R. Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for using his R&B superstardom to subject young fans to systematic sexual abuse.

The singer and songwriter was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking last year at a trial that gave voice to accusers who had once wondered if their stories were ignored because they were Black women. U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly imposed the sentence at a courthouse in Brooklyn.

The sentence caps a slow-motion fall for Kelly, who is 55. He remained adored by legions of fans even after allegations about his abuse of young girls began circulating publicly in the 1990s.

“You made me do things that broke my spirit. I literally wished I would die because of how low you made me feel,” said one unnamed survivor, directly addressing a Kelly who kept his hands folded and his eyes downcast. “Do you remember that?”

Kelly’s lawyers had argued he should get no more than 10 years in prison because he had a traumatic childhood “involving severe, prolonged childhood sexual abuse, poverty, and violence,” the Associated Press reported.

The hit maker is known for work including the 1996 hit “I Believe I Can Fly” and the cult classic “Trapped in the Closet,” a multi-part tale of sexual betrayal and intrigue.

Dolly Parton says she doesn’t want to live on through AI after she dies

Updated: 11:46 PM EDT Jul 3, 2023

Dolly Parton isn't interested in living on through artificial intelligence. The "Jolene" singer was asked about AI technology during a press conference in London where she appeared to promote her upcoming album "Rockstar." "I think I've left a great body of work behind," Parton said, adding she doesn't know how "they'll keep me around." She went on to say that she hopes albums like "Rockstar" will preserve her everlasting legacy, and that she'll "have to decide on how much of that high-tech stuff I want to be involved in because I don't want to leave my soul here on this Earth." With a laugh, Parton said she feels like with that kind of technology she'd be "grounded here forever, so when I'm gone I want to fly with it." "But I'll be around, we'll find ways to keep me here," she said reassuringly, going on to thank the person who asked her the question and saying, "I'm glad to know you still want me around." For the time being, at least, Parton isn't going anywhere. The country music star is set to release her hotly-anticipated album "Rockstar," marking her first-ever rock and roll record featuring collaborations with music legends such as Sir Paul McCartney, Elton John and Stevie Nicks. The album also features collaborations with her goddaughter Miley Cyrus, Lizzo and Pink. Video below: Dolly Parton now holds 10 Guinness World RecordsParton's foray into the rock genre comes after she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 after initially opting to "respectfully bow out," saying in a statement on her Instagram at the time that she didn't feel she'd "earned that right.""Rockstar" will be released globally on Nov. 17.

Fans of The Weeknd were left disappointed on Saturday after the singer stopped his show, mid-performance.

The singer was performing at SoFi Stadium when he stopped and told his fans that he couldn't go on because he lost his voice.

"This is killing me, I don't want to stop the show but I can't give you the concert I want to give you right now," The Weeknd said.

In videos posted online, fans could be heard booing and yelling as The Weeknd was apologizing.

The singer said he would make sure everyone got their money back. He added that he would return to Los Angeles to put on a show.

"I'm so sorry," he said. "I love you guys so much."

Late Saturday night, The Weeknd tweeted, "My voice went out during the first song and I'm devastated. Felt it go out and my heart dropped."

The Weeknd's website has not published a new tour date for Los Angeles.

Ellen DeGeneres is asking her followers to honor the late DJ Stephen 'tWitch' Boss by spreading joy and kindness.

“The best thing we can do is to laugh, and hug each other, play games and dance and sing,” DeGeneres said in a video posted on Instagram.

Boss died by suicide on Dec. 13. His body was reportedly found inside a Southern California hotel.

While holding back tears, Degeneres said that the past week and a half was tough. She hasn't been able to make sense of the tragedy, Degeneres said.

"I know it's not a happy holiday," DeGeneres said. "He was pure light."

Boss joined "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in 2014. He appeared daily as the show's DJ until it wrapped in 2022. He also served as the show's executive producer.

"Let's honor him and think about him and send love to one another," she said.

Boss' wife, Allison Holker, posted on Instagram this week about how much she misses him.

"My ONE and ONLY Oh how my heart aches," Holker wrote.

The couple had celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary days before his death. They shared three children.

Boss was 40 years old.

Anyone needing help during a mental crisis can contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.

Two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee David Crosby has died, according to Variety and Rolling Stone.

In a statement, his wife said Crosby died surrounded by family.

"Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music," his wife said in the statement obtained by Variety.

Crosby's cause of death has not been disclosed.

His career spanned six decades. Crosby is the founding member of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash.

He's considered a folk rock pioneer, having collaborated with artists including Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Elton John.

Crosby released a live solo album for the first time in November 2022.

In addition to his music, Crosby wasn't shy about expressing his political views. His most recent posts on social media praise climate advocate Greta Thunberg.

Crosby was 81 years old.

Multi-platinum pop-rock band Matchbox Twenty coming to Cincinnati

Updated: 2:44 PM EDT May 28, 2023

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Australian-American musician Rick Springfield coming to Cincinnati in May

Updated: 12:58 PM EDT May 5, 2023

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

After two decades in the spotlight, the Jonas Brothers are still chasing butterflies.

Joe, Kevin and Nick Jonas are releasing their sixth studio record “The Album” on Friday, before embarking on a U.S. tour in August. Nick says the band of brothers are putting themselves in new positions so they can feel “butterflies and excitement” before stepping onstage.

One of those butterfly moments will come when the trio kicks off their tour at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 12.

“It’s our favorite baseball team’s stadium for our entire lives,” Nick says. “We got to go and kind of go to a game and meet some of the players about a month ago. And we were just looking around, thinking the 10-year-old version of us that was sitting up in the highest nosebleed section seat would not believe that we’re going to play this place twice.”

All three band members now have young families and Joe says this means the brothers are “quicker to return home” after touring. But that doesn’t mean that they are any less excited about hitting the road.

“We’re treating this like the best tour we’ve ever done. And I think we intend to make it that experience for fans as well,” Joe says.

They’re also looking forward to hanging out as brothers too, with Nick saying that touring “doesn’t feel like work.”

The tour will criss-cross the U.S. from mid-August until October, with the trio being ultra careful to avoid burnout. The band’s physical and mental health is a priority, says Joe, who believes they can look after themselves and have “a blast while doing it.”

“We’ve been burnt out before and then you’re like, ‘I still got 20 more shows on this tour,’” he says. “So we all have our own perspective ways of going about that, and we just make sure that that’s prioritized and also that we think the three of us are communicating as best as we can.”

The brothers have set aside a period for family after the release and promo duties for “The Album,” before gearing up to tour in August.

