These 19 Activewear Dresses Are Made to Keep You Cool, Comfy and Cute All Summer Long

We love our flowy fit‑and‑flare dresses and floral favorites, but nothing beats the ease and versatility of a breezy activewear dress when the weather warms up. Whether for running laps, running errands, serving on the court or serving chic style, thesebreathable activewear dressesprove that performance and style go hand in hand. And with all the creative designs popping up these days — from drop‑waist dresses totiered tennis stylesand half‑zip athletic pieces — there’s truly something for everyone.

In anticipation of the hot, humid days to come, we rounded up 19 breathable andeasy-going athletic dressesthat deliver everything you'd need, including slimming fits, great bust support and style versatility. Shop our top picks from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Nordstrom and Macy’s below — and get ready to hit the treadmill, tennis court or coffee shop with well‑deserved confidence.

19 Lightweight Activewear Dresses for Staying Cool and Looking Chic

1. Our Favorite:It’s no surprise over 600 shoppers picked up thiscrossback tennis dressthis past month. With built‑in shorts, roomy pockets and a bra that lifts and separates without underwire, it delivers style and dependable support in one easy piece.

2. Preppy Style:If built‑in shorts aren’t your thing, this bestsellingsleeveless tennis dressgives you the best of both worlds. The stretchy, sweat‑wicking fabric pairs perfectly with separate shorts for customizable comfort.

3. Modest Pick:Going for a more modest, full‑coverage look? This polishedzip‑front polo dressfully delivers, with built-in shorts and fresh spring colors, including pink and blue.

4. Slimming Silhouette:Walmart shoppers can’t get enough of thiswrap‑waist activewear dress. They’re wearing it for everything — workouts, powering through errands and even brunch.

5. Perfect Cover:Trying to hide a muffin top? Thissleeveless golf dressfeatures a clever high-waist split skirt that lets you enjoy a smooth, flattering fit no matter how active your day gets.

These Airy Linen Work Pants Will Be Your New BFF This Spring (and Summer) — From $8

6. Flowy Flare:Thistiered athletic pickis as close to a traditional dress as you can get without losing the practicality that makes it a go‑to for busy days. The toggle waist design lets you tailor the fit exactly to your liking.

7. Quiet Luxury Style:Achieve that country club aesthetic with thispleated athletic dressfrom Zella. Complete the rich-mom look with crisp white sneakers, oversized sunnies and a structured tote.

8. Splurge Worthy:For those who gravitate toward premium brands like Alo Yoga or lululemon, thishalf‑zip athletic dressfrom TravisMathew is a perfect match. Shoppers praise its all‑day wearability on the golf course, even on the hottest days.

Advertisement

9. Dancer Vibes:Admirers will think you’re an off-duty ballerina in thisFree People ruffle jumpsuit. While you won’t necessarily be running miles in it, you can absolutely float through errands, coffee runs and casual weekends in total comfort.

10. Mom-Approved:Quince shoppers are obsessed with thisspaghetti‑strap active dress. Reviewers praise the breathable, stretchy fabric and all‑day comfort, calling it a "must‑have" for on‑the‑go moms.

11. Comfort Without Compromise:Some activewear dresses can feel a bit too revealing. This UPF 50Lands’ End active dressenlists a longer skirt and a higher neckline, so you can feel comfortably covered without venturing into matron territory.

12. Style First:Don’t sweat about running laps in thisracerback active dressthat, let’s be honest, is more about looking cute than shaving seconds off your mile time.

13. Size Inclusive:Find your perfect fit in thisscoop‑back athletic dressfrom Old Navy, which is available in regular, tall, and petite sizes from XS to 4X. We especially love the spring‑ready hues, including blue, pink and green.

14. Move With Confidence:Drop‑waist active dressesare popping up everywhere, and Old Navy’s take on the trend might just be our favorite. The super‑stretchy dress lets you move with confidence, thanks to its non‑chafing shorts, supportive built‑in bra and flared, fun skirt.

15. Twirl Worthy:Keep it girly and fun with thisruffle tennis dressthat we’re dying to wear on and off the court. Pair it with a cardigan and tennis shoes for a sporty look that’ssoin this spring.

