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COVID-19 live updates: 37% of people may have at least 1 symptom months later

September 30, 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 696,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 while over 4.7 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 65% of Americans ages 12 and up are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the CDC.

Latest headlines:
-Daily hospital admissions down 32% in last month
-NYC teachers ask Supreme Court to block school vaccine mandate
-37% of people may have at least 1 symptom months after having COVID: Study

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

Sep 30, 4:33 pm
Daily hospital admissions down 32% in last month

Since the beginning of September, the U.S. has seen a drop of more than 27,000 patients in hospitals across the country, according to federal data. A little less than half of those patients come from Florida.

Daily hospital admissions are down by nearly 15% in the last week and by 32% in the last month, according to federal data.

The country’s daily case average has fallen to 107,000 — a 33% drop in the last month. However, about 97% of counties are still reporting “high” or “substantial” community transmission.

ABC News’ Arielle Mitropoulos

Sep 30, 4:02 pm
Aladdin on Broadway to resume after COVID cancellation

Aladdin will return to Broadway Thursday night after Wednesday’s show was canceled due to several people in the production testing positive for COVID-19.

All members of Disney Theatrical’s companies must be vaccinated.

“Our extensive protocol system to test our employees and identify positive cases worked, and allowed us to act immediately to contain those cases,” production said. “Given the thoroughness of our Covid protocols and a vaccinated workforce, we remain confident that the environment is safe for our guests, cast, crew and musicians.”

Disney Theatrical Productions is a part of the Walt Disney Company, the parent company of ABC News.

Sep 30, 3:39 pm
NYC teachers ask Supreme Court to block school vaccine mandate

A group of New York City public school teachers asked the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday to block the city’s vaccine mandate for school employees, claiming it violates their due process and equal protection rights.

The unvaccinated teachers said they should be given an option to regularly test rather than forced to get the shot and they accused the city of failing to explain why that alternative was not made available.

“If permitted to take effect, the August 23 Order will force thousands of unvaccinated public-school employees to lose their jobs — while other municipal employees, including those who have significant contact with children, are allowed to opt-out of the vaccine mandate through weekly COVID-19 testing,” the petition said.

“While a temporary interruption of work is not actionable, the mandate here would have a permanent effect: it is open-ended, where if a teacher never gets vaccinated, he or she will never be able to return to work,” the petition said.

A federal appeals court earlier this week dissolved a temporary injunction and allowed the mandate to stand. The city has given school employees until Friday afternoon to comply before enforcement begins Monday.

ABC News’ Aaron Katersky

Sep 30, 3:22 pm
Africa making modest vaccination gains: WHO

Out of the African continent’s 1.3 billion population, 60 million people have now been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the World Health Organization said Tuesday.

Fifteen African countries met the WHO’s goal to fully vaccinate at least 10% of residents by Sept. 30. (Nearly 90% of high-income countries have met this target.)

Twenty-three million vaccines arrived in Africa in September, 10 times the number delivered in June. COVAX is working to identify countries that can absorb large volumes of vaccines.

COVID-19 cases in Africa are on the decline. There were 74,000 new cases reported the week of Sept. 16, a 35% drop from the previous week.

ABC News’ Christine Theodorou

Pistol Annies deliver early Christmas present with ‘Hell of a Holiday’ album

September 30, 2021 by WDNY Radio

A new album is coming from Pistol Annies, this time a Christmas one.

The trio, made up of Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley, announced that their Hell of a Holiday album will be out on October 22. The 13-track record includes both original and cover songs, including “Auld Lang Syne,” “Make You Blue” and the title track.

Pistol Annies teased the news earlier in the week. “We’ve been thinking about…finally sharing the news we’ve been holding onto for months early tomorrow morning,” the group posted on social media Wednesday. “Whew we’ve had a hell of a time holding this one in.”

Fans who pre-order Hell of a Holiday will receive “Snow Globe” from the project, out at midnight tonight. The record, which will also be available on vinyl, will be released on October 22.

This is the Pistol Annies’ fourth studio album. They previously released Hell on Heels in 2011, followed by Annie Up in 2013 and Interstate Gospel in 2018.

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A post shared by Pistol Annies (@pistolannies)

DED details sophomore album, ’School of Thought’

September 30, 2021 by WDNY Radio

DED has announced a new album called School of Thought.

The sophomore effort from the “Anti-Everything” rockers will arrive on digital platforms October 15, followed by a physical release on November 19. It’s the follow-up to DED’s 2017 debut, Mis•an•thrope.

