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DOJ officials rejected colleague’s request to intervene in Georgia’s election certification: Emails

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Top members of the Department of Justice last year rebuffed another DOJ official who asked them to urge officials in Georgia to investigate and perhaps overturn President Joe Biden’s victory in the state — long a bitter point of contention for former President Donald Trump and his team — before the results were certified by Congress, emails reviewed by ABC News show.

The emails, dated Dec. 28, 2020, show the former acting head of DOJ’s civil division, Jeffrey Clark, circulating a draft letter — which he wanted then-acting attorney general Jeffrey Rosen and acting deputy attorney general Richard Donoghue to sign off on — urging Georgia’s governor and other top officials to convene the state legislature into a special session so lawmakers could investigate claims of voter fraud.

“The Department of Justice is investigating various irregularities in the 2020 election for President of the United States,” the draft letter said. “The Department will update you as we are able on investigatory progress, but at this time we have identified significant concerns that may have impacted the outcome of the election in multiple States, including the State of Georgia.”

The draft letter states: “While the Department of Justice believe[s] the Governor of Georgia should immediately call a special session to consider this important and urgent matter, if he declines to do so, we share with you our view that the Georgia General Assembly has implied authority under the Constitution of the United States to call itself into special session for [t]he limited purpose of considering issues pertaining to the appointment of Presidential Electors.”

The vote count in Georgia became a flashpoint for Trump and his allies and Trump at one point falsely claimed that it was “not possible” for him to have lost the state.

But to date, the Justice Department has uncovered no evidence of widespread voter fraud that would tip the results of the presidential election. Attorney General William Barr also announced in December that the department had “not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome of the election.” A statewide audit in Georgia last year also affirmed that Biden was the winner.

The emails were provided by the DOJ to the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating efforts to overturn the election results. And they come as the DOJ investigator general looks at whether any officials in the department sought to overturn the outcome of the election.

Last week the Department of Justice sent letters to six former Trump DOJ officials telling them that they can participate in Congress’ investigation into the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. One of those letters was to former Associate Deputy AG Patrick Hovakimian, who sources said sat for a transcribed interview Tuesday morning with the House Oversight Committee. Hovakimian is copied on the emails referenced above.

Notes from Donoghue released last week appeared to show that Trump tried to pressure the DOJ to assert that there was significant fraud in the election.

ABC News has requested comment from Clark but has not yet received a response. A spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee did not immediately respond to request for comment, nor did an attorney for Donoghue.

Clark attached the draft letter in an email to Rosen and Donoghue telling them “I think we should get it out as soon as possible.”

“Personally, I see no valid downsides to sending out the letter,” Clark wrote. “I put it together quickly and would want to do a formal cite check before sending but I don’t think we should let unnecessary moss grow on this.”

Clark separately asked for Rosen and Donoghue to authorize them to receive a classified briefing led by then-Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe the next day related to “foreign election interference issues,” while referencing an unspecified theory about hackers having evidence that a Dominion voting machine “accessed the Internet through a smart thermostat with a net connection trail leading back to China.”

Donoghue responded a little more than an hour later shooting down Clark’s request to sign on to the draft letter.

“There is no chance that I would sign this letter or anything remotely like this,” Donoghue said. “While it maybe true that the Department ‘is investigating various irregularities in the 2020 election for President’ (something we typically would not state publicly) the investigations that I am aware of relate to suspicions of misconduct that are of such a small scale that they simply would not impact the outcome of the Presidential Election.”

Donoghue closed his email response by stating that, while he was available to speak to Clark directly about his request, “from where I stand, this is not even within the realm of possibility.”

Donoghue cited former Attorney General William Barr’s previous statements that the department had no indication fraud had impacted the election to a significant degree, and that no information had surfaced since Barr’s departure that changed that assessment.

“Given that,” he said, “I cannot imagine a scenario in which the Department would recommend that a State assemble its legislature to determine whether already-certified election results should somehow be overriden by legislative action.”

