NEW ORLEANS — Peter Vandyke's steps have slowed since he stormed Normandy Beach, but his 1942 Army uniform still fits and he wore it proudly as the National World War II Museum dedicated a $60 million expansion as Tom Hanks and other celebrities looked on Friday. The museum has added a theater, a restaurant and a replica of the... Full story »

Comprehensive weekly calendar events listing of events, meetings and other activities in southwest Alabama. Full story »

NEW YORK — Rihanna on Friday described the horror she felt as her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown was biting and punching her during a violent argument in February, saying she saw "no soul in his eyes." "There was no person when I looked at him," the 21-year-old singer recalled during the second installment of an interview airing on ABC's "Good... Full story »

NEW YORK — A reality show miniseries about the Jackson family will premiere Dec. 13 on A&E, the network says. Back-to-back hour episodes will air that night at 8 p.m. CST. "The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty" focuses on brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon as they prepare to reunite for a concert tour. It also chronicles their lives as... Full story »

Borderlands, a combination of a shooter and a role-playing game, is a Wild West adventure in outer space. You are a mercenary, a hired gun in search of a rumored treasure on a wasteland world, shooting the crazy thugs and vicious critters who get in your way. As a role-playing game, Borderlands lets you choose your character class to... Full story »

It's another weekend packed with good choices for live music in Birmingham.  Watch some of the videos below to help you decide where to go and who to see. Tonight at Rogue Tavern, the Canadian duo Oceanship returns to Birmingham. Opening acts include locals Matthew Mayfield and Jesse Payne. Admission is $10 for the 10 p.m. show. Oceanship -... Full story »

Sharon has it easy. She’s the dead one. She’s still kept up with her friends, though, as they’ve suffered the trials of adulthood and middle age. And in “Girls Night: The Musical,” a production that comes to the Mobile Saenger Theatre this Saturday, she accompanies them as they go out on the town, serving as something of a narrator... Full story »

LOS ANGELES — As Hollywood closed specialty divisions that aimed for quality and personal stories, as studios focus more and more on superhero sagas and action blockbusters, cinema fans have rightly wondered, who's left to make great American movies? For one, the makers of "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," who assembled some of the unlikeliest ingredients... Full story »

Soul Kitchen has announced that it will present the Derek Trucks Band Dec. 4. Trucks is a nephew of Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks who had established a reputation as a guitar prodigy by his early teens. By his late teens he had been made a full member of the Allman Brothers Band and was also pursuing a... Full story »

LOS ANGELES — Former "Golden Girls" star Rue McClanahan is recovering from heart bypass surgery at a New York City hospital. In a statement, the 75-year-old actress said she was having "some maintenance on the old ticker." Friend and colleague Del Shores says Wednesday's surgery went very well and McClanahan was expected to be up and working again soon.... Full story »

BERLIN — Berlin loves Beyonce. The R&B superstar scooped up three wins Thursday at the 16th annual MTV Europe Music Awards, including trophies for best female, best song for "Halo" and best video for her No. 1 smash, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It.)" When she won the best video award, she thanked Jay-Z — who just happens... Full story »

JACKSON, Mississippi — Morgan Freeman has settled a lawsuit related to a 2008 car accident that seriously injured him and a passenger, according to court records posted Thursday. Terms of the settlement were not released. Demaris Meyer filed a federal lawsuit against the Academy Award-winning actor in February, claiming Freeman had been drinking the night of the accident last... Full story »

Don’t be surprised Saturday night if Alpin Hong makes his entrance by gliding across the Saenger Theatre stage on a skateboard. The young pianist has demonstrated a remarkable ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds, and his classical training fits nicely with his passion for skateboarding, snowboarding, martial arts and video games. He brings boundless energy and... Full story »

Guitarist Tim Reynolds, a member of the Dave Matthews Band, appears tonight at Soul Kitchen, 219 Dauphin St., with the group TR3. At www.timreynolds.com, Reynolds describes TR3 as a highly improvisational group in which he is free to experiment with “impromptu performances on sitar, solo jazz guitar, solo djembe, twelve string guitar, violin, and mandolin.” Doors open at 9... Full story »