NBA Finals Game 2: Phoenix Suns defeat Milwaukee Bucks 118-108, taking 2-0 series lead

The Phoenix Suns defeated Milwaukee 118-108 on Thursday in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, taking a 2-0 series lead. Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had a stellar effort for the Bucks, totaling 42 points (15-of-22 shooting), 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in Game 2, but it wasn’t enough to defeat the Suns, …

Amid drought, Gov. Newsom asks Californians to voluntarily cut water usage 15%

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is asked residents to voluntarily cut water usage by 15% amid record temperatures and a drought in the state.  On Thursday, Newsom added nine more counties to the state’s drought emergency declaration, which now covers 50 of California’s 58 counties, adding that the water conservation request was not mandatory. The governor suggested Californians …

President Biden promises an end to military mission in Afghanistan by Aug. 31

President Biden promised on Thursday that he won’t “send another generation of Americans to war in Afghanistan,” saying the United States’ military mission will end by Aug. 31. The update comes just a couple days after the Pentagon said the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan is about 90% complete. Biden spoke in the East Room of the White House, …

Wimbledon 2021: Ashleigh Barty, Karolina Pliskova advance to women’s final

On Thursday, Ashleigh Barty and Karolina Pliskova both advanced to the women’s finals at Wimbledon. The top seeded Barty defeated 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(3). Pliskova eliminated No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka in three sets, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. Barty and Pliskova are both playing in their second career Grand Slams. …

Documentary film “Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story” to debut this August

The autobiographical documentary of country music superstar Cody Johnson “Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story” will hit theatres on August 10th. The film recounts Johnson’s real-life journey from rodeo arenas to some of the biggest musical stages in America. Johnson opens up in the film about how his years on the rodeo circuit prepared him …

Martina McBride announces double LP “Greatest Hits” vinyl collection

Martina McBride has announced that she will be releasing a special double LP collection entitled “Greatest Hits: The RCA Years” on vinyl and exclusively launching with Walmart on August 20th. Fans can also purchase a special edition Sea Blue version of the LP.  The new 2 disc collection will include some of her biggest hits …

Disney + releases trailer for Marvel’s ‘What If…?’ featuring final appearance from Chadwick Boseman

Disney+ shared a trailer for the animated anthology series What If…? which features Marvel universe characters Peggy Carter, T’Challa, Killmonger, Tony Stark, Thor, Doctor Strange and others, teasing “infinite possibilities” in the Marvel universe. What If…? is based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name, and explores what would happen if major moments in …

‘American Horror Stories’ releases first-look teaser and announces cast

FX dropped the trailer for its new anthology series “American Horror Stories,” and series creator Ryan Murphy shared a teaser that introduces each cast members and their character names. Murphy wrote on Instagram. “And this isn’t even the half of it. Take a peek at some of the American Horror Stories cast.” Included in the …

Death toll rises to 54 as efforts at Florida condo collapse shifts from rescue to recovery operation

Emergency workers shifted efforts at the site of the Surfside condominium tower collapse in Florida from rescue to recovery, following an increase in the death toll on Wednesday with 18 more victims discovered. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said at a news conference Wednesday evening that it was an “extremely difficult decision” to halt the …

3 undercover law enforcement officers shot and wounded in Chicago

Three undercover law enforcement officers were shot and wounded Wednesday morning while driving onto an expressway on Chicago’s South Side.  Police said the shooting occurred at 5:50 a.m. near the 22nd District police station in the city’s Morgan Park neighborhood. The three were in an unmarked undercover vehicle on their way to an assignment when …