‘Jurassic Park’ Prop Sold for Eye-Popping Amount

An iconic prop from Jurassic Park has been auctioned off for an eye-popping amount of money. The prop depicts a prehistoric mosquito trapped in amber, supposedly unearthed from the fictional Mano de Dios mine in one of the 1993 film’s first scenes. The amber holds the key to Jurassic Park’s entire premise: In the film, scientists extract dinosaur blood preserved inside the mosquito and use it to bring the extinct animals back to life. Auctioned at the Summer Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction held on Wednesday in Los Angeles, the prop far exceeded its $100,000-to-$200,000 estimate and ultimately sold for $403,200, Entertainment Weekly reports. “Few objects capture the premise and enduring cultural impact of a film so immediately, and the response from collectors reflects the significance of this remarkable piece,” Brandon Alinger, COO of the auction house Propstore, said in a press release about the sale. The Jurassic Park prop commanded the highest price of the auction on Wednesday, but it had plenty of star-studded company. John Travolta’s white Tony Manero suit from Saturday Night Fever sold for $277,200, while Christopher Reeve’s Superman costume went for $233,100, according to Entertainment Weekly.

A Missouri deputy attorney general has been found alive, six days after he went missing on a solo hike. Shaun Mackelprang, 55, began his trek from Wyoming’s Green River Lakes Trailhead on August 20, planning to make it to Gannett Peak, the state’s highest mountain at 13,804 feet. He was reported missing after his vehicle was located at the trailhead. Search and rescue personnel located Mackelprang Wednesday morning near Scott Lake. “Mackelprang was located this morning in the vicinity of Scott Lake following an extensive search effort utilizing ground search teams, the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team, and Tip Top Search and Rescue’s helicopter,” the sheriff’s office said on Facebook on Wednesday. He was then airlifted to safety by helicopter and reunited with his loved ones. According to The New York Post, Mackelprang’s family still doesn’t know what happened on his trek. Mackelprang was dehydrated when rescuers found him and had reportedly become disoriented on the way down from the summit amid bad weather, his brother, Romel, told Cowboy State Daily. The area had been hit by thunderstorms and strong winds during Mackelprang’s trek.

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Whether they’re the result of years of sun exposure, hormonal fluctuations, or the ghosts of breakouts past, dark spots and hyperpigmentation are among the most stubborn skincare woes to treat… and they tend to become more noticeable as we get older. Sure, prescription topicals like tretinoin and hydroquinone can definitely help address pigmentation, but they can also be challenging for sensitive skin, and hydroquinone generally isn’t intended for long-term use. If you’re looking for a potent over-the-counter option that takes a clinical approach to discoloration without hydroquinone, PCA Skin’s Pigment Gel Pro may be the next best thing. ​

The dermatologically tested corrective takes a multi-pronged approach to discoloration, targeting existing dark spots while helping defend against the appearance of new ones. At the center of the formula is PCA Skin’s proprietary SynerPro Complex, which uses multiple pathways to address stubborn pigmentation. The gel also contains tranexamic acid to help minimize visible discoloration and purified licorice root extract to target uneven tone. Hexylresorcinol helps brighten while calming the skin, while niacinamide provides additional brightening and barrier-supporting benefits.

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According to PCA Skin, you may start to notice visible improvements in discoloration in as little as four weeks with consistent use. The formula is also suitable for all skin types and tones, including sensitive, acne-prone, and reactive complexions.

If you’re looking for a potent over-the-counter treatment, Pigment Gel Pro packs plenty of pigment-fighting power into one easy step, replacing multiple formulas in one bottle. Of course, as with any brightening or pigment-inhibiting treatment, daily SPF is non-negotiable—trying to fade dark spots while piling on more unprotected UV exposure is basically the skincare equivalent of mopping the floor while the faucet is still running.

A pair of classic Dolly Parton films are returning to 200 theaters nationwide in honor of the country star following her death this week, AMC Theatres announced Thursday. The chain will play 1989’s “Steel Magnolias” and 1982’s “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” in select locations from Friday through next Wednesday, at discounted prices. Where possible, participating theaters will offer two daily matinees—one of each film. In the comedy-drama “Steel Magnolias,” which also stars Sally Field and Julia Roberts, Parton plays a Louisiana hair salon owner whose business is a gathering point for a circle of women supporting one another through life’s joys and losses. In the musical comedy “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” a brothel owner (Parton) and sheriff (Burt Reynolds) work to keep the brothel running amid a moralizing television personality’s attempts to shutter it. For that role, Parton received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a musical or comedy film.

