Latest news with #CookieMonster
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bye-bye, Big Bird? Trump turns to Congress for help with $9.4B in DOGE cuts to PBS, foreign aid
The Trump administration will send Congress a bill looking to codify some $9.4 billion in cuts by the Elon Musk-helmed Department of Government Efficiency, according to published reports. The move, expected next Tuesday, comes as lawmakers on Capitol Hill continue to wrestle with the Republican White House's domestic policy mega-bill. The cuts target $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and $8.3 billion in foreign assistance for both the U.S. Agency for International Development, an early casualty of Musk's DOGE buzzsaw, and the African Development Foundation, according to Axios. The transmission of the bill starts a 45-day clock for clawing back to previously appropriated funding. It puts the future of NPR, PBS (the home of 'Sesame Street' and other beloved children's programming) and USAID on the line, Axios reported, noting that the White House is looking for a 'big public fight" over the programs. And 'they are likely to get it,' the online news org reported. A caveat: Both NPR and PBS receive the bulk of their funding from nongovernmental sources, according to Axios. But the Corporation for Public Broadcasting still sends them around $535 million in federal funding a year. The cuts are more likely to impact smaller local stations, according to published reports. Trump signed an executive order earlier this month ending federal funding for PBS and NPR, pointing out that Americans have more media choices than they did when PBS was established in 1967. 'Government funding of news media in this environment is not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence,' the order reads. 'At the very least, Americans have the right to expect that if their tax dollars fund public broadcasting at all, they fund only fair, accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan news coverage,' it continued. 'No media outlet has a constitutional right to taxpayer subsidies, and the government is entitled to determine which categories of activities to subsidize.' NPR previously defended its editorial integrity after U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., called on the two broadcasters' CEOs to testify in a Capitol Hill hearing, Axios reported. While the future of other PBS programming may be on the bubble, parents reared on 'Sesame Street' and their kids who watch it now still have options. Netflix announced earlier this month that the show's 56th season, along with older episodes, will be coming to the subscription-only streamer later this year. "The new season will feature fresh format changes and the return of fan-favorite segments like Elmo's World and Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck," Netflix said in a post to its website. 'Expect new ways to play along as Cookie Monster opens his very own Cookie Cart on Sesame Street, and explore Abby's Fairy Garden, a home to surprising and delightful magical creatures.' The new episodes 'of the iconic series will be available same day-and-date in the U.S. on PBS stations and PBS KIDS digital platforms, bringing critical early learning to children throughout the country for free,' the streamer added. That could now depend on the future of PBS and the way things unfold on Capitol Hill. Federal judge orders Harvard researcher to be released from ICE custody Confirmation hearings next week for WMass AG's regional chief nominated for judgeship Mass. Gov. Healey slams ICE over migrant arrests on Nantucket, Vineyard No more 'fricking barber poles': Gov. Healey says as Mass. looks to shred regs SCOTUS rejects Mass. student's challenge to school's 'two genders' T-shirt ban Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy The Kid looks out of bullets as Maroons faces another Origin defeat
As the State of Origin teams were read out in front of 54,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, the loudest cheer accompanied the final name on the announcer's list. That roar was bigger than for Kalyn Ponga or Cameron Munster. Throatier than the one reserved for Patty Carrigan. And the face who inspired it hasn't seen a tackle in seven years. To say Billy Slater is well-loved by Queenslanders is an understatement. As if Romeo had only a passing interest in Juliet. Or, to a fresh batch of biscuits, the Cookie Monster wouldn't say no. Related: State of Origin 2025 Game 1: NSW Blues deliver blow to Qld Maroons with win in Brisbane There is good reason, too. Slater's playing career sparkles with highlights as much as honours. Millions followed his journey as humble roustabout from Nambour to the heights of rugby league, never losing his endearing identity as Billy 'The Kid'. He proved himself to be a Maroons great, one of the symbols in Queensland's most successful Origin era. Since retiring in 2018, his legend has only grown. He has shown to be an adept analyst on broadcasts, often speaking in front of AAMI Park's Billy Slater Stand. His business as a thoroughbred breeder goes from strength to strength. His performance as a horse-riding TV compère at last year's Melbourne Cup carnival was the highlight of Channel Nine's coverage. And of course, as a rookie coach, he masterminded Queensland victories in his first two Origin series. In this context, the crowd's affection for him on Wednesday night is to be expected. But after New South Wales' largely one-sided victory in the State of Origin opener, it's clear love can only do so much. 