TAG SEARCH RESULTS FOR: ""

H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: MURPHY

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Murphy”, a playful 5 month old kitty who gets along great with other cats and kids (and grownups). He’s not crazy about being picked up, but he’s a sociable guy who will approach you and loves to play. Murphy is fully vetted, vaccinated and ready to go to a loving home.

If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Murphy or any of the pets at Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter, visit https://www.stephenmemorial.org/ and fill out an adoption application.

Check out our visit about Murphy with Nicole from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:

Actor Gina Carano sues Lucasfilm and Disney over her firing from ‘The Mandalorian’

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actor Gina Carano on Tuesday sued Lucasfilm and its parent The Walt Disney Co. over her 2021 firing from “ The Mandalorian,” saying she was let go for expressing right-wing views on social media.

The lawsuit Carano filed with help from X, formerly Twitter, in federal court in California alleges her wrongful termination from the “ Star Wars ” galaxy Disney+ streaming series after two seasons over a post likening the treatment of American conservatives to the treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany.

“A short time ago in a galaxy not so far away, Defendants made it clear that only one orthodoxy in thought, speech, or action was acceptable in their empire, and that those who dared to question or failed to fully comply would not be tolerated,” the lawsuit opens. “Carano was terminated from her role as swiftly as her character’s peaceful home planet of Alderaan had been destroyed by the Death Star.”

The lawsuit alleges she was fired because she “dared voice her own opinions” against an “online bully mob who demanded her compliance with their extreme progressive ideology.”

Disney and Lucasfilm have not filed a response to the lawsuit, and representatives did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.

A Lucasfilm statement at the time of her firing said “her social media posts denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities are abhorrent and unacceptable.”

Carano is seeking damages to be determined at trial and a court order that she be recast on the show.

The “Mandalorian,” starring Pedro Pascal, has aired for three seasons and is now being turned into a feature film. Several interconnected series also air on Disney+.

The lawsuit says Lucasfilm also hurt her future work prospects by making “maliciously false” statements about her.

Carano, a former mixed martial artists who played the recurring character Cara Dune on the bounty hunter tale “The Mandarlorian,” deleted the post but it was widely shared online and spurred a trending #FireGinaCarano hashtag.

Carano had previously been criticized for social media posts that mocked mask wearing during the pandemic and made false allegations of voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election. She also mocked the use of gender pronouns in profiles, listing “beep/bop/boop” in her social media bio. She said this was not about mocking trans people but a “Star Wars” reference to R2-D2, and the lawsuit calls it “a playful way to defuse all the harassment she had received.” But she alleges the issue led to the company harassing her.

The lawsuit says Carano willingly took part in Zoom meetings with leaders of LGBTQ+ groups at the company’s behest with “very positive” results, but that Lucasfilm demanded a public apology in which she admitted “to mocking or insulting an entire group of people, which Carano had never done” and subjected her to other harassment over the issue.

Carano said on social media Tuesday that X had helped fund the lawsuit. X owner Elon Musk shared her post, adding that anyone else who felt they had been wronged by the company should “let us know if you would like to join the lawsuit against Disney.”

JELLY ROLL TO BE GUEST MENTOR ON “AMERICAN IDOL”

Jelly Roll has been inspiring people inside and outside of the music business with his incredible story of a life spent in trouble, in jail, and now in his newest role as country superstar. His ability to inspire, motivate and guide has led him to a new gig in 2024.

Announced this week, JR will take on the role as a mentor on Season 22 of “American Idol.” It’s not Jelly’s first time on the show; last season he appeared on the finale with Lainey Wilson to perform “Save Me.” He also performed “Need a Favor” with contestant Oliver Steele.

Both JR and the official “American Idol” Instagram account posted the announcement, which garnered a response from former “AI” champ Scotty McCreery, who commented, “He will be an awesome mentor.” And Steele also chimed in, saying “I can say from experience, this man is an excellent mentor!!!” The new season begins February 18 at 8 p.m. PT/ET on ABC.

