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If your books are piling up on your coffee table or your trinkets are taking up real estate on your work desk, it may be time to invest in a new storage unit. While these items may be organized, they create visual clutter if they’re jam-packed in one spot. Bookcases are a stylish storage solution, providing a space to show off your prized possessions and simultaneously working to declutter those crowded spaces. Looking to get your hands on one? Walmart carries a ton of budget-friendly options that effortlessly blend style and quality. 

Boasting major farmhouse charm, this Satifur 5-Tier Bookcase is one of our favorite Walmart finds. Right now, you can score it on sale for less than $55! It normally retails for either $75 or $83, but it’s now marked down to just $52 in a rustic brown and a black finish. This bookcase is also available in a narrow six-tier version and a standard six-tier style, which you can purchase for $53 and $55, respectively. 

Courtesy of Walmart

Featuring five spacious shelves, this bookcase offers a generous amount of storage space to help streamline your home. Every tier, except for the top one, has a 12.2-inch clearance, providing plenty of vertical room so you can store items of various heights. Sturdy and durable, each shelf has a 55-pound weight capacity, so it should hold up to hefty items. 

This bookcase comes with two fabric drawers that you can easily remove if you prefer to leave all the shelves open. However, they’ll come in handy if you want to store miscellaneous items to reduce the visual clutter. 

Boasting exposed woodgrain surfaces, this bookshelf nails the farmhouse aesthetic. The woodgrain gives this piece rustic charm and makes it feel raw and natural. With its clean lines and sleek appearance, it’ll complement the furniture and decor in any room. Wherever you place this bookcase, whether it’s your living room, kitchen, or anywhere in between, it’ll instantly warm up your space and add a cozy and inviting vibe. 

This bookcase is ideal for all your storage and organization needs. You can use it to display your extensive book collection, curated decor pieces, and LEGO creations. Alternatively, you can use this bookcase to store linens, clothes, and personal care items. The possibilities are seemingly endless. 

Courtesy of Walmart

Measuring 20 inches wide, 10.6 inches deep, and 60.8 inches tall, this bookcase takes advantage of vertical space, which makes it ideal for both small and large homes alike. It’s made of wooden boards and boasts a strong metal frame. The wooden boards are wear-resistant and have a waterproof finish, making this bookcase suitable for bathroom storage as well. 

“It’s absolutely perfect for small spaces,” one reviewer commented. “It’s sturdy and looks expensive.” A second shopper noted that it’s “sleek, cozy, and classy,” while a third customer added that it’s “beautiful.” 

For stability, the legs are equipped with adjustable footpads, ensuring that the bookcase remains even and preventing it from wobbling. If you want additional security, you can install the anti-tip kit to secure it to the wall to keep it from falling over. As a bonus, many shoppers raved about how easy it was to assemble, so you should have it ready to go in no time! 

• Iotxy 7-Cube Bookcase, From $88 (was $99) at Walmart
• Better Homes & Gardens Horizontal Bookcase, From $92 (was $123) at Walmart
• Walsunny Triple-Wide 5-Tier Bookshelf, From $75 (was $150) at Walmart

Related: Walmart Has a ‘Beautiful’ and ‘Sturdy’ $18 2-Tier Side Table That Makes the Most of Small Spaces

Whether your home could use extra storage or you want to display your most prized possessions, you can’t go wrong with the Satifur 5-Tier Bookcase. Don’t hesitate to snag it at Walmart while it’s still on sale for just $52. 

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods got married this weekend in a Malibu wedding celebration fit for the NBA’s reigning king and queen, but it’s Woods’ stunning Danielle Frankel dream wedding gown that’s getting all the attention. In an article for Vogue Weddings, the New York Knicks star and his influencer and entrepreneur wife are giving fans a peek inside their star-studded wedding celebration, including Woods’ fairytale gown and KAT’s wedding-day look created by Ralph Lauren.

“For her walk down the aisle to marry @KarlTowns, @JordynWoods turned to @DanielleFrankel to create her dream wedding gown—a fitting choice for the bride. “We took a dress and made it me, and it’s different from any other design she’s done so far,” says Jordyn. Karl was similarly decisive when it came to his wedding-day wardrobe, knowing from the start that he wanted to wear @RalphLauren. “Ralph is always a part of my life,” he says.”

Woods says of her cliffside wedding ceremony, “There was so much love surrounding us, and you could genuinely feel how happy everyone was to be there witnessing that moment with us.”

The couple may be one of the NBA’s most recognizable power couples, but the pair actually bonded through heartache. Friends for years before their friendship turned romantic, the two connected deeply over the loss of her father in 2017 and the loss of his mother in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Related: Steve Jobs’ Daughter, 27, Stuns in Just-Released Wedding Photo: ‘Absolutely Radiant’

ESPYS 🖤

Engaged on Christmas Day 2025, the couple is rarely seen apart, and Woods is a regular on the Knicks sideline, including at this year’s NBA Championships, which the Knicks won.

Towns may have brought the NBA Championship trophy to his wedding, but Woods’ gown was the center of attention.

“Stunning! Love a classic look,” shared one fan online. Another gushed, “So gorgeous.”

“Jordyn looked like an absolute goddess on their special day!!!”

Jordyn Woods and Karl-Anthony Towns’ wedding was packed with celebrities, including Timothée Chalamet and girlfriend Kylie Jenner, Justin Bieber and wife Hailey Bieber, and KAT’s Knicks teammate Jalen Brunson and his wife Ali. But at this fairytale wedding, all eyes were on the bride.

Related: Hollywood Star’s Custom Monique Lhuillier Wedding Dress Leaves Fans Divided

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Hilary Duff and Hayden Panettiere shared an experience few people could understand.

The 38-year-old singer and actress paid tribute to Panettiere on social media following news of the Nashville star’s death at age 36, reminiscing on the friendship they formed as young actresses navigating an unusual childhood.

“Sweet Hayden. Really tough hearing this news,” Duff began her Instagram post, which was shared on Tuesday, August 18. Although the two eventually lost contact, Duff said her memories of Panettiere have remained with her.

