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Santa Ana Food Truck Owner at Center of Massive SNAP Fraud Allegations New

Santa Ana Food Truck Owner at Center of Massive SNAP Fraud Allegations

The owner of a seemingly overachieving food truck in Santa Ana has been charged with SNAP benefits fraud after federal officials flagged the truck’s staggering financial numbers.Soriano Produce, an unsuspecting food truck that touts its “fresh products,” redeemed more SNAP benefits than several large grocery stores in the area, and had an average transaction totaling $151.41 from April 2025 to April 2026, the indictment said.Soriano Produce, a food truck located at 1001 S. Lyon Street in Santa Ana, California, was identified by the federal officials as a small business producing SNAP EBT transactions rivaling most large stores in the nearby area. Obtained by CA PostThree other nearby vendors had an average purchase amount of below $55 in the same time period. Obtained by CA PostThree other nearby vendors had an average purchase amount of below $55 in the same time period.Despite the food truck’s relatively low profile, the business had a store dollar volume of more than $640,000, more than six times its nearest competitor. Soriano Produce was the highest-redeeming SNAP benefits store, despite having more than 9,700 fewer transactions than the closest store. The alleged fraud comes as the state contends with SNAP fraud estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars.Owner 48-year-old Esmeralda Soriano allegedly gave undercover officers $50 in cash for $100 in SNAP benefits in May. Soriano reportedly told the officer, “If you come back, don’t ask my husband because he would not do it.”Owner 48-year-old Esmeralda Soriano allegedly gave undercover officers $50 in cash for $100 in SNAP benefits in May. Soriano reportedly told the officer, “If you come back, don’t ask my husband because he would not do it.” Obtained by CA Post“Its lack of scanners coupled with consistent high-dollar transactions and rapid back-to-back transactions are indicators of possible fraud,” the indictment said. Christopher SadowskiDwight Llewellyn, an agent for Homeland Security Investigations, said the food truck had one device to process all food stamp transactions, but the record of transactions appeared sketchy. Christopher SadowskiUndercover agents again approached Soriano later in the month, who charged the EBT card $172 and gave the officer $80 in cash.Soriano has been charged with two counts of illegal trafficking in SNAP benefits.Federal officials said the store’s one scanner and many back-to-back transactions combined with the monstrous SNAP totals raised red flags.“Its lack of scanners coupled with consistent high-dollar transactions and rapid back-to-back transactions are indicators of possible fraud,” the indictment said.Bill Essayli, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, represents the federal government in federal court on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. Obtained by the CA PostA dozen transactions at the store using EBT-SNAP totaled more than $1,000, well above the California average of $17.72 for a fruits-and-vegetables store.Through undercover operations and surveillance, an officer discovered that the truck had a countertop checkout area that had food and non-food items. One can use SNAP to purchase food items, but non-food items such as houseware and toiletry are ineligible.Dwight Llewellyn, an agent for Homeland Security Investigations, said the food truck had one device to process all food stamp transactions, but the record of transactions appeared sketchy.“Based on my training and experience, the lack of scanners, coupled with consistent high-dollar transactions, and rapid back-to-back transactions, are indicators of possible fraud,” he said in the complaint.Soriano will be arraigned Aug. 13 in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. She is currently out of custody on a $5,000 bond.If convicted of both charges, Soriano could face up to 10 years in federal prison.Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!

Aug 08, 2026
The Mind-Boggling Survival of NJ Dad After Tree Branch Impalement New