Source: TasteOfCountry

This day in Country Music History

  • Today in 1960, “He’ll Have To Go” by Jim Reeves got a number one spot in Billboard magazine.
  • Today in 1996, Travis Titt proposed to Theresa Nelson.
  • Today in 1997, “It’s A Little Too Late” by Mark Chesnutt hit the top of the Billboard country chart.
  • Today in 2002, the album “Burn” by Joe Dee Messina became her second platinum album.
  • Today in 2004, Alison Krauss won three awards at the GRAMMYs, for Best Bluegrass Album, Best Country Instrumental Performance, and Best Country Collaboration (with James Taylor.)
  • Today in 2005, the album, “There’s More Where That Came From,” by Lee Ann Womack was released.
  • Today in 2006, Alison Krauss won three GRAMMY awards again, for Best Country Album, Best Country Vocal by a Duo or Group, and Best Country Instrumental.
  • Today in 2009, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss won five trophies at the GRAMMYS: Album of the Year, Contemporary Folk/Americana Album, Record of the Year, Pop Collaboration, and Country Collaboration.
  • Today in 2011, Thompson Square’s self-titled debut album was released.
  • Today in 2015, two songs from the documentary “Glen Campbell… I’ll Be Me” won during the 57th annual Grammy awards at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. The Band Perry’s “Gentle On My Mind” takes Best Country Duo/Group Performance; “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” written by Campbell with Julian Raymond, earned Best Country Song.
  • Today in 2017, a tribute concert honoring Randy Travis took place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Guests included Garth Brooks, Alabama, Chris Janson, Josh Turner, Kenny Rogers, Montgomery Gentry and Jamey Johnson.
  • Today in 2018, Steve Wariner performed “Life’s Highway” in Houston as former Astros pitcher Nolan Ryan was announced among the inaugural inductees in the Houston Hall of Fame.
  • Today in 2019, Dolly Parton was honored by the Recording Academy as the MusiCares Person of the Year in Los Angeles. Performers included Vince Gill, Kacy Musgraves, P!nk, Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Don Henley, Mavis Staples, Jennifer Nettles, Margo Price and Chris Stapleton, who covers “9 To 5.”
  • Today in 2020, Neal McCoy’s bus was destroyed by fire in Mansfield, Louisiana, as he traveled to a show in Alexandria. No one was hurt, though the band loses clothing, instruments and equipment in the blaze.
  • Today in 2020, Miranda Lambert’s concert at the American Airlines Center in Dallas included a surprise appearance by the choir from her alma mater, Lindale High School, to back her on “Tin Man.”
  • Today in 2021, Dwight Yoakam filed suit against Warner Music in California, alleging that the label failed to acknowledge his rights to reclaim ownership of the copyrights in some of his early, 35-year-old recordings, including “Honky Tonk Man.”
  • Today in 2021, Mickey Guyton announced she and husband Grant Savoy have welcomed a son, Grayson Clark Savoy.

Record $3.4 Million in Quarterly Biofuels Grants Will Expand E15 Availability

DES MOINES — The Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) Board approved 74 project applications totaling more than $3.4 million in cost-share funding for Iowa fuel retailers during its quarterly board meeting last week. 73 ethanol cost-share projects were awarded, an all-time record for one quarter, which will lead to the installation of new ethanol infrastructure to increase Iowans’ access to lower cost, cleaner burning E15. The board also approved one application for a new biodiesel terminal project. Once completed, these projects will expand fueling options for E15 and biodiesel blends in 38 different Iowa counties.

The RFIP helps fuel retailers provide higher blends of homegrown, more affordable biofuels to consumers by incentivizing the installation, replacement and conversion of ethanol and biodiesel dispensing and storage infrastructure. Incentives to upgrade biodiesel terminal and storage facilities are also available. While the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship manages the program, a board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Iowa Senate determines grant allocations on a quarterly basis.

“Iowans are fueling their vehicles with lower cost E15 at record levels, Iowa plants are producing record volumes of ethanol, and Iowa is setting records for ethanol infrastructure investment,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “The Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program is truly driving biofuels momentum, and that is important because this industry supports rural jobs, creates markets for farmers and helps us secure our energy future. With significant state and federal cost-share assistance available, there has never been a better time for fuel retailers to help Iowa drivers save money at the pump by upgrading their fueling infrastructure.”

38 counties had locations receiving one or more of the project grants, including the following: Adair, Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Clarke, Clayton, Clinton, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Delaware, Des Moines, Dickinson, Dubuque, Grundy, Hamilton, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Marshall, Page, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story, Tama, Wapello, Warren, Webster, Winneshiek, Woodbury, and Wright. The complete list of locations awarded at the January 30 RFIP board meeting can be found here.

Additionally, in October 2023, ten RFIP awards totaling $442,300 were approved for E15 infrastructure projects in 8 different counties. Those counties receiving one or more cost-share grants for RFIP projects include the following: Clay, Clinton, Dickinson, Jackson, Jefferson, Linn, Polk, and Scott.  The complete list of locations awarded at the October 2023 meeting can be found here.

To date, $5,483,555.57 of funding for this fiscal year has been awarded to 119 biofuels infrastructure projects.  The program also leverages significant private investment by the participating fuel retailers.

