Month: January 2023

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Sports Daypop

University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles charged with murder of woman

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Tuscaloosa law enforcement announced on Monday that University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, 21, has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with a shooting near the campus Sunday, which left a 23-year-old woman dead.  The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit said in a press release that 20-year-old Michael Lynn Davis has also been charged in the shooting. Both suspects are charged with capital murder and are being held without bond, it said.

The University of Alabama athletics department said in a statement: “We were made aware of the recent charge against student-athlete Darius Miles, and he is no longer a member of the Alabama men’s basketball team. Investigators said Miles is the only person involved who is connected to the University of Alabama. Miles is a junior at the university from Washington, DC, according to an archived version of the men’s basketball team roster. Miles was playing his third season as a forward for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

According to a release from the violent crimes unit, police responded to the shooting around 1:45 a.m. local time Sunday and discovered that Jamea Jonae Harris had been shot and killed while sitting in a car less than half a mile from the university’s campus. Investigators said that the driver of the car told police that someone had shot into his vehicle and said he returned fire in self defense, possibly striking one of the suspects. According to the press release, “after processing the scenes, speaking with multiple witnesses, and viewing video surveillance, two suspects were developed,” adding that of the suspects had been hit by the returning gunfire and had a non-life-threatening wound.   Unit Captain Jack Kennedy said: “It appears that the only motive to this was a minor altercation that these individuals had with the victim as they were out on The Strip.”  The Strip is a hub of restaurants and businesses near the university campus.

Editorial credit: University of College / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles charged with murder of woman

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Tuscaloosa law enforcement announced on Monday that University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, 21, has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with a shooting near the campus Sunday, which left a 23-year-old woman dead.  The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit said in a press release that 20-year-old Michael Lynn Davis has also been charged in the shooting. Both suspects are charged with capital murder and are being held without bond, it said.

The University of Alabama athletics department said in a statement: “We were made aware of the recent charge against student-athlete Darius Miles, and he is no longer a member of the Alabama men’s basketball team. Investigators said Miles is the only person involved who is connected to the University of Alabama. Miles is a junior at the university from Washington, DC, according to an archived version of the men’s basketball team roster. Miles was playing his third season as a forward for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

According to a release from the violent crimes unit, police responded to the shooting around 1:45 a.m. local time Sunday and discovered that Jamea Jonae Harris had been shot and killed while sitting in a car less than half a mile from the university’s campus. Investigators said that the driver of the car told police that someone had shot into his vehicle and said he returned fire in self defense, possibly striking one of the suspects. According to the press release, “after processing the scenes, speaking with multiple witnesses, and viewing video surveillance, two suspects were developed,” adding that of the suspects had been hit by the returning gunfire and had a non-life-threatening wound.   Unit Captain Jack Kennedy said: “It appears that the only motive to this was a minor altercation that these individuals had with the victim as they were out on The Strip.”  The Strip is a hub of restaurants and businesses near the university campus.

Editorial credit: University of College / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Six people killed in suspected drug-related ‘massacre’ in California

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California authorities confirm that on Monday six people were shot to death in a suspected drug-related “massacre” that included a 17-year-old mother and her 6-month-old baby. The shooting took place in a residential area of Goshen, located about 40 miles northwest of Fresno, Calif., in the Central Valley.

Tulare County, Calif., Sheriff Mike Boudreaux told reporters they received multiple calls of shots fired shortly before 4 a.m. Monday in the town of Goshen. Callers reported a possible active shooter situation due to the number of shots fired. Sheriff Boudreaux said two victims of what he called a “massacre” were found dead when deputies arrived shortly after the gunshots were reported. A third victim was found in the doorway of a home where shots were heard, and police found more victims inside the home, including one male victim who was found alive but later died at the hospital.

No arrests have been made as of press time.  Boudreaux said the mother and child were shot in the head, and added that authorities believe there are two suspects involved in the shooting.  Said Boudreaux: “We also believe this is not a random act of violence. We believe this was a targeted family. We believe that there are gang associations involved — as well as potential narcotics investigations.” He added that search warrants for a drug probe were executed at the residence about a week ago, and said detectives have information that they are hopeful will lead to arrests.

Editorial credit: Elliott Cowand Jr / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Minnesota Wild sign forward Matt Boldy to 7-year, $49M contract extension

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The Minnesota Wild announced Monday that they have signed forward Matt Boldy, 21, to a seven-year, $49 million contract extension. The franchise said Boldy’s extension includes an average annual value of $7 million and will run through the 2029-30 campaign.

