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“Fool’s Love Affair”: Randy Travis’ first single since his stroke is a never-before-heard early cut

• No Comments • Country Music News

117 MusicThis week, beloved country traditionalist Randy Travis returned with a new single, “Fool’s Love Affair.”

Randy’s known for carrying the torch for classic country music, but this song doesn’t just sound traditional: It was actually recorded in about 1984, prior to the release of the singer’s 1985 radio debut with “On the Other Hand.”

Set to a steel guitar-inflected waltz, the song’s lyrics chronicle the ill-fated romance of a cheater’s love story. “It’s just a fool’s love affair / And we’re both aware / It’s a game and nobody wins,” Randy sings in the chorus.

“Fool’s Love Affair” is a throwback to a different era of country music, and is also the first single Randy’s released since a devastating 2013 stroke hampered his ability to sing and speak.

“It’s just so great to hear Randy’s voice again. It gives me goosebumps,” the singer’s wife, Mary Travis, explains to Rolling Stone. “It’s a very traditional sound because it’s Randy Travis, but it’s so current, which is what Randy’s songs always did. Everybody could identify with the life story in his songs and he told them so well.”

We’ll have a chance to hear Randy’s voice again soon, as he’s featured on a rendition of “Forever and Ever Amen” on Josh Turner’s next album, Country State of Mind. Randy’s vocals on that song mark his first recording session since his stroke; Josh’s full project will drop in late August.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

First Black female valedictorian in school's 159-year history follows in grandma's footsteps

• No Comments • National News

Darren MitchellBy NICOLE PELLETIERE, ABC NEWS

(DEKALB, Ill.) — A 17-year-old who has been named valedictorian is the first Black female to achieve the honor in her high school’s 159-year history.

Nina Mitchell graduated from DeKalb High School in DeKalb, Illinois, with a 4.549 GPA.

“I was very humbled and honored,” Nina told Good Morning America. “I am representing Black students and female students. They can look up to me and say, ‘Wow. Nina did it, so I can do it.’ That was really important for me.”

Nina was president of the Honor Society and Key Club. She was also a founder of the Spanish Honor Society, a member of Spanish Club, was part of the principal’s advisory board, a founding member of the peer mediation program, played volleyball and ran track.

In her community, Nina was the first Black chair of Youth Engaged in Philanthropy, a legislature with the Illinois YMCA Youth and Government and a member of the Youth Advisory Council.

During her free time, Nina enjoys reading and playing Scrabble with her two brothers: Robert, 21, and Michael, 20.

Academic success runs in Nina’s family. Robert graduated sixth in his class at DeKalb High School and Michael ranked seventh.

Nina’s grandmother, Pearlene Carter, 75, was also a valedictorian representing Walker High School’s class of 1959 in Coldwater, Mississippi.

“I didn’t get here alone,” Nina said. “My parents always set me up for success, and my brothers inspire me to do better.”

“My grandma has always been an inspiration for me, and a role model,” she added. “She’s a force to be reckoned with. She’s always bragged about me to her friends and has made me feel so loved.”

Nina’s father, Darren Mitchell, said his daughter’s goal was always to graduate at the top of her class.

“I know Nina has gotten a lot of attention for her academic achievement and leadership skills, but why I’m most proud of my daughter is she is a good person,” Mitchell told GMA.

“She treats people with kindness and respect,” he added. “She has a wonderful heart and is just a great human being.”

Nina was accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Northwestern and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she will attend as a business major.

Nina hopes to become a lawyer.

Her advice to rising students is to put school first, get involved in your community and “never give up.”

Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Game on! 'Wheel of Fortune' and 'Jeopardy' to resume studio production after COVID-19 shutdown

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Jeopardy! Productions, Inc.(LOS ANGELES) — Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy are heading back to the studio.

According to Deadline, the long-running television shows will begin production in Los Angeles as early as this week after being shutdown due to COVID-19.

Both shows are planning to implement a few changes keep both staff and contestants safe. In addition to regular testing and PPE, to adhere to social distancing guidelines, Wheel of Fortune will have a redesigned wheel while Jeopardy will place more space between the contestant podiums.

Recently, Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek gave fans an optimistic update in his battle against Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, assuring them he’d be back to work as soon as he could. 

Meanwhile, Jeopardy! Productions just announced it will open the vault for a four-week retrospective series starting July 20. The throwback series will, “highlight memorable contestants, exciting moments, and unique tournaments from the show’s 36-year history, including the series premiere, which aired September 10, 1984.”

By George Costantino and Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Real-life 'Extraction' – Elsa Pataky escapes flood-stuck van through the window

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Steve Granitz/WireImage(AUSTRALIA) — Chris Hemsworth’s latest hit is the Netflix film Extraction — and the title has an ironic twist after his wife, Elsa Pataky, needed to extract herself from a real-life emergency that could have been part of an action movie.

The Fast and Furious actress, who resides in Bryon Park, Australia with Hemsworth and their children, recently documented herself climbing out the window of a van after it got stuck in a flooded area. In a series of Instagram stories, she explained that she was “a bit too optimistic” in thinking that she would make it across without any issues. 

In one of the clips, the 41-year-old can be heard saying,”Oh god, oh god, what am I doing?” before she pokes fun at herself by writing, “Great job, Elsa.”

Pataky pans the camera around to show that the flowing water, which is the result of two days of rain, is almost up to the door handles of the vehicle. Eventually, she realizes that the only way out is through the window, so she climbs out and wades across the murky water to meet two of her children who are waiting on the other side. 

Luckily, no one was hurt.

By Danielle Long and Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Marlins’ season on hold due to COVID-19

• No Comments • Sports News

manusapon kasosod/iStockBy ABC News

(NEW YORK) — Just days after kicking off their shortened regular season, the Miami Marlins have put gameplay on hold.

Major League Baseball announced on Tuesday that the team’s games will be postponed through Sunday after numerous Marlins players were diagnosed with COVID-19.

“Given the current circumstances, MLB believes that it is most prudent to allow the Marlins time to focus on providing care for their players and planning their Baseball Operations for a resumption early next week,” the league said in a statement.

“The Marlins’ personnel who tested positive remain in isolation and are receiving care,” the league said.

ESPN reported Monday that multiple Marlins players had COVID-19 — one day after the Marlins played the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies’ Monday night game against the New York Yankees was canceled, as was the Marlins’ Monday night game against the Baltimore Orioles.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the remainder of the home-and-home series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees has been postponed (NYY @ PHI tonight, and PHI @ NYY Wednesday and Thursday),” MLB said Tuesday. “As a result of these postponements, the Yankees will now play the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on Wednesday and Thursday in order to create more scheduling flexibility later in the season. Additional rescheduling during the week of August 3rd will be announced later this week.”

The Marlins began their 60-game season last Friday against the Phillies, winning two out of the three games in the series.

Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.