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News Daypop

New York City Mayor Announces Public Schools Will Begin Phased Reopening Dec. 7

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Sunday that elementary schools in the city will re-open on December 7th, this despite the fact that cases throughout the United Sates continue to surge.

De Blasio said Sunday that public schools will re-open in phases with students in grades 3-k, Pre-k and K-5th grade returning in-person learning on Dec. 7, followed by students with the most complex disabilities on Dec. 10, while middle and high schools will remain closed. The decision to re-open comes after New York City Public Schools ended in-person instruction earlier this month after the city reached a 3% COVID-19 testing positivity rate.

New York City added 2,294 cases bringing its seven-day positive test result average to 2.75% and 3.5% for Saturday. Overall the state of New York added 6,723 new cases bringing its total to 641,161, with a statewide positivity rate of 4.27%, and 55 new deaths, bringing its death toll to 26,690.

New York City public schools will begin to reopen on Dec. 7

Via www.reuters.com
 

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News Daypop

President-elect Biden Selects All-Female White House Senior Communications Team

On Sunday, President-elect Joe Biden announced an all-female White House senior communications team. In a statement, Biden’s transition team issued a statement declaring the team the “first senior White House communications team comprised entirely of women. These qualified, experienced communicators bring diverse perspectives to their work and a shared commitment to building this country back better.”

Former President Barack Obama’s White House communications director, Jen Psaki will serve as White House press secretary, Biden announced.  Kate Bedingfield, who served as deputy campaign manager and communications director for Biden’s campaign will be the new White House communications director and Pili Tobar, Biden’s communications director for coalitions, will serve as deputy White House communications director.

Senior Biden campaign adviser and chief of staff to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will serve as principal deputy press secretary. Symone Sanders and Ashley Etienne — both senior advisers on Biden’s campaign — will serve as chief spokesperson for the vice president and communications director for the vice president respectively. Communications director for first lady Jill Biden will be filled by Elizabeth E. Alexander, another Biden campaign senior adviser.

Biden chooses an all-female senior White House press team

Via abcnews.go.com
 

Editorial credit: Alex Gakos / Shutterstock.com

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Sports Daypop

Minnesota Vikings Pull Off Surprising Win Over Carolina Panthers To Save Season

The Minnesota Vikings pulled off a surprising 28-27 victory over the Carolina Panthers to keep their season alive. Kirk Cousins found Chad Beebe for a touchdown with 46 seconds left and Joey Slye’s game-winning field goal attempt went wide.

Beebe had muffed a punt just minutes earlier that appeared to cost the Vikings the game, but managed to win one of their more improbable victories in recent memory. Dalvin Cook, who left the game with an injury but was able to return, was held to 82 yards from scrimmage, his first time with less than 100 total yards since Week 2 and just his second game without a touchdown all year.

The Vikings are 5-6 and just one game out of a playoff spot in the NFC. They can improve to .500 next weekend by beating the 1-10 Jaguars at home.

Minnesota Vikings Reverse Script, Beat Panthers, Keep Postseason Hopes Alive

Via www.forbes.com
 

Editorial credit: Steve Jacobson / Shutterstock.com

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Sports Daypop

NFL Fines Saints And Patriots For Violating COVID-19 Protocols

The NFL fined the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots for violating COVID-19 protocols.

eague source said on Sunday.

The Saints were fined $500,000 for not wearing protective masks during a post-game celebration. According to the NFL’s website, the Saints were also docked a seventh-round draft pick. The Patriots were fined $350,000 stemming from mask protocol violations at the team facility in early October.

COVID-19 has affected the NFL regularly, and most recently this week the Baltimore Ravens had their game with the Pittsburgh Steelers rescheduled twice because of an outbreak within the team. In addition, the Denver Broncos started a practice squad wide receiver as quarterback against the Saints after all four of the quarterbacks on their roster are unavailable for COVID-19 related reasons.

Saints, Patriots fined for violating NFL’s COVID-19 protocols, per reports

Via www.usatoday.com
 

Editorial credit: Alena Veasey / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

‘My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood’ To Debut On HBO Max

HBO Max is set to debut Carrie Underwood’s new music special “My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood” on Thursday, Dec. 3.

Underwood performs a combination of traditional favorites as well as new original material from her first ever full-length Christmas album My Gift, which was released earlier this fall.

The special features a duet with John Legend singing “Hallelujah.” Viewers will also get an inside look behind the scenes of Underwood recording “Little Drummer Boy” with her five-year-old son Isaiah.

“My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood” will be available to stream starting Thursday, Dec. 3 on HBO Max.

