Some airports refuse to play Noem video on shutdown impact, saying it's political
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Airports around the country are saying they won’t play a video with a message from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in which she blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown and its impacts on operations to screen travelers. Airports in Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix and Westchester County say the video goes against their airport policy because of its political content. The shutdown has halted routine operations and left airports scrambling with flight disruptions. Various government agencies, in emails to workers and on websites, have adopted language that blames Democrats for the shutdown.
LA Angels should be held responsible for pitcher Skaggs' overdose death, lawyer says
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — A lawyer for the family of Tyler Skaggs says the Los Angeles Angels should be held responsible for the drug overdose death of the star pitcher. The team's attorney, however, said they were not aware of drug use by Skaggs or they would have done something to help. The comments came in opening statements Tuesday in the trial for a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Skaggs' family. Plaintiffs' attorney Shawn Holley told jurors that Angels officials knew communications director Eric Kay was supplying drugs to Skaggs and other players. The Angels argue Skaggs' actions were his own and not preventable by the MLB team. The trial could include testimony from players like Mike Trout and Wade Miley.
Alec and Stephen Baldwin escape injury after their vehicle hits a tree in New York
EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) — Alec Baldwin and his younger brother Stephen escaped injury when their vehicle struck a tree in New York. In a video posted to Instagram late Monday, Alec Baldwin said he was driving his wife’s Range Rover in East Hampton on Monday when he was cut off by a garbage truck “the size of a whale.” The 67-year-old actor and his 59-year-old brother were in the vehicle on their way back from attending the Hamptons International Film Festival. Alec Baldwin said that neither he nor his brother were injured, but the vehicle they were in had extensive damage.
It's called automated officiating. The NBA is utilizing it to get even more calls right
The NBA is using "automated officiating" to enhance game accuracy. This technology, which includes cameras and sensors, helps referees make precise calls by tracking players and the ball. An example is LeBron James's buzzer-beater against the Indiana Pacers, where technology confirmed the correct call. The NBA aims to improve game flow and transparency with shorter review times and clearer explanations for fans. Other sports, like baseball and tennis, are also adopting tech for officiating. The goal is to support referees, not replace them, allowing them to focus on complex judgment calls.
Drought has muted this year's leaf-peeping season, but pockets of brilliant colors remain
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Leaf-peeping season has arrived in the Northeast and beyond, but weeks of drought have muted this year’s autumn colors, and sent leaves fluttering to the ground earlier than usual. Soaking in the fall foliage is an annual tradition in the New England states as well as areas such as the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Great Smoky Mountains of the mid-South and Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As the days shorten and temperatures drop, chlorophyll in leaves breaks down, and they turn to the autumn tones of yellow, orange and red. But dry weather in summer and fall can change all that because it causes leaves to brown and fall more quickly.
Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold says he needs a kidney transplant, seeks donor
Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold has revealed on social media that he has kidney disease and needs a transplant. Mangold, a two-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection, said he was diagnosed with a genetic defect in 2006 that led to chronic kidney disease. He is currently on dialysis while waiting for a transplant. Mangold was enshrined in the Jets’ “Ring of Honor” in 2022. He said he doesn’t have any relatives able to donate. He has gone public with a request for a donor with type O blood. Mangold expressed gratitude to anyone considering donating.
Instagram says it's safeguarding teens by limiting them to PG-13 content
Meta says teenagers on Instagram will be restricted to seeing PG-13 content by default and won’t be able to change their settings without a parent’s permission. This means that teens will see photos and videos on Instagram that is similar to what they would see in a PG-13 movie. The company is also adding an even stricter setting that parents can set up for their children. As it seeks to add safeguards for teens, Meta has already promised it wouldn’t show inappropriate content to teens, such as posts about self-harm, eating disorders or suicide, though this does not always work.
Brewers turn potential grand slam by Dodgers slugger Max Muncy into wild double play in NLCS
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Max Muncy came within inches of hitting a grand slam for the Los Angeles Dodgers to open the scoring in the National League Championship Series. Instead, the Milwaukee Brewers turned it into one of the most incredible double plays in postseason history. With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning, Muncy hit a long drive to center field. Sal Frelick jumped and reached over the wall in an attempt to make the catch. The ball popped out of Frelick’s glove and hit the top of the fence before Frelick caught it in the air. He fired the ball in, and Brewers catcher William Contreras forced out one runner at home plate and another at third base for a most unusual 8-6-2 inning-ending double play.
Naked bike riders demonstrate against federal troops in 'quintessentially Portland' protest
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Protesters are pedaling through Portland's streets wearing nothing or close to it to rally against the Trump administration. It's an “emergency” edition of the annual Portland World Naked Bike Ride. Crowds are donning inflatable costumes as they face off with federal law enforcement. The bike ride usually happens in the summer. Organizers of Sunday's hastily called event said another nude ride was necessary to speak out against attempts to mobilize of the National Guard to quell protests. The city is awaiting the ruling of an appeals court panel on whether Trump can send out the federalized troops.
Taylor Swift's ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ makes history by selling 4 million copies in first week
NEW YORK (AP) — That’s show business for you! Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” has officially sold 4.002 million equivalent album units in its first week in the United States. That is the biggest first week in modern music history. That’s according to Luminate, the industry data and analytics company that began tracking sales in 1991. Swift broke the record set by Adele’s “25,” which sold 3.378 million copies in its first week in 2015 in the U.S. The news arrived following the announcement of two forthcoming Disney+ projects. Swift will premiere a six-episode, behind-the-scenes docuseries of her landmark Eras Tour. There will also be an updated concert film.
