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John Denver was known for songs about sunshine, mountains and the simple pleasures of life.

But in 1986, the singer-songwriter released one of his most politically pointed songs and soon found himself without a record deal.

The song was "Let Us Begin (What Are We Making Weapons For?)," an anti-war plea that questioned the cost of the arms race. It appeared on Denver’s 1986 album One World, his final studio album for RCA Records.

On July 30, 1986, RCA reportedly released Denver from his contract. The timing immediately raised eyebrows because RCA had recently been acquired by General Electric, a company with major military contracts.

That led to a question that has followed the song for decades: Did Denver lose his record deal because he released an anti-war song after RCA came under the ownership of a major defense contractor?

Denver's song was certainly controversial in its subject matter. In it, he asked why society continued to spend money on weapons while people went without basic necessities.

"Let Us Begin" had been inspired in part by Denver's experiences in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. He had been invited by the Soviet Union of Composers to perform there, and the trip prompted him to think about the possibility of improving relations between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Denver recorded the song with Soviet singer and songwriter Alexander Gradsky. The two also appeared together in the song's music video, which Denver's official website describes as the first time an American and Soviet artist performed together in a music video.

But the song wasn't simply about the Cold War.

Denver also connected the arms race to the struggles facing American farmers. The lyrics move between the perspective of an Oklahoma farmer, memories of war and a broader plea for peace.

The timing of the song's release made the situation especially interesting.

General Electric's purchase of RCA was completed in 1986, and GE had extensive military business. Contemporary reporting and later accounts connected that corporate change with Denver's departure from RCA, helping fuel speculation that the label didn't want to be associated with his anti-war message.

But there were other reasons for the split.

Denver and RCA had reportedly been experiencing problems before the label dropped him. His album One World also wasn't a commercial success. AllMusic notes that the album failed to make the charts, and RCA dropped Denver after 17 years with the label.

So while the sequence of events made the anti-war song look like an obvious culprit, there is no public record proving that GE ordered RCA to drop Denver because of "Let Us Begin."

The song nevertheless became an unusual footnote in Denver's career.

After leaving RCA, Denver continued releasing music through Windsong, the label he had founded. His next studio album, Higher Ground, arrived in 1988.

RELATED: The Gift Elvis Presley Gave to a 5-Year-Old Fan in 1974 Was Auctioned 15 Years Later

Today's NYT Strands puzzle explores professions known for making things by hand. Move over, Wordle, Connections, Connections Sports Edition, and Mini Crossword—there’s a new NYT word game in town! The New York Times' recent game, "Strands," is becoming increasingly popular as another daily activity fans can find on the NYT website and app.

With daily themes and "spangrams" to discover, this is the latest addictive game to cross off your to-do list before a new one pops up 24 hours later.

We'll cover exactly how to play Strands, hints for today's Spangram, and all of the answers for Strands #879 on Thursday, July 30.

How to Play Strands

The New York Times

According to the New York Times, here's exactly how to play Strands:

Find theme words to fill the board.

• Theme words stay highlighted in blue when found.
• Drag or tap letters to create words. If tapping, double-tap the last letter to submit.
• Theme words fill the board entirely. No theme words overlap.

Find the “spangram.”

• The spangram describes the puzzle's theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.
• The spangram highlights in yellow when found.
• An example spangram with corresponding theme words: PEAR, FRUIT, BANANA, APPLE, etc.

Need a hint?

• Find non-theme words to get hints.
• For every three non-theme words you find, you earn a hint.
• Hints show the letters of a theme word. If there is already an active hint on the board, a hint will show that word's letter order.

What Is Today's Strands Hint for the Theme: "Trade names"

If that doesn't help, here's a hint for today's Strands game: Skilled workers.

What Are Today's NYT Strands Hints?

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

In today's puzzle, there are eight theme words to find (including the spangram). Here are the first two letters for each word:

• MA
• SM
• CO
• JO
• TA
• PO
• WE
• AR (SPANGRAM)

NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?

Today's Spangram is a mix of vertical and diagonal.

NYT Strands Spangram Answer for July 30

Today's Spangram answer on Today's NYT 'Strands' Hints, Spangram and Answers for Thursday, July 30, 2026, isARTISANS.

What Are Today's NYT Strands Answers, Word List for Thursday, July 30?

• MASON
• SMITH
• COOPER
• JOINER
• TANNER
• POTTER
• WEAVER
• SPANGRAM: ARTISANS

Related: Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Wednesday, July 29, 2026

When Jen Hamilton first announced the end of her nearly 14-year marriage, she tearfully wished the future version of herself could tell her everything would be OK.

Now, six weeks later, the influencer is doing exactly that in a heartfelt new TikTok.

"I know that I'm doing the right thing, but it hurts so bad. I just want the healed version of myself to come and tell me that it's going to be OK," she said through tears in a video originally shared on June 15. "I need me in a year. I need me in five years [to tell me] that I made the right choice."

The Hamilton of today is in a very different place after learning that her ex, Brian Hamilton, was living a "double life."

@_jen_hamilton_

Talking to myself ❤️

♬ originalljud - Real Speak

"I'm not the one-year version of you. I'm not the five-year version of you, but I the six and a half week version of you," she told her previous self in a video shared via TikTok on Wednesday, July 18. "I'm here to tell you that you won't be feeling that forever. I do have some bad news though—I don't know if I should tell you this or not. It's about to get...like, whatever you're feeling right now in this moment, it's about to get so much worse than that."

