Phil Donahue, Pioneering Talk Show Host, Dies At 88

An estimated 67.1 million people watched the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, a sharp increase from the June debate that eventually led to President Joe Biden dropping out of the race. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] The debate was run by ABC News but shown on 17 different networks, the Nielsen company said.

After adjusting its air date to make room for the presidential debate on Tuesday, the MTV Video Music Awards took place tonight live from UBS Arena in New York—its first time at that particular venue after spending the last two years at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Hosted by Megan Thee Stallion, the VMAs celebrated its 40th(!) anniversary with performances and appearances from a cast of celebrities, many of whom are closely intertwined with MTV’s pop-culture history, from show opener Eminem to Video Vanguard winner Katy Perry, presenter and onetime Total Request Live VJ Carson Daly, and fellow presenter Cyndi Lauper, who won the first-ever Moonman for best female video in 1984.

Just two games into the season, the Colorado football team is already facing some of the same questions it faced a year ago, especially up front on offense. CU (1-1) will visit in-state rival Colorado State (1-1) in Fort Collins on Saturday (5:30 p.m., CBS) and the offensive line will be in the spotlight again. In the wake a 28-10 loss at Nebraska last Saturday, head coach Deion Sanders expressed his belief in the offensive line unit on Tuesday, saying, “I feel like we got the right guys.” That doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be the same guys that have played the first two games, though, as he quickly added, “You may see us shake something up a little bit.” Related Articles College Sports | Keeler: Run the ball, Ralphie!

The Broncos are preparing as if they will not be facing their old starting quarterback Sunday. Russell Wilson (calf) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday for Pittsburgh, but head coach Mike Tomlin on Monday indicated the Steelers were proceeding as if Justin Fields would get his second start of the young season with Wilson still recovering. Denver head coach Sean Payton on Wednesday said the Broncos would start their prep with Fields. “You look at Fields last week and then you prepare for both,” Payton said.

By MICHAEL PHILLIS Warm water in the Gulf of Mexico helped quickly strengthen Hurricane Francine, creating danger for Louisiana residents rushing to buy supplies and secure their homes ahead of the storm’s landfall Wednesday. Warm ocean water is essential for forming and strengthening hurricanes. Heat helps the water evaporate faster, fueling the storm and producing more rainfall. Mid-September is typically the peak of hurricane season and Francine moved through a part of the ocean that held an exceptional amount of energy. As of Wednesday afternoon, Francine had strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of nearly 100 mph (161 kph). Hear’s how high Gulf of Mexico water temperatures are effecting Francine and the hurricane season: HOW HOT IS THE WATER? The Gulf of Mexico doesn’t need record setting temperatures to form hurricanes this time of year.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare is returning to the Colorado Avalanche on a tryout contract, the club announced Wednesday. Related Articles Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche Journal: Calum Ritchie, Mikhail Gulyayev lead deeper prospect pool Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog confident he’s made progress with knee injury, will return this season Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche coach Jared Bednar expects captain Gabe Landeskog to miss start of the season Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche adds NHL veteran employee Andrew Wilson as assistant general manager Colorado Avalanche | Avalanche Journal: If I was NHL commissioner for a day, here’s what I’d change Bellemare, 39, played for Colorado during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, scoring nine goals each season as a depth forward.