Author: openjargon

  • I explored the ruins of an abandoned zoo on the coast of Florida, and it was completely overrun by nature

    The author in front of an abandoned zoo enclosure (L) and another abandoned structure in the Crandon Park Zoo's ruins.
    The author in front of an abandoned zoo enclosure (L) and another abandoned structure in the Crandon Park Zoo's ruins in Florida.

    • In 2021, I explored the ruins of a Miami zoo that was abandoned after hurricanes ravaged the area.
    • Nature has since taken over Crandon Park Zoo. Crocodiles and other wildlife now thrive there.
    • Some abandoned cage structures from the zoo remain, and I got a look inside. 

    On a corner of a South Florida beach, I found empty cages covered in graffiti and greenery. Decades ago, these enclosures were home to monkeys, reptiles, tigers, and bears. But a hurricane in the 1980s left the Crandon Park Zoo in shambles.

    Established in the 1940s, the Crandon Park Zoo was Miami's first zoo, according to the Miami Herald. The park closed following the natural disaster. Animals that survived the hurricane were moved to a larger area.

    In 1991, the zoo ruins reopened as gardens with the goal "not to destroy everything," Kevin Asher, a planner for the county, told the Miami Herald.

    I visited the park in October 2021 to see what remained of the abandoned zoo, and I found a natural wildlife sanctuary.

    The first thing I noticed at the abandoned zoo was a sign at the entrance warning visitors that crocodiles were present.
    The entrance to the zoo runs

    According to Atlas Obscura, the ruins are also home to wild alligators, iguanas, and peacocks.

    The walkways through the park made me feel as if I were in a zoo — one where the animals were free.
    Birds on a fence in the zoo ruins

    Parts of the park were paved, while other parts felt like the wild. Some of the lands were once a coconut plantation, according to the Miami Herald.

    In one shaded area, I spotted what appeared to be an abandoned animal cage embedded in the rocks.
    A cage in the zoo ruins

    I thought it looked like it could have been a unique, immersive attraction and wondered what animals may have lived there decades ago. 

    Some of the abandoned structures were fenced off and covered in graffiti.
    Abandoned structures beyond a fence

    I peered over high, chain-linked fences and spotted remnants of vandalized structures.

    But one large structure remained accessible.
    A cage in the zoo ruins

    It appeared to once house multiple cages.

    Around the back, I noticed caged doors that looked as if they were used to feed the animals inside.
    Inside cages at the abandoned zoo

    I was able to see inside a few of the animals' quarters, which were now empty aside from some leaves, branches, and overgrown vines. The doors were still locked.

    The view inside the structures was somewhat haunting and made me think about the animals that might have gotten stuck inside as hurricane waters filled their enclosures.
    Inside cages at the abandoned zoo

    I tried to imagine what kind of animals could live in these spaces. Based on their size, maybe monkeys, I thought.

    I left the park thinking that it was probably a better home for the wildlife that took it over.
    trees in the zoo ruins

    After my visit, the zoo celebrated its 75th anniversary of serving the community in November 2022, according to CBS Miami.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Celebrities who died in 2025

    Rob Reiner smiling in a suit and tie
    Rob Reiner.

    • Actors Dianie Keaton, Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Val Kilmer, Rob Reiner, and Michelle Trachtenberg died in 2025.
    • Musicians Ozzy Osbourne, D'Angelo, Brian Wilson, Roberta Flack, and Sly Stone also passed away.
    • So did former vice president Dick Cheney, fashion icon Giorgio Armani, director David Lynch, and primatologist Jane Goodall.

    Below, we look back at those we lost in 2025.

    Loni Anderson, 79
    Loni Anderson in a pink top
    Loni Anderson.

    In an era when playing the ditzy blonde was all the rage, Loni Anderson turned that trope on its head and found acclaim.

    Anderson is best known for playing the smart, sophisticated, go-getter receptionist in the late 1970s series "WKRP in Cincinnati."

    Her performance earned her three Golden Globe nominations and two Emmy nominations over the show's four-season run.

    "WKRP" turned out to be Anderson's high water mark professionally, but her fame soared through the 1980s and 1990s with her marriage to Burt Reynolds. Their relationship and messy split were constant tabloid fodder.

    Anderson died on August 3 following a prolonged illness.

    Giorgio Armani, 91
    Giorgio Armani in a t-shirt with his hands folded
    Giorgio Armani.

    Armani's name has been synonymous with high fashion for the last 50 years.

    From dressing practically every famous person for the last half century to using his talents to do the costuming for movies like "American Gigolo," "The Untouchables," "The Wolf of Wall Street," and "The Dark Knight," Giorgio Armani used his eye for fashion and innovation to become a cultural icon.

    Armani died on September 4. No cause was given.

    Jeff Baena, 47
    Jeff Baena in a green sweater
    Jeff Baena.

    Baena was known for writing and directing comedic independent movies like "Life After Beth," "The Little Hours," and "Horse Girl."

    Many of them starred his wife, Aubrey Plaza.

    He also wrote the 2004 movie "I Heart Huckabees" with director David O. Russell.

    Baena died by suicide on January 3.

    If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or has had thoughts of harming themself or taking their own life, get help. In the US, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is also available through the Crisis Text Line — just text "HOME" to 741741. The International Association for Suicide Prevention offers resources for those outside the US.

    Joe Don Baker, 89
    Joe Don Baker with a cigarette in his mouth
    Joe Don Baker.

    Baker was known for his tough guy roles, playing heroes and villains with equal intensity for close to four decades.

    The Texas native found stardom in 1973 playing the real-life moonshine-busting Tennessee Sheriff Buford Pusser in the surprise hit "Walking Tall."

    A string of memorable roles utilizing his intimidating presence followed. He played a crooked cop opposite Chevy Chase in the 1985 hit comedy "Fletch," teamed up with Nick Nolte to try to stop a crazed Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese's 1991 remake of "Cape Fear," and, between those movies, played a fictional version of Babe Ruth opposite Robert Redford in the 1984 sports classic "The Natural."

    Baker also has the distinction of playing both a villain (1987's "The Living Daylights") and a good guy (1995's "GoldenEye," 1997's "Tomorrow Never Dies") in the James Bond franchise.

    Baker died on May 7. No cause was given.

    Anne Burrell, 55
    Anne Burrell holding a plate of food on a stage
    Anne Burrell.

    Burrell was a Food Network star known for her spiky platinum hair and her enthusiasm for the culinary arts. After getting her start in Italian restaurants in New York City, she rose to fame after appearing as a sous chef to Mario Batali on "Iron Chef America."

    She soon became a staple on the Food Network, appearing on "Chef Wanted," "Chopped," and "Food Network Star," and hosting the Emmy-nominated "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" and "Worst Cooks in America."

    Burrell died on June 17; no cause was given.

    Dick Button, 95
    Dick Button staking on ice
    Dick Button.

    Button was one of the greats in men's figure skating.

    His dominance in the sport began in the late 1940s, when he began winning on the amateur circuit by landing moves no one had ever seen done before in competition, including the double axel and the triple jump.

    He would go on to win two Olympic gold medals and five consecutive world championships.

    Once he retired, he went on to become an Emmy-winning analyst and even was one of the minds behind the popular 1970s competition show "Battle of the Network Stars," in which celebrities challenged one another in various sports competitions.

    Button died on January 30. No cause was given.

    Richard Chamberlain, 90
    Richard Chamberlain leaning against a fence
    Richard Chamberlain.

    A beloved actor on the stage and screen for decades, Chamberlain was the face of the acclaimed 1980s miniseries "The Thorn Birds" and "Shogun," both of which garnered him Emmy nominations.

    He also found acclaim onstage, starring in revivals of "My Fair Lady" and "The Sound of Music."

    In the 2000s, Chamberlain had memorable guest-starring roles on shows like "Will and Grace" and "Desperate Housewives."

    Chamberlain died on March 29 of complications following a stroke.

    Dick Cheney, 84
    Dick Cheney standing at a podium
    Dick Cheney.

