Attention Fellow Millennials: Reviewers In Their 30s And 40s Love These 30 Products, And You Probably Will Too
A bottle of Drop It to keep on deck if you've experienced the wrath of wine-induced headaches, allergies, or that all-too-familiar hangover from just one glass. These drops are designed to reduce the tannins and sulfites found in wine, helping to alleviate those annoying side effects so you can still enjoy your vino without the drama.
A set of two cooling pillows so you can enjoy the same blissful sleep that you got on vacation at that luxurious resort. This super soft pillow holds its shape with memory foam, and no matter if you're a side sleeper or a back sleeper, it'll provide the comfort you need to be knocked out in minutes.
Along with a plush memory foam mattress topper to help your old, lumpy mattress feel more like a cozy oasis. It distributes your weight more evenly and reduces pressure on your joints, which = less tossing and turning all night.
*Plus* a set of bed bands if it feels like fixing your shifting sheets every hour has become a part of your nightly routine. These'll keep them locked neatly in place, giving you the peaceful and uninterrupted sleep you deserve.
A pair of compression gloves to bring some relief to your sore, aching hands after a long day of typing reports. These gloves are breathable so you won't have to worry about your hands getting sweaty after using them for an extended period of time.
And a compression foot sleeve that provides much-needed support, whether you're darting around after little ones, striving to hit those elusive 10K steps, or just navigating the daily grind. Made from lightweight and breathable materials, these sleeves are perfect for all-day wear or even while you sleep, ensuring you wake up without the usual aches and pains.
A pair of open-toed sandals because once you hit your 30s and 40s, comfort becomes nonnegotiable. These bbs offer soft, cushioned arch support *and* it also doesn't hurt that they look awfully similar to Birkenstocks. Pair them with a sundress, jeans, and everything in between this spring and summer!
A disgustingly satisfying Dermora exfoliant foot peel for those times you look down at your little piggies and think, "Dang, I need a miracle." You just slip on these booties and let the magic happen — but let me warn you, the peeling process can be a bit...interesting. It's like watching a snake shed its skin for the next 5–7 days. But! Your feet will look SO much better with no more cracking, tough skin.
A neck and shoulder relaxer that may look a bit...odd at first glance, but it's here to help soothe neck stiffness and shoulder tension in as little as 10 minutes. If you find yourself hunched over your laptop and your neck and shoulders are practically screaming for relief, this was made for you.
A L'Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover-Up spray to cover sneaky grays or grown-out roots peeking through so you can extend time between salon visits and save your precious dollars. With a fast-drying formula, it blends effortlessly with your natural color, providing a seamless finish that holds until your next wash. Plus, reviewers love it for adding fullness to thinning hair.
A doctor-recommended Squatty Potty for those days when you're feeling a bit ~stuck~ and spend so long in the bathroom, you're worried people will notice. This contraption helps you achieve a more natural position for doing your business, making it easier and quicker.
Some sinfully scrumptious Death Wish Instant Coffee Packets if your regular coffee isn't quite kicking like it used to. These little powerhouses pack a seriously bold punch with 300 mg of caffeine per cup, making them the perfect pick-me-up for those mornings when you need an extra jolt to get moving.
A fully lined one-piece swimsuit to bring along on that well-deserved vacay. It has full coverage on the bottom, so you can move around freely without any cheeky wardrobe malfunctions. The mesh panel in the middle offers waist-enhancing magic, and the material is also double-lined and super supportive!
A roll-on migraine stick so you can be prepared when that familiar pounding starts to creep up on you in the middle of a busy workday. This combination of peppermint, spearmint, and lavender oils creates a cooling sensation when swiped across your temples, helping to relieve tension so you can tackle whatever the day throws at you.
A Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer, aka your go-to for those mornings when your under-eyes are looking a little weary. Offering medium coverage that's *not* drying, this concealer will have you looking bright-eyed and feeling ready to face the day. And! The built-in sponge applicator makes it super convenient to toss in your purse for quick touch-ups wherever you need them.
