Month: April 2022

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News Daypop

Accused Brooklyn subway shooter denied bail during court appearance

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The man arrested for shooting ten people on a Brooklyn subway train Tuesday will stay in federal custody following a brief initial court appearance Thursday afternoon.  The accused shooter, Frank James, did not enter a plea and was ordered held on a permanent order of detention.  He spoke only briefly during the court appearance, replying “yes” when asked if he understood his rights and to two more questions.

Federal prosecutors wanted James to stay in jail pending trial.  A letter to Judge Roanne Mann from U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said in part: “The defendant committed a premeditated mass shooting on the New York City subway system and then fled the scene, with a stockpile of ammunition and other dangerous items stowed in his storage unit. The defendant presents a severe and ongoing danger to the community, as well as a serious risk of flight, that no set of release conditions can mitigate.” 

James is charged with conducting a violent attack on a mass transportation vehicle. and is accused of firing 33 rounds. Twenty-nine people were injured, including 10 who were shot. James faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted, according to prosecutors.

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News Daypop

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs 15 week abortion ban into law

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On Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a 15-week abortion ban bill that shortens the legal window for terminating a pregnancy by over two months.  The bill, which will go into effect on July 1st, will replace a previous one that allowed abortions until 24 weeks of pregnancy.

DeSantis said Thursday in Osceola County at Nacion de Fe: “House Bill 5 protects babies in the womb who have beating hearts, who can move, who can taste, who can see, and who can feel pain. Life is a sacred gift worthy of our protection, and I am proud to sign this great piece of legislation which represents the most significant protections for life in the state’s modern history.”

The Florida bill passed the Senate on March 15 after a 23-15 vote.  It does not include exceptions for mental health, rape, human trafficking or incest; however, it does allow an abortion if it would save the life of a pregnant person or prevent serious injury to them. The law also includes exceptions for fetal abnormalities that are discovered after 15 weeks. In such cases, two doctors must sign off saying the baby will die shortly after birth before an abortion can happen.

Florida had the third-highest abortion rate in the United States in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with 71,914 procedures performed that year.  Breaking the new law has consequences for violating physicians, including a $5,000 fine and up to five years in prison.

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Sports Daypop

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges is fined $50K by the NBA for throwing his mouthpiece into crowd

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On Thursday, the NBA announced they have fined Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges $50,000 for throwing his mouthpiece into the crowd after he was ejected from Wednesday night’s play-in game loss to the Hawks in Atlanta.

The incident occurred shortly after Bridges picked up two technical fouls for arguing a call.  An agitated Bridges left the floor for the locker room, and after he was heckled by a male fan in the tunnel he threw his mouthpiece in that direction, hitting a young female.

Bridges apologized after the game for the incident, and did so again on Thursday following his exit interview in Charlotte.  Said Bridges: “I lost my cool last night with a lot of stuff that went on. I normally don’t act like that and that was an embarrassment on my part and for the organization.”  He said he was ready to take full responsibility for any punishment the league handed down, adding: “I deserve it. You are never supposed to go out like that, especially because the fans come to the game to watch you play. For their safety to be in danger at that time, that is wrong on my part. I take full responsibility.”  Bridges also said he has reached out to the female fan on Instagram to apologize, but has not heard back. The Hornets public relations department is also trying to get Bridges in touch with the fan so that he can apologize.

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Sports Daypop

Green Bay Packers sign wide receiver Sammy Watkins to 1-year deal

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The Green Bay Packers announced on Thursday that they signed veteran receiver Sammy Watkins to a one-year deal, reportedly worth up to $4 million.

Watkins confirmed the signing in a tweet, saying: “Im officially a cheesehead can’t wait to be apart or something special it’s Finna be crazy..! #LIMITLESS14 #PACKERS.”  The 28-year-old Watkins had spent the past season with Baltimore, where he caught 27 passes for 394 yards and a touchdown.

Watkins played with the Chiefs for three years prior to his one season in Baltimore, as well as the Rams for one season, and spent three years with the Bills, who drafted him in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. However, he has not started all 16 games in a season since his rookie year.

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Country Daypop

Dierks Bentley, Morgan Wallen to headline Seven Peaks Music Festival in Colorado

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Dierks Bentley and Morgan Wallen are set to headline the 2022 Seven Peaks Festival, taking place Labor Day weekend (Sept. 2 – Sept. 4) in Villa Grove, CO.  Bentley and Wallen lead a lineup which includes performances by Boy Named Banjo, Ashley Cooke, Jordan Davis, Jackson Dean, Travis Denning, HARDY, Kendell Marvel, Ashley McBryde, Old Crow Medicine Show, Caitlyn Smith, Rapidgrass, Alana Springsteen and Lainey Wilson.  Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Seven Peaks is returning to a brand-new location after a two-year hiatus. Over the course of the three-day festival attendees can expect an “eclectic variety of outdoor adventure, excursions, surprise guests and much more,” according to a press release.  You can follow Seven Peaks Festival on social media for additional updates: Facebook: Seven Peaks Festival, Twitter: @sevenpeaksfest and Instagram: @sevenpeaksfest.

Bentley wrote on Instagram: “And… the news is out! The @sevenpeaksfest lineup is stacked this year…!  I can’t wait to see everyone on Labor Day weekend. This is going to be a fun one, don’t miss out…”  Pre-sale tickets are available for members of Bentley’s “DB Congress” beginning on April 19 at 10 A.M. MT.

