Categories
News Daypop

New York City Mayor Announces Public Schools Will Begin Phased Reopening Dec. 7

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Sunday that elementary schools in the city will re-open on December 7th, this despite the fact that cases throughout the United Sates continue to surge.

De Blasio said Sunday that public schools will re-open in phases with students in grades 3-k, Pre-k and K-5th grade returning in-person learning on Dec. 7, followed by students with the most complex disabilities on Dec. 10, while middle and high schools will remain closed. The decision to re-open comes after New York City Public Schools ended in-person instruction earlier this month after the city reached a 3% COVID-19 testing positivity rate.

New York City added 2,294 cases bringing its seven-day positive test result average to 2.75% and 3.5% for Saturday. Overall the state of New York added 6,723 new cases bringing its total to 641,161, with a statewide positivity rate of 4.27%, and 55 new deaths, bringing its death toll to 26,690.

New York City public schools will begin to reopen on Dec. 7

Via www.reuters.com
 

Categories
News Daypop

President-elect Biden Selects All-Female White House Senior Communications Team

On Sunday, President-elect Joe Biden announced an all-female White House senior communications team. In a statement, Biden’s transition team issued a statement declaring the team the “first senior White House communications team comprised entirely of women. These qualified, experienced communicators bring diverse perspectives to their work and a shared commitment to building this country back better.”

Former President Barack Obama’s White House communications director, Jen Psaki will serve as White House press secretary, Biden announced.  Kate Bedingfield, who served as deputy campaign manager and communications director for Biden’s campaign will be the new White House communications director and Pili Tobar, Biden’s communications director for coalitions, will serve as deputy White House communications director.

Senior Biden campaign adviser and chief of staff to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will serve as principal deputy press secretary. Symone Sanders and Ashley Etienne — both senior advisers on Biden’s campaign — will serve as chief spokesperson for the vice president and communications director for the vice president respectively. Communications director for first lady Jill Biden will be filled by Elizabeth E. Alexander, another Biden campaign senior adviser.

Biden chooses an all-female senior White House press team

Via abcnews.go.com
 

Editorial credit: Alex Gakos / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

‘My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood’ To Debut On HBO Max

HBO Max is set to debut Carrie Underwood’s new music special “My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood” on Thursday, Dec. 3.

Underwood performs a combination of traditional favorites as well as new original material from her first ever full-length Christmas album My Gift, which was released earlier this fall.

The special features a duet with John Legend singing “Hallelujah.” Viewers will also get an inside look behind the scenes of Underwood recording “Little Drummer Boy” with her five-year-old son Isaiah.

“My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood” will be available to stream starting Thursday, Dec. 3 on HBO Max.

Carrie Underwood’s HBO Max Christmas Special to Feature John Legend, Son Isaiah

Via tasteofcountry.com
 

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Darius Rucker And Violinist Lindsey Stirling Team Up For New Rendition of “What Child Is This”

Darius Rucker teamed with artist/violinist Lindsey Stirling to record a new rendition of “What Child Is This.” Darius and Lindsey will perform the tune during the CMA Country Christmas TV special on Nov. 30 on ABC.

“I was so honored when the CMA asked me to perform ‘What Child Is This,’ and to be getting to do it with an amazing musician like Lindsey is just awesome,” says Darius.  Added Lindsey, “I was so excited to be a part of CMA Country Christmas again this year. Every year, they give me an amazing chance to sparkle in their spectacular show. This year was extra special since I got to collaborate with the amazing Darius Rucker. Hope everyone loves it as much as we do!”

Listen to Darius and Lindsey perform “What Child Is This” at the link: here.

Lindsey Stirling & Darius Rucker Release ‘What Child Is This’

Via www.broadwayworld.com
 

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

David Prowse, Original Darth Vader in ‘Star Wars,’ Dead at 85

David Prowse, the actor who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy has died. He was 85. 

In a statement to BBC, Prowse’s agent, Thomas Bowington, said he died after a short illness. “Though famous for playing many monsters — for myself, and all who knew Dave and worked with him, he was a hero in our lives,” Bowington said, calling Prowse’s death “a truly and deeply heart-wrenching loss for us and millions of fans all over the world.” 

Prowse made his film debut in the 1978 James Bond spoof Casino Royale. The actor also also had roles on The Saint, Space 1999 and Doctor Who. Prowse was invited to audition for the roles of Darth Vader and Chewbacca in 1977’s Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope, and he chose to play Vader, with James Earl Jones voicing the character. 