16. Confidence Booster:Not into showing off a lot of skin? You can still keep things cute and stylish withthis half-zip dressthat has a flirty ruffle hem and tons of color options, including this pink houndstooth style.

17. Tummy-Hiding Fit:For those bloated days where nothing fits right, thistummy‑control tennis dressis just the piece for feeling supported, snatched and ready to take on the day.

18. Full Sleeves:Whether you need sun protection or just like the style, thislong‑sleeve active dressis your go‑to for staying cool, covered and effortlessly chic.

19. Make a Statement:Stand out from the conventional crowd in thiscolorful tennis dressthat uses a clever mesh overlay for the ultimate blend of breathability, movement and eye‑catching style.

I’m Ditching Jeans for These Flowy Spring Pants That Are Way More Flattering — From $17

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase.Learn more!

byCreto Bactum

in

April 05, 2026

These 19 Activewear Dresses Are Made to Keep You Cool, Comfy and Cute All Summer Long

We love our flowy fit‑and‑flare dresses and floral favorites, but nothing beats the ease and versatility of a breezy activewear dress w...

Read More

Dee Freeman, Actress Known for “The Young and the Restless” and“ Sistas”, Dies at 66 After Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Dee Freeman has died at age 66 after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer

NEED TO KNOW

• The actress was best known for starring in The Young and the Restless, Seinfeld, Dexter and most recently Tyler Perry's Sistas

• Freeman is survived by her two children, Amber and Shane

Dee Freeman, an actress best known for starring inThe Young and the RestlessandSistas, has died. She was 66.

The actress died following a stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis, her publicist Desirae L. Benson said in astatement. Freeman’s family confirmed her death in a post on herInstagramon Friday, April 3.

“On behalf of her family, it is with deepest sadness that we share this update with you. Dee passed away peacefully on April 2, after a brave and fearless fight with cancer,” the family captioned a photo of the actress.

“Thank you to everyone who supported Dee during her battle. It blew her away to know how many people cared about her and were pulling for her," the caption continued. “ We know Dee is up there in heaven, being the force of nature she always was. Now she's doing it with her angel wings on. Rest in peace, Dee.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Benson described Freeman as "someone I truly respected and admired" in her statement, while praising the actress's "strength" amid her cancer battle.

“Even in the face of stage 4 lung cancer, she showed up with courage and dignity," Benson wrote. "Dee had a quiet power that commanded respect without ever needing to demand it.

Advertisement

"Her legacy is not just in her work, but in how she made people feel — and that will stay with us forever,” she concluded.

Freeman served six years in the United States Marine Corps before starting a career in acting, appearing in her debut onscreen role in a 1995 episode of the ABC sitcom,Coach,Deadlinereported.

The Louisiana-born actress also starred in three episodes of the soap,The Young and the Restlessin 1997 and 2009 and led the satirical parady showPretty the Seriesfrom 2010 to 2015.

She starred in several other TV shows, includingSeinfeld,Rude Awakening,ER,The Hughleys,The X-Files,Dexter,3rd Rock from the Sun,Do Us Part,ShamelessandNCIS: Los Angeles.

Freeman most recently appeared in theTyler Perry-directed showSistasin January. Her previous onscreen appearance was in a 2022 episode of the TV seriesReasonable Doubt.

Freeman is survived by her two children, Amber and Shane.

Read the original article onPeople

byCreto Bactum

in

April 05, 2026

Dee Freeman, Actress Known for “The Young and the Restless” and“ Sistas”, Dies at 66 After Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Dee Freeman has died at age 66 after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer NEED TO KNOW The actress was best kn...

Read More

1970 Hit Ranked Among Best Rock Love Songs Took 20 Minutes to Write

Elton John's 1970 hit "Your Song" is one of the greatest love songs ever written. Theromanticballad came together in record time, with John composing the melody in just 20 minutes after his songwriting partnerBernie Taupingave him the lyrics he had scribbled down.

In 2018, Taupin told theIndependent, "The original lyric was written very rapidly on the kitchen table of Elton's mother's [house] in Northwood Hills in the suburbs of London, if I recall, on a particularly grubby piece of exercise paper."

The songwriter added, "It's the voice of someone who hasn't experienced love in any way. It's a very virginal song."

