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James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a renowned figure in theater and film—eventually lending his deep, authoritative voice to CNN, “The Lion King” and Darth Vader—has passed away. He was 93. His agent, Barry McPherson, confirmed that Jones died on Monday morning at his home. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed. The groundbreaking Jones, who continued to work well into his 80s, won two Emmys, a Golden Globe, two Tony Awards, a Grammy, the National Medal of Arts, the Kennedy Center Honors and was awarded an honorary Oscar and a special Tony for lifetime achievement. In 2022, a Broadway theater was renamed in his honor. He presented an elegant figure in later life, with a wry sense of humor and a relentless work ethic. In 2015, he arrived at rehearsals for a Broadway production of “The Gin Game” having already memorized the play and with notebooks filled with notes from the creative team. He said he always prioritized the work. “The need to tell stories has always been with us,” he told The Associated Press at the time. “I think it first happened around campfires when the man came home and told his family he got the bear, the bear didn’t get him.” Jones created iconic film roles such as the reclusive writer coaxed back into the spotlight in “Field of Dreams,” the boxer Jack Johnson in the stage and screen hit “The Great White Hope,” the writer Alex Haley in “Roots: The Next Generation” and a South African minister in “Cry, the Beloved Country.” He was also a sought-after voice actor, voicing Darth Vader’s ominous pronouncements (“No, I am your father,” commonly misremembered as “Luke, I am your father”), as well as the benevolent dignity of King Mufasa in Disney’s animated “The Lion King” and announcing “This is CNN” during station breaks. He won a 1977 Grammy for his performance on the “Great American Documents” audiobook. “If you were an actor or aspired to be an actor, if you pounded the pavement in these streets looking for jobs, one of the standards we always had was to be a James Earl Jones,” Samuel L. Jackson once said. Some of his other films include “Dr. Strangelove,” “The Greatest” (with Muhammad Ali), “Conan the Barbarian,” “Three Fugitives” and playing an admiral in three Tom Clancy blockbuster adaptations — “The Hunt for Red October,” “Patriot Games” and “Clear and Present Danger.” In a rare romantic comedy, “Claudine,” Jones had an onscreen love affair with Diahann Carroll. Jones made his Broadway debut in 1958’s “Sunrise At Campobello” and would win his two Tony Awards for “The Great White Hope” (1969) and “Fences” (1987). He was also nominated for “On Golden Pond” (2005) and “Gore Vidal’s The Best Man” (2012). He was lauded for his mastery of Shakespeare and Athol Fugard alike. More recent Broadway appearances include “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Driving Miss Daisy,” “The Iceman Cometh,” and “You Can’t Take It With You.” As a rising stage and television actor, he appeared in “As the World Turns” in 1965, becoming one of the first African American actors in a continuing role in a daytime drama. He performed with the New York Shakespeare Festival Theater in “Othello,” “Macbeth” and “King Lear” and in off-Broadway plays. Jones was born by the light of an oil lamp in a shack in Arkabutla, Mississippi, on Jan. 17, 1931. His father, Robert Earl Jones, had abandoned his wife before the baby’s arrival to pursue a life as a boxer and, later, an actor. When Jones was 6, his mother took him to her parents’ farm near Manistee, Michigan. His grandparents adopted the boy and raised him. “A world ended for me, the safe world of childhood,” Jones wrote in his autobiography, “Voices and Silences.” “The move from Mississippi to Michigan was supposed to be a glorious event. For me it was a heartbreak, and not long after, I began to stutter.”

