Page 19 – 105.7 WDNY

USMNT captain speaks out on Folarin Balogun red card reversal ahead of Belgium showdown

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — U.S. Men’s National Team captain Tim Ream says the reversal of forward Folarin Balogun’s red card ban is a “boost of positivity” for the team ahead of their World Cup showdown on Monday against Belgium in the Round of 16.

“I think he’s excited that he can actually contribute on the field and not just be a cheerleader, but Balo, he’s got a big smile, and he’s been beaming ear to ear since we all found out the news,” Ream told “Good Morning America,” in an interview that aired Monday.

Balogun is now eligible to play in Monday’s game following a red card he received during the team’s July 1 match with Bosnia-Herzegovina for landing on an opposing player’s ankle.

Balogun was ejected mid-match and subsequently received a one-game ban. FIFA told ABC News at the time that the referee’s call was final and not able to be overturned or appealed.

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino told reporters after the match, which the U.S. won 2-0, that Balogun was “disappointed” by the call, claiming the clash was not intentional, according to ESPN.

Following the July 1 game, President Donald Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and discussed the red card suspension, which would have forced Balogun to miss Monday’s game, a U.S. official told ABC News on Monday.

The official said Trump wanted to better understand the reason the red card was given and why there was a suspension.

On Sunday, FIFA reversed course, announcing that “the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year” and adding that if Balogun “commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”

FIFA’s about-face has sparked outcry from other groups, including the European and Belgian soccer associations.

“The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA’s decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play” in Monday’s match, the RBFA said in part in a statement Sunday.

“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options,” the group added.

In a follow-up statement on Monday, the RBFA said it was challenging FIFA’s decision to dismiss its earlier red card ban and reinstate Balogun ahead of Monday’s match.

The organization said it was “deeply concerned by the course of events” and pledged to fight the decision.

But FIFA said Monday afternoon it was rejecting the RBFA’s appeal.

“The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the RBFA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision,” FIFA said in part.

The Union of European Football Associations, or UEFA, also expressed “disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision” in a statement Monday.

“A minimum automatic suspension of one match following a red card is not a discretionary option and does not require the decision of a competent body to be enacted. It is a principle embedded in regulations, which cannot be made subject to exceptions, let alone in the middle of a tournament where several other players have been in the same situation and regularly served their suspension,” it said in part.

“When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined. Equally, such decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require an equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition.”

U.S. Soccer, meanwhile, welcomed FIFA’s decision in a statement on Sunday.

“We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete tomorrow. Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans,” the group said.

The U.S. official who spoke to ABC News on Monday said the process for appealing a red card ban is run by an independent board, adding that the U.S. government provided additional evidence that was used in the appeal process and saying the “correct and proper outcome was achieved.”

Cases of parasitic infection growing in 2 states: Health officials

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(DETROIT) — Cases of a parasitic infection are continuing to rise in at least two states, local health officials said.

As of July 6, nearly 700 cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection, were confirmed, an official from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) told ABC News on Monday. This is an increase from the roughly 300 cases reported on Thursday.

The 678 cases have predominantly been confirmed the southeast region of Michigan including Wayne County, where Detroit is located.

Typically, the state has 50 cases per year, meaning cases are currently about 13.5 times higher than on average.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, an infectious disease physician, epidemiologist and the chief medical executive for the state of Michigan, described the 678 figure as a “moving target,” meaning that cases are likely to continue rising.

“There is a significant lag time between exposure to contaminated produce or contaminated materials and development of symptoms,” she told ABC News. “So it can take a week, sometimes even two weeks between exposure and development of symptoms.”

She added that there may be some infected individuals who are only now reading news reports and getting tested, so there may be even more delayed diagnoses.

Additionally, in Ohio, there were 177 cases of cyclosporiasis as of July 2, Ken Gordon, press secretary for the Ohio Department of Health’s communications office, confirmed to ABC News.

Cases have been confirmed across 43 counties in Ohio so far this year, according to Gordon. Most of those cases — 171 — were reported since June 20.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 145 cases have been detected in 17 states since May 1, excluding Michigan, as of June 16, with at least 20 people hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

The CDC said cases ranged between age 5 and 86, with a median age of 42, and 61% were female.

So far, no cases have been linked between states and health officials are still investigating if there is a common source of the outbreak in Michigan.

The parasite usually spreads through food or water contaminated with feces, according to the CDC.

