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Donald Trump allowed back on Facebook and Instagram, Meta announces

January 25, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Meta announced it is allowing former President Donald Trump back on Facebook and Instagram “in the coming weeks,” ending a two-year suspension.

Trump was locked out of his accounts on Facebook and Instagram on Jan. 7. 2021, in the wake of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, over concerns that his posts were inciting violence. Facebook later said the suspension will hold for two years, at which point it would come under reassessment.

“The suspension was an extraordinary decision taken in extraordinary circumstances,” Meta President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg said in a statement Wednesday. “The normal state of affairs is that the public should be able to hear from a former President of the United States, and a declared candidate for that office again, on our platforms.”

“Now that the time period of the suspension has elapsed, the question is not whether we choose to reinstate Mr. Trump’s accounts, but whether there remain such extraordinary circumstances that extending the suspension beyond the original two-year period is justified,” the statement continued.

Clegg said Meta is instating “new guardrails,” and that Trump now faces “heightened penalties for repeat offenses.”

“In the event that Mr. Trump posts further violating content, the content will be removed and he will be suspended for between one month and two years, depending on the severity of the violation,” Clegg said.

Attorneys for Trump had recently written to executives of Meta requesting a meeting to discuss “prompt reinstatement to the platform,” according to a copy of the letter reviewed by ABC News.

The letter, which is addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and two other executives, claims the ban on Trump’s account “has dramatically distorted and inhibited the public discourse,” and represents “a deliberate effort by a private company to silence Mr. Trump’s political voice.”

Trump, who announced a third bid for the White House last year, responded to his reinstatement in a post on his social network Truth Social

“Such a thing should never again happen to a sitting president, or anybody else who is not deserving of retribution,” he said.

Trump did not indicate in the post if he intends to use Facebook or Instagram.

The former president was also permanently suspended from Twitter in the wake of the Capitol attack, with the social media site’s leadership at the time saying the ban was due to fears of further incitement of violence.

Elon Musk eventually reinstated Trump’s Twitter account in November 2022, after posting an online poll asking Twitter users if he should unban the former president.

Trump has not tweeted since being reinstated.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Tye Trujillo’s band OTTTO announces new album, ’Life Is a Game’

January 25, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo‘s son, Tye Trujillo, has announced a new album with his band OTTTO.

The upcoming record is titled Life Is a Game and will arrive March 24. You can listen to the single “My Pain” and watch its accompanying video streaming now on YouTube.

Life Is a Game is the sophomore OTTTO album, following the trio’s 2020 self-titled debut.

Last year, OTTTO toured with the band Bastardane, which features ‘Tallica frontman James Hetfield‘s son, Castor. Meanwhile, drummer Lars Ulrich‘s kids Myles and Layne also have a band, Taipei Houston.

Neil Diamond gets birthday serenade from cast of ‘A Beautiful Noise – The Neil Diamond Musical’

January 25, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Neil Diamond turned 82 on Tuesday and got quite the birthday surprise, courtesy of the cast of the Broadway musical A Beautiful Noise – The Neil Diamond Musical.

Tony Award nominee Will Swenson called the iconic singer via FaceTime, then led the cast and audience in a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” in Diamond’s honor, complete with streamers and birthday cake.

Neil thanked the crowd, adding, “I wish I was there with you.”

The cast then led the audience in a rendition of the classic “Sweet Caroline,” with Neil still on the phone watching.

A Beautiful Noise – The Neil Diamond Musical is currently playing at the Broadhurst Theater. It features a variety of Diamond’s biggest hits, including “Cracklin’ Rose,” “I’m a Believer,” “Song Sung Blue” and “Sweet Caroline.” The Broadway cast recording is available now.

Riley Keough, Sam Claflin take to the stage as ’70s rock stars in teaser for ‘Daisy Jones & the Six’

January 25, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Riley Keough, the granddaughter of Elvis Presley, follows in The King’s footsteps in the new teaser to the Amazon Studios series Daisy Jones & The Six.

The streaming service just dropped a teaser for the 10-episode show about the fictional titular ’70s band that broke up at the height of their fame. The coming attraction showcases Keough and Sam Claflin belting out “Regret Me,” one of 24 original songs written exclusively for the series and recorded by the cast, which includes Camila Morrone, Suki Waterhouse and Timothy Olyphant.

Atlantic Records will release the cast soundtrack to the musical drama.

Based on the bestselling novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Daisy Jones & The Six follows the band from obscurity to worldwide fame — and its abrupt flameout. “Now, decades later, the band members finally agree to reveal the truth. This is the story of how an iconic band imploded at the height of its powers,” the streamer teases.

Produced by Amazon Studios and Reese Witherspoon‘s Hello Sunshine company, Daisy Jones & The Six premieres March 3.

Britney Spears not in any danger after concerned fans call police to her home

January 25, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Fans of Britney Spears called police to her home after the singer deactivated her Instagram this week.

TMZ was first to report the news.

Sources from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department tell ABC News that deputies responded to the singer’s home around 11 p.m. Tuesday for a “check the wellbeing” call. Authorities reportedly made contact with the singer and determined she was not in any danger.

While Britney has deleted her account multiple times before, fans may have been concerned by the timing since TMZ recently reported the singer had a “meltdown” at an upscale California restaurant.

The outlet had shared a video purportedly showing the pop star speaking incoherently.

A staff member later told Page Six that Britney was not the “disruptor” in the incident and claimed another restaurant patron taunted the singer by continually recording her, even though she “was understandably upset.”