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The president of South Florida’s police union stated that Miami Dolphins player Tyreek Hill was placed on the ground during a traffic stop because he was not “immediately cooperative” with officers. Hill, however, insists he was respectful throughout the interaction. Steadman Stahl, president of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, said Hill was “redirected” to the ground after refusing to sit when he was briefly detained outside the Dolphins’ home stadium. This incident led to one of the officers involved being immediately placed on administrative leave. Passing fans and some teammates witnessed Hill in handcuffs with at least three officers surrounding him following the stop, which quickly went viral just hours before Sunday's game. Hill later expressed his confusion about the officers' decision to handcuff him. “I have no idea, for real,” Hill said Sunday after the game. “I wasn’t disrespectful because my mom didn’t raise me that way. Didn’t cuss. Didn’t do none of that. So like I said, I’m still trying to figure it out, man.” Stahl asserted that Hill was handcuffed in accordance with the police department’s policy. “Before the Dolphins game yesterday, an incident occurred where Tyreek Hill was placed in handcuffs before being released,” Stahl said in a statement. “First, to be clear, at no time was he ever under arrest. He was briefly detained for officer safety, after driving in a manner in which he was putting himself and others in great risk of danger. “Upon being stopped, Mr. Hill was not immediately cooperative with the officers on the scene who, pursuant to policy and for their immediate safety, placed Mr. Hill in handcuffs. Mr. Hill, still uncooperative, refused to sit on the ground and was therefore redirected to the ground. Once the situation was sorted out within a few minutes, Mr. Hill was issued two traffic citations and was free to leave.” Miami-Dade police haven’t publicly disclosed the specific traffic violations for which Hill was cited, although he claims he was stopped for speeding and reckless driving. They have confirmed that Hill’s teammate Calais Campbell, who was also briefly detained, was not issued any citations. The officer who detained Hill has been placed on administrative duty, pending the findings of an investigation, which is standard procedure. Miami-Dade Police director Stephanie Daniels informed the Miami Herald on Monday that the decision to place the officer on leave was made after reviewing the body camera footage from the roadside incident. The Miami-Dade police department has declined an Associated Press request for the footage, citing the ongoing internal investigation. Daniella Levine Cava, the mayor of Miami-Dade County, issued a statement commending the department’s swift initiation of an investigation. “In recent years, our nation has confronted important conversations on the use of force,” she said, “and the internal review process will answer questions about why the troubling actions shown in public video footage were taken by the officer.” Hill’s teammate, Campbell, was also briefly handcuffed after he attempted to de-escalate the situation. Campbell said he was en route to the game when he spotted Hill in handcuffs. “They were trying to yank him down to the ground,” Campbell said Monday on ESPN. “I saw them kick him and pull him down, I mean, pulling (on) the cuffs; shoulders looked like they were messing up. They kind of got him down. I feel like one officer was pushing on his head.” Campbell explained that he exited his car with his hands raised above his head and approached the scene, informing officers that he was a friend of Hill’s. He stayed at the scene to “support” Hill after officers reportedly asked him to leave. Police later placed him in handcuffs for “disobeying a direct order” by being too close to the scene. Gov. Ron DeSantis, addressing an unrelated event in Miami Lakes, Florida, on Monday, expressed his belief that an investigation into the officers’ conduct was “appropriate.” “I was pleased to see he did well in the game and it was good for the team, what happened on the field,” DeSantis said. “I have confidence in agencies throughout this state that they want to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and if for some reason that wasn’t followed here I know they will make that clear. But I’ll let that investigation take place.” This isn’t the first off-field incident involving Hill. He was accused of punching his girlfriend in college and got kicked off the team at Oklahoma State, later pleading guilty to domestic assault and battery by strangulation. In 2019, prosecutors in suburban Kansas City declined to charge Hill after an alleged domestic violence incident involving his fiancée and their 3-year-old child. Last offseason, Hill was under investigation by Miami-Dade police for assault and battery after it was reported that he got into an argument with a South Florida marina worker, which apparently ended with Hill hitting the worker. Hill and the man later resolved their dispute.

