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You don’t need to splurge on a new couch or embark on a full-blown home makeover to make your space feel like a bit more charming. Sometimes, it’s the tiniest swaps that do the most — like a sweet planter or a nature-inspired bedding set that makes everything feel a little more like home If you’re in the mood for a low-effort refresh with high payoff, the Deogos Small Wooden Bird Desk Lamp checks all the boxes.

Right now, Amazon has this sweet little light for just $14. It’s a small-but-mighty accent that adds a cozy glow and a touch of cottagecore charm, making it an easy way to freshen up your space. Do you really love it? Good, because there’s also a set of two available for just $25 (a deal!), since you wouldn’t want your little birdie to be lonely, would you?

Deogos Small Wooden Bird Desk Lamp, $14 at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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This lamp is designed as a softly stylized bird, blending sculptural charm with warm ambient lighting. Its body is split between a smooth, glowing white form that acts as the light source and a wood-grain exterior that wraps over the top like a natural “feathered” shell. The wood finish has a light oak tone with visible grain patterns, giving it an organic, handcrafted feel, while the rounded, minimal silhouette keeps it modern and playful. 

The bird’s head is gently curved with a small, pointed beak and a carved eye, adding detail without breaking the clean lines. It stands on a matching wood-grain pedestal base that flares slightly at the bottom for stability, but it can also be detached and hung on the walls or ceiling using the provided ring. When lit, the white portion emits a soft, diffused glow that feels cozy and calming — perfect for a bedside table, desk, or a shelf.

Deogos 2 Cute Bird Lamps Combo, $25 at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Beyond its looks, it’s surprisingly functional. A simple tap on the top lets you cycle through three color temperatures — bright white for clarity, neutral for everyday tasks, and a warm glow that’s perfect for winding down — while a long press adjusts the brightness to your liking. 

It’s cordless and rechargeable, powered by a 2600 milliampere-hour battery that fully charges in just a few hours, with a discreet port tucked beneath the tail. As a final thoughtful touch, the top includes a small well for essential oils, so you can add a few drops and let it double as an aroma diffuser, bringing a calming scent into your space.

Dubbed as a “delightful way to light up any area” by shoppers, this “cute-as-pie” lamp has earned plenty of praise in the reviews section. “While being beautiful, this bird is so utilitarian, has so many settings, and goes with just about any decor,” one shopper wrote, adding, “The controls are easy to use and self-explanatory — just touch, and hold for brightness or dimming!”

Another reviewer highlighted that “even unlit, it is really a great addition to decor,” pointing to its “adorable” design and “sleek” wood-grain look. 

Related: Amazon’s Magical Cottagecore Lamps Are an Instant ‘Ambient’ Upgrade — and Start at Just $19

At just $14, the Deogos Small Wooden Bird Desk Lamp proves that small updates can make a big impact. Add it to your Amazon cart and give your space a literal glow-up.

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It’s officially fall—which means the leaves are starting to change color. And yes, we still have a good few weeks to enjoy that gorgeous fall foliage before the leaves start to fall, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start planning what to do with those leaves.

Many homeowners simply rake the leaves, put them in bags and throw those bags away, destined to rot in a landfill. However, throwing away your fall leaves is essentially throwing away a free gardening tool. Not only that, but doing so is also pretty environmentally-unfriendly.

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To learn more about what we should do with fall leaves, we consulted with two expert gardeners: Amanda Webb, Head Gardener at Windy Hill Farm and Preserve in Tennessee, and Angie Kristoff, founder of the blog Angie’s Recipe Garden and a Denver-based home gardener.

Below, the two gardening pros discuss the issues with bagging autumn leaves and share seven brilliant ways to use these leaves throughout the year.

Related: 45 Most Common Houseplants to Grow in Your Space

The Problem With Bagging Fall Leaves, According to Gardeners

Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

“The biggest problem with bagging leaves is that we’re treating something valuable like trash,” Webb explains.

“Leaves are full of nutrients and organic matter that belong back in the soil, making them a free source of mulch and compost,” she says. “Unless they’re covering your lawn so heavily that they’ll smother the grass, there’s usually a better use for them right where they fall.”

Kristoff agrees, explaining that “the issue with bagging leaves is complex.”

“For starters, bagging leaves takes up space in the landfills. Leaves are organic, and there are many uses in and around the garden versus sending them to the landfill,” she explains. According to the MIT Climate Portal, if you care about protecting the environment, a landfill is actually the worst place to throw organic waste. In a landfill, organic matter like leaves won’t be able to naturally decompose, and it will instead produce methane, one of the worst climate-heating gases.

Plus, “leaves create homes for many beneficial insects and create a natural fertilizer as they break down,” meaning it can be worthwhile to leave some of them be on your lawn, according to Kristoff.

Related: Why Your Hydrangeas Are Wilting Even Though You’re Watering Them, According to Gardeners

7 Things to Do With Your Fall Leaves Instead of Throwing Them Away, According to Gardeners

Here are Kristoff and Webb’s suggestions for using your fall leaves.

1. Shred the leaves and use them

Caroline Munsterman / Getty Images

“One of the easiest things homeowners can do is simply move leaves into their garden beds and around trees and shrubs,” says Webb. “I especially like to chop them up first with a mower or leaf shredder, because smaller pieces break down faster and are less likely to form a thick, wet mat. They help hold moisture in the soil and gradually add organic matter as they decompose.”

Similarly, in the winter, Kristoff recommends that people “shred the leaves and use them in the garden, or use a lawn mower to mow the leaves and allow them to sit over winter in the grass.”

As she explains, shredding the leaves before scattering them over the grass “ensures the leaves break down. Leaves that are not shredded tend to create mats and likely will not break down enough before the next season. Using the lawnmower also means the grass can still get sunlight, which reduces the risk of the grass dying under a mat of leaves.”

2. Use whole leaves as filler

Shredding or chopping leaves can be time consuming and it’s not for everyone—but fortunately, there are alternatives.

“If you don’t have access to a leaf mulcher, an alternative option is using the whole leaves in the garden,” especially in raised garden beds and potted plants, says Kristoff.

“In the past I have placed 4-6 inches of leaves on top of my garden soil and covered in burlap bags to keep them in place over winter,” she explains. “When it came time to plant, I cut a hole in the bag where I wanted to plant, moved the leaves and staked down the edges to keep the leaves out while the seed sprouted. After the seed sprouted, I moved the leaves back as mulch. That season I had fewer weeds and cooler soil.”

In these spots, you can use the whole leaves as a base layer, which “means using less soil, having a lighter pot and you still get the benefits of the nutrients as the leaves break down.”

Additionally, Kristoff sometimes uses whole leaves when she’s “transplanting into the garden as well, just a handful of leaves in the hole and then the plant on top.”

Related: Fertilizing These 9 Plants in Summer Can Do More Harm Than Good—These 5 Still Need It

3. Add leaves to your compost pile

Lucy Lambriex / Getty Images

“Leaves are one of the best materials you can add to a compost pile because they provide the carbon-rich material that balances out things like kitchen scraps and fresh grass clippings,” says Webb.

