For the primary time for the reason that blackface controversy for New York Congressman Mike Lawler surfaced, his Democratic opponent within the upcoming election provided his ideas on the matter.

“Mike Lawler knew precisely what he was doing,” mentioned Mondaire Jones, a former U.S. Consultant locked in a decent race within the state’s seventeenth district within the Hudson Valley towards Lawler, a Republican.

Lawler initially issued an apology on Thursday, describing himself as a lifelong Jackson superfan who was trying to pay homage to the pop star.

“When trying to mimic Michael’s legendary dance strikes at a school Halloween occasion eighteen years in the past, the ugly apply of black face was the furthest factor from my thoughts. Let me be clear, this isn’t that,” he mentioned, including that the costume was supposed as “a real homage to considered one of my childhood idols.”

“I’m a pupil of historical past and for anybody who takes offense to the photograph, I’m sorry,” Lawler mentioned Thursday. “All you are able to do is dwell and be taught, and I admire everybody’s grace alongside the way in which.”

On Friday, Lawler expanded upon his apology, telling NBC New York “Clearly, in hindsight I actually acknowledge how folks would painting that and be offended by it, so actually I apologize.”

The congressman didn’t deny that he darkened his face for a fancy dress wherein he dressed because the singer for a 2006 Halloween occasion, when he was 20 years previous.

“After I was a sophomore in faculty, we had a Halloween dance occasion and I dressed up as my musical idol, Michael Jackson. [I] had the crimson leather-based jacket and took a good friend’s bronzer and utilized some make-up and, you understand, partook in a dance contest,” he informed Information 4.

Lawler, a first-term Republican who received workplace in 2022 and has since develop into a mainstay on cable information reveals, has been a well-documented Jackson devotee for a lot of his life. He mentioned he has a wall of his heroes in his Washington D.C. workplace, which incorporates an Andy Warhol portray of Michael Jackson.

“The intent was by no means to demean or malign black Individuals however to pay homage to the best entertainer of all time,” Lawler mentioned. “I want this didn’t occur however you understand, hindsight is 20-20. Yeah, I wouldn’t do it, however I can’t change what occurred 18 years in the past.”

Final 12 months, The Day by day Beast reported on Lawler’s Jackson obsession. A biography of the pop icon, “Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Insanity, The Entire Story” informed of how Lawler, at age 18, flew from New York to California to attend Jackson’s legal trial after the musician was charged with molesting a toddler. Within the biographer’s account, Lawler was “so disgusted” with a few of the testimony “that he couldn’t assist however mutter one thing derogatory underneath his breath” and was thrown out of the courtroom.

Jones, who’s Black, didn’t look like shopping for Lawler’s apology or rationalization for why he did it.

“He knew it was mistaken, and is just upset as a result of he acquired caught doing it and never as a result of he truly engaged in offensive conduct,” Jones informed NBC New York, in his first feedback on the controversy.

The 2 candidates will face off in 4 debates earlier than Election Day, throughout which the controversy may be anticipated to be entrance and middle.

Blackface minstrelsy took maintain in New York Metropolis within the 1830s and have become standard amongst post-Civil Struggle whites, although it was thought to be offensive to Black folks from the start of its use.

A number of politicians and celebrities have been criticized for sporting blackface.

Anthony Izaguirre of The Related Press contributed to this report.

A lady and her boyfriend, Brandon, discovered a rug buried beneath a tree whereas digging within the yard this week, now police are investigating amid web hypothesis that it might be a lifeless physique.

Katie Santry, a neighborhood content material creator, took to her TikTok after discovering a rug whereas digging holes in her yard in Columbus, Ohio to construct a fence. It has led down a mysterious path of questions as extra unfolded.

Santry posted a number of TikTok movies questioning the rug, which seemed to be buried over “2 toes deep and probably 6 toes lengthy.” Santry and her boyfriend tried to dig it up, nevertheless it was “too packed down” and there was a tree that had grown over it. (They discovered tree identification tag whereas digging – Bloodgood.)

