If you thought 2025 was going to be your year then think again, because a severe strain of bird flu has made its way to the United States, and you know what that means…

A patient in Louisiana has been hospitalized after contracting H5N1 bird flu, and it’s believed to be the first recorded case of such severity in the U.S. Right now there isn’t a whole lot of information regarding the patient’s symptoms or current condition, as federal officials have declined to comment, however, it is believed that the individual came into with dead birds on their property, which is how they contracted the virus.

While this isn’t the first time someone in the U.S. has contracted bird flu, this is the first instance of such a severe illness being linked to it. This is giving me flashbacks to the 2020 pandemic, and what’s even worse is the thought that TikTok might not even be around to distract us during a lockdown this time. But should we actually be worried about this strain of bird flu?

What threat does bird flu pose?

Avian influenza, or bird flu as it’s known to most, is a type of viral infection that usually spreads between birds, cows, and other animals, according to Clevelandclinic.org, though it has been known for humans to contract it in the past. Symptoms in people can range from mild to severe. The list of symptoms include: fever, muscle ache, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, and pink eye, among other things. The virus infects the upper respiratory tract, which often leads to breathing problems.

Perhaps most concerning of all is the mortality rate – it’s pretty high. Historically, roughly half of all people known to be infected with bird flu have died, although most recent cases have only been mild.

According to the CDC, the virus is widespread in wild birds and animals across the globe with there actually being 61 confirmed cases of the illness in people in the U.S. at the time of writing. The individual in Louisiana is the only severe case right now, and it’s not clear exactly what their condition is, so let’s try not to panic.

Should we be worried?

We can all when cases of COVID-19 were that low, and look how that turned out. So the question is, should we all start stocking up on toilet paper? Well, despite the virus sounding really bad, it’s not a major threat; the CDC has categorized it currently as a “low public health risk.” Unlike COVID, the virus doesn’t spread so easily; “The spread of bird flu viruses from one infected person to a close is very rare.” 

Most cases of human exposure to the virus come from with birds and cattle, so the safest way to avoid catching it is to avoid infected animals. However, the risk of catching bird flu in general is pretty low anyway, so even though it sounds like the virus can really do a number on a person, the relatively low odds of catching it in the first place mean we’re all pretty safe. So don’t worry, unless you’re RFK Jr., in which case you should probably stop drinking raw milk.

Monkeypox, also generally called Mpox, has recently seen an upsurge in cases across the world, most significantly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Is it going to be another pandemic?

The WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently declared Monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), under the International Health Regulations 2005 on Aug. 14, 2024 (via WHO). The decision came after a meeting of an IHR Emergency Committee consisting of independent experts to review data presented by experts from WHO and affected countries. But does a PHEIC equal a pandemic?

According to the current stance of WHO, Monkeypox is not classified as a pandemic. For a disease to be considered a pandemic, it must be spread across multiple countries and continents, have a high level of illness and mortality, and involve new pathogens to which the global population has little or no pre-existing immunity. As of Aug. 2024, the global risk of Monkeypox is considered moderate outside of Africa.

However, it remains a serious health concern, and preventive measures must be taken to avoid spreading the disease. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said on Friday, Aug. 16, that the potential of additional imported Monkeypox cases from Africa is “highly likely,” but the chances of local outbreaks in Europe are low. (via AP News)

How does monkeypox spread?

Unlike the recent COVID-19 pandemic that took the global population with a devastating impact, Monkeypox is not an airborne virus. It spreads only through physical with the infected or by using soiled clothes, bedsheets, utensils, and other items of personal use. However, the newly found strain of the monkeypox virus spreading in Africa and neighboring countries is found to be sexually transmissible as well.

Additionally, Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans, particularly in regions where the virus is endemic. The virus is currently considered endemic to countries in central and west Africa. The disease originated in Africa, was neglected there, and later caused a global outbreak in 2022. With its history in mind, the current state of its spread calls for an emergency worldwide, demanding immediate international action to prevent its spreading.

