Month: February 2024

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Former YouTube family vlogger Ruby Franke sentenced in child abuse case

YouTube logo on the screen of a smartphone that is over a keyboard

On Tuesday, former YouTube family vlogger Ruby Franke was sentenced to four, one-to-15 year terms in prison by an Utah district court in the child abuse case brought against her. Franke’s business partner Jodi Hildebrandt was also sentenced to four, one-to-15 year prison terms. Both women will serve their sentences consecutively.

Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested in August 2023 after police found one of Franke’s sons emaciated with open wounds and bound with duct tape, having escaped Hildebrandt’s home to a neighbor’s house, as well as one of Franke’s daughters was found in a similar malnourished condition in Hildebrandt’s home. After being charged with six counts of felony child abuse, Franke and Hildebrandt pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree aggravated child abuse in December. Franke previously agreed to testify against Hildebrandt in exchange for the county attorney’s neutrality in future hearings with the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole.

During the sentencing hearing, Franke teared up while apologizing to her kids, saying in part: “I … believed dark was light and right was wrong. I would do anything in this world for you. I took from you all that was soft, and safe and good.” The mother of six also addressed Judge John Walton and the courtroom: “For the past four years, I’ve chosen to follow counsel and guidance that has led me into a dark delusion. My distorted version of reality went largely unchecked as I would isolate from anyone who challenged me.” 

Hildebrandt also gave a brief statement to the court on Tuesday: “I desire for [the children] to heal physically and emotionally. One of the reasons I did not go to trial is because I did not want them to emotionally relive the experience which would have been detrimental to them. My hope and prayer is that they will heal and move forward to have beautiful lives.”

Franke, her husband, Kevin Franke, and their six children rose to prominence on YouTube, where they had amassed 2.3 million subscribers to their now-defunct channel 8 Passengers. Franke also frequently collaborated on controversial parenting and relationship advice videos with Hildebrandt.

According to Utah law, the maximum aggregate sentence for consecutive terms is 30 years. The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will determine how long Franke and Hildebrandt will spend incarcerated.

Editorial credit: rafastockbr / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

The Black Crowes share new single ‘Cross Your Fingers’

The Black Crowes (rock band) perform on stage at Sant Jordi Club on October 16^ 2022 in Barcelona^ Spain.

The Black Crowes have shared their latest single “Cross Your Fingers,” their second release from their upcoming new album Happiness Bastards, dropping March 15th.

Happiness Bastards was recorded in Nashville with Jay Joyce, who has previously worked with the likes of Halestorm, Brothers Osborne, Ashley McBryde, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and Lainey Wilson. It’s the first Black Crowes album since 2010’s acoustic collection Croweology, and their first album of new material since the previous year’s Before the Frost…Until the Freeze.

Says guitarist Rich Robinson: “This album is a continuation of our story as a band. Our years of experience writing and making music and touring the world are represented in this record, and we were brilliantly guided by one of the best producers in the business.”

The Black Crowes also just announced a run of shows in North America, the UK and Europe in support of Happiness Bastards. The North American run begins on April 2 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee through May 7 at The Met Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. European dates kick off on May 14 at Manchester’s O2 Apollo, and run through to June 9.

Take a listen to ‘Cross Your Fingers’ – here.

Editorial credit: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

Record Store Day shares 2024 Offerings: See the full list

World Record Store Day Design Template Vector Illustration.

Record Store Day will be back for its 17th year on April 20, 2024, and has announced the full list of exclusive releases for their 2024 event. Record Store Day is the largest single-day music event in the world that celebrates brick-and-mortar indie record stores worldwide. The titles on the RSD 2024 Official List will be released at participating record stores as part of their celebration of Record Store Day on Saturday, April 20th. Paramore are this year’s Record Store Day Ambassadors.

