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Some days call for an elaborate home-cooked dinner. Other days, you just want something warm, filling, flavorful and ready in minutes. That's exactly why freezer aisles have become one of my favorite places to discover tasty new products I can whip up easily when I'm not feeling like cooking.

One of my new favorite finds, Amy's Kitchen's Organic Queso Nacho Bowl, just launched exclusively at Whole Foods. Inspired by the flavors of loaded nachos, the vegetarian bowl combines organic white rice, fire-roasted corn, black beans and savory veggie chorizo with jack and cheddar cheese, crunchy tortilla strips and a creamy, mildly spiced queso sauce.

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Amy's New Bowl Packs Comfort Food Flavor

Amy's Kitchen

The bowl offers plenty more than just cheesy flavor. Each serving contains 16 grams of protein and five grams of fiber, while also being certified organic, gluten-free, kosher and Non-GMO Project Verified.

Amy's Kitchen has built a loyal following by creating frozen meals made with recognizable ingredients, and this newest release fits right in with the rest of the lineup. If you've tried the brand's popular frozen burritos or other vegetarian meals before, you'll recognize the same focus on convenient comfort food with a wholesome twist.

After trying it myself, I was pleasantly surprised by just how satisfying it was.

The first thing I noticed was the cheese. There's plenty of it, making every bite rich and creamy without feeling overly heavy. The queso brings everything together while the tortilla strips add a little crunch for texture.

I also appreciated that I didn't feel the need to reach for hot sauce. The bowl already had enough seasoning and flavor on its own, which isn't always the case with frozen meals.

Related: Trader Joe's New Frozen Bars Taste Like a Tropical Vacation in Every Bite

A Cozy Freezer Staple for Busy Days

I ended up trying it out on a rainy afternoon when I wanted something warm, cozy and as low-effort as possible. It was exactly the kind of meal I was hoping for. A few minutes after popping it in the toaster oven, I had a filling lunch without dirtying a single pan. I did add avocado to kick it up a notch.

This new bowl from Amy's Kitchen is convenient enough for busy weekdays but still feels like comfort food when you're craving something satisfying.

If you're looking for an easy freezer meal to keep on hand, Amy's newest Whole Foods exclusive is worth adding to your cart. Between the creamy queso, hearty rice and beans, veggie chorizo and crunchy tortilla strips, it delivers the familiar flavors of loaded nachos in a simple microwaveable bowl. And if you're already an Amy's fan like I am, there's a good chance this will earn a spot alongside those frozen burritos in your freezer rotation.

Related: Costco's New High-Protein Freezer Find Is the Easiest Summer Meal Hack

It's hardly an exaggeration to refer to The Lord of the Rings trilogy as one of the most successful franchises in entertainment history.

Reshaping pop culture from the ground up, The Lord of the Rings series also brought a renewed appreciation for the entire fantasy landscape, not to mention the original books of author J.R.R. Tolkien.

As lasting a legacy as it's achieved since its initial release, at the time it was originally made in the early 2000s, the movie's budget was limited enough to result in comparatively low pay days for some of the film's cast and crew.

As cast member Sean Astin remembers it, in spite of serving an integral part in the movie's narrative, his salary for the film was so low, he ultimately had to sell his home in order to make ends meet.

"There was a disconnect between the attention that I was getting and how much money we had," Astin recently told The Guardian. "It was not a lot of money! In fact, I had to sell my house because I negotiated such a small amount on the trilogy.”

According to Variety, Astin previously revealed that he negotiated around $75,000 per movie, making his final salary somewhere around $250,000 for all three Lord of the Rings films.

As audiences are sure to remember, Astin famously portrayed the character of Samwise Gangee in the trilogy. The emotional center of the Fellowship of the Ring, Astin's Sam joins Frodo on his nightmarish quest to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom, braving constant threats around every corner.

In his interview with The Guardian, Astin also revealed that he still remains incredibly close with his fellow on-screen Hobbits, Elijah Wood, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan, from attending conventions together to enjoying a dinner and catching up.

“We have a great time," Astin said. "We go to fancy dinners together. We really enjoy the fellowship. We’ve probably done a dozen of them, we’ve got more planned.”

KISS' slow and emotional 1981 rock ballad, “A World Without Heroes,” that marked one of the band's biggest departures from its usual hard rock sound, has remained a unique part of the group's catalog 45 years later.

Released as the first single from Music from “The Elder”, the song reached No. 56 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 55 in the UK. Those numbers were modest for a band as successful as KISS, and the song was overshadowed by the poor commercial response to the album that produced it.

Yet “A World Without Heroes” has endured. Its unusual sound, reflective lyrics and unexpected creative team have helped the song develop a cult following among KISS fans. The track was co-written by Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, producer Bob Ezrin and Lou Reed, with Simmons handling the lead vocals and Stanley playing the guitar solo.

Paul Stanley of KISS performs on stage at Hammersmith Odeon, London England. This was their first London gig on their 'Destroyer' tour on May 15th, 1976.

Photo by Gus Stewart/Redferns

“A World Without Heroes” came from Music from “The Elder”, a concept album that represented a major change in direction for KISS.

The album told the story of a young hero on a quest to save the world, guided by a mysterious council known as “The Elder.” Rather than building on the band's familiar hard rock and glam rock style, the project aimed for something more cinematic and artistic.

That change did not connect with many KISS fans at the time.

According to Ultimate Classic Rock, the album reached only No. 75 on the Billboard 200 and became the band's first album that was not certified gold or platinum. Critics were also harsh, while many longtime fans were confused by the band's new musical direction.

“A World Without Heroes” was part of that experiment. The song was a gentle, airy ballad with a slow and atmospheric melody. It explored the idea of living in a world without people to admire or follow.

Gene Simmons sings the song's central lines:

“A world without heroes is like a world without sun / You can’t look up to anyone / A world without heroes is like a never-ending race / It’s like a time without a place.”

The song began as a Paul Stanley composition titled “Every Little Bit of Your Heart.” According to producer Bob Ezrin, the song was changed to fit the story of The Elder.

Lou Reed later contributed the line “a world without heroes is like a world without sun,” which helped shape the song's final title and lyrics.

Ezrin also brought Reed into the project. The legendary songwriter went on to collaborate on two other songs from the album, “Dark Light” and “Mr. Blackwell.”

The unusual combination of writers was part of what made the track different from typical KISS material.

Ezrin described the song as “uncharacteristically architected for Kiss.” He also pointed to the unusual creative choices behind it, including having Simmons sing the romantic lead and Stanley deliver the guitar solo.

The commercial disappointment surrounding Music from “The Elder” did not erase “A World Without Heroes” from KISS history.

The song's video also became notable for several reasons. Gene Simmons appeared without his trademark Demon makeup, adding to the track's unusual presentation. The video also featured Eric Carr and became the first KISS video played on MTV.

Despite its release as a single, the band rarely performed the song live. KISS played it once on the television program Fridays before largely leaving it out of its live shows.

That changed in 1995, when fan requests at KISS conventions helped bring the song back. KISS later performed an acoustic version during its MTV Unplugged appearance, and the performance was included on the companion album.

The song also gained attention through an unexpected connection to Cher, who covered “A World Without Heroes” about a decade after its original release for her Love Hurts album.

