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Secret Service paying over $30K per month for Malibu mansion to protect Hunter Biden

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Secret Service paying over K per month for Malibu mansion to protect Hunter Biden

(WASHINGTON) — Hunter Biden is apparently spending his father’s presidency living in luxury in Malibu — and so is his taxpayer-funded security detail.

The Secret Service detail protecting the president’s controversial son has been paying more than $30,000 a month to rent out a swanky Malibu, California, mansion for nearly a year, sources familiar with the matter tell ABC News.

The agency responsible for protecting the president and his family — among other ranking government officials — selected the property in order to be located as close as possible to Biden’s own rented mansion where he is paying about $20,000 a month according to property listings, sources told ABC News.

Retired senior Secret Service agent Don Mihalek, now an ABC News contributor, said the arrangement is “the cost of doing business for the Secret Service,” adding that under the federal law, the agency has a mandated protective responsibility for the president, the first family, and anybody else the president designates for protection.

“Typically, wherever a protectee sets up their residence, the Secret Service is forced to find someplace to rent nearby at market value,” Mihalek said, noting that the agency is also renting out properties to protect President Joe Biden’s residences in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

“This isn’t new,” Mihalek said. “The Service has had to do this in past administrations, and unfortunately, the housing market right now has driven the prices up substantially.”

A White House official referred ABC News to the Secret Service for comment. Asked about the cost of the protection, a representative for the Secret Service said only: “Due to the need to maintain operational security, the U.S. Secret Service does not comment on the means, methods, or resources used to conduct our protective operations.”

A representative for Hunter Biden did not respond to requests for comment from ABC News.

Hunter Biden’s California lifestyle is coming into focus just as the federal probe into his tax affairs has intensified, as sources familiar with the matter recently told ABC News.

An increasing number of witnesses have appeared before a grand jury impaneled in Wilmington, Delaware, in recent months, the sources said, and have been asked about payments Hunter Biden received while serving on the board of directors of Ukrainian natural gas company Burisma, in addition to other questions about how Biden paid off tax obligations in recent years.

“In retrospect, look, I think that it was poor judgment on my part,” Hunter Biden told ABC News anchor Amy Robach in October 2019, regarding serving on the board of Burisma and the impact of his foreign business dealings on his father’s political career. “Is that I think that it was poor judgment because I don’t believe now, when I look back on it — I know that there was — did nothing wrong at all. However, was it poor judgment to be in the middle of something that is … a swamp in — in — in many ways? Yeah.”

The younger Biden, along with other members of the Biden family, began to receive around-the-clock protection from the Secret Service when Joe Biden became the Democratic presidential nominee in June 2020. The family was provided a more robust security detail once the elder Biden won the presidency, which is customary for all immediate members of a president’s family.

In Malibu, Hunter Biden’s digs include a four-bedroom, three-bathroom “resort-style” home with an open floor plan, vaulted high ceilings, chef’s kitchen and French doors, according to a description on its property listing. The mansion also features a “spacious park-like yard” with a pool, a spa, a built-in barbecue bar, and alfresco dining, according to the listing.

The property is located on 0.7 acres atop a hill, and boasts “enchanting” 180-degree panoramic ocean views, the listing says.

Next door is where sources say Biden’s team of Secret Service agents are living and working.

The Spanish-style estate that the Secret Service has rented sits on a 0.7-acre lot above the Malibu coast and also features “gorgeous ocean views,” according to its listing.

With six bedrooms, six bathrooms, a gym, a tasting room, a built-in barbecue, a pool, a spa, and a spiral staircase that leads up to a “castle-like tower to the master retreat with wet bar,” the luxury mansion boasts “resort style living at its finest” and is “a perfect retreat for discerning clientele,” its listing says.

The cost of protecting first families has raised eyebrows in the past.

In the first year of Donald Trump’s presidency, the Secret Service requested $60 million of additional funding to protect Trump and his family, with about $27 million of that going to protecting them at their private residency at the Trump Tower in New York City, according to internal agency documents obtained by the Washington Post at that time.

Throughout Trump’s presidency, his family business came under fire for bringing in revenue from the Secret Service by charging for space at various Trump properties across the globe that agents used while protecting Trump and his family members.

The total amount that the Secret Service has paid to Trump’s family business to date is difficult to pin down, but according to an analysis by the Washington Post, records that have been released so far show that the Secret Service has spent at least $1.2 million at various Trump properties while protecting the Trump family, from $650 per night for a room at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club to $17,000 a month for a cottage at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey.

