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Trump says USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier headed to Middle East to pressure Iran

February 13, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — President Donald Trump on Friday said that a second American aircraft carrier will be “leaving very soon” to the Middle East to put pressure on Iran.

As he departed the White House for a trip to North Carolina, Trump told reporters that he’s ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford to the Middle East in case “we don’t make a deal” as negotiations between the U.S. and Iran continue over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Those talks are taking place amid Trump’s threats to take military action against Iran isn’t willing to make a deal.

“Well, in case we don’t make a deal, we’ll need it, and if we don’t have a deal, we’ll need it. If we have a deal, we could cut it short. It’ll be leaving — it’ll be leaving very soon. We have one out there that just arrived. If we need it, we will — we have it ready. A very big force,” Trump said.

When asked how confident he is that negotiations will go well, Trump showed confidence, but said that if they don’t go well, Iran would face consequences.

“I think they’ll be successful and if they’re not, it’s going to be a bad day for Iran. Very bad,” he said.

Later, when asked whether he has a deadline for Iran, Trump remained coy, saying: “In my mind I do, yeah.”

The Ford carrier strike group is expected to leave the Caribbean and head toward the Middle East in the coming days, according to three U.S. officials.

The deployment of the Ford and the three destroyers accompanying it will mean that there will be two aircraft carriers in the Middle East as it joins the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group.

The deployment comes after Trump said earlier this week in an interview with Axios that he was considering sending a second carrier to the Middle East if talks with Iran about its nuclear program did not succeed.

The crew of the carrier and the supporting ships were told on Thursday about the new deployment to the Middle East, according to the officials.

The New York Times first reported the Ford’s new deployment to the Middle East.

The Ford is now expected to return to its home port in Norfolk around late April or early May, according to one U.S. official. The carrier had left Norfolk in late June for what was to be a seven-month deployment to Europe, but in late October it was redirected towards the Caribbean as part of the Trump administration’s large buildup of military forces to counter South American drug cartels.

A U.S. Southern Command spokesperson has issued provided a statement to ABC News saying that “While force posture evolves, our operational capability does not.” It adds that “SOUTHCOM forces remain fully ready to project power, defend themselves, and protect U.S. interests in the region.”

The carrier strike group will once again cross the Atlantic and the Mediterranean for a deployment that could now last as long as 10 months.

The Ford is the world’s largest carrier and its presence in the Caribbean was seen as putting pressure on then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his government.

Some of the aircraft aboard the carrier participated in the Jan. 3 raid in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas that led to Maduro’s capture.

Iyanla Vanzant gets two new specials on OWN

February 13, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Iyanla Vanzant’s TV empire is expanding.

The Oprah Winfrey Network announced Friday that it greenlit two new specials featuring the beloved speaker and life coach.

News of the specials arrives on the heels of the positive audience response of Iyanla: The Inside Fix, an in-depth reimagining of Vanzant’s original 2012 series, Fix My Life.

“The response to The Inside Fix has been nothing short of a blessing,” Vanzant said in a statement. “The series is a ministry of healing. Each story, each tear, each moment of truth is a sacred encounter with the human soul. When one soul speaks its truth, the frequency of truth expands through the collective.”

Though OWN hasn’t yet revealed a name for the specials, it did confirm Vanzant will sit down “with people who are in crisis in front of a live studio audience.”

“Each special will dive deep into the heart of community and family dynamics, continuing Vanzant’s mission to help people ‘fix’ their lives from the inside out.”

Iyanla: The Inside Fix airs Saturdays at 8 p.m. ET on OWN.

Melissa Etheridge releases new song, ‘Bein’ Alive,’ from upcoming album

February 13, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Melissa Etheridge has dropped a new single from her upcoming album, RISE.

The singer has released the album’s opening track, “Bein’ Alive.” According to the press release, the song “uplifts with themes of love and hope, offering an exuberant reflection on the ups and downs of life while celebrating resilience and survival.”

Etheridge notes that with the song, she “wanted people to feel what rock and roll feels like,” adding, “It’s the song that I dream of opening the show with.”