Highlights of this year’s list include titles by Ateez, The Beatles, The Black Crowes, David Bowie, Dwight Yoakam, Eric Church, The Doors, Fleetwood Mac, Garbage, Grateful Dead, Elton John, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Willie Nelson, Paramore, Pearl Jam, Queen, The Rolling Stones, U2, and many others. Fans can also expect collectible and limited-edition records from the likes of Jessie Ware, Noah Kahan, Gabriels, Katy J Pearson, Blur, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and many more.

In addition, established acts such as The Rolling Stones, Notorious B.I.G, Garbage and Lily Allen, who will be releasing special vinyl editions. The Flirtations prepare to release their first album of new material in over 55 years. Meanwhile George Harrison’s Electronic Sounds and Wonderwall Music are getting a special repress, and John Lennon’s Mind Games will have a unique repress on a limited 12” EP. In addition, a solo release from Ringo Starr with a brand-new four track EP, Crooked Boy, alongside songwriter Linda Perry.

Paramore, this year’s Record Store Day Ambassadors, are sharing a pair of releases with Re:This is Why, and Re: This Is Why (Remix). The album also includes Paramore’s demo of the album track “Sanity.” The deluxe package contains both the original This Is Why album, and Re: This Is Why.

A complete list of available items for April 20th’s RSD 2024 can be found at recordstoreday.com

Editorial credit: Kwok Design / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Take a look at the video for Zara Larsson’s single ‘You Love Who You Love’

Zara Larsson at the iHeart Radio Music Awards - Arrivals at the Microsoft Theater on March 14^ 2019 in Los Angeles^ CA

Zara Larsson shared her latest single called ‘You Love Who You Love’, off the Swedish pop artist’s fourth studio album, ‘Venus’. ‘You Love Who You Love’ follows Larsson’s 2023 singles ‘Can’t Tame Her’, ‘End Of Time’ and ‘On My Love’ (featuring David Guetta).  To stream, head here.

‘You Love Who You Love’ was produced by MTHR alongside the Larsson’s frequent collaborators MNEK and Danja. Larsson explained in a statement: “We started writing over Pride, and began talking about how amazing it is that anyone can love anyone – but that doesn’t mean you always should! We’ve all had that friend, or been that friend, who keeps going back to someone who’s bad for them, and ‘You Love Who You Love’ is saying enough is enough.”

Take a look at the video for ‘You Love Who You Love’ – here.
To stream Larsson’s new album ‘Venus,’ head here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Suspect arrested in double murder in University of Colorado dorm

Sign for the University of Colorado^ Colorado Springs campus.

A suspect was taken into custody Monday in connection with the deaths of two people in a dorm room at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs. A post on X from the Colorado Springs Police Department read: “On Monday morning, February 19, 2024, members of the Colorado Springs Police Department took a suspect into custody in connection to our investigation into the homicides on Friday, February 16, 2024, on the campus of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS).”

Colorado Springs Police later announced the arrest of Nicholas Jordan in Colorado Springs on Monday morning. adding that the suspect and the victims knew each other. The Colorado Springs Police Department said in a statement that the killing was “an isolated incident between individuals who were known to one another and not a random attack against the school or other students.”  The two victims — a 24-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman — were identified Sunday as 26-year-old Celie Rain Montgomery of Pueblo, CO and 24-year-old Samuel Knopp of Parker, CO. Kopp was a registered student at UCCS, while Montgomery was not currently registered, police said.

Police said they obtained an arrest warrant on Jordan, 25, of Detroit on Friday on two counts of first-degree murder. He was spotted by police officers near the 4900 block of Cliff Point Circle East on Monday morning and was arrested in a traffic stop without incident, and taken to the El Paso County Jail. So far his arrest photo hasn’t been released.

University Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said at a news conference: “We are in shock as we process this tragic loss of two lives. My heart is broken for the victims of today’s senseless violence.” The UCCS campus is located along Austin Bluffs Parkway in northeast Colorado Springs. It is one of four universities in the University of Colorado system.

