XFL announces its 8 host cities include Las Vegas, Seattle, Houston and Washington D.C.

The XFL officially announced on Sunday its eight host cities on Sunday night for the 2023 season. The cities are Houston, San Antonio and Arlington in Texas, Orlando, Las Vegas, Seattle, St. Louis and Washington D.C.  Las Vegas is the only host city to not have a stadium announced with its location.

Las Vegas, Orlando and San Antonio are the new host cities joining the XFL, after the league dropped New York, Los Angeles and Tampa Bay. The league also announced its head coach pairings on Sunday as well:  Arlington: Bob Stoops; Houston: Wade Phillips; Orlando: Terrell Buckley; Las Vegas: Rod Woodson; San Antonio: Hines Ward; Seattle: Jim Haslett; St. Louis: Anthony Becht; and Washington D.C.: Reggie Barlow.

The XFL did not reveal the names of its eight teams; however, league owner Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson said in a statement that the league is “working on cool, new logos and innovative uniforms that match the dynamic and innovative vision of our league.”

All 43 games, which include regular-season matchups as well as two semifinal playoff games and a championship of each XFL season, will be aired and distributed across ABC, ESPN and FX. The XFL’s first game is scheduled for Feb. 18, 2023, less than a week after Super Bowl LVII is scheduled to take place.

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Watch the trailer for Netflix’s documentary on Shania Twain ‘Not Just a Girl’

Shania Twain shared the trailer for her Netflix documentary Not Just a Girl. In the preview, the 56-year-old Twain reflects on taking risks and encourages others to do the same. Says Shania “taking the risks to do things your way can be scary. You got to be brave.”

Not Just a Girl, directed by Joss Crowley, explores Twain’s life and career — from her humble beginnings in Timmins, Ontario, on to her breakthrough album ‘The Woman in Me.’  The documentary also features interviews with Lionel Richie, Kelsea Ballerini, Orville Peck and other artists, who celebrate Twain as a “trailblazer” for women in the country music industry.

Twain will also release the compilation album Not Just a Girl (The Highlights) to coincide with the documentary’s release on July 26.

Take a look at the trailer for Not Just A Girl – here.

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Little Big Town set to release their new album ‘Mr. Sun’

Little Big Town will release their tenth studio album, Mr. Sun, on September 16th. The group unveiled the cover art for the album on social media, which can be pre-ordered – here.

The band also released the brand-new track and lyric video from the album titled “Rich Man,” written by LBT’s Jimi Westbrook. An official music video for the song will arrive soon; you can stream “Rich Man” – here.

Mr. Sun follows the band’s ninth studio album Nightfall, which debuted atop Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart when it was released in January 2020.  The band is also performing across the country; they recently wrapped up The Bandwagon Tour with Miranda Lambert, and joined The Eagles on all dates of their European stadium tour this summer. Little Big Town will also join Wynonna Judd on select dates of The Judds: The Final Tour this fall.

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Take a look at the new trailer for ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ starring Florence Pugh and Harry Styles

Harry Styles and Florence Pugh star in the second trailer for the Olivia Wilde-directed film, ‘Don’t Worry Darling.’

The two-and-a-half-minute trailer opens with the main characters Alice (Pugh) and Jack (Styles), living a new, picture-perfect life provided by Jack’s experimental company town housing, Victory Project — run by CEO Frank (Chris Pine). A creepy voice begins to whisper “tick, tock”, as 1950s housewife Pugh falls into a dark body of water and realizes that the town has sinister secrets.

Olivia Wilde does triple-duty on film: directing, producing and starring. The cast also includes Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, Sydney Chandler and Nick Kroll. The movie is Wilde’s sophomore directing effort following Booksmart, her coming-of-age drama that won the Independent Spirit Award for best first feature and was one of the best-reviewed films of 2019.

Don’t Worry Darling hits theaters on September 23.  Watch the newest trailer – here.

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George Clooney, Gladys Knight and U2 among the 2022 Kennedy Center Honorees

The recipients of the 45th Kennedy Center Honors have been announced, with performing artists recognized for their lifetime contributions to American culture.

The list of honorees include actor and filmmaker George Clooney; contemporary Christian and pop singer Amy Grant; venerable gospel, soul and R&B star Gladys Knight; Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, conductor and educator Tania León; and four Irish musicians you may know best as the rock band U2.

In a statement, bandmates Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. said they consider America a home away from home:  “In December 1980, we made our first trip across the Atlantic to America. We had big dreams then, fueled in part by the commonly held belief at home that America smiles on Ireland. And it turned out to be true, yet again. But even in the wilder thoughts, we never imagined that 40 years on, we would be invited back to receive one of the nation’s greatest honors. It has been a four-decade love affair with the country and its people, its artists, and culture.”