The video for the track was shot at Norman’s Rare Guitars in Los Angeles. It was directed by Etheridge’s wife, Linda Wallem, and edited by the singer. It features home movies, personal photos and footage of Etheridge’s career through the years, as well as appearances by the song’s co-producer, Shooter Jennings, his wife and their dog.

RISE, Etheridge’s first studio release in five years, will be released March 27. She will launch THE RISE TOUR on March 26 in Detroit. A complete list of dates can be found at MelissaEtheridge.com.

New Music Friday: Meghan Trainor, Bebe Rexha and more

February 13, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Meghan Trainor has been in a bubble lately enjoying her new daughter, Mikey Moon Sabara. But she continues to share music from her upcoming album, Toy With Me. After many teases, she’s released “Get In Girl,” the song that gives her upcoming tour its name. Meghan says of the empowerment anthem, “This song is for everyone who finally realized they deserve more. Sometimes you just need a song that reminds you that love shouldn’t feel exhausting, and that leaving is okay and might be the most powerful thing you can do.” Toy With Me is out April 24.

After announcing her new album, Dirty Blonde, Bebe Rexha has released the first single, “I Like You Better Than Me.” She says, “I wrote this song because I know what it’s like to feel trapped by comparison and impossible expectations. This album is about transparency, being real and raw — that’s why I felt it was important to drop this one first.” You can see a snippet of the video in the “supercut” of the album she released on Thursday. The full video arrives Feb. 17; the album is due in June.

Taylor Swift is offering fans a selection of CD singles featuring different mixes of “Opalite” and different artwork. They will be available until Sunday at 10:59 a.m. ET, or while supplies last.

His mom was a member of the Spice Girls, but Cruz Beckham’s new song, “For Your Love,” sounds closer to Oasis than “Wannabe.” The song comes with a video in which a pushy music industry type tries to explain why Cruz needs a sponsor for his video and calls him “Romeo,” which is his brother’s name.

Other artists with new music out Friday include Jelly Roll, Ella Langley, Lauren Spencer Smith and Willa Ford.

Ex-I Prevail singer Brian Burkheiser debuts new song ‘Phases’ with Scatterbrain project

February 13, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Former I Prevail singer Brian Burkheiser has released a new song called “Phases,” marking his first original single with his Scatterbrain project.

Burkheiser had originally planned to drop “Phases” in 2025, but said the release was being blocked due to an “unresolved dispute” with his former band. In an update posted earlier in February, Burkheiser said that dispute was now “behind me” and was free to put out the song.

“Phases” is accompanied by a video that recaps Burkheiser’s journey from an introverted kid to forming I Prevail and his eventual departure from the group in onscreen text.

“12 years ago I started a band,” the text begins. “It became a huge success. But success comes with a price.”

Burkheiser also seems to suggest that his parting with I Prevail was less than amicable as the text reads, “Decisions were made behind my back. I was shut out and pushed away.”

You can watch the “Phases” video on YouTube.

I Prevail announced in May 2025 that Burkheiser was no longer in the band, and that co-vocalist Eric Vanlerberghe would take on the role as full-time frontman. They released their first album without Burkheiser, Violent Nature, in September 2025.

How HARDY helped Ella Langley ‘Be Her’

February 13, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Ella Langley’s new Dandelion cut, “Be Her,” is out now, along with its music video, which Ella helped direct.

“She don’t need validation or much of anything,” Ella sings on the track, co-written with HARDY.

“I knew ‘Be Her’ was a hit the second we started writing it,” HARDY says. “It’s one of those songs that basically wrote itself. We were done in 30 minutes. Those are always the best ones.”

“It’s so fun to watch Ella and the rocket ship that she’s on, and I’m just happy to be a part of it,” he adds.

The rocket ride continues, as all 16 dates on The Dandelion Tour have sold out ahead of its May kickoff, just as “Choosin’ Texas” tops both the Billboard Hot 100 and Country Airplay charts.

“Be Her” is the third track released from Ella’s second album so far, following the title song and her current hit. Dandelion arrives in full April 10.

Montell Jordan opens up about being cancer free

February 13, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Montell Jordan is living as a cancer-free man.

