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Jonas Brothers Expand Burning Up Tour to 45 Cities

Famous Times Staff 2 on August 18, 2026

The Jonas Brothers have expanded The Burning Up Tour All Over Again into a 45-city North American run after selling out three Madison Square Garden shows. The 2026 schedule now stretches from New York in August to Newark in December, with additional arena dates, rotating support acts and a new ticket-sale timeline for fans across the U.S. and Canada.

Key Takeaways

The Jonas Brothers expanded The Burning Up Tour All Over Again into a 45-city North American schedule.
Three Madison Square Garden concerts on Aug. 20, 21 and 22 are listed as sold out.
The newly added multi-city portion begins Sept. 25 in Boston and ends Dec. 21 in Newark, New Jersey.
Magnus Ferrell, Franklin Jonas, All Time Low and Deleasa are scheduled to appear on select dates.
A Spotify Reserved presale is scheduled for Aug. 18, followed by the general on-sale on Aug. 21.

Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas announced the expansion on Aug. 17 after the Madison Square Garden portion of The Burning Up Tour All Over Again sold out. Live Nation is promoting the tour, which revisits music and performances associated with the trio’s original Burning Up Tour era.

The broader schedule adds stops in Boston, Toronto, Washington, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Denver, among dozens of other markets. The three New York concerts still open the overall run on Aug. 20, while the newly announced multi-city leg starts Sept. 25 at TD Garden in Boston.

Three Madison Square Garden Sellouts Triggered the Expansion

The tour’s scale changed quickly after the Jonas Brothers initially focused the revival on Madison Square Garden.

A third Madison Square Garden concert was added for Aug. 22 after the previously announced Aug. 20 and Aug. 21 performances generated strong ticket demand. All three dates are now listed as sold out in the tour announcement.

The band directly linked the larger rollout to the response in New York.

“The response was so overwhelming announcing the MSG shows that we knew we couldn’t stop at New York.”

The statement accompanied the Aug. 17 announcement and explained why the group decided to take the concert format beyond the original three-night engagement.

That decision shifts the project from a limited New York event into a fall touring schedule spanning several regions. After Boston, the September dates include Manchester, New Hampshire, Toronto and Washington before the routing moves south and west through October and November.

Jonas Brothers Revisit the Burning Up Era

The Burning Up Tour All Over Again draws its identity from the Jonas Brothers’ original Burning Up Tour, which took place during an early period of the group’s mainstream career.

The original run was closely associated with the band’s 2008 album A Little Bit Longer, which included “Burnin’ Up,” “Lovebug” and “Tonight.” The new tour does not simply reuse the name. Its announced concept specifically revisits the music and memories connected with that period.

The timing also places the tour alongside several other 2026 projects tied to the trio’s history.

Camp Rock 3 premiered on Disney Channel on Aug. 13 before arriving on Disney+ on Aug. 14. Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas also reprised their roles as members of the fictional band Connect 3. On Aug. 16, the brothers were recognized as Disney Legends during the D23 event in Anaheim, California.

Those events put renewed attention on material from the group’s Disney-era years immediately before the first Madison Square Garden concert. The tour, however, remains centered on the Burning Up concept rather than being presented as a general retrospective of every phase of the band’s career.

The 45-City Schedule Extends Through December

The expanded Jonas Brothers itinerary covers an arena-heavy route through the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Texas, West Coast and Mountain West before returning to the New York area in December.

October dates include Raleigh, Philadelphia, Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, Birmingham, Tampa, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Columbus, Lexington, Cleveland, Buffalo, Rosemont, Detroit and Pittsburgh. November brings stops in Milwaukee, St. Paul, Kansas City, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio before the tour reaches California and other western markets.

Among the West Coast dates is a Nov. 18 performance in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Bowl. The stop adds the Jonas Brothers to the broader Hollywood Bowl 2026 season calendar before the tour moves to San Francisco, Sacramento, Glendale, Las Vegas, San Diego and Anaheim.

December begins with Seattle on Dec. 5, followed by Salt Lake City, Denver, Lincoln, Sioux Falls and Grand Rapids. The final stretch returns to the New York metropolitan area for a Dec. 19 show at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York, and a Dec. 21 finale at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Toronto’s Sept. 28 concert at RBC Amphitheatre is the Canadian stop listed in the published schedule. The remaining announced cities are in the United States.

Ticket Sales Begin With Rotating Support Acts

Ticket sales for the expanded dates are being released in stages rather than through a single opening window.

According to the tour announcement, the Spotify Reserved presale in the United States is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 8:28 a.m. Additional presales are scheduled during the week before the general on-sale begins Friday, Aug. 21 at 10 a.m.

VIP options are also part of the ticket rollout. The published description lists packages that may include premium tickets, access to a pre-show Burnin’ Up VIP Lounge, a designated VIP item and early merchandise shopping. Package contents can differ depending on the selected offer.

Support acts also vary by date. Magnus Ferrell and Deleasa are scheduled for many of the September and October shows, while Franklin Jonas appears on several November dates. All Time Low is listed for the Nov. 18 Hollywood Bowl concert, with combinations of the supporting artists changing throughout the routing.

For the Jonas Brothers, the expansion turns a three-night Madison Square Garden engagement into a North American schedule running through December while keeping the production tied to a defined period of the group’s catalog and touring history.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cities are on the Jonas Brothers Burning Up Tour?

The Jonas Brothers announced The Burning Up Tour All Over Again as a 45-city North American run. It includes the three sold-out Madison Square Garden concerts as well as newly announced dates scheduled from September through December.

When does the Jonas Brothers tour start?

The overall tour begins with Madison Square Garden concerts in New York on Aug. 20, 21 and 22, 2026. The newly expanded multi-city portion begins Sept. 25 at TD Garden in Boston.

When do tickets for the new dates go on sale?

A Spotify Reserved presale is scheduled for Aug. 18, followed by additional presales during the week. The general ticket sale is scheduled to begin Aug. 21 at 10 a.m.

Which artists are joining the Jonas Brothers on tour?

Magnus Ferrell, Franklin Jonas, All Time Low and Deleasa are listed as supporting artists on select dates. The lineup changes by city, so individual concert listings may feature different combinations.

When does the Burning Up Tour end?

The published schedule ends Dec. 21, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The final New York-area stretch also includes a Dec. 19 performance at UBS Arena in Belmont Park.

KCON LA 2026 Kicks Off With NCT 127 and Global K-Pop Lineup

Famous Times Staff 2 on August 15, 2026

KCON LA 2026 began Aug. 14 in downtown Los Angeles with NCT 127 leading Friday’s M COUNTDOWN lineup, followed by ZEROBASEONE on Saturday and TOMORROW X TOGETHER on Sunday. The three-day event also introduces extended headliner sets and a broader convention program spanning K-beauty, K-food, Korean film and drama, and fan-focused stages.

Key Takeaways

KCON LA 2026 runs Aug. 14 through 16 at Crypto.com Arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center.
NCT 127 leads Friday’s M COUNTDOWN lineup, followed by ZEROBASEONE on Saturday and TOMORROW X TOGETHER on Sunday.
CJ ENM introduced extended one-hour performances for M COUNTDOWN headliners and ARTIST STAGE performers.
The convention program includes four performance areas plus K-beauty, K-food and K-story experiences.
The 2025 Los Angeles edition drew 125,000 attendees across three days, according to CJ ENM.

The event continues through Aug. 16 across Crypto.com Arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center. ZEROBASEONE is scheduled to lead Saturday’s arena bill, while TOMORROW X TOGETHER takes the headline position for Sunday’s final M COUNTDOWN show.

The three-night structure gives each evening a separate anchor while keeping the wider lineup varied. Friday pairs NCT 127 with TREASURE, &TEAM, KickFlip and SANTOS BRAVOS. Saturday includes ILLIT, izna, P1Harmony, TAEYONG and YEONJUN, while Sunday brings ALLDAY PROJECT, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, JO1 and MEOVV alongside TOMORROW X TOGETHER.

