Washburn University men’s basketball coach Brett Ballard is on the road to recovery after a devastating car accident in August left him hospitalized for a week.

Ballard, 46, updated fans on his progress in a video shared via X on Friday, September 18.

“My doctors had determined that I had a neurological episode that caused me to wreck my truck as I was driving down the highway,” he explained. “Fortunately no one else was involved in the accident. Unfortunately for me I was in a pretty bad wreck and in the hospital for about a week.”

Ballard continued, “The good news is I’m progressing and tracking in a very good direction and my team of doctors feels like I’ll make a full recovery in the next couple months. God is good.”

The accident occurred on August 4 in Topeka, Kansas, where Washburn is located. Ballard’s 2024 Ford F-150 veered off the road and hit a delineator post, then an embankment and bridge pillar, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol’s online crash log.

Ballard was the only person in the car at the time and was wearing his seat belt.

“To my doctors that night and [those] who have been with me along this journey, I’m grateful for you,” he said. “To my wife Kelly who has been an absolute rock during this situation, I’m so thankful for her. To our family, friends, relatives, fans, everybody that’s called, text, reached out, provided support, I’m so thankful and humbled by your support.”

Ballard then spoke about his team, which has gone 61-6 over the last two seasons.

Related: Kansas Men’s Basketball Dedicates Win to Staffer 3 Days After His Death

The Kansas Jayhawks played perhaps the game of the year in the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season on Tuesday, January 6, and for them, the 104-100 overtime win over Texas Christian University meant a little more. The Jayhawks were playing with heavy hearts, grieving the death of athletics staffer Scott “Scooter” Ward, who died on […]

“I tell my team all the time that you’re going to face adversity, whether it’s on the court or in life,” he said. “I’m doing my best to respond to this challenge in the right way. “We’ve been ranked No. 1 in the country the last two years and I feel like I’ve got a team again that’s going to be highly competitive and compete for championships, so I hope to see many of you out there at Lee Arena this winter to support me and the team.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

In the immediate aftermath of Ballard’s accident, coaches from around college basketball voiced their support. He spent time in Division I as an assistant at Wake Forest, Tulsa and Kansas under Hall of Famer Bill Self.

“Thoughts and prayers to Brett,” Wake Forest men’s basketball coach Steve Forbes wrote via X at the time.

“Our prayers are going to the entire Ballard family,” Washburn women’s basketball coach Lora Westling added via X. “Coach is as tough as they come and has an entire community behind him as he recovers. The Washburn family is special for a reason. Thoughts, prayers, and strength to everyone who can use it today.”

Paris Hilton went through a style transformation after she became a mother.

“I feel like I, in my life, I do so many things,” Hilton, 45, exclusively told Us at The Blonds’ 20th anniversary fashion show on Monday, September 14, while discussing the “whole new style” she took on after welcoming son Phoenix, 3, and daughter London, 2, with husband Carter Reum.

“I’m a mom, I’m a businesswoman, I’m a DJ, I’m a pop star, I’m an artist,” she continued. “I do it all. So there’s always whatever vibe or theme is happening for the day, but for me, I’m a sliving mom, so I’ll always be, you know, dressing the way I do and having fun with it. But then also, like, the hot housewife vibes as well.”

As for whether she’s passing her iconic sense of style onto her daughter, Hilton told Us that London is “already” raiding her closet “all the time.”

“She’s only 2 and a half, and she’s coming in my closet, trying to try on my shoes now, wearing the purses, the outfits,” she explained. “She’s already trying, and she’s a mini fashionista. She’s like a mini me. She’s so gorgeous, so sweet, and she can raid my closet whenever she likes.”

The Simple Life alum continued, “She is the luckiest girl in the world because [of] the amount of clothes that she’s going to have, and I tell her that every day when I’m trying something on. She’s like, ‘Mama, I love that.’ I’m like, ‘Honey, this is going to be all yours one day, so you are a very, very lucky girl.’”

Hilton closed out The Blonds’ show during New York Fashion Week, commanding the runway in a Swarovski crystal-encrusted look inspired by the new motorola razr. Designer David Blond dubbed Hilton “the ultimate blonde.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

While speaking to Us about her style, Hilton admitted that she didn’t always have the self-confidence she boasts today.

Related: Paris Hilton Looks Unrecognizable With Brunette Bangs on Gucci Runway

Advertisement

Paris Hilton had fans doing a double take while walking the runway. Hilton, 45, stepped out on Saturday, May 16, to walk the runway during the Gucci Cruise 2027 collection fashion show in New York City. The singer noticeably rocked a new look for the special occasion. Instead of her signature blonde hair, Hilton opted […]

“I feel like I developed confidence over time,” she shared. “I was always shy growing up, but then when I moved to New York City, and especially during Fashion Week, I feel like is when I really would like come to life, and, like, I learned how to do the runway walk, and just being on the catwalk and fashion, and especially wearing something like this, you can’t help but feel confident.”

She added, “New York Fashion Week has always been so special to me. I just have so many memories of my sister and I going to all the shows, walking in them, and I’ve loved The Blondes forever. So when they asked me to be part of the 20th anniversary, it was an immediate yes because I love them so much. They’re so talented and creative. Their pieces are art, and … I’m so happy to be here to support them.”

