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News Daypop

Three U.S. postal workers are arrested in $1.3M fraud and identity theft scheme

According to the Department of Justice, three U.S. postal workers in New York and New Jersey have been arrested for allegedly stealing credit cards from the mail in a conspiracy to buy luxury items to sell online. The DOJ announced the arrests of three postal workers, and a fourth person, in connection with a 4-year, $1.3 million fraud and identity theft scheme. U.S. postal workers Nathanael Foucault, Johnathan Persaud, Fabiola Mompoint and civilian Devon Richards — in addition to five other people who have not been arrested — face charges that include Conspiracy to Commit Access Device Fraud, Access Device Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft charges. Each face lengthy prison sentences if convicted.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement: “As alleged, the defendants engaged in a years-long scheme to manipulate credit card companies and major retailers across New York and New Jersey by stealing credit cards and using those cards to purchase, and subsequently sell, luxury goods. The defendants took advantage of the public trust we place in U.S. Postal Service employees for their own financial gain.”

U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector-in-Charge Daniel Brubaker said in a statement:  “These nine defendants, three of which are postal employees, sought to enrich themselves by stealing mail directly from hundreds of postal customers  They further compounded their crimes by committing identity theft against those customers to facilitate their elaborate scheme to defraud several national financial institutions.”

The DOJ said the defendants stole credit cards from the mail and activated the cards using stolen personally identifiable information. Other members of the conspiracy used the stolen cards to purchase luxury goods from high-end retailers, such as Chanel, Fendi, Hermes and Dior, and sold them on the website LuxurySnob.com. which calls itself an “online consignment and personal shopping company” specializing in pre-owned luxury items,” but actually sells many items purchased using stolen credit cards.

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Sports Daypop

White Sox Manager Tony La Russa announces he is stepping down due to health issues

White Sox manager Tony La Russa announced he is officially stepping down due to multiple health issues. Since August, La Russa has not managed the team; initially his health issue was described as updating a pacemaker that he had installed in February. However. La Russa said that while he was sidelined, the doctors discovered a different health issue that he did not disclose. La Russa, who turns 78 today, said the health concerns haven’t impacted his ability to manage, but hinder his ability to return.

The veteran manager wrote in a statement: “It has become obvious that the length of the treatment and recovery process for this second health issue makes it impossible for me to be the White Sox manager in 2023 .. I was hired to provide positive, difference-making leadership and support,” he said. “Our record is proof. I didn’t do my job.”

Chicago went 172–149 under La Russa, winning the AL Central in 2021 but missing the playoffs this season. La Russa spent much of the 2022 season with fans chanting “Fire Tony” during games after they were unhappy with his decision-making. Said La Russa: “At no time have I been disappointed or upset with White Sox fans, including those who at times chanted ‘Fire Tony’. They come to games with passion for our team and a strong desire to win.” The White Sox made the playoffs in 2021 under La Russa, which included hosting two playoff games against the Astros.

As for the future of the White Sox, La Russa said he believes the “future for this team remains bright … I still appreciate the chance to come back home to the White Sox and leave today with many more good memories than disappointments. As I have said many times during my career, no manager has ever had more good fortune than I have.”

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Sports Daypop

Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa ruled out for Week 5 game against the New York Jets

Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets as he continues to progress through concussion protocol. McDaniel said there is no “definite timeline” for Tagovailoa’s return. Teddy Bridgewater will start Sunday in his place.

Tagovailoa was taken to a local hospital after his head hit the turf late in the second half of Thursday’s game in Cincinnati, which ended with the Dolphins’ 27-15 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4. Tagovailoa was diagnosed with a concussion but was discharged from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and allowed to fly home with the team early Friday morning. McDaniel said Tagovailoa’s scans, including the MRI he underwent in Miami, came back “clean” – but added that “right now he is in the building. He’s had a couple good days, but he’s just trying to go through with the proper procedure and protocol so that he’s feeling 100 percent. I know he’s gonna be diligent with it. And if there’s obviously any things that are giving him issues in terms of light and those things, then we will shut that down.”

