Is Fortnite down? What Epic Games is saying as gamers report issues

IsFortnitedown?

Gamers were reporting issues with the Epic Games battle royale video game during the evening of Thursday, May, according toDownDetector.com, which monitors problems with sites.

Just after 8 p.m., nearly 15,0000 users reported issues connecting to servers, according to DownDetector.

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TheFortnite Status account on X postedat 8:06 p.m.: "We're aware that players may not be able to log into or matchmake in Fortnite. We'll provide an update when we have one."

Just before 9 p.m., Fortnite provided an update: "We're actively working with our partners to resolve the outage and will share another update as soon as we have more to share. Thanks for hanging in there with us; we'll have you back in the game as quickly as possible!"

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com:Is Fortnite down? Gamers report issues, Epic Games responds

byCosmopolite

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May 09, 2026

Is Fortnite down? What Epic Games is saying as gamers report issues

IsFortnitedown? Gamers were reporting issues with the Epic Games battle royale video game during the evening of Thursday, May, ac...

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What Happened to Joseph Scott Freeman After Kidnapping His Ex-Girlfriend?

Karen Kummerer and Scott Freeman dated for eight months in 2006

NEED TO KNOW

• After their breakup, Freeman kidnapped Kummerer and took her across multiple states

• The traumatic incident is the subject of a season 2 episode of Netflix's Worst Ex Ever

In 2006, Karen Kummerer was stepping back into the dating scene after her recent divorce.

One night out, she met Joseph Scott Freeman and they started dating. But their relationship eventually took a dark turn — resulting in Freeman abducting Kummerer, leading to a multi-state chase with the police and FBI in pursuit.

"I was scared from the very beginning," Kummerer said, according to theOrlando Sentinel. "Honestly, I didn’t think I was coming back."

The harrowing account of Kummerer's relationship with Freeman is the subject of an episode in season 2 of Netflix'sWorst Ex Ever. Thedocuseriesfeaturestrue crimestories, told by the survivors who lived through them, including Kummerer.

Here's what led to the kidnapping of Karen Kummerer, and what happened to Joseph Scott Freeman.

Freeman and Kummerer dated for several months

Kummerer met Freeman out at a local bar one night in January 2006.

"When I met Scott, I felt a little bit of a spark," she said inWorst Ex Ever.

Valentine's Day was a couple weeks after they met, and Freeman showered her with gifts. "He spent a lot of money on me, actually," Kummerer recalled.

Despite Kummerer "not really looking for a committed relationship," things moved quickly, with Freeman unexpectedly moving into Kummerer's house one day.

Freeman was allegedly verbally and physically abusive during their relationship

Kummerer's niece, Brenna Randall, was living with Kummerer at the time she started dating Freeman.

"Karen definitely changed after Scott moved in," Randall said inWorst Ex Ever.

After Freeman established himself in the house, he "suggested Brenna move out," and "that's when the real domestic violence started," Kummerer said, adding how he would hold her down and scream at her "all night."

They would date for eight months, according tolegal documentsfiled in the Supreme Court of Florida.

After they broke up, Freeman harassed Kummerer

Kummerer finally broke it off with Freeman, but after their relationship ended, he started harassing her.

Kummerer recalled how he left 27 voicemails on her phone over the course of one day, per legal documents. "It was all the time like this," Randall added.

One morning, while on her way to work, Kummerer stopped at a stop sign, while Freeman was hiding out in a bush nearby, waiting for her.

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Using a key fob, he unlocked her car and got in the passenger seat with a knife. He told her to drive, and she was eventually able to calm him down by telling him she would start seeing him again.

"It was the first time Scott had ever held a knife or weapon to me," Kummerer said inWorst Ex Ever.

Freeman let Kummerer go, and Kummerer went to the police department and filed an emergency restraining order.

Freeman kidnapped Kummerer, leading to a week-long abduction through multiple states

Kummerer changed her phone number, and had all her car doors rekeyed — except the trunk.

Two weeks after filing the restraining order, Kummerer was on her way to work when her open trunk light came on.

She stopped, and went around the back to shut it, when Freeman jumped out of the trunk wearing all black and holding a knife, according to the Supreme Court of Florida filing.

He forced her into the passenger seat, and took her to his jeep. They got in his jeep, and he started driving.

While in Freeman's jeep, Randall called Kummerer, and using a code phrase, Kummerer let Randall know she was in trouble, and Randall called the police.

