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CDC to loosen mask guidance as early as next week as COVID case numbers drop

February 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(ATLANTA) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was expected as early as next week to loosen its guidance on indoor masking as COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to drop and the White House considers a new nationwide strategy to move past the pandemic.

In a press briefing Wednesday, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said the agency was looking at new metrics for relaxing pandemic guidance, including masks, and would deliver that updated guidance “soon.”

The idea would be that local communities could relax COVID restrictions, such as indoor masking, based on such factors as ICU bed capacity. While Walensky hasn’t offered specifics on what the benchmarks might entail, she has said hospitalization levels are a key barometer.

“We want to give people a break from things like mask wearing when these metrics are better, and then have the ability to reach for them again should things worsen,” Walensky told reporters.

The upcoming guidance comes as an increasing number of Democratic governors have already announced plans to lift mask mandates at the end of February or in March. Those decisions have largely been seen as a political calculation, driven by pandemic fatigue among voters.

The CDC has urged states to continue to recommend masks so long as the case number remain high, even as it considers new benchmarks. NBC News first reported on the timing of the expected guidance as early as next week.

“Omicron cases are declining, and we are all cautiously optimistic about the trajectory we are on,” Walensky said Wednesday. “Things are moving in the right direction that we want to remain vigilant to do all we can so that this trajectory continues.”

The White House denied any political involvement in the timing of the CDC’s upcoming announcement. President Joe Biden is set to deliver his State of the Union address on March 1 in which he’s expected to lay out his own detailed plan to move the nation forward.

When ABC News asked at the press briefing if the Biden administration had pressed the public health agency for new guidance by the end of the month — ahead of Biden’s speech — a White House official insisted the CDC had not been given a timetable.

Jeff Zients, Biden’s chief COVID coordinator, said: “CDC is clearly in the lead here on the substance and the timing of masking guidance.”

Report: Trey Songz accused of sexual assault in new allegations

February 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Following three separate allegations of sexual assault in four months, Trey Songz is again being accused of the same crime.

The “Bottoms Up” singer is being accused of raping a woman at his home in a new $20 million sexual assault case. The woman claims that she had a consensual sexual relationship with the singer, but that changed on March 24, 2016 when he allegedly became a “savage rapist,” she said in the lawsuit, according to TMZ.

A representative for Songz denied the allegations.

“The attorney who drafted this suit was credibly accused of trying to pay a woman to falsely accuse Trey,” the rep said in a statement. “That same attorney has filed this suit on behalf of an anonymous client. It isn’t hard to see what’s happening here, and it is a shame for genuine victims of sexual assault.”

The woman involved in the new lawsuit claims that in 2016, Songz raped her after she told him she did not want to have anal sex. The woman also alleges that she went to the hospital and was too frightened to name the artist after she was examined. She said the examination found that there was “severe anal tearing that could require surgery.”

Ariel Mitchell, the lawyer for Jauhara Jeffries, the woman accusing the singer of assaulting her in 2017 in another case, denied she attempted to bribe witnesses.

“This is nothing more than bullying and an attempt to silence counsel and the many victims who have been assaulted by defendant Songz and will be vigorously defended in court,” Mitchell told TMZ. “I will further be exonerated as I was when this allegation was previously made by defendant Songz’s prior attorney.”

In January, a third woman, Dylan Gonzalez, also accused Songz of rape.

John DiMaggio on Hulu ‘Futurama’ flap: “[T]he entire cast” deserves to be “paid more”

February 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Veteran voiceover actor John DiMaggio didn’t exactly quote his Futurama robot character, Bender, about biting his shiny metal posterior, but he made it clear why he didn’t sign onto Hulu’s just-announced continuation of the show.

As reported, original cast members including Katey Segal, Phil LaMarr and Billy West signed on to the new project, but DiMaggio declined, over what was called a salary dispute.

On Twitter, DiMaggio, who also voiced Jake the dog on the beloved Emmy-winning animated series Adventure Time, explained the situation.

“Bender is part of my soul & nothing about this is meant to be disrespectful to the fans or my Futurama family,” the actor noted in part, adding, “it’s about self-respect.”

“I don’t think only I deserve to be paid more. I think the entire cast does,” John wrote, explaining he’s “tired of an industry that’s become far too corporate and takes advantage of artists’ time & talent.”

While DiMaggio admits he’s “still hoping for the best” in the situation — and show creators Matt Groening and David X. Cohen are reportedly trying to get him back into the fold — the actor expressed, “Negotiations are a natural part of working in show business….Some accept offers and some hold their ground.”

In the meantime, Hulu was reportedly searching for a soundalike for Bender Bending Rodriguez.

