CHEAT SHEET

01

DEVIL IN THE DETAILS

Judge Clears Way for Satanists to Stage Holiday Event

The state couldn’t defend its stance against The Satanic Temple holding the celebration.

A federal judge has ordered Iowa officials to allow The Satanic Temple of Iowa to hold a holiday event in the state Capitol rotunda in December. The November 2 preliminary injunction grants the group access while its lawsuit continues. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and other attorneys filed the lawsuit in August after repeated refusals to grant the temple permission to hold what the ACLU calls a “family-friendly winter holiday event.” The lawsuit alleges violations of free speech, religious exercise, and equal protection, as other religious and civic groups were granted access. State officials raised concerns that costumes could frighten children and that sticks carried as props could become weapons. Chief U.S. District Judge Stephanie Rose rejected those justifications, as participants and props remain subject to ordinary Capitol security screening. “State officials have made it clear that they denied The Satanic Temple permission… because they disagreed with their religious viewpoint,” ACLU of Iowa attorney Shefali Aurora said Monday. The ruling does not end the case. The group is also seeking a permanent injunction and damages.

02

SECOND CHANCE?

Billionaire, 83, Spotted With Ex-Husband, 33, After Bitter Divorce

The couple, who met on the online dating platform seeking arrangements, have a five-decade age gap.

Billionaire record executive David Geffen, 83, is back with his 33-year-old ex-husband just months after their messy divorce. Page Six reports that Geffen and former model Donovan Michaels were spotted together last month on Geffen’s 454-foot mega-yacht. “The heart wants what the heart wants,” an insider told the outlet. The duo first connected online via the dating website SeekingArrangements.com in 2016. They married in 2023. After Geffen filed for divorce in May 2025, Michaels sued, claiming he had reneged on a verbal promise to provide lifelong financial support. Michaels’ lawsuit also accused Geffen of subjecting him to painful laser hair removal treatments and providing him with illicit drugs. The complaint alleges that, when Michaels entered the 12 Step Program of Alcoholics Anonymous, it became a source of conflict between the couple. “Geffen did not want a healthier Michaels. He wanted control and submission,” the suit said. According to Page Six, Geffen has denied all the allegations.

03

LIFE UPENDED

Idaho Murders Survivor Reveals She’s Changed Her Identity and Moved 9 Times

One of the surviving roommates is pleading with a court to leave her face blurred in videos surrounding the 2022 murders.

A survivor of the University of Idaho murders has asked a judge to keep her face blurred in video and photo evidence released to the public, fearing for her safety. Dylan Mortensen, 23, is one of two surviving roommates of the four students killed in their Moscow home in 2022. A judge approved releasing footage and images that could show her face in October after a request from EWU Media, a true-crime content company. In a letter to the court, Mortensen said her family has moved nine times in four years amid online threats, accusations of involvement in the murders, and threats of in-person confrontation. She said she uses an alias to protect her identity and often introduces herself to strangers under the pseudonym while avoiding photographs and going places alone. “Reporters and strangers… have shown up outside of our homes, followed family members, and invaded our privacy in ways that have made it difficult to feel safe,” she wrote. The accusations stem from Mortensen’s account that she saw a man inside the home around 4 a.m., but texted surviving roommate Bethany Funke rather than immediately calling police. Police were called nearly eight hours later, when they found the bodies of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin. Bryan Kohberger was convicted in July 2025 and is serving four life sentences.

04

TRIO TORN

Triplet Sisters Reveal Death of Country Singer Sibling

The sisters built a brand together with 13 million TikTok followers, 16 million YouTube subscribers, and deals with Sonic Drive-In, Crocs, Lipton, and Skittles.

One of three triplets from the Taylor Red country singing girl group has died after about a four-year-long battle with breast cancer. Nicole Taylor passed away on September 28 at age 35, the sisters revealed on Monday. The triplets gained a following of 13 million TikTok followers and about 16 million YouTube subscribers and went on to build brand partnerships with Sonic Drive-In, Crocs, Lipton, and Skittles. Her sisters Nika and Natalie talked about their loss in a YouTube video. The sisters said Nicole is “at peace and no longer suffering,” but it’s “really hard” to talk about because they’re still “processing.” According to them, Nicole was diagnosed in 2022 with “very aggressive” Stage 3 breast cancer. They said Nicole stayed “fierce,” pushing everyone to “have fun and not live in fear and hopelessness,” and continued CrossFit while receiving chemotherapy. They credit their church’s prayers for her strength during this difficult time. “Nicole, the oldest of us three sisters, will be greatly missed. She was our leader and our best friend,” Nika and Natalie wrote in a statement. “We are heartbroken, but we know she is in Heaven and will see her again.”

05

SORROW, NOT SORRY

King Snubs Calls for Slavery Apology in Major Speech

Charles acknowledged the “shameful chapter of history” in an address given during his tour of the Caribbean.

King Charles has said Britain’s role in the slave trade “fills my heart with horror and my soul with profound sorrow” in a major speech—but did not offer a formal apology. The monarch has been under pressure to show contrition this week after the U.K. prime minister reignited the debate about a state apology for transatlantic slavery. However, Charles has chosen to empathize rather than apologize during his Caribbean tour. While in Antigua and Barbuda opening the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on Tuesday, he said: “The transatlantic trade in enslaved persons still casts a shadow over these islands and other members of our Commonwealth. As I have said before, that shameful chapter of history is one that fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow.” He also said that “we can, however, learn from the past” even if “we cannot change the actions” of our forebears. The king’s office previously said that it wasn’t his place to apologize on behalf of the government. Although British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has opened the door to “discussions about the past” and said he was “open” to “calls for an apology,” he has not delivered his own—and has ruled out financial reparations. CHOGM is a biennial summit of leaders from the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth, a group of nations that recognize Charles as their symbolic head. Most are former British colonies.

