Nearly a week after a New Year’s Day explosion in front of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, local law enforcement released more information about their investigation, including what they know so far about the role of generative AI in the incident.

They confirmed that the suspect, an active duty soldier in the US Army named Matthew Livelsberger, had a “possible manifesto” saved on his phone, in addition to an email to a podcaster and other letters. They also showed video evidence of him preparing for the explosion by pouring fuel onto the truck while stopped before driving to the hotel. He’d also kept a log of supposed surveillance, although the officials said he did not have a criminal record and was not being surveilled or investigated.

The Las Vegas Metro Police also released several slides showing questions he’d posed to ChatGPT several days before the explosion, asking about explosives, how to detonate them, and how to detonate them with a gunshot, as well as information about where to buy guns, explosive material, and fireworks legally along his route.

Asked about the queries, OpenAI spokesperson Liz Bourgeois said:

We are saddened by this incident and committed to seeing AI tools used responsibly. Our models are designed to refuse harmful instructions and minimize harmful content. In this case, ChatGPT responded with information already publicly available on the internet and provided warnings against harmful or illegal activities. We’re working with law enforcement to support their investigation.

The officials say they are still examining possible sources for the explosion, described as a deflagration that traveled rather slowly as opposed to a high explosives detonation that would’ve moved faster and caused more damage. While investigators say they haven’t ruled out other possibilities like an electrical short yet, an explanation that matches some of the queries and the available evidence is that the muzzle flash of a gunshot ignited fuel vapor/fireworks fuses inside the truck, which then caused a larger explosion of fireworks and other explosive materials.

Trying the queries in ChatGPT today still works, however, the information he requested doesn’t appear to be restricted and could be obtained by most search methods. Still, the suspect’s use of a generative AI tool and the investigators’ ability to track those requests and present them as evidence take questions about AI chatbot guardrails, safety, and privacy out of the hypothetical realm and into our reality.

The Rookie cast have become bona fide stars, including Nathan Fillion, Jenna Dewan, Eric Winter and Richard T. Jones, and fans are obsessed with their love lives — on and off camera.

The ABC series follows the story of John Nolan, a recently divorced 40-something, who decides to pursue a career as a police officer at the Los Angeles Police Department after inadvertently helping to stop a bank robbery. The Rookie is based on the true story of William Norcross, a real LAPD officer who joined the department in his mid-40s after moving to Los Angeles in 2015.

Before its seventh season premiered in January 2025, The Rookie featured some incredible guest stars, including Pete Davidson, Frankie Muniz, Kelly Clarkson and Mark Cuban. In April 2024, Deadline confirmed the series was renewed for a seventh season.

‘The Rookie’ Season 7 Trailer: Nolan Hunts Bailey’s Ex, Tim and Lucy Heat Up

The show has no shortage of action and drama either, with some of the biggest stories surrounding Nolan’s marriage to Bailey Nune (Dewan) and the on-off romance between Tim Bradford (Winter) and Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil).

Keep reading to get the full scoop on the Rookie cast’s dating lives.

Nathan Fillion

Fillion is currently single, and despite two engagements, he has never been married. He was last linked to model Krista Allen, who previously dated George Clooney, but they split in 2020 after less than a year of dating.

He first popped the question to his General Hospital costar Vanessa Marcil in 1995 after eight months of dating, but they never made it down the aisle and split a year and a half later. He was then engaged to actress Mikaela Hoover in 2013 before their split the following year.

Fillion’s longest romance appears to be with Entourage actress Perrey Reeves, whom he dated from 2005 to 2009.

However, there’s no bad blood between Fillion and his former flames, and when asked what they would say about him during a 2010 interview with Women’s Health, he said, “Oh, boy. I’m still in touch with about 90 percent of my exes. … They would describe me as being unlucky in love.”

Jenna Dewan

Dewan has made a name for herself on The Rookie as Bailey Nune. She is engaged to actor Steve Kazee, whom she began dating in 2018. The couple welcomed their first child, son Callum, in March 2020. Dewan and Kazee announced in June 2024 that their daughter, Rhiannon, had arrived.

As for when Dewan and Kazee will walk down the aisle, she exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2023, “We’ll get there. I promise, we’re getting there. … But it’s just been so busy, honestly. Life has been so busy, and work’s been busy.”