'I feel pretty flat, to be honest, about our performance', he said after the 18-6 defeat. The result was hardly a thrashing, and for Slater there were positive signs. Winger Xavier Coates was a constant aerial threat and backrower Jeremiah Nanai was a willing combatant. Debutant Robert Toia was targeted by the Blues and forced into 24 tackles (the Maroons' other centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow made just seven) but the rookie missed just three and was tidy with the ball. 'I thought his debut was great, so he can hold his head up high,' Slater said. But in truth, there is just as much cause for concern. The Blues went in as favourites, and were far from their best themselves. Five-eighth Mitch Moses, catalyst for the Blues' resurgence in last year's series, was mostly a bystander. Latrell Mitchell ran for just 58m, Liam Martin even less. Spencer Leniu played just 26 minutes. The Maroons coach believes the fans at Suncorp 'didn't see the best of this Queensland team' on Thursday. That 'it's definitely not a personnel thing'. That he knows 'what this team's capable of'. But it's becoming difficult to understand what he sees. In the past four Origin matches, the Maroons have scored 10 tries. Half of those came in the one match, after the Joseph Aukuso Sua'ali'i send-off in Sydney last year. Another three came in the second half of the MCG clash in which they trailed 34-0 at half-time. Wednesday's lone try came directly from a Latrell Mitchell handling error. The last time the Maroons crafted their own a four-pointer in a tight contest against a full Blues contingent was in the fifth minute of last year's series, when Ben Hunt crossed from Daly Cherry-Evans' blindside sneak. The 36-year-old halfback became the oldest Origin player on Wednesday, but admitted the poor attacking return means his place in the team is now a matter of debate. 'We've opened ourselves up to these sorts of questions,' Cherry-Evans said. 'But yeah, I'd love the opportunity to come back and correct it.' The coach said he too faces the same pressures. 'It's not just the players, it's everyone, and we'll all look at ourselves.' He said he still believes in the group, that the attitude of the squad was right even if their indiscipline let them down. And he said he feels responsible to help them find their best football. Slater has spent two decades taking rugby league by the scruff of the neck. But after three straight Origin defeats, this series might be out of his hands. 'At the end of the day,' he admitted, 'it's got to come from the players'.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy The Kid looks out of bullets as Maroons faces another Origin defeat
As the State of Origin teams were read out in front of 54,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, the loudest cheer accompanied the final name on the announcer's list. That roar was bigger than for Kalyn Ponga or Cameron Munster. Throatier than the one reserved for Patty Carrigan. And the face who inspired it hasn't seen a tackle in seven years. To say Billy Slater is well-loved by Queenslanders is an understatement. As if Romeo had only a passing interest in Juliet. Or, to a fresh batch of biscuits, the Cookie Monster wouldn't say no. Related: State of Origin 2025 Game 1: NSW Blues deliver blow to Qld Maroons with win in Brisbane There is good reason, too. Slater's playing career sparkles with highlights as much as honours. Millions followed his journey as humble roustabout from Nambour to the heights of rugby league, never losing his endearing identity as Billy 'The Kid'. He proved himself to be a Maroons great, one of the symbols in Queensland's most successful Origin era. Since retiring in 2018, his legend has only grown. He has shown to be an adept analyst on broadcasts, often speaking in front of AAMI Park's Billy Slater Stand. His business as a thoroughbred breeder goes from strength to strength. His performance as a horse-riding TV compère at last year's Melbourne Cup carnival was the highlight of Channel Nine's coverage. And of course, as a rookie coach, he masterminded Queensland victories in his first two Origin series. In this context, the crowd's affection for him on Wednesday night is to be expected. But after New South Wales' largely one-sided victory in the State of Origin opener, it's clear love can only do so much. 'I feel pretty flat, to be honest, about our performance', he said after the 18-6 defeat. The result was hardly a thrashing, and for Slater there were positive signs. Winger Xavier Coates was a constant aerial threat and backrower Jeremiah Nanai was a willing combatant. Debutant Robert Toia was targeted by the Blues and forced into 24 tackles (the Maroons' other centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow made just seven) but the rookie missed just three and was tidy with the ball. 'I thought his debut was great, so he can hold his head up high,' Slater said. But in truth, there is just as much cause for concern. The Blues went in as favourites, and were far from their best themselves. Five-eighth Mitch Moses, catalyst for the Blues' resurgence in last year's series, was mostly a bystander. Latrell Mitchell ran for just 58m, Liam Martin even less. Spencer Leniu played just 26 minutes. The Maroons coach believes the fans at Suncorp 'didn't see the best of this Queensland team' on Thursday. That 'it's definitely not a personnel thing'. That he knows 'what this team's capable of'. But it's becoming difficult to understand what he sees. In the past four Origin matches, the Maroons have scored 10 tries. Half of those came in the one match, after the Joseph Aukuso Sua'ali'i send-off in Sydney last year. Another three came in the second half of the MCG clash in which they trailed 34-0 at half-time. Wednesday's lone try came directly from a Latrell Mitchell handling error. The last time the Maroons crafted their own a four-pointer in a tight contest against a full Blues contingent was in the fifth minute of last year's series, when Ben Hunt crossed from Daly Cherry-Evans' blindside sneak. The 36-year-old halfback became the oldest Origin player on Wednesday, but admitted the poor attacking return means his place in the team is now a matter of debate. 