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Kyle Kennedy: The Untold Story Behind Her Tragic Passing New

Kyle Kennedy: The Untold Story Behind Her Tragic Passing

Kyle Kennedy, one of Robert F. “Bobby” Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy’s 34 grandchildren, has died. She was 42. “Kyle Francis Kennedy passed away peacefully on September 21, 2026, at her home in Westwood, Massachusetts,” the educator’s obituary read. A cause of death has not been revealed. Funeral services were private, according to the obituary. Kyle was born on July 6, 1984, in Washington, D.C., to parents Michael (who died in 1997) and Victoria Denise Gifford. Victoria, 69, is the daughter of Frank Gifford and Maxine Avis Ewart and is Kathie Lee Gifford’s stepdaughter. Kyle spent most of her life in Massachusetts, “where she built a career devoted to early childhood education,” according to her obituary. She majored in history at Georgetown University in D.C. and later earned a Master of Science in early education from Pace University, as well as a Master of Education in education policy and management from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Kyle began her career teaching in the program Teach for America in New York City. She was also an advocate for more equitable elementary education and charter schooling. “Kyle was naturally fast and competitive,” her obituary read. “Throughout her life, she could frequently be seen outrunning her peers on playgrounds, soccer pitches, and lacrosse fields, while in quieter moments tenaciously pursuing all out victory in trivial pursuit or card games. As an adult, she developed a passion for long-distance running and in 2019 completed the Boston Marathon in a driving rainstorm, beating her own father's time by 20 minutes.” The page continued, “Kyle loved art, animals, and travel. She can be seen in photos bundled head to toe in a down jacket inside a Scandinavian ice cave, enjoying the sun on the beaches of Cape Cod and Nantucket, and smiling beside a band of mountain gorillas in Uganda.” Kyle married Liam Kerr in August 2012. The pair went on to welcome twins Conor and Josephine in 2014, although the latter tragically died days after her birth. Kyle and Kerr later welcomed son Declan in 2016. While the couple’s divorce was never reported, the obituary refers to Kerr as Kyle’s “former husband.” In 2020, Kyle suffered a severe spinal cord injury that resulted in long-term paralysis and disability. She began advocating for others with disabilities, including “testifying at the Massachusetts state house in a hearing on discrimination in disabled health care.” Kyle is survived by Kerr and their two sons; her mother; her brother, Michael, his wife, Mary, and their children, McKie and Quinn; and her sister, Rory, her husband, David, and their children, Jack and Caleb. Kyle's death comes less than a year after Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of late President John F. Kennedy, lost her battle with leukemia at age 35.

Oct 20, 2026
New DNA Evidence Challenges Clovis First Theory: Are We Rethinking North America's Past? New

New DNA Evidence Challenges Clovis First Theory: Are We Rethinking North America's Past?

See more of our coverage in your search results. Researchers examining ancient DNA have narrowed down the timeline of early human migration into North America — shedding light on a question that’s puzzled scientists for decades.The study, published online ahead of its appearance in the December 2026 issue of the journal Current Opinion in Genetics & Development, looked at previously published genetic and archaeological evidence to better understand when humans first arrived in the Americas.Genetic evidence most strongly supports humans reaching the Americas between 14,000 and 20,000 years ago, the study suggests — with an arrival before 15,000 years ago considered likely.Previously, scientists thought the first humans arrived in North America roughly 13,500 years ago, a theory known as “Clovis First.” An illustration of Christopher Columbus arriving in the New World in 1492 in a collectible card published in 1887. Getty ImagesLater archaeological discoveries have challenged that timeline, suggesting humans may have reached North America thousands of years earlier.The researchers, led by Bethany Potter and Savannah Hay of the University of Kansas, reviewed existing ancient DNA and archaeological evidence, including 23,000-year-old human footprints found at White Sands National Park in New Mexico.The footprints suggest humans may have inhabited North America earlier than the timeline supported by currently available genetic evidence. A team of researchers examined ancient DNA and 23,000-year-old footprints to determine humans were in North America earlier than the suggested previous timeline. Heritage Images/Getty ImagesSuch early populations could have belonged to genetic lineages that have not yet been sampled or that left no surviving descendants, the researchers said. By comparing previously published genetic data from ancient human remains in Asia and the Americas, researchers examined shared ancestry to trace how early Indigenous populations split into distinct groups.Some ancestral lineages diverged roughly 21,000 years ago, according to the review.The researchers also highlighted evidence that ancestral Native American populations split into northern and southern groups roughly 15,500 years ago, likely south of the massive ice sheets that once covered much of North America.That would mean their ancestors had already reached the continent before the split occurred.“Genomic data show us that the dynamics of the peopling of the Americas were quite different — at one point, a small group of people must have entered the American continents completely devoid of other humans,” the researchers wrote.Still, the researchers acknowledged that questions remain about exactly when and where early populations diverged.“The timing and geographic location of key divergence events mentioned above remain uncertain,” the authors wrote.Ancient DNA has also played a key role in other recent archaeological discoveries.Earlier this summer, researchers announced the discovery of ancient sheep pox virus DNA in the York Gospels, a 1,000-year-old manuscript written in England.In Chile, researchers recently discovered ancient smallpox DNA in two centuries-old mummies, providing the first genetic evidence of the disease in that region of South America.

