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Two travelers say their wheelchairs were lost on same United Airlines flight

February 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Two travelers claim United Airlines lost their wheelchairs after taking a flight with the carrier earlier this week.

Karah Behrend and Ryan Major were returning from a wheelchair rugby tournament in Jacksonville, Florida, and both said they checked their wheelchairs just before boarding the plane on Sunday, expecting them to be placed in the cargo area.

When the plane arrived in Houston, Behrend said United employees informed them they could not locate the wheelchairs.

“They had been scanned into the system as placed on the plane, but they never actually were placed on the plane,” Behrend told ABC News.

Behrend said she did not want to move from the plane until her chair was located. She said United workers offered to take her to a hotel, but she refused since she would not be able to get around without her wheelchair. Behrend said a United worker then said the police could come and transport her to a hospital until they figured out what to do.

“I was like, absolutely not, you’re not gonna punish me for something that you did. Like at this point you’re holding me hostage,” Behrend said.

Major told ABC News he waited on the jetway for more than 40 minutes while workers tried to locate his wheelchair.

The athletes were also traveling with their rugby wheelchairs and were able to use them during their connection in Houston, but Behrend said they are not intended for such use.

“I had a three-hour layover and those rugby chairs, if we’re in there for a good amount of time, can cause health issues like autonomic dysreflexia, pressure sores that lead to life-threatening infections,” Behrend said. “And on top of that, I wouldn’t have been able to transfer in or out of that chair independently to go to the bathroom. So, I would have pretty much been reduced to an infant at that point.”

Major said United held his connecting flight to New Orleans for about 40 minutes during the incident.

“When I got to the plane, my seat was all in the back, and I could clearly see that the passengers had frustrating faces,” Major said. “So, it’s humiliating that this whole process has left me embarrassed, humiliated and felt like it’s my fault that they were late.”

Behrend returned home to Phoenix later that day. Both their wheelchairs were not returned until Monday night.

In a statement to ABC News, United said: “Our top priority is to provide a safe and comfortable journey for all our customers, especially those who require additional assistance or the use of a wheelchair. We understand that special items like wheelchairs are essential for customers traveling with them. In this case, we have returned both wheelchairs and apologized to both customers. We continue to work with our airport teams to improve our operations in order to deliver these items to our customers in the timely manner they expect from us.”

Behrend said in the future she’ll be placing smart trackers in her adaptive equipment.

“I’ll be personally tracking it all,” Behrend said.

“The wheelchair is like my legs for getting around, like my independence, and then for them to take my wheelchair, that’s a part of my independence that’s been taken away,” Major said. “And I can’t get around without my chair safely and with and without self-confidence.”

More than one in every 100 wheelchairs and scooters transported in the aircraft cargo compartment of domestic flights is damaged, delayed or lost, according to data from the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Of the more than 530,000 wheelchairs and scooters transported by airlines in 2021, 7,329 were mishandled — up from the 3,464 mishandled the year prior, according to the DOT.

New heart-shaped Hershey’s doughnuts at Krispy Kreme for Valentine’s Day

February 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Valentine’s Day celebrations just got sweeter with four new doughnuts at Krispy Kreme.

The new heart-shaped doughnuts, which hit menus Tuesday, are made with real Hershey’s milk chocolate and Hershey’s kisses, and are perfect to share with friends or loved ones during Cupid’s busiest season.

Krispy Kreme’s Valentine’s Day Dozen comes in a custom red and pink “Choc-Full-of-Love” box with a heart-shaped cutout to showcase a glimpse of the chocolate sweet treats inside.

Check out the details for each of the specialty flavors below:

First up, the Hershey’s I Pick You doughnut, filled with cream and dipped in Hershey’s chocolate icing, decorated with a buttercream and an icing rose.

The Hershey’s Double Chocolate Kiss doughnut is made with milk chocolate filling, dipped in Hershey’s chocolate icing and covered in mini milk chocolate kisses.

The Hershey’s Strawberry Dream is made with Hershey’s strawberry flavored cream and dipped in a red icing, covered in white chocolate chips and a blend of heart sprinkles.

Finally, the Hershey’s Chocolate Chip Caramel Kreme doughnut is filled with cream, dipped in Hershey’s caramel icing and covered in Hershey’s chocolate icing drizzles, semi-sweet chips and a heart sprinkle blend.