These later moments helped keep the song in the public conversation, even though it had not been a major hit when first released.

The history of the song also reflects a difficult period for KISS. The band had been one of America's biggest rock acts during the second half of the 1970s, but its commercial success declined in the early 1980s. Music from “The Elder” became a major turning point, and Ace Frehley was largely on the sidelines during the project.

KISS soon moved back toward its established hard rock sound. The band followed The Elder with the Killers compilation and then released Creatures of the Night in 1982.

For a band built around huge stages, loud guitars, makeup and theatrical performances, “A World Without Heroes” remains a reminder that KISS was also willing to take creative risks.

Related: 1978 Rock Song, Lasting Nearly 15 Minutes, Remains a Classic 48 Years Later

As the final weeks of summer wind down, travelers are swapping grueling week-long itineraries for quick, close-to-home escapes. According to new internal data fromTikTok, posts featuring #WeekendTrip and #DayTrip spiked by 22% and 100% respectively over the last 90 days, revealing a major surge in "micro-travel"—quick 48-hour road trips designed to max out relaxation without draining vacation days.

To help you map out your next weekend refresh, we tapped four top travel creators on TikTok to share their favorite underrated drive-to destinations, top local spots, and smart trip-planning hacks.

Related: The New England Fall Road Trip Travel Experts Swear By

1. The California Coast Refresh: Montecito, California View of Cabrillo Boulevard from Montecito in Santa Barbara with ocean

Veronica Slavin via Getty

• The Drive: 1.5 hours from Los Angeles
• The Vibe: Low-key coastal luxury and quiet village strolls.
• Must-Do: Wander through the Montecito Country Mart and Coast Village Road for local boutiques and idyllic architecture.
• Where to Eat: Little Mountain.
• Creator Tip from Michelle [@laxtoluxury]: Use TikTok to scope out video footage before booking. "TikTok videos give you a genuine, on-the-ground feel of a destination," Michelle says. "It helps you decide what's actually worth booking and steer away from spots that look totally different in reality than in curated photos."

Related: The Fall Getaway That's Perfect for Your Personality Type

2. The Charming East Coast Escape: Sharon, Connecticut The Houstonic River and hills of litchfield county in autumn in the town of Sharon Connecticut on a sunny blue sky day.

Daniel Hanscom via Getty

• The Drive: 2 hours from New York City
• The Vibe: Scenic mountain views, fresh air, and historic New England charm.
• Must-Do: Hike through the lush trails of Mohawk State Forest.
• Where to Eat: Le Gamin Cafe for cozy French-inspired bites.
• Creator Tip from Nicolas [@nicolasnuvan]: Lean on TikTok's Local Feed feature when you hit town to see real-time events happening around you. Plus, don't overlook the buddy system: "Traveling with friends and family makes things much more pleasant economically and the experience far more memorable," he notes.

3. The Sunshine State Arts Hub: St. Petersburg, Florida

Juan Silva via Getty

• The Drive: 3.5 hours from Palm Beach
• The Vibe: Vibrant, walkable art scenes and ocean breezes.
• Must-Do: Explore FloridaRAMA, one of the city's most immersive and creative art experiences.
• Where to Eat: Juno and Peacock.
• Creator Tip from GG [@explorewithgg]: Skip the rental car costs by picking a walkable base. "Stay somewhere centrally located so you can ditch rental cars and rideshares once you arrive," GG suggests. She also recommends saving destination-specific video playlists into organized folders for restaurants, coffee shops, and activities before you leave home.

Related: This Is One of the Best Florida Escapes for Art Lovers—and It’s Not Miami

4. The Hill Country Gem: Fredericksburg, Texas

Dean_Fikar via Getty

• The Drive: 2.5 hours from Abilene
• The Vibe: Sweeping natural landscapes, historic tasting rooms, and rugged views.
• Must-Do: Take in the massive pink granite summit views at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.
• Where to Eat: Jack's Chop House.
• Creator Tip from [@aroundtheworldat80]: Shift your days off if your schedule allows. Travel midweek rather than over Saturday and Sunday for significantly lower room rates, easier reservations, and smaller crowds at major sights.

Related: World Cup Fever Is Turning These 4 Viral Soccer Nations Into the Year's Hottest Travel Destinations

Bands are often reduced to their flashiest members, like the frontman or the lead guitarist, but many of rock's most influential groups had quieter members who truly pushed their sound forward. Rick Wright, a founding member of the legendary progressive rock band Pink Floyd, would have turned 83 on July 28, 2026, had he not passed away from cancer in 2008. He was just 65 years old at the time of his death.

On social media, Pink Floyd shared a simple tribute photo of him, and fans poured in to offer their praise and condolences.

View this post on Instagram

"He was the backbone of Pink Floyd," one fan definitively wrote.

"Greatest keyboard player of all time," stated another.

"He’s having a great gig in the sky," another poetically added, referencing one of Wright's crowning artistic achievements in the band.

Related: 1975 Rock Song, Lasting Nearly 26 Minutes, Remains a Classic 51 Years Later

The Story of Richard Wright and Pink Floyd

Born in 1943, Wright formed Pink Floyd alongside original guitarist Syd Barrett, bassist Roger Waters, and drummer Nick Mason, with David Gilmour joining the lineup shortly thereafter. The group had an experimental beginning, performing under several different monikers before settling on Pink Floyd—named in honor of American blues musicians Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. It wasn't until 1973's The Dark Side of the Moon that the band achieved global superstardom, and much of that album's enduring sound is directly attributed to Wright's sonic contributions. Beyond "The Great Gig in the Sky," Wright held key writing credits on band-defining classics like "Us and Them" and later "Shine On You Crazy Diamond."

Despite his foundational role, Wright was eventually ousted from Pink Floyd during the recording of The Wall—a move many music historians and fans have viewed as a tragic turning point for the group. In an interview with Louder, Wright opened up about the tumultuous dynamic he shared with Waters from the very beginning.

"There was this friction even during The Dark Side Of The Moon, where the three of us – Dave, Roger and me – were writers," Wright explained. "A lot of the concept came from Roger. But we had discussions, arguments, over who should get the share of the credits for songwriting. There was friction with Wish You Were Here. But sometimes it was very good and helped make good records. There has always been friction between me and Roger, right from the beginning. Personality-wise, we just didn’t get on. I can remember the friction when we were still students at Regent Street Polytechnic before the band turned professional. There was this thing between us. But it was a healthy thing. We would not choose to be friends, even at this time, Roger and I. But I could work with him because I could recognize the qualities in the band."

Wright went on to release solo projects and eventually rejoined Pink Floyd for their later albums and tours. Though his life was cut short in 2008 following a private battle with cancer, his musical legacy remains an indispensable cornerstone of rock history.

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Out of Australia, the rock bandthe Easybeats gained massive success with the release of "Friday on My Mind," which led to international stardom and was categorized as a working-class anthem.

Led by guitarists Harry Vanda and George Young, with singer Stevie Wright, drummer Gordon “Snowy” Fleet, and bassist Dick Diamonde, the Easybeats were a group of teenagers who came into the worldwide rock scene in the mid '60s. "Friday on My Mind" led the band to be tagged as "the first international victory for Oz rock" and one of the few to make waves with original material.

