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Trump returns to Washington for first time since leaving office in insurrection’s shadow

July 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Former President Donald Trump returns to Washington on Tuesday for the first time since leaving office in the shadow of the Capitol insurrection to deliver remarks to ultra-conservative allies at the America First Agenda Summit.

Trump’s return, at a two-day conference hosted by the America First Policy Institute, a MAGA-aligned group formed when he took office, comes as he publicly teases a 2024 presidential run — and amid a congressional investigation into his actions surrounding the deadly rioting last year by his supporters at the Capitol, which led to his historic second impeachment. (He denies wrongdoing.)

Other prominent conservatives slated to speak Tuesday include House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California; Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La.; Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-Ga.; Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah; former White House aide Kellyanne Conway and GOP ally Newt Gingrich, all of whom have attacked the House Jan. 6 committee and its vice chair, Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo.

With Cheney vowing the committee will hold more hearings in the fall, saying, “The dam has begun to break,” the panel also weighs whether to send a criminal referral to the Justice Department.

A referral is not required for federal authorities to charge Trump himself, nor will one guarantee such a move. But public hearings outlining Trump’s “seven-point plan” to overturn the 2020 presidential election have amped up pressure on Attorney General Merrick Garland to bring a federal criminal case against Trump — which would be the first in history against a former president.

Trump is already facing a civil investigation in New York, by state Attorney General Letitia James, into his family’s real estate business practices; she has argued her office found “significant evidence” of fraud and Trump and some of his children are set to be deposed by investigators. (Trump has claimed James is politically motivated.)

Separately, Sen. Graham, only after a subpoena, will appear before a grand jury in Georgia as part of the Fulton County district attorney’s ongoing investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the state.

The simultaneous probes show how Trump’s legal problems continue to loom over a possible 2024 comeback bid.

The only modern president who has refused to concede defeat, Trump can be expected to lament his 2020 election loss in his address on Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET, though organizers said in a release that his speech will be focused on “America First” policy.

But on the eve of Trump’s return, it was his former Vice President Mike Pence who intended to take the attention of the Republican Party, planning to tout his “Freedom Agenda” in remarks on Monday at the Heritage Foundation that were ultimately canceled due to weather.

Pence remains scheduled to speak before the Young America’s Foundation’s student conference on Tuesday.

Pence and Trump’s appearances further highlight their estrangement-turned-rivalry, as both have thrown their support behind competing candidates in state primary races. In Arizona last week, Pence joined a term-limited Gov. Doug Ducey to rally for Karrin Taylor Robson, widely seen as the establishment GOP candidate in the open race for Ducey’s seat; while Trump campaigned for Kari Lake, a former TV reporter-turned-“Ultra MAGA mom.”

In May, Pence and Trump stumped for opposing candidates in the GOP primary to be Georgia’s governor, with the Pence-backed incumbent, Brian Kemp, soaring to victory over Trump’s pick, former Sen. David Perdue.

Last week in Maryland, Trump’s pick, state Del. Dan Cox — who criticized (and then apologized for criticizing) Pence as a “traitor” after Pence didn’t reject the 2020 results — won the GOP governor’s primary, to the ire of term-limited Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who backed a more moderate candidate and appears to have presidential aspirations himself.

Hogan told ABC News’ This Week co-anchor Jonathan Karl on Sunday that some in the Republican Governors Association were “very concerned” about Trump potentially launching a 2024 presidential bid before November’s midterm races, which Hogan said could upend contests across the country.

“I think most people are very concerned about the damage it does to the party if he announces now,” he said. “And it may help in very red states or very red districts. But in competitive places and purple battlefields, it’s going to cost us seats if he were to do that.”

Former Pence chief of staff appeared before grand jury probing Jan. 6

July 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Marc Short, the former chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, appeared before a federal grand jury investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Short confirmed to ABC News.

Short, in an interview Monday night with ABC News’ Linsey Davis, said he was subpoenaed by a grand jury and complied with the subpoena, adding he “really can’t comment further than that” upon the advice of his legal counsel.

