Arts and crafts retailer Michaels has announced it is expanding its selection of party supplies.
CNN reports Michaels plans to expand its balloon section and add more than 500 new products geared toward celebrations, from graduations to birthdays.
The announcement comes amid Party City’s decision to shutter all its stores, ending a nearly 40-year run in business.
Party City’s departure from the retail world, reports CNN, left a major gap in the market for “party throwers.“
Party City has battled financial woes for years. The celebration and costume retailer filed for bankruptcy in 2023 as part of a $150 million agreement to restructure its business. In a press release at the time, Brad Weston, the Chief Executive Officer of Party City Holdco Inc., cited the difficult recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the global supply chain crisis among challenges facing the party chain.
Two discount retail giants have emerged as the top bidders for soon-to-be shuttered Party City locations. According to multiple reports, Dollar Tree and Five Below have placed bids on a number of leases for Party City locations.
An assortment of discount retailers have also placed bids on Party City locations including Rack Room Shoes, Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble, La-Z-Boy, and Burlington.
A former Alabama state prison officer who pleaded guilty to sex with an inmate must register as a sex offender, even though the sexual misconduct was with a consenting adult, the Alabama State Supreme Court ruled Friday.
Briana Marquise Matthews, a 31-year-old Birmingham woman, was arrested in 2021 on two counts of custodial sexual misconduct involving an inmate at St. Clair Correctional Facility where she was employed.
“We firmly believe that individuals like Briana, who pose no threat to the public, should not be subjected to the same lifelong restrictions intended for true sexual predators,” said her attorney Leroy Maxwell. “This outcome is the product of poorly vetted legislation with unintended, unjust consequences.”
In 2022, Matthews pleaded guilty to the crimes and was sentenced to 10 years with 18 months to serve. She was ordered to serve six months in prison and the rest in community corrections followed by three years of probation.
It was only after she began probation that she learned she was required to comply with Alabama’s sex offender registration and notification requirements.
Matthews and her attorney argued that they had not been informed in her plea agreement that she would have to follow the sex offender registration guidelines.
Her convictions, they said, were based on consensual sexual encounters with an adult inmate. She had no prior convictions or criminal charges, and did not have a propensity to reoffend.
In short, Matthews argued, sex offender registration is designed to “protect the public from perverts,” adding that her circumstances do not make her a danger to society.
In the eyes of the law, an inmate cannot legally consent to sex.
The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday dismissed Matthew’s appeal, and Matthews’ attorney said he is deeply disappointed with the decision.
“Briana Matthews was a young correctional officer who made the poor choice of engaging in a consensual relationship with an adult inmate,” Maxwell said. “As a result, she was convicted of improper custodial sexual misconduct and is now branded a sex offender for life.”
The state’s sex offender registration and notification act prevents convicted sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of any school, child-care facility or residential camp.
It also restricts the offender from working or volunteering at businesses that cater to children or those located within a certain proximity to locations frequented by children.
There are multiple instances in which a convicted sex offender can apply for relief from the restrictions. Sexual misconduct is among those examples, but custodial sexual misconduct is not addressed either way.
Matthews argued that she should be eligible for relief because custodial sexual misconduct is similar to sexual misconduct, and “because the only reason her actions constitute a crime is due to the other participating adult being incarcerated.”
She also noted that other states allow sex offenders relief from registration requirements for offenses more serious than hers.
“Briana Matthews is not a predator and should not be treated as one,” Maxwell said. “We remain hopeful that lawmakers will soon correct this injustice.”
The green flag drops on the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. This will be the 112th running of a NASCAR Cup Series race at the 1.5-mile asphalt oval. Wagering at this site can be fun, yet also highly risky and often unpredictable.
Talladega is a prime drafting track that is infamous for dramatic and numerous wrecks. The long-used phrase “The Big One” refers to significant multi-car wrecks at superspeedways like TS. Any driver is always in danger of getting caught up in a crash at any time.
Targeting a winner in a superspeedway event is always a big challenge. Pack racing and wrecks will frequently lead to a lost wager. But you can also get healthy payouts when your bets hit the mark.
Markets are also available on top 3, top 5 and top 10 finishers, and driver props add to the wagering excitement at Talladega. Spread your bets out, consider using less units overall, and do not hesitate to take chances on some longer shots.
We focus on the best possible bets for this week’s Cup event, with odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. You can lock in some more bets after qualifying, but starting positions are less meaningful at a site where we might not see a winner decided until late.
