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Tag: partner

  • More couples are ditching joint bank accounts, and experts see a benefit

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    First comes love, then marriage, and then separate bank accounts.

    The days of “what’s yours is mine” may be behind us as more and more couples move toward keeping their personal finances personal.

    According to 2023 data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Income and Program Participation, the share of couples without any joint bank accounts rose by more than half, from 15% in 1996 to 23% in 2023. Meanwhile, the share of couples with joint bank accounts has declined, though the practice remains common.

    Marrying later in life, after finances have already been established, may be one reason fewer couples are combining accounts, the survey said.

    A more recent survey from Bankrate underscores this, finding that fewer than 2 in 5 American couples (38%) completely combine their finances, and about 1 in 4 (26%) keep their financial accounts completely separate. The remaining 36% have a mix of joint and separate accounts.

    Read more: Should unmarried couples have joint bank accounts?

    Experts say these kinds of boundaries aren’t necessarily about shutting your partner out. It’s more about protecting your personal security within your relationship.

    “Many couples choose to keep some or all of their finances separate to preserve autonomy or reduce conflict,” said Kimberly Miller, lawyer, marriage, and family therapist, CFP®, CDFA®, and founder of PartWise, a divorce education platform. “This approach can feel especially practical for partners who entered the relationship with assets or debts, substantially different incomes, or children.”

    Some couples may also choose to keep their finances separate if one or both partners have experienced financial control or instability.

    Miller notes that separate or hybrid financial arrangements are especially prominent among younger generations, who favor independence over shared finances, as well as among some older generations, who may be in their second or third marriages and tend to prioritize personal asset protection.

    However, keeping your finances separate can also come with emotional downsides — and potential tax implications.

    “Clarity, openness, and fewer financial disputes are some advantages. It can hold each partner responsible for spending habits and make budgeting easier,” said Jenny Bradley, a board-certified family law specialist, author, certified mediator, and the founder of Triangle Smart Divorce in North Carolina. “But if there is no mutual understanding, it can bring about suspicion or estrangement. If a couple is overly strict about their separation, they may also lose out on some of the monetary benefits of combining resources, such as pooled investments or tax breaks.”

    In 2025, Married Filing Separately taxpayers get a standard deduction of $15,750. However, couples who file jointly get a standard deduction of $31,500, which is up from $14,600 and $29,200, respectively, in 2024. Filing jointly also raises certain income thresholds so that you can still qualify for tax breaks you may not have qualified for as a single filer.

    Read more: Tax brackets and rates for 2025-2026

    Your finances don’t have to be completely joint or completely separate. In fact, most partners strike the perfect balance somewhere in the middle. However, in order to do that, you’ll need to have open and honest communication with your significant other about how you envision your financial relationship with them.

    As your relationship and your finances evolve over time, your decision to keep things joint or separate could change, which is why it’s important to keep the lines of communication open and check in with each other frequently to make sure that your current arrangement is still the best fit.

    If you tackle these conversations early on in your relationship, you can set clear boundaries and come up with an arrangement that you’ll both be happy with.

    “Money conversations should begin early, ideally before major commitments like living together, marriage, or having children,” said Miller. “Ongoing financial communication and goal setting also make sense. Setting financial parameters in a relationship works best when couples start with shared financial goals, agree on what expenses are joint versus individual, and document decisions in writing, even though that may not be protected in divorce.”

    As you’re approaching these conversations with your partner, it’s also important to keep in mind that your partner’s approach to money is rarely arbitrary. Their financial decisions and habits are likely influenced by a number of factors, including their upbringing and culture.

    “Seeing financial volatility as a child may make someone more cautious and want to keep money separate,” Bradley said. “Others may organically merge if they were raised in houses where money was shared. Knowing each partner’s past helps develop a strategy that benefits both parties.”

    If you’re embarking on this financial journey with your partner and aren’t sure how you want to proceed, there are a few steps you can take to come up with the right arrangement.

    • Come to the table with your financial facts: Knowing your partner’s financial situation, including debts, assets, spending habits, and financial values, can help you level set and pinpoint the areas where you are most aligned. This is also an opportunity to ask questions and better understand your partner and their money philosophy — and for them to do the same.

    • Be honest about any emotional feelings this process can stir up: As you’re having these conversations with your partner, be honest about how the process is making you feel. Not disclosing your feelings can create a barrier between the two of you and could lead you to make choices that aren’t necessarily aligned with what you want.

