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Two killed as severe weather spawns nearly 30 tornadoes in seven states

March 31, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Two people were killed Thursday in the Florida Panhandle when their mobile home was toppled by a suspected tornado, one of nearly 30 that has wreaked havoc across seven South and Midwest states, officials said.

The deaths in Washington County, Florida, were the first fatalities reported from the outbreak of severe weather that began Tuesday night.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said two mobile homes were destroyed, and the two people killed were inside one of them, according to ABC affiliate station WMBB in Panama City. Two other people in the second mobile home that was destroyed were injured, the sheriff’s office said.

The deadly episode came after the National Weather Service issued new tornado watch warnings early Thursday from coastal Apalachicola, Florida, to Valdosta, Georgia.

The band of severe weather continued to move east and north, prompting severe weather warnings up the East Coast, including a forecast of potentially damaging winds Thursday evening for New York City, Trenton, N.J., and parts of eastern Pennsylvania.

The severe weather front that swooped in from the Rocky Mountains generated at least 29 tornadoes in seven states on Tuesday night and throughout Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Funnel clouds reportedly touched down in Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama and Missouri.

One twister that tore through Springdale, Ark., on Wednesday injured seven people and caused heavy damage to an elementary school. The NWS reported that the Springdale tornado was a powerful EF-3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale and produced winds of 145 mph.

Besides tornadoes, the severe weather front came with damaging winds that ripped roofs on homes, barns and businesses and uprooted trees.

In Louisiana, powerful winds and low visibility due to blowing debris was blamed for a three-car pile-up on a highway near Iota that caused several minor injuries, according to the Iota Police Department.

At least 10 twisters were reported across Mississippi and high winds toppled large trees outside the Governor’s Mansion in Jackson.

At least three tornadoes touched down in Central Alabama, including one that flipped over a mobile home in Shelby County, triggering a rescue of a person trapped inside, ABC affiliate station WBMA in Birmingham reported.

A twister also touched down in Montevallo, Alabama, Wednesday night, tearing the roof off a dorm at the University of Montevallo and injuring one person, according to the Montevallo Police Department.

“We are thankful that this week was spring break and that very few people were on campus during tonight’s storms,” university officials said in a statement.

ABC News’ Max Golembo, Puri, Alexander, Griffin, Melissa Griffin and Whitney Lloyd contributed to this report.

Billie Eilish has a cheeky way of saying she doesn’t care about her fashion critics

March 31, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Billie Eilish‘s dress turned heads at Sunday’s Academy Awards, but not everyone was in love with it — and some were very vocal about that.

But the “bad guy” singer doesn’t give a you-know-what — literally. Taking to TikTok on Wednesday, Billie shared a video of one red carpet critic tearing apart the dresses he hated most, and her fluffy black number was number one on his list. As the critic groans, “I’ve had enough of her s***” while displaying Billie’s gown in the background, the Oscar winner flashes a peace sign before flipping the bird.

It also should be noted that as she reacts, Billie is clearly sitting on the toilet and apparently putting it to the use for which it’s intended. She even said as much in her caption, while tagging the critic, writing “i HAVENT had enough of my s***. i am s****ing right now.”

While Billie’s dress might not have been everyone’s favorite on Sunday night, her “No Time to Die” Bond theme was a hit, winning her and her producer/brother FINNEAS the Oscar for Best Original Song, making her the second-youngest winner to ever collect the honor.

It also should be of note that Billie’s also now the first person born in the 2000s to win an Oscar. Not only that, her win at the Academy Awards allowed her to collect the ultra-rare “Triple Crown” in film music award wins, confirmed Guinness World Records, with “No Time to Die” also picking up a Golden Globe and a Grammy Award.

So people dragging Billie’s dress does appear to be small potatoes compared to everything else.

Biden to release US oil reserves to control gas prices

March 31, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Oil prices are dropping Thursday morning in response to news that President Joe Biden is moving forward with a plan to release roughly 1 million barrels of oil per day from the nation’s strategic petroleum reserve over the next six months, the White House has confirmed.

Biden is expected to announce this step on Thursday afternoon during a scheduled event to discuss actions his administration is taking to rein in soaring gas prices that have spiked even further following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Biden will also call on “Congress to make companies pay fees on wells from their leases that they haven’t used in years and on acres of public lands that they are hoarding without producing,” the White House said in a release.

About 3 million barrels a day of Russian oil will come off the market in April due to Western sanctions, according to the International Energy Agency, and this plan could help alleviate pain at the pump by helping to replace that loss.

This would be the third time Biden has had to tap into the strategic petroleum reserve. In November, he authorized the release of 50 million barrels as gas prices surged ahead of the holidays, and along with 30 other countries, the U.S. released 30 million barrels following the start of the war in Ukraine, though that did little to ease skyrocketing prices.

