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News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

Pentagon Scraps Deployment of 4,000 Troops to Poland

9/11 Memorial and Museum Adds 7th Moment of Silence

AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Launch Joint Venture to Tackle Dead Zones

Stefania Cox is an NTD News anchor and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Stefania anchors "NTD Newsroom," and co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Stefania Cox

Trump Committed to US Defense, Prosperity, Amid China Talks: Expert

Jerome Powell Ends Tenure as Fed Chair

US Government Sues Chick-fil-A Over Religious Rights

California Gubernatorial Candidates Make Closing Pitches to Voters 

House Passes 1st Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations Bill

Jason Blair is a national correspondent for NTD News based in California. 

Jason Blair

Federal Judge Partly Blocks Texas Immigration Law

Trump Announces National Garden of American Heroes Plans

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 15)

Paul Greaney is an NTD news anchor and producer. Since joining the company in 2018, he has anchored the station’s flagship Evening News broadcast, launched the NTD Business show, and produced documentary reports on pointed issues. 

The highlight of Paul’s time in the field was his coverage of the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Paul Greaney

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 14)

Kevin Hogan is an NTD News data reporter and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Kevin covers breaking news, as well as U.S. and global current events. He conveys the news through data visualizations and investigates pressing issues.

Kevin Hogan

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 13)

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NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 11)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 8)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 7)

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Fast, compelling, first-hand news from China. China in Focus airs Monday–Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

China in Focus

China Sends Warships to Pacific Drill as Tensions With Japan Rise

Reuters is a news agency owned by Thomson Reuters. It employs around 2,500 journalists and 600 photojournalists in about 200 locations worldwide writing in 16 languages.

Reuters

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

2 US Embassy Personnel Assigned to Cartel Case Killed in Car Accident

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

US News

Gunman Kills 8 Children, Including 7 of His Own, in Louisiana Mass Shooting

Flora Hua is a reporter based at NTD's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers China news, U.S.-China relations, and human rights issues. Flora primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus."  

Flora Hua

Trump: Seized Iranian Ship May Have ‘A Gift From China’

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Aldgra Fredly is a freelance writer covering U.S. and Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.

Aldgra Fredly

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical Condition: Spokesman

Wildfires Across Georgia and Florida Have Destroyed Nearly 50 Homes and Are Forcing Evacuations

US Warns of China Hacks via Routers, Smart Devices

Juliet Song is an international correspondent exclusively covering China news for NTD. She primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus," covering U.S.-China relations, the Chinese regime's human rights abuses, and domestic unrest inside China.

Juliet Song

2 Americans Among Suspected Communist Rebels Killed in Clashes With Troops, Philippine Officials Say

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Mari Otsu is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. 

Mari Otsu

World News

Middle East

Iran

3 US Warships Fend Off Iranian Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holds

Health News

3 Dead in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship in Atlantic Ocean: WHO

George Wendt, the actor best known for his role as Norm Peterson on the iconic sitcom “Cheers,” died early Tuesday at age 76, according to his family and The Agency Group publicity firm.

Wendt passed away peacefully in his sleep at home, his family said, requesting privacy as they mourn his loss.

“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend, and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,” the family said in a statement. “He will be missed forever.”
<h2>From Chicago Roots to Television Fame</h2>
Born in Chicago, Wendt attended Campion High School in Wisconsin before enrolling at Notre Dame, where he struggled academically and was eventually expelled. He later completed his degree in economics at Rockhurst University in Kansas City.

Wendt’s comedic journey began at Chicago’s renowned Second City, where he performed for six years in both the touring company and on the mainstage. “I think comedy is my long suit, for sure. My approach to comedy is usually not full-bore clownish,” Wendt once told The Associated Press. He described his comedic style as understated, preferring to ground his performances in reality rather than showboating.
<h2>The Accidental Icon: Norm Peterson</h2>
Despite a lengthy résumé, Wendt will forever be remembered as Norm Peterson, the friendly, beer-loving regular at the Boston bar where “everybody knows your name.”