She continued, "And I know that you are big sad girl right now, and that is very important to our process. What is about to happen is going to take you from big sad girl to 'what the f---' girl. And we do need some of that. You have no freaking clue what's about to happen to you."

The labor and delivery nurse previously spilled the traumatic details of her divorce, saying she's done "being people’s PR manager."

"I didn’t know about the affair before we signed papers. That came literally that night after signing papers," Hamilton explained, adding that she's dealing with the split as "a death."

“That’s what it feels like in my soul, because all the memories, all the tender moments—poof. I do not know this person. Truly," she said.

In a follow-up video, Jen hinted that Brian's "double life" was not his first slip up.

"I feel like I need to get out ahead of something. If anything ever comes out about other things this guy has done in my marriage," she chuckled. "Me now, my big strong girl. Me independent girl. Me back then? Me insecure girl. Me desperate girl. Me 'love me,' girl. Me purity culture girl. Me 'you're the only one I've ever been with,' girl. Me 'I forgive you,' girl. Me marriage is most important thing, girl. Me, I said vow for forever, girl. Me limitless forgiveness girl. I needed me now, back then."

The New York Times bestseller claimed she likely doesn't know everything Brian did throughout their marriage.

"It does not get better, you hear me? Them get sneakier," she warned others in her position. "I wish to God that I was strong enough to leave at the first situation. But looking back, I don't regret loving him as much as I did because I love really hard. I don't want that to change about me."

In the last few years, romantasy — the genre combining romance and fantasy — has absolutely exploded in popularity. Author Callie Hart has experienced this boom like no other with her Fae & Alchemy series, the sequel of which, Brimstone, was released in November of 2025. After the success of the first book, Quicksilver, it was no surprise when Brimstone was also a massive hit in the romantasy reader space.

Upon its release, Brimstone became an instant No. 1New York Times bestseller and sold an estimated 300,000 copies of its deluxe edition. Brimstone and Quicksilver combined have sold approximately three million copies worldwide.

Brimstone has remained extremely popular amongst readers and was ranked among the "Most Read Books of 2026" by the reader community platform, Goodreads. Ranked No. 25 on the list, Brimstone has been shelved by over 390,000 readers on the platform.

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Readers on Goodreads have praised Brimstone in reviews for being able to "fully suck them in" and having "the characters, the plot, the world, the romance EVERYTHING JUST LEVELED UP!!!!" which clearly has kept them hooked on the series.

In Brimstone, Saeris Fane has become the queen of the Blood Court and is now a Fae-vampire hybrid. Because of her transformation, Saeris is unable to return to her homeland, Zilvaren, which is now filled with the desert sun, uninhabitable to her. When her brother and ward need help in the desert realm, she sends Kingfisher and Carrion Swift in her place. Meanwhile in Yvelia, a magic-eating blight is spreading and threatening everyone around it. Saeris and Kingfisher must continue to work together to travel through the portals and find a cure while facing the gods.

Hart has stated that the Fae & Alchemy series will conclude with one final book in the trilogy. The book, whose title has yet to be revealed, is expected sometime next year in 2027.

Both Brimstone and its predecessor, Quicksilver, are out now and available wherever books are sold.

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Related: Best-Selling Romantasy Sequel Ranked No. 2 ‘Most Popular Romance Reads of 2026’ on Goodreads

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A stylish rug makes a pretty finishing touch for living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, and entryways. If you've been looking for a gorgeous, soft option to help complete your space, Walmart has a new home decor find that you won't want to miss out on. The top-rated Safavieh Martha Stewart Vermont Floral Area Rug has an elegant floral design that adds a pop of personality to any space, and it's on sale for up to 71% off right now. 

Originally $142, the ivory and green rectangular style is now available for just $39 in the standard 4-by-6-foot size. Several other colors, including ivory-black, ivory-red, and ivory-navy, are available at varying prices. You can also shop it in four other sizes and two other shapes in select colors. 

Safavieh Martha Stewart Vermont Floral Area Rug, $39 (was $142) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Handcrafted with sturdy polyester yarn, this rug features a pretty floral pattern that catches the eye and adds a summery touch to any space. It has a shaggy 0.38-inch pile that's designed to feel soft and plush underfoot, with a rubber backing that helps keep the rug in place while also protecting floors from scratches or other damage.   

Related: Walmart's Beautiful Antique-Style 5-Drawer Dresser Adds Vintage Charm to Any Room

Made exclusively for indoor use, the rug can be used as an accent piece under a dining room table, in a living room, or even as hallway runner. It can also be layered on top of carpet with a rug pad in between. To keep it looking like new, the brand recommends vacuuming it regularly, spot cleaning it when needed, and rotating it every six months to avoid uneven wear-and-tear.  

Shop More Deals

• Newburos Area Rug, $40 (was $70) at Walmart
• Rugking Area Rug, $31 (was $43) at Walmart
• Sixhome Reversible Boho Outdoor Rug, $42 (was $96) at Walmart

If you've been looking for an easy way to spruce your space without breaking the bank, this Martha Stewart floral area rug is an excellent buy. The floral pattern looks charming in any home, and it comes in a variety of colors and sizes to best fit your needs. Grab one before this sale ends at Walmart.

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.

Today's New York Times Connections puzzle includes everything from admirable qualities and popular pastimes to familiar sayings and well-known ships.

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 #1145 onThursday, July 30, 2026.

