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Biden still in isolation, feeling ‘well,’ but continues to test positive in rebound COVID case

August 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden “continues to feel well” and is still in isolation after experiencing a rebound case of COVID-19, according to a letter from White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor on Monday.

O’Connor wrote in a memo released by the White House that Biden tested positive on an antigen test Monday morning, a result he said “could be anticipated.” Biden had previously tested negative Tuesday evening, Wednesday morning, Thursday morning and Friday morning before again testing positive on Saturday.

“The President will continue his strict isolation measures as previously described,” O’Connor wrote.

“He will continue to conduct the business of the American people from the Executive Residence,” O’Connor added. “As I have stated previously, the President continues to be very specifically conscientious to protect any of the Executive Residence, White House, Secret Service and other staff whose duties require (albeit socially distanced) proximity to him.”

Biden had first tested positive for COVID-19 on July 21 and ultimately reemerged from isolation last Wednesday after testing negative. However, he had been treated with Paxlovid, an effective coronavirus treatment that at times produces a so-called rebound case after a patient finishes a course of it. High-risk patients still face drastically diminished risks of hospitalization after taking Paxlovid.

The letter did not specify any symptoms Biden is feeling, but the president has been asymptomatic since testing positive again Saturday, according to O’Connor’s past memos. Biden previously had a runny nose, cough, sore throat, a slight fever and body aches after testing positive the first time.

Biden had six close contacts before testing positive for COVID for a second time, though the White House has not announced any positive cases from any of those people.

The rebound case comes after Biden last week gave a speech from the Rose Garden praising vaccines and therapeutics.

“We got through COVID with no fear, I got through it with no fear, a very mild discomfort because of these essential, life-saving tools,” Biden said in the Rose Garden. “You don’t need to be president to get these tools used for your defense.”

Biden’s positive test result has interfered with his travel plans across the country in which he had planned on touting newly passed legislation to invest in production of semiconductors and computer chips. The president has also highlighted a recent agreement between Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on a bill to reduce drug prices, combat climate change and close corporate tax loopholes.

Billy Corgan joins reunited Porno for Pyros at Lollapalooza for Led Zeppelin cover

August 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Billy Corgan made a surprise appearance during Porno for Pyros‘ set at Lollapalooza over the weekend.

The Smashing Pumpkins frontman joined Perry Farrell‘s band for a cover of Led Zeppelin‘s “When the Levee Breaks.” Both Corgan and Farrell posted footage of the onstage collaboration to their Instagram Stories.

The Lolla set marked the latest Porno for Pyros reunion show after the group got back together earlier this year for their first public concert since breaking up in 1998.

Corgan and Farrell, meanwhile, just recently played together during the former’s virtual benefit concert last week to support the victims of the July 4 shooting in Highland Park, Illinois. They closed the show with a joint performance of Jane’s Addiction‘s “Jane Says.”

The two will reunite once more when the Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction launch a U.S. tour in October.

‘The X Factor’ released never-before-seen footage of Harry Styles’ first audition

August 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The X Factor delighted Harry Styles‘ fans by releasing the extended, six-minute cut of his first audition.

“Meet Harry Styles again for the very first time, but with EXTRA footage that’s never been aired before!” the reality competition teased on YouTube.

The clip shows how close Harry came to being cut in round one. Instead of wowing the judges with his take on Stevie Wonder‘s “Isn’t She Lovely,” the then-16-year-old Harry nearly blew it with a shaky rendition of Train‘s “Hey, Soul Sister.”

Unfortunately for the future Grammy winner, he sings the Train hit off-key. The good thing is, judge Simon Cowell decided to give Harry a second chance.

“I don’t know whether it’s the track that’s throwing you, but can I hear something [that’s] just you without any music?” Cowell asks, which led to Harry singing the track that got him through to the next round.

What fans might not have known is that the One Direction singer managed to charm Cowell before showing off his vocal chops, and that may have been why the record executive stuck up for him.

Other unseen footage sees Harry having a fun back-and-forth with Cowell about the most and least popular desserts being sold at the bakery he works at — as well as why he wanted to audition.

“I thought I’d give it a whirl this time… Because my mum’s always told me that I’m a good singer,” he sweetly explains.

Cowell counters in a matter-of-fact tone, “But mum’s normally don’t know.”

“Yeah, that’s what I mean! So I wanted to come and ask the people who know,” Harry smartly responds, which earns him a nod and smile of appreciation from the X Factor judge.

… And the rest is history!

At least 30 dead in devastating Kentucky flooding

August 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — The death toll in the devastating flooding that hit eastern Kentucky continues to rise as more rain hits the region, according to officials.

