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SpaceX live updates: FAA investigating explosion of Starship rocket

April 20, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(BOCA CHICA, Texas) — SpaceX will attempt a second launch of its Starship rocket after the first launch attempt was scrubbed due to a frozen valve in the pressurization system.

The launch will take place at the company’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas — about 20 miles east of Brownsville — with a 62-minute window opening at 9:28 a.m. ET. A live webcast will begin 45 minutes before liftoff.

Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:

Apr 20, 11:40 AM EDT
FAA investigating Starship explosion

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the explosion of SpaceX’s Starship that occurred a few minutes after liftoff.

The agency is responsible for protecting Americans during commercial space transportation launch and reentry operations.

“An anomaly occurred during the ascent and prior to stage separation resulting in a loss of the vehicle,” the FAA said in a statement. “No injuries or public property damage have been reported.”

“The FAA will oversee the mishap investigation of the Starship/Super Heavy test mission. A return to flight of the Starship/Super Heavy vehicle is based on the FAA determining that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety. This is standard practice for all mishap investigations.”

SpaceX said the rocket’s boosters did not properly separate following the launch.

-ABC News’ Gina Sunseri

Apr 20, 10:35 AM EDT
Elon Musk says next launch will be in ‘a few months’

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk congratulated the team in a tweet and said the next launch would be later this year, but didn’t give any specific dates.

“Congrats SpaceX team on an exciting test launch of Starship!” Musk tweeted. “Learned a lot for next test launch in a few months.”

Musk also shared a video of the Starship rocket right after liftoff.

Apr 20, 10:05 AM EDT
SpaceX congratulates team even after rocket self-destructs

SpaceX congratulated the team behind the Starship rocket launch, even after it was forced to self-destruct when the boosters failed to separate.

“With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s test will help us improve Starship’s reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multi-planetary,” SpaceX tweeted.

“Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on an exciting first integrated flight test of Starship!”

SpaceX said the team will be reviewing the data and working towards its next launch attempt.

Apr 20, 9:46 AM EDT
Starship boosters fail to separate from shuttle, rocket blown up

SpaceX was able to get its Starship rocket off the pad, but all didn’t go as planned.

About three minutes into flight, “Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly before stage separation,” SpaceX tweeted.

Therefore, SpaceX was forced to abort the mission and blow up the rocket, but the team says it’s more of a “success” than they hoped for.

Apr 20, 9:39 AM EDT
Starship launches into space

Starship launched at 9:33 a.m. ET, just five minutes after the launch window opened, on its inaugural flight.

The shuttle is currently the largest spacecraft in the world at about 393 feet and is expected to eventually carry passengers to the moon and Mars in a similar vein to NASA’s Artemis mission.

Starship is designed to carry up to 100 people on long-duration, interplanetary flights.

Apr 20, 9:23 AM EDT
What Starship’s journey will look like

For this first flight test, SpaceX said Starship will not attempt a vertical landing of Starship or a catch of the booster.

If successful, Starship and its rocket, which is called Super Heavy, will head up to the skies and 33 Raptor engines will ignite simultaneously. About eight minutes after liftoff, Super Heavy will splash down in the Gulf of Mexico.

Meanwhile, the spacecraft will travel about 150 miles — partially around the Earth — and then splash down in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii about 90 minutes after liftoff.

There will be a 62-minute window opening at 9:28 a.m. ET. A live webcast began 45 minutes before liftoff.

Apr 20, 8:45 AM EDT
Starship rocket is being loaded

SpaceX is fueling its Starship rocket — the world’s larger spacecraft — as it attempts a second launch.

The first launch attempt was scrubbed Monday due to a frozen valve in the pressurization system.

“The Starship team is go for prop load; team is keeping an eye on the weather,” SpaceX said in a tweet.

Usher to receive a honorary degree from Berklee College of Music

April 20, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Usher is set to receive an honorary degree at Berklee College of Music’s 2023 commencement ceremony. He’ll receive an honorary Doctor of Music degree at Boston University’s Agganis Arena, where he’ll address the graduating class. He’ll be honored alongside fellow recipients Roberta Flack and kora player Sona Jorbarteh for their contributions to music and philanthropy.

This year’s honorees join a class of past recipients, including Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, Missy Elliott and John Legend.

Berklee College of Music’s commencement ceremony is on May 13 at 10 a.m. ET.

Watch ’The Conjuring’s’ Vera Farmiga cover Slipknot’s “Duality”

April 20, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Vera Farmiga is once again proving her metal bona fides with a cover of Slipknot‘s “Duality.”

The actor, known for her roles in The Conjuring franchise and films including The Departed, put her spin on the 2000s nu metal classic during a recent concert supporting the Rock Academy music school.

Farmiga’s performance certainly stays true to the heavy spirit of the original, complete with a recreation of Shawn “Clown” Crahan‘s signature percussion. You can watch it now via her Instagram page.

