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Ella Langley has shared a heartfelt message to Texas after wrapping up a busy weekend of shows across the state.

The country star took to Instagram with photos and video from her recent Texas tour stops in Austin, Corpus Christi and Fort Worth. Along with the posts, Langley wrote a short message that showed how much the run meant to her.

“Texas forever 🤍 Austin, Corpus Christi & Fort Worth… I’ll never forget these show.” 

Langley’s message came after three Texas stops during her 2026 The Dandelion Tour. The singer performed in Austin on Thursday, followed by a show at the Hilliard Center in Corpus Christi on Friday and a performance at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on Saturday.

Ella Langley performs on the Mane Stage during the opening day of the Stagecoach Country Music Festival at Empire Polo Club, in Indio, California on April 24, 2026.

Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

The Texas shows arrived as Langley’s hit “Choosin’ Texas” continued its major run on the charts. The song was at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a 17th week on the Aug. 15-dated chart, giving Langley one of the longest-running No. 1 songs in the chart’s history.

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The song debuted on the Hot Country Songs chart in November 2025 and reached No. 1 about a month later. By August 2026, it had spent 35 weeks at the top of that chart.

That run moved “Choosin’ Texas” into third place among the longest-running No. 1 songs in Hot Country Songs history. It passed Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road,” which had held the No. 1 spot for 34 weeks.

Langley has also earned three No. 1 songs on the Country Airplay chart. “Choosin’ Texas” reached the top and stayed there for three weeks, while “Be Her” spent four weeks at No. 1. Her collaboration with Morgan Wallen, “I Can’t Love You Anymore,” also reached the summit, per Billboard.

Langley’s Corpus Christi concert was part of the latest Texas stretch of The Dandelion Tour. Kaitlin Butts and Gabriella Rose were listed as the openers for the Hilliard Center show.

The set featured songs from different points in Langley’s career. Fans could hear tracks such as “Dandelion,” “I Gotta Quit,” “Bottom of Your Boots,” “20-20,” “You & Me Time,” “Last Call for Us,” “Country Boy’s Dream Girl,” “Broken,” “Strangers,” “Somethin’ Simple,” “Be Her” and “Loving Life Again.”

The show also included fan favorites “You Look Like You Love Me” and “Choosin’ Texas.”

Langley also performed covers during the tour. Her reported set included Gretchen Wilson’s “Here For The Party” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” with Laci Kaye Booth joining her for the latter.

Before taking the stage in Corpus Christi, Langley also spent time at a local restaurant. 1983 Mexi-Cafe shared a post thanking the singer for stopping by for brunch before her concert.

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Later that day, Langley performed at the sold-out Hilliard Center, formerly known as the American Bank Center, according to MYSA. She then continued the Texas run with a show at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on Saturday.

Langley’s connection to Texas has taken on even more meaning as “Choosin’ Texas” continues to make chart history.

Langley’s Texas weekend is over, but her 2026 tour will bring her back to the state later this year. Her next listed Texas stop is Oct. 10 in Lubbock at United Supermarkets Arena, giving fans another chance to see the country star perform live.

Related: Country Star Ella Langley Reacts to No. 1 Hit Song Lasting 17 Weeks

Dancing With The Stars professional dancer Witney Carson is pregnant!

The reigning DWTS champion, 32, shared the exciting news during the Monday, Aug. 17 episode of Good Morning America.

The pro dancer also recently spoke to People, telling the outlet she is “so incredibly grateful” to become a mom for the third time. Carson and her husband Carson McAllister are parents to sons Leo, 5, and Jet, 3.

“My family is growing. We’re so blessed to keep growing our family,” Carson said. “I can’t wait to become a family of five.”

And that’s not the only exciting news—the two-time mirrorball champion will be returning for DWTS season 35 and will be partnered with Jimmy Kimmel Live‘s Guillermo Rodriguez.

“So my plan is to, as long as the baby is healthy and as long as I’m doing well, then we will compete again on this season on Dancing with the Stars, which is very exciting because I love being a mom more than anything, and I also love to dance,” she said. “I

love both. And so if I can do both, then that’s what I want to do.”

“I’ll actually be the first professional dancer to compete being this far along pregnant, which is scary but also exciting,” Carson continued. “And I’m hoping that if everything goes well and the baby’s healthy, that it’ll be a really great experience.”

RELATED: Bobby Bones Gets His Mirrorball Trophy Back After ‘DWTS’ and Tom Bergeron Drama

Carson noted that right now, her biggest hurdle is overcoming first trimester nausea as she gears up to compete in the upcoming season.

“I am just in pure survival mode right now,” she said. “I am constantly trying to eat to keep the nausea at bay. I’m trying to rest as much as I can. I think with two toddlers, it’s very difficult to rest, but my husband has been an absolute champ and he has allowed me to rest, and he’s very much taking care of all of us.”

Carson is also slated to appear on Monday’s episode of Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro as a guest judge. The remaining dancers will be paired with social media influencers who have no dance experience to test their ability to teach an amateur ballroom dancing.

Dancing with the Stars airs returns on Tuesday, Sept. 15. on ABC and Disney+ and streams next day on Hulu. The full cast will be revealed on Good Morning America on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

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In the hours following Hayden Panettiere’s sudden death at age 36 inside a Greenville apartment, the public would like to know: what happened to the star?

Yet the definitive answer will not come quickly. While fans are desperate for answers, the investigation into Panettiere’s death is bound by South Carolina statutory law and a county coroner system that moves on an entirely different timeline.

Unlike other cities, which rely on centralized medical examiner offices staffed by appointed forensic physicians, all 46 counties in South Carolina operate under an elected coroner system. In Greenville County, Coroner Parks Evans oversees death investigations.

The difference between a coroner and a medical examiner is fundamental to understanding why an official cause of death remains listed as “pending.” A coroner is an elected constitutional officer and death investigator, not necessarily a medical doctor. According to the Center for Disease Control coroner holds total legal jurisdiction over the scene, orders autopsies when deemed necessary, and ultimately rules on the manner of death, homicide, suicide, accidental, natural, or undetermined. To determine the biological cause of death, the coroner assigns the physical post-mortem examination to a board-certified forensic pathologist.

That surgical autopsy in Greenville was conducted swiftly, allowing preliminary findings to confirm what police initially noted at the scene: no signs of foul play or traumatic injury. However, completing a formal autopsy report requires comprehensive toxicology, histology, and neuropathology screenings. Tissue and blood samples must be processed through accredited state and private toxicology laboratories to identify any underlying physiological factors, prescription medications, or sudden metabolic events.

In South Carolina, standard toxicology panels routinely face a backlog of six to eight weeks. Until those laboratory results return and the forensic pathologist delivers a final anatomical diagnosis to the coroner’s desk, Coroner Evans cannot legally sign off on a finalized death certificate. For now, the county issues a preliminary certificate with the cause marked “Pending,” which allows the Panettiere family to transport her remains out of state for private services.

The silence coming out of Greenville is not a sign of procedural stalls or sealed investigations. It is unfortunately the routine pace of county forensic science, where definitive medical clarity takes precedence over heartbroken fans’ questions.

New details have emerged about Hollywood star Hayden Panettiere‘s devastating final moments.

Police officers and EMS personnel responded to a report of an “unresponsive female,” later identified as the 36-year-old actress, at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, at around 1:50 p.m. local time on Sunday, August 17, the Greenville Police Department confirmed to People on Monday, August 17.

What Happened When First Responders Arrived at Hayden Panettiere’s Home?

According to TMZ, which cited law enforcement sources, a friend of the Scream actress placed the 911 call. The caller’s identity has not been made public. First responders reportedly attempted to resuscitate Panettiere using advanced cardiac life support, a combination of CPR, specialized medication, breathing tubes and heart rhythm monitoring, TMZ reported. 

Despite chest compressions and other resuscitation efforts from paramedics, Panettiere was reportedly pronounced dead at 2:32 p.m.

What Did Dispatch Audio Reveal About Hayden Panettiere’s Death?

Dispatch audio obtained by People captured officials discussing the possibility of an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” around the time of Panettiere’s death. Police have not confirmed either term as an official cause of death, and no cause has been released publicly.

What Have Police Said About Hayden Panettiere’s Cause of Death? GOOD MORNING AMERICA – 3/6/23 – Show coverage of Good Morning America on Monday, March 6, 2023 on ABC.

(Photo by Paula Lobo/ABC via Getty Images)

The Greenville Police Department and Greenville County Coroner’s Office are jointly investigating her death. “The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances,” a police spokesperson said in a statement obtained by the outlet. “An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.” 

Panettiere’s official cause of death will not be released until after an autopsy, and they did not confirm whether advanced cardiac life support techniques were in fact used in the attempt to revive her.

Panettiere got her start on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live in 1994, before going on to star in Heroes, Nashville and the Scream franchise. She is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, whom she shared with former fiancé Wladimir Klitschko.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Ray J may have walked away with the win, but the internet wasn’t exactly impressed with what happened inside the ring.

