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Kevin Feige explains why T’Challa was not recast in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

September 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

When it was announced that another Black Panther movie was to come after the death of actor Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed the titular superhero aka T’Challa in the 2018 hit film, Marvel fans wondered how another story could be told without him.

Some even wondered if the franchise would continue with a different actor taking on the role; it was later revealed that T’Challa would not be recast in the film.

In a new interview with Empire, Marvel boss Kevin Feige explained the reason for the decision.

“It just felt like it was much too soon,” Feige said. “Stan Lee always said that Marvel represents the world outside your window…as extraordinary and fantastical as our characters and stories are, there’s a relatable and human element to everything we do. The world is still processing the loss of Chad. And Ryan [Coogler] poured that into the story.”

Coogler, the writer and director of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, worked alongside Feige to create a story that honored Boseman. When it came to crafting it, Feige said that the conversations focused on figuring out “how could the legacy of Chadwick – and what he had done to help Wakanda and the Black Panther become these incredible, aspirational, iconic ideals – continue?”

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever releases in theaters on November 11.

Disney is the parent company of Marvel and ABC News.

Rob Thomas announces 10th anniversary benefit concert at Borgata Hotel

September 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Rob Thomas‘ annual charity concert at the Borgata Hotel, and he’s making this one-night-only event even more special.

This year, he’s invited some “very special guests” to perform along with him — but he is remaining tight lipped on who they are at the moment. The show is set for Sunday, January 15 at the Atlantic City-based Borgata Hotel.

The concert benefits Thomas’ Sidewalk Angels Foundation, which he co-founded in 2003 with wife Marisol Maldonado. He explained on Twitter that his charity supports “over 20 no-kill animal shelters and animal rescues across the country” by providing them critical resources and funds.

The Grammy winner noted COVID-19 impacted these rescues and shelters, so his charity is helping them “continue their work as well as make sure that families can continue to get the care they need for their pets.”

Tickets for the event go live on Tuesday, September 27 for VIP and fan club members on The Borgata‘s website. General public ticket sales start Friday, September 30.

Ellie Goulding opens up about her anxiety, crippling panic attacks

September 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Ellie Goulding admits her mental health is suffering because of the ongoing climate crisis. The singer said her anxiety was heightened after she welcomed her son, Arthur.

“My anxiety just went off the chart. It felt like it reached new heights of panic and fear,” she told The Mirror. “If you haven’t had a panic attack, it’s so hard to describe and explain but it’s just so overwhelming… With the current climate and what’s going on in the world, it’s making everything seem a lot more intense.”

Ellie admits her anxiety has “dictated quite a lot of my life and career,” but she’s now struggling because she fears the kind of world her son will inherit.

“It’s some kind of survival mechanism to you and your kid. You want to survive as much as possible for them and you also want them to survive, so you’re kind of fighting for both of you. It’s a lot,” the climate activist explained.

Arthur, who’s one, helps console his mother by just being his adorable self. “When I get anxious, giving Arthur cuddles and hanging out with him really makes me feel a lot better,” the Grammy nominee said.

Ellie, who shares Arthur with husband Caspar Jopling, added motherhood has “made me much more of an emotional person.”

“Physically and emotionally, [motherhood] changes you. It’s almost like you’re navigating a new emotion, which you’ve never experienced before,” she explained. “Suddenly your brain has expanded in its capacity to love and care for things.”

Ellie is ready to unleash her fifth studio album and released her new single “Easy Lover.” The singer said it “feels good” to return to music, adding, “I’ve been doing this for such a long time, you have to get to a point where you just put trust in yourself.”

Biden to propose new rule requiring airlines to disclose extra fees upfront

September 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden on Monday is expected to announce a new proposed rule that would allow fliers to see the total cost of an airline ticket, including extra fees, before they click on “purchase.”

Under the proposed rule, airlines and travel search websites would have to disclose fees upfront — the first time the airfare is displayed — charges associated with baggage, sitting with your child, and changing or cancelling your flight.

The announcement is part of a larger effort from the White House to help lower prices for consumers as record high inflation continues. It also comes with midterm elections approaching.

“Airline passengers deserve to know the full, true cost of their flights before they buy a ticket,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a release. “This new proposed rule would require airlines to be transparent with customers about the fees they charge, which will help travelers make informed decisions and save money.”