    • Decide what’s absolutely a joint expense or goal: Splitting up your goals and expenses into “yours, mine, ours” columns can help you see your shared financial picture from an aerial view and understand how your money works together. This can help you determine if a joint financial situation is appropriate or if keeping things separate — or at least partially separate — makes the most sense. For example, if one partner has student loans on an income-driven repayment plan, maintaining some financial separation — particularly around tax filing and income reporting — can help protect the other partner from taking on that debt and may prevent monthly payments from increasing due to a higher combined household income.

    • Set up regular check-ins: Your finances can and will change. As such, you’ll want to keep things flexible, check in with your partner periodically, and be open to your arrangement changing to better accommodate your finances and goals.

    Read more: 4 common mistakes couples make that lead to divorce (and how to avoid them)

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  • Before & After: An Honest Review Of Sunlighten’s RED Light Therapy Mask

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    One of the most intriguing developments in skin care over the past decade is light therapy. While it can feel like the “trend” appeared overnight, light therapy has actually been researched for decades and used by organizations like NASA, in clinical medical settings, and in dermatology practices long before it entered the mainstream beauty conversation.

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  • Not Sure Your Multivitamin Is Working? 3 Ways It Could Be Missing The Mark

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    Branded Content Editor

    January 13, 2026

    Modern eating patterns make “getting everything from food” unrealistic. Processed meals, depleted soil, and low-bioavailability mean many of us fall short of our nutrition goals. Yes, even with a solid diet. 

    It’s no surprise that half of Americans lean on a multivitamin to help cover gaps. 

    The problem is that most multis aren’t designed for how your body and microbiome actually use nutrients. That’s why Seed Health—the microbiome science company trusted for its DS-01® Daily Synbiotic—set out to reinvent the multivitamin category. 

    And we got an insider’s look at their new DM-02™ Daily Multivitamin. Here’s everything you need to know about multivitamins, Seed’s new innovative formula, and how it can be a game-changer for your own nutrition.* 

    Seed

    DM-02™ Daily Multivitamin

    Not only does this multi help fill nutrient gaps, but it supports bone health, immune function, promotes healthy aging, supports hair and skin, and nails.*

    Seed

    The problem with most multis: 3 common shortcomings 

    The intention behind a multivitamin is simple: fill daily nutritional gaps. But the reality is more complicated. 

    Many formulas on the market rely on outdated science, suboptimal nutrient forms, and doses that either deliver unnecessary megadoses or fall short of meaningful daily support. This leaves real gaps in how effectively the body can absorb and use those nutrients. 

    Here’s why the traditional multivitamin model doesn’t hold up:

    1.

    Not designed with the microbiome in mind

    The body’s ability to use nutrients depends on how they are processed by the microbiome1. That’s why it’s very important that people consider the health of their microbiome. 

    Many multivitamins are not designed with the microbiome in mind. For example, the nutrients may be absorbed early in the digestive process and without consideration for what reaches the colon, which is where a majority of the gut microbiome lives. When formulas overlook this downstream phase, they miss an opportunity to support the important microbial activity that helps nutrients integrate into broader biological processes.

    2.

    Dosed without precision

    Optimal nutrition requires precision and balance. Multivitamins should provide steady, consistent intake of vitamins and minerals in thoughtful dosages that align with daily and long-term nutritional maintenance.

    3.

    Low bioavailability

    Another common issue comes down to ingredient quality. 

    Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for conventional multivitamins to use lower-quality vitamins and minerals. These can be associated with poor absorption, low bioactivity, and inefficient activation due to genetic variations, organ function, or missing cofactors.

    Seed

    DM-02™ Daily Multivitamin

    A daily multivitamin that provides 100% daily value of 20 essential vitamins and minerals—helping support immune function, healthy aging, hair, skin, nails, bones, and more.*

    Seed

    What makes DM-02™ Daily Multivitamin different

    Thoughtful nutrient coverage

    Each serving of DM-02™ Daily Multivitamin contains 100% of your daily value for 20 essential vitamins and minerals. It is designed for steady, long-term nourishment.*

    No megadoses or fairy dusting, the formula focuses on the kind of daily nutrient coverage that helps your systems run smoothly over time—supporting healthy metabolic energy systems, resilient immunity, and cellular health.* 

    Support for you and your microbes

    The trillions of microbes living in your gut play a key role in how vitamins and minerals are absorbed and put to use. Given Seed Health is pioneers in gut health, it’s no wonder they made a multivitamin with your gut microbiome in mind. 