NEW YORK (AP) — Thom Bell, the Grammy-winning producer, writer and arranger who helped perfect the "Sound of Philadelphia" of the 1970s with the inventive, orchestral settings of such hits as the Spinners' "I'll Be Around" and the Stylistics' "Betcha by Golly, Wow," has died at age 79.

Bell's wife, Vanessa Bell, said that he died Thursday at his home in Bellingham, Washington, after a lengthy illness. She declined to give additional details.

A native of Jamaica who moved to Philadelphia as a child, Thom Bell drew upon the classical influences of his youth and such favorite composers as Oscar-winner Ennio Morricone in adding a kind of cinematic scale and grandeur to the gospel-styled harmonies of the Spinners, Stylistics, Delfonics and other groups.

Few producer-arrangers compared to Bell in setting a mood — whether the celebratory strings and horns kicking off the Spinners' "Mighty Love," the deadly piano roll at the start of the O'Jays' "Back Stabbers" or the blissful oboe of "Betcha by Golly, Wow," a soulful dreamland suggesting a Walt Disney film scored by Smokey Robinson.

"Nobody else is in my brain but me, which is why some of the things I think about are crazy — I hear oboes and bassoons and English horns," he told recordcollectormag.com in 2020.

"An arranger told me 'Thom Bell, Black people don't listen to that.' I said, 'Why limit yourself to Black people?' I make music for people.'"

Bell, often collaborating with lyricist Linda Creed, worked on more than 30 gold records from 1968-78 as Philadelphia became as much a center of soul music as Detroit and Motown Records were in the 1960s. He was an independent producer but so vital to the Philadelphia International Records empire built by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff that the publishing company they formed together was called Mighty Three Music.

Bell's other hits included the Delfonics' "La-La (Means I Love You)," the Stylistics' "You Make Me Feel Brand New," Joe Simon's "Drowning in the Sea of Love" and Elton John's "Mama Can't Buy You Love."

He is widely credited with reviving the Spinners, a former Motown act that hadn't had a hit in years. Bell took them on in the early 1970s and helped create such hits as "I'll Be Around," "Ghetto Child" and "The Rubberband Man."

The Spinners' chart-topping "Then Came You" featured Dionne Warwick, who had been skeptical that the up-tempo ballad would catch on. Bell tore a dollar bill in half and got Warwick to agree that whoever guessed wrong about the song would have to inscribe an apology on their half of the money and send it to the other. Bell would long hold on to the signed note he received from Warwick.

He also worked with some personal favorites, such as an album with Anthony Gourdine of Little Anthony of the Imperials, one of his early influences, and "I'm Coming Home" and "Mathis Is ..." for Johnny Mathis, whom Bell would call the most talented singer he ever worked with, "sterling of sterling."

Bell won a Grammy in 1975 for best producer, but within a few years, the Philadelphia sound had been overtaken by other trends. He had just a handful of hits in the 1980s and after, including Deniece Williams' "Gonna Take a Miracle" and James Ingram's "I Don't Have the Heart." He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006, and received an honorary Grammy in 2017. Three years later, his work was highlighted in the anthology "Ready or Not: Philly Soul Arrangements & Productions, 1965-1978."

"To put it in a nutshell, he's responsible for everything that's happened to me in my career," Stylistics lead singer Russell Thompkins Jr. told the Seattle Times in 2018. "He helped me in knowing my vocal range, finding the best way to sing a song. Everyone was his instrument. It didn't matter if you were a singer, a trombonist or a studio engineer. You were part of his construction."

One of 10 siblings, Thomas Randolph Bell grew up in a household where both parents were accomplished musicians and only classical works were heard. He was taking piano lessons by age 5 and thought of becoming a conductor, but he could not ignore the sounds he was imagining in his head — high notes keyed to his own tenor — or discovering on the radio, notably Little Anthony and the Imperials' mournful "Tears On My Pillow."

"I fell in love with the whole production,'' he told the Seattle Times. "I listened to the background, the bass, a lot more than just the lyrics."

Thanks to such longtime friends as Gamble and Huff, he became well connected in the local music scene. He and Gamble were together briefly in Kenny Gamble & the Romeos, and he also worked as an arranger and session player for the Cameo and Parkway labels, where artists included the Delfonics and Chubby Checker of "The Twist" fame. Gamble and Huff began producing together in 1967, and Bell was soon working with them on songs by Jerry Butler and Dusty Springfield among others.

In the early 1970s, he met Creed, a Philadelphia-born Jew who as a teen fell in love with soul music and with Bell formed a rare interracial musical partnership. Their songs often began with Bell creating a melody and arrangement and Creed providing the words.

For "You Are Everything," a Stylistics hit which opens with "Today I saw somebody/Who looked just like you/She walked like you do," inspiration was found during a break from recording.

"We're walking down the street. We're looking around, because there's always something in the street to write about," Bell told NPR in 2006. "I saw this guy crossing, we were all crossing, and this guy stopped in the middle of the street and he looked back. Then he looked back again. He's looking at this woman. And he calls out this girl's name. And he was chasing her, and the girl looked at him like he was crazy. I was watching this, and I said, 'Creed, I've got an idea.'"

Video above: Liquor stores dump Russian vodka after invasion in Ukraine

Since Russian forces invaded Ukraine, many in the world have come together to protest the action.

That includes artists who were scheduled to perform in Russia.

The following is a list of musicians who have canceled their shows:

Green Day

The punk-infused rock band had been scheduled to play Moscow's Spartak Stadium in May as part of their Hella Mega Tour.

On Sunday they announced on their verified Instagram account that they were canceling.

"We are aware that this moment is not about stadium rock shows, it's so much bigger than that," their posted statement read. "But we also know that rock and roll is forever and we feel confident there will be a time and a place for us to return in the future. Refunds available at the point of purchase. Stay safe."

AJR

Indie pop trio AJR tweeted on Feb. 25 they were canceling a show scheduled in Moscow for October, along with some words of wisdom about misinformation.

"We are sad to announce that we will be cancelling our upcoming show in Russia," the group, made up of brothers dam, Jack, and Ryan Met, tweeted. "Thank you to our Russian fans who oppose their country's unprovoked and criminal behavior. Our hearts are with the people of Ukraine. At this point, the best thing you can do is share ACCURATE info."

Louis Tomlinson

The former One Direction member had shows planned in both Moscow and Kyiv's Stereo Plaza in Ukraine in July as part of his 2022 World Tour.

On Monday he tweeted that the concerts would not be happening.

