Billy Ray Cyrus files for divorce from Firerose after 7 months of marriage
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Billy Ray Cyrus filed for divorce from singer Firerose, whose real name is Johanna Rose Hodges, after seven months of marriage. The 62-year-old country musician filed for divorce from the 36-year-old Hodges in a Tennessee court on May 22, citing irreconcilable differences and “inappropriate marital conduct.” The filing does not provide further details about the alleged inappropriate conduct. Cyrus is also seeking an annulment. Cyrus has been married twice before, notably to Tish Cyrus, with whom he shared five children, including musician and actor Miley Cyrus. Tish divorced Cyrus in 2022 after nearly three decades together, kicking off a highly publicized rift in the Cyrus family.
Dog fight! Joey Chestnut out of July 4 hot dog eating contest due to deal with rival brand
NEW YORK (AP) — Organizers of America’s perennial July Fourth hot dog eating contest say the reigning champion won’t compete this year due to a contract dispute. Joey “Jaws” Chestnut has been competing since 2005 and hasn’t lost since 2015. At last year’s Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, he downed 62 franks and buns in 10 minutes. Organizers said Tuesday that the 40-year-old struck a deal with a competing brand. That’s a red line for the Nathan’s-sponsored event. Those vying for second place in the past might have renewed hope to swallow their way to first this year, including international competitors on the eating circuit.
The US cricket team is closing in on a major achievement at the Twenty20 World Cup
The United States national cricket team already made a dent in the hierarchy of the game by beating Pakistan last week at the Twenty20 World Cup. The team’s next game is set for Wednesday against India outside New York at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. The Americans aren’t expected to win that one, but neither were they expected to beat Pakistan. The U.S. team has a good chance to advance to the quarterfinal round at the tournament with another match against Ireland still to come on Friday. Pakistan needs to beat Ireland on Sunday to have a chance of advancing.
A jet missing since 1971 was found submerged in Vermont’s Lake Champlain
Fifty-three years after a private plane carrying five men disappeared on a snowy Vermont night, experts believe they have found the wreckage of the long lost jet in Lake Champlain. The corporate jet disappeared shortly after departing the Burlington airport for Providence, Rhode Island, on Jan. 27, 1971. Those aboard included two crew members and three employees of a Georgia development company. At least 17 searches failed to find the plane until underwater searcher Garry Kozak and a team last month found wreckage of a jet with the same custom paint scheme near where the plane disappeared. While relatives are grateful and relieved that the plane has been found, the discovery opens up more questions and old wounds.
Singer sues hospital, says staff thought he was mentally ill and wasn’t member of Four Tops
WARREN, Mich. (AP) — The lead singer of the Four Tops says a Detroit-area hospital restrained him and ordered a psychological exam after refusing to believe that he was part of the Motown music group. Alexander Morris filed a lawsuit Monday against Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Warren. He is claiming racial discrimination and other misconduct during a 2023 visit for chest pain and breathing problems. Morris says staff assumed he was mentally ill when he revealed his celebrity status. Morris is not an original member of the Four Tops, but he joined the group in 2019. The hospital won’t comment on the allegations but says it doesn’t condone discrimination.
Oregon man who drugged daughter’s friends with insomnia medication at sleepover gets prison term
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon man who drugged his daughter’s friends with a sleeping medication after they didn’t go to bed during a sleepover was sentenced to two years in prison. The Oregonian reports that Michael Meyden, a 57-year-old from the Portland suburb of Lake Oswego, apologized during his sentencing Monday, He pleaded guilty to three felony counts of causing another person to ingest a controlled substance. He said he planned a fun and memorable sleepover last summer for his daughter and three of her friends, all age 12, but they didn’t go to bed by 11 p.m. as he wanted. Authorities say Meyden laced fruit smoothies with a sleeping medication. One girl didn’t drink it and sought help.
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation to drum up support for private school vouchers in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jay-Z is putting his weight behind an effort to fund private school vouchers in Philadelphia. The entertainment mogul’s Roc Nation announced it is funding a campaign this month to drum up support for the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success. That’s a statewide legislative proposal to spend taxpayer money on private school scholarships for low-income families in neighborhoods with low-achieving schools. Vouchers are controversial in many states — including Pennsylvania, where Republicans promote them as a way to help students escape underperforming schools, and teachers unions, school boards and many Democrats oppose sending taxpayer money to private and religious schools. Jay-Z’s support of the voucher bill is drawing pushback online.
Michigan couple, attorney announced as winners of $842.4 million Powerball jackpot
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A mid-Michigan couple and a lawyer from the west side of the state have been announced as winners of an $842.4 million Powerball lottery jackpot from a ticket purchased on New Year’s Day. Michigan Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli told reporters Tuesday that The Breakfast Club lottery club opted for a cash lump sum of $305 million after taxes. The winning ticket was purchased at a convenience store in Grand Blanc Township near Flint. Speaking on behalf of The Breakfast Club, member and attorney Mark Harder said the middle-aged couple has “been elated and overwhelmed, thrilled and nervous” since realizing their ticket was the winner. Harder didn’t indicate what he would do with his own winnings.
Key new features coming to Apple’s iOS 18 this fall
Apple announced a slew of new features for iOS 18 at Monday’s developers conference event, many of which are designed to enhance the Siri assistant and bring artificial intelligence tools to iPhone users. The AI-packed updates coming in the fall are meant to enable the billions of people who use the company’s devices to get more done in less time, while also giving them access to creative tools that could liven things up. The full suite of upcoming AI features will only work on the recent iPhone 15 line because the functions require advanced processors. But there are still plenty of upgrades for all iPhone owners.
Union: 4 Florida police officers indicted for 2019 shootout that left UPS driver and passerby dead
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida police union says four of its officers have been indicted for a 2019 shootout on a busy street that left a UPS driver, the two robbers who hijacked him and a nearby driver dead. The South Florida Police Benevolent Association criticized the Broward County State Attorney’s Office on Tuesday for seeking the grand jury indictment. It didn’t say what the Miami-Dade County officers have been charged with. They are expected to turn themselves in next week. Charging Florida law enforcement officers for an on-duty killing is highly unusual. Prosecutors declined comment. The Miami-Dade Police Department said it’s aware of the indictment, but has limited information.
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