Lauryn Hill performs onstage during the BET Awards 2026 at Peacock Theater on June 28, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
The BET Awards 2026 returned Sunday night, honoring Black excellence across music, television, film and more.
T.I. kicked off the show fresh off the release of his final album, Kill the King. Host Druski then took the stage to revive his viral church skit and lay out the rules, including a 30-second speech limit.
Throughout the night, he also spoofed the BET Hip Hop Awards cypher, brought his Coulda Been Records auditions to the stage and shared a comedic moment with Martin Lawrence.
Leon Thomas took home best male R&B/pop artist, while Kehlani won best female R&B/pop artist after performing a stripped-down rendition of “Folded” alongside Jamie Foxx on piano and his daughter Anelise on guitar. Doechii and SZA accepted the BET Her Award, with Doechii teasing new music. Other winners included Clipse, whose Let God Sort Em Out earned album of the year, and Cardi B, who won best female hip hop artist.
Among the night’s special honors, music executive Sylvia Rhone received the Ultimate Icon Award following a speech by Kelly Rowland.
Teyana Taylor was presented the Icon of the Year by Janet Jackson. She hugged Janet, telling her, “There is no me without you,” before reflecting on her career, saying she had “worked my a** off” to be honored as an Icon.
The evening ended with a tribute to Living Legend Icon recipient Ms. Lauryn Hill, featuring The War and Treaty, SZA, Doechii, Tems, Doja Cat, Nas, Lizzo, Queen Latifah, Common and others. Lauryn then surprised the audience with performances of “Ex-Factor” and “Everything Is Everything,” and encouraged fellow Black artists not to “sell your gift short.”
Additional performances came from Don Toliver, RAYE, Cardi B, French Montana, Max B, Rick Ross, Tems, Baby Keem, KWN, Kenny Iko and Erica Campbell during the in memoriam, with Ari Lennox, George Clinton, Durand Bernarr, and BJ the Chicago Kid paying homage to D’Angelo.
(LOS ANGELES) — As several wildfires burn across the West, parts of the Four Corners region will once again see an extremely critical fire weather danger which could help current or new fires rapidly grow and become more dangerous.
The largest wildfire in Utah, the Cottonwood Fire, has burned more than 71,000 acres and remains 0% contained. Meanwhile, the Iron Fire has burned more than 40,000 acres and is 38% contained, while the Cherry Fire — a merger of the Maple Peak Fire and the original Cherry Fire — has burned an estimated 20,000 acres and is 0% contained.
Six states in the West are under Red Flag Warnings for dangerous fire weather conditions today, with some continuing to see them through Sunday.
The greatest risk area for fire weather conditions later Saturday is for parts of the Four Corners: eastern Utah, western Colorado, northeast Arizona and northwest New Mexico. This area is under the level 3 of 3 threat with an extremely critical fire weather risk in place. Hot, extremely dry and windy conditions are bringing favorable conditions for new fires to spark and spread rapidly.
Vegetation in the area is incredibly dry, providing ample, quick-burning fuel for wildfires. In the extreme risk area, sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts up to 55 mph are forecast with relative humidity values dipping into the single digits.
These conditions will promote extreme fire behavior in an area already dealing with large uncontrolled wildfires. Existing wildfires could explode in size and move erratically with new fires potentially growing rapidly as well.
Breezy and dry conditions will continue across this portion of the West this weekend; however, cooler temperatures will be settling in.
All of this comes after many states in the West, including Utah, saw their lowest snowpack on record this winter and are now under extreme drought conditions, which is furthering the critical fire weather danger in the region.
Severe thunderstorms and flooding The threat for flash flooding and severe storms continues in parts of the country on Saturday.
On Saturday morning, rounds of heavy rain are moving through parts of southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma, and these areas remain under a Flood Watch until later this morning for the potential of flash flooding.
Flood Watches extend from southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas to northern West Virginia and southern Ohio for potentially heavy rain today into tomorrow. This includes places such as Charleston, West Virginia; Cincinnati, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee; Evansville, Indiana; and Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
Some of these pockets of rain could have strong storms that produce gusty winds and lightning.
Two pockets of severe weather for Saturday include those centered over North Carolina and the other up towards the northern High Plains.
For much of North Carolina, a level 2 of 5 threat for severe storms is up for later Saturday into the evening for the potential for storms producing damaging winds.
