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Country Daypop

Maren Morris releases ‘Kiss the Sky’ for ‘The Wild Robot’ movie

Maren Morris has released her new song “Kiss the Sky” for the upcoming film The Wild Robot, set to premiere Sept. 27 featuring the voices of Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, Billy Nighy, Kit Connor, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Matt Berry and Ving Rhames.

Morris shares (via Billboard): “I was honored to be approached to write for The Wild Robot because I just identified so closely with the story. I was so emotionally moved by this story as a mother. Writing the songs for this film was such an honor because it made me feel even closer to my son, especially when I’m touring and sometimes have to be far away from him. The entire Wild Robot team has been so supportive of the creation of these songs and I’m so excited for the world to see this film.”

The film follows Roz (Nyong’o), a robot who gets stuck on an island and becomes friends with its animal inhabitants; according to a press release: “‘Kiss the Sky’ accompanies a pivotal emotional sequence in the film. As the sequence continues, the song is interwoven with the film’s score by Oscar winning composer Kris Bowers.”

Another song from Morris, “Even When I’m Not,” will also appear as the end-title song on The Wild Robot, produced by The Monsters & Strangerz production team and Tejada. Kris Bowers handled orchestration and served as the movie’s composer.

Listen to Kiss the Sky: HERE.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Maren Morris releases ‘Kiss the Sky’ for ‘The Wild Robot’ movie

Maren Morris has released her new song “Kiss the Sky” for the upcoming film The Wild Robot, set to premiere Sept. 27 featuring the voices of Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, Billy Nighy, Kit Connor, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Matt Berry and Ving Rhames.

Morris shares (via Billboard): “I was honored to be approached to write for The Wild Robot because I just identified so closely with the story. I was so emotionally moved by this story as a mother. Writing the songs for this film was such an honor because it made me feel even closer to my son, especially when I’m touring and sometimes have to be far away from him. The entire Wild Robot team has been so supportive of the creation of these songs and I’m so excited for the world to see this film.”

The film follows Roz (Nyong’o), a robot who gets stuck on an island and becomes friends with its animal inhabitants; according to a press release: “‘Kiss the Sky’ accompanies a pivotal emotional sequence in the film. As the sequence continues, the song is interwoven with the film’s score by Oscar winning composer Kris Bowers.”

Another song from Morris, “Even When I’m Not,” will also appear as the end-title song on The Wild Robot, produced by The Monsters & Strangerz production team and Tejada. Kris Bowers handled orchestration and served as the movie’s composer.

Listen to Kiss the Sky: HERE.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Alaska man arrested after threatening to assassinate 6 Supreme Court justices

CBS News reported that a man from Alaska was arrested  for allegedly threatening to assassinate six members of the Supreme Court and harm two family members.  The Justice Department said that Panos Anastasiou, 76, is accused of sending more than 465 messages to the Supreme Court through an online portal, which included violent, racist, and homophobic rhetoric.

Per Reuters, federal prosecutors say that Anastasiou sent the messages to the Supreme Court through its website beginning in March 2023, which turned increasingly violent starting in January 2024. Anastasiou began sending “concerning messages” to the Supreme Court in the spring of 2023, with the Justice Department sharing that the messages took an “even more violent turn” in January. In addition to threatening justices with “lynching,” court filings show he advocated for “mass assassinations” and called for “patriotic” Americans to kill members of the high court.

According to court filings, in the 22-count indictment Anastasiou allegedly threatened to assassinate, kidnap, torture, hang, behead and execute the justices, and encouraged other people to join him in committing acts of violence. The targeted justices are not named in the indictment and identified only as “Supreme Court justices 1-6.”  Some of the threats allegedly made by Anastasiou “were intended to intimidate the justices and retaliate against them for official actions” they had taken in their capacity as judges.

Anastasiou faces nine counts of making threats against a federal judge and 13 counts of making threats in interstate commerce; he pleaded not guilty during a court hearing in Anchorage on Wednesday. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement: “We allege that the defendant made repeated, heinous threats to murder and torture Supreme Court Justices and their families to retaliate against them for decisions he disagreed with. Our justice system depends on the ability of judges to make their decisions based on the law, and not on fear. Our democracy depends on the ability of public officials to do their jobs without fearing for their lives or the safety of their families.”