He added that the draft letter’s statement that DOJ would update lawmakers on the investigatory progress was “dubious as we do not typically update non-law enforcement personnel on the progress of any investigations.”

Later that evening, Rosen responded as well, telling both Clark and Donoghue, “I confirmed again today that I am not prepared to sign such a letter.”

The New York Times reported in January about Clark appealing to Donoghue and Rosen to co-sign the draft letter.

In the days after the exchange, as ABC News has previously confirmed, both Rosen and Donoghue thwarted an attempt by Clark to have Trump appoint him acting attorney general.

Nas unveils the track list for ‘King’s Disease II,’ featuring Blxst, Charlie Wilson & more

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Nas has unveiled the track list for the sequel to his Hit-Boy produced album, King’s Disease, dropping this Friday. Co-executive-produced by Nas, King’s Disease II features A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, West Coast artists YG and Blxst, and music veterans like Charlie Wilson.

Nas reunites with Lauryn Hill on a track titled “Nobody.” It marks the long-awaited reunion between the New York emcee and the former Fugees singer, who sang vocals on Nas’ 1996 track, “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That),” from It Was Written.

Meanwhile, Eminem and legendary rap duo EPMD will join Nas on “EMPD 2.” The original “EMPD” arrived on the soundtrack to the film Judas and the Black Messiah, from director Shaka King.

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Few details released surrounding shooting, stabbing incident at Pentagon

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — A Pentagon police officer was attacked during a shooting and stabbing incident at the Pentagon Transit Center earlier Tuesday, Department of Defense officials have confirmed.

Chief Woodrow Kusse, who leads the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, joined Pentagon spokesman John Kirby at an afternoon press briefing to address the incident, but he would not provide details about casualties.

“This morning at about 10:37 a.m., a Pentagon police officer was attacked on the Metro Bus platform. Gunfire was exchanged. And there were — there were several casualties. The incident is over, the scene is secure and — most importantly — there’s no continuing threat to our community,” he said.

“The scene is safe and secure,” he added. “There were a number of people that fled and there were some erroneous reports.”

The FBI is leading the investigation into the attack.

Pressed on reports on whether an officer died, he said he couldn’t release those details as the investigation is ongoing.

“I don’t want to compromise the integrity of that process right now,” he said.

“I’m not confirming or denying those particular reports right now the investigation is ongoing. And I do promise to get back as soon as possible, with further details but I can’t release those right now,” he said, pressed also on details about the assailant.

“We are not actively looking for another suspect,” Kusse added.

The Pentagon was placed on lockdown Tuesday morning after the incident at the Pentagon Transit Center involving a stabbing and a shooting, according to a separate U.S. official.

The lockdown was later lifted and the Pentagon reopened, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency said shortly after noon.

The Pentagon had no details regarding the assailant’s motivation Tuesday afternoon, but Kusse said they will review the results of the investigation before making a determination on whether security measures should change.

“Every time an incident occurs, whether it’s here or anywhere else across the nation or in the world, we do after actions on those we examine them, we look for things that we can do to improve. But right now, again, it’s still pending, we will certainly, as this investigation concludes, take another look at any measures,” he said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley were not in the Pentagon at the time of the incident. They were both at the White House for their weekly meeting with President Joe Biden and they were all aware of the ongoing situation.

All of the circumstances of the shooting remain unclear while the investigation is ongoing. The Pentagon Force Protection Agency said the scene is secure but remains “an active crime scene.”

Kirby said Tuesday afternoon that Austin was back in the Pentagon and had a chance to visit the Pentagon police operations center to check in and express his gratitude for their work.

Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood make history on country charts with “If I Didn’t Love You”

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

ABC/Eric McCandless / Disney Channel/Image Group LA

Fans are clearly loving Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood‘s new duet.

Since its release on July 23, “If I Didn’t Love You” has bounded to #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, setting a record as the highest debut for a duet featuring a solo male and female artist since the chart’s inception in 1958.

