Netflix to host virtual watch party for premiere of ‘Stranger Things 4’ Volume 2 episodes

Netflix will host a late-night virtual watch party with cast members to celebrate the last two episodes of Stranger Things 4, Volume 2.  Fans can tune in at 2:15 a.m. EDT Friday to talk live with the cast before Stranger Things 4 Volume 2 premieres 45 minutes later at 3 a.m. The event is free to all Netflix subscribers with the watch party hosted on Scener, an online co-viewing platform that allows viewers to watch titles on different streaming services at the same time.

The official Stranger Things page tweeted – “Are You Ready?” join David Harbour, Brett Gelman, Jamie Campbell Bower and Joseph Quinn for a Q&A followed by a virtual watch party of STRANGER THINGS 4 Vol. 2 this Thursday powered by @scener RSVP now at http://strangerthings4.scener.com.

Stranger Things follows a group of young friends in the 1980s as they experience supernatural events. Season 4, Volume 1 premiered in May; Volume 2 premiers Friday, July 1st and will consist of two episodes, including a supersized episode with a runtime of almost two-and-a-half hours.

Fans can sign-up for the virtual watch party at strangerthings4.scener.com.

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R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in prison for sex trafficking

A federal judge sentenced R. Kelly to 30 years in prison on Wednesday. Kelly was convicted last September of racketeering and violating the Mann Act, a sex trafficking law, including having sex with underage girls.

Kelly was also convicted in a bribery scheme involving a public official to get a fake ID for the late singer Aaliyah, so the two could marry when she was 15 and he was 27. Kelly believed Aaliyah was pregnant at the time, prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo. Kelly produced Aaliyah’s debut album, titled “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number.” She died in a plane crash in 2001 at 22 years old.

During Kelly’s trial, nearly four dozen witnesses testified for the prosecution, alleging that he preyed upon children and women for his sexual gratification. The singer declined to testify at the six-week trial but could speak during Wednesday’s sentencing hearing. His defense team is asking for less than 14 years in prison, citing Kelly’s traumatic childhood.

Editorial credit: Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock.com

R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in prison for sex trafficking

A federal judge sentenced R. Kelly to 30 years in prison on Wednesday. Kelly was convicted last September of racketeering and violating the Mann Act, a sex trafficking law, including having sex with underage girls.

Kelly was also convicted in a bribery scheme involving a public official to get a fake ID for the late singer Aaliyah, so the two could marry when she was 15 and he was 27. Kelly believed Aaliyah was pregnant at the time, prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo. Kelly produced Aaliyah’s debut album, titled “Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number.” She died in a plane crash in 2001 at 22 years old.

During Kelly’s trial, nearly four dozen witnesses testified for the prosecution, alleging that he preyed upon children and women for his sexual gratification. The singer declined to testify at the six-week trial but could speak during Wednesday’s sentencing hearing. His defense team is asking for less than 14 years in prison, citing Kelly’s traumatic childhood.

Editorial credit: Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock.com

Travis Barker hospitalized for pancreatitis due to recent colonoscopy

Travis Barker’s emergency trip to the hospital Tuesday is reported to be due to pancreatitis, which doctors believe to be triggered by a colonoscopy. According to TMZ, sources connected to Barker have confirmed the hospitalization was a result of pancreas inflammation which includes symptoms like nausea, intense stomach pain and vomiting.

The Blink-182 drummer was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with his wife Kourtney Kardashian at his side, after first checking into West Hills Hospital and Medical Center on Tuesday.  Barker’s daughter, Alabama Barker, shared a message through her Instagram story that same day, asking fans to “Please send your prayers.”

The 46-year-old Barker’s medical history involves illnesses like staph infection and cellulitis, which is a bacterial infection that can cause swelling, inflammation and pain. In 2018, he suffered blood clots in his arms, forcing a string of shows from Blink-182’s Las Vegas residency to be canceled. And in 2008, Barker survived a plane crash that claimed the lives of six people; the accident left him with third-degree burns all over his body.

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Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years for aiding Jeffrey Epstein in sex trafficking underage girls

On Tuesday, Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for aiding the late financier Jeffrey Epstein in his sexual abuse of underage girls for at least a decade between the 1990s and 2000s. Following a criminal trial, Maxwell was found guilty last December of conspiring with Epstein – an associate and romantic partner for a period of time — to groom, recruit and sexually abuse minors as part of Epstein’s now-infamous trafficking ring. Maxwell was convicted of multiple charges related to sex trafficking and conspiracy.

Maxwell’s defense team had asked to postpone her sentencing hearing because she was suddenly moved to solitary confinement, arguing that Maxwell’s hearing should be rescheduled since solitary confinement meant she was unable to prepare for it.  Despite reports about her mental state, attorneys said that Maxwell was not at risk of suicide prior to the transfer.

The 60-year-old Maxwell was indicted in July of 2020 and taken into federal custody where she was held without bail for 16 months leading up to her trial. Her arrest came about a year after Epstein died by apparent suicide in his New York City jail cell while facing federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. Maxwell pleaded not guilty to all charges originally brought against her, and was acquitted of one count of enticing a minor to travel across state lines to engage in an illegal sex act. She never took the stand to testify during the trial, saying she felt there was “no reason” to formally defend herself before the court because “the government [had] not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.”