Editorial credit: Rosemarie Mosteller / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Alexei Navalny’s widow accuses Kremlin of hiding husband’s body, vows to continue fight against Putin

Politician Alexei Navalny speaks at an opposition rally; Novosibirsk^ Russia-October 3^ 2017.

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, is accusing the Kremlin of hiding his body to cover up killing him in an Arctic penal colony. Russia’s prison agency said that Navalny, the fiercest foe of Russian President Vladimir Putin who crusaded against official corruption and staged massive anti-Kremlin protests, died in prison Friday Feb. 16, 2024. Navalny, 47, was serving a combined 30 ½-year jail sentence when he died. He was recently transferred to the prison above the Arctic Circle, where conditions were harsh and his allies worried about his health and frequent isolation in the punishment cell.

Navalnaya’s comments came as Navalny’s team said his mother and lawyers were denied access to his body and told the probe into what killed him had been extended, with the body under “chemical examination” for another 14 days. Ahead of her meeting with European Union foreign ministers in Brussels, Navalnaya posted a nine-minute video posted to YouTube.  She vowed to continue her late husband’s fight against President Vladimir Putin, and called on Russians to rally around her. Navalnaya, 47, said in the video: “three days ago, Vladimir Putin killed my husband. We know exactly why Putin killed Alexei three days ago. We will tell you soon about it. We will also definitely find out who exactly and how exactly this crime was committed. We will name names and show faces.” Navalnaya added that authorities were waiting for traces of “yet another Putin’s Novichok” to leave his body, a reference to the military nerve agent used to poison him years ago. Navalnaya also vowed to continue her husband’s efforts: “The most important thing we can do for Alexei and for ourselves is to continue to fight. I will continue the life work of Alexei Navalny. I call on you to stand with me.”

The Kremlin has denied involvement in that poisoning and dismissed suggestions that Putin was behind his death. Russia’s prison authorities said Navalny died suddenly after collapsing following a walk in the remote “Polar Wolf” prison on Friday afternoon.  However, many international leaders blame Putin. and Navalny’s supporters have dismissed the official version of events.

Spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said on Monday that Navalny’s mother and his lawyers had been denied access to the nearby morgue, sharing on X: “They were not allowed to go in. One of the lawyers was literally pushed out. When the staff was asked if Alexey’s body was there, they did not answer. The cause of death is still ‘unknown’.  They lie, buy time for themselves and do not even hide it.”  Yarmysh added that “the investigators told the lawyers and Alexey’s mother that they would not give them the body. The body will be under some sort of “chemical examination” for another 14 days.”

Editorial credit: Jonas Petrovas / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Brooklyn Nets fire head coach Jacque Vaughn

NBA logo of Brooklyn Nets. Major Basketball League.

The Brooklyn Nets said in a statement that they have fired head coach Jacque Vaughn, with the franchise set to name an interim replacement in the “near future.” Vaughn, 49, was in his second year as head coach after being promoted from assistant in 2022; the team is 21-33 this season and currently sits 11th in the Eastern Conference, just outside of a Play-In Tournament spot.

Nets General Manager Sean Marks said: “This was an incredibly difficult decision, but one we feel is in the best interest of the team going forward. Jacque has represented this organization with exemplary character and class for the past eight years. The consistent positivity and passion he poured into our team daily will remain with the players and staff he interacted with throughout his tenure. We thank Jacque for all he has done for the Nets and the borough of Brooklyn, and wish him, Laura and their family nothing but the best in the future.”

Vaughn helped lead the Nets to the playoffs last season before being swept by the Philadelphia 76ers, 4-0, in the first round; however, the franchise has struggled in the last couple of months, going 8-18 since Christmas Eve. The 2023-24 Nets rank 21st in points per game (113.4) and 16th in points allowed (115.6). They were 12-9 through their first 21 games, but are 9-24 since. The Nets lost five of their last six games before the All-Star break and sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.

