They’re not afraid to buck the system. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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In-N-Out has news for its many fans in 2026. The popular burger chain’s announcement of menu tweaks may seem subtle, but will have nutritional impacts.
Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews
Garth Brooks is keeping fans on their toes when it comes to his 2026 “Blame It All On My Roots” Arena Tour. Rather than announcing the full tour at once, the country music icon is revealing each city one at a time, with some stops receiving multiple nights.
Earlier today, Brooks announced plans to bring the tour to Salt Lake City, Utah, marking the sixth stop on the arena tour. He will perform at the Delta Center on Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10.
With this tour, the “Friends in Low Places” singer has promised to keep concert tickets affordable by offering every ticket at the same price, regardless of where the seat is located in the venue. Whether fans are seated in the front, back or anywhere in between, every seat is the same price.
Tickets are $154 each, including the $140 ticket price, $4 facility fee and $10 service charge, plus applicable taxes. With both end-stage and in-the-round seating configurations, Brooks is making sure every seat in the house comes with the same price.
“Let’s talk for a moment about the cost to go to a concert,” the Oklahoma native previously shared. “There’s the ticket price. Currently, the average country concert ticket price is $175. That’s the average. Dang! You never go alone, so double it, at least. Parking? Want a T-shirt or two? Maybe dinner? You are looking at one expensive evening,” he explained.
By taking control of the ticket pricing for the tour, Brooks hopes to make his shows accessible to the fans who have supported him throughout his career, regardless of their budgets or financial circumstances.
“We have always chosen to do the one overall ticket price simply based on this thought: Where you sit in the arena shouldn’t depend on how much you can afford,” he explained. “It should be all just luck of the draw.”
The “Blame It All On My Roots” Arena Tour also marks the return of Brooks’ iconic Drum Pod, a signature element of his live shows.
Throughout the tour, Brooks brings his biggest hits to the stage, turning arenas across the country into massive sing-alongs.
ANNOUNCED “BLAME IT ALL ON MY ROOTS” ARENA TOUR DATES:
Thursday, September 10 – Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena
Friday, September 11 – Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena
Saturday, September 12 – Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena
Sunday, September 13 – Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena (matinee show)
Friday, September 18 – Washington, D.C. – Capital One Arena
Saturday, September 19 – Washington, D.C. – Capital One Arena
Friday, September 25 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
Saturday, September 26 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
Friday, October 9 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Center
Saturday, October 10 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Center
The post Garth Brooks’ ‘Blame It All On My Roots’ Arena Tour: Dates, Tickets and Everything to Know appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
The controversy surrounding the ending of the Western Michigan and Michigan game hasn’t slowed down heading into Week 2. Despite formal appeals, statements and lingering concerns the backlash shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. How much time was actually left? That still hasn’t been determined with so much discrepancy surrounding the play and the cannon of an arm that Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood showcased on Saturday night. As things stand now, the call will stand and there will be no action or league involvement. Here’s a timeline of everything that’s happened since the controversial call in Ann Arbor: Saturday Night Michigan entered the matchup as a nearly four-touchdown favorite. However, Western Michigan hung in there and remained competitive until the final whistle, at one point leading 12-6 and standing on the brink of pulling off the biggest upset in program history. However, that lead was put to the ultimate test as the clock hit zero and Underwood unleashed a final Hail Mary. As the ball bounced off multiple defenders in the back of the end zone, the game seemed over… or was it? While the TV broadcast clock showed zero, replay officials came together and confirmed one second remained when the previous pass hit the turf out of bounds. Given one final chance, Underwood this time launched a game-winning Hail Mary touchdown to JJ Buchanan as time expired. The wild final play was only the start of a controversial sequence