As of Friday, there were more than 568 million barrels of oil in the reserve, according to the Department of Energy.

Given the complexity and volatility of the oil market, many geopolitical and economic factors feed into oil prices and there is no guarantee this release will keep prices down for an extended period of time.

Overnight, crude oil prices were down roughly 5% in reaction to this plan, which means the price at the gas pump could also dip in the coming days.

The current national average for a gallon of gas is $4.23, according to AAA, $1.35 higher than this time last year.

Madonna drops brand-new “Frozen” remix with 070 Shake

March 31, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Courtesy Warner Records

Madonna is capitalizing on the “Frozen” craze and has dropped an all-new remix, featuring R&B singer 070 Shake. This song reboot features new lyrics laid against a hypnotic beat.

The new lyrics come from Shake, who recites, “Don’t pull my heart/ Don’t text me back, don’t call me back/ It’s something in the water, yeah,” over the song’s familiar refrain.

To further treat fans, the two teamed for a new music video. It starts with Madonna pulling up to a dark, abandoned warehouse to meet 070 Shake. The two enjoy moments around the mysterious grounds in the rain before jumping into the souped-up car to make their getaway.

Madonna said of her new collaborator, “070 Shake is indescribably mysterious and alluring. There are very few women in the trap music world that aren’t pandering to men. Her lyrics are deep and unique — there is no one like her. I’m excited for the world to discover her!”

This marks the second time Madonna has breathed new life into her 1998 hit. Another remix dropped earlier this month, featuring Nigerian superstar Fireboy DML.

Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse taking “temporary hiatus” from the band as his wife battles cancer

March 31, 2022 by WDNY Radio

As Deep Purple prepares to launch a major European tour in late May, the band has announced that longtime guitarist Steve Morse “will be taking a temporary hiatus” from the band because of a serious family matter.

The group assures fans that Morse remains a full member of Deep Purple, although he won’t be playing the concerts scheduled for May, June and July. Replacing Steve at those shows will be Simon McBride, a veteran rock guitarist who previously has toured with Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan and keyboardist Don Airey, among many others.

In a message, Morse explains, “[M]y dear wife Janine is currently battling cancer. At this point, there are so many possible complications and unknowns, that whatever time we have left in our lives, I simply must be there with her.”

He continues, “I am not leaving the band — I hope that after she gets a clean bill of health, I can re-join the tour. However, I am not seeing any likely situation which would allow me to do overseas touring in the immediate future. I continue to be privileged to be a part of the Purple family tree, and also to get to feel the amazing support of so many loyal fans and the rest of the band.”

Steve also praises McBride as “a certified world class guitarist,” and concludes, “I appreciate all your sincere prayers for Janine and thank you all.”

The rest of Deep Purple adds, jointly, “All of our thoughts are with Janine during her fight against cancer and also with Steve while he supports his wife at a very difficult time.”

The U.S.-born Morse has been a member of Deep Purple since 1994. He also is a co-founder of jazz-rockers the Dixie Dregs and previously played with Kansas.

Check out Glass Animals’ cover of Lorde’s “Solar Power”

March 31, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The Grammys are this Sunday night, and in the run-up to the ceremony, Spotify has tapped several Best New Artist nominees to record a song by a past Grammy nominee for its Spotify Singles program.

Glass Animals — who, of course, aren’t really new — are the latest nominees to release their contribution to the program: You can hear their cover of Lorde‘s “Solar Power” now.

Explaining the decision to take on “Solar Power,” Glass Animals frontman Dave Bayley says, “In a time when we were all stuck indoors a bit – this song made me feel like I was on a beach….we all needed a bit of that! It’s a stunning song and then I just had a version of it in my head where it was faster with a gospel choir behind it….so….we made it!”

Lorde, of course, isn’t just a Grammy nominee — she’s also a Grammy winner, having scooped Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Royals” in 2014.

Glass Animals have also reimagined their single “I Don’t Wanna Talk (I Just Wanna Dance)” for the Spotify Singles project. Other Best New Artist nominees who’ve contributed to the program include FINNEAS, Japanese Breakfast and Arlo Parks.

Zoë Kravitz faces backlash after her remarks about the Oscars slap

March 31, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Zoë Kravitz is the one of the latest stars to comment on the infamous slap incident at the Oscars, but the actress is now facing backlash for her shady Instagram captions, which aren’t at all in favor of Will Smith.

On Tuesday, Kravitz posted two images of herself on the Oscars red carpet, both with captions that highlight the altercation as a criminal act.

Sharing a carpet photo where she sported a long pink gown Kravitz said, “here’s a picture of my dress at the award show where we are apparently assaulting people on stage now.” She then posted an image of herself in a white gown at the Vanity Fair after party, saying, “and here is a picture of my dress at the party after the award show -where we are apparently assaulting people on stage now.”

