These country stars all missed the 2026 Grammys. even though they were nominated. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Day: February 2, 2026
These country stars all missed the 2026 Grammys. even though they were nominated. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
There are two days in the college football offseason that are more significant than any other day, according to FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt: the day the transfer portal closes, and the day conference schedules for the upcoming season are set. “These two days directly impact what you’re going to see from a wins and losses perspective in the fall,” Klatt said on his podcast, “The Joel Klatt Show.” “There’s no greater influence than those two days — what does your roster look like and who are you playing?” Well, the Big Ten had its schedule release day for the 2026 season last week, with all 18 programs finding out which teams they’ll play in their conference schedule and when. In the era of super conferences, Klatt believes that schedule release days have become more vital, as teams in the Big Ten only play nine of the 17 other teams in their conference. Which Big Ten teams saw their outlook for the 2026 season improve following schedule release day? Which Big Ten teams had their 2026 outlook take a hit following schedule release day? Here are Klatt’s three biggest winners and losers from the Big Ten’s 2026 schedule release day. Winners 3. Iowa Iowa has a game at Michigan (Sept. 26) and hosts Ohio State (Oct. 3) in back-to-back weeks. However, Klatt thinks the Hawkeyes got off easy because those games take place earlier in the season, and their schedule following those matchups gives them a path to close the season strong. “In these super conferences, you’re never going to totally avoid tough matchups. But it matters where and when they occur. Then, in particular, what’s around it,” Klatt said. “You could look at that and be like, ‘Dang, they’ve got Ohio State and Michigan in back-to-back weeks.’ Which is true. By the way, they follow this up with a trip to Washington, which isn’t an easy place to play. You could stop there and say, ‘Iowa’s got a tough schedule.’ But there’s a bye, then they’re at Minnesota, home for Wisconsin, at Northwestern, home for Purdue, at Illinois and home for Nebraska. I don’t see another top-six team in the conference on that list. “To me, that’s a schedule lottery win for Iowa. If they can get through that slate of their first five, which includes Michigan and Ohio State, with maybe just two losses and they can win at Washington, you’re staring at a 10-win season because the rest of your schedule isn’t entirely unmanageable.” Iowa, who Klatt believes will be a top-25 team in the first preseason poll, also has a relatively easier non-conference schedule, with games at home against Northern Illinois, Iowa State and Northern Iowa before taking on Michigan. “Iowa got a pretty darn good schedule,” Klatt said. “Their big non-conference game is Iowa State, and Iowa State was decimated when they lost their coach, Matt Campbell. He goes to Penn State and the entire roster basically left. So, that’s their tough non-conference game. That game now doesn’t look so tough.” 2. Illinois Similar to Iowa, Illinois also has a pair of games against Big Ten title hopefuls. It travels to Ohio State (Sept. 26) and hosts Oregon (Oct. 24). But because those games take place a month apart and happen before November, Klatt likes the Fighting Illini’s schedule quite a bit. “Again, you look at this and think to yourself, ‘They’ve got to play Ohio State on the road and Oregon.’ Yup, they do. But it matters when they happen and it matters when it happens around them,” Klatt said. “Duke is on the non-conference schedule for Illinois, and they lost their quarterback. That’s a different team without their quarterback. They’ve got Purdue right after they go to Ohio State, that’s manageable. They’ve got Maryland after Oregon, traveling out to Maryland. That’s manageable. Then, the only other tough game you could say, ‘This is a top-seven or -eight team in the conference,’ is Iowa. So yeah, you have Ohio State and Oregon. But the only other tough, tough game is going to be Iowa. They’ve got that one at home.” While Illinois wasn’t ranked in FOX Sports college football analyst R.J. Young’s Way-Too-Early Top 25, the games against Ohio State and Oregon are its only two matchups against teams in that ranking. 