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House Jan. 6 committee chairman confirms date for the likely final hearing

September 20, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill will hold another hearing next week, the group’s chairman said Tuesday, suggesting that it could be the last time they convene publicly.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., told reporters at the Capitol on Tuesday that the committee will hold its final hearing on Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. ET.

“I can say that unless something else develops, this hearing at this point is the final hearing. But it’s not in stone because things happen,” Thompson said.

He added that the committee hearing will feature “substantial footage” of the riot and “significant witness testimony” that hasn’t previously been released, but he declined to divulge any details or the topic.

The hearing, should it be the last one, could mark a crescendo of the panel’s work before it releases a final investigative report, which is expected later this year.

The hearings so far have already featured multiple startling moments, including an array of former aides and associates of President Donald Trump recounting his state of mind after he lost the 2020 election and before and during the Jan. 6 riot by his supporters.

According to testimony at the hearing, Trump knew protesters in Washington were armed that day but still urged them to march to the Capitol and reacted angrily when he was barred from joining the group. (Trump has denied wrongdoing and said the committee is politically motivated.)

The panel is racing to finish its work before the next Congress starts up amid speculation that a House GOP majority would scrap the investigation entirely.

Outstanding questions remain over what witnesses may be called and whether committee investigators will press Trump or former Vice President Mike Pence to testify. The committee has also sent a letter to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich seeking information and records over communications with Trump’s team before and after the attack on the Capitol.

The committee has interviewed several people linked to Trump or who served in his administration, including several former Cabinet secretaries, whose testimonies have not yet been seen publicly.

Next week’s hearing will be the committee’s first since the FBI searched Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort over his possession of what the government says was highly classified documents.

1997 Kentucky school shooter says he feels responsible for Columbine, other shootings

September 20, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — A Kentucky man currently serving a life sentence for a deadly 1997 school shooting said he feels responsible for school shootings that have happened in the U.S.

On Dec. 1, 1997, then-14-year-old Michael Carneal opened fire on a prayer group at Heath High School near Paducah, Kentucky, killing three of his fellow students and injuring another five. After pleading guilty, he was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

With 24 years and nine months of his sentence served, Carneal, now 39, is seeking parole in what’s one of the first known instances of a school shooter facing the possibility of leaving prison.

After hearing testimony from Carneal and several victims this week, the two members of the Kentucky parole board were unable to make a unanimous decision on his parole, sending the decision to the full board next week.

During his parole hearing on Tuesday, Carneal, who spoke via Zoom from Kentucky State Reformatory, apologized for his actions and said since his incarceration he has received multiple mental health diagnoses, for which he takes medication.

Carneal said some of the symptoms of his illness include hearing voices, which often encourage him to behave violently. He recounted that he was hearing such voices before the shooting. Asked during the hearing if he still hears those voices, he said “Yes.” He said they told him to throw himself down the stairs as recently as two days ago, though he said he believes he now has his actions under control.

The decades since the Paducah incident have seen the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history, including in Uvalde, Texas, earlier this year.

When asked about the school shootings that have followed, Carneal said, “I feel responsible for them on some level,” in particular the 1999 shooting at Columbine that killed 12 students and a teacher. He said he felt suicidal after learning about Columbine and had to be hospitalized.

At one point, the parole board members asked Carneal to name his eight victims. He said he considered one of them — 14-year-old Nicole Hadley, whom he killed — a “very good friend.”

“How does that make you feel, that you took the life or injured those eight?” Kentucky Parole Board chairperson Ladeidra Jones asked.

“It makes me feel terrible that I hurt anybody, my friends or not my friends,” he responded.

In testimony from Carneal’s victims and their families during a hearing on Monday, most encouraged the parole board to deny Carneal’s request for parole, saying his actions have caused permanent harm and he was still too much of a risk for the public.

Missy Jenkins Smith, who was paralyzed by one of the bullets Carneal fired, said keeping Carneal in prison for life “is the only way his victims can feel comfortable and safe.” She also spoke about the impact of the injuries she suffered in the shooting.