A pair of pull-on Levi's jeans with over 59,000 glowing 5-star ratings — people are *obsessed* with how good these make them feel. If the thought of buying jeans before trying them on gives you anxiety, you can breathe easy, because this beloved pair is made with a soft, stretchy fabric that hugs your body without restricting movement.
A knee stabilizer band so you don't get all prepped for those summer hikes and workouts, only to have your knees be like, "Not today, hun." It's designed to provide that much-needed pain relief with its fabulous compression and shock-absorbing powers.
A pair of high-waisted bike shorts (with over 60,000 5-star ratings!) offering the perfect blend of compression and breathability, plus pockets (!) on each side. They're also squat-proof so you'll be covered while you're hitting the gym, going for a run, or just running errands.
A memory foam seat cushion designed with orthopedic gel to spare your lower back and sciatica from those long hours glued to your work chair. This seat cushion promotes correct posture, giving more support to the lower back and making it a little more enjoyable to sit for extended periods of time.
A pair of lightweight sneakers so you can zip around town without feeling like you're lugging bricks on your feet. Crafted with a stretchy knit material, they slip on effortlessly, and the comfort level is as close to ~walking on clouds~ as you can get.
And a pair of "self-tying" shoelaces since those extra couple of minutes you spent fumbling with laces could be the difference between catching your train, making it to an appointment on time, or avoiding a day-long domino effect of running behind schedule. These magical laces can slide through the loops of any lace-up shoes and turn them into slip-ons.
A stainless-steel tongue scraper, because news flash: Those mints are just covering up the odor and not addressing the real issue. This handy tool helps remove bacteria and soft plaque, leaving your tongue looking as fresh as it feels. No more awkward white, yellow, or brown tint to worry about!
A cool-to-the-touch bamboo fabric sleep set guaranteed to have you counting down the minutes until you can slip into it. Made with light, breathable fabric, this set is perfect for anyone who always runs hot and needs a little extra help staying cool and comfortable in bed.
A genius knee pillow that can help promote better spinal alignment for people (especially side sleepers) with back, hip, knee, or sciatica pain. This will help you get a good night's sleep so you can wake up refreshed and ready to slay the day.
An anti-dandruff shampoo reviewers say actually worked after trying everything else. This magical shampoo contains 1% ketoconazole, the key antifungal ingredient that makes all the difference — after just one use, you can start seeing results. Say goodbye to those pesky flakes and hello to a clean scalp!
And a shampoo massager to exfoliate your scalp while also increasing blood flow, which can promote hair growth. Plus, it just feels so darn good.
A five-pack of wedgie-proof cotton underwear because you're too grown to deal with uncomfortable underwear all day. This essential features a wide, stretchy waistband that actually stays put, so you can go about your day without constant readjustments or sneaky discomfort.
A weekly pill organizer saving you time and hassle when it comes to staying on top of your daily meds. At the start of the week, just line up your medications and vitamins day by day and pop them through the silicone lid — it's as easy as that.
O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream, the unsung hero for anyone who frequently uses their hands for hard labor, crafting, or washing dishes. This cream is like a magical potion for extremely cracked hands, working overtime to deeply soothe and hydrate while creating a protective barrier that says "No way, Jose!" to future moisture loss.
A set of blue-light–blocking glasses if you're tired of feeling like you need to take constant breaks because your eyes are killing you from staring at the screen. These babies can help reduce eye strain and let you work on your computer or phone for longer without any headaches.
