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A beloved Halloween tradition is getting a festive new twist just in time for the spooky season.

Peanuts

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, fans of the Peanuts gang will soon have a new way to bring Halloween spirit home with PEANUTS GREAT PUMPKIN CAROLS: Sing-Along Songs to Spark the Halloween Spirit.

The new book, arriving Sept. 15, transforms the familiar melodies of traditional Christmas carols into Halloween-themed songs featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the iconic Peanuts characters. The collection was written by award-winning author Daniel Kibblesmith, known for his work on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and other projects.

Inspired by the world created by legendary cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, PEANUTS GREAT PUMPKIN CAROLS combines classic Peanuts artwork, beloved characters and playful Halloween lyrics designed for families to sing along together.

The release arrives during a milestone year for It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, which first premiered in 1966 and has remained one of the most cherished Halloween specials for generations.

The animated classic follows Linus as he waits in the pumpkin patch for the Great Pumpkin to appear, while Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts crew celebrate Halloween in their own unforgettable ways.

Now, six decades later, fans can celebrate the season with a new Peanuts tradition that blends Halloween nostalgia with the familiar joy of holiday sing-alongs.

The book will be available Sept. 15, giving fans plenty of time to add it to their fall reading lists before Halloween arrives.

'PEANUTS GREAT PUMPKIN CAROLS'

• Halloween is Here ("Christmastime is Here")
• Linus the True Believer ("Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer")
• Spooky Beagle ("Santa Baby")
• Little Blanket Boy ("Little Drummer Boy")
• The First Halloween ("The First Noel")

Peanuts

• I Got a Rock ("Oh Holy Night")
• The Twelve Nights of Halloween ("The Twelve Days of Christmas")
• We Wish You a Scary Season ("We Wish You a Merry Christmas")
• I Saw Snoopy Kissing Lucy’s Cheek ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus")
• O Perfect Little Pumpkin Patch ("O Little Town of Bethlehem")  

Related: Hallmark Reveals Disney World Christmas Collection Inspired by New Holiday Movie

Today’s New York Times Connections puzzle covers everything from prime cuts, waterworks, foreign currency, and mi gente. There's nothing quite as exhilarating as the feeling of completing the daily New York Times Wordle, Strands, Mini Crossword and Connections Sports Edition word games in one fell swoop. But sometimes that can be easier said than done. If you need help with today's Connections puzzle, keep reading.

Spoilers ahead! We've warned you. We mean it. Read no further until you really want some clues or you've completely given up and want the answers ASAP. Get ready for all of today's NYT 'Connections’ hints and answers for #1140 onSaturday, July 25, 2026.

Today's NYT Connections Puzzle for Saturday, July 25, 2026 / New York Times

The New York Times

If you've been having trouble with any of the connections or words in Saturday's puzzle, you're not alone, and these hints should definitely help you out. Plus, I'll reveal the answers further down.

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You'll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

Hints About Today's NYT Connections Categories on Saturday, July 25

1. ¡Mi familia!
2. Getting emotional.
3. Cash in humanity's cradle.
4. Like a popular cut of meat.

Related: 300 Trivia Questions and Answers to Jumpstart Your Fun Game Night

Ready for the answers? Scroll below this image (the image that represents your very appreciated patience!).

iStock

Today's Connections Game Answers for Saturday, July 25:

1. SPANISH RELATIVES: ABUELA, HIJO, MADRE, PRIMO
2. START TO CRY, WITH "UP": CHOKE, MIST, TEAR, WELL
3. AFRICAN CURRENCIES: KWANZA, LEONE, NAIRA, RAND
4. STRIP ___: CLUB, MALL, POKER, STEAK

How'd you do?

Up Next:

- 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day
- Hints, Clues and Answers to the NYT's 'Mini Crossword' Puzzle

Did You Miss a Few Days? Let's Catch You Up With Recent Connections Answers

Related: I Tried Reese Witherspoon's Grandma's Corn Salad and It's the Refreshing Ode to Summer That I'll Be Making on Repeat

Oprah Winfrey recently reflected on one of her biggest regrets throughout her storied career.

The television host and media icon spoke about her brief stint as a singer during an episode of the Baby, This is Keke Palmerpodcast published July 21. 

KekePalmer playfully sang the lyric "I think I’m gonna run on" from the Black spiritual song "Run On," which Winfrey recorded as her first and final single. The track became the theme song for the 13th season of The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1998. 

"Girl, please," the 72-year-old told a giggling Palmer. "That is one of the mistakes of my career."

The One of Them Days actress said her recording was "no mistake,” but Winfrey did not agree. 

“It is a mistake," the talk show host doubled down. "So, what had happened was I was trying to decide, 'Am I gonna end the show or not end the show?' And then I had a little talk with Jesus, and Jesus said, 'You gotta keep going.' And so I said, 'There’s this song. It’s an old spiritual.'”

Winfrey’s talk show aired for 30 seasons from 1986 to 2011, winning 47 Daytime Emmy Awards throughout the decades. 

The media mogul sang the lyric "I think I'm gonna run on" for Palmer. The podcast host responded, "You got to give them a little slave hymn sometimes." 

Winfrey revealed she wasn’t surprised her rendition of "Run On" never took off. It was only used in one season of her show.  

"We realized, I can’t sing," she explained, "even though I took the singing lessons."

She added that the song was produced using a church choir for backup vocals to improve it, but  "it didn't work."

The 32-year-old actress told Winfrey that her singing "wasn't bad,” but the former talk show host resisted her compliment. 

"You know it was bad,” she said. “You’re just saying that 'cause you’re looking at me. It was pretty bad." 