*Note: Odds are based on the best value our experts find while writing; check lines prior to the race to ensure you get the best odds.
Four best Jack Link’s 500 outright winner bets
William Byron (+1200 at DraftKings): The Hendrick Motorsports star finished in the top 3 in two of his last three Talladega starts.
Ryan Blaney (+1000 at DraftKings): Has the best all-time Driver Rating among active drivers at Talladega (91.2).
Denny Hamlin (+1400 at DraftKings): A two-time winner at Talladega, he also has 11 runner-up finishes, second-most among all drivers.
Christopher Bell (+1600 at DraftKings): At Atlanta, he demonstrated the ability to prevail at a drafting track. Bell already has three wins this season.
Jack Link’s 500 alternate markets to consider betting
Talladega has produced nine different winners in the last nine Cup races at the site, the longest streak ever at TS without a repeat winner.
The race winner has started 10th or lower in nine of the least TS Cup events. The driver leading the most laps has failed to win the last nine Talladega races. Nine of the last 16 races at this site have ended with a last lap pass.
Blaney is a three-time winner at the site with two runner-up showings. At comparable tracks this season, Blaney finished seventh at Daytona and fourth at Atlanta to open the season.
Brad Keselowski leads all active drivers with six Talladega wins. He finished second in both races at the site in 2024. His Driver Rating of 87.7 is third-best all time at TS. He did wreck at Atlanta earlier this year and doesn’t have a top 10 finish yet in 2025, but this could certainly be the track where Keselowski regains his better form.
William Byron has won three of the last 12 drafting track races and he is tied for the most points earned in the Next Gen car at Talladega (240). The current points leader in the Cup standings has a 30-point edge over second place. He leads all drivers at TS in Average Finish (14.5).
Byron is one of my favorite picks to win this week. He fits the profile of the ongoing trend at TS, with new winners every year.
Denny Hamlin is currently in second place in the points standings. He is the only driver to finish on the lead lap in all nine races so far this season, which should be noted at such a crash-prone track as Talladega. Some good luck is needed at the site.
Jack Link’s 500 contenders
Tyler Reddick is the defending champion of this event, and he also finished second at Daytona to open the season. But his win at TS last year was his first top 5 at the site, and his only top 10 in the last seven races there,
Christopher Bell is another top pick who has yet to win at Talladega. His win at Atlanta this season was Joe Gibbs Racing’s first at a drafting track in the Next Gen car.
Chase Elliott boasts the second-best Driver Rating at Talladega (89.4). He has scored two wins at the site. Elliott is tied with Byron for the most points at the site in the Next Gen car.
Bubba Wallace may be on his way to a good season, as his 78 stage points this season are his most-ever after nine races. He won at Talladega at 2021 and should always be considered for a stronger finish at drafting tracks. Wallace has two top 3 finishes in his last four starts this season and is a viable pick to finish in the top 3 at +550.
Jack Link’s 500 sleepers and value bets
Alex Bowman finished fifth in this race last year, and sixth at Daytona earlier this season. You should at least consider him to place in the top 5 at +250.
Michael McDowell always should get a look at drafting tracks. He finished 11th at Daytona earlier this season and you can wager on him to finish in the top 10 at -105.
Todd Gilliland has finished in the top 12 in four of his last five Talladega starts. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won the second Talladega race last season and finished fourth in this event, sodon’t overlook him. In four of his last six Talladega starts, Erik Jones has four top 6 finishes.
Austin Dillon will celebrate his 35th birthday on Sunday and is worth a longer shot at a drafting track. Anthony Alfredo has three top 10 finishes in four Talladega starts. Be sure to consider all the drivers in this tier/group for top 10 wagers.
With this deal, Nordstrom Rack customers can get the Calvin Klein Euphoria perfume for $72 as compared to its regular list price of $104. This item also qualifies for free shipping.
Calvin Klein Euphoria Eau de Toilette – $72
Calvin Klein Euphoria Eau de Toilette perfume is on sale for 29% off at Nordstrom Rack for a limited time.
Euphoria is available in both Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette options. This particular perfume on sale is considered a Toilette, which is a type of fragrance that contains a lower concentration of fragrance oils, typically between 5-15%. It’s a lighter fragrance than EDP, making it suitable for everyday wear.
However, it should be noted that Euphoria Eau de Parfum is actually on sale as well this week for $76 instead of the normal $136 price tag.
According to Nordstrom, Euphoria Eau de Toilette is a fragrance inspired by feminine sensuality that bursts with luscious dewy freshness.