Editorial credit: EstetStudio / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Boston Red Sox and closing pitcher Liam Hendriks agree to 2-year, $10M deal

Red Blue B Boston Letters Sports Baseball Team Red Sox Logo

According to MLB.com, closing pitcher Liam Hendriks and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal, including incentives that could increase the value to $20 million as well as a third-year mutual option that could keep Hendriks off the free-agent market until 2027.

Hendriks, 35, spent the last three seasons with the Chicago White Sox. Hendriks missed the start of last season after being diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in January 2023 and immediately began cancer treatment. He announced in April that he was cancer free and began the 2023 season on the injured list, making his return to the majors on May 30. He went 2-0 with a 5.40 ERA and one save in five appearances last season before missing the remainder of the year because of an elbow injury. undergoing Tommy John surgery on Aug. 2, and could potentially miss the entire 2024 season.

Hendriks is 33-34 with a 3.82 ERA and 116 saves in 476 career appearances. The right-handed relief pitcher previously played for the Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics.  In his two seasons with the White Sox before 2023, Hendriks, a three-time All-Star, went 4-4 with 37 saves and a 2.81 ERA over 58 appearances in 2022. He went 8-3 with an American League-high 38 saves and a 2.54 ERA over 69 appearances in 2021.

Editorial credit: Roberto Marantan / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Lainey Wilson shares new single ‘Country’s Cool Again’

Lainey Wilson at the MusiCares Person of the Year Gala. LOS ANGELES^ USA. February 02^ 2024:

Lainey Wilson has released her brand new song, ’Country’s Cool Again’. Wilson shared: “Country’s been havin’ the comeback of a lifetime and all I gotta say is, I’m here for it. It’s always been cool in our book, but welcome to the party y’all! 🤠 Country’s Cool Again is out everywhere now. #CountrysCoolAgain”. Co-written by Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson, along with Wilson’s band leader Aslan Freeman, ’Country’s Cool Again’ is also produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Jay Joyce.

Lainey announced the new single earlier this month, and also shared her thoughts about the country music genre: “Country isn’t just a genre for me or for any of us that live and breathe it every single day. It’s a way of life. It’s always been cool and I think I speak for everyone when I say, we’re just glad it’s gettin’ a lil more recognition and love these days. Welcome to the party, cowgirls and cowboys 🤠 I’m so excited to announce my brand-new song, ‘Country’s Cool Again.’ This past year has been a wild ride and truly shown me that Country music is really loving me back”  Lainey added: “This track is an ode to my upbringing and the story of my journey in this industry – where I have been and where I am now. I’m feeling all the love from Country music fans, and I can’t wait to hear everyone singing this song back to me while we’re out on the road this year.”

Wilson will soon embark on her sophomore headlining tour, the 2024 Country’s Cool Again Tour, featuring more than 35 dates throughout North America. The trek kicks off on May 31st in Nashville with Jackson Dean, Ian Munsick and Zach Top serving as support.

You can stream ‘Country’s Cool Again’ at the link: here.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Jessie James Decker welcomes fourth child with husband Eric Decker

Eric Decker^ Jessie James Decker at T-Mobile Arena on April 2^ 2017 in Las Vegas^ NV

Jessie James Decker and her husband, Eric Decker have welcomed baby No. 4, a boy – taking to social media to announce the news with a carousel of photos and the caption: “Our beautiful boy is here 💙 Denver Calloway Decker 8.7. 2/9/24 💙.” In one photo, Jessie, 35, and Eric, 36, embrace with Jessie in a hospital bed and Denver on her chest. The second picture shows Denver laying in mom’s lap.

Denver joins the couple’s two older sons, Eric Thomas, 8, and Forrest Bradley, 5. and daughter Vivianne Rose, 9. Jessie tied the knot with retired NFL player Eric in 2013, and announced she was expecting baby No. 4 in August 2023, showing off her baby bump as she was taking in the view from a balcony in California.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com