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New York Attorney General Letitia James suspends campaign for governor

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Thursday that she’s suspending her campaign for governor and will instead run for reelection for attorney general.

James took to Twitter saying that there are “many investigations and cases underway” and that she “intends to finish the job.”

She opted to relinquish her pursuit of the governor’s office for the good of the state Democratic party, the chairman told ABC News.

“I think that she understands that we need to be united now and divisive primary is going to go against our interests. Not going to help us. This was a selfless act on her part,” state Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs told WABC.

James’ campaign did not gain significant traction despite her high profile as the state’s attorney general. Gov. Kathy Hochul locked up significant endorsements across the state in her bid to win a term outright after she assumed office upon the resignation of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

A source familiar with the matter told ABC News Thursday James wants to depose former President Donald Trump as part of her office’s civil investigation into the Trump Organization.

She sought testimony from the former president Jan. 7, the source said, confirming a detail first reported by the Washington Post.

The attorney general’s office is investigating whether the Trump Organization committed financial fraud in the way it valued its real estate holdings. Property valuations are also under investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, which is deciding whether the former president should face criminal charges.

At a press conference about COVID-19 on Thursday, Hochul told reporters that James called her in the morning to inform her about the decision. Hochul said she supports James’ reelection as attorney general.

“I want to thank her for her leadership; even last week we were together in a Brooklyn church; [we were] always very cordial, always respectful to each other. And that’s the hallmark of the two of us and how we plan to continue working together to support the important policies that she’s undertaking and her support for what we’re doing here in the state of New York,” Hochul said.

Hochul also addressed the investigations James is undertaking: “This is a very bad day for Donald Trump and the NRA when we have when we have Tish James, one of the finest attorney generals in the country, very focused on making sure that justice is done.”

James’ announcement had an immediate impact on the attorney general race, as one candidate dropped out of the Democratic primary and endorsed James.

“Her decision to run for re-election demonstrates her determination to continue her unparalleled actions on major cases and important investigations that are currently pending,” state Sen. Shelley Mayer, who launched her run for attorney general in November, wrote in a statement on Twitter.

Mayer said she will instead run for reelection in the state Senate.

James launched her campaign for governor in late October. Her public profile grew this year following investigations into the office of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for concealing the number of nursing home deaths due to COVID-19 and into sexual harassment allegations against him.

James is the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York and the first woman to be elected attorney general of the state.

In 2013, she was elected public advocate of New York City, and she was reelected for a second term in 2017. She had previously served as a New York City councilmember for ten years. Before being elected to office, James led the Brooklyn Regional Office of the New York State Attorney General’s Office.

Kim Potter trial updates: Trial begins over fatal shooting of Daunte Wright

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(MINNEAPOLIS) — The trial of former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter charged in the death of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man who was fatally shot during a traffic stop, began Wednesday.

Opening statements took place in the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis.

Potter, 49, is charged with first-degree and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 incident. She has pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Potter has said she meant to grab her stun gun, but accidentally shot her firearm instead when she and other officers were attempting to arrest Wright, who had escaped the officers’ grip and was scuffling with them when he was shot.

Wright was initially pulled over for an expired registration tag on his car, but officers discovered he had an outstanding warrant for a gross misdemeanor weapons charge and tried to detain him, according to former Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon.

The maximum sentence for first-degree manslaughter is 15 years and a $30,000 fine and for second-degree manslaughter, it’s 10 years and a $20,000 fine.

Wright’s death reignited protests against racism and police brutality across the U.S., as the killing took place just outside of Minneapolis, where the trial of Derek Chauvin, a former officer who was convicted of murdering George Floyd, was taking place.

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

Dec 09, 3:09 am
Minnesota governor prepares National Guard ‘out of an abundance of caution’

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced that he is preparing the Minnesota National Guard to provide public safety assistance if necessary during Kim Potter’s trial, as requested by Hennepin County and the city of Brooklyn Center.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we are prepared to ask members of the Minnesota National Guard to be available to support local law enforcement with the mission of allowing for peaceful demonstrations, keeping the peace, and ensuring public safety,” Walz said in a statement Wednesday evening.

A press release from Walz’s press office stated that, “at this time, the Minnesota National Guard will not be proactively assuming posts throughout the Twin Cities.” Guard members will only operate in support of local law enforcement “should they be needed,” according to the press release.

