During Tuesday night’s Haines Borough assembly meeting, members unanimously voted to add two tax propositions to the ballot, discussed a moratorium on the Chilkat River walking trails and accepted Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation funding for water and sewer improvements.
Four tax questions on ballot
Build a Udemy-style course marketplace on WordPress: instructor registration, revenue sharing, and payouts with Masteriyo, plus the honest workload involved.
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Standing in front of the Haines Borough Assembly on Tuesday, Jessie Wuesthoff read a letter announcing the closure of the Chilkat Valley Preschool. Wuesthoff said that the decision was not made quickly or lightly. She said that over the past year, the preschool worked to find a sustainable…
Sunday, Aug. 16
A caller in the 300 block of Lynnview Drive reported a theft. An officer was advised.
A caller in the 100 block of Third Avenue reported that a camper was parked in the roadway. A business owner was contacted and the camper moved.
A caller in the 300 block of Lynnview Drive reported a bear roaming in the area. Fish and Game and the police were advised.
A caller in the 200…
Little Big Town is officially just hours away from releasing their new album, It’s a Dying Art, on Friday August 28. The multi-platinum, GRAMMY® Award-winning group recently opened up to Lon Helton about the project and what they hoped to accomplish when they set out to make a new collection.
As their first album in four years, following 2022’s Mr. Sun, the group explained they wanted to approach this record with a sense of freedom. They ultimately wanted to focus on creativity, nostalgia, and the sounds they’ve loved throughout their career.
“We wanted to make an album that didn’t have any boundaries. It was just about being creative. We started finding these songs. You’ll hear nostalgic tidbits of production that we’ve always loved. That was the goal, to highlight the favorite things we’ve made for many years,” they shared while co-hosting Country Countdown USA over the weekend.
Little Big Town first gave fans a taste of the new project with “Hey There Sunshine,” which they debuted at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards. Since then, they’ve continued rolling out new music, including “Over and Over,” “Sucker For A Sad Song” featuring Ashley Monroe, “We Could Have It All,” and their latest release, “Closing Time,” which features 6X GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter and producer Kelsea Ballerini.
With the album arriving Friday, fans will finally get to hear the award-winning band in a way that feels both familiar and new as they reflect on their growth and trust built over the course of 25 years together.
It’s a Dying Art was co-produced by two-time GRAMMY® winner Gena Johnson and Little Big Town’s own Karen Fairchild. Throughout the collection, listeners can expect to find a mix of intimate storytelling, emotionally-charged lyrics inspired by real-life experiences.
The band will keep the celebration going after the album’s release with a special performance at the TODAY Plaza on September 1 as part of TODAY’s Citi Concert Series.
Then later this fall, fans can find them on the road throughout their For The Art Of It Tour. The Live Nation-produced tour kicks off September 24 in St. Petersburg, Florida and will take the band across the U.S. and Canada, with stops in St. Petersburg, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Toronto, and more.
In December, the group will head to Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, where they’ll once again bring their holiday tradition to life. The Christmas Shows will run December 8-10, featuring a setlist full of Christmas favorites and some of the band’s biggest songs. The three-night residency will mark Little Big Town’s second consecutive year hosting their holiday shows at the Ryman, following their 2025 run.
The post Little Big Town On Embracing Creative Freedom With New Album ‘It’s A Dying Art’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Lainey Wilson has shared a deeply personal tribute to her friend and musical hero, Dolly Parton. In her emotional message, Wilson reflected on the connection she felt with Parton even before they met and opened up about the special friendship they developed over the years.
“My Dolly. 💛 I felt like you were my friend before we even met.. you made everybody feel that way. But once we became friends, boy did we have a lot to talk about,” Wilson began.
The Louisiana native then reflected on their final conversation, which took place just weeks before Parton’s passing. During their call, the two friends spoke about life in the music business, the sacrifices that come with it, their marriages and their shared faith.
“I sure am glad you called a couple of weeks ago. We got to talk about the business, the sacrifice, how special Carl Dean was to you and how important Duck is to me.. you told me that ‘it’s all great and stuff that Duck lets you be you, but you better make sure you let Duck be himself too.’”
