(MIDLAND, Texas) — At least 11 victims were reported in an active shooter situation in Midland, Texas, on Friday morning, with at least one victim dead, according to Midland Mayor Lori Blong.
The suspected shooter is also dead following a standoff with police, Midland city officials said.
“The scene remains active and has not been cleared,” city officials said in a statement.
Nine victims have been taken to Midland Memorial Hospital, where four are undergoing surgery and five are listed in stable condition, hospital officials said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
LOCASH & Parmalee’s “Let the Country Music Play” (Galaxy Label Group)
LOCASH and Parmalee are throwing their hats in the ring for the song of summer with a reimagining of Rupert Holmes’ “Escape (The Piña Colada Song).”
Now titled “Let the Country Music Play,” the track pays tribute to Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and many more.
“If you like old Shenandoah/ A little Haggard and Hank/ If you should’ve been a cowboy/ If your heart achy breaks,” the two acts sing on the collab. “If you like cranking ‘Chattahoochee’/ When you’re out on the lake/Bring me two piña coladas /And let that country music play.”
Parmalee’s Matt Thomas has a co-writing credit on the new song, alongside the singer/songwriter who originally made it famous.
This is LOCASH’ follow-up to “Yes,” which dropped in May, and Parmalee’s first new music since “How Do I Let You Go,” released in November.
Fuel prices are displayed at a gas station on June 09, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
(NEW YORK) — Consumer sentiment improved in June for the first time since the outbreak of the Iran war as gasoline prices eased in recent weeks, but shopper attitudes remained near their worst level on record, University of Michigan survey data on Friday showed. The reading exceeded economists’ expectations.
The survey snapped three consecutive months of dampening consumer sentiment, recovering from an all-time low in May, data showed. The University of Michigan has conducted the survey for the past 80 years.
This improvement in sentiment was widespread, seen across age, education and political party, Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu said in a statement. Overall assessments and expectations of personal finances and business conditions all rose in June, she noted.
The fresh figure comes days after a government report on inflation showed the pace of price increases exceeded 4% for the first time in three years.
Prices rose 4.2% in May compared to a year earlier, increasing 0.5% from the prior month, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Consumers expect inflation to move higher over the next year, hitting a pace of 4.8% in June 2027, the University of Michigan survey showed.
The Middle East conflict prompted the Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime trading route that facilitates the transport of about one-fifth of global oil supply. The standoff triggered one of the largest oil shocks ever recorded, sending gasoline prices higher.
Drivers stung by high gas prices have enjoyed some welcome relief over recent weeks, however, even as the impact of the Iran war continues to choke off oil supply.
The national average price of a gallon of gas stands at $4.10, marking a decline of 40 cents, or 8.8%, over the past month, AAA data showed. Gas prices, however, remain $1.12 higher than where they stood before the Iran war.
Consumer spending, which accounts for about two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, could weaken if shopper remains lackluster.
Spending slowed over the first three months of 2026 compared to the previous three-month period, according to government data issued earlier this year. The economy remained solid at the outset of this year, however, as gross domestic product rose 2% on an annualized basis, the report showed.
Babyface attends the 2026 Met Gala celebrating “Costume Art” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 04, 2026, in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Babyface is paying tribute to his former collaborator Whitney Houston at a gala celebrating her life and legacy. He’s been tapped as the headlining performer for The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation’s Legacy of Love Gala in Atlanta. The event, themed “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” is scheduled for Aug. 8, the day before Whitney would have turned 63.
Babyface and Whitney collaborated multiple times, including on “Exhale (Shoop Shoop),” the CeCe Winans-assisted “Count on Me” and “Why Does It Hurt So Bad.”
Babyface is also set to perform at Essence Festival in July and has additional shows booked throughout the summer. More information can be found on his official website.
Paul Stanley speaks onstage during the 2026 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at The New York Marriott Marquis on June 11, 2026 in New York City. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for for Songwriters Hall Of Fame)
KISS’ Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were celebrated at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction in New York City Thursday.
Simmons and Stanley were inducted into the prestigious organization, with their music celebrated with performances of “Rock and Roll All Nite” from Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, and “Shout It Out Loud” from Corgan and Goo Goo Dolls frontman Johnny Rzeznik.