According to SongFacts, the band had relocated to London, where they worked with producer Shel Talmy, who had worked with The Who and The Kinks. While Talmy liked the band, he wasn't too keen on their songs and gave them the challenge of writing their own.

"They approached me via their then-manager," Talmy told Songfacts. "I liked what I'd heard, but I didn't like the songs. So, I said to them, 'Guys, go home and write a bunch of songs, come back once a week, and play me what you got.' This went on for about seven weeks. I kept rejecting stuff until after the seventh week I heard 'Friday on My Mind,' and I said, 'That's the one we're doing.'"

The garage rock track would land the Easybeats at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, their first breakthrough in the U.S. They also landed at No.1 on the Dutch Top 40 chart and at No.1 on the Australian singles chart. "Friday on My Mind" quickly became a signature hit, with lyrics interpreted as looking forward to the ease of the weekend.

While "Friday on My Mind" became known as a working-class anthem that many blue-collar fans could relate to, Young would claim it wasn't their intention. He told journalist Debbie Kruger in 2005 that it had “more to do with their outlook on the world than any class statement.” 

Inspiration for the track's notable guitar opening was attributed by Vanda to a film performance by the UK-based a cappella group The Swingles.

"It went tudutudutudu, which made us all laugh. In the train back from the gig, we were imitating them and suddenly it sounded good. They became the first notes of 'Friday on My Mind'," explained Vanda.

Sadly, the rock track marked the only international hit by the Easybeats. The band fell into drug problems, issues with their management, and internal struggles that led to a halt in releasing new music. Their next track wasn't released until months later, with "Who'll Be the One" failing to enter the charts except in Australia. The Easybeats would break up in 1969, with reports claiming they amassed a large debt that Vanda and Young worked to pay off.

With Young being the brother of AC/DC guitarists Malcolm and Angus Young, he and Young would produce the first six albums for the heavy metal band. The other band members would embark on solo careers until the original line-up reunited in 1986 for an Australian tour.

Related: 1979 Rock Song, Written by the Frontman’s Grandfather, Became a Classic Anthem

Ransom Canyon has just debuted its second season on Netflix, and audiences can't get enough of the romantic neo-Western.

The show has been described as a blend of Yellowstone and The Summer I Turned Pretty. Based on Jodi Thomas' novel series of the same name, the show follows a bereaved rancher, played by Josh Duhamel, reclaiming his legacy after being unseated as trustee of his family's ranch. His life is turned upside down when he learns the love of his life, played by Minka Kelly, has returned to town.

The romantic drama also features Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson, Shameless star Steve Howey, and Vikings' Ben Robson. Ransom Canyon was created by April Blair, who has written for the likes of Hart of Dixie, You, and Wednesday.

Season 2 of the romance series debuted on Netflix on July 23 and quickly rose to the top of the U.S. charts. It has also hit the top of the streaming service in Australia, Canada, Denmark and New Zealand.

Minka Kelly and Josh Duhamel in Ransom Canyon.

Netflix

Ransom Canyon has resonated with fans despite mixed critical reviews. The first season has a 45% on Rotten Tomatoes, but so far, season 2 has dropped to a 40%. As RogerEbert.com notes, "Yes, it’s often predictable, relentlessly soapy, and doesn’t give any twist more than a few minutes to breathe. But its practiced brand of easily bingeable escapism sure does go down easy." But, these reviews haven't stopped viewers from tuning in to the series.

As Forbes notes, the show asks the big question: "Why do some people spend years orbiting each other before they finally find their way back together?"

“I just feel like it's true because both people have to be at a place where they’re willing to engage,” he said, adding that love and fate go hand-in-hand," Duhamel said.

Minka Kelly explained to Forbes how her character feels about the rancher. “She’s loved him her whole life, and when there's finally the opportunity to come together and to really reveal to each other, we've actually both wanted each other this whole time; it just didn't work out that way.”

Watch seasons 1 and 2 of Ransom Canyon on Netflix now.

Related: 'Ransom Canyon' Season 2 Ending Explained: Do Staten and Quinn End Up Together?

Jason Sudeikis just hit the red carpet with his and Olivia Wilde's adorable children, Otis and Daisy. But one look at his daughter's face makes it clear she looks just like him!

Sudeikis, 50, made a name for himself on Saturday Night Live before nailing film roles like Sleeping With Other People and Horrible Bosses. But it's his role as a Kansas football coach who finds himself across the pond coaching an English soccer team in Apple TV's Ted Lasso that skyrocketed him to superstardom. With endless awards under his belt for the role, Sudeikis has become a Hollywood megastar.

While his film and TV roles are significant, Sudeikis considers his role as a dad to be his favorite. Despite his split from his kids' mom, Wilde, in 2020, the duo is active co-parents. Sudeikis hit the red carpet at the season 4 premiere with his adorable kids, Daisy and Otis, at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, California. While his daughter sported braids in her hair, one look at the little girl made it clear that she got the eyes and smile of her beloved dad. Check out the trio below:

Michael Buckner / Getty Images

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What's Ted Lasso Season 4 About?

Ahead of its Aug. 5 release date, Apple TV just unveiled a new trailer for Ted Lasso's fourth season. Starring mainstays of the series, including Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, and Jeremy Swift, the fourth season shows the beloved coach taking on an exciting new challenge as the coach of a second-division women’s soccer team.

Check out the new trailer for Ted Lasso's fourth season below:

Sudeikis Originally Thought The Show Would Be Three Seasons

In 2021, Sudeikis told Entertainment Weekly that when the show was created, he originally saw it as having a “three-season arc.”

“I’m glad that they are willing to pay for those three seasons,” he said. “As far as what happens after that, who knows? I don’t know.”

Luckily, he's back for a fourth round!

Related: Why Jason Sudeikis Initially Turned Down 'Ted Lasso' Season 4

On July 28, 1979, the Boomtown Rats had the No. 1 song in the UK with “I Don’t Like Mondays.” The song was the Irish rock band’s second single to top the charts in the UK, and the only one of their songs to ever crack the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

Written by Bob Geldof and Johnnie Fingers, the piano-driven song was the lead single from the album The Fine Art of Surfacing. "I Don't Like Mondays" was the Boomtown Rats' biggest hit in the U.S., reaching No. 73 on Billboard, while still cementing its place as one of rock’s most haunting and unforgettable songs.

“They didn't play 'Mondays' on AM radio because of lyrical content,” Geldof said during an appearance on The Merv Griffin Show. "Singles that we've subsequently had in the rest of the world,  hits in the rest of the world, including Canada, they haven't played here because of lyrical content. They seem to think that somehow it's a little too much trouble, you know, to make people think during the day.”

The lyrical content, based on a real-life tragedy, may have hit too close to home for U.S. listeners.

According to This Day in Music, Boomtown Rats frontman Geldof was inspired to write “I Don’t Like Mondays” after reading about a California teenager who went on a shooting spree on an elementary school playground.

On January 29, 1979, Brenda Ann Spencer, then 16, killed two adults and injured eight children and a police officer as she opened fire outside of Grover Elementary School in San Diego.

Spencer later explained her actions by saying, "I don't like Mondays. This livens up the day,” per the County of San Diego District Attorney. The teen, who was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, was denied parole in 2025.