Dec 08, 6:49 pm
New body-cam footage shows Potter moments after shooting Wright

New body-worn camera footage played in the courtroom while the prosecution questioned Brooklyn Center officer Anthony Luckey showed the moments after Kim Potter shot Daunte Wright.

In the video, taken from Luckey’s body-worn camera, Potter can be seen falling to the curb.

“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,” she said, before hyperventilating for several minutes with her face buried in the grass.

Luckey’s and Sgt. Mychal Johnson’s arms can be seen reaching down to Potter.

“Just breathe,” Luckey can be heard saying.

“I’m going to go to prison,” Potter said.

“No, you’re not,” Luckey said.

“Kim, that guy was trying to take off with me in the car!” Johnson said in the video.

Two juveniles arrested in school bus stop shooting that killed 16-year-old boy

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) — Two juveniles have been arrested in connection to a shooting at a Louisville, Kentucky, school bus stop that killed a 16-year-old.

The juveniles, whose names were not released, were taken into custody Wednesday on multiple charges including complicity to murder and complicity to first-degree assault, Louisville Metropolitan Police said.

Tyree Smith, 16, was killed in the Sept. 22 drive-by shooting and two 14-year-olds were injured. All three were waiting for the bus to go to Eastern High School.

Smith “was doing everything we ask of kids and he’s murdered while standing waiting on his school bus,” police chief Erika Shields said at a news conference Thursday.

“We simply must be do better,” she said.

To Smith’s family, the chief said, “I’m sorry we’re here, but hopefully, in some small way, the arrest of your son’s murderers will bring you a morsel of relief.”

Police said the investigation is not over and it is possible that others could be arrested.

Jimmie Allen shares some constructive criticism for the American education system

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

As a father of three, including seven-year-old son Aadyn, Jimmie Allen interacts with the American school system on a daily basis — and he’s got some thoughts.

The singer took to Twitter this week to share those thoughts, which range from light-hearted to serious. First, he wondered why school has to start so early every morning, saying that he thinks it would be easier on everyone if the school day ran from 9:30-4:30.

“Why does school start so early?” he wrote. “If they moved start time back to at least 9:30 I’m sure students, parents and teachers would be cool with it.”

Next, the singer offered a more serious point: The plight of underpaid educators. “Teachers need to get paid more. They are overworked and underpaid,” Jimmie tweeted.

“They are educating our children and future leaders. They have all these educational requirements they have to achieve,” he went on to point out. “Teachers go to college and some collect a lot of debt just to get out and be underpaid.”

Finally, Jimmie ended his constructive criticism with a final, more light-hearted thought: “I also do not understand the purpose of homework,” he wrote.

Jimmie’s interest in education and bettering the lives of children everywhere is well-documented. Last year, he was a CMA Foundation ambassador to promote music education everywhere. He also recently released My Voice Is a Trumpet, his first children’s book.

Jimmie also recently experienced a much scarier parenthood moment when his newborn daughter, Zara, was hospitalized after she contracted respiratory syncytial virus and stopped breathing. He shared the experience — as well as the sub-par care the says they received at one unnamed hospital — with fans, and subsequently provided the happy update that Zara was on the mend.

Teachers need to get paid more. They are over worked and underpaid.
They are educating our children and future leaders. They have all these educational requirements they have to achieve. Teachers go to college and some collect a lot of debt just to get out and be under paid.

— Jimmie Allen (@JimmieAllen) December 9, 2021

Juice WRLD Day celebrated Thursday in Chicago; new album tracklist revealed

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

As Juice WRLD Day is being held Thursday in the Chicago hometown of the late rapper, the cover and tracklist for his new album was revealed.

The inaugural Juice WRLD Day celebrates the life and music of the rapper, born Jarad Higgins. Fans around the world can view the activities, including surprise performances, during a live stream on the Amazon Music app and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, beginning at 8 p.m. CT/ 9 p.m. ET.

Fighting Demons, WRLD’s fourth studio album, will drop Friday featuring collaborations with Justin Bieber, Trippie Redd, SUGA of BTS, and Polo G.