Today's NYT Wordle is easy if you've ever been to Waikiki. But the day just isn't complete until I've solved all of the free word games from the New York Times, including Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Strands, and Mini Crossword. If you’re stuck on today’s Wordle answer, we’re here to help—but beware of spoilers for Wordle #1862 ahead.

Let's start with a few hints.

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How many vowels are in today's Wordle?

There are three vowels in today's five-letter word.

What kind of letter does today's Wordle start with?

Today's Wordle begins with a vowel.

Are there any double letters?

There are double letters in today's Wordle.

Can you give another hint about today's Wordle

A hint for today's Wordle is: Means "hello" and "goodbye" in the tropics.

OK, that's it for hints—I don't want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

We'll have the answer below this friendly reminder of how to play the game.

SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don't want the answer revealed.

The New York Times

Today's Wordle Answer for #1862 on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

Today's Wordle answer on Saturday, July 25, 2026, is ALOHA.

-If you missed it, catch up with the answer to yesterday’s Wordle.

Related: Every 5 Letter Word Wordle Hasn't Used Yet (Updated Daily)

Cheap Trick, the 1970s rock band, delivered exciting news to fans ahead of the All Washed Up Tour.

With only a few weeks remaining before the highly anticipated North American run which will debut in August, the band, composed of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Robin Zander, lead guitarist Rick Nielsen and bassist Tom Petersson, along with touring members Daxx Nielsen, Rick Nielsen's son, and Robin Taylor Zander, is expanding its fall schedule with more dates.

In an Instagram update, Cheap Trick revealed nine additional dates for the November schedule. 

Fans can expect another round of classic favorites from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame outfit as they make stops in major cities across Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio and Michigan.

Cheap Trick members bassist Tom Petersson, drummer Bun E. Carlos, guitarist Rick Nielsen and singer Robin Zander in 1977.

Michael Putland/Getty Images

With the additional tour dates, Cheap Trick's tour now spans 38 dates featuring special guests The Calling, Pat Travers Band and James Hatem as supporting acts.

As for the legendary ZZ Top, the iconic trio is set to join Cheap Trick on selected dates as the band continues their 50th anniversary tour.

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Meanwhile, Cheap Trick's tour supports its 21st studio album, All Washed Up, released in November 2025.

Cheap Trick's North American Tour 2026:

Aug. 2: Minnedosa, Canada @ Rockin' the Fields of Minnedosa
Aug. 4: Chula Vista, CA @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Aug. 5: Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
Aug. 8: Saratoga, CA @ The Mountain Winery
Aug. 9: Modesto, CA @ Fruityard Amphitheatre
Aug. 11: Redmond, WA @ Marymoor Park Concerts
Aug. 13: Central Point, OR @ Bi Mart Amphitheater
Aug. 15: Castle Rock, CO @ Castle Rock Summer Concert Series
Aug. 18: Sandy, UT @ Sandy Amphitheater
Aug. 21: Albuquerque, NM
Aug. 23: Chandler, AZ
Aug. 29: Albany, OR @ Northwest Art & Air Festival
Sept. 2: Walla Walla, WA @ Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days
Sept. 10: Aurora, IL
Sept. 11: Paw Paw, MI
Sept. 15: Huntington, NY
Sept. 16: Hampton, NH
Sept. 18: Lincoln, RI
Sept. 19: Morristown, NJ
Sept. 21: Glenside, PA
Sept. 22: Greensburg, PA
Sept. 24: Louisville, KY @ Bourbon & Beyond 2026
Sept. 26: Nashville, TN
Sept. 27: Port Wentworth, GA
Oct. 3: The Woodlands, TX
Oct. 4: Irving, TX
Oct. 5: Fort Wayne, IN
Oct. 8: Madison, WI
Nov. 5: Fort Wayne, IN @ (Venue TBA)
Nov. 8: Madison, WI @ (Venue TBA)
Nov. 11: Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theater
Nov. 12: St. Louis, MO @ The Factory
Nov. 14: Davenport, IA @ Capitol Theatre
Nov. 15: La Vista, NE @ The Astro Theater
Nov. 18: Milwaukee, WI @ Landmark Credit Union Live
Nov. 19: Cincinnati, OH @ Taft Theatre
Nov. 21: Northfield, OH @ Northfield Park Racino
Nov. 22: Detroit, MI @ MotorCity Casino Sound Board Theater

Related: Beloved Rock Band, Disbanded After Nine Years, Ranked Among 'Best Supergroups' of All Time

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Whether you're schlepping across campus, battling crowded transit to make it to work on time, or packing for a quick getaway, having a reliable backpack is incredibly helpful in a variety of situations. But the struggle to find one that's comfortable to carry and doesn't leave you digging through a massive black hole to find a pen or grab your wallet can be tough to overcome on a budget. It's rare to find a useful name-brand backpack for under $30, but Adidas currently has a large selection of bags marked down ahead of back-to-school season, including one backpack on sale for half off that you're absolutely going to want to check out. 

Normally $58, the Weekender 2 Backpack is on sale for as low as $29 at Adidas. It's packed with smart, traveler-friendly organizational features that put it in a class above the typical back-to-school selections available this time of year. (Though it'd still be great for the classroom!) This backpack is on sale in three colors, including blush pink for $29, black for $44, and mauve for $47.

Weekender 2 Backpack, $29 (was $58) at Adidas

Courtesy of Adidas

Shop at Adidas

Built to function seamlessly as a travel bag or for daily carry, this 27-liter backpack features a roomy main compartment accompanied by multiple pockets. Inside the largest zippered compartment is a padded laptop sleeve that can accommodate laptops up to 15 inches. 

