Gaga’s “Bloody Mary,” originally released on her 2011 album, Born This Way, went viral on TikTok thanks to the hit Netflix series Wednesday, and now it’s a huge radio hit.
Just to remind you, the song itself isn’t actually in Wednesday — in the show, star Jenna Ortegadoes her now-famous dance to the 1981 song “Goo Goo Muck” by the psychobilly band The Cramps. But fans replaced that song with a sped-up version of “Blood Mary” when they recreated the dance and it took off.
Coming full circle, the sped-up version was then used in a promo for the second season of Wednesday.
Amazingly, Gaga hasn’t had a solo top 10 on the Pop Airplay chart since November 2013 with “Applause.” Since then, her only trip to the top 10 has been with “Rain on Me,” her collaboration with Ariana Grande, which reached number 10 in July 2020.
Solo and with other artists, Gaga has reached the top 10 on Pop Airplay 14 times, starting with 2009’s “Let’s Dance.” Other songs that have been in the top 10 on that chart for her over the years include “Poker Face,” “Bad Romance,” “Born This Way,” “You and I” and “Telephone.”
Cameo, which allows people to send video messages to family and friends from their favorite stars for a fee, is responding to Paul Rudd‘s get-well gag on pal Jeremy Renner in the best possible way.
As seen on Jimmy Kimmel Live Monday night, Rudd had sent a recuperating Renner a gag Cameo, telling “Jerry” he hopes he feels better after “getting in a fight with a snowblower, apparently.”
Rudd also recommended “Jerry” just “let the snow melt” next time, instead of risking his life aboard the more than 14,000-pound vehicle that crushed him in the near-fatal accident.
But Cameo is now allowing fans to follow suit and wish the Avengers star well on his road to recovery following his accident via its Cameo Collage. The free tool lets friends collaborate on a Cameo video to send to whomever they wish — and now they can reach out and touch Renner, virtually. Just head over to this site to upload pictures or a personal message to the star.
Incidentally, many fans who have already contributed have taken Rudd’s lead and are referring to the Hawkeye star as Jerry.
As Renner’s pal Chris Evans lamented as Captain America in Avengers: Age of Ultron, “That’s not going away anytime soon.”
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday made his first public comments on the leak of what appear to be top secret intelligence documents from the Pentagon and other U.S. agencies
Austin, appearing at a news conference alongside Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, said he was first briefed on the apparent leaks on April 6.
Since then, Austin said, he’s met with senior department leaders daily and referred the matter to the Justice Department, which has opened a criminal investigation.
“Now, I can’t say much more while the Justice Department’s investigation is ongoing. But we take this very seriously,” Austin said. “And we will continue to work closely with our outstanding allies and partners. And nothing will ever stop us from keeping America secure.”
The content of some of the documents appears to be U.S. intelligence about the war in Ukraine and in other parts of the world, including U.S. concerns that Ukraine’s expected spring counteroffensive will make only modest gains.
The disclosure has raised diplomatic issues as it appears that U.S. intelligence has been spying not only on its adversaries, but on allies and partners.
Austin was asked about damage caused by the leak and whether it amounted to an “intelligence failure” given some documents appear to have been posted online several months ago.
He responded that the leaked documents the Pentagon is aware of date from Feb. 28 and March 1. He said he doesn’t know if there were documents online before then.
“Again, we will continue to investigate in and try to determine the full scope of the activity,” Austin said. He added the U.S. will “turn over every rock until we find the source of this, and the extent of it.”
Blinken said the U.S. will work to reassure allies and partners “about our own commitment to safeguarding intelligence.”
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday provided limited comments on the leak of what appear to be top secret intelligence documents from the Pentagon and other U.S. agencies
Austin, appearing at a press conference alongside Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, said he was first briefed on the apparent leaks on April 6.
Since then, Austin said he’s met with senior department leaders daily and referred the matter to the Department of Justice, which opened a criminal investigation.
“Now, I can’t say much more while the Justice Department’s investigation is ongoing. But we take this very seriously,” Austin said. “And we will continue to work closely with our outstanding allies and partners. And nothing will ever stop us from keeping America secure.”
