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2 men found dead at former Versace mansion near anniversary of fashion icon’s killing

July 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(MIAMI) — Two men were found dead at the former Versace mansion in Miami just one day before the 24th anniversary of the death of fashion designer Gianni Versace there.

A member of the housekeeping staff at The Villa Casa Casuarina found the two men in a room Wednesday afternoon, and police and fire rescue arrived on scene around 1:30 p.m.

The victims were identified as Adam Rashap, 31, of New Jersey, and Alexander Gross, 30, of Pennsylvania, according to police.

Both had gunshot wounds to the head, and a preliminary investigation points to the incident being an “apparent double suicide,” Ernesto Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the Miami Beach Police Department, told ABC News.

The scene was contained to the hotel room, and detectives have launched a full investigation, Miami Beach police said in a statement on Wednesday.

The hotel did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment.

Versace, the iconic Italian fashion designer, purchased the mansion in 1992, and today the Spanish-style villa operates as a restaurant and boutique hotel.

Thursday marks the 24th anniversary of Versace’s death. He was returning home to the mansion on his usual morning walk from the nearby News Cafe when he was shot in the head on the front steps of the home by Andrew Cunanan.

Cunanan went on a violent killing spree in which he killed four other men before targeting Versace, investigators said at the time. He died by suicide eight days after Versace’s shooting.

Haiti receives 1st COVID-19 vaccines

July 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Approximately 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Haiti on Wednesday, meaning it no longer was the only country in the Americas without any. But vaccine hesitancy, to say nothing of the recent violence and political unrest, could delay distribution for weeks.

Both U.S. and Haiti military forces helped UNICEF transport the doses in a mostly clandestine effort necessitated by the surrounding violence. The Moderna vaccines, which will be stored in hundreds of solar-power refrigerators throughout Haiti, were donated by the U.S. government through COVAX and delivered to Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital.

Though grateful, UNICEF representatives said they’ll require many more — and not just in Haiti.

“We hope this first donation of doses will be followed by others,” UNICEF said in a statement. “More donations from well-supplied countries will be needed for Haiti and other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to reach those most vulnerable to COVID-19 infection.”

Distribution is expected to start later this week as local health authorities and aid groups are battling vaccine misinformation that’s apparently spreading throughout the country.

Only 22% of all Haitians said they would get vaccinated, according to preliminary results of a UNICEF-supported study conducted by the University of Haiti in June. There’s also the ongoing gang violence and political uncertainty following the assassination of Haiti’s president.

Violence in June among armed groups escalated in several areas of Port-Au-Prince during a spike of COVID-19 cases. Over 15,000 women and children have been forced to flee their homes.

“Rising insecurity and clashes between gangs,” a UNICEF spokesperson said, “have seriously hindered humanitarian operations in the outskirts of Port-au-Prince.”

The Lox and Dipset to face off in next Verzuz battle

July 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

The next Verzuz will see The Lox and Dipset go hit for hit at Madison Square Garden.

On Wednesday, it was announced that the the legendary hip-hop groups would face-off on Tuesday, August 3 at the iconic indoor arena.

“NYC stand up this one is for the history books,” the Instagram post read.

Presumably, all members of both groups will be hitting the stage for the experience. Dipset is comprised of rappers Cam’ron, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and Freekey Zeekey, while Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch make up The Lox.

Tickets to view the event live in person will be available Thursday, July 15 at 12 p.m. EST at MSG.com. Fans can also stream the event live on the Triller app and on the Verzuz Instagram Live.

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Certain Neutrogena, Aveeno sunscreens recalled due to traces of cancer-causing chemical

July 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Johnson & Johnson has issued a voluntary recall of several sunscreen products after finding they contain trace amounts of a cancer-causing chemical.

The recalled products include five Neutrogena and Aveeno aerosol sunscreens, according to a statement released Wednesday by the company.

Some samples of the affected products, all spray-on sunscreens, were found to contain low levels of benzene, according to Johnson & Johnson, the parent company.

Johnson & Johnson said it recalled the products out of an “abundance of caution,” noting the low levels of benzene found in the samples would not be expected to impact people’s health.

“Based on exposure modeling and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) framework, daily exposure to benzene in these aerosol sunscreen products at the levels detected in our testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences,” the company said in a statement. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are recalling all lots of these specific aerosol sunscreen products.”

Benzene is a colorless chemical that can cause complications like cancer, anemia and immune system damage, as well as irregular menstrual periods and a decrease in ovary size in women, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The most severe health complications typically come after long term exposure to benzene, which the CDC defines as exposure of one year or more.

The five sunscreen products impacted by the voluntary recall are:

NEUTROGENA® Beach Defense® aerosol sunscreen
NEUTROGENA® Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen
NEUTROGENA® Invisible Daily™ defense aerosol sunscreen
NEUTROGENA® Ultra Sheer® aerosol sunscreen
AVEENO® Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen

Product images and lot information is available on www.Neutrogena.com and www.aveeno.com.

