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President Biden selects former federal prosecutor as his second nominee to lead the ATF

On Monday, President Biden announced the finalization of a federal rule to regulate so-called “ghost guns” more like regular guns, including requiring serial numbers and background checks for the purchase of kits to assemble guns privately. Kit makers and re-sellers would have to include a serial number on the weapon, and the federal rules would also require background checks for anyone purchasing a kit that can be readily made into a working firearm, including 3-D printing kits — just like the background check law that applies to all licensed gun sales. The rule would not ban gun kits themselves or strengthen penalties for crimes committed with ghost guns.

Biden also introduced his second nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, former U.S. Attorney Steve Dettelbach. Dettelbach defended the ATF for facing unfair public criticism.  He said: ‘the men and women of the ATF and the public that they protect deserve better support from us. As we emerge from this pandemic, we’ve got to recognize that many Americans still face fear and isolation – not because of a virus, but because of an epidemic of firearms violence. It’s not a new problem, and it has many causes. That’s why it’s going to take an all hands on deck partnership approach to address that issue, and the ATF will be there.”

Dettelbach served as U.S. attorney for the northern district of Ohio during the Obama administration before resigning in 2016.  If confirmed, Dettelbach would be the first permanent director of ATF in seven years. The position often faces pushback from gun rights groups and has only had one Senate-confirmed director in the past 16 years. The White House touted Dettelbach’s two-decade career as a prosecutor at the Department of Justice, as well as his record of taking on criminal gang activity, domestic extremism and his experience with community gun violence.

This will be Biden’s second attempt at finding the ATF a permanent director. Last September, The White House withdrew former ATF agent David Chipman’s nomination to lead the agency amid opposition from gun rights advocates, Republican senators and some Democrats.

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Country Daypop

Miranda Lambert releases her latest single ‘Actin’ Up’

Miranda Lambert has shared the latest single from her upcoming eighth studio album, Palomino, with the release of “Actin’ Up.”  Palomino, comprised of 15 tracks, is set for release April 29th; it is Lambert’s first solo project since 2019’s Wildcard.  Lambert performed Actin’ Up during an impromptu appearance at her Casa Rosa bar on Nashville’s Lower Broadway on Sunday, April 3rd. Backup singer Gwen Sebastian was performing when Lambert popped in to appear and sing a few of her own songs.

Later this year, Lambert heads to Las Vegas for her Velvet Rodeo residency. Tickets to the 24-date Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino residency launching in September are on sale now via Ticketmaster.  In addition to her Las Vegas residency, Lambert is joining forces with Little Big Town to co-headline this spring’s The Bandwagon Tour, featuring The Cadillac Three as support on all dates and visiting 15 cities beginning Friday, May 6th in Houston.

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Entertainment Daypop

Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus to divorce after 28 years together

Tish Cyrus has filed for divorce from Billy Ray Cyrus after almost 30 years of marriage. Tish filed for divorce in Tennessee last week, according to court documents; it also notes that Tish and Billy Ray have not lived together since February 2020. Tish cited irreconcilable differences as the grounds for their divorce and is asking that the court equitably divide and distribute their marital assets and award her separate property.

This is not the first time either has filed for divorce from the other. In October 2010, Billy Ray filed before revealing the following year that he dropped the divorce. Then, in 2013, Tish filed for divorce.  The two spoke out about working on their relationship, saying: “We both woke up and realized we love each other and decided we want to stay together. We both went into couples therapy, something we haven’t done in 22 years of being together, and its brought us closer together and really opened up our communication in amazing ways. We’ve had rough times, but we both realized we didn’t want to be another statistic and wanted to make it work.”

The couple were married in December 1993, share five kids: Miley Cyrus, 29, Noah Cyrus, 22, and Braison Cyrus, 27, as well as Brandi Cyrus, 34, and Trace Cyrus, 33, who Trish gave birth to prior to their relationship. Billy Ray also has a son, Christopher, with his ex, Kristin Luckey.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus to divorce after 28 years together

Tish Cyrus has filed for divorce from Billy Ray Cyrus after almost 30 years of marriage. Tish filed for divorce in Tennessee last week, according to court documents; it also notes that Tish and Billy Ray have not lived together since February 2020. Tish cited irreconcilable differences as the grounds for their divorce and is asking that the court equitably divide and distribute their marital assets and award her separate property.