The exterior boasts two smaller zippered pockets on the front and fully lined water bottle pockets on either side. On the back, there's a trolley strap that you could use to attach this backpack securely to the top of a suitcase handle when traveling. An Adidas shopper called this backpack "very spacious," noting that both side pockets were each large enough to fit a 20-ounce water bottle.

Made of polyester, this backpack is durable and lightweight, with padded straps that help distribute the weight of whatever is inside. To back its quality, Adidas offers a lifetime warranty, guaranteeing it free from material and workmanship defects for 5 years, which the retailer stated is the typical life of a well-used bag. 

Shop More Deals

• Essentials 3 Sling Bag, $24 (was $48) at Adidas
• Classic 3S 5 Backpack, $25 (was $50) at Adidas
• Saturday 2 Backpack, $28 (was $55) at Adidas

Related Card Link:https://parade.com/shopping/amazon-vera-bradley-featherweight-lunch-tote-bag-sale

Deals this good on such a useful essential rarely last long. Snag the Weekender 2 Backpack for just $29 at Adidas while you still can!

Don’t miss future deals!Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

Summer Housestar Carl Radkerevealed that he'd like Belmont Cameli, of Off Campusfame, to film for the hit Bravo series.

In a July 2026 interview withPage Six's Virtual Reali-Tea, Radke was asked to "pick a Summer House cameo you would love to see." The 41-year-old, who has starred on Summer House since its first season, which premiered in 2017, said he would like "Belmont Cameli from Off Campus" to stop by the Hamptons. Radke then explained that Cameli, who plays hockey player Garrett Graham on the Prime Video series, enjoys watching Summer House. In addition, Radke noted that there used to be a large billboard for Off Campus next door to his non-alcoholic bar in Brooklyn, Soft Bar.

"I heard he's a big fan of Summer House. And believe it or not, next door to Soft Bar, right outside, there's a huge billboard that rotates every month, and for the last month, up until a week ago, it was Belmont," said Radke during the interview.

Radke then revealed he has been attempting to reach out to the actor via social media.

"I've been trying to tag him in stuff, and I've been trying to tweet at him. Belmont, where you at?" said Radke during the interview.

Belmont Cameli Spoke About His Appreciation for 'Summer House' in a March 2026 Interview

During a March 2026 Vogue interview, alongside his Off Campus castmate Ella Bright, Cameli revealed that "if [he] had to be cast in a reality show," it would be Summer House. He then shared that he was watching the show's 10th season, and referenced Amanda Batula's relationship with West Wilson, which caused the end of her friendship with Ciara Miller.

"As I'm watching it, I cannot believe the story of what happens after they're done shooting. There was some pretty serious betrayal and infidelity that happened after they were done shooting, which I'm hoping will come to light at the reunion," said Cameli during the Vogue interview.

While staying with her brother and his wife in 1796, 21-year-old Jane Austen began working on a novel she titled First Impressions initially. While working on the novel Austen would read it out loud to her family members. In 1797, Austen's father sent a letter to a bookseller in London to see if they had any interest in reading the manuscript, but the offer was turned down.

Austen made significant rewrites and changes to the novel between the years of 1811 and 1812. At this time she also changed the title, renaming it Pride and Prejudice. Austen sold the rights at that time to Thomas Egerton for £110, and the first editions of Pride and Prejudice were published in January of 1813. The first and second editions both sold out, and a third was published in 1817.

Like most of Austen's initial works, Pride and Prejudice was published anonymously. She was more of a "concept" of an author, rather than a known name.

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In the 200+ years since its publication, Pride and Prejudice has gone on to be considered a literary classic and one of the most popular novels in English literature. The book has been sold over 20 million times and consistently appears on lists of the "Most Loved Books." Recently, PBS listed and ranked the "100 Most Loved Novels" in America, and Pride and Prejudice was listed at number four.

Pride and Prejudicefollows the trials and tribulations between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Elizabeth, the daughter of a countryman, and Darcy, a wealthy suitor, are drawn to each other but have to overcome familial dynamics, class disparity, and other isues in order to make their relationship work. Described as "a novel of manners," Pride and Prejudice is a romantic story, but one that masterfully depicts the social world occuring within the story in and of itself.

A massive success as a novel, Pride and Prejudice has been subject to multiple adaptations over the last two centuries. Multiple TV series, films, and stage versions have been created to critical and commercial acclaim.

Pride and Prejudice is available wherever books are sold.

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Related: Best-Selling Classic Novel Was Written When the Author Was Just 18 Years Old

Debby Boone was just 21 years old when she recorded "You Light Up My Life" — and it turned out to be the biggest single of the entire 1970s. 

The song didn't just hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It stayed there for 10 straight weeks, something no song had ever done before.

“The success of ‘You Light Up My Life’ surprised everybody,” she recalled to Goldmine magazine in 2017. 

When Debby released the song, she wasn’t completely new to the music world. She came from a house full of singers, with her father, Pat Boone, and her grandfather, country legend Red Foley, both having built successful careers in the industry.

Surprisingly, music wasn't her original plan. "I've been an animal lover since I was a little girl and thought I might become a veterinarian," she told Boomer magazine.

Things changed when she was 14. Her dad was heading to Japan for work, and she came along so the family could stick together.

“He made a mistake and put me in his show!” she said. “I got a taste of the work and loved it, so that’s when I knew for the first time I had the ability to be an entertainer.”

Debby sang alongside her sisters and parents as part of The Boone Family, performing a mix of pop and gospel music. As she got older, the family act began to wind down, and there was growing demand for her to go solo. 