Boldy was the No. 12 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, scoring 15 goals and totaling 24 assists in 47 games last season. Boldy totaled 12 goals and 17 assists through 42 games this season.

Boldy and the Wild beat the Arizona Coyotes 2-1 on Saturday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. The Wild, who have a 24-14-4 record, are in third place in the Wester Conference’s Central Division. They will next face the Washington Capitals at 7 p.m. EST Tuesday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

Wild sign Matt Boldy to 7-year, $49M contract extension

Editorial credit: Eugene Onischenko / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Dustin Lynch shares the video for his latest single ‘Stars Like Confetti’

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Dustin Lynch has dropped the music video for his new party anthem, “Stars Like Confetti,” set to impact country radio on January 30. Lynch shared the release of the new video and single on social media, saying: ‘Pumped to let y’all know that Stars Like Confetti will be my next single at country radio!’  Lynch says of the song, written by Thomas Rhett, Josh Thompson and Zach Crowell: “’Stars Like Confetti’ was a very well fleshed out demo that Zach sent me, and the first time I heard that song I was on the boat. He sent it to me and he goes, ‘man, this one feels…this one feels awesome.’ I had no idea he was a writer on it at the time or that Thomas Rhett was.”  

The accompanying music video for ‘Stars Like Confetti’ was directed by Chris Hickey, and documents Lynch’s time at Country Jam USA 2022 in Eau Claire, WI.  Said Lynch of the video: “With this video, we really wanted to capture one of my favorite things about Country music and that’s getting to play at live shows, festivals, and fairs. All of these little pockets across the country are magical and make you realize that, yes – people are coming together, and people are brought together because of Country music. Sometimes history is made, and a guy and girl meet, fall in love, raise a family, and then bring their kids back to a show. On top of that, I also think we captured just how much fun we’re having on the road with our fans, not only onstage but in-and-around campgrounds before and after. That’s the magic of Country music – it’s one big family having a whole lot of fun!”

Take a look at the video for “Stars Like Confetti”– here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Priscilla Block releases new song ‘Me Pt. 2’

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Priscilla Block has shared her latest song, “Me Pt. 2.”  Written solely by Block, the single finds her singing from the perspective of a woman comparing herself to her ex-love’s new partner and finding quite a few similarities. Block says the tune is one of the most honest she’s ever written, and shared: “It was 2 o’clock in the morning — just me, my guitar and a piece of paper. Sometimes it’s the simplest songs that hit the most, and for me, ‘Me Pt. 2’ is that.”

“Me Pt. 2” will appear on the deluxe version of Block’s Welcome to the Block Party album, available Feb. 10. The deluxe version of album will feature three other brand new songs: “Getting Even,” “Little Bit” and “Off the Deep End.” Added Block: “This past year was really big for me, especially releasing my debut album. When we were selecting songs for Welcome to the Block Party we had so many songs to choose from, which is why I’m super excited for the deluxe album. Four more songs that complete the Block Party era.”

Take a listen to the song ‘Me Pt. 2’ via the lyric video – here.

Priscilla Block Releases Honest New Song, ‘Me Pt. 2,’ In Anticipation Of Her ‘Welcome to the Block Party Deluxe Album’

Editorial credit: Khazeev Artur / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Former ‘American Idol’ semifinalist CJ Harris dies suddenly at 31

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Former “American Idol” semifinalist CJ Harris, who appeared on Season 13, has died suddenly at 31. Harris reportedly had a heart attack in his hometown of Jasper, Alabama, on Sunday, sources told TMZ.  He passed away after being rushed to the Walker Baptist Medical Center in Jasper, Alabama.

Harris had memorably auditioned for the American Idol in 2014, bringing the house down with an electrifying performance of the Allman Brothers Band’s hit “Soulshine.” At the time, judge Keith Urban told the aspiring vocalist: “You sing because you have to sing, not ’cause you want to sing. And I mean that in the deepest way. And that’s why it’s so believable and real.” Harris also performed other hit covers on the show, including “Too Close,” “American Woman” and “Free Fallin.’ ”

Harris was selected as a wild card in the semifinals after not receiving enough votes. He made it all the way to the Top 6 before getting eliminated. He played for audiences in the competition show’s season 13 tour, and saw success after his “Idol” stint, notably performing at the Grand Ole Opry with Darius Rucker, whom he credited for influencing his style. Harris released the single “In Love” in 2019 and regularly shared videos of him singing and playing guitar on TikTok and Instagram. Last October, he wrote on Facebook that he was working on new music in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Editorial credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Former ‘American Idol’ semifinalist CJ Harris dies suddenly at 31

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Former “American Idol” semifinalist CJ Harris, who appeared on Season 13, has died suddenly at 31. Harris reportedly had a heart attack in his hometown of Jasper, Alabama, on Sunday, sources told TMZ.  He passed away after being rushed to the Walker Baptist Medical Center in Jasper, Alabama.