After defeating Orlando Brown by unanimous decision Saturday night, fans quickly turned the three-round celebrity boxing match into a source of jokes, with one blunt reaction summing up the consensus: “That was not boxing.”

Ray J and Brown faced off at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena as part of the Zeus Network portion of the Claressa Shields-Kaye Scott card, with Ray J earning the win on all three judges’ scorecards. But instead of celebrating the performance, social media users largely focused on how strange and uneventful the matchup was, with reactions ranging from “wtf is this” to viewers calling the bout a “sideshow.”

The reaction was especially notable given how much buildup surrounded the fight. Brown had repeatedly taken shots at Ray J before the matchup, including referring to him as Brandy’s brother, while the tension escalated when Brown smacked Ray J with a stack of cash during a July press conference. After all that, fans appeared to expect a much more explosive showdown.

Instead, the three-round bout never developed into the competitive slugfest the buildup seemed to promise. One viewer summed up the reaction bluntly on social media: “That was not boxing.” Another wrote, “Ayoo I’m crying son. But s—t like this though is one of the reasons why Boxing is looked upon as a sideshow.”

Others simply found the whole spectacle funny. “I don’t find it funny when people fight but this s—t is hilarious,” one person posted, while another suggested Brown might have had a different outcome if he had connected with one of his wild punches: “Crazy thing if Orlando Brown would have landed one of them wild hooks he would have knocked Ray J out.”

For Ray J, the victory still provided some redemption after his previous boxing appearance ended with a knockout loss to Supa Hot Fire in May, a bout that also resulted in him being hospitalized. This time, he made it through all three rounds and left Atlanta with a win on his record.

But while Ray J got the bragging rights, the internet seemed to get something else out of the matchup: plenty of material to joke about.

Jimmy Kimmel’s longtime sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez – as well as the rest of America — just found out who his pro partner for Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars will be.

The reveal was made this morning on Good Morning America. Returning pro and Season 34 Len Goodman Mirrorball champion Witney Carson will be paired with the talk-show personality. Guillermo has been working on Jimmy Kimmel Live for more than 23 years, and recently launched his own brand of fresh salsa, Guillermo’s Salsa.

Guillermo Rodriguez

Photo courtesy: Disney

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The pro partners for previously announced celebrity contestants –reality star Maura Higgins from The Traitors and Love Island, Ciara Miller from Summer House,and Savannah Bananas’ Jackson Olson — have not yet been revealed, but the plan is to make that announcement, along with the full cast of celebrities and pro dancers, on Wednesday, Sept. 2, again, on Good Morning America.

In addition to her regular job on DWTS, Witney will serve as a guest judge on tonight’s Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro in the “But Can You Teach? Coaching Superfans with Witney Carson” episode, and then return for the Season 1 finale. This reunites her with her Season 34 champion partner Robert Irwin.

Dancing with the Stars will have a two-night premiere on Tuesday, Sept. 15, and Wednesday, Sept 16, at  8 p.m. on ABC and Disney+ and stream next day on Hulu.

Jimmy Kimmel Live airs every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. ET on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.

Next, Everything to Know When Dancing with the Stars Returns for Season 35

Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36.

While details surrounding Panettiere’s death continue to emerge, many of her fans are looking back at some of her recent posts and interviews. Back in May, the actress sat down with podcast host Jay Shetty for one of her most candid, emotional interviews ever. During the episode of “On Purpose,” the Heroes star spoke about her ex, Wladimir Klitschko, with whom she shares her only daughter, Kaya.

“Vlad and I are still best friends,” Panettiere told Shetty. “There’s not, not many people who know me on, on this, in this world as well as, as he does. And I know that we still have an incredible amount of love for each other. And most importantly, we have an incredible amount of respect for each other.”

She explained that after she and Klitschko made a promise to one another when it came to their daughter.

“We made a promise to each other that we would never say anything negative about one another to, to our daughter,” she explained. “And that both of us have, have stuck to that, that promise and we talk each other up to, to our daughter and talk positively about each, each other.”

The Nashville star explained that she grew up hearing “a lot of negative talk” from her mother about her father. She said that it had a “negative impact” on her and that she never wanted her daughter to feel that way.

Panettiere and Klitschko dated for nine years and had even gotten engaged. However, their relationship was very on-and-off, especially toward the end, and the two called off their engagement for good in 2018.

“At this point, Hayden is single and she and Wladimir are co-parents to Kaya. Kaya is primarily with her dad and his family in Europe and Florida. They also spend time together as a family with Hayden,” a source told E! News at the time. “Hayden and Wladimir are on great terms and friendly. They are a big part of each other’s lives and will continue to be. Hayden is back in Los Angeles and figuring out what’s next.”

Panettiere is survived by her daughter, Kaya. Her comments about co-parenting with Klitschko offer a glimpse into the relationship they maintained and the commitment they shared to putting their daughter first.

Tucked at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville is known for its tree-lined Main Street, restored textile mills, and quiet Southern charm. It is a world away from the studio backlots of Los Angeles and the bright stage lights of Nashville, Tennessee, where Hayden Panettiere built her career.

Yet on Sunday afternoon, the city found itself at the center of an unfolding Hollywood tragedy.

First responders were dispatched at 1:50 p.m. to an apartment near the city center following a 911 call from an acquaintance who found Panettiere unresponsive. Paramedics administered emergency aid, but the 36-year-old actress was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sudden loss raised questions about what drew the former Heroes and Nashville star to the Upstate South Carolina region. Panettiere had flown into the area late last week alongside Brian Hickerson, her on-and-off partner of several years. Hickerson, a South Carolina native who attended the University of South Carolina, retains family and social connections throughout the state. The weekend trip was planned as private downtime away from the West Coast, with the pair staying at a rental property in the city.

Neighbors in the surrounding neighborhood noted that the area regularly attracts visitors looking for privacy away from major media hubs. For Panettiere, Greenville offered total anonymity, a rare treat for an actress who spent more than three decades in front of television and film cameras.

Greenville police confirmed that detectives are investigating alongside the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. In an official statement, authorities emphasized that the preliminary investigation “has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances”. A formal cause of death remains pending while the coroner awaits standard toxicology and autopsy reports.

The quiet setting stands in stark contrast to the high-profile public appearances Panettiere made earlier this year while promoting her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning. Her father, Skip Panettiere, confirmed her death in a statement released Sunday evening: “She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her, and to the millions who watched her onscreen”.

As local investigators work through the weekend timeline, this small Carolina city remains the unexpected final stop in a life lived almost entirely in the public eye.

Phil Lyne had an unusual approach to one of rodeo’s most horse-dependent events: He didn’t even own a roping horse.

The legendary Texas cowboy once rode 91 different horses in a single year while competing in tie-down roping, according to the Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame and Professional Bull Riders.

That is especially remarkable because a calf roper typically depends heavily on a well-trained horse. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum notes that Lyne won the 1971 calf-roping championship while riding 46 different horses, an achievement it described as undoubtedly a record.

Lyne’s ability to succeed on so many unfamiliar horses became one of the stories surrounding his extraordinary rodeo career.

One particularly memorable tale involves Lyne arriving at a rodeo just as his name was being announced. Per the Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame, he asked a passing cowboy if he could borrow his horse. Lyne then roped his calf in 10.5 seconds, a time described as being near a world record.

His versatility wasn’t limited to tie-down roping, either.

Lyne competed in multiple rodeo events, including bull riding, saddle bronc riding and steer wrestling. He won the PRCA Rookie of the Year award in 1969 and went on to win the all-around world championship and tie-down roping world championship in both 1971 and 1972. He later won a steer-roping world championship in 1990.

He also holds a unique National Finals Rodeo distinction: Lyne is the only cowboy credited with winning NFR average titles in three different events—bull riding, calf roping and steer roping.

Despite his success, Lyne’s full-time rodeo career was relatively short. He stepped away from full-time competition in his 20s to return to ranching and family life, although he later competed part-time and ultimately captured another world title.

But the image of Lyne showing up without his own roping horse (and succeeding anyway)may be one of the best examples of just how unusual his talent was.

Lyne died on Aug. 16, 2026, at age 76, according to reports.

RELATED: Hayden Panettiere Began Her Acting Career at Just 11 Months Old

Hayden Panettiere spent virtually her entire life in front of a camera. Even as a child, long before she became recognizable as Claire Bennet on “Heroes“ or Juliette Barnes on “Nashville,” she was a little girl appearing in television commercials, soap operas and family movies. Panettiere died on Aug. 16, 2026, at the age of 36, making her early commercials particularly poignant to revisit now. They don’t just show a charming child who could hold her own on camera; they show the actress’ pathway to a long and enduring career as one of film and TV’s brightest young stars.