Oct 20, 2026
Ancient DNA Challenges 'Clovis First' Theory with Surprising New Timeline New

Ancient DNA Challenges 'Clovis First' Theory with Surprising New Timeline

See more of our coverage in your search results. Researchers examining ancient DNA have narrowed down the timeline of early human migration into North America — shedding light on a question that’s puzzled scientists for decades.The study, published online ahead of its appearance in the December 2026 issue of the journal Current Opinion in Genetics & Development, looked at previously published genetic and archaeological evidence to better understand when humans first arrived in the Americas.Genetic evidence most strongly supports humans reaching the Americas between 14,000 and 20,000 years ago, the study suggests — with an arrival before 15,000 years ago considered likely.Previously, scientists thought the first humans arrived in North America roughly 13,500 years ago, a theory known as “Clovis First.” An illustration of Christopher Columbus arriving in the New World in 1492 in a collectible card published in 1887. Getty ImagesLater archaeological discoveries have challenged that timeline, suggesting humans may have reached North America thousands of years earlier.The researchers, led by Bethany Potter and Savannah Hay of the University of Kansas, reviewed existing ancient DNA and archaeological evidence, including 23,000-year-old human footprints found at White Sands National Park in New Mexico.The footprints suggest humans may have inhabited North America earlier than the timeline supported by currently available genetic evidence. A team of researchers examined ancient DNA and 23,000-year-old footprints to determine humans were in North America earlier than the suggested previous timeline. Heritage Images/Getty ImagesSuch early populations could have belonged to genetic lineages that have not yet been sampled or that left no surviving descendants, the researchers said. By comparing previously published genetic data from ancient human remains in Asia and the Americas, researchers examined shared ancestry to trace how early Indigenous populations split into distinct groups.Some ancestral lineages diverged roughly 21,000 years ago, according to the review.The researchers also highlighted evidence that ancestral Native American populations split into northern and southern groups roughly 15,500 years ago, likely south of the massive ice sheets that once covered much of North America.That would mean their ancestors had already reached the continent before the split occurred.“Genomic data show us that the dynamics of the peopling of the Americas were quite different — at one point, a small group of people must have entered the American continents completely devoid of other humans,” the researchers wrote.Still, the researchers acknowledged that questions remain about exactly when and where early populations diverged.“The timing and geographic location of key divergence events mentioned above remain uncertain,” the authors wrote.Ancient DNA has also played a key role in other recent archaeological discoveries.Earlier this summer, researchers announced the discovery of ancient sheep pox virus DNA in the York Gospels, a 1,000-year-old manuscript written in England.In Chile, researchers recently discovered ancient smallpox DNA in two centuries-old mummies, providing the first genetic evidence of the disease in that region of South America.

