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Uvalde moms find new bond in shared grief over lost daughters

March 15, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(UVALDE, Texas) — Nearly 10 months after 19 Robb Elementary School students and two teachers were killed in one of the worst mass shootings in the country’s history, mothers of those victims told ABC News their anguish hasn’t gone away.

Veronica Mata, Ana Rodriguez, Kimberley Rubio and Gloria Cazares said while nothing can fill the void left by their daughters’ murders, the mothers said they have forged a new bond helping each other through some of their darkest moments.

“There are a lot of times that we feel alone. You know, even if there are 100 people in the room you still feel alone. But I don’t feel that when I’m with them,” Cazares told Nightline.

Nightline spoke with the mothers about their unexpected friendship and how they’ve been helping each other keep the memories of their children alive.

The mothers have spent a lot of time together, eating dinners, laughing and remembering their daughters.

Mata, who lost her daughter Tess in the May 24th shooting said that it feels hard for her anytime an extended period goes by when she doesn’t speak with the other mothers.

“I think because I feel that connection with them because of the girls and I feel like if I don’t talk to them, like, I’m missing a part of Tess,” she told Nightline.

Rubio, who lost her daughter Lexi, and Rodriguez, whose daughter Maite was killed in the shooting, said that it’s been easier to confide in one another about their grief than with others.

“Outside my husband and my children, these are the only people I talk to about this,” Rubio said.

“My family is completely understanding. They’ve supported me 100%. However, they have not lost a child. I know I’ve had Kim message me out of the blue, ‘Thinking of you. I love you,’ and she has no idea how much that– that helped me,” Rodriguez said.

On days when they have little to look forward to, the mothers said they find strength when they walk through Uvalde and see how the community has rallied behind the families.

The mothers have frequently visited the murals of their daughters that were painted by a variety of Texas artists shortly after the tragedy.

“‘I love you to the moon and back,’ that’s just what we’ve always said,” Cazares, whose daughter Jackie was shot in the massacre, said as she passed by Jackie’s mural with the group.

“If I have to go somewhere it’s the murals because there’s a little bit of joy,” Rubio said. “They’re beautiful.”

The group has also spent the past 10 months demanding justice for their daughters and other Robb Elementary School victims alongside other families who have lost loved ones to mass shootings.

Cazares added during rare moments of joy and laughter there is always a lingering a sense of guilt.

“Our kids aren’t here. They don’t get to enjoy what they used to enjoy. They’re not– some of the things that we do we shouldn’t be doing without them. No, they should be here to enjoy them too,” she said.

“I never thought I would smile again after she passed. I remember telling my mom, ‘How could I ever laugh again? How could I ever find happiness or joy in anything?'” Rodriguez said.

While their lives are forever changed, the mothers said they are grateful that they found each other.

“I feel like this relationship [among] all of us, even…with some of the other moms it’s going to be a life-long relationship that we’re always going to have because we all have that one common denominator,” Mata said.

Wellesley College students vote to admit transgender men and nonbinary applicants

March 15, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(WELLESLEY, Mass.) — Students at Wellesley College, a Massachusetts private liberal arts college for women, approved a referendum to expand the college’s admission policy and use of gender-neutral language.

Students voted on Tuesday in favor of allowing transgender men and non-binary individuals who were assigned male at birth to enroll.

In a memo released prior to the vote, Paula A. Johnson, president of Wellesley, said the outcome of the vote is “nonbinding and will not impact any of the policies or practices of the College or of student organizations at Wellesley.”

The college currently accepts applications from people who “consistently identify and live as women,” including cis, transgender, and nonbinary students.

“Although there is no plan to revisit our mission as a women’s college or our admissions policy, we will continue to engage all students in the important work of building an inclusive academic community where everyone feels they belong,” Johnson said in a separate statement to ABC News.

The memo also included a list of structural changes to be implemented following concerns shared by enrolled transgender students.

The college plans to appoint a new director for the Office of LGBTQ+ Programs and Services, offer gender and sexual orientation-affirming therapy, and expand all-gender bathrooms, among other changes.