Numerous overseas business trips taken by Trump’s elder sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, also came under scrutiny during Trump’s presidency for costing the Secret Service hundreds of thousands of dollars each time, records show. And the security detail that protected Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner cost taxpayers $3,000 a month for the rental of a studio apartment across from the couple’s Washington, D.C., home throughout Trump’s presidency, sources confirmed to ABC News at the time.

During the Obama presidency, both of President Barack Obama’s daughters lived in the White House and the president himself visited his private residence in Chicago only a handful of times — but his family made regular visits to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts and took family trips to Honolulu during Christmas, costing the Secret Service millions of dollars each time.

According to spending records obtained by the right-leaning watchdog group Judicial Watch, the Obama family’s trip to Martha’s Vineyard in August 2016 cost the Secret Service a whopping $2.7 million, including $2.5 million in hotels and $90,000 in rental cars, while the family’s final Christmas trip to Honolulu in late 2016 cost the agency $1.9 million, including $1.8 million in hotels.

First Lady Michelle Obama’s trips to Aspen in 2014, 2015 and 2016 cost the Secret Service more than $319,000 in taxpayer money, including nearly $166,000 incurred from the 2016 trip, records obtained by the group show.

And Joe Biden, as vice president during Obama’s presidency, collected $2,200 a month in payments from the Secret Service by renting out a cottage on his Delaware property for the agents protecting him, according to past media reports and federal spending records.

Of the high cost sometimes associated with protecting presidential family members, Mihalek said, “I think it’s all relative.”

“Hunter’s out in Malibu, which is not a low-cost area,” said Mihalek. “And the Trump kids, too, they didn’t live in low-cost areas.”

Mihalek said that for the Secret Service to do their job effectively, they have to have a command post near the protectee — even if it costs more.

“The Secret Service couldn’t have a command post in the next town over,” he said. “It’d do them no good.”

Craig Holman, a government affairs lobbyist at progressive good-government group Public Citizen, told ABC News that Secret Service Protection is necessary for the president and the president’s family — but that they should recognize that the agency is there for their own protection and help lower the cost to taxpayers by reducing unnecessary travel or by sharing their own properties free of charge.

“Ivanka and Jared should have opened up their house to the Secret Service, just as Hunter Biden should do at his Malibu residence,” Holman said.

“Hunter should recognize the exorbitant cost of his own protection in the exclusive Malibu neighborhood, and cooperate with the Secret Service to bring down the expenses,” said Holman. “A cost of $30,000 a month for the Secret Service to rent a home in Malibu next to Hunter is an unconscionable burden to taxpayers, all for the personal benefit of Hunter Biden. Hunter should realize this and accommodate his security detail in his own home.”

Eleven shot, one fatally, at concert in Dallas: Police

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(DALLAS) — At least 12 people were shot, one fatally, when gunfire erupted at a concert in Dallas early Sunday, police said.

Three of the victims are juveniles, according to the Dallas Police Department.

The episode occurred several hours before another mass shooting broke out in downtown Sacramento, California, in which six people were killed and at least 10 others were injured.

Dallas police said investigators are working to identify the suspect or suspects in the concert shooting, but no one had been taken into custody as of Sunday afternoon.

“A preliminary investigation determined that at the event, one individual fired a gun into the air, then another unknown individual fired a gun in the crowd’s direction,” the Dallas Police Department said in a statement.

The person killed was identified by police as 26-year-old Kealon Dejuane Gilmore. Police said Gilmore was found lying near the stage with a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Eleven other people were injured in the shooting and taken to hospitals in private vehicles. One of the victims was in critical condition while the others were in stable condition, police said.

The shooting broke out about 12:13 a.m. at a venue in south Dallas. Police said the shooting occurred at an event billed as a trail ride and concert.

“Upon arrival, officers learned that multiple victims were shot while attending a concert,” police said in a statement.

The shooting occurred at the concert that was supposed to be headlined by Big Boogie, a rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. A notice posted on the entertainer’s Instagram page said the shooting occurred before Big Boogie arrived at the venue, according to ABC affiliate station WFAA in Dallas.

A flyer for the outdoor show said the gates were to open at noon on Saturday and that horses and ATVs were welcomed. Children aged 10 and under were to be admitted for free, the flier read.