The Mind-Boggling Survival of NJ Dad After Tree Branch Impalement

A New Jersey father miraculously survived — and insisted he wasn’t even in serious pain — after a “huge” piece of a tree branch shot through his face and into his brain when he fell from a ladder in his yard.Troy Hathaway, 45, came just inches from death while cutting branches in his backyard in Glassboro when the ladder suddenly gave out under him and he fell about 8 feet.When he got up, he had no idea that a broken branch was sticking out of a massive hole in his jaw.X-rays show the branch went through his cheek, into his nose and up into his brain. CBS“Initially, I really thought I broke my jaw,” Hathaway told CBS Philadelphia.“I hadn’t lost consciousness, I wasn’t nauseous… I felt fine other than being a little bit sore and my ego being a little bit bruised,” Hathaway said.Nauseating footage from the operating table shared with the outlet shows doctors carefully plucking a long, thick, leafy stick from Hathaway’s head.Gnarly X-ray images showed the tree branch going through his cheek, nose, eye and up into his brain.Once Hathaway was rushed to the hospital, doctors determined they needed to call in a specialist.“This was a pretty huge piece of tree that was stuck through his face and into his brain. And we needed to move quickly on this, but we wanted to move smart,” Neurosurgeon Chris Farrell said.Farrell’s team decided to go through Hathaway’s nose to remove the branch to avoid having to slice open his skull — similar to a technique sometimes used to remove brain tumors. @cbsphiladelphia A South Jersey father was impaled by a tree branch in his face when he fell from a ladder in his yard. The branch went through his nose and into his brain. Health Reporter Stephanie Stahl got a behind-the-scenes look at the four-hour surgery at Jefferson Health that removed the branch. He was left with only a few stitches and bruises and says he’s completely fine. Click the link in our bio for the full story. ♬ original sound – CBS Philadelphia The branch that had impaled Hathaway. CBSHathaway had to undergo a four-hour surgery that started through his nose, in order to safely remove the branch. CBSThe branch, which fortunately did not puncture vital tissues, was meticulously removed through Hathaway’s cheek without any damage or bleeding in a grueling four-hour surgery.He walked out of the hospital with a few stitches, some bruising and a prescription for antibiotics. Now left with a scar on his cheek, Hathaway told CBS there have been no issues with his sight or any infections as he’s recovered. The father of three was grateful he survived what could have been a deadly accident. CBSHathaway poses for a photo with his wife and his daughter. Facebook/Troy HathawayHe is grateful to be back with his wife and daughter.“Absolutely. Yes, no, no issues. That’s it’s mind-boggling to think of that,” said Hathaway.“It’s emotional because it’s tough to sit there and think like how close it could have been,” he said.

Aug 08, 2026
Australian Grandmother's Life Shattered After Shocking Hospital Mix-Up New

Australian Grandmother's Life Shattered After Shocking Hospital Mix-Up

A grandmother has spoken of the devastating moment she discovered she had undergone the wrong surgery after hospital staff allegedly confused her with another patient who shared the same first name. Debra Buchanan, from Australia, says she was left permanently disfigured earlier this year after what was meant to be a routine operation at the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital at Sunshine Hospital. The mistake that left a woman permanently disfigured An Australian woman was left permanently disfigured after surgery. Credit: A Current Affair/Nine Buchanan had been admitted to have a cancerous skin lesion removed from her pelvic area. Instead, she says surgeons mistakenly removed a significant portion of her external genitalia after confusing her with another patient. Recalling the events before the operation, Buchanan said staff called out the wrong name before reassuring her she was the correct patient. “They called Deborah, and I said, ‘Did you mean Buchanan?’ And they said, ‘Oh yes, you’ll do.’” She remembered another patient speaking up at the same time. “The woman next to me said, ‘I’m Deborah,’ and they said, ‘Oh no, we’ve got the right one.’” Having worked for years as a dental nurse, Buchanan said she was shocked by the way patients were being identified. She explained that she would never have addressed a patient using only their first name in her own profession. After surgery, Buchanan realized that something was seriously wrong when she went to the bathroom and began bleeding heavily. “She came in, I said, ‘Can you explain why I’m bleeding so badly?’ She said, ‘Oh, that’s part of the operation.’ And I said, ‘What operation?’ I said, ‘I had it on here,’ and as I touched it, it was still there.” A junior surgeon later examined her, but Buchanan said they appeared confused when she questioned why surgery had been carried out on a completely different part of her body. She contacted her husband to tell him the hospital had performed the wrong procedure before eventually being discharged with what she described as very little explanation. “I got a little bit to say that because of the two Debras, and also they were understaffed at the time. I found it very difficult to listen to,” she said. The aftermath of the operation Despite the horrific experience, Buchanan later had to return to the same hospital to undergo the operation she had initially required to remove the skin cancer. “I was terrified,” she admitted. She said the incident has had a lasting emotional impact, leaving her anxious whenever she attends medical appointments. “Every time I have to go to the doctor, anxious; I’ve lost my confidence.” Buchanan added: “You can’t make a mistake on a person. It’s not like breaking a cup. It’s life to them.” Medical negligence lawyer Erin Monsalve Fear of Carbone Lawyers described the alleged mistake as almost unimaginable. “The fact that she was never consulted nor consented appropriately for the surgery prior to it taking place, and I think that’s one of the biggest things that it boils down to,” she said. In a statement, Western Health chief operating officer John Ferraro said patient safety remained the organization's highest priority. “Due to our obligations to protect patient privacy and confidentiality, we are unable to comment on the care of any individual patient,” he said. Ferraro added that, under Victoria's Statutory Duty of Candour requirements, when an adverse patient event occurs the health service provides “an apology, meet[s] with the patient, undertake[s] a review of the incident, and share[s] the findings and actions taken to help prevent a recurrence.” Featured Image. Credit: A Current Affair/Nine