Tagovailoa was evaluated for a concussion during the Dolphins’ game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3, when he hit the back of his head on the ground and stumbled while trying to return to the huddle after the play. However, he passed the locker room evaluation after the incident, and returned to finish the game after halftime. Both Tagovailoa and the Dolphins said that his stumble was caused by a back injury he suffered earlier in the game. In addition, the NFL’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, said Tagovailoa was tested daily leading up to Thursday’s game, and McDaniel said his quarterback was cleared of any head injury by an independent neurologist.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Russell Dickerson announces self-titled third album

Russell Dickerson is set to release his third studio album, a 15-track self-titled project, on November 4th. Dickerson, who co-wrote on all 15 tracks, also served as co-producer alongside Dann Huff, Zach Crowell, Casey Brown, Josh Kerr, Ben Johnson and Alysa Vanderheym.  Dickerson posted on social media“RD3. 15 songs. Nov 4th. Pre-order now! ”   To pre-order head here.

A new track from the album, ‘I Wonder’, is out now. Said Dickerson:  “No matter how far we get into this, I want people to know it’s still me. I’m still the hyper, outgoing, fun-loving, crazy dude on stage. But also these songs are so meaningful to me. It’s not all hype and smoke and lights. I am a songwriter, I trust my instincts, and now my instincts are telling me to share 100-percent me, and creatively just let it flow.”

Dickerson’s chart-topping singles include “Yours”, “Blue Tacoma”, “Every Little Thing”, “Love You Like I Used To”, and most recently Dickerson’s current single “She Likes It” ft. Jake Scott, which has already been certified Gold

Dickerson will also embark on a sold-out tour in the UK and headline a tour throughout the US starting in November.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

CMT to honor Alan Jackson with ‘Artist Of A Lifetime’ Award

CMT announced that country music icon Alan Jackson will receive the “Artist of a Lifetime” award at the 2022 CMT Artists of the Year,  during a 90-minute special airing on CMT on Friday, October 14. CMT wrote on Instagram“The 2022 CMT Artist of a Lifetime ⭐ @officialalanjackson ⭐ Join us as we honor and celebrate him on Friday, October 14 at 9/8c on CMT! #CMTAOTY”

Jackson will join the list of previous “Lifetime” honorees including Randy Travis (2021), Reba McEntire (2019), Loretta Lynn (2018), Shania Twain (2016), Kenny Rogers (2015) and Merle Haggard (2014). CMT said: “We’re honored to recognize the incomparable Alan Jackson as this year’s CMT ‘Artist of a Lifetime.’ For more than thirty years, his traditional sound, iconic voice and beloved catalog of music has captivated audiences across the globe and his talent as a recording artist and songwriter are simply unmatched. From his early beginnings in Newnan, Georgia, to selling out the world’s largest stages, Alan has led fans on a musical journey that proved to be a reflection of their own lives. As his songs continue to inspire new generations of fans, we are privileged to celebrate his lifetime of accomplishments.”

Jackson said in a press release: “I believe I’ve made more videos than just about anybody, and I know how important they have been in bringing my songs to life for the fans, so thank you CMT for all the years and for this sweet honor. I’m very proud.”

The 2022 CMT Artists of the Year will feature some of country music’s biggest stars taking the stage at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center in honor of Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, and Walker Hayes. The star-studded event will premiere on Friday, October 14 at 9/8c.

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Entertainment Daypop

‘American Horror Story: NYC’ to premiere on FX on October 19

FX has unveiled a title and premiere date for Season 11 of the anthology horror series American Horror Story, tweeting“New Season. New City. New Fears. FX’s AHS:NYC premieres 10.19 on FX. Stream on Hulu.”

Season 11 will be titled American Horror Story: NYC and have a two-episode premiere at 10 p.m. EDT on Oct. 19. Subsequent episodes will be released in pairs on Wednesdays, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.

American Horror Story: NYC stars Joe Mantello, Billie Lourd, Zachary Quinto, Russell Tovey, Leslie Grossman, Charlie Carver, Sandra Bernhard, Isaac Powell, Denis O’Hare and Patti LuPone.

The American Horror Story franchise is created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, and the series has already been renewed through Season 13.  Previous seasons were titled Murder House, Asylum, Coven, Freak Show, Hotel, Roanoke, Cult, Apocalypse, 1984 and Double Feature: Red Tide and Death Valley.

