An 85-year-old grandmother is released by Hamas.

Mary Lou Retton's family shares hopeful news. Plus, Uggs are back. October 24, 2023 | [VIEW IN BROWSER](   THIS IS TODAY October 24, 2023 | [VIEW IN BROWSER]( THIS IS TODAY An 85-year-old Israeli woman freed by Hamas described her time in captivity, and a family sued Panera Bread, saying their daughter died after drinking the chain's sugary Charged Lemonade beverage. Plus, a woman's tips that helped her lose 87 pounds despite numerous health challenges.   The Latest   [Hamas released two more Israeli hostages; one described the 'hell' of captivity.]( Hamas [released two elderly Israeli women]( yesterday who were among the more than 200 hostages taken during its attack on Israel earlier this month. "I went through hell," Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, (above) said after being released. She described being beaten with sticks and taken into a network of tunnels in Gaza following her abduction. Lifshtiz's grandson Daniel [told TODAY this morning]( he was "afraid" for his grandfather, Yocheved's husband, who is still in captivity. The U.S. is advising Israel to [delay a ground invasion]( of Gaza to allow more time for hostage negotiations and humanitarian aid. [Here's the latest](.   A [family sued Panera Bread, saying their daughter died after drinking its Charged Lemonade energy drink.]( Sarah Katz, 21, a University of Pennsylvania student with a heart condition, [died after she drank Panera Bread’s Charged Lemonade](, a large cup of which contains more caffeine than cans of Red Bull and Monster energy drinks combined, according to a lawsuit. The filing calls the beverage a "dangerous energy drink" and argues that Panera Bread failed to properly warn consumers about its ingredients. Katz drank a Charged Lemonade from a Panera Bread in Philadelphia in September 2022 and [went into cardiac arrest]( hours later, a friend told NBC News. The beverage has the equivalent of nearly 30 teaspoons of sugar, the complaint says. Panera said in a statement that it's working to "thoroughly investigate this matter." [Continue reading](.   Mary Lou Retton is back home after weeks in the ICU with severe pneumonia, her daughter says.]( Mary Lou Retton’s daughter shared the uplifting news on [Instagram]( yesterday that the legendary Olympic gymnast has [returned home after fighting a rare pneumonia]( for weeks in an intensive care unit. “We still have a long road of recovery ahead of us, but baby steps,” McKenna Kelley wrote about her mother. On Oct. 10, Retton’s family shared that the five-time Olympic medalist had been hospitalized for a week after her condition had left her unable to breathe on her own. [Continue reading](.   [Yes, Uggs are trending again — and our editors can’t stop raving about these styles.]( As we head into the chilly part of fall, it's time to give those Uggs in the back of your closet a refresh, because the cozy footwear is trending yet again. [TikToks featuring Uggs]( have racked up billions of views, and if you're ready to grab a new pair, our Shop TODAY editors have shared some of their favorite styles. Shop TODAY’s editorial director Adrianna Brach says the [Ultra Mini Classic Boots]( are better than any house slippers she's owned, while associate editor Lauren Witonsky swears by the [Classic Short II Boots]( that keep her feet warm while walking outside in the winter — even without socks. [Shop them all here](.       Start TODAY   Achieve your life and health goals with easy tips. Brenda Halsey, 49, tore an Achilles tendon in one foot and suffered serious injuries in the other after falling twice due to balance issues related to her multiple sclerosis diagnosis. She needed 11 orthopedic surgeries over eight years, which left the formerly active mom struggling with depression and weight gain. She reached nearly 250 pounds and rarely left her home, until she came to a breaking point in 2021. "I can either live like this and be miserable and depressed or I can make a change and not let all of this win," she told TODAY.com. She shared [how she lost 87 pounds]( by working out at the gym and incorporating [walking as an important part]( of her routine. Halsey also detailed how toggling between a low-carb and low-calorie diet and getting motivation from the [Start TODAY Facebook group]( have benefited her. [See all her tips here](.   What's for dessert?   Allow us to do the meal-planning for you Halloween is only a week away! If you're looking to upgrade the "treat" portion of the holiday, these [Halloween boo-berry mummy pies]( from recipe developer Casey Barber are festive and kid-friendly. Slice pie dough into 3-by-4-inch rectangles and spread blueberry jam over each piece, then criss-cross dough strips over the blueberry jam. Take the pies out of the oven after about 15 minutes when the strips are still pale. [Here's the full recipe](.   Daily Delight   A little pick-me-up before you go. Brett Yancey has [stage 4 esophageal cancer]( and was experiencing paralysis in one leg that made walking difficult. However, there was no way he was going to miss escorting his daughter, Sara Kate, 17, across the football field at her Alabama high school after [she was nominated for homecoming queen](. He was offered a ride on a golf cart, but was determined to make the 50-yard walk with his daughter. “Tears were falling down my face and I kept thinking ‘You can do it. You can do it,’” Brett's wife, Carrie Yancey, told TODAY.com. “It was just a wonderful moment that I will never forget." Brett stood there proudly as Sarah Kate was crowned homecoming queen. [See photos of the moment here](.   Thanks for letting us in your inbox! See you again tomorrow morning. Written by Scott Stump | Edited by Philip Caulfield 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](