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Blizzard Entertainment president departs after accusations of fostering a ‘frat boy’ culture

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(IRVINE, Calif.) — The president of Blizzard Entertainment is departing the company after accusations that a “frat boy” workplace culture fostered gender discrimination and sexual harassment.

In a letter to staff posted on its website, the chief operating officer of Blizzard’s parent company, Activision Blizzard, announced Tuesday that J. Allen Brack was leaving “to pursue new opportunities.”

COO Daniel Alegre also said that Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra have been appointed as the new “co-leaders of Blizzard.”

The leadership shakeup at the maker of popular video games including “Overwatch” and “World of Warcraft” comes after a lawsuit that alleges rampant discrimination and sexual harassment at the company.

California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed the suit late last month, which accuses the company of fostering a sexist culture and paying women less than men for similar work. Moreover, it states that women were promoted at slower rates than men and fired or forced to quit at higher frequencies than men.

The agency also said that women were subject to constant sexual harassment and the company failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the conduct even when it was known.

The complaint states the company “fostered a pervasive ‘frat boy’ workplace culture” that is “a breeding ground for harassment and discrimination against women.” It also mentioned a “particularly tragic example,” stating that “a female employee committed suicide during a business trip with a male supervisor.”

“Numerous complaints” were made to human resources, according to the lawsuit, but the company did not address them and female employees who went to HR were subject to retaliation.

Blizzard Entertainment did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for further comment on the allegations raised in the lawsuit, but Activision Blizzard’s CEO Bobby Kotick sent a letter to staff shortly after it was filed promising sweeping workplace reforms and announcing the law firm WilmerHale had been tapped to conduct a review of policies and procedures.

His full letter was shared with investors on the company’s website.

“This has been a difficult and upsetting week,” Kotick said in the July 27 letter to employees. “I want to recognize and thank all those who have come forward in the past and in recent days. I so appreciate your courage.”

In a statement to IGN, the company said the “DFEH includes distorted, and in many cases false, descriptions of Blizzard’s past.”

Kotick promised the company was taking “swift action to be the compassionate, caring company you came to work for and to ensure a safe environment.”

“There is no place anywhere at our Company for discrimination, harassment, or unequal treatment of any kind,” Kotick wrote. “We will do everything possible to make sure that together, we improve and build the kind of inclusive workplace that is essential to foster creativity and inspiration.”

He also acknowledged that initial responses to concerns “were, quite frankly, tone deaf.” He encouraged employees to contact WilmerHale’s team to voice any concerns.

The overhaul at the video game giant comes years after much of the entertainment sector was hit with a #MeToo revolution that toppled prominent male executives across multiple industries.

Some critics have said the tech sector’s gender equity efforts still lag behind.

Kevin Kish, the director of California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing, called for all employers to ensure equal pay and take steps to prevent discrimination and harassment in a statement announcing the Blizzard suit.

“This is especially important for employers in male-dominated industries, such as technology and gaming,” Kish added.

Flu shot linked to less severe COVID-19: Study

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — People who got a flu shot earlier this year may be less likely to suffer a severe COVID-19 infection down the road, according to new research.

The study, published in the journal Plos One on Wednesday, analyzed the electronic medical records of more than 74,700 people from the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Israel and Singapore, who tested positive for COVID-19. Researchers found that those who had gotten the flu vaccine during the previous six months were less likely to have had health complications related to their COVID-19 infection.

Specifically, researchers found that those who didn’t get flu shots were up to 20% more likely to be admitted to the ICU; up to 58% more likely to visit the emergency room; up to 45% more likely to develop sepsis; up to 58% more likely to have a stroke; and 40% more likely to develop deep vein thrombosis, compared with those vaccinated against the flu.

Researchers didn’t find any connection between receiving a flu shot and being less likely to die from COVID-19.

The new research is in line with several previous studies that found links between better COVID-19 outcomes and flu shots. That prior research similarly didn’t find the flu vaccine offered any protection against COVID-19 death.

Importantly, the flu shot’s link to better COVID-19 outcomes doesn’t necessarily mean it’s protective against the novel coronavirus. While it’s possible that the flu shot boosts immunity, it’s also possible that people who opt to get the flu shot tend to be healthier overall than people who skip it, meaning they’re already at lower risk for COVID-19 complications.

