The country category is a who’s who of Nashville! Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Day: August 18, 2026
The country category is a who’s who of Nashville! Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Sorry to spoil the list for you, but following a year in which a player broke the NFL’s single-season record for sacks, you can’t name any other player as the league’s top pass rusher. So, who is the NFL’s best pass rusher after Myles Garrett? There are a lot of names worth considering for the No. 2 spot. Micah Parsons has been one of the league’s most consistent pass rushers since he entered the league in 2021. However, he’s coming off an ACL tear. Ascending players like Will Anderson Jr. and Aidan Hutchinson should also be considered, along with veterans like T.J. Watt. As we continue to rank the top 10 players at key positions ahead of the 2026 season, here are our top 10 pass rushers entering the year. Eric D. Williams: The Defensive Rookie of the Year two seasons ago and a Pro Bowler in his first two seasons in the league, Verse is adapting to new surroundings in Cleveland after being included as part of the blockbuster trade this offseason. Verse’s former team, the Los Angeles Rams, traded him for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, making him the centerpiece of the package. While Verse has been among the league leaders in pressure rate since entering the league in 2024, he still only has 12 sacks in two seasons. Verse must become a more consistent closer to be considered among the elite pass rushers in the league. For now, though, he’s in the top 10 as the Browns hope he can be a cornerstone moving forward. Ralph Vacchiano: The 31-year-old Steelers star is coming off one of his least-productive NFL seasons, and one in which Watt missed three late-season games due to a partially collapsed lung. And it’s possible, after nine NFL seasons, that a decline has begun. But given Watt’s Hall of Fame-worthy track record, it’s hard to bet on that. His seven sacks in 14 games last season were definitely a downturn, and so was his pass-rush win rate of 11.7%. But he’s still had double-digit sacks in six of his nine seasons and can still be dangerous when he’s fully healthy. Watt could also be in line for a boost in the new, aggressive scheme of new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who plans to move Watt around more than he’s been moved in recent seasons. That could be enough to give Watt the jolt he needs to stay in the top 10 for another season or two before he heads to Canton. Greg Auman: The Broncos had 68 sacks last season — 11 more than any other NFL team — and Bonitto led the way with 14 sacks, six more than his closest teammate. The 26-year-old had 13.5 the year before and made the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons. Denver rewarded him before last season with a four-year, $106 million contract, and he helped the Broncos earn the AFC’s top seed with a 14-3 record. A 10-7 AFC Championship Game loss to the New England Patriots stung – it matched the fewest points allowed in a playoff loss in 28 years – and Denver will lean on Bonitto and the defense just as much in 2026 as they seek a trip to the Super Bowl. Vacchiano: In the midst of a miserable season for the Giants, the seven-year veteran re-established himself as a star with a career-high 16.5 sacks and a pass rush win-rate of 16% that ranked him just outside the top 10. Considering it was a down year for Burns’ defensive line mates — defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence had just a half sack and edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux played in only 10 games — his explosion was even more surprising. This year, Burns might have to share the wealth, with Thibodeaux plus young stars Abdul Carter and Arvell Reese (whom the Giants took in the last two first rounds) all figuring to be a part of New York’s pass rush. But that’s the only thing standing in his way. He showed he’s still got the speed and explosiveness that made him so dangerous during his years in Carolina. He hasn’t slowed down at all at age 28 and should be a centerpiece of new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson’s scheme. Arthur: The 31-year-old Hunter may be the most underappreciated, dominant pass rusher of this era. He’s recorded double-digit sacks in seven of his 10 NFL seasons, but has never been a first-team All-Pro selection. The former third-round pick is playing some of his best ball late in his career, too. He’s had at least 10.5 sacks in four consecutive years, including 15 last season (third in the NFL), which earned him a second-team All-Pro nod and a one-year, $40 million extension this spring. He also forms one half of the league’s best edge rushing tandem with Will Anderson Jr. Henry McKenna: Last season, Hutchinson recorded career highs in sacks (14.5), QB hits (35) and pressures (90). That pressure total is the highest in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus, and is often the most coveted statistic when you speak to pass rushers. Hutchinson has long been an ascending pass rusher since arriving in the NFL as the 2nd overall pick in the 2022 