In a sequence of TikTok movies, and prompts from viewers that pushed to know extra … Santry known as the police.

• Police initially got here however claimed to not have sources or trigger to dig and left
• Santry and her TikTok viewers determined to maintain digging with extra assist though unsuccessful
• Murder detectives reached again and determined to come back with cadaver canines
• Thursday, in reside video, two cadaver canines, individually approached the dug-up space and “sat” resulting in Santry’s house being taped-off with yellow police tape.
• On Friday, in one other reside, Santry describes the scene with over 9 cops and CSI with gear investigating the realm.

As of Friday morning, the investigation is ongoing on the 800 block of Cummington Street by Columbus police and investigators in line with information stories.

Topline

Columbus, Ohio resident Katie Santry posted a viral collection of TikToks this week documenting how she discovered a rolled-up rug buried a number of ft under the bottom in her yard, prompting 1000’s of customers to encourage her to attempt to dig it up and urge police to research—although police stated Friday afternoon there was no physique discovered within the rug.

Key Info

Key Background

Santry stated in a TikTok over the weekend she thinks her home is haunted, stating she wakened within the morning and located her house workplace disorganized and her laptop computer damaged, across the similar time she discovered a rug buried underground in her yard whereas she and her husband had been constructing a fence. On the behest of TikTok customers, Santry referred to as the police in regards to the rug, who initially dismissed the scenario. She posted one other video days later stating police referred to as her again, telling her they’d heard about her scenario, and wished to ship extra officers to research. Santry stated the police would ship cadaver canines, and if the canines appeared to detect one thing, the police would dig up the rug, however would in any other case depart it. Santry livestreamed their investigation and later posted a TikTok video of two totally different cadaver canines sniffing the scene, each finally sitting on the gap she had dug containing the rug. After each canines sat down, Santry audibly gasped. She stated later in her video police informed her the canines sitting by the outlet doesn’t essentially imply there’s a physique buried there and will as an alternative point out one thing else, like traces of blood. Police despatched excavators to dig up the rug the next morning.

What We Don’t Know

How Santry’s laptop computer broke. Now that Santry is aware of there isn’t a physique buried in her yard, that’s her predominant query, she stated in her Friday afternoon TikTok.

Tangent

Santry’s collection on TikTok, which accommodates greater than 30 elements, garnered hundreds of thousands of views per video, the most recent instance of TikTok customers’ urge for food for longform, multi-part collection. Different prolonged collection have captivated customers in latest months, like Tareasa Johnson’s 50-part “Who TF Did I Marry?” collection, which not too long ago landed a tv adaptation, and social media influencer Brooke Schofield’s 14-part collection about her breakup. Santry in contrast her scenario all through her video collection to a real crime documentary. 1000’s of customers commented on every of Santry’s movies, providing recommendation and creating their very own theories—with many making an attempt to clarify why the cadaver canines stopped by the outlet if there was no physique.

Additional Studying

Columbus police share check outcomes on rug from viral TikTok investigation (NBC4i)

Columbus police present replace after digging up rug from girl’s yard (10 WBNS)

What To Know About The ‘Who TF Did I Marry?’ TikTok Sequence Tv Adaptation (Forbes)

MIAMI (AP) — Leslie has strengthened right into a hurricane within the Atlantic Ocean and isn’t threatening land, forecasters mentioned.

The storm was positioned Saturday about 725 miles (1,170 kilometers) west-southwest of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands and had most sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph). There have been no coastal watches or warnings in impact.

In the meantime, Hurricane Kirk remained a Class 4 main hurricane, and waves from the system have been affecting the the Leeward Islands, Bermuda, and the Better Antilles, forecasters mentioned. The storm’s swells have been anticipated to unfold to the East Coast of america, the Atlantic Coast of Canada and the Bahamas on Saturday evening and Sunday.

Forecasters warned the waves might trigger life-threatening surf and rip present situations.

Kirk was anticipated to weaken beginning Saturday, the middle mentioned.

Although there have been no coastal warnings or watches in impact for Kirk, the middle mentioned these within the Azores, the place swells might hit Monday, ought to monitor the storm’s progress.