The SDR Show just notched one of its biggest visibility wins in its long run, climbing into the top 20 on iHeartRadio’s Comedy chart this week while also earning a feature placement on the platform’s front page. For a show that has been grinding out twice-weekly episodes for more than a decade, the timing lines up with a genuine moment of momentum for hosts Ralph Sutton and Aaron Berg.

Why A Spot On iHeart’s Front Page Actually Means Something

iHeartRadio isn’t a niche corner of the podcast world. The platform’s owned network alone reached roughly 55.7 million unique monthly listeners across nearly 940 shows as of this past July, according to Podtrac data, and the company has built its base to well over 100 million registered users over the years. Its weekly Top 100 podcast chart updates every Monday and functions as one of the clearest signals of what audiences are actually pressing play on that week, out of a catalog that runs into the tens of thousands of active shows across the broader network.

Getting an editorial front page placement on top of a chart position is a different kind of win than an algorithmic recommendation. It means someone on iHeart’s programming side looked at The SDR Show and decided it belonged in front of listeners who weren’t already searching for it, casual browsers, people scrolling for something new, longtime iHeart users who’ve never heard of Sutton or Berg. That’s discovery reach a show can’t buy its way into. For a podcast built around raw, unscripted conversation rather than a big media brand behind it, landing in that spot is a real vote of confidence in the show’s staying power and its ability to still pull in new listeners after all these years.

A Decade-Plus Run Built On Unfiltered Conversation

The SDR Show, short for Sex, Drugs & Rock N Roll, launched with modest beginnings back around 2013 to 2014, pulling in roughly 6,000 downloads in its first month and cracking the New & Noteworthy list at number six. By March 2015, it had already climbed to the top of iTunes’ comedy charts, an early sign that the format- blunt, funny, no-filter conversations with musicians, comedians, adult performers, and anyone with a wild story- had real staying power.

Ralph Sutton, who has previously spent more than a decade hosting the nationally syndicated rock radio show The Tour Bus, has been the constant behind the mic since day one. His co-host chair has changed hands over the years, first shared with comedian Big Jay Oakerson, later with Dov Davidoff, and now with Aaron Berg, who officially stepped into the role after Sutton made the call himself. The show has since grown into a fixture of GaS Digital Network, the New York-based podcast network founded in 2016 that now produces around 20 shows reaching an estimated five million monthly listeners.

Across more than 750 episodes, the show has hosted an unusually wide range of guests, from musicians like Gene Simmons and Peter Frampton to comedians like Ray Romano and Pete Davidson, and even names outside entertainment entirely, including Mark Cuban and Neil deGrasse Tyson. That guest list is part of why the show has picked up mentions over the years from outlets like Loudwire, NME, and Entrepreneur Magazine.

Recent Buzz Has Been Building

The show’s latest chapter with Aaron Berg has generated its own wave of coverage. Sutton announced the hire directly, joking that Berg was his first call but initially turned it down before coming around. Berg brings his own following into the mix, an established New York comedy circuit veteran with acting credits including The Boondock Saints 2 and Detroit Rock City, six stand-up albums, and a career as an author, all of which give the show a fresh comedic voice alongside Sutton’s rock radio pedigree.

Combine that host transition with a catalog that’s still releasing new episodes twice a week, most recently digging into the formation story behind the band The Paradox, and it’s clear the show has kept its foot on the gas rather than coasting on its history.

What This Moment Signals Going Forward

A top 20 chart position and a front page feature on a platform this size isn’t a fluke for a show with this kind of track record. It’s a reflection of a decade-plus of consistency finally getting matched with the kind of platform-level exposure that can introduce The SDR Show to an entirely new audience, right as it heads into a new era with Berg behind the mic.

Julia Stiles may have just danced her way into an apology from Juilliard School following her “Dancing with the Stars” debut. 

“Save the Last Dance” is one of the 45-year-old’s most notable films, in which she plays Sara Johnson, a talented young ballerina whose primary life ambition is to get accepted into Juilliard. 

However, Stiles’s appearance on the show was met with different reactions online, centering on the actress’s skills, including a reaction from the prestigious school. 

4

After the institution was called out for a previous post, Juilliard took a hilarious turn in the best way possible.

They sent Stiles and her professional partner, Ezra Sosa, alumni gear and a lovely message, which the actress shared on Instagram.

“Dear Julia, with our apologies for the clerical error, your alumni file was found under the name Sara Johnson,” the note read. “We are so proud of you and cheering you and Ezra on.”  

The message also had a playful nod to her memorable role: “Remember, “Dancing with the Stars” ain’t no square dance, but we know you’ll dance circles, probably, around everyone else.” 

Stiles happily showed off the alumni gear, gushing over how cute the gesture was. “They know I love a crop top,” she said, holding up a shirt, a nod to her iconic 90’s style. 

The school reiterated they meant no shade at the actress in their previous post. Stiles also clarified, “Never went to Juilliard; it’s a fictional character, Sara Johnson.” 

