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News Daypop

Ivana Trump, ex-wife of former President Trump, dies at age 73

Ivana Trump, the ex-wife of former President Donald Trump, died on Thursday, her family announced. She was 73 years old.  New York City officials confirmed that authorities responded to a 911 call at Trump’s Upper East Side home around 12:40 p.m. Thursday afternoon, where she was found alone and unresponsive. She was pronounced dead on the scene. An official cause of death for Trump not yet been determined by the medical examiner, though no foul play is believed to be involved.

Born Ivana MareIvana Marie Zelnickova in the former Czechoslovakia, she left the country in 1970 and worked as a model. She later married Donald Trump in 1977, and went on to hold key positions in the Trump Organization, including acting as CEO of Trump’s Castle in Atlantic City, and helping to design interiors for the Grand Hyatt Hotel and Trump Tower.  Ivana Trump also created her own clothing line and authored several bestselling books.

Ivana Trump shared three children — Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric — with the former president, whom she was married to until 1992. She remarried twice after their highly publicized divorce, but did not have any other children.  Donald Trump announced Ivana’s death in a post on his social media site Truth Social, calling her a “wonderful, beautiful, and amazing woman, who led a great inspirational life,” adding, “her pride and joy were her three children. She was so proud of them, as we were all so proud of her. Rest in Peace, Ivana!”

Son Eric Trump posted a tribute to his mother on Instagram Thursday, remembering her as “a force in business, a world-class athlete, a radiant beauty, and caring mother and friend. She fled from communism and embraced this country. She taught her children about grit and toughness, compassion and determination. She will be dearly missed by her mother, her three children and ten grandchildren.”

Daughter Ivanka Trump tweeted she was “heartbroken” about the death of her mother: “Mom was brilliant, charming, passionate and wickedly funny. She lived life to the fullest — never forgoing an opportunity to laugh and dance. I will miss her forever and will keep her memory alive in our hearts always.”

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

House of Representatives passes bipartisan active shooter alert system bill

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill with a 260-169 vote to create a nationwide alert system to be used in active-shooter incidents. The Active Shooter Alert Act would establish a network similar to Amber alerts, to notify the public when a shooter is nearby. The bill will now head to the Senate.

Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., who co-sponsored the bill, in a statement: “During active shooter events, law enforcement officers are having to take to social media to communicate with the surrounding community so that no one accidentally walks into the line of fire. This is terribly inefficient and dangerous. Law enforcement needs and deserves better tools than Twitter to communicate with the community and the Active Shooter Alert Act answers that call.”

Rep. Fred Upton, R-M.I., who also co-sponsored the bill, said he did so because it has nationwide support from law enforcement officials and organizations: “By alerting the public to an ongoing active shooter threat, we can help folks avoid the area and better enable police and first responders to focus on ending the situation and saving lives.”

Cicilline and Upton introduced the bill in hopes the new alert system could prevent further tragedy in the wake of active-shooting incidents, saying in a joint statement:  “The new alert system established under the Active Shooter Alert Act could be deployed during emergency situations like that recently seen in Highland Park, Ill., when the suspected shooter was at large for 8 hours — providing him the time to drive to Wisconsin and contemplate carrying out another mass shooting.”

Editorial credit: Rena Schild / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Don't expect to see Luke Combs' baby boy Tex on tour with him — at least, not for a while

When Luke Combs hits the road this fall for his Middle of Somewhere Tour, he'll be leaving his wife, Nicole, and their infant son, Tex, at home.

That's because Luke and Nicole are concerned about adding a baby into the already hectic touring lifestyle, he explains, and they worry that it would have a negative impact on Tex.

“We don't even take our dog out on the road because of how much we feel like that affects his quality of life,” the singer explains. 

“So I can't imagine wanting to take a newborn out there,” Luke continues. “And I'm sure there's people that do that, and not that maybe that couldn't happen…But I think we want to make sure that we have this parenting thing down and figure it out before we start adding in a variable as huge as doing it on the road.”

Plus, he’s worried that Nicole's comfort and sanity might suffer if she had to bear the brunt of childcare alone on a tour bus.

“I'm usually not around,” Luke points out. “And I definitely wouldn't want Nicole to feel like she's trapped on the bus with the baby, and not able to go anywhere or do anything. I think that would be pretty awful. At least for me, I think that would be pretty stressful.”

Still, like many other aspects of parenting, the singer says his decision is subject to change. “Things may shake out differently,” he adds. “We'll just have to wait and see what happens on that one.”

The Middle of Somewhere Tour kicks off in early September.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Country Daypop

Thomas Rhett, Hardy, Walker Hayes and more set to perform at NSAI’s Nashville Songwriter Awards

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) announced the first round of performers for the 5th Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, set to take place on Sept. 20 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.

Among those set to take the stage are Thomas Rhett, Hardy, Walker Hayes, Pat Alger, Tony Arata, Babyface, Kent Blazy, Jacob Davis, Gayle, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins, Matt McGinn, Matt Rogers, Jenn Schott, Nathan Spicer, and Matthew West. Additional appearances will be revealed in the coming weeks.

The awards ceremony will also include segments honoring previously announced award recipients. Garth Brooks will receive the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, while Jon Platt (Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Publishing) will receive the NSAI President’s Keystone Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the betterment of songwriters.

