Odell Beckham Jr. clears waivers, becomes free agent for the first time in his career

Odell Beckham Jr. is a free agent for the first time in his career. The veteran wide received was waived by the Browns on Monday, and went unclaimed on waivers Tuesday. Any team that claimed him would have owed Beckham $7.25 million for the rest of the season, and he can agree to a deal immediately.

Terms of the settlement the Browns and Beckham signed Saturday made it unlikely he would be claimed. The claiming team would have owed Beckham $7.25 million this season and with the final two non-guaranteed years wiped off his contract, he would become a free agent in March. Passing through waivers means the Browns will pay Beckham $4.25 million.

The Seattle Seahawks have shown strong interest in Beckham, and coach Pete Carroll did not refute that Monday. Asked if Seattle would claim Beckham, Carroll said, “So, I didn’t say yes or I didn’t say no. That’s just cause … you’ll see.” Aside from the Green Bay Packers, other possible destinations for Beckham are the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints.

In 29 games (28 starts) over three seasons with the Browns, Beckham totaled 114 catches on 210 targets for 1,586 yards and seven touchdowns. He also recorded eight carries for 96 yards and a touchdown.

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Thomas Rhett releases his latest single ‘Slow Down Summer’

Thomas Rhett has shared a lyric video for his new single “Slow Down Summer,” the first track off Rhett’s forthcoming sixth studio album titled “Where We Started,” which will be released early next year.

Rhett says of the new song, “I wrote this song from the point of view of two people who are in love during senior year of high school. I envisioned them headed off to different schools and they’re starting to understand that the moment the weather starts to change, they’ve got a 99-percent chance this relationship is not going to work.  I know that myself and a lot of people have been there before, wishing the fireworks stage doesn’t have to end.”

Watch the lyric video for Slow Down Summer – here.

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Randy Travis to release deluxe edition of his classic ‘Old Time Christmas’ album

Randy Travis is ringing in the holidays with the release of An Old Time Christmas (Deluxe Edition) on Nov. 19, featuring three never-before-released songs.

Originally released in 1989, An Old Time Christmas was the first Christmas record Travis ever released. Travis’s songs have become Christmas standards, appearing in movie classics like Annabelle’s Wish and A Holiday to Remember.

In addition to the album release, Travis will celebrate his 35th Anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry with a special appearance on Dec. 11. The lineup for that evening’s show also includes Jon Pardi, Old Crow Medicine Show, Carly Pearce and Don Schlitz, with more to be announced. Tickets for the event can be purchased here.

An Old Time Christmas (Deluxe Edition) will be available for preorder on Nov. 12 at RandyTravis.com.

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‘Squid Game’ creator, writer/director confirms the Netflix series will return for Season 2

Netflix‘s smash hit series ‘Squid Game’ is set to return for a second season. The film’s creator, writer, and director Hwang Dong-hyuk confirmed the latest development in a recent interview with the Associated Press.

A translation of what he said: “So there’s been so much pressure, so much demand and so much love for a second season. So I almost feel like you leave us no choice! But I will say there will indeed be a second season. It’s in my head right now. I’m in the planning process currently. But I do think it’s too early to say when and how that’s going to happen. So I will promise you this…(in English) Gi-Hun will come back, and he will do something for the world.” Dong-hyuk has previously stated that he was unsure if Squid Game would come back for Season 2, saying:  “I don’t have well developed plans for ‘Squid Game 2.’ It is quite tiring just thinking about it. But if I were to do it, I would certainly not do it alone. I’d consider using a writers’ room and would want multiple experienced directors.”

Squid Game follows Seong Gi-Hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, as he and hundreds of other desperate and deeply indebted contestants compete in a violent and often grotesque competition for about $38 million. Only one person can win the prize, and those who lose the series of children’s games pay with their lives.  Released on Sept. 17, Squid Game became Netflix’s biggest-ever series launch.

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Emmy-nominated actor Dean Stockwell passes away at age 85

Emmy-nominated actor Dean Stockwell has passed away. Variety reports that Stockwell died on Nov. 7 at age 85. A family spokesperson confirmed that Stockwell died of natural causes.

Stockwell, the son of actor Harry Stockwell and Elizabeth Stockwell, came to fame as a child actor in such films as The Green Years and Home Sweet Homicide, both released in 1946.  With over 200 acting credits in his career, Stockwell appeared in David Lynch’s films Dune (1984) and Blue Velvet (1986). He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Tony “the Tiger” Russo in the 1988 film Married to the Mob.

Perhaps Stockwell’s best known role was as Admiral “Al” Calavicci on the NBC series Quantum Leap, which aired for five seasons from 1989 to 1993. Stockwell was nominated for multiple Emmy Awards for the role, winning a Golden Globe in 1990 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television. In recent years, Stockwell appeared as John Cavil on Battlestar Galactica and as a guest star on NCIS: New Orleans. Stockwell officially retired from acting in 2015 and has spent the last few years creating and exhibiting art under his full name.  The actor is survived by two children.

Scott Bakula Remembers ‘Dear Friend’ And ‘Quantum Leap’ Co-Star Dean Stockwell, Dead At 85

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January 6 committee issues subpoenas to six top Trump campaign leaders and associates

On Monday, the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol issued six subpoenas to top-level members of the 2020 Trump reelection campaign, as well as individuals who promoted disproven conspiracies about the election and reportedly worked to find ways to overturn the results.