"Due to the recent events in Ukraine, I have to sadly announce that my tour shows in Moscow and Kyiv are cancelled until further notice," his note posted on Twitter read. "The safety of my fans is my priority and my thoughts go out to the people of Ukraine and all those suffering from this needless war."

Health

Rock band Health also announced Monday that they would not be performing their two scheduled concerts in Russia.

"Though we do not wish to penalize our fans for governmental decisions that are beyond their control, given the current state of affairs we will no longer be performing our previously scheduled shows in St. Petersburg and Moscow," a statement shared to Instagram read. "Our thoughts go our to the people of Ukraine."

Yungblud

The British artist said in a statement Monday that he will not be performing in Russia this summer.

"I'm heartbroken to announce I will be cancelling my Russian shows scheduled for this summer," the statement read. "Heartbroken because I know the vicious and brutal acts of the Russian regime in Ukraine over the past week do not reflect the attitudes and ideals of the beautiful people who I have met in Russia in the past!"

To the Ukranians he wrote, "My heart is with you -- you've already shown such strength and determination, resisting this needless invasion."

"Everyone deserves to be the creator of their own destiny, rather than having it forced upon them by acts of war and aggression," he wrote. "Ukraine, I promise I'll come back as soon as I can!"

DENVER, Colo — Preserving jazz history is preserving Black history.

"I'm sitting here at Dazzle, which is the premier jazz club in the entire Rocky Mountain region,” said Purnell Steen, a pianist and jazz expert.

Steen comes from a long line of musicians.

“My cousin has been deemed to be the greatest living singer. I'm speaking of five-time Grammy Award winner Dianne Reeves," Steen said. "And my cousin, Charles Burrell, who is 101 years old, by the way, is also the last living musician who played for Billie Holiday.”

Steen says jazz grew because of the African American diaspora from the south.

“Jazz came out of the African American church when the various nations of Africans came to this hemisphere," Steen said. "Many of them came from disparate countries and spoke different languages. The only commonality, the only nexus they had was through the melodies, and these melodies became the roots of what became known as the Negro spirituals. So like 'Wade in the water, wade in the water, children', that's an old Negro spiritual.”

He says the sacred music became the rudiments of early jazz. Between the 1920s and 1950s, the Five Points neighborhood in Denver became known as the jazz capital of the western U.S.

“He was always writing on something, actually writing on paper towels. He had his little dog with him and said ‘Oh, man, this is the best damn music I've heard. Oh play, keep playing’. I mean, his language was spicy, to say the least. And he said that this is the 'Harlem of the West'. It was Jack Kerouac, the author.”

Steen says he’s trying to preserve its history and the music even more so after seeing so many jazz clubs close down during the pandemic.

“It's been tough," said Matt Ruff, who is a part-owner and general manager of Dazzle. "You know, we've had a lot of jazz venues that have closed. The Jazz Standard in New York is one of the big ones. Locally, Live at Jacks and the Old Chapultepec both have shuttered their doors, all because of COVID. Music is food for the soul. I know that that's a very that's a cliché statement, but it's very true. And the arts in general are things that people use to get over difficult times and through difficult times."

He says Dazzle was able to keep its doors open thanks to a supportive community and virtual performances.

“Allowing musicians the ability to perform in front of an audience, at least in front of a virtual audience, and also to receive tips and get paid for things like that as well,” Ruff said.

Ruff hopes as the pandemic calms that more clubs open up again. However, Steen is concerned part of the decline of jazz has been due to musicians becoming esoteric.

“They want to be able to walk out and say, "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing', you know, instead of listening to toots, bells, squeaks and stuff that actually I don't understand.”

That has made him even more determined to preserve the significance and cross-cultural lines that the music blends.

“The foundation of jazz is the Blues," Steen said. "So I want to keep this part of the African footprints and the legacy of music. I want to preserve it as much as possible.”

He says the founders of Jazz have put their stamp on places around the world. They just have to make sure the winds don’t blow it away.

“And you've got to do something," Steen said. "You've got to tap your foot, snap your fingers, bob your head, shake your body. And hopefully we can preserve that.”
 

Snoop Dogg is now the owner of the Death Row Records brand, the label which launched his career. Blackstone, the global investment firm which manages private equity funds that control the group he bought the brand from made the announcement on Wednesday.

Snoop Dogg bought the Death Row Records brand from MNRK Music Group just before his latest album called B.O.D.R. is set to be released on Feb. 11, Blackstone said in a statement.

“I am thrilled and appreciative of the opportunity to acquire the iconic and culturally significant Death Row Records brand, which has immense untapped future value. It feels good to have ownership of the label I was part of at the beginning of my career and as one of the founding members," Snoop Dogg said. "This is an extremely meaningful moment for me. I would like to personally thank the teams at Blackstone, MNRK and especially David Kestnbaum, who worked collaboratively with me over several months to make this exciting homecoming a reality. I’m looking forward to building the next chapter of Death Row Records,” he said.

As the Guardian reported in a profile of his career, then known as Snoop Doggy Dogg, he released his first debut single in October of 1993. Hits like "Gin & Juice," and "Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang" followed leading the artist to enormous success which lasts until this day with various ventures in the entertainment world, even outside of music.

Snoop Dogg has released 20 studio albums and sold over 40-million copies of those albums globally, garnering multiple number one spots on the Billboard charts and he has received 20 Grammy nominations.

As NPR reported, Tupac Shakur was Death Row Record's star artist for a period in the late 1990s before he was shot and killed in Las Vegas in 1996. Another hit artist and producer on the label, Dr. Dre, released his first solo album with the brand called "The Chronic," and Snoop Dogg's own debut album "Doggystyle" was also released by Death Row.

A boy who loved to visit a music store in Colorado received a generous gift from an anonymous customer.

A post on the J.B. Hart Music Co., Inc. Facebook page says Fallon, for years, would visit the Grand Junction store and ask to play the "Pantera" guitar, meaning the Dean Dimebag Darrell ML Guitar.

"We were shocked he knew some Dimebag riffs," the post says.

Fallon, who has Williams syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, was playing the guitar at the store when a customer took notice, according to the post.

"It moved this customer so much he returned to the store later, purchased the guitar, and asked us to give the guitar to Fallon anonymously the next time we saw him," the post says.

The guitar had been sitting in the store for eight months. Unbeknownst to the people at the store, Fallon had moved to Texas.

To their surprise, he visited the store over the holidays when he was in town for a visit. Fallon and his family had no clue a guitar was there waiting for him.

"It was a wonderful experience to gift Fallon his dream guitar as a gift from a kind stranger," the post says. "His mom burst into tears, and Fallon beamed with excitement. It was a special moment. There are still good people in this world."

