Lisa Loring, the original Wednesday from ‘The Addams Family,’ dies at age 64

Lisa Loring, the actress who first portrayed Wednesday Addams on the TV show ‘The Addams Family,’ has died at age 64.  Loring’s daughter Vanessa Foumberg confirmed the news in a statement to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, sharing that she died of a stroke. Foumberg said: “She went peacefully with both her daughters holding her hands.”

Loring’s friend Laurie Jacobson posted on Facebook that Loring was a smoker who suffered from high blood pressure: “She had been on life support for 3 days. Yesterday, her family made the difficult decision to remove it and she passed last night. She is embedded in the tapestry that is pop culture and in our hearts always as Wednesday Addams.”

Loring began her career as a child model and was first cast in the TV show ‘Dr. Kildare’  She portrayed Wednesday from the ages of 6 to 8 during two-seasons of the original TV show in the 1960s.  Loring appeared on the sitcom The Pruitts of Southampton with Phyllis Diller and appeared on shows including Fantasy Island, The Girl From U.N.C.L.E. and Barnaby Jones. Loring also played Cricket Montgomery on the soap opera As the World Turns from 1980 – 1983.

Loring is survived by her two daughters, Vanessa and Marianne, and her grandchildren, Emiliana and Charles.

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Chiefs defeat Bengals 23-20 with late field goal to advance to Super Bowl LVII

The Kansas City Chiefs scored a field goal with seconds remaining to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in a close AFC Championship matchup on Sunday, sending them to the Super Bowl to face the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs sacked Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow with less than a minute left before kicker Harrison Butker earned the winning field goal.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes played the game with a high-ankle sprain which he sustained in the Chiefs’ divisional round win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The sprain caused Mahomes to limp on at least one occasion during Sunday’s game, but he played well, throwing 29 of 43 for two touchdowns and 326 yards. Mahomes said: “I want to thank God, man. He healed my body this week, to battle through that. He gave me the strength to be out here.”

After the win, Mahomes said of the Eagles from the field: “They’re a great football team. I’ve watched them all year long. Great quarterback, great entire team, man. It’s going to be a great challenge for us … but I’m going to celebrate this one first.nI don’t think we have any cigars, but we’re going to be ready to go at the Super Bowl.”

The Chiefs win marks their third trip to the NFL final in four years, after they broke a five-decade drought to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in 2020 and lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the following year.

The Chiefs will face the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII at 6:30 p.m. EST Feb. 12 in Glendale, Ariz.

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Eagles defeat 49ers 31-7 to advance to Super Bowl LVII

The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-7 in the NFC Championship game Sunday in Philadelphia, and will advance to Super Bowl LVII.

The Eagles forced three turnovers, logged three sacks and allowed just 164 yards, with running back Miles Sanders scoring two of the Eagles’ four rushing touchdowns in their win at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 15 of 25 passes for 121 yards and scored a rushing touchdown, and running back Boston Scott also scored a rushing touchdown. Eagles safety Reed Blankenship and linebacker Haason Reddick each forced and recovered fumbles in the win.

Meanwhile, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy sustained a right elbow injury on the sixth play of the next drive did not return until the second half. Purdy returned in the third quarter after replacement QB Josh Johnson sustained a concussion, but the 49ers offense continued to struggle.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said in an on-field interview: “Obviously, this is something you dream about as a kid,” All the guys on our team have dreamt about this their entire lives. Just to be able to do this together with a bunch of men who love each other, who are connected to each other and would do anything for each other is pretty sweet.”

The Eagles will meet the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII at 6:30 p.m. EST Feb. 12 in Glendale, Ariz.

