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COLUMBIA, S.C. --- Susan Smith, the young mom who shocked the nation 30 years ago when she rolled her car into a lake with her two sons inside and watched them drown, was denied parole Wednesday. Susan Smith is led from the Union County Courthouse after the first day of testimony in the penalty phase of her trial. Brooks Kraft LLC / Sygma via Getty Images fileFrom behind bars, Smith continued to claim she was a good mother. He then read a passage that Smith wrote explaining why she allowed her sons to die. “I knew Jesus would take better care of them than I could,” Smith wrote, according to Thomas.

Persons: Susan Smith, Smith, recusing, Michael, Alex, Smith's, David Smith, It's, it’s, Brooks Kraft, “, ” Smith, Tommy A, Thomas, Jesus, ” Tommy Pope, “ Susan, Susan, ”, Juliette Arcodia, Corky Siemaszko Organizations: COLUMBIA, S.C, TV, Courthouse, Reuters, Brooks, Brooks Kraft LLC, Getty, State, Women’s Correctional, South Carolina Department of Corrections, Republican, Pro Tem, South Carolina House Locations: Union , South Carolina, Union, South Carolina, Columbia, New York

☆ I dropped 80 pounds by changing my diet, walking my dog, and competing with friends over our step count
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The flight attendant took action by improving her diet and taking her little dog for long walks. She lost 80 pounds in less than a year and is able to keep up with her energetic, 6-year-old child. I did it by changing my diet and walking my dog more. I only put on 20 pounds during my first pregnancy with my son, Andy, in 2000 and lost it pretty quickly. I no longer took the elevator in the New York subway and went for the stairs.

Persons: Diana Coello, You've, I'd, Andy, Milania, COVID, Kenny, fryer, Dianne, Angie, Bruno, I've Organizations: Netflix, New York, Business Locations: New York City, chihuahua

☆ Kids made fun of my unusual name growing up. It shaped my personality, and I've embraced it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Dixie Gillaspie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Growing up in Dixie, surrounded by more common names like Mary and Jane, made me who I am. Mary, Jane, or Ann would do nicely. AdvertisementIn the company of my peers a name like Dixie meant being teased, even tormented, with nowhere to hide. AdvertisementI've embraced my unusual nameKids weren't the only ones to think my name was an invitation to innuendo and amusement. AdvertisementI have to wonder if I would have developed a milder personality if Dad had his way and I'd ended up a Mary, Jane, or Ann.

Persons: Mary, Jane, David, Nobody, didn't, Ann, Dixie Diane, Dixie, Hey Dix, giggles, Richard, it's, I've, Badfinger, Dizzy Gillespie, Dad, I'd, Marys, Janes Locations: Dixie, Jennifers

☆ We celebrate Thanksgiving a week early. It makes travel easier for my family, and no one has to worry about splitting the holiday.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Meredith Wilshere | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AdvertisementA few years ago, my family started celebrating Thanksgiving a week before the actual holiday. In 2021, my mom had a proposition to move the day we celebrate Thanksgiving. Some family members travel from out of state and find travel more manageable and relaxing the week before the actual holiday. For example, my boyfriend celebrates the week before with us, and we spend Thanksgiving day with his family. AdvertisementBy having Thanksgiving early, we're able to celebrate the holiday and spend quality time with as many family members and friends as possible.

Persons: we've, Meredith Wilshere We've, it's, we'll, Meredith Wilshere, we're

☆ I moved to France to earn my graduate degree because it was too expensive in the US. It's been the best decision of my life.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementI wanted to go back to school for my master's but didn't want to go into enormous debt. AdvertisementI didn't love my first college experienceI wanted a college do-over. Meredith ShubelI wanted a college do-over but going back to school in the US was not worth the expense, in my opinion. Meredith ShubelAt the time, I knew a friend who was doing her master's in France. I now live in ParisMy experience in France wasn't perfect but it was the right decision.

Persons: Jean Jaurès, —, Meredith Shubel, I've Organizations: Université, VW, Université Toulouse Locations: Université Toulouse, France, Paris, New England, Marseille, Toulouse

☆ A boomer built a $350K ADU in her backyard to grow old. It's also a win for her daughter, who moved into the main house.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Meanwhile, her 34-year-old daughter lives in the 2,000-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom main house with her three-and-a-half-year-old daughter. The ADU was a win for mom, daughter, and granddaughterFor Wilder-Abrams, building an ADU in her backyard and having her daughter move into the main house was much more affordable than purchasing a new home in Oakland. Courtesy of Christine Wilder-AbramsConstruction on Wilder-Abrams' ADU began in 2021. By May 2022, her daughter had moved into the main house, and she had settled into the ADU. To finance the construction of the ADU, Wilder-Abrams took out a second mortgage on her home, as the original mortgage had been paid off years earlier.