Today's NYT Connections Puzzle for Thursday, July 30, 2026 / New York Times

The New York Times

If you've been having trouble with any of the connections or words in Thursday'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 Thursday, July 30

1. Truthful and dependable.
2. Related to athletic gear.
3. A big ship
4. Spot on.

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 Thursday, July 30:

1. VIRTUOUS: FAIR, GOOD, JUST, RIGHT
2. ACTIVITIES WITH MULTIPLE BALLS: BEER PONG, BINGO, JUGGLING, POOL
3. CRUISE LINES: CARNIVAL, CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, VIKING
4. ON THE ___, TO MEAN "PRECISE": DOT, MARK, MONEY, NOSE

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: NYT ‘Connections’ Hints, Clues and Answers Today, Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Today's NYT Wordle answer is the word for water flowing downhill through a channel or chute. 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 #1867 ahead.

Let's start with a few hints.

🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬

How many vowels are in today's Wordle?

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

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

Today's Wordle begins with a consonant.

Are there any double letters?

There are no double letters in today's Wordle.

Can you give another hint about today's Wordle

A hint for today's Wordle is: Theme park water ride.

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 #1867 on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

Today's Wordle answer on Thursday, July 30, 2026, is FLUME.

-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)

Nancy Guthrie's home remains vacant nearly six months after her disappearance. But subtle changes to the Tucson, Arizona, estate hint that neighbors are hoping to return to normalcy.

"This is what the house looks like now. This sort of wire chain in the front is relatively new. You can see there's a private property sign. No trespassing, no deliveries," reporter Brian Entin revealed in a video shared via YouTube on Thursday, July 29. "There's definitely a sense that the neighbors in the neighborhood don't really want people out here anymore. Sort of want everybody to move on."

He added that large rocks have been added to the area where reporters used to congregate.

"You can see they've still got cones out here blocking these rocks. That's kind of where we used to set up, actually where all those rocks are. They've put all those rocks there now. Those weren't there. So, you know, there's an effort to keep people kind of, uh away from the area," Entin shared.

One thing missing from outside Guthrie's home is the memorial that was once flooded with cards, flowers, and gifts.

"Remember where the memorial was, by the way. You guys remember when I was out here, there was like there was always flowers and candles and cards," he continued. "This whole area was full of stuff. It's all now been removed. Again, the neighbors, people in the neighborhood, have removed it. There's definitely a feeling here that they just kind of want to move on in the neighborhood."

Guthrie's Tucson home was once an active crime scene after the 84-year-old was reported missing on February 1. Today host Savannah Guthrie's mother was last seen on January 31 at a family dinner hosted by her daughter, Annie.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department, along with the FBI's Phoenix Division, uncovered previously lost footage from Nancy's front door camera in the days following her disappearance. Investigators are still searching for the masked, armed man seen tampering with the camera in the early morning hours of her abduction.

"Our family is in agony. We are in a nightmare that will not end," Savannah shared with her two million Instagram followers on Monday, July 27. "Nothing about our situation has changed...We have done our part. And we will never stop looking for her. We will always ache for her and feel that hole in our hearts."

Heavy metal fans continue to celebrate "Satan's Fall," the ambitious 11-minute-and-23-second track by Danish band Mercyful Fate, more than four decades after its debut on the band's 1983 album Melissa. 

Released at a time when radio-friendly songs dominated rock music, the epic composition has remained one of the most respected long-form tracks in heavy metal history because of its complex songwriting, relentless pace and lasting influence on future generations of metal musicians.

Clocking in at 11:23, "Satan's Fall" ranks among the notable rock and metal songs lasting more than 10 minute. Rather than relying on repeated sections, the song constantly introduces new musical ideas, making it stand out as one of the most challenging compositions from Mercyful Fate's early years.

King Diamond and members of Mercyful Fate join Metallica at day two of the bands' 30th Anniversary shows at the Fillmore on Dec. 7, 2011 in San Francisco, California.

Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/WireImage

Featured on Melissa, the band's debut studio album released in October 1983 through Roadrunner Records, "Satan's Fall" helped establish Mercyful Fate as one of the defining acts of the early extreme metal movement. 

Despite its lengthy runtime, "Satan's Fall" never loses momentum. Music critics have highlighted the song's unique structure, noting that the band deliberately avoided repeating musical sections throughout the composition.

Goldmine’s ranking of the Top 20 songs longer than 10 minutes described the track as an example of Mercyful Fate's remarkable songwriting at the very beginning of its career.

"Melissa is relentless, and 'Satan's Fall' keeps up that work ethic despite its length, with King Diamond and the guys taking up the challenge of writing a song where no parts repeat, with Michael Denner and Hank Shermann unfurling killer riff after killer riff, arriving at the extreme end of action-packed."

The song's complexity was no accident.

According to guitarist Michael Denner, learning the finished composition "took ages" because of its constantly evolving structure. Guitarist Hank Shermann composed the music over many sleepless nights while playing an unplugged guitar in his living room.

Shermann continued adding new musical ideas during rehearsals, resulting in a song that featured about 16 different riffs, according to Denner. At the time of its release, "Satan's Fall" became Mercyful Fate's longest studio recording. It held that distinction until the band later released the 13-minute title track from Dead Again.

Released in October 1983, Melissa marked Mercyful Fate's first full-length album and became Roadrunner Records' first album release. The record was recorded at Easy Sounds Studios in Copenhagen with producer Henrik Lund, with the band completing recording and mixing in just 12 days after extensively rehearsing the material.

Although Mercyful Fate is frequently associated with the first wave of black metal, Melissa is widely recognized for combining the sound of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with musical ideas that helped influence the future development of extreme metal.

