Tyler Perry Studios president dies when plane he was piloting crashes

Updated on: December 7, 2024 / 10:25 PM EST / AP Tyler Perry on new documentary “Maxine’s Baby” Media mogul Tyler Perry talks new documentary “Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story” 11:43 The president of Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios died Friday night when the small plane he was piloting crashed on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The studio confirmed on Saturday that Steve Mensch, its 62-year-old president and general manager, had died. “We are incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend Steve Mensch,” the studio said in a statement. “Steve was a cherished member of our team for more than eight years and well-beloved in the community of Atlanta. It’s hard to imagine not seeing him smiling throughout the halls. We will miss him dearly. Our heart goes out to his family as we all send them our prayers.” In this photo provided by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, a single engine fixed-wing airplane lies upside down after it crashed on West White Dogwood Drive near the intersection of US-98 in Homosassa, Florida, on Dec. 6, 2024.  Florida Department of Highway

REVIEW: Daniel Craig dazzles in surreal ‘Queer’

(NEXSTAR) — Few directors working today have as sharp an eye for the delicate as Luca Guadagnino. In “Queer,” the Italian auteur tinkers around with the components one would expect from his films — desire, longing and heartache — but finds a bold new vision for making audiences feel those things. “Queer,” which stars Daniel Craig (James Bond series, “Knives Out”) is the hotly anticipated new film from the director of one of this year’s buzziest movies, “Challengers,” and the two experiences could not be more different. Celebrities who had the worst year in 2024 Whereas “Challengers” presented a triad of beautiful people (Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist) in a love power struggle, “Queer” centers two beautiful people (Craig and co-star Drew Starkey) in a love game against themselves and the world around them. The 1950s period piece follows American expat William Lee (Craig), who wastes his days in Mexico City drinking, doing drugs and hooking up. He meets the handsome and enigmatic fellow expat and former soldier Eugene Allerton (Starkey) and Lee, who’s still haunted by some things in his past, becomes infatuated.

Man shot, robbed near park in Culver City 

A man was shot and robbed while sitting in his car near a park in Culver City overnight.  According to the Culver City Police Department, officers received a report of a shooting near Blair Hills Park at 3:41 a.m. Saturday.  “Police quickly arrived on the scene and located the victim [who] had sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg,” Culver City police stated in a press release. “Medical aid was rendered, and the victim was transported to a local hospital for further treatment.”  Investigators looking into the incident learned the victim was parked in his vehicle on the east side of the 5900 block of Wrightcrest Drive, which is adjacent to the park, when two suspects approached his car, opened the two front doors and demanded his leather satchel bag.  “One suspect shot the victim in the leg [then] the suspects took the victim’s property and ran from the scene,” authorities said.  Video: Burglars target same upscale Los Angeles home twice in 3 days After fleeing on foot, the suspects were believed to have driven away in a black four-door sedan.  Law enforcement officials

As mass deportations loom, ICE eyeing new detention facility in California

As the incoming Trump administration promises the mass deportation of unauthorized immigrants, federal authorities are eyeing California for a new detention facility for migrant adults. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are looking for space to accommodate 850 to 950 people and focused on areas within two hours of its San Francisco regional field offices, which include outposts in Sacramento, San Jose and Bakersfield, according to a federal document seeking leads on possible locations. CalMatters first reported ICE’s interest in opening a new center. The agency’s desire to expand its immigration lockups predates Trump’s election. Officials began collecting information in August, about a month after President Biden toughened policies for asylum seekers at the Mexican border. In addition to California, ICE is looking into the possibility of new detention centers near Phoenix, El Paso and Seattle, according to the document asking for leads on locations. “ICE has identified a need for immigration detention services within the Western U.S. area of responsibility,” an agency spokesman, Richard Beam, told CalMatters. The contemplated centers would add about 3,800 available beds — an increase of about 10% over the

Damascus expected to fall, U.S. officials say, as insurgents surround Syria’s capital