DiMaggio also added, “Thanks again for the love everyone,” explaining he’s about to start shooting AMC’s Interview with the Vampire series, “and very grateful to be!”

The six-time Emmy-winning Futurama ran on Fox from 1999 to 2003, then re-launched on Comedy Central from 2008 to 2013. The show saw West playing Phillip J. Fry, a slacker pizza guy who gets accidentally frozen in the year 2000, only to wake up in a very different 2099.

Evanescence announces rescheduled dates for Within Temptation European tour

February 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Evanescence has announced the rescheduled dates for the band’s long-delayed European tour, alongside Within Temptation.

The international outing is now set to kick off in November of this year, with dates stretching into December. Previously purchased tickets will be valid at the rescheduled dates.

Evanescence and Within Temptation first announced the tour in 2019 ahead of its scheduled launch in April 2020. Then, of course, came the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed the trek back first to the fall of 2020, and then to the fall of 2021, and then for a third time to March 2022. Things looked promising for the tour to finally launch in March when Evanescence announced a fourth delay just last week.

“We know you understand that many things are still outside of our control,” Amy Lee and company said in a statement. “But we are very optimistic that we WILL be performing these shows, and we kindly ask that you bear with us one more time while we arrange the tour so it can actually happen.”

For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit Evanescence.com.

Bottoms up: Thomas Rhett adds a second tequila to his Dos Primos brand

February 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

ABC

Thomas Rhett is expanding his tequila business.

The singer’s Dos Primos tequila line now features a Reposado variant, an easy-to-drink libation made from 100 percent blue agave sourced from Los Altos and Jalisco, Mexico. The Reposado joins the Dos Primos Tequila Blanco, which rolled out in 2021.

Dos Primos is Spanish for “two cousins,” and the name is fitting: Thomas started his tequila line with his cousin, Jeff Worn. Adding the Reposado to their repertoire is something the two men have been hoping to do for a long time.

“When Jeff and I started the Dos Primos Tequila company four years ago, we knew we wanted to continue to expand our tequila family,” Thomas says. “…Similar to our original goal, we’ve worked hard to make [the Reposado] as versatile as possible, and seamlessly fit into any activity, regardless of the time of year.”

The new tequila variety will be available starting March 2022. For more information, visit the company’s website.

Coachella drops all COVID-19 precautions ahead of 2022 festival

February 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(INDIO, Calif.) — Coachella is dropping all COVID-19 restrictions ahead of this year’s festival.

“In accordance with local guidelines, there will be no vaccination, testing or masking requirements at Coachella 2022,” a statement on the Coachella website reads.

The update comes after organizers announced last October that Coachella 2022 would require attendees to show either proof of vaccination or a negative test. That was amended from the initial policy announced by Coachella organizer Goldenvoice and its parent company, AEG Presents, which required full vaccination for admittance.

While no COVID-19 protocols will be enforced at Coachella ’22, its website notes that the policy is subject to change, depending on “applicable public health conditions.”

Additionally, the site now includes a “COVID-19 warning,” which cautions that the virus is an “extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death.”

“There is an inherent and elevated risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place or place where people are present and there is no guarantee, express or implied, that those attending the festival will not be exposed to COVID-19,” the site reads.

Coachella ’22 takes place April 15-17 and April 22-24, and will be headlined by Billie Eilish, Ye — the artist formerly known as Kanye West — and Harry Styles .

The festival hasn’t been held since 2019 due to the pandemic.

“I can’t live…in hiding and shame”: Linda Evangelista comes forward about cosmetic surgery nightmare

February 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Supermodel Linda Evangelista has broken her silence about a cosmetic surgery nightmare that had her living “in seclusion” for nearly five years.

In a People cover story, Evangelista explains, “I loved being up on the catwalk. Now I dread running into someone I know. I can’t live like this anymore, in hiding and shame. … I’m willing to finally speak.”

The 56-year-old had gone under a non-invasive procedure called CoolSculpting, which uses paddles to freeze fat cells under the skin. The super-cold temperatures are supposed to cause fat cells to shrink.

However, Evangelista suffered an apparently rare side-effect that left her “brutally disfigured,” and “permanently deformed,” she said.

She explains that within three months of the procedure, the fat in the areas she tried to shrink — under her chin, her thighs, and under her arms — began to swell and go numb.

“I tried to fix it myself, thinking I was doing something wrong,” she confesses. “I got to where I wasn’t eating at all. I thought I was losing my mind.”

She explains she saw a doctor in 2016 and was diagnosed with Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, or PAH — “And he told me no amount of dieting, and no amount of exercise was ever going to fix it,” says Evangelista.