The timing also places KCON inside a busy U.S. season for Korean artists. Earlier in August, Jennie’s Lollapalooza headline set put the BLACKPINK member at the top of a major Chicago festival bill, adding another prominent U.S. festival appearance for a K-pop artist during the summer.

NCT 127 Opens KCON LA 2026 With an Extended Headline Format

The most notable change at KCON LA 2026 is not limited to the names on the schedule. CJ ENM announced that headline artists on the M COUNTDOWN STAGE and performers on the ARTIST STAGE would receive newly extended one-hour performances, changing how much of the program can be devoted to individual acts.

That format puts NCT 127 at the center of the opening night. The group is listed as Friday’s lead act at Crypto.com Arena, where doors are scheduled to open at 6:30 p.m. and the M COUNTDOWN program begins at 8 p.m.

The longer-set structure gives featured artists more room within an event that still depends on frequent lineup changes across several stages. Rather than building the entire evening from shorter appearances, the 2026 format reserves a larger block of time for selected performers while maintaining the multi-artist structure around them.

NCT 127’s placement also continues the group’s recent connection with the Los Angeles event. The group appeared at KCON LA 2025, where it joined a three-day program that included 37 acts, according to organizer CJ ENM.

The opening-night bill also broadens the program beyond one established group. TREASURE and &TEAM appear alongside KickFlip and SANTOS BRAVOS, while additional performers and guests are scheduled across the day. Crypto.com Arena notes that the lineup remains subject to change.

The KCON Lineup Changes Across Three Nights

Saturday shifts the arena focus to ZEROBASEONE. The group leads a bill that also includes ILLIT, izna, P1Harmony and TAEYONG, with YEONJUN and Anderson .Paak among the additional names listed for the day.

Sunday then moves the headline position to TOMORROW X TOGETHER. The final-night schedule includes ALLDAY PROJECT, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, JO1 and MEOVV, along with NEXZ, RESCENE, ONE PACT and So!YoON! elsewhere on the program.

The rotation gives KCON three distinct arena lineups instead of organizing the weekend around a single top-billed performer. Established groups, newer acts and artists working across different markets appear within the same three-day program.

That variety is also reflected in the range of artists around the headliners. The schedule brings together Korean groups, Japan-based acts and performers connected with other international music markets, expanding the festival bill without changing its K-pop-centered identity.

The broader K-pop calendar also shows how artists are reaching audiences through concerts, festival appearances and screen projects. BTS comeback movie plans tied to the group’s 2026 return offer another example of music-related programming extending beyond the traditional concert format.

Festival Grounds Expand KCON Beyond the Arena

The nightly arena shows are only one part of the KCON LA 2026 schedule. CJ ENM says the event uses four main performance areas: the M COUNTDOWN STAGE, ARTIST STAGE, X STAGE and DANCE STAGE.

Festival Grounds programming at the Los Angeles Convention Center extends the event into K-beauty, K-food and K-story experiences. CJ ENM has also announced OLIVE YOUNG FESTA, a K-STORY ZONE focused on Korean dramas and films, and a K-FOOD ZONE as part of the convention program.

The structure separates large evening performances from much of the daytime convention activity. Crypto.com Arena states that Festival Grounds admission is included with most M COUNTDOWN packages, with the one-day K-POP DISCOVERY ticket listed as an exception.

The arrangement gives attendees several types of programming within the same weekend. Artist-focused events and dance activities operate alongside food, beauty and screen-entertainment areas before the nightly M COUNTDOWN schedule begins at Crypto.com Arena.

The 2026 theme, “Walk in SOUL CITY,” is being used across those convention experiences. CJ ENM describes the format as one intended to connect K-pop with additional Korean lifestyle categories instead of treating the Los Angeles stop solely as an arena concert series.

That wider format also explains why the event occupies two neighboring downtown venues. The Los Angeles Convention Center handles much of the festival programming, while Crypto.com Arena provides the setting for the nightly M COUNTDOWN performances.

Los Angeles Format Builds on KCON’s 2025 Scale

KCON LA 2026 follows an edition that CJ ENM said drew 125,000 attendees across three days in 2025. The organizer also reported 37 acts, 107 participating companies and 358 booths at last year’s Los Angeles event.

Those figures provide context for the current format. KCON’s Los Angeles program has developed as a combination of arena performances and convention programming rather than a single concert bill, allowing the schedule to accommodate both music and other Korean entertainment and lifestyle categories.

The newly extended headline performances add another layer in 2026. Major artists receive more stage time, while the ARTIST STAGE, X STAGE and DANCE STAGE preserve opportunities for additional performers and programming throughout the weekend.

For the U.S. audience, the schedule is anchored by three clearly defined nights. NCT 127 leads Friday, ZEROBASEONE takes Saturday’s top position, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER closes the M COUNTDOWN program Sunday.

KCON LA 2026 is scheduled to continue through Aug. 16. Its current format combines three nightly arena anchors, extended performances and daytime convention programming across two downtown Los Angeles venues, keeping KCON centered on K-pop while expanding the range of experiences surrounding the music.

Frequently Asked Questions

When iss KCON LA 2026?

KCON LA 2026 runs from Aug. 14 through Aug. 16, 2026. Programming takes place at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.

Who is headlining KCON LA 2026?

NCT 127 leads the Friday M COUNTDOWN lineup, ZEROBASEONE takes the headline position Saturday, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER leads Sunday’s program. Each night also features several additional groups, solo performers and guests.

What changed at KCON in 2026?

KCON introduced newly extended one-hour performances for M COUNTDOWN headliners and ARTIST STAGE performers. The change gives selected artists more stage time while retaining the event’s broader multi-stage structure.

What other activities are available at KCON LA 2026?

The Festival Grounds include programming connected with K-beauty, K-food and K-story, alongside the ARTIST STAGE, X STAGE and DANCE STAGE. CJ ENM has also announced OLIVE YOUNG FESTA and dedicated areas for Korean food, dramas and films.

Where are the KCON M COUNTDOWN shows held?

The nightly M COUNTDOWN concerts are scheduled at Crypto.com Arena. Festival Grounds programming takes place primarily at the neighboring Los Angeles Convention Center.

Tyla Becomes Kate Spade Global Ambassador in Star-Studded Campaign

Famous Times Staff 2 on August 14, 2026

Tyla, Kate Spade’s new global ambassador, makes her campaign debut in the fashion label’s Fall 2026 rollout set across New York City. The project brings together music, fashion and a creator-led cast while arriving weeks after the South African singer released her second studio album, A*POP.

Key Takeaways

Kate Spade New York announced Tyla as its new global brand ambassador on July 30, 2026.
Tyla made her ambassador campaign debut in the brand’s Fall 2026 global campaign, released August 11.
Bretman Rock and creators from fashion, comedy, food and digital media appear alongside the singer.
The campaign centers on New York City and prominently features Kate Spade’s Duo Mini shoulder bag.
The rollout follows the July 24 release of Tyla’s second studio album, A*POP.

Rather than introducing Tyla through a standalone portrait campaign, Kate Spade placed her inside a larger New York City production. The hero film uses a hide-and-seek concept across the city, with Tyla joined by personalities from music, fashion, comedy, food and digital media.

Rupert Sanders directed the campaign film, while Grant James photographed the campaign. According to Kate Spade, the project was developed around the idea of noticing moments of joy in everyday surroundings, continuing the brand’s “Spark Something Beautiful” platform.

The New York backdrop also gives the campaign a recognizable setting for a label founded in the city in 1993. Instead of relying solely on studio imagery, the creative uses the city as part of the campaign narrative and places its cast within the same visual storyline.

That combination of entertainment and styling puts Tyla’s appearance within the broader field of celebrity fashion moments that increasingly connect clothing, music, film and public appearances. In this case, however, the central development is a formal ambassador appointment rather than a single event look.

