President Biden signs $1.7 trillion government spending bill

President Joe Biden on Thursday signed a $1.7 trillion government spending bill, averting a government shutdown. The bill includes more aid to Ukraine and funding for his domestic priorities. The White House said Thursday that the bill ‘caps off a year of historic bipartisan progress for the American people:’  The bill will advance cutting-edge research …

Brazilian soccer legend Pelé dies at age 82

Brazilian soccer icon Pelé has died after battling cancer, his family announced Thursday on social media. He was 82. Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, the man widely known as Pelé died at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Pelé’s cancer was discovered when he underwent colon tumor removal surgery in 2021. He was admitted …

The Highwomen honor Amy Grant at Kennedy Center Honors

During the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, The Highwomen – comprised of Natalie Hemby, Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, and Maren Morris —were among the featured performers of the night which payed tribute to the five Kennedy Center honorees— Amy Grant, George Clooney, U2, Gladys Knight, and Tania León. The ceremony took place on Dec. 4 in …

All-star collaborations are revealed for ‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’

All-star collaborations have been revealed for ‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’, the star-studded special hosted by country music stars Jimmie Allen and Elle King, and Entertainment Tonight‘s Rachel Smith. The five-hour broadcast will feature 50 back-to-back performances and cross multiple time zones live from Nashville; and will count down with the East Coast at …

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ breaks Paramount+ record to become most watched movie premiere

Top Gun: Maverick was already this year’s No. 1 theatrical release with a global box office of $1.48 billion, and now after debuting over the Christmas holiday it has officially become the most-watched movie premiere ever on the Paramount+ streaming service. According to an official announcement by Paramount, the blockbuster sequel now stands as the …

Fashion designer and punk icon Vivienne Westwood dies at 81

Dame Vivienne Westwood, the fashion designer and activist who was considered an icon of Britain’s punk movement in the 1970s, has died at age 81.  A message posted to Westwood’s Twitter read: “Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London. The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better.” …

U.S. to require negative Covid test for travelers arriving from China

The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that travelers from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau will need to submit a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test before entering the United States, starting on Jan. 5. The new policy comes amid a surge in Covid cases in China and fears that a new, concerning variant could emerge. China is …

Ringleader of plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sentenced to 19 1/2 years in prison

47-year-old Barry Croft Jr., who was convicted of playing a key role in the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, was sentenced to 19 1/2 years in prison Wednesday. Croft and co-defendant Adam Fox, 39, were convicted in August of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and to use a weapon of mass destruction to attack Whitmer, …

Lainey Wilson releases two new songs on Spotify

Lainey Wilson has dropped two new Spotify singles — a reimagining of her original song “Middle Finger,” and a cover of Rick Derringer’s “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.” Said Wilson on Instagram: “It was awesome to have my band join me in Jay’s studio for the first time to record these Spotify Singles. We reimagined my …

Kacey Musgraves helps raise $100,000 for therapy dog for children’s hospital

Kacey Musgraves and her boyfriend Cole Schafer have helped to raise money so the Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt can add a second therapy dog at the facility. Last year, the pair created the Teddy Bear Ball to raise money (and teddy bear) for the patients at Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, …