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Charles Esten Breaks Silence on Hayden Panettiere's Tragic Passing

Charles Esten Breaks Silence on Hayden Panettiere's Tragic Passing

Charles Esten is breaking his silence after his former Nashville costar Hayden Panettiere died at the age of 36 just days after she reportedly attended one of his shows. "Patty [Hanson, his wife] and I are stunned and saddened at the loss of our dear and beautiful friend Hayden," Esten, 60, wrote via Instagram on Monday, August 17. Esten starred alongside Panettiere in the hit ABC series, which aired from 2012 until 2016 and concluded with its final two seasons on CMT from 2016 until 2018. Panettiere starred as rising country music star Juliette Barnes, while Esten portrayed songwriter Deacon Claybourne. "I will never forget the first time I met her," Esten continued. "In a sound stage office in Hollywood, I was finishing up my very first Nashville audition. I had read two Deacon scenes before pulling out my guitar and singing two songs. I said my goodbyes and, hoping I’d done well, went to open the door to leave. Instead of swinging all the way out, the door bumped into somebody. Kinda hard." He went on, "To my complete surprise, It was Hayden Panettiere, who — in full Juliette Barnes mode — had been listening with her ear to the door. Instead of looking even a little bit caught, her face instantly bloomed into the most beautiful smile. Eyes twinkling, she clapped her hands and said, 'That was so good!!'" Esten recalled the way Panettiere supported him in that potentially embarrassing moment. "I can promise you that in that moment, there was nothing in the world I needed to hear more than that. I told her that, along with my Heroes-watching family, I was already a big fan of hers, and that I was grateful for the very kind words. It was her turn to go in, so as I went to leave, I said a jokingly cocky, 'See you on the set!'” He added, "I was, of course, many auditions away from landing that incredible role. But when I finally did, and showed up in Nashville to start work, she walked right up to me, pointed in my face, and with that magical grin said, 'See you on the set!'” Esten recalled that he and the late became "fast friends," often "having fun and laughing a whole lot" in between shooting emotionally charged Nashville scenes. "She was, of course, extraordinarily talented, infusing her larger-than-life character with all the heart, charisma, humor, whip-smart intelligence, and flat-out magic that were, alongside whatever troubles and pain she carried, a part of her own personal palette," he noted. "What a great gift it was to act with her, sing with her, and to just be her friend. She was always extremely kind to my family, especially my wife, Patty, who I’m certain she liked even more than me." "Together, we are heartbroken that she is gone, and praying for her family, and for all those who, like us, will miss and mourn her so dearly," he concluded. "God bless you, Hayden. Rest In Peace and Light" Us previously reported that Panettiere died on Sunday, August 16, at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina, from a suspected overdose. A resident of the building exclusively told Us that a neighbor shared with them that one of Panettiere’s friends was playing at The Foundry on Friday, August 14. The music venue is attached to the apartment building, which was why Panettiere was at the complex. The resident said she was staying at an Airbnb in the complex, and “there was more than one person staying” in the unit. Esten was booked to perform two nights at the venue as part of his Carolina Tour. Panettiere died one day after his last show at The Foundry. Authorities in South Carolina confirmed to Us on Monday, August 17, that police responded to reports of an “unresponsive female” at a residence, later identified at Panettiere. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office also confirmed to Us on Monday that an official autopsy had been completed, and there were no signs of trauma that may have contributed to Panettiere’s death. “On August 16, 2026, at approximately 1:51 PM, a 911 call was received regarding a reported cardiac arrest,” a statement from the Greenville County Coroner’s Office read. “First responders and Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and located a female in cardiac arrest. EMS personnel initiated advanced cardiac life support measures; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the individual was pronounced deceased at 2:32 PM.” Esten and Panettiere grew close while working on Nashville, and they remained friends for years after the show wrapped. Back in 2018, Esten exclusively spoke to Us about his bond with the Ice Princess star, recalling that they'd been "buddies ever since" they started working together.