Scott Keyes, founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights, believes giving clearer disclosure of these fees upfront will be a “major win for travelers” by making it “far easier” to compare the full cost of different flight options.

He explained that some airlines now make more money on fees than fares, partly due to the fact that fees are exempt from the 7.5% federal excise tax on airfare.

Airlines for America (A4A), which represents major U.S. passenger airlines, responded to the rule arguing that airlines already “offer transparency to consumers from first search to touchdown.”

“U.S. airlines are committed to providing the highest quality of service, which includes clarity regarding prices, fees and ticket terms,” the group said in a statement. “A4A passenger carriers provide details regarding the breakdown of airfares on their websites, providing consumers clarity regarding the total cost of a ticket. This includes transparency regarding taxes and government fees on airline tickets, which account for more than 20 percent of many domestic one-stop, roundtrip tickets.”

The public has 60 days to comment on the proposal before it can be finalized.

Amazon Prime early access sale: Start saving big this October

September 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Amazon has announced a second Prime event happening next month, just ahead of the busy holiday season.

The retail giant has introduced Amazon Prime’s early access sale which will take place Oct. 11-12, making it the first time there will be two Prime events in one year.

The 48-hour shopping event first took place in July and is back to give Prime members exclusive early access to holiday deals across all categories including electronics, fashion, home, kitchen, pets, toys and Amazon devices.

Amazon Prime’s early access sale will include deals on big-name brands including Peloton, New Balance, Philips Sonicare and more.

For the first time, the company is also planning to curate a top 100 selection of some of its best deals including offerings from iRobot, KitchenAid and Samsung. Prime members will have the added benefit of shopping up to 80% off select Fire TV smart TVs, as well as additional savings on Alexa-enabled devices and products from Adidas, LEGO, Ashley Furniture and more.

“We are so excited to help Prime members kick off the holiday season with Amazon’s new Prime Early Access Sale — an exclusive opportunity for members to get deep discounts on top brands we know they are looking for this time of year,” Jamil Ghani, vice president of Amazon Prime, said in a statement. “And members can start enjoying exclusive Prime benefits and offers now, plus find gift ideas for the family with our holiday gift guides and this year’s Toys We Love list.”

News of Amazon’s fall Prime shopping event follows other retailers rolling out their own early pre-Black Friday sales shopping events.

Target Deal Days is slated to kick off Oct. 6-8 offering thousands of deals on everything from toys and gifts to everyday essentials.

Additionally, Walmart has shared news that the company will be hosting a sales event similar to Amazon and Target, but further details and dates have not yet been confirmed.

Experts agree that these earlier-than-usual sales may be a result of rising inflation.

“First, by starting earlier, retailers are giving holiday shoppers longer durations of time to stretch those paychecks that are already tight,” ABC News technology and consumer correspondent Becky Worley said on Good Morning America.

“Because of inflation, consumers are buying fewer discretionary items like clothing, so expect sales there,” she added. “Then, there’s the whiplash effect with inventory which was scarce during COVID — in many cases, now there’s too much stock.”

Lainey Wilson and Hailey Whitters prank expecting father Jon Pardi onstage

September 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Jon Pardi is a soon-to-be father, and his tour openers Lainey Wilson and Hailey Whitters are celebrating the news in a humorous fashion.

At a recent show, Lainey and Hailey donned a pair of baby costumes complete with giant diapers, a bonnet and a bib that reads “cry baby.” They ventured out onstage to surprise Jon in the outfits and present him with a black T-shirt that says “daddy.”

Jon also got in on the fun; he held the T-shirt and sprayed a yellow baby bottle all over the stage while Lainey took a fake sip.

The three then did some synchronized line dancing while singing his hit, “Beer Can’t Fix,” Jon laughing as Lainey put a pacifier in his fiddle player’s mouth.

“Y’all give it up for daddy!” Lainey shouted to cheers from the crowd. “#Prank 2: soon to be daddy @jonpardi gets double teamed by his tour babies,” she added in the video caption.

“This is epic,” commented Ingrid Andress.

Jon and his wife, Summer, announced last week that they’re expecting their first child early next year.

Heart’s Nancy Wilson releases solo song paying tribute to Taylor Hawkins

September 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson has released a new song called “Amigo Amiga” that pays tribute to her friend, late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.

The melancholy tune, which Wilson began writing on the night that Hawkins died, got its premiere Monday at Consequence.net along with a lyric video featuring footage of Nancy singing the song and playing acoustic guitar.