Aug 08, 2026
Jeremiah Duggar and Wife Hannah Surprise Fans with Baby No. 4 New

Jeremiah Duggar and Wife Hannah Surprise Fans with Baby No. 4

Counting On alum Jeremiah Duggar and his wife, Hannah Duggar, expanded their family with the recent arrival of baby No. 4. “The sweetest moments we’ve ever known,” Hannah, 31, wrote via Instagram on Friday, August 7, sharing a photo with Jeremiah, 27, and their three daughters peeking at a newborn dressed in a knit blue onesie. “Life feels busier than ever, yet we find ourselves trying to slow down to just soak in these days with our littles. And we wouldn’t have it any other way!” Without further announcing the infant’s name, sex or birthday, Jeremiah’s relatives subtly celebrated the news. His sister Jana Duggar “liked” the post, as did Jason Duggar’s wife, Maddie Grace Duggar. Jeremiah and Hannah had not previously announced that they were expecting another baby. They also share daughters Brynley, 3, Brielle, 2, and Emery, 15 months. Just three months before sharing baby No. 4’s arrival, the married couple celebrated Emery’s first birthday. “I tried not to blink, but somehow a year has gone by and our little baby is 1!” Hannah wrote via Instagram in May. “The way you crinkle your nose and give the cutest grin is like the brightest sunshine and keeps all of us smiling right back at you.” She continued at the time, “You are such a little mover and we absolutely adore having you as part of our family. Happy first birthday to our sparkly little Emery!!” Jeremiah and Hannah began courting, following his family’s tradition, in October 2021. Us exclusively confirmed in March 2022 that the pair said “I do” after a three-month engagement. “Today was a perfect day, as we stood before our family and friends and committed our lives to each other,” Jeremiah and Hannah told Us of their Nebraska nuptials. “It was such a beautiful culmination of so many prayers, dreams & desires! As we’ve seen God’s gracious hand in bringing our lives together, we are excited to see how He will continue to direct our paths.” They concluded, “We are looking forward to sharing our married journey with you. Thank you for sharing our joy!” Less than one year later, Hannah gave birth to daughter Brynley on Christmas Day 2022. Brielle and Emery followed in February 2024 and May 2025, respectively. Jeremiah is one of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s 19 children, who rose to fame on TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On about their life in a big family.

Aug 08, 2026
Megan Rapinoe's Bold Reaction to Sophie Cunningham's Controversial Photo New

Megan Rapinoe's Bold Reaction to Sophie Cunningham's Controversial Photo

The Sophie Cunningham saga has taken the WNBA world by storm, and now it’s gone outside the league entirely.Former U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe criticized Cunningham’s stance against trans athletes in sports and who she seems to be befriending as she rides out the controversy.At a Fever vs. Lynx game on Aug. 2, Riley Gaines — the former college swimmer who is now an activist against trans participation in women’s sports — snapped a photo with Cunningham.Gaines, who has been outspoken on trans athletes since tying in a race with Penn trans swimmer Lia Thomas in 2022, brought a sign to the game that read “Sophie, Thank You – A Girl Mom.” Megan Rapinoe attends an exclusive evening with the cast of “Ted Lasso” season 4 at The Paley Museum on Thursday, August 6, 2026, in New York City. (2026 Getty Images) Getty ImagesGaines’ appearance alongside Cunningham only added fuel to the fire, and Rapinoe shared her thoughts on the interaction along with Cunningham’s views.“I don’t know Sophie, so I can only project what I see about her beliefs based on her actions,” Rapinoe said. “And seeing a picture of her with Riley Gaines after the game told me everything I need to know about what’s happening.“Riley Gaines has made it her life’s mission to exclude trans people from public life…Sophie has claimed both to love trans people and support Title IX. And this is where I think the accountability with having a major platform is extremely important.” Sophie Cunningham poses with activist Riley Gaines at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Aug. 2. Riley Gaines/XX-XY AthleticsCunningham has insisted that her position doesn’t come from a place of prejudice towards the transgender community, but her stance has ignited a heated debate regardless.Her remarks in an ESPN profile, where she said she wished to “protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men” has ignited conversations as of late.“I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY,” Cunningham posted on X.While many have been critical of her views, support for Cunningham has stretched beyond athletes. Several Republican lawmakers have publicly backed her opinion, including Senators Ted Cruz, Eric Schmitt, and Tommy Tuberville and Representative Eli Crane.