Aug 18, 2026
Salma Hayek's Heartwarming Tribute as She Becomes a Grandmother

Salma Hayek's Heartwarming Tribute as She Becomes a Grandmother

Salma Hayek is officially a grandmother — and she’s marking the occasion with the sweetest social media tribute to the newest member of her family. “We are blessed to welcome the fourth living generation of Francois’,” the actress, 59, wrote via Instagram on Sunday, August 16, revealing the newborn’s first name — which, yes, matches her husband’s, François-Henri Pinault, and stepson’s, François Pinault Jr., monikers. Of course, the proud and newly-minted grandmother already has a nickname picked out for her grandson. “Although I will call him Panchito,” she continued. “He seems to love it, and I cannot love him more.” Hayek also included a video featuring the actress speaking Spanish to the newborn as she lovingly held him in her arms. The Desperado actress became a grandmother after François, 28, welcomed his first baby with his wife, Lara Cosima Henckel von Donnersmarck. Days prior to the celebratory post, Henckel von Donnersmarck announced that she and François were officially parents. “My husband (the world’s coolest françois) and our son( the world’s cutest françois) … our first month as parents��,” she wrote via Instagram on August 12 alongside a series of snaps of her with her newborn. Hayek wed François-Henri, 64, in 2009 after dating for three years. Years later, the actress opened up about wanting to have a big family. (Hayek shares daughter Valentina, 18, with François-Henri in addition to being stepmom to her husband’s three children. The businessman shares François and daughter Mathilde, 25, with ex-wife Dorothée Lepère, as well as son Augustin Evangelista, 19, whom he welcomed with ex-girlfriend Linda Evangelista.) “I had a child late in life,” Hayek said in a 2017 interview with Red magazine about being a mother, adding that she “identified” with her character in the 2015 film Tale of Tales who had a “desperate desire to have a child and maybe feeling that you could never be happy or complete, that your life is not complete, without this.” The Oscar winner continued, “I’ve had that yearning, that longing, and that pain… I always wanted to have a lot of children, and I was not able to. My body, as a miracle, had one. The huge blessing I’ve had is that my husband has three other children. So I have four. And they are all so different.” Hayek has been a doting mom to her blended family as she has celebrated her children’s milestones over the years. Last year, Hayek penned a touching tribute when Valentina celebrated her 18th birthday. “My beautiful dancing queen. Today you turned 18 !!!!! So many things have changed in your life, but you are always soooo you,” she wrote via Instagram in September 2025. “A kind passionate heart, a wise soul full of magic, a unique unstoppable force of nature with a witty sense of humor and stubborn tenacity. Some things will never chance we love you forever and although you were always ahead of your years you will always be in my heart my dream daughter.”

Aug 17, 2026
Hayden Panettiere's Tragic End: What the 911 Call Revealed

Hayden Panettiere's Tragic End: What the 911 Call Revealed

911 dispatch audio following the death of Hayden Panettiere has apparently revealed the cause of her sudden passing. Panettiere was found unresponsive at a South Carolina residence before her death at age 36, with emergency dispatch audio reportedly referring to an apparent “overdose.” Emergency personnel were called to a residence in Greenville on Sunday afternoon following reports of an “unidentified female” in “cardiac arrest.” Dispatch audio obtained by Page Six indicated that “CPR [was] in progress” within minutes of the call. Panettiere was pronounced dead after responders attempted advanced life support. Her official cause of death has not yet been released. Police have said the preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the actress' death. Emergency services called to Greenville residence A friend reportedly discovered Panettiere unresponsive and called emergency services at around 1:50PM local time. Responders attempted to resuscitate the actress using advanced cardiac life support and chest compressions. While the dispatch information has prompted reports of a suspected overdose, officials have not confirmed that as Panettiere's cause of death. Hayden Panettiere tragically passed away on Sunday (August 16). Credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images Panettiere had previously spoken publicly about her experiences with alcohol addiction and postpartum depression. Earlier in 2026, she released her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, in which she discussed parts of her personal life and recovery. Family confirms Panettiere's death Panettiere's father confirmed her death in a family statement shared through her representative, describing the news as a “tragic passing” announced “with profound sadness.” Skip Panettiere added, “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen. We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.” Tributes have since been shared by friends, fans and fellow actors, including former co-stars and other figures from Hollywood. Viola Davis, Selma Blair, Melissa Barrera, Bethany Joy Lenz and others were among those who publicly responded to the news. From child actor to Heroes and Nashville star Panettiere began acting as a child, appearing in soap operas before taking roles in films including Remember the Titans and providing the voice of Dot in Pixar's A Bug's Life. She became widely known for playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in NBC's Heroes, which premiered in 2006. She later starred as country singer Juliette Barnes in Nashville, a performance that earned her two Golden Globe nominations. Her film credits also included Scream 4 and Scream VI. Panettiere is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she welcomed in 2014 with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko, as well as her parents. Her younger brother, actor Jansen Panettiere, died in 2023 at age 28. Featured image credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Aug 17, 2026
The Real Story Behind Hayden Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia's Tumultuous Romance

The Real Story Behind Hayden Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia's Tumultuous Romance

