Monday, 27 March 2023

Deadly tornadoes sweep across Mississippi and Alabama.

March 24, 2023 | VIEW IN BROWSER

This is TODAY

Mississippi and Alabama work to recover after devastating tornadoes that left at least 26 dead, and "Creed III" star Jonathan Majors denies wrongdoing after being arrested on allegations of strangulation, assault and harassment. Plus, is it a good idea to work out every day? A pro trainer weighs in.

The Latest

Families search for loved ones after at least 26 are killed in tornadoes in Alabama and Mississippi.

President Biden declared a major disaster in Mississippi yesterday after at least 25 people there were killed by tornadoes over the weekend, as well as at least one person in Alabama. Rural towns were devastated by the storm, including Rolling Fork, a small Delta town of 2,000 in Mississippi in which hardly anyone escaped without losing someone they knew or loved. James Anderson, 61, told NBC News he was in bed when he heard the tornado's roar. It "sounded like someone had a machine gun," he said. Here's the latest.

'Creed III' star Jonathan Majors' attorney denied assault allegations and said he's the 'victim.'

The actor Jonathan Majors was arrested in New York over the weekend after a woman alleged he assaulted her. On Sunday, his attorney denied the allegations, saying in a statement that the "Creed III" star is "provably the victim" of an altercation with a woman he knows." Majors, 33, was taken into police custody Saturday on allegations of strangulation, assault and harassment, the NYPD said. Police described the situation as a domestic dispute and said the woman "sustained minor injuries to her head and neck" and was taken to an area hospital. Majors' attorney said she expects "all charges will be dropped imminently" and that his legal team has video evidence, witness testimony and two written statements from the woman recanting the allegations. In response to the arrest, the U.S. Army pulled new recruiting ads featuring Majors off the air. Read more here.

Essay: My endometriosis nearly ruined my life — and my marriage.

In 2021, Candace Powell was so riddled with pain from endometriosis, she could barely stand long enough to recite her vows at her wedding. The disorder involves glands of the uterus lining growing outside of it and manifesting as painful cysts, scar tissue and adhesions. It often masquerades as other illnesses and can take years to properly diagnose. March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and Powell writes how the endless doctor's visits and grinding pain took a toll on her marriage. "I still have bouts of endometriosis pain, and I still grieve the relationship I wish we'd had from the start," she writes. "But in the end, I'm reminded of how far we've come and how deeply those vows — in sickness and in health — resonated." Read the full essay here.

😅 Is it safe to work out every day? Here's what a trainer says.

Trying to find that sweet spot between challenging yourself and working out too much and risking injury can be tricky. So should you work out every day? Well ... yes and no. It's all about how you define "working out," according to TODAY fitness contributor Stephanie Mansour. Stephanie shared the pros and cons of working out seven days a week, as well as the signs you might be working out too much and risking injury. She also shared a few easy ideas to get your heart pumping for 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

Live Better TODAY

Achieve your life goals with easy tips.

Sometimes when you think you've got every nook and cranny accounted for on your spring cleaning list, there are a few spots that slip under the radar. We spoke to Sarah McAllister, cleaning expert, CEO and founder of Bleach, Pray, Love and GoCleanCo, about 5 household areas almost everyone forgets to clean. The washing machine, the dreaded space behind the fridge, and the dishwasher filter are a few that are often overlooked. To make sure your house is clean from top to bottom this spring, see all her tips here.

What's for dinner?

Allow us to do the meal-planning for you.

Enjoy the benefits of a plant-based diet without giving up dairy, eggs and meat with this week's healthy eating plan. Dietitian Samantha Cassetty has a day-by-day breakdown of meals, including green spaghetti with zucchini pesto (above) for dinner. The recipe combines the satisfaction of having some pasta with the benefits of a full serving of veggies. Balance the dish out by using chickpea or lentil pasta, or toss in some chicken or shrimp for more protein. See this week's meal plan here.

Daily Delight

A little pick-me-up before you go.

Halle Bailey found out firsthand what it means for kids to see her as the title character in the "Little Mermaid" during a recent visit to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. A young girl named Mila Rose saw her at the park and reflexively embraced her and adorably wouldn't let go. A person in the background quickly informed Bailey that "Little Mermaid" star Ariel is Mila's favorite character. Bailey shared the sweet scene on her Instagram story. She endured an initial backlash when she was cast as Ariel, including racially derogatory language, but her impromptu hug from Mila showed the impact it has had on many little girls. "I know what it would have meant to me as a little girl to have been able to see a black Ariel when I was younger," Bailey said on her YouTube channel last year. "If I would have seen that, it would have changed my whole outlook on life."