Deputies discovered a man allegedly murdered his mother after they were called to a burglary in upstate New York.

Joseph A. Petrella was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Amy M. Hogan, according to a Tuesday, September 15, news release from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. He’s also charged with second-degree larceny and petit larceny.

Petrella, 39, is accused of cutting and fatally stabbing Hogan, 60, in her torso during a confrontation that occurred at a mobile home in Penfield sometime between Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13, according to a criminal complaint obtained by WHEC-TV.

On Sunday, Hogan’s body was found inside of a bathtub, “wrapped in a plastic shower curtain,” the complaint states.

Related: Florida Man Dumped Mom’s Body Into River With Chains and Cinder Blocks

A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly dumped his missing mother’s body into a river, which was weighted down with chains and cinder blocks. Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office went to a home in North Fort Myer’s to take a missing person’s report from Joshua Cullen on May 25, according to Fox […]

Several frozen items were packed around her body, according to the filing, which noted there appeared to be an attempt to hide her body.

Deputies were ultimately led to Hogan’s body following a 911 call that came from Petrella’s neighbor, the sheriff’s office said.

The neighbor said a person had broken into their car and home, Monroe County Chief Deputy Michael Fowler said during a Tuesday news conference. They also reported some of their items went missing.

While investigating, deputies “were pointed to” Petrella, who they then questioned, according to Fowler.

During questioning, Petrella invited deputies into his home, where they continued to investigate.

While inside, one deputy noticed unusual signs and became increasingly concerned, Fowler said. Then, Hogan’s body was found.

Petrella was subsequently arrested.

Fowler credited deputies for being able “to identify that there was something much more significant going on here besides just a burglary.”

Petrella was arraigned and ordered to be held without bail at the Monroe County Jail on Tuesday, according to Fowler.

Information on whether he retained legal counsel wasn’t immediately available.

Lori Broccolo, a woman who described herself as Hogan’s lifelong friend, told WHEC-TV that the slain mother “was a best friend to everyone.”

“Finding out how horrible this was for her was hard because she was such a bright light, and I know everyone says that when someone dies, but she lit up a room,” Broccolo added.

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Hogan, who was born in Rochester, is survived by her mother, two brothers, four of her children, including Petrella, and two grandchildren, according to her online obituary.

The obituary described Hogan as “a woman of many talents” who enjoyed painting, crocheting, pottery, gardening, cooking and more.

“She was a creative person in everything, and that creativity shone especially bright when she was creating for her family,” the page states. “Whether the creations were edible, decorative, or in making magic for every holiday and birthday, her touch was everywhere in her family and among her friends.”

Throughout the past few decades, there have been plenty of television shows that have been impacted by behind-the-scenes chaos. Whether rumors swirled because of misconduct allegations, like Kevin Spacey in House of Cards, or co-stars feuding, like in Glee, there’s always the potential that a show’s offscreen drama can lead to its downfall. Sometimes it works to simply fire the offending actor, like Chevy Chase in Community, but that doesn’t always address the deeper issues lurking within a troubling environment on set. Unfortunately, one crime drama currently airing on CBS is following a path that could spell cancellation in the future.

‘Matlock’ Has Been Having Behind-the-Scenes Issues

Matlock, set to premiere its third season next year, is by far one of the best shows on network television. The legal drama showcases an extraordinary, Emmy-nominated performance from Kathy Bates, not to mention a fantastic supporting cast of Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, and Beau Bridges. With an impressive 93% Rotten Tomatoes score, Matlock has been a designated hit for the network. But the show’s problems began when David Del Rio, who played young lawyer Billy Martinez, was fired in October 2025 after an alleged incident of sexual assault. CBS conducted an internal investigation, and Del Rio was terminated. The actor subsequently filed a lawsuit against CBS this March, claiming he was falsely accused and had suffered “substantial professional and reputational harm.” The arbitration proceedings with the studio are still ongoing, but Del Rio was written out of Matlock in Season 2.

These events would have been controversial enough for the drama, but another lawsuit was filed in June, in which showrunner and creator, Jennie Snyder Urman, was accused by former Matlock story editor and writer, John Lowe, of creating a hostile work environment and making both racist and sexually inappropriate comments on set. CBS and executive producers Nicki Renna and Jeffrey Lieber were also named in the lawsuit. Just last week, CBS filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, disputing Lowe’s version of events. Their filing lists several reasons that Lowe’s complaints are unfounded and is likely to set up a significant upcoming legal battle between CBS and Lowe.

