Gov. Ron DeSantis picks Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to replace Marco Rubio in Senate

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that he has appointed Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to replace Marco Rubio in the U.S Senat,, whom President-elect Donald Trump tapped to be secretary of state. DeSantis told reporters that he would appoint his chief of staff, James Uthmeier, to fill Moody’s attorney general post.

DeSantis said at a press conference near Orlando: “These are always significant appointments, but I think right now appointments like these are more significant than ever. This is a time for action and a time for Washington D.C. to deliver results to the American people. There are no more excuses for Republicans. Today I am proud to announce that I am selecting our attorney general, Ashley Moody, to serve as our next U.S. senator,” adding that Moody has “honorably served our people” during her time as the state’s top law enforcement officer.

Rubio has served in the Senate since 2010; he was on Capitol Hill on Wednesday for his confirmation hearing. Moody will have to run in a 2026 special election to keep the seat for the final two years of Rubio’s term.  When Moody takes the seat, there will be 10 GOP women in the chamber.

Moody, 49, was a federal prosecutor and circuit court judge before she won her bidden 2018 to serve as Florida’s attorney general, as well as her re-election bid in 2022. Moody said at the press conference: “You better believe that as a United States Senator, I will work for you, those that stand on that thin line between chaos and order, between safety and crime. I have got your back.”

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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will not attend President-elect Trump’s inauguration

Per her spokesperson, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will not attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, January 20th.  ABC News first reported the news, with Pelosi’s  spokesperson not providing a reason for her planned absence from Trump’s second inauguration.

Pelosi led House Democrats during Trump’s first administration and attended his inauguration in 2017. During his presidency, she became one of Trump’s chief antagonists, overseeing both impeachments against him as speaker. Pelosi stepped down from leadership after the 2022 midterm elections, has been vocal about her opposition to Trump’s return to office.

Last December, Pelosi fell and injured her hip during an overseas trip to Luxembourg which required hip replacement surgery before returning to the U.S.  When Congress reconvened earlier this month, Pelosi was seen using a walker in the Capitol.

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Legendary broadcaster, Hall of Famer and actor Bob Uecker dies at age 90

Baseball icon Bob Uecker, the legendary Hall of Fame Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer, died Thursday at the age of 90.

Uecker’s family said in a statement: “It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Bob. To many, he was an announcer and entertainer whose humor and voice transcended the game, but to us he was so much more. Bob faced a private battle with small cell lung cancer since early 2023, which he met with the same strength and resilience that defined him. Even in the face of this challenge, his enthusiasm for life was always present, never allowing his spirit to falter. He brought joy to countless listeners through his wit, charisma, and love for baseball, Milwaukee, and all of Wisconsin, creating a legacy that will forever be cherished. While his contributions to the game are noteworthy, it is his kindness, humility, and love for family and friends that we will hold closest to our hearts. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time as we grieve and celebrate the man we were so lucky to call ours.”

Uecker, known as “Ueck” and “Mr. Baseball”,  made his MLB debut as a player in 1962 with Milwaukee, and also played with the St. Louis Cardinals (a team led by Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson which won the World Series in 1964), Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. Uecker hit just .200 throughout his six season career before moving onto the broadcasting booth, joining the Brewers radio broadcast team where he became an instant hit with fans. The 2024 season marked Uecker’s 54th as a Brewers broadcaster. In 2003, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame where he was presented with the Ford C. Frick Award, the sport’s highest broadcast honor.

The Milwaukee Brewers posted on social media on Uecker’s death: “We are heartbroken to announce that Brewers icon & Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Uecker passed away today at the age of 90”. They also shared in a statement: “Ueck was the light of the Brewers, the soundtrack of our summers, the laughter in our hearts, and his passing is a profound loss. He was the heart and soul of Wisconsin and a dear friend. Bob loved people; his presence warmed every room and he had a way of welcoming all of us into his world as if we were lifelong friends.”

In to his baseball and broadcasting career, Uecker acted in roles on the 1989 movie “Major League” and later the sitcom “Mr. Belvedere” from 1985 to 1990, where he portrayed sportswriter George Owens on the ABC sitcom about a suburban Pittsburgh family of five and their British butler.

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Eagles donate $2.5M to LA FireAid benefit concert

The Eagles have donated $2.5 million to FireAid, the upcoming benefit concert to support those affected by the Southern California wildfires. FireAid, described as ‘an evening of music and solidarity’ will take place on Thursday, January 30th at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

The Eagles have pledged $2.5 million to efforts to rebuild Los Angeles and prevent similar events in the future, however, it remains unclear whether or not the band will perform at the FireAid benefit concert. FireAid is being produced by Eagles manager Irving Azoff, his wife Shelli, Live Nation, and AEG Presents.