Over the next week, Freeman and Kummerer traveled across multiple states. After staying in a hotel one night, Kummerer grabbed the notepad from the room, and started leaving notes in restaurant and gas station bathrooms along their route, saying she had been abducted.

A restaurant employee found one of the notes, and called the police. A week into the ordeal, authorities were able to pinpoint their location from an ATM withdrawal.

The FBI later spotted Freeman's jeep on a highway in Mississippi. The police arrived and were able to stop Freeman and arrest him.

Where is Joseph Scott Freeman now?

After Kummerer was rescued, authorities found a knife, rope, blankets and a can "used to smoke crack cocaine" in Freeman's jeep.

According to the end ofWorst Ex Ever, Freeman was charged with "aggravated stalking, kidnapping with a weapon, violation of an injunction against domestic violation and violation of probation."

In 2007, he was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty on all charges, per theOrlando Sentinel.

Freeman died in prison in 2025.

Read the original article onPeople

byCosmopolite

in

May 09, 2026

What Happened to Joseph Scott Freeman After Kidnapping His Ex-Girlfriend?

Karen Kummerer and Scott Freeman dated for eight months in 2006 NEED TO KNOW After their breakup, Freeman kidnappe...

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Victor Wembanyama too much for Wolves in Game 3

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Anthony Slater:Timberwolves got up 99 shots tonight (14 more than Spurs), but only made 38 of them. Struggled to make anything with Victor Wembanyama roaming. Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle a combined 8-of-33 shooting. Minnesota's first home loss of playoffs puts them in 2-1 series hole.

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype:Victor Wembanyama too much for Wolves in Game 3

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May 09, 2026

Victor Wembanyama too much for Wolves in Game 3

Advertisement Anthony Slater:Timberwolves got up 99 shots tonight (14 more than Spurs), but only made 38 of them. Struggled to ma...

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Josh Groban talks 'core memory' of recording with his dad at Louis Armstrong’s studio

Josh Groban’ssatiny baritone has coated classical pop, Italian standards, Broadway boomers and holiday singalongs.

On “Cinematic,” out now, Groban sinks into movie classics, another genre well-suited to his robust vocals.

From Adele’s Oscar-winning James Bond theme (“Skyfall”) to timeless Disney sentiments (“When You Wish Upon a Star” from “Pinocchio”) to forceful drama (“Brucia La Terra” from “The Godfather”), Groban exercises every facet ofhis chameleonic instrument.

His 10th albumis also peppered with guests including upcoming tour partnerJennifer Hudsonon a duet arrangement of “Unchained Melody,” the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angelesaugmenting “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,”and, most special to Groban, his father Jack playing trumpet on the eternally swoony “Moon River.”

Calling recently from Los Angeles – and just beforeannouncing his engagementto Natalie McQueen andreceiving a staron the Hollywood Walk of Fame - the always affable Groban, 45, chatted about recording with his dad in Louis Armstrong’s studio, his appreciation of Phil Collins and paying tribute to Rob Reiner in song.

You had infinite choices with this album. How did you whittle it down to 10 songs?

I knew what my bookends were. “As Time Goes By” would open the album because (orchestrator) Jeff Atmajian wrote an opening arrangement that captured the essence of what I wanted people to hear first. And then to end with a song that has meant so much to me (“Stand By Me”) and include atribute to Rob Reiner.

You said “the why” was a big factor in choosing these songs. Why that particular Rob movie?

Obviously, tragically, the whybecame very apparent. We missed the (recording) deadline because it was a last-minute decision to do (“Stand By Me”) and that worked in its favor because it was intimate and that was exactly how we wanted it. It’s one of the most important things I’ve ever recorded. It deserved to be a final thought.

Did you rewatch some of these movies before recording?

(Laughs) I did! Not just to get back in the mood but also to educate myself about some of the films that admittedly I didn’t know the songs were from. The cool thing about an album like this is everyone knows the theme from that movie. But it also pays tribute to the songs that were maybe far more popular than the movies themselves.

You mean like “Against All Odds”? Phil Collins has written some timeless songs even though he often gets a bad rap.

I think Phil Collins has written some of the most brilliant songs, period. But something unlocks in him when writing in service of a film and that’s not uncommon.

Your dad, Jack, also appears on the album. Is this the first time you’ve recorded together?

