Books allegedly tossed in the trash at NYC school sparks investigation

March 19, 2024 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — The New York City Department of Education is investigating claims that hundreds of new books — many that were about people of color and LGBTQ identities — were thrown in the trash at a Staten Island school after the NYC news outlet The Gothamist first reported the discovery.

The outlet reported that several of the discarded books, found at PS 55 The Henry M. Boehm School, had notes written on them potentially citing reasons for their removal.

For example, a book about Native American history called We Are Still Here had a note that read “negative slant on white people,” while a note on the immigration story My Two Border Towns, read “our country has no room and it’s not fair,” according to The Gothamist. The outlet stated that another book thrown out was about singer and activist Nina Simone, which had a note that read: “This is about how Black people were treated poorly but overcame it. (Can go both ways).” ABC News could not independently verify this information.

In a statement to ABC News, the department stated it is conducting an investigation “to understand what happened in this situation.”

“Our public schools do not shy away from books that teach students about the diverse people and communities that make up the fabric of our society,” a Department of Education spokesperson said. “We do not condone the messages found on these books.”

According to a department spokesperson, PS 55 school leadership has said it will ensure that policies and procedures will be followed in the future related to discarded books or other material.

Libraries and schools across the country are facing a growing battle over book-banning efforts, according to recently released data from the American Library Association. About 47% of the titles targeted last year were by or about people of color or the LGBTQ community, the data showed.

The ALA recorded a record-breaking total of 4,240 unique book titles targeted for removal or restriction in schools and libraries in 2023, topping the previous record of 2,571 unique titles in 2022.

Many of the efforts to target books came from politicized groups or individuals demanding the censorship of multiple titles — often dozens or hundreds at a time — which drove the surge in book challenges, the ALA said.

“Should a parent feel concerned about the literature in their child’s classroom, they are encouraged to reach out to the teacher, principal, or superintendent,” said the department. “If a parent chooses to move forward with challenging a book, a Materials Evaluation Committee is formed to review and evaluate the book.”

PS 55 school officials have not yet responded to ABC News’ requests for comment.

‘Closed for paid leave’: More than 70 businesses nationwide shut doors on day of action

March 19, 2024 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — More than 70 businesses across the country shut their doors Monday in a show of solidarity to call for federal paid family and medical leave.

The day of action coincided with Women’s History Month, highlighting the value of investing in women in the workforce.

“This is an action meant to signify the value of women’s underpaid, unpaid care and work, and to show what will happen, a symbolic look, if more women are pushed out of the workforce because the United States does not pass paid leave federally,” said Dawn Huckelbridge, founding director of Paid Leave for All, the campaign behind the day of action.

Currently, there are no federal laws in the United States that require employers to provide paid days off. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023, just 27% of civilian employees — private industry and state and local government workers — had access to paid family leave benefits.

The 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA, entitles some employees to unpaid family and medical leave, up to 12 weeks within a 12-month period. According to the BLS, 90% of civilian employees had access to unpaid family leave in 2023.

Universal paid leave was on the table at the federal level in 2021 with the Build Back Better Act, which passed the House of Representatives but failed in the Senate.

While the Paid Leave For All Campaign calls for federal paid leave for all employees, the campaign has pushed for family and medical leave to support mothers and parents in particular.

Jeanelle Teves, chief commercial officer at parenting solutions company Bugaboo, was among those whose companies participated in Monday’s day of action. She said it was her own experience as a new mother coming into the corporate workforce that informed her passion for creating a supportive environment for parents in the workplace.

“My hope on a greater scale is that every parent has access to that — that financial security and really that time off as they ease into parenthood,” Teves said. “My goal on a deeper level is that this empowers more women to stay in the workforce and to believe that parenthood and motherhood will not come as a compromise to their career.”

Huckelbridge said that there are still some disparities in access and use of paid family and medical leave for women of color. She said that federal paid leave could help address such issues.