Behind-the-Scenes Chaos Is Already Impacting ‘Matlock’s Storytelling

Matlock‘s legal issues are a lot for any show’s cast and crew to handle while still producing high-quality episodes. Del Rio’s firing has already led to an awkward exit for his character. In the Season 2 mid-season premiere, Billy was out sick, and then his job with Jacobson Moore was eliminated because of staff layoffs. This information was relayed in throwaway lines without any emotion or ceremony. This is likely the best the writers could come up with given the circumstances, and it was probably smart not to give too much airtime to Billy’s exit in order not to highlight the actor’s firing. However, it did feel like an unnatural narrative and was a departure from the show’s usually well-thought-out storylines.

We’ve also recently learned that Season 3 of Matlock will only consist of 13 episodes, which is a far cry from Season 1’s 19 and Season 2’s 16. This reduction is disappointing for fans who have only fallen more in love with Bates’ role as the titular character. The show has been a great vehicle for a truly remarkable actress, and has become adept at twisty storylines that dive into a ton of different fascinating issues. However, at this point, the series is risking becoming better known for its behind-the-scenes problems, and this could spell an early and disappointing cancellation for the series. Perhaps CBS will win the lawsuits, but there’s still a stain on Matlock that will live with the show forever.

Seasons 1 and 2 of Matlock are available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. Season 3 is set to premiere in January 2027.

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September 22, 2024

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Kat Coiro, Brad Silberling, Gina Lamar, Hanelle M. Culpepper, Jennifer Lynch, Jude Weng, Tessa Blake, Yangzom Brauen, Marie Jamora, Daniel Willis

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Nicki Renna, Jeffrey Lieber, Sara Rose Feinberg

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  Kathy Bates

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  Madeline ‘Matty’ Matlock

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  Skye P. Marshall

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Porsha Williams is getting candid about a health scare that reportedly changed the course of her plans to expand her family. The reality star recently opened up about what doctors discovered during a routine fertility-related visit — and why she ultimately had to undergo an emergency procedure.

RELATED: Not So Fast! Simon Guobadia Claps Back After Porsha Williams Secures Deed To Multimillion-Dollar Home Following Their Divorce (PHOTOS)

Porsha Williams Reveals Doctors Found 21 Uterine Fibroids

The 45-year-old ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ star said the discovery happened in May while she was considering having another child. Williams had gone with a friend to discuss egg freezing and decided to check in with her own fertility doctor while she was there. After revealing that she’d been dealing with prolonged periods, migraines, extreme fatigue, and mood swings, doctors discovered 21 uterine fibroids, including one she described as being about the size of a cantaloupe.

Williams Details The Emotional Toll Of Her Health Scare

Porsha Williams said the fibroids had become so significant that they were affecting her birth canal and putting pressure on her bladder. She ultimately underwent an emergency partial hysterectomy. The reality star has been dealing with fibroids since her late 20s and previously revealed that complications from one contributed to a miscarriage when she was four months pregnant.

Now, Williams is opening up about the emotional side of the experience, including the grief she felt after losing the ability to carry another child. During a conversation with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, Porsha also acknowledged the stigma she felt around discussing her hysterectomy. By sharing her story, she hopes to encourage women, particularly Black women, to listen to their bodies, advocate for themselves, and seek medical care when something doesn’t feel right.

She Had Something To Say In The Comments

And Porsha is making sure the conversation doesn’t stop there! The reality star jumped into The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section saying:

“Thank you so much… for sharing my story and helping spread awareness about fibroids! It’s so important for us as women to advocate for ourselves, prioritize preventative care and early detection, and understand every treatment option available and especially those that may help avoid a hysterectomy when possible. And if surgery is necessary, proper aftercare is just as important. I hope my story encourages more women to listen to their bodies, ask questions, and take charge of their health. ❤️ Stop diagnosing yourself and get informed! Care for you 1st”

RELATED: Shamea Morton Opens Up About Her Argument With Porsha Williams On The ‘RHOA’ (VIDEO)

Blake Shelton and wife Gwen Stefani have The Voice to thank for their happy relationship — but not all of their coworkers were convinced it would work at first.

