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Visually impaired runner completes marathon with the help of guides, friends

October 8, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(ST. PAUL, Minn.) — Laura Sosalla, of St. Paul, Minnesota, was declared legally blind earlier this year due to long-term effects after a battle with COVID-19 last November.

Sosalla was determined and said she wanted to prove to herself that she wouldn’t let the impairment change how she lived her life.

She decided to run a marathon. This spring, Sosalla sent a message to Rachel Bentley, founder of United in Stride, an organization that matches visually impaired runners with guides.

Sosalla and Bentley teamed up, along with Bentley’s sister, Natalie Elmore, and Sosalla’s neighbor, Laura Brennan.

After months of training side-by-side, the four women ran the last mile of the Twin Cities Marathon together on Oct. 3.

Elmore said many noticed her guide bib and the group was showered in positivity from onlookers.

“I felt like it was really just my job to communicate to her all the excitement of the day,” Elmore said, “describing that to her and giving her encouragement in that way.”
The group crossed the finish line at 5 hours, 38 minutes. Brennan said she was proud to be in such good company, adding: “It was an honor to cross the finish line with her and be able to witness the look of joy on her face as she realized her accomplishment.”

Bentley said she’s already looking ahead.

“It was a blast running with these women, and I can’t wait to do another race soon,” she added.

Sosalla told “World News Tonight” on Friday about the support received while overcoming her hardship.

“What COVID has taught me is even though it took my eyes, it gave me an opportunity to connect with people and share life in a completely different way,” she said. “I’m so incredibly grateful for that.”

Scott Stapp guests on new EDM song, “Light Up the Sky”

October 8, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Scott Stapp is approaching the EDM world “With Arms Wide Open.”

The Creed frontman has released a new song called “Light Up the Sky” in collaboration with dance music DJs and producers Wooli and Trivecta.

“When I first heard the track, I instantly started recording melodies and lyrics,” Stapp says. “The piano, builds, crescendos, drops, and overall vibes just connected right away. I wanted to give voice to the idea that releasing life’s inevitable sadness, fear, or regret is the first step to reclaiming the kind of intense joy and passion that this track explodes with.”

He adds, “I’m grateful for Wooli and Trivecta for reaching out — here’s to blending two worlds and to unexpected opportunities that forge something beautiful and powerful.”

You can listen to “Light Up the Sky” now via digital outlets.

Stapp’s most recent album is his 2019 solo release, The Space Between the Shadows.

Paramore’s Zac Farro announces new album with HalfNoise project

October 8, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Paramore drummer Zac Farro has announced a new album with his HalfNoise side project.

The record is called Motif, and will arrive November 5. You can listen to a new single called “Superstition” now via digital outlets.

“Motif was a huge stepping stone for me in a lot of ways,” Farro says. “From the songwriting to the production, I pushed myself in ways that I hadn’t before.”

He adds, “I really wanted to create a ‘HalfNoise’ sound instead of only writing with the goal of just finishing songs or an album. I wanted this record to be pointed and have purpose.”

HalfNoise will be playing a trio of shows this November, in Nashville, New York City and Los Angeles.

Paramore, meanwhile, released their most recent album, After Laughter, in 2017. It marked Farro’s return to the band after initially leaving in 2010.

John Lennon’s “Imagine” certified triple platinum; multiple events planned to mark Lennon’s birthday Saturday

October 8, 2021 by WDNY Radio

On the eve of what would’ve been the late John Lennon‘s 81st birthday comes word that “Imagine,” the classic peace anthem Lennon co-wrote with wife Yoko Ono, has been certified triple Platinum by the RIAA for sales of three million units in the U.S.

“We are thrilled to present this award to Yoko for John & Yoko Ono Lennon’s ‘Imagine,'” says Universal Music Enterprises president Bruce Resnikoff. “‘Imagine’ remains a timeless global anthem, and John & Yoko’s message of peace is just as relevant today as when it was first written.”

Ono recently said of the inspiration for “Imagine,” “John and I were both artists and we were living together, so we inspired each other. The song ‘Imagine’ embodied what we believed together at the time. John and I met — he comes from the West and I come from the East — and still we are together. We have this oneness and ‘the whole world would eventually become one’ is the sense that we will all be very happy together.”

“Imagine” and the album of the same name on which it appears were released 50 years ago this past September 9.

