Smoke from a wildfire at the entrance area of Denali National Park hovers on June 30, 2024, on the hillsides behind hotels and businesses serving tourists. (Photo provided by National Park Service)
The Alaska Legislature has voted to mandate a three-step disaster evacuation scale for use statewide, a move inspired in part by a miscommunication in a wildfire near Denali National Park.
The state House voted 39-1 on Wednesday to pass Senate Bill 192 and require that state and local officials use the terms “Ready,” “Set,” and “Go,” defined on maps by the colors green, yellow and red, when providing public information about evacuations from the path of a disaster.
People in a “Ready” area should begin packing for an evacuation and preparing their homes or property. Those in a “Set” area should be prepared to leave quickly, and those in a “Go” area should evacuate.
Because the Senate passed the bill 19-0 on April 24, the House’s action sends SB 192 to Gov. Mike Dunleavy for final approval or veto. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski.
The Ready-Set-Go system is already in broad use within Alaska, but not universally.
Last year, Brenda Ahlberg, emergency manager for the Kenai Peninsula Borough, testified that during a wildfire in the Denali Borough, local officials used green to designate an area that should evacuate immediately.
That caused confusion among affected residents, she said.
Michelle Weston, fire chief in Girdwood, also spoke in support of the bill last year, stating that coordinated evacuation information is particularly important for travelers who may be moving through different parts of Alaska and are unfamiliar with local standards.
One standard would prevent confusion caused by different rules, she said.
The NFL has always been a quarterback-driven league where any signal caller with a pulse and a few highlight plays can command a hefty payday on the open market. The league-wide desperation has forced team builders to overpay for QB1 prospects with unimpressive résumés, ranking them as the highest-paid players on their teams. With an unproven quarterback such as Malik Willis inking a three-year, $67.5 million deal with six career starts to his name, the consternation over C.J. Stroud’s impending contract extension with the Houston Texans is laughable. While the fourth-year pro is coming off a disappointing postseason, in which he became the first quarterback in NFL history to record five interceptions and five fumbles in a single playoff run, the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year has also been brilliant at times while amassing 10,876 passing yards, 62 touchdowns (with just 25 interceptions) and 28 wins over his 46 starts. Additionally, Stroud has won at least one playoff game in each of his three seasons, and he has the fourth-most pass yards (1,438) and eighth-most touchdowns (8) in the postseason since 2023. Though the Texans’ stellar defense has played a significant role in the club’s postseason success, Stroud’s contributions to the team’s revival make it hard to dismiss his contract wishes when sitting down at the negotiating table. If quarterbacks are judged by their ability to win, the Texans’ regular-season and postseason success with Stroud at the helm puts him in a position to command $40 million-plus annually. In fact, the recent contracts signed by Trevor Lawrence (five-year, $275 million), Jordan Love (four-year, $220 million) and Brock Purdy (five-year, $265 million) make it nearly impossible to keep Stroud out of the “$50 Million Club,” as a fellow promising quarterback who has shown elite flashes as the offensive leader of a perennial playoff contender. Help Stroud Help Himself Before the pearl-clutching begins in H-Town over the blockbuster contract their franchise quarterback will likely sign in a future offseason, skeptics must consider the circumstances impacting his play over the past two seasons. The former Pro Bowler is working with his second offensive coordinator, while playing with a leaky offensive line that has not matched the physicality and violence of the Texans’ dominant defense. The lack of a consistent running game powered by an elite RB1 has put an inordinate amount of pressure on Stroud to carry the Texans, utilizing a pass-heavy approach without the perimeter weaponry to support the game plan. While the 6-foot-4 Nico Collins has produced like a top-10 receiver when healthy, he’s missed 10 games over the past three seasons, including Houston’s 2026 playoff loss, often leaving Stroud without a serviceable go-to target. Despite general manager Nick Caserio’s previous efforts to add playmakers via free agency (Stefon Diggs), trade (Christian Kirk) and the draft (Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel), those complementary receivers have not provided a consistent spark to the passing game. Tank Dell exhibited electric playmaking ability through his first 25 games, but a gruesome knee injury has kept the diminutive pass-catcher off the field for a season-plus. Although those challenging circumstances have impacted Stroud’s play, the dramatic decline in his production and performance since his rookie season takes a top-of-the-market deal out of the equation. His passing yards, yards per attempt and passer rating are down from his record-breaking 2023 campaign, and his on-field hesitancy has shown up in pivotal moments. With his most recent playoff failures against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots fresh in mind, Stroud’s ability to deliver under pressure is a major