Tyla addressed the collaboration in Kate Spade’s August 11 announcement. “Joining the Kate Spade New York family has been a pleasure. We loved creating this campaign together, it was exciting and joyful.”

Her role is also broader than the hero film. Kate Spade said when announcing the appointment that the partnership would appear across brand campaigns, social content and in-store advertising, with Fall 2026 serving as Tyla’s first campaign as global ambassador.

The A*POP Era Extends Into Tyla’s Fashion Role

The timing places the Tyla, Kate Spade partnership directly alongside a major period in the singer’s music schedule.

A*POP, Tyla’s second studio album, was released July 24, six days before Kate Spade announced her ambassador appointment. Tyla’s official website currently features the album, while official merchandise listings confirm the July 24 release date.

Kate Spade said its Fall 2026 creative includes references to A*POP, linking the campaign visually with Tyla’s current album period without making the fashion project an extension of the record itself. The singer appears carrying seasonal versions of the Duo Mini shoulder bag, including the Laurel Leaf colorway shown in imagery accompanying the original ambassador announcement.

The appointment follows another major career marker for Tyla. The Recording Academy lists her as the 2026 winner for Best African Music Performance for “PUSH 2 START.” She previously won the same category in 2024 for “Water,” giving her two Grammy wins in the category.

Those music credentials provide clear context for why the campaign crosses between entertainment and fashion. Kate Spade is not presenting Tyla as a conventional model. The campaign instead uses her established music profile alongside a cast whose audiences span several areas of contemporary entertainment.

The appointment also fits a familiar format in current fashion ambassador partnerships, where public figures appear across seasonal campaigns and broader brand media rather than in isolated advertisements.

For Tyla, the Kate Spade campaign arrives as A*POP remains her current album project. For Kate Spade, the collaboration gives its Fall 2026 campaign a music-centered lead while maintaining the New York identity and product focus of the seasonal rollout.

The Duo Mini and Creator Cast Shape the Campaign

Tyla remains the central ambassador, but the Fall 2026 campaign is structured as an ensemble.

Bretman Rock appears alongside her, joined by Dylan Kevitch, Nick Kosir, Kareem Rahma, Julia Mervis, Payton Purther, Sally Carden, the creator collective 4inthe5, Gianluca Conte, known as QCP, and food creator Ana Sofia. Kate Spade described the group as representing different areas including music, fashion, comedy, food and beauty.

The varied cast gives the campaign several recognizable digital and entertainment personalities without shifting its principal focus away from Tyla. Their appearances support the New York City hide-and-seek format, creating a campaign that can be divided into shorter social and creator-focused pieces as well as the main film.

The Duo Mini shoulder bag provides the consistent product element. Kate Spade identified it as the central handbag in the campaign and listed seasonal versions including Beet, Laurel Leaf, Smokey Petal, Driftwood, Hot Fudge, Pomegranate, Giraffe Haircalf and Hot Fudge Metallic.

Kate Spade also said the campaign would extend through social storytelling, creator collaborations, immersive experiences and interactive digital elements. Those components broaden the rollout beyond the primary film while keeping Tyla’s ambassador role connected to the brand’s Fall 2026 presentation.

The Tyla, Kate Spade collaboration therefore centers on two confirmed developments: a new global ambassador appointment and Tyla’s debut in the brand’s Fall 2026 campaign. With the singer leading a New York-set production weeks after the release of A*POP, the campaign connects her current music cycle with an expanded role in fashion without relying on a separate celebrity event to introduce the partnership.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Did Tyla Become a Kate Spade Global Ambassador?

Kate Spade New York announced Tyla as its new global brand ambassador on July 30, 2026. Her first campaign in the role was the label’s Fall 2026 global campaign, which was unveiled on August 11.

Who Appears With Tyla in the Kate Spade Campaign?

The campaign includes Bretman Rock, Dylan Kevitch, Nick Kosir, Kareem Rahma, Julia Mervis, Payton Purther, Sally Carden, 4inthe5, QCP and Ana Sofia. The group appears within a New York City campaign built around a hide-and-seek concept.

What Bag Does Tyla Carry in the Campaign?

Tyla carries Kate Spade’s Duo Mini shoulder bag, which serves as the primary handbag featured in the Fall 2026 campaign. The silhouette appears in several seasonal colorways, including Laurel Leaf and Beet.

How Does A*POP Connect to the Campaign?

The Tyla, Kate Spade campaign includes references to A*POP, according to the brand. Tyla released the album on July 24, 2026, shortly before her ambassador appointment was announced.

SNL Parts Ways With Music Booker Brian Siedlecki After Nearly 30 Years

Famous Times Staff 2 on August 13, 2026

SNL is entering Season 52 without longtime music booker Brian Siedlecki, who reportedly departed after the show chose not to renew his contract. The staffing change matters because Siedlecki spent nearly three decades helping coordinate musical guests. Here is what is confirmed about his exit and the team that remains.

Key Takeaways

Brian Siedlecki reportedly departed SNL after the program elected not to renew his contract.
Siedlecki joined the show as an intern in 1996 and later became a coordinating producer and music booker.
Nelly Furtado was the first artist Siedlecki booked for the program.
Longtime talent bookers Keri Powers and Rebecca Schwartz remain with SNL.
Season 52 is scheduled to premiere on September 26, 2026.

NBC declined to comment on staffing, and no detailed public explanation for the decision has been released. Siedlecki also did not publicly provide a reason for the departure in the initial reporting.

The personnel change is notable because Siedlecki’s history with the program stretches back to 1996, when he joined as an intern. He later worked as a coordinating producer and music booker, putting his tenure across several eras of the long-running NBC series.

Billboard reported in a 2025 interview with SNL’s music talent team that Nelly Furtado was the first artist Siedlecki booked. Furtado appeared on the show during the period when “I’m Like a Bird” was becoming one of the defining releases from her debut album.

From that point, the job developed alongside major shifts in the music business. The way audiences discover performers moved from a landscape dominated by radio, television and physical releases toward streaming, short-form video and social platforms.

The underlying television challenge remained consistent. SNL has a limited number of musical guest slots during each season, and each booking has to work within the schedule of a live weekly production.

That makes the position less visible than the artists appearing on stage but closely connected to what viewers ultimately see.

Music Booking Connects Artist Momentum With Live Television

SNL’s music booking process has involved more than selecting performers with recognizable names or strong chart positions.

In the 2025 Billboard interview, members of the booking team described monitoring concerts, festivals, showcases, streaming activity and social platforms while evaluating potential guests. The process reflects the number of factors surrounding a live television appearance.

Artists may be promoting a new album, beginning a tour, finishing a run of performances or reaching a point when wider attention is building around their work. Changes in current pop release cycles can therefore overlap with the limited number of television dates available during an SNL season.

Availability creates another layer. A performer who is a strong fit for the program still has to be available in New York for rehearsals and the live Saturday broadcast.

Once a guest is confirmed, the performance becomes part of a tightly scheduled production involving rehearsals, staging, audio, lighting and other technical requirements inside Studio 8H. The artist’s appearance must fit within the structure of a 90-minute live show that also includes a host, sketches and Weekend Update.

Siedlecki’s tenure covered a period when the value of an SNL performance also expanded beyond its original broadcast.

Musical performances can now continue circulating through official digital clips after an episode airs. That gives individual appearances a second audience online while preserving SNL’s traditional role as a live television program.

Season 51 showed the range of artists the format can accommodate. The season included performers at different stages of their careers, while the May 2026 finale featured Paul McCartney as musical guest alongside host Will Ferrell. NBC’s season records confirm the pairing for the finale.

That range is one reason the music-booking role carries particular significance. The team has to balance current releases, artist availability and production needs rather than rely on a single measure of popularity.

Season 52 Retains Experienced SNL Talent Bookers

Siedlecki’s departure does not leave SNL without an established music talent operation.

Keri Powers and Rebecca Schwartz remain with the program, according to current reporting. Both have spent years working on SNL’s talent team. Public production credits identify Powers and Schwartz as talent producers and co-producers.

