Latest news with #Pontiac
The Guardian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Hulk Hogan obituary
Hulk Hogan, who has died of a cardiac arrest aged 71, was the most famous personality in the world of wrestling, a flamboyant figure whose deep tan, blonde horseshoe moustache, bright bandanas and heavily muscled body were known across the globe, even to those who had little interest in the sport. As the most recognisable face of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the US, Hogan helped to build what had initially been a fairly parochial brand into a hugely lucrative phenomenon, watched on television by millions. Though the wrestling was all fakery, Hogan held the WWF's title belt a number of times across those boom years, including over a four-year stretch in the mid-1980s. Thereafter he largely maintained his dominance, while switching between the WWF and various other competitions over the next two decades. During a typical bout he would soak up blow after blow from his opponent until defeat seemed inevitable, only to suddenly snap into a fury that would turn the encounter around, often finishing things off with a trademark leg drop by bouncing off the rope, leaping into the air and then landing, leg first, on to his foe. Perhaps his most acclaimed performance came during 1987 in the third iteration of wrestling's annual WrestleMania event, in front of 93,000 fans at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, where he won the world heavyweight championship against the 2.24m (7ft 4in), 220kg (35st) André the Giant, who was said to have been unbeaten in the ring for almost 15 years. The bout set pay-per-view television records at the time, and confirmed Hogan's position at the centre of WWF's money-making machine. Hogan was born Terry Bollea, in Augusta, Georgia, the son of Ruth (nee Moody), a dance teacher, and Peter Bollea, a building site foreman. Growing up in Tampa, Florida, where he went to Robinson high school, he first worked as a dockworker while developing his showmanship as a bass guitar player in local rock bands. After a short period at the University of South Florida, he dropped his studies in 1977 to pursue wrestling. Eventually taking the Hulk moniker, after the muscle-bound comic book character The Incredible Hulk, at 2m (6ft 7in) and 137kg (21st) he was certainly built for the name, to which he added the alliterative Hogan in 1979 when he joined the WWF. He came to wider attention in 1982 after a memorable appearance in the film Rocky III as the combative wrestler Thunderlips, who beats Rocky (Sylvester Stallon) in a charity fight. Having initially been branded as a bad guy in the ring, by the mid-80s Hogan had been recast by the WWF as the opposite, and he was striding into the ring to the song Real American by Rick Derringer, fighting for national pride against sinister 'foreign' rivals such as the Iron Sheik, nominally representing Iran, and Nikolai Volkoff, supposedly appearing on behalf of the Soviet Union. Soon the US was subject to a long period of 'Hulkamania' as Hogan reached even wider fame, selling out stadium events, commanding massive TV audiences and appearing in further wrestling-related film roles, including in No Holds Barred (1989) and Mr Nanny (1993), while also starring as a mercenary in the television series Thunder in Paradise (1994). He lent his name to video games, a chain of restaurants and a merchandising empire that was turning over $1.7bn by 1991. In 1994, around the time he confessed that he had used steroids, Hogan moved to a new franchise, World Championship Wrestling (WCW), with whom he adopted a more villainous but equally popular persona. He was WCW's star performer for several years until returning to the WWF (by then renamed WWE) in 2002, after which he left and returned several times, wrestling for other entities in between. He was still taking part in occasional bouts into his 60s, but by then was more frequently in the public eye for other reasons, including from 2005 to 2007 in the reality TV series Hogan Knows Best, which looked in on his family life. In 2012 Hogan sued the Gawker website for posting a video of him having sex with a friend's wife, claiming invasion of privacy. Four years later a court awarded him $140m in damages, although he eventually settled for $31m as the website's owners filed for bankruptcy. In 2015 the release of another section of the same video showed him using racist language, for which he apologised unreservedly. In recent years he had been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, and last year he appeared at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, tearing off his top in typical Hulk style to reveal a Trump/Vance shirt underneath. Hogan was married three times and divorced twice. He is survived by his third wife, Sky Daily, two children, Brooke and Nick, from his first marriage, to Linda Claridge, and two grandchildren. Hulk Hogan (Terry Gene Bollea), wrestler, born 11 August 1953; died 24 July 2025
