Gina Gershon says she turned down Friday the 13th role because of topless death scene: 'Exploitat...

&34;It seemed silly to me,&34; the actress shared. Gina Gershon says she turned down Friday the 13th role because of topless death scene: 'Exploitation 101' &34;It seemed silly to me,&34; the actress shared. By Shania Russell :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/ShaniaRussellauthorphoto5934b684845d480caa4485648c39ef2b.jpg) Shania Russell Shania Russell is a news writer at , with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine. EW's editorial guidelines March 29, 2026 4:35 p.m.

"It seemed silly to me," the actress shared.

Gina Gershon says she turned down Friday the 13th role because of topless death scene: 'Exploitation 101'

"It seemed silly to me," the actress shared.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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March 29, 2026 4:35 p.m. ET

Gina Gershon on Feb. 25. Credit:

Gary Gershoff/Getty

Gina Gershon walked away from a beloved horror franchise over an "exploitative" topless scene, the *Showgirls* star recently told *Fox News Digital*.

Gershon was offered a major role in 1981's *Friday the 13th** Part 2,* the second installment in the cult slasher franchise, she recalled to the outlet about the Hollywood experience that taught her how to trust her gut.

"I was offered a lead in that movie," Gershon said. "And, of course, I was so excited to act in movies, but it definitely felt kind of exploitative to me and a little silly that right before she gets killed, her top has to come off."

In her upcoming memoir *AlphaPussy: How I Survived the Valley and Learned to Love My Boobs*, Gershon goes into detail while describing what the death scene would have entailed.

Actor John Furey in a scene from 'Friday the 13th Part 2' (1981). Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

"At the time, those kinds of slasher movies always had girls dying with their breasts exposed," she wrote, per Fox News. "My character would be killed by a stake through the heart, blood dripping down her t---. That seemed pretty lame to me: exploitation 101."

The offer came early in Gershon's career and would have marked her onscreen debut. But while she would later prove that showing skin was not an automatic no for her, Gershon had a lot of reservations about the *Friday the 13th* death scene. So she turned to her dad, hoping for advice.

"I was really lucky that I had a father who really taught me how to believe in my own decisions," Gershon said. "It wasn't like I had to rebel against my family. I remember asking him about it, thinking he was going to say, 'No daughter of mine is going to do that!' And he said, 'It's your body. If you're comfortable with it, I'm comfortable with it.'"

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Gina Gershon recalls almost breaking Tom Cruise's nose while filming 'Cocktail' love scene

In the end, it came down to a gut feeling.

"When I sat and thought about it, I just thought, 'I don't really want to do this. I wasn't comfortable with it. It seemed silly to me,'" Gershon shared. "Not that I had anything against nudity — I grew up on European films — but only if it makes sense for the character and the story. But when it just seems silly, I don't know. It just felt like it was something that wasn't for me."

Gina Gershon in 'Showgirls' (1995).

Gershon ended up making her onscreen debut that same year, as a dancer in *Beatlemania: The Movie*. She continued her ascent slowly, snagging another uncredited role in *Girls Just Want to Have Fun* and then making an impression with a small role in 1986's *Pretty in Pink.* After 1988's *Cocktail* and 1991's *Jungle Fever*, Gershon had her big breakout as Cristal Connors in Paul Verhoeven's 1995 erotic cult hit *Showgirls*, which saw her bare skin and take part in a gruesome sexual assault scene.

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At the time, Gershon offered some pushback over that particular inclusion, but recently admitted that she has changed her tune.

"It is really a comment on like ugly America, and on capitalism and power struggles and dynamics and all those things, that of course that rape scene has to be there," Gershon said during a recent radio show appearance. "It's the grossest thing in there — and the powerful men, they're all protected."

- Horror Movies

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Mary Beth Hurt, Age of Innocence and Interiors actress and frequent collaborator of husband Paul ...