Reports also indicate that messages sent to Siedlecki’s former NBC email now receive an automated response directing inquiries to Powers or Schwartz. That provides a practical indication that the two longtime staff members remain central contacts for the show’s talent operation following his departure.

NBC has not publicly announced whether Siedlecki will be replaced directly, whether another music booker will join the program or whether existing responsibilities will be redistributed.

That makes the structure of the remaining team more relevant than speculation about an individual replacement.

Scheduling will remain one of the practical issues facing the team. Artists often balance album promotion with expanding concert calendars, and major tour scheduling decisions can alter when performers are available for television appearances.

Season 52 is scheduled to premiere September 26, giving the program an earlier-than-usual start to its broadcast year. NBC has also opened its ticket lottery for the 2026-2027 season, confirming preparations for the next run of live episodes.

The first musical guest announcements will provide the earliest visible indication of the program’s booking choices after Siedlecki’s exit. Those selections, however, will represent only individual bookings rather than evidence of a broader change in strategy.

SNL has repeatedly changed cast members, writers and production personnel over its decades on television. Siedlecki’s departure stands out because of the length of his tenure and his connection to a recurring part of the show’s format.

His time with the program began before streaming platforms became central to the music business and continued into an era when digital audience data, social platforms and online performance clips play a larger role in how artists reach listeners.

The program now enters Season 52 with Powers and Schwartz still in place and without a publicly announced direct replacement for Siedlecki. For SNL, the immediate change is therefore clear: one longtime music booker has departed, while an experienced talent team remains responsible for filling one of the show’s most closely watched weekly guest slots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Did Brian Siedlecki Leave SNL?

The Hollywood Reporter reported that SNL elected not to renew Brian Siedlecki’s contract. NBC declined to comment on staffing, and no more specific public explanation for the decision was provided in the initial reporting.

How Long Did Brian Siedlecki Work at SNL?

Siedlecki joined SNL as an intern in 1996 and remained connected to the program until 2026. He later worked as a coordinating producer and music booker.

Who Was Brian Siedlecki’s First SNL Music Booking?

Nelly Furtado was the first artist Siedlecki booked for the program, according to a 2025 Billboard interview with SNL’s music talent team. The booking came during the period when “I’m Like a Bird” was gaining attention.

Who Handles SNL Music Booking Now?

Longtime talent bookers Keri Powers and Rebecca Schwartz remain with SNL. NBC has not publicly announced a direct replacement for Siedlecki or detailed how his responsibilities will be divided.

When Does SNL Season 52 Begin?

SNL Season 52 is scheduled to premiere on September 26, 2026. The show will continue its live Saturday-night run on NBC, with the new season following the completion of Season 51 in May.

Taylor Swift Makes Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame History

Famous Times Staff 2 on August 12, 2026

Taylor Swift will become the youngest inductee in Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame history after being selected for its 2026 class. The recognition returns attention to the songwriting career she began in Nashville as a teenager, while placing her alongside Lyle Lovett, Shawn Camp, Lee Thomas Miller and Bruce Channel.

Taylor Swift was announced as a member of the 2026 class, with the organization scheduling the formal induction for its 56th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala later this year. Swift, 36, was elected in the Contemporary Songwriter/Artist category.

The distinction adds a Nashville-specific honor to a year in which Swift has already received separate recognition from the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York.

Key Takeaways

Taylor Swift, 36, will become the youngest inductee in Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame history.
The 2026 class was announced on Aug. 11 and also includes Lyle Lovett, Shawn Camp, Lee Thomas Miller and Bruce Channel.
Swift was selected in the Contemporary Songwriter/Artist category.
She was separately inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York in June 2026.
The Nashville induction ceremony is scheduled for the Hall’s 56th Anniversary Gala later in 2026.

Taylor Swift’s age makes the Nashville announcement particularly notable. At 36, she is set to become the youngest songwriter admitted to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, according to reporting surrounding the Aug. 11 announcement.

Her selection comes only two months after another songwriting milestone. Swift was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at its June 11 ceremony in New York, where she became the youngest woman inducted into that organization.

The two institutions are separate, making the latest recognition more than a repeat of the earlier honor. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame focuses specifically on writers connected to the songwriting tradition that has developed around Music City.

Swift enters through the Contemporary Songwriter/Artist category, which recognizes performers whose songwriting is also central to their recorded careers.

Her catalog cited in connection with the Nashville recognition spans several stages of that career. Songs including “Teardrops on My Guitar” and “Love Story” represent her early country period, while “Blank Space,” “Anti-Hero” and “Cruel Summer” reflect her later pop releases.

That range gives the induction a broader context. Swift’s musical style has shifted considerably since her debut, but songwriting credits have remained a consistent part of her work across those changes.

Nashville Roots Give the Honor Added Significance

Taylor Swift’s connection to Nashville began well before her first album reached listeners.

She pursued songwriting opportunities in the city as a teenager and secured a publishing deal at 14, according to remarks she made during her Songwriters Hall of Fame induction earlier this year. She also worked with established Nashville writers as she developed her early catalog.

Among those collaborators was Liz Rose, who later became closely associated with several songs from Swift’s early career. The Nashville Songwriters Association International identifies Rose as a co-writer on 16 Swift songs.

Swift addressed that history directly after the 2026 Nashville Hall announcement.

“To be honored by this city I love so much is a beautiful thing, and I’m very grateful,” she said in her statement.

Her relationship with Nashville has also remained visible well beyond the beginning of her career. In June, Swift returned to one of her earlier songs during a surprise Nashville “Love Story” performance at Tight End University. The appearance offered another recent connection between the artist, the city and a song closely associated with her rise.

The Hall recognition, however, centers specifically on writing rather than live performance or commercial activity.

That distinction is important because Swift’s career is frequently discussed through touring numbers, album performance and awards. Nashville’s Hall instead places the emphasis on the compositions that supported those releases.

The 2026 Class Spans Several Generations of Songwriting

Taylor Swift is one of five writers entering the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2026.

Lyle Lovett was selected in the Veteran Songwriter/Artist category. Bruce Channel enters as a Veteran Songwriter, while Shawn Camp and Lee Thomas Miller join through the Contemporary Songwriter category.

The class brings together writers whose careers developed through different routes.

Lovett emerged from the Texas and folk music scenes before becoming known for material that combined country, folk and Americana influences.

Channel is closely associated with “Hey! Baby!,” which he co-wrote in 1959. The song was later recorded by multiple artists and became widely recognizable through its use in the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing.”

Camp moved from performing as a fiddle player into songwriting, with credits that include songs recorded by Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn and Willie Nelson.

Miller’s songwriting catalog includes material recorded by Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Chris Stapleton, Brad Paisley and Terri Clark.

Swift’s inclusion adds a writer whose catalog has moved between country and pop while maintaining a strong association with self-written and co-written material.

Her broader 2026 music activity has continued alongside the songwriting recognition. Earlier this year, she also released an Elizabeth Taylor music video, extending a release cycle that has kept her recorded work active while the Hall honors have focused attention on authorship.

The composition of the class also reflects how the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame recognizes both performing artists and writers whose songs are primarily known through recordings by other musicians.

Recognition Keeps the Focus on Taylor Swift’s Songwriting

The Nashville honor arrives during a year in which Taylor Swift has received songwriting recognition from two separate institutions.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced Swift as part of its 2026 class alongside Walter Afanasieff, Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Kenny Loggins, Alanis Morissette and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart. The organization listed “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” “Blank Space,” “Anti-Hero,” “Love Story” and “The Last Great American Dynasty” among representative songs from her catalog.

The Nashville honor places that catalog within a different setting.

Swift began her recording career within country music before moving further into pop and other styles. Across those transitions, writing has remained one of the recurring elements connecting her albums.

Her selection also follows earlier Nashville songwriting recognition. In 2022, the Nashville Songwriters Association International announced that Swift would receive its Songwriter-Artist of the Decade honor for work covering the previous decade.

