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Ray J released from Miami hospital after battling pneumonia

October 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Ray J has been released from a Miami hospital and is back home after suffering from pneumonia.

TMZ reports that he was released over the weekend. The Love & Hip Hop Hollywood star is no longer using an inhaler and needing oxygen.

As previously reported, last week the singer/actor was feeling positive about his recovery. “I appreciate all the love and support from everybody,” Ray J said in a message that his manager, David Weintraub, shared with People. “Thank you for keeping me in your prayers, and I will be back up and running soon.”

Weintraub added that the illness was “not the contagious kind,” and that Ray does not have COVID-19, despite initially being placed in the hospital’s COVID unit. “They gave him multiple COVID tests, and he tested negative for all of them,” said Weintraub.

The manager added the illness is a result of the 40-year-old entertainer being a workaholic — shooting Love & Hip Hop, developing and promoting products through his Raycon brand, and producing new music.

Shortly after announcing that he was taken to the hospital, Ray J filed to divorce his wife of five years, Princess Love. The “Wait a Minute” singer cited irreconcilable differences as cause for their separation. Ray J is seeking joint custody of his and Love’s two children — Melody, 3, and Epik, 1.

Cracks in their relationship started to show last November, when the model accused her husband of leaving her “stranded” in Las Vegas and threatened to divorce him.

This latest filing marks the third time that the pair have tried to separate. Their first separation was in May 2020, but the couple patched things up that July and Love asked the court to dismiss her request. Four months later, Ray J was the one to file for divorce.

COVID-19 live updates: COVID No. 1 cause of death for 35- to 54-year-olds in September

October 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — The United States has been facing a COVID-19 surge as the more contagious delta variant continues to spread.

More than 719,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 while over 4.8 million people have died from the disease worldwide, according to real-time data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

Just 66.2% of Americans ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the CDC.

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

Oct 14, 11:54 am
FDA’s independent committee hours away from vote on Moderna booster

The FDA’s independent committee is meeting on Thursday and will vote in hours on whether to greenlight the Moderna booster for: people 65 and older; people 18 and older who are at high risk of severe illness because of an underlying health condition; and people 18 and older whose job may put them at greater risk for exposure to the virus.

In introductory remarks Thursday, the FDA’s Peter Marks urged the independent panel to “harmonize” its decision with what has already been decided for Pfizer in order to avoid unnecessary confusion for the public.

Pfizer boosters have been authorized for people over 65, all adults with underlying medical conditions and adults whose job puts them at high risk.

The vote is scheduled for about 4:45 p.m.

Oct 13, 6:49 pm
Pending vaccine distribution for kids will be based on population: CDC

Initial distribution of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 years old will be based on a state’s population of eligible children, according to a new planning document distributed to state immunization managers by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The document, obtained by ABC News, was sent to state officials in advance of the vaccine being authorized by federal regulators. The authorization could happen as soon as early November.

The pediatric vaccine will be shipped in 100-dose packs, each with 10 vials, the document said.

A person familiar with the planned rollout told ABC News that while the government purchased 65 million doses total, the initial shipment may be closer to the 10 million to 20 million range.

After an initial distribution, a “weekly supply will be made available to help sustain the network,” according to the document.

Oct 13, 2:00 pm
COVID No. 1 cause of death for 35- to 54-year-olds in September

COVID-19 was the leading of death among people ages 35 to 54 — and the second-leading cause overall — in September, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Peterson Center on Healthcare.

The research also estimates that since June more than 90,000 U.S. deaths from COVID-19 could have been prevented with vaccines, and more than half of those occurred last month.

In January, COVID-19 was the nation’s No. 1 cause of death, the analysis found. In July, before the delta surge, COVID-19 briefly dropped to eighth.

CMT Artists of the Year 2021 brings genre-defying moments, epic performances

October 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Stars of all backgrounds and descriptions collided at the 2021 CMT Artists of the Year ceremony, which aired live from Nashville on CMT Wednesday night.

A handful of the genre’s biggest and most influential artists were the night’s honorees, while other stars from a diverse background of genres and musical styles were on hand to help celebrate them.

