Fox 9 meteorologist Keith Marler returned to live television on Wednesday — just in time to report on our stormy weather.

“He’s back!” proclaimed anchor Tom Butler during the 11 a.m. news.

After Marler’s knee went out on live television in January, he took time off in February from KMSP-TV for reconstructive surgery. After more than three months away, Marler returned to the station’s studio in Eden Prairie on Monday and appeared on air again on Wednesday.

This was not a simple fix Marler endured as it involved — among other interventions — breaking his right leg to re-align it, part of what Marler has described as a “high tibial osteotomy.”

“Holy moly!” Marler said to Butler about the extensive reworking of his knee and leg. “Zero stars. Would not recommend.”

His sense of humor was not affected, though. Here’s what Marler said he asked his orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Ryan Fader:

“Doctor, will I be able to play the piano after the surgery?”

Yes, of course!

But … Marler admitted he couldn’t play the piano before the surgery.

“I was just curious,” Marler said with a smile.

Fortunately, Marler reports that his other knee won’t require this same procedure and is currently stable.

But per doctor’s orders, Marler is returning to work part time for now, with physical therapy continuing. So while viewers won’t see Marler back on the early morning news show quite yet, he’s still got his eye on the sky.

“I am paying attention,” Marler said.

Viewers seemed glad; Marler’s weather reports often include wry asides as well as the necessary information.

“Have REALLY missed you in the morning!” one person commented on Marler’s Facebook page. “A perfect blend of nonsense & weather.”

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Katie Walsh | Tribune News Service (TNS)

Like most summer movie seasons, summer 2024 is lousy with sequels. Last weekend we saw “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” the fourth installment of the “Bad Boys” franchise, take over the box office, and one of the buzziest titles of the summer is “Furiosa,” the prequel to “Mad Max: Fury Road.” This weekend, “Inside Out 2” hits theaters. So here’s a quick streaming guide on this summer’s sequels, and where and how to watch or rewatch everything you might need to catch up, from family-friendly animated fare to horror franchises.

As mentioned, “Inside Out 2” comes out Friday, June 14. The first film, 2015’s “Inside Out,” directed by Pete Docter, is on Disney+ or available to rent on other platforms.

At the end of June, “A Quiet Place: Day One” will tiptoe into theaters. This third installment is a prequel to “A Quiet Place” (2018) and the sequel, “A Quiet Place Part II” (2021), which were both directed by John Krasinski and are available to stream on Paramount+ or for rent on other platforms (“Part II” is also on Hulu). This third film is written and directed by Michael Sarnoski, who wrote and directed the critically acclaimed “Pig,” and stars Lupita Nyong’o as a woman attempting to survive the initial alien invasion in New York City.

Gru (Steve Carell) has grand plans for his future in “Minions: Rise of Gru.” (Illumination Entertainment & Universal Pictures/TNS)

In time for Independence Day weekend, the fourth movie in the popular “Despicable Me” franchise will release on July 3. Catch up with the first three movies all on Peacock, though if you’re a parent you likely don’t need the refresher. Our antihero Gru also features in “Minions: Rise of Gru,” so perhaps take in that film on Prime Video or rent them all on Amazon or iTunes.

July 5 sees the release of Ti West’s “MaXXXine,” the third slasher film in his “X” horror film series starring Mia Goth. “MaXXXine,” the sequel to “X,” is set in 1985, and follows Goth’s Maxine as she makes her way to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of stardom after the massacre in Texas in 1979. She of course then encounters the Night Stalker killer in L.A. “Pearl” is the prequel film, set in 1918, with Goth playing the title character (and the film’s villain), who also appears in “X.” Watch “X” on Netflix, Showtime or rent it elsewhere, and catch “Pearl” on Prime Video or rent it on other platforms.

Mia Goth stars in “Pearl.” (A24/TNS)

In mid-July, the long-awaited sequel to Jan de Bont’s 1996 storm-chasing disaster picture “Twister” spins into theaters. “Twisters” is directed by Lee Isaac Chung, who directed “Minari,” and stars new Hollywood It Guy Glen Powell alongside a host of up-and-coming stars. Revisit “Twister” before the new movie by renting it on all platforms.

On July 26, it’s a Marvel mashup with “Deadpool & Wolverine.” You may want to revisit the potty-mouthed superhero played by Ryan Reynolds in “Deadpool” (2016), which is on Max and Disney+, or “Deadpool 2” (2018), on Disney+, or catch up with the lethally clawed mutant played by Hugh Jackman. He’s in most of the “X-Men” movies, all streaming on Disney+. Or you can stream “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009) on Max, or rent “The Wolverine” (2013) and “Logan” (2017) on other digital platforms.

