Do Stanley cups contain toxic amounts of lead? We asked experts.

A historic trial opens in Michigan. Plus, are those gators OK? January 26, 2024 | [VIEW IN BROWSER](   THIS IS TODAY January 26, 2024 [VIEW IN BROWSER]( THIS IS TODAY A trial that puts rare focus on the parent of a school shooter opens in Michigan. Plus, what to know about the risk of lead poisoning from Stanley Quencher cups, what's behind those "gatorcicle" videos on social media, and a dad's gratitude for a small act of kindness toward his daughter.   The Latest   [Clashing portraits of the mother of a school shooter emerged as her manslaughter trial got underway.]( A trial that puts a rare criminal focus on the [the parents of a school shooter](began in Michigan yesterday. Jennifer Crumbley, 45, [faces involuntary manslaughter charges]( for the deaths of four students killed by her son, Ethan, who was sentenced to life in prison without parole last month. Prosecutors said in an opening statement that Jennifer willfully failed to act before her son's rampage at Oxford High School in 2021, while the defense argued that she didn't know what the boy was capable of doing. Crumbley's husband, James, goes on trial in March. [Here's the latest,]( plus, read TODAY legal expert [Laura Jarrett's breakdown of the charges in the historic case](. [☠️ Do Stanley cups contain dangerous amounts of lead? We asked a few experts.]( The manufacturer behind the [mega viral Stanley Quencher]( cups responded to concerns on social media by saying that while its [trendy mugs do contain lead](, they don't [pose a risk for lead poisoning]( unless the cup is damaged. The bottom of each cup has a stainless steel barrier that covers a pellet that contains lead, the company told TODAY.com. But the liquid doesn't touch it, and as long as the barrier stays in place, there is no risk of exposure. However, children handling the cups should be monitored to make sure the bottom cap has not come off, experts say. "If a child puts the bottom of one of these cups against their mouth, or rubs the surface with their fingers and then puts them in their mouth, contamination can occur," a Harvard professor and scientist said. [Continue reading](. [🐊 Videos of 'gatorcicles' go viral amid freezing temps. But experts say the reptiles are alive and well.]( Videos of "gatorcicles" showing what [appear to be dead alligators in frozen ponds]( in North Carolina and Texas have racked up millions of views online. But the gators are just fine, employees at gator rescue parks say, as the videos actually depict a [rarely witnessed survival instinct]( used by the cold-blooded reptiles. It's a behavior known as brumation, where the alligators' metabolic rates slow down as they rely on their environment to regulate their temperature. “They’re putting their snouts up so when the water freezes they’re able to breathe,” one expert told NBC News. “It’s the reptiles’ version of hibernation." [Learn more.]( [🔥 Up to 30% off a fabric shaver, heated car cushions and more winter problem-solvers.]( Less sunlight, chapped lips, freezing temperatures — the winter can be a slog. Our Shop TODAY team is here to help, with [18 problem-solving products for the winter]( like a padded scarf, lip balm, LED lights, a heated car seat cushion and a fabric shaver for the worn edges on your sweaters, starting at less than $12. Get up to 30% off on certain items by [shopping them here](.       Start TODAY   Achieve your life and health goals with easy tips. Stretching your upper body is always a good idea, but it's especially important this time of year, when people tend to be more sedentary. Upper body stretches help increase the range of motion in your shoulders, neck and back, relieve soreness from workouts, and prevent neck pain. We have [16 upper body stretches]( that you can do at home to help your flexibility. [See them here](.   What's for dinner?   Allow us to do the meal-planning for you Give your snacks a test run ahead of any big Super Bowl plans by trying one of these [20 nacho recipes]( this weekend. We've got different styles to suit everyone's taste, like rotisserie chicken, Italian pork (above), buffalo chicken, lasagna and, of course, the old-school classic. [See the recipes here](.   Daily Delight   A little pick-me-up before you go. Kier Gaines was in a jam when he was traveling solo with his daughter, Emery, 6, and she had to go to the bathroom at a Philadelphia train station. He said the men's room was "really filthy," but he [didn't feel comfortable taking Emery into the women's bathroom](. That's when [custodian Jorsh Delfish came to the rescue](, cleaning up a stall for Emery to use. Gaines shared the small act of kindness on Instagram, where it received 5 million views. "For that man to see me struggling and to clean that stall for my baby, man, that meant the world," he told us. [See his message of thanks here](.   Thanks for letting us in your inbox! See you tomorrow. Written by Scott Stump | Edited by Philip Caulfield Enjoying This is TODAY? Invite a friend to[subscribe here.]( Send us Feedback Follow us on Facebook More TODAY Newsletters 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 [Manage Subscriptions]( | [Unsubscribe](listvar=sub_today) | [Privacy]( | [Contact]( [MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_today) | [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT](