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Today — 11 January 2025Main stream

My wife and I couldn't decide whose last name to adopt, so we created a new one that has a deeper meaning for us

11 January 2025 at 03:07
Kylie Sapphino and her wife standing on a balcony with a view behind them.
The author, left, and her wife created a new name when they married.

Courtesy of Kylie Sapphino

  • Growing up, I didn't think I'd change my last name when I got married.
  • But when I came out as a lesbian and met my now-wife, I changed my mind.
  • Rather than choosing one of our existing last names or hyphenating, we created something new.

Before I came out as a lesbian, I was sure I wouldn't adopt the last name of my future husband. I knew I was going to be a writer and felt that I wanted to have a name that I could build a brand around, and like many closeted lesbians, I was sure I wouldn't be getting married until well into my career and my 40s. Thankfully, I made a lot of realizations six years ago when I met my now-wife. It also meant I had to revisit my previous stance on name changes. Since I found my forever partner, I actually wanted us to be tied together in name and in life.

But choosing whose name to pick became more challenging as we stripped away traditional gender roles. I could have pushed for us to use my name if I really wanted to keep the name attached to my bylines, but again, since we weren't relying on heteronormative practices telling us what to do, giving Taryn my last name didn't feel very symbolic. It became a transformative choice to decide upon a new married name for ourselves and our future children.

We looked at other last names, but nothing felt quite right

One thing remained true: I am a writer, and my other half is an artist. We both needed a name that could represent us in our aspiring careers. It felt silly to go on a last-name generator website, but it seemed like a good start to find some different options and see if anything sparked inspiration. It gave us a list — Cooper, Gardner, Baker, Stewart — but none of these last names felt right with either or both of our names.

I started to feel like I was undergoing a small identity crisis. This name was going to define me for the rest of my life. At least with my maiden name, I had 25 years to get attached to it. I might not have picked it myself, but it was the only thing I had ever known.

The author and her wife smiling and looking at each other in an outdoor yard.
The author never thought she'd change her last name.

Courtesy of Kylie Sapphino

We decided to create a new name for ourselves

But then there was this moment where Taryn and I thought about creating a new name that tied us to our past and future. We tried different ways of combining our names phonetically. My last name was Ruffino, and hers was Smith. What we got was Suffino. It was the easiest combination that felt good on the ears. I looked up the name, and it had no origins at all. It also didn't quite look right to us, like a cheesy ship name.

That's when I really got to work researching different prefixes and suffixes. I knew "ino" from my last name meant little. When I looked at other ways to get that same "suff" or "saff" sound, I was reminded of the word sapphire, which also happened to be the stones we chose for our engagement rings.

Not to totally geek out, but the root origin of the word sapphire comes from the Greek word sappheiros, which means "blue gemstone." If we spelled our name Sapphino, we would get the meaning "little blue."

Another hidden meaning in the name is the origin of sapphic. Yes, the word that relates to lesbians. Sappho was the name of a famous Greek poet who wrote about her love of women. Long story short, our name can also be interpreted as "little lesbian" (my personal favorite).

And thus, the Sapphinos were born. It didn't take long to get used to at all. It felt right and the perfect way to share our identity with each other and the world. I'm just as excited to see where the name Kylie Sapphino takes me as I am to pass it down to my own family, knowing that it has such a special meaning to us and our story.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Having a third child changed my family in ways we didn't expect

11 January 2025 at 02:57
A family of five poses in front of tall grasses.
Adding a third child to our family changed things up in ways my husband and I never expected. (This image was extended using AI.)

Caitlin Houston

  • Having a third child brought unexpected challenges and joys to our family life.
  • Parenting each child requires unique approaches, as no two children are the same.
  • Balancing time with a partner becomes challenging, requiring conscious effort to connect.

Becoming a parent is one of the most insane transitions in life. One day you're worrying about feeding and bathing yourself and the next your feeding and bathing responsibilities have doubled. As it goes, the more children you have, the more responsibilities you accrue. By the time my husband and I were settled in with two daughters, 2 years and 8 months apart, we felt our plates were full and our family was complete. But then the pandemic happened and we decided to have a third.