draft. But he has officially arrived as one of the NFL’s elite pass-rushers and defensive playmakers. He’s a defensive coordinator’s dream and an offensive coordinator’s nightmare. Williams: After the Baltimore Ravens rescinded a massive trade for his services due to a failed physical. Crosby returned to the Las Vegas Raiders recommitted to ushering in sustainable winning for this once-proud franchise. Even though he turns 29 years old later in August, Crosby remains one of the most feared and productive pass rushers in the league. A five-time Pro Bowler, Crosby has posted double-digit sacks in three of the last four seasons, totaling 44.5 sacks since 2022. McKenna: The Packers will do everything they can to get Parsons to the top of this list in 2026. The franchise traded a massive haul before last season to acquire Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys before Green Bay awarded Parsons with a massive deal. He then posted 12.5 sacks before suffering his season-ending knee injury. At some point in the first half of the season, Parsons will return. And even if he’s off to a slow start, he should be among the league’s most dangerous playmakers by the time the postseason rolls around. Arthur: Anderson will be a staple in the conversation for best edge rusher over the next several years. The 2023 No. 2 overall pick is already a complete player — he had 48 pressures on just third downs alone in 2025, the most by any player in a single season in at least eight years (!). His 20 tackles for loss tied for fourth among edge defenders, which shows that he wreaks at an elite level against both the pass and the run. Anderson’s sack, TFL, forced fumble and pass breakup numbers have improved in each of his three seasons as well. He finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting last year. Just 24 years old, Anderson is a young superstar who is still getting better at an exponential rate. Bucky Brooks: The two-time Defensive Player of the Year is a destructive force off the edge, exhibiting an array of power and finesse maneuvers that keep blockers guessing in their stances. Garrett’s dominance and consistency as a sack artist, despite previously playing for a team that is routinely in “catch-up” mode, speak to his efficiency and effectiveness in hounding quarterbacks in less-than-ideal circumstances. With the single-season sack record in hand (23) and at least 10 sacks in eight of his nine seasons, the future Hall of Fame inductee is a lock to take down Bruce Smith’s career mark (200) before he hangs up the cleats.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
Denny Hamlin is back on top after he finished fourth at Richmond. It was his fourth consecutive top five and his fifth in the last six races. Christopher Bell finished seventh to end his string of second-place finishes and as a result, he dropped a couple of spots. Here are my power rankings entering this weekend’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Dropped out: Bubba Wallace (Last Week: 6), Chris Buescher (Last Week: 10) On the verge: Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Ryan Preece, Shane van Gisbergen, Bubba Wallace Berry is 30th in the standings but his eighth-place finish at Richmond was his third consecutive top 10 as he is finding his groove. Now he needs to find a ride for 2027. Over the last five races, Larson has finished 33rd or worse in four of those competitions. He rebounded with a sixth-place finish at Richmond. And then he flew to Iowa to win the Knoxville Nationals later in the night. Reddick placed 11th at Richmond. It certainly was not a great performance, but for a team that just needs some decent finishes, he got exactly that on Saturday night. Byron was ninth at Richmond as Hendrick placed three drivers in the top 10. Are they turning things around? We should still consider this a wait-and-see situation. Blaney won the pole and led 88 laps but ended up 13th at Richmond. It was a rare day for Blaney where he had speed but not the results. A week after his win at Iowa, Gibbs wasn’t able to rebound from another speeding penalty. He finished 15th at Richmond. A second win in his last four races has vaulted Logano to ninth in the overall standings and into a potential championship contender. Bell had four second-place finishes in the previous five races but placed seventh at Richmond. He’s still poised to earn his first win of the year. Briscoe finished second at Richmond for his fifth top-five in the last seven races. Hamlin finished fourth at Richmond — good enough to regain the top spot. And he made some good social media content there, too.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
![<a href="https://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2026/08/taylor-swift-blake-lively-children-dropped-godmother-role/" target="_blank">Taylor Swift Ghosts Godkids Amidst Blake Lively Rift [Report]</a>](https://cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com/uploads/2026/08/0818_taylorswift_01-780x1024.jpg)
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The fallout from Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s reported row impacts more than just the two of them.