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Buzz Feed
14-06-2025
- Buzz Feed
Attention Fellow Millennials: Reviewers In Their 30s And 40s Love These 30 Products, And You Probably Will Too
A bottle of Drop It to keep on deck if you've experienced the wrath of wine-induced headaches, allergies, or that all-too-familiar hangover from just one glass. These drops are designed to reduce the tannins and sulfites found in wine, helping to alleviate those annoying side effects so you can still enjoy your vino without the drama. A set of two cooling pillows so you can enjoy the same blissful sleep that you got on vacation at that luxurious resort. This super soft pillow holds its shape with memory foam, and no matter if you're a side sleeper or a back sleeper, it'll provide the comfort you need to be knocked out in minutes. Along with a plush memory foam mattress topper to help your old, lumpy mattress feel more like a cozy oasis. It distributes your weight more evenly and reduces pressure on your joints, which = less tossing and turning all night. *Plus* a set of bed bands if it feels like fixing your shifting sheets every hour has become a part of your nightly routine. These'll keep them locked neatly in place, giving you the peaceful and uninterrupted sleep you deserve. A pair of compression gloves to bring some relief to your sore, aching hands after a long day of typing reports. These gloves are breathable so you won't have to worry about your hands getting sweaty after using them for an extended period of time. And a compression foot sleeve that provides much-needed support, whether you're darting around after little ones, striving to hit those elusive 10K steps, or just navigating the daily grind. Made from lightweight and breathable materials, these sleeves are perfect for all-day wear or even while you sleep, ensuring you wake up without the usual aches and pains. A pair of open-toed sandals because once you hit your 30s and 40s, comfort becomes nonnegotiable. These bbs offer soft, cushioned arch support *and* it also doesn't hurt that they look awfully similar to Birkenstocks. Pair them with a sundress, jeans, and everything in between this spring and summer! A disgustingly satisfying Dermora exfoliant foot peel for those times you look down at your little piggies and think, "Dang, I need a miracle." You just slip on these booties and let the magic happen — but let me warn you, the peeling process can be a It's like watching a snake shed its skin for the next 5–7 days. But! Your feet will look SO much better with no more cracking, tough skin. A neck and shoulder relaxer that may look a at first glance, but it's here to help soothe neck stiffness and shoulder tension in as little as 10 minutes. If you find yourself hunched over your laptop and your neck and shoulders are practically screaming for relief, this was made for you. A L'Oreal Paris Magic Root Cover-Up spray to cover sneaky grays or grown-out roots peeking through so you can extend time between salon visits and save your precious dollars. With a fast-drying formula, it blends effortlessly with your natural color, providing a seamless finish that holds until your next wash. Plus, reviewers love it for adding fullness to thinning hair. A doctor-recommended Squatty Potty for those days when you're feeling a bit ~stuck~ and spend so long in the bathroom, you're worried people will notice. This contraption helps you achieve a more natural position for doing your business, making it easier and quicker. Some sinfully scrumptious Death Wish Instant Coffee Packets if your regular coffee isn't quite kicking like it used to. These little powerhouses pack a seriously bold punch with 300 mg of caffeine per cup, making them the perfect pick-me-up for those mornings when you need an extra jolt to get moving. A fully lined one-piece swimsuit to bring along on that well-deserved vacay. It has full coverage on the bottom, so you can move around freely without any cheeky wardrobe malfunctions. The mesh panel in the middle offers waist-enhancing magic, and the material is also double-lined and super supportive! A roll-on migraine stick so you can be prepared when that familiar pounding starts to creep up on you in the middle of a busy workday. This combination of peppermint, spearmint, and lavender oils creates a cooling sensation when swiped across your temples, helping to relieve tension so you can tackle whatever the day throws at you. A Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer, aka