Oct 20, 2026
Lady Gaga Hints at New Music as She Embraces Motherhood New

Lady Gaga Hints at New Music as She Embraces Motherhood

Mother Monster is still hard at work. Lady Gaga made a major announcement about her music career after welcoming a baby girl earlier this year. After Gaga (real name Stefani Germanotta) posted a TikTok video promoting her cosmetic brand Haus Labs' Complexion Brush Set on Monday, October 19, a fan took to the comments section to beg the "Bad Romance" singer, 40, to return to the recording studio. "Gaga please don't make us wait long for albums!!!" the user wrote. "We just want music!!! Every albums has been taking longer & longer ��." Gaga quickly responded, "Don't worry ����," teasing that a new release may be on the way. News broke in September that the 16-time Grammy winner had quietly started a family with her fiancé, Michael Polansky. Us later obtained a birth certificate revealing the couple named their daughter Rose Bean and that she was born on June 9 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Gaga and Polansky, 43, are believed to have named their firstborn child after one of the pop star's favorite songs, "La Vie en Rose," which she covered in her 2018 movie, A Star Is Born. Rose is rumored to have gotten her middle name from Carl Bean, the late LGBTQ+ activist who inspired Gaga's hit 2011 song "Born This Way." Earlier this month, a source exclusively told Us that Gaga and Polansky, who got engaged in 2024, have been raising their daughter at their "peaceful" home in Northern California. "She planned it so she would have the time off in advance," the insider said of the "Poker Face" singer, confirming Rose arrived via surrogacy. "She kept it a secret. All she really revealed was that she needed to carve out some personal time." A second source shared with Us that Gaga was still "doing some work from home" during her first months as a new mom, adding, "She is finishing up her Mayhem Ball concert film and has been on calls for her Haus Labs brand." The Oscar winner released her most recent album, Mayhem, in March 2025. After headlining Coachella, she took the project — which included the singles "Die With a Smile," "Disease" and "Abracadabra" — on tour from July 2025 to April. Gaga was spotted recording her Los Angeles shows in February, though she has yet to announce a release date for the film.

Oct 20, 2026
Emmitt Smith Reveals The Impact of Len Goodman's Absence on DWTS New

Emmitt Smith Reveals The Impact of Len Goodman's Absence on DWTS

Former Dancing With the Stars champion Emmitt Smith is getting candid about how the show has changed without beloved judge Len Goodman.  “Len was the ultimate ballroom judge and he did not like a lot of freestyle stuff,” Smith, 57, exclusively told Us via his partnership with AT&T before DWTS’ Dedication Night on Tuesday, October 20. “So, a lot of those hip-hop things that you see right now is probably because Len is not around any longer, unfortunately.” Goodman retired from DWTS in November 2022 after being a nearly constant presence at the judges’ panel since the show premiered in 2005. He died of prostate cancer in April 2023 at the age of 78.  Smith noted that Goodman was “a great judge,” but he also argued judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli “can appreciate” different styles of dance. “Len was such a stickler on ballroom because this is a ballroom competition,” the former Dallas Cowboys running back said. “However, the creativity of the dancers and the creativity that you see come out on some of these routines, it actually showcases the talent and the breadth and the depth a person can actually grow to. Sometimes people don’t know that it’s in them until they try these things.” Smith won the mirrorball trophy — which was later renamed in Goodman’s honor — with partner Cheryl Burke during season 3 of DWTS in 2006. The duo returned for an all-stars season in 2012, ultimately finishing in fourth place. “I had to learn some of these things myself,” Smith said of the competition’s challenges. “Dancing With the Stars was a great show for a person to really get outside of their comfort zone, let their hair down and just relax and enjoy the moment. If you learn the routine quick enough and the techniques and the posture and everything else, it just flows and you have a ball.” The NFL Hall of Famer has partnered with AT&T to celebrate this season’s Dedication Night, during which the celebrity dancers will pay tribute to a special person in their lives. “Back in my era, there was not a Dedication Night,” Smith said. “It has actually evolved and I’m glad that it has because every one of these dancers, including myself, have had someone in our lives that has impacted us in so many different ways.” Throughout the night, AT&T will sponsor integrations celebrating the people and relationships that shape contestants’ lives. “With AT&T, they keep everybody connected to the moments that move us,” Smith added. “With Dancing With the Stars, it’s about movement. It’s about moving forward. On the football field, it’s about moving and progressing and scoring touchdowns. As everything else in life, you learn from your mistakes. Even on Dancing With the Stars, you have to learn from these things. The life lessons are all around this show.” Dancing With the Stars season 35’s Dedication Night airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesday, October 20, at 8 p.m. ET .