Hurt, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2015, was nominated for three Tony Awards for her stage performances. Mary Beth Hurt, Age of Innocence and Interiors actress and frequent collaborator of husband Paul Schrader, dies at 79 Hurt, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2015, was nominated for three Tony Awards for her stage performances. By Ryan Coleman :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/RyanColemanauthorphoto0081ce8f0254478080f35972c433877b.jpg) Ryan Coleman Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

Hurt, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2015, was nominated for three Tony Awards for her stage performances.

Mary Beth Hurt, *Age of Innocence *and *Interiors *actress and frequent collaborator of husband Paul Schrader, dies at 79

Hurt, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2015, was nominated for three Tony Awards for her stage performances.

By Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

EW's editorial guidelines

March 29, 2026 5:09 p.m. ET

Mary Beth Hurt in 'Interiors' (1978). Credit:

United Artists/Rollins-Joffe/Kobal/Shutterstock

Mary Beth Hurt, who appeared in Martin Scorsese's *The Age of Innocence* and Woody Allen's *Interiors* and frequently collaborated with husband Paul Schrader, has died. She was 79.

Hurt's death was announced on Sunday in a now-deleted Facebook post shared by the *First Reformed *director, per *Variety*. * *has reached out to representatives for Hurt and Schrader.

Hurt was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2015, Schrader revealed in 2023. That same year Hurt moved into a New York City memory care facility, where she spent the last years of her life.

Hurt was among the most sought after film and stage stars of the 1980s and late 1990s, appearing in Oscar-nominated films like *The World According to Garp *and *Six Degrees of Separation*, and racking up three Tony nominations for her stage work.

Paul Schrader and Mary Beth Hurt in 2010.

Neilson Barnard/Getty

Born Mary Beth Supinger in Marshalltown, Iowa, on Sept. 25, 1946, Hurt locked into the acting track at a young age, studying drama at the nearby University of Iowa before graduating to the acting program at Tisch in New York City.

She made her acting debut in 1974 — on stage as Nurse/Uncle Remus in the Vietnam War musical *More Than You Deserve*, and on television as a member of an all-female police squad in the TV movie *Ann in Blue*.

It would be four years until she received her big break on the big screen, which inaugurated an extraordinary run in some of the most most memorable titles from her filmography. But just the next year she picked up her first Tony nomination for her leading role in a revival of the 1898 Arthur Wing Pinero play *Trelawny of the "Wells." *She would later earn two more Tony nods for her turns in *Crimes of the Heart* and *Benefactors*.

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"I first saw Mary Beth Hurt in *Crimes of the Heart* on Broadway and was blown away by her performance," Dana Delany wrote of Hurt on Instagram. "Heart and Midwestern Steel. In *Chilly Scenes of Winter*, she was in command beyond her years. Totally unique. Finally got to meet and work with her in *Light Sleeper*. Still in awe of her singular sharp wry talent. An artist. May she rest in a deserved peace."

Hurt's first film role became her calling card. Her performance as the anxious, cutting Joey in Woody Allen's *Interiors in *1978* *is notable for standing out amid more established actors, including Diane Keaton, Geraldine Page, Maureen Stapleton, and Sam Waterston.

The 1978 film was nominated for five awards at the Oscars, and won Hurt her first major screen acting nomination, for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles at the BAFTAs (that year's award went to Christopher Reeve for *Superman*). Hurt followed *Interiors *up with a co-lead role opposite John Heard in Joan Micklin Silver's *Chilly Scenes of Winter*, and a major supporting part opposite Robin Williams in *The World According to Garp*.

Awards recognition oddly eluded Hurt throughout her career, though it was stacked with acclaimed performances in celebrated films. She later appeared in two films by Martin Scorsese — *The Age of Innocence *and *Bringing Out the Dead* *— *and four by Paul Schrader — *Light Sleeper*, *Affliction*, *The Walker*, and *Adam Resurrected*.

Hurt was married to the actor William Hurt from 1971 to 1982, and then married Schrader in 1983. The couple share two children, Molly Schrader and Sam Schrader.