RELATED: 1974 No. 1 Hit Named Among the ‘Saddest Songs of All Time’ Became Heartbreakingly True

Geldof first heard about the shooting when he was doing a radio interview for a radio station in Atlanta.

"Not liking Mondays as a reason for doing somebody in is a bit strange,” he recalled per  Elsewhere.com. “I was thinking about it on the way back to the hotel, and I just said, 'Silicon chip inside her head had switched to overload'. I wrote that down.  And the journalists interviewing her said, 'Tell me why?'”

Geldof noted, “It was a senseless act. So perhaps I wrote the perfect senseless song to illustrate it. It wasn't an attempt to exploit tragedy.”

On July 13,  1985, the Boomtown Rats famously performed “I Don’t Like Mondays” during their set at Live Aid, the charity concert held simultaneously at Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium and England’s Wembley Stadium to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. While performing the song, Geldof dramatically paused for nearly 20 seconds after singing the line, “And the lesson to today is how to die,” to emphasize the anti-famine message.

Nearly five decades later, “I Don’t Like Mondays” remains one of the most chilling songs in rock history, and one that Geldof has struggled with.

In an interview, he revealed that he received a disturbing letter from Spencer from prison, even though he never mentioned her by name in his song.

“She wrote me saying she was glad she’d done it because I made her famous,” Geldof said. “Which is not a good thing to live with.”

Related: The Chilling True Crime Story Behind a ’70s Rock Classic

“Sheila” was a rock and roll song written and recorded by Tommy Roe. He originally wrote the hit when he was only 14 years old, but he released it in 1962, at the age of 20. The song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained in the spot for two weeks.

In an interview with Classic Rock Music, Roe revealed that the song was partially inspired by Buddy Holly. “I was a huge fan of his, and that was my way of respecting Buddy Holly,” he said. “When I first recorded ‘Sheila,’ I recorded it while I was in high school and wrote it when I was about 14 years old. I recorded it early in high school with my local band.”

He continued, “We didn’t have the drums, and when I hooked up with Felton Jarvis, he loved the song but wanted to put something more exciting into it, so he thought about putting those drums in there. My first version of ‘Sheila’ was almost a hit. It was a hit locally in the southeast but never spread nationally, and that’s why Felton knew the song. He knew it would become a hit if he rerecorded it and added the drums in there. I was a huge fan of Holly, so it was fine with me.”

Roe also explained the origin of the song, which was based on a girl from his high school. He revealed that it was originally called “Frita” until a record producer suggested changing the name.

Related: 1968 No. 1 Hit, Which Inspired a Film and TV Show, Became a Timeless Anthem

"'Sheila' was originally a poem I wrote about a girl that I went to school with and her name was ‘Frieda,’” he explained. “It use to be ‘Sweet Little Frieda.’ It was a poem, and at the time my dad taught me three chords on the guitar, and I thought… boy, if I could just put some music to my poems, maybe I could become a songwriter. So that’s what started it for me, it just happened that my dad played an instrument and I use to love to write silly poems to my girlfriends. So I turned ‘Frieda’ into a song and ran around singing ‘Sweet Little Frieda’ for a long time. When I finally got the chance to record it, the producer suggested changing the name to ‘Sheila.’”

Roe was also known for his song “Dizzy,” which was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks. He is currently 84.  

For anyone who grew up with 1970s radio, a few acoustic guitar chords were all it took to instantly lift your spirits.

The decade was packed with memorable singer-songwriters, but one particular country-folk icon delivered an infectious, sun-soaked track that soared all the way into the Billboard Top 5. Decades after Jonathan Edwards' signature anthem "Sunshine" defined an era of feel-good music, the legendary hitmaker is officially celebrating his 80th birthday, and the story behind his rise is just as remarkable as the song itself.

Edwards, born on July 28, 1946, celebrates eight decades of a life filled with twists, turns, and unbelievable success. Yet while millions still sing along to his defining '70s hit, the surprising story of how he accidentally stumbled into stardom makes his milestone birthday all the more special.

He was born in Minnesota and raised in Virginia. As a young child, he was sent to military school for an admitted "behavioral problem."

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It was there, he told the Syracuse New Times, "the kid next door had a guitar. I had never seen one up close and was 14 or 15 years old."

Edwards continued, "I picked it up and really, the clouds parted, angels sang, and suddenly I understood something. Somehow I figured out that it meant something to make that noise and feel that accomplishment. It was a sense of being proactive in my life. Until then, I had been reactive. It was nice, a moment of clarity."

After a stint with an acoustic trio, Edwards went out on his own and created the song that would change his life. He explained, "Around 1969 to 1970, I went out on my own after my electric college band. I liked the sound of acoustic guitars, instruments better than loud electric. So I went out on my own, wrote my own songs and boom!"

He said the success of "Sunshine" was surprising. "It was weird. It was wonderful. It was astonishing. To be plucked from my little nest of songwriters that I was living with, playing with and having bands with. To be plucked out of that and thrust onto the national — really the world — stage."

Edwards added, "I was humbled that a little song I wrote in five minutes has had meaning for people all these 50 years. And a cool thing about this song: It’s starting to dawn on people that it’s a pretty angry little war protest song."

The singer/songwriter concluded, per Songfacts, "I just went, 'How much does it cost? I'll buy it.' I was talking about freedom and talking about authority, my constant questioning of authority."

"'How much does it cost? I'll buy it? Time is all we've lost. I'll try it. He can't even run his own life, I'll be damned if he'll run mine.' That just came out as I was playing the song for these people," Edwards added.

According to his official website, Jonathan Edwards continues to write and record, bringing his signature warmth, acoustic spirit, and timeless storytelling to both long-time fans and a brand-new generation of listeners.

Related: 1974 'Irresistible' Sultry Soft Rock Classic Became a Signature Mood-Setting Hit

Iconic rock bandPapa Roach has enjoyed a career full of highlights and major milestones.

On July 28, the "Scars" hitmakers' frontman, Jacoby Shaddix, celebrates his own milestone — his 50th birthday. Born in Mariposa, Calif., Shaddix founded Papa Roach in 1993 in high school, alongside original drummer DaveBuckner, original bass player Will James, and original rhythm guitarist Ben Luther.

The name Papa Roach has an interesting origin, stemming from Shaddix's step-grandfather, Howard William Roatch, who was affectionately nicknamed "Papa Roach" by his grandkids.

"I thought, what if we named it after my grandfather — his last name is Roatch. The other guys were like, ‘You mean roach like as in weed?’" Shaddix told Spin in 2010, adding that they chose the name when they were "young and dumb" 16-year-olds. "But I also thought Papa Roach had a dirty, grimy sense of longevity that really represented where we were as people at the time. Roaches last, you know? The name still fits."

Papa Roach released its first single, "Last Resort," on Mar. 7, 2000. The track, which has become one of the most beloved songs in rock history, defined early-2000s rock music. Upon its initial release, "Last Resort" shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it remained for seven weeks.

Two decades after the original track was released, Papa Roach celebrated its enduring debut with a reimagined re-release. "Last Resort (Reloaded)" was released on Jan. 27, 2021, featuring guest vocals from Jeris Johnson.