As has become an annual tradition to mark Lennon’s birthday on Saturday, the Imagine Peace Tower, the memorial art piece Ono conceived as a tribute to her late husband in Reykjavík, Iceland, will be illuminated at 4 p.m. ET, and will remain lit until December 8, the anniversary of John’s death. You can check out a livestream of the tower at ImaginePeaceTower.com.

Coinciding with the lighting of the tower, a special edition of Tim’s Twitter Listening Party, hosted by U.K. radio host and musician Tim Burgess, will be held at 4 p.m. ET. The show will present the recent “Ultimate Mixes” version of the Imagine album.

Lil Wayne releasing ‘Tha Carter’ singles vinyl box set

October 8, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Lil Wayne is releasing his favorite songs from Tha Carter album series in a seven-inch vinyl box set.

Weezy announced Friday that Tha Carter Collection 7 will feature 19 tracks, including “A Milli,” “Go DJ,” “Hustler Musik” and “6 Foot 7 Foot,” along with liner notes and a booklet of rare photos never seen before. “Ya Dig,” which is included, was added to streaming services for the first time on Thursday.

You can purchase the box set now on Wayne’s website.

The first album in Tha Carter series was released in 2004, followed by Tha Carter II in 2005, Tha Carter III in 2008, Tha Carter IV in 2011, and Tha Carter V in 2018.

Last week, the Young Money Entertainment CEO dropped a collabo album with Rich The Kid titled Trust Fund Babies. He kicked off the week celebrating his 39th birthday at a bash in Miami hosted by his biggest star, Drake.

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Sammy Hagar’s 2021 Birthday Bash being held on Catalina Island this week; Saturday’s show streaming at nugs.net

October 8, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Sammy Hagar‘s 2021 edition of his annual Birthday Bash is taking place this week, featuring three special performances by the Red Rocker and his band The Circle at the Catalina Casino on California’s Catalina Island.

The festivities began Thursday with a sold-out a VIP event that featured a hybrid acoustic/electric performance, as well as a segment where Sammy and the band — bassist Michael Anthony, drummer Jason Bonham and guitarist Vic Johnson — shared stories and took questions from the audience.

The show featured a 10-song set that included covers of Led Zeppelin‘s “When the Levee Breaks” and Depeche Mode‘s “Personal Jesus,” as well as versions of Montrose‘s “Bad Motor Scooter,” Chickenfoot‘s “Sexy Little Thing” and Van Halen‘s “Right Now,” “Humans Being,” “Mine All Mine” and “Finish What Ya Started.”

The bash continues tonight and Saturday with full-length rock shows. For those who can’t make it out to the concerts, Saturday’s event will be available for streaming via nugs.net. Visit nugs.net/SammyHagar for more details.

Fans attending the Catalina Island shows will be required to show proof that they’re fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

During the COVID-19 pandemic last year, Hagar was unable to hold his birthday bash at its usual location — his Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Instead, Sammy and The Circle played a socially distanced concert on October 8 on Catalina Island. With the pandemic still an issue in Cabo San Lucas, Hagar decided to bring the bash back to Catalina this year.

Hagar’s actual birthday is October 13. He’ll be 74.

Rob Thomas to release first Christmas album October 22

October 8, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Rob Thomas is bringing us holiday joy with his first-ever Christmas album.

Due out October 22, it’s called Something About Christmas Time, and is available for pre-order now.

Over the years, Rob has released two Christmas songs: 2005’s “New York City Christmas,” and last year’s “I Believe in Santa Claus.”

He recently told Rolling Stone that the album features original songs, as well as covers of songs by Bryan Adams and Ray Charles, plus guest appearances by Ingrid Michaelson, gospel star Bebe Winans and country star Brad Paisley.

“It’s something I’ve always kind of wanted to do,” Rob told Rolling Stone. “But I didn’t think anybody needs to hear me sing ‘Jingle Bells.’ You know, nobody needs to hear anybody honestly sing ‘Jingle Bells’ again. But I think I managed to pick some really cool covers, so I think it’s got its own original sound.”

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Officer who shot Jacob Blake won’t face civil rights charges, DOJ says

October 8, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Civil rights charges will not be pursued against the Wisconsin police officer who shot Jacob Blake last year, partially paralyzing him, the Department of Justice announced Friday.

Kenosha Police Officer Rusten Sheskey, who is white, fired seven times at Blake, who is Black, on Aug. 23, 2020, after responding to a report of a domestic dispute, authorities said.

Following an investigation, federal prosecutors said the evidence obtained was insufficient to prove Sheskey “willfully used excessive force,” the DOJ said in a statement.

