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US experienced its 2nd warmest winter on record despite a cold and snowy Northeast

March 10, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Cold and snowy conditions dominated the winter season in the Northeast with much of the region experiencing its coldest winter in a decade or more, and several cities seeing their biggest snowfall in years. However, if you live in other parts of the country, this winter was very different.

Meteorological winter — December to February — was unseasonably warm across much of the contiguous U.S., ranking as the second-warmest winter on record since 1895, behind the 2023-24 season, according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

While the Northeast faced persistent blasts of bitter cold and snow, exceptional winter warmth in the West nearly pushed the nation to a new all-time high for the season.

Nine states finished off with their warmest winter on record: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming. Dozens of cities in the West and Plains saw a top 5 warmest winter with cities such as Albuquerque, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City seeing their all-time warmest.

Dallas, Texas, recorded 16 days with high temperatures of at least 80°F, the highest seasonal total on record.

For much of the country, winter was not only exceptionally warm, but exceptionally dry, ranking as the driest winter in 45 years across the Lower 48. Much of the western United States entered the season already grappling with drought, and persistent warmth fueled the worst snow drought in decades across parts of the Rockies as more precipitation fell as rain instead of snow.

Drought on its own already stresses water supplies, agriculture, and ecosystems. But when winter fails to deliver significant mountain snow, those impacts can intensify, according to NOAA.

A persistent snow drought can trigger a cascade of hydrologic changes. Low snowpack and early snowmelt can affect vegetation, reduce surface and subsurface water storage and alter streamflow, all of which directly impact water management and planning across the West.

Snowmelt supplies a large share of the region’s water used by communities, agriculture, and ecosystems. In some states, up to about 75 percent of water supplies can come from melting snow, according to the USGS.

The Colorado River provides water for more than 40 million people and fuels hydropower resources in seven states: California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, according to the Bureau of Reclamation.

Widespread, persistent drier-than-average conditions also impacted parts of the Heartland and Southeast, bringing drought expansion and intensification during the winter months. Multiple states, including Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Nebraska, experienced one of their driest winters on record.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report released on March 5, more than half of the contiguous U.S. is experiencing drought conditions, an increase of about 10% from the beginning of February.

Florida is enduring its worst drought in 25 years, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System, with a heightened risk of wildfires this spring as conditions worsen across the state.

All of Florida is currently experiencing some level of drought, with more than 70% of the state facing an extreme drought level 3 of 4, U.S. Drought Monitor data shows.

“We expect the drought to continue or even worsen in the next couple of months, as we are in the heart of peninsular Florida’s dry season that usually lasts until mid-May,” Florida State Climatologist David Zierden told ABC News. “Then the summer convective rains kick in and provide some relief.”

The National Interagency Fire Center says Florida faces an above-average risk of significant wildland fires throughout meteorological spring, which began on March 1. Dozens of counties across the state have issued burn bans due to the ongoing drought and elevated wildfire risk.

The worsening conditions are raising concerns beyond wildfires, including impacts to water supplies and agriculture.

“Four of the five Water Management districts have either voluntary or mandatory water restrictions limiting outdoor irrigation,” Zierden added. “Range and pasture for cattle is the agricultural commodity that is hit hardest right now.”

Thomas Rhett to play stadium shows with pop star Niall Horan

March 10, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Thomas Rhett and pop star Niall Horan together on one bill? It may seem like an unusual pairing, but the two are teaming up for two stadium dates this summer.

Niall writes on Instagram, “When TR brought up the idea of doing these, I immediately got so excited just thinking about it. We’ve been friends for ages and it just makes perfect sense.”

Niall says during these two shows they’ll “each play our own sets but also play together and do some special stuff.”

This won’t be the first time the two have sung together. Niall and Thomas recorded a duet version of TR’s song “Old Tricks” as a bonus track on the digital deluxe reissue of his album About a Woman.

Thomas says in a statement, “There’s nothing I love more than being on the road alongside longtime friends — it’s going to be a blast for us and the fans.”

The shows are set to take place July 9 at GEODIS Park in Nashville and July 18 at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania. You can sign up now at niallhoran.com for access to the presale, which starts at 10 a.m. local time Wednesday. The general sale begins Friday.

