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The family of Matthew Perry speaks out after his death at age 54

The family of Matthew Perry are speaking out after the actor died by an apparent drowning at his home at age 54 on Saturday.

In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Perry’s family said they are “heartbroken” by his “tragic” death. The statement read: “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.” Matthew was raised by his father, John Bennett Perry, mother, Suzanne Morrison, and stepfather, Dateline journalist Keith Morrison.

Perry was found dead at his home in the Los Angeles-area home, with TMZ reporting that Perry was found in a jacuzzi at the residence. First responders were called to the residence for cardiac arrest, and no drugs were found at the scene and no foul play was reported. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department later shared that officers responded to a call at Perry’s address regarding the death of a male in his 50s, though authorities would not confirm the deceased’s identity.

Warner Bros. TV, which produced Friends, said in a statement about the beloved actor: “We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry. Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family. The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans.”

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Brandy to drop new holiday album, star in Christmas film for Netflix

Brandy has announced her first holiday album, Christmas with Brandy, will arrive November 10th via Motown Records. “Christmas with Brandy” will feature classic covers and original holiday material, and marks Brandy’s first album since 2020’s critically acclaimed “B7.” Christmas with Brandy includes the singer’s cover of the Stevie Wonder classic holiday song “Someday At Christmas,” as well as “Jingle Bells,” and “Deck the Halls.” Other highlights include “Christmas Gift,” where the artist is joined by her daughter, Sy’Rai.

In keeping with the holiday spirit, Brandy will also be starring in the Netflix original film Best. Christmas. Ever!, debuting November 16th on the streaming service. The film, directed by Mary Lambert, also stars Heather Graham, Jason Biggs, Matt Cedeño, Wyatt Hunt, Abby Villasmil, and Madison Skye Validum.

In Best. Christmas. Ever!, Brandy stars as Jackie, with Graham portraying Charlotte. The duo play old college friends who unexpectedly reunite for the holiday; per People, the official film synopsis reads: “Every Christmas Jackie sends a boastful holiday newsletter that makes her old college friend Charlotte feel like a lump of coal. When a twist of fate lands Charlotte and her family on Jackie’s snowy doorstep just days before Christmas, she seizes the opportunity to prove her old friend’s life can’t possibly be that perfect.”

Check out the trailer for “Best. Christmas. Ever!”here.
To pre-order Christmas with Brandy, head here.

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Gunman still at large in Maine mass shootings that killed 18, injured dozens

The manhunt continues for the suspect in the mass shootings that killed 18 people and injured 13 in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday. Maine Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck told reporters during a news conference that authorities are attempting to locate 40-year-old Robert Card. Police said he should be considered armed and dangerous. Hundreds of police and about 80 FBI agents, as well as federal marshals and other agencies, are involved in the search. Officials are still urging residents of Lewiston, Maine’s second-largest city about 30 miles north of Portland, as well as nearby Auburn to continue to shelter in place. Many local schools and businesses will also remain closed.

Heavily armed law enforcement officers were seen surrounding a house in the nearby town of Bowdoin, where Card is from. According to the Maine Department of Public Safety: “Law enforcement is at a home in Bowdoin as part of the investigation into the Lewiston shootings and the search for Robert Card”. but officers completed their search and cleared the scene without locating the suspect.

State police Col. William Ross said during the news conference that the deadly rampage began a little before 7 p.m. Wednesday evening at Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley in Lewiston, where seven people were killed; six males and one female died of apparent gunshot wounds. At Schemengees Bar and Grille about 4 miles away, seven males inside the establishment and one outside were apparently shot to death, Ross said. Three other people died at area hospitals.

The suspect was enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and was believed to be stationed out of Saco, Maine. He recently reported mental health issues, including hearing voices, and had also threatened to shoot up the National Guard base in Saco, the bulletin said, and he was reported to have been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks this summer. In July, while training at the U.S. Military Academy in New York, leaders of the Army Reserve’s 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment told garrison staff that the suspect was “behaving erratically.”

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Homicide suspected after 5 people are found fatally shot in North Carolina home

Police in North Carolina are opening a homicie investigation after five people were found fatally shot at a southeast North Carolina home early Thursday.

Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said deputies received a 911 call from a person who knew the homeowners, saying he had spoken to one of the victims at around 11 p.m. and stopped by the residence at around 11:41 p.m. where they discovered the bodies before calling 911. Authorities later arrived at the home of Garland Highway outside Clinton shortly before 1 a.m. to find four men and a woman dead in the home from gunshot wounds. The victims ranged in age from 30s to 80s.

