Daily Broadcast Prep Sheet

National Day

Gold Star Mother’s Day (USA) It is observed on the last Sunday of September to honor mothers who lost a son or daughter in service to the United States Armed Forces; in 2026, it is legally codified under Title 36, Section 111 of U.S. Code.

National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (USA) Established to draw attention to how HIV disproportionately impacts gay, bisexual, and other men who have male-to-male contact, the day promotes testing, prevention, treatment, and challenges stigma.

National Corned Beef Hash Day (USA) This food-day celebrates the classic diner breakfast staple and gives people a tasty excuse to enjoy diced corned beef, potatoes, and onion.

National Katsu Curry Day (UK) This UK food observance spotlights katsu curry as part of the country’s curry culture and features restaurant promotions, especially for students.

World Tourism Day (International) Established by the UN World Tourism Organization in 1980, this day marks when the UNWTO Statutes were adopted and raises awareness of tourism’s economic, cultural, and social value.

Birthdays

Gwyneth Paltrow (54) She is widely recognized for her roles in popular films such as 'Shakespeare in Love' and 'Iron Man.' — Gwyneth founded the lifestyle brand Goop, which started as a newsletter and has grown into a multi-million dollar company. She has also won an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Lil Wayne (44) He is known as one of the most prominent figures in hip-hop with numerous chart-topping hits throughout his career. — Lil Wayne began his music career at just 9 years old and was part of the hip-hop group Hot Boys. He is also recognized for his unique style and influential mixtapes.

Avril Lavigne (42) She rose to fame with her catchy pop-punk anthems and became a voice for a generation of young music fans. — Avril's debut album, 'Let Go,' was a massive success and included the hit single 'Complicated.' She is also known for her charitable work, including founding the Avril Lavigne Foundation.

Simona Halep (35) Halep is celebrated for her achievements in tennis, including winning multiple Grand Slam titles. — She was ranked world No. 1 in women's singles for a total of 64 weeks. Simona is also known for her incredible work ethic and resilience on the court.

Steve Kerr (61) He is well-known as both a former professional basketball player and the successful head coach of the Golden State Warriors. — Kerr won three championships as a player with the Chicago Bulls and has led his team to multiple titles as a coach. He is also known for his insightful comments on social issues.

On This Day

🎵 Music R.E.M.’s ninth album Monster was released in the United States in 1994 marking the band’s shift to louder, more distorted guitar-driven rock and debuting at number one on the US charts that year.

🎵 Music Machine Gun Kelly released his single “Wild Boy” featuring Waka Flocka Flame in 2011 as the lead track from his debut EP, signaling his major label arrival that year.

🎵 Music Blink-182’s album Neighborhoods celebrated its 15-year anniversary in 2024, having originally come out in 2009 and marking the band’s return after a long hiatus.

🎵 Music Alan Sparhawk released his solo album White Roses, My God in 2024, offering an experimental electronic turn that differs from his work fronting the band Low that same year.

🌟 Pop Culture The Tokyo Maru, at the time the world’s largest tanker ship, was launched in Yokohama in 1965, ushering in a new era of maritime engineering that carried massive oil shipments with unprecedented scale.

🌟 Pop Culture The first production Ford Model T was completed in 1908, creating a vehicle that would become iconic and ultimately change how people around the world moved and lived.

Movies & TV

Heart of the Beast — 🎬 Cinema Heart of the Beast is a survival thriller directed by David Ayer starring Brad Pitt, J. K. Simmons, and Anna Lambe, in which a former special forces soldier and his combat dog must fight the elements after a plane crash leaves them stranded in the Alaskan wilderness. The film opened in the United States and many international markets on September 25, 2026, and is drawing positive attention for its emotional core and Pitt’s rugged performance, though some critics find its close to the formula. On UK release, it’s being shown under a 12A rating and audiences are reacting favorably to the cinematography and the bond between man and dog.
Released: September 25, 2026
UK Release: September 23, 2026

Primetime — 🎬 Cinema A suspenseful crime-drama thriller directed by Lance Oppenheim, following a character played by Robert Pattinson who must navigate public and private danger when scandalous secrets emerge, with Merritt Wever and Skyler Gisondo in key supporting roles. The film's tension builds through moral conflict and intrigue that make it feel both timely and urgent. For those who love character-driven suspense, this is one of the more gripping new entries this weekend.
Released: September 25, 2026

Forgotten Island — 🎬 Cinema A magical animated adventure from DreamWorks in which two best friends become stranded on the mystical island of Nakali where escaping means risking everything they’ve ever shared, conceived and co-directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. H.E.R. and Liza Soberano lead the voice cast with Dave Franco and Jenny Slate among the ensemble bringing fantasy and heart to the fore. For fans of richly imagined worlds and emotional stakes, this island excursion promises to deliver just that.
Released: September 25, 2026

Resident Evil — 🎬 Cinema Resident Evil is a reboot of the iconic horror video game franchise written and directed by Zach Cregger, starring Austin Abrams, Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry, and Kali Reis. The film follows medical courier Bryan as he fights to survive a sudden viral outbreak under increasingly nightmarish circumstances in an isolated mountain town. Critics are celebrating it as one of the best video game adaptations yet, with a 95% Tomatometer and strong audience praise, while also breaking franchise opening records in both the US and UK.
Released: September 18, 2026
UK Release: September 26, 2026

