NEW YORK — With guests including Paul Simon and Seth Meyers, PEN America will gather Thursday night for its annual gala, a dressed-up, high-profile event raised even higher because some wondered if it would be held at all. The literary and human rights organization has faced ongoing criticism over its response to the Israel-Hamas war, … Read more
ATLANTA — A former Democratic congressman running for Georgia State Supreme Court filed a federal lawsuit Monday claiming a state agency is unconstitutionally trying to block him from talking about abortion. John Barrow sued hours ahead of a deadline to reply to a complaint that he is violating state judicial ethics rules and that he … Read more
ROME — Milan’s La Scala, one of the world’s most prestigious and historic opera houses, on Tuesday named Fortunato Ortombina as its new director, ending months of political controversy. He will step into the post in September at the famed Teatro alla Scala. The city’s mayor, Giuseppe Sala, made the announcement after the opera house’s … Read more
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will detail her rapid ascent in Democratic politics in a book out this summer, a move that will undoubtedly spark fresh speculation about her potential presidential ambitions. “True Gretch” is scheduled for release July 9 and a book announcement provided to The Associated Press promises insights into Whitmer’s … Read more
LONDON — The British Museum on Thursday appointed National Portrait Gallery chief Nicholas Cullinan as its new director, as the 265-year-old institution grapples with the apparent theft of hundreds of artifacts and growing international scrutiny of its collection. Previous director Hartwig Fischer resigned in August after the museum disclosed that more than 1,800 items were … Read more
As rural hospitals continue to struggle financially, a new type of hospital is slowly taking root, especially in the Southeast. Rural emergency hospitals receive more than $3 million in federal funding a year and higher Medicare reimbursements in exchange for closing all inpatient beds and providing 24/7 emergency care. While that makes it easier for … Read more
NEW YORK — No, Jon Stewart really wasn’t sitting at his desk at Comedy Central for the last nine years, waiting for someone to turn the lights back on. Yet it almost felt that way during Stewart’s return to “The Daily Show” Monday night. His signature moves — blunt satire, facial grimaces, incisive use of … Read more
ORLANDO, Fla. — Disney on Thursday appealed a judge’s dismissal of its free speech lawsuit over what it described as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ retaliatory takeover of Walt Disney World’s governing district, as the Florida governor separately called any appeal “a mistake.” “They should move on,” DeSantis said at a news conference in Jacksonville a day … Read more
NEW YORK — At this moment in the 2024 election cycle, complaining about Fox News — even if for different reasons — may be what unites Donald Trump, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis the most. At conservative America’s favorite news source, the Republican nomination process is essentially over and has been for awhile, leaving DeSantis … Read more
ORLANDO, Fla. — A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed Disney’s free speech lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, leaving the company’s remaining hopes of regaining control of the district that governs Walt Disney World to a separate state court challenge. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor in Tallahassee said in his decision that Disney lacked standing … Read more
