Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch announces resignation after tensions with Pres. Trump

Lonnie G. Bunch III, the 14th secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and the first Black leader in its history, announced Tuesday that he will step down by the end of the year.  Bunch’s retirement concludes a nearly four-decade career within the institution, including seven years spent directing its network of 21 museums, 21 libraries, and the National Zoo. His announcement comes during an intense dispute with the White House, as President Trump seeks to alter the museum complex’s approach to historic exhibits.

The executive branch escalated its oversight of the research complex through explicit financial and ideological warnings. Following a July White House assessment criticizing the institution’s historical framing, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued an Aug. 28 warning threatening to halt federal funding. Burgum’s letter asserted that “Smithsonian leadership’s culture of ideological activism has not only corrupted the Institution but has spread across the country and corrupted the American Alliance for Museums – the primary organization and accrediting body for the museum profession – among others. Federal agencies with relevant authorities therefore have a duty to investigate and address these unlawful practices, both at the Smithsonian and elsewhere”.

Despite the growing standoff, the 73-year-old museum administrator insisted his departure was motivated by personal reflection rather than executive coercion. Having originally intended to complete a five-year term, Bunch noted he extended his service to help guide upcoming milestone commemorations. Addressing his decision to retire after spending time with his family over the summer, Bunch explained, “For, I don’t know, 45 years, work has taken precedence over family, and I just said at 73, enough’s enough”. While maintaining that federal pressure had no bearing on his retirement, he conceded the role was demanding, remarking, “I have to be honest, it has been stressful”.

Throughout the scrutiny, Bunch vigorously defended the scholarly integrity and institutional freedom of the cultural organization. He pushed back against White House allegations that exhibitions overemphasized negative aspects of American history, telling museum staff the official report was “not a fair characterization”. Emphasizing the necessity of preserving unvarnished historic records, Bunch reiterated that “the role of the Smithsonian is not to erase history, not to run away”. He reaffirmed his resolve to safeguard the complex’s independence for the remainder of his term, asserting, “we’re at a time when people are challenging that independence, but I feel very strongly that it is as independent as we were before, and that I will continue to fight — for as long as I’m in this chair — for the independence of the Smithsonian”.

Bunch’s planned departure marks a significant leadership transition for the nation’s premier cultural enterprise as the Board of Regents prepares to select a successor. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who heads the governing board, commended the outgoing secretary for his commitment to “excellence in the telling of our Nation’s story”. Bunch confirmed he will remain in his position long enough to ensure “a peaceful transfer of power” and prevent leaving the complex “in the lurch,” while continuing to push back against claims of ideological bias before concluding his tenure.

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Four family members killed in small plane crash off Bahamas coast

Search and rescue teams alongside local family members recovered the remains of four South Florida residents following a fatal aviation accident off the coast of the Bahamas. Authorities confirmed that all four individuals aboard a Piper PA-34 twin-engine aircraft died when the light plane crashed into ocean waters while en route to South Florida, after spending the Labor Day weekend in the Bahamas.

The aircraft, registered as N212ML, departed Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands at about 10:12 a.m. Monday and was headed to Miami Executive Airport. Air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane around 11:04 a.m., about 13 miles west of Andros Island. Radar information indicated the twin-engine plane experienced rapid altitude and velocity fluctuations while traveling through an area of severe weather, descending several thousand feet in a matter of minutes.

Bahamas authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard launched a search after receiving reports of a possible crash near Red Bays, North Andros. The Coast Guard deployed an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft to assist, but bad weather complicated the initial response. Relatives also organized their own search by boat, ultimately locating and recovering the victims, according to Silvia Larrieu, Lamar’s niece. Family members identified the victims as 80-year-old aviator Mario Lamar, his 79-year-old wife Lili Lamar, and their two grandchildren, 28-year-old Sofia Sosa and 22-year-old Christian Sosa. Larrieu said her uncle had more than 40 years of flying experience and regularly traveled between Miami and the Bahamas, where he maintained a second home. She also said Lamar was meticulous about maintaining his aircraft.

