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News Daypop

Jury seated in murder trial of Ahmaud Arbery

A jury was seated on Wednesday in the murder trial of three Georgia men accused in the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery in February 2020.  A pool of about 1,000 potential jurors over the course of nearly three weeks was whittled down by the Glynn County Superior Court; of the 12 jurors and four alternates, one was a person of color; five were men and 11 women.

Prosecutors accused defense attorneys of racial bias and asked Judge Timothy Walmsley to reinstate eight Black potential jurors that the defense had struck from the final jury. Arbery was black and the three men accused of killing him were white. Greg McMichael, his son, Travis McMichael, and William “Roddie” Bryan each face charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment for the shooting death of Arbery on Feb. 23, 2020.

Video footage from Bryan’s vehicle showed Arbery, 25, being boxed in by two pickup trucks driven by the defendants as he was jogging through a Brunswick neighborhood less than 2 miles from his home. Travis McMichael then appears to get out of his vehicle and shoot Arbery three times with a shotgun. The elder McMichael told police they pursued Arbery after suspecting he’d committed a series of break-ins in the neighborhood, though there hadn’t been a string of break-ins reported in the area in weeks. All three men pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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Sports Daypop

Cleveland Browns excuse Odell Beckham Jr. from Wednesday practice

Less than 24 hours after the league trade deadline passed, Yahoo Sports reports that Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr. did not practice on Wednesday, and that the decision is “team-related.” Beckham was ready to practice on Wednesday, but that the team told him he is “excused.” What this means for Beckham remains to be seen, but continues speculation that has been going on since Tuesday when Beckham’s father posted a video on Instagram showing how poorly utilized his son was — as well as LeBron James later coming out with a tweet proclaiming he would be a true #1 receiver again.

There was speculation that the Browns may have tried to trade Beckham Jr. before the deadline, but no transactions were made on Tuesday. The Browns did not move Beckham at the trade deadline either via trade or releasing him and reports suggest they do intend to keep him and figure out a way to make this work.

Beckham Jr. joined the Cleveland Browns via trade in 2019, but the receiver has not been able to put up the types of stats he tallied while he was with the New York Giants; whether due to injury or other reasons. In Sunday’s 15-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Beckham Jr. caught one pass for six yards.

The 4-4 Cleveland Browns travel to Cincinnati next for a road game against the AFC North rival Bengals on Nov. 7 at 1 p.m.

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Sports Daypop

Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers tests positive for COVID-19, will miss Week 9 game vs. Chiefs

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 and won’t play in Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Rodgers’ positive test result or game status. Second-string quarterback Jordan Love is expected to start against the Chiefs.

Rodgers told reporters in August that he was “immunized,” when asked if he was vaccinated against COVID-19; however, sources told NFL Network and Sports Illustrated on Wednesday that the quarterback is not vaccinated. League and NFL Players Association COVID-19 protocol states that unvaccinated players must isolate for at least 10 days if they test positive. Vaccinated players can return to the team if they are symptom free and return two negative test results 24 hours apart. If unvaccinated, Rodgers’ earliest return date would be Nov. 13. The Packers will host the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 14 in Green Bay, Wis.

The Packers (7-1) will face the Chiefs (4-4) at 4:25 p.m. EST Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

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Country Daypop

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inducts Amy Grant, Steve Earle, Toby Keith, Rhett Akins and more in a star-studded gala

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame welcomed ten new members as the Classes of 2020 and 2021 were officially honored during NaSHOF’s 50th and 51st Anniversary Hall of Fame Gala at Nashville’s Music City Center.  Sarah Cates, Board Chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation, said: “This year we are belatedly celebrating our Golden Anniversary – more than 50 years of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Though we were unable to gather last year, we’re making up for lost time by honoring two stellar classes. It’s gratifying to have these legendary songwriters join us at last!”

The Class Of 2020 included: Kent Blazy and Brett James in the songwriter category; Spooner Oldham in the veteran songwriter category, Steve Earle in the songwriter/artist category and Bobbie Gentry in the veteran songwriter/artist category.

The Class of 2021 included: Rhett Akins and Buddy Cannon in the songwriter category; John Scott Sherrill in the veteran songwriter category; Toby Keith in the songwriter/artist category and Amy Grant in the veteran songwriter/artist category.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

Dan + Shay cancel two tour dates due to COVID-19; release new Christmas track

Dan + Shay have cancelled a pair of upcoming dates on “The (Arena) Tour” due to a member of their team contracting COVID-19. The duo shared in a letter to their fans on socials sharing that they had “some good news + some bad news.”

The bad news was that a member of their touring crew has tested positive for the virus, forcing them to cancel shows in Orlando, Florida on Nov. 4 and Atlanta on Nov. 5.  As for the ‘good news,’ the twosome teased some “Christmas surprises” in the works, and followed that up by dropping a new holiday track on Wednesday titled “Pick Out A Christmas Tree”.  Dan + Shay wrote on InstagramPICK OUT A CHRISTMAS TREE🎄we’re so excited to share the first of our 2021 holiday surprises 👀 whether you’re picking out a christmas tree, putting one up, or just trying to get in the spirit, this is the soundtrack for you. hit the link in our bio/story to check it out exclusively on @amazonmusic, or say “hey alexa, play pick out a christmas tree!” also, drop a comment and let us know if you’re team live tree or fake tree. gonna tally the results. 

