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.
An explosion near the Acropolis in Greece injures at least 2 people and collapses a building
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A powerful blast has caused a building to collapse near the ancient Acropolis in Greece. It happened Friday morning in the tourist district of Plaka in Athens. Authorities say the explosion occurred in an old two-story building. Firefighters rescued two women who were injured and had to be rescued from an adjacent building. Neighboring buildings and parked cars were also damaged by the explosion. The injured women were transported to a hospital. Local media report a passer-by was also slightly injured. The fire department deployed specialist rescue crews with a sniffer dog to search whether any more people might be trapped in the rubble. The cause of the explosion is unclear, but a gas leak is suspected.
Xi says 2 giant pandas from China will arrive at Atlanta's zoo in the coming days
ATLANTA (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping says two giant pandas from China will arrive at Zoo Atlanta in the coming days. Their arrival will bolster a loan program that at one time lapsed as part of tensions between Beijing and Washington. China and the zoo had said in April that Ping Ping, a male, and Fu Shuang, a female, would go to the United States. But Xi’s announcement at the White House on Thursday before talks with President Donald Trump marked the first public confirmation of the timing. The National Zoo in Washington in the fall of 2024 accepted Bao Li and Qing Bao after Atlanta lost its four pandas.
Starbucks to shutter 250 stores in North America this week in 2nd wave of closings
Starbucks plans to close 250 North American stores later this week. Starbucks Chief Operating Officer Mike Grams said the locations targeted either aren’t delivering acceptable financial results or can’t provide the experience Starbucks wants for customers and employees. The company didn’t say Thursday which coffeehouses will close or how many are located in the U.S. It also didn’t say how many of the affected coffeehouses are unionized. More than 700 U.S. Starbucks stores have voted to unionize since late 2021. Starbucks said it's continuing to retrofit its stores to be cozier and more welcoming, and that process has helped it identify locations that don't meet its standards.
'Catman' to the rescue, as man pulls stuck Long Island pet to safety after long ordeal
He doesn’t wear a mask or cape, but John DeBacker is a hero to one Long Island family. Wearing his “Catman” T-shirt, DeBacker pulled off the intricate rescue of a frightened and exhausted cat named Lola last Friday. She had spent about five days trapped, likely upside down for most of that time, behind a wall in her family’s old home in the New York City suburbs. The ordeal started with the cat disappearing about two weeks before the rescue. After trying to get Lola to come out of her own accord, she fell and got stuck behind a first-floor wall. DeBacker, who has been rescuing cats professionally for years, says freeing her was the best feeling in the world.
More than 160,000 pounds of meat bearing false USDA inspection labels recalled
NEW YORK (AP) — More than 83 tons of meat are being recalled across the country because the products were not properly inspected by federal authorities and were shipped out with false inspection stickers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Tuesday that the nationwide recall impacts more than 167,000 pounds of raw pork, beef, and goat produced by Star Meat Delivery Inc. of North Carolina. The USDA said the meat was produced before Sept. 22 and has fake inspection stickers bearing establishment number “EST. 1363.” So far, there have been no confirmed reports of illnesses or injuries. The company claims a fake USDA stamp was not used on the products.
New York sues prediction market Polymarket, calling it an unlicensed gambling operation
NEW YORK (AP) — New York has sued the prediction market Polymarket. It argues that the platform is an unlicensed gambling operation and wants a judge to block the company from operating in the state. Thursday's lawsuit is the latest legal challenge from a state moving to rein in popular betting apps that allow people to place wagers on almost anything, including sports, weather, political races and technology. Prediction market platforms have argued states do not have the authority to govern them because they are already regulated at the federal level by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Ugandans plant trees near national park to keep people out of gorillas’ habitat
BWINDI, Uganda (AP) — Mountain gorillas in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are seeing their population grow, but their forest habitat is not expanding. Communities near the park have planted trees nearby for medicine, firewood, and crafts to ease pressure on gorilla habitats. The idea is to provide resources outside the park so residents don't cut trees inside. The forest is home to about 450 mountain gorillas, nearly half the world’s population. The Uganda Wildlife Authority distributes seedlings to help. Tourism supports conservation efforts, with visitors generating jobs and revenue. The project was highlighted around World Gorilla Day on September 24.
At a talent show on Los Angeles' Skid Row, the performers are all part of the homeless community
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles' Skid Row held what is believed to be its first talent show featuring performances from people who are homeless or formerly homeless. Pastor Gary Carr, who organized the event Saturday, wanted to highlight the value and stories of the community that are often overlooked. The downtown LA neighborhood is synonymous with abject poverty, home to thousands of chronically homeless people and inundated with tents and debris. Many sang or rapped songs they had written themselves about their struggles in hopes they will inspire others. One performer read Scripture from the Bible that he was particularly moved by.
Twin brothers Austin and Tyler Jones ump big league games together for the first time
BALTIMORE (AP) — Twin brothers Austin and Tyler Jones have umpired games together for the first time at the major league level. They worked both ends of a doubleheader between Toronto and Baltimore on Wednesday. Austin Jones was at first base and Tyler Jones handled second in the first game. Then they swapped spots. The two are on a list of Triple-A call-up umpires who fill in at the big league level for injuries, illnesses, vacations and other reasons of absence. Tyler Jones umpired the first game of the Blue Jays-Orioles series Monday. There are typically five umpires on a crew for a doubleheader instead of four, so Austin Jones was added when Tuesday's scheduled game was rained out.
