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North Dakota woman arrested for allegedly killing boyfriend by poison

A North Dakota woman was arrested and charged for allegedly killing her boyfriend last month by poisoning him. The suspect, 47-year-old Ina Thea Kenoyer, is believed to have murdered 51-year-old Steven Edward Riley, Jr. of Minot (a city in North Dakota about 50 miles south of the Canadian border) due to financial reasons. Riley died on Sept. 5 at a hospital in Bismarck after being transferred there from a local hospital in Minot. Results of a subsequent autopsy determined that Riley’s official cause of death was poisoning.

The Minot Police Department said in a news release shared to its Facebook page that Kenoyer was taken into custody Monday and charged with class AA felony murder in the death of Riley, who was in a relationship with Kenoyer, and who is also from Minot. In North Dakota, a class AA felony could carry a maximum penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole if there is a conviction. An investigation into Kenoyer and the circumstances leading up to Riley’s death is still ongoing.

Police believe that Kenoyer “had financial motives to murder Riley,” they said. Kenoyer is being held at the Ward County Jail in Minot. Capt. Dale Plessas, the investigations commander at the Minot Police Department, in a statement: “This case was extremely complex. Thank you to everyone who provided us with information that helped our investigators piece this together.”

Editorial credit: Victor Maschek / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Senate confirms Jack Lew as U.S. ambassador to Israel in 53-43 vote

The Senate confirmed former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to be the new U.S. ambassador to Israel on Tuesday, approving his nomination amid the war in Gaza as Congress gears up for a fight over how to provide funding to support Israel against Hamas.

The Senate voted 53-43 to confirm Lew, 68, with support from only two Republicans: Sens. Rand Paul, of Kentucky, and Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina. No members of the Democratic Caucus voted against him. President Biden nominated Lew in September amid strained relations between the U.S. and Israel over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial plans to overhaul their judicial system and settlement expansion in the West Bank. The Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas increased the urgency in confirming Lew. The U.S. has not had an ambassador in Israel since July, when Tom Nides stepped down after nearly two years on the job. Stephanie Hallett, a career diplomat, has been the top official at the U.S. Embassy in the interim.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the floor after the vote: “The Senate, I’m proud to say, has now taken an extremely important step in our support of Israel. With Israel defending itself against Hamas, this ambassadorship is as important and timely as any nomination that the Senate has confirmed in a long time.”

Lew, who is Jewish, has been active in pro-Israel advocacy circles during this time in government. He was White House chief of staff for the last two years of President Barack Obama’s first term and then treasury secretary from 2013 to 2017. However, Republicans had been critical of Lew over his involvement in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. During his confirmation hearing, Lew was grilled by Republicans on lifting sanctions on Iran as part of the agreement.

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Sports Daypop

Los Angeles Clippers acquire James Harden in blockbuster trade from Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers agreed to trade James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a deal that also includes the Oklahoma City Thunder, seven players and several draft picks.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Harden will head to Los Angeles along with P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrusev, in exchange for Marcus Morris Sr., Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, Kenyon Martin Jr., a 2028 unprotected first-round draft pick, two second-round picks, a 2029 pick swap and an additional first-round pick routed from a third team.

The 34-year-old guard opted into a $35.6 million player option in June for the 2023-24 season. Harden has not played this season; he requested a trade this off-season after publicly feuding with 76ers president Daryl Morey, will reunite with former teammate Russell Westbrook and fellow All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the Clippers.

In 58 appearances last season for the 76ers (who he joined in a 2022 trade from the Brooklyn Nets), Harden averaged 21 points, a league-high 10.7 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game. The 2017-18 NBA MVP, 10-time All-Star, and seven-time All-NBA selection, three-time scoring champion and two-time assist champion is set to join his fifth different team since 2021.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

2023 CMA Awards: Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll, Carly Pearce among performers

The Country Music Association has announced a first round of performers for the 2023 CMA Awards, with Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll and Carly Pearce set to perform, along with K. Michelle, Little Big Town, Megan Moroney, Old Dominion, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson.

The news broke on X: “BREAKING NEWS!! 🤩 Performing LIVE at the #CMAawards –
@LukeBryan, @JellyRoll615, @KMichelle, @LittleBigTown, @_MegMoroney, @OldDominion, @CarlyPearce, @ChrisStapleton, @TanyaTucker, AND @LaineyWilson! Stay tuned for even MORE stars announced soon! 🎶
Additional performers will be announced soon.”