Oct 19, 2026
Why This Kansas Mom Was Released After Tragic Soccer Game Incident New

Why This Kansas Mom Was Released After Tragic Soccer Game Incident

It has been revealed why a Kansas mother accused of killing a six-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man after allegedly driving her pickup truck through a soccer match has been released from custody without charges as police continue investigating the tragedy. Saturday's horrifying incident left two dead and at least 10 others injured at Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, with the deceased being named as six-year-old Cole Adrian and 35-year-old, Nicholas Schafer. Why the mom who allegedly killed two has been released Nick Schafer with his partner and three children. Credit: Nick Schafer/Facebook The driver, a 34-year-old mother from Garden City, allegedly screamed: “Oh my God, oh my God, what have I done?” after bystanders pulled her from the Chevrolet pickup truck, the New York Post reported. One of her children was reportedly sitting in the back of the vehicle when it struck people on the sports field, while her other child had been taking part in a match on a separate pitch. The woman was initially taken into custody after remaining at the scene, before police confirmed she was released on Sunday afternoon while investigators await toxicology results and arrange a mechanical examination of the vehicle. “No charges have been filed at this time, and investigators continue working to determine the circumstances that led to the crash,” authorities claimed, with police yet to establish whether the incident was deliberate or accidental. The collision left multiple people injured, with at least 10 requiring medical attention, with those hurt including three young children, a five-year-old girl, a five-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl. The victims who died were pronounced dead at the scene, while those injured were taken to nearby hospitals in critical condition. The authorities respond to the incident Since the incident, Wichita Police Department Chief Joe Sullivan has come out and praised the parents and other spectators who rushed to help those caught up in the devastating incident. “It was truly amazing, but I think it’s indicative of the Wichita community,” Sullivan claimed. One witness told local broadcaster 12 News that a “black pickup truck came plowing through the youth soccer fields hitting multiple people before stopping 100-200 yards down the fields.” The witness described a distressing scene as emergency personnel worked to treat those struck by the vehicle. “Dozens of emergency responders on scene giving CPR and rendering aid to victims,” they confirmed. The account suggested the truck traveled a significant distance across the sports grounds before eventually coming to a halt. Police have appealed to members of the public who may have recorded the incident to come forward with footage, stressing that even seemingly insignificant details could help establish the sequence of events. “Regardless of how significant you believe your footage may be, we encourage you to submit it. Even the smallest detail could assist investigators,” the Wichita Police Department asked. Wichita Mayor Lily Wu also expressed her sorrow following the tragedy, describing herself as “heartbroken,” and urged people to stay away from the affected area while offering her support to those impacted. “My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, especially the children and families involved,” Wu said. The circumstances surrounding how the pickup truck entered an active soccer game remain unclear, with investigators continuing to examine witness accounts, potential video evidence and the vehicle itself for potential mechanical issues that may have led to the devastating incident. Featured Image Credit: YouTube/WRAL

Oct 19, 2026
Kelly Stafford’s Insomnia Battle Revealed: How It’s Impacting Her Marriage

Kelly Stafford’s Insomnia Battle Revealed: How It’s Impacting Her Marriage

See more of our coverage in your search results. The Los Angeles Rams’ disappointing 2–4 start to the season might have star quarterback Matthew Stafford losing sleep.If so, that would make two members of the Stafford household dealing with slumber issues.Before the Rams’ upset loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Matthew Stafford’s wife Kelly revealed to her Instagram stories that she has been dealing with a bout of insomnia.Before the Rams’ loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Matthew Stafford’s wife Kelly revealed that she has insomnia. AP Photo/Gregory BullThe first post was a mostly black photo, with a “3:04 AM” timestamp and a caption, “Insomnia sucks.”Kelly Stafford made another post to her story shortly after, showing a silver lining to her sleepy struggles.The photo was one of Matthew Stafford holding one of his four daughters and was captioned, “But what doesn’t suck is what you find when you have insomnia 🥹🥹.”Kelly Stafford’s Instagram story revealing that she’s dealing with insomnia. (Instagram/@kbstafford89)Kelly Stafford was likely going through her photos while unable to sleep, and came across the cozy snap from the past featuring her husband and their infant.Kelly Stafford’s Instagram shows a photo of Matthew holding one of her daughters. (Instagram/@kbstafford89)Kelly Stafford was interviewed by Forbes in 2025 and talked about the importance of getting quality sleep. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectInsomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, and/or get quality, sustained rest.Kelly Stafford was interviewed by Forbes in 2025 and talked about the importance of getting quality sleep.“Good sleep has helped our marriage,” she said, while also noting that sleep deprivation has led to arguments and irritability within her marriage. Perhaps a few Rams wins will help both Stafford’s sleep easier at night. But those wins are hard to come by right now. Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!