Before her relationship with Kazee, Dewan was married to actor Channing Tatum from 2009 to 2019, and they share one daughter, Everly, who was born in May 2013. The exes’ divorce got messy in April 2024 when Dewan requested a portion of Tatum’s Magic Mike earnings. Us confirmed that September that Dewan and Tatum filed a proposed judgment on their case, signifying they agreed to a settlement.

Mekia Cox

Cox, who plays Nyla Harper, married basketball analyst Britt Leach in 2018. That same year, they welcomed their first daughter. Cox gave birth to baby No. 2, a second daughter, in 2022.

As fans know, Cox’s second pregnancy was written into the show after she announced the big news in January 2022.

Alyssa Diaz

Diaz, known on The Rookie as Angela Lopez, is engaged to musician Gustavo Galindo, with whom she shares one son. Her pregnancy was also written into the show in 2020, and her character gave birth to a baby boy with husband Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore) during season 3. Angela became pregnant with her and Wesley’s second child during season 5, although Diaz wasn’t expecting in real life.

Richard T. Jones

Jones, who plays Wade Grey, was married to his wife Nancy from 1996 until 2021, according to documents obtained by Us Weekly.

It appears he found love again because in October 2023 when he posted about his “beautiful wife” via Instagram. In the photo, Jones could be seen hugging a woman named Kris. One month later, Jones announced his daughter Sydney got engaged. He is also a father to daughter Aubrey and son Elijah.

Eric Winter

Winter, who plays Tim Bradford, married his wife, Roselyn Sánchez, in 2008. Before finding lasting love with each other, Winter was married to actress Allison Ford from 2001 to 2005, while Sánchez was married to Gary Stretch from 1998 to 2001.

Winter and Sánchez are parents to Sebella, born in 2012, and Dylan, whom they welcomed in 2017. The couple has teamed up outside the home, as well, and Sánchez guest-starred during a season 2 episode of The Rookie. In addition, the spouses costarred in the 2019 Hallmark movie A Taste of Summer.

Steven Weber assured Chicago Med fans that they “will certainly not be disappointed” after the show’s midseason return — but his character, Dr. Dean Archer, still has a lot to sort out.

“I have to give props to the writers for really crafting a true cliffhanger, almost a literal one,” Weber, 63, exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday, January 7, while promoting Chicago Med’s first episode back from hiatus.

He teased, “If you love S. Epatha Merkerson — and who doesn’t? — you won’t be disappointed at what she delivers and what the show delivers.”

The last time viewers saw Weber’s Dr. Archer he was sliding his resignation letter under Sharon Goodwin’s (Merkerson) door while, unbeknownst to him, she was being held captive by her season 10 stalker.

Chicago Med's Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut Teases Goodwin's Fate in Winter Premiere

In the final moments of the midseason finale, which aired in November 2024, a bloodied Goodwin broke free from her office and ran toward Archer, who noticed her just as the elevator doors shut.

When Chicago Med returns on Wednesday, January 8, Weber said Archer will have a lot on his proverbial plate after what he just witnessed.

“Because of his background in the Navy and the stuff he did during the war … his kind of instinct to try to take action kicks in,” the actor explained, noting that the surgeon has “always had kinda emotional difficulties getting close to people, but he feels a real bond with this person, this Sharon Goodwin.”

That connection to his boss makes Archer stop thinking and just act. “He’s also moved and scared and frightened for her in ways that [weren’t] tested during his military service,” Weber said. “It’s literally life and death.”

While Archer decided to leave Chicago Med’s Emergency Department (ED) after butting heads with newbie Dr. Caitlin Lenox (Sarah Ramos), Weber said he can’t “just sit down or sit on his hands” after seeing Goodwin badly wounded.

“He’s gonna take action. If we know Archer, we know that he’s going to do his best [to save her],” he continued.

S. Epatha Merkerson Says Sharon Is 'Giggly' Over Romance on 'Chicago Med'

While Weber played coy about Goodwin’s fate — viewers last saw her stabbed and subsequently bleeding out — he said the attack will show “how emotionally bonded everybody in the ED is.” (He also hinted that “justice” for Goodwin and “consequences” for the stalker’s actions is “coming.”)

“They’re affected by the news that one of their own has been so hurt and so impacted, and everybody begins to take stock in themselves,” he shared, revealing that the doctors and nurses will “spring into action even if they’re overwhelmed by emotion.”