Persons: Christine Wilder, Abrams, Wilder, Zillow, Thomas Winz, ADUs, ADU Wilder, it'll, ADU, Everybody's, wasn't, it's Organizations: Wilder Locations: California, Oakland , California, Wilder, Oakland, Oakland , Orange County

☆ I became a millionaire at 28 but it took me a long time to find joy in my financial security
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Kelly Burch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

She wants her two daughters to break a family cycle and find joy in spending. Even when I immigrated to the US, I couldn't leave my family's money trauma behind. Calling myself a millionaire still feels very strangeThrough careful savings, planning, and good real estate moves, I was a millionaire by the time I turned 28. Now, I focus on the value of the things I'm spending on. I've been thinking about it since before they were born because I wanted to break my family's cycle of passing generational money trauma.

Persons: Hazel Secco, I'd, I've, I'm Organizations: Financial, Disney Locations: Korea, Manhattan

The San Francisco-based couple recently partook in a TikTok trend that features shoppers showing off the quirky items found at their local HomeGoods stores. “You feel the need to walk away with it because it’s gone the next day,” Gavello, 27, said about the appeal of HomeGoods products. But HomeGoods really does dictate for you, it tells you what to buy.”Wood said that he used to go to HomeGoods with his mom and pull out the weirdest items in the store to inspect. The official HomeGoods TikTok account commented on the couple’s video saying, “sometimes you don’t know what you need until you go to HomeGoods.”A representative for HomeGoods did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Gordon said the TikTok trend is fun because it shows the wide range of decorations that exist across HomeGoods stores.

Persons: Aubrey Gavello, Alex Wood, it’s, ” Gavello, Wood, ” Wood, “, HomeGoods, ”, Tatyiana Gordon, Gordon, “ It’s Organizations: TJX Companies, Sierra Trading, Marshalls, CNBC Locations: HomeGoods, San Francisco, Maxx, Syracuse , New York

☆ I'm a general manager at Microsoft and a mom of 3. I used to hide my parenting responsibilities at work until I made one bold move.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementKatharine Kennedy, a global GM at Microsoft, took her baby with her to a work conference in May. In 2017, I got a global client director job at Microsoft, a company I'd always wanted to work for. In 2020, I left Microsoft to work at Salesforce, where I had my second child. AdvertisementWhen an important work conference came up shortly after I had my third child, I decided to take him with me to the event. AdvertisementBut when I brought my baby to the conference, I demonstrated how to harmonize personal and professional responsibilities.

Persons: Katharine Kennedy, Kennedy, I've, I'd, I'm Organizations: Microsoft, Big Tech, Business Locations: Florida, Salesforce, Las Vegas, ServiceNow, Vegas

☆ I'm 76 and raising my 3 grandsons. This is not what I thought retirement would look like.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AdvertisementPhyllis Cavone, 76, and her 75-year-old husband are raising their three teenage grandsons. My husband, Francis, 75, and I pride ourselves on taking them to as many games and training sessions as we can. The mom said Christopher's older brother, Francis, 17, met them at the practice. When we were younger, we didn't think our retirement would look anything like it does now. AdvertisementCavone's baseball fan grandsons, Christopher, 13, Dominic, 15, and Francis, 17, when they were younger.

Persons: Phyllis Cavone, Cavone, it's, Francis, Christopher, Dominic, curveballs, — Organizations: Business Locations: Orlando, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Florida

☆ 9 of the most stylish nepo babies
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Mykenna Maniece | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

AdvertisementNepo babies can have access to the hottest designers and archival pieces. BI spoke with fashion stylists to learn which of today's nepo babies have the best style. Lori Harvey was complimented for her ability to marry grunge and feminine elements in her looks. "But when you have rich, famous people's closets to raid, you're going to have better options than if not," fashion stylist Payton Dale told Business Insider. Though the lines of who counts as a nepo baby remain up for debate — nepo babies, short for nepotism babies, are usually thought of as successful individuals who benefit from their parents' or other relative's success in the same or similar industries — BI reached out to Dale, as well as fashion stylists Maiya Simone and Turner Allen, to learn which nepo babies have the best style.