After the arrival of our third daughter, I discovered an assemblage of unexpected surprises — many of which caught me off guard, even as an experienced parent. At first it was more noise and a messier house. The washing machine literally never rests and the floors are always covered in crumbs. But then, there was more. Here are seven ways having a third child changed our lives in ways we didn't expect — some good, some a little tricky.

Experience means nothing

Even if you already have children, nothing will prepare you for the new newborn phase — especially after a five-year hiatus. I remember thinking the first few months would be like riding a bike; I would hop on the momcycle and take off without any wobbling. However, the way a newborn cries, eats, sleeps, poops, blinks will never be the same as your previous babies. Parents have to learn a whole new language of baby communication with each child. And it doesn't get easier; while newborns are a mystery, toddlers all seem to be a mystical unsolvable puzzle, too. Every child is unique, and parenting them will be unique, too.

You will be overstimulated

Have you ever tried making scrambled eggs while breastfeeding a newborn, quizzing an 8-year-old on their spelling words and watching a 10-year-old practice her ballet turns at the same time? That is what life with three is like on many days in our household.

Every child will need a new parenting style

My oldest never played in the bathroom. The second liked to throw things in the toilet. The third? Let's just say she knows exactly what toilet water tastes like.

Our youngest daughter is the most active, most curious, and the fastest child we have ever made. She doesn't subscribe to time out and she questions the majority of our rules (especially when it doesn't apply to her older sisters). Let it be known, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting multiple children.

You and your partner may not see one another as much

It's all hands on deck with three kids in the house — and sometimes that means everyone is doing different things in different places. I never anticipated how little I would see my husband once our third was born. But once she was here, I finally understood how parents can say they start to feel more like roommates rather than a couple. Three children mean three different sets of appointments, extracurriculars, bathtimes, and bedtimes. To combat this, my husband and I have to make a conscious effort to schedule time to talk, let alone hang out without an offspring present.

You don't have to be the perfect mom

I really wish someone told me mom-perfection is pointless when I was pregnant the first time around. Perhaps it would have spared me the silly thought that I could try to "get it right" with my third. The truth is the best moms don't get it right. Mistakes are normal when you're a parent. If you set the bar too high with unattainable goals and expectations, you'll ultimately feel horrible every time you don't meet them. Instead of being perfect, just be regular — be loving, be funny, show your kids you're human with real feelings and admit that you sometimes make mistakes. In the end, as long as you don't give up, you'll be the best mom no matter what.

Lower your expectations, then lower them again

When I had just one or two kids, I was able to be on time for parties with a perfectly wrapped gift or warm delicious appetizer in hand. My girls were by my side, dressed in clean clothes with matching socks and a bow. Nowadays, I am lucky if I remember to change out of my slippers before I leave the house. And you know what — it's fine. You get used to things not being exactly how you used to like them and learn quickly that having low expectations is the way to live. After all, having low expectations isn't such a bad thing. Your family and friends will forgive you for being late and accept the chaos (as they're probably in a state of chaos on their own).

Your heart may feel like it's going to explode

I'm not talking from stress — I'm referring to the overwhelming sense of love, pride, and joy you will experience when you see your three children together.

I don't recall when I had the epiphany that having a third child is worth every challenge and bump in the road — but it happened. One day I looked around and knew I was right where I am supposed to be. Even though you feel three times as exhausted and three times as busy when you have your third child, you will also undoubtedly feel three times in love.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Walgreens CEO says stopping shoplifting is like a 'hand-to-hand combat battle'

11 January 2025 at 02:57
Walgreens pharmacy
Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO Tim Wentworth said minimizing shoplifting is an ongoing challenge.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

  • Walgreens' CEO said the company is taking "creative" steps to address shoplifting and shrink.
  • While anti-theft measures can be effective, they can also hurt a store's sales, CEO Tim Wentworth said.
  • The pharmacy chain is in the midst of a multi-year turnaround effort to revive its retail business.

