Stephen Sondheim, the Broadway composer and lyricist, in New York, March 9, 1994. Sondheim, whose works include "West Side Story," "Sweeney Todd" and "Into the Woods," was awarded the 2017 PEN/Allen Foundation Literary Service Award, an accolade more commonly given to novelists. (Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times) 

SOURCE: FRED R. CONRAD

Stephen Sondheim, the songwriter who reshaped the American musical theater in the second half of the 20th century with his intelligent, intricately rhymed lyrics, his use of evocative melodies and his willingness to tackle unusual subjects, has died. He was 91.

Sondheim's death was announced by his Texas-based attorney, Rick Pappas, who told The New York Times the composer died Friday at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut. Pappas did not return calls and messages to The Associated Press.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/stephen-sondheim-obit/38363436

BETHESDA, Md. —

A Maryland woman is celebrating after winning the lottery for a third time in about three years.

The 61-year-old player from Montgomery County recently bought two $5 Lucky scratch-off tickets at Talbert's Ice & Beverage Service in Bethesda. The first ticket didn't hit, but the second landed her the game's top prize of $50,000.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/maryland-woman-claims-her-third-50000-dollar-lottery-prize/38372477

Gators hire former ULL coach Billy Napier to replace Mullen

The 42-year-old new hire is expected to remain with the Ragin Cajuns (11-1) this week as they prepare to host Appalachian State (10-2) in the Sun Belt Conference championship game Saturday. He is 39-12 in four seasons in Lafayette, including 32-5 the past three years.

Yahoo! Sports first reported Florida was moving to hire Napier.

Napier will take over for Dan Mullen, who was fired last week after the team’s fourth loss in five games. Mullen was let go less than a year after leading the Gators to a third consecutive New Year’s Six bowl.

Mullen’s stunningly swift downfall ended a tumultuous two seasons that included mounting losses, numerous public relation missteps and NCAA sanctions.

Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin moved quickly to land Napier, a former receivers coach at Alabama under Nick Saban and a former offensive coordinator at Clemson and Arizona State.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/ap-source-florida-tabs-ull-coach-napier-to-replace-mullen/38369212

FILE -- Stephen Sondheim, the Broadway composer and lyricist, in New York, March 9, 1994. Sondheim, whose works include "West Side Story," "Sweeney Todd" and "Into the Woods," was awarded the 2017 PEN/Allen Foundation Literary Service Award, an accolade more commonly given to novelists. (Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times) 

SOURCE: FRED R. CONRAD

Stephen Sondheim, the songwriter who reshaped the American musical theater in the second half of the 20th century with his intelligent, intricately rhymed lyrics, his use of evocative melodies and his willingness to tackle unusual subjects, has died. He was 91.

Sondheim's death was announced by his Texas-based attorney, Rick Pappas, who told The New York Times the composer died Friday at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut. Pappas did not return calls and messages to The Associated Press.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/stephen-sondheim-obit/38363436

It’s about to be a winter wonderland at Krispy Kreme! As we look forward to (or dread) the colder months ahead, the donut chain is welcoming the change with the new Let It Snow collection. Prepare for penguins, snowmen and more!

The collection includes five donuts — three new ones, the Poppy Penguin, Snowman Smile and Snowy Sprinkle donuts — and two that you may recognize from seasons past, the Santa Belly and Chocolate Iced with Holiday Sprinkles. No matter which you go for, you’ll be biting into a sweet, festive treat that’s worthy of leaving out for Santa Claus.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/krispy-kreme-donuts-let-it-snow-collection/38350773

GAINESVILLE, Fla. —

Florida fired coach Dan Mullen on Sunday, a day after his sixth loss in nine games, two months after the Gators went toe to toe with defending national champion Alabama and a year after they had a chance to make the College Football Playoff.

Mullen’s stunning downfall and not-so-surprising departure ends a tumultuous two seasons that included mounting losses, numerous public relation missteps, NCAA sanctions and a victory against lower-division Samford that didn’t seem like much for Gators fans to celebrate.

Mullen finished 34-15 over four seasons at Florida that included a trip to the Southeastern Conference championship game last year and three New Year’s Six bowls.

His final game was a 24-23 loss in overtime at Missouri that spotlighted Florida’s flaws: inconsistent quarterback play, a porous offensive line, a lack of playmakers on both sides of the ball and an inability to win close games. The Gators (5-6, 2-6 SEC) have dropped seven consecutive one-possession games, all in the last two seasons.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-fires-coach-dan-mullen-completing-stunning-fall/38312677

Don't feel guilty about stringing up lights early

It seems the debate for when the "right" time to put your holiday decorations up becomes more intense every year. Are you a "wait till December" person, or do you have your Santa decor up before Thanksgiving?

"In a world full of stress and anxiety, people like to associate to things that make them happy, and Christmas decorations evoke those strong feelings of their childhood," psychoanalyst Steve McKeown told Unilad in 2017.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/christmas-decorations-make-you-happy/13818378

Express your fall style with these simple and inexpensive decor ideas

Before the cooking comes the most fun part of the Thanksgiving holiday traditions: decorations! Halloween and Christmas tend to get all the attention when it comes to holiday home decorating hoopla — but if you're someone that loves to find any excuse to dress up your house, gussying things up for Turkey Day is a must.

Of course, Thanksgiving day can be pretty stressful, what with your entire family coming over and that big ol' Thanksgiving meal that needs to be cooked. You certainly don't need to be stressed out over what your Thanksgiving table settings or your front porch looks like. That's where this list of the best ideas for traditional Thanksgiving decorations comes in handy. These simple and inexpensive DIYs can be completed with just a few items (some of which you probably already have sitting around your house), and your guests will be so impressed with your Thanksgiving crafting skills. Plus, some of these ideas are easy to co-opt for Christmas, so you'll get double the bang for your holiday decorating buck.

Whatever your style, whatever room you plan to decorate, or whatever your budget is, there's a Thanksgiving decorating idea for you here just waiting to become part of your permanent holiday rotation. Any of these charming homemade designs will quickly add some festive flair to your home, outdoor porch or Thanksgiving dinner table spread.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/last-minute-thanksgiving-decorations/38237002

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. —

The winner of the "Light Up Riviera Beach" contest will receive a $200 prize. Apply here.

Read more:

https://rbcra.com/in-the-news/riviera-beach-is-lighting-up-the-city/

ORLANDO, Fla. —

Disney Cruise Line will require children ages five and up to be vaccinated before sailing after Jan. 13.

The mandate is an expansion of one that already exists for the cruise line, where it requires all vaccine-eligible guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Those who are not eligible because of age will need to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken between three days and 24 hours of their sail date.

Children who are between the ages five and 11 may complete testing instead of being vaccinated before sailings that depart on Jan 13.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/disney-cruise-covid-vaccine-children/38280895

Some cosmic events are, well, once in a blue moon. Others, like the return of Halle’s Comet, are possible to catch maybe twice.

But this Friday’s near-total lunar eclipse — the longest of the century and the first of this length in 580 years — is truly once-in-a-lifetime (or, more accurately, many lifetimes).

On the morning of Friday, Nov. 19, the full Beaver Moon will take place in a 97%-total lunar eclipse, according to NASA, meaning that nearly all of the moon’s surface will be shrouded in the Earth’s shadow.

November 2021’s eclipse will be about three and a half hours long, stretching from 2:18 to 5:47 a.m. EST. The Beaver Moon eclipse will peak at 4:02 a.m. EST, NASA reports, and will be visible across North America.

This history-making, near-total lunar eclipse coincides with the full Beaver Moon, which will reach peak illumination at nearly the same moment as the eclipse’s height. But don’t worry — the moon will appear full from Thursday evening through Saturday morning, meaning you can catch an unencumbered glimpse of the full moon, too.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/when-and-how-to-watch-beaver-moon-lunar-eclipse-november-2021/38270112

The cup of coffee or tea you reach for in the morning — OK, maybe it's a few — may be associated with a lower risk for stroke and dementia, according to a new study.

Among more than 360,000 participants studied over a period of 10 to 14 years, those who drank two to three cups of coffee, three to five cups of tea or a combination of four to six cups of coffee or tea a day had the lowest risk of stroke and dementia, according to researchers from Tianjin Medical University in Tianjin, China.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/tea-coffee-reduced-stroke-dementia/38271891

McDonald's Egg McMuffin is turning 50 years old, and it's giving the breakfast sandwich a price to match.

On Thursday, McDonald's will sell the Egg McMuffin for its original price of 63 cents during breakfast hours (6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.). The promotion will be offered exclusively on the McDonald's app as the restaurant looks to boost its nationwide rewards program.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/mcdonalds-egg-mcmuffin-50-years-old-and-itll-be-sold-for-original-price/38275571

Mochi "Mo" Rickert, holder of the record for the longest tongue on a living dog, has died, according to Guinness World Records.

The female Saint Bernard's tongue measured 7.3 in, Guinness says. Mochi held the record for five years.

Mochi was a rescue dog in Colorado. She made more than a hundred appearances at schools, nursing homes, events for animal rescues and TV. Mochi was featured on the cover of "Amazing Animals," a Guinness World Records book published in 2017.

Owner Carla Ernst said in a 2017 video by Guinness that she used Mochi's favorite snack, peanut butter, to show people how far the pooch's tongue could reach.

When Mochi was confirmed a record holder, Ernst said, it made "all the water and slobber we've cleaned up over the last six-and-a-half years well worth it."

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/mochi-the-dog-with-the-worlds-longest-tongue-has-died/38180359

Calling all U.S. Betty White fans —and that's pretty much everyone in the country: Here's your chance to watch hours of the beloved actor's best works and get paid for it.

Insurer Choice Mutual will pay the winner of its contest $1,000 to watch 10 hours of works featuring White to celebrate her 100th birthday, which will be Jan. 17.

"We're looking for someone who adores Betty White," the company said on its website. "This candidate is probably already planning to binge 10 hours of her classics, but now they get paid to do it!"

Also included in the prize is a DVD player and Betty White DVDs.

The winner is required to watch all 10 hours in 24 hours and document the experience on social media, the company said.

To apply, candidates have to explain their favorite Betty White role and their favorite things about the actor. Extra points are given to candidates who include a video explaining why they love the actor.

There is, of course, a lot to choose from, since the five-time Emmy-winning actor's career spans more than eight decades, from her 1949 role as co-host on "Hollywood on Television" to her role as Elka Ostrovosky on "Hot in Cleveland" from 2010-2015.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/win-money-binge-watch-betty-whites-work/38250587

Peanut butter fans rejoice. Reese's is releasing its largest peanut butter cup ever: A nine-inch Reese's Thanksgiving Pie.

The super-sized peanut butter cup is the size of an actual pie, with a 9-inch diameter and weighing in at 3.4 pounds.

"When you bring together friends and family for Thanksgiving dinner, no table spread is complete without dessert," said Bo Jones, senior associate brand manager at Reese's. "At Reese's, we wanted to create a dessert that everyone wants a piece of. You can thank us later."

Only 3,000 pies are available for purchase on Hershey's website for $44.99 plus tax.

It isn't the first time Reese's has experimented with its peanut butter cup. Earlier this year, Hershey's released an all peanut butter cup without chocolate. It was the first time in the company's 90-year-history that its peanut butter cups had taken chocolate completely out of the equation. Versions of the Peanut Butter Lovers Cup came out in 2019 and 2020, but those still contained some chocolate.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/reeses-reveals-largest-peanut-butter-cup-yet/38254159

nvestigators are asking Uber for records as they investigate the theft of more than $700,000 from an 82-year-old Florida woman who apparently fell for a “grandparent scam.”

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s investigators have asked Uber about rideshare pickups at the woman’s home between April and August. They want the name of the Uber account holder, and credit card information, along with the history of pickups and drop-offs at various locations, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

A detective wrote in court records that these details “will assist with providing information to who purchased the rideshares and where the victim’s funds actually went,” a detective wrote in court records.

The woman told investigators she did not arrange for the rideshares.

An Uber spokeswoman told the newspaper on Wednesday that the company is in touch with the Sheriff’s Office to help with the investigation.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-hillsborough-uber-scam-grandparent/38222145

STUART, Fla. —

The Stuart Air Show is preparing for flight before opening Friday evening.

After the pandemic caused changes to the show last year, resulting in it being smaller, the show is expected to be the biggest one they've ever had, according to Stuart Air Show President Douglas Davis.

With good weather expected, he said he is hoping a lot of families come to see performances, aircraft and events.

"We're one of the largest events in the Treasure Coast, if not the largest," Davis said. "We bring a lot into the area as far as attention to Stuart. We have a lot of our local restaurants. We have statistics that say it is their best weekend. Hotels we max out. Overall, it is just a great family, community event."

The event also highlights the importance of veterans through the use of military aircraft in some of the performances and stationary exhibits, as well as the dedication of the event to Martin County resident Dr. Joseph Masessa.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/stuart-air-show-planes-flight-weekend-events-veterans/38234984

PORTLAND, Maine —

A Maine lobsterman caught a rare cotton candy lobster this past weekend.

