Lauren Wellbank
Freelance WriterLocation: Lehigh Valley, PALauren Wellbank is a freelance writer living in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania with her husband, three kids, and dog. She enjoys spending as much time as she can with her family, and can often be found coaching her kids in their various sports teams. When she's not volunteering within her community, she can be found tending to her plants in her yard.
More From Lauren Wellbank
Flushing Tampons? Here’s What You Need To Know Before Your Next Trip to the Bathroom
You should not flush tampons down the toilet, even if they say they are flushable.
What Caused the Devastating Palisades Fire? Flames Have Burned More Than 1,000 Homes and Businesses
The cause of the Palisades fire remains under investigation, but experts believe that the Santa Ana winds are behind the fire's spread.
Does the FDA Have the Power To Move Forward With a Planned Ban on Menthol Cigarettes?
The FDA has been trying to put a ban on the sale of menthol cigarettes since April 2022, but the government agency has yet to be able to enforce a ban.
Verizon Settles Class Action Suit — What You Need To Know if You’re Expecting Money
Payments are going out from the 2024 Verizon class action settlement, but they aren't for the $100 people were expecting to receive.
Spanish Tourist Gored by Elephant During Visit to Thailand — Details Here
A Spanish woman was killed during a visit to Thailand after an elephant she was bathing panicked and pierced her with their tusk.
Cases of the HMPV Virus Are Surging — What To Know About Human Metapneumovirus
Northern China's surge of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, is increasing, but officials don't believe the virus will be as deadly as COVID-19.
Zimbabwe Officials Call Discovery of Boy That Went Missing in a Game Preserve a “True Miracle”
A young boy survived multiple days after going missing in a northern Zimbabwe game park.
U.S. Surgeon General Calls for Cancer Warnings for Alcohol Products
The U.S. Surgeon General is asking that a warning label be added to alcohol products due to link to cancer.
Mourning Killer Whale Who Captured Hearts by Carrying Her Dead Calf Loses Another Baby
The killer whale who carried her dead calf around in 2018, J35, better known as Tahlequah, is in mourning again after she lost another baby.
Can You Avoid a Stomach Bug Outbreak? What To Know About These Viruses
Stomach bugs are highly contagious and spread easily from person to person through ingesting the virus, which can be found in feces and vomit.
Walmart Issues a National Broccoli Recall Over Listeria Concerns
Walmart voluntarily recalled bags of Marketside Broccoli Florets after samples tested positive for listeria.
Experts Are Predicting 2025 Will Kick off With a Polar Vortex
Meteorologists believe that Artic winds could blow into the U.S. in 2025, creating record-breaking cold temperatures and massive storms in January.
Roughskin Dogfish Footage Gives a First-Ever Look At the Elusive Fish in Action
Researchers in the Cayman Islands were able to video the deep sea roughskin dogfish at a dept of 3,500 feet, capturing the first footage of the fish.
December 2024’s Black Moon Means It’s Time To Set New Goals and Manifest
A black moon is the name for a second new moon within any given calendar month, and it's considered very rare.
Viral Video Unpacks Common Misconceptions About Apples
Commercially purchased apples are typically covered in two coats of wax: a naturally occurring one and one added after harvesting to protect freshness.
Russian Officials Declare Federal Emergency After a Massive Oil Spill in the Black Sea
A winter storm caused an oil tanker to essential split in half in the Black Sea, dumping 4,000 tons of the liquid off the coast of Crimea.
Cat Food Recall Prompted by Discovery of Bird Flu — What To Know
Northwest Naturals voluntarily recalled its raw cat food after an Oregon house cat died from suspected bird flu.
How Long Can You Keep Jarred Olives Before They Go Bad?
Jarred olives can go bad, but the length of time that these salty foods are good for will vary depending on the type of olive and their packaging.
The Viral Wrapping Paper Trend Is a Fun Way To Get Your Pets in the Holiday Spirit
Using wrapping paper as a backdrop for willing pets to pose with has been a popular holiday trend on social media platforms.
Senior Cat Becomes Obsessed With 'The Grinch' After Getting Adopted
An adopted cat named Ella has gone viral multiple years in a row for her love of the 2018 film 'The Grinch.'
FDA Updates Egg Recall To Highest Risk Level: Details Here
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a voluntary recall of Organic Pasture-Raised 24-Count Eggs, which were sold under the Kirkland Signature brand.
Burt, Famed Crocodile From ‘Crocodile Dundee,’ Has Died
The massive saltwater crocodile who starred in the 'Crocodile Dundee' films has died at 90 years old.
Disgruntled Delta Passenger Rails Against Dog in First-Class Seat
A Delta passenger complained about the airline's decision to downgrade their first-class seat to give priority to another traveler's service dog.
Do Your Dog's Bathroom Breaks Look Different Now? The White Dog Poop Phenomenon, Explained
Cooked bones included in pet food caused the appearance of white dog poop for decades, but changes to pet food standards has made it disappear.