Once the dust settles, Archer will have to decide what’s next for him and his career. “I’m talking to you now, so clearly I haven’t been fired,” Weber teased.

Weber noted that Archer remaining on staff at the ED will continue to be explored throughout the remainder of the season.

“This was a real jolt to him,” he explained. “His emotional arc in these four seasons that I’ve been playing him has been understanding the need for emotional connection to his son, to his family, and to his coworkers, and [trying] to shed a lot of the defensiveness that he had probably before his active duty. So he’s got to figure out what this jolt means to him as a person of a certain age, a certain time of life.”

Biggest Fall TV Finale Cliffhangers — And Questions We Need Answered ASAP

Archer will have to ask himself, “Should he stay on? Should he move on? What’s important?” Weber said, reiterating, “This incident really affects him, and it affects him emotionally down the line.”

Although Archer will be reevaluating his life choices, Weber told Us that romance isn’t at the top of his priority list after recently becoming single again.

“I don’t think he’s good at dating. He’s embraced his kind of isolation in a sense. But it can get lonesome,” he confessed. “He’s had a history of not liking himself, so he kind of takes that on and there will be some surprises going forward that address that. In ways that the audience might find both shocking and satisfying.”

Chicago Med returns on NBC Wednesday, January 8, at 8 p.m. ET.

Randi Mahomes, mother of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, noted how things have improved for Dairy Queen employees since her days working at the fast food chain. 

During a trip to a fast food chain’s Tyler, Texas location on Monday, January 6, Randi posted a photo via her Instagram Story of a hiring call for full-time employees on the door.

“$11 an hour,” Randi wrote. “I only made $4.25 an hour when I worked there in high school.”

According to the website of her company, QB Producer, Randi grew up in the small east Texas town of Troup with a population of around 1,100. 

Why Patrick Mahomes’ Mom Can’t ‘Imagine’ Being Taylor Swift’s Parent

After high school, Randi met Patrick Mahomes Sr., Patrick’s father. The two got married before divorcing in 2006. The couple also share son Jackson, 24. 

Randi later welcomed a daughter, Mia, 13, from a separate relationship after her divorce. 

In addition to being mother to her three kids, Randi “spends most of her time at Hollytree Country Club as an event planner where she has worked since 2005.”

Described as Randi’s “platform for sharing her dreams and inspirations,” QB Producer sells t-shirts, hats and jewelry, in addition to the children’s book “Play Together,” which Randi cowrote. 

“At her core, Randi is still just a home-grown mom living in a small town that is learning that there is a big world out there through her children,” the website explains, “While she navigates through this crazy life, she hopes to reflect back on her journey and share her experiences and lessons with all parents. Through living her life to the fullest and supporting her children, Randi looks forward to the opportunity to share her dreams, ideas and survival tactics.

Recently, Randi has been busy taking care of her father, Randy, who has been ill since last year. 

For the Chiefs’ September 29 showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers, Randi shared a photo via her Instagram Story of herself, Mia and Randy watching the game from his hospital room.

Patrick Mahomes’ Family Guide: Meet His Parents, Siblings and Kids

“Game day with my dad and Mia,” Randi captioned the picture. Randi shared the same photo via X and asked her followers for “prayers please for my dad.”

Earlier in the month, Randi shared via X that her father was “not well” and had been admitted to the hospital. 

In April 2023, Randi lost her mother, Debbie, after an undisclosed health battle.

“I love you momma, I will see you again in Heaven , “ Randi shared via Instagram alongside a slideshow featuring images from her mother’s life. 

Jerry Springer is best known for his eponymous talk show, but his broadcasting career began when he was still a college student.

Springer cut his teeth with a radio show while enrolled at Tulane University. He went on to become a political reporter and commentator on Cincinnati’s NBC affiliate, WLWT.

The journalist was also a politician and was elected to the Cincinnati City Council in 1971. He resigned in 1974 after he admitted to soliciting a sex worker. The scandal, however, did not mark the end of his political career.

Springer won back his council seat in 1975 after honestly addressing his past. He opened up about the controversy again in a television advertisement for his 1982 Ohio gubernatorial run.

Although he didn’t win the election, Springer went on to achieve massive success with his daytime talk show, which ran from 1991 to 2018. Originally created to mimic the format of The Phil Donahue Show, Jerry Springer was later revamped to feature everyday people dealing with controversial issues. Arguments between guests would often result in physical fights.