Taupin shared, "I think 'Your Song' is a gem. Our classic, I'm not sure. I'll let others decide that. But it's like an old friend, it means so many things on equally as many levels. It's certainly proved its worth, and I've heard it sung a million times."

"It's like a good dog, it's always there," he added.

🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

In a 2013Rolling Stoneinterview, John opened up about how Taupin's lyrics inspired him to fill out the melody of "Your Song" very quickly.

Advertisement

"What can I say, it's a perfect song. It gets better every time I sing it," he shared.

"I remember writing it at my parents' apartment in North London, and Bernie giving me the lyrics, sitting down at the piano and looking at it and going, 'Oh, my God, this is such a great lyric, I can't f**k this one up,'" the singer explained.

John noted, "It came out in about 20 minutes, and when I was done, I called him in and we both knew. I was 22, and he was 19, and it gave us so muchconfidence."

"Empty Sky[his debut album] was lovely, but it was very naive. We went on to do more esoteric stuff like 'Take Me to the Pilot,' of course, but musically, this was a big step forward," he shared. "And the older I get, the more I sing these lyrics, and the more they resonate with me."

"Your Song" ranked #6 on a 2025Billboardlist of staffer picks for "50 Best Rock Love Songs"

Related: Elton John May Be Retired, But His Net Worth in 2026 Is Certainly 'Still Standing'

This story was originally published byParadeon Apr 5, 2026, where it first appeared in theNewssection. Add Parade as aPreferred Source by clicking here.

byCreto Bactum

in

April 05, 2026

1970 Hit Ranked Among Best Rock Love Songs Took 20 Minutes to Write

Elton John's 1970 hit "Your Song" is one of the greatest love songs ever written. Theromanticballad came together in reco...

Read More

All About Bill Murray's Grandchildren, Including Son Luke's 4 Kids

Bill Murray has six sons from two marriages and at least four grandchildren

NEED TO KNOW

• Luke Murray, a college basketball coach, has four children with his wife, Kara Murray

• The Groundhog Day actor has frequently attended Luke's college basketball games with his grandkids

Bill Murrayis a longtime actor in the public eye, but he has kept his family life private.

TheGhostbustersstarbecame a fatherin 1982 when he welcomed son Homer with his first wife, Margaret Kelly. Bill and Kelly welcomed sonLukethree years later. After their 1996 divorce, he welcomed four more children — sons Caleb, Jackson, Cooper and Lincoln — with his second wife, Jennifer Butler, whom he was married to from 1997 to 2008.

Although he keeps much of his children's lives private, Bill has occasionally supported them publicly in their respective careers. In particular, he has been seencheering on his second-oldest son, Luke, while he worked as an assistant coach at the University of Connecticut's men's basketball team.

While many of his children also keep their personal lives off social media, Luke has frequently brought along his children to his college basketball games and introduced them when he was announced as the head coach of Boston College's men's basketball team in March 2026. Luke and his wife, Kara, are parents to sons Luke Jr. and Cash and daughters Celine and Leila, per hisUConn bio.

Here's everything to know about Bill Murray's grandchildren.

Bill's son Luke has four children

Bill has at least four grandchildren. In September 2015, Luke wed Kara in Philadelphia, and Bill evenskipped out on acceptinghis Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie to attend the nuptials.

Bill became a grandfather when Luke and Kara welcomed their first son, Luke Jr. The couple went on to have another son, Cash, and later added daughters Celine and Leila to the family.

Over the years, Luke has had the support of his father, wife and children as he embarked on a successful coaching career. Luke spent years in men's basketball coaching jobs at Louisville, Xavier, Rhode Island, Towson and Wagner before moving back to Connecticut — where he was raised and attended college — with his family.

Bill has attended college basketball games with his grandchildren

Bill has been a staple at his son's coaching games over the years and has occasionally been seen with some of his grandchildren in the stands.

WhenUConn won the NCAA Men's Championshipin 2023,Bill proudly watched in the standsand later joined Luke on the court. At the end of the game, Luke climbed the ladder with Luke Jr. and Cash underneath him to cut a piece of the net. Most recently, Murray attended the2026 March MadnessElite Eight game, whereUConn beat Duke in a major upset.

In March 2026, Luke accepted a job as the head coach of the men's basketball team at Boston College and said that his family was "pumped" to move to the city.