Dallas police officers were expected to be at the concert for security and the event’s promoters noted that they were “not responsible for accidents or theft.”

A witness told WFAA that the event was “jam-packed” with people and that concert-goers started to run in all directions seeking cover and preventing police and emergency vehicle from quickly entering the scene to treat victims.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and that a motive remains unclear.

A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered by Crime Stoppers for information leading to arrests and indictments of the perpetrators, police said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Six killed, at least 12 injured in mass shooting in Sacramento, California: Police

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(SACRAMENTO) — At least 18 people were injured, six fatally, when a mass shooting erupted early Sunday in downtown Sacramento, California, and police said no suspects were in custody.

The Sacramento Police Department said several streets in downtown Sacramento just blocks from the state Capitol building and the Golden 1 Center where the Kings NBA team plays were closed as officers responded to the gun violence. The conditions of the victims were not immediately known, police said.

The shooting came just several hours after one person was killed and 10 people were injured when gunfire erupted at an outdoor concert in Dallas, Texas.

The Sacramento shooting broke out about 2 a.m. near the corner of 10th and K Street in a popular nightlife area, Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester said at a news conference.

Lester said police officers were in the area and heard the gunshot.

“We had a large crowd in the area. We don’t know if it was part of a club or an event,” Lester said.

She said officers immediately responded and began providing medical aid to victims.

In a statement Sunday afternoon, police said six people were fatally shot and another 12 were injured and taken to hospitals.

Lester asked for the public’s help in identifying the suspect or suspects involved in the shooting, saying no one was in custody.

Pamela Harris of Sacramento told ABC News that her son, Sergio Harris, a married father of two daughters, was among those killed. She said she went to the scene of the shooting at about 2:30 a.m. after getting a call from someone who is not in law enforcement, informing her that her 38-year-old son was among those killed.

“My son was a very vivacious young man, fun to be around, liked to party, have fun, smiling all the time, didn’t bother people. For this to happen … it’s crazy,” Harris told reporters at the scene. “I’m just to the point right now I don’t know what to do. I don’t even think this is real. I feel like it’s a dream.”

Community activist Berry Accius of Voice of the Youth said he arrived at the scene at about 2:30 a.m. after a city council member called him about the shooting.

“It was just horrific,” Accius told ABC affiliate station KXTV in Sacramento. “Just as soon as I walked up you saw a chaotic scene, police all over the place, victims with blood all over their bodies, folks screaming, folks crying, people going, ‘Where is my brother?’ Mothers crying and trying to identify who their child was.”

Video posted on Twitter showed people running through the street as the apparent sound of rapid gunfire could be heard in the background.

“Please avoid the area as a large police presence will remain and the scene remains active,” police officials said in a statement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it is assisting the Sacramento Police Department in the investigation.

Sacramento police asked anyone in the area at the time of the shooting to submit to investigators any photos and video, or other evidence linked to the violence.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg condemned the shooting during a news conference Sunday afternoon in downtown Sacramento.

“This is a senseless and unacceptable tragedy. And I emphasize the word unacceptable,” Steinberg said. “Thoughts and prayers are not nearly enough. We must do more as a city as a state and as a nation. This senseless epidemic of gun violence must be addressed. How many unending tragedies does it take before we begin to cure the sickness in this country? Let us be honest, this is a sickness.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his wife, Jennifer, issued a statement, saying he was monitoring the shooting and that his administration is working closely with law enforcement.

“Sadly, we once again mourn the lives lost and for those injured in yet another horrendous act of gun violence. Jennifer and I send our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and to the wider community impacted by this terrible tragedy,” Newsom’s statement reads. “What we do know at this point is that another mass casualty shooting has occurred, leaving families with lost loved ones, multiple individuals injured and a community in grief. The scourge of gun violence continues to be a crisis in our country, and we must resolve to bring an end to this carnage.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Russia-Ukraine live updates: More Russian troops, Wagner mercenaries move into Donbas

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Russian forces are continuing their attempted push through Ukraine from multiple directions, while Ukrainians, led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are putting up “stiff resistance,” according to U.S. officials.

The attack began Feb. 24, when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation.” Heavy shelling and missile attacks, many on civilian buildings, continue in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, as well as other major cities like Kharkiv and Mariupol.

Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:

Apr 04, 7:41 am
Kremlin reacts to images of dead bodies in Bucha

Russia responded on Monday to accusations that its troops have deliberately killed civilians in Ukraine, after images emerged showing bodies in civilian clothes scattered in areas on the outskirts of the capital that were recently recaptured from Russian forces.

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venedyktova said Sunday that 410 civilians were found dead in towns near Kyiv.

During a daily press briefing on Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia “categorically dismiss[es] any accusations” of its role in civilian killings and that Moscow does not trust the evidence in Bucha.

“This information should be seriously doubted,” Peskov told reporters. “From what we have seen, the video materials cannot be trusted to a large extent, as our specialists from the Defense Ministry have detected signs of video forgery and other kinds of fakes.”

The Kremlin demands that “international leaders do not jump to conclusions, do not make hasty unsupported accusations but at least seek information from various sources and at least listen to our arguments,” Peskov said.

“The facts, the chronology of events also do not speak in favor of the credibility of these claims,” he added.

Russia will reiterate its calls to discuss the matter at the United Nations Security Council on Monday, according to Peskov.

“We believe that the issue should be discussed at the highest level, so we have proposed that it be discussed at the Security Council. We are aware that the initiative has been blocked,” he said. “Our diplomats will continue active efforts towards putting this item on the Security Council’s agenda. This issue is too serious.”

“The initiative aimed to put the item on the Security Council agenda demonstrates that Russia wants and actually demands its discussion at the international level,” he added.

Apr 04, 7:11 am
Russia seeks UN Security Council meeting on Bucha for Monday

Russia said it will repeat its request for the United Nations Security Council to meet on Monday over what Moscow described as “criminal provocations by Ukrainian soldiers and radicals” in the Ukrainian city of Bucha.

The United Kingdom’s mission to the U.N., which assumed the presidency of the 15-member Security Council for April, has said the group will hold a scheduled discussion on Ukraine on Tuesday, rather than meet on Monday as requested by Russia.

“Yesterday, in the worst English tradition, the British presidency of the U.N. Security Council did not give consent to holding a meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Bucha,” Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement via Telegram on Monday. “Russia today will again demand the convening of the U.N. Security Council in connection with the criminal provocations of the Ukrainian military and radicals in this city.”

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venedyktova announced Sunday that 410 civilians were found dead in recently recaptured towns near the capital as part of an investigation into possible war crimes by Russian forces. Images emerged showing bodies in civilian clothes strewn in the streets of Bucha, northwest of Kyiv.

Russia’s deputy representative to the U.N. Security Council, Dmitry Polyansky, said via Twitter on Sunday that Moscow had requested a meeting to be held on Monday “in connection with the monstrous provocation of Ukrainian radicals in Bucha.”

Apr 04, 6:01 am
Russian troops, Wagner mercenaries move into Ukraine’s Donbas region

Russian forces are continuing to consolidate and reorganize as they refocus their offensive into the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, the U.K. Ministry of Defense said in an intelligence update Monday.

“Russian troops, including mercenaries from the Russian state-linked Wagner private military company, are being moved into the area,” the ministry added.

Wagner is the best-known of an array of Russian mercenary groups and has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian company has deployed fighters to countries in the Middle East and Africa. U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson John Kirby told reporters last month that Wagner “has an interest in increasing their footprint in Ukraine.”

Apr 03, 10:37 pm
Zelenskyy speaks at Grammys: ‘Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a brief speech at the on Sunday night.

Zelenskyy, in a video message, said war is the opposite of music, but hopes soon the silence of death will be filled with the sound of music.

“The war doesn’t let us choose who survives and who stays in eternal silence. Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos,” Zelenskyy told the audience. “They sing to the wounded. In hospitals. Even to those who can’t hear them. But the music will break through anyway.”

Apr 03, 8:14 pm
7 dead, 34 wounded in Kharkiv shelling, 70% of Chernihiv destroyed

At least seven civilians are dead and 34 are wounded following shelling in Kharkiv, the region’s prosecutor’s office announced Sunday.

The shelling occurred Sunday evening in the city’s Slobidskyi district, according to the Kharkiv regional military administration Oleg Sinehubov, who added that children are among the victims.

Meanwhile, in Chernihiv, around 70% of the city has been destroyed, according to Mayor Vladyslav Atroshenko, who was speaking on Ukrainian TV.

He added that businesses are not operating. Ukrainian soldiers have been able to liberate several villages in the Chernihiv region in the past couple of days.