While the announcement that Grammy Award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar will headline the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX halftime show next February was generally met with enthusiasm, some online voiced their disapproval of the selection. The National Football League (NFL), Roc Nation, and Apple Music announced on Sunday that the rapper will perform at the Feb. 9 game in New Orleans. This will be Lamar's second Super Bowl appearance, having previously performed with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and other California artists. Lamar shared the news in a social media post on Sunday. “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date,” Lamar, whose full name is Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, stated in a press release on Sunday. “And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.” Fans celebrated the news, with many highlighting the fact that this has been a busy year for Lamar. In the spring, Lamar, and fellow rapper Drake, both 37, were engaged in a public feud, exchanging insults and accusations about their personal lives through diss tracks, including Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” “OMG!!!!!!!!! THIS IS KENDRICK LAMAR’S YEAR!!!!!!” one fan exclaimed in a reply to Lamar’s post announcing the news. “Kendrick Lamar performing ‘Not Like Us’ to the world at the Super Bowl. Might be the greatest diss of all time, I fear,” another user commented. However, some individuals questioned Lamar's suitability as the Super Bowl headliner, arguing that New Orleans native rapper Lil Wayne should have been chosen to perform at the show instead, considering that February's game will be held in his hometown. Lamar hails from Compton, Calif. On Monday, Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., addressed the online debate about whether the 41-year-old Grammy winner should have been selected for the big game. Lil Wayne has released multiple number one albums, including The Carter II, The Carter III, The Carter IV, and in 2023, he was inducted into Billboard’s Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. “Lil Wayne def should’ve been picked to perform at the superbowl,” one user wrote. “He’s literally from New Orleans and a rap legend…” Others pointed out that, historically, halftime show performers haven't typically been chosen based on their hometown, but rather on factors related to their success and current relevance in pop culture. “So I’ve looked through the list of Super Bowl halftime show performers from Michael Jackson in 1993 onward, and just calling it down the middle, I don’t understand where people had an idea that artists did hometown halftime show performances. That doesn’t seem to be a thing,” one person observed. The Super Bowl halftime show is known for its spectacle, featuring some of the most renowned singers. Past performers include Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga. Lamar has won 17 Grammy Awards, and was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 2018 for his album DAMN. “Few artists have impacted music and culture as profoundly as Kendrick Lamar,” Seth Dudowsky, Head of Music at the NFL, stated in a press release. “Time and time again, Kendrick has proven his unique ability to craft moments that resonate, redefine, and ultimately shake the very foundation of hip-hop.”

Years ago, Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman experienced a rough patch in their friendship. They couldn't pinpoint the reason for their strained communication, but something felt amiss. Sow and Friedman, authors of the book "____", are deeply invested in their friendship. Seeking an unconventional solution, they turned to friendship therapy. Similar to traditional couples therapy, a therapist helped them understand their relationship dynamics, identify areas of conflict, and navigate a path forward together. “The structure was essential, because without it, we were just discussing superficial matters. We couldn't see the underlying patterns,” Sow says. “It was comforting to have someone who didn't know us ask these probing questions.”  When Sow and Friedman sought friendship therapy in 2016, it was a relatively unfamiliar concept. They faced challenges finding a therapist who specialized in working with friends rather than romantic or business partners. They even had to dismiss one clinician who became fixated on the idea that they might be romantically attracted to each other. However, the notion of friendship therapy is gaining traction as people acknowledge the significance of friendship and the fact that many individuals struggle to maintain healthy friendships. “Our societal understanding of friendship is evolving,” says Miriam Kirmayer, a clinical psychologist and friendship expert based in Canada. Barbie Atkinson, who offers friendship therapy at Catalyst Counseling in Houston, is witnessing the effects of this shift in her practice. She recalls receiving calls from individuals who wanted to engage in therapy with a friend but were unsure if it was permissible. Today, approximately 25% of her clients comprise pairs or even groups of friends seeking therapy together. Friends come to Atkinson for various reasons, such as reconciling political differences, managing conflicts, or navigating challenging life transitions—like one friend becoming a parent or relocating for a new job. “It's typical human experience,” she says. The process isn't vastly different from what a romantic couple would experience in therapy, except that friend sessions usually don't involve discussions about sex, romance, or co-parenting, Atkinson clarifies. Similar to working with spouses, she helps her friendship-therapy clients grasp their relationship dynamics, define their communication patterns (and areas for improvement), and set goals for their relationship. “You see two individuals who are eager to reconnect—who are saddened by the deterioration of their relationship and are actively striving to mend it,” Atkinson explains. Unless a friendship has become toxic or abusive, to the point where friends feel physically or psychologically unsafe together, most conflicts or roadblocks can be resolved collaboratively, says Victoria Kress, a professor of psychological sciences and counseling at Youngstown State University