Month: December 2022

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Pop Daypop

Meghan Trainor, along with Joshua Bassett and Chris Olsen, celebrate their birthdays together

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Real-life besties Meghan Trainor, Joshua Bassett and Chris Olsen celebrated their shared birthday together, marking the occasion with a group birthday party.

Trainor turned 29 years old, while Bassett and Olsen turned 22 and 25, respectively. Trainor shared photos on Instagram that showed herself, Bassett and Olsen wearing matching pink hoodies and posing in front of a wall of pink balloons.  Trainor captioned the post: “Loved sharing a womb with these two! Happy birthday @chrisolsen and @joshuatbassett and meee.”  Olsen responded in the comments, writing, “I’ve never loved sharing a bday more.”

Olsen also shared a video of himself, Trainor and Bassett on Instagram, singing and dancing to a remix of “Birthday” by Katy Perry and writing in the caption: “Just one of the best birthdays I’ve had in years.”

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News Daypop

Bear fatally shot at Jacksonville Florida zoo after escaping and attacking zookeeper

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Staff at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens fatally shot an American black bear after the animal escaped its exhibit and “engaged with a zookeeper behind the scenes.”  The bear’s name was Johnny, and he was 5 years old.

Officials said in a Facebook post that the zoo’s lethal weapons team responded to an emergency radio call about the incident, which occurred at around 5:10 p.m. on Wednesday.  Zoo officials said: “Our highest priority is always the safety of human lives, therefore, the bear was shot and killed.” The zookeeper was attacked and taken to the hospital by Jacksonville Fire Rescue. Their injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Zoo officials said that an ongoing investigation will be conducted over the coming days and weeks, adding that  they do not take the incident lightly:  “It is profoundly painful when we have a loss of an animal, especially under circumstances such as this.”

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News Daypop

Former D.C. police officers found guilty in death of 20-year-old during police pursuit

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Two former Metropolitan Police officers were found guilty on all charges brought against them in connection with the death of Karon Hylton-Brown, who was involved in a fatal car crash during a police chase more than two years ago. Former officers Terence Sutton, 38, and Andrew Zabavsky, 54, had been suspended from the police department due to suspicious circumstances surrounding Hylton-Brown’s death that sparked public unrest and led to a criminal trial.

Hylton-Brown, a 20-year-old Black man, was pursued by D.C. police while driving a moped on a sidewalk in the city’s Brightwood Park neighborhood on Oct. 23, 2020. Authorities have said the attempted traffic stop was prompted by Hylton-Brown’s lack of a helmet, although Sutton and Zabavsky were also found guilty of conspiring to hide the true circumstances of the chase and traffic collision that caused the young man’s death. Sutton continued to chase Hylton-Brown for more than 10 blocks through neighborhood streets and into an alley, when Hylton-Brown was struck by an oncoming vehicle as soon as he exited the alley, suffering severe head trauma that led to his death two days later, on Oct. 25, 2020

The U.S. Department of Justice announced in a news release that the jury returned guilty verdicts for both men, convicting Sutton of second-degree murder, conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice, and Zabavsky of the latter two charges:  “The jury found that Sutton caused Mr. Hylton-Brown’s death by driving a police vehicle in conscious disregard for an extreme risk of death or serious bodily injury to Mr. Hylton-Brown. The jury further found that Sutton and Zabavsky conspired and combined to hide from MPD officials the circumstances of the traffic crash leading to Mr. Hylton-Brown’s death.”

The second-degree murder charge against Sutton carries a statutory maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, while the conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges each carry respective statutory maximums of five and 20 years. A federal district court judge will determine sentences for both former officers.

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Categories
Sports Daypop

Tennessee Titans’ QB Ryan Tannehill ‘very likely’ out for season with right ankle injury

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Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill will “very likely” miss the remainder of the season (including playoffs) after he suffered a right ankle injury last Sunday in the Titans’ 17-14 loss to the Chargers, that may also require surgery.

Tannehill suffered a right ankle injury after a tackle from Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack on a first-quarter scramble in the Titans’ 17-14 road loss to the Bolts. The 34-year-old then went to the blue medical tent before being carted to the locker room. Rookie backup Malik Willis took over temporarily but Tannehill returned with a heavily taped ankle to played the rest of the game.

Tannehill was not present during practice on Wednesday, with Willis as the starting quarterback during the open portion of the Titans’ practice.  Willis started two games for Tannehill after he suffered a sprain of his right ankle on Oct. 23 against the Indianapolis Colts, before the veteran QB returned to the lineup.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Tannehill was “seriously in doubt” to start Saturday against the Houston Texans. Tennessee heads to Houston game on a four-game losing streak. Tennessee closes the regular season with a Dec. 29 home game against the Cowboys before ending the year with a Jan. 8 road game at Jacksonville in a game that could determine the AFC South winner.

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Sports Daypop

Former Broncos RB Ronnie Hillman dies at 31 after battling rare cancer

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Former Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman, who won a Super Bowl alongside quarterback Peyton Manning in 2016, died after battling a rare form of cancer. He was 31. Hillman’s family wrote in a statement posted on his Instagram account. “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother & father, Ronnie K. Hillman Jr.  Ronnie quietly and peacefully transitioned today in the company of his family and close friends. We, as the family, appreciate the prayers and kind words that have already been expressed. We ask that you would give us time to process our feelings as we prepare to lay our precious R.J. to rest.”  Hillman’s family had previously announced that the former NFL running back had been diagnosed in August with renal medullary carcinoma, a rare and aggressive former of cancer that affects the kidneys. They said treatment was unsuccessful and Hillman was put into hospice care.