The odds of catching a cotton candy lobster are 1 in 100 million.

The iridescent opal-like coloring of the lobster is the result of a genetic mutation.

Lobsterman Bill Coppersmith, who has been fishing for 40 years, caught the lobster, which was named Haddie after his granddaughter. It is the first cotton candy lobster he has caught.

Haddie is now at Get Maine Lobster in Portland, which shared pictures of the rare lobster.

Get Maine Lobster said it is talking to area organizations and aquariums that might want to adopt Haddie.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/cotton-candy-lobster-maine/38212239

Many restaurants and other businesses provide discounts, freebies and more to veterans, active service members and their families on Veterans Day.

It is important to note that most businesses require proof of military service and that not all franchise locations participate in their Veterans Day offers — contact your local establishment for more details.

Here is a list of restaurants and more that are offering deals on or around Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2021:

Applebee's — Veterans and active-duty military receive a free meal when dining in from a special menu on Nov. 11. And when dining in on Nov. 11, military guests will receive a $5 bounce back card to redeem for dine-in, to go or delivery within three weeks.

Bed Bath & Beyond — Veterans, active-duty military members and their spouses can get 25% off their entire in-store purchase on Nov. 11.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse — Current and former military who dine-in on Nov. 11 will receive a free meal for a select menu and a Dr. Pepper beverage.

Bob Evans — Bob Evans is offering a special menu of seven homestyle favorites available free to veterans and active duty military on Nov. 11.

Buffalo Wild Wings —On Nov. 11, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants will offer 10 free Boneless wings and fries for all veterans and active-duty service members.

More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/2021-veterans-day-freebies-deals-and-discounts/38201271

NEW YORK —

Dean Stockwell, a top Hollywood child actor who gained new success in middle age in the sci-fi series "Quantum Leap" and in a string of indelible performances in film, including David Lynch's "Blue Velvet," Wim Wenders' "Paris, Texas" and Jonathan Demme's "Married to the Mob," has died. He was 85.

Jay Schwartz, a family spokesperson, said Stockwell died of natural causes at home Sunday.

Stockwell was Oscar-nominated for his comic mafia kingpin in "Married to the Mob" and was four times an Emmy-nominee for "Quantum Leap." But in a career that spanned seven decades, Stockwell was a supreme character actor whose performances — lip-syncing Roy Orbison in a nightmarish party scene in "Blue Velvet," a desperate agent in Robert Altman's "The Player," Howard Hughes in Francis Ford Coppola's "Tucker: The Man and His Dream" — didn't have to be lengthy to be mesmerizing.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/dean-stockwell-quantum-leap-dies-85/38204234

Mariah Carey, the queen of Christmas, is partnering with McDonald's and giving her fans one of the best gifts of them all: free(-ish) food.

McDonald's is debuting the "Mariah Menu" next month, in which the fast food chain is giving away a different free menu item each day between Dec. 13 through Dec. 24. The catch is that it requires a $1 minimum purchase and has to be ordered on the McDonald's app.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/mariah-carey-is-giving-away-free-mcdonalds-during-the-holidays/38211842

Cooking for a crowd can be complicated. The prep takes longer and there are more — or rather, way too many — dishes to clean. But before you can even turn on the oven, you need to do the math. Sure, you know how much stuffing to make for eight people, but how much for 20?

Follow this chart from Good Housekeeping for at-a-glance guidelines for 11 Thanksgiving basics — appetizers, sides, main dishes and desserts — showing the minimum amount you'll need to buy whether you're entertaining eight, 24 or any number in between.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/turkey-serving-guidelines/25099225

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —

Brightline services resumed Monday morning for the first time since March of 2020.

"This is a very exciting day for us," said Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline.

Now that trains are back and running, so is the full schedule, offering 16 trains southbound and another 16 northbound every day. The trains leave about every hour on average, taking about 30 minutes between stops.

“We are not here for today or tomorrow we are here for the next 50 to 100 years," said Goddard.

“It only makes our city more attractive to our residents, new residents and even businesses," said West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James during a news conference.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/brightline-trains-covid-florida-west-palm-beach-miami/38187049

Before you decide it's time to put on your favorite "Christmas Tunes" playlist, experts warn hearing Christmas songs on repeat — like you might while shopping over the festive period — could be bad for your mental health.

