The 2023 Billboard Music Awards finalists have been announced, and Taylor Swift leads the pack as a finalist in 20 categories.
Other top finalists include leading male artist Morgan Wallen, who is up for 16 awards; SZA, who is also up for 16 awards, and The Weeknd, a finalist in 13 categories.
If Taylor wins Top Artist, she’ll tie Drake’s record for the most wins in that category with three. Drake is also up for the award again this year, alongside Wallen, SZA and Luke Combs.
This year, the BBMAs are offering a fresh take on the awards show concept. Set for November 19, the show will roll out performances and awards presentations across the BBMAs and Billboard social media accounts.
This is all in collaboration with Spotify Fans First, with the goal of bringing fans closer to their favorite music artists. These performances and awards presentations will take place in various locations across the globe.
“We’ve heard the fans loud and clear, and we’re excited to meet them where they are, and everywhere they want to consume music and content,” Maddy Mesevage, SVP of marketing at Dick Clark Productions, said in a statement. “This year’s show is an epic celebration of the fans who propelled their favorite artists to the top of the Billboard charts. To thank them, we are thrilled to work with Spotify and the artists themselves to offer their most loyal fans an experience they’ll never forget.”
(NEW YORK) — At least 27 are dead and several others missing after Hurricane Otis came ashore with record ferocity on Mexico’s western shore early Wednesday, according to Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s office.
Hurricane Otis is the strongest hurricane on record to hit Mexico’s Pacific Coast, making landfall as a Category 5 with winds up to 165 mph.
On Wednesday, Hurricane Otis strengthened to a Category 5 storm as it made landfall in Mexico, where it was expected to bring “catastrophic damage,” the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. The hurricane, which had been a tropical storm as of Tuesday morning, rapidly intensified within 24 hours.
Prior to Otis, the strongest hurricane on record to hit Mexico’s Pacific Coast was Category 4 Hurricane Patricia in 2015.
Wind speeds approached 165 mph on Wednesday as the storm approached Acapulco, a Mexican resort town, at about 1 a.m. local time, according to a bulletin.
“There will be rain all day and we are trying to reestablish communications. So far, we have no data on human losses, but we do have data on material damage, broken roads … the highway itself reaching Acapulco has landslides,” López Obrador said Wednesday.
“There is no possibility of flying by plane or helicopter. We have to wait, the prognosis is that it will decrease in intensity,” López Obrador said.
In less than 24 hours, Otis went from tropical storm to Category 5 hurricane with winds of 165 mph. Such rapid intensification puts Otis amongst the top tropical cyclones on record.
“It is a very strong hurricane and it had atypical behavior,” López Obrador said.
Flash flooding is also possible with up to 20 inches of rain are expected through Thursday in areas including Guerrero and the western coastal sections of Oaxaca, officials said.
“This rainfall will produce flash and urban flooding, along with mudslides in areas of higher terrain,” the National Hurricane Center said.
The storm weakened to a tropical storm by midday Wednesday and dissipated later in the day.
AJR has premiered the video for “Yes I’m a Mess,” a track off the band’s upcoming album, The Maybe Man.
The clip begins with a text introduction revealing the brother trio “spent a ton of money” to create a video for “Yes I’m a Mess” before they “realized we didn’t like it that much.” They then scrapped that and opted for a more low-budget route: filming Jack Met dressed as Sesame Street‘s Elmo and capturing as he tries to interact with tourists in New York City’s Times Square.
At one point, Met-as-Elmo gets arrested by the NYPD because he doesn’t have permit. After sitting dejectedly on the side of the street for a bit, he decides to escape his cuffs and make a run for it, leading the police on a chase that we’re skeptical actually happened.
You can judge for yourself by watching the “Yes I’m a Mess” video streaming now on YouTube.
The Maybe Man, the follow-up to 2021’s OK ORCHESTRA, is due out November 10. It also includes the singles “The Dumb Song” and “I Won’t.”
Major League Baseball announced that the Grammy-winning R&B singer will open the 2023 World Series with a performance of the national anthem before Game 1 on Friday, October 27.
The “Best Part” singer is set to take the stage with her rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” ahead of the game against the American League Champion Texas Rangers and the National League Champion Arizona Diamondbacks at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Joining H.E.R is the 2023 Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth talent performer, Pearle Peterson, whowill perform on Saturday ahead of Game 2.
The national anthem performances will air on FOX at approximately 7:45 p.m. ET.
(TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA) — Children’s book publisher Scholastic has reversed its decision to create a separate, optional section for its elementary school book fairs for titles written predominantly by and about people of color and LGBTQ people.