Alongside rising pop-soul act Yola, Breakout Artist of the Year honoree Mickey Guyton gave the world premiere performance of her song, “Remember Her Name.” Christian star Michael W. Smith celebrated honoree Gabby Barrett’s faith-filled roots before her performance, and Kane Brown was paid tribute by rapper Nelly, his musical pal and recent collaborator.

Another honoree, Luke Combs, was introduced by his country-rock hero, Eric Church, before performing recent hit “Forever After All.” Meanwhile, Chris Stapleton got a special tribute performance, with R&B greats Boyz II Men teaming with Pentatonix’s Kevin Olusola to highlight the soulful side of Chris’ song, “Cold.”

Kelsea Ballerini delivered a performance live from her tour with pop act the Jonas Brothers, treating the audience to their version of “With a Little Help from My Friends,” recorded in Franklin, Tennessee.

Of course, traditional country played a big role in Wednesday night’s ceremony, too. Garth Brooks celebrated his fellow traditionalist Randy Travis, who was honored with the Artist of a Lifetime award. Kane also took the stage in honor of Randy, delivering a version of the legendary artist’s “Three Wooden Crosses.”

Lil Kim responds to 50 Cent’s diss: “This is getting creepy”

October 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Lil’ Kim isn’t here for 50 Cent‘s latest antics.

The Power star recently took aim at the Queen Bee, posting a side-by-side of her next to a Leprechaun meme and writing, “I’m sorry i know it’s early but i don’t know why s[tuff] like this is funny to me. LOL,” according to a screenshot obtained by The Shade Room.

While it was funny for 50, Lil’ Kim thought he could have done better. Commenting on the post, she replied, “ur so Obsessed wit [sic] me this is getting creepy.”

Adding the yawning emoji, she continued, “This one ain’t it bro not funny at all I was hoping to laugh wit [sic] u but cornyyyyyyy… U fallin [sic] off Im too bad and too fly in this video u reaching now but we all kno whyyyyyyyy.”

The “Lady Marmalade” rapper then went on to slam 50, calling him lame and claiming that the real reason he dissed her was because he was “crushin hard.”

Lil Kim’ ended her rebuttal with a plug for her upcoming book. “DONT FORGET TO PREORDER MY BOOK YALL MEMOIRS OF ” LIL KIM THE QUEENBEE” PEROOD,” she concluded.

This isn’t the first time the “In da Club” artist dissed Lil’ Kim. Back in July, 50 compared her to an owl because of her outfit during a performance at the BET Awards.

After catching wind of the diss, Kim admitted that it was “accurate” and “hilarious” but didn’t bother her “one bit.” That didn’t stop her from throwing a little shade herself, though.

“50 Cent, I see u still in ur feels about that dinner date u asked me on that I had to turn down,” she fired back. “Let it go, u have a beautiful girlfriend, I have a loving husband. Let it go.”

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Demi Lovato’s claim that the word “aliens” is derogatory dismissed by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson

October 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Demi Lovato made headlines recently by saying we shouldn’t call beings from outer space “aliens” because it’s “a derogatory term for anything, even extraterrestrials, ” saying they prefer the term “ETs.” But now a true expert on space is calling Demi out for that claim.

In an interview with TMZ, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson jokes, “All the aliens that I’ve ever met, they have no feelings,” and states that it seems silly to be “worried about offending them by calling them an alien.”

But then, more seriously, he says, “What is [Demi] thinking is going on in the head of species of life from another planet? I know it’s very considerate of [them], but really?”

deGrasse Tyson goes on to explain that when he talks about aliens, he uses the phrase “space aliens,” and points out nobody really calls people “aliens” — as in the term “illegal alien” — anymore, anyway.

“What we used to call ‘aliens’ — undocumented immigrants, that’s what the new term is for them,” he says. “So what that means is…the only invocation of the word ‘alien’ is for creatures from outer space that want to kill us all.”

He laughs, “I don’t care what they feel. Plus, why should I even believe they know English?”

