California’s Dixie Fire continues to grow, destroying 16 structures; Oregon’s Bootleg Fire reaches 46% containment

Fire officials said Sunday that California’s Dixie Fire — the largest active blaze in California — has destroyed 16 structures throughout the state as multiple wildfires continue to burn on the West Coast.  According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, more than 10,700 structures in Butte and Plumas Counties remain threatened by …

Legendary comedian Jackie Mason dies at 93

Jackie Mason, the stand-up comic whose career spanned several decades, died Saturday at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital the age of 93. His longtime friend, attorney Raoul Felder, confirmed Mason’s death to the New York Times, saying, “He died peacefully with several close friends and family at his side,” adding that he had been hospitalized …

Dexter revival “Dexter: New Blood” releases trailer, announces premiere date

The Dexter revival dropped the first trailer for the upcoming series, as well as a premiee date — Sunday, Nov. 7 2021. The long-awaited reboot will premiere on Showtime and stream on the Showtime app. Details about the show were revealed at the San Diego Comic-Con panel on Sunday, July 25, featuring star Michael C. …

MLB’s Cleveland Has a New Name

Starting in the 2022 MLB season Cleveland will be called the Guardians. Cleveland’s Hope Memorial bridge has stone fixtures named the “Guardians of Traffic,” and you can see those in the video below. Together, we are all… pic.twitter.com/R5FnT4kv1I — Cleveland Indians (@Indians) July 23, 2021 The Cleveland Indians announce they are changing their name to …

U.S. sanctions Cuban officials over human rights abuses, protests

The U.S. Treasury Department announced Thursday that the United States imposed new sanctions on Cuban officials accused of “serious human rights abuse and corruption” amid ongoing protests calling for economic reform and COVID-19 relief. The sanctions target Cuba’s Interior Ministry and Alvaro Lopez Miera, head of Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. The financial …

CDC stands firm on mask guidance despite surge of Delta COVID-19 variant

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told reporters on Thursday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is standing firm for now with its guidance  that only unvaccinated people need to wear masks to be safe, and vaccinated people are able to go without. Last May, the CDC said that vaccinated people could safely go without …

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ casts Michaela Coel in sequel

“I May Destroy You” creator and star Michaela Coel has been cast in Marvel Studios’ upcoming “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” According to Variety, Coel joined the production at Atlanta’s Pinewood Studios, where director Ryan Coogler started production last month. Other cast members include returning stars Letitia Wright, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke and Angela …

’13 Reasons Why’ star Tommy Dorfman comes out as a trans woman

“13 Reasons Why” star Tommy Dorfman is reintroducing herself as a trans woman. In a Time magazine interview published Thursday, Dorfman — who played Ryan Shaver in the Netflix series — revealed that she has been “privately identifying and living as a woman.” “Today is about clarity: I am a trans woman. My pronouns are …

Central Maine Non-Profits Awarded $28,000 in Grants

The Kennebec County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation has awarded $28,950 in grants to four nonprofit organizations through the Community Building Grant Program. The grant recipients include: Augusta Teen Center, for a continuum of positive youth development services to help teenagers suspended from school and first-time offenders learn from their mistakes: $10,000 Boys and …

Thomas College Will Not Require COVID Vaccines in Fall Return

Thomas College in Waterville has announced that students, faculty and staff will not be mandated to get the COVID-19 vaccine. At their website, the college says “…they continue to strongly encourage every member of the community to get one without delay in order to enjoy campus life as fully as possible.” This is part of …