DOJ’s pardon attorney Ed Martin hit with ethics charges

March 10, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — The Washington, D.C., Bar has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Justice Department pardon attorney Ed Martin over allegations he improperly threatened to withhold federal funding from Georgetown University’s law school and then attempted to sideline an investigation into his conduct, according to a petition.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

2.3 magnitude earthquake recorded near Sleepy Hollow, New York

March 10, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — A 2.3 magnitude earthquake struck about half a mile west of Sleepy Hollow, New York, on Tuesday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed.

The earthquake struck at 10:18 a.m. ET.

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

Lamb of God announces ’Into Oblivion’ release show in Philadelphia

March 10, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Lamb of God has announced an intimate show in Philadelphia celebrating the release of the band’s upcoming album, Into Oblivion.

The concert takes place at the Theatre of Living Arts on Sunday, two days after Into Oblivion drops. Tickets will be just $15 with fees included.

Registration for a chance at tickets is open now through Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster. Those chosen will be notified on Friday, and their credit card will be charged automatically.

Lamb of God will launch a full U.S. tour in support of Into Oblivion starting March 17 in Oxon Hill, Maryland.

Never-before-seen George Michael concert film is coming to theaters

March 10, 2026 by WDNY Radio

A never-before-seen George Michael concert film is set to hit the big screen.

The film, George Michael: The Faith Tour, features footage from Michael’s two-night stand at Paris’ Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in 1988 during his first-ever solo tour. The long lost film has now been restored and remastered and will be released in theaters later this year.

According to a press release, the concert film, directed by Michael’s longtime collaborators Andy Morahan and David Austin, “captures a turning point that transformed George Michael from a global superstar into a singular, era-defining artist, whose influence continues to reverberate across music, fashion, and culture today.”

It will open with Mary McCartney’s short film, Finding Faith, which features a previously unheard interview with Michael, previously unseen photos from photographer Herb Ritts and behind-the-scenes footage of the music video for “Faith.”

In addition to the concert film, a new live album, The Faith Tour, will be released this year, featuring 18 previously unreleased recordings of songs from Michael’s solo and Wham! catalogs.

Details on when and where George Michael: The Faith Tour will be released will be announced at a later date.

Jack White clarifies comments regarding his & Taylor Swift’s songwriting styles

March 10, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Jack White has shared a statement clarifying his comments comparing his songwriting style to Taylor Swift’s.

The “Seven Nation Army” rocker brought up the pop superstar in an interview with The Guardian about his new book, Collected Lyrics and Selected Writings Volume 1. He was asked if any of his songs are “entirely autobiographical.”

“Not too much,” White replied. “Now it’s become very popular in the Taylor Swift way of pop singers writing about all of their publicly aired break-ups, which I don’t find interesting at all. I think it’s a little bit boring for me to write about myself.”

According to Rolling Stone, White has since shared and deleted an Instagram post stating, “I didn’t say that I think Taylor Swift’s music was ‘boring’ or whatever click bait the net is trying to scrape together.”

“What I was trying to say in an interview I did about poetry and lyric writing, was that I don’t find it interesting at all for ME to write about MYSELF in my own lyric writing and poetry because I think that it could be repetitive for ME to always write about and It could be uninteresting for people who listen to my music to delve into, and that imaginary characters are more attractive to me as a writer,” White wrote.

“Because I say I have a way of doing things doesn’t mean that I think that EVERYONE should do it the same way,” White added while mentioning Swift’s “tremendous success.” “They should do what works for them, And they do, and it is obviously appealing to many people, and I’m glad to hear that.”

HUNTR/X, Shaboozey & more to perform at Oscars ceremony

March 10, 2026 by WDNY Radio

The Oscars are always gold, but this year, they’re going to be “Golden.”

“Golden,” the KPop Demon Hunters hit that’s nominated for best original song, will be performed on the telecast by the voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami.

Also performing will be Sinners star Miles Caton: He’ll sing the best original song nominee “I Lied to You,” along with one of the song’s co-writers, Raphael Saadiq. They’ll be joined by a host of other artists in what a press release describes as “an homage to the film’s singular visual style.” Those artists include Shaboozey, Alabama Shakes singer Brittany Howard, blues legends Bobby Rush and Buddy Guy and ballerina Misty Copeland.

