Sly Stone, leader of funk revolutionaries Sly and the Family Stone, dies at 82

NEW YORK (AP) — Sly Stone, an electrifying musician, songwriter and showman whose Sly and the Family Stone transformed popular music in the 1960s and ’70s, has died. He was 82. His time on top was brief, from roughly 1969 to 1971, but his influence on music and culture lasted for decades after. No band better captured the gravity-defying euphoria of the Woodstock era or more bravely addressed the crash. From early hits as rousing as their titles —“I Want To Take You Higher,” “Stand!” — to the sober aftermath of “Family Affair” and “Runnin’ Away,” Sly and the Family Stone spoke for a generation whether or not it wanted to hear the message.

Packers release Jaire Alexander after injuries had limited the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback

Jaire Alexander has been released by the Green Bay Packers, ending a seven-year run in which he emerged as one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks before injuries limited his availability. The Packers announced the move a day before they open their mandatory minicamp. The decision is expected to clear about $17 million in cap space. Alexander’s future with the Packers had been the subject of much speculation throughout the offseason because of his hefty contract and recent injury history.

Judge dismisses Justin Baldoni's $400M lawsuit against 'It Ends With Us' costar Blake Lively

A judge has dismissed the lawsuit that Justin Baldoni filed against his “It Ends With Us” costar Blake Lively after she sued him for sexual harassment. The ruling is the latest development in the bitter legal battle surrounding the film. Lively sued Baldoni in late December. Baldoni then sued Lively and her husband, “Deadpool” actor Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of defamation and extortion. The judge ruled that Baldoni can’t sue Lively for defamation over claims she made in her lawsuit, because allegations made in court are exempt from libel claims. And the judge ruled that Baldoni’s claims that Lively stole creative control of the film didn’t count as extortion under California law.

Nintendo's Switch 2 soups up the graphics, but does it deliver the games?

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nintendo's Switch 2 video-game console is out, and it makes some substantial improvements over its predecessor. The 7.9-inch portable display (up from 6.2 inches) boosts the resolution, and while the LCD screen isn’t quite as sharp as an OLED screen might have been, it’s much cleaner than the original model. The Switch 2 looks even better when connected to an HDTV, since it now supports 4K and HDR. However, the launch lineup of games is a bit sparse. The marquee title, Mario Kart World, is excellent, but if you don't feel the need for speed, you might want to wait.

‘Lilo & Stitch’ cruises to No. 1 again; John Wick spinoff ‘Ballerina’ dances to 2nd place

“Lilo & Stich” has topped the domestic box office charts for a third weekend. Studio estimates on Sunday say that the film added $32.5 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. Second place went to the John Wick spinoff “Ballerina,” which came in slightly under expectations with $25 million despite good reviews and exit polls. “Mission: Impossible —The Final Reckoning” slid to third place with $15 million. “Karate Kid: Legends” took fourth place with $8.7 million in its second weekend. And “Final Destination: Bloodlines” rounded out the top five with $6.5 million.

A runaway pet zebra has been captured in Tennessee

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — A runaway pet zebra has been captured in Tennessee. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office says Ed was captured Sunday in a pasture. He was airlifted to an animal trailer. Video posted by the sheriff’s office shows Ed wrapped in a net with his head sticking out as he is carried by the helicopter to the waiting trailer. The zebra had been on the loose since May 31. It was spotted and filmed running along Interstate 24 before disappearing into the woods. Ed quickly became the subject of internet memes.

Ex-police chief and convicted killer who escaped from an Arkansas prison has been captured

A former police chief and convicted killer known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” has been captured after he escaped from prison, triggering a massive, nearly two-weeks-long manhunt in the mountains of northern Arkansas. Grant Hardin was serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape. He previously served as police chief in the small town of Gateway near the Arkansas-Missouri border. A spokesperson for the Arkansas prison system says Hardin briefly attempted to run from officers when he saw them approach, but he was quickly tackled to the ground. Hardin had been held at the Calico Rock prison since 2017 after pleading guilty to first-degree murder.

Brothers bring boxing back to Fenway after 70 years and hope to revitalize the sport in Boston

Boxing is returning to Boston’s Fenway Park for the first time in nearly 70 years. “Fight Night at Fenway” is scheduled for Saturday. The 11-fight card is the culmination of years of effort by twin brothers and longtime public schoolteachers who grew up in Watertown. Matt and Mark Nolan want to revitalize boxing in the city that was home to some of the greatest athletes in the sport’s history. It’s also symbolic of a shift back to the roots of the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. In the past, Fenway has held political events and sports like football, soccer, hockey and basketball, not just Red Sox games.

Michaels completes acquisition of Joann's intellectual property and fan-favorite labels

NEW YORK (AP) — Craft labels from the now-shuttered fabrics seller Joann are making their way to a new home: Michaels. The Michaels Companies announced on Thursday that it had completed its purchase of Joann’s intellectual property and private label brands — in an acquisition that arrives as the Texas-based crafting chain works to expand its own fabric, sewing and yarn offerings. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Joann announced it would be going out of business back in February, just one month after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time within a year.