Aug 07, 2026
Rylee Arnold's Emotional Plea for Sister Lindsay's 'DWTS' Comeback New

Rylee Arnold's Emotional Plea for Sister Lindsay's 'DWTS' Comeback

Rylee Arnold loves following in her big sister Lindsay Arnold’s footsteps as a Dancing With the Stars pro — but what would it take for them to compete on the same season? Rylee, 21, exclusively told Us on Wednesday, August 5, that she’s not sure Lindsay, 32, would step back into the ballroom after retiring from the ABC series in 2021, but she hasn’t given up hope. “I think it's a ‘no’ on her end, just because she is so established in her life,” Rylee explained while promoting her partnership with Dexcom and work as a Dexcom Warrior. “She is a boss woman, and she also has beautiful kids at home, and she's just loving life doing everything that she's doing.” Rylee confessed that it would “take some serious convincing” to get Lindsay back as a pro. “But honestly, it would be a huge dream of mine, and it would make the season so fun,” Rylee told Us of possibly competing against Lindsay for the first time on DWTS. “I will say it to her until she does it, and if she never does, I'll just be sad.” The Utah native teased that she was pushing for Lindsay to come out of retirement throughout Dancing With the Stars Con 2026, which was held in Palm Springs, California, from Friday, July 31, to Sunday, August 2. “I was saying every day, like, ‘Please, just be on this season with me. Like, pretty please, just come back. You can do it,’” Rylee revealed, noting she is convinced that “eventually” Lindsay will make a comeback. Lindsay made her DWTS debut in 2013 for season 16. She remained on the show as a pro through season 28 — missing seasons 17 to 20 when she was a troupe member and season 29 during her pregnancy with baby No. 1. Lindsay returned as a pro for season 30, after which she left the show in 2021. Lindsay won the mirrorball trophy during season 25 with Jordan Fisher. Rylee, meanwhile, began her DWTS journey on Dancing With the Stars: Juniors in 2018. She joined the OG series in 2023 for season 32. She returned for seasons 33 and 34 and is expected to be part of the season 35 pros, which have yet to be announced ahead of the September premiere. While Lindsay and Rylee’s paths as pros on DWTS have not crossed, the sisters teamed up on Saturday, August 1, for a special performance at the Dancing With the Stars Con 2026. Their routine to 1954’s “Sisters” came just seven weeks after Lindsay welcomed her third baby, son Hayes, in June. (Lindsay also shares daughters Sage, 5, and June, 3, with husband Samuel Cusick.) “I loved having my sister Lindsay back with me, and, like, I wish so bad she would do a season with me because it would just make it 1,000 times better,” Rylee told Us of the special moment. “But she's just the best. It was so fun to be able to have a fan experience for everybody.” Rylee noted that it “meant so much” to dance with Lindsay on such a public stage. “I've always looked up to Lindsay my whole life,” Rylee gushed. “So the fact that I was able to share the stage with her and to have that opportunity to just have her there to just support me and love me and hype me up [was great].” She added that having her nieces and nephew at the convention brought the “family” aspect to the forefront. “It's just something you need in a job like I have is people around you that just make you feel sane,” Rylee explained. “They make you feel loved, and that's exactly what she is.” Rylee has always been surrounded by love from her family, which she said has made her ups and downs with diabetes much easier to manage. The professional dancer, who uses the Dexcom G7 glucose monitor every day, told Us that she has learned how to prioritize her health while performing. “I'm now on a continuous insulin pump,” Rylee said, revealing that she needed to step back from the Dancing With the Stars Tour to better manage her health. “I recently got my blood checked, and there's this A1C number, and it basically tells you how healthy you are, and it's dropped down tremendously.” She said she is “fixing that part of my life” so that filming season 35 is “much easier” to manage. “It made the con weekend much easier, and I'm just excited to have that alleviated a little bit because I hate when that adds to my stress and just makes things so much harder,” Rylee continued. “But I feel like I worked so much on my mental health and my physical health this season, and I was able to just get ready for that.” Rylee utilizes her Dexcom G7 monitor — worn on the back of her arm — to integrate with her insulin pump, which helps her manage her diabetes with ease. Her family even uses the Dexcom Follow app to track her glucose levels alongside the dancer during travel, rehearsal and shows. Like other Dexcom Warriors, including Nick Jonas and Lance Bass, Rylee is committed to raising awareness about living with diabetes. “Right when I was diagnosed, I didn't think I was going to dance anymore. I thought I was going to have to stop doing it and fully just devote my life to managing my health,” Rylee told Us, revealing that with tools like the Dexcom G7 monitor and her insulin pump, she hasn’t had to let go of her dream. She concluded, “I feel like I finally am at a point where I understand how to manage my type 1 diabetes. … It was about, like, six years it took me to really get adjusted [and] understand how I react to things, how my body reacts to things, and I finally feel like I'm ready to go.” Get more information about Dexcom at their official website.