The limited-edition confections are available for pickup or delivery via Krispy Kreme’s app and website.

Fans react to Nike and Tiffany & Co. Air Force 1 1837 sneaker collaboration

February 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — The moment many sneaker fans have been patiently waiting for has arrived.

Nike and Tiffany & Co. have partnered to create a “Legendary Pair” of the Air Force 1 1837 shoes inspired by the jewelry brand’s sterling silver accessories collection.

Slated to officially release on March 7, the sneakers feature the classic Air Force design in black with suede, as well as Nike’s signature Swoosh in Tiffany Blue and co-branded silver details.

Both companies initially teased the upcoming pair in a Tiffany Blue Nike shoe box, and later revealed a video showing a 360 view of the latest launch.

The highly anticipated shoe serves as a part of a continued celebration of the Air Force 1’s 40th anniversary.

In addition to the sneakers, which will retail for $400, there are also several sterling silver accessories including a whistle pendant, shoehorn, shoe brush and dubraes ranging from $250 to $475.

“When they said ‘just do it’ we listened,” both labels captioned an Instagram post featuring a carousel of accessory images.

While many people were excited to see what both brands came up with, some were a bit underwhelmed with the design.

“I was hoping for white high tops with a Tiffany blue check,” one Instagrammer said.

Another echoed and questioned, “Can we get them in white with the blue? Or even better Tiffany blue and white swoosh? That way it matches the ribbon on the Tiffany box?!”

Others took to Twitter to voice their opinions, arguing that the designers should have taken a nod from a previous collaboration Tiffany & Co. rolled out with Fendi.

For those who do want to get their hands on the Nike & Tiffany Co. Air Force 1 1837 collaboration next month, items will be available at two Tiffany & Co. New York City locations: the Tiffany Flagship Next Door and Tiffany & Co. SoHo. Items will also be available globally via Nike’s SNKRS app and at select Nike partner retail stores in North America.

Cody Johnson turns six shows into one ‘Rockin” live experience

February 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

If you can’t make it out to see Cody Johnson in concert, that’s OK, he can come to you — sort of.

You see, the prison guard turned rodeo cowboy turned country star has just put together an epic, two-disc live set that showcases what he does on the road.

“We’ve been trying for years to capture the live energy in the studio,” he tells ABC Audio. “And I felt like we did a pretty good job of it on ”Til You Can’t.’ It has that vibe, but it just doesn’t replace recording an actual live album.”

Cody’s career-changing song is included in the live set, as is his current hit, “Human.”

“We recorded six shows,” he explains. “You know, some nights the wind would hit the microphone wrong or the guitar amp was a little jacked up. So we just tried to take the best takes from six nights, keep the editing down to a minimum and make it a true live album.”

“But there’s, like, 27 tracks on this record,” he adds.

Cody Johnson & the Rockin’ CJB Live is out now and also features his previous hits, “On My Way to You” and “Dear Rodeo.”

Man accused of torturing woman in Oregon in custody: Police

February 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(GRANTS PASS, Ore.) — A man accused of torturing a woman who authorities believe uses dating apps to find victims or people to help him evade police is now in custody following a manhunt, Oregon police said.

“After a several [hourslong] standoff, Benjamin Foster is in custody. A press conference will be held tomorrow with additional information,” the Grants Pass Police Department said Tuesday.

Benjamin Obadiah Foster, 36, is wanted for attempted murder, kidnapping and assault, police said.

He is an “extremely dangerous suspect,” the department warned in an update on Sunday, when Foster was still on the run.

A man police believe to be Foster was spotted walking a small dog in the Grants Pass area Tuesday morning, the department had said.

“It’s essentially an all-hands-on-deck operation,” Grants Pass Police Chief Warren Hensman told ABC News. “We are laser-focused.”

Police began looking for Foster on Jan. 24, after responding to a home in Grants Pass for an assault. At the home, officers found a woman in critical condition who had been “bound and severely beaten into unconsciousness,” police said.

The suspect had already fled the scene before officers arrived but was identified as Foster, of Wolf Creek, police said.

“The scene was horrific,” Hensman told ABC News. “This is a bad man that needs to be captured.”

