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Former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane sentenced in George Floyd killing

July 21, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(ST. PAUL, Minn.) — Former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison in a federal court on Thursday morning for violating George Floyd’s civil rights.

Lane, 39, is one of three former Minneapolis police officers who were convicted earlier this year of depriving Floyd of his right to medical care as the handcuffed, unarmed 46-year-old Black man was pinned under the knee of their senior officer, Derek Chauvin, for more than nine minutes on May 25, 2020. Floyd’s videotaped killing in Minneapolis sparked anti-racism protests and calls for police reform across the United States and around the world.

Lane’s former Minneapolis police colleagues, 28-year-old J. Alexander Kueng and 35-year-old Tou Thao, were also convicted of failing to intervene to prevent Chauvin, 46, from applying bodily injury to Floyd. Lane, who was heard on video twice asking his fellow officers whether they should turn Floyd onto his side, did not face that charge. Chauvin knelt on the back of Floyd’s neck, while Kueng knelt on his back, Lane held his legs and Thao kept bystanders away.

During their trial in February, Lane, Kueng and Thao each took the witness stand and attempted to shift the blame to Chauvin, who was a 19-year veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department. Lane told the jury that Chauvin “deflected” all his suggestions to help Floyd, while Kueng testified that Chauvin “was my senior officer and I trusted his advice” and Thao attested that he “would trust a 19-year veteran to figure it out.”

The jury handed down convictions after deliberating for roughly 13 hours.

Magnuson has not yet set sentencing dates for Kueng and Thao.

Lane faces a separate sentencing in state court on Sept. 21, after changing his plea to guilty to a reduced charge of aiding and abetting manslaughter. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the top charge against him of aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder, according to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.

Thao and Kueng, who have rejected plea deals offered by prosecutors, are scheduled to go on trial in state court on Oct. 24 over charges of aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Earlier this month, Chauvin was sentenced to 21 years in prison on separate federal civil rights charges in Floyd’s killing and in an unrelated case involving a Black teenager. He had already been sentenced to 270 months, minus time served, which equals about 22 1/2 years in prison, after being convicted in state court last year of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

His life is brilliant: James Blunt to star in his own documentary

July 21, 2022 by WDNY Radio

James Blunt is the latest celebrity to get his very own documentary and even he’s unsure why this is happening.

Variety reports this new documentary, directed by Chris Atkins, will follow the “You’re Beautiful” singer on his 2022 Greatest Hits tour across Europe. The project teases in the tagline that it’s “the story of an ageing, British pop star, still fighting for relevance some 17 years after his star momentarily twinkled.”

Despite the tongue-in-cheek descriptor, Atkins will also have James open up about the darkest moments of his life, like when he witnessed genocide during the Kosovo War while serving for the British Army. In addition, the documentary will look into the recording of his best-selling album Back to Bedlam as well as the criticism he faced after he was catapulted into the limelight.

The documentary, billed as a mesh of Spinal Tap and Alan Partridge, is ultimately a “behind the scenes, brutally honest story of a painfully self-aware, endlessly touring musician, for whom persistence eventually prevails.”

It will give viewers a clear picture of who James is as a person and prove he is more than the man who sang “You’re Beautiful.” Still, Blunt is confused about why this documentary is happening in the first place.

“In hindsight, I’m not sure letting them film this was a good idea,” he jokingly said in a statement.

The film is currently untitled, and a release date has not been announced. It is being produced by Lorton Entertainment, the same company behind the Oasis documentary Supersonic and George Ezra‘s End-to-End.

Garth Brooks sets release date + shares cover art for ‘Anthology Part II, The Next Five Years’

July 21, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Garth Brooks has been teasing the release of the second part of Anthology for a while now, and he’s finally ready to share some concrete details about the project. Anthology Part II, The Next Five Years is coming out on November 15.