According to a 2011 BLS survey, Hispanic and Black non-Hispanic workers were less likely than their white non-Hispanic counterparts to have access to paid parental leave, with 35.7% of Hispanic workers and 42.5% of non-Hispanic Black workers having access to paid parental leave versus 44.7% of white non-Hispanic workers.

“Our economy has been held up by women, particularly women of color, and yet it is women and women of color who continue to be undervalued and underpaid — and a big part of that puzzle is a lack of paid leave. Too often the burden of caregiving falls on women — falls on women of color — again, disproportionately,” Huckelbridge said.

Participants in Monday’s day of action emphasized the importance of investing in employees through paid leave, but also pointed out that not all businesses are equipped to do so on their own.

Dr. Manju Dawkins, founder and CEO of Thimble Health, a health care business focused on solutions for alleviating needle fear and pain, spoke about difficulties she faces as a small business owner.

“One of the most important things to recognize about this movement is that it’s not about putting the onus on businesses,” Dawkins said. “As a small business owner, I’m also very sensitive to that. It’s really hard to keep a business afloat. And so this is really something that the federal government should support, because it is good for the country.”

Scoreboard roundup — 3/18/24

March 19, 2024 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Monday’s sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

INTERLEAGUE
NY Yankees 4, Philadelphia 3
Tampa Bay 7, Atlanta 3
Miami 6, Houston 5
Milwaukee 4, LA Angels 3
Washington 10, Houston 1
LA Dodgers 5, Korea 2
Oakland 3, Arizona 3

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Minnesota 5, Boston 2
Final Seattle 9, Texas 5
Cleveland 8, Chi White Sox 5

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Pittsburgh 11, Philadelphia 2
San Francisco 4, Cincinnati 2

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Sacramento 121, Memphis 111 (OT)
Cleveland 108, Indiana 103
Boston 119, Detroit 94
Philadelphia 98, Miami 91
Chicago 110, Portland 107
Minnesota 114, Utah 104
New York 119, Golden State 112
LA Lakers 136, Atlanta 105

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Washington 5, Calgary 2
Buffalo 6, Seattle 2

24k BS: Bruno Mars doesn’t owe us $50 million, says MGM Resorts

March 19, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Bruno Mars has been headlining at the Park MGM in Las Vegas for years now, but a report stating that he’s spent a lot of those years running up debt at the tables is “completely false.”

A report on Friday alleged Bruno owes the company $50 million in gambling debts and further claimed that the reason why Bruno continues to play his residency is to pay down that debt to the tune of $1.5 million per show.

Now, a rep for MGM Resorts International tells ABC Audio, “MGM and Bruno’s partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect. Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he has no debt with MGM. Together, we are excited to continue creating unforgettable experiences for our guests.”

Calling Bruno “one of the world’s most thrilling and dynamic performers,” MGM adds that his “brand of entertainment attracts visitors from around the globe.”

A person who’s familiar with the terms of Bruno’s residency told the Las Vegas Review-Journal of the report, “That whole thing is such BS.”

Bruno has been performing at the Park MGM since 2016, and it keeps on being extended. This year, he’ll be doing five shows in June, six shows in August and a show on September 1.

Bruno and MGM also recently teamed to open up a new nightclub, The Pinky Ring, at another one of the company’s resorts, the Bellagio.

Ariana Grande’s grandma makes history on the ‘Billboard’ Hot 100

March 19, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Ariana Grande and Nonna in 2016; Kevin Mazur/AMA2016/WireImage

Ariana Grande is #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with her single “we can’t be friends,” but the other tracks on her album eternal sunshine have also appeared on the chart due to streaming. One of those songs has just helped Ari’s grandmother set a unique chart record.

“Ordinary Things” has debuted on the Hot 100 at #55. The song is credited to Ariana and “Nonna” aka her grandma, Marjorie Grande. At age 98, Nonna is now the oldest person to have appeared on the Hot 100 in its entire history, dating back to the chart’s inception in 1958.

The previous record holder was a guy named Fred Stobaugh, who was 96 when he reached #42 on the chart in 2013. The third most senior artist to appear on the chart is the late Tony Bennett, who was 85 when he made the chart in 2011.

