11 people injured after bridge collapses at Doubling Point Lighthouse in Maine

11 people were injured on Saturday after a platform leading to the historic Doubling Point Lighthouse in Maine collapsed, during the state’s annual ‘Maine Open Lighthouse Day‘ to encourage tourism to lighthouses. ‘Maine Open Lighthouse Day‘ is an annual celebration sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard during which tourists are encouraged to visit dozens of historic lighthouses throughout the state.

According to a statement from Bath Deputy Fire Chief Chris Cummings, visitors to the Doubling Point Lighthouse fell into the rocks and mudflats on the river’s shoreline after the last portion of the ramp that went to the lighthouse had collapsed. Five people were taken to local hospitals and another six were treated at the scene, but none of the injuries were life threatening. The lighthouse’s website states it’s closed to visitors until further notice.

According to the American Lighthouse Foundation, the Doubling Point Lighthouse is an active lighthouse used to help aid the Coast Guard. According to the lighthouse website, the government bought the plot of land on which the lighthouse sits in Arrowsic, in 1896 after an annual report urged a need for fog lights along the Kennebec River: “In 1899 the lighthouse was moved from its original foundation to its present location at the end of a long catwalk that extends through the marsh and into the Kennebec River.” 

The Associated Press reported that ‘The Friends of Doubling Point Light’ (which manages the lighthouse) said there is no timeframe to repair platform’s repair. That organization had raised $50,000 to rebuild the lighthouse’s foundation back in 2001, which included a rebuild of the walkway to the lighthouse and a new coat of paint.

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U.S. Open: Novak Djokovic defeats Daniil Medvedev for record-tying 24th Grand Slam title

Novak Djokovic earned his 24th Grand Slam trophy, defeating Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 in Sunday’s US Open men’s singles final. The Serbian’s win officially tied him with Margaret Court for the most major singles titles ever.

Djokovic said after the match: “To make history in this sport is something truly remarkable and special, in every possible way. In every possible meaning of the word special. It’s hard to describe it with words.” He added: “I had the childhood dream when I was 7 or 8: I wanted to become the best player in the world and win the Wimbledon trophy. That was the only thing I wanted. But I started to dream new dreams and set new objectives, new goals. I never imagined that I would be standing here talking with you about 24 slams.”

This year’s Open win is Djokovic’s fourth trophy at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and at 36 years old makes him the oldest man to win the US Open in the professional era.

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Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker suspended amid sexual harassment investigation

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker has been suspended as the active coach of Michigan State football less than 24 hours after it was revealed he is the subject of an MSU Title IX investigation into allegations of sexual harassment. According to the Detroit Free Press and ESPN, Tucker is on leave with pay pending the outcome of the university’s investigation. Secondary coach Harlon Barnett will serve as the interim head coach, with former Spartans coach Mark Dantonio expected to assist the program in a presently undefined role.

According to USA Today, while initial reports on Sunday stated erroneously that Tucker was fired by Michigan State, the Title IX investigation will continue before the university makes a decision on his future as head coach of the Spartans. A formal hearing has been for Oct. 5-6.

The complaint against Tucker was filed in December 2022 by Brenda Tracy, a prominent rape survivor and activist against sexual violence. Tracy was gang raped at the hands of four men — three college football players and a recruit — in 1998. She went public in 2014 and has used her traumatic experience to sent a message to college sports: ‘violence against women must stop.’  Tracy has accused Tucker of making sexually suggestive comments during a phone call on April 28, 2022. Tracy visited MSU at least three times as an activist starting in 2021, and built a relationship with Tucker as part of her work on campus. Tracy has also alleged numerous other inappropriate incidents.

In statements provided to the Title IX investigator, Tucker acknowledged that the April 28 phone call occurred; however, he claimed it was a consensual encounter: “Ms. Tracy’s distortion of our mutually consensual and intimate relationship into allegations of sexual exploitations has really affected me. I am not proud of my judgement and I am having difficulty forgiving myself for getting into this situation, but I did not engage in misconduct by any definition.”

Tucker signed a 10-year, $95 million fully guaranteed contract with the school after his second season with the Spartans, leading them to an 11-2 record. He is off to a 2-0 start in his fourth year at Michigan State after beating Richmond 45-14 on Saturday night.