Debby’s first opportunity came from Mike Curb, an executive at Curb Records, who brought a tape by her parents' house. "Curb had brought a cassette of this song they wanted me to record,” she recalled. 

“At that point, I had only performed with the family, so I was shocked because we hadn’t talked about me doing anything on my own. But I was pleased when I heard this lovely song and my parents were supportive when I flew to New York to record it.” 

That song was "You Light Up My Life," the title track from the romantic drama about a young woman balancing life with big dreams of becoming a professional singer.

What most fans don't realize is that Debby’s recording wasn't the only version made for the project.

In the film, actress Didi Conn's singing voice was originally dubbed by Kasey Cisyk. But according to Debby, Cisyk and the director had "creative differences," and that's how she ended up recording her own version.

It ended up being one of the biggest moments of her career. Debby estimates she's sung it thousands of times since, and her take on it has changed as she has.

“When I was younger I had a more powerful voice, but now I have a lot more maturity in my voice which I love. I think I command the lyrics better today than I did in my early 20s.”

Debby said she's grateful for all it's done for her, even if people still call her a "one-hit wonder."

“Some people still consider me to be a one-hit wonder with ‘You Light Up My Life’ even though I’ve had Number 1 country records and won three Grammys,” she noted. “But I’ve had a strong public persona over the years and am still performing and recording. People remember that song, but they also remember who sang it!”

Related: 1969 Rock Classic, Written in Less Than an Hour, Became a Timeless Anthem

Some songs become classics twice.

That was the case with "Gold Dust Woman," which first captivated listeners when Fleetwood Mac released it on its landmark 1977 album Rumours. Nineteen years later, the song found an entirely new audience when Hole recorded a brooding cover, proving its emotional power could transcend generations and genres.

Written by Stevie Nicks, "Gold Dust Woman" closed Rumours on an unforgettable note.

While many listeners initially interpreted its mysterious lyrics as a portrait of a troubled relationship, Nicks has long explained that the song was a "symbolic look about somebody going through a bad relationship, and doing a lot of drugs, and trying to… just make it, trying to live, trying to get through it to the next thing." Its haunting imagery, layered harmonies, and Lindsey Buckingham's experimental production helped make it one of the album's most distinctive tracks.

While "Gold Dust Woman" never charted as a major single, Rumours, which spent 31 non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200, won the 1978 Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. The album's phenomenal success helped elevate the song into one of Fleetwood Mac's most enduring deep cuts.

But, by the mid-1990s, the song was ready for a new interpretation.

At the height of alternative rock's popularity, Courtney Love and Hole stripped away much of the original's dreamy atmosphere in favor of a grittier, emotionally volatile performance. Recorded for The Crow: City of Angels soundtrack, the cover retained Nicks' evocative lyrics while replacing Fleetwood Mac's polished soft rock production with distorted guitars and raw vocals.

The reinterpretation introduced "Gold Dust Woman" to younger listeners who may have been unfamiliar with Rumours.

Although the soundtrack featured some of alternative rock's biggest names, Hole's version quickly became one of its standout tracks. For many fans discovering the song in the 1990s, it served as a gateway back to Fleetwood Mac's original recording, helping reinforce the composition's enduring appeal.

That ability to evolve is part of what has made "Gold Dust Woman" so remarkable.

Whether heard through Fleetwood Mac's ethereal harmonies or Hole’s angst-filled reinterpretation, the song's themes of temptation, vulnerability, and survival remain strikingly relevant. Each version reflects the era in which it was recorded while preserving the emotional core that Stevie Nicks first put on paper.

In 1997, Love interviewed Nicks for SPINMagazine:

"I love the imagery in the song, when she's a dragon, and a black widow," Love told Nicks.

"That just means an anger," Nicks replied. "The black widow, the dragon thing, is all about being scary and angry."

"But I think it's more powerful than that," Love countered. "A dragon is the most potent and virile symbol you can use. So applying yourself to a woman, or to yourself, or to an archetypal alter-ego self is like this power, especially if you wrote it when you were frail and frightened and maybe not as powerful as you became later."

Nearly 50 years after Fleetwood Mac debuted "Gold Dust Woman," the song continues to resonate across generations. Reimagined 19 years after its original release, it proved that a truly great composition can thrive in more than one musical landscape, cementing its place as a timeless soft rock anthem.

Related: 1972 Classic Ballad, Written by a 19-Year-Old, Became a Timeless Heartbreak Anthem

Chuck Russell, a legendary director behind the 1994 film The Mask, has died at the age of 74, TMZ reports.

His family told the outlet that he died on Wednesday, July 22, at his San Diego-area home. The local fire department responded to his home in the afternoon after receiving a report of a medical emergency for an unconscious male.

His cause of death is unknown at this time.

TMZ added that his family is flying to California to learn more about his sudden death.

During his career, he worked with many talented actors, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dwayne Johnson, and Jim Carrey. Specifically, Russell served as a director on 1987's A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, as well as having written and directed The Blob in 1988. He's also known for 1996's Eraser, 2002's The Scorpion King, 2016's I Am Wrath, and Paradise City. His final film was a remake of the 1986 film Witchboard, which he did in 2024.

Following his passing, many paid tribute, including Warner Bros. Entertainment.

"Remembering Chuck Russell," the film studio shared on social media with a photo of the director.

"Shocked to learn of the passing of my friend Chuck Russell. He was a visionary filmmaker, who I believe had just embarked on a new chapter in his storied career. I will miss our long chats about movies and music. Mask, Blob, Nightmare 3. Eraser. Classics, all. RIP, friend," composer Bear McCreary posted.