Juilliard Showed Support For Julia Stiles Ahead Of ‘DWTS’ Premiere 

This move comes in response to a post shared by Juilliard featuring the actress in a blue dress with the caption, “Checks registrar* No, Julia Stiles did not, in fact, attend Juilliard. But we love her anyway.” 

They then went on to promote their upcoming fall festival before wishing Stiles good luck on “Dancing with the Stars,” writing, “We’re cheering you on!” 

The Blast reported that while Stiles expressed gratitude in the post comment section, some fans lightheartedly called the school out. “But did you check her alter ego Sara Johnson? We have video proof she unofficially got in.” 

“She definitely got into Juilliard…,” another fan joked. “Just can’t say it on record,” with yet another commenting, “Now Juilliard is LYING wooowowwww. We all saw her dance to get in, bestie.”  

Julia Stiles Joined A TikTok Trend To Dispel Dancing Rumors

4

Stiles’ character might be a professionally trained ballerina who studied at Juilliard, but the actress herself is far from that.  Joining a TikTok Yep/Nope challenge with Sosa, Stiles had a few things to say about viral misinformation. 

In the video, she revealed that while she got some training for the movie, she had no prior training and has not had any other training since the film’s release in 2001, per The Blast.

Advertisement

Another shocking revelation was that the actress had a body double for a lot of the more challenging scenes in the movie, letting fans know that her moves were not as top-notch as they might have previously thought. 

Julia Stiles Stuck It To Rival Andy Cohen With Dazzling ‘DWTS’ Performance 

4

However, if her latest performance is anything to go by, the “10 Things I Hate About You” actress might be too humble about the extent of her skills. 

During the premiere, Stiles and Sosa performed an outstanding quickstep, scoring 18 out of 30 and placing on the leaderboard in the competition. 

“Andy Cohen, you can eat it,” judge Derek Hough declared after they were done, referring to the TV host’s previous comments on Stiles, saying she was not the greatest dancer on the planet. 

The Blast reported that in her intro package, the actress said the quote was ingrained in her head and was stated as one of the reasons she chose to return to the ballroom floor. 

Advertisement

Julia Stiles Said Dolly Parton Approved ‘DWTS’ Song 

4

Stiles and Sosa’s quickstep was done to Dolly Parton’s song, “9 to 5,” and the actress confirmed Parton gave her permission to use it just before her passing, according to USA Today.

“It was only a couple weeks before Dolly passed that she approved this song specifically for me,” Stiles revealed during the intro package. 

“I’m so honored to be dancing to her music and honoring her legacy, and I want to make her proud,” she concluded. 

If you’re scouting chic fall boots, same. But not just any boots. We’re eyeing Hunter’s sleek styles, and like a gift from the fashion gods, these 11 pairs went on major sale ahead of Amazon Prime Big Deal Days. They’re an appetizer to the big sale, which runs from October 6 to October 7, 2026. We’re here for all of it!

Many cute boots don’t hold up on the practicality front, but that’s what makes these waterproof wonders so dreamy. Plus, with the iconic ‘Hunter’ logo on the front, people will think you dropped hundreds. Score these expensive-looking finds before the weather turns and thank Us later!

11 Rich-Looking Hunter Boots — Up to 54% Off

1. Our Favorite: You can’t go wrong with these classic short rain boots, especially since they come in a fall-coded pine color – was $165, now $120!

2. Cute Collab: Hunter’s silhouette meets Loveshackfancy’s darling floral print. These tall pink boots look straight out of a boutique — was $235, now $176!

3. Everyday Staple: These mini Chelsea boots truly go with everything, so don’t be surprised if you wear them 24/7 — was $140, now $95!

4. Subtle Lift: With a cushioned footbed, sophisticated nude color and 1.5-inch heel, these classy wonders make you feel your best in every way — was $125, now $100!

5. East Coast: Matte and navy, these polished rain boots channel old-money Nantucket energy. We love the versatile 16-inch height — was $140, now $126!

Related: Shh! Amazon Marked Down Free People-Style Fall Pieces — From $6

If you’re tempted to drop hundreds at Free People, we get it. But Amazon is hiding 17 chic fall pieces that channel the brand’s aesthetic eerily well. The only difference? The price. Our top picks start at only $6! These boho-luxe pieces are mega marked down ahead of Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, which runs […]

Advertisement

6. Adventure-Ready: Suede and rubber come together in these adventure-ready boots. They keep your feet warm and dry — was $185, now $125!

7. Knee-High: Make a statement in these knee-high boots that carry you through rain, snow and date night. They even have a drawcord for added water protection — was $215, now $98!

8. Dainty Pick: If you love the Hunter and Loveshackfancy collab, snag the short version, too — was $165, now $124!

9. Bestseller Alert: These bestselling tall black boots have an adjustable back, padded insole and timeless look, and they’re $44 off right now — $190, now $146!

10. Combat Style: Upgrade your combat boots with this Skylar Waterproof number that’s just as edgy yet is much more elevated — was $225, now $158!

11. Center of Attention: Metallics are totally ‘in’ and these head-turning mini boots nail the aesthetic. Don’t forget to check the coupon box — was $165, now $94!

UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping

Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.