From ‘birthmark’ to melanoma: The symptom that uncovered a woman's skin cancer.

The best of the Met Gala 2023. Hollywood writers hit the picket lines. May 2, 2023 | [VIEW IN BROWSER]( This is TODAY May 2, 2023 | [VIEW IN BROWSER]( This is TODAY Hollywood writers go on strike and bring television production to a standstill, and the A-listers show off their best looks at this year's Met Gala. Plus, a new Start TODAY walking plan for May that also focuses on mental health, and how to join in the pickleball craze sweeping the country. The Latest   [✍️ Hollywood writers go on strike, bringing TV production to a halt.]( Thousands of unionized [Hollywood writers went on strike]( just after midnight this morning, seeking pay raises and structural changes to a business model the Writers Guild of America calls "an existential crisis" in the industry. The strike brings production on broadcast programs, streaming shows and potentially some films to a virtual standstill. Late-night talk shows are expected to immediately go dark this week, and “Saturday Night Live” could potentially cancel this weekend’s episode. In other cases, the producers of scripted drama and comedy series may be forced to [cut their seasons short or delay filming]( altogether. Will your favorite show be affected? [Here's what to know](. [👠Met Gala 2023: Controversy, show-stopping fashion, Rihanna arriving late and two (two!) pregnancy reveals.]( The A-list turned out in their most [elegant and outlandish fashion]( to pay tribute to [controversial fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld]( at last night's Met Gala in New York City. [Serena Williams]( and [Karlie Kloss]( revealed they're each pregnant with their second child, [Gisele Bündchen stepped out solo]( after her split from Tom Brady, [Rihanna showed up 90 minutes late]( but made it worth the wait, and [Jared Leto did Jared Leto things](. See [all the best looks here](, including two eye-catching outfits from Cardi B. [A Black nurse didn't think she could get skin cancer — then her 'birthmark' turned out to be melanoma.]( Ilia Smith had a [dark spot on her hip]( as long as she could remember, but always just thought it was a birthmark. As a Black woman, she didn't think she could even get skin cancer, so she never used sunscreen in her 20s and 30s. However, the [spot became itchy and bled]( when she scratched it, leading her to get a biopsy. The nurse practitioner from Dallas was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. “I was completely floored," she told TODAY.com. She had surgery to remove the cancerous spot, but is spreading the word about the [warning signs to watch for]( and the importance of regular skin checks. [Looking to see what the pickleball craze is all about? Here's everything you need to get started.]( If it suddenly seems like every outdoor court you see is filled with people playing [pickleball,]( you're not alone. The game, a mix of tennis, badminton and Ping Pong, is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and everyone from kids to grandparents is trying it out. The good news is it doesn't take hours of practicing to pick it up. We talked with Mindy Jordan, the pickleball lead at a Life Time gym in Utah, about [how to play the sport]( and what equipment you need. Our Shop TODAY team also has [top pickleball paddles]( and gear like skirts and sneakers to help get you right into the action. Live Better TODAY   Achieve your life goals with easy tips. Our [Start TODAY daily walking plan for May]( is not only about getting moving and building strength, but also focusing on your mental health. The May plan is inspired by Start TODAY member [Pamela Wampler, who lost 50 pounds and overcame a problem with alcohol]( by trading her nightly sips of wine for evening walks. This month's plan also includes a weekly challenge and a [printable journal]( to help you de-stress on your walks. [See the daily plan here](. What's for dinner?   Allow us to do the meal-planning for you. The start of May means it's time to swap out heavy lasagnas and winter comfort food for lighter fare, and we've got a few ideas besides the usual soups and salads. Check out [5 recipes to try this week](, including a fresh and delicious [green goddess pasta salad]( (above). Each bite packs tangy, savory flavors thanks to the green goddess dressing with garlic, Greek yogurt, basil, anchovy, lemon juice and more. [Get the recipes](. Daily Delight   A little pick-me-up before you go. "My name is Alonso, and I love trains so much that New Jersey Transit let me make the announcement as part of Autism Acceptance Month." That friendly young [voice you may hear over the loudspeaker]( on the transit system in certain cities belongs to a [child with autism sharing their love for trains](. It's part of the Autism Transit Project spearheaded by Jonathan Trichter, the founder of schools for students with special needs. This year, children were selected to record announcements by transit agencies in the Bay Area of California, Atlanta, Washington D.C., New Jersey and New York City. “You could see the unadulterated pure joy on the children’s faces,” Trichter told TODAY.com. The initiative is now hoping to go global, so maybe next year we'll be hearing welcoming announcements in Tokyo, Berlin, London and Paris. "It's a chance for people to take a moment to learn that some kids are different but similar — and no less," Trichter said.   Thanks for letting us in your inbox! See you again tomorrow morning. Written by Scott Stump | Edited by Philip Caulfield Want to refer a friend?[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](