Everything You Need to Know About the CVS Opioid Lawsuit
CVS is facing legal action from the U.S. Department of Justice over illegal opioid prescription and billing practices.
Study Finds Squirrels in California May Be Dining on Other Rodents
While squirrels are carnivorous it's rare to see them hunting and killing other rodents. A study in California shows squirrels are eating meat.
Frito-Lay Recalls Popular Potato Chips Due To Possible Allergen Contamination
Frito-Lay recalls potato chips in Oregon and Washington over concerns that they were contaminated with milk.
Russia Announces Plans to Release Cancer Vaccine in 2025
Russia's Health Ministry says it has developed a cancer vaccine that they plan to distribute free of charge to some of the country's citizens.
NASA Delays Return of Astronauts Stuck in Space Again: An Update
Two astronauts stuck in Boeing's Starline capsule aren't expected to come home until March 2025 after NASA delayed their return.
Sleepy Pup Finds Forever Home After Going Viral During Adoption
A sleepy dog naps through an adoption event, capturing hearts and securing him a new home after he went viral on social media.
Doctors Say We Could See a "Quad-Demic" as Four Viruses Converge During Cold and Flu Season
Covid, RSV, norovirus, and the flu are prompting warnings from doctors who say the holiday break may see a spike in infections.
Crocs May Be Facing a Class Action Lawsuit Over Claims About Its “Patented” Materials
Crocs, Inc. may face legal action over false claims that the shoes were made using a "special Patented Closed Cell Resin (PCCR)."
Get Yourself Ready for a New Year (and a New You) With 2024's Best Self-Help Books
From books that will help you improve your health to those that get your organized, these are the best self-help books from 2024.
Technology Used to Refreeze the Arctic Gets Both Results and Criticism
Scientists worry that the plan to refreeze the Arctic using submersible pumps may come with unintended consequences.
Green Juice Might Help You Lose Weight and Boost Your Immune System — Details Here
Fans of green juice believe that the drink can help with everything from weight loss to improved immune responses.
Garlic and Honey May Be the Perfect Duo When It Comes to Battling Certain Illnesses
Both garlic and honey have properties that can help do everything from soothe an aching throat to giving your immune system a boost.
Iron-Fortified Cereals Have Been the Norm for Decades — Here’s Why
Iron fortified cereal became common in 1941 in an effort to help battle nutritional deficiencies like anemia.
A Michigan Wendy’s Is Facing Legal Action Over an 11-Year-Old’s Hospitalization
Aspen Lamfers' family claims she nearly died after eating at an Ottawa County Michigan Wendy's, prompting the family to sue for $20 million.
This Surprising Compound May Be Stinking up Your Tool Bag
A compound called Cellulose Acetate Butyrate (CAB) may be to blame for the foul smell in a tool bag since the plastic releases acid as it breaks down.
How Much Is Too Much When It Comes to Infrared Light Exposure?
Infrared light exposure, which is similar but not the same as red light therapy, should be limited to no more than 20 minutes in some instances.
Is the Universe Trying to Send You a Sign When a Frog Hops Into Your Life?
From offering an excuse to let go of old grudges to symbolizing change, some cultures believe the frog has significant spiritual meaning.
European Union Scientists Declare 2024 the Hottest Year on Record
The climate service Copernicus says that 2024 will be hottest year on record unless post-August temperatures dramatically drop.
Seeing These Creatures in the Wild Could Be a Spiritual Reminder to Slow Down
Some cultures believe that the turtle serves as a symbol for the Earth, while others believe that the turtle represents ancient wisdom.
Do Owls Hold Spiritual Significance In Your Life? What It Might Mean When You See One
From wisdom to serving as gatekeepers of the underworld, many people believe that owls hold special spiritual significance.
Is Sport Hunting Bad for Your Health? Michigan Deer Hunters' Deaths Raise Questions
Doctors say heart attacks were likely behind the deaths of three Michigan hunters that happened just days apart.
Search for Fallen Grandmother in Sinkhole Now A Recovery Mission — Details Here
Rescuers are searching for a 64-year-old grandmother they believe may have fallen into a sinkhole while searching for her cat.
Do You Have a Snow Squall Warning? What This Means for Your Weather
Snow squalls are pop up snow storms that can occur quickly, dumping a lot of snow and creating dangerous driving conditions.
Charlotte Dujardin Banned From Equestrian Sports for One Year After Whipping Video
A whistleblower leaked a video of Charlotte Dujardin beating her horse ahead of the Paris Olympics. Now, she has been banned from the sport for a year.
Is Your Quartz Countertop Hiding A Dark Secret? All About Silicosis
The silica dust produced by cutting quartz countertops has put employees at risk of developing a fatal condition called silicosis.
Viral Videos Are Being Blamed for an Influx of Abandoned Goats in the U.K.
Shelters in the U.K. are at capacity when it comes to goats, who rescuers say are being abandoned in record numbers across the region.