Sounds like The Rolling Stones may be hitting the road again next year.
During an interview with BBC Radio’s Front Row, Ronnie Wood revealed that the band is hoping to head out on a tour of Europe in 2025.
If it happens, it would be The Stones’ first European tour since releasing their latest record, Hackney Diamonds, in October 2022. The Stones did tour the U.S. this year, launching their Hackney Diamonds tour in April.
Wood also shared that he’s been working with Faces, saying, “We’re making some continued developments of music we made back in the day. … It still sounds as no time as gone by.”
Ronnie’s interview was to promote his new art exhibit, which opened on Wednesday at the Andrew Martin store in London. It’s set to run through Dec. 3, and features new and previously unseen pieces.
Sharing how important art is to him, Ronnie says, “If I was Chekhov I’d say my lawful wife is my artwork and my mistress is my music.”
(OWASSO, Okla.) — The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced Wednesday that Owasso Public Schools in Oklahoma has “entered into an agreement to remedy violations of Title IX” concerning sexual harassment in its schools following the February death of LGBTQ+ student Nex Benedict.
The OCR states that its investigation of the Owasso Public Schools district, which was announced in March, found “repeated instances over a three-year period in which district staff received notice of possible sexual harassment, yet district staff did not explain the process for filing a Title IX complaint or promptly contact a complainant.”
According to the OCR, those instances included reports that multiple students were subject to repeated sex-based slurs, harassment and physical assault; that a male student hit and made unwelcome sexual comments to a female sixth-grade student; an elementary school student was subjected to repeated harassment described as sexual; and a teacher was accused of grooming female students on social media by sending more than 130 messages about their appearance and requesting photographs.
The OCR also found several violations related to LGBTQ+ youth in district schools, including reports that some students were called slurs and subject to other bullying behavior.
The district had only conducted two formal Title IX investigations in the last three school years and produced “limited records” regarding those two matters, the OCR said.
After Benedict, a 16-year-old nonbinary student, died by suicide following a physical altercation in an Owasso High School bathroom, the district still failed to take steps to implement Title IX regulations, according to the OCR.
“As a result, OCR found that the district’s pattern of inconsistent responses to reports it received of sexual harassment – infrequently responding under Title IX or not responding at all – rose to the level that the district’s response to some families’ sexual harassment reports was deliberately indifferent to students’ civil rights,” read the OCR’s statement.
The resolution agreement between the Department of Education and Owasso Public Schools details a long list of remedies the school must implement to address the stated violations. They include requiring schools to inform parents of affected students about the process for filing a Title IX complaint and the supportive measures available to students.
The agreement also requires schools to not only issue anti-harassment and nondiscrimination statements, but also to provide Title IX training to students and staff, conduct sexual harassment climate surveys in the district, implement adequate record-keeping processes for Title IX complaints and revise its Title IX processes to ensure compliance.
“Owasso students and their families did not receive the fair and equitable review process from their school district guaranteed to them under Title IX; at worst, some students experienced discrimination Congress has long guaranteed they shall not endure at school,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon in a statement.
“The district has signed a robust agreement to assure that students who attend school in the district will be afforded their rights under Title IX, including the right to file a complaint, learn about and receive supportive services individualized to their needs, and benefit from federal nondiscrimination protection when they experience harassment,” the statement continued.
Nicole Kidman is down to collaborate with Martin Scorsese, as long as he’s down to tell a story about women.
The actress told Vanity Fair in an interview released Wednesday that she would like to work with the iconic director, under one condition.
“I’ve always said I want to work with Scorsese, if he does a film with women,” Kidman said.
While Kidman didn’t elaborate any further, Scorsese has been criticized for the depictions of and lack of characters who are women in his films.
The actress also spoke about other directors she’s interested in working with.
“I’d love to work with Kathryn Bigelow. I’d love to work with Spike Jonze. I’d love to work with PTA [Paul Thomas Anderson]. I’ve always wanted to work with Michael Haneke. And there’s a whole slew of new up-and-coming directors — there’s so many, and I’m always open to the discovery of new people.”
Kidman also spoke about being a part of two recent projects — The Perfect Couple and Babygirl — which were directed by women.
“I’m trying to support all of these women at all different ages, at all different stages in their careers, put my weight behind them and go, ‘I’m here and I’m at your disposal and I’m ready,'” Kidman said.
The 365 party girl is taking over Studio 8H. Charli XCX is pulling double duty on this week’s episode of Saturday Night Live, acting as the host and musical guest. The singer appeared in a teaser for the show, which was released on Wednesday. In the clip, Chloe Fineman asks Charli a round of questions, to which she answers every single one with the same word: “Brat.” How Julia of her.