This is the first time he’s been on record period. He did a version of “Old Devil Moon” with me in 2015 (during a show in Los Angeles) and it was one of my favorite moments onstage ever. I have a photo from it but no recording. I knew he could play and when (conductor/arranger) Vince Mendoza wrote this brilliant rendition of “Moon River” I asked (my dad) if he thought he could handle the arrangement. He practiced at home and I’d come to the house and listen to him play it. He’s going to be 80 this summer. He really crushed it. (Album producer) Greg Wells took the initiative to get Sunset Sound, Louis Armstrong’s favorite studio and room, and got his stool for my dad to sit on. My whole family came to watch. It was a core memory for all of us.

Do you think your dad was nervous?

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My dad is the coolest guy I know. On the surface he doesn’t get thrown. This meant so much to him too, and for us to share as a father and son. He sacrificed so much. He was a musician. He was brilliant at the trumpet but it was a time when deciding to go all-in on an artistic dream was at odds with a family. So my brother and I could stand on the back of that stability to follow our artistic dream.

Why was it important for you to feature the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles on “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”?

When we were trying to figure out what songs would be relevant today, that song is so iconic and Elton (John) is so iconic and I grew up listening to that song. Of course I thought, what do I have to add to this? We were listening to Elton’s version and reading lyrics and doomscrolling about the fear in the world and the division and where is the feeling of love? So we thought, what if we view the approach as an anthem to discovering that feeling and to give that love to communities that really need it.

Had you ever performed with them before?

I sang with the Gay Men’s Choir for (President) Obama’s first inauguration and I remembered the power of their voices. But also, representing an allyship with a community that needs to feel the love was an inspiration. I was honored they said yes.

You and Jennifer Hudson make a swoony pair on “Unchained Melody.” Do you have plans to do anything together on your upcoming tour?

Yeah, we’re definitely going to sing it together during the show. Her voice is such an extraordinary instrument ... We sang together for the first time (on a holiday special in 2024). We did “O Holy Night” and when our voices came together on that final “Noel,” we looked at each other like, wehaveto do this again.

You’re also heading back toCaesars Palace in Las Vegasin October with your “Gems” residency. Will these shows be different than the tour?

The show we created for Vegas took time to craft so we want to have a show that represents what we can only do for Vegas. But every time I come back I want there to be enough changes to whatever I’m doing in that moment, so “Cinematic” will be represented.

You’ve pivoted back to music, but any plans to return to the theater after this album and tour cycle?

It just comes down to whether the right thing feels as exciting as the last two (Groban earned Tony nominations for “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812” and“Sweeney Todd”). I wasn’t planning on either of them, but I knew from the excitement I had in my creative soul they were shows I would drop everything for. I would love to do something new, maybe even off-Broadway. Theater is always an opportunity to spread my wings.

I would be remiss if I didn’t ask ifyour dog Georgeis still traveling with you?

He is not really the traveling Westie I thought he might turn out to be. He’s shown himself to be a very special dog with his own likes and those don’t involve a tour bus. He loves his little buddies in LA. He gets nervous in situations he doesn’t know. But he gets cuter by the day. He hasa little sisternow, who is 50 pounds – Stevie.

Is she named for Stevie Nicks?

She is. My (fiancée) is a big fan and she got to name her. But she is the adventure dog and she is all love.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Josh Groban's 'Cinematic' pays tribute to Rob Reiner's 'Stand By Me'

byCosmopolite

in

May 09, 2026

Josh Groban talks 'core memory' of recording with his dad at Louis Armstrong’s studio

Josh Groban’ssatiny baritone has coated classical pop, Italian standards, Broadway boomers and holiday singalongs. On “Cinematic,”...

Read More

8 Singers and Groups Who Have Canceled or Postponed Their Tours in 2026

At least eight singers, duos and bands have made major changes to their live performance schedules in 2026

NEED TO KNOW

• Dolly Parton and Barry Manilow put off their Las Vegas residencies to deal with health issues

• Meghan Trainor canceled her entire summer tour to focus on her growing family after welcoming a daughter via surrogate

FromDolly Parton's Las Vegas residency toPost MaloneandJelly Roll's stadium tour, 2026 has already seen a string of high-profile shows get axed or pushed back — and the year isn't even half over.

Whether it's health issues, growing families or creative delays, artists across every genre have been forced to pull the plug on their upcoming dates.

As Malone told fans via his Instagram Stories in May 2026, "what we were trying to do, and what's possible,isn't really lining up," a sentiment that's defined much of the year in live music so far.