in Ohio. During her time as a college counselor, she regularly worked with friends, mediating issues ranging from roommate conflicts to the aftermath of disagreements between close friends. She believes that mature adults should be able to seek therapy for their own relationship challenges. “The majority of my career has been dedicated to helping people who have been hurt in relationships achieve healthy connections,” Kress says. “Friendship counseling is a phenomenal avenue for fostering growth and healing that will positively impact all relationships in a person's life.” Strengthening friendships can be transformative. Research increasingly suggests that close friendships, potentially even more crucial than familial bonds, are essential for well-being. Americans appear to be taking notice. As of 2023, 61% of U.S. adults value their friendships deeply, compared to only around a quarter who felt the same about marriage or having children. As more individuals opt out of traditional milestones, some are seeking alternative sources of support, companionship, and care—often involving nurturing these bonds with professional guidance. Limited official data exists on the popularity of friendship therapy, possibly due to its lack of formal specialization; there's no separate certification process or degree specifically required to offer it. Essentially, friendship therapy is simply “systemic therapy”—a therapeutic approach that examines how an individual's relationships affect their well-being, often forming the foundation of couples therapy—applied to a platonic pair, explains Paul Hokemeyer, a Colorado-based marriage and family therapist. Hokemeyer states that he's not aware of many clinicians who focus exclusively on friendship therapy, but he's observed a surge in patient demand for this service. He's even worked with friends himself, including a pair struggling to navigate the transition from college to adulthood while maintaining their relationship. Hokemeyer suggests that friendship therapy seems particularly appealing to millennials, who tend to be comfortable seeking therapy and prioritize friendship. “There's a genuine yearning for human connection and meaningful relationships,” he says. “Millennials, in particular, value connections, experiences, and their mental health.” Kirmayer confirms a noticeable increase in interest as well. In recent years, she began receiving numerous requests for friendship therapy from diverse locations—which, due to licensing constraints, she couldn't provide to individuals outside her province—leading her to shift her focus towards developing friendship-centered workshops accessible to people anywhere. “This is a challenge that many of us face,” she says.

On Wednesday, a 14-year-old student opened fire at a Georgia high school, killing two students and two teachers and injuring nine others.  Those injured at Apalachee High School in Winder are expected to recover, but the community is grappling with the tragedy. Authorities have identified those killed as Mason Schermerhorn, 14; Christian Angulo, 14; Richard Aspinwall, 39; Cristina Irimie, 53. The shooter, Colt Gray—a freshman at the school—was apprehended at the scene. He faces four counts of murder, among other charges, and is expected to be tried as an adult. A vigil, attended by scores of community members, was held Wednesday at Jug Tavern Park in Winder. Photos capture the community and students offering solace to each other as they light candles and release balloons in memory of the victims. Here’s what we know about the victims.  Christina Irimie Christina Irimie, a math teacher at the school, was known for her "dedication to shaping the minds and hearts of students and the community," according to a set up for her family.  Irimie, a Romanian immigrant, taught traditional Romanian dance to children, according to .  Isaac Sanguma, a student, described Irimie to as a kind teacher who made students feel welcome and was full of "corny jokes." He recalled seeing Irimie the morning of the shooting, when she urged him to get to class on time. "I didn’t know that was going to be my last time seeing her and talking to her,” Sanguma said. Richard Aspinwall Richard Aspinwall was also a math teacher at Apalachee, who also served as the football team’s defensive coordinator. He was a married father of two young girls. “As our community, school, and football program begins the mourning process we are so grateful for the outpouring of support,” the Apalachee football team said in a on X. “To our beloved defensive coordinator Ricky Aspinwall, we will carry you heavy in our hearts. We love you Coach A!!!” Aspinwall had previously taught and coached at Mountain View High School, 15 miles away from Apalachee. “Coach Aspinwall was a leader of men, and a man you want to coach your kid,” Mountain View’s football team said in a on X. “We love Coach A, and are praying for his wife and his girls at this time.” A has also been started for Aspinwall’s family. Christian Angulo Christian Angulo, a freshman at the school, enjoyed playing video games and soccer. “He was a very good kid and very sweet and so caring,” his sister, Lisette Angulo, wrote in a . “He was so loved by many.” “He was such a kind and funny kid,” Lisette said in a statement read out by a spokesperson at a for the victims. “Christian had such a caring heart, he was never mean, he had so much more to live for and to experience. He was barely starting his first year of high school and still figuring out his sense of style, his sense of who he was.” Christian’s mother, Emma Angulo, said she will always remember the hug he gave her the night before the shooting, Univision . Mason Schermerhorn Mason Schermerhorn, who was beginning his freshman year, was someone who “loved everyone,” his older sister Alanna told He leaves behind two sisters and a brother.  “He loved playing Roblox and Genshin. He had just started learning to play trumpet, and he did it because I play trumpet,” Alanna said. “He said he wanted to be like me when he got older.” Mason loved video games, and his favorite was the roleplaying game Kingdom Hearts. “He loved Disney World and LEGOs and he loved his family most of all,” according to his . Schermerhorn, “was the sweetest most loving soul with the biggest smile and will be missed dearly,” a family friend wrote in a . 