Persons: Lori Harvey, Payton Dale, Jolie, Pitt rewearing, Elie Saab, Carys Douglas, Catherine Zeta, Jones, Beyoncé, Dale, Maiya Simone, Turner Allen, Here's Organizations: BI

☆ Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson's relationship timeline, from kids to breaking up
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Palmer wrote about their "unhealthy relationship" in her new memoir, "Master of Me." Keke Palmer is reflecting on her "unhealthy" relationship with ex-boyfriend Darius Jackson and why it had to end. In August 2023, Palmer seemingly referenced Jackson's comments in Usher's music video for 'Boyfriend'In Usher's music video, Palmer was seen wearing a white bathrobe and getting glammed up for a night out with friends. Later in the video, Palmer and Usher bumped into each other at a casino, wearing the same outfit. Palmer wrote about her relationship with Jackson in her memoir, 'Master of Me'In her book, Palmer writes about Jackson's reaction to her appearance at Usher's concert, calling it "unexpected."

Persons: Keke Palmer, Darius Jackson, Leodis Jackson, Palmer, could've, Jackson, Palmer's, Leo, Sarunas Jackson, Alejandro, Dro, who's, Issa Rae, Derek White, WireImage Palmer, they'd, Tamron, Bustle's Sylvia Obell, Obell, Palmer didn't, Leodis Andrellton Jackson, I'm, Gregg DeGuire, Usher, you've, it's, Pop Crave, Jackson trespassed, Jackson didn't, didn't, she's, we've, Gayle King, Libby Torres Organizations: Business, HBO, Las, Entertainment, Palmer, CBS Locations: gush, Jackson, Palmer, Pacific Palisades , California, Instagram

☆ Cher says Sonny Bono secretly rewrote her business contracts, trapping her in 'involuntary servitude': 'I had no way to make any money'
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Callie Ahlgrim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementCher and Sonny Bono costarred on "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour" when they were married in the '70s. In her new memoir, Cher writes that Bono "secretly designed" her contracts so she earned nothing. With their hit CBS show "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour," which premiered in 1971, husband-and-wife entertaining duo Sonny and Cher had become "the unlikely darlings of prime time." But behind the scenes, Cher writes in her new book, "The Memoir: Part One," Bono had become increasingly controlling. Sonny Bono and Cher with their son in 1973.

Persons: Sonny Bono costarred, Sonny, Cher, Bono, Sonny Bono, Frank Edwards, David Geffen, I'd, Geffen, she'd, Irwin Spiegel, David, he'd, Fred Silverman, CBS's, Cher's, Chaz Organizations: Cher Enterprises, CBS, Fotos, Getty

☆ Cathie Wood's Ark pitches mom-and-pop investors on exposure to Elon Musk's startups
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Melia Russell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AdvertisementIn an email to subscribers, Ark Invest highlighted its exposure to Elon Musk's private companies. Its venture fund includes stakes in SpaceX, X, and xAI, totaling nearly 15% of net assets. Ark Invest hyped Musk's influence with Donald Trump, saying his companies could also benefit. SpaceX was Ark Venture Fund's largest holding, with about 13% of assets, worth an estimated $8.7 million. In a recent interview, Winton illuminated the factors that drove Ark's investments in Musk's companies.

Persons: Elon, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Brett Winton, Elon Musk's, Ark, xAI, Trump, Musk, He's, Winton Organizations: Ark Invest, SpaceX, Ark, Elon, Invest, ARK Venture Fund, Ark Venture, Trump megadonor, Trump's, Winton Locations: Elon, United States

☆ A woman posed as her own mom to claim hurricane aid, saying Botox helped her look young, police say
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Joshua Nelken-Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

AdvertisementPolice arrested a Florida woman on a felony charge of filing a false public assistance claim. They say she posed as her mom to claim hurricane aid, but her youthful appearance raised suspicions. Police say the woman claimed to look young because of Botox treatments. Police in Florida have said a woman applied for hurricane disaster assistance by posing as her mother — and said she looked younger because of Botox. Investigators allege that Veronica Torres, 44, used her mother's name, driving license, and Social Security information to apply for the city's Hurricane Disaster Assistant Program.