In addition, Josh Groban, whose forthcoming album will feature him singing famous songs from movies, will perform with the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

The other best original song nominees are “Dear Me,” written by Diane Warren and performed by Kesha, from the documentary Diane Warren: Relentless; “Train Dreams,” from the movie of the same name, written and recorded by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner; and “Sweet Dreams of Joy,” from Viva Verdi!, written by Nicholas Pike and recorded by Ana Maria Martinez.

The 98th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, air Sunday, March 15 at 7 p.m. on ABC and stream on Hulu.

These are her stories: From ‘Law & Order’ to ‘Hope Valley,’ Jill Hennessy brings her life to the concert stage

March 10, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Jill Hennessy, best known for her roles in Crossing Jordan and Law & Order, is starring in Hope Valley: 1874, the new prequel to Hallmark’s When Calls the Heart. But Hennessy, who’s also a singer-songwriter, has also been flying from the show’s Canadian set to New York City to play a concert series at City Winery, with the next one scheduled for Thursday.

The concert series, called Ghosts In My Head: Stories from Edmonton to New York, sees Hennessy performing her own music, plus songs from her musical influences, such as U2, Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift. The goal, she says, is to create an autobiographical theater piece similar to Springsteen on Broadway.

“This will eventually become a one-woman show. … And right now it’s intimate, I’m talking with the audience, I’m telling them my stories,” Hennessy tells ABC Audio. “So I’m gonna look back at all this, see what was the most potent, what was the most relevant and then condense it all into one show.”

Hennessy says that even during her Law & Order years, her music was always present.

“I was bringing the guitar to set and we’d play at lunch hour,” she recalls. “We had the whole squad room filled with a lot of the crew and whatever guest actor was [on] and we’d just be singing. … And then on Crossing Jordan, I would play my songs for the hair and makeup crew to see what they thought.”

Hennessy says she’s been doing the same while filming Hope Valley, which premieres March 21.

“Sometimes I try out my material on them, too. Like, ‘I’m thinking of introducing this song with this. Do you think that’s resonant?'” she explains. “So I have to thank the whole cast and crew of Hope Valley because they have been incredibly helpful.”

Wyoming governor signs ‘fetal heartbeat’ abortion ban into law

March 10, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon signed a bill into law on Monday banning abortion in the state after a “fetal heartbeat” has been detected.

HB 126, or the Human Heartbeat Act, prohibits abortion once cardiac activity is identified, which is around six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they’re pregnant.

If cardiac activity is detected, an abortion can only be performed in the case of a medical emergency, meaning if the life of the mother is in danger or if continuing the pregnancy would cause serious or irreversible impairment of a major bodily function, according to the bill.

The bill does not include exceptions for pregnancies as a result of rape or incest.

Any person who intentionally or knowingly violates the act will be charged with a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, according to the bill.

“Today I signed the Human Heartbeat Act into law, reaffirming my view that life is sacred. I resoundingly share the determination to defend the lives of unborn children and support the intentions behind the Human Heartbeat Act,” Gordon wrote in a post on X on Monday.

Previously, abortion was allowed in Wyoming until fetal viability, which occurs between 24 and 26 weeks of gestation.

Wyoming is now the fifth state at least to have a “heartbeat ban” following bans enacted in Florida, Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina.

“This ban is an attack on Wyomingites’ constitutional freedom to make their own health care decisions, and it puts the health and well-being of our communities at risk,” Julie Burkhart, president of Wellspring Health Access, Wyoming’s only abortion clinic, said in a statement.

“Every day that this law is in effect means people in our state will face even greater barriers to abortion care — and some may be denied this care altogether,” the statement continued. “With so many across Wyoming already struggling to access reproductive health care, restrictive policies like these take us further in the wrong direction.”

Burkhart said Wellspring Health Access is prepared to challenge the ban in court and will continue to work with regional and national partners to help patients access the care they need.

Gordon wrote in the post on X that he was concerned the bill was “well-intentioned” but would lead to a “fragile legal effort with significant risk of ending in the courts rather than in lasting, durable policy.”

Gordon suggested that voters should decide on the issue and that a question be placed on a ballot asking if an abortion ban should be cemented in the state constitution.

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