Additionally, the flu shot changes every flu season, so it’s unclear whether the vaccine developed for the 2020-2021 flu season would have the same link to less severe COVID-19 that the 2019-2020 vaccine did.

Another key limitation with electronic medical records is that different countries may report symptoms differently and use different diagnostic tests to confirm SARS-CoV-2 diagnoses, which could skew the data.

While more research is needed, the study authors noted, “Even patients who have already received SARS-CoV-2 vaccination may stand to benefit given that the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine does not convey complete immunity.”

Pentagon identifies police officer killed in attack

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — The police officer stabbed and then fatally shot during an attack at the Pentagon’s bus terminal on Tuesday has been identified as George Gonzalez, a Brooklyn native and Iraq War veteran who joined the Pentagon police force in 2018.

Gonzalez was killed Tuesday after being stabbed by a man identified by the FBI on Wednesday as Austin William Lanz, 27, of Acworth, Georgia.

In a series of tweets, the FBI said the assailant exited a bus at the transit center in Arlington, Virginia, and — without provocation — attacked Gonzalez with a knife, severely wounding him.

Two law enforcement sources told ABC News Tuesday that Gonzalez was stabbed in the head from behind and then disarmed.

A struggle ensued and the assailant mortally wounded Gonzalez with his own service weapon and then shot himself. The FBI also said there were other Pentagon Force Protection Agency officers who engaged with the subject, but he died at the scene.

A civilian bystander was also hurt during the incident and was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening.

In addition to the Pentagon police officers, the Metro Transit Police Department, Arlington County Police Department and the FBI Washington Field Office responded to the incident. The FBI’s investigation continues.

The Pentagon Force Protection Agency confirmed their officer’s death Tuesday night and identified him Wednesday.

“Last night, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency observed End of Watch for Pentagon Police Officer George Gonzalez who was tragically killed yesterday during the incident at the Pentagon bus platform,” the Pentagon Force Protection Agency said in a statement Wednesday.

“A native of Brooklyn, New York, he was a die-hard Yankees fan. He was a graduate of New York City’s Canarsie High School,” the statement continued.

“George Gonzalez joined the Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA) as a police officer on July 22, 2018. As a Pentagon Police officer, he took our mission of “protecting those who protect our nation” to heart,” it added. “He was promoted twice and attained the rank of Senior Officer in 2020. A gregarious officer, he was well-liked and respected by his fellow officers.”

A U.S. Army veteran who had been awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service in Iraq Gonzalez had previously served with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Transportation Security Administration.

“Officer Gonzalez embodied our values of integrity and service to others,” said the agency statement. “As we mourn the loss of Officer Gonzalez, our commitment to serve and protect is stronger. Officer Gonzalez’s family is in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace.”

In a statement shared by the agency in a series of tweets, the officer’s family said they were heartbroken over the death of their son and brother, but were proud of the life he had lived.

“George devoted his life to serving his country; first in the military, and then, as a law enforcement officer, he continued to serve by protecting service members and citizens of this country,” statement from the Gonzalez/Rubert family said. “He had an infectious personality and was fiercely loved by his family and friends. He loved his country, his family, and the Yankees. He was one of the good guys with a big heart and we will miss him always.”

Tuesday evening Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed his condolences to the family of the slain officer and ordered that flags at the Pentagon be flown at half-staff in his honor.

“This fallen officer died in the line of duty, helping protect the tens of thousands of people who work in — and who visit — the Pentagon on a daily basis,” Austin said in a statement.

“He and his fellow officers are members of the Pentagon family, and known to us all as professional, skilled and brave,” he said. “This tragic death today is a stark reminder of the dangers they face and the sacrifices they make. We are forever grateful for that service and the courage with which it is rendered.

Lanz enlisted in the Marine Corps on Oct. 9, 2012 but was administratively separated on Nov. 2, 2012 and never earned the title Marine, according to the Marine Corps.

He was arrested in Cobb County, Georgia, in April on several charges — including aggravated battery against police, rioting in a penal institution and making terrorist threats or acts, according to county online court records. The judge in that case ordered Lanz have a mental health and substance abuse evaluation and he was released on a $30,000 bond.

The FBI Atlanta office is also conducting an investigation into Lanz, law enforcement sources told ABC News on Tuesday.

ABC News’ Cindy Smith and Lauren King contributed to this report.

Justine Skye releases a music video for her ‘Space and Time’ track “In My Bag”

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Justine Skye has unveiled the music video for her new single, “In My Bag.”