Gospel singer with leg paralysis uses music to uplift others

Updated: 9:37 PM EST Jan 1, 2022

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CONTINUE TO PERFORM GOSPEL MUSIC IN THE COMMUNITY. AND HE DOESN’T PLAN ON STOPPI.NG -- STOPPING ANYTIME SOON. CHRISTINE: THANK YOU. IT IS BEING CALLED A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIEE.NC WHAT SETS THIS FIREFIGHTER TRAINING EVENT APART FROM ANY OTHERS. AND, PROGRESS ON GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN. CREWS SAY THEY ARE GETTING THE UPPER HAND ON THE FIRE BURNGIN NEARLY A WEEK NOW. CHRISTINE: WELCOME BACK, EVERYONE. FIRE CREWS ARE MAKING PROGRESS ON THE WILDFIRE BURNING RIGHT NOW ON GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN. OFFICIALS SAY, THE LOST VECO FIRE HAS GROWN TO A THOUSAND ACRES. BUT, IT’S NOW 60% CONTAINED. THAT’S A 40% JUMP FROM YESTERDAY. THE FIRE, WHICH STARTED ON CHRISTMAS EVE, IS BURNING THE WILSONRE CEK WATER-SHED IN ARYVE COUNTY. TRIAD TRAINING FOR FIREFIGHTERS, IGNITING QUITE THE SIGHT TAYOD IN HIGH POINT. A NUMBER OF FIRE CREWS GOT THE CHANCE TPRO ACTICE THEIR SKILLS DURING A LIVE-BURN DRILL AT THE OLD AMERICAN SUITES HOTEL BUILDING. AROUND 125 FIREFIGHTERS OKTO PART IN THE HISTORIC TRAINING. THEY RARELY, IF EVER, GET THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM A LIVE-BURN TRAINING ON SUCH A LARGE BUILDING. >> FMRO WINSTON-SALEM, UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RN SBUTRUCTURES. SO WE HAD TO GO TO OTHER COUNTIES TO TRAIN OUR FIREFIGHTERS. EACH YEAR WE ARE RELEASING RECRUITS INTO THE STATIS ONIN WINSTON-SALEM. THIS OPPORTUNITY, THIS INVITATION FROM HIGH POINT, WAS TREMENDOUS TO TRAIN OUR FIREFIGHTERS. CHRISTINE: WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY. THE CITY DONATED THE BUILDING TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SO THIS TRAINING COULD HAPPEN. IT WAS A WARM WELCOME HO FORME THE WOLFPACK. DOZENS OF N.C. STATE FSAN GATHERED AT THE MURPHY CENTER TO SHOW OFF THEIR PACK PRIDE. THE TEAM LEFT SAN DIEGO THIS AFTERNOON WITH THE HOLIDAY BOWL TROPHY IN HAND. THEIR POST-SEASON CAME TO A SUDDEN END YESTERDAY WHEN JUST FIVE HOURS BEFORE KICKOFF, UCLA PULLED OUT OF THE GAME BECAUSE OF COVID ISSUES. LAUREN WALSH HAS MORE FROM THE WOLFPACK, COMING UP IN SPORTS. THE BATTLE OF THE CAROLINAISS STILL SCHEDULED FOR 11:30 TOMORROW MORNING AT BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM IN CHARLOTTE. UNC VERSUS USC. IT’LL BE THE TAR HEELS AND THE GAMECOCKS’ SIXTH MEETING IN THE LAST 30 YEARS. SPORTS DIRECTOR LAUREN WSHAL WILL BE IN CHARLOTTE TOMORROW, AND WILL BRING YOU ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS. SHE IS BUSY THIS WEEK. THE GATOR BOWL IS STILL ON FOR FRIDAY. THE DEMON DEACONS ARE GETTGIN READY FOR THEIR GAME AGAINST RUTGERS. KICKOFF IS SET FOR 11:00 A.M. IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. GATOR BOWL OFFICIALS SAY BOTH TEAMS ARE HEALY.TH BUT THEY WILL BE READY, IF ANYTHING CHANGES WITH THE COVID-19 SITUATI.ON LET’S FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE STORMS THAT COULD BE HEADING OUR WAY. WHAT DO YOU THINK? OVERNIGHT HOURS, EARLY TOMORROW? DAVE: OVERNHTIG PREDOMINANTLY, THE NEXT FEW HOURS. BUT IT MAY WKEEAN, SO WE WILL SEE ABOUT THAT. YOU WERE LKTAING ABOUT FOOTBALL AND MAY BE A LOT OF YOU GOING TO CHARLOTTE TO WATCH THE MAYONNSEAI BOWL, CAROLINA VERSUS SOUTH CAROLINA. SHOWERS. IT WILL BE WARM. YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE WINDS AND SHOWERS THAT WILL BE OFF AND ON AND MAY AN ISOLATED THUNDER STORM. AT THIS HOUR WE ARE WATCHGIN THUNDERSTORMS FROM THE CHARLOTTE AREA, UPSTATE NORTH CAROLINA. SOME CELLS HAVE HEAVY RAIN. THEY WILL MAKE IT TO THE TRIAD AND EAST THE REST OF THE NIGHT. YOU CAN SEE ANOTHER LINE OF SHOWERS. YOU CAN SEE CLOUDS COME IN MORE. THIS LINE HAS BEEN ACTIVE AS WE GO THROUGH THE LATRTE PARTS OF THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING. NOTHING SEVE.ER THERE ARE TORNADO WATCHES IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND AREAS OF GEORGIA. THE NORTHERN EXTENT IS WEAKENIN G, BUT THERE IS EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY AND RAIN CELLS. THIS ENHANCED SWARM RISK -- STORM RISK IS IN PLAY FOR EXTREME SOUTHERN PARTS OF TENNESSEE. WE HAVE A MARGINAL RISK IN THE OVERNIGHT HOURS. WE MAY SEE A THUNDERSTORM OR BRIEF, HEAVY DOWNPOUR. THAT WILL CARRY ON INTO THE DAY TOMORROW, ESPECIALLY AS WE GET A BREAK MIDDAY. IN THE AFTERNOON, A BETTER CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS. AS WE GO THROUGH TONIGHT AND THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING, MAY BE BRIEF HEAVY RAIN OR GUSTY WINDS. THE HAIL AND TORNADIC THREAT IS ON THE LOW SIDE. YOU CAN STAY UPDATED WHIT NOAA, THE RADIO, AND GET THE WXII APP. YOU CAN HREA ALL THE ALERTS GO OFF WITH THAT. HIGH POINT, 66. BREEZES AT THE SOUTHWEST AT 8. 