“We lost touch through the years but I will always remember you as so hardworking and effervescent, with that big, gorgeous smile,” she wrote. “I remember staying up late, chatting and gossiping, and connecting because we were part of such a small sliver of people who actually understood the strange lot in life we were navigating.. so young, with no real idea how to make sense of any of it.”

Duff concluded, “I so deeply wish this wasn’t the end for you,” before sending love to Panettiere’s family and those affected by her death.

READ MORE: Hayden Panettiere’s Boyfriend Suffered Major Legal Setback in DV Case Just 3 Days Before Her Death

She isn’t the only former child star mourning Panettiere. Alyson Stoner became emotional while remembering the actress in an Instagram video, noting their shared connection to the Kingdom Hearts franchise, in which both voiced Kairi at different points. “From one Kairi to another, I just wanted to acknowledge the tremendous loss,” Stoner said.

Jay Shetty also honored Panettiere after interviewing her on his On Purpose podcast just months before her death. During that conversation, Panettiere spoke openly about addiction, postpartum depression, and grieving her younger brother, Jansen, who died in 2023. “But Hayden, you were the brave one. You were courageous, resilient, and so incredibly strong through so many difficult moments in your life,” he said.

Panettiere was reportedly found unresponsive at a home in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday, August 16. While reports indicate she suffered cardiac arrest, an official cause of death has not been announced, and initial reports suggesting an overdose have not been confirmed.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available 24 hours a day through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Hotline at 1-800-662-4357.

Skillet has an exciting update for fans planning to attend their Comatose 20 Years: Still Screaming Tour this fall.

The Christian rock band, which was formed in Tennessee in 1996 and currently consists of husband and wife John and Korey Cooper, Jen Ledger and Seth Morrison, revealed on Tuesday morning via social media that rock groups Escape the Fate and Bad Wolves will be joining them as their supporting acts on the upcoming anniversary tour.

Opening on Sept. 30 in Schenectady, New York and concluding with a sold-out show in Orlando on Nov. 10, the Comatose 20 Years: Still Screaming Tour will celebrate the anniversary of Skillet’s sixth studio album, Comatose, which has sold millions of copies since its release in October 2006 and was nominated for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards. The tour was announced in late June.

“We’re pumped to have @escapethefate and
@badwolvesofficial on the COMATOSE 20 YEARS: STILL SCREAMING TOUR ⚡️,” Skillet wrote in their Instagram caption.

This upcoming tour will serve as the live debut of Bad Wolves’ new vocalist Sara “Killboy” Skinner, who just released their new track, “Paint It Red.”

“I’m stoked that our first tour together will be with Skillet and Escape the Fate,” Killboy told Blabbermouth. “John, AJ, Derek and I are ready to get out there and bring this new era of BAD WOLVES to the stage along with some of the songs you’ve known and loved over the years. I can’t wait to finally meet the Wolves!”

Bad Wolves found fame from their cover of the Cranberries’ 1994 hit, “Zombies.” Since their formation in 2017, the metal group has released four studio albums, with their most recent being Die About It in 2023. Meanwhile, Escape the Fate was formed in 2004 in Nevada and has released eight studio albums.

Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

Skillet has expressed their excitement for their upcoming North America tour. The announcement came out back in June, just days before they released a new single titled “Scream,” which serves as the first taste of a new era of music coming from the band. More music is also expected to be released sometime this year, according to a press release.

“When we released our 2006 album, COMATOSE, we all had a feeling that we were making something special; what we didn’t know is that the album would change the trajectory of the band’s career. It defined our sound, our message, and propelled the band into a much bigger level of notoriety. But most importantly, it resonated with all kinds of people from all walks of life,” said frontman John Cooper. “At every show, someone tells me that this record helped them through the darkest times of their life. That is why we wanted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Comatose by doing something we have never done — commemorating the album by dedicating a large portion of the show to these songs that are so meaningful to the band and so many others.”

“Some of them we have played a thousand times. Others we have never played,” Cooper continued. “We are excited to perform them alongside our catalog on this once in a lifetime tour.”

Leading up to the tour, the band has multiple concerts and music festival appearances scheduled. On Wednesday, Skillet is scheduled to take the stage at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

Tickets for Skillet’s Comatose 20 Years: Still Screaming Tour and their upcoming shows can be purchased on the band’s official website.

Related: Iconic ’70s Rock Band Announces Update Amid 2026 Tour

Miranda Lambert is set for a one-night-only show for the opening night of Nashville’s newest live music venue.

The headlining performance at The Truth will take place on Oct. 1, just a day before she drops her highly anticipated new album, Crisco, on Oct. 2.

Per the release shared with Parade, the show will feature a full set spanning her “catalog of award-winning hits.”

Fans in attendance will also get a preview of “select tracks off the new album,” which include the previously released songs, “Sunset Marquis,” the title track, “Till The Going’s Gone” and the GRAMMY-nominated duet “A Song To Sing” with Chris Stapleton.

The critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter took to her Instagram page to tease the event, writing, “I’ve done a lot of things in my career, but I’ve never done this…✨🪩.”

For the first time ever, Lambert will play a show featuring “a 12-piece string section as she celebrates Crisco in the city that has been home to so much of her creative life and career.”

If you’re a Miranda Lambert fan, this is the place to be!

Tickets for Miranda Lambert: One Night Only at the Nashville venue in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood—which holds 4,400 fans—will go on sale Friday, Aug. 21, at 10 a.m. CT via thetruthnashville.com.

“It was magical to hear the way strings can transform a song when we were in the studio creating this record, and I can’t wait to bring that to life in an even bigger way with our full setlist,” Lambert said in the release. “We’ve never gotten to play that way on stage, and to have the opportunity to do it for the first time at the opening of a beautiful new venue right here in Nashville is going to be really special.”

Fans couldn’t contain their excitement, with one commenting on social media, “A Full band AND 12-piece orchestra show!!! Iconic!!! ✨🎻z”

“Wait this is going to be SO COOL,” someone else noted, as others chimed in, “Are you kidding?!? This is INSANE” and “this is going to be unreal ✨”

Canadian country singer Tenille Townes even commented, writing, “This is gonna be incredible!!!”

