AP National News

Singer Morgan Wallen suspended from label after racial slur

By KRISTIN M. HALL - AP Entertainment Writer
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by Rayos Syndication User

Country star Morgan Wallen has been suspended from his label and seen his music pulled by radio stations and streaming services after a video surfaced showed him shouting a racial slur. The video, which was first published by TMZ on Tuesday night, showed him yelling profanities outside a home in Nashville, Tennessee. Wallen said in a statement to TMZ that he is embarrassed and sorry. He said there’s never an excuse for such language. The music television channel CMT said it was removing his appearances from its platforms, and Wallen may be deemed ineligible for the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards.

The Latest: Mexico sees near-record daily coronavirus deaths

By The Associated Press
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by Rayos Syndication User

MEXICO CITY — Mexico reported a near-record 1,707 confirmed coronavirus deaths Wednesday, as the country runs out of vaccines. The Health Department reported Mexico’s COVID-19 deaths now total 161,240, and confirmed infections rose by 12,153 to nearly 1.89 million. Estimates based on excess-death statistics suggest the real death toll is over 195,000. Mexico approved Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine Tuesday, but…

Punxsutawney Phil’s town misses Groundhog Day boost

By SHAWN MARSH
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by Rayos Syndication User

Punxsutawney Phil has returned to his burrow one day after he saw his shadow and predicted another six weeks of winter. But residents and merchants in the northwest Pennsylvania town that Phil put on the map are hoping the coronavirus pandemic does not continue to cast its shadow over the next Groundhog Day. This year’s virtual Groundhog Day event left the community without its annual economic boost from visitors. Mayor Richard Alexander says the economic impact “was really bad.” The mayor says the community swells with between 10,000 to 15,000 tourists on Groundhog Day. Katie Laska, who owns Laska’s Pizza, says Groundhog Day typically helps business at a time of year when tourism is usually slow.

The Latest: S Korea curbing travel, gatherings for holiday

By The Associated Press by
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by Rayos Syndication User

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean officials are moving to limit travel and gatherings during next week’s Lunar New Year’s holidays by allowing train operators to sell only window seats and passenger vessels to operate at half capacity. The Health Ministry announced the steps Wednesday while repeating a plea for people to stay home amid a steady rise in coronavirus…