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Ex-White House official nominated as DOI watchdog
President Trump has nominated Dennis Kirk, a former White House personnel official and contributor to the conservative Project 2025 policy plan, to become inspector general at the Department of the Interior. The role is intended to independently investigate misconduct and waste within the department, so the nomination has prompted scrutiny over whether the office can…
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The gaming site sponsored by Walmart lays off its editorial staff
Restart, a gaming website sponsored by Walmart, has laid off its entire editorial team, according to its former editor-in-chief Brandy Berthelson. The cuts raise questions about the future of the site and illustrate the uncertainty facing publisher-backed gaming media outlets. Launched in late 2024 and operated by content marketing agency Moonrock, Restart described itself as…
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10 Essential 1990s Fantasy Books
Collider presents a ranked selection of 1990s fantasy novels it considers especially influential and enduring, rather than simply the decade’s best-written books. It argues that the period expanded fantasy’s commercial reach and reshaped several subgenres, with the selected works demonstrating the genre’s range beyond conventional heroic quests. – ‘Outlander’ (1991) by Diana Gabaldon is praised…
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2026’s Most Unhinged Anime Is Now Available to Own
VIZ Media has released the complete first season of Rooster Fighter on limited-edition Blu-ray in North America. The 24-episode anime follows Keiji, a superpowered wandering rooster fighting demonic creatures across a collapsing Japan, and its home release gives fans a collector-focused way to own the series. The two-disc, Region A set was released on 4…
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3 Songs From the 1990s That Will Instantly Turn You Into a Country Music Fan
American Songwriter recommends three 1990s country tracks it considers especially likely to win over new listeners, highlighting the decade’s mix of emotional storytelling, sing-along hooks and mainstream appeal. – ‘The Thunder Rolls’ by Garth Brooks is praised for its dramatic narrative, percussion and slide guitar. – ‘Wide Open Spaces’ by Dixie Chicks is presented as…
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The Cover Uncovered: How the clip art on ‘White Pony’ conjured Deftones’ greatest album
Deftones’ White Pony sleeve was created from a simple, free clip-art outline of a pony, chosen by singer Chino Moreno before the band had written the album. The article argues that this stripped-back image became inseparable from the record’s identity, helping to signal the group’s move beyond the nu-metal label and reinforcing the album’s lasting…
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Anthony Bourdain Origin Story ‘Tony’, ‘Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma’, ‘Late Fame’ In Dynamic Indie Weekend — Specialty Preview
A varied group of independent films is opening in US cinemas, led by A24’s Tony, an origin story about Anthony Bourdain starring Dominic Sessa. The release matters because it brings a Bourdain-backed portrayal of the chef’s formative years to audiences, while distributors also test interest in new horror, drama and documentary titles through limited specialty…
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In Canada: Osheaga Festival Draws Near-Record Attendance With Tate McRae, Stella Lefty & More
Osheaga’s 19th edition attracted more than 151,000 people, its second-highest attendance total, underlining the continued growth of one of Canada’s largest music festivals. Two of the three days sold out, with Tate McRae’s Saturday headline set becoming the fastest-selling individual festival day after selling out nearly three weeks early. McRae’s appearance was her first festival…
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Hands-on with Lego’s Pokémon Smart Play Sets
Polygon previewed Lego’s forthcoming Pokémon Smart Play sets ahead of their 1 August release. The brief hands-on demonstration suggests the sets are designed as an interactive extension of Lego’s Pokémon range, combining physical building with smart-play features. The article provides few further details beyond the release date and Polygon’s demo of the products. It does…