Back towards the northern High Plains, a level 3 of 5 “enhanced risk” of severe storms is up for parts of west-central North Dakota, eastern Montana and northwest South Dakota – including Minot, North Dakota, and Glendive, Montana.
A level 2 of 5 threat for severe storms extends further into Montana and the Dakotas and also reaches down to western Nebraska, which includes Bismarck, North Dakota; Rapid City, South Dakota; Sheridan, Wyoming; and Valentine, Nebraska.
Storms here could produce damaging winds, large hail and a few tornadoes.
Extreme heat on the move Over the weekend, extreme heat will be building in the center of the country, starting in the southern Plains on Saturday and becoming more expansive across the central U.S. by Sunday.
There is growing confidence that a dangerous heat wave will impact millions across the Midwest early next week, with big heat also building across much of the East Coast by midweek.
By Monday, widespread highs in the 90s are forecast across the Midwest, with afternoon temperatures soaring into the upper 90s in Minneapolis.
Humid conditions will make it feel even hotter with heat index values potential reaching the triple digits in many areas.
Chicago and Detroit will see highs reaching the mid-to- upper 90s by Tuesday and Wednesday.
And a large swath of the I-95 corridor is set for a heat wave beginning Tuesday as the heat builds east, with temperatures at or above 90 from Washington, D.C., to New York and stay through at least midweek.
Meanwhile in the West, below average temperatures arriving this weekend will likely linger across the region through at least the first half of next week.
Undated photo of a bison in Yellowstone National Park. (Yellowstone National Park)
(NEW YORK) — A child visiting Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming was injured by a bison on Friday, according to park officials.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:15 a.m. local time near Mud Volcano, just north of Fishing Bridge.
The 12-year-old visitor was transported by emergency medical personnel to a nearby hospital, according to a release from Yellowstone National Park, which did not detail the extent of the injuries.
No further details on the encounter were released. The incident remains under investigation.
Park officials warned that the wildlife in Yellowstone, including bison, can be dangerous and become aggressive if people “do not respect their space.”
“Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal,” the park said. “They are unpredictable, can run three times faster than humans and will defend their space when threatened.”
Last year, park officials reported two separate incidents of a person being gored by a bison in Yellowstone after approaching it too closely.
There were two reported incidents of a person injured by a bison in 2024 and one in 2023, park officials said.
Park goers are advised to stay at least 25 yards away from all large animals — including bison, as well as elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes — and at least 100 yards away from bears, wolves and cougars.
“If wildlife approach you, move away to maintain the required distance,” the park said. “Never approach, touch, feed or crowd wildlife, even if an animal appears calm.”
‘Touch and Go’ album artwork. (Fuzze-Flex Records)
Collective Soul has announced the wide release of the band’s new album, Touch and Go.
The “Shine” outfit’s 13th studio effort, which was previously released as an exclusive for the 2026 Record Store Day, will be available via your music listening outlet of choice on July 31.
In first detailing Touch and Go, Collective Soul described the record as being influenced by new wave music.
Touch and Go is the follow-up to 2024’s Here to Eternity. Here is the track list:
“Rainbow” “Eye on You” “Uh Oh” “All My Days on Thru” “Heavy Load” “Fun” “Again” “Feel” “Shooting for You” “Love Your Way”
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner attend the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Vanity Fair)
After sharing photos of herself in her wedding gown at her marriage ceremony in Sicily, Dua Lipa is now giving fans a peek into her Italian honeymoon with her new husband, Callum Turner.
Dua posted a carousel of 20 photos, showing herself reading, taking a bath, eating cherries and gelato on the beach, sitting at a table with Callum, enjoying pasta with truffles, posing outside the Colosseum in Rome and watching a black-and-white film in a theater. She also posted many picturesque views of different locations, like a field of sunflowers and a beautiful sunset.
She captioned the carousel “Roadtripping,” adding an Italian flag emoji to indicate the pics were taken in Italy. Dua and the actor first got married May 31 at an intimate town hall ceremony in London, before tying the knot June 6 at a star-studded bash June 6 in Sicily.
In other Dua news, she’s teaming with a world-famous bookstore in Porto, Portugal, for a special project through her Service95 book club. Livraria Lello, which is so popular that you have to buy a ticket to go inside, will house a permanent exhibition called the Manifesto Library, featuring 100 books which, Dua says, “ask questions, or have been questioned.”
“Some have been banned by school districts for themes of race or sexuality,” she continues in a statement. “Others, written for LGBTQIA+ readers, have been restricted from display. In some cases, the author has paid for their words with their life.”
