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Alaska Airlines to buy Hawaiian Airlines in deal for $1.9 billion

Alaska Airlines announced on Sunday that it has made a deal to buy Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 billion. The deal, which is forecast to take nine to 18 months, will see both companies keep their brands, a unique decision that Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci and Hawaiian Airlines CEO and President Peter Ingram say was made out of respect for the nearly hundred-year legacy of both airlines. The combined organization will be based in Seattle under the leadership of Minicucci.

Minicucci said at a news conference: “this is a fantastic deal that bring two airlines that have amazing loyalties in our regions together,” and added that the merger will give customers expanded domestic and international choices. Said Minicucci: “this combination is an exciting next step in our collective journey to provide a better travel experience for our guests and expand options for West Coast and Hawai’i travelers.”

Said Ingram: “In Alaska Airlines, we are joining an airline that has long served Hawai‘i, and has a complementary network and a shared culture of service With the additional scale and resources that this transaction with Alaska Airlines brings, we will be able to accelerate investments in our guest experience and technology, while maintaining the Hawaiian Airlines brand.”

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2 children among 4 killed, two officers injured before suspect sets house fire

Four members of a family, including two children, were killed on Sunday morning in Far Rockaway, a residential neighborhood on the beach in the Queens borough of New York City.  The male suspect later set the family house on fire and stabbed two NYPD officers who responded to the incident, one of whom later shot the man dead.

The suspect was identified as Courtney Gordon, 38, but the NYPD did not identify any of the victims. Gordon had one prior arrest for strangulation domestic violence incident in the Bronx, NY. An 11-year-old girl was found dead from her injuries in front of the house, but officers were unable to enter because of a fire inside the living room. When the fire was extinguished, police found a 12-year-old boy, a 44-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man dead inside a back room. Another victim, a 61-year-old woman, is hospitalized in critical condition.

NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said in a news conference from Jamaica Hospital in Queens that two officers responded to a 911 call around 5:10 a.m.  Described as a young female, the 911 caller said that her cousin was killing her family members at a home. Maddrey said: “I just want to kind of set the stage for you. It’s a residential block with homes on it but at this particular location there’s a driveway and you go up the driveway and you go to the end of the driveway, there’s another four or five private two-homes there. So, our officers pull up to the driveway. As they get to the driveway, they see a male pulling out. He’s carrying luggage. Our officers ask the male a question or two in an encounter that lasted about ten seconds where the male draws a knife on the officers.”

The suspect used a kitchen steak knife to stab one of the officers in the neck and chest, and stabbed the second officer in the head before one of the officers, a 28-year veteran of the department, drew his firearm and shot the suspect. The officers were taken to Jamaica Hospital, where they are expected to recover.

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Country Daypop

Elle King and ‘Entertainment Tonight’s’ Rachel Smith co-hosting ‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’

Elle King and Entertainment Tonight’s Rachel Smith will host this year’s ‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’. King and Smith are returning for a second time to host the five-hour event, which will broadcast live from the Bicentennial Mall in Music City on December 31, airing on CBS. King will also be performing some of her biggest hits during the show, with more performers to be announced at a later date.

King said in a statement: “New Year’s Eve is the one party we celebrate all over the world. I wouldn’t want to spend it any other place than Music City! I’m so excited to get to host another beautiful night of music, friends, love, and joy. I can’t wait to celebrate an incredible year and welcome a new one together.

Smith said in a statement: “Being back in Nashville co-hosting with my girl Elle is something I look forward to every year. We’re gonna put on one heck of a show from Music City. Nashville’s Big Bash will be the perfect soundtrack to ring in another year with family and friends.”

CBS Presents New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash will air live on CBS on Sunday, December 31, as well as stream live on Paramount+. Paramount+ Essential subscribers can watch the show on-demand the next day.

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Country Daypop

Dylan Scott earns 4th No. 1 single with ‘Can’t Have Mine’

Dylan Scott has earned his fourth No. 1 single on both the Mediabase and Billboard charts with “Can’t Have Mine”. Scott celebrated the achievement on social media, writing: “Can’t Have Mine is officially the #1 song in America! Thank you Jesus!! Thank you to my brothers and co-writers @mattaldermanmusic @dallaswilson8 and @joshmeltonmusic for letting me crash the writing room the day we wrote this song! GRATEFUL! 🙌🏼

Scott’s latest No. 1 was written for Scott’s wife, Blair, with whom he recently welcomed their third child, a baby boy. The single also recently achieved Platinum certification, marking 8 million RIAA certified units over Scott’s seven singles and one album, and the fourth RIAA certification he has received this year.