    Its 2-in-1 design, made with Seed’s proprietary ViaCap® capsule-in-capsule technology, delivers nutrients to both you and your microbiome. The outer capsule releases bioavailable vitamins and minerals in the upper GI tract, while the inner capsule delivers key nutrients to the colon, to help gut microbes perform essential functions for overall health*†

    Smart, specific bioavailable forms

    • Methylfolate instead of folic acid: Many people have a common genetic variation (MTHFR) that makes it harder to convert folic acid into its active form. Methylfolate (L-5-MTHF) skips that step, supporting DNA synthesis, cellular health, and healthy mood balance.*
    • Vitamin D3 from algae: Unlike the common D2 (ergocalciferol) form, D3 (cholecalciferol) is the same type produced by your skin from sunlight. This means it maintains optimal vitamin D levels more effectively.* And the algae-derived version in DM-02™ is plant-based and sustainable (as opposed to the most common source, which is sheep wool-derived lanolin).
    • Chelated minerals: Minerals like zinc, magnesium, and copper are bound to amino acids, which can support efficient mineral transport and tolerability.* 

    This means the nutrients you’re taking are in forms your body can immediately put to work.

    Extra support that goes beyond the basics 

    As you can see, this is not your standard multi. Seed Health takes it a step further by incorporating targeted nutrients that also support cellular processes and healthy aging.* 

    For example, Cellular Energy Complex includes CoQ10, PQQ, spermidine, Japanese wasabi root, and quercetin. These nutrients help protect cells, encourage cellular energy, and support healthy aging.* 

    How DM-02™ Daily Multivitamin fits into your routine

    Think of DM-02™ Daily Multivitamin as your daily nutritional baseline. It’s the steady foundation that makes every other healthy habit more effective. 

    Here’s how to make the most of it:

    • Take it with food. One capsule a day is all you need. Pair it with your main meal (especially one that includes healthy fats like olive oil or avocado) to help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
    • Stack it with DS-01® Daily Synbiotic. Together, they form a comprehensive inside-out system: DS-01® Daily Synbiotic seeds your gut by replenishing it with 24 diverse probiotic strains and a prebiotic, addressing the root causes of daily digestive discomfort, while DM-02™ Daily Multivitamin feeds your gut by fulfilling 100% daily value of the micronutrient needs of both your body and your microbiome.
    • Keep your basics strong. Hydration, movement, and stress management help you thrive—especially when your micronutrient needs are met.
    • Stay consistent. Vitamins and minerals work cumulatively, not overnight. Take DM-02™ Daily Multivitamin daily to replenish your body and microbiome with essential nutrients to support systemic health over time.

    Trust us: Small, daily rituals—anchored by smart nutrition—add up.

    The takeaway

    With bioavailable nutrients, precision dosing, and microbiome-informed design, DM-02™ Daily Multivitamin delivers steady, intelligent nourishment that supports overall well-being from the inside out.* Consider it a new standard of nutritional support.

    Seed

    DM-02™ Daily Multivitamin

    DM-02™ takes the guesswork out of your multivitamin. It’s formulated with 20 essential vitamins and minerals to help precisely meet your body’s nutritional needs.*

    Seed

    *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
    † Based on laboratory studies using a simulated digestion and GI system, with ViaCap® capsules containing other ingredients. Results may not translate to these same effects in people.

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  • I Tested eXciteOSA With Sleep Apnea — My Honest Results

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    Earlier this year, I was having trouble sleeping. I couldn’t fall asleep, stay asleep and woke up tired everyday almost as if I never went to bed in the first place. I tried taking melatonin supplements, doing mindfulness meditations, not going on my phone before bed. But I still couldn’t sleep.

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  • Want To Feel Your Best In 2026? 10 Winter Well-Being Essentials That Can Help

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    Winter can be tough on your body, energy, and mood—from stiff lower backs after too many cozy hours on the couch to dry skin, sluggish afternoons, and restless nights. This season calls for tools, treats, and little wellness hacks that make it easier to feel good, stay energized, and keep moving, no matter the weather.

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  • Who do you celebrate Christmas with? Marriage counselor’s advice to new couples making holiday plans – WTOP News

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    Rachel Dack, a licensed clinical professional relationship counselor based in Bethesda, Maryland said it starts with communication with your partner about what the ideal holiday season looks like.

