AP Trending SummaryBrief at 7:36 p.m. EDT (2024)

Kevin Bacon dances back to 'Footloose' high school

PAYSON, Utah (AP) — Actor Kevin Bacon has returned to the Utah high school where his cult classic movie “Footloose” was filmed more than 40 years ago. Bacon danced his way to a stage on a Payson High School athletic field Saturday to greet students before their “Footloose-themed” prom. About 21,000 people live in Payson, about 60 miles south of Salt Lake City. The town for years has tried to persuade Bacon to return. Students finally convinced him after agreeing to help put together 5,000 care packages for the actor's charity, SixDegrees.

'Civil War’ continues box-office campaign at No. 1

NEW YORK (AP) — “Civil War,” Alex Garland’s ominous American dystopia, remained the top film in theaters in its second week of release. That's according to studio estimates Sunday. The A24 election-year gamble, the indie studio’s biggest budgeted film yet, took in $11.1 million in ticket sales at 3,929 theaters over the weekend. Going into the weekend, Universal Pictures’ “Abigail,” an R-rated horror film about the daughter of Dracula, had been expected to lead ticket sales. It came in second with $10.2 million in 3,384 theaters. Guy Ritchie’s “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” also struggled to make a mark with moviegoers. It debuted with $9 million in 2,845 theaters.

Conductor Andrew Davis, who headed Lyric Opera of Chicago and orchestras on 3 continents, dies

Andrew Davis, an acclaimed British conductor who was music director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and orchestras on three continents, has died. He was 80. Davis died Saturday at Rusk Institute in Chicago from leukemia. That is according to his manager, Jonathan Brill of Opus 3 Artists. Davis had been managing the disease for 1 1/2 to 2 years but it became acute shortly after his 80th birthday on Feb. 2. Davis was music director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra from 1975-88, Britain’s Glyndebourne Festival from 1988-2000, chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra from 1989-2000, then was music director of the Lyric Opera from 2000-21.

15 people injured when tram collides with guardrail at Universal Studios theme park near Los Angeles

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say more than a dozen people suffered mostly minor injuries when a tram used for tours crashed into a railing at Universal Studios Hollywood near Los Angeles. The LA County Fire Department says its units responded around 9 p.m. Saturday to the theme park in Universal City. The fire department says 15 people were transported to hospitals with minor injuries. The California Highway Patrol is leading the investigation.

Theater Review: Not everyone will be 'Fallin' over Alicia Keys' Broadway musical 'Hell's Kitchen'

If you were to close Alicia Keys’ big semi-autobiographical musical on Broadway with any of her hit songs, which would it be? Of course, it has to be “Empire State of Mind.” Associated Press critic Mark Kennedy says that's a perfect analogy for the show, one as predictable as the R train being delayed with signal problems. “Hell’s Kitchen" is a coming-of-age musical about 17-year-old piano prodigy Ali. It has wonderful new and old tunes by the 16-time Grammy Award winner and a wonderful cast, but only a sliver of a very safe story that tries to seem more consequential than it is.

Will there be a 'superbloom' this year in California? Here's what to know

Carpets of yellow, orange and gold flowers are beginning to cover stretches of Southern California’s vast deserts, the Bay Area's dramatic bluffs and even the fields near Los Angeles International Airport. But they don't quite make for a “superbloom” like the one seen across the Southwest last year. Scientists don’t agree on a single definition. Superblooms generally refer to low-elevation desert regions. April is typically the peak month for spring wildflowers, but in high-elevation places they can continue to blossom later into the spring. So far this year’s flowers haven’t been as vibrant or abundant as those that took over swaths of California in 2023 following drought-busting rains.

Oregon lodge famously featured in 'The Shining' will reopen to guests after fire forced evacuations

GOVERNMENT CAMP, Ore. (AP) — The hotel featured in Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film “The Shining” says it will reopen to guests Sunday after a fire that prompted evacuations but caused only minimal damage. The historic Timberline Lodge in Oregon says Saturday via Facebook that the damage is “benign” and contained to certain areas. It says embers from the large stone fireplace apparently ignited the roof Thursday night. No injuries were reported. Hotel workers will help guests navigate repairs, and historic preservation efforts are also underway. The lodge was constructed in 1937. It is located 60 miles east of Portland, on the slopes of Mount Hood.

John Sterling honored by Yankees for 36 seasons and 5,631 games as radio voice

NEW YORK (AP) — John Sterling was honored during an on-field ceremony following his retirement as a New York Yankees broadcaster for 36 seasons. Sterling, who turns 86 on July 4, was presented a jersey with No. 5,631 — representing his total of regular and postseason games as the team’s radio play-by-play voice. Clips of his most memorable calls were played. Paul O’Neill, Bernie Williams and Derek Jeter gave video tributes. Tino Martinez presented sterling silver Yankees cufflinks, and broadcast partners Michael Kay and Suzyn Waldman an engraved silver microphone. Haley Swindal Steinbrenner, granddaughter of late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, gave the jersey to Sterling, who was flanked by his family.

Recently arrested Morgan Wallen says he's "not proud" of behavior

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country music star Morgan Wallen says he’s “not proud” of his behavior and accepts responsibility after being charged following accusations that he threw a chair off the rooftop of a six-story bar. The “One Thing at a Time” singer responded publicly Friday on social media to his arrest in Nashville two weeks ago. He faces a May 3 court date after being charged with three felony counts of reckless endangerment and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. He wrote on X that he “didn’t feel right publicly checking in until I made amends with some folks.” He's right now on tour, with a concert set for Saturday in Mississippi.