The video TMZ shared seemingly shows Britney talking to another person, believed to be a waiter, before shielding her face with a menu after looking in the direction of the person filming her.

Report says Jeremy Renner was trying to save nephew from snowplow; ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ co-star sounds off

January 25, 2023 by WDNY Radio

(NOTE LANGUAGE) He plays a superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Jeremy Renner was apparently injured in a real-life heroic act.

According to a report from the Washoe County, Nevada, Police Department obtained by CNN, Renner was attempting to save his nephew from being crushed by the actor’s sliding Snowcat vehicle when it instead pulled him under, critically injuring him on January 1.

Renner suffered “blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries” in the accident, for which he underwent emergency surgery. Renner recently revealed he’s recovering from more than 30 broken bones.

After Renner towed his nephew’s car out of the snow, the investigators explained, “The Pistenbully snow groomer began sliding causing Renner to exit the vehicle without setting the emergency brake.”

“Once he was off the Pistenbully, he realized it was heading directly toward [his nephew],” the report details. “When Renner attempted to stop or divert [it] … he was pulled under the vehicle by the track and run over.”

The investigators found a brake indicator light on the vehicle was malfunctioning, so it’s possible Renner didn’t realize it hadn’t been engaged.

Meanwhile, his Mayor of Kingstown “family” is pulling for him, Tobi Bamtefa, who plays Bunny, told ABC Audio Wednesday. “I’m actually just … directing all of my energies into making sure that he recovers. I think the whole team is. And … I guess it’s brought us together more than anything.”

Bamtefa marveled at how the Marvel star was still telling his social media followers to tune in to the show. He said it was inspiring to see Renner supporting everybody, even as he recovers.

Tobi adds, “I’m just praying that he comes out of this even stronger. He’s a bit of a bada**, to be honest.”

The Yardbirds founding member Anthony “Top” Topham dies

January 25, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Guitarist Anthony “Top” Topham, a founding member of The Yardbirds, passed away Monday after a battle with dementia. He was 75.

Topham, who adopted the name Sanderson Rasjid after joining the Subud spiritual movement, was the first guitarist for The Yardbirds, which he formed with his childhood friend Chris Dreja, singer Keith Relf, bassist Paul Samwell-Smith and drummer Jim McCarty.

“Sanderson Rasjid, born Anthony ‘Top’ Topham, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 23 surrounded by his family,” read a statement from his rep, according to The Sun. “Born in London on July 3 1947, he was 75 years old and had been fighting dementia in his final years.”

Topham left the group before they hit it big and was replaced by Eric Clapton. When Clapton left he was replaced by Jimmy Page, who was later replaced by Jeff Beck. Topham’s death comes just two weeks after Beck’s passing at age 78.

After leaving The Yardbirds, Topham went on to form bands with his friend Duster Bennett and worked as a session musician for such artists as Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, the band’s founder Peter Green and others.

20th TV Animation, Hulu drop ‘Solar Opposites’, ‘Koala Man”s Justin Roiland following domestic violence charges

January 25, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Justin Roiland has been removed from two more of his shows, not a day after Adult Swim dropped the co-creator and voice star from Rick and Morty. Roiland voices both titular characters on the beloved show.

Roiland faces two felony domestic violence charges stemming from a January 2020 incident with his then-girlfriend; he has pleaded not guilty.

In a statement to ABC Audio Wednesday, 20th TV Animation and Hulu both noted, “We have ended our association with Justin Roiland.”

The 42-year-old both produced and voiced characters in Solar Opposites on Hulu, as well as 20th Animation’s series Koala Man, which also features the voices of Hugh Jackman and Succession‘s Sarah Snook.

As Adult Swim promised with Rick and Morty, the latter two studios insisted, “Solar Opposites and Koala Man will continue without Roiland’s involvement.”

Joan Jett to appear in Workday Super Bowl ad

January 25, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Joan Jett is set to star in a new Super Bowl commercial for the company Workday, which provides enterprise cloud applications for finance and human resources.

Jett is one of three rockers, along with Ozzy Osbourne and Gary Clark Jr., announced for the company’s first Super Bowl ad. According to a press release, it will also include “a few more well-known rockers.” Preview clips featuring Osbourne and Clark reveal that the theme of the ads revolve around the perceptions of the term “rock star.”

“Workday knows that it takes a ‘rock star’ to drive transformation, keep employees engaged, and run businesses efficiently,” says Pete Schlampp, Workday’s chief marketing and strategy officer. “If you high-five your co-workers as a rock star after seeing our ad in the Big Game, that’s a win in our book.”

Super Bowl LVII takes place February 12 in Glendale, Arizona.

Rock the Bells unveils lineup for first hip-hop cruise celebrating hip-hop’s 50th anniversary

January 25, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Rock the Bells has teamed up with Sixthman, the leader in festivals and music cruises, for its inaugural hip-hop cruise. The four-day event, which is already sold out, will be hosted by Roxanne Shanté and Torae. Sailing from Miami to Nassau and Grand Bahama Island, it will feature a pool deck party series presented by Kid Capri, as well as first-class amenities like a casino, basketball court and spa.

The Rock the Bells cruise, intended to celebrate hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, is set for November. Also included in the star-studded lineup is Rick Ross, Lil Jon, Big Boi, DJ Jazzy Jeff, MC Lyte, Ghostface Killah, Too $hort, Trina and Trick Daddy.

“How could I not Rock the Boat with the Goat? LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells keep the culture afloat. Please believe it,” Roxanne said of the forthcoming cruise. Too $hort added, “Rock The Bells is Hip-Hop History, and they’re working to MAKE history!”

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