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Mike Pence tells Republicans to stop attacking the FBI after Mar-a-Lago search

August 17, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Former Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday castigated Republicans who are attacking the FBI after the agency searched Donald Trump’s residence in Florida.

The Aug. 8 search at Mar-a-Lago, which sources told ABC News is tied to the former president’s alleged mishandling of classified documents and other White House records, has Republicans railing against the federal law enforcement agency as well as the Department of Justice.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, the number 3 House Republican, said the search was “a complete abuse and overreach of its authority.” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., is calling to defund the FBI. Trump himself has consistently assailed the FBI and Department of Justice, calling the raid “an assault on a political opponent at a level never seen before in our Country. Third World!”

The FBI has warned about rising threats against law enforcement since the search. A joint intelligence bulletin obtained by ABC News said there has been an “increase in threats and acts of violence” against law enforcement and government personnel in response to what occurred at Mar-a-Lago.

Last week, a man armed with AR-15 style rifle allegedly tried to break into an FBI field office in Cincinnati and later was shot dead by police. Law enforcement officials said they were investigating the suspect’s social media posts, which included calls for violence in the days after the raid.

Speaking at a political event in Manchester, New Hampshire on Wednesday, Pence said the criticisms coming from members of his own party have to end.

“The Republican Party is the party of law and order,” Pence said. “And these attacks on the FBI must stop; calls to defund the FBI are just as wrong as calls to defund the police.”

Pence said he was “deeply troubled” to learn that a search warrant was executed at Trump’s estate but said the party can still hold Attorney General Merrick Garland accountable “without attacking the rank-and-file law enforcement personnel at the FBI.”

“The truth of the matter is, we need to get to the bottom of what happened,” Pence continued. “We need to let the facts play out, but more than anything else, the American people need to be reassured in the integrity of our justice system and the very appearance of a recurrence of politics playing a role in decisions that the Justice Department demands transparency as never before.”

The vice president said he will continue to urge Attorney General Merrick Garland to make such information available to the public.

Trump and his allies want the search warrant affidavit to be released but the Department of Justice said doing so would jeopardize the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

A hearing is scheduled for Thursday on the request from multiple media outlets, ABC News included, to unseal the affidavit.

Pence also commented on the work of the Jan. 6 committee at the “Politics & Eggs” breakfast at St. Anselm College. The former vice president stating he would consider testifying if asked. Sources have told ABC News that committee investigators have been privately engaging with Pence’s lawyer about securing his potential testimony for months.

“Any formal invitation rendered to us, we’d give it due consideration. But my first obligation is to continue to uphold my oath, continue to uphold this framework of government enshrined in the Constitution, this created the greatest nation in the history of the world,” he said.

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness premieres new single, “Stars”

August 17, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness has premiered a new single called “Stars.”

“The song is really about how loving someone can be both beautiful and painful,” McMahon explains. “How the hardships and joy visited upon the person you love become your own. When you really love someone, you love them baggage and all.”

You can listen to “Stars” now via digital outlets and watch its accompanying cosmic video streaming now on YouTube.

The most recent Wilderness album is 2018’s Upside Down Flowers. Since then, McMahon has released the one-off singles “Get on My Wave” and “New Year Song.”

McMahon is currently on a U.S. tour with Dashboard Confessional. The joint outing continues Wednesday in Baltimore.

Nashville notes: Cole Swindell tour dates, CMT’s “Next Women of Country” showcase + more

August 17, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Cole Swindell added three more dates to his Back Down to the Bar tour this week. In October, he’ll make two extra stops in Georgia, and he also just added a show in Charlotte, North Carolina. For a full list of Back Down to the Bar tour dates, visit his website.

Ashland Craft, Chapel Hart and Brittney Spencer are all on the bill for CMT’s upcoming “Next Women of Country” showcase, set to take place September 28 at City Winery in Nashville.

The Cadillac Three are beefing up their U.S. Hillbilly Hypnotized Tour with several new dates. Check their website to see the full calendar.

‘The X Factor’ releases Louis Tomlinson’s complete audition

August 17, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Just like they’ve done with Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne, The X Factor UK has released Louis Tomlinson‘s complete first audition. Surprisingly, the majority of the video is comprised of unseen footage.

The then-18-year-old singer is a bundle of nerves as he tries to impress judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger. Despite his nervousness, the judges keep giving Louis a chance to prove himself — by letting him sing multiple songs.

He starts off by singing Scouting For Girls‘ “Elvis Ain’t Dead,” but Cowell cuts off the music after a few seconds and asks, “What other songs [can you sing]?”