Heroes costars Hayden Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia had a two-year romance at the height of their NBC show’s success. A 12-year age gap between the two raised eyebrows at the time, as Panettiere was 18 years old and Ventimiglia was 30 when they got together. (Panettiere played superpowered cheerleader Claire Bennet on Heroes while Ventimiglia portrayed hospice care nurse Peter Petrelli.) Looking back at the relationship for an Us Weekly cover story in May 2026, Panettiere confirmed that she was hopeful of marrying Ventimiglia back then. “I saw him as my partner and that it was going to hopefully keep going and evolving and lead to marriage,” she told Us. Following a tumultuous breakup in 2009, Ventimiglia said that the relationship taught him it was best not to date costars. (He married model Jarah Mariano in 2023, and they share two children.) Panettiere died at age 36 in August 2026. She shared daughter Kaya with ex Wladimir Klitschko. Keep scrolling for the full timeline of Panettiere and Ventimiglia’s relationship. Hayden Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia Went Public in 2007 While they’d attended public events together — such as Comic-Con — to promote Heroes, Panettiere made an early red carpet appearance with Ventimiglia when she accompanied him to the premiere of his short film anthology It's a Mall World. Ventimiglia had his arm around Panettiere’s back as they smiled for photographers outside the ArcLight Theatre in Hollywood on July 31, 2007. Panettiere was once again Ventimiglia’s date at the Race to Fight Epilepsy charity event at the Skirball Centre in Los Angeles in November 2007. Hayden Panettiere Addressed Dating Milo Ventimiglia in 2008 During an interview with People, Panettiere coyly addressed dating Ventimiglia without directly naming him. She suggested “little things are what counts” in their relationship before revealing one of his sweet romantic gestures. “One time, a boyfriend went out of town, and he left notes all over the house in places he knew I'd find them,” she revealed. Hayden Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia Split in 2009 Us Weekly reported in February 2009 that Panettiere and Ventimiglia had gone their separate ways after nearly two years of dating. A source exclusively told Us that there was a “lifestyle conflict” because Panettiere and Ventimiglia were “in very different places” in both their lives and careers. Hayden Panettiere Broke Her Silence on Splitting From Milo Ventimiglia in 2009 Panettiere addressed her then-recent breakup from Ventimiglia in a Seventeen magazine interview in August 2009, saying that she was leaning in to her feelings of “heartbreak.” “My instinct when I go through heartbreak or a bad situation is to talk about it,” she said. “But that's me; that's not everybody. A lot of people, you know, their instinct is to bury it and distract themselves from it.” Milo Ventimiglia Vowed to Never Date Another Costar In September 2017, Ventimiglia admitted to The Journal that the lesson he’d learned from dating former Panettiere and Gilmore Girls costar Alexis Bledel was to “never do it again.” “There are things that happen to you in your life that shape who you are. Everything I’ve been through from jobs to friendships to partnerships, everything has built me to who I am. You learn from it,” he said. “You learn a better way of doing things. It wasn’t until my mid to late twenties that the job wears on you, relationships wear on you.” Hayden Panettiere Said She Had ‘Great Relationships’ With Her Exes The Nashville star reflected on her high-profile relationships in a May 2013 Glamour interview without directly mentioning Ventimiglia. (Panettiere also dated Laguna Beach’s Stephen Colletti and shares daughter Kaya with retired boxer Wladimir Klitschko.) “I've always had great relationships and stayed really good friends with the guys I've dated,” she insisted. Hayden Panettiere Addressed Her Age Gap With Milo Ventimiglia In a May 2026 Us Weekly cover story, Panettiere reflected on investing so much into her relationship with Ventimiglia back in the day. “Every relationship I’ve ever been in, I invested my whole self in,” the Scream alum told Us. She went on, “It was a point of contention that I was unable to put the ‘I’ in front of ‘love you’ and at the time, I didn’t realize or understand why it made me feel so uncomfortable. I could only say ‘love you’ in a casual way. Being older, he was much more aware of what that meant. And that said a lot.” Ventimiglia allegedly broke up with Panettiere and then immediately took her back when she burst into tears. They split for good in February 2009. “One hundred percent [the reason he took me back] was only because I was over the toilet, hysterically crying. It was like my world had crumbled,” she remembered. “It was so out of left field, nothing that big or explosive had happened. Nothing had really gone wrong. Nobody cheated. I remember the look on his face being pure shock at how visceral and massive my negative reaction was, and he immediately took it back.” Panettiere writes more about her relationships in her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, out May 19.

