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What’s next for Cuomo after sexual harassment report?

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

(NEW YORK) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo vehemently has refused to step down after the release of a report that found he sexually harassed multiple women and created a hostile work environment.

The blistering report, by New York Attorney General Letitia James, was released on Tuesday after a four-month investigation. Cuomo has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct.

Here’s how the political saga could continue:

While James said that the state attorney’s probe would have no criminal referral, district attorneys in Manhattan, Albany, Westchester County and Nassau County have now requested the investigation’s materials to look into the accusations, which allegedly took place in those jurisdictions and could lead to criminal charges.

Albany District Attorney David Soares said Tuesday his office is reviewing the report’s findings to see whether criminal charges should be filed and encouraged more victims to come forward. He called the matter “developing” and said his office would be reviewing the documents.

On Wednesday, the Westchester County district attorney’s office also asked for the investigative materials to conduct a criminal investigation into Cuomo’s alleged conduct.

“As this is an ongoing investigation, we will not comment further at this time,” Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah said in a statement.

The Westchester District Attorney intends to review the governor’s alleged interactions with the female state trooper at his Mount Kisco home, while the Albany district attorney plans to review Cuomo’s alleged interactions with female staff members in that county.

Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance also said in a statement that the office requested materials pertaining to incidents that occurred in Manhattan.

Acting Nassau County District Attorney Joyce A. Smith slammed the report’s findings as “deeply disturbing” and said the office requested documents for incidents that occurred in Nassau County to “investigate any potential crimes.”

In a recorded video, Cuomo responded to the report on Tuesday by again denying the allegations, saying that “the facts are much different than what has been portrayed.”

Cuomo has fielded calls to resign, including from President Joe Biden, formerly a close political ally.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Wednesday, “The president believes Governor Cuomo should do the right thing, resign, and leave space for future leadership in New York.”

The governor insisted, yet again, that he “never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances.” His video message displayed a series of photos of him kissing his parents and other figures, male and female, on the cheek as he said that such touching and kissing were a part of his culture and nature.

The State Assembly in Albany said it’s moving “expeditiously” to wrap up up its own impeachment investigation into the sexual harassment allegations, which began in March.

Speaker Carl Heastie said in a statement Tuesday, after the Assembly had gathered to discuss the report, “It is abundantly clear to me that the Governor has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office.”

The Assembly has the power to bring impeachment charges against Cuomo. To impeach the governor, a majority of Assembly members must vote to impeach, after which the case would move to the impeachment court, where a two-thirds vote would be required to convict and oust Cuomo.

James, the state’s attorney general, also is investigating whether Cuomo broke the law in having members of his staff help write and promote a book on his leadership in the pandemic, for which he was set to rake in more than $5 million, The Associated Press reported. Federal investigators also are probing the state’s handling of data on nursing home deaths during the pandemic. The State Assembly is also investigating Cuomo for the book deal and nursing home deaths.

Despite the probes, Cuomo could still run for a fourth term as governor if he’s not impeached. He’s already begun to fundraise for the 2022 race, and no Democratic challenger has been announced for the primary. U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin and Andrew Giuliani may run as Republicans.

ABC News’ Aaron Katersky contributed to this report.

John Mellencamp’s ‘The Good Samaritan Tour 2000’ doc arriving later this month along with soundtrack album

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

John Mellencamp‘s recently announced documentary The Good Samaritan Tour 2000 will premiere August 27 on Turner Classic Movies’ YouTube channel, and a companion live album will be released the same day.

As previously reported, the film focuses on Mellencamp’s 2000 trek of the same name, which featured a series of free, unannounced concerts held at parks, on street corners and in other public spaces in select major cities in the Midwest and on the East Coast. John played acoustic guitar at the shows, backed by only a viola player and an accordion player.

The doc is narrated by Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey.

Mellencamp co-produced the film, which was directed by Shan Dan Horan. The movie also includes special contributions from Nora Guthrie, daughter of late folk legend Woody Guthrie.

You can check out a trailer for The Good Samaritan Tour 2000 at John’s official YouTube channel. Following the movie’s debut, Mellencamp will appear as a guest programmer on the Turner Classic Movies network in September.

The soundtrack album, which is available for pre-order now, features 12 performances, including renditions the Mellencamp hits “Small Town” and “Pink Houses,” some deeper cuts from his catalog and covers of such tunes as Bob Dylan‘s “All Alng the Watchtower,” Donovan‘s “Hey Gyp” and The Rolling Stones‘ “Street Fighting Man.”

