Dolly Parton’s estate accuses her nephew of threatening violence and to destroy his aunt’s legacy
Dolly Parton’s estate has accused the country music icon’s nephew of threatening violence and to destroy his aunt’s legacy and business empire and have asked a judge to keep him away from its employees and business dealings. Court documents filed Tuesday in Nashville against Bryan Seaver and Parton’s former security detail offer the first signs of discord in a carefully managed estate process for one of the most beloved personalities in music and beyond. In the temporary restraining order request filed by She’s Alive, it claims Seaver sent increasingly threatening messages over the last several weeks. Seaver did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment.
How Ella Langley's 'Choosin' Texas' became the longest-running No. 1 hit of all time
NEW YORK (AP) — Ella Langley’s song “Choosin’ Texas” is officially the longest-running No. 1 single in the U.S., spending 23 weeks at the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. It is also 2026's biggest hit. Since its release in October, the song has achieved 911 million on-demand streams in the U.S. and 1.26 billion globally. Senior editor at Spotify Claire Heinichen says the song’s growth has been explosive. Musicologist Nate Sloan and “Country Soul” editor Charles L. Hughes say the bright song’s ability to pull from traditional and contemporary genres in and outside of country music speaks to its success. They also cite its lyrics, which tell a specific story about the universal experience of heartbreak.
Taylor Swift announces new song 'Patient Zero,' her first since her wedding
NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift has announced a new song, “Patient Zero,” her first since her starry wedding this summer. It releases Friday. On Tuesday, she launched a cryptic countdown clock on her website, which ended at 2 p.m. Eastern. Her fans quickly started theorizing. Her website now offers three limited-edition CD variants of the track. The news comes ahead of Swift receiving the inaugural Artist Director Honors at the MTV VMAs on Sunday. It also comes after Swift appeared in a pretaped sketch at last week's Emmys where she dropped additional Easter eggs.
Fat Bear Week opens for Alaska’s heavyweight crown. Can Chunk, the 1,200-pound champ, win again?
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — After a summer spent packing away sockeye salmon, Alaska’s heftiest brown bears are ready to throw their weight around. Online voting began Tuesday for Fat Bear Week, the annual contest that pits the rotund residents of Katmai National Park and Preserve against each other for the title of most oversized ursine. Last year’s winner, Chunk — known officially as Bear 32 — is hungry for a repeat. The event this year features 16 bears facing off in a single-elimination, bracket-style tournament. All voting is done online at www.fatbearweek.org, with the winner declared Sept. 29.
Amateur archaeologist finds Germany’s biggest hoard of ancient Roman silver coins
BERLIN (AP) — An amateur archaeologist has discovered a significant hoard of Roman silver coins in western Germany. Oliver Riedl found 934 Roman silver denarii in a field near Wesseling, south of Cologne. The local archaeological office confirmed Tuesday that it's the largest coin treasure from the time of Roman Emperor Hadrian found in Germany. The coins, weighing 3.1 kilograms, are now on display at the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn. Experts believe the coins were buried deliberately in the second century A.D. The pay of Roman legionaries provides a reference for the hoard's value, though its exact worth remains unclear.
New book by Princess Diana's brother prompts war of words with King Charles III
LONDON (AP) — A new book by the late Princess Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, has made headlines with damning allegations about King Charles III. In “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister,” Spencer claims he argued with Charles over plans for Prince William and Prince Harry to walk behind Diana's coffin in 1997. Spencer says Charles dismissed concerns. He claims the prince “went ballistic” during the argument, and told him: “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.” Buckingham Palace responded with a rare statement, suggesting grief can cloud judgment. Spencer insists he's telling the truth. The book revives tensions between the palace and the Spencer family, highlighting Diana's enduring impact on the royals.
Presley Gerber, model and son of Cindy Crawford, dies at 27
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — The son of supermodel Cindy Crawford, Presley Gerber has died at age 27. Medical examiner records show Gerber died Sunday at a rehabilitation facility. An autopsy was performed, but the medical examiner's website said more testing is required before investigators can give a cause. Santa Monica police said they were investigating Gerber's death as a suspected overdose. A spokesperson for Crawford and husband Rande Gerber said the family is asking for privacy. Presley was a model in his own right and the older brother of model and actor Kaia Gerber. He had been open about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse.
Taylor Swift will become the most awarded artist in MTV VMAs history: A guide to the 2026 show
NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift will break records at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday. She will receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors, making her the most awarded artist in VMA history. Currently, Swift is tied with Beyoncé, each having 30 awards. The new honor will bring her total to 31. The awards show will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+. Madonna leads with 11 nominations, followed by Swift with nine. The event will feature performances by Madonna and others. Nirvana will receive the Video Vanguard Award. Fan voting ends September 25. The two-hour show will broadcast live on CBS on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern and 4:30 p.m. Pacific.
The Sparks honor Lisa Leslie with a bronze statue outside the arena
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lisa Leslie left her mark on the Los Angeles Sparks franchise as one of the top players in its history. The organization honored her Sunday with a bronze statue outside the arena, immortalizing the WNBA great. She became the 16th person honored with a statue in Star Plaza in a ceremony that featured Magic Johnson, Candace Parker and Michael Cooper and others. Leslie, who starred for the Sparks from 1997-2009, is the first Sparks player to be honored with a statue. The 11-foot statue with a 4 1/2 foot base depicts Leslie’s signature dunk that was the first in WNBA history.
Sound of Music museum opens where the von Trapp story met Hollywood
SALZBURG, Austria (AP) — An Austrian museum is now alive with “The Sound of Music.” The first-ever venue devoted to the 1965 film has opened Sunday in Salzburg. The museum is housed in the 17th-century Hellbrunn Palace, where many scenes were filmed. It distinguishes the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical from the real-life von Trapp family story. Visitors can see nearly 450 objects, including props, costumes and the famous gazebo. Fans of the film, which won five Oscars, have long flocked to Salzburg. The exhibition is open daily until Nov. 1 and will reopen next March.