The album has since been recognized as one of the earliest and most influential extreme metal releases. Artists across thrash, death, and black metal have cited Mercyful Fate as an inspiration, including members of Metallica, Slayer, Exodus and other major bands.

Mercyful Fate developed a long friendship with Metallica after the two bands met in 1984 while Metallica was recording in Copenhagen. Metallica later recorded a medley of Mercyful Fate songs for its 1998 covers album Garage Inc.

More than four decades after its original release, Melissa continues to receive recognition. The album ranked No. 17 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time, while a 2005 remastered edition was later made available digitally as part of the album's 40th anniversary celebration.

As "Satan's Fall" reaches 43 years since its debut, the song remains one of heavy metal's most ambitious compositions.

Related: 1971 Rock Song, Once Banned by Radio Stations, Became a Breakthrough Smash Without Ever Hitting No. 1

Led Zeppelin's iconic 1975 song "Kashmir" continues to reaffirm its enduring legacy in music history.

More than five decades after the track was released, the English rock band is once again being celebrated for introducing a masterpiece that made it onto a list of the best classic rock songs of all time.

In a ranking released by Collider, the publication named the top 25 greatest classic rock songs released from the 1960s through the 1980s.

From soft rock and psychedelic rock to hard rock, the list featured a dozen artists and musicians who helped define the genre.

With David Bowie’s 1977 song "Heroes" securing the top spot, Led Zeppelin’s "Kashmir" landed at No. 19.

Formed by Jimmy Page on lead guitar, John Bonham on drums, John Paul Jones on bass and keyboard and Robert Plant on vocals, the band is well known for its lengthy tracks.

Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, performing at Earl's Court, London, May 1975.

The publication described "Kashmir" as a "truly epic song" that “might well represent Led Zeppelin at their very best."

"Kashmir," which appeared on the chart-topping albumPhysical Graffiti, has a runtime of nearly nine minutes, almost the same length as "Stairway to Heaven."

While both tracks were far from the usual three-minute radio formula and were guitar masterpieces by Page, the 1975 song focuses on a heavy, Middle Eastern-inspired march and is driven by its sweeping orchestral arrangement that highlights the band’s artistic style.

According to the legendary guitarist, the song’s signature guitar riff emerged after he began “playing around with the tuning.”

“It just so happened that there was this song I had called ‘Swan Song,’ and it had these intricate parts at the end,” Page told Edge and Jack White in the 2008 documentary It Might Get Loud , as cited by Guitar Player.

The guitarist was referring to the now-iconic ascending guitar riff and the descending bridge, both of which originated from an unfinished track, "Swan Song." It was later developed into the final version of "Kashmir."

As for the lyrics, Plant wrote them two years before the release at an unexpected moment. He was driving through the Sahara Desert on the way to the National Festival of Folklore.

Describing it as “one of his favorites,” the vocalist shared that the lyrics of "Kashmir" were very “positive.”

"It's the quest, the travels and explorations that Page and I went on to climb well off the beaten track. ... That, really, to me is the Zeppelin feel,” he told Rolling Stone.

Despite the band not releasing "Kashmir" as a single in the U.K. or the U.S., it was recognized as one of the band’s standout tracks and the second highest earning song in Led Zeppelin's catalog in terms of royalties and digital and streaming revenue.

Related: 1971 Rock Song, Never a No. 1 Hit, Ranked Among Best ‘Classic Rock Songs’ of All Time

Glen Hansard, known as the frontman for The Frames and for his work in the 2007 film Once, died at the age of 56 in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash. He passed in his hometown of Dublin, Ireland.

A statement from Ireland’s National Police and Security Service, which did not name Hansard, said that “The motorcyclist, a man in his 50s, was treated at the scene but was pronounced deceased a short time later.” Not long after, Hansard’s death was confirmed by his agents at ATC Management.

Hozier, a fellow Irish musician, took to social media to pay tribute to Hansard.

“Glen’s legacy reaches far beyond that of an Irish or Dublin musician whose work became beloved globally; he was a uniquely central feature and vessel of Irish story telling on both stage, screen and street for as long as many of us can remember,” Hozier said on Instagram. “Glen is so indelibly tied into the life and breath of Irish music, and particularly the city of Dublin, that it feels utterly surreal to imagine that he could be gone from us now.”

Hozier continued, saying that Hansard’s work inspired him both in his upbringing and adult life.

“This was a man who gave a remarkable amount of himself to song itself, to his shows, to the city he loved and to a community of musicians who loved and admired him dearly,” he said.

Hozier concluded his post, saying that he’s “among countless artists and fans today reflecting on his impact.” He said that his thoughts are with Hansard’s family and close friends.

Hozier performing with Hansard at a Christmas Eve busk
Niall Carson - PA Images / Getty Images

Niall Carson - PA Images / Getty Images

Hansard and Hozier often performed together, notably at an annual Christmas Eve busk in the streets of Dublin. In 2015, the two musicians were joined by Bono and The Script, singing songs like Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” and U2’s “When Love Comes to Town.”

“I re-watched one of your Christmas Eve busks with him,” one user commented on Hozier’s post. “Such an amazing talent and advocate! The world has lost a warrior.”

“I’ll still never forget seeing you, Glen, Bono, The Script, and more busking on Grafton St on Christmas Eve 2015,” another said. “We were only a few people back from the ‘stage’ - it was magical. Such a big loss.”

Read Hozier’s full post here.

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For a band that never had a hit single, the Detroit rock band MC5 managed to be one of the most influential groups in music history. Countless artists, from Motörhead to The Clash to The White Stripes to Alice Cooper, were influenced by MC5; Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine once said they "basically invented punk rock."