The collaboration was born after Johnson got the band's attention with his own remixes of "Last Resort," posted to his 1.7 million-strong TikTok account. It shot to No. 1 on theBillboard Hot Hard Rock Songs chart, proving that the debut track still stands strong after more than 20 years.

"After I remixed it and threw it up on TikTok, the last thing I expected was that I’d end up in the studio with Papa Roach a couple weeks later," Johnson said, per Louder Sound. "The reaction and reception was so overwhelming that me, (a random kid on TikTok) got the attention of a legacy band and the invitation to team up and remake Last Resort for an entirely new generation. I don’t give a f--k what anyone says, that’s magic."

Related: '70s Rocker and Member of No. 1 Rock Band Turns 68

As audiences look ahead to the imminent release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, critics are sharing their initial thoughts on the latest chapter in Tom Holland's Spider-Man-related adventures inside the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, multiple early critics have chimed in to share their praise for the newest addition to the MCU, calling Brand New Day a welcome contribution to the overarching superhero franchise.

"My flabber has been ghasted," shared critic Adam Hlaváč. "Destin Daniel Cretton and Tom Holland put their hearts and souls into this thing, and it pays off HUGE! This movie is going to be massive and we’re going to be talking about it for a while. I was floored by how well everything is balanced - emotion, humor, action, practical vs visual effects, score, and the cinematography. This felt so handmade, even with some of the massive set pieces and is filled to the top with heart. This was absolutely worth the wait. More soon!"

"Don’t mind me. I’m just sitting here crying after watching #SpidermanBrandNewDay," added Germain Lussier. "It’s a massive movie that balances like 5 different through lines in equal measure, each better than the last. It can feel a little overwhelming but it all comes together so beautifully it works."

In particular, most critics felt the movie did a great job fleshing out Holland's portrayal of Peter Parker, basing the character in real-world emotion that allowed for a natural progression from the events of No Way Home.

"It really is a brand new day for Peter Parker as Destin Daniel Cretton takes over for Jon Watts in the director’s chair for SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY," deemed Matt Neglia. "Cretton brings a more grounded, back-to-basics approach to the beloved web-slinger, making this fourth standalone film feel like both a fresh reset and a necessary evolution for the character, giving Tom Holland the space to find new depths in his continually pitch-perfect performance."

Starring Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, Michael Mando and Mark Ruffalo, Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives in theaters on July 31.

One might suspect IHOP, Denny's, and Cracker Barrel would round out the top three breakfast restaurants, but when it comes to California, chain restaurants are few and far between.

Be it politics or sky-high rent, some name-brand eateries with a devoted following in neighboring states never opened doors in the "Golden State," giving Mom 'n Pop shops more room to shine.

According to the San Diego Tribune's 2026 Reader's Poll, a 1970s breakfast staple took the crown for two categories:

• Best Breakfast
• Best Brunch

Related: This Nostalgic 1940s Food Chain Is Quietly Making a Comeback

The winner was Broken Yolk Cafe, first established in San Diego's vibrant Pacific Beach neighborhood that's now jam-packed with bars lining Garnet Avenue.

What better food is there to soak up last night's shenanigans? Starchy, hearty, indulgent breakfast food, that is.

Not that hangover cures are Broken Yolk's mantra by any means — it's actually "We've got huevos!"

The San Diego-based restaurant has grown to 42 locations, including one in Idaho, two in Texas, and three in Arizona — and that's because their extensive menu of morning delights has been top-notch for decades, especially "the Chicken Chilaquiles" and "delicious flight of mimosas," as one recent patron raved about at its Chula Vista, Calif. location.

The good news is it's about to expand even further, announcing its first brick-and-mortar in the Midwest — Lafayette, Ind., to be exact.

No matter if it's a classic dish, you know, something simple like pancakes and bacon, or something more innovative for brunch with a round of drinks, Broken Yolk delivers.

Related: Top In-N-Out Rival Expanding With 60 More Locations

Per the company's celebratory press release, they believe brunch is what draws in the younger crowd, not just people who grew up eating there and keep coming back.

Broken Yolk's owner, John Gelastopoulos, said, "It's our newer, signature dishes and fresh, inventive takes on brunch staples that have kept the brand top-of-mind for newer generations. With any luck, Broken Yolk Cafe will still be introducing families and friends to an elevated breakfast and brunch experience for another 47 years, and more."

Don't sleep on their selection of juicy burgers, either.

On a Friday night in early August 1969, John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas got an invitation from Sharon Tate to come to her home at 10050 Cielo Drive. He was tempted. He left the decision to his friend, Marshall Brickman. Brickman suggested they go to the Pacific instead to look at bioluminescent plankton. They went to the beach. The next morning, Phillips got a call that changed everything. The murders committed by followers of Charles Manson at Sharon Tate's home in the early hours of August 9 killed five people: Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Voytek Frykowski, Abigail Folger, and Steven Parent, a young man who happened to be visiting the property's caretaker. Sharon Tate was eight and a half months pregnant. Phillips had almost been there. So had his bandmate Denny Doherty, who'd also received an invitation that night and also declined.

Brickman hadn't been joking. He genuinely wanted to see the phosphorescent plankton glowing in the Pacific. Phillips thought the idea was amusing enough, especially given the mescaline. They drove to the beach with director Michael Sarne, watched the water glow, and went home separately.

The next morning, columnist Joyce Haber called. "Thank God you're alive," she said.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Phillips asked her.

Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images

Nobody knew yet who had done it. But five people were dead inside Sharon Tate's home on Cielo Drive.

Phillips panicked for a specific reason. When investigators arrived at the scene, they found the sheet music to his song "Straight Shooter" resting on the music stand of the grand piano. A grand piano mere feet from where Sharon Tate's body lay. He'd been in that house. His music was there when the bodies were found.

The connections ran deeper. Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys had invited Phillips to come and spend time with a group of followers led by a man named Charles Manson. Terry Melcher had wanted Phillips to hear Manson's music. Phillips declined both. "It sounded a little too crazy and cosmic," he wrote. He knew four of the murdered guests: Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Voytek Frykowski, and Abigail Folger.

Related: 1970 Summertime Song Everybody Knows, Written in 10 Minutes by a Timex Lab Technician -- Almost Nobody Remembers His Name

Phillips wasn't the only one who almost went that night. Steve McQueen had also received an invitation and would've been there had he not, as his widow later explained, "ran off with a chickie" he'd met earlier that evening.

Phillips bought a gun. He hired extra security. He brought ex-wife Michelle and their daughter Chynnaback to live with him. He and his circle hired psychics and numerologists to investigate. Then he found out that Roman Polanski, away in Europe when the murders happened, had briefly suspected him. Polanski had been having an affair with Michelle Phillips and thought John might have killed Sharon as revenge. The paranoia of that summer in Hollywood ran in every direction.

Charles Manson was arrested on October 12, 1969. Phillips believed Manson hadn't been targeting Sharon Tate at all. His theory, shared by others close to the case, was that Manson was sending a message to Terry Melcher, who'd lived in the house the previous year and had decided not to produce Manson's record. The wrong people were home that night.

During the trial, Manson listed both Phillips and Mama Cass Elliott as potential defense witnesses. He apparently believed the band was close enough to him to testify on his behalf.