Hensman told reporters during a press briefing on Jan. 26 that they are still working on a timeline, but said the assault is believed to have occurred over a “protracted period of time.” He would not elaborate on the nature of the suspect’s relationship with the victim.

Amid the manhunt, authorities located Foster’s car and executed a search warrant in a home in Wolf Creek last week. The suspect “evaded capture and likely received assistance in fleeing the area,” police said.

“The investigation has revealed that the suspect is actively using online dating applications to contact unsuspecting individuals who may be lured into assisting with the suspect’s escape or potentially as additional victims,” police said.

During the search of the home, a 68-year-old woman, Tina Marie Jones, was arrested for allegedly hindering prosecution. She remains in custody at the Josephine County Jail.

The victim, identified by her family as Justine Siemens, was transported to an area hospital and remains on life support.

“She will survive this and as her family, we implore the nation to help bring her attacker to justice,” her family said in a statement.

Foster has been convicted on domestic violence charges for two assaults that occurred within the past five years in Las Vegas, court records show.

In 2019, he was accused of holding his then-girlfriend captive inside her Las Vegas apartment for two weeks, according to an arrest report obtained at the time by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He was charged with four counts of battery and two counts of assault, though in August 2021 he pleaded guilty to two of the battery charges as part of a plea deal, online court records show. A judge sentenced him to up to 1.5 years in prison, with credit for the 729 days he had already spent in jail awaiting trial, according to court records.

In August 2021, he reached another plea deal in a 2018 domestic violence case and was sentenced to credit for time served for a misdemeanor battery charge, court records show.

“Am I troubled by what I know already? The answer is yes,” Hensman told reporters when asked about the prior Las Vegas cases. “We’re laser-focused on capturing this man and bringing him to justice.”

The Grants Pass Police Department is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of Foster in the attempted murder case.

Police described Foster as a 6-foot-tall white man weighing approximately 180 pounds with brown hair, possibly worn in a bun, and blue eyes. Police shared recent photographs of Foster with a beard, though they said he may attempt to change his appearance by shaving his beard and hair or changing his hair color.

“The Grants Pass Police Department asks the public to pay particular attention to Foster’s facial structure and eyes since those features are very difficult to change,” the department said.

Tips for sightings of the suspect “continue to flood into the department, and we are confident this dangerous criminal will soon be captured with the assistance of a concerned citizen,” the department said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Grants Pass Police tip line at 541-237-5607.

Rise Against announces career-spanning Chicago residency

February 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Rise Against has announced a three-show residency at the Metro club in the band’s hometown of Chicago.

The run takes place from March 30 to April 1 and will celebrate the Metro’s 40th anniversary. For each show, Rise Against will play songs off every one of their albums over three entirely unique sets with no repeats.

Tickets go on sale Friday, February 3, at 10 a.m. CT. For more info, visit RiseAgainst.com.

You can also catch Rise Against at the 2023 When We Were Young festival, taking place this October in Las Vegas. They’re also planning a tour of Australia with Blink-182 in 2024.

Rise Against’s most recent album is 2021’s Nowhere Generation.

Ice-T to be honored with star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

February 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Ice-T is getting a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame.

On Tuesday, it was announced that the rapper and actor, 64, will be awarded the star on February 17, with legendary rapper Chuck D serving as a guest speaker, along with walk-of-famers Mariska Hargitay and Dick Wolf, who Ice-T works with on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.

While Ice-T is being awarded the star in the category of Recording, he’s a multi-hyphenate. Aside from his role on Law and Order: SVU, his film and television credits include New Jack City, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Saturday Night Live, and the reality series Ice Loves Coco.

As an author, the Grammy Award-winner has written five books, including his 2022 memoir Split Decision. He’s also lent his voice to various video games like Grand Theft Auto and Gears of War 3.

It all began, though, with gangster rap. Ice-T started his career as a rapper in the 1980s and eventually formed the label Rhyme Syndicate Records in 1989, where he released a string of groundbreaking West Coast rap tracks.

The star will be dedicated at 11:30 a.m. PT and will be streamed on walkoffame.com.

Avril Lavigne: Making Juno-nominated album ‘Love Sux’ was “like hanging out with my friends in the studio”

February 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Avril Lavigne just received five Juno Award nominations from her native Canada, including Album of the Year for her 2022 album Love Sux. The album hit the top 10 album was got great reviews, but Avril also says she really enjoyed the creative process — because for once, she said, “I clicked with everybody!”

