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Judge blocks Maryland governor from ending federal unemployment benefits early

July 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(BALTIMORE) — A Baltimore judge has shut down efforts by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to put an early end to enhanced pandemic unemployment benefits.

Judge Lawrence P. Fletcher-Hill of the Circuit Court for Baltimore issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday ordering that immediate action be taken to ensure Maryland residents continue to receive “any and all” expanded unemployment benefits available to them through federal programs.

The legal action came in response to multiple cases challenging Hogan’s decision, which was announced in early June. The Republican governor said at the time that many businesses were facing “severe worker shortages” and “we look forward to getting more Marylanders back to work.”

Fletcher-Hill wrote the plaintiffs demonstrated that they “will suffer irreparable harm” if the injunction was not issued, and have shown that the issuance of it “is in the public interest.”

Federal pandemic unemployment benefits include an extra $300 a week and also expand eligibility to allow more people who may not have previously qualified (such as independent contractors) to receive jobless aid. The bolstered federal unemployment insurance programs were set to last through early September, though Hogan sought to cut them off in July.

A slew of states have similarly sought to curtail the enhanced federal unemployment benefits programs. Many Republican governors, including Hogan, have argued these benefits are dissuading people from seeking work as the economy begins to bounce back from the pandemic-induced downturn. An apparent labor shortage in the restaurant industry as many businesses reopen at once has also left some employers struggling to find staff.

Many economists have refuted the argument that enhanced unemployment benefits are preventing people from working. Low hiring numbers have also sparked a debate about dismal wages in the service industry.

A spokesperson for Hogan’s office did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment Wednesday, but told The Baltimore Sun that the governor won’t challenge the decision.

“While we firmly believe the law is on our side, actual adjudication of the case would extend beyond the end of the federal programs, foregoing the possibility of pursuing the matter further,” Michael Ricci, Hogan’s director of communications, told the local outlet.

Megan Thee Stallion and her fur babies star in new BAPE x Coach campaign

July 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Megan Thee Stallion is among the featured artists in the new campaign from BAPE x Coach.

On Wednesday, the Good News rapper shared photos from the campaign shoot, featuring her dogs 5ive, X (ten) and her bulldog known as “Foe Thee Frenchie” on Instagram.

“Thee Hot Dog mom and my boys in @coach. Since they love tearing up [stuff], they had to get a job,” Megan writes in the caption. “#BAPExCOACH collab dropping next weekend. #coachny.”

The BAPE x Coach campaign was shot by photographer Sandy Kim and also features recording artist Cordae and Japanese model and songwriter K?ki. The two iconic brands joined forces to create a collection that blends Japanese streetwear and Coach’s signature craftsmanship. It features a limited-edition print combining Coach’s signature “C” pattern with BAPE’s signature logo across jackets, hoodies, sneakers, backpacks and more.

The BAPE x Coach collection will be available in select stores and online starting July 24.

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Sentencing of Mollie Tibbetts’ convicted killer delayed after bombshell by defense

July 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — A judge has delayed the sentencing of a man convicted of murdering University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts after defense attorneys filed court documents accusing prosecutors of failing to disclose that police were investigating a sex trafficking “trap house” involving a man linked to a missing 11-year-old boy.

Instead of sentencing Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who was expected to receive life in prison without the possibility of parole, Judge Joel Yates will hold a hearing on Thursday on a defense motion to set aside the verdict and schedule a new trial.

A jury convicted Bahena Rivera, a 27-year-old Mexican national farmworker, in May of first-degree murder in the 2018 abduction and killing of the 20-year-old student.

On Tuesday, Bahena Rivera’s attorneys filed a motion, alleging prosecutors failed to disclose a separate investigation was occurring at the time of Tibbetts’ disappearance involving a man allegedly operating a sex trafficking “trap house” in New Sharon, Iowa, 27 miles from Brooklyn, Iowa, where Tibbetts went missing on July 18, 2018.

The 50-year-old man the defense attorneys identified by name in their motion was once the live-in boyfriend of the mother of 11-year-old Xavior Harrelson, who vanished from a rural Iowa trailer park on May 27, a day before the jury found Bahena Rivera guilty.

The motion also claimed that an investigation by the defense found that, in the past few years, at least 10 children have been reported missing in or near Poweshiek County, Iowa, the same county where Tibbetts was stabbed to death and dumped in a cornfield.

The defense attorneys filed court papers last week asking for a new trial based on information from two witnesses who came forward to law enforcement in May saying they independently spoke to a man who claimed he and a 50-year-old sex trafficker killed Tibbetts and framed Bahena Rivera.

One of the new witnesses purportedly claimed the real killer — who was in jail with the witness at the time — told him that he first saw Tibbetts bound and gagged at a sex trafficking “trap house” owned by his alleged accomplice. The man claimed, according to the defense motion, his alleged accomplice grew worried after federal authorities searching for Tibbetts showed up at a house next door to his.

“That Mexican shouldn’t be in jail for killing Mollie Tibbett, because I raped her and killed her,” the witness claimed the confessed killer told him, according to the earlier defense motion.