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Carly Pearce shares video for ‘We Don’t Fight Anymore’

Carly Pearce shared the music video for her single “We Don’t Fight Anymore” featuring Chris Stapleton. The single dropped on June 16th.

The video, directed by Alexa Campbell, features actors Lucy Hale (a longtime friend of Pearce) and Shiloh Fernandez, who bring Pearce’s single to life. Pearce shared: “Having talents like Lucy and Shiloh were truly such a gift. The ‘space’ you feel between the two of them is felt so tragically at every moment of this video.”

In celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, Pearce will flip the switch at the Grand Ole Opry, turning itss signature barn backdrop pink for the night of October 10th. The Grand Ole Opry will once again joins together with Susan G. Komen in the fight against breast cancer for the 15th anniversary of Opry Goes Pink. 

Take a look at the video for ‘We Don’t Fight Anymore’ – here.

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ERNEST announces ‘ERNEST & The Fellas Unplugged’ live album

Ernest announced the release of ‘ERNEST & The Fellas Unplugged’, a limited-edition, double-sided vinyl due out September 29th. The project features audio from the ‘Salvage Sessions’ & ‘Circle Sessions’ series, including fan favorites such as “This Fire,” “Miss That Girl,” “Feet Wanna Run,” and a cover of John Mayer’s “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room.”

Ernest shared: “Flower Shops has been such a wild ride. I can’t put words to how much the love and support for the album and its deluxe means to me. Now that we’re getting ready to be back out on the road headlining this fall, it only felt right that the fellas and I wrap up this chapter with live versions of some of our favorites to play live.”

Ernest is currently on the road, serving as direct support on Morgan Wallen’s One Night At A Time World Tour. He will also launch his headlining This Fire Tour this fall.

To preorder ERNEST & The Fellas Unplugged, head here.

Ernest To Release ‘ERNEST & The Fellas Unplugged’ Project, Featuring Audio From ‘Salvage Sessions’ & ‘Circle Sessions’ Series

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FX shares official trailer for ‘American Horror Story: Delicate’

The anticipated new season of Ryan Murphy’s ‘American Horror Story’ has shared its official trailer. ‘American Horror Story: Delicate,’ the 12th edition of the anthology series, co-stars Kim Kardashian along with AHS regular Emma Roberts and franchise newcomer Cara Delevingne. as well as Matt Czuchry, Billie Lourd, Denis O’Hare, Leslie Grossman and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez.

“AHS” Delicate” is based on a novel for the first time: Danielle Valentine’s ‘Delicate Condition.’ The novel is described as “a gripping thriller about an actress (Roberts in the show) who becomes convinced that a sinister figure is going to great lengths to make sure her pregnancy never happens.”  The book has been called a feminist update to Rosemary’s Baby.

The new season has been split into two parts, with the first part premiering Sept. 20. The show will first air on FX and then stream the next day on Hulu. A premiere date for the second part has not yet been set.

American Horror Story is the longest running hour-long series in FX’s history, and has already been renewed for a 13th season.  Take a look at the trailer for ‘AHS: Delicate’ – here.

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‘Good Morning America’ anchor Robin Roberts marries longtime partner Amber Laign

“Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts married her longtime partner, massage therapist Amber Laign on Friday, Sept. 8.

Roberts and Laign each wore wedding gowns custom-made by designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka at their ceremony, which was held in the backyard of their home and officiated by Roberts’ childhood pastor.

Roberts wrote on Instagram: “An intimate, magical wedding ceremony in our backyard followed by a joyous reception…ohhhh the dancing!! We are immensely grateful to all for making it a day and a night to remember. Honeymoon here we come!”

Roberts’ and Laign’s 18-year romance started with a blind date set up by mutual friends. Over nearly two decades together, Roberts and Laign overcame countless health and personal obstacles together: grieving the losses of parents, and each dealing with bouts with breast cancer, as well as Roberts’ lifesaving bone marrow transplant in 2012. They were engaged at the end of 2022, deciding to marry while eating at a favorite restaurant together in Connecticut.

