Dolly Parton responds to concerns about her health: 'I'm not dying'
NEW YORK (AP) — Dolly Parton says not to worry, she “ain't dead yet." That's what the country superstar shared in a video on social media Wednesday following public speculation about her health. Late last month Parton postponed her first Las Vegas residency in 32 years, citing “health challenges.” She was scheduled to perform six shows in December. Her dates have been moved to next year, in Sept. 2026. She did not provide additional details. On Tuesday, a Facebook posted shared by her sister Freida Parton escalated concerns around Parton’s health when she wrote that she had been “up all night praying for my sister, Dolly.” Dolly Parton has clarified that her doctors say she is dealing with nothing major.
Vegas and Jack Eichel agree on an 8-year, $108 million contract extension
Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights have agreed to terms on an eight-year contract extension worth $108 million. Eichel will count $13.5 million against the salary cap from the time the new contract kicks in for the 2026-27 season through 2034. The soon-to-be 29-year-old center is the latest high-profile player to re-up with his team rather than test free agency next summer. Eichel set career highs last season with 66 assists and 94 points.
Judge tosses summons for former 'The Bear' writer who was handcuffed in NYC train seating dispute
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City judge has dismissed a civil summons against Alex O’Keefe, a former writer for FX’s “The Bear.” O’Keefe was removed from a commuter train last month after a seating dispute. He accused transit officers of racial targeting after a passenger complained about how he was sitting. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said police intervened because O’Keefe had spread his legs across an adjacent seat, violating train rules. He was handcuffed and released with a summons for disorderly conduct. The summons was dismissed Tuesday. O’Keefe called the case “absurd” and said he would continue advocating for fellow commuters.
Michigan haunted house teaches actors to ‘scare the pee out of’ guests
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A suburban Detroit haunted house prepares its scare actors for the Halloween season by sending them to school. Scare School, that is. In an upstairs room, veteran employees with Erebus Haunted Attraction school the newbies on the finer points of zombie shuffling and demon shrieking, walking on stilts and wielding a spiked club. The new hires also learn about makeup application, costuming, how to get into their roles and personas as well as rules about interacting with the guests. The four-story seasonal walk-through experience in Pontiac, Michigan, got underway in September and runs through early November.
Hundreds of hikers rescued from Mount Everest after severe snowstorm
BEIJING (AP) — About 900 hikers, guides, and staff stranded by a snowstorm on Mount Everest's Chinese side have reached safety. A severe storm hit Saturday night, trapping them at over 16,000 feet in elevation. By Monday noon, 350 hikers had descended, and the rest arrived by Tuesday. State media reported some hikers had hypothermia, and a dozen were helped with food, medicine and oxygen on the descent. The scenic area at Mount Everest is temporarily closed. In neighboring Nepal, a South Korean climber died in a storm near Mera Peak, a Himalayan mountain south of Everest.
Bob Ross paintings to be auctioned to support public TV stations after federal funding cuts
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Thirty paintings by Bob Ross are set to be auctioned to support public television stations. The Bonhams auction is to begin Nov. 11 in Los Angeles with three of the paintings. Other auctions will follow. All profits will help public TV stations with licensing fees for popular programs that include “The Best of Joy of Painting” and “America's Test Kitchen.” Bob Ross Inc. president Joan Kowalski says the auction will continue Ross' legacy of supporting public television. Ross, who died in 1995, was in production with “The Joy of Painting” for 11 years. He enjoyed a resurgence of popularity during the COVID lockdowns. The auctions come as Congress has cut $1.1 billion in public broadcasting funding.
Bengals acquire Joe Flacco from the Browns in a trade that also involves draft picks
Joe Flacco is on the move again. The Cincinnati Bengals acquired the veteran quarterback from the Cleveland Browns along with a 2026 sixth-round draft pick on Tuesday for a fifth-round pick next season. The 40-year-old Flacco gives Cincinnati another option. Jake Browning has struggled since replacing Joe Burrow, who is out with a toe injury sustained in Week 2. Flacco started the first four games for the Browns this season, completing 93 of 160 passes for 815 yards and two touchdowns with six interceptions. Rookie Dillon Gabriel replaced Flacco in the starting lineup. Rookie Shedeur Sanders now moves up to the backup spot.
NFL fines Jerry Jones $250,000 for obscene MetLife gesture he says was inadvertent
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The NFL has fined Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones $250,000 for an obscene gesture toward fans at MetLife Stadium. He says it was inadvertent. The incident came late in Dallas' 37-22 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday. Jones says he intended a “thumbs up” for celebrating Cowboys fans. Jones was caught on a video that went viral smiling widely as he pointed toward fans before briefly flashing the gesture. He says he was interacting with Dallas fans, not Jets fans. Jones called the gesture “inadvertent” and that he “put up the wrong show on the hand.”
Toyota recalls nearly 400,000 Tundras and Sequoias due to malfunctioning rearview camera
WASHINGTON (AP) — Toyota is recalling nearly 400,000 vehicles because the rearview camera may not display when backing up, increasing the risk of a crash, federal traffic safety regulators said. Included in the recall are 2022-2025 Toyota Tundras and Tundra hybrids and 2023-2025 Sequoia hybrids. The number of automobiles in the recall total 393,838, with the non-hybrid Tundra making up more than half of them. The camera display malfunction is caused by a software problem, which will be fixed with an update by dealerships free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 16. Owners can contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