"Sad to hear of filmmaker Chuck Russell’s death. Spoke w/ him a few months ago & he couldn’t have been kinder & more gracious. A versatile talent, able to nimbly negotiate tones to amp up horror, drama & action. My deepest sympathies to his daughters & family," film critic Courtney Howard commented.

Russell is survived by his wife, Ania, and his children Riley and Carlyn, as well as his sister Anne Jacob.

To kick off the second day of Comic-Con in San Diego, DC Comics writer Matt Fraction joined a panel to announce this year’s Batman Day and the new books that will be released for it.

Fraction announced that Batman Day will be on Sept. 19, and revealed the cover art of a one-shot called BATMAN OF TWO WORLDS. In a story told by Fraction, Scott Snyder and Javi Fernández, Snyder called the one-shot “two stories, one crime.”

Grace Chaves / Parade

Before the one-shot is released, G. Willow Wilson, Tom Taylor, Christopher Cantwell, Tate Brombal and Fraction revealed that they would be launching a series titled Bad Seeds on August 26. 

Releasing in 23 issues across 10 weeks, the series synopsis says that “one night pushes Gotham to the brink as Poison Ivy transforms the city into a savage prehistoric battlefield, forcing Batman and the Bat-Family into a fight for survival.”

Wilson said that the series is “one of the tightest, most well-thought-out crossover events” she has ever been part of.

“It takes place across a single night in Gotham, so it’s not one of these things where the world is coming to an end again, and you wake up the next morning, and everything’s different,” Wilson explained during the panel. “This is very tight. It’s contained. It’s Gotham-centric, and each character has to contribute something unique to their skillset.”

During the panel, preview comic books were handed out, showing concept art of Bad Seeds. In a Q&A at the back of the book, Fraction said that there’s an “inherent tension” to the story.

“Every page that passes escalates the stakes by virtue of the clock ticking down, and it helped keep things small in the right way, local and focused,” Fraction said. “It’s never been more dangerous to be part of the Bat-Family in Gotham.”

These new books were announced less than two weeks after The Batman: Part II movie got delayed until 2028. Starring Robert Pattinson, Scarlett Johansson and Sebastian Stan, the star-studded film will now be released on Feb. 18, 2028. Find out more here.

Three years after his death, Bernie Marsden is set to release one final album.

The late guitarist's official Instagram account announced that STAGE, the fifth and final installment in his Inspirations Series, will arrive on Aug. 21, 2026. The posthumous collection celebrates the legendary musician's dynamic live performances, bringing together recordings from four concerts spanning nearly a quarter-century.

According to the announcement, STAGE will be available as a limited-edition two-LP gatefold set and a deluxe two-CD digipak complete with a 16-page booklet. The album is described as capturing "the arena where perhaps Bernie shone the brightest… on STAGE" highlighting the charisma, warmth, and expressive guitar playing that made him a favorite among blues and rock fans.

The collection draws from four different performances recorded throughout Marsden's career.

Fans will hear an intimate acoustic concert at The Radcliffe Centre in Buckingham from 2008, a brass-backed electric set aboard Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea in 2019, an all-star appearance at Norway's Notodden Blues Festival in 1996 featuring Snowy White, Tony Ashton, David Levy, and Henry Spinetti, and a 2020 performance at Under the Bridge in London with a full six-piece band and special guest Joe Bonamassa.

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Marsden died on Aug. 24, 2023, at the age of 72.

Best known as the guitarist who co-wrote Whitesnake's signature hit "Here I Go Again," Marsden helped shape the band's blues-rock sound during its formative years.

"It took maybe two hours," Marden later told Louder. "It was pretty much done, but I couldn't quite finish it off. So when we were at Clearwell Castle [Whitesnake's rehearsal space and studio in Gloucestershire] I didn't want to present it to David [Coverdale] until it was in some semblance of a better order.  It was the opening sequence that grabbed me, the three opening chords. I had the melody in my head, and when I played it to Jon Lord he had a certain look in his eye. He made me play it again and then said: 'You're a clever little sod, aren't you? That's the hook. I'll do the intro." 

Although he left Whitesnake in the early 1980s, he enjoyed a prolific solo career, releasing numerous blues albums and collaborating with some of the genre's biggest names while remaining a beloved figure among guitar enthusiasts.

The Inspirations Series has served as a fitting tribute to Marsden's remarkable legacy, showcasing the breadth of his musical influences and lifelong passion for the blues. With STAGE, fans will have one final opportunity to experience the energy and joy he brought to live performance.

While Bernie Marsden may no longer be on stage, his music continues to resonate. Three years after his passing, STAGE promises to preserve the magic of his live performances, offering longtime fans one last celebration of an artist whose guitar playing helped define an era of British rock.

Related: '70s Rock Legend Announces New Music 65 Years After Debut

There are many things people can probably remember doing at age 12 — recording a song that would end up a No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit isn’t on the list. In fact, it isn’t on many lists, because when Stevie Wonder accomplished the feat as a pre-teen, he made music history. 

The longtime talent’s track, “Fingertips,” helped him get his first mainstream pop hit when the song entered the charts on June 22, 1963, according to uDiscover Music. Wonder also made history by becoming the youngest artist ever to top the chart—a record he still holds today, 63 years later.

Written by Hank Cosby and Clarence Paul, it was recorded for his debut album, The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie, released in September 1962. But it was a chaotic live recording, now known as "Fingertips Pt. 2" that took over the airwaves. The live version of the single—featuring opening drums by fellow young Motown artist Marvin Gaye—was included on the album Recorded Live: The 12 Year Old Genius.

