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Trump building granite helipad on White House South Lawn

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

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

“So, now we’re building a helipad, a beautiful helipad, and it’s got the seal of the White House on it, in granite, in carved granite. It’s really a beautiful thing,” Trump said while taking reporter questions at an event in the Oval Office.

Trump said Sikorsky would pay for the construction.

“It’s about $5 or $6 million. They’re paying the full cost,” the president said.

A Lockheed Martin spokesperson, in a statement provided to ABC News, said the company “has a long history of supporting projects” in Washington, D.C., and across the country.

“This specific contribution was made to the Trust for the National Mall, the National Park Service’s non-profit organization,” the spokesperson said. “Our engagement with the federal government is guided by rigorous ethics and compliance standards and conducted in full accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.”

Lockheed Martin delivered a new fleet of Sikorsky helicopters to the Air Force in 2024, but the White House has had to keep using an older fleet for South Lawn departures and arrivals because they burn the grass. Trump on Monday said the helicopters not only singed the grass but also “ripped it out.”

The newer helicopters have been used when the president is away on travel.

A spokesperson for Sikorsky said in a statement that the new helicopter, a VH‑92A Patriot, “is a recognizable patriotic asset known around the globe for safety, security and reliability.”

The U.S. Navy awarded Sikorsky Aircraft a $1.24 billion contract to replace the Marine One helicopter fleet. The deal was agreed to under President Barack Obama’s administration.

“It brings increased capabilities for the no‑fail mission supporting the Commander‑in‑Chief around the world. The helicopter delivers increased performance and reduced maintenance costs and time over the current fleet of presidential helicopters,” the Sikorsky spokesperson said.

The helipad will be Trump’s latest construction project at the White House.

The East Wing was demolished last year to make way for construction of Trump’s massive White House ballroom. The ballroom addition has sparked numerous legal challenges.

Trump installed plaques underneath portraits of presidents at the White House — dubbed the “Presidential Walk of Fame” — along the West Wing Colonnade.

He also paved over the grass at the White House Rose Garden to create a patio with tables, and installed two massive flagpoles on the North and South lawns. More recently, scaffolding was erected for restoration work on the building’s stone columns.

Trump commented on the work while hosting a lunch at the new Rose Garden Club.

“A lot of love is being put in the White House,” the president said.

ABC News’ Alexandra Hutzler contributed to this report.

Roof of BJ’s Wholesale Club in New Jersey partially collapses during heavy rain

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(OCEAN TOWNSHIP, N.J.) — The roof of a BJ’s Wholesale Club in New Jersey partially collapsed during heavy rain on Monday, temporarily entrapping two people who were able to safely escape, authorities said.

No injuries have been reported following the incident at the big-box store in Ocean Township, authorities said.

Video from the store’s security camera captured the collapse, showing a portion of the roof fall near the bakery section as a deluge of water flooded the interior. Local officials have confirmed they are looking at the video as part of an investigation into the incident.

Multiple agencies responded to the store around 11:16 a.m. ET following reports of the partial roof collapse, authorities said. There were 27 people inside the store at the time, including two who became partially entrapped but were able to free themselves and safely leave, according to local authorities.

First responders conducted a “comprehensive search” of the building, and a drone and K-9 teams were also involved in the search effort to ensure no one remained inside, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and Ocean Township Police Department said in a joint statement.

The collapse occurred as heavy rain pummeled the area, resulting in “extreme flooding,” the sheriff’s office said. Up to six inches of rain was reported in the area over the past 24 hours, with most of the rain falling since early Monday morning.

“This incident is another reminder of how quickly severe weather can create dangerous and unpredictable conditions,” Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said in a statement about the collapse. “We commend all first responders who worked with urgency under challenging circumstances. Despite the ongoing flooding and severe weather affecting our communities, all worked seamlessly together to ensure everyone was safely accounted for.”

ABC News has reached out to BJ’s Wholesale Club for comment.

Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners Director Thomas Arnone commended the “swift response” by agencies in the incident while urging residents to stay alert for updates regarding flash flooding and other storm-related damage in the area.

The heavy rain that was occurring at the time of the roof collapse has since ended, though additional rounds of rain are possible through the evening hours.

A flood watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. ET Monday in Monmouth County, according to the National Weather Service.

ABC News’ Daniel Peck contributed to this report.

