AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 6:57 p.m. EDT

How 'Country Roads' became the soundtrack of the US team's World Cup run

John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” has become the unofficial anthem of the U.S. men’s national soccer team at the World Cup, with players and fans singing it together after victories. John Denver's estate says the song’s simple, relatable message has helped it transcend its lyrics, which focus on West Virginia. The song was actually inspired by a drive through Maryland and could have gone to Johnny Cash before Denver recorded it in 1971. “Country Roads” cowriter Bill Danoff told The Associated Press that he’s honored that the U.S. team has embraced the song, and that Denver, who died in a plane crash in 1997, would have relished watching the most recent match.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce donate $26M to charities ahead of wedding

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have donated $26 million to charities this week ahead of their Friday wedding at Madison Square Garden. According to Swift's publicist, the donations were spread out across 20 local and national charities. The announcement did not include any mention of Swift and Kelce’s wedding, but a law enforcement official briefed on security plans has told AP that the wedding will be held Friday, with a smaller rehearsal dinner Thursday night. Nine of the selected organizations are based in New York, ranging from the Food Bank For NYC, City Harvest, to Musical Mentors, a nonprofit that connects music teachers with students in need.

Madison Square Garden is abuzz with eager Swifties ahead of Swift-Kelce wedding

NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding has fans buzzing in New York City. Many fans and curious onlookers gathered around Madison Square Garden on Thursday, eager to catch a glimpse of what some are calling the wedding of the century. A law enforcement official confirmed the wedding will take place Friday night, with a smaller rehearsal dinner on Thursday. Despite the couple's silence on details, fans are excited to be part of the atmosphere. The area is bustling with increased police presence and busy preparations.

Video in case against Pooh Shiesty shows him pressing for record label release, prosecutors say

DALLAS (AP) — Prosecutors say a video shows rapper Pooh Shiesty pressing for his release from fellow rapper Gucci Mane’s record label while an armed man blocks a door during an alleged robbery at a Texas music studio in January. A court record shows the video was submitted as evidence in federal court in Dallas. Pooh Shiesty and eight others have been indicted there on kidnapping and extortion charges. Prosecutors say the victims were robbed at gunpoint after traveling to the city to discuss Pooh Shiesty’s recording contract with Mane’s 1017 Records label.

The Knicks. The World Cup. Taylor Swift's likely wedding. It's the Summer of New York

NEW YORK (AP) — It is a city bathed in the orange-and-blue afterglow of a Knicks championship. A place gushing with the joy of World Cup fans jamming its bars and its streets. And girding for a fireworks-blasting, tall ships-sailing July 4. So if Taylor Swift were to choose New York, at this moment, could there be anywhere more fitting? In a city that has lived an autumn of grief after 9/11 and a spring of solitude at the outset of COVID-19, some locals are feeling a sense of euphoria as stars align to deliver a singular Summer of New York. Manhattan real estate agent Steven Gottlieb says, like many born-and-bred New Yorkers, he has “a love-hate relationship” with his hometown, "but there’s a lot to love right now.”

The best movies of 2026 so far, from 'Project Hail Mary' to 'Rose of Nevada'

The best films of the year so far include “Project Hail Mary,” “Disclosure Day” and “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.” That's according to the picks of AP Film Writers Jake Coyle and Lindsey Bahr. Other favorites of the critics at the year's halfway point include the time-traveling indie “Rose of Nevada,” the mythic revenge thriller “Is God Is” and the antic animated feature “Minions & Monsters.” Coyle and Bahr also single out the directorial debut “Blue Heron” and Pixar's “Hoppers.”

The Onion's new parody of Alex Jones' Infowars starts with $100,000 to Sandy Hook families

The families of those killed in the Sandy Hook school shooting will indirectly receive money from Alex Jones after a billion-dollar defamation verdict. The Onion, which has tried to take over Jones' Infowars in a bankruptcy auction, is sending the families a $100,000 check from merchandise sales combining the conspiracy empire’s brand with the The Onion’s logo. The Onion has big plans for Infowars. The satire news site plans to parody Jones' style with shows and content under Infowars branding. Jones called the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting a hoax, leading to harassment of the families. The Onion CEO Ben Collins says he wants to use satire to expose Jones.

What polling shows about Americans’ interest in the World Cup and USMNT

WASHINGTON (AP) — New polling from Ipsos Sports, provided exclusively to The Associated Press, shows that the World Cup has excited soccer fans and piqued many Americans’ interest, even as the sport continues to face an uphill climb to reach mainstream popularity in the United States. The poll was conducted June 26-28, after the U.S. advanced from the group stage but before they won against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the knockout round. About 6 in 10 soccer fans were “extremely” or “very” excited about the U.S. advancing to the knockout round, much higher than the 25% of Americans overall who said the same. About half of soccer fans say the U.S.'s role in co-hosting the World Cup is going at least “very” well, but there’s less enthusiasm for FIFA’s role.

Victor Willis, who co-founded the Village People and co-wrote 'Y.M.C.A.,' dies at 74

NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Willis, who co-founded the Village People and co-wrote some of the disco group's biggest hits, including “Y.M.C.A.” and “Macho Man,” has died at age 74. The group announced his death on Facebook, citing “a short but aggressive illness.” Willis, who performed dressed as a police officer, helped form the Village People in 1977 with producer Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo. The group's debut album was released that year, followed by hits like “Y.M.C.A.” in 1978. The song became an American phenomenon and was added to the National Recording Registry in 2020. The group's music remains a staple at events and celebrations worldwide.