MAX will perform his romantic new single, “Butterflies,” on the July 12 episode of ABC’s The Bachelorette.
In the episode, MAX will serenade the Bachelorette, Katie Thurston, and her date with the song, which the pop artist recently described to People magazine as “basically the sequel to my song ‘Lights Down Low.'”
MAX wrote that song for his wife, Emily, and used it as part of his marriage proposal. He says he wrote “Butterflies” to renew his vows with Emily, with whom he recently welcomed baby daughter Edie.
“The right person makes you feel the most alive, and Emily has always given me the most excitement but also the deepest grounding in being present and prioritizing our love,” he explains. “So I wanted the song’s lyrics to be direct with that.” MAX recently performed the song at a fan’s wedding.
Meanwhile, tickets are on sale for MAX’s upcoming tour at MaxMusicOfficial.com/tour. It includes stops at the Lollapalooza and Bottle Rock Napa Valley festivals, as well as shows in Chicago, L.A., San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and his hometown of New York City.
(SURFSIDE, Fla.) — Champlain Towers South condo board members, Surfside town officials, and engineers grappled with issues related to the building’s 40-year recertification process, potentially delaying much-needed plans for repairs in the weeks leading up to the collapse of the building, emails released by the town show.
It’s unclear if or how the apparent delays in the repair plans detailed in the messages may have contributed to the collapse, but the series of emails published by the Town of Surfside offers a glimpse into what kind of communication was taking place right before the deadly accident.
As of Tuesday, 32 people were confirmed to have died and 117 people remained unaccounted for following the collapse of the 12-story building on June 24.
In the weeks before Champlain Towers South’s collapse, emails about a “dire parking situation” suggest that the town’s approval process for a satellite parking space may have contributed to delays in submitting plans for repairs of the condo building, the documents show.
In one email dated May 20, Champlain Towers South engineering consultant Frank Morabito told Surfside town planner Walter Keller that before the engineers could begin working on the building, they needed to hear from the town about how to deal with the upcoming issue of construction vehicles occupying a significant portion of the residents’ parking spaces, according to the documents.
The emails suggest that Morabito and the Champlain Towers South Condo Association did not receive a reply from town officials for a month, prompting building manager Scott Stewart to email Keller, town manager Andrew Hyatt, and Surfside building official James McGuinness on June 21, asking for prompt approval of a satellite parking location for five vehicles so renovation plans could “keep moving forward.”
“This is holding us up, and costs are going up, and [our] 40 year is coming up fast,” Stewart wrote three days before the collapse. “This temporary satellite parking location would allow us to better expedite the repairs on one of [the] Surfside gateway properties.”
According to the records, the town manager and the town building official responded to Stewart on June 22 and 23 — the eve of the collapse — about issues that needed to be addressed before they could grant temporary use of the requested satellite parking lot.
Meanwhile, McGuinness, the town official, was in correspondence with a real estate management company regarding remodeling work that was needed on the building’s facade, pool, and plaza, another chain of emails shows. According to the emails, the condo sought to submit a dry run to “at least start reviews of the plans” as early as June 9, then later followed up with the building official for an invoice for the dry run.
Surfside officials told ABC News that McGuiness was not available to comment on the matter.
Earlier emails outlined challenges faced by building representatives as they tried to keep repairs on track. In a message dated May 26, resident and former condo board member Myriam Notkin complained about tar kettle fumes coming into her apartment during the building’s roof repair, asking if the operation could be relocated. Condo board president Jean Wodnicki responded that the roof remediation plan was approved by the town and that the operation couldn’t be relocated without significantly changing the course of the project.
“We have had a number of presentations on the plans over the last 6 months outlining the process,” Wodnicki wrote in an email responding to the complaint. “The specific location of the coal tar kettle and crane has been explained to the residents for at least a month.”
Further delays could cause further damage and more expense, Wodnicki wrote in the email, noting that the roof repair needed to be done before the rainy season.
Notkin is among those missing following the collapse.
In response to questions about the emails released by Surfside, town manager Hyatt said in a statement that at no point did the Champlain Towers South Condominium Association indicate in any plans or permit applications that emergency action by the town was required.
“There was no indication during any communications between the Town and the association by telephone or electronic mail that this submission required emergency action by the Town of Surfside,” Hyatt said. “The scope of work for repairs was not received until June 21, 2021, and not in the form of a building application. To date, no permit application for these specific repairs has been received by the Town.”
Hyatt also emphasized that plans sent to officials in May were only preliminary.