In her heart is a Christmas tree farm. Taylor Swift has released her annual holiday merchandise collection. “Happy HoliTAYs! Shop #TSTheHolidayCollection now to make every Swiftie’s wish come true!” Taylor Nation wrote on social media. There is new merch representing every single era, from The Tortured Poets Department to her self-titled debut album. Fans can also purchase brand-new Christmas tree ornaments, everything from a tiny typewriter to a miniature version of the chair Taylor dances on during “Vigilante S***” at The Eras Tour.
More music from Tate McRae is coming very soon. In fact, she’s releasing her latest single on Thursday. “‘2 hands’ song and music video out everywhere tomorrow at 4pm PT / 7pm ET!!” Tate shared on Instagram. “been waiting for this oneeee <33.”
The Beatles’ recent Grammy nomination for their single “Now and Then” has prompted more people to check out the tune.
The song earned a Record of the Year nod Nov. 8, and Billboardreports that since then streams of the song jumped 42%, from 83,000 streams the days prior to the nod to 118,000 streams in the days after.
Released in November 2023, “Now and Then” features vocals John Lennon recorded on a demo in the late ’70s, along with new contributions from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, and guitar parts George Harrison recorded in the ’90s during the sessions for The Beatles’ Anthology series.
The song may have a tough time nabbing a Grammy in that category, though. It’s up against hits from Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan and rapper Kendrick Lamar.
(WASHINGTON) — Federal authorities are offering a $25,000 reward in connection with a series of arson incidents involving ballot boxes in Washington state and Oregon during early voting last month.
The FBI said Wednesday it is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect sought in three incendiary fires.
The agency is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the suspect responsible.
The first incident occurred on Oct. 8 in Vancouver, Washington, when a ballot box was set on fire between 3:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. local time, the FBI said.
Then, on Oct. 28, ballot boxes in Vancouver and Portland were set on fire between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. local time, the FBI said. Hundreds of ballots were damaged in the Vancouver incident after a fire suppression device failed to work properly, officials said.
In all three incidents, an “improvised incendiary device” was placed on the ballot drop boxes, the FBI said.
The Portland incident was captured by a surveillance camera, including a vehicle driven by the suspect believed to be responsible for these crimes, the FBI said.
In a roughly 3-minute video released by the FBI, a vehicle can be seen stopping next to the ballot box, located on a sidewalk. The driver appears to light an item and pass it through the driver’s window, then drives away. Almost immediately after the vehicle departs, the ballot box begins smoking, then briefly sparking. Fire suppressants prevented further damage and protected nearly all the ballots, according to elections officials.
The vehicle was described by the FBI as an early 2003 to 2004 Volvo S-60 sedan, dark in color, with dark wheels and a light-colored interior. It does not have a Volvo logo on the front grill, the FBI said.
“At the time of the October 28, 2024, incidents, the vehicle also displayed a fraudulent temporary Washington license plate on the rear and no front license plate. The plate, which is not associated with a Volvo, may no longer be on the vehicle,” the FBI said.
The driver of the vehicle was described by the FBI as a white male, approximately 30 to 40 years old, with thinning hair.
“It is believed that he may have some experience with metal work and welding,” the FBI said.
The incendiary device used in the initial incident had “Free Gaza” and “Free Palestine” on it, two sources familiar with the ongoing investigation previously told ABC News. The two subsequent devices carried the slogan “Free Gaza,” according to the sources.
One of the sources told ABC News it was unclear whether these markings reflect the views of a pro-Palestine activist — or if it was an individual trying to manipulate existing divisions in the U.S.
ABC News’ Pierre Thomas contributed to this report.
Retired NFL star Jason Kelce teamed up with two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Stevie Nicks in early November to release “Maybe This Christmas,” a duet that’s featured on Jason’s annual Christmas charity album. The song outperformed Mariah Carey to hit #1 on the iTunes holiday chart — which Jason’s brother, Travis, teased him about on the latest episode of their New Heights podcast.
“So Jason, how does it officially feel to be the Queen of Christmas?” Travis asked Jason. “You know, I’ve fought my whole life to be the Queen of Christmas,” Jason joked. “The fact that we’re finally there is just really special.”
“It was incredible to work with Stevie Nicks,” Jason continued. “I’m just still in awe that that actually happened. This is really, really cool. There is no percent chance any song that I’m in should be streaming #1 on any service in any genre.”
“Well, don’t give yourself too much credit,” Travis laughed. “It’s Stevie Nicks.”
The song is included on A Philly Special Christmas Party, due out Nov. 22. Boyz II Men also guest star on the record, and proceeds from the vinyl sales will go to support Children’s Crisis Treatment Center’s Holiday Toy Drive and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Snowflake Station, among other charities.
If you want to hear Stevie Nicks sing a Christmas song that doesn’t include the brother of Taylor Swift‘s boyfriend, check out “Silent Night,” which she recorded for the 1987 charity album A Very Special Christmas.