69 IN FAYETTEVILLE. PLENTY OF WARM AIR. THE ATMOSPHERE IS NOT REAL UNSTABLE, BUT WE WILL SEE HOW STORMS MOVE THROUGH. GOT TO A HIGH OF 70. WE MISSED IT BY A FEW DEGREES. THE MOST ACTIVE PERIODS THROUGH SUNDAY ARE TONIGHT AND THURSDAY AFTERNOON WITH SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTOS.RM FRIDAY NIGHT, GOOD CHANCES OF RAIN AROUND MIDNIGHT TO SATURDAY MORNING. SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF RAIN, ISOLATED STORMS, AS A COLD FRONT MOVES AIR. THIS FRONTAS H BEEN PLAYING WITH US, MEANDERING. THAT WILL BE THE FOCAL POINT OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AS WE GETOT THE DAY TOMORROW. COLDER AIR IS OUT WEST. THAT WILL MOVE IN THE FIRST PART OF THE WEEK. SHOWERS THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. NOT RAINY, BUT ISOLATED THUNDER AND DWERY OUT MONDAY. OUR HIGHS GET COLDER. THEY ARE CLOSER TO NORMAL. HERE IS THE RANGEVE ORNIGHT TONIGHT. TOMORROW WE START OFF WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE 60’S AND SPOTTY SHOWERS HERE AND THERE. MOST THUNDER SHOWERS SHOULD HAVE GONE BY THE WAYSIDE. TOMORROW AFTERNOON, SHOWERS. IN THE EVENING, THUNDERSTORMS MIGHT DEVELOP. NEW YEAR'’ EVE FORECAST RIGHT NOW, A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND RAIN TOWARD MIDNIGHT. THEN WE WILL SEE MORE SHOWERS AS WE GET INTO NEW YEAR’S DAY WITH TEMPERATURES AROUND THE 70 DEGREE MARK. STLIL MILD SATURDAY, THE FIRST DAY OF 2022. A THUNDERSTORM MIGHT CROP UP HERE AND THERE. THE SEVEN-DAY FORECAST SHOWS UNSETTLED WEATHER THROUGH THE WEEKEND. THEN WE DRY OUT AND COOL OFF FOR THE FIRST PART OF NEXT WEEK. CHRISTINE: THANK YOU. LATER, CALL IT A SIGN OF THE TIMES. THE THREAT THIS MASSIVE GLACIER IS FACING, AND THE IMPACT IT COULD HAVE ON THE WORLD. >> WXII 12 NEWS IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE ON THE FREE WXII APP. STAY CONNECTED TO CHRISTINE CRUZ ON HER FACEBOOK PAGE. CHRISTE:IN WELCOME BACK. COVID-19 HAS CLAIMED ANOTHER LOCAL NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION. THE AVETT BROTHERS POSTPONED THEIR DECEMBER 31 SHOW AT THE GREENSBORO COLISEUM COMPLEX. THEY SAY IT’S OUT OF CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THEIR FANS AND EMPLOYEES AT GREENSBORO COLISEUM. THE BAND IS WORKING TO RESCHEDULE THE SHO ONE NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION THAT IS STILL ,ON THE MT. OLIVE PICKLE DROP. IT WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY AT 7:00. FIREWORKS WILL GO OFF RIGHT AFTER. AND OF COURSE, THERE WILL BE FREE PICKLES FOR ALL TO ENJOY. YOU CAN ALSO WATCH IT FROM HOME. THEY WILL LIVESTREAM THE EVENT ON MTOLIVEPICKLES.COM. YOU’RE TAKING A LIVE LOOK AT TIMES SQUARE IN NEW YORK CY.IT THE NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION WILL BE SCALED BACK, WITH THE CROWD LIMITED TO 15,000 PEOPLE. THAT’S FOUR TIMES SMALLER TNHA USL.UA THAT ONE FINAL PREPARATION LEFT TO CHECKOFF WAS TAKEN CARE OF TODAY, THE CONFETTI TEST. ORGANIZERS LET LOOSE HANDFULS OF COLORFUL CONFETTI FOR A TEST FLIGHT AND GRAVITY DID ITS JOB. IT WAS A SUCCESS. ABOUT 51. TONS OF CONFETTI WILL COME DOWN AT THE STRIKE OF MIDNIGHT TO RING IN 2022. THEN THEY HAVE TO CLEAN IT UP. CHMU MORE COMING UP IN OUR NEXT HALF-HOUR OF NEWS SAFETY ALERT , INCLUDING A SAFETY ALE FORRT PARENTS. A WOMAN IS SHARING HER DAUGHTER’S STORY ABOUT THE DANGEROUS CHALLENGE THAT CAME FROM THEIR ALE.XA AND IT’S BEEN AN EVENTFUL FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN. WE HAVE A LOOK AT THE MAJOR STEPS AND CHALLENGES HE FACED. >> YOU ARE WATCHING WXII 12 NEWS ON THE TRIAD CW. CHRISTINE: LET’S GET A LOOK AT THE UNSETTLED WEATH HEREADING OUR WAY. DAVE: WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE RADAAR GOOD PORTION OF THE AFTERNOON. IT HAS BNEE INACTIVE, JUST A FEW SPRINKLES AND SHOWERS OFF AND ON AND AN ABUNDANCE OF CLOUD COVER. WE STILL HAVE CLOUDS OUT THERE. WATCNGHI CLOUDS MOVE OUT OF THE CHARLOTTE AREA AND WEAKENING. NOT QUITE AS STRONG AS THEY ONCE WERE. WE COULD SEE SHOWERS PUSHING TOIN DAVIDSON COUNTY. THE MAIN CONCERN IS OVER THE STWE, PORTIONS OF TENNESSEE WHERE THERE HAS BEEN AN ICE LINE. IT HAS WEAKENED A BIT. TORNADO WATCH TO THE SOUTH AND YOU CAN SEE LIGHTNING, BUT IT HAS WEEKEND A BIT AND WE WILL ESE HOW IT MOVES ACROSS. THERE IS A TORNADO WATCH JUST ISSUED AND THAT INCLUDES PORTIONS WEST OF THE ASHEVLEIL AREA, UPSTATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA. IT WILL PROBABLY GO BY THE WAYSIDE BEFOREHA TT. OVER WINSTON-SALEM IT IS 67. A SOUTHWESTEYRL BREEZE, VERY HUMID. WATCH FOR SHOWERS AS WE GO INTO THE OVERNIGHT. WARM WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW 60’S AND MAYBE AN ISOLATED THUNDERSTO.RM THAT STORM MAY HAVE A GUSTY WINDS OR CELLS WITH HEAVY RAINS. ISOLATED ACTIVITY WILL GO OFF AND ON INTO TOMORROW MORNING. WE WILL HAVE THE REST OF YOUR THURSDAY FORECAST AND TAKE A LOOK INTO THE FIRST WEEKEND OF 2022. CHRISTE:IN YOU CAN STAY AHEAD OF ANY STORM IN THE FORECAST WITH THE FREE IIWX NEWS APP. IN ADDITION TO THE INTERACTIVE RADAR YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE CURRENT AND FUTURE RADAR AS WELL AS SIGN UP FOR SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS. TONIGHT, A MOTHER TALKING ABOUT A DANGEROUS SITUATION INVOLVING AMAZON’S ALEXA AND HER TEN-YEAR-OLD CHILD. ACCORDING TO A TWEET BY KRISTIN LIVDAHL, HER DAUGHTER ASKED ALEXA FOR A CHALLENGE. ALEXA REPORTEDLY TOLD THE GIRL TO PLUG IN A PHONE CHARGER ABOUT HALFWAY INTO A WALL OUTLET, THEN TOUCH A PENNY TO THE EXPOSED PRONGS. THAT IS THE SO-CALLED PENNY CHALLENGE THAT WENT VIRAL ON TIKTOK LAST YEAR. IT’S A DANGEROUS STUNT THAT RUNS THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL FIRESND A INJURIES. AMAZON SAYS IT HAS SINCE FEDIX THE ISSUE WITH ALEXA, AND IS TAKING STEPS TO PREVENT SOMETHING SIMILAR FROM HAPPENING AGN.AI PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND RUSSIA’S PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN WILL SPEAK TOMORROW, AFTER PUTIN HAS STEPPED UP HIS DEMANDS FOR SECURITY GUARANTEES IN EASTERN EUROPE. THE TALKS COME AS THE U.S. AND WESTERN ALLIES HAVE WATCHED THE BUILDUP OF RUSSIAN TROOPS NEAR THE BORDER OF UKRAINE, GROWING TO AN ESTIMATED 