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UK police assess new claims about former Prince Andrew, as Prince William, Kate speak out about Epstein files

February 9, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(THAMES VALLEY, England) — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, is facing new scrutiny over his communications with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The police department in Thames Valley, England, confirmed Monday it is assessing new allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor, a brother of Britain’s King Charles III, shared with Epstein confidential reports from a 2010 tour of Southeast Asia he took as Britain’s then-envoy for international trade.

“We can confirm receipt of this report and are assessing the information in line with our established procedures,” a Thames Valley Police spokesperson told ABC News Monday.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said Monday the palace will support authorities as needed.

“The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct,” the spokesperson said in a statement to ABC News. “While the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect.”

The spokesperson continued, “As was previously stated, Their Majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse.”

The new allegations against Andrew come shortly after the U.S. Department of Justice public released 3 million pages of documents related to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking minor girls.

Mountbatten-Windsor’s name shows up in the documents in his communications with Epstein, including correspondence in 2010 after Epstein concluded a 13-month jail sentence and work release — the result of a 2008 plea bargain with federal prosecutors in Florida.

The documents also show the two men communicated beyond the time that Mountbatten-Windsor said publicly that he had cut ties with Epstein.

ABC News has reached out to a representative for Mountbatten-Windsor for comment about the documents.

The former prince has repeatedly denied wrongdoing with respect to Epstein.

Last year, Charles ordered that Mountbatten-Windsor, a son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, have his “style, titles and honours,” including his “prince” title, removed amid continued fallout from his relationship with Epstein.

ABC News confirmed that Mountbatten-Windsor has also moved out of his longtime royal residence, Royal Lodge, a 30-room mansion on the grounds of Windsor Estate, and will now live permanently on the king’s privately owned Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, over 100 miles away from his previous home.

As the fallout for Mountbatten-Windsor continues, his nephew and heir to the throne, Prince William, and William’s wife Kate, the Princess of Wales, spoke out publicly for the first time Monday about the latest release of Epstein-related documents.

Ahead of William’s arrival in Saudi Arabia for an official visit, a Kensington Palace spokesperson released a statement, saying, “I can confirm The Prince and Princess have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations. Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”

Buckingham Palace has so far not commented publicly on the latest Epstein documents.

Charles, as well as his wife Queen Camilla and younger brother Prince Edward, have each faced questions about the Epstein documents from onlookers at public engagements over the past week.

Noel Gallagher reacts to being named BRIT songwriter of the year: ‘I haven’t written a song for two years’

February 9, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Noel Gallagher will be honored with the songwriter of the year prize at the 2026 BRIT Awards, the British equivalent of the Grammys. Since Gallagher has not released a new song in the last year, the choice was confusing to some, including the Oasis guitarist himself.

“I haven’t written a song for two years,” Gallagher laughs while speaking with the U.K.’s talkSPORT. “I’m not sure how I’ve got away with that one, but I’ll take it.”

In response to the news of Gallagher’s win, a petition was launched calling for “clear eligibility criteria” for the songwriter of the year award.

When asked about the controversy, Gallagher tells talkSPORT, “I think the BRITs is all based on record sales.”

“I mean, we sold a million records last year,” Gallagher says. “We didn’t even get off the couch. And I’m not sure there’s a songwriter that can match that.”

“But if anybody’s got a problem with it, meet me there, we’ll have it out on the red carpet,” he continues. “If any of those wet wipe songwriting teams, all 11 of them, want to write a song between the lot of them, want to have it out on the red carpet, I’m there.”

While he may not have written a song in the past year, Gallagher certainly made headlines in 2025 thanks to the Oasis reunion tour, which marked his first live shows with his formerly estranged brother Liam Gallagher in 16 years. Not only that, but the 2026 BRITs are being held in Oasis’ hometown of Manchester, England.

“If I’m being honest, right, I just think they were desperate to get somebody from Oasis up there ’cause it’s from Manchester,” Gallagher says.

The 2026 BRITs take place Feb. 28.

Nashville notes: Craig Morgan returns to Ryman + Cross Canadian Ragweed books Red Rocks

February 9, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Craig Morgan returns to headline Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Nov. 7, after first playing the historic venue in 2022 with special appearances by Jelly Roll and Trace Adkins. Tickets go on sale Friday.