(NEW YORK) — A Bronx man who helped Daniel Penny restrain Jordan Neely on a New York City subway car last year ”jumped in and tried to help” so Penny could release his chokehold, according to the man’s testimony Wednesday at Penny’s manslaughter and negligent homicide trial.
Eric Gonzalez, who is seen on video holding Neely by the wrist, boarded the subway at Broadway-Lafayette and noticed Penny holding down Neely “with his legs around his waist and his arm around his neck.”
Gonzalez testified he did not know why Penny, a former Marine, was restraining Neely but he heard people yelling for police to be called. He also said he noticed “Jordan Neely’s clothing was that of a vagrant, as if he was homeless, dirty, ripped off.”
Gonzalez said he waved his hands in front of Penny’s face to get his attention.
“I said, ‘I will grab his hands so you can let go,’” Gonzalez told the jury. “Just giving him a different option to hold his arm — well, to restrain him until the police came.”
Asked by prosecutor Dafna Yoran to clarify, Gonzalez said: “If I held his arm down, he could let go of his neck.”
“And why is it you wanted him to let go of his neck?” Yoran asked. “Didn’t think anything at the moment. I was just giving him an alternative to let him go,” Gonzalez responded.
The testimony came as the trial entered a fourth week. Penny has said he put Neely in the chokehold to protect subway riders.
Prosecutors said it would have been “laudable” except Penny held on too long, well past the point when Neely posed any kind of threat.
Gonzalez said he saw Neely’s body go limp and let go of him before Penny did the same.
“I tried to shake Jordan Neely to get a response out of him, feel for a pulse, and then I walked away,” Gonzalez said.
(WASHINGTON) — President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he has chosen Rep. Matt Gaetz as his pick for attorney general, a move that, if he’s confirmed by the Senate, would place a firebrand and one of Trump’s most loyal allies at the head of the Justice Department.
“Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice,” Trump said in his social media post.
Gaetz is an explosive selection by Trump to be the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government, leading the very same executive branch of government that spent years investigating allegations regarding the Florida congressman. Gaetz was informed that the Justice Department would not seek changes just last year. He has long denied any wrongdoing.
Gaetz has been a member of Congress since winning in 2017, riding the MAGA wave that brought Trump to Washington eight years ago. Over the years, Gaetz has become one of Trump’s most ardent, and according to some allies, effective, defenders in Washington while also growing close to Trump.
Gaetz has been down at Trump’s residence in Mar-a-Lago almost every day since Election Day, helping make suggestions and input on other administration selections, sources tell ABC News. Gaetz was also seen traveling with Trump in his motorcade during his visit to Washington on Wednesday.
Notably, Gaetz is very close with Trump’s newly selected chief of staff, Susie Wiles, who also has deep and storied roots in Florida politics.
Beginning in 2019, Gaetz faced a yearslong Justice Department investigation into allegations related to sex trafficking and obstruction of justice. Gaetz has long denied any wrongdoing, and the Justice Department informed Gaetz in 2023 that it was declining to bring charges against him after its investigation.
The investigation into Gaetz stemmed from a probe into the Florida congressman’s one-time friend, former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg, who was sentenced in 2022 to 11 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including sex trafficking a minor and introducing the minor to other “adult men.”
Since the Justice Department declined to charge Gaetz following its investigation, the Florida congressman has faced an ongoing probe by the House Ethics Committee regarding the same allegations.
In September, Gaetz released a lengthy statement concerning the ongoing House Ethics probe into his alleged conduct. Gaetz stated that he would no longer voluntarily participate in the probe and included a string of answers seemingly to questions the committee asked the Florida congressman earlier that month.
Elvis Costello has been added to the lineup of the upcoming benefit concert for longtime New York City punk fixture Jesse Malin.
The already sold-out show, taking place Dec. 1 at the Beacon Theatre in New York, will help raise money for Malin, who suffered a spinal stroke in 2023 that left him paralyzed from the waist down.
“I’m totally blown away that Elvis Costello will be joining us at @beacontheatre in December at the benefit for my recovery,” Malin shared on Instagram. “I’ve been a fan since the late 70s and have seen him play in that room at least 15 times. He’s such a brilliant writer and singer, and he always plays with so much power and conviction.”
In addition to Malin and Costello, the concert will feature Lucinda Williams, Jakob Dylan, members of Counting Crows, Rickie Lee Jones and others, with Malin teasing, “More surprises to come.”
Costello also appeared on the Malin benefit album, Silver Patron Saints, which came out in September. He appeared on the song “Room 13” with Malin and Williams. Other artists on the record included Bruce Springsteen, Green Day‘s Billie Joe Armstrong, Rage Against the Machine‘s Tom Morello, Bleachers and the late MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer.