1. Penn State Klatt believes that Penn State and first-year coach Matt Campbell hit the jackpot on the Big Ten schedule lottery. After facing three non-power conference schools in its non-conference slate (Marshall, Temple, Buffalo), Penn State opens up its Big Ten schedule with two games against teams that won a combined six conference games last season (Wisconsin, Northwestern). Penn State plays USC and Michigan after that, but Klatt thinks those games and the rest of the Nittany Lions’ conference schedule are pretty manageable. “This thing is not difficult. It just isn’t, at all,” Klatt said. “Remember, they brought in what, 20 Iowa State transfers? It might feel a lot like Iowa State, but I can say this about Matt Campbell and Iowa State: They were a good program. They have Rocco Becht at quarterback. He’s going to be the most experienced quarterback in college football with 39 starts. That matters in this day and age. “The teeth of their schedule is in October. They’re going to host USC. Now, USC hasn’t played well, particularly in the Big Ten and against quality opponents. You saw what happened last year at Notre Dame. … The very next week, they’ve got to go to Michigan. Those are the two toughest games they’ve got by a wide margin. Then, they’ve got a bye week before finishing the year with Purdue, at Washington, Minnesota, Rutgers and at Maryland. So, they only face two of what I would categorize as the top-six teams in the conference. It happens in October and one of them is at home. By the way, your lone really tough game on the road is at Michigan, and they’ve got a brand new coach. With Penn State having a relatively easier schedule, Klatt also wondered if its coaching would’ve gone differently had coaches known what its path to the CFP looked like ahead of time. “This is the absolute schedule lottery in the Big Ten,” Klatt said. “Penn State, I don’t know if their team is going to be a 10-win team. But their schedule is a 10-win schedule. That’s exactly how I would want it. If you would’ve known this schedule before the hiring process, guys would’ve clamored to take the Penn State job.” Losers 3. Northwestern Northwestern has three games against teams that made the College Football Playoff in 2025 — and they’re all on the road. The Wildcats have to make trips to Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State this season, and that comes after a relatively tougher non-conference slate. “Northwestern has an absolute bear of a schedule,” Klatt said of the Wildcats, who went 7-6 in 2025. “Their opener is not easy, South Dakota State. That’s a really good program. Then, they’ve got a bye week and Colorado comes to town. But they’ve got Indiana, they host Penn State, they’re at Oregon, Iowa at home, at Ohio State. Wow. That’s not easy at all. That’s five of the top seven or eight teams in the conference right there. Northwestern, that’s a very difficult schedule for them. “Northwestern lost the schedule lottery in a big way.” 2. Michigan Similar to Northwestern, Michigan also has games against the three CFP teams from the Big Ten last season on its 2025 slate. But it also has a non-conference game against Oklahoma, leading Klatt to say that Michigan’s schedule “is as difficult as any” if it plays those teams at full strength. “They play four, really five teams in my top-seven or eight in the Big Ten and Michigan has a monster non-conference schedule,” Klatt said. Hurting Michigan even further is that two of its marquee matchups take place in the final month of the regular season, in Klatt’s eyes. “I talked about when games happen, they’ve got to go to Oregon and Ohio State in November,” Klatt said. “That’s an incredibly difficult schedule. This is what happens. Not only is their conference slate tough, they’ve got to face Iowa, Penn State, Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State, but they’ve got Oklahoma as well… That’s what happened to Michigan right here. Even with a really good team, you have to say, ‘We better stay healthy in order to get to nine, maybe 10 wins.’ “I think Kyle Whittingham is a hell of a hire. I love what they did in building their roster. And I hate their schedule. There’s a few of these that you just can’t overcome.” 1. Ohio State While Klatt thinks Michigan might have a schedule that he said could be as tough as any, he thinks its top rival has the hardest schedule in the Big Ten this season. “Ohio State, by a wide margin, has what I would consider the toughest schedule in the Big Ten,” Klatt said. “This is what happens all before November: at Texas, at Iowa, at Indiana and at USC. Then, in November, they’ve got to face Oregon and Michigan. “That schedule is daunting. You’ve got Indiana and Oregon, those teams might start the year [ranked] No. 1 and No. 2, maybe No. 1 and No. 3 in the country. USC’s going to be knocking on the door in the top 10. Michigan was in my top 10. Texas was in my top 10. Iowa will certainly be a top-25 team.” Klatt also thinks that what happened with Ohio State in the transfer portal will only make its schedule tougher as 35 players left the program via the portal this offseason. “I’m concerned about depth for them,” Klatt said. “After the portal closed and the dust settled for Ohio State, I know they didn’t lose their key stars, but they lost a lot of depth pieces and guys that I would’ve looked at on the roster and been like, ‘Man, he’s going to be a key piece to that team.’ I know they brought a lot of guys in as well, and they really like what they brought in, but depth could be an issue. As we’ve seen in college football, if you can’t stay healthy, it’s too difficult right now.”Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
NOTN- A bill heard at 8 A.M this morning would overhaul how public schools are funded by changing how students are counted for state aid.