Sadly, by the time Morello inducted MC5 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024, all of the band's original members (Rob Tyner, Fred “Sonic” Smith, Michael Davis, Wayne Kramer, and Dennis Thompson) had passed away. But their legacy lives on, particularly in the band's signature song: "Kick Out the Jams."

Released as a single in 1969 (and included on the album of the same name), the song's title was inspired by an expression the band used when they were disappointed by other musicians, as Kramer told Songfacts in 2018.

"We were using the expression for a long time, because we would be critical of other bands that came to Detroit that the MC5 would open for. They'd come into town with this big reputation, and then they'd get up on stage and they weren't very good. So, we used to harass them. We'd yell at them, 'Kick out the jams or get off the stage, motherf—ker!' Finally, one day we said, 'I like that expression. We should use that as the title of a song.'"

Kramer went on to recall how he and Tyner wrote "Kick Out the Jams" after the band members took up residence in a former dental office.

"We were going through a very creative period," Kramer explained. "The band had just moved in together for the very first time. There used to be a building in downtown Detroit that was a dentist's office on the second floor, and we all moved into different rooms in the dentist's office as our bedrooms. And then downstairs was a storefront. I covered the walls with egg crates and made it a rehearsal studio, so for the first time we could rehearse whenever we wanted to — all day, all night if we wanted to — and we all lived there."

"So, it became possible to really develop some songs and some music," he continued. "And Tyner and I developed a little habit of sitting down at the kitchen table with a couple of joints of reefer, a little amp, my electric guitar. He'd have a notepad, I would just play guitar riffs, and he would listen and say, 'Wait, wait...play that one again. No, change that a little bit. OK, play that again. Play that four times.' And then we would start to cobble the songs together. That was where 'Kick Out the Jams' was born."

MC5 recorded the Kick Out the Jams album live at Detroit’s Grande Ballroom over the course of two nights on October 30 and 31, 1968. They even recorded two versions of the song "Kick Out the Jams" in an effort to avoid backlash from radio stations...but according to Kramer, the record label made a decision that landed the band in hot water anyway.

"We knew ‘Kick out the jams, motherf—ker’ was never going to get played on the radio, so we recorded a ‘Kick out the jams, brothers and sisters’ version for the single," Kramer told Classic Rock in 2019. "We instructed Elektra to wait until it peaked in the chart before releasing the album. Because when the album’s released the s—t’s gonna hit the fan, but we’ll have won already by having a hit single. Well, once they saw the single taking off they rushed the album out. And when kids came home with this record and mom and dad heard ‘motherf—ker,' you could hear the outrage reverberate across America."

Gijsbert Hanekroot / Getty Images

MC5's relationship with Elektra deteriorated rapidly after that.

“Elektra asked us, could they put out a clean version of the album," Kramer said. "We said no and they did it anyway. We’d already had a major disruption in our relationship, and then, because our contract said we had control of our advertising, and a local store refused to carry our records and we called them on it in very graphic street language and sent Elektra the bill. That was the final straw and Elektra fired us.”

Following their split from Elektra, MC5 signed to Atlantic. And despite the controversy, "Kick Out the Jams" went on to become one of the most iconic songs of the era, not to mention one of the most covered: Blue Öyster Cult, Pearl Jam, Jeff Buckley, and Suzi Quatro are just a few of the notable bands and musicians who've recorded their own versions of the tune.

In 2014, Paste ranked "Kick Out the Jams" at #15 on a list of the "50 Best Garage Songs of All Time."

"There’s a reason the Motor City Five named its debut after this punishing song, and that reason is a battle cry that would ring on for decades after its release: 'KICK OUT THE JAMS, MOTHERF—KER!'" wrote music journalist Tyler Kane.

"These proto-punks are the reason Detroit is a firm pin in the Map of Classic Garage Rock, and you can see the city’s effect in the band’s very qualities," Kane continued. "The MC5, aside from being the most brutal band to emerge from the ‘60s, was a blue-collar, rowdy, thoughtful, soulful, political act, and 'Kick Out the Jams' is undoubtedly its best-known offering."

Related: 1969 Hit, Written on an Organ, Changed Hard Rock Forever

Arlene Smith, an original member of The Chantels, has died at the age of 84, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Her friend Matt Beckoff told the outlet that Smith died of natural causes in a hospital in New York City on Wednesday, July 29.

Smith formed The Chantels in the early 1950s after she and the other members had been singing together for years prior in the choir of Saint Anthony of Padua in the Bronx. At the age of 12, Smith, along with Lois Harris, Sonia Goring, Jackie Landry, and Renée Minus, auditioned for record producer Richard Barrett at Carnegie Hall. In the summer of 1957, the group was signed by End Records, releasing their first single, "He's Gone," which peaked at No. 71 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Maybe" was the group's second released song and became their biggest hit, making it to No. 15 on the pop chart and No. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart. The Chantels went on to appear on American Bandstand, and afterwards, released  “Every Night (I Pray)” and “I Love You So” in 1958. They were ultimately dropped by End Records the following year.

Another popular group, The Shirelles, credited The Chantels with serving as their inspiration.

"They were our inspiration,” Shirelles singer Shirley Alston Reeves said in the past, per The Hollywood Reporter. “The harmonies were outrageous. We thought it was angelic. Of course, it made us want to harmonize the same way.”

Smith then embarked on a solo career. She was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002.

The Hollywood Reporter further details that Smith pursued a teaching career following her singing career, teaching elementary school in the Bronx until her retirement.

