Why Texas is Becoming the Epicenter for Corporate Relocations
Ann CurryAward-winning journalist and former NBC News anchor and Today show co-host.
Ann CurryAward-winning journalist and former NBC News anchor and Today show co-host.
In "What is Queer Food? How We Served a Revolution," John Birdsall explores the intersection of queerness and cookery, tracing the historical development of contemporary cooking and its ties to LGBTQ+ history. Inspired by a rose geranium outside San Francisco's Stud bar, Birdsall crafts an apple pie symbolizing resilience and defiance during the AIDS crisis. The book delves into the lives of influential queer figures in food history, such as Harry Baker, Craig Claiborne, and Alice B. Toklas, highlighting their contributions and struggles. Birdsall also addresses the complexities of iconic figures like Julia Child, whose homophobia contrasts with her culinary impact. Through this lens, the book celebrates how food fosters community and expresses gender and sexual identities, offering both historical context and a call for continued celebration of queer creativity in cooking.
A preliminary National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report into a May plane crash near San Diego, which killed six people including musician Daniel Williams and music executive Dave Shapiro, highlights issues with faulty runway lights and weather conditions affecting the pilot's ability to land safely. The pilot was aware that the airport’s Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) was out of service and did not notify authorities of his alternate airport selection. Runway lights had been non-functional since March 2022. The aircraft descended below the minimum crossing altitude, first damaging power lines before crashing into residential areas, destroying homes and vehicles. The NTSB is still awaiting an environmental study to repair the lighting system fully. A cockpit voice recorder was recovered, but no flight data recorder was present.
The Buss family has finalized a historic $10 billion deal, transferring majority ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers to Mark Walter, surpassing all previous sports team sale records. Luka Dončić, recently traded to the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks, expressed excitement about meeting Walter and praised the organization. Jeanie Buss will remain involved as governor of the franchise. Walter, also chairman of the Los Angeles Dodgers and owner of other sports entities, aims to lead the Lakers to future success. Dončić's seamless integration into the team, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists in 28 games post-trade, bolsters optimism for the Lakers' future.
Comfort Zone Camp, held twice a year in Massachusetts, provides free weekend grief camps for children coping with the death of a family member. Activities combine traditional camp fun with healing exercises, allowing kids to process their emotions while enjoying themselves. Each camper is paired with a "big buddy" volunteer for support. Liz Bone, who lost her daughter Heather in 2021, participated as a big buddy and now supports the camp through the Heather Bone Foundation. The foundation raises funds via a Fourth of July-themed parade and celebration in Duxbury, ensuring the camp remains free. Sending one child costs $800, and the initiative aims to assist more grieving children. The next local camp session will take place in September.
The first day of summer, officially marked by the summer solstice on June 20, brings excitement and special offers from various brands. Cava rewards members receive free pita chips, while Checkers & Rally’s offer a $4 combo meal. Gopuff delivers free Lemonhead Ropes if rain is forecasted in select cities. Kroger provides coupons for free ice cream pints, and La Madeleine rewards members with a free refresher. Nescafé gives away limited-edition kits, Omaha Steaks discounts its Summer Solstice Kit, and Pizza Hut offers a free pizza for rewards members. Other deals include Potbelly's BOGO sandwich, Salt & Straw's free scoop, and Tanteo Tequila's free shipping. Additional promotions are available from Smoothie King, Tiff’s Treats, Velvet Taco, Wayback Burgers, White Castle, and Ziggi’s Coffee, celebrating the season with discounts and freebies.
The School District offers free summer meals to children under 18 across various sites in the county, emphasizing community service and student health. Superintendent David Moore highlights that these meals, funded by federal dollars, are crucial for some children as their only consistent nutrition source. Last year, the program served over 14,000 breakfasts and 35,000 lunches, with projections indicating increased demand this summer due to rising food costs. Menus follow balanced nutritional guidelines, offering choices unlike traditional cafeteria meals. Besides addressing hunger, the initiative strengthens community ties and competes with expanded school choice policies in Florida. Moore stresses the meals' role in enhancing academic performance upon students' return to school.