The breakdown of total RFIP funding awarded during this current fiscal year is as follows:

  • $103,250 to 3 E85 projects
  • $3,998,803 to 87 E15 projects
  • $1,281,503 to 27 Biodiesel projects
  • $100,000 to 2 Biodiesel Terminal projects

The Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board will consider additional RFIP grant applications during its next quarterly meeting in the spring of 2024. The RFIP grant application is available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website.

Over the history of the program, the state has invested over $80 million while private industry has invested over $240 million. To learn more about the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program, visit the program’s webpage on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website.

Free Community Cholesterol Screening Event at Mahaska Health

OSKALOOSA — In recognition of American Heart Month, Mahaska Health, an Iowa ‘Center of Excellence for Cardiology,’ is hosting a free heart health community event. The Mahaska Health Cardiology Services team invites the community to receive free heart-related health screenings at its main campus in Oskaloosa, through door 4, on Saturday, February 17th, 2024, 8:00 am – 11:00 am. The event is open to the public, most appropriate for young to older adults. 

The event will include routine screening tests that measure cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. New this year, are complimentary vascular screenings, medical tests designed to assess the health and condition of blood vessels. Guests will have an opportunity to receive help evaluating their sleep quality and receive heart-healthy food recipes. Refreshments and heart-healthy resources will be available.

“Prevention is very important for healthy aging,” shared Dr. John Pargulski, Cardiologist, Mahaska Health Director of Cardiology. “Our hope is that by offering free screenings and resources, our community members will enjoy peace of mind and know what steps to take to ensure they stay on a healthy track.”  

Community members receiving screenings and assessments on February 17th will be mailed their results with analysis and appropriate recommendations for follow-up care. 

Registration is encouraged, but not required. To sign up for the event, call the Mahaska Health Cardiology Team at 641.672.3174 or visit the website at mahaskahealth.org/cardiology.

Jordan’s ‘musical ambassadress’ performs in Oskaloosa

By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

A singer, composer, guitarist and humanitarian from the Middle Eastern nation of Jordan is showcasing her musical talents in southeast Iowa this week. Farah Siraj (FAR-ah sir-AHJ) is making multiple appearances in Oskaloosa, including at the George Daily Auditorium where Allison McGuire is the community engagement and education director. McGuire says Siraj is being accompanied by musicians from all over the world.

“One flew in from Spain, the flamenco guitarist, and her percussionist grew up in Germany,” McGuire says, “and they are an international group but representing Jordanian folk music, and Farah’s unique mixture of flamenco and more jazz styles with that Arabian music.” In her bio, Siraj says she approaches music as a medium for peace and a way to amplify the voices of people around the world who need to be heard. She is considered Jordan’s “Musical Ambassadress” and focuses on raising awareness about the consequences of war and violence, advocating for women’s rights, refugee rights, and animal rights. The performances in Oskaloosa are in Siraj’s native language and a few other tongues.

“She does sing in Arabic, Arabic folk songs, but she also lived in Spain in her early adult years and speaks fluent Spanish, so she sings in Spanish, and she sings in English,” McGuire says, “so there actually are songs in English, Spanish and Arabic.” Oskaloosa is the current Iowa host of the Arts Midwest’s World Fest. The program offers small Midwestern communities once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to learn about the world from musicians inside and outside the US.

“Over the course of three years, we’re able to bring in two international music groups a year to be in Oskaloosa for a full week doing 12, free outreach engagements, preview performances, workshops,” McGuire says, “and then that all culminates in a final performance at the end of the week.” That final show is Saturday at 7pm in the George Daily Auditorium.

In the past year and a half, World Fest has also brought in musicians from Finland, Alaska and Ghana, who’ve engaged thousands of Mahaska County residents, performing at schools, bookstores, coffee shops, and as the halftime show of college basketball games.

RINGO STARR TO RELEASE COUNTRY ALBUM

Ringo Starr has no intention of slowing down. In a recent video update for fans, the former Beatle announced his very busy itinerary for 2024.

First update: the drummer/singer has a new country project in the works. “I’m still in the studio, and you know what’s happening? I was gonna do a … country EP, but as things are unfolding, it’s probably going to be like a real CD, 10 tracks. Can you believe it? I haven’t done one of them in a long time. So that’s getting made ready.”

Second update: he has a new four-song EP coming out (“Crooked Boy”), the result of a collaboration with songwriter/producer Linda Perry. “She wrote the songs for me. She produced them. She’s a beauty, so musical,” Starr said. “She has a great vibe. Peace and love, Linda.” The video also displayed the “Crooked Boy” EP’s packaging, revealing that the songs are titled “Gonna Need Someone,” “Crooked Boy,” “February Sky,” and “Adeline.” In addition, Strokes guitarist Nick Valensi played on all four tracks, while Perry contributed guitar and backing vocals to some of the tunes.