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- Celebrity Death News

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The upcoming series adaptation of the beloved video game was developed by Phoebe WallerBridge, in her first big project since her &34;Fleabag&34; breakout. Injury sidelines Sophie Turner, shutting down Tomb Raider series production The upcoming series adaptation of the beloved video game was developed by Phoebe WallerBridge, in her first big project since her &34;Fleabag&34; breakout. By Ryan Coleman :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/RyanColemanauthorphoto0081ce8f0254478080f35972c433877b.

The upcoming series adaptation of the beloved video game was developed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, in her first big project since her "Fleabag" breakout.

Injury sidelines Sophie Turner, shutting down Tomb Raider series production

The upcoming series adaptation of the beloved video game was developed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, in her first big project since her "Fleabag" breakout.

By Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

EW's editorial guidelines

March 29, 2026 9:45 p.m. ET

Sophie Turner in March 2025. Credit:

Marc Piasecki/WireImage

- Sophie Turner has been injured, causing a halt on the production of the upcoming *Tomb Raider *live-action series.

- "Sophie Turner recently experienced a minor injury," Amazon MGM Studios told EW in a statement.

- The first live-action *Tomb Raider *series is being developed by *Fleabag *star Phoebe Waller-Bridge and stars Turner, Sigourney Weaver, and Jason Isaacs.

Sophie Turner has been injured, causing a production halt on the highly anticipated *Tomb Raider *series, in which the *Game of Thrones *star plays heiress and adventurer Lara Croft.

"Sophie Turner recently experienced a minor injury. As a precaution, production has briefly paused to allow her time to recover. We look forward to resuming production as soon as possible," Amazon MGM Studios said in a statement shared with **.

Amazon announced that production on *Tomb Raider *kicked off on January 15. Based on the beloved video game series that was adapted into a popular pair of films starring Angelina Jolie in the early 2000s, the property's first live-action series adaptation does not yet have a release date.

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*Tomb Raider *has been a viable site for adaptation ever since the first game released in 1996. The first Jolie film, *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider*, grossed over double its budget in 2001, while sequel *The Cradle of Life *earned $160 million on a $95 million budget.

A pair of unrelated animated series followed, and in 2018, Lara Croft returned to the big screen in a reboot starring Swedish Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander, which similarly grossed over double its budget.

Sophie Turner as Lara Croft in a photograph captured on the 'Tomb Raider' production stages' backlot.

Jay Maidment for Prime Video

*Tomb Raider* game series company Crystal Dynamics and Amazon MGM Studios announced *Fleabag *creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge as the creative force behind the* *live-action series in 2024.

"If I could tell my teenage self that this was happening, I think she'd explode," the actress, writer, and director said at the time. "*Tomb Raider* has been a huge part of my life and I feel incredibly privileged to be bringing it to television with such passionate collaborators."

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Turner's casting was announced the following September.

"I'm so excited to announce the formidable Sophie Turner as our Lara alongside this phenomenal creative team. It's not very often you get to make a show of this scale with a character you grew up loving," Waller-Bridge said.

Joining Waller-Bridge and Turner on the series are co-showrunner Chad Hodge, who previously created the series *Wayward Pines *and *The Playboy Club*, and Story Kitchens' Dmitri M. Johnson, behind the recent, highly profitable *Sonic the Hedgehog *film series.

Turner's castmates include Sigourney Weaver, Jason Isaacs, Bill Paterson, and Celia Imrie.

- Celebrities & Creators

- Celebrity Health

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Ticket prices for the event — which included an appearance by Serena Williams — went as high as $502.50. Fans slam 'heartbreaking' Barbie Dream Fest convention debacle with 'cardboard cutout' experience Ticket prices for the event — which included an appearance by Serena Williams — went as high as $502.50. :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/JoeyNolfiBiophotof93a23298bdd47ba9c13f53815fc469b.jpg) Joey Nolfi Joey Nolfi is a senior writer at . Since 2016, his work at EW includes RuPaul's Drag Race video interviews, Oscars predictions, and more. EW's editorial guidelines March 30, 2026 10:11 a.m.

Ticket prices for the event — which included an appearance by Serena Williams — went as high as $502.50.