During a November 2022 appearance on David Yontef’s “Behind the Velvet Rope” podcast, Springer apologized for how the program affected the entertainment and societal landscape.

“I just apologize. I’m so sorry. What have I done? I’ve ruined the culture,” he said, before quipping, “I just hope hell isn’t that hot, because I burn real easy. I’m very light-complected.”

Springer died at age 79 in April 2023, more than four years after the talk show’s last episode aired. His death came after a struggle with a brief illness. The former Mayor is survived by his daughter, Katie Springer, whom he shared with wife Micki Velton, and his grandson, Richard.

Keep scrolling for a look at Springer’s life over the years:

Zendaya and Tom Holland are the ultimate power couple, and the engagement ring that Holland, 28, gave his longtime girlfriend is a sparkling reminder that they really are relationship goals.

When Holland popped the question over the holidays, he proposed with a show-stopping rock rumored to be from London-based celebrity jeweler Jessica McCormack, who counts Madonna, Zoë Kravitz and Rosie Huntington-Whitely among her many A-list clients.

The cushion-cut diamond with a Georgian style setting in 18-karat white and yellow gold is one of McCormack’s signatures. It is (as one might expect of a diamond so large) price upon request – but experts have estimated that it carries a six-figure price tag. However, the meaning behind it is priceless.

East-west rings feature an oblong diamond with a horizontal, right-to-left arrangement instead of the traditional up-and-down setting. The design is said to represent a couple’s equal partnership and commitment. McCormack describes it as “a literal twist on a classic solitaire” and calls it “the perfect modern engagement ring… beloved by cool brides for its pared-back, non-traditional aesthetic.”

Tom Holland's 'Low-Key' Proposal Was Exactly What Zendaya Wanted: Source

The ideal balance of trendiness and timelessness, an east-west ring is made for the woman who wants their jewelry to stand out. Zendaya, 28, certainly proved that point when she was spotted with the ring on that finger and all but shut down the red carpet at the Golden Globes, held Sunday, January 5.

The Euphoria star arrived solo, per usual, which Holland previously explained is an intentional move on his part to keep the spotlight firmly centered on his bride-to-be. “[It’s] not my moment, it’s her moment, and if we go together, it’s about us,” he said in a cover story for Men’s Health published on January 2.

After all, Zendaya gushed over Holland’s unmistakable “rizz” (AKA “charisma”) in a video interview with BuzzFeed back in February 2024. “I’m more shy and, like, kind of quiet, so it takes a little bit more to pull me out of my shell. But he’s great at just, like, talking to people and getting to know people…. He’s just naturally very good at that.”

Not only does Holland complement Zendaya perfectly and vice-versa, the east-west Jessica McCormack engagement ring he chose is an eye-catching reflection of a relationship between two equal partners who have mutual respect and adoration for one another. A rock-solid Hollywood couple, indeed.

So You Think Can Dance alum Allison Holker is opening up about the “triggering” discovery she made following late husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ death. In a new interview with People, Holker, 36, revealed she found a “cornucopia” of drugs in Boss’ closet, including mushrooms and “other substances I had to look up on my phone.” Holker admitted that “it was a really scary moment” to uncover things she “did not know existed” in her own home. “It also helped me process that he was going through so much and he was hiding so much,” she added, “and there must have been a lot of shame in that.” Boss died by suicide at age 40 in December 2022, shortly after he and Holker celebrated nine years of marriage. The couple shared daughter Zaia, 5, and son Maddox, 8, and Boss was the adoptive father of Holker’s eldest daughter, Weslie, 16. Holker will continue to share details regarding Boss’ death and her personal mourning process in her upcoming book, This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light, out February 4. Find more of Us Weekly’s top stories below:

• Southern Charm’s Craig Conover broke his silence on his split from fellow Bravo star Paige DeSorbo, revealing that the breakup was “very, very unexpected.”
• Sean M. Higgins, the man accused of killing brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in an alleged drunk driving accident, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
• Who are the lucky ladies vying for Grant Ellis’ roses on season 29 of The Bachelor? ABC officially revealed the cast before the premiere episode airing later this month.
• Kate Beckinsale and ex Matt Rife were both in attendance at a Golden Globes afterparty, but according to a rep for the actress their reunion was strictly platonic.

Sign up to get daily news via email and follow Us on Instagram or Facebook for more news, exclusive interviews and intel, red carpet dispatches and beyond.

