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I-10 is fully reopened after arson fire, just in time for Monday morning's rush hour

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:57:28 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An elevated Los Angeles freeway closed for more than a week because of an arson fire reopened ahead of Monday morning's commute, at least a day earlier than previously announced and weeks ahead of the original estimate.“Welcome back, Los Angeles!” Mayor Karen Bass posted late Sunday on X, formerly known as Twitter.The Nov. 11 blaze, fed by flammable materials stored under the roadway in violation of a company’s lease, shut a mile-long stretch of Interstate 10 near downtown, snarling traffic as repair crews worked around the clock. Officials had said last week that all lanes were expected to reopen by Tuesday, but moved it up to Monday after significant progress. Gov. Gavin Newsom said recent safety inspections showed the span was safe to start reopening Sunday evening and that the freeway would be “fully operational” before Monday's rush hour. “It wasn't just speed that we were after. We wanted to make sure this thing was safe,” Newsom said at a news conference, j...

Think they’ve seen it all? Holiday gift ideas for the movie lover who wants more

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:57:28 GMT

It’s been a wonderful year at the movies for cinephiles, but what do you get for the film lover who has seen everything already? The holidays always bring anniversary releases of tried-and-true classics, like the 4K Ultra HD 25th Anniversary Titanic re-release, as well as tricked-out 4K sets of the year’s biggest hits, like “Barbie” of course. But there are plenty of more unique options, at all price points, from a high-roller ticket to the Sundance Film Festival in January to a Criterion Channel subscription and more. SOFIA COPPOLA BOOK Sofia Coppola dug into her personal photos from 25 years of filmmaking for her first book, “Sofia Coppola Archive 1999-2023.” In the 479-page book, Coppola takes you on a visual journey from “The Virgin Suicides” through “Priscilla,” including intimate behind-the-scenes photos with all the famous faces she’s worked with, from Kirsten Dunst to Bill Murray. There are inspiration boards, script pages with handwritten a...

A 2023 gift guide that will strike a chord: 10 ideas for the music lover in your life

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:57:28 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — For the obsessive record collector or the casual listener, the shower singer or the rock star of tomorrow, a music-inspired gift is never a faux pas over the holidays. The challenge, of course, is in the decision making. Is a genre-specific festival ticket the way to go? What about a box set fit for a budding audiophile? Here’s a variety gift guide for the audio lover in your life — from photo card binders for the K-pop superfan to a pair of some of the best headphones on the market and a cheese board that looks surprisingly hi-def. It’ll be music to their ears. GIVE ‘EM SIMONE: There are vinyl box sets, and then there is “Four Women: The Nina Simone Complete Recordings 1964-1967,” a massive, seven-LP collection built from the seven albums Simon released for the Philips label during her most prolific creative period. That’s 1964’s “Nina Simone in Concert” and “Broadway-Blues-Ballads”; 1965’s “I Put A Spell On You,” “Pastel Blues”...

Blue Jays reportedly open to trading Alek Manoah

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:57:28 GMT

After taking a major step back in 2023, the Toronto Blue Jays are “open to moving” right-handed starter Alek Manoah, rival executives tell The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.Coming off a 2022 campaign in which he posted a 2.24 ERA and finished third in AL Cy Young voting, the 25-year-old logged a 5.87 ERA and was sent to minor leagues on two separate occasions — including a season-ending demotion in August — this past season.Rosenthal does say that how open Toronto is to moving its 2019 first-round pick “remains to be seen,” but adds, “the Jays’ rotation depth is prompting inquiries from other clubs. The team’s need for position players seemingly would make a move possible.”At the GM Meetings earlier this month, general manager Ross Atkins told Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi that Manoah “has earned already the right to have a strong leg up” for one of the spots in the Blue Jays’ rotation. Related: Blue Jays o...

Transport trailer catches fire in plaza parking lot in Brampton

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:57:28 GMT

A transport trailer has been damaged after a fire in the Airport Road and Bovaird Drive area in Brampton on Monday morning. Peel police received a call at approximately 7:14 a.m. of a transport trailer on fire in a plaza parking lot.There are no reports of injuries at this time.BramptonFire remains on scene investigating alongside police.