We mentioned that Blake and Ryan Reynolds were not at Taylor and Travis’ wedding.
None of Taylor’s godchildren or their parents were in attendance, either. And that includes three of Blake’s kids.
According to a new report, this wasn’t about childfree nuptials. Taylor has allegedly dumped the kids alongside their parents.
‘She wanted to make a clean and total break’
It’s so sad when a friendship fallout leads to collateral damage.
RadarOnline is reporting that Taylor is no longer actively a godmother to Blake and Ryan’s children.
“It was one of the toughest decisions Taylor has ever had to make,” an alleged insider reported.
“She loves the girls and it hurt her,” the source described, “but she had no choice given the circumstances.”
The insider alleged: “She wanted to make a clean and total break.”
According to the source, Taylor made the decision to consciously uncouple from Jamez, Inez, and Betty “a few months ago.”
This difficult choice only came after she and her new husband (but then fiance) Travis Kelce had discussed the topic.
The insider alleged that Travis agreed with his now-wife that cutting ties “was the right thing to do,” even though there is (obviously) no beef with the kids.
“Right now, Taylor doesn’t feel it’s healthy or realistic to maintain a close relationship with the children while having virtually no relationship with their parents,” the source explained.
The insider added: “She hopes that once the girls are 18 and able to make their own decisions, they’ll be free to reconnect if they choose.”
Everything fell apart in late 2024
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are actually the parents of four children, not three.
In addition to daughters James, Inez, and Betty, they also have a son, Olin.
They welcomed Olin in 2023.
They and Taylor Swift only went official with the “godmother” status in 2024, with the singer jokingly referring to Ryan as “my godkids’ sperm donor.”
How tragic that, mere months later, things would fall apart so severely.
It is widely believed that, because Blake’s extended legal battle with Justin Baldoni involved mention of Taylor, this led to friction between them.
Justin’s legal arguments apparently claimed that Blake had mentioned her friendship with Taylor as if it were an unspoken threat — a friend who would have her back if she faced off with some sort of workplace creep.
The public understanding, however unconfirmed, goes on to say that Taylor felt used and felt that this was a betrayal of her friendship. It also meant that she was facing possibly having to testify in court — an inevitably sensational moment — if some awful dude’s attorney called her to the stand.
If that happens, that’s a real shame. Not only because they were such good friends, but because Taylor knows better than most what it’s like to have your own words twisted and used against you in a massive smear campaign. 2016, anyone?
Perhaps there is more to this story than what we know. Regardless, it’s a shame that it’s come between Taylor and three of her godchildren.
Taylor Swift Ghosts Godkids Amidst Blake Lively Rift [Report] was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
If you really want to zhuzh up your pasta salad, then take inspiration from your favorite sandwich and add this pickled ingredient to liven it up.
Food Republic – Restaurants, Reviews, Recipes, Cooking Tips
Carly Pearce says her new album goes deeper than heartbreak. This time, she’s letting fans into parts of her life she’s never shared before. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Carly Pearce says her new album goes deeper than heartbreak. This time, she’s letting fans into parts of her life she’s never shared before. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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As you’ve likely heard by now, Hayden Panettiere passed away after going into cardiac arrest in South Carolina on Sunday.
She was just 36 years old.
Millions are mourning the beloved actress this week, but no one is feeling her loss more acutely than the family and friends who knew her best.