Louis offers to sing Plain White T’s‘ “Hey There Delilah,” and the judges pick up on the fact that he is trying to hold himself together.

“Louis, calm down. It’s a much better song,” Simon instructs, then offers even better advice when the singer admits he’s “so nervous.”

“Look, you know what,” the mega producer says, “You’re actually doing well, which is why we asked you to do a second song. Right? So this is a better song for you.”

Louis manages to stumble through the song, but the judges detect that he just needs to come out of his shell to show them what he’s truly capable of.

“You look a little defeated,” Scherzinger notes, adding he sings so much better when he isn’t pacing the stage. She nods sympathetically as Louis explains he can “do so much better.” But it’s his, “Please, give me a chance,” that really gets the audience on his side.

We all know what happens next — he’s put through to the next round and becomes a member of One Direction, and the rest is history.

‘Yellowjackets’ casts Simone Kessell in pivotal role

August 17, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Yellowjackets has found its “Adult Lottie.”

The Showtime series has cast Obi-Wan Kenobi actress Simone Kessell in the role of a grown-up version of Lottie Matthews, played as a teen by Courtney Eaton. Eaton has also been upped to series regular on the show.

Last week, the show cast another pivotal role, tapping Six Feet Under actress Lauren Ambrose as the adult version of Liv Hewson’s Van.

The series centers on a high school soccer team forced to survive on their own in the wilderness after a plane crash. It also catches up with the survivors 25 years later.

The first season of Yellowjackets earned seven Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, and also respective Outstanding Lead Actress and Outstanding Supporting Actress noms for Melanie Lynskey and Christina Ricci.

Texas restaurant owner takes down alligator on his front porch

August 17, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(MISSOURI CITY, Texas) — A Texas middle school student had quite the start to her first day of school after she opened her front door to see an alligator.

Running back into the house, her father didn’t believe her until he saw the gator, Mike Trinh wrote in a Facebook post.

Luckily, the Missouri City local said his years of watching the “Crocodile Hunter,” the late Steve Irwin, on TV prepared him to take on the gator.

Trinh, the owner of nearby restaurant Mike’s Seafood, told ABC News on Wednesday that he had to get his kids to school, so he threw a towel over the gator to subdue it and walk past to his car. However, when he returned from his drop-off duties, Trinh said the gator was still on his front porch.

“I’ve never had to deal with a gator like this,” he said. “You see them in the water, but never crawling through the subdivision and up to the front door.”

Trinh said he called Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office who then directed him to the Missouri City Police Department, who Trinh said then directed him to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which hadn’t yet opened for the day.

After waiting for about an hour, Trinh told ABC News, he decided to address the gator himself.

“I pinned his mouth closed with a sledgehammer and got onto his back,” Trinh said. “I asked my daughter to get duct tape and she started taping his mouth shut. I finished taping up his mouth and then taped his legs together.”

Trinh told ABC News Houston station KTRK that he is a former mixed martial arts fighter, which helped guide him in pinning down the animal.

Eventually, Trinh decided to call a local game warden since he hadn’t heard back from other officials. However, Trinh said the fee would have been $300 to have someone come take the gator, a price he wasn’t willing to pay.

Instead, Trinh and a friend loaded the gator into the back of the truck and drove to a nearby lake. After untaping the gator, Trinh said the animal slid off the back of the truck and into the water.

Experts say that it’s unusual for an alligator to approach humans, as they usually will stay within the water.

However, if you do find yourself squaring off with a gator, experts offer several tips on how to fight back and get away.

CDC: COVID guidance was ‘confusing and overwhelming,’ organization needs overhaul

August 17, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(ATLANTA) — A scathing review of how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention handled COVID-19 has found that its approach toward the pandemic failed to meet the moment of crisis, and offered a series of changes intended to revamp the agency and make it more nimble.

“For 75 years, CDC and public health have been preparing for COVID-19, and in our big moment, our performance did not reliably meet expectations,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement on Wednesday.

A fact sheet outlining the review, obtained by ABC News and confirmed by the CDC, said that the “need for change came through loud and clear.”

Walensky ordered the review in April after the CDC had come under frequent fire for its muddled and inconsistent messaging on COVID mitigation measures.

During interviews with roughly 120 agency staff and key external stakeholders, the review found that it “takes too long for CDC to publish its data and science for decision making,” that its guidance is “confusing and overwhelming” and that agency staff turnover during the COVID response “created gaps and other challenges for partners,” according to findings obtained by ABC News.

