Mountan bikers have replaced skiers in early August as a record-breaking ski season comes to a slushy end on August 6, 2023, in Mammoth Lakes, California. After a series of winter atmospheric rivers slammed into this high elevation Sierra Nevada resort, dropping 900 inches of snow at the top of Mammoth Mountain and nearly 700 inches in the village, the ski season was pushed into August for only the third time in Mammoth’s history. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
(CALIFORNIA) — Two ski patrollers performing avalanche mitigation work at a California ski resort were injured in an avalanche on Friday, the resort operator said.
The avalanche occurred at Mammoth Mountain at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time, prior to ski area operations. The two patrollers got caught in a slide and were transported to an area hospital, the resort said.
One person sustained serious injuries and was being transported out of the area for further care, while the other was evaluated for possible broken bones, the resort said.
The ski area was closed for the remainder of the day amid high avalanche danger, the resort said.
Mammoth Mountain, which is located in Mammoth Lakes in the Sierra Nevada mountains, has received more than 5 feet of snow since Tuesday, the resort said.
The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks at the White House press briefing room in Washington DC, United States, on December 11, 2025. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
(WASHINGTON) — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Friday that she is pregnant with her second child.
“The greatest Christmas gift we could ever ask for – a baby girl coming in May 2026,” Leavitt wrote in a post to Instagram.
“My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can’t wait to watch our son become a big brother. My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for the blessing of motherhood, which I truly believe is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth,” she wrote.
“I am also extremely grateful to President Trump and our Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for their support, and for fostering a pro-family environment in the White House. 2026 is going to be a great year and I am so excited to be a girl mom!” Leavitt added in the social media post.
Leavitt is 28 years old and is the youngest person to serve as White House press secretary. She previously worked in the press office during President Donald Trump’s first term and also served as the press secretary for his 2024 campaign.
Leavitt ran a failed bid for Congress in New Hampshire, her home state, in 2022.
She and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, welcomed their first child, Nicholas “Niko” Robert Riccio, in 2024.
Lainey Wilson performs the halftime show during the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The show was part of Snoop Dogg‘s Holiday Halftime Party, which took place during the Lions/Vikings game, streamed live on Netflix’s NFL Christmas Gameday. In addition to Lainey and Snoop, the show featured the voices of the KPop Demon Hunters group HUNTR/X as well as opera legend Andrea Bocelli and his son, Matteo Bocelli.
Dressed in white, Lainey made her entrance on a white sleigh driven across the field. Riding along in the back was her fiancé, former NFL player Devlin “Duck” Hodges, wearing a Santa suit with a cowboy hat. Wilson then performed “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” with a little help from Snoop.
On Instagram, Lainey called the experience “a Christmas we’ll never forget.” You can find multiple behind-the-scenes photos of Lainey, Duck, Snoop and all the other performers in her Instagram post.
Elton John performs at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, November 8, 2025 (Kevin Kane/Getty Images for RRHOF)
Elton John and Brandi Carlile released their Grammy-nominated joint album, Who Believe In Angels?, in 2025, but 2026 may bring us some Elton John solo music — and maybe even more than expected.
In a holiday video message to members of his Rocket Club fan club, Elton said, “I’ll be going to the studio next April to make a record. But I’ve already made one, which is fantastic. So I’m teasing you with that one.”
It’s not clear which projects Elton is referring to. In November, he told Variety, “I just can’t wait to go into the studio now and write some new songs and go from there.” He also mentioned he had “seven new lyrics” from Bernie Taupin to write music for.
Despite his retirement from touring, Elton revealed in his message that he has continued performing. “I’ve done 11 private shows this year,” he said, adding that he’s in “great voice and I enjoy playing with the band and on my own.” He also made a plug for his headlining appearance at the Rock in Rio festival in September. “Who would’ve thought?” he asked.
“Don’t call it a comeback, I been here for years.”That’s what LL Cool J famously declared on his hit “Mama Said Knock You Out.” The lyric feels fitting in 2025, a year marked by quite a few musical returns.