Mark Hamill wrote on Twitter: “So sad to hear David Prowse has passed. He was a kind man & much more than Darth Vader. Actor-Husband-Father-Member of the Order of the British Empire-3 time British Weightlifting Champion & Safety Icon the Green Cross Code Man. He loved his fans as much as they loved him. #RIP.” 

David Prowse Dies, Darth Vader Actor from Star Wars Was 85

Via movieweb.com
 

Editorial credit: Dan Jamieson / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds Donate $500,000 To Canadian Charities

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are donating $250,000 to Covenant House Vancouver and $250,000 to Covenant House Toronto to help the organization support at-risk, homeless and trafficked youth across Canada. 

According to its website, The Covenant House has “helped transform and save the lives” of more than 1 million runaway, trafficked and homeless young people. It reaches approximately 74,000 youth on a yearly basis. In a blog post featuring the news Wednesday, Kristy Hayter of Covenant House Vancouver wrote that their donation “an incredible act of kindness and philanthropy.” The donation comes as the coronavirus pandemic has increased job loss and anxiety among the people the Covenant House serves, the organization said. 

Reynolds encouraged others to donate, and gifts made to Covenant House Vancouver through Dec. 31 will be matched by Reynolds and Lively.

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively donate $500,000 to support homeless youth in Canada

Via rss.cnn.com
 

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

President Trump Says He Will Leave White House Following Electoral Vote For Joe Biden

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he will leave the White House if the Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden.

Trump, who continued to cast doubt on the election result, took questions from reporters from the Diplomatic Room of the White House following a series of video conferences with military service members on Thanksgiving, assuring he would leave the White House on Jan. 20. However the President went on to say “it’s going to be a very hard thing to concede” and declared that the Electoral College would be making a “mistake” by voting for Biden. He also continued to allege “massive fraud” related to the election, saying, “You’re going to see things happening over the next week or two that are going to be shocking to people.”

After Thanksgiving, President Trump said he plans to travel to Georgia to hold a campaign-style rally, which he suggested would be in support of the state’s two Republican incumbent senators who face runoff races.

Inching toward exit, Trump says he’ll leave if Biden wins Electoral College vote

Via www.reuters.com
 

Editorial credit: Naresh777 / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Supreme Court Blocks Coronavirus Restrictions On Houses Of Worship

The U.S. Supreme Court issued an injunction blocking New York’s governor from enforcing 10- and 25-person occupancy limits on religious institutions. 

In an unsigned majority opinion, the court said the restrictions would violate religious freedom and are not neutral because they “single out houses of worship for especially harsh treatment.” While religious institutions were affected, businesses categorized as essential could admit as many people as they wish, the court said, and the list of such businesses included acupuncture facilities and others the court said were not essential. The court said there’s no evidence that the organizations that brought the lawsuit have contributed to the spread of Covid-19.

During a briefing call with reporters on Thanksgiving morning, NY Governor Andrew Cuomo said: “The Supreme Court ruling on the religious gatherings is more illustrative of the Supreme Court than anything else …. This was really just an opportunity for the court to express its philosophy and its politics. It doesn’t have any practical effects,” he said, adding, “The decision isn’t final. Second, it didn’t affect our mass gathering rules. So it didn’t mention those. It didn’t mention the overall limits.”

High court blocks NY coronavirus limits on houses of worship

Via abcnews.go.com
 

Categories
Country Daypop

Sam Hunt Drops New Video for “Breaking Up Was Easy in the ’90s”

Sam Hunt has released a new video for his current single, “Breaking Up Was Easy in the ’90s.”

“Breaking Up Was Easy in the ’90s” is featured on Sam’s No. 1 sophomore album, Southside, which was released in April 2020. The video, directed by Justin Clough, follows the story of a man who gets out of prison and is unsure of his path forward.

Watch the video for “Breaking Up Was Easy in the ’90s” at the link: here.

Watch Sam Hunt’s Video For ‘Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90s’

Via www.udiscovermusic.com
 

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Morgan Wallen Tapped Again As Musical Guest On “Saturday Night Live’

Morgan Wallen will be the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on Oct. 10, said Morgan via Twitter, with the caption, “Let’s try this again.” 

Morgan was originally slated to perform on SNL on Oct. 10, but was dismissed from the show after multiple videos surfaced of him ignoring social distancing protocols while in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Oct. 3 for the University of Alabama vs. Texas A&M football game. Morgan appeared in numerous TikTok videos that showed him partying at a bar, kissing women, performing at a house party and more—all without a mask.

Morgan will take the stage for two performances on Dec. 5,  with Jason Bateman hosting the long-running late night comedy show.

Morgan Wallen Sets ‘Saturday Night Live’ Return Date

Via tasteofcountry.com
 

Editorial credit: Tony Norkus / Shutterstock.com