Pick Out A Christmas Tree, an exclusive Amazon Original, can be purchased – here.

Dan + Shay are currently scheduled to be on the road until Dec. 7.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

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Entertainment Daypop

Chris Pratt will voice Garfield the cat in new animated film

Chris Pratt has signed on to voice the iconic cat character, Garfield, in an upcoming film. Pratt posted on Instagram along with an image of Garfield.  The film will be written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter David Reynolds (Finding Nemo) and will be directed by Mark Dindal (Chicken Little). Reynolds and Dindal previously worked together on The Emperor’s New Groove.

This is the latest adaptation of the famous cat; it was first made into a live-action film, Garfield, in 2004 along with its sequel, 2006’s Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties. Bill Murray voiced the cat in both films. Pratt has voiced characters in the Lego Movie franchise as well as in Pixar’s Onward. He is also set to star as Mario in the Super Mario Bros. animated movie.

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Entertainment Daypop

Kristen Stewart reveals her engagement to Dylan Meyer after two years together

Kristen Stewart is engaged to her girlfriend of two years, screenwriter Dylan Meyer. The 31-year-old actress revealed the big news during her appearance on “The Howard Stern Show,” saying that it was Meyer who popped the question. Steward told Stern: “We’re marrying, we’re totally gonna do it. I wanted to be proposed to, so I think I very distinctly carved out what I wanted and she nailed it. We’re marrying, it’s happening.”

Stewart and Meyer first met on a movie set over six years ago, but were first romantically linked in August 2019. The couple made their relationship Instagram official that October with a picture of them kissing, and Meyer posted a tribute to Stewart while celebrating the actress’ birthday in April, saying:  “Life sure is sweeter with this cute little family. Happy birthday, kiddo. You knock my socks off.”

Stewart portrays Princess Diana in the biopic Spencer, directed by Pablo Larraín. The film co-stars Jack Farthing, Timothy Spall and Sean Harris, and opens in theaters this Friday.

Editorial credit: Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com

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Rock Daypop

Green Day announce first North American concert of 2022 featuring Incubus and more

Green Day’s first concert of 2022 will take place at the Innings Festival music and baseball fest in Tampa, Fla., also featuring acts such as Incubus and 311 along with appearances from baseball legends such as Ozzie Smith.

Despite being a music and baseball fest, Innings Festival will actually be held in Tampa, Florida’s Raymond James Stadium, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play. So far, the festival, which will be held from March 19-20, is currently Green Day’s only North American tour date of 2022. The two-day event will feature over fifteen artists on three stages, and includes performances from Green Day, the Lumineers, Incubus, Khruangbin, 311, Nathanial Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Jimmy Eat World, Goo Goo Dolls, O.A.R., Highly Suspect and more.

All tickets will go on sale Nov. 5 at 10AM local time. Kids seven and under may enter for free alongside a ticketed adult. Check out the full details at the link – here.

Editorial credit: Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

Mammoth WVH and Dirty Honey announce 2022 co-headline tour dates

Mammoth WVH and Dirty Honey are teaming up for the “Young Guns” tour, set to kick off in late January 2022. The 30-date co-headlining tour will kick-off Jan. 21, with the two bands alternating the closing spot during the run.

Mammoth WVH’s Wolfgang Van Halen said: “We played one co-headline show with Dirty Honey back in September. As soon as the night was over, we knew this would be a great package to take across the U.S. We couldn’t be more excited to share the stage with them and give all of the fans an unforgettable night of rock music.” 

Adds Dirty Honey’s Marc LaBelle: “People who come to our shows are going to see two bands who are looking to prove that rock ‘n’ roll is definitely very much alive and well. We both carry the weight of that on our shoulders, and there’s a lot to prove.”

Ticket pre-sales for both acts start Nov. 4 at 10AM local time with the pre-sale password: YOUNGGUNS.  The general public on-sale begins this Friday (Nov. 5) at 10AM local time. For ticket info, click here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Taylor Swift, Saweetie announced as upcoming musical guests on ‘Saturday Night Live’

Saturday Night Live revealed its full November lineup, which will feature Taylor Swift returning to the show and Saweetie making her SNL ‘musical guest’ debut. Check out the announcement on social media – here.

November’s run of shows will kick off this Saturday, Nov. 6, with Succession star Kieran Culkin hosting and Ed Sheeran making his third appearance as musical guest. Swift will be performing on SNL for the fifth time when she takes the stage Nov. 13 to promote the upcoming “Taylor’s Version” release of her 2012 classic, Red.  Swift last appeared on the show in October 2019.  Saweetie will perform as musical guest for the first time on SNL’s Nov. 20 episode.

Editorial credit: Brian Friedman / Shutterstock.com