Wilson leads this year’s nominees with nine nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for Bell Bottom Country. Jelly Roll follows with five nominations, while Luke Combs and Hardy have four nominations each.

The 57th annual ceremony will take place Nov. 8 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and air at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

Tanya Tucker to be honored on inaugural ‘CMT Smashing Glass: A Celebration of the Groundbreaking Women of Music’

CMT has announced that Patti LaBelle and Tanya Tucker are being honored during the first-ever CMT Smashing Glass: A Celebration of the Groundbreaking Women of Music television special set to air on November 15 at 9/8c. CMT Smashing Glass will also pay respect to the late women of music with memorial tribute medleys to Aretha Franklin, Sinead O’Connor and Tina Turner.

The new multi-genre musical event recognizes women ‘who have smashed stereotypes, broken records and defiantly blazed trails for future generations of female artists.’   Smashing Glass will merge performances with documentary-style storytelling leading up to LaBelle and Tucker each taking the stage to deliver a performance. Additional show details, performers and special guests will be announced soon.

Margaret Comeaux, CMT’s Senior Vice President of Production, Music & Events and Executive Producer, shared: “We’re beyond excited to bring this electrifying and empowering new franchise to life by honoring iconic women who’ve fearlessly ‘smashed glass ceilings’ and kicked in doors, holding them wide open for past, present and future generations. Both Patti and Tanya deserve to be celebrated for continuing to set the industry gold standard with boundary-breaking crossover success, bold, uncompromising lives and careers, and creating timeless music and impact that remains as powerful and relevant as ever.”

Patrizia DiMaria, Executive Producer added: “Inspired by so many other women who have smashed glass ceilings before us, we’ll also pay homage to three other female juggernauts with in-show ‘Moments of Respect,’ nodding to Aretha Franklin, the ‘Queen of Soul’ who forever altered the path for women with her legacy of demanding ‘R.E.S.P.E.C.T,’ the ‘Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,’ Tina Turner, who empowered the world with her resilience, and Sinead O’Connor, who broke the traditional ‘pop star’ mold and used her life and music to illuminate the world’s burning issues.”

Editorial credit: Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.com

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Entertainment Daypop

‘General Hospital’ actor Tyler Christopher dies at age 50

Tyler Christopher, best known for his Emmy-winning role of Nikolas Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera ‘General Hospital’ has passed away at age 50.  Christopher’s former GH costar Maurice Benard confirmed the actor’s death on Instagram: “It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Tyler Christopher. Tyler passed away this morning following a cardiac event in his San Diego apartment Tyler was a truly talented individual that lit up the screen in every scene he performed and relished bringing joy to his loyal fans through his acting. Tyler was a sweet soul and wonderful friend to all of those who knew him. Tyler was an advocate for better mental health and substance use treatment who openly spoke about his struggles with bipolar depression and alcohol. We are beyond devastated by the loss of our dear friend and pray for his children and his father.”  The circumstances surrounding the veteran actor’s death remain unclear at this time, and the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office has not confirmed an exact cause of death as of press time.

General Hospital Executive Producer Frank Valentini shared in a statement: “I am heartbroken over the news of Tyler Christopher’s passing. He was kind, an incredible actor, and dear friend, who was beloved by our GH family and fans of Nikolas Cassadine. On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, our heartfelt sympathies go out to his loved ones during this difficult time.”

Christopher portrayed Nikolas Cassadine on General Hospital from 1996 to 2016. He was nominated for five Daytime Emmy Awards, winning in 2016 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Christopher also portrayed Stefan DiMera on Days of Our Lives from 2018 to 2019, which earned him another Daytime Emmy nomination.

Christopher struggled with bipolar depression and substance abuse for many years, and was arrested in 2019 when he fell asleep in the back of an Uber while intoxicated. He pled guilty, with a judge denying a request by law enforcement that Christopher be sentenced to an alcohol treatment program.  He was also recently arrested at the Hollywood Burbank Airport for public intoxication this past May, before being released on $250 bail.

Christopher married former ESPN reporter Brienne Pedigo in 2008; they later divorced in 2019. The former couple share two children: Greysun James Christopher and Boheme Christopher. Christopher was also previously married to actress Eva Longoria from 2002 to 2004.

