NEW YORK (AP) — A bevy of booze brands will be in the Super Bowl ad lineup this year, now that Anheuser-Busch has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-philadelphia-eagles-super-bowl-sports-fox-corp-5d9922047c7fb640ddbf8caf5100ece2">ended its exclusive advertising sponsorship</a> after more than 30 years.

In addition to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-buffalo-bills-philadelphia-eagles-nfl-super-bowl-221469a7596a194eefe5f56e539ed8ed">celebrities</a>
 hawking Budweiser and Michelob Ultra, viewers will see some famous 
folks touting the qualities of Heineken and Coors, and even suggesting 
they drink cognac or whiskey — responsibly, of course.

Anheuser-Busch,
 parent of the Bud, Ultra and Busch beer brands, said in June it would 
end the exclusivity deal it first struck in 1989. The company is still a
 big presence at NFL games, sponsoring all major NFL moments during the 
offseason, such as the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas.

And the St. 
Louis, Missouri beverage giant is still the largest alcohol advertiser 
during the game, with three minutes of national airtime and a 30-second 
regional Budweiser spot.

On A-B's roster this year: A <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azCNwGnxq0s">Bud Light ad</a> shows actor Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh dancing to on-hold music. A regional <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dChVB7iKSg8">Budweiser ad</a> focuses on people connecting with a six-pack. A <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDGwwVki13Q">Michelob Ultra ad</a>
 spotlights actor Brian Cox and tennis star Serena Williams at a new 
members day at the Bushwood Country Club, the golf club in “Caddyshack.”
 And a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGZRMC3S9Ic">Busch Light ad</a> shows singer Sarah McLachlan sharing a tent with a wolf spoofing her well-known animal-advocacy ad.

The
 other alcohol brands running ads include beer brands Heineken and 
Molson Coors and liquor brands Remy Martin and Crown Royal, all eager to
 make their mark on advertising's largest stage.

Brands pay premium dollars to advertise during the gridiron classic, which draws about 100 million viewers each year. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-philadelphia-eagles-super-bowl-sports-fox-corp-5d9922047c7fb640ddbf8caf5100ece2">This year, most 30-second ad blocks sold for between $6 million and $7 million</a> — for the ad space alone. Companies spend millions more to create the ads themselves and book celebrity sponsors.

Heineken
 is promoting its alcohol-free beer Heineken 0.0 with an ad that's part 
of its larger partnership with Marvel — the ad, under wraps until the 
game, will feature actor Paul Rudd as his Marvel character “Ant Man.”

“We
 were really excited to hear that category opened up, and almost 
immediately we thought, you know, what a great way to really blow out 
Heineken 0.0 momentum and share that brand and that product with the 
wider market,” said Heineken chief marketing officer Jonnie Cahill in an
 interview with the AP.

Beer sales have held steady in the U.S., 
but the beer category has been losing market share to other types of 
alcoholic drinks, said Bart Watson, chief economist for trade group 
Brewers Association.

Beer's share in the alcohol market had 
dropped from 58% in 2000 to about 46% in 2022, while other alcoholic 
beverages, particularly spirits, have gained share. But overall beer 
barrel shipments are still up during the same time frame because the 
overall category has grown, according to figures tallied by the Beer 
Institute and Brewers Association.

For Anheuser-Busch, the 
decision to end its Super Bowl exclusivity is likely about putting 
marketing dollars elsewhere, Watson said.

“You have a new 
generation that consumes alcohol differently and beer differently. (For 
A-B), to put all their eggs in this basket isn’t getting the return that
 maybe it once did.”

Molson Coors is also keeping its ad for the 
big game under wraps. But it is attempting to make a splash as a 
first-time national advertiser by letting fans bet on what the ad will 
have in it — such as whether the game will feature its Coors Light or 
Miller Lite brand — via betting site DraftKings.

Other alcohol ads
 have enlisted celebrities: Diageo's ad for its Crown Royal whisky will 
feature musician Dave Grohl. Rémy Cointreau is also using Serena 
Williams, in an ad that spotlights its Rémy Martin cognac.

Not all alcohol makers are jumping to the national stage. Boston Beer Co. is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDo0wX1pK4c">sticking to a regional spot</a>
 for its Samuel Adams beer — the third year it has run a regional ad. 
The ad shows Bostonians imagining what would happen if everyone in the 
city was nice and polite.

“Samuel Adams is a relatively small 
player in the beer category, so a regional approach enables us to be 
part of the Super Bowl conversation without having to pay the huge price
 tag of a national ad," said Lesya Lysyj, chief marketing officer. A cut
 of the ad will run nationally beginning the week after the Super Bowl, 
she added.

Aside from alcohol, big brands including Pepsi Zero 
Sugar, Doritos, M&amp;Ms, Google, Downy and Kia will all be advertising 
during Super Bowl LVII, which airs Sunday on Fox.

NEW YORK (AP) — A bevy of booze brands will be in the Super Bowl ad lineup this year, now that Anheuser-Busch has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-philadelphia-eagles-super-bowl-sports-fox-corp-5d9922047c7fb640ddbf8caf5100ece2">ended its exclusive advertising sponsorship</a> after more than 30 years.In addition to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-buffalo-bills-philadelphia-eagles-nfl-super-bowl-221469a7596a194eefe5f56e539ed8ed">celebrities</a>
 hawking Budweiser and Michelob Ultra, viewers will see some famous 
folks touting the qualities of Heineken and Coors, and even suggesting 
they drink cognac or whiskey — responsibly, of course.Anheuser-Busch,
 parent of the Bud, Ultra and Busch beer brands, said in June it would 
end the exclusivity deal it first struck in 1989. The company is still a
 big presence at NFL games, sponsoring all major NFL moments during the 
offseason, such as the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas.And the St. 
Louis, Missouri beverage giant is still the largest alcohol advertiser 
during the game, with three minutes of national airtime and a 30-second 
regional Budweiser spot.On A-B's roster this year: A <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azCNwGnxq0s">Bud Light ad</a> shows actor Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh dancing to on-hold music. A regional <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dChVB7iKSg8">Budweiser ad</a> focuses on people connecting with a six-pack. A <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDGwwVki13Q">Michelob Ultra ad</a>
 spotlights actor Brian Cox and tennis star Serena Williams at a new 
members day at the Bushwood Country Club, the golf club in “Caddyshack.”
 And a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGZRMC3S9Ic">Busch Light ad</a> shows singer Sarah McLachlan sharing a tent with a wolf spoofing her well-known animal-advocacy ad.The
 other alcohol brands running ads include beer brands Heineken and 
Molson Coors and liquor brands Remy Martin and Crown Royal, all eager to
 make their mark on advertising's largest stage.Brands pay premium dollars to advertise during the gridiron classic, which draws about 100 million viewers each year. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-philadelphia-eagles-super-bowl-sports-fox-corp-5d9922047c7fb640ddbf8caf5100ece2">This year, most 30-second ad blocks sold for between $6 million and $7 million</a> — for the ad space alone. Companies spend millions more to create the ads themselves and book celebrity sponsors.Heineken
 is promoting its alcohol-free beer Heineken 0.0 with an ad that's part 
of its larger partnership with Marvel — the ad, under wraps until the 
game, will feature actor Paul Rudd as his Marvel character “Ant Man.”“We
 were really excited to hear that category opened up, and almost 
immediately we thought, you know, what a great way to really blow out 
Heineken 0.0 momentum and share that brand and that product with the 
wider market,” said Heineken chief marketing officer Jonnie Cahill in an
 interview with the AP.Beer sales have held steady in the U.S., 
but the beer category has been losing market share to other types of 
alcoholic drinks, said Bart Watson, chief economist for trade group 
Brewers Association.Beer's share in the alcohol market had 
dropped from 58% in 2000 to about 46% in 2022, while other alcoholic 
beverages, particularly spirits, have gained share. But overall beer 
barrel shipments are still up during the same time frame because the 
overall category has grown, according to figures tallied by the Beer 
Institute and Brewers Association.For Anheuser-Busch, the 
decision to end its Super Bowl exclusivity is likely about putting 
marketing dollars elsewhere, Watson said.“You have a new 
generation that consumes alcohol differently and beer differently. (For 
A-B), to put all their eggs in this basket isn’t getting the return that
 maybe it once did.”Molson Coors is also keeping its ad for the 
big game under wraps. But it is attempting to make a splash as a 
first-time national advertiser by letting fans bet on what the ad will 
have in it — such as whether the game will feature its Coors Light or 
Miller Lite brand — via betting site DraftKings.Other alcohol ads
 have enlisted celebrities: Diageo's ad for its Crown Royal whisky will 
feature musician Dave Grohl. Rémy Cointreau is also using Serena 
Williams, in an ad that spotlights its Rémy Martin cognac.Not all alcohol makers are jumping to the national stage. Boston Beer Co. is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDo0wX1pK4c">sticking to a regional spot</a>
 for its Samuel Adams beer — the third year it has run a regional ad. 
The ad shows Bostonians imagining what would happen if everyone in the 
city was nice and polite.“Samuel Adams is a relatively small 
player in the beer category, so a regional approach enables us to be 
part of the Super Bowl conversation without having to pay the huge price
 tag of a national ad," said Lesya Lysyj, chief marketing officer. A cut
 of the ad will run nationally beginning the week after the Super Bowl, 
she added.Aside from alcohol, big brands including Pepsi Zero 
Sugar, Doritos, M&amp;Ms, Google, Downy and Kia will all be advertising 
during Super Bowl LVII, which airs Sunday on Fox.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

Here's why this year's Super Bowl beer ads go beyond Bud

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kevin Harvick won't spend a single day in 
retirement when his NASCAR driving days are over: Fox said Sunday it has
 hired Harvick for its broadcast booth next season.

Harvick announced last month that <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-automobile-racing-nascar-auto-dale-earnhardt-505a2b8ff631c52f795455fd39e75acc">he will retire from NASCAR competition at the end of the 2023 season.</a>

He
 will then transition into a broadcast roll for Fox, which has used 
Harvick regularly as a guest analyst since 2015. He is scheduled to call
 four Xfinity Series and three Truck Series races this year for FS1, and
 next season he will join Mike Joy and Clint Bowyer for Fox's entire 
portion of the Cup schedule.

