‘Wheel of Fortune’: Vanna White bids an emotional goodbye to Pat Sajak
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Before Pat Sajak’s final episode as the host of “Wheel of Fortune,” Vanna White delivered a heartfelt tribute to her co-host of forty years. During Thursday’s episode of the game show, White honored Sajak’s dedication and their enduring friendship through a video segment showcasing clips and pictures of their partnership from the 1980s until now. She described him as “like a brother” and a “true lifelong friend,” emphasizing that their personal connection meant more to her than their professional collaboration. Sajak’s farewell episode is set to air on Friday, while White will continue as co-host alongside Ryan Seacrest, who will be taking over from Sajak.
Scorching heat maintains its hold on the Southwest US with record-breaking temperatures exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit in southeastern California and Arizona. The official start of summer is still two weeks away, yet nearly half of Arizona and Nevada are under an excessive heat alert through Friday evening. This alert extends until Saturday in Las Vegas, where temperatures have reached unprecedented levels this early in the year. Recent record highs include 113 in Phoenix, 111 in Las Vegas, and 122 in Death Valley National Park.
Diana Ross, Eminem, and Jack White performed for a large crowd as a former Detroit eyesore is revived. The trio took part in Thursday night’s concert, “Live From Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central,” which celebrated the grand reopening of an 18-story structure that once symbolized the city’s decline. The renovated train station opens to the public on Friday, six years after Ford Motor Company acquired the building, marking over three decades since the last train departed. The now thriving Michigan Central Station is a stark contrast to its previous state of disrepair, becoming a symbol of Detroit’s revitalization. The sold-out event also featured performances by Big Sean, the Clark Sisters, and Fantasia.
At a D-Day ceremony in France, an American veteran shared an emotional embrace with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, calling him a savior. Retired Staff Sgt. Melvin Hurwitz and other veterans were honored at the event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. When introduced to Zelenskyy, the 99-year-old kissed the Ukrainian leader’s hand and embraced him warmly, declaring him as the “savior of the people.” Zelenskyy, beaming, responded by saying, “No, no, no, you … you saved Europe,” as the ongoing war in Ukraine cast a shadow over the ceremony.
The Boston Celtics dominated the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, fueled by Jaylen Brown’s 22 points and Kristaps Porzingis’ return with 20 points after being sidelined for over a month. Boston established a commanding 29-point lead in the first half and hit 16 three-pointers in a strong start to their quest for an 18th NBA title. Porzingis, who had been out with a strained right calf since April, made a significant impact off the bench with six rebounds and three blocks in 21 minutes of play. Six Celtics players scored in double figures.
A new installment of ‘The Hunger Games’ series, titled “Sunrise on the Reaping,” is set to be released on March 18, 2025, inspired by an 18th-century Scottish philosopher and the prevalence of misinformation today. The fifth volume in the popular dystopian series is a prequel to the original novel, set 24 years prior to the events of the first “Hunger Games” book and 40 years after the most recent installment, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” A film adaptation is scheduled for 2026.
Finalists for the prestigious James Beard Awards include a Detroit East African restaurant, longstanding family-owned Seattle pho shops, and a Palestinian chef in Washington, D.C., utilizing ancient cooking techniques. The awards ceremony, set to take place in Chicago, will recognize achievements in 22 categories, with winners gaining significant recognition and potentially boosting their businesses. Baobab Fare, owned by Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere in Detroit, is among the finalists for the “Outstanding Restaurateur” category, with the duo hoping to inspire other refugees with their success.
A judge has dismissed several criminal charges against Paul Pelosi’s attacker in state court, citing double jeopardy concerns. Following a federal conviction in 2022 for the attack at the San Francisco home of the Pelosis, David DePape no longer faces attempted murder, elder abuse, and assault with a deadly weapon charges. However, he still stands accused of false imprisonment, residential burglary, threatening a family member of a public official, attempting to sway a witness, and aggravated kidnapping, to which he has pleaded not guilty. DePape received a 30-year prison sentence as a result of his federal conviction.
In a stunning upset, the United States defeated cricket powerhouse Pakistan in a Super Over tiebreaker at the T20 World Cup, securing back-to-back victories on home soil. Aaron Jones, a standout performer in the tournament, played a crucial role in propelling the Americans to victory with a vital knock of 36 not out off 26 deliveries. His efforts, alongside Nitish Kumar’s boundary off the final ball in regulation, led to the match being tied at 159, setting the stage for a nail-biting tiebreaker.
A class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers alleging antitrust violations by the NFL got underway in federal court, with opening statements presented on Thursday. The lawsuit, initiated in 2015 and surviving numerous legal challenges, accuses the NFL of breaching antitrust laws by granting DirecTV exclusive rights to sell the “Sunday Ticket” package of out-of-market games at an inflated price, restricting competition. Important figures like NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones are expected to testify in a case that could span up to three weeks.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