House Bill 261, rewrites large portions of the state’s public school funding statutes.
“We force school districts to budget in such an irrational way.” Said Representative Andi Story, “This backwards budgeting consumes a great deal of valuable time to reshuffle numbers, from personal experience this causes great pain in the community.”
In the full text of House Bill 261, available on The Alaska State Legislature Website, the measure is intended to stabilize school funding particularly through enrollment declines.
The biggest change in the bill is how Alaska calculates average daily membership, or ADM, which is the student count used to determine state education funding.
According to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, the ADM is a count of enrolled K-12 students taken for 20 days ending the last Friday in October of each year, the ADM is adjusted due to a few factors including school size, district cost, and special needs.
Under the bill, districts would generally receive funding based on the higher of their most recent student count or a three-year average.
“Alaska should create a 3 year averaging approach statewide to replace the current Hold Harmless Provision.” Story said during her presentation.
The Hold Harmless Provision currently protects school funding if their ADM drops by 5% or more each year, which allows the previous year’s student count to be used as a base to mitigate a drop in funding.
“It could also provide districts with greater stability and planning.” Story said, “As districts would not be so concerned about unexpected changes in enrollments at the October count period. About 19 states use an approach that either averages, combines or provides the better of multiple years of student counts.”
The bill also alters how districts are funded following school consolidations or closures, it would allow temporary offsets to soften funding losses over a period of several years.
The bill would also restrict districts from reopening schools too quickly after consolidation.
HB 261 also changes or revises how special education funding is calculated, particularly for students who require intensive services.
Using the above 3 year count, districts that identify additional students requiring intensive services midyear would be eligible for retroactive funding.
The bill applies to school districts statewide and does not directly increase the base student allocation, which is the per-student dollar amount set separately by the Legislature.
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On Friday, the Justice Department released a massive collection of photos and documents related to its investigation into deceased sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Numerous public figures were mentioned in the files, including Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
And one message from Ferguson is receiving special attention, as it may have revealed that Epstein became a father before his death in 2019.
“Don’t know if you’re still on this bbm but have heard from The Duke that you have had a baby boy,” Ferguson wrote in September of 2011, referring to Andrew by his formal title, Duke of York.
“Even though you never kept in touch, I still am here with love, friendship, and congratualtions [sic] on your baby boy. Sarah xx.”
In an email sent just ten minutes later, there was an abrupt change in tone, as Ferguson chastised Epstein for failing to keep in touch.
“You have disappeared. I did not even know you were having a baby,” she wrote (via Radar Online), adding:
“It was sooooo crystal clear to me that you were only friends with me to get to Andrew. And that really hurt me deeeply [sic]. More than you will know.”
We’ve known for quite some time that Epstein and Ferguson were friends.
The former Duchess of York was recently forced to apologize when it was revealed that she had remained in contact with Epstein after he was convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution.
Ferguson had previously claimed that she ended the friendship after learning of Epstein’s conviction.
This latest batch of emails not only confirms that they remained in contact, it also seems to suggest that Ferguson was the one who pursued a friendship with Epstein.
“You are a legend,” Ferguson gushed in one email.
“I really don’t have the words to describe my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness. Xx I am at your service. Just marry me.”