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Man suspected of torture and kidnapping of woman in Oregon using dating apps to evade police

Authorities in southwestern Oregon are warning that a Nevada man accused of attempted murder and torturing a woman in Oregon is on the run and using dating apps to evade capture or find potential new victims. Law enforcement officials are warning to be on the lookout for Benjamin Obadiah Foster, a 36-year-old man who has been on the run in Oregon since Thursday. The Grants Pass Police Department said in a statement: “The investigation has revealed that the suspect is actively using online dating applications to contact unsuspecting individuals who may be lured into assisting with the suspect’s escape or potentially as additional victims.”  The Grants Pass Police Department in Oregon said Foster is extremely dangerous in a post on Facebook, adding that “it is possible that Benjamin Foster may attempt to change his appearance by shaving his beard and hair or by changing his hair color.”

The search for Foster began Tuesday after officers found a woman who had been bound and severely beaten into unconsciousness. The man fled the scene before officers arrived, but investigators identified Foster as the suspect and asked members of the public to call 911 immediately if they see him, warning he “should be considered extremely dangerous.” The victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition and is being guarded while the suspect remains at large. Police said Foster “likely received assistance in fleeing the area,” and added that Tina Marie Jones, a 68-year-old from Wolf Creek, Ore., was arrested for hindering prosecution in connection to the search.

A $2,500 reward has been offered for information leading to Foster’s capture. Police said he is wanted on suspicion of kidnapping, attempted murder and assault. The Grants Pass police have opened a hotline for tips at 541-237-5607 for information that leads to Foster’s arrest.

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At least 6 dead, 3 injured in crash involving box truck and express bus in Upstate New York

According to the New York State Police (NYSP), 6 people are dead and another three seriously injured after an express bus and a box truck collided early Saturday morning in Louisville, New York.  NYSP said in a press release that officers responded to a fatal motor vehicle accident on State Highway 37 involving a 2021 Freightliner box truck and a 2013 express bus at 6:02 a.m. local time. The Lawrence County Medical Examiner’s Officer also responded to the scene.

According to the statement, authorities confirmed the deaths and injuries, noting that one victim is in critical condition, and two are “seriously injured.” All nine victims were passengers on the express bus; the injured were taken to hospitals nearby.   The investigation into what caused the accident is ongoing, according to police.

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Country Music Hall Of Fame to unveil new ‘American Currents’ exhibit this March

Luke Combs, HARDY, Wynonna Judd, Miranda Lambert, Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Elvis Presley, Shania Twain, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson and more will be featured in the annual ‘American Currents: State of the Music’ exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.

According to a social media post from the Country Music Hall of Fame, “‘American Currents: State of the Music’ opens March 8. This annual exhibit takes a broad view of the genre over the past year to explore musical developments, artist achievements, and notable events, as determined by the Museum’s curators and editorial staff.” 

Kyle Young, chief executive officer of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a statement: “Each year through the American Currents exhibit, the museum documents and reports on the music and events that helped shape the previous year, examining a wide scope of contributions,”“Last year, we witnessed innovative collaborations, varied musical perspectives and well-deserved honors for emerging artists and established luminaries. American Currents allows us to highlight these moments and artists, sharing their significance in country music history.”

‘American Currents: State of the Music’ is set to open on March 8, and will run until February 2024.

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Keith Urban, Cody Johnson, and Luke Bryan to headline Washington’s Watershed Festival

Watershed Music & Camping Festival has revealed its 2023 lineup which will feature Luke Bryan, Cody Johnson and Keith Urban as headliners. The festival will take place at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington from Aug. 4-6th.

Appearing on the two-stage festival’s ‘main stage’ will be Wade Bowen, Travis Denning, Ernest, Kameron Marlowe, Parker McCollum, Niko Moon, Kylie Morgan, Carly Pearce, Conner Smith, Tenille Townes, Lainey Wilson, DJ Rod Youree and Warren Zeiders.

Appearing on its ‘Next From Nashville’ stage will be some of country music’s newest acts, including Avery Anna, Chayce Beckham, George Birge, Ben Burgess, Ben Chapman, Madeline Edwards, Carter Faith, Ella Langley, Alexander Ludwig, Landon Parker, Pillbox Patti, MacKenzie Porter, Peytan Porter, Aaron Raitiere and Lauren Watkins.