Scholastic’s initial decision to make some books optional came as nationwide attempts to ban books spike across the country and as dozens of states continue to implement policies that restrict how the subjects of race, gender and sexual orientation are discussed in schools.
“We understand now that the separate nature of the collection has caused confusion and feelings of exclusion,” said Scholastic in a Wednesday press release. “We are working across Scholastic to find a better way. The Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice collection will not be offered with our next season in January.”
Scholastic’s “Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice” was made up of 64 titles, according to a preview of the list provided to EdWeek. The list includes books such as “I Am Ruby Bridges” by Ruby Bridges, “I Color Myself Different” by Colin Kaepernick and “She Dared: Malala Yousafzai” by Jenni L. Walsh.
“Because Scholastic Book Fairs are invited into schools, where books can be purchased by kids on their own, these laws create an almost impossible dilemma: back away from these titles or risk making teachers, librarians, and volunteers vulnerable to being fired, sued, or prosecuted,” Scholastic said about its original decision to create a book section that schools can opt out of.
The decision was criticized as censorship, with advocacy groups claiming the move will encourage those behind book bans and restrictive laws.
In the first eight months of the year, the American Library Association (ALA) recorded 695 attempts to censor library materials, impacting 1,915 unique book titles.
The vast majority of challenges were to books written by or about a person of color or LGBTQ authors, according to the ALA.
“Censorship is anti-democratic and undermines one’s freedom to learn,” said the National Black Justice Coalition in a statement. “We condemn Scholastic for its decision to segregate books on race, gender, and sexuality at book fairs in a disappointing effort to appease a loud minority using politics to attack children and public schools to turn out voters using ignorance, fear, and hate.”
Color Of Change, a racial justice advocacy group, said in a penned letter to Scholastic leadership: “The inclusion of Black and queer characters, authors, and stories in school book fairs is not optional. We call on Scholastic’s leadership to remove this exclusionary feature and commit to taking meaningful action to protect Black and LGBTQ books.”
It applauded the decision to not offer a separate section.
Scholastic, alongside several other advocacy groups, recently signed an open letter against book bans. Several of the co-signers on that letter denounced Scholastic’s decision to create a separate section for such stories.
“Sequestering books on these topics risks depriving students and families of books that speak to them,” said PEN America, a nonprofit organization focused on free expression, arguing that book bans “deny the opportunity for all students to encounter diverse stories that increase empathy, understanding, and reflect the range of human experiences.”
(LEWISTON, Maine) — At least 18 people were killed in a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday evening, Maine Gov. Janet Mills said. Thirteen others are injured.
The suspect, Robert Card, is still at large and has been on the run for hours, law enforcement said.
The shooting unfolded in multiple locations, including a bowling alley where a children’s league was taking place and a local bar, officials said.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Oct 26, 11:02 AM EDT
7 killed at bowling alley, 8 at bar
Seven people were killed at the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley: one female and six males, authorities said.
Eight people were shot and killed at Schemengees Bar and Grille: seven males inside and one male outside, police said.
Three people died at the hospital, police said.
The suspect, Robert Card, remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous, authorities said. A murder warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Oct 26, 10:53 AM EDT
‘One of the safest states in the nation’
“No words can truly or fully measure the grief,” Maine Gov. Janet Mills said at a news conference Thursday.
“Our small state of just 1.3 million people has long been known as one of the safest states in the nation,” she said. “This attack strikes at the very heart of who we are and the values we hold dear for this precious place we call home. All Maine people are sharing in the sorrow of the families who lost loved ones last night.”
Oct 26, 10:47 AM EDT
Deadliest shooting of the year
The U.S. has had at least 565 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Mass shootings are defined as an incident in which four or more victims are shot or killed, according to the archive.
Wednesday night’s mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, which claimed at least 18 lives, is the deadliest shooting of the year and one of the deadliest in recent decades.
Oct 26, 10:41 AM EDT
WH spokesperson: Biden grieving, says more needs to be done
President Joe Biden in grieving the loss of life in Maine and is praying for the injured, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told MSNBC.
Kirby urged Congress to do more to ban semi-automatic rifles, which he called weapons of war allowed on the streets, and said that Biden’s recent legislation, the Safer Communities Act, was a start — but not enough.
The Safer Communities Act included incentives for states to pass red flag laws, closed the so-called boyfriend loophole and created an enhanced background check process for people under 21 who are looking to buy firearms from licensed dealers. Biden himself, while signing the bill, said it wasn’t everything he wanted but was a start.