The 5-foot-9, 200-pound running back starred at San Diego State and was a third-round pick by the Broncos in the 2012 NFL Draft.  He shared the Broncos backfield with fellow running backs Knowshon Moreno, Montee Ball and C.J. Anderson in 2013, the same hear Manning set the NFL record for single-season touchdown passes (55). The Broncos posted 7,317 yards of offense that season, the second-most in NFL history.  Hillman earned a career-high 974 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns in 16 games in 2015, and the Broncos went on to win a Super Bowl that postseason. In 2016, Hillman split time between the Minnesota Vikings and San Diego Chargers before joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2017 before being released.

The Broncos said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of former Denver Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman. A key contributor during the winningest four-year period in franchise history, Ronnie was part of two Super Bowl teams and led the Broncos in rushing during our Super Bowl 50 championship season.  Soft-spoken with a warm smile and quiet intensity, Ronnie was drafted by the Broncos in 2012 and grew into a dynamic player and well-respected teammate. Ronnie will be fondly remembered by our organization, which extends its heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the Hillman family during this difficult time.”

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Categories
Country Daypop

Shania Twain set to release the single “Giddy Up!” from upcoming LP

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Shania Twain announced that she will release the new song “Giddy Up!” on Jan. 5, 2023, ahead of her new album, ‘Queen of Me’.  Twain will release Queen of Me on Feb. 3, marking her first album of new music in over five years. The 57-year-old country music singer wrote on Instagram: “I am here with some news that will put a spring in your step, a bounce in your heart… some up in your giddy! My new song ‘Giddy Up!’ is coming out January 5th!! I’m super excited for you all to hear this one, it’s all about letting loose and doing the things that make you giddy!”  

Queen of Me features a Side A and Side B and includes the songs “Giddy Up,” “Brand New,” “Waking Up Dreaming,” “Best Friend,” “Pretty Liar,” “Inhale/Exhale Air,” “Last Day of Summer,” “Queen of Me,” “Got It Good,” “Number One,” “Not Just a Girl” and “The Hardest Stone.”

Twain will also launch her 2023 Queen Of Me World Tour in support of her new album. The North American portion of the tour begins April 28 in Spokane, Wash. Twain will then perform several dates in the United Kingdom before launching a recently announced second leg to her Queen Of Me World Tour that was added due to “overwhelming demand,” which is extended to run through mid November, with some extra U.S. dates as well as a run in her native Canada. Hailey Whitters, Breland, Lindsay Ell, Kelsea Ballerini, Mickey Guyton, Priscilla Block and Robyn Ottolini will serve as support on select dates.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Ashley McBryde shares acoustic cover of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”

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Ashley McBryde posted a clip on TikTok to help spread the Christmas spirit.

Wearing no makeup and sporting her festive holiday pajamas, McBryde grabbed her guitar to perform “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” from a hotel room. “Here’s a Christmas ditty from a hotel room, in pajamas. When I should’ve been in bed,” she said in the caption.

McBryde noted these aren’t the original lyrics of the traditional carol, sharing the song’s earlier version a couple of days later.  Once again in pajama, she captioned a new TikTok: “Here are those original lyrics to ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’. They’re so sad.”  

https://www.cmt.com/news/0oyk38/listen-ashley-mcbryde-shares-acoustic-christmas-ditty-from-hotel-room

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Entertainment Daypop

Adam Sandler to be presented with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

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The Kennedy Center said in a statement that actor and comedian Adam Sandler will receive the 24th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, which recognizes “individuals who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th-century novelist and essayist” Mark Twain, for whom the award is named.

The Kennedy Center tweeted : “This spring, some of the biggest names in comedy will gather to honor the comedian, actor, writer, producer, and musician at this annual celebration of iconic humorists.” 

The 56-year-old Sandler, a Saturday Night Live alum, has starred in the comedy blockbusters Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, Billy Madison, Big Daddy, 50 First Dates, Murder Mystery and the Hotel Transylvania franchise. Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter said in a statement: “Adam Sandler has entertained audiences for over three decades with his films, music, and his tenure as a fan favorite cast member on ‘SNL.’ Adam has created characters that have made us laugh, cry, and cry from laughing. I am looking forward to a laughter-filled evening like no other as we celebrate his career at a ceremony that is sure to bring together the best in comedy.”

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Entertainment Daypop

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tease new Netflix docuseries ‘Live to Lead’

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have teased their next Netflix docuseries, Live to Lead. Harry and Markle signed a multi-year deal with Netflix in September 2020.  The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a trailer (which served as the project’s announcement) that the seven-part series, which will debut on Dec. 31, was inspired by South African leader Nelson Mandela.

Also profiled in the upcoming Netflix series are U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; climate change activist Greta Thunberg; New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern; South African rugby player and social inequality campaigner Siya Kolisi; feminist icon Gloria Steinem; and South African anti-apartheid activist Albie Sachs.

The couple released their first project with Netflix, the docuseries Harry & Meghan, in December. It tells the story of their decision to step back from the royal family and move to California, where they are raising their two children. It featured extensive interviews with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who shared details of their romance, their estranged ties to the British royal family, and life in California.

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Categories
Rock Daypop

Former R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe to release first solo album in 2023

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Former R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe revealed that he will release his first solo album in 2023. Said Stipe: “I’m working on a solo album, my first … I’m collaborating with a bunch of different musicians, and each of those songs, if I get my way—which I think I will because I’m paying for it— will be very different.” Stipe released his first solo single “Your Capricious Soul” in 2019, followed by “Future if Future” in early 2022.

The 62-year-old Stipe shared that he’s working on the album with no management or label: “For the first time in my adult life, I don’t have a contract with anyone except myself, so I get to do whatever I want. There will be a visual representation for each of the songs, and it should come together next year. I’m hoping to build slowly.”

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