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2 men arrested for allegedly trafficking nearly $7 million worth of SNAP benefits: Officials

December 17, 2025 by WDNY Radio

2 men arrested for allegedly trafficking nearly million worth of SNAP benefits: Officials

2 men arrested for allegedly trafficking nearly $7 million worth of SNAP benefits: Officials — Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) signage at a grocery store in Dorchester, Massachusetts, US, on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. The US government shutdown became painfully real for tens of millions Americans over the weekend as it hit the one-month mark with food aid disrupted, cuts to child care kicking in, and health insurance premiums spiking. Photographer: Mel Musto/Bloomberg via Getty Images

(MASSACHUSETTS) — Two Massachusetts men trafficked nearly $7 million worth of benefits intended for people who cannot afford food, federal prosecutors in Boston said Wednesday.

Antonio Bonheur, 74, of Mattapan, and Saul Alisme, 21, of Hyde Park, were arrested Wednesday morning and charged with one count of food stamp fraud in a scheme that U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said “turned a program to feed families into a multimillion dollar criminal enterprise.”

Assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, became a focal point during the most recent government shutdown. According to federal prosecutors, the defendants operated small retail stores that, despite their limited size, inventory and food offerings, exhibited extraordinarily high SNAP redemption volumes far in excess of what could reasonably be supported by legitimate sales.

One store’s monthly SNAP redemptions exceeded $100,000 and, at times, even $500,000, prosecutors said. By comparison, a full-service supermarket in Boston typically redeems $82,000 per month in SNAP benefits.

Investigators went undercover, discovering that the defendants had personally exchanged SNAP benefits for cash. Both stores were also allegedly observed selling liquor in exchange for SNAP benefits.

“This is taxpayer money meant to keep people from going hungry. These defendants decided to take it for themselves,” Foley said.

Jane’s Addiction & Perry Farrell share new statements on 2024 onstage altercation

December 17, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Jane’s Addiction and frontman Perry Farrell have shared new statements addressing the onstage altercation that occurred between Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro during a September 2024 show in Boston.

Following the incident, Jane’s announced that they’d “made the difficult decision to take some time away as a group” and that the remainder of their tour had been canceled.

In their own statement, Navarro, bassist Eric Avery and drummer Stephen Perkins cited Farrell’s “mental health difficulties.” Farrell also apologized for his “inexcusable behavior.”

The situation grew even uglier when Farrell and his former bandmates sued each other in July 2025.

However, in their new statements, it appears that at least some fences have been mended between the two camps.

“After that show, without notice to Perry, we unilaterally determined it would be best to not continue the tour and made inaccurate statements about Perry’s mental health which we regret,” Jane’s writes in an Instagram post. “Today we are here to announce that we have come together one last time to resolve our differences, so that the legacy of Jane’s Addiction will remain the work the four of us created together.”

The bands adds, “We now look forward to the future as we embark on our separate musical and creative endeavors. Jane’s Addiction will forever live in our hearts. We are proud of the music we created together.”

Farrell, meanwhile, writes that he’s reflected on the altercation and has concluded, “I didn’t handle myself the way I should have.”

“I apologize to our patrons and my bandmates for losing my temper and for disrupting the show,” Farrell writes. “My aim has always been to give our audience the best possible show, something real, honest and positive. In Boston, we fell short of that, and I’m truly sorry to everyone who was impacted.”

Tow truck driver allegedly towed car with child inside, who falls out of vehicle

December 17, 2025 by WDNY Radio

(SUNRISE, Fla.) — A Florida man is charged with a felony after allegedly towing a car with a 4-year-old girl inside Sunday, who then fell out of the vehicle and onto the road.

The tow truck driver, Sergio Suarez, 34, can be seen in a video driving away from the Bistro Creole restaurant in Sunrise, Florida, where the vehicle had been parked, as the girl’s father runs after him and tells him to stop.

According to the arrest report, the father told responding officers that he was inside the restaurant when the tow truck began towing his car. He said he ran outside and banged on the tow truck window to alert the driver that his daughter was inside the car but the driver ignored him and drove off, the arrest report said.

The father chased after the tow truck as it drove away, and “observed his daughter fall out of the vehicle onto the roadway,” according to the arrest report, which says the father ran into traffic to retrieve her and carried her to safety. The girl suffered “superficial injuries” to her arms and right calf and was taken to a hospital for treatment, the arrest report said.

Suarez returned to the restaurant with the towed vehicle after the responding officer called the towing company, according to the arrest report. Once Suarez arrived to drop off the car, he was arrested and taken into custody.

