Blog masonry

Van Halen’s ‘Balance’ getting 30th anniversary expanded edition

RhinoThe 30th anniversary of Van Halen’s tenth studio album Balance is being celebrated with an expanded reissue, which will offer a boatload of extras for fans.Balance (Expanded Edition), dropping Aug. 15, will be released as a two-LP/two-CD/Blu-Ray set featuring a remastered edition of the original album, along with audio and video rarities, like the B-side "Crossing Over," and non-album tracks like "Humans Being" and "Respect the Wind," which were originally featured on the Twister soundtrack.The set will also include eight live […]

June 25, 2025

Health

Medical Notes: The Science Behind Your ‘AURA’, The Fluoride Debate, And The Real Reason Behind Your Yawn

Your ‘aura’ may just be a mixture of oils and fats on the skin. Scientists have discovered that perfumes, lotions, and personal products interact with what’s called our “human oxidation field.” It’s a constant cloud of molecules we emit that can negatively interact with our environment and worsen our air quality. Interestingly, research in Science Advances shows that fragrances can suppress this effect. (UV Irvine) Scientists still don’t fully know why we yawn—but they’re getting closer. It turns out, yawning […]

June 25, 2025

Viewpoints

Culture Crash: Stephen King’s Most Unexpected Movie Yet

Welcome to Culture Crash, where we examine American culture – what’s new and old in entertainment… The first Stephen King film adaptation was Brian De Palma’s classic “Carrie” in 1976. Since then, there have been more than 50 films and more than 30 TV shows based on King’s work, with several more already in production. At this point Stephen King Adaptation is almost a genre in and of itself. But of course there are actually several genres within King’s catalog, […]

June 25, 2025

Viewpoints

Viewpoints Explained: Sinking Cities: What’s Causing The Ground To Drop

This is Viewpoints Explained… From coast to coast, there’s a shift happening, and it’s not a positive one. A study published in the journal Nature Cities last month reveals that all twenty-eight of the biggest U.S. Cities are experiencing sinking. In nearly all of the cities, two-thirds of the land mass is affected. The formal term for this is called land subsidence. And it’s not just coastal regions. It’s taking place in the Midwest and far inland too. To reach […]

June 25, 2025

Entertainment

Hugh Jackman, Deborra-Lee Furness finalize divorce after 27 years of marriage

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty ImagesHugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness have finalized their divorce.Furness filed for divorce from the Deadpool & Wolverine star on May 23. According to court records from New York's Suffolk County Supreme Court, the divorce was granted on June 3.News of the divorce comes two years after Jackman and Furness announced in in September 2023 that they were separating after 27 years of marriage.The former couple shared a joint statement about their split at the time, saying their "journey is now shifting" […]

June 25, 2025

Entertainment

In brief: Judge Judy stars in ‘Justice on Trial’ trailer and more

Paramount+ with Showtime has rebranded. The streaming service informed its subscribers on June 23 that the name of its ad-free plan will no longer be called Paramount+ with Showtime. The service will now be called Paramount+ Premium. According to its website, Paramount+ says the name change "reflects the broad and diverse offerings across both plan tiers." ...Judge Judy is back on the bench. Prime Video released the trailer for her new series, Justice on Trial. The show is set to […]

June 25, 2025

Entertainment

Eric Dane on filming new show ‘Countdown’: ‘It’s not a marathon, it is a sprint’

Elizabeth Morris/Prime VideoEric Dane and Jensen Ackles star in the new Prime Video series Countdown.The show, which debuts on Wednesday, follows a secret task force that comes together to investigate the murder of an officer with the Department of Homeland Security.Ackles leads as LAPD Detective Mark Meachum, while Dane plays his commanding officer, Nathan Blythe. The characters butt heads at times, but they're ultimately on the same team."There's this beautiful dance that happens between a commanding officer and the guy […]

June 25, 2025

Music

Epiphone debuts new guitar inspired by Jeff Beck’s 1954 Oxblood Les Paul

Courtesy of EpiphoneThe late guitar great Jeff Beck has inspired a new guitar from Epiphone.The company has just debuted an Inspired by Gibson Custom Collection recreation of Beck’s 1954 Oxblood Les Paul, which is featured in the artwork on the cover of his 1975 debut solo album, Blow by Blow. Beck's original Oxblood guitar sold at auction in January for $1.3 million.The new Jeff Beck 1954 Oxblood Les Paul from Epiphone features a mahogany body with a maple cap and a one-piece mahogany neck, with […]

June 25, 2025

Entertainment

‘My Life with the Walter Boys’ returns for season 2 in 2025

NetflixMy Life with the Walter Boys is getting ready to return.The second season of the show has finished filming, Netflix announced on Tuesday. It will premiere on the streaming service later in 2025.Netflix also released first-look photos from season 2 to tide fans over before they get to see if Jackie decides to come back home to live with Cole, Alex and the rest of the Walter family.Nikki Rodriguez, who plays Jackie in the series, told Netflix the final weeks […]

June 24, 2025