Advertisement

"I'm excited to be here," he said in anInstagram videofor the basketball team. "My family is pumped up to be here."

Luke was joined by all four of his children and Kara in hisintroductory press conferenceon March 31. Kara and the three older kids sat in the front row, while Luke's mom took care of his youngest child behind the scenes.

"Today's a day to celebrate Luke Murray, but I'd be remiss if I didn’t compliment his kids," University spokesperson Jack Dunn said at the end. "Kara and Luke, I've never met four nicer, more polite children in my life. I have four kids of my own, and trust me, they weren’t like this."

Meanwhile, Luke said that his dad was "excited" about the move, as well.

"I know he’s excited to come up to Boston. He loves the city. He’s been around this campus a little bit," Luke said, according tosports reporter Trevor Hass. "I’m sure he’ll be a fixture here as well."

Bill has spoken about parenthood

While Bill allows his children to carve their own paths and live as privately as they'd like, he has occasionally spoken about his own approach to parenting. In a 2003 interview withRolling Stone, Bill reflected on the feeling of welcoming a child for the first time.

"People only talk about what a joyous experience it is, but there is terror: Your life, as you know it, is over," he shared. "It’s over the day that child is born. It’s over, and something completely new starts."

Nearly a decade later in a 2012 interview withEsquire, Bill spoke about his approach to fatherhood and explained that he learned he just wanted his children to be at their "best."

"If you bite on everything they throw at you, they will grind you down. You have to ignore a certain amount of stuff," he said. "The thing I keep saying to them lately is: 'I have to love you, and I have the right to ignore you.' "

He added, "All I want is you at your best — you making this an easier home to live in, you thinking of others."

Read the original article onPeople

byCreto Bactum

in

April 04, 2026

All About Bill Murray's Grandchildren, Including Son Luke's 4 Kids

Bill Murray has six sons from two marriages and at least four grandchildren NEED TO KNOW Luke Murray, a college ba...

Read More

Outspoken Iranians overseas say their loved ones are being detained back home

CAIRO (AP) —Iran's governmentis detaining family members and threatening to seize property of Iranian opposition figures in exile, some tell The Associated Press, in the latest crackdown on dissenting voices as the war rages on.

Iran War

Activists overseas play a key role in tracking the crackdown, which is complicated by the internet shutdown imposed earlier this year duringmassive nationwide protestsagainst the Islamic theocracy. Watchdogs say security forces shot and killed thousands of people.

The war with the United States and Israel has intensified authorities' threats against anyone speaking to outside media or activists. Now that pressure appears to be expanding to intimidate activists in exile.

Iran 'took my mother away to make me be quiet'

Intelligence agents in Tehran on March 15 detained the brother of Hossein Razzagh, a former political prisoner who fled last year to Europe, Razzagh told the AP.

“My own brother isn’t at all political and doesn’t do any kind of political activity. It’s to put me under pressure,” he said.

His brother, Ali, was taken from his home in Tehran and was able to phone his wife that night “for a few seconds” from a detention center run by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry, Razzagh said.

Since then, the family and his lawyer have been unable to contact him. But the intelligence ministry told them it was reviewing his contact with his brother, Razzagh said.

Another activist who fled, Behnam Chegini, said his 20-year-old niece was detained on March 10 for a week. The niece was taken from her parents’ house in the city of Arak soon after she returned from Tehran, where her university had closed because of the war.

She was later released on bail and put under a travel ban.

Chegini, who is now based in France, said the detention was at least in part “because she is my niece and they know that.”

Sareh Sedighi, an activist who fled after her 2021 death sentence was overturned, said her mother was detained from her home last month in the western town of Urmia.

"The Islamic Republic took my mother away to make me be quiet,” she said. Her mother suffers from health problems and requires daily insulin doses, she added.

And Mahshid Nazemi, a former political prisoner and activist who now lives in France, said at least one friend was detained and questioned about contact with her.

Authorities target the property of outspoken exiles

Iran’s judiciary has begun seizing the property of public figures critical of the country's rulers, under an anti-espionage law approved duringlast year’s 12-day warwith Israel that punishes media and cultural activities deemed to support Iran's enemies.

