For everyone who took up knitting during the pandemic, only to be mocked by their close ones — think: wisecracks about Meredith Grey celibacy knitting and becoming a grandma at 25 — joke’s on them. Thanks to Michelle Obama, you’ve been vindicated, finally. 

On Monday, the former First Lady joined TV host Gayle King on CBS This Morning to talk about her Waffles + Mochi campaign, life after being the First Lady, and, yes, knitting during lockdown. “I have freedom to do the things that I want — I’m knitting now,” Obama told King. “No disrespect, but that sounds very old lady,” King replied. “It’s not old lady,” Obama insisted. “I don’t want you to come for my knitting community, Gayle.”

The former First Lady then proudly shared all of her knitting accomplishments: “I made Barack a sweater — a crewneck sweater — that he loves.” Though he hasn’t yet worn it, given the current nice weather, Obama maintained that he will eventually. Another feat? Making knit halter tops — a huge trend across TikTok and spring runways, alike — for her two daughters, Malia and Sasha. “There’s something special about that,” King said. “To know that Mom made this for me.” We couldn’t agree more.

If you were looking for a push to embrace knitting, you just got it. Haters begone!

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Tiara Vinson, a soldier stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, is being held at Cumberland County Jail accused of murdering fellow soldier, Kelia Horton. Vinson has been charged with first-degree murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle. At present, it is not known how she has entered a plea or retained a lawyer, but she is reportedly being held without bond. The violence also comes after a series of unfortunate and mysterious attacks at multiple U.S. army bases over the course of the past year.

According to police, the shooting occurred outside a home in Fayetteville, NC around 1:30 p.m. on May 7. “The suspect drove up to the residence where the victim was in her car in the driveway and the suspect began shooting,” Fayetteville Police Department Sgt. Jeremy Glass told People. “There were a couple of witnesses that saw it and called it in.” Horton was still alive when law enforcement arrived on the scene but died later at a nearby hospital.

Horton and Vinson worked in different areas on the base, both in active duty, but Horton was a motorpool clerk assigned to the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade and Vinson is a parachute rigger assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group. However, Glass says the shooting wasn’t a random incident: “They had a mutual male friend in common,” he explained. “It wasn’t an unknown person just going out and shooting another unknown person.”

Although they have not completely disclosed motive, Vinson reportedly had a former romantic relationship with a man who was in a relationship with Horton at the time of her death. The shooting took place outside of the man’s home. “A verbal altercation took place between the two of them, and our allegation is that the defendant, at that point, began firing into the car,” Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West told local NBC affiliate station, WRAL. Refinery29 reached out to local law enforcement as well as the Fort Bragg station, but they had not responded at the time of publishing.

Horton’s death is one in a series of unrelated deaths on military bases in the last year. The body of Vanessa Guillén was discovered in July after she went missing from Fort Hood in Texas in April 2020. In August of last year, Sgt. Elder Fernandes was found hanging from a tree 25 miles from Fort Hood after he disappeared from the base one week earlier. In fact, Rolling Stone reported unsettling rates of homicides and suicides at both Fort Bragg and Fort Hood. In 2020 alone, there were at least 44 homicides and suicides at Fort Bragg. Twenty-eight occurred at Fort Hood, sparking a congressional investigation.

Horton’s cousin, Jadiah Farris, said that the mother of two was “the sweetest” person, and will be deeply missed. “She would give you the shirt off of her back,” she told WRAL. “There was nothing bad you can say about Kelia.”

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A viral video featuring a woman serving an entire spaghetti-and-meatballs dinner on her huge, white marble kitchen island is making its rounds on the internet, and generating no small amount of outrage along the way. Captioned “ULTIMATE SPAGHETTI TRICK!!,” it seems to have originated on the Facebook page Josh and Lisa, which is created by a couple who appear to really, really want that influencer life, and who attempt to attain it by filming themselves doing practical jokes, and making questionable food creations, like bacon s’mores. (Although, honestly… those look pretty good.)

The counter-pasta video in question seems to be a mash-up of the two genres — a three-minute-long video featuring questionable food that just has to be a practical joke, doesn’t it? In it, Lisa starts the shenanigans by pouring an enormous jar of Prego marinara sauce directly onto her otherwise pristine countertop, while a friend makes comments in the background, using her best ASMR voice, giving off a very audio-porn vibe, as my coworker pointed out: “Oh my gosh… Holy cow…” Lisa then dumps dozens of meatballs directly onto the sauce, then unleashing a blizzard of shredded parmesan cheese, before finally scooping — with her bare hands! — glob after generous glob of spaghetti right out of the pot and on top of the sauce. When her friend asks what’s next, Lisa cheerfully responds, “Well, you gotta mix it up girl!” and proceeds to fold the entire mixture into itself. Once it’s all mixed up, she instructs viewers that they can add a little salad, before throwing a bunch of lettuce on the pasta, followed by some bread.

what a normal and ultimate spaghetti hack! pic.twitter.com/UAc0rjRqmV

— jarvis johnson (@jarvis) May 10, 2021

“Yup, all my friends are coming over,” Lisa explains her decision to forgo dishes, adding that she does this all the time. “This is the easiest way to make spaghetti for a crowd… And you don’t have to worry about dishes or a mess or anything like that!” 

