"Now, the future of the company that owns Paramount Pictures, CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV and Paramount+ is once again in question — with many of the players involved six months ago out of the picture, and some new names" — including potential buyers — "joining the fray." - The Hollywood Reporter
"(Shari) Redstone’s ability to make a unilateral decision to call off the talks is a testament to her unusual power, even with her empire’s diminished state. The only woman to ever control one of Hollywood’s largest media conglomerates (concluded) that Skydance wasn’t the right move at the right time." - Variety
While there are concerns that some districts are illegally using the new money to pay for existing teachers, schools around the state are adding different kinds of instruction — in Santa Cruz County, for instance, ukulele lessons, tin-embossing classes and hip-hop dance workshops. - PBS SoCal
"In a 10-page analysis …, (former schools superintendent Austin) Beutner's coalition — which includes the labor representatives of most district employees — documented alleged misspending at 14 schools and suggested their research represents a small sample of what they believe is widespread misuse of the arts funding." - Los Angeles Times (Yahoo!)
A 34-year-old Singaporean-Australian who is currently music director of the Wyoming Symphony and resident conductor of the Colorado Symphony (jobs he will retain), Christopher Dragon begins his term with the upcoming season. Chelsea Tipton has been named principal guest conductor. - The News and Record (Greensboro, NC)
"Sir Ian McKellen will not be returning to his starring role for the final three West End performances of Player Kings, after falling from the stage on 17 June. It is hoped the veteran actor will return to the cast when the play moves to Bristol on 3 July." - BBC
Two members of Just Stop Oil sprayed orange paint (which they say is made of cornstarch and will rinse off) on the ancient monument just a day before summer solstice crowds arrive. Their reason is that the Labour Party's promise to stop new oil and gas exploration licenses is not enough. - AP
In the rest of the country, they’re arguing about statues of Confederate generals. In Palm Springs, they’re arguing about Marilyn Monroe’s underpants. This is fitting, perhaps, for a make-believe city, an oasis in the desert created by unsustainable water policies and the Hollywood studio system. - Slate (MSN)
Wiener Zeitung is now WZ, an about-face from its roots in print and an aging audience. WZ has a dedicated website, several newsletters, podcasts, and a growing following on TikTok and Instagram. - World Association of Newspapers
‘I definitely think that over the COVID-19 lockdown period people discovered a new talent or passion for art. And I think now, we are seeing some of those people trying to break through into the industry more and potentially look for ways to have exhibitions, and art prizes are a good first step.’ - ArtHub
An unprecedented 14 new shows opened in April. A wide slate with something for everyone. Yet, still, suburban visitors to Broadway are down roughly 20%. What’s it all about and what can we, as supporters of a vibrant Broadway community who rely on suburbanites, do about it? - LoHud
“Under Mr. Moog’s stewardship, we have seen a loss of talented and expert staffers and continued revenue declines, stunting our efforts to achieve sustainability even as we receive generous foundation support that should fuel growth,” the unions wrote in the letter. - WBEZ
Key findings by the City include that Greater Sydney has the largest creative workforce in the country, but the number of artists who live in the local area decreased by 11% from 2011 to 2021. - ArtsHub
Yasmine Naghdi, a principal at London's Royal Ballet, was cast as the lead in Swan Lake (complete with the 32 fouettés) for a performance to be simulcast to cinemas around the globe, and she could feel herself freaking out and self-sabotaging. So she turned to sports psychologist Britt Tajet-Foxell. - The Guardian
Beginning in September, this is what the majority of elementary-school kids in New York City will be doing. More than two-thirds of its school districts selected the Into Reading curriculum. For those kids, learning to read will no longer revolve around books. - The Atlantic
