This week’s televised debate is crucial for Biden and Trump — and for CNN as well
NEW YORK (AP) — The stakes are high for Joe Biden and Donald Trump for Thursday’s first presidential debate. But they’re not the only ones on the stage: CNN’s Dana Bash and Jake Tapper will be with them, carrying the hopes of a network that could use a boost. Like many news outlets, CNN is struggling to find an audience amid signs this presidential campaign isn’t driving interest like the last two. Cable cord-cutting and a preference among politically-minded viewers to see their opinions reflected also handicap CNN. But it’s a network with a proud legacy as the first all-news outlet, and hopes that a good showing on Thursday can be a shot of good news.
Bankruptcy trustee discloses plan to shut down Alex Jones’ Infowars and liquidate assets
A U.S. bankruptcy court trustee is planning to shut down conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ Infowars media platform and liquidate its assets. Trustee Christopher Murray filed court documents in Houston on Sunday indicating those plans for the first time publicly. Murray intends to liquidate Infowars’ parent company to help pay the $1.5 billion in lawsuit judgments Jones owes for repeatedly calling the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut a hoax. Relatives of many of the 20 students and six educators killed won defamation lawsuits against Jones in 2022, and he filed for bankruptcy reorganization. A judge recently converted Jones’ personal bankruptcy case to a liquidation. A message was left with Jones’ lawyer.
Alabama town’s first Black mayor, who had been locked out of office, will return under settlement
NEWBERN, Ala. (AP) — The first Black mayor of a small Alabama town, who said white city officials blocked him from taking office, will return to the role under the terms of a proposed settlement agreement. The two sides agreed that Patrick Braxton is the lawful mayor of Newbern, a tiny town of about 133 people in west Alabama. If approved by a U.S. district judge the settlement will end the long-running dispute over control of the town government and pave the way for Braxton to take over. Braxton had filed a lawsuit alleging the locks were changed on town hall and officials refused to give him access to town bank accounts.
Taylor Swift brings out Travis Kelce at London Eras Tour date
Taylor Swift had a surprise for fans attending her Eras Tour at London’s Wembley Stadium on Sunday: her boyfriend and tight end for the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce. Dressed in a tuxedo with a tailcoat and top hat, Kelce joined Swift on stage for a transitional sketch that leads into the song “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.” In fan videos, he’s seen carrying Swift, urging her into a costume change. He fanned and powdered her face as part of the act. The billion-dollar Eras Tour is meant to be a career retrospective, with Swift performing more than 40 tracks reflecting 17 years of recorded music.
Princess Anne has been hospitalized after an accident thought to involve a horse
LONDON (AP) — Princess Anne has been hospitalized after an accident thought to involve a horse left her with a concussion. The incident further strains Britain’s royal family as health problems continue to limit public appearances by King Charles III and the Princess of Wales. Buckingham Palace said Monday the king’s 73-year-old sister was admitted to the hospital as a precautionary measure and is expected to make a full recovery after she was injured while walking at her Gatcombe Park estate in southwestern England. Though the cause of Anne’s injuries wasn’t clear, doctors said her injuries were consistent with an impact from a horse’s head or legs.
Former pro surfer known for riding huge Pipeline waves dies in shark attack while surfing off Oahu
A well-known Hawaii lifeguard who was killed in a shark attack on Oahu’s North Shore was a former professional surfer with acting credits to his name. Tamayo Perry died in the attack near Goat Island on Sunday. Perry was most famous as a surfer around in the early 2000s. His specialty was surfing huge Pipeline waves, and he won the Pipeline Master trials in 1999. His other passion was acting. He had several small roles credited to him, including playing a buccaneer in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” in 2011. That same year, he appeared in an episode of the television series “Hawaii Five-0.”
Graceland steward Jack Soden and soul man Wilson Pickett among 9 named to Memphis Music Hall of Fame
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Twelve years ago, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame inducted its inaugural class of 25 luminaries at a rousing ceremony, honoring legends spanning generations and genres, from Elvis Presley to Three 6 Mafia. In later years, dozens of other musicians who have recorded, taught and performed in Memphis secured their place in the hall of fame in this cradle of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll. This year, the hall of fame will be inducting its 100th member with a class featuring soul singer Wilson Pickett and Jack Soden, who teamed up with Elvis’ former wife Priscilla Presley to open Graceland as a tourist attraction in 1982.
Alec Baldwin attorneys argue damage to gun during testing was unacceptable destruction of evidence
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Defense attorneys for Alec Baldwin say the involuntary manslaughter charge against him in the 2021 death of a cinematographer on a movie set should be thrown out because the gun was damaged during FBI testing. The actor’s lawyers argued in a New Mexico court hearing Monday that the prosecution knew the revolver could be destroyed during testing, and that amounted to deliberate and outrageous destruction of evidence they might have used to exonerate him. Prosecutors argued that the gun was not destroyed and there are plenty of means left for his defense. A judge expects to rule on the motion to dismiss on Friday.
Apple becomes first target of EU’s new digital competition rules aimed at big tech
LONDON (AP) — European Union regulators are accusing Apple of breaking new rules on digital competition by imposing rules in its App Store marketplace that prevent app makers from pointing users to cheaper options on other venues. The European Commission said Monday that according to the preliminary findings of its investigation, the iPhone maker had breached the 27-nation bloc’s Digital Markets Act. The rulebook is a sweeping set of regulations aimed at preventing tech giants from cornering digital markets. The commission also opened a fresh investigation zeroing in on a new fee Apple is charging developers for app installations from outside its App Store. Apple said it is “confident” that its plan “complies with the law.”
Music record labels sue AI song-generators Suno and Udio for copyright infringement
BOSTON (AP) — Big record companies are suing artificial intelligence song-generators Suno and Udio for copyright infringement. They are alleging that the AI music startups are exploiting the recorded works of artists from Chuck Berry to Mariah Carey. The Recording Industry Association of America announced the lawsuits Monday brought by labels including Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Records. RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier says the music industry is already collaborating with responsible AI developers but says Suno and Udio are unlicensed services that copy an artist’s life’s work and exploit it for their own profit without consent or pay.
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