Biden has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the Maine victims.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement, “I am heartbroken for those who have lost loved ones, for those who have been injured, and for the entire Lewiston community.”
“The FBI, ATF, and U.S. Marshals are on the ground to provide investigative support and victims assistance services to our law enforcement partners in Maine,” he said. “No community should have to endure the horrific mass shootings that have become routine in our country.”
Oct 26, 10:18 AM EDT
Person of interest has been Army reservist for 2 decades
The person of interest in the Maine mass shooting, Robert Card, has been an Army reservist since December 2002, the Army said.
He has no combat deployments, the Army said.
His current rank is sergeant first class. His job is listed as petroleum supply specialist.
Oct 26, 10:02 AM EDT
Lisbon police chief: No tip is too small
The police chief in Lisbon, Maine, told reporters Thursday that no tip is too small in the hunt for Robert Carr, the person of interest in the Lewiston, Maine, mass shooting.
Lisbon police chief: ‘No tip is too small’
Lisbon borders Lewiston and is where authorities are searching for the person of interest.
The white Subaru believed to be linked to the person of interest was found in Lisbon.
“If you see something in Lisbon, that is suspicious, I want you to call,” Chief Ryan McGee said.
The chief said that police had responses from agencies all across the state and their federal partners.
He said he sent every one of his available officers to the neighboring community before the situation came to Lisbon.
ABC News’ Luke Barr
Oct 26, 9:40 AM EDT
Deadliest shooting of the year
The U.S. has had at least 565 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Mass shootings are defined as an incident in which four or more victims are shot or killed, according to the archive.
Wednesday night’s mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, which claimed at least 16 lives, is the deadliest shooting of the year and one of the deadliest in recent decades.
Oct 26, 9:37 AM EDT
WH spokesperson: Biden grieving, says more needs to be done
President Joe Biden in grieving the loss of life in Maine and is praying for the injured, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told MSNBC.
Kirby urged Congress to do more to ban semi-automatic rifles, which he called weapons of war allowed on the streets, and said that Biden’s recent legislation, the Safer Communities Act, was a start — but not enough.
The Safer Communities Act included incentives for states to pass red flag laws, closed the so-called boyfriend loophole and created an enhanced background check process for people under 21 who are looking to buy firearms from licensed dealers. Biden himself, while signing the bill, said it wasn’t everything he wanted but was a start.
Oct 26, 8:07 AM EDT
Lewiston, Lisbon municipal offices closed Thursday
Municipal offices in Lewiston and Lisbon, Maine, will be closed on Thursday, officials said.
In Lewiston, where the mass shooting occurred, officials said they would also close the library and cancel all events, including early voting, at city buildings.
“Non-emergency personnel should stay at home tomorrow too,” the city said in a social media post.
The nearby town of Lisbon, where police sources said the person of interest’s Subaru had been traced, also closed municipal buildings on Thursday.
“Please prioritize safety and continue to shelter in place,” Lisbon officials said in a notice on the town website.
Oct 26, 7:10 AM EDT
Witnesses describe terrifying moments after gunman opened fire
At least 16 people are believed to be dead and dozens more have been injured after a bowling alley came under fire in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday evening — the deadliest of the year and one of the deadliest in recent decades.
Riley Dumont said she heard a loud bang after which her father, a retired cop, corralled them into a corner and put protection in front of them including “tables and a big bench that the kids were hiding behind.”
“I was laying on top of my daughter. My mother was laying on top of me,” said Riley Dumont.
“It felt like it lasted a lifetime,” she added. “I just remember people sobbing and crying.”
Another witness at the bowling alley, whose name is Brandon, but whose last name was not made available, described hearing a “loud pop.”
“Thought it was a balloon,” Brandon said. “I had my back turned to the door. As soon as I turned and saw that it was not a balloon, he was holding a weapon. I just bucked it down the lane and I slid basically into where the pins are and climbed up to the machine and was on top of the machines for about 10 minutes until the cops got there.”
Meghan Hutchinson, another shooting witness, said “We were very scared and we didn’t know, like, we didn’t know what to do, what to expect from this. You know, nothing like this has ever happened here before. We barricaded in there and another parent was in the room with me. She had a phone and she called 911.”
And Zoe Levesque was grazed by a bullet.
“I never thought I’d grow up and get a bullet in my leg,” said Levesque. “Like, why do people do this? I was more worried about, like, am I going to live and I going to make it out of here. Like, what’s going to happen? Are the cops going to come?”
