Ozzy cortege to make final trip through Birmingham

Meghan Rafferty, the executive producer of NBC Nightly News and a key figure behind the scenes (literally—she was the voice in Lester Holt’s ear for years), is jumping ship to Versant, the new company peeling away from NBC News. She’s not the first NBC staffer to make the move, and her departure hints at bigger shifts—like talent and revenue—leaving with them.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one high-profile producer changing jobs. It’s a sign of the behind-the-scenes turbulence in legacy newsrooms, where spin-offs like Versant are pulling away talent (and money) from established players. For viewers, it might mean subtle changes in how flagship shows like Nightly News sound or feel—but for the industry, it’s another ripple in the bigger wave of media restructuring.

Hulu is diving into another gripping true-crime story, this time adapting Midnight Son, an audiobook by an Alaskan writer and musician, into a documentary called Blood & Myth. The doc will unpack a string of brutal crimes that rocked a small, isolated Indigenous community in Northern Alaska, blending mystery, cultural context, and real-life tragedy.

Editor’s Note: True-crime fans are always hungry for fresh, unsettling stories—especially ones rooted in lesser-known communities. This adaptation could shed light on a dark chapter in Alaska’s history while raising questions about justice, isolation, and how such events ripple through tight-knit cultures. Plus, it’s another sign of how audiobooks and podcasts are becoming go-to sources for Hollywood’s next big doc.

The Sundance Institute just picked six talented artists for its 2025 Trans Possibilities Intensive, a virtual program running this July. Now in its fourth year, this initiative focuses on supporting transgender storytellers of color, helping them sharpen their skills and develop their creative projects in a dedicated, uplifting space.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another fellowship—it’s a targeted effort to amplify voices that are often sidelined in mainstream media. By backing trans artists of color, Sundance is actively shaping a more inclusive future for storytelling. For audiences, it means fresher, more diverse stories on the horizon. For the industry, it’s a nudge (or maybe a shove) toward meaningful representation.

The first trailer for The Lost Bus just dropped, and it looks like a heart-pounding ride. Matthew McConaughey stars as a bus driver who gets a desperate call to save 23 kids trapped in their school during the catastrophic 2018 Camp Fire. With America Ferrera playing their determined teacher, the film promises high-stakes tension as they race against time and flames. Based on real events, this thriller is already gripping audiences before its release.

Editor’s Note: Wildfires have become tragically common, and stories like this hit close to home for many. By dramatizing a real-life disaster, The Lost Bus could spark conversations about resilience, heroism, and the growing threat of climate-driven emergencies—all while delivering edge-of-your-seat suspense. Plus, with McConaughey and Ferrera leading the cast, it’s got star power to match the intensity.

Netflix’s 3 Body Problem is beefing up its cast for Season 2, adding The Boys’ Claudia Doumit and Wolf Hall’s Ellie De Lange as series regulars. The sci-fi epic, adapted from Cixin Liu’s mind-bending book trilogy, is expanding its ensemble under the guidance of Game of Thrones alums Benioff, Weiss, and Woo.

Editor’s Note: For fans of the show (or the books), this is a sign that Season 2 is moving full steam ahead with fresh talent. Doumit’s proven chops in The Boys and De Lange’s rising star power suggest the series is doubling down on its ambitious storytelling. Plus, it’s another win for Netflix’s big-budget sci-fi bets—so if you loved the first season, there’s more to look forward to.