It bests the previous record set by Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani when their hit “Nobody but You” debuted at #9 in 2019.

This marks Jason’s 35th top-10 hit on the Hot Country Songs chart and Carrie’s 30th. Her previous highest-charting debut on the chart was with Miranda Lambert on “Somethin’ Bad,” which bowed at #5 in 2014.

“If I Didn’t Love You” also has launched into the top 30 of the Billboard Country Airplay chart with a debut at #28, and sits at #1 on the Billboard Country Digital Song Sales Songs chart and #4 on the Billboard Country Streaming Songs tally.

“If I Didn’t Love You” serves as the lead single off Jason’s forthcoming album.

Love your child or new husband? Be like Joe Jonas and Gwen Stefani & say it with accessories

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Joe: Raymond Hall/GC Images; Blake & Gwen: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

What’s the best way to tell everyone how you feel about a loved one? Joe Jonas and Gwen Stefani have both been spotted wearing their hearts — not on their sleeves, but around their necks and on their feet.

Joe was photographed out in New York City recently with brothers Nick and Kevin, where the middle Jonas Brother was seen wearing a silver locket around his neck. The New York Post reports that the locket, which features a small diamond on the outside, is engraved “Willa,” which is the name of his and wife Sophie Turner‘s daughter. Willa recently celebrated her first birthday.

Not to be outdone, Gwen Stefani was photographed walking around Los Angeles wearing a pair of custom Vans shoes decorated with the face of Blake Shelton, her new husband. But then again, Gwen’s made an art out of wearing accessories paying tribute to her man.

As the New York Post notes, in April, she wore a “Shelton” necklace, and in 2020, she wore a dress covered with white shells to the Grammys, as a tribute to the “shell” in “Shelton.” When she and Blake wed on July 3, her veil was embroidered with Blake’s name, and the names of her three sons.

Lil Nas X talks about how his “purpose” as an artist has changed

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

In a new cover story with Out magazine, Lil Nas X talks about how his career goals have evolved as he’s grown more into himself.

“I’m turning into Montero more and more, day by day,” he says, referencing his birth name, Montero Lamar Hill. He adds that the songs on his upcoming album, Montero, are some of his most personal.

“I named the album after myself because there are a lot of things I’ve been going through and dealing with and wanting to say,” he says. “I wanted to let sides of myself show that I’ve been afraid of people seeing for so long.”

Lil Nas, who is openly gay, says when he initially started out, all he wanted was just “to be this huge rapper.”

“I was looking to blend in when I first started, but now I genuinely don’t mind and wish to do my own thing and stand out,” he says. “I wanted to just be an artist at first. I wanted to just make music.”

He adds, “But now I have even more of a purpose: to continue to find myself and, by doing so, help others find themselves.”

Collection of guitars owned by Journey’s Neal Schon auctioned for more than $4 million

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

This past Saturday, the same day Journey rocked Chicago’s Lollapalooza festival, the band’s co-founder, Neal Schon, auctioned off a collection of his guitars, in the process bringing in a whopping $4.2 million.

More than 90 instruments were sold in total, among them the 1977 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Black Solid Body model that Schon used to record many songs on Journey’s chart-topping 1981 album, Escape, including “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

That guitar was purchased for $268,000, including fees, by Indianapolis Colts owner and renowned memorabilia collector Jim Irsay.

Irsay, who says he plans to include Schon’s guitar in a museum hopes to open in the future, previously has purchased historic instruments that have belonged to Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Elton John, Jerry Garcia, and David Gilmour.

“I look forward to sharing this and other pieces of the collection in the hopes that they may educate and inspire others to do great, meaningful things,” Irsay said.

The two guitars that brought the most money at Schon’s auction were a pair of 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst models that sold for $350,000 and $300,000, respectively.

Other high-priced instruments sold during the auction included a 1959 Gibson ES-335 Natural Semi-Hollow Body guitar that fetched $137,500, a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop Solid Body that brought in $131,250, and a 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop Solid Body that was purchased for $125,000.

