The new $50M Literary Arts Fund will support independent publishers and nonprofits
NEW YORK (AP) — A coalition of seven charitable foundations has established a Literary Arts Fund to support independent publishers and nonprofit organizations. The fund will distribute at least $50 million in grants over the next five years. The Mellon Foundation initiated the idea, with president Elizabeth Alexander highlighting literature's importance. Participants include the Ford Foundation and the Poetry Foundation. The application process begins Nov. 10. Alexander noted that planning for the fund began before recent cuts by the National Endowment for the Arts. The grants will likely support a range of recipients, from poetry festivals to small publishers.
How Americans will be celebrating Halloween, according to a new AP-NORC poll
NEW YORK (AP) — Sherry Jenkins lives in Blairstown, New Jersey, where the first “Friday the 13th” was mostly filmed. The town hosts a parade and activities for kids, and Jenkins hands out candy to over 1,000 trick-or-treaters every year. She's not alone. A recent AP-NORC poll shows about two-thirds of U.S. adults will celebrate Halloween, with parents especially involved. About 8 in 10 parents of a child under 18 say they will do something to celebrate the holiday, compared with about 6 in 10 Americans without kids under 18. About one-third say they'll be passing out candy to children trick-or-treating at their home, but only 5% will be handing out healthy snacks instead of candy.
Prunella Scales, who played Sybil in British sitcom 'Fawlty Towers,' dies at 93
LONDON (AP) — Actor Prunella Scales has died at 93. She is best known as Sybil Fawlty in the sitcom “Fawlty Towers." Her sons on Tuesday said she died peacefully at home in London on Monday. Scales had a nearly 70-year acting career including roles in a film version of “Pride and Prejudice” and the 1960s sitcom “Marriage Lines.” She gained fame in the 1970s BBC sitcom “Fawlty Towers” as the exasperated wife of a hapless hotel keeper played by John Cleese. She was diagnosed with dementia in 2013 and appeared until 2020 in the travel show “Great Canal Journeys” with her husband, Timothy West.
French senators say security at the Louvre is 'not in line' with modern standards and demand action
PARIS (AP) — French senators have acknowledged that the Louvre's security is outdated and needs urgent upgrades. On Tuesday, a delegation visited the museum following a recent heist where thieves stole jewels worth 88 million euros in under eight minutes. One of the lawmakers, Laurent Lafon, emphasized that the security system is not suitable for a 21st-century museum. The senators urged for planned renovations to start soon, as France's budget for 2026 is under discussion in the parliament. The decade-long “Louvre New Renaissance” plan that was launched earlier this year includes security improvements and modernization.
For Demi Lovato, 'It's Not That Deep.' Her new pop era, album and tour are reasons to celebrate
LOS ANGELES (AP) — On her ninth studio album, Demi Lovato has had a revelation: “It’s Not That Deep.” That's the title of her new energetic dance-pop record. And it is a celebration of life’s joys and messiness, all of which appear across the album's 11 tracks. Lovato told The Associated Press at rehearsals for a special One Night Only event at the Palladium in Los Angeles last week that she put a lot of energy and love into the album. Lovato says she's learned not to take herself too seriously and announced a new North American tour. The “It’s Not That Deep” Tour kicks off April 8 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Jack DeJohnette, acclaimed jazz drummer who worked with Miles Davis, dies at 83
NEW YORK (AP) — Acclaimed jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette has died at 83. He is perhaps best known for collaborating with Miles Davis on the 1970 fusion album “Bitches Brew.” The drummer, composer and bandleader began his musical life as a classical pianist before taking up the drums with his high school band. He won international recognition in the 1960s through his involvement with the Charles Lloyd Quartet. Over the years he collaborated not only with Davis but with John Coltrane, Keith Jarrett, Sun Ra, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Eddie Harris, Herbie Hancock, Betty Carter and many others. He died Sunday of congestive heart failure in Kingston, New York.
Judd Apatow welcomes us into his comedic life with the illuminating scrapbook memoir 'Comedy Nerd'
NEW YORK (AP) — Judd Apatow has released a new book called “Comedy Nerd,” a 570-page memoir-scrapbook filled with memorabilia from his career. The book includes behind-the-scenes photos, script fragments and essays about lost cameos. Apatow spent two years compiling and writing the book, inspired by memorabilia-filled offerings from the Marx Brothers and “Saturday Night Live.” He includes memos, emails and even alternate setups for films. Apatow also shares his failures and successes in comedy. All proceeds from the book will be donated to those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
What to know about the Louvre heist investigation
PARIS (AP) — More than 100 investigators are racing to solve a daring heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Thieves stole centuries-old jewels worth an estimated 88 million euros, including pieces linked to 19th-century queens. The theft happened in minutes on October 19, capturing global attention. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said on Sunday that more details would come once the suspects’ custody period ends. French authorities have made several arrests, but details remain scarce due to strict privacy laws. Investigators are analyzing DNA samples and surveillance footage. The stolen jewels have been added to Interpol’s Stolen Works of Art Database.
Suspects arrested over the theft of crown jewels from Paris' Louvre museum
PARIS (AP) — Authorities have arrested two suspects in connection with the theft of crown jewels from Paris’ Louvre museum. Officials announced the arrests on Sunday, a week after the daring heist. One suspect was caught at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to leave the country. The theft, which took less than eight minutes, involved jewels valued at 88 million euros. Investigators from a special police unit made the arrests. The Louvre reopened earlier this week after the high-profile theft stunned the world. Visitors expressed relief over the arrests, emphasizing the importance of recovering the stolen jewels.
A timeline of the jewel heist at the Louvre in Paris
PARIS (AP) — Paris prosecutors have announced the first arrests in connection with the theft of crown jewels from the Louvre museum. The arrests took place Saturday evening, a week after the heist. One suspect was reportedly preparing to leave the country from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The theft occurred on October 19th when thieves, dressed as renovation workers, used a truck with a freight lift to gain entry. They cut the glass of display cases and took the jewels. The museum reopened on October 22nd. Prosecutors say about 100 investigators are working on the case, analyzing surveillance footage and collected samples.

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