Hayden Panettiere Started Modeling as a Baby @the90sguyzz

Before she became a household name, Hayden Panettiere was already appearing on TV at just 4 years old. ❤️ One of her earliest appearances came in this 1993 Banana Nut Crunch cereal commercial, years before roles in Remember the Titans, Raising Helen, Heroes and Nashville would make her a star. A little piece of ’90s nostalgia that hits much differently today. Rest in peace, Hayden Panettiere. 🕊️ #HaydenPanettiere #90sNostalgia #1990s #90sKids #RestInPeace

♬ original sound – The90sguyz

Hayden Panettiere started modeling as a baby, getting her first job at just 8 months old and filming her first TV commercial at 11 months. That first commercial was for a Playskool toy train, though the actress herself later joked that she wasn’t really acting since she was an infant and had no lines. She was simply playing. Even at that young age, the camera loved her, and she became one of Hollywood’s busiest child performers.

By the time Hayden Panettiere was approaching her teenage years, she had appeared in more than 40 commercials, from Band-Aid and Kentucky Fried Chicken to Wendy’s, McDonald’s and even Nix Lice Shampoo.

At just 4 years old, she starred in a commercial for Banana Nut Crunch cereal. Fans revisiting the actress’ early commercial work online have used the comment section to share their shock and sadness over the actress’ untimely death, heartbroken that the delightful, precious young star who was a “national treasure of our childhood” is now gone.

Panettiere would later go on to star opposite Denzel Washington in “Remember the Titans” and become a well-known soap opera staple on “One Life to Live” and “Guiding Light,” but it was her early work in TV commercials that showed her early star power and is now serving as an enduring memorial to a young woman who literally grew up in front of the camera.

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New Jersey hardcore band Bayway has announced a new headlining North American tour for fall 2026, with dates running from Sept. 21 through Oct. 15. 

The 21-date run will take the band through the United States and Canada, with Cold Steel, Two-Piece and Load Tha Nine joining as support acts.

Bayway shared the tour announcement on Instagram. The schedule begins at Space Ballroom in Hamden, Connecticut, and ends at Upper Darby American Legion Post 214 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The tour gives Bayway a chance to bring its New Jersey hardcore sound to venues across the Northeast, Midwest, South and other parts of North America. The band has built its name through a mix of heavy hardcore riffs, hip-hop-influenced vocals and lyrics tied to its New Jersey roots.

View this post on Instagram Bayway 2026 Tour Dates

Bayway’s fall tour will cover 21 dates, including stops in Montreal and Toronto before continuing through several major U.S. cities.

The announced schedule is:

• Sept. 21 — Hamden, Connecticut — Space Ballroom
• Sept. 22 — Portland, Maine — Gino’s
• Sept. 23 — Worcester, Massachusetts — Palladium Upstairs
• Sept. 24 — Montreal, Quebec — Les Foufounes Électriques
• Sept. 25 — Toronto, Ontario — Hard Luck Bar
• Sept. 26 — Detroit, Michigan — Edgemen Printing
• Sept. 28 — Grand Rapids, Michigan — The Stache
• Sept. 29 — Milwaukee, Wisconsin — X-Ray Arcade
• Sept. 30 — St. Louis, Missouri — Fubar Lounge
• Oct. 2 — Iowa City, Iowa — Gabe’s
• Oct. 3 — Omaha, Nebraska — Reverb Lounge
• Oct. 4 — Kansas City, Missouri — The Rino
• Oct. 6 — Little Rock, Arkansas — Vino’s
• Oct. 7 — Memphis, Tennessee — 1884 Lounge at Minglewood Hall
• Oct. 8 — Atlanta, Georgia — Altar at The Masquerade
• Oct. 9 — Birmingham, Alabama — WORKPLAY
• Oct. 10 — Nashville, Tennessee — The ’58 at East Side Bowl
• Oct. 12 — Greensboro, North Carolina — Hangar 1819
• Oct. 13 — Virginia Beach, Virginia — Peabody’s Nightclub
• Oct. 14 — Baltimore, Maryland — Metro Gallery
• Oct. 15 — Upper Darby, Pennsylvania — Upper Darby American Legion Post 214

Bayway was formed in late 2022 and quickly became known for a sound that connects traditional New Jersey hardcore with rap-influenced vocals. The band’s music has also drawn from the influence of 1990s New Jersey acts such as E-Town Concrete, Fury of Five and NJ Bloodline.

The group originally featured vocalist Jayway, guitarists Chris Halpin and Tito Valentin, drummer Dave Mericle and bassist Diego Galarraga. More recent information lists Bayway as Jayway, Valentin, Mericle and Galarraga.

The band’s early releases helped establish its identity. Its 2023 debut, The Newport Sessions, featured a collaboration with Fury of Five’s Stikman. Bayway later released the Bayway Takes Manhattan EP in 2024 through DAZE and RTF Records, according to Idioteq.

Jayway has played a major role in shaping the band’s sound. Bayway’s music has been self-recorded and produced by Jayway, giving the group direct control over its recordings.

In 2025, Bayway released its debut full-length album, The Recipe, through Trustkill Records. Jayway wrote, recorded and self-produced the album in only three weeks.

Bayway also became the first band signed to Trustkill Records since 2008, marking another important step in the group’s growth.

Earlier this year, Bayway also released “Sea of Regret,” a more personal song written by Jayway as a tribute to his late brother, Justin. The track followed The Recipe and showed another side of the band’s music.

Related: ’90s Rock Band Remembers 21-Year-Old Album Recorded in L.A.

TMZ reported that actress and mother of one Hayden Panettiere passed away at the age of 36. The same report noted that she had complained of back pain over the past year, but just months before her death, Panettiere had shared a troubling medical revelation of her own: an urgent warning from her doctor.

According to People, the former child star’s battle with alcoholism had once put her health on a dangerous path. In her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, Panettiere revealed that after previously developing jaundice, a doctor warned her that if she didn’t stop drinking, she’d “be dead within five years.”

Her battle with alcohol reached a terrifying point, where withdrawals led her to hearing voices and crawling on all fours in a state of panic.

But long before her personal struggles overshadowed her career, Panettiere had built an impressive résumé from her fiery turn as football-obsessed Sheryl Yoast in Remember the Titans to her breakout role as indestructible cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes. She later starred as country singer Juliette Barnes in Nashville and, more recently, returned from a multi-year acting hiatus to reprise fan-favorite Kirby Reed in Scream VI.

Related: 2000s Comedy Star, Known for Signature Catchphrase, Rushed to Hospital for Serious Illness

There was light amid the darker chapters. Panettiere described treatment as transformative, helping her rediscover a sense of calm and happiness as she worked to rebuild her life, relationships, and Hollywood career. Motherhood was another defining chapter in her life as she proudly showed off her growing baby bump on red carpets before welcoming her only child, Kaya, in 2014.

Panettiere’s sudden death comes roughly three months after she volunteered her doctor’s stark warning while promoting her memoir. At this time, however, no cause of death has been announced, and there is no established connection between her past struggles with alcohol and her death.

TMZ reports that law enforcement responded to an incident involving Panettiere on Sunday and that an investigation remains open.

Sadly, the Panettiere family is no stranger to sudden loss. Her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, died unexpectedly in 2023 at just 28 years old.

For over three decades, we’ve watched *NSYNC icons Lance Bass and Joey Fatone share a bond that has endured everything from boy band chaos to an unforgettable array of hairstyles. Now, they’re stepping behind the bar and bringing their legendary chemistry to E!’s new reality competition series, Cocktail Wars.

I caught up with the dynamic duo for Parade (and my Substack, The Teen Mag Time Machine), and we couldn’t help but get nostalgic for the early aughts. From the neon-colored drinks they sipped on tour to that one iconic teen magazine shoot involving a litter of puppies, it was an absolute blast reminiscing about the Y2K era they helped define.

So grab your shaker (or just a splash of electric-blue liqueur) and raise a glass to these exclusive clips from my chat with Lance and Joey!

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Who’s the Better Bartender—Lance or Joey? How Do Two Pop Icons and Best Friends Stay This Close After 30 Years? Which Cocktails Bring Lance and Joey Right Back to 2002 (and Which One Reminds Them of Chris Kirkpatrick)? What Did *NSYNC Eat After Burning 5,000 Calories on Stage Each Night? And How Has Their Backstage Rider Changed Today? If Lance and Joey Created Their Own Signature Drinks, What Would They Call Them? Which Teen Magazine Cover Shoot Do They Still Talk About—and Why?

PS: Back when I was the Entertainment Editor at CosmoGIRL!, we put *NSYNC on the cover holding the most adorable Shar-Pei puppies. So imagine my surprise and delight when Lance brought it up before I even could!

For more unfiltered backstage memories, boy band nostalgia, and untold stories from the pages of early 2000s teen mags, come hang out with me over at The Teen Mag Time Machine on Substack and check back here weekly on Parade.com.

