By Jessie Schuster
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Entertainment
Director Roman Polansky Reaches Settlement in Sexual Assault Case
Director Roman Polansky will no longer be facing trial in L.A., as his charges have been dismissed following a settlement deal.
https://www.today.com/video/roman-polanski-will-not-go-to-trial-for-sexual-assault-case-222586437940
Lil Durk Arrested in Florida on Federal Murder-For-Hire Charges
Rapper Lil Durk has been accused of being responsible for his “associates” shooting at Quando Rondo.
https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/lil-durk-arrested-murder-for-hire-charge-1235811226/
Harvey Weinstein Retrial Will Be Combined with New Charge in New York
Despite being eligible for retrial, Harvey Weinstein will not have an easy go of things, as the judge hearing his case has granted the prosecution’s request to combine the retrial with new charges.
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/harvey-weinstein-ny-retrial-hearing/
What’s Next for The Menendez Brothers as DA Recommends Their Resentencing Decades After Their Parents’ Killings
As a result of information included in both a documentary and docudrama, life-changing news for the Menendez Brothers broke last week as the DA recommended that the sentencing be reconsidered. Before the brothers will know what the future holds for them, however, a hearing will be held in the upcoming weeks, where a judge will decide their fate.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/25/us/erik-lyle-menendez-brothers-resentencing-whats-next/index.html
Ukrainian Men Dragged Away Outside Kyiv Nightclubs and Restaurants by Army Recruiters
Ukrainian military recruitment officers have been seen on video raiding music venues in Kyiv as they reportedly search for men not registered for conscription.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-military-draft-russia-war-kyiv-concert-b2630006.html
Father and Daughter Win Lawsuit Against Man Who Claimed That Manchester Arena Bombing Was Hoax
A father and daughter who were injured as a result of the Ariana Grande Manchester suicide bombing won a harassment lawsuit against Richard Hall, a former TV producer, who claimed the bombing was a hoax.
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/father-daughter-win-lawsuit-man-claimed-manchester-arena-115061263
Arts
Embattled Price Tower Owner Sues Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy
The owner of the landmark Price Tower in Oklahoma is attempting to void liens placed on the property by filing suit against the Frank Wright Building Conservancy. The company who owns Price Tower is seeking $75,000 in damages.
https://archinect.com/news/article/150451527/embattled-price-tower-owner-sues-frank-lloyd-wright-building-conservancy
Court Blocks Tapestry’s $8.5B Acquisition of Rival Capri
Handbag and accessories maker Tapestry is unable to complete its $8.5B merger with Capri. This comes after an 8-day trial where the FTC argued that this merger would eliminate competition between two of the country’s largest handbag makers.
https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-court-blocks-tapestrys-85-billion-acquisition-rival-capri-2024-10-24/
After A Decade, Met Opera Settles On-Stage Injury Lawsuit
Over 10 years after Wendy White suffered an on-stage injury, her lawsuit against the Met Opera has reached a confidential settlement.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/After-A-Decade-Met-Opera-Settles-On-Stage-Injury-Lawsuit-20241024
Penguin Random House Protects Its Books from AI Training Use
PRH has released a statement that will be included in the copyright section of all new and reprinted books, stating that “no part of this book may be used… for the purpose of training [AI]…”
https://www.artificialintelligence-news.com/news/penguin-random-house-protects-its-books-from-ai-training-use/
Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries Pleads Not Guilty In New York Court On Sex Trafficking, Prostitution Charges
Mike Jeffries appeared before a Long Island judge to plead not guilty to the sex trafficking and prostitution changes brought against him by multiple victims. The Former CEO was granted a $10M bond package.
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/abercrombie-fitch-ex-ceo-mike-jeffries-arrested/
Curtain Falls on Connelly Theater: Archdiocese Takes Center Stage in Script Scrutiny Drama
Following the resignation of GM Josh Luxenberg, the Connelly Theater shut down due to the intense scrutinization of scripts by the Archdiocese.
https://evgrieve.com/2024/10/curtain-falls-on-connelly-theater.html
For Sale: A Painting the Monuments Men Rescued from The Nazis
A portrait made by a French court painter that had been recovered by the Monuments Men from the Nazis will now be sold.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/25/arts/monuments-men-painting-wwii-auction.html?searchResultPosition=1
Sports
Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Canadian Snowboarder on FBI’s Most Wanted List
Ryan Wedding, a 2002 snowboarder in the Salt Lake City Olympics, has found himself on the FBI’s most wanted list with a warrant out for his arrest for extensive drug related charges.
https://townlift.com/2024/10/salt-lake-2002-olympic-canadian-snowboarder-on-fbis-most-wanted-list/
Gaming’s Uneven Progress Toward Diverse Female Figures
Over the last 25 years, it has been expected that the video gaming industry, like most other industries, would have made progress towards female representation. One group, however, is pushing back and claiming that the industry is “defeminizing” women in their attempts to include diverse female characters, which is slowing the progress.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/18/arts/video-games-women-gamergate.html
Media & Technology
New Guidelines Serve as Government ‘Guardrails’ for Artificial Intelligence Tools
A first-of-its-kind national security memorandum on AI has been issued by President Biden. The memo outlines guardrails that should be used to ensure that the U.S. remains at the forefront of safe AI.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/24/us/politics/biden-government-guidelines-ai.html
An AI Chatbot Pushed a Teen to Kill Himself, A Lawsuit Against its Creator Alleges
Following the devastating news that a 14-year-old took his own life after falling in love with and becoming best friends with an AI chat box, the teen’s mother has decided to sue Chater Technologies, the company responsible for the chatbot.