Cyndi Lauper releasing expanded 35th anniversary digital version of ‘True Colors’

October 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Cyndi Lauper‘s album True Colors — featuring the hit title track, plus “Change of Heart” and more — came out 35 years ago today, on October 14, 1986. To celebrate, she’s releasing an expanded digital edition of the album tonight at midnight, Rolling Stone reports.

The expanded edition features two bonus songs: a remix of the number-one title track, and its B-side, “Heading for the Moon,” which has never been available on streaming services until now. There’s also a “True Colors” Instagram filter.

In her Rolling Stone interview, Cyndi reveals that the song “True Colors” was written for Canadian country-pop singer Anne Murray, who turned it down. Initially, Cyndi wasn’t sure it was right for her, but tells Rolling Stone, “When I heard our demo, I realized it had intimacy, and intimacy was the the most important thing.”

Explaining that she recorded it after a friend died of AIDS, Cyndi notes that “True Colors” was “for me, and his partner who was left behind, and his friends who loved him, to comfort us.” Now, of course, it’s become an LGBTQ anthem.

Cyndi also reveals that some of her favorite contemporary artists are Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift. “She’s always been a wonderful writer, but [that last COVID record] was poetry,” Cyndi says of Taylor.

“The only thing I don’t like about new music — when I listen to what the top new music is, there’s a lot of men, not a lot of women,” Cyndi points out. “But [there are] so many great musicians out there now. It’s a good time to be listening. I’m always listening, always learning.”

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Jamie Costa’s Robin Williams impression has fans begging for a feature-length biopic

October 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

A Robin Williams biopic hasn’t been announced, but if there were one, fans are rooting for actor Jamie Costa to get the starring role.

On Monday, Costa shared a five-minute-long video to YouTube, titled “ROBIN Test Footage Scene,” featuring his impersonation of a young Williams on the set of Mork & Mindy in 1982. Everything from Costa’s appearance to his mannerisms could leave even the biggest fan wondering who they were really watching. So, it’s no wonder viewers raved over his performance and are advocating for Costa to play Williams in a movie about the late actor’s life.

One user commented, “This is a FANTASTIC impression of Robin Williams. If there is ever a biopic, they better cast you.”

Another echoed the same sentiment, writing, “This isn’t a mere impression; this is one of the highest caliber, basically an embodiment of Robin himself.”

While many praised Costa’s acting, the moment was bittersweet for Williams daughter, Zelda, who took to Twitter to share her thoughts on the clip, which imagines Williams’ reaction to learning the news that his friend John Belushi had died.

“Guys, I’m only saying this because I don’t think it’ll stop until I acknowledge it… please, stop sending me the ‘test footage’. I’ve seen it,” she wrote, adding, “Jamie is SUPER talented, this isn’t against him, but y’all spamming me an impression of my late Dad on one of his saddest days is weird.”

Robin Williams was 63 years old when he died by suicide in 2014.

If you are in crisis or know someone in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. You can reach Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860 (U.S.) or 877-330-6366 (Canada) and The Trevor Project at 866-488-7386.

Trump must give videotaped deposition in protest lawsuit, judge orders

October 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Former President Donald Trump must sit for a videotaped deposition next week as part of a lawsuit involving his anti-immigrant rhetoric, a judge in the Bronx ordered.

A group of Mexican protesters said they were assaulted during a rally outside Trump Tower in September 2015 over the then-candidate’s comments that Mexican immigrants were criminals and rapists.

The lawsuit named Trump, his campaign, his former head of security Keith Schiller, and others.

“Donald J. Trump shall appear for a deposition October 18, 2021 at 10 a.m. … or, in the event of illness or emergency, on another mutually agreed to date on or before October 31, 2021,” Judge Doris Gonzalez’s order said.

Trump faces the prospect of another deposition by the end of the year as part of a defamation lawsuit filed by former “Apprentice” contestant Summer Zervos, who alleges that Trump sexually assaulted her at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 2007, which Trump denies. Zervos claims that Trump defamed her during his campaign when he said she lied about the alleged assault.

Trump has also denied the allegations by former Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll, who is suing him for defamation after he accused her of lying about an alleged 1990s rape in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman.

