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Anita Bryant, a popular singer who became known for opposition to gay rights, dead at age 84

NEW YORK (AP) — Anita Bryant, a former Miss Oklahoma, Grammy-nominated singer and prominent booster of orange juice and other products who became known over the second half of her life for her outspoken opposition to gay rights, has died. She was 84.

Bryant died Dec. 16 at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma, according to a statement posted by her family to news site The Oklahoman on Thursday. The family did not list a cause of death.

Bryant was a Barnsdall native who began singing at an early age, and was just 12 when she hosted her own local television show. She was named Miss Oklahoma in 1958 and soon began a successful recording career. Her hit singles included “Till There Was You,” “Paper Roses” and “My Little Corner of the World.” A lifelong Christian, she received two Grammy nominations for best sacred performance and one for best spiritual performance, for the album “Anita Bryant … Naturally.”

By the late 1960s, she was among the entertainers joining Bob Hope on his USO tours for troops overseas, had sung at the White House and performed at the national conventions for both the Democrats and Republicans in 1968. She also became a highly visible commercial spokesperson, her ads for Florida orange juice featuring the tag line, “A day without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.”

But in the late 1970s, her life and career began a dramatically new path. Unhappy with the cultural changes of the time, Bryant led a successful campaign to repeal an ordinance in Florida’s Miami-Dade County that would have prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation. Supported by the Rev. Jerry Falwell among others, Bryant and her “Save Our Children” coalition continued to oppose gay rights around the country, denouncing the “deviant lifestyle” of the gay community and calling gays “human garbage.”

Bryant became the object of much criticism in return. Activists organized boycotts against products she endorsed, designed T-shirts mocking her and named a drink for her — a variation of the screwdriver that replaced orange juice with apple juice. During an appearance in Iowa, an activist jammed a pie in her face. Her career in entertainment declined, her marriage to her first husband, Bob Green, broke up, and she later filed for bankruptcy.

In Florida, her legacy was challenged and perpetuated. The ban against sexual discrimination was restored in 1998. Tom Lander, an LGBTQ+ activist and board member of the advocacy group Safe Schools South Florida, told The Associated Press on Friday, “She won the campaign, but she lost the battle in time.” But Lander also acknowledged the “parental rights” movement, which has spurred a recent wave book bannings and anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Florida led by such conservative organizations as Moms for Liberty.

“It’s so connected to what’s happening today,” Lander said.

Bryant spent the latter part of her life in Oklahoma, where she led Anita Bryant Ministries International. Her second husband, NASA test astronaut Charles Hobson Dry, died last year. According to her family’s statement, she is survived by four children, two stepdaughters and seven grandchildren.

Tyler ISD Foundation to Award $100K in Grants

Tyler — The Tyler ISD Foundation will visit Tyler ISD campuses on Wednesday, January 22, to award 35 grants totaling $100,000. Through its annual Grants for Great Ideas program, the grants will positively impact 17 campuses or facilities. The Grants for Great Ideas program encourages, facilitates, recognizes, and rewards innovative and creative instructional approaches that are not already supported by campus budgets. Throughout the day, Tyler ISD Foundation members, district administrators, and special guests will take their celebratory Grant Patrol caravan through campus hallways to surprise teachers by presenting checks that fund their projects. Since its creation in 1990, the Tyler ISD Foundation has gifted more than $3.5 million to Tyler ISD through innovative teaching grants, student and parent programs, academic and teaching recognition events, and scholarships.

Trump authorizes ICE to target schools and churches

(WASHINGTON) -- Federal immigration authorities will be permitted to target schools and churches after President Donald Trump revoked a directive barring arrests in “sensitive” areas.

The Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday it would roll back the policy to "thwart law enforcement in or near so-called sensitive areas."

First enacted in 2011, the directive prohibited Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol officers from arresting suspected undocumented immigrants in a variety of locations.

Schools and houses of worship were deemed off-limits, as were hospitals, funerals, weddings and public demonstrations.

In a statement touting the move Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said law enforcement would use "common sense" in making arrests.

"This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens -- including murders and rapists -- who have illegally come into our country," the spokesperson said.

"Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America's schools and churches to avoid arrest," the statement continued. "The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense."

