Posted on

Oscars ceremony leaving ABC, moving to YouTube beginning in 2029

The words "Oscars"on a black LED billboard advertising. are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American film industry. Oscars ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre

The Academy Awards will make a historic move to YouTube beginning in 2029, ending a decades-long run on ABC and signaling a major shift for the world’s most watched awards show.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that YouTube will hold exclusive global streaming rights to the Oscars from 2029 through 2033. (per The Hollywood Reporter). ABC, which has aired the ceremony almost continuously since 1961, will remain the broadcast home through 2028, culminating with the 100th Academy Awards.

The network said in a statement: “ABC has been the proud home to The Oscars for more than half a century. We look forward to the next three telecasts, including the show’s centennial celebration in 2028, and wish the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences continued success.”

Starting with the 101st ceremony, the Oscars will stream live and free worldwide on YouTube, while also being available to YouTube TV subscribers in the United States. The platform reaches more than 2 billion viewers globally.

Under the new multi-year agreement, YouTube will carry not only the main Oscars broadcast but also an expanded slate of related programming, including red-carpet events, nominations announcements, pre-show coverage, the Governors Awards, and the Nominees Luncheon. The Academy said the broader distribution is designed to extend its reach and engagement beyond a single night each year.

Academy leadership described the YouTube partnership as a way to modernize access to its programming. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor said the deal would help “expand access” to the organization’s work and connect with audiences around the world:  “This collaboration will leverage YouTube’s vast reach and infuse the Oscars and other Academy programming with innovative opportunities for engagement while honoring our legacy.”

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan also praised the agreement, calling the Oscars a cornerstone of global culture. “The Oscars are one of our essential cultural institutions, honoring excellence in storytelling and artistry,” he said. “Partnering with the academy to bring this celebration of art and entertainment to viewers all over the world will inspire a new generation of creativity and film lovers while staying true to the Oscars’ storied legacy.”

Financial terms were not fully disclosed, though the Oscars generated roughly $150 million in Academy revenue in the most recent fiscal year, largely from its television rights deal. The move makes the Oscars the first of the major U.S. awards shows — alongside the Grammys, Emmys and Tonys — to fully depart traditional broadcast television. While other ceremonies have added streaming options, none have previously abandoned network TV entirely.

Editorial credit: Poetra.RH / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

Netflix teases ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Vol. 2

Iphone 11 pro with the Stranger Things logo on top of a computer keyboard. United States^ New York. Sunday^ September 29^ 2019.

Netflix is teasing ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Vol. 2 on social media with a collection of posters featuring the show’s stars, looking off camera as a red, lightning-filled sky glows behind them. The caption reads: “Ready for one last battle. Stranger Things 5 Vol. 2 premieres Christmas Day.”

The upcoming episodes arriving Christmas Day, Dec. 25, will close out the series that first debuted on Netflix in 2016.  Season 5 follows the main characters’ quest to kill Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), with an official synopsis reading:  “But his has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown.”

Cast members for Season 5 include Millie Bobbie Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, Brett Gelman, Cara Buono, Amybeth McNulty, Neil Fisher, Jack Connelly, Alex Breaux, Linda Hamilton, David Harbour and Winona Ryder.

Additionally, it was previously announced that the finale for Season 5 of Stranger Things is slated to screen in theaters as special fan events on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

Netflix revealed that the highly anticipated feature-length ending to the series will be released theatrically, with a post on social media reading: “Spend the Holidays in Hawkins! Volume 1 Nov 26 Volume 2 Christmas The finale New Years Eve, in select theaters in US & Canada, and only on Netflix. More information to come!”

Screenings will take place in over 350 theaters in the U.S. and Canada starting on December 31, 2025 at 5 pm PT, the same time the series finale drops on Netflix globally, through Jan. 1, 2026.

The Duffer Brothers, creators of the show, said in a statement: “We’re beyond excited that fans will have the chance to experience the final episode of Stranger Things in theaters — it’s something we’ve dreamed about for years, and we’re so grateful to Ted, Bela, and everyone at Netflix for making it happen. Getting to see it on the big screen, with incredible sound, picture, and a room full of fans, feels like the perfect — dare we say bitchin’ — way to celebrate the end of this adventure.”

Editorial credit: DANIEL CONSTANTE / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

Thomas Amiot pleads guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a minor

thomas-amiot445528

Thomas Amiot, 81 of Crookston, pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child under the age of 13 in court on Tuesday.
The minimum sentence is 12 years, and the maximum sentence is 30 years for the offense. Amiot is accused of sexual conduct with an 11-year-old boy over a year-long time frame.
The prosecution argues that there are aggravating factors that could justify a sentence exceeding the maximum. In exchange for Amiot’s guilty plea, an aggravated sentence won’t be pursued.  Sentencing is scheduled for February 19, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. 