A total of 30 people, including children, have been confirmed dead, and more fatalities are expected, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Monday morning.

Beshear described “widespread damage” that displaced thousands of people, including power outages for thousands of people as well as washed-out roads, destroyed homes and flooded schools.

More rain was falling Monday as search and rescue teams continue to look for those who are unaccounted for. The additional precipitation could potentially cause water levels to rise again in the same area that experienced the catastrophic flooding that began with heavy rains on Wednesday.

More than 600 people have been rescued by aircraft and boat since the flooding began, Beshear said.

The destruction in Kentucky is the latest extreme flooding event to take place in the U.S. in less than a week.

Heavy downpours caused flash flooding in Las Vegas on Friday, with rising waters seen on roadways and parking garages in busy parts of Sin City.

The megadrought has caused the soil in the region to become so dry that it could not absorb the heavy rains, which helped to contribute to the flooding.

Earlier in the week, a flash flooding emergency occurred near St. Louis, which had a record-breaking 8.56 inches of rain in less than 24 hours. One person was found dead in a car on Tuesday after the water began to recede, officials said.

Kentucky is working to establish shelters, Beshear said, asking those who want to help to donate cleaning supplies or water. Last week, President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration.

“Let us wrap our arms around eastern Kentucky and pray for those impacted,” Beshear said.

ABC News’ Matt Foster, Kenton Gewecke and Emily Shapiro contributed to this report.

Man arrested outside Iranian writer’s NY home with AK-47 a year after kidnapping threat

August 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — A man arrested with a loaded AK-47 assault rifle outside the Brooklyn, New York home of an outspoken Iranian writer is due in federal court Monday amid questions about his intent.

Khalid Mehdiyev was charged with possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number after he was seen lurking outside the home of Masih Alinejad, who was targeted last year in a kidnapping plot allegedly organized by Iranian nationals, according to the Department of Justice.

Over two days last week, Mehdiyev was seen in a gray Subaru Forester with an Illinois license plate in front of Alinejad’s home for several hours, according to the criminal complaint. In those hours, the complaint said, Mehdiyev “behaved suspiciously” by approaching the residence, attempting to look inside the windows of the residence and attempting to open the front door.

Police later pulled him over for failing to stop at a stop sign. He was arrested for driving with a suspended license, according to the complaint.

In the rear seat of the Subaru, police found a suitcase containing a Norinco AK-47-style assault rifle loaded with a round in the chamber and a magazine attached, according to the complaint. He also had $1,100 in cash and two other license plates issued from other states besides Illinois.

Mehdiyev initially told police he was in the area of the Brooklyn home because he was looking for a place to rent and was going to knock on the woman’s door asking to rent a room. He also claimed he did not know there was an assault rifle in the suitcase, according to the complaint. He later changed his story and admitted the gun belonged to him and he was “looking for someone.” He then asked for a lawyer and stopped talking, according to the complaint.

The complaint did not identify Alinejad but she posted video of the suspect outside her house on Twitter.

“My crime is giving voice to voiceless people,” she wrote. “The US administration must be tough on terror.”

Last July, a federal court unsealed an indictment charging four Iranian nationals with conspiring to kidnap Alinejad for “mobilizing public opinion in Iran and around the world to bring about changes to the regime’s laws and practices.”

Federal prosecutors said the suspects were directed by the government of Iran to conduct surveillance on Alinejad and lure her to a third country to be captured and brought back to Iran.

“You go to my beautiful country, you will be beaten up because you’re unveiled. … I launched a campaign against compulsory hijab, and that is why, actually, I’m receiving death threats,” Alinejad told ABC News Live last year after the kidnapping plot was revealed. “Of course, it is a scary [thing] that they were going to kidnap me, but that shows that they [are] scared [of] me and millions of other Iranian women, Iranian men, who got united this time loudly sending videos to me saying ‘no’ to Islamic Republic. That’s why they sent someone here in New York to kidnap me.”

Melissa Etheridge’s Broadway dreams may be close to coming true

August 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Over the years, Melissa Etheridge has flirted with Broadway: In 2011, she played the role of St. Jimmy in the musical American Idiot, and in 2019, it was reported that she was writing the music for a stage version of the movie Mystic Pizza. It turns out, she’s also got plans to bring her own songs and story to the Great White Way.

Unlike, say, Jersey Boys, which tells the story of The Four Seasons through the group’s songs, or Mamma Mia!, which uses ABBA‘s songs as part of an original story, Melissa tells ABC Audio that what she has in mind was inspired by something one of her musical heroes did.