Hayden leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, who currently lives in Ukraine with her father, boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko.
Klitschko penned a moving tribute to Panettiere this week, promising that their daughter would always remember her fondly. He wrote:
“Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief.
“The announcement of Hayden’s tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon. Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya.
“She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry. Nothing will erase the times we shared or the place she had in our lives.
“To our daughter Kaya, I will always speak of her mother with respect and make sure she remembers the person she was.
“I extend my deepest condolences to Hayden’s parents, her friends, and her fans, who are also grieving today. Young and talented people like Hayden should not leave this world so soon.”
Klitschko concluded with a plea for privacy, writing:
“I ask everyone to please respect our family’s feelings and privacy during this incredibly difficult time. For now, this is all I wish to say.
“Thank you to everyone who is supporting my family and expressing their sincere condolences. Rest easy, Hayden. May you find eternal peace.”
In the weeks to come, there’s sure to be a great deal of rumors and speculation about Hayden’s final days.
But it’s important to bear in mind that at the heart of this tragedy is a young mother who suffered tremendously during her short life and who leaves behind loved ones who will mourn her loss until their final days.
Wladimir Klitschko, Father of Hayden Panettiere’s Child, Pays Heartbreaking … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
NOTN- The Juneau Assembly has approved selling City Hall to Sealaska Heritage Institute for $1.5 million, rather than putting the property up for auction with a minimum bid of $2.5 million.
Assembly members on both sides of the debate framed the decision as a test of Juneau’s priorities: shore up depleted city reserves, or lock in a project supporters say will anchor a year-round cultural campus at the gateway to downtown.
“I will start by saying that there are many ways to look at this. What is our ultimate goal? Are we trying to get maximized profit, are we trying to maximize control?” Said Assembly member Alicia Hughes‑Skandijs, “As we move out of that space, I think it is so important for us to think about what we leave in that space. This is a way for us to leverage this opportunity that is going to result in the maximum community good, and is something we can feel good about in completing a beautiful campus with a beautiful mission.”
Public testimony mirrored the Assembly’s split, with longtime Juneau residents and SHI partners urging approval and others warning that bypassing an open bidding process could shortchange taxpayers.
“SHI has a proven track record for designing and building exceptional structures that contribute to the beauty and attractiveness of downtown,” Said Dr. Charles Smith.
Assembly Member Nano Brooks was opposed along with Deputy Mayor Greg Smith and Neil Steininger.
“I’ll object, and it’s a really unfortunate scenario because if we were in a better financial standing a year prior, this would be an easy decision, but we completely wasted all of our savings.” Brooks said, “I believe that we should try and get as much money as possible for the property. In regular circumstances, I wouldn’t see it that way. But this, to me, is viewed as one of the few opportunities that we can recoup some of that much needed reserve funds.”
The measure sets a minimum sale price of $1.5 million and leaves room for that figure to be adjusted in negotiations, according to the city attorney.
Some members argued the sale proceeds could help rebuild reserves or cover looming capital needs; the ultimate decision is reflected well by Assembly Member Ella Adkison, who noted that if the building went up for auction, that would be one-time revenue and would not address Juneau’s ongoing budget deficit.
“I think that we are putting a lot of pressure for our entire budget situation on this one one-time transaction, and I would say that if people on the Assembly were concerned about the state of our fund balance, then we should have made different decisions in our recurring budget process.” Adkison said, “This is not the weight of the entire city’s future, I would rather have this be something our city is proud of, that is year round, that supports cultural education, rather than have a $5 million dollar one time slug of cash to put somewhere. I would have been happy to have more money in our fund balance, but those were not the decisions we made last budget cycle.”
City Hall will remain in its current location until staff relocates to the Burns Building. SHI representatives told the Assembly they intend to demolish the existing structure, clean up environmental issues and quickly convert the lot into landscaped public space while raising funds for a new building.