Fans slam 'heartbreaking' Barbie Dream Fest convention debacle with 'cardboard cutout' experience

Ticket prices for the event — which included an appearance by Serena Williams — went as high as $502.50.

Joey Nolfi

Joey Nolfi is a senior writer at *. *Since 2016, his work at EW includes RuPaul's Drag Race video interviews, Oscars predictions, and more.

EW's editorial guidelines

March 30, 2026 10:11 a.m. ET

Barbie dolls. Credit:

Ian Waldie/Getty

Barbie fans aren't a group that can be toyed with, judging by attendee reactions to the weekend's "heartbreaking" Barbie Dream Fest convention in Florida.

After the event — which featured an appearance from tennis star Serena Williams and inclusive ticket packages costing as much as $502.50 — launched Friday at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., fans quickly shared reactions to social media.

*Good Morning America *highlighted a roundup of footage from the three-day affair, including images of a blow-up version of the toy line's iconic "B" logo "deflating" on the show floor, per one attendee named Cherry Bonbon.

Barbie doll at the Barbie Exhibition.

Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty

*GMA *host Lara Spencer described the event as one that "wasn't quite the dream" fans expected. In an interview, attendee Alexandria Dougan described her disappointment with one of the "interactive" experiences touted on on the event's website.

"The interactive Barbie Dream House was a VW bus that you weren't allowed to enter into," Dougan said. "It was a cardboard cutout box of a Barbie house."

Dougan pointed out that Mattel and Barbie are representative of a "big brand that everyone trusts," which she said made the convention "really heartbreaking" for her.

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In a statement obtained by **, Mattel said: "Barbie Dream Fest was created by Mischief Management, which licensed the Barbie brand from Mattel. We are working with Mischief Management, who are managing attendee feedback and issuing full refunds to everyone who purchased tickets. We want every fan experience to be an excellent one."

In a separate statement, Mischief Management said it was "incredibly grateful" to those who attended the event, and that Barbie Dream Fest was "created as an intimate fan convention designed to foster meaningful connection, inspiration, and closer access to Barbie and her world." The company's statement also stressed that it would refund all ticket purchases.

Wonka immersive experience in Glasgow.

EW has additionally reached out to representatives for Williams for comment.

Reactions to Barbie Dream Fest have likened it to Willy's Chocolate Experience, the *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory*-inspired event whose cheap decor, inflatable bouncy castle, and lone Ompa Loompa boosted it to online infamy in 2024.

- Entertainment Lifestyle

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Want to renew healthy eating habits? Greek monks have a spring playbook

Want to renew healthy eating habits? Greek monks have a spring playbook DEREK GATOPOULOS and THEODORA TONGAS Wed, April 1, 2026 at 5:03 AM UTC 0 Father Isaac serves lentils for the midday meal at the Monastery of St. Augustine and Seraphim of Sarov in the village of Trikorfo, about 236 kilometers (147 miles) northwest of Athens, Friday, March 20, 2026.

Want to renew healthy eating habits? Greek monks have a spring playbook

DEREK GATOPOULOS and THEODORA TONGAS Wed, April 1, 2026 at 5:03 AM UTC

0

Father Isaac serves lentils for the midday meal at the Monastery of St. Augustine and Seraphim of Sarov in the village of Trikorfo, about 236 kilometers (147 miles) northwest of Athens, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

TRIKORFO, Greece (AP) — Can a centuries-old ritual of spiritual renewal rekindle a New Year's resolution to build healthy eating habits before it fades in the spring?

For six weeks every year, millions of Orthodox Christians around the world adopt a largely vegan diet, abstaining from meat, dairy products, eggs, and fish with backbones. Oil and wine also are prohibited on weekdays during the 40-day Lenten period before Orthodox Easter, which often falls later than its Catholic and Anglican counterpart.

The annual adherence to a plant-based, Mediterranean-style meal plan drives a communal rediscovery of vegetables and oil-free cooking methods in majority-Orthodox countries.