Tickets for the event will go on sale to the general-public on April 22 at 10 A.M. MT at www.SevenPeaksFestival.com.

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Country Daypop

CMA Fest reveals initial 2022 lineup including Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood and more

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The Country Music Association (“CMA”) has announced its initial lineup for this year’s CMA Fest, returning to downtown Nashville Thursday through Sunday, June 9-12th.  A Twitter post read: #CMAFEST IS BACK Y’ALL! We can’t WAIT to celebrate Country Music with all our fans in the ❤ of #Nashville! Buy your CMA Fest four-day passes OR single night tickets today & get ready for the ULTIMATE Country Music fan experience! http://CMAfest.com/tickets MORE to come soon! Hundreds of country artists are slated to perform on multiple stages across downtown Nashville.

Taking the nightly Nissan Stadium stage this year are Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Russell Dickerson, Alan Jackson, Lady A, Parker McCollum, Carly Pearce, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, Cole Swindell, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Zac Brown Band and more.

The Chevy Riverfront Stage will feature performances by Lauren Alaina, Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Tenille Arts, Priscilla Block, Danielle Bradbery, Breland, Blanco Brown, Callista Clark, Easton Corbin, Jessie James Decker, Travis Denning, Lindsay Ell, Ernest, Morgan Evans, Tyler Farr, Larry Fleet, HARDY, Home Free, Ryan Hurd, LANCO, Chris Lane, Jon Langston, LOCASH, Maddie & Tae, and more.

CMA will launch a new line of CMA Fest merchandise, available for online pre-order now at shop.cmafest.com and through the CMA Connect App to receive in time for the festival, with many more items to be added. Fans can access a limited number of four-day passes, plus newly announced single night tickets, for the Nissan Stadium nightly concerts at CMAfest.com or through the CMA Box Office at 1-800-CMA-FEST.

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Entertainment Daypop

Frank Langella let go from Netflix’s ‘Fall of the House of Usher’ after investigation into alleged misconduct on set

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Frank Langella has been let go from Netflix’s limited series The Fall of the House of Usher, following an investigation into his alleged misconduct on set. Mark Hamill, Carla Gugino and Mary McDonnell are among the cast members involved in the series, inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe.

The 84-year-old Langella, who earned a best actor Oscar nomination for 2008’s Frost/Nixon, was set to play Roderick Usher in the streamer’s eight-episode horror project inspired by multiple Edgar Allan Poe tales. The investigation was completed with the series midway through production, and the actor’s role will be recast. Footage of Langella will not be used, according to a source.

The investigation began after Langella was accused of making inappropriate remarks to a female co-star. Netflix declined to comment, and a representative for Langella did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Entertainment Daypop

Salma Hayek replaces Thandiwe Newton in ‘Magic Mike’s Last Dance’

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Salma Hayek has joined the cast of Magic Mike’s Last Dance, replacing Thandiwe Newton, who has stepped away from the project.  A spokesperson for Warner Bros. said in a statement: “Thandiwe Newton has made the difficult decision to step away from production of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Magic Mike’s Last Dance to deal with family matters.”

Magic Mike’s Last Dance, the third in the series franchise, is currently in production in London. The third film will premiere on HBO Max, once again starring Channing Tatum in the titular role. Steven Soderbergh is returning to direct, based off a script by Reid Carolyn.

The first two films — Magic Mike (2012) and Magic Mike XXL (2015) grossed nearly $300 million worldwide, and inspired the stage show ‘Magic Mike Live,’ which was launched in 2017.

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Categories
Pop Daypop

Mary J. Blige to receive Icon Award at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards

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Billboard announced that Mary J. Blige will receive the Icon Award at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. Blige, 51, will also perform at the ceremony. The BBMAs will take place May 15 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, airing at 8 p.m. EDT on NBC. The event will also stream live on Peacock.

The Icon Award was introduced in 2011, and recognizes outstanding artists who have achieved excellence on the Billboard Charts and made an indelible mark on music. Previous recipients include Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Cher, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Garth Brooks and Pink.

Blige said in a press release:  “My career has been such an incredible and unexpected journey that has included many turns into avenues I never could have imagined like acting, producing, launching businesses and now even my own music festival. Through it all, I always one way or another gravitated back to my first love, music. To be recognized in this way at this moment, with the Icon Award at the Billboard Music Awards, is an incredible honor and one that I am truly humbled by.”

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Categories
Rock Daypop

Classic songs by Queen, Journey are among those inducted into Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry

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Classic rock songs by Queen and Journey are among the 25 recordings that have been added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry for 2022. 25 recordings are chosen eachyear for induction into the National Recording Registry, based on their “cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.”

This year’s list includes Journey’s 1981 power ballad “Don’t Stop Believin’” and Queen’s 1975 anthem “Bohemian Rhapsody.”  Former Journey frontman Steve Perry, who co-wrote “Don’t Stop Believin,’” said, “That song, over the years, has become something that has a life of its own. It’s about the people who’ve embraced it and found the lyrics to be something they can relate to and hold onto and sing.”

Other recordings in the rock genre chosen for the registry include Bonnie Raitt‘s Grammy-winning 1989 comeback album Nick of Time and Linda Ronstadt‘s 1987 album of traditional Mexican music, Canciones de Mi Padre.

For the full list of recordings selected for the National Recording Registry in 2022, click here.

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