The cause of the crash has not been determined, an authorities have not publicly provided details about what happened to the aircraft after it lost contact with air traffic control.

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Two-time defending champ Aryna Sabalenka defeats Linda Noskova to reach US Open semifinal

Aryna Sabalenka survived her toughest test of the U.S. Open on Tuesday, rallying past sixth-seeded Linda Noskova 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(7) to reach the semifinals for the sixth consecutive year and keep her bid for a third straight championship alive.

The top-seeded Sabalenka had not dropped a set in the tournament before Noskova, the reigning Wimbledon champion, pushed her into a deciding-set tiebreak. Noskova repeatedly pressured the defending champion with her powerful serve and finished with 18 aces, while Sabalenka had to recover after falling behind in the third set. Sabalenka ultimately regained control and closed out the match with a second-serve ace in the final tiebreak.

The victory extended Sabalenka’s U.S. Open winning streak to 18 matches and marked her 21st victory in her last 22 matches at Flushing Meadows. It also continued her remarkable success in Grand Slam tiebreaks, an area that again proved decisive when the match reached its final points.

Sabalenka will face either third-seeded Jessica Pegula or 26th-seeded Emma Navarro in the semifinals. A third consecutive U.S. Open championship would add to the Belarusian’s growing legacy at the tournament and make her the first woman since Serena Williams to win three straight titles in New York.

Noskova, 21, leaves the tournament after producing one of the strongest challenges Sabalenka has faced this year. The Czech saved seven of nine break points and twice forced the match back into her favor, but Sabalenka’s experience in the biggest moments ultimately proved enough to send the two-time defending champion into another U.S. Open semifinal.

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Patriots’ CB Christian Gonzalez agrees to 4-year, $135M extension

The New England Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez have agreed to a four-year, $135 million contract extension that makes him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. The agreement includes $102 million guaranteed and carries an average annual value of $33.75 million. The news was confirmed on social media, ending months of uncertainty over his future in New England; Gonzalez posted on his Instagram Story “THANK YOU LORD! PATS NATION LETS GO.”

The contract surpasses the four-year, $132 million extension Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon signed recently, briefly establishing a new benchmark at the position. Gonzalez’s agreement also makes him the highest-paid player in Patriots history. The deal was completed one day before New England opens the 2026 season against Seattle in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl.

Gonzalez, 24, was selected by New England with the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. His rookie season ended after four games because of a shoulder injury, but he emerged as one of the league’s top young defensive backs. He earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2024 and made his first Pro Bowl last season after recording a career-high 69 tackles and 10 passes defended in 14 starts.

The extension concludes a lengthy offseason negotiation. The Patriots picked up Gonzalez’s fifth-year option for 2027, but the cornerback had sought a longer-term agreement and stayed away from organized team activities. Team owner Robert Kraft said in July that New England had offered Gonzalez a contract that would make him the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, but the sides remained apart until reaching an agreement on the eve of the season.

Gonzalez was also a key contributor during New England’s postseason run to Super Bowl LX. He recorded an interception, a sack, a forced fumble and seven passes defended across four playoff games, including a strong performance against Seattle receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the Super Bowl. With the new agreement in place, Gonzalez is set to remain a centerpiece of a Patriots defense entering the team’s first season since its return to the Super Bowl.

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Hudson Westbrook sets dates for his ‘Hits Me’ tour this fall

Hudson Westbrook will embark on his 2026 “Hits Me” Tour, a fall headlining trek that will take the rising Texas singer across the country. The 24-date run is scheduled to begin Sept. 18-19 with back-to-back performances at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, Texas, and continue through December.

The tour will feature support from Georgia country newcomer Kenny Whitmire and singer-songwriter Ethan Burdick. The outing marks Westbrook’s first major headlining appearances in several key markets, including Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., New York and Boston.

The tour announcement arrives during a breakout period for Westbrook, who has quickly established himself as one of country music’s emerging performers. The Stephenville, Texas, native earned his first No. 1 single with “House Again” on the Mediabase country chart and released his debut album, Texas Forever, in 2025. He has also surpassed one billion global streams and recently continued building his profile through major touring opportunities.