In their motion filed Tuesday, defense attorneys attached a police search warrant affidavit for the New Sharon home that they say “corroborates the ‘trap house’ account.”

A second individual contacted the Mahaska County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office with a similar story involving the same man who reportedly confessed, but deputies said the witness appeared to be under the influence at the time and dismissed the story as not being credible.

Both witnesses contacted investigators within hours of each other on May 26, the same day Bahena Rivera testified at his trial that he was kidnapped by two masked men who forced him to drive them to where Tibbetts was expected to be jogging. He claimed that when they found Tibbetts, one of the men stabbed her to death, put her body in the trunk of Bahena Rivera’s car and made him drive to a cornfield, where the young woman’s badly decomposed remains were discovered a month after she went missing.

Bahena Rivera admitted on the witness stand that he placed Tibbetts’ body in the cornfield but was not involved in her murder. Bahena Rivera claimed during his testimony that he didn’t tell investigators about the masked men because they threatened to harm his former girlfriend, the mother of his daughter, if he did.

In his closing argument, prosecutor Scott Brown called Bahena Rivera’s testimony a “figment of his imagination.” A jury deliberated seven hours over two days before finding Bahena Rivera guilty.

Following the verdict, prosecutors informed the defense attorneys that the two witnesses had come forward.

The defense motion filed Tuesday argued that Bahena Rivera’s “claim based on newly discovered evidence has turned into a due process violation arising from the prosecution’s failure to turn over reports involving trap houses and kidnappings in or near the Poweshiek County area.”

Prosecutors from the Iowa State Attorney General’s Office have yet to comment on the new developments but are expected to file a response to the defense motion for a new trial on Wednesday.

At White House, Olivia Rodrigo says she’s “beyond honored and humbled” to work on vaccination initiative

July 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

L: Olivia Rodrigo; R: White House press secretary Jen Psaki; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

On Wednesday, Olivia Rodrigo went from “white cars/front yards” to the White House, where she was filming PSAs to support the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine initiative.

As previously reported, Olivia will be recording videos in which she urges young people to get the vaccine, and answers frequently-asked questions about the shot.

Addressing reporters in the White House press briefing room Wednesday, Olivia read a short statement.

“First, I want to say, I am beyond honored and humbled to be here today to help spread the message about the importance of youth vaccination,” the chart-topping star said. “I’m in awe of the work President Biden and Dr. Fauci have done and was happy to help lend my support to this important initiative.”

“It’s important to have conversations with friends and family members, encouraging all communities to get vaccinated and actually get to a vaccination site, which you can do more easily than ever before, given how many sites we have and how easy it is to find them at vaccines.gov,” Olivia continued.

She then thanked the press for “helping share this important message,” adding, “It’s so appreciated. Thank you.” She left without taking any questions.

Arrest made after mom shot dead during trip to take son to Naval Academy

July 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(ANNAPOLIS, Md.) — An arrest has been made in the slaying of a Houston mom who was shot and killed while in Maryland to drop off her son at the U.S. Naval Academy, authorities announced Wednesday.

Angelo Harrod, 29, allegedly shot Michelle Cummings, 57, while she sat on an Annapolis hotel patio in the early hours of June 29, according to Annapolis police.

Harrod was confined to home detention on May 3 and allegedly cut off his ankle bracelet before the shooting, Annapolis Police Chief Edward Jackson said at a news conference Wednesday.

A warrant had been out for Harrod for absconding home detection and authorities had been looking for him, Jackson said.

Harrod was identified as a suspect in the Cummings case after police reviewed videos and photos from the crime scene, according to the chief.

“The minute we knew he was wanted … we were looking for him and we just happened to find him on June 30,” Jackson said.

Cummings was not the intended target of the shooting, police said. The shots were fired on Pleasant Street and traveled a short distance, hitting Cummings, police said.

Charges filed Wednesday against Harrod include first-degree murder, second-degree murder and attempted murder.

The attempted murder charges are because the suspect allegedly attempted “to murder two other citizens that night on Pleasant Street,” the chief said.

Harrod is being held without bond, Jackson added.

Cummings and her husband were in Annapolis at the time of her slaying to bring their son, Midshipman Candidate Leonard Cummings III, to the U.S. Naval Academy. Their son, who goes by Trey, is an incoming freshman for the Naval Academy Class of 2025, the Academy said.

Jackson said he was desperate to solve this case.

“Some nights I couldn’t sleep. I felt rage,” he said.

Jackson said he called Cummings’ husband Wednesday morning with the news. Jackson said her husband “paused,” and then said, “Thank you, chief.”

Naval Academy Superintendent Sean Buck said at the news conference, “When Trey is ready … we will welcome him back with open arms.”

Famed death metal musician responds to report of Ed Sheeran’s apparent love of that genre

July 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Ed: Dan Martensen; Dani Filth: Katja Ogrin/Redferns

Do Ed Sheeran‘s “Bad Habits” include rocking out to heavy metal?

The U.K. tabloid The Sun quotes Ed as professing his childhood love for bands including Slipknot and Cradle of Filth, adding that he “would not be opposed” to recording a metal album of his own.

“I’m not saying I could ever step into that world,” the quote reads. “I learnt all those riffs on guitar as a kid. That’s something I’ve never thought about doing — but something I would not be opposed to creating.”

