If you tried to BeDazzle your jeans in time for a night of line dancing, this gallery is for you. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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Day: February 23, 2026
Reading Time: 3 minutes
This is not a positive health update.
In January, Bethenny Frankel revealed her diagnosis to fans.
She explained that she had undergone a screening, and caught her illness at Stage 2.
Unfortunately, her doctors have now informed her that it had progressed further than she had realized.
Her chronic kidney disease is in Stage 3A
In January, Bethenny shared that her newly diagnosed chronic kidney disease was at Stage 2.
That announcement came mere hours after doctors told her the news.
It was only natural that there would be an update.
Unfortunately, it was not good news.
“Just left the kidney doctor,” Bethenny shared on Instagram. “He said that I actually have stage 3A chronic kidney disease, which is right in the middle.”
According to Bethenny, she learned from her doctors that she is still “not quite at the medication point” for her disease.
However, she did receive a good piece of advice: “Water is your best medicine.”
Fans have raised concerns about her supplement use. Apparently, so have her doctors.
“It’s not really a one-size-fits-all model,” Bethenny said of what her doctors counseled in terms of supplements.
While Bethenny may need to dial down certain supplements (like turmeric, which is great for some things but not if you have vulnerable kidneys), she says that people should speak to their own doctors regarding supplements.
‘I’m always dehydrated’
Bethenny told her fans that she will remain under the care of a kidney doctor to avoid other unfortunate updates like this one.
“It’s important to get these tests and stay with this stuff because you could find other things,” she reasoned.
“I’m not going to be quite alarmed yet,” Bethenny expressed.
She affirmed that she is committed to drinking more water. (Everybody has their own hangups and hacks for drinking water — you just need to find the one that works for you.)
“[My doctor] said water is the most important thing,” Bethenny added. “So that gives me anxiety because I’m always dehydrated.”
“So right now, this is a step in the wrong direction,” Bethenny characterized of her updated diagnosis.
“I have a little bit of a little bit anxiety,” she expressed.
“And I’m sick to my stomach,” Bethenny acknowledged. “But I’m just remaining calm.”
Not panicking is a good strategy.
Panic can be almost as harmful as brushing it off.
How can she stay hydrated?
Hydration strategies begin with knowing how you like your water and having access to it.
Bottled water can be the key, especially for someone who wants their drink to be in that shape and who may want it tepid rather than chilled. Otherwise, having a hefty bottle of filtered water is a great option.
The thing is that you don’t have to pretend to enjoy water. It’s not fun to drink.
You do, however, have to drink it.
Setting a timer for yourself to periodically chug a 16 oz bottle of water might not be fun, but it’s a lot more fun than kidney disease. Especially in the later stages.
Bethenny Frankel Health Update Reveals Illness Is in Stage 3: I’m Sick to My … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
If you know (or are) someone who loves anything to do with Texas Roadhouse (who doesn’t?), then you absolutely need to get this themed scented candle.
Food Republic – Restaurants, Reviews, Recipes, Cooking Tips
These period pieces got it wrong — period. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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We have tragic news to report from the world of reality television.
Maxi Shield, one of the most beloved contestants to appear on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, has passed away.
She was just 51 years old.
News of Maxi’s death comes courtesy of an Instagram post from her longtime friend Vanity.
“It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our dearest sister, Maxine, has passed away,” Vanity captioned a photo of herself and her late friend.
“We are all mourning the loss of an incredible icon, friend, and our beloved sister. Thank you for the laughs, the cackles, and the magic you brought into our lives,” she continued, adding:
“I will cherish every second of our 30 year friendship and I’m so grateful that I was apart of your chosen family.
You will be forever loved and deeply missed. I love you old girl.”
“Our girl. It’s gonna not be the same without her giggles in it. I’m so heartbroken,” Hannah Conda.
“This is so heartbreaking! Sending so much love, the performer who goes by Boa the Drag Queen echoed.
“Oh my gosh…this is devastating. Stayed next door to her at DragCon one year and she was such a kind soul… i’m so sorry for your loss,” Abigail Beverly Hillz commented.