concern, particularly when factoring in his “closing” skills (only seven game-winning drives and two fourth-quarter comebacks) on a defensive-led team. The best quarterbacks can seamlessly transition from caretaker to playmaker depending on the game situation or circumstance, but questions persist regarding Stroud’s game based on the Texans’ defensive dominance and his modest production since a historic run at the beginning of his career. Table Negotiations Till Next Year In 2023, he became just the fifth rookie to post a 4,000-yard season and the first to have at least 900 yards, four passing touchdowns and zero interceptions over his first three career starts. Stroud recorded six 300-yard passing games that season, but he’s had only three such games since. Although numbers do not fully tell a quarterback’s story, Stroud’s regression and the team’s success make it harder to find a deal that is a “win-win” for Houston and its franchise quarterback. From the Texans’ perspective, they have routinely rewarded their best players after they established themselves as elite players. Cornerback Derek Stingley (three-year, $90 million), defensive end Danielle Hunter (one-year, $40 million extension after recently signing a two-year $49 million deal in 2024) and linebackers Will Anderson Jr. (three-year, $150 million) and Azeez Al-Shaair (three-year, $54 million) recently inked blockbuster deals after earning All-Pro or Pro Bowl honors. The meritocracy that permeates the Texans’ locker room is rewarded by the front office with hefty contracts that align compensation with production. While the NFL’s tendency to reward the next starting-caliber quarterback who hits the market with a megadeal that exceeds their on-field production, the Texans should slow-play the Stroud negotiation by using this year and potentially the fifth-year option season to evaluate their franchise quarterback. Considering the option is currently valued at $25.9 million, the Texans are getting their QB1 at a team-friendly number that lets them monitor his progress without overpaying for his inconsistent production. Although the Texans are bypassing a chance to sign Stroud when his stock is at an all-time low, the decision to prioritize the team’s blue-collar culture by making the young quarterback prove his worth raises the standards and expectations within the locker room. Most importantly, it prevents the Texans from committing to an inconsistent quarterback on a hefty contract, which could lead to immediate buyer’s remorse and a brutal rebuild (see: Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins). That said, the market will continue to rise while the Texans take a “wait-and-see” approach with Stroud. The fourth-year pro could see his contract balloon to astronomical levels if he regains his Pro Bowl form and leads the team on a deep playoff run. Considering how his cross-state rival, Dak Prescott, has parlayed “wait-and-see” negotiations into multiple blockbuster deals, the Texans’ reluctance to seriously engage in contract discussions could lead to a substantial raise that makes the delayed gratification worth the wait for the once-rising star.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
For this edition of The Pupdate, we’ve teamed up with MuttNation Foundation to shine a light on shelter dogs that are often overlooked. In honor of Mother’s Day, Lee Ann Womack and her daughter, Aubrie Sellers, joined us at the Williamson County Animal Center to spend some time with two lovable adoptable pups, Flint, a 2-year-old mixed breed male, and Haberdasher, an 8-month-old black mixed breed, both of whom are hoping to find their forever families. These two are among the least likely to be adopted, but as Lee Ann and Aubrie found out, they have just as much love to give.
As the dogs soaked up the fresh air and sunshine, the mother-daughter duo opened up about their close bond, their musical family, and Aubrie’s childhood as Womack balanced life in the spotlight with motherhood.
On the gorgeous spring day, they first reflected on their love for dogs as they recalled a moment Lee Ann rescued a dog from the side of the road in Texas.
“We named him Wilson because we found him on Wilson Street,” Aubrie explained.
Lee Ann Womack, Aubrie Sellers; Photo by Osprey Media
They even had small Yorkies at one point, who would join them on the tour bus.
“We had those and cats and then rescue dogs. And I mean, it was just … We had a lot of animals,” Lee Ann laughed.
The conversation eventually shifted from pets to life on the road and the realities of raising a family while building a successful career in country music, something Lee Ann Womack knows firsthand.
While the “I Hope You Dance” singer was reaching major milestones in country music, earning multiple ACM and CMA Awards, and even a Grammy along the way, she was also navigating life as a mother on the road with two young daughters, Aubrie and Anna.
“I had planned on doing that from the get- go, homeschooling, taking them on the bus and all that kind of thing. There’s some things I’d do different if I could go back now. I mean, I don’t know. I mean, she’s very kind in how great it all was and everything. I’m not sure it was, for her, always so great. It sounds cool to be on a tour bus,” she admitted, honestly. “And so sometimes I look back and I think, why did I do that? I should have been a stay at home mom. Instead, I was a stay on the bus mom. But I mean, everybody’s lives are different for different reasons. And we’ve certainly had a great life and we’ve had a lot of fun.”