The Band That Almost Didn't Survive the Summer of 1969

Two years before that August night, Phillips had co-organized the Monterey Pop Festival alongside Lou Adler, the event that launched Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Otis Redding to mass American audiences. That same summer, The Mamas & the Papas had headlined the Hollywood Bowl with the Jimi Hendrix Experience as their opening act. For one night they were arguably the biggest band in America. Within months, it was gone.

The Mamas & the Papas were already dissolving before that August night. The murders didn't cause the end. They accelerated it. Phillips watched the Woodstock Festival on television from a locked-down Hollywood while the rest of the music world celebrated in a field in New York. "I knew that we had helped pave the way for Woodstock," he wrote, "but it seemed to be a long way off now."

The 1971 reunion album People Like Us was recorded with the four members rarely in the same room. It failed commercially and critically. Michelle Phillips is now the last surviving original member. Mama Cass Elliott died in London on July 29, 1974, aged 32. John Phillips died on March 18, 2001, aged 65. Denny Doherty died on January 19, 2007, aged 66. The band that almost lost Phillips to the Manson murders eventually lost all its members to time.

"California Dreamin'" is still playing.

Marshall Brickman wanted to see the plankton. John Phillips left the choice to him. They went to the beach. The next morning Joyce Haber called. "Thank God you're alive." His sheet music was on the music stand of the grand piano at the crime scene. He'd been in that house. He just wasn't there that night.

The reason was bioluminescent plankton.

Some decisions are made for you.

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When CNN’s Kaitlan Collins won an award for her coverage of the tense meeting between Donald Trump, VP JD Vance, and the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the U.S. President clearly was not impressed. After a now-infamous roast of the White House correspondent during the WHCA Dinner last Friday, Collins is clapping back…sort of.

From calling her award “fake” to comparing the journalist to trans actress Dylan Mulvaney, Trump’s attempted jabs fell flat. While you might expect Trump insiders and his MAGA mouthpieces to have his back, Collins later described the atmosphere to late-night host Jon Stewart(during an appearance on The Daily Show), “What was most surprising to me was the room was filled with a lot of his staffers, his cabinet, his allies, Republicans in Congress. It was so quiet in the room during the President’s remarks.”

Even though Collins was surprised at the silence, she wasn’t surprised about Trump’s digs, telling Stewart, “I think I was not surprised when he insulted me. That happens pretty regularly inside the Oval Office. This is just a bigger venue where it was happening.”

View this post on Instagram How did Kaitlan Collins respond to Donald Trump’s jabs?

Collins isn’t fighting back. And no, she isn’t scared. 

So why isn’t she snapping back with witty quips about the President? After all, as Kaitlan said to Stewart, “I’ve covered Trump for 10 years. So I’ve listened to pretty much all of his speeches for 10 years, with very little exception.” With that amount of coverage, she’s sure to have some gems that would make the perfect clap-back. But Kaitlan does have a pretty amazing explanation. 

“I've always felt this, regardless of who’s the president, whether it’s Joe Biden, Donald Trump, those are the two I've covered. It’s really not about me,” Collins said. She continued,  “And I don’t want it to be about my reaction. And so, I think if you let it become about that, then it becomes a back-and-forth between the two of us.”

View this post on Instagram

The White House correspondent shared,  “And instead, I think it’s more effective to remind people in those moments when he is insulting me or when he is criticizing me about the question I asked or the reporting that I did that he was so angry about in this moment. And the fact that I got an award for it really bothered him”

Instead of a witty comeback or a war of words, Collins has a different take on what should happen next: “I just think in those moments it’s important to put the reminder back on the work, on the question, and on the non-answers that we get.”

Pillsbury has always managed to delight consumers with its extensive lineup of fan-favorite products.

From quick and easy cinnamon rolls to equally hassle-free cookies, the iconic brand continues to find a way to captivate shoppers across a wide spectrum.

But even when compared to its previous releases, Pillsbury's latest spin on their classic cookies might very well rank as one of their most "magical" products yet.

According to multiple food bloggers' posts across social media, Pillsbury has officially unveiled their brand-new Ready to Bake! Harry Potter Golden Snitch Shape Sugar Cookie Dough.

Available for a limited time while supplies last, the new package of sugar cookie dough makes up to 20 cookies, allowing shoppers to taste the magical splendor of the Harry Potter universe with each and every bite.

"Catch and bake some enchantingly delicious cookies with Pillsbury Ready to Bake! Harry Potter Golden Snitch Shape Sugar Cookie Dough," the product's description reads on Target's website. "Inspired by the magical world of Harry Potter and his adventures, this sugar cookie dough comes pre-cut and features the iconic Golden Snitch. No need to open your spellbooks - witches and wizards of all ages will love how easy these sugar cookies are to make."

As if the prospect of a Harry Potter-inspired sugar cookie wasn't already exciting enough, Pillsbury also confirmed that their new cookie dough is safe to eat entirely on its own, without ever having to touch the oven at all.

"Can't wait to nibble on the sweet taste? This sugar cookie dough is safe to eat raw," the brand wrote. "Whether you're enjoying these cookies on their own or decorating them to your creative heart's content, capture imaginations and delight with the perfect snack for Harry Potter fans of all ages, from watch parties to celebrations."

If you've ever spent an evening Disney Bounding with friends, tracking down limited-edition park pins, or debating the best snack strategy at Disneyland, you know that loving Disney only gets better as you get older.

Now, adult fans are getting an entire weekend dedicated exclusively to them right down the street from the original Magic Kingdom.

The Disney Adults Network has officially announced its inaugural Adults Weekend, a two-day celebration taking place Saturday, March 20, through Sunday, March 21, 2027, in Anaheim, California. Designed to bring together millennial fans, creators, collectors, couples, and lifelong Disney enthusiasts, the event aims to create an elevated space for the global adult fandom to connect, dress up, and celebrate nostalgia.

As Ashley Flowers, Event Manager for Disney Adults Network, shared in the announcement: “Disney fandom does not end when you become an adult—it evolves. For so many people, Disney represents childhood memories, creativity, friendship, travel, storytelling, and joy. Adults Weekend creates a welcoming space for our community to come together, dress up, make memories, and celebrate the magic in a way created especially for us.”

Related: Disney's New Class of Legends Is a Total Love Letter to Our Favorite Childhood Memories

Disney Adult Network

The weekend is built around two flagship experiences:

• The Adults Royal Gala (Saturday, March 20, 2027): Held at the historic Disneyland Hotel, this black-tie-optional evening will feature fairytale-inspired glamour, a grand buffet dinner, live DJs, themed photo installations, and a high-fashion Disney Bounding style showcase. Ticket prices range from $225 for standard entry up to $3,000 for full VIP table packages with enhanced hosted perks.
• The Disney Adults Park Meetup (Sunday, March 21, 2027): The celebration shifts inside Disneyland Park from 9:00 AM to midnight for a massive community takeover day. Attendees will also have the option to buy a commemorative event t-shirt, with all net proceeds benefiting Toys for Tots.

Tickets for the Adults Royal Gala are officially on sale to the general public via disneyadults.org. Note that Disneyland Park admission for Sunday's meetup is not included in the gala ticket and must be purchased separately through Disney's reservation system.