Ian Munsick is adding 10 new dates to his Eagle Flies Free Tour, on the heels of releasing his new video for “Geronimo.” Presales start Wednesday, before tickets become available to the public on Friday.

Cross Canadian Ragweed will headline Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre for the first time on July 24. Presales start Thursday, before tickets open to the public Friday.

‘Practical Magic’ stage musical in development with Norah Jones, Gregg Wattenberg score

February 9, 2026 by WDNY Radio

A musical based on the beloved film Practical Magic is on the way.

This new production will be produced by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theater Ventures. It will be based on the 1998 film directed by Griffin Dunne and starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, as well as the bestselling novel by Alice Hoffman.

Grammy winner Norah Jones and Gregg Wattenberg are set to create the new musical’s original score. Hoffman will write the musical’s book with playwright Peter Duchan. The recent revival of Merrily We Roll Along‘s director Maria Friedman will also direct this show, while Warner Bros. Theater Ventures’ Mark Kaufman will serve as a creative consultant.

“I’m so excited to be working with my amazing collaborators on bringing Practical Magic to the stage,” Hoffman said in a statement. “This story of love and sisterhood is meant for the theater. Music is the heart and soul of Practical Magic, you can hear it as you read the book, even though it isn’t there. Now you will finally hear the story as I always imagined it. You will hear magic.”

The story of Practical Magic follows sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, who were orphaned as children and raised by their aunts. They grow up determined to escape an ancestral curse they inherited and end up choosing opposite paths in life. When long-buried secrets bring them back together, the sisters have to decide how much they are willing to risk for love.

A sequel to the original 1998 film, which will once again star Bullock and Kidman, is set to arrive in theaters on Sept. 11.

‘Billboard’ Hot 100 chooses Ella Langley, sends her to record-setting #1 spot

February 9, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Ella Langley’s best known as a country artist, but the overall popularity of the Alabama singer’s current hit, “Choosin’ Texas,” has led her to an historic chart feat.

This song has risen to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, while simultaneously topping the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. It’s the first song by a woman ever to do so, and one of only four overall to pull it off, following Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Post Malone and Morgan Wallen’s “I Had Some Help” and Morgan’s “Last Night.”

“Choosin’ Texas” also managed to knock Harry Styles “Aperture” out of the top spot on the Hot 100 after it debuted there last week.

Country star-turned-pop star Taylor Swift never managed to top all three of those charts simultaneously. She scored two out of three several times, including with “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “You Belong With Me.”

Elsewhere in the top 10, Olivia Dean stays at #2 with “Man I Need,” but enjoys a 30% boost in streams thanks to her Grammy win for best new artist. Alex Warren’s “Ordinary,” meanwhile, jumps from #7 to #3 after his performance on the Grammys. His streams increased 23%. Another song that was performed at the Grammys — Bruno Mars’ “I Just Might” — jumps from #6 to #4.

Catherine O’Hara cause of death revealed

February 9, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Catherine O’Hara’s cause of death has been revealed.

The actress died of a pulmonary embolism, according to her death certificate, released Monday by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Rectal cancer is listed on the certificate as the underlying cause of death.

A pulmonary embolism is a sudden blockage in a lung artery that occurs as a result of a blood clot traveling to the lungs, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

The 71-year-old actress had not publicly revealed any health struggles.

O’Hara’s manager first confirmed news of her death on Friday, Jan. 30.

The Los Angeles Fire Department told ABC News it received a call for medical aid earlier that day at 4:48 a.m. at an address connected to O’Hara. She was transported to a hospital in serious condition at that time, according to the LAFD.

O’Hara’s vast and prolific acting career included more than 100 roles across TV and film. She recently scored accolades for her role in the comedy series Schitt’s Creek as Moira Rose, a grandiose actress who is blissfully detached from reality. At the time of her death, she was starring in the award-winning Apple series The Studio.

Her portrayal of Moira in Schitt’s Creek — which also starred Eugene Levy, Dan Levy and Annie Murphy — earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 2020, as well as a Golden Globe in 2021.

As news of O’Hara’s death spread, tributes for the late actress poured in from across the world of entertainment.

Dan Levy paid tribute to O’Hara in an Instagram post, writing, “What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine O’Hara’s brilliance for all those years.”

“Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my Dad, Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family,” he continued. “It’s hard to imagine a world without her in it. I will cherish every funny memory I was fortunate enough to make with her.”