    Cheney was the 46th Vice President of the United States. He served two terms as VP to George W. Bush.

    He was one of the main leaders in the country's response to the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, including the global war on terror, in which he alleged that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, a claim that was never proven.

    In popular culture, Cheney was a fixture on "Saturday Night Live" during his tenure as VP, often portrayed by Darrell Hammond. In Oliver Stone's 2008 George W. Bush biopic, "W.," Cheney was played by Richard Dreyfuss. In the 2018 Cheney biopic "Vice," directed by Adam McKay, Christian Bale played Cheney.

    Cheney died on November 3 due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, his family said in a statement.

    Leslie Charleson, 79
    Leslie Charleson riding a horse
    Leslie Charleson.

    For 50 years, fans of "General Hospital" knew Charleson as Dr. Monica Quartermaine, a role she played since 1977.

    Charleson was beloved by fans and used her celebrity to support charities for breast cancer, cystic fibrosis, and AIDS awareness.

    Charleson's other credits include "Adam 12," "Barnaby Jones," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "Ironside," "Kung Fu," and "The Rockford Files."

    She also starred in "Happy Days" and gave Ron Howard his first on-screen kiss.

    Charleson died on January 12 following a long illness.

    Jimmy Cliff, 81
    Jimmy Cliff in a brown jacket
    Jimmy Cliff.

    This two-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is one of the key figures responsible for bringing reggae music to the mainstream.

    Starring in the 1972 hit movie "The Harder They Come," he also wrote and performed many of the songs on the soundtrack, including "You Can Get It If You Really Want." The film and soundtrack are regarded as landmark works in popularizing the reggae sound globally.

    Cliff died on November 24 following a seizure and battle with pneumonia.

    D'Angelo, 51
    D'Angelo singing into a microphone with a hat on
    D'Angelo.

    D'Angelo was one of the major talents to usher in the neo-soul sound of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

    His 1995 debut album, "Brown Sugar," turned him into an international star, thanks to the chart-topping song "Lady." The album would end up going platinum.

    He became a sex symbol with his second album, "Voodoo," which featured the hit song "(Untitled) How Does It Feel," which had a famously raunchy music video in which the star appeared to be nude. The song would go on to earn him a Grammy for best male R&B vocal performance; the album would also win best R&B album.

    D'Angelo died on October 14 following a bout with cancer.

    Marianne Faithfull, 78
    Marianne Faithfull in a blue top
    Marianne Faithfull.

    Faithfull was a fixture in the London music scene during the 1960s.

    She was discovered by The Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham, which led to her finding instant stardom not just for her chart-topping music, like "As Tears Go By," which became a top 5 single in the UK, but also for her hard-partying ways alongside her then-flame Mick Jagger.

    Throughout the 1960s, she was the inspiration for Stones hits "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and "Wild Horses" while being a co-writer on "Sister Morphine." But she was also in a deep addiction to drugs. She was famously found wearing nothing but a fur rug during a 1967 drug bust at Keith Richards' Sussex home.

    Faithfull made a comeback with the 1979 album "Broken English," which earned her a Grammy nomination.

    Other hit songs include "This Little Bird," "Summer Nights," and "Come and Stay With Me."

    She also starred in movies like 1967's "I'll Never Forget What's'isname" and 1968's "The Girl on the Motorcycle."

    Faithfull died on January 30. No cause was given.

    Roberta Flack, 88
    Roberta Flack smiling wearing a dress
    Roberta Flack.

    Flack's smooth R&B vocals made her a star in the 1970s with Grammy-winning hits like "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face," "Killing Me Softly with His Song," and "Feel Like Makin' Love."

    Over her career, Flack scored six top-10 pop hits and 10 top-10 R&B singles. She was also the first artist to win the record of the year Grammy in two consecutive years, for 1973's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and 1974's "Killing Me Softly with His Song."

    Flack was introduced to a new generation in the 1990s when The Fugees did a Grammy-winning cover of "Killing Me Softly" in 1996.

    Flack died on February 24. No cause was given.

    George Foreman, 76
    George Foreman with his fists up
    George Foreman.

    Foreman was a two-time heavyweight boxing champion, winning his titles in 1973 at the age of 24 and again in 1994 at the age of 45.

    Foreman fought formidable legends throughout his long-lasting boxing career, including Muhammad Ali in 1974 — dubbed The Rumble in the Jungle, one of the most-watched televised sporting events of the time — and Evander Holyfield in 1991.

    Toward the end of his career, Foreman became the face of Salton Inc.'s George Foreman Grill, making millions through his household name.

    His family announced on social media that he died on March 21. No cause was given. Foreman was 76.

    Ace Frehley, 74
    Ace Frehley in KISS makeup holding a guitar
    Ace Frehley.

    As the lead guitarist and founding member of the band Kiss, Ace Frehley is cemented as glam rock royalty.

    Frehley's guitar licks are found on all of the band's hits, most notably "Shock Me" and "Cold Gin."

    Frehley was also a successful solo artist, releasing nine albums.

    But, for most, he'll forever be known as his face-painted Kiss alter-ego "The Spaceman."

    Frehley died on October 16. Weeks before his death, TMZ reported he fell in his studio, causing a brain bleed.

    Jane Goodall, 91
    Jane Goodall in the jungle holding binoculars
    Jane Goodall.

    Dr. Jane Goodall dedicated her life to animal activism, making her a beloved figure worldwide.

    Since traveling into the wilds of Tanzania in the summer of 1960 at the age of 26, Goodall went on to become the foremost expert on chimpanzees.

    Her decades-long study on the species revealed that primates exhibit a range of behaviors similar to those of humans, including communication and personality traits.

    She was named a Dame of the British Empire in 2003 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025.

    Goodall died on October 1 of natural causes.

    Irv Gotti, 54
    Irv Gotti pointing with both hands
    Irv Gotti.

    In an era of hip-hop where the producers were as prominent as the artists, Irv Gotti was one of the shining stars of the late 1990s and 2000s.

    Gotti, who was born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. and later went by DJ Irv, came on the scene as A&R for Def Jam. He brought in artists that would define the next generation of hip-hop to the label like Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule.

    His coming out party was producing one of Jay-Z's first hits, "Can I Live," from his 1996 debut album "Reasonable Doubt."

    Soon after, his Irv Gotti persona was created when he founded the rap label Murder Inc. Records, bringing along artists like DMX and Ja Rule and signing others like Ashanti.

    There he became the face of smash hits like Jay-Z's "Can I Get A…," DMX's "What's My Name," Ja Rule's "Holla Holla," Fat Joe's "What's Luv?," Jennifer Lopez's "I'm Real," and Ashanti's "Foolish."

    In recent years, Gotti had suffered strokes and battled diabetes-related issues. He died on February 5. No cause was given.

    Graham Greene, 73
    Graham Greene in a jacket
    Graham Greene.

    Greene's work over the decades opened doors for Indigenous actors in Hollywood.

    Born on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada, Greene began performing on stage in the 1970s. By the end of the decade, he made it to Hollywood, scoring bit roles on TV and in movies.

    Greene's breakout role was playing Kicking Bird, one of the main supporting characters in Kevin Costner's 1990 epic "Dances with Wolves." He would go to earn an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.

    Greene ran with the attention, landing roles in big movies through the rest of the '90s and beyond, like "Maverick" (1994), "Die Hard with a Vengeance" (1995), "The Green Mile" (1999), "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" (2009), "Wind River" (2017), and "Molly's Game" (2017).

    Most recently, he starred in episodes of "Reservation Dogs" and "Tulsa King."

    Greene died on September 1; no cause was given.

    Peter Greene, 60
    Peter Greene in a black jacket and shirt
    Peter Greene.

    Peter Greene found fame playing the bad guy.

    From his big-screen debut in the 1992 indie "Laws of Gravity," he always gravitated to the tough guy roles in everything from "The Usual Suspects" to "Training Day."

