Hometown of ‘Addams Family’ creator becomes ghoulish Halloween destination

WESTFIELD, N.J. (AP) — The New Jersey town that helped birth “The Addams Family” is embracing its ghoulish legacy. Westfield is the hometown of Charles Addams, the cartoonist who created the darkly eccentric, fictional family. Addams drew inspiration for his signature macabre style from the elegant Victorian homes, historic cemetery and other landmarks of the town just outside New York City. Every October, the town hosts AddamsFest with events that include an art exhibit, music festival, masquerade ball and other events. A self-guided heritage trail takes visitors past landmarks that informed Addams’ creations, including a Victorian-era house that helped inspire the fictional family's imposing, gothic abode.

South Carolina police close investigation into Hayden Panettiere's death after coroner's ruling

Police in South Carolina say they have closed their investigation into the overdose death of actor Hayden Panettiere following a coroner’s findings that it was accidental. No charges were filed. Greenville police said Wednesday in a statement the decision was based on the medical examiner’s determination as well as the findings of the investigation. The former star of the TV series “Heroes” and “Nashville” was pronounced dead in an apartment in Greenville on Aug. 16 at age 36 after paramedics found her unresponsive. It remains unclear whether federal agents are still looking into her death separately.

Jason Reynolds turns to adult fiction with 'Father, Father,' a road novel about 2 brothers

NEW YORK (AP) — Jason Reynolds, a leading children's author, has written a book for adults. Scribner announced Wednesday that Reynolds' novel “Father, Father” will be published in June. The story follows two brothers on a cross-country road trip, sharing memories about their recently deceased dad. Reynolds describes it as an intimate tale about confronting the complexities of human nature. He aims to show flawed adults who struggle with love not as secondary characters, but as the main focus. Reynolds is known for such novels as “All American Boys” and “Long Way Down.” His move follows other children's authors writing for older audiences.

Ken Burns wins a $250,000 prize for bringing American history to life

NEW YORK (AP) — Ken Burns has won a $250,000 prize for his contributions to American history. The New York Historical museum awarded him the inaugural David M. Rubenstein Prize for the Advancement of American History. The jury praised Burns for his work on topics like the American Revolution and the Civil War. They noted his films have brought the history of the U.S. to more people than perhaps any other single body of work. Burns expressed gratitude, acknowledging the collective effort of historians and archivists. The award was established earlier this year by financier David M. Rubenstein.

California appeals court upholds actor Danny Masterson's rape convictions

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California appeals court has upheld actor Danny Masterson’s convictions and long prison sentence for raping two women at his home in 2003. The three-judge panel on Tuesday unanimously found that the “That ’70s Show” actor had failed to demonstrate that the lower court made errors that would warrant granting him a new trial. Masterson was convicted in 2023 of raping two women at his home two decades earlier. He was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. His attorneys said in an emailed statement Tuesday that they would seek review at the California Supreme Court.

Russell Brand denies all charges as he takes the stand at his rape and sex assault trial

LONDON (AP) — Russell Brand says allegations of sexual misconduct have had a “devastating” impact on his life. The actor and comedian testified in court Wednesday at his trial on charges of rape and sexual assault. Brand, 51, denied all charges, stating that friends and colleagues have abandoned him. He also mentioned being barred from staying with his baby son in the hospital due to the allegations. Over the past two weeks, prosecutors have presented their case, with six women accusing Brand of misconduct between 1999 and 2009. Brand insists that consent is fundamental, denying any wrongdoing.

Movie Review: In the family drama ‘Gentle Monster,’ the evil is coming from inside the house

Léa Seydoux plays a mother in crisis in “Gentle Monster.” The film from Austrian writer-director Marie Kreutzer is about pedophiles and sex pests lurking in plain sight. Laurence Rupp plays her partner and the father of her young child and is under investigation for child sex abuse and participating in online forums. In her review for The Associated Press, film writer Lindsey Bahr praises Seydoux's understated and searing performance, as well as the film's handling of a difficult topic. Bahr writes that it is a film that wants you to question your own complicity. Rated R, “Gentle Monster” is in select theaters Friday.

Iran sentences acclaimed film director Jafar Panahi to new prison term after his return home

CAIRO (AP) — Iran has sentenced acclaimed film director Jafar Panahi to five years and one month in prison, following his return to the country earlier this year, after the start of U.S. and Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic. The Tehran court also ordered the confiscation of Panahi’s “movable and immovable assets.” That's according to his lawyer Mostafa Nili, who spoke in an interview with the reformist news site Emtedad on Tuesday. Nili did not say what Panahi was convicted of. But the director, who returned to Iran in March, had been previously convicted of “propaganda activities against the system.”

A popemobile exhibition is unveiled at the Vatican, featuring the vehicle popes have used since 1930

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican is opening a celebration of the popemobile. The now-iconic vehicle has allowed popes to get close to the faithful at home and abroad for nearly a century. The Vatican Museums unveiled a preview of the exhibition on Wednesday commemorating “A Century of the Popemobile.” It features eight Mercedes-Benz versions of the car that popes have used since 1930. Pope Leo XIV is a big car lover. He separately met with top Mercedes-Benz executives and thanked them for their partnership with the Holy See. The Chicago-born pope noted in his remarks that the advances in automotive technology had accompanied the advances and evolutions of papal travel. The exhibition officially opens to the public on Thursday.

Susan Saint James, Emmy-winning actor of 'McMillan & Wife' and 'Kate & Allie,' dies at 80

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Susan Saint James, known for her roles in “McMillan & Wife” and “Kate & Allie,” has died at 80. People magazine reports she passed away Monday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Los Angeles, she started modeling in Paris as a teenager and later signed with Universal Studios. She gained fame in the 1970s and 1980s, earning multiple Emmy nominations. Saint James retired to focus on family but occasionally appeared on TV. She was a longtime supporter of the Special Olympics and leaves behind her husband, children, and extended family.