Aug 17, 2026
Phoebe Gates Under Fire: The Cookie Stuffing Allegations Shaking Up Tech

Phoebe Gates Under Fire: The Cookie Stuffing Allegations Shaking Up Tech

Phoebe Gates , the youngest child of billionaire Bill Gates, could be taken to court if the allegations made against her AI shopping assistant are proved to be true. The 23-year-old is under the spotlight after allegations have been made that her AI shopping assistant, Phia, has been engaged in 'cookie stuffing'. An expert has now delved into what this may mean if the allegations are proven to be true. 'Cookie stuffing' is an illegal practice where unrelated tracking cookies are inserted into a user's browser by an affiliate marketer, without their consent. According to Branch , this happens after a user views a page or clicks on a single link. Essentially, secretly planting cookies is a method of getting credit for somebody else's online sale, and now Phoebe and her friend Sophia Kianni could be found guilty of doing so. Phoebe Gates could find herself in a spot of legal trouble. Credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Report claims Phia is guilty Phia, founded by Phoebe and Sophia, compares fashion and retail prices across websites, and searches for discount codes and second-hand alternatives. But just last month, Bloomberg released a report claiming that the AI company received attribution for purchases it had not driven, and alleged that it was involved in cookie stuffing. The company told the outlet that they were made aware of the misattributions 'in the last 24 hours'. Phia have since released a statement to PEOPLE , reading: “Any features causing misattributions were immediately removed over a month ago on July 7. "We are reviewing every transaction, we are fully committed to and have already begun issuing all transaction reversals to brand partners as a result of any misattribution, and we are hiring a head of compliance to make sure something like this never happens again. “We are now continuing to connect our users with items and offers from thousands of brand partners,” the spokesperson continued. “We will learn from this and want to ensure our users have the best possible shopping experience, with features like our new digital closet and more to come.” Legal expert outlines potential punishments Star Kashman, the founding partner of Cyber Law Firm, explained how much prison time could be dished out for the offense. The legal expert explained to the New York Post : “Wire fraud would have to paint a picture of a knowing scheme that is organized to defraud these individuals (affiliates, businesses, etc.) of their money." He added that 'wire fraud carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison,' though prosecutors would need to prove that the founders (Phoebe and Sophia) 'knowingly participated in a scheme to defraud'. Kashman admitted that the most likely penalties would be financial for the pair, highlighting that it would be 'very unlikely' for the young entrepreneurs to be imprisoned for 20 years for the allegations on a first offence. But if the allegations are true, then there is a possibility that they would be taken to court, but as it stands, Phia has not been charged with any criminal wrongdoing. The company also disputed aspects of Bloomberg’s findings. The AI company has not been charged with wrongdoing. Credit: sarayut Thaneerat / Getty Tech attorney weighs in Ariel Givner, an IP & corporate attorney in FinTech and the founder of Givner Law, took to X to speak about the report. She explained that cookie stuffing is essentially 'treated as federal wire fraud in US courts', and that 'there’s a possibility of a max penalty of up to 20 years prison + fines/restitution.' The expert also spoke about punishments which befell previous culprits, naming some examples. She said that Shawn Hogan, who was a 'top eBay affiliate', pleaded guilty and received five months federal prison time and a $25,000 fine. Brian Dunning, who was the owner of online marketing company Kessler’s Flying Circus, pleaded guilty and was punished with a 15-month prison sentence. Featured image credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Aug 17, 2026
Hayden Panettiere's Heartfelt Words Before Her Tragic Passing

Hayden Panettiere's Heartfelt Words Before Her Tragic Passing

Hayden Panettiere opened up about her hopes for the future just three months before her tragic death at age 36. "Let's see where my life is going to go, because I finally feel like I have shaken all of this darkness and negativity, and that means I've closed one door and another door is opened, and I can feel it opened," Panettiere told Jay Shetty in a tearful interview on his podcast in May while promoting her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning. "I feel like I have a lot more life to live,” she added. Hayden’s father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed to Us on Sunday, August 16, that the actress had died in Greenville, South Carolina. “It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” Skip said in a statement shared via Hayden’s rep. “We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.” Authorities in South Carolina confirmed on Monday, August 17, that they had responded to reports of an “unresponsive female” at a residence, who was later identified as Hayden. An investigation is underway. “The case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office,” authorities said in a statement. “The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.” TMZ reported on Monday that first responders attempted to resuscitate Hayden using “advanced cardiac life support” after she suffered an apparent overdose. In addition to CPR, the tactics included special medicines, breathing tubes and heart rhythm tracking. Hayden was pronounced dead after the paramedics were unable to revive her. A cause of death has not yet been revealed. Hayden made her acting debut as a child, appearing on the soap operas One Life to Live and Guiding Light. Her breakthrough TV moment came when she starred as Claire Bennet on Heroes in 2006. The actress is also known for the 2012 drama series Nashville and the films Remember the Titans (2000) and Ice Princess (2005), the latter of which she starred in alongside Michelle Trachtenberg, who died at age 39 in February 2025. Hayden took a hiatus from acting in 2018 while struggling with postpartum depression after welcoming her daughter, Kaya, with ex Wladimir Klitschko four years prior. She also battled alcohol and opioid addiction. “Going through challenges is daunting enough in the spotlight where everyone feels entitled to the details of your life, but those challenges I’ve faced have made me stronger,” Hayden told Us earlier this year while discussing her book. “Every moment of our life and every person we meet along the way is a lesson.”