Carrie Underwood’s HBO Max Christmas Special to Feature John Legend, Son Isaiah

Via tasteofcountry.com
 

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

Darius Rucker And Violinist Lindsey Stirling Team Up For New Rendition of “What Child Is This”

Darius Rucker teamed with artist/violinist Lindsey Stirling to record a new rendition of “What Child Is This.” Darius and Lindsey will perform the tune during the CMA Country Christmas TV special on Nov. 30 on ABC.

“I was so honored when the CMA asked me to perform ‘What Child Is This,’ and to be getting to do it with an amazing musician like Lindsey is just awesome,” says Darius.  Added Lindsey, “I was so excited to be a part of CMA Country Christmas again this year. Every year, they give me an amazing chance to sparkle in their spectacular show. This year was extra special since I got to collaborate with the amazing Darius Rucker. Hope everyone loves it as much as we do!”

Listen to Darius and Lindsey perform “What Child Is This” at the link: here.

Lindsey Stirling & Darius Rucker Release ‘What Child Is This’

Via www.broadwayworld.com
 

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Entertainment Daypop

David Prowse, Original Darth Vader in ‘Star Wars,’ Dead at 85

David Prowse, the actor who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars trilogy has died. He was 85. 

In a statement to BBC, Prowse’s agent, Thomas Bowington, said he died after a short illness. “Though famous for playing many monsters — for myself, and all who knew Dave and worked with him, he was a hero in our lives,” Bowington said, calling Prowse’s death “a truly and deeply heart-wrenching loss for us and millions of fans all over the world.” 

Prowse made his film debut in the 1978 James Bond spoof Casino Royale. The actor also also had roles on The Saint, Space 1999 and Doctor Who. Prowse was invited to audition for the roles of Darth Vader and Chewbacca in 1977’s Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope, and he chose to play Vader, with James Earl Jones voicing the character. 

Mark Hamill wrote on Twitter: “So sad to hear David Prowse has passed. He was a kind man & much more than Darth Vader. Actor-Husband-Father-Member of the Order of the British Empire-3 time British Weightlifting Champion & Safety Icon the Green Cross Code Man. He loved his fans as much as they loved him. #RIP.” 

David Prowse Dies, Darth Vader Actor from Star Wars Was 85

Via movieweb.com
 

Editorial credit: Dan Jamieson / Shutterstock.com

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Entertainment Daypop

Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds Donate $500,000 To Canadian Charities

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are donating $250,000 to Covenant House Vancouver and $250,000 to Covenant House Toronto to help the organization support at-risk, homeless and trafficked youth across Canada. 

According to its website, The Covenant House has “helped transform and save the lives” of more than 1 million runaway, trafficked and homeless young people. It reaches approximately 74,000 youth on a yearly basis. In a blog post featuring the news Wednesday, Kristy Hayter of Covenant House Vancouver wrote that their donation “an incredible act of kindness and philanthropy.” The donation comes as the coronavirus pandemic has increased job loss and anxiety among the people the Covenant House serves, the organization said. 

Reynolds encouraged others to donate, and gifts made to Covenant House Vancouver through Dec. 31 will be matched by Reynolds and Lively.

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively donate $500,000 to support homeless youth in Canada

Via rss.cnn.com
 

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

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Rock Daypop

Alanis Morissette Covers ‘Happy Xmas (War is Over)’

Alanis Morissette has debuted her cover of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s classic “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).”

Morissette has recreated the iconic visuals from the 1971 track, and in the music video the singer and her family are seen on a big, white bed surrounded by flowers, stuffed animals, a guitar, and Lennon and Oko’s famous ‘Bed Peace’ poster.

“It is an honour to cover this heartwarming song,” Morissette said. “The lyrics feel more pertinent than ever and this year has been a year of great resilience and adapting and feeling all the feelings. May this song serve as a big hug to you and your sweet families and friends. Everything is going to be okay in the end, and if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”

Watch Morissette cover ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ at the link: here.

Alanis Morissette Releases John Lennon And Yoko Ono Cover, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” [Video]

Via liveforlivemusic.com
 

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

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Rock Daypop

Eric Clapton And Van Morrison Team Up For New Song ‘Stand and Deliver’

Van Morrison and Eric Clapton will be releasing a new “anti-lockdown” song to support Morrison’s “Save Live Music” campaign. The track, titled “Stand and Deliver,” was written by Clapton. Morrison also previously released three “anti-lockdown” songs earlier this fall, including “Born to Be Free,” “As I Walked Out,” and “No More Lockdown.” Proceeds from the new single, set to drop on December 4, will go to Morrison’s Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund to benefit musicians.

Van Morrison and Eric Clapton Tease New Anti-Lockdown Song ‘Stand and Deliver’

Via www.billboard.com
 

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