This sparked memories from Aubrie’s childhood, when she was homeschooled and would often join Lee Ann on tour. They shared a wild story involving Tim McGraw rescuing them from a bus fire while Lee Ann was out on tour with George Strait.
“I was on the bus and you were in the back getting ready and someone popped up and was like, ‘Get off the bus. There’s a fire.’ And it was Tim McGraw,” Aubrie revealed.
Thinking back to that day, Lee Ann added, “It was so hot in Texas and all those buses were lined up out in the parking lot and it was in the middle of the summer and literally on fire. And Tim was like, ‘Get off now.’”
“He saved our lives,” Aubrie added.
Growing up in a deeply musical family, with her mother, Lee Ann Womack, her father, singer-songwriter Jason Sellers, and her stepfather, acclaimed producer Frank Liddell, Aubrie Sellers was surrounded by music from the very beginning. Lee Ann says she knew it was only a matter of time before she caught the music bug herself. She recalls Aubrie tagging along to songwriting sessions, attending shows, and sitting in on meetings, getting a front-row seat to what life in the music industry really looks like behind the scenes.
“She was just completely immersed in it. So she did not go into this blind. She knew what she was getting into…So I had no hesitation.”
Now, Lee Ann gets to step back and be a fan, watching her daughter’s career continue to grow and take off in her own right.
“It’s fun to watch her now doing her own thing,” she says of Aubrie. “And I get to come and be the mom. That’s my favorite.”
Aubrie Sellers, Attachment Theory
Aubrie just released her new concept album, Attachment Theory, which leans into her unique blend of rock, pop, and country.
Of the project, Aubrie shared, “I think that this record does push sonically further rock, but my voice and my songwriting are pretty country, I think, and will always have that influence just because that’s what I grew up around and love as well.”
She paired the release with a podcast diving into the subject of Attachment Theory.
“I felt like not only can songs help us on an emotional level, but I wanted to talk more on a practical level like you would with a friend about relationships and the struggles you go through. So this is the first time I’ve done a project that’s comprehensive like this and pairs both of those things,” she explained.
When Lee Ann and Aubrie aren’t on the road or working on new music, you will likely find them at home.
“We’re homebodies,” Aubrie said.
“We both always have our nose in a book,” Lee Ann added.
Admitting they are both very “introverted people,” they agreed that home is where you’ll find them enjoying time together when they have the chance.
Flint, Haberdasher; Photos Courtesy Williamson County Animal Center
Black dogs like Flint and Haberdasher, along with senior dogs, are often some of the most overlooked in shelters despite having just as much love to give. If you’re considering adding a new member to your family, both are still available for adoption. More information can be found HERE and HERE.
As spring practices wrap up and anticipation for the 2026 college football season continues to build, FOX has unveiled its Friday night slate of games for the upcoming year. The 2026 FOX College Football Friday slate features plenty of compelling matchups, and I identified some of those top storylines I’ll be watching ahead of what will most certainly be another raucous and exciting season with at least one or two twists that we won’t believe until they’re revealed. Below are the Friday night games airing on FOX this fall and a look at the biggest things I’ll be watching for. How to watch: 9 p.m. ET on FOX How good can USC quarterback Jayden Maiava be? Last season, he quietly put together an impressive campaign, throwing for 3,711 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. A strong performance against the Bulldogs could quickly push his name into the early Heisman Trophy conversation for 2026. How to watch: 8 p.m. ET on FOX Mizzou’s Ahmad Hardy is the best running back in the SEC and one of the top Heisman candidates in the country entering 2026. After a breakout freshman season at Louisiana-Monroe with more than 1,300 rushing yards, Hardy proved he could dominate at the highest level by exploding for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns in SEC play last season. How to watch: 8 p.m. ET on FOX Who will start at quarterback for Texas Tech? That’s one of the biggest questions facing the Red Raiders entering the 2026 season. With presumptive starter Brendan Sorsby currently in rehab for a gambling addiction and backup Will Hammond likely to miss the start of the regular season, head coach Joey McGuire might be forced to turn to his third-string quarterback in a pivotal Big 12 matchup. How to watch: 8 p.m. ET on FOX The defending national champions return 2025 Broyles Award-winning defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, who will once again match wits with Wildcats offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Kelly won