Oct 26, 6:20 AM EDT
Shelter in place advisory expanded to Bowdoin
“We are expanding the shelter in place advisory and school closings to include the town of Bowdoin. Please stay inside your homes while more than 100 investigators, both local and federal work to locate Robert Card who is a person of interest in the Lewiston shootings,” Maine State Police said in a post on social media.
A news conference is scheduled at 10:30 am today at Lewiston City Hall.
Oct 26, 3:19 AM EDT
Maine State Police to give briefing Thursday morning
ABC News has learned that Maine State Police plan on briefing the media at 10:30 a.m. ET on the mass shooting in Lewiston.
Oct 26, 2:52 AM EDT
Lewiston, Lisbon municipal offices closed Thursday
Municipal offices in Lewiston and Lisbon, Maine, will be closed on Thursday, officials said.
In Lewiston, where the mass shooting occurred, officials said they would also close the library and cancel all events, including early voting, at city buildings.
“Non-emergency personnel should stay at home tomorrow too,” the city said in a social media post.
The nearby town of Lisbon, where police sources said the person of interest’s Subaru had been traced, also closed municipal buildings on Thursday.
“Please prioritize safety and continue to shelter in place,” Lisbon officials said in a notice on the town website.
Oct 26, 2:01 AM EDT
Maine shooting is ‘worst mass shooting’ of 2023, says gun violence nonprofit
According to the Gun Violence Archive, the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday night is already the deadliest shooting of the year.
At least 20 people are believed to be dead from the shooting with dozens more injured.
The suspect has been on the run for hours.
This is the 565th mass shooting of 2023 and the 31st mass murder, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Oct 26, 5:50 AM EDT
Family hides at bowling alley
Riley Dumont said her 11-year-old daughter was bowling in a children’s bowling league when she heard several shots.
Dumont’s father, a retired police officer, then corralled their family into a corner.
“I was laying on top of my daughter. My mother was laying on top of me,” Dumont told ABC News.
Dumont said she saw three or four apparent victims.
Oct 25, 11:05 PM EDT
Person of interest identified
Lewiston police have identified a person of interest as Robert Card.
Oct 25, 11:45 PM EDT
Person of interest served in military, is a firearms instructor: Sources
Police in Maine have identified a person of interest in the shooting, according to multiple law enforcement sources.
The person of interest has a history of military service and is a firearms instructor, the sources said.
The sources said he also has a mental health history, including a two-week stay this summer at a mental health facility after he allegedly made threats about carrying out a shooting at a National Guard facility.
Authorities have traced his white Subaru to a location in Lisbon, Maine, sources said.
Oct 25, 10:36 PM EDT
Manhunt underway in Maine
The Lewiston Police Department has issued a shelter-in-place order for the city. Residents are urged to stay inside with their doors locked.
The FBI is sending in aviation units to help in the search for the gunman. New Hampshire police are putting up roadblocks to try to confine the gunman if he’s on the run.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills said in a statement, “I am aware of and have been briefed on the active shooter situation in Lewiston. I urge all people in the area to follow the direction of State and local enforcement.”
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said New Hampshire “officials have been in touch with our counterparts in Maine to offer and provide any medical and safety resources needed as they manage this horrific situation. Our hearts and prayers are with the people of Maine.”
President Joe Biden spoke on the phone with Gov. Mills, Maine Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins and Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and “offered full federal support in the wake of this horrific attack,” according to the White House.
Oct 25, 10:22 PM EDT
Mayor is ‘heartbroken’
Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline said in a statement, “I am heartbroken for our city and our people. Lewiston is known for our strength and grit and we will need both in the days to come.”
Lewiston is about 35 miles north of Portland, Maine.
A nurse at Maine Medical told ABC News the shooting unfolded at a bowling alley during its youth night.
“Maine Medical is on lockdown right now awaiting Lewiston patients,” the nurse said. “They just called for [emergency department] nurses and critical care nurses to come in [and] set up three stretchers to each single critical care bay. They just got their first two patients — both gunshot wounds to their thighs.”
The Beatles received quite an honor at Buckingham Palace when Queen Elizabeth II gave the group — Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr — medals recognizing them as members of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
In 1969, Lennon returned his MBE in protest over “Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing,” “our support of America in Vietnam” and the fact that his single “Cold Turkey” was “slipping down the charts.”
In later years, two members of The Beatles went on to be knighted by the queen for their service to music: McCartney in 1997 and Starr in 2018.
(LEWISTON, Maine) — At least 18 people are dead and 13 more have been injured after a bowling alley and bar came under fire in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday evening, Maine Gov. Janet Mills said.