Johnson & Johnson is advising consumers to stop using these products and discard them.

“Consumers may contact the JJCI Consumer Care Center 24/7 with questions or to request a refund by calling 1-800-458-1673. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have any questions, concerns or have experienced any problems related to using these aerosol sunscreen products,” the company said in a statement. “JJCI is also notifying its distributors and retailers by letter and is arranging for returns of all recalled products.”

Buckcherry cancels shows after members test positive for COVID-19

July 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Buckcherry is the latest band to change their touring plans due to the presence of COVID-19 in their inner circle.

On Wednesday, the band posted a note reading, “We just discovered that two of our band members have tested positive for COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of all involved, we will be canceling all shows until July 30th in Columbus to allow them to recover and to quarantine.”

The “Lit Up” band went on to say that “the safety of our fans is of the utmost importance to us and we will use every effort to reschedule the 9 shows prior to that date.” Fans are advised to hold onto their tickets until the new dates are announced.

It’s not clear which members of Buckcherry have been affected. The canceled shows run from a July 16 date in Joplin, MO through a July 25 concert in Cincinnati, OH.

Buckcherry’s latest album, Hellbound, was released last month.

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New Bastille song “Give Me the Future” featured in Jeep’s new Life Electrified campaign

July 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Bastille has teamed with Jeep to showcase a new song, “Give Me the Future.”

The song is featured in a video for the automaker’s latest campaign, Life Electrified, which shows the evolution of Jeep over the past 80 years and all the new technology the brand’s vehicles will be featuring in the coming years. And if you need another reason to watch it, there’s also an adorable dog featured in the video.

Bastille frontman Dan Smith says “Give Me the Future” is about “plugging into endless possibilities,” adding, “Literally, it feels like everything is out there for the taking, all tastes catered for.”

Smith goes on to say that the spaceship sound at the start of the track is “us crash landing in the future.” He explains, “The reality we live in at the moment was the science fiction of not that long ago. Take a film like Minority Report. The technology in that seemed so far off, a fantasy. But it’s here, we’re way beyond it already. Had someone told you that 20 years ago, when the film came out…you’d have laughed. Or been terrified.”

“Give Me the Future” is the follow up to Bastille’s latest single, “Distorted Light Beam,” which was co-written and co-produced by Ryan Tedder of the pop group OneRepublic. Bastille will perform on ABC’s Good Morning America on August 23.

Chrissy Teigen speaks out about being cancelled: “I feel lost and need to find my place again”

July 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NOTE LANGUAGE) Chrissy Teigen is offering up her honest thoughts about being cancelled. The media personality fell from grace after it was discovered she sent messages urging a then-teenaged Courtney Stodden to kill themselves.

The Cravings author released an extensive apology last month, but the fallout continued with Teigen losing endorsement deals, television opportunities and — overall — saw her brand tarnished.

Since then, the former model remained silent on social media, but on Wednesday, she addressed fans for the first time on Instagram and discussed what she’s learned in “Cancel club.”

“I don’t really know what to say here,” Teigen began, “just feels so weird to pretend nothing happened in this online world but feel like utter s*** in real life. Going outside sucks and doesn’t feel right, being at home alone with my mind makes my depressed head race.”

“I feel lost and need to find my place again, I need to snap out of this,” she continued. “I desperately wanna communicate with you guys instead of pretending everything is okay.”

Teigen, who is the wife of singer John Legend, added, “Cancel club is a fascinating thing and I have learned a [whole] lot.” She said the important takeaway is that she fully understands she had “clearly done something wrong.”

“It just sucks. There is no winning,” the Bring the Funny alum admitted. “I just needed an honest moment with you because I’m just…tired of being sick with myself all day. I don’t even know if it’s good to say any of this.”

Expressing concern that her latest admission will be “brutally picked apart,” Teigen said she can no longer remain silent.

She concluded, “If you or someone you know has also been cancelled please let me know if there is a cancel club reunion because I could use some time off my couch!”

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Massive Judas Priest box set with every album, plus unreleased live tracks, coming in October

July 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Judas Priest fans have another thing comin’: a massive box set that includes every official live and studio album the heavy metal icons ever released, plus 13 discs of unreleased material.

Judas Priest: 50 Heavy Metal Years, due out October 15, includes photos signed by band members Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill, Richie Faulkner and Scott Travis, as well as a numbered British Steel metal razor blade — which has been blunted, of course — plus replica tour programs and posters.

The albums span from 1974’s debut Rocka Rolla to 2018’s Firepower. Also included are the concert albums Unleashed in the East, Priest…Live!, ’98 Live Meltdown, Live in London and A Touch of Evil Live.

The unreleased material includes numerous newly restored live sets: Live in Atlanta ’82, Live in Houston ’86, Live at the Mudd Club ’79, Live in New Haven ’88, Los Angeles ’90, London ’81, Denver ’80 and Irvine ’91. Plus, there are two albums’ worth of demos and various live tracks recorded over the years. All in all, you’ll get 42 discs.