And the final part of Ringo’s update: his 2024 tour plans with his “All Starr Band.” “In May-June, we’re on tour again,” he said. “And if you can’t make those dates, in September-October we’re on tour again. So it’s gonna be a great year.”

Source: AmericanSongwriter

This day in Country Music History

  • Today in 1963, Patsy Cline recorded in a studio for the last time, cutting “He Called Me Baby.” Her last song in the studio was “I’ll Sail My Ship Alone.”
  • Today in 1994, at the American Music Awards, Alan Jackson won two awards including Favorite Country Single for “Chattahoochee,” Whitney Houston won two for “I Will Always Love You,” and Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Alabama, and John Michael Montgomery also won awards.
  • Today in 1995, “The Woman In Me” by Shania Twain, was released.
  • Today in 2004, “Remember When” by Alan Jackson hit the number one spot on the Billboard.
  • Today in 2005, At the Krewe of Orpheus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Toby Keith was the celebrity monarch, Sawyer Brown was the grand marshal, and Josh Gracin also appeared.
  • Today in 2008, the video for Tim McGraw’s song “Suspicious” debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2009, at a concert in Kentucky, Toby Keith waded into the audience to confront a concertgoer who threw a beer at the stage.
  • Today in 2000, CMT released Taylor Swift’s video, “White Horse.”
  • Today in 2010, Carrie Underwood sang the national anthem at the Super Bowl, with Heidi Newfield, Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, and Joe Don Rooney in the crowd. The Saints beat the Colts 31-17.
  • Today in 2015, Luke Bryan spent the first of two weeks at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “I See You.”
  • Today in 2015, Garth Brooks was joined by Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger and Brett Keisel as he conducts a Teamates For Kids football camp.
  • Today in 2015, the Louvin Brothers were honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award along with George Harrison, Flaco Jimenez and The Bee Gees at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles. Trustees Awards are given to producer Richard Perry and “Here You Come Again” songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
  • Today in 2017, Kane Brown scored a gold single from the RIAA for “Heaven” and a platinum nod for “Used To Love You Sober.” The same day, Tyler Farr’s single, “Whiskey In My Water” also went platinum.

Taylor Swift is demanding this college student stop tracking her private jet

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — When it comes to dealing with a Florida college student who uses public data and social media to track the private jets of billionaires, politicians and other celebrities, Taylor Swift apparently can’t just shake it off.

In late December, Swift’s camp hit Jack Sweeney, a junior studying information technology at the University of Central Florida, with a cease-and-desist letter that blamed his automated tracking of her private jet for tipping off stalkers as to her location. In the letter, attorneys from the law firm Venable accused Sweeney of effectively providing “individuals intent on harming her, or with nefarious or violent intentions, a roadmap to carry out their plans.”

Sweeney provided the link to that letter in an email to The Associated Press. In that message, he emphasized that while he has never intended to cause harm, he also believes strongly in the importance of transparency and public information.

“One should reasonably expect that their jet will be tracked, whether or not I’m the one doing it, as it is public information after all,” he wrote.

A spokesperson for Swift echoed the legal complaint, saying that “the timing of stalkers” suggests a connection to Sweeney’s flight-tracking sites. The spokesperson did not respond to questions seeking elaboration of that charge, such as whether stalkers have been seen waiting for Swift at the airport when her plane arrived or, alternatively, if there is evidence that stalkers have somehow inferred Swift’s subsequent location from the arrival time of her flight.

The legal letter likewise accuses Sweeney of “disregarding the personal safety of others”; “willful and repeated harassment of our client”; and “intentional, offensive, and outrageous conduct and consistent violations of our client’s privacy.”

Such statements are difficult to square with the fact that Sweeney’s automated tracking accounts merely repackage public data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, a government agency. That fact did not dissuade the Venable attorneys, who demanded that Sweeney “immediately stop providing information about our client’s location to the public.”

The Swift spokesperson did not reply to a question inquiring whether the attorneys had issued the same demand to the FAA.

At one point Sweeney had more than 30 such accounts on Twitter, now known as X after Elon Musk purchased the site for $44 billion in 2022. Musk subsequently had his own dustup with Sweeney, tweeting at one point that his commitment to free speech required him not to ban Sweeney’s @elonjet account even though he considered it “a direct personal safety risk.”

But it wasn’t long before Musk abruptly about-faced and effectively banned the student from X, accusing Sweeney of endangering his personal safety.

NEWSLETTER

Stay updated, sign up for our newsletter.