your go-to for those mornings when your under-eyes are looking a little weary. Offering medium coverage that's *not* drying, this concealer will have you looking bright-eyed and feeling ready to face the day. And! The built-in sponge applicator makes it super convenient to toss in your purse for quick touch-ups wherever you need them. A pair of pull-on Levi's jeans with over 59,000 glowing 5-star ratings — people are *obsessed* with how good these make them feel. If the thought of buying jeans before trying them on gives you anxiety, you can breathe easy, because this beloved pair is made with a soft, stretchy fabric that hugs your body without restricting movement. A knee stabilizer band so you don't get all prepped for those summer hikes and workouts, only to have your knees be like, "Not today, hun." It's designed to provide that much-needed pain relief with its fabulous compression and shock-absorbing powers. A pair of high-waisted bike shorts (with over 60,000 5-star ratings!) offering the perfect blend of compression and breathability, plus pockets (!) on each side. They're also squat-proof so you'll be covered while you're hitting the gym, going for a run, or just running errands. A memory foam seat cushion designed with orthopedic gel to spare your lower back and sciatica from those long hours glued to your work chair. This seat cushion promotes correct posture, giving more support to the lower back and making it a little more enjoyable to sit for extended periods of time. A pair of lightweight sneakers so you can zip around town without feeling like you're lugging bricks on your feet. Crafted with a stretchy knit material, they slip on effortlessly, and the comfort level is as close to ~walking on clouds~ as you can get. And a pair of "self-tying" shoelaces since those extra couple of minutes you spent fumbling with laces could be the difference between catching your train, making it to an appointment on time, or avoiding a day-long domino effect of running behind schedule. These magical laces can slide through the loops of any lace-up shoes and turn them into slip-ons. A stainless-steel tongue scraper, because news flash: Those mints are just covering up the odor and not addressing the real issue. This handy tool helps remove bacteria and soft plaque, leaving your tongue looking as fresh as it feels. No more awkward white, yellow, or brown tint to worry about! A cool-to-the-touch bamboo fabric sleep set guaranteed to have you counting down the minutes until you can slip into it. Made with light, breathable fabric, this set is perfect for anyone who always runs hot and needs a little extra help staying cool and comfortable in bed. A genius knee pillow that can help promote better spinal alignment for people (especially side sleepers) with back, hip, knee, or sciatica pain. This will help you get a good night's sleep so you can wake up refreshed and ready to slay the day. An anti-dandruff shampoo reviewers say actually worked after trying everything else. This magical shampoo contains 1% ketoconazole, the key antifungal ingredient that makes all the difference — after just one use, you can start seeing results. Say goodbye to those pesky flakes and hello to a clean scalp! And a shampoo massager to exfoliate your scalp while also increasing blood flow, which can promote hair growth. Plus, it just feels so darn good. A five-pack of wedgie-proof cotton underwear because you're too grown to deal with uncomfortable underwear all day. This essential features a wide, stretchy waistband that actually stays put, so you can go about your day without constant readjustments or sneaky discomfort. A weekly pill organizer saving you time and hassle when it comes to staying on top of your daily meds. At the start of the week, just line up your medications and vitamins day by day and pop them through the silicone lid — it's as easy as that. O'Keeffe's Working Hands Hand Cream, the unsung hero for anyone who frequently uses their hands for hard labor, crafting, or washing dishes. This cream is like a magical potion for extremely cracked hands, working overtime to deeply soothe and hydrate while creating a protective barrier that says "No way, Jose!" to future moisture loss. A set of blue-light–blocking glasses if you're tired of feeling like you need to take constant breaks because your eyes are killing you from staring at the screen. These babies can help reduce eye strain and let you work on your computer or phone for longer without any headaches.