“But it’s all over your counter!” her friend exclaims in mock horror. 

The internet, though, was more genuinely horrified. “Too bad humankind hasn’t invented a receptacle in which to cook sauce in,” Sophia Smith Galer, a video journalist, wrote on Twitter, adding: “In my part of Italy I am 95% sure you would face a war crime tribunal for this.” Ryan Marino, a doctor, wrote: “I sure as hell didn’t survive a pandemic just to risk it all for Prego sauce on someone’s nasty ass counter.” 

While I understand the desire to perform disgust at viral food videos, if you ask me, it’s too bad that more people’s minds aren’t open to this type of communal countertop experience. I say: Have some imagination, my friends. As much as it’s clear that this particular video was made for shock value, there are actually a few points in favor of serving and eating your Italian-American dinner directly off the kitchen island.

Consider: First, Lisa is right, there is actually less cleanup involved. When serving a dinner as huge as this one, you have to wash a whole bunch of big serving platters — to say nothing of actually having to own them at all. Seems like a big waste of time and cabinet space! It’s unclear exactly how Lisa plans to serve this feast, but presumably all she’ll need is individual plates and utensils. 

Second: As long as the proper precautions are taken, a clean counter appears to be no less sanitary than a clean serving dish. I mean, did I miss the part where marble or quartz or whatever is somehow dirtier than glass, ceramics, or wood? Ask yourself why you hold the belief that you can clean a dish but not a counter. 

It is key to keep your counter clean, but that’s something you should be doing anyway! As The Food Network reminds us about sanitary counter-cooking conditions: Do not defrost meat on your countertop, and remember to disinfect surfaces with a spray or wipes and, of course, wash your hands. If you do all that, then nowhere (nowhere!) does it say not to serve already-cooked meatballs off said counter. In fact, certain countertop materials can even help prevent food poisoning and other foodborne illnesses, including formica laminate, quartz, and recycled glass. The biggest risk with Lisa’s strategy is the higher likelihood of some of the food falling onto the floor (and into the mouth of your dog, if you have one). But there’s a simple enough fix for that: Set up some type of buffer at the edge of the counter if you plan to try this. But otherwise, as long as the counter and your hands and utensils are clean, the nastiness is all in your head. 

Finally, as far as serving food to guests this way goes, as long as we’re all vaccinated, is this really any worse than sharing some chips and guac?

Another thing this outrage overlooks is that not every culture uses serving platters for every meal to begin with. Filipino kamayan is a communal-style buffet feast eaten with your hands off banana leaves, a substitute for plates or placemats. You might eat fried fish, shrimp, lumpia (a type of egg roll), longganisa (sweet sausage), and more, with plenty of rice and sauces this way — all absolutely delicious and anything but unsanitary. 

As far as traditional Italian-style cooking, however, it is true that Lisa’s method doesn’t seem to be the norm, even though she insists that “this is what real Italians do” in the video. “This is the definition of family-style,” she proclaims. 

But, when I queried my family’s group text, the Italian side had some strong feelings. “What? Why?!? Unless you are feeding a whole army, why do you have that much spaghetti? And cleaning that counter is gonna be a nightmare!” says my sister-in-law, who regularly makes giant pots of pasta. “Very sad. The lengths that people will go through to get noticed on social media,” commented my father-in-law, who swears by his pasta-maker and has gone on tours of Italy to learn authentic Italian cooking. My mother-in-law had the most issue with the Prego: “I will take our homemade pasta over this any day. Sauce from a jar??”

I agree that the most offensive part of the video was probably the use of Prego. But spreading your sauce and everything else right on the counter, thereby liberating yourself from hours of dishwashing, and allowing yourself to instead enjoy glass after glass of wine with friends after dinner without feeling guilty? I’m all for it! Why aren’t you?

