JQJO — General news · Page 53

Dancing With the Stars turned emerald for Wicked Night, with director Jon M. Chu guest-judging and Chris Scott choreographing a punchy pro opening. Whitney Leavitt’s glittering Popular quickstep earned the season’s first 10s and a 39, while Jordan Chiles’ tender For Good rumba also scored 39. Robert Irwin, Danielle Fishel, and Elaine Hendrix each posted 36; Alix Earle impressed with 35. Despite widespread improvement and big smiles in the ballroom, Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying landed a 28 and, with partner Rylee Arnold, was eliminated as the night’s lowest scorer.

Georgia man Billy Joe Cagle, 49, was federally charged with attempted violence at an international airport, interstate threat communications, and being a felon in possession after authorities say he threatened on FaceTime to 'shoot up' Hartsfield-Jackson and then arrived at the South Terminal. Alerted by a report, Atlanta police found him 25 minutes later and arrested him; video showed him walking toward a crowded TSA checkpoint, and police said he appeared unarmed inside. A sweep located his pickup with an AR-15-style rifle loaded with 27 rounds. Officials said swift reporting averted tragedy.

Paul Ingrassia, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Office of Special Counsel, withdrew, citing insufficient Republican votes before a Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee review. A White House official confirmed he is no longer the nominee. It followed GOP backlash and Politico reports of a colleague’s sexual-harassment accusation and texts in which he allegedly said he had a 'Nazi streak' and that Martin Luther King Jr. Day should be 'tossed in the seventh circle of hell.' His lawyer denied harassment, questioned the texts’ authenticity, and called them satirical. Sens. Thune, Scott, Lankford, and Johnson signaled opposition.

On Netflix’s earnings webcast, co‑CEO Greg Peters dismissed big media mergers as a fix, citing Disney-Fox, Amazon-MGM and the AT&T–Time Warner and Discovery–Warner tie-ups as lacking transformative impact. As Warner Bros. Discovery fields interest in all or part of the company and advances a split between streaming/studios and linear networks, Netflix said it evaluates opportunities case by case; Ted Sarandos also ruled out owning legacy TV networks. He added that Netflix isn’t reliant on any single supplier and that licensing to Netflix boosts viewership, pointing to titles like Suits, Peaky Blinders and Breaking Bad.

Republican leaders are refusing talks until the shutdown ends, even as some GOP lawmakers urge President Donald Trump to step in. Trump has avoided day-to-day negotiations, leaving Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune to demand Democrats accept a House short-term funding bill. Democrats requested a meeting and are pushing to extend enhanced Obamacare subsidies. Over cheeseburgers at the White House, Trump predicted Democrats will lose politically, touted deep workforce and funding cuts, and said he’ll talk only after the government reopens. Unease is growing in both parties as the stalemate drags on.

Elon Musk blasted Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on X after Duffy suggested NASA could open SpaceX’s $2.9 billion lunar-lander contract to competitors, saying the company is behind schedule as Artemis III is planned for as soon as mid-2027. Musk hurled insults, touted SpaceX’s human-certified orbital vehicle, and amplified praise for Jared Isaacman, whom reports say is back in consideration to lead the agency. Isaacman said he hasn’t expressed confidence about renomination and voiced support for NASA. Duffy’s office said he isn’t seeking the job and floated placing NASA within the Cabinet, possibly Transportation.

TV icon Bryant Gumbel, 77, is being treated at a New York hospital after a reported medical emergency. TMZ says he was rushed from his Manhattan apartment Monday night, placed on a gurney by first responders, and remained hospitalized Tuesday afternoon. Precise details were not disclosed, though a family member told TMZ he is "okay." Gumbel, the first Black host of the Today show, built a career spanning more than 50 years, including Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. The scare comes not long after the death of his older brother, Greg, last year at 78.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said Tuesday that Carson Wentz will start again Thursday against the Chargers in Los Angeles, with Max Brosmer backing up and J.J. McCarthy active only for emergencies. McCarthy worked out in the morning to test the sprained ankle that has sidelined him four games, and while the staff is “encouraged,” the short week and travel left him short of ready. O’Connell hopes McCarthy can return next week. Wentz has completed 67% for 1,072 yards (5 TD, 4 INT) in four starts; McCarthy is 58.5% for 301 yards (2 TD, 3 INT).

Netflix missed Wall Street profit forecasts in Q3 as an expense tied to a dispute with Brazilian tax authorities squeezed its operating margin to 28% versus 31.5% guidance. Revenue hit $11.51 billion, but diluted EPS of $5.87 trailed the $6.97 consensus, sending shares down up to 7% after hours. The company said higher ad sales—its best ad revenue quarter—price hikes, and subscriber gains lifted revenue 17% year over year, aided by Wednesday’s Season 2 premiere topping 7 billion September viewing minutes. Netflix touted expanding AI use and production guidelines, citing tools used on Happy Gilmore 2 and Billionaires’ Bunker.

Russell Wilson broke from his usual restraint, firing back at Broncos coach Sean Payton after Denver’s win over Wilson’s current team. Payton said he wished New York’s switch to rookie Jaxson Dart had come after the game—implying he preferred facing Wilson. Wilson called the remark “classless,” invoking Payton’s 2012 suspension over a “bounty hunting” scandal, and signed off with “Let’s Ride.” The dust-up comes amid fan frustration when Dart underwent a concussion check, and echoes Wilson’s 2023 benching by Denver, which cost him $37 million. The same day, Jets owner Woody Johnson made a verbal attack on a player.