Related: Yes, You Can Stay at Disney World With Your Dog—Here's Exactly How It Works

Darius Rucker has reached a major new career milestone as his recording of “Wagon Wheel” with Old Crow Medicine Show has surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.

Rucker and Old Crow Medicine Show songwriter Ketch Secor were surprised with a Spotify Billions Club plaque before Rucker's Saturday show at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre in Colorado. The milestone marked one billion Spotify streams for Rucker's version of the country hit.

The celebration became even more special later that night when Rucker and Secor performed “Wagon Wheel” together for the sold-out Red Rocks crowd.

Darius Rucker visits Fox Business Network's "Cavuto Coast To Coast" at Fox Business Network Studios on June 20, 2024 in New York City.

Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images

Rucker shared the moment with fans on Instagram, saying, “You never know where a song is going to take you... To celebrate a billion Spotify streams of “Wagon Wheel” with Old Crow Medicine Show right before we walked out at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre made it even more special!”

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The Spotify milestone gives Rucker another major achievement tied to one of the best-known songs of his country music career.

“Wagon Wheel” has a long history that began before Rucker recorded his version.

Secor wrote the song around a Bob Dylan sketch, and Old Crow Medicine Show released its version in 2004. Rucker later recorded his rendition for his 2013 album, True Believers.

Rucker's version became Billboard’s No. 1 hit at country radio. It also earned him a GRAMMY Award for Best Country Solo Performance and became the fourth country song certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The song passed one billion Spotify streams in early May, becoming the 15th country title to reach that mark on the platform.

Rucker first became widely known as the lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish, the rock band he helped form while attending the University of South Carolina. The group became a major success in the 1990s before Rucker later built a solo career in country music.

In 2008, he released “Learn to Live” and began his country music career with Capitol Records Nashville. His first country single, “Don't Think I Don't Think About It,” reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

That achievement made Rucker the first solo Black artist to reach No. 1 on the country chart since Charley Pride in 1983. He later won the Country Music Association's New Artist of the Year award in 2009.

Rucker's country career continued to grow with hits including “It Won't Be Like This for Long,” “Alright,” “Come Back Song” and “This.” His recording of “Wagon Wheel” became one of his biggest career successes.

Now, the song has added another major streaming achievement to its list of honors.

The billion-stream milestone comes during a busy period for Rucker. He is currently performing across the country on his Songs of Summer Tour, which is scheduled to wrap up Saturday in Indianapolis.

Rucker is also set to sing the national anthem at WWE SummerSlam on Sunday in Minneapolis. Later in the year, he will host the fifth annual Riverfront Revival festival, scheduled for Oct. 9-10 in North Charleston, South Carolina.

The new Spotify milestone also arrives as Rucker has recently discussed the possibility of retiring from touring in the next few years. During a recent appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Rucker said he might retire in two years after playing 110 shows the previous year.

“I’m retiring in two years,” Rucker said according to WhiskeyRiff. “I might. I’ve been really looking at it. I played 110 shows last year. What am I doing? I still like making records and playing and everything, but I’m really starting to be at home a lot. I like being at home a lot. So I’m looking at maybe doing a tour. One more big ‘Hootie’ thing (and calling it.)”

Rucker also said that if he does retire, he wants to finish with one more Hootie & the Blowfish performance at Williams-Brice Stadium in South Carolina.

For now, Rucker continues to perform while “Wagon Wheel” reaches a new audience through streaming.

Related: Country Star Makes Billboard Chart History With No. 1 Hit Song Lasting 15 Weeks

We may still be in 2026, but many are already looking ahead at 2027. There are some great books to come, especially when it comes to psychological thrillers. Julie Balint is proving to be the next psychological thriller queen to look out for with her debut, The Lookalike.

The downside is there’s a wait for it. The Lookalike will officially be released on March 9, 2027. It’ll be worth the wait, though, especially if you love fictional novels that are loosely based on real events. Parade has been fortunate enough to reveal the cover of The Lookalike, as well as an excerpt to get you ready for this twisty mystery that will become your next obsession.

The Lookalike is described as being perfect for fans of Freida McFadden and Alice Feeney. It’s packed with epic twists, as you start to wonder whether you can even believe the narrator. It’s loosely based on the real events that surrounded the disappearance of Gabby Petito, a case that made national headlines.

Throughout the case, Balint started to ask questions about the truth behind the images shared online, and it led to the creation of this twisty thriller that focuses on the disappearance and return of a New England socialite. At least, the world things that the socialite returned weeks later. What if she didn’t? 

It’s not like there wouldn’t already be questions about a missing socialite without a body. That would open the door for everyone to come up with their own theories — some of them wilder than others! We’ve seen it happen plenty of times in real life.

The cover doesn’t give too much away, but it does draw you in with the images of two women, the mix of color, and the way the images weave together. Take a look before getting into the first official excerpt from the 2027 release. You're not going to believe the POV of the story we get!

Courtesy of Berkley

Chapter One

Kristen

                  Nova Kennedy vanished from a party on the Cape the second weekend in May. She was beautiful with big blue eyes, and long wavy hair the color of burnt tobacco. She had the kind of smile and cheekbones that looked good on social media, and the following to back it up. Five hundred thousand on Insta and twice that on TikTok.

                  At twenty-five she was on a trajectory any girl would want and was too young to be dead. Too pretty to be nothing. To not exist anymore. Because of that beauty and privilege her face was everywhere. In particular, one photo of Nova wearing a cream-colored, low-cut dress that barely covered her nipples, holding a red solo cup in one hand, while a cigarette dangled from the other. There was also the high school grad photo, taken as she gave her valedictorian speech. Or the action shot that showed her hacking away at an opponent during a field hockey game.

                  In all of them her appetite for life was undeniable and it made her disappearance and presumed murder all the more interesting. She was talked about endlessly on social media—there were at least fifty Facebook groups dedicated to finding her killer and twice as many podcasts. All of this happened within days of her going missing.

                  The fact that her body hadn’t been found only added to the mystery. It meant folks could make up s--t. Construct their own narrative. But really, the facts were simple. There was a party on the Cape, she had an argument with her boyfriend, and then she disappeared. There was a supposed murder scene and blood and maybe some other evidence, but that was all speculation or leaked bits of information, because the police were tight-lipped. The family was prominent after all and I, like most people, assumed information was being withheld not just for the investigation, but because they were Kennedys.

                  Initially the police had been at the Kennedy estate for days. “We’re doing everything we can to find her.” That, a direct quote from a detective Wallis who’d looked directly into the camera and made no effort to hide his disgust. “You guys aren’t making it easy.”

                  They combed the woods that blanketed the property. Searched the coast. Their house. The neighboring homes. They questioned family members and the guests who’d come to eat lobster and drink champagne. Paid extra special attention to the boyfriend. Forensics did their part and collected what they could, but by the time the family realized Nova had disappeared it was hours later and it had rained, which meant if there were evidence of a crime committed most of it was gone save for a few small bits of blood and one strand of hair found out in the woods. Both of which had been confirmed through DNA testing, belonged to Nova. It was suggested that the blood and hair could have been left behind earlier. Days. Weeks even. The Kennedys were known to frequent the woods and perhaps she’d gone for a hike and cut herself.

                  There was no note. Nothing to implicate she’d up and left on her own. She simply vanished.