    But his two biggest roles both came in 1994, when he played the villain opposite Jim Carrey in "The Mask" and sadistic store owner Zed, who beats up Bruce Willis in "Pulp Fiction."

    Greene was found dead in his New York City apartment on December 12.

    Gene Hackman, 95
    Gene Hackman leaning up against a fence
    Gene Hackman.

    Hackman was a superstar in the skin of a character actor.

    From his breakout in 1967's "Bonnie and Clyde" to his final movie, 2004's "Welcome to Mooseport," this skilled actor did it all with low-key confidence.

    Even when he played the diabolical villain Lex Luthor in the Christopher Reeve "Superman" movies, Hackman's deft performance was never about upstaging other actors.

    But audiences couldn't help but gravitate to him. Taking on roles in projects that would become classics like the gritty cop "Popeye" Doyle in "The French Connection," which earned him an Oscar; a surveillance expert in "The Conversation;" a tough but fair basketball coach in "Hoosiers;" and showing his comedy chops in "Get Shorty" and "The Birdcage," Hackman became beloved.

    He abruptly retired in 2004 and spent the rest of his life writing novels and enjoying life with his wife Betsy Arakawa.

    Hackman and Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26. An investigation is ongoing.

    Hulk Hogan, 71
    Hulk Hogan gestures to the audience during his Hulkamania Tour at the Burswood Dome on November 24, 2009.
    Hulk Hogan during his 2009 Hulkamania Tour.

    Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, was one of the most famous pro wrestlers in history. He was instrumental in transforming the WWE into a global entertainment behemoth, headlined the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985, and won six WWE Championships throughout his career.

    In the mid-2000s, Hogan starred in a popular VH1 reality show, "Hogan Knows Best," which followed his family life.

    Hogan died at his home in Clearwater, Florida, on July 24.

    Henry Jaglom, 87
    Henry Jaglom dressed in black with a black hat
    Henry Jaglom.

    Jaglom was one of the driving forces of independent cinema in America and an important figure in the "New Hollywood" wave that hit Hollywood in the 1970s.

    Jaglom started out as an actor in New York City, making friends with the likes of Jack Nicholson and Bruce Dern. By the late 1960s, he went out to Los Angeles with friend Peter Bogdanovich, which led to him landing small acting roles, including guest spots on Sally Field sitcoms "The Flying Nun" and "Gidget."

    He then turned his attention to working behind the camera. Thanks to his connection to Nicholson, he did some editing on the seminal "New Hollywood" movie "Easy Rider" (1969) and then started making his own movies like "A Safe Place" (1971), which featured Nicholson and Orson Welles (Jaglom and Welles would remain friends until Welles' death), and "Tracks" starring "Easy Rider" director and star Dennis Hopper.

    Jaglom would seal his indie auteur title with movies like "New Year's Day" (1989) and "Last Summer in the Hamptons" (1995).

    Jaglom died on September 22; no cause was given.

    Nicky Katt, 54
    Nicky Katt in a white tshirt
    Nicky Katt.

    Katt started his career as a child actor landing roles in "Fantasy Island" and "CHiPs" in the 1980s, but it was the roles he played as an adult that would cement his legacy.

    From "Dazed and Confused" to "Boiler Room," Katt often played the heel, and dispensing wiseass remarks with a dark stare became his signature.

    Katt became a favorite of directors like Steven Soderbergh, who cast him in "The Limey" and "Full Frontal," and Christopher Nolan, who gave him parts in "Insomnia" and "The Dark Knight."

    The actor also played the edgy teacher Harry Senate in the series "Boston Public."

    Katt died on April 8. His family confirmed to Deadline that he died by suicide.

    Diane Keaton, 79
    Diane Keaton in a white pant suit
    Diane Keaton.

    Diane Keaton starred in some of the most memorable films in the history of Hollywood.

    Before her iconic turn as the title character in Woody Allen's "Annie Hall," which earned her an Oscar in 1978, Keaton rose to prominence for her role as Kay Adams-Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather." Keaton reprised that role in the franchise's two subsequent films. She also starred in "Reds," "Father of the Bride," "The First Wives Club," and "Marvin's Room."

    Keaton died on October 11 in California. No cause was given.

    Udo Kier, 81
    Udo Kier in a black jacket holding a cigarette
    Udo Kier.

    Over a 50-year career, Kier worked with everyone from Andy Warhol to Lars von Trier.

    Starting his career playing the heartthrob main character in Warhol's experimental B-movies in the early 1970s ("Flesh for Frankenstein" and "Blood for Dracula"), the German actor with piercing blue eyes would go on to star in over 200 films, from main roles in Von Trier's masterpieces ("Breaking the Waves," "Melancholia") to scene-stealing appearances in blockbusters like "Blade" and "Armageddon."

    Kier died on November 23; no cause was given.

    Val Kilmer, 65
    Val Kilmer in a white shirt
    Val Kilmer.

    Val Kilmer was a quintessential movie star who delivered some of the most memorable performances in movie history.

    As the hotshot flyer "Iceman" in 1986's Top Gun, he became a scene stealer who could hold his own against Tom Cruise.

    From there, Kilmer shot to superstardom in movies like 1988's "Willow," Oliver Stone's 1991 biopic "The Doors," in which he played the band's legendary frontman Jim Morrison; 1993's "Tombstone," in which he played Doc Holliday; and Michael Mann's 1995 classic "Heat," in which he played a thief opposite Robert De Niro.

    That same year, he would also become a major box office draw playing Batman in the 1995 movie "Batman Forever."

    In 2014, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer and recovered, but his voice was permanently damaged from a tracheotomy.

    His final movie appearance was reprising his Iceman role in 2022's "Top Gun: Maverick."

    Kilmer died on April 1 of pneumonia.

    Diane Ladd, 89
    Diane Ladd in a blue dress
    Diane Ladd.

    With over 200 movie and TV roles, Ladd was the epitome of the character actor.

    Over her career, she garnered three Oscar nominations, three Primetime Emmy nominations, and four Golden Globes nominations.

    She's known best for starring in movies like Martin Scorsese's 1974 drama "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," playing the sassy waitress Flo opposite Ellen Burstyn, and the David Lynch 1990 classic "Wild at Heart," in which she starred alongside her daughter, Laura Dern. Ladd was Oscar-nominated for both performances.

    Ladd's other credits include "Chinatown," "Rambling Rose," which was another movie she starred opposite her daughter (and earned her third Oscar nomination), and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," where she played the mother of Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase).

    Ladd died on November 3 at her home in California, with her daughter by her side.

    Ananda Lewis, 52
    Ananda Lewis in a red dress
    Ananda Lewis.

    As an MTV veejay in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ananda Lewis was a standout. After getting her start hosting BET's "Teen Summit," she moved over to MTV, hosting its hit shows "MTV Live," "Total Request Live," and "Hot Zone." She also had her own show, "The Ananda Lewis Show," which ran from 2001 to 2002.

    In 2020, Lewis announced that she had been battling breast cancer for two years. Last October, she revealed her cancer had progressed to stage four. Lewis died on June 11.

    David Lynch, 78
    David Lynch pointing finger at lens
    David Lynch.

    Lynch was the visionary director of surrealist films like "The Elephant Man," "Blue Velvet," "Mulholland Drive," and the hit TV series "Twin Peaks."

    His groundbreaking works blended elements of everything from horror to film noir to surrealism, creating a uniquely skewed vision of America.

    After adapting Frank Herbert's "Dune" in 1984, resulting in a box office flop, Lynch produced a string of surrealist works that would define his career: 1986's "Blue Velvet," 1990's "Wild at Heart," 1992's "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me" (the prequel to his hit TV show "Twin Peaks," which ran from 1990 to 1991), and 1997's "Lost Highway."

    Each title showcased Lynch's seemingly limitless creativity as he pushed the boundaries of narrative structure while dazzling the viewer with exquisite production design and cinematography.

