Headlines From The Times

After a nearly year-long legal battle, the biggest merger in Hollywood history closed on Tuesday. The $111 billion deal combines Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, and the mega media company is now called Skydance. In addition to the two legacy film studios, it includes the streaming services HBO Max and Paramount+, and two of the biggest news outlets in the country, CNN and CBS. Three industry experts spoke to the Associated Press about what those changes could mean for Hollywood.Meanwhile, a Southern California couple with 21 children – 19 of whom were born through surrogates –  has been arrested in connection with allegations of child abuse inside their Arcadia mansion. Prosecutors allege that multiple children were subjected to physical abuse by live-in nannies and that the parents sometimes witnessed and even encouraged the punishments. The couple has pleaded not guilty, and their attorney denies the allegations.And, the 2027 Super Bowl is coming to Disney+. ESPN’s telecast of Super Bowl LXI will stream on Disney+ on February 14, 2027, when the game takes place at SoFi Stadium. It’ll also air on ABC, ESPN, and the ESPN app. Meanwhile, advertisers are paying up to $10 million for 30 seconds of the Super Bowl broadcast – the most-watched TV event of the year.Read more at https://www.latimes.com

For decades, American restaurants have been super-sizing their menus. Now, with about 30 million Americans on GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic, many are scaling back. Customers who eat less are ordering less, often choosing smaller items like appetizers over full-priced entrées. McKinsey found GLP-1 users are buying fewer snacks and sodas, a sign the weight-loss drugs are changing how and what people eat. For restaurants, that means smaller checks just as costs climb.Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is joining Fox News as an on-air contributor, following her exit from the White House in August 2026. She’ll provide commentary and analysis across Fox News programs beginning November 1st.Nicolas Cage is sharing his thoughts on the current state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor says the MCU has become too focused on big fight scenes, comparing it to a “well-funded and glorified WWE” and calling for a return to stronger storytelling and character development. Cage is part of the MCU, having starred as Ghost Rider and played different versions of Spider-Noir.Read more at https://latimes.com

Nvidia is making a big bet on itself. The chipmaker authorized what it calls the largest stock buyback in history, adding $150 billion to its existing program and bringing its total authorization to $235 billion.Meanwhile, the Chargers are still looking for their 1st win after a 24-16 loss to Buffalo. L.A.’s defense forced 5 turnovers, but the offense turned those takeaways into just 10 points. The Chargers also settled for 3 field goals on 4 red-zone trips as Justin Herbert & the offense struggled to capitalize.And, the Rams fell to 1-2 after blowing a 16-0 halftime lead in a 30-26 loss to the Denver Broncos. Matthew Stafford threw for 390 yards & 2 touchdowns, while Davante Adams added 137 receiving yards. But 2 costly interceptions helped Denver complete the comeback, including a 66-yard pick-6 in the 4th quarter. The Rams now head to Philadelphia to face the Eagles.Read more at https://www.latimes.com

Diesel prices are hitting record highs, averaging $6.50 a gallon, up more than 70% since the start of the Iran war, according to AAA. The spike comes right as U.S. farmers are harvesting corn and soybeans, two of the country's largest commodities. Missouri farmer Jason Kurtz says he's paid twice as much for diesel this year. Farmers are also experiencing elevated costs for fertilizer and chemicals.Because diesel also powers much of the nation's supply chain, those costs could eventually show up in grocery prices. Now the Trump administration is weighing a 90-day export ban, though the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and industry groups are against the proposal.Meanwhile, the Rams bounced back with a 28-6 win over the Giants as Matthew Stafford threw 4 touchdowns, Davante Adams finished with 195 receiving yards & Aaron Donald made his return. Now the Rams head to Denver for Sunday Night Football, while Puka Nacua’s status remains unclear.And, the Chargers are still searching for their 1st win after a mistake-filled 26-14 loss to the Raiders. L.A. fumbled 6 times & turned the ball over 3 times. Now Justin Herbert & the Chargers head to Buffalo to face Josh Allen & the 2-0 Bills.Read more at https://www.latimes.com 

CNN, MS NOW and Politico are suing the Trump administration after their reporters were denied entry to the White House and stripped of their press credentials.The news organizations say the credentials were pulled without “notice or process,” while President Trump says he's blocking them over reporting he calls "fake news." The case has been assigned to the same federal judge who sided with CNN in 2018 when one of its journalists was blocked from covering the White House, and a hearing is set for Wednesday. Meanwhile, the White House press pool, which includes CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, suspended its shared coverage of the president on Monday in solidarity.And, California’s High-Speed Rail Authority approved more than half a million dollars in wasteful and unexplained travel spending that included first-class and premium flights, international travel and rideshare trips to an escape room, a night club and a cigar lounge in Washington, D.C., according to a new report.The authority spent more than $2 million in travel costs for four consulting firms from June 2024 to April 2026, according to the report released this week by the agency’s inspector general. In addition, the authority failed to comply with state law requiring it to consider the business need for travel before approving it, the report said.Read more at https://www.latimes.com