Tickets can be found via: Ticketmaster.

For additional info, head to Westbrook’s website.

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Mitchell Tenpenny expands 2026 ‘Speed of Light Tour’ with fall dates

Mitchell Tenpenny has extended his 2026 Speed of Light Tour, adding a new slate of headlining dates that will keep him on the road through late November. The new leg begins Sept. 18 in Des Moines, Iowa, and includes additional stops across the Midwest, Canada and the Northeast before concluding Nov. 21 in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire.

The expanded itinerary follows a successful first run of shows supporting Tenpenny’s latest album, The 3rd, which has been described as his most personal and musically adventurous project to date. The record reflects his evolution as a songwriter and performer, blending his signature country sound with influences that have helped establish him as one of the genre’s consistent touring draws. Several of the newly announced dates will complement previously scheduled headline performances and festival appearances throughout the remainder of the year.

Tenpenny has continued building momentum on the live circuit through both headlining shows and appearances alongside some of country music’s biggest names, including Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Jordan Davis and Chris Young. Recent performances on the Speed of Light Tour have featured fan favorites including “Drunk Me,” “Truth About You,” “Anything She Says” and the tour’s title track, giving audiences a mix of career-defining hits and newer material.

For tickets, head to TICKETMASTER.

Additional information can be found at Mitchell’s website.

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See the trailer for ‘Primetime’ starring Robert Pattinson as ‘To Catch a Predator’ host Chris Hansen

A24 has released the full trailer for Primetime, offering a closer look at Robert Pattinson’s transformation into television journalist Chris Hansen in a dramatization of the rise of NBC’s ‘To Catch a Predator.’ Directed by acclaimed documentarian Lance Oppenheim in his narrative feature debut and written by Ajon Singh, the film revisits the mid-2000s phenomenon that turned Hansen’s undercover sting operations into one of television’s biggest cultural talking points.

Set in 2006, Primetime follows Hansen as he pursues what he believes will be a groundbreaking television event while examining the growing intersection of journalism, entertainment and public spectacle. The trailer showcases Pattinson adopting Hansen’s distinctive cadence while recreating several of the host’s memorable on-camera confrontations with suspected online predators. Merritt Wever co-stars as Hansen’s producer, with Skyler Gisondo, Phoebe Bridgers, Matthew Maher and Bokeem Woodbine rounding out the ensemble cast.

The film draws inspiration from Luke Dittrich’s 2007 Esquire article, “Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die,” which examined the controversial aftermath of the To Catch a Predator investigations. That history includes the widely scrutinized 2006 death of Texas prosecutor Bill Conradt during a law enforcement operation tied to the program, an incident that intensified criticism over the blurred lines between journalism, law enforcement and reality television.

Primetime will premiere in competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival before opening in theaters Sept. 25. See the trailer for Primetime – HERE.

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Jon Hamm in the trailer for ‘American Hostage’ from MGM+

Jon Hamm is at the center of a tense hostage crisis in the first trailer for MGM+’s upcoming psychological thriller “American Hostage,” which dramatizes a real-life 1977 incident in Indianapolis. Hamm stars as Fred Heckman, a local radio reporter whose ordinary workday turns dangerous after hostage-taker Tony Kiritsis, played by Giovanni Ribisi, demands to speak through Heckman’s radio program.

The eight-episode series follows the 63-hour standoff after Kiritsis takes mortgage executive Dick Hall, portrayed by Kristoffer Polaha, hostage and uses a shotgun rigged to fire if Hall moves. As the crisis unfolds, Heckman becomes an unexpected intermediary between Kiritsis, authorities and the public, while his growing involvement puts pressure on his professional responsibilities and personal life.

The series expands on the story told in the scripted “American Hostage” podcast, on which Hamm previously portrayed Heckman. The television adaptation was created by Shawn Ryan and Eileen Myers, with Adam Arkin and Nina Lopez-Corrado directing. Mireille Enos plays Barbara Heckman, while William Jackson Harper, Jonathan Tucker and Kat Cunning also appear.