Editorial credit: Michael Mattes / Shutterstock.com

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Entertainment Daypop

Channing Tatum and Zoë Kravitz are engaged after two years together

PEOPLE reports that Channing Tatum and Zoë Kravitz are engaged to be married after two years together.

The couple started dating in 2021 while working on Kravitz’s forthcoming directorial debut, Pussy Island, which stars Tatum. Kravitz showed off an engagement ring over the weekend while attending a Halloween party where she dressed as Mia Farrow’s character from Rosemary’s Baby, and Tatum wore a baby costume.

Kravitz told GQ in an interview last year: “Whether it was making me tea or pouring me a drink or going to whip someone into shape or whatever — he really was my protector and it was really wonderful and sweet. mHe’s just a wonderful human. He makes me laugh and we both really love art and talking about art and the exploration of why we do what we do. We love to watch a film and break it down and talk about it and challenge each other.”

Tatum was previously married to Jenna Dewan, with whom he shares daughter Everly, 11. Kravitz married actor Karl Glusman in 2019 before filing for divorce the next year.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Rock Daypop

The Black Crowes drop unreleased recording of ’99 Pounds’

The Black Crowes have shared an unreleased recording of ’99 Pounds’, the Memphis soul classic song originally recorded by Ann Peebles and written by Don Bryant. Renowned Memphis soul singer-songwriter Peebles originally released ’99 Pounds’ on the 1972 album Straight From the Heart.  The track is just one of the 14 never-before-released recordings of the forthcoming boxset edition of The Black Crowes sophomore album, The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion, set for release on December 15.

Upon release in 1992, The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion entered the Billboard album chart at No. 1, and featured some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Remedy,” “Sting Me,” and “Thorn in My Pride” which were #1 on the Billboard Main Stream Rock Airplay chart for a combined total of 21 weeks.

The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion is available for pre-order now on stunning 4LP, 3CD, 2 CD, and 1LP formats, which will be released on December 15, 2023. Pre-order The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion – here.

Take a listen to ’99 Pounds’ here.

Editorial credit: Ben Houdijk / Shutterstock.com

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Rock Daypop

Billy Joel and Sting to perform at San Diego’s Petco Park in 2024

Billy Joel is teaming up with Sting for a show at San Diego’s Petco Park on Saturday, April 13, 2024. The last time Billy Joel played in San Diego was in May 2016 (at Petco Park), while Sting recently played at San Diego State’s Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre.

The San Diego Padres, in partnership with Live Nation, announced the upcoming show, with tickets on sale through LiveNation.com. In addition to Billy Joel and Sting, the Foo Fighters are also scheduled to play in August 2024. Billy Joel and Sting are also set to perform at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Feb. 24, 2024.

For information, head to LiveNation.com or Ticketmaster.

Billy Joel, Sting announce San Diego co-headlining concert

Editorial credit: Anthony Correia / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

New Kids on the Block to launch 2024 ‘Magic Summer Tour’

New Kids on the Block will embark on Magic Summer Tour 2024, announcing on Instagram: “Check out the Magic Summer 2024 Tour Dates ⬆ Tickets on sale to the public this Friday at 10am local Block Nation Members get FIRST access to tickets & vip packages starting THIS WEDNESDAY at 10am local time. Go to NKOTB.com for all the details on VIP Packages and to sign up to become a Block Nation member today. #MagicSummerTour”

Featuring guests Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff, the tour serves as a ‘re-imagining’ of the group’s sold-out tour of the same name back in 1990. The North American tour is slated to kick off next year on June 14, starting in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, at the town’s Blossom Music Center. It will make stops in Denver, Salt Lake City, Philadelphia, Toronto and more before concluding on Aug. 24 at the Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, Ind.

Donnie Wahlberg in a press release about the tour: “The true ‘magic’ of this tour is in the music, the moments and the memories that we get to create – and recreate – with our amazing fans each night. Feeling all the nostalgic feels of the original Magic Summer, with the bond that we’ve shared throughout the years, will make for a most magical time indeed.”

Fans looking to get tickets for the tour will be able to do so starting on Wednesday (Nov. 1) through the New Kids on the Block’s official fan club and Citi pre-sales. More pre-sales will hit throughout the week before tickets become available through Live Nation’s general on-sale on Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. local time. Citi cardmembers will receive access to pre-sale tickets starting Nov. 1 at 12 p.m. local time until Thursday, Nov. 2 at 10 p.m.

Editorial credit: Tony Norkus / Shutterstock.com