Persons: —, Veronica Torres, Torres, Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton Organizations: Police, Social Security, Hurricane, Bradenton Police Department, Bradenton Police, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA Locations: Florida

☆ Survivor of suicide attempt receives innovative face transplant: ‘It was just a miracle’
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Jacqueline Howard | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

At the time, she said, a doctor told her: “The only option for Derek is a face transplant.”Derek Pfaff with his mother, Lisa, before his face transplant procedure. Mayo ClinicPfaff, 30, is now one of just several dozen people in the world who have successfully received a life-changing face transplant. Among them are Aaron James, who received the world’s first whole-eye and partial face transplant, and Katie Stubblefield, who was the youngest person to receive a face transplant in the United States. Before his face transplant surgery, Derek Pfaff was missing several parts of his face. You are restoring, bringing in fully formed facial parts.”Dr. Samir Mardini led the medical team that performed Pfaff's face transplant in February.

Persons: CNN — Derek Pfaff, “, ”, Pfaff, Jerry Pfaff, Derek Pfaff, Lisa Pfaff, Derek, ” Derek Pfaff, Lisa, Mayo Clinic Pfaff, Aaron James, Katie Stubblefield, “ There’ve, Samir Mardini, Mayo, Mardini, – they’re, it’s, ” Mardini, Dr, ’ Pfaff, –, ” Pfaff, Sanjay Gupta, Lisa’s, ” Lisa, “ We’re Organizations: Lifeline, CNN, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Befrienders, Mayo Clinic, World Health Organization, US Centers for Disease Control, CNN Health, Detroit Lions football Locations: Harbor Beach , Michigan, United States, Rochester , Minnesota, Mayo

☆ Cher says her mother wanted to put Sonny Bono 'in jail' because of their 11-year age-gap relationship
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

These days, Cher prefers younger men: She has a 40-year age gap with her current partner, Alexander Edwards. There's at least one person who didn't initially approve of Cher's age-gap relationship with Sonny Bono — her mother. So I said, 'OK, I'm not 18 but next month is my birthday' — which was true — 'and I'm going to be 18,'" Cher told Mason, recounting her words. AdvertisementEven though Bono didn't find her attractive initially, their relationship eventually blossomed, she said. Looking back on their relationship, Cher says that their 11-year age gap never felt strange.

Persons: Cher, wasn't, Sonny Bono, Alexander Edwards, There's, didn't, Sonny Bono —, Anthony Mason, Bono —, —, Bono, Mason, Tony, Maria, Bono didn't, Chaz Bono, Cher —, Jennifer Hudson, isn't, Dick Van Dyke, Arlene Silver, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar Organizations: CBS

☆ We thought we wanted kids until our friends started having them. It helped us realize we want to stay child-free.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Gary Nunn | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

They were initially 50/50 about having children; now, they're sure they want to remain childless. On my first date with my husband, Rohan, we discussed whether we wanted kids. Seeing our friends have kids changed our decisionPrior to this relationship, I'd been engaged when I was 19 to a man I knew wanted kids. AdvertisementWith my now-husband, seeing our friends have kids and how that looked for them changed our minds about having kids. AdvertisementThere are benefits to not having kids, but friendships have changedWe already feel the benefits of not having children.

Persons: Jasmine Parasram, They've, Rohan, neurodivergent, I've, I'd, We'd, —, We've, we've, We're, who've, it's Locations: Melbourne, Australia

☆ I've spent years living overseas. When I returned to the US, my reverse culture shock was so bad I left after 2 months.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Lola Méndez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementI lived abroad for years before returning to the United States for a bit in 2018. I left after two months when struggling with reverse culture shock. I left the United States in September 2015 because I wanted to experience living abroad as an adult. AdvertisementMy mom and sister had been visiting me in Chiang Mai, Thailand, when I ended a long-term relationship with the partner I'd been living with. All of this combined meant I only lasted in the United States for about two months before I returned to Chiang Mai.

Persons: I'd, Chiang, Spencer Platt, John F, Chiang Mai, I've Organizations: Kennedy International Airport, Trump Locations: United States, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, Spain, Italy, Tallahassee

☆ Watching TikTok videos with my teen keeps us connected. We've had thoughtful conversations thanks to social media.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Nina Mccollum | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

He sends me TikToks, and we watch them together, which helps us stay connected. TikTok and Instagram have allowed me to continue communicating with my kid even when the sound of my voice is annoying. Related storiesWe watch videos togetherI have shared custody, so I see him every other week. He sometimes sends videos from school or at night after I've gone to bed so we have daily content to watch. I send him funny videos of parents teaching their kids to drive, and he sends them back to me.

