, while opening his acceptance letter on his laptop in a video posted to TikTok, as originally reported by Page Six. The 17-year-old Scarsdale native plays Will Byers on "Stranger Things." The show's fourth season is set to premiere next year, when Schnapp begins classes at the Ivy League school in Philadelphia.

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by Cecilia Levine
News
'Specific Threat' Leads To Shift To Remote Learning At School District In Westchester 'Specific Threat' Leads To Shift To Remote Learning At School District In Westchester
'Specific Threat' Leads To Shift To Remote Learning At School District In Westchester A threat described by district officials as being "specific" has prompted a  school district in Westchester to switch to remote learning on Friday, Dec. 17. "This morning, we learned about a specific threat made on Snapchat against the high school," Pelham Public Schools Acting Superintendent of Schools Dennis R. Lauro said in an email to the school community. "Out of an abundance of caution, all of our schools will shift to a full virtual day, today, Friday, Dec. 17." Westchester County Police Department issued an alert on Thursday, Dec. 16 after getting a tip from its School Resource…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
Westchester County, Local Police Caution Of School Threats Made On TikTok Westchester County, Local Police Caution Of School Threats Made On TikTok
Westchester County, Local Police Caution Of School Threats Made On TikTok County and local police in Westchester are on high alert after there were multiple discussions about potential school shootings or bomb threats made on social media. An alert was issued by Westchester County Police Department after it received a tip from its School Resource Officer Program about purported threats made on TikTok regarding a potential incident on Friday, Dec. 17. Similar threats have been reported elsewhere in the region, including in Connecticut. Investigators noted that the posts were general in nature, did not target any individual school or location, and the threat level…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
School District In Westchester Cautions About Dangers Of 'TikTok Challenges' School District In Westchester Cautions About Dangers Of 'TikTok Challenges'
School District In Westchester Cautions About Dangers Of 'TikTok Challenges' A Hudson Valley school district is cautioning parents to be wary of recent “TikTok Challenges” that have become popular among school-aged children and could pose a potential safety threat. The New Rochelle School District became the latest to issue a notice to the community regarding TikTok users who have been sharing monthly “challenges” that encourage children to perform criminal acts and post them on social media. According to officials, last month, the challenge involved vandalizing school property, and this month’s challenge persuades students to assault teachers and/or staff members. …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
'Devious Licks' Social Media Challenge Leads To Criminal Charges For Kids Across US 'Devious Licks' Social Media Challenge Leads To Criminal Charges For Kids Across US
'Devious Licks' Social Media Challenge Leads To Criminal Charges For Kids Across US Some students are facing legal troubles after taking part in a controversial social media trend. The "Devious Licks" challenge on the TikTok app encourages people to steal or vandalize school property. Many students have targeted their school's bathrooms, stealing soap dispensers, clogging toilets, and more.  Some students are reportedly facing criminal charges. A 15-year-old was arrested in Arizona for stealing a school toilet paper dispenser, authorities reported. Some students are now being required to keep their phones on their desks so they can’t make recordings in school bathro…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Woman Says She Picked Up Missing NY Native's Boyfriend Hitchhiking Alone In Wyoming Woman Says She Picked Up Missing NY Native's Boyfriend Hitchhiking Alone In Wyoming
Woman Says She Picked Up Missing NY Native's Boyfriend Hitchhiking Alone In Wyoming Authorities are speaking with a woman who claims she picked up Brian Laundrie, who was hitchhiking alone in Wyoming around the time his girlfriend, New York native Gabby Petito, age 22, disappeared. TikToker Miranda Baker said she recognized Laundrie when Petito's story broke on social media and realized he was the person she and her boyfriend gave a lift to on Sunday, Aug. 29. Laundrie and Petitto are both from the Long Island hamlet of Blue Point in Suffolk County. Earlier report: Boyfriend Of Missing New York Woman Has Disappeared, Police Say In a series of TikTok videos, Baker sa…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
13-Year-Old Dies After Attempting TikTok 'Blackout Challenge' 13-Year-Old Dies After Attempting TikTok 'Blackout Challenge'
13-Year-Old Dies After Attempting TikTok 'Blackout Challenge' A family grieving the loss of their son to a TikTok challenge is warning other families of the danger. Western Massachusetts resident Nate Squires, a 13-year-old eighth-grader at Amherst Regional Middle School, was found unresponsive Monday, June 14, who died after attempting the new "Blackout Challenge" being touted on social media sites including TikTok. The challenge encourages children and teens to choke themselves until they lose consciousness.  The family said on a GoFundMe page, that Nate died after "succumbing to injuries of a horrible accident." They went on to say they "wan…

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by Kathy Reakes