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An ICE officer facing state charges for allegedly shooting a Venezuelan immigrant and falsely accusing him of a crime was freed from a Texas jail on Thursday after a federal judge declined to order his immediate extradition. Christian Castro, who was sent to Minneapolis during the Trump administration’s “Operation Metro Surge” immigration crackdown, was charged with assault in Minnesota in May for shooting 24-year-old Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis on Jan. 14. He was also charged with falsely accusing Sosa-Celis and his roommate of attacking an ICE agent with a broom and shovel. Shortly after the shooting, Castro returned to Texas before Minnesota filed charges. But in late May, authorities arrested him in Texas on a Minnesota warrant. Castro was held in Brownsville, Texas, for three months while Minnesota authorities sought extradition, but Republican Gov. Greg Abbott had not approved Democratic Gov. Tim Walz’s extradition request. After 90 days of detention, Texas law required Castro’s release. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit asking a federal judge to force Abbott to act, citing Castro’s flight risk. The judge ruled that Minnesota’s lawsuit was premature because Abbott had not formally denied extradition and faced no fixed federal deadline to decide.

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By now, GLP-1 medications need little introduction. Drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide (the active ingredients in Ozempic and Mounjaro, respectively) have completely changed the conversation around weight loss and metabolic health. And if you happen to live in Los Angeles (or, frankly, any major city), there’s a decent chance someone you know has tried one… even if they insist their dramatically leaner physique is exclusively the result of “drinking more water and weekly Pilates appointments.” Unfortunately, these prescription weight-loss drugs aren’t for everyone. They can be expensive, difficult to access, and, more importantly, aren’t necessarily appropriate for people who only want to lose a few pounds (especially if you’re concerned about maintaining lean muscle mass). Naturally, the meteoric rise in GLP-1 pharmaceuticals has also fueled interest in the supplement category, but not all formulas are created equal.

Veracity’s Metabolism Cleanse + Ignite are two clinically backed supplements that help target GLP-1 levels in the body while also supporting gut health and weight management—and without causing side effects like “Ozempic face,” hair thinning, or muscle loss. Rather than marketing itself as an over-the-counter Ozempic dupe (a red flag if there ever was one), the two-part system takes a more holistic approach to fostering metabolic health, with ingredients designed to support the gut, liver, hormones, and the body’s own GLP-1 (the gut hormone that signals fullness after eating) response, including magnesium, milk thistle, and caffeine-free green coffee extract.

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Metabolism Ignite is the weight-management component of the duo. Its formula combines ingredients selected to promote metabolic function, healthy blood sugar levels, and satiety, including those that may help encourage the body’s natural production of GLP-1. Meanwhile, Metabolism Cleanse approaches metabolism from a different angle. The 10-day program is formulated to support healthy liver function and digestion, helping create a healthier foundation for the metabolism functions the body already performs on its own.

If your physician has greenlit you to try metabolism-boosting supplements, you’d prefer to skip the side effects of injectable GLP-1s, or are just terrified of needles, Veracity’s Metabolism Cleanse + Ignite Set is the ultimate alternative.

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Longtime Good Morning America anchor Michael Strahan has quietly welcomed his fifth child earlier this year with his girlfriend. The 54-year-old met Kayla Quick, a 37-year-old founder of supplement company FIZZNESS, in 2015. They keep their relationship far from the spotlight, but she has seen two of his daughters graduate from high school, posed with him for his Walk of Fame star, and stood by him during his daughter Isabella’s cancer treatment in 2023. He already has four kids from two previous marriages—Tanita, 34, Michael Jr., 31, Isabella, 21, and Sophia, 20. TMZ has reported rumors that Strahan and Quick have split, but neither party has confirmed or denied it, or released details about their new child. Strahan has talked about how rewarding fatherhood has been for him, saying it’s the most joy and stress a person can have in their life. “My kids give me strength. I love being with the kids. To me, it’s all about family, now more than anything.”

A near-total lunar eclipse will be visible from North America, South America, and parts of Europe and Africa on Thursday night. The eclipse is also known as a “blood moon” because the moon takes on a reddish-orange hue as sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere, which filters out much of the blue light. Lunar eclipses happen when Earth moves between the sun and moon, casting a shadow on the lunar surface. The blood moon will begin at 9:23 p.m. ET and reach its peak at 12:12 a.m. ET, when more than 96 percent of the lunar surface will be enveloped. At 3:01 a.m. ET, the moon will exit Earth’s shadow. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to watch without eye protection, and binoculars or telescopes can offer an even closer look. Solar and lunar eclipses often occur in pairs because they depend on similar alignments of the Sun, Earth and Moon. A solar eclipse recently darkened skies in Spain, a small part of Portugal, Greenland, Iceland and northern Russia on August 12.

