ABC/Image Group LABrad Paisley thinks of his new single, “Bucked Off,” as “turbo twang retro-futuristic rockin’ hi-fidelity country music” — and he’s made a video to match. The song equates finding out your significant other is breaking up with you to a cowboy being “Bucked Off” at the rodeo. So the premise of the new clip …
Jan 09
Saudi teen in Thailand granted refugee status by the UN after calls for help and claims of family threats
STR/AFP/Getty Images(LONDON) — The United Nations granted refugee status to a Saudi woman on Wednesday who was publicly pleading for help in Thailand. Eighteen-year-old Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun started calling for support on Monday via Twitter. She said Thai authorities took her passport as she was trying to fly to Australia, where she planned to apply …
Jan 09
Iowa farmer concerned about anhydrous this spring
A southwest Iowa farmer is concerned about the price and availability of anhydrous ammonia this spring. Julius Schaaf of Randolph says fall fertilizer applications were extremely limited because of wet conditions over a huge area of the Corn Belt. “So we’ve been looking at dry fertilizer. We do some side-dressing with liquid, so we’ve actually …
Jan 09
Carly Pearce gets “Closer to…” finishing her second album
ABC/Image Group LACarly Pearce is getting closer to finishing her sophomore album. With its debut single, “Closer to You,” catching on at country radio, the “Every Little Thing” hitmaker is hard at work on the rest of her record. “Last day of writing this week then studio to work on CP2 tomorrow,” she tweeted on Wednesday. “If y’all only knew …
Jan 09
See all the “Stages” of Cassadee Pope on her new album coming February 1
Awake MusicCassadee Pope’s new album, Stages, will arrive February 1, and it was produced by Corey Crowder, who-co-wrote her #1 with Chris Young, “Think of You.” The eleven original songs — including the singles “Take You Home” and “One More Red Light” — follow Cassadee’s journey as she rebuilds after heartbreak. “It’s a validating feeling to look back …
Jan 09
Dad allegedly staged his baby boy’s kidnapping to cover up foul play: Police
Chalabala/iStock(SAN ANTONIO) — A father allegedly staged his baby boy’s kidnapping to cover up foul play involving the child, San Antonio police said, as the search for the baby intensifies. “Without a doubt … this was a staged event,” San Antonio Police Chief William McManus told reporters Monday. Authorities initially said on Friday that 8-month-old …
Jan 09
Wonder why you love “Down to the Honkytonk?” Jake Owen says it’s simple: It’s an “earworm”
ABC/Randy HolmesJake Owen admits when he picked his latest hit, “Down to the Honkytonk,” he was hoping it would get stuck in your head. “It’s a special kinda song. I think when people hear that song, it’s one of those that’s just like an earworm,” he explains. “It’s something that connects, and I feel like in …
Jan 09
Jeff Bezos and wife MacKenzie splitting after 25 years
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic(NEW YORK) — Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced that he and his wife of 25 years are divorcing. Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos have been married since 1993 and issued an amicable joint statement announcing their decision Wednesday. The couple has four children. The statement, released by Jeff Bezos on Twitter, emphasizes their love for …
Jan 09
Former North Korean diplomat urges international community to help ex-colleague
JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images(SEOUL, South Korea) — A former North Korean diplomat who defected to South Korea in 2016 put out a call to the governments of Italy, South Korea and the United States to help facilitate his former colleague’s reported attempt to leave the country. “I urge the Italian government to follow international law and …
Jan 09
New York City mayor to propose law giving all workers 2 weeks of paid time off
NoDerog/iStock(NEW YORK) — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to announce legislation Wednesday guaranteeing two weeks of paid time off for all workers, one day after he announced a plan to provide health care for all city residents. If DeBlasio’s proposal is approved by the City Council, New York City would become …