Buzz Feed
05-06-2025
- Buzz Feed
30 Problem-Solving Products You'll Be Relieved To Have
A set of disposable Plackers "Grind No More" Night Guards if you frequently wake up feeling like your jaw just came off its hinges. These grind-absorbing bite plates can help reduce the painful tension from grinding your teeth in your sleep. Plus, each one can be used up to 30 times! This is a great solution if you're not trying to spend hundreds on a custom-fitted one, too. A no-scrub weekly shower cleaner to keep your shower sparkling clean *and* free of stains from soap scum, mildew, mold, oils, and more. Simply spray it once a week, let it sit, and rinse it clean the next day. Start drafting an apology letter to your former self for all the hours lost to scrubbing and wiping. A 2-in-1 nausea relief inhaler that contains a blend of menthol, camphor, and essential oils to help curb nausea when it hits ya outta nowhere. You can inhale it OR apply a small dab under your nose for longer-lasting relief that'll fight motion sickness, morning sickness, and good old random queasiness that has no explanation whatsoever. An instant mold and mildew remover spray for demolishing mold before it gets exponentially worse. Use it on various surfaces, including those in bathrooms, kitchens, patios, decks, and more. No scrubbing here — just spray, wait 15 seconds, and watch the mold vanish. Your future self says thanks! A hairbrush cleaning tool so you can pull out ALL the hair and product buildup that's been living rent-free in your brush. The pointed end rakes out loose hair while the bristles are designed to extract fluff, dirt, and other stubborn debris. Dermora's exfoliant foot peel, which might seem gross but is oddly satisfying, especially if you've been dealing with rough feet for a hot minute. Now you can treat your feet to the gift of super smooth skin without involving a third party. No more rough calluses causing you grief! Put 'em on, get comfy for an hour, then get ready for the big reveal over the next 5–7 days. OR! A surprisingly effective *and* affordable instant foot peeling spray if you want baby-soft footsies but don't have the time OR patience to visit the salon for a pricey pedicure. Just spray onto clean, dry feet and rub away the dead skin that's been plaguing you! For an ~extra~ peeling effect, use an exfoliating mitt! The Pink Stuff's new "Sqeezy" sponge set — I know, the ~miraculous~ cleaning paste is amazing on its own, but have you tried the sponge tho?? This dynamic duo is about to change your cleaning routine forever! Those tough messes that have only gotten worse with time? I'm talking gunk-ridden fry pans, moldy shower tile, and scuffed-up walls. Future you is gonna be crying tears of joy. A Pikk-it tool when you'd prefer not to shave years off life by trying to manually untangle your own hair from the vacuum. This lil' tool will work to get rid of all the stubborn strands that are affecting your vac's suction power — tbh, it'll probably save you from buying a new one for a looong time. Ocusoft's Original Foaming Eyelid Cleanser because have you ever dealt with a stye and spent the duration of its presence questioning your life's choices? Same. Now you can prevent them! This stuff is amazing for anyone prone to allergies and dry, itchy eyes that always seem irritated. It's a mild cleanser that helps remove dirt, oil, eye makeup, and even pollen while also soothing and refreshing your lids. A hidden, plug-in fly trap to swat flies on your behalf because does anyone enjoy doing that? Each one provides 400 square feet of coverage to get rid of fruit flies, moths, gnats, and flies by naturally luring them in with a light. Or a super sticky insect catcher in fun shapes that goes straight to the source — you can stick 'em right into the soil of your plants to help keep insects at bay. If your plant babies have ever been victimized by fungus gnats, future you will be eternally grateful for these! A wart-removing gel with results so shocking, you'll be rubbing your eyes in pure disbelief. It contains salicylic acid to help dry out those growths *and* it comes with waterproof patches for an effective, no-mess solution. A wildly effective *and* fun-to-use foaming drain cleaner — believe it or not, you are supposed to be cleaning down there. This will apply a powerful foam that helps get rid of grime and prevent plumbing issues — all without any elbow-deep dirty work. Use it to clean the drains in sinks, bathtubs, and even floor drains! A bottle of the TikTok-beloved Lumify Eye Drops if unwanted redness and irritation are making you miserable day after day. Reviewers praise this product for its ability to reduce redness *extremely* quickly. Your