Month: July 2025

American Ninja Warrior competitor Morgan “The Moose” Wright is giving an update on his health three years after suffering a massive heart attack.

Wright, who was kept alive by an Impella heart pump and appeared on the July 28 episode of the long-running competition show, opened up about his road to recovery while chatting exclusively with Parade.

“I was supposed to have a seven month recovery, and I was back to work in 11 weeks,” he begins. “And there were some downsides. I had massive paralysis on my right side. I had paralysis in my right pectoral, bicep, forearm and my hand. My hand was completely useless, and the swelling was so bad. I was getting those blisters on my hand because the water pressure was trying to leave.”

Noting there was “definitely some frustration and depression” amid his recovery, the PE teacher goes on to tell Parade that he focused on taking it day by day and doing what he could to get back to optimal health.

“I would walk a block, then I would walk a half mile, then I would walk a mile, then I would walk 10 miles, and I would walk 15 to 20 miles a day, and then I would start wearing a 20 pound weight vest while wall walking, and I couldn’t do anything at all with my upper body,” he explains. “So I would slowly put my hands against a wall and just try to lean a few inches into the wall and slowly build myself up. And even three years later, my right hand still has that numbing, tingly sensation. Like it’s just woken up from falling asleep.”

He continues: “I was able to recover the majority of my strength. My movements. I do have some memory issues still. I knew about half of my students’ names. I have like, 1100 students, and right now I know about 30. So, there’s some small things here and there. I tell my kids, I’m like, ‘Hey guys, you know, I had a heart attack. It’s messed with my memory. I always know your face. I love you all. I will not remember your name.’ And they’re like, ‘Oh, got it, coach.’”

As students across the country prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives, one Los Angeles teen who took the nontraditional path finds himself with no shortage of options.

Through iQ Academy of Los Angeles (iQLA), 17-year-old Ean Okpechi was able to attend public school full-time in a completely remote environment and begin laying the groundwork for a future in biomedical engineering.

The flexibility of iQLA allowed the Pacoima teen to graduate high school early while taking college-level dual enrollment courses, officials said.

He began online school in eighth grade during the pandemic to protect his health. He says he quickly found that the flexible, personalized environment helped him thrive both academically and personally, and allowed him to pursue his education in a way that works best for him.

“I honestly feel like I’m doing way better now than I would have if I went to in-person school,” he said.

Many Austin companies are reevaluating how and where they manufacture their products with tariffs on Chinese imports reaching historic highs. In a recent Austin Business Journal feature, Alen CEO and founder Warburg Lee shared insight into how the air purification company is navigating the shifting U.S.-China trade landscape.

Alen, a longtime Austin-based brand known for its smart HEPA purifiers, began moving portions of its production out of China years ago. Today, about 50 to 60 percent of Alen’s manufacturing still occurs there, but operations in South Carolina and Mexico are growing. Lee says that while producing in North America is “far more” expensive, the impact of tariffs is accelerating his plan to reduce dependence on China.

“The tariffs have kind of equalized the playing field, but we don’t know how long the tariffs are going to last,” Lee told the Austin Business Journal. Alen remains committed to serving global customers with top-tier air purification technology, while managing risk through a more distributed supply chain.

A Rosamond teen has taken home schooling to remarkable heights, graduating a year early with college credits and earning the title of valedictorian at iQ Academy of Los Angeles.

Kaitlyn Huffman, 17, credits several key factors for her academic success, with time management topping the list.

“Definitely time management is key,” Huffman said.

Sleep was another priority she never compromised on during her academic journey.

“Definitely. That one was a really big priority. I always made sure to get my sleep,” Huffman said.

Family support played a crucial role in her achievements. The Huffmans enjoy taking trips together, with Disneyland being a favorite destination as annual pass holders. The decision to switch to home schooling was made as a family, after Kaitlyn’s younger brother Kyler experienced difficulties in middle school, and her younger sister Kinsley deals with anxiety.

“I think it was definitely a good decision. I probably wouldn’t go back to change it even if I had the opportunity to. I liked it. I also got the opportunity to graduate early. And I really liked that a lot too because I don’t think that would’ve been as possible at Rosamond High as it was through iQLA,” Huffman said.

According to her mother Kelley, Kaitlyn has always been at the top of her class growing up in Rosamond and has never received a grade lower than an A. After completing her freshman year at Rosamond High School, she made the switch to home schooling.

Working diligently to graduate a year early, Kaitlyn finished high school with 20 units of college credits, which contributed to her being named valedictorian.

“She’s very smart. She’s very kind. Man, I don’t know what I would do without her. She helps me cook. She helps me clean. When they say that my kid is my best friend… She’s my best friend,” Kelley said.

Kaitlyn plans to attend Antelope Valley College and aspires to become a nurse. She remains active in her church community, where she teaches Sunday School to younger children.

“It’s just her. I don’t know any different than if she does something she’s going to give it her all,” Kelley said.

Kaitlyn attributes her success to her family, friends and her faith.