Crisco follows Lambert’s 2024 GRAMMY-nominated Postcards from Texas, which landed her an “unbroken streak of 10 consecutive Top 10s on the Top Country Albums chart.”

However, the upcoming album is already making waves, as “A Song To Sing” with Stapleton marked the biggest streaming debut of her career.

Check out the full Crisco Track List below:
1. Snakeskin Boots
2. Crisco
3. Cowgirl Curtsy
4. Two Things Can Be True 
5. Cuttin’ Onions
6. Till The Going’s Gone 
7. To Everything
8. Whiskey Business
9. Right Where We Left It
10. A Song To Sing (with Chris Stapleton)
11. I’ll Have To Say I Love You In A Song
12. Sunset Marquis 

Related: Country Star Lainey Wilson Makes History at Iowa State Fair

Before folk rock became one of the defining sounds of the 1960s, We Five helped show just how powerful the genre could be.

The group’s breakthrough recording of “You Were On My Mind” arrived in 1965, introducing listeners to the soaring voice of 19-year-old California singer Beverly Bivens. The spirited interpretation quickly became a major hit and established We Five as one of the early success stories of the folk-rock movement.

The song actually began life several years earlier.

Canadian singer-songwriter Sylvia Tyson, then performing with Ian & Sylvia, wrote “You Were On My Mind” in 1961.

“I’m very thankful for that song, and it is still alive and kicking,” Sylvia Tyson told Billboard years later. “I wrote this song in 1961, although it was not recorded or published until ’62 and I wrote it in a bathtub in the Hotel Earle in Greenwich Village in New York. It’s now a very fancy boutique hotel. The reason I wrote it in the bathtub wasn’t that I was taking a bath. It was the only place the cockroaches wouldn’t go. I guess the rest is history. We were already signed to Vanguard Records. That was a folk label, and it was just a natural fit. That was the first song I ever wrote.”

While the original was rooted in folk music, We Five reimagined it with bright harmonies, jangling guitars, and a polished pop production that reflected the rapidly evolving musical landscape of the mid-1960s.

The new approach resonated with listeners.

Released as the band’s debut single, “You Were On My Mind” climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming We Five’s signature hit. Bivens’ expressive lead vocal gave the song both warmth and emotional depth, helping it stand out during an era filled with memorable folk-rock recordings.

“Money stopped being a concern, but getting enough sleep started getting to be a problem,” guitarist Jerry Burgan told Classic Bands. “We began doing TV shows immediately. We did all of the stuff you would imagine, the Hullabaloos, and the American Bandstand and Shindig and Shiveree and all of the local dance shows all around the country. We also did shows like Hollywood Palace, that was a very upscale ‘live’ broadcast done from the West Coast. They didn’t use a whole lot of Rock acts initially on that because you had to perform ‘live’ and you also had to fit within the musical context. We were a little bit of a stretch for them, but that worked fine. We started playing college concerts almost immediately. We did about 150 concerts in 20 months.”

Although We Five never matched the commercial success of their debut, the song never disappeared.

“You Were On My Mind” has remained a staple of oldies radio and compilation albums celebrating the folk-rock era. Its timeless melody and heartfelt lyrics have also inspired a wide range of artists to record their own versions over the decades.

Among the more recent reinterpretations came from indie folk duo Lucius, whose cover introduced the song to a new generation of listeners. Their harmony-driven arrangement paid tribute to the original while bringing a contemporary sensibility to the enduring classic.

Sixty-one years after its release, “You Were On My Mind” continues to exemplify the optimism and musical creativity of the 1960s folk-rock movement. Featuring a 19-year-old Beverly Bivens at the microphone, the 1965 hit remains the song most closely associated with We Five and one of the genre’s defining recordings.

Related: 1971 Country Song, Recorded in New York City, Is Still a Powerful Hit 55 Years Later

Before summer 2026 fades away, four birth months are set for unlocking luck.

No matter what season we’re moving through, you have the potential to blaze unexplored trails, but the one we’re currently experiencing is supercharged in that way. With so many outer planets moving through fire signs, summer 2026 has paved the way for everyone to more confidently own their voice, claim center stage, pursue passions, and stand even more solidly in their sense of self. But what does the grand finale of summer 2026 hold? Is it possible that this is the time of year that could fuel greater abundance for you? As the sun shifts from party animal, leadership-loving Leo into service-oriented, back-to-school-vibes Virgo ahead of the fall equinox, there are four birth months who are destined for a surge of luck. 

Read on to learn if you’re destined to unlock luck as we move through the finale of summertime, thanks to your birth month.

You were born during the month that hosts the spring equinox, arriving when the sun was moving through either spiritually gifted, empathic water sign Pisces or competitive, trendsetting fire sign Aries. If you’re a Pisces, the end of summer 2026 encompasses a shakeup-bringing lunar eclipse in your sign on August 28, continuing a dramatic storyline that began back in 2024. While massive shifts might not sound like your version of luck, understanding that you’re exactly where you need to be can serve as a balm for your soul. And if you were born with your sun in Aries, Jupiter continues to move through your fifth house of romance and self-expression, forming a sweet harmonizing trine to foundation-setting Saturn in your sign on August 31, bringing you the kind of optimism, joy, and fortune that will resonate for months to come.

EXPLORE: The 4 Birth Dates That Make the Best Travel Companions

If you were born in August, your natal sun falls in either confident, optimistic, ambitious fire sign Leo or sensitive, intuitive, cerebral Virgo. If you were born during Leo, the Great Benefic, Jupiter, continues to move through your sign and first house of self, amplifying your desire for—and ability to claim—greater visibility. When it connects with taskmaster Saturn in your ninth house of adventure on August 31, getting out of your comfort zone could lay the groundwork for even greater fulfillment and recognition. And if you were born during Virgo, you have the ability to start turning your vision and most imaginative dreams into a concrete reality. You’ll be more comfortable stepping onto center stage and speaking from the heart to fulfill your most heartfelt wishes. This will be especially true once the sun is in your sign from August 22 to September 22 and Mercury, your ruling planet, is there from August 25 to September 10.