Here's every singer, duo or group who have canceled or postponed their tour or residency so far this year.

Post Malone and Jelly Roll

In May 2026, Malone (né Austin Post) canceled the first six shows of his Big Ass Stadium Tour with Jelly Roll so he could finish his upcoming 40-track albumThe Eternal Buzz.

"Truth is, I promised y’all beautiful people new music, and I don’t have the time to finish it before tour starts," he explained on his Instagram Stories. "We ain’t ready for tour just yet, so I’m making the decision to push the tour back about 3 weeks to get this music done."

The show, which was set to begin on May 13, will now start on June 9 in Charlotte, N.C.

Dolly Parton

Over six months afterpostponing her Las Vegas residency, Parton announced in anInstagram Reelthat she wascanceling the showto recover from ongoing health issues regarding her kidney stones.

"The good news is I'm responding really well to meds and treatments, and I'm improving every day," the "9 to 5" singer said in May 2026. "Now, the bad news is that it's gonna take me a little while before I'm up to stage performance level because some of the meds and treatments make me a little swimmy-headed, as my grandma used to say."

Though Parton didn't reveal any future plans to perform live, she has been "rewriting and reworking"Dolly: A True Original Musical,which is set to debut on Broadway later this year.

Zayn Malik

Zayn Malikcanceled all of hisU.S. tour datesfor his KONNAKOL Tour following asudden hospitalizationfrom an undisclosed illness.

The One Direction alum shared on his Instagram Stories that while he's "recovering" and plans to "be better and stronger than before," he decided to reduce the number of his upcoming live shows.

Though he canceled dates in Dublin and Birmingham, he added a date in Manchester, U.K. Malik's first performance is now set for May 23 in London.

Meghan Trainor

Months afterwelcoming a daughtervia surrogate,Meghan Trainorannounced in April that she hadcanceled the entiretyof her Get in Girl Tour, which was set to begin in June 2026.

"Balancing the release of a new album, preparing for a nationwide tour, and welcoming our new baby girl to our growing family of five has just been more than I can take on right now, and I need to be home and present for each and all of them at this time," the Grammy-winning singer wrote on her Instagram Stories.

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Trainor added that though canceling was the "right decision" for her family, she promised fans that she would "be back soon."

Neil Young

In February 2026,Neil Youngshared that he was scrapping his planned U.K. and European tour with his band, Chrome Hearts.

The run was set to kick off in June 2026 in Bodelva, England, but Young offered no explanation for the sudden cancellation, perBillboard.

“I have decided to take a break and will not be touring Europe this time,” the legendary musician wrote on hiswebsite. “Thanks to everyone who bought tickets. I’m sorry to let you down, but this is not the time."

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovatopostponed her It's Not That Deep Tour bycanceling five performances"to protect" her health.

She wrote on her Instagram Stories that she "overextended what may be possible" while prepping for the run and that she needed more time to "rest and rehearse."

The first showkicked offon April 13 in Orlando, Fla., and will run for 18 dates in North America.

Barry Manilow

Barry Manilowhas had toreschedule a number of his live performances, including his Las Vegas residency, since December 2025 as he's been recovering from a lobectomy following a stage 1 lung cancer diagnosis.

While announcing the cancellation of his May shows in Vegas, he told fans via his Instagram Stories that he was "making great progress," but his doctor did not give him the all-clear to perform.

"All the training and exercising I've put in is paying off," Manilow wrote. "He did say, however, that I'm not quite ready for Vegas. This means I won't be able to return for our May shows at Westgate Las Vegas."

Manilow added that he's expected to return to the residency in July and still plans to perform his U.K. dates in June, perBillboard.

The Pussycat Dolls

The Pussycat Dollsdealt a major blow to North American fans in May 2026,cancelingnearly all of the U.S. dates on their highly anticipated PCD FOREVER reunion tour.

The group, currently comprised ofNicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Roberts, called the decision "difficult" in theirInstagramannouncement but offered no explanation for the sudden cuts.

The Pussycat Dolls are still set to perform during the OUTLOUD Music Festival at WeHo Pride on June 6, and their U.K. and European dates, set to begin in September, remain intact.

Read the original article onPeople

byCosmopolite

in

May 08, 2026

8 Singers and Groups Who Have Canceled or Postponed Their Tours in 2026

At least eight singers, duos and bands have made major changes to their live performance schedules in 2026 NEED TO KNOW ...

Read More