Hours after the shooting, the deadliest of the year and one of the deadliest in recent decades, the gunman remains on the loose. Hundreds of police are searching for a suspect as communities remain under shelter-in-place orders.
The shooting unfolded in part during youth night at a local bowling alley. Witnesses described a desperate scene where people hid behind benches and tables and even inside the bowling pin machine at the end of a lane.
Mother Meghan Hutchinson said, “When I turned around, I saw the shooter. … I don’t know if that was just a warning shot or if he shot somebody with that [bullet].”
“Between the lanes there’s some swinging doors where they keep all the mechanical stuff out back, so we kind of all just ran that way,” she said. “We barricaded in there and another parent was in the room with me. She had a phone, she called 911.”
Her daughter, Zoey Levesque, 10, was grazed by a bullet.
“It’s just like, shocking,” she said.
“I never thought I’d grow up and get a bullet in my leg,” she said. “Like, why do people do this? I was more worried about, like, am I going to live and going to make it out of here? Like, what’s going to happen? Are the cops going to come?”
Lewiston police have identified a suspect, Robert Card, who’s still at large.
Card allegedly has a history of military service, sources said.
The sources said he also has a mental health history, including a two-week stay this summer at a mental health facility after he allegedly made threats about carrying out a shooting at a National Guard facility.
Authorities found his white Subaru at a location in Lisbon, Maine, sources said, but the manhunt continues.
Riley Dumont said she was at the bowling alley when she heard a loud bang. She said her father, a retired police officer, corralled them into a corner and put protection in front of them, including “tables and a big bench that the kids were hiding behind.”
“I was laying on top of my daughter. My mother was laying on top of me,” said Dumont.
“It felt like it lasted a lifetime,” she added. “I just remember people sobbing and crying.”
Another witness at the bowling alley, whose name is Brandon but whose last name was not made available, described hearing a “loud pop.”
“Thought it was a balloon,” Brandon said. “I had my back turned to the door. As soon as I turned and saw that it was not a balloon, he was holding a weapon. I just booked it down the lane and I slid basically into where the pins are and climbed up to the machine and was on top of the machines for about 10 minutes until the cops got there.”
According to the Gun Violence Archive, the mass shooting in Lewiston is already the deadliest shooting of the year.
Maine had just 29 homicides all of last year, according to The Associated Press.
Mills posted on X that she was aware of the situation and urging “all people in the area to follow the direction of State and local enforcement. I will continue to monitor the situation and remain in close contact with public safety officials.”
“I am heartbroken for our city and our people,” Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline said in a statement. “Lewiston is known for our strength and grit and we will need both in the days to come.”
ABC News’ Jolie Lash and Jon Haworth contributed to this report.
Cannons frontwoman Michelle Joy has issued a statement about making the band’s shows a “safe space for ourselves and everyone” after she was groped by a concertgoer during a recent performance.
“It was one of the most uncomfortable things I’ve ever experienced and a complete invasion of my space, privacy, and body,” Joy writes in an Instagram post. “It left me feeling unsafe and violated.”
“Sexual harassment will absolutely not be tolerated at any Cannons show,” the “Fire for You” singer continues. “Especially being a female fronted band, we care deeply about our shows being a safe environment where not only women, but everyone regardless of gender, age, race, sex etc. can come together and share in the joy of our music, ourselves included.”
Joy concludes telling anyone at a show that if they “ever feel unsafe or see something that doesn’t feel right, please let someone around you know.”
“We encourage you to speak up, be kind, and take care of one another,” she says.
U2 brought a little extra star power to their Las Vegas residency at the Sphere on Wednesday, October 25.
Varietyreports the Irish rockers surprised fans with special guest Lady Gaga, who Bono introduced as “the most audacious, vivacious woman in any room she’s ever in.” He added, “Would you welcome to our turntable, the divine — the divinyl— Lady Gaga.”
Gaga, dressed like Bono in a black leather jacket and sunglasses, joined the rockers for three songs: the U2 classics “All I Want Is You” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” as well as the A Star Is Born cut “Shallow.”
Gaga, who wrapped her Jazz & Piano Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM October 5, has been turning up a lot lately. Just last week, she was the surprise guest at The Rolling Stones’ Hackney Diamonds record release party. She also turned up as a spectator, checking out the U2 Sphere residency earlier this month.
U2 recently added 11 more shows to their U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere residency at The Venetian Resort. Their next concert is happening Friday, October 27, with shows now running until Sunday, February 18. A complete list of dates can be found at U2.com.