If you were born in September, your sun falls in either service-oriented, supercommunicator Virgo or relationship-oriented, harmony-loving Libra. Virgos, you can celebrate the end of summer and your birthday season knowing that not only is the confidence-bolstering sun in your sign, but your ruling planet, messenger Mercury, will be there from August 25 to September 10, offering you a surge of good luck when it comes to high mental energy and sharing your most passionate goals. You’ll also enjoy the intention-setting, fresh start-bringing vibes of the new moon in your sign on September 10. And if you were born with your sun in Libra, you’ll enjoy Venus’s trip through your sign (where it’s most content at home) until September 10, infusing your relationships with even more bliss, balance, beauty, and tranquility. Mercury will also be there from September 10 to 30, supporting your ability to speak your truth and feel truly heard. 

READ: Born on One of These Dates? You Can Read People Instantly

You came into the world when the sun was moving through either balance-seeking, partnership-loving Libra or magnetic, fearless water sign Scorpio. As the Great Benefic, lucky Jupiter, has moved into Leo this summer, it’s activating either your eleventh house of friendships (Libra) or tenth house of career (Scorpio). In turn, you’ll have thrilling—and lasting!— opportunities coming your way in those areas of life, especially once Jupiter harmonizes with foundation-setting Saturn on August 31. Libra, look forward to your ruling planet, sweet Venus, in your sign until September 10, bringing even more bliss to your bonds, and Scorpio, once its in your sign from September 10 until its retrograde on October 3, you’ll also be a magnet for pleasure and greater peace. 

UP NEXT:

Frank Beard, the longtime drummer whose unmistakable rhythm helped power ZZ Top for more than five decades, has died. 

Beard, 77, died August 17 following a stay in hospice, according to the Fort Bend County Medical Examiner, TMZ reported on Tuesday, August 18. His death came shortly after serious health problems forced him away from the band’s ongoing tour. 

ZZ Top confirmed the news on Instagram, sharing a tribute from Billy Gibbons, ZZ Top’s frontman, guitarist, and lead vocalist. alongside details on how the band plans to move forward. “Today, Elwood and I lost a great friend and collaborator, and the world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas. His signature backbeat was key to keeping ZZ on top,” Gibbons wrote.

A cause of death was not immediately known.

Details surrounding Beard’s final illness remain limited. The drummer had stepped away from performing in recent weeks as concerns about his health grew.

His condition reportedly led to ZZ Top’s August 5 cancellation at the Hollywood Bowl.

Rolling Stone reported that Frontman Billy Gibbons addressed the disruption at the time, saying, “Insurmountable obstacles require canceling our Hollywood Bowl performance.”

Beard also missed other recent performances, with Michael Monahan filling in behind the drums.

The latest health setback was not Beard’s first break from the road. In March 2025, ZZ Top announced that he would temporarily step away from the band’s tour to undergo an unspecified “health procedure.” 

Longtime percussionist and drummer John Douglas stepped in until Beard was able to return.

Beard again spent time away from touring later that year before rejoining the group.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Beard joined ZZ Top in 1969 and became part of the legendary lineup alongside Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill.

During his extraordinary run with the Texas rockers, Beard played on all 15 of the band’s studio albums. His drumming became the backbone of classics including “La Grange,” “Tush,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” and “Legs.”

The trio’s mix of blues, hard rock and Texas swagger carried them through the 1970s before albums such as “Eliminator” introduced their sound to a new generation during the MTV era.

ZZ Top was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, with Beard, Gibbons and Hill recognized as members of the classic lineup, according to the official site.

That lineup remained remarkably consistent for decades until Hill died in 2021 at age 72. Longtime guitar technician Elwood Francis subsequently took over on bass. Through every era of the band, Beard remained the steady force behind the kit, helping shape a sound that became inseparable from American classic rock.

Smack in the middle of celebrating 76 years in business, Whataburger has turned the month of August into a special savings event. All month long, reward members have been able to score free food every Wednesday through a BOGO promotion that started on Aug. 8, but the deals aren’t stopping there.

In tandem with the return of Whataburger’s fan-favorite Bacon Wrangler Double, customers can now score even more savings with a brand-new More for $4 value menu platform. Offering four popular menu items for just $4 each, it gives fans more ways to save on their favorite fast food eats. 

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Whataburger

That’s right, starting Aug. 18, when you stop in a participating Whataburger location, you can order one of four menu items for just $4 each. Bringing a new tier to the restaurant chain’s already popular menu, it offers a wallet-friendly price point perfect for solo diners, families, students and more.

So what exactly can you expect to find on the new $4 menu? Just a handful of reliable mealtime staples that were likely already on your favorites list, of course. Choose from popular picks like:

• Bacon & Cheese Whataburger Jr.: a smoky take on the classic, loaded with bacon and cheese.
• Whataburger Patty Melt Jr.: grilled to order with a rich, diner-style twist and lots of sauce.
• Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich Jr.: crispy chicken strips drizzled with sweet honey BBQ sauce.
• Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich Jr.: golden chicken strips paired with bold buffalo and cool ranch.

Related: Sam’s Club’s $12 Easy Dinner Brings a Fall Twist to Nostalgic Home-Cooked Meals

Adding to the appeal of the deal, any $4 menu order can be turned into a full meal by adding small fries and a small drink for just $3 extra. And to make the month of savings even more cohesive, Whataburger is also simplifying its Jr. Whatameal lineup, with All-Time Favorite and limited-time Jr. Whatameals now including small fries and a small drink for a more consistent ordering experience.

With the month of August already flying by, you’ll want to head to your local Whataburger sooner rather than later to take advantage of the new deals. With options to order your favorite menu items 24/7 through the drive-thru, online or the Whataburger app, there’s really no excuse not to indulge. Dig in and enjoy the savings.