In Greece, even McDonald's franchises get into the lean Lent spirit by adding seasonal menu items that meet most of the proscriptions of the Greek Orthodox Church. The menu includes shrimp wraps, shrimp salad, vegetable spring rolls and plant-based McVeggie burgers but is not oil-free.

Although following Eastern Orthodox dietary guidelines before Easter is often referred to as fasting, the focus is on going without certain foods, not refraining from eating altogether. The rules are not rigid but can be adapted to account for personal needs.

Here's a look at the annual alimentary tradition, along with reasons to consider sticking with a similar diet and cautionary advice from nutritionists.

Different dates, different traditions

Christian traditions diverge between East and West ahead of Easter, and not just in their methods for determining the most important date on their calendars. Catholics are encouraged to give up one or more personal indulgences during Lent but get to decide whether to deny themselves dessert, alcohol, video games, swearing or something else. Members of the Orthodox Church forgo animal products except for shellfish.

Gone are Greeks' beloved dishes like mousaka and souvlakia — grilled meat wrapped with toppings. So are dairy products like milk and cheese. Vertebrate fish like anchovies, mullet and hake are no-nos too, although shrimp, oysters and calamari are permitted.

On a lush coastal hillside in central Greece, 40 monks closely follow these rules at the Monastery of St. Augustine and Seraphim. The monks, who wear black robes and full beards, grow and harvest most of their own produce in the monastery's gardens, including an abudance of zucchini and tomatoes.

Their meals during Lent are basic but not bland. The monks have mastered methods to replicate familiar tastes and textures. Oven-roasted potatoes are coated with tahini instead of oil to preserve the crunch factor. Vegetable stock prepared from scratch gives lentil dishes a hearty flavor.

The monks listen to prayers read aloud as they eat.

Mind over meals

Father Nektarios Moulatsiotis, the monastery's affable abbot, says the practice of fasting and following a restricted diet is essential for deep reflection and focus required for the spiritual preparation for Easter. He compares it to endurance training.

"In the same way someone goes to the gym to shape their body," Nektarios said, "the church is a gym for the soul."

Occasional hunger pangs aren't something to resist; they are part of the plan. The idea is simple: less indulgence, more clarity.

"You cannot really pray, study, chant or do any spiritual exercise with a full stomach," he said with a chuckle.

Nektarios argues that a nutritious yet disciplined diet can produce benefits that apply outside of a religious setting as much as inside of one, such as a sense of greater self-control and enhanced awareness.

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The science of a 6-week reset

Orthodox monks observe several fasting periods that limit what, when and how much they eat for most of the year. Researchers have studied their health and food intake for decades to determine if their customs hold any clues to preventing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and strokes.

However, the advantages of eating a balanced diet that includes whole grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes are well-established. Reduce consumption of meat, saturated fats and processed foods long enough, and the body typically responds.

"Fasting certainly has benefits, provided it's done correctly," Eirini Babaroutsi, a sports nutritionist at the Hellenic Athletics Federation, said. For example, Orthodox Christians tend to eat more fiber during Lent, which helps the digestive system function better, she said.

"It also matters what we do eat, not simply what we avoid," Babaroutsi said. "With the right combinations, we can get all the nutrients we need."

Meals that meet the guidelines aren't confined to the ingredients found in Orthodox-majority countries in Southern and Eastern Europe. Babaroutsi suggests porridge with oat milk, vegetable wraps with olive paste, and high-quality peanut butter as helpful international additions.

Luckily, one size doesn't fit all

There are a few considerations.

A six-week fasting cycle is not advisable for older adults and young children, Babaroutsi said. The Eastern Orthodox church also exempts people with serious health conditions, special dietary requirements, and pregnant or nursing women from strict obedience.

Engaging in a post-Lent binge as a reward also is best avoided because loading up after a period of abstinence can strain the body, Babaroutsi said.

For those wary of making a full commitment, know that you're not alone. Orthodox Lent started on Feb. 23, but many Greeks participate only during Holy Week, which starts on April 5, Palm Sunday, and goes until April 11, the day before Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter this year.

Supermarkets and bakeries in Greece make it easier to abide by stocking fast, family-friendly meals and an assortment of seasonal goods.