On “Ordinary Things,” Nonna can be heard reminiscing about her late husband, Frank, and how much she loved him. She advises, “Never go to bed without kissing goodnight. That’s the worst thing to do; don’t ever, ever do that. And if you don’t feel comfortable doing it, you’re in the wrong place – get out.”

Ariana explained the feature in an interview with Apple Music 1‘s Zane Lowe, saying, “I always record my Nonna, because you never know what she’s going to say.” She added, “Our loved ones … have the ability to instantly just sort of … simplify things that are so complicated and heavy at times.”

Billboard notes that Nonna was also heard on two other songs by Ariana, though she was uncredited: “Daydreamin'” from 2013’s Yours Truly and “Bloodline” from 2019’s thank u, next.

Jordan Davis learned something about himself acting in the “Tucson Too Late” video

March 19, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Jordan Davis doesn’t usually act in music videos, but he made an exception for his latest single, “Tucson Too Late.”

The visualizer centers around the protagonist, played by Jordan, as he rushes to Tucson to save a romantic relationship from sunsetting.

“I have never really taken a super lead [role] in any of the videos, and I think maybe that was me taking a step back from the writing of it and just being able to make this blank canvas story,” Jordan says of his decision to act.

“Maybe that was my way of feeling more connected to the song, kind of interjecting me into the role of the guy that can’t get to Tucson on time,” he adds.

So what did Jordan think about his acting gig?

“It’s fun to act in some stuff like that. I also realized how bad of an actor I am,” he shares with a laugh. “So if anything, that video showed me that I should probably stick to singing.”

“Tucson Too Late” is now in the top 10 of the country charts. You can find it on Jordan’s latest album, Bluebird Days.

Weezer reflects on anniversary of first show: “All but about 15-20 of our friends ghosted”

March 19, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Tuesday, March 19, marks the anniversary of Weezer‘s debut concert. Rivers Cuomo and company first took the live stage in 1992 at the Los Angeles venue Raji’s on a bill with Keanu Reeves‘ band, Dogstar.

Though Dogstar was the headlining act, Weezer actually ended up playing after them. In a Facebook post, the “Buddy Holly” rockers share, “We begged Raji’s for a slot — any slot — at any time, and got offered this, the ‘closing’ spot, after Dogstar’s set.”

“Dying to get on stage, we took the slot!” Weezer recalls. “Of course it was packed for Dogstar, because Keanu’s star was already burning bright in 1992 and people were naturally curious. For Weezer…? Not so much.”

“All but about 15-20 of our friends ghosted as soon as Dogstar left the room,” the post continues. “So only a few got to watch the nearly amorphous still-forming Weez, including Rivers, eyes perpetually closed, falling off the stage mid-guitar solo more than once!”

As fate would have it, Weezer and Dogstar played together once more over 30 years later during an intimate LA show on Friday, March 15.

“Just like last time, Weezer played last — but this time, more people stuck around to check it out!” Weezer writes. “Thank you so much @dogstarband! [It’s] SO cool you and we are both still rocking, and got to rock together!”

Friday’s concert celebrated the announcement of Weezer’s upcoming Voyage to the Blue Planet tour, which will feature a full performance of their 1994 self-titled debut, aka the Blue Album, in honor of its 30th anniversary. Several shows on the outing, which launches in September, are already sold out, including a date at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

Regina King on portraying Shirley Chisholm + her grief journey

March 19, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Regina King stars in the new Netflix film Shirley, out now, where she plays Shirley Chisholm, the first Black U.S. congresswoman. In her cover story for Harper Bazaar‘s April 2024 Possibility Issue, she explains why it was important for her to bring Shirley’s story to light.

“We … had too many experiences where friends had never heard of Shirley Chisholm,” Regina says. “We all know women who roll up their sleeves and are able to go toe-to-toe with men—Black women. We know they exist, but we don’t get to see them out in the storytelling space. Shirley understood the game of politics, even though people’s lives were not a game to her.”