Aug 07, 2026
Frankie Grande's Fiery Response to Big Brother's Kamu Kirk Sparks Buzz New

Frankie Grande's Fiery Response to Big Brother's Kamu Kirk Sparks Buzz

Frankie Grande did not mince words after hearing his sister, Ariana Grande, mentioned on the latest episode of Big Brother. “Frankie Grande, tell your sister to hit me up!” Kamu Kirk said while casting his vote for eviction on the Thursday, August 6, live show. Frankie, 43, competed on Big Brother season 16 in 2014 and is the proud older brother of Ariana, 33. “Not a f***ing chance Kamu,” Frankie wrote via X, sharing a selfie from the crowd at his sister’s Eternal Sunshine Tour concert that night. “You can eat my ass.” In response, a social media user called out the Broadway performer for giving Kamu, 32, “attention” by replying in the first place. “He hasn’t seen anything cause he’s … in the house. Are you … OK?” Frankie quipped. Earlier this season, Frankie condemned Kamu for his anti-drag comments. “Um. What the f*** is this horses***?! Get these homophobic bigots out of the f***ing house IMMEDIATELY. Both of them,” Frankie tweeted last month. “Ew this conversation makes me sick to my stomach. I’m disgusted. This better be the biggest thing ever when I wake up tomorrow or I’m flipping a table… f***. Ew. Gross.” In the footage, Kamu and fellow houseguest Rick Devens reacted to their alliance member Drew Campbell’s unicorn-themed pajamas. When Devens, 42, asked Kamu whether “those dudes dressed in women’s clothes,” his costar responded affirmatively. “I’m not doing that, bro,” Kamu claimed, noting that he wouldn’t participate until Jason De Puy won a Head of Household competition. (Outside of the Big Brother house, Jason, 35, is a professional drag queen known as Salina EsTitties.) He added, “I said, ‘Bro, miss me with the drag stuff.’ I’m still an MMA guy, and I have an image to uphold.” Frankie later said in a follow-up X post that it was a “mistake” to get involved in the drama. “After leaving the show and getting sober, I’ve been nothing but an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community,” he tweeted. “So seeing things like that and seeing people in the house that are definitely homophobic is just hard for me. “It always is. And I should not engage on X.” As for Ariana, she has not publicly addressed the Big Brother shout-out. The Oscar nominee is currently closing out her Eternal Sunshine Tour before taking a “break” from the spotlight. “It is something that I had decided, a plan I had quietly made a long time ago, and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place,” Ariana said during her Monday, August 3, concert. “No matter what noises exist out there, nothing will be able to distort my reality or be more real to me or not as real to me than this love that we share and how it feels to make art with people that I love and respect. Absolutely nothing will change that.” Big Brother airs on CBS Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET.