These include jars of pickles and olives, bags of chickpeas and other pulses, squid sliced into rings in freezer cases, the creamy pink fish roe known as taramosalata, and slabs of unleavened bread shaped like small surfboards.

In central Athens, at the slippery-floored central fish market, vendors call out over piles of Lent-compliant clams, octopus and mussels, shoveling seafood into paper cones.

Gerasimos Mantalvanos, the market's general manager, said many customers tend to overindulge when Easter Sunday's traditional lamb dishes and sweets arrive. For most, a spirit of moderation eventually returns, he said.

"It is good for eating habits to change from time to time during the year," Mantalvanos said. "So a period of fasting, a little fish and some abstinence from meat, I think these are good for the body. It is a kind of small detox, a little break."

–––

AP photographer Thanassis Stavrakis and videojournalist Srdjan Nedeljkovic contributed.

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Want to renew healthy eating habits? Greek monks have a spring playbook DEREK GATOPOULOS and THEODORA TONGAS Wed, Apr...

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Megachurch pastor Robert Morris free after 6 months in jail for child sex abuse

Megachurch pastor Robert Morris free after 6 months in jail for child sex abuse Dale Denwalt, USA TODAY NETWORKWed, April 1, 2026 at 5:05 AM UTC 0 If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.

Megachurch pastor Robert Morris free after 6 months in jail for child sex abuse

Dale Denwalt, USA TODAY NETWORKWed, April 1, 2026 at 5:05 AM UTC

0

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The founder of a Texas megachurch who pleaded guilty last year to sexually abusing a young girl in the 1980s was released from an Oklahoma jail on Tuesday, March 31, after completing his six-month sentence, court records show.

Robert Preston Morris, 64, completed 180 days of a jail sentence in Osage County, where the crimes occurred more than 40 years ago, according to court records. Following his release from jail, Morris will remain on probation for 9 1/2 years and must register as a sex offender.

As part of his sentencing, Morris also agreed to pay $270,000 in restitution to the victim, Cindy Clemishire, who in court called him "a pedophile, disguised as a preacher." In October 2025, Morris pleaded guilty to five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child as part of a plea agreement.

The abuse began in December 1982 when the victim was 12 years old and Morris, then in his 20s, was a traveling evangelist who was staying at her family's home in Oklahoma, according to prosecutors. Clemishire said the abuse continued in Oklahoma and Texas until 1987.

At the time of his conviction, Morris did not apologize in court. Through his attorney, Morris later released a statement accepting that what he did was wrong.

"There is no other word for it, and there is no excuse for it. I am deeply sorry," he wrote, addressing his comments to the victim and her family.

A timeline of the events: What led to pastor Robert Morris' indictment?

Report: Robert Morris plans to serve probation at his home in Texas

Before his crimes came to light, Morris was a spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump. He later resigned as senior pastor of Gateway Church.

Morris founded the church in Southlake, Texas, a suburb of Dallas and Fort Worth, in 2000. Under his leadership, it expanded to multiple locations.

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His departure from the church came after Clemishire went public with her story to The Wartburg Watch, a blog about sexual abuse within the church. In October 2025, Osage County Special Judge Cindy Pickerill accepted the plea deal after Clemshire acknowledged she had been consulted about it and agreed with the punishment.

The probation is considered a suspended sentence under the plea agreement, which means Morris is now a convicted felon. He could go to prison if he violates the conditions of his probation.

CBS News reported that Morris plans to serve out his probation in Texas at his lakefront home west of Dallas.

"I intend to live quietly and with integrity, and to be the kind of husband, father, grandfather, and man who reflects that mercy in how he treats others," Morris wrote in his statement.

'Grave concern': Pope Leo XIV draws criticism, praise for record on clergy sexual abuse

Victim continues to seek 'full accountability' through civil courts

Clemishire previously told USA TODAY that she decided to come forward publicly to encourage others who may be victims to tell their stories. In her victim impact statement during the October 2025 proceedings, Clemishire said Morris sexually abused her for more than four years.