“This perfume entwines top notes of sparkling mirabelle plum with a radiant orchid base and a warm and airy vanilla trail,” Nordstrom’s product details state.
The two final episodes of Fire Country season three air on CBS Friday, April 25 at 9/8c.
Starting off at 9/8c, episode 19 of the hit drama series premieres. In this episode, a deadly fire suddenly erupts at a gas station, springing both Bode and Manny into action to help protect and save both the patrons trapped inside and the property itself.
Immediately following this episode, the season three finale episode premieres and those tuning in will witness the team working against extremely high winds and dangerous conditions. The unfavorable conditions assist in pushing the Zebel Ridge fire into Edgewater, threatening Three Rock and Walter’s care facility.
Where can I watch the Fire Country season 3 finale?
Those interested in catching the new back-to-back episodes of Fire Country can stream the hit CBS series through Fubo, DirecTV Stream or Paramount+. All three streaming services offer free trials for new subscribers to enjoy before deciding if they want to commit to a paid subscription.
What is Fubo?
Fubo is much like any other streaming service, but instead of simply offering on-demand streaming, it offers a plethora of live TV channels such as ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, TLC, MTV and more.
Fubo considers itself a sports-focused live streaming service but also offers over 100 live TV channels through its basic package at just $84.99 a month following its free trial.
Users can stream a variety of shows and movies on-demand and even have the option to record favorite shows and movies through Fubo’s unlimited DVR feature.
What is DirecTV Stream?
DirecTV Stream is similar to Fubo as it offers many of the same live TV channels and helpful features. The Entertainment package, also known as DirecTV Stream’s base package, starts at just $86.99 a month after its 5-day free trial and includes popular TV channels such as HGTV, ESPN, Bravo, CMT, CNBC, BET, CNN and more.
Recently, DirecTV Stream introduced a lineup of genre packs, which allows subscribers to choose their favorite viewing options based on what genre they watch the most. With genre packs, users can get the channels and content they want without filler channel overload. Packs start at just $34.99 a month.
Those interested in comparing all DirecTV Stream’s channel packages and genre packs can check them out here.
What is Paramount+?
Paramount+ is one of the most popular live streaming services on the market now. Through Paramount+, subscribers can access exclusive originals, movies and documentaries all in one place.
As of now, Paramount+ offers two plans to new subscribers and both come with a week-long free trial. The base plan, Paramount+ Essential starts at just $7.99 a month and includes exclusive originals, the ability to stream on up to three devices concurrently, access to CBS News 24/7, and access to select Showtime series. This plan is also ad-supported.
The Paramount+ with Showtime plan starts at just $12.99 a month and includes everything that comes with the Essential plan plus 4K content, downloadable movies and shows, and all of Showtime’s content. Those hoping to ditch ads can do so through this plan.
Has Fire Country been renewed for season 4?
Yes. The renewal announcement was released in February 2025, and according to CBS, the show is expected to return with season four sometime this fall.
Auburn football’s Jaden Muskrat becomes the seventh Tiger to enter the transfer portal this spring, according to multiple reports .
Transferring in from Tulsa, Muskrat played in 45 games in his college career at offensive tackle. He started one game during his time with Auburn.
Ranked as a three-star recruit in the 2020 cycle, Muskrat was also rated as a top 30 player out of the state of Arkansas.
Auburn brought in offense line transfers Xavier Chaplin and Mason Murphy in the offseason. Dillon Wade, Jeremiah Wright and Connor Lew are all returning starters from last season.
Muskrat joins Bradyn Joiner as the second Auburn offensive lineman to enter the portal during the spring window.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Thousands of people are gathering in New Mexico for a celebration showcasing Native American and Indigenous dancers, musicians and artisans from around the world.
Billed by organizers as the largest powwow in North America, the annual Gathering of Nations festival kicks off Friday with a colorful procession of dancers spiraling into the center of an arena at the New Mexico state fairgrounds. Participants wear elaborate regalia adorned with jingling bells and dance to the tempo of rhythmic drumming.
The event also features the crowning of Miss Indian World, as well as horse parades in which riders are judged on the craftsmanship of their intricately beaded adornments or feathered headdresses and how well they work with their horses.
Powwow roots
Powwows are a relatively modern phenomenon that emerged in the 1800s as the U.S. government seized land from tribes throughout the Northern and Southern Plains. Forced migrations and upheaval during this period resulted in intertribal solidarity among Plains people and those from the southern prairies of Canada.