Persons: I've, toddled, doesn't, that's, what's Organizations: Pong, Netscape, Harvard Locations: snuggles

☆ I'm a single mom who suddenly became an empty nester. I decided to give up my home and travel full-time.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( Amber Campbell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I'd been a single mom with primary custody for over a decade. AdvertisementMy empty nest left me feeling lonelyBeing a single mom without a life partner to divert my attention and soften the transition made this change even worse. My empty nest felt lonelier, and I felt rudderless, struggling to adapt to life independently for the first time in two decades. After a few weeks, I accepted my daughter wasn't going to change her mind and come home, so I started warming up to the idea of being on my own again. It's also positively impacted my relationship with my daughters, who look forward to hearing where mom pops up next.

Persons: I'd, Evelyn S, Bassoff, wasn't, I've, It's Organizations: — Locations: Seattle, San Luis Obispo , California, San Juan Island, Washington

☆ My daughter is transgender, but she's also just like any other kid
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( Noah Berlatsky | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

As a kid, our daughter was about as easy to deal with as it is possible for a kid to be. And, of course, many parents of trans kids feel that their children have, well, transformed. AdvertisementPublic discussions of trans kids often tend to focus on how they're different from cisgender kids, and on how parents face different challenges in supporting them. And trans kids are different from cis kids in some ways. We like her girlfriend, who is more willing to chat with us than our daughter, perhaps because we're not her parents.

Persons: absented, she's, Jack Halberstam, don't, we're

☆ My coworker asked if I was pregnant, and I wasn't. The confrontation made me spiral, and I debated whether to tell my boss.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( Colleen Mcnally Arnett | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementA coworker asked me if I had the "nine-month flu," but I wasn't pregnant. It happened when I returned to the office after working from home for several days because I'd been fighting a cold. AdvertisementSurprisingly, I found it difficult to handle the situation from there, but I learned a valuable lesson about boundaries in the workplace. I became self-conscious in the workplaceAfter the exchange with my coworker, I attempted to return my focus to my work. AdvertisementIf the question comes again, I will be ready with a different strategy: simply ask the coworker why she wants to know.

Persons: I'm, I, I'd, it's, empathized, Ruby Warrington's, Ketta Crawford, —, Crawford Organizations: Warrington

☆ Small businesses are hurting at the worst possible time
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

That’s because small businesses typically having tighter profit margins compared to behemoths like Walmart and Amazon, so they feel the sting of rising costs more acutely. The Small Business Index shows that 8 in 10 small retail businesses rely on holiday sales to meet their annual profit goals. If only it were that simple for small businesses. John Waldmann, chief executive of Homebase, a payroll software provider for more than 100,000 small businesses, said Enjou Chocolat’s dilemma is something he hears all the time. “Small businesses are really reticent to increase prices, so when they do, it’s because they have to,” Waldmann said.

Persons: Washington CNN — Enjou, Mark Chinsky, “, ‘ that’s, you’ve, ” Chinsky, that, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, we’re, ”, Thomas Barkin, “ Price, Joe Raedle, John Waldmann, Enjou, ” Waldmann, “ They’re, Scott Olson, there’s, Sarah Jordan, ” There’s, Bill Dunkelberg Organizations: Washington CNN, CNN, National Federation of Independent Business, Walmart, ” Richmond Fed, Target, “, Board, Wrigley Field Locations: Morristown , New Jersey, America, Miami, Chicago

☆ I met my husband in a chat room in 2000. We got engaged without seeing each other, and we are still together.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( Mar Yvette | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementMy husband and I met in a chat room 2000 and connected over books. In a world that emphasizes physical appearance, it can seem downright mind-boggling when people fall in love (and get engaged) without ever seeing each other. Books, literature, and loveWe met in a Yahoo books and literature chat room in 2000, back when Yahoo actually had chat rooms. One day, I was in the chat room when I noticed someone defending two of my favorite writers — Walt Whitman and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Fortunately, when we met, the love was already there, and no physical trait was about to change that.

Persons: you've, Long, — Walt Whitman, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Aram, he'd, could've, didn't, It's Organizations: Yahoo Locations: LA, Detroit, California

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