Wilson also recalled the spiritual advice Parton shared with her, including encouraging her to take her time while reading the Bible.
“You also told me to take my time reading the book of Revelation and that I might need to go on back to Psalms for a minute to catch my breath. We talked about how we both feel like we were called into this business and you told me you felt like you weren’t finished. Well my friend, you are not.”
In closing, Wilson reflected on the lasting impact Parton had on her life and countless others, emphasizing that the love and light she shared will continue to live on.
“The kind of love and light you shined in your lifetime is the kind that never goes away. I am thankful the Lord gave you a gift, you decided to share it, and the Lord decided to share you with us. I can’t wait to see you again and I know when I hug your neck in heaven someday you are still gonna be saying, ‘don’t mess up hair, Lainey girl.’ I will always love you, my friend.”
Wilson’s admiration for Parton dates back long before their friendship. In 2020, she released “WWDD,” a song inspired by the country icon and built around the question, “What would Dolly do?” throughout the track.
“In them heels, in that dress/ Wouldn’t put up with no BS/ She’d kill you with some kindness, take the high road/ Turn a little rain into a rainbow,” she sings.
Years later, Wilson and Parton would get the opportunity to share a song together, joining forces on a new rendition of “Mama He’s Crazy” by The Judds as part of a star-studded tribute album.
Although Wilson’s love for Parton had been evident for years, the two country stars didn’t meet face-to-face until the 2023 ACM Awards. During the ceremony, Parton took the stage to present Wilson with the Female Artist of the Year award.
Their first in-person meeting came after they had already recorded their vocals for their rendition of “Mama He’s Crazy,” with the two artists recording their parts separately.
Lainey Wilson, like millions of fans around the world, is mourning the loss of Dolly Parton and the immense void her passing has left behind. The country star is remembering Parton not only as a musical hero, but as a dear friend whose impact on her life will never be forgotten.
Dolly Parton passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 after a brief battle with cancer. Her music and legacy will live on forever.
The post Lainey Wilson Reveals Her Final Conversation With Dolly Parton in Emotional Tribute appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
LOS ANGELES — As reporters shuffled to the back of the Dodgers’ clubhouse to swarm Kyle Tucker after the beleaguered right fielder snapped an 0-for-26 hitless skid at home with a go-ahead single last Saturday, one of Tucker’s teammates chimed in one locker away. “First hit in three homestands!” Miguel Rojas teased loudly with a grin across his face. “Look what happens when you get a hit!” Tucker took the razzing in stride. He knew it was an example of Rojas, one of the veteran leaders in the Dodgers’ clubhouse, trying to provide some levity and a reason to laugh amid a dreadful start to the four-time All-Star’s first season in Los Angeles. On the “On Base with Mookie Betts” podcast, Betts described Rojas as “the person that can really talk to [Tucker] and level with him and kind of keep him going.” Ultimately, Rojas believes the more comfortable he and his teammates can make Tucker feel, the better Tucker will play. Rojas is still figuring out the best way to do that, as he tries to get to know the taciturn outfielder. “For Kyle, it’s a little bit different because he’s a superstar,” Rojas told me. “He needs to be open to accept anything from his teammates, kind of be open to learning new people, but I think our job as teammates in the clubhouse is to take the time to learn him — see what he’s like, what he likes to do — to kind of free him up on the field.” One activity Tucker enjoys, Rojas has discovered, is playing cards. So, Rojas recently taught Tucker a Venezuelan card game, which they’ve been playing in the Dodgers’ clubhouse. Rojas has only played sparingly, but he knows if he can play even a small part in helping get Tucker going, he will have found a way to help his team. “We’ve had conversations to try to make him feel better and unlock his potential out there,” Rojas said. “There’s a lot of pressure because of the expectations: ‘Oh, yeah, we brought you here because we need you to win another championship,’ all that kind of creates a lot of stress. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to let the guy kind of feel good and feel comfortable around you. Sometimes, you have to wait for him to come to you.” Tucker’s four-year, $240 million deal seemed like an excessive luxury that would turn an already loaded Dodgers roster coming off back-to-back World Series championships into an indomitable force. Instead, at least to this point, it has been a detriment. Tucker, who produced an OPS over .800 in each of his last seven seasons, entered Wednesday with a .687 mark. He’s on track to hit below league average for the first time since he was a 21-year-old rookie in 2018, when he played in only 28 games. Most of Tucker’s struggles have come at Dodger Stadium, and neither Tucker nor the Dodgers can figure out how or why he has produced the lowest OPS at home of any qualified hitter in the sport. He also hasn’t helped his cause as a baserunner or in the outfield, where he’s producing his worst defensive season by most metrics. “He’s going through a lot,” Rojas said, “because he really wants to perform.” The lowest point of Tucker’s worst season came a couple of weeks ago. He was given a Saturday off at home against Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski after Dodgers manager Dave Roberts sensed that his right fielder’s frustrations were starting to bleed into his production. Tucker returned to the lineup the next day, then concluded an 0-for-19 homestand by dropping a fly ball at the wall. The defensive blunder was met by boos as the Dodgers lost the game and the season series to the Brewers. One day later, Tucker went 0-for-5 in Colorado. During the loss, he hesitantly attempted to catch a routine fly ball near his ankles. The ball popped out of his glove. “That ball that drops there, that’s because of confidence and feeling the pressure of what’s been going on,” Rojas said. “It’s not because of his ability to catch a fly ball, you know?” Tucker maintained that he felt fine — that he was “all right” and “all good” — even as the results and his body language painted a different picture. But when asked last weekend if this year has been hard on him mentally, he took a long pause before responding. The lull said more than the words that followed, though he did acknowledge the reality. “I mean, it’s been a struggle in the sense that I’d like to help our team win and perform better for the guys in the clubhouse and the fans that come to the games,” Tucker said. “In that aspect, I wish I would’ve done better this year.” Of course, the year is not done. Tucker’s struggles have not sunk the Dodgers, who entered Wednesday with a 9.5-game lead in the division and the second-best record in the sport. And as poorly he has played to this point, Tucker’s performance in October will ultimately trump anything that has happened to this point. So, instead of harping on what has already transpired, Tucker is trying to focus on what remains possible. “We’ve still got a month and a half left and the playoffs coming up,” Tucker said. “So, it’s not over yet.” His teammates and coaches have helped him foster that positive mindset, trying to remain upbeat and optimistic. Last Friday, for example, Roberts claimed that Tucker had “turned a corner,” despite the right fielder coming off a mediocre 3-for-14 series in Colorado. “Mentally and emotionally, I think that he’s freed up,” Roberts explained. “We’re in a fight, and I think that he understands that there’s no other alternative but to keep going forward. We’ve just got to get through this together.” As the season has progressed, Roberts believes he has built enough trust with Tucker that he can start to press the first-year Dodger to be more proactive. “Really challenging him to push himself, to be uncomfortable, to get out of his comfort zone, all the while supporting him,” Roberts told me. “That goes to his work, his preparation, the conversations I’m pushing him to have with other people that he might not be used to doing.” In an effort to find a spark, Roberts encouraged Tucker to switch up his routine. One change came last Friday, when Tucker, who typically only hits in the indoor cage before games, decided to take batting practice on the field. That night, the fans at Dodger Stadium tried to provide a lift, too, giving Tucker an ovation before his first at-bat to start the homestand. It did not produce the intended result, as Tucker went 0-for-4 with a walk in the game. He finished that series against the Pirates just 2-for-11, though his hit Saturday proved to be the game winner. He also reached base twice on Sunday, but he has followed that up with a 1-for-9 start to the Dodgers’ road trip. His OPS (.680) is now the lowest it has been since April 22. It’s hardly the kind of production the Dodgers expected when they gave him a contract with the highest present-day average annual value in baseball history when accounting for deferrals. But if Tucker can find a way to right the ship over the next two months, his first four will be forgiven. “He’s going to help us win a championship,” Roberts told me, “and it’s my job to make sure that he doesn’t lose that confidence.” Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
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We’re proud to announce that WordPress has signed Open Weights and American AI Leadership, an open letter asking US policymakers to not place early restrictions on open weight AI models. These are artificial intelligence models that anyone can download, inspect, modify, and run on their own infrastructure. The letter was published on July 24, 2026, and more than 270 companies and organizations have added their names. Its argument will be familiar to anyone who works in open source: technology gets better and safer when more people can study it and build on it.