The cast and crew of The Studio, the Apple TV series on which O’Hara starred opposite Seth Rogen, Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders, Kathryn Hahn and more, also paid tribute to the acclaimed actress in the wake of her death. A rep for Rogen shared a statement on the show’s behalf, which read, “We are at a loss for words at the passing of our friend Catherine O’Hara.”

“She was a hero to all of us, and we pinched ourselves every day that we got to work with her on The Studio,” the statement continued. “She was somehow classy, warm, and hilarious all at the same time. We’re unbelievably saddened she is gone and send our deepest sympathy to [her husband] Bo and all her family.”

O’Hara is survived by her husband, Bo Welch, and sons, Matthew Welch and Luke Welch.

Don Toliver’s Octane debuts at #1 on ‘Billboard’ 200

February 9, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Don Toliver might have created his own universe for Octane, but in the U.S., the album has officially landed at #1 on the Billboard 200.

For the chart dated Feb. 14, Octane earned 162,000 equivalent album units in the week ending Feb. 5, including 131,000 streams, 31,000 album sales and a negligible sum of TEA units, according to Luminate.

This marks Don’s first #1 as a solo artist, though he’s come close before. He previously peaked at #2 with 2021’s Life of a DON and reached #3 with Hardstone Psycho in 2024. 2020’s Heaven or Hell reached #7, and 2023’s Love Sick hit #8.

As a member of the hip-hop collective JACKBOYS, led by Travis Scott, Don has earned two #1 hits with the group’s self-titled album and its sequel.

Octane also topped the Top Streaming Albums chart, marking his best streaming week to date, as well as the Top Album Sales chart, his biggest sales week ever.

Elsewhere on the Billboard 200’s top 10, SZA’s SOS lands at #9 and A$AP Rocky’s Don’t Be Dumb hits #10.

Michael McDonald, George Thorogood among the 2026 Musician Hall of Fame inductees

February 9, 2026 by WDNY Radio

The Doobie Brothers’ Michael McDonald and George Thorogood & The Destroyers are among the artists set to be inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville this year.

The 2026 class also includes Dolly Parton, the late session keyboardist Nicky Hopkins, country star Keith Urban, producer-musicians Dan Huff and John Boylan, and session bassist Leland Sklar.

“The Musicians Hall of Fame has inducted over 170 musicians, producers, engineers and industry icons. Each new class of inductees reminds us why we do what we do – preserving and celebrating the legacy of the musicians who bring songs to life,” says Linda Chambers, co-founder and CEO of the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome these legendary artists into the Musicians Hall of Fame.”

This year’s class will be celebrated at a concert and induction ceremony April 28 at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville. Performers and presenters will be announced at a later date.

Tickets for the ceremony go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m. CT.

‘This One’s for the Girls’: Ella Langley makes ‘Billboard’ history with ‘Choosin’ Texas’

February 9, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Lots of folks seem to be “Choosin’ Texas” these days, and it’s helped Ella Langley set a record.

The Alabama native’s just become the first woman ever to top the all-genre Billboard 100, Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts at the same time.

It’s only happened three times before with male artists: Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help” featuring Morgan Wallen, and Morgan’s “Last Night.”

Co-written with Miranda Lambert, “Choosin’ Texas” is the lead single from Ella’s sophomore album, Dandelion, which comes out April 10.

I’ll Be Superman: Five For Fighting & Edwin McCain teaming for summer tour

February 9, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Fans could not ask for more than a summer tour featuring Edwin McCain and Five for Fighting.

The two acts will co-headline the tour, which starts June 4 in Paducah, Kentucky, and is scheduled to wrap up July 1 in Layton, Utah. Each date will feature Edwin and Five For Fighting — the professional name of singer/songwriter John Ondrasik — alternating closing sets.

“I’ve always loved Five for Fighting and I’m excited to share the stage on this tour!” says Edwin in a statement.

“So looking forward to sharing the stage with Ed and his fantastic band while bringing fans back to the future!” adds John. Tickets are currently on sale on both artists’ websites.

During the tour, fans will hear each artist’s biggest hits, including “I Could Not Ask for More” and “I’ll Be” from Edwin, and “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” “100 Years,” “The Riddle,” “Chances” and “World” from John.

Edwin’s most recent album is 2025’s Lucky; last year he also appeared on The Masked Singer. In recent years, John’s used his music to reflect world events, such as the war in Ukraine and the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

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