Aug 07, 2026
Trump's White House Ballroom Halted: The Unexpected Court Ruling New

Trump's White House Ballroom Halted: The Unexpected Court Ruling

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court blocked further construction of President Trump’s new White House ballroom, ruling that the massive project must first receive congressional approval.In a 2-1 decision, a panel of DC circuit judges determined that “Congress has exclusive authority to regulate the construction and demolition of White House structures.”“We are aware of no instance in American history in which a President unilaterally and using privately collected funds demolished substantial portions of the White House that Congress authorized to be built and American taxpayers paid for. Until now,” wrote judges Patricia Millet and Bradley Garcia for the majority. An appeals court has ordered a halt to White House ballroom construction. AP Photo/Tierney L. Cross The DC circuit judges ruled that only Congress can regulate “construction and demolition.” Aaron Schwartz / Pool via CNP / SplashNews.com“The Constitution’s Property Clause vests Congress with plenary control over all real property that belongs to the United States,” they said.Circuit Judge Neomi Rao dissented that the district court, which initially paused construction, “had no jurisdiction because the [National] Trust has no standing to stop construction at the White House.”“The ballroom is also likely within the President’s authority to make improvements to the Executive Residence at the White House,” Rao added. “The district court elevated the aesthetic displeasure of a single passerby over the government’s security interests in the ballroom and the security risks of leaving an open construction site at the President’s home and office.”The ruling will be on pause for 14 days while Trump may pursue the option of appealing to the US Supreme Court.The project could cost upwards of $600 million. Trump has prioritized its construction to host large-scale dinners with enhanced security measures.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Aug 07, 2026
Perez Hilton's Disturbing Livestream Sparks Compassionate Response from Jackson Family

Perez Hilton's Disturbing Livestream Sparks Compassionate Response from Jackson Family

The late Michael Jackson's nephew, TJ Jackson, said he is “praying” for Perez Hilton’s recovery despite past tension between the blogger and the Jackson family. “Everybody is talking about this Perez Hilton video. I haven’t seen it but from what I’ve heard it’s horrible,” TJ, 48, tweeted on Wednesday, August 5. “One thing I’ll say…He hasn’t been nice to many celebs including my family. Nevertheless I never want to see anyone broken and in such a dark place. I am praying for his healing and his health.” The youngest son of Michael’s brother Tito Jackson spoke out following a traumatic TikTok livestream on Tuesday, August 4, where Hilton appeared to perform dangerous acts of self-harm. Miami-Dade police confirmed to Us that law enforcement officials received calls “regarding an individual who was live-streaming acts of self-harm on social media” and were then sent to Hilton’s Florida home for what they suspected was a “possible suicide” attempt. Hilton was eventually hospitalized. His family confirmed on Wednesday that Hilton was “able to communicate” during his stay in the hospital, which they took as a “hopeful” sign for his recovery. The celebrity blogger has a long history of tension with the Jackson family dating back to Michael’s death at age 50 in June 2009. When news broke that Michael suffered a medical emergency, Hilton speculated that the King of Pop was pulling a publicity stunt to get out of performing his 50 planned This Is It concerts in London. “Get your money back,” he advised This Is It ticket holders at the time. Hilton received a wave of backlash when Michael died and he later publicly apologized, saying in a statement that he was “genuinely feeling sorry that [Michael] died and sorry for his kids.” In the wake of Hilton’s hospitalization, TJ expressed hope that the alarming situation would serve as a wake-up call for the blogger. “And hopefully one day he will find his way and inspire others who make a living negative talking/slandering others to choose a different route and be better themselves, to lean into LOVE more. That’s the way to really live life to the fullest,” he tweeted. When a fan suggested that “the underlying cause is the lack of love,” TJ agreed, replying, “Very true.” There have been strong reactions to Hilton’s disturbing livestream and subsequent hospitalization from many of those he mocked on his website over the years. Alec Baldwin‘s daughter Ireland Baldwin described Hilton as “a despicable human being” for allegedly disparaging her famous family in the past, even as she offered support for his recovery. “Perez Hilton has publicaly [sic] humiliated my family for years, sexualized me from a young age, commented on my weight and body [as a child], made unforgivable comments about people in my family, drew j!zz coming out of my mom’s and friend’s mouths, and has always been a despicable human being,” Ireland, 30, wrote via her Instagram Story on Wednesday. She went on, “But his children deserve better and a healthy father and I am so sad for all of them. I hope he gets the help he needs and heals.” Former America’s Next Top Model winner Adrianne Curry said in a vlog on Thursday, August 6, that she forgave Hilton for “bullying” her during his “peak years” of fame. “I also want him to see me saying that his life has value and that I wish him peace, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to him,” Curry, 44, told her Instagram followers. “I think sometimes that’s what it takes. Not your friends rallying round you, but people who should hate you saying, ‘Hey, your life has value, don’t do this.’ At least that’s what it used to be like for me because I’ve been in some dark places.” Hilton’s family released a new statement on Thursday, in which they acknowledged that “the events of the past several days have been nearly unbearable for our family.” They confirmed that “Perez’s [three] children, niece, and sister were inside the home” moments before his livestream started, though they “immediately fled to protect the children from witnessing any further trauma.” “Our highest priority right now is helping the children begin to heal from what they experienced,” his family said. “An important part of that process is allowing them to safely return home and begin rebuilding a sense of security and normalcy.” If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Aug 07, 2026
Is Putin Planning a Bold Move Against NATO This Fall?