    The Lynch family announced his passing on January 16. In August 2024, the filmmaker announced that he had emphysema following decades of smoking, but said he hadn't smoked in over two years.

    Michael Madsen, 67
    Michael Madsen in a grey jacket and black shirt
    Michael Madsen.

    Playing memorable roles in Quentin Tarantino movies like "Reservoir Dogs," the "Kill Bill" movies, "The Hateful Eight," and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," Madsen was known for his ultra-cool tough guy characters.

    Outside of the Tarantino universe, he had memorable roles as a slick cop chasing an alien in 1995's "Species" and a mobster in 1997's "Donnie Brasco."

    Madsen had close to 350 movie credits to his name, dating back to the 1980s with small roles in "The Natural," where he played an egotistical baseball player opposite Robert Redford, and a blink-and-you'd-miss-it part in the hit Matthew Broderick thriller "WarGames."

    But the role he'll forever be known best for was playing the crook Mr. Blonde in Tarantino's 1992 masterpiece, "Reservoir Dogs." Sporting black shades, a black suit with a white shirt, and a skinny black tie, Madsen had the memorable line, "Are you gonna bark all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?" He also famously strutted to the song "Stuck in the Middle With You" while torturing a cop.

    Madsen died on July 3 at his Malibu home. No cause was given.

    Wink Martindale, 91
    Wink Martindale laughing
    Wink Martindale.

    After working as everything from a disc jockey to the host of a kids' sci-fi series to a chart-topping artist (with the 1959 spoken-word tune "Deck of Cards"), Wink Martindale found his true calling as a game show host in the 1960s.

    His first was NBC's "What's This Song?" in 1964. Then in 1972 came his first hit, "Gambit." That was followed by the even more popular "Tic-Tac-Dough," which ran until the late 1980s.

    Martindale went on to host other game shows through the decades like "High Rollers," "The Last Word," "The Great Getaway Game," "Trivial Pursuit," "Debt," and "Instant Recall."

    Martindale died on April 15. No cause was given.

    Julian McMahon, 56
    Julian McMahon in a grey suit
    Julian McMahon.

    Son of the former Australian prime minister, William McMahon, Julian was in the spotlight from his birth, and it only grew as he got older.

    Born in 1968, he quickly became a celebrity in his home country in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a fixture on popular Aussie soap operas like "The Power, The Passion" and "Home and Away."

    But that was just a small sample of his talents. In the late 1990s, he had made the move to American television, starring in NBC's "Profiler" and the WB's "Charmed."

    Then he got the role that would change his life: the dashing plastic surgeon Christian Troy in the Ryan Murphy FX series hit "Nip/Tuck." It would go on to run for six seasons and earn McMahon a Golden Globe best actor nomination.

    After that, he played Doctor Doom in the early 2000s "Fantastic Four" movies, had a stint on "FBI: Most Wanted," and the Netflix series "The Residence." One of his final roles was opposite Nicolas Cage in the 2024 movie "The Surfer."

    McMahon died of cancer on July 2.

    Sam Moore, 89
    Sam Moore holding a microphone
    Sam Moore.

    Moore's R&B sound influenced everyone from Michael Jackson to Bruce Springsteen.

    Alongside Dave Prater, Moore found fame in the 1960s with Sam & Dave, a duo who had hits like "Hold On, I'm Comin'" and "Soul Man."

    "Soul Man" would gain renewed popularity in the late 1970s when Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi began performing the song as their alter egos, R&B singers The Blues Brothers, on "Saturday Night Live." The song would continue to find new fans in 1980 when "The Blues Brothers" movie was released.

    Moore went solo in 1970 and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

    Moore died on January 10 from complications while recovering from surgery.

    Ozzy Osbourne, 76
    Ozzy Osbourne performs at halftime during the NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Rams on September 8, 2022.
    Ozzy Osbourne.

    Ozzy Osbourne, known as the "Prince of Darkness," rose to fame in the '70s as the lead singer of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath.

    Although Osbourne was a cofounding member of the band, he was fired in 1979 amid his much-publicized struggle with alcohol and drugs. The following year, he released his debut solo album, "Blizzard of Ozz," which went multi-platinum in the US. His 13th and final solo album, "Patient Number 9," was released in 2022. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006 and as a solo artist in 2024.

    In the early 2000s, Osbourne starred on the popular MTV reality show "The Osbournes" alongside his wife, Sharon, and two of their children, Kelly and Jack.

    Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2003. He died on July 22 while "surrounded by love," his family confirmed in a statement to The Sun.

    Geneviève Page, 97
    Geneviève Page in a hat and mink sitting inside a car
    Geneviève Page.

    Thanks to her stunning beauty, Page became a fixture in both French cinema and Hollywood through the 1960s.

    She's best known for playing Madame Anais, the owner of a high-class brothel in Luis Buñuel's 1967 masterpiece "Belle de Jour."

    In the movie, Anais oversees the actions of Catherine Deneuve's character Severine, a bored housewife who turns to prostitution to spice up her life. But she only works in the afternoon while her husband is away at work, leading to Anais calling her "Belle de Jour" ("Beauty of the Day").

    Page also starred in "El Cid," the 1961 medieval epic also starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren, and Billy Wilder's 1970 film "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes."

    Page died on February 14. No cause was given.

    Robert Redford, 89
    Robert Redford with his finger to his lips
    Robert Redford.

    After showing up on Broadway and some small TV roles (including a memorable episode of "The Twilight Zone") through the 1960s, Robert Redford dominated the 1970s with one hit after another: "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Jeremiah Johnson," "The Candidate," "The Way We Were," "Three Days of the Condor," "All the President's Men," and "The Sting," which would earn him an Oscar nomination.

    Redford solidified his stardom in the 1980s and beyond with movies like "The Natural" (1984), "Out of Africa" (1985), and "Sneakers" (1992), but being on screen wasn't enough. He also directed acclaimed works like "Quiz Show" (1994) and "A River Runs Through It" (1992). But his directorial debut, 1980's "Ordinary People," would give him something he never got from his acting: an Oscar win.

    Redford was also a cofounder of the Sundance Film Festival, which, along with blazing a trail for countless film festivals that happen in the US year-round to this day, also launched the filmmaking careers of everyone from Steven Soderbergh and Quentin Tarantino to Damien Chazelle and Ryan Coogler.

    Redford died on September 16; no cause was given.

    Rob Reiner, 78
    Rob Reiner by a camera
    Rob Reiner on the set of "The American President."

    Rob Reiner is responsible for some of the most celebrated works ever put on screen.

    As the son of legendary comedian Carl Reiner, he was thrust into Hollywood at a young age, starting off as an actor. He would go on to star as Mike "Meathead" Stivic in the legendary 1970s sitcom "All in the Family," earning two Emmys for the role.

    For his next act, he'd go on to become one of the most renowned directors of the 1980s and 1990s.

    His directorial debut, "This is Spinal Tap" (1984), created the mockumentary genre. He followed that by helming a string of hits that would go on to become classics and showcase his range as a storyteller: "Stand by Me" (1986), "The Princess Bride" (1987), "When Harry Met Sally…" (1989)," "Misery" (1990), and "A Few Good Men" (1992).

    He also made "The American President" (1995) and, in 2015, "Being Charlie," which was written by his son, Nick, who penned the story while in rehab, struggling with addiction.

    On December 14, Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home. Their deaths are being investigated as a homicide.

    Danielle Spencer, 60
    Danielle Spencer in a flower shirt
    Danielle Spencer.

    Spencer is best known for playing Dee Thomas on the hit 1970s sitcom "What's Happening!!"

    After her child-acting days were over, she went on to earn a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine. She would work as a veterinarian for two decades.

    Spencer died on August 11 of cancer.

    Terence Stamp, 87
    Terence Stamp dressed in a white shirt
    Terence Stamp.

    After gaining fame in the 1960s and 1970s in his home country of England, Stamp found international acclaim when he played the villain General Zod in "Superman II" (1980).