Captain Jack Sparrow might not be gone for good. Nearly a decade after Johnny Depp last set foot on the Black Pearl, franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer says talks are underway to bring the actor back for a sixth “Pirates of the Caribbean” film.

“We’re talking with Johnny, we’re working on a screenplay, and hopefully we can get this done,” Bruckheimer told Deadline in an interview at Disney’s D23 Expo.

The update is the clearest sign yet that Depp’s status with the franchise, unresolved since 2017’s “Dead Men Tell No Tales,” is moving toward a resolution. Sources close to production say a new film intends to center on Margot Robbie‘s character rather than Jack Sparrow, with Depp returning in a supporting role. Development on the follow-up has passed through several writers over the years, including a stint from “Deadpool” scribes Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick before Craig Mazin and Ted Elliott took over the screenplay.

Depp originated Sparrow in 2003’s “The Curse of the Black Pearl,” directed by Gore Verbinski and co-starring Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. He reprised the role in four more installments through 2017, and the series has grossed more than $4.5 billion worldwide, even as “Dead Men Tell No Tales” posted the franchise’s lowest outing at $795.9 million globally.

Screenwriter Stuart Beattie, who worked on the earlier films, predicted in 2018 that the role would define Depp’s legacy regardless of what came next. “I think Jack Sparrow will be his legacy,” Beattie told DailyMailTV at the time. “It’s the only character he’s played five times.”

Related: Johnny Depp Makes His Comeback as Scrooge: ‘It’s Good to Be Back’

Depp’s potential return to the Disney franchise follows a very public rebuilding period. He won a defamation verdict against ex-wife Amber Heard in 2022, and this fall marks his return to a major studio release with “Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol,” in which he plays Ebenezer Scrooge under director Ti West. The film opens Nov. 13. Depp gave fans an early look at the role in July, surprising the crowd at San Diego Comic-Con in full Scrooge makeup.

No deal for the sixth “Pirates” film has been finalized, and representatives for Depp, Bruckheimer and Disney have not commented. But Bruckheimer’s comments mark the most direct confirmation yet that the studio and its most recognizable pirate are talking again.

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The first look at Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen 3 has arrived at D23, and the reaction across the internet is already fractured. Following preview footage screened for fans, leaked clips and official details quickly circulated across social media and message boards. The upcoming animated feature, directed by Jennifer Lee and Trent Correy, is scheduled to hit theaters November 2027. It reunites core voice cast members Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, and Josh Gad.

On Reddit, viewers immediately latched onto new visual cues in the clip, like character dynamics, and references to Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale The Snow Queen, which served as the original inspiration for the 2013 blockbuster.

“Elsa in pink is a blessing we don’t deserve. An evil queen is the promise from 13 years ago we’re finally getting. SAMANTHA CONFIRMED!” wrote one user. Another commenter pointed to the imagery: “Snow bees! the frozen roses! the cape made of shards of glass? are we finally actually getting elements of the Snow Queen?”

A third fan chimed int: “I’m really happy that they’re (hopefully) leaning into the lore of the original Snow Queen story.” Others focused on the storytelling. “It was nicely balanced. It wasn’t dripping with spoilers but it builds anticipation for the film and the conflict that our favourite sisters are about to experience,” wrote one viewer.

Still, the footage drew critique. Some fans debated the nature of the preview itself, pointing out how early marketing materials often diverge from final cuts. “It’s not an official trailer, it is a TEASER. Trailers contain actual footage from the final movie, often mixed in a confusing order to put moments out of context to not reveal too much about the story,” one user argued. “A teaser has characters and possible moments from the upcoming movie that might eventually be changed a lot or not used at all. Look at the TEASERS for Frozen 1 and 2. Most of it didn’t even make it to the final cut.”

Character interactions also drew scrutiny: “Pros: villain looks fantastic. And the outfits. And I really hope Elsa makes Olaf a snowwoman! Cons: Anna royally annoyed me in the trailer. Give Kristoff a break, he didn’t grow up around human women or civilization to know what you meant! Be nice to him, he thinks the world of you. Her always being mad at him over dumb shit is kinda annoying considering she outright abandoned him in the last movie.”

For a portion of fans, skepticism remains tied to the 2019 sequel. The original Frozen grossed $1.28 billion worldwide, while Frozen 2 brought in $1.45 billion. Despite the commercial haul, narrative shifts left some viewers hesitant about further installments.

“I’m just not happy with the franchise after Frozen 2. I don’t believe it’s in good hands, which really devastates me,” one comment read. “To me, Frozen  + the shorts are canon to me. Anything after that is not. I don’t trust that they’ll bring Frozen 3 in the right direction after what they did with Frozen 2. It pains me so much because Frozen is so beloved to me!”

Another user agreed: “Same here. I pretend that these sequels don’t exist. Frozen 2 completely misunderstood what Frozen was about, and took the story in the wrong direction. It’s impossible to fix it now. This franchise has strayed so far from it’s original premise, and it breaks my heart because Frozen is my favourite movie of all time.”

Disney has not yet announced a streaming date or full synopsis.

Iconic actor Robert De Niro is celebrating his 83rd birthday on August 17. Born in New York City, the outspoken Academy Award winner has a lengthy list of credits spanning decades. 

De Niro first knew he wanted to be an actor at an early age. In 2012, he told Interview Magazine, “I was about nine or 10 or something. I don’t remember what made me want to be an actor.” According to the Goodfellas star, his parents were “both supportive” of his decision.

Robert De Niro at the Golden Globes. (Photo by Justin Lubin/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

“They would never tell me no. My mother worked for a woman, Maria Ley-Piscator, who with her husband founded the Dramatic Workshop, which was connected to the New School. My mother did proofreading and typing and stuff for her, and as part of her payment, I was able to take acting classes there on Saturdays when I was 10.” 

He later spoke about his acting methodology, telling Michael Parkinson in 1981, “Some actors work cerebrally, some work physically; I like to work physically a lot of the times. It helps me feel it. I mean clothes. Putting on certain clothes can give you a feeling of another character.”

Jodie Foster and Robert De Niro sit together at a diner in a still from the film, ‘Taxi Driver’ directed by Martin Scorsese. (Photo by Columbia Pictures/Fotos International/Getty Images)

De Niro continued, “Which it does to actual people who are characters. It helps them identify with the role that they want to play in life. Be a businessman, or whatever they want, you know. And one thing can give it to you.”

Robert De Niro’s Acting Credits

His on-screen career started in the 1960’s, with films such as Greetings and The Wedding Party. By the 1970s, De Niro had hit his stride, gaining fame for roles in Mean Streets, The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, and The Deer Hunter.

Robert De Niro. (Photo by Raph GATTI / AFP via Getty Images)

The actor continued to garner critical praise in the 1980’s, 1990’s, and beyond for standout performances in Raging Bull, Angel Heart, The Untouchables, Goodfellas, Awakenings, Cape Fear, A Bronx Tale, Heat, Casino, Marvin’s Room, Jackie Brown, Wag the Dog, Analyze This, Meet the Parents, Men of Honor, Silver Linings Playbook, Joy, The Irishman, and so many more.

He won a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award in 1974 for the role of young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II, and another Oscar in 1981 for his portrayal of boxer Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull. De Niro also won a Best Actor in a Motion Picture Golden Globe for Raging Bull (in 1981) and a Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2011. 

The Actor as a Director 

Along with acting, De Niro has also directed two films: A Bronx Tale in 1993 and The Good Shepard in 2006. 

He spoke candidly about his directorial debut with Interview Magazine, sharing, “It was a little hard. I remember I asked certain directors, like Marty Scorsese, certain things about the way you do this or that. I also talked to other actors who had turned directors, like Danny DeVito. I guess I felt that I’d be okay. I didn’t want to build up some kind of fear of it.”

Robert De Niro’s Politics Robert De Niro speaks onstage during Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment on June 14, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

The 83-year-old isn’t shy about his political stance. The outspoken critic of Donald Trump has publicly bashed the President on several occasions. 

Most recently, he slammed Trump during the Rise Up, Sing Out concert in June, saying, “I can’t love a country that’s led by Donald Trump and his sycophant Congress…I want to love my country again. I want my country back.”

Let’s be real: Your pet is more than a family member. They’re your favorite family member. Have more than one? Consider it a tie for the top spot. (We won’t tell any applicable parents, partners or human children.) Naturally, then, you don’t want your pup or kitty eating just any old kibble, snoozing in a run-of-the-mill bed or using anything less than the coolest cat tree.

In short, your fur baby deserves only the best. At Parade, we get it because we’re right there with you. Many of our editors and writers are pet parents themselves who also pore over pet product reviews and descriptions with a fine-tooth (grooming) comb. We want our pets to eat the healthiest diet, play with fun and durable toys and travel in total luxury. But we also know that pet marketplaces are a dime a dozen (thanks, Internet). Also, these days, some review pages simply don’t pass the sniff test. There’s nothing compared to hand-tested recommendations from people who love their dogs and cats as much as you do.