New Jersey governor asks Trump to ‘reexamine’ nation’s first congestion pricing plan

(NEW JERSEY) -- On Donald Trump's first day in office, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy asked the president and his administration to "reexamine" New York City's highly debated congestion pricing plan, the first of its kind in the nation, and its impact on the Garden State.

Murphy said Tuesday he has not yet heard from Trump on his letter, which requested that "New York's congestion pricing scheme receive the close look it deserved but did not receive from the federal government last year."

In the letter, Murphy noted the state plans to amend its pending lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration over congestion pricing. Murphy told reporters Tuesday that the Biden administration did an "incomplete" study on the impacts of the plan.

"The Biden administration, which is why we sued in the first place, did not do what is called an environmental impact study, which takes longer, but is more comprehensive," Murphy said during a Q&A at an unrelated press event. "It would have included environmental impact on New Jersey. That's why we took legal action. I've said publicly from moment one, we will live with the results of that study."

"We're asking the Trump administration to do what the Biden administration did not do," he continued.

The congestion pricing plan, which launched on Jan. 5, newly charges passenger vehicles $9 to access Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours as part of an effort to ease congestion and raise funds for the city's public transit system. The extra per-ride surcharge is 75 cents for taxis and black car services, and $1.50 for Ubers and Lyfts. During peak hours, small trucks and charter buses will be charged $14.40, while large trucks and tour buses must pay $21.60.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which manages the city's subways as well as bridges and commuter rails, has said the toll enables it to issue $15 billion in bonds to help fund capital projects.

In response to Murphy's letter to Trump, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told reporters on Tuesday that if the congestion pricing plan is ultimately killed, "that comes with $15 billion more" the federal government will need to give to New York.

"That's $15 billion of lost investment that we will need to have -- not from the state, but from the federal government," Hochul said during a presentation on the state's 2026 executive budget.

In his letter to Trump, Murphy noted congestion pricing is one area where the Democratic governor believes their "priorities align." He cited remarks Trump made during his campaign for president, in which he called the plan a "massive business killer and tax on New Yorkers, and anyone going into Manhattan," as well as after the election, in which he called it the "worst plan in the history of womankind."

"For my part, I am open to congestion pricing in concept," Murphy wrote in the letter, though said the resulting plan is a "disaster for working- and middle-class New Jersey commuters and residents" who now need to pay a fee on top of bridge or tunnel tolls.

"And adding insult to injury, New Jersey communities are not being fully compensated for the additional traffic and attendant pollution that will be re-routed to them because of congestion pricing," he wrote.

New York City's congestion pricing plan got underway following a yearslong environmental review process. After postponing the launch of the program days before it was set to start last year, Hochul revived it with a new, phased-in toll plan that initially lowers the fee.

A week after the launch, preliminary data showed the plan is working, with an average of 7.5% fewer vehicles than would have been expected in the district without congestion pricing, officials said.

Trump criticizes sermon asking him to show ‘mercy’ toward LGBTQ people, immigrants

(WASHINGTON) -- Following a traditional inaugural prayer service at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday, during which an Episcopal bishop called on President Donald Trump to show "mercy" toward LGBTQ people and immigrants, he told reporters the sermon "wasn't too exciting" and added he "didn't think it was a good service."

The National Prayer Service was one of several events presidents attend around being sworn in.

"What did you think? Did you like it? Did you find it exciting? Not too exciting, was it? I didn't think it was a good service, no," Trump said to reporters.

In her sermon, the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde addressed Trump directly from the pulpit.

"In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives," Budde said.

"They may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals," she continued. "They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, gurdwara and temples. I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away, and that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here."

Throughout the sermon, Trump, in the front pew, had a stoic expression, flipping through his program and scanning the room.

He looked up only during the hymns, sometimes moving his head to the music. Melania Trump was seen stifling a yawn and shifting around to stay alert.

A majority of Trump family members were seated behind the Trumps.

4 arrested in connection with burglary at Joe Burrow’s house

(OHIO) -- Four Chilean nationals were arrested in connection with the burglary that occurred at Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's home in December, according to court records.

On Jan. 10, 2025, a special agent with the Ohio State Highway Patrol spotted suspicious luggage being carried into a vehicle outside of a hotel in Fairborn, Ohio, according to court records.