    Stamp would then go on to find steady work for decades, cementing his character actor bona fides in movies like "The Hit" (1984), "Legal Eagles" (1986), "Wall Street" (1987), "Young Guns" (1988), and "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" (1994).

    At 61, he was introduced to a new generation as a crook out to get revenge for the death of his daughter in Steven Soderbergh's acclaimed "The Limey" (1999). This led to him scoring roles in major Hollywood movies like "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace" (1999), "Elektra" (2005), and "Murder Mystery" (2019). His final movie credit was Edgar Wright's thriller "Last Night in Soho" (2021).

    Stamp died on August 17; no cause was given.

    Angie Stone, 63
    Singer Angie Stone attends the Urban One Honors: Best In Black in January 2024.

    Stone was a member of the female hip-hop trio The Sequence, who is known for songs like "Funk You Up" and "Monster Jam."

    She later launched a solo career in the late 1990s with her debut album, "Black Diamond." Her 2001 song, "Wish I Didn't Miss You," became one of her most popular songs.

    Stone's publicist told TMZ that Stone died in a car crash on March 1 after performing in Montgomery, Alabama. The Grammy-nominated artist was traveling in a van with eight other people, including backup singers and crew, when it crashed on Interstate 65.

    Sly Stone, 82
    Sly Stone performs at Woodstock in 1969.
    Sly Stone.

    Stone, born Sylvester Stewart in California, was known as the founder and frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, a psychedelic-soul band active through the '60s, '70s, and early '80s. He was behind classic songs like "Dance to the Music" and "Everyday People."

    In a statement distributed to the press, Stone's three children celebrated their father's "extraordinary musical legacy" and "enduring creative spirit."

    "Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music," the family wrote. "His iconic songs have left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable."

    Stone's death was announced on June 9 after a prolonged battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

    Loretta Swit, 87
    Loretta Swit holding her hand to her cheek
    Loretta Swit.

    Swit portrayed one of the most memorable characters in TV history, playing the head nurse Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on the legendary series "M*A*S*H."

    Swit took over the role from Sally Kellerman, who originated the part in the 1970 Robert Altman movie the series is based on.

    Her performance earned her 10 Emmy nominations and two wins. Swit and costar Alan Alda were the only two actors on the show who appeared in the pilot episode and the famed two-and-a-half-hour finale, which was seen by more than 100 million viewers.

    Swit died on May 30 of natural causes.

    Michelle Trachtenberg, 39
    Michelle Trachtenberg smiling
    Michelle Trachtenberg.

    Trachtenberg dedicated her life to acting and found fame in the process.

    She landed her first major role in the mid-1990s as Nona F. Mecklenberg on the Nickelodeon series "The Adventures of Pete & Pete." In 1996, she played the lead in the Nickelodeon-produced movie "Harriet the Spy."

    By the early 2000s, she had landed more mature roles in movies like the comedy "Euro Trip" and the indie drama "Mysterious Skin," both of which were released in 2004. At the same time, she was gaining fandom on the small screen playing Dawn Summers on "Buffy and the Vampire Slayer," and later appearing as Georgina Sparks on the hit CW series "Gossip Girl," which ran from 2007 to 2012.

    Trachtenberg was found dead in a New York City apartment on February 26. A cause of death hasn't yet been determined.

    DJ Unk (Anthony Platt), 42
    Man with Atlanta Hawks hat on
    DJ Unk.

    This Atlanta rapper brought snap music to the masses thanks to his hit 2006 songs "Walk it Out" and "2 Step."

    Anthony Platt, better known by his stage name DJ Unk, was a fixture in the Atlanta rap scene in the late 1990s. He DJed at everything from pep rallies to proms.

    He released his first album, "Beat'n Down Yo Block!" in 2006 and found huge acclaim due to his two big hit songs, "Walk it Out" and "2 Step."

    "Walk it Out" got as high as No. 10 on the Billboard charts and went platinum.

    His second album, "2econd Season," was released in 2008 but didn't find the same acclaim as his debut.

    In 2009, due to non-stop touring and hard partying, DJ Unk suffered a heart attack.

    DJ Unk died on January 24. His wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, said in a Facebook post that he died in his sleep after suffering a cardiac arrest.

    Bob Uecker, 90
    Bob Uecker smiling holding a bat
    Bob Uecker.

    Uecker had a respectable career as a Major League Baseball backup catcher on four clubs through the 1960s, playing with his hometown Milwaukee Brewers and winning a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals. But it was his work off the field that made him one of the most memorable figures in MLB history.

    After retiring in 1967, Uecker started his second career as a broadcaster, calling games for the Brewers (which he did until his death) and being the color man for network games.

    His self-deprecating style made him a likable figure, leading to him becoming a fixture on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, where he earned the nickname "Mr. Baseball." Suddenly, Uecker landed everything from beer commercials to a hosting gig on "Saturday Night Live."

    But his most memorable gigs outside of baseball were playing sportswriter George Owens on the hit TV show "Mr. Belvedere" from 1985 to 1990 and starring as sarcastic broadcaster Harry Doyle in the beloved 1989 movie "Major League" and its sequels.

    Uecker was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.

    He died on January 16 after battling small-cell lung cancer since 2023.

    Malcolm-Jamal Warner, 54
    Malcolm-Jamal Warner poses for a portrait in 2023.
    Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

    Malcolm-Jamal Warner is best known for playing Theodore "Theo" Huxtable in "The Cosby Show." In 1986, he received an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series.

    More recently, Warner starred in the Fox medical drama "The Resident" for five seasons.

    Warner drowned off the coast of Costa Rica on July 20, Costa Rican National Police told ABC News.

    George Wendt, 76
    George Wendt in a grey suit and red tie
    George Wendt.

    Through the 1980s, he sat on the corner at the bar where everybody knows your name. In the process, he became a TV icon.

    As Norm Peterson, who always threw out a funny one-liner when he entered the bar on the hit TV series "Cheers," Wendt created one of the most memorable characters in TV history and garnered six consecutive Emmy nominations.

    The Chicago native, who started his career in the 1970s at the famed Second City improv troupe, also landed roles in hit movies like "Fletch" (1985), "Gung Ho" (1986), and "The Little Rascals" (1994), and played the grumpy dad opposite Macaulay Culkin in Michael Jackson's 1991 music video for "Black or White."

    Through the decades, Wendt was also a regular on "Saturday Night Live," playing a superfan of the Chicago Bears who called the team "Da Bears." (Wendt is the uncle of "SNL" alum Jason Sudeikis.)

    Wendt died on May 20. No cause was given.

    Brian Wilson, 82
    Brian Wilson recording and speaking into a microphone
    Brian Wilson recording "Pet Sounds" in 1966.

    As a founding member of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson is responsible for mega hits that blended pop music with more modern, avant-garde sounds.

    From 1962 to 1966, the Beach Boys had 10 top-10 hits and seven top-40 chart entries, most of which were written or co-written and produced by Wilson.

    Along with classics like "Good Vibrations" and "Help Me, Rhonda," Wilson is also responsible for pushing the band's sound into new dimensions, particularly with the 1966 album "Pet Sounds." Its blend of pop, jazz, and avant-garde influences brought widespread critical acclaim and inspired The Beatles to make "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

    Wilson struggled most of his life with mental illness, which was explored in the 2014 movie, "Love & Mercy" starring John Cusack and Paul Dano playing Wilson at different stages in his life.

    Wilson's death was announced by his family in June. No cause was given. In February 2024, it was revealed Wilson was battling dementia.

    Peter Yarrow, 86
    Peter Yarrow holding a guitar
    Peter Yarrow.

    Yarrow was a singer-songwriter who was a member of the iconic folk music group Peter, Paul and Mary.

    Along with Paul Stookey and Mary Travers, the trio had six Billboard Top 10 singles, two No. 1 albums, and won five Grammys. Their major hit was "Puff the Magic Dragon," which Yarrow cowrote.

    Yarrow died on January 7 after a battle with bladder cancer.