The 2026 induction goes beyond an annual or decade-based award by adding Swift permanently to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

For Taylor Swift, the distinction therefore connects two periods of the same career: the teenage songwriter who pursued professional opportunities in Nashville and the established recording artist whose catalog now qualifies for Hall of Fame recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Taylor Swift’s Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame induction historic?

Taylor Swift will become the youngest person inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame at age 36. She was selected as part of the organization’s 2026 class in the Contemporary Songwriter/Artist category.

When was Taylor Swift announced for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame?

The 2026 class was announced on Aug. 11, 2026. The formal induction is expected to take place during the 56th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala later in the year.

Who else is in the 2026 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame class?

The class includes Lyle Lovett, Shawn Camp, Lee Thomas Miller and Bruce Channel. The inductees represent contemporary, veteran and songwriter-artist categories.

Was Taylor Swift already inducted into another songwriting hall in 2026?

Yes. Swift was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York in June 2026, where she became the organization’s youngest female inductee.

Which Taylor Swift songs are associated with her songwriting recognition?

Songs cited by songwriting organizations and coverage of her Hall honors include “Love Story,” “Blank Space,” “Anti-Hero,” “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” and “The Last Great American Dynasty.” The selections span multiple periods of her songwriting career.

Ariana Grande Earns Seventh No. 1 Album With ‘petal’

Famous Times Staff 2 on August 11, 2026

Ariana Grande has earned her seventh No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 as petal debuts atop the chart. The achievement gives her latest studio album an immediate U.S. chart milestone and extends Grande’s run of releases that have reached the top of Billboard’s flagship albums ranking.

Key Takeaways

Ariana Grande’s petal debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 dated Aug. 15, 2026.
The album gives Grande her seventh No. 1 album on the chart.
petal was released on July 31, 2026, as Grande’s eighth studio album.
The Billboard 200 measures weekly U.S. album performance using equivalent album units compiled by Luminate.
The debut adds another album-level chart achievement to Grande’s recording career.

Ariana Grande has added another Billboard 200 leader to her catalog with petal, which entered the chart at No. 1 on the Aug. 15-dated ranking. Billboard identified the release as Grande’s seventh album to reach the top position.

Released July 31, petal is Grande’s eighth studio album and follows 2024’s Eternal Sunshine. Its No. 1 arrival gives the new project a clear chart result at the beginning of its release cycle.

The milestone concerns the performance of the album as a whole rather than the ranking of an individual song. Billboard describes the Billboard 200 as a weekly ranking of the most popular albums in the United States based on equivalent album units, with data compiled by Luminate.

That distinction makes the debut an album-level measurement of Grande’s latest release. Instead of simply entering the Billboard 200, petal opened in the chart’s highest position.

Seventh No. 1 Extends Grande’s Billboard 200 Record

The arrival of petal brings Ariana Grande’s total number of Billboard 200 No. 1 albums to seven. The new result extends a chart history built across multiple studio releases.

For Grande, the number provides a straightforward measure of how often her albums have reached the top of the U.S. ranking. petal now joins the previous projects in her catalog that have held the No. 1 position.

The result is also separate from Grande’s performance on Billboard’s singles charts. Album rankings and individual song rankings measure different forms of music consumption, meaning the latest milestone specifically reflects the performance of petal as a complete release.

Its late-July arrival also places the album within a busy summer release period for pop music. Release timing has become an increasingly visible part of the industry conversation, as explored in discussions of summer pop release strategies surrounding other major album campaigns.

‘petal’ Opens a New Studio Album Chapter

petal arrived on July 31 as Grande’s eighth studio album. The 12-track project includes the title track alongside songs such as “kiss me,” “hate that i made you love me,” “stay” and “nowhere, nobody.”

The album follows Eternal Sunshine, Grande’s 2024 release, which also topped the Billboard 200. That earlier album established the immediate chart context preceding petal, while the new release extends Grande’s run of No. 1 studio projects.

Billboard had already identified petal as Grande’s eighth studio album when it was released, and the project quickly became the central focus of her latest music activity.

The No. 1 debut now gives the album a measurable result beyond its release itself. For listeners following Grande’s career, the chart position provides a clear benchmark for how the project opened in the U.S. market.

Billboard 200 Ranking Gives ‘petal’ a Clear Benchmark

The Billboard 200 is designed to measure weekly album popularity in the United States. Its methodology incorporates album sales, track-equivalent activity and streaming-equivalent activity into equivalent album units compiled by Luminate.

That system means a No. 1 position represents more than traditional album purchases alone. It provides a broader measurement of how an album performed during its chart tracking period.

For petal, reaching No. 1 establishes the album as the leading title on the Billboard 200 for its debut week. It also gives Grande another chart result that can be compared with the performance of her earlier studio releases.

The achievement arrives during a period of continued public attention around major pop releases and performances. Another recent example came with a Taylor Swift Nashville performance that drew attention after the singer made an unannounced appearance at Tight End University.

The Debut Adds Another Major Album Milestone

Ariana Grande’s seventh No. 1 album strengthens the chart record attached to her studio catalog without relying on broader claims about the album’s long-term performance.

The key development is specific: petal debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 dated Aug. 15, making it Grande’s seventh album to lead the ranking.

That result gives the current release cycle an immediate U.S. chart benchmark. It also separates petal from an album that merely entered the ranking, since the project began its Billboard 200 run at the highest possible position.

As the album continues through its release cycle, its opening week is now recorded as another No. 1 debut for Grande. The Ariana Grande seventh No. 1 album milestone therefore becomes one of the defining chart results attached to petal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is petal Ariana Grande’s Seventh No. 1 Album?

Yes. petal gives Ariana Grande her seventh No. 1 album on the Billboard 200. The album debuted at the top of the chart dated Aug. 15, 2026.

Did petal Debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200?

Yes. Billboard reported that petal opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The result made the album Grande’s seventh release to lead the chart.

When Was Ariana Grande’s petal Released?

petal was released on July 31, 2026. It is Ariana Grande’s eighth studio album.

What Does the Billboard 200 Measure?

The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States. Billboard uses equivalent album units compiled by Luminate, incorporating several forms of album consumption.

How Many Billboard 200 No. 1 Albums Does Ariana Grande Have?

Ariana Grande has seven Billboard 200 No. 1 albums following the debut of petal. The Ariana Grande seventh No. 1 album milestone was confirmed when petal entered the Aug. 15, 2026 chart at the top position.

The Drew Barrymore Show Sets Season 7 Return

Famous Times Staff 2 on August 8, 2026

The Drew Barrymore Show will return for its seventh season on Sept. 14, with Drew Barrymore joined by returning contributors Ross Mathews, Valerie Bertinelli, and Sunny Anderson. The new season continues the daytime series’ focus on celebrity interviews, lifestyle features, wellness discussions, and entertainment news.

Key Takeaways

The Drew Barrymore Show returns for Season 7 on Sept. 14.
Drew Barrymore will continue hosting the daytime talk show.
Ross Mathews, Valerie Bertinelli, and Sunny Anderson are returning contributors.
The show will continue featuring celebrity interviews, lifestyle, wellness, and entertainment segments.
The series has previously been renewed for an additional season beyond Season 7.

The The Drew Barrymore Show Season 7 will premiere on Sept. 14, bringing Drew Barrymore back to daytime television alongside several familiar contributors as the series continues its established mix of celebrity conversations, lifestyle features, wellness discussions, and entertainment coverage.

The upcoming season marks the latest chapter for the Emmy-winning daytime talk show, with Barrymore returning as host. Ross Mathews, Valerie Bertinelli, and Sunny Anderson are also set to resume their roles as members of the show’s regular on-air team, often referred to as the Drew Crew. Their return maintains a familiar lineup for viewers ahead of the new season.