    Many new couples face a challenge in the holiday season — figuring out how to split time between their own family and their partner’s.

    Rachel Dack, a licensed clinical professional relationship counselor based in Bethesda, Maryland, said it starts with communication with your partner about what the ideal holiday season looks like.

    “Think about your relationship or your marriage as a clean slate, and then try to integrate whatever you want to bring in, and then also develop new holiday traditions as a couple,” Dack said.

    That could look like merging past traditions and coming up with new ones.

    “Digging deep and reflecting around what are your own values and what’s the meaning that you want to give to the holidays as a couple,” she said.

    Even if there’s pressure from your families, she said to try to stay on the same page.

    “Without sounding totally cold, and only coming from a place of being completely realistic, you are not responsible for everyone else’s feelings or holiday joy,” Dack said. “It’s going to be impossible to please everybody.”

    Depending on the couple’s circumstances, hitting two homes in one day could do the trick, or rotating celebrations of Thanksgiving and winter holidays between sides of the family.

    “If somebody is trying to keep score down to the second, that’s not going to work for anybody,” Dack said.

    But sometimes, it could mean celebrating just the two of you.

    “There’s a difference between spending time with your family or your partner’s family because it’s important to you and to each other, and not just doing that because it’s what’s been done before or it’s important to your extended family,” she said.

    Outside of geographical constraints, Dack said to think about family dynamics, such as divorces, deaths or other factors that could play into holiday plans. When opening a conversation with your partner about holiday plans, she said to avoid talking negatively about their family.

    “If you feel like the conversation is getting tense or your partner’s not listening or being defensive, then I think it’s important to acknowledge that for both of you, there’s compromise that goes into this, and it’s not going to look the same,” she said.

    Whatever game plan is strategized, Dack said you should handle telling your own parents.

    “It’s easy for families to paint the partner as the bad guy,” Dack said.

    And when you break the news, she said to have a delicate and loving conversation with your family.

    “Also validate that it’s hard for your parents not to see you on a certain holiday that you’ve always been together,” she said.

    She recommended sharing your holiday plans well in advance.

    “Don’t keep everybody hanging and feeling anxious to the last minute,” Dack said. “Make the plans in advance. If you’re going to travel, where are you going to stay? How long are you staying?”

    It’s also normal to have growing pains when spending the holiday away from home.

    “As excited as you are to spend a holiday with a partner, and a partner’s family, you might feel kind of sad about missing it with your own family,” she said. “Just know that that’s OK. But if you can focus on each other and making these new memories and shared experiences with your partner, I think it will also feel better.”

    Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Jessica Kronzer

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  • The Parenting Diaries: The mindbodygreen Guide to Everyday Immunity Support

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    An 8-ounce serving of 100% orange juice delivers nearly a full day’s worth of vitamin C, and is also a good source of potassium and folate to support steady energy and healthy immune function.

    “Vitamin C is often recognized as the ‘immune-supporting’ vitamin and for good reason. Vitamin C works to strengthen our immune system by protecting, promoting the production, and supporting the function of immune cells,” says Colleen Sloan, PA, RDN, LDN, a physician assistant and registered dietitian who supports pediatric patients and their families. 

    And when that glass is paired with a healthy, robust breakfast it can help keep the whole body balanced, blood sugar included. “Enjoying a glass of 100% orange juice with a source of protein, fiber-rich foods, and healthy fats to help create a more balanced plate,” she says. “Plus, research suggests that hesperidin, a natural plant compound in 100% OJ, may play a role in moderating blood sugar after meals.”

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  • Here’s What You’ll Want To Wear On Your Next Outdoor Escape

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  • 5 Reasons Runners Are Switching To Natural Fit Shoes

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    Upgrade your run for lifelong health. Discover how the Altra Experience Flow 2’s natural fit and low drop support better form and enhance your longevity.

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  • Why We’re All About Magnesium Stacking Right Now

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    When it comes to building lasting wellness, the smartest strategy isn’t adding more steps to your routine. It’s adding more to the steps you’re already doing. That’s the power of habit stacking: Strategically combining proven modalities to amplify your results. 