“I heard myself in tears saying ‘too soon too soon’ which became a refrain in the song,” Wilson explains to Consequence. “I spent quite a few sleepless nights trying to express it all. He was a wonderful friend and we always had funny pet names for each other like ‘Amigo’ and ‘Amiga’ as well as ‘Luv’ and ‘Dahling.'”

Hawkins was featured on a song called “Party at the Angel Ballroom” that appeared on Nancy’s 2021 debut solo studio album, You and Me. Wilson is also among the many stars scheduled to perform at the second of two Hawkins tribute concerts organized by the Foo Fighters, taking place this Tuesday, September 27 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.

“It is such a painful loss — but it also feels like Taylor has galvanized and re-energized rock ‘n’ roll with so many of his musician friends and fans coming together,” Wilson says. “It’s a new renaissance Taylor and the Foo family have gifted us all.”

All proceeds raised by sales of the track will be donated to the Recording Academy’s MusiCares charity.

Taylor Hale makes historic ‘Big Brother 24’ win

September 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

History was made when Taylor Hale was crowned the winner of Big Brother season 24 on Sunday night.

The 27-year-old current reigning Miss Michigan USA is the first Black woman to win the non-celebrity format of the game. In 2019, singer and television personality Tamar Braxton won the second season of the celebrity edition of the show, making her the first Black woman to win any format of American Big Brother.

This marks the second time a Black woman has sat in the final two chairs in the history of the regular format of the show. It first happened 20 years ago to the day of Hale’s win, when Big Brother legend Danielle Reyes lost season 3 in a 9-1 vote to first place finisher Lisa Donahue.

Hale beat out this season’s second-place finisher Monte Taylor in an 8-1 vote. In her passionate final speech to the jury, she said that she has come to understand that she is not a shield but a sword.

“I am not a victim; I am a victor. And if there is one word that is going to describe the entire season, it is resiliency,” Hale said. “If you are to ask yourself who the most resilient person of this season has been, it is me.”

In addition to winning the season, Hale became the first person to win both the game and the fan-voted America’s Favorite Player award. She wins $50,000 and a cruise trip for two along with her $750,000 grand prize. Because of both wins, Hale cemented herself as the player to have won the most money in the history of American Big Brother.

John Cena now a Guinness World Record holder thanks to his 650th Make-A-Wish visit

September 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Sure, he was a champion in the wrestling ring and has starred in blockbuster movies like Fast 9 and hit shows like Peacemaker, but John Cena is now officially a world record holder, for a great reason.

Guinness Book of World Records has certified that Cena has set the all-time record for most visits with patients in the Make-A-Wish charity, which grants once-in-a-lifetime requests for critically ill people aged 2-18.

With 650 visits under his belt, Cena’s giving back has officially made him a different kind of champion.

Cena, who made his first Make-A-Wish visit in 2002, remains the most-requested celebrity, according to the organization.

For the record, it wasn’t even close: In the 42-year history of the charity, the second-place finisher only managed 200 visits, according to Guinness.

As reported back in June, Cena traveled to Europe to meet with a young special needs fan whose family fled war-torn Ukraine. The star found out Misha Rohozhyn‘s mother told the non-verbal young man they had to leave the country to meet Cena, in an effort to comfort him. Even though it wasn’t an official “wish” with the charity, the star made the fantasy happen for real.

Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde shut down breakup rumors with PDA-packed date

September 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde don’t appear to be back on the market. After the couple was hit with breakup rumors, they creatively hit back by enjoying a romantic date night with lots of kisses.

Entertainm ent Tonight reports Harry and Olivia palled around New York City and looked very happy to be in the other’s company. Paparazzi snapped photos of them walking arm-and-arm while others caught them sharing a passionate kiss.

The outlet also reports Olivia supported her beau at his final concert in Madison Square Garden by singing and dancing to his music.

Rumors of a breakup hit the happy couple amid a series of strange reports plaguing the premiere of their movie Don’t Worry Darling — namely “Spit-Gate,” where Harry was accused of spitting on co-star Chris Pine.

All three have denied the reports, with Wilde most recently defending Harry on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. “I think it’s a perfect example of people who look for drama anywhere they can. Harry did not spit on Chris,” the movie director expressed. “He really didn’t!”

Harry and Olivia have been romantically linked since January 2021.

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