A judiciary spokesman on March 31 said on state TV that more than 200 indictments for confiscations have been or are being issued.

Borzou Arjmand, an Iranian actor living in California, found out from news reports that his assets in Iran had been confiscated. After his outspoken support forprotests in 2022, Arjmand was unable to return to Iran. Since then, authorities have blocked his bank accounts.

Arjmand has expressed support on social media for Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah who has organized an opposition movement abroad and supported U.S.-Israeli strikes.

Advertisement

Pressuring exiled figures is meant "so the Iranian people’s voice doesn’t reach the world,” Arjmand said.

At least three other figures living outside Iran —star soccer player Sardar Azmoun, musician Mohsen Yeghaneh and university professor Ali Sharifi Zarchi — have been on lists of confiscations, according to two semiofficial news agencies in Iran. Yeghaneh and Zarchi have expressed support for anti-government protesters on social media.

Rights groups say conditions are worsening

Iranian security and judicial officials have warned that any new anti-government protests will be met with lethal force.

State media regularly report arrests around the country, describing people as “mercenaries” or “agents” of Israel and the United States, “royalist thugs” or “traitorous elements.”

Reports have alleged that some sent information to “hostile networks.”

Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based group, has tracked several hundred detentions since the war began on Feb. 28, using its networks in the country and state media reports, said its director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghhaddam. He said the full number is likely far higher.

Among those detained is human rights lawyerNasrin Sotoudeh, taken by intelligence agents from her house in Tehran, said her daughter Mehraveh Khandan, who lives in Amsterdam. The 64-year-old Sotoudeh had been out on bail for health reasons following an earlier detention.

Little is known about how trials are functioning, as Israeli airstrikes have targeted buildings connected to the judicial system. "It’s like they are half-closed. A lot of judges are staying home,” said Musa Barzin, a lawyer with Dadban, a group of rights lawyers based abroad.

Some report deteriorating conditions inside crowded prisons. Speaking from Tehran, the wife of a political prisoner held at Iran's Evin Prison worried it could be struck asit was during last year's war.

“Explosions and smoke can be heard and seen from everywhere in the city. Every time we hear a sound, we get scared,” she said, speaking on condition of anonymity for her family's safety.

Iranian opposition tries to organize overseas

The situation has led to new attempts to organize the highly fragmented Iranian opposition abroad.

Shortly before the war, Razzagh and others began planning an opposition conference in London, the Iran Freedom Congress, to bring together pro-democracy groups. Razzagh represented a group of Iran-based opposition figures including Soutoudeh and imprisoned Nobel laureateNarges Mohammadi.

He called the conference a first step toward forming a coalition to push for a “political transition” in Iran.

For decades, Iran’s rulers have quashed organized political opposition. Some activists in the diaspora say the war is worsening that pressure.

“Israel and America are saying, well, if the Islamic Republic doesn’t kill you, let us bomb you. They’ve been taken hostage from both sides,” Nazemi said of Iranians back home.

Associated Press writer Sarah El Deeb in Beirut contributed to this report.

byCreto Bactum

in

April 04, 2026

Outspoken Iranians overseas say their loved ones are being detained back home

CAIRO (AP) —Iran's governmentis detaining family members and threatening to seize property of Iranian opposition figures in exile, ...

Read More

Bruce Springsteen Takes a Stand of Resistance in Minneapolis

WhenBruce Springsteenwalked onstage, he didn’t mince words. He didn’t clear his throat, rhetorically or otherwise. He got straight to the point. He had come to Minneapolis with a mission.

After the Trump administration deployed roughly 3,000federal officers to Minneapolisthis winter—thelargest immigration enforcement actionin the country, an operation that resulted in the killings of two Americans—Springsteen responded in the way he knew best: he went into the studio, writing and recording his fiercest protest song in years. Then came his next move: an impromptu 18-stop tour, beginning inMinneapolisand ending in Washington, D.C. The itinerary spoke for itself. The journey would take him from the scene of the carnage to the seat of power.

To that end, Springsteen opened his “Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour” at the Target Center on March 31 with a rousing monologue against the man in the Oval Office.  “The mightyE Street Bandis here tonight to call upon the righteous power of art, of music, or rock and roll, in dangerous times,” he began. “We are here in celebration and defense of our American ideals, democracy, our constitution, and our sacred American promise.”