future routine does NOT include a case of red eyes, tyvm. A tea tree and peppermint remedy soap because yes, you *can* do something about those common skin irritations. It also smells absolutely wonderful on account of the coconut, olive, and jojoba oils! Use it to tackle skin issues on the verge of spiraling, like athlete's foot, chronic dry skin, and more. A reusable screen-cleaning brush, which might make you question how you ever cleaned the screens BEFORE this genius gadget came along. Now you can get rid of caked-on grime and bugs instead of letting it get so bad that you buy all new screens in a moment of sheer desperation. The results will have you singing, "A whoooole new world" as you look out your clean screens. An adjustable cervical cooling pillow with a clever contoured design made to cradle your head so you don't wake up with agonizing neck pain. It supports your neck's natural curve and uses cooling fabric to ensure you don't get all hot and bothered while you're catching some Z's. A Briotech spray so you can calm angry, irritated skin with the same holy-grail ingredient used in Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray: hypochlorous acid. Give yourself a spritz to help treat inflammation and reduce redness. It'll also strengthen the skin barrier, so think of it as a magical force field for your face! A long-handled standing weeder because if you wait too long, those pesky weeds are gonna take over your yard entirely. Rather than repeatedly bending over (and over...) to pull them, this tool will save you lots of time *and* pain so you can get your yard looking flawless ASAP. A fungal nail renewal treatment that'll blow your mind with its effectiveness and have you recommending it to everyone you know. This stuff helps treat fungal nail damage and can help target the discoloration, thickness, and brittleness associated with it. Many reviewers saw results in a matter of days! A Shark Tank migraine relief beanie, which doubles as a sleep mask so you might immediately ask yourself, "Why don't I own this yet?" Now you can enjoy cooling migraine relief without having to balance an ice pack on your head. It can be used as a heat pack too! Pro tip: Stash the removable ice pack in the freezer so it's always ready to save the day. A curved SPF 50 Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar, aka a K-beauty product that'll make you *excited* about the SPF step in your daily routine while preventing tragic sunburn. This stick is contoured and covers a wide area, so it's easy to apply without any mess. It also goes on smooth and won't leave a sticky residue OR white cast behind! A lawn dog spot repair treatment because the more you delay it, the deader your grass seems to look. Now you can bring your dearly departed lawn back to life just in time for backyard gathering season! This helps regrow the grass and reverse scorch marks caused by pet urine, digging, and general wear in high-traffic areas. A pumice stone you'll wish you bought ages ago because it can power through years of rust, lime, and calcium buildup while still being gentle on your porcelain throne. If your toilet brush has failed you, this pumice stone will deliver double-take-worthy results. A stick of Gold Bond Friction Defense that'll be the best gift you ever give your thighs — this stuff is rich with aloe to prevent the awful friction and irritation that occurs with chafing. It's an unscented formula, which makes it a SUPERB option for sensitive skin types. A memory foam cushion if you know the feeling of sitting for way too long, standing up, and hearing every bone in your body howl in protest. Whether you're reading, typing, or attending meetings that could've been an email, this cushion will literally save your butt from pain that's totally preventable. A blister-preventing foot balm to prevent you from walking around in those shoes you love but that are bound to leave your ankles red and raw. It's most effective if you apply it at the start of the day to create a protective barrier between your skin and shoes, that way you don't end the day with blisters! A non-abrasive cooktop cleaning kit when your stove has seen better days and needs ALL the help it can get before it passes the point of no return. You'll be stunned by how well it lifts pesky grease stains and other messes, so much so that you'll have to find it in your heart to forgive your past self for not buying it sooner. A pack of cold sore healing patches made with hydrocolloid so you can jumpstart the healing process before it gets away from ya. These ultra-thin patches are hardly noticeable and can help with pain relief, scabbing, and blistering. See ya never, cold sores!!