That’s where we come in. We’ve tried products that have failed and ones that have changed the game for our pets (and us—and our furniture). We want you to know about them. From treats and food to vacuums and toys and paw protection in between, these are the 40+ pet products we’re not shy about championing. They’re practically purr-fect, so we call them “Best In Show.”

How We Tested These Pet Products

Listen, reviews have their place—they can help you set baselines and filters. But at Parade, we want more for our pets and yours. So, we’re not just reading reviews–we’re diving deep with testing done by the team and their own pets. Products are evaluated by a team of writers, veterinarians and pet behavior experts. Our pets also joined in the chorus (and their voices absolutely mattered). From there, we narrowed the list to the best of the best and eliminated the rest.

As such, “Best in Show” signifies a product that stands out in performance, safety and user experience. You can trust that if a product is marked “Best in Show,” it works, lasts and is something pets truly love. We think you’ll love it, too. Without further ado, here are the champion products.

Pet Home Essentials

Pet hair on chairs and couches? A litter box that reeks? These pet parent pain points are not the nature of having a little “beast.” These workhorse litter boxes, air purifiers and vacuums keep your home looking and smelling sweet.

Best Kitty Litter: Dr. Elsey’s

Chewy

After sifting through numerous litter options, Dr. Elsey’s Kitty Litter became the clear winner. Its odor control is so good that guests think multi-cat families are pet-free—ditto for the heavy, non-tracking granules.

“Dr. Elsey’s is the one litter I always recommend to fellow cat parents,” raves Brittany Galla, Parade‘s Editorial Lifestyle Director. It keeps odors under control, forms hard clumps that make scooping easy, and I don’t feel like I’m constantly sweeping up litter from every room.”

Shop It! Best Odor-Blocking Litter: Arm and Hammer Double Duty Clumping Litter

Walmart

Arm and Hammer’s Double-Duty is something of a workaholic when it comes to making your home smell fresh, and that was purr-fectly alright with ParadePets Editor Mary Hawkins. “I swore by this kitty litter when my precious cat was still alive and wouldn’t use anything else,” Hawkins says. “The odor control alone is second to none, and you never knew I had a litter box, even though I lived in an apartment at the time.” Arm & Hammer’s formula includes baking soda crystals, which nixes pee and poop odors right away. The dust-free, low-tracking formula and no-spill spout make keeping house with a cat a breeze.

Shop It! Best Unscented Litter: Tidy Cats

Chewy

Parade Social Media Director Devon Sherer searched high and low for a cat litter that absorbed smell without having a smell. “Fresh scent” wouldn’t cut it for someone who admits she “hates smelling litter.” She finally landed on Tidy Cats Free and Clean Unscented, which provides odor control through activated charcoal in a clay litter. You won’t find fragrances or dyes on the ingredients list. “It does a great job of covering up any odors without making itself known,” Sherer says. “It clumps great and is pretty low-dust. I also appreciate that we can find it at many retailers and that it comes in varying sizes.”

Shop It! Best Smart Litter Box: Modkat

Modkat

Litter boxes can be more than a nose-sore (if you don’t have the right litter). Traditionally, they’re not that stylish. Modkat isn’t your cat’s grandmother’s litter box. Its sleek, modern design fits in—or dare we say, stands out stylishly—in a home. It comes in four models (front-entry, dual-entry for multi-cat households, top-entry and tray), as Modkat knows how particular cats are about their “thrones.” Functional as it is “fashionable,” the box is designed with a lid to ensure you also spend minimal time scooping and cleaning it.

Shop It! Best Robot Litter Box: Litter Robot by Whisker

Whisker

An early-comer to the self-cleaning litter box game, Whisker began making them in Y2K. Today, it has three models you can choose from to suit your cat’s size and the number of kitties in your home: The Litter-Robot 5 Pro (5 cats, 3-30 lbs.), the Litter-Robot 4 (4 cats, 3-25 lbs.) and the Litter-Robot EVO (2 cats, 3-19 lbs). The self-cleaning models sift through waste, and you can go at least a week without emptying one if only one cat uses it (and forever without smelling one, regardless of how many kitties you have). The latest model, the 5, is a total tech-savvy upgrade with an integrated dual-camera system and monitors waste at any level.

Shop It! Best Litter Box with Monitor: Tidy Cats Breeze Litter System

Amazon

ParadePets writer Eve Vawter isn’t here to shoot the breeze—not when it comes to Tidy Cats Breeze Litter System. She currently. has two automatic robotic litter boxes in her house. “Real talk… I still keep coming back to the Tidy Cats Breeze System every single time,” Vawter says. “Every. Single. Time. Because nothing, and I mean nothing, keeps litter from tracking all over my floors the way the Breeze does.”

Vawter credits the Tidy Cats Breeze Litter System’s anti-tracking pellets and absorbent pad for keeping dust off the floor and the smell out of her house. “It is just clean, and that is honestly all I have ever wanted from a litter box situation,” Vawter says.

Shop It! Best Pee Pad: Qeil’s Reusable Puppy Pads

Amazon

Accidents happen, but when they happen often, they can cause stress for the whole family—pet included. And the “circle of life” often means that you’ll deal with them earlier and later in your dog’s life. Qeil’s Reusable Puppy Pads were a worthwhile investment for Alani Vargas, Parade‘s Senior Lifestyle Editor, who uses them for her rescue pup, who sometimes pees from anxiety. A completely waterproof bottom layer keeps your floor dry. The super-soft flannel is gentle, but the durable product can withstand many wash cycles—and urine washes out easily without a pre-rinse.

Shop It! Best Dog Blanket: Lesure Waterproof Puppy Blanket

Amazon

Two things are true: Dogs deserve coziness, and your couch deserves to smell fresh and look clean. Lesure Waterproof Puppy Blanket has made both things possible for Vargas, who uses the blanket (which comes in multiple colorways and prints) to keep a barrier between her dog’s hair, body and odor and the couch. When Lesure promises waterproof—they mean it. No dog drool or pee has ever reached her couch. “I adore this waterproof blanket,” Vargas says. “I have it in two patterns that I switch out between baths so it’s always fresh. The material also makes it stay in place. This is an essential for any trips or as a good protective layer for couches, beds, you name it.”

Shop It! Best Dog Bed: Lesure Pet Orthopedic Bed

Lesure

Lesure’s orthopedic bed has dreamy features you’d want if you were shopping for a mattress for yourself at a department store—memory foam (that contours in seconds to cradle aging or pained joints), base foam (strong support for larger dogs) and responsive foam (to help senior dogs rise with shine). Low entry and an L-shaped bolster make it easy to enter and exit, and to support sleepy heads.

Shop It! Best Upright Vacuum for Pet Hair: Shark Rotator Pet Vacuum

Target

There are plenty of fish in the sea, but only one Shark Rotator Pet vacuum. It can grab pet hair from carpets and floors you once thought had become “part of the furniture.” The vacuum also features odor-neutralizing technology and a self-cleaning brush roll, ensuring your home smells fresh and you have time to enjoy it. A 3XL-capacity dust cup and an anti-allergen, complete seal with HEPA filtration are nothing to sneeze at, either.

Shop It Best Vacuum and Grooming Kit for Pet Hair: HomeSurePet

Chewy

This innovative, precise grooming kit and vacuum is a grand slam if you’re looking for efficiency and convenience. A triple-layered sound insulation vacuum that operates at 45 decibels can quell noise-induced pet nerves. The versatile grooming kit includes multiple combs (needle, thinning and silicone), clippers and a lint brush. Plus, a removable dustbin, filter and filter foam make maintenance a cinch.

Shop It! Best Pet Carpet Cleaner: Nature’s Miracle

Chewy

You love your pet, even when they have an accident (or get sick—ugh/aww). But let’s be honest: Stains and odors are vibe fillers, even if your furry friend is the life of all of your parties. Nature’s Miracle gets the stains and stink out in less than 15 minutes with an enzymatic cleaner. Just spray it. You don’t have to pray, but you do need to wait 10 minutes and then—miraculously—it’s like nothing ever happened. The cleaner works on carpets, hard floors, furniture, fabrics and more.

Shop It! Best Pet Stain Eliminator: Rocco and Roxie Extreme Stain & Odor Eliminator

Amazon

Your pet is adorable. The remnants of their messes are not. Vargas has had to deal with her fair share of potty-related accidents (of both varieties) in her home from her dogs and cats. She hails this cleaner by Rocco and Roxie as “by far the best odor eliminator for all things dog and cat pee, especially cat pee.”

That’s not an easy task—IYKYK (and Vargas knows). Plus? She notes this cleaner is, “kind of magic when it comes to stains,” including hard and impossible-to-wash items like rugs or couches.