The Wellesley College News Editorial Board responded to President Johnson’s memo in a published statement. The Board called President Johnson’s response and the Board of Trustee’s involvement as “intervening in student discourse.”

“The Wellesley News Editorial Board is once again stating that transgender and nonbinary students have always belonged and will continue to belong at Wellesley, a historically women’s college,” read the statement from the news source.

It continued, “We disapprove and entirely disagree with President Johnson’s email. As journalists, we understand the power of rhetoric to do good or harm.”

The statement closed with, “We want to end with our unequivocal support for transgender, nonbinary and gender non-conforming people at Wellesley and everywhere–who enrich all communities they are a part of.”

Mount Holyoke College, a women’s college in Massachusetts, told ABC News it has welcomed women, transgender women and men, and nonbinary and gender nonconforming students since 2014.

“Our inclusive admission policy is the 21st century expression of our founding mission to provide an intellectually adventurous education for individuals who have been marginalized on the basis of their gender, gender expression or gender identity,” the statement read.

Other women’s colleges – including Smith College, Barnard College and Bryn Mawr College – have expanded their admissions to include transgender women and nonbinary women, according to their policies listed on their respective websites.

Debbie Harry reissuing her debut solo album, ‘KooKoo’

March 15, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Blondie‘s Debbie Harry is revisiting her 1981 debut solo album, KooKoo, with a brand new reissue.

The 2023 deluxe edition of the album will be released May 5 on double 180g crystal clear vinyl, and will include a bonus 12-inch disc with extended versions and remixes of tunes. Only 6,000 copies of the reissue will be available worldwide, and they will include a reproduction Chris Stein art print and will come in a special lenticular-effect sleeve.

KooKoo, produced by Chic’s Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards, was originally released July 27, 1981. It peaked at 25 on the Billboard 200 Album chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA.

The KooKoo 2023 deluxe edition is available for preorder now.

‘The Last of Us’ among finalists for Video Game Hall of Fame

March 15, 2023 by WDNY Radio

The Last of Us may be on its way to the Video Game Hall of Fame.

The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, released the finalists for their 2023 Video Game Hall of Fame Wednesday morning, and the apocalyptic action-adventure game is on the list.

This follows the game’s spike in popularity after HBO adapted it into a series starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. The Strong National Museum of Play said of the game, “Released by Naughty Dog and Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2013, The Last of Us jumped into an oversaturated field of post-apocalyptic zombie games and quickly stood out among the rest with its in-depth storytelling, intimate exploration of humanity, thrilling game jumps and cutscenes, and its memorable characters.”

Other finalists include Age of Empire, Angry Birds, Barbie Fashion Designer, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Computer Space, FIFA International Soccer, GoldenEye 007, NBA 2K, Wii Sports, Quake and Wizardry. Past inductees include Pac-Man, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Super Mario Bros.

The museum chooses which games to include by taking nominations from the public, and determining which are the most influential on popular culture and the gaming industry. They display the Video Game Hall of Fame with other exhibits that capture the history of the act of play; for example, the eGameRevolution exhibit allows people from all generations to play games that span decades, from pinball machines to PlayStation 3.

The Strong Museum of Play usually announces inductees in May.

Two dead in shooting at Oregon hotel; no ongoing threat: Police

March 15, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(PORTLAND, Ore.) — Two people are dead after a shooting at a hotel in Portland, Oregon, police said.

Port of Portland responded to a shooting at the Embassy Suites Portland Airport Hotel around 2 a.m. local time Wednesday. A man and woman were confirmed dead, police said. Their identities have not been confirmed.

“There is no ongoing threat to the PDX airport or the surrounding area at this time,” Port of Portland Police said in a statement.

The incident is under investigation.

Guests at the hotel told Portland ABC affiliate KATU that they heard nearly a dozen gunshots and saw blood on the floor as police escorted them out of the building.

Amid the police response, yellow crime scene tape could be seen at the entrance to the hotel, which is located near Portland International Airport. Officers could also be seen interviewing guests wrapped in blankets.