Editorial credit: Aashish Kiphayet / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Assault at Massachusetts prison leaves 2 corrections officers stabbed, 3 more injured

Two correctional officers were stabbed by inmates at a maximum-security prison in Massachusetts, with three others suffering injuries as they responded to the incident. The five officers at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Lancaster were taken to hospitals after the confrontation.

The Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union first shared news Wednesday evening on Facebook, claiming that an officer was stabbed in the back and head with the statement: “SBCC on lockdown after Officer stabbing to the back and head. Multiple Officers taken out in ambulances! Massachusetts Department of Correction ENOUGH! It’s been 4 years since you authorized the use of the tactical units and done a thorough institution wide search! How much more do our members have to endure before you decide to keep them safe? The inmates are literally running the asylum. Do your jobs.”

A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Correction said in a statement that it was notified of the assault at 6:20 p.m.; subsequently, four officers have since been released, and one was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Scott Croteau, a spokesman for the state’s Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, in a statement via USA TODAY:  “The facility is secure at this time while an investigation is conducted to determine the facts and circumstances.”

Croteau added that the department is conducting a criminal investigation in coordination with the Worcester County District Attorney’s office, and the inmates identified as being involved with the stabbings have been transferred to other facilities.

Editorial credit: Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock.com

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Sports Daypop

PGA says LIV players will not be prohibited from playing in Ryder Cup and PGA Championship

The PGA of America announced that LIV Golf players will be eligible to play in the Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship. The PGA said in a statement that “all LIV Golf players are eligible for the PGA Championship and any American player who qualifies for the Ryder Cup on points or is added to the U.S. team as a captain’s pick is eligible to compete.” 

However, the PGA’s statement did not specify how players might become eligible for the PGA Championship, as there are no direct avenues via the LIV Golf League. The statement read: “To ensure the PGA Championship will continue to deliver the strongest field in golf and that the U.S. Ryder Cup team will continue to have access to the best American players, the PGA of America board has determined that LIV Golf players will be eligible for both,” the PGA said in a statement. “Going forward, all LIV Golf players are eligible for the PGA Championship and any American player who qualifies for the Ryder Cup on points or is added to the U.S. team as a captain’s pick is eligible to compete. This is consistent with LIV Golf players competing in the PGA Championship the past two years. Brooks Koepka was a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team last year.”

Due to his victory at the 2023 PGA Championship (in part), Brooks Koepka played on last year’s Ryder Cup team as a member of LIV; similarly, LIV players have competed at the PGA Championship the last few seasons, primarily because of their existing eligibility from wins they accrued prior to joining LIV Golf.

The PGA of America is a distinct organization from the PGA Tour, which is involved in ongoing discussions about the future of golf with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, LIV Golf’s financial backer.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

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Sports Daypop

LA Rams WR Cooper Kupp to avoid injured reserve after suffering high-ankle sprain

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will not be place on the injured reserve list, despite dealing with a high-ankle sprain.  Kupp injured his ankle during the Rams’ 41–10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and had to be helped to the locker room. This is the fourth time since the 2022 season that Kupp has dealt with an ankle injury.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posted: “#Rams star WR Cooper Kupp suffered a high-ankle sprain in LA’s loss on Sunday, and he’ll spend the next week or so in a cast helping the swelling calm down, sources said. The team did not place him on Injured Reserve, as there is still a chance he’s ready within four weeks.”  Following the game, Kupp was seen wearing a walking boot on his left leg as he left the locker room. He will wear a cast for at least the next week to assist in minimizing any swelling before he begins rehab, but will not require surgery.

Rams coach Sean McVay had told reporters Monday that Kupp was expected to miss “an extended period of time…I don’t want to put any expectations on — I know he’s going to want to be back as soon as he can, but I don’t want to put any expectations or unnecessary things on him. He’s going to do everything in his power to get back, whenever that is.”  It now appears Kupp now could return in less than four weeks given the Rams’ decision.

Prior to leaving Sunday’s game, Kupp had four receptions for 37 yards. In Week 1’s loss to the Detroit Lions, he caught 14 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown. Kupp’s injury leaves the Rams without their top two receivers, as  Puka Nacua is expected to be out 5-7 weeks after sustaining a sprained PCL in his right knee against Detroit, and was placed on injured reserve.

Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson are expected to take over as the Rams’ top receivers in Kupp and Nacua’s absence. Robinson has six catches for 11 yards this season, while Johnson has seven receptions for 99 yards.

The Rams (0–2) host the San Francisco 49ers (1–1) in Week 3 on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.

Editorial credit: Ringo Chiu / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Kane Brown to be honored at 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards

Kane Brown has been chosen to receive the Country Champion Award at the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards. Brown will be honored for his passion for service and groundbreaking contributions to the country music industry and beyond.

Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events & Specials, NBCUniversal Entertainment, said in a statement: “Since the beginning of his career, Kane Brown has ensured that his legacy will extend beyond music. His dedication to empowering and supporting younger generations is nothing short of inspiring, and we’re thrilled to honor him with the Country Champion Award.”  In 2022, Brown was honored with the Boys & Girls Club’s prestigious Champion of Youth Award in recognition of his commitment to serving young people

Brown joins previously-announced 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards honoree Miranda Lambert, who will be presented with the Country Icon Award, and follows Wyonna Judd as the second Country Champion Award recipient.

Zach Bryan, Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, Shaboozey, Kane Brown, Morgan Wallen, and Luke Combs lead the nominations for the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards, hosted by Shania Twain. The ceremony will air live on Thursday, September 26th at 8 pm ET/PT across NBC and Peacock from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Zac Brown Band drops ‘No Wake Zone’ EP

Zac Brown Band has dropped their new five-track EP No Wake Zone, across all digital music platforms.

The group most recently released their summer anthems “Tie Up,” “Two Blue Chairs & You,” and their tribute to the late Jimmy Buffett, “Pirates & Parrots,” all of which are featured on the tracklist for No Wake Zone. Also included on the project is the song “My Kind of Medicine,” co-produced by Zac Brown and Christian “Leggy” Langdon; and their take on Lucinda Williams’ single, “I Lost It.”

Zac Brown Band will round out 2024 with more headlining shows — including the inaugural Cape Town Country Festival in Cape Town, South Africa in October. They also recently wrapped up their run on Kenny Chesney’s Sun Goes Down Tour.

To stream No Wake Zone head HERE.

Editorial credit: Brian Friedman / Shutterstock.com

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Entertainment Daypop

Hayden Panettiere and Tyler James Williams team up in trailer for ‘Amber Alert’

Hayden Panettiere and Tyler James Williams team up in the  trailer for new thriller Amber Alert, written and directed by Kerry Bellessa and produced by Summer Bellessa. The film follows the duo as they race against time to rescue a kidnapped child.

In the new trailer for the film, an operator providing a description of 7-year-old Charlotte Bryce, who was abducted while her mother was distracted on the phone. The teaser then cuts to Jaq (Panettiere) talking to her rideshare driver Shane (Williams) when they get the Amber Alert notification.  An official synopsis reads: “Quickly realizing they are behind a car that matches the description of the kidnapper’s, Jaq and Shane desperately race against time to save the child’s life.”

Panettiere, 34, and Williams, 31, also executive produce the film, alongside David Gendron and Ali Jazayeri. Kerry Bellessa directs.

‘Amber Alert’ premieres on Sept. 27; check out the trailer – HERE.

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Entertainment Daypop

Matt Bomer, Nathan Lane to star in Hulu’s ‘Mid-Century Modern’

Hulu announced it has given a series order to Mid-Century Modern, a series about gay friends navigating their “golden years.” Per Deadline, the multi-camera comedy pilot from ‘Will & Grace’ creators David Kohan & Max Mutchnick and Ryan Murphy will star Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Nathan Lee Graham and Linda Lavin. A premiere date has not yet been released.

A show synopsis states that the series “follows three best friends — gay gentlemen of a certain age — who, after an unexpected death, decide to spend their golden years living together in Palm Springs where the wealthiest one lives with his mother. As a chosen family, they prove that no matter how hard things get, there’s always someone around to remind you it would be better if you got your neck done.”

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Lane stars as Bunny Schneiderman (Nathan Lane), a successful businessman with one foot in retirement who is forever in search of love, but he first has to be convinced he’s worthy of it. The nearly-retired Bunny lives with his mother Sybil (Linda Lavin), the good-hearted ex-Mormon Jerry Frank-Jerry (Matt Bomer), and the fashionable Arthur (Nathan Lee Graham).

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com