Harris had memorably auditioned for the American Idol in 2014, bringing the house down with an electrifying performance of the Allman Brothers Band’s hit “Soulshine.” At the time, judge Keith Urban told the aspiring vocalist: “You sing because you have to sing, not ’cause you want to sing. And I mean that in the deepest way. And that’s why it’s so believable and real.” Harris also performed other hit covers on the show, including “Too Close,” “American Woman” and “Free Fallin.’ ”

Harris was selected as a wild card in the semifinals after not receiving enough votes. He made it all the way to the Top 6 before getting eliminated. He played for audiences in the competition show’s season 13 tour, and saw success after his “Idol” stint, notably performing at the Grand Ole Opry with Darius Rucker, whom he credited for influencing his style. Harris released the single “In Love” in 2019 and regularly shared videos of him singing and playing guitar on TikTok and Instagram. Last October, he wrote on Facebook that he was working on new music in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Editorial credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Legendary Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida dies at age 95

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Gina Lollobrigida, the Italian actress from the 1950s who starred in films including “Fanfan la Tulipe,” “Beat the Devil,” “Trapeze” and “Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell,” has died at age 95. According to Italian news agency Lapresse, Lollobrigida died in a clinic in Rome. No cause of death has been cited. In September, Lollobrigida had had surgery to repair a thigh bone broken in a fall, but she recovered and unsuccessfully competed for a Senate seat in Italy’s elections held last year.

Lollobrigida’s first American movie was John Huston’s 1953 film“Beat the Devil,” in which she starred with Humphrey Bogart and Jennifer Jones. The same year she starred with Vittorio De Sica in Luigi Comencini’s “Bread, Love and Dreams,” for which she won a BAFTA for best actress in a foreign film. Lollobrigida starred in director Robert Z. Leonard’s Italian-language “The Most Beautiful Woman in the World”, for which she received the best actress award at the inaugural David di Donatello Awards in 1956.  In the same year she also starred in Carol Reed’s “Trapeze” starring Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis, filmed in Paris, as well as in the remake of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” in which Anthony Quinn played Quasimodo and Lollobrigida received top-billing portraying Esmerelda.  After an 11-year absence from screens big or small, Lollobrigida took on a recurring role on CBS’s primetime show “Falcon Crest” as Francesca Gioberti, where she earned her third Golden Globe nomination; and in 1984, she guest-starred on “The Love Boat”.

Lollobrigida married Slovenian doctor Mirko Skofic, in 1949; he gave up his practice to serve as her manager, but they were divorced in 1971.  After her movie career, Lollobrigida pursued other interests including photojournalism and sculpting; she also ran, unsuccessfully, for a seat in the European Parliament. In 2018, Lollobrigida was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is survived by one son.

Editorial credit: Vladimir Yazev / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

Ringo Starr announces U.S. tour with his All-Starr Band

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Ringo Starr has announced 20 new U.S. tour dates for spring and early summer with his All Starr Band. The group line-up for the forthcoming shows features Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Edgar Winter, Warren Ham, Hamish Stuart, and Gregg Bissonette.  Said Starr: “It’s a new year and here are some new tour dates. I love playing with the All Starrs and can’t wait to be back out on the road again with this band. I send Peace and Love to you all and we hope to see you out there.”

Starr’s new U.S. tour comes after the release last September of Ringo’s EP3, the latest in a productive series of EPs. He also created 500 life-sized “Peace and Love” sculptures of his iconic hand symbol, which were sold exclusively through Julien’s Auctions to benefit the Lotus Foundation.

The latest U.S. tour dates are primarily on the west coast, including shows in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and Utah. The tour will also include Ringo’s return to the Greek Theater in Los Angeles on June 15. For more information, visit www.RingoStarr.com.

Editorial credit: Geoffrey Clowes / Shutterstock.com