Posted on

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council receives grant funding for 4 propane busses and fueling infrastructure

bus-42741514

The Federal Transportation Administration recently awarded the Minnesota Department of Transportation $17.9 million in grant funding to help rural Minnesota transit providers upgrade their vehicle fleets and infrastructure.

MnDOT manages the federal funding of rural Minnesota transit programs and works with local partners. The money will help replace aging vehicles and transition fleets into cleaner propane technology.

“These funds improve a critical lifeline for people living in rural Minnesota, because when we invest in modern transit facilities, it supports long-term service reliability,” said Sarah Ghandour, MnDOT’s Office of Transit and Active Transportation Director. “We selected these projects based on demonstrated local need, readiness to proceed, and strong alignment with the competitive grant program criteria.”

Nearly $13.5 million in funding comes from the FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities Program:

  • $7.4 million will contribute to the cost of 40 replacement buses. MnDOT will prioritize and rank potential recipients based on vehicle ages, miles, and lifetime maintenance costs.
  • $6.1 million will fund two new transit facilities for United Community Action Partnership’s Community Transit Program. The facilities, located in the city of Slayton and the city of Pipestone, will feature bus storage, maintenance/wash bays and administrative offices.

MnDOT also received $4.4 million in “Low and No Emissions Program” grant funding for:

  • Tri-Valley Opportunity Council (Clearwater, Kittson, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake counties)
    • Four propane buses
    • Fueling Infrastructure
  • Brown County Heartland Express
    • Two propane buses
    • Fueling infrastructure
  • Rolling Hills Transit (Dodge, Olmsted, Winona, Fillmore, Houston counties)
    • One propane bus
    • Fueling infrastructure
  • Wadena County – Friendly Rider Transit
    • One propane bus
  • Hubbard County Transit
    • Six propane buses
    • Fueling infrastructure
  • Tri-County Action Partnership (Benton, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns counties)
    • Five propane buses
    • Fueling infrastructure

Posted on

UMC’s Maggie Melvin named to Prairie Business Magazines 40 under 40 top professionals in the region

maggie-melvin540324

Article from the Prairie Business Magazine –
At just 29, Maggie Melvin has already made a notable impact in higher education. As director of Admissions at the University of Minnesota Crookston, she brings energy, vision, and a genuine commitment to helping students find their path.

Melvin began her career at the University of North Dakota School of Law, serving as director of Admissions and Records. There, she gained valuable experience working with diverse students and faculty, learning how thoughtful admissions practices can shape a university’s culture. At UMN Crookston, she leads the admissions team with a focus on making the process welcoming and accessible for all.

Dedicated to her own growth, Melvin is pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Higher Education, expecting to graduate in 2026. Her commitment reflects both personal development and a desire to advance the field for others.

Known for her warmth and encouragement, she puts students at ease during stressful times and goes above and beyond to support colleagues. Her collaborative, forward-thinking leadership has helped foster a positive environment at UMN Crookston.

Maggie’s ability to connect with and inspire people sets her apart. As one parent recalled, “She went above and beyond to guide my daughter through every step of the law school application process, making what could have been stressful much easier.”

Through her leadership and dedication, Melvin is shaping admissions today while paving the way for future generations of students and educators.

Posted on

Crookston pulls plows from the road, MnDOT closes Highway 1, 2, 75, 175, and 220. No travel advised for Highway 9, 11, and 102.

no-travel-1024x768976709-1

The City of Crookston has pulled plows from the road due to safety of the operators and the public.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has closed highways in northwest Minnesota in addition to no travel advisories issued earlier today. The closures are due to no visibility and stalled vehicles on the roadway.

The following roads are now closed:

  • Highway 1- North Dakota border to Warren
  • Highway 2- East Grand Forks to Crookston
  • Highway 75- Shelly to Canadian border
  • Highway 175- North Dakota border to Hallock
  • Highway 220 – Climax to Hwy 11

The following roads are no travel advised:

  • Highway 9- Crookston to Borup
  • Highway 102- Crookston to Fertile
  • Highway 11- North Dakota border to Karlstad

Motorists should plan accordingly. When a road is closed it is illegal to travel in that area. Motorists can be fined up to $1,000 and/or sentenced to 90 days in jail. In addition, if travelers need to be rescued from a closed road, other expenses and penalties will apply.

No Travel Advised means that the visibility has been reduced to the point that it is very dangerous to travel. Motorists are advised not to travel in these areas until the high winds subside and conditions improve.

Motorists should prepare for changing weather and monitor road conditions at 511mn.org. Drivers should plan accordingly with an emergency supply kit and clothing for extreme cold.