https://apnews.com/article/chatbot-ai-lawsuit-suicide-teen-artificial-intelligence-9d48adc572100822fdbc3c90d1456bd0
“Central Park Five” File Defamation Lawsuit Against Donald Trump
The men who had been called the “Central Park Five” have filed a defamation lawsuit against former President Trump. The men are reminding the world Trump took out a full-page newspaper ad calling for their execution.
https://www.legalreader.com/central-park-five-defamation-donald-trump/
A2IM, ARA, AFM, BMAC, MAC, SAG-AFTRA, and SONA Criticize TikTok
Numerous music and arts associations are calling on Congress to make a legislative change targeting TikTok as soon as possible.
https://musically.com/2024/10/22/a2im-ara-afm-bmac-mac-sag-aftra-and-sona-criticise-tiktok/
Blow to ISP Grande as Appeal Court Upholds $47M Piracy Liability Verdict
Beginning with a copyright lawsuit brought by major record labels through the RIAA in 2017 against Grande Communications Network, a $47M decision has been upheld by the 5th Circuit.
https://www.firesticktricks.com/appeal-court-upholds-47m-piracy-liability-verdict-against-isp-grande.html
Musk is Allowing New Medical Misinformation to Swarm X – and it Could Kill
Elon Musk prides himself on the changes he has made to X (Twitter) by marketing it as the only social media platform that encourages free speech. He may have taken it too far, though, by allowing false information urging diabetics to use less insulin as a diet tip. This misinformation could be fatal.
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/elon-musk-x-twitter-misinformation-insulin-type-1-diabetes-b2633461.html
‘Garbage In, Garbage Out’: AI Fails to Debunk Disinformation, Study Finds
Many people are beginning to use AI as a reliable source. That being said, the information provided by AI might not be as reliable as some might think, as a new audit shows the 10 leading chatbots have a 40% fail rate.
https://www.voanews.com/a/garbage-in-garbage-out-ai-fails-to-debunk-disinformation-study-finds/7830414.html?curator=TechREDEF
U.S. Intelligence Says Russia is Behind Video of Ballots Being Destroyed in Pennsylvania
Anti-Harris propaganda videos showing mail-in ballots for Trump being destroyed that are circulating across social media platforms are fake and manufactured by Russia.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/10/26/russia-fake-video-pennsylvania-ballots/75868222007/
General News
Harris Calls Ex-Aide’s Fascism Warning a ‘Window Into Who Donald Trump Really Is’
Following John Kelly’s remarks that during his time as Trump’s chief of staff he felt that the former President is a fascist, Kamala Harris has accused Trump of yearning unchecked power as a warning to Americans as the begin to head to the polls.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/10/23/harris-trump-unchecked-power-john-kelly/75808661007/
America First Agenda: What to Know About the Project 2025 Alternative – That Trump Isn’t Disavowing
America First Policy Institute appears to be providing Trump with policy and financial help, which is being seen as an alternative to Project 2025. The alternative is “in line with conservative values” and is spearheaded by multiple former Trump administration officials.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/10/25/america-first-agenda-what-to-know-about-the-project-2025-alternative-that-trump-isnt-disavowing/
Trump’s Lawyers Seek Dismissal of Federal Election Case, Call Special Counsel Illegally Appointed
Trump’s attorneys are pushing for his federal election case to be dismissed, as they argue that special counsel Jack Smith was illegally appointed.
https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-jack-smith-classified-documents-2a1a7890b86501f850d70dbc4ddda292
Trump Has Made More Than 100 Threats to Prosecute or Punish Perceived Enemies
Former President Trump has made himself very clear as to what he will do his self-proclaimed “enemies” if he believes the upcoming election is disrupted. His plans include “very easily” having the National Guard or Military take care of “radical left lunatics.”
https://www.npr.org/2024/10/21/nx-s1-5134924/trump-election-2024-kamala-harris-elizabeth-cheney-threat-civil-liberties
Stacey Williams Goes Public with Her Allegation Against Donald Trump
Stacey Williams is speaking out about her experience being “groped” by Donald Trump in the presence of Jeffrey Epstein.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/stacey-williams-goes-public-allegations-donald-trump-rcna177172
Biden Becomes First President to Apologize for Native American Boarding School Policy
At the Gila Riva Indian Community in Arizona, President Biden became the first to apologize on behalf of the government for the 150-year policy that took Native American children out of their tribes.
https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4953809-joe-biden-apology-native-american-boarding-school-policy/
Election Officials Face Torrent of Threats as Nov. 5 Looms
With just days until the election, officials working the polls are being accompanied by increased security as threats of violence increase across the country.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/25/us/politics/election-officials-workers-threats.html?searchResultPosition=1
Report Shows Steady Increase in Abortions in States with Bans
With a vital election looming that will seal the fate for a woman’s right to choose in America, the number of women receiving abortions has consistently increased in states that have already banned the medical procedure.
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4947876-report-shows-steady-increase-abortions-in-states-with-bans/