Is Putin Planning a Bold Move Against NATO This Fall?

Russian President Vladimir Putin may test the NATO alliance’s strength with an attack on an allied country as early as fall — including a possible land invasion, according to new US intelligence reports.The reports on the potential of a limited assault, which could range from a cyber attack to a military incursion, come as the US deals with a shortage of critical munitions it would need to respond to such an attack from Russia or China, US officials told the Wall Street Journal.An attack is estimated to happen between this fall and 2029, the intelligence assessment warned.Putin’s goal of an attack on a NATO nation is to force the US’s hand and fracture the 77-year-old alliance.Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the Security Council in Moscow, Russia, Aug. 7, 2026. via REUTERS“The question mark is how the United States would respond in that case,” Heather Conley, senior fellow with the American Enterprise Institute, told the Journal about the possibility of a Russian incursion.“It has always been a goal [of Russia’s] to challenge the credibility of NATO and to separate the United States from its allies.”The US believed Moscow would never provoke the long-standing North Atlantic Treaty Organization while its forces are entangled in its war with Ukraine — however, this year, officials determined Putin may be bold enough to test the alliance’s resolve.Putin’s new openness to a NATO assault comes as he faces immense pressure at home to defeat Ukraine. Russia has been dealing with increasing drone attacks from Kyiv on its oil industry and Putin’s forces, who have suffered heavy casualties, have been significantly slowed on the front.Russia has already been shown it’s willing to push NATO, with Russian missiles landing in Poland and drones flying over Romania.A house is destroyed by debris from a shot down Russian drone in Wyryki-Wola, Poland, on September 10, 2025. POland’s PM called it a major provocation aimed at the EU and NATO member. AFP via Getty ImagesPolice and forensic investigators examine the location of impact after a Russian drone struck an apartment building on Friday, May 29, 2026, in Galati, eastern Romania. AFP via Getty ImagesMeanwhile, the US has severely depleted its stockpile of munitions by arming Ukrainian troops and in its ongoing conflict with Iran.Stockpiles at risk include long-range Precision Strike Missiles and Army Tactical Missile Systems, as well as short-range Stinger surface-to-air missiles, officials told the Wall Street Journal.

Aug 07, 2026
Rylee Arnold's Brave Journey: Dancing Again After Diabetes Diagnosis