Concerts

Happening in the next 7 days

SHAKIRA — 🎤 ESTADIO SHAKIRA(Iberdrola Music), Madrid, Madrid, Spain SHAKIRA is in the middle of a multi-night residency at ESTADIO SHAKIRA(Iberdrola Music).
Tonight: ESTADIO SHAKIRA(Iberdrola Music), Madrid, Madrid, Spain
This week: September 27 at ESTADIO SHAKIRA(Iberdrola Music), Madrid, Madrid, Spain · September 27 at Shakira Stadium, Madrid, Tarragona, Spain · October 02 at ESTADIO SHAKIRA(Iberdrola Music), Madrid, Madrid, Spain · plus 2 more dates this tour

Bruno Mars — 🎤 Falcon Stadium, Usaf Academy, Colorado Bruno Mars is performing at Falcon Stadium, Usaf Academy, Colorado.
Tonight: Falcon Stadium, Usaf Academy, Colorado
This week: September 27 at Falcon Stadium, Usaf Academy, Colorado · September 30 at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California · October 02 at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California · plus 1 more date this tour

Rod Wave — 🎤 American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas Rod Wave is performing at American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas.
Tonight: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
This week: September 27 at American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas · October 01 at Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California

Kacey Musgraves — 🎤 Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee Kacey Musgraves is performing at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee.
Tonight: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
This week: September 27 at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee · September 30 at State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia

Harry Styles — 🎤 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York Harry Styles is in the middle of a multi-night residency at Madison Square Garden.
This week: September 30 at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York · October 02 at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York · October 03 at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

Events

Happening in the next 14 days

Vision Festival London — 🎪 Festival — London, England An interdisciplinary festival in King's Cross that merges culture, science, ideas and live performance, featuring venues, workshops, installations, talks and evening performances by artists like Martin Simpson alongside scientific and literary programming. It stands out as a festival of ideas and creativity across disciplines, appealing to a broad audience interested in cultural and intellectual engagement. Events are ticketed or free depending on specific venue, open to the public, and span multiple sites in the King’s Cross neighbourhood.
Dates: September 25-27, 2026

Truro Food Festival — 🍴 Food — Truro, Cornwall, UK Truro Food Festival is a five-day celebration of Cornwall’s food and drink scene with local producers, top chefs, street food, live music and family-friendly workshops taking over Lemon Quay. The festival is free to enter during the day though some special events like “Feast Nights” and chef demonstrations require tickets; more details and bookings are available on the official Truro Food Festival website.
Dates: September 23-27, 2026

Wigtown Book Festival — 📌 Event — Wigtown, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland, UK Wigtown Book Festival is a ten-day celebration of literature, ideas, music, theatre and more, in Scotland’s National Book Town with over 250 events featuring authors, film, poetry and discussions. Tickets and full programme are available from the box office (01988 403 222) and the official site wigtownbookfestival.com.
Dates: September 25-October 4, 2026

2026 Presidents Cup — 🏆 Sports — Medinah, Illinois, USA A premier golf team competition pitting the United States against an international team at historic Medinah Country Club. It’s one of the major golf events of 2026, featuring top PGA Tour players and a story of national pride and international rivalry that appeals to a broad sports audience. Tickets are sold through golf outlets; spectator packages include full week access from practice through to final round, with course access subject to PGA Tour policies.
Dates: September 24-27, 2026

New Glarus Oktoberfest — 🎪 Festival — New Glarus, Wisconsin An annual four-day Oktoberfest featuring live music, local beer including New Glarus Brewing Co.’s Staghorn Octoberfest, Swiss-German food, wagon rides and family-friendly activities throughout the downtown area. It’s nationally relevant for its blend of craft beer culture, regional tradition and free admission, drawing visitors across the Midwest and beyond. Admission is free, tent hours and special events vary daily, with two ceremonial keg tappings and traditional dress encouraged.
Dates: September 24-27, 2026

State Fair of Texas — 🎪 Festival — Dallas, Texas One of the largest state fairs in the U.S., offering massive food courts, livestock shows, carnival rides, exhibitions, and multiple stages of live music at its Midway and Main stages that attract stars and local artists alike. This event garners national attention for its scale, its unique Texan culture, and its longstanding traditions that resonate across the country. Tickets are required for entry; Fair Park hours are typically 10 a.m. until 9-10 p.m., and minors under 18 must be accompanied after 5 p.m. on certain days.
Dates: September 25-October 18, 2026

State Fair of Virginia — 🎪 Festival — Doswell, Virginia An annual state fair focused on Virginia’s agriculture, entertainment, youth programming, and scholarship competitions, featuring Midway rides, exhibits, and large-scale blue-ribbon showings. It draws significant regional and national interest as Virginia is agriculturally rich and this fair showcases both traditional and cultural local talent. Admission covers concerts and exhibits (though some attractions cost extra), fair runs daily from morning until evening.
Dates: September 25-October 4, 2026

AV Fair (Antelope Valley Fair) — 🎪 Festival — Lancaster, California Tickets range by day with presale discounts; general admission is around $15 for adults with reduced pricing for juniors and seniors; full event details and ticketing are available via the official AV Fair website, avfair.com.
Dates: September 24-27, 2026

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Daily Broadcast Prep — Sunday, September 27, 2026