The “This is How We Do it” singer opened up to People magazine about his cancer journey, confirming that for the second time he is no longer battling the disease.

He spoke to People about both diagnoses, revealing he had Stage 1 prostate cancer in early 2024, for which he underwent a successful prostatectomy. Nearly a year later, an “aggressive” Stage 2 prostate cancer had returned in his lymph nodes. After radiation treatments, he got the call of relief in December 2025.

“Following the roller coaster ride of becoming a two-time cancer survivor, standing in my home on Christmas Day, surrounded by my kids and my grandkids, to get the call on that morning was surreal,” he said. “It’s almost like it’s still unbelievable that we’re at this place right now, but we’re just super, super grateful.”

The 57-year-old singer said he isn’t too worried about a third diagnosis, partly because he made significant health and lifestyle changes. Jordan cut out sugar and dairy, and is exercising consistently.

On World Cancer Day, Feb. 4, Jordan took to Instagram to promote and seek help finishing Sustain, the documentary about his cancer journey.

“Most times, it doesn’t matter until it hits you close enough. I’d love to represent your ‘close enough,'” Jordan wrote in his video caption.

Cream releases ‘Stormy Monday’ video from 2005 Royal Albert Hall reunion

February 13, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Cream, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band made up of Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce, has released another performance video from their 2005 reunion concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

The latest is a performance of the T-Bone Walker track “Stormy Monday.” It follows the release of the performance video of Cream’s iconic track “White Room.”

Both songs appear on the recently reissued live album Royal Albert Hall London May 2-3-5-6, 2005, which captured the band’s four-night reunion at the venue after 37 years apart. The shows were Cream’s first concerts together since their farewell concerts at the same venue in November 1968. The band did reunite one other time, in 1993, for their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The reissue is out now on triple blue and green splatter vinyl, and double blue and orange CD.

And Cream fans will soon be able to get their hands on another live Cream album. The band is releasing a three-LP expanded edition of Cream – Wheels of Fire: Live at Fillmore Auditorium & Winterland Ballroom for Record Store Day on April 18. The release includes four tracks originally released as Wheels of Fire: Live at the Fillmore, plus eight other live performances from the March 1968 concerts.

Steven Spielberg, Kate Capshaw and more donate to James Van Der Beek’s family

February 13, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Fans and celebrities alike are supporting James Van Der Beek’s family following his death at age 48.

A GoFundMe page set up to support the late Dawson’s Creek actor’s family shows Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, donated $25,000 to the fundraiser, adding to the more than $1.8 million raised so far.

Along with Spielberg, Wicked director Jon M. Chu donated $10,000 to the fund.

GoFundMe lists a total of more than 35,000 donations tallied so far.

The fund was created by a user account titled “Friends of the Van Der Beek family” and lists Kimberly Van Der Beek, James Van Der Beek’s wife, as the beneficiary.

James Van Der Beek was best known for playing the titular character, Dawson Leery, on Dawson’s Creek, and later took on a number of roles in films, including Varsity Blues, as well as TV shows such as Mercy, One Tree Hill and Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.

James Van Der Beek died Wednesday morning following a battle with colorectal cancer.

His family shared the news on his official Instagram page. He is survived by his wife and their six children.

The GoFundMe page describes the financial strain that the family experienced throughout James an Der Beek’s illness, which he revealed to People in 2024.

“Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care,” the page says.

“Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future,” it continues. “The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds. They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time.”

Au pair in Virginia double murder sentenced to 10 years in prison

February 13, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(FAIRFAX, Va.) — Brazilian au pair Juliana Peres Magalhães, who went along with former IRS agent Brendan Banfield in a northern Virginia double murder plot, was sentenced to to 10 years in prison with two years of probation.

On Friday morning, Fairfax County Judge Penney Azcarate decided to give the 25-year-old the maximum sentence, which was up to 10 years on a manslaughter charge for which she pleaded guilty in 2024.

“Your actions were deliberate, self-serving, and demonstrated a profound disregard for human life,” Azcarate said in delivering her ruling. “So, let’s get straight: You do not deserve anything other than incarceration and a life of reflection on what you have done to the victim and this family.”