The content of some of the documents appears to be U.S. intelligence about the war in Ukraine and in other parts of the world. And the disclosure has raised diplomatic issues as it appears that U.S. intelligence has been spying not only on its adversaries, but on allies and partners.
This is a developing story. Please check for updates.
(NEW YORK) — The number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States shows “no signs of slowing,” new federal data shows.
A total of 2.53 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis were recorded in 2021, according to a new report published Tuesday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That’s a 5.8% increase from the 2.39 million cases reported in 2020 and a 7% increase from five years ago when 2.37 million STIs were recorded in 2017.
While certain STIs did not reach pre-pandemic levels, others — such as syphilis — are recording the highest numbers seen in more than 70 years.
A total of 176,713 syphilis cases — for all stages of the infection — were recorded in 2021, the highest since the 217,558 cases reported in 1950 and a 32% increase from the 133,954 recorded the previous year, the report said.
The report also found that cases of congenital syphilis, which occurs when a baby is born with the infection after the mother passed it on during pregnancy, rose by 32% from 2,148 to more than 2,800. This resulted in 220 stillbirths and infant deaths in 2021, the agency said.
Meanwhile, gonorrhea rates increased 4% from 206.5 per 100,000 to 214.8 per 100,000. Rates of chlamydia — which make up the majority of STIs — also rose by about 4% from 481.3 per 100,000 to 500 per 100,000.
However, unlike gonorrhea and syphilis, reported cases of chlamydia did not return to pre-pandemic levels, the CDC said.
However, the CDC cautioned that because the disease is typically asymptomatic, these decreases were more likely due to COVID-19-related disruptions than to drops in infections.
According to the CDC, STIs fell rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in March and April 2020, during shelter-in-place and stay-at-home orders.
This is due to reduced screenings because many health care clinics either closed or had limited in-person appointments in the early days of the pandemic, limited resources due to programs shifting to help combat COVID-19 and social distancing measures limiting sexual behaviors and activity.
In response, the federal health agency is calling for more action from health care and public health experts with a focus on STI prevention and innovation efforts.
This includes rebuilding and expanding local public health services to offer STI testing and treatments, making these testing and treatment options more accessible and advancing research to prevent STIs through vaccines or post-exposure prophylaxis.
“The U.S. STI epidemic shows no signs of slowing,” said Dr. Leandro Mena, director of the CDC’s division of STD prevention, in a statement. “The reasons for the ongoing increases are multifaceted — and so are the solutions. For the first time in decades, we’re seeing promising new STI interventions on the horizon, but these alone will not solve this epidemic.”
The statement continued, “It will take many of us working together to effectively use new and existing tools, to increase access to quality sexual healthcare services for more people, and to encourage ongoing innovation and prioritization of STI prevention and treatment in this country.”
(NEW YORK) — Federal officials are proposing a plan to cut water allotments to states dependent on the Colorado River system to combat dwindling water levels on one of the country’s most important bodies of water.
The U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation released a draft environmental impact statement on Tuesday that details revisions in the operations of Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams, which could potentially evenly cut water allotment for water delivered to California, Arizona and Nevada by as much as one-quarter in order to prevent the Colorado River depleting reservoirs from falling to critically low levels.
It proposed three possible scenarios.
The first of three possible scenarios involves no federal intervention and would rely on the seven states that take water from the Colorado River to come to a deal to prevent deadpool levels that would threaten power production, something they have so far failed to do.
The second option concerns the amount of water released from Glen Canyon Dam, which would be reduced based on water rights. This would mean fewer cuts for California, which has the most senior water rights, and more severe cuts for Arizona and Nevada.
The third scenario would entail water cuts spread evenly by the same percentage across all states, which could prompt legal challenges from states like California with more senior water rights but could avoid worse consequences for states like Arizona and Nevada and tribal communities that could struggle under larger cuts.
The alternatives presented in the draft on Tuesday analyze measures that may be taken to protect system operations in the face of “unprecedented hydrologic conditions” while providing equitable water allocations to Lower Basin communities that rely on the Colorado River System, according to a statement by the Bureau of Reclamation.
