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Today: June 23, 2025
Today: June 23, 2025
Sowjanya Pedada

Sowjanya Pedada

Staff Writer

Sowjanya is a passionate writer and an avid reader. She holds an MBA in Agribusiness Management and now works as a content writer with the LA Post. She loves to play with words and hopes to make a difference in the world through her narratives. Apart from writing, she is interested in reading fiction novels and doing craftwork.

Latest From Sowjanya Pedada

Health

Here's science-backed mood boosters that show immediate results

Feeling down? Science has uncovered six powerful mood boosters that won’t cost you anything and can start working today. Research from leading universities reveals these evidence-based activities can provide immediate mental health benefits without requiring major lifestyle changes.  From short walks to strategic naps, these scientifically validated approaches offer accessible options for enhancing well-being. They are backed by studies published in the Journal of Happiness Studies and other peer-reviewed publications. Studies from multiple research institutions have identified six evidence-based approaches that can boost happiness levels with minimal time and financial investment, according to research findings from mental health professionals and

Here's science-backed mood boosters that show immediate results
Lifestyle

'I Don't Deserve This': How Angelenos Cope When Their Homes Survive

The question haunts Los Angeles neighborhoods like smoke that won’t clear: ‘Why was I spared?’ As wildfires carved an arbitrary path through communities, leaving some homes standing and others in ashes, survivors find themselves grappling with an unexpected aftermath – the crushing weight of good fortune. In Altadena, where the devastation creates a stark checkerboard of loss, mental health experts are witnessing a surge in what they call survivor’s guilt, a complex psychological burden that’s proving as persistent as the smell of smoke in the air. According to the LA Times, Diana Winston, director of Mindfulness Education at the UCLA

'I Don't Deserve This': How Angelenos Cope When Their Homes Survive
Health

What experts say are the best ways to beat illness at home

As millions brace for peak virus season, winter illness prevention takes center stage in public health discussions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a surge in four major viruses—norovirus, COVID-19, influenza, and RSV—each requiring distinct prevention strategies. While avoiding all winter illnesses proves challenging, experts say understanding how these viruses spread empowers people to protect themselves and their families through simple yet effective measures. According to the CDC guidelines, these illnesses show different signs. Norovirus brings vomiting and diarrhea that lasts one to three days. COVID-19 causes fever, cough, body aches, and sometimes loss of taste or smell

What experts say are the best ways to beat illness at home
Technology|Lifestyle

Here's a list of common extension cord safety mistakes

Basic appliance safety measures could prevent thousands of house fires each year, yet many homeowners unknowingly create hazards by plugging high-powered devices into extension cords. A veteran NYC electrician explains why seven common household appliances – including popular items like space heaters and air fryers – require direct wall outlet connections to operate safely. Paul Martinez, owner of Electrified NYC, states that appliances using 1,500 watts or more must be plugged directly into wall outlets. “No extension cords whatsoever,” he warns for all such appliances. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that portable space heaters caused approximately 1,700 fires annually

Here's a list of common extension cord safety mistakes
Health

What is 'emotional sobriety' and how can you use it?

In an era where many people report feeling overwhelmed by their emotions, mental health experts are turning to an unexpected source for guidance: the addiction recovery community. A principle known as “emotional sobriety,” originally developed for substance abuse treatment, is gaining recognition as a powerful tool for anyone seeking better emotional control. The concept, first introduced in Alcoholics Anonymous programs, has evolved beyond its recovery roots into a comprehensive framework for emotional regulation. Mental health professionals now say these techniques can benefit anyone struggling with emotional management, from busy parents to stressed executives, offering a structured path to emotional stability

What is 'emotional sobriety' and how can you use it?
Local|Lifestyle

When betrayal works in our favor: New UCLA study reveals the complexity of trust

Would you trust someone who betrayed others—if it worked in your favor? New research challenges conventional wisdom about trust and betrayal, finding that people may still trust someone who has betrayed others if they personally benefit from the betrayal. The study, published in Evolution and Human Behavior by psychologists from the University of California, Los Angeles and Oklahoma State University, reveals that while people generally view betrayers as untrustworthy, they make exceptions when the betrayal works in their favor. “Making decisions about whom to trust based only on whether that person has betrayed someone else might not be the best

When betrayal works in our favor: New UCLA study reveals the complexity of trust
Local

