The Washington Times AI News Desk

Lionsgate eyes ‘Michael 2’ shoot start by early 2027

Lionsgate is moving forward on a sequel to its Michael Jackson biopic "Michael," with production targeted to begin late this year or in early 2027, the studio's motion picture chief said this week.

August 7, 2026

Adam Sandler reunites with Kevin James, Rob Schneider, Chris Rock and David Spade for ‘Grown Ups 3’

Netflix confirmed Thursday that Adam Sandler is bringing back the ensemble of his "Grown Ups" franchise, including Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade and Rob Schneider, for a third installment.

August 6, 2026

67 things to do in (and around) Washington, D.C. this weekend: August 7-9

By August, Washington's best weekends tend to unfold after the sun starts to drop. This one brings opera under the stars, waterfront concerts, jazz in the Sculpture Garden, night games at Nationals Park and a mix of rock, country and '80s nostalgia across the region.

August 6, 2026

Mike Rowe warns Democrats risk historic blunder by embracing DSA

"Dirty Jobs" host MIKE ROWE says if the Dems embrace the DSA, it would be "the largest political blunder in my lifetime."

August 6, 2026

Mamdani booed off stage at Staten Island police event

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani got a hostile reception from the one borough that never warmed to him, drawing sustained boos and chants of "get out of here" less than a minute into his remarks at a Staten Island police event.

August 6, 2026

Olivia Rodrigo teams with Planned Parenthood as abortion pill faces FDA review

Pop star Olivia Rodrigo toured a Planned Parenthood facility in Los Angeles and taped a series of advocacy videos with the organization this week, timed to promote her upcoming all-women music festival benefiting the nonprofit and other left-wing groups. "Even just walking around, seeing all the people doing various jobs here, it's just so inspiring," Rodrigo said. "They're all united in this common mission."

August 6, 2026

Burrito price fight splits GOP as midterms loom over affordability

A viral gripe about the cost of a burrito has turned into an open feud among conservative commentators over how the GOP should talk about affordability heading into the midterms. The fight started Wednesday when Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet relayed a complaint from a college student: "A burrito shouldn't cost $20." Kolvet added that the frustration was rooted partly in pandemic-and Biden-era inflation, but that "the lived experience is the same: It just feels like basic things cost too much."

August 6, 2026

Nevada doctor indicted in $95 million Medicare fraud scheme

A federal grand jury in the District of Nevada has indicted Dr. Stephen Dubin, 74, of Henderson, Nevada, on charges tied to an alleged $95 million scheme to defraud Medicare through medically unnecessary amniotic wound treatments, according to the Justice Department.

August 6, 2026

Canadian hacker pleads guilty in scheme that breached 165 companies

Connor Riley Moucka, 26, of Kitchener, Ontario, pleaded guilty to a widespread computer-hacking conspiracy that compromised more than 165 victim organizations and led to the theft of billions of sensitive customer records, according to the Justice Department.

August 6, 2026

Bernie Sanders won’t endorse Hong in Wisconsin governor race

Bernie Sanders said this week he doesn't expect to endorse Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong ahead of next Tuesday's Democratic primary, a comment that drew pointed reaction from Republican-aligned accounts who noted his history of backing far messier candidates.

August 6, 2026

Sydney Sweeney, American Eagle extend relief to Spokane wildfires

Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle partnership is expanding into wildfire relief for her home state of Washington, which reported Wednesday that the retailer will let shoppers donate to relief efforts at checkout.

August 6, 2026

Florida man pleads guilty in $14 million fraudulent check scheme

A Florida man pleaded guilty to wire fraud after admitting he created and deposited roughly $14 million in fraudulent checks to steal money from victims' bank accounts without their authorization, according to court documents.

August 6, 2026

A$AP Rocky says he wants to run for Congress, praises Mamdani

Rapper A$AP ROCKY says he wants to run for Congress, praises Mamdani: "The mayor ... he has this rent control thing going on, and it's beneficial for everybody that's in the urban communities and stuff like that. We haven't really had a mayor or a political figure that actually gave a f--- about the people in the hood, in the ghetto, in a long time."

August 6, 2026

No more paperwork for silencers — at least for now

Silencer registration requirements are unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled Wednesday -- but the relief only applies to specific plaintiffs for now.

August 6, 2026

New ‘Primetime’ trailer shows Robert Pattinson as ‘To Catch a Predator’ host Chris Hansen

A24 released the first full trailer Thursday for "Primetime," a crime drama starring Robert Pattinson as Chris Hansen, the former "To Catch a Predator" host whose Dateline NBC sting operations became a ratings phenomenon in the mid-2000s.

August 6, 2026

Miss North Carolina USA stripped of crown after old posts surface

Brittany Boltinhouse has been dethroned as Miss North Carolina USA 2026, just over a month after winning the title, following the resurfacing of old social media posts that drew public backlash. Leaders of the North Carolina pageant said the organization "does not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia nor language that strips any person of their dignity -- whoever they are."

August 6, 2026

Orlando’s Gringos Locos shuts down all locations after 17 years

Gringos Locos, a Tex-Mex chain in Central Florida, has closed all of its restaurants without any public explanation, leaving customers and employees searching for answers. The chain's abrupt exit adds to a run of closures among Mexican chains over the past two years as operators contend with higher costs and softer traffic.

August 6, 2026

Orange County Fair removes anti-Trump ‘birthday’ photo at artist’s request

The Orange County Fair pulled a photograph from its competitive art exhibit this week after Orange County Republicans objected to the image, which depicted a child holding a sign reading "Happy Last Birthday" beside anti-Trump messaging, though fair officials say the removal came at the photographer's own request, not in response to GOP pressure.

August 5, 2026