“American Hostage” premieres with two episodes on MGM+ on Sept. 20; see the trailer: HERE.

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The Menendez Brothers’ suitability hearing before California Parole Board moved up to March 2027

California corrections officials have authorized an accelerated timeline for Lyle and Erik Menendez, setting their next parole suitability proceedings for March 2027. State authorities approved administrative reviews that successfully moved up the siblings’ scheduling slot by nearly a year and a half from an August 2028 target. While the upcoming calendar date remains tentative, the ruling gives the imprisoned brothers a significantly earlier opportunity to present their case for potential release.

The development follows a major shift in the men’s legal standing after a judicial ruling reduced their original punishment from life without parole to 50 years to life. That sentencing modification made the pair eligible to pursue conditional release, though prison commissioners subsequently turned down their initial freedom bids during hearings held in late 2025. Although the advanced timeline offers another avenue toward freedom, state officials emphasized that granting an earlier review does not secure an ultimate release approval.

Relatives of the brothers expressed strong support for the state’s decision to expedite the proceedings. In an official statement, family members stated, “For almost 40 years, Erik and Lyle have worked to take responsibility for their actions, confront and heal from the unimaginable abuse and trauma they endured, grow as individuals, and dedicate themselves to serving others”. Supporters highlighted the duo’s rehabilitative efforts behind bars, including establishing a prison hospice program and launching environmental initiatives designed to give fellow inmates a sense of purpose.

The highly publicized case stems from the 1989 fatal shootings of the brothers’ parents, José and Kitty Menendez, inside their Beverly Hills residence. Convicted of first-degree murder in 1996, both men spent decades incarcerated while maintaining that severe domestic and physical abuse drove their actions. Their ongoing legal journey has maintained a prominent profile across mainstream media and pop culture, drawing sustained advocacy from prominent public figures and legal reform campaigners.

Family members added that the decision brings them “immeasurable joy” and expressed that they are “incredibly proud of the men they have become” as well as “deeply grateful to the Parole Board for recognizing their efforts and allowing them to advance their parole hearing”. Panel commissioners will evaluate conduct, public safety factors, and institutional records when the March 2027 session convenes to determine if either brother meets state requirements for release.

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At least 5 killed, 5 injured after Amazon cargo plane crashes at Miami Int’l Airport

At least five people were killed, and five others suffered injuries after an Amazon Prime Air cargo jet overshot a runway during landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon. The Boeing 767-300 freighter, designated as Flight 7598 and operated by North Carolina-based 21 Air, had just completed a route from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it barreled past the usable tarmac around 2 p.m. ET. The aircraft plowed across an adjacent roadway near local warehouse facilities, colliding with multiple ground vehicles and igniting a intense blaze that sent heavy plumes of dark smoke over the airport grounds.

Emergency response efforts escalated rapidly as more than 60 units and roughly 200 fire personnel converged on the disaster scene. Rescuers deployed specialized foam apparatus to battle a severe engine fire and mitigate an ongoing fuel spill while extracting individuals trapped inside impacted automobiles as well as the flight crew inside the cockpit. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadallah confirmed the five fatalities alongside five hospitalizations, noting that three individuals were transported to a local trauma center in critical condition.

Following the crash, airport authorities implemented a full ground stop, suspending all taxiway and runway operations and prompting hundreds of flight cancellations and delays ahead of the holiday travel rush. While two runways were reopened by Sunday evening, ground traffic disruptions continued into Monday. Weather reports at the time of the approach indicated turbulent conditions with nearby thunderstorms and wind gusts reaching up to 30 mph.

Federal safety agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), have launched an investigation into the disaster. Early technical analyses and landing footage suggest the aircraft floated unusually far down the runway before touching down, leaving insufficient stopping distance. Investigators plan to evaluate the jet’s maintenance logs, flight crew actions, braking performance, and prevailing wind conditions to establish why a go-around maneuver was not executed.

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel issued an official statement following the tragedy: “We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss. The airplane, which was operated by 21 Air, was attempting to land when this incident occurred. We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to learn more and will cooperate fully with any investigation.”

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