This is The Wrap, where we recap the week’s biggest news, entertainment and sports stories from the national stage.
More information uncovered about Vegas gunman
Authorities are still searching for information about the man who killed 58 concertgoers and injured nearly 500 others during a country music festival in Las Vegas Sunday night.
Officials now have reason to believe that the alleged gunman, Stephen Paddock, may have planned to escape the scene, according to ABC News. A note that Paddock had left in the hotel room has also been recovered. The contents of the note are currently unknown, but Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo confirmed on Wednesday that it was not a suicide note.
Paddock allegedly scouted other locations in Chicago and Boston, according to NBC News. Paddock booked hotel rooms overlooking the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago in August and also researched hotels near Boston’s Fenway Park.
Trump visits Puerto Rico; San Juan Mayor critical of relief efforts
President Donald Trump and the first lady visited a ravaged Puerto Rico on Tuesday to observe the Hurricane Maria relief efforts.
Many Puerto Rican officials, including San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, met with Trump for a briefing at an air base. Cruz was critical of the president’s response to the disaster, donning a shirt reading “NASTY” during an interview with Univision in response to one of Trump’s tweets about her.
“When it bothers somebody that you’re asking for drinking water, medicine for the sick and food for the hungry, that person has much deeper problems than what we can discuss in an interview,” Cruz said to Univision.
Trump, meanwhile, applauded the relief efforts from the federal government, stating the recovery was “nothing short of a miracle,” according to the Associated Press. The president also indicated the death toll in Puerto Rico, which has now reached 34, was much lower than “a real catastrophe like Katrina.”
Trump also received criticism for throwing paper towels into a crowd of survivors while distributing aid at a relief center.
Iconic musician Tom Petty dies at 66
Rock 'n' roll icon Tom Petty died Monday evening after suffering from cardiac arrest.
Petty was decorated both as a solo artist and as the frontman for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, and it performed the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2008.
Initially, there were conflicting reports stating that Petty died earlier in the day, but it wasn’t until later in the evening that Petty’s longtime manager confirmed his death in a statement. Petty was 66.
Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine headline Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees for Class of 2018
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced Thursday the 19 nominees eligible for induction.
Headlining the nominees are many popular bands from the ‘80s and ‘90s, including Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine and Bon Jovi. Other popular artists include Nina Simone, LL Cool J and Judas Priest. You can read the full list of nominees here.
The official nominees will be announced in December, and the induction ceremony will take place in Cleveland on April 14.
Netflix bumps up prices for premium and standard plan
Netflix announced Thursday that it would be raising the prices for some of its streaming plans.
The cost of the company’s monthly premium plan will increase from $11.99 to $13.99, while its standard plan will increase from $9.99 to $10.99. Netflix’s $7.99 monthly basic plan will remain the same.
The price changes have already been implemented for new customers, and current subscribers will be notified on Oct. 19 about the increases, according to Mashable.
Many fan-favorite TV shows have recently left the streaming service, including 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights and Malcolm in the Middle. Louie and Family Guy seasons 9-14 will also be departing on Oct. 27 and 29, respectively.
Cam Newton slammed for comments to female reporter, sponsorship dropped
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton received intense criticism following comments he made to a female reporter during a news conference on Wednesday.
Charlotte Observer beat reporter Jourdan Rodrigue asked Newton a question about wide receiver Devin Funchess embracing his routes. Newton responded with a chuckle and said, “It’s funny to hear female reporters talk about routes like, it’s funny.”
Various sports media figures, including Josina Anderson, Adam Schefter and Paul Finebaum have expressed their disappoint with the former NFL MVP. Stephen A. Smith also ripped Newton on ESPN’s “First Take” that he “expected better from him.”
Additionally, one of Newton’s sponsors has cut their ties with the former MVP in response to the comments. Dannon spokesperson Michael Neuwirth stated Thursday that the company “will no longer work with him.” Newton previously starred in a series of commercials promoting Dannon’s Oikos Triple Zero Yogurt.