Three-day passes will go on sale beginning Feb. 3 12 p.m. CT. For ticketing and more information on the event, head here.

Luke Bryan, Cody Johnson, Keith Urban headlining Watershed 2023

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’24,’ ‘Timeless’ actor Annie Wersching dies of cancer at age 45

Actor Annie Wersching, best known for playing FBI agent Renee Walker in the series “24” and voicing Tess in the video game “The Last of Us,” has died at age 45. Wersching’s publicist told The Associated Press that she passed away Sunday morning in Los Angeles following a battle with cancer.

“The Last of Us” creator Neil Druckmann wrote on Twitter that “We just lost a beautiful artist and human being. My heart is shattered. Thoughts are with her loved ones.” Actor Abigail Spencer, who appeared with Wersching on the sci-fi series “Timeless,” tweeted, “We love you Annie Wersching. You will be deeply missed.”

Wersching appeared on dozens of television shows over the course of her two-decade career including “Star Trek: Enterprise,” and recurring roles in “24,” “Bosch,” “The Vampire Diaries,” Marvel’s “Runaways,” “The Rookie” and, most recently, the second season of “Star Trek: Picard” as the Borg Queen. She also provided the voice and motion capture performance for Tess for the popular video game “The Last of Us.”

Wershing was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, according to Deadline, and continued working. She’s survived by her husband, actor Stephen Full, and three sons. A GoFundMe page was set up Sunday to support the family.

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Jay Leno breaks multiple bones in recent motorcycle crash

In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, former late-night talk show host Jay Leno said he broke multiple bones in a motorcycle accident — just months after suffering severe burns to his face. Leno said on Jan. 17 he was knocked off his bike, suffering a broken collarbone, two broken ribs and two cracked kneecaps.

Leno is gearing up for his Las Vegas residency on the Encore Theater stage at Wynn Las Vegas in March. He explained that he had been testing out a 1940 Indian motorcycle when he noticed the smell of leaking gasoline.  Said Leno: “So I turned down a side street and cut through a parking lot, and unbeknownst to me, some guy had a wire strung across the parking lot but with no flag hanging from it … So, you know, I didn’t see it until it was too late. It just clothesline me and, boom, knocked me off the bike.”

Leno said he didn’t initially go public about the accident due to all the publicity he had received following the November 2002 incident where he suffered severe burns on his face and body while working on a 1907 White Steam Car in his Los Angeles garage last fall. After a gasoline fire erupted, Leno was brought to Grossman Burn Center for treatment where he underwent a skin grafting procedure and several other surgeries during his 10-day hospital stay.

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Suspect in NYC bike path terror attack found guilty of killing 8 people

Jurors have reached a guilty verdict in the federal death penalty case of a 34-year-old man who killed eight people on a Manhattan bike path five years ago. Sayfullo Saipov, an Uzbek national living in New Jersey at the time of the 2017 Halloween attack, was convicted Thursday by a federal court jury of murder and attempted murder in order to gain entry to ISIS, making him eligible for the death penalty. He was also convicted of providing material support to ISIS. Jurors will decide next month whether Saipov should face the death penalty.

Saipov drove a Home Depot rental pickup truck at least 10 blocks down the Hudson River Greenway bike path, hitting nearly a dozen pedestrians and bicyclists before crashing into a school bus. In addition to the eight people killed, nearly a dozen others were hurt, some seriously. Authorities described the incident as a “cowardly act of terrorism,” and witnesses said at the time that school bus crash appeared deliberate. Prosecutors said in closing arguments that Saipov allegedly showed no remorse. saying he was proud of what he did and asking to hang the flag of the Islamic State group in his Manhattan hospital room.

Saipov had pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including murder in the aid of racketeering and providing and attempting to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization. The truck attack was the deadliest terror attack in New York since Sept. 11, 2001.