Have you decided that 2025 is the year you turn into a Pilates princess? You’re in luck. So did we! Instead of shelling out hundreds of dollars for professional classes, we decided to use our DIY skills to create a safe space to do Pilates at home. Reformers often come with a hefty price tag, so we opted for tools and devices to help Us tackle a more affordable option. Enter the phenomena known as mat Pilates.

Stock Up! 19 Workout Essentials for Your Gym Bag

It should come as no surprise, but we took a trip to Amazon and Walmart to get the low-down on at-home Pilates essentials. From name-brand dumbells to staples like grip socks and yoga mats, we came across a slew of helpful picks to get the job done. Ready to feel the Pilates burn without breaking the bank? Check out this list of workout essentials.

1. Our Absolute Favorite: These anti-skid socks are an absolute deal breaker. Over 7,000 Amazon shoppers snagged them in the past month!

2. Master Your Zen: Set the mood for a successful Pilates sesh with this essential oil diffuser!

3. Triple Set: This three-pack resistance band set is a hit with Amazon shoppers because they fit comfortably and don’t slip when you’re wearing them!

4. Durable Discs: Glide into various positions, with the help of these dual-sided core sliders!

5. Around the Block: This pretty purple foam block is easy to grip and offers height and support!

6. Flexibility Strap: Use this stretch strap to help mobility and range of motion!

7. Wait a Minute: Want to increase the intensity of your workouts? You can wear these adjustable weights around your wrist or ankles!

8. Protective Layer: Keep your hands and knees safe while you’re moving through poses, courtesy of these Gaiam knee pads!

9. Core Toner: This exercise ball is great for improving stability and core strength!

10. Ring Around: Prepare to tone and sculpt with this Gaiam Pilates Ring!

11. Workout Essentials: This Flexies Pilates Bar Workout Card Set is a great option for Pilates newbies who need tips on executing different moves!

12. Heavyweight: Bala is a hit brand with so many of our favorite Pilates instructors and influencers, too! This dumbbell set is easy to use and comfortable to grasp!

13. Last but Not Least: Need a safe space to work out? This foldable mat features a slip-resistant double-sided surface!

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Welcome to 2025 . . . the year wear trousers are no longer stuffy and uncomfy! In fact, there’s now several kinds of pairs on the market that downright feel like your favorite leisurewear. Wanting a new style to stay cozy at the office? Keep scrolling to shop our roundup of 17 rich-looking wide leg trousers that secretly feel like loungewear!

Seriously . . . while you’re working away at the office in a pair or just heading to a PTA meeting, you’ll truly forget that these are truly trousers! Below, we’ve found everything from belted styles that can be both elevated and casual and elastic waist pairs if you’re needing tummy-comfort. We made sure to include some luxe finds in case you’re wanting to invest more and affordable finds as well that start at just $14 in case you’re sticking to a budget! Happy shopping!

15 Loose and Slimming Winter Dresses on Amazon — Starting at $30

17 Rich-Looking Wide Leg Trousers That Secretly Feel Like Loungewear

1. Our Favorite Pair: The Lee Flex Motion pants are our favorite because they’re made for all-day comfort, with a flexible, nonbinding waistband!

2. Ponte Please: Not only are these wide leg pants from Spanx feature a leg-smoothing, compression effect, they’re also made of their signature smooth and stretchy fabric!

3. Wrinkle-Resistant: Never worry about wrinkles . . . or getting uncomfy in these Lee relaxed fit pants that are made of a soft polyester fabric that’s non-creasing!

4. Seriously Flattering: With a loose fit, pleated front, and high waisted design, these rich-looking pants are seriously flattering for anyone!

5. Soft and Stretchy: We love how seamlessly these loungewear trousers can go from being worn with a blazer at the office to a sweatshirt while on the couch!

6. Luxe-Looking: Go business casual at the office with these luxe-looking wide leg pants from Zella that are luxuriously soft with a relaxed fit!

17 Luxe-Looking Winter Dresses That Slim Pear-Shaped Bodies

7. Plus Size Perfection: Made to best flatter plus size body types are these Lee Ultra Lux Comfort pants that are made of a breathably-soft cotton and spandex fabric blend!

8. Belted Beauty: With a waist-cinching belt, these wide leg belted beauties are sure to make both cute office and casual outfits!