News18
a day ago
- Health
- News18
New York City Probes Legionnaires' Cluster In Harlem After Five Residents Fall Ill
Since last weekend, at least five cases have been confirmed and sent for further testing. Health officials in New York City have issued a warning urging residents to take precautionary measures after authorities identified at least five cases suspected to be Legionnaires' disease last week, the Department of Health stated in a press release. An investigation is currently underway to examine the cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases in Central Harlem and the surrounding areas. Since last weekend, at least five cases have been confirmed and sent for further testing. Additional individuals are undergoing tests to determine the full extent of those affected. Fortunately, there have been no reported deaths linked to the disease so far. To identify the source of the outbreak, health officials are sampling and testing water from all cooling tower systems within several neighbourhoods. According to the official notice, residents in the zip codes 10027, 10030, 10035, and 10037 are advised to exercise extra caution. 'Any New Yorkers experiencing flu-like symptoms should contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible," said Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Toni Eyssallenne in a statement, as reported by the New York Post. Mayo Clinic. The disease is treatable with antibiotics if diagnosed early. However, individuals over the age of 50, especially smokers or those with chronic lung conditions, are at higher risk of developing severe illness. To contain the spread, authorities are testing water sources such as cooling towers, hot tubs, whirlpool spas, humidifiers, and condensers. While Legionnaires' disease is typically not fatal, the Legionella bacterium can also cause Pontiac fever, a milder illness. If left untreated, however, Legionnaires' disease can be life-threatening. The New York State official website advises residents to seek medical attention if they experience flu-like symptoms but test negative for COVID-19. Symptoms usually appear 2 to 10 days after exposure and can include fever, headache, muscle pain, cough, shortness of breath, nausea, or diarrhoea. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 17:03 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
When is the first day of school in and around Pontiac? Here's when 31 schools go back
The first day of school is rapidly approaching, and area school districts are getting ready to welcome teachers and students back to school for the 2025-2026 school year. Are you ready for the first day school? Here's a list of when area school districts plan to open their doors. Pontiac Township High School Freshmen: Aug. 15 All students: Aug. 18 For more: Pontiac Elementary Schools Central, Lincoln, Washington, Pontiac Junior High School Aug. 13 For more: St. Mary's Catholic School Aug. 14 For more: More: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the Pontiac Daily Leader app Odell Grade School Aug. 18 For more: St. Paul Catholic School Aug. 18 For more: Saunemin Elementary School Aug. 15 For more: Dwight schools Dwight Common School, Dwight High School Aug. 21 For more: El Paso-Gridley schools Centennial, Jefferson Park, El Paso-Gridley Middle School and High School Aug. 18 For more: Flanagan-Cornell schools Flanagan Elementary, Flanagan-Cornell High School Aug. 18 For more: Lexington schools Lexington Elementary, Junior High and High School Aug. 13 For more: Prairie Central schools Prairie Central Primary East, Primary West, Elementary, Upper Elementary, Junior High and High School Aug. 18 For more: Tri-Point schools Tri-Point Elementary, Upper Elementary/Junior High and High School Aug. 19 For more: Woodland Woodland Elementary/Junior High and High School K-12: Aug. 13 PreK: Aug. 15 For more: Erich Murphy is a reporter for the (Pontiac) Daily Leader. He can be reached at emurphy@ This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Here's when schools in and around Pontiac plan to kick off 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
Buzz Feed
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Ryan Murphy And Jack Jack Schlossberg Argue Over Show