The Sept. 14 premiere provides the official start date for Season 7 following the show’s renewal. The daytime series remains centered on celebrity interviews while also featuring recurring segments focused on food, health, beauty, home design, and lifestyle topics, similar to how television audiences continue to engage with fan reception to TV characters across different series.

The Drew Barrymore Show Season 7 Returns on Sept. 14

The seventh season is scheduled to debut on Monday, Sept. 14. Drew Barrymore will continue serving as host, leading episodes that combine interviews with actors, musicians, television personalities, authors, and other notable guests.

The show’s format will continue to include discussions of current entertainment stories, lifestyle advice, wellness conversations, and human-interest features. These elements have become recurring parts of the daytime series.

The announcement confirms that viewers can expect the show’s established blend of celebrity-focused interviews and practical lifestyle content to continue into the upcoming season.

Barrymore remains the central figure of the program, guiding conversations with guests while participating in recurring segments that cover a range of entertainment and everyday topics. Celebrity interviews remain an important part of television programming alongside other recent productions featuring star-studded Apple TV+ premieres.

Returning Drew Crew Joins the New Season

Returning Lifestyle Contributors

Ross Mathews, Valerie Bertinelli, and Sunny Anderson will return as regular contributors for Season 7.

Mathews continues his role as one of the program’s entertainment and lifestyle personalities. He regularly appears in Drew’s News segments and participates in celebrity discussions and interviews.

Bertinelli is expected to continue contributing lifestyle-focused conversations while also taking part in interviews and recurring features. Her appearances have included discussions related to food, home life, and personal experiences.

Sunny Anderson also returns to the Drew Crew. Her contributions frequently include cooking demonstrations and food-related conversations alongside lifestyle discussions featured throughout the series.

Together, the trio serves as recurring collaborators with Barrymore, helping present entertainment stories and other daytime features throughout the season.

Lifestyle and Celebrity Segments Continue in Season 7

Celebrity Interview Format Continues

Celebrity interviews remain a central part of the show’s editorial format. Season 7 will continue bringing actors, musicians, television personalities, and other public figures to the studio for conversations with Barrymore.

In addition to interviews, the series will continue presenting Drew’s News, where Barrymore and her contributors discuss notable entertainment stories and lifestyle topics. Those conversations often reflect the kind of audience engagement explored in movie and TV meme culture.

Wellness and Home Features

The daytime show also maintains recurring wellness and lifestyle segments covering beauty, health, cooking, home improvement, and design.

These features complement the celebrity interviews by providing practical discussions led by Barrymore and members of the Drew Crew. The combination of entertainment reporting and lifestyle content remains consistent heading into the new season.

The series also includes demonstrations, expert advice, and conversations designed around everyday interests, making lifestyle coverage a regular part of each broadcast schedule.

Additional Experts Return to the Daytime Series

Season 7 will also feature several returning specialists who contribute expertise across different subject areas.

Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton is expected to continue appearing on beauty-related segments. Interior designers Mikel Welch and Will Taylor will return for home design features presented throughout the season.

Chef Pilar Valdes will continue participating in cooking segments, while cake artist Amir Kassem returns for baking and celebration-themed features.

Danny Seo is scheduled to appear with sustainable living discussions, and stylist Zanna Roberts Rossi will contribute fashion and style advice during recurring lifestyle segments.

These contributors expand the program beyond celebrity interviews by adding specialized content covering beauty, cooking, home decorating, sustainability, and fashion.

Season Renewal Extends the Show Beyond Its Seventh Year

The upcoming season follows the show’s previously announced multi-season renewal, confirming that the daytime series will continue beyond Season 7.

The renewal provides continuity for viewers and allows the production to move forward with an additional season following the upcoming installment.

The show has also received recognition within daytime television through Daytime Emmy honors and nominations, reflecting its continued presence among nationally syndicated talk shows. Its continued run follows a period of notable changes across late-night and daytime television, including Stephen Colbert’s final Late Show episode.

With Season 7 scheduled to begin on Sept. 14, the series will maintain its familiar combination of celebrity interviews, entertainment coverage, wellness discussions, cooking features, and lifestyle segments led by Drew Barrymore and her returning team of contributors.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does The Drew Barrymore Show Season 7 premiere?

The Drew Barrymore Show Season 7 is scheduled to premiere on Monday, Sept. 14.

Who is returning for Season 7 of The Drew Barrymore Show?

Drew Barrymore returns as host alongside recurring contributors Ross Mathews, Valerie Bertinelli, and Sunny Anderson.

What topics does The Drew Barrymore Show cover?

The series features celebrity interviews, entertainment news, lifestyle discussions, wellness topics, beauty, cooking, home design, and fashion.

Which contributors are part of the Drew Crew?

The Drew Crew for Season 7 includes Ross Mathews, Valerie Bertinelli, and Sunny Anderson, who appear in recurring news, interview, cooking, and lifestyle segments.

Has The Drew Barrymore Show been renewed beyond Season 7?

Yes. The daytime talk show has previously been renewed for an additional season beyond Season 7, extending its run into another broadcast season.

New York Reports Fourth Rabbit Fever Case as Health Concerns Rise

Famous Times Staff 2 on August 7, 2026

New York health officials confirmed a fourth 2026 case of rabbit fever in Suffolk County, extending a recent pattern of infections on Long Island. The update matters because tularemia is rare, can resemble more common illnesses and may spread through ticks, animal contact, contaminated dust or water. Here is what residents should know.

Key Takeaways

Suffolk County has recorded four tularemia cases in 2026 after three in 2023, four in 2024 and six in 2025.
Officials have not publicly identified how the latest patient became infected.
Tularemia is not known to spread directly from person to person.
Symptoms vary by exposure route and may include fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, skin ulcers, cough or abdominal symptoms.
Prevention centers on avoiding tick bites, handling wildlife carefully and checking yards before mowing.

Rabbit fever has returned to the center of Long Island’s seasonal health discussion after the Suffolk County Department of Health Services confirmed the county’s fourth case of 2026.

Dr. Gregson Pigott, commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, confirmed the latest infection on Aug. 6. Public reporting available at the time did not identify the patient’s condition or likely route of exposure.

The count remains small, and officials have not described the cases as an outbreak spreading between residents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that tularemia is not known to pass directly from one person to another. Public health attention is instead focused on outdoor and animal-related exposure.

The annual totals provide context. Suffolk County recorded three cases in 2023, four in 2024 and six in 2025. The four cases reported so far in 2026 match the county’s full-year count for 2024 but remain below the six cases reported last year.

Those figures do not establish that the illness is spreading broadly across New York. They show that the bacterium has continued to appear in Suffolk County during several consecutive years, making case recognition and public health surveillance relevant during the warmer months.

Nationally, the CDC documented 2,462 tularemia cases from 2011 through 2022, an average of about 205 cases each year. The average annual incidence during that period was 56 percent higher than during 2001 through 2010, although federal researchers said the change may partly reflect improved testing and increased reporting of probable cases.

Symptoms and Exposure Routes Complicate Detection

Tularemia is caused by Francisella tularensis, a bacterium associated with rabbits, hares, rodents and other animals. Its nickname can be misleading because direct contact with a rabbit is not required for infection.

People may become infected through bites from ticks or deer flies, contact with infected animal tissue, contaminated water, or inhalation of contaminated dust and aerosols. Landscaping equipment can create a possible exposure if it passes over an infected animal or carcass.

Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told ABC News that hunters may be exposed through close contact with infected rabbit tissue while handling an animal. That is one recognized route, but health guidance also emphasizes insect bites and environmental contact.

Symptoms often appear three to five days after exposure, although the CDC lists a possible range of one to 21 days. General symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, reduced appetite, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain.

Other signs depend on how the bacteria entered the body. A patient may develop a skin ulcer and swollen lymph nodes after a tick bite or animal contact. Inhaled bacteria may produce cough, chest discomfort or difficulty breathing. Exposure through contaminated food or water may cause throat or digestive symptoms.