Only Stanley attended the ceremony, revealing that Simmons had to miss it due to a family emergency.
On the red carpet, Stanley told ABC Audio that the honor stacks up pretty high in the list of accolades he’s received throughout his career.
“Songwriting has always been the motivation,” he said. “So to be surrounded by the people who inspired me and to have this night of acknowledgement, it’s tough to beat it.”
Other performers inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame Thursday night were Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins and Taylor Swift.
Olivia Rodrigo, ‘you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love’ (Geffen Records)
Now we know what Olivia Rodrigo was filming in New York City with all those ballet dancers.
Along with her new album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, Olivia has dropped the video for one of the album’s tracks, “stupid song.” The chorus goes, “I want you more than any stupid song could ever say.” As she sings the song, she wanders through the streets of Manhattan, followed by New York City Ballet’s Tiler Peck, and other dancers from the New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, dancing in pink tutus and pointe shoes.
In the clip Olivia also plays piano in a bodega, frolics in a park with the dancers and stands enraptured under a sprinkler. The song’s lyrics also echo the “I’m unraveled” chorus of “the cure.” In “stupid song,” she sings, “I’m a thread on your shirt/ That is coming undone.”
Liv writes in an Instagram message about the album, “I love this album so much. The record is a time capsule of a relationship in all of its highs and lows. It’s my attempt at capturing love from both sides of the coin. The hope and the disappointment. The insanity and the clarity. The entanglement and the unraveling.”
After thanking her musical collaborators, producer Dan Nigro and her label, she went on to thank her fans: “It sounds corny but I truly feel so lucky that I get to share in this journey with you all. The idea of someone listening to these songs and letting them into their world is the most wonderful thing I can think of. Here’s to hoping!”
Olivia’s The Unraveled Tour starts Sept. 25 in Hartford, Connecticut.
(MIDLAND, Texas) — At least 11 victims have been reported in an active shooter situation in Midland, Texas, on Friday morning, with at least one person dead, according to Midland Mayor Lori Blong.
Midland police said responding officers heard gunfire coming from a building.
A standoff is ongoing with the suspected shooter, police said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
John Fogerty performs onstage during the 2026 Songwriters Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at The New York Marriott Marquis on June 11, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for for Songwriters Hall Of Fame)
KISS’ Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, and rocker John Fogerty were celebrated at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction in New York City Thursday.
Simmons and Stanley were inducted into the prestigious organization, with their music celebrated with performances of “Rock and Roll All Nite” from Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, and “Shout It Out Loud” from Corgan and Goo Goo Dolls frontman Johnny Rzeznik.
Only Stanley attended the ceremony, revealing that Simmons had to miss it due to a family emergency.
On the red carpet, Stanley told ABC Audio that the honor stacks up pretty high in the list of accolades he’s received throughout his career.
“Songwriting has always been the motivation,” he said. “So to be surrounded by the people who inspired me and to have this night of acknowledgement, it’s tough to beat it.”
Fogerty, who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005, received the Johnny Mercer Award, the organization’s highest honor.
Steve Miller honored Fogerty during the ceremony, calling him “Americana at its finest.” In his speech, Fogerty talked about his decadeslong fight to regain ownership of his catalog, which he did in 2023, noting it was because he “outlived all those sons of b******!”
Fogerty also performed for the audience, playing a bit of “Oh Susannah” — having noted in his speech it was the first song he’d ever heard — along with hits “Proud Mary,” “Have You Ever Seen Rain” and “The Old Man Down the Road.”
Speaking to ABC Audio on the red carpet, Fogerty said of the recognition, “To be honored in a very high level for what you do among all other songwriters that you love, you know, it just felt really great.”
Other performers inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame Thursday night were Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins and Taylor Swift.
‘One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2’ album artwork. (Nuclear Blast)
Marilyn Manson has announced a new album called One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2.
The shock rocker’s 13th studio effort is due out Aug. 14 and is the follow-up to 2024’s One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1. Lead single “Exit Wound” is out now alongside a video, which you can watch streaming on YouTube.
“I am proud to give you the second chapter of One Assassination Under God,” Manson writes in a Facebook post. “This completes my story.”
“I used each stone that was thrown at me to sharpen my edges,” the post continues. “I outgrew purgatory and carved these songs into the skin of the world. As you listen I hope it forms a scar that you cannot forget.”