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Entertainment Daypop

‘Smile’ tops North American box office with $22M in its opening weekend

Paramount’s “Smile,” a horror movie starring Sosie Bacon and Jessie T. Usher, is the No. 1 movie in North America, earning $22 million over the weekend.  ‘Smile,’ Parker Finn’s debut feature film, cost just $17 million to make before marketing.  ‘Smile’ follows a therapist (Sosie Bacon) treating a graduate student (Caitlin Stasey) who recently witnessed a gruesome suicide. Jessie T. Usher, Kyle Gallner, Robin Weigert and Kal Penn co-star.

The marketing campaign for ‘Smile’ went viral in recent days after Paramount hired several people to maintain the film’s signature creepy smile when sitting behind home base at several major league baseball games. Paramount president of production Chris Aronson said: “It was the exclamation point on a great campaign.”

Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling fell to the No. 2 spot wit a 62 percent drop, and putting the movie’s 10-day domestic total at $32.8 million.

Tri-Star’s The Woman King came in No. 3 with $7 million, down just 36 percent in its third weekend for a domestic total nearing $47 million.

Universal and Nicholas Stoller’s high-profile Bros, the first gay romantic comedy from a major Hollywood studio which cost $22 million to make, opened in a disappointing 4th place. Bros, starring Billy Eichner, was embraced by critics following its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival.  It earned a 95 percent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences gave it an A CinemaScore.

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Categories
Rock Daypop

A Day To Remember announces acoustic ‘Reassembled’ theater tour

A Day To Remember took to social media to announce the ‘Reassembled: The Acoustic Theater Tour.‘ The tour takes its namesake from a track on the band’s sixth studio album, Bad Vibrations, called “Reassembled.”

The band — comprised of Jeremy McKinnon, Alex Shelnutt, Kevin Skaff and Neil Westfall – revealed the  trek will feature support from special guest Wage War.  The Reassembled: The Acoustic Theater Tour kicks-off with a show at Nashville iconic Ryman Auditorium on November 29 and continues through December 21, where the tour will wrap up in Orlando, Florida at Dr. Phillips Center. The acoustic trek will visit several major cities along the way, including Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, Chicago, Memphis, New York and more.

An artist ticket presale begins on Tuesday, October 4, at 10 AM local time. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, October 7 at 10 AM local time.  For more details, head to the band’s website.

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Categories
Rock Daypop

Ringo Starr cancels upcoming shows after testing positive for COVID-19

Ringo Starr has been forced to cancel some of his upcoming tour dates with His All-Starr Band due to being diagnosed with COVID-19. The affected dates are Prior Lake, Minnesota; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Lethbridge, Alberta; Abbotsford, British Columbia; and Penticton, British Columbia.

Ringo’s management company announced on Monday: “Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band were forced to cancel their recent shows at Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo Michigan and at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, MN due to illness. It has been confirmed today that Ringo has Covid and the tour will be on hold while Ringo recuperates…Ringo hopes to resume as soon as possible and is recovering at home. As always, he and the All Starrs send peace and love to their fans and hope to see them back out on the road soon.”  The statement did not mention any of the 82-year-old musician’s symptoms.

As of press time, the tour is set to resume in Seattle, Washington on October 11th. News regarding ticketing and rescheduled dates is still to come; to purchase available tickets for remaining shows, head to Ticketmaster.

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Categories
Pop Daypop

Shawn Mendes releases the song ‘Heartbeat’ from ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’

Shawn Mendes has shared the single and lyric video for the song “Heartbeat”, an original song for his film Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.

Mendes co-wrote and produced “Heartbeat,” posting on social media: “Tracklist for @lylelylecrocodilemovie soundtrack, out 10/7! Heartbeat, an original song I wrote in the movie, will be out next week on 9/30. You can pre-save the soundtrack & get tickets to the movie in theaters at the link in bio” “Heartbeat” will appear on the Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile soundtrack, along with “Top of the World,” “Carried Away,” and songs by Stevie Wonder, Elton John and other artists.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is based on the Bernard Waber children’s book of the same name, and follows the Primms — a family who move into an old Victorian brownstone and befriend Lyle, the performing crocodile who lives in their bathtub. The live-action and animated musical stars Mendes as the voice of Lyle, Javier Bardem as Lyle’s owner, Hector P. Valenti, and Constance Wu, Winslow Fegley and Scoot McNairy as the Primms. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile opens in theaters Oct. 7.

Take a listen to “Heartbeat” – here.

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