You can pre-order the set now at JudasPriestStore.com: It’ll set you back $480. If your pockets aren’t that deep, you can get Reflections –– a collection of highlights from the box — on vinyl for 40 bucks, or on CD for $12.

The set is being released as the band gears up to finally celebrate its 50th anniversary with a U.S. tour this fall. The metal god himself, Rob Halford, describes the project as “the ultimate treasure trove defining the bands unwavering commitment to keeping and defending the heavy metal faith.”

Here’s the track list for the Reflections highlights package:

“Let Us Prey/ Call for the Priest”
“You Don’t Have to Be Old to Be Wise”
“Fever”
“Eat Me Alive”
“All Guns Blazing”
“Never the Heroes”
“Dissident Aggressor” (Live)
“Out in the Cold” (Live)
“Judas Priest – Running Wild” (Live)
“Victim of Changes” (Live) — May 9, 1978, Cleveland, OH, Agora Theatre*
“The Green Manalishi (with the Two Pronged Crown)” (Live) — Point of Entry Worldwide Blitz Tour, November 21, 1981, London, U.K., Foundations Forum – Hammersmith Odeon*
“Bloodstone” (Live) — Screaming for Vengeance World Vengeance Tour, December 11, 1982, Atlanta, GA, The Omni*
“The Ripper” (Live) — July 12, 1991, Irvine, CA, Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre*
“Beyond the Realms of Death” (Live) — Killing Machine Hell Bent for Leather Tour, March 11, 1979, New York, NY, The Mudd Club*
“The Hellion/Electric Eye” (Live) — Turbo Fuel for Life Tour, June 21, 1986, Houston, TX, The Summit*
“Sinner” (Live) — Ram It Down Mercenaries of Metal Tour, August 7, 1988, New Haven, CT, New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum*

* = previously unreleased.

Jeff LaBar, Cinderella guitarist, dies at 58

July 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Jeff LaBar, lead guitarist for the hair-metal band Cinderella, has died. He was 58.

His son, Sebastian, confirmed his father’s death on Instagram and shared a slew of family photos in the emotional tribute.

“So i just got the call… @jefflabar , my father, my hero, my idol, passed away today,” he wrote Wednesday. “I’m currently at a loss for words. I love you pop!”

Sebastian added, “If you could, please share pictures or video of all the fun times we all had with my dad. It would be greatly appreciated.”

Gaile LaBar-Bernhardt, LaBar’s ex wife, said in a separate statement to TMZ that LaBar was found deceased in his Nashville home. A cause of death has not been revealed.

According to LaBar-Bernhardt, she went to check on her ex-husband after no one heard from him in a few days.

LaBar’s Cinderella band mates — frontman Tom Keifer, bassist Eric Brittingham and drummer Fred Coury — issued joint statement paying homage to him.

“Heavy hearts cannot begin to describe the feeling of losing our brother Jeff,” the musicians say. “The bond between us over decades of creating music and touring the world is something that we as a band uniquely shared. Those memories with Jeff will be forever alive in our hearts. It’s unimaginable that one of our band brothers has left us. We’re sending his wife Debinique, his son Sebastian, family, and friends our deepest condolences.”

LaBar had served as Cinderella’s guitarist since 1985, replacing Michael Schermick, and assisted with their hits “Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone),” “Somebody Save Me,” “Nobody’s Fool” and many others.

LaBar also toured with fellow rockers such as Bon Jovi, Poison, Quiet Riot and Skid Row. He also served as guitarist for Naked Beggars.

‘First Wives Club’: Jill Scott and Michelle Buteau tease the second season and why it “really matters”

July 15, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Jill Scott and Michelle Buteau are once again tapping into their funny and spontaneous sides in the second season of the BET+ series First Wives Club.

Scott, who reprises her role as Hazel, an ambitious and often unpredictable singer, tells ABC Audio that the new season will bring the same old Hazel — but with plenty more drama.

“You know Hazel is nuts, right?,” Scott laughs. “She’s absolutely nuts and she is going to do whatever her heart moves her to do. She’s showing up to her friends with a little more excitement, and a new boo that her girlfriends [aren’t] necessarily feeling. But Hazel is going to do what Hazel wants to do.”

While Buteau’s character Bree is a bit more family-oriented, the comedian says that when it comes to important decisions, Bree’s a lot like Hazel — she always looks to her gal pals for guidance.

“This is probably the difference between between Bree and I,” Buteau explains. “Bree goes to her friends first and then figures out how to present it… And for me…I go to [my husband] first..”

Even though the characters they portray are mostly scripted, Scott and Buteau agree that the relationships they have on and off screen very “real.”

“The chemistry is on fire because we respect each other, we love each other, and we work well together,” Buteau shares. “We are actual friends. We check in with each other and that’s so important. You can’t just show up to set, especially during COVID and just say your lines and leave. No, we have done too much to get here safely. And we’re going to have fun and we’re going to make it count. And so this season really matters.”

The new season of First Wives Club is now available to stream on BET+.

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