Part II picks up where the first Anthology installment left off in 1996 and follows Garth through the releases of projects such as Fresh Horses, Sevens, The Limited Series, Double Live and Scarecrow.

It also recounts career milestones between ‘96 and 2001, such as his famed 24-hour autographing session in ’96 at Fan Fair (now known as CMA Fest) in Nashville.

“I learned a lot,” Garth says, according to People, who exclusively premiered the cover art for Anthology Part II.

That artwork features a close-up, black-and-white shot of a young Garth with the American flag cast across his face, set against a dramatic black backdrop.

Part II of the Anthology series follows the already-released parts I and III, which detail Garth’s early years in the country genre and his more recent presence live on tour. The forthcoming Anthology is now available for pre-order as a six-part CD collection.

A Day to Remember drops new single, “Miracle”

July 21, 2022 by WDNY Radio

A Day to Remember has premiered a new single called “Miracle.”

You can listen to “Miracle” now via digital outlets. The track is also accompanied by a video — streaming now on YouTube — that sees Jeremy McKinnon and company rocking out in a church.

“Miracle” is the first new A Day to Remember song to follow their 2021 album, You’re Welcome, which includes the singles “Degenerates,” “Resentment” and “Everything We Need.” Earlier this year, the Florida rockers released a new version of the You’re Welcome cut “Re-Entry” featuring Blink-182‘s Mark Hoppus.

A Day to Remember is set to launch a U.S. tour July 27 in Baltimore. The two-legged outing will stretch into October and will feature support from Beartooth and The Used on select dates.

(Video contains uncensored profanity) 

BBC issues apology to royal family for infamous Princess Diana interview

July 21, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(LONDON) — The BBC has formally apologized to members of the royal family for the bombshell 1995 interview between the late Princess Diana and then-BBC journalist Martin Bashir.

A report last year found that Bashir had “deceived and induced” Diana to obtain the interview.

The network issued the apology to Prince Charles and Princes William and Harry on Thursday. It was delivered by Tim Davie, director-general of the BBC, who said in a statement the outlet would “never show the programme again … nor will we license it in whole or in part to other broadcasters.”

“It is a matter of great regret that the BBC did not get to the facts in the immediate aftermath of the programme when there were warning signs that the interview might have been obtained improperly,” Davie stated.

“Instead, as The Duke of Cambridge himself put it, the BBC failed to ask the tough questions,” he continued. “Had we done our job properly Princess Diana would have known the truth during her lifetime. We let her, The Royal Family and our audiences down.”

More than 23 million people watched the Panorama interview that Bashir did with Diana, who died just two years later, in August 1997, after a car crash in the Pont D’Alma tunnel in Paris. William and younger brother Harry were 15 and 12, respectively, when their mother died.

Diana’s comments in that interview about her marriage to Prince Charles and his alleged affair with his now-wife Camilla, the duchess of Cornwall, sent shock waves throughout the world — and the royal family. Diana and Charles divorced just one year after the interview aired, in 1996.

Despite vowing to never re-air or distribute the interview again, Davie said Thursday that “it does of course remain part of the historical record and there may be occasions in the future when it will be justified for the BBC to use short extracts for journalistic purposes, but these will be few and far between and will need to be agreed at Executive Committee level and set in the full context of what we now know about the way the interview was obtained.”

“I would urge others to exercise similar restraint,” he added.

After last year’s report, which was released following an inquiry by Lord Dyson, William and Harry issued statements reacting to the news.

“It is my view that the deceitful way the interview was obtained substantially influenced what my mother said. The interview was a major contribution to making my parents’ relationship worse and has since hurt countless others,” William said at the time. “It brings indescribable sadness to know that the BBC’s failures contributed significantly to her fear, paranoia and isolation that I remember from those final years with her.”

“But what saddens me most, is that if the BBC had properly investigated the complaints and concerns first raised in 1995, my mother would have known that she had been deceived,” he added. “She was failed not just by a rogue reporter, but by leaders at the BBC who looked the other way rather than asking the tough questions.”

