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Los Angeles County holds off on mask mandate even as it enters ‘high’ COVD transmission category

December 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(LOS ANGELES) — Los Angeles County said Thursday it is holding off on issuing an indoor mask mandate amid rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

During a press conference, LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said the county had moved into the “high” COVID-19 community transmission category, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but it would be sticking with its “strong recommendation.”

Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer left the option of a mask mandate on the table, but if and only if 10% of county hospital beds are filled with COVID patients.

Right now that number is only 6.9%, and the rate of increase has slowed in the past week. Ferrer said it’s not a forgone conclusion that the county will reach that critical level during the current surge.

“Being at a high community level does not mean returning to the more restrictive and disruptive measures that we used at earlier times in the pandemic, before we had good access to vaccines, boosters, testing and therapeutics,” she said at the conference.

This is a reversal from previous policy in the county that moving into the CDC’s “high” transmission level would spur a mandate. The changing guidance comes as the health department has dangled the prospect of an impending mask mandate for weeks in a row for the second time this year.

“We do ask that while we are in surge everyone ages two and older wear a mask in indoor public spaces,” Ferrer said.

As of Wednesday, Los Angeles County is recording more than 5,000 daily cases, the highest number recorded since Aug. 1, according to an ABC News analysis of health department data.

It’s also an 80% increase from the 2,805 cases recorded just two weeks ago on Nov. 23, the analysis found.

However, officials have previously stated that the true number of cases is likely much higher due to people testing positive and not reporting their results to the department or not testing at all.

What’s more, a total of 1,293 people are hospitalized with the virus as of Wednesday, a figure not seen since July 18, according to the analysis.

Masks continue to be compulsory indoors at healthcare and congregate-care facilities, at business where required and for anyone who has been exposed to COVID in the last 10 days.

Officials have stressed the importance of being vaccinated and boosted to prevent infection and severe disease, especially as the holiday season approaches.

As of Nov. 27 — the latest date for which health department data is available — 73% of all residents are fully vaccinated but the percentages vary widely by age.

Seniors aged 65 and older have the highest rate with 92% fully vaccinated while children between ages 6 months and 4 years have the lowest rate with just 6% fully vaccinated.

ABC News’ Matthew Fuhrman contributed to this report.

Jackie Chan says ‘Rush Hour 4’ might happen after all

December 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Martial artist and action movie icon Jackie Chan has confirmed it: Rush Hour 4 is a go.

According to Variety, Chan confirmed to fans at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday that he is discussing the project “right now” with interested parties — and would be meeting with a potential director Thursday evening.

The fourth film in the hit franchise that saw Hong Kong lawman Chan starring opposite a motormouthed L.A.P.D. detective played by Chris Tucker has had its share of false starts since 2007’s Rush Hour 3.

Not insignificantly, one of those was caused by sexual assault allegations against director Brett Ratner, who called the shots on the 1998 original and its 2001 follow-up. He was accused by several actresses in 2017 — at the height of the #MeToo movement — of sexual harassment and assault.

The accusations, which Ratner denied, derailed his production deal with Warner Bros. at that time.

Music notes: Taylor Swift, Cardi B, BTS and Ariana Grande

December 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Taylor Swift will chat with director Martin McDonagh in Variety‘s upcoming Directors on Directors series on Monday. McDonagh directed The Banshees of Inisherin, while we know “All Too Well” what directing experience Taylor has. The interview goes live Monday at 11 a.m. PT.

Speaking of Taylor, she told fans on her Instagram Story that she was dreaming of the “All Too Well” short film for over a decade, revealing, “The first seeds of this short film were planted over 10 years ago.” She added of making the movie, “I loved every second of it and I will always remember it. All. Too. Well.”

And one more Taylor story: her song “It’s Nice to Have a Friend” was used during the red carpet premiere of the new horror film M3GAN. Billboard reports a bunch of girls dressed as the murderous doll danced to Taylor’s song, which is off her Lover album.

Cardi B told her fans not to get Brazilian butt-lifts, which are taking off as the latest plastic surgery trend. “When it comes to BBLs, if y’all want advice from me, before you get your BBL done you have to make sure your blood levels are alright,” she directed. “If a doctor says your blood levels are too low or you have diabetes or whatever, don’t do it!”

BTS’ V released a concept film titled Me Myself and V, ‘Veautiful Days’ in which he imagines what he’d be like across past eras and plays with the type of film that was available at the time. This is to promote his forthcoming photography book, but a release date hasn’t been announced.