the first meeting between the two, leading Ohio State’s offense past the Hoosiers in 2024. How to watch: 8 p.m. ET on FOX We’ll know so much more about Penn State head coach Matt Campbell’s first year in Happy Valley, but winning against Northwestern in 2026 is mandatory after the Nittany Lions lost to Northwestern in 2025. How to watch: 9 p.m. ET on FOX or FS1 Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. has many of the same traits that made former Oklahoma star Kyler Murray so dangerous, and he’ll need all of them against Phil Parker’s Iowa defense. Last season, I called Williams one of the best-kept secrets in the sport. Now, entering 2026, the rest of the country is catching on, and he has the talent to shake up the Heisman race. How to watch: 8 p.m. ET on FOX Can Purdue climb out of the Big Ten cellar? The Boilermakers haven’t beaten a conference opponent since a 35-31 rivalry win over Indiana in November 2023. Head coach Barry Odom faces mounting pressure to show progress in the toughest conference in college football. How to watch: 8 p.m. ET on FOX Has Matt Rhule reached his ceiling at Nebraska? Despite back-to-back AP Top 25 finishes and at least seven wins in both 2024 and 2025, the Huskers have yet to break through against elite competition. Nebraska has lost 29 straight games against AP Top 25 opponents, and Illinois could very well be ranked when the two meet this season. How to watch: 9 p.m. ET on FOX Can UCLA head coach Bob Chesney replicate his James Madison success with the Bruins? Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti already showed it can be done, arriving from JMU and quickly turning a struggling Big Ten program into a College Football Playoff contender. Chesney, fresh off leading JMU to a CFP appearance, now faces a similar leap. This matchup could be the first step in determining whether UCLA can enter the 12-team playoff conversation in earnest. How to watch: 8 p.m. ET on FOX Are the Ducks finally good enough to win a national title? Though I do not expect Michigan State to provide a challenge or a résumé robust enough for me to answer that question, I do expect Dan Lanning’s Oregon team to take care of business against Pat Fitzgerald’s Spartans and continue building momentum toward a playoff run. How to watch: 8 p.m. ET on FOX By the end of this game, we’ll all have a better understanding of what life without Kyle Whittingham looks like for Utah. We’ll know if Utes coach Morgan Scalley is fit to keep the job, and we’ll know more about how deep the Big 12 is in 2026. How to watch: 9 p.m. ET on FOX Is North Dakota State going to play in it? Not at the moment. Current rules prohibit the Bison from participating in postseason competition as they transition from FCS to FBS. However, if the NCAA’s FBS Oversight Committee passes legislation changing that policy before the season begins, North Dakota State could immediately be in the mix for a title — and perhaps even a College Football Playoff appearance.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
In late 2024, it looked like Mariah Carey and Anderson .Paak had gotten together.
Then, more recently, split rumors emerged.
Now, it’s looking like they either never broke up or have reconciled.
The two were spotted out and about on a date — and they were, frankly, overdressed.
Mariah Carey attends 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year Honoring Mariah Carey at Los Angeles Convention Center on January 30, 2026. (Photo Credit: Brianna Bryson/WireImage)
PHOTO ONE
TMZreports that Mariah and Anderson are looking cozier than ever.
On Thursday, May 7, the two went for what appeared to be a dressed up night on the town.
Interestingly, they attended The Devil Wears Prada 2 at Century City Mall.
Their glam levels suggested more formal plans.
Frankly, theaters are lucky that people don’t show up half-dressed for some showings. So being this dressed up in sequins and more is a rare scenario.
Mariah Carey goes back to her ex Anderson Paak. They spotted holding hands on movie date🤭 pic.twitter.com/b18rmZ7JUf
In fact, they even appear to be walking hand-in-hand.
Now, Anderson .Paak is a public figure, but far from a household name.
Mariah, on the other hand … well, there are a lot of women named “Mariah” who are named after her. At this point, she knows that wherever she goes, she’s likely to be photographed.
It’s been about a year and a half since dating rumors first sprang into being about these two.
In December 2024, Mariah and Anderson were spied in Aspen together. (Remember, December is her most powerful month.)
They have also been spotted together at Disneyland about ten months ago.
Have they announced that they’re dating? No. They also haven’t denied whatever entanglement is going on.
Their chemistry in their professional collaboration is through the roof. Which may mean that sparks flew in the studio, though it’s hard to say for sure where this alleged romance began.
You might think that, after past sightings, Mariah and Anderson going to a movie together wouldn’t be worth much commentary.