Investigators reviewed police reports, law enforcement accounts, witness statements, witness affidavits, photographs, videos and more of the incident, which was captured on a witness’ cellphone and sparked days of large-scale protests in Kenosha.

“After a careful and thorough review, a team of experienced federal prosecutors determined that insufficient evidence exists to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the KPD officer willfully violated the federal criminal civil rights statutes,” the DOJ said.

The DOJ said it has informed representatives of Blake’s family about its decision.

ABC News spoke with Blake’s father, Jacob Blake Sr., shortly after the DOJ’s announcement. He said he had not yet heard about the decision.

“I was expecting more from the administration than this. I was expecting much more than this,” he said. “I believe that we’re in a systematic racist system, and that this system was not set up for us. So I didn’t expect the system to work for us, because it never works for us. It wasn’t made for us.”

Blake’s father said he disagrees that Sheskey didn’t willfully use excessive force.

“Seven times in the back is excessive,” he said. “I don’t care if you’re a dog. Seven times in the back, that’s not excessive?”

The shooting occurred as officers were attempting to detain Blake, who had a warrant out for his arrest. After Blake walked to the front of his vehicle toward the driver’s side door, Sheskey fired his gun seven times toward his back.

Blake was struck by six of the bullets and is now paralyzed from the waist down.

An unfolded knife was found on the driver’s side floorboard of Blake’s vehicle, authorities said.

Kenosha County District Attorney Mike Graveley also declined to file any criminal charges against Sheskey related to the incident last year, saying at the time the officer was justified in his use of force and was acting in self-defense because Blake was armed with a knife.

Sheskey was not disciplined for his use of force by the Kenosha Police Department either, which said he was acting “within policy.”

In March, Blake filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Sheskey, accusing the officer of using “excessive and unnecessary” force.

“We believe that this lawsuit will help establish accountability,” B’Ivory LaMarr, one of Blake’s attorneys, told ABC News at the time.

ABC News’ Stephanie Wash contributed to this report.

Gary LeVox reveals there’s more to the story of Rascal Flatts’ breakup than fans knew

October 8, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Headed into 2020, Rascal Flatts made an announcement that left fans stunned: After 20 years together, they planned to call it quits.

The trio intended to go out on a high note and planned a massive farewell tour that was supposed to keep them busy through the year, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to cancel those dates, and at this point, they haven’t announced any plans to reschedule.

In a new interview with People, lead singer Gary LeVox admits he’s disappointed that the band’s final year together fizzled out the way it did. “I hate the way that it ended. I hate that we didn’t get to do this farewell tour. I can’t stand the fact that it just feels there’s no closure with something that we’ve been so blessed with,” he says.

But that’s not the only thing that upsets Gary about Rascal Flatts’ breakup, the singer goes on to say. When they first announced the split, the band mates presented a united front, saying that all three of them — Gary, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney — mutually agreed that it was time to pursue separate endeavors. Now, Gary reveals, things weren’t quite that simple.

“I wasn’t happy that Joe Don quit,” he states. “It kind of came out of nowhere. It was like, ‘Let me try to wrap my head around this.’”

In the wake of the split, Gary moved on. He’s since released music as a solo artist, including a faith-based EP called One on One. After adjusting to life without Rascal Flatts, the singer says he’s happy to be doing what he’s doing these days.

“I’m just going to stay on my path,” the singer says of his current career focus. “I know what I’m supposed to do, and I love it.”

Jessica Chastain, Penelope Cruz, Diane Kruger, Lupita Nyong’o and Bingbing Fan save the world in ‘The 355’

October 8, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Five kick-butt actresses join Sebastian Stan in the action-packed new trailer for The 355.

The title refers to the code-name of George Washington‘s female spy in the Revolutionary War — and also the name of the movie’s multinational group of female spies.

The movie’s conceit is that each woman is their country’s top agent — Jessica Chastain is American with the CIA; Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o reps the U.K.; Diane Kruger is German; Penelope Cruz represents Spain; and Bingbing Fan is the top Chinese operative — who all unite to save the world.

“They can start World War III from their keyboard” Chastain’s character explains, in a trailer that’s both heavy on action and Mission: Impossible-esque spycraft.

For his part, Lupita’s Marvel movie co-star Stan is Chastain’s CIA counterpart but despite his onscreen action chops, the women clearly run the show in the coming attraction.

The 355 opens January 7.

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