News

Sam Neill, New Zealand actor who starred in ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘The Piano,’ dies

International News July 14, 2026

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Sam Neill, the smoothly elegant and versatile actor whose prolific career moved from art films to blockbusters as he dodged velociraptors in “Jurassic Park” and played Holly Hunter’s cruel husband in “The Piano,” has died. He was 78. In 2023, Neill disclosed he had been diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He died on Monday in Sydney, according to a statement posted to the actor’s social media page. His death was “sudden and unexpected,” the statement said, adding that he “remained ...

Building a plan for a better Belmont continues

12 states challenge Paramount’s takeover of Warner

National News July 14, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — Twelve states sued to block Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery on Monday, arguing that the $81 billion merger would “extinguish competition” in Hollywood and lead to fewer choices for consumers across the U.S. “Audiences on every sofa and in every movie (theater) seat would feel the impact of this unlawful merger,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who is leading the case, said in a news conference from Los Angeles. He said the deal would result in higher prices, fewer movies and TV shows and lower quality of content overall. A ...

Judge: Trump IRS lawsuit was filed for ‘improper purpose’

National News July 14, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over his leaked tax returns was filed for an “improper purpose,” a judge said Monday as she referred one of his lawyers for potential disciplinary action and characterized the $10 billion complaint as an exercise in self-dealing. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams accused Trump and his lawyers in a scathing ruling of having manipulated the court system when he sued a federal agency under his control, bypassing a requirement that parties in a lawsuit must have adverse interests. The ...

Girard names new band director

Local News July 14, 2026

GIRARD — The Girard Board of Education has named Jacob Benson as the new Girard High School band director. Benson was approved for a one-year contract at $45,400 on Monday and will handle duties as the marching band director. Benson replaces David Colella, who served 12 years as band director in the district and is leaving for a position with Aurora schools. Colella’s resignation is effective July 31. The board at a special meeting Monday also approved Travis Hecker as technology supervisor at $62,440 effective Aug. 1 on a one-year contract. He replaces John Bello, who ...