– After 15 years away, Keri Hilson returned with “Bae,” the lead single from We Need to Talk: Love, her first independent release and the beginning of a three-part series. We Need to Talk: Drama followed in September, with Redemption forthcoming.
– Pusha T and Malice officially reunited for Let God Sort Em Out, their first album together in over 15 years. Led by “Ace Trumpets” and “So Be It,”it has been nominated for best rap album and album of the year at the 2026 Grammys.
– Miguel returned with Caos, an album shaped by eight years of personal upheaval and self-reflection. It serves as the follow-up to 2017’s War & Leisure.
– Though she last released a studio album in 2018, Mýa stayed active with EPs before returning in 2025 with two singles, “Face to Face” and “Give It to Me.” The songs are apreview of her upcoming album.
– Teyana Taylor ended her retirement with the visual album Escape Room, which earned her her first Grammy nomination for best R&B album.
Mass Appeal’s Legend Has It series can be credited for several other iconic returns in 2025:
– Slick Rick released Victory, his first album since 1999, teaming with Nas and executive producer Idris Elba. The visual album, written and recorded across London and France, premiered at the Tribeca Festival.
– Raekwon followed with The Emperor’s New Clothes, his first album in eight years, featuring Nas, Westside Gunn, Method Man and Ghostface Killah.
– Havoc assembled Infinite, the final Mobb Deep album, using unreleased verses from the late Prodigy. Produced with The Alchemist, it marked the group’s first release since 2014.
– De La Soul released Cabin in the Sky, their first album in nine years, honoring late member Trugoy the Dove. Nas, Common and Killer Mike are among those who appeared on the project.
Brent Smith and Zach Myers of Shinedown perform in concert during Rocklahoma at Rockin’ Red Dirt Ranch on August 31, 2025 in Pryor, Oklahoma. (Gary Miller/Getty Images)
Is Shinedown set to celebrate the new year with new music?
The “Second Chance” rockers are teasing something called “Hundred % Human” in a Facebook post. The band adds in the caption, “Coming Soon…”
If “Hundred % Human” is indeed the name of a new Shinedown song, it will follow the group’s four 2025 singles: “Three Six Five,” “Dance, Kid, Dance,” “Killing Fields” and “Searchlight.”
The most recent Shinedown album is 2022’s Planet Zero.
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift embrace after Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Nobody knows where or when Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are getting married, but if they’re looking for unique venue that would be tough for her fans to track down, Dancing with the Stars champ Robert Irwin has a suggestion.
In an advance clip of ABC News’ 15th annual year-end special THE YEAR: 2025, hosted by Good Morning America‘s Robin Roberts, the wildlife conservationist proposes that the couple tie the knot at his family’s Australia Zoo in Queensland, about 50 miles south of Brisbane.
“You know what’d really, in my opinion, just absolutely make that wedding is if it was an Australian wedding,” Irwin said. “One of the things that we do that is the most popular is weddings at Australia Zoo. We have hosted many.”
“We have this beautiful, and I mean beautiful, location overlooking the African savanna, where rhinos and giraffes are just frolicking out in the open, in the wild,” he continued. “And you get married over that, and it’s stunning.”
“So Travis and Taylor, hit me up! I got you!” he joked.
Taylor was in the house at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas Day as Travis played what could be his second-to-last game of the season. The Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Denver Broncos, and afterward Travis was asked whether it might have been his final game at Arrowhead amid growing speculation that he may retire after this season.
“The only time it ever crossed my mind was when I was driving in the other day and I saw how much the Powerball was, and I was like, ‘Man. If I could just win that. I wouldn’t have to work another day in my life!” said the man who’s engaged to a billionaire.
Perry Bamonte of The Cure performs at Riot Fest 2023 at Douglass Park on September 17, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Barry Brecheisen/WireImage)
The Cure multi-instrumentalist Perry Archangelo Bamonte has died. He was 65.
“It is with enormous sadness that we confirm the death of our great friend and bandmate Perry Bamonte who passed away after a short illness at home over Christmas,” The Cure writes in a post to their website Friday. “Quiet, intense, intuitive, constant and hugely creative, ‘Teddy’ was a warm hearted and vital part of The Cure story.”