That belief is the foundation WordPress is built on. Anyone can run the software, look at how it works, change it to suit their needs, and share what they make. Those freedoms are why WordPress has become a foundational part of the open web and why people trust it with their work. Open weight models bring that same kind of access to AI. A model that anyone can download and adapt becomes something people can shape around their own work and improve for everyone who comes after them.
The next generation of innovation won’t come from models alone. It will come from millions of people building with them. Open weights help make that possible. WordPress is proud to support the Open Weights and American AI Leadership letter.
– WordPress Executive Director, Mary Hubbard
The requests in the letter are practical ones. As signatories, we ask policymakers to expand access to computing power for startups and researchers, to invest in shared resources like public datasets and evaluation tools, and to keep more than one kind of model available rather than narrowing the field to a handful of closed systems. We also ask that common development practices, such as using one model’s output to improve another, not be treated as theft by default. Each of these requests follows the pattern that has made open source software dependable for decades, where many people test, improve, and secure the same technology in public view.
For more than 20 years, WordPress has run on the idea that the people using a technology should be free to shape it. AI is becoming part of how people publish, and open weight models are one way that freedom carries forward. Keeping them available gives the next generation of builders, the people now learning WordPress, the same starting point that open source gave everyone before them.
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It’s safe to say that Bill Gates has some regrets.
While he spent much of a recent interview ostensibly warning about AI, another major topic cropped up.
Gates’ name appears in the Epstein Files. He has confirmed some accusations while denying others.
The Microsoft founder admits that it was “foolish” of him to ever interact with the dead, disgraced pedophile.
Bill Gates sat down for a remote interview with Anderson Cooper 360 for his first television appearance since the House Oversight Committee grilled him over his Epstein association.
When Cooper brought up the “graphic, unverified” allegations that Epstein had written — but not sent — about Gates back in 2013, the billionaire philanthropist responded.
He said that, contrary to prior reports, he does not believe that the dead predator ever actually attempted to blackmail him.
Gates pointed out that the “several hundred pages” of testimony is “complicated.”
He admitted: “I didn’t know that he was considering blackmailing me.”
“He never did blackmail me,” Gates said of Epstein.
“But, you know,’ he continued, “it just shows how foolish I was to spend time with him.”
Foolish is accurate, though it is only one of the adjectives that one might use to describe this ill-advised erstwhile association.
Gates claimed that he “really appreciated” giving full answers for the House Oversight Committee.
He added that his grilling is “all public” for anyone in the public who feels “curious.”
“I went through every single meeting, every single email. I didn’t have a social relationship,” Bill Gates insisted.
He claimed: “I didn’t meet any women through him.”
Though Gates has admitted to having extramarital affairs, he has denied claims — such as the STD allegation, the plot to slip antibiotics to then-wife Melinda Gates, and more.
“I had a misguided view that he could facilitate my raising philanthropic funds for global health,” Gates explained. “It was a gigantic mistake, which I talked about in my testimony, and I’ve really learned from that.”
He emphasized: “You know, I’m very apologetic that I gave him any credibility at all.”
Who among us has not accidentally associated with one of the planet’s most notorious predators, one who had a hand or at least ties to financial devastation, the enshittification of video games, and more alongside his numerous sex crimes.
Oh, wait, that’s most of us. Though Epstein had ties to many elite figures, from ex-Prince Andrew to Donald Trump, that’s not an excuse for his associates. These individuals rubbing elbows is a huge part of the problem.
(Also, bumping into a guy at a fundraiser is very different from visiting one of his infamous properties, such as his private island.)
By the way, some have alleged that Gates’ “warnings” about AI are actually propaganda designed to make sloptech look more appealing to overly credulous investors.
It isn’t necessarily reverse psychology. But it’s unclear why Gates’ warning is “this could lead to greater inequality” and not “the powerful figures behind this wretched tech all have names and addresses and we as people and nations can stop them and hold them accountable in such a way that no one dares to repeat their mistakes for the next ten generations.”
Bill Gates Admits Epstein Friendship Was ‘Foolish’ was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
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