Cassandra Wilson, the two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz singer, has died

NEW YORK (AP) — Cassandra Wilson, the two-time Grammy-winning jazz singer, has died. She was 70. Her manager said she died in her native Jackson, Mississippi, surrounded by family and friends. The local coroner did not release a cause. Wilson was known for her unique contralto and her ability to blend jazz with blues, folk, pop, and country. She was hailed as America’s best singer by Time Magazine in 2001 and won two Grammys for best jazz vocal album. In 2022, she was honored as a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master. Tributes have poured in, celebrating her impact on music and her Mississippi roots.

George Lucas presents a galaxy of art that goes far, far past 'Star Wars' in new Los Angeles museum

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is opening in Los Angeles, showcasing a vast collection of creative work. While "Star Wars” fans will find familiar pieces, the museum focuses on a broader range of art collected by George Lucas. It aims to elevate populist painters, commercial illustrators and comic artists to the status of fine art. The museum features works from Lucas's personal collection, including paintings by Norman Rockwell and Maxfield Parrish. Galleries are organized by themes like sports and civic activism, rather than by artist or era. The building is designed by Ma Yansong and resembles a floating cloud or tree canopy.

Venice Film Festival heats up with McDonagh’s 'Wild Horse Nine' and Herzog’s 'Bucking Fastard'

VENICE, Italy (AP) — The Venice Film Festival is showcasing the world premieres of “Wild Horse Nine” and Werner Herzog’s “Bucking Fastard” Thursday. “Wild Horse Nine,” written and directed by Martin McDonagh, stars Sam Rockwell and John Malkovich as CIA agents on Easter Island before the 1973 Chilean coup. The film will have a theatrical release later this fall. McDonagh's previous films have been Oscar contenders. “Bucking Fastard” features Rooney Mara and Kate Mara as twin sisters with a unique bond. Both films are competing for the Golden Lion. The Maggie Gyllenhaal-led jury will announce the winners on Sept. 12.

‘Avengers: Doomsday' Fall Movie Preview: Russo brothers, maestros of ensembles, test their limits

NEW YORK (AP) — Ups and downs have followed the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” but “Avengers: Doomsday” might just heal all its wounds. To steady the superhero factory, Marvel has again turned to Joe and Anthony Russo to juggle a universe’s worth of superheroes. Even for them, the sprawling ensemble of “Doomsday” is a unique challenge. In an exclusive interview, the Russo brothers told The Associated Press that growing up in a large Italian family helped shape their love for ensemble storytelling. They also said a new “foundational narrative concept” persuaded them to return to the MCU.

The trial over Tupac Shakur's murder ended with a guilty verdict. But did it bring closure?

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Las Vegas jury has convicted Duane “Keffe D” Davis of first-degree murder in the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur. The verdict comes after nearly 30 years of speculation and mystery surrounding the rapper's death. Shakur's killing, along with the death of The Notorious B.I.G. six months later, symbolized a tense era in hip-hop history. Many wonder if this conviction will bring closure or if questions about what happened will persist. Shakur's family may find some peace, but fans and the culture at large might continue to grapple with the myths and theories that have grown over decades.

Kennedy Center disassembles Blue sculpture from its grounds

The Kennedy Center removed a sculpture known as Blue, a tall, blue stick figure designed by Joel Shapiro and installed in 2019. This change follows ongoing efforts by the center's board, which is closely aligned with President Donald Trump, to reshape the institution. Shapiro, who passed away in 2025, described the sculpture as a celebration of action and possibility. The Kennedy Center expressed gratitude for Shapiro's work, while Michael Sebastiani from Hands Off the Arts lamented the removal. He described Blue as a welcoming fixture and a mascot for National Dance Day events at the center.

Meet the 2026 'Dancing With the Stars' cast

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The new cast of "Dancing With the Stars" has been announced, featuring a mix of entertainers, reality stars and athletes. This season includes actor Julia Stiles, Olympian Amber Glenn and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" regular Guillermo Rodriguez. Reality star Sarah Jane Nader will partner with Hailey Bills, marking the third same-sex pairing in the show's history. Season 35 is hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough and premieres on ABC on Sept. 15 and 16. Returning judges include Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough.

Movie Review: Despite its title, the slasher siege movie 'Onslaught' takes its time

Masked soldiers deployed on domestic soil and an air of conspiratorial paranoia give Adam Wingard’s not-quite-grindhouse siege movie “Onslaught” a contemporary pulse, even if this lean, B-movie thriller doesn’t deliver much more than a flicker of its throwback promise, writes AP Film Writer Jake Coyle in his review. Wingard does feel freshly liberated in this return to his low-budget thriller roots. He has since spent the last decade in more IP-managed releases: the 2016 “Blair Witch” sequel, a Netflix adaptation of “Death Note” and a pair of “Godzilla vs. Kong” movies. The 92-mintue “Onslaught” is intentionally straightforward — to the point, you could say, of brainlessness.

NASCAR drivers scrambling for cameos after Tom Cruise announces 'Days of Thunder' sequel

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Joey Logano says he would love to get a cameo in the upcoming sequel to “Days of Thunder.” Tom Cruise announced last weekend that he will star in a follow-up to the 1990 movie, in which he played NASCAR driver Cole Trickle. Filming is set to begin next year. Logano spoke Wednesday at NASCAR's playoff media day. He says he'd get “wicked cool dad points” with his five children if he were involved in the movie. Several NASCAR drivers appeared in “Days of Thunder,” so Logano is hopeful he might be able to pull some strings and get a small part.

Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Kany García brings her biggest tour yet to the US

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Kany García is bringing her intimate, personal music to bigger stages with her Puerta Abierta tour in the United States. After drawing large crowds in Mexico City and Medellín, she will perform in several U.S. cities and Canada. García, a seven-time Latin Grammy winner, focuses on the "here and now" by engaging with local culture during her tour. She plays multiple instruments, including piano and guitar, to create an intimate atmosphere. García collaborates with regional Mexican musicians and continues to explore her roots. She also supports aid organizations in Latin America.