Shop It! Best Cat Tree: Mau Cat Tree

Amazon

As a mom of three cats, Vawter has seen plenty of cat trees, and they share common threads: They’re “Ugly, carpeted and something you spend the rest of your life trying to hide behind a couch or a plant.”

The Mau Cat tree has given that story a shake-down. Vawter’s eye finds the modern design with hand-woven wicker basket cushions “cool-looking.” It can also handle three rough-and-tumble felines. “It actually belongs in your home,” Vawter says. “The design is sleek enough that I actually do not mind it being the first thing people see when they walk in, which for a cat tree is basically a miracle.”

Shop It! Best Air Purifier: Alen Corporation

Alen Coproation

When you can’t live without pets but have to live with allergies (and sometimes near wildfire smoke), Alen Corporation’s Energy Star-rated line of air purifiers features medical-grade HEPA filtration capabilities that help protect your respiratory system. The technology removes 99.9% of dust, viruses and allergies larger than 0.1 microns and can cover more than 1,000 square feet in half an hour, allowing you to breathe easier.

Shop It! Pet Wellness

Wellness isn’t even a buzzword in the human space these days—it’s part of our culture. Unsurprisingly, upgraded supplements, balms, powders and fur-friendly home exercise gear have gone mainstream in the pet zeitgeist, too. Yet, as with humans, pet wellness picks demand a discerning eye. And since you’re a pet parent who loves your fur baby, we know you have that eye.

Best CBD Oil for Pets: Tribe Tokes Wild Salmon CBD

Tribe Tokes

Omega-3 and CBD are popular ingredients in human supplements. But they’re not in Tribe Tokes’ Wild Salmon CBD to appeal to humans. The brand built it specifically for dogs and cats. EPA supports skin, coat, brain, and immune health, and dosing is based on pet weight. The oil takes the edge off anxiety related to separation, loud noises like fireworks, travel and vet visits. It uses salmon sourced from clean Alaskan water and CBD isolate, so there are few impurities and no THC.

Shop It! Best Pet Home Camera: Blink Outdoor 4 Camera

Best Buy

It’s not technically made for pets. But this tech-forward system was basically made for ParadePets editor Ni’Kesia Pannell’s sweet-but-destructive Great Dane. “Not only is the video quality crisp and clear, but the audio is also amazing,” Pannell says. “Both Bishop and Gambit (my GS) have no issues hearing me when I need to lay down the law or give a little love from far.”

The 24/7 system includes infrared night vision, an impressive two-year battery life, and enhanced dual-zone motion detection that alerts your smartphone to movement stat.

Shop It! Best Budget-Friendly Pet Home Camera: Eufy C220 Camera

Chewy

If you can’t splurge or bear to skimp on peace of mind about your pet, the Eufy C220 Camera offers a rare-to-find middle ground. The under-$40 camera includes clear-as-day 2K resolution, so you can easily “spy” on your furry friend. AI-powered tracking and motion detection, plus 360-degree pan-tilt capabilities, offer full-circle comfort. Meanwhile, no monthly fees for local on-device storage provide relief for your wallet, so you can fork over more dough for tasty pet treats to dole out when you come home to your very good boy/girl.

Shop It! Best Pet Recovery Suit for Spay/Neuter: Kuoser Recovery Suit

Amazon

Kelsey Barberio, Parade‘s Senior Producer, is still raving about Kuoser’s Recovery Suit, earning it repeat-winner status for “Best in Show.” Feeling the giant cones of shame are—well—shameful and “archaic.” Barberio set out to find something better for her dog (and yours). She found a Velcro PJ-style set for her puppy on neuter day. “Not only was it absolutely adorable, but it protected his incision and kept him comfortable,” Barberio says. “The material is very soft, and it comes in tons of cute patterns to match your dog’s personality.”

Shop It! Best Pet Paw Balm: Burt’s Bees for Dogs Nose & Paw Balm

Chewy

This USA-crafted balm is made with all-natural essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and protein. It combines power with a soft touch to protect your pet from the elements. Speaking of “soft,” it’ll keep your dog’s nose and paws moisturized in all weather. It works like ChapStick, and ParadePets Editor Nora-Marie Santillan says she relies on the balm to keep her senior dog’s nose comfortable every day. “She has one part of her nose that gets so dry and bumpy that I’m afraid it will get infected, but this Burt’s Bees balm helps keep her little nose from getting dry,” Santillan says. “She actually lets me put it on her nose via the stick and then rub the product into the whole nose.”

Shop It! Best Pet Protective Paw-wear: Wagwellies

Wagwellies

Another pet wellness product that’s so nice, we had to include it twice, Wagwellies is making its second straight Best in Show appearance. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again and again: this is the best paw protection brand out there for the pups,” Pannell raves.

Pannell used Wagwear’s Wagwellies on her Giant Schnauzer a couple of years ago. Since then, her two pups have been seen rocking Wagwellies Mojave and Wagwellies Sports. “They are sturdy—good for cold or hot days, the rain, hiking and more,” she adds. “We love them so much, we’ve collected a full lineup of colors, and I’ve even started purchasing them for Bishop, my Great Dane.”

Best Water Additive for Healthy Teeth: Oxyfresh

Chewy

If you read and hear advice from vets to brush your pet’s teeth and go, “OK, but have you met my dog or cat IRL?” Oxyfresh’s water additive for healthy teeth offers an alternative. Its non-toxic oral care water solution includes zinc and other ingredients that eliminate bad breath, remove plaque buildup and protect gums without your pet even knowing (it’s tasteless and odorless).

Shop It! Best Dental Care for Dogs: Fera Pets Dental Powder

Fera Pets

Fera Pets offers another fresh way to get off the oral hygiene struggle bus, which Hawkins was on with her feisty Shih-Tzu. “He will not let me brush his teeth, and I’m too scared to do a dental cleaning at the vet because of his age,” Hawkins says.

A few months ago, Hawkins found this dental powder, and it’s been a game-changer for her pup (and her). Natural, made with kelp antioxidants and a cinch to sprinkle on food, her dog is literally “eating it right up.” Now, she can enjoy the sweet kisses, sans stench. The product also works for cats.

Shop It! Best Cat Exercise Wheel: Furdear

Chewy

Unlike the rainbow one on a Mac, this is a wheel you can get behind—because your cat 31/10 agrees. The Peloton of cat wheels, it’s durable, quiet and lightweight. It offers couch potatoes and active kitties a fun, fright-free way to play, reduce stress, burn energy, and calories and maintain a healthy weight. It’s also a breeze to set up with fasteners, so your cat can hop on it shortly after you unbox the Furdear.

Shop It! Pet Food and Treats

Arguably, there’s no taller task than choosing a pet’s diet with all of the fodder out there about raw food bowls, home-cooked meals and natural ingredients. Plus, we’re more aware than ever of our pet’s digestive strife. Your vet is your best option to bounce ideas and Internet rumors off of. But once you’ve decided on the best diet, these pet foods, treats, and feeding products will become fast favorites.

Best Raw Cat Treats: Stella & Chewy’s

Amazon

As obligate carnivores, cats were fans of protein long before it became TikTok cool. Historically, domesticated felines can be finicky. But Stella & Chewy’s has embraced the challenge, using it as inspiration for a line of free-dried, raw Dinner Morsels that serve as treats and toppers for other foods. Made using responsibly sourced animal proteins and with minimally processed ingredients, it’s something you and your cat can feel good about. Flavor profiles include chicken, beef, turkey and duck.

Shop It! Best Dry Kibble for Dogs: Purina One True Instinct

Purina

Pannell’s dogs tried more food brands than she could shake a stick at, but each of them triggered stomach issues—sometimes even after working for a few months. Struggling to find something that could consistently nourish her fur babies without having to spend a small fortune, she turned to the True Instinct Turkey & Venison formula by Purina ONE, which doesn’t have byproduct meal, preservatives or artificial flavors. It hasn’t stopped working, and Pannell hasn’t stopped buying it—or recommending it. Now, Pannell’s two dogs “run to their bowls” during feeding time, and it doesn’t cause post-meal digestive woes.

Shop It! Best Puppy Food: Purina Pro Plan

Chewy

Winner, winner chicken dinner. Purina also makes Best In Show for its puppy food formula, Purina Pro Plan. Made with carefully selected ingredients, including antioxidants, protein, calcium and omega-6s, this 100% complete and balanced puppy food has everything your pet needs to support their immune system, skin, muscular and digestive health in their first year of life.

Shop It! Best Dog Food for Sensitive Pups: Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care

Chewy

Hawkins has to be careful about what she feeds her precious senior Shih-Tzu, who has various health concerns. But she’s been able to stick to Blue Buffalo-branded foods since he was a puppy. Made with limited ingredients and real protein, Hawkins loves that “it’s sensitive enough on his little tummy and never upsets it,” Hawkins says. It comes in multiple flavors, including chicken and brown rice and salmon and potato. But Hawkins’ dog adores the turkey-and-potato recipe.