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Hurricane Lee has potential to be ‘extremely dangerous’, can ‘intensify’ into Cat 5 storm

Forecasters predict that Hurricane Lee, currently swirling in the Atlantic as a Category 2 storm, will intensify into a major hurricane that could eventually become a Category 5 storm.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Lee is expected to rapidly intensify into an “extremely dangerous major hurricane” by Friday — meaning maximum winds would surge 35 mph in 24 hours or less. The NHC said that large ocean swells are expected to reach the Lesser Antilles by Friday and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Bermuda and Hispaniola by the weekend, adding that “these swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.” The latest forecasts show Lee will “remain a very strong major hurricane through the weekend,” according to the NHC, with environmental conditions looking favorable for Lee to strengthen into a Category 5 hurricane with winds up to 160 mph by Saturday morning.

So far, there’s no direct threat of landfall and officials have not issued any storm or hurricane watches or warnings for places that could be in Lee’s path, but the hurricane center said “interests in the Leeward Islands should monitor the progress of Lee.” The forecast track indicates that .the Leeward Islands, where the Caribbean and Atlantic meet, should stay alert. The Leewards include the Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Saint Martin and Saint Kitts.

Hurricane Lee is not currently forecast to impact the United States, but its long-term track remains unclear. Meteorologists will continue monitoring the storm for signs it could move off its path over the open ocean and turn toward the mainland U.S. coast.

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Simone Biles shares plans to compete in 2024 Paris Olympics

Simone Biles, the greatest women’s gymnast of all-time, is planning to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The gymnast acknowledged for the first time on an appearance on the TODAY Show that she aims to compete at the 2024 Olympics. Biles, 26, told ‘Today’ show host Hoda Kotb on Thursday morning that if Kotb were to wager $5 on whether she’s planning on returning to Olympic competition when the Games are in Paris in 2024, it wouldn’t be a bad bet. Said Biles: “Right now, I would say that’s the path I would love to go, so I wouldn’t mind if you put it in the ‘yay’ section.” 

Biles competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (which were held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), but once she arrived, she experienced ‘the twisties.’  The twisties is a psychological issue where a gymnast loses track of the ground when they’re flying through the air — and if a gymnast loses track of the ground while in the air, they have no idea when to land, safely or otherwise, and can result in serious injuries. Biles chose to withdraw from both the team competition and the individual all-around competition to focus on her mental health, winning a silver medal as part of the team competition, and an individual bronze medal on the balance beam.

Biles is on her way to a spot on the U.S. women’s gymnastics team. At her first competition since the Tokyo Games at the 2023 U.S. Gymnastics Championship, Biles claimed a historic eighth all-around title. But she told Kotb that she was still taking it slowly: “Everything leading up to these next Games is very intentional. I’ve been playing it on the down-low this time, making sure mentally and physically are both intact … There were times when I would come in the gym and I would be like ‘you know what, no, I don’t think this is going to work’ and then I was like ‘no, I’m going to give it another day. As long as I showed up for another day and kept putting that work in, then it kind of went down and dwindled.” 

The 2024 Olympic Games are scheduled to begin Paris on July, 26, 2024 through August 11, 2024.

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Women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey and LSU agree to record $32M contract

LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey has agreed to a 10-year, $32 million contract extension, pending final approval from the LSU Board of Supervisors, which meets Friday. Mulkey’s deal is the most-lucrative in women’s college basketball history — UConn coach Geno Auriemma, who makes $2.9 million annually, was previously the highest-paid women’s basketball coach.

The new deal carries an average annual value of more than $3 million, not including incentives and other perks. It will see Mulkey’s salary start $2.75 million and escalate to $3.65 million in its final year in 2033. She was previously set to make an average of $2.5 million annually through 2029. Mulkey can also earn up to $550,000, annually, in NCAA tournament-related incentives, including $230,000 for winning the title.

Mulkey, 61, engineered the first national title in LSU history, who entered the 2023 NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed. Mulkey lead the team to a 102-85 win in April over Iowa. She is 60-8 in two seasons at LSU.

From 2000 through 2020, Mulkey led Baylor to a 632-104 record. The three-time National Coach of the Year led the Bears to three national titles. Her 692 career wins rank 19th in women’s college basketball history.

The Tigers will start the 2023-24 campaign against East Texas Baptist on Oct. 26 in Baton Rouge, La.

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