“I knew that this was something that I
 wanted to do because it gives you such a unique position to be able to 
talk about the sport and be able to use your knowledge and relationships
 to be able to give the fans and people a great perspective,” Harvick 
told The Associated Press.

“This has really been a conversation 
that's been happening for several years, the timing just was never 
really right. Now it's all worked out and it's a great time to be able 
to transition and have a voice in the sport and remain a part of NASCAR 
racing on a weekly basis and talk about the things I love.”

Harvick
 was the centerpiece of Fox's “Drivers Only” broadcasts that began in 
2015. The network began using a combination of active drivers and crew 
chiefs to call lower-level races and Harvick, who has called more than 
25 races for the network, was a natural fit from the very beginning.

He
 is so steady in the booth that many predicted Harvick would develop 
into a play-by-play announcer and lead a broadcast team. Harvick, who is
 beginning his 23rd Cup season, is the 2014 Cup champion and is tied for
 ninth on NASCAR’s all-time wins list with 60 career victories.

Harvick has 13 consecutive playoff appearances.

“The
 credibility is off the charts. His longevity in NASCAR will only help 
him explain to the viewers the evolution the sport has taken,” Fox 
Sports executive producer Brad Zager said. “For him, that next step of 
being in the booth is something that’s almost been fait accompli since 
he first stepped into the booth with us.”

Zager said the network had to do very little to prepare Harvick for the booth.

“We
 never want to try to convince somebody they should be a broadcaster, 
and with Harvick, we didn’t have to,” Zager said. “He is someone who has
 a passion for it already. We’re very excited about everything that he 
brings, and we think he will be the perfect third man for Clint and Mike
 with his style, his personality and his credibility.”

Fox 
primarily has been a two-man booth since Jeff Gordon stepped down at the
 end of the 2021 season. The network used guests in place of Gordon but 
has been content waiting for the right person to fill the role 
full-time.

For Harvick, it will be his third different job as a co-worker with Bowyer.

The
 two were teammates at Richard Childress Racing early in their career, 
were reunited at Stewart-Haas Racing and in 2024 will be side-by-side as
 Fox analysts.

“We obviously have totally different approaches in 
the things that we do and say, and I think that makes it fun,” Harvick 
said. “Clint and I became good friends over the years, and we have a 
good relationship, but we've never been able to have a relationship 
outside the car that's not been competitive.”

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kevin Harvick won't spend a single day in 
retirement when his NASCAR driving days are over: Fox said Sunday it has
 hired Harvick for its broadcast booth next season.Harvick announced last month that <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-automobile-racing-nascar-auto-dale-earnhardt-505a2b8ff631c52f795455fd39e75acc">he will retire from NASCAR competition at the end of the 2023 season.</a>He
 will then transition into a broadcast roll for Fox, which has used 
Harvick regularly as a guest analyst since 2015. He is scheduled to call
 four Xfinity Series and three Truck Series races this year for FS1, and
 next season he will join Mike Joy and Clint Bowyer for Fox's entire 
portion of the Cup schedule.“I knew that this was something that I
 wanted to do because it gives you such a unique position to be able to 
talk about the sport and be able to use your knowledge and relationships
 to be able to give the fans and people a great perspective,” Harvick 
told The Associated Press.“This has really been a conversation 
that's been happening for several years, the timing just was never 
really right. Now it's all worked out and it's a great time to be able 
to transition and have a voice in the sport and remain a part of NASCAR 
racing on a weekly basis and talk about the things I love.”Harvick
 was the centerpiece of Fox's “Drivers Only” broadcasts that began in 
2015. The network began using a combination of active drivers and crew 
chiefs to call lower-level races and Harvick, who has called more than 
25 races for the network, was a natural fit from the very beginning.He
 is so steady in the booth that many predicted Harvick would develop 
into a play-by-play announcer and lead a broadcast team. Harvick, who is
 beginning his 23rd Cup season, is the 2014 Cup champion and is tied for
 ninth on NASCAR’s all-time wins list with 60 career victories.Harvick has 13 consecutive playoff appearances.“The
 credibility is off the charts. His longevity in NASCAR will only help 
him explain to the viewers the evolution the sport has taken,” Fox 
Sports executive producer Brad Zager said. “For him, that next step of 
being in the booth is something that’s almost been fait accompli since 
he first stepped into the booth with us.”Zager said the network had to do very little to prepare Harvick for the booth.“We
 never want to try to convince somebody they should be a broadcaster, 
and with Harvick, we didn’t have to,” Zager said. “He is someone who has
 a passion for it already. We’re very excited about everything that he 
brings, and we think he will be the perfect third man for Clint and Mike
 with his style, his personality and his credibility.”Fox 
primarily has been a two-man booth since Jeff Gordon stepped down at the
 end of the 2021 season. The network used guests in place of Gordon but 
has been content waiting for the right person to fill the role 
full-time.For Harvick, it will be his third different job as a co-worker with Bowyer.The
 two were teammates at Richard Childress Racing early in their career, 
were reunited at Stewart-Haas Racing and in 2024 will be side-by-side as
 Fox analysts.“We obviously have totally different approaches in 
the things that we do and say, and I think that makes it fun,” Harvick 
said. “Clint and I became good friends over the years, and we have a 
good relationship, but we've never been able to have a relationship 
outside the car that's not been competitive.”Cover image courtesy Pixabay

Kevin Harvick to join Fox booth as NASCAR analyst in 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Middle seats at many U.S. movie theaters just got more expensive.

AMC
 Theaters, the nation's largest movie theater chain, on Monday unveiled a
 new pricing scheme in which seat location determines how much your 
movie ticket costs. Seats in the middle of the auditorium will cost a 
dollar or two more, while seats in the front row will be slightly 
cheaper.

AMC said the pricing plan, dubbed “Sightline,” has 
already been rolled out in some locations and, by the end of the year, 
will be in place at all domestic AMC theaters during showings after 4 
p.m.

Seats classified as “standard sightline” will be at the 
regular price. If you want to pay less for the “value sightline” seats, 
you have to be a member of the chain's subscription service, AMC Stubs.

As
 movie theaters have attempted to recover from the pandemic, exhibitors 
have increasingly looked at more variable pricing methods. That's 
included charging more for sought-after movies like “The Batman” in 
their first week of release.

Last weekend, Paramount Pictures partnered with theater chains to offer <a href="https://apnews.com/article/movies-scifi-and-fantasy-james-cameron-m-night-shyamalan-7d94677f309400b578e5214f4364a3a9">slightly reduced ticket prices for the comedy “80 for Brady.”</a> And last year, during a dry spell in theaters, tickets at most movie theaters were <a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-cinema-day-tickets-d97d156acb6f8189d2c423bd2bb9ec23">$3 for “National Cinema Day.”</a>

But
 in most circumstances, movie tickets are getting more expensive, 
especially when factoring in large-format screens and 3D showings. The 
average 3D premium format ticket for the biggest box-office hit in 
recent years, “Avatar: The Way of Water,” was about $16.50.

NEW YORK (AP) — Middle seats at many U.S. movie theaters just got more expensive.AMC
 Theaters, the nation's largest movie theater chain, on Monday unveiled a
 new pricing scheme in which seat location determines how much your 
movie ticket costs. Seats in the middle of the auditorium will cost a 
dollar or two more, while seats in the front row will be slightly 
cheaper.AMC said the pricing plan, dubbed “Sightline,” has 
already been rolled out in some locations and, by the end of the year, 
will be in place at all domestic AMC theaters during showings after 4 
p.m.Seats classified as “standard sightline” will be at the 
regular price. If you want to pay less for the “value sightline” seats, 
you have to be a member of the chain's subscription service, AMC Stubs.As
 movie theaters have attempted to recover from the pandemic, exhibitors 
have increasingly looked at more variable pricing methods. That's 
included charging more for sought-after movies like “The Batman” in 
their first week of release.Last weekend, Paramount Pictures partnered with theater chains to offer <a href="https://apnews.com/article/movies-scifi-and-fantasy-james-cameron-m-night-shyamalan-7d94677f309400b578e5214f4364a3a9">slightly reduced ticket prices for the comedy “80 for Brady.”</a> And last year, during a dry spell in theaters, tickets at most movie theaters were <a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-cinema-day-tickets-d97d156acb6f8189d2c423bd2bb9ec23">$3 for “National Cinema Day.”</a>But
 in most circumstances, movie tickets are getting more expensive, 
especially when factoring in large-format screens and 3D showings. The 
average 3D premium format ticket for the biggest box-office hit in 
recent years, “Avatar: The Way of Water,” was about $16.50.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

AMC to charge more for good seats in movie theaters

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

For the first time since 2019, the Barton County Fair will have a carnival this summer. The Fair Association announced they have signed a contract with WEEE Entertainment to provide a carnival. The fair will run July 5-9, with the carnival performing three nights, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. With a limited number of carnivals out there following the COVID-19 pandemic, Barton County Fair Board President Charles Atkinson said a lot of work went into securing a carnival vendor. "It always takes a lot of people and working with other communities," said Atkinson. "It took a lot of phone calls and getting on the calendar. There's a lot that has to take place because many of these carnivals are scheduling two years out. With the limited number available, it's the luck of the draw, and everything fell in place." WEEE Entertainment had previously contracted with the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce in providing a carnival for Hoisington’s Annual Labor Day Celebration. Scheduling conflicts will keep WEEE Entertainment from coming to Hoisington this September, but Barton County residents will still be able to enjoy the carnival excitement at the fair.

"I know they're bringing in 17 or 18 rides, which is the max that they have and a little bit more than we have seen over the years," said Atkinson. "We're mixing things up and will have a completely different look this year at the fair. As soon as we get contracts signed, we'll be able to announce our concert lineup as well."