Alliances were formed, giving way to the exchange of songs and dances during gatherings between different tribes. In the decades that followed, powwows were advertised to pioneers heading westward as “authentic” Native American dance shows. For some, it was an exploitation of their cultures.
The word powwow was derived from pau wau, an Algonquian Narrtick word for “medicine man,” according to the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Scholars say English settlers misused the word to refer to the meetings of medicine men and later to any kind of Native American gathering.
Today, some of the large powwows like the Gathering of Nations have become more commercialized events that use dancing and drumming competitions with big prize money to provide a glimpse into Indigenous cultures.
Reconnecting with culture
At ceremonial dances, participants wear traditional regalia specific to their tribe, whereas powwow attire often is more contemporary and flashy with sequins and sparkles. It’s about dressing to impress the judges, said Warren Queton, a Kiowa Tribe legislator and adjunct instructor at the University of Oklahoma who has participated in community dancing and cultural events since he was a boy.
Queton, who served as the head gourd dancer at the university’s recent spring powwow, said ceremonial dances are deeply rooted in community, identity and cultural values.
It’s a struggle to keep traditional cultural practices and commercial powwows from being lumped into the same category, he said. They have very different meanings in Native American and Indigenous cultures.
There has been a focus on promoting smaller powwows held in tribal communities. Queton said these gatherings serve as a way for people who live elsewhere to return home and reconnect with their families and the land, and to share traditions with younger generations.
“Knowing where you come from, your land, your oral traditions, your language, but also values and traits — that can only be learned from a community,” he said. “That’s why those smaller dances are so important because people learn those community values. They’re all a part of our identity.”
Capturing good energy
There still are elements of tradition woven in to modern powwows. Competitors wear feathered bustles, buckskin dresses, fringed shawls and beaded head and hair pieces. Some of the elaborate outfits are hand-stitched designs that can take months to complete.
The sounds, movements and emotions that radiate from the dancing are challenging to capture on canvas. But Cochiti Pueblo painter Mateo Romero did just that when he partnered with the U.S. Postal Service to create a series of powwow stamps to be unveiled Friday during Gathering of Nations.
This image provided by the U.S. Postal Service shows a panel of new postage stamps commemorating Native American powwows. (U.S. Postal Service via AP)AP
Powerfully hypnotic, atavistic and somatic is how the artist describes the dancing. One of his pieces depicts what is known as a fancy shawl dance with its dips, pivots, hops and twirls. Each tassel on the shawl flows and flips, accentuating the dancer’s movements.
Romero said he used color, thick and thin paint and soft and hard edges along with photographic elements to create something that feels alive, embedded with feeling and bright pops of color.
Romero called it a huge honor to transform powwow culture into a postage stamp filled with “good energy.”
“I look at it as a sort of vehicle to express this sentiment, the energy, the celebration, the vibration, the beauty of it,” he said. “It’s the power of it.”
Gov. Kay Ivey announced Friday that Alabama’s First Dog, her beloved Missy Ivey, has passed away.
Missy, a blended collie mix, was about 10 years old.
The governor adopted Missy from the Montgomery Humane Shelter in January 2019.
Missy was the governor’s constant companion, whether she was working in her office at the Governor’s mansion, hosting a backyard gathering, enjoying a meal, or taking her pontoon boat out on the lake, the governor’s office said in a news release.
“Missy was a great friend,” Ivey said.
“After the best days and the hardest ones, it was always so good to return to the Governor’s Mansion and be greeted by Missy. She really made it feel like home, and I will miss her dearly.”
The governor thanked all the employees at Montgomery Veterinary Associates for giving excellent care and comfort in her final days.
The governor encouraged all Alabama families to hold their pets extra close.
Starbucks is gearing up to open its first 3-D printed location.
Located in Brownsville, Texas, the 1,400-square-foot structure is built with layers of concrete. German company Peri-3D used a giant printer to create the structure, reports Fast Company.
The shop, which is drive-through only, is slated to open on April 28, reports Dezeen.
Starbucks changes: Free refills, dress codes
Earlier this year, the coffee chain announced a wave of changes, including reserving bathrooms for paying customers and downsizing its overly complex menu. The coffee chain also started offering free refills of hot or iced coffee to customers, provided patrons order the beverage to drink on the premises. The goal: get patrons to stay in the shops instead of taking their drinks to go.
The coffee chain plans to enhance the look of the iconic green aprons. Starting May 12, Starbucks baristas will be required to wear a solid black top and any shade of khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms. The coffee chain will also provide baristas with a new line of company-branded t-shirts.