Updated on: December 7, 2024 / 7:08 PM EST / CBS/AP Syrian rebels close in on city of Homs Syrian rebels close in on crucial city of Homs 02:58 Damascus is expected to fall, three U.S. officials told CBS News, as Syrian insurgents have surrounded the capital in a swiftly moving offensive. Syrian insurgents also claimed early Sunday to have captured the key central city of Homs.  Iranian forces who’d been defending Syria’s President Bashar Assad have “pretty much” evacuated from Syria, the U.S. officials said.  Syrian insurgents reached the suburbs of Damascus on Saturday as part of a rapidly moving offensive that has seen them take over some of Syria’s largest cities, opposition activists and a rebel commander said Saturday. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents are now active in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. He added that opposition fighters on Saturday were also marching from eastern Syria toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces

“The Handmaid’s Tale” author Margaret Atwood on the inspiration for her surprising new work

“The Handmaid’s Tale” author Margaret Atwood on the inspiration for her surprising new work – CBS News Watch CBS News Margaret Atwood is best known as the author of “The Handmaid’s Tale” and over a dozen other novels, but she decided to branch out for her latest release. “Paper Boat” is a compilation of 60 years’ worth of poems, written over the course of her career. Michelle Miller has more. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

NFL QB Jayden Daniels scores Christmas toys for kids in San Bernardino

What does a rising star in the NFL do when his team is on its bye week? Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels decided to make sure the kids back home have a great holiday season. The San Bernardino native, who tore up the high school ranks for Cajon High School before a stellar college career at Arizona State and Louisiana State, returned to Cajon on Saturday to organize his first-ever toy drive. There, alongside games and food trucks, Daniels collected toys to give out to kids in need ahead of Christmas. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) The potential NFL offensive rookie of the year spoke to KTLA’s Omar Lewis on Saturday and made it a point to give back to the community that gave him so much. “[I started this drive] just to give back where it started at, at the high school where I made a name for myself,” Daniels said. “It means the world to me.” Daniels

LA, Orange County Gas Prices Continue Declining

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County dropped 1.3 cents Saturday to $4.409, its lowest amount since Sept. 29, 2021. The average price is 4.3 cents less than one week ago, 10.2 cents less than one month ago and 44.5 cents less than one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It has dropped $2.085 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022. The Orange County average price dropped eight-tenths of a cent to $4.33, its lowest amount since Dec. 24, 2022. It is 4.2 cents less than one week ago, 7.4 cents less than one month ago and 34.9 cents less than one year ago. The Orange County average price has dropped $2.129 since rising to a record $6.459 on Oct. 5, 2022. While “it’s hard to say how much lower they will drop” Southern California “gas prices often decrease during” December, said Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s corporate communications manager. The national average price decreased for the 10th consecutive day, dropping six-tenths of a cent

Homeless Man Arrested on Suspicion of Stabbing Man in Long Beach

A 28-year-old homeless man was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly stabbing a man in Long Beach, authorities said Saturday. Officers dispatched at about 11:25 p.m. Friday to the 6800 block of Atlantic Avenue located the victim, who had been in an argument with the suspect which escalated into a stabbing, the Long Beach Police Department reported. The victim suffered a non-life-threatening wound to the lower body and was taken to a hospital, police said. The suspect, who fled the scene prior to the arrival of police, was found a short while later near the location and arrested. Dominique Dangelo Perryman was booked on one count of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of obstruction of a police officer at the Long Beach City Jail, where he was being held in lieu of $30,000 bail.

12/7: Saturday Morning

12/7: Saturday Morning – CBS News Watch CBS News Search widens for suspected gunman in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO; How cork — the same material used to seal wine bottles — could save the planet. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Notre Dame reopens to the public 5 years after devastating fire

By Kerry Breen, Elaine Cobbe Updated on: December 7, 2024 / 2:25 PM EST / CBS News Notre Dame set to reopen 5 years after fire Cathedral of Notre Dame set to reopen 5 years after Paris fire | 60 Minutes 13:16 Paris was abuzz with excitement after the beloved Notre Dame Cathedral  reopened after a devastating fire.  The April 2019 blaze broke out in the church’s roof space, destroying its iconic spire and damaging the cathedral’s roof and upper walls. Restoration work has been underway on the 860-year-old building ever since.  While there is still more work to be done to ensure the restored medieval cathedral can dominate the Paris skyline for centuries to come, the church opened its doors to the public Saturday. Demand for access was huge, with people coming from near and far to line the streets of Paris and wait to see the cathedral reopen.  The Notre Dame cathedral is seen in Paris, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Louise Delmotte / AP What happened when Notre Dame Cathedral reopened?  The doors of Notre Dame Cathedral were opened by Laurent Ulrich, the