When the agent pulled the car over, Alexander Chavez, Bastian Morales, Jordan Sanchez and Sergio Cabello, allegedly showed the agent fake identification. The car smelled of marijuana and it was later confirmed that the four men were in the country illegally, court records filed in Clark County, Ohio, say.

When police searched the car, they say they found "two Husky automatic center punch pools wrapped in a cloth towel behind the glove box."

Police say these tools are used by South American theft groups to break glass and enter houses.

The affidavit says that in the vehicle police found an "old LSU shirt and Bengals hat believed to be stolen from the December 9, 2024 burglary in Hamilton County, Ohio."

On Dec. 9, Joe Burrow's home in Hamilton County, Ohio, was burglarized, according to police records.

The affidavit says the men were brought to the Clark County Sheriff's Office for further questioning. When a detective called one of the cell phone numbers that was placed at the scene via cellphone data, Morales' phone started ringing, according to court records.

Morales was also seen allegedly carrying a Louis Vuitton style bag and was previously identified "as a male possibly involved in a burglary offense" on the day of the burglary at Burrow's home.

"This is an ongoing investigating involving multiple burglaries across the United States of America, specifically targeting multi-million dollar residences and your affiant and brother investigators have arrested at least six different South American burglary groups, five of which were Chilean nationals," a criminal complaint says.

John Bolton says Trump removed his Secret Service detail

Marlene Awaad/Bloomberg via Getty Images

(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump has terminated Secret Service protection for his former national security adviser John Bolton, Bolton said in a post on X Tuesday afternoon.

"Notwithstanding my criticisms of President Biden's national security policies, he nonetheless made the decision to extend that protection to me in 2021. The Justice Department filed criminal charges against an Iranian Revolutionary Guard official in 2022 for attempting to hire a hit man to target me. That threat remains today," Bolton wrote. "The American people can judge for themselves which President made the right call."

The White House has not commented on Bolton's claims.

Bolton worked as Trump's national security adviser from 2018 to 2019 and was frequently at odds with the president. After he left office, Bolton was vocal about his criticisms of Trump's policies, including in a 2020 memoir in which he claimed the president was "stunningly uninformed," ignorant of basic facts and easily manipulated by foreign adversaries.

At the time of the book's release, Bolton told ABC News' Martha Raddatz that Trump was "not fit for office" and didn't have "the competence to carry out the job."

Trump has lashed out at Bolton since leaving office in social media posts and interviews.

On Monday, he signed an executive order that called for Bolton to lose any security clearance he might still hold.

The executive order accused Bolton of publishing a memoir that "was rife with sensitive information drawn from his time in government," with the order adding that the book's publication "created a grave risk that classified material was publicly exposed."

Bolton has denied disclosing any classified information in the book, and though a federal judge was skeptical of that, no charges were ever filed.

Senate Republicans have mixed reactions to Trump’s pardons for Jan. 6 violent offenders

(WASHINGTON) -- Four years ago, the idea of pardons for Jan. 6 rioters seemed unthinkable to most Republicans.

Even as President Donald Trump floated the idea of pardons, most Republicans stood firm on one thing: violent offenders should not be included in that list.

Here’s what Republican senators told ABC News on Tuesday after Trump issued pardons for or commuted the sentences of more than 1,500 people who rioted at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021:

Sen. Tommy Tuberville claims he’s ‘never’ seen video of rioters beating police

“100 percent, I'm for the -- pardon everyone. They've been there long enough. Most of them hadn't been charged with anything,” Tuberville told us.

ABC News asked about those pardoned after attacking police -- beating them with fire hydrants and metal batons. Among those pardoned: Devlyn Thompson, who hit a police officer with a metal baton, and Robert Palmer, who attacked police with a fire extinguisher, a wooden plank and a pole.

“I didn’t see that,” the Alabama senator said. When asked if that’s acceptable, Tuberville said “No, that’s not acceptable, but I didn't see it.”

Tuberville went a step farther: “I don't believe it because I didn't see it. Now, if I see it, I would believe it, but I didn't see in that video.”

Sen. Thom Tillis distances himself from the pardons: “Just can’t agree”

Of the Republican senators ABC News spoke to, only two were willing to fully distance themselves from Trump’s action.