Capt. Eric Pope said in a news conference: “This is not normal for our community, it’s not normal for any community, and it should shock the conscious and we hope that somebody already knows something and will at least call us and give us the information that we need so that we can bring these person or persons to justice.”  He added that they also were of “various racial and ethnic backgrounds — White, Black and Hispanic.” Investigators don’t have any information about a suspect and don’t know how the people who were killed knew each other.

The sheriff’s office did not respond with additional information, including if the homicides are being investigated as a mass killing, which the FBI defines as the shooting death of four or more people, excluding any shooters, within 24 hours. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was reportedly assisting with the investigation.

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Country Daypop

Listen to Morgan Wade’s new song “Halloween”

Morgan Wade is sharing her new track ‘Halloween,’ produced by Clint Wells, Wade’s guitarist and band leader. Wade’s latest single follows the release of her third album, Psychopath, which dropped in August.

In an interview earlier this year, Wade shared how she’s evolved personally and creatively since her major label debut, Reckless, debuted in 2021: “I’m definitely different. I’ve learned to say no and that time is your most valuable thing. I won’t just do something because it looks good. I’m going to do what I want to do. I’m learning to keep my circle small and not listen to what the internet says or what other people say. Just focus on the real fans and the real people around me.”

Take a listen to ‘Halloween’ – here.

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Country Daypop

Jon Pardi postpones three upcoming concerts due to illness

Jon Pardi was forced to postpone three upcoming shows as he recovers from strep throat. Pardi is currently on his headlining “Mr. Saturday Night” Tour, which also includes Midland, Jackson Dean, Randall King, Ella Langley, and DJ Highmax on select dates.

Pardi shared a video on his social media to apologize to fans, and confirmed he would reschedule the three tour dates.  Pardi’s concerts were slated to take place in Eugene, Oregon; Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada; and Everett, Washington.

Pardi said in the video: “These are not my favorite videos to do… I am going to have to postpone. I have come down with strep throat. I thought it was allergies, and such, but the doctor says it’s strep throat, and I don’t feel well and I wanna be 100% for you guys. I can’t do that this weekend. I have to rest. So, I apologize from the bottom of my heart. I hate it. Hold onto the tickets. We’re gonna reschedule. Stay tuned for more info. I’m very sorry. I wanted to get the word out, so you guys can rearrange plans and you’re not stranded at the last minute. Love you. Thank you so much, and hold the tickets and we’ll keep you posted. Thank you, and sorry.”

Jon Pardi Falls Ill, Postpones Upcoming Mr. Saturday Night Tour Dates

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Reality show ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ shares new trailer

Netfix’s new reality show “Squid Game: The Challenge,” based on the hit South Korean drama, has shared its first trailer, with a tagline reading: “Make friends. Make enemies. Make a million dollars.”  

The new show features 456 contestants, who will compete in trials inspired by the deadly games in Squid Game in the hopes of winning $4.56 million. However, unlike the dystopian original ‘Squid Game’, contestants are expected to survive defeat. The trailer for Squid Game: The Challenge shows the contestants arrive at the open-air bunk room and participate in challenges, including a game of Red Light, Green Light, and a timed race across a bridge high up in the air.

The original Squid Game became the first South Korean show to top the Netflix charts in the United States. It won two Emmys in 2022 (Best Actor in a Drama and Best Director of a Drama categories for Lee Jung-jae and Hwang Dong-hyuk), and was renewed for Season 2. Netflix added eight new cast members, including Iz*One alum Jo Yu-ri, to Season 2 in June.

“Squid Game: The Challenge” debuts on Netflix Nov. 22. The series will run for 10 episodes dropping weekly with the finale set to air Dec. 6. Take a look at the trailer here.

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The Beatles’ releasing expanded ‘Red’ & ‘Blue’ albums, to share final song ‘Now and Then’

The Beatles surviving band members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr announced Thursday that the band will release a “last” new song, with the help of AI technology.

The song, “Now and Then”, will debut Nov. 2; it is written and sung by late singer-songwriter John Lennon. McCartney and Starr produced new parts for the song, which features guitar parts recorded by Harrison in 1995. A series of social media posts shared the details: “NOW AND THEN. THE LAST BEATLES SONG. OUT 02.11.23. #NowAndThen New expanded and mixed editions of the “Red and Blue” albums to be released 10.11.23.
Pre-order now: https://TheBeatles.lnk.to/NowAndThen”

According to The Guardian, McCartney and Starr completed the track more than four decades later with the help of the same technology used to enhance the audio in Peter Jackson’s docuseries The Beatles: Get Back. Jackson and a sound team led by Emile de la Rey used the software to isolate Lennon’s vocals from the original demo, which Lennon recorded in New York City in the late 1970s. McCartney said in a statement: “There it was, John’s voice, crystal clear. It’s quite emotional. And we all play on it, it’s a genuine Beatles recording. In 2023, to still be working on Beatles music, and about to release a new song the public haven’t heard, I think it’s an exciting thing.”  Starr added: “It was the closest we’ll ever come to having him back in the room so it was very emotional for all of us. It was like John was there, you know. It’s far out.”