The Honors are designed to raise money for the Kennedy Center as well as recognize talent. The annual ceremony is slated for Dec. 4, to be broadcast later on CBS and streamed on Paramount +.

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White House says that President Biden is not at risk of serious illness after testing positive for COVID-19

White House officials said in a briefing Thursday that President Joe Biden is taking an antiviral and isn’t expected to have serious illness, this after testing positive for COVID-19, White House COVID-19 response coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha told reporters that Biden is fully up to date on his vaccines and has been prescribed Paxlovid to treat the virus.  Dr. Jha said during a White House briefing: “Because the president is fully vaccinated, double boosted, his risk of serious illness is dramatically lower. Our expectation is that he’s going to have mild illness.”

Biden has been tested for COVID-19 regularly since taking office, but has never had a positive result before Thursday. Earlier in the day, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement: “This morning, President Biden tested positive for COVID-19. He is fully vaccinated and twice boosted and experiencing very mild symptoms.nHe has begun taking Paxlovid. Consistent with CDC guidelines, he will isolate at the White House and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time.”  Additionally, Biden’s travel has been cancelled for at least the next five days; Jean-Pierre said: “Out of an abundance of transparency, the White House will provide a daily update on the president’s status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation.” 

Biden later posted a video on Twitter saying he’s “doing great” and continuing to work. “Keep the faith,” he said. “It’s going to be OK.”

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Federal judge sentences former police officer Thomas Lane to 30 months in prison in George Floyd case

A federal judge sentenced former Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane to 30 months in prison for violating George Floyd’s civil rights in his 2020 death. Lane was one of three officers charged with violating Floyd’s civil rights for not intervening when former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin placed his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes, leading to his death. Lane was also convicted in February for depriving Floyd of medical care during his arrest. Prosecutors had asked for six-and-a-half years in prison.

Lane was only on his fourth day of the police force during Floyd’s arrest, and was heard on body camera video asking the other officers if they should turn Floyd over, and that he was concerned. The former officer pleaded guilty to the state’s charge of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s death. He agreed to three years behind bars and is expected to be sentenced for the state’s charge on Sept. 21.

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QB Kyler Murray agrees to five-year contract extension with Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray has agreed to terms on a five-year extension that will lock him in with Arizona through the 2028 season, the organization confirmed.

The contract awarded to Murray will pay him a total of $230.5 million with $160 million guaranteed — making him the second-highest paid quarterback, annually, behind only Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers.  Murray will receive $30 million in Year 1, $68 million over the first two years and $106.15 million over the first three years of his new deal.

The 24-year-old Murray, a two-time Pro Bowler, joined the Cardinals in 2019 as the first-overall pick. Upon reuniting of Murray with head coach Kliff Kingsbury, the two have led the Cardinals to being contenders in the NFC West.  In three seasons with the Cardinals, Murray has a combined record of 22-23-1, having thrown for 11,480 yards and 70 touchdowns to 34 interceptions while also adding 314 career rushing yards and 20 career rushing touchdowns on his resume.

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University of Georgia and head coach Kirby Smart announce 10-year, $112.5M contract

The University of Georgia has given head coach Kirby Smart a long and lucrative 10 year contract extension, totaling more than $110 million.  Effective immediately, Smart’s annual salary goes up to $10.25 million, and he will receive annual raises up to $12.25 million in the final year.

Georgia president Jere Morehead said in a statement:  “I am pleased that Coach Smart has made a long-term commitment to the University of Georgia. I look forward to seeing his continued success with the Georgia Bulldogs for many years to come.”

Fresh off winning the national championship for the first time in 41 years, the 46-year-old Smart is entering his seventh season as the head coach at his alma mater. He also received a new contract after his second season, when he took the Bulldogs to the national championship, elevating his salary to around $7 million annually.

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Scotty McCreery earns his fifth No. 1 song on country airplay with “Damn Strait”

Scotty McCreery has earned his fifth No. 1 hit as “Damn Strait” takes the top spot on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

McCreery posted the big news on an Instagram story with a picture of him on a plane and the caption, “POV: You find out you have the #1 song on Country Radio this week!!! Damnnn Straittt!!! 5 Damn Strait #1s in a row. Thank you Country Radio! Can’t thank y’all enough. This is crazyy!”

Scotty also shared he will hold an upcoming concert to celebrate the chart-topping hit song at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas on September 23rd (Gruene Hall is also where Scotty shot the video for “Damn Strait.”) Said Scotty about the show: “And we’re celebrating the #1 song where the King got his start! See you soon, Texas!”

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