Want more royal gossip, scoops and scandal? Follow all Tom Sykes’ reporting at The Royalist on Substack or listen to The Royalist podcast on YouTube.

06

TRAGIC

Runner, 24, Dies 2 Miles From NYC Marathon Finish Line

Rachel Apa’s father said she was in “perfect health” and “perfect shape.”

A 24-year-old New York City Marathon runner died after collapsing two miles from the finish line. Rachel Apa was running her first marathon on Sunday to raise money for Parkinson’s disease research, in honor of her late grandfather. “My grandfather was one of my role models growing up,” she wrote on LinkedIn. “He taught me to stay active, push my limits, and embrace challenges.” The former Bucknell University field hockey player had been training for months. Her father told The New York Times that she was in “perfect health, perfect shape.” Apa collapsed near Mile 24, in Central Park, and was rushed to the hospital, where she died from rhabdomyolysis, a rare injury where muscles break down rapidly and leak a toxic protein into the bloodstream. The New York Road Runners told The Times that the last time a runner at the marathon died after a medical incident was in 2024.

07

CLOSED FOR GOOD

BBC Star’s Theme Park Attraction Gets Shut Down

It opened five years ago.

A major amusement park has closed its World of David Walliams attraction. The U.K.’s biggest theme park, Alton Towers, said in a statement on Tuesday that it would permanently shutter the area with immediate effect. “As we are no longer in the main season, guests are encouraged to check the Alton Towers Resort website and app for the latest attraction opening information ahead of their visit,” the park added. Walliams, 55, and HarperCollins Children’s Books worked for years to create The World of David Walliams, which opened in 2021. The attraction included Gangsta Granny: The Ride, as well as Raj’s Bouncy Bottom Burp, Flavio’s Fabulous Fandango and Royal Carousel. The theme park added that it regularly looks at “elements of our attraction offering.” New plans for the area have not been announced yet. Walliams is a best-selling children’s author and rose to fame on the BBC hit comedy Little Britain. He has sold children’s books in 55 languages, moving 60 million copies worldwide.

08

JAILBREAK

Escaped Tennessee Murderer Captured After Weeklong Manhunt

Jacob Morley was arrested near Kansas City, Missouri.

A convicted murderer who escaped from a Tennessee jail has been found near Kansas City, Missouri. Jacob Morley, 28, was arrested on Tuesday after breaking out of the Northwestern Correctional Complex in Tiptonville, about 100 miles north of Memphis, on Monday, October 26. “Thank you to the public for your assistance, vigilance, and the tips provided during this investigation. We also thank all of our law enforcement partners for their continued efforts to safely bring this search to a successful conclusion,” the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a social media post. Morley was serving a life sentence for murdering his co-worker in 2022. The convict allegedly stole a vehicle during his escape, which investigators found in Marion, Illinois. Security footage showed Morley breached a perimeter fence to escape. “He has been added to the Tennessee Most Wanted list and should be considered dangerous,” the Tennessee Department of Correction said at the time.

09

TOUGH BREAK

A-Lister Reveals He’s ‘Homeless’ After Sinkhole Disaster

The 62-year-old Oscar winner was among those evacuated from Malibu earlier this year.

A major Hollywood star has admitted he is “a little bit homeless.” Nicolas Cage has been “living in hotels” since September, after a sinkhole opened up and forced evacuations from 31 homes on Sea Level Drive in Malibu, Calif., he revealed last week. “I’m currently a little bit homeless,” the National Treasure star told E! News at a Comic-Con panel on Saturday. “Something happened to my house in Malibu, so I’m just sort of living in hotels.” The 62-year-old Oscar winner revealed it had disrupted his Halloween plans. “I don’t have normal trick-or-treaters that I would like to enjoy tonight,” he said. “I’ll take my daughter out trick-or-treating somewhere in Santa Monica, but I am going to watch a movie where the director was actually nominated for Worst Director at the Razzies—called The Shining.” The cult classic was nominated for two awards at the inaugural satirical Golden Raspberry Awards. “He directed the hell out of that movie. I’m going to watch that tonight. After I put my daughter to bed, I’m going to put on The Shining.”

Obsessed with pop culture and entertainment? Follow us on Substack and YouTube for even more coverage.

10

SEARCH FOR JUSTICE

Boyfriend Charged With Murder of ‘SNL’ Writer’s Missing Sister

His on-and-off-again girlfriend has also been charged with allegedly aiding him in hiding the body.

The boyfriend of a Saturday Night Live writer’s missing sister has been charged with her murder. Delorean Bijon Brandon, 41, is accused of killing SNL staffer Jimmy Fowlie’s sister, Christina Downer, in September 2025, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Monday. Downer was reported missing in December after loved ones didn’t hear from her for “an extended period of time.” Her phone washed ashore at Santa Monica Beach after someone used it to obtain money and announce she was going off-grid. She is presumed dead, but her remains have not been found. Downer’s 34-year-old on-and-off girlfriend, Kaylee Markowski, has also been charged with one felony count of accessory after the fact as police believe she helped hide the body. Police said Brandon claimed Downer moved out several months before she went missing, “leaving behind all her belongings, including her vehicle and dog.” Downer’s disappearance gained traction online when her SNL writer brother Fowlie posted on social media asking for help, and several colleagues boosted it, including Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Bowen Yang, Sarah Sherman, Chloe Fineman, Ashley Padilla, and James Austin Johnson.