Shop It! Best Fresh Food Delivery Service: The Farmer’s Dog

The Farmer's Dog

Move over, human meal delivery kits. The Farmer’s Dog takes the winner’s circle for fresh food delivery in our dogs’ books, and they’re the most important ones as far as we’re concerned. The Farmer’s Dog brings fresh, human-grade complete and balanced meals to your doorstep. Simple, vet-developed recipes use gently cooked meat and veggies and exceed AAFCO standards. To get a personalized plan, you’ll fill out a short questionnaire about your dog’s needs and preferences. You can also pause, cancel, or reactivate your subscription at any time.

Best Dry Food Delivery Service: Sundays for Dogs

Sundays for Dogs

Dog food made with real ingredients you can actually pronounce—not synthetic nutrient blends or artificial preservatives—is the order of the day with Sundays. The subscription-based service offers air-dried, vet-approved dog foods and delivers them to you at a cadence that ensures you’ll never panic as the bag lightens. Flavors include turkey, chicken, beef and fish. To ensure seamless service, you’ll fill out a 3-minute survey about your dog’s weight, breed, activity level, and health goals, and Sundays will calculate how much food your pup needs (and the cost).

Best Dog Food Topper: Beaumont Basics

Amazon

These tasty toppers are like a doggie version of the cherry on top. Vargas’ rescue dog isn’t all that food-motivated (a rare breed, indeed), but Beaumont Basics ensures she eats what she needs. “If I feel like I need to get her to eat some more, these do the trick,” Vargas says. “I have her pick which flavor she wants that day between cheese and beef, and she loves mixing it up. And then it’s hard to get her to stay before releasing her to eat—she finds these so yummy.”

Shop It! Best Training Treats for Dogs: Blue Buffalo Bits

Blue Buffalo

Yes, dog parents, we’re giving you a second helping of Blue Buffalo. The high praise is warranted. Blue Buffalo’s soft, chewy treats offer big flavor (like chicken) to reinforce all of your pet’s “very good” behaviors. All the while, its protein-rich formulas use real meat first and include DHA to support cognitive development. At Blue Buffalo, preservatives and artificial flavors are in the dog house—not in recipes.

Shop It! Best Treats for Small Dogs: Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter and Banana Biscuits

eBay

Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter and Banana Biscuits hold holy grail status for Hawkins, her senior Shih-Tzu, and his sensitive gut — and other small-dog families around the U.S. for their reasonable size and (apparently) delicious taste. “They’re dog-bone shaped and small, so they’re perfect for giving to a small pup,” Hawkins says. “I’ve tried plenty of other biscuits where I’ve had to break them in half or quarters. These are the perfect size for my pint-sized pup.”

Shop It! Best Treats for Healthy Skin: Native Pet Supplements

Native Pets

As a pet parent to two larger-breed dogs with chicken allergies, Pannell takes extra care in choosing healthy food and treats for her dogs. “I literally trust no other brand than Native Pet to deliver that,” Pannell declares. “Both my Great Dane and Giant Schnauzer use The Daily—which has 11 benefits in one product—The Omega Oil and the Probiotic every day.” Plus, Native Pets’ supplements are clean-label and vet-developed, so they’re natural fits for healthy routines.

Shop It! Best Stick Dog Treats: Golden Rewards

Walmart

If flavor, shape or ingredients are sticking points for your pet (and you) when it comes to treats, Golden Rewards are likely hits. Made without byproducts, wheat or soy, these grain-free treats are unheralded superstars in the pet treat world. In Pannell’s home, they’re now just superstars.

“I stumbled across this brand one day while looking for pet cologne in Walmart, and I haven’t turned to anything else since,” says Pannell, whose dogs love the duck-based options. “They get so excited when I head to the cabinet to pull them out, and I’ve truly never seen them react better to any treat we’ve tried.”

Shop It! Best Calming Treats: Zesty Paws

Zesty Paws

Zesty Paws’ functional supplement blend supports pets during storms, travel, fireworks and other stressful moments. The functional blend includes suntheanine (an advanced form of L-theanine), ashwagandha, chamomile, valerian root and L-tryptophan to help your pup stay relaxed in otherwise stress-inducing situations. The peanut butter-flavored treats are best for dogs with normal stress, nervousness and hyperactivity.

Shop It! Best Treat Dispensers: Fable Pets

Chewy

“Don’t play with your food” is not a rule that applies to dogs. Fable Pets has turned meal and treat time into fun time. Its puzzle toy boasts a weighted-base design, creating irregular motion that supercharges your dog’s prey instinct and provides necessary physical and mental stimulation. You can put 1.5 cups of kibble, spread peanut butter on the top fins, and let your dog go to town while you run an errand, hop on a Zoom call, and take a shower with the bathroom door closed. The silicone material makes the game quieter.

Shop It! Best Automatic Cat Feeder: Petlibro Smart Feeder

Petilbro

If your cat prefers wet food—as Galla’s does—consider the Petlibro Polar Smart Wet Food Feeder a “game-changer.” It keeps up to three meals fresh for three days, with a cooling pause that ensures your pet gets their food at the ideal temperature. “I love that it keeps meals chilled until it’s time to eat, so I don’t have to worry about wet food sitting out for hours while I’m at work or running errands,” Galla says. And it doesn’t add chores to her list because the stainless-steel bowl is dishwasher-safe.

Shop It! Best Pet Water Bowl: Slopper Stopper

Amazon

Just the name is appetizing to dog parents with sloppy sippers, like PetHelpful writer Kathryn Bell’s Goldendoodle. The Slopper Stopper is a product that lives up to its name, lowering water spills and trails by up to 85%. You can use it in the car and at home, and it’s designed for dogs weighing in at 21 to 50 lbs. “The bowl holds up to a gallon of water, which is more than enough for my pup between refills,” Bell adds. “Best of all, I’m no longer stepping into puddles every time I walk through the kitchen. My floors—and socks—stay dry, my dog stays hydrated, and it’s truly been a win-win for both of us.”

Shop It! Best Treat to Keep Pups Occupied: Woof Pupsicle 

Woof

If you need a minute (or 30 or more) of peace, the Woof Pupsicle offers it—and peace of mind. Made with only 10 high-quality ingredients, such as peanut butter and beef tallow, the Pupsicles are clean, mess-free, and delicious. Don’t let the name fool you either—there’s no freezer required. It’s ready to eat when your pet is. Bonus: One Parade staffer said it “totally saved” her during her Aussiedoodle’s teething years.

Shop It! Pet Parent Solutions

Pet parenthood is a whirlwind of fun and gratifying beyond words. But you might also feel like a juggler in the center ring of a circus, making vet appointments, playing chauffeur, doing laundry, and keeping tabs on a mammal with a mind of their own. These travel systems, trackers, and laundry aids ensure you don’t drop a single ball.

Best Detergent for Pets: Active Pet Laundry Detergent

Amazon

ACTIVE Pet Laundry Detergent Odor Remover is a bio-based enzyme cleaner to go after and eliminate slobber, dirt, and dog and stubbornly smelly cat pee from your laundry. It’s worked like a charm in the Vargas household, where her cat regularly pees outside the litter box, and her rescue pup pees for attention. Even though her pets are—mercifully–having fewer accidents these days, she still uses it in every pet load.

“It just keeps everything fresh, and there are no lingering odors from my dog’s feet, her slobber or anything,” Vargas says. “Truly, a must-have in my household at all times.”

Shop It! Best Pet Tracker System: Tractive

Tractive

Tractive does so much more than provide live GPS tracking, virtual fences and escape alerts about your little Houdini (though it does both of those, too). It’s a data-driven parent’s dream. Tractive sends weekly well-being reports on your dog’s activity and sleep. You can also receive alerts about changes in your pet’s vitals, activity and sleep, which can be an early sign of pain. It also boasts a 2-week battery life. The Tractive is for dogs who are over 9 lbs.

Shop It! Best GPS Collar: Halo Collar

Halo

The Halo Collar 5 is heaven-sent for pet parents who want to give their dogs freedom without sacrificing the knowledge their pup is a-OK. Pet parents have the power to set wireless GPS fences at home, on the road and even while off the grid. Its satellite data is refined by ground stations, giving pet parents 24/7/365 peace of mind. (The all-day battery life is a major plus, too.)

Shop It! Best Leash & Collar Combo: Ruff Wear

Ruff Wear

Ruff Wear’s extensive library of collars and leashes was designed for outdoor adventure, with both fashion and practicality in mind. Collars include waterproof or stink-proof ones, as well as others that are perfect for everyday wear. Durable leashes complement collars, including slip leads for a stroll around the block and hitch leashes that allow for secure control while climbing. Numerous prints and solid-color options let your dog make a stylish statement—products sold separately.