Scott is currently on the road with his “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us Tour,” across North America. For information, head to Scott’s official website.

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Pop Daypop

Alicia Keys, Usher, Fantasia, H.E.R. and more included on ‘The Color Purple’ Soundtrack

The official soundtrack to the upcoming musical film The Color Purple will be release Dec. 15th, prior to the movie’s debut in theaters on Dec. 25.  The Color Purple is a musical adaptation of Alice Walker‘s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, and the 2005 stage production by Marsha Norman. The upcoming film stars Fantasia, Taraji P Henson, Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, Ciara and H.E.R.

The star-studded The Color Purple (Music From and Inspire By) soundtrack is executive produced by the legendary Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders and gamma. founder/CEO Larry Jackson.  The soundtrack features Alicia Keys, Usher, H.E.R., Mary J. Blige, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Missy Elliott, Ciara, Keyshia Cole, Halle Bailey, Coco Jones, Megan Thee Stallion, Taraji P. Henson, Jorja Smith, Mary Mary and more.  It will include songs performed in the film, as well as original material inspired by the movie.

According to a press release, “fans can expect a ‘breathtaking duet’ by Usher and H.E.R., and ‘a special remix’ by Missy Elliott.” The film’s end credit song is performed by Fantasia, who also stars in the film as Celie.

The soundtrack’s lead single “Lifeline,” written and co-produced by Alicia Keys, is out now. Listen to “Lifeline” by Alicia Keys – here.

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Pop Daypop

Demi Lovato’s Roku holiday special to feature Paris Hilton, Trixie Mattel

The Roku Channel is sharing the trailer for Demi Lovato’s holiday special, A Very Demi Holiday Special, premiering Dec. 8.

The streaming event is described as “a heartwarming, captivating special featuring music and plenty of out-of-this-world surprises” that “will fill your home and heart with a very Demi twist on the festive spirit,” and will feature Lovato performing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and other holiday songs, as well as some of her hits.

The trailer for A Very Demi Holiday Special features Lovato singing holiday songs, while guest star Paris Hilton joins Lovato in the kitchen to bake holiday treats, Trixie Mattel helps Lovato with some dance choreography, and Tiffany Haddish helps Lovato decorate holiday costumes. JoJo, Rich Eisen and Hailey Bieber are also set to appear

The Roku Channel is available on Roku devices, internet, Android and iOS devices.  See the trailer for A Very Demi Holiday Special here.

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Social Justice Advocate shot and killed during home invasion in L.A.

Michael Latt, a prominent Hollywood social justice advocate, was shot and killed in his Los Angeles home on Monday. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the 33-year-old Latt was fatally shot by an intruder in his home, identified as a homeless woman, 36-year-old Jameelah Elena Michl.

Police responded to Latt’s home at around 6 p.m. Monday and he was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries. Michl remained at the scene after the alleged shooting, where she was arrested at the residence and booked on suspicion of murder; she is being held on a $3 million bond. It is unclear if she has retained an attorney.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Latt is the son of Hollywood producers David Latt and Michelle Satter, and his brother is a Creative Arts Agency agent. Latt was the CEO of Lead With Love, a marketing company dedicated to promoting artists of color. Its website states: “Michael Latt is an award winning strategist, producer and founder of Lead With Love who has developed and led nationwide campaigns, impact initiatives and creative projects alongside influential artists, brands and organizations like Common, Ryan Coogler, Netflix, Emerson Collective, Sundance Film Festival, DGA, Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY, Frieze, UCLA, Barry Jenkins and more … Aligning his purpose and passion, Michael continues to dedicate his career to being of service, supporting influential women and artists of color and utilizing storytelling, art and more to spark lasting change and bring hope, love and inspiration to communities.”

A post on Latt’s Instagram page read: “Our beloved son, brother, grandson, fiancé Michael Latt, fell victim to a tragic act of violence Monday night. Our family, Michael’s extraordinary friends and colleagues are shattered by the profound grief of losing our Michael. He devoted his career to supporting others, championing organizations that raised up women and artists of color, along with leveraging storytelling, art and various mediums to create enduring change and instill communities with hope, love and inspiration. Michael will never be forgotten and we can all carry on his legacy of love, compassion and fierce dedication to positive and lasting change.”