Historians may remember the performance as among the most unflinching acts of musical and theatrical resistance mounted against Donald Trump—or any president, for that matter—in the nation’s history. Springsteen channeled a lineage of dissent that runs through the country’s cultural bloodstream, blending the moral clarity and populism of Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie with the propulsive, confrontational energy of Rage Against the Machine, all carried forward by the full force of the E Street Band.

He was joined, in fact, by Rage’s Tom Morello, the sonically innovative guitarist, for 11 numbers of the 27-song set that was his most politically charged in decades: from the howl of fury against the loss of blue-collar dignity in “Death to My Hometown,” “Youngstown,” and “The Ghost of Tom Joad”; to the sorrow of police brutality in “American Skin (41 Shots)”; to defiance against democratic backsliding in “House of a Thousand Guitars”; to the gospel-infused promise of inclusion and redemption in “Land of Hope and Dreams”; to closing with Bob Dylan’s “Chimes of Freedom,” a hymn of solidarity with the downtrodden and dispossessed.

Springsteen, 76, opened the show with a secular sermon that was an updated and intensified version of the one he delivered last summer on tour in Europe, calling upon the crowd to “join with us in choosing hope over fear, democracy over authoritarianism, the rule of law over lawlessness, ethics over unbridled corruption, resistance over complacency, unity over division, and peace over war.” He then segued into his cover of the Edwin Starr classic “War,” which had been part of theBorn in the U.S.A.tour setlist in the 1980s, when the country was still grappling with the aftershocks of Vietnam War. He moved from there to “Born in the U.S.A.” itself—the thundering hit that tells the story of a disillusioned veteran returning home to a country that has little use for him.

The song, as he played it this night, was imbued with new meaning. At the time of its release, it was swiftly co-opted by President Ronald Reagan for his “Morning in America” reelection message. Springsteen’s reaction was a mix of mortification and bemusement. But as the years passed—and the song was recast as a kind of flag-saluting anthem—his frustration only grew. The track was neither the uncomplicated patriotic ode its admirers heard nor the anti-American screed its critics alleged.

“‘Born in the U.S.A.’ was a critical piece of patriotism,” hetold melast fall. “To understand that song, you’ve got to be able to hold two contradictory thoughts in your mind at the same time—that you can feel betrayed by your country and still love it.” The tension is embedded in the song’s architecture: the surging choruses carry the pride; the verses, the indictment. Because of its misinterpretation, he has rarely performed it on American stages in recent decades—part of what made its inclusion here so striking. In his own way, Springsteen opened his Minneapolis concert by asking the audience to sit with that same contradiction: insisting on it as a difficult but necessary civic exercise.

He was pushing on an open door. It was the communion the Boss had already forged with the Twin Cities crowd that gave the show its spiritual backbone. In recent months, Minneapolis had become the epicenter of Springsteen’s political imagination. On Jan. 28, just weeks after the killings ofRenée GoodandAlex Pretti, he released “Streets of Minneapolis,” a searing protest aimed at the Trump Administration and its deportation campaign. Written and recorded within days of Pretti’s killing, the song functioned as both elegy and indictment, quickly becoming a rallying cry for a burgeoning resistance movement.

The response was immediate. The track surged online, climbing to the top of YouTube’s trending chart and drawing millions of views within hours. Tuesday night was his first live performance of that song with the band which served as the night’s emotional center. He began alone at center stage, voice low, the arrangement spare, before the E Street Band surged in behind him. The audience of nearly 18,000 lifted their phones in the air, a constellation of light shimmering across the arena. At Springsteen’s cue, they shouted—“ICE out now!”—not once, not twice, not three times, but four, each repetition louder than the last, as if they were willing the words into reality. A quick glance around the venue revealed tearful eyes in every direction.

Advertisement

Midway through the show, Springsteen outlined his view of the sweep of Trump’s transgressions. He spoke of war in Iran with no constitutional authorization; of immigrants detained, deported, and sent to foreign gulags without due process; of a Justice Department that has abdicated its independence; of a takeover of cultural institutions to obscure uncomfortable historical truths; of an emerging oligarchy in which immense wealth has translated into political power and personal gain; of an erosion of sacred democratic norms.

