Month: September 2021

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Entertainment Daypop

Gregg Leakes, husband of “Real Housewives” star NeNe Leakes, passes away after battle with colon cancer

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Gregg Leakes, the husband of former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star NeNe Leakes, has died from colon cancer at the age of 66.

Publicist and longtime family friend Ernest Dukes confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that Gregg died peacefully in his home while surrounded by his family. Said Dukes: “Today the Leakes family is in deep pain with a broken heart. After a long battle with cancer, Gregg Leakes has passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by all of his children, very close loved ones and wife Nene Leakes. We ask that you pray for peace and strength over their family & allow them to mourn in private during this very very difficult time.”

NeNe just recently shared a somber update on Gregg’s health over the weekend in a video circulating on social media, telling patrons of The Linnethia Lounge in Duluth, Georgia, “My husband is transitioning to the other side.” The following day, she also shared an image of the word “Broken” on Instagram with the prayer and heartbroken emojis. Gregg was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer in 2018, and had been in remission for two years. In June, NeNe revealed he was hospitalized and recovering from surgery following the return of his cancer.

The couple, who wed in 1997, divorced in 2011 before remarrying in June 2013. They share one son together, Brentt Leakes, 22.

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News Daypop

Social Security won’t be able to pay full benefits in 2034 due to COVID recession

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The U.S. Treasury Department said Tuesday that Social Security trust funds won’t be able to pay full benefits by 2034, one year earlier than previously projected, due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In its annual summary of Social Security’s reserves, the program’s trustees said the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and the Disability Fund, designed to provide a source of income to former workers who have retired or can’t work due to a disability, have enough combined funds to pay scheduled benefits until 2034. “At that time, the combined funds’ reserves will become depleted and continuing tax income will be sufficient to pay 78% of scheduled benefits,” the report stated.

The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance will be able to pay scheduled benefits until 2033, running out one year sooner than reported last year and the Disability Insurance fund will have adequate funds to make payments through 2057, depleting eight years faster than previously anticipated. The report specifically cited the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for the accelerated depletion of funds. As a result of the pandemic, the trustees projected increased rates of mortality through 2023, as well as reductions in immigration and childbearing in 2021-22 from the levels projected in 2020.

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News Daypop

Curfew issued in New Orleans as widespread power outages remain in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida

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The City of New Orleans issued a curfew beginning Tuesday due to mass power outages and significant amounts of debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. The curfew went into effect Tuesday night from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

According to New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Shaun Ferguson, ‘there is absolutely no reason anyone should be on the streets.’ Ferguson followed up the announcement of a curfew saying there have been some issues of looting, with several arrests made, and general safety as New Orleans remains in the dark since Ida’s Sunday landfall. The New Orleans police department (NOPD) will also have the Louisiana National Guard and Louisiana State Police to assist with patrolling the city.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said power could show up as soon as Wednesday, but she urged residents not to get their hopes up. “Based on what I know at this time, there is an expectation by tomorrow late afternoon, into the evening, that we should have some level of transmission to the city of New Orleans,” Cantrell said. “That does not mean we will immediately see all the lights on in the city.” Additionally, while the possibility of power on Wednesday will not mean complete restoration, Cantrell said it will mean Entergy can start focusing on distribution lines, many of which are wrapped up in trees. For most residents, however, power restoration could still take weeks.

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Country Daypop

Carrie Underwood announces collaboration with Dan + Shay for “Dear Evan Hansen” movie soundtrack

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Country superstar Carrie Underwood announced on Instagram a special collaboration with Dan + Shay for the highly-anticipated soundtrack for the upcoming film ‘Dear Evan Hansen.’ Underwood shares in the post: “I’m so excited to share that I teamed up with @danandshay to record a very special song for the #DearEvanHansenMovie Original Motion Picture Soundtrack!”  Underwood and Dan + Shay will perform together on the song “Only Us.”

The Dear Evan Hansen soundtrack is due out September 24th; you can pre-order the album at the link- here. Along with Underwood and Dan + Shay, other artists on the soundtrack are Sam Smith, Summer Walker, Sza, Finneas, and Tori Kelly.

“Dear Evan Hansen” is the film adaption of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musician about Evan Hansen, who is a high school senior with social anxiety disorder. The audience follows his journey of self-discovery and acceptance following the suicide of his fellow classmate. The film is set to hit theaters on September 24th.

Editorial credit: MPH Photos / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

Eddie Montgomery releases his debut solo single “Alive and Well’

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Montgomery Gentry’s Eddie Montgomery has released, ‘Alive and Well,’ his first song as a solo artist and first new music in more than two years. The new track is partly inspired by the the tragic death of his bandmate, Gentry, in 2017, and the loss of his 19-year-old son, Hunter Montgomery, in 2015.

‘Alive and Well’ is produced by Noah Gordon and Shannon Houchins, and co-written by Montgomery, Ira Dean, and Chris Wallin. The single is available on all streaming platforms and radio.

Take a listen to ‘Alive and Well’ – here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

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Entertainment Daypop

‘The Problem with Jon Stewart’ to debut on Apple TV+ this September

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Apple TV+ shared a teaser and premiere date for Jon Stewart’s new late-night series ‘The Problem with Jon Stewart,’ set to debut on the streaming service this fall. The series marks Stewart’s first hosting gig since the Comedy Central late-night show The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, which he hosted from 1999 to 2015.

The teaser features close-up shots of Stewart dressing as he gets ready to go on air, with the camera zooming out to show the comedian seeing his face in a mirror – “Ahhh! What the hell happened to my face?” Stewart says before adding, “Why would I go back to a visual medium? I could have done a podcast.”

‘The Problem with Jon Stewart’ will premiere Sept. 30, with subsequent episodes to air every other week. Stewart will host and executive produce the series, which will also feature a companion podcast.

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Entertainment Daypop

Elaine Welteroth leaving ‘The Talk’ after one season

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34-year-old journalist and author Elaine Welteroth is leaving CBS’s ‘The Talk.’ Welteroth becomes the second co-host to exit ‘The Talk’ in as many weeks, following the Aug. 20 announcement that Carrie Ann Inaba would be departing the show after having taken an extended leave of absence. ‘The Talk’ now has three co-hosts at the moment: Sheryl Underwood, Amanda Kloots and the recently hired Jerry O’Connell.

Said Welteroth: “It is an absolute honor for anyone, but especially a young Black woman, to occupy space on-air where our perspectives are largely underrepresented. It was gratifying to be able to show up as my authentic self in front of a live national audience every day in a world as divided as ours and to stay true to myself and what I stand for. I came to The Talk to break out of my own echo chamber and to join a diverse cast in helping to bridge some of the divides in our world through conversation and empathy. I’m proud of how I represented myself and my community. But as I always say: When the music changes, so must your dance! I will miss my talented co-hosts and crew and I wish them the very best. Thanks to all those who tuned in every day. I’m excited to continue these necessary conversations in my work and to share my upcoming creative projects soon.”

The show’s executive producers said in a statement: “We wish Elaine all the best. We are grateful for her passion, enthusiasm, and insight she brought to the show daily. Her openness and meaningful conversations were attributes we admired and always appreciated.”

Elaine Welteroth Exits ‘The Talk’ After Just 1 Year: ‘When The Music Changes, So Must Your Dance!’

Editorial credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com