“If you have a lot of leaves, don’t be afraid to save a pile of them and add them to your compost throughout the year,” she adds. “Over time, they’ll break down into rich compost that can go right back into your vegetable and flower gardens.”

4. Use leaves as insulation

Kristoff says you can use leaves to help insulate perennial plants during the cold winter months.

“Leaves are a great insulator when paired with a rose collar or a burlap sack to keep the leaves in place,” she says. “Then in the spring, the leaves can be dug into the first few inches of soil in the garden bed. This method allows the leaves to break down a little over winter and then continue to nourish your soil during the garden season.”

Webb agrees, noting that fallen leaves can make a great “natural winter mulch.” She advises putting “a loose layer around perennial plants, bulbs, shrubs and even certain vegetable crops,” as this “can help insulate the soil and protect roots from repeated freezing and thawing.”

She adds: “I prefer keeping the leaves loose rather than packing them tightly against plant crowns or stems, especially around plants that are susceptible to rot. By spring, much of that material will have started breaking down and can be incorporated into the soil or simply left in place.”

Related: I Thought I’d Ruined My Tomato Garden—Turns Out This Common Problem Has an Easy Fix

5. Mow the leaves into your lawn

Marc Dufresne / Getty Images

“If you have a lawn, you don’t necessarily have to rake every leaf off of it,” says Webb. “Running the mower over the leaves and leaving the small pieces in place allows them to  break down and return nutrients and organic matter to the soil.”

That said, you’ll want to make sure to do this very thoroughly. “The important part is making sure the leaves are chopped finely enough that they don’t sit on top of the grass in a thick layer,” she explains.

6. Make a leaf mold tower @thegardenerslodge

🍂🍁Planning to create Leaf Mould this Autumn? It’s not just easy; it’s a boon for your garden. Leaf mould decomposes far more effortlessly than regular garden waste and boasts a weed-free guarantee, comprising solely fallen leaves. 
Any leaves will work, even Australian natives, though some might require a bit more patience in breaking down. The methods for making leaf mould vary, some simply leaving them in a perforated plastic bag. Personally, I’ve opted to roll mine into some old chicken wire to reduce plastic usage.
After rolling, a thorough watering and a few months of patience are all that’s needed. Then, you have a nutrient-rich addition ready to enrich your garden soil or even create potting mix for indoor plants. 
🌸🌼 I’ve created a FREE Australian native garden design for you! 
It’s easy to follow and totally adaptable to your space. 
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#thegardenerslodge #thelodge #garden #gardening #gardener #aussiegardening #austrliangardening #gardeningaustralia #gardendesign #bluemountains #sydney #landscapedesign #landscape #natives #austrliannatives #compost #herbs #leaf #leafmould #leafmold #leafcompost

♬ Sit Back – Bequem

A leaf mold tower is essentially a pile of leaves in an enclosure. Over time, the leaves will naturally decompose into a leaf-based mold. This mold is rich in valuable nutrients that you can then use in your gardening, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

“This option works best with shredded leaves, but whole leaves can be used and will take longer to decompose,” says Kristoff. “Leaf mold towers are pretty hands-off once the leaves are in the tower.”

Here’s how to create your own leaf mold tower, per Kristoff: “Add leaves in layers, soaking as you add the leaves. If you live in a drier climate, you will need to water the tower every few weeks to ensure the decomposition continues. Leaves can be used at any stage, but it is best after a year or more, and the leaves have fully decomposed.”

Kristoff says this her “favorite method because it gets the leaves out of my way, and I can decide what I want to do with them later after they have already started breaking down.”

Related: 12 Good Luck Plants to Fill Your Home with Good Vibes

7. Give the leaves away

“If you don’t have a use for the leaves, post them on local groups for free pickup,” Kristoff suggests. Personally, I love giving away things like this on my local Buy Nothing Facebook group.

“One year I picked up 30+ bags of leaves from people for the community garden,” she says. “Finding a local community garden and asking them if they’d like the leaves is also a great idea. The bonus for the garden was that we not only had leaves to use in our plots, but we also got to save the bags and use them during cleanup days. Giving the leaves away is a very low-effort way to keep the leaves out of the landfill.”

Up Next:

Related: Don’t Wait Until Spring to Plant These 7 Flowers—Gardeners Say Getting Them in the Ground Now Can Mean Stronger Blooms Next Year

Sources:

• Amanda Webb is the Head Gardener at Windy Hill Farm and Preserve.
• Angie Kristoff is the founder of the blog Angie’s Recipe Garden.
• Organic Waste. MIT Climate Portal
• Create a leaf-mould cage. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

For nearly 50 years, the Skywalker Saga has been the part of Star Wars that has been core to the franchise: one family pulled between the light and the dark. When The Rise of Skywalker ended in 2019 with Rey taking the Skywalker name on Tatooine, it looked she may have buried the Skywalker saga along with the lightsabers. But it looks like Disney may be preparing to bring them back.

Jon Watts, who directed Tom Holland‘s three Spider-Man films, is now attached to direct the first installment of a new trilogy written by Simon Kinberg. The project is intended as the next chapter of the Skywalker Saga. Nine episodes came before it, which would make this one Episode X.

Knight Edge Media broke the story, citing two sources who said Lucasfilm was circling Watts for the job. Deadline and TheWrap followed with confirmations of their own. Lucasfilm declined to comment.

The detail longtime fans will fix on is Rey. According to THR, Daisy Ridley‘s Jedi would appear in the new trilogy in some capacity. Knight Edge Media reports that she is expected back as Jedi Master Rey, though the size of her role remains unclear. It also reports that a standalone Rey film was set aside so Episode X could move forward.

Related: Mark Hamill Was 25 in ‘Star Wars,’ Today He Turns 75 as Darkwing Duck

Watts is not new to the galaxy. He co-created the Disney+ series Skeleton Crew, which starred Jude Law, and directed its first and final episodes. His Spider-Man trilogy grossed more than $3.9 billion worldwide from 2017 to 2021. THR described him as a dependable pick for a franchise with a well-documented history of director turnover.

Kinberg brings his own Star Wars history. He co-created the animated series Star Wars Rebels and spent years writing and producing the X-Men films. His hiring to write and produce a new trilogy was reported in late 2024.

Nothing is final yet. THR’s sources said Disney has not officially given the project a green light, although it appears to be the furthest along of Lucasfilm’s films in development after Star Wars: Starfighter. There is no release date. TheWrap also noted that some insiders describe the trilogy as a standalone “new saga” rather than a continuation, a distinction Lucasfilm has not addressed.

Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, is set for theaters on May 28, 2027. It is a standalone story set five years after The Rise of Skywalker, and its release falls in the 50th anniversary year of the original 1977 film.

If the Kinberg trilogy moves forward, the story that began with a farm boy on Tatooine would add a tenth chapter. Watts would also join George Lucas, J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson among the filmmakers who have directed an episode of the saga.

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Nick Nolte is the kind of Hollywood actor many of us still picture from the 1980s and ’90s. He was the unmistakable leading man of films like 48 Hrs., Down and Out in Beverly Hills and Another 48 Hrs., becoming one of the most recognizable faces of his generation. Now, at 85, Nolte has three films on the horizon, a surprising reminder that the movie star many of us grew up watching is still very much at work.