“You are invited to visit and decide for yourself what belongs on these shelves. Because sometimes the most subversive thing you can do is read a book and then talk about it.”
Singer/songwriter D’Angelo performs onstage during the Samsung Supper Club at SXSW 2015 on March 15, 2015, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Samsung)
BET has announced the artists who will come together for its all-star tribute performances during Sunday night’s BET Awards.
Helping honor Ms. Lauryn Hill, who will receive the Living Legend Icon Award, are Alexia Jayy, Common, Doechii, Doja Cat, Lizzo, Nas, Queen Latifah, Rapsody, selah, Tierra Whack, The War and Treaty, Zion Marley, YG Marley and more.
Ari Lennox, BJ the Chicago Kid, Durand Bernarr, George Clinton and RAYE will unite to pay tribute to the late D’Angelo, alongside his children.
Erica Campbell and Le’Andria Johnson will also take the stage during the in memoriam segment, which will be anchored by the music of late gospel star Richard Smallwood.
The BET Awards 2026 will air live on BET at 8 p.m. ET, with an encore presentation at 8 p.m. PT.
The performance lineup also includes Baby Keem, Cardi B, Don Toliver, French Montana, Kehlani, Max B, Rick Ross, Tems, T.I. and more. Teyana Taylor will be honored as Icon of the Year, and Sylvia Rhone will receive the Ultimate Icon Award.
Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at Networth and Chill podcast at the Vox Media Podcast Stage at SXSW on March 15, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Vox Media)
(CALIFORNIA) — As he gears up for a possible presidential bid, California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday proposed a national “billionaires’ tax,” — a day after the state wealth tax measure he opposes qualified for the November ballot.
Newsom’s counter proposal calls for a federal minimum tax rate on Americans worth more than $100 million, rather than a state level one-time 5% wealth tax that the governor argues could be dodged by billionaires who could leave the state for another.
Newsom, who said earlier this month that he is “considering running for president,” said the country should return to pre-2017 corporate tax rates and close offshore loopholes that allow multinationals to shift profits and pay less in taxes. He also said inheritance rules need to be rewritten.
“Over the next twenty years, this country will live through the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in human history, with roughly $124 trillion changing hands. If we do not act, that transfer of wealth among the ultra-wealthy will lock in a permanent American aristocracy of inherited wealth,” Newsom wrote in a Substack post announcing the proposal on Friday morning.
The announcement comes a day after California’s own billionaire tax qualified for the November ballot, having collected more than double the signatures needed. The measure, a one-time 5% tax on billionaire wealth introduced by healthcare workers union SEIU-UHW, in response to steep healthcare funding cuts resulting from President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” has faced opposition from Newsom, California Democratic gubernatorial nominee Xavier Becerra and major lobbying organizations.
“We can’t let a single advocacy organization, however well-intentioned, write the state’s tax code on its own terms,” Newsom wrote, calling out the SEIU-UHW.
The measure has also led to heavy spending from billionaires, who oppose the tax. The nonprofit, Building a Better California, which supports committees promoting two competing ballot initiatives that would nullify the billionaire tax initiative, if passed, has raised more $118 million — and $80 million of that comes from Google co-founder Sergey Brin.
Newsom says that he understands the “anxiety driving the wealth tax proposal in California,” but that he’s voting no on the California proposal, because he argues the measure dedicates almost all of the revenue to just state-funded healthcare services.
SEIU-UHW Vice President Debru Carthan said Thursday that the coalition supporting the tax would not back down.
“The billionaire tax will be on the November ballot,” said Carthan. “And we intend to win.”
About 250 billionaires would be taxed under the California measure, and the state’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office says it’s likely that some billionaires would leave the state.
“You may not be able to pick up and move to Texas or Florida to shelter your income from taxation, but I promise you that billionaires can, and do,” Newsom writes. “Wealth is movable, and it shops for the state with the lowest taxes. The fight belongs at the federal level, where this broken system was created in the first place.”
Dan Schnur, a political science professor at UC Berkeley, called Newsom’s tax proposal “savvy political positioning” as it helps him enter the 2028 field without being seen as an opponent to taxing the rich.
“He’s not against taxing billionaires, he just has a different way of doing it,” Schnur said. “He now has an answer for progressive Democrats, whether in California or in early primary states, as to why he didn’t support the ballot measure.”
In Washington, another 2028 contender, California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, joined Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders — both of whom supported the California’s initiative — in introducing legislation that would establish an annual 5% wealth tax on billionaires nationwide.
