'Blind Side' story takes a turn
The Tuohy family says they will end their conservatorship for Michael Oher. A week after a deadly wildfire ripped through Maui, loved ones remember the victims. And that's not a highlighter – it's an e-cigarette.
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'Blind Side' family says they will end Michael Oher's conservatorship
All along, Michael Oher said, he thought he’d been legally adopted. Now, nearly 20 years later, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy's lawyer said they intend to end their conservatorship for the former football star after he claimed the couple tricked him into agreeing to it. Legal experts have said there is no basis for the conservatorship, which Oher signed three months after his 18th birthday, to exist. The couple and their attorneys said this week that the conservatorship was a means of protection for Oher to attend Ole Miss and make him part of their family. Oher is also seeking back pay for any money the Tuohys may have earned off his story, mainly via the 2009 movie "The Blind Side," which starred Sandra Bullock. Here's the latest.
'The Blind Side' controversy explained: Who profited from Oher's life story?
Hurricane Hilary on path toward Southern California
Heads up: Hurricane Hilary is rapidly intensifying in the Pacific Ocean and could bring heavy rain and flash flooding to southern California and Nevada by the weekend, forecasters said. The hurricane could potentially bring “significant impacts” to parts of the Southwestern U.S. this weekend, including rainfall of up to 10 inches, according to the National Hurricane Center. As of Thursday afternoon, Hilary had maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, the hurricane center said. The forecast calls for landfall Sunday over the Baja California Peninsula, but a landfall farther north hasn't been ruled out. A look at Hilary's forecast, track.
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Mourning, remembering loved ones lost in Maui fires
A week after wildfires rapidly burned through parts of Maui, destroying most of the historic town of Lahaina, the Hawaiian community is mourning the loss of life from the nation's deadliest blaze in more than a century. At least 111 people are dead, and some estimates showed more than 1,000 are still missing or unaccounted for. Only a few names have been officially released, but other victims have been identified by loved ones.
Sharing their stories: Lahaina resident Buddy Jantoc, 79, nicknamed "Mr. Aloha," a beloved, local musician who was known for his warmth and generosity. Franklin Trejos, 68, who initially stayed behind to help save the home of his friend and other residents. “God took a really good man,” his friend Shannon Weber-Bogar said. Some of the lives lost in Maui wildfires.
Would sirens have driven more Maui residents into the wildfire? Official thinks so.
When is a highlighter not a highlighter? When it’s an e-cigarette.
USB drives. Smartwatches. Even vaping hoodies. With vape supplies camouflaged this well, how can schools stop students from sneaking them in? Take the High Light Office 4, an e-cigarette that is practically indistinguishable from a highlighter. Its angled, colorful tip makes it look ready for study hall even when uncapped. It's never been easier to vape in secret, and schools are calling attention to the challenge of keeping products like these out of lockers and classrooms. What you need to know.
🎃 Pumpkin spice? "Stop this madness!" As it turns out, Short List readers are not the biggest pumpkin spice fans! (Same, y'all.) Yesterday, we asked if you liked pumpkin spice or not. It was a big nope: 78 people said it wasn't their "cup of tea," while only 45 fans chimed in. Thanks to everyone who replied!
A break from the news
💧 If you get dehydrated, it's important to know what to do.
🍿 New movies this weekend: 'Blue Beetle,' 'Strays,' The Monkey King.'
😩 Lost your cellphone on vacation? Here's what to do.
🌶 Is spicy food good for you? Yes – but here's what you should know.
Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. She loves new Twitter pals and emails from readers: laura@usatoday.com. This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Blind Side' conservatorship, Hurricane Hilary, Maui fires: Thursday's news