“There were rumors that you two were getting together,” host Carson Daly recalled during The Voice: 30th Season Celebration on Thursday, September 17, while sitting down with OG coaches Shelton, 50, Adam Levine and CeeLo Green, as well as Stefani, 56, who joined the show during season 7.

Daly, 53, remembered “coming out of Adam’s dressing room” and thinking “there’s something happening with Blake and Gwen” — but he wasn’t convinced it was real.

“We were both like, ‘There’s no way. There’s no way this is possible,’” the Today cohost admitted.

Levine, however, remembered the start of Shelton and Stefani’s love story a little differently.

“I was so pumped on it. I was like, ‘This is going down, dude. This is going down,’” he said with a smile.

Daly confessed, “I tried everything in my power to not let this thing happen,” but Levine, 47, was all in from the jump.

“I was like, ‘I know what’s going on,’” Levine remembered, which took Stefani by surprise.

“You knew?” she asked. The Maroon 5 frontman simply replied, “Of course I did.”

Shelton, for his part, backed Daly’s recollection from when the romance started, confirming that his longtime friend “did try to get us to pump the brakes.”

“You both went through a crazy divorce publicly. Then we went to Gwen’s house once,” Daly explained of his reservations. (Shelton was married to Miranda Lambert from 2011 to 2015. Stefani also filed for divorce from Gavin Rossdale in 2015 after 14 years of marriage. Shelton and Stefani started dating three months after her split.)

Daly turned to Shelton and added, “I’ve known you for a long time and I love you. I was like, ‘You guys gotta stop this. This will never work.’ Then cut to years later, you called me in New York and said, ‘Would you marry me?’”

Nearly five years after Us confirmed their relationship, Stefani and Shelton announced their engagement in October 2020. The musicians got married in July 2021 with Daly serving as the officiant.

The wedding was Shelton’s third. He was first married to Kaynette Williams from 2003 to 2006 before moving on with Lambert, 42.

Stefani, for her part, had the support of her three sons — Kingston, 20, Zuma, 18, and Apollo, 12, whom she shares with ex-husband Rossdale, 60 — when she said “I do” to Shelton.

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One year after getting hitched, Stefani returned to The Voice as a coach alongside her husband, who was the longest-running coach in the show’s history. Stefani most recently served as a coach during season 26 in 2024.

Shelton, meanwhile, exited the series ahead of season 24 having been a coach from 2011 to 2023. He made an appearance during the season 25 finale in 2024 and again during the season 27 finale last year.

The Voice: 30th Season Celebration is now streaming on Peacock.

Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor did not expect their romance to become a lifelong relationship.

Taylor says she initially did not think much of their relationship because they had both recently ended other romances. The couple married less than a year after meeting and eventually welcomed two children together.

Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor also worked together on several movies, including “Zoolander” and “Dodgeball.” Their marriage later hit a major roadblock before the pair found their way back to each other.

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Taylor recently looked back on the beginning of her relationship with Stiller during a September 16 podcast appearance. “I had just broken up with someone, and he was just getting out of something,” Taylor explained. “We both thought [it] was our sort of rebound romance,” she added.

The pair did not immediately make their relationship public. Taylor said they were having fun and kept things “on the down-low,” telling only her closest friends and family at first.

The actress described those early months as a “whirlwind romance” before revealing how quickly everything changed. “We took a big leap,” she said, recalling their May 2000 wedding. 

Their daughter reportedly arrived the following year, further changing their lives. The couple also began working together after getting married. Taylor and Stiller appeared together in “Zoolander” and “Dodgeball.”

Their fast-moving relationship had quickly become a marriage, a family, and a professional partnership. Taylor recently described those early days on the “We’re Still Here, Babes” podcast with Nataya Ross. 

Their Marriage Eventually Reached ‘An Impasse‘

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The couple’s early momentum did not mean their marriage was always easy. Stiller and Taylor welcomed Ella and Quinlin before announcing their separation in 2017. They had been married for 17 years at the time.

Taylor later explained that they had started growing in different directions. “We weren’t on the same page with a lot of things,” she said while discussing the issues that had developed between them. 

The decision to separate was not something they treated casually. Taylor said family remained a priority, but they reached “an impasse” where they needed to figure out what was best for that stage of their lives.