The live performance was too long to be one song, so it was "somewhat clumsily" split into two sections, the music outlet shared. "Fingertips Pt. 2" was picked up by radio stations and debuted on the Hot 100 at No. 85, making it all the way to the top by August. (He had just turned 13 when it made it to No. 1.) It didn’t hit the R&B chart until a week later, June 29, entering at No. 26, before also topping that chart. The album additionally became a No. 1.

"All of this was recorded by accident; I never thought it would be a single,” Stevie later said about the spontaneous track, per Far Out.

Despite the wild nature of the recording, though, it was a little Wonder kid's (pun intended) breakout hit, and he's been releasing No. 1 hits ever since. The legend's over six-decade-spanning career is filled to the brim with timeless classics, including tunes like "Sir Duke," "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," "I Just Called to Say I Love You," "Superstition," "Isn't She Lovely," "Ribbon in the Sky," and many more.

Today, a 76-year-old Wonder is still making special appearances and performing live, invigorating crowds just the way he was as a young kid decades ago.

Related: Legendary Musician, 75, Reminds Fans Why He's 'So Rightfully Adored' With Recent Charismatic Appearance

Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp is getting candid about filming for the July 23 episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County.

During the July 23 episode of her podcast, Two Ts In a Pod, alongside her guest co-host, the show's producer, Matt Laughery, Mellencamp revealed why she decided to film a scene for RHOCSeason 20, Episode 3. She explained that RHOC star Tamra Judge, who co-hosts Two Ts In A Pod, was by her side during her 2025 hospitalization after she had to undergo brain surgery to remove tumors caused by the metastasization of melanoma. She also said she appreciated Judge's words of encouragement and kindness during the RHOC season 20 episode.

"Tamra saw me in the thick of it, like with you know, things coming out of my head. I'm being handcuffed to the bed because I'm trying to pull out my incision, and like, it was scary," said Mellencamp, who has Stage IV cancer.

Mellencamp then shared she wanted RHOC audiences to be aware of her situation and get checked out for skin cancer.

"I was like, the more people that hear about this journey and can relate to what I'm feeling, the more people are going to go get checked. The more people are not going to feel so alone," said Mellencamp during her podcast episode.

Mellencamp also said that she's had "to relearn [herself]" following her Stage IV diagnosis.

"I hope the people watching know, like, it doesn't mean that just because you present one way, like, it's still hard on you," said the 45-year-old. "And it's okay if you're not feeling like one hundred percent like yourself after a diagnosis or after surgery or once you've been diagnosed, or if you haven't even gone to get checked, go get checked. Like these are the reminders. Yeah, like it turned my life upside down."

BravoTV.com reported that Mellencamp told fans she's "still considered Stage IV," despite no longer having any "trace of cancer," while recording a January 2026 episode of Two Ts In A Pod.

"I'm still on immunotherapy, so essentially nothing's changed other than I still don't feel great. I really, like, I would hope that I would be feeling better by now, but I really don't," said Mellencamp.

More than a decade after its release, Emily St. John Mandel's Station Eleven continues to earn recognition as one of the defining novels of the 21st century.

The bestselling 2014 book was recently included on Pan Macmillan's list of the 50 best books of all time, placing it alongside literary giants such as George Orwell, Jane Austen, Toni Morrison, and Gabriel García Márquez. The honor reflects the novel's enduring impact on readers and critics alike.

Published in September 2014, Station Eleven arrived before post-pandemic stories became commonplace.

The novel begins with the sudden spread of the fictional Georgia Flu, a fast-moving pandemic that wipes out much of civilization. Rather than focusing solely on survival, however, Mandel follows a cast of interconnected characters, both before and after the collapse, as they search for meaning through art, memory, and human connection.

"When you're writing a future that's post-apocalyptic, creating a plausible world is largely a process of subtraction, i.e., what things that we take for granted now will have been lost in the future?" St. John Mandel told The Millions in 2014. "And since so much has been lost, how will people in that future view the present day, if they think of it at all?"

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The novel's unique approach quickly set it apart from other dystopian fiction.

Instead of emphasizing violence or despair, Station Eleven explores what remains when society falls away, asking what people choose to preserve and why culture continues to matter even in humanity's darkest moments. The novel's quiet optimism and richly layered storytelling earned widespread critical acclaim, with many reviewers praising Mandel's elegant prose and ambitious structure.

"A suggestion that I hear quite often is that our interest in post-apocalyptic fiction is a natural expression of the anxiety we feel," St. John Mandel told NPR. "We always seem to think the world's ending."

The book also became a commercial success.

A New York Times bestseller, Station Eleven was a finalist for the National Book Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award, while winning the Arthur C. Clarke Award. Its reputation only continued to grow in the years that followed, eventually inspiring HBO Max's critically acclaimed television adaptation in 2021.

For Mandel, the novel marked a turning point in her career.

Although she had already published several books, Station Eleven introduced her work to a global audience and established her as one of contemporary fiction’s most celebrated voices. She later followed it with acclaimed novels including The Glass Hotel and Sea of Tranquility, further cementing her reputation for blending literary fiction with speculative ideas.

"There’s something about building a unified world where the books connect, even though they all stand alone, that appeals to a certain longing for order that I have," St. John Mandel told The Guardian regarding a possibility for the future of her storytelling. "People come back and it all ties together." 

Now, more than 10 years after its publication, Station Eleven has joined an elite group of works recognized among the greatest books ever written. Its inclusion on Pan Macmillan's list is a testament to the novel's lasting power and to Emily St. John Mandel's ability to tell stories that remain profoundly relevant long after the final page.

Related: Best-Selling Author’s 2011 Novel Ranked Among Best Books of All Time

Murderdolls, the horror punk rock band, left a legacy that extends beyond being recognized as one of the genre's most recognizable acts, as the band is also celebrated among the “greatest supergroups” in music history.