Shop It! Best Pet Travel System: Tavo System

Tavo

Tavo’s 3-in-1 Pet Protection System triples as a cozy carrier bed, pet stroller and safety-tested car seat. It, frankly, rivals what you find on the market for human infants. “The TAVO travel system is as good as it gets,” Hawkins raves. “With a small dog, you have to be sure they’re restrained in the car, and this car seat keeps him safe, cozy and happy, even on long rides.”

Shop It! Best Pet Carrier: SturdiBag

Sturdi

Sturdy is what you need when traveling with a beloved pet, and that’s what SturdiBag provides. Perfect for small cats and dogs, the airline-compliant pet carrier keeps dogs safe, secure and cozy until you reach your destination. Flexible rods can fit tighter aircraft seat situations, and a soft, padded interior will have your pet feeling like they’re flying first-class (even if you’re in coach).

Shop It! Best Dog Harness: Didog Harness

Amazon

Santillan has two Didog harnesses for her 20-pound dog and says it’s the closest thing to “no-pull” on the block, courtesy of a piece that sits in the low-chest area. She slips it over her pup’s head, and it snows on one side. Removal is so easy that she does it one-handed. “I would recommend this harness for small dogs, with the simple design for putting it on and taking it off, and the soft material that sits on the dog’s body,” Santillan says.

Shop It!

Gilmore Girls is more than just a show; it’s a cultural phenomenon. The witty banter, the pop culture references, the cozy small-town charm of Stars Hollow… it has captivated fans for over two decades. Now, the beloved series has been given the Fisher-Price Little People treatment.

To commemorate the series, Fisher-Price has created an adorable Little People Collector set featuring Rory Gilmore, Lorelai Gilmore, Emily Gilmore, and Luke Danes. Previous television/movie themed Little People Collector sets include The Devil Wears Prada 2, Harry Potter, Wednesday, Ted Lasso, The Goonies, JAWS, Supernatural and The Karate Kid. The limited-edition set is available on Amazon for $26.99. Each figure stands at over 2.5 inches tall and the four Little People characters come in a window box display that mirrors Stars Hollow as the backdrop.

The dramedy series followed Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham), a coffee-addicted single more and her smart teenage daught, Rory (Alexis Bledel). The two lived in the quaint and cozy town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut and focused on their tight-knit friendships, family and school dramas and the romance both mother and daughter were experiencing.

Related: ‘Gilmore Girls’ Baby Names Are Surging, but One Is a Clear Favorite With Parents

The Little People in the Gilmore Girls set include:

• Rory Gilmore — The sweetest, most bookish girl in Stars Hollow
• Lorelai Gilmore — Rory’s coffee-obsessed, quick-witted, and endlessly fun mom
• Emily Gilmore — The formidable head of the Gilmore family — complicated, iconic, and unforgettable
• Luke Danes — Owner of Luke’s Diner, keeper of the coffee, and secretly in love with Lorelai

Related: Lauren Graham Is Working on a Brand-New ‘Gilmore Girls’ Project, but Fans Are Saying One Thing

All seven seasons of Gilmore Girls is available on DVD and Blu-ray and is also available to rent on iTunes, Google Play and similar platforms. You can also stream it on Hulu. A limited 4-part series of Gilmore Girls called Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life that takes place about 10 years after the events of the seventh season is available on Netflix.

Next, The Iconic ‘Gilmore Girls’ House Just Hit the Market at a Staggering Price

More than two decades after its release, 311 is looking back at Don’t Tread on Me, the 2005 album the rock band recorded in Los Angeles with producer and engineer Ron Saint Germain.

The band marked the album’s 21st anniversary with a video shared on Instagram. In the caption, 311 wrote: “21 year of ‘Don’t Tread On Me.’ Recorded in LA at the Hive with Ron Saint Germain, this album still holds a lot of memories for us.”

In the video, vocalist and guitarist Nick Hexum and bassist Aaron “P-Nut” Wills talked about what comes to mind when they think about the album. For Hexum, one memory stood out right away.

had Sexton, S.A. Martinez, Nick Hexum, Tim Mahoney and P-Nut from 311 on August 13, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.

Photo by Alison Buck/WireImage

“I think of it being the last time we worked with Ron Saint German,” Hexum said.

P-Nut remembered one song in particular: “Always an Excuse When You Need One,” which appears on the album as “There’s Always an Excuse.”

View this post on Instagram

He explained that the track was the second of what the band called its “epics,” songs built around several musical movements. P-Nut connected that idea to his interest in The Beatles and their song “Happiness Is a Warm Gun.”

He recalled being interested in the way different song ideas could be joined together and said 311 used a similar approach on “Always an Excuse When You Need One.”

“So having different movements where it starts and then maybe it’s like, you know, three songs in one or more and always with the big soaring Mahoney solo. So I’m really proud of that one,” P-Nut said.

Released on Aug. 16, 2005, Don’t Tread on Me was 311’s eighth studio album. The record was the third 311 album recorded at The Hive, the band’s recording studio in North Hollywood, California.

Ron Saint Germain served as producer, engineer and mixer on the album. 311 also received a producer credit, while Giff Tripp worked as assistant engineer and David Kahne handled additional pre-production.

The album arrived during an important period in 311’s long career. The band had already built a large following through releases such as 311, Transistor, Soundsystem and From Chaos.

Don’t Tread on Me made a strong debut, entering the Billboard 200 at No. 5 after selling 91,000 copies during its first week.

The title track was released to radio before the album and became one of its best-known songs. “Don’t Tread on Me” reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart and No. 1 on the R&R Panel Alternative chart.

The album also included “Speak Easy” and “Frolic Room,” which were released as later singles. Other songs on the 11-track standard album included “Thank Your Lucky Stars,” “Solar Flare,” “Waiting,” “Long for the Flowers,” “Getting Through to Her,” “Whiskey & Wine,” “It’s Getting OK Now” and “There’s Always an Excuse.”

The album also produced material that was later released outside the original record. “Into the Flame” and “Stealing My Girl” appeared on the Archive compilation, while “Stealing My Girl” was later reworked into “The Call” for 2014’s Stereolithic.

Hexum also remembered another part of the album’s history: how often its songs were performed live.

“We didn’t play those songs that much. And that kind of started our like kind of backlog of writing songs and putting them on albums and then not really playing them live. But you know that leaves the room open for special shows like 311 Day,” he said.

That history makes 311 Day an important part of the band’s relationship with its deeper catalog.

The annual event gives 311 room to perform songs that may not regularly appear in its standard concert sets. The band has used 311 Day to play fan favorites, rarities, older material and songs that can be difficult to fit into normal shows.

This year, 311 Day took place March 7-8 at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas. The band performed 80 songs across four sets during the two-night celebration, according to Rock Cellar.

Among the songs performed was “Getting Through to Her,” another track from Don’t Tread on Me. Doug “S.A.” Martinez gave the song a rare acoustic solo performance, marking his first performance with a guitar with 311.

311’s lineup has remained together for years, with Hexum, P-Nut, drummer Chad Sexton, guitarist Tim Mahoney and Martinez continuing as the band’s core members.

Related: 1991 Nirvana Song, Never a No. 1 Hit on Billboard, Ranked Among ‘Best Rock Songs’ of All Time

Chipotle is giving away more than $1 million in free food starting Tuesday, Aug. 18!

The chain is bringing back its Chipotle IQ game, giving fans the chance to win free food, Chipotle Rewards points, and other prizes.

Here’s everything to know about the promotion and how to play before the offer ends.

How to get free food from Chipotle

Starting Aug. 18, Chipotle will give away more than $1 million in prizes through the Chipotle IQ game, including buy-one-get-one entrée codes, free Cilantro Lime Sauce, free Queso Blanco, Build Your Own Family Meals, exclusive card games, and more.

The game kicks off at 9 a.m. ET on Aug. 18. Each hour, the first 8,000 players to answer five questions correctly will win a prize. Chipotle is giving away 5,000 buy-one-get-one entrée offers, 1,500 free Cilantro Lime Sauce offers, and 1,500 free Queso Blanco offers every hour.

Players who score a perfect 5 out of 5 could also be randomly selected to receive one of 53 Silver Tickets, each featuring a bonus question. Answer it correctly, and you could win free Chipotle burritos for a year!

And even if you don’t win free food, you can still score Chipotle Rewards points. The chain is giving away 5 million points each day during the promotion.

RELATED: Insomnia Cookies Is Giving Away Free Cookies to College Students—Here’s How to Claim Yours

More Chipotle news

Over the past few months, Chipotle has been testing a brand-new menu item at select locations in California: crispy chicken.

The new protein features crispy breaded chicken with a crunchy coating and juicy interior and can be added to burritos, tacos, salads or bowls.

According to a Chipotle advertisement, the crispy chicken is also free of preservatives, gluten or anything artificial.

For now, fans will have to wait and see whether the new crispy chicken expands to more Chipotle locations.

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