Related: Costco’s Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers Are a ’10/10′ Game Day Staple

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If you’re tired of choosing between shoes that are comfortable and cute, Amazon shoppers may have found a pair of sandals that give you both. The Crocs Brooklyn Buckle Low Sandals have an easy slip-on design that’s perfect for busy summer days, plus a sleek look that works for everything from walks and beach trips to wearing around the house.

Right now, you can snag a pair for as low as $30 at Amazon, down from $50, making this the lowest price they’ve been in 90 days. They come in seven colors — including tan, black, and a fun leopard print — in sizes 4 through 11. While discounts vary by color and size, you can find many options for under $50. Shoppers called them a “10/10” and the “most comfortable sandals” they’ve ever worn.

Courtesy of Amazon

If you’re a longtime Crocs fan looking to branch out beyond the classic clogs, this newer style may be right up your alley. The Brooklyn collection has a more streamlined, modern look while keeping the plush feel Crocs are known for, making these an easy choice for everyday summer wear. 

The lightweight slides feature two adjustable buckle straps that let you customize the fit, while the low-profile design has no lift or heel for an easy, comfortable feel. The sandals also feature Crocs’ signature foam footbed for added cushioning as you walk. 

Because they’re waterproof, they’re a smart choice for pool days, water parks and beach trips. But their more polished look means you can easily keep them on for the rest of your day, whether you’re running errands, meeting a friend for lunch, or taking a walk around town. They’re easy to clean, too — just wipe away dirt and marks with a soft, damp cloth!

One reviewer praised their versatility, calling them the “perfect sandals to wear both in town and at the pool or beach.” Another shopper who wears the sandals “almost every day” noted that they’re comfortable, lightweight, and sturdy enough for daily use.

• Skechers Asana Luxe Shimmer Days Flip-Flops, $25 (were $50) at Amazon
• Qeeman Solar Cat Garden Statue, $24 at Amazon
• Xhope4u Balance Table Lamp, $17 (was $43) at Amazon

Related: Crocs’ ‘Bouncy’ Sandals Give High-Arched Feet the ‘Cushy’ Support They’re Missing for Under $30

For as low as $30, the Crocs Brooklyn Buckle Low Sandals are a great end-of-summer pick. Shop them at Amazon while they’re still in stock and on sale!

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

The whole announcement was two emoji: a game controller and a green heart.

IKEA posted it to Instagram on Tuesday with Xbox tagged as a collaborator, and that was that. The two brands are making furniture together. The teaser picked up tens of thousands of likes within hours, and nobody gets to see the actual collection until Aug. 26, when it’s revealed at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany.

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Almost nothing, on purpose. The clip opens on a tight crop of a ridged circular surface. White light flares across the frame. Then a green cushion shaped like a D-pad, then the two logos side by side, then it’s done. No collection name, no price, no lineup, no on-sale date.

IKEA has said only that the two design teams worked on it together. That left the comments to do the work, the way they did under Disney’s first look at Frozen 3.

“Do we have to assemble it?” one person asked. IKEA answered with a shrug emoji. Someone else wanted to know whether it comes with a side of meatballs. One of the top comments, sitting above 1,800 likes, runs four words: “so we’re teasing furniture.” Xbox commented on its own post to say “Hej,” which is Swedish for hi. Even the Fanta and Axe accounts wandered in.

This isn’t the company’s first run at gamers. Its first gaming series landed in 2021 with Republic of Gamers, the PC hardware brand. BRÄNNBOLL followed in September 2024, a 20-piece line built around a foldable gaming table that hides a PC tower. The catalog also carries a bright green PS 2026 chair and a pull-out desk sized for people gaming in small apartments.

Gamescom runs Aug. 26 through 30 at Koelnmesse in Cologne. Xbox is set up in Hall 7 with 25 games and 140 gaming stations, including playable builds of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, Fable and Gears of War: E-Day. The brand turns 25 on Nov. 15, and a translucent green Series X25 Limited Edition console is due in select markets around then.

Certain songs are destined for greatness.

Such is the case with Otis Redding’s 1965 song “Respect,” originally sung from the perspective of a desperate hard-working man hoping to receive a little respect from his wife upon returning home after a grueling day on the job. The legendary soul singer released the hard-driving single on his 1965 third album, Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul to significant commercial success. But no one could have predicted what would come next.

Just two years later, a 24 year old Aretha Franklin, at a crossroads in her career, recorded the song “Respect” and turned it on its head. Suddenly a strong woman with a commanding voice was sending the same message, backed by female vocalists, with some structural and lyrical changes and punchy embellishments to drive it home.

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me/R-E-S-P-E-C-T take care, TCB” ran the new mantra. Franklin, with the help of her two charismatic sisters, Carolyn and Erma, had gone ahead and flipped the script.

The new arrangement included the now-iconic spelling of the title, powerful backing vocals, the infectious repeated “sock it to me” line, and an entirely different attitude. Rather than simply covering Redding, Franklin turned his song into a forceful declaration from a woman demanding what she deserved.

“I heard Mr. Redding’s version of it. I just loved it. And I decided that I wanted to record it,” Franklin told NPR in a 2018 interview. “And my sister Carolyn and I got together. And I was living in a small apartment on the west side of Detroit and – a piano by the window, watching the cars go by. And we came up with that infamous line – the sock it to me line.”

“Some of the girls were saying that to the fellows – like sock it to me in this way, or sock it to me in that way…It was non-sexual, just a cliche line. But anyway, (laughing), picked it up, and it just kind of perpetuated itself and went on from there.”

She recorded her iconic version of “Respect” on February 14, 1967 and was just 25 when the track was released and hit number one later that spring. The fiery reimagining transformed a familiar song and turned it into an immediate feminist anthem. Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” took the world by storm.

Released as a single in April 1967, “Respect” soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for two weeks. The massive success launched Franklin into a new echelon of mainstream fame. And the accolades kept coming.

“Respect” earned Franklin the first two Grammy Awards of her career, for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording and Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female. Decades later, the recording was among the first selected for the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2002.

But the significance of “Respect” ultimately extended far beyond awards and chart positions.