Oct 19, 2026
Sahara Ray's Tragic Passing: The Heartfelt Details Everyone's Talking About

Sahara Ray's Tragic Passing: The Heartfelt Details Everyone's Talking About

Sahara Ray, a model and the daughter of Australian pro surfer Tony Ray, died on Sunday, October 18. She was 34. "She passed away last night surrounded by family at the hospital,” Sahara’s family said in a statement to TMZ on Monday, October 19. “She was so loved.” An official cause of death has yet to be revealed. Us has reached out to Sahara’s team for comment. Sahara, who was born in Australia and grew up in California, rose to fame through her modeling career. After building a large following on social media, she was able to launch her own swimwear line called Sahara Ray Swim. The model also made headlines for spending time with Justin Bieber in 2016. At the time, the pair were photographed vacationing together in Hawaii. (She was also reportedly linked to singer and future Traitors star Cody Simpson.) In 2024, Sahara revealed she had been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. According to the Mayo Clinic, the rare neurological disorder is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves. It can cause weakness, numbness or paralysis. “My whole life changed in an instant,” she wrote via Instagram at the time, per Australia’s 7 News. “So thankful for my family and doctors for helping me get stronger everyday. Attitude is everything.” In her video, Sahara admitted she had been “pretty depressed” from the condition and needed a wheelchair to help move around. “Right now, I’m paralyzed from the tops of my upper thighs all the way down to my feet,” she said at the time. “I can’t walk at all.” (It’s unclear whether the diagnosis led to her death.) Over time, Sahara’s symptoms began to improve. In August 2025, she announced her pregnancy and gave birth to a baby girl named Snow earlier this year. “Happy Mother’s Day to all my strong beautiful mothers,” she wrote via Instagram on May 10. “You are the light and love of my life baby Snow��. Thank you for existing.” Throughout her life, Sahara also tried to follow a mantra that kept her in a positive mindset. “Have courage, and be kind,” she told GQ in July 2015. “Where there is kindness, there is goodness and where there is goodness, there is magic.” In what would have been her final post on Instagram before her death, Sahara shared photos of her growing baby girl with a caption that showcased how much she loved being a mother. “My whole heart �� baby Snow,” she wrote on July 19.

Oct 19, 2026
Selena Gomez's Voice Transformation: The Impact of Her Nicotine Habit

Selena Gomez's Voice Transformation: The Impact of Her Nicotine Habit

Selena Gomez has opened up about her nicotine addiction, revealing that vaping has permanently changed her voice. “I’m not going to be able to change my voice. I vaped nicotine a lot and just so everyone knows, that’s somewhat … vaped,” Gomez, 34, said in a candid Sunday, October 18, Instagram Story video, using a hopeful past tense to describe her habit. “Nicotine is so hard to quit and I think I just wanted to say, if you're going through it or even if you’re trying to vape, it’s just not worth it.” The Only Murders in the Building star, who has been photographed several times with a vape in her hand over the years, continued, “It’s so stupid and it’s changed my voice so if you guys don’t like listening to my voice, that’s totally understandable. I don’t mind, just don’t listen. But I am really excited, because I stopped and I just hope I can keep it up. It’s really hard, but I know if you are going through something, you can get through it too. It sucks.” Gomez has vaped for quite some time, revealing the apparatus in her hand as she got ready to marry husband Benny Blanco and also seemingly holding the pen while preparing for an outing with Taylor Swift last year. In August 2018, she was snapped clutching a vape while walking in Rome, Italy. Her public address comes after months of scrutiny over subtle changes to her voice over the years, and it isn’t the first time she’s addressed concerns shared online. In December 2025, the actress acknowledged during an Instagram Live session that fans had flagged apparent vocal changes. “There’s no excuse, I don’t really care,” she said during her December 16 Instagram Live session. “I think my point is that sometimes things happen. I get weird [or] my throat swells from the inside sometimes. That’s all.” She added at the time that she welcomed such frank conversation. “I’m glad y’all are being real with me on the Live. I appreciate it though, for real,” she said. More recently, Gomez also opened up about how as she gets older, physical traits are bound to change. During an interview with People on September 16, she said that aging doesn’t frighten her. “I don’t feel like it’s a bad thing,” she explained. “Getting older has been so fun. I’m not scared at all. I love getting older. Things are going to change and things are going to sag, but you’re alive. I think age is just a number in many ways.” After Gomez’s nicotine admission went live, she followed the clip with a cute mirror selfie while wearing a pair of tortoise shell spectacles, indicating that things were business as usual. Additional Instagram Stories that followed included a fresh-faced outdoor selfie that captured her glowing skin, as well as fan videos that praised her beauty brand, Rare Beauty.