G.R.L. member and ‘Party Rock Anthem’ singer Lauren Bennett dies at 37

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Lauren Bennett, a member of the girl group G.R.L. who lent her vocals to the LMFAO hit “Party Rock Anthem,” has died. She was 37.

Her G.R.L. bandmates released a statement on Instagram Monday, writing, “It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Lauren. Our hearts are broken, and we cannot begin to express how much she meant to us.”

The statement continued, “We will forever cherish the love, laughter, and countless memories she gave us. Her beautiful spirit touched so many lives, and she will be deeply missed and forever loved. Rest peacefully, sweet Lauren. You will always be in our hearts.”

The British singer began her career as part of the girl group Paradiso Girls, formed by Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin. Their debut single “Patron Tequila,” featuring Eve and Lil’ Jon, hit #3 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in 2009.

After that group disbanded, Bennett joined G.R.L. The group’s debut single, “Vacation,” was featured on the Smurfs 2 soundtrack. The group was also featured on Pitbull’s 2014 song “Wild Wild Love.” G.R.L. disbanded shortly after member Simone Battle died in 2014, but reformed in 2016.

Bennett’s feature on the LMFAO song “Party Rock Anthem” in 2011 became her first #1 single.

A cause of death for Bennett has not yet been given.

‘Boston’ hitmaker Stella Lefty is ‘Good at Leaving’

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Now that newcomer Stella Lefty’s got a smash hit with “Boston,” fans are getting “Good at Leaving.”

“i lurv this song and i hope u do tooooo,” she said on her socials, as she released the fan favorite after debuting the up-tempo groove at recent shows.

It’s her first new music since her debut EP, Is This Heaven?, dropped in May.

Meanwhile, “Boston” is now at #5 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs tally, and is in the top 15 on both the Hot 100 and Country Airplay charts.

“Something to Lose,” her duet with significant other Vincent Mason, has also cracked the Hot 100.

Currently in London for a Monday show, Stella plays Dublin on Thursday and Amsterdam on Saturday.

Drake surprises fan on TikTok Live

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Drake gave one of his fans the surprise of a lifetime when he expressed his gratitude for her support during a TikTok Live.

Speaking to Abi on her TikTok Live through her Champagnemamiabi account, he said, “I respect you, you always show love. Been riding. So I just wanted to say hello.”

“You’re my GOAT,” she replied.

“Bro, this is such a crazy experience,” she added, before asking if anyone was screen recording the chat. “OMG! Drake I’d give you a hug right now. This is crazy.”

“It’s love,” Drake said, blowing kisses. “I just want to tell you thank you, thanks for always riding.”

“I will always ride,” Abi said.

“Much love, nice to meet you finally,” Drake concluded.

Following his sign-off, Abi said, “Oh my f****** God, guys. I’m gonna cry.”

You can watch the conversation on Abi’s TikTok.

Metallica met up with Sharon Osbourne on one-year anniversary of Back to the Beginning

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Sharon Osbourne attended Metallica’s show in London Sunday on the one-year anniversary of the Back to the Beginning concert.

Back to the Beginning, which took place on July 5, 2025, marked the final live performance by the original Black Sabbath lineup and Ozzy Osbourne, who died just over two weeks later on July 22. The show also featured a stacked lineup of hard rock and metal bands, including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Slayer and Pantera.

Metallica met up with Sharon backstage in London Sunday, as well as her and Ozzy’s daughter Kelly Osbourne. You can check out photos from the encounter on Metallica’s Instagram.

“One year after ‘Back to the Beginning,’ we were thrilled to see some familiar faces for #M72London,” the post’s caption reads. “We miss you, Ozzy!”

Metallica also paid tribute to Ozzy during Sunday’s show with a performance of the Sabbath song “Electric Funeral” during bassist Robert Trujillo and guitarist Kirk Hammett’s “Doodle” segment.

Vicky Krieps, George MacKay and more join ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ prequel cast

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Many more actors have joined the cast of the upcoming Ocean’s Eleven prequel.

Vicky Krieps, George MacKay, Lauren Ridloff and Jack Holden have joined the film’s ensemble, while Omar Sy is currently in negotiations to join the cast, ABC Audio has confirmed.

Bradley Cooper is set to write, direct and star in the prequel film. Margot Robbie will star alongside Cooper, who will also produce the film along with Robbie’s banner, LuckyChap.

Twisters director Lee Isaac Chung was previously attached to direct the film but stepped away from the project due to creative differences.