The R&B singer and her two gorgeous friends have a fun-filled day cruising around town and having brunch in the Loris Russier-directed visual. The video ends with the ladies screaming into the camera after smashing a room full of televisions and other electronics, making their likes on social media drop from the thousands to zero.

“And I ain’t gon’ let up /Know these [chicks] mad at me soon as they get up,” Skye songs. “Know your man lookin’ at my page when he get up /Know the cash, hit the bank when the phone lit up.”

“In My Bag” follows visuals for Justine Skye’s other singles, “Twisted Fantasy” and “Intruded.” All three songs are featured on her latest project, Space and Time, produced entirely by legendary hitmaker Timbaland.

Louis C.K. going back on tour

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Disgraced comedian and former Louie star Louis C.K. is going back on a nationwide tour.

His official website just revealed information on the new dates. The tour will visit 30 cities, kicking off with an August 13-14 stand at the Hulu Theatre at New York City’s Madison Square Garden and wrapping up with a pair of shows, December 10 and 11, at Boston’s Orpheum Theatre. The trek also will stop at venues in states including Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Washington and California.

Some of the dates, the site notes, are rescheduled from last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the tour to a stop.

C.K. has returned to the stand-up stage periodically after his Emmy-winning career was sidelined in 2017, when a group of women accused him of exposing himself and engaging in other inappropriate behavior.

He also turned to releasing pay-per-view stand-up specials on his site.

Tim and Faith to star in ‘Yellowstone’ prequel

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are set to star in the prequel to Yellowstone.

Described in a release as “a stark retelling of Western expansion,” the series titled 1883 will follow “the Dutton family as they embark on a journey west through the Great Plains” to “flee poverty to seek a better future in… Montana.” The show will also feature Oscar winner Sam Elliott.

Tim and Faith will play James and Margaret Dutton, the “patriarch and matriarch” of the family.

“This is truly a dream job,” Tim says. “[Show creator] Taylor [Sheridan] has found a way of storytelling that brilliantly creates these epic dramas and family sagas with so much depth and creativity. The Duttons are tremendous characters and it’s so thrilling to be able to bring them to life.”

“As a kid growing up riding horses,” Tim adds, “you think about dream jobs like this and I am just so excited to work with this amazing cast and crew.”

His real-life wife agrees.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Faith says. “The Duttons are a formidable family and it is an absolute dream to bring such a strong female character like Margaret Dutton to life. I am humbled and honored to work with Taylor and his entire team.”

You’ll be able to watch 1883 via the Paramount+ streaming service. So far, there’s no word on when it will premiere.

Patti Smith, Joni Mitchell, Jim Morrison among music artists with the biggest vocabularies, study finds

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Elena Di Vincenzo/Archivio Elena Di Vincenzo/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

Besides being the godmother of punk, Patti Smith also is an acclaimed poet and an award-winning author. So it’s no surprise Smith is the singer with the biggest vocabulary, according to a new study that ranks 200 different music artists based on their song lyrics.

Word.Tips, which conducted the study, found that Smith uses 217 unique words per 1,000 words appearing in her songs.

At #2 is legendary singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell, with 199. Other veteran artists ranked in the top 10 include late Doors frontman Jim Morrison at #4, with 177; late country singer Hank Williams at #6, with 167; The Everly Brothers‘ Don Everly at #7, with 163; Bonnie Raitt at #8, with 159; and the late Johnny Cash at #10, with 158.

Perhaps surprisingly, Bob Dylan, the singer/songwriter considered by many to be one of the music world’s greatest wordsmiths, was at #44 on the list with 130 unique words per 1,000 — tied with David Bowie.

However, Dylan does top a separate list ranking the artists who have used the most unique words over the course of their entire career. According to the study, he has 12,285 different words in his songs. Prince is second on the tally, with 11,430; Elton John is third, with 9,467; Lou Reed‘s fourth, with 8,979; and Bruce Springsteen is fifth, with 8,862.

The artists that are part of the study came from Rolling Stone‘s list of the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time,” and a list of Spotify’s 100 most-listened-to modern stars as determined by Kworb.net.

Duchess Meghan marks 40th birthday by launching mentorship initiative

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(CALIFORNIA) — For her 40th birthday, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, launched a mentorship initiative for women re-entering the workforce after losing their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The campaign — from the duchess’ nonprofit foundation, Archewell, which she founded with husband Prince Harry — is named 40×40 and is meant to encourage people around the world to give 40 minutes of their time to support women going back to work.