Ryan Murphy is being called out for yet another TV show. This time, it's American Love Story, an upcoming Hulu series chronicling the lives of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, including their deaths in a 1999 plane crash. He even faced criticism from JFK Jr.'s nephew, Jack Schlossberg, for not consulting his family first and "profiting off of" their tragedy in such a "grotesque way." Writing on Instagram in June, Jack said, 'For the record, I think admiration for my Uncle John is great. What I don't think is great is profiting off of it in a grotesque way." Ryan responded to his comments this week on the This Is Gavin Newsom podcast. He expressed confusion over Jack's reaction because, as Ryan put it, Jack — who was 6 when his uncle died — didn't "really" remember him. "I thought it was an odd choice to be mad about your relative that you really don't remember," Ryan confessed. In response, Jack doubled down. He reposted Ryan's comments to Instagram, along with several of his "earliest" memories of JFK Jr., to show they did have a real and memorable relationship. "Hey @ryanmurphyproductions," Jack began. "My earliest memories are of John calling me Jackolatern and 'the nudist,' picking me up from school, his Pontiac convertible. I remember being the ring bearer at his wedding and the day he died. I remember Wyclef singing at his funeral." He also shared memories that he learned from others: "Like the time he locked himself out of a car in an intersection and asked the guy screaming at him if he could borrow a golf club to smash the window to get the keys, and then did it." Jack went on to call out Ryan once again for hoarding "millions" made off of his uncle instead of contributing to causes that were important to him. "You're making millions off John, making a public spectacle of it," he wrote, "but won't contribute any of your riches to the causes he championed, or the legacy of public service he represented." He also challenged Ryan directly, telling him to say the comments "to my face." Viewers joined him in criticizing Ryan in the comments. One person said, "The audacity is crazy. John is literally your uncle and Ryan never even met him." Another said, "If anyone ever told me I didn't remember any of my aunts or uncles from childhood, especially some who knew NONE of us, they'd be viewed as fighting words. Good job, Jack!" "That was really 💩 of Ryan to say," a third fan agreed. "The entitlement Ryan feels over the Kennedy family is abhorrent ...also thanks for sharing those sweet memories of your uncle. Someone else chimed in to say reiterate how "strange" and "wild" it was for Ryan, "a total stranger," to make such assumptions about Jack's relationship with his uncle. "And from what I have read about your uncle - he would tell him exactly how he felt to his face," one reader added. "That kinda stuff seemed to matter greatly to him. Integrity. And being a good human on this earth." The backlash continued on Reddit, too. Many comments called Ryan's remarks "odd," "callous," and "completely nonsensical." One person noted, "Jack was 6 when Jr died? And Jr.'s sister is his mother??? And Jack's older sisters likely shared stories too???what a callous but also completely nonsensical thing for Ryan to say." A second person agreed, "That's a real asshole response of Ryan Murphy to say." "Almost as odd as choosing to make a show about someone you've never met, and taking creative liberties regarding a real person?" a third fan wrote, as another said they were "begging" Ryan "to discover tact." "That is such a repulsive thing to say my God," said another, as one more added, "How fucked up of Ryan to say. I never met my great uncle because he died in WWII. I'm still extremely protective of his memory. You're not allowed to tell people how to feel about their own relatives!" If you've been following Ryan, you know that this, unfortunately, isn't the first time something like this has happened. Previously, he faced criticism for his depiction of convicted murderer brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez in the Netflix series, Monster. Released in September 2024, the show followed the events leading up to and after the 1989 murders of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez. Critics specifically took issue with the implication that the brothers had a sexual relationship and the way it handled the abuse allegations they made against their parents. Even Erik Menendez spoke out, calling out Ryan's "blatant lies" in an open letter published by his wife, Tammi Menendez. In response, Ryan defended himself, saying they had handled the brothers' claims "carefully."