Newsom is also proposing a national public equity fund, giving Americans a stake in economic gains generated by artificial intelligence companies. The fund — aimed at workers left behind by automation — would support universal child care, free higher education, career training and healthcare.
“Part of this fund could provide a real transition for the laid-off factory worker in Ohio or the 25-year-old coder in San Francisco who sent out a thousand resumes and got zero callbacks,” Newsom wrote. “This could include significant severance and portable benefits while we support them through the transition and into new jobs with programs like enhanced employment insurance.”
“As artificial intelligence reshapes the country, every American should own a piece of the future it builds,” Newsom wrote.
Other potential 2028 contenders are also beginning to stake out their positions on AI. Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has introduced legislation proposing a nationwide moratorium on AI data center construction, which would create a temporary prohibition on the construction and expansion of data centers until Congress passes legislation to address the economic, environmental and safety impacts of artificial intelligence.
Charli XCX promises she’s not a bad girl anymore. That’s what she sings in her new song and video, “Wink, Wink,” in which details all the naughty things she used to do. She swears she doesn’t do them anymore, but then adds, “Wink, wink,” indicating that she still, in fact, does do all those naughty things. The video underscores that point by showing her in numerous provocative outfits and poses.
Madonna has released a new single called “Read My Lips (FIFA World Cup 2026 version),” featuring Colombian singer Feid. The original version appears in Madonna’s short film Confessions II. This version is on the new 20-track “bonus edition” of the Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Album. Madonna has also teamed with Absolut Vodka to tease another new song called “Hot Sauce:” It’ll appear only on Confessions II: Icon Edition, via Apple Music.
“Love Me Not” singer Ravyn Lenae is out with a new song called “Saturday Night,” which is from her upcoming album Blue Island, due Aug. 7. On Sept. 15, she’ll kick off a headlining North American tour in Sacramento, California.
After scoring a big hit with “Miles on It,” with country star Kane Brown, Marshmello has now teamed up with country star Kelsea Ballerini for a new track, “Another Drink.” Kelsea has previously duetted with pop stars like Noah Kahan, Halsey, LANY and The Chainsmokers.
After finding success with the song “Alone, Pt. II” in 2021, Ava Max has reteamed with Norwegian DJ Alan Walker for a super-dramatic new track called “Fate.” In a statement, Ava says, “I had such an incredible time writing from a place of realness and what I feel in this exact moment. It’s a lot more emotional to me when it’s about destiny.”
The first time Parker McCollum and Lee Ann Womack turned his current hit, “Killin’ Me,” into a duet was on the 61st ACM Awards in May, the same night his self-titled record won album of the year. They’ve since gone into the studio to capture their collaboration, which is available now.
“Sucker for a Sad Song” is the opening track of Little Big Town’s new album, It’s a Dying Art, which comes out Aug. 28. Featuring vocals from Ashley Monroe, both the recording and its music video are out now.
You can check out Cody Johnson debuting his new radio single, “Horseback,” on Wednesday’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on YouTube. It’s from his sixth album, Banks of the Trinity, which is out now.
(L-R) Roger Daltrey of The Who and Eddie Vedder perform onstage during the 2025 Backyard Concert supporting Teen Cancer America and the UCLA Health Center at a private residence on October 03, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for BC)
The Who’s Roger Daltrey and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder are set to headline the Best of Blues and Rock Festival, happening Nov. 20-22 at Ibirapuera Park in São Paulo, Brazil.
Daltrey is set to headline the festival on Nov. 21, with a lineup that also includes Chris Isaak and blues guitarist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, while Vedder is booked for Nov. 20 and 22, alongside Glen Hansard and others.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday at 11 a.m. local time. More info can be found at bestofbluesandrock.com.
Vedder, a well known Who fan, has played with the band on several occasions. Back in October, he joined The Who on stage at the private Backyard Concert supporting Teen Cancer America and the UCLA Health Center. His most recent public show with the band was at The Who’s March 2024 Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert at Royal Albert Hall in London.
Next up, Daltrey is set to kick off a U.S. tour on Aug. 23 in Mesa, Arizona, with dates confirmed through Oct. 3 in Selbyville, Delaware. A complete list of dates can be found at TheWho.com.
Vedder’s next live dates are at his Ohana Festival in Dana Point, California, happening Sept. 25-26. Vedder is headlining Sept. 25, with Pearl Jam headlining Sept 27.