    Harris Yulin, 87
    Harris Yulin in a green button down shirt
    Harris Yulin.

    Although his name might not ring a bell, you have definitely seen Harris Yulin's work. Over his five-decade career, Yulin had many memorable roles in movies and TV, most notably as villains.

    He played an angry judge in 1989's "Ghostbusters II" and a corrupt national security advisor opposite Harrison Ford in 1994's "Clear and Present Danger," but his all-time best villain role was playing the crooked cop Mel, who meets his fate thanks to Al Pacino's Tony Montana in the beloved 1983 gangster movie "Scarface."

    Yulin died on June 10. No cause was given.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Here are the top 5 most common ways people say they’re using AI in the workplace

    Workers in an office space
    A new Gallup poll found that 23% of US employees use AI at least a few times per week, while 45% say they use it a few times per year.

    • A growing share of US employees are using AI in the workplace, a new Gallup poll found.
    • The percentage of workers who say they use AI weekly has shot up dramatically since mid-2024.
    • Here are the top five ways that employees say they're using AI at work.

    More and more Americans are starting to use artificial intelligence at work — and they're finding a variety of ways to use it.

    According to a new Gallup poll on AI use at work covering the third quarter of 2025, 23% of US employees use AI at least a few times per week, while 45% say they use it a few times per year.

    That's a major increase from the second quarter of 2024, when just 12% said they use it multiple times per week and 27% said they use it a few times per year.

    The percentage of employees who say they use AI daily has increased as well, rising from 4% in the second quarter of 2024 to 10% in the third quarter of 2025.

    The poll also surveyed employees who've adopted AI on how they're using the technology. Here are the five most common uses:

    • 42% — Consolidating information or data
    • 41% — Generating ideas
    • 36% — Learning new things
    • 34% — Automating basic tasks
    • 20% — Identifying problems

    Sixty-one percent of AI-using US employees said that they use chatbots like ChatGPT or Claude, while 36% said they use AI-powered writing and editing tools. Another 14% said they use AI coding assistants.

    As AI adoption becomes more widespread, some see potential downsides.

    A recent Harvard Youth Poll found that 59% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 view AI as a threat to their job prospects, even as a majority say they trust the technology to help them complete school and work assignments.

    Another Gallup poll from June found that leaders at companies are using AI more frequently than rank-and-file employees.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Why concert tickets are so expensive — and who’s to blame

    Seeing your favorite artist onstage has never been more expensive. In the 1960s, a ticket to see The Beatles could cost around $5. In 2024, the average concert ticket in the US was nearly $136. And on the resale market, prices can jump to almost double that, with some Taylor Swift fans paying thousands of dollars for a single seat.

    Business Insider spoke with individuals across the live music ecosystem — including Live Nation and Ticketmaster, resale sites like StubHub, musicians, lawyers, government officials, music journalists, and fans — to unravel why concert tickets have become so expensive and why many people believe the system is rigged against ordinary fans.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • White House launches 2-year ‘Tech Force’ hiring for roughly 1,000 jobs that will pay $130,000 to $195,000

    Trump and Zuckerberg at a White House dinner.
    Trump and Zuckerberg at a White House dinner.

    • The Trump administration is launching a 2-year Tech Force program in partnership with major tech companies.
    • Around 1,000 people will be hired as government employees and placed at various agencies, paying around $130,000 to $195,000.
    • It's primarily an early-career program, aimed partly at helping participants land a private-sector job.

    Young tech talent hoping to land a job in the private sector has a new way in: the public sector.

    President Donald Trump's administration announced the launch of the United States Tech Force on Monday, a two-year program that offers participants federal government jobs and eventual recruitment opportunities for private sector roles.

    The government is partnering with at least 28 tech companies on the program, including Apple, Amazon Web Services, Anduril, Dell, Box, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, OpenAI, Palantir, Oracle, Uber, and xAI, among others.

    The Office of Personnel Management is spearheading the early-career program in partnership with other agencies. Participants will be placed at various agencies across the government to work on modernization projects and, in part, implement AI, according to the Tech Force website.

    Tech Force plans to hire around 1,000 applicants to start, according to the site, and is looking for people "highly skilled in the areas of software engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, or technical project management."

    Applicants will submit an application, complete a technical assessment, have interviews with agency leaders, and undergo a background test. OPM will do the initial resume review and technical assessment before passing the hiring decisions off to individual agencies, OPM Director Scott Kupor said during a call before the announcement.

    Private sector partners can provide training resources and mentorship opportunities, and have committed to considering Tech Force participants for employment after the two years, according to the site. Kupor said on Monday's call that there will also be a speaker series featuring company CEOs. The program, he added, will end with public- and private-sector job fairs.

    Companies haven't made any firm hiring commitments, Kupor said on the call.

    "It wouldn't be appropriate for us to ask companies to hire people without knowing who those people are," Kupor said. He added that he'll "be certainly disappointed" if the program doesn't lead to hiring by the private-sector partners.

    Salaries will likely range from around $130,000 to $195,000, Kupor said. There are no specific degree or experience requirements for the positions, which will be posted on USA Jobs. Those interested are encouraged "to apply as soon as possible" on the site. Kupor said he hopes to get everybody hired by the end of March.

    The roles are largely based in Washington, DC, and remote work options will depend on the agency and role, according to the site. They're non-partisan positions and are entirely distinct from the US DOGE Service.

    Though the Tech Force is primarily an early-career program, the government is also seeking "experienced engineering managers from private sector partners," the site says. Companies can nominate employees, who will generally be expected to take unpaid leave or otherwise separate from their role to take the two-year position, per the site.

    "They will become full-time employees of the government for the time they're here, and therefore be subject to all the various ethics rules," Kupor said. He added that each company will have its own policy, but expects that it will be "easy" for participants to return to their private-sector positions.

    Kupor said on the call that the government plans to run the program on an annual basis and that he hopes to expand it in the years to come.

    Are you interested in applying to the Tech Force program? Contact this reporter via email at atecotzky@insider.com or Signal at alicetecotzky.05. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • My partner and I went on a 12-month road trip after a year of dating. It was the best thing we could’ve done.

    The writer posing in front of a motel, wearing sunglasses.
    captionTK

    • A year into our relationship, my boyfriend and I decided to leave New York and live on the road.
    • We drove across the country and encountered challenges, including hurricanes and dust storms.
    • The yearlong trip taught me how to slow down for the first time, and brought us closer as a couple.

    I have always struggled with stillness. When I was young, my right leg would bounce uncontrollably, rustling the sheets at night.

    I was in high school when I first heard a starting gun: It rang, I moved. I traded Long Island for California; after graduation, I raced back to New York City to write.

    There was a life path I felt expected to follow — attend college, enter the workforce, get married, get serious. The contrarian in me tried to fight this by studying poetry, partying, and avoiding serious relationships.

    By the final year of my graduate program, I felt accomplished but stuck, with a general malaise toward following the "next steps."

    It was amid this coming-of-age anxiety that I met my now-partner on a crowded dance floor in New York City.

    At 23, I'd never dated anyone seriously — or, frankly, wanted to — until I laid my eyes on Luke, who would make me feel like all the gates were swinging open.

    Within a week of our first meeting, Luke asked me out on a proper date. We met at a dive bar and kept seeing each other, bonding over mob movies, rock bands, and Indian takeout.

    Less than a year into our relationship, we decided to leave New York City and live on the road

    Celebrating our six-month anniversary, Luke and I were on a road trip to the Carolinas, contemplating our post-graduate options. I'd be graduating from my MFA program in a month, and Luke was deciding whether to go back to school.

    "How do you pick a place to live or settle down?" I asked as we crossed into Virginia. "I want to live everywhere."

    "We could do that, you know," Luke said. "Just live in Airbnbs or something and not look back."

    Luke had lived in New York for six years and said he felt ready for a change of pace. He wanted to see the country, and he knew he wanted to be together.

    I've always envied his sense of certainty. Could it be that simple?