that would become the talk of the college football world. Later On Saturday Night The controversial call made waves across the sport. Both Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham and Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor shared their thoughts on the final play, which was impactful enough to prompt official statements from both the MAC and the Big Ten. “But as I looked, I knew it was close,” Whittingham said after the game. “When the ball sailed back to the end zone, I glanced up at the clock, and it was just ticking to zero, and somebody had touched it. I didn’t know who had touched it, but apparently it was a defender that had already established an out-of-bounds position. I’m assuming they got it right. They looked at it and their technology that they have is very advanced, I guess.” Even with Whittingham coming out victorious, he offered an honest opinion and backed the officials. Similarly, Taylor focused on why his defense failed to execute as they should have, refusing to make excuses. “I know when I looked up at the clock, it was past zeros before we touched it,” Taylor said. “I knew that they would review it. It was the last play of the game, and because we defended it so well, wasn’t worried or concerned about our guys going out and defending it the second time. Unfortunately, we did not defend it as well the second time.” The MAC and Big Ten both issued statements following the game, and everyone accepted the outcome despite the controversy. Sunday Statement Released On Sunday, NBC Sports addressed the growing controversy on air during the Washington vs. Washington State game. Host John Fanta delivered a statement on behalf of the network regarding a clock dispute from the game. He made sure to remind viewers that the TV graphics don’t dictate official game time. “Now, the official time of the game is kept by the Big Ten,” Fanta said. “Our cameras are not the official arbiter of timekeeping within the game. That is the Big Ten and game officials’ responsibility. After the game last night, the Big Ten released a statement and raw video from its replay process that showed how and why the decision was made.” Monday: Rules and Extra Seconds Continue to Dominate the Conversation When it comes to the rules of the sport and how officials operate, few people are more qualified than FOX Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira. He joined “The Joel Klatt Show” on Monday to break down the latest controversy. His explanation for why Big Ten officials didn’t follow protocol focused on the discrepancy, saying that they needed to rely on the television footage. “The official replay officials have been told that if there is a discrepancy, use the television footage,” Pereira said. “Do not use your footage in the command center. Use the footage that 10 million people are watching, not the one that’s three.” Despite heavy criticism of the call, Pereira defended the officials but criticized the review result, stating that the game crew made the best possible decision in real time with the information they had. “When it’s all said and done, that’s what should have happened, and there shouldn’t have been another play,” Pereira said. “They did not look at the television copy of what was being shown to all of us.” Tuesday: MAC Decides To Appeal Ruling After initially accepting the ruling, the MAC reversed course and decided to appeal. On Tuesday, MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher released a statement indicating that proper replay protocol was not followed. Following a careful review, the NCAA denied the MAC’s appeal, as the Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee stated that it does not have the power to alter the outcome or final score of a game. With that in mind, Michigan remains the winner of the game, even with all the controversy surrounding the result. Both Michigan and Western Michigan will be heading into Week 2 with an outcome that will always be known as the “what-if” game.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
Six candidates for Alaska governor and lieutenant governor participated in a debate on education hosted by the Alaska Superintendents Association in Juneau on July 30, 2026. (Photo by Corinne Smith)
The first ballots for Alaska’s Nov. 3 general election will be mailed Sept. 18 by the Alaska Division of Elections, and early voting is scheduled to begin Oct. 19.
At the Alaska Beacon, we’re trying to keep track of debates, forums and other events that will feature all or most of the candidates for statewide office — governor, U.S. House and U.S. Senate.
Below is our working list of events. It’ll be updated as we learn more. If you know of an event where multiple gubernatorial, U.S. House or U.S. Senate candidates will appear and it isn’t on this list, email jbrooks@alaskabeacon.com and let me know!