When you’re in the market for new makeup, there are two ways you can go: head to your local drugstore (or Sephora), or purchase products online. If you want safer skincare and beauty products, you might have bought from Beautycounter, which shut down recently. Or you might a variety of brands, such as Seint Makeup.

While we’ve all heard about Kim Kardashian’s line KKW Beauty, we might not know that much about Seint Makeup. But recently, there has been some big news about the company. What should we know?

What’s going on with Seint Makeup?

In early July 2024, Seint Makeup posted on their Instagram and said they would be switching up how their employees earn money. They wrote, “We are evolving our business model and compensation structure for our incredible Artist Community.” The website notes that this is happening in October 2024.

As Thedirect.com explained, employees aren’t going to be paid for “recruitment” (g up other people), and they’ll just earn when people buy products from them. The Instagram post says it’s an “Enhanced Model.”

As Thedirect.com pointed out, several “artists” (employees) aren’t thrilled with this, including Savanah Poulsen. She shared on Facebook that she wants to be able to nurture other people’s careers and since she can’t do that for Seint Makeup now, she’s thinking about where else she could play that role. Poulson said, “You are still able to order Seint makeup through me but I will no longer be able to mentor and lead a team there.”

People discussed this news in the SubReddit @antimlm and Redditor @katchoo1 asked “Does anyone know why they made the change? Curious whether it’s a profit thing…” It doesn’t seem like there’s been a statement beyond what’s on the brand’s Instagram .

Is Seint Makeup an MLM?

Of course, when we hear that a beauty or skincare company that allows people to earn not just from selling products, but also creating a team who does the same, we wonder: is this company an MLM? Many people are asking this about Seint Makeup.

As is often the case with an MLM, the people at the top (and the bottom, or the middle, even) always deny it. ( the wild story about LuLaRoe and those, um, memorable leggings?) The truth is there’s no way to really confirm or deny if a company is an MLM, unless enough employees come out and talk about their experiences. As Thedirect.com pointed out, an MLM can be considered a “pyramid scheme” if you absolutely have to create a team who works under you.

Well, as far as we can tell, there are definitely a lot of Reddit posts about how Seint Makeup is an MLM. One person posted in the @antimlm SubReddit and wrote, “I signed up because I had a lapse in judgment and I fell for the social media marketing. Some of these girls make it seem so glam and they look amazing, have tons of money it seems and all these followers.” They continued “I can’t sell this to a single soul” and “I also don’t believe in MLM at all.”

While we’ve all heard countless MLM horror stories, there are definitely caring people involved who make a great living and allow others to do the same. Like anything in life, there are pros and cons, and some companies are more legitimate than others. We hope that everyone involved with Seint Makeup ends up okay after this big news.

We’ve all been there, making those “just one more roll” promises we never keep. But now, those Texas Roadhouse rolls are breaking out of the restaurant scene and heading straight for Walmart shelves.

Texas Roadhouse already sells their steak sauce, gold sauce, and cactus blossom seasoning blend there. But the rolls, the crown jewel of the Texas Roadhouse experience, have been notably absent. Soft, warm, covered in just the right amount of butter and sweetness, Texas Roadhouse rolls basically the reason half of us even step into Texas Roadhouse. Originating from the restaurant’s commitment to kick off every meal with a bang, these rolls have become almost as famous as their steaks. 

Where to buy the Roadhouse rolls?

For those looking to enjoy these rolls at home, Texas Roadhouse has already made it quite convenient through their website and mobile app. Customers can place orders for pickup, which includes rolls and cinnamon honey butter. Some locations may also offer delivery through third-party services like DoorDash, UberEats, or Grubhub. But now we can also buy our favorite roll from Walmart. 

Of course, we have the ever-reliable food influencer Markie Devo to thank for breaking this earth-shattering news. According to his Instagram post, the rolls will be hitting Walmart shelves in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio by the end of the month. But don’t despair if you’re not in one of those states – there’s talk of a potential national expansion in fall 2024 if the test is successful. Fingers crossed, because I don’t think I can handle the FOMO of knowing people in other states are living their best roll-filled lives.