When it comes to its retail business, Walgreens faces a tradeoff when it comes to locking up items behind anti-shoplifting displays.

The Illinois-based pharmacy chain has long been one of the more vocal companies raising concerns about shoplifting in its stores — and its CEO said that the challenges continue.

In prior quarterly earnings calls, Walgreens executives mentioned "higher shrink" — or missing inventory — as a drag on profitability.

While the term didn't garner a mention in prepared remarks for Walgreens' fiscal first-quarter earnings call on Friday, CEO Tim Wentworth said in a call with analysts that the work to minimize shoplifting "is a hand-to-hand combat battle still, unfortunately."

The CEO also said the company's asset protection team is taking "creative" steps to address the issue in an effort to better avoid negative customer experiences.

"When you lock things up, for example, you don't sell as many of them," he said. "We've kind of proven that pretty conclusively."

Other companies are exploring additional ways to combat retail theft.

Walmart, for example, is testing technology with employees that allows them to use an app to unlock items protected behind anti-shoplifting displays. The retail giant is also piloting body cameras for front-line store workers at some Texas locations. T.J. Maxx has implemented body cameras for some employees as well.

Meanwhile, Walgreens is in the midst of a multi-year turnaround effort to revive its retail business.

American drugstores in general are in a tough spot as customers increasingly turn to options that have lower prices, better choices, and more convenience.

With Walgreens continuing to close underperforming stores and reinvest in successful locations, Wentworth said the company is testing out new systems to improve the in-store customer experience, like a digital check-in for prescription pick-up.

The CEO said the company is working on "getting to the right number of stores so that we can invest in them properly for the customer experience that needs to be — frankly, in too many of our stores — improved."

Walgreens delivered a big earnings beat on Friday, and its stock closed up over 27%.

Wentworth said the results reflect the company's "disciplined execution."

"While our turnaround will take time, our early progress reinforces our belief in a sustainable, retail pharmacy-led operating model," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider

What flight attendants make at American, Delta, and United. Some can earn over $100,000 a year.

11 January 2025 at 02:46
A Delta Airlines flight attendant waves from atop the boarding stairs.
A Delta Airlines flight attendant waves from atop the boarding stairs.

Dania Maxwell / Getty Images

  • Fight attendant salaries vary widely depending on seniority and number of hours worked.
  • American Airlines pays the highest hourly rates for flight attendants, though pay at the Big 3 is fairly similar.
  • United Airlines' flight attendant pay has been the same since 2021 as they negotiate a new contract.

Flight attendants at American, Delta, and United don't make nearly as much as their pilot colleagues, but the highest-paid cabin crew can take home a base salary of more than $70,000 a year — with some making six figures.

But the job is a far cry from your typical 9-5. It takes years of working grueling schedules and meeting high customer service and safety standards to reach the upper echelons of seniority at the US' Big 3 airlines.

Flight attendants are paid a base hourly rate, plus a per diem bonus if they are away from the airport where they are based. Some are paid for boarding. They can also earn more money by working holidays, flying at night, or holding a specialized position. Airlines also typically pay profit-sharing bonuses.

Pay increases with each year of service up to the 13th year.

Most flight attendants are guaranteed a monthly minimum, which varies by airline — meaning they will be paid for at least a certain number of hours each month whether or not they fly it, minus certain circumstances. Many work more than the guarantee.

Pay scales obtained and verified by Business Insider show American offers the highest hourly rates, followed closely by Delta. United's pay rates have been frozen since 2021 as the airline and union negotiate a new contract.

American Airlines

  • First-year: $35.82
  • 13th-year: $82.24

American offers the highest hourly rates thanks to a new contract ratified in September with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants.

The deal, which took five years of negotiations partly due to the pandemic, increased pay by up to 20.5% at the date of signing. First-years start at about $36 an hour, while 13-year flight attendants make about $82 an hour.

American guarantees 71 hours of pay a month for those with a pre-planned "line" schedule. "Reserve" crew, or those on call, have a minimum of 75 hours.