100,000, AND FUELING FEARS OF A RUSSIAN VAINON.SI IT 'T ’S BEEN QUITE A FIRST YEAR FOR THE BIDEN WHITE HOUSE, BETWEEN MASSIVE UPS AND DOWNS WITH A GLOBAL PANDEMIC,UC SCESSES AND CHALLENGES ON CAPITOL HILL, AFGHANISTAN, RUSSIA, CLIMATEND A MORE. NBC’S MONICA ALBA LOS OKBACK AT THE PRESIDENT’S FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE, AND WHAT HIS ADMINISTRATION FACES IN 2022. RE PORTER: EVERY PRESIDENT’S FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE TESTS THE POWER OF PROMISE MARKED WITH CAMPAIGN PLEDGES KEPT AND THOSE STILL UNFULFILLED. PRES. BIDEN: WE WILL KEEP UP THE FIGHT UNTIL WE GET IT DONE. REPORTER: BEFORE JOE BIDEN WAS EVEN SWORN IN, HE KNEW THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC WOULD LARGELY DEFINE THE BEGINNING OF HIS TE.RM PRES. BIDEN: TO HEAL, WE MUST REMEMBER. REPORTER: HONORING THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS DEAD ON THE EVE OF HIS INAUGURATION. PRES. BIDEN: THIS IS AMERICA'’ DAY, A DAY OF HISTORY AND HOPE. REPORTER: THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION LAUNCHING A MASSIVE EFFORT TO GET AMERICANS VACCINATED. PRES. BIDEN: IT IS TIME TO ACT. WE CAN REDUCE SUFFERING IN THIS COUNTRY. REPORTER: LEADING TO THE PRESIDENT’S FIRST LEGISLATIVE VICTORY IN MARCH IN E THFORM OF A $1.9 TRILLION COVID RELIEF BILL. AS 100 DAYINS OFFICE MARKED MORE THAN 100 MILLION COVID VACCINE SHOTS ADMINISTERED. PRES. BIDEN: GO GET VACCINATED, AMERICA. REPORTER: STILL, MANY REFUSED TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES, EVEN AS WNE VARIANTS BROUGHT SPIKES AND SURGES. PRES. BIDEN: IT’S BECOME A POLITICAL ISSUE, WHICH IS A SAD, SAD COMMENTARY. REPORTER: THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S VACCINE MANDATES FOR FEDERAL WORKERS, CONTRACTORS, AND PVATERI BUSINESSES CHALLENGED IN COURTS. >> IT’S NOT ABOUT JUST GO AND GET THE VACCINE. IT’S ABOUT HAVING THE CHOICE TO GET IT. REPORTER: RULES AND ENFORCEMENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY A TANGLED WEB AS U.S. COVID DEATHS TOPPED 800,000 AND NORMAL NEVER QUITE RE0,000 AND NORMAL NEVER QUITE TURNED. PRES. BIDEN: DO NOT WAIT, GO GET YOUROO BSTER IF IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO DO SO. REPORTER: OVERSEAS, HIGH-STAKES CHALLENGES ON THE WORLD STAGE. AS THE U.S. REJOINED THE PARIS AGREEMENT, THE INTERNATIONAL TREATY ON CLIMATE CHANGE. PRES. BIDEN: THE UNITED STATES IS DETERMINED, DETERMINED TO REENGAGE WITH EUPE.RO REPORTER: WHILE ALSO PLACING SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA. AHEAD OF A CRITICAL FACE-TO-FACE SUMMIT WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN IN SWITZERLAND. YET IT WAS AFGHANISTAN THAT WOULD MOVE FRONT AND CENTER. AFTER THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED HIS DECISION TO WITHDRAW ALL TROOPSRO FM THE COUNTRY BY THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11. PRES. BIDEN: WE’LL DO IT RESPONSIBLY, DELIBERATELY AND SAFELY. REPORTER: UNDERESTIMATING HOW QUICKLY THE TALIBAN WOULD TAKE CONTROL. RESULTING IN A CHAOTIC AND DEADLY EVACUATION. PRES. BIN:DE I AM PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE BUCK STOPS WITH ME. I DO NOT REGRET MY DECISION TO END AMERICA’S WARN I AFGHANISTAN. REPORTER: THE PRESIDENT FOLLOWED UP ON HIS PLEDGE TO COMBAT GLOBAL WARMING AT A MAJOR U.N. SUMMIT IN GLASGOW. PRES. BIDEN: WE MEET WITH THE EYES OF HISTORY UP UONS. REPORTER: CLIMATE ALSO A KEY PART OF THE PRESIDENT’S DOMESTIC AGENDA -REVOKING A PERMIT FOR , THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE AND HALTING NEW ENERGY LEASING IN ALASKA’S ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. ALSO KEEPI HNGIS WORD WHEN APPOINTING A DIVERSE CABINET AND REPEALING THE BAN ON TRANSGENDER PEOPLEN TH IE ARMED FORCES. PRES. BIDE TRANSGENDER PERSONNEL, IF QUALIFIED IN ERYVE OTHER WAY, CAN SERVE THEIR GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY. REPORTER: ON CAPITOL HILL, AFTER MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS AND DEMOCRATIC INFIGHTING A EDALSC , BACK $1.2 TRILLION INFRASTRUCTURE BILL IS SIGNED INTO L.AW PRES. BIDEN: AMERICA IS MOVING AGAIN AND YOUR LIFE IS GOING TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. REPOERRT: WHILE THE SECOND HALF OF THE PRESIDENT’S ECICOMON AGENDA A MASSIVE SOCIAL SPENDING AND CLIMATE PLAN REMAI INSN LIMBO WITH NO CLEAR PATH FORWARD, ALONG WITH OTHEMAR JOR PRIORITIES STILL STALLED IN CONGRESS, LIKE VOTING RIGHTS. >> THE PEOPLE NEED THE ACT. REPORTER: POLICE REFORM. >> AIN’T NO JUSTICE IN THIS TOWN. REPORTER: CREATING A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP. >> THE PROMISE OF PROTECTION FOR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES, NOTHING HAS CHANGED. REPOERRT: AND MAKING ROE V. WADE THE LAW OF THE LAND. >> ABORTION STILL NEEDS TO BE LEGAL. REPORT:ER WITH MUCH STILL UNFINISHED, THE PRESIDENT WILL TAKE THE COUNTRY INTO A NEW YEAR WITH CHANGE AND CHALLENGES AHEAD OF THE CRITICAL 2022 MIDTERM ELECTIONS. MONICALB AA, NBC NEWS, THE WHITE HOUSE. CHSTRIINE: STILL AHEAD TONIGHT NEXT YEAR, THERE WILL BE ONE , LESS HEADACHE FOR PEOPLEHO W FIND THEMSELVES IN THE HOSPITAL. STILL TO COME, MORE ON A NEWAW L PROTECTING PATIENTS, AND THE GROUPS WHO ARE SUING THE WHITE HOUSE OVER IT. AND LATER, THE SECRET HIDING IN THIS GIANT ROCK THAT HAS VERY LIKELY SET A NEW RECORD INHE T SCIENCE WORLD. CHRISTINE:HE T NEW YEAR WILL ALSO RING IN A NEW HEALTH LAW. SUPPORTERS SAY IT’LL PROTECT MILLIONS OF PATIENTS BY STOPPING SURPRISE MEDICALIL BLS. BUT, SOME HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT A PROVISION IN THE BILL, AND HAVE SUED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. MANDY GAITHER HAS MORE IN TONIGHT’S HEALTH MINUTE. REPORTER: IT’S CALLED THE NO SURPRISES ACT, NEW FEDERAL PROTECTIONS FOR PATIENTS, AGAINST SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS, -- BILLS. >> THIS HAS BEEN A PERVASIVEND A ABUSIVE BILLING PRACTICE BY SOME PROVIDERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SITUATIONS WHERE THE PATIENT HAS NO ABILITY TO CHOOSE. REPORTER: THE LAWS I SET TO GO INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1. A REPORT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAYS IT PROTECTS PATIENTS WITH MOST INDIVIDUAL AND EMPLOYER INSURANCE PLANSY B NO LONGER ALLOWING THEM TO BE BALANCE-BILLED FOR EMERGENCYND A CERTAIN NON-EMERGENCY SERVICES PATIENTS WILL ALSO NOT BE IN THE IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES. PATIENTS WILL ALSO NOT BE IN THE MIDDLE OF BILLING DISPUTES BETWEEN PROVIDERS AND INSURERS, AND THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PREDICTS THE LAW WILL REDUCE HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS. >> WE CAN NOW GO TO EMERGENCY ROOMS AND GET EMERGENCY CARE WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT AN OUT OF NETWORK CHARGE. REPORTER: BUT, THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION AND AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HAVE SUED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, CHALLENGING A PRVISION OF E THRULE ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER, AIMED AT DETERMINING FAIR PAYMENT FOR SERVICES BYUT O OF NETWORK PROVIDERS. IN A JOINT STATEMENT, THE ORGANIZATIONS SAY, THE BILLING RESOLUTION PROCESS ALSO SHOULD NOT IMPEDE PATIENT ACCESS TO CARE BY MAKING FEWER CAREGIVERS AVAILABLE IN THEIR INSURANCE NETWK.OR THIS IS WHY THE AHA AND AMA ARE ASKING THE COURT TO BRING ETH REGULATIONS IN LINE WITH THE PATIENT-FRIENDLY, BALANCED APPROACH CONGRESS INTEND.ED THE LAWSUIT IS NOT EXPECTED TO STOP THE CORE OF THE LAW FROM MOVING FORWA.RD FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I’M MANDY GAITHER. CHRISTINE: THE LAW WILL ALSO REIRQUE A NATIONAL HOTLINE TO BE ESTABLISHED, WHERE PEOPLE CAN FILE COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUSPECTED SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLING DAVE: WE HAVE SEEN A FEW SHOWERS ACROSS THE AREA THIS EVENING. OVERNIGHT, SHOWERS STILL IN PLACE OFF AND ON. UYO CAN SEE THIS LINE BACK OUT OVER TENNESSEE GETTING READY TO VEMO INTO THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS. A FEW TORNADO WATCHES OUT. WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT AND YOUR WEEKEND FORECAST. CHRISTINE: WELCOME BACK, EVERYONE. I’'S THE LATEST VICTIM OF GLOBAL WARMING. SCIENTISTS WARN THE SO-CALLED DOOMSDAY GLACIER IN ANTARCTICA COULD COLLAPSE IN THREE TO FIVE-YEA.RS THE GLACIER IS THE SIZE OF FLORIDA, AND IS THE WIDEST GLACIER IN THE WOR.LD SCIENTISTS SAY SATELLITE IMAGES SHOW THE ICE SHEETS AROUND IT ARE FRACTURING, AND COULD EVENTUAL SLYHATTER. EXPERTS SAY IF THAT HAPPENS, IT WOULD CAUSE THE BIGGEST THREAT TO SEA-LEVEL RISE THIS CENTURY. THE GLACIER ITSELF HOLDS ENOUGH WATER TO RAISE SEA LEVEL BY MORE THAN TWO-FEET. IT COULD GO AS HIGH AS 10 FEET IF IT TAKES THE SURROUNDING GLACIERS WITH IT. UNCLE SAM IS ABOUT TO GET A WINDFALL JUST SHY OF $11 BILLION, COURTESY OF ELON MU.SK THAT’S HOW MUCH THE TESLAEO C OWES IN TAXES, AFTER SELLING MORE THAN 10 MILLION SHARES OF HIS COMPANY. MUSK HAS BEEN HOLDING ONTO MILLIONS OF STOCK OPTIONS SINCE 20.12 THEY WERE SET TO EXPIRE IN AUGUST. HE EXERCISED THEM THIS YEAR TO GET IN ON THE 40% TAX BRACT,KE THAT THE CASH PUTS HIM IN. FORBES STILL ESTIMATES HISET N WORTH TOE B AROUND $280 BILLION, SO IT WON’T HURT HIS WALLET TOO MUCH. A WARNING, THIS STORY MIGHT GIVE YOU THE CREEPY-CRAWLS.IE THAT IS THE TECHNICAL TERM WE ARE USING TONIGHT. SCIENTISTS IN EUROPE BELIEVE THEY HAVE FOUND OF THE BIGGEST BUG THAT EVER LIVED AFTER A COMPLETE FLUKE. BACK IN JANUARY 2018, A CHUNK OF SANDSTONE FELL FROM A CLIFF ON A BEACH IN NORTHERN ENGLAND. IT CRACKED OPEN REVEALING THE , FOSSIL OF A GIANT MILLIPEDE. IT’S NAMED ARTHROPLEURAAN, DATES BACK 326 MILLION YEARS. SCIENTISTS ESTIMATE THE BUG WOULD HAVE WEIGHED MORE ANTH 100 POUNDS, BEEN 22 CHINES WIDE AND EIGHT FEET LONG. THE FOSSIL IS SET TO GO ON DISPLAY IN ENGLAND NEXT YEAR. DAVE, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT? DAVE: I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU WOULD AVOID IT. WHERE DID THEY COME UP WITH THIS STUFF? WHAT WE HAVE COME UP WHIT OUR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY TO OUR WEST. NOT TOO MUCH ACTIVITY ACROSS THE PIEDMONT. IF YOU SHOWERS OVER RANDOLPH COUNTY, LIGHT IN SOUTHERN DAVIDSON COUNTY. MORE IN THE WAY OF CELLS IN CHARLOTTE. NO THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WITH THOSE. TO THE WEST, WE HAVE ENBE WATCHING THIS LINE. THE NORTHERN EXTENT HAS LOST INTENSITY AS YOU SEE YELLOWS AND ORANGES HAVE DISSIPATED. THERE WAS A LINE AND THE SOUTHERN EXTENT AS IT PUSHES TO THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS, AND SOUTH CAROLINA. ALSO THERE HAS BEEN ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR EXTREME WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. THESE ARE STORM REPORTS OVER THE PAST 12 TO 24 HOURS OVER BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA. ISOLATED ACTIVITY OVER TENNESSEE WITH ISOLATED HAI

