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Wisconsin Christmas parade victims: What we know about the lives lost

November 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(WAUKESHA, Wis.) — Six people, including an 8-year-old, were killed after an SUV driver plowed into a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Sunday afternoon.

The 39-year-old suspect is in custody.

Here is what we know about the lives lost:

Tamara Durand, 52

Tamara Durand was dancing for the first time with the Dancing Grannies group at the parade, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

A former elementary school teacher, Durand recently turned her focus to watching her grandson several days a week so her daughter could attend nursing school, the newspaper said.

Durand’s husband, Dave Durand, said in a statement, “Tammy was a vibrant, loving and warm woman who we all miss deeply already. Her memory will bring joy to all who knew her.”

Jane Kulich, 52

Jane Kulich is survived by her husband, three children and grandchildren, said her niece, Desiree Kulich.

Kulich was family-oriented, her niece said, and went to church each Sunday and held a family game night on the weekends.

“My aunt Jane was one of those people that could be described as an angel on Earth. She was one of those people that you could tell anything to and not fear to be judged,” Desiree Kulich told ABC News via email.

“Family was always first,” she said. “The whole family feels robbed.”

Virginia Sorenson, 79

Virginia Sorenson was dancing with the Dancing Grannies at the parade, a group she had been with for 19 years.

She loved to dance and helped choreograph the group’s routines, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Sorenson was a registered nurse, grandmother and animal lover, caring at home for horses, chickens, dogs and cats, the Sentinel reported.

She leaves behind a husband of 56 years, the Sentinel reported.

Wilhelm Hospel, 81

Wilhelm Hospel’s wife, Lola, was a former member of the Dancing Grannies and a friend of victim Leanna Owen, said Owen’s son.

Wilhelm Hospel was retired but spent his time doing repair work at a rental property he owned, his brother, Theodore Hospel, told The New York Post.

“He was so healthy,” Theodore Hospel said. “He was a strong person and even would help me out a lot of times because he was so strong. I cannot believe it.”

Leanna Owen, 71

Leanna Owen, who went by Lee, was a grandmother of three and a member of the Dancing Grannies.

Her son, Chris Owen, called the group “a big part of her life,” adding, “She loved dancing in the parades.”

Chris Owen said in a statement to ABC News, “She tried to help everyone she could. People who knew her loved her.”

Jackson Sparks, 8

Jackson Sparks, 8, and his 12-year-old brother Tucker were both hospitalized in intensive care after being “seriously injured” at the parade, according to a statement released Tuesday by a local church on behalf of their parents.

Jackson died on Tuesday from his injuries.

“Tucker, by the grace of God is miraculously recovering,” the statement said.

Jeff Rogers, president of the Waukesha Blazers Baseball/Fastpitch Softball Club, called Jackson “a sweet, talented boy who was a joy to coach.”

“Jackson was tender-hearted with a contagious smile,” Rogers said. “He was the little guy on the team that everyone supported. You couldn’t help but love him.”

ABC News’ Nadine Shubailat, Ahmad Hemingway, Jessica Hornig and Aaron Katersky contributed to this report.

Ahmaud Arbery death trial live updates: Jury asks to review evidence for first time

November 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(BRUNSWICK, Ga.) — A Georgia jury resumed deliberating on Wednesday the fates of three white men charged with trapping Ahmaud Arbery with their pickup trucks and fatally shooting him.

“Your oath requires that you will decide this case based on the evidence,” Judge Timothy Walmsley told the jury before sending the panel off to begin their deliberations on Tuesday.

The jury got the case after Linda Dunikoski, the Cobb County, Georgia, assistant district attorney appointed as a special prosecutor in the Glynn County case, took two hours to rebut the closing arguments made on Monday by attorneys for the three defendants.

The jury, comprised of 11 white people and one Black person, heard wildly different summations on Monday of the same evidence in the racially-charged case. Dunikoski alleged the defendants pursued and murdered Arbery because of wrong assumptions they made that the Black man running through their neighborhood had committed a burglary, while defense attorneys countered that Arbery was shot in self-defense when he resisted a citizen’s arrest.

Travis McMichael, the 35-year-old U.S. Coast Guard veteran; his father, Gregory McMichael, 65, a retired Glynn County police officer, and their neighbor, William “Roddie” Bryan, 53, each face maximum sentences of life in prison if convicted on all the charges.

The defendants have pleaded not guilty to a nine-count state indictment that includes malice murder, multiple charges of felony murder, false imprisonment, aggravated assault with a 12-gauge shotgun and aggravated assault with their pickup trucks.