A new “20/20” episode about the case, “The Au Pair, The Affair and Murder” is scheduled to air Friday, Feb. 20, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC and streaming the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

Magalhães and Banfield were separately arrested over their roles in the Feb. 24, 2023, murders of Joseph Ryan and Banfield’s wife, Christine Banfield, which were committed inside the Banfield home.

Early in the investigation, detectives discovered evidence suggesting that Banfield and Magalhães were having an affair — and that they had plotted to kill his 37-year-old wife.

Part of that plot, according to prosecutors and Magalhães’ testimony, involved covertly creating a profile for, and thus masquerading as, Christine on a social media site for sexual fetishes.

Ryan, 39, took the bait in what prosecutors called the “catfishing” scheme. Ryan communicated back and forth with the profile account that was allegedly posing as Christine, as they together crafted a rape fantasy scenario using a knife, chains and rope.

“I have caused pain that cannot be measured. I pray for forgiveness from the Benson family, and from the Joseph Ryan family,” Magalhães said during Friday’s sentencing hearing.

“There is nothing I could possibly do to make it up to you, for your loss. There are so many regrets, this is my biggest. It’s a tragedy I have been carrying with me, and I know I can never take back the devastation of what I have done,” she added.

Saying she lost herself in the relationship with Banfield, she has changed in jail over the past three years.

At the time, Magalhães and Banfield told police they came home to find Ryan — a stranger to them — stabbing Christine Banfield to death. Banfield and Magalhães each fired a shot, killing Ryan, they said both in their 911 call and to responding officers at the scene.

In October 2023, Magalhães was charged with the second-degree murder of Ryan, as she had admitted to firing the second, fatal shot.

One year later, Magalhães took a plea deal with prosecutors, turning on Banfield in exchange for a lesser charge of manslaughter. Prosecutors also promised to recommend to the judge upon sentencing that Magalhães only get time served.

With that agreement, Magalhães sat for nearly four hours of interviews with prosecutors, largely confirming the theory detectives had developed about their scheme.

Magalhães also took the stand in the trial against Banfield in January, as he maintained his innocence. During his three-week-long trial, Banfield even took the stand, testifying in his own defense.

After two days — nearly nine hours total — of deliberations in the trial, the jury reached a verdict on Feb. 2. The jury found Banfield guilty on all four counts, which included two counts of aggravated murder, one count of child endangerment, and possession of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Family and friends of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan filled the courtroom Friday morning for Magalhães’ sentencing.

Joining remotely online from Florida, Ryan’s mother, Deirdre Fisher, delivered her victim impact statement. She said her son was born two days before Christmas, making it a special holiday for them. Since Ryan’s murder, she has not been able to take down her Christmas tree, which sits behind the urn holding her son’s ashes.

“I say good morning to him each day when I turn on the tree’s lights, and I tell him I love him each night when I turn off the lights,” Fisher told the court.

Fisher said she has missed so many milestones now, including the chance to be a grandmother. There have been many times, Fisher said, when she’s reached for the phone to call her son, only to remember that he can’t and won’t answer.

Ryan’s aunt, Sangeeta Ryan, delivered her impact statement from the courtroom, pausing periodically between sobs.

“He was fun-loving and loved from the beginning. He was inquisitive, curious, smart, charming, and so dang talkative,” she said.

Ryan’s aunt described her nephew’s love for animals and the environment, noting that he often rescued and adopted dogs.

Sangeeta Ryan, added that he also was a dedicated member of their family, especially in taking care of his grandmother, who, she said, sold her home in wake of Ryan’s murder to “dodge memories, grief, and reporters.”

Acknowledging that Magalhães did eventually come forward with the truth, Sangeeta Ryan said that this still was not an act of heroism on Magalhães’ part.

“This could have been a very different ending where Juliana saved two lives,” she said could have been the case if Magalhães had not gone along with Banfield’s plot.

As Magalhães was charged only in Ryan’s murder, Judge Azcarate ruled that prosecutors could not include victim impact statements that Christine Banfield’s family members had prepared.

The death penalty was abolished in Virginia in 2021, meaning that, following his conviction, Banfield is facing life in prison without parole.

His sentencing hearing is set for May 8.

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