ABC News first reported early Monday that Short had appeared last week before the grand jury.

Short was caught by an ABC News camera departing D.C. District Court on Friday alongside his attorney, Emmet Flood.

Short is the highest-ranking Trump White House official known to have appeared before the grand jury.

“I think that having the Capitol ransacked the way that it was, I think did present liability and danger,” he told Davis in the interview. “And I think the Secret Service did a phenomenal job that day. I think that the bigger risk and despite the way perhaps it was characterized in the hearings last week, candidly, is that if the mob had gotten closer to the vice president, I do think there would have been a massacre in the Capitol that day.”

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment to ABC News.

Pence’s former chief counsel, Greg Jacob, also testified before the grand jury, sources familiar with his appearance told ABC News.

Neither Jacob nor his attorney responded to a request for comment from ABC News.

Jacob testified publicly during a recent public hearing of the Jan. 6 committee.

In March, the Department of Justice expanded its criminal probe into the events of Jan. 6 to include preparations for the rally that preceded the storming of the Capitol, as well as the financing for the event, multiple sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

Grand jury subpoenas were sent to those who assisted in the organizing and planning of former President Donald Trump’s “Save America” rally on the Ellipse near the White House, the sources said, with prosecutors seeking multiple records and documents related to the rally, including text messages and emails, as well as potential communications with other individuals regarding the logistics of the event.

“There is a lot of speculation about what the Justice Department is doing, what’s it not doing, what our theories are and what our theories aren’t, and there will continue to be that speculation,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a press briefing last week. “We have to hold accountable every person who is criminally responsible for trying to overturn a legitimate election, and we must do it in a way filled with integrity and professionalism.”

The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack has played numerous clips from Short’s deposition with committee investigators during its public hearings.

Biden administration to release $343M to make subway, rail stations more accessible

July 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Biden administration to release 3M to make subway, rail stations more accessible

(WASHINGTON) — Roughly $343 million will be made available to transit agencies this year to make subway and rail stations more accessible to those with disabilities, the Biden administration announced Tuesday.

The tranche of funds comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will be allotted to transit agencies across the country to retrofit rail and subway stations for wheelchair use, officials said.

“Everyone should be able to get to work easily, everyone should be able to get to the people in places they love and the activities that bring them joy,” Mitch Landrieu, senior adviser and infrastructure coordinator, said during a call with reporters. “Accessibility should never be a barrier.”

Officials said there are approximately 900 stations across the country that are without elevators and ramps, and therefore not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Officials said these stations were constructed before the passing of the ADA in 1990.

“For many people who use a wheelchair or are blind or low vision, or just have a bad knee or [are] coming out of the surgery, or older folks who have trouble getting up and down stairs, this often means that affordable public transportation by rail is not an option,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “That is not right, it is not fair.”

The funding will total $1.75 billion over the next five years to make these stations more accessible, the officials said.

“Enjoy a little moment of calm”: Carrie Underwood shows off her lush garden

July 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Carrie Underwood is giving fans a peek into her garden oasis.

When she’s not touring across the world, Carrie is tending to her expansive garden on her and Mike Fisher‘s property just outside of Nashville. In a TikTok video, the powerhouse singer shows off all the goodies she’s growing, including tomatoes, beets, snap peas, squash, zucchini and mushrooms.

Carrie also shows a clip of her plucking fresh blueberries and blackberries growing on the vine, as well as onions sprouting up from the ground. The garden is fruitful, as evidenced by the table full of fresh produce, including watermelon, peaches and a variety of cherry tomatoes.

“Here’s a little look into my world when I’m not on stage. I’m proud of the #Garden I’m growing…literally and metaphorically speaking,” the longtime vegetarian captions the video set to the song “Garden” off her new album, Denim & Rhinestones. “Enjoy a little moment of calm.”

Carrie has been a vegetarian since she was 13 and sometimes leans into a vegan diet.

Riffs & beards unite as Anthrax launches 40th anniversary tour with Black Label Society

July 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Anthrax officially turned 40 in 2021, but the thrash metallers are finally getting to properly celebrate the milestone on a tour kicking off Tuesday in Phoenix.