In addition, on Nov. 10, The Beatles/1962-1966 (often called The Red Album) and The Beatles/1967-1970 (The Blue Album) will be released in 2023 Edition packages. The original editions were released in 1973, three years after The Beatles’ break-up, and reached No. 3 and No. 1, respectively, on the Billboard 200. Preorder and pre-save 1962-1966 and 1967-1970 (2023 Editions) here.

To pre-order ‘Now and Then’, head here: https://TheBeatles.lnk.to/NowAndThen.

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Judge fines Donald Trump $10,000 for violating gag order in fraud trial

Former President Donald Trump was fined $10,000 for violating a gag order in his civil fraud trial in New York after a judge questioned him on the stand about recent comments made by the former president. Trump’s remarks were made during a midmorning break, where he said: “If we had a jury it would have been fair, at least — even if it was a somewhat negative jury — because no negative jury would vote against me. But this judge will. Because this judge is a very partisan judge, with a person who’s very partisan sitting alongside of him, perhaps even much more partisan than he is.”

Judge Arthur Engoron asked Trump, who was on the stand, who he was referring to, and he replied Michael Cohen, the one-time lawyer and fixer for the former president. Engoron inferred Trump’s remarks to mean his clerk, whom Trump had previously criticized as a “partisan Democrat.” Engoron said: “I think I’ve said this before, but the idea the statement of referring to the witness as someone sitting along side me doesn’t make sense to me.” Trump has already been fined $5,000 for violating a gag order Engorn placed on all parties.

Cohen testified for a second day at the New York County Supreme Court civil trial alleging the former president inflated the value of his assets to land better business deals and tax benefits.  During his testimony Cohen said that Trump had asked him to “increase the total assets based upon a number that he arbitrarily elected.” However, Alina Habba, Trump’s attorney, referred to previous Cohen comments where he said Trump did not directly ask him to inflate the numbers.

Led by Trump att’y Alina Habba, Cohen’s cross examination on Wednesday centered on Cohen’s past of lying under oath. During Wednesday’s questioning, Cohen admitted to lying to U.S. District Judge William Henry Pauley III, the late federal judge who sentenced Cohen. Habba also questioned Cohen on how he and Weisselberg drew up the statements of financial condition that included inflated total values for assets.

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Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson elected 56th Speaker of the House

Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson won the House speaker election on Wednesday afternoon in a 220-209 vote on party lines. All 220 Republicans cast their vote for Johnson, while all 209 Democrats voted for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Johnson now becomes second in line to the presidency, finally putting an end to an unprecedented three weeks of disarray among House Republicans after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted from the position in a first-of-its-kind recall on Oct. 3.  Johnson said in his address to the House chamber after his election: “We want our allies around the world to know that this body of lawmakers is again to our duty stations. Let the enemies of freedom around the world hear us loud and clear — the people’s House is back in business.”

After McCarthy’s ouster, Republicans initially nominated Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, but he learned he would not have enough votes to win the formal speaker election on the House floor and withdrew from consideration. Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan was next selected as the new Republican House speaker nominee but after three rounds of voting Jordan was also unable to secure the number of votes needed to win. Current House majority whip, Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer, was then chosen as the party’s third-choice nominee on Tuesday, but he also dropped out when it became clear that he would not have the necessary 217 votes to become the House speaker in a floor vote.

The House Republican Conference then nominated Johnson, 51, on Tuesday evening, hours after Emmer withdrew his name. Johnson served as a deputy whip for the House GOP and sits on the House Judiciary Committee. He is in his fourth congressional term and, has maintained a relatively low national profile, representing his northwestern Louisiana district since 2017.

Johnson — an election denier and far-right Donald Trump ally whose political positions are largely attributed to his ultraconservative religious views, which have led him to fight for prayer in public schools and lobby against reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ freedoms. He introduced a bill in 2022 aiming to ban mention of sexual orientation and gender identity in federally funded institutions, called the Stop the Sexualization of Children Act. Johnson was one of the leaders of the GOP effort to keep former president Trump in power after his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020. Johnson led the amicus brief, signed by 100 Republicans, backing a Texas lawsuit seeking to invalidate the 2020 election results in four swing states won by Biden.

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