Aug 17, 2026
Cyclist's Miraculous Escape from Arizona Flood Tunnel Sparks Awe

Cyclist's Miraculous Escape from Arizona Flood Tunnel Sparks Awe

A female cyclist miraculously survived being sucked underwater while trying to cross a flooded Arizona bridge — and the woman who jumped in to save her was nearly swept away herself.The Pima County Sheriff’s Office responded to a water rescue at Sabino Canyon Thursday after the 20-year-old woman attempted to ride her bike across a bridge as raging floodwaters surged through the area.The rushing water swept the woman and her bike underneath the bridge, according to authorities.Terrifying eyewitness video shows the woman struggling to escape after becoming trapped in a hole before she is suddenly sucked beneath the churning water, KOLD reported.The Pima County Sheriff’s Office said a 20-year-old woman had tried to ride her bike across the bridge before floodwaters swept her and her bike under. KOLD NEWSA woman who rushed in to help was also caught in the powerful current and swept downstream, turning the rescue attempt into another emergency.Good Samaritans eventually managed to pull the victims from the water.The 20-year-old woman was reportedly unresponsive after being rescued and required CPR before she survived the ordeal.Others in the group quickly rushed in to try to save her as the good Samaritan rescuers frantically worked together to try and pull her out.However, one of them ended up being swallowed up by the rising waters and dragged downstream herself some 100 feet before she was eventually rescued.A female cyclist attempted to cross a flooded bridge in Arizona and miraculously survived being pulled under the water as one of her rescuers became a victim herself. KOLD NEWSThe video shows one minute she’s next to the group and the next moment the woman was completely underwater only to come up on the other side of the bridge, chest-deep in the water, trying to get out.“She takes a step back from the rescue efforts as others are trying to say, and she goes underwater and disappears,” Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.Video shared by an eyewitness showed the woman stuck in a hole struggling to get out before she was quickly sucked down under the water, ABC 13“And the video pans out to the right downstream, and that tunnel that she disappeared into literally just threw her out another 100 feet down.”“That’s how powerful that force is,” Nanos added.The first woman was underwater for several minutes before she was eventually pulled out of the water and CPR was started until she regained consciousness, the office said in a post.“Deputies arrived and assisted the subject out of the drainage.”Others in the group quickly rushed in to try to save her as the good Samaritan rescuers frantically worked together to try and pull her out. ABC 13Two people were taken to a local hospital and were reported to be in stable condition, the post added.The sheriff said this situation could’ve been a lot worse. KOLD NEWSThe area where the flooding occurred is northeast of Tucson where they have been dealing with monsoon storms. KOLD NEWSThe sheriff said this situation could’ve been a lot worse.“What if that tunnel had been clogged? What if she bangs her head? It’s just, you can ‘what if this to death,’ but the real issue is simply don’t do it,” Nanos said.“PCSD reminds our community: Never attempt to cross flooded washes, whether on a bike, in a vehicle, or on foot,” a post from the department read.“Fast‑moving water is extremely dangerous and puts you and first responders at risk.”The canyon is northeast of Tucson where they have been dealing with monsoon storms.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 17, 2026
Tragic Loss: Indiana Football Star's Final Jump into Raging River