-ABC News’ Christine Theodorou

Apr 03, 4:20 pm
‘Concentrated evil has come,’ Zelenskyy addresses civilian deaths in Bucha

Following graphic images of casualties coming out of Bucha, Ukraine, after Russian military withdrawal, Ukrainian President President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strong words about he called, “concentrated evil, in his daily address Sunday. Here are excerpts from that address:

“Hundreds of people were killed. Tortured, executed civilians. Corpses on the streets. Mined area. Even the bodies of the dead were mined!”

“Concentrated evil has come to our land. Murderers. Torturers. Rapists. Looters. Who call themselves the army. And who deserve only death after what they did.”

“I want every mother of every Russian soldier to see the bodies of the killed people in Bucha, in Irpin, in Hostomel. What did they do? Why were they killed? What did the man who was riding his bicycle down the street do? Why were ordinary civilians in an ordinary peaceful city tortured to death? Why were women strangled after their earrings were ripped out of their ears? How could women be raped and killed in front of children? How could their corpses be desecrated even after death? Why did they crush the bodies of people with tanks? What did the Ukrainian city of Bucha do to your Russia? How did all this become possible?”

“All partners of Ukraine will be informed in detail about what happened in the temporarily occupied territory of our state. War crimes in Bucha and other cities during the Russian occupation will also be considered by the UN Security Council on Tuesday.”

Zelenslyy also invited former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Ukraine to witness the carnage.

“We do not blame the West. We do not blame anyone but the specific Russian military who did this against our people,” Zelenskyy, who has pleaded with the U.S. and NATO allies to create a no-fly zone over Ukraine, a measure so far, that President Joe Biden and other Western leaders have refused to do, said.

-ABC News’ Christine Theodorou

Scoreboard roundup — 4/3/22

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Sunday’s sports events:

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Boston 144, Washington 102
Dallas 118, Milwaukee 112
Denver 129, LA Lakers 118
Detroit 121, Indiana 117
New York 118, Orlando 88
Philadelphia 112, Cleveland 108
Oklahoma City 117, Phoenix 96
San Antonio 113, Portland 92
Miami 114, Toronto 109
Minnesota 139, Houston 132
Golden State 109, Sacramento 90
LA Clippers 119, New Orleans 100

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Florida 5, Buffalo 3
Ottawa 5, Detroit 2
NY Islanders 4, New Jersey 3
Vegas 3, Vancouver 2 (OT)
Minnesota 5, Washington 1
Arizona 3, Chicago 2 (OT)
Philadelphia 4, NY Rangers 3 (SO)
Edmonton 6, Anaheim 1
Seattle 4, Dallas 1

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
LA Galaxy 3, Portland 1

‘Long Slow Exhale’ creators say show creates “a world that you hadn’t seen before”

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The highly anticipated women’s sports drama Long Slow Exhale premieres today, and the show runners warn it’s a story no one has seen before on television.

Long Slow Exhale stars Rose Rollins as J.C. Abernathy, the head coach of a women’s college basketball team who gets swept up in a horrific sexual abuse scandal involving her star player and assistant coach. With her career on the line, she aims to find the truth — no matter what or who stands in her way.

Pam Veasey, who created the show, told ABC Audio that her aim was to “create a strong female lead who was flawed and redeemable in a world that you hadn’t seen before.” Veasey added that the story also shows just how many lives a sexual abuse scandal touches and asks, “What is the journey of those coaches — or the players, or the victims or their parents?”

Producer Casey Haver said the goal of the project was to tell an “authentic” story that wasn’t “[exploitative] in any way.” Director Anton Cropper added that meant being mindful when it came to exploring every “character’s headspace” to “really understand how they were affected and how their choices affected others.”

Rollins said she appreciated the show’s sensitivity and bold storyline because it created such “multi-layered, complicated” characters. The actress added that her character’s arc had such a strong impact on her, she unintentionally began method acting.

“I’m not exaggerating. I would dream as J.C. — I would have J.C.’s dreams,” she remarked, calling the experience “a head trip.”

Ian Harding, who portrays assistant coach Eddie Hagan, said it was “tricky” playing someone who is accused of an unspeakable crime but doesn’t believe “what he did was wrong,” which leads to some “painful scenes.”

Long Slow Exhale is streaming now on SpectrumTV.

