Spreading the joy: Longer parade routes OKd for Mardi Gras

NEW ORLEANS – COVID-19 precautions wiped out most New Orleans’ Mardi Gras festivities in 2021, and a shortage of police officers forced the city to shorten routes for some of its lavish seasonal parades in 2022. Now, city officials, and business owners are celebrating plans to let the good times roll on longer routes — … Read more

Trevor Noah returns as Grammy host with comfort, nervousness

LOS ANGELES – Trevor Noah feels more comfortable hosting the Grammy Awards for a third-straight year, but the former “The Daily Show” host still has some nervousness about leading the ceremony with big-time acts like Beyoncé, Adele and Harry Styles looking on. “The nerves come in because you’re standing in front of not just some … Read more

TV anchors T.J. Holmes, Amy Robach leave ABC amid romance

NEW YORK – T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach, anchors at the afternoon extension of ABC’s “Good Morning America,” are leaving the network after their romance was reported in November. The pair were taken off the air and placed on temporary hiatus after photos surfaced of them holding hands and spending time together. Both were married … Read more

‘Bluey’s Big Play’ returns to Texas in May and July

Bluey the beloved blue heeler from Australia is returning to Texas after a stop in San Antonio last December. The touring stage show “Bluey’s Big Play,” which is based on the wildly popular kid’s television series, will make stops in Austin and Houston. “Bluey’s Big Play” will be at The Long Center in Austin on … Read more

Barrett Strong, Motown artist known for ‘Money,’ dies at 81

NEW YORK – Barrett Strong, one of Motown’s founding artists and most gifted songwriters who sang lead on the company’s breakthrough single “Money (That’s What I Want)” and later collaborated with Norman Whitfield on such classics as “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “War” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” has died. He was 81. … Read more