How California is supporting residents impacted by L.A. fires

California has launched comprehensive support measures to assist residents affected by the Los Angeles fires. These measures focus on providing access to healthcare, food, water, and shelter through coordinated state and federal efforts. The California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) is leading initiatives to help vulnerable populations access critical resources, including reopening childcare facilities, senior living centers and implementing emergency healthcare measures. “Those impacted by this disaster – especially our most vulnerable residents – need our support more than ever, and we are here to help,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. He emphasized the state’s all-hands-on-deck approach to response and

How California is supporting residents impacted by L.A. fires
Crime

Man sentenced in the murders of girlfriend's grandparents

A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend’s grandparents, whose bodies were discovered buried in their backyard after their disappearance. Lucas Anthony Walker pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in the December 2022 deaths of Deborah and Larry Dutton, according to Washington County District Attorney Will Drake. According to the federal criminal complaint, Walker used a .22 caliber handgun taken from the Duttons’ garage to shoot Deborah before cutting her throat. When Larry, 73, confronted Walker after the gun jammed, Walker stabbed him multiple times in the face, chest

Man sentenced in the murders of girlfriend's grandparents
Crime

Daycare worker faces charges after allegedly slapping toddler

A daycare worker faces charges after police say she admitted to slapping a two-year-old child who had spit in her face at an Indiana childcare center. Joyce Perkins, 31, has been charged with battery on a person under 14 years old following a November 2024 incident at Kiddie Academy in Greenwood, according to Johnson County, Indiana court documents. Surveillance footage reviewed by police shows Perkins striking the toddler, investigators said in the court documents. When questioned by authorities, Perkins stated, “I had to smack him because he spit all in my face”. Police say Perkins told investigators she did not

Daycare worker faces charges after allegedly slapping toddler
Health

What the 2024 word of the year says about mental health

In a year when “brain rot” became Oxford’s word of 2024, scientists have uncovered multiple ways people can protect and enhance their mental health, from the surprising benefits of handwriting to the unexpected impact of gut bacteria on emotional well-being. The findings, published across several major research institutions, challenge conventional wisdom about brain health and offer new paths for mental wellness. Recent research suggests that lifestyle modifications could potentially prevent or delay approximately 40% of dementia cases, according to a study cited by Dr. Kevin Sheth, director of Yale University’s Center for Brain and Mind Health. “What surprised us was

What the 2024 word of the year says about mental health
Health

That "Healthy" Glass of Wine? It Could Be Raising Your Cancer Risk

Any level of alcohol consumption raises cancer risk, with even moderate drinking linked to seven types of cancer, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy warned in a landmark health advisory that challenges long-held assumptions about safe drinking levels. The advisory reveals the connection between alcohol and cancer, showing that drinking causes 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States, leading health officials to call for updated warning labels on alcohol products. Current drinking guidelines that recommend up to one drink daily for women and two for men need revision due to cancer risks within these limits,

That "Healthy" Glass of Wine? It Could Be Raising Your Cancer Risk
Health

Exploring sleep's role in alleviating traumatic memories

For millions who struggle with haunting memories, sleep may hold an unexpected key to healing. According to research published in PNAS, scientists have identified a technique that weakens traumatic memories by boosting positive ones during specific sleep phases. An international research team demonstrated that reactivating positive memories during specific sleep phases could help diminish negative memories, with potential implications for treating mental health conditions. “We found that this procedure weakened the recall of aversive memories and increased involuntary intrusions of positive memories,” the researchers wrote in their published paper. The study involved 37 participants trained to associate random words with

Exploring sleep's role in alleviating traumatic memories
Lifestyle

Research unveils hidden manipulation signs

Want to spot manipulation signs? Research suggests you might want to look at how someone stands. A study from McGill University reveals that consistently upright, expansive posture could be one of the hidden signals of a manipulative personality. The study, examining 608 young adults through five separate studies, revealed connections between sustained erect posture and personality characteristics linked to social dominance, according to a post in Psychology Today by Susan Krauss Whitbourne, professor emerita of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. McGill researchers conducted four initial studies where participants provided photographs of themselves in natural poses

