Whenever a new sports season rolls around — specifically baseball, basketball or football — I start thinking about the movies that surround that sport. In the case of the current baseball season, for example, I wrote a story about “The Sandlot” through the eyes of its director David Mickey Evans, who also happens to be a Wilkes-Barre native.

LOS ANGELES — Erik Menendez was denied parole Thursday after serving decades in prison for murdering his parents with his older brother in 1989.

RODANTHE, N.C. — Hurricane Erin kicked up big waves Thursday along the mid-Atlantic coast and began a slow march out to sea after pelting North Carolina’s Outer Banks with strong winds and swells that flooded a few places on the barrier islands.

VILLANOVA — False reports of active shooters at Villanova University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on Thursday led to panic and temporary lockdowns at the two campuses as they kicked off their fall semesters.

Gracie Jane Sinclair and the Band perform at SOMA in Midtown Village on Thursday.

A version of this story first appeared in Talk of the Town — a daily newsletter from the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown.

PHILADELPHIA — Sixteen critically endangered western Santa Cruz tortoises born to some very old parents got a slow walk and the red carpet treatment Wednesday at a Philadelphia Zoo event to show off the highly prized hatchlings.

OLD FORGE — With a King Tut coffin and hieroglyphic mural designs, Black Earth Magical Cafe is like being inside a pharaoh’s home — or final resting place. Paintings on the wall depict dogs as pharaohs, just some of the Egyptian-themed restaurant and sanctuary’s decorations.

OLD FORGE — With a King Tut coffin and hieroglyphic mural designs, Black Earth Magical Cafe is like being inside a pharaoh’s home — or final resting place. Paintings on the wall depict dogs as pharaohs, just some of the Egyptian-themed restaurant and sanctuary’s decorations.

HONESDALE — The Wayne County Farmers Market kicks off its 50th anniversary season on Saturday, May 24, marking half a century of connecting local growers, bakers, and artisans with the community.

DICKSON CITY — For spice lovers and chicken lovers alike, there’s a new HOT spot opening in Dickson City. The vibrant air of the casual dining restaurant smelled like pickles and good times — or good brine I should say!

CLARKS SUMMIT — Rose Brutico Fazio has owned Abbiocco for almost nine years and now ownership is shifting to Andrea Araujo, but don’t worry — the food, values and atmosphere of the restaurant will continue on.

SCRANTON — Hardcore for Husvar is a benefit concert taking place at St. Mary’s Center over Memorial Day Weekend to honor the life of NEPA-native Neil Husvar as well as raise funds for Suicide Prevention.

STROUDSBURG — The Sherman Theater announced that Wheatus, the band behind the iconic global hit “Teenage Dirtbag,” will take the stage on Friday, May 23, with special guest MC Lars and Good Stuff.

STROUDSBURG - Emo and pop-punk icons Mayday Parade hit the road in 2025 to celebrate their incredible two-decade career with the “Three Cheers for 20 Years” Tour, stopping at the Sherman Theater on Friday, May 24.

STROUDSBURG — Rochester-based indie trio, Joywave brings their “Here To Perform… Spring 2025 Tour” to the Sherman Theater on May 22, 2025.

WILKES-BARRE – The Vindys are set open for Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo at their F.M. Kirby Center show on Tuesday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m.