The committee demanded records and depositions from campaign manager William Stepien, senior adviser Jason Miller and executive assistant Angela McCallum. The committee also sent subpoenas to former President Trump’s attorney John Eastman, who reportedly advised Mr. Trump incorrectly that his vice president had the ability to reject electors from states and could overturn Joe Biden’s victory. The panel is also seeking information by subpoena from Michael Flynn, Mr. Trump’s one-time national security advisor who is believed to have attended an Oval Office meeting where attendees discussed seizing voting machines, declaring a national emergency and invoking some national security emergency powers to keep Mr. Trump in the White House, according to multiple reports. The committee also sent a subpoena to Bernard Kerik, an associate of Rudolph Giuliani, who reportedly funded command centers for the effort to overturn the 2020 election results.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi created the House select committee earlier this year to investigate the January 6 attack, when thousands of Trump supporters descended on the Capitol as Congress counted the electoral votes.  The riot led to the deaths of five people and the arrests of hundreds more. Mr. Trump, who encouraged his supporters to “walk over” to the Capitol during the Stop the Steal rally, was impeached by the House one week later for inciting the riot but was later acquitted by the Senate.

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Remington Firearms announce relocation of HQ from New York to Georgia

On Monday, gun manufacturer Remington Firearms – the nation’s oldest arms maker, whose lines of shotguns and hunting rifles date back to 1816 – announced it will relocate its corporate headquarters from New York to Georgia, with plans to build a $100 million manufacturing center in the state. The arms maker said it will build an advanced manufacturing operation and establish a “world-class research and development center” in LaGrange, Ga., located about 70 miles southwest of the state capital. The company, officially known as RemArms LLC, is currently located in Ilion, N.Y.

RemArms CEO Ken D’Arcy said in a statement:  “We are very excited to come to Georgia, a state that not only welcomes business but enthusiastically supports and welcomes companies in the firearms industry.”  Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp praised the move, saying in a press release: “I am a proud owner of some of Remington’s first-class product, and now, I am excited to welcome them to their new home in the Peach State. As yet another big manufacturing win for our state, I look forward to seeing the oldest firearms manufacturer in America thrive in Georgia’s pro-business environment.” Kemp said the move will result in 856 new jobs created over a five-year period in Troup County, Ga.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/gun-maker-remington-moves-georgia-100m-856-job-81037632

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Longtime Mets pitcher Pedro Feliciano dies at age 45

Pedro Feliciano, former pitcher for the New York Mets, died on Sunday at age 45.  The cause of death was not announced, but baseball analyst Eduardo Perez said that Feliciano died in his sleep, posting on Twitter: “Just found out that former Mets reliever Pedro Feliciano passed away last night in his sleep. He was 45 years young. He was a really good released but a better person off the field. He will be missed. He was jet-skiing yesterday with his family.”

The Mets also issued a statement on the death of Feliciano: “The Mets are so saddened to hear of the loss to their family today. Pedro Feliciano will be remembered as a beloved member of the Mets organization for his impact as a great teammate, as well as his reputation as one of the most competitive, durable and reliable relievers during his time in Queens. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Feliciano family. Rest in peace, Pedro.”

Feliciano suffered a rare genetic heart condition that was first diagnosed in 2013, the final season of his nine-year career, spent exclusively with the Mets.  Feliciano joined the Mets in 2002, and in 2006 he became one of the top relief pitchers in the Major Leagues. From 2006-2010, Feliciano appeared in 408 games for the Mets and recorded a 3.08 ERA.   Feliciano appeared in 484 games, which is the second most in Mets history behind John Franco (695).

Las Vegas Raiders cut cornerback Damon Arnette after video surfaces of him making death threats

The Las Vegas Raiders have waived second-year cornerback Damon Arnette after video surfaced this weekend of Arnette making death threats while brandishing firearms. Arnette, a first-round pick in 2020, had been on injured reserve since Oct. 9. He is also facing lawsuits stemming from a Las Vegas car accident last October.

Raiders general manager Mike Mayock in a conference call: “Very painful decision. We spent significant time,  effort and resources trying to help him in all aspects of his life. There have been a series of bad decisions over the last year or so, but we can’t stand, we cannot stand for the video of Damon with a gun, threatening to take a life. The content was unacceptable, contrary to our values and our owner Mark Davis has been very clear and very consistent that this is not how we will conduct ourselves in this community. The bottom line — the Raiders will not tolerate this type of behavior.”  Mayock added that he had talked with Arnette, his father and others in his life and “from my perspective, he’s a very talented young man with a good heart. He cleans up his life, I know he can make a living in the NFL. But not now, with the Raiders.”

The Raiders last week released receiver Henry Ruggs III in the wake of his car crash that claimed the life of 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog and has Ruggs facing felony DUI resulting in death and reckless driving charges that carry a possible sentence of 46 years in prison.

Mayock also confirmed on Monday that the Raiders had signed DeSean Jackson.

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Travis Tritt to kick off solo acoustic tour ‘An Evening with Travis Tritt’ in 2022

Travis Tritt will hit the road in 2022 for his solo acoustic tour, An Evening with Travis Tritt. The tour kicks off January 12th in Jackson, TN, will run through the first quarter of next year.  Each show has Tritt sharing personal stories and anecdotes about his life and musical influences, and fans will have the opportunity to experience this special evening featuring him in an intimate solo-acoustic setting.  Tritt will perform some of his biggest hits, including “Anymore,” “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” “It’s A Great Day to Be Alive,” and “Best of Intentions,” along with songs off his new album, Set In Stone.

Tickets are currently on sale for An Evening with Travis Tritt via Ticketmaster.  For more information, visit Tritt’s website.

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