                  It was one hell of a mystery and made the front pages of every newspaper in the US and beyond for weeks. Friends insisted she wouldn’t leave without a word, while the family were tight lipped. No comment was the phrase of the day.

Where are you Nova? A headline seen over and over. But with no new leads and as aforementioned, no body, there were whispers the police weren’t certain a crime had even been committed. After weeks with no real evidence, they scaled back and though the investigation was still open, some people believed it might never be solved. Someone had committed the perfect crime.

                  I suppose if we didn’t look so much alike I would have lost interest in Nova Kennedy. Moved on to the next big thing that flooded social media. It’s what our generation is known for, isn’t it?  We consume and then throw away. But our resemblance was hard to ignore. Plus, we were practically the same age. I turned twenty-five in June. She was six months older. Her eyes are a darker blue than mine, and if it weren’t for the small mole near her right temple, we could be twins. Identical twins. It’s fucking weird.

                  Other than the physical stuff we have zero in common. She grew up in Beacon Hill, a fancy part of Boston, had the big summer house on the Cape, while I was born in Beau Chance, Louisiana; a small town that has one bar, one Piggly Wiggly, and more churches than it deserves. Nova went to an Ivy League school, Yale, while I deferred college because my mom got sick. I looked after her for four years, but she died anyway and I’m still here. Stuck in a town I should have left a long time ago. But Beau Chance has long fingers that dig in deep and don’t let go. And those fingers have nails that are sharp. They slice through dreams and shred them into little bits until there’s nothing left. With no dreams, a person settles.

                  So, there I was, putting in thirty-five hours a week at the Piggly, smoking dope out back during my break, sleeping in the bedroom I’d had since before I could remember, and screwing Noah Beach, a local guy with no money, no future, but the kind of face that would make any girl cry. He’s that beautiful. I ignored the other stuff because of that face, but after a while even his gorgeous eyes and strong chin didn’t do it for me.

                  I hated pretty much everything about my life.

                  Then Nova went missing and the minute that girl’s picture hit the news things changed. I didn’t know it at the time, of course, but there was a subtle shift. Mr. Barker, my boss at the Piggly Wiggly called me into his office, convinced that the Kennedys were some rich relations we’d never told anyone about.

                  “You look just like her,” he’d said.

                  “Who?”

                  “This Nova Kennedy that they think got herself killed.”

                  “Kennedy? Like JFK?” I’d asked, clearly confused.

                  “No, not those Kennedys.”

                  He turned his laptop around and, hand to God, it was like looking in a mirror. There were a few differences of course. A) the mole I didn’t have B) my hair was currently a faded shade of pink with the ends dipped in black and C) my makeup wasn’t that dewy fresh-faced stuff everyone is chasing these days. I like heavy liner, pink cheeks and bright lipstick.

                  I would have rocked the 90’s. Would have been that girl who looked like someone famous in that band that sang songs of despair and indulgence. I would have worn plaid and ripped jeans and maybe cut myself.

                  “Can you see it?” Mr. Barker said, staring at the picture of Nova in her lowcut dress, before glancing my way. His eyes lingered on my chest like he was comparing our boobs. “You should change your hair.”

                  “You should get a life,” I muttered. Asshole.

                  So, I look like some random girl who died. Whatever.

                  But, like everyone else in the USA, I got caught up in all the questions. The need to know. I read everything about her family. Her boyfriend. Her milestones. I followed the official investigation as well as the unofficial ones online. I spent all my free time learning everything there was to know about Nova Lynn Kennedy.

                  I knew that she’d graduated with a law degree but hadn’t taken the bar. That meant she was smart. She had a bit of a cocaine problem (allegedly) and there were rumors about an abortion the previous year. Her family was stupid rich. The dad was some kind of tech wizard who’d made a mint in Silicon Valley when it counted, and her mother was a descendent of some European aristocratic family. She had the pedigree but not the money. Though I guess that didn’t matter on account of the tech wizard hubby.

                  Nova had a brother, Benjamin (though everyone calls him Benji) who is three years older than her, a sister Bea who is two years younger and still in college, and a cousin, Franklin, who’d come to live with them when his parents were killed in a train derailment in Switzerland. He has one blue eye and one hazel, likes to post pictures of himself with dead animals, and seemed like a bona fide weirdo.

                  Her boyfriend, Axel was some surfer dude from California she’d met the year before when she’d gone to LA to mingle with influencers and movie stars. He’d given up sun, sand and surf for her. Maybe it was love. Maybe it was that together, they looked great online and he got caught up in the visual of a perfect couple. Of what they projected. Success and beauty and money. Or maybe it was because she was a Kennedy. Even though she wasn’t one of those Kennedys.

                  About a month after Nova was tossed off the edge of the Cape, again, allegedly, I changed my hair. It cost a fucking fortune, and I had to go to New Orleans to get it done, but it was worth it. Change is good, I thought.

                  Over the next few weeks as she slowly faded from the news I morphed into a carbon copy of what she’d been. She was a project I tackled with the kind of tenacity I used to have, back when I still had dreams. It wasn’t just my hair and makeup. Sometimes, for fun, I’d drop my Cajun accent, watch myself in the mirror and talk. I read an entire book doing this. The book was boring, but I liked watching myself. I studied all of her social media posts, especially the videos. She laughed a lot. A big open kind of thing that got attention. She pursed her lips when she was thinking, tossed her head a certain way because it gave maximum hair movement. She posted thirst traps that were definitely not safe for work.

                  Her life was big and glamorous and fast and busy. The girl had no money issues.  A handsome boyfriend. Endless vacations. School accolades. A condo in Beacon Hill. All of it, posted to her socials for the world to see. And comment on. And like. She had everything anyone could want until she didn’t. Until someone clipped her wings when she was about to fly.

                  I was sad for her. More than sad, really. I mean, at our age, who’s ready to close their eyes forever? Maybe it hit harder because I saw myself when I looked at her photos. Maybe I felt a kinship with her family because I knew what they were going through. One moment she was there, at that party, living life and the next she was gone.

                  My best friend, Tawny, thought it was the boyfriend. Even though he was hot. Maybe because he was hot.

                  I thought it might be the weird cousin. Or maybe her brother. There wasn’t much about him online (not current stuff anyway) though in one of the earlier news reports I’d read, a source had hinted at sibling unrest.

                  That last night before Tawny left town for good to start a life with her boyfriend in Texas, we headed to the lake with some weed and a bottle of JD. We sat under the stars and contemplated all the mistakes we’d made. Tawny regretted the night she’d slept with Mick Davies, her married neighbor.  I was depressed that I still lived in Beau Chance.

 I stared up at a sky full of diamonds and wondered what Nova would be doing if she were still alive. Traveling, was my guess. Having hot sex with her yummy boyfriend and eating gelato in Florence and posting it all over her social media accounts.

                  “Can you imagine what her family would say if you showed up at their door?”

                  I sat up, more than a little drunk, and looked at my best friend. “What?”

                  “If you walked into their house. What would they say?”

                  I scoffed at the idea. “They’d probably call the cops.”

                  “I don’t know,” Tawny said, blowing smoke in my face. “You’d fool me.”

Get ready for The Lookalike, coming on March 9, 2027.