According to the arrest report, Suarez told the responding officer that he hadn’t checked the vehicle for occupants before he towed it, and that he kept driving after the father banged on his window “because he feared the male might become aggressive.”

Suarez further claimed that “he received multiple phone calls” from his towing company, All-Ways Towing, telling him that there was a girl in the vehicle he was towing, but when he stopped the truck and checked the vehicle he found no one inside, the arrest report said.

Suarez’s alleged actions “constituted culpable negligence and demonstrated a reckless disregard for the safety of a minor, directly resulting in injury to the child,” according to the arrest report.

Suarez is charged with child neglect without great bodily harm, which is a third-degree felony in Florida, and was released on $10,000 bond, according to court records.

According to ABC affiliate station WSVN in Miami, Suarez’s attorney said in court Monday that Suarez checked the vehicle three times before he towed it, but the judge noted that the video of the incident showed otherwise and that Suarez “admitted that he didn’t look at the vehicle.”

All-Ways Towing declined to comment when contacted by ABC News.

Meg Ryan shares tribute to Rob Reiner: ‘Oh how we will miss this man’

December 17, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Meg Ryan has shared a tribute to the late Rob Reiner.

The actress, who starred in Rob Reiner’s classic 1989 romantic comedy film When Harry Met Sally… and co-starred alongside him in 1993’s Sleepless in Seattle, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a tribute to the director and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, who were found stabbed to death in their home in California on Sunday.

Ryan posted a black-and-white photo of herself dancing with Rob Reiner alongside a lengthy caption.

“Oh how we will miss this man,” Ryan wrote. “Thank you, Rob and Michelle [sic], for the way you believe in true love, in fairy tales, and in laughter. Thank you for your faith in the best in people, and for your profound love of our country.”

The actress continued, writing that she has “to believe that their story will not end with this impossible tragedy, that some good may come, some awareness raised.”

“I don’t know, but my guess is that they would want that to be hopeful and humane, to be something that brings us all to a greater understanding of one another and to some peace,” Ryan wrote.

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead with stab wounds on Sunday in their Los Angeles home.

The couple’s son Nick Reiner is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, with the special circumstance of multiple murders, for allegedly stabbing his parents to death on Sunday, according to prosecutors.

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner met while he was directing When Harry Met Sally… and married in 1989. They shared three children, Jake Reiner, Romy Reiner and Nick Reiner.

Romy Reiner is the one who found her parents’ bodies in their Brentwood home on Sunday, sources told ABC News.

Rob Reiner is also survived by daughter Tracy Reiner with his first wife, Penny Marshall.

The Gatlin Brothers to mark their 70th anniversary with a concert at the Ryman

December 17, 2025 by WDNY Radio

The Gatlin Brothers will be honored with a special show marking their 70th anniversary Feb. 23 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium

The Gatlins will take the stage, as well as The Oak Ridge Boys, Big & Rich, Mae Estes, Lee Greenwood, T. Graham Brown, John Berry, Lorrie Morgan, The Isaacs, Mark Wills, Red Steagall, T.G. Sheppard and others performing songs made famous by the trio.

1979’s “All the Gold in California” is perhaps the most well known of their many hits.

“Brother Steve, Brother Rudy, and I are grateful to God for the 70 years we have had making music together,” lead singer Larry Gatlin says. “We are thankful for our millions of fans all over the world and for the good folks in Nashville who helped us make the music. We’re also grateful to the performers and friends who will be participating in our 70th Anniversary Celebration.”

Tickets for the concert go on sale Friday.

Video of John Lennon & Yoko Ono performing at 1971 Attica prison benefit concert released

December 17, 2025 by WDNY Radio

A new video has just been released of John Lennon and Yoko Ono performing at a benefit concert for the families of those killed in New York’s Attica prison in 1971.

The concert took place 24 years ago, on Dec. 17, 1971, at the Apollo Theater in New York. Video shows John & Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band performing what was then a new song, “Attica State.”

The clip opens with an explanation of what happened on Sept. 13, 1971, at Attica Correctional Facility, noting that 39 people were killed and hundreds more injured.

The emcee of the evening explains to the crowd while introducing John and Yoko that the pair “saw fit to put down in music and lyrics, so that it will never be forgotten in our country by anyone, the tragedy of Attica State.”

The performance is one of 92 bonus tracks that appear on the John and Yoko box set Power to the People (Super Deluxe Edition), which came out in October. The set focused on John and Yoko’s political activism and life in New York City.

See Ariana Grande overdress for the weather in new ‘Saturday Night Live’ promo

December 17, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Ariana Grande‘s a Florida girl, so she’s got to wrap up to brave the New York City winter chill — but she kinda overdoes it in the new promo for her Dec. 20 hosting gig on Saturday Night Live.

