Shrey Parikh bounces back, battles nerves and dominates spell-off to win the National Spelling Bee
WASHINGTON (AP) — Shrey Parikh has won the Scripps National Spelling Bee, beating Ishaan Gupta in a lightning-round tiebreaker. Shrey is a 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California. He finished third in 2024 but lost his school bee last year when he was battling a fever. He has dominated the bee circuit since. That included winning several online competitions against many of the same kids he outlasted this week in the nation’s capital. On Thursday night he turned a tense, high-quality final into a blowout. He raced through the 90-second spell-off and got 32 words right, a record for the format. Scripps later announced that “bromocriptine” was his winning word.
When Sue Tilley met Lucian Freud, it changed her life. Now a painting of her could fetch $47 million
LONDON (AP) — Sue Tilley was working in an unemployment office when she met artist Lucian Freud. His paintings of her in the 1990s are now famous, and very valuable. “Sleeping by the Lion Carpet,” considered one of Freud’s masterpieces, is up for sale at Sotheby’s on June 24. It has a presale estimate of between $33 million and $47 million. Tilley hasn’t received any money from the portraits but doesn’t regret it. She says the experience changed her life. Freud, known for his fleshy nudes, painted Tilley in four monumental portraits. One sold for $33.6 million in 2008 and another for $56 million in 2015.
Martina McBride, Morris Day among wave of cancellations at Trump-linked Freedom 250 concerts
NEW YORK (AP) — Martina McBride, Morris Day, the Commodores and Young MC have all announced they will not perform at “The Great American State Fair” on Washington's National Mall. The wave of cancellations comes a day after the White House-affiliated Freedom 250 announced the lineup for June and July. Freedom 250 has not responded to requests for comment. President Donald Trump launched Freedom 250 last year to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. The organization describes itself as nonpartisan. Rapper Vanilla Ice has confirmed that he will perform.
Bruce Springsteen calls out the White House and announces a protest festival
WASHINGTON (AP) — Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Brittany Howard and Joan Baez will headline a protest festival near Washington, D.C., shortly before the midterm elections. Former Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello and Springsteen announced the festival Wednesday at a Springsteen concert. The Power to the People festival is set for Oct. 3 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Maryland. It focuses on "freedom, justice, equality, and rock ‘n’ roll." Proceeds will benefit VoteRiders and HeadCount. Morello says the idea is to celebrate activism, creativity and hope. Springsteen has been vocal against President Donald Trump, who has criticized him in return. On Wednesday, Springsteen encouraged the audience to “fight for the America that we love.”
Joshua Henry recalls Met Gala jitters as 'Ragtime' acclaim builds toward Tony Awards
NEW YORK (AP) — Joshua Henry, star of "Ragtime," reflects on his Tony nomination and his Met Gala performance of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” He admits he was more nervous than ever, worried about falling down the famous staircase. Despite the nerves, Henry remains a standout on Broadway, earning acclaim for his role as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in “Ragtime.” With the Tony Awards approaching, the four-time nominee credits his family for grounding him and shaping his perspective on success for the past 20 years. He praises the show’s emotional connection, which continues to draw audiences despite a challenging theater season. The Tony Awards ceremony is June 7.
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Calling for 'new approach,' CBS News leader Bari Weiss replaces executive producer at '60 Minutes'
NEW YORK (AP) — Saying it was time for a new approach and a new chapter, CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss has replaced the executive producer of “60 Minutes." Nick Bilton, a documentarian, tech journalist and former New York Times columnist with no traditional broadcast TV experience, was named to the job. Executive producer Tanya Simon leaves, as do correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. In a memo to staff, Weiss and CBS News president Tom Cibrowski said their goal was “building a show that thrives in the 21st century.” Bilton said in his own memo that the world has “moved” and so must the show if it is to survive.
ABC stations call FCC's early call for license renewal 'unconstitutional'
WASHINGTON (AP) — ABC-owned TV stations across the U.S. are criticizing the Federal Communications Commission for an early review of their broadcast licenses. On Thursday, WABC in New York called the move "unlawful" and "unconstitutional," accusing the FCC of targeting disfavored editorial voices. ABC stations in seven other markets filed similar objections. The FCC's action, initiated in April, focuses on stations in major cities like Los Angeles and New York. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr says “broadcast licensees have a unique obligation to operate in the public interest.” Commissioner Anna Gomez, the FCC's sole Democrat, describes the reviews as an attack on the First Amendment. The dispute highlights tensions between the FCC and ABC over free speech and political scrutiny.
In ‘Pressure,’ the story of the meteorologist who helped save D-Day
The film “Pressure” explores the tense 72 hours before D-Day, highlighting the crucial role of Scottish meteorologist Capt. James Stagg. He advised Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Allied leadership to delay the invasion due to bad weather. This decision changed the course of the war. Brendan Fraser plays Eisenhower, diving deep into research to portray the general's humanity. Andrew Scott plays Stagg, focusing on the character's integrity. Director Anthony Maras uses colorized archival footage to present a fresh perspective on D-Day. The film emphasizes leadership and the importance of listening to expert advice, resonating with today's challenges.
'Shoot me up with a big one': A timeline of the last days of Matthew Perry
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The prosecution of five people in the drug death of actor Matthew Perry ended Wednesday with the sentencing of the personal assistant of the “Friends” star. Sixty-year-old Kenneth Iwamasa was at Perry's side in the final weeks of his life. Perry had been taking ketamine legally through his doctor, but about a month before his death began illegally seeking more. He found a doctor willing to provide it off the books, and a street dealer who gave him even more. On the last day of his life, Perry received about half a dozen injections. Iwamasa found him dead in the Jacuzzi of the home they shared.
Suspect in Taylor Swift Vienna concert attack plot convicted and sentenced to 15 years
WIENER NEUSTADT, Austria (AP) — An Austrian court has convicted a man of planning to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna nearly two years ago. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The state court in Wiener Neustadt found the 21-year-old defendant, an Austrian citizen, guilty on charges including those related to the concert. His defense attorney said he admitted to the charges related to the concert plot during the opening day of the trial last month. The concert plot was thwarted, but Austrian authorities still canceled Swift’s three performances in August 2024. The defendant apologized in his final words to the court ahead of the verdict.
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