While attending the Kansas Fairs &amp; Festivals Convention in Topeka last weekend, Barton County Fair Association board members were able to meet with Chris Williams, owner of WEEE Entertainment, and work out the final details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675458840199.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostFor the first time since 2019, the Barton County Fair will have a carnival this summer. The Fair Association announced they have signed a contract with WEEE Entertainment to provide a carnival. The fair will run July 5-9, with the carnival performing three nights, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. With a limited number of carnivals out there following the COVID-19 pandemic, Barton County Fair Board President Charles Atkinson said a lot of work went into securing a carnival vendor. "It always takes a lot of people and working with other communities," said Atkinson. "It took a lot of phone calls and getting on the calendar. There's a lot that has to take place because many of these carnivals are scheduling two years out. With the limited number available, it's the luck of the draw, and everything fell in place." WEEE Entertainment had previously contracted with the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce in providing a carnival for Hoisington’s Annual Labor Day Celebration. Scheduling conflicts will keep WEEE Entertainment from coming to Hoisington this September, but Barton County residents will still be able to enjoy the carnival excitement at the fair."I know they're bringing in 17 or 18 rides, which is the max that they have and a little bit more than we have seen over the years," said Atkinson. "We're mixing things up and will have a completely different look this year at the fair. As soon as we get contracts signed, we'll be able to announce our concert lineup as well."While attending the Kansas Fairs &amp; Festivals Convention in Topeka last weekend, Barton County Fair Association board members were able to meet with Chris Williams, owner of WEEE Entertainment, and work out the final details.

Carnival returning to the Barton County Fair this summer

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center’s Turtle Tots, a nature-based program developed for preschool-age children, continues with a “Cozy Animals” program Friday, Feb. 10. The program will allow children to read a book about how animals stay warm during the winter, explore furs, meet a furry animal and make a craft.

Pam Martin, Education Specialist at the Wetlands Center, said the program is tailored for those children between the ages of three and five. "We have something planned for them every 10 to 15 minutes, because their attention spans are short," said Martin. "We always have an experiment, story, craft, activity and we try to take them outside. The whole idea is to get them interested in nature at that nice, young age when they're excited about everything." The one-hour program will start at 10:15 a.m. at the Wetlands Center, just northeast of Great Bend, and is offered at no charge.&nbsp;The programs introduce young children to the natural world around them with sensory experiences, while reinforcing colors, shapes, math and fine motor skills.&nbsp;

Registration for the February program ends Monday, Feb. 6. To register call 620-566-1456 or 1-877-243-9268.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675456681049.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend PostThe Kansas Wetlands Education Center’s Turtle Tots, a nature-based program developed for preschool-age children, continues with a “Cozy Animals” program Friday, Feb. 10. The program will allow children to read a book about how animals stay warm during the winter, explore furs, meet a furry animal and make a craft.Pam Martin, Education Specialist at the Wetlands Center, said the program is tailored for those children between the ages of three and five. "We have something planned for them every 10 to 15 minutes, because their attention spans are short," said Martin. "We always have an experiment, story, craft, activity and we try to take them outside. The whole idea is to get them interested in nature at that nice, young age when they're excited about everything." The one-hour program will start at 10:15 a.m. at the Wetlands Center, just northeast of Great Bend, and is offered at no charge.&nbsp;The programs introduce young children to the natural world around them with sensory experiences, while reinforcing colors, shapes, math and fine motor skills.&nbsp;Registration for the February program ends Monday, Feb. 6. To register call 620-566-1456 or 1-877-243-9268.

KS Wetlands Ed Center aiming program at preschool-age children

On this episode of the Post Podcast Thomas More Prep-Marian Pop Singers director Alex Rome shares information about their upcoming Pop Singers Showcase.

<div><iframe title="TMP-Marian Pop Singers Showcase coming this weekend" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=kispg-137f411-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Thomas More Prep-Marian Pop Singers director Alex Rome shares information about their upcoming Pop Singers Showcase.

🎙 Post Podcast: TMP-Marian Pop Singers Showcase coming this weekend

Area residents will once again have the opportunity to hear directly
from their local legislators during the Hays Chamber’s 2023 Legislative Coffee
Series.

The first of the three Saturday morning events is scheduled to begin at
8 a.m. Feb. 4 at the Hays Public Library, 1205 Main.

“This is
one of my favorite events, actually, because it gives us an opportunity just to
interact with our elected officials,” said Hays Chamber President and CEO Sarah
Wasinger. “There are so many important issues that are being addressed at this
local, state and national level. And really, the reason behind this event is to
give our community members a chance to express their concerns and make sure
that their voices are being heard.”

The
follow-up events are scheduled for March 4 and April 1.

“We
really try to keep it as low-key as possible,” Wasinger said. “They open up
with some opening remarks, a couple of minutes each. And then really we open
that up to the question-and answer-portion after that.”

Questions
for the participating legislators can be submitted in advance.

“We had
probably more questions submitted, actually, at the first legislative coffee
last year than I've at least had since I've been with the chamber,” Wasinger
said. “People are engaged. They're paying attention to what's going on, and you
get to hear a variety of thoughts and perspectives from different individuals
across the community. And then, of course, our elected officials will weigh in
with where their heads and hearts are sitting at the moment. And it's just a
good dialogue.”

The format of the sessions will be
the same as previous years, featuring coffee and scones from Breathe Coffee
House, with the formal program scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m.

“We usually
have about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes, it really just depends on how
many representatives or legislators we have there that day,” Wasinger said. “And
then we finish with some closing remarks.”

The
sessions, she said, can also serve as a way to network with the legislators.

“I think
many people oftentimes are stuck in these situations or problems, and they
don't necessarily know who to reach out to,” Wasinger said. “That's when your
elected officials can really come in and roll up their sleeves and do the work
that they need to do to support you.

“There's
definitely value in building those relationships and attending.”

Topics
covered during the sessions will vary based on what is happening in the
legislature and submitted questions.

“Things
that we may talk about, at least what we talked about last year, was Medicaid
expansion,” Wasinger said. “Obviously, education funding is always a hot topic,
gun legislation, as western Kansas citizens appreciate that topic usually. And
then, of course, water access. We'd be remiss not to talk about economic
development and housing. Of course, childcare and ag industry, those are all
things that tend to be hot topics, regardless of what is going on in the
legislative session.”

So far, she said Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland,
Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, and Rep. Barbara Wasinger, R-Hays, plan to attend Saturday’s
kickoff event along with a representative from the office of U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall.

“I think
it'll be a great crowd, we always look forward to the answers that they will
share,” Wasinger said. “I think it's interesting that everybody can kind of
just understand that dialogue and conversation is important.”

Midwest
Energy and the Hays Daily News sponsored the legislative coffee series.

Questions
can be sent to <a href="mailto:sarah@hayschamber.com">sarah@hayschamber.com</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646612730538.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="Hays Chamber’s Legislative Coffee series returns for 2023" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=j3zu7-1378a82-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>By JAMES BELL Hays PostArea residents will once again have the opportunity to hear directly
from their local legislators during the Hays Chamber’s 2023 Legislative Coffee
Series.The first of the three Saturday morning events is scheduled to begin at
8 a.m. Feb. 4 at the Hays Public Library, 1205 Main.“This is
one of my favorite events, actually, because it gives us an opportunity just to
interact with our elected officials,” said Hays Chamber President and CEO Sarah
Wasinger. “There are so many important issues that are being addressed at this
local, state and national level. And really, the reason behind this event is to
give our community members a chance to express their concerns and make sure
that their voices are being heard.”The
follow-up events are scheduled for March 4 and April 1.“We
really try to keep it as low-key as possible,” Wasinger said. “They open up
with some opening remarks, a couple of minutes each. And then really we open
that up to the question-and answer-portion after that.”Questions
for the participating legislators can be submitted in advance.“We had
probably more questions submitted, actually, at the first legislative coffee
last year than I've at least had since I've been with the chamber,” Wasinger
said. “People are engaged. They're paying attention to what's going on, and you
get to hear a variety of thoughts and perspectives from different individuals
across the community. And then, of course, our elected officials will weigh in
with where their heads and hearts are sitting at the moment. And it's just a
good dialogue.”The format of the sessions will be
the same as previous years, featuring coffee and scones from Breathe Coffee
House, with the formal program scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m.“We usually
have about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes, it really just depends on how
many representatives or legislators we have there that day,” Wasinger said. “And
then we finish with some closing remarks.”The
sessions, she said, can also serve as a way to network with the legislators.“I think
many people oftentimes are stuck in these situations or problems, and they
don't necessarily know who to reach out to,” Wasinger said. “That's when your
elected officials can really come in and roll up their sleeves and do the work
that they need to do to support you.“There's
definitely value in building those relationships and attending.”Topics
covered during the sessions will vary based on what is happening in the
legislature and submitted questions.“Things
that we may talk about, at least what we talked about last year, was Medicaid
expansion,” Wasinger said. “Obviously, education funding is always a hot topic,
gun legislation, as western Kansas citizens appreciate that topic usually. And
then, of course, water access. We'd be remiss not to talk about economic
development and housing. Of course, childcare and ag industry, those are all
things that tend to be hot topics, regardless of what is going on in the
legislative session.”So far, she said Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland,
Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, and Rep. Barbara Wasinger, R-Hays, plan to attend Saturday’s
kickoff event along with a representative from the office of U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall.“I think
it'll be a great crowd, we always look forward to the answers that they will
share,” Wasinger said. “I think it's interesting that everybody can kind of
just understand that dialogue and conversation is important.”Midwest
Energy and the Hays Daily News sponsored the legislative coffee series.Questions
can be sent to <a href="mailto:sarah@hayschamber.com">sarah@hayschamber.com</a>

🎙 Hays Chamber’s Legislative Coffee series returns for 2023

Ben Folds is bringing his&nbsp;What Matters Most Tour&nbsp;to Salina in August.

Folds is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 11 in downtown Salina's Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.

Tickets start at $69 and are scheduled to go on sale at noon Friday. Buy online at:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org/">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a>&nbsp;or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales from noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

About the artist from the Stiefel Theatre

Folds is widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of our generation.

He's created an enormous body of genre-bending music that includes pop albums with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records.

For over a decade he's performed with some of the world's greatest symphony orchestras and currently serves as the first-ever artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center.

Folds released his first book - a collection of interrelated essays, anecdotes and lessons about art, life and music - in 2019, which debuted as a New York Times Best Seller, and he hosted a podcast series spinoff of his book titled Lightning Bugs: Conversations with Ben Folds. In addition to solo rock and orchestral touring, he's also developing a new unscripted tv series with Fred Rogers Productions, continues to appear in various film/tv guest starring roles, and is working on two new albums.

An outspoken champion for arts education and music therapy funding in our nation's public schools, Folds has served for more than five years as an active member of the distinguished Artist Committee of Americans For The Arts (AFTA) and serves on the Board of AFTA's Arts Action Fund.