Rumor has it that Texas Roadhouse might even be releasing some new roll variants. While the classic roll is what made Texas Roadhouse a household name, the restaurant occasionally introduces variations to the classic recipe during special promotions or holiday seasons. These might include additions like Garlic Butter and Herb rolls. However, these variants are often limited and not as regularly available as the classic sweet rolls. The constant, however, remains the fluffy texture and the mouth-watering cinnamon honey butter.

Price speculation

As of now, there’s no official word on the pricing. If I had to guess, I’d say we’re looking at somewhere between $4.99 to $7.99 for a pack. Any less and it’s practically a steal deal. Any more and you might as well consider going to the nearest restaurant and eat your weight in rolls there. It also depends on how many rolls they decide to cram into each package.

One of the buzzier things rolling around the tech world right now is the Apple iOS 18 release, which is Apple’s true foray into the world of AI, with new features deemed “Apple Intelligence” features. One of those fancy new bells is called the Genmoji feature. Is there a specific release date for Genmoji? Kind of. Read on to find out more.

With Genmoji, s can just describe an emoji and the Apple Intelligence will generate it for you, hence the “gen” part of the word. Apple used the example of a “Smiley relaxing wearing cucumbers,” and sure enough one popped up.

Kind of creepily: it knows the people in your library and can make specific Genmojis based on friends. For example, you could turn a friend with a fear of bees into a beekeeper – the sky’s the limit. You can also react with Genmojis or use them as stickers and you can even put them in the middle of messages.

So when do we get our hands on the Genmojis, and all the other exciting new stuff Apple has on the horizon? It’ll all come out with iOS 18, which will be available in a public beta that looks to be dropping in July.

The complete release is expected in September. Don’t think you can wait that long? There is one option, although it’s kind of dicey. The iOS 18 developer beta is out and anyone can use it. Anyone with an iPhone can the Apple Developer Program (ADP) as long as they have an Apple ID.

This version, however, is super buggy, so it’s not recommended unless you happen to have an extra iPhone just lounging around. But, you get Genmojis really early. Tough call!

No one goes to a fast food restaurant for quality. No one expects a five star dining experience. Expectations are equal to the name; you want something now and you don’t want to wait a long time to get it. Even without these ittedly low expectations, some fast food chains are decidedly worse than others. So let’s take a look at the 10 worst.

How do we define something as the worst? The easiest way to do it is quality, price and variety. It can be tough though, because fast food is like popular music, not everyone is going to like it. But if it’s down the middle enough, a whole lot of people will. This is called the U2 principle, named after the notorious “band for everyone” from Dublin. Does anyone really love them? Sure, they’re liked. But loved?

Can we really put McDonald’s in the ten worst? Wendy’s? Domino’s? These are fast food staples! Legends. Then again, sometimes legends are legends for the wrong reasons. Let’s start the countdown.

10. Little Caesars

We all know the sweet “Hot and Ready” deal at Little Caesars. It used to be $5 but obviously nothing is affordable in this hell hole of existence so it’s more expensive now, but no one goes to LC because it tastes good. It’s just a good way to get a lot of volume without going bankrupt.

9. Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box has had its fair share of controversies over the years. In 1993, an E. coli outbreak sickened hundreds and killed four kids. Then came a child labor issue a few years back. Which would be fine but the food is so exceptionally mediocre that why would anyone bother anyway.

8. Taco Bell

Can something be bad and good at the same time? Taco Bell has been around a long time and it’s another one of those restaurants that if you know what you want and are getting it can be okay, but if you’re looking for “good” food go somewhere else.

7. Dairy Queen

We never understood just why Dairy Queen serves anything besides ice cream and milkshakes. It CRUSHES at those! A Blizzard? Those things changed the course of popular culture. But who goes to Dairy Queen for a burger and fries? Hopefully no one.