    Immediately upon our return to New York, we started planning how to make this daydream a reality. First, we sent out job applications for remote positions.

    Then, I politely begged my extremely generous mother if I could borrow her car. She works remotely and lives with my two aunts, who each have their own cars, so she agreed to hand us the keys in August.

    At this point, we had about four months until we planned to hit the road, full-speed ahead.

    From there, the contours of our trip began to take shape. We secured remote work and spent the summer building a financial cushion before hitting the road.

    Our plan was simple: leave New York, focus on adding more freedom into our daily lives, and travel for at least a year with no fixed route.

    We encountered a lot of challenges, but they brought us closer together

    The writer and her boyfriend standing in front of an old jail in New Mexico.
    captiontk

    Friends and family thought we'd lost it. What if we broke up? What about the opportunities we were potentially missing out on in New York?

    When I think about it now, I realize how large a leap of faith this decision actually was, especially 10 months into our relationship and in a competitive job market.

    Our first few weeks came with a learning curve, but Luke and I learned to work the road trip like a muscle, living with just the essentials, packing up our belongings every few weeks, and taking life one night at a time.

    As far as mapping out the trip went, we kept things loose. There were a few places we knew we wanted to visit: Luke had cousins with a beach house in Destin, and I had family friends in New Mexico.

    The biggest adjustment for me, though, was learning to roll with uncertainty — hitting the road without a booked stop and trusting that a great experience or local tip would point us in the right direction.

    If we loved a place, we'd simply extend our stay on Airbnb. It was that easy.

    Over the course of the year, I discovered my own resilience — and the strength of our relationship, too

    A shot of a Western dive bar and a yellow car.
    captionTK

    In total, we traveled over 16,000 miles, visited 30 states, and toured countless cities.

    We walked in a Mardi Gras parade and sledded down dunes at White Sands National Park. We swing danced in Nashville. We stayed in Earthships, condos, and shipping containers. We caught up with old friends and met new ones.

    There were challenges we overcame, too. We were driving to our Asheville Airbnb when we learned the extent of Hurricane Helene's destructive path, and had to change cities on a day's notice.

    We survived a dust storm in New Mexico that almost drove us off the road, but found some southern comfort in Mesilla.

    After a year on the road, Luke and I decided to head back to New York and move in together. Although this is our home base right now, I can't say we'll be here forever — we're already planning our next grand road trip.

    Ironically, this road trip was the first time I learned what it truly meant to slow down. That lesson, I discovered, could translate to love. There was no rush to decide "next steps": The starting gun could sound, but I didn't always have to listen.

    I've learned I should go when it's time to, and stay when I'm enjoying the here and now. Sometimes, it really is as simple as standing in a field in Montana, and telling your partner: "You want to go to Los Angeles? We could be there by Tuesday."

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Director Rob Reiner’s son Nick arrested after his parents were found dead in their home

    Rob and Michelle Reiner
    Rob and Michelle Reiner

    • Rob Reiner's son was arrested after the death of the Hollywood director and his wife.
    • Nick Reiner, 32, is being held on $4 million bail, records show.
    • Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, were found dead in their homes on Sunday.

    Rob Reiner's son, Nick Reiner, has been taken into custody by Los Angeles authorities after the legendary director was found dead alongside his wife in their Brentwood home, Business Insider confirmed.

    Online records from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department show that the younger 32-year-old Reiner was arrested on Monday and was being held on $4 million bail.

    It was not immediately clear what charges he was booked on.

    Nick Reiner's parents, Rob and Michelle Reiner, were found dead in their home in Los Angeles on Sunday.

    A Los Angeles Police Department representative previously told Business Insider that at 3:38 p.m. on Sunday, the department received a medical aid call to the 200 Block of Chadbourne Avenue in Brentwood, Los Angeles.

    Rob Reiner was the director for Hollywood classics like "The Princess Bride" and "When Harry Met Sally." He also directed "Being Charlie," a movie about an addict that he wrote with his son, Nick.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • 4 of the best and 4 of the worst gameday outfits Travis Kelce has worn this year

    Travis Kelce enters the Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs game on October 27 at Arrowhead Stadium.
    Travis Kelce at Arrowhead Stadium on October 27.

    • Travis Kelce's gameday outfits have gotten as much attention as his athletic performances this year.
    • His best looks were bold in color and perfectly tailored.
    • The football player's worst outfits, however, included shorts and a tracksuit.

    Travis Kelce doesn't just stand out on the field.

    The Kansas City Chiefs tight end also makes a statement with his unique fashion each time he enters a stadium.

    Throughout the 2025 football season, the 36-year-old athlete has worn a mix of standout suits, eye-catching hats, sharp jackets, and cool shades before games.

    Some created memorable outfits, while others missed the mark entirely. Here are his best and worst gameday looks of the year.

    Travis Kelce chose a questionable outfit near the start of the 2025 NFL season.
    Travis Kelce enters the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs game on September 14 at Arrowhead Stadium.

    The top half of Kelce's suit looked great. He wore a blue Thom Browne jacket that was tailored perfectly, a matching tie, and a white undershirt.

    Unfortunately, he styled the jacket with tight-fitting shorts that reached his thighs. The bottoms were too casual and didn't match his dark dress shoes.

    Kelce, who played against the Philadelphia Eagles that day, completed the look with a $1,035 pair of Dita sunglasses.

    He wore one of his best looks of the season the following week.
    Travis Kelce enters the New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs game on September 21 at MetLife Stadium.

    He arrived for a game against the New York Giants while wearing a blazer, vest, and trousers all in the same burgundy shade.

    He also wore black dress boots, a white undershirt, and a matching pocket square. His square sunglasses, which retail for $725, were designed by Tom Ford.

    The outfit was sharp, simple, and highlighted his Louis Vuitton luggage.

    He opted for a suede set in October, but unfortunately missed the mark.
    Travis Kelce enters the Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs game on October 6 at EverBank Stadium.

    Ahead of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kelce donned khaki pants, a $2,650 Alfre button-up top from J. Logan Home, a brown suede jacket, and tan boots made from the same soft material.

    Most of the outfit worked as a transitional set for fall, especially when paired with his suede duffel bag.

    However, the suede newsboy cap Kelce wore dated the look. His overall outfit ended up resembling a costume more than a fashion statement.

    Kelce kept things simple for a home game that month, and it worked for him.
    Travis Kelce enters the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs game on October 6 at Arrowhead Stadium.

    He wore a $1,690 flannel top from Louis Vuitton, khaki pants, white sneakers, and Saint Laurent sunglasses before his game against the Detroit Lions.

    It might not have been the most eye-catching outfit he wore this season, but it was contemporary and the epitome of quiet luxury.

    A few tweaks could have improved the dark ensemble he chose for his next game.
    Travis Kelce enters the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs game on October 19 at Arrowhead Stadium.

    When the Chiefs played the Las Vegas Raiders in October, Kelce entered Arrowhead Stadium wearing skinny black trousers, a striped collared shirt, and a cropped leather jacket.

    The top half of his outfit looked good, especially with the help of his square sunglasses.

    However, his choice of pants wasn't right. A baggier style would have made the difference, and some shining, silver jewelry could have elevated the overall look.

    He made a statement in orange at the end of October.
    Travis Kelce enters the Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs game on October 27 at Arrowhead Stadium.

    Kelce wore Fendi for a game against the Washington Commanders.

    His three-piece outfit included orange jeans with frayed hems, a classic white T-shirt, and a denim jacket painted in shades of white and orange.

    The outfit was bold and complemented by his tangerine-colored shades. He also wore statement gold necklaces with diamond charms.

    Kelce chose a '90s-inspired look at the end of November, but it was forgettable.
    Travis Kelce enters the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs game on November 23 at Arrowhead Stadium.

    He entered Arrowhead Stadium for a game against the Indianapolis Colts wearing a Nike windbreaker, matching pants, and Air Jordan sneakers.

    His accessories — a hat, sunglasses, and watch — stood out and added a stylish element to the look.