Proceeds from the FireAid concert will go towards a 501(c)(3) created to focus on rebuilding infrastructure, supporting displaced families, and advancing fire prevention technologies and strategies to ensure LA is better prepared for fire emergencies. Since launching the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort To Support Music Professionals last week, the Recording Academy and MusiCares have raised and pledged more than $2 million in emergency aid to music people affected by the wildfires.

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Lineup for FireAid benefit concerts: Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Stevie Nicks, Jelly Roll, Lil Baby and more

A wide-range of performers across all musical genres have signed on to perform at the upcoming FireAid benefit concerts, taking place on Jan. 30 at the Inuit Dome and Kia Forum in Los Angeles. FireAid, described as ‘an evening of music and solidarity,’ will be dedicated to rebuilding communities devastated by the fires and supporting efforts to prevent future disasters throughout Southern California.

Variety reports that Lady Gaga, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Katy Perry, Sting, Billie Eilish and Finneas, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and more will perform, with the shows also featuring performances by Lil Baby, Earth, Wind and Fire, Jelly Roll, Gwen Stefani, Tate McRae, Rod Stewart, Gracie Abrams, P!nk and Stephen Stills, and performing together for the first time, Dave Matthews and John Mayer. More acts and special guests will be confirmed in the coming days. The show was originally slated for the Intuit Dome on Jan. 30, but will now also include nearly Inglewood venue The Forum.

The event, sponsored by American Express, Intuit, and UBS, will start at 6 p.m. PT and tickets go on sale Jan. 22 at noon PT via Ticketmaster.  FireAid will also be broadcast and streamed live on Apple Music and the Apple TV app, Max, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Netflix/Tudom, Paramount+, Prime Video and the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, SiriusXM, exclusively on “LIFE with John Mayer,” Spotify, SoundCloud, Veeps, and YouTube, and at select AMC Theatre locations in 70 US markets.

Proceeds from the concerts will go toward a 501(c)(3) created for the event that will focus on rebuilding infrastructure, supporting displaced families and advancing fire prevention technologies and strategies to ensure L.A. is better prepared for fire emergencies.

Ticket information and other details can be found:  HERE.

Editorial credit: Marcus E Jones / Shutterstock.com

Lineup for FireAid benefit concerts: Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Stevie Nicks, Jelly Roll, Lil Baby and more

A wide-range of performers across all musical genres have signed on to perform at the upcoming FireAid benefit concerts, taking place on Jan. 30 at the Inuit Dome and Kia Forum in Los Angeles. FireAid, described as ‘an evening of music and solidarity,’ will be dedicated to rebuilding communities devastated by the fires and supporting efforts to prevent future disasters throughout Southern California.

Variety reports that Lady Gaga, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Katy Perry, Sting, Billie Eilish and Finneas, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and more will perform, with the shows also featuring performances by Lil Baby, Earth, Wind and Fire, Jelly Roll, Gwen Stefani, Tate McRae, Rod Stewart, Gracie Abrams, P!nk and Stephen Stills, and performing together for the first time, Dave Matthews and John Mayer. More acts and special guests will be confirmed in the coming days. The show was originally slated for the Intuit Dome on Jan. 30, but will now also include nearly Inglewood venue The Forum.

The event, sponsored by American Express, Intuit, and UBS, will start at 6 p.m. PT and tickets go on sale Jan. 22 at noon PT via Ticketmaster.  FireAid will also be broadcast and streamed live on Apple Music and the Apple TV app, Max, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Netflix/Tudom, Paramount+, Prime Video and the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, SiriusXM, exclusively on “LIFE with John Mayer,” Spotify, SoundCloud, Veeps, and YouTube, and at select AMC Theatre locations in 70 US markets.

Proceeds from the concerts will go toward a 501(c)(3) created for the event that will focus on rebuilding infrastructure, supporting displaced families and advancing fire prevention technologies and strategies to ensure L.A. is better prepared for fire emergencies.

Ticket information and other details can be found:  HERE.

Editorial credit: Marcus E Jones / Shutterstock.com

President Biden delivers farewell address to the nation

President Biden delivered his farewell address to the nation on Wednesday, five days before he passes the mantle of the presidency to his predecessor and his successor, President-elect Donald Trump.

Speaking from behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, Biden reflected on his political career and said he was proud of what his administration accomplished as the country climbed out of the coronavirus pandemic and made investments in the economy, infrastructure, gun safety, and climate change.  As Vice President Kamala Harris sat nearby alongside second gentleman Doug Emhoff, first lady Jill Biden and Hunter Biden, the President commended Harris as a “great partner”.