Yahoo
16-01-2025
- Yahoo
Local L.A. News Reporters' Fight For Accountability & The Truth About How We Got Here: 'You Have To Really Dig In'
On Wednesday morning this week, KCAL/KCBS reporter Jeff Nguyen was walking the fire-ravaged streets of Altadena once again. As a seasoned reporter, this is not the first disaster he's ever covered, but it certainly compares to the absolute worst he's ever seen. 'I covered the Maui fires,' he says. 'I covered the tsunami in Southeast Asia 20 years ago, earlier in my career, and this is on that level. You see rows and rows and rows of homes that have been just devastated.' More from Deadline How A Local News Reporter Spotted The Sunset Fire: 'Local News Is Still Vital; People Still Appreciate What We Do' L.A. Fires Donations: A List Of Hollywood Industry Organizations, Donors And How To Help D-Nice & DJ Hed Join 'L.A. Check In' Virtual Benefit For Wildfire Relief Nguyen is on the ground covering the start of the repopulation process, just as he has been on hand from Day 1 of these horrific events. In the past week, he has spoken with countless people on what is perhaps the hardest day of their lives — people whose names and stories he has heard and whose pain he has witnessed. Carlos Perez will stay with him, he says. When they met, Perez was digging through the rubble of what used to be his daughter's bedroom in Altadena. 'She's 12 years old,' Nguyen says, 'and all this dad wanted to do is try to find some memento, 'something shiny,' he said in his own words, to bring at least a little bit of joy and normalcy to his daughter's life. And I'll be honest with you, as he spoke those words, my colleague John Schreiber — who was working behind the camera, who's also a father himself to young children — he got very emotional. It's just so visceral to see this dad in his Birkenstocks, because that's what he ran out with, while the gas main at his house was still shooting a flame, trying to find one little thing to comfort his daughter. I don't think I can ever forget that.' Meanwhile, over in Riverside, KCAL's Joy Benedict was with the residents of a senior apartment complex. They've been without power since last Tuesday when it was turned off due to the potential fire risk. 'They're freezing,' Benedict says. 'It's seniors who've now lost their food. It's low-income people. It's people who are worried about their insulin going bad, which costs thousands of dollars to replace. There's so much loss there between those two fires, between the Palisades and up there in Altadena, but people are affected by these severe winds and the weather more often than you see on international news.' RELATED: For Benedict it is Mark Rodriguez who will stick with her always. He, like Perez, was digging through the charred remains of his home. 'We did the live interview, and he was telling me he didn't get the wedding rings,' Benedict says. In the evacuation panic, Rodriguez had left behind his and his wife's rings. Desperately trying to find words of comfort, Benedict told him: 'It's OK. You're still married. You're OK.' But then, Rodriguez explained that his wife had passed away years before. 'So we started digging, and we started looking for those rings and we couldn't find them.' Then he realized his wife's ashes had been left behind. 'We started digging through the ground, looking for her ashes. He found the urn, and it was broken. I said, 'What do you want to do?' And he said, 'You know what? This is her home. This is where she died. Maybe we should just leave her buried here now.' 'I had another guy whose home was completely burned, and he was able to find his wife's diamond ring that she had left. He said, 'The gold was all melted, but the stone was still there.' It was her mother's. People are literally looking for anything that they can hold, anything at all, because it reminds them of what they had. And when the loss is so great, you are desperate for any scrap or piece of paper, any melted piece of metal, any piece of a picture frame, any photo that's charred.' Nguyen has made it his business to get to the bottom of how this happened the way it did. Were we understaffed and underfunded in our Fire Department? What is the situation with Mayor Karen Bass and her absence in Ghana? Why was it falsely reported that Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley had been booted from the job? He says, 'One of the things that I wanted to address with the mayor and the fire chief were some of these memos that I was able to pull up. In May of last year, there was a restoration request from the city administrative officer. And in that memo to the Fire Commission, it states that 89 out of 584 apparatus were out of service, so what we're talking about is 15% of the fleet just sitting in a maintenance yard collecting dust. And one of the City Council members spoke to us and she had visited that maintenance yard on New Year's Day. She says there are rows and rows and rows of apparatus or equipment. We're talking about fire engines, ladders, fire trucks, ladder trucks, ambulances just sitting there collecting dust, and so much so that weeds are sprouting from beneath their wheels. We wanted to address that and ask the mayor whether or not that 15% would've made a difference in the early hours, and the mayor was a no-show for that news conference on Friday. 