Here’s the full track list for The Good Samaritan Tour 2000 companion album:

“Small Town”
“Oklahoma Hills”
“In My Time of Dying”
“Captain Bobby Stout”
“Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)”
“All Along the Watchtower”
“The Spider and the Fly”
“Early Bird Café”
“Hey Gyp”
“Street Fighting Man”
“Cut Across Shorty”
“Pink Houses”

Megan Thee Stallion strips down to her Calvin Klein underwear

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Megan Thee Stallion showcases her modeling prowess in photos from her latest campaign with Calvin Klein.

On Wednesday, the “Savage” rapper took to her Instagram to share a series of photos of herself in two tank top-and-panty sets from the shoot. “#Mycalvins,” she writes in the caption to accompany the images.

In two photos, Megan poses in a black thong and a tank top with the Calvin Klein logo in the corner. In three other pics, she poses in a white tank and grey briefs with the brand’s classic logo along with the trim.

“So pretty,” wrote R&B singer Sevyn Streeter in the comments, while Megan’s thirsty boyfriend Pardi Fontaine shared nine emojis of a face with the tongue sticking out.

“I walk around the house butt-naked/ And I stop at every mirror just to look at my posterior,” wrote one fan, quoting lyrics from Megan’s latest single, “Thot S***.”

Megan Thee Stallion is the fourth female rapper to star in a Calvin Klein campaign, after Foxy Brown in 1999, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez in 2000, and Chika in 2019. Megan’s campaign photos have been plastered on billboards in major cities like Los Angeles and New York, inspiring women not to be afraid to show off their natural curves.

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Mudvayne & others join lineup for inaugural Voragos festival

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

The reunited Mudvayne‘s comeback tour now includes one more stop.

Chad Gray and company are performing during the inaugural Voragos concert cruise and destination festival, setting sail in February 2022. The “Dig” outfit is taking the place of Chevelle, who had to drop off the bill due to a scheduling conflict.

“I still can’t believe I’m saying…MUDVAYNE IS BACK,” says Gray. “It’s been a long time coming. We are very excited to get back on stage in front of all the OG Oxygen Wasters and the New Ones that have NEVER seen us!”

Atreyu, Crown the Empire and Afterlife also have joined the Voragos lineup, which already included Rob Zombie, Mastodon, Black Stone Cherry, New Years Day, Tremonti, Saint Asonia, Tetrarch and Escape the Fate, among others.

For the full lineup and all ticket info, visit Voragos.com.

Mudvayne announced earlier this year that they were reuniting for a batch of fall festivals, ending the group’s decade-long hiatus. Their schedule includes sets at Inkcarceration, Louder than Life, Aftershock and Welcome to Rockville.

Get a look at Disney princess Billie Eilish in “Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles”

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Disney+ has released a teaser-trailer for Billie Eilish‘s upcoming “cinematic concert experience,” Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles.

The clip opens with a shot of Billie lounging in a big chair as we hear the title track of her new album, Happier Than Ever. Suddenly, she morphs into an animated Disney princess-looking character, and then morphs back to regular Billie.

Next we see Billie and her brother FINNEAS rocking on the stage of the legendary Hollywood Bowl along with the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra. The special will feature Billie performing every song on her new album in sequential order — for the first and only time, we’re told.

But the opening shot of the teaser hints at another aspect of the special: It will include animated elements that will take viewers “on a dreamlike journey through Billie’s hometown of Los Angeles and its most iconic backdrops.”

Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles streams on Disney+ starting on September 3.

“Hermit” Carole King confirms she’ll actually attend Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Carole King is an admitted recluse who rarely leaves her home in Idaho, but she says she’s making an exception this October.

Asked by Variety how she feels about getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame a second time this year — having previously been inducted as a songwriter — King tells the publication, “It’s a great honor. In fact, I’ll tell you what a great honor it is: I’m actually going!…I’m leaving Idaho.”

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for October 30 in Cleveland at Rocket Mortgage Field House. Tickets are on sale now. King will be inducted along with Foo Fighters, Todd Rundgren, The Go-Go’s, Tina Turner, Carole King and JAY-Z.

“I’ve always been reclusive and kind of an introvert and a hermit,” King explains. “I’m not an introvert in the sense that, once I’m around people, especially if they’re really nice people and I like them, I can get all excited. But I don’t go many places.”

“If I go out on tour, once I’m out, I enjoy being onstage, working with the audience,” she adds. “But the rest of it is ‘Really? Do I really need to be doing this?’”

Because she doesn’t leave her house, King recently teamed up with Jennifer Hudson via Zoom to write “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home),” the end title theme for the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect, in which Hudson stars. It’s out August 13.

The two chatted with Variety together via Zoom, during which King, who’ll be 80 next year, told Hudson, “I feel…so blessed…to have somebody like you that is carrying this light and this love and this positive energy forward.”