Bamonte joined The Cure full-time in 1990 and played guitar, keyboards and six-string bass on albums including 1992’s Wish. He left the band after 14 years but later rejoined in 2022. His last performance with The Cure was their November 2024 show in London, which celebrated the release of the band’s comeback album, Songs of a Lost World.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with all his family,” The Cure says. “He will be very greatly missed.”
Authorities respond to a shooting at a DMV in New Castle, Delaware, Dec. 23, 2025. WPVI
(NEW CASTLE, Del.) — A state trooper was killed after authorities say a customer at a DMV location in Delaware opened fire on the law enforcement officer from behind while he was sitting at a reception desk.
Cpl. Matthew T. “Ty” Snook, 34, of Hockessin, Delaware, a 10-year veteran of the Delaware State Police, was killed in Tuesday’s shooting, the agency said.
The suspected shooter was fatally shot by a responding police officer, according to Delaware State Police. The suspect was identified by police on Friday as 44-year-old Rahman Rose, of Wilmington.
The suspect approached Snook a short time after entering the Karen L. Johnson Division of Motor Vehicles in New Castle and allegedly shot him from behind with a handgun, according to Delaware State Police.
Snook managed to push a DMV employee out of harm’s wayand told the individual to run as the suspect allegedly continued firing at him, according to state police.
Snook was transported to a local hospital, where he died, according to Delaware State Police spokesperson Cpl. Raushan Rich.
“We lost a brother, a son, best friend, a coach, a husband and a father,” Col. William Crotty, Superintendent of Delaware State Police, said at a press briefing Tuesday night. “Our trooper loved his community. He served with honor and integrity, and his life was cut short by senseless violence.”
“His last actions were that of a hero – a hero who saved lives today while sacrificing his own,” he added.
Snook was described as a dependable, professional and committed trooper by state police.
Multiple agencies responded to the shooting, which occurred Tuesday afternoon, police said.
“Rose allowed customers to leave the building and remained inside waiting for responding law enforcement,” Delaware State Police said in a statement. “As officers arrived, Rose fired multiple rounds at law enforcement as they approached the building.”
A New Castle County police officer shot Rose through a window from outside the DMV, according to state police.
The suspect was transported to an area hospital, where he died, according to Rich.
Several people sustained non-gunshot-related injuries, including a second trooper and a 40-year-old woman, according to Rich. A 35-year-old woman was evaluated for shortness of breath and declined transport to a hospital, he said.
“What happened today was an act of pure evil, and if not for the heroism of several troopers and other officers, the consequences could have been so much worse,” Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer said at the press briefing.
Snook was working an overtime assignment at the time. He is survived by his wife and their one-year-old daughter, officials said.
“Our DSP family extends its deepest condolences to the Snook family. We are forever grateful to them for sharing ‘Ty’ with us and for the sacrifices they made in support of his service to the citizens of Delaware,” state police said.
Police have not released any details on an alleged motive in the shooting, which remains under investigation.
Kelly Clarkson on ‘NFL Christmas Gameday’ on Netflix (Courtesy Netflix)
If you weren’t tuned into Netflix’s NFL Christmas GameDay on Dec. 25, you missed performances by Kelly Clarkson and Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami and EJAE, the singing voices of KPop Demon Hunters‘ HUNTR/X. But that’s okay — the performances are now available to watch on YouTube.
Kelly kicked off the festivities arriving in a flying sleigh for a performance of her holiday hit “Underneath the Tree.” She then stepped off and continued to sing while various plays appeared to burst out of wrapped presents under a giant tree.
As for HUNTR/X, they switched things up by not performing “Golden.” Instead, they sang the popular carol “The 12 Days of Christmas,” arranging it so it sounded like a K-pop song.
Their performance was part of Snoop’s Holiday Halftime Party, which also featured rapper Snoop Dogg, country star Lainey Wilson,opera singerAndrea Bocelli and his son Matteo Bocelli.
There were also a couple of football games taking place. The Minnesota Vikings beat the Detroit Lions, while the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders.