Released during the Civil Rights Movement and the emerging women’s liberation movement, Franklin’s “Respect” took on a broader cultural meaning, becoming an anthem of dignity, equality and empowerment. But Franklin didn’t see herself as a feminist heroine, nor did she intend for the song to become an emblem of the feminist movement.

“In later times, it was picked up as a battle cry by the civil rights movement,” said Franklin. “But when I recorded it, it was pretty much a male-female kind of thing and more in a general sense from person to person. I’m going to give you respect, and I’d like to have that respect back – or I expect respect to be given back.”

“I don’t think I was a catalyst for the women’s movement,” she told Rolling Stone in 2014. “Sorry. But if I were? So much the better!”

Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and “Respect” remains inextricably tied to her extraordinary legacy. The version of Redding’s song that Franklin made unmistakably her own in 1967 cemented her as the Queen of Soul and ultimately became one of the most powerful anthems of the era.

Nearly six decades later, the song still demands exactly what Franklin asked for in 1967—and generations of listeners are still dancing and singing along.

Related: 1965 Folk Rock Song, With 21-Year-Old Singer From New York City, Became a Major Hit

While David Bowie may have cemented his icon status through his unique aesthetic and on-stage persona, his musicality and lyricism aren’t anything to minimize. For instance, Forbes recognized Bowie’s songwriting abilities by including his 1971 hit “Life on Mars?” on the publication’s list of “the greatest rock song lyrics of all time.”

Some of the other songs featured on Forbes‘ list are “Like A Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan from 1965, Leonard Cohen‘s “Hallelujah,” released in 1984, and 1971’s “It’s Too Late” by Carole King.

Far Out magazine reported that Bowie, who died in 2016 at the age of 69, revealed that the conception of “Life on Mars?,” off the Hunky Dory album, involves Frank Sinatra‘s 1969 song, “My Way.” During a 2002 interview, Bowie explained that he had been employed by “a music publishing company in the ’60s,” wherein he was tasked to come up with English lyrics to transform “this French song” called “Comme d’habitude.” According to Bowie, his lyrics were “god-awful,” and Paul Anka became the lyricist instead. Anka’s song ended up being “My Way.”

“The next time I heard it, it was ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra,” said Bowie during the interview.

He then said he felt upset about the situation and decided that he’d “write [his] own version” of the tune.

“It’s ‘My Way on Mars,'” quipped Bowie.

Bowie also shared that songs from Hunky Dory, including “Life on Mars,” deal with themes of isolation, both “interior” and “social.” According to the English musician, he continued writing about said themes through different lenses throughout his career.

“My subject matter hasn’t really changed over the years. That I’m still, in a way, writing ‘Life on Mars,’ all these years later, you know, it hasn’t. And ‘The Man Who Sold the World.’ The way that I present songs has changed a lot, and the style for each album has changed considerably. I’ll often try new rhythms and new kinds of arrangements. It’s like I want to keep writing about the same subject, but my approach, it’s like I’m trying to get into it, like finding a different door each time,” explained Bowie during the interview.

Every genre gets the same answer from Shawn Levy: cast Ryan Gosling. The director confirmed as much during a D23 conversation with Fandango, running through drama, comedy, romance and action as if they were all the same role for his leading man, then pointed straight at Star Wars: Starfighter as proof.

Gosling plays Kade Auberon, a pilot from the wrong side of the galaxy whose fate becomes tied to the fastest starfighter ever built. Levy revealed the character’s name and screened exclusive first footage during Disney’s D23 Entertainment Showcase at the Honda Center in Anaheim, where the Star Wars: Starfighter director was joined on stage by its star for a rare joint appearance. Levy has described the project as full of humor, danger and spectacle, the kind of range he says Gosling handles better than almost anyone working today.

Off screen, that reputation comes from a filmography built on a very wide range, from Blade Runner to Barbie. Levy said that mix is exactly what Starfighter demanded, since the story leans on romance and humor as much as it does large scale action. He pointed to Gosling’s scenes opposite newcomer Flynn Gray as proof, describing their chemistry as effortless from the moment the two actors were in a room together.

This new Star Wars movie is of special significance to the director. He has said that as a kid in 1977, plans to see the original Star Wars on opening weekend fell apart, and the screening sold out before he got another chance. He still brings the story up when asked why this franchise matters to him personally.

Newcomer Flynn Gray, discovered in Ireland with no previous film credit, plays opposite Gosling, and the supporting cast includes Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre and Amy Adams. Levy said finding actors who could match Gosling’s tonal range across humor and heavier material took longer than expected, calling it a hard needle to thread for anyone sharing the screen with him.

Related: Hayden Christensen’s Anakin Takes Center Stage in Ahsoka S2 Trailer

The bet arrives at an important moment for the franchise, as Lucasfilm is looking to rebound after a softer box office run for The Mandalorian and Grogu, and Levy brings his own recent track record to the table after directing Deadpool & Wolverine, the highest grossing R rated movie ever released. Star Wars: Starfighter opens May 28, 2027, the same holiday weekend the original film premiered fifty years earlier. If the film delivers on even half of what Levy described at D23, audiences will get drama, comedy, romance and action all inside a single Star Wars story.

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The cast and creator of Revenge came together at a Televerse panel to mark 15 years of the series. That brought a fun walk down memory lane, which led to a major surprise.

TV Insider reports that during the panel, Revenge creator and initial showrunner Mike Kelley shared that the series almost had a “different ending.” He even hinted at the story that could have been had the eventual ending not been figured out, and fans may not have enjoyed it as much.

Revenge wrapped after four seasons, bringing the story of Emily’s much-needed revenge against Victoria and her family to a close. In the series finale, a believed-dead David prevented his daughter from taking Victoria’s life by taking it herself.

However, in a cruel twist of fate, Emily collapsed. It turned out that she needed a heart transplant, and fans learned that Victoria’s heart was the one that Emily would now carry with her forever. Was it all real? That part is still up for debate, but it almost wasn’t the ending.