CAPSLO receives grant to continue services, support local families

The Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO) has been awarded a grant from the San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health Department to continue providing vital services that support families and children on the Central Coast. Each year, the agency reportedly helps over 30,000 low-income individuals across 11 California counties to increase their economic stability and level of self-sufficiency. Officials say the new funding will enhance CAPSLO’s existing local programs, which include the Marthas Place (MP) Service Enhancement Program, School and Family Empowerment (SAFE), Positive Development Program, and In-Home Educator initiative. The MP Service Enhancement Program supports families with children up to five years old by providing an advocate who assists with navigating healthcare systems and accessing community services. Since its start in 2000, representatives say the SAFE program has been a cornerstone of CAPSLO’s services, offering comprehensive support to at-risk children and youth up to 21 years old by delivering prevention, intervention, and intensive treatment. The Positive Development Program, established in 2009, empowers childcare providers across SLO County with resources and training to promote problem-solving skills and emotional well-being in young children. Complementing

Motorcyclist killed in accident on Highway 101 in Montecito

A motorcyclist was killed in an accident Friday night on Highway 101 in Montecito. Authorities said the accident happened around 9:50 p.m. in the southbound lanes of Highway 101 at San Ysidro Road. The male motorcyclist died at the scene, authorities said. No one else was hurt. One lane of Highway 101 was closed from Olive Mill to San Ysidro Road. The age and identity of the deceased has not been released. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact CHP Santa Barbara-area office at (805) 770-4800.

Underwood Family Farms hosts Christmas on the Farm 

Christmas is quickly drawing closer, and Underwood Family Farms is helping SoCal residents get in the holiday spirit.  Underwood Family Farms, located in Moorpark, is hosting Christmas on the Farm, an event that brings all Christmas-related things together.  For just $10 ($14 on weekends), participants will be able to enjoy the farm’s animal center, tractor-drawn wagon rides, pick-your-own fields, a holiday store and more.  Even Santa is scheduled to stop by on multiple occasions, the farm said.  Need a Christmas tree? Well, Big Wave Dave’s at Christmas on the Farm has got you covered there too; a wide variety of freshly cut Noble, Grand, Fraser, Nordman, Douglas Fir and Silver Tip trees are available for purchase, along with stands, wreaths, garlands and mistletoe.   What’s more, if you want to learn how to be an elf, you can do that at Underwood Family Farms too.  More information on Christmas on the Farm can be found here.  Click here to purchase tickets.

President of Tyler Perry Studios Steven Mensch dies in Florida plane crash

The president of Tyler Perry Studios died in a single-passenger plane crash Friday evening in Florida, according to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. Steve Mensch, 62, has been head of the film studio based in Atlanta since 2016. His death was initially reported by TMZ. According to sheriff’s officials, Mensch was the pilot and the sole passenger of the plane that crashed on a road in Homosassa, Fla., around 8 p.m. The crash closed parts of Highway 19 and Longfellow Street, the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post. All lanes were reopened just before 2:30 a.m. The tragic news comes on the heels of Perry being recently honored by the Paley Center and his new film, “The Six Triple Eight,” his most ambitious film and his bid for major awards. The film opened in select theaters Friday. The studio released a statement to TMZ, saying: “Steve was a cherished member of our team for more than 8 years, and well beloved in the community of Atlanta. It is hard to imagine not seeing him smiling throughout the halls. We will miss him dearly. Our