"Music goes right to our emotions immediately and it bypasses rationality. Christmas music is likely to irritate people if it's played too loudly and too early," clinical psychologist Linda Blair told Sky News in 2017.

"It might make us feel that we're trapped – it's a reminder that we have to buy presents, cater for people and organize celebrations. Some people will react to that by making impulse purchases, which the retailers like. Others might just walk out of the shop. It's a risk."

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/christmas-songs-mental-health-effect-experts/13452790

Four decades since their last album, Swedish pop legends ABBA's finally back, in one of the most anticipated musical returns in recent years.

Anni-Frid "Frida" Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog reunited this year after going their separate ways in 1982. "ABBA: Voyage," their new album released Friday, features 10 tracks and is their first since "The Visitors" in 1981.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/abbas-back-with-their-first-album-in-40-years/38175723

Universal Orlando Resort is bringing back its "Buy A Day, Get A Second Day Free" ticket offer for Florida residents through Feb. 4.

The dates include Universal Orlando's Festive Holiday Celebration, which begins Nov. 13, and there are limited blackout dates, the company said in a press release.

The holidays: Palm Beach area among top 2021 Christmas destinations by Expedia

Tickets must be purchased before Dec. 16 by using a promo code from specially marked cups of Coca-Cola bought at participating Wendy's. For more information on how to purchase the tickets, click here.

All of the theme parks are included in the ticket purchases.

For more information about Universal Orlando Resort, click here.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/universal-orlando-resort-buy-free-tickets-florida-residents/38159142

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Tuesday evening she was endorsing a recommendation to vaccinate children ages 5-11 against COVID-19, clearing the way for immediate vaccination of the youngest age group yet in the United States.

"CDC now expands vaccine recommendations to about 28 million children in the United States in this age group and allows providers to begin vaccinating them as soon as possible," the agency said in a statement.

What you need to know: Tracking COVID-19 in Florida: Tracking cases, vaccinations and more

Earlier Tuesday, CDC's independent vaccine advisers voted 14-0 in favor of the child-sized doses of vaccine for the younger kids.

Members of CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices spent an unusually long time speaking in support of the vaccine before they voted.

President Joe Biden weighed in, calling the decision a turning point in the battle against the pandemic.

"It will allow parents to end months of anxious worrying about their kids, and reduce the extent to which children spread the virus to others. It is a major step forward for our nation in our fight to defeat the virus," Biden said in a statement.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/covid-19-vaccines-for-kids-where-to-get-them-what-to-know-beforehand/38148894

Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman celebrates after a home run SOURCE: Ashley Landis

HOUSTON —

Most of the season, it just seemed this wasn’t their year.

They dropped their first four games, and soon injuries piled up. They lost their most dynamic player before the All-Star break. They were stuck below .500 in August.

Yet out of nowhere, suddenly, these Atlanta Braves transformed themselves and took off. Jorge Soler, Freddie Freeman and the Braves breezed to their first World Series championship since 1995, hammering the Houston Astros 7-0 Tuesday night in Game 6. How proud The Hammer himself would’ve been.

Max Fried threw six shutout innings in the signature pitching performance of the Series. Soler, a July acquisition who tested positive for COVID-19 in the playoffs, backed him early with a monster three-run shot for his third homer against the Astros.

Freeman hit an RBI double and then punctuated the romp with a solo home run in the seventh that made it 7-0.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/atlanta-braves-win-1st-world-series-title-since-1995/38140961

Oh, you can already imagine the smell of Thanksgiving dinner.

But retailers such as Rob Toy at Leon's Gourmet Grocer in Nebraska said, if you want to be carving a turkey in three weeks, you may want to start planning to get that bird in hand now.

"Get your orders in early and buy early if you're going to buy frozen, get the items that you want now. Buy them early because some availability as it gets further down may not be there," Toy said.

Toy said they've already taken about 60 orders for fresh birds.

He said they'll sell about 600.

"I think this is gonna probably be the first holiday everybody's going to get back together since all this the pandemic and I think that people are going to buy bigger, more. They're going to have a big holiday dinner," Toy said.

Last year, there was a shortage, especially of smaller birds.

It's unclear if that could occur again.

A spokesperson for the National Turkey Federation said the industry is working to provide turkeys.

"The turkey industry is working every day to mitigate any lingering effects of the pandemic on the supply chain," said Beth Breeding, of the National Turkey Federation.

Read More:

https://www.wpbf.com/article/supply-chain-issues-thanksgiving-turkey-alert/38141251