Tillis, of North Carolina, has been outspoken on this issue, even using his time at Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi’s confirmation hearing to publicly press her on the prospect of pardons for the Jan. 6 rioters.

“I find it hard to believe the president or you would look at facts that were used to convict the violent people on Jan. 6 and say it was just an intemperate moment,” he said during that hearing.

When approached on Tuesday, he continued to say he “just can’t agree.”

“Anyone -- What I'm trying to do is figure out there are some commutations to me, I just can't agree,” he said. “I'm about to file two bills that will increase the penalties up to and including the death penalty for the murder of a police officer, and increasing the penalties and creating federal crimes for assaulting a police officer. That should give you everything you need to know about my position, like it is, it was surprising to me that it was a blanket pardon. Now I'm going through the details,” Tillis said.

Sen. Susan Collins “disagrees” with pardons for violent offenders

Collins, of Maine, was among the seven Republicans who, in 2021, voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial over Jan. 6. She said she “disagrees” with pardons for violent offenders who assaulted officers, broke windows, or performed other violent acts that day.

“I made very clear to you that I think that there's a difference between violent crimes and non-violent crimes. I do not support the pardons if they were given, if they were given to people who committed violent crimes, including assaulting police officers or breaking windows to get into the Capitol or other violent acts, pepper spray, for example,” Collins said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune insists he hasn't seen the details

Thune was pressed several times in the hallway Monday. He first stated he didn’t have any comment and “hadn’t seen all the stuff.”

Later, when asked again, the South Dakota senator said, “As I’ve said before, we're looking forward to the next four years, not the last four.”

Some Republicans called the pardons the president’s prerogative

When asked about the violent offenders being pardoned, Texas Sen. John Cornyn said, “That's not the question. The question is who has the authority, and the president has the authority.”

Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson tried to split the difference, insisting the pardons were “absolutely justified” while also saying he didn’t want pardons for “violent actors.”

“I think they were absolutely justified,” he said. “Again, I don't know all the cases. I certainly don't want to pardon any violent actors, but there's a real miscarriage of justice, so I’m totally supportive.”

When I pointed out Trump had pardoned violent offenders, Johnson said, "I haven't seen the details, but I think a lot of those pardons are definitely well deserved.”

Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota stated Biden and Trump’s pardons of both Jan. 6 select committee members and those charged with crimes from that day, should “clear the deck” for Americans to put the attack on the Capitol “behind us.”

When asked about Trump’s promise after the riot that those who broke the law “will pay,” Cramer said, “I think a lot of those, a lot of those who broke the law have paid it's been four years.”

What about Biden’s pardons?

Several Republican senators brought up President Joe Biden’s 11th-hour pardons.

“Well, are we making a big deal about the pardons that Biden put in place? That’d be worse,” Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma said when asked how he felt about Trump pardoning violent offenders. Mullin, who has previously said that those who committed violent crimes that day “need to pay for that,” continued to point back to Biden when asked if he changed his tune.

At least one Democrat seemed to understand that argument from Republicans. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine said Trump’s pardons of Jan. 6 criminals were “harder to critique” because of Biden’s pardons for family members.

“I'm very disappointed in them,” Kaine said Tuesday about Biden’s actions.

“Because I think, look, I think we need to make a critique of some of the unjust pardons, like the January 6 pardon. And I think it's harder to make a critique, to stand on the high ground and make a critique of the Trump pardons on January 6, when President Biden is pardoning family members,” the Virginia Democrat said.

Smith County receives budget award

TYLER – Smith County has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. The Government Finance Officers Association said in release the award is, “highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting.”

The award was presented during Commissioners Court Tuesday morning. Smith County has also received the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for about 15 years for the county’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

After the presentation, Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said, “It’s nice to be recognized, to have our people recognized and our budget.”
Continue reading Smith County receives budget award

Man arrested after assaulting Texarkana police officer

TEXARKANA– Our news partner, KETK, reports that a 45-year-old man has been arrested after attacking a police officer on Friday night. Officers from the Texarkana Police Department were dispatched to a house in the 1600 block of West 11th Street after receiving a call about a man allegedly pulling a gun on another person. When officers arrived, they found a man who matched the suspects’ description, later identified as Jeffrey Troxel, standing outside.

