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The Water Cooler

September 14, 2008 - 9:00 pm

Here are a few of the things in news, entertainment, sports and popular culture that we've been talking about lately:

* Radar Web site photographs Olympian Michael Phelps caressing bunny butt at Las Vegas' Playboy Club. Join the rest of the U.S. and make your own "breaststroke" joke.

* O.J. Simpson's latest trial begins in Las Vegas. A referendum for some future ballot: A law prohibiting Simpson, Pacman Jones and any other pro football player, past or present, from ever again stepping foot inside the Clark County limits.

* Las Vegas-based pro golfer Natalie Gulbis reportedly will appear on Donald Trump's "The Apprentice." This hardly seems like the smartest way to investigate a possible post-golf career.

* "Star Trek: The Experience" closes at the Las Vegas Hilton. So depressing, like Scotty must have felt when he was retrieved from the transporter in that episode of ... oh, never mind.

* The biggest controversy at MTV's Video Music Awards revolves around the Jonas Brothers' purity rings. And MTV officially becomes your creepy older cousin who doesn't realize he's no longer "hep."

By JOHN PRZYBYS (jprzybys@reviewjournal.com)

Southern Nevada Health District offices (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Health officials investigate cases of Legionnaires’ disease at Southern Nevada resort

By Caitlin Lilly / RJ

January 27, 2026 - 6:54 am

The Southern Nevada Health District is investigating “travel-associated” cases of Legionnaires’ disease at a resort in Laughlin.

An aerial photo shows homes near Tenaya Way and Rainbow Boulevard on Monday, July 14, 2025, in ...

Nevada is one of the least healthiest states in the country, study says

By Patrick Blennerhassett / RJ

January 26, 2026 - 10:13 am

Nevada ranked as the 42nd least healthiest state in the country due to a number of factors including a rise in both drug use and unemployment.

‘I’ve been in hell’: Former Hamas hostage gives talk in Henderson

By Bryan Horwath / RJ

January 25, 2026 - 12:05 am

Yair Horn, 47, spent nearly 500 days as a hostage after being kidnapped Oct. 7, 2023.

The act of picking up a pen, sealing an envelope with wax and laying out pages may yield aesthe ...

Retro hobbies provide a break from the digital world

By Cheyanne Mumphrey The Associated Press

January 23, 2026 - 7:30 am

At a time when productivity means optimizing every second and screens blur the line between work and home, some people are slowing down and disconnecting.

Research shows these are the 3 best exercises for building muscle

By Erica Sweeney Parade

January 23, 2026 - 7:00 am

Building and maintaining muscle mass is important for everyone, regardless of age — and one of the strongest predictors of long-term health.

Meals with "GLP-1 Friendly" labels sit on the shelf of a Kroger grocery store Tuesday ...

Food labels target users of weight-loss drugs

By Dee-Ann Durbin The Associated Press

January 23, 2026 - 6:45 am

Meals and snacks with “GLP-1 Friendly” labels on the packaging are becoming more common in U.S. supermarkets.

Idris Elba in "Hijack," now streaming on Apple TV.

Better than yesterday: Idris Elba strives to keep improving

By C.L. Gaber Special / RJ

January 23, 2026 - 6:30 am

“My goal is to get up and do something new every single day,” says the 53-year-old star of Apple TV’s heist thriller “Hijack.”

Traditional or original Medicare consists of only Medicare Parts A (hospital insurance) and B ( ...

Is there any difference between traditional and original Medicare?

By Toni King Toni Says

January 23, 2026 - 6:15 am

Let’s go over some more basics about this form of health care, which has been around since President Lyndon Johnson signed it into law on July 30, 1965.

Savvy Senior: How to choose a quality nursing home

By Jim Miller Savvy Senior

January 23, 2026 - 6:00 am

Choosing a nursing home for a loved one is a very important decision that requires careful evaluation and homework.

Woman sues LDS church, alleging years of sexual abuse by priest

By Akiya Dillon / RJ

January 26, 2026 - 8:04 am

The complaint, filed Tuesday in federal court in Las Vegas, claims a high priest ordained within the church had raped the girl when she was 10 until she was 15.