Biden went on to express his concerns to the nation as he prepares to cede power to President-elect Donald Trump, noting that the concentration of power is in the hands of a few wealthy individuals: “Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead. Powerful forces want to wield their unchecked influence, to eliminate the steps we’ve taken to tackle the climate crisis, to serve their own interest for power and profit. We must not be bullied into sacrificing the future, the future of our children and our grandchildren, must keep pushing forward and push faster. There’s no time to waste.”

Prior to his televised address, a farewell letter released by the White House was released Wednesday morning in which Mr. Biden wrote that it has been “the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years. Nowhere else on Earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware, one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as President of the United States. I have given my heart and my soul to our nation. And I have been blessed a million times in return with the love and support of the American people. I ran for president because I believed that the soul of America was at stake. The very nature of who we are was at stake. And, that’s still the case. America is an idea stronger than any army and larger than any ocean. It’s the most powerful idea in the history of the world. That idea is that we are all created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

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Israel and Hamas reach Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal

The Israeli government and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage release agreement after more than a year of fighting in the Gaza Strip. The deal had been reached following the Qatari prime minister’s meeting with Hamas negotiators, and separately with Israeli negotiators in his office, and will lead to the phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, sources told CNN.

Per ABC News, intense negotiations have been underway in Doha for the past few weeks, with delegations from both Israel and Hamas were dispatched to Doha to resume the negotiations, which were brokered by Qatari and Egyptian mediators.  President Biden’s top Middle East advisor, Brett McGurk, staying in the region for the better part of a month. McGurk has been closely coordinating with President-elect Trump’s pick for special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Mr. Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the phone on Sunday about the negotiations.

The deal comes after a week of intense negotiations mediated by Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt. Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that the deal will take effect Sunday. Under the phased agreement, Israeli forces would withdraw to the Gaza border, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes and for the transfer of hostages and prisoners. Large amounts of humanitarian aid would be shipped to the enclave and hospitals and health care centers would be rebuilt. Hamas will release 33 hostages in exchange for 100 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences, according to a portion of the deal shared by Hamas. Israel will also release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners who were not involved in the Oct. 7 attacks, and an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners will also be released abroad or in Gaza.

President Biden said in a statement that the ceasefire deal took “many months of intensive diplomacy” by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar, adding that “my diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done.” Later in a press conference, Biden said he was “deeply satisfied this day has finally come, for the sake of the people of Israel and the families waiting in agony, and for the sake of the innocent people in Gaza, who suffered unimaginable devastation because of the war.”

Biden also noted that his team and the incoming Trump administration’s spoke as “one team” in negotiating the ceasefire deal reached Wednesday: “this deal was developed and negotiated under my administration, but its terms will be implemented for the most part by the next administration. In these past few days, we’ve been speaking as one team. This has been a time of real turmoil in the Middle East, but as I prepare to leave office, our friends are strong, our enemies are weak, and those are genuine opportunities for a new future.”

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Parker McCollum adds new summer dates for 2025 ‘What Kinda Man Tour’

Parker McCollum has added additional dates for his upcoming What Kinda Man Tour which kicks-off this month.

The 16 newly announced shows will bring the tour through the summer and across the country, with Ashley Cooke, Corey Smith, Hudson Westbrook, Laci Kaye Booth, Kameron Marlowe, Steve Earle with Reckless Kelly, Randy Rogers Band, and Vincent Mason joining Parker on the additional dates.

Parker announced on social media: “First I want to say a huge thank you to each and every person who has come out to one of our shows,” McCollum said in a statement when he announced his first round of tour dates in October. “Y’all were with us rain or shine this past year and I can say it was hands down one of my favorite tours – I truly do have the best fans out there! Y’all keep me doing the thing that I love to do and for that I’ll forever be grateful. Can’t wait to kick the doors down in 2025 and hope to see you all out on the road again next year.”

For additional information on tour dates and tickets, visit ParkerMcCollum.com.

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‘TODAY’ co-host Sheinelle Jones taking time away from show due to ‘family health matter’

NBC TODAY co-host Sheinelle Jones is taking time away from the show to tend to “a family health matter.” Sheinelle has been with NBC News since 2014 as a Weekend Today co-host, and began co-hosting the third hour of TODAY alongside Dylan Dreyer and Craig Melvin in 2019.

Jones posted a message on Instagram announcing her leave, which was also read by TODAY co-host Savannah Guthrie on Jan. 15: “Hi everybody … I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while I’ve been absent from the show. I want to share with you that I’m taking time to deal with a family health matter. It’s not lost on me how lucky I am to have not only the support of my Today Show family, but to also have all of you. Your kindness means so much to me. I’ll see you soon. Love, Sheinelle ❤”

Guthrie said after sharing Jones’ statement on the air: “we know so many of you have been asking about Sheinelle, and missing her, and we miss her, too. We’ll see you soon,” while Melvin added: “Sheinelle, we all love you, and we are so looking forward to having you back.”

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