This is not the first time either has filed for divorce from the other. In October 2010, Billy Ray filed before revealing the following year that he dropped the divorce. Then, in 2013, Tish filed for divorce.  The two spoke out about working on their relationship, saying: “We both woke up and realized we love each other and decided we want to stay together. We both went into couples therapy, something we haven’t done in 22 years of being together, and its brought us closer together and really opened up our communication in amazing ways. We’ve had rough times, but we both realized we didn’t want to be another statistic and wanted to make it work.”

The couple were married in December 1993, share five kids: Miley Cyrus, 29, Noah Cyrus, 22, and Braison Cyrus, 27, as well as Brandi Cyrus, 34, and Trace Cyrus, 33, who Trish gave birth to prior to their relationship. Billy Ray also has a son, Christopher, with his ex, Kristin Luckey.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Entertainment Daypop

Britney Spears announces pregnancy, expecting first child with fiancé Sam Asghari

Britney Spears announced via Instagram on April 11 that she’s expecting her third child, her first with fiancé Sam Asghari. In her caption, Spears also hinted she and Asghari may have gotten secretly married, referring to him as her “husband.”  The 40-year-old Spears said in her post: “I lost so much weight to go on my Maui trip only to gain it back  … I thought “Geez … what happened to my stomach ???” My husband said “No you’re food pregnant silly  !!!” So I got a pregnancy test … and uhhhhh well … I am having a baby  … 4 days later I got a little more food pregnant. It’s growing !!! If 2 are in there … I might just loose it  … I obviously won’t be going out as much due to the paps getting their money shot of me like they unfortunately already have … it’s hard because when I was pregnant I had perinatal depression … I have to say it is absolutely horrible  … women didn’t talk about it back then … some people considered it dangerous if a woman complained like that with a baby inside her … but now women talk about it everyday … thank Jesus we don’t have to keep that pain a reserved proper secret … This time I will be doing yoga every day !!! Spreading lots of joy and love 💕 !!!”

Spears has been vocal about her desire to have another child, claiming the rules of her past conservatorship made it unlikely. In a Los Angeles court in June 2021, she said that her father, Jamie Spears, and his team would not allow her to “get married and have a baby” under the conservatorship. After 13 years under the legal guardianship, Spears was officially freed from the conservatorship on November 12, 2021 by Judge Brenda Penny.

Spears first started dating Asghari in 2016, after they met on the set of her “Slumber Party” music video. The couple announced their engagement in September 2021, showed off the singer’s new diamond ring on social media.

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Police believe 2 people targeted victims at Cedar Rapids nightclub shooting which killed 2 and injured 10

Cedar Rapids Police confirm that investigators believe two men fired more than a dozen shots inside a Cedar Rapids nightclub left a man and a woman dead and 10 people wounded early Sunday morning.

Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman said that officers – who were just outside the Taboo Nightclub and Lounge because of an earlier incident – rushed inside and found the victims of the shooting, and that between 100 to 150 people ran out of the club at that time.  Officers helped treat the people who were wounded and rushed several of the victims to hospitals in squad cars.  The names of the man and woman who died were not released Sunday. Jerman said one survivor was in critical condition Sunday afternoon while the other injuries, which were all related to the gunfire.  The gunmen likely escaped as the crowd rushed out of the nightclub. Police were searching for suspects Sunday afternoon and no arrests had been reported.

Jerman said police haven’t determined the motive for the shooting but investigators believe one of the victims was targeted, adding: “This is another mindless and senseless gun-related incident involving a reckless disregard for human life. I remain livid and angered at the continued and blatant disregard and lack of respect for human life that continues. That said, I want to reassure the residents of this city that Cedar Rapids is a safe city.”  Those with information about the shooting are encouraged to call Cedar Rapids Police at 319-286-5491 or Linn County Crime Stoppers at 800-272-7463.

Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell urged residents to speak out against violence: “Shock, anger, grief, disappointment — just a few of the emotions that I’m sure we all feel today. And I can personally say that as a mother my heart goes out to those moms and dads today who are having the worst day of their lives. To the families of the injured, we are with you and we are praying for a swift recovery.”

