Good Morning!

It's Friday, October 24, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• This food has a UTI link?

• Millennials are raising ‘velcro kids’.

• Tariffs could be coming for your Christmas decor.

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Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

Sports

The NBA Has A Gambling Problem

US authorities on Thursday announced more than 30 arrests in two major illegal gambling cases involving NBA figures and organized crime. Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier were among those taken into custody. Who all are the defendants named? The cases stretch back to 2019 and cover both insider sports betting and rigged poker games linked to New York’s Mafia families, including the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese clans.

In the sports betting case, prosecutors allege that NBA players, including Rozier, faked injuries or altered performance to help co-conspirators place profitable prop bets on games. At least seven games from February 2023 to March 2024 were implicated, with bets totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Former player Damon Jones and others are also accused of participating. What we know so far?

The poker scheme involved elaborate cheating technologies — including rigged shuffling machines, X-ray tables, and marked cards read through special glasses or contact lenses — to defraud victims of at least $7 million. How did it work? Billups and Jones acted as “face cards,” enticing wealthy players into the games. Authorities also cite extortion, robbery, and money laundering across multiple states. Both Rozier and Billups have been placed on leave by the NBA, which is cooperating with the investigation. Who are the other coaches accused?

Health

UTI’s Cause We Knew Nothing About

Researchers have found that contaminated meat may be an underrecognized cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs). A four-year study in Southern California revealed that nearly 1 in 5 UTIs could be traced to E. coli bacteria from chicken, turkey, pork, or beef.

UTIs affect 6 to 8 million Americans annually, and most are caused by E. coli. But until recently, the strains behind these infections were thought to come primarily from the body rather than food. The new study, published in mBio, analyzed over 2,300 positive urine samples alongside 3,300 meat samples from local grocery stores. Genetic analysis showed that many infections matched bacteria found in meat, especially poultry.

The researchers noted that low-income neighborhoods faced a 60% higher risk, potentially due to poor storage or extended display times in stores. Contamination often spreads via cross-contamination in kitchens, as bacteria on raw meat can transfer to hands, utensils, or other foods. While thoroughly cooking meat helps, experts emphasize separating raw meat from other foods and washing hands carefully. The study also recommends tighter packaging and stricter regulation to reduce contamination in stores.

Top headlines

SPILL THE NEWS

US News

Second-Longest Shutdown In US History

President Trump on Thursday called off plans to deploy federal immigration agents to San Francisco, just as personnel were gathering at a Coast Guard base in the Bay Area. Trump announced on Truth Social that the decision came after calls from friends in the region, including tech executives Jensen Huang of Nvidia and Marc Benioff of Salesforce, who praised Mayor Daniel Lurie’s progress on crime and public safety.

Lurie confirmed he spoke with Trump late on Wednesday, emphasizing the city’s post-pandemic recovery, falling crime rates, and ongoing efforts against the fentanyl crisis. Which all cities has Trump deployed guards in? He said the conversation focused solely on San Francisco, leaving the status of surrounding Bay Area cities, including Oakland, uncertain. Protests had already begun outside Coast Guard Island in Alameda, with demonstrators attempting to block vehicles and federal personnel. 

While the announcement brought relief to many San Franciscans, some local leaders remained skeptical, worried federal enforcement could still target nearby cities or return later. Lurie’s measured, behind-the-scenes approach, relying on private outreach to influential tech figures, contrasts with more confrontational strategies seen elsewhere, earning praise from some Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi. Trump left the door open for future intervention, framing the deployment as a tool to combat crime, while California officials hailed the reprieve as a rare moment of reason. 

Related Read: List of Trump’s ballroom donors includes Apple, Meta, and Amazon.

In the know

DON’T MISS

🚩 Trump’s out: An ad is to blame for the halt in trade negotiations between US and Canada. 

🏛️ Senate blocks bill to pay federal workers during the shutdown.

🧠 Can we keep that ‘joyspan’ high as we age!

🦟 Iceland was mosquito free, but that has changed. Why?

🎄 Barely Christmas? Thanks to tariffs, there is a potential shortage of decor this season. Run to the story to secure yours.

🎨 Saw the lift used in Louvre heist? A german company just created a cheeky ad on it. 

🥣 Another meal ruined — this breakfast staple is being recalled over potential salmonella outbreak.

📱 Text too much? Fix your tech neck with this four-step strengthening plan.

😨 From corrupt government officials to pollution, what do Americans fear most in 2025?

🧂 Pss, you can liberally add this ingredient to your dinners and it’s cardiologist approved.

Health & Wellness

FOR YOUR WELLBEING

🧘‍♀️ You can’t change the chaos but you can change how you feel about it. Turns out your brain’s got a built-in “vibe switch”. Here’s how to use it when life gets messy.

💉 Longevity’s hottest trend isn’t green juice, it’s N.A.D.+ infusions and celebs swear by it! Do they work, or just lighten your wallet?

🤰 Everyone’s debating Tylenol in pregnancy, from Trump to researchers. What’s the real risk? Hint: it’s complicated.

🎮 Want better focus? Researchers found a surprising way to flex your attention without leaving your couch and it involves gaming!

Fashion & Beauty

BEYOND THE MIRROR

👢 Denim who? From Paris to NYC, fashion insiders are swapping jeans for this quirky choice and knee-high boots.

💆‍♀️ Curious about RF microneedling? This treatment targets fine lines and scars. What to know before taking the plunge!

🧣 Turn your sweater dress into a fashion statement with these styling tips for the cooler months.

☕ Want skin that looks like it drank a full latte of youth? Meet the serums giving people major “I woke up like this” vibes.

Hollywood

THE FAME FRAME

🧠 Kim Kardashian reveals rare brain aneurysm diagnosis — what you should know.

🍸 Dakota Johnson loves sipping martinis while cutting her own hair.

🎥 CNN is set to air a Louvre museum jewelry heist documentary.  

👗 Kylie Jenner defends her daring Hailey Bieber wedding outfit.

🌟 Before fame, Emma Stone used a “beautiful” stage name.

Interactive

WEIGH IN

Are millennial parents raising ‘velcro kids’? Millennial parents are proudly embracing a new kind of closeness — kids who stick to them like, well, Velcro. Social media is buzzing with stories of little ones following parents everywhere (yes, even to the bathroom). Experts say the attachment can nurture emotional intelligence, but warn that constant closeness may blur boundaries. The question is, are these “Velcro kids” a sign of healthy bonding — or hovering gone too far?

“Be messy and complicated and afraid, and show up anyway.”

– Glennon Doyle