By SALINA POSTBen Folds is bringing his&nbsp;What Matters Most Tour&nbsp;to Salina in August.Folds is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 11 in downtown Salina's Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.Tickets start at $69 and are scheduled to go on sale at noon Friday. Buy online at:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org/">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a>&nbsp;or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales from noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.About the artist from the Stiefel TheatreFolds is widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of our generation.He's created an enormous body of genre-bending music that includes pop albums with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records.For over a decade he's performed with some of the world's greatest symphony orchestras and currently serves as the first-ever artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center.Folds released his first book - a collection of interrelated essays, anecdotes and lessons about art, life and music - in 2019, which debuted as a New York Times Best Seller, and he hosted a podcast series spinoff of his book titled Lightning Bugs: Conversations with Ben Folds. In addition to solo rock and orchestral touring, he's also developing a new unscripted tv series with Fred Rogers Productions, continues to appear in various film/tv guest starring roles, and is working on two new albums.An outspoken champion for arts education and music therapy funding in our nation's public schools, Folds has served for more than five years as an active member of the distinguished Artist Committee of Americans For The Arts (AFTA) and serves on the Board of AFTA's Arts Action Fund.

Ben Folds scheduled to perform in Salina in August

Ireland with Michael LIVE&nbsp;is coming to Salina in April.

The multimedia event combines the music, dance, and stories of Ireland and features leading Irish tenor Michael Londra.

Tickets start at $35 and go on sale at noon on Friday. Buy online at stiefeltheatre.org or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. Additionally, the Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

About the concert from the Stiefel Theatre

Following the overwhelming success of Seasons No. 1 and No. 2 of the&nbsp;Ireland With Michael&nbsp;travel and music series on PBS in 2021 and 2022 (over 78% reach of all U.S Households), the LIVE theatrical show based on the PBS program will tour U.S cities in 2023. Season No. 3 of the PBS show will air on stations from January 2023.

Emmy® award-nominated singer and the voice of&nbsp;Riverdance&nbsp;on Broadway, Londra interlaces songs and stories of Ireland to a backdrop of spectacular footage filmed for his PBS travel series in his new show&nbsp;Ireland With Michael LIVE. In doing so, he creates an immersive journey around the Emerald Isle for his audience. Irish dancers, fiddles and pipes add to the feast of Celtic talent onstage, drawing the audience across the Atlantic Ocean to Ireland.

Ireland With Michael – LIVE&nbsp;is a celebration of Irish culture and music. Londra shares his own connection to songs and stories of his home county, his love of traditional music backed by his immensely talented band and world-champion Irish dancers.

The stunning set for&nbsp;Ireland With Michael LIVE&nbsp;adds a multimedia dimension to the show. Conceptualized and designed by an award-winning Broadway lighting and projection designer, the backdrop incorporates drone footage and excerpts from Londra’s PBS travel show of the same name. In both the television show and in&nbsp;Ireland With Michael LIVE, Londra tells the story of Ireland the only way he knows how - through music.

Londra is an Emmy®-nominated, internationally acclaimed Irish singer, producer, and TV host from the opera capital of Ireland, a small town on the southeast coast called Wexford. His big break came when he was cast as the lead tenor in&nbsp;Riverdance&nbsp;on Broadway and subsequently on the U.S. National tour of the same show, which he toured for two years. Londra’s first solo album&nbsp;Celt&nbsp;was produced by acclaimed producer, Steve Skinner, who co-produced the Grammy-nominated soundtrack of&nbsp;RENT. In 2011, Londra produced a concert special for PBS called&nbsp;Beyond Celtic, which he co-produced with Mindfox Productions. The special aired on stations across the United States in 2011 and earned him two Emmy® nominations. In 2013, Londra became a mentor for Grammy® University teaching music business students from Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities in Nashville.

Londra has been a featured guest singer with Irish supergroups De Dannan and Téada. In 2013, he performed with Judy Collins for the Kennedy family at the JFK 50 celebrations to honor President John F. Kennedy’s trip to Ireland in 1963. His version of&nbsp;Danny Boy&nbsp;is described as “one of the best recordings of the piece in history” and has been viewed 11 million times on YouTube.

To learn more about Londra or his tours of Ireland go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.irelandwithmichael.com/">IrelandwithMichael.com</a>.

By SALINA POSTIreland with Michael LIVE&nbsp;is coming to Salina in April.The multimedia event combines the music, dance, and stories of Ireland and features leading Irish tenor Michael Londra.Tickets start at $35 and go on sale at noon on Friday. Buy online at stiefeltheatre.org or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. Additionally, the Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.About the concert from the Stiefel TheatreFollowing the overwhelming success of Seasons No. 1 and No. 2 of the&nbsp;Ireland With Michael&nbsp;travel and music series on PBS in 2021 and 2022 (over 78% reach of all U.S Households), the LIVE theatrical show based on the PBS program will tour U.S cities in 2023. Season No. 3 of the PBS show will air on stations from January 2023.Emmy® award-nominated singer and the voice of&nbsp;Riverdance&nbsp;on Broadway, Londra interlaces songs and stories of Ireland to a backdrop of spectacular footage filmed for his PBS travel series in his new show&nbsp;Ireland With Michael LIVE. In doing so, he creates an immersive journey around the Emerald Isle for his audience. Irish dancers, fiddles and pipes add to the feast of Celtic talent onstage, drawing the audience across the Atlantic Ocean to Ireland.Ireland With Michael – LIVE&nbsp;is a celebration of Irish culture and music. Londra shares his own connection to songs and stories of his home county, his love of traditional music backed by his immensely talented band and world-champion Irish dancers.The stunning set for&nbsp;Ireland With Michael LIVE&nbsp;adds a multimedia dimension to the show. Conceptualized and designed by an award-winning Broadway lighting and projection designer, the backdrop incorporates drone footage and excerpts from Londra’s PBS travel show of the same name. In both the television show and in&nbsp;Ireland With Michael LIVE, Londra tells the story of Ireland the only way he knows how - through music.About the artist from the Stiefel TheatreLondra is an Emmy®-nominated, internationally acclaimed Irish singer, producer, and TV host from the opera capital of Ireland, a small town on the southeast coast called Wexford. His big break came when he was cast as the lead tenor in&nbsp;Riverdance&nbsp;on Broadway and subsequently on the U.S. National tour of the same show, which he toured for two years. Londra’s first solo album&nbsp;Celt&nbsp;was produced by acclaimed producer, Steve Skinner, who co-produced the Grammy-nominated soundtrack of&nbsp;RENT. In 2011, Londra produced a concert special for PBS called&nbsp;Beyond Celtic, which he co-produced with Mindfox Productions. The special aired on stations across the United States in 2011 and earned him two Emmy® nominations. In 2013, Londra became a mentor for Grammy® University teaching music business students from Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities in Nashville.Londra has been a featured guest singer with Irish supergroups De Dannan and Téada. In 2013, he performed with Judy Collins for the Kennedy family at the JFK 50 celebrations to honor President John F. Kennedy’s trip to Ireland in 1963. His version of&nbsp;Danny Boy&nbsp;is described as “one of the best recordings of the piece in history” and has been viewed 11 million times on YouTube.To learn more about Londra or his tours of Ireland go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.irelandwithmichael.com/">IrelandwithMichael.com</a>.

'Ireland with Michael LIVE' in Salina April 1; tickets on sale Friday

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22MARK%20KENNEDY%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson, Kate Bush, Iron Maiden, Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, Sheryl Crow and the late George Michael are the 2023 nominees for induction into the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rockhall.com/">Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame,</a>&nbsp;reflecting a mix of country, soul, hip-hop, metal, pop, rap-rock and grunge.

The Cleveland-based institution announced Wednesday the 14 artists and groups being considered for Rock Hall induction, also including Rage Against the Machine, The Spinners, A Tribe Called Quest, The White Stripes, Warren Zevon and Joy Division/New Order.

If Elliott makes it, she would become the first female hip-hop artist in the hall.

“This is an incredible honor. I’m so humbled and grateful to be counted amongst all the incredible honorees. I’ve spent my career making the kind of music I love and it means so much to know that I have touched others as well," she said in a statement.

Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they're eligible for induction.

“This remarkable list of nominees reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame honors and celebrates,” said John Sykes, chair of the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame Foundation in a statement. “These artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps.”

Eight out of 14 nominees are on the ballot for the first time, including Crow, Elliott, Joy Division/New Order, Lauper, Michael, Nelson, The White Stripes and Zevon. This is the first year of eligibility for Elliott and The White Stripes. While the late Zevon has been eligible since 1994, Billy Joel led a push for his entry, writing to the nominating committee urging them to consider Zevon.

"Seeing my name on this year’s ballot with so many talents that I admire means so much to me. It has been a lifetime privilege to reach so many different kinds of fans with a message of following your own path (and having fun along the way, too),” Lauper wrote in a statement.

A Tribe Called Quest and Bush were nominees last year and didn't make the cut but now find themselves back in the running this year. Bush's latest nod may be due to a new wave in popularity after the show “Stranger Things” featured her song "Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)."

Inductees will be announced in May and the ceremony will take place this fall. Nominees will be voted on by more than 1,000 artists, historians and music industry professionals. Fans can vote online or in person at the museum, with the top five artists picked by the public making up a “fans' ballot” that will be tallied with the other professional ballots.

Last year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-music-los-angeles-hip-hop-and-rap-98433dc29d44f1e2cc9de317d052024d">the nomination process was complicated by Dolly Parton,</a>&nbsp;who gave the honor an enthusiastic embrace after temporarily turning it down. She initially said she did not want to take votes away from the remaining nominees and had not “earned that right.”

