The MTV VMAs are here with Taylor Swift making history and Madonna leading the nods: How to watch

NEW YORK (AP) — The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are here and Taylor Swift is set to make history. It was announced Monday that Swift will receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors, making her the most awarded artist in VMA history. She is currently tied with Beyoncé, each having 30 awards. The new honor will bring her total to 31. Snoop Dogg, a three-time VMA winner, will host the event. The show will broadcast live on CBS from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night. Madonna leads the nominations with 11, followed by Swift with nine. Performers include Madonna, Raye and others.

Kennedy Center put off planned repairs despite known structural issues, former employees allege

Some former Kennedy Center employees are accusing officials at the performing arts venue of long knowing about structural issues they recently cited as new problems. The anonymous whistleblowers allege in a letter to Congress that top Kennedy Center official Matt Floca halted a funded plan to address roofing issues in April. Floca denies that and says recent investigations revealed new hazards at the building. The center closed temporarily in September as officials cited safety risks from structural deterioration. A judge has ordered a status report by Friday on the temporary closure.

Jennifer Lopez brings diva wattage as Dolce & Gabbana refreshes its Sicilian inheritance

MILAN (AP) — Jennifer Lopez has brought her diva wattage to Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring Summer 2027 runway show. She sat front-row in a dark velvet suit, complete with a matching cap and equestrian boots. The collection updates the house's Sicilian codes, treating them as a trousseau passed from grandmother to granddaughter. Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana aim to attract younger customers by mixing glammed-up denim with gardening boots while preserving signature black dresses and animal prints.

CNN says it was left off Air Force One for Trump's Saturday trip to a college football game

CNN says it has been left off Air Force One for President Donald Trump’s Saturday trip to a college football game. It is the latest media restriction imposed by the administration in an ongoing dispute with First Amendment implications. CNN reported Saturday that it had been scheduled to travel with the president. According to White House guidance, CNN was replaced by the conservative Real America’s Voice News. The news came Friday night just after journalists from CNN and two other outlets that Trump banned last week from the White House grounds returned to the executive complex. Trump traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee, for a game between Tennessee and Texas.

It's officially Dolly Parton Day, with parades, pink lights and book drives

Communities worldwide are dedicating Friday to honoring Dolly Parton. The day falls on Sept. 25, a wink at her hit song “9 to 5.” Parton, who died of cancer last month at age 80, left a legacy as a singer-songwriter, actor, philanthropist and entrepreneur. In the U.S., many states are establishing Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day, highlighting her career and commitment to improving literacy. People can celebrate by donating to her Imagination Library or dressing in her signature style. Parton hoped her songs would have a lasting impact.

Ed Sheeran, Global Citizen, CBGB and All Things Go cancel concerts because of nor'easter

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Ed Sheeran's concerts in Foxborough, Massachusetts, are canceled due to a weekend nor'easter. The storm is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to New England. Concert promoter Messina Touring announced the decision Friday, prioritizing safety. The National Weather Service predicts gusts up to 65 mph on Cape Cod. The storm also prompted the cancellation of the Global Citizen and All Things Go festivals in New York City. Sheeran's tour has been disrupted the past two weeks following Macklemore's removal over pro-Palestinian comments. CBGB, which included headliners Morrissey and Patti Smith, also canceled Friday due to the storm.

Demna sells a new Gucci fantasy as Moschino’s new designers loosen up the joke

MILAN (AP) — Demna has shifted focus from strict archetypes to Gucci's luxe heritage in his second collection, previewed Friday at Milan Fashion Week. The runway transformed into a luxury Gucci boutique, with Cardi B and Donatella Versace among the attendees. Models exuded nonchalance, highlighting clothes meant to move from rack to wardrobe. Demna aims to capture Gucci's memorable periods, blending aristocracy with pop culture. The collection features bold silhouettes, broad shoulders, and Italian styling. Meanwhile, Moschino's new creative directors, Loris Messina and Simone Rizzo, debuted their collection in a parking garage, blending humor and art with everyday style.

U2 goes back to school to put on a show where it all began 50 years ago

LONDON (AP) — U2 has returned to their roots, surprising students with a rock and roll class at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin. The band, which formed there 50 years ago, played a seven-song set Friday, including an encore of “With or Without You.” Bono joked with the crowd, referencing that they had escaped from the science lab. The event was part of a promotional push for their new album, “Carnaval De Luz.” Students cheered, sang along, and captured the moment on their phones. Bono reflected on the band's beginnings, thanking the school and community for their support over the years.

Movie Review: In ‘Heart of the Beast,’ Brad Pitt and a dog try to survive in the wild

Brad Pitt plays a military veteran on a trip through Alaska with his retired combat dog in “Heart of the Beast.” After his plane crashes in the middle of nowhere, the two face a 58-mile hike through the wilderness and all the perils it has to offer. In her review for The Associated Press, film writer Lindsey Bahr writes that “the movie is best when it’s at its simplest, showing the bond between Odin and James, and how worried they are about each other,” calling it predictable but effective. Directed by David Ayer, “Heart of the Beast” is rated PG-13 and in theaters Friday.