'We've opened ourselves up to these sorts of questions,' Cherry-Evans said. 'But yeah, I'd love the opportunity to come back and correct it.' The coach said he too faces the same pressures. 'It's not just the players, it's everyone, and we'll all look at ourselves.' He said he still believes in the group, that the attitude of the squad was right even if their indiscipline let them down. And he said he feels responsible to help them find their best football. Slater has spent two decades taking rugby league by the scruff of the neck. But after three straight Origin defeats, this series might be out of his hands. 'At the end of the day,' he admitted, 'it's got to come from the players'.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Sesame Street' Heads To Netflix With Streaming Deal For PBS Children's Series
Sesame Street has a new streaming home. Netflix has picked up the children's series, which will make its debut on the streamer later this year with an all-new, reimagined 56th season — plus 90 hours of previous episodes — available to audiences worldwide. Netflix is coming on board after HBO Max opted not to renew its Sesame Street streaming deal at the end of last year. Finding a new streaming partner has been considered critical to the series' financial survival. More from Deadline It Starts On The Page (Limited): Read 'Adolescence' Episode 3 Script With Foreword By Stephen Graham & Jack Thorne Mark Ruffalo & Tucker Pillsbury Join Natalie Portman In Lena Dunham's Netflix Rom-Com 'Good Sex' Kim Kardashian-Paula Pell Netflix Comedy 'The Fifth Wheel' Taps Eva Longoria To Direct; Gloria Sanchez To Produce The new episodes, which will now each center on one 11-minute story, will be available same day-and-date in the U.S. on PBS stations and PBS KIDS digital platforms, maintaining U.S. kids' free access to early learning, which Sesame Street is all about. That is a departure from Netflix's typical push for exclusivity unless a second window on a library title is involved. In addition to format changes, the new season will feature the return of fan-favorite segments like Elmo's World and Cookie Monster's Foodie Truck. Sesame Workshop is the global nonprofit behind Sesame Street, with Sal Perez and Kay Wilson Stallings serving as executive producers; Emmy, Humanitas, and NAACP Award nominee Halcyon Person (Karma's World, Dee & Friends in Oz) joins as head writer. As part of the deal, Netflix will also be able to develop video games for both Sesame Street and Sesame Street Mecha Builders. While HBO Max shifted focus away from kids and family programming a couple of years ago, it represents 15% of Netflix's total viewing with shows such as CoComelon. Best of Deadline Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds All The 'Mission: Impossible' Movies In Order - See Tom Cruise's 30-Year Journey As Ethan Hunt Denzel Washington's Career In Pictures: From 'Carbon Copy' To 'The Equalizer 3'
Kuwait Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
'Sesame Street' coming soon to Netflix
Cookie Monster and Elmo celebrate the return of Sesame Street Live! at The Empire State Building on February 18, 2022 in New York City. -- AFP If you were wondering how to get to "Sesame Street", the beloved children's television show will soon be available on streaming giant Netflix as well as its long-time home at US public broadcaster PBS. Popular characters "Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, and all their friends are coming to Netflix later this year, with Sesame Street's all-new, reimagined 56th season -- plus 90 hours of previous episodes -- available to audiences worldwide," Sesame Workshop, the non-profit group behind the children's program, said in a statement. New episodes of the educational staple, which premiered in 1969 to high viewership and glowing reviews, will be "available same day-and-date in the US on PBS stations and PBS KIDS digital platforms" as they will be on Netflix, Sesame Workshop said on Monday. Netflix has exclusive worldwide premiere rights and will also be able to develop video games for the "Sesame Street" brand, it said. The streamer also confirmed the deal in a statement. Sesame Workshop has been facing financial struggles, with grants disappearing and a lucrative distribution deal with HBO expiring. Under that past agreement, PBS could release new "Sesame Street" episodes only months after they debuted on HBO. The Netflix deal also follows repeated assaults on public media by US President Donald Trump, including an executive order this month to cut government funding for both NPR and PBS, which he accuses of being biased. National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service are only partly funded by US taxpayers and rely heavily on private donations. Trump has long had an antagonistic relationship with most mainstream media, including PBS, and once falsely claimed an Arabic version of "Sesame Street" airing in the Middle East cost $20 million. He appears to have conflated the show with a broader educational program that received funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), an AFP Fact Check investigation found. "Sesame Street" parodied the New York real estate developer years before he was elected president, with characters including Mr. Grump, performed by actor Joe Pesci, and a puppet with orange hair, called Donald Grump. — AFP
