According to a report from The Daily Wire, acclaimed screenwriter Paul Schrader has publicly shared a surprising personal setback involving artificial intelligence. The 79-year-old writer, renowned for penning classics like Taxi Driver and co-writing Raging Bull, disclosed on Facebook that his experiment with an online AI companion ended abruptly when the digital entity rejected further […]

Say what you want about Stephen Colbert… but he always did what he could to shine a light on country music. The host of the iconic Late Show is wrapping up his run on May 21. This is after CBS decided to cancel the show last summer, and the most shocking part about it all is that the network isn’t just firing Colbert to bring in a replacement… they’re axing the show altogether. Here was the network’s statement on the matter: “We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire ‘The Late Show’ franchise in May of 2026. We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television. This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.” And just like that, we’re already in May of 2026. Obviously, Colbert has pushed away some viewers during his time as The Late Show host because of the way he leaned into politics. One could make an argument that, coming from his previous home at The Colbert Report, he just continued doing what he did best. But not everyone wanted to drift off to sleep to political finger wagging. Even so, canceling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert altogether was jarring… especially when you look at late night show ratings. It’s no secret that programs like The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live! aren’t the juggernauts that they used to be. Cable television used to be the end goal… now it’s falling behind, and struggling to keep up with modern media. Despite that turn in how modern day consumers view television, Colbert was still outpacing his late night competitors, and it wasn’t particularly close. Just in 2026, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert averaged 2.70 million viewers per night, while Jimmy Kimmel Live! posted 2.53 million nightly viewers, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon had around 1.33 million. Essentially, the number one show in late night is going off the air. That being said, the show was reportedly losing the network about $40 million per year. While some will celebrate that, it’s important to note that Stephen Colbert’s Late Show – and David Letterman’s Late Show before that – was always a late night program that prided itself in putting country music on a pedestal. The likes of John Prine, Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw, Lainey Wilson, Billy Strings, and Kacey Musgraves all appeared on the show over the years. Artists that frequented the show were Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson and Toby Keith. Colbert just recently had Stapleton on as one of his last musical guests, and as for the other two names I just mentioned… the host of The Late Show is lucky to call himself friends of Sturgill Simpson and Toby Keith. Stephen Colbert and Toby Keith became friends after the country music legend joined The Colbert Report as a guest in the 2000s. The late show host originally wanted to poke fun at some the Big Dog Daddy’s patriotic songs, but he couldn’t get himself to do it. Toby was too nice of a guy, and the pair hit it off, and enjoyed each other’s company whenever they crossed paths from then on. In 2015, the country singer played as a part of The Late Show‘s Christmas show, and he gifted Colbert a guitar. Colbert was even the one to induct Toby Keith into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. Here’s a clip from a portion of The Late Show where Colbert eulogized his friend: Stephen Colbert Says Goodbye To Toby Keith And that isn’t the only country music friendship that Stephen Colbert boasts. One of the only late shows that the great Sturgill Simpson would join (especially once Conan was off air) was The Late Show. Colbert strongly considered Simpson (who is also known as Johnny Blue Skies now) as a friend of the show, and the pair apparently bonded over their shared music taste, and great appreciation for John Prine. The most memorable moments of Simpson and Colbert’s onscreen friendship was when the two would get together and write some sort of zany song. More recently, Sturgill and Simpson wrote an anthem for the Space Force branch of the military. Most famously, the comedian and the country star came together to write a song about Waffle House called “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Knuckleheads.” Stephen Colbert & Sturgill Simpson Write A Waffle House Hit The post Inside Stephen Colbert’s Unexpected Friendship With Toby Keith and His Genuine Love for Country Music first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Follow NewsClips channel at Brighteon.com for more updatesSubscribe to Brighteon newsletter to get the latest news and more featured videos: https://support.brighteon.com/Subscribe.html

Follow NewsClips channel at Brighteon.com for more updatesSubscribe to Brighteon newsletter to get the latest news and more featured videos: https://support.brighteon.com/Subscribe.html

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A former member of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club will spend more than nine years in federal prison for two separate assaults involving rival motorcycle club members in the Kansas City metro. Federal prosecutors say Mark A. Cottman, also known as “One Shot,” 51, of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced to 110 months in prison without parole. He was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering. The first assault happened Sept. 17, 2022, when prosecutors say Cottman and 12 other members of the Pagan’s and their support club, the Los Valerosos, chased a lone rival gang member and forced him off the road in Blue Springs, Missouri. Authorities say members of the group were armed with firearms and at least one axe handle. The victim was shot seven times, with wounds to his knee, thigh, forearm, biceps, buttocks and the back of his leg. Prosecutors say Cottman was a Pagan’s prospect at the time and later received his patch. Read More June 19th 2026 The Biggest Release Of Raw Unfiltered Biker Music in a generation June 8th 2026 Kenny Ashe Chaos & Cold Beers Add to Your Playlist And Get With The Party A former member of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club will spend more than nine years in federal prison  Pagans Rival MC FORCED To Testify What Would You Do Woman sentenced for shooting at Eveleth Hells Angels clubhouse Trial to begin for Pagans Motorcycle Club members after Wawa shootout Pagans Motorcycle Club Shootout