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22MARK%20KENNEDY%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer</a>NEW YORK (AP) — Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson, Kate Bush, Iron Maiden, Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, Sheryl Crow and the late George Michael are the 2023 nominees for induction into the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rockhall.com/">Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame,</a>&nbsp;reflecting a mix of country, soul, hip-hop, metal, pop, rap-rock and grunge.The Cleveland-based institution announced Wednesday the 14 artists and groups being considered for Rock Hall induction, also including Rage Against the Machine, The Spinners, A Tribe Called Quest, The White Stripes, Warren Zevon and Joy Division/New Order.If Elliott makes it, she would become the first female hip-hop artist in the hall.“This is an incredible honor. I’m so humbled and grateful to be counted amongst all the incredible honorees. I’ve spent my career making the kind of music I love and it means so much to know that I have touched others as well," she said in a statement.Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they're eligible for induction.“This remarkable list of nominees reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame honors and celebrates,” said John Sykes, chair of the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame Foundation in a statement. “These artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps.”Eight out of 14 nominees are on the ballot for the first time, including Crow, Elliott, Joy Division/New Order, Lauper, Michael, Nelson, The White Stripes and Zevon. This is the first year of eligibility for Elliott and The White Stripes. While the late Zevon has been eligible since 1994, Billy Joel led a push for his entry, writing to the nominating committee urging them to consider Zevon."Seeing my name on this year’s ballot with so many talents that I admire means so much to me. It has been a lifetime privilege to reach so many different kinds of fans with a message of following your own path (and having fun along the way, too),” Lauper wrote in a statement.A Tribe Called Quest and Bush were nominees last year and didn't make the cut but now find themselves back in the running this year. Bush's latest nod may be due to a new wave in popularity after the show “Stranger Things” featured her song "Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)."Inductees will be announced in May and the ceremony will take place this fall. Nominees will be voted on by more than 1,000 artists, historians and music industry professionals. Fans can vote online or in person at the museum, with the top five artists picked by the public making up a “fans' ballot” that will be tallied with the other professional ballots.Last year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-music-los-angeles-hip-hop-and-rap-98433dc29d44f1e2cc9de317d052024d">the nomination process was complicated by Dolly Parton,</a>&nbsp;who gave the honor an enthusiastic embrace after temporarily turning it down. She initially said she did not want to take votes away from the remaining nominees and had not “earned that right.”

Missy, Willie and George Michael among Rock Hall nominees

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22The%20Associated%20Press%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">The Associated Press</a>

Beyoncé is taking her “Renaissance” global — the superstar will start a world tour in Sweden in May with stops throughout Europe and the United States.

The highly anticipated tour announcement she made on Instagram and&nbsp;<a href="https://tour.beyonce.com/">her website</a>&nbsp;Wednesday comes days before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/grammy-awards">Grammy Awards</a>&nbsp;on Sunday, where the global superstar is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2023-grammy-award-nominations-music-86a0a2733aecd8f25330ff21de71a8ad">most nominated artist</a>&nbsp;and could make Recording Academy history.

Beyoncé, the most decorated woman in Grammy history with 28 wins, could break the late Hungarian-British conductor Georg Solti’s record for most awards won if she wins four awards.

Her 2022 album “Renaissance” is a celebration of dance music and is nominated for album of the year. Her tour will make stops in London, Paris, Barcelona and Toronto before ending Sept. 27 in New Orleans.

There were hints that she might tour again after she performed an invite-only show in January in Dubai at the Atlantis The Royal Resort, her first show in four years. Her last solo tour was in 2016, but she went on tour with her husband Jay Z in 2018.

Ticketmaster said in a release that sales will begin Feb. 6 and fans will need to&nbsp;<a href="https://beyonce.livenation.com/">register through their Verified Fan system.</a>&nbsp;Sale times will vary based on city.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22The%20Associated%20Press%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">The Associated Press</a>Beyoncé is taking her “Renaissance” global — the superstar will start a world tour in Sweden in May with stops throughout Europe and the United States.The highly anticipated tour announcement she made on Instagram and&nbsp;<a href="https://tour.beyonce.com/">her website</a>&nbsp;Wednesday comes days before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/grammy-awards">Grammy Awards</a>&nbsp;on Sunday, where the global superstar is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2023-grammy-award-nominations-music-86a0a2733aecd8f25330ff21de71a8ad">most nominated artist</a>&nbsp;and could make Recording Academy history.Beyoncé, the most decorated woman in Grammy history with 28 wins, could break the late Hungarian-British conductor Georg Solti’s record for most awards won if she wins four awards.Her 2022 album “Renaissance” is a celebration of dance music and is nominated for album of the year. Her tour will make stops in London, Paris, Barcelona and Toronto before ending Sept. 27 in New Orleans.There were hints that she might tour again after she performed an invite-only show in January in Dubai at the Atlantis The Royal Resort, her first show in four years. Her last solo tour was in 2016, but she went on tour with her husband Jay Z in 2018.Ticketmaster said in a release that sales will begin Feb. 6 and fans will need to&nbsp;<a href="https://beyonce.livenation.com/">register through their Verified Fan system.</a>&nbsp;Sale times will vary based on city.

Beyoncé announces much anticipated 'Renaissance' world tour

NEW YORK (AP) — Daytime television psychologist “Dr. Phil” McGraw says he plans to end his talk show after 21 years in the coming months, but viewers haven't seen the last of him.

“Dr. Phil” was the most prominent spinoff from Oprah Winfrey's show, which once dominated daytime TV. The Texan's program debuted in September 2002 after he'd been featured as a regular guest on Winfrey's.

“With this show, we have helped thousands of guest and millions of viewers through everything from addiction and marriage to mental wellness and raising children,” McGraw said in a statement. “This has been an incredible chapter of my life and career, but while I'm moving on from daytime, there is so much more I wish to do.”

The traditional broadcast TV season ends in spring; there was no date given for Phil's final show.

McGraw, 72, said he wants to focus on prime-time programming and is planning an unspecified project for early next year.

In the meantime, while new “Dr. Phil” episodes won't be made, the show won't disappear from TV. CBS Media Ventures, which syndicates his program, said it will offer stations a package of reruns with occasional new wraparound content for future seasons.

That's a cost-saving path blazed by “Judge Judy,” which aired its last original show in June 2021 but continues to be popular in reruns.

“We plan to be in the ‘Dr. Phil’ business with the library for years to come and welcome opportunities to work together in the future,” said Steve LoCascio, president of CBS Media Ventures.

Associated PressNEW YORK (AP) — Daytime television psychologist “Dr. Phil” McGraw says he plans to end his talk show after 21 years in the coming months, but viewers haven't seen the last of him.“Dr. Phil” was the most prominent spinoff from Oprah Winfrey's show, which once dominated daytime TV. The Texan's program debuted in September 2002 after he'd been featured as a regular guest on Winfrey's.“With this show, we have helped thousands of guest and millions of viewers through everything from addiction and marriage to mental wellness and raising children,” McGraw said in a statement. “This has been an incredible chapter of my life and career, but while I'm moving on from daytime, there is so much more I wish to do.”The traditional broadcast TV season ends in spring; there was no date given for Phil's final show.McGraw, 72, said he wants to focus on prime-time programming and is planning an unspecified project for early next year.In the meantime, while new “Dr. Phil” episodes won't be made, the show won't disappear from TV. CBS Media Ventures, which syndicates his program, said it will offer stations a package of reruns with occasional new wraparound content for future seasons.That's a cost-saving path blazed by “Judge Judy,” which aired its last original show in June 2021 but continues to be popular in reruns.“We plan to be in the ‘Dr. Phil’ business with the library for years to come and welcome opportunities to work together in the future,” said Steve LoCascio, president of CBS Media Ventures.

'Dr. Phil' talk show to end daytime TV run after 21 years

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JONATHAN%20LANDRUM%20Jr.%20and%20KRISTIN%20M.%20HALL%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. and KRISTIN M. HALL AP Entertainment Writers</a>

The Beyhive is all abuzz over the possibility that Beyoncé will have a chance to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2023-grammy-award-nominations-music-86a0a2733aecd8f25330ff21de71a8ad">make Grammy history this year</a>, which should make for an exciting awards show as she's up against heavy hitters Adele, Kendrick Lamar and Harry Styles.

She'll need just four more trophies to ascend to the top decorated artist in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grammy.com/">Recording Academy</a>. Odds are in her favor in most of the categories she's nominated in, including album of the year and record of the year.

Associated Press Entertainment Writers&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/mrlandrum31?lang=en">Jonathan Landrum Jr.</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/kmhall">Kristin M. Hall</a>&nbsp;break down the extremely close races for Grammy glory. The 65th annual Grammy Awards will air on Sunday on CBS and Paramount+.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: “Voyage,” ABBA; “30,” Adele; “Un Verano Sin Ti,” Bad Bunny; “Renaissance,” Beyoncé; “Good Morning Gorgeous” (Deluxe), Mary J. Blige; “In These Silent Days,” Brandi Carlile; “Music of the Spheres,” Coldplay; “Mr. Morale &amp; the Big Steppers,” Kendrick Lamar; “Special,” Lizzo; “Harry’s House,” Harry Styles.

LANDRUM: Beyoncé is going after her Grammy throne, again. With the superstar singer being on the cusp of becoming the most decorated artist in Grammy history, it’s no coincidence Queen Bey returned to the live show stage for the first time in four years with a spectacular, star-studded performance at Dubai’s newest luxury hotel last month. She even held a two-night “Club Renaissance” event in Los Angeles last month with Amazon Music to celebrate her seventh album “Renaissance,” an album of the year candidate. Beyoncé's lead up game is strong, and both of her remarkable displays feel like a grand tour toward her multiple Grammy crowning. No disrespect to the other more-than-worthy nominees in the category, but Beyoncé is an easy choice here. It just makes sense.

HALL: The last time Adele and Beyoncé were both nominated in this category, the British singer-songwriter used her acceptance speech to heap&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctuggqUSITM">praise on Beyoncé</a>, calling her the "artist of my life.” It's one of the toughest years in this category with so many deserving albums from the biggest names. It would be amazing to see Bad Bunny take home the award for his incredibly popular “Un Verano Sin Ti,” but I agree, Jonathan, all signs are pointing to a record-breaking year for Beyoncé.

RECORD OF THE YEAR: “Don’t Shut Me Down,” ABBA; “Easy on Me,” Adele; “Break My Soul,” Beyoncé; “Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige; “You and Me on the Rock,” Brandi Carlile featuring Lucius; “Woman,” Doja Cat; “Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy; “The Heart Part 5,” Kendrick Lamar; “About Damn Time,” Lizzo; “As It Was,” Harry Styles.