Kirk was about 975 miles (1,570 kilometers) east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands with most sustained winds of 130 mph (209 kph).

The storms churned within the Atlantic as rescuers within the U.S. Southeast looked for folks unaccounted for after Hurricane Helene struck final week, abandoning a path of demise and catastrophic harm.

Three Memphis law enforcement officials had been discovered responsible on expenses associated to Tyre Nichols’s beating dying.

After the decision was given Thursday night, many members of the Memphis neighborhood shared their ideas and condolences with Nichols’ household on social media.

Listed here are among the responses.

What had been the verdicts within the Tyre Nichols trial?

The jury discovered Demetrius Haley responsible of utilizing extreme power, being intentionally detached to Nichols’ medical wants, conspiring to witness tamper and witness tampering. Whereas Haley was discovered responsible on all counts, the jury discovered that on the primary two counts ― utilizing extreme power and being intentionally detached to Nichols’ medical wants ― it resulted in damage, not dying, and convicted him on lesser expenses.

Tadarrius Bean and Justin Smith Jr. had been discovered responsible of witness tampering.

Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr. took plea offers forward of the trial — pleading responsible to utilizing extreme power and conspiring to witness tamper.

All three officers may have their sentencing listening to on Jan. 22.

Reactions to verdict in Tyre Nichols trial

“We commend the diligent work of the US legal professional’s workplace,” District Legal professional Steve Mulroy’s assertion learn. “The general public deserves to know that those that implement the regulation will not be above the regulation: in the event that they use extreme power they’re going to be held accountable.”

“At this time, justice has prevailed for Tyre Nichols and his household,” wrote attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci. “The responsible verdicts reached right this moment ship a strong message that regulation enforcement officers who commit crimes might be maintain accountable underneath the regulation.”

Former Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer wrote, “Justice was fascinating right this moment, however Tyre Nichols’ mother and father stood sturdy for the reason that day he was crushed to dying.”

Congressman Steve Cohen launched a press release saying, “I’m happy that the jury discovered the officers responsible however was shocked that they weren’t discovered responsible of the costs that resulted in Tyre Nichols’ dying.”

Anne Hathaway is returning for Princess Diaries 3.

The actress confirmed the information on Instagram hours after Deadline solely reported that director Adele Lim had boarded the threequel.

Within the video she posted, Hathaway counted to a few with cuts of her youthful self as Mia Thermopolis and Julie Andrews as Queen Clarisse Renaldi each saying, “Shut up!”

Lim, who wrote Disney’s animated function Raya and the Final Dragon (2021) and made her directorial debut with Lionsgate’s R-rated comedy Pleasure Experience (2023) starring Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu and Sabrina Wu. Lim’s credit additionally embody being a writer-producer on One Tree Hill and Deadly Weapon in addition to co-showrunning Star-Crossed. She additionally wrote the Jon Chu-directed rom com Loopy Wealthy Asians based mostly on the guide by Kevin Kwan.

Hathaway most not too long ago starred in Prime Video’s The Thought of You (2024) as Solène Marchand alongside Nicholas Galitzine. The romantic comedy is predicated on the guide by Robinne Lee. Earlier than that, Hathaway appeared in Mom’s Intuition (2024) as Céline, She Got here to Me (2023) as Patricia Jessup-Lauddem and Eileen (2023) as Rebecca.

Hathaway can also be set to return for the sequel to a different beloved movie — The Satan Wars Prada (2006). The sequel, scripted by unique author Aline Brosh McKenna, was confirmed in July.

RELATED: ‘The Satan Wears Prada’ Sequel Scripted By Aline Brosh McKenna In Early Growth At Disney

Debra Martin Chase will produce Princess Diaries 3. EPs embody Lim’s producing accomplice Naia Cucukov and Melissa Stack. Flora Greeson is writing the screenplay.

