Month: December 2023

Categories
News Daypop

Suspect in custody after Texas shooting spree that left 6 dead, 3 injured

San Antonio police car is shown in San Antonio^ TX^ USA.

Police in Texas said that a suspect was taken into custody after 6 were killed and 3 injured in a series of homicides and shootings across two Texas communities.  Four people were killed and two police officers shot in Austin on Tuesday, and the suspect, identified on Wednesday as Shane James, was also linked to the deaths of two people near San Antonio. Authorities said that James will be charged with capital murder.

Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson told reporters that the “series of violent incidents” began on Tuesday morning “and extended into the evening,” adding that her department “and other law enforcement had not determined these incidents were connected to the last incident that occurred tonight when the male suspect was taken into custody.”  James was arrested after he crashed his vehicle while speeding away from a shootout with a police officer that left them with “multiple gunshot wounds.” Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said at a separate news conference that the deaths of two more people were being investigated in connection with the shootings in Austin, and that the suspect was linked to a residence near San Antonio where authorities found “two apparent victims,” both “believed to be in their 50s.”

José Garza of the Travis County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement: “Our hearts break for the shooting victims, injured officers, their families, and our communities impacted by yesterday’s senseless and tragic gun violence.”  Garza adde that it is expected that the suspect will remain in custody pending trial.

Gov. Greg Abbott thanked law enforcement on social media, and said that “violence will never be tolerated …Texans grieve for the loved ones of the six Texans who were murdered by a hardened criminal who must never see the light of day again. The State of Texas will provide all resources necessary to impose the full weight of law on this criminal for his despicable crimes.”

Editorial credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Buffalo Bills star Von Miller available to play on Sunday despite domestic violence arrest

Von Miller - NFL PRO BOWL Practice 2019 at the ESPN WILD WORLD OF SPORTS COMPLEX in Orlando Florida USA on Friday 25th January 2019

Buffalo Bills pass rusher Von Miller will be available to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, despite his arrest last week in Dallas for allegedly assaulting a pregnant woman. Bills general manager Brandon Beane spoke with reporters Wednesday, confirming Miller is back with the team in Orchard Park, N.Y. Beane said the team has been in “constant” communication with the league and they do not currently anticipate Miller bring placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, which would deem him inactive. Beane said Miller will participate in practice and is expected to play on Sunday when the Bills (6-6) travel to play the Kansas City Chiefs (8-4).

Beane stressed on Wednesday that he wants the legal process to play out and not rush to making any judgments, and said that the Bills are following the NFL’s lead. He called the allegations serious while adding they seemed “out of character” for a person he’s come to know over the past year and a half since signing Miller in free agency. Said Beane: “No one wants their name associated with any accusation like that, so that’s a natural disappointment. I’m sure he’s disappointed. But things happen sometimes, and again, we have to remember people, we have to give them their fair due process. That can happen to anyone in this room. And I would hope we would all wait and let that play out before we rush to judgment.” 

According to a police affidavit which officers wrote, the alleged assault occurred on Nov. 29 in which Miller twice put his hands on the neck of the woman, pulled out a chunk of her hair and threw her onto a couch. The woman was treated for minor injuries, including bruising on her neck, police said. The woman and Miller have been in a relationship for seven years and have children together, police wrote in an affidavit supporting the arrest warrant. Miller turned himself in a day after the arrest warrant was issued.

Miller faces a charge of third-degree felony assault of a pregnant woman, which is punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He is free after posting a $5,000 bond.

Editorial credit: Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

NY Jets QB Zach Wilson to start Week 14 game against Texans

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilsonmon August 3^ 2023 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium

New York Jets coach Robert Saleh announced Wednesday they will start Zach Wilson at quarterback Sunday against the Houston Texans. Wilson was benched and demoted to third string two weeks ago.

Saleh opted for Wilson over Trevor Siemian, who replaced Tim Boyle in Sunday’s 13-8 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Saleh said: “Zach gives us the best chance to win,” and when asked  if Wilson will remain the Jets’ starting quarterback the rest of the season, Saleh responded, “God willing.”

Wilson will be backed up by Siemian, while new signed Brett Rypien (from the Seahawks’ practice squad), will be the emergency third quarterback. Wilson was handed the QB2 job at the start of the season after stepping in for Aaron Rodgers, who ruptured his left Achilles tendon on the fourth play of the season. Wilson has had two disappointing seasons, and continues to struggle, losing six of nine starts, with the offense managing only eight touchdowns in those games.