MnDOT snowplow operators will do their part to make highways safe and motorists should remember to:

  • Stay alert for snowplows, which turn or exit frequently and often with little warning
  • Stay back at least 10 car lengths behind the plow. Don’t drive into a snow cloud.
  • Slow down to a safe speed for current conditions.
  • Turn on your headlights and wear your seat belt.
  • Turn off the cruise control.
  • Be patient and remember snowplows are working to improve road conditions for your trip.
  • Don’t drive distracted.

For additional tips on safe winter driving, go to mndot.gov/workzone/winter.html.

Posted on

House passes GOP health care plan without ACA extension in 216-211 vote

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) at the Republican National Convention. Milwaukee^ Wisconsin - July 15^ 2024

In a 216-211 vote, the House passed a GOP-backed health care bill that does not include an extension of expiring tax credits that help millions of Americans pay for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans say the bill will lower health insurance premiums for 100% of Americans. The bill, however, faces an unclear future in the Senate, where it would need support from several Democrats to pass.

GOP leadership unveiled the plan, known as the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, less than a week ago as they faced increasing pressure from moderates in their party to hold a vote on extending the enhanced premium tax credits, which lapse on Dec. 31. The tax credits help eligible people cover premiums for their health insurance purchased through an Affordable Care Act marketplace.

The exclusion of an extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits caused a group of four moderate Republicans to break ranks, joining Democrats in a procedural move that forced the vote. Ultimately, none of them voted against the bill. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the sole Republican to vote against it.

Earlier in the day, Moderate Republican Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Lawler, Rob Bresnahan and Ryan Mackenzie signed onto a discharge petition filed by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, pushing the measure to the 218 signatures needed to bypass committees and reach the House floor. All 214 Democrats backed the effort. The revolt followed a late Tuesday decision by the Republican-controlled House Rules Committee to block amendments that would have extended the subsidies.

The four Republicans who joined the petition said leadership left them with no other option. Fitzpatrick said he spent months trying to negotiate changes before siding with Democrats, and shared in a statement that “House leadership then decided to reject every single one of these amendments. As I’ve stated many times before, the only policy that is worse than a clean three-year extension without any reforms, is a policy of complete expiration without any bridge. Unfortunately, it is House leadership themselves that have forced this outcome.”

Lawler also criticized Speaker Johnson’s refusal to allow a vote on an extension, reacting angrily to the decision Tuesday. “This is absolute [expletive], and it’s absurd.” Lawler later said he does not fully support Democrats’ proposal but viewed the petition as “the only way to protect the 28,000 people in my district from higher costs.”

Johnson went on to reject claims that the episode shows he has lost control of the House. “I have not lost control of the House,” Johnson said Wednesday, adding that “we have the smallest majority in U.S. history, OK? These are not normal times. There are [processes] and procedures in the House that are less frequently used when there are larger majorities. When you have a razor-thin margin, as we do, then all the procedures in the book people think are on the table, and that’s the difference.”

Under House rules, a discharge petition requires several legislative days before a vote can occur. With lawmakers leaving Washington for a winter recess, the subsidy extension is expected to reach the floor in the new year at the earliest. Even if the House approves the measure, its future in the Senate remains uncertain. Republicans there rejected a similar three-year extension last week.

Editorial credit: Maxim Elramsisy / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

Nick Reiner makes first court appearance; siblings Jake and Romy make public statement on parents deaths

Rob Reiner at the American Film Institute's 40th Anniversary celebration at the Arclight Theatre^ Hollywood. October 4^ 2007 Los Angeles^ CA

The children of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, have issued their first public statement following the couple’s deaths and the arrest of their brother, Nick Reiner, in connection with the killings.

In a message released through media outlet TMZ, siblings Jake and Romy Reiner said: “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day. The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends. We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life. We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave.”

Prosecutors say the bodies of Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were discovered Sunday afternoon at their Brentwood, California, home. The couple was found around 3:40 p.m., reportedly by their daughter Romy. Nick Reiner, 32, was taken into custody several hours later at the Expo/Vermont Metro station in Exposition Park.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed the official cause of death on Wednesday, stating the Reiners died as the result of multiple sharp force injuries, with the manner of death ruled a homicide

Nick is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstance allegations of multiple murders for allegedly stabbing his parents to death. Court documents show Reiner also faces an allegation of using a deadly weapon, a knife. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole or face the death penalty.

Reiner appeared briefly in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Wednesday after being medically cleared, but his arraignment was postponed for a second time and is now scheduled for Jan. 7. During the appearance, he did not enter a plea. According to reports, he was handcuffed and dressed in an anti-suicide smock. The only words he spoke in court were, “Yes, your honor.”

