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Bruce Willis “stepping away” from his career following aphasia diagnosis

March 30, 2022 by WDNY Radio

On her Instagram, Rumer Willis revealed that her father, Bruce Willis is “stepping away” from the limelight, following the diagnosis of a condition that can rob someone of their ability to communicate.

“To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,” began the message, which was posted with a picture of the 67-year-old Die Hard series star in a bath robe, smirking with a towel on his head.

“As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him,” Rumer explained.

“This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support. We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him,” the message continued.

“As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that,” Rumer said.

Rumer’s post was signed off with “love” from herself, as well as her mom and Bruce’s ex-wife Demi Moore, her sisters Scout and Tallulah, and Mabel and Evelyn, Bruce’s young daughters with his model wife Emma Heming Willis.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Aphasia typically occurs suddenly after a stroke or a head injury. But it can also come on gradually from a slow-growing brain tumor or a disease that causes progressive, permanent damage (degenerative). The severity of aphasia depends on a number of conditions, including the cause and the extent of the brain damage.”

Paul McCartney pays homage to late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins: “a true Rock and Roll hero”

March 30, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Paul McCartney has joined the long list of famous artists paying tribute to Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died Friday, March 25, at age 50.

In a message posted on his official website and social media pages, McCartney who is a longtime friend of the Foo Fighters, writes, “Taylor’s sudden death came as a shock to me and the people who knew and loved him…Not only was he a GREAT drummer but his personality was big and shiny and will be sorely missed by all who were lucky to live and work alongside him.”

Sir Paul goes on to note, “I was asked by the Foo Fighters to play on one of their tracks. It turned out that they wanted me to play drums! — on one of Taylor’s songs [referring to ‘Sunday Rain,’ from the band’s 2017 album Concrete and Gold]. This request came from a group with TWO amazing drummers! It was an incredible session and cemented my relationship with Taylor and the guys.”

McCartney then reflects on the Foo Fighters asking him to induct them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 2021 ceremony.

“I sang with them on ‘Get Back,'” Paul notes. “Taylor provided a powerhouse drum part. I’ll never forget that night. All of which made it much more of a desperately sad shock to hear he had died.”

McCartney concludes, “So thanks Taylor for sharing some glorious minutes with me. You were a true Rock and Roll hero and will always remain in my heart. God bless his family and band — Love Paul X.”

Interestingly, McCartney and the Foos will be competing against each other for two honors at the Grammy Awards this Sunday — Best Rock Song and Best Rock Album.

The Wanted’s Tom Parker dies at 33 after cancer battle

March 30, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Tom Parker, singer for the British band The Wanted, has lost his battle with cancer. He was 33.

Tom’s wife, Kelsey, confirmed his passing on Wednesday, saying in a statement, “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm Tom passed away peacefully earlier today with all of his family by his side.”

“Our hearts are broken, Tom was the centre of our world and we can’t imagine life without his infectious smile and energetic presence. We are truly thankful for the outpouring of love and support and ask that we all unite to ensure Tom’s light continues to shine for his beautiful children,” the statement continued. “Thank you to everyone who has supported in his care throughout, he fought until the very end. I’m forever proud of you.”

The Wanted also reacted to Tom’s passing, writing on Instagram, “Max, Jay, Siva, Nathan and the whole Wanted family are devastated by the tragic and premature loss of our bandmate Tom Parker, who passed away peacefully at lunchtime today surrounded by his family and his band mates.”

“He was our brother, words can’t express the loss and sadness we feel. Always and forever in our hearts,” the statement closed.

Parker was diagnosed with an inoperable glioblastoma, a stage 4 brain tumor, in October 2020 after experiencing seizures. “We are all absolutely devastated but we are gonna fight this all the way,” he said on Instagram at the time.

He would periodically share progress updates with fans, his last being in November, where he announced his tumor was “under control” and “stable” following radiation and treatment.

Parker and The Wanted achieved fame in 2012 with their hits “Glad You Came” and “Chasing the Sun.” He leaves behind his wife as well as his two-year-old daughter Aurelia and one-year-old son, Bodhi.

Biden gets second booster after outlining dire need for COVID funding

March 30, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden received his second booster shot following his scheduled remarks Wednesday about the state of the country’s COVID response, according to the White House.

Biden’s speech promoted the launch of COVID.gov, a new website the White House is billing as a “one-stop shop” to help Americans get better access to vaccines, tests, treatments and masks — as well as area-specific updates on COVID-19 spread.

The website leads users to locations where they can get vaccines, boosters and masks, and it connects people with another White House website to order free at-home rapid tests.