As guitarist Scott Ian tells ABC Audio, he and his bandmates had plans to mark the big 4-0 with a tour last year, but the COVID-19 pandemic got in the way.

“We knew we would get to do a tour eventually and go out and blow up our 40th like it needs to be, it just so happens we’re doing it in our 41st year,” Ian shares. “But we very much consider it our 40th anniversary celebration.”

That celebration will include a set list with “some surprises,” as well as the “biggest production” in Anthrax’s history as a headliner.

“Even bigger than when we were out on Persistence of Time, which was pretty big production for 1990, ’91,” Ian says.

Most of all, though, Ian’s pumped for the tour’s bill, which also includes Black Label Society and Hatebreed.

“I think us and Black Label and Hatebreed is a super exciting night out,” Ian says. “That gets me excited as a fan. I see the poster and I see the names and the logos and I’m, like, ‘F***, this is awesome!'”

The tour also marks the first time Anthrax and BLS have toured together, though Ian and company did open for Ozzy Osbourne during a fresh-faced Zakk Wylde‘s first tour as the guitarist for the Prince of Darkness back in 1988.

In those last 34 years, both Ian and Wylde have been cranking out the heaviest of riffs while also growing two of metal’s most famous beards.

“I don’t know that [Wylde] had any idea he was gonna become the guy that eventually I would have beard envy of,” Ian laughs.

Mike Campbell unsure whether he’d ever take part in a Hearbreakers reunion

July 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell has been busy this year touring with his own band The Dirty Knobs, whose second album, External Combustion, was released in March.

Since Tom Petty‘s unexpected death at age 67 in October 2017, Campbell hasn’t played with most of his Heartbreakers band mates, but would he consider eventually doing a reunion project or tour with the guys? In a recent interview with ABC Audio, the 72-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer admitted that he had mixed feelings about that.

“I go back and forth. I’m not really feeling it right now,” Campbell said. “I’m still grieving, and I still feel uncomfortable with the idea of getting all the guys in a room…and starting a song and Tom’s not there. I don’t know if I want to feel that grief at this moment.”

Mike also noted that he was busy with The Dirty Knobs now and he “wouldn’t want to distract from [that].”

Campbell added that he wouldn’t absolutely say “no” to some kind of reunion, “but right now it doesn’t look like it.”

He continued, “I don’t want to mess with the past…I’m really proud of our legacy, and I don’t want to cheapen it by going out with some…homogenized version of what it was. And without Tom, I don’t care who’s singing, it wouldn’t be the same.”

Campbell also pointed out that The Dirty Knobs have been honoring Petty by playing several of Tom’s songs at their concerts this year.

“[T]hat’s where I get that out of my system,” he maintained.

The Dirty Knobs’ upcoming 2022 tour schedule includes a bunch of headlining shows, some festivals, four gigs opening for Gov’t Mule in early October, and seven concerts in October and November supporting The Who.

Corbin Bleu reveals how the ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ helped him fall back in love with performing

July 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The new season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series premieres July 27 on Disney+, which sees the return of Disney Channel vets Corbin Bleu and Jason Earles.

Speaking to ABC Audio, the two said it was a no-brainer for them to be part of the beloved series. “It’s very smartly done,” noted Bleu, who plays himself this season. Earles, who will play camp commander Dewey Wood, added, “It’s the most animated show on television.”

Both actors also heaped praise on the show’s “incredibly talented and hardworking” young cast for teaching them some valuable lessons.

“I learned to … find it in myself the organic love of performance,” said Bleu, who admits to being “such a perfectionist.” He said the young actors helped him step away from that mentality.

“They just grab a guitar [and] start singing. They’re just dancing. That love of performance as a form of expression is such a great reminder of what it can do,” the Broadway star said. Bleu added the young cast helped him perform “in a way that that I don’t think I’ve actually ever done before,” which “did a number on me.”