Carly Pearce, Lee Brice mark “I Hope You’re Happy Now”’s 2X Platinum status from two famous Nashville stages

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Carly Pearce and Lee Brice’s chart-topping duet, “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” is continuing to hit new milestones.

On Tuesday night, the song officially received RIAA 2X Platinum certification, and Carly and Lee each got a special plaque commemorating the occasion. It was a memorable night for both artists, as both were handed their surprise plaques in the middle of nights that were already shaping up to be pretty memorable.

Lee was presented with the plaque at the end of a performance at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium. He was there to play a benefit show for the John Hiatt Adolescent and Young Adult Treatment Fund at Cumberland Heights.

Meanwhile, Carly was also standing on one of her very favorite hometown stages: the Grand Ole Opry. She was there to be officially inducted as a member into the hallowed hall, fulfilling one of her lifelong dreams.

During the show that night, Carly performed “I Hope You’re Happy Now” solo, along with a number of other songs. She also duetted with Trisha Yearwood — who inducted her — on the latter star’s “How Do I Live.” Jeannie Seely then joined the two women for a multi-generational rendition of Kitty Wells’ “Making Believe.”

“I Hope You’re Happy Now” also won Carly and Lee trophies for Musical Event of the Year at both the CMA and ACM Awards, and it’s the ACM’s 2020 Single of the Year, too.

Meghan Markle launches female-empowering initiative to highlight her 40th birthday, with Melissa McCarthy’s help

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

To help celebrate her 40th birthday Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has launched a campaign called 40×40 — dedicated to help women who have lost their jobs since the pandemic began. And in a video announcement, Markle tapped one of her famous friends, Melissa McCarthy, to help explain her unique birthday gift.

McCarthy was just looking to party, trying to guess what Meghan wanted, including, “another photo shoot under a tree where you’re looking very peaceful?”

Another was a “Suits reunion,” in the vein of the recent Friends special, which McCarthy claimed was her birthday gift from the cast.

“Yacht party!” was another suggestion.

Instead, Meghan explained her plan was to have 40 of her friends mentor 40 women to coach them back into the workforce, and her hopes it will have a “ripple effect” that spreads globally.

“Two million women in the U.S and tens of million around the world have lost their jobs due to COVID,” Markle explained to the Bridesmaids star.

The video ends with a short gag reel, in which McCarthy praises her own “hat work” in preparation for the video.

Jenna Dewan slams media for taking Channing Tatum remarks out of context

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Jenna Dewan took to Twitter on Tuesday to address media reports suggesting her recent revelations about suffering “postpartum anxiety” implied that her ex-husband Channing Tatum was unavailable following the birth of their daughter, Everly, in 2013.

“It’s unfortunate that countless media outlets have taken an important conversation on a woman’s experience with postpartum issues and pulled quotes to make it appear that I was slamming my daughters’ father, something I would never do,” she wrote.

“As two working parents, we both faced challenges at the time, but I speak only for myself and not about him,” she continued.

“Anyone who actually listens to the interview, something I encourage everyone to do, will clearly see that my words have been distorted for clicks and to push false, salacious gossip with no regard for the actual people involved, or the message intended,” the 40-year-old actress concluded.

Dewan and Tatum divorced in 2019 following nearly nine years of marriage.

pic.twitter.com/EeEgUDnaS0

— Jenna Dewan (@jennadewan) August 3, 2021

Usher says his new album may or may not speak to the ‘Confessions’ era

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Usher is on the R&B cover of Billboard’s 2021 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players issue, in which he discusses his Las Vegas residency and his new album. The R&B singer, known for his career-defining 2004 album, Confessions, is currently preparing his ninth studio album. He says he has yet to lock in on a title for the follow-up to 2016’s Hard II Love.

“I am not at the place where I’m going to sign off on the album title at this point. But I am working on an album, and it would be very smart to say it will come out this year,” Usher tells Billboard. “It’s probably too vague right now to determine whether it’s going to be in the Confessions vein or if it’ll be something else.”

Usher has been working on his untitled album for years, reaching back to Confessions producers Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. In the last year, he’s has released music videos for his singles, “Bad Habits,” “I Cry,” and “Don’t Waste My Time,” featuring Ella Mai.

Usher says the pandemic allowed him time to “reset” and “put together a body of work that speaks to all of the people that I’ve been able to capture as fans but also will be something unique to me and to R&B music that doesn’t just live in one space.”

“There’s always the responsibility to speak to the audience that has been growing with you, and also to a new audience,” says the 42-year-old. “What I’ve always done is just try to make music that’s as true as I can possibly be and also offer something I think people can learn from and experience with me: relationships, love, life, the reality of our growth, and maturity.”

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