Nolte has been one of Hollywood’s most recognizable and unique leading men for more than five decades, but his stardom reached a fever pitch in the 1980s and ’90s. He earned a 1991 Oscar nomination for his performance opposite Barbra Streisand in The Prince of Tides. His performances in 48 Hrs., Down and Out in Beverly Hills and Another 48 Hrs. cemented his movie star status, and he was even named People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1992. But it was Nolte’s gruff real-life persona and unmistakable screen presence that helped make him an icon.

Nick Nolte Was One of Hollywood’s Biggest Stars in the ’80s and ’90s @user1820702153225

Nick Nolte Legendary Star At 85 #nicknolte

♬ Original Sound – Unknown

One of the rare Hollywood actors to maintain leading-man status for decades, Nolte continued working steadily as his career evolved. He appeared in films including Warrior, Tropic Thunder, A Walk in the Woods and Angel Has Fallen, gradually transitioning from leading-man roles to character parts that allowed him to explore a different side of his talent.

Rather than disappearing from Hollywood, Nolte found a way to keep working on his own terms, taking on roles that further cemented his legacy while introducing him to a new generation of movie fans.

Related: ‘Mad About You’ Star, 63, Praised by Fans for Aging Naturally: ‘Refreshing to See an Actress Without a Fake Face’

Nick Nolte Makes Rare Public Appearance at 85

Spotted heading to his car recently, the 85-year-old film legend continued to embrace the bohemian style fans have grown accustomed to over the years, fitting perfectly with the persona of an actor who has always made his own rules.

Fans have called him “beloved” while taking to social media to share their favorite Nick Nolte movies. Others have described him as “kind-hearted” and “a fantastic actor.”

Nolte has always been something of an enigma. From his portrayal of vulnerable everyman characters to his often-reclusive public persona, he has managed to carve out a career in Hollywood by being completely himself.

Nick Nolte Has Three Films Coming Out at 85 @primemovies

Robbing the robber. Crime 101, streaming now. #Crime101 #BarryKeoghan #NickHolte #Movies #MovieClips

♬ original sound – Prime Movies

Now, Nolte is looking ahead to his next chapter. He’s set to appear in Company, directed by Casey Affleck, which premiered this summer at the Venice Film Festival.

He also has two additional upcoming projects on the horizon, Shelter Me and Condemned to Love. He appeared in Crime 101 earlier this year, making the run of projects an especially notable one for an actor who first became a household name more than 40 years ago.

That’s what makes Nick Nolte such an interesting Hollywood star. Even at 85, he’s looking ahead, continuing to work and choosing characters that challenge him as an actor.

Rather than simply catching a glimpse of a Hollywood luminary we remember from the 1980s and ’90s, we’re seeing an actor who is still evolving, still creating and still completely himself.

Related: Figure Skating Legend, Known as ‘Fred Astaire on Skates,’ Has Fans Saying Thank You for Bringing Back His Iconic Performances

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Sometimes hit songs take a few years to get right before they’re released, like with Blondie‘s timeless new wave track, “Heart of Glass.”

Band members Debbie Harry and Chris Stein initially wrote the song in 1974 and recorded a demo the next year. But despite their best efforts, trying different genres and vibes, they couldn’t seem to get the right sound for a few years.

In a retrospective interview with The Guardian, Harry said of the song, “‘Heart of Glass’ was one of the first songs Blondie wrote, but it was years before we recorded it properly. We’d tried it as a ballad, as reggae, but it never quite worked.” They put it on the back burner for a time, until a new producer named Mike Chapman asked them about all the songs they’ve written.

They attempted to finish it again, trying new things, including the Roland Drum Machine that was being introduced at the time. Harry admitted that there were mixed opinions about their choice to use it.

She said, “Back then, it was very unusual for a guitar band to be using computerised sound. People got nervous and angry about us bringing different influences into rock.” Thankfully, Blondie didn’t let the response stop them, and they released “Heart of Glass” on their 1978 album Parallel Lines. It was then released as an official single in January 1979.

Related: 1971 Country-Rock Hit, Written By a 26-Year-Old Rocker After Bandmate’s Death, Is Among The “Greatest Rock Song Lyrics” 55 Years Later

As for the final title of the song, Stein said he came up with the phrase “Heart of Glass” on his own, although at the time, the Werner Herzog film of the same name had been released only two years earlier, in 1976. Although unintentional, this forever linked the two pieces of media.

“Heart of Glass” was a certified hit. It topped music charts around the world, including in the U.K., U.S., Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and more. Over time, its popularity has only grown, and it’s recognized as one of the best songs to come out of the 1970s. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015.

Related: 1969 Rock Song, Featuring a Famous Guitar Riff by Jimmy Page, Is Still a Global Hit 57 Years Later

Tool’s career-defining album arrived when the band debuted Ænima, a landmark release that helped establish the band as one of the defining acts of the 1990s alternative metal scene.

In a list shared by Consequence, the publication named the 60 Best Albums of 1996, with the rock band’s sophomore album claiming the No. 4 spot.

The publication emphasized how Ænima revealed Tool’s ability to create powerful, complex music without losing the heaviness that defined the band’s sound.

Consequence also praised drummer Danny Carey’s “overlapping rhythms made headbanging feel like solving a puzzle.”

Released in September 1996, Ænima became a multi-platinum album and earned Tool its first Grammy win when “Ænema” took home Best Metal Performance in 1998.

Vocalist Maynard James Keenan, bassist Paul D’Amour, drummer Danny Carey, and guitarist Adam Jones perform in Tool at English Acid on January 1, 1992

Lindsay Brice/Getty Images

The second studio album also marked a significant moment for Tool after Ænima debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in 1996.

At the time, the rock band sold an impressive 148,000 copies in its first week alone.

Beyond the album’s success, its story is filled with fascinating details and surprising connections.

Apart from Ænima being a double entendre combining “anima,” a Latin word associated with the soul, and “enema,” a medical procedure involving the rectum, the album also served as a tribute to late comedian Bill Hicks, who passed away in 1994.

Houston standup comic Bill Hicks at the Comix Annex in 1984

Timothy Bullard/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

The band shared a personal connection with Hicks, along with mutual philosophical interests and deep respect for his work, as cited by Loudwire.

Tool also admired Hicks’ dark and provocative humor as well as his philosophical approach, which echoed some of the themes and attitudes featured in the band’s music.

Maynard James Keenan previously revealed in his 2016 biography, A Perfect Union of Contrary Things, that the band had reached out to the late comedian.

“We sent him copies of the album,” the lead singer recalled, as cited by Vice. “He wrote back and thanked us for the music. I called him and pointed out that we’d mentioned him in the liner notes. He hadn’t noticed.”

The album also featured excerpts from Bill Hicks’ stand-up performances before “Third Eye,” including material from “One Good Drug Story” and “The War on Drugs.”

Madonna made her big return to the MTV Video Music Awards and brought along some familiar faces.

During her opening performance of her hit songs “Bring Your Love” and “Danceteria Afterhours,” Madonna was joined on stage by famous friends Debi Mazer, Seth Rogen, and one of her more iconic ex-boyfriends.