“They’re very free. They’re very uninhibited,” Earles agreed. “It almost inspires you to throw your inhibitions out the window.” Earles also shouted out one star in particular.

“One actor that consistently just blew my mind no matter what they were doing in a scene was Sofia Wylie,” the Hannah Montana alum said as Bleu nodded along. “She’s our youngest cast member, and she would make these choices that made my head explode … and I would be moved to tears at her performance.”

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season 3 premieres Wednesday, July 27, on Disney+.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

‘The Bachelorette’ recap: Michelle and Gabby change the rules — with devastating results

July 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Following an emotional group date, Rachel and Gabby changed the rules on Monday’s episode of The Bachelorette — with unexpectedly disappointing results.

But first, Rachel and Zach were treated to a one-on-one date fit for a Hollywood power couple, courtesy of TV host Karamo Brown, that saw them walking the red carpet to a big-screen peek at each other’s lives, set to the music of composer Matt White. The two felt an instant connection with each other that lead Rachel to offer the California tech executive the date rose, which he eagerly accepted.

Then Erich joined Gabby for a one-on-one that quickly turned into a two-on-one when another celebrity — at least to Bachelor Nation — Gabby’s grandpa John showed up to join them for a sound healing ceremony, followed by something a little more up grandpa’s alley, specifically a bowling alley. Erich passed the grandpa test, and won Gabby over during their intimate dinner, after which, he accepted her date rose.

Later, the remaining 19 men embarked on the largest group date in Bachelorette history, where both ladies got a chance to picture their futures with the men — literally — through the lens of legendary photographer Franco Lacosta.

The group then headed to SoFi Stadium for a romantic evening that took a devastating turn for Gabby when she learned that three of the men — Tyler, Jacob and Hayden — felt more of a connection with Rachel, the latter explaining that he was turned off by her “rough around the edges” and “goofy” personality. Rachel’s date rose went to Aven, while Gabby didn’t give out a rose.

That led the Bachelorettes to change the rules, deciding to “move forward on two separate journeys.” Gabby and Rachel each had their own set of roses, which they took turns offering to the men each of them wanted to continue dating. Accepting the rose was a commitment to date that Bachelorette solely for the remainder of the competition.

The idea did not end well, particularly for Rachel, who had Alec, James and Tremayne turn down her rose. Despite being placed back in line with a chance to be offered Gabby’s rose, they were sent home, along with Jacob.

But hold the phone…

In a confessional that played during the closing credits, James “Meatball” expressed regret over turning down Rachel’s rose, then begged her for another chance. Will she reconsider? We’ll have to wait until next week to find out.

Here are the remaining 17 men, following Monday’s rose ceremony:

Rachel:
Aven, 28, a sales executive from San Diego, California
Ethan, 27, an advertising executive from New York, New York
Hayden, 29, a leisure executive from Tampa, Florida
Jordan H., 35, a software developer from Tampa, Florida
Logan, 26, a videographer from San Diego, California
Tino, 28, a general contractor from Playa Del Rey, California
Tyler, 25, a small business owner from Wildwood, New Jersey
Zach, 25, a tech executive from Anaheim Hills, California

Gabby:
Erich, 29, a real estate analyst from Bedminster, New Jersey
Jason, 30, an investment banker from Santa Monica, California
Johnny, 25, a realtor from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Kirk, 29, a college football coach from Lubbock, Texas
Mario, 31, a personal trainer from Naperville, Illinois
Michael, 32, a pharmaceutical salesman from Long Beach, California
Nate, 33, an electrical engineer from Chicago, Illinois
Quincey, 25, a life coach from Miami, Florida
Spencer, 27, an army officer from Chicago, Illinois

The Bachelorette returns Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Nick Cannon welcomes 8th child with Bre Tiesi

July 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Nick Cannon is officially a father of eight.

The Wild ‘n Out host, 41, and Bre Tiesi, 31, have welcomed their first child together.

Tiesi announced she had an “natural unmedicated home birth” on Instagram on Monday, sharing a carousel of photos from the joyous moment.