Jeff Goldblum is joining the Wicked movie adaptation, as is Michelle Yeoh, reports E! News. They’ll respectively star alongside Ariana Grande’s Glinda as the titular Wizard of Oz and Madame Morrible. The movie is slated for a 2024 release.

Judas Priest manager disappointed K.K. Downing didn’t try to “build bridges” at Rock Hall ceremony

December 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing quit Judas Priest in 2011 amidst bad blood between him, his bandmates and their manager, Jayne Andrews. Priest invited Downing and former drummer Les Binks to join them for their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction last month, but now Andrews says she was disappointed that Downing wasn’t more grateful for the opportunity.

In a new episode of the podcast Gabbing with Girlfriends, from Geezer Butler‘s wife, Gabby Butler, Andrews says of the band’s approach to the induction, “We all said, any grievances or problems, we put them behind us. This is a very positive time. And that’s the way we looked at it. And it’s just a shame that [K.K.] didn’t seem to look at it the same way.”

She adds, “If ever there was a time to try and build bridges, that was it … it’s sad for him, really … when he had the opportunity, he didn’t take it.”

According to Andrews, she urged the band to invite Downing and Binks to join them onstage, telling them, “Be the bigger men.” But, Andrews tells Butler, “To me, he should have just stuck his head around the door and said, ‘Thank you for inviting me onstage with you.’ ‘Cause they didn’t have to.”

Andrews goes on to disparage Downing’s performance that night, telling Butler, “To be honest — and I probably shouldn’t really say this — [K.K.] seemed a little bit nervous and almost out of his depth.”

She added, “When we talked about it afterwards, we thought, well, Priest have carried on touring all these years; he hasn’t. So he’s probably lost a bit of confidence, coming to a big event like that, obviously, [and] having to confront all of us.”

‘We want Paul home’: Family of former Marine held in Russia speaks out after Griner’s release

December 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — In celebrating WNBA star Brittney Griner’s release, President Joe Biden made a point on Thursday to say the prisoner swap was “not a choice” between Griner and Paul Whelan, the American former Marine who is still detained in Russia.

“We never forgot about Brittney. We’ve not forgotten about Paul Whelan, who has been unjustly detained in Russia for years. This was not a choice of which American to bring home,” Biden said from the White House. “Sadly, or totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is treating Paul’s case differently than Brittney’s, and while we have not yet succeeded in securing Paul’s release we are not giving up. We will never give up.”

Elizabeth Whelan, Paul’s sister, on a Zoom interview from Massachusetts in the afternoon, told ABC News the family had expected Griner might return first.

“We’ve always known that the Russians were treating Paul separately, and therefore, we always knew that there was a chance that this would happen, that would Brittney would be released first,” she said.

“We’re upset. We want Paul home,” she added. “We’re angry at Russia for for playing him around like this, for playing all of us around like this, but what we need to do is look forward to the plan to get him home.”

Whelan has spent four years in detention since he was seized in 2018 by Russia’s domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service, while visiting Moscow for a friend’s wedding. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage charges but the United States and his family say they were fabricated in order to take him as a political bargaining chip.

In a phone interview with CNN on Thursday, Whelan said he was “greatly disappointed” to not also be returning home.

“I have to say I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release. Especially as the four-year anniversary of my arrest is coming up. I was arrested for a crime that never occurred,” Whelan said. “I’m happy that Brittney is going home today and that Trevor went home when he did — but I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here,” he added.

He said he hopes officials will do everything they can to bring him home, “regardless of the price they may have to pay at this point.”

“My bags are packed. I’m ready to go home. I just need an airplane to come and get me,” Whelan said.

Some Republicans on Capitol Hill were quick to blast the prisoner swap, including House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy.

“This is a gift to Vladimir Putin, and it endangers American lives,” McCarthy tweeted. “Leaving Paul Whelan behind for this is unconscionable.”

Biden administration officials will remain in close contact with the Whelan family, the president said earlier.

“We’ll keep negotiating in good faith for Paul’s release. I guarantee that. I say that to the family. I guarantee you. I urge Russia to do the same to ensure that Paul’s health and humane treatment are maintained until we are able to bring him home. I don’t want any American to sit wrongfully detained one extra day if we can bring that person home,” he said.