The president also highlighted that the “Test to Treat” initiative he announced at the State of the Union has already expanded to over 2,000 sites nationwide and now through COVID.gov’s new “Test to Treat Locator,” Americans can readily find pharmacies and community health centers to get tested for COVID-19 and receive treatments if needed.

Notably, many of the COVID response efforts available on COVID.gov are the same things the White House says are in jeopardy of running out in the coming weeks and months if more funding is not approved.

Administration officials for weeks have been ringing alarm bells about the critical need for more COVID funding, warning of the severe consequences for Americans.

Biden on Wednesday sent what a White House official called an “urgent, direct message to Congress” to act swiftly to secure funding for the administration’s COVID response.

Last week, the fund to cover testing and treatment for uninsured Americans ran out of money, leaving people to pay as much as $125 out of pocket if they get PCR testing at labs like Quest Diagnostics, one of the biggest in the country.

The funding to cover the cost of administering vaccines for uninsured people will run out next week.

At the same time, monoclonal antibody treatment supplies distributed to states each week has been cut by 35%. And the U.S. supply could run out entirely by May if funding isn’t secured.

The government says it has enough tests to get to the summer, but if there’s another surge, the country will again be caught flat-footed like it was during the omicron wave.

“You could see, again, a gap in access to at-home testing,” Andrea Palm, deputy secretary of Health and Human Services, told reporters last week.

The White House has said without additional funding, “the results are dire” — one official told ABC News earlier this month, “Simply put, failing to take action now will have severe consequences for the American people.”

The White House has asked for $22.5 billion in immediate aid to keep COVID-19 programs afloat. Congress whittled that request down to $15 billion before cutting it from a spending bill entirely in early March. Since then, the White House has urged Democrats and Republicans on the Hill to come to an agreement, but negotiations remain at a stalemate.

ABC News’ Justin Gomez contributed to this report.

Garth Brooks’ Stadium Tour is headed to Birmingham, will break in a brand-new stadium

March 30, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Kevin Mazur/BBMA2020/Getty Images for dcp

Garth Brooks is setting his sights on Alabama.

The singer just announced a Stadium Tour stop in Birmingham at the city’s Protective Stadium, a 45,000-capacity venue that opened last October and has never hosted a concert before. The show will take place June 4 at 7 p.m.

The just-announced show comes as part of a lengthy string of 2022 Stadium Tour dates for Garth, who booked new stops this year as well as setting several make-up dates at cities where he had to cancel planned concerts due to COVID-19 in 2021.

He’s got plans for a two-night hometown stand in Nashville this spring, followed by sold-out stops in Fayetteville, Arkansas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Charlotte, Cincinnati and South Bend are also among the cities he’s visiting this summer.

Tickets for Garth’s Birmingham show go on sale April 8 at 10 a.m. CT.

Latto opens up about working with Mariah Carey: “She was so genuine”

March 30, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Latto sampled Mariah Carey‘s 1995 hit “Fantasy” for her bop “Big Energy” and, now, the two ladies have come together for a brand new remix.

The 23-year-old rapper sat down with fans on Twitter to answer some of their burning questions and, obviously, the conversation gravitated toward her hot new collaboration.

When one wanted to know how the remix came to be, Latto revealed she first wanted to approach Mariah “in like November” when the song “first started going up” the charts. While she “didn’t think I could get her realistically,” Latto said she eventually “said f*** it and reached out. She was down.”

Latto also answered questions about what it was like jumping into the recording studio with the legendary singer and admitted to having a few butterflies in her stomach prior to meeting Mariah.

“I was sooooo nervous,” Latto confessed, adding she had no idea what to say. The “Wheelie” artist explained she had no reason to psych herself out because, “The conversation just floweddd she was so genuine and I definitely was overthinking.”

As for what it was like sitting in the recording booth with Mariah, Latto said, “We was sipping on her liquor Black Irish & just kicking it.”

Latto has high hopes for the remix and previously told fans, “FYI this might be Mariah’s 20th and my 1st #1” on the Billboard Hot 100. We’ll see if it makes it to the top!

“Miss You Pal”: John Stamos shares video message from Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins

March 30, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NOTE LANGUAGE) Like millions of Foo Fighters fans, John Stamos is mourning the loss of drummer Taylor Hawkins, who was found dead in a Bogota, Colombia, hotel room last Friday night.

Stamos posted to Instagram a video from Hawkins in which he ribs his fellow drummer for taking a spot in a commercial from him.

“Stamos is a good buddy of mine,” Hawkins says in the clip. “He’s a great drummer…he’s a great dude, all that stuff.”