Rylee Arnold's Brave Journey: Dancing Again After Diabetes Diagnosis

Dancing With the Stars pro Rylee Arnold exclusively opened up to Us about her journey with type 1 diabetes — revealing that she initially feared she’d never dance again after being diagnosed at age 15. “Right when I was diagnosed, I didn't think I was going to dance anymore,” Arnold, now 21, told Us in an interview on Wednesday, August 5. “I thought I was going to have to stop doing it and fully just devote my life to managing my health. But then I realized I didn't [have to quit dancing].” Arnold acknowledged that it was “honestly really hard in the beginning” to balance her health and the physical demands of dancing, especially since she was a teenager at the time. “There'd be times where, I mean, as a teenager, I would be embarrassed to give myself a shot in front of friends at school or at dance, and there were just little things that I was like, ‘If I don't prioritize this, I will not live a long and lengthy and beautiful life,’” she recalled. “Just balancing that and learning how to balance my life was really, really important. But ever since I got on [DWTS], I feel like I've really focused on balancing that and having that healthy balance.” “Even more so now, I feel like I finally am at a point where I understand how to manage my type 1 diabetes,” she noted. “It's taken … a while to understand your body and how it works. So it was about six years it took me to really, really get adjusted [and] understand how I react to things, how my body reacts to things, and I finally feel like I'm, like, ready to go.” Rylee now uses a continuous glucose monitor called a Dexcom G7 CGM to track her glucose levels. The dancer wears her device on the back of her arm, allowing the Dexcom G7 CGM to send real-time glucose readings directly to her mobile device. Rylee’s Dexcom G7 is integrated with her insulin pump, which helps the DWTS pro and her family constantly monitor her health through using the Dexcom Follow app. Along with Nick Jonas and Lance Bass, Rylee is one of millions of people worldwide living with diabetes. She has partnered with a community of Dexcom Warriors to help show young people that their dreams don’t have to be defined by their type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Addressing her journey with diabetes, Rylee recalled, “It was super hard [at first]. But I feel like, again, I looked at other people with type 1 diabetes, and I have learned so much through TikTok and Instagram, people's videos, and although my body is my body and it's different from everyone else's, there are so many people's experiences that are so similar to mine, and I've been able to learn so much from others. So that has helped tremendously. But it's one of those things. It's just like you go through it, you figure it out and see how you can do it yourself.” Last October, Rylee made the “really hard” decision to step away from the Dancing With the Stars Tour to prioritize her health. “Making the decision to step away from tour this last year was really hard, and because it was because of my health, it made me really sad,” she told Us. “But it was something I needed so badly. I needed to get home. I needed to rest. I'm now on, like, a continuous insulin pump. I recently got, like, my blood checked, and there's this A1C number, and it basically tells you, like, how healthy you are, and it's, like, dropped down tremendously. And just fixing that part of my life is going to make things so much easier this season.” She went on, “I'm just excited to have that, like, alleviated a little bit because I hate when that adds to my stress and just makes things so much harder. But I feel like I worked so much on, like, my mental health and my physical health this season, and I was able to just get ready for that. And I'm so grateful that I did because I think if I would have just jumped into the next thing and kept going this year, I think I would have not been ready for this season coming up. And now I'm excited and I feel refreshed.” Dancing With the Stars returns on ABC this fall.

Aug 07, 2026
Why This Year's Perseid Meteor Shower is a Must-See Event

Why This Year's Perseid Meteor Shower is a Must-See Event

Stargazers will have a spectacular week of skywatching, as a meteor shower follows a solar eclipse that will sweep across parts of the continental United States from August 12 to August 13.The eclipse will be partial and will only take a “small bite out of the Sun,” according to NASA, with the amount of lunar overlay varying by location from North Carolina to Alaska.Visible debris breaking off the subsequent shower, dubbed “the Perseids,” will peak on the evening of August 12 into the early morning hours of August 13 with a path of totality across Greenland, Iceland and Spain. The Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak about Aug. 12-13, and with a new moon, may have optimal viewing if skies are clear. USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectAs the Earth passes through the debris stream of the Comet Swift-Tuttle, “tiny bits of comet dust hit our atmosphere at high speed, they burn up as bright streaks of light,” creating the aerial phenomenon known as a “shower,” according to NASA.50 to 100 meteors can be seen per hour, making the Perseids the most plentiful of all annual meteor showers alongside the presence of “fireballs.”Fireballs, or unusually bright meteors — often called “shooting stars” — are meteors that shine brighter than the planet Venus.These dazzling light displays are caused by significantly larger pieces of space rock, such as direct fragments from asteroids or comets, entering Earth’s atmosphere at very high speeds. Visible debris breaking off the subsequent shower, dubbed “the Perseids,” will peak on the evening of August 12 into the early morning hours of August 13 with a path of totality across Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectThe new moon arriving on August 12 will create ideal, dark conditions in the skies. NASA instructs astrophiles to look toward the northeast and watch the Perseus constellation clear the horizon, where the meteors originate — however, they can appear anywhere.

Aug 07, 2026