A recent poll conducted by Change Research showed Democrat David Jolly leading Republican Byron Donalds in a hypothetical Florida gubernatorial general election. “David Jolly leads Byron Donalds 46% to 42% with registered voters who say they will likely vote. Jolly is consolidating Democrats and leads the all-important Florida NPA by 18 points (46% to 28%) with apparent room to grow. Byron Donalds lags Donald Trump’s performance with Hispanics by 10 points, with only 30% of Puerto Ricans and 50% of Cubans currently supporting him,” Change Research wrote. A 1,600-person poll by Change Research shows Democrat David Jolly leading Republican Byron Donalds by four points in projections for Florida’s gubernatorial election. Donalds has few achievements to his credit; instead, Donalds record is marked by his passionate defense of… pic.twitter.com/PUbH0V9yFY — AF Post (@AFpost) May 20, 2026 “70% of Floridians say they are falling behind the cost of living. 65% do not think Florida is affordable for them or their family,” Change Research wrote. “Democrats’ vote motivation is 13 points higher than Republicans (88% to 75%), which explains the recent special election wins for Democrats, as well as a Democrat being elected Mayor of Miami by 19 points, the first in 30 years,” it added. Newsweek shared further: A survey commissioned by Freedom Project USA and conducted online by Change Research, a Democratic-aligned polling firm, shows Democratic former Representative David Jolly narrowly leading Republican Representative Byron Donalds in a potential general election matchup for governor, offering an early signal that the race may be tighter than Florida’s recent Republican dominance might imply. It also shows Democratic retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Alex Vindman narrowly leading Republican Senator Ashley Moody with likely voters in a key race as Democrats try to take control of the Senate, while Democrat José Javier Rodríguez leads in the state attorney general’s race against incumbent James Uthmeier. A spokesperson for Donalds’ campaign directed Newsweek to a post on X from chief strategist Ryan Smith, who dismissed the survey as unreliable, pointing to its Democratic links and writing: “The fact is Trump-endorsed Byron Donalds will be Florida’s next governor.” Smith called the poll “pure bulls***.” He said the poll had the following red flags: No demos Pollster who had Kamala winning in 24 Pollster for Dems No demos +Pollster who had Kamala winning in 24 + Pollster for Dems = % pure bullshit. The fact is Trump-endorsed @ByronDonalds will be Florida’s next governor. Have a nice day. https://t.co/SgN0yUWB9k — Ryan Smith (@RyanSmithFL) May 18, 2026 “Floridians are fed up with Ashley Moody’s failed leadership that is driving up the cost of gas, groceries, insurance, rent and other essentials,” Albert Fujii, a spokesman for the Vindman campaign, told Newsweek. “We are going to win in November because Alex’s Florida First Agenda to cut costs and fight corruption is resonating with not just Democrats, but Republicans and Independents as well. We are all gas, no brakes,” he added. FLORIDA POLL Governor David Jolly: 46% Byron Donalds: 42%—Senate Alex Vindman: 47% Ashley Moody: 45%@ChangePolls | 5/13-16 | 1,593 LVhttps://t.co/cwU3WssTB2 pic.twitter.com/BqX9x9U0if — InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) May 18, 2026 In contrast, a poll conducted by Cherry Communications showed Donalds leading Jolly by eight points. NEW POLL: Republicans will easily win the race to succeed Ron DeSantis as Florida governor. Florida – 2026 GovernorByron Donalds 47% (+8)David Jolly 39% This is in stark contrast to 2018, when DeSantis won his first term as governor by just 0.39%. Cherry Communications… pic.twitter.com/PJLt5s1hRS — Election Time (@ElectionTime_) May 16, 2026 Donalds will face investor James Fishback, Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, and several other candidates in the GOP primary. Florida Governor GOP Primary Byron Donalds: 46% James Fishback: 35% Not sure: 19%——• Age 17-25: Fishback +40• Age 26-35: Donalds +6• Age 46-55: Donalds +21• Age 56-65: Fishback +2• Age 76+: Donalds +23@TPSIOfficial | 5/13-14 | 750 LV… pic.twitter.com/SXGVj06WhT — InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) May 18, 2026 Mediaite has more: In the GOP primary for governor, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) scored the Trump endorsement and has consistently polled well above the rest of the field, with Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, former Speaker of the Florida House Paul Renner, and James Fishback all struggling at least 25 points behind Donalds over the past few months. On the Democratic side, David Jolly, who previously represented a Pinellas County congressional district as a Republican before switching parties in 2018, is the frontrunner over Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, although by a narrower margin. Senate candidates include Lt. Col. (ret.) Alex Vindman, who testified against Trump during his first impeachment, and State Rep. Angie Nixon. For attorney general, former state legislator and assistant secretary of labor for the Biden administration José Javier Rodriguez is all but certain to be the primary winner; one other candidate has raised only $6,600 (mostly from a $5,000 personal loan from the candidate) compared to Rodriguez raising over half a million dollars as of the end of March. A new poll by Change Research showing optimistic numbers for Jolly, Vindman, and Rodriguez over the Republican competition got buzz on social media Monday, and the head-to-head numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they do highlight critical weaknesses for the GOP and possible pathways to victory for the Democrats. The poll, which was commissioned by Freedom Project USA, surveyed 2,070 registered voters in Florida from May 13 to 16 via the online platform SurveyMonkey. Of this sample, 1,583 identified as likely to vote in the November 2026 election. The margin of error is 2.3%. Change Research’s methodology memo says that the respondents were recruited through “targeted advertisements on Facebook and Instagram, as well as across the web via Facebook’s ad platform” and “text messages sent, via the Switchboard platform, to cell phone numbers listed on the voter file for individuals who qualified for the survey’s sample universe, based on their voter file data.” The memo added that “[p]ost-stratification was performed on age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, 2024 presidential vote, and region,” with the “weighting parameters…based on the demographic composition of registered voters in Florida, based on voter file data” from the Florida Secretary of State. When respondents were asked how they were registered to vote, 34% said Democrat, 46% said Republican, 19% said Independent, and 2% said some other party.

Kiss's solo albums were meant to be a celebration of their dominance: Instead, they signalled the start of the decline