The McMichaels and Bryan were also indicted on federal hate crime charges in April and have all pleaded not guilty.

Latest headlines:
-Jury resumes deliberations
-Jury sent home for the night
-Defense attorneys call for a mistrial
-‘Ignorance of the law is no excuse’: Prosecutor
-Travis McMichael’s attorney gives closing argument
-Prosecutor says defendants attacked Arbery because he was Black

Here’s how the news developed. All times Eastern.

Nov 24, 10:11 am
Jury asks to view video of Arbery shooting

The jury was shown multiple times the now-famous video showing a struggle between Travis McMichael and Ahmaud Arbery over McMichael’s shotgun that partly captured the fatal shooting.

The panel sent a note to Judge Walmsley asking to view a short version of the video and an enhanced, high-contrast video of the deadly struggle. As per their request, the jury was played the videos three times each.

It was the first request from the jury to review any evidence in the case since they began deliberating on Tuesday.

The jury also asked to hear a 911 call between Greg McMichael and a police dispatcher around the time of the shooting on Feb. 23, 2020. In the 911 call played for the jury inside the Glynn County courtroom, Greg McMichael is heard explaining his emergency was “there’s a Black male running down the street.” He was also overheard yelling to Arbery: “Stop. Goddammit, stop” and “Travis.”

Nov 24, 9:01 am
Jury resumes deliberations

The jury resumed its deliberations on Wednesday morning, after working a little over six hours on Tuesday.

The panel was called into the Glynn County courtroom around 8:30 a.m. and Judge Walmsley thanked them for their service and sent them off to continue their discussions.

Nov 23, 6:34 pm
Jury sent home for the night

After more than six hours of deliberations on Tuesday, the jury was sent home for the night.

Judge Timothy Walmsley sent the panel home after questioning the jury foreperson about the jury’s progress.

“We are in the process of working to reach a verdict,” the jury foreperson told Walmsley.

When Walmsley asked if a verdict was imminent, the foreperson said, “At this moment, I think breaking for the day would be the best option.”

The foreperson went back and conferred with the other jurors, who initially said they wanted to keep working. But minutes later, Walmsley called the jury into the courtroom and told the panel it was a good time to break for the day and sent them home.

Deliberations will resume at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Nov 23, 11:34 am
Judge gives jury final instructions

Judge Timothy Walmsley read the jury final instructions and explained the law and each charge to the jury before sending the panel off to deliberate their verdicts.

Walmsley told the jury that they must reach a unanimous verdict beyond a reasonable doubt, explaining that does not mean “beyond all doubt” or to a “mathematical certainty.”

He reminded the jury that the defendants have all pleaded not guilty to the charges and that the burden of proof is solely on the prosecution.

Walmsley said that lesser charges could only be considered against William “Roddie” Bryan. He said the lesser charges against Bryan are simple assault, reckless conduct and reckless driving.

“Each of you must decide this case for yourself,” Walmsley said.

Report: Justin Timberlake open to talking with Britney Spears

November 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Britney Spears recently criticized people in her industry, such as Christina Aguilera, for not speaking out against her controversial conservatorship. According to a new report, Justin Timberlake doesn’t think those words apply to him.

Hollywood Life quotes as supposed source as claiming the “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” singer is very happy for Britney, whom he famously dated from 1999 to 2002, and “loves” that she’s no longer in a conservatorship. The insider also claims that Justin is keeping the door open for his ex to reach out when she’s ready.

“Justin would love to talk to Britney if Britney wanted to talk to him,” the source spilled, adding that he “hasn’t reached out to her personally, yet.”

“He is not at all discouraged not to. It is just important for Justin is that he comes across as genuine because this is his true intentions,” per the source.

That decision may be influenced by the Framing Britney Spears documentary, which looked into the role he played in Britney’s fall from grace by revisiting his less-than-gentlemanly behavior after their breakup. JT subsequently wrote a lengthy apology to Britney in February, saying on Instagram, “I know I failed.”

The source adds that Justin is “secure” that Britney “heard his apology” and adds, “if she needed him in any way, he would gladly help out in any way that he could… He has her back from a far right now but that could easily change if and when Britney needs anything more.”

Speaking of Britney, she whipped fans into a frenzy on Tuesday by claiming she “just shot a movie titled ‘THE IDOL,'” sparking rumors that she’s part of The Weeknd‘s upcoming HBO show of the same name.

TMZ shot down the reports, adding Britney might be referring to a personal project.

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Kim Fields goes all out for the holidays — take-out, that is

November 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Millions of Americans are already in the kitchen, getting things together for the big Thanksgiving feast, but actress Kim Fields isn’t among them.