Foodborne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of imported fresh produce, such as raspberries, basil, snow peas, mesclun lettuce and cilantro, according to the CDC. The agency further said it takes about one week from the time of infection to become symptomatic, but that time can range from two days to two weeks.

Bagdasarian said MDHHS’s working hypothesis is that the outbreak is linked to contaminated produce, but it’s unclear which produce, how long it has been on the shelf or where it’s been distributed.

“We are making sure that we’re issuing guidance to the public as well as to restaurants and commercial kitchens so that folks know the safest way to eat produce right now,” she said. “If folks are making the switch and consuming all of these products as safely as possible, that could mean that we are still seeing cases where people were exposed.”

Some patients do not experience any symptoms but, for those who do, the most common symptom is “explosive watery diarrhea,” doctors previously told ABC News. Other symptoms can include cramping, bloating, low-grade fever, nausea and vomiting, the doctors said.

Since cyclosporiasis symptoms can resemble other illnesses, it may be hard for a patient to determine what they are infected with.

While a traditional stomach bug will have symptoms that typically disappear within 24 to 48 hours, cyclosporiasis symptoms may last for days or even weeks, Bagdasarian noted.

“If you believe that you could have cyclosporiasis, it’s really important to see your healthcare provider and to mention cyclosporiasis, just in case they haven’t heard about this outbreak happening right now, and ask for stool testing, because not all stool testing routinely will include cyclosporiasis,” she said.

The CDC said the infection is very unlikely to spread from person to person because it takes at least one to two weeks outside the body for the parasite to become infectious after someone passes a bowel movement.

Local and federal authorities are working to find the cause of cases in various states and to see if there are any connections. So far none have been identified.

Cyclosporiasis is treated with the oral antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), commonly sold as Bactrim, Septra and Cotrim, taken for 10 days, according to the CDC.

The CDC recommends that people can prevent infection by thoroughly washing produce, cutting away bruised or damaged parts of fruits and vegetables and refrigerating pre-prepared or pre-cut produce.

“Grabbing a scrub brush can also be helpful,” Dr. Darien Sutton, an emergency medicine physician and ABC News medical correspondent, said on “Good Morning America Weekend” on Sunday. “And an important note here, this type of parasite doesn’t easily go away with alcohol-based hand sanitizer. So, good old handwashing is really key here.”

ABC News’ Megan Fahrney contributed to this report.

Trump says Sikorsky to pay for helicopter landing pad on White House South Lawn

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that he is constructing a granite helicopter landing pad for Marine One on the White House South Lawn, which he said will be paid for by Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin that makes helicopters that transport the president.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Gary LeVox finds ‘Paradise’ as Rascal Flatts book Sin City

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Rascal Flatts is headed to Vegas this December for a special show during the National Finals Rodeo.

Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney will play The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for one night only on Saturday, Dec. 5.

Presales start Tuesday, before tickets go on sale to the public Friday.

The trio wrapped their Life Is a Highway Tour in March and currently only has half a dozen dates on their schedule through the end of 2026, with one more set for next year.

Meanwhile, Gary just released his inspirational single, “Paradise.”

Charli XCX announces listening events for ‘Music, Fashion, Film’

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Charli XCX wants to give fans a preview of her new album.

The singer announced a series of listening events for Music, Fashion, Film that will take place in independent cinemas across the world from July 9 to July 11.

“i wanna play you my album,” Charli captioned the announcement.

The U.S. events will hit New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Santa Cruz, Phoenix, Seattle and Denver. You can RSVP on Charli’s website by clicking on the different cities.

Music, Fashion, Film — featuring the songs “SS26” and “Rock Music” — comes out July 24. A tour in support of the album kicks off Sept. 11 in Philadelphia and wraps Oct. 23 in Las Vegas.

Queen Latifah thanks Nas, DJ Premier for giving women in hip-hop their flowers

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Queen Latifah is showing love to DJ Premier and Nas after they gave her her flowers — both literally and figuratively. After being mentioned on their song “Bouquet (To the Ladies),” she revealed she came home to a bouquet of flowers from the duo.

“Look what I came home to last night. Was not expecting this beautiful bouquet of flowers from Nas and Preem,” she said in an Instagram post, showing off the arrangement alongside a physical copy of the song.

She then read the note that accompanied the present: “To the queens of the microphone, the story of this culture can’t be told without your voice in it.”