Saleh replaced Wilson with Boyle, who completed only 14 of 25 passes for 148 yards and an interception before being replaced with Siemian. In his 2023 debut, Siemian was sacked three times and fumbled three times (lost one) in only four series, completing only 5 of 13 passes for 66 yards and failing to generate any points.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

2024 ‘Under the Big Sky’ Festival to feature Miranda Lambert, Turnpike Troubadours

Miranda Lambert at Nissan Stadium during the 2017 CMA Festival on June 8^ 2017 in Nashville^ Tennessee.

Miranda Lambert, bluegrass musician Billy Strings and then Turnpike Troubadours will headline the 2024 Under the Big Sky music festival, set to take place July 12-14, 2024 at Big Mountain Ranch in Whitefish, Montana.

The fest posted on its socials: “We’re back for a three-day weekend with the legendary Miranda Lambert (@mirandalambert), plus the return of Oklahoma six-piece Turnpike Troubadours (@turnpiketroubadours), and the GRAMMY award-winning bluegrass musician Billy Strings (@billystrings). This July 12th, 13th, and 14th it’ll be a full rodeo and roundup alongside @brothersosborne, @mtjoyband, @therevivalists, @thetanyatucker, @sierraelizabethferrell, @paulcauthen, @charleswgodwin, @cityandcolour_official and dozens of others for another spectacular get-together Big Mountain Ranch style. 3-Day GA & VIP Tickets go on sale FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8TH at 12PM MT! If you haven’t already, text “YEEHAW” to (888) 305-2637 to get the ticket link straight to your phone once they go on sale. See you soon 🤠”

According to a release from festival organizers, the fest showcases a diverse roster of star-studded performances across Americana, including outlaw country, rock, indie-folk, and bluegrass music. Other performers set to take the stage this year include Tanya Tucker; Brothers Osborne; Sierra Ferrell; Paul Cauthen; Charles Wesley Godwin, City and Colour, Mt. Joy, and many more.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 8 at noon Mountain Standard Time. For tickets and further information, visit UnderTheBigSkyFest.com.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Kentucky’s Railbird Music Festival to feature headliners Chris Stapleton, Noah Kahan

Chris Stapleton performs at the 2018 Farm Aid. Hartford^ CT - September 22^ 2018

Chris Stapleton and Noah Kahan will serve as headliners for the 2024 Railbird Music Festival in Lexington, Kentucky, set to take place on June 1 and 2 at The Infield at Red Mile.

Over 30 different artists across three stages at the race track grounds will perform at the two-day festival, comprised of world-class music, curated bourbon, equine experiences, and more.

Two-day and one-day general admission, general admission+, VIP, and platinum presale tickets, will be available starting Thursday, December 7, at 12 p.m. ET.  To secure a presale passcode, head here.

For a full list of available tickets and additional information, head to the fest’s official website.

Chris Stapleton, Noah Kahan to headline Railbird Music Festival 2024

Editorial credit: Adam McCullough / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Legendary TV writer and producer Norman Lear dies at age 101

Producer Norman Lear arrives for the 30th Annual Producers Guild Awards on January 19^ 2019 in Beverly Hills^ CA

Television legend Norman Lear, the writer-producer who revolutionized American comedy in the early-‘70s, has died at the age of 101.

A spokesperson for the family confirmed to The New York Times that Lear died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles, with his publicist telling Variety that Lear died of natural causes. The family’s statement read in part: “Thank you for the moving outpouring of love and support in honor of our wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Norman lived a life of creativity, tenacity, and empathy. He deeply loved our country and spent a lifetime helping to preserve its founding ideals of justice and equality for all. Knowing and loving him has been the greatest of gifts. We ask for your understanding as we mourn privately in celebration of this remarkable human being.”

Lear started his career in film and television in the 1950s, with his earlier work including the TV series The Deputy and the 1967 film Divorce American Style.  It was Lear’s revolutionary series of the 1970s, “All in the Family” that became a breakout, immediate hit. The show – about a conservative, outspokenly bigoted working-class man and his Queens, NY family — addressed the serious political, cultural and social issues of the ’70s – racism, abortion, homosexuality, and the Vietnam war — with no subject off limits.  Lear also created and produced such groundbreaking series such as Maude, Sanford and Son, One Day at a Time, The Jeffersons and Good Times, which all premiered in the 1970s. In recent years, Lear produced Netflix reboots of his series One Day at a Time and Good Times.