Regina returned to set to complete filming for Shirley just months after her son, Ian, passed away in January 2022 due to suicide.

“I know Ian would have felt like if I didn’t finish something because of a choice that he needed to make, then I wasn’t honoring him,” Regina says. “We all landed at the finish line on Ian’s wings. He guided us there.”

Though her son’s no longer present in the physical realm, Regina says she’s now “trying to better understand this new relationship with Ian that the universe has chosen.” But she says “his physical absence is so loud that it’s hard to sometimes tap into that spiritual connection.”

Regina’s also learned a major lesson through her grief journey: “Gratitude and sadness are not mutually exclusive; they’re always working at the same time.”

She credits other mothers in her life for “reminding me of the importance of not isolating—because it’s really easy to isolate, especially when the majority of people in the world have no idea whatsoever of this level of grief.”

If you are in crisis or know someone in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or by visiting 988lifeline.org. You can also contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

The Boss is back: Bruce Springsteen to resume tour in Phoenix

March 19, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Bruce Springsteen is ready to hit the road again.

After being forced to postpone the remainder of his 2023 tour to recover from peptic ulcer disease, Bruce will kick off the latest leg of his tour with The E Street Band in Phoenix on Tuesday, March 19.

The trek includes rescheduled dates from 2023 as well a few additional shows, including his first concert in Las Vegas in over 20 years and a return to Asbury Park, New Jersey, with a headlining set at the Sea. Hear. Now festival put on by Springsteen’s friend and photographer Danny Clinch.

“Greetings freaks, fans and friends from Phoenix, Arizona,” Springsteen shared in a message on Instagram ahead of opening night. “I’m coming to see you Tuesday night and I want you to be ready, be prepared, be afraid, because we are going to rock you into the ground.”

Springsteen postponed the remainder of his 2023 tour back in September in order to focus on his health, telling fans he was “heartbroken” to have to postpone the shows. Before the postponement, he’d been wowing fans with a show that reflected on aging and loss, and a set that featured a mix of classics like “Born To Run,” “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” and “Thunder Road” along with newer tunes like “Letter To You” and “I’ll See You In My Dreams.”

Since the postponement, Springsteen has turned up for a handful of performances, including at Stand Up For Heroes in November, Jon Bon Jovi’s MusiCares tribute in February and a John Mellencamp concert in New Jersey in March.

In addition to the U.S., Bruce has dates booked in Europe and Canada. His final U.S. show is happening at Sea.Hear Now on September 15. A complete list of dates can be found at brucespringsteen.com.

‘The Bachelor’ addresses hateful comments from fans

March 19, 2024 by WDNY Radio

Joey Graziadei‘s “The Woman Tell All” episode of The Bachelor aired Monday, March 18, took a moment to address “a noticeable rise in hate on social media” aimed at many of the ladies — particularly season 28 contestant Rachel Nance.

Nance, the daughter of an African American father and Filipino-American mother, struggled to hold back tears as she revealed that following hometowns, she’s been receiving “a lot of racist comments” toward her, calling her the N-word and “jungle Asian,” among other things, and TikTok videos insinuating they threw up every time she and Joey kissed.

Host Jesse Palmer responded by noting, “This season of The Bachelor, the love for these women, for the most part, has been really remarkable, but for all the love that Joey and these women have received, there’s also sadly been a noticeable rise in hate on social media.”

Palmer then asked, by a show of hands, how many of this season’s women — as well as some Golden Bachelor alums seated in the studio audience — had received hateful messages online. Nearly all the ladies raised their hands to indicate that they had.

“Here’s the thing Bachelor Nation,” Palmer said. “We love your strong opinions. I think it’s important that we uplift these women, who are brave enough to be vulnerable and to share their stories with Joey and with all of us at home. These women, they deserve our praise and not our hate.”

“I think people are so quick to be little keyboard warriors and kind of pop off because there’s no consequences, but we [the contestants] have to pay the consequences mentally and emotionally,” added Nance. “Just be kind. Your words have weight to them, and things that you say really hit home sometimes. Just be kind.”

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