Oct 19, 2026
French Couple's Calm Amid Paris Riots Sparks Online Frenzy

French Couple's Calm Amid Paris Riots Sparks Online Frenzy

See more of our coverage in your search results. C’est la vie. A couple in France has gone viral after they were filmed calmly enjoying a glass of wine and a cigarette while fires rage around them — while another woman casually jogged through the worst rioting in years.The relaxed-looking man and woman, who have been identified, were seen chatting and smoking at an outdoor bistro table, with fires raging feet behind them close to the iconic Arc de Triomphe in Paris.In another bizarre clip filmed in the French capital, a jogger was seen casually running through a smoke-filled street on Saturday, also completely unfazed by the rioters around her.A couple enjoys a drink near the Arc De Triomphe in central Paris, as demonstrations against rising living costs and declining public services spiral into rioting.The young female runner, wearing a sports bra and running shorts, wove among a bonfire of burning e-bikes and protesters as she made her way through the ongoing riot in Paris.Some 2,500 arrests were made over the weekend as violence and looting broke out across the country.In Paris alone, 855 arrests were made as violent groups clashed with officers and looted luxury stores.More coverage of the riots plaguing France’s streets BBC calls France’s radical-left riots ‘mostly peaceful’ while showing cities in flames French couple casually enjoy a smoke and a drink, jogger runs as riot fires rage around them Synagogue ransacked, Jewish businesses hit during violent French riots: ‘Can’t be a coincidence’ French police arrest 1,800 protesters after violent clashes and looting French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the violence during an address to the nation on Sunday, blaming radical left-wing groups and criminal gangs.However, the 48-year-old, who leaves office next year, was blasted as out-of-touch and arrogant for leaving France on Monday for a three-day trip to the Middle East.A jogger runs through a street blocked by protesters during a demonstration in Paris on Saturday, Oct. 17.A couple sits on the terrace of a cafe, whose windows have been damaged on Rue de Rivoli, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, a day after nationwide protests against the “high cost of living”, in Paris. AFP via Getty ImagesOn Monday, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu imposed curfews across swathes of France, including parts of Paris and the country’s second-largest city, Marseille.

Oct 19, 2026
Long Island Widow Overwhelmed as Islanders Pay Off Mortgage and Twins' Tuition