The Colorado River Basin supplies drinking water to 40 million people in the U.S., as well as two states in Mexico, fuels hydropower resources in eight states and remains a crucial resource for 30 Tribal Nations as well as agriculture communities across the West, according to the Bureau of Reclamation.
“Failure is not an option,” Interior Department Deputy Secretary Tommy Beaudreau said in a statement. “Recognizing the severity of the worsening drought, the Biden-Harris administration is bringing every tool and every resource to bear through the President’s Investing in America agenda to protect the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River System now and into the future.”
The proposal comes after a decadeslong megadrought has reduced water levels in the Colorado River and Lake Mead and Lake Powell — the two largest reservoirs in the world — to record-low levels.
Water levels in June 2022 at Lake Mead were dangerously low to hitting “dead pool” status, which is below the surface elevation needed to generate power.
The first-ever water shortage was declared for Lake Mead in August 2021, which prompted a reduction in water releases to Arizona, Nevada and Mexico in 2022.
Atmospheric river events have inundated the West with an excess of precipitation — much of which did not cross over the Sierra Nevada mountain range. However, once the snowpack starts to melt, water levels along the Colorado River system will be slightly replenished.
The West cannot rely on one good year of moisture to combat the effects of a drought plaguing the region for nearly two decades, federal officials said.
“Drought conditions in the Colorado River Basin have been two decades in the making,” Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton said in a statement. “To meet this moment, we must continue to work together, through a commitment to protecting the river, leading with science and a shared understanding that unprecedented conditions require new solutions.”
Last week, the Biden Administration announced a $15.4 billion investment to enhance the West’s resilience to drought, which will include reducing water demand, maximizing water resources and protecting the communities along the Colorado River Basin.
“The Colorado River Basin provides water for more than 40 million Americans, fuels hydropower resources in eight states, supports agriculture and agricultural communities across the West, and is a crucial resource for 30 Tribal Nations,” the White House said in a press release on Thursday. “Despite recent heavy rain and snow, the historic 23-year drought has led to record low water levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead.”
Summer’s right around the corner, and there’s no better thirst quencher in the South than good ol’ sweet tea. Introducing: Trisha Yearwood‘s Sweet Tea in a Cup Cocktail Mix.
Available now at Williams Sonoma, the mixer boasts strong flavors of black sweet tea and hints of lemon.
Trisha recently endorsed the mixer on Twitter with a simple “Cheers!” while sharing Williams Sonoma’s tweet.
For the perfect thirst quencher, it’s recommended to serve the mixer with lemonade over ice. And to enjoy a great summertime adult beverage, add vodka, rum, tequila or whiskey to the drink.
Trisha Yearwood’s Sweet Tea in a Cup Cocktail Mix can be purchased for $22.95 for a single bottle or $45.90 for a set of two. Grab yours today at Williams Sonoma.
George Thorogood and the Destroyers have canceled their upcoming tour as Thorogood deals with some health issues.
“George has been diagnosed with a very serious medical condition that will require immediate surgery and quite a few weeks of recuperation and healing,” the band shares. “You, our fans, mean the world to us, and we know this news is not want you wanted to hear, but rest assured George Thorogood & The Destroyers will be back.”
They add, “We’ll keep you updated as we know more.”
The tour of the U.S. and Canada was supposed to kick off April 27 in Vancouver, British Columbia, and wrap May 21 in Big Flats, New York. Fans who have tickets will be receiving refunds for the canceled dates.
Air, the drama about the real-life battle Nike had to sign Michael Jordan, made more than $20 million amid tough competition at the box office over its first weekend, what with the monster hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
The film is being embraced by critics and audiences, with the ratings aggregator Rotten Tomatoesgiving it a Critics Score of 92 and an Audience Score of 98.
Oscar winners Ben Affleck and Matt Damon co-star in the movie they co-produced, with Affleck directing. The latter explains how he was able to wear so many hats.