“I have been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole after living the consequence of Michael Carneal’s decision, to not be able to walk,” Smith said. “I’m forced to continue with every day getting harder and harder as the years pass during my life sentence. The future, and the fear of it, haunts me.”

But at least one victim, Hollan Holm, said Carneal was an adult being held responsible for the actions of a child, and that having spent two-thirds of his life in prison, deserves a chance to do some good in the community.

The parole board members noted Carneal’s attorney and family had submitted plans of action should his parole be granted, but Carneal did not submit one on his own behalf. Both parole board members appeared skeptical that he had fully thought about his plans to successfully reintegrate into society.

After hearing testimony from Carneal and several victims, the two members of the Kentucky parole board were unable to make a unanimous decision on whether to release him in November or defer his next opportunity for parole for up to five years.

The full board is scheduled to meet on Monday to decide whether Carneal should be released, serve out his full sentence or have another chance to seek parole at a later date for up to 10 years.

Fed expected to raise interest rates, escalate fight against inflation

September 20, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Wall Street will watch closely on Wednesday as the Federal Reserve is expected to escalate its fight against inflation with a dramatic interest rate hike.

The move would come a little more than a week after a higher-than-expected inflation report revealed that prices rose slightly in August, worsening the cost woes for U.S. households and sending the S&P 500 tumbling for its worst day of 2022.

The Fed has instituted a series of aggressive interest rate hikes in recent months as it tries to slash price increases by slowing the economy and choking off demand. But the approach risks tipping the U.S. into an economic downturn and putting millions out of work.

Speaking at a conference held by the conservative-leaning Cato Institute, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said earlier this month that the central bank must act “forthrightly, strongly” to dial back inflation.

The combination of those comments and the inflation data last week has led many economists to expect another 0.75% interest rate hike on Wednesday. Some economists have predicted that the Fed will raise rates by 1%, which it has not done in four decades.

At each of its last two meetings, the central bank has increased its benchmark interest rate by 0.75% — jumbo-sized hikes last matched in 1994.

The rate hikes have yielded mixed results, however. On an annual basis, consumer prices have moderated slightly but remain highly elevated.

The consumer price index rose 8.3% over the past year as of August, a slight slowdown from 8.5% in July, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Some prices have already fallen significantly, though. Gas prices dropped 10.6% in August, the bureau said.

Meanwhile, rate increases appear to have slowed key sectors of the economy, sending mortgage rates higher and slowing the construction of new homes, for instance.

Still, other indicators suggest the U.S. economy continues to hum.

U.S. hiring fell from its breakneck pace but remained robust in August, with the economy adding 315,000 jobs and the unemployment rate rising to 3.7% as more people sought work, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in early September.

At closing Tuesday, each of the major stock indexes fell roughly 1% ahead of an anticipated rate hike. The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled nearly 300 points.

Chris Cornell-played acoustic guitar being auctioned to benefit Ukraine

September 20, 2022 by WDNY Radio

An acoustic guitar played by the late Chris Cornell is being auctioned off in support of Ukraine amid its ongoing fight against Russia’s invasion.

The guitar, made by the Washburn USA custom shop, belongs to musician Pete Thorn, who took the instrument on tour with him in 2009 when he played in Soundgarden frontman’s solo live band. According to Thorn, Cornell liked the guitar so much that he would borrow it to play a few songs each night on the tour.

Proceeds from the auction will be donated to the organization Save Our Allies, which is providing humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine. A press release states that the guitar is being auctioned with the blessing of Cornell’s widow, Vicky.

For more info, visit SOA.RallyUp.com/UKR.

Thorn also performed with Cornell’s daughter, Toni, during her rendition of the Prince-written, Sinéad O’Connor-sung song “Nothing Compares 2 U” on The Tonight Show last December.