They also chose not to make their marital problems a public spectacle. The couple continued to prioritize their children and maintained a family connection even after separating. The separation eventually lasted about five years. Neither Stiller nor Taylor officially ended the marriage, leaving room for their relationship to change.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic placed the entire family together at home. Taylor said the experience gave them uninterrupted time to talk without their usual distractions. “We all ended up in our house together with two teenagers, and we found this way back,” Taylor recalled.

She said they had so much time to communicate that reconnecting happened naturally. Stiller confirmed their reconciliation in 2022. “We were separated and got back together, and we’re happy about that,” he said, calling the reunion one of the unexpected things that came out of the pandemic, according to Us Magazine.

Therapy Became Part Of Ben Stiller And Christine Taylor Reconciliation

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Taylor later gave more insight into the work behind their reconciliation. She revealed that spending time together during the pandemic became a turning point.

The family was suddenly together in the same house with their children and had very little else competing for their attention. Their daughter was preparing to graduate from high school, while their son was finishing eighth grade.

The mother of two said they “had nothing but time” during that period. She described the experience as a “little gift” that helped them reconnect. The reconciliation also involved professional help.

Taylor revealed that she and Stiller worked with a therapist while trying to repair their relationship. She acknowledged that many people avoid discussing therapy because it can “feel like a failure.”

Taylor also explained that their marriage had struggled because they were not aligned on many things. The actress also emphasized that their reunion was not forced. The Blast revealed that she said the process happened “organically and naturally,” rather than because either person pressured the other into returning.

She noted that people often avoid discussing therapy in relationships. According to Taylor, many people view asking for professional help as something that “feels like a failure.”

Stiller’s Parents Influenced How He Viewed Marriage

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The actor also found lessons about marriage through his own family history. His documentary, “Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost,” focused on his late parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. Their relationship gave him memories that later shaped how he viewed his own marriage.

“I started to think about my parents and all the stress and tension I remember seeing as a kid,” Stiller said. He also reflected on how they continued their relationship while working together.

The actor said his separation became a difficult period despite his career progressing. He felt unhappy, lost, and out of balance while also feeling disconnected from his family. 

Moving back into the family home gave him more time with his wife and children. The father of two said his parents’ marriage showed him how couples could work through difficult periods with kindness and love. He drew from those memories while navigating his own marital problems.

The Blast also shared that his children’s experiences during that period forced him to examine his priorities. His daughter, Ella, confronted him about not being around enough when she was younger. The conversation forced the actor to think about how his career had affected his role as a father.

He eventually realized that professional success could not replace being an emotionally present parent. “Kids just want a parent who’s emotionally present and supportive of them,” he said.

Christine Taylor Faced Hollywood Pressure Too

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Taylor’s career brought its own unexpected challenges long before her marriage troubles. After landing the role of Marcia Brady in “The Brady Bunch Movie,” she was suddenly asked to lose 10 pounds. The request caught her off guard after she had already secured the part.

Taylor later said the demand left her feeling “embarrassed.” She recalled that she did not consider herself particularly heavy when the request was made. Looking back, she described the experience as something that reflected the Hollywood culture of the 1990s.

The Blast reported that Taylor recently recalled the demand during an episode of the “Office Ladies” podcast. She joked that viewers can actually notice her weight changing during the movie because of reshoots. She also remembered treating herself to nonfat frozen yogurt after filming.

Taylor’s career later crossed paths with her personal life in another unusual way. She initially avoided auditioning for “Zoolander” because she was dating Stiller and worried about being rejected for his movie.

The role eventually went to Taylor after other actresses, including Sarah Jessica Parker, were considered, with Taylor joking that she was “fourth choice and cheap.”

Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor’s “big leap” ultimately became a long marriage that survived a major separation.

Netflix is heading to Sanctuary for its next major video game adaptation. Blizzard announced an animated Diablo series during BlizzCon 2026, adding another massive franchise to Netflix’s growing collection of gaming shows. Unfortunately, the reveal did not come with a release date, cast, or explanation of what story the series will tell.

There is still plenty happening in the games for anyone whose interest was revived by the announcement. Blizzard recently confirmed that Diablo 5 is targeting 2029 for launch, while Diablo 4 has entered its 15th season with a celebration of the franchise’s 30-year history. Players who have never visited Sanctuary can now experience its latest mainline adventure without spending anything, but the offer will not last long.