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Surprise, surprise: The man best known for inventing a hotspot for political misinformation, privacy violations, and countless data leaks had a terrible idea. On Monday, May 10, 44 attorneys general penned a letter to Mark Zuckerberg, urging Facebook to halt its plans for a new business venture: “Instagram for kids.” The letter brings up the many, many psychological and safety-related reasons it would be harmful to launch a version of the app for children under the age of 13. Zuckerberg, however, seems adamant about doing it anyway.

“Use of social media can be detrimental to the health and well-being of children, who are not equipped to navigate the challenges of having a social media account. Further, Facebook has historically failed to protect the welfare of children on its platforms,” wrote the National Association of Attorneys General. “The attorneys general have an interest in protecting our youngest citizens, and Facebook’s plans to create a platform where kids under the age of 13 are encouraged to share content online is contrary to that interest.”

Many of us were unaware of Instagram for kids (thankfully), which was actually announced around two months ago. Zuckerberg confirmed the plan during a March 25 congressional hearing, and the same month, a Facebook spokesperson told USA Today that the app was “in its very early stages” and would hopefully “help kids keep up with their friends, discover new hobbies and interests, and more.” The spokesperson likened it to Messenger Kids, a similar Facebook-esque app designed for children. It’s worth noting that Messenger Kids was also extremely controversial when it started, and only became more concerning after a bug allowed thousands of children to enter group chats with unknown adults of all ages. (Facebook has said that the glitch was resolved.)

During the congressional hearing, Zuckerberg said that an Instagram for children could help kids “stay connected” and “learn about different content online.” Instagram spokesperson Stephanie Otway cited the growing number of children attempting to use Instagram by lying about their ages; a new app designed for kids is a “practical solution,” the company argued.

But along with the obvious safety concerns, AGs, other political leaders, and mental health professionals all worry this venture could negatively impact children’s development and self-esteem. In April, a coalition led by the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood slammed Instagram’s “relentless focus on appearance, self-presentation, and branding,” and wrote in a letter to Zuckerberg that children under 13 are less equipped than adults to handle the pressures, challenges, and anxiety related to the app. Those who would lie about their age, the signatories argued, would likely still choose to join “adult” Instagram over “a new site that seems babyish.” 

Sens. Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal and Reps. Lori Trahan and Kathy Castor also wrote a letter to Zuckerberg in April, requesting that he outline a detailed plan to protect user safety and prevent the proliferation of sponsored content, edited and filtered photos, and more. “Should Facebook fail to provide adequate responses to the questions above or otherwise fail to demonstrate that a future version of Instagram for children would meet the highest standards of user protection, we would advise you to abandon your plans to launch this new platform,” wrote the lawmakers.

Experts agree that social media — in particular, Instagram — can have adverse effects on children and teenagers’ mental health, body image, self-esteem, and sleep schedule. Instagram breeds an obsession with “likes,” popularity, and missing out on events that a user may or may not have been invited to. According to McLean Hospital, the app is designed to be addictive, because tools like “Likes” and push notifications can make the brain release dopamine. Researchers have found that young people who spend more time on apps are more likely to have depression and anxiety. A 2017 study from the U.K.’s Royal Society for Public Health showed that, compared to Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube, Instagram has the largest mental health impact. 

“There’s a good amount of research suggesting that Instagram is among the most toxic social media platforms because of its emphasis on image and followers,” said psychologist Jean Twenge, according to NBC News. “My view is that there’s really no way to make it completely safe for young kids.”

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Close your eyes and think for a minute: What is it that you desire most in this world? Is it a loving, caring parter? A truly supportive and tight-knit social circle? Freedom from a negative habit that’s been holding you back? Whatever it is, the new moon in hardworking Taurus on May 11 is the perfect time to start turning that desire into a reality — especially if you’ve been feeling trapped in your ways recently.

Madi Murphy, co-founder of The Cosmic RX and The Cosmic Revolution, says that the power of this new moon can bring us the determination and dedication that we need to push us forward. “Take time to reflect on what you need to feel safe and secure, then align your intentions accordingly,” she suggests. “The more your dreams are in line with your heart, the more determined (and supported) you will be.” Asking for — or demanding — more pleasure, manifesting abundance and prosperity, and staying grounded are the themes of this new moon, she says.

According to Narayana Montúfar, senior astrologer for Astrology.com, the Taurus new moon is forming a sextile to both Neptune and the asteroid Pallas, which is in the dreamy sign of Pisces. “Both Neptune and Pallas will be activating our psychic abilities, imagination, and intuition as a way of formulating a powerful strategy,” she says. “Making vision boards, collages, and even drawings that represent your dreams is this new moon’s motto.” Your manifestation powers will be strong during this luminary, so take advantage if you’re so inclined: Try out the 369 method, visualize your future, and most importantly, take tangible steps towards your goals. (Yes, action is a key part of manifestation.)