Tickets for the 5th Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards will go on sale this Friday, July 15 at 10:00 a.m. CT at ryman.com.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

Ashely McBryde returning to performing after taking hiatus due to “personal reasons”

Ashley McBryde is returning to the stage this weekend after taking time off for “personal reasons.” McBryde shared the news on social media, and will be heading back on tour with Dierks Bentley.

Ashley wrote“I’ll be back on the road this weekend and am so excited to see you all!  I didn’t anticipate having to take time away. However, it was something that could not be avoided. More on that someday. Thank you for the outpouring of love and support. Now back to business, a little spackle, a little sparkle… see you this weekend Trybe!”  As of this writing, McBryde has dates on her calendar through mid-October.

McBryde is currently supporting Dierks Bentley on his Beers on Me Tour; Bentley had Elle King open “for a few dates” after McBryde announced she was stepping aside temporarily on June 29th.

Ashley McBryde Issues Update After Brief Hiatus: “Thank You For The Outpouring Of Love And Support”

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner welcome their second child together

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner have welcomed their second child, a baby girl. The couple are already parents to Willa, who was born in July 2020. Jonas and Turner were married in 2019.

Best known for her role on Game of Thrones, Turner confirmed that she and her husband were expecting again in an interview with Elle UK published in early May, saying in part:  “It’s what life is about for me — raising the next generation. The greatest thing in life is seeing my daughter go from strength to strength. We’re so excited to be expanding the family. It’s the best blessing ever.”

In addition to his work with the Jonas Brothers with siblings Kevin and Nick, Joe Jonas is also a member of the group DNCE, known for its hit “Cake By The Ocean.”

His famous brothers are also parents: Kevin Jonas and his wife Danielle share 2 children, and Nick Jonas and his wife Priyanka Chopra announced in January that they had welcomed their first child via surrogate.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Drake announces October World Weekend concert series with Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and more

Drake took to Instagram to announce ‘October World Weekend,’ a three-day event that will reunite Young Money’s biggest stars.  Drake shared a lineup that included Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Lil Baby and Chris Brown, writing in his post “OCTOBER WORLD WEEKEND 🌏 I am currently working on bringing OVO FEST around the world in 2023 for the 10th Anniversary, but of course we wanted to turn the city up for the summer!!! More event announcements to come.”

October World Weekend will kick off at the end of this month on July 29-28 as well as Aug. 1 at various venues throughout Toronto. Tickets will be available Friday, July 15th at Ticketmaster.

Drake Announces October World Weekend Feat. Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Lil Baby & Chris Brown

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes: Carly Pearce, CMA Fest 2023 and more

Carly Pearce is the headliner for Jenny Tolman's inaugural Cowgirls at the Cowboy Festival. Also on the bill are Natalie Hemby, RaeLynn and, of course, Jenny.

It seems hard to believe, but it's already time to start getting ready for CMA Fest 2023. Four-night stadium passes for next summer's event go on sale August 3. The next CMA Fest will take place June 8-11, 2023.

Trisha Yearwood is helping the Country Music Hall of Fame kick off its new membership campaign. The country star — who worked as a tour guide at the museum before her rise to fame — recently visited the Hall, where she offered a message to country fans, urging them to become members.

Breland and Keith Urban just picked up some new hardware for their song “Throw it Back.” The collaboration is now RIAA certified Gold.

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Go Country 105

Miranda Lambert, Eric Church + more sign on for 'They Called Us Outlaws' documentary

Miranda Lambert, Eric Church and Willie Nelson are just a few of the stars who'll offer insight into the outlaw country movement in a new, six-part documentary called They Called Us Outlaws.

Executive produced by Jessi Colter, an outlaw singer-songwriter and wife of Waylon Jennings, They Called Us Outlaws arrives in partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame. It will include over 75 interviews and 12 hours of footage, offering a comprehensive look into the outlaw world from the perspective of those who love it and those who lived it.

Other legends interviewed for the project include Kris Kristofferson and Emmylou Harris, as well as Margo Price, a younger star carrying the outlaw torch into a new generation. Matthew McConaughey will also offer commentary.

The project features some of the last on-camera interviews from late country legends, including Guy Clark, Billy Joe Shaver, Tom T. Hall and Jerry Jeff Walker.

Interviews for They Called Us Outlaws have taken place over the past decade. Eric Geadelmann directed the project, along with his Shadowbrook Studios.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Walker Hayes' next single is on its way and yes, of course there's a TikTok dance

Walker Hayes returns on Friday with his next single, “Y'all Life,” and ahead of release day, he's already been sharing plenty of clips and teaser posts on social media.

Of course, it wouldn't be a big ol' Walker Hayes hit without a TikTok dance, and the singer and his family already have “Y'all Life” covered. He's been posting clips of himself and his kids dancing along to the song on social media, including his oldest daughter, Lela, who shot to fame when she appeared in the viral “Fancy Like” TikTok video dancing along with her dad.

“Livin' that Y'all Life, y'all / Rollin' in the south / Where it's all football and Jesus,” Walker sings in one clip of the song. In another part of the chorus, Walker offers up a line that seems to tip its hat to rapper Nelly's 2000 hit, “Country Grammar (Hot…).”

Walker and the gang have filmed several iterations of the “Y'all Life” dance already, including one clip at a mall, where a stranger jumped into the frame and started dancing along with the Hayes family.

“This dude jumped in like a champ,” Walker said when he posted the hilarious video.

“Y'all Life” comes out Friday, along with a music video.

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