Aug. 26, 3:30 p.m.: AOGA governor forum @ Dena’ina Center (Governor) — AOGAAug. 27, 10:45 a.m.: AOGA Senate forum @ Dena’ina Center (U.S. Senate) — AOGAAug. 27, 2:55 p.m.: AOGA House forum @ Dena’ina Center (U.S. House) — AOGAAug. 28, 10:15 a.m.: AML governor forum @ Wedgewood Resort, Fairbanks — AMLSept. 8, 5:30 p.m.: Last Frontier Republican Club governor debate forum @ Petroleum Club, Anchorage — Bronson, JKT and Taylor confirmed- Sept. 9, 6 p.m.: Kodiak fisheries governor forum @ Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium, Kodiak
- Sept. 12, 11 a.m.: Kodiak fisheries U.S. House and U.S. Senate forum @ Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium, Kodiak — Peltola and Hill confirmed yes
- Sept. 16: Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association forum in Girdwood — JKT, Wilson and Bronson have confirmed
- Sept. 17, 11:30 a.m.: Chugach Electric Forum in Anchorage — Bronson confirmed
- Sept. 17, 4 p.m.: Commonwealth North forum, Anchorage — Bronson, JKT and Taylor confirmed
- Sept. 19, 2 p.m.: Mat-Su Chamber forum
- Sept. 21, 6 p.m.: Alaska gubernatorial energy forum @ Anchorage Public Library — Alaska Public Media’s Lori Townshend hosting
- Sept. 22, noon: Anchorage rotary governor candidate forum, Petroleum Club in Anchorage — all four candidates scheduled
- Sept. 23, noon: gubernatorial forum on recreation, trails and related economic issues, 11th Annual Confluence Summit, Cordova
- Sept. 24, 12 p.m.: Juneau Chamber of Commerce governor candidate forum @ Baranof Hotel
- Sept. 29: Southeast Conference governor forum @ Ted Ferry Civic Center, Ketchikan
- Sept. 30: Southeast Conference U.S. Senate forum @ Ted Ferry Civic Center, Ketchikan
- Oct. 1: Southeast Conference U.S. House forum @ Ted Ferry Civic Center, Ketchikan
- Oct. 1, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Alaska Support Industry Alliance forum in Fairbanks; governor candidates will appear on stage and answer questions at various times throughout the event
Oct. 1: UAA College of Business and Public Policy governor debate @ Wendy Williamson Auditorium, Anchorage — UAA/Alaska Beacon hosting (Canceled, replaced with discussion panel, because candidates wanted to go to the Alliance Forum instead)- Oct. 8: Debate For The State (Governor) — Alaska Public Media/KTUU/KTOO hosting, event will be broadcast on TV/radio
- Oct. 13: Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce (Governor) @ 8 Star Events Center, Fairbanks
- Oct. 13: AARP U.S. House debate @ King Street Brewing — Alaska Beacon and Alaska Landmine hosting
- Oct. 14: AARP U.S. Senate debate @ King Street Brewing — Anchorage Press and Alaska Landmine hosting
- Oct. 14: Debate For The State (U.S. House) — Alaska Public Media/KTUU/KTOO hosting
- Oct. 14: Alaska Travel Industry Association Forum (Fairbanks)
- Oct. 15: AARP governor debate @ King Street Brewing — ADN and Alaska Landmine hosting
- Oct. 15, noon: Bartlett Forum in Anchorage
- Oct. 15, 6 p.m.: Kenai Peninsula Borough Builders Association in Kenai
- Oct. 15: Debate For The State (U.S. Senate) — Alaska Public Media/KTUU/KTOO hosting
- Oct. 16: Alaska Business Summit Forum at Alyeska in Girdwood
- Oct. 20: Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce (U.S. House and U.S. Senate) @ 8 Star Events Center
- Oct. 29: Alaska Rural Energy Panel in Fairbanks
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As we previously reported, Kim Zolciak’s son KJ Biermann was recently arrested on sexual assault charges.
Kim says KJ is innocent, but he’s still being held without bail as he awaits trial.
Now, Kim’s lawyers are making it clear that they do not believe the 15-year-old son belongs in the adult criminal justice system.
KJ, who was 14 at the time of the alleged incident, is facing seven felony charges stemming from allegations involving a female classmate at a Life Time fitness center in Alpharetta, Georgia.
And if the son of the former Bravo star were ultimately convicted as an adult, the potential consequences would be staggering.