Long Island Widow Overwhelmed as Islanders Pay Off Mortgage and Twins' Tuition

Long Island exclusive details See more of our coverage in your search results. A Long Island mom who lost her FDNY husband wept at a recent Islanders game when the team and Tunnel To Towers touchingly revealed they paid off her mortgage and were covering her twins’ college tuition.“The mortgage alone is life-changing,” said Hope McHale, 57, of Manhasset to The Post. Long Island mom Hope McHale (center( and her kids. “The college thing is, I mean — there are no words,” she added. “There’s so much pressure off.”McHale lost her husband, Fire Marshal Martin “Woody” McHale, on Christmas Eve 2012 when he suffered a heart attack while driving home and crashed into a neighbor’s house after a shift.The dad, also a 9/11 responder who helped work the Ground Zero morgue, passed away when their two boys, Manhasset High School seniors Matthew and Ryan, were under 4 years old. Tunnel to Towers pays for Hope McHale’s (center left) mortgage during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, Saturday, October 10, 2026. New York Islanders“Woody and I struggled to have children, and we had children late in life,” said McHale, now a single mom.“They were definitely his prized possession – and [their birth] was definitely his proudest moment. He was just so happy to be a dad. He was such a good dad to my children.”After her husband’s death, McHale and the kids moved from Bayside, Queens, to Long Island in 2014, fulfilling Woody’s last wish.Fire Marshal Martin “Woody” McHale suffered a heart attack while driving home and crashed into a neighbor’s house after a shift.“This is a place that he wanted to raise our family,” said McHale, who works in sales for Ralph Lauren.Woody was also honored at the Long Island hockey team’s Oct. 10 game against the Lightning by having his face light up the Jumbotron at UBS Arena, to the roar of thousands.McHale and her boys were treated like Islanders royalty at the event and spent the evening in the owner’s suite along with team co-owner Jon Ledecky, who was emotional in helping the deserving mom.“Here’s somebody making their way through life, and now they get this big assist,” Ledecky told The Post.“And to put that love to work by raising these two kids alone as a single mom, it’s pretty incredible. … They’re terrific kids who are going to have great careers.”Hope McHale (right) and Martin “Woody” McHale (left). Matthew has already been accepted to the prestigious flight school Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, while Ryan is interested in Fairfield University in Connecticut, where Ledecky has already put in a good word with his contacts.The Islanders also raised $34,000 in 50-50 raffle proceeds for Tunnel to Towers that evening.“I felt kind of like it was a hat trick,” the owner said, referring to all the goodwill.

Oct 19, 2026
Carrie Ann Inaba and Val Chmerkovskiy's Tension Peaks After 'DWTS' Drama

Carrie Ann Inaba and Val Chmerkovskiy's Tension Peaks After 'DWTS' Drama

Carrie Ann Inaba fired back after Val Chmerkovskiy jokingly threatened to slap her Will Smith-style following drama on Dancing With the Stars. Chmerkovskiy, 40, came under fire this week for fiercely defending his wife, Jenna Johnson, online after Inaba, 58, criticized her choreography on Tuesday, October 13’s Super Bowl Night. “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” Chmerkovskiy wrote in a since-deleted TikTok, seemingly referring to Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum Smith, 58, infamously slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Inaba responded to the purported threat, asking, “So this is what we are doing now?” She posed the question via Instagram on Thursday, October 15, sharing a screenshot of Page Six’s post featuring Chmerkovskiy and Smith side-by-side with the professional dancer’s quote over it. Inaba added, “Thank you @pagesix and @entertainmentweekly for bringing this to my attention.” The controversy began after Johnson, 32, and her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr., performed a samba during Tuesday’s show and Inaba docked them points for an illegal lift. The judge noticed that Shum, 44, had been helped by two troupe dancers to do a backflip mid-routine, which goes against the rules of a traditional samba, which states dancers cannot take both feet off the ground. “I think you need to put more content in your dances. Especially because [Harry’s] so good, I want to see you challenge yourself a little bit more in the vein of what we’re looking for,” Inaba told Johnson, who has been married to Chmerkovskiy since 2019. “And there was a lift.” Johnson was confused by the remark, asking, “A lift?” noting she wasn’t the one who flipped her partner. Inaba then read the definition off a piece of paper, saying, “A lift is — I just need to say it — any movement during which one of the dancers has both feet off the floor at the same time with the assistance or support of their partner. Yeah, lift.” After the awkward judging, Johnson and Shum Jr. received a score of 33 out of 40. They got eights from all three regular judges, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli and Inaba, and received a nine from guest judge Joe Buck. “I hear Carrie Ann. She’s a judge for a reason,” Johnson told Extra after Tuesday’s episode, claiming it was water under the bridge. “She’s gonna do her job, I’m gonna do mine. I’m gonna take the feedback.” While the pair remained in the competition, Inaba’s criticism — she is known for being tougher than the other judges — caused a stir off camera. In addition to Val coming to his wife’s aide, his brother, former DWTS pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy, spoke out about the incident. “She goes and starts reading off the rulebook, but then that same rulebook that’s applicable in ballroom with lifts is only applicable to a couple dancing,” Maks, 46, explained on Thursday's episode of the “Viall Files” podcast. “You’re not talking about extra background dancers running out.” He added, “There’s no ‘three other people’ in the rulebook. The point is: Carrie Ann, get some consistency.” Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.

Oct 19, 2026