Victim in Ventura County axe killing was suspect’s 15-year-old brother

The victim of a brutal axe killing in Ventura County earlier this week has been identified as the suspect’s younger brother, his family confirmed late Friday. Zayde Keohouho, 15, was killed by his older brother, 24-year-old Zuberi Sharp, in the 400 block of Jeanne Court in an unincorporated area near Newbury Park on Thursday, according to authorities and the victim’s family. “I will confirm that the deceased is our grandson, Zayde, who was 15 years old,” his grandfather, Gary Keohouho, said in a brief statement Friday night. “We appreciate the outpouring of love, aloha, support and prayers from friends and ohanas in this wonderful community.” Sharp was arrested Thursday night after he was found running naked through Newbury Park High School’s football field, prompting a lockdown because some students were still on the grounds, authorities said. Sheriff’s deputies who were chasing Sharp said he was armed with an axe, according to recordings of radio communications from the incident. The deputies also suggested the axe might be tied to the death on Jeanne Court, according to the audio clips. Jail records show Sharp was arrested around

An archbishop’s knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on

PARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic

Possible H5N1 bird flu case in Marin County child; source of infection unknown

Health officials in Marin County are investigating a possible H5N1 bird flu case in a child. Officials have been investigating since last week and are working with the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine how the child was exposed. The information was provided in a Friday “health status update” newsletter, and buried at the end of a paragraph about the county and state’s monitoring of the virus, raw milk and a note about a new USDA program designed to test milk nationwide. If confirmed, this would be the second case of an infected child in California. “It’s deeply concerning that another child may have H5N1. We need to know much more about this case, including some hypotheses for how she or he may have contracted the virus,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University in Providence, R.I. “Given the proximity of this case to the last case of H5N1 diagnosed in a child without known exposure to animals, it may be prudent to conduct a broader investigation, including a serologic study, to

Wrong-way driver arrested after pursuit on 110 Freeway in Los Angeles 

A driver was taken into custody after they used the southbound lanes of the 110 Freeway to drive north early Saturday morning.  According to preliminary information, CHP officers were alerted to a wrong-way driver on the 110 near the interchange with the 105 Freeway in South Los Angeles around 12:40 a.m.  Video taken from inside a vehicle traveling the right way down the freeway shows the pickup truck maneuvering down the fast lane near the center divider as a CHP squad car pursued from the other side of the freeway and a law enforcement helicopter tracked the chase from above.  A driver was taken into custody after they used the southbound lanes of the 110 Freeway to drive north early Saturday morning. (KNN) A driver was taken into custody after they used the southbound lanes of the 110 Freeway to drive north early Saturday morning. (KNN) A driver was taken into custody after they used the southbound lanes of the 110 Freeway to drive north early Saturday morning. (KNN) Traffic along the freeway was halted during the chase, the video shows.  President of Tyler Perry Studios killed in

Notre Dame reopens its doors to Macron and other world leaders in a rare symbol of unity

PARIS (AP) — France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral is formally reopening its doors on Saturday for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. Under the luminous stained glass, many world leaders, dignitaries, and worshippers will gather in the evening to mark the occasion — a rare moment of unity against the backdrop of global divisions and conflicts. President-elect Donald Trump, America’s first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are among 1,500 guests attending the reopening celebration under Notre Dame’s soaring Gothic arches, led by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich — a sign of Macron’s intention to pivot the celebration into a fully fledged diplomatic event. Monumental feats of restoration mark the reopening. Inside, 42,000 square meters of stonework, equal to six soccer pitches, have been meticulously cleaned. The thunderous

President of Tyler Perry Studios killed in Florida plane crash

The president of Tyler Perry Studios was killed in a single-passenger plane crash on Friday evening in Florida, according to multiple news reports. Steve Mensch, 62, had been in charge of the film studio since 2016. His death was initially reported by TMZ. Reports say that Mensch was piloting the plane that crashed on a road in Homosassa, Florida. He was the lone passenger. The Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios released a statement to TMZ, which reads as follows: “Steve was a cherished member of our team for more than 8 years, and well beloved in the community of Atlanta. It is hard to imagine not seeing him smiling throughout the halls. We will miss him dearly. Our heart goes out to his family as we all send them our prayers.” Mensch was married with three children. No additional details, including the cause of the crash, were immediately made available.