According to a new court filing obtained by Page Six, KJ’s attorney Jason Sheffield says the aggravated charges carry a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison without parole — and potentially life in prison.
Sheffield is asking a Fulton County judge to transfer the case to juvenile court instead.
“At fifteen, KJ’s story is not finished,” Sheffield wrote, arguing that the teenager’s development is ongoing and that his future should not be determined solely by the allegations against him.
The attorney maintains that KJ is capable of rehabilitation through the juvenile justice system, where he could receive treatment, supervision, education, and structure.
“The adult system asks principally what punishment an offense deserves,” Sheffield wrote. “The transfer statute asks a different question: What should happen to this child?”
KJ has been indicted on charges including aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, aggravated sexual battery, three counts of aggravated sexual battery involving a child under 16 and false imprisonment.
He has pleaded not guilty through his attorney, who has repeatedly maintained that his client is “100% innocent.”
Sheffield has also pointed to a passed polygraph examination and the absence of male DNA in the areas identified by the alleged victim.
The attorney is asking the court to provide additional privacy protections, arguing that the intense media attention surrounding the case could affect witnesses and their recollections.
“Neither child chose this attention,” Sheffield wrote. “Yet both must now live beneath it.”
KJ remains in custody at the Metro Regional Youth Detention Center in Atlanta and is being held without bond. His next bond hearing is scheduled for September 11, while his arraignment is expected to take place October 14.
For now, KJ’s legal team is fighting to keep the case in juvenile court — and to make sure a 15-year-old does not face an adult prison sentence before he has even had the chance to grow up.
KJ Biermann Is Too Young to Serve 25 Years For Alleged Sex Crimes, Lawyer Claims was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
Trader Joe’s is known for its great prices, quirky atmosphere, and fantastic dupes of name brand products. Even its worst chip is a delightful Pringle dupe.
Food Republic – Restaurants, Reviews, Recipes, Cooking Tips
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It’s been two weeks since Dolly Parton passed away following a brief battle with cancer.
And while the country legend connected with tens of millions of lives through her music and her humanitarian work, it seems that she could be a very private person.
In fact, even while privately battling cancer, the country music legend apparently remained determined to keep the people she loved from worrying about her.
While we knew that Dolly had had some health issues, news of her death came as a shock to fans around the world. And, as it turns out, to some members of her own family.
During a new interview with CBS Mornings, Dolly’s sister, Stella Parton, revealed that the singer intentionally kept her diagnosis private from much of their extended family.
“Some of us knew, the ones of us that were closer,” Stella explained.
In other words, Dolly apparently wasn’t exactly sending out a family-wide memo about her health.
And there was a very Dolly reason for keeping everyone in the dark.
“She did not want people sad,” Stella said. “Dolly could not bear negative things.”
The country icon also didn’t want her millions of fans focusing on her illness rather than the joy she had spent her life spreading.
“She would not have wanted her fans worried about it,” Stella added.
That commitment to keeping things positive was apparently characteristic of Dolly right up until the end.
Her representatives announced after her death that she had “bravely” faced a brief battle with cancer before passing away at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville.
However, the family has not disclosed what type of cancer she had or how long she had been battling the disease.
Dolly’s niece, Jada Star, previously offered similar insight into the country icon’s decision to keep her health struggles private.
“She never wanted to worry anybody,” Star said earlier this month, explaining that the family “kept all that stuff real private.”
Dolly had experienced other health problems in the months before her death, including kidney and autoimmune issues, and canceled several public appearances.
But even as her health declined, she apparently remained focused on protecting everyone else from the reality of what she was going through.
That selflessness extended beyond her own family.
According to Stella, Dolly was even willing to undergo experimental treatments if doctors believed doing so could potentially help other patients in the future.
It was a fitting final chapter for a woman whose legacy extends far beyond music.
“She’d be really happy and delighted that people have shown her so much love,” Stella said of the massive outpouring of tributes following Dolly’s death.
She will be missed by millions for many years to come.
