Thumbs
Thumbs down to…The University of North Texas Health Science Center for using unclaimed bodies without any consent from the deceased or their relatives. The medical school suspended its body donation program and fired the officials who led the research program. Dallas and Tarrant counties, two of the country’s most populous counties, were found to have sent more than 2,350 bodies to the school since 2019. The use of these bodies “violates modern ethical standards and has traumatized many families,” according to reporting from NBC.
Thumbs down to…The Chargers’ Derwin James for being suspended by the NFL for multiple hits to the heads to his opponents. James was suspended for one game without pay on Sept. 23 for “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players.” James also has five penalties for being rough in his last 18.Which is the most in the league by a defensive player. All five of his penalties are for blows to the heads either with his helmet or shoulder.
Thumbs down to…The U.S. Supreme Court for allowing the execution of Marcellus Williams, who died on Sept. 24 by a lethal injection in the state of Missouri. Williams was executed due to the murder of Felicia Gayle in 1998, even though he pleaded innocent, and many people involved with the case have also come forward to say he may not have been guilty. After the execution, Williams’ lawyer Larry Komp stated, “While he would readily admit to the wrongs he had done throughout his life, he never wavered in asserting his innocence of the crime for which he was put to death tonight.”
Thumbs up to… “The Bear” for breaking its own record for the most Primetime Emmys won by a comedic show in a single year. The series shattered its record of 10 wins by getting its 11th win on Sept. 15. This series stars Jeremy Allen White, who also won his second Emmy for best actor in a comedy series. Ebon Moss-Bachrach won an Emmy for best supporting actor in a comedy series for his role in the show, and Liza Colon-Zayas also won an Emmy for best supporting actress.
Thumbs up to… The Buffalo Bill’s Damar Hamlin for achieving his first NFL career interception, interrupting a pass from the Jacksonville Jaguars Trevor Lawrence.For Hamlin this makes an amazing recovery from last year,considering he got his last interception 20 months after he got his near-fatal injury when he played against the Cincinnati Bengals and made a tackle which caused him to collapse and go into cardiac arrest.
Thumbs up to…Moo Deng the baby pygmy hippo, who became an internet sensation after videos were posted of her frolicking at a Thai Zoo. Her toothless chewing videos are already a hit, but now this baby hippo is also starring in cosmetic ads, and she is also becoming a brand ambassador for the country. She was nicknamed the “bouncing pig” after she went viral on Facebook and gained more than 20,000 votes from children and tourists for the name.