Kelley shared that there was going to be a “different ending,” and it was an ending that he would take with him to the grave. However, he did tease what could have happened with a quote from Confucius. That quote actually helped to open the series, almost hinting at the way it would end, sharing, “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”

It would suggest that Emily was supposed to die as well. Was David meant to come back into the picture? That part remains to be seen. However, the two graves line was somewhat met as we found out that David had cancer, and he died before the series came to a complete close. However, the quote has always suggested that the person seeking revenge will also die.

Kelley did then go on to share that the end of the second season hinted a little at where he was going with the series at the time. He’d become protective of Amanda Clarke — Emily’s original identity — and loved the idea of revenge and collateral damage. He went on to share, “So, I feel like at the end of Season 2, frankly, with [Emily] stepping in to stop [Jack] and to reveal her identity at the critical moment…if that helps you guys understand where I was maybe heading with this, in my mind, for the ending of the show…then, that’s as close as I’ll get to telling you.”

So, why didn’t it end with Kelley’s vision? Sunil Nayar took over showrunning duties for the third and fourth seasons, and that meant the creative direction changed. It’s something lead actress Emily VanCamp admitted that she struggled with, because she already had an ending in mind, and it became something different with a different creative leadership.

Related: Netflix Quietly Confirms Spinoff of Previously Canceled Series

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Proper bakeware is essential for any kitchen, whether you’re a cooking novice or an experienced baker. A high-quality set of cookie sheets and baking pans can help simplify meal prep, making it that much easier to whip up delicious recipes at home. If you’re ready to step up your baking or roasting game, Walmart’s top-rated Martha Stewart Metal Bakeware Set is currently on sale for just $22. 

Designed to meet all your basic baking needs, the top-rated set includes an assortment of nonstick pans to hold your favorite foods and desserts. It comes with a loaf pan, a round cake pan, a baking pan, and a flat cookie sheet. 

Courtesy of Walmart

Constructed of premium carbon steel, the pans are durable, non-toxic, and designed to distribute heat evenly, ensuring consistent cooking results every time. The nonstick finish allows cookies, breads, meats, and other foods to slide off effortlessly, making cleanup a breeze. The brand recommends hand-washing them to preserve their high-quality, scratch-resistant coating. 

Related: Walmart’s ‘Cute’ $20 Acacia Wood Serving Platters Are Perfect for End-of-Summer Dinner Parties

The bakeware has earned plenty of high praise from Walmart shoppers. Multiple reviewers praised its “beautiful” design and “sturdy weight.” One buyer wrote, “They can easily go from oven to table and still look elegant.” Another said that the set adds a “clean, sleek look” to kitchens, dining tables, and countertops. 

• Kikcoin 21-Piece Bakeware Set, $60 (was $120) at Walmart
• Beautiful By Drew Barrymore 12-Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set, $23 (was $27) at Walmart
• Fvkrnyz Imitation Rattan Serving Tray, $18 (was $26) at Walmart 

If you’ve been looking for durable bakeware that’s versatile enough to use for a variety of dishes, this Martha Stewart 4-Piece Metal Bakeware Set ticks all the right boxes. It’s non-stick, easy to clean, and sturdy enough to stand up to regular use. Snag it for just $22 at Walmart right now. 

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The X-Files was one of the top sci-fi series to premiere in 1993 and developed a long-standing cult following, but Gillian Anderson admits the early onset of fame was something she “hated.”

Anderson was 24 years old when she auditioned for the series and was still a relatively unknown actor at the time. For the actor, the script was a no-brainer, and she was drawn to FBI Special Agent Dana Scully’s independent and smart nature. While Fox executives weren’t sold on Anderson for the role, series creator Chris Carter thought she was a perfect fit.

Unknown to Anderson, the fame of the X-Files after its premiere led to an onslaught of fame she never experienced. Speaking on the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast, the actor was asked if she “enjoyed” the fame the hit series brought her and the cast.

“Hated it,” Anderson said.

She added that getting followed and photographed by paparazzi was something she found “disturbing” and “angered her.” The actor does admit that there was one bright side of having filmed the series in Vancouver, Canada, when it first started.

“I mean, I think we were very lucky that we were shooting up in Vancouver for the first five years ‘cause, you know, when we were in LA, we had the experience that a lot of celebrities did at that time — just followed everywhere and chased down the street and photographed with kids in playgrounds and all that kind of stuff which I found disturbing and it really angered me,” she added. “I pointed my car at many paparazzi over the years.”

She added, “So being up there and not having that — it just didn’t exist up in Vancouver — was very freeing. And also, it just felt like it was it was separate from the business. And I think that kept us a little saner than it might have gone.”

Related: Henry Winkler Shares the 1991 Post-‘Happy Days’ Role He Thinks Fans Really Accepted: ‘It Was Amazing’

The X-Files ran for nine seasons during its initial run until May 2002, before returning for a tenth season in 2016. It was brought back in 2018 for an eleventh season spanning 10 episodes. In addition to the series, a 1998 film was released and a standalone in 2008.

Speaking with The Los Angeles Times, Anderson admitted she was “terrified” when shooting the pilot and was unsure if she would get fired at some point.

“When we shot the pilot I was terrified,” revealed Anderson. “I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t know what hitting the mark was. I didn’t know those [television and film] structures. I learned, slowly.”

The actor once admitted that working on The X-Files for months on end was like a “death sentence.” What made it worthwhile were the “mineral baths, good catered food, flowers and all that stuff. So it’s a good death sentence.”

Frances Bean Cobain, the daughter of Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, turns 34 today.

Frances Bean skyrocketed to fame as an infant when she occasionally accompanied her musician parents on the red carpet. But at 34, the beauty has come into her own. Married to Riley Hawk, the son of skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, since 2023, the couple welcomed a son named Ronin in 2024.

On her Instagram, Frances occasionally shared the joys of parenting, including sweet photos of herself sitting on the beach with her little boy. Check out a few shots from her Instagram page below:

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When asked how she feels about her notoriety, Frances has made it clear that she finds it a bit unusual.

“I get it, I really do, but at the same time, it’s creepy,” she told Harper’s Bazaar in early 2008. “It’s creepy to see fan sites about me.”

