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President Biden scheduled to announce new steps on controlling gun violence

On Monday, President Joe Biden is scheduled to introduce new policy measures on firearms. Biden’s announcement comes amid growing concern about gun violence and untraceable “ghost guns” that can be 3D printed at home. As part of Monday’s policy rollout, Biden is expected to name a new replacement nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

In September, the White House withdrew its last nominee, 25-year ATF veteran David Chipman, following unanimous opposition from Republicans who say the want to protect the right to bear arms. Gun violence advocates have been furious at the Biden administration for failing to lobby hard enough, in their view, for Chipman, and for waiting so long to announce a replacement.

Biden is also expected to announce fresh steps to make it harder for people to build and acquire so-called ghost guns, as many big cities have reported recovering increasing numbers of the weapons. These weapons lack serial numbers, which would enable law enforcement to track them and enforce background checks. And they are essentially available in plastic, which can bypass metal detectors.

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Sports Daypop

Details emerge in death of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins

The Florida Highway Patrol has released more information following the death of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins Saturday morning in South Florida. Haskins was attempting to cross the westbound lanes of I-595 in Broward County at 6:37 a.m. when he was struck by a dump truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to multiple reports.  The Florida Highway Patrol said as of now, it is unknown why Haskins was attempting to cross the expressway, and that a traffic homicide investigation is open. The quarterback was reportedly in South Florida to work out with Steelers teammates after re-signing with the team back on March 11.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin released a statement on Saturday following the news of Haskins’ death: “I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins. He quickly became part of our Steelers family upon his arrival in Pittsburgh and was one of our hardest workers, both on the field and in our community. Dwayne was a great teammate, but even more so a tremendous friend to so many. I am truly heartbroken. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kalabrya, and his entire family during this difficult time.”

Haskins was a star at Ohio State before being selected 15th overall in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders. He was released by the team during the 2020 season and picked up by the Steelers going into the 2021 season.

Haskins signed a reported $14.37 million deal with Washington in 2019.  He struggled in 2020, and after reportedly breaking COVID-19 protocols, he was released during the season. The Steelers signed him in January of 2021, and he spent last season behind Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph, remaining inactive for all but one game.  With Roethlisberger’s retirement at the end of last season, the team re-signed Haskins and he was expected to return with more play time.

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Sports Daypop

Scottie Scheffler captures his first major championship at 2022 Masters Golf Tournament

25-year-old Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked player, won the 2022 Masters golf tournament Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., capturing his first major championship on the PGA Tour. Scheffler shot a 1-under 71 in the final round, and finished at 10-under 278 for the tournament to claim the green jacket and the $2.7 million prize from the $15 million purse.

Scheffler finished three strokes ahead of runner-up Rory McIlroy. Said Scheffler: “I never made it this far. It was just a dream of being here and competing. I can’t put into words what it means that I’ll be able to come back here for a lifetime.”

With Sunday’s victory, Scheffler became the fourth player over the last 50 years to win four PGA Tour events in a single season before the end of April, joining David Duval (1999), Tom Watson (1980) and Johnny Miller (1974).

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Country Daypop

Runaway June introduces new bandmate, Stevie Woodward

Runaway June took to their social media channels to introduce their new bandmate, Stevie Woodward.  Woodward joins Natalie Stovall and Jennifer Wayne as part of the trio.

Runaway June posted: “Y’all welcome Stevie… we can’t wait until y’all fall in love with her as much as we have!! It’s been so hard to keep it a secret, but we can’t wait to share the music we’ve been working on!!! Get ready for some harmonies and dueling solos!!! We’ll see you on the road soon!!!! 🤍”. Wayne said in the comments, “Yessssssssssss!!!!!! Finally get to shout it from the rooftops!!!!!!” and  Stovall added: “STEVIE! STEVIE! STEVIE!”

Woodward took to her own Instagram, saying, “pinch me please. so honored to be the newest member of @runawayjuneofficial. cannot wait for the next chapter of life, and i wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else! @jenniferwayne @nataliestovall 🤍Wayne commented, “can’t wait to have champagne with you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Celebrate all the good things to come.”

The addition of Woodward to Runaway June comes after former lead singer, Naomi Cooke Johnson, announced that she would leave the group to pursue her own solo career earlier this year.

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Country Daypop

Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett and more added to 2022 CMT Music Awards Performance Lineup

CMT revealed a new round performers for tonight’s 2022 CMT Music Awards. Jason Aldean, Bryan Adams, Jimmie Allen, Little Big Town, Monica, Walker Hayes, Thomas Rhett and Riley Green are the newest additions to the performance lineup. Aldean will join forces with Adams, while Allen, Monica and Little Big Town are set to team up for a special performance.  Plus, the first televised performance in over two decades from the legendary duo The Judds will take place at this year’s awards ceremony.

The newly revealed star-studded list will join previously announced performers including co-host Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Mickey Guyton + Black Pumas, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris + Ryan Hurd, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce, Cole Swindell + Lainey Wilson, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.