It’s unclear where exactly that quote came from, but needless to say, the idea of a death metal Ed Sheeran album has certainly raised a few eyebrows, including those of Cradle of Filth’s frontman, Dani Filth.

Re-posting the headline about Ed, Filth wrote in an Instagram post, “I’ll believe it when I see it,” though he doesn’t seem opposed to the idea.

“Fellow Suffolk lad could come good in the end,” he added, referring to the fact that he and Ed are both from that English county. He even suggested a title for an Ed metal track: “‘Dracula’s Castle on the Hill’ anyone?”

Ed Sheeran has actually hinted at his inner metalhead in the past. In 2015, he covered Iron Maiden and Limp Bizkit during a Tonight Show segment.

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LoCash concludes 2021 USO Tour as they drop the music video for their new The Wolfe Brothers duet

July 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

U.S Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aranza Valdez

“One Big Country Song” duo LoCash just wrapped an overseas, seven-stop engagement performing for U.S. military service members.

The trek, called the Vice Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 2021 USO Tour, marked LoCash’s second overseas engagement with Air Force General John E. Hyten. Other stars and celebrities joined them, including singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle, actor Wilmer Valderamma and many others.

“It’s been more than a year since we were able to thank our troops in person,” the duo comments. “We can’t express how thankful we are for General Hyten inviting us along and providing the opportunity for us to express our gratitude in-person at a USO show to those protecting our freedoms once again.”

LoCash is continuing to keep busy this week as they drop the music video for “Startin’ Something,” their breezy new duet with Australian country rock outfit The Wolfe Brothers. It’s one of a number of recent collaborations for LoCash: They also contributed vocals to “Get Country,” a song on Jimmie Allen’s recently released Bettie James Gold Edition duets project.

Normani archives all but two Instagram posts — but fans wonder, where is her new music?

July 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Billboard

Singer Normani archived most of the photos and videos on her Instagram Tuesday night, leaving just two alluring posts. The first features two newly-added photos of the 25-year-old in a sexy cheetah bustier with matching thigh-high boots and a headpiece.

“Take me for a ride, boy,” Normani wrote in the caption, quoting lyrics from an unreleased song. The lyrics can be heard in the background of the second post, a teaser video she posted in February. “Take me for a ride, boy / Show your wild side boy / I know it’s been a while,” she sings on the unreleased track.

Fans in the comments were excited over the snippet dropping fire emojis, including a few who wrote, “yes, finally new music.” Another fan said, “I need an album like ASAP. When is it coming?”

Since the summer of 2019, fans have been dying for Normani to follow up her solo debut, “Motivation,” with her debut album. Since then, she’s has collaborated with Megan Thee Stallion on “Diamonds” and made a cameo in Megan and Cardi B‘s “WAP” video, alongside Latto, Kylie Jenner and Rosalía.

According to Pop Crave‘s Twitter, Cardi B is also the featured guest on Normani’s new single “Wild Side,” dropping this Friday.

Demi Moore: Working it in swimwear on a working vacation?

July 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Demi Moore is showing off what 58 looks like for her, in a series of Instagram snaps showing off the Indecent Proposal star in a black bikini.

“Getting ready for another day in paradise,” the actress captioned the snaps, which were taken in Greece.

Page Six reports Moore was in Crete as the godmother for the christening of the baby of some mogul friends, but turned the event into a vacation.

However, here’s a pretty decent proposal: Moore could arguably log the entire trip as a working vacation as far as write-offs go, because the suit she’s wearing is from Andie Swim, a company in which she invested back in 2018.

In fact, Moore — along with her daughters Rumer, Scout and Talullah — recently all rocked swimsuit looks from the company on Instagram.

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50 Cent pledges to teach DaBaby “all the mistakes I made, so he can be better than me”

July 14, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Since dropping his 2019 debut album, Baby on Baby, rapper DaBaby has managed to be in the presence of hip-hop icons like Busta Rhymes and Sean “Diddy” Combs. Now, he can add Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson to the list.

On Tuesday, DaBaby shared an Instagram photo of himself and the rap mogul, whom he met for the first time this week.

“Somebody I been studying for a MINUTE lent me a few hours of his time today,” DaBaby wrote in the caption. “[People] so scared to let me in the room they [messed] around & let me end up in the room w/ @50cent. BIG MISTAKE! Beyond grateful for the game. Couldn’t have come from a better source. Now watch me put this [stuff] to use.”

In the comments, 50 mentioned he intended to offer the same guidance and advice to Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke before he was shot and killed in February 2020.

“I lost Pop [Smoke] before he could get it. This one already got it, and he listen[s],” 50 wrote. “I’m a teach him all the mistakes I made, so he can be better than me. THIS IS HIP HOP!”

DaBaby can learn a lot from 50 Cent, who founded G-Unit Records and G-Unit films. Outside of music, the Grammy-winning rapper serves as co-creator and executive producer of STARZ’ Power series and its spinoffs Power Book II: Ghost and Power Book III: Raising Kanan, the latter of which premieres Sunday, July 18th at 8 p.m. ET.

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