‘Late Late Show with James Corden’s’ “Carpool Karaoke” returns this week with Nicki Minaj as the first guest

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The beloved Late Late Show with James Corden segment “Carpool Karaoke” is finally returning after a two-year hiatus, and superstar rapper Nicki Minaj will be the late-night host’s first guest to take part in the popular sing-along showcase.

In the Twitter announcement on Friday, James Corden revealed the exciting news by sharing a promo video of the new installment and revealing that both Minaj and singer Camila Cabello will be featured in upcoming segments.

The skit, which usually features musical artists who ride in a car with Corden and sing along to some of their greatest hits, was on pause for two years due to the pandemic and social-distancing guidelines.

Speaking of the show’s musical guests in a past interview on The Ellen Show, Corden said, “It feels like there’s a whole raft of artists that we are desperate to do it with.”

Stars and celebrities that have made previous appearances on the segment include Mariah Carey, Michelle Obama, Missy Elliot and Jennifer Hudson.

The first new episode of Carpool Karaoke, featuring Minaj, will air this Wednesday, April 6, while Cabello will appear on the April 18 episode.

Dolly Parton sends “prayer” for the Tennessee wildfires + confirms that “everything is okay” at Dollywood

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Dolly Parton is once again showing her support for her fellow Tennesseeans affected by the recent wildfires in her home state.

“It looks scary on TV, but I’m proud of how everyone in the area has pulled together like they always do,” the singer shared on socials. “I’m especially proud of the brave men and women who are working to contain the fire. I know there are some folks who have been affected, and I hope that you will join me in saying a prayer for them.”

The fires have caused an extensive mandatory evacuation in the Wears Valley Fire location, which is near Pigeon Forge. That’s close to Dolly’s birthplace of Sevierville, and is home to her theme park, Dollywood, though the singer assured fans that the park wasn’t impacted.

“During this time, I’ve also remained in touch with my people at Dollywood who have assured me that everything is okay there,” she noted.

Throughout her ascent to superstardom, Dolly has maintained close ties with her home state through her Dollywood Foundation. At present, the foundation’s website directs visitors wishing to support those affected by the fires in the Gatlinburg region to MountainTough.org.

Harry Styles breaks two major Spotify records with new single “As It Was”

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Looks like fans just couldn’t get enough of Harry Styles‘ new single “As It Was” — following its release, it’s broken two major Spotify records.

“As It Was” became Spotify’s most-streamed song in the U.S. in a single day, with 8.3 million streams. The record was previously held by Olivia Rodrigo‘s “drivers license,” which had eight million streams when it was first released.

In addition, “As It Was” is now the most-streamed song globally in a single day so far this year, with 21.6 million streams.

“As It Was” is the first single from Harry’s new album Harry’s House, due out May 20. It’s available for pre-order now. The record will have a total of 13 tracks, including “As It Was.”

Harry will perform the track live for the first time ever during his headlining gig at Coachella Festival on April 15 and 22.

AWOLNATION is “pretty far along” on next original record; hoping for fall single release

April 4, 2022 by WDNY Radio

In addition to releasing a covers collection this year, AWOLNATION has been working on a new, original record. Speaking with ABC Audio, frontman Aaron Bruno reveals that he’s “pretty far along” on the upcoming effort.

“No one’s heard any of it,” Bruno says. “But where I am on it, it feels pretty far along.”

As for when we might get to hear any of the fresh material, Bruno’s hesitant to offer a firm date, but hopes to have something out before 2022 is over.

“Every time I think this or say something like this, it never comes true,” Bruno says. “But if all goes according to how I have it in my head, I could see a single or a new song coming out hopefully by the fall or sometime before the end of the year, I would think. That’s my goal, at least.”

Bruno knows a thing or two about plans going awry. AWOL’s last album, Angel Miners & the Lightning Riders, was released in April 2020, a month into the COVID-19 pandemic. The tour behind the record, which was to expand its conceptual world and cast of characters, was canceled.

“[The pandemic] just put a bulldozer through the creative aspect of the characters and what were going to be visuals and the story I was trying to tell,” Bruno says. “I had to make peace with that, and that’s OK. People are dealing with much bigger issues than that.”

As for whether the Angel Miners follow-up will follow in its predecessor’s conceptual footsteps, Bruno isn’t sure yet.

“Right now it’s just a group of songs more than it is an idea or a way to present the story,” he says.

Meanwhile, AWOLNATION’s My Echo, My Shadows, My Covers and Me compilation drops May 6.

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