“For those who don’t know, this hottie that Madonna grabbed by the butt is her ex-boyfriend Tony Ward,” one viewer tweeted before another added, “Just when we think Madonna can’t do more for the gays, she goes and delivers Tony Ward in a urinal at the VMAs.”

pra quem não sabe esse bofe que a madonna pegou na bunda é o ex namorado dela tony ward pic.twitter.com/ALy28LT3fF

— mafê (@madonnasjuicy) September 28, 2026

Madonna dated the model in the early 90s after he appeared in her music video for her song, “Justify My Love, which was ultimately banned from MTV due to its sexually explicit nature.

They dated for one year between 1990 and 1991, appearing together publicly and confirming their on-screen chemistry translated to real life.

Unfortunately, the couple split after it was revealed that Ward secretly married photographer Amalia Papadimos while dating Madonna.

Despite the split, they remained friends, and he appeared in her very controversial 1992 coffee-table photography book, Sex.

Years later, Ward opened up about the breakup, telling a Spanish newspaper in 2004, “Our relationship was pretty intense, but she treated me like a son, and I was looking for a woman, not for a mother.”

As for Madonna, she went on to date rapper Vanilla Ice after her split from Ward, before being linked to Dennis Rodman and Carlos Leon. She welcomed her oldest daughter, Lourdes, with Leon in 1996.

Ward was last linked to his partner, Angela Bruce. “My wife, Angela Bruce Ward, is an inspiration to do better every day. I was inexplicably drawn to her even before we met,” he told Vestal Magazine. “We had a romantic courtship through the airwaves before we met in person. It was like in Plato’s Symposium — the search for your other half, your soul mate.”

Brother Cane is spending the winter season on the road.

The band launched the Magnolia Medicine Tour after a long hiatus from recording to promote their new album, Magnolia Medicine, released in April 2026. They have spent the year playing shows alongside rock acts like Kansas and 38 Special, and now are going to continue to rock through a new leg of winter dates scheduled through December.

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The new dates kick off Dec. 2 with four shows in Texas, including a Dec. 4 stop in Austin, where the Southern hard rock outfit will hit the stage again with Topeka legends Kansas.

Brother Cane Returned to the Road After a Long Break

Formed in 1991 in Birmingham, Alabama, by singer and guitarist Damon Johnson and bassist Glenn Maxey, Brother Cane is known for its robust guitar riffs, gritty vocals, and distinct Southern hard-rock edge. During its rise in the 1990s, the band scored multiple hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, including “Got No Shame,” “And Fools Shine On,” and “I Lie in the Bed I Make.” The latter became the band’s second No. 1 on rock radio in 1998.

Despite success on rock radio, Brother Cane called it a day around the end of the 1990s after releasing its third album, Wishpool. The band later reunited for two shows in 2005 and a brief tour in 2012 before returning to the concert stage again in 2022.

During the years between those reunions, Johnson became a highly sought-after guitarist, touring with major rock acts including Alice Cooper, Thin Lizzy, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The catalyst for bringing Brother Cane back in 2022 happened while Johnson was touring with Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2021. He was surprised by how many Skynyrd fans approached him to share how much Brother Cane’s ’90s catalog still meant to them.

Moved by those conversations, Johnson reactivated the band in March 2022, bringing back original bassist Maxey and recruiting longtime collaborators including keyboardist Buck Johnson, who has performed with Aerosmith. The band’s first announced 2022 show was April 22 in Milwaukee.

Brother Cane’s ‘Magnolia Medicine’ Marks a New Chapter

What started as a return to the stage eventually evolved into a full-scale creative rebirth. In April 2026, Brother Cane released Magnolia Medicine, its first full-length album of new music since Wishpool in 1998—a 28-year gap.

Johnson has said the album represents a particularly meaningful chapter in his career. “Magnolia Medicine is my favorite album that I have made in my whole career,” he told Goldmine magazine earlier this year. “We created a record that we would want to hear.”

Producer and longtime collaborator Marti Frederiksen returned for the album, which also features guest appearances from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlocke on “Prince Charming,” a tribute to the late Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington.

Magnolia Medicine was released April 17 and contains 11 tracks.

Magnolia Medicine Tour tickets are now on sale at brothercane.com.

Related: 1996 Hit Anthem, Written at 16, Launched Its Homeless Singer to Stardom

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword answers cover a range of topics, including famous golfers, book adaptations, shortened names, generations, lumberjack tools, luxury watch brands, animal-related adjectives, slang for charisma, affirmative votes and words meaning “big.”

Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!

Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.

So, if you’re working on today’s Mini Crossword on Monday, September 28, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Monday, September 28, 2026

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: Golfer Mcllroy — HINT: Starts with the letter “R”

5 Across: What a best-selling book might be adapted into — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”

6 Across: Nickname that drops “beth” — HINT: Ends with the letter “A”

7 Across: Early 2000s babies are part of it — HINT: Starts with the letter “G”

8 Across: Tools for a lumberjack — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Watch brand with crown logo — HINT: Starts with the letter “R”

2 Down: Word like equine, feline or canine, but for sheep — HINT: Starts with the letter “O”

3 Down: Charisma, in slang — HINT: Ends with the letter “Z”

4 Down: opposite of “nay” — HINT: Starts with the letter “Y”

5 Down: “Big” prefix — HINT: Ends with the letter “A”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Monday, September 28, 2026

Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Answers

1 Across: Golfer Mcllroy — RORY

5 Across: What a best-selling book might be adapted into — MOVIE

6 Across: Nickname that drops “beth” — ELIZA

7 Across: Early 2000s babies are part of it — GENZ

8 Across: Tools for a lumberjack — AXE

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Watch brand with crown logo — ROLEX

2 Down: Word like equine, feline or canine, but for sheep — OVINE

3 Down: Charisma, in slang — RIZZ

4 Down: opposite of “nay” — YEA

5 Down: “Big” prefix — MEGA

Related: NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Sunday, September 27, 2026

It may only be September, but Pillsbury is in full-out holiday mode.

Not even one week after announcing its Elf-inspired cookies would be returning to stores alongside a new cinnamon roll flavor, the iconic boxed cake mix and frosting brand is unveiling two more festive offerings, and they’re both tapping into one of the most quintessential holiday flavors: gingerbread.

“Gingerbread is one of those flavors that instantly transports you to the holidays, and we wanted to make it as fun and easy as possible to bring that into your home,” Dan Anglemyer, Chief Operating Officer at Hometown Food Company (the manufacturer behind Pillsbury’s shelf-stable products), shared in the Sept. 24 press release announcing the launch of its new Gingerbread Stuffed Cupcake Kits and Gingerbread Frosting.

Pillsbury Debuts Gingerbread Frosting and Stuffed Cupcake Kits—Here’s Where the New Holiday Treats Are Heading

Its new Gingerbread Stuffed Cupcake Kits follow the introduction of Pillsbury’s Pumpkin Spice Stuffed Cupcake Kits, which officially launched right before Labor Day.