“For me, it was made … so much easier because this is a group of people who either I had known for a long, long time, [have] an enormous amount of respect and regard for, Matt Maher, Chris Messina, and obviously Matt Damon and Jason Bateman, all of whom … I’ve worked with multiple times and know well and adore and admire, and people who had been my sort of life’s goal to work with.”
He adds of co-star and script contributor Chris Tucker, “I think Chris can attest to the number of times I’ve harassed him like [if] he passed me by in a hotel lobby. ‘Chris! Chris! Chris! I want to do a movie with youuu!'”
Damon agrees. “Marlon [Wayans], Chris [Tucker] … they’re writers, as well as actors … they’re filmmakers. And Jason Bateman’s a director-producer, you know, so we really lean on our actors.”
He adds, “Part of our process has always been from Good Will Hunting all the way ’til today [is] … lean into what your actor’s bringing; the actor always is in the moment and always knows. And we had these conversations with Viola [Davis], like … ‘What do you feel like here?’ You know, because that’s always the way to the best scene.”
(LOUISVILLE) — Authorities have identified the five people who were killed in a mass shooting at a bank in Kentucky’s largest city on Monday morning.
Joshua Barrick, 40; Deana Eckert, 57; Thomas Elliott, 63; Juliana Farmer, 45; and James Tutt, 64, and were all gunned down at Old National Bank in Louisville, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Eight others, including a 26-year-old Louisville police officer, were injured in the shooting.
Officer Nickolas Wilt, who had just graduated from the Louisville Metro Police Department Training Academy on March 31, was shot in the head while responding to the scene. He underwent brain surgery and is in critical but stable condition, police said.
Here’s what we know about the slain victims:
Joshua Barrick, 40
Ben Marcum Photography
Joshua Barrick was among those killed in the shooting, according to police.
“Josh was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend,” his brother, Jeff Barrick, said in a statement. “He would do anything for anyone and cherished his time with them. He had a wonderful sense of humor, was sentimental, and was passionate about life.”
The statement continued, “His involvement with Holy Trinity gave him a sense of purpose and community. He will be missed by all that knew him.”
Holy Trinity Catholic Church, where Barrick was a parishioner, described him as active in the community including coaching basketball and participating in the church’s men’s retreat program.
“He cared deeply about his family, his faith and his community,” pastor Rev. Shayne Duvall said in a statement. “Each human person matters, and until we have a greater respect for human life, this violence is not going to stop. We must love and respect the human person and that is what the church teaches. That is how we will get through this.”
Deana Eckert, 57
Deana Eckert/LinkedIn
Deana Eckert was among those killed in the shooting, according to police.
Eckert’s father, Ben Hurst, told ABC News that he will always remember his daughter for “how good and sweet she was, and generous.”
Thomas Elliott, 63
Kentucky Public Pensions Authority
Thomas “Tommy” Elliott was among those killed in the shooting, according to police. He was a close friend of both Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg.
During a press conference on Monday afternoon, Greenberg revealed that Elliott was “a very good friend of mine,” while Beshear told reporters that Elliott “was one of my closest friends.”
“Tommy Elliot helped me build my law career, helped me become governor, gave me advice on being a good dad,” the governor said. “One of the people I talk to most in the world and very rarely were we talking about my job.”
Juliana Farmer, 45
Courtesy Monica Coates
Farmer was among those killed in the shooting, according to police.
“Juliana Maria Farmer was a beautiful person that loved her family and friends,” her family said in a statement. “The job she had for three weeks she loved it and her co-workers. The legacy that she leaves we must emulate and celebrate the time we had with her.”
James Tutt, 64
Jim Tutt/Facebook
James Tutt was among those killed in the shooting, according to police.
“Jim was a finance genius, brilliant negotiator, and always the smartest person in the room,” David Bizianes. president of Oldham Chamber & Economic Development, said in a statement. “He was also incredibly compassionate and had a teacher’s heart. When I stepped into my role as President of OLDA, Jim mentored me and invested time in my professional development.”
The statement continued, “He was very generous to everyone that he came into contact with. He liked to sail his boat with his son Andrew, made his own wine, and (few people knew) that he also played drums. We can’t believe he is gone. What a loss.”
ABC News’ Emily Shapiro contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