“The first thing will be more like Springsteen on Broadway,” Melissa says, referring to the hugely successful run of shows Bruce Springsteen did on and off from 2017 to 2021. “It will be me. It’ll be my songs and my story.”

So, did Melissa just go to see Bruce and figure, “I can do that?” She laughs, “Exactly. I went, ‘I can do that, and I can do it my own way.'”

She explains, “I mean, he did a very specific thing and my story is certainly different. And the way that I would unfold it is going to be different too.”

Melissa has shows scheduled through September — including her destination festival Etheridge Island over Labor Day weekend — but the Broadway plan is looming.

“There might be something at the end of this year; we’ll see,” she teases.

Gina Rodriguez expecting first child with husband Joe LoCicero

August 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Gina Rodriguez celebrated two things over the weekend — her birthday and her pregnancy!

On Saturday, the Jane the Virgin star celebrated her 38th birthday and announced that she’s expecting her first child with husband Joe LoCicero.

Taking to social media, Rodriguez shared a montage of loving moments between the couple with the last clip being a clip of the pair smiling as she held up a positive pregnancy test.

“This birthday hits different,” she captioned the post.

Rodriguez and LoCicero, who tied the knot in May 2019, were showered with congratulatory messages in the comments.

Brittany Snow wrote, “Yaaaaaay my love!! So much love for you THREE.”

Jordin Sparks also shared the excitement commenting, “OH MY GOSH!!!!!! Congratulations!”

Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning to host CMA Awards

August 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Luke Bryan is returning to host the CMA Awards, but he won’t be doing it alone.

Luke will team up with NFL legend Peyton Manning to host the 56th annual show live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. This is Luke’s second year hosting the CMAs after making his debut in 2021, and Peyton’s first.

“Being a part of such a historical night that honors my peers and country music is such a privilege. When I was asked if Peyton Manning was someone I would consider co-hosting with I didn’t hesitate. We have become great friends through the years and what he brings to the table is going make it even more of a blast,” Luke shares in a statement. “Hey Peyton, I hope you’re ready for the night of your life!”

“I cannot wait to head to Nashville and take the CMA Awards stage alongside my friend Luke Bryan. I am such a huge fan of country music, so to have the chance to stand among so many incredibly talented artists is an absolute honor,” adds Peyton.

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood hosted the show for 11 consecutive years before Carrie hosted with Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton in 2019. Reba and Darius Rucker helmed the show in 2020 before passing the baton to Luke.

The CMA Awards air live on November 9 on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.

Metallica premieres live video of ’Stranger Things’-themed “Master of Puppets” Lollapalooza performance

August 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Metallica has premiered the live video of their Stranger Things-themed performance of “Master of Puppets” at Lollapalooza last week.

During the song’s solo, the stage’s video screens showed footage from the Netflix sci-fi series, specifically of the character Eddie Munson shredding the 1986 thrash classic during the season four finale. The “Master of Puppets” placement in Stranger Things has led to newfound popularity for the track, which charted on the Billboard Hot 100 following the finale’s premiere last month.

You can now watch the “Master of Puppets” live video streaming on YouTube.

The Metallica and Stranger Things collaboration continued throughout Lollapalooza weekend when Eddie Munson actor Joseph Quinn met the metal legends for the first time backstage at the festival. Netflix posted a video of the meeting, which saw Metallica and Quinn jam “Master of Puppets” together. Metallica also gifted Quinn with a signed replica of the guitar he played on Stranger Things.

Dave Grohl, Nine Inch Nails & more playing Joe Walsh’s VetsAid benefit concert

August 1, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Dave Grohl, Nine Inch Nails, The Black Keys and The Breeders will all perform at guitar legend Joe Walsh‘s annual veteran’s benefit concert, VetsAid.

The show will take place November 13 in Columbus, Ohio. Walsh, who spent part of his youth growing up in Columbus and went to college at Ohio’s Kent State University, wanted to create an all-Ohio bill for the concert, which this year will specifically support Ohio veterans and their families.

Grohl was born in Warren, Ohio, and NIN, The Black Keys and The Breeders all formed in the Buckeye State.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, August 5 at 10 a.m. ET. For more info, visit VetsAid.org.

Notably, VetsAid marks Grohl’s first announced live appearance to follow Foo Fighters‘ upcoming Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts, taking place September 3 in London and September 27 in Los Angeles. Grohl publicly performed for the first time since Hawkins’ unexpected death in March during Paul McCartney‘s headlining Glastonbury set in June.

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