“The plans received by the Town of Surfside beginning on May 12, 2021, were preliminary and clearly marked ‘Not for construction.’ The Town’s position is that these plans were not final. In fact, no applications for construction permits were submitted,” he said. “It would appear that the Champlain Towers South Condominium Association sought to address a number of issues outside the scope of any proposed 40-year re-certification work such as the installation of new natural gas service and delivery lines, the reconfiguration of existing parking, the moving of parking off site, and other repairs.”
Asked about the messages, a spokesperson for Champlain Tower South Condominium association said, “The emails speak for themselves.”
Joel Figueroa-Vallines, an Orlando-based forensic structural engineer and president of SEP Engineers, told ABC News that the delay in addressing issues with the building is concerning, and that periodic checkups, inspections and overall maintenance are important to keep a building in good shape. Figueroa-Vallines has no ties to Champlain Towers South, and no personal knowledge of the investigation.
For officials, the latest emails are among the many things that will be investigated.
Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett told ABC News that he’s still in the process of gathering information to understand what exactly happened, but said, “I think it sounds like those emails are going to be important.”
Last week, a team from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was sent to the site by the Biden administration, and is currently in the preliminary stages of investigating what caused the apparent building failure.
“It will take time, possibly a couple of years, but we will not stop until we have determined the likely cause of this tragedy,” said Dr. James Olthoff, the director of the NIST, which also investigated the collapse of the World Trade Center.
With the premiere of Black Widow just days away, the dating app Plenty of Fish conducted a survey to see what its users thought of the super spy and other comic characters when it comes to dating.
No pressure, ladies, but Wonder Woman remains the ideal “girlfriend or wife” for the guys on the app, according to the non-scientific poll of more than 2,000 users.
In fact, 55% of the guys polled say they’d prefer the DC Comics heroine over Scarlett Johansson‘s Black Widow from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with 26% saying they’d prefer the former Russian super-spy over the Amazonian princess.
The poll also revealed that 28% of comic movie fans would most like to see Black Widow and Hawkeye as a couple. The Incredible Hulk shipped with Black Widow was sought after by 24%, and 23% want to see Black Widow dating Black Panther.
However, if Widow could date outside the Marvel Universe, 17% said they’d like her to date Batman.
And while 59% said they’ve all but hidden their Marvel fandom on their dating profile, the survey surprisingly revealed maybe they shouldn’t: More than half of men on the app and 37% of women say it’s a turn-on if someone says they’re a Marvel fan. What’s more, 20% say they’ve used Marvel references as a pick-up line, and 30% say they’ve bonded with a date over Marvel.
Black Widow opens July 9 in theaters and on Disney+ Premiere Access.
Marvel Studios is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.
Whether it’s a full-length album or an unexpected collaboration, Kehlani knows how to keep her fans fueled with new music.
On Monday, the singer shared a collage of photos on Instagram to reveal more new music will be arriving soon.
“Hopped out the matrix [and] I hopped in my bag! Yeah, I’m working on projects I am in love with,” Kehlani wrote in the caption. “Putting on so many hats. I finished a lot [of] music I wanted/needed to finish. It’s coming.”
The collage included photos of late singer Aaliyah, Kehlani looking at a teleprompter, and the singer’s two-year-old daughter, Adeya Nomi. The “Change Your Life” singer went to reveal she had big plans for her company, Honey Shot Productions — comprised of visual artist and photographer Brianna Alyssa and ‘Hyphy Williams,’ Kehlani’s director alias.
“My production company is about to have a stellar first year, so many surprises in the works. I’m utterly mind-blown consistently at what comes of hard work, & tending to spirit,” Kehlani continued. “Standing on the shoulders of those who came before me, putting in real work to develop insightful connection and keeping my ears transparently open.”
Kehlani added, “my mind is at its sharpest, my heart at its fullest, my spirit at its most honest, and my curiosity is through the roof. I’m loving and loved. Couldn’t nothing top this…except when all I’m planting comes to bloom.”
Kehlani’s sophomore album, It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, was released in May 2020. This year, the singer has released collaborations with Lil Durk, Pink Sweat$,emerging producer Amorphous and more, as well as T-Pain’s “I Like Dat.”
(ATLANTA) — A Georgia golf pro was gunned down on the course where he worked because he stumbled upon a crime in progress, police said Tuesday.
Eugene Siller was shot in the head on Saturday on the green of the 10th hole at Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw, near Atlanta, the Cobb County Police Department said.
Two other men were found shot dead in the bed of a white Ram 3500 pickup truck that was on the green, police said.