Dolly Parton’s Family Didn’t Know She Had Cancer, Sister Reveals was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
Riley Green is giving fans a closer look at the mindset and approach behind his music as he gears up to release his next album, That’s Just Me, on September 18.
On Wednesday, September 9, Spotify debuted the latest episode of its Countdown To video series, featuring Green as this week’s guest alongside host Pat McAfee. During their conversation, the country star opened up about everything from his songwriting process and the achievements that mean the most to him, how his collaborations come together organically and more.
One of the biggest takeaways from the episode was when the Alabama native explained how he often puts himself in the listener’s shoes when making decisions about every aspect of his career. He explained that he often considers what fans want to hear and experience rather than focusing on what he personally wants to play or record.
“I look at everything I do in my career as a fan. What would I want to see my favorite artist do? You know when I’m on stage performing how would I want to make my setlist? It’s not necessarily the songs I want to play—it’s what does somebody that bought that ticket, that saved up, that works a construction job, what do they want to see me do?”
The same approach carries over into his album-making process. When Green goes into the studio to make a record, he asks himself, “what does that person want to hear me sing about?” At the same time, he has never lost sight of the stories and experiences that shaped him. He makes a point to stay connected to his Alabama roots and the values he grew up with by bringing those influences into every record.
“I always tend to make sure I find a way to write from that same place that got me here, which is a small town in Alabama where I grew up. So I always try to go home and write, you know, at least 4 or 5 songs going to be on every record from that mindset of just how I grew up and my family values.”
That connection to home has given Green plenty of songs that are inspired emotions and experiences of his own life. While those personal stories remain a big part of his catalog, he stressed the importance of having a balance between those stories and songs that anyone can relate to.
“I love those types of songs—sad country songs, story type songs, and then you got to have those…just fun, easy listening [songs] that makes you want to hold a beer up at a show,” Green told McAfee.
Beyond finding the right balance in his songwriting, Riley Green also uses each album as an opportunity to step outside of his comfort zone.
“Every record, I want to try to push myself musically a little bit into something that I’m not necessarily comfortable with,” he explained.
With his upcoming fourth studio album, That’s Just Me, Green is stepping into a new chapter with even more vulnerability, as many of the tracks were written and recorded during a pivotal period in his life and career. This collection of songs will mark yet another achievement in an already impressive list of career milestones.
Riley Green has already accomplished a lot throughout his time as a country star, like earning recognition from both the CMA and ACM Awards, solidifying himself as one of country music’s most undeniable forces and racking up seven No. 1 songs to date. But when asked if he has a “North Star” or a major goal he’s hoping to achieve, Green simply explained that he does not consider himself to be “goal-oriented” and that he judges success different than fans might expect.
“I can’t think of things in my music career where I thought, ‘man, I’ve got to accomplish that.’ And then when I get there, I’m like, yes, awards, you know what I mean? The moments that stand out to me were playing the Grand Ole Opry and my grandparents being there. That was awesome. You know, number one records, great. And getting recognized at awards shows by your peers is a huge deal. Red Rocks was a really cool one. But for me, it was more like, I saw all the opportunities that I had, and I just felt like, man, I need to get as much out of this as I can.”
He went on to say that he often thinks about how many people would love the opportunity to do what he gets to do every day. That perspective helps him keep himself in check, especially when he catches himself complaining about opportunities that others would consider a dream come true.
“So I think that mine is—opposed to being like ‘this is my goal on the board I need to get to that,’ it’s more just like ‘man, I’m going to keep my head down and grind and see where that gets me.’”
The “Think As You Drunk” singer is currently in the midst of his largest headlining tour to date, his Cowboy As It Gets Tour, which will take him to major cities and arenas across the country through December.
The post Riley Green Opens Up About Keeping His Fans at the Heart of His Music appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Luke Bryan and Luke Combs haven’t announced any plans to perform at the 2026 CMAs, but we’ve got a theory they’re planning something. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country