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Average tax refund is $3,400, an 11% increase from last year: Treasury Dept

April 15, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Average tax refund is ,400, an 11% increase from last year: Treasury Dept

Average tax refund is $3,400, an 11% increase from last year: Treasury Dept — The US Treasury building in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

(WASHINGTON) — Wednesday is Tax Day, the last day of this year’s tax season, and the average refund for filers is up 11% compared to last year’s filing season, according to new Treasury Department data.

The average refund this filing season is “over $3,400,” the Treasury Department data said.

The data, which is as of Tuesday, also showed that “over 53 million filers claimed at least one of President Trump’s signature new tax cuts,” which includes provisions from Trump’s sweeping legislation that was passed last year.

Treasury has also announced that more than 5 million filers have opened so-called Trump Accounts for children who were eligible under the law.

“Treasury and the IRS have worked tirelessly to ensure our tax system works for the people it is meant to serve,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a press release on Wednesday. “From the shop floor to the kitchen table, taxpayers are feeling the difference of the largest tax cuts in our nation’s history, and millions of Americans are keeping more of what they earn and seeing their paychecks go further than ever before.”

Over 25 million filers have claimed No Tax on Overtime, with an average deduction of over $3,100, the department’s data noted, while more than 30 million seniors have claimed the Enhanced Deduction for Seniors, with an average deduction of over $7,500.

The data also showed that more than 105 million filers have claimed the permanently doubled standard deduction — the specific dollar amount that reduces the amount of income on which people are taxed.

On July 3, Madonna will let us hear her ‘Confessions II’

April 15, 2026 by WDNY Radio

After wiping her Instagram and teasing her new album, Madonna has now released details of Confessions II, the long-awaited sequel to her 2005 album, Confessions on a Dance Floor, or, as a press release puts it, a “continuation.”

The album, due July 3, is available for preorder on multiple formats, including CD, vinyl and cassette. She’s shared a snippet of a trancy song in which she whispers, “Thanks for coming. Sometimes I like to just hide in the shadows. Create a new persona. A different identity. I can be whoever I want to be. Honestly, I wish I could be like other people and just not care. But out here, on the dance floor, I feel so free.”

We then hear a male voice say, “Oh, by the way, it all started like this.”

In a statement, Madonna recites lines that are said to be the lyrics of one of her new songs, “One Step Away”: “People think that dance music is superficial, but they’ve got it all wrong. The dance floor is not just a place, it’s a threshold: A ritualistic space where movement replaces language.”

She continues, “When [producer] Stuart Price and I first started working on this record, this was our manifesto: We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies. These are things that we’ve been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices.”

“After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space,” she continues. “It’s a place where you connect —with your wounds, with your fragility. To rave is an art. It’s about pushing your limits and connecting to a community of like-minded people.”

Confessions II is Madonna’s first album of new material since 2019’s Madame X.

Phil Collins’ children, including Lily Collins, congratulate him on Rock Hall induction

April 15, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Some of Phil Collins’ children, including two who are acclaimed actresses, have taken to Instagram to congratulate him on his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction.

Lily Collins, star of Emily in Paris, wrote on her Instagram Story, “You did it! Couldn’t be more proud of you, Dad. What an incredible achievement and SO insanely deserved. Love you to the moon and back.” Lily is Phil’s daughter with his second wife, Jill Tavelman.

Meanwhile, Phil’s other daughter, Canadian actress Joely Collins, wrote on Instagram, “So incredibly proud of you Dad for being inducted into the @rockhall. WAY TO GO!!!!! (Finally!).” Joely, who Phil legally adopted, is the daughter of his first wife, Andrea Bertorelli.

Phil’s son Nic Collins, who took over drums for his father on the final Genesis tour, wrote on Instagram, “So proud of you dad. Incredibly deserved and long overdue. You’re my hero!” Nic is Phil’s son with his third wife, Orianne Cevey.

In the comments of Nic’s post, Jason Bonham, son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, wrote, “Next to my Dad Phil is my Drum Hero . I’m so glad that he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.” Lily added, “BEYOND.”

On his Instagram Story, Nic’s brother, Matthew Collins, posted a picture of Phil and wrote, “So proud of you.”

In all, Phil has five children: Lily, Joely, Nic, Matthew and Simon Collins. Simon is the son of Phil and Andrea.