The primary Princess Diaries movie arrived in 2001, and Hathaway’s position as teen Mia Thermopolis, who learns she is a princess, was a breakthrough for her profession. The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement got here alongside in 2004 simply after Hathaway appeared within the movie adaptation of Ella Enchanted the identical 12 months.

RELATED: Anne Hathaway Says She “Had An Angel In Christopher Nolan” After Dropping Roles Due To “How Poisonous My Identification Had Turn into On-line”

Different unique solid haven’t but been confirmed to return to the third installment. Julie Andrews has beforehand stated she’s undecided the place she would match right into a threequel. Garry Marshall directed the primary and second movies. Meg Cabot and Gina Wendkos wrote the primary movie’s script, and Shonda Rhimes joined the pair for the second movie.

Following the announcement of sequels for Freaky Friday and The Satan Wears Prada, one other early-2000s traditional has acquired a long-awaited follow-up. The Princess Diaries, or as Meghan Markle as soon as referred to it as that “outdated film with Anne Hathaway,” is getting a 3rd installment. The Princess Diaries 3 has discovered its director, greater than 20 years after 2004’s The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement and the unique 2001 movie.

Filmmaker Adele Lim, who wrote the scripts for Disney’s 2021 animated movie Raya and the Final Dragon and Loopy Wealthy Asians earlier than making her directorial debut with final yr’s R-rated feminine comedy Pleasure Trip, will helm the venture. “As a die-hard fan of the unique Princess Diaries, I’m past excited to be part of bringing the third iteration of this beloved franchise to life,” she mentioned in a press release to Deadline, which was first to report the information. “We sit up for celebrating its core tenants of feminine energy, pleasure, and mentorship with audiences worldwide.”

Later that day, Hathaway confirmed she’ll be returning for the movie, writing on Instagram, “Again to Genovia,” alongside a video of herself quoting the primary two motion pictures, “The fairytale continues.”

The primary two motion pictures, tailored from Meg Cabot’s in style younger grownup novels, had been directed by Garry Marshall, who died in 2016. They centered on Hathaway’s Mia Thermopolis, a teen who learns she is inheritor to the throne of a fictional European nation referred to as Genovia. Princess classes carried out by her grandmother Queen Clarisse Renaldi (performed by Julie Andrews) observe, and proceed into Mia’s coronation within the sequel.

Forward, all the things we all know concerning the subsequent Princess Diaries, together with whether or not or not Andrews would reprise her position.

Is The Princess Diaries 3 Actually Taking place?

Appears to be like prefer it, sure. With the number of Lim as director, a threequel that has lengthy been within the works inches a step nearer to actuality. Again in 2022, it was reported {that a} third Princess Diaries movie was in improvement with screenwriter Aadrita Mukerji, who beforehand labored on TV’s Supergirl and Quantum Leap, and that Debra Martin Chase, a producer on the primary two installments, is ready to return. She’s going to executive-produce alongside Lim’s producing companions, Naia Cucukov and Melissa Stack.

Earlier this yr, Hathaway was requested by New York Occasions Journal, “Is something cooking with a Princess Diaries 3?” She replied, “Yep,” earlier than declining to disclose extra.

Who Will Be in The Princess Diaries 3?

Earlier than signing onto the brand new movie, Hathaway’s affection for the franchise was on full show whereas talking with Self-importance Truthful earlier this yr. “This was the movie that modified my life,” she mentioned, rising emotional as she watched a clip from the unique film, which she hadn’t seen in “possibly 20 years.” Hathaway mentioned that The Princess Diaries “wound up being so massive, and it’s simply gotten larger as my life has progressed.”

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The NBA returned to the Persian Gulf on Friday for the third consecutive yr, and the preseason schedule for the 2023-24 season opened with the Boston Celtics beating the Denver Nuggets 107-103 in a matchup of the 2 most up-to-date championship golf equipment.

The Celtics and Nuggets will end their two-game set in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Denver sat its starters within the second half and Boston sat 4 of its 5 starters after halftime, with Luke Kornet the exception. The groups mixed to make use of 36 gamers — 18 apiece.