Related: Pillsbury Reveals New Funfetti Frosting Inspired by the Latest Viral Baking Trend

And just like its fall-themed predecessor, each box makes 24 stuffed cupcakes. All consumers need to do is add water, oil, eggs and the provided (Kosher-certified) cream cheese filling to create a batter that will be stuffed with “a sweet surprise in every bite.” There’s no need to scoop the filling into the pans separately; a little holiday magic and some time in the oven are all it needs to create an ooey-gooey stuffed center.

“The stuffed cupcake format adds that extra element of surprise and delight—it’s the kind of treat that gets everyone excited around the kitchen,” Anglemyer added.

Pillsbury

And because every cupcake is better when it’s dressed up with a little icing (at least this editor thinks so), a matching gingerbread-flavored frosting is heading to shelves next to other Pillsbury faves.

The new frosting is smooth, creamy, ready-to-use and brings the “warm, cozy taste” of classic gingerbread spice to any baked good, from cakes to cookies, sweet breads, and even brownies. It also makes the perfect pair to the new Stuffed Cupcake Kit, as the 16-ounce jar contains enough frosting to decorate two dozen cupcakes. It’s also certified Kosher and even gluten-free.

Pillsbury said both its new Gingerbread Stuffed Cupcakes and Gingerbread Frosting will be available at select retailers, including Walmart, as early as this month (prices may vary)—but only for a limited time. Find them alongside other holiday favorites such as Pillsbury’s Perfectly Pumpkin cake mix, Holiday Funfetti cake mix and matching frosting.

Next: Tillamook’s ‘Best Coffee-Flavored Ice Cream on the Market’ Is Back—and So Is a Cozy Holiday Favorite

It’s Gym, Tan, Love for DJ Pauly D! The Jersey Shore star proposed to his longtime girlfriend in Las Vegas on September 27, 2026 — and fans captured the sweet moment.

The 46-year-old reality star asked his girlfriend of six years, Nikki Hall, 34, to marry him at the Omnia Dayclub during a pool party at Caesars Palace.

Hall was clearly surprised by the proposal as Pauly got down on one knee to pop the question with a massive engagement ring. The couple first met on the reality series Double Shot of Love with DJ Pauly D & Vinny in 2019.

They moved in together during the pandemic in 2020 and then went on to appear in episodes of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.

View this post on Instagram

Earlier this year, Hall revealed she would love to marry Pauly D, but that the couple had not really talked about tying the knot.

“I would love for us to get there, but we haven’t had an actual conversation about getting married,” she said on the MTV show.

However, Pauly D’s co-stars are already huge fans of Hall and have welcomed her into the fist-pumping family.

“I feel like when Nikki’s around, Pauly’s more himself,” Nicole “Snooki” LaValle told Life & Style. “And he just seems happy. Like genuinely happy.”

She continued, “We love Nikki. Nikki’s great.”

Despite never being married, Pauly D did have a brief relationship with Amanda Markert, and the couple shares a daughter, Amabella, 13. According to Pauly D, Hall and his daughter have had an amazing relationship for years prior to his proposal.

“I told Nikki, I was like, ‘She’s just a mini-me.’ And I told Amabella the same thing, ‘Nikki’s great.’ And now they FaceTime every five minutes,” Pauly D told People in 2023. “Yeah, and they love each other, so I’m happy.”

Congratulations to the happy couple! We can’t wait for the wedding!

Madonna isn’t one to sit around waiting for a collaboration to happen.

After Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter won Best Collaboration at the 2026 MTV VMAs for “Bring Your Love,” the pop icon revealed the story of how the song came together, and why she eventually decided to take matters into her own hands.

“Everybody who knows me knows how impatient I am,” Madonna began, before dropping the bomb. “When five days passed and I still didn’t get connected with Sabrina and didn’t hear back from her about whether she wanted to do a song with me—5 days—I DM’ed her.”

Luckily, her directness worked. “And this is a true story, she answered me back and I don’t know, within weeks we were in the studio together. It was fabulous,” Madonna continued.

READ MORE: Madonna Shares Blunt Message for Fans at Her Concerts

Carpenter looked a little shocked at Madonna’s admission, and it’s safe to say, fans were too.

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A post shared by Variety (@variety)

“This was soooo awkward…. I felt like Sabrina wanted to hurry up and get off that stage…,” one Instagram user wrote in the comments of a clip of the moment.

“Idk it felt awkward and staged lol,” another pointed out.

“Sabrina’s signature laugh always hits during awkwardness,” said a third.

Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter took the VMAs stage together

Madonna opened the VMAs with her first performance at the awards show in 23 years, kicking off a club-inspired medley from Confessions II. Carpenter joined her at the piano for “Bring Your Love,” while Charli xcx later appeared for a remix of “Danceteria.” Julia Garner, Sombr, and Seth Rogen also popped up during the elaborate performance.

Madonna entered the night as the VMAs’ most-nominated artist with 13 total nods after additional categories were announced.

“Bring Your Love” wasn’t finished competing after its Best Collaboration victory, either. Madonna and Carpenter were also nominated together for Song of the Year.

Madonna won a handful of her nominations, too. She took home Artist of the Year and Best Album for Confessions II, plus Best Dance, Cinematography, Choreography, and Best Long Form Video for Confessions II – The Film.

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The two men standing beside Krist Novoselic said nothing at all. Dave Grohl and Pat Smear looked emotionally on at the picture of Kurt Cobain as Novoselic accepted the Video Vanguard Award for Nirvana at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night, 32 years after Cobain’s death.

Public Enemy’s Chuck D introduced the honor. “Any great movement takes advantage of the moment,” he said. He described a band that “never bent to the will of the mainstream” and whose sound was “loud, beautiful, daringly open.” Nirvana’s lyrics, he said, were “poetic, raw, and deeply human,” and their music videos “defined an era.”

Chuck D said Nirvana’s influence can be heard in “virtually every generation of artists who followed.” “The most enduring artists are the ones who dare to be completely unapologetically themselves,” he said. “I don’t really think there’s ever been a band exactly like Nirvana.”

A montage followed, cutting between Nirvana’s best-known videos and archival interviews in which the band talked about making them. Cameras cut to Novoselic, Smear and Grohl in the audience as it played. It opened with the three members introducing themselves: “Hello, I am Krist, and I am Kurt, and I am Dave, and we are Nirvana.” Cobain was heard discussing “Heart-Shaped Box,” the video he said came closest to his vision. “That video has come closer to what I’ve envisioned than any other video,” he said. “I didn’t think it would ever be possible to come that close.”

When Chuck D returned, he kept it short. “It is my honor to present the VMA Video Vanguard Award to Nirvana,” he said.

Related: 34 Years Ago Today, ‘Nirvana’ Did the Impossible

Novoselic was joined on stage by Grohl and Smear, who did not speak. He thanked Nirvana’s fans around the world and everyone at MTV. “This award brings back so many memories of making those videos,” he said, recalling a dystopian pep rally with anarchist cheerleaders, the band’s version of an Ed Sullivan Show appearance and a performance in a Wizard of Oz-like field of poppies. “The ideas for those videos all grew out of the vision of one of the greatest artists of all time, Kurt Cobain.”

“Kurt was one of one,” Novoselic said. “None of us could have imagined that our band, our sound, or our aesthetic would mean so much to so many people. But ultimately, the music had a life of its own. It charted its own course.”