'Also The Daily Mail reported that the mayor had fired Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. So in terms of accountability, we had to vet that out and figure out if the chief still had a job or not. While we were trying to get answers about 15% of the fleet not being in service, we had to figure out whether or not we still had a fire chief in those hours. The fire chief ultimately was not fired. There is certainly a schism between the mayor and the chief. The next day, on Saturday, the mayor did acknowledge that they do have some differences, but they're going to work through their differences behind closed doors. I don't know how or why The Daily Mail ran with that. But in terms of accountability, it's also our job sometimes to vet misreporting as well.' So, what has Nguyen discovered about Fire Department finding so far? 'I think that there is some money set aside in a pool to address salary,' he says, 'and I can understand that. Our reporting on Friday was [on] budgeting to keep the entire fleet on the road. And one of the reasons why the entire fleet is not in commission is because you don't have enough people working on maintenance. So they have cutbacks on maintenance jobs at the yard. Hence you have this 15% of the fleet not in operation. With local reporting, you have to be very streamlined and really dig in on a subject matter.' I point out that this is the inherent value of local news reporting: people on the ground, with local connections and contacts, persistently asking questions and digging through records. Not only because it's their job, but because they are part of the community themselves, and they care. Tim Wieland, general manager and president of CBS Los Angeles and Colorado, is thinking about that accountability too. 'Some of the responses we've had in asking some of these tough questions has been, 'Well, you just are looking for someone to blame,'' he says. 'And that really isn't the motivation for this kind of journalism. The motivation for this kind of journalism is about making sure we're learning from this and getting it right. And then some of the other accountability pieces are the rebuild, because in such something like this, you're talking about billions of dollars floating out there to help people rebuild. Is it being allocated fairly? Are people getting the money that they deserve that they're promised? And then the housing market is part of the accountability piece too. We've already done multiple stories about the problem of price gouging in the market and how people are being priced out and marginalized, and we have a role to play in that situation too, from an accountability standpoint.' Local reporters often are witnessing devastation involving their own homes and the homes of their relatives and families, while also repeatedly absorbing others' situations, day after day. And Wieland says support for them is on hand around the clock. 'This week we have mental health counselors in the newsroom. We also have someone who is expert at news trauma who has made himself available to our team 24/7 by phone and Zoom. And so, no matter what shift you're on, you can reach out and have someone to talk to at any time of day. And that's been very important.' CBS also is providing meals and supplies, protective equipment and respirators for its teams. For the people of Southern California, CBS has made a commitment to stay with the story and be a continuing resource, Wieland says. They also launched a KCAL Cares initiative with the Red Cross that has already raised $800,000. Now, as we look to the future for L.A., Benedict says she is really worried about insurance issues for everyone affected. 'I think we're going to struggle a lot with people getting reimbursed,' she says. 'I think we're going to struggle a lot with insurance for everybody long-term when it comes to fire insurance, which California has struggled with for several years now. I do stories all the time on people who lost their fire insurance. And the state plan is ridiculously expensive. I feel like insurers are using any excuse to drop people, and I think this is just an excuse for them to do that again, to cost people so much money to the point that they need to be dependent on a FEMA declaration to save their homes.' Benedict notes she is fortunate that what she calls her 'tiny condo' has remained safe, but she's also done the math and knows that if needed, she would not be able to rebuild based on what insurance might pay out. 'The small business administration offers EIDL loans, which we all got very familiar with during the pandemic, but the EIDL loans themselves to rebuild a home cap at $500,000. Well, the homes in California cost more than $500,000. There's no grading curve for living in Southern California, so you will not be able to rebuild your home for $500,000 out here. So I don't think that loan is enough. And I hope that Congress takes a look at those. I've always said that in California we need to be graded on a curve. And that's just another example, because you can't rebuild for half a million dollars out here. It's too expensive.' She's worried too that there simply won't be enough construction crews available, and far from enough rental property to house displaced people. These are very tough times indeed for the people of L.A. But then Benedict seems to gather herself a little. I can hear her smile through the phone as she says, 'You know what else has come out of this? A lot of hope and it's a lot of people coming together. I think it was Mister Rogers who said, 'When tragedy happens, look for the helpers.'' Best of Deadline Hollywood Events Canceled Or Postponed Due To L.A. Wildfires - Update Ghana's Wildly Creative Hand-Painted Movie Posters That Reimagined Hollywood Blockbusters 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More
