'Ted Lasso' is coming back
It's been two years since we last heard from Ted Lasso but the show is officially set to return for a fourth season. Apple TV+ announced the beloved character's return on Friday. It stars Jason Sudeikis as an American coach of a U.K. soccer team and is based on a character he played in promos for NBC Sports. The series premiered in 2020 and went on to win seven Primetime Emmy Awards in its first three seasons. The series made stars of its supporting cast, including Brett Goldstein, Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple. Sudeikis is hinting the new season will be about taking chances.
Sting and Shaggy offer a new reggae song as musical medicine for a fractured world
NEW YORK (AP) -- The affection between Sting and Shaggy is palpable from the moment they sit down together for an interview. When the two prolific recording artists are asked where the chemistry comes from, Shaggy simply says they make each other laugh. The pals have worked together on several projects, including 2018's Grammy-winning reggae album "44/876." Their latest collaboration is "Til A Mawnin," an upbeat, happy reggae song showcasing some of the pair's playfulness. The 73-year-old Sting and 56-year-old Shaggy spoke to The Associated Press recently about the new song and finding friendship and musical inspiration in each other.
Visa fee hikes and delays hinder international artists from touring the United States
NEW YORK (AP) -- International artists hoping to perform in the United States are finding the visa process much more arduous and expensive. Last year, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services instituted a 250% visa fee increase for global musicians entering the United States. And immigration lawyers say changes in the way visa petitions are processed has increased turnaround times. There are also concerns about the policies of the new U.S. presidential administration. Artists and advocacy groups fear with all that, fewer musical acts -- independent artists, jazz ensembles -- will come to the United States to perform. Mischa Dempsey of the Montreal band Knitting says it's already 'the maximum level of difficulty that we can rationalize.'
Hip-hop artist Sean 'Diddy' Combs pleads not guilty ahead of May sex trafficking trial
NEW YORK (AP) -- Sean 'Diddy' Combs has returned to federal court in New York City to face the latest iteration of an indictment charging him with two decades of sex trafficking crimes. The 55-year-old Combs stood as he pleaded not guilty Friday. He has been held without bail since his September arrest. His trial is scheduled for May 5 and lawyers came to court Friday to work out details of how that trial will be conducted. Judge Arun Subramanian said questionnaires will be distributed to prospective jurors in late April with would-be jurors being interviewed in court starting May 5. Opening statements will begin the week after.
Memorial service held for Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone
AUSTELL, Ga. (AP) -- Musical artists and loved ones on Friday mourned Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone at a memorial service near Atlanta. The 63-year-old artist was killed in a car crash south of Montgomery, Alabama, on March 1. The cargo van she was riding in flipped over and was then hit by a truck. Everyone else in the van survived except Stone. Friday's service was held at Word of Faith Cathedral in Austell, Georgia, just west of Atlanta. On Saturday, a service is planned at First Nazareth Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina.
Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's dog likely died of dehydration and starvation, report says
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- An examination of the dog found dead along with actor Gene Hackman and his wife in their Santa Fe home shows dehydration and starvation were likely what led to the animal's demise. A report by the Santa Fe County animal control agency shows there was no evidence of infectious disease, trauma or poisoning. The kelpie mix named Zinna was one of the couple's three dogs. It was found in a crate in a closet, while two other dogs survived. Authorities confirmed last week that Hackman died of heart disease with complications from Alzheimer's disease about a week after hantavirus pulmonary syndrome -- a rare, rodent-borne disease -- took the life of his wife.
Gene Hackman's estate asks court to block release of death investigation records
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- The estate of deceased actor Gene Hackman is seeking to block the public release of autopsy and investigative reports related to the deaths of Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa, especially photographs and video. Their partially mummified bodies were discovered at home in Santa Fe in February. Authorities last week said Hackman died of heart disease with complications from Alzheimer's disease as much as a week after a rare, rodent-borne disease took the life of his wife. An advocate for government transparency says sensitive images are off-limits from public records requests in New Mexico, though investigative reports are typically accessible.
Broadway's Eva Noblezada, Jonathan Groff, Jeremy Jordan, Ben Platt and Kelli O'Hara star on album
NEW YORK (AP) -- Lea Salonga stepped onto a Manhattan stage last spring and sang something unusual for her -- "Edelweiss" from the musical "The Sound of Music," a song usually performed by the paternal Captain von Trapp. It was part of MCC Theater's annual "Miscast" gala that's celebrating 25 years with an album of top musical theater stars performing songs from roles in which they would not traditionally be cast. It drops March 28. In addition to Salonga, the album has performances by an A-list of Broadway: Eva Noblezada, Jonathan Groff, Jeremy Jordan, Ben Platt, Kelli O'Hara, Katrina Lenk, Stephanie J. Block, Rachel Zegler, Heather Headley, Aaron Tveit and Gavin Creel.
Voice of America ending contracts with Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France Presse
With the Trump administration moving quickly to assert its authority, the Voice of America says it has moved to cancel contracts with The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse wire services. Kari Lake, the president's choice to lead the agency created to provide news from an American perspective to countries around the world, says the move will save taxpayers $53 million. News organizations frequently use audio, video and text reports from the wires for reports where their own journalists can't be. Lake called the contracts unnecessary and expensive. Journalists at VOA were told on Friday to no longer use the wire material.
Vedder Cup at stake when Padres face Mariners as part of Pearl Jam singer's charity drive
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -- The winner of the annual series between the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners will now win the Vedder Cup. Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder designed the trophy. This award is part of a charity drive benefiting the Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Partnership. Eddie and Jill Vedder co-founded the charity that funds research to discover treatments and cures for Epidermolysis Bullosa. The Padres and Mariners face off May 16-18 at Seattle and Aug. 25-27 at San Diego.