Tragic Loss: Indiana Football Star's Final Jump into Raging River

Indiana police located the body of a college-bound football star after he and three pals jumped off a bridge into a river during the deadly Indiana floods.Matthew Morey, 18, was the sole person who remained missing after the friends leapt into the Mississinewa River near Muncie on Wednesday, with the dangerous flooding keeping rescue workers away until they finally found his body over the weekend.“There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a child,” the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.  High school football star Matthrew Morey died after jumping into a river during a deadly Indiana flood. Matthew Morey / InstagramMorey was with a group who jumped from a bridge over the Mississinewa River, with police able to rescue the other three. Hoosyer Helper / Facebook“Our hearts are with Matthew’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved him,” officials added. It remains unclear why Morey and the three others who were rescued had jumped into the raging waters during floods across central Indiana.Grieving mother Angie Morey had held on to hope until the last minute that officers would be able to find her son after the search had been suspended due to the continued flooding. ‘I’m hurt and I need some help, and so we’re not there and I can’t get there,’ the crying mother told NBC News the day before Morey’s body was found. Morey played for the Delta High School and planned to attend Purdue University.Mother Angie Morey sobbed as police were forced to suspend the search for her son due to the dangerous conditions caused by the floods. NBC News“I can’t get to him because there’s no — I can’t get in a boat. If I had a boat, I swear to God I’d be in that water,” she added. “And my hope is that he’s still alive.” Morey, a Delta High School graduate, planned to attend Purdue University in the fall, local WRTV reported. Morey was among at least six people killed in the severe flooding that swept across Indiana in recent days, with rescues carrying on into the weekend. Along with Morey, authorities said a four-year-old boy was killed after a tree fell on his home, and a woman was also swept away to her death after driving into the floodwaters. An aerial view shows flooding in northern Indianapolis on Saturday in the wake of last weeks floods. Indianapolis Fire Department via APMore than a dozen counties have declared disaster emergencies, with much of the damage concentrated around the rivers in Hamilton County north of Indianapolis.President Trump approved an emergency declaration for the state, with federal disaster assistance available to the affected areas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Saturday.Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett described the situation as the most severe flooding the city has experienced in more than 30 years, with hundreds of homes evacuated.

Aug 16, 2026
Meghan Trainor's Daughter Sparks Debate: Who Does Mikey Really Resemble?

Meghan Trainor's Daughter Sparks Debate: Who Does Mikey Really Resemble?

Meghan Trainor and Daryl Sabara are settling into life as parents of three. “Lake Tahoe trip part 1 ��,” Trainor, 32, captioned a carousel of Instagram photos on Sunday, August 16, sharing moments from the family’s recent California camping trip. Trainor and Sabara, 34, are the proud parents of sons Riley, 5, and Barry, 3, as well as daughter Mikey, who was born in January. In the adorable new photos, Trainor offered a glimpse of her three kids’ bright red hair that further demonstrates how much they resemble the Spy Kids actor. The pop star, however, is well aware that her offspring are the spitting image of Sabara. “The first two I was like, ‘Oh man, they were in me, so what happened?’” Trainor quipped on an April episode of the “Not Gonna Lie” podcast of Sabara’s miniature lookalikes. “But this girl, sometimes everyone lately has been saying, ‘Oh my god, this one's actually Meghan. She has Meghan's eyes.’ She has my grumpy RBF face, which is resting bitch face … and so, I've been like, ‘This one's mine.’” According to Trainor, her husband was “actually offended” by Mikey resembling the “All About That Bass” singer. “He's actually so used to [hearing] like, ‘Oh my God, the kids like just like you’ that for once he's like, ‘No, she doesn't,’” Trainor quipped. “I'm like, ‘Oh, you upset, bro? Imagine getting cut open and people going, ‘Did you even do anything?’ You're not allowed to be upset [about] this one.” Trainor and Sabara welcomed Mikey via surrogate earlier this year. “There’s a lot of heartbreak and big decision-making to do, and I was struggling with my health and almost towards an autoimmune disease,” Trainor told podcast host Kylie Kelce of her decision to entrust a gestational carrier. “There were so many conversations back and forth, and then we were like, ‘The safest way is to do it through a surrogate,’ because also my babies are always sideways. I was just like, ‘My body’s still not recovered from the other ones.’” Still, Trainor admittedly felt “scared” and “jealous” that she wasn’t able to carry her daughter. “My husband’s a control freak too, so every day when we knew she was alive in someone else, we were like, ‘Is she OK?’ You go cuckoo, you go crazy,” she added. “There’s so much that goes into it, but we had an amazing surrogate who was so good to us and texted us everything, and we got to talk all the time. I was worried I was bugging her too much … and she was just a champ.”