Crowded House’s postponed North American tour rescheduled for spring 2023

September 20, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Veteran New Zealand/Australian pop-rock band Crowded House has announced rescheduled dates for its recently postponed 2022 North American tour, which now will take place next spring.

The trek’s revamped itinerary, which features 18 shows, now kicks off on May 2 in Vancouver, Canada and is plotted out through a May 30 concert in Boston.

“Crowded House are delighted at long last to be able to play shows in North America,” says frontman Neil Finn in a statement. “We have been picking up the pace recently as the world opens up and can’t wait present the show with this band lineup in absolute top form to the good folk of North America, from sea to shining sea.”

Last month, the band announced that its 2022 tour, which had been slated to run from early September to early October, was being postponed because current Crowded House drummer Elroy Finn — Neil’s son — had injured his lower back and needed time to recuperate.

Previously purchased tickets for the 2022 dates will be honored for the rescheduled shows.

In addition to Neil and Elroy, Crowded House’s current lineup also features original bassist Nick Seymour, acclaimed producer Mitchell Froom on keyboards and Neil’s son Liam on guitar. The band is supporting its latest studio album, 2021’s Dreamers Are Waiting.

Prior to the North American trek, Crowded House will launch a 2022 Australian tour running from late October to late November. Check out the band’s full schedule at CrowdedHouse.com.

Music notes: BLACKPINK, Justin Timberlake, Megan Thee Stallion, BTS, Madonna and more

September 20, 2022 by WDNY Radio

If you missed it, BLACKPINK performed “Shut Down” last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Lisa, Rosé, Jisoo and Jennie are promoting their newly released sophomore album, BORN PINK.

Justin Timberlake sent love to Jimmy Fallon, who turned 48 on Monday. The Grammy winner saluted Fallon on his Instagram Story, writing, “My phone could never capture the beauty of your aura. I can’t imagine my feed without you. You complete me.” Justin signed it “from your Instagram boyfriend.”

Speaking of Fallon, the late night host is going viral for his manic-opening monologue, where he tried deciphering all the Easter eggs Taylor Swift possibly left for her upcoming Midnights album.

Megan Thee Stallion is also heading to late night as one of the newly announced hosts of Saturday Night Live. Variety reports the “Sweetest Pie” rapper will make her hosting debut on October 15 and will also serve as the musical guest.

BTS will stream their concert — BTS in BUSAN — October 15 on the global platform Weverse. The septet will take over Busan Asaid Main Stadium, and the streaming platform is already gearing up to host tons of fan traffic.

Madonna released the music video for her “Hung Up” remix with Dominican rapper Tokischa. True to Madonna fashion, the clip is ultra-racy and features the two sensually cozying up and taking over a night club.

Nick Jonas and wife Priyanka Chopra took their baby daughter Malti on her first vacation to New York City. Priyanka shared snaps to her Instagram of them gazing out of the window and was sure to keep her little one’s face hidden.

Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde brushed off breakup rumors by attending a screening of their movie Don’t Worry Darling together in New York City. People reports the two didn’t pose together on the red carpet.

David Byrne, Dead & Company and more salute National Voter Registration Day

September 20, 2022 by WDNY Radio

A variety of artists, including Talking Heads frontman David Byrne and members of the Grateful Dead spin-off group Dead & Company, are encouraging fans to check their registration status on Tuesday in conjunction with National Voter Registration Day.

As part of a campaign launched by the nonpartisan voter-registration organization HeadCount, the musicians took to social media to encourage their supporters to participate in the November 8 midterm elections.

Byrne shared a photo of himself holding up a sign that reads “Register to Vote,” while Dead & Company posted a pic of bandmates Bob Weir and Mickey Hart holding signs with the message “Vote” incorporated into the Grateful Dead’s famous skull logo.

Among the many other music artists encouraging voter registration on their social media sites were Bonnie Raitt, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Harry Styles, Death Cab for Cutie and The Lumineers.