“This White House is destroying the American idea and our reputation around the world,” Springsteen preached. “We are no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave. We are now, to many, America the reckless, unpredictable, predatory rogue nation. That is this administration’s and this president’s legacy. This is happening now.”

And yet, he ended his remarks with a message of guarded optimism: that the actions of those in power do not reflect the character of those they govern. “Honesty, honor, humility, compassion, thoughtfulness, morality, true strength, and decency—don’t let anybody tell you that these things don’t matter anymore,” he said. “They do. They are at the heart of the kind of men and women we are, the kind of citizens we are, the kind of country we’ll be leaving to our children.”

Springsteen then moved into “My City in Ruins,” a song whose resonance has evolved over time. Originally written as a meditation on the economic decline of Asbury Park, it became an anthem of resilience after the September 11 attacks. Now, it’s sung as a lament for a nation sundered by its own infighting and tribal divides—and as a call for resurrection and rebirth.

Born in the U.S.A.and the Reagan era weren’t Springsteen’s only points of return. He also revisited “Long Walk Home,” written about the country’s moral drift during the George W. Bush years: calamitous wars, the sanctioning of torture, the expansion of the surveillance state, and the erosion of civil liberties. Like “Born in the U.S.A.,” it centers on a man coming home to a place that no longer feels like his own. He recalls his father’s words—an inheritance of belief as much as memory—about the nation’s promise: a place bound together by shared ideals, by a sense that certain things were fixed and enduring. “Your flag flyin’ over the courthouse means certain things are set in stone,” the father tells him, “who we are, what we’ll do, and what we won’t.”

In that vein, as Springsteen has come to occupy his role as not just a performer but a patriarch, a kind of moral elder to his audience, to his musical heirs, to the circle of artists willing to take public stands, he has revived and amplified one of his central tenets: that dissent is not a rejection of patriotism but its highest expression.

Toward the end of the show, Springsteen again invoked the names of Renée Good and Alex Pretti. In the final stretch of the performance, he sat down and spoke about what had compelled him to engineer a pop-up tour in the weeks after their deaths—events that had unfolded just miles from the Target Center a little more than two months earlier.

He lingered on Good’s final words, captured on video as she spoke through her car window to the agent who shot her: “That’s fine, dude, I’m not mad at you.” Springsteen paused. “God bless her,” he said. “Tonight, when you go home, hold your loved ones close. And tomorrow, do as Renée did: find a way to take aggressive, peaceful action to defend our country’s ideals.” He paused, then reached for the words of John Lewis: “Go out and get in some good trouble. Say something, do something. Hell, sing something!”

Before he left the stage, he turned back once more, offering a final refrain that hung in the air, as much as a question as a challenge: “Are you with us?”

byCreto Bactum

in

April 03, 2026

Bruce Springsteen Takes a Stand of Resistance in Minneapolis

WhenBruce Springsteenwalked onstage, he didn’t mince words. He didn’t clear his throat, rhetorically or otherwise. He got straight to t...

Read More

'ER' reunion on 'The Pitt' has Mary McCormack brain surgery masterclass

"West Wing" star Mary McCormackhas discovered a major benefit to getting older in Hollywood: The license to oversee brain surgery on"The Pitt."

McCormack, 57, who appeared on "ER" more than 20 years ago, reunites with Noah Wyle to portray chief of neurosurgery Dr. Linda Conley in"The Pitt" Episode 13(now streaming on HBO Max).

"I'm getting to the age where you get to do the brain surgery," McCormack tells USA TODAY. "No one wants a 25-year-old doing brain surgery. Some good things come with age, and this is one of them."

Sara Wyle on Episode 13Talks entering 'The Pitt' as patient, husband Noah's advice

McCormack played physician Debbie on 'ER'

McCormack first drew notice at the (pre-brain surgery) age of 26, with her lead role in Steven Bochco’s ABC series "Murder One" (1995–1997). It was during this era that the actress first worked with a young Noah Wyle during a memorable New York City Roundabout Theater reading.

"So we've known each other for a long time," says McCormack.

That friendship grew as McCormack appeared on "ER" as Debbie in a recurring role during 2003's Season 10 and 2005's Season 12, portraying a physician working in clinics in Darfur and the Congo with Wyle's Dr. John Carter visiting. All told, there were six episodes.