He said Nirvana “continues to resonate so deeply because people are still hungry for authenticity,” and for “something real, something uncompromising.” “Kurt would have loved that legacy,” he said. “Thank you all so much.”

MTV announced Nirvana as the 2026 recipient on Sept. 9, the 34th anniversary of the band’s first VMA performance. That 1992 appearance included a backstage run-in with Axl Rose, and the band opened with a few defiant bars of “Rape Me,” a song MTV had asked them not to play, before launching into “Lithium.”

The band’s run ended in April 1994, when Cobain died at age 27. Nevermind has since sold more than 30 million copies. Nirvana is the first band to win the Video Vanguard Award since Duran Duran in 2003.

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A two-story home does not automatically need twice as many motion sensors as a one-story house. The right number depends on the floor plan, interior traffic patterns, entry points and where a sensor has a clear view without creating avoidable false alarms.

For homeowners with a basement or third floor, the challenge gets more technical. Concrete, tile, ductwork and other building materials can affect wireless communication between devices, while stairs, pets and HVAC airflow can complicate motion detection.

Unsure if your home security setup leaves coverage gaps between floors? Get a free ADT quote and in-home assessment to design a floor-by-floor layout tailored to your home’s exact structure.

How many motion sensors do you need for a two-story house?

A practical starting point for a two-story home is one motion sensor on each floor, placed in a high-traffic area with a clear view of likely movement. Larger or more segmented homes may need additional sensors. Door and window sensors should protect individual entry points separately.

ADT says its current motion sensor uses passive infrared (PIR) technology and provides wide-area coverage. Actual coverage depends on the room, mounting position and conditions.

Start With the Home’s Movement Patterns

Look first at the paths connecting exterior doors to the rest of the house:

• Main floor: A central living area or hallway near an exterior entry
• Second floor: A hallway or stair landing where movement between bedrooms and the stairs is visible
• Basement: A path from the basement entrance or stairs into the living area
• Large open rooms: A position that covers several approaches without furniture blocking the sensor

The goal is useful interior coverage, not a motion detector in every room.

PIR Motion Sensors Need Careful Placement

PIR sensors detect changes in infrared energy associated with heat and movement. Placement, therefore, affects both coverage and false alarms. ADT recommends mounting its current motion sensor about 6.5 feet from the floor and placing it in a corner with a clear view.

Watch Pets, Vents and Windows

Pet immunity does not make a motion sensor immune to every animal-related false alarm. ADT’s current motion sensor has adjustable sensitivity intended to reduce false alarms from pets under 85 pounds. Placement still matters, especially with pets that climb onto furniture or otherwise enter the sensor’s detection field.

Avoid positioning a sensor where a pet can jump onto a sofa, cabinet or other elevated surface directly in its detection field. ADT also advises against aiming motion sensors toward stairs when pets use them.

HVAC airflow deserves the same attention. ADT specifically advises against placing the sensor in drafty areas or where air conditioners, fans or forced-air heating vents affect the sensor. Drafts from open windows and moving curtains can also contribute to false alarms.

A corner that looks ideal on a floor plan can therefore be a poor installation point once airflow, furniture and pet movement are considered.

Related: Can Home Security Systems Be Hacked? How To Protect Your Cameras and Alarms

A Multi-Story Security System Needs More Than Motion Sensors

Motion detectors provide interior coverage. Entry sensors protect the openings themselves. For a multi-story home, consider the vulnerable doors and windows first, then use motion detection to cover the interior routes connecting those areas.

Area

Primary protection

Purpose

Front door

Door sensor

Detects opening of the main entry

Back or side door

Door sensor

Covers secondary exterior access

First-floor windows

Window sensors

Protects accessible openings

Accessible upper windows

Window sensors

Covers windows reachable from roofs, decks or nearby structures

Basement windows

Window sensors

Protects lower-level openings

Main living area

Motion sensor

Detects interior movement

Stairway or upper hallway

Motion sensor

Covers movement between levels

Basement

Motion sensor

Detects movement away from protected openings

Rooms with substantial glass

Glass-break sensor

Adds detection around vulnerable glass

Relying on motion sensors alone leaves a gap in perimeter protection. A door or window sensor can identify an opening at the entry point rather than waiting for movement to reach an interior motion detector.

Don’t let concrete floors, ductwork or bad placement create dangerous security dead zones. Schedule a free consultation with ADT to build a reliable multi-story security plan without the guesswork.

Wireless Coverage Gets Harder Across Multiple Floors

A wireless sensor that works well on the main floor may communicate differently through a basement ceiling or upper floor. Building materials and physical obstructions can weaken radio signals. CISA notes that structures and dense materials can cause signal attenuation and affect in-building wireless coverage.

Multi-story homes introduce potential obstacles such as:

• Concrete or other dense construction between floors
• Metal ductwork and mechanical equipment
• Dense walls and structural materials
• Greater distances between sensors and the system’s base

The exact radio technology depends on the security platform. ADT’s current standalone motion sensor lists 1.9 GHz DECT ULE communication, so older references to 345 MHz or 915 MHz systems should not be treated as specifications for current ADT equipment.

If a system uses a mesh network, compatible repeaters or additional network nodes can extend communication paths. The appropriate solution depends on the equipment and the home’s construction. A weak signal should be diagnosed rather than assuming another motion sensor will solve it.

Related: Best Home Security System for Off-Grid Cabins and Homes Without Reliable Power

Multiple Keypads Make More Sense in Taller Homes

A single keypad beside the front door may be convenient in a one-story house. In a three-level home, another control point can be useful near bedrooms, a garage entrance or a basement living area.

ADT’s Command Touchscreen can control the security system and connected smart-home devices, and ADT offers an optional secondary wireless touchscreen for control elsewhere in the home. Its current Command Touchscreen specifications support up to eight secondary touchpads or touchscreens.

The useful question is where you regularly arm, disarm or check the system. A second control point becomes more practical when the primary panel is inconvenient to reach from the areas where your household spends most of its time.

What is the best home security system for a multi-story house?

The best home security system for a multi-story house is one that accounts for the home’s actual entry points, interior traffic patterns, wireless communication and sensor placement. Motion sensors should complement door and window protection rather than replace it.

When comparing systems, ask for a floor-by-floor equipment plan showing:

• Which exterior openings receive sensors
• Where motion detectors will be mounted
• How pets will affect motion coverage
• Whether any sensor sits near an HVAC vent, fan or draft
• How the system handles wireless communication between floors
• Where keypads or other controls will be located

ADT’s current system includes PIR motion sensors with adjustable pet-friendly sensitivity, and ADT provides professional installation options for its security systems.

If you’re concerned about dead zones or false alarms, a free ADT quote and in-home assessment can give you a floor-by-floor equipment plan before you commit to a system. The assessment can be used to compare the proposed coverage with your home’s doors, windows, stairs and living areas.

This article was drafted with the assistance of AI and thoroughly reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by Parade editors. See our complete AI Policy.

Lisa Rinna has spent years in the public eye, first as a soap opera star on Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place, then pivoting into the world of reality TV as one of the most recognizable personalities on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Known for her outlandish personality and enduring marriage to actor Harry Hamlin, Rinna has always had an ability to take risks on and off the screen.