Amid the popularity of contemporary R&B, Y2K pop and the Garage Rock Revival, nu metal and pop-punk remained a driving force in rock music, making these acts prime candidates for supergroup projects.

In a ranking released by Louder Sound, the 2000s band formed by Slipknot co-founder and drummer Joey Jordison and Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13 frontman Wednesday 13 earned a spot among the “10 best heavy metal supergroups” that lived up to the hype.

Joining fellow all-star bands such as Audioslave, Nailbomb, Killer Be Killed, Fantômas and others, the publication highlighted Murderdolls' influence beyond the group and recognized its members' achievements in other projects.

The supergroup was created in 2002 as a side project for Jordison during Slipknot's scheduled hiatus following its grueling touring cycle in 2001.

Moreover, the iconic drummer’s love for the B-movie horror genre inspired him to create a campy horror-themed band that embraced heavy makeup, theatrical costumes and macabre storytelling.

Murderdolls members Ben Graves, Wednesday 13, Joey Jordison, Acey Slade, Eric Griffin.

Mick Hutson/Redferns

With Jordison as the rhythm guitarist and Wednesday 13 as the lead vocalist, the duo was joined by Static-X guitarist Tripp Eisen on lead guitar. Eisen, who also co-founded the supergroup, left shortly after the album's release, while bassist Eric Griffin and drummer Ben Graves completed the lineup.

In the same year the band was formed, they released Beyond the Valley of the Murderdolls as their debut album via Roadrunner Records.

“They had no idea who I was, or anybody else in the band,” Wednesday 13 mentioned in an interview as cited by Louder Sound in a separate report, recalling the first time they performed live as a supergroup. “It was all ‘Joey, Joey, Joey!’ Some of them did not like us, and they let us know.” It was a different matter in the UK. “It f—ng blew up. I felt like I was in The Beatles. I suddenly had a bunch of fans that liked me: ‘Who’s this other guy? He’s cool.’”

Considered a cult classic of the 2000s horror punk and glam metal era, the album's standout tracks include the lead single "Dead in Hollywood," "Slit My Wrist" and a cover of Billy Idol's hit "White Wedding."

While none of the band's songs entered the main Billboard charts, the album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart.

After touring extensively until 2004, the band went on an indefinite hiatus that lasted several years. They reunited in 2010 to release their second and comeback album, Women and Children Last, with Jordison and Wednesday 13 leading a new touring lineup.

Following a nine-year run marked by periods of activity and hiatus, Murderdolls officially disbanded in 2011 after their final live show together at the Soundwave Festival.

Despite their relatively short run, the band is remembered for its lasting legacy and for being one of the greatest supergroups in heavy metal history.

Related: ’90s Rock Band, Disbanded for 16 Years, Announces Return to Stage

Staind is back on the Billboard 200 with Break the Cycle, 25 years after the album became the band's first No. 1 hit on the chart.

The band's third studio album has re-entered the Billboard 200 at No. 198, according to the latest chart information provided. The album previously reached No. 1 and spent 71 weeks on the chart. Its return comes as Staind prepares to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the record with a new live project and a major tour later this year.

Released in 2001, Break the Cycle remains Staind's most successful album. The record helped move the Massachusetts rock band from the alternative metal scene into the mainstream and became a major commercial success in the United States and around the world.

The album's return to the Billboard 200 is also happening as Staind prepares to perform the record live for its upcoming Break the Cycle (25th Anniversary Live) project. The band has released another live video from the project, featuring a performance of "Fade."

The anniversary release is set for Aug. 21, giving fans a chance to hear the classic album performed live as the band marks 25 years since its original arrival.

Aaron Lewis and Staind perform as part of Rock 105.3's When Bands Attack at Coors Amphitheatre on Sept. 28, 2001 in Chula Vista, California.

Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

Staind's ‘Break the Cycle’ Returns to Billboard 200

Break the Cycle was released through Flip Records and Elektra Records on May 8, 2001. It quickly became a major success for Staind, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and holding the top spot for three weeks.

The album opened with more than 700,000 copies sold in its first week, according to the provided background information. It also sold more than one million copies during its first three weeks.

The record's success was driven in part by "It's Been Awhile," which became one of Staind's best-known songs. The album also produced the singles "Fade," "Outside," "For You" and "Epiphany." All five singles became successful releases in the United States.

The success of Break the Cycle helped establish Staind as one of the defining rock bands of the early 2000s. The group had formed in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1995, with Aaron Lewis on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Mike Mushok on lead guitar, Johnny April on bass and backing vocals, and Jon Wysocki on drums.

The band's sound on Break the Cycle continued to include alternative metal and nu metal elements. At the same time, the album moved further toward a softer post-grunge style, with acoustic songs and ballads becoming an important part of the band's sound.

That mix helped the album reach listeners beyond the heavier alternative metal audience. The record went on to become a major international hit, reaching No. 1 on album charts in several countries and earning strong chart positions in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Canada.

In the United States, Break the Cycle was eventually certified five-time platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for more than five million units.

The album also ranked No. 7 on the 2001 year-end Billboard 200 chart and No. 41 on the Billboard 200 decade-end chart covering 2000 through 2009.

Now, a quarter-century after its original release, the album has returned to the Billboard 200 at No. 198.

Staind Celebrates 25 Years of Its Breakthrough Rock Album

The chart re-entry comes at an important time for Staind. The band is preparing a series of performances tied to the 25th anniversary of Break the Cycle.