    Still, the dark color and minimal design of his outfit made it forgettable.

    He elevated classic winter pieces for a game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
    Travis Kelce enters the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs game on November 23 at Arrowhead Stadium.

    Rather than wearing blue jeans and a basic flannel, Kelce walked into Arrowhead Stadium wearing a $1,790 tweed Amiri top, textured cargo pants from Diesel, and a $595 Guest In Residence hoodie.

    The outfit was as festive as it was fashionable.

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  • After years of losing myself and my female friendships, I got divorced. Now, I’ve built a life I love with my best friend.

    The writer and her best friend on vacation, holding glasses of wine, in front of a sunset.
    captiontk

    • I became fast friends with Katie in college, but we drifted apart when I got married.
    • After six years of marriage, I realized I wasn't living a life I loved and got a divorce.
    • Katie and I decided to move back in together, and now, our adventures feel endless.

    "I don't want to go back," said Katie, my best friend of 20 years, from across a café table in Cape Town. A tear slid down her cheek.

    We were two single women traveling 8,000 miles from our respective homes — hers a one-bedroom apartment in New York City, and mine a two-story house in Charleston, South Carolina.

    It was the last day of a two-week girls' trip and the longest stretch we'd spent together since college.

    Now, the reality of returning to a life that would rip us apart again was setting in, and our hearts were breaking simultaneously.

    By the last day of this trip, we were not only "us" again, but I was me — the girl free to live any life she wanted. She felt safe breaking the rules and pushing the limits because she knew she had her best friend by her side.

    I felt invincible again. So, why did it have to end? Sitting in that sunny café, we decided it didn't.

    Our relationship was friendship at first sight

    The writer and her best friend posing in front of a graffiti-covered wall.
    Katie and I became best friends almost immediately.

    Saying that Katie and I "met" in college feels like a gross understatement. Both in need of a roommate, we were set up by mutual friends who swore we were the perfect fit. They were right.

    We became inseparable from the second we stepped into our tiny dorm room as freshmen, and for the next four years, we were a package deal: Liz and Katie. Katie and Liz.

    Somehow, we balanced each other perfectly. I was the short blonde, always a bit too eager to break the rules. Katie was the tall brunette who was more methodical when it came to pushing the limits.

    Together, we proved to be unstoppable, and our adventures were endless.

    After graduation, we made our way to Manhattan. Eventually, I was living with a boyfriend in a cramped but happy studio apartment, and Katie lived across town.

    On my 28th birthday, my partner surprised me with a proposal. Blindsided yet in love, I said yes.

    Two years ago, I divorced a life that wasn't mine

    The writer and her best friend posing on the beach.
    Once I got married, Katie and I drifted apart.

    For six years, I did what a "good" wife does: holidays with my husband, trips with my husband.

    I even moved states with him, leaving Katie for a house in a small town. It was his dream, not mine.

    Some say marriage is like two becoming one, but for me, I was torn into pieces. Not only did I lose myself prioritizing someone else's needs over my own, but I lost my female friendships.

    Through the years, I canceled countless plans and declined dozens of invitations for girls' trips. As a result, Katie and I became distant. Soon, she had a serious boyfriend I'd never met and new friends who didn't even know my name.

    That's when I began restlessly circling through a cookie-cutter neighborhood I hated, avoiding my home and husband, in what felt like total darkness. Finally, I decided not to return to either.

    My husband and I separated, and I spent the end of my 30s in therapy to learn how to honor my own needs. It was not quick, but eventually, I became a friend to myself — and, in turn, the friend I felt Katie deserved.

    Standing on my own two feet in the life I wanted, I called my best friend from six states away to say the words that I'd wanted to for so long: "How about we take a girls' trip?"

    I learned we're stronger together

    The writer and her best friend hiking with a cityscape in the background.
    Now that we're roommates, our adventures never have to end.

    Six months later, Katie and I flew to South Africa.

    We adventured on safari and up Table Mountain. We sipped wine in vineyards and sat on beautiful beaches.

    After two weeks together, it felt as if two decades of friendship had been renewed in ways we never could have imagined.

    I realized that somewhere along the way, I'd fallen for the idea that success for a woman is finding someone to marry. Katie had too, likening being unmarried to failure.

    It took a divorce for me to realize I already had a partner for life. We could choose to be single and still be supported.

    Instead of returning to separate homes, Katie and I hatched a plan to be roommates again. Twenty years after moving into that tiny dorm room, we upgraded to a three-bedroom house big enough to hold all the lessons we'd gathered in the decades between.

    Living together, we don't have to wait to take on adventures anymore. Somehow, it feels like they find us around every corner, whether it's an unexpected connection, a new love interest, or simply a chance to laugh.

    The world is ours again: Liz and Katie. Katie and Liz.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Russia’s new missile-armed Shahed drone is full of foreign-made parts, Ukraine says

    A rendering of Russia's new missile-armed Geran-2 drone.
    Russia has armed its Geran-2 drones with heat-seeking missiles.

    • Russia has started arming its drones with air-to-air missiles to hunt Ukrainian aircraft.
    • Ukraine said that these modified Shahed-type drones contain foreign parts, including some from the West.
    • Foreign parts continue to be found inside Russian weaponry, underscoring the challenge of enforcing sanctions.

    A new kind of Russian drone armed with an air-to-air missile is being made using foreign parts, including some sourced from Western countries, Ukraine's military intelligence agency revealed on Monday.

    The drone — a modified Geran-2 — was recently spotted in Ukraine carrying a Soviet-era missile, a first for this war. From the Ukrainian assessment, it's the latest Russian weapon to turn up with foreign components despite the sweeping international sanctions and export controls targeting Moscow.

    Ukraine's military intelligence agency, the GUR, said that Russia has armed its Geran-2 drones with R-60 air-to-air missiles to fire at helicopters and aircraft providing air defense for Kyiv. Officials and analysts have delivered similar determinations about the purpose of the modification.

    "The main purpose of the new development is to create a threat to Ukrainian military and tactical aviation, reducing the effectiveness of its work in intercepting enemy UAVs," the GUR wrote in a translated statement.

    The GUR said that the modified drone contains foreign-made parts produced by companies in the US, UK, Germany, Switzerland, China, Japan, and Taiwan. Kyiv has frequently identified components in Russian weaponry sourced from these countries, some of which are among Ukraine's closest partners.

    Russia's defense ministry and its US embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the foreign parts assessments.

    A Sting interceptor drone closes in on a Russian shahed.
    Ukrainian drone-maker Wild Hornets said its interceptor took down a Russian drone carrying an air-to-air missile.

    Despite global sanctions, Western technology can still find its way into Russian weaponry via civilian markets, middlemen, or countries that sidestep export rules. Ukraine has repeatedly urged the international community to close those gaps and further isolate the Kremlin.

    In one attack this fall, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that more than 100,000 foreign-made parts were discovered among 550 drones and missiles that Russia launched, underscoring just how massive the problem continues to be for Kyiv.

    Russia's introduction of a new Geran-2 — a one-way attack drone based on the Iranian Shahed-136 — armed with an air-to-air missile is notable, though it is not the first time in this war that drones have received these types of modifications.

    Ukraine, for instance, has armed some of its naval drones with surface-to-air missiles, which have been used to shoot down Russian aircraft flying combat air patrols over the Black Sea.

    The Shahed-style Geran-2 usually carries an internal warhead that explodes when the drone impacts a target. The R-60 missile — which entered service for Soviet fighter jets in the early 1970s and has a 6-mile range — may force Russia to limit the size of the payload, potentially reducing the drone's effectiveness in exchange for increased survivability.

    The GUR said that the missile could be used if Russian operators saw a nearby Ukrainian aircraft or helicopters through cameras mounted on the drone and then ordered a launch. The R-60 features heat-seeking technology that enables it to home in on its target.

    The new missile-armed Geran-2 comes as Russia continues to invest heavily in drone operations, including domestic production and the development of new launch sites.

    Read the original article on Business Insider