“There was nothing Jarad ‘Juice WRLD’ Higgins enjoyed more than delivering new music to his millions of fans around the world. He left behind an astonishingly deep catalog of music that will ensure his fans will have new songs to listen to for years to come,” his mother Carmela Wallace, said in a statement.

“Jarad was always searingly honest about his struggles and through his musical genius he articulated what was on his heart and mind vividly through his art. He never gave up and his friends and family never gave up on offering their support to him,” she continued. “We encourage all of you who struggle with addiction and mental health to never give up the fight. We continue to extend free support to you via LiveFree999.org created in his honor.”

In April of 2020, Wallace established the Live Free 999 Fund, which honors the legacy of her son by supporting young people battling addiction and mental health issues.

Juice WRLD will also be remembered with the HBO documentary, Into the Abyss, debuting December 16. Wednesday marked the second anniversary of his passing. Higgins died December 8, 2019 from an accidental drug overdose. He was 21 years old.

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai among three prominent democracy activists convicted on Thursday

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(HONG KONG) — Hong Kong’s already-jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai was among three prominent democracy activists convicted on Thursday for taking part in a banned gathering in June 2020 to remember the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown.

Hong Kong has a long history of commemorating June 4 — it’s traditionally a day when the city’s freedoms are on show to the world — but the Tiananmen vigil has been banned since Beijing intensified its crackdown in the city after 2019’s protests, with the Hong Kong Police dubiously citing the pandemic.

Lai, who turned 74-years-old on Wednesday, was found guilty on Thursday of inciting people to join the Tiananmen gathering. Rights lawyer Chow Hang-tung and former journalist Gwyneth Ho were also convicted of taking part in the ‘unauthorized assembly’ at Victoria Park.

Judge Amanda Woodcock said that prosecutors were able to prove that Lai and Chow encouraged others to join the vigil, citing Chow’s call for people to “light candles.” Sentencing is on Dec. 13.

Lai, the founder of now-closed pro-democracy paper Apple Daily, is currently in prison serving out sentences for other charges related to his activism. He’s also still waiting to hear charges against him under the controversial national security law.

Thursday’s ruling is another worrying sign that Hong Kong’s once vibrant civil society and independent legal system is heading down a more autocratic path, in line with mainland China.

In a statement, Amnesty International said: “The Hong Kong government has once again flouted international law by convicting activists simply for their involvement in a peaceful, socially distanced vigil for those killed by Chinese troops on 4 June 1989. The authorities have deemed the vigil ‘unlawful’ because the police did not approve it, but peaceful assembly does not need government approval. These convictions merely underline the pattern of the Hong Kong authorities’ extreme efforts to exploit the law to press multiple trumped-up charges against prominent activists.”

The group added, “People should be free to peacefully mourn and remember the victims of the Tiananmen crackdown – and to prosecute people for doing so is an egregious attack on the rights to freedom of expression and assembly.”

With many of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy politicians in jail or in exile, for the first time in history the city is holding a Legislative Council election without opposition next Sunday, Dec. 19. It’s also the first city-wide poll under Beijing’s new electoral system to ensure only Chinese ‘patriots’ run Hong Kong.

In March, it passed legislation to reduce pro-democracy representation in the legislature, introducing a pro-Beijing vetting panel to screen candidates and expanding the ratio of pro-Beijing seats. This election has been postponed twice — it was originally scheduled for September 2020 — with officials citing the pandemic.

Meanwhile Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have been trying to deflect concerns about a potential record-low voter turnout. Earlier this month, an online survey found that 40% of 6,400 people polled said they “most likely” or “absolutely” would not be casting a ballot on election day.

Seemingly in response, Hong Kong Leader Carrie Lam told the Chinese tabloid the Global Times that a low turnout rate “would not mean anything,” musing that it could mean that the public was satisfied with the government and didn’t need to vote.

Nevertheless, the potential turnout was sensitive enough that the Hong Kong government issued a threat to The Wall Street Journal after it published an editorial about the upcoming election. The editorial commented that ‘not voting’ is probably one of the remaining forms of protests left in the city. However, it is against the law to incite others to boycott the election or cast blank ballots.

Before the election was delayed, democrats held an unofficial primary poll to boost their chances of gaining a majority in the chamber. Forty-seven political figures involved in the election were arrested and charged with subversion under the security law. Since then, many other democratic politicians have quit or been disqualified over oath-taking requirements.