In the clip, SNL cast member Ashley Padilla stops by Ari’s dressing room to ask her if she wants to go see the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, which is right next to 30 Rock, where the show is produced. When Ari says yes, Ashley warns her, “You might wanna bundle up, it’s kinda cold.”

Ari puts on a sweater, gloves and earmuffs, before glancing at the weather report and seeing that it’s 32 degrees out. She adds a puffer coat and boots, and then sees the temperature has dropped to 19 degrees. She then piles on a snood, a massive scarf, and a fuzzy hat and mittens, before noticing that it’s now -5 degrees.

Cut to Ari wearing a snowsuit on top of everything, scarf completely wrapped around her face, barely able to move or see. Ashley appears and tells her that access to the tree has been cut off, but they can see it from SNL head honcho Lorne Michaels‘ office. As they admire the tree, Ari announces, “I have to pee.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Ariana posted footage on her Instagram Story of herself dressed up as Antonio, the traumatized young castrato singer she originally portrayed on SNL in October 2024.

Saturday will mark the third time Ari’s hosted the show. In addition to the October 2024 show, she hosted in 2016. Cher will be Saturday’s musical guest.

Cheap Trick defends performing at the Kennedy Center Honors

December 17, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Cheap Trick is responding to criticism for performing at the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, which took place in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 7.

The band appeared at the ceremony, which was hosted by President Donald Trump, to honor KISS. They performed the band’s classic “Rock & Roll All Nite.”

“We were asked to perform at this year’s Kennedy Center Honors ceremony to pay tribute to our lifelong brothers in KISS, and to support artists and the arts,” the band wrote on Instagram. “We agreed to do it for those reasons, and no others.”

But even that post didn’t satisfy all their fans, with one commenter writing, “Bad call. I just lost a lot of respect.” Another added, “Should have politely declined.”

They did receive plenty of messages of support, as well, with one commenter noting, “Why are you apologizing for supporting your friends? No need to.”

The Kennedy Center Honors ceremony will air Dec. 23 on CBS.

‘A Different World’ original cast members to reprise roles in Netflix spinoff

December 17, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Cree Summer and Darryl M. Bell are returning — in a different time and in A Different World once again.

Deadline reports the stars of the beloved ’90s sitcom will reprise their iconic roles as Whitley Gilbert, Dwayne Wayne, Freddie Brooks and Ron “Ronaldus” Johnson in an upcoming spinoff of A Different World.

The new series will center on Deborah Wayne, played by Maleah Joi Moon, the youngest daughter of Dwayne and Whitley. Viewers learned the couple were expecting their first child in the original series finale. Now a freshman at the fictional Hillman College, Deborah struggles to step out of her parents’ shadow while attempting to carve out her own identity, legacy and fun on campus.

“A Different World is back!!! YAY!! We are over the moon to bring this much-anticipated sequel with our returning legacy stars Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Cree Summer, and Darryl M. Bell!” showrunner Felicia Pride and executive producer Debbie Allen said in a joint statement. “These beloved characters are returning in a major way that respects their history while engaging exciting storylines relevant to issues of today.”

The statement added that fans will reunite with the original characters throughout the season and see how their lives have evolved in this “real continuation of the legacy show,” while teasing additional cast surprises for longtime viewers. “We’re excited to welcome new audiences to Hillman,” they said.

The A Different World spinoff will consist of 10 half-hour episodes and will stream on Netflix. Pride will serve as showrunner and executive producer alongside Allen, who produced, directed and appeared in the original series. Allen will direct the premiere and two additional episodes.

Also starring in the series are Alijah Kai, Chibuikem Uche, Cornell Young IV, Jordan Aaron Hall and Kennedi Reece.

Rob Reiner, Michele Singer Reiner’s children speak out after Nick Reiner’s arrest on murder charges

December 17, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Jake Reiner and Romy Reiner, the children of renowned Hollywood director Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner, are speaking out for the first time after their brother, Nick Reiner, was arrested for allegedly killing their parents.

“Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,” Jake Reiner and Romy Reiner said in a statement released by a family spokesperson on Wednesday. “The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.”

“We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life,” Jake Reiner and Romy Reiner said. “We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave.”

Nick Reiner, 32, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, with the special circumstance of multiple murders, for allegedly stabbing his parents to death on Sunday, according to prosecutors.

Romy Reiner is the one who found her parents’ bodies in their Brentwood home on Sunday, sources told ABC News.

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, who met while Rob Reiner was directing When Harry Met Sally…, married in 1989 and shared three children. Rob Reiner is also survived by daughter Tracy Reiner with his first wife, Penny Marshall.

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