“But I am a little upset with him, actually,” Hawkins continues. “I have to be honest with you because I was supposed to do that GEICO commercial. You know that GEICO commercial where he flips, flips the stick. That was mine. Originally that was mine.”

He adds, “But they decided to go with Stamos because he’s better looking. But I am the best stick flipper around, sorry Stamos,” he continued. “I got this. It goes me, Tommy Lee, Stamos.”

For his part, the Full House star and part time Beach Boys drummer commented, “Yes, Taylor you are the best stick flipper and I miss you pal!”, adding “#gonetoof***ingsoon”.

Dave Grohl announced Tuesday that his band was cancelling the remainder of their tour “in light of the staggering loss of our brother Taylor Hawkins.” According to Variety, Sunday’s Grammys will include a tribute to Hawkins.

Elliot Page’s ‘Umbrella Academy’ character to come out as transgender in season 3

March 30, 2022 by WDNY Radio

They say art often imitates life, and that’s the case when it comes to Elliot Page and his Umbrella Academy character.

Elliot, who came out as transgender in December 2020, starred as Vanya Hargreeves in the Netflix series, and on Tuesday, it was revealed that his character will reflect that change, with his character transitioning to Viktor.

Alongside a screen grab of Elliot from the upcoming third season of the series about a family of misfit superheroes, the actor wrote, “Meet Viktor Hargreeves.”

Netflix retweeted the post, adding, “Welcome to the family, Viktor — we’re so happy you’re here.”

Umbrella Academy also stars Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan and Aidan Gallagher. Season three hits Netflix June 22.

Slap survey: 63% say they’ll tune into the Oscars next year just because of Will Smith incident

March 30, 2022 by WDNY Radio

It has been shown that Will Smith‘s slapping Chris Rock goosed the ratings of last Sunday night’s Oscars by some 600,000 viewers, so the results of a new survey about the show may not come as a surprise.

A OnePoll survey of 1,000 American viewers revealed 63% plan to tune in next year just because of the slap.

Nearly 1 in 10 of respondents say they only tuned in after they heard about the incident — meaning, they witnessed Smith tearfully accepting his Best Actor trophy for King Richard, to a standing ovation.

Not surprisingly, Smith’s attack on Rock was listed as the “most shocking” moment in Oscars history, with 35% of those polled attesting to that.

The slap far outpaced other jaw droppers, like when La La Land was accidentally announced as Best Picture instead of Moonlight in 2018 (19%); Kevin Hart fired as host for old tweets (18%); and Marlon Brando sending Sacheen Littlefeather to decline the Best Actor award in 1973 (17%).

For 17%, Ellen DeGeneres snapping a selfie with celebrities was listed as a shocking moment as well, as was John Travolta puzzlingly pronouncing Idina Menzel‘s name as “Adele Dazeem.”

The slap was even deemed far more shocking than 1974’s infamous onstage Oscars “streaker” incident — that came in at 16%.

Survey questions, methodology and results have not been verified or endorsed by ABC News or The Walt Disney Company.

Biden to get second booster after outlining dire need for COVID funding

March 30, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden will receive his second booster shot following his scheduled remarks Wednesday about the state of the country’s COVID response, according to the White House.

Biden is expected in his speech to promote the launch of COVID.gov, a new website the White House is billing as a “one-stop shop” to help Americans get better access to vaccines, tests, treatments and masks — as well as area-specific updates on COVID-19 spread.

The website leads users to locations where they can get vaccines, boosters and masks, and it connects people with another White House website to order free at-home rapid tests.

The president will also highlight that the “Test to Treat” initiative he announced at the State of the Union has already expanded to over 2,000 sites nationwide and now through COVID.gov’s new “Test to Treat Locator,” Americans can readily find pharmacies and community health centers to get tested for COVID-19 and receive treatments if needed.

Administration officials for weeks have been ringing alarm bells about the critical need for more COVID funding, warning of the severe consequences for Americans.

Biden on Wednesday will send what a White House official called an “urgent, direct message to Congress” to act swiftly to secure funding for the administration’s COVID response.

The funding to cover the cost of administering vaccines for uninsured people will run out next week.

At the same time, monoclonal antibody treatment supplies distributed to states each week has been cut by 35%. And the U.S. supply could run out entirely by May if funding isn’t secured.

The government says it has enough tests to get to the summer, but if there’s another surge, the country will again be caught flat-footed like it was during the omicron wave.

“You could see, again, a gap in access to at-home testing,” Andrea Palm, deputy secretary of Health and Human Services, told reporters last week.

ABC News’ Justin Gomez contributed to this report.

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