Trump’s tax filings and business practices are also under criminal investigation by the district attorneys in Manhattan and New York State.

Several casualties reported amidst gun battles in Beirut following blast protest

October 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(BEIRUT) — Casualties have been reported after hours of gun battles in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, following calls led by Hezbollah and their allies to remove the judge leading the investigation into last year’s massive port blast.

At least six people have been killed and 30 wounded in ongoing clashes in the district of Tanouyeh after protesters gathered outside Beirut’s Justice Palace, according to the Lebanese Red Cross, who have dispatched six teams to assist the wounded and transport them to local hospitals.

Videos circulating on social media have shown armed men clashing in the streets with assault rifles, crowds fleeing and children taking shelter in the city’s schools. According to the Shiite group Hezbollah, peaceful protesters were targeted by sniper fire before the clashes broke out. The Lebanese Army has not responded to those claims.

The Lebanese Army warned citizens to go home, saying that anyone armed on the streets would be shot. The caretaker government has instructed citizens to take to basement shelters for the first time since the 1975-90 civil war.

“The deployed army units will shoot at any gunman on the roads and at anyone who shoots from anywhere else, and ask civilians to leave the streets,” the army posted on its official Twitter account.

Over 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, which had been stockpiled in the port of Beirut since 2013, detonated on Aug. 4, 2020, killing at least 200 people, wounding thousands of others and causing widespread damage across the city.

Earlier this week, a legal complaint brought against Judge Tarek Bitar was dismissed, allowing him to resume his work as the head of the investigation into the Beirut blast, which survivors and activists have criticized for a lack of movement. Hezbollah and its allies have claimed that the probe has been politically biased against Shiite ministers, and the politically contentious issue has threatened to derail the current caretaker government.

The investigation had been temporarily suspended pending the outcome of the complaint against Bitar.

An August report by Human Rights Watch alleged that some government officials “foresaw the death that the ammonium nitrate’s presence in the port could result in and tacitly accepted the risk of the deaths occurring.”

The caretaker government refuted the findings.

Lebanon is in the midst of one of the worst economic crises of the modern era, according to the World Bank. Fuel shortages, hyperinflation and a creaking health system have left at least 1.5 million people in need of financial aid.

Over the weekend, the country suffered a national power outage after the two main power stations ran out of fuel, before the army stepped in with an emergency shipment of gas. As a result, most families and businesses struggle with an allocation of four hours a day of electricity, with many neighborhoods relying instead on expensive backup generators, officials said.

The outbreak of violence is the worst seen in the city since 2008, according to observers, threatening to plunge the stricken country into further turmoil.

ABC News’ Leena Saidi and Nasser Atta contributed to this report.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame exhibit honoring 2021 inductees opening October 24 at the Cleveland museum

October 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s class of 2021 will be welcomed into the hallowed institution at a ceremony held on October 30 in Cleveland. To celebrate the new inductees, a special exhibit will open at the Rock Hall museum in the city on Sunday, October 24.

The display will feature items from all of this year’s inductees, which include Foo Fighters, Todd Rundgren, The Go-Go’s, Tina Turner, Carole King and JAY-Z in the main Performers category; Early Influence honorees Kraftwerk, Charley Patton and Gil Scott-Heron; and, in recognition of Musical Excellence, Randy Rhoads, Billy Preston and LL Cool J.

The exhibit’s opening will take place on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Celebration Day event, which offers free admission to the museum for Ohio residents.

Among the exhibit’s many highlights will be costumes and/or instruments contributed by all five members of The Go-Go’s.

A red lace dress that Turner wore in the music video for her hit “Private Dancer” also will be part of the exhibit, as will an Acrosonic piano and bench used by King.

Rundgren has contributed an embroidered purple suit that he wore in concert in 1978, and while he was recording his live album Back to the Bars.

The late Preston will be represented by a Casio Voice Arranger VA-10 keyboard he used to play.

In addition, the exhibit will feature a video presentations and playlists for the various honorees.

For more details about the exhibition, visit RockHall.com.

The 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. An HBO special focusing on the event will premiere at a later date.

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