Staind will also head out on a North American tour this fall with Seether, Hoobastank and Hinder. The tour includes dates across the United States and Canada, beginning in September and continuing into October.

The scheduled shows include performances in Connecticut, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ontario, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma, Utah, California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

The timing of the album's Billboard 200 return gives the anniversary campaign another chart milestone. It also brings renewed attention to one of the band's biggest releases at the same time that Staind is revisiting the music onstage.

For Staind, Break the Cycle marked a major turning point. The album followed the band's 1999 record Dysfunction and pushed its music to a much larger audience.

The record's five singles helped keep the album visible long after its initial release. "It's Been Awhile" became the biggest mainstream success from the project, while "Fade," "Outside," "For You" and "Epiphany" gave fans several other songs from the album to connect with.

The album also included "Waste," a track dedicated to a teenage fan who died by suicide.

Staind has released eight studio albums in total, with Confessions of the Fallen arriving in 2023. The band also experienced changes over the years, including the 2011 departure of founding drummer Jon Wysocki. Wysocki died in 2024 at age 53.

The current Staind lineup includes Lewis, Mushok, April and drummer Sal Giancarelli.

The band's latest chart appearance follows the renewed attention around its back catalog and its anniversary plans. With Break the Cycle now back on the Billboard 200, Staind has returned to a chart it once ruled with the album that changed the course of its career.

Related: '90s Rock Band Is Suddenly Climbing the Charts 31 Years After Forming

More than five months after Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson, Arizona, home, Elizabeth Smart is encouraging people not to lose hope.

The child safety advocate, who survived her own high-profile abduction in 2002, said she believes there's still reason to hold onto the possibility that Savannah Guthrie's missing 84-year-old mother could be found alive.

"I would remind people that we don't know all the details," Smart told E! News in an article shared Friday, July 24. "I certainly hope that the investigators have more details than we do, and I certainly hope that they're making more progress."

She added, "I want to remind people that there isn't a body, so there is still reason to have hope that she is alive and that we shouldn't give up until we find her."

Nancy was last seen at her home on the night of January 31 and was reported missing the following day. Investigators believe she was abducted overnight after surveillance footage captured a masked individual at her front door. Despite months of searching, no suspect has been identified.

READ MORE: Nancy Guthrie Update: New Information on Ransom Note Claims Savannah Guthrie’s Mom Is Dead

The case has continued to evolve in recent days after the full contents of one of the ransom notes tied to Guthrie's disappearance were publicly read on the Crime Junkie podcast on July 22. The message claimed Nancy was being held for ransom and demanded payment in Bitcoin. “We have your mother, Nancy. She is safe but scared. She will be held for ransom and once payment is received, she will be released unharmed. We will be holding her for a maximum of seven days,” the note read.

The alleged note explained that as soon as the ransom was received, Nancy would be released. If not, Nancy’s life could be in danger: “If the payment is not received, by the last deadline on Monday the 9th at 5 p.m., she will be killed.”

Even with so many unanswered questions, Smart said it's important not to give up. She also urged the public to "have all the compassion and grace for the entire Guthrie family" during the ordeal. "If anyone knows anything or seen anything," she continued, "or the smallest detail that might seem insignificant can make all the difference, just report it.

Anyone with information about Guthrie's disappearance is encouraged to contact Tucson's 88-Crime hotline at 1-520-882-7463 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Related: Nancy Guthrie Update: New Information on Ransom Note Claims Savannah Guthrie's Mom Is Dead

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The best summer pants are stylish, lightweight, and comfortable enough to wear even in sweltering hot temperatures. If you've been looking for the perfect casual-chic pair to wear while traveling, running everyday errands, or heading to an outdoor lunch, Macy's top-rated Charter Club 100% Linen Barrel Leg Pants are now on sale for 50% off in two different colors.  

Available in sizes extra small to 2XL, these popular pants are now on sale for just $40, down from $80, during Macy's Black Friday in July event. They come in two neutral color options, flax and bright white, which are both versatile enough to effortlessly complement any wardrobe. 

Charter Club 100% Linen Drawstring Barrel-Leg Pants, $40 (was $80) at Macy's

Courtesy of Macy's

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Made of 100% linen, these mid-rise pants have an airy, breathable feel that's perfect for warm-weather use. They have an easy pull-on design with a subtle barrel-leg silhouette and an adjustable drawstring waistband that can be tightened or loosened to your preference. The fit is relaxed and billowy with a cinched hem that keeps the look polished and put-together enough for everyday wear. There are two handy slit pockets at the sides and two large patch pockets on the back. 

These Charter Club linen pants are also available in select petite sizes. The brand notes that the sizing is generous and tends to run big, so they recommend sizing down for the ideal fit. Maintenance is easy and hassle-free, thanks to the machine-washable design. 

Related: Clarks' 'Cushiony' Knotted Slip-in Sandals Offer 'Great Arch Support,' and They're Nearly 60% Off

These Macy's-exclusive pants have earned high praise from shoppers for their effortlessly cool look. Multiple reviewers highlighted the "breathable" and "lightweight" fabric, with one noting that they're "so comfortable" for summer wear. Another buyer mentioned that they have a "nice drape," while a third wrote, "These linen pants are absolutely beautiful."

Shop More Deals

• Nautica Linen-Blend Drawstring Pull-On Pants, $45 (was $90) at Macy's
• Style & Co Women's Tie-Hem Linen-Blend Pants, $21 (was $70) at Macy's
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With a flattering fit, airy fabric, and two summery colors to choose from, these cute and comfy linen barrel-leg pants are an excellent addition to any warm-weather wardrobe. Grab a pair while they're on sale for 50% off at Macy's. 

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