You may recall that Farmiga covered Iron Maiden‘s “The Trooper” in support of Rock Academy last year. That performance, which was accompanied by Anthrax‘s Scott Ian on guitar, also honored Farmiga’s Ukrainian roots amid the early months of Russia’s invasion.

As long as you love them: Backstreet Boys mark 30th anniversary

April 20, 2023 by WDNY Radio

All you people, can’t you see, can’t you see … that you’ve kept the Backstreet Boys going for 30 years?

The record-breaking boy band formed on April 20, 1993, when the last member to join, Brian Littrell, flew to Orlando to join his cousin Kevin Richardson, as well as Nick Carter, AJ McLean and Howie Dorough. Lou Pearlman, who put the group together, dubbed them Backstreet Boys after a popular Orlando teen hangout: Backstreet Market.

In 1994, they signed their first record deal and were on their way to becoming the bestselling boy band of all time, with more than 100 million records sold globally.

BSB is marking the momentous occasion by counting down the “top 30 moments in Backstreet history,” as voted on by their fans, at BSB30.com.

As for why Backstreet has endured, Howie thinks it’s a combination of timing, hard work and staying together, despite challenges like Kevin temporarily leaving the group or AJ going to rehab.

“We hit it at a time where I think the world was ready for a group like us,” Howie told ABC Audio. “We were just coming out of a grunge rock scene … people just needed some good, feel-good music.”

In addition, he noted, they cultivated a “lifelong fan base” through their “grassroots approach.”

“We went around the whole world. We put the time in … we carried the torch. And even when Kevin took a break … we kept on going,” he said. “Lots of people thought that we weren’t even together anymore, not knowing that we were still out there … still providing for our fans.”

“And I think that’s why our fans know that we do this, not only for the enjoyment of ourselves, but for the enjoyment of what we bring to our fans.”

Michael Stipe contributes song to new Earth Day compilation

April 20, 2023 by WDNY Radio

R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe has contributed a track to a new Earth Day compilation, currently available on Bandcamp.

The EarthPercent x Earth Day ’23 Compilation Album features over 60 tunes that are either new, exclusive or previously unreleased. They can be downloaded individually or as a whole album from April 20 to May 6, with Stipe contributing the song “Give Me A Hand,” featuring folk singer Gaeylynn Lee.

Other artists on the compilation include Coldplay and H.E.R., CHVRCHES with The Cure‘s Robert Smith, Brian Eno and more.

A portion of the proceeds from each track sold will go to EarthPercent’s grant making program, which supports organizations working to tackle the climate emergency.

At least 78 dead in stampede during $9 aid event in Yemen’s capital

April 20, 2023 by WDNY Radio

At least 78 dead in stampede during aid event in Yemen’s capital

(LONDON) — At least 78 people are dead and dozens more were injured after a stampede at a school in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Wednesday evening, according to local officials. The tragedy occurred on one of the last days of Ramadan, as people were reportedly gathering to receive a handout of about $9 per person that was being distributed by merchants.

Witnesses told officials the stampede was caused by someone trying to control the crowd by shooting into the air. The shooting reportedly hit an electrical wire which fell on the ground and caused electroshocks, which triggered more panic in the crowd, witnesses said.

The Houthi-run Interior Ministry said the stampede happened at a “random distribution of sums of money by some merchants,” blaming the merchants for the lack of organization and not coordinating with ministry officials.

Motaher al-Marouni, a senior health official in Sanaa, said at least 13 people were seriously injured, according to the Al-Masirah satellite TV channel.

The aid distributors quickly sealed off the school where the event was planned and barred people and journalists from approaching.

The two merchants in charge of the matter were arrested, the Interior Ministry said.

Sanaa has been under the control of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels since 2014. An ongoing civil war between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government directly claimed the lives of at least 150,000 people by the end of 2021, according to a United Nations report.

The number of casualties in the civil war could be 377,000 when including those killed through “both direct and indirect impacts,” the UN said.

Even before the recent conflict, according to the UN, Yemen was already the poorest nation in the Arab region, suffering from weak development as a result of local conflicts, chronic food insecurity and uncertain political transition.

About 20.7 million people out of the total population of 30.5 million in Yemen are currently in need of humanitarian assistance, UNICEF said, with 14.3 million people in acute need. The agency says around £10 ($12.45) provides life-saving therapeutic food for a child in Yemen for a week.

Paramount+ reveals cast for eighth season of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’

April 20, 2023 by WDNY Radio

On Thursday, April 20, Paramount+ revealed the cast of the eighth season of the Emmy-winning RuPaul‘s Drag Race All Stars.

As always, returning competitors from RuPaul’s Drag Race will take to the catwalk, vying for a chance to compete for a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame, along with a cash prize of $200,000.

The new season begins streaming on Paramount+ on Friday, May 12, with two all-new episodes. Additionally, new episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars: Untucked will offer behind-the-scenes drama on the streaming service, to (high-heeled) boot.

