Newbery medal for best children's book is given to Erin Entrada Kelly's 'The First State of Being'

NEW YORK (AP) — Erin Entrada Kelly's “The First State of Being,” a coming-of-age story that blends time travel and the approaching millennium of the year 2000, has won the John Newbery Medal for the year's outstanding children's book. The Randolph Caldecott Medal for best picture story went...

Elmo tells all: 'Sesame Street' 55th season features SZA, Chris Stapleton, Reneé Rapp and more

NEW YORK (AP) — Appearing on “Sesame Street”? That's the best idea. The 55th season of the acclaimed family program features a star-studded lineup of musicians that would be the envy of any summer festival: SZA, Chris Stapleton, Noah Kahan, Reneé Rapp and Samara Joy. ...

In his first 2025 catechism lesson, Pope says anyone who exploits or abuses a child answers to God

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis on Wednesday denounced the “scourge” of child labor and other abuses suffered by children, saying anyone who harms or exploits a child will have to answer to God. Francis dedicated his first catechism lesson of 2025 to the plight of children, telling...

A 3-year-old boy's death from a New Year's fireworks explosion in Honolulu raises toll to 4

HONOLULU (AP) — A 3-year-old boy's death from a New Year's fireworks explosion in Honolulu raises toll to 4.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt reach divorce settlement after 8 years

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement, ending one of the longest and most contentious divorces in Hollywood history but not every legal issue between the two. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott J. Nord approved the agreement Tuesday,...

2 Florida tourist spots halt drones in shows following a separate accident that injured a boy

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A theme park resort and a huge hotel in central Florida either have stopped using drones or canceled their drone-based shows after several drones collided and fell from the sky during a separate holiday celebration in downtown Orlando. The accident injured a boy who required...