“We are elated to release our sophomore album School of Thought, as we really pushed ourselves outside of our comfort zone and that is where growth and great things can happen,” says frontman Joe Cotela.

“We cover themes of self-empowerment, mental health, darkness, anger, futility, false idols, and being the change you want to see amongst others — everything it is to be a human while navigating through this life,” he adds. “I think it includes a broader spectrum of our influences and where we can venture creativity and dynamically as well. We feel it and we hope everyone else does, too.”

School of Thought features the previously released songs “Kill Beautiful Things,” “A Mannequin Idol (Lullaby),” “Parasite” and “Eyes Sewn Shut.” Its track list also includes a cut titled “Love Song,” featuring In This Moment‘s Maria Brink.

DED is currently on tour with In This Moment and Black Veil Brides.

Here’s the School of Thought track list:

“Ghost”
“Kill Beautiful Things”
“Love Song” feat. Maria Brink
“Eyes Sewn Shut”
“A Mannequin Idol (Lullaby)”
“Parasite”
“Persona”
“My Blood (My Family)”
“10 Minutes Underwater”
“Half Alive”
“Lost”

Olivia Newton-John teaming with Crunch Fitness for a “Physical” 40th anniversary world record attempt

September 30, 2021 by WDNY Radio

It’s the 40th anniversary of Olivia Newton-John‘s smash hit single, “Physical” — and the album of the same name — so what better way to celebrate than to get people all around the world to hit the gym?

Olivia is teaming with Crunch Fitness to host a global group fitness event on October 20: An attempt to set the world record for the most people performing lying lateral leg raises simultaneously. Why that particular move? Because it’s featured in Olivia’s iconic “Physical” music video.

Also in October, a “Physical” TikTok challenge, featuring moves choreographed by a Crunch Fitness expert, will launch.

Crunch members and non-members can sign up to participate in the world record attempt at CrunchPhysical40th.com. While you’re there, you can also enter to win a trip for two to LA, where you’ll spend the day at Universal Studios and meet Olivia via Zoom. You’re encouraged to donate to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund for cancer research when you enter.

The partnership also involves the online apparel company ThirdLove, which is launching a line of activewear designed to fit every body.

“I’m so excited to be partnering with Crunch and ThirdLove for this special 40th anniversary of Physical,” says Olivia in a statement. “Both brands fit perfectly for ‘getting physical’ and I’m thrilled that they are helping raise money and awareness for my ONJ Foundation Fund, [which supports] pioneering research into plant medicine for cancer.”

“I must break you”: Sylvester Stallone releasing director’s cut of ‘Rocky IV — Rocky vs. Drago’

September 30, 2021 by WDNY Radio

With the troubling state of affairs that is 2021, why not take a peek back at a time when an American hero could even get the Soviet Union to chant “USA! USA!”…onscreen, at least.

To that end, Slyvester Stallone will be releasing a brand-new director’s cut of 1985’s Rocky IV.

Titled Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago, the movie celebrates what MGM is calling “the greatest fight in cinematic history” — Stallone’s Rocky Balboa against the seemingly unbreakable Soviet menace, Dolph Lundgren‘s Ivan Drago.

Promising 40 minutes of never-before-seen footage from the blockbuster that Stallone wrote, directed and, of course, starred in, the film is coming to Fathom Events theaters for one day only — November 11 — before it’s released to digital on demand the following day.

As part of the screenings, Stallone himself will appear in a live Q&A session about the making of the film, and restoring it for release in 2021.

Tickets can be purchased online at FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices today. A complete list of theater locations is available on the Fathom Events website.

Foo Fighters releasing new single featuring “Re-Versions” of ‘Medicine at Midnight’ songs

September 30, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Foo Fighters are releasing a new vinyl single featuring what they are calling “Re-Versions” of two tracks off the band’s new album, Medicine at Midnight.

The disc includes the previously released Mark Ronson mix of “Making a Fire,” as well as a new version of “Chasing Birds” recorded with the acclaimed New Orleans jazz outfit the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

You can pick up the single at your local independent record store on November 26 as part of the Record Store Day Black Friday event.

Other artists releasing exclusive vinyl for RSD Black Friday include Ozzy Osbourne, Evanescence, Aerosmith, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, U2, Billie Eilish and Fleetwood Mac. For the full list of releases and participating stores, visit RecordStoreDay.com.