This translates to at least $30,500 for first-year crew and $70,000 for thirteen-year veterans before taxes and other earnings.

As part of the new contract, pay will increase in October 2025 and again each year through 2029. By then, hourly rates will increase to a starting base pay of about $40 per hour

American added boarding pay to its latest contract at 50% of a flight attendant's hourly rate, which is expected to go into effect in March. This will further up the cabin crew's annual salary. Historically, crew were not paid for boarding time.

American has historically not paid a high profit-sharing bonus. In 2023, it was just 1.1%. The new contract increased that profit-sharing formula to match Delta's, but the final amount will depend on American's year-end earnings. For 2023, the airline was the least profitable of the Big 3.

Delta Air Lines

  • First-year: $35.50
  • 13th-year: $79.80

Delta's flight attendants are not unionized. Their most recent pay bump was in June, which increased cabin crew salaries by about 5%.

First-year Delta flight attendants earn a base pay of $35.50 an hour, while 13-year crew members earn about $80 an hour.

Like American, Delta cabin crew get boarding pay equal to half of their hourly rate. In 2022, Delta became the first major US airline to offer the extra pay.

Flight attendant salaries at Delta vary based on hours worked a month and there is no contractual minimum.

Some Delta flight attendants who are trying to unionize say the lack of guaranteed hours could lead to lower pay than competitors.

A Delta spokesperson said flight attendants typically get 80 hours a month. This means first-year and 13-year flight attendants earn about $34,000 and $76,600 annually, before taxes and other earnings.

He added cabin crew can earn up to $1,200 extra annually for meeting monthly operating metrics.

Delta also consistently distributes the highest annual profit-sharing. It paid $1.4 billion to employees in 2023, which amounted to a bonus of 10.4% of employees' eligible earnings.

United Airlines

  • First-year: $28.88
  • 13th-year: $67.11

United has the lowest first-year base pay at about $29 an hour. Thirteen-year flight attendants make about $67 an hour.

United guarantees 71 hours of pay a month for those with a line schedule, while a reserve crew member gets a minimum of 78 hours. United does not currently offer boarding pay.

That amounts to United first-years making at least $24,600 a year and 13-year flight attendants making at least $57,000 annually before taxes and other earnings.

Failed negotiations between United and its labor union, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, have prevented pay increases, which is why the airline's wages are comparatively lower. Mediation of a new contract has been paused until at least early this year, so United cabin crew are still being paid 2021 rates.

A United spokesperson told BI half of the airline's cabin crew are at the top of the seniority pay scale, with average annual pay in that group hitting nearly $80,000.

That likely accounts for hours worked above the guarantee, as United said the crews have flexible schedules and can work when they want, or other ways to earn extra pay.

United said it has proposed a 22.5% raise and new boarding pay, among other offerings, as part of its contract negotiations.

The union told BI it wants industry-leading pay and better work rules and scheduling.

Despite lower comparative base pay, United flight attendants have earned high profit-sharing bonuses. In 2023, that was about 9.2% of their eligible annual salary.

Other ways flight attendants earn money

Extra pay opportunities can add tens of thousands of dollars to flight attendants' base rates and put the most senior crew members well into the six figures.

This includes working overtime, flying on holidays or during nighttime, or if they hold a skilled position. Airlines also offer flight attendants free flights for personal use as part of their employment benefits.

Skilled positions can include being the in-charge "lead" or purser, working in the galley, or speaking a second language. The premium pay ranges from $1 to $7.50 extra per hour, depending on the aircraft and whether the flight is domestic or international.

Flight attendants also get per diem pay, typically $2 to $4 for each hour on duty away from home, to cover work-related expenses like meals, laundry, and transportation.

Senior flight attendants can gross $100,000 or more annually, depending on how many hours they work. Premium and special skills pay help boost that. They can fly more hours by bidding for more than their monthly minimum or picking up trips dropped by other crew members.