Seven Virginia deputies charged with murder in death of inmate

March 15, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(HENRICO COUNTY, Va.) — Seven sheriff’s deputies from Henrico County, Virginia, have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of inmate Irvo Otieno. Otieno died while in police custody earlier this month.

Otieno, 28, was being transferred to a hospital on March 6 when he became “combative” during the intake process, according to state police. He was then physically restrained and died, according to Richmond ABC affiliate WRIC.

The deputies were arrested on Tuesday and are scheduled to appear before a grand jury on March 21, according to state records.

The seven deputies have been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the cases filed against them.

The Henrico County Sheriff’s Office is also conducting an independent review of the incident and said it is fully cooperating another investigation by Virginia State Police.

“Public safety is what we stand for as a Sheriff’s Office. We will continue to maintain the highest professional standards in how we serve and protect those in our custody, the community at-large and our staff,” Henrico County Sheriff Alisa Gregory said in a statement.

The seven deputies arrested were Randy Joseph Boyer, 57; Dwayne Alan Bramble, 37; Jermaine Lavar Branch, 45; Bradley Thomas Disse, 43; Tabitha Renee Levere, 50; Brandon Edwards Rodgers, 48; and Kaiyell Dajour Sanders, 30, according to WRIC.

All seven deputies were taken to Meherrin River Regional Jail, where they are being held without bond, according to WRIC.

Foo Fighters to headline Kentucky’s Louder Than Life festival

March 15, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Foo Fighters have added another music festival to their 2023 schedule. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are set to headline the Louder Than Life festival, set for September 21 to 24 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Other artists on the four-day bill include Green Day, Queens of the Stone Age, Megadeth, Weezer, Pantera, Tool, Rancid, Limp Bizkit and more.

Tickets are on sale now. For the full lineup and all ticket info, visit LouderthanLifeFestival.com.

This is just one of many festivals Foo Fighters have booked for 2023, which will be their first shows since last year’s death of drummer Taylor Hawkins. Their first confirmed show is happening May 24 in Gilford, New Hampshire, followed by Massachusetts’ Boston Calling Music Festival on May 26. They are also playing Bonnaroo, Outside Lands and Sonic Temple.

Bret Michaels feels “blessed” to turn 60

March 15, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Bret Michaels turned 60 on Wednesday, and considering his health struggles over the years, he’s embracing the milestone.

“I am grateful to be on this crazy roller coaster ride and to be here with some of my good decisions and some of my less-than-reputable decisions,” the Poison frontman told USA Today when asked if he’s bummed about turning 60. “But I’ve got to be honest. When people ask I say, No. 1, what is my alternative? The alternative is not good. And two, I get no choice in the matter. My choice will be how I deal with it.”

He adds, “No one says, ‘Man, I want to be old.’ I feel blessed that I got to get old because I know so many of my friends never got the chance. I live also for them.”

And Michaels hasn’t had it easy over the years. He’s lived with Type 1 diabetes since he was a child, suffered a brain hemorrhage in 2010, and also underwent heart and kidney surgery. But he says he’s learned to “adapt and change with what my body can do.”

“There is no magic pill,” he adds. “I am like a true muscle car – still fast, still fun to ride, but I just need a little more maintenance.”

Maximum effort: Ryan Reynolds scores laughs in announcement of billion-dollar Mint Mobile deal

March 15, 2023 by WDNY Radio

While Ryan Reynolds is a Hollywood star, he also moonlights as an entrepreneur, and he now has another mogul-sized deal under his Deadpool belt.

The Ka’ena Corporation, the parent company of Reynolds’ Mint Mobile, has just been acquired by giant T-Mobile, in a deal worth $1.35 billion in cash and stock.

Reynolds, both a minority share owner and pitchman for the company, took to social media with T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert in a hysterical announcement video.

Sievert tells the star he’s “so happy to have you and the whole Mint team join the T-Mobile family,” to which Ryan laughs, deadpanning, “Well, I wouldn’t call it a family, Mike. A family is a place for misdirected hopes and dreams. I’m hoping this will be much better than that.”