Steam users can download and play Diablo 4 completely free until September 21 at 10:00 a.m. PT, giving newcomers several days to explore Blizzard’s open-world action RPG. The promotion provides temporary access instead of permanently adding the game to players’ libraries, so anyone who wants to continue after the deadline will need to purchase it. Fortunately, Diablo 4 is also discounted by 75% during the promotion, dropping its regular $49.99 price to $12.49.

‘Diablo 4’ Is Free on Steam Until September 21

Image via Blizzard

The timing gives new players immediate access to Season 15, titled Season of Hell’s Legacy, which launched on September 15 after a brief server-related delay. The anniversary season introduces Waking Nightmares, an activity built around returning boss encounters from throughout the series, alongside new Soul Splinters and nostalgic rewards. Familiar characters and villains, including Deckard Cain, Mephisto, Baal, and Diablo himself, are also part of the celebration.

Diablo 4 takes place decades after Diablo 3, with Sanctuary facing another demonic invasion following the return of Lilith. Players can choose from several classes before crossing a shared open world filled with dungeons, strongholds, world events, and an unreasonable number of demons waiting to be turned into loot. Its campaign is far too large to complete casually in a single evening, but the free period provides enough time to determine whether its cycle of combat, character building, and increasingly powerful equipment is worth continuing.

Diablo 4 originally launched on June 6, 2023, before arriving on Steam on October 17, 2023. It is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, with its Steam free trial ending September 21 at 10:00 a.m. PT.

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June 6, 2023

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Three family members are dead after a man fatally shot his parents before he died by suicide at a home in central Las Vegas valley.

LVMPD Homicide Lt. Robert Price said that officers with the Metro Police Department responded to the residence on Wednesday, September 16, at 9:55 a.m. after a man called 911 to report that he shot his parents, according to 8 News Now.

While he was on the line with the dispatcher, the 911 operator reported hearing another gunshot before the line went silent.

Officers then responded to the home and found three people suffering from gunshot wounds. Two of the people were pronounced dead at the scene, while the third was taken to a local hospital. LVMPD later confirmed it was the son who died at the hospital.

Related: Children, Adults Found Dead After 911 Call About ‘Booby Traps’ at CA Home

Two children and two adults were found shot to death at a California home after police received a 911 call from someone saying they had opened fire inside and set up “booby traps” throughout the residence, according to authorities. Detectives are investigating the Tuesday, January 27, incident at a Rancho Cordova home in Sacramento County […]

Police said that they believe a man who was in his 40s shot his mother and his father, who were both in their 60s. After he killed his parents, it’s believed that he took his own life.

Price went on to insist that the killings were an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public.

Police have not yet revealed the names of the victims in the murder-suicide.

Following the shooting, a couple who lived in a nearby apartment complex spoke to 8 News Now about the incident and recalled waking up to yelling and screaming.

The woman told the outlet that she was “super concerned” and that violent incidents are “something that doesn’t usually happen here.”

“We just woke up to a little bit of yelling, we weren’t really sure what was going on. Then all this happened,” the man said. “It’s not out of the usual to hear yelling here and there. But this kind of, seemed a little bit serious this time.”

The couple said that they noticed other neighbors out on their balconies as they tried to get a look at what was happening, and police arrived at the scene just minutes later.

“We did see a huge influx of [police] come in and thought, woah this is a little more serious,” the woman said.

The man added, “It’s really tragic. It’s really, really sad and unfortunate. Didn’t think anything like that could happen in this area.”

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Another woman who lives in the apartment complex said she did not hear gunshots, but instead heard a large thud coming from the direction of the home. She also said she saw police rushing to the complex.

Police have asked that anyone with information regarding the family and their deaths contact the LVMPD Homicide Section by phone at 702-828-3521, or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555 or at crimestoppersofnv.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi has received the news she was hoping for following her cervical cancer diagnosis: she currently has no evidence of disease. The “Jersey Shore” star shared the update seven months after her diagnosis and following a July 31 hysterectomy. While she is celebrating the successful surgery, Polizzi says she is still learning how to give her body time to heal. Now, she is preparing to use her experience to raise awareness about early detection and help other women feel less alone.

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Polizzi opened up about her recovery in a new interview with PEOPLE. “As of right now, I am cancer-free,” she shares. “They got everything out. So I’m definitely happy that I did it.”