Lear is survived by his third wife Lyn Davis, six children and four grandchildren. Lear’s publicists said that a private service for his immediate family will be held in the coming days.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

Styx and Foreigner to launch Summer 2024 Tour

Styx performs live at the Dow Event Center Saginaw^ MI / USA; March 20^ 2018:

Styx and Foreigner announced they will hit the road next summer for a co-headlining tour, with special guest John Waite. The trek, dubbed The Renegades & Juke Box Heroes tour, kicks-off June 11 in Grand Rapids, Mich., and is set to wrap on Aug. 28 in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Foreigner vocalist Kelly Hansen shared: “We always look forward to being with our buddies in Styx. We’ve done so many things with them. They’re absolute professionals, which is what you want. You want to be on the road with someone you can count on – not some crazy, weird, ego-driven, maniacal bullshit fest, that every day there’s some new thing you have to deal with. They’re just spot on … but they’re also very funny, very affable guys.”

Styx’s Tommy Shaw also promises “a hell of a night of classic rock music. I heard ‘Cold as Ice’ and I remember listening to that and going, ‘Who is that?’ I was blown away. That was my first exposure to Foreigner. The hits just kept coming after that. When I finally got to see them live, I thought, ‘Man, this is somebody that we can hopefully eventually work with.’ It’s so nice that the music still lives and we can all go on these kinds of tours.”

Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 8, with information available at both Foreigner and Styx‘s websites.

Editorial credit: Brandon Nagy / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Machine Gun Kelly shares ‘lofi chill vibes’ compilation

Colson Baker aka Machine Gun Kelly attends Tribeca Film Festival

Machine Gun Kelly has released a new compilation, titled ‘lofi chill vibes with Machine Gun Kelly,’ recorded in collaboration with producer lonelyboy.

lofi chill vibes with Machine Gun Kelly includes new versions of songs from MGK’s last three albums — Hotel Diablo (2019), Tickets to My Downfall (2020) and mainstream sellout (2022), and takes them in a quieter, more ‘chill’ direction.

Check out a teaser for ‘lofi chill vibes with Machine Gun Kelly’ – here.  To stream, head here.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

Machine Gun Kelly shares ‘lofi chill vibes’ compilation

Colson Baker aka Machine Gun Kelly attends Tribeca Film Festival

Machine Gun Kelly has released a new compilation, titled ‘lofi chill vibes with Machine Gun Kelly,’ recorded in collaboration with producer lonelyboy.

lofi chill vibes with Machine Gun Kelly includes new versions of songs from MGK’s last three albums — Hotel Diablo (2019), Tickets to My Downfall (2020) and mainstream sellout (2022), and takes them in a quieter, more ‘chill’ direction.

Check out a teaser for ‘lofi chill vibes with Machine Gun Kelly’ – here.  To stream, head here.

Machine Gun Kelly drops collaborative album with Lonelyboy

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Taylor Swift is named Time Magazine’s 2023 Person of the Year

Taylor Swift at the iHeart Radio Music Awards 2019 on March 14^ 2019 in Los Angeles^ CA

TIME Magazine announced that they have named Taylor Swift their ‘2023 Person of the Year,’ beating out a host of finalists (including Barbie and King Charles III) who over the last 12 months dominated in politics and entertainment

TIME called Swit a person with “singular influence” who has found a way to “transcend borders” and be “a source of light” in the world. TIME said in its profile on Swift: “While her popularity has grown across the decades, this is the year that Swift, 33, achieved a kind of nuclear fusion: shooting art and commerce together to release an energy of historic force.”  The publication added that Swift was selected because she found a way to give people around the world hope in such dark times:  “No one else on the planet today can move so many people so well. Achieving this feat is something we often chalk up to the alignments of planets and fates, but giving too much credit to the stars ignores her skill and her power.”

Swift revealed to TIME: “This is the proudest and happiest I’ve ever felt, and the most creatively fulfilled and free I’ve ever been. Ultimately, we can convolute it all we want, or try to overcomplicate it, but there’s only one question … Are you not entertained?”

Part of Swift’s incredible achievements across 2023 was her “Eras Tour,” which grossed about $2.2 billion in North American ticket sales alone. She has dominated not only arenas, but local movie theaters as well with her concert film “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” which raked in about $96 million in the box office in the United States and Canada, making it the highest-grossing concert film domestically for an opening weekend. The singer/songwriter also has more No. 1 albums than any other woman in history, including three this year; and she broke her own Spotify record by becoming the most-streamed artist in a single day in the streamer’s history, with “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” becoming Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day this year.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com