103-year-old Omaha man discovers passion for golf late in life, still chases birdies and beats pals
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Bob Walls is still impressing on the golf course at 103 years old. Walls looks decades younger and credits his longevity to good genes and staying active. Born in Kansas in 1923, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, in 1947 after serving in World War II. He took up golf at 74 and now volunteers at the Steve Hogan Golf Course. He fills divots, picks up trash and sometimes plays a hole or two. Walls regularly shoots in the low 30s and continues to work on his game every day.
Carly Simon has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, treated for skin cancer
NEW YORK (AP) — Carly Simon, the singer known for “Nobody Does It Better” and other hits, has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In a statement to The Associated Press on Monday, the eighty-three-year-old Simon shared her journey of learning to live with the condition. She had experienced arthritis and underwent joint replacement surgeries, but her mobility continued to decline. After an evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, she received the Parkinson's diagnosis. Simon also revealed she was treated for basal cell carcinoma on her face. Despite health challenges, music has been a solace. She will release “Comes in Waves,” her first album of original songs since 2008, in August.
Artist Betye Saar, whose work reflects Black identity, dies at 99
Artist Betye Saar has died in Los Angeles at 99. Saar’s death on Sunday was confirmed by relatives Monday. She would have turned 100 this week. Saar's work explored Black identity, culture and spirituality, and she was a central figure in the 1960s Black Art Movement. She began her art career at age 35 and continued creating works through her 90s. Roberts Projects gallery says Saar's “appropriation of Black collectibles, heirlooms, and utilitarian objects are transformed through subversion” and that “among the older generation of Black American artists, Saar is without reproach.” Saar’s artwork incorporated painting, printmaking, sculpture and found objects including dolls, washboards and other antiques.
Cracker Barrel CEO steps down a year after logo debacle
Cracker Barrel’s CEO is stepping down nearly a year after an attempted rebrand of the chain led to fierce customer backlash. Lebanon, Tennessee-based Cracker Barrel said Monday that CEO Julie Masino will step down next month but remain with the company until Oct. 9 in an advisory capacity. David Deno will succeed Masino on Aug. 10 as CEO. Deno served as the CEO of Bloomin’ Brands, which owns Outback Steakhouse and other chains, from 2019 to 2024. The move comes a year after Cracker Barrel announced a simplified logo and other changes that angered longtime fans.
‘The Odyssey’ earns $87M in its second weekend, Christopher Nolan’s best second weekend yet
“The Odyssey” continues to captivate audiences in its second weekend, raking in $87 million in North American theaters. This marks a modest 30% drop from its opening weekend, making it filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s best second weekend ever. Globally, the film has earned an estimated $639.6 million. IMAX screens alone contributed $48 million to the global earnings this weekend. The film faces no significant competition yet, but “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is set to release soon. Meanwhile, Disney's “Moana” and “Toy Story 5" secured second and third place, with “Toy Story 5" surpassing $1 billion globally.
America In Focus: New tariffs, soaring gas, mortgages and a down week for Wall Street
President Donald Trump is going ahead with new double-digit tariffs on dozens of U.S. trading partners just as the clock ran out Friday on stopgap levies he imposed after a stinging defeat at the Supreme Court. Gas prices soared above $4 this week as the U.S. and Iran launched more attacks. And U.S. applications for jobless benefits tumbled to the lowest level in more than five decades last week. The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits in the week ending July 18 declined by 22,000 to 187,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s the fewest number of weekly applications since the week ending Sept. 6, 1969.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan hurt in a car crash, limited as training camp opens
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers say coach Kyle Shanahan suffered a concussion and other injuries in a car crash earlier this month that will limit his participation at the start of training camp. The two-car accident happened on July 14 in Palo Alto, leading to Shanahan being taken to the hospital. The other driver wasn't hospitalized. Police say there was no evidence that either driver was impaired and that both cooperated with officers. No one was cited in the collision. Niners general manager John Lynch says Shanahan sustained a concussion, along with a broken nose, broken ribs and an injured hand.
Former Cowboys QB Tony Romo arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence
MILWAUKEE (AP) — CBS NFL analyst and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has been arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence. A Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office’s arrest report says Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests after getting stopped while driving south on Interstate 43 on Thursday. Sheriff’s officials said Romo was taken into custody, booked and released. He has a court appearance set for Sept. 21. Romo went to high school about 35 miles from Milwaukee in Burlington, Wisconsin. The 46-year-old Romo has been the lead game analyst for CBS’ NFL coverage since 2017. CBS had no comment.
Heat dome expands across the central United States, creating dangerous conditions for millions
WASHINGTON (AP) — A heat dome is set to expand across much of the central United States, pushing temperatures above 100 degrees from Dallas to North Dakota. About 70 million people will face heat advisories. Forecasters say the heat will stretch from the desert southwest to the Gulf Coast and into the Midwest and Great Plains. Some areas, like the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, won't be hit by such severe weather. The elderly and children are especially at risk of heat-related illnesses. People are advised to seek air conditioning and stay hydrated. Relief might come to the central U.S. toward next weekend.
Pompeii archaeologists reconstruct frescoed ceiling of a banquet hall, with more fragments to come
ROME (AP) — Archaeologists in the ancient city of Pompeii have unveiled the partially reconstructed frescoed ceiling vault of a banquet hall featuring detailed images of Greek mythology. The curved vault was presented late Thursday. The archaeological park said Friday that it used an innovative method to reconstruct the ceiling: Experts created a curved support structure to place the fragments in the design that replicates the original shape of the vault. As new fragments of frescoes are found and restored, they can be added to the scene. Pompeii was buried by the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is one of Italy’s most visited tourist attractions.