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  • Sea otter steals surfer’s board in Santa Cruz; woman uninjured

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    Stop me if you’ve heard this before: a sea otter stole a surfboard in the waters off Santa Cruz. It happened on Wednesday, when calls for a water rescue came in for the area of 550 West Cliff Drive.Santa Cruz firefighters told KCRA 3’s partners at KSBW 8 that a sea otter took a woman’s surfboard around 5:07 p.m. and may have nipped at her, but did not break the skin. Firefighters pulled her to shore.They said she was uninjured, and they later recovered her board from the otter. She did not have to be transported to the hospital.The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be notified.This comes two years after Otter 841 captured national attention for stealing surfboards, inspiring merchandise—and even an ice cream flavor—named after her.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    Stop me if you’ve heard this before: a sea otter stole a surfboard in the waters off Santa Cruz.

    It happened on Wednesday, when calls for a water rescue came in for the area of 550 West Cliff Drive.

    Mark Woodward / @Native Santa Cruz

    Santa Cruz firefighters told KCRA 3’s partners at KSBW 8 that a sea otter took a woman’s surfboard around 5:07 p.m. and may have nipped at her, but did not break the skin. Firefighters pulled her to shore.

    They said she was uninjured, and they later recovered her board from the otter. She did not have to be transported to the hospital.

    The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be notified.

    This comes two years after Otter 841 captured national attention for stealing surfboards, inspiring merchandise—and even an ice cream flavor—named after her.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Those closest to Tyler Robinson made horrifying discoveries in hours after Charlie Kirk killing, authorities say

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    In the frantic hours after political activist Charlie Kirk was killed by a sniper at a Utah university, those closest to the alleged shooter began making wrenching discoveries, authorities said.

    In charging Tyler Robinson, 22, authorities revealed new details about the hours after the shooting and how they led to the arrest. Robinson was charged with seven counts, including one count of aggravated murder and two counts of obstruction of justice, for allegedly hiding the rifle used in the killing and disposing of his clothes, said Utah County Atty. Jeffrey Gray. He is also facing two counts of witness tampering after he allegedly instructed his roommate to delete incriminating texts, and asking them not to talk to investigators if they were questioned by authorities.

    Kirk, 31, was an influential figure in conservative and right-wing circles, winning praise for his views on heated topics, including abortion, immigration and gender identity. His death by a single gunshot during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University last week shocked the nation and has led to vigorous debate over the motivations of his accused killer.

    Text exchanges

    Gray also provided details of a text exchange between Robinson and his roommate, a person transitioning to female with whom he was romantically involved, in which Robinson apparently confessed to the killing.

    According to the exchange detailed in charging documents, Robinson’s partner appeared to have no knowledge that Robinson had taken a rifle and had planned the shooting for about a week.

    After the shooting, authorities say, Robinson allegedly texted the partner to say: “Drop what you’re doing, look under my keyboard.” The roommate found a message that read: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”

    “What??????????????” the roommate responded to Robinson in a text message. “You’re joking, right????”

    Robinson appears to confess to the killing in the text messages, and describes details of the shooting as he allegedly tried to evade authorities.

    “You weren’t the one who did it, right?” the roommate texted Robinson after the shooting, according to Gray.

    “I am, I’m sorry,” Robinson responded, according to court filings.

    While local and federal officials searched for the gunman, Gray said, Robinson allegedly texted his partner, explaining his decision to kill Kirk.

    “Why?” his partner, who was not identified by Gray, texted Robinson.

    “Why did I do it?” Robinson responded.

    “Yeah,” the roommate replied, according to Gray.

    “I had enough of his hatred,” Robinson allegedly replied. “Some hate can’t be negotiated.”

    Parents’ suspicions

    It took nearly a day before officials released grainy photos of the suspect.

    Gray said authorities were led to Robinson by his parents, including his mother who first recognized him from pictures that were released to the public of the suspected shooter. She then showed the images to her husband, who agreed the person looked like their son, according to Gray.

    Robinson’s mother told investigators that in the last year, her son had “become more political and had started to lean more to the left, becoming more pro-gay and trans-rights oriented,” Gray said.

    Robinson had also spoken to his parents about Kirk visiting the Utah campus, and had accused Kirk of “spreading hate,” Gray said.

    When his parents confronted him, Robinson admitted to the killing and said he was thinking of killing himself, Gray said.

    “Robinson implied he was the shooter and didn’t want to go to jail,” Gray said. “When asked why he did it, Robinson explained, ‘There’s too much evil, and the guy,’ referring to Kirk, ‘spreads too much hate.’”

    Discord chat

    The Washington Post reported earlier this week that Robinson appear to confess to members of a Discord chat group two hours before he was arrested.