According to Wendt, his initial audition for “Cheers” was for a single word part where he would just say the word “beer,” but producers quickly saw his potential for a larger role.

“So I went in, and they said, ‘It’s too small a role. Why don’t you read this other one?’ And it was a guy who never left the bar,” Wendt recalled in an interview with GQ.

“Cheers” debuted on NBC in 1982 and initially struggled in the ratings but thanks to the support of network president Brandon Tartikoff, it survived its first season and went on to become a cultural phenomenon. The show ultimately earned 117 Emmy nominations and 28 wins, with Wendt receiving six consecutive nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series from 1984 to 1989.

Norm’s entrances were usually greeted with a chorus of “Norm!” from the bar’s patrons. His quick-witted responses, became hallmarks of the character, like this one: “How’s a beer sound, Norm?” he'd be asked by the bartender. “I dunno. I usually finish them before they get a word in,” he'd reply.
<h2>Offscreen Bonds and Lasting Impact</h2>
In a statement, Rhea Perlman, who played Carla, remembered him fondly.

“As Carla, I was often standing next to him, as Norm always took the same seat at the end of the bar, which made it easy to grab him and beat the crap out of him at least once a week. I loved doing it and he loved pretending it didn’t hurt. What a guy! I’ll miss him more than words can say,” Perlman said.

The camaraderie extended beyond the set. On the night of the “Cheers” finale in 1993, Wendt and his fellow cast members watched the last episode together at the Bull and Finch Pub in Boston, the bar that inspired the show. “We had been drinking heavily for two hours but nobody thought to feed us,” Wendt told the Beaver County Times in 2009. “We were nowhere near as cute as we thought we were.”
<h2>Life Beyond Cheers</h2>
After “Cheers,” Wendt starred briefly in “The George Wendt Show” and made appearances on series like “The Ghost Whisperer,” “Harry’s Law,” and “Portlandia.” He also became a fixture on “Saturday Night Live” sketches about “Da Bears” and, in 2023, competed on “The Masked Singer.”

Wendt also performed on stage, with roles in Broadway productions such as “Hairspray,” where he donned Edna Turnblad’s iconic housecoat, and the Tony-winning play “Art.”

He toured nationally with “12 Angry Men” and appeared in regional productions of “Death of a Salesman,” “The Odd Couple,” and “Funnyman.”

“A, it’s by far the most fun, but B, I seem to have been kicked out of television,” Wendt joked to the Kansas City Star in 2011. “I overstayed my welcome. But theater suits me.”

He was also known for playing Santa Claus in the Broadway musical “Elf,” the TV movie “Santa Baby,” and Disney’s “Santa Buddies,” as well as in holiday specials for Larry the Cable Guy and Stephen Colbert. “I think it just proves that if you stay fat enough and get old enough, the offers start rolling in,” Wendt told AP in a previous interview in his Broadway dressing room.
<h2>To Be Remembered By</h2>
Wendt’s first sip of beer was at age eight and was recounted in the book “Drinking With George: A Barstool Professional’s Guide to Beer,” which he co-wrote. The book, part memoir and part beer guide, reflected his warm, conversational style and humor.

He is survived by his wife, Bernadette Birkett—who voiced Norm’s unseen wife Vera on “Cheers”—his children Hilary, Joe, and Daniel, and stepchildren Joshua and Andrew.

Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center, in a statement praised Wendt’s legacy: “From his early days with The Second City to his iconic role as Norm on ‘Cheers,’ George Wendt’s work showcased how comedy can create indelible characters that feel like family. Over the course of 11 seasons, he brought warmth and humor to one of television’s most beloved roles,” according to Gunderson.

<em>The Associated Press contributed to this report.</em>

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Rudy Blalock is a Southern California-based daily news reporter for NTD. Originally from Michigan, he moved to California in 2017 and the sunshine and ocean have kept him here since. In his free time, he may be found underwater scuba diving, on top of a mountain hiking or snowboarding, or at home meditating—which helps fuel his active lifestyle.

Rudy Blalock

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