The symbol of love is now a flash point in India’s historical antagonism between Hindus and minority Muslims, a battle between historians — a battle over truth, identity and power. - Washington Post
“The unraveling of McGraw’s (Merit Street Media) was a gut punch for the celebrity therapist who has assiduously built a reputation" — and riches — "as one of the most trusted voices on television. But his fortunes faded amid a dying market for syndicated TV and clashes with a distributor and partner.” - Los Angeles Times (MSN)
In place of the bohemian idealism of previous countercultural movements, this counter-counterculture embraced cynicism, scoffing at inclusivity and progress. - The New York Times
“This decision comes as we assess how to best serve the Los Angeles community with recent economic challenges and shifts in funding for the organization,” the LA Phil said in a statement to Boyle Heights Beat on Thursday. - Boyle Heights Beat
Under the terms of the One Big Beautiful Bill, the provision of student loans in the USA will be overhauled starting 1 July, 2026, with borrowing amounts set to be determined by whether a degree is considered professional or not. - Dezeen
KYUK, which broadcasts in English and indigenous language Yugtun to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta on Alaska’s west coast, transmitted crucial evacuation and rescue information when the remnants of a typhoon hit the area last month. The station lost 70% of its budget when Congress defunded public radio this past summer. - Reveal
“The two men and two women in custody are from the Paris region and range in age from 31 to 40, said the prosecutor. … Her statement didn’t say what role they’re suspected of having played in the Oct. 19 theft. Police can hold them for questioning for 96 hours.” - AP
“The project involved integrating two neighboring buildings, adding almost 100,000 square feet of public and gallery space, and uniting the structures with a 21,000-square-foot, multilayered glass pavilion named for (Mark) Rothko,” who grew up in Portland. - ARTnews
The musical, starring Kristin Chenoweth (in her return to Broadway after ten years) and featuring Stephen Schwartz’s first Broadway score since Wicked, began previews in October and officially opened two weeks ago. The production was expected to run into next spring but, after negative reviews, will close on Jan. 4. - Entertainment Weekly
Toronto-based Ballet Jörgen had just begun its annual December tour of Ontario with the holiday favorite when the rental truck containing its sets and backdrops was stolen around 3:30 am Monday morning. - CBC
“In addition to a $2.3 million surplus on its (fiscal year 2025) operating budget of $34.6 million, the PSO saw its highest annual ticket sales since the COVID-19 pandemic. Total ticket sales reached $9.48 million, a 17% increase over last fiscal year.” - Pittsburgh Business Times (WPXI)
“A U.S. District Court (in Rhode Island) ruled in favor of 21 state attorneys general suing Donald Trump over the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services and several other small federal agencies.” - Book Riot
Not only is it the biggest opening ever for a Broadway musical adaptation, unseating the record set by the first film’s $112 million launch, it’s also the second biggest debut of the year behind “A Minecraft Movie’s” $162 million. - APNews
Determining what the nation did and did not read was the through line of Malcolm Cowley’s career. He was a great discoverer and nurturer of talent: Jack Kerouac, John Cheever, and Ken Kesey were among the writers he championed, and, of the critics he commissioned to produce reviews at The New Republic. - The New Yorker