That variation can make early recognition difficult. The CDC advises patients to tell a health care provider about recent tick bites, outdoor work, hunting, landscaping and contact with sick or dead animals. Those details can help clinicians decide whether testing for rabbit fever is appropriate.

Careful interpretation of health research findings is also important. A rise in reported cases can reflect several factors, including changes in exposure, clinician awareness, laboratory methods and reporting practices. Case totals alone do not identify the cause of a year-to-year increase.

Prevention Focuses on Ticks, Animals and Yard Work

Health guidance emphasizes targeted precautions rather than broad alarm. People entering wooded, grassy or brush-filled areas can use an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent, wear long sleeves and long pants, and conduct a full tick check after returning indoors.

Ticks should be removed promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, following established public health instructions. Clothing and outdoor gear should also be checked because ticks can be carried indoors before attaching to a person.

Residents should avoid handling sick or dead wildlife with bare hands. Gloves are recommended when animal contact cannot be avoided. Pet owners can discuss tick prevention with a veterinarian, particularly for animals that spend time outdoors or encounter wildlife.

The CDC also advises people to inspect an area before mowing or using brush-cutting equipment. Avoiding dead animals can reduce the chance of disturbing contaminated tissue and releasing bacteria into dust or aerosols.

Tularemia can be serious, but the CDC says most infections can be treated successfully with appropriate antibiotics. Treatment depends on the form and severity of the illness, making medical evaluation important when persistent fever, swollen glands, a skin ulcer or respiratory symptoms follow a possible exposure.

The fourth Suffolk County case does not mean every tick bite or wildlife encounter will cause illness. It does place rabbit fever among the conditions residents and clinicians may consider when unexplained symptoms follow outdoor activity on Long Island.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Rabbit Fever?

Rabbit fever is another name for tularemia, a bacterial disease caused by Francisella tularensis. It can affect people and animals and remains uncommon in the United States.

How Does Tularemia Spread?

Tularemia may spread through infected ticks or deer flies, contact with infected animals, contaminated water, or inhaled dust containing the bacteria. The CDC says it is not known to spread from one person to another.

What Symptoms Should Residents Watch For?

Possible symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, swollen lymph nodes, skin ulcers, cough, chest discomfort, vomiting or abdominal pain. The pattern may differ depending on the route of exposure.

Can Rabbit Fever Be Treated?

Yes. The CDC states that most infections can be treated successfully with antibiotics, although the medication and treatment plan depend on the patient’s condition and disease severity.

How Can People Reduce Their Risk?

People can use registered insect repellent, wear protective clothing, check for ticks, avoid bare-handed contact with sick or dead animals, and inspect yards before mowing. Anyone with concerning symptoms after a possible exposure should contact a health care provider.

Disney’s Parks, Streaming and ‘Toy Story 5’ Drive Earnings Beat

Famous Times Staff 2 on August 6, 2026

Disney’s parks, streaming operations and “Toy Story 5” helped The Walt Disney Company post adjusted third-quarter earnings above forecasts for the period ended June 27, 2026. The results show where the company gained momentum, how its businesses supported one another and why sports costs and international park performance remained important pressure points.

Key Takeaways

Disney reported adjusted earnings of $2.06 per share, above the $1.86 average forecast cited by FactSet.
Experiences revenue rose 10% to $9.97 billion, while operating income increased 20% to $3.02 billion.
Disney+, Hulu and related streaming services generated $712 million in operating income, more than double the prior-year result.
Disney said “Toy Story 5” contributed across theaters, streaming engagement and consumer products.
Sports revenue increased, but operating income declined 17% as programming and production costs rose.

The Walt Disney Company reported stronger adjusted earnings for its fiscal third quarter as gains from Disney’s parks, streaming operations and “Toy Story 5” outweighed weaker profit results in sports and international destinations.

Adjusted earnings rose 28% to $2.06 per share from $1.61 a year earlier. That exceeded the $1.86 average forecast cited by FactSet. Revenue increased 7% to $25.25 billion, narrowly below the $25.39 billion expected by analysts.

Total segment operating income advanced 21% to $5.56 billion. Net income attributable to Disney was $2.64 billion for the three months ended June 27.

The quarter’s central development was not limited to one division. Domestic destinations produced higher attendance and guest spending, streaming profit expanded, and “Toy Story 5” supported several parts of the entertainment business.

Disney’s Parks Deliver a 20% Operating Income Increase

Disney’s Experiences segment remained the company’s largest source of operating income. Revenue rose 10% to $9.97 billion, while operating income increased 20% to $3.02 billion.

Theme park admissions revenue climbed 9% to $3.25 billion. Resorts and vacations revenue increased 17% to $2.77 billion, supported partly by additional cruise passenger days and more occupied hotel room nights. Merchandise, food and beverage revenue across the segment rose 7% to $2.28 billion.

Domestic destinations produced the strongest result. Domestic Parks and Experiences revenue increased 11% to $7.12 billion, while operating income rose 27% to $2.09 billion.

Disney reported a 3% increase in domestic park attendance and a 4% rise in per-capita guest spending. Hotel occupancy at domestic resorts reached 91%, compared with 86% a year earlier.

International results were less consistent. International Parks and Experiences revenue increased 6% to $1.79 billion, but operating income declined 13% to $369 million.

Across the full Experiences portfolio, Disney said global guest volume, which combines theme park attendance and cruise passenger days, increased 4%. The figures placed domestic parks, resorts and cruises among the quarter’s most important earnings drivers.

Streaming Profit More Than Doubles as Subscription Fees Rise

Disney’s streaming operations delivered one of the quarter’s largest profit improvements. Revenue from Disney+, Hulu subscription video and related services rose 11% to $5.53 billion.

Operating income reached $712 million, more than double the $329 million reported a year earlier. The streaming operating margin reached 13% for the quarter.

Subscription fee revenue increased 15% to $4.72 billion. Disney attributed most of that increase to subscriber growth, with higher effective rates and currency movements providing additional support.

Advertising revenue rose 3% to $851 million as greater viewing impressions were partly offset by lower advertising rates.

Disney+ also continued carrying franchise programming, including a new Star Wars series. That content pipeline gives the service recognizable titles between major theatrical releases.

The streaming improvement helped lift operating income for the wider Entertainment segment by 64% to $1.68 billion. Disney also reported lower churn across domestic and international Disney+ services.

Eligible Hulu subscribers gained access to connected profiles, viewing histories and account tools through Disney+, supporting the company’s effort to bring more streaming functions into one interface.

“Toy Story 5” Extends Beyond the Box Office

Disney’s Parks, Streaming and ‘Toy Story 5’ Drive Earnings Beat

Photo Credit: Unsplash.com

“Toy Story 5,” released in U.S. theaters on June 19, became a central factor in Disney’s quarterly results. According to the company, the film surpassed $1 billion at the global box office and lifted the franchise’s cumulative worldwide total above $4 billion.

The film had already drawn attention before release, including Tom Hanks’ Toy Story comments about an emotional scene involving Bonnie and digital communication.

Disney said the release also increased viewing of earlier “Toy Story” titles on Disney+. That effect extended the film’s role beyond theatrical ticket sales by directing attention toward the franchise catalog on the streaming service.

Consumer products provided another measurable contribution. Revenue in the division increased 7% to $1.07 billion, while operating income rose 26% to $560 million. Disney said “Toy Story” merchandise contributed to the year-over-year growth.

The release therefore appeared across several lines of Disney’s quarterly reporting. Theatrical revenue supported the studio business, catalog viewing contributed to streaming engagement, and licensed products added to merchandise activity.

The franchise also remains represented across Disney’s destination portfolio, connecting the film with attractions, merchandise and other guest experiences.

Sports Costs Temper a Broad Earnings Gain

Disney’s Sports segment produced higher revenue but lower operating income. Revenue rose 4% to $4.50 billion, supported by subscription, affiliate and advertising revenue.

Operating income declined 17% to $858 million as programming and production costs increased. Reuters reported that shorter NBA playoff series also affected the segment’s operating result.