Never one to stop reinventing herself, since leaving The Real Housewives franchise, the actress and reality TV star has once again transformed her image, this time into a fixture in the world of high fashion. Her red carpet appearance at Sunday’s VMAs did not disappoint and had fans talking.

Lisa Rinna Turns Heads at the 2026 VMAs View this post on Instagram

Paying homage to Madonna, Lisa Rinna wore a custom white sculptural gown by award-winning New York-based label Seks, complete with a sculpted breastplate and a flowing draped skirt featuring a thigh-high slit. With her signature short hair dyed platinum blonde, Rinna’s look was somewhere between a Greek goddess and a Madonna doppelgänger.

The 63-year-old actress embraced the moment, strutting onto the red carpet while flexing her famously fit physique.

Though the look was met with plenty of support on social media, not everyone embraced Lisa Rinna’s MTV VMAs look.

“Is this a joke?” one commenter asked.

Another added, “Halloween costumes early.”

“Eek,” added another.

Another commenter wrote, “Huge no.”

Related: ‘Mad About You’ Star, 63, Praised by Fans for Aging Naturally: ‘Refreshing to See an Actress Without a Fake Face’

Lisa Rinna Has Never Been Afraid to Take a Risk

Despite some of the social media criticism, Lisa Rinna’s VMA look is a reminder that, no matter the response, Rinna is a master at changing the conversation.

From her career risks, pivoting from a soap opera icon to a Beverly Hills housewife and embracing her villain status, reality TV fans will never be able to look at a stuffed bunny the same way again thanks to her. Lisa Rinna is a master at getting people to talk about Lisa Rinna.

From her social media dance videos to her red carpet looks, Rinna is relentlessly fearless and unabashedly bold.

Lisa Rinna Is Making Fashion Her Latest Reinvention View this post on Instagram

At 63, Rinna’s take-no-prisoners attitude toward life is particularly refreshing. While others might be slowing down and playing it safe, Rinna continues to treat life like her own personal runway, where the only person she’s trying to please is herself.

Her 2026 MTV VMAs look may be controversial, but that’s probably exactly what she intended. If there’s one thing Lisa Rinna is going to do, it’s find a way to get people talking, and she’s going to have a blast and look amazing while doing it.

Related: These 2 Beloved ’80s Actors Were Friends for 35 Years Before They Quietly Eloped in 2021

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Photographers knew exactly how to get Taylor Swift’s attention on the VMAs red carpet.

While the beloved songstress posed for photos ahead of the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, September 27, paparazzi could be heard calling out to the superstar in a clip shared by Billboard. Instead of calling her by her maiden name, some opted to call her “Mrs. Kelce.”

After hearing that, the 36-year-old seemed to turn towards them, posing with her hand on one hip.

“Oh she loved the ‘mrs.kelce,’” one fan noted in the TikTok comments of the moment.

“she tried so hard not to smile at the Mrs kelce. 😂🥰,” a second shared.

A third said, “MRS KELCE! Ahhh she is rocking her wife era already! She looks incredible!”
But others seemingly weren’t fans of the callout.

“Not mrs Kelce 😭 Love Travis but this is Taylor mf Swift,” one replied.

Another agreed, saying, “Mrs [Kelce] SHE IS TAYLOR DAMN SWIFT.”

@billboard

Taylor Swift arrives at the 2026 #VMAs #taylorswift #vmas2026

♬ original sound – billboard

Of course, Swift was also giving photographers plenty to work with thanks to her red carpet look.

The “All Too Well” singer wore a dramatic sleeveless gown featuring a fitted black top with a high neckline and mesh cutouts along the sides that accentuated her hips. The bottom half featured shimmering silver fabric gathered around one hip before falling into a long skirt.

Swift wore her hair straight and down and finished the look with dangling statement earrings and rings that coordinated with the glittering skirt.

Taylor Swift has a big night at the VMAs

Swift entered the 2026 VMAs with 11 total nominations after additional social categories were announced, including Video of the Year and Artist of the Year. “The Fate of Ophelia” is also competing for Best Pop and several technical honors, while “Opalite” earned Swift a Best Direction nomination. She is also receiving the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors.

The full music video for “Patient Zero” will also be premiering at the awards show.

When did Taylor Swift get married?

Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce married on July 3 at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

The famously private celebration included more than 1,000 guests and featured performances from Paul McCartney and Stevie Nicks. The couple has yet to publicly release photos or video from inside the ceremony, but Kelce has since confirmed the marriage himself and called the wedding the “best night of my life.”

Over 40 years after the release of Michael Jackson’s hit “Thriller,” it remains one of the most popular music videos of all time.

Despite being nominated for six awards at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards in 1984, the 14-minute video lost the Video of the Year award to the most unlikely of songs — The Cars’ “You Might Think.”

Where is Kanye when you need him? Despite the loss, new generations are still learning the “Thriller” choreography four decades later.

The horror-film-inspired video also didn’t leave the show empty-handed. It won three awards for Best Overall Performance in a Video, Best Choreography in a Video, and Viewer’s Choice.

Other winners that year include Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and David Bowie’s “China Girl.”

Directed by John Landis (Animal House, Three Amigos), the video starred Jackson and Ola Ray as a couple chased by zombies, before Jackson became a zombie himself and joined them in the now-iconic dance sequence. The music video also had a $500,000 budget, which was record-breaking at the time.

In 1999, MTV released its list of the 100 Greatest Music Videos of All Time, and “Thriller” topped the list.

“My goal is to do the best I can in every area, so why work hard on an album and then produce a terrible video? I wanted something that would glue you to the set, something you’d want to watch over and over,” Jackson reportedly said in his 1988 autobiography Moonwalk. “The idea from the beginning was to give people quality. So I wanted to be a pioneer in this relatively new medium and make the best short music movies we could make.”

In 2009, “Thriller” went on to become the first music video preserved in the US National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. Who needs a VMA?

Candace Cameron Bure is officially a grandma after her son, Lev Bure, and his wife, Elliott Bure, welcomed their first child — and the first photo of the Full House star’s first “miracle” grandchild is seriously the sweetest.

On Sunday, Sept. 27, Elliott, 25, took to Instagram with a birth announcement featuring a snapshot of her newborn with Lev, 26.

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“Welcome baby boy!!!!” the doting new mom captioned her update. “BOND LEO BURE 8.4.2026 🤍🦁.”

Elliott continued, “Bond was born 10 weeks early at exactly 3 lbs and was transferred immediately to the NICU — through lots of tears, countless prayers, and what felt like endless hours in the hospital, 5 weeks and 5 days later we finally brought our miracle boy home!!”

Additionally, she thanked all the nurses and doctors who “took the most incredible care of our baby” as well as their support system “who we couldn’t have done any of it without.”

To conclude her update, Elliott shared, “Thank you, Jesus, for every answered prayer!!!!! We are blessed beyond measure!!!!”

View this post on Instagram

“Candy Gram” Candace wrote in the comments, “Bond Leo is a miracle baby 😭🙌🏼🙏🏻❤️ Our hearts could not be more full of love. You and Lev are the most amazing parents – and we are here for every minute of it 🙌🏼❤️ We love you all sooooooo much 💙🩵💙.”

