Billy Joel closing beloved New York motorcycle shop after brain disorder diagnosis

Billy Joel’s beloved motorcycle shop on Long Island, New York, is closing down after nearly 15 years of offering fans a free peek at his personal collection of dozens of bikes. A spokesperson for the music icon says he is shuttering 20th Century Cycles in Oyster Bay in late September and auctioning off his collection later this year because of a brain disorder he was diagnosed with. Joel announced in May that he has Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, a fluid buildup in the brain that can affect thinking and movement.

Every major update from Taylor Swift's first appearance on the Kelces' 'New Heights' podcast

NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift’s latest era is almost upon us. Part of the surprising rollout of her 12th album “The Life of the Showgirl” involved the popular “New Heights” podcast. It is hosted by Swift’s boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce alongside his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce. Swift’s episode premiered at 7 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday. It is available to stream on YouTube. In the episode, she discussed her new album, connecting with Travis Kelce through the podcast, buying back her masters and much more.

Amazon expands its perishable delivery service, putting pressure on traditional grocers

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon is now rolling out a service where its Prime members can order their blueberries and milk at the same time as their batteries and other basic items. The online juggernaut said Wednesday that customers in more than 1,000 cities and towns now have access to fresh groceries with its free Same-Day Delivery on orders over $25 for Prime members, with plans to reach over 2,300 locations by year-end. The company said that if an order doesn’t meet the minimum, members can still choose Same-Day Delivery for a $2.99 fee. For customers without a Prime membership, the service is available with a $12.99 fee, regardless of order size.

Danielle Spencer, who played little sister Dee on 'What's Happening!!,' dies at 60

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Known for her role as Dee Thomas on the 1970s sitcom “What's Happening!!,” Danielle Spencer has died at age 60. A family spokesperson said Spencer died Monday after battling cancer for several years. As Dee, she was a deadpan, wisecracking younger sister with a memorable catchphrase, “Ooh, I’m gonna tell mama.” The show aired from 1976 to 1979 and was one of the first on TV to focus on Black teenagers. A major car accident that killed her stepfather left Spencer in a coma for weeks during production of the show. Spencer also appeared in the 1980s reboot “What's Happening Now!!” and later became a veterinarian.

McDonald's Japan's Pokemon card Happy Meals promotion comes to an unhappy end

TOKYO (AP) — Fast-food chain McDonald’s Japan has canceled a Happy Meal campaign that came with coveted Pokemon cards. The company apologized after resellers rushed to buy the meals and then discarded the food, leaving trash outside stores. The meals meant for children came with a toy, such as a tiny plastic Pikachu and a Pokemon card. Japanese media reports said the meals sold out in one day. The company said it was not adequately prepared and that the situation went against its philosophy of providing a “fun dining experience for children and families."  Unusually large crowds were seen flocking to McDonald’s stores when the meals with Pokemon cards went on sale.

GE Appliances shifts more production to US as part of a $3 billion investment

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — GE Appliances plans to shift production of refrigerators, gas ranges and water heaters out of China and Mexico as part of a more than $3 billion investment to expand its U.S. operations. The investment announced Wednesday ranks as the second-largest in the Louisville-based company’s history. GE Appliances says it expects to add more than 1,000 jobs and modernize its U.S. plants in the next five years. Most of its appliance production is in the United States, and the company’s announcement will transfer more work to its domestic plants. It says the first phase of the investment will begin at plants in Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina.

Scientists standing by to rescue rare manatee sighted in cold New England waters

BOSTON (AP) — A manatee was recently spotted off the coast of Massachusetts for the first time in almost a decade. Scientists told The Associated Press Friday that officials are standing by to intervene if needed. The manatee was first seen July 26 off the southwestern coast of Cape Cod in the area of Nantucket Sound. Bystanders found it beached a few days later on the tidal flats in Mattapoisett and pushed the manatee back into the water. The animals usually find habitat in warmer southern waters. Experts say the animals could become sick, starve or die in the colder New England water.

4 arrests after home reportedly owned by Brad Pitt was ransacked by burglars, police say

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Police say four people have been arrested in connection with a burglary earlier this summer at a Los Angeles home reportedly owned by actor Brad Pitt. Officers responded June 25 to a break-in at the house in the Los Feliz neighborhood. Police said at the time that suspects broke in through the front window, ransacked the home and fled with miscellaneous property. Detectives have made four arrests, but police didn't immediately release the suspects' names. Officials could not identify who owned or lived in the home. Pitt reportedly bought the property for $5.5 million in April 2023.

Tuesday is World Elephant Day. 5 things to know about the world's largest land mammals

BELA-BELA, South Africa (AP) — Tuesday is World Elephant Day. Here are five things to know about the largest land animals on our planet. The three species are the African savanna or bush elephant, the African forest elephant and the Asian elephant. Two are endangered and one is critically endangered. African savanna elephants are the biggest, with an adult male weighing several tons. Elephants have about 150,000 muscles in their incredible trunks. They can't jump because of their weight. And they do have incredible memories, meaning the saying “an elephant never forgets” is not far from the truth.

Browns All-Pro DE Myles Garrett ticketed after police say he drove 100 mph in Cleveland suburb

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio (AP) — Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett has been accused of driving a Ferrari 100 mph on a suburban Cleveland interstate. The Strongsville Police Department stopped Garrett just after 2 a.m. Saturday in a 60 mph zone on Interstate 71 near the Ohio Turnpike, according to a citation. Garrett is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday but he could pay a $250 fine without appearing. Garrett is expected to be with the Browns in Philadelphia for a joint workout with the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. Garrett was stopped less than an hour after the Browns landed at Hopkins International Airport after their 30-10 victory over the Panthers.