Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James who co-wrote 'Jesus, Take the Wheel' dies in plane crash
Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James has died in a plane crash in North Carolina. Authorities reported that the crash Thursday afternoon involved a small plane with three people aboard. There were no survivors. James, known for hits like “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “When the Sun Goes Down,” was 57. The plane, a Cirrus SR22T, was registered to him, but it's unclear if he was the pilot. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. James, who left medical school for music, was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020.
Sudden heavy rain in Southern California unleashes mudslides, 2-year-old drowns in floodwaters
YUCAIPA, Calif. (AP) — Sudden heavy rain east of Los Angeles unleashed mudslides that plowed into homes and trapped drivers for hours on roadways while authorities say floodwaters swept away a vehicle carrying a father who was later rescued and his 2-year-old son who drowned. Authorities say the mudslides affected Forest Falls, Oak Glen and Potato Canyon in San Bernardino County on Thursday. A group of about 10 people traveling in at least six vehicles was stranded on state Route 38 near the San Bernardino National Forest. The group was stuck for about 10 hours. No one was hurt or needed medical attention. The route was still closed as of Friday. The mudslides happened after heavy rain.
Gary Busey gets probation for sexual offense at 2022 horror convention
CHERRY HILL, N.J. (AP) — Actor Gary Busey has been sentenced to two years probation for a sexual offense stemming from an appearance at a 2022 horror convention in New Jersey, according to court records. The sentence was handed down Thursday during a virtual hearing in state court in Camden. Busey didn't speak during the hearing. The 81-year-old “Buddy Holly” star had pleaded guilty in July to a single count of criminal sexual contact for touching a woman’s buttocks “over clothing during an 8-10 second photo op.” The actor had been accused of inappropriately touching at least three women at the Monster-Mania Convention at the Doubletree Hotel in Cherry Hill, a South Jersey town and suburb of Philadelphia.
Frida Kahlo portrait could sell for $60 million and shatter records at Sotheby's
LONDON (AP) — A self-portrait by Frida Kahlo could set records when it is sold at auction in November. “El sueño (La cama)” has an estimated price of $40 to $60 million. It may surpass the highest price for a female artist's work, currently $44.4 million for Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1.” The painting, created in 1940, depicts Kahlo in a four-poster bed with a skeleton lying atop it. Sotheby's expert Julian Dawes says it's a psychological self-portrait by an artist at her peak. It’s part of a Nov. 8 sale featuring over 100 surrealist works. Interest in surrealism is rising, with the genre’s market share increasing significantly in recent years.
Day and night get equal billing Monday as fall equinox arrives. Here's what to know
Day and night will get equal time for a brief moment as the equinox arrives. The Earth will experience about the same amount of day and night on Monday when the autumnal equinox arrive. From there, the Northern Hemisphere will plunge into fall as night gets ever longer, and the Southern Hemisphere will head to summer. Solstices are the opposite. They happen in December and March, when the Earth is tilted most strongly toward or away from the sun, so day and night are very different lengths.
Cardi B releases highly anticipated ‘Am I the Drama?’ album
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cardi B has made a splashy return with her sophomore album, “Am I the Drama?” released on Friday. The album arrives as she announces her fourth pregnancy with NFL player Stefon Diggs and celebrates a recent courtroom victory. The 23-track project features collaborations with artists like Janet Jackson and Megan Thee Stallion. Cardi B includes past hits like “Up” and “WAP,” sparking some online criticism. She defended the choice, saying those songs deserve a home. Alongside her music, Cardi B's personal life, including her relationship with Diggs, continues to capture public attention.
Jimmy Kimmel the latest TV host to get into trouble. Here's a look at others
NEW YORK (AP) — Jimmy Kimmel’s recent suspension from late-night TV is just the latest time on-air comments have gotten a host in trouble. Brian Williams was suspended in 2015 for false claims about his Iraq War experiences. Sharon Osbourne and Megyn Kelly were fired for controversial discussions on race. Don Lemon was let go after comments about a woman's looks. Billy Bush was fired after a vulgar conversation with Donald Trump surfaced. Romantic relationships, like those of T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach, and inappropriate, physical off-air conduct have also led to dismissals.
Bad Bunny, Amy Poehler and Sabrina Carpenter will host 'Saturday Night Live'
NEW YORK (AP) — "Saturday Night Live" has announced its hosts for the start of its 51st season. Bad Bunny, Amy Poehler, and Sabrina Carpenter will take the stage for the first three episodes. NBC made the announcement on Thursday. Bad Bunny hosts on Oct. 4, with Doja Cat as the musical guest. Amy Poehler hosts on Oct. 11, marking 50 years since the first "SNL" episode. Role Model will be the musical guest. Sabrina Carpenter will host and perform on Oct. 18. The show also welcomes five new featured players following several cast departures. "SNL" recently won 12 Emmys.
Conservationists sue to stop Florida's first black bear hunt in a decade
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Conservationists are suing to stop Florida from holding its first black bear hunt in a decade. State officials approved the plan in August despite strong opposition. The group Bear Warriors United filed the complaint against the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in a court in Tallahassee on Wednesday. Attorneys for the group argue that the bear hunt scheduled for December runs contrary to the state agency’s own directives to conserve native species. State officials say they need to manage the growing bear population. A spokesperson for the state agency declined to comment.
Uber Eats will soon launch US drone delivery in partnership with Flytrex
Uber Eats will soon be using drones to deliver some meals. Uber said Thursday that it’s partnering with drone company Flytrex Inc. The companies expect to begin deliveries in test markets by the end of this year. Uber didn’t say where those markets will be. It’s the latest partnership in the fast-growing drone delivery space. Flytrex, which is based in Tel Aviv, Israel, also makes deliveries for Uber Eats’ rival DoorDash. Wing, a drone company owned by Google parent Alphabet, works with DoorDash and Walmart. Uber is investing in Flytrex as part of the deal but didn't reveal how much.