6. Subway

Subway has bread that kind of tastes like plastic, which is coincidentally something the franchise has dealt with during the yoga mat chemical fiasco of 2014. Oh, and then there was the whole Jared controversy, where the chain’s spokesperson turned out to be a terrible human being and is now in jail for a long, long time.

5. White Castle

Think of White Castle as a cheap colonoscopy, because it will clear you out. You have to know what you’re getting yourself into when it comes to White Castle. Like Taco Bell, it’s never one of those planned decisions; you just find yourself there one day. It’s cheap and filling and boy do you pay for it twice.

4. Shake Shack

Here’s the thing. Shake Shack is “fine.” The burgers have a nice little char on them although they are pretty small. What’s so egregious about Shake Shack is the prices. For the amount of food you get vs. what you pay there’s no part of it that feels like a fair transaction. Also, why are the lines always so long?

3. Long John Silver’s

It’s hard to find good things to say about Long John Silver’s. It’s greasy and dry and feel like the seafood came from a frozen lake 20 years ago. It’s maybe the world’s least fresh seafood place.

2. Panera Bread

The thing about Panera Bread is it’s overpriced picnic food that you could make with stuff out of your fridge, and not pay $20 for a tiny sandwich and a thimble of mediocre soup. There’s absolutely nothing special on that menu that makes up for how much everything costs at Panera. It’s basically robbery.

1. Panda Express

Panda Express can best be described as a facsimile of what Chinese food is supposed to be. It’s really not good. Does it need to be? That’s the tough question when it comes to fast food. Sure, it’s not great but in the right circumstances, it doesn’t matter.

Move over White Claw, there’s a new hard seltzer in town. Easy to recognize with its yellow gold circle, High Noon is one of the fastest growing beverages in an already crowded market. So which vodka soda flavors are the best? Let’s rank them out!

16. Plum

What can be said about plum? Who wants plum flavored anything? Does anyone know what a plum tastes like? What’s weird about this one is you barely taste any flavor at all. Leave this on the counter, there are so many better flavors.

15. Guava

Guava is more of a tropical flavor than a stateside one, but this one nails the taste. It almost tastes like real guava juice, thicker consistency and all. If you like guava, you’re going to be in heaven.

14. Pineapple

Pineapple! One thing that’s pretty astonishing about High Noon is the company’s ability to capture the scent of a fruit. It’s really quite remarkable. It’s a flavor that’s worth trying, but it’s doubtful it’ll be in your regular repertoire.

13. Pear

Ah, pear. The one that no one ever really asks for, but seems to find its way into every flavor combination. It’s mostly middle-of-the-road when it comes to flavor. It’s sweet, but there’s not much else going on. Kind of meh.

12. Mango

The thing about mango is, if you like the flavor of mango, you’re going to like this drink. It delivers the exact flavor you think it does, and that by itself is a sort of miracle.

11. Lemon

Lemon is a pretty straightforward flavor. It’s not necessarily sweet, but it does offer a good bit of refreshing citrus bite. It is roughly equivalent to squeezing a lemon into some sparkling water, with the added bonus of vodka. What’s not to love?

10. Cranberry

Who doesn’t love a little cranberry? You know they had to nail this one, because vodka and cranberry is a combination as old as time. This one tastes like Fall, and bites like a pinch of pepper. It’s tart, but not too much. Throw on a scarf and scarf one down.

9. Kiwi

I know what you’re thinking. Kiwi?! There’s no way that’s going to be good. Do you enjoy the flavor of kiwi? Then this one has everything you’re looking for. Hate it? Then it’s easier if you just move on.

8. Raspberry

Every iteration of hard seltzer has to have a raspberry flavor, so they really can be hit or miss. Just like actual raspberries, this one is not too sweet. It does have one of those flavors that seem to hang around long after a swallow, so be prepared for that.

7. Peach

Peach is a sleeper. It nails the scent and leans more toward the watermelon side of flavors, in that it smells a lot like peach candy. Look, it’s a hard seltzer. You want flavor. If you didn’t, you would just make a vodka soda on its own.