Aug 16, 2026
Why Kelly Clarkson Refuses to Let Her Kids Watch Her Movie Debut

Why Kelly Clarkson Refuses to Let Her Kids Watch Her Movie Debut

Despite Kelly Clarkson’s starring turn in From Justin to Kelly, her children won’t be able to watch their mom’s silver screen debut. “Well, it’s an Oscar-worthy number, and it’s called From Justin to Kelly,” Clarkson, 44, quipped during her final Las Vegas concert on Saturday, August 15, after noticing a fan’s Etsy-made shirt inspired by the flick. “Two words: Contractually obligated.” As Clarkson said “obligated,” she held up her middle finger in front of the crowd. Fresh off her American Idol season 1 victory, Clarkson and runner-up Justin Guarini costarred in the 2003 musical comedy about two college students who meet on spring break. “It’s hard, you know?” she added on Saturday, before a concertgoer chimed in to praise the film. “It’s not, you’re watching it with loving eyes. It’s s***.” Clarkson further recalled how she ended up in tears the first time she watched From Justin to Kelly on screen. “Man, read the f***ing fine print, you know,” the pop star joked. “I didn’t know that if you won, you had to do a movie. Not all of us want to be Meryl Streep, we just like watching her, OK? I was like, ‘I don’t want to be in a movie,’ but they were like, ‘Yeah, but you won.’ And I was like, ‘And I feel like I’m losing? It doesn’t feel quite like a win.’” https://www.instagram.com/p/DcGyEiQBM9b/ Clarkson explained why it was “so hard” to film the musical flick in the midst of her valid hesitations. “I respect actors so much because that’s what they do, even after [hosting] a talk show,” she said, referring to her now-wrapped The Kelly Clarkson Show. “It’s insane, like, how much rejection they get. They keep going, and it’s just insane. It’s such a cool thing I love, it was not what I wanted to do.” While Clarkson noted that she enjoyed the From Justin to Kelly dance scenes, she has no intention of allowing daughter River Rose, 12, and son Remington, 10, to watch the footage. (Clarkson shared her two children with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, who died in 2025 after a private cancer battle.) “It is funny though, like, my kids, I’ve banned them from watching,” Clarkson stated. “My nanny’s, like, ‘I loved that movie when it came out.’ I was like, ‘And I judge you — all day, all night. I’m just kidding.” Even so, Clarkson still holds fond memories of her time on the From Justin to Kelly set. “I will say this about that: I got to work with Tommy Sims. … Justin and I really liked the producer. Working with him was incredible,” Clarkson gushed of the musician, 65, who cowrote the flick. “The music part, that was fun. See? You gotta find the positive, motherf***ers, you know? Turn that s*** into lemonade … and cry yourself to sleep.”

Aug 16, 2026
High School Soccer Match Turns Violent: Calls for Lifetime Ban Grow

High School Soccer Match Turns Violent: Calls for Lifetime Ban Grow

A South Dakota high school soccer player went viral for all the wrong reasons, kicking and repeatedly punching his opponent in the head on Friday, resulting in calls for a lifetime ban.The incident between Rapid City Central’s Jaxson Bergman and Brookings’ Kyle Soost occurred just before halftime of a match on Friday as the two fought for the ball.Bergman shoved Soost to the ground after the latter got ahead of him, and instead of chasing the ball, attacked Soost. Bergman kicked him in the back of the head, then punched him five times in the head. Caylon Peters, one of Soost’s teammates, then came in and threw some punches at Bergman before the play was broken up.Rapid City Central’s Jaxson Bergman (r.) dribbles against Brookings’ Kyle Soost. Youtube/Bobcats LiveRapid City Central’s Jaxson Bergman (r.) shoves Brookings’ Kyle Soost. Youtube/Bobcats LiveA coach escorted Bergman away from the field and he reportedly did not return to the match, which was suspended for 10 minutes before order resumed, according to Matt Kerney, a South Dakota preps reporter who posted video of the incident on X.Many on social media are calling for Bergman to suffer a lifetime ban from playing soccer.“Banned for life and get the police involved,” one commenter wrote. “This kid needs time in a box to think about his life.”“That kid in the white jersey should not ever play at his school again,” said another. “What a loser.”Rapid City Central’s Jaxson Bergman (r.) kicks Brookings’ Kyle Soost in the head. Youtube/Bobcats LiveRapid City Central’s Jaxson Bergman punches Brookings’ Kyle Soost in the head. Youtube/Bobcats Live“Kicked him in the back of his head,” a third said. “Geniunely ban that kid from playing.”Whether such punishment will ultimately come to fruition is unclear. As of now, nothing has been announced publicly as far as ramifications.