The former Facts of Life and Living Single star has been busy promoting her upcoming VH1 movie, Adventures in Christmasing, which debuts Monday. But promo or no, she’s not letting her personal holiday tradition change this year: getting all her food from the good folks at the Honey Baked Ham company.

“My specialty is driving to Honey Baked to get everything I need for the holidays,” Kim says by phone. “There is no shame in my game. I am woman enough to say so and I enjoy it!”

She adds with a big laugh, “That’s the thing, you know: Be thankful for other people in business!”

Co-written by Fields, Adventures in Christmasing also stars Kel Mitchell, Jonathan Silverman and Eva Marcille. It airs at 9 p.m. Monday on VH1.

Taylor Swift celebrates Grammy nod with champagne and a teaser

November 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Taylor Swift is celebrating evermore‘s Grammy nomination for Album of the Year by dressing fancy and drinking champagne.

Taking to Twitter once the nominations were announced, Taylor shared a black and white video of her sitting at the bottom of a spiral staircase and singing “Champagne Problems” as collaborator Aaron Dessner accompanies her on the piano. The singer is wearing the same lavish white dress she wore in the “I Bet You Think About Me” music video. The clip, which was shot overhead, presents an alternative angle of the gown and shows even more details about it, including its massive train.

“NO PROBLEMS TODAY JUST CHAMPAGNE,” Taylor wrote. “I wanted to share this video with you from when @aaron_dessner and I were doing our fittings for the video and there was a piano, so ofc this happened. SO stoked evermore has been honored like this. Congrats to all our fellow nominees.”

Aaron reposted the video and jokingly added, along with three red heart emojis, “well folkmore….the piano did seem a little lonely just sitting there.”

Taylor is against some stiff competition for Album of the Year: expanded field of nominees includes her protégé, Olivia Rodrigo, as well as Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, Lil Nas X, H.E.R., Doja Cat, Kanye West and the Grammy’s most-nominated act, Jon Batiste.

Find out if Taylor takes home yet another golden gramophone trophy when the 64th annual Grammy Awards airs January 31 starting at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

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Makeda’s Homemade Cookies honors the memory of the late Young Dolph

November 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

The late Young Dolph was fatally shot a week ago at Makeda’s Homemade Cookies in Memphis, Tennessee. Now the business is honoring his memory in a special way.

The shop in South Memphis closed following the shooting and became the location for a memorial for Dolph as fans left flowers, balloons, stuffed animals and messages of love. Now the separate downtown Makeda’s location is naming Dolph’s favorite cookie, chocolate chip, after him, according to The Blast.

The South Memphis shop on Airways Blvd., where the shooting took place, created a GoFundMe account to raise money to reopen, and nearly $87,000 had been donated toward a $150,000 goal as of noon Wednesday. A message on the page reads, “The store that was just repaired after burglaries will now have to begin again. Young Dolph was helping them attract more customers by frequently visiting and posting to help increase revenue. Unfortunately, this black owned business is now being forced to repair once more while hurting. The message adds that the owners hope “the legacy of Young Dolph will continue to inspire us to love life and give back.”

As previously reported, Young Dolph held an annual Thanksgiving dinner giveaway in Memphis, and after his death on November 17, the event was held on Friday. His organizations, Paper Route Empire and the Ida Mae Family Foundation, hosted the holiday celebration in the Castalia Heights neighborhood in the city.

Jimmie Allen calls out “lazy doctors” after his newborn daughter is hospitalized: “Your job is to save lives”

November 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Jimmie Allen spoke out during a scary medical crisis on Tuesday night, saying that his five-week-old baby girl, Zara, had trouble breathing — and the medical staff working with his family did little to help her.

“Attention Doctors, if the parent of your one month old patient tells you the child [is] having a hard time breathing and the only thing your lazy self wants to do is check [her] heart and temperature, find another career,” he wrote on Twitter. “Your job is to save lives so do it.”

Jimmie and his wife, Alexis, who welcomed baby Zara in mid-October, were sent home from one hospital, only to rush to another later that same night, he goes on to say.

“Now thanks to the lazy doctors at a hospital in TN that just sent our daughter home, our daughter Zara lost color, stopped breathing and is being rushed to another hospital,” he explained in another tweet. “Thanks to the amazing EMT team that brought back Zara’s color, she can breathe again. Gonna be a rough night.”

Five-week-old Zara is Jimmie and Alexis’ second daughter together; they’re also parents to 20-month-old Naomi. Jimmie has a seven-year-old son, Aadyn, from a previous relationship.