Police said Tuesday that they believe Siller was shot because he was a witness who “happened upon a crime in progress involving the unknown suspect” and the two victims in the truck.
No arrests have been made but police said Tuesday they’re following “active leads.”
The victims in the truck don’t appear to have any connection to the country club, police said. One of the men was the truck’s owner, Paul Pierson, and the second victim hasn’t been identified, police said.
A motive isn’t clear, police said.
Police added that they don’t believe there’s an active threat to the public. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police at 770-499-4111 or at cobbpolicecrimetips@cobbcounty.org.
(LEAGUE CITY, TX.) — More than 125 children and adults have tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a church summer camp in Texas, officials announced.
The Clear Creek Community Church, based in League City, Texas, announced that Sunday services would be canceled this week due to the number of cases.
More than 125 children and adults have tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a church summer camp in Texas, officials announced.
The Clear Creek Community Church, based in League City, Texas, announced that Sunday services would be canceled this week due to the number of cases.
It’s not clear if the campers who are eligible for the vaccine were vaccinated prior to the camp trip. The church has not responded to ABC News’ request for comment.
The church is contacting all those impacted.
“From the beginning of the pandemic, we have sought to love our neighbors by practicing strict safety protocols. We are surprised and saddened by this turn of events. Our hearts break for those infected with the virus,” Bruce Wesley, the church’s lead pastor, said in the statement.
The church recommended in-person worship starting April 7 and allowed for the removal of masks in May, in accordance with the state’s phased reopening.
The Galveston County Health District is investigating the outbreak.
The department was notified of the first positive case tied to the camp on June 27, GCHD said in a release.
“This is a reminder that COVID-19 is still here and we have to take precautions,” Dr. Philip Keiser, the Galveston County local health authority, said. “If you’re old enough to get vaccinated and haven’t, now is the time. These vaccines are safe and offer the best protection against COVID-19 to you, your family and your community.”
In Galveston County, the population of those aged 12 and up is 57% partially vaccinated and 52% fully vaccinated. Overall in Texas, 51% of the population aged 12 and up is fully vaccinated, per state data.
White House officials recently said younger Americans seem “less eager” to get the COVID-19 vaccine. At the moment, anyone 12 and older can receive the Pfizer vaccine. Those who are 18 and older are eligible for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
“Younger people, particularly those in their 20s, have felt less vulnerable to the disease and, therefore, less eager to get shots. They were made eligible later, so they have not been eligible as long, and we continue to see hundreds of thousands of young people vaccinated each week,” White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients told ABC “This Week” co-anchor Martha Raddatz.
In a new ABC News/Washington Post poll, among those not vaccinated, 74% said they probably or definitely won’t get a shot, which is up from 55% in April.
The result may be increased cases among youth. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released July 2 shows that confirmed COVID-19 admissions among those under 18 increased 11% over the past week.
(WASHINGTON) — While Capitol Police are marking six months since the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by touting changes the agency has made to better prepare for such incidents, Congress continues its push for further investigations into the deadly incident.
In a letter released by the Capitol Police Tuesday morning, acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman paid tribute to the officers who lost their lives defending the Capitol in January and charted a path forward for the agency.
“We will never forget USCP Officers Brian Sicknick and Howie Liebengood, who died after the attack, nor the sacrifices of the nearly 150 law enforcement officers who were injured,” she wrote. “Throughout the last six months, the United States Capitol Police has been working around the clock with our Congressional stakeholders to support our officers, enhance security around the Capitol Complex, and pivot towards an intelligence-based protective agency.”
A Jan. 6 rally in support of then-President Donald Trump turned deadly after Trump encouraged his supporters to march to Capitol Hill, where Congress was meeting to certify Joe Biden’s election win.
Rioters breached barricades and security checkpoints, forcing Vice President Mike Pence and lawmakers to evacuate or shelter in place and temporarily disrupting the certification. Five people, including Sicknick, died during or after the riot, 140 police officers were injured and the Capitol building suffered approximately $1.5 million in damage.
Pittman touted changes the agency has made since then, such as increased information sharing and training.
She wrote that the U.S. Capitol Police have opened offices in Florida and California to monitor threats outside the district, with more offices set to open, and is working with congressional oversight committees so the Capitol Police can immediately request assistance from the National Guard.
The National Guard, which was stationed at the Capitol since Jan. 6, left on May 24.
“Those are just some of the improvements the United States Capitol Police is making, with the support of our Congressional stakeholders, in the wake of the January 6 attack,” Pittman wrote.
The Justice Department has charged more than 500 people with actions related to the riot at the Capitol — with crimes ranging from misdemeanors to conspiracy.