The pro-democracy camp had seen a surge in support during the 2019 protests, enjoying landslide wins in record turnout during the District Council election in November that year.

Nicki Minaj celebrates 39th birthday with nude Instagram photos

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Nicki Minaj turned 39 years old Wednesday, and she celebrated in her usual, uninhibited Pink Barbie style, with a trio of nude Instagram photos.

In two shots, the “Chun-Li” rapper wears a thong, holding a birthday cake with her right hand, while hiding her breasts with her left hand. She commented, “Say Happy Birthday to da Bad Guy.” The other photo shows Nicki wearing nothing but her candy-pink hair while she straddles an enormous teddy bear.

Minaj also posted a video montage of her over the years, including photos with her husband, Kenneth Petty, and their baby boy. “My fans said I never come online on my bday,” she wrote. “I made it my business today to change that this year. Love you guys so much.”

Porsha Williams, Naturi Naughton, Tami Roman, Foxy Brown, and Phaedra Parks were among the many stars sending her birthday blessings.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Barbie (@nickiminaj)

Rise Against adds 2022 North American dates to ‘Nowhere Generation’ tour

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Rise Against has announced a North American tour for 2022 in support of the band’s new album, Nowhere Generation.

The newly scheduled dates will launch April 9 in Worcester, Massachusetts, and will wrap up April 22 in Bakersfield, California.

Tickets go on sale next Wednesday, December 15, at 10 a.m. local time. A pre-sale begins this Friday, December 10, at 10 a.m. local time. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit RiseAgainst.com.

Nowhere Generation, Rise Against’s ninth album, was released in this past June. It’s title track gave the Chicago punk outfit their first number-one single on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.

Tim McGraw + Faith Hill lean on each other through hard times: “That’s just another layer of partnership”

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Over their 25 years of marriage, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have had their share of ups and downs, but ultimately, they’ve always found strength in leaning on each other.

Tim’s long been open about his struggles with alcohol, for example, and he says Faith’s support was key to his recovery.

“Those demons always come back,” he reflects to People, 13 years after getting sober. “But you always have a partner that’s willing to fight them with you. We made a commitment to each other a long time ago that we’re not going to give up.”

“When you love someone, you commit to be there for them for the highs, the lows, anytime. You face the struggles,” Faith agrees.

The two country stars have also seen each other through family challenges, such as through the deaths of their parents. Tim’s dad, major league baseball pitcher Tug McGraw, died in 2004, and Faith lost her father more recently, in 2019. Her mom had died just three years earlier. It was a painful time in her life, the singer remembers.

“It’s difficult to lose parents just a couple of years apart and watch them pass right in front of you,” she says, but adds that Tim’s support helped her through that time.

“He was so present for the passing of both my parents,” she recalls. “You reveal yourself when you are going through struggles and that’s just another layer of partnership.”

These days, Tim and Faith are embarking on a new venture together: They’re co-starring in Yellowstone prequel 1883, which premieres December 19 on Paramount +.

John Mellencamp unveils ‘Strictly a One-Eyed Jack’ album cover, releasing new song on Friday

December 9, 2021 by WDNY Radio

John Mellencamp has unveiled the cover art for his forthcoming album, Strictly a One-Eyed Jack, and has announced that a new song from the record called “Chasing Rainbows” will be released this Friday, December 10.

The cover, which was posted on Mellencamp’s Facebook and Instagram pages along with the message “COMING SOON,” is a painting that appears to be a self portrait of the singer/songwriter in which he’s depicted wearing an eyepatch over his right eye and holding up his left hand near his face.

A separate post on John’s social media sites includes an instrumental snippet of “Chasing Rainbows,” along with a note revealing that the song will be “out Friday.”

In September, Mellencamp released a duet with Bruce Springsteen titled “Wasted Days” which was announced as the first single from Strictly a One-Eyed Jack, which is due out in 2022. John also debuted a new acoustic tune from the album titled “I Always Lie to Strangers” during his performance at the 2021 Farm Aid concert in September.

New Song #ChasingRainbows out Friday pic.twitter.com/LOerKev691

— John Mellencamp (@johnmellencamp) December 8, 2021

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