Read the original article on Business Insider

States with the oldest and youngest newlyweds

11 January 2025 at 02:50
Data: U.S. Census Bureau; Chart: Axios Visuals

People are saying "I do" later in life — and now, more say they'll never tie the knot.


The big picture: The median age of those getting married for the first time was nearly 30 in 2023, up two years from 2010, according to census data.

  • Compare that to 1950, when the median age was around 22, per the U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey.

State of play: D.C., New York and California residents are the oldest at their first marriage, at around 31, while Utah, Idaho and West Virginia residents are the youngest, at around 27, recent data shows.

Trump aide Stephen Miller asserts his power on Capitol Hill

10 January 2025 at 13:27

Stephen Miller, President-elect Trump's deputy chief of staff, is asserting himself as the key player in the White House's plan to pass Trump's sweeping agenda through Congress.   Why it matters: Trump trusts Miller implicitly, as does incoming Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, with whom Miller worked hand-in-glove on the campaign.


  • Miller has become instrumental as Senate GOP leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) haggle over how to pass MAGA priorities, fast.
  • Miller also gets Congress: While he initially called for a two-bill approach to immigration and tax reform, he has not publicly voiced his preference since Trump indicated he wants one "big beautiful bill."
  • But Miller's allies inside Trumpland, not to mention senators and lawmakers, know that his top priority is immigration.

Zoom in: In a sign of the kind of power he wields, Miller presented alongside Trump during Wednesday's meeting with senators.

  • Miller used the opportunity to provide a detailed plan of attack for Trump's first 100 executive orders, as Axios scooped.
  • "Senators know that he's not just speaking faithfully to what the Trump Team wants, but he's offering counsel on how to enact the policies that we care about," said Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton.

Also in the meeting were Wiles, incoming deputy chief of staff James Blair and James Braid, Trump's incoming director of the Office of Legislative Affairs.

  • While Miller talks policy, Braid — who previously served as Vice President-elect Vance's deputy staff chief in the Senate — and Blair will be taking over the process of getting the legislation passed.

Between the lines: Miller is one of the few Trump II officials who served in Trump I, and he served all four years, which was a rarity.

  • He has frontline experience in the Senate, where he served as a top adviser to former Sen. Jeff Sessions.
  • "It seems very clear that if you want to get a piece of legislation done, you got to work with Stephen Miller," a top adviser to a GOP senator told Axios.

What we're hearing:  Miller's allies — and even his enemies on the left — say that he derives much of his power from his deep understanding of immigration and the border.

  • "No one knows more than Stephen on this," one Trump adviser told Axios.
  • "Stephen is the Swiss Army knife for Trump: He does the policy, the politics and the media," a Trump insider told Axios.
  • Miller is previewing his tactical plans to stem illegal immigration: "We are going to use the Defense Department to secure the border of our country," he told Newsmax.
  • Miller did not respond to a request for comment.

Insiders say Miller, 39, has improved his bedside manner from Trump's first term, when he rubbed some staffers and Hill leaders the wrong way.

  • "In the past, he would just bull rush to get his way and he didn't care what enemies he made," said a third Trump adviser.
  • "Now he works the sh--t out of everybody. ... Yeah, he has the ear of the president, but now he gets allies so that he can just have surround sound."

The intrigue: Senators frequently discuss what they have heard from Miller on reconciliation strategy — more than any other Trump team member, a senior Hill aide told Axios.

  • Miller is also discussing Trump's tax and foreign policy with lawmakers.

Zoom out: With inauguration 10 days away, House and Senate Republicans are locked in a staring contest over a tactical question that has consumed Congress: one or two bills.

  • Trump seems content to let them fight it out. The House and Senate are basically pursuing two parallel tracks, racing for a finish line neither side can define.

The bottom line: Miller is seen by many as not just Trump's man on the Hill, but one of the most influential figures in Washington.

  • "Stephen right now looks like he'll be the most powerful unelected man in the White House," said another Trump adviser, who added that "Susie Wiles is the most powerful Trump appointee, and Stephen knows that and she's happy to let him do his thing."