“I did it. An all natural unmedicated home birth. This was the most humbling / limit pushing yet awakening and completely empowering experience,” she wrote. “I can’t thank my team enough for delivering my son safely. This experience has changed me forever and I couldn’t of asked for a more amazing and supportive partner. Daddy showed the f up for us.. I couldn’t of done it without you. I can’t believe he’s here.”

Shortly after the Instagram announcement, the model shared a “very emotional labor and delivery vlog” detailing her birthing experience, including sweet moments of the parents with their newborn. Tiesi said she chronicled her journey in hopes that “it helps anyone considering an unmedicated home birth.”

During the 11-minute-long video, the name of Cannon and Tiesi’s adorable little boy was revealed as Legendary Love.

Legendary is Tiesi’s first child. Cannon has seven other children with four women: 11-year-old twins, Monroe and Moroccan with Mariah Carey; Golden, 5, and Powerful Queen, 1, with Brittany Bell; one-year-old twins, Zion and Zillion with Abby De La Rosa; and Zen, who died in December at five months old, with Alyssa Scott.

Uvalde school district suspends Robb Elementary School principal

July 26, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(UVALDE, Texas) — Mandy Gutierrez, principal of Robb Elementary School in Texas, was suspended with pay Monday, her attorney, Ricardo Cedillo, confirmed to ABC News.

A special legislative investigation into the May 24 massacre at the school found that Gutierrez was aware of security problems prior to a shooter accessing the school — killing 19 students and two teachers — but she had not had the problems fixed.

District officials declined to discuss the suspension or what it means.

Gutierrez joins school district police chief Pete Arredondo, still on unpaid administrative leave. The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District has recommended Arredondo be fired.

The chief has been singled out for a series of catastrophic failures in leading the police response to the massacre that ignored the possibility that children and teachers could be saved had the teenage gunman been confronted and neutralized, as standard police protocol dictates.

News about Gutierrez’s suspension began circulating just before a regularly scheduled school board meeting Monday night. During the session, the board announced that the 2022-23 school year would start on Sept. 6 as the district puts in place a series of security improvements and arrangements for emotional and social support services.

Before officials announced their plans, the board was again greeted by family members of victims of the shooting, as well as other community residents disturbed with the way the district’s leaders have acted since May 24.

“These parents are still hurting. And they want answers,” Daniel Myers, a pastor, told the board.

Brett Cross, father of Uziyah Garcia, who was killed in the massacre, pointed to board members, saying only one of those present had reached out to his family. He demanded someone on the board take responsibility for failures that allowed the shooting to occur in the first place and how the district has handled the aftermath.

“You care more about your damn selves than you do for our children,” Cross told the board. “Why have y’all still not taken accountability for y’all’s mess-ups? Can any one of y’all look me dead in the eyes and say, ‘Look, we messed up?'”

Finally, board member Luis Fernandez confessed that “everybody messed up.”

“So, let’s recap: Two months later… nothing has changed,” Belinda Arreola told the board. “We are once again banging our heads against a brick wall, demanding answers and accountability… Getting nowhere because it’s always something.”

“I feel that no amount of security will ease our hearts and our minds,” Tracy Byrd said, pointing to the significant loss of life, despite heavy law enforcement response. The board did not respond.

Among the security improvements announced were that Wi-Fi and communications problems identified by investigators would be the subject of an audit starting Tuesday. Officials are also now conducting a search for an interim district police chief, and the district police force will be reorganized. Other improvements announced were that new video camera systems have arrived and are being installed this week, and vestibules and school access points are being reviewed by consultants and limited.

The district’s Raptor security system is being reworked so emergency alerts are clearer for users. The district has also asked for 30 to 40 state troopers to be on hand to assist on the first day of school.

Among social and emotional support announced were that there will be five more licensed counselors, one per campus, as well as telemedicine to include psychiatric and counseling services via the UT Health System. It was also announced that the district will use the Rhithm app, a morning assessment to ask students how they’re doing and feeling, and that parent support will be available via the Bereavement Center, to include individual support available to anyone in the community in need.

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