Meanwhile, Cameron Bure’s daughter, Natasha Bure, 28—who is pregnant with her first child—commented, “Perfect boy!!!! My heart 😭🧸🫶🏼 We love Bond.”

Natasha is preparing to welcome a baby with her husband, Bradley Steven Perry, 27. On Sunday, she even posted a video via Instagram of her packing her hospital bag

View this post on Instagram

In addition to Lev and Natasha, Candace, 50, and her husband, Valerie Bure, 52, also share a son, Maksim, 24. Candace is best known for portraying D.J. Tanner on Full House and its reboot, Fuller House.

Next: Candace Cameron Bure Turns Heads While Rocking Itty-Bitty Bikini

When you are locked in a heated conflict with someone who denies your reality, your first instinct is likely to search for proof. You might spend hours scrolling through old text messages, digging up timestamped photos or pulling up emails to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are not losing your mind. In modern relationship discourse, this is commonly referred to as “bringing the receipts.” It feels like the ultimate mic-drop moment—the undeniable evidence that will finally force the other person to admit the truth, apologize and validate your experience.

However, when you are dealing with a true gaslighter, this logical strategy almost always backfires. Instead of bringing clarity or closure, presenting hard evidence often leads to deeper emotional exhaustion, heightened conflict and increased self-doubt.

Gaslighting is not a simple misunderstanding over facts; it is an insidious psychological tactic designed to distort your sense of reality, erode your confidence and shift power away from you. Because the underlying goal of a gaslighter is control rather than resolution, trying to win an argument with logic is like playing a game where the rules are constantly changing.

Understanding why evidence fails in these moments is the first step toward protecting your emotional well-being and stepping off the exhausting merry-go-round of psychological manipulation.

Related: ‘You Need Therapy’—Why a Gaslighter Urging You To Get Help Is Actually a Massive Red Flag, According to a Psychologist

Why Presenting Evidence to a Gaslighter Usually Backfires

When you present concrete evidence to a healthy individual, they may feel defensive at first, but they will eventually acknowledge the facts. A gaslighter operates under a completely different set of psychological rules.

According to Dr. Elisabeth Crain, PsyD, a psychotherapist who spoke with Parade previously about what to do when someone gaslights you, attempting to present proof during an argument is ultimately a losing battle.

“If you’re being gaslit, you don’t want to talk your way out of it because the person doing it to you either doesn’t know or does know and is trying to manipulate you,” she explained. “You can’t talk your way out of gaslighting when that is on someone’s agenda.”

Related: 9 Tactics High-Level Gaslighters Use That Most People Miss

When faced with receipts, a gaslighter will rarely look at the screen and say, “You’re right, I misremembered.” Instead, they will shift the goalposts. They might attack your character for taking screenshots, accuse you of being paranoid or obsessive, or claim you are taking things out of context. By focusing on how you obtained the proof rather than the proof itself, they successfully derail the conversation and force you onto the defensive.

Additionally, engaging in a battle of evidence keeps you trapped in a power struggle. Gaslighters thrive on your emotional investment and your desire for their approval. Every minute you spend gathering records and defending your memory is energy taken away from your own peace of mind. By attempting to prove your sanity to someone intent on denying it, you inadvertently hand them the authority to decide what is real.

How To Protect Your Reality Without Fighting Back

If showing proof does not work, how should you respond when someone distorts the truth? The key is shifting your goal from convincing the gaslighter to preserving your own self-trust.

Dr. Crain emphasized that the most powerful move you can make is simply stepping away.

“Disengage as fast as possible,” she advised. “Gaslighters are trying to take your power away, and you rob them of that opportunity by disengaging.”

Rather than showing your evidence to the person who is trying to manipulate you, keep those “receipts” for yourself. Writing down timeline details in a personal journal can act as an anchor to reality. It allows you to confirm what happened without needing the gaslighter’s validation.

Related: Psychologist Says the 1 Phrase That Instantly Shuts Down a Combative Person Isn’t What You Might Think

Additionally, setting firm verbal boundaries can help put an immediate stop to circular arguments. In another Parade article on phrases for shutting down a gaslighter, licensed psychologist Dr. Michele Leno, PhD, LP, noted that direct statements can show a gaslighter that their tactics are ineffective. She suggested using clear, definitive statements like, “I know that’s not true,” which establishes your position without inviting further debate.

“This direct statement lets the gaslighter know that they need to choose their words carefully because you are immune to their antics,” she explained.

Ultimately, walking away from an argument without proving you are right is not a sign of surrender; it is an act of self-preservation. By refusing to debate your reality, you retain your power, protect your mental clarity and reclaim your peace.

Adapted from Parade’s “Here’s Exactly What To Do When Someone Gaslights You, According to a Psychologist” and “14 Genius Phrases To Shut Down Gaslighting, According to Psychologists,” both by Beth Ann Mayer

Up Next:

Related: The 5-Word Phrase You Should Never Say to a Gaslighter, Psychologist Warns

Sources:

• Dr. Elisabeth Crain, PsyD, psychotherapist
• Dr. Michele Leno, PhD, LP, licensed psychologist and the founder of DML Psychological Services, PLLC

The Big Chill star Meg Tilly is back in the spotlight alongside her sister Jennifer Tilly.

Meg, 66, skyrocketed to fame in The Big Chill, the beloved ’80s film that told the story of a group of former college friends who gathered for the funeral of Alex, one of their own, after his suicide. Starring Kevin Kline, Glenn Close, Tom Berenger, William Hurt, Jeff Goldblum, JoBeth Williams, and Mary Kay Place, the film became instantly associated with the baby boomer generation and their attempts to recapture their past. Tilly played Alex’s young girlfriend, who is still living on the property as the former University of Michigan students gather in his honor. She earned acclaim for her role and went on to earn an Oscar nomination for her next role in Agnes of God. But since then, Tilly has shied away from the spotlight, preferring to leave the bright lights of Hollywood to her older sister, Jennifer.

However, the dynamic duo is back together in Jennifer’s new Instagram photo. Strolling down the street together, the Tilly sisters look better than ever decades after they arrived in Hollywood.

“Hooray! 🥳 Hanging out with my sisters! 👭🏻,” Jennifer captioned her photo, which shows them with their third sister, Becky Tilly.

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Why Did Meg Tilly Leave Hollywood?

Growing up in Canada, money was tight for the Tilly family. Meg told the New York Times last year that they “could never have friends sleep over when we were growing up because there wouldn’t be enough for everyone to eat.”

However, she found plenty of success as an adult. While she has no interest in life on the film or the TV screen, Tilly is a successful novelist who has published six standout young adult and literary women’s fiction novels, according to the Penguin Random House website. She also has three grown children and lives with her husband in the Pacific Northwest. Still, she managed to leave her mark on The Big Chill forever.

Here’s a look at her incredible turn in Agnes of God alongside Jane Fonda:

Jennifer Tilly Rose to Stardom

Meg may not be one for acting these days, but Jennifer still thrives in front of the camera. Known for roles in Bound, Bullets Over Broadway, and Bride of Chucky, Tilly is currently making waves on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

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