6. ionfruit

Looking for a High Noon that’s more laid back? Are you a fan of La Croix? If you answered yes to one or both of those questions this one is for you. An easier-drinking hard seltzer is hard to find.

5. Grapefruit

Grapefruit flavor can be pretty hit or miss, but this one is a home run. It probably has the best combination of sweet, bite and bitter of any High Noon, and if you’re a stickler for that kind of thing this is going to make you very happy.

4. Lime

Lime is always going to be a classic, so it feels like High Noon put enough love and care into this one to make it top notch. Lime can easily go wrong, but this one goes just right. The perfect way to do hard seltzer.

3. Tangerine

Have we found the perfect summer sipper? Maybe! This citrus-flavored beauty leaves the candy behind for an authentic refreshing, citrus-y sweet flavor. Hard to go wrong with this one.

2. Black Cherry

Black Cherry just sounds like it’s going to be good, and it absolutely is. It’s probably the easiest crowd pleasing beverage out there. It has that perfect hit of tart and sweet that just makes it palatable for any occasion.

1. Watermelon

Probably a controversial choice for the top spot, Watermelon is a nostalgic sip to a candy-coated past. Look, you’re getting High Noon because you love the flavor. This is the best of the bunch.

“It’s so fluffy, I’m gonna die!” Agnes famously said upon seeing a unicorn plushie in the Illumination film Despicable Me, and it is safe to say that Squishmallows have had the same affect on individuals all across the world since their debut in 2017.

According to the official website for the stuffed animal brand, “the iconic Squishmallows brand features collectible plush with lovable personalities, a whimsical design, and ultrasoft feel. In more than 55 countries, the strong brand equity and popularity have resulted in multiple line extensions and cross-category collaborations.” The newest collaboration comes just in time for Easter on March 31, offering a wide range of carrots, chicks, bunnies, and more to Squishmallow lovers. Oh my!

Which 10 Easter Squishmallows should children all across the globe hope to find in their Easter basket this year? Fortunately, we got you covered.

#10 — Squishmallows 12-Inch Caroleena The Carrot

A bunny’s favorite snack is undoubtedly a carrot, and Caroleena The Carrot — dressed in gray overalls with a bunny embroidered on the front pocket — is an Easter essential. Seriously though, who could resist those rosy cheeks and that signature smile? It is safe to say that Caroleena won us over already.

Caroleena The Carrot is available in the 12-inch version for $29.99 via Amazon.

#9 — Squishmallows 12-Inch Camden The Chick

Also dressed in overalls — in pink with an Easter egg embroidered on the front pocket — Camden The Chick is as cute as can be, likely piquing the interest of girls all across the globe. Complete with a yellow spotted headband atop her head, how did she know that bows are a huge trend in 2024? I guess Camden was just one step ahead of her fellow Squishmallows…

Camden The Chick is available in the 12-inch version for $29.96 via Amazon.

#8 — Squishmallows 12-Inch Aimee The Chick in Cow Hoodie

The next few plushies on our list combine multiple animals, beginning with Aimee The Chick in Cow Hoodie. While she is seemingly a normal chick on the inside — an animal that is often associated with Easter — Aimee rocks a onesie that makes her look like a cow. Chances are that Squishmallow superfans would be a-mooooooo-sed to see this chick in their Easter basket!

Aimee The Chick in Cow Hoodie is available in the 12-inch version for $36.99 via Amazon, marking the most expensive plushie on our list.

#7 — Squishmallows 10-Inch Patty The Cow with Bunny Ears

Speaking of cows, Patty The Cow with Bunny Ears is a cow rocking a set of bunny ears to look fun and festive for the holidays. Given the fact that Patty is a classic character, which Squishmallow superfan would not want the exclusive Easter edition? It is safe to say that collectors cannot live without this livestock.

