California becomes second state to report new highly contagious Covid-19 strain

California has reported its first case of a more contagious COVID-19 variant first identified in the United Kingdom, and the second confirmed case in the U.S.  California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the case was confirmed in Southern California Wednesday afternoon.  During a Wednesday afternoon briefing, San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said a 30-year-old man …

Government begins sending $600 COVID-19 stimulus payments

On Wednesday, the U.S. federal government began mailing out COVID-19 stimulus checks worth $600 for most Americans, amid ongoing efforts to raise the amount to $2,000. The $600 amount was part of the $900 billion coronavirus relief package negotiated in Congress for months and signed by President Donald Trump on Sunday. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin …

Brett Young Announces Caliville Weekend Festival in Summer 2021

Brett Young is heading back to his California roots by hosting Caliville Weekend in Palm Springs next summer, June 18-21. The four-day experience features live performances, including a headlining show by Brett, along with wellness activities, pool parties, hotel takeovers and more. There will also be a closing night show featuring surprise performers.Ticket packages for …

Reba McEntire says ‘Goodbye to 2020’ in social media message to fans

Reba McEntire shared a heartfelt message to fans in a recent Instagram post, bidding farewell to 2020 and sharing that she’s looking forward to a better year in 2021. Said McEntire on Instagram: “I just wanted to say Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you. Please stay safe and healthy so …

Gilligan’s Island’s Dawn Wells Dies at 82 Due to COVID-Related Causes

Gilligan’s Island star Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann Summers on the hit show from 1964-67, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles.  She was 82. Wells’ publicist said that the actress died of causes related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Wells appeared on countless television programs, including Bonanza, The Love Boat, Gilligan’s Planet, Growing Pains, …

Constance Wu welcomes baby girl with boyfriend Ryan Kattner

Crazy Rich Asians star Constance Wu is a new mom. Wu’s manager, Larry Taube, confirmed that Wu, 38, welcomed her first child, a daughter, with her boyfriend, musician Ryan Kattner, over the summer. Wu has kept out of the public eye during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has her Instagram and Twitter accounts labeled as “defunct.” …

Department of Justice declines to charge officers in 2014 Tamir Rice shooting

The U.S. Justice Department have declined to charge the Cleveland officers involved in the fatal 2014 shooting of Tamir Rice, and have closed its investigation.  An independent federal investigation into the Nov. 22, 2014, shooting of the 12-year-old Black boy seen playing with a toy gun at a park “found insufficient evidence to support federal …

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocks immediate vote on $2,000 stimulus checks

After Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell blocked an effort by President Donald Trump and Democrats to increase stimulus payments to Americans, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said $600 payments would begin to be delivered Tuesday night. Mnuchin announced that the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service would begin delivering the $600 payments included in …

Miranda Lambert and husband Brendan McLoughlin share their Pet ‘Farmily’ in 2020 Christmas Card

Miranda Lambert and husband Brendan McLoughlin celebrated their second Christmas together with a custom Christmas card featuring their furry family. There’s pictures of chickens, dogs, cats and horses helping the “family” celebrate the holiday season. “Merry Christmas y’all!” the country star wrote on social media unveiling her Christmas card. She went on to list off the …

Alabama to Perform Free Virtual New Year’s Eve Concert

Alabama will be performing a free New Year’s Eve concert.  The iconic country group has joined forces with Camping World for an online concert, which will stream live on Thursday, December 31 at 8 p.m. CT.    Alabama said in a statement: “What better way to start the New Year than to have a free concert …