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News Daypop

Trump gag order is reinstated in New York fraud trial

Former President Donald Trump has been barred from making public comments about court staff in his ongoing civil fraud trial, after a New York appellate court sided with the judge in the case who imposed the gag order after Trump disparaged his clerk, reinstating it. Attorneys for Trump argued the gag order violated U.S. and New York constitutional protections for free speech. They noted that the clerk, Allison Greenfield, is a Democrat, and that she sits next to the judge, often passing him notes.

On the second day of the trial, Oct. 3, New York Judge Arthur Engoron issued a limited gag order after Trump published a social media post about his clerk. Over the next month, Trump and his campaign violated the gag order twice, fining him $15,000. Engoron eventually broadened the order to bar attorneys in the case from commenting on court staff.

After a panel of judges in the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court considered Trump’s request to have the gag order lifted, it was temporarily stayed on Nov. 16. The appeals court ruled against Trump and lifted the stay in a brief order on Thursday; however Judge Engoron immediately advised lawyers in the case that he expects the ruling to be followed: “I intend to enforce the gag orders rigorously and vigorously, and I want to make sure counsel informs their client.”

Trump attorney Christopher Kise said the decision to reinstate the gag order represented “a tragic day for the rule of law … In a country where the First Amendment is sacrosanct, President Trump may not even comment on why he thinks he cannot get a fair trial. Hard to imagine a more unfair process and hard to believe this is happening in America.”

Trump, his two adult sons and their company have already been found liable for fraud in the case, in which they’re accused of benefiting at least $250 million through a decade-long scheme to artificially inflate Trump’s net worth during deals with banks and insurers. The former president and his co-defendants have denied all wrongdoing, blaming accountants for any inaccuracies in their financial statements. President Trump is expected to be re-called as a witness by his own lawyers on Dec. 11.

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Country Daypop

Kelsea Ballerini, Brooks & Dunn, and more join ‘All for the Hall’ charity benefit

Kelsea Ballerini, Brooks & Dunn, Riley Green and Mickey Guyton have signed on to perform at the annual All for the Hall charity benefit show, taking place on Dec. 5 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

As previously announced, Keith Urban and Vince Gill are set to co-host the 2023 All for The Hall, which will mark the eighth consecutive year that Urban has participated. Country music icons along with rising country stars will appear at the event, which will also feature the likes of Hardy and the War and Treaty as well as legends like Patty Loveless and Trisha Yearwood.  Per a new press release, previously announced performers Jordan Davis and Dierks Bentley have had to pull out of the event due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

This theme of this year’s All for The Hall is “The Song Remembers When,” in which performing artists will play a song that defines a powerful memory from their personal life, in addition to singing a fan-favorite hit.

The All for the Hall event has raised $4.3 million for the Country Music Hall of Fame and its affiliated education programs throughout the years. Tickets are available now via Ticketmaster along with VIP ticketing packages, which include premium seating and meet-and-greet opportunities.

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Country Daypop

Kenny Chesney adds soccer stadium dates to his 2024 ‘Sun Goes Down’ Tour

Just weeks after announcing his 2024 ‘Sun Goes Down Tour’, Kenny Chesney is expanding his tour dates by adding three new soccer stadium dates, as well as two more dates at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

The now 23-date tour includes the previously announced dates were set for NFL stadiums, as well as at the new tour stops in MLS venues. Says Chesney: “In a lot of ways, soccer stadiums are the best of both worlds. You have the same kind of intimacy that you get in an amphitheater, but it’s big enough you have the ability to really hit the accelerator in terms of energy, music, connecting. It’s a relatively new thing for us to have soccer stadiums, but these are markets where I know there are people who aren’t getting tickets – and everyone in No Shoes Nation knows how I feel about no citizen of our crew left behind.”

Megan Moroney and Uncle Kracker will support Chesney during two new shows in Ohio (June 29 and Aug. 8) and another in Utah (July 16). Zac Brown Band is also scheduled as support for the majority of the tour.  For full list of tour dates, head to Chesney’s official website.

Kenny Chesney adds three MLS soccer stadiums to 2024 Sun Goes Down Tour

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