“It’s one thing for me to say it, but for Nas and Preem to say it, that’s a whole different thing,” Queen said. “Thank you so much.”

She added in the caption, “Thank you to my Brothers @nas, and @djpremier, for this beautiful surprise. The love, the thought, and the message behind it mean more than you know.”

“Congratulations on ‘Bouquet (To the Ladies),'” she continued. “Thank you for celebrating the women whose voices helped shape this culture. I’m honored to be among them.”

“Bouquet (To the Ladies)” appeared on Nas and DJ Premier’s 2025 Light-Years album and pays tribute to women in hip-hop, including legends Missy Elliott, Monie Love, Ms. Lauryn Hill and Roxanne Shanté.

Queen is set to get inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November.

U2 releasing new single on Tuesday

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

There’s more new music on the way from U2.

The Irish rockers announced they’re dropping a new single, “Street of Dreams,” on Tuesday at 12 p.m. ET. They also shared a snippet of the song, along with a clip of the accompanying music video.

U2 shot the video for “Street of Dreams” in Mexico City in June. They shared a clip of the shoot on Instagram and wrote in the caption that they “Hopped a bus in Mexico City, destination: Street of Dreams.” They also included what is likely a lyric from the song, “‘Justice an obsession, love is a procession down the street of dreams.'”

At the time of the video shoot, a press release announced that the song will appear on U2’s yet-to-be announced album, which is expected to be released later this year.

U2’s next album will be their first album of new material since 2017’s Songs of Experience. They did release two EPs with new material — Days of Ash and Easter Lily — in February and April, respectively.

Colin Woodell, KJ Apa and Diane Guerrero to star in ‘Myron Bolitar’ Netflix series

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

The latest adaptation of one of Harlan Coben’s works is headed to TV screens.

Netflix has announced that Colin Woodell will star in the upcoming drama Myron Bolitar. The show will be based on writer Coben’s longest-running series, which spans 12 books.

Riverdale‘s KJ Apa and Orange is the New Black actress Diane Guerrero will also star in the upcoming series.

“After an injury ends his NBA dreams, Myron Bolitar reinvents himself as a sports agent — using charm, smarts, and a ruthless partner to navigate the high-stakes and dirty world of sports, where saving his clients often means risking himself,” according to the show’s official logline.

Woodell’s Myron Bolitar is described as “a former college basketball star whose NBA career came to an abrupt end,” according to Netflix. “Myron reinvented himself as a sports agent. He built his agency — MB Sports — on an unwavering belief in overlooked athletes, with the same heart and fierce competitive drive he once brought to the court.”

Apa is set to play Win Lockwood, a character who is “born into extraordinary privilege.” He “walked away from the family business to build something of his own alongside his closest friend, Myron. Unflappable, endlessly resourceful, and fiercely loyal, he’s the one Myron turns to when clients find themselves in trouble,” according to the streamer.

Guerrero will portray Esperanza Diaz, “a former professional wrestler turned Myron’s indispensable right hand at MB Sports. Armed with endless grit and razor-sharp wit, Esperanza is the backbone of the agency and the steady force keeping both Myron and clients in check,” according to Netflix.

Emmy winner David E. Kelley and Kyle Long are set to co-showrun, write and executive produce the series. House of the Dragon‘s Greg Yaitanes will direct multiple episodes of the show.

My Chemical Romance debuts ’Conventional Weapons’ track ‘Ambulance’ live during Scotland show

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

My Chemical Romance’s show in Glasgow, Scotland, on Saturday featured an unconventional setlist choice.

The concert featured the live debut of the song “Ambulance,” a track off My Chem’s Conventional Weapons compilation.

Conventional Weapons consisted of 10 tracks released in pairs in 2012 and 2013. The set marked the final official MCR release prior to the band’s breakup in March 2013.

My Chemical Romance is currently touring Europe while celebrating the 20th anniversary of their 2006 album, The Black Parade. The trek will come to U.S. stadiums starting in August.

MCR is also releasing a deluxe reissue of their 2010 album Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys on Friday.

In scathing report, White House accuses Smithsonian of presenting ‘a radical view of American history’

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — The White House released a scathing 162-page report accusing the Smithsonian Institution of engaging in “extreme political activism” and presenting “a radical view of American history.”

The report, which was published on Saturday, July 4, particularly took aim at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History (NMAH), accusing its leadership of adopting “an ideological framework that no longer treats the American story as a shared national inheritance to be taught or celebrated, but as a political instrument to divide, dispirit, and discourage our citizens.”