To prove T-Mobile won’t sway from Mint’s trademark “incredibly improvised, borderline reckless” marketing, Ryan rapid-fires about the deal: “I’m certain that I’m finally gonna fill whatever hole that I have inside my soul which possesses me to emphasize external success over quieting an inner child futilely craving some sort of illusory acknowledgement from my now deceased father.”

A surprised Sievert asks Reynolds if he’s OK and offers him a hug, which prompts Reynolds to add, “It’s nice
to have a new dad.”

Reynolds also joked in a statement, “We are so happy T-Mobile beat out an aggressive last-minute bid from my mom Tammy Reynolds as we believe the excellence of their 5G network will provide a better strategic fit than my mom’s slightly-above-average mahjong skills.”

In 2020, spirits company Diageo purchased Reynolds’ Aviation American Gin in a more than $600 million deal.

Experts call cryptocurrency a ‘bystander’ in SVB, Signature Bank collapses

March 15, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — In the wake of last year’s collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, the collapse this week of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank — representing the second and third largest bank failures in U.S. history — has renewed lingering questions about what role cryptocurrency is playing in financial sector failures.

Signature Bank, which is known for dealing in cryptocurrency, came under fire last year during the collapse of FTX and crypto hedge fund Alameda Research. At Silicon Valley Bank, which is known for serving the tech and startup industries since its founding 40 years ago, the withdrawal of large cryptocurrency deposits added to the fear fueling the bank run that ended in the bank’s collapse Friday.

However, experts told ABC News that cryptocurrency did not play a leading role in the banks’ failures — although the collapses will have ramifications in the cryptocurrency sector.

“I don’t think crypto has much of a role,” said David Yermack, professor of finance at NYU’s Stern School of Business. “Crypto is more or less a bystander in all of this, just like all the other companies who had deposited money.”

Yermack, who teaches a course on cryptocurrency and blockchains, said that while the situation remains fluid, two main factors appear to have contributed to the failures: The banks that failed were too concentrated in one industry, and the deregulation of banking over the last five or six years has weakened regulations.

“In the case of Silicon Valley Bank, [the concentration] would be the West Coast technology industry,” Yermack told ABC News. “And if you’ve got a group of customers who can’t pay back their loans, and they’re all correlated with each other, suddenly they all can’t pay you back together — that makes those loans a lot less valuable.”

Boston College law professor Patricia McCoy said the bank’s collapse was hastened by its large holdings of the cryptocurrency USDC, which is managed by the financial technology company Circle Internet Financial.

“At Silicon Valley Bank, really, the only role that the crypto industry played was this big deposit by Circle, which was very prone to run risk,” McCoy said. “When Circle became nervous that Silicon Valley Bank was in trouble, its natural response would be to immediately withdraw that entire very large deposit.”

“Silicon Valley Bank did not have the money — the cash — to pay all the withdrawal requests,” said McCoy. “So, the fact that Circle had such a large deposit, and it was a type of client that was prone to panic, intensified the bank run at Silicon Valley Bank.”

On the recent deregulation of banking, Yermack pointed to the banks’ investment of large amounts of capital into Treasury bonds, which are typically very safe. However, said Yermack, “because interest rates changed a lot in the last year or so, those bonds lost value — and under the accounting rules, the banks could still count them at 100 cents on the dollar.”

Simply put, Yermack said, the banks did not have to account for the depreciation in the value of the bonds, which made them look much safer than they really were.

“This gets right to the heart of the issue about how banks are supervised and regulated — that they really should have had to write those bonds down to value in real time, and make the problems more apparent much earlier,” he said.

“As somebody who deals with financial data every day, I think everything should be marked to market value,” said Yermack. “And to the extent it’s not, you run the risk of misleading people, and it seems in this case it was the banking regulators who were misled, and they just said, ‘Oh, those are government bonds. Those are the safest assets.'”

“But government bonds can lose value just like anything else,” Yermack said. “And I think … the regulators were sort of caught off guard and unawares by this.”

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