The FBI is still on the hunt for the suspect who it said placed pipe bombs outside the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee the night before the riot.
The U.S. Capitol has seen an increase in physical security measures since the riot as well.
In a statement, Capitol police said they don’t discuss plans due to security concerns, but the outer permitter of the fencing that has been around the Capitol since right after the attack came down on March 24 and the remainder is slated to come down this week, sources familiar with the plan told ABC News.
The move comes as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi created a House committee to investigate the events of Jan. 6 last week after Republicans in the Senate blocked the creation of a bipartisan committee to investigate the attack in a late May vote.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell pointed to investigative work being done by Senate committees, most notably a joint effort by the Senate Rules and Homeland Security, as evidence for why a bipartisan commission was not needed.
That joint effort yielded a 95-page report that found significant breakdowns ranging “from federal intelligence agencies failing to warn of a potential for violence to a lack of planning and preparation by (U.S. Capitol Police) and law enforcement leadership.”
But the joint report was narrow in scope and did not examine events leading up to the Jan. 6 insurrection. Democrats called for further action, prompting Pelosi to form the select committee.
She tapped GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, who was stripped from her No. 3 leadership position in the House Republican conference due to her criticism of Trump, to serve on the committee, along with seven other Democrats.
“We are very honored and proud she has agreed to serve on the committee,” Pelosi told reporters Thursday.
House Homeland Security Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., will serve as chairman, which was widely expected.
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy is allowed to appoint five Republicans to the committee, in consultation with Pelosi, who has ultimate veto power, but McCarthy has not yet named Republican members to the committee.
ABC News’ Alexander Mallin contributed to this report.
Saweetie has upgraded from a Bentley to a Rolls-Royce. In case you missed it, the “Fast (Motion)” rapper gifted herself a White Rolls-Royce Cullinan to celebrate her 28th birthday this weekend.
On Monday, Saweetie shared a photo of herself posing in front of the vehicle in an orange bikini to match the luxury car’s leather interior. “I just like really expensive things,” she wrote on Instagram.
The price of Saweetie’s costly car starts at $300,000, which is nearly $20,000 more than what her custom Bentley Continental was sold for through Jakes Motorcars, a luxury and exotic vehicle dealership in San Diego, California.
Saweetie received the custom Bentley from her ex Quavo last December, as previously reported. Following their breakup in March, the Migos rapper had the customized vehicle repossessed. It featured metal snowflakes on the exterior and the word “ICY” embroidered on the headrests — a nod to Saweetie’s breakout 2017 single “ICY GRL.”
Quavo seemingly mentioned taking back Saweetie’s Bentley on “Having Our Way,” from Migos’ latest album, Culture III.
“Havin’ my way, now this [ish] like a business/ Load up the bases, now I feel like Cal Ripken/ She had it her way, now she out of a Bentley,” he raps on the track.
The Offspring is premiering a new video this week.
The SoCal punks will drop the visual for “This Is Not Utopia,” the opening track off the band’s new album, Let the Bad Times Roll, on Wednesday, July 7, at 11 a.m. ET.
“This Is Not Utopia” will be the third Bad Times track to get a video, following the title track and the chimp-starring “We Never Have Sex Anymore,” the latter of which resulted in an admonishing letter from PETA.
Let the Bad Times Roll, the 10th Offspring album, was released in April. It’s the group’s first new record in nine years.
After being postponed this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the star-studded ’70s Rock & Romance Cruise is set to return in February 2022. The seagoing music festival is almost sold out, but a few new artists recently were added to the lineup.
The new additions are the Little River Band, former Chicago singer/bassist Jason Scheff, and ex-Boston guitarist Barry Goodreau‘s current band Barry Goudreau’s Engine Room.
These acts join a bill that already included Foreigner, The Guess Who, War, 10cc, The Family Stone, Air Supply, Melissa Manchester, Jim Messina, and Badfinger featuring Joey Molland.
The nostalgic nautical extravaganza is scheduled to set sail from Miami on February 19 and will stop on St. Maarten on February 22 and St. Thomas on February 23 before returning to port on the 26th.
Famed producer and Peter & Gordon singer Peter Asher will serve as the cruise’s host.
In addition to the many performances, the ’70s Rock & Romance Cruise will feature Q&A sessions and panel discussions with some of the artists, plus themed parties, wine tastings, trivia contests, game shows, karaoke, pool parties and more. Married couples also will have the opportunity to renew their wedding vows.
For more details about the cruise, including cabin availability, visit RockandRomanceCruise.com or call 844-466-7625.