Sigourney Weaver, left, and Carrie Henn in “Aliens.” (20th Century Fox/TNS)

Finally, the Aug. 16 release of “Alien: Romulus,” directed by Fede Alvarez, is a good enough reason as any for a full rewatch of the “Alien” series (it’s always a good time for an “Alien” rewatch). So here goes: “Alien” (1979), directed by Ridley Scott, is streaming on Hulu; “Aliens” (1986), directed by James Cameron, is on Max and Starz; the underrated “Alien 3” (1992), directed by David Fincher, is on Hulu; and “Alien Resurrection” (1997), by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, is also on Hulu and Starz. Let’s skip the “Alien vs. Predator” films, and then go straight into Scott’s return to the franchise, with “Prometheus” (2012), on Hulu and Apple TV+, and his “Alien: Covenant” (2017), which is available to rent on all platforms. Whew. It will be worth your while.

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There are of course some sequels and remakes in the fall that you may want to rewatch a few things for (“Beetlejuice,” “Joker,” “Venom,” “Gladiator”) but here’s what you need to prep for this summer’s sequels and prequels.

(Katie Walsh is the Tribune News Service film critic and co-host of the “Miami Nice” podcast.)

©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

Lois Lee, MD, MPH, FAAP | (TNS) American Academy of Pediatrics

When the weather’s nice, many families love spending time near the water. Whether your favorite spot is near the ocean or the edge of a river or lake, it’s always best to prepare for your surroundings and make sure that health hazards don’t spoil your good time.

I encourage families to look for beaches where lifeguards are on duty and watch for any postings about water quality, rip currents or shore break, which can make swimming and water unsafe. It’s always important to designate an adult as a water-watcher to keep an eye on children playing in or near the water at all times.

You will also want to apply sunscreen every two hours at minimum or more often after children come out of the water.

Here are 12 tips for families to enjoy a safe and fun outdoors experience for everyone:

Check the water temperature. Generally, water between 82 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (28 to 30 Celsius) will be safe and comfortable for young swimmers. Scan the sand. Before spreading out your beach blanket, look for debris that may have washed up, including sharp sticks, bottles or even jellyfish.
Watch for sand holes. Making sandcastles and sculptures can be a blast. But the hole your child digs in the sand should never be deeper than their own knee. Children can fall in and get trapped and buried in the sand. This can even lead to suffocation and death. Have kids dig where you can watch them—and don’t allow digging in sand dunes, where loose sand can collapse around them. For everyone’s safety, always fill the holes your crew digs before you leave. Sometimes holes that children can fall into aren’t always obvious or clearly visible.
Lightning strikes pose real dangers, so when you hear that familiar rumble, head indoors. The safest place during a thunderstorm is a substantial building or a hard-topped vehicle. Wait at least 30 minutes after the storm passes before heading back to the beach.
Teach kids to respect the water. At the seaside or lake, they should always face the water so they can see new waves coming in. Teach them to wade in feet-first so they can check the water’s temperature and depth. Make sure they never dive or jump from high points such as a bridge, boat or dock, where shallow depths or underwater debris can cause serious head and spine injuries.
Appoint a water watcher. This should be an adult with good swimming skills who keeps a consistent eye on the water and shoreline. When it’s your turn, put away your smartphone, book or any other distractions, and skip the alcohol to help you stay alert. If you’re in a big group, choose more than one watcher to rotate duties.
Small children and those without strong swimming skills should wear a certified life jacket in or near the water, the Red Cross says. Families should also don certified life jackets whenever they’re boating, paddling, waterskiing or skimming along on Jet Skis.
Require adult permission before kids go in any kind of water. Make sure they always check in with a parent or trusted adult before entering the water.
Use the buddy system. For young children, this means having an adult beside them whenever they’re in the water, keeping one hand on them while they float, paddle or play. As kids gain water safety skills and show they can be trusted to stick together) they can swim and splash in groups. The forever-and-always rule is that no one goes in the water alone.
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen labeled SPF 30 or higher. Mineral sunscreens can be especially effective. Put sunscreen on at least 30 minutes before hitting the beach, using the equivalent of a full shot glass to protect your child. (Don’t forget the tops of feet, hands and ears.) Reapply every 2 hours or right after your child leaves the water, since no sunscreen is 100% waterproof or sweatproof.
Sunscreen often causes skin reactions in babies under 6 months, so it’s best to protect little ones with a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight clothing that covers their arms and legs. Stake out a shady spot where they can play or nap safely. And try to keep them out of the sun in the middle of the day when UV rays are the strongest (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).
Rash guards, long-sleeved tops and other beachwear offer extra protection for toddlers and older kids, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are strongest. You may also want to shield feet with water shoes, flip flops or sneakers on very hot days, since the sand’s surface can climb as high as 100 degrees.
Keep everyone cool and hydrated. Avoid heat illness by having plenty of water on hand, offering children frequent sips and calling for occasional shade breaks. If you use a  beach umbrella, be sure it is anchored securely in the sand. Umbrellas that fly away in the wind have caused serious injuries.

Whether you’re at the beach or a pool, families want to have fun and these precautions can prevent against injuries and drowning. Ask your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about safety during an upcoming outing or vacation in the sun and water.

____

Lois Lee, MD, MPH, FAAP, Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention, is a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Boston Children’s Hospital and Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Lee has published seminal research on pediatric emergency medicine, health disparities and injury prevention, including related to firearms. Dr. Lee’s expertise was recognized with her election to the National Academy of Medicine in 2023.

©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.