Along with feeling good about your future, Murphy said the new moon in Taurus is also all about us feeling good in our bodies — meaning that indulging in physical pleasures should be one of our top priorities. “Some rituals to support this new moon energy include: practicing your abundance affirmations, upgrading your physical space, treating yourself to a new plant or crystal, ground your bare feet in the earth, or do some singing or chanting to flex that throat chakra muscle,” she says. If taking a long, hot bath is more your speed, that works perfectly too.

Besides getting yourself right, this new moon could also be used to strengthen your romantic partnerships. Lisa Stardust, the author of Saturn Return Survival Guide and The Astrology Deck, calls this new moon a time “to embrace our guilty hedonistic pleasures and love,” and “to heal, relax, chill, and make moves in your love life.” Stardust says this new moon can make us a little sentimental, so if you’re already coupled up, taking a cute trip down memory lane is sure to stir up the butterflies in your stomach.

Another important part of our lives impacted by this new moon: our finances. Taurus is a money sign, says Leslie Hale, psychic astrologer for Keen.com. As such, keep an eye out for financial developments — cash-related decisions to be made or big transactions, for instance. “We may feel more drawn to security and stability,” Hale adds. If you feel the urge to throw an extra couple of bucks into your savings account — or just opening a savings account — act on it. You’ll be setting you up for all kinds of success.

The potent Taurus energy of this new moon is bringing us plenty of opportunities to build something new. “It’s time to make some solid yet pragmatic plans and to ‘break ground’ on our next big project,” Murphy says. So if you have a wish, don’t discount it — even if your plans seem small, this new moon has your back in a really serious way. You never know what your first steps could lead to.

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Courtney Stodden, who first made headlines in 2011 when they married The Green Mile actor Doug Hutchison, is now opening up about the abuse they experienced at the hands of their ex-husband and from the media. At the time of their marriage, Hutchinson was 50 and Stodden was just 16, but given legal consent to marry him by their mother. Not much has been reported about Stodden in the last five years, but the former teen star delves deep into the traumatic effects that grooming and bullying have had in their life in a recent Daily Beast interview.

Branded a teen bride, Stodden experienced widespread ridicule after marrying Hutchison. Anderson Cooper reportedly compared them to a stripper on CNN and Dr. Drew even examined their breasts with an ultrasound device in front of a live studio audience — while they were still a minor — to determine if they had any cosmetic work done. Stodden’s divorce from Hutchison was finalized last year. But in the wake of the viral documentary Framing Britney Spears, which captured the cruelty Spears was treated with in the 2000s, the media’s treatment of Stodden — while they were married to an abusive man who was decades older than them as a child — is now under the microscope.

“It took me a really long time to understand what ‘grooming’ even meant,” Stodden told The Daily Beast. “But as I grew into a woman, I started realizing what happened to me… I was over the relationship and wanted to move on, but when he left, I was terrified to be on my own. I didn’t know how to be on my own. I still don’t have a license. I depended so much on him and he knew that, so when he left it was almost a manipulative way of going, ‘Okay, let’s see if you can survive without me here.'” And Stodden has, but not without their share of difficulties.

Stodden recalls severe verbal abuse and gaslighting at the hands of Hutchison, realizing years later just how much of a “master groomer” he was. “He told me everything a young girl would want to hear from somebody she’s craving love from, and when I got married to him, he changed. And he knew he had me right where he wanted me,” they said.

And while being groomed, the media treated Stodden as the punchline — at best. “I have a lot of trauma from that entire chapter in my life,” they said. “And that’s the time where you’re developing — your brain’s developing, you’re becoming a woman. And as I’m forming, I am being mocked, overtly sexualized, abused — not only in my home, but internationally — and it really did a number on my self-confidence and my sense of worthiness, which I struggle with today.”

Stodden’s story recalls the experiences of many other teen stars. Recently, the media has been forced to reckon with its treatment of young celebs in the early-2000s, including Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and Lindsay Lohan. While still underage, they were put in positions where they were pressured to be both hypersexual and role models for young girls; to be worldly, yet naive; to embody conflicting ends of a patriarchal spectrum that forgets that they’re children, but is simultaneously dismissive if they stand up for themselves. Only now is this culture of manipulation being thoroughly reexamined and seen for what it truly is. And while Stodden may have come forward, they still don’t feel like they’re out of the woods.

“I still feel like I’m stuck. Even though I’m out of that relationship, I still feel heavy,” they explained. “I don’t feel light. I don’t feel like things are so much better. I hope that eventually I’ll be able to find genuine happiness and shed the traumas of my past, but I just feel very pessimistic.”

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