The files contain no other evidence that Epstein had a child, so it’s possible that Ferguson had been misinformed.
The child would be in his teens at this point, and Ferguson’s email is the first known mention of him.
We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.
Jeffrey Epstein’s Secret Child Revealed In Email From Sarah Ferguson: Report was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
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Four years after getting traded from the Reds to the Mariners, Eugenio Suarez is now going from Seattle back to Cincinnati. Suárez, who’s coming off an All-Star season in which he led all third basemen with 49 homers, was the top slugger remaining on the market, yet it only cost the light-hitting Reds $15 million for one season (plus a $16 million mutual option in 2027) to secure the 34-year-old’s services. The Reds needed the pop after finishing 21st in home runs last season while getting just 14 home runs combined from all of their third basemen. The only other time Suárez matched his 2025 home run total was six years ago in Cincinnati, where he first established himself as one of the best power threats at his position. The Reds are hoping to see more of the same with this year’s reunion. In 2025, Suárez mashed 36 home runs in 106 games for the Diamondbacks before getting traded to Seattle, where he had been a clubhouse and fan favorite in 2022-23. But the all-or-nothing slugger struggled to replicate the offense that made him the most highly-coveted bat at the deadline, hitting just .189 with a 35.9% strikeout rate after the trade. Still, he hit 13 home runs in 53 games to close out the regular season in Seattle, and the deadline additions of Suárez and Josh Naylor helped catapult the Mariners to their first division title since 2001. In Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, Suárez launched two home runs, including a game-breaking grand slam that moved the Mariners one win away from the World Series. They would not get there, however, dropping the final two games of the ALCS to the Blue Jays. This winter, teams were evidently scared off by Suárez’s age, declining defensive metrics, high strikeout rate and late-season drop-off. That allowed the Reds to swoop in with a low-risk, high-reward move as they try to take another step forward after snapping a four-year playoff drought last year. In Cincinnati, Suárez will be returning to one of MLB’s friendliest home-run environments at Great American Ball Park. What’s next for the Reds? Last season, Suárez had more than twice as many home runs as Elly De La Cruz, who led the Reds with 22 dingers. Now, he’ll be providing De La Cruz some needed protection. It just might not be at his usual spot. Ke’Bryan Hayes has been a well below league-average hitter but also one of the top defensive third basemen in the game, and the 29-year-old is under contract for the next four years. That likely means most of Suárez’s at-bats will come as the designated hitter. He could also see some time at first base, where 2022 first-round pick Sal Stewart figures to receive most of his reps. Wherever he plays defensively, the Reds needed to find a way to add an impact bat. This was their last chance on the free-agent market after whiffing on Kyle Schwarber. From November to January, they had done little to meaningfully improve an offense that ranked 19th in OPS and 21st in slugging last year. They traded for outfielder Dane Myers and signed outfielder JJ Bleday, but they also lost outfielder Austin Hays and designated hitter Gavin Lux. As the calendar flipped to February, so did the stability of their lineup with the addition of Suárez. What’s next for the Mariners? A younger path forward. The Mariners made two major moves at last season’s deadline in adding Naylor and Suárez. After a strong first half for Naylor, he was even better after the trade from Arizona, registering an .831 OPS with nine homers and 19 steals with superb defensive metrics at first base in 54 games in Seattle. The fit was perfect, which is why the Mariners made it a priority to keep him, giving him five years and $92.5 million one month less than after the season ended. It did not go as well last year in Seattle for Suárez, though there was some thought that the Mariners might decide to keep him anyway, given the dearth of power threats behind him and the departure of Jorge Polanco. Instead, the Mariners have opted to go with a younger, more contact-oriented approach. This week, they reportedly agreed to acquire versatile 29-year-old infielder Brendan Donovan, who’s under team control for two more years. Donovan’s .353 on-base percentage and miniscule 13% strikeout rate should help a Mariners lineup that has ranked in the top six in strikeouts each of the last three seasons, and the fit also makes sense defensively for a Seattle team that had vacancies to fill at both second and third. Donovan can play either spot and gives the Mariners more protection as they await the arrival of 20-year-old top prospect Colt Emerson, who could be ready sooner than later. What’s next on the free-agent market? Starting pitching. With Luis Arraez going to San Francisco and Suárez going to Cincinnati over the last few days, teams looking for impact bats might now turn their attention more fervently to the trade market. Veterans Rhys Hoskins (about to turn 33), Marcell Ozuna (35) and Paul Goldschmidt (38) are the best options available in free agency. There’s a lot more help out there for teams looking to fill their rotation. Framber Valdez, arguably the top starting pitcher on the market when free agency began, is still looking for a team. So are Zac Gallen, Zack Littell, Chris Bassitt, Lucas Giolito and Max Scherzer. Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
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Where does Jelly Roll stand?
