Good Morning!

It's Wednesday, September 17, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Michigan is stepping up when it comes to baby bonuses.

• Charge your phone the right way and increase its life.

• There is a reason why you shouldn’t be sleeping with your pets!

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

US News

Kash Patel’s FBI Role Scrutinised At Capitol Hill Hearing

FBI Director Kash Patel testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, facing scrutiny over his handling of the Charlie Kirk assassination investigation in Utah. Patel confirmed that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, charged with first-degree aggravated murder, had allegedly confessed in a Discord chat and that the FBI is investigating all individuals linked to the chat. Investigators seized multiple electronic devices from Robinson and his partner and interviewed family and community members. Key takeaways.

Patel defended his earlier social media post incorrectly stating a suspect had been apprehended, saying the FBI acted to provide transparency. He also addressed the Jeffrey Epstein case, stating there is “no credible information” Epstein trafficked minors to others, while citing past limited warrants and a 2008 non-prosecution agreement as obstacles.

The hearing included tense exchanges with Democrats, including Adam Schiff and Cory Booker, over personnel changes, alleged politicization of the FBI, and the transfer of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell to a minimum-security prison. Patel denied firing staff for political reasons and reiterated the bureau’s commitment to ongoing crime investigations. He indicated federal resources may next be deployed to Miami and St. Louis as part of a broader Trump administration crime crackdown. Patel is scheduled to appear before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

World

Israel Begins Ground Offensive In Gaza

Israel launched a major ground offensive in Gaza City on Tuesday, aiming to crush Hamas’ remaining stronghold in the largest Palestinian city. Thousands of residents fled along the crowded coastal road, carrying mattresses, belongings, and children, as heavy bombardment and airstrikes pounded the city. The operation comes amid nearly two years of war that has devastated Gaza, with hospitals overwhelmed and famine declared in parts of the territory. Would this really end the war?

Israeli officials estimate 2,000-3,000 Hamas fighters remain in Gaza City, though the group’s capabilities have largely shifted to small guerrilla attacks. At least 69 Palestinians were reported killed on Tuesday alone, including dozens of children. Families of hostages held by Hamas protested outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, warning that the offensive endangers their loved ones. Are Netanyanhu and Israel operating without restraint?

The escalation coincides with a UN-commissioned report accusing Israel of committing genocide, a claim Israel rejected as “distorted and false”. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting the region, warned that the window for a negotiated ceasefire is closing. Meanwhile, tensions spread as Iranian-backed Houthis fired missiles at Israel in response to airstrikes in Yemen. Humanitarian agencies warned the conflict is pushing civilians toward catastrophic conditions.

US News

Michigan Is Stepping Up On Baby Bonuses

Michigan’s Flint has launched Rx Kids, the United States’ first community-wide unconditional cash transfer program for pregnant residents and new parents. The program provides $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 per month for a child’s first year. Researchers at Michigan State University, which runs the program, report that Rx Kids improves maternal and infant outcomes. Early studies show it reduces postpartum depression, stabilizes housing, and lowers rates of low birth weight and prematurity, saving millions in neonatal intensive care costs.

The program is open to all pregnant residents of Flint, not just low-income families. Organizers say this universal approach reduces stigma, ensures full participation, and makes administration simpler. Since its launch, 100% of eligible residents in Flint have signed up.

Rx Kids was inspired by Flint’s post-water crisis child advocacy and the success of the expanded child tax credit in reducing poverty. Program leaders hope it can be expanded nationwide. Angela Sintery, one participant, told The Guardian, the payments allowed her to buy essentials and take time off work, easing financial stress during pregnancy.

In the know

DON’T MISS

🔫 Charlie Kirk shooting suspect’s chat with partner offers insight into motive.

🔋 You’re probably charging your phone wrong, and it could be hurting its life. Stop these now!

🛡️ ChatGPT has just introduced more teen safety features, but is it enough?

🐾 Sharing a bed with your pets? How it affects your sleep and health.

📱 TikTok in the US doesn't just have one but multiple buyers.

📷 Kodak just shrunk a fun camera into a $30 keychain.

🙏 Tens of millions of people have found god — on the App Store.

🌑 ‘Dark showering’ might be the best way of fixing your bad sleeping habits.

⚖️ Trump just filed a $15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times and Penguin Random House.

🧘 Let’s settle this — can pilates really make our muscles ‘long and lean’?

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

👓 Tired of reading glasses? New study suggests eye drops may restore near vision for longsightedness, offering an easier alternative to glasses or surgery.

🪲 Kissing bugs are creeping into more US states, carrying a parasite that can trigger lifelong, sometimes fatal, heart disease. What you need to know!

🥦 Want to feel less overwhelmed? What you eat matters to build a resilient brain. Stock your plate with these nutrient-rich foods.

🚶 Skip the couch crash right after eating! Turns out your post-dinner stroll isn’t just quaint — only 10 minutes can offer wild benefits.

Decor & More

HOUSE TO HOME

🎃 Skip tacky cobwebs when decorating this Halloween. These ideas turn your home into a stylishly eerie showcase worth showing off.

🧻 Who knew tissue boxes could double as design pieces? From sculptural covers to sleek finishes, these tissue boxes deserve a spotlight instead of hiding in the corner.

🛋️ If furniture could flirt, the Poet Sofa would wink with its biomorphic shape, cinematic scale, and serious style. With these sofas, you can make sure your living rooms feel like art galleries.

🛏️ Bedrooms need more than beds, these rugs are proof that comfort underfoot is just as essential as style. You can make mornings softer and rooms infinitely more polished.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

🌟 Golden boy of Hollywood, Robert Redford, dies at 89.

🏂 Shaun White is all-smiles in his first TV interview since splitting with Nina Dobrev.

🎬 Is ‘Adolescence’ based on a real story?

🎤 Stephen Colbert takes jab on Trump after ‘Late Show’s Emmy win.

🎶 Atlanta police arrest suspect in Beyoncé’s unreleased music robbery case.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

For years, hunger has been rebranded as “food noise” to portray an alleged medical problem, fueling both the weight-loss industry and the GLP-1 boom. But hunger, rumination, and craving are also deeply human signals—part of how our bodies and spirits seek nourishment. While drugs like semaglutide can silence those cues, some users report that they also mute joy, creativity, and pleasure. Are we medicalizing hunger, or finally addressing a real barrier to health?

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” 

— Albert Einstein