The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Nov. 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, and will be recorded for broadcast in December on ABC and Disney+.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Cadaver dogs helping with search for American woman missing in Bahamas, police say

April 15, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Cadaver dogs are heading to help with the search for Lynette Hooker, an American woman who’s missing in the Bahamas, according to police.

The K-9 team from the U.S. Coast Guard will be on the ground in Hope Town on Wednesday morning, Advardo Dames, assistant commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police, told ABC News.

Lynette Hooker has been missing since she went overboard on a dinghy on the evening of April 4.

When the 55-year-old Michigan woman and her husband, Brian Hooker, departed Hope Town on the Abaco Islands for their yacht, Soulmate, in Elbow Cay, bad weather caused her to fall off the dinghy, her husband told authorities.

Brian Hooker, 58, was arrested on April 8 and questioned by police. He was released on Monday without charges.

Brian Hooker told ABC News on Tuesday that he’s staying in the Bahamas with a “sole focus” of finding his wife, “no matter how likely or unlikely that is.”

He said he was planning “to go back to the boat, and then hire or beg people to help me go find some areas to search.”

Brian Hooker’s attorney did not allow him to answer questions about what happened the night his wife went overboard due to the pending investigation.

When asked if there was anything he wishes he’d done differently, Brian Hooker was emotional, saying, “I will always think there was something I could have done differently. My one job, my one job was to look out for her, and that has not happened. And I’m gonna keep looking out for her now, the best I can.”

ABC News’ Brian Andrews contributed to this report.

In brief: ‘The Madison’ renewed for season 3 and more

April 15, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Dan Stevens has joined the cast of Dexter: Resurrection season 2. The actor will take on a series regular role in the second season as he plays The Five Borough Killer, a serial killer who taunts police officers with phone calls threatening the murder of innocent people and eventually follows through on the awful deeds …

Young Sherlock has been renewed for season 2 at Prime Video. The streaming service has ordered a second season of the show that stars Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Sherlock Holmes. Guy Ritchie directed season 1 of the show, which consisted of eight episodes that tell the origin story of the legendary detective …

The Madison has been renewed for season 3 on Paramount+. The show’s first season premiered on March 14 and earned 8 million global views in its first 10 days on the streaming platform. Production on season 2 of the show has ended, and its premiere date will be announced at a later time. Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell star in the series from Taylor Sheridan …

Scoreboard roundup — 4/14/26

April 15, 2026 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Tuesday’s sports events:

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Heat 126, Hornets 127
Trail Blazers 114, Suns 110

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Ducks 2, Wild 3
Jets 3, Mammoth 5
Avalanche 3, Flames 1
Penguins 5, Blues 7
Kings 3, Canucks 4
Devils 0, Bruins 4
Hurricanes 2, Islanders 1
Canadiens 2, Flyers 4
Capitals 2, Blue Jackets 1

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Angels 7, Yankees 1
Marlins 5, Braves 6
Red Sox 0, Twins 6
Rays 8, White Sox 5
Blue Jays 9, Brewers 7
Guardians 5, Cardinals 6
Rockies 6, Astros 7
Mariners 1, Padres 4
Rangers 1, Athletics 2
Mets 1, Dodgers 2
Diamondbacks 4, Orioles 3
Cubs 10, Phillies 4
Royals 1, Tigers 2
Giants 1, Reds 2
Nationals 5, Pirates 4

Zach Top’s rarely ‘South of Sanity’ thanks to his tribe

April 15, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Reigning ACM new artist of the year Zach Top grabbed five nominations for the upcoming 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, second only to Chris Stapleton as the male artist with the most chances to win.

In February, the “South of Sanity” hitmaker won his first Grammy for best traditional country album for Ain’t in It for My Health.

So how does he stay grounded amid all the acclaim?

“There’s a bunch of people that kind of bought into my little dream before it was working,” he explains, “and they believed in me and saw me before I was anything. So they do a good job of being encouraging and supportive. And then also if it’s like, ‘Hey, you’re acting like a dummy,’ then, you know, they’ll tell me that, too.”

“You know, between family and my management and so many of the people that I work with [who] were in on it so early, it feels nice that we’ve all got to see it build the whole time,” he continues. “It’s a good reminder to, like, be thankful for every little thing, don’t get too caught up in all of it.”