Kate Beckinsale Says Seeing Her Stepfather Die ‘Will Haunt’ Her ‘Forever’

10 January 2025 at 19:55
Kate Beckinsale Says Seeing Her Stepfather Die will Haunt Her Forever
Kate Beckinsale. (Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage)

Kate Beckinsale has marked the one-year anniversary of her stepfather’s death with a candid and emotional post, detailing what it was like to watch him as well as her father die.

The actress shared a photo of her late stepfather, Roy Battersy, via her Instagram account on Friday, January 10.  In the image, Roy is seen wearing a novelty shirt that reads, “World’s best farter. I mean father” and is smiling while  holding a bouquet of flowers.

“Finding my father‘s dead body alone in the middle of the night at the age of five shaped my entire life. Seeing my beloved stepfather die a year ago today will haunt me forever,” Beckinsale, 51, wrote in the lengthy tribute. “It does seem terribly careless to have managed to be present for both deaths and unable to prevent either, the second time trying with every single thing I had. It was not enough.”

The Canary Black actress reflected on her grief and sense of loss surrounding Battersy’s death, who passed away in Los Angeles in January 2024 following “a brief illness.”

Kate Beckinsale’s Stepfather Roy Battersby Dead at 87

“In the process of losing my beloved Roy I lost family, friendships , at some points my own health, and all the money I had due to how disgusting the American healthcare system is for those who are not insured. I would do it again. No question.I cannot help feeling that I dreadfully failed,” she wrote

Beckinsale went on to explain that she is leaning on what she can to “console” herself, telling herself that Battersy was prepared for the end of his life and was “at peace with it.”

“It does feel like a lie I am telling myself to try and feel better, however. Perhaps I am just unfortunately not enlightened enough to sell that to myself over my sense of loss, guilt and failure,” she admitted.

The one-year anniversary of Battersy’s death was a difficult pill to swallow, according to Beckinsale.

BAFTA Addresses Kate Beckinsale's Criticism Over Stepfather's Tribute

“It is a tough day to talk about our fledgling and precious tragedy,but given that I couldn’t save him, I’ll be damned if I’m not going to honour him in some small way,” she continued. “He taught me how to be brave. He taught me that it doesn’t matter if people don’t like you as long as you’re doing the right thing, he lost everything fighting for justice for the trade unions, for the Palestinians in the ‘70s,living with them in refugee camps in Lebanon for several years making his 1977 documentary “The Palestinian”, fighting for the miners losing everything in the strikes.”

She concluded, “I am so lucky that I was raised by someone who uncompromisingly knew what was right and lived it. And loved me .Thank you for being my father. I miss you so much.”

TJ Holmes and Amy Robach Defend David Muir After Clothespin Backlash 

10 January 2025 at 18:35
TJ Holmes and Amy Robach Defend David Muir Say He Doesnt Deserve the Hate
T.J. Holmes, Amy Robach and David Muir Getty Images (2)

TJ Holmes and Amy Robach are defending David Muir after he received widespread backlash for using a clothespin on his flame-retardant jacket while reporting on the Los Angeles wildfires.

Holmes, 47, and Robach, 51, who previously worked with Muir at ABC, gave their perspective on the incident during the Friday, January 10 episode of their podcast, “Does This Make Me Look Fat?”

Muir, 51, came under fire when viewers spotted the clothespin cinching his jacket during a live cross on Wednesday, January 8 and accused him of caring more about how he looked on TV than the natural disaster he was reporting on.

Holmes defended Muir against that accusation, claiming the news anchor may not even have been aware of the existence of the clothespins.

Fans Are Divided Over David Muir Tailoring His Coat For Wildfires Report

“The perspective might be missing if you’re just reading tweets. The perspective might be missing in that, often times — and I don’t know if he does — travel with a producer or even a wardrobe person whose job is — you might be looking at your phone, getting the latest, looking at notes or doing something, and people are pulling and plugging things onto you, the mic and the IFB [in-ear monitor] and all these things,” Holmes explained. “You don’t even know what’s happening to you, and someone could’ve made the decision of ‘Let me do this with the jacket.’ We don’t know.”