HALL: So many danceable bops this year to choose from! Lizzo is a powerhouse at delivering good-time positive bangers with catchy lyrics and Harry Styles' pop rock jam “As It Was” is an undeniable hit and fan favorite. While Adele absolutely kills her performance of “Easy on Me,” I don't think it has the dominance of her other record of the year hit “Hello.” For me, the best two in the category are “Break My Soul” and “Bad Habit.” The ‘90s house music-inspired “Break My Soul” captures an entire mood and an exciting pivot for Beyoncé, so she’ll likely add this award to her wall of Grammys.

LANDRUM: I totally rode the Beyoncé album-of-the-year bandwagon, but I'm riding with Harry Styles' “As It Was" in this category. Kudos to the other nominees from Kendrick Lamar, Steve Lacy and Adele — who are also deserving of this award. But “As It Was” was just too massive in a category where the biggest commercial hits usually reign supreme. For me, it seems like I've heard his infectious jam whenever I go out. Even my 2-year-old daughter perks up when she hears the song, sings along and requests to listen to it again, again, and again.

SONG OF THE YEAR (songwriter’s award): “abcdefu,” Sara Davis, GAYLE and Dave Pittenger; “About Damn Time,” Melissa “Lizzo” Jefferson, Eric Frederic, Blake Slatkin and Theron Makiel Thomas; “All Too Well (10 Minute Version – The Short Film),” Liz Rose and Taylor Swift; “As It Was,” Tyler Johnson, Kid Harpoon and Harry Styles; “Bad Habit,” Matthew Castellanos, Brittany Fousheé, Diana Gordon, John Carroll Kirby and Steve Lacy; “Break My Soul,” Beyoncé, S. Carter, Terius “The Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant and Christopher A. Stewart; “Easy on Me,” Adele Adkins and Greg Kurstin; “God Did,” Tarik Azzouz, E. Blackmon, Khaled Khaled, F. LeBlanc, Shawn Carter, John Stephens, Dwayne Carter, William Roberts and Nicholas Warwar; “The Heart Part 5,” Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar and Matt Schaeffer; “Just Like That,” Bonnie Raitt.

LANDRUM: I might’ve chosen Harry Styles to pull away victorious with record of the year, but Beyoncé's powerful words in “Break My Soul” spoke to my spirit — especially in a category for songwriters who wrote the lyrics or melodies to one song. Her tune became a dance floor anthem after the pandemic thanks to the attractive upbeat melody and the well-written lyrics by the formidable writing team comprised of Beyoncé, her husband Jay-Z, The-Dream and Tricky Stewart — who's behind penning big singles including Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Mary J. Blige’s “Just Fine.” In this collaboration, the writing foursome created a collection of inspiring words suited for Beyoncé who took the proverbial baton and sang with beautiful authority. In the end, “Break My Soul” should cross the finish line first as song of the year.

HALL: If you’ve only heard the TikTok snippet from Steve Lacy’s dreamy confessional song, do yourself a favor and listen to the whole thing, and then his whole album, too. The song, like Lacy, is experimental and complicated and the song twists and distorts into something brand new while his voice is charmingly disarming. I think he's a dark horse in this category, though, going up against so many crazy talented songwriters.

BEST NEW ARTIST: Anitta; Omar Apollo; DOMi &amp; JD Beck; Muni Long; Samara Joy; Latto; Månekskin; Tobe Nwigwe; Molly Tuttle; Wet Leg.

HALL: Normally I feel like there are one or two heavy hitters in this category that are riding the wave of a big debut hit, but this category is wide open this year. Bluegrass musician Molly Tuttle and R&amp;B singer-songwriter Muni Long are well-established in their respective music fields and it would be great for them to get the widespread attention they deserve with a win in this category. But I think Anitta has a big advantage with her multi-platinum global hit “Envolver," even if she may not be as familiar to American audiences.

LANDRUM: Anitta certainly feels like the leading choice in this loaded category. The Brazilian artist has been nothing short of phenomenal with her trilingual album “Versions of Me,” which was led by her single “Envolver.” Månekskin, Muni Long and Latto can make their claim here too. But I'm going with a category dark horse:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tobe-nwigwe-2022-breakthrough-entertainer-music-a2f23949fdbf940aea92eb2df79f4a25">Tobe Nwigwe</a>. He broke through with “I Need You To,” a 44-seconds long song that called attention to the police killing of Breonna Taylor in Kentucky. It was reposted by big names like LeBron James, Madonna and Diddy. Along with that, the Nigerian singer-rapper has posted an original song and video every week across social media for the past several years. He performs alongside his wife, Fat Nwigwe, and their ballad “Fye Fye” is a legit smooth hit.

BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE: “Easy on Me,” Adele; “Moscow Mule,” Bad Bunny; “Woman,” Doja Cat; “Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy; “About Damn Time,” Lizzo; “As It Was,” Harry Styles.

LANDRUM: This is a tough one. Each song is a certified hit. My gut tells me Adele or Steve Lacy could prevail in a category filled with strong contenders. But my mind, heart and soul is screaming “HARRY STYLES.” I’m going with my latter feelings. “As it Was” for me, please.

HALL: Adele is likely to pick up a win here, if voters are more inclined to choose Beyoncé in the top categories.

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE: “GOD DID,” DJ Khaled featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend &amp; Fridayy; “Vegas,” Doja Cat; “pushing P," Gunna &amp; Future featuring Young Thug; “F.N.F. (Let's Go),” Hitkidd &amp; GloRilla; “The Heart Part 5," Kendrick Lamar

HALL: I gotta give all the love to Memphis-native GloRilla for her first Grammy nomination for her breakout hit “F.N.F. (Let's Go)." Her toughness and bravado show up well on the track that celebrates being free of no-count scrubs and proves she can go as hard as any male rapper.

LANDRUM: Kendrick Lamar's “The Heart Part 5” will win, but DJ Khaled's “GOD DID” should be victorious. Why? Because with Khaled bringing together Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Mr. EGOT John Legend and Rick Ross on one track, God certainly did that!

BEST R&amp;B PERFORMANCE: “VIRGO'S GROOVE," Beyoncé; “Here With Me,” Mary J. Blige featuring Anderson .Paak; “Hrs &amp; Hrs," Muni Long; “Over," Lucky Daye; “Hurt Me So Good,” Jazmine Sullivan

LANDRUM: Jazmine Sullivan could pull a repeat with “Hurt Me So Good” after she won in this same category last year for “Pick Up Your Feelings.” The sheer appeal of Beyoncé's “VIRGO'S GROOVE” gives her a strong shot to win as well. There are other viable contenders including Mary J. Blige and Lucky Daye, who had big hits in their own right. But if I was a betting man, my money would be on Muni Long's “Hrs &amp; Hrs,” a breakthrough hit for the best new artist contender. After maintaining strong momentum throughout a year, I believe Muni (pronounced as Money) will be ready to cash in as this category's victor.

HALL: When Muni Long starts the song by whispering “Can I sing to you?” in that breathy voice of hers, it's clear she is masterfully in control. I hope she gets this win.

BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE: “Heartfirst,” Kelsea Ballerini; “Something In The Orange,” Zach Bryan; “In His Arms,” Miranda Lambert; “Circles Around This Town,” Maren Morris; “Live Forever,” Willie Nelson

HALL: I think the Recording Academy voters are trying to send a message by nominating “Live Forever” from Willie Nelson, who is (remarkably) turning 90 this year and is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-movie-premieres-country-music-neil-young-miranda-lambert-a6e06409e841781fca6502beb35ab108">showing no signs of slowing down</a>. But I think new artist Zach Bryan has momentum this year and lots of buzz, so the slow-burning “Something In The Orange” should win.