Aug 16, 2026
Emily Gallagher Sparks Outrage with Shoplifting Remarks

Emily Gallagher Sparks Outrage with Shoplifting Remarks

It’s her ‘steal’ of approval.A Brooklyn socialist lawmaker declared this week that shoplifters have a right to swipe items like soap and toothpaste from local stores without getting busted — because of their “biological need” for the products.State Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher strongly suggested shoplifting should be legalized while joined at a news conference outside Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday by other lefty pols and criminal justice advocates with Court Watch NYC. The group claimed it monitored 360 arraignments over four days and found more than half were for misdemeanor offenses.“Most of what we saw were crimes of poverty-people who are stealing things like toothpaste, people who were stealing things like, you know, soap. And that means if you’re stealing those things, you need them,” said Gallagher, who reps Greenpoint and other sections of woke northern Brooklyn.State Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher joins criminal justice advocates with Court Watch NYC at a news conference on Thursday. EmilyAssembly/X“And we are choosing to protect billion-dollar companies, like CVS and Walgreens, over the people who are struggling to get by. So I would say that the true crime is that there is such incredible wealth disparity in this city that there are people who can be thrown in jail simply for having a biological need.”The card-carrying member of the Democratic Socialists of America said she would continue to push for “treatment-not-jail” punishments – all but ignoring that first-time shoplifting offenders rarely get jailtime and that lack of enforcement pushed by lefty pols like herself statewide has forced many drugstores to lock products in plastic cases.She and other pols at the event also called on fellow socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani to follow through on his campaign promise to end “broken windows policing” tactics by NYPD cops that target quality-of-life crimes like graffiti and fare evasion. Shoppers on Saturday at Food Universal supermarket in The Bronx’s Co-op City told The Post they were aghast over Gallagher’s remarks, which give license to stealing and drive up costs for law-abiding customers“It’s foolish to think one should not be punished for stealing. It is a crime,” said Rev. Susan Webb, 68. Two shoplifters work together to stuff meat into a backpack at the Pioneer store in The Bronx, NY. Obtained by the New York Post“Mamdani can implement that in his [city-run grocery] stores, so if you don’t have the necessities, you can go there and get them for free.”Sanctioning retail theft will also drive up crime stats, which as of Aug. 9 show retail theft down 14.7% and petit larceny is down 5.4%, compared to last year at this time, according to the NYPD.Jeanette Mack, a 49-year-old academic adviser, agreed, saying Gallagher and other far-left pol’s soft-on-crime policies are “ridiculous” because “they are enabling [shoplifters] instead of helping them.”“People are going to feel entitled because they know they can walk in and walk out and nothing will happen,” she said. NYPD officers arrest a man for shoplifting from a Target on April 11, 2024 in New York City. Matthew McDermott“Allowing people to shoplift with no consequence is wrong. I’m a single mom and at one time I had four jobs. I would never think of stealing anything.“They already closed a Rite Aid [drug store] around here.  Now I’m worried that if they put that in place, they are definitely going to close this supermarket, and I would suffer because I’d have to drive to somewhere else instead of walking. And gas price nowadays, that’s another thing.”Edwin Pichado, 33, a manager for the supermarket, said Gallagher is living in a fantasy world.“Rent is high.” he said. “You have to pay workers, utilities. Goods going out, but no money coming in. We cannot run a business like that. If they see that you do nothing, they’ll keep coming back. They tell their friends, and it becomes a free for all.”Gallagher has a long history of bizarre actions and remarks since being sworn into the state in Assembly in January 2021, including using a GoFundMe campaign in October 2021 to raise money for her cat Roland’s emergency surgery bill. She’s also racked up dozens of traffic and parking tickets despite pushing an anti-car agenda in Albany. And she has allegedly blocked constituents from posting comments she doesn’t like on her social media pages.New York Representative Emily Gallagher attends a Veteran’s Day event at Memorial Gore Park in Brooklyn on November 11, 2025. Gabriella Bass For NY PostIn 2024 Gallagher attended an anti-Israel phone bank sponsored by the New Jersey chapter of American Muslims for Palestine, whose leaders have espoused vile antisemitic rhetoric and are under investigation by Virginia’s attorney general for potentially funding terrorists.Her bizarre behavior started long before she was elected to office.In 2003, while she was still a student at Ithaca College, she boasted about her immature antics — including mooning a couple she spied having sex, not to mention throwing a “homeless party” — in an online journal that came to light during her 2020 campaign where she defeated longtime Democratic incumbent Joe Lentol. Critics scorched Gallagher’s latest remarks.A CVS Pharmacy employee unlocks a refrigerator to access an energy drink for a customer on August 9, 2023, in Queens, New York. UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images“People like Emily Gallagher try to obfuscate reality because they want to enable this very activity,” Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (R-Queens) wrote on X.“They know it’s devastating to retail stores and that’s the point — they’re communists and want to use crime to force these stores to close. It’s social justice.”“Soon enough we’ll be hearing about the need for government-run drug stores to replace the shops they drove out of business,” she added.”A store manager and a shoplifter square off and shove each other at the Food Universe Marketplace at in New York, New York. Obtained by the NY PostFormer Queens Councilman Robert Holden was even more blunt.“[Gallagher] is a major dope,” wrote the moderate Democrat.Gallagher did not return a request for comment by The Post.Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens) told The Post that Gotham businesses are already struggling to keep their lights on — and politicians “now advocating for thievery is going to push even more of them to close shop.”“This is the kind of backwards, left-wing lunacy I would expect from someone who values the rights of criminals more than those of business owners,” she said. “Policies that Gallagher is pushing are exactly what’s driving so many of them away.”

Aug 16, 2026