But in recent months, whispers have suggested that Anderson was growing close with Jeannie Mai.
We don’t know if that was all hot air. Not every romance rumor pans out.
But it’s also possible that he and Mariah split, only for them to have now reconnected.
Until they decide to confirm (or deny) anything, we won’t know more. But we can guess.
Kellie Pickler was in a great mood as she sat to talk to Danielle Fishel for the ‘American Idol’ podcast. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
From shrimp to hushpuppies, there are few things better than a great fried seafood platter. Customers says these chain restaurants are doing them best.
Someone get Mulder and Scully on the phone. We’ve got a real-life X-Files situation going on!
Yes, after weeks of hype, the Trump administration’s Department of War began releasing its files pertaining to UFOs and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) today.
And skeptics and believers alike are now poring over the documents in search of definitive proof of intelligent life on other planets.
U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak at The Villages Charter School on May 01, 2026 in The Villages, Florida. (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)
During the Apollo 12 mission in 1969, astronaut Alan Bean reported “flashes of light” and noted that they seemed to be “sailing off into space.”
As space travel was still a very new phenomenon in those days, the ground crew was understandably baffled.
Years later, Apollo 17 astronauts reported “jagged” points of light that were “tumbling” and “rotating way out in the distance,” and a photo of the phenomenon is included in today’s data dump.
But it’s unlikely to convince any non-believers.
The files also contain internal military memos describing “one possible small UAP” in Iraq in 2022, as well as “multiple glares or light from an unknown origin” observed in Syria in 2024.
Many experts believe that those incidents can most likely be chalked up to foreign intelligence operations.
Of course, the files have become a sort of supernatural Rohrshach test, with everyone projecting their own beliefs and agendas onto the information available.
Rep. Lauren Boebert weighs in on the government’s release of UFO files, saying aliens are actually “fallen angels and Nephilim” from the Old Testament: “I do believe that this is more spiritual and, if you really want to go there, demonic.” pic.twitter.com/Qol8m8wIYD
Take Rep. Lauren Boebert, for example, who thinks we’re dealing with proof of demons.
“I do believe that this is more spiritual and, if you really want to go there, demonic,” she said on social media today.
“The American people can now access the federal government’s declassified UAP files instantly,” the White House said in a press release, adding:
“The latest UAP videos, photos, and original source documents from across the entire United States government are all in one place — no clearance required.”
“The American people have asked for more transparency on these topics, and President Trump is delivering.”
There’s still a lot more information to be released. We have doubts that these files will change many minds regarding the existence of extraterrestrials.
But as David Duchovny once said, the truth is out there.
Many believe that we are months past any kind of happy resolution to this family tragedy.
However, Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped as a young teenager and spent months as a captive before finding freedom again.
She wants to emphasize that Nancy could be alive, despite everything.
In May 2026, Elizabeth Smart appeared as a guest on CNN. (Image Credit: CNN)
Nancy Guthrie has been missing since the end of January
This week, Smart sat down for an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett.
Most of what she discussed was her recent passion for bodybuilding.
(The disordered eating and fitness behaviors that bodybuilding requires are common long-term consequences of childhood trauma.)
However, Burnett also referenced Smart’s expertise in the area of long-term kidnapping.
“I want to ask you about one thing, separate from all of this,” Burnett posed,admitting that she “was just thinking about it with Nancy Guthrie and being missing.”
As delicately as possible, she continued.
“When you were missing and the reason everyone knows your face, everyone wondered,” Burnett acknowledged.
“And then it was, well, it’s been months, and maybe the worst has happened,” she recalled.
Burnett added: And you came back, and here you are.”
With that in mind, she asked Smart if she believes that “there’s any chance” that Nancy “still could have gotten through it” despite being missing for months.
Speaking on CNN, Elizabeth Smart discusses her bodybuilding career. (Image Credit: CNN)
‘Absolutely’
“Absolutely. Absolutely,” Smart replied.
“She could absolutely still be alive,” she emphasized.
“There are cases that span many more years than mine does and they came back alive,” Smart acknowledged.
“And we’re talking years and years,” she continued.
Smart reiterated: “So she could absolutely still be alive.”
To be clear, Smart is not in denial.
“Of course there is the alternative,” she acknowledged.
She is very delicately alluding to the widespread belief that Nancy has died — that she likely passed away very early into her abduction, either due to a lack of her medication or to injuries sustained in the kidnapping.
“But until we know, we have to keep looking,” Smart affirmed.
She very accurately pointed out that Nancy “deserves, either way, to be brought home.”