LANDRUM: I think Zach Bryan is Willie Nelson's biggest threat here. But with Nelson still performing at a high level at 90, his song “Live Forever” is a fitting title for his musical legacy.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JONATHAN%20LANDRUM%20Jr.%20and%20KRISTIN%20M.%20HALL%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. and KRISTIN M. HALL AP Entertainment Writers</a>The Beyhive is all abuzz over the possibility that Beyoncé will have a chance to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2023-grammy-award-nominations-music-86a0a2733aecd8f25330ff21de71a8ad">make Grammy history this year</a>, which should make for an exciting awards show as she's up against heavy hitters Adele, Kendrick Lamar and Harry Styles.She'll need just four more trophies to ascend to the top decorated artist in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grammy.com/">Recording Academy</a>. Odds are in her favor in most of the categories she's nominated in, including album of the year and record of the year.Associated Press Entertainment Writers&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/mrlandrum31?lang=en">Jonathan Landrum Jr.</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/kmhall">Kristin M. Hall</a>&nbsp;break down the extremely close races for Grammy glory. The 65th annual Grammy Awards will air on Sunday on CBS and Paramount+.__ALBUM OF THE YEAR: “Voyage,” ABBA; “30,” Adele; “Un Verano Sin Ti,” Bad Bunny; “Renaissance,” Beyoncé; “Good Morning Gorgeous” (Deluxe), Mary J. Blige; “In These Silent Days,” Brandi Carlile; “Music of the Spheres,” Coldplay; “Mr. Morale &amp; the Big Steppers,” Kendrick Lamar; “Special,” Lizzo; “Harry’s House,” Harry Styles.LANDRUM: Beyoncé is going after her Grammy throne, again. With the superstar singer being on the cusp of becoming the most decorated artist in Grammy history, it’s no coincidence Queen Bey returned to the live show stage for the first time in four years with a spectacular, star-studded performance at Dubai’s newest luxury hotel last month. She even held a two-night “Club Renaissance” event in Los Angeles last month with Amazon Music to celebrate her seventh album “Renaissance,” an album of the year candidate. Beyoncé's lead up game is strong, and both of her remarkable displays feel like a grand tour toward her multiple Grammy crowning. No disrespect to the other more-than-worthy nominees in the category, but Beyoncé is an easy choice here. It just makes sense.HALL: The last time Adele and Beyoncé were both nominated in this category, the British singer-songwriter used her acceptance speech to heap&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctuggqUSITM">praise on Beyoncé</a>, calling her the "artist of my life.” It's one of the toughest years in this category with so many deserving albums from the biggest names. It would be amazing to see Bad Bunny take home the award for his incredibly popular “Un Verano Sin Ti,” but I agree, Jonathan, all signs are pointing to a record-breaking year for Beyoncé.RECORD OF THE YEAR: “Don’t Shut Me Down,” ABBA; “Easy on Me,” Adele; “Break My Soul,” Beyoncé; “Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige; “You and Me on the Rock,” Brandi Carlile featuring Lucius; “Woman,” Doja Cat; “Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy; “The Heart Part 5,” Kendrick Lamar; “About Damn Time,” Lizzo; “As It Was,” Harry Styles.HALL: So many danceable bops this year to choose from! Lizzo is a powerhouse at delivering good-time positive bangers with catchy lyrics and Harry Styles' pop rock jam “As It Was” is an undeniable hit and fan favorite. While Adele absolutely kills her performance of “Easy on Me,” I don't think it has the dominance of her other record of the year hit “Hello.” For me, the best two in the category are “Break My Soul” and “Bad Habit.” The ‘90s house music-inspired “Break My Soul” captures an entire mood and an exciting pivot for Beyoncé, so she’ll likely add this award to her wall of Grammys.LANDRUM: I totally rode the Beyoncé album-of-the-year bandwagon, but I'm riding with Harry Styles' “As It Was" in this category. Kudos to the other nominees from Kendrick Lamar, Steve Lacy and Adele — who are also deserving of this award. But “As It Was” was just too massive in a category where the biggest commercial hits usually reign supreme. For me, it seems like I've heard his infectious jam whenever I go out. Even my 2-year-old daughter perks up when she hears the song, sings along and requests to listen to it again, again, and again.SONG OF THE YEAR (songwriter’s award): “abcdefu,” Sara Davis, GAYLE and Dave Pittenger; “About Damn Time,” Melissa “Lizzo” Jefferson, Eric Frederic, Blake Slatkin and Theron Makiel Thomas; “All Too Well (10 Minute Version – The Short Film),” Liz Rose and Taylor Swift; “As It Was,” Tyler Johnson, Kid Harpoon and Harry Styles; “Bad Habit,” Matthew Castellanos, Brittany Fousheé, Diana Gordon, John Carroll Kirby and Steve Lacy; “Break My Soul,” Beyoncé, S. Carter, Terius “The Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant and Christopher A. Stewart; “Easy on Me,” Adele Adkins and Greg Kurstin; “God Did,” Tarik Azzouz, E. Blackmon, Khaled Khaled, F. LeBlanc, Shawn Carter, John Stephens, Dwayne Carter, William Roberts and Nicholas Warwar; “The Heart Part 5,” Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar and Matt Schaeffer; “Just Like That,” Bonnie Raitt.LANDRUM: I might’ve chosen Harry Styles to pull away victorious with record of the year, but Beyoncé's powerful words in “Break My Soul” spoke to my spirit — especially in a category for songwriters who wrote the lyrics or melodies to one song. Her tune became a dance floor anthem after the pandemic thanks to the attractive upbeat melody and the well-written lyrics by the formidable writing team comprised of Beyoncé, her husband Jay-Z, The-Dream and Tricky Stewart — who's behind penning big singles including Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Mary J. Blige’s “Just Fine.” In this collaboration, the writing foursome created a collection of inspiring words suited for Beyoncé who took the proverbial baton and sang with beautiful authority. In the end, “Break My Soul” should cross the finish line first as song of the year.HALL: If you’ve only heard the TikTok snippet from Steve Lacy’s dreamy confessional song, do yourself a favor and listen to the whole thing, and then his whole album, too. The song, like Lacy, is experimental and complicated and the song twists and distorts into something brand new while his voice is charmingly disarming. I think he's a dark horse in this category, though, going up against so many crazy talented songwriters.BEST NEW ARTIST: Anitta; Omar Apollo; DOMi &amp; JD Beck; Muni Long; Samara Joy; Latto; Månekskin; Tobe Nwigwe; Molly Tuttle; Wet Leg.HALL: Normally I feel like there are one or two heavy hitters in this category that are riding the wave of a big debut hit, but this category is wide open this year. Bluegrass musician Molly Tuttle and R&amp;B singer-songwriter Muni Long are well-established in their respective music fields and it would be great for them to get the widespread attention they deserve with a win in this category. But I think Anitta has a big advantage with her multi-platinum global hit “Envolver," even if she may not be as familiar to American audiences.LANDRUM: Anitta certainly feels like the leading choice in this loaded category. The Brazilian artist has been nothing short of phenomenal with her trilingual album “Versions of Me,” which was led by her single “Envolver.” Månekskin, Muni Long and Latto can make their claim here too. But I'm going with a category dark horse:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tobe-nwigwe-2022-breakthrough-entertainer-music-a2f23949fdbf940aea92eb2df79f4a25">Tobe Nwigwe</a>. He broke through with “I Need You To,” a 44-seconds long song that called attention to the police killing of Breonna Taylor in Kentucky. It was reposted by big names like LeBron James, Madonna and Diddy. Along with that, the Nigerian singer-rapper has posted an original song and video every week across social media for the past several years. He performs alongside his wife, Fat Nwigwe, and their ballad “Fye Fye” is a legit smooth hit.BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE: “Easy on Me,” Adele; “Moscow Mule,” Bad Bunny; “Woman,” Doja Cat; “Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy; “About Damn Time,” Lizzo; “As It Was,” Harry Styles.LANDRUM: This is a tough one. Each song is a certified hit. My gut tells me Adele or Steve Lacy could prevail in a category filled with strong contenders. But my mind, heart and soul is screaming “HARRY STYLES.” I’m going with my latter feelings. “As it Was” for me, please.HALL: Adele is likely to pick up a win here, if voters are more inclined to choose Beyoncé in the top categories.BEST RAP PERFORMANCE: “GOD DID,” DJ Khaled featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend &amp; Fridayy; “Vegas,” Doja Cat; “pushing P," Gunna &amp; Future featuring Young Thug; “F.N.F. (Let's Go),” Hitkidd &amp; GloRilla; “The Heart Part 5," Kendrick LamarHALL: I gotta give all the love to Memphis-native GloRilla for her first Grammy nomination for her breakout hit “F.N.F. (Let's Go)." Her toughness and bravado show up well on the track that celebrates being free of no-count scrubs and proves she can go as hard as any male rapper.LANDRUM: Kendrick Lamar's “The Heart Part 5” will win, but DJ Khaled's “GOD DID” should be victorious. Why? Because with Khaled bringing together Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Mr. EGOT John Legend and Rick Ross on one track, God certainly did that!BEST R&amp;B PERFORMANCE: “VIRGO'S GROOVE," Beyoncé; “Here With Me,” Mary J. Blige featuring Anderson .Paak; “Hrs &amp; Hrs," Muni Long; “Over," Lucky Daye; “Hurt Me So Good,” Jazmine SullivanLANDRUM: Jazmine Sullivan could pull a repeat with “Hurt Me So Good” after she won in this same category last year for “Pick Up Your Feelings.” The sheer appeal of Beyoncé's “VIRGO'S GROOVE” gives her a strong shot to win as well. There are other viable contenders including Mary J. Blige and Lucky Daye, who had big hits in their own right. But if I was a betting man, my money would be on Muni Long's “Hrs &amp; Hrs,” a breakthrough hit for the best new artist contender. After maintaining strong momentum throughout a year, I believe Muni (pronounced as Money) will be ready to cash in as this category's victor.HALL: When Muni Long starts the song by whispering “Can I sing to you?” in that breathy voice of hers, it's clear she is masterfully in control. I hope she gets this win.BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE: “Heartfirst,” Kelsea Ballerini; “Something In The Orange,” Zach Bryan; “In His Arms,” Miranda Lambert; “Circles Around This Town,” Maren Morris; “Live Forever,” Willie NelsonHALL: I think the Recording Academy voters are trying to send a message by nominating “Live Forever” from Willie Nelson, who is (remarkably) turning 90 this year and is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-movie-premieres-country-music-neil-young-miranda-lambert-a6e06409e841781fca6502beb35ab108">showing no signs of slowing down</a>. But I think new artist Zach Bryan has momentum this year and lots of buzz, so the slow-burning “Something In The Orange” should win.LANDRUM: I think Zach Bryan is Willie Nelson's biggest threat here. But with Nelson still performing at a high level at 90, his song “Live Forever” is a fitting title for his musical legacy.

Grammy predictions: AP writers debate who'll win on Sunday

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<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22CHRISTINA%20LARSON%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By CHRISTINA LARSON &nbsp;AP Science Writer</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — The dodo bird isn’t coming back anytime soon. Nor is the woolly mammoth. But a company working on technologies to bring back extinct species has attracted more investors, while other scientists are skeptical such feats are possible or a good idea.

Colossal Biosciences first announced its ambitious plan to revive the woolly mammoth two years ago, and on Tuesday said it wanted to bring back the dodo bird, too.

“The dodo is a symbol of man-made extinction,” said Ben Lamm, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder and CEO of Colossal. The company has formed a division to focus on bird-related genetic technologies.

The last dodo, a flightless bird about the size of a turkey, was killed in 1681 on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius.

The Dallas company, which launched in 2021, also announced Tuesday it had raised an additional $150 million in funding. To date, it has raised $225 million from wide-ranging investors that include United States Innovative Technology Fund, Breyer Capital and In-Q-Tel, the CIA's venture capital firm which invests in technology.

The prospect of bringing the dodo back isn't expected to directly make money, said Lamm. But the genetic tools and equipment that the company develops to try to do it may have other uses, including for human health care, he said.

For example, Colossal is now testing tools to tweak several parts of the genome simultaneously. It's also working on technologies for what is sometimes called an “artificial womb,” he said.

The dodo's closest living relative is the Nicobar pigeon, said Beth Shapiro, a molecular biologist on Colossal's scientific advisory board, who has been studying the dodo for two decades. Shapiro is paid by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which also supports The Associated Press’ Health and Science Department.

Her team plans to study DNA differences between the Nicobar pigeon and the dodo to understand “what are the genes that really make a dodo a dodo,” she said.

The team may then attempt to edit Nicobar pigeon cells to make them resemble dodo cells. It may be possible to put the tweaked cells into developing eggs of other birds, such as pigeons or chickens, to create offspring that may in turn naturally produce dodo eggs, said Shapiro. The concept is still in an early theoretical stage for dodos.

Because animals are a product of both their genetics and their environment — which has changed dramatically since the 1600s — Shapiro said that “it's not possible to recreate a 100% identical copy of something that's gone.”

Other scientists wonder if it's even advisable to try, and question whether “de-extinction” diverts attention and money away from efforts to save species still on Earth.