The actress followed "ER" executive producer John Wells over to "West Wing" for six seasons starting in 2004, mastering the snappy dialogue as Deputy National Security Advisor Kate Harper — with lines famously delivered to the walking President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen).

"I'm a fast talker, so I live in the John Wells' lane," says McCormack. "That's the only job I've ever had where they didn't tell me to slow down."

Mary McCormack oversees brain surgery on 'The Pitt'

Dr. Conley, competent and confident, does the fast work on "The Pitt." The senior doctor is also a great teacher, willing to train Dr. Victoria Javadi (Shabana Azeez) during the student doctor's first brain surgery. The Conley character was created by executive producer Dr. Joe Sachs, based on a real-life mentor.

"It's such a fresh take because we usually see the cowboy surgeon. But they're not all cowboys," says McCormack. "Conley is a bad-ass surgeon and a really good teacher."

The scenes portraying the operation on the ER patient who had fallen on his head were challenging. During rehearsals, McCormack welcomed all professional feedback to reach the exacting standards of the realistic medical show, especially when using instruments such as a cranial drill.

"The tech adviser would go, 'No, no, no, you'd never hold it like this,'" McCormack says. "And I'd be like, 'Thank goodness.' I didn't want to leave the (rehearsal) set."

Advertisement

McCormack even filmed the brain surgeon technicians on her iPhone during rehearsals and spent days "shoving the video into my head" with repeated viewing.

How was the Wyle and McCormack reunion?

Wyle and McCormack had a brief, satisfying onset reunion. They caught up on everything from kids to spouses (McCormack is married to director Michael Morris, a friend of Wyle's). Of course, they addressed their mutual love of "This Is Spinal Tap."

"Noah is the only person alive that loves 'Spinal Tap' as much as I do. We speak almost entirely in 'Spinal Tap' references," says McCormack.

Then it was right to work. Wyle's Dr. Robby introduces Conley, and lets the specialist do her thing. For the brain surgery scenes, the human actor was replaced with an extensive model that allowed shots of McCormack performing the surgery. Even the veteran actress was impressed by how realistic the stand-in was.

"I mean, this guy almost breathed. There was hair on his head. It was incredible," says McCormack. "Even up close, it looked like a human being, 100 percent."

McCormack was too focused on her performance to get grossed out by using tools like the specialized retractors to reveal the brain.

"I was too stressed about being correct with my actions and lines and not f----- it up for these technicians who made this beautiful piece of work," says McCormack. "I was not thinking about it as a real brain. That wide shot where I'm cutting is so expensive and cool, it makes it all look like a real ER."

Away from "The Pitt," Supriya Ganesh is an awards show star, attending the 32nd Annual Actor Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on March 1.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> "The Pitt" won best ensemble at the SAG Actor awards.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Isa Briones and Supriya Ganesh dance at The Actor Awards Netflix afterparty.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

'The Pitt' star Supriya Ganesh, fan-favorite Dr. Samira Mohan, exits

Will McCormack return to 'The Pitt'?

The operation seemingly goes perfectly, allowing Conley to walk off with another success. There will be a brief appearance in the April 9 episode. But McCormack's work was pretty much wrapped after the episode's sensational surgery.

She exits an even more rabid fan of both "The Pitt" and Wyle, comparing his show leadership to Sheen on "West Wing."

"Noah is obviously getting all the attention he's always deserved," says McCormack. "But he also is just the best Number 1 on a call sheet. Like Martin Sheen level. There's an expression in television, as Number 1 goes, so goes the show. It's true, because they set the tone."

The veteran actress is willing to come back for an encore should Conley's particular set of skills be required.

"I'm all for it. But I'm thrilled to be on 'The Pitt' even for a minute," says McCormack. "Then again, I'm hoping for another serious television brain injury."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'The Pitt's 'ER' reunion has Mary McCormack as Noah Wyle's brain surgeon

byCreto Bactum

in

April 03, 2026

'ER' reunion on 'The Pitt' has Mary McCormack brain surgery masterclass

"West Wing" star Mary McCormackhas discovered a major benefit to getting older in Hollywood: The license to oversee brain sur...

Read More