Check out the full results of the auction at HA.com.

Journey’s next concert is scheduled for August 20 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Visit JourneyMusic.com for a complete list of the band’s shows.

Jack Whitehall says character’s “coming out” scene in ‘Jungle Cruise’ was important “to get right”

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

In Disney’s new movie Jungle Cruise, actor Jack Whitehall plays McGregor, the brother to Emily Blunt‘s Dr. Lily Houghton, who joins her on a perilous journey into the Amazon.

When Whitehall got the part, he didn’t realize the character was gay, but in a scene at a bar, he all but “comes out” to Dwayne Johnson‘s Frank Wolff.

For all involved, it was an important scene, said star and co-producer Johnson at a recent press event. “Really, I felt that the scene was really exactly what it was, which was two men talking about what they loved and who they loved, and it was as simple as that. And we were sharing a drink.”

Whitehall agreed, declaring, “I think it was a scene that we really wanted to get right.”

The actor explained further, “I think what’s so great about this movie is that all of the characters feel so fleshed out and all of them have…interesting backstories…”

He adds, “You know, in a lot of movies of this kind of genre, sometimes you’d have characters that are a little bit kind of two-dimensional. But I think it’s so great that we get to understand so much about each of these characters and it makes you invested in them, and it makes you care about them, and it makes you really on that journey with them.”

Jungle Cruise is currently the number-one movie in America.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Watch now: Teaser for Disney+’s reboot ‘Doogie Kamealoha M.D.’

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Disney+ has unveiled the first teaser for Doogie Kamealoha M.D., the reboot of the Neal Patrick Harris medical dramedy Doogie Howser, M.D.

For this version, the setting shifts to O’ahu, Hawaii, and Andi Mack veteran Peyton Elizabeth Lee plays the title role: a 16-year-old child prodigy who’s busy “juggling a budding medical career and life as a teenager.”

The teaser shows the series’ title sequence: Lahela “Doogie” Kamealoha even gets her own Hawaiian-themed version of the original Doogie Howser theme song, composed by Wendy Wang and performed by famed ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro.

The series, which also stars a diverse cast including Kathleen Rose Perkins, Jason Scott Lee, Matthew Sato, Wes Tian, Emma Meisel and Ronny Chieng, debuts on Disney+ on September 8.

The original Doogie Howser, M.D. ran for four seasons on ABC, from September 19, 1989, to March 24, 1993.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Idaho police search for ‘endangered’ 5-year-old missing since last week

August 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(New York) — Police in Idaho are continuing to search for a 5-year-old boy who they say may be in danger after he went missing near his home.

Michael Joseph Vaughan was last seen near his home in Fruitland, Idaho, about 50 miles northwest of Boise, on the evening of July 27, according to the Fruitland Police Department.

Authorities described Michael as “missing and endangered” but did not provide any additional descriptions of his possible whereabouts. The boy’s family has been “fully cooperative” in the investigation, police said.

Last week, police asked any potential witnesses who may have been in the area of Southwest 9th Street and Arizona Avenue in Fruitland to come forward, even if they do not believe they saw anything.

Investigators also asked that people who live in the immediate area where Michael was last seen to “thoroughly search” their property.

The Fruitland Police Department assured the public Tuesday that the search for Michael was still ongoing.

“Our search efforts are still ongoing and extensive,” a post on the department’s Facebook page read. “Our main focus is to locate Michael.”

Police reminded volunteers engaged in their own personal searches to respect citizens’ right to deny entry to their property and to not walk through cultivated fields without the property owner’s permission.

The FBI, Idaho State Police and multiple Treasure Valley law enforcement agencies are all involved in the investigation.

Michael is described by authorities as being 3 feet, 7 inches tall, about 50 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a light blue shirt with a Minecraft graphic, dark blue boxer briefs and size 11 blue flip flops. He also answers to the nickname “Monkey,” police said.

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