The Jonas Brothers are on everyone’s minds in colorful “Who’s in Your Head” video

September 30, 2021 by WDNY Radio

The Jonas Brothers have released the quirky and colorful video for their new song, “Who’s in Your Head.“

In the clip, Joe, Nick and Kevin perform from various locations and jump in and out of the minds of different women. So first, we see them performing in an artist’s loft and when we go inside the mind of the artist, the JoBros are there too, performing in paint-covered clothes.

In another scene, as Joe sits at an outdoor cafe, we go inside the mind of the waitress, where we see Joe sitting in a giant cup of coffee — a literal cup of Joe, if you will.

The video ends with a joyful downtown L.A. street performance.

The Jonas Brothers are currently on their Remember This tour, stopping next in Boston on October 1.

Bastille covers inaugural issue of ’Rolling Stone UK’

September 30, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Rolling Stone magazine is going London calling, and Bastille is along for the ride.

Dan Smith and company are among the cover stars for the inaugural issue of Rolling Stone UK. In the accompanying cover story, Smith shares more details about the upcoming new Bastille album, which is largely about the idea of living your life in virtual reality.

“We’ve all had to face a lot of challenges [in recent years] be it, like, things happening to ourselves, our families, our minds, or whatever circumstance life throws at you,” Smith says. “But I think there are moments in all our lives where you want to maybe not be yourself or be a different version of yourself or be out of the circumstances that you’re in because you might be a bit trapped in them.”

Bastille has previewed the album this year with the singles “Distorted Light Beam,” “Give Me the Future” and “Thelma + Louise.”

Jay Leno urges his fellow comedians to adapt their comedy “to the times you live in”

September 30, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Jay Leno knows a thing or two about being cancelled after past offensive jokes he made came to light, and he’s using that as a warning to his fellow comedians.

In March, during a discussion with the Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA), Leno said that using Asians as a punchline in his old jokes were “wrong” and he has since apologized. The Tonight Show alum also called his past material “a legitimate wrong that was done on my part.”

Speaking to the People Every Day podcast, Leno says cancel culture is a product of the changing times and comics have to adapt with the times.

“I think it’s like any other thing, you either change or die,” the 71-year-old said. “In football, you have certain rules. And when the rules change, if you don’t conform to them, you’re out of the game.”

Leno further explained that homophobic, sexist and racist jokes may have been tolerated back in the day, but his fellow stand-up comedians need to stop living in the past by including that controversial material in their routines.

“Now, everybody has a voice. You have to change the material to the times you live in,” Leno continued. “My attitude is, ‘Look, these are the new rules. You want to adapt. If you don’t, fine. Don’t get up and tell jokes then.'”

Following his March discussion with MANAA, Leno told Variety, “I do not consider this particular case to be another example of cancel culture but a legitimate wrong that was done on my part. MANAA has been very gracious in accepting my apology. I hope that the Asian American community will be able to accept it as well, and I hope I can live up to their expectations in the future.”

Kelly Clarkson proves she’s an OG Ariana Grande fan: “Y’all I love this girl!”

September 30, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Kelly Clarkson works with Ariana Grande on The Voice, but that’s not the reason Ariana is one of the guests on Kelly’s upcoming Christmas album. It’s because they’ve had a mutual admiration society going for years — and Kelly’s got the receipts to prove it.

On Wednesday, Kelly posted a “How It Started/How It’s Going” tweet that included a screenshot of a Twitter exchange she had in 2013 with a then-19-year-old Ariana, next to a pic of them lovingly embracing on the set of The Voice.

In that 2013 tweet, Kelly linked to Ariana’s performance of her song “The Way” on The Ellen Degeneres Show and wrote, “Okay, who the heck is this girl & where did she come from?! Someone just sent me this & wow she is killer & only 19!” Ariana responded to her at the time, ” “omg that’s me hi kelly clarkson thank you ily.”

Kelly captioned the post, “How it Started vs. How it’s Going. Y’all, I love this girl! Did I mention she’s gonna be on my upcoming Christmas album!?”

Ariana responded, “queen !!!!!!! beyond honored to sing with you. i love this record and you.”

Kelly’s album, titled …When Christmas Comes Around, is out on October 15. Her song with Ariana is called “Santa, Can’t You Hear Me.”

How it Started vs. How it’s Going ❤️ Y’all, I love this girl! Did I mention she’s gonna be on my upcoming Christmas album!? 🎅 @ArianaGrande #WhenChristmasComesAround pic.twitter.com/MczXRieaM7

— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) September 29, 2021

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