Whelan’s twin brother, David, released a statement just ahead of Biden’s remarks calling the swap for Griner “the right decision.”

“As the family member of a Russian hostage, I can literally only imagine the joy she will have, being reunited with her loved ones, and in time for the holidays. There is no greater success than for a wrongful detainee to be freed and for them to go home. The Biden Administration made the right decision to bring Ms. Griner home, and to make the deal that was possible, rather than waiting for one that wasn’t going to happen,” he said.

He said officials let them know in advance “that Paul would be left behind,” unlike in April, when news broke of former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed’s return.

“This is the event we wish for so much for our own family,” the Whelans said in April, and again on Thursday. “She will be reunited with her family. Brittney is free. And Paul is still a hostage.”

A senior Biden administration official told reporters on a background call that another official had spoken “at length” with Whelan from prison to talk through the news of Griner’s release.

“I want to be very clear: This was not a situation where we had a choice of which American to bring home. It was a choice between bringing home one particular American, Brittney Griner, or bringing home none,” the official said.

Griner will be back in the U.S. within 24 hours, according to officials.

“She’s safe. She’s on a plane. She’s on her way home,” Biden said alongside Brittney’s wife, Cherelle, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Blinken, in a written statement, praised Griner’s release but lamented that Whelan and his family “continue to suffer needlessly.”

“Despite our ceaseless efforts, the Russian Government has not yet been willing to bring a long overdue end to his wrongful detention. I wholeheartedly wish we could have brought Paul home today on the same plane with Brittney,” Blinken said.

Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who for months tried to help negotiate a trade for Griner and Whelan and travelled repeatedly to Moscow for meetings, said his team is thrilled Griner is now free but called for the Biden administration to now make Whelan’s return a priority.

ABC News’ Cindy Smith, Ben Gittleson and Justin Gomez contributed to this report.

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ is the Best Film of the year, according to National Board of Review

December 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

As if being the highest grossing movie of the year — and Tom Cruise‘s career — wasn’t enough, Top Gun: Maverick is aces with the National Board of Review.

The New York City-based collection of film professionals, academics and movie enthusiasts this year have named Maverick its Best Film.

Founded in 1909, the organization’s picks have in many cases turned into Oscar nominees, and its choices for the Best Actor and Actress this year will likely be no different: Colin Farrell for the drama The Banshees of Inisherin and Michelle Yeoh for the lauded, low-budget multiverse adventure Everything Everywhere All at Once.

In the Best Supporting Actor and Actress categories, the board chose Farrell’s pal and former In Bruges co-star Brendan Gleeson for Inisherin and Janelle Monáe for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

Previous Oscar winner Steven Spielberg was tapped by the board as Best Director for his autobiographical film The Fabelmans, while Danielle Deadwyler‘s moving performance in Till earned her one of the National Board’s two Breakthrough Performance honors.

Other winners included the Robert Downey Jr.-starring film about his late filmmaker father, Sr., which earned the organization’s Best Documentary honor. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On snagged the Best Animated Feature honor.

The full list of winners can be found on the National Board of Review’s website.

DOJ asks federal judge to hold Trump team in contempt over classified documents

December 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — The Department of Justice has urged a federal judge in Washington, D.C., to hold former President Trump’s team in contempt of court for failing to comply fully with a May subpoena for all documents with classification markings in his possession, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

DOJ’s urging is part of sealed court proceedings in Washington, where DOJ and Trump lawyers have battled for weeks over compliance with grand jury subpoenas, sources have told ABC News. The Trump team has also not wanted to identify an official custodian of records to attest that all records have been handed over.

What’s apparent is that no one from Trump’s team wants to designate themselves as a custodian of records and potentially make themselves more vulnerable legally.

The Department of Justice declined to comment.

“President Trump and his counsel continue to cooperate and be transparent, despite the unprecedented, illegal, and unwarranted attacks by the weaponized Department of Justice,” said Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump.

MORE: Special counsel subpoenas secretaries of state in Michigan, Arizona
If the judge were to rule in DOJ’s favor, the punishment most likely would be a daily fine.

The Washington Post first reported the news.

Multiple people injured in explosion at Iowa plant

December 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(MARENGO, Iowa) — Multiple people were injured in an explosion at a plant in Iowa on Thursday, hospital officials said, as crews continue to battle a massive blaze in the incident.