    Citing a source, the Post quoted the message this way: “Hey guys, I have bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday. im sorry for all of this.”

    The Post said he was arrested soon after.

    Agents are also interviewing people who interacted with the suspect online, FBI Director Kash Patel said.

    That includes a Discord chat that seems to have involved more than 20 people after the shooting.

    “We’re running them all down,” Patel said.

    The weapon

    The rifle, Gray said, had apparently been given to Robinson by his father as a gift. According to text exchanges with his roommate, the rifle had belonged to his grandfather at one point, and Robinson seemed concerned he would be unable to retrieve it.

    “I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back grandpas rifle,” Robinson texted. “How the f— will I explain losing it to my old man…”

    Suspicious that his son was involved in the shooting, his father asked Robinson to send a picture of the rifle, but his son didn’t reply, according to Gray.

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    Richard Winton, Salvador Hernandez

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  • Prosecutors will seek death penalty for suspect in killing of Charlie Kirk

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    Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old man accused of killing Charlie Kirk with a single shot at Utah Valley University, officials announced Tuesday.

    “I do not take this decision lightly,” Utah County Atty. Jeffrey Gray said during a news conference. “It’s a decision I made independently as county attorney.”

    Robinson has been charged with seven counts, Gray said, including one count of aggravated murder and two counts of obstruction of justice, for allegedly hiding the rifle used in the killing and disposing of his clothes.

    • Share via

    Robinson is also facing two counts of witness tampering after he allegedly instructed his roommate to delete incriminating texts, and asking them not to talk to investigators if they were questioned by authorities.

    Kirk, 31, was an influential figure in conservative and right-wing circles, winning praise for his views on heated topics, including abortion, immigration and gender identity.

    His death by a single gunshot during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University shocked the nation and has led to vigorous debate over the motivations of his accused killer.

    The FBI said it collected a screwdriver containing Robinson’s DNA on the rooftop of a building at Utah Valley University and a firearm wrapped in a towel that had been discarded in a nearby wooded area. The towel also had Robinson’s DNA on it, FBI Director Kash Patel said, adding that the firearm was still being processed for forensic evidence.

    As Robinson was set to appear in court for the first time, Patel appeared before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, where he faced harsh questioning and criticism over his handling of the agency and the immediate investigation into Kirk’s killing.

    Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the top Democrat on the committee, accused Patel of releasing incorrect information about the shooting in order to take credit for the arrest.

    “Director Patel again sparked mass confusion by incorrectly claiming on social media that the shooter was in custody — which he then had to walk back with another social media post,” Durbin said in his opening remarks. “Mr. Patel was so anxious to take credit for finding Mr. Kirk’s assassin that he violated one of the basics of effective law enforcement: at critical stages of an investigation, shut up and let the professionals do their job.”

    But Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) defended Patel’s handling of the Kirk probe.

    “I’ve seen no reason for the armchair quarterbacks to be criticizing his performance,” Cornyn said. “I mean, it took roughly 33 hours to arrest the killer. And you know, there’s always a certain fog that goes along with emergency situations like this. So I know initially they thought they had their man, but turned out not.”

    During the hearing, Patel said investigators had interviewed numerous people tied to Robinson, including relatives, friends and his partner.

    Patel confirmed Robinson’s partner was transitioning from male to female.

    He added that the source and reasoning behind engravings on the shell casings is still under investigation.

    Officials are still examining whether “anyone was involved as an accomplice.”

    Agents are also interviewing people who interacted with the suspect online, Patel said.

    That includes a Discord chat that seems to have involved more than 20 people moments after the shooting.

    “We’re running them all down,” Patel said.

    The FBI, he said, is “going to be investigating anyone and everyone involved in that Discord chat.”

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    Salvador Hernandez, Richard Winton

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  • The New Era of Women’s Gut Care: Why Diversity Is the Key to a Thriving Microbiome

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    As science evolves, so does our understanding of how to take better care of ourselves. Nowhere is this more evident than in the gut microbiome: We now know this complex community of organisms is at its best when it’s rich in diversity, with many different species contributing to overall health. 