Harry issued his own statement on the matter.

“Our mother was an incredible woman who dedicated her life to service. She was resilient, brave, and unquestionably honest. The ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life,” he said.

“To those who have taken some form of accountability, thank you for owning it,” he continued. “That is the first step towards justice and truth. Yet what deeply concerns me is that practices like these — and even worse — are still widespread today. Then and now, it’s bigger than one outlet, one network, or one publication.”

“Our mother lost her life because of this, and nothing has changed,” Harry concluded. “By protecting her legacy, we protect everyone, and uphold the dignity with which she lived her life. Let’s remember who she was and what she stood for.”

Gladys Knight among this year’s Kennedy Center Honors recipients

July 21, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Gladys Knight is among the five honorees who will be saluted at the 45th edition of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors gala. The star-studded ceremony will be held December 4 at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C.

This year’s other honorees are actor/filmmaker George Clooney, rock band U2, Christian music artist Amy Grant and Cuban-born American composer and conductor Tania León.

The awards are presented annually by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to people who have made lasting contributions to American culture through the performing arts.

In a statement, Knight says she’s “humbled beyond words” to be recognized alongside the other honorees, adding, “I stand here with my fans, my family, my friends, my team, and my faith in accepting such an amazing distinction. It is dedicated to all those who paved the path for me to be able to accomplish the wonderful blessings I’ve been able to receive.”

A two-hour TV special documenting this year’s event will be broadcast at a later date on CBS and will be streamed and made available on demand on Paramount+.

For more details about the event, visit Kennedy-Center.org.

Halsey spills details on upcoming Gen Z-geared makeup line, af94

July 21, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Halsey is about to launch their new beauty line, af94, which is geared toward those who are just beginning to wear makeup.

Speaking with Teen Vogue, the Grammy nominee said of their new venture, “af94 is inspired by the kids who show up to my tour dates in my makeup but have to wipe it off before their parents pick them up.”

Halsey also infused some of their own childhood nostalgia into af94. “As a theatre kid, I was no stranger to self-expression. So af94 is definitely personal,” they continued.

The line contains bright and bold colors reminiscent of the late ’90s and early 2000s. “I’ll never forget being 15 years old and saving up to buy my first eyeliner. It was electric blue,” Halsey recalled. “Took all of my money, but the thrill of wearing such a bold color was worth every penny!”

With that experience in mind, Halsey wanted to be sure their new makeup line was priced within Gen Z’s budget. “Anyone and everyone can chase that rush of standing out with bold makeup, but at an affordable price,” the “East Side” singer noted, adding that each product is no more than $10.

Halsey came up with the af94 name by combining the first initials of their birth name, Ashley Frangipane, and the year they were born, 1994.

The new brand — which launches July 25 at Walmart — offers new products, such as colorful eyeshadow crayons, lipsticks, remover wipes, cheek and lip tints and body stickers. All products are completely vegan and cruelty-free.

President Biden tests positive for COVID-19

July 21, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 for the first time Thursday morning, his office said.

Biden, 79, has “very mild symptoms” and is taking Paxlovid, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

Biden is experiencing a dry cough, runny nose and fatigue, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha said. The physician to the president, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, said Biden’s systems started Wednesday evening.

The president went to bed feeling fine but didn’t sleep well and subsequently tested positive in the morning, Jha added.

Jean-Pierre said an update will be provided every day as Biden “continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation” at the White House.

Close contacts, “including any Members of Congress and any members of the press who interacted with the President during yesterday’s travel,” will be informed on Thursday, Jean-Pierre said.

Biden traveled to Somerset, Massachusetts, on Wednesday where he announced executive actions to address climate change. The president greeted Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska at the White House on Tuesday.

“He has been in contact with members of the White House staff by phone this morning, and will participate in his planned meetings at the White House this morning via phone and Zoom from the residence,” Jean-Pierre said.