“There's a real hazard in saying that if we destroy nature, we can just put it back together again — because we can't,” said Duke University ecologist Stuart Pimm, who has no connection to Colossal.

“And where on Earth would you put a woolly mammoth, other than in a cage?” asked Pimm, who noted that the ecosystems where mammoths lived disappeared long ago.

On a practical level, conservation biologists familiar with captive breeding programs say that it can be tricky for zoo-bred animals to ever adapt to the wild.

It helps if they can learn from other wild animals of their kind — an advantage that potential dodos and mammoths won't have, said Boris Worm, a biologist at the University of Dalhousie in Halifax, Nova Scotia, who has no connection to Colossal.

“Preventing species from going extinct in the first place should be our priority, and in most cases, it's a lot cheaper,” said Worm.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22CHRISTINA%20LARSON%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By CHRISTINA LARSON &nbsp;AP Science Writer</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — The dodo bird isn’t coming back anytime soon. Nor is the woolly mammoth. But a company working on technologies to bring back extinct species has attracted more investors, while other scientists are skeptical such feats are possible or a good idea.Colossal Biosciences first announced its ambitious plan to revive the woolly mammoth two years ago, and on Tuesday said it wanted to bring back the dodo bird, too.“The dodo is a symbol of man-made extinction,” said Ben Lamm, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder and CEO of Colossal. The company has formed a division to focus on bird-related genetic technologies.The last dodo, a flightless bird about the size of a turkey, was killed in 1681 on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius.The Dallas company, which launched in 2021, also announced Tuesday it had raised an additional $150 million in funding. To date, it has raised $225 million from wide-ranging investors that include United States Innovative Technology Fund, Breyer Capital and In-Q-Tel, the CIA's venture capital firm which invests in technology.The prospect of bringing the dodo back isn't expected to directly make money, said Lamm. But the genetic tools and equipment that the company develops to try to do it may have other uses, including for human health care, he said.For example, Colossal is now testing tools to tweak several parts of the genome simultaneously. It's also working on technologies for what is sometimes called an “artificial womb,” he said.The dodo's closest living relative is the Nicobar pigeon, said Beth Shapiro, a molecular biologist on Colossal's scientific advisory board, who has been studying the dodo for two decades. Shapiro is paid by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which also supports The Associated Press’ Health and Science Department.Her team plans to study DNA differences between the Nicobar pigeon and the dodo to understand “what are the genes that really make a dodo a dodo,” she said.The team may then attempt to edit Nicobar pigeon cells to make them resemble dodo cells. It may be possible to put the tweaked cells into developing eggs of other birds, such as pigeons or chickens, to create offspring that may in turn naturally produce dodo eggs, said Shapiro. The concept is still in an early theoretical stage for dodos.Because animals are a product of both their genetics and their environment — which has changed dramatically since the 1600s — Shapiro said that “it's not possible to recreate a 100% identical copy of something that's gone.”Other scientists wonder if it's even advisable to try, and question whether “de-extinction” diverts attention and money away from efforts to save species still on Earth.“There's a real hazard in saying that if we destroy nature, we can just put it back together again — because we can't,” said Duke University ecologist Stuart Pimm, who has no connection to Colossal.“And where on Earth would you put a woolly mammoth, other than in a cage?” asked Pimm, who noted that the ecosystems where mammoths lived disappeared long ago.On a practical level, conservation biologists familiar with captive breeding programs say that it can be tricky for zoo-bred animals to ever adapt to the wild.It helps if they can learn from other wild animals of their kind — an advantage that potential dodos and mammoths won't have, said Boris Worm, a biologist at the University of Dalhousie in Halifax, Nova Scotia, who has no connection to Colossal.“Preventing species from going extinct in the first place should be our priority, and in most cases, it's a lot cheaper,” said Worm.

Bring back dodo? Ambitious plan draws investors, critics

"Stiletto Series 25A" by J Jay McVicker.&nbsp;Photo from the&nbsp;Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery via the&nbsp;Lindsborg Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau

Lindsborg Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau

LINDSBORG - Five new exhibitions are open in the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery through March 12.

The exhibitions include paintings by Oklahoma artist J. Jay McVicker (1911-2004), a Jim Turner photographic retrospective, landscape paintings by Randall Bennett, an exhibition of early additions to the Gallery's permanent collection, and art by Smoky Valley High School students.

The Sandzén Gallery, located at 401 N. First Street in Lindsborg is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free, with donations appreciated. Docent tours for groups are available by two-week advance appointment.

Midwest Modern&nbsp;showcases the work of J. Jay McVicker from a private collection in Oklahoma. Born at the dawn of the twentieth century, McVicker was first a regionalist in the 1930s, capturing scenes of rural life and landscapes in paintings and prints. Just before World War II, his works began to incorporate dashes of geometric cubism and biomorphic surrealism. At the war’s end, the artist returned home and pushed the boundaries of what art could look like and communicate. McVicker continued to practice in the center of America, gaining recognition from his position at Oklahoma State University as he regularly submitted works to juried exhibitions all over the country for awards and purchase prizes. McVicker was prolific and passionate about his art and this exhibition will showcase works from throughout his career.

Jim Turner&nbsp;has been a staple of the Lindsborg community for most of his life and likely photographed more people, events, and places – all from a multitude of angles – than anyone before him. Although often recognized for his commissions photographing weddings, high school seniors, and the like, Turner's focus goes well beyond that. He writes, "My expressions have grown out of where I live. The plains have an immense beauty that most non-plains living people seem rarely to appreciate. Maybe the reason is that our beauty doesn’t jump out at the viewer like a big mountain or a crashing waterfall. Plains beauty, beside our great storm clouds and wonderful skies during sunset and sunrise, is found in the microcosms of the natural world – grasses, trees, wind, and light."

A Prairie Art Dialogue&nbsp;features work by Randall Bennett of Lawrence. He is a professional artist and owner/director of Tall Grass Museum Services. After earning his architecture degree at Kansas State University, he worked in the architectural profession for a number of years before returning to art school. Afterward, he took a job working in the museum exhibit fabrication industry and has stayed with it continuously. Besides his museum-related jobs, Bennett stays busy with his personal artwork. He currently has six self-published books of his artwork and two of illustrated poetry. He regularly tries new and different styles and media in order to push his own boundaries and improve as an artist.

Early Additions to the Permanent Collection&nbsp;will showcase artworks that came into the gallery's collection from the late 1950s through the 1980s. Curator Cori Sherman North made selections that impacted the holdings and established a well-rounded and diverse collection. A number of works were purchased and donated by Birger Sandzén's daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Pelham Greenough, while others were gifts of the artists or other enthusiastic collectors.

Art by students from Smoky Valley High School&nbsp;in Lindsborg rounds out the exhibitions. They will be showing works selected by instructor Gretchen Elliott in a multitude of mediums from paintings and prints to sculpture and ceramics.

For more information about Birger Sandzén, the Gallery, and these exhibitions visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sandzen.org/">www.sandzen.org</a>&nbsp;or phone (785) 227-2220.

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 </figure>"Stiletto Series 25A" by J Jay McVicker.&nbsp;Photo from the&nbsp;Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery via the&nbsp;Lindsborg Convention &amp; Visitors BureauLindsborg Convention &amp; Visitors BureauLINDSBORG - Five new exhibitions are open in the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery through March 12.The exhibitions include paintings by Oklahoma artist J. Jay McVicker (1911-2004), a Jim Turner photographic retrospective, landscape paintings by Randall Bennett, an exhibition of early additions to the Gallery's permanent collection, and art by Smoky Valley High School students.The Sandzén Gallery, located at 401 N. First Street in Lindsborg is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free, with donations appreciated. Docent tours for groups are available by two-week advance appointment.About the artistsMidwest Modern&nbsp;showcases the work of J. Jay McVicker from a private collection in Oklahoma. Born at the dawn of the twentieth century, McVicker was first a regionalist in the 1930s, capturing scenes of rural life and landscapes in paintings and prints. Just before World War II, his works began to incorporate dashes of geometric cubism and biomorphic surrealism. At the war’s end, the artist returned home and pushed the boundaries of what art could look like and communicate. McVicker continued to practice in the center of America, gaining recognition from his position at Oklahoma State University as he regularly submitted works to juried exhibitions all over the country for awards and purchase prizes. McVicker was prolific and passionate about his art and this exhibition will showcase works from throughout his career.Jim Turner&nbsp;has been a staple of the Lindsborg community for most of his life and likely photographed more people, events, and places – all from a multitude of angles – than anyone before him. Although often recognized for his commissions photographing weddings, high school seniors, and the like, Turner's focus goes well beyond that. He writes, "My expressions have grown out of where I live. The plains have an immense beauty that most non-plains living people seem rarely to appreciate. Maybe the reason is that our beauty doesn’t jump out at the viewer like a big mountain or a crashing waterfall. Plains beauty, beside our great storm clouds and wonderful skies during sunset and sunrise, is found in the microcosms of the natural world – grasses, trees, wind, and light."A Prairie Art Dialogue&nbsp;features work by Randall Bennett of Lawrence. He is a professional artist and owner/director of Tall Grass Museum Services. After earning his architecture degree at Kansas State University, he worked in the architectural profession for a number of years before returning to art school. Afterward, he took a job working in the museum exhibit fabrication industry and has stayed with it continuously. Besides his museum-related jobs, Bennett stays busy with his personal artwork. He currently has six self-published books of his artwork and two of illustrated poetry. He regularly tries new and different styles and media in order to push his own boundaries and improve as an artist.Early Additions to the Permanent Collection&nbsp;will showcase artworks that came into the gallery's collection from the late 1950s through the 1980s. Curator Cori Sherman North made selections that impacted the holdings and established a well-rounded and diverse collection. A number of works were purchased and donated by Birger Sandzén's daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Pelham Greenough, while others were gifts of the artists or other enthusiastic collectors.Art by students from Smoky Valley High School&nbsp;in Lindsborg rounds out the exhibitions. They will be showing works selected by instructor Gretchen Elliott in a multitude of mediums from paintings and prints to sculpture and ceramics.For more information about Birger Sandzén, the Gallery, and these exhibitions visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sandzen.org/">www.sandzen.org</a>&nbsp;or phone (785) 227-2220.