“In reflecting on my 40th birthday and the many things I am grateful for, I’m struck that time is among our greatest and most essential gifts: Time with our loved ones, time doing the things we love, time spent learning, laughing, growing, and the sacred time we have on this earth,” Meghan wrote. “Amongst the most valuable gifts of time is also time spent in service to others knowing that it can contribute to incredible change.”

“To that last point, and with my 40th lap around the sun in mind, it made me wonder: What would happen if we all committed 40 minutes to helping someone else or to mentoring someone in need?” she continued. “And then what would happen if we asked our friends to do the same?”

The duchess went on to note that “tens of millions of women around the world have left the workforce” due to COVID-19, “including over 2 million in the U.S.” She also noted that “the latest research shows that fewer women than men will regain work” as society rebounds from the pandemic.

“I believe mentorship is one way to help women regain confidence and rebuild their economic strength,” Meghan added.

“The time that you donate can contribute to a global wave of service and set in motion meaningful impact in our own communities, and across the world,” she concluded.

Meghan asked 40 activists, athletes, artists and world leaders to join her in donating 40 minutes of mentorship. Among those who have agreed to participating include Adele, Amanda Gorman, Amanda Nguyen, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Gloria Steinem, José Andrés, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau and Stella McCartney.

For more information on 40×40, including how you can get involved, visit the Archewell site.

‘Motor MythBusters’ revs up today

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Have you ever wondered if you can really reverse an odometer by driving your dad’s vintage Ferrari in reverse, a la Ferris Bueller? Or how Fred Flinstone was able to get his foot-powered family car rolling?

If so, you’re in luck, as Motor MythBusters, a spin-off of the hit original MythBusters series, is revving up today on the MotorTrend app.

Tory Belleci, special effects whiz and MythBusters veteran, joins All Girls Garage star and ace mechanic Faye Hadley, as well as engineer and professional race car driver Bisi Ezerioha, to take on the myths about vehicles of all kinds from movies and TV shows.

“When they first called, I didn’t actually believe it was going to happen just because there had been so many kind of reboots…of MythBusters,” Tory admitted to ABC Audio.

Calling it the “gearhead’s MythBusters,” Tory explains of his co-stars, “the skills that these guys bring to the show, it’s allowing us to do things that we would never have been able to do in the original series.”

Speaking of which, Faye admitted with a laugh, “I grew up under a rock, I never had television. I never heard of MythBusters!” She said she couldn’t believe they’d want her for the job. “I’m like…’I’m not a host, I’m a mechanic!'”

As for Bisi, he was a huge fan of the original, so getting a chance to work on the spin-off was a full-circle moment. “I wasn’t made privy to what show it was [during auditions].” he says. “And then when it was said what show it was…I fell out of my chair, literally.”

The first two Motor MythBusters episodes are now live on the MotorTrend app.

Jadakiss crowns himself “The Black Mamba of vocals” after Verzuz battle

August 4, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Jadakiss backstage at Madison Square Garden during his August 3, 2021 Verzuz; Johnny Nunez/WireImage

Jadakiss feels like Kobe Bryant after Tuesday night’s Verzuz battle between The Lox and Dipset. Both legendary rap groups went back and forth playing their group anthems, as well as their classic solo hits, at the Hulu Theater in New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

On Wednesday, Jadakiss crowned himself “The Black Mamba of the vocals” on Instagram and shared a photo of himself wearing a DMX jacket while holding a bottle of what appears to be champagne. The image pays homage to late Los Angeles Lakers player Bryant, who sat in the same pose while holding the championship trophy after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2001 NBA Finals.

Jadakiss is the first rapper to win two Verzuz battles after his solo match-up against Fabulous in June 2020. Fans were impressed with the Lox rapper delivering another killer performance at the age of 46 with the same passion and hunger he had during his early years under Bad Boy Records.

“Jadakiss smoked Fab and Dipset by himself. Now yall understand why Kiss is top five dead or alive,” tweeted one fan, while another said, “If you want to be a rapper, study Jadakiss’ breath control.”

Another fan tweeted, “Jadakiss went through two different #verzuz and ran each one, solo and with a crew. It’s proper time we rewrite the books on how damn special he is at this rapping/performing/entertainment thing.”

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