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Disney Faces Multi-Billion Dollar Copyright Lawsuit Over Alleged Theft of ‘Moana’ Franchise Ideas

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LOS ANGELES — A copyright lawsuit filed last week explosively alleges that Disney’s acclaimed “Moana” series, which features a daring Polynesian heroine and became a box office triumph, largely draws from a screenplay penned two decades ago that was never developed. Buck Woodall, an animator, claims his creative work was used without his authorization to conceive both “Moana” and its sequel. According to the legal documentation, Woodall accuses Jenny Marchick, a former executive at Mandeville Films and now a senior official at DreamWorks Animation, of clandestinely submitting his screenplay and other materials to Disney. These … Read more

New Hampshire Man Faces Charges for Alleged Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Conspiracy

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MANCHESTER, NH – A Merrimack resident is facing serious charges after a grand jury indicted him for his alleged involvement in a scheme to drug and sexually assault a woman. Kelsey Geary, 35, has been charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated felonious sexual assault and trafficking in persons. According to the indictments, on January 11, 2019, in Bedford, Geary collaborated with Kyle Priest, 30, from Waltham, Massachusetts, to incapacitate a 21-year-old woman to facilitate an assault by Priest. The documents detail that Geary ensured the victim, referred to as K.G., was heavily intoxicated, paving the … Read more

Louisiana’s New Seafood Law Boosts Transparency and Local Businesses: Here’s What Diners Need to Know

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Lake Charles, La. — A recently enacted Louisiana law mandates added transparency in the seafood served at restaurants throughout the state, compelling eateries to clearly disclose the origins of their seafood on their menus. The law, known as Louisiana Law Act 148, took effect at the start of the year and comes at a crucial time during the peak of crawfish season. Under the new regulations, menus in restaurants that feature imported crawfish or shrimp need to clearly state, “Some items served at this establishment may contain imported crawfish or shrimp.” This initiative responds to … Read more

Palm Springs International Film Festival Celebrates ‘I’m Still Here’ with Top Honors Amidst a Showcase of Global Talent

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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — The Palm Springs International Film Festival, in its 36th year, has awarded top honors to the film “I’m Still Here,” directed by Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles. The film, which highlights the harrowing impact of dictatorship through a mother’s struggle to protect her family, claimed the FIPRESCI Prize from among 35 entries looking to compete in the Oscars’ International Feature Film category. A group of distinguished international film critics praised “I’m Still Here” for its honest and meticulous portrayal of an authoritarian regime’s encroachment on personal freedoms. They specifically noted the film’s … Read more