He claims to be too much of a “dumb redneck” (his words, not ours) to know just yet.
Where others used the Grammy Awards to condemn ICE’s siege against American communities, he took a rain check.
He’s going to speak out, he promises. Just … not today.
Nothing to say about ICE laying siege to American cities?
On Sunday, February 1, Jason Bradley DeFord — best known as Jelly Roll, professionally — took home the award for Best Contemporary Country Album at the Grammy Awards.
After receiving his accolades for Beautifully Broken, a Rolling Stone reporter asked him if he would like to speak out on everything that’s happening in America right now.
Unlike Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, and even DeFord’s own collaboration partner, Shaboozey, he had a different answer.
DeFord said that people shouldn’t “care to hear my opinion.”
He went on to characterize: “You know, I’m a dumb redneck. I haven’t watched enough.”
According to DeFord, he isn’t very political and has been sort of detatched from politics.
This isn’t a recent development. He noted that he has tone 18 months without a phone, has taken breaks from social media, and and feels “disconnected” from current events.
“I hate to be the artist aesthetic, aloof, but I’ve become so disconnected from what’s happening,” DeFord claimed.
He noted: “I grew up in a house insane pandemonium.”
DeFord added: “I didn’t even know politics were f–king real until I was in my mid-twenties in jail.”
‘Everybody’s going to hear exactly what I have to say about it’
“When you grow up in a drug addict household, do you think we have common calls about what’s happening in world politics?” DeFord asked.
He added: “We’re just trying to find a way to survive, man, you know?”
However, DeFord vowed that he will have “a lot to say” and will share this message “in the next week.”
He promised: “Everybody’s going to hear exactly what I have to say about it in the most loud and clear way I’ve ever spoken in my life. So I look forward to it.”
That will certainly be interesting, one way or the other.
Just to put a few things into perspective, DeFord has not exactly lived an apolitical existence.
For one thing, as we have linked above, he previously testified before Congress. His testimony regarded fentanyl use.
That was arguably non-partisan.
However, in 2024, he personally met Donald Trump at a UFC match. That isn’t non-partisan.
It is difficult to understand how someone who testified before Congress and personally met America’s current mad king claims to be detached from politics.
Most people cannot afford to be ‘apolitical’ because it impacts their lives and livelihoods
To be clear, we are not accusing DeFord of lying about his feeling of detachment.
It is tragically common for people to claim to be apolitical or disinterested in politics or whatever. Sure, some of them are lying (famously, conservative men claiming to be moderates on dating apps so that they can get laid), but most sincerely believe it when they say it.
That doesn’t make it true. What it actually means is that these individuals feel insulated — normally by money — from life-or-death political realities.
Will DeFord used his speech and platform to speak about his beliefs as a Christian and to invite others to worship his God with him. So he felt prepared to say that much, but not to address our current horrors.
When he does speak up, will he have good things to say?
That would be nice. Many people are speaking to condemn Trump’s forces. But we don’t know. And his decision to delay makes people worry that they’ll be disappointed when he weighs in.
Jelly Roll Claims He’s a ‘Dumb Redneck’ But Will Address ICE Violence … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
While that bottle of red wine that’s a bit past its prime might be a letdown in a glass, it’s actually a secret weapon for slow cooker braised beef.
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