Mariners take 2-0 series lead with win vs. Blue Jays; Dodgers beat Brewers 2-1 in Game 1

The Seattle Mariners took a 2-0 ALCS lead after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 10-3 on Monday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Seattle’s Jorge Polanco hit a three-run homer off Louis Varland in the fifth inning, with Julio Rodríguez also belting a three-run homer and Josh Naylor adding a two-run drive to help bring the Mariners to victory. Their commanding 2-0 series lead now puts the franchise just two wins away from its first World Series appearance.

Game 3 of the American League Championship Series will take place Wednesday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle with Toronto’s Shane Bieber and Seattle’s George Kirby scheduled as the starting pitchers.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 in Game 1 of the NLCS at American Family Field.

Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell dominated for the Dodgers, pitching 8 innings with 10 strike outs, and giving up just one hit (becoming the first pitcher in post season history to strike out at least 10 batters and give up one hit without a walk in eight innings).

The Dodgers now hold a 1-0 lead in the series; Game 2 will be Tuesday in Milwaukee.

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Trump and world leaders sign peace deal; all living Israeli hostages, Palestinian prisoners freed

President Trump boarded Air Force One on Monday after the signing of the peace agreement aimed at ending the Gaza conflict, as well as his historic address to Israel’s parliament, the Knesset. The president is expected back in Washington early Tuesday morning.

Hamas released the final group of 20 surviving Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 as part of an exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The hostages were reunited with their families in Israel. Along with the freed captives, the remains of four other hostages who were killed were also returned. Israeli authorities said that the bodies of 24 more slain hostages remain in Gaza.

Pres. Trump met with hostage families in the morning before delivering an address to Israel’s Knesset, where he said: “After so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today, the skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still, and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is finally at peace. Together, we’ve achieved what everybody said was impossible. At long last, we have peace in the Middle East — it’s a very simple expression, peace in the Middle East. And we’ve heard it for many years, but nobody thought it could ever get there, and now we’re there.”

Trump was awarded the Order of the Nile by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.  The award, the highest civilian honor in the country, was awarded to President Trump for “his significant contributions to promoting peace, resolving conflicts, and most recently, his pivotal role in ending the war in Gaza.”

Trump extended his thanks to the world leaders he stood with, specifically calling out the heads of state of multiple Middle Eastern countries including Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia for their help with the peace agreement. The peace accord, brokered by the United States and signed by President Trump alongside several Middle Eastern leaders, formally launched the plan to bring the war to an end. Trump expressed optimism that the deal would “hold strong.”

As part of the broader agreement, Israel is set to free around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. This group includes roughly 250 individuals serving life sentences and about 1,700 others who have been held since the Hamas-led assault on October 7, 2023. A cease-fire between Israel and Hamas took effect at noon local time on Friday, after which Israeli forces completed their withdrawal to a designated line within Palestinian territory.

The White House later released a list of countries and organizations that had participated in the peace ceremony in Egypt: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Canada, Cyprus, Egypt, EU, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

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Two killed, one wounded after small plane crash on Massachusetts highway during Nor’easter

Two people were killed and one person on the ground was wounded after a small aircraft crashed down on a highway in southeastern Massachusetts on Monday, amid a powerful nor’easter.

The plane went down around 8:15 a.m. EDT on a grassy median on Interstate 195 in Dartmouth, Mass (Dartmouth is about 57 miles south of Boston and 28 miles southeast of Providence, R.I.) Video shared by witnesses on social media showed the wreckage engulfed in fire as emergency crews rushed to the scene. Police cruisers, fire trucks, and ambulances lined the highway as responders battled the blaze.

According to Massachusetts State Police, the frixed-wing plane caught fire after impact, sending flames and thick smoke into the air. The police said in a statement that “preliminary information indicates the plane may have been attempting to land at New Bedford Regional Airport, though it does not appear that the pilot provided the airport with a flight plan or the number of souls aboard the aircraft. There is no information immediately available about the identity of the pilot or passengers, the circumstances of the crash, or the timing of the roadway reopening to normal traffic.” As of 10:25 a.m., both directions of I-195 were closed between Exits 19 and 22 to allow emergency crews to secure the area, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Authorities later confirmed that both individuals aboard the aircraft died at the scene. The person on the ground was taken to the hospital, though officials have not released details on the extent of their injuries. That individual was taken to a nearby hospital in a passenger vehicle, police said.

The accident unfolded as a strong coastal storm lashed Massachusetts and the greater Mid-Atlantic region with fierce winds and heavy rain. It is not yet known whether weather conditions contributed to the crash. According to the National Weather Service office in Boston, the nor’easter is bringing gusty winds, periods of torrential rain, and minor coastal flooding into Monday night. Lighter rain and winds were expected to continue into Tuesday, October 14.

A spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating the crash, saying a Socata TBM-700 had departed from the New Bedford airport. At New Bedford Regional Airport, wind speeds exceeded 30 mph late Sunday morning, according to the NWS. Flight tracking site FlightAware reported delays at Boston Logan International Airport around 11 a.m. due to low visibility. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to lead an investigation into the cause of the crash. FlightAware data showed that only about a dozen flights were scheduled at New Bedford Regional Airport on Sunday, most of which appeared to be operating normally,

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Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Za’Darius Smith suddenly announces retirement

Philadelphia Eagles’ pass rusher Za’Darius Smith suddenly announced his retirement on Monday.

In a statement on social media, Smith reflected on his 11-year career: “I knew this day would come — but now that it’s here, I’m feeling so many emotions I never expected. Who would’ve thought that a kid from Greenville, AL, with just one year of high school football experience, would go on to play professional football in the NFL for 11 incredible years! This game has given me the opportunity to meet great coaches, compete alongside some of the best players ever, and represent some of the greatest organizations in the league. Football has transformed my life and my family’s lives forever — and for that, I’m forever grateful. This career has taken me across the world — from earning my first passport stamp to visit countries I only saw on maps, to helping me start a foundation that gives back to my community. There have been challenges along the way, but the rewards have outweighed them all and helped me learn, grow, and evolve as a man… And to the fans — the biggest thank you of all. To every fan from each organization I represented: thank you, thank you, thank you for everything! From wearing my jerseys, collecting my cards, sending letters, sharing your opinions (good and tough ones alike), and most importantly — showing love. I felt it all. As I step into the newest season of my life, please know this game has meant the world to me. The lessons learned on and off the field will stay with me forever.”

Smith, 33, signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the reigning Super Bowl champions after their Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys in September. Over five games, Smith led the Eagles’ edge rusher group with 1.5 sacks, 3 QB hits and two tackles for loss.

Smith finishes his career with 70.5 sacks, 176 QB hits and 87 tackles for loss in 145 games for the Baltimore Ravens (four seasons), Green Bay Packers (racking up 13.5 sacks in 2019 and 12.5 sacks in 2020), Minnesota Vikings (making his third Pro Bowl with 10 sacks), as well as the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and Eagles.

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Rascal Flatts bringing ‘Life Is A Highway Tour’ into 2026 with new dates

Rascal Flatts is hitting the road again in 2026 on their Life Is a Highway Tour, following a successful return to touring in 2024.

The 21-city run will feature members Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus, and Joe Don Rooney, with Lauren Alaina and Chris Lane joining as support on most dates.  The new trek kicks off Jan. 15 in Raleigh and will visit Knoxville, St. Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis and more, with a Nashville Bridgestone Arena date on Feb. 5.

Jay DeMarcus shares: “What a ride the past year has been! We’re so excited to continue this tour, the response we’ve received from everyone has been overwhelming and humbling. We’ve truly had such a blast over the past year getting back in front of our fans out on the road, and we thought, ‘Why not keep the party going?’”

The band released their Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets collaboration album earlier this summer, featuring nine reimagined versions of their beloved hits.

Tickets are on sale at RascalFlatts.com.

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Jelly Roll teams with Marshmello for the song ‘Holy Water’

Marshmello has shared “Holy Water” featuring country artist Jelly Roll.

Of “Holy Water,” Marshmello shared: “it’s really heartfelt. This is one of the most emotional songs I’ve ever released. It’s about losing a loved one. Unfortunately, a lot of us can relate to that. When I showed the initial idea to Jelly Roll and told him the story, he loved it. He’s an open book, and it was really great to see how it resonated. It inspired me to go in even more on the production and get creative with the country elements. He definitely brought it home to where it is now.”

“Holy Water” marks the second country-leaning collaboration Marshmallow, who first made history when he collaborated with Kane Brown for “Miles On It.”  That song  was the first song ever to debut at No. 1 on both the Top Dance/Electronic Songs Chart and Top Country Songs Chart.

See the lyric video for ‘Holy Water’ – HERE.

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Ben Stiller teams with Apple TV+ for documentary on his parents, Jerry Stiller & Ann Meara

Ben Stiller will pay tribute to his late parents Jerry Stiller and Ann Meara in a new documentary for Apple TV+, Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost.

The streamer said in a press release that “‘Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost’ features the inspiring story of comedy icons Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, and is set to premiere in select theaters October 17, and stream on Apple TV+ October 24, 2025. Ben Stiller tells the story of his parents, comedy icons Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, exploring their impact on both popular culture and at home, where the lines between creativity, family, life and art often blurred. In the process, Stiller turns the camera on himself and his family to examine Jerry and Anne’s enormous influence on their lives, and the generational lessons that we can all learn from those we love.”

Stiller said in a statement: “I feel very fortunate to be partnering once again with the incredible team at Apple TV+. This time on a project that is very personal to me and my family. It’s exciting to finally get to share it with audiences; and a great honor to celebrate my parents, both as I knew them growing up, and as I’ve come to know them in new ways through the making of this film.”

Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost had its world-premiere at the New York Film Festival on Sunday, October 5, ahead of its limited theater run beginning Oct. 17. The documentary arrives on Apple TV+ beginning Oct. 24.  See the trailer: HERE.

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Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ docuseries, final Vancouver concert film to stream on Disney+

Taylor Swift announced that a new ‘Eras Tour’ docuseries, as well as a concert film featuring a complete version of her final “Eras Tour” show, will debut on Disney+.

The six-episode ‘The End of an Era’ docuseries follows Swift behind the scenes of her historic “Eras Tour.” In addition, a complete version of her “Eras Tour” concert film that includes her “Tortured Poets Department” set will premiere on the streaming service.

Swift posted on social media: “It was the End of an Era and we knew it. We wanted to remember every moment leading up to the culmination of the most important and intense chapter of our lives, so we allowed filmmakers to capture this tour and all the stories woven throughout it as it wound down. And to film the final show in its entirety. The Eras Tour | The Final Show, featuring the entire Tortured Poets Department set, and the first two episodes of The End of an Era, a 6-episode behind-the-scenes docuseries will be yours December 12th on @disneyplus”

In the preview announcing the docuseries and concert film, Swift says: “People like to talk about phenomenons, almost as if it was pieces falling into place. As if it just happened. The Eras Tour wasn’t when all the pieces fell into place. This tour was just when every single one of us who had done so much work, pushing, inch by inch, to where we all clicked together. We have broken every single record you can break with this tour. The only thing left is to close the book.”

Two episodes of the “The End of an Era” docuseries will debut on Disney+ each week beginning Dec. 12; with “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour: The Final Show” concert film hitting the streaming service that same day.

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Severe Nor’easter brings heavy rain, flooding and winds to East Coast

A powerful nor’easter is sweept up the East Coast this weekend, putting millions of residents on alert as damaging winds, heavy rain, and coastal flooding continue to impact several states. The storm system has already battered parts of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey, and reached Boston and much of southern New England by late Sunday.

The system strengthened on Sunday, triggering travel disruptions and coastal warnings across several states. Airports from Washington, D.C., to Boston began reporting flight delays and cancellations, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issuing ground delays at Boston Logan International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport due to the poor weather. Flights were experiencing delays ranging from about 25 minutes to more than an hour. FlightAware.com reported that nearly 80 flights at Boston Logan had been canceled and another 80 delayed, as travelers faced widespread disruptions along the storm’s path.

NJ Governor Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency, a measure that will allow the state’s emergency response teams to mobilize as needed. The order is expected to remain in effect through at least Monday, due to predictions of major flooding, strong winds, and 1 to 3 inches of rainfall. Wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph (80–97 kph) are forecast along the New Jersey and Delaware coasts, which could cause power outages and minor structural damage, according to the NWS office in Mount Holly, New Jersey.

The National Weather Service also placed New York City under both a coastal flood warning and a wind advisory through Monday afternoon, including coastal flood warnings for Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island through Monday. Water levels could climb 1.5 to 2.5 feet above ground, threatening to flood low-lying roads and properties and worsen erosion along vulnerable shorelines.  The NWS cautioned that “residents should avoid driving or walking through floodwaters. Just six inches of moving water can knock a person off their feet, and one foot of rushing water can sweep away a vehicle. Floodwaters may also contain debris, pollutants, or other hidden dangers.”

Long Island’s shoreline could experience flooding, along with as much as three inches (about 8 centimeters) of rain and strong gusts. Meteorologist Bob Oravec with the National Weather Service said that “The biggest concern is coastal flooding, particularly from northeastern North Carolina up through much of the New Jersey shoreline.”

Forecasters warn that some areas of the state could see moderate to major coastal flooding, inland flash floods, and wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph (97 kph). Rainfall totals may climb to five inches (about 13 centimeters), accompanied by rough surf and beach erosion. In some coastal communities, residents and volunteers spent the weekend stacking sandbags to prepare for the high tides.

Showers from the nor’easter are likely to persist into Monday; travelers and residents along the East Coast are urged to remain cautious before the storm begins to move farther out to sea on Tuesday.

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ALCS Game 1: Seattle Mariners beat Toronto Blue Jays 3-1

The Seattle Mariners defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday evening at Rogers Centre.

Seattle’s Cal Raleigh launched a home run in the sixth inning to tie the game 1-1, with Jorge Polanco hitting a pair of run-scoring singles to take the 3-1 lead. Mariners’ starting pitcher Bryce Miller allowed just one leadoff home run (to George Springer on his first pitch of the game), but did not allow another run across six innings. Seattle’s bullpen then took over, with three scoreless innings from Gabe Speier, Matt Brash and closer Andrés Muñoz to close out the game and clinch the win.

The Blue Jays and Mariners will meet for Game 2 of the ALCS on Monday in Toronto.

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