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, announced today on X that she has completed her chemotherapy treatment for cancer. “As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” Middleton says in the announcement. “The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown. The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.” The announcement was made on Sept. 9 on the official X account for The Prince and Princess of Wales, with an accompanying video of Middleton with her husband William, Prince of Wales, and their three children George, 10, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 6. The over three-minute long video shows the five smiling and laughing together on the beach and in a forest. The video was filmed last month in Norfolk, a county in the east of England, according to the . A message from Catherine, The Princess of WalesAs the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment.The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an… — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) In March, Middleton announced that she was following a planned abdominal surgery. In a video message shared on March 22, Middleton said the diagnosis came as a “huge shock” and that she and her family had needed time to process the news. The mother-of-three said she would be undergoing a course of “.” The palace has not confirmed what type of cancer Middleton was treated for or the stage of her disease. Prior to the announcement, Middleton was the subject of circling rumors and conspiracy theories regarding her whereabouts. Since her diagnosis, she has been taking a break from the more forward-facing duties. She said in the new video that she is “looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.” Over the summer, Middleton attended a few public events. in June marked her return to the spotlight, which she then followed by attending , and presenting champion Carlos Alcaraz. At Wimbledon, she was joined by her daughter Charlotte, and was applauded by the crowd. In the video posted on Sept. 9, Middleton shared that she and William have been grateful for the messages she’s received since her diagnosis. “Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus,” she said. “Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.”

MIAMI — Tropical Storm Francine formed off the coast of Mexico and was forecast to bring up to a foot (30 centimeters) of rain to the Texas coast before making landfall in Louisiana as a hurricane on Wednesday night. “We’re going to have a very dangerous situation developing by the time we get into Wednesday for portions of the north-central Gulf Coast, primarily along the coast of Louisiana, where we’re going to see the potential for life threatening storm surge inundation and hurricane force winds,” said Michael Brennan, director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. Francine is targeting a stretch of coastline that has yet to fully recover since , Louisiana, four years ago. The hurricane center stated Francine is located approximately 245 miles (395 kilometers) southeast of the mouth of the Rio Grande, and roughly 480 miles (770 kilometers) south-southeast of Cameron, Louisiana. Francine’s top wind speeds Monday morning were around 50 miles per hour (85 kilometers per hour). A tropical storm is characterized by sustained winds between 39 mph and 73 mph (62 kph and 117 kph). Francine is anticipated to be a hurricane as it approaches the northwestern Gulf Coast on Wednesday, pushing a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters), forecasters said. “Francine is expected to bring heavy rainfall and the risk of considerable flash flooding along the coast of far northeast Mexico, portions of the southernmost Texas coast, the Upper Texas Coast, southern Louisiana, and southern Mississippi into Thursday morning. A risk of flash and urban flooding exists across portions of the Mid-South from Wednesday into Friday morning,” the hurricane center warned.