Gospel singer with leg paralysis uses music to uplift others

Updated: 9:37 PM EST Jan 1, 2022

A quadriplegic singer is using the obstacles he faces to help others going through a difficult time in his music.Semaj Moore, also known as "Showoff Praise," is a gospel artist in North Carolina.The 33-year-old is known within his community for sharing positive messages in his trap gospel music.Moore said many songs have negative, sexual, or drug-related content. He said he wanted to change that with his own music, and dedicated his life to God.However, in 2016, his life took a turn.Moore, a sophomore at Winston-Salem State University at the time, said he was walking near campus when a vehicle struck himThe driver of the car drove off, and Moore was left in a coma for two weeks, he said. He has not been able to walk again since.However, he's not letting that stop him from sharing his belief, and helping others in the community, especially his little girl.His 5-year-old daughter, Smara Moore, said, "I want him (Moore) to walk, and take me places everywhere like Chuck E. Cheese, Dave & Buster's, and Disney, and drive a car with me."Moore said that he's determined to help others, and walk again, to teach his daughter important lessons in life."So I could motivate her not to give up on anything in life," he said. "Once she (Smara) sees me accomplish this, and she knows that her daddy done this, she would be able to accomplish anything.”Moore said he's currently raising money for medical rehab to help him walk again.In the meantime, he said he plans to continue to perform his gospel music within the community.He said he will continue to rely on his faith in God, and support his little girl."It don’t matter what it looks like. Give it to God. He’ll turn it around," he said.A GoFundMe was created to help Moore receive medical rehab. If you'd like to help out, please click here.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —

A quadriplegic singer is using the obstacles he faces to help others going through a difficult time in his music.

Semaj Moore, also known as "Showoff Praise," is a gospel artist in North Carolina.

The 33-year-old is known within his community for sharing positive messages in his trap gospel music.

Moore said many songs have negative, sexual, or drug-related content. He said he wanted to change that with his own music, and dedicated his life to God.

However, in 2016, his life took a turn.

Moore, a sophomore at Winston-Salem State University at the time, said he was walking near campus when a vehicle struck him

The driver of the car drove off, and Moore was left in a coma for two weeks, he said. He has not been able to walk again since.

However, he's not letting that stop him from sharing his belief, and helping others in the community, especially his little girl.

His 5-year-old daughter, Smara Moore, said, "I want him (Moore) to walk, and take me places everywhere like Chuck E. Cheese, Dave & Buster's, and Disney, and drive a car with me."

Moore said that he's determined to help others, and walk again, to teach his daughter important lessons in life.

"So I could motivate her not to give up on anything in life," he said. "Once she (Smara) sees me accomplish this, and she knows that her daddy done this, she would be able to accomplish anything.”

Moore said he's currently raising money for medical rehab to help him walk again.

In the meantime, he said he plans to continue to perform his gospel music within the community.

He said he will continue to rely on his faith in God, and support his little girl.

"It don’t matter what it looks like. Give it to God. He’ll turn it around," he said.

A GoFundMe was created to help Moore receive medical rehab. If you'd like to help out, please click here.