"While you built a megachurch, authored books, and gained fame, I dropped out of college, endured divorces, (and) struggled with self-worth," she told Morris in a voice choked with emotion, later adding that his crimes "wounded faith itself" and that she hopes he genuinely repents.

An attorney for Clemishire, Jeff Leach, said in a statement that Clemishire plans to continue to seek accountability and justice through civil courts.

"While the criminal justice system continues to hold Robert accountable for his heinous crimes and seeks to protect potential future victims through close monitoring and probation limitations, Cindy will continue to fully pursue justice via the civil justice system," Leach said. "She rightfully seeks full accountability not only for Robert and the crimes he committed against her as a young child, but also for the other individuals who harbored him, covered for him, lied for him and even in some cases attacked Cindy on his behalf."

Contributing: Nolan Clay, The Oklahoman; Jonathan Limehouse and James Powel, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Robert Morris, megachurch founder, released from Oklahoma jail

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Baidu robotaxi outage in Wuhan caused by 'system failure', police say

Baidu robotaxi outage in Wuhan caused by &x27;system failure&x27;, police say ReutersWed, April 1, 2026 at 5:16 AM UTC 0 FILE PHOTO: A driverless car by Apollo Go, Baidu's robotaxi service, gives way to another car making a Uturn at a crossing in Wuhan, Hubei province, China July 19, 2024. REUTERS/Ethan Wang/File Photo BEIJING, April 1 (Reuters) A "system failure" caused a robotaxi outage involving multiple vehicles operated by Baidu's Apollo Go in central ‌China's Wuhan, local police said on Wednesday, reigniting safety concerns over ‌the fastgrowing service.

Baidu robotaxi outage in Wuhan caused by 'system failure', police say

ReutersWed, April 1, 2026 at 5:16 AM UTC

0

FILE PHOTO: A driverless car by Apollo Go, Baidu's robotaxi service, gives way to another car making a U-turn at a crossing in Wuhan, Hubei province, China July 19, 2024. REUTERS/Ethan Wang/File Photo

BEIJING, April 1 (Reuters) - A "system failure" caused a robotaxi outage involving multiple vehicles operated by Baidu's Apollo Go in central ‌China's Wuhan, local police said on Wednesday, re-igniting safety concerns over ‌the fast-growing service.

Police received reports late on Tuesday that numerous Apollo Go cars had ​stopped in the middle of roads in Wuhan and were unable to move, according to an official statement.

Passengers were able to exit the vehicles safely and there were no injuries, police said.

The cause of the incident is ‌still under investigation.

At least ⁠100 Apollo Go vehicles were affected, a traffic police officer said in a video published by Shanghai-based news ⁠outlet The Paper. The officer added that while the car doors could be opened, some passengers were hesitant to get out because of heavy traffic ​and called ​police for assistance.

Local media reported that ​some passengers were trapped inside ‌the vehicles for nearly two hours.

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Baidu did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The accident sparked renewed discussions on Chinese social media about robotaxi safety and readiness.

An Apollo Go robotaxi carrying a passenger fell into a construction pit in Chongqing in August, and in May one ‌of the cars operated by Pony.ai caught ​fire on a road in Beijing. No ​injuries were reported in ​either incident.

A widespread power outage in San Francisco at ‌the end of last year also ​caused Waymo robotaxis to ​stall and snarl traffic.

Baidu is one of China's largest operators of autonomous driving fleets, alongside Pony.ai and WeRide. The companies have ​rolled out commercial robotaxi ‌services across major Chinese cities and have expanded operations into ​overseas markets, including the Middle East.

(Reporting by Qiaoyi Li and ​Ryan Woo; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Breaking"

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Source: Breaking

Published: April 1, 2026 at 03:54AM on Source: PRIME TIME

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byPrime Sky

in

April 01, 2026

Baidu robotaxi outage in Wuhan caused by 'system failure', police say

Baidu robotaxi outage in Wuhan caused by &x27;system failure&x27;, police say ReutersWed, April 1, 2026 at 5:16 ...

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