An ancient treasure considered to be a great source of pride for Villena, Spain, has been stolen—part of a slew of robberies across Europe after the Louvre in Paris was broken into last October. A spokesperson said the maneuver was “super-fast and super-professional,” only lasting four minutes. In the early hours of the morning on August 27, thieves arrived in several vehicles, entered through a window, smashed protective glass, and swiped 66 artifacts, which is most of the collection. The exact value of the treasure is incalculable because it dates back to 1000 BCE and includes unique materials—silver, iron, amber, and possibly a rare meteoritic iron that has long stumped scientists. The gold alone is worth €1.7 million ($1.98 million). The alarm in the Villena Museum went off at 5:20 a.m., and another alarm went off at the city’s sports center right before, which is now being investigated as a possible diversion. The thieves only left behind three silver vessels, a bracelet, and part of the “Kingfisher staff,” a prehistoric ceremonial scepter. “We are absolutely devastated—I’m even trembling,” Villena Mayor Fulgencio Cerdán said. “The truth is that for those of us from Villena, this destroys us. It’s part of our heritage, of our wealth.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed two “measles-associated” deaths on August 25—the first loss for the state related to the highly contagious virus in 35 years. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took to X, saying Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was “giddy” to announce the finding in a press conference. “The performance was a replay of the Democrats’ COVID playbook: fearmongering, misinformation, finger-pointing, and the weaponization of infectious disease fears for political gain,” Kennedy added. He then claimed the two deaths were fabricated, as the Lancaster County Coroner “has no record of any measles deaths” and state law requires they be reported to the coroner. This feud has ensued amid a record-breaking epidemic. During the aforementioned press conference, Shapiro pinned the outbreak and deaths on RFK Jr. and his MAHA movement’s discouragement of vaccines. The two individuals who passed away were reported as unvaccinated. The health department has also reported almost 400 cases this year, but these two would be the first fatalities, as Kennedy continues to blame COVID-19 lockdowns and the loss of public trust in America’s public health authorities rather than a lack of vaccinations.

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When you’re looking for the right medication, the trial-and-error process (not to mention combating side effects) can be frustrating, time-consuming, and downright expensive. ClarityX is a simple, at-home DNA test that analyzes genes related to how the body may process and respond to commonly prescribed medications, including many used in mental health care.

Your DNA determines how you process medication. ClarityX cross-references your DNA with over 285 medications to identify how effectively your body metabolizes them and flag potential side effects. ClarityX uses data from the FDA and CPIC to give your doctors precise dosing guidelines that will work best for you.

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The process is simple: after you receive your test kit, simply activate it, complete a painless 30-second cheek swab, and drop the sample off in the mail. In about seven days, you’ll get a comprehensive report by email. The best part? ClarityX is offering 25 percent off its tests.

While it’s always essential to consult your physician about medication of any kind, this DNA test can help take some of the guesswork out of the process.

Two minutes on a Six Flags rollercoaster has seriously injured dozens of individuals, including two women in under one week this past July. A CNN investigation found hospitalization records of brain injuries over the course of two decades that have left thrill-seekers with hemorrhages, life-altering disabilities, and in comas. Two people have even died from coaster-inflicted brain damage. The beloved X2 coaster, known as Six Flags’ ultimate test of bravery with 360-degree rotating seats and 80 miles per hour speeds, was named as the culprit. The coaster’s last ride was on the night of July 12, which CNN identified as “one full day” after the two women were hospitalized with brain hemorrhages. Park officials and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health have not released statements and won’t comment on the lives lost. Attorneys defended Six Flags when families sued over the injuries, pointing to a small sign saying there’s risk with any rollercoaster and “normal” riders should be fine. Other Six Flags rides have been associated with similar injuries, like the Goliath—which is still open. “There is no reason a ride can’t be properly designed to prevent injuries like this,” said Lyndia Wu, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of British Columbia, told CNN.

Peter Cullen, the voice behind Transformers’ Optimus Prime and Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, has died at 85. His family confirmed he died Wednesday in Los Angeles. “Peter Cullen passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family—and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide,” his family wrote to TMZ. “His family asks that you honor his remarkable legacy by serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity, and loyalty and always remember ‘be strong enough to be gentle.’” Other notable roles he held out of hundreds were, Monterey Jack in Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, KARR in Knight Rider and Mario in the original Donkey Kong animated series. Cullen, who voiced Optimus Prime for over 40 years, told NPR he was initially puzzled by the role. “I auditioned like everybody else,” he said in 2014. “I was told it was a hero, and I was told it was a truck.” His cause of death is unknown.