Research unveils hidden manipulation signs
Travel

Avoid these common mistakes as a first-time luxury air traveler

A travel expert shares etiquette guidance for first-time premium cabin passengers who access luxury air travel through credit card rewards and airline points programs. Gilbert Ott, who flies more than 200,000 miles annually, says understanding the distinct purposes of premium cabins helps passengers navigate the experience appropriately. “First class is about indulgence,” Ott says, while business class prioritizes efficiency for sleeping and working. First and business-class travelers receive welcome gifts, multicourse meals, and private seats for lounging. While tickets aren’t cheap, credit card and airline rewards programs have made these luxurious cabins accessible for people accumulating points and miles. Ott

Avoid these common mistakes as a first-time luxury air traveler
Health

New Study Reveals Concerning Link Between Plastics and Fertility

From the water we drink to the air we breathe, microscopic plastic particles have silently invaded our daily lives, and new research suggests their impact could be more serious than previously thought, according to a University of California San Francisco review published in Environmental Science & Technology. The UCSF researchers analyzed 31 studies from 2018 to 2024, examining potential risks to digestive, reproductive, and respiratory systems. The team rated evidence quality, finding the strongest links between microplastics and both sperm quality and gut immune response. “Given the ubiquity of microplastics and the consistent, growing recognition of their existence in the

New Study Reveals Concerning Link Between Plastics and Fertility
Business

Starting a Business With Empty Pockets? Experts Share Game-Changing Strategy

Small businesses continue to drive the U.S. economy in 2025, with more than 33 million small businesses now operating nationwide and accounting for more than 99% of all U.S. firms, according to recent federal data. Business experts say launching a company without capital remains possible through strategic planning and creativity, even amid current economic conditions. “While many find the process overwhelming, especially given today’s market challenges, starting a business requires mainly determination and the right approach,” says Dr. Maria Chen, small business analyst at the National Business Research Institute. The second step is to start with available resources. While business

Starting a Business With Empty Pockets? Experts Share Game-Changing Strategy
Lifestyle

'Terrifying Months Ahead': Psychic Who Called Trump's Victory Reveals What's Next

A London-based psychic who claims to have accurately predicted COVID-19 and other major world events has shared his predictions for the remainder of 2025, including warnings of global conflict and forecasts about U.S. politics. Thirty-eight-year-old Nicolas Aujula, a hypnotherapist and self-proclaimed psychic, shared his predictions with the Daily Mail, warning that 2025 will be “a year where there is a lack of compassion in the world.” “We will see horrific acts of human evil and violence towards each other in the name of religion and nationalism,” Aujula told the Daily Mail, suggesting the possibility of World War III by mid-2025.

'Terrifying Months Ahead': Psychic Who Called Trump's Victory Reveals What's Next
Local

Updated fire safety guidelines for safe home entry after evacuation

As devastating wildfires force tens of thousands of Los Angeles residents from their homes, many evacuees face a new challenge: safely returning once the immediate fire danger passes. While the instinct may be to rush back and begin cleanup, public health and fire officials warn that hidden hazards—from toxic debris to structural damage—require careful precautions. Public health and fire officials are urging residents returning home after wildfire evacuations to take fire safety precautions when re-entering and cleaning their properties. They cite risks from toxic debris and hidden fire hazards. L.A. County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella warned that debris left

Updated fire safety guidelines for safe home entry after evacuation
Lifestyle

How accurate are digital tipping systems at restaurants?

What if that 15% tip you left at your last restaurant visit was actually closer to 23%? A viral social media post reveals how digital payment systems might quietly inflate gratuity calculations. A simple tipping glitch at restaurants could cost customers more than they realize. Instagram user @big_beau7 documented what appeared to be inflated tip calculations on a $27 bill. According to the post, when selecting a 15% tip option, the system charged $6.22 instead of the mathematically expected $4.05. The payment interface displayed standard percentage options of 15, 18, 20, and 25%.  The 18% option generated a $7.47 tip

How accurate are digital tipping systems at restaurants?
Local

New laws strengthen civil rights, education in California

California lawmakers passed laws starting in 2025 to boost civil rights and education, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said, marking a new push for change. Newsom backed the reforms. “California’s new laws tackle today’s biggest emerging challenges head-on,” he said. “Through partnership with the Legislature, we’re strengthening public safety, building more housing, and providing more resources for our communities. These practical reforms protect what matters most while creating more opportunities for all Californians.” One key law helps Holocaust survivors get back stolen items. Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, wrote AB2867. The law sets rules for finding and claiming art and property taken

New laws strengthen civil rights, education in California

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