The president will work in isolation until he tests negative, she said.

Biden was last tested for COVID-19 on Tuesday, when he tested negative, she added.

Biden is fully vaccinated and received two boosters; his second booster shot was March 30.

First lady Jill Biden tested negative Thursday morning in Detroit and will keep her full schedule in Michigan and Georgia through the day, her office said. She will continue following CDC guidance with masking and distancing, her office said.

ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton said the biggest factor in treatment will be the president’s age.

“That is why,” she said, it’s “no surprise that he’s being treated with the antiviral pill Paxlovid. It’s been shown in clinical trials to be 89% effective in reducing the risk of severe COVID-19 illness, meaning hospitalization or death.”

Ashton stressed, “He is going to be closely monitored at the White House by the personal physician of the president, and if anything looks like it is going in the wrong direction, I absolutely expect that he would be hospitalized, if nothing else than for more close observation. But remember, the White House is not like your home or my home — they can do a lot of medical monitoring and observation and testing right there.”

Former President Donald Trump was briefly hospitalized at Walter Reed Medical Center in October 2020 after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Paxlovid, an antiviral pill developed by Pfizer, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for those aged 12 and older in December 2021.

Patients take three pills twice daily over the course of five days. The pill was hailed as a game-changer because it was the first COVID-19 treatment that did not require an infusion, making it more convenient to give to patients.

Paxlovid is made up of two medications: ritonavir, commonly used to treat HIV and AIDS, and nirmatrelvir, an antiviral that Pfizer developed to boost the strength of the first drug. Together, they prevent an enzyme the virus uses to make copies of itself inside human cells and spread throughout the body.

Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for COVID-19 in April. Dr. Anthony Fauci, a senior adviser to the president on the pandemic, tested positive last month.

Ozzy Osbourne, Megadeth dropping new songs Friday

July 21, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Your week’s about to get a lot heavier, courtesy of Ozzy Osbourne and Megadeth.

Both the Prince of Darkness and the thrash metallers are set to premiere new songs this Friday, July 22.

Ozzy will be dropping a track called “Degradation Rules,” which notably features his Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi. Megadeth, meanwhile, is readying a cut titled “Night Stalkers,” a collaboration with rapper and Body Count frontman Ice-T.

“Degradation Rules” will appear on Ozzy’s upcoming solo album Patient Number 9, due out September 9, while “Night Stalkers” is a track from Megadeth’s forthcoming record The Sick, the Dying…and the Dead!, arriving September 2.

U2, Gladys Knight among this year’s Kennedy Center Honors recipients

July 21, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Irish rockers U2 and pop/R&B legend Gladys Knight are among the five honorees who will be saluted at the 45th annual Kennedy Center Honors gala. The star-studded ceremony will be held December 4 at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C.

Also set to be honored are actor/filmmaker George Clooney, Christian music artist Amy Grant and Cuban-born American composer and conductor Tania León.

The awards are presented annually by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to people who have made lasting contributions to American culture through performing arts.

In a joint statement, U2 said of the honor, “[W]e never imagined that 40 years on [from our first trip to the U.S.], we would be invited back to receive one of the nation’s greatest honours…It has been a four-decade love affair with the country and its people, its artists, and culture. We consider America to be a home away from home and we are very grateful to the Kennedy Center Honors for welcoming us into this great clan of extraordinary artists.”

Knight, meanwhile, says she’s “humbled beyond words” to be recognized alongside the other honorees, adding, “I stand here with my fans, my family, my friends, my team, and my faith in accepting such an amazing distinction. It is dedicated to all those who paved the path for me to be able to accomplish the wonderful blessings I’ve been able to receive.”

A two-hour TV special documenting this year’s event will be broadcast at a later date on CBS and will be streamed and made available on demand on Paramount+.

For more details about the event, visit Kennedy-Center.org.

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