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Authorities Identify Nashville Bomber After Found In Wreckage

On Sunday, authorities in Nashville identified the bomber, Anthony Quinn Warner, as responsible for an explosion on Christmas morning damaging dozens of businesses in the city’s downtown area.

During a press conference Sunday, investigators declared that they matched human remains at the scene to the 63-year-old Warner’s DNA and matched a vehicle identification number to a registration associated with him. The RV exploded in downtown Nashville on Friday after broadcasting a warning message advising people to leave the area 15 minutes before the blast that damaged 41 businesses, including historic buildings in the area. Authorities did not provide any insight on a possible motive for the explosion, however, Nashville Mayor John Cooper said on Sunday that the presence of an AT&T building in the area of Friday’s blast may have indicated it was intended as an attack on the service.

In a statement Sunday afternoon, AT&T said that more than 75% of mobility sites affected by Friday’s explosion had been restored.

Nashville bomber Anthony Warner ‘perished’ in Christmas Day explosion

Via www.msnbc.com
 

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Country Daypop

Country Music Reacts to Christmas Day Bombing in Nashville

Nashville was hit with tragedy on Christmas Day when an explosion rocked downtown’s 2nd Avenue, just steps away from the honky-tonks on Lower Broadway. Nashville Mayor John Cooper said that the 6:30 a.m. bombing on Dec. 25 was an attack on infrastructure. The explosion went off outside the AT&T building which led to cell service outages across the city, and flights were grounded at the Nashville airport. As of Sunday, a motive had not been released by investigators.

Over the weekend, many country stars posted about the incident. Along with many others, Brad Paisley said: “Tough year for Nashville.Be safe everyone.#merrychristmas.” Little Big Town posted: “Merry Christmas! Thinking of our beautiful hometown we love so much. We are beyond grateful to our first responders for your dedication and bravery. Our prayers and love are with all those serving our community. #NashvilleStrong.” Tim McGraw added: “Trying to find the words….but this is a tough one.  Yesterday, on Christmas Morning, the world watched as Nashville was hit by another tragedy.  It’s been a year….but we will rise again.” and Carrie Underwood tweeted, “Merry Christmas everyone! And a huge thank you to all the brave first responders in Nashville this morning.”

Country Music Stars’ Reaction to Christmas Day Bombing in Nashville

Via www.thecountrydaily.com
 

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Country Daypop

Bluegrass Guitarist Tony Rice Passes Away at 69

Bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice has died at age 69. His former record label said on social media, “Tony Rice June 8, 1951 – December 25, 2020 We were all deeply saddened by the news of Tony Rice’s sudden passing on Christmas Day, and we offer our deepest condolences to his loved ones and his many fans. May he Rest In Peace.” The cause of his death has not been made public.

The California native was a guitarist famous for his flat-picking skills, playing with the bands J.D. Crowe and the New South, as well as with guitarist Norman Blake, mandolin player David Grisman and the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia. His last album was 2011’s Hartford Rice and Clements, which was recorded in 1988. He was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame in 2013.

Rice hadn’t played guitar publicly due to medical issues.  He was diagnosed with muscle-tension dysphonia in 1994 and hadn’t sung in concert since then.

Tony Rice, influential bluegrass guitarist, dies at 69

Via www.msn.com
 

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Entertainment Daypop

Sex and the City Reboot Coming to HBO Max

A Sex and the City reboot is coming.  Deadline confirmed that HBO is set to bring back the show as a limited series for its premium streaming service, HBO Max.

Sex and the City was undoubtedly one of the most iconic shows of the 2000s. The series, created by Darren Star based on Candace Bushnell’s book, ran for six seasons and 94 episodes between 1998 and 2004. It starred Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw, Cynthia Nixon as Miranda Hobbes, Kristin Davis as Charlotte York, and Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones.

Bradshaw, Nixon, and Davis are all interested in the reunion, though Cattrall will likely not be featured. After releasing two follow-up films in 2008 and 2010, the Sex and the City cast was set to make a third feature film in 2017 that was shelved due to a feud between Cattrall and Parker.

Hollywood buzz says ‘Sex and the City’ getting reboot on HBO Max

Via pagesix.com
 

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Entertainment Daypop

Nick Cannon Welcomes Baby No. 2 With Girlfriend Brittany Bell

Nick Cannon and his girlfriend Brittany Bell have welcomed their second child together.  The 33-year-old Bell posted to social media to announce the arrival of their daughter, Powerful Queen Cannon.

Brittany wrote on Instagram: “The best gift ever [heart emoji] we have been surprised with… A GIRL!!!!! [crown emoji] Powerful Queen Cannon [crown emoji] came this week perfect timing for Christmas. So much more to share. All I can say is that Nick was my rock through the most intense yet empowering natural water birth. It was nothing but POWERFUL [heart emojis] Merry Christmas!!!! THANK YOU GOD (sic)”

Nick, 40, started dating Brittany in 2014, and in 2016 the couple announced they were expecting their first child together, son Golden. Cannon also has nine-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex-wife Mariah Carey, who was married to from 2008-2016.