Patty The Cow with Bunny Ears is available in the 10-inch version for $19.99 via Amazon, marking the least expensive plushie on our list.

#6 — Squishmallows 10-Inch Tally The Cat with Bunny Ears

Similarly, Tally The Cat with Bunny Ears is a staple for any superfan’s Squishmallow collection, given the fact that she is also a classic character. Anyone who finds this feline in their Easter basket is certain to be purr-fectly pleased, considering the fact that she is as cute as can be!

Tally The Cat with Bunny Ears is available in the 10-inch version for $24.99 via Amazon.

#5 — Squishmallows 10-Inch Triston The Chick

Is anyone else squealing over the flower crown atop Triston The Chick’s head? With this Squishmallow in your Easter basket, it might just bring you back to Coachella 2016 when “this was the vibe at the time,” simultaneously proving that spring has, in fact, sprung.

Triston The Chick is available in the 10-inch version for $26.99 via Amazon.

#4 — Squishmallows 10-Inch Valentina The Grey Bunny

With the other critters — and foods, apologies to Caroleena The Carrot — out of the way, of course the rest of our list is bunnies! While Valentina The Grey Bunny is on the simple side in comparison to the rest of the rabbits on our list, a carrot-themed cap adds a bit of pizzazz to this rather classic character, all while simultaneously keeping her warm through the spring’s relatively rainy weather.

Valentina The Grey Bunny is available in the 10-inch version for $26.99 via Amazon.

#3 — Squishmallows 12-Inch Blake The Bunny

Another grey bunny on our list is Blake The Bunny, rocking a set of green overalls much like Caroleena The Carrot and Camden The Chick. With squinted eyes, as well as a daisy in front of her floppy ears, we just want to give Blake the biggest squeeze!

Blake The Bunny is available in the 12-inch version for $36.79 via Amazon.

#2 — Squishmallows 10-Inch Bubbles The Purple Bunny

Also featuring some squinted eyes — as well as the same signature flower crown as Triston The Chick — Bubbles The Purple Bunny is the perfect plushie for all of the girly girls out there, showing off a wide range of purple hues: orchid, lilac, lavender, and beyond. With a fuzzy belly, Bubbles is also the snuggliest Squishmallow on our list, earning her the number two spot.

Bubbles The Purple Bunny is available in the 10-inch version for $27.99 via Amazon.

#1 — Squishmallows 10-Inch Buttons The Blue Bunny

Coming in with squinted eyes for the third time, nobody screams Easter quite like Buttons The Blue Bunny! Coming in a stunning blue shade that can appeal to any Squishmallow superfan, Buttons is depicted holding a basket with an Easter egg in it. Because of this, she secured her spot as the best Squishmallow for the forthcoming holiday, as she captures the essence of Easter as a whole.

“Buttons is the king of Easter egg hunts. He always gets the most eggs, but he shares his prizes with his siblings. His favorite Easter treat? Marshmallows,” her official biography reads. Does it get more fun and festive than that?

Last, but certainly not least, Buttons The Blue Bunny is available in the 10-inch version for $25.50 via Amazon.

Burger King is ringing in the holidays in style.

The mega-popular burger chain is celebrating the holiday season with a month of mouth watering deals, and some of them could see visitors earn free meals. Celebrating the month in true Burger King style, the fast food t is offering up “31 days of deals” with the cheesiest (literally) slogan their PR department could think up: “‘Tis the Cheeson.”

On top of those 31 days of deals, Burger King is also bringing back several fan favorite items for patrons to enjoy. You’ll want to make it over to the fast food favorite soon, however — December goes by quick, and these deals will only last so long.

Which menu items is Burger King adding in December?

Two menu items will a range of delicious deals with Burger King’s end of the year celebration, adding back several crowd favorites for a limited time. Diners who’ve been missing those indulgent cheesy tots — which were last on the menu in 2021 — can enjoy them once again, starting on Dec. 7, alongside a trio of BK Melts.

