The Library Of Congress has appointed Arthur Sze as the nation’s 25th poet laureate. Sze, of Santa Fe, will serve for the 2025-2026 season and begin his term October 9th with a reading at the Library’s Coolidge Auditorium. “As laureate I feel a great responsibility to promote the ways poetry, especially poetry in translation, can impact our daily lives,” he said. (Story URL)
Shailene Woodley and Lucas Bravo have ended their relationship. The pair first appeared publicly as a couple in Paris on March 23rd and later went Instagram official in April when Bravo shared photos from a trip to Slab City, California. Both have now removed photos of each other from their Instagram accounts. The couple was last seen together on August 4 in Paris. (Story URL)
Bobby Hart, songwriter behind several of The Monkees’ biggest hits, has died at age 86. He passed away Wednesday at his Los Angeles home after health struggles following a hip injury last year. Hart, born Robert Luke Harshman in Phoenix, partnered with Tommy Boyce to create “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone,” and The Monkees’ theme song. (Story URL)
Smurfs starts streaming today on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada. The star-studded movie features Rihanna as Smurfette, who leads the Smurfs on a mission to rescue Papa Smurf (voiced by John Goodman) after he’s kidnapped by the evil wizards Razamel and Gargamel, sending the group on an action-packed adventure in the real world. (Story URL)
Conor McGregor will not run in Ireland’s presidential election next month. The MMA fighter confirmed his decision in a post on X, saying he made the choice after “careful reflection” and discussions with his family. McGregor wrote, “This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one at this moment in time.” Earlier this year, he lost an appeal in a 2018 assault case. (Story URL)
Keke Palmer surprised Hot Ones host Sean Evans with a kiss during her latest appearance after learning about his longtime crush. “I saw an interview where you said I was like your favorite guest, all this really sweet stuff. Maybe we could just have a quick smooch to see if there’s a spark.” Evans, blushing, agreed, saying, “Let’s do it, let’s do it.” The two kissed as the crew cheered. (Story URL)