Payton Pritchard had a game-high 21 factors for Boston, which was 20 of 61 from 3-point vary. The Celtics’ trio of Olympic gold medalists from this summer time’s Paris Video games — Jayson Tatum, Jrue Vacation and Derrick White — mixed to attain 25 factors and Jaylen Brown had eight for Boston.

Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic scored 14 for Denver. Russell Westbrook had 12 in his first outing with the Nuggets, whereas Michael Porter Jr. scored 12 and Jamal Murray — who was in road garments on the bench by the top of the sport — had three factors in quarter-hour.

The NBA signed a cope with tourism officers in Abu Dhabi in 2021 to ship groups there for preseason journeys; the sequence began with Milwaukee and Atlanta in 2022, and Dallas and Minnesota went final yr.

USA Basketball has performed in Abu Dhabi in every of the final two summers in addition to a part of its tuneups for the 2023 Basketball World Cup within the Philippines and the Paris Video games.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

BOSTON — The defending champion Boston Celtics picked up the place they left off, tipping off their preseason with a 107-103 win over the Denver Nuggets in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each performed prolonged minutes within the first half, whereas Payton Prichard placed on a present from deep within the second half.

Pritchard led all Celtics scorers with 21 factors to go along with six assists. Tatum scored a dozen factors whereas Brown put in eight, as each Boston stars noticed 19 minutes of motion.

Nikola Jokic was his regular self for the Nuggets and completed with 14 factors and eight rebounds. 

Neither group’s starters performed after halftime, however Boston’s reserves had been in a position to erase a double-digit deficit within the second half and trialed by only one heading into the ultimate body. 

It was members of the Maine Celtics that led Boston to a victory in a back-and-forth fourth quarter. Drew Peterson hit back-to-back threes to place the Celtics on high 101-94 with 2:12 to play. JD Davidson had a stretch the place he blocked a shot on protection and located Dmytro Skapintsev with a pleasant lob on the opposite finish. He made 4 free throws over the ultimate 7.2 seconds to ice the Boston victory.

The 2 groups will play once more at Etihad Enviornment on Sunday, although it is unclear if any starters will play in that recreation. Listed here are a number of takeaways from Boston’s exhibition opener on Friday.

Jayson Tatum’s shot regarded higher

Tatum’s hunch from the perimeter throughout the playoffs and the Olympics was a scorching subject over the summer season. His deep shot regarded a lot better on Friday.

Whereas Tatum appeared extra involved in establishing his teammates than taking his personal photographs, logging 5 assists throughout his time on the ground, he ended up hitting three of his seven makes an attempt from downtown. The shot regarded fairly easy and a bit faster than what noticed from Tatum final summer season.

Jaylen Brown made a poster in Abu Dhabi

Brown was 3-for-9 from the ground and simply 1-for-5 from deep. However he had the loudest bucket of the sport, including poster from Abu Dhabi to his ever-growing assortment.

Payton Pritchard was a strolling bucket

Pritchard was 6-for-12 from downtown, trying only one shot from contained in the arc. Whereas he did not hit any ridiculously deep threes, he did add one from fairly deep. (Although it was pretty pedestrian for Pritchard’s requirements.)

Pritchard additionally pushed the tempo for Boston within the second half and performed a team-high 24 minutes. The fifth-year guard is primed for an enormous season off the Boston bench. 

The Celtics took a variety of threes

Within the lengthy historical past of the franchise, the Celtics have by no means tried 60 three-pointers in a daily season or playoff recreation. They took 61 photographs from downtown on Friday. Mazzullaball was at a complete new degree in Abu Dhabi. 

Final season, the Celtics averaged an NBA-high 42.5 threes per recreation. We might see that quantity climb throughout the 2024-25 season.

Luke Kornet began for Al Horford

Al Horford bought the time without work, with Luke Kornet taking his spot within the beginning lineup alongside Tatum, Brown, Derrick White, and Jrue Vacation. He put in a strong 21 minutes of labor, grabbing a team-high 11 rebounds to go along with six factors. Kornet is predicted to begin whereas Kristaps Porzingis continues his restoration from offseason surgical procedure.