Two returning melts — the Classic and Bacon editions — are back for the month, alongside newcomer Shroom n’ Swiss Melt. Each of the BK Melts come with two slices of toasted bread, adorned with two Whopper Jr. Patties, either American or Swiss cheese, and various added toppings.

What are the Burger King deals for December 2023?

On top of the added menu items, each day of December offers up a variety of enticing deals. In order to access them, you’ll need to the Burger King app, which will provide access to the lineup of daily deals. These include stellar options like $3 Whopper Wednesdays, free items with purchases as low as $1, free delivery, and a range of opportunities to collect Bonus Crowns. A handy calendar clues BK fans in on which days are most worth a trip to the fast food t, and ensures that this December will be one to .

Witches, ghosts, goblins, ghouls — all of these spooktacular figures are notoriously synonymous with the ever-popular celebration of Halloween. However, those certainly aren’t the only frightful figures associated with the holiday, with a variety of animals associated with the favorable spooky season.

From bats and ravens to spiders and black cats, a plethora of animals out there are specifically recognized during the Halloween season — if not for the simple fact that these particular animals give off that eerie vibe. However, one specific animal has the tendency to stand out amongst the rest as one of the most popular figures in regards to all-things-spooky — and that would be an owl.

So, why are owls associated with Halloween?

In popular Halloween lore, night time is typically associated with the holiday, as that remains the time when children go trick-or-treating and costume parties usually take place. In addition, the night time is often seen as a time when spooky creatures such as werewolves, demons, vampires, and witches all maneuver around with the rest of civilization. Given the nocturnal life of an owl, and how much they thrive in the nighttime, it hardly comes as a surprise that owls are heavily associated with Halloween.

Aside from their nocturnal habitat, ancient Greek and Roman mythology has long associated owls with fear and darkness, believing that an owl’s eyes could strike unwavering fright in the eyes and souls of humans. As a result, owls have become a common theme during the Halloween season, and are typically used as props for decorations and featured in horror/Halloween movies.

Quick thinking from a captain and first officer saved over 80 lives on a recent Alaska Airlines flight to San Fransisco from Washington State, after an off-duty pilot attempted to shut down the aircraft mid-flight.

Pilot Joseph Emerson was riding in the flight deck jump seat, when he attempted to stop Alaska Airlines Flight 2059. Emerson had been with Horizon Air, Virgin America, and Alaska Airlines since 2001 before becoming a captain in 2019 with Alaska Airlines. On Sunday, Oct. 22, he was merely riding along in the cockpit — not in charge of the Embraer 175 plane — and his mood seemed normal, until he made the choice that would change the course of his life and the lives of everyone on board forever.

Luckily, Emerson was prevented from gaining the controls by the captain and first officer on board, and after some back and forth, he was eventually taken to the back of the plane, then safely removed from the aircraft after an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon.

Emerson has been handed numerous criminal charges concerning the incident, and has already entered a plea. So what exactly did Emerson do to attempt to stop the flight, and what are the charges he is facing now? Let’s take a look.

Who is Joseph Emerson, and what are his charges?

Joseph Emerson is a 44-year-old pilot who is facing 167 criminal charges, 83 of which are felony counts of attempted murder, after the incident on Oct. 22. Emerson boarded the aircraft having reportedly taken “magic mushrooms” within 48 hours before the flight, but he did not appear “outwardly under the influence of intoxicants,” as reported by the affidavit now filed due to his actions on the flight.

Emerson is said to have engaged in “normal conversation” with the captain and first officer before lunging forward after telling the cockpit that he was “not okay” and attempting to pull two red “t-handles” that, had he been successful, would have shut down the aircraft. The captain and first officer wrestled Emerson away from the handles, thereby ensuring that the aircraft stayed in the air. It’s reported that the incident lasted about 90 seconds, after which Emerson was taken to the back of the aircraft until the plane could find a safe place to land.