More than four decades of music have given this New Jersey rocker plenty to celebrate on her 73rd birthday.

Patti Scialfa turns 73 on July 29. The singer, songwriter and guitarist has been a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band since 1984, becoming an important part of the group's sound during one of the biggest periods of its career.

Springsteen has also referred to his wife and bandmate as the "First Lady of Love," a nickname that plays off his own title, "The Boss." However, Scialfa's musical story began long before their relationship.

Born in Deal, N.J., Scialfa developed an early interest in music while playing piano with her maternal grandfather, who was a songwriter. She later studied jazz at the University of Miami before transferring to New York University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1975.

Scialfa spent the following years performing around New York and New Jersey, including appearances at Asbury Park's Stone Pony. She also sang with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes before Springsteen invited her to join the E Street Band ahead of the Born in the U.S.A. tour.

The opportunity made Scialfa the group's only female member at the time. She contributed vocals, guitar and tambourine, remaining with the E Street Band as its shows reached audiences around the world.

Scialfa later recalled how her role in the group developed throughout rehearsals.

"I didn't know when we started rehearsing that he was going to give me a lot to do," she told People in 1988. "It happened slowly over the course of rehearsing. Bruce coaxed me and urged me to reach. He was very patient, very willing to teach. He had a lot of confidence in me."

Scialfa was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the E Street Band in 2014. She was later inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2023.

Alongside her work with the group, Scialfa has recorded three solo albums. She released Rumble Doll in 1993, followed by 23rd Street Lullaby in 2004 and Play It as It Lays in 2007.

Scialfa and Springsteen married in 1991 and share three children. In 2024, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2018, explaining that the illness had made touring more difficult.

She has continued to make select appearances, including a 2025 tribute concert honoring Linda Ronstadt. Springsteen offered another encouraging update in April 2026, telling fans that Scialfa was "doing well" and sending them her love.

As Scialfa turns 73, her birthday recognizes a musician whose voice has remained part of the E Street Band for more than 40 years while supporting a career entirely her own.

Related: '70s Metal Rocker, Nicknamed 'The Animal,' Turns 70

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Whether you're a professional or a beginner cook, there's nothing more satisfying than owning aesthetically pleasing kitchenware. The key to investing in the right pieces is making sure that they're functional and pretty, which is why we often turn to brands like Le Creuset, Staub, and Lenox. Luckily, Macy's is currently selling the Staub Ceramic 3-Piece Rectangular Baking Dish Set for 63% off. 

The set originally cost $271, but has been reduced to just $100 ahead of your next seasonal dinner party. The dish set is being sold in four gorgeous colors: yellow, turquoise, dark blue, and red. The lemon-inspired hue is particularly our favorite because it's so on-the-nose for summer gatherings. The set includes three rectangular baking dishes — one at 1.25-quartz, one at 2.5-quartz, and one at 4.75-quartz. 

Staub Ceramic 3-Piece Rectangular Baking Dish Set, $100 (was $271) at Macy's

Courtesy of Macy's

Shop at Macy's

The largest pan is 13 inches long by 9 inches wide, which is perfect for larger meals like casseroles, proteins, etc. The other two dishes are 7.5 inches long by 6 inches wide and 10.5 inches long by 7.5 inches wide, making them ideal for baked goods and casseroles. Each size also nests into the other, so they're extremely easy to stack and place in storage.

The stoneware features vitreous glass with a porcelain-enamel finish, which gives them a scratch-resistant effortless shine. The pieces are microwave-, freezer-, broiler-, and oven-safe up to 572 degrees Fahrenheit. The set is also dishwasher-safe, but we always advise handwashing dishes like this when you can in order to keep it at tip-top shape. According to the product description, the dishes evenly retain and distribute heat. 

Due to the fact that the dishes are stunning on their own, you can easily transition them from the stove to the tablescape. "We had no problem making a multiplayered casserole in it with plenty of space at the top — no worries about accidentally getting your oven mitt dirty," one shopper wrote. Other reviewers said that the dishes are "beautiful," "excellent," and "quality." Another shopper added that the product "cooks evenly and forms even crusts." 

Shop More Deals 

• Le Creuset Steel Demi Tea Kettle, $71 (was $89) at Macy's
• Macy's Neutral Damask 8-Piece Comforter Set, $35 (was $100) at Macy's
• Art & Cook 3-Piece Ceramic Nonstick Cookie Sheet Set, $15 (was $45) at Macy's

The side handles make the pieces even easier to use, so there's really no reason not to add this chic Staub dish set to your kitchen. If you order it now, you can start whipping out new recipes as early as next week. Take advantage of this 63% off Macy's deal while you can! 

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Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!

To solve today’s NYT Mini Crossword puzzle, you'll be exploring parts of the body, music that inspired dance moves and a couple of bird-adjacent things. That should get you started, but the rest is up to you.

Although the NYT is known for "The Crossword," a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.