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Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years for aiding Jeffrey Epstein in sex trafficking underage girls

On Tuesday, Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for aiding the late financier Jeffrey Epstein in his sexual abuse of underage girls for at least a decade between the 1990s and 2000s. Following a criminal trial, Maxwell was found guilty last December of conspiring with Epstein – an associate and romantic partner for a period of time — to groom, recruit and sexually abuse minors as part of Epstein’s now-infamous trafficking ring. Maxwell was convicted of multiple charges related to sex trafficking and conspiracy.

Maxwell’s defense team had asked to postpone her sentencing hearing because she was suddenly moved to solitary confinement, arguing that Maxwell’s hearing should be rescheduled since solitary confinement meant she was unable to prepare for it.  Despite reports about her mental state, attorneys said that Maxwell was not at risk of suicide prior to the transfer.

The 60-year-old Maxwell was indicted in July of 2020 and taken into federal custody where she was held without bail for 16 months leading up to her trial. Her arrest came about a year after Epstein died by apparent suicide in his New York City jail cell while facing federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. Maxwell pleaded not guilty to all charges originally brought against her, and was acquitted of one count of enticing a minor to travel across state lines to engage in an illegal sex act. She never took the stand to testify during the trial, saying she felt there was “no reason” to formally defend herself before the court because “the government [had] not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.”

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CVS, Walmart, Amazon and Rite Aid limit purchases of emergency contraceptive pills after Roe vs. Wade ruling

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, a number of major pharmacy chains and other retailers have placed limits on purchases of Plan B emergency contraception due to increased demand.  On Friday, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to overturn its 1973 opinion in Roe vs. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide.

CVS Pharmacy told CNN that although the pharmacy chain has “ample supply” of contraceptive pill brands Plan B and Aftera, it is limiting purchases to three per customer “to ensure equitable access and consistent supply on store shelves.”

Rite Aid also told CNN they were implementing a similar limit on purchases of contraceptive pills: “Due to increased demand, at this time we are limiting purchases of Plan B contraceptive pills to three per customer,” said Alicja Wojczyk, senior manager of external communications for Rite Aid.

Amazon also confirmed to that it had placed a limit of three units per week on emergency contraceptive pills; and Walmart has said that many of its products purchased online have limits that can change “during times of fluctuating demand” but purchases of emergency contraceptive pills were not currently being limited.

Emergency contraceptive pills – commonly referred to as “morning after pills” — can be purchased over-the-counter without an ID or prescription. The contraceptive pills typically prevent pregnancy by stopping the release of an egg from the ovaries, preventing a sperm from fertilizing an egg or stopping a fertilized egg from attaching to the womb, and are meant to be taken up to three days after unprotected sex.  Emergency contraceptive pills differ from abortion pills, which require a prescription and can be used effectively within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.

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Ashley McBryde taking time off from performing ‘due to personal reasons’

Ashley McBryde is taking some time off the road, posting a statement on her Facebook page from “Team Ashley” regarding McBryde’s absence from recent shows, appearances and social media.

The statement read: “Thank you all for the well wishes. For personal reasons, Ashley will not be performing for a few weeks. We will share more details regarding when she will be back on the road as soon as they become available, but she wants you to know that she loves you all and misses you and will be back soon stronger than ever!”

The news comes after fans noticed McBryde has canceled numerous tour dates, including a performance at Old Settlers Days Festival, 33rd Annual Rib Fest, and shows with Dierks Bentley. According to her website, Ashley’s next scheduled tour date is set for July 8 in Darien Center, New York with Dierks Bentley. At this time, it is unclear when McBryde will return to the stage.

McBryde’s last public appearance was during the final night of CMA Fest, where she joined Elle King to sing “Ex’s And Oh’s”.

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Sam Hunt shares his new single “Water Under The Bridge”

Sam Hunt has released his new single, “Water Under the Bridge.” Hunt co-wrote “Water Under the Bridge” with Chris LaCorte, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne, which is the follow-up to Hunt’s recent chart-topper “23,” which he also wrote with LaCorte, McAnally, and Osborne. “23” is Hunt’s eighth No. 1 hit.  You can download the song at your streaming service of choice.

Hunt shared the news on Instagram, writing: New single, Water Under The Bridge, out now. You can take a listen to Water Under the Bridge – here.

Sam Hunt Takes a Trip Down Memory Lane in New Single, “Water Under the Bridge”

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Take a look at the teaser trailer for ‘Hocus Pocus 2’

The Sanderson Sisters are back in the first teaser trailer for Hocus Pocus 2, the sequel to the classic Halloween movie which reunites Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as Winifred, Sarah and Mary Sanderson, respectively, taking place 29 years after the original Hocus Pocus film.

The teaser trailer opens on a scene of three high school students played by Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo and Lilia Buckingham, who are discussing their plans for that night. Becca (Peak) tells Cassie (Buckingham) “Birthday ritual: scary movie marathon, same as every year,” as clips play of Becca and Izzy (Escobedo) visiting a magic shop and reciting a ritualistic prayer — only to realize the chanting works, and the Black Flame Candle is officially lit. A red crack opens up in the ground beneath the girls as they try to run away. “Lock up your children,” says Winifred (Midler). “Yes, Salem. We’re back!”

Hocus Pocus 2 also stars Sam Richardson, Doug Jones, Hannah Waddingham, Froyan Gutierrez and Tony Hale, among others. The sequel film premieres on Disney+ Sept. 30.  Check out the teaser trailer – here.

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