Dr. Alan Matarasso, a New York City cosmetic surgeon not involved in Evangelista’s care, tells People, “Patients go in to have something reduced, and now it’s enlarged. And the problem…is that, in some instances, it may not go away…”

For its part, CoolSculpting insisted to the magazine that its FDA-cleared treatment “has been well studied with more than 100 scientific publications and more than 11 million treatments performed worldwide,” and that rare side-effects like PAH are documented in its patient information.

Machine Gun Kelly working with famed basketball shooting coach ahead of NBA All-Star Celebrity Game

February 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Machine Gun Kelly is preparing for the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game with some expert instruction.

The “Bloody Valentine” rocker has been working with famed basketball shooting coach Chris Matthews, aka “Lethal Shooter,” who’s helped players across the NBA and WNBA improve their jumpshot.

In an Instagram video, Matthews shared footage of a recent training session with Kelly, which shows him knocking down six straight three-pointers while rocking a vintage Shawn Kemp Cleveland Cavaliers jersey.

“See you at the All-Star game, baby!” Kelly declared at the end of the clip. “MVP!”

The 2022 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game takes place this Friday, February 18, in Kelly’s hometown of Cleveland. He’ll be playing for Team Walton against Team Nique, which will be coached by Basketball Hall of Famers Bill Walton and Dominique Wilkins, respectively.

MGK will also be introducing the teams playing in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game this Sunday, February 20, alongside DJ D-Nice.

Britney Spears shows off adorable new puppy she found in Maui: “He makes my heart melt”

February 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Britney Spears added a new, four-legged member to her family — a puppy named Sawyer.

“Geez …. can you have two loves of your lives because he comes in second !!!!,” Britney wrote on Instagram, sharing a video of her new addition. “His name is Sawyer and he’s a white Australian shepherd with blue eyes !!!!! I found him in Maui like a dream and took him home with me immediately.”

The Grammy winner noted how smart her puppy was, telling fans, “It’s funny … he doesn’t talk back but it’s like he understands what I’m saying !!!! I can talk to him for 30 min about potty training and rewarding him when he goes potty on the pad !!!! I think he understands me especially with those eyes.”

“He makes my heart melt … he needs me and I like that,” Britney continued, before revealing that she also added another member to her family: “I also have a new cat and will introduce her later.” Britney also mentioned how her new kitten is trying to outsmart her already. “She’s extremely smart and she looks like a miniature cheetah. Me and security couldn’t find her for 2 hours and then when we did she would disappear again,” Britney wrote.

Britney said that her house is “FULL of small animals” but admitted she is not a fan of “potty training.” Her video ended with an impromptu dance session, which briefly showed a curious Sawyer sniffing her feet.

Aside from Sawyer and the new kitten, Britney owns a Doberman named Porsha, whom fiancé Sam Asghari purchased for her in October, as well as a Maltese named Lacey and a Yorkshire Terrier named Hannah.

Keith Richards reuniting with solo band The X-Pensive Winos to perform at 2022 Love Rocks NYC! benefit

February 16, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards will headline the sixth annual edition of the star-studded Love Rocks NYC! benefit concert, which will take place March 10 at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.

The show will feature Richards reuniting with his solo band The X-Pensive Winos. The lineup also includes Melissa Etheridge, Mavis Staples, ex-Allman Brothers Band singer/guitarist Warren Haynes, Hozier and many more.

The Love Rocks NYC! concert raises money for the God’s Love We Deliver charity, which provides nutritious meals to seriously ill people in the New York City area.

The show will be co-hosted by comedian Mario Cantone and actors Gina Gershon, Kiefer Sutherland, Steve Schirripa and Michelle Buteau.

The event’s house band will be led by longtime CBS Orchestra bassist Will Lee, and will include one-time Bob Dylan and Levon Helm touring guitarist Larry Campbell, Eric Clapton touring drummer Steve Gadd and Fleetwood Mac touring keyboardist Ricky Peterson.

You can sign up for more information about the concert at LoveRocksNYC.com and GLWD.org. The website also is offering a free encore stream of the 2021 Love Rocks NYC! show, which included performances from Jon Bon Jovi, ZZ Top‘s Billy Gibbons, Haynes and many others. Those who watch the event are encouraged to donate money to God’s Love We Deliver.

Richards performance with The X-Pensive Winos at the benefit show takes place just eight days before the release of the 30th anniversary reissue of Keith’s 1992 solo album, Main Offender, which he mainly recorded with the members of the band.

The X-Pensive Winos feature acclaimed drummer/producer Steve Jordan — who became The Rolling Stones’ touring drummer in 2021 — guitarist Waddy Wachtel, bassist/keyboardist Charley Drayton and keyboardist Ivan Neville.

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