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House Democrats agree with President Trump demands of $2,000 stimulus checks

House Democrats aligned themselves with President Donald Trump and plan to vote Monday on legislation increasing the direct payments in the coronavirus stimulus bill to $2,000 per person, if Republicans block their efforts to pass it Thursday. The checks would be more than three times the $600 approved by Congress in the stimulus package approved earlier this week.

House Democratic leaders will first plan to try to pass the higher payments Thursday through an unanimous consent procedure that requires every Republican to go along. If that fails, lawmakers will bring a separate bill to the floor on Monday. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who played  major role in crafting the $900 billion stimulus package, confirmed on Wednesday that he would support the higher amounts. “For months now, I’ve been very supportive of another round of stimulus checks,” Gottheimer said. “If we can agree to larger stimulus checks, then let’s absolutely get it done. Our families and small businesses can’t afford a day more of inaction.”

On Wednesday, the President again said in an email, “I will NEVER accept a bad deal, which is why I have sent the Covid Relief Bill BACK to Congress. This bill is a DISGRACE. It’s called the Covid Relief Bill, but it has almost nothing to do with Covid, and it provides minimal relief for the American People.”

Democrats will try to approve $2,000 direct checks Thursday

Via www.cbsnews.com
 

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President Trump issues 26 more pardons and commutations including Paul Manafort and Roger Stone

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump granted 26 new pardons and commutations. Trump granted full pardons to his former campaign adviser Roger Stone and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort who were both convicted of multiple crimes related to Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and potential collusion by Trump’s campaign. Trump has pardoned five people connected with Mueller’s investigation including his former national security adviser Michael Flynn, George Papadopoulos, and Dutch lawyer Alex van der Zwaan

The White House on Wednesday said Stone was granted a “full and unconditional” pardon alleging he was treated unfairly by Mueller’s team due to “prosecutorial misconduct.”  Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison for lying to Congress during the investigation.

Trump also pardoned Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, who pleaded guilty in 2004 to 16 counts of tax evasion.

Trump pardons Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, Charles Kushner and others

Via www.nbcnews.com
 

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Country Daypop

Tim McGraw Shares Family Photo With Wife Faith Hill and Daughters

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill reunited with their three daughters ahead of the Christmas holiday for a Game of Thrones themed dinner. 

McGraw took to social media to give fans a look, saying,  “So we had a Game of Thrones-themed dinner at home with the kiddos, Merry Christmas!” In the photos, McGraw can be seen dressed up as Ned Stark, while Hill, and daughters Gracie, 23, Maggie, 22, and Audrey, 19, are sporting costumes looking like Joffrey Baratheon, Arya Stark and Sansa Stark respectively. McGraw also recently made headlines when he shared a photo of the family’s massive Christmas tree

On the music front, McGraw recently released a new compilation album, MCGRAW MACHINE HITS: 2013-2019. The project includes songs such as “Humble and Kind,” “Shotgun Rider” and “One of Those Nights,” as well as the collaborations “Highway Don’t Care” with Keith Urban and Taylor Swift, and “May We All” with Florida Georgia Line.

Tim McGraw’s Family Dress as ‘Harry Potter’ Characters in New Pic

Via tasteofcountry.com
 

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Country Daypop

Tori Kelly performs at drive-in holiday concert in California

Tori Kelly performed a two-evening run of drive-in holiday concerts at City National Grove of Anaheim’s Drive-In OC.

Kelly did a duet of “Go Tell It On the Mountain” with her producer, R&B singer-songwriter Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, as well as versions of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Joy to the World/Joyful, Joyful” and her show opener, “Christmas Time Is Here.”

Kelly dropped her new holiday album, “A Tori Kelly Christmas,” on Oct. 30, and she debuted the live performance of her original Christmas song, “Kid Again On Christmas,” which is only available on the deluxe edition of the album sold at Target.

Tori Kelly Rings In The Holidays With Drive In Christmas Concert

Via www.justjared.com
 

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Entertainment Daypop

Tony-nominated Broadway star Rebecca Luker Passes Away at 59

Rebecca Luker, a three-time Tony nominated actor, died on Wednesday. She was 59. Her death was announced by her husband, veteran Broadway actor Danny Burstein, who said in a statement “our family is devastated. I have no words at this moment because I’m numb.” 

Luker went public in 2020 saying she had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease, also called ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. She was a best actress Tony nominee in 1995 playing Magnolia in “Showboat,” a best actress nominee in 2000 for playing Marian in “The Music Man” opposite Craig Bierko, and a best featured actress nominee in 2007 as Winifred Banks in “Mary Poppins.”

In addition to her husband, Luker is survived by two stepsons, Alex and Zach.

Rebecca Luker, Tony-nominated Broadway star diagnosed with ALS, dies at 59

Via www.nbcnews.com
 

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