Music notes: Rod Stewart, Andy Grammer, Nick Jonas, Harry Styles, Justin Timberlake and more

September 20, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Rod Stewart‘s wife Penny Lancaster served as security at Queen Elizabeth II‘s funeral, The Scottish Sun reports. Penny is Special Constable for City of London Police, and Rod is a knight; the pair are friendly with King Charles III.

Andy Grammer headlines Beyond the Sidelines in Indianapolis this Friday. WRTV reports he’ll take over the Lucas Estate in Carmel to support the Kicking The Stigma Action Grants. The benefit highlights mental health treatment and raises awareness about mental illness.

Nick Jonas and wife Priyanka Chopra took their daughter Malti on her first vacation to New York City. Priyanka shared the snaps to her Instagram of them gazing out of the window and hid her newborn’s face.

Justin Timberlake sent love to Jimmy Fallon, who turned 48 on Monday. The Grammy winner saluted Fallon on his Instagram Story, writing, “My phone could never capture the beauty of your aura. I can’t imagine my feed without you. You complete me.” Justin signed it, “From your Instagram boyfriend.”

The cast of ENCANTO will reunite for the ENCANTO AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL concert events on November 11 and November 12 to perform hits from the Disney animated film, as announced at D23 Expo.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Kendrick Lamar and Megan Thee Stallion set for ‘SNL’ season 48

September 20, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Kendrick Lamar will be the musical guest for Saturday Night Live’s season 48 premiere on October 1.
This will be his third performance on SNL. Two weeks later on October 15, Megan Thee Stallion will pull double duty as the host and musical guest. After previously performing, this will be Megan’s first time hosting.

After a five year hiatus, Lamar dropped his long awaited fifth studio album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, on May 13. Pharrell Williams is among the producers, along with Kendrick’s cousin Baby Keem. The album features Kodak Black, Summer Walker, Ghostface Killah from Wu-Tang Clan and many more.

The 14-time Grammy winner kicked off the North American leg of the Big Steppers tour on July 19 in Oklahoma City. His final American show was Saturday in Los Angeles.

Lamar received nine nominations for the BET Hip Hop Awards, which will air October 4.

Megan released her second album, Traumazine, on August 12 featuring Future, Jhené Aiko, Latto, Dua Lipa, Lucky Daye, Rico Nasty and more. The three-time Grammy winner is up for two BET Hip Hop Awards.

Department of Justice fails to fully count prison deaths, Senate report finds

September 20, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — The Department of Justice failed to count nearly 1,000 deaths in U.S. prisons during the 2021 fiscal year, according to a new report released by the Senate subcommittee on investigations.

States that accept certain federal funding are required under the Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2013 (DCRA) to report to the DOJ who is dying in prisons and jails.

The law is intended to collect data on the scope of prison deaths in an effort to curb them.

But the Senate committee report, released Tuesday, alleges that the DOJ failed to properly implement reporting requirements — leading to ineffective and unfulfilled collection of the death data.

The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ABC News; bureau personnel were scheduled to testify before Congress later Tuesday afternoon.

The subcommittee said in its report that the DOJ will be eight years late on providing Congress with a report on how deaths in custody can be reduced. The report was supposed to be sent in 2016, but it’s not expected to be finished until 2024.

The DOJ failed to identify at least 990 prison and arrest-related deaths in the 2021 fiscal year alone, the report found. It also found that 70% of the data the DOJ collected was incomplete and that the DOJ has no plans to publicly publish any of the data from recent years.

“DOJ’s failure to implement DCRA has deprived Congress and the American public of information about who is dying in custody and why,” the report states.

It continued, “This information is critical to improve transparency in prisons and jails, identifying trends in custodial deaths that may warrant corrective action—such as failure to provide adequate medical care, mental health services, or safeguard prisoners from violence—and identifying specific facilities with outlying death rates.”

The report stated that the DOJ’s data on prisons can be collected but that department officials chose not to. The Senate subcommittee called the failure to implement DCRA “a missed opportunity to prevent avoidable deaths.”

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