So, if you're working on today's Mini Crossword on Thursday, July 30, and need some help (I've been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both "Across" and "Down" words, followed by "Across Answers" and "Down Answers," so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Thursday, July 30, 2026

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today's Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: Half of a clothing pair — HINT: Starts with the letter "S"

5 Across: Early 2000s hip-hop subgenre for songs like "Get Low" and "Yeah!" —HINT: Starts with the letter "C"

7 Across: Concur — HINT: Ends with the letter "E"

8 Across: Baltimore N.F.L. player — HINT: Starts with the letter "R"

9 Across: Tree house, of a sort — HINT: Ends with the letter "T"

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

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Harry Potter's defining mark — HINT: Starts with the letter "S"

2 Down: Lungs or liver — HINT: Ends with the letter "N"

3 Down: Dangerous stretch of a mountain road — HINT: Starts with the letter "C"

4 Down: Body parts touched after the shoulders, in song — HINT: Starts with the letter "K"

6 Down: Clark ___ a.k.a. Superman — HINT: Ends with the letter "T"

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Thursday, July 30, 2026

Don't go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today's Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Answers

1 Across: Half of a clothing pair — SOCK

5 Across: Early 2000s hip-hop subgenre for songs like "Get Low" and "Yeah!" —CRUNK

7 Across: Concur — AGREE

8 Across: Baltimore N.F.L. player — RAVEN

9 Across: Tree house, of a sort — NEST

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Harry Potter's defining mark — SCAR

2 Down: Lungs or liver — ORGAN

3 Down: Dangerous stretch of a mountain road — CRUNK

4 Down: Body parts touched after the shoulders, in song — KNEES

6 Down: Clark ___ a.k.a. Superman — KENT

Related: NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Wednesday, July 29, 2026

In the most famous song of his solo career, "Imagine," John Lennon dared to dream about a beautiful, utopian society. But in another classic tune from his post-Beatles years, Lennon painted a stark, brutal portrait of the real world: "Working Class Hero."

Released on the groundbreaking 1970 album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, "Working Class Hero" is a powerful, stripped-down ballad featuring just Lennon and his guitar.

"I think it’s a revolutionary song — it’s really just revolutionary," Lennon said in a 1970 interview with Rolling Stone's Jann Wenner, later included in Wenner's book, Lennon Remembers.

"I just think its concept is revolutionary...I hope it’s about what ‘Give Peace A Chance’ was about," Lennon added. "But I don’t know — on the other hand, it might just be ignored. I think it’s for the people like me who are working class, who are supposed to be processed into the middle classes, or into the machinery. It’s my experience, and I hope it’s just a warning to people, ‘Working Class Hero.'"

Over 50 years after Lennon wrote "Working Class Hero," the lyrics are still all too relevant:

As soon as you're born they make you feel small
By giving you no time instead of it all
'Til the pain is so big you feel nothing at all

A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool
'Til you're so f—king crazy you can't follow their rules

That last bit, along with the line "But you're still f—king peasants as far as I can see," led to a ban on "Working Class Hero" by some radio stations. While Lennon's record label, EMI, did not censor the actual song, they insisted on substituting the so-called profanities with an asterisk on the lyric sheet, per The Beatles Bible.

"I put it in because it does fit," Lennon told Wenner. "I didn’t even realize there was two in till somebody pointed it out. And actually, when I sang it, I missed a bloody verse. I had to edit it in. But you do say ‘f—g crazy,’ don’t you? That’s how I speak. I was very near to it many times in the past, but I would deliberately not put it in, which is the real hypocrisy, the real stupidity. I would deliberately not say things, because it might upset somebody, or whatever I was frightened of."

Chris Walter / Getty Images

The anger articulated in Lennon's lyrics was expressed through an equally passionate vocal performance, which he labored over intensely. In a 2010 interview with Uncut, tape op Andy Stephens remembered the process of recording "Working Class Hero" as a frustrating one for Lennon, taking "an endless number of takes…well over 100, probably 120, 130."

“If the mix in his headphones wasn’t exactly what he wanted, he would take them off and slam them into the wall,” Stephens said. “He wouldn’t say, ‘Can I have a bit more guitar?’ He would literally rip the cans off his head and smash them into the wall, then walk out of the studio.”

Lennon's painstaking efforts certainly paid off. "Working Class Hero" is still considered to be one of his most outstanding efforts; in 2014, Stereogum ranked the song at #3 on a list of Lennon's 10 best solo songs, praising it as "a stark, acoustic ballad reminiscent of Bob Dylan's 'Masters of War'" and "a painful recognition that the Age of Aquarius has meant less than zero."

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Lennon himself resisted the idea that "Working Class Hero" was influenced by Dylan.

"Well, anybody that sings with a guitar and just sings about something heavy will tend to sound like Dylan," he pointed out to Wenner. "I’m bound to be influenced by [those] because that’s the only kind of really folk music I ever listened to...So the only folk music I know is those about miners up in Newcastle. Or Dylan. So in that way I’ve been influenced, but it doesn’t sound like Dylan to me."

Related: John Lennon Thought This Bob Dylan Song Was So 'Pathetic' and 'Embarrassing' He Wrote a Parody

This week's episode of General Hospital left fans double-taking at one popular character.

No, you weren't mistaken — Ethan Lovett on the iconic soap opera was portrayed by a different actor in the Monday, July 27 episode.

Formerly played by Nathan Dean, Ethan is now brought to life by Christian Howard. And fans of the beloved sudser haven't been shy about sharing their reactions to the move by ABC. Check out the recent Instagram post by @soapsdotcom as exhibit A.

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Followers of General Hospital have since flooded the post's comments section to weigh in on the sudden recasting — with many favoring Dean's portrayal. "The old Ethan is a much better actor bring him back," wrote one Instagram user, while another person commented, "Going to miss the other Ethan loved his accent & he was very handsome!!!! Don’t know about the new one yet!"

To echo the latter comment, it's still early, so who knows? Perhaps Howard, 42, will grow on all the die-hards out there.

After all, the British actor brings years of showbiz experience to the show, Soap Hub reports. He is best known for playing Ken Masters in live-action Street Fighter projects and has also worked as a stunt performer, fight choreographer and screenwriter.