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Hulk Hogan, who helped turn pro wrestling into billion-dollar spectacle, dies at 71
By Rocky Swift , Reuters US pro-wrestler Hulk Hogan flexes his muscles after speaking at a 2024 Republican National Convention. Photo: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP Hulk Hogan, the American sports and entertainment star who made professional wrestling a global phenomenon and loudly supported Donald Trump for president , has died at the age of 71, World Wrestling Entertainment has said. "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s," WWE said on X. It gave no cause of death. The bleach-blonde, mahogany-tanned behemoth became the face of professional wrestling in the 1980s, helping transform the mock combat from a seedy spectacle into family-friendly entertainment worth billions of dollars. A key moment in that evolution came at the WrestleMania III extravaganza in 1987, when Hogan hoisted fellow wrestler Andr+ the Giant before a sold-out Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan for a thunderous body slam of the Frenchman. Hogan parlayed his wrestling fame into a less successful career in Hollywood, starring in films like "Rocky III" and "Santa With Muscles", but kept returning to the ring as long as his body would allow. In 2024, he appeared at the Republican National Convention to endorse the presidential bid of Trump, who in the 1980s had played host to Hulk-headlined WrestleManias. Hogan said he made the decision to support the Republican candidate after seeing his combative, fist-pumping reaction to an attempted assassination on the campaign trail. "Let Trumpamania run wild, brother!" Hogan bellowed to a cheering crowd, ripping off his shirt to reveal a Trump tank top. "Let Trumpamania rule again!" Born Terry Gene Bollea in Augusta, Georgia, on 11 August, 1953, the future Hulk and his family soon moved to the Tampa, Florida area. After high school, he played bass guitar for area rock bands, but felt a pull to the red-hot wrestling scene in Florida in the 1970s. Many of the details of his career were showbusiness exaggerations, representative of the blurred lines between fact and fiction in wrestling. His first trainer reportedly broke Hogan's leg to dissuade him from entering the business, but he kept at wrestling, weight training, and - he later admitted - anabolic steroids. He gained in notoriety as his biceps turned into what he dubbed the "24-inch pythons". The "Hulk" moniker came from comparisons to the comic-book hero portrayed on TV at the time. He would end up paying royalties to Marvel Comics for years. "Hogan" was the invention of promoter Vincent J McMahon, the owner of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), who wanted Irish representation among his stable of stars. His appearance as wrestler Thunderlips in "Rocky III", where he dwarfed leading man Sylvester Stallone, rocketed Hogan to the mainstream. Upon a return to the WWF, now controlled by McMahon's son Vincent K, he defeated the Iron Sheik in 1984 to claim the world championship, a belt he would hold for four years. Hogan became a household name, appearing on the cover of magazine Sports Illustrated and performing alongside pop culture stars like Mr T. The WWF came to dominate wrestling, anchored by its annual WrestleMania pay-per-view events. Later, he joined competitor World Championship Wrestling, swapping his trademark yellow tights for black and taking on a persona as the villainous "Hollywood" Hogan, the head of a gang of rulebreakers known as the New World Order. The gimmick reinvigorated his career. Hogan eventually returned to the WWF, now known as WWE, and faced Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at WrestleMania in 2002. "I'm in better shape than him," Hogan told Reuters at the time, five months shy of his 50th birthday. "I'll stand next to The Rock and pose down with him if he wants to." The Rock ultimately won the match. Hogan was inducted twice into the WWE Hall of Fame, and referred to himself as the "Babe Ruth" of wrestling - after the New York Yankees' famed baseball player. But Hogan's support of Trump in 2024 did not go down well with all wrestling fans, and he also faced other controversies. Gossip website Gawker was shuttered after it posted parts of a sex tape between him and a friend's wife and Hogan sued on privacy grounds , winning a $140 million judgment. In 2015, he was suspended by the WWE after another surreptitious recording revealed that Hogan had used a racial slur. He was reinstated in 2018. He was married three times and had two children, who starred alongside him and first wife Linda in a 2005-2007 reality TV show, "Hogan Knows Best". - Reuters