For Love Sux, Avril teamed up with collaborators from the pop-punk world like Blink-182′s Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus, as well as Machine Gun Kelly, blackbear, Yungblud and Mod Sun, to whom she’d eventually become engaged. “I felt like I was just, like, hanging out with my friends in the studio,” Avril told ABC Audio last year.

“I felt like these are my kind of people — from my type of background musically,” she added of her collaborators. “And I felt the most understood, for the first time. And I also just feel like everyone was so talented that I worked with, but we all have the same vibe and style. So, like, we clicked!”

And Avril says that was a big change from other times when she attempted to work with others on an album.

“Definitely, in the past, there’s been like times where it’s like, you meet these songwriters and you get together and you write songs, it’s so boring!” she recalled.

“You’re not gonna to click with everyone you get together with, right?,” she continued. “So over the years, I really clicked with certain people and other people, I didn’t.”

She laughed, “This album, I clicked with everybody, which is so fun!”

Love Sux debuted in the top 10 when it was released last February and spun off the singles “I’m a Mess,” “Bite Me” and “Love It When You Hate Me.” This spring, she’ll be touring in Europe and the U.K.

Metro Boomin says feature in upcoming Budweiser Super Bowl ad was a “golden opportunity”

February 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Metro Boomin is one of many celebrities tapped to be part of this year’s Super Bowl ads. The producer will appear in the “Six Degrees of Budweiser” commercial, narrated by Kevin Bacon.

In the clip, a six-pack of the beer is passed around in different locations. Metro grabs his Budweiser while jamming to music in the studio.

“Budweiser being in St. Louis and me being born and raised in St. Louis and always representing and speaking out for [the city], I saw it as a golden opportunity,” he tells Billboard of his decision to be in the commercial. “A lot of my closest friends growing up, some of my family and everybody like … Bud’s always been around. I remember going to the Anheuser-Busch factory, we had a field trip there when I was a kid. That just goes to show you how big of an impact Budweiser has always had on the whole city, even from the original Busch Stadium.”

Metro’s placement in the Budweiser ad comes after the December release of his Heroes & Villains album. He tells Billboard he created a song that will play in the commercial and also plans to deliver a villain’s edition of his project.

“With my career, my head’s always down. I’m always working so I’m not always looking back like, ‘Oh, this album did this or this happened,’ you know?” he said. “Just like in the gym, I feel like this Super Bowl commercial is like when you start to see some gains. It’s one of them things where you can see [my] growth.”

‘The Bachelor’s’ Katherine dishes on Tahzjuan’s “chaotic” arrival

February 1, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(NOTE LANGUAGE) Following Monday’s episode of The Bachelor, Katherine “Kat” Izzo, whose “Bad B**** Energy” earned her the Zach Shallcross‘ first group date rose, stopped by Becca Kufrin and Michelle Young‘s Bachelor Happy Hour podcast to discuss season 23 alum Tahzjuan Hawkins‘ “chaotic” attempt to join the competition, among other things.

The 26-year-old registered nurse from Tampa, Florida says she was mostly put off by Tahzjuan’s approach to the situation, saying, “I was just like, ‘This is not a good display of Bad B**** Energy, this is just kind of mean.'”

Zach ultimately sent Tahzjuan home, but had things gone the other way, Katherine shares, “It wouldn’t adjust my view of who he is as a partner. I think [at] that point in the process it’s so early, so if you feel something with her and she feels it vice-versa then go for it.”

“At the end of the day, this is a show about finding our husband or wife and if you feel like you can have something with that [person], then I would say, ‘Go for it,'” she continues. “Also I would want my partner to choose me over everything.”

Meanwhile, Us Weekly reports Tahzjuan took to her Instagram Story to share a direct message she received that read, “You can’t find love because you’re a dumb**s bad b****! What you pulled tonight was ridiculous. Drop the bad bitch attitude and maybe, just maybe you’ll find love.”

“Don’t take life so serious babes!” the Bachelor in Paradise alum replied. “But I’m in Cabo with the love of my life so wish you well Susan.” In her caption, she added: “It’s not that serious … cue the death threats.”

The Bachelor airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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