9. Cozy Courdoruy: Switch up your typical outfit rotation with these wide leg corduroy pants that are touchably smooth!

10. Now Trending: Both these wide leg flowy pants and their chocolate brown fabric are a top trend in fashion right now!

11. Extra High Waist: Helping to flatter the waist line even more are these extra high-waisted pants that come in a soft beige herringbone fabric and several other colors!

12. A Viral Sensation: Known for going totally viral on Tiktok are these comfy Halara pants that also come from a Taylor Swift-worn brand!

13. Ultra Stretchy: On top of these Quince wide leg pants already being a flattering design, they’re also made with a soft ponte fabric that’s stretchy slimming as well!

14. A Best-Seller: A best-seller at Abercrombie, shoppers love how they can shop these tailored wide leg pants in their exact size and length!

15. Worth the Splurge: Yes, they’re a little pricey, but the comfort of these Lululemon stretch knit pants will be totally worth it!

16. Business Casual: Embrace business casual fridays with these stretchy button-front trousers from Amazon that can easily be worn from the office to the gym!

17. Travel-Friendly: Keep your pants as smooth as your travels with this Vuori wide leg style that is lightweight and stretchy!

15 Comfy Joggers That Look Like Dress Pants — All on Amazon

Nicolas Cage is the doting dad of three children.

Cage became a father for the first time in December 1990 when the actor welcomed son Weston with ex-girlfriend Christina Fulton. After Weston’s birth, Cage and Fulton were no longer romantically involved. Cage moved on with Patricia Arquette whom he was married to from 1995 to 2001 and the late Lisa Marie Presley from 2002 to 2004.

After his respective splits from Arquette and Presley, the National Treasure star became a dad again when he welcomed son Kal-El with his third wife, Alice Kim, in 2005. Kim and Cage tied the knot in 2004 after two months of dating. In 2016, they divorced after 12 years of marriage.

Five years later, Cage found love again with current wife Riko Shibata. The couple wed in February 2021. Us Weekly confirmed in September 2022 that Shibata and Cage had welcomed a daughter, August.

The Coppola Family Guide: From Sofia Coppola to Nicolas Cage

“Nicolas and Riko are happy to announce the birth of their daughter,” the pair said in a statement at the time. “Mother and daughter are doing fine.”

In July 2024, Cage opened up about being a dad and how he never expected to share his children with three different women.

“They’re all different experiences,” Cage said of his bond with his little ones to The New Yorker. “Each one has a different mother. It’s not what I had originally thought would happen when I fell in love or got married — that I would have three different children with three different moms — but nonetheless that’s what’s happened. So every child is different. There’s a different kind of level of attention.”

Keep scrolling to get to know Cage’s children:

Weston Cage Coppola

Weston is the eldest son of Cage as he was born in 1990. He’s followed in his father’s Hollywood footsteps, pursuing a career in acting and music. Weston made his film debut in his father’s 2006 movie Lord of the War.

He’s also appeared in TV series including NCIS: Los Angeles, Undercover and more. Most recently, Weston had a role in the 2024 films The Night They Came Home, Darkness of Man and Boneyard. In addition to acting, Weston was also the founder of two metal bands: Eyes of Noctum and Arsh Anubis.

In his romantic life, Weston was previously married to musician Nikki Williams from 2011 to 2013. Following his split from Williams, Weston moved on with Danielle Cage, whom he wed in2013, but the pair split three years later. The exes share sons Lucian and Sorin, whom they welcomed in 2014 and 2016, respectively. In 2018, Weston tied the knot with current wife Hila Cage Coppola, with whom he shares twin daughters.

Weston made headlines in July 2024 when he was arrested for an alleged incident between him and his mom that took place in April. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to Us at the time that Weston’s bail was set at $150,000 and he was released on bond. Later that month, Weston pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault with a deadly weapon.

Kal-El Coppola

Kal-El was born in October 2005 and his name was inspired by his father’s affinity for Superman. While Nicolas didn’t get to play Superman himself, Kal-El provided the voice of another DC comics icon, a young Bruce Wayne, in the 2018 animated film Teen Titans GO! To the Movies.

August Francesca Coppola Cage

August was born in September 2022 and is Nicolas’ sole daughter. After her birth, the actor opened up about the special meaning behind her moniker.

“Augie was my father’s nickname,” he explained to GQ in March 2022. “And my uncle [Francis Ford Coppola] has decided to change his name to Francesco. … [The baby] is, like, a little edamame. A little bean.”

• Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, making it the third-largest gaming company.
• Activision Blizzard had some 10,000 employees as of 2022, but Microsoft has enacted mass layoffs.
• Here's the history of the company behind iconic games like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.

Activision Blizzard is one of the most well known publishers in the video game industry.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the company is best recognized for its popular franchises, including Call of Duty, Diablo, Overwatch, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush Saga.

Activision Blizzard made major international headlines following complaints about working conditions and its Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition in 2023. The all-cash deal saw shareholders of Activision receive a buyout of $95 per share. Following the purchase, Microsoft reported revenue from its Xbox division increased 61% by January 2024.

Here's everything to know about the creation of Activision Blizzard, its successes, and the many controversies that have dogged the company over the years.

The merger that created Activision Blizzard

Activision Blizzard was formed in 2008 through the merger of Activision and Vivdeni Games. The Activision name dates back to 1979 when the previous company became the first independent, third-party console video game developer. The "Blizzard" portion of the company's name comes from Vivendi Games' subsidiary, Blizzard Entertainment.

Following the merger, most of Vivendi Games' subsidiaries were shuttered, except for Blizzard Entertainment. Their games were either discontinued, published by other studios, or retrained and published by Activision Blizzard.

In 2010, the studio Bungie entered into a 10-year, $500 million publishing deal with Activision Blizzard with the main goal of turning the "Destiny" franchise into a major franchise. The deal ended a year early in 2019, and Bungie split from Activision Blizzard on what appeared to be amicable terms that allowed Bungie to retain the publishing rights for the "Destiny" franchise.

In 2022, the state of California filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, alleging widespread harassment of female employees and a "pervasive frat boy" culture. More than 1,000 Activision Blizzard employees signed a petition calling for CEO Bobby Kotick to resign. Even PlayStation head Jim Ryan and Xbox head Phil Spencer criticized Activision when reports emerged that Kotick personally intervened to save the job of a senior staff member the company's human resources department wanted to fire over sexual harassment allegations.

The Microsoft acquisition

When Microsoft declared its intent to buy Activision Blizzard, it said Activision was key to providing the "building blocks for the metaverse." Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella later said in an investor conference call that the company sees the metaverse as "a collection of communities and individual identities anchored in strong content franchises accessible on every device."

In an effort to assuage regulator concerns, Microsoft and Sony struck a binding 10-year deal in the summer of 2023 to keep the Call of Duty franchise available on PlayStation consoles. Microsoft vice chair Brad Smith declared that the company "remains focused on ensuring that Call of Duty remains available on more platforms and for more consumers than ever before."

The lawsuit brought by the state of California was settled for $54 million in 2023, and the settlement found the sexual harassment claims unfounded and cleared Kotick of any wrongdoing. Initially, it was reported that following the closure of Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Kotick would stay on as CEO of the soon-to-be subsidiary. However, he ultimately ended up leaving the company upon the deal's completion.

Microsoft's acquisition faced legal challenges from the FTC and European regulators but was ultimately allowed to proceed, making Microsoft the third-largest video game company and bolstering the company's Xbox division, providing access to Activision Blizzard's extensive catalog of games and franchises.

As part of the deal, Activision's estimated 10,000 employees joined Microsoft under its Xbox division. Microsoft's purchase of Activision Blizzard is its third purchase of a video game developer, following its previous acquisitions of Mojang, the maker of Minecraft, in 2014 for $2.5 billion, and ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, in 2021 for $7.5 billion.

Layoffs in the post-pandemic landscape

Despite Microsoft's market cap hitting a record-high $3 trillion in January 2024, the company laid off 1,900 workers across Activision, Xbox, and holding company ZeniMax. Activision Blizzard was reportedly the most affected by the layoffs, despite Microsoft earnings calls showing that Activision Blizzard generated billions of dollars in revenue throughout 2024.

These Microsoft layoffs came after after the company enacted 10,000 job cuts in January 2022 and a further 1,000 that July. In September 2024, Microsoft laid off another 650 employees from its Xbox division, with the job cuts predominantly across its corporate and support roles.

These job cuts come as the tech and gaming industries face significant challenges: plummeting sales, shrinking player bases, and rising competition. Companies across the sector are adjusting to the post-pandemic landscape, where the explosive growth in gaming seen during the lockdowns has returned to more pre-pandemic levels.