Kravitz confirmed her stance to a fan who asked “You don’t support him defending his wife?” In a tweet captured by Pop Crave, Kravitz simply responded, “Nope.”

Some fans on social media responded by recalling the actress’ past flirtatious remarks about Will’s son, Jaden Smith. Twitter was quick to pull receipts, sharing comments Kravitz, then in her mid-20s, made during interviews for the movie After Earth, on which she worked with then-14-year-old Jaden.

“zoe kravitz also a predator btw,” one user alleged, sharing a quote from a 2013 interview. “There were moments that I was hanging out with Jaden and thinking, I can’t believe you’re 14, I have to check myself, like what I say to you,” Kravitz was quoted as saying, adding of Jaden, “he’s so handsome” and that it “was inappropriate” to think about later hanging out with the child star.

Kravitz is just one of many celebs who spoke out about the slap and received backlash for their comments.

Shawn Mendes drops heartbreak anthem, “When You’re Gone”

March 31, 2022 by WDNY Radio

How does Shawn Mendes feel about being single? He tells us in his new heartbreak anthem “When You’re Gone,” that has fans buzzing it’s about his ex girlfriend, Camila Cabello.

The Grammy winner admits in the song that he isn’t ready for his previous relationship to end, admitting in the opening lyrics, “You never know how good you have it/ Until you’re staring at a picture of the only girl that matters/ I know what we’re supposed to do/ It’s hard for me to let go of you/ So I’m just trying to hold on.”

Other standout lyrics include, “I didn’t know that loving you was the happiest I’ve ever been,” and “I’m missing you deeply.”

Shawn also admits, “I hate the thought of losing you,” and sings about needing to learn “how to cope” now that his relationship is finished.

He also released a music video to accompany his new song, which shows him preparing for a big show and acting as though nothing is wrong, despite the song’s lyrics saying otherwise.

Of course, some fans are saying this is Shawn’s effort to win back Camila’s heart, because of how pointed his lyrics are. Camila has been teasing her own breakup anthems for her upcoming Familia album, but her songs hint that her ex-lover didn’t open up to her emotionally and caused a rift to grow between them.

Watch U2’s Bono thank Capitol Police for saving US “from so much awfulness” on January 6

March 31, 2022 by WDNY Radio

U2 frontman Bono was visiting the U.S. Capitol Wednesday and he took time out to meet and chat with members of the Capitol Police.

In a video posted on the U.S. Capitol Police’s Twitter feed, Bono is seen thanking officers for their service during the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

“I haven’t been back since January 6, and you guys saved America, as far as I’m concerned, from so much awfulness on that day,” the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer says in the clip. “And I just want to say, people around the world really respect you.”

The Tweet is accompanied by a caption that reads, “Never know who you will run into on Capitol Hill. Thank you #Bono!”

Some additional photos from Bono’s visit also were posted on the U.S. Capitol Police’s Twitter page.

The singer, activist and philanthropist has been visiting Capitol Hill recently, reportedly meeting with lawmakers to urge the approval of emergency relief funding to help make the COVID-19 vaccine available globally.

Long live Nipsey Hussle: the young legend died three years ago today

March 31, 2022 by WDNY Radio

March 31, 2019 was a day of sadness, sorrow, confusion and anger for the hip hop community.

And though it’s been three years today since the death of two-time Grammy-winning rapper Nipsey Hussle, the loss is still as hurtful now as it was back then.

Nipsey, born Airmiess “Ermias” Joseph Asghedom, was gunned down outside of his clothing store, The Marathon Clothing, on Slauson Ave in Los Angeles. Nipsey’s decision to open the store in the middle of Crenshaw, the area in which he grew up, was in keeping with his entrepreneurial efforts to build up and give back to the community that raised him.

That’s what ‘Nip’ was all about. After having lived his adolescent years a part of the gritty, gang-centered South LA lifestyle, the 33-year-old “Double Up” rapper was on a mission to uplift, inspire, invest and provide opportunities not normally available to young Black men like himself.

Nipsey was a prolific rapper whose music reflected not only his life experiences, but also his future plans, with lyrics like: “Think if I call it the great, the people gon’ call it the truth // Ain’t really trip on the credit, I just paid all of my dues // I just respected the game, now my name all in the news // Trippin’ on all of my moves, quote me on this, got a lot more to prove.”

Those lyrics from “Hussle & Motivate” were among a few of the other chart-topping hits from Nipsey’s debut studio album, Victory Lap, which went on to win Best Rap Album at the 61st Grammy Awards.

The old saying “the good die young” certainly rang true when Nipsey Hussle died. And while the young king was just getting started, Nip’s legacy will live on forever.

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