Times Square Gossip

   Bob Dylan Meets The Pope    Bob Dylan and Pope Leo XIV come from very different worlds, but both have made an extraordinary impact on American and international culture. Dylan, born Robert Zimmerman in Duluth, Minnesota, became one of the most influential songwriters in modern music. His songs about war, civil rights, peace and the human condition helped define generations. Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, made history in 2025 when he became the first American elected pope. Their meeting at the Vatican brought together two remarkable Americans whose influence extends far beyond their respective professions. Although the details of their private conversation were not disclosed, the encounter highlighted the enduring connection between music, faith and the universal search for peace.   THIS WASN'T DYLAN'S FIRST MEETING WITH A POPE There is also history behind another Pope encounter. Back on September 27, 1997, Dylan performed before Po...

  Susan Collins Loses Election The political landscape in Washington has changed dramatically. Republican Senator Susan Collins has conceded her race to Democrat Troy Jackson, bringing an end to a Senate career that began in 1997. Collins personally called Jackson to concede Tuesday evening. Her defeat is a major development in the 2026 midterm elections. But there is a much bigger question behind this election: Did Susan Collins lose because Maine voters no longer believed she was the independent Republican she had spent decades presenting herself to be? For Democrats, the answer is tied to a long history of decisions Collins made during Donald Trump's presidency. THE TRUMP LOYALTY QUESTION For years, Collins presented herself as a moderate Republican, someone willing to cross party lines and occasionally challenge her own president. But her record during the Trump years became a major issue. According to CQ Roll Call data reported by PolitiFact, Collins voted in agreement with Tr...

  Tom Suozzi Wins Election Some election victories are more personal than others. For me, the reelection of Congressman Tom Suozzi is one of them. I grew up with Tom Suozzi, long before the political campaigns, television appearances, newspaper headlines and his years in Washington. I knew him as a person, and one thing I can say about Tom is that he was always a standup guy. You can learn a lot about someone by watching how they treat people before they become powerful or famous. I knew Tom growing up, and the person I remember is someone who carried himself with decency and stood up for what he believed in. Now, years later, Tom has once again won the confidence of voters in New York's Third Congressional District. A big win on Long Island Suozzi defeated Republican challenger Michael LiPetri in the November 3, 2026 election, winning reelection to Congress. NBC News called the race, with early returns showing Suozzi ahead by a substantial margin. The victory is particularly notew...

    Vivek Ramaswamy With Amy Actions Mom   In a stunning political victory that will be remembered in Ohio history, Democrat Amy Acton has defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to become the state's next governor. But this election was about much more than two candidates competing for political office. It became a national story about campaign tactics, personal attacks, family tragedies and just how far a candidate is willing to go to win an election. Acton made history by becoming the first woman elected governor of Ohio. She also becomes the first Democrat to win the governorship in two decades, ending a long stretch of Republican control. And for Ramaswamy, who had the backing of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, the defeat comes after a campaign that generated considerable controversy. The campaign that crossed a personal line One of the most controversial moments of the entire election came when Ramaswamy's campaign aired an advertisement featur...

  Greg Abbott Loses Texas Election Texas has long been considered one of the Republican Party's most dependable political strongholds. But Election Night 2026 is bringing a potentially historic change to the state's political landscape. Governor Greg Abbott and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton are facing major challenges from Democrats, with early election returns showing Democrats building substantial leads in both contests. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa has taken an early lead over Abbott, while Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico has opened a significant advantage over Paxton. The results are particularly significant because Texas has been a cornerstone of Republican political power for decades. Abbott's hold on Texas faces a major test Greg Abbott has served as governor since 2015 and has been one of the most influential Republican governors in the country. His political career has been closely associated with conservative policies, ...

  Kathy Hochul   NEW YORK — Kathy Hochul has won reelection as governor of New York, defeating Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman in a closely watched gubernatorial contest that put affordability, taxes, energy costs, immigration and public safety at the center of the campaign. The Associated Press has reported Hochul's victory, giving the Democratic governor another term in Albany and bringing an end to Blakeman's campaign to become New York's next governor. For Hochul, the victory represents another important chapter in her political career. She made history in 2021 when she became New York's first female governor after Andrew Cuomo resigned. She subsequently won her first full term in 2022 and has now secured another electoral victory. For Bruce Blakeman, the Republican Nassau County executive, the outcome marks the end of an ambitious statewide campaign. Blakeman entered the race promising a different direction for New York, focusing heavily on the cost of living...

  The Hamptons Summer 2026 From celebrity gatherings and multimillion-dollar collector cars to charitable fundraisers, fashion, Broadway talent and the Hamptons International Film Festival, we look back at the people and events that defined the East End's 2026 social season. The Hamptons have always held a special place in the world of New York high society. Every summer, Manhattan's familiar faces head east, joining longtime East End residents, celebrities, business leaders, philanthropists, artists and entrepreneurs for a season unlike any other. The attraction is easy to understand. Beautiful beaches, extraordinary estates, historic villages, fashionable restaurants and a seemingly endless calendar of social events combine to create one of America's most recognizable summer destinations. But the Hamptons is about more than expensive homes and exclusive invitations. Beneath the glamour is a community with a rich history, a thriving arts scene, important environmental orga...

  Hunters Point South NYC East River View There are few places in New York City where you can stand along the water, look across the East River at the spectacular Manhattan skyline, and feel as though you have discovered a little piece of paradise. Hunters Point South, in Long Island City, Queens, is one of those special places. What was once an industrial stretch of factories, warehouses, railroad facilities and working waterfront has become one of the most attractive residential and recreational neighborhoods in New York City. Today, its beautiful parks, waterfront promenades, restaurants and impressive residential buildings have helped transform Long Island City into a destination for residents and visitors alike. And while the views of Manhattan are certainly a major attraction, there is much more to Hunters Point South than its skyline. A Waterfront With a History Long before luxury apartment buildings and landscaped parks arrived, this part of Queens was a center of industry....

  Patrick Stewart The beloved British actor who conquered television, Hollywood and Broadway leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. From Captain Jean-Luc Picard to Professor Charles Xavier, Stewart was a commanding presence on screen and a respected figure in the theater world. The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Sir Patrick Stewart, the legendary British actor whose extraordinary career spanned more than six decades and made him one of the most recognizable and respected performers in the world. Stewart, who died at 86 on October 28, 2026, in Los Angeles, was best known to millions of fans as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor Charles Xavier in the enormously successful X-Men film franchise. His death was announced on October 29 by his longtime spokesperson. He had been living with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. But to describe Stewart simply as a television and movie star would fail to capture the full story of a remar...

Leesa Rowland With Marc Bouwer   New York’s Halloween season this year had a close encounter of the glamorous kind as actress, philanthropist and animal advocate Leesa Rowland and Larry Wohl with co-host, fashion designer Marc Bouwer invited guests to venture beyond the stars for their annual Halloween extravaganza.  This year’s celebration, “Calling All Aliens Home: Forbidden Planet,” transported New York’s social scene into an intergalactic fantasy where extraterrestrial imagination met high fashion, theatrical costumes and a healthy dose of Halloween mischief. This year, “Forbidden Planet” provided a new universe of possibilities for guests eager to push the boundaries of Halloween costume. From celestial couture and metallic space-age ensembles to mysterious alien visitors and interplanetary royalty, the evening was an imaginative collision of New York society and science-fiction spectacle, a gathering unlike anything on Earth. Notable attendees included: Leesa Rowland, La...