Alaska Airlines provided a statement to CNN that explains how the captain and first officer were able to save the lives of those on the aircraft:

“The fire suppression system consists of a T-handle for each engine; when pulled, a valve in the wing closes to shut off fuel to the engine. After they are pulled, some residual fuel remains in the line.Our crew responded without hesitation to a difficult and highly unusual situation, and we are incredibly proud and grateful for their skillful actions.”

CBS notes that he was handcuffed for the duration of the flight, and ABC followed up by saying that Emerson himself said if he weren’t handcuffed, things would “get bad,” and that he also attempted to pull an emergency lever during the plane’s descent. Emerson would go on to tell officers that he’d been suffering from depression for the six months leading up to the incident, and had also recently experienced the loss of a friend. It’s also been stated that he believed he was dreaming when he attempted to pull the levers in a bid to “wake up.”

Court documents also say that Emerson states he “messed everything up” following the incident and the charges. He pleaded not guilty to all 167 charges against him, and he has been “removed from service indefinitely and relieved of all duties at Alaska Airlines,” as the company told ABC. The investigation around him continues to try to determine if the incident was something that dealt with drugs, mental health, a mix of both, or something else entirely.

We Got This Covered will keep you updated as we learn more, and we’re sending our thoughts to those on board the flight as they attempt to recover mentally from the turmoil.

Warning: The following article mentions sexual violence, torture, and other violent crimes. Please read with caution.

As far as I’m concerned, there are three certainties in life: Death, taxes, and true crime. With an ever-growing number of documentaries and exclusive glimpses into the lives of former criminals and serial killers, it’s evident the true crime sub-genre continues to spread its wings and expand across a large margin of thrill-seeking viewers. But just as captivating and interesting these as particular true crime cases are to learn about, the majority of these cases are just as unsettling and deeply terrifying.

One horrifying case in particular would be the gut-wrenching crimes committed by American serial killer David Parker Ray. Known in the true crime realm as the infamous “Toy Box Killer,” Ray has gone down in history as one of the most ruthless and sadistic serial killers to ever walk the planet. From the grisly nature of his heinous acts, to years of flying under the radar from authorities, you’d be hard pressed to find a singular soul who hasn’t at least heard of Ray.

The true story of David Parker Ray, explained

As is the case with most sadistic serial killers, David Parker Ray’s violent behavior initially started when he was just a young child. Often encouraged to indulge in pornography magazines by his father, Ray developed a liking for bondage fetishes, particularly violence against women, which started in his early teens. Frequenting bars for women as a younger man, Ray’s deviousness and sexual fantasies eventually led him to meet Cindy Hendy, who would become his future girlfriend and one of his accomplices.

Throughout adulthood, Ray was accused by both of his accomplices to have kidnapped, tortured, and murdered as many as 60 people throughout the New Mexico and Arizona region, though no bodies have ever actually been found. Ray’s “Toy Box Killer” nickname developed due to Ray’s semi-trailer, which he himself had labeled as his own personal “Toy Box.” In the aforementioned trailer, Ray harbored devices used for sexual fantasies and torturing purposes — including whips, chains, clamps, saws, surgical blades, and other various items.

While Ray held his victims captive, he would torture them in a variety of different ways — one of which included strapping victims to an electrical generator and electrocuting them. Ray also equipped the trailer with devices to make escaping nearly impossible, along with a spine-tingling audio tape recording which fully detailed what he would do to them. One of the lines recorded on the tape revealed that Ray would drug his victims to prevent them from ing what happened.

Is he still alive?

Ray was eventually caught, investigated, and arrested after one of his victims, Cynthia Vigil, managed to escape his “Toy Box.” Upon investigation and the case being taken to trial, Ray was convicted on all 12 counts brought against him in regards to sexual abduction and torture, and was sentenced to 224 years in prison back in 2001. 

In 2002, after Ray had been transported to the Lea County Correctional Facility in New Mexico, he died of a heart attack shortly before an interrogation between him and police was set to take place. Regardless of his death, the infamous “Toy Box Killer” remains in history as one of the most violent and twisted serial killers that investigators have ever come across.