Though no official cause of death has been revealed, Entertainment Weekly reports that Maxi had been battling cancer.
In addition to her work on reality TV, Maxi was an actor, activist, and beloved nightclub performer.
Universal Sydney was one of the venues where she performed most frequently, and its owner, Dillon Shaw, paid tribute to Maxi in a social media post:
“Maxi was a big personality with a heart of gold. I’m heartbroken that the world won’t get to see this legend light up a stage again, and that I won’t get to share another giggle over lunch with my friend,” Shaw wrote.
“Her love, her humour, and her impact live on through the incredible Sydney talent she directly influenced, and through the scene she helped shape with such passion,” he contued, adding:
“She was a force. She was brilliant. And I will miss my friend dearly.”
Our thoughts are with Maxi Shield’s friends and family during this incredibly difficult time.
We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.
Maxi Shield Cause of Death: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Star Was 51 was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
A viral TikTok has sparked outrage by revealing that some store-bought products are actually yielding significantly less than their labeled portions.
Food Republic – Restaurants, Reviews, Recipes, Cooking Tips
NOTN- The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly is set to tackle several hot button issues at tonight’s Committee of the Whole meeting, including flood mitigation efforts, redevelopment plans and new budget survey results.
According to a release from CBJ, the major focus of the meeting will be long-term solutions for glacial lake outburst flooding in the Mendenhall Valley.
City officials will present updates on a proposed Lake Tap which has been identified as the preferred engineering option following a recent planning session hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Engineers estimate that without further mitigation, a future maximum flood event could impact more than 2,800 properties in the valley.
The Assembly will also receive updates on the second phase of the HESCO barrier flood project, and review results of an informal poll of View Drive residents about a voluntary federal buyout program.
City Manager Katie Koester said the buyout option would require a 25% non-federal match, estimated at roughly $6 million if all 18 eligible properties on View Drive participate.
Officials are seeking to determine whether homeowners are interested and whether they could help assemble the local share through private or nonprofit contributions.
City leaders emphasized participation would be voluntary, and the city would not move forward without sufficient interest.
Beyond flood response, the Assembly will hear results from a recent citywide budget priorities survey.
The meeting will also include discussion of next steps for a developer solicitation for Telephone Hill and updates on the ongoing Seawalk project.
City leaders are anticipating a late night tonight.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Very sad news this week out of the professional sports world:
Former WNBA player Kara Braxton, won two leage championships while playing for the Detroit Shock, has passed, the league announced late on Sunday.
She was 43 years old.
“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton,” the WNBA said in a statement shared to X on February 22. “A 10-season veteran, Kara played with the Detroit Shock, Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury, and New York Liberty.
“Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and former teammates at this time.”
No cause of death has been announced as of this writing.
Braxton played basketball at the University of Georgia from 2001 until 2004. She was drafted by the Shock as the seventh overall pick in the 2005 WNBA draft in April of that year… four months after giving birth to her son Jelani Thurman, who she shared with Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman.
The athlete made a strong, immediate impression, too.
She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie team during her first season in the league and would go on to win the championship in 2006 and 2008 with Detroit.
Braxton played for a total of 10 seasons for Detroit, Tulsa, Phoenix Mercury and New York.
The forward was named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2002 while playing for the University of Georgia and was later named All-Star in 2007.
She is the mother of two sons — Jelani Thurman, who actually played on the Ohio State football team that won the national championship in 2024; and Jream Jackson.
According to local station KGW8, she is survived by her husband, Jarvis Jackson, and twin sister, Kim.
“Karebear……….This still feels unreal,” former teammate Plenette Pierson wrote on social media today. “I keep replaying memories and conversations because part of me expects to hear your voice again. Losing you hurts in a way words cannot hold.”
This tragedy took place the same weekend NFL wide receive Rondale Moore took his own life.
May both rest in peace.
Kara Braxton Cause of Death: WNBA Star Gone at 43 was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
Jelly Roll just revealed 11 new tour dates for this spring and summer. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Jelly Roll just revealed 11 new tour dates for this spring and summer. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country