Wagner Moura, Monica Barbaro and Josh Gad are also set to star in the upcoming film. Cooper wrote the screenplay based on characters that were created by George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell. A previous draft of the script was written by Carrie Solomon.

While the film’s plot is being kept locked in the vault for now, ABC Audio has learned that it takes place in the year 1963.

The currently untitled Ocean’s Eleven prequel will arrive in theaters on June 25, 2027.

Warner Bros. launched the current Ocean’s franchise with Steven Soderbergh’s 2001 film Ocean’s Eleven. It became a trilogy that starred George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Matt Damon. Ocean’s Eleven was a remake of the studio’s 1961 film Ocean’s 11, which starred Frank Sinatra.

Riley Green wants to ‘Go Again’ with Hannah McFarland

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Riley Green continues to be the king of the country duet, this time with a new track with Hannah McFarland.

“Go Again” joins his ever-growing collection of collabs, which includes Carly Pearce’s current radio single, “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay,” as well as the number ones “you look like you love me” and “Don’t Mind If I Do” with Ella Langley.

Riley wrote “Go Again” solo. Just like Ella, Hannah’s a fellow Alabama native and his frequent tour mate.

It’s the third release from his fourth album, That’s Just Me, which comes out Sept. 18, following “My Way” and “Think as You Drunk.”

He’s just extended his Cowboy as It Gets Tour into the fall, with Hannah joining him on most of the dates.

Lil Wayne explains why he missed tour opener in Maine

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Wondering why Lil Wayne missed the opening date of his 20+ Years of Carter Classics tour? He explained the reason during a recent livestream.

Wayne missed the kickoff date of the tour in Maine, with fans learning he wouldn’t be performing after 2 Chainz took the stage. He also reportedly arrived two hours late to his show in Gilford, New Hampshire.

“Bangor, Maine, I gotta motherf***** apologize to you personally again for real, for real. Sorry for missing that show the other night,” he said. “Listen, I have epilepsy and I have seizures, right? Thank God I haven’t had a seizure in years, but seizures have triggers. The trigger to my seizures are bad migraines.”

Wayne continued, “I had a bad migraine that night. It was recommended that I don’t get in the air. I still was tryna get on the motherf***** and still was tryna get on the plane to come rock with ya, but again it was recommended that I don’t get on the plane because they didn’t want an event to happen while I’m in the air.”

He added, “Hopefully you can understand that, but guess what? July 28. I’ll be there.”

Wayne also revealed during the livestream he’s no longer engaged. “I know I don’t give y’all a lot of content, especially a lot of personal content but I would like to clear something up,” he said of the breakup. “I considered I don’t want to be such a burden to such an amazing person.”

Wayne’s next show is July 16 in Des Moines, Iowa.

What Donna Kelce, celeb guests have said about Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift’s wedding

July 6, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Mother of the groom Donna Kelce and more celebrity attendees are opening up about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Madison Square Garden nuptials last week.

One day after the July 3 wedding, which saw a flurry of high-profile celebrities converge in the iconic New York City venue to celebrate the music icon and NFL star, Donna Kelce appeared in a Macy’s social media video and briefly described her son’s wedding.

“I really can’t say a heck of a lot except it was magical, man, magical,” Donna Kelce said in the video, answering a submitted question about the wedding.

Swift and Travis Kelce wed in a ceremony officiated by actor and comedian Adam Sandler, a representative for Swift confirmed to ABC News on Friday.

Author Glennon Doyle and her wife, former U.S. soccer player Abby Wambach, also shared a photo on Instagram on Sunday revealing their wedding guest looks and celebrating the ceremony.

In the caption, Doyle offered well-wishes for Travis Kelce and Swift. Doyle also responded to a commenter’s question, asking if the event was “fabulous.”

“Yes. And tender. And somehow so big yet so… small,” she wrote. “Intentional, real. So much joy. And I can say without hyperbole that I’ve never witnessed a happier bride or groom.”

Director and Swift collaborator Joseph Kahn, known for his music videos, shared details about the event on Instagram, saying he even got to speak with Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw.

“What I will say about the wedding was it was so much funnier and emotional than expected, and as big as it was, it also felt very intimate. And yes, literally everyone was there,” he added, before sending well-wishes to the newlyweds.

Singer Kelsea Ballerini referenced a Swift song to commemorate the event, while sharing her look from the night — an olive green strapless gown — on X.

“Long live a love story,” she wrote. “Congrats on the most beautiful wedding @taylorswift13 @tkelce i’m still crying and dancing.”

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