Kane Brown leading the CMT Award nominations with four; while Ballerini, Mickey Guyton and first-time nominees BRELAND and Cody Johnson follow behind with three each.

Co-hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Anthony Mackie, CMT Music Awards will air live from Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday, April 11 at 8/7c via CBS Network. The show will also be available to stream live and on-demand via Paramount+.

CMT Music Awards Adds Performers Jason Aldean, Jimmie Allen, Bryan Adams, Monica, Walker Hayes, Thomas Rhett & Riley Green

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Entertainment Daypop

‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ tops the North American box office with $71M

“Sonic the Hedgehog 2” is the No. 1 movie in North America, earning $71 million in its weekend debut. The film now holds the record for the biggest opening weekend for a movie adapted from a video game, surpassing the $58 million that the franchise’s original film, “Sonic the Hedgehog” made during its three-day opening weekend in February 2020.

“Sonic the Hedgehog 2” mixes animated characters with live-action actors, with comedian Ben Schwartz voicing Sonic the Hedgehog and James Marsden, Tika Sumpter and Jim Carrey starring as human characters. The sequel also features the addition in Idris Elba, who voices Knuckles, an adversary of Sonic and a fan favorite from the SEGA games.

Coming in at No. 2 is Morbius with $10.2 million, followed by The Lost City at No. 3 with $9.2 million, Ambulance at No. 4 with $8.7 million and The Batman at No. 5 with $6.6 million.

Rounding out the top tier are Everything Everywhere All at Once at No. 6 with $6.1 million, Uncharted at No. 7 with $2.7 million, Spider-Man: No Way Home at No. 8 with $625,000, Selena at No. 9 with $402,000 and Sing 2 at No. 10 with $220,000.

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Entertainment Daypop

2022 Primetime Emmy Awards to be held in September

The 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards will take place in September, with the Television Academy sharing on social media that the 74th annual awards show is scheduled for Sept. 12. “Attention TV lovers! Mark your calendars, the 74th #Emmy Awards are Monday, Sept. 12 at 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT on @NBC. Who are you hoping to see? #Emmys #Emmys2022”

Nominations for this year’s Emmys will be announced July 12. The Primetime Emmy Awards honor the best in American primetime television. The Crown, Ted Lasso and Mare of Easttown were among the big winners at the 2021 ceremony, which took place in September.

The Emmys will air live on September 12th at 8 p.m. EDT on NBC.

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Categories
Rock Daypop

Take a look at Rammstein’s new video for “Zick Zack”

Rammstein have released the video for new song Zick Zack, the second track taken from the band’s eighth studio album ‘Zeit,’ which arrives later this month on April 29th.

Zeit is the follow-up to the band’s 2019 LP, ‘Untitled’.  The new album will be released on multiple formats on April 29, including a standard CD in a digipack with a 20-page booklet, a special edition CD in a six-panel digipack with a 56-page booklet including slipcase, and as a double 180g vinyl LP with a 20-page large-format booklet, as well as in the usual digital formats.

Watch the video for Zick Zackhere.

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Rock Daypop

Jack White marries girlfriend Olivia Jean onstage during tour opener in Detroit

Jack White married Olivia Jean, a singer on his Third Man label who had served as opening act at his tour opener in Detroit, on stage at the Masonic Temple Theatre. The surprise marriage proposal came just minutes earlier, in the middle of a rendition of “Hotel Yorba.” Third Man’s top man, Ben Blackwell, presided over the marriage, and White’s and Jean’s bass players served as best man and maid of honor.

According to Detroit Free Press writer Brian McCollum, White was 80 minutes into his set and performing “Hotel Yorba,” which he’d brought Jean out on stage to sing background vocals on. White introduced her as his girlfriend and said, “And I love her very much. I’ve got a little question for you, Olivia Jean. Will you marry me?”   Jean said yes, before White carried her off the stage.  Minutes later, the couple returned to the stage for an encore that included a wedding ceremony, with White’s mother, Theresa Gillis, in attendance, as well as Jean’s father joining the duo on stage.

It’s the third marriage for White, who was previously wed to White Stripes drummer Meg White and model Karen Elson, who also recorded for Third Man.

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Categories
Pop Daypop

The Weeknd, Doja Cat lead the 2022 Billboard Music Awards nominations

Billboard has announced the nominees for the 2022 Billboard Music Awards, with The Weeknd leading the list of nominations with 17, including Top Artist, Top Male Artist and Top R&B Male Artist.

Doja Cat has 13 nominations, including Top Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist and Top R&B Female Artist. Justin Bieber, Kanye West and Olivia Rodrigo also have 13 nominations each, while Drake has 11. Dua Lipa and Ed Sheeran both have nine nominations.

The 29th annual Billboard Music Awards will take place May 15 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and air on NBC. The event will also stream live on Peacock.

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