Taylor Swift announces 12th studio album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl’
NEW YORK (AP) — Look what you made her do. Taylor Swift has announced her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” The full-length follows her last original album, 2024’s “The Tortured Poets Department.” That album was released during her record-breaking “Eras Tour.” The tour raked in over $2.2 billion across two years and five continents, making it the highest-grossing tour of all time. “The Life of a Showgirl” is also her first release since Swift regained control over her entire body of work. In May, that pop star said she purchased her catalog of recordings, originally released through Big Machine Records, from their most recent owner, the private equity firm Shamrock Capital.
Business spat between Daryl Hall and John Oates has been resolved in arbitration, attorneys say
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A court filing says Daryl Hall and John Oates have resolved their dispute over a Hall & Oates business partnership through arbitration. The filing by Hall’s attorneys Monday shows the estranged duo reached a private ending after details of the rift between the duo went public in court documents after Hall sued Oates in 2023. A judge required the status update on a legal case that has been dormant for a year and a half. It’s unclear when the arbitration ruling was reached, or what the outcome was. An attorney for Hall declined to comment. Representatives for Oates did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Increasing the danger: Journalist killing in Gaza sends a chilling message
The targeted killing of an Al Jazeera correspondent in Gaza over the weekend was a notable moment even for a war that has been remarkably blood-soaked for journalists. For the first time, Israel quickly claimed responsibility for the killing of Anas al-Sharif. Al Jazeera and others were quick to condemn the killing, and the news director of Al Jazeera English called on news organizations around the world to recruit more journalists to cover the war. With rare exceptions, Israel does not let international journalists into the territory to cover the war, leaving international organizations largely to count on Palestinian journalists.
Prince Harry, Meghan and Netflix extend partnership for streaming programs
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, announced Monday that their media company’s partnership with Netflix has been extended with a multiyear, first-look deal. Archewell Productions first collaborated with the streaming giant in a 2020 deal that produced the successful documentary series “Harry & Meghan.” The couple and Netflix also announced upcoming collaborations, including a second season of, “With Love, Meghan,” a lifestyle reality show starring the Duchess, and a scripted adaptation of Carley Fortune’s book, “Meet Me at the Lake.” Netflix’s chief content officer call Harry and Meghan “influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences everywhere.”
What to Stream: Vanessa Kirby, Maroon 5, Madden NFL 26, Alicia Silverstone and ‘The Chicken Sisters’
Vanessa Kirby starring in the gritty film “Night Always Comes,” and Maroon 5 releasing their eighth studio album with songs featuring Lil Wayne and Blackpink’s LISA are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time for the week of Aug. 11 as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists are Alicia Silverstone leading a new TV crime drama called “Irish Blood.,” the multigenerational, wholesome drama “The Chicken Sisters” rolls out its second season on Hallmark and EA Sports jumps aboard the artificial intelligence bandwagon with Madden NFL 26.
‘Weapons’ horror film scores a box office victory
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Zach Cregger’s highly anticipated horror film, “Weapons,” and Disney’s sequel comedy, “Freakier Friday,” helped prove that horror and humor can thrive at the box office. “Weapons” opened with $42.5 million domestically to take the top spot, and the Disney follow to “Freaky Friday” earned $29 million. A Warner Bros. executive says “Weapons” was the studio’s seventh film this year to take the top spot, and the sixth film in a row to debut over $40 million. Paul Dergarabedian of the data firm Comscore says “the top two films could not be more different, and that’s what makes this weekend so appealing.”
Book Review: A private eye investigates whether her husband sent an innocent man to prison
Chicago Private Eye Annalisa Vega is trying to make a go of it again with Nick Carelli, who she had kicked to the curb for his rampant infidelity. But when she agrees to take the case of a man who claims he was wrongfully convicted of killing his wife’s divorce lawyer, things get complicated. The homicide detective who may have arrested the wrong man was Nick. Associated Press reviewer Bruce DeSilva says Joanna Schaffhausen’s “Gone in the Night” is a suspenseful yarn that unfolds at a torrid pace. But the novel also illustrates how difficult it can be for abused women to get help or justice.
‘Outlander’ prequel series ‘Blood of My Blood’ goes back in time again — to meet the parents
As Starz’s historical drama series “Outlander” readies its final season for a premiere next year, fans can now learn about where Jamie and Claire Fraser came from in the new prequel series, “Outlander: Blood of My Blood.” Debuting Friday, the show follows the relationships of Jamie’s parents, Ellen and Brian and Claire’s parents, Julia and Henry. Like the flagship series, their stories are filled with drama, obstacles and yes, some time travel. What makes “Blood of My Blood” also different for its showrunner, Matthew B. Roberts, is that there are no books to follow. “Outlander” is adapted from a series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Production is already underway on a second season of “Blood of My Blood.”
Arkansas authorities say additional employees disciplined at prison where ex-police chief escaped
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Additional employees at an Arkansas prison have been disciplined for not following procedures at a prison where an inmate known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” escaped earlier this summer. Arkansas Division of Correction Director Dexter Payne told lawmakers on Monday that employees at the Calico Rock prison had been suspended. Payne says another demoted for allowing inmates to use an outdoor kitchen dock unsupervised. The dock played a key role in the May 25 escape of Grant Hardin. Payne says corrections officials have nearly completed the report on their critical incident review of the escape.
Book Review: Debut novelist Aisha Muharrar deftly explores love and loss in ‘Loved One’
The co-executive producer of HBO’s “Hacks” is out with her first novel, “Loved One.” A work of fiction, it explores two women’s relationships with an indie music star after he dies in a tragic accident. Julia and Elizabeth warily befriend one another as they attempt to collect mementos of Gabe’s — from a guitar he once played to a Mets cap he wore. We stay inside Julia’s head most of the time, as she travels around London, still delivering inner monologues. Associated Press reviewer Rob Merrill praises Muharrar’s “poetic” use of words and the “pop-culture sensibility” she gives the main character, Julia. “Loved One” is on sale Tuesday.
Read more on Yakima Herald-Republic