His attorney, prominent defense lawyer Alan Jackson, urged restraint following the hearing. “There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case,” Jackson said. “Things need to be thoroughly but very carefully dealt with and examined and looked at and analyzed .. We ask that during this process, you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed to move forward … not with jumping to conclusions, but with restraint and with dignity and with the respect that this system and this process deserves, and that the family deserves.”

Rob and Michele Reiner were married in May 1989 and shared three children: Jake, 34; Nick, 32; and Romy, 27. Rob Reiner was also the father of Tracy, 61, the daughter of his late ex-wife, Penny Marshall, whom he adopted when they were married.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

Nick Reiner makes first court appearance; siblings Jake and Romy make public statement on parents deaths

Rob Reiner at the American Film Institute's 40th Anniversary celebration at the Arclight Theatre^ Hollywood. October 4^ 2007 Los Angeles^ CA

The children of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, have issued their first public statement following the couple’s deaths and the arrest of their brother, Nick Reiner, in connection with the killings.

In a message released through media outlet TMZ, siblings Jake and Romy Reiner said: “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day. The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends. We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life. We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave.”

Prosecutors say the bodies of Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were discovered Sunday afternoon at their Brentwood, California, home. The couple was found around 3:40 p.m., reportedly by their daughter Romy. Nick Reiner, 32, was taken into custody several hours later at the Expo/Vermont Metro station in Exposition Park.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed the official cause of death on Wednesday, stating the Reiners died as the result of multiple sharp force injuries, with the manner of death ruled a homicide

Nick is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstance allegations of multiple murders for allegedly stabbing his parents to death. Court documents show Reiner also faces an allegation of using a deadly weapon, a knife. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole or face the death penalty.

Reiner appeared briefly in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Wednesday after being medically cleared, but his arraignment was postponed for a second time and is now scheduled for Jan. 7. During the appearance, he did not enter a plea. According to reports, he was handcuffed and dressed in an anti-suicide smock. The only words he spoke in court were, “Yes, your honor.”

His attorney, prominent defense lawyer Alan Jackson, urged restraint following the hearing. “There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case,” Jackson said. “Things need to be thoroughly but very carefully dealt with and examined and looked at and analyzed .. We ask that during this process, you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed to move forward … not with jumping to conclusions, but with restraint and with dignity and with the respect that this system and this process deserves, and that the family deserves.”

Rob and Michele Reiner were married in May 1989 and shared three children: Jake, 34; Nick, 32; and Romy, 27. Rob Reiner was also the father of Tracy, 61, the daughter of his late ex-wife, Penny Marshall, whom he adopted when they were married.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Posted on

Saoirse Ronan, Anna Sawai, Aimee Lou Wood and Mia McKenna-Bruce cast in ‘The Beatles — A Four-Film Cinematic Event’

Saoirse Ronan attends the "Blitz" World Premiere at the 68th BFI London Film Festival at The Royal Festival Hall in London^ England. London^ United Kingdom - October 9^ 2024

Sony Pictures has announced additional casting for ‘The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event’ from director Sam Mendes.

Saoirse Ronan, Anna Sawai, Aimee Lou Wood and Mia McKenna-Bruce will play, respectively, Linda McCartney, Yoko Ono, Pattie Boyd and Maureen Starkey – each of whom married one member of the Fab Four at the height of the band’s fame in the 60s.

Mendes said in a statement: “Maureen, Linda, Yoko and Pattie are four fascinating and unique figures in their own right — and I’m thrilled that we’ve managed to persuade four of the most talented women working in film today to join this amazing adventure.”

  • Linda Eastman met McCartney in 1967 while working as a photographer, and the couple were married in 1969. After the Beatles broke up, Linda was a member of McCartney’s band, Wings, and they remained together until her death from breast cancer in 1998.
  • Ono and Lennon first met in 1966, while Lennon was still married to Cynthia Powell Lennon. They divorced in 1968, and Lennon and Ono married the next year.
  • Boyd was working as a model when she met Harrison on the set of the Beatles’ 1964 film “A Hard Day’s Night.” The couple were married in 1966, and divorced in 1977. (Boyd famously went on to marry Eric Clapton from 1979-1989.)
  • Maureen Cox began dating Starr (real name is Richard Starkey) in 1962. They were married in 1965, and had three children together before divorcing in 1975. Maureen Starkey died from leukemia in 1994.

The filmmakers previously announced the casting for the Fab Four: Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. The project has yet announce who will portray Cynthia Lennon, Brian Epstein, George Martin, Ravi Shankar and other key roles.

The four Beatles films will each take the perspective of one member of the Beatles as they climb from unknowns from Liverpool in the early 1960s to the biggest band in the world before their breakup in 1970. It’s the first time that the remaining band members and/or their families have given the music rights to theatrical feature films about them.

‘The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event’ is set for theatrical release in April 2028.

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com