“When asked about the disturbance, the man claimed he didn’t know anything about it,” officers said. Troxel then refused a pat down, and instead put his hand in his jacket to “pull something out.” The officer grabbed the suspect’s arm to prevent him from pulling out a potential firearm. Texarkana Police Department said Troxel went on to punch the officer in the face and lunged at him.
Continue reading Man arrested after assaulting Texarkana police officer

‘Abbott Elementary’ renewed for fifth season at ABC

ABC is going back for more school.

The network has renewed Abbott Elementary for season 5. The Quinta Brunson-created series is currently airing its fourth season Wednesdays on ABC, streaming on Hulu the next day.

Justin Halpern, Patrick Schumacker and Brunson executive produce the series along with Randall Einhorn and Brian Rubenstein for Warner Bros. Television and 20th Television, which are part of Disney Television Studios.

Schumacker celebrated the renewal news on Instagram. "Time to don the smoking jacket. #AbbottElementary has been awarded a fifth season!" he captioned an image of the renewal announcement. "Congrats to the writers, cast, crew, and everyone involved. Abbott on Abbott on Abbott on Abbott on Abbott!"

Brunson also posted about the news to her Instagram, simply captioning the renewal announcement with a smiley face emoji, an arrow emoji, an emoji that represents "I love you" in ASL and the number five.

The official Abbott Elementary Instagram account celebrated by posting a Reel announcing they will return for season 5.

"Season 5, here we come!" its caption reads. "Join your favorite staff and students for more #AbbottElementary on ABC and stream on Hulu."

Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Chris Perfetti, Lisa Ann Walter, William Stanford Davis and Sheryl Lee Ralph star in the sitcom, which returned for its winter premiere on Jan. 8 with a crossover special event featuring the cast of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Disney is the parent company of ABC and ABC News.

Data breach by Texas Health and Human Services employees

AUSTIN – Texas Public Radio reports that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced on Friday that agency employees may have improperly accessed the data of 61,000 people. HHSC said it terminated those involved with the breach. The incident was also referred to the agency’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) for investigation to pursue criminal charges. Information inappropriately obtained or disclosed includes Social Security numbers, full names, home addresses, and Medicaid and Medicare Identification Numbers. HHSC recommends recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to monitor their Lone Star Card transactions for any fraudulent activity.

Affected individuals should carefully review their accounts and report any questionable charges to a provider or company. The agency is still determining the impact of the breach on other programs. Anyone else impacted by the breach will be notified as HHSC conducts its review. “HHSC understands the impact this privacy breach may have and is committed to protecting the confidential information of those we serve,” the agency said in the release. The agency said it is strengthening internal security control and will implement additional fraud prevention measures. It will also offer two years of free credit monitoring and identity theft protections to those impacted.

Barbecue chain ordered to pay $2.8 million to woman burned by sauce

SAN ANTONIO – The Dallas Morning News reports that a Texas jury has ordered a barbecue restaurant to pay $2.8 million to a woman who was badly burned by its barbecue sauce. The woman, 19-year-old Genesis Monita, sued Bill Miller Bar-B-Q in San Antonio after spilling sauce on her right leg, resulting in second-degree burns. The incident unfolded in May 2023, after Monita ordered breakfast tacos with barbecue sauce from the drive-through. She then pulled into a nearby parking spot to eat, according to the lawsuit. When she removed the sauce from the brown paper bag, Monita dropped it on her leg because it was so hot. Bill Miller B-B-Q’s policy says sauce should be heated to a minimum of 165 degree. That day, the sauce was 189 degrees. Monita’s attorney Lawrence Morales II said the restaurant should have warned her about the temperature of the sauce, and placed it in an adequate styrofoam container rather than plastic, and provided better training to employees.

Democrats look to define dynamics of race for party chair

Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for One Fair Wage

(WASHINGTON) -- Leading candidates for the Democratic National Committee chairperson election said Tuesday's claim by front-runner Ken Martin that he has the support of 200 members is inflated and fails to paint an accurate picture of the dynamics of the race.