While it’s been a difficult week in the singer’s personal life, he also hit a big career milestone Tuesday when he was nominated in the all-genre category of Best New Artist at the 2022 Grammy Awards.

Attention Doctors , if the parent of your one month old patient tells you the child having a hard time breathing and the only thing your lazy self wants to do is check heart heart and temperature find another career. Your job is to save lives so do it.

— Jimmie Allen (@JimmieAllen) November 24, 2021

Tai Verdes & Rob Thomas prepare for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debuts

November 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature established stars like Andy Grammer, Rob Thomas, Kelly Rowland, Sara Bareilles and Nelly, as well as rising artists like Zoe Wees and Tai Verdes. Tai’s happy for the opportunity to get in front of viewers who don’t know him from TikTok or the radio.

“It’s always really awesome to see the different steps that you can take to be exposed to more people,” he tells ABC Audio. “Especially with something like the Macy’s Day Parade, it’s kind of cool to see something that I’ve seen for like years and be a part of that.”

Tai will sing his hit “A-O-K” while riding on the Jennie-O float, but he laughs, “Honestly, they could put me on any float, and I’d be happy.” He doesn’t even mind that he’ll miss Thanksgiving dinner with his folks back in California.

“My family would usually just eat dinner together, we don’t have any crazy traditions, so it’s not like I’m missing out a lot,” he says. “But I’m also going back and having, like, a ‘Thanksgiving dinner’ after — on, like, Saturday and Sunday.”

Rob Thomas is also a first-timer when it come to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He’ll be singing a song from his new holiday album, Something About Christmas Time, while riding aboard the Hallmark Channel float, and he and his wife are equally thrilled.

“I’m stoked…my wife, growing up in Queens, [NY], that’s been her entire life,” he tells ABC Audio. “Christmas starts when Santa Claus goes past Macy’s, then, from that moment on for her, it’s the holidays.”

“I’m excited about doing it and I’m excited about doing it on the Hallmark float,” he adds. “That’s huge! That’s serious Christmas, right there. I am knee-deep in Christmas at that point!”

Ozzy Osbourne postpones European tour with Judas Priest to 2023

November 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Ozzy Osbourne has postponed his European tour.

The seemingly snakebit run, which also features Judas Priest on the bill, has now been delayed to 2023, four years after it was originally supposed to kick off.

You may recall that the tour was first scheduled to begin all the way back in January 2019, but was postponed to early 2020 after Ozzy came down with a particularly nasty case of the flu. In the spring of 2019, the now 72-year-old metal legend suffered a fall in his home and required surgery, the extended recovery from which forced him to push back the tour again to the fall of 2020.

Then, of course, came the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the tour once more, to 2022. Now, as a result of “ongoing uncertainty with full capacity events and travel logistics in much of Europe” stemming from the continued pandemic, Ozzy is set to finally hit Europe beginning May 2023.

Should you still have your ticket from any of the previously scheduled shows, that will be valid at the 2023 dates. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit Ozzy.com.

Ridley Scott blames millennials and their “f**cking cellphones” for box office failure of ‘The Last Duel’

November 24, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NOTE LANGUAGE) In his latest bit of cinematic “get off my lawn!”, legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott says millennials are to blame for his film The Last Duel fizzling at the box office.

Just days after he dissed superhero movies to Deadline as “boring as sh**,” Scott chatted with Marc Maron on his WTF podcast, and let millennials have it over the tepid theatrical performance of the Ben Affleck/Matt Damon medieval movie.

Released October 15, the movie has made just over $27 million globally on a reported budget of $100 million.

“I think what it boils down to — what we’ve got today [are] the audiences who were brought up on these f**king cell phones,” the director said. “The millennian do not ever want to be taught anything unless you are told it on the cell phone. This is a broad stroke, but I think we’re dealing with it right now with Facebook. There is a misdirection that has happened where it’s given the wrong kind of confidence to this latest generation, I think.”

He added, “We all thought it was a terrific script, and we made it,” allowing, “You can’t win all the time.”

Scott commented, “I’ve never had one regret on any movie I’ve ever made. Nothing. I learned very early on to be your own critic….Walk away. Make sure you’re happy. And don’t look back. That’s me.”

For the record, Scott believes he’s made three great superhero movies — but just not the comic book kind.

“One would be Alien with Sigourney Weaver,” he told Deadine. “One would be f***ing Gladiator, and one would be Harrison Ford [in Blade Runner]. They’re superhero movies. So, why don’t the superhero movies have better stories?”

Scott’s latest film, House of Gucci, is now in theaters.

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