And while Walensky also defended, in part, the overwhelming job of handling the pandemic, the center said the country’s public health infrastructure is “frail.” The review also revealed the CDC’s “operating posture” was “not adequate to effectively respond to a crisis the size and scope” of COVID.

The CDC’s goals going forward will focus on improving “accountability, collaboration, communication, and timeliness” within and outside the agency, the report said.

“As a long-time admirer of this agency and a champion for public health, I want us all to do better and it starts with CDC leading the way,” Walensky said in a statement.

As part of the suggested solutions, Walensky committed to sharing scientific findings and data faster, rather than at the typical speed for academic publication.

“Produce data for action” rather than “data for publication,” said a CDC briefing document summarizing the changes.

The new recommendations also put a large emphasis on improving public health communications to the American people. “The website is not easy to navigate,” the document said.

To spearhead the next steps towards the agency’s overhaul, Walensky intends to appoint former Obama administration Deputy Health and Human Services Secretary Mary Wakefield to oversee the shift and “help implement the vision.”

The review also outlines plans to create a new executive council reporting to Walensky, which will “determine agency priorities, track progress, and align budget decisions, with a bias toward public health impact.”

Walensky did not provide a timeline for the changes, but said she will provide regular updates internally.

“None of these challenges happened overnight,” CDC said in a statement. “The work ahead will take time and engagement at all levels of the organization.”

ABC News’ Eric M. Strauss contributed to this report.

Traffic deaths for 1st quarter of 2022 highest in 20 years, NHTSA says

August 17, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Traffic deaths for the first quarter of this year were the highest since 2002, according to early estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The agency estimates 9,560 people died from motor vehicle crashes during the first quarter of this year — up 7% from the same time in 2021.

Traffic-related deaths have been on the rise since the onset of the pandemic. In 2019, NHTSA reported 36,355 people died on U.S. roads — a number that grew to 38,824 in 2020 and 42,915 in 2021, despite less cars on the road.

“The overall numbers are still moving in the wrong direction,” said NHTSA administrator Steve Cliff.

“We’re talking about three years in a row of traffic deaths, not just being up but being up significantly,” Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the non-profit Governor’s Highway Safety Association said in an interview with ABC News.

Adkins said the surge is due to multiple factors — including less traffic enforcement on roads and prevalence of dangerous behaviors among drivers.

“States are telling me all across the country that speeds are up, drivers are just continuing to speed,” Adkins said. “We really need to bring some of the same attention to speeding that was brought to drunk driving and distracted driving. If we were to get drivers to slow down even a little bit, that make a big difference.”

Cliff said states should “double down” on traffic safety, saying, “Through the bipartisan infrastructure law, there are more resources than ever for research, interventions and effective messaging and programs that can reverse the deadly trend and save lives.”

Gwyneth Paltrow to join season 14 of ‘Shark Tank’

August 17, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Gwyneth Paltrow is joining Shark Tank.

The actress and Goop founder will star in the hit ABC series as a guest shark for the show’s 14th season.

Paltrow will join Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John and Kevin O’Leary.

Other guest sharks for the season include DoorDash CEO and co-founder Tony Xu, Good American CEO and co-founder Emma Grede, entrepreneur Peter Jones, fashion designer Kendra Scott and Kind Snacks founder Daniel Lubetzky.

Shark Tank season 14 will premiere on Friday, September 23, on ABC and will stream on Hulu.

Jane’s Addiction posts video featuring original bassist Eric Avery

August 17, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Is Jane’s Addiction hinting at a reunion with Eric Avery?

In a tweet Wednesday, the “Been Caught Stealing” rockers posted a video featuring Avery jamming on a bass alongside frontman Perry Farrell. Sadly, the video doesn’t feature the audio from the session, just the hiss of static feedback.

Avery is an original member of Jane’s Addiction and played with the group through their 1991 breakup. He eventually rejoined Jane’s from 2008 to 2010, but he didn’t play on either of the band’s reunion records, 2003’s Strays and 2011’s The Great Escape Artist.

If Avery is indeed back in Jane’s, that raises the question of what becomes of Chris Chaney, who’s played bass in the band since 2011. There’s also uncertainly surrounding guitarist Dave Navarro, whose “long bout” with COVID-19 forced Jane’s to scrap their set at this year’s Welcome to Rockville festival. Jane’s was also set to play Lollapalooza last month, but was quietly removed from the lineup. In both cases, Jane’s was replaced by the reunited Porno for Pyros, which is also fronted by Farrell.

Meanwhile, Farrell recently told Spin that new Jane’s material is in the works, and the band is set to embark on a U.S. tour with The Smashing Pumpkins in October.

Stay tuned.

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