Chair candidates need a simple majority of DNC members, or 225 votes, to win. If it holds, Martin's latest endorsement count would bring him close to victory on the first ballot.

The role of the chair, who guides fundraising, recruiting and organizing efforts for Democrats nationally, holds particular importance in years when the party is outside of the White House and lacks a de facto leader.

Whoever wins the election will have the responsibility of balancing messaging against the Trump presidency while looking to define and rebuild a party now marked by decisive losses in the executive branch and across both chambers of Congress.

Typically, presidents appoint their own chairs to lead the parties they represent.

Martin, the Minnesota Democratic Party chairman, announced his 200-member number in a statement Tuesday morning.

"I'm honored to have gained the support of leaders from across the country," Martin said. "Our campaign is gaining momentum and we're going to continue to work hard for people's votes."

The teams of Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler claimed the dynamics of the race are far from locked.

In a statement to ABC News, Wikler's spokesperson claimed Martin is inflating his whip count in an attempt to create "false momentum" and "lacks a clear path to victory."

"Ken Martin is releasing inflated whip counts because his momentum in this race has stalled and he is seeking to create a false sense of momentum," the spokesperson said. "Our internal count has Ben within 30 votes of Ken, with a surge in support since last week's union endorsements. Ken has fewer votes than the combined support for Ben and Martin O'Malley and lacks a clear path to the majority."

O'Malley's team swiped at Martin, claiming that the 200 figure is inflated and unsubstantiated. Pushing further than Wikler's team, O'Malley spokesman Chris Taylor told ABC News that "not a single soul" believes Martin, who he asserted is acting "beneath the seriousness of this moment."

"This race isn't about inflated and unsubstantiated numbers or tricks and gimmicks," Taylor said in a statement. "It's about making the changes we need to win and rebuilding the Democratic Party for the future of our Republic. There is not a single soul running for any DNC office who believes Ken Martin's count. It's disrespectful to the 448 voting members of the DNC -- many of whom are still making up their minds -- and beneath the seriousness of this moment."

In their statements, O'Malley's and Wikler's teams both pointed to their internal numbers, which they said show a much closer race. None of the leading candidates have provided a full list of names of their supporters. O'Malley's team said it has commitments from 100 members. Wikler's team declined to offer its internal count.

Even still, public endorsements for Martin seem to outnumber all others.

Over the past few weeks, Martin's campaign has been rolling out daily endorsements on social media. His bid boasts the support of at least 50 current state party chairs and vice chairs, including party leaders from swing-states Arizona, New Mexico and Pennsylvania, and several members of Congress, including Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, as well as leaders of the Young Democrats of America.

Wikler has the support from one of the highest-ranking Democrats, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and rubber stamps from both centrist and progressive organizations within the party. Last week, Wikler won the support of four powerful public sector unions, including the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, the Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

O'Malley has also been rolling out endorsements from individual members, including current and former members of the Congressional Black Caucus, alongside former mayors.

The DNC has been hosting forums that function as debates between candidates for all officer positions. There are two left, one this week and one next week, a few days before the officer elections on Feb. 1.

Ayo Edebiri investigates pop icon John Malkovich in ‘Opus’ trailer

Ayo Edebiri is a magazine writer covering the newest album from a pop star played by John Malkovich in the upcoming horror film Opus.

In the trailer for the A24 film, which was released Tuesday, Edebiri plays Ariel, a young writer who receives a coveted invitation to cover the listening party for pop icon Moretti, played by Malkovich, who disappeared from the public eye for 30 years and is now making a comeback.

Opus comes from writer and director Mark Anthony Green. It arrives in theaters on March 14.

The trailer follows Ariel as she attends the listening party with her colleague, played by Murray Bartlett. They're flown out on a private jet with blacked-out windows for a weekend retreat-like event filled with Moretti's biggest fans and other journalists.

"Congratulations, and welcome to this once in a lifetime gathering," Malkovich's Moretti says in the trailer.

As the trailer goes on, many strange circumstances take place, making Edebiri's Ariel gradually more concerned.

"Is this not alarming to you?" she asks Bartlett, who responds, "Are you sure you haven't been drinking with us?"

Juliette Lewis, Young Mazino, Stephanie Suganami and Tatanka Means also star in the film, which makes its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on Jan. 27.