Holmes said that despite the use of clothespins, he believed Muir is incredibly hard-working.

He continued: “But just a little context, the guy works his butt off. You don’t like what he did, fine. It’s just a lot to be piling on.”

However, Holmes conceded it did look bad for a TV journalist to be caught worrying about superficial aspects when reporting on an event where people have lost their lives and homes.

David Muir Ditches Jacket Clothespin During Coverage of LA Wildfires 2
David Muir ABC

“The idea that people — even if the midst of a tragedy — about to anchor a main evening broadcast wouldn’t give a damn about how they look is just unreasonable. Now to what degree should they care is the issue and to what degree should they come off like they’re caring is then a separate issue, but of course he has to care and pay attention to how he looks before he goes on TV,” Holmes said. “But if your house was on fire and you see a guy over there with a mirror brushing his hair doing all this before he goes on the air and reports about your tragedy, that’s going to piss you off.”

Meanwhile, Robach admitted that when she was reporting from the road, she usually made a concerted effort to not appear too “glamorous” for this reason by keeping her hair and make up simple.

David Muir Ditches Jacket Clothespin During Coverage of L.A. Wildfires

“I have taken great care as a journalist to not seem as though I’m concerned about how I look in that moment,” she said. “We all look different on the scene of these sorts of tragedies than we do on the set. On the set, we’ve got hair and makeup and nice suits and fitted clothing, but when you’re out there, it’s just a very different environment.”

Robach also defended Muir against the heated backlash he’s been receiving and said she doesn’t believe he deserves it.

“I don’t think he deserves the hate he’s getting… I don’t think that is fair or appropriate in any way — and especially from people who’ve never had to be on television every day where your image, your looks are constantly being critiqued or acknowledged so you might have a hyper-awareness about that,” she said.

Check the LAFD website for local wildfire alerts and click here for resources on how to help those affected.

Bill Hader and Ali Wong’s Relationship Timeline

10 January 2025 at 17:58

Bill Hader and Ali Wong are a match made in comedy heaven.

Hader and Wong were both married to other people before they were first linked in 2022. Hader wed director Maggie Carey in 2006 and welcomed three daughters: Hayley, Hannah and Harper. News broke in 2017 that the pair had split after more than a decade of marriage. They finalized their divorce in 2018.

Wong, meanwhile, wed Justin Hakuta at City Hall November 2014, and the two welcomed their daughters, Mari and Nikki, in 2015 and 2017, respectively.

After eight years of marriage, Wong’s rep confirmed in April 2022 that she and Hakuta had gone their separate ways.

One year later, Hader’s love life raised eyebrows when he spoke about his “girlfriend” in an interview with Collider.

“My girlfriend and I were just figuring out that I haven’t had a vacation in 10 years. I went with her to San Francisco, but that doesn’t really count,” he said in April 2023.

Hader’s rep subsequently confirmed to Us Weekly that he’s seeing Wong. “Bill Hader and Ali Wong are dating again,” a statement read.

Scroll through for more on Hader and Wong’s timeline:

© Charley Gallay/Getty Images

© Shutterstock (2)

The pair were first linked in the fall, per Page Six. 

© Shutterstock (2)

News broke that the pair had quietly split.

© Shutterstock (2)

Us confirmed the pair were back on after Hader referenced his “girlfriend” in various interviews while promoting Barry season 4.

© Shutterstock (2)

The duo were photographed taking a hike on Wong’s 41st birthday. Hader gave the actress a kiss in one snap and wrapped his arm around Wong in another, according to photos obtained by Page Six.
An insider later told Us that the duo were taking things slowly after rekindling their romance. “It’s an official romance, but there’s no talk about moving in together or anything like that,” the source explained. “While they seem to be serious, they’re both on the same page about taking it one day at a time. At this point it’s all about having a connection, which they do, and having some fun.”
The insider added that the pair decided to give their relationship "another shot" because the timing worked out. “Ali and Bill are have known each other for a while from their respective comedy worlds,” the source told Us. “They were friends first, nothing serious, but once she was single, the idea of dating became a possibility. They were both at a good place in their lives and decided to give it another shot.”