The report accuses the museum of “anti-White activism,” “illegal alien activism,” and “transgender activism.” It also includes many photos of materials the White House has identified as problematic.

Asked about the report, a spokesperson for the Smithsonian, which oversees 21 museums, galleries and the national zoo, told ABC News that the institution remains committed to impartial learning.

“For more than 180 years, the Smithsonian has served the American public with nonpartisan and independent scholarship, and we remain committed to doing so,” the spokesperson said on Sunday.

In his most recent public comments, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch told NBC’s “Meet the Press” in an interview that aired Sunday morning that the institution is “in pursuit of the promise of America.”

The report, which was published by the White House’s Domestic Policy Council, comes amid an ongoing White House review of the Smithsonian as well as a separate internal review launched by the Smithsonian into its own exhibits and processes. Asked about the status of the internal review, a spokesperson for the Smithsonian did not comment.

The White House review was launched in response to President Donald Trump’s March 27, 2025 executive order, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.”

The executive order directed Vice President J.D. Vance, in consultation with the president’s advisers on domestic policy, “to remove improper ideology” from Smithsonian institutions, arguing that materials that cast America in a “negative light” have no place in federal cultural institutions.

“The serious concerns raised in this report are not about a few exhibits or a few controversial labels,” the report says. “As it stands today, it would benefit most Americans, especially parents bringing their children for a tour, if the Smithsonian’s flagship history museum had a label at every entrance that reads: ‘Warning: the exhibits in this museum were prepared by people who don’t want you to love your country.'”

What’s in the report?

The report includes dozens of examples of exhibits and materials in exhibits that the White House has determined to be examples of “radical activism.”

For instance, the report highlights an exhibit titled “Many Voices, One Nation,” and claims that its contents attempt “to instill within visitors its belief that migration and immigration, including the granting of citizenship to illegal aliens, is a defining modern-day civil rights and human liberty issue.”

The report also takes issue with displays about transgender people, including an exhibit titled “Girlhood” that profiled transgender media personality and LGBTQ+ rights advocate Jazz Jennings.

“One of the clearest examples of NMAH’s radical ideology is its refusal to correctly identify or define what a woman is,” the report states — reinforcing language from Trump’s January 2025 executive order, which outlined that this administration’s policy would be to “recognize two sexes, male and female” based on biology.

Overall, the report takes issue with materials addressing “white supremacy,” “racism” and the country’s history of “slavery,” “conquest” and “exclusion.”

The report claims that the museum fails to substantially represent the founders of the United States and that the exhibits cast America as “a problematic country irredeemably conceived, founded by deeply flawed men, and still operating today as an instrument of systemic racism and oppression.”

Sarah Weicksel, executive director of the American Historical Association, previously told ABC News that the White House is seeking to create “a narrowly sanitized version of the American past” at federal cultural institutions “that fits comfortably” into Trump’s executive order.

The American Historical Association (AHC), which represents 10,000 historians across various educational and cultural institutions in the U.S., has publicly defended the Smithsonian and urged the White House to “respect and value the expertise of the historians, curators, and other museum professionals who conduct the review and revision of historical content according to the professional standards of our discipline.”

ABC News reached out to AHA for further comment.

What comes next?

The report does not specify action points related to correcting the so-called “activism,” but does reference the fact that the Smithsonian Institution is largely funded by the federal government and U.S. taxpayers.

“That means the public has a right to expect that it will operate as a faithful steward of the Nation’s historic and cultural heritage, not as a vehicle for ideological campaigns,” the report says.

According to the Smithsonian Institution, which oversees 21 museums and galleries and the national zoo, it currently receives more than $1 billion in federal funding — about 62% of its funding — and the remainder of the funds come from “trust funds or non-federal funds, including contributions from private sources” and revenues from Smithsonian enterprises.

Bunch has been leading the Smithsonian since 2019 but the institution is overseen by a 17-member governing body, known as the Board of Regents. Bunch, who met with Trump at the White House on Aug. 28, 2025, repeatedly affirmed the Smithsonian’s “independence” from political influence.

Referencing his conversations with Trump in a Sept. 3, 2025 letter to the institution’s employees, Bunch underscored the independence of the Smithsonian, saying it was “paramount.” He also told employees that the institution remains committed to telling the “American story” and “will always be, a place that welcomes all Americans and the world.”

+ More