The reality star was diagnosed with stage 1 cervical cancer earlier this year. Since then, she has undergone multiple procedures, culminating in the hysterectomy. “I avoided getting my pap smear for a long time,” she explained. “And once I finally went to the doctors, I feel like it’s just been week after week of doing a procedure, then another procedure, and then a hysterectomy. So it’s been a journey and a long road, but I’m happy that I’m on the other side of it and everything is going good.”

Her update marks a significant turning point after months of appointments and treatment. However, Polizzi emphasized that receiving positive news does not mean she has completely recovered from surgery.

The ‘Jersey Shore’ Star Is Learning Not To Push Herself

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Polizzi said she is beginning to feel more like herself, but some days still bring exhaustion and discomfort. “I’m trying to listen to my body and give my body grace and not go crazy. There’s days where I do too much and then I just feel exhausted and I start getting pains,” she admitted. “But other than that, I’m finally starting to feel better. I feel like I’m almost getting back to myself.”

The Snooki Shop owner has publicly documented parts of her recovery, allowing followers to see a side of her life far removed from the energy associated with her reality television appearances.

Snooki Says Follow-Up Appointments Remain Essential

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Although Polizzi says she is currently cancer-free, her doctors have explained that recurrence remains possible. According to her interview, she will continue monitoring her health with Pap smears every three months as part of her medical team’s follow-up plan.

For Polizzi, staying on top of appointments has become a priority rather than something she puts off. “Getting a cancer diagnosis is very terrifying and scary. So, I just want my body to be as healthy as it can be,” she continues. “I feel like I’m eating better, working out, obviously staying on top of my appointments. I’m just not avoiding anything and just trying to be the best version of myself.”

She Is Turning Her Experience Into Cancer Awareness

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Polizzi is now partnering with F Cancer, a nonprofit focused on prevention, early detection and support for people affected by cancer. She will host the organization’s 100th event on September 23 at Academy Nightclub in Los Angeles.

The organization’s official event page confirms that Diplo, Dillon Francis and DJ Pauly D are scheduled to perform. Instead of a traditional ticket, attendees purchase a commemorative T-shirt, with the purchase serving as a donation to F Cancer.

Polizzi said she has known about the organization for years because her “Jersey Shore” castmate Paul “Pauly D” DelVecchio has performed at its events. “I’m really excited and I’m honored to host. I’m honored to go and, you know, just F cancer,” she said with a laugh.

Beyond hosting, Polizzi is looking forward to meeting others whose experiences may be very different from her own. “I feel like this is all so new to me. And there’s obviously way more crazier stories that people go through and so many different types of cancer and how it affects everyone. So I’m excited to see the community and just hear people’s stories. That’s something that I haven’t really done yet so I’m excited.”

Snooki Found Support Through Her ‘Hyster Sisters’

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Polizzi’s willingness to discuss her diagnosis has already helped her build a community online. She said the early days of her cancer journey were especially frightening because she did not personally know anyone going through the same experience.

“In the beginning, I felt so alone,” the author admited. “I had no idea what was gonna happen. I didn’t know anybody going through cervical cancer. So [speaking out] makes me feel like I’m giving a platform to women dealing with the same things that I did. Just a safe place for us women to talk.”

The connections have also given Polizzi support as she processes everything she has experienced. “Looking at all the comments and everyone’s saying, ‘Oh my God, you’re helping me so much.’ Like, people that got hysterectomies, we call each other ‘hyster sisters.’ I think it’s so cute that we can all just be there for each other,” she said. “It just makes it less scary because we’re not the only ones going through it. I needed something like that while I was going through it.”

As Polizzi continues recovering, her next chapter includes both ongoing medical care and a chance to connect with that community in person.

Viral TikToker Josh Liljenquist knows how to make the internet cry – happy tears, of course. With more than 40 million followers on social media, Josh has built an online community of people who love a feel-good story. Nearly all of his videos go viral quickly, but one particular video, posted earlier this year, has an update that he knows will tug at many heartstrings. 

Josh spoke to The Blast exclusively to share an exciting update to his February 2026 video captioned, “Changing A Man’s Life,” and May 2026 video titled, “Surprising a Man and Changing His Life.” 

In 2019, Josh began posting on TikTok while in college at Minnesota State University, Mankato. When he started out, he was doing it all by himself – from coming up with ideas to filming and editing and posting. He shared some insight into why he does what he does exclusively with The Blast. 