All Stars season 8’s competitors are: Alexis Michelle (RPDR season 9), Darienne Lake (season 6), Heidi N Closet (season 12), Jaymes Mansfield (season 9), Jessica Wild (season 2), Jimbo (Canada’s Drag Race season 1, UK vs. the World season 1), Kahanna Montrese (RPDR season 11), Kandy Muse (season 13), LaLa Ri (season 13), Monica Beverly Hillz (season 5), Mrs. Kasha Davis (season 7) and Naysha Lopez (season 8).

One-third of US households used government’s free COVID test website: CDC

April 20, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(ATLANTA) — About one-third of American households used the free at-home COVID-19 test site launched by the Biden administration, new federal data shows.

COVIDTests.gov was first launched in January 2022, when President Joe Biden pledged to give out 1 billion free rapid tests to combat the omicron surge at the time.

The site was temporarily shut down in fall 2022 but relaunched in December as part of the White House’s winter preparedness plan.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which published its report Thursday, said more than 70 million test kits were shipped across the United States. The CDC report details how many kits were used and which groups used them.

The agency conducted a survey of 3,400 Americans aged 18 and older between April 14, 2022, and May 13, 2022, who were tested for COVID-19 in the previous six months.

Results showed that 59.9% of households — equivalent to about 77 million households — had ordered government kits. Only 38.3% — equivalent to about 49 million — reported using a test kit.

Of that group, 23.6% said they likely would not have tested without the COVIDTests.gov program.

There were no major differences when it came to who used the site by race and/or ethnicity.

About 42.1% of Black households placed at least one order as did 41.5% of Hispanic households, 34.8% of white households and 53.7% of households of other races.

As for other at-home tests — such as from a pharmacy, a doctor’s office or a drive-thru site — only about 11.8% of Black households used them compared to 45.8% of white households.

“Compared with White persons, Black persons were 72% less likely to use other home test kits,” the report read. “Provision of tests through this well-publicized program likely improved use of COVID-19 home testing and health equity in the United States, particularly among Black persons.”

Households made up of those aged 65 and older were the least likely to have used a test kit from the website, with only 26.8% doing so.

Meanwhile, households with individuals between ages 18 and 34 were the most likely to use a kit.

There were no major differences when it came to who used the program based on which region of the U.S. they lived in, education level or household income.

Additionally, participants were asked if they were aware of the COVIDTests.gov program and how the experience was.

The CDC found that 93.8% of households knew what the program was. Among those who used the test kits 95.5% rated the experience as “very acceptable” or “acceptable.”

“These data indicate that provision of free COVID-19 tests through the COVIDTests.gov program was not only widely used, but also provided a mechanism for millions of persons to receive COVID-19 testing who otherwise might not have,” the authors wrote.

“Moreover, this program likely led to improvement in equity of COVID-19 testing … these findings support the substantial health value of national programs that address critical health needs during a pandemic response,” they continued.

ABC News’ Cheyenne Haslett contributed to this report.

Nikki Sixx on Mötley Crüe working with Bob Rock again: He’s “bringing out the best in us”

April 20, 2023 by WDNY Radio

As previously reported, Mötley Crüe is back in the studio and once again working with Dr. Feelgood producer Bob Rock. Now bassist Nikki Sixx is giving fans an update on how things are going, and he certainly sounds pumped.

“Bob Rock is pushing us hard and bringing out the best in us,” Sixx shared in a post on Facebook. “Tommy (Lee) is playing his a** off. Jesus these drums sound huge.”

He adds, “Probably lay down my final bass tracks in the next few days. John (5) is so fast I’m sure he will get all the songs done in just a few days. But then again Bob Rock loves those huge walls of guitars so it could take a moment.”

As for songwriting, Sixx offers, “I’m sure you all know how important lyrics are to me,” revealing that he’s already completed writing one tune and hopes to finish another one soon.

Of course, fans of the Crüe are probably wondering when they’ll finally get to hear all this new stuff. Sixx says they’re “not sure,” explaining, “we haven’t thought that far down the line. Just letting the music guide us.”

Three Days Grace and Adam Gontier reunite during Alabama concert

April 20, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Original Three Days Grace singer Adam Gontier reunited with his former band during their concert in Hunstville, Alabama, on Wednesday.

The “Just Like You” rockers shared a photo of the surprise collaboration on their Instagram, alongside the caption, “Soooo we did a thing.”

According to Setlist.fm, Gontier joined TDG for renditions of the songs “Never Too Late” and “Riot,” both of which appear on the group’s 2006 sophomore album, One-X.

Gontier co-founded Three Days Grace alongside bassist Brad Walst and drummer Neil Sanderson in the ’90s, and left the group band in 2013. In an Instagram post last year, Gontier revealed that he’d met up with Sanderson for the first time since his departure. He, Walst and current TDG singer Matt Walst also reunited last summer to be honored by their old high school.

Matt Walst, Brad’s brother, has fronted Three Days Grace since Gontier left. With Matt on vocals, TDG has released three albums, including 2022’s Explosions.

Three Days Grace is currently on tour supporting Explosions while opening for Shinedown.

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