“These people are fascinated by me, but I haven’t done anything,” Frances continued. “I’m famous by default. I came out of the womb and people wanted to know who I was because of my parents. If you’re a big Nirvana fan, a big Hole fan, then I understand why you would want to get to know me, but I’m not my parents. People need to wait until I’ve done something valid with my life.”

While Frances is thriving at 34 today, her younger years were a bit more difficult. Upon turning 30, she took to Instagram to share that she’s doing better than ever.

“I made it! Honestly, 20 year old Frances wasn’t sure that was going to happen. At the time, an intrinsic sense of deep self loathing dictated by insecurity, destructive coping mechanisms & more trauma than my body or brain knew how to handle, informed how I saw myself and the world; through a lens of resentment for being brought into a life that seemingly attracted so much chaos and the kind of pain tied to grief that felt inescapable,” she shared. “Then, an event on a plane which brought me closer in proximity to death is ironically the event that catapulted me towards running at this lived experience with radical gratitude. I’m glad to have proven myself wrong & to have found ways to transform pain into knowledge.”

The event on the plane that Frances referred to was the 2017 Air France Flight 066, which she was aboard when the aircraft experienced an engine explosion. The pilot was forced to make an emergency landing.

“This would act as the moment that would alter everything I thought I knew,” Frances wrote, Teen Vogue shared.

Related: 90s Rock Icon Who Married Kurt Cobain and Was Frontwoman of Band ‘Hole’ Almost Died

There aren’t many songs that are as closely associated with a place as “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

Yet, one of the greatest tributes ever written to the hills of West Virginia wasn’t recorded anywhere near the Appalachian Mountains.

Instead, John Denver recorded the beloved anthem in New York City, where the song took shape before becoming one of the defining recordings of his career. More than five decades later, its message of home, belonging, and nostalgia continues to resonate with listeners around the world.

The song itself had an unusual beginning.

It was written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver, who finished the lyrics after Danoff and Nivert introduced Denver to an unfinished draft. Although neither songwriter had spent much time in West Virginia, they were inspired by scenic drives through the eastern United States, particularly in rural Maryland, and crafted an idealized portrait of the Mountain State that would soon become inseparable from its identity.

“I did get the idea riding down a country road in Maryland, but it was the idea of country
roads anywhere that inspired the song,” Danoff said in an interview for the Library of Congress. “Driving down that road felt familiar, and I thought that was a feeling everybody could relate to. I repeated “country roads” over and over for a month or so while working on the tune and then the first lines came at once out of the blue— ‘Almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River’— all beautiful words. It sounded good to me, and I never seriously thought of changing it.”

Denver immediately recognized the song’s potential.

“I flipped over that song,” Denver told Rolling Stone in 1975. “They’d had it for a month and hadn’t been able to do anything with what they had. That morning we finished writing that song and I said we’ve got to record this on the next album, which was Poems, Prayers and Promises.”

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” blended folk, country, and pop influences into a warm, inviting sound that perfectly complemented Denver’s unmistakable voice. Released as a single in 1971, it climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving the singer-songwriter his first major crossover success.

Its popularity has only deepened with time.

In 2014, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” officially became one of the four official songs of West Virginia, where it is sung at sporting events, public celebrations, and community gatherings. The song has also been embraced around the globe, inspiring countless cover versions and finding new audiences through films, television shows, and streaming platforms.

For Denver, it became the signature recording of an extraordinary career.

While he would go on to score hits including “Annie’s Song,” “Sunshine on My Shoulders,” and “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” no song became more closely identified with him than “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Its enduring appeal lies not only in its memorable melody but in its universal longing for the comfort of home.

Fifty-five years after its release, “Take Me Home, Country Roads” remains one of the most cherished songs in American music. Recorded in New York City but forever linked to the hills of West Virginia, the 1971 classic continues to remind listeners that home is often as much a feeling as it is a place.

Related: 1972 Soft Rock Song, Covered by Johnny Cash, Became a Career-Defining No. 1 Hit

Donald Trump’s attempt to praise a teen lifeguard who saved a 10-year-old from dangerous California surf quickly took an unexpected turn.

Trump welcomed Nathanial Rai and 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams to the White House after Williams’ dramatic rescue went viral. While praising the teenager as a hero, Trump told Nathanial, “I don’t know if I’d do it,” before adding, “I wouldn’t, probably.” The remark immediately drew attention online, with critics accusing the president of somehow making a young boy’s rescue about himself.

“He’s a real hero. I don’t know if I’d do it,” Trump said while sitting alongside Williams and Rai. “I wouldn’t, probably. You’re lucky I wasn’t on the service that day.”

Last month, Williams rescued Rai after the boy was swept off his feet by powerful waves at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California. Williams clung to Nathanial as waves crashed over them before a second lifeguard, Aaron Bohnen, helped bring them both safely back to shore. The dramatic rescue was captured and shared online, which quickly went viral.

A teenage lifeguard and the boy he rescued off the coast of California were reunited Monday at the White House as President Donald Trump honored both as heroes. pic.twitter.com/eBNifz2Px2

And while commenters commended Williams for his bravery, several people couldn’t help but roast Trump for his remark that he probably wouldn’t have done the same.

The internet was quick to weigh in on Trump’s comment, with some users accusing him of making the moment about himself. “Grandpa made the thing all about himself,” one person wrote, while others focused on the contrast between Trump’s remark and Williams’ willingness to put himself in danger to save the boy. Another commenter added, “We know you wouldn’t do it. Not even if it was your own kid.”

The comments ranged from criticism of Trump’s response to praise for the teen lifeguard’s bravery. “One teenager ran toward the ocean because another child needed help. My reports are usually sarcastic. This one is just evidence humanity may be worth keeping,” one person wrote on X.

The attention comes as California lawmakers consider legislation that would officially designate lifeguards as first responders. Supporters say the designation could bring lifeguards greater recognition, resources and protections, adding another layer to the story of Williams, whose split-second decision helped save Nathanial’s life.