“I grew up in Fairmont, Minnesota with my parents, Trent and Julie Liljenquist and my older brother, Jacob. Helping people was something I saw modeled at home before I ever had an audience,” Josh said. “My family hosted two foreign exchange students while I was growing up, and my mom also opened our home to kids who were going through difficult situations. Jacob and I learned pretty early that sometimes helping another person means sharing your space, giving something up, or just being willing to make room for somebody else.” 

He said his brother had a huge influence on him, as well, and taught him “a lot about turning the other cheek.” 

“As the platform grew, I started thinking less about just making something people would watch and more about what could actually happen because they watched it,” he continued. “Today, I have more than 42 million followers combined across my public social media accounts, but honestly the biggest evolution hasn’t been the number. It has been figuring out how to turn attention into something useful.” 

How Josh Met James Cowan, Jr.

Back in February of this year, Josh posted a video of his first time meeting James Cowen, Jr. 

“Two months ago, I met a man whose bank account was in the negative,” Josh said in the video. He then tried to gift James with $500 but instead of taking the money, James donated to a nonprofit he was raising funds for. 

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“James Cowan, Jr. came into my life during a really difficult period for him. He was rebuilding his life after addiction and was facing eviction,” Josh told The Blast. “We shared his story, and strangers on the internet rallied around James and his family. My team was able to help too, and that support changed what was possible for them. What I didn’t know at the time was that it wasn’t going to end with one video.”

When Josh found out that James was about to be kicked out of his home due to a criminal history, he started a GoFundMe to help James and was able to raise $40,000.  

Making Sure Each Video Is About The Experience

Josh’s videographer, editor, and co-producer, Ben Steine, helps to shape the stories that Josh tells on social media. He’s also involved in many of the decisions made about how they present people that they meet and help. 

“James’s story is actually a really good example of why Ben matters so much to what we do. I may be the person people see on camera, but Ben is often the person who takes what happened that day and turns it into a story people can really feel. He helped bring James’s original story to life,” Josh told The Blast. “I think part of the reason Ben understands the importance of documenting moments goes back to his own family. His dad was paralyzed, and there were things he physically couldn’t come along for anymore. Ben would use video to show his dad what he had done that day so his dad could still experience some of it afterward.”

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He added that for Ben, it’s not just about getting a good shot; it’s also about the experience for someone who’s watching. 

An Update On Josh And James After That First Meeting

The story of the friendship made between Josh and James didn’t stop when the cameras stopped rolling. He recently shared a much-needed update on where they stand in a video posted in May. Months after that first chance meeting, Josh was able to give James some more exciting news. 

“James Cowan, Jr. is now a full-time employee on my team,” Josh told The Blast. “He handles a lot of the human side of what we do, talking with families, doing outreach, helping us on filming days and following up afterward.” 

Josh added, “Ben helps bring the story to life visually, and James helps make sure we never forget there is an actual person behind the story.” 

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The team of three discuss everything from what to post, what they shouldn’t post, and how they can properly tell someone’s story. 

“That is probably the biggest difference between the early days and now,” he continued. “It went from me trying to make videos people would watch to having a team that spends a lot of time thinking about the person behind the video and what happens to them afterward.” 

Josh said this particular story changed his perspective because it showed “what can happen when you don’t treat the viral moment as the ending. He added, “if we had treated his first video as the end of his story, we would have missed the best part.”

Josh Liljenquist’s Message To Everyone

When asked what his main message is to everyone following his social media pages, Josh said, “live to love.” 

“There isn’t some crazy dramatic origin story behind it. The phrase honestly just popped into my head one morning, almost like a eureka moment. Live to love is the way I describe the mission behind what I do. It isn’t the name of a nonprofit. Over time, though, the phrase has meant more and more to me.” 

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As for what’s next for Josh, he plans to keep doing what he’s doing, making a difference wherever he can. He also hopes to get “better at what happens after the video.” 

“The team has grown, and we are putting a lot more thought into follow-up,” he said. “It isn’t enough to me anymore for something to get millions of views or for a fundraiser to raise a big number. I want to know what actually changed for that person. James is probably the perfect example of why. I would love to keep finding more of those second chapters. I also never want this to become so big that we lose the personal part of it.” 

If you know someone in need and you would like to nominate them, Josh has set up a page. You can follow all that Josh and his team are doing on TikTok.

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