AM Prep-Cooler Copy

By The Associated Press The Associated Press

Politicians and dog experts vilify South Dakota governor after she writes about killing her dog

Politicians and dog experts alike are vilifying South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem after she wrote in a new book about killing a rambunctious puppy, with the reaction bringing questions about whether she is still a viable potential running mate for presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Experts who work with hunting dogs like Noem’s said she should have trained — not killed — the pup, or found other options if the dog was out of control. Noem has tried to reframe the story from two decades ago as an example of her willingness to make tough decisions. She wrote on social media that the 14-month-old wirehaired pointer named Cricket had shown aggressive behavior by biting. Social media critics described Noem as Cruella de Vil, the villain from the Disney classic “101 Dalmatians.” A meme features a series of dogs offering looks of horror.

Winner of $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — One of the winners of a historic $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week. Cheng “Charlie” Saephan, of Portland, told a news conference held by the Oregon Lottery that he and his wife, Duanpen, would split the prize evenly with a friend who chipped in $100 to buy a batch of tickets with them, Laiza Chao. They are taking a lump sum payment, $422 million after taxes. He said that as a cancer patient, he wondered, “How am I going to have time to spend all of this money? How long will I live?”

Vampire facials’ were linked to cases of HIV. Here’s what to know about the beauty treatment

In a report last week from the Centers for Disease Control, three women were diagnosed with HIV after getting “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed New Mexico medical spa. They are the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through cosmetic services using needles. Federal health officials say in a new report that an investigation from 2018 through 2023 into the clinic in Albuquerque, VIP Spa, found it apparently reused disposable equipment intended for one-time use, transmitting HIV to clients through its services via contaminated blood. Vampire facials, formally known as platelet-rich plasma microneedling facials, are cosmetic procedures intended to rejuvenate one’s skin, making it more youthful-looking and reducing acne scars and wrinkles.

Less alcohol, or none at all, is one path to better health

Moderate drinking was once thought to have benefits for the heart, but better research methods have thrown cold water on that. Guidelines vary a lot from country to country but the overall trend is toward drinking less. The United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Holland and Australia recently reviewed new evidence and lowered their alcohol consumption recommendations. Ireland will require cancer warning labels on alcohol starting in 2026. Drinking raises the risk of several types of cancer, including colon, liver, breast and mouth and throat. Alcohol breaks down in the body into a substance called acetaldehyde, which can damage your cells and stop them from repairing themselves. That creates the conditions for cancer to grow.