The decline prevented the quarter from showing uniform growth across Disney’s major divisions. It also clarified the source of the adjusted earnings beat.

Entertainment and Experiences generated stronger operating income, while Sports absorbed higher costs and international destinations delivered a weaker profit result.

Disney maintained its fiscal 2026 forecast for adjusted earnings-per-share growth of about 12%, excluding an additional reporting week, or about 16% including it. The company also projected approximately $4.9 billion in total segment operating income for the fiscal fourth quarter.

The third-quarter figures show that Disney’s parks, streaming services and franchise activity carried most of the operating momentum. Higher sports costs and lower international parks profit remained the clearest areas of pressure within the stronger adjusted earnings result.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Were Disney’s Adjusted Earnings for the Third Quarter?

Disney reported adjusted earnings of $2.06 per share for the quarter ended June 27, 2026. The result was above the $1.86 average forecast cited by FactSet and represented a 28% increase from a year earlier.

How Did Disney’s Parks Perform?

Disney’s parks were part of an Experiences segment that generated $9.97 billion in revenue and $3.02 billion in operating income. Domestic park attendance rose 3%, while domestic per-capita guest spending increased 4%.

How Much Profit Did Disney’s Streaming Business Generate?

Disney+, Hulu and related streaming services produced $712 million in operating income. That was more than double the $329 million reported in the comparable prior-year quarter.

How Did “Toy Story 5” Affect Disney’s Results?

Disney said “Toy Story 5” supported theatrical revenue, streaming engagement and merchandise sales. The company also reported that the film surpassed $1 billion at the global box office.

Why Did Disney’s Sports Operating Income Decline?

Sports operating income fell 17% to $858 million as programming and production costs increased. Revenue still rose 4% to $4.50 billion during the quarter.

Meghan Markle Marks 45th Birthday With Annual Personal Tradition

Famous Times Staff 2 on August 5, 2026

Meghan Markle celebrated her 45th birthday on August 4 as renewed attention centered on a personal tradition she shared years ago of treating each birthday as a fresh start. The annual ritual offers insight into a practice she has said she follows every year.

Key Takeaways

Meghan Markle turned 45 on August 4.
Markle has described birthdays as her personal New Year for setting resolutions.
She shared the tradition in a 2016 post on her former lifestyle blog.
The 2016 birthday came shortly after she met Prince Harry.
Her 40th birthday in 2021 was reportedly celebrated with a private family gathering.

The Meghan Markle birthday tradition returned to public attention as the Duchess of Sussex celebrated her 45th birthday on August 4. Markle has previously explained that she treats each birthday as a personal New Year, using the occasion to set goals and intentions for the year ahead. The practice, which she shared publicly before joining the British royal family, remains one of the personal rituals associated with her birthday.

Meghan Markle Marks Her 45th Birthday

Markle reached her 45th birthday on August 4, renewing interest in comments she made years earlier about how she marks the occasion. Rather than focusing only on celebrations, she has said birthdays serve as an opportunity to reflect on personal growth and establish new aspirations.

The tradition was first made public in a 2016 entry on her former lifestyle blog, The Tig. In that post, Markle explained that birthdays represented more than another year of life. She described them as a chance to begin a new personal chapter.

The blog is no longer active, but its birthday message continues to receive attention whenever Markle reaches another milestone. The practice has become one of the best-known personal traditions she has shared publicly. It also complements broader discussions about her compassionate leadership approach in both public and charitable work.

Markle’s 45th birthday has not been accompanied by publicly confirmed details about her private plans. Instead, attention has focused on the tradition she previously described and its continued association with her birthday.

Meghan Markle’s Birthday Tradition Centers on Personal Resolutions

Advice From Her Mother

In her 2016 birthday post, Markle credited her mother with shaping the tradition she continues to observe.

She wrote that her mother viewed birthdays as an individual’s own personal New Year. Markle explained that she adopted the same perspective, using every birthday to establish resolutions designed specifically for the coming year rather than waiting until January.

The approach places personal reflection at the center of the occasion. Instead of limiting the day to celebrations, Markle said she uses it to identify goals and priorities for the months ahead.

Annual Resolution Practice

Markle also shared examples of the intentions she set for herself during her 35th birthday in 2016.

Among the aspirations she listed were seeking more surprises, adventure, opportunities to grow, laughter, enjoyable meals and continued inspiration. The resolutions reflected personal objectives rather than professional milestones.

She indicated that creating a fresh set of resolutions had become an annual practice, making birthdays a recurring point for evaluating the previous year and preparing for the next one.

Those comments remain the most detailed public explanation of her birthday ritual.

2016 Birthday Reflections Preceded Her Relationship With Prince Harry

The birthday message gained additional significance because of its timing.

Markle celebrated her 35th birthday only weeks after meeting Prince Harry in 2016. Their relationship developed during the following months before they announced their engagement in 2017 and married in 2018.

Later that summer, the couple traveled together to Botswana, a destination they have previously identified as an important part of their early relationship. They have both spoken publicly about the trip during interviews discussing their courtship. Public interest in the Duke and Duchess also continues alongside coverage examining whether royals became modern celebrities.

Although Markle’s birthday reflections were written before those milestones unfolded, the post has frequently been revisited because it captured a moment immediately before major changes in her personal life.

The resolutions she published focused on embracing new experiences and continued personal growth. They did not reference future events but documented the outlook she held as she entered another year.

The birthday entry also remains one of the last widely referenced posts from The Tig before Markle closed the website as her relationship with Prince Harry became more public.

Private Family Celebration Defined Her 40th Birthday

Family Gathering During the Pandemic

Markle’s previous milestone birthday also drew public attention.

When she turned 40 in August 2021, reports indicated that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose to celebrate privately with their immediate family rather than hold a large gathering.

The reported plans reflected public health considerations that remained in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accounts at the time described the occasion as a quiet family celebration instead of a large birthday event.

The decision aligned with the couple’s preference for spending the day at home with their children.

Life With Archie and Lilibet

Markle’s 40th birthday came approximately two months after the birth of Princess Lilibet.

At the time, Prince Archie was two years old, and the family’s attention centered on adjusting to life as a family of four. Royal family milestones have continued to receive widespread attention.

Reports surrounding the birthday stated that Markle embraced entering her forties and approached the milestone positively. Public accounts focused on family life rather than an elaborate celebration.

The private nature of that birthday contrasts with the continuing public interest in the personal tradition she first described years earlier.

Annual Birthday Ritual Remains Part of Meghan Markle’s Public Story

Markle has shared relatively few details about the personal routines she follows each year, making her birthday reflections among the most frequently revisited comments from her former blog.

The tradition has remained consistent in public discussion because it is rooted in an annual practice rather than a single event. Her description of birthdays as an opportunity for personal resolutions continues to be associated with each birthday milestone.

While no public statement has been released outlining how Markle spent her 45th birthday, the previously shared ritual remains the most detailed account of how she has chosen to mark the occasion.

The annual practice also illustrates how comments made before she became the Duchess of Sussex continue to shape public understanding of her personal traditions. Her 2016 birthday reflections remain one of the few firsthand descriptions of a recurring ritual that she has identified as part of her life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Meghan Markle’s birthday tradition?

Meghan Markle has said she treats each birthday as her personal New Year by setting resolutions and goals for the year ahead.

How old is Meghan Markle in 2026?

Meghan Markle turned 45 years old on August 4, 2026.

When did Meghan Markle first share her birthday ritual?

She publicly described the tradition in a 2016 post on her former lifestyle blog, The Tig.

What resolutions did Meghan Markle write about in 2016?

She wrote that she wanted more surprises, adventure, opportunities for growth, laughter, enjoyable meals and inspiration during the coming year.

How did Meghan Markle celebrate her 40th birthday?

Reports at the time stated that she marked her 40th birthday with a private family celebration alongside Prince Harry and their children during the COVID-19 pandemic.