Returning to GH, but Not for Long

Dean, 38, returned to General Hospital in April 2026 after a six-year hiatus.

"Initially, they wanted three years,” he told TV Insider at the time. “I said, ‘I can’t do three years. There’s a lot going on in my personal life. I need to be home with my wife and all this stuff, so can’t do three years, can’t do two years.’ So, we agreed to do these next four months, see how it goes, and they have a pretty interesting little story lined up.”

Dean took to social media once news of his return broke in March, writing in his Instagram post, “So excited to be back. I can’t wait to see some familiar faces and enemies, and make some new ones along the way.”

Actor Ben Affleckis already a millionaire, but he just won $1 million more. Affleck and former Jeopardy contestant Jamie Ding teamed up to win the 2026 celebrity season of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and it looks like they’re giving ‘thanks’ for their final question.

In an edge-of-your-seat final, it all came down to one last question: “In an annual Thanksgiving tradition, all but which of these have been the name of turkeys pardoned by a U.S. president?” 

The answers included: Peanut Butter and Jelly, Tater and Tot, Mac and Cheese, and Spaghetti and Meatball. 

Host Jimmy Kimmelreminded Affleck that he could still use him as a lifeline, and after joking that the duo should still give Ding’s Phone-A-Friend a chance, he relented, “No. We might as well have Jimmy help.” He continued, “Actually, you’re very good with cooking and food, current events too. Actually, you might know this.” 

The late-night/game show host responded, “You’re absolutely right. I do a bit about this on the show. Every year.”

And which pair of turkeys did Kimmel choose? Kimmel said he didn’t think Spaghetti and Meatball sounded familiar and, of course, got a quick jab at the President in, “I could see me adding a big bowl inDonald Trump’s hands and him slurping up the spaghetti and meatballs. That one sounds like it wasn't the one to me.” 

Even though Kimmel told the celeb contestants, “If I’m wrong, I’m so sorry. But Spaghetti and Meatball is my final answer,” they still used Ding’s Phone-A-Friend option.

Ding told the host, “And Jimmy, you might like this friend of mine because, I mean, Harvard educated, father, you know we’re two years apart, but you know we’ve been through a lot of trials and tribulations together. You know, just like Ben and Matt.”

Even though Ben’s BFF Matt Damon is currently making headlines for his role in The Odyssey, last year at this time he was in Affleck’s shoes. That’s right. Damon and partner Jeopardy superstar Ken Jennings won celebrity Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in 2025. 

Sadly, Ding’s pal wasn't much help and didn't have an answer for an answer for him. But as it turns out, Kimmel was all the pair really needed. “I really think we got lucky with the best, like the world’s expert on precisely this kind of story, which goes through, you know, every night the show’s doing, “ Affleck said. 

Kimmel quipped, “Who me? Oh Christ, you’re going to put this on me?” A few nail-biting seconds later, the computer revealed the correct answer…Spaghetti and Meatball!

Affleck pledged the $1 million prize from the charity game show tournament to his charity, the Eastern Congo Initiative. Founded in 2010 by the actor and Whitney Williams, the nonprofit organization funds community-based groups in eastern Congo.

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To keep your bedroom, living room, or office looking tidy, it's always helpful to have furniture that doubles as extra storage. If you're looking for a chic way to add some organizational space into your home, Walmart's top-rated Homfa 5-Tier Triple Wide Bookcase offers ample space to hold books, toys, knickknacks, and other items. It features multiple tiers of sturdy shelving, and it's on sale for nearly 35% off right now. 

For a limited time, the versatile cabinet is on sale for just $185, down from $280. You can shop it in three gorgeous colors: black, green, and white, all marked down to the same discounted price. Depending on which color you choose, the bookcase comes accented with sleek gold or black metal hardware. 

Homfa 5-Tier Triple Wide Bookcase, $185 (was $280) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

At 9.3 inches deep, 59.1 inches wide, and 82.3 inches high, the tall cabinet offers a spacious, modern layout with 15 open cubes laid out across three columns and two closed cabinets at the bottom. Each shelf features sturdy, warp-resistant wood panels and is designed to support up to 30 pounds, making it ideal for holding stacks of books, collectibles, office supplies, and miscellaneous clutter. 

Featuring a unique triple-width structure with sleek recessed doors and easy-access handles, the multi-cube bookshelf has a stylish, elegant look that elevates any style of decor, from farmhouse and traditional to modern and minimalist. It comes with step-by-step pictorial instructions and labeled parts for easy setup, plus anti-tipping wall anchors to enhance stability. 

Related: Walmart's Freestanding 4-Tier Cabinet Adds 'Ample Storage Space' to Kitchens, Entryways, and Garages

Walmart shoppers highlighted the Homfa cabinet's "super cute" design and durable build. One reviewer wrote, "I definitely recommend this for anyone who is looking for a solid beautiful bookcase to enhance your living space." Another complimented its "sturdy" construction, noting that it's "worth the money."

Shop More Deals

• Casacomoda 5-Tier Bookshelf, $40 (was $74) at Walmart 
• Yoobure 4-Tier Ladder Shelf, From $33 (was $65) at Walmart
• Casacomoda 6-Tier LED Tree Bookshelf, $26 (was $55) at Walmart

Add some stylish display space to your home with this versatile five-tier 15-cube bookcase. It offers ample storage for any room and comes in three gorgeous shades. Pick one up while all the colors are still in stock and on sale for nearly 35% off at Walmart.

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