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  • Man kills his partner, her friend in Orlando shooting, police say

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    Two women are dead after a domestic-related shooting Sunday night in Orlando, the city’s police department said. >> Video above is earlier reportingIt happened at 5 p.m. at Village Springs apartment complex on Cinderlane Parkway north of Lake Orlando. When officers arrived, they found two female victims with gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where they later died, Orlando police said. “Preliminary investigation indicates one of the victims found at the scene was in a relationship with the suspect,” OPD said. “The second victim was a friend of the deceased.”The suspect, Eliette De Jesus Marquez, fled the scene on foot but was eventually charged with two counts of first-degree murder.>> This is a developing story and will be updated

    Two women are dead after a domestic-related shooting Sunday night in Orlando, the city’s police department said.

    >> Video above is earlier reporting

    It happened at 5 p.m. at Village Springs apartment complex on Cinderlane Parkway north of Lake Orlando.

    When officers arrived, they found two female victims with gunshot wounds.

    Both victims were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where they later died, Orlando police said.

    “Preliminary investigation indicates one of the victims found at the scene was in a relationship with the suspect,” OPD said. “The second victim was a friend of the deceased.”

    The suspect, Eliette De Jesus Marquez, fled the scene on foot but was eventually charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

    >> This is a developing story and will be updated

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  • This Daily Routine Helps Keep Stress at Bay so You’re Ready for Anything

    This Daily Routine Helps Keep Stress at Bay so You’re Ready for Anything

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    Before you crawl into bed, set time aside for something that brings you joy and relieves tension. A few to consider from the mindbodygreen team: A simple yoga-inspired stretch, a warm shower, a pampering skin care routine, listening to your favorite playlist (see above), reading an engaging novel, or giving yourself a short hand or scalp massage. 

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  • Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and Daisies Partner on a Pickle Pastry Called ‘Dill-Co’

    Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and Daisies Partner on a Pickle Pastry Called ‘Dill-Co’

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    Concertgoers love an encore. Daisies set a standard in January with its croissant collaboration with Wieners Circle, as the Logan Square pasta power created a croissant filled with the familiar toppings of a Chicago hot dog. Partner and pastry chef Leigh Omilinsky has since teamed with the Chicago Blackhawks on a limited-time offering.

    Daisies found an unlikely collaborator with Wilco, the Chicago-based alt-country band passionate about supporting small businesses. Starting on Friday, September 20 Daisies will sell a limited edition croissant that celebrates the band’s 30th anniversary and all things pickles. Tweedy and Omilinsky take Wilco fans on a nostalgic journey on social media using song references while Tweedy provides his rationale.

    “Every song I’ve ever written is about pickles,” Tweedy deadpans in an Instagram video posted on Wednesday, September 18 announcing the croissant.

    While the Daisies/Wieners Circle croissant included a pickle, nothing matches the pickled prowess of Daisies’ newest creation, called Dill-Co. The croissant will be available for a limited time and launch in conjunction with Tweedy’s upcoming appearance on Saturday, September 21 at Navy Pier, part of Chicago Live!, a free festival featuring more than 100 performances. Sales from the croissant will benefit the former Lakeview Pantry, now known as Nourishing Hope.

    Daisies has long celebrated pickling and fermenting techniques in its food and drink, so pickles weren’t an odd request for Omilinsky. While the world of pickles is vast, Tweedy and his camp wanted pickled cucumbers. Knowing that Omilinsky needed something to hold the pastry together, and turned to Jewish delis for inspiration, opting for a dill cream cheese. She adds chopped pickles, giardiniera, dill, and dehydrated pickle powder.

    This isn’t Wilco’s first food collaboration. They also partnered with Foxtrot in 2022 as the chain produced a snack mix with the band’s branding.

    Omilinsky has spent the last few weeks at Green City Market in Lincoln Park, selling pastries on Wednesdays and Fridays. While they won’t sell the Dill-Co pastry at the farmers market, she says it wasn’t hard convincing Tweedy to collaborate: “People are pretty cool, and I think that’s a good thing to remember in this day and age,” she says. “All you have to do is ask.”

    She adds she was taken aback filming the video at the Loft, the legendary practice space turned studio. Omilinsky says Tweedy had stories for every trinket inside.

    Daisies co-owner Scott Goldstein and his brother-in-law, Dave Yakir, were again in charge of putting the video together, as their company Streeterville Productions specializes in such content. Goldstein says coming up with the pickle jokes was a challenge, but once he fixated on Wilco’s song, She’s a Jar, the floodgates opened. Goldstein was also very complimentary of Tweedy’s acting talents.

    “It’s a crime we can’t play guitar and sing as well as he can tell jokes,” Goldstein says.

    Dill-Co at Daisies, starting on Friday, September 20.

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    Ashok Selvam

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