A dozen fresh-picked holiday gift ideas for gardeners

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:57:28 GMT

The best holiday gifts for gardeners are the ones that keep their minds in the dirt, even during the off-season.These gardening and garden-themed gifts will sow the seeds of anticipation for greener days to come and spread a little sunshine just when it’s needed most.SMART VIDEO CAMERA BIRD FEEDER: This device not only feeds your feathered friends but also identifies and records them as they visit. Mount it outdoors, then download the free app to your iPhone (iOS 11 or later) or Android (OS 5.0 or later) and connect it to your Wi-Fi network. When a bird lands on the solar-charged feeder, AI identifies its species and sends alerts, ultra-wide HD images, live stream video with sound, and species details to your smartphone. Includes 8 GB memory card. $219.99 at sharperimage.com.HYDROPONIC SMART GROWER: This award-winning grow system allows you to grow fresh food indoors year-round without sunlight or soil. The 16-plant unit has 86 LED lights and 10 smart sensors that monitor plants rem...

Jordan Fisher goes into ‘Hadestown’ on Broadway, ‘stretching every creative muscle’

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:57:28 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Jordan Fisher is going to hell this winter and he’s very happy about it.The actor and singer star enters Broadway’s “Hadestown,” the brooding 2019 Tony Award-winning musical about the underworld, which intertwines the myths of Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone.The actor, whose Broadway credits include “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Hamilton,” will step into the role of Orpheus beginning Monday night at the Walter Kerr Theatre, succeeding original cast member Reeve Carney.Fisher, also known for his work in the “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” and winning “Dancing With the Stars,” chatted with The Associated Press on the eve of his new gig, revealing how he might have manifested the role.Remarks have been edited for clarity and brevity.___AP: Have you been a fan of “Hadestown” a long time?FISHER: I saw the show right after they opened. I think it was like the second week of it being up and I was absolutely blown away, right? I grew u...

Youth stabbed, seriously injured after meet-up to sell headphones in Pickering

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:57:28 GMT

A male youth was seriously injured in a stabbing after a public meet-up to sell a pair of headphones that police say resulted in the victim being ambushed in an attempted robbery.Durham Regional Police were called to a plaza in the area of Kingston Road and Whites Road just before noon on Monday, Nov. 13, following reports of an armed person.A male youth allegedly planned to meet another male to sell a pair of headphones. Police said the victim was at the meet-up point and was surrounded by four males who attempted to rob him at knife-point.The male victim suffered a stab wound to the hand before all suspects fled the area. Police said the youth was transported to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.Three of the four male suspects wore a face mask or covered their faces at the time of the incident. They remain wanted by investigators.

Pop art to ballet, reach for a nonfiction read when choosing holiday gifts

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:57:28 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A good book packs power. A good book thoughtfully chosen as a gift can add a layer of joy.The holidays are a great time to track down just the right coffee table reads for loved ones. There’s a wide array this time of year. Some options:“Slim Aarons: The Essential Collection,” photographs by Slim Aarons, text by Shawn Waldron. The World War II photographer turned Hollywood insider had incredible access to the uber rich, from the pools of Palm Beach to the ski slopes of Gstaad. But he was so much more, shooting war orphans in Rome to tailgaters in Aiken, South Carolina. This hefty career-spanning collection has meaty text and includes more than 100 previously unpublished photos. Getty Images purchased his archive in 1997. Abrams. $175.“The Christmas Book,” by Phaidon editors, with essays by David Trigg, Sam Bilton and Dolph Gotelli. The holiday, in festive cultural imagery. This is a jolly look at Christmas via design and artifacts. There’s a history of Ch...

Movie Review: Disney’s musical fairy tale ‘Wish’ is beautiful, but lacking magic

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:57:28 GMT

Walt Disney Animation’s “Wish” is stunning to look at with textured and rich watercolor-inspired animation and easter egg treasures for audiences nostalgic for the classics. But it is also more concept than story: A strained and forgettable attempt to pay homage to the studio’s 100 years. The origin of the wishing star is as fine a motivation as any for a jumping off point, but “Wish,” directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, seems to have been drawn not from someone’s earnest imagination and dreams, but a corporate board trying to reverse-engineer magic and charm.Case in point: In one of the awfully generic songs, “I Am a Star,” a cute, talking rabbit chirpily sings to our heroine Asha that “when it comes to the universe, we’re all shareholders.” Ugh.I’m probably not alone in having learned several vocabulary words from Disney songs as a child, but there is something so dispiriting about hearing the word “shareholders” in what is supposed to be a rallying, i...