A-Town Magazine
Andrew Garfield finds wonder in everyday life in ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’
Andrew Garfield wants audiences to look up from their phones and remember that there is still plenty of magic in the world around them. That idea drew the two-time Oscar nominee to “The Magic Faraway Tree,” a family adventure about Tim, a stay-at-home father whose family is forced to reconsider life after his wife, Polly, […]
A Chinese animated film mocked as ‘terrible’ becomes a box-office hit
The new sensation among some Chinese moviegoers is an animated film whose characters appear to have been created with rudimentary 3D animation and have been described as “ugly” and “eerie.” But it is the scathing online reviews that seem to have prompted interest in “Niu Lai,” an animated film about a calf who had a […]
Hundreds of guinea pigs fill Massachusetts sanctuary with squeals, purrs and lots of love
SALISBURY, Mass. | Kimie Smothermon begins each day greeted by the squeals, chirps and purrs of nearly 400 guinea pigs. Depending on who you ask, tending to the daily barrage of guinea pig needs can be either a fairy tale or a horror show. For Smothermon, it’s often a mix of both. “If I could […]
OpenAI launches ChatGPT for Teens, promising a more age-appropriate chatbot
SAN FRANCISCO | OpenAI is launching a version of ChatGPT designed for teenagers — the first generation to grow up with artificial intelligence — who are already using it for schoolwork, questions about daily life and even companionship. The San Francisco-based company says ChatGPT for Teens, which launches Tuesday, is tailored for kids aged 13 […]
The best fabric for extreme heat? It’s more complicated than you think
When it’s really hot out, getting dressed seems pretty simple: Wear something light, loose and made for summer. But textile researchers say it’s actually a little more complicated than that. The fabric matters. But so does how heavy it is, how the clothing is made, how it fits and even what color it is. What […]
A dispute about fact vs. fiction at the trial over Tupac Shakur’s 1996 killing in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS | A prosecutor said Monday that while few have been willing to speak about the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur, Duane “Keffe D” Davis is the “one person who has a hard time being silent.” “Let’s be clear, Duane Davis did not pull the trigger. But he did plan the shooting in retaliation […]
What to Stream: ‘Outer Banks,’ Anthony Hopkins’ classical album and Anne Hathaway’s 1st 2026 movie
The final season of “Outer Banks” and a new album from Anthony Hopkins (yes, Sir Anthony Hopkins) are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time this week, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Weezer’s 20th album, the […]
Pull up to the window, please, for a glimpse of an American icon: The drive-thru
WASHINGTON | Full disclosure: this should really be two tales. How better to pay tribute to the natural and perhaps inevitable combination of two distinctly American icons: fast food and cars? Those two massive sociological forces had already joined up, Voltron-style, early in the 20th century with the development of the drive-in restaurant – that […]
Corgis run, bark and sniff their way to glory at a growing international race
VILNIUS, Lithuania | It’s not all about short-legged speed when 150 corgis gather for an international race celebrating the little dogs. There’s a costume parade, the “smartest nose,” and — of course — the loudest bark. The fifth Corgi Race Vilnius drew dogs and their owners to the Lithuanian capital’s Vingis park on Saturday for […]
An ‘influencer’ degree? Colleges bet on content creator major as critics question its value
Ask a teen what they want to be when they grow up, and there’s a fair chance being an influencer is on their list. Digital media and the people who star in it have been cultural mainstays for teens’ entire lives, so creating social media, video or podcast content seems a natural, albeit nontraditional, career […]