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President Biden scheduled to announce new steps on controlling gun violence

On Monday, President Joe Biden is scheduled to introduce new policy measures on firearms. Biden’s announcement comes amid growing concern about gun violence and untraceable “ghost guns” that can be 3D printed at home. As part of Monday’s policy rollout, Biden is expected to name a new replacement nominee to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

In September, the White House withdrew its last nominee, 25-year ATF veteran David Chipman, following unanimous opposition from Republicans who say the want to protect the right to bear arms. Gun violence advocates have been furious at the Biden administration for failing to lobby hard enough, in their view, for Chipman, and for waiting so long to announce a replacement.

Biden is also expected to announce fresh steps to make it harder for people to build and acquire so-called ghost guns, as many big cities have reported recovering increasing numbers of the weapons. These weapons lack serial numbers, which would enable law enforcement to track them and enforce background checks. And they are essentially available in plastic, which can bypass metal detectors.

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Country Daypop

Runaway June introduces new bandmate, Stevie Woodward

Runaway June took to their social media channels to introduce their new bandmate, Stevie Woodward.  Woodward joins Natalie Stovall and Jennifer Wayne as part of the trio.

Runaway June posted: “Y’all welcome Stevie… we can’t wait until y’all fall in love with her as much as we have!! It’s been so hard to keep it a secret, but we can’t wait to share the music we’ve been working on!!! Get ready for some harmonies and dueling solos!!! We’ll see you on the road soon!!!! 🤍”. Wayne said in the comments, “Yessssssssssss!!!!!! Finally get to shout it from the rooftops!!!!!!” and  Stovall added: “STEVIE! STEVIE! STEVIE!”

Woodward took to her own Instagram, saying, “pinch me please. so honored to be the newest member of @runawayjuneofficial. cannot wait for the next chapter of life, and i wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else! @jenniferwayne @nataliestovall 🤍Wayne commented, “can’t wait to have champagne with you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Celebrate all the good things to come.”

The addition of Woodward to Runaway June comes after former lead singer, Naomi Cooke Johnson, announced that she would leave the group to pursue her own solo career earlier this year.

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Country Daypop

Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett and more added to 2022 CMT Music Awards Performance Lineup

CMT revealed a new round performers for tonight’s 2022 CMT Music Awards. Jason Aldean, Bryan Adams, Jimmie Allen, Little Big Town, Monica, Walker Hayes, Thomas Rhett and Riley Green are the newest additions to the performance lineup. Aldean will join forces with Adams, while Allen, Monica and Little Big Town are set to team up for a special performance.  Plus, the first televised performance in over two decades from the legendary duo The Judds will take place at this year’s awards ceremony.

The newly revealed star-studded list will join previously announced performers including co-host Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Mickey Guyton + Black Pumas, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris + Ryan Hurd, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce, Cole Swindell + Lainey Wilson, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.

Kane Brown leading the CMT Award nominations with four; while Ballerini, Mickey Guyton and first-time nominees BRELAND and Cody Johnson follow behind with three each.

Co-hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Anthony Mackie, CMT Music Awards will air live from Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday, April 11 at 8/7c via CBS Network. The show will also be available to stream live and on-demand via Paramount+.

CMT Music Awards Adds Performers Jason Aldean, Jimmie Allen, Bryan Adams, Monica, Walker Hayes, Thomas Rhett & Riley Green

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Entertainment Daypop

‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ tops the North American box office with $71M

“Sonic the Hedgehog 2” is the No. 1 movie in North America, earning $71 million in its weekend debut. The film now holds the record for the biggest opening weekend for a movie adapted from a video game, surpassing the $58 million that the franchise’s original film, “Sonic the Hedgehog” made during its three-day opening weekend in February 2020.

“Sonic the Hedgehog 2” mixes animated characters with live-action actors, with comedian Ben Schwartz voicing Sonic the Hedgehog and James Marsden, Tika Sumpter and Jim Carrey starring as human characters. The sequel also features the addition in Idris Elba, who voices Knuckles, an adversary of Sonic and a fan favorite from the SEGA games.

Coming in at No. 2 is Morbius with $10.2 million, followed by The Lost City at No. 3 with $9.2 million, Ambulance at No. 4 with $8.7 million and The Batman at No. 5 with $6.6 million.

Rounding out the top tier are Everything Everywhere All at Once at No. 6 with $6.1 million, Uncharted at No. 7 with $2.7 million, Spider-Man: No Way Home at No. 8 with $625,000, Selena at No. 9 with $402,000 and Sing 2 at No. 10 with $220,000.

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