Xavier Tillman was additionally fairly good in his function off the bench, canning a few threes whereas flattening two rebounds, blocking a shot, and arising with a pair of steals. 

Jordan Walsh is a ball of power

Walsh was in all places in his 25 minutes on the ground, and had a loud putback jam within the second half. He completed with 9 factors off 3-for-7 taking pictures, with six of these photographs coming from downtown. (He hit two from deep.) Walsh additionally had 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

 Tom Selleck isn’t hiding his disappointment after CBS canceled his long-running present “Blue Bloods.”

The 79-year-old has starred as Commissioner Frank Reagan within the crime drama for the reason that sequence debuted in 2010.

After a 14-year TV reign, the community introduced final yr that the profitable present would finish this fall. In a brand-new interview with TV Insider, Selleck shared he’s “pissed off” with CBS’ choice.

“I’m sort of pissed off,” a frank Selleck mentioned. “Throughout these final eight reveals, I haven’t wished to speak about an ending for Blue Bloods however about it nonetheless being wildly profitable.”

He then mentioned “Blue Bloods” viewers, arguing the sequence nonetheless attracts eyeballs to the silver display.

“In a Prime 100 Exhibits of 2023-2024 (in whole viewers, we have been quantity 9 out of 100), in case you low cost the three soccer reveals, we’re #6 !  I’m not going to show right into a bitter previous man saying, ‘Get off my garden!’ I don’t imagine in holding grudges, however in case you have been to say to the tv community, ‘Right here’s a present you’ll be able to program within the worst time slot you bought, and it will assure you successful Friday night time for the subsequent 15 years,’ it will be nearly unimaginable to imagine,” Selleck shared.

The Emmy winner confessed, “My frustration is the present was at all times taken as a right as a result of it carried out from the get-go. So how do I really feel? It’s going to take a very long time to kind all of this out.”

Selleck recalled filming the ultimate episode.

“I bear in mind after the weekend [of the final episode’s shoot], I mentioned, ‘I’ve bought to get to mattress early tonight as a result of I’ve to do my dialogue for Monday.’ Properly, there was no Monday. It’s simply going to take some time,” he shared.

When requested what he’ll miss most about “Blue Bloods,” Selleck didn’t hesitate to reply.

“The actors. The household of actors is as shut because the Reagan household and the characters that they play.  There’s isn’t a single one among them who didn’t wish to come again,” he mentioned. “Most reveals don’t finish that manner — there’s petty jealousy and all kinds of issues — and we appeared to beat that. It’s one thing for everyone to hold their hats on and be pleased with.”

Selleck’s forged contains Donnie Wahlberg (Det. Danny), Len Cariou (PC Henry), Will Estes (Sgt. Jamie Reagan), Vanessa Ray (Officer Eddie Janko) and Bridget Moynahan (ADA Erin Reagan).

Whereas he’s upset the present is ending, CBS Studios president David Stapf has teased a attainable spinoff.

“There are infinite prospects as to what a Blue Bloods spinoff would appear to be,” Stapf mentioned after the announcement. “We now have an entire season [of Blue Bloods] to go…so there’s nonetheless time for us to determine a by-product out.”

This isn’t the primary time Selleck has expressed his emotions concerning the present being canceled.

In Might, the actor revealed he won’t have the ability to afford his California ranch with the sequence ending. He informed “CBS Sunday Morning,” he was liable to dropping the Ventura County, Calif., property.

“That’s at all times a difficulty. If I finished working, yeah. Am I set for all times? Yeah, however possibly not on a 63-acre ranch!” the previous “Magnum PI” star mentioned.

Regardless of his disappointment, he made it clear that he received’t retire from Hollywood.

“I hope there’s one other Western in my future. Definitely no matter occurs with ‘Blue Bloods,’ I’m not going to cease appearing. I nonetheless maintain out hope that CBS will come to their senses,” Selleck mentioned.

The second half of “Blue Bloods” remaining season airs on CBS starting Oct. 18, 2024, with eight episodes.