Thursday, 15 June 2023

A man feels 'trapped' in his skin after a 360-pound weight loss

June 15, 2023 | VIEW IN BROWSER

This is TODAY

A Marine veteran is indicted on a charge of manslaughter after a deadly encounter with a homeless man on a New York City subway that became a lightning rod for issues of mental health, crime and race. Plus, a man shares a stunning photo of his extreme loose skin as he tries to raise money for surgery after a 360-pound weight loss, and what to know about the gas stove issue roiling Congress.

The Latest

Daniel Penny has been indicted by a grand jury in the NYC subway death of Jordan Neely.

Daniel Penny, 24, was indicted yesterday by a New York City grand jury on a second-degree manslaughter charge in the death of fellow subway rider Jordan Neely last month, two sources told NBC News. Penny, a Marine veteran, put Neely, a homeless subway busker, in a chokehold on the floor of the train before his death, which was ruled a homicide by the city's medical examiner. One witness said Neely, who struggled with mental health for years, was behaving aggressively before the confrontation with Penny. Lawyers for Penny said a trial jury will find his actions were "fully justified." Attorneys for Neely's family said the indictment is "the right result for the wrong he committed" and that Penny "did not have the right to be the judge, jury and executioner." Here's the latest.

A man who lost 360 pounds on his own is now seeking help to have extreme loose skin removed.

(Warning: The photo in this story may be startling to some people.) Cole Prochaska, 39, once weighed nearly 600 pounds after years of overeating. Step by step, the South Carolina man turned his health around by taking short walks, working out regularly in the gym, and cutting sweets, snacks and sugary drinks out of his diet. He shed a remarkable 360 pounds without surgery or weight-loss drugs, but his journey is not over. His transformation left him with extreme loose skin on his chest, stomach and legs. "I'm trapped," he told TODAY.com. Recently, Prochaska launched a GoFundMe to raise money for surgery to remove the skin, and he took a shirtless photo of himself to go with it. "I didn't want to do it," he said. "But I was like, you know what? I need to show everybody all the skin I have and how far I've come and just embrace it." Read his full story here.

💓 CPR saves lives, but only 1 in 10 know how to do it correctly. Here's a step-by-step guide.

It's likely you know what CPR is, but do you know how to perform it correctly? If you don't, you shouldn't feel bad. A recent survey found that while 54% of people said they knew about CPR, only 10% actually knew how to do it. Since CPR Awareness Week is in June, we're offering a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to administer CPR in adults, teens, children and infants. Dr. John Torres also demonstrates a hands-only method that doesn't require mouth-to-mouth breathing. See the guide here.

🍓Frozen strawberries sold at Walmart and Costco in 32 states have been recalled for hepatitis A risk.

Time to check your freezer: Frozen strawberries and other berry blends sold at Costco, Walmart and other stores have been linked to an ongoing hepatitis A outbreak, the USDA announced. The Willamette Valley Fruit Co. is voluntarily recalling specific lot codes of Great Value Sliced Strawberries, Great Value Mixed Fruit and Great Value Antioxidant Blend, which were sold at Walmart stores in 32 states from Jan. 24 to June 8, 2023. There are actually several other frozen berry recalls going on right now, and a hepatitis outbreak has sickened nine people across California, Oregon and Washington. For the full list and more info, go here.

Live Better TODAY

Achieve your life goals with easy tips.

It's the ultimate "kitchen table issue" — are gas stoves really bad for your health? The appliances are back in the news these days as two GOP-led bills seeking to prevent regulators from banning them or setting new energy standards were passed by the House this week. And while a national ban appeared unlikely, recent research indicates there are legitimate health concerns. One recent study linked gas stoves with childhood asthma. And a Stanford professor we spoke to pointed out the risks associated with an appliance that vents pollution directly into the home. But gas advocates and some lawmakers say that concerns are overheated. To learn more about the debate, including ways to reduce your risk of potential health problems, go here.

What's for dessert?

Allow us to do the meal-planning for you.

Now that fruits like blueberries and raspberries are in season, it's the perfect time to try your hand at a classic summer dessert. This sheet pan blueberry crisp is easy to execute and perfect for a casual summer gathering. Plump, juicy blueberries and a crumbly streusel topping make for an unbeatable combination. Assemble the pie crust yourself or use a store-bought version — the results are similarly delicious. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream right on top. Get the recipe.

Daily Delight

A little pick-me-up before you go.

"Jurassic Park" celebrated the 30th anniversary of its release this month, and to mark the occasion, one of its stars re-created one of its most famous moments. Ariana Richards, who played teen Lex Murphy, delighted fans in a brief TikTok video that showed her revisiting the famed "green Jello" moment from the 1993 film. Richards, now 43, wore the same fearful expression as a slab of green Jello quivered on her spoon, signaling the arrival of an unwelcome dino guest. "That's the most iconic scene in the Jurassic Park films," one person commented. Watch the funny video here.