One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1 marked Manson’s first album since his ex fiancée, Evan Rachel Wood, accused him of abuse in 2021. Several other women came forward with allegations against Manson, and he’s currently facing a lawsuit filed by his former assistant Ashley Walters.
Manson has denied all allegations, and an investigation into him was dropped by the Los Angeles County district attorney in 2025.
Manson will launch a U.S. tour alongside Rob Zombie in August. He’s playing a pair of LA shows in the fall to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his 1996 album, Antichrist Superstar.
Here’s the One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2 track list:
“Unalive” “Don’t Answer the Door” “Front Toward Enemy” “All the Vilest Things” “None of the Suns” “Lucifer’s Teardrop” “The Arsonist” “Exit Wound” “Enantiomorph”
If you are affected by abuse and needing support, or know someone who is, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). You can also chat online at thehotline.org or online.rainn.org, respectively.
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters while aboard Air Force One en route to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin on June 5, 2026. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
(WASHINGTON) — A federal judge on Friday issued an injunction blocking the Trump administration from establishing its $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” after expressing concerns that senior officials have not put in their commitment to not move forward with the fund in writing.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema repeatedly cited acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s refusal to commit to not moving forward with the fund under penalty of perjury, as well as President Donald Trump’s own words suggesting he was disappointed that the government might not establish the fund so that those charged in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol attack could be compensated.
“If it was up to me, I’d pay them the kind of money that they deserve. People have been destroyed. Lives have been destroyed,” Trump said during an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press that aired over the weekend.
The fund, which was announced last month by the DOJ to compensate those who allege they were wrongly targeted under the Biden administration, was proposed in exchange for Trump agreeing to drop his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS as well as two civil claims for $230 million related to the Russia collusion investigation he faced during his first term in office and the 2022 search of his Mar-a-Lago estate — sparking accusations of self-dealing and a bipartisan uproar over the possible use of taxpayer money to pay rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Lawyers with the Department of Justice have argued that the case is now moot, writing in a court filing last week that they would not move forward with the fund. During Friday’s hearing, Judge Brinkema repeatedly pressed DOJ attorney Andrew Block on whether he knew why Blanche hasn’t simply rescinded his previous order establishing the fund.
“Your honor, I don’t,” Block responded, saying he doesn’t have the ability to speak for Blanche.
Brinkema said she “couldn’t believe,” given the significance of the case, that Block wouldn’t have even attempted to get an answer, and said the government’s unwillingness on that score created a “huge gap in the record” of the case.
Brinkema said she didn’t believe there was any injury to the government if there was an injunction in place, and gave them one week to respond with a formal declaration, under penalty of perjury, stating no “Anti-Weaponization Fund” would be established — which she said would potentially clear the way to dismissing the case.
Judge Brinkema pointed repeatedly to President Trump’s own shifting statements in recent weeks about the fund, including his pointed attack on Brinkema herself after she had temporarily paused the fund earlier this month, in which he referred to her as a “radical left judge.”
“When the president of the United States says he’s disappointed that something is not going forward,” Brinkema said, that would only add to the evidence that the fund might “rear its head” in the future.
Brinkema said at one point during the proceedings that just this week an unidentified individual had send an application for money from the fund directly to the court.
“We had to send it back,” Brinkema said.
Later in the hearing, Brinkema expressed doubt about the legality of Trump’s settlement that established the fund, noting a judge’s order in Florida that recently asked Trump’s lawyers to respond to claims they may have committed a fraud on her court.
“You think this is lawful business?” Brinkema asked Block.
At one point, Brinkema read into the record an amicus brief submitted in the lawsuit by Sen. Cory Booker and Sen. Bill Cassidy that urged her to permanently block the fund over the potential it could compensate individuals who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Brinkema said the brief showed that public interest in preventing the establishment of such a fund “is very strong,” and questioned the concept of nearly $1.8 billion being directed to such a small subset of individuals that a significant number of Americans would strongly object to.
Friday’s injunction came two days after another federal judge denied a governmental watchdog group’s request for a temporary restraining order to block the establishment of the fund.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon denied the request from the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, ruling that the watchdog group failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success.