© Faye Sadou/Cover Images; Sara De Boer/startraksphoto.com

Wong made a rare comment about her love life during an interview with Variety, reflecting on the "weird" level of attention on her relationship. "It's quite an adjustment," she confessed.
She went on to explain how not being single impacted her stand-up routine as she prepared to tour. "When practicing, I was in the habit of talking as if I was still single," she said. "What's strange is now [my romantic life] is public information. For me, stand-up is still an abstraction of truth — it does not represent the whole me. Out of respect for my relationship, I have to practice putting them in the past tense."

© ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images; Jon Kopaloff/WireImage

Wong and Hader shared a sweet moment at the 2024 Golden Globes after walking the red carpet separately. After being announced as the winner for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television for Netflix’s Beef, Wong shared a kiss with Hader before walking up to accept her award.
One week later, they packed on the PDA again when Wong won at the Emmy Awards. 

© Amy Sussman/Getty Images

While the couple sparked breakup rumors after Wong attended the 2025 Golden Globes sans Hader, the actor’s rep explained why Hader was not present for the occasion.
“Bill was not able to attend the Globes due to a pre-existing eye condition that flared up and he was advised by his doctor to stay home and rest,” Hader’s rep told People at the time. “He and Ali are still together.”

Why Bill Hader Missed the 2025 Golden Globes With Ali Wong

10 January 2025 at 17:56
The Truth Behind Why Bill Hader Missed the 2025 Golden Globes With Girlfriend Ali Wong
Bill Hader and Ali Wong Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Bill Hader had a very good reason for not being at the 2025 Golden Globes with girlfriend Ali Wong.

“Bill was not able to attend the Globes due to a pre-existing eye condition that flared up and he was advised by his doctor to stay home and rest,” Hader’s rep told People on Friday, January 10. “He and Ali are still together.”

Hader, 46, and Wong, 41, sparked breakup rumors after the comedian attended the awards show last weekend without Hader by her side. While Wong walked the red carpet solo, she ended up bringing a close friend as her plus-one.

When Wong took home the award for Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television for her Netflix special Ali Wong: Single Lady, she made no mention of Hader in her speech. Instead, she gave her pal a shout-out.

Ali Wong Attends 2025 Golden Globes Without Bill Hader

“My best friend is here! Mia, thank you so much for all of your love and support throughout the years,” Wong said during her speech. “This means a lot. Thank you so much.”

At last year’s Golden Globes, Hader was by Wong’s side when she won for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television for her role as Amy Lau on the Netflix show Beef in 2024. While Wong didn’t mention Hader in her speech then either, the couple celebrated her accomplishment by sharing a sweet kiss and multiple hugs.

The Truth Behind Why Bill Hader Missed the 2025 Golden Globes With Girlfriend Ali Wong
Ali Wong Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Wong and Hader were first linked in 2022 following her separation from Justin Hakuta. Wong and Hader briefly split later that year, but Us Weekly confirmed in April 2023 that they rekindled their romance.

In her now-award-winning stand-up special, Wong joked about how she and Hader got together.

“Hey, Ali, I just happened to hear the news of your divorce today, and I gotta tell you … I’m excited,” she recalled Hader telling her in a phone call after he got her number from a mutual friend. “I am, Ali, because look, I have had a crush on you forever, and I actually told my best friend years ago that you were my dream girl. And I know this sounds crazy, but, uh, I want you to be my girlfriend.”

Bill Hader Says Ali Wong is ‘Off the Market’ at Her Comedy Show

Wong shared that while she was on tour in Europe, Hader followed up by sending her flowers in multiple cities. While her female friends thought the gesture was “so sweet,” her male friends warned her that Hader could be a “psychopath.”

“That’s how cheap and lazy men have become,” Wong quipped. “That now when a fellow man commits any act of kindness, any romantic gesture, it must be a symptom of an undiagnosed mental illness.”

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