“It’s like, ‘Remember when we were just hoping we could do anything like this?’ And now we get to be playing on a stadium stage.”

And play stadiums he does. Zach’s set to play Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock with George Strait April 24, before he steps onstage at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, with Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean April 25.

He’s up for male artist, album for Ain’t in It for My Health, plus song and single of the year for “I Never Lie” at the ACMs May 17 in Las Vegas. If he wins, he’ll pick up two trophies for song of the year, as both artist and one of the writers.

Tone Stith says seeing ‘Fly’ chart and resonate with fans ‘has been the payoff’ in new chapter of his journey

April 15, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Tone Stith is flying up the radio charts with his latest single, “Fly,” just as he’s doing in his personal life. He tells ABC Audio the record is deeply tied to his personal journey.

“‘Fly’ was definitely written based off of my experience in my life just in the music industry, and my journey and really just feeling like a caged bird in a lot of it … feeling like people just always kept me in a box … and I wasn’t able to explore what … and who it was that I wanted it to be,” Tone said. “‘Fly’ really came from a place of being like, ‘Yo, this is a new chapter for me and a reset.'”

That intention carried into the visuals. “It was supposed to be in the desert. It was supposed to be some other aspects to it,” Tone explained. “But then … I was like it should just be even more focused on me.”

Though deeply personal, the message of “Fly” is universal, which Tone believes is driving the song’s success.

“For me, it was the music industry and my career,” he said, “but then there’s like so many aspects, so many walks of life where people are like, ‘Yo, I’m feeling the same way. I just want to spread my wings.'”

Tone said seeing that connection has been the biggest reward thus far. “Usually I make a lot of love songs, so having songs [where] I’m just kind of being real transparent … and just seeing it resonate with people [has] been the payoff for me,” he said. “I’m happy about that.”

“Fly” is a preview of Tone’s upcoming album, The Edge, which is set to release on May 15.

The song is on DSPs; the music video is available to watch on YouTube.

Sex Pistols announce new signature amp with Marshall

April 15, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Never mind the bollocks, here’s a way to sound like the Sex Pistols.

The company Marshall has announced a new limited-edition JCM800 Half Stack amp inspired by the “Anarchy in the U.K.” outfit, described as a “bold tribute to the sound, attitude and cultural impact of one of music’s most disruptive bands.”

“The JCM800 became a defining voice of British punk,” says Marshall culture marketing director Steph Carter in a statement. “Working with [Pistols guitarist] Steve [Jones] to reimagine this amp for the band’s 50th anniversary has been a powerful tribute to the sound that changed everything.”

“I’ve been using Marshall for a long time now and the 800 series for me are my workhorse — always reliable, always consistent,” adds Jones. “I like to keep things simple, as the sayin’ goes. It’s only rock ‘n’ roll.”

The amp will go on sale Friday. Visit Marshall.com for more info.

The Sex Pistols reformed in 2024 with original members Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock alongside vocalist Frank Carter in place of frontman John “Johnny Rotten” Lydon. They’ll launch a U.S. tour in 2026, which was rescheduled from 2025 after Jones broke his wrist.

Here’s why Olivia Dean didn’t want to release ‘Man I Need’ as a single

April 15, 2026 by WDNY Radio

Olivia Dean’s breakthrough hit in the U.S., “Man I Need,” is currently #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has topped the publication’s Pop and Adult Pop Airplay tallies. It’s hard to believe that at first, Olivia didn’t even want to release the catchy, upbeat tune as a single.

“I wasn’t sure about it,” she tells the U.K.’s Hits Radio. “I thought it was a little bit different.” She explains, “I knew I really liked it, but I didn’t know if it was representative of the whole album and the story.”

She says she eventually changed her mind during rehearsals, when her band told her, “This one’s good, y’know.”

“I’m glad I followed through with that one. There was definitely loads of songs that didn’t make the album,” she adds. “I might still do something with them, I don’t know.”

Olivia will, of course, be singing “Man I Need” when her tour starts April 22; it comes to the U.S. in July. She tells Hits Radio, “I think we’re gonna go on a bit of an emotional journey.”

“But I think the feeling that I want you to feel is just warmth and togetherness,” she adds. “I want people to feel like they can come and sing along … [a]nd dance, but maybe also cry. Just get it all out!”

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