No fatalities were reported following the explosion at the facility in Marengo, located about 25 miles southwest of Cedar Rapids, Iowa State Trooper Bob Conrad confirmed to ABC News. All 30 people who were in the building at the time have also been accounted for, he said.

Ten to 15 people were injured in the incident, with most in the “mild to moderate injury category,” Dr. Theresa Brennan, chief medical officer for University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, told reporters.

Only one of the patients was in what they consider to be the most serious injury category for a mass casualty incident, Brennan said.

Drone footage showed emergency responders battling a large fire with black billowing smoke at the plant, which based on property records is a soybean crushing facility, according to ABC Cedar Rapids affiliate KCRG.

The local sheriff’s office advised anyone who had been evacuated due to the fire to go to the Iowa County Transportation building, or otherwise stay indoors.

“A large fire is being fought,” the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office said on social media. “PLEASE, NO SIGHT SEEING!”

City officials also urged residents to avoid the 800 block of East South Street amid the fire.

Residents in the area reported hearing a loud “boom” Thursday morning.

“I’d seen all the ambulances and stuff going, and the fire trucks, and I’d seen the smoke right away,” Sam Murphy told KCRG. “So I went down to the Big G and got some water and stuff for them.”

Anthony Schropp told KCRG he was among those in the immediate area of the plant ordered to evacuate. He was working three blocks from the plant at the time.

“It shook our building. We heard the explosion,” he told the station. “We thought someone drove into our garage door at the shop.”

Trooper Conrad said Thursday evening that the fire is not yet out, but is “down” from where it was. Once the fire is extinguished, the state fire marshal can begin an investigation into the cause.

ABC News’ Victoria J. Arancio and Matt Foster contributed to this report.

Sam Asghari hints Britney Spears’ protective fans are causing her “more stress and damage”

December 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Sam Asghari finally broke his silence and addressed fans who are spreading rumors his wife, Britney Spears, still isn’t free — or worse.

Taking to his Instagram Story, the Iranian actor explained, “Social media can be traumatizing. Sometimes it’s good to take a break. [Britney] has her voice and is a free woman. I have respect for her privacy and I protect it at all times.”

Britney recently reactivated her Instagram profile after shutting it down earlier this month, sparking fans’ concern about her safety.

Sam continued, “I’ve always respected and supported her privacy with everything I’ve had. I ask of you supportive and protective fans to do the same.”

“Out of respect for her privacy I don’t post her 24/7. I ask for permission if I ever do,” he continued, seemingly to address why he doesn’t always feature her on his social media or bring her to public events. In reference to the latter, said Sam, “It would be my honor if she joins. For her those things are not fun. They’re [hectic] and full of stress.”

In closing, Sam asked fans to give Britney space by writing, “Sometimes being overprotective can cause more stress and damage.”

Britney hasn’t posted anything to her Instagram since she reactivated her account. Her most recent post was a message to her sons, which she wrote the day after her 41st birthday. “To both of my boys … I love you … I would die for you,” she wrote.

Good news: ‘Murder hornets’ haven’t been seen in Washington this year

December 8, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — For the first time since 2019, the northern giant hornet hasn’t been found in Washington State.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Pest Program announced on Wednesday that it hasn’t trapped or confirmed any sightings of the hornets this year.

The hornets, once known as the “murder hornets,” are an invasive species that can ravage honeybee populations.

It’s not known how the killer hornets, native to Asian countries including China and Japan, arrived in the Pacific Northwest — but a plausible theory is that they came in via international cargo.

“While not detecting any hornets this year is promising, the work to ensure they are eradicated is not over yet,” Sven Spichiger, WSDA managing entomologist, said in a press release. “Research to develop a better trap continues and public reports – which account for half of all confirmed detections – remain critical.”

WSDA etymologists discovered and destroyed the first northern giant hornet nest in the U.S. in 2020 in Blaine, Washington, located north of Seattle, near the Canadian border, collecting over 500 hornets.

After eradicating the nest, during which the crew vacuumed out nearly 100 hornets, the entomologists removed the portion of the tree with the nest and opened it the following week to collect any hornets that had remained. The crew had pumped carbon dioxide into the tree during the nest removal to kill or anesthetize any remaining hornets, and many were still alive, officials said at the time. Last year, state officials found and destroyed three additional nests.

Federal guidelines demand three consecutive years without the hornets being detected to declare they’re eliminated, according to WSDA.

ABC News’ Meredith Deliso contributed to this report.

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