Pope Leo XIV, the 267th pope and a math graduate from Chicago, has made artificial intelligence (AI) a central issue of his papacy, continuing Pope Francis's legacy. He warns about AI's potential threat to human dignity, justice, and labor, advocating for international regulation rather than voluntary guidelines favored by tech companies. The Vatican recently hosted tech executives for discussions on AI ethics, with Pope Leo emphasizing the need to address AI challenges without allowing technological arrogance to harm society. This engagement follows years of dialogue between the Catholic Church and Silicon Valley leaders, initiated under Pope Francis, focusing on balancing innovation with ethical considerations and social responsibility. Leo XIV calls for global cooperation to regulate AI, ensuring it serves humanity responsibly.
Carly Simon defends Sabrina Carpenter's provocative album cover for "Man’s Best Friend," arguing that the current backlash is mild compared to past bold artistic expressions in the music industry. Simon compares Carpenter's work to her own controversial 1975 "Playing Possum" album cover, noting that reactions were intense but not openly expressed. Carpenter, known for racy performances, faced criticism for explicit dance moves during her "Short n’ Sweet" tour, including a tribute to Paris involving suggestive choreography. While some fans find her art inappropriate, others support her evolution as an artist. Simon emphasizes that Carpenter's expression is tame relative to historical examples like The Rolling Stones' "Sticky Fingers" cover.
In a recent podcast interview, Meghan Markle reflected on leaving her acting career for royal life and how she sometimes misses the profession. After retiring from acting following her engagement to Prince Harry in 2017, Markle expressed that her Netflix show "With Love, Meghan" has helped fill the void, particularly due to reuniting with a film crew. She also discussed facing challenges early in her acting career due to her mixed-racial heritage, which affected casting opportunities. Despite past struggles, Markle emphasized the importance of self-confidence as a mother, aiming to set a positive example for her children. Additionally, she highlighted transferable skills from her acting days that benefit her current entrepreneurial ventures, such as building strong relationships.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are set to receive a significant 400% pay increase, as revealed by four-year veteran Megan McElaney in the second season of Netflix's "America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders." This raise reflects the squad's lobbying efforts and marks a substantial improvement from previous compensation levels, which included $15 per hour and $500 per appearance. Although the new deal still lacks health insurance, it boosts earnings for veteran members to potentially upwards of $75 per hour. This development follows a 2019 lawsuit that previously increased pay rates. The cheerleaders emphasize their roles as skilled, hardworking athletes deserving recognition beyond their traditional image.
The article is a brief legal notice from Cox Media Group, dated 2025, indicating that the station is part of Cox Media Group Television. It informs users about career opportunities within the group and reminds them that by using the website, they agree to the Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy. Additionally, it highlights users' rights to manage cookie preferences and make choices regarding广告 options, as well as the ability to opt out of having personal information sold or shared. This abstract summarizes the key points related to user agreements, privacy, and personal data management.
Spokane's Jedi Alliance arcade is competing to be named among Newsweek’s Best 10 Arcades in the U.S. Known for its over 150 arcade and pinball games, it also features a pop culture museum showcasing sci-fi movie props and Star Wars memorabilia. Newsweek highlights it as a nostalgic haven where "The Force is strong." The public can vote daily until July 17 at noon ET, with winners announced on July 24. Readers are encouraged to support Jedi Alliance by voting online.
"Food Person" by Adam Roberts, a debut fiction from the creator of "The Amateur Gourmet" blog and "Lunch Therapy" podcast, is likened to "The Devil Wears Prada but with Food." The novel follows Isabella Pasternak, a New York food writer who gets fired after a social media mishap. Desperate, she ghostwrites a cookbook for a self-absorbed influencer who neither cooks nor eats while navigating romance with a chef and concern for her eccentric mother. The book offers an insider's view of the food and influencer worlds, filled with references to food icons and satirical observations. Though amusing and relatable, it remains emotionally shallow, focusing more on familiar themes rather than deep character exploration. Ultimately, "Food Person" delivers comfort and familiarity akin to a cozy meal.