Chuck Baltzell can be found whipping up culinary delights at the Haines Senior Center – most of the time. He was running the grill for the Southeast Alaska State Fair Volunteer Appreciation dinner last week. Baltzell’s approximately 98 burgers were served with side items made by board members for volunteers to enjoy before Dalton City Limits. The three person band The Road Dogs, made up of Ryan Irvin, Will Steinfeld and Rashah McChesney,opened the…
The Haines Senior Village would like to give a big thank you to the Chilkat Valley Community Foundation for the recent grant we received for new sidewalks at the Village. The safety of our senior residents and community members is so important. This grant will allow us to replace the old, deteriorating, cracked and sunken sidewalks on the courtyard side of the Village. Thank you so very much, on behalf of the Board of Directors,…
I am of the opinion that one of the reasons for the precipitous decline in Southeast Alaska State Fair volunteers is the Fair management’s public endorsement and abetting of LGBTQ+ issues for a child-centered event.
Tom Spencer, former volunteer train engineer
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So far, 2026 has been full of fast food launches centered around improvements to menu items that customers have already tried, and people have plenty to say.
Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews
“He does raise the bar.” Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Eric Church was honored for his unwavering generosity during the 19th ACM Honors on Wednesday evening. Surrounded by his family, including his wife, mother, father, sister and brother-in-law, Church took the stage to deliver a heartfelt acceptance speech reflecting on the role music has played throughout his life and how it ultimately became a catalyst for giving back.
Church spoke about the opportunities his career has afforded him to help others, particularly through the efforts he has supported across his home state of North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. For Church, the ability to use his platform to make a difference has become one of the most meaningful parts of his journey in music.
“And here’s the thing, I believe that God made music the universal language. I believe that that was decreed when King David wrote the first song. And you forget what music can do and who it can speak to,” he said.
Church revealed that “because of music” they are putting a 37th family in a home in Western North Carolina with 41 more on the way in a neighboring county.
“And it was because of music that happened. It’s changing those lives. It’s changing their kids’ lives. It’s changing their future,” he declared.
The ACM Lifting Lives Award honors the contributions of Gary Haber, a business manager and past president of ACM Lifting Lives. This award is presented to a Country Music artist, duo/group, or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others. It is voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors.
Church was honored for his longstanding commitment to giving back and his continued efforts to support communities in need. In particular, the award recognizes his extensive work helping North Carolina recover and rebuild following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
Church’s efforts began with the Concert for Carolina, which he co-organized with Luke Combs to raise funds for hurricane relief. He later donated all of the royalties from his song “Darkest Hour” to support those impacted by the disaster. Rather than stopping there, Church continued looking for ways to help after recognizing a gap in long-term support for communities working to rebuild.
Through his charitable organization, Chief Cares, which he founded in 2013, Church has worked to strengthen communities through hands-on support, compassion and long-term investment. His work in North Carolina now includes Blue Haven, a housing initiative focused on building rent-free, mortgage-free homes for families as the region continues its recovery.
Church has also donated millions of dollars to causes around the world, including orphanages in Nepal, disaster relief efforts in Haiti and no-kill animal shelters. His connection to ACM Lifting Lives also runs deep, having participated in the organization’s 2021 Ad Council and COVID Collaborative public service announcement during the 56th ACM Awards.
Church was honored with a performance from Sheryl Crow, who took the stage to deliver a performance of his hit “Drink In My Hand.”
The 19th ACM Honors also recognized artists such as Ella Langley, songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon, country icon Bill Anderson, and more.
The post Eric Church Reflects on the Power of Music While Accepting ACM Lifting Lives Award appeared first on Country Now.
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There might be no position that’s tougher to play in the NFL than cornerback. Oftentimes, cornerbacks are tasked with having to stop opposing receivers by themselves, being forced to be in lockstep with them for a few seconds and potentially swatting the ball away. So, which cornerbacks are the best at holding their own against opposing wide receivers? We ranked the 10 best cornerbacks in the NFL ahead of the 2026 NFL season. The position might not get as much buzz as edge rusher, but several cornerbacks bring a ton of value. Denver Broncos star Pat Surtain II won Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, and Seattle Seahawks standout Devon Witherspoon just became the highest-paid player in the history of the position after helping his team to a Super Bowl title. Let’s take a closer look at our top 10 cornerbacks in the NFL. Ben Arthur: Gardner hasn’t been able to recreate the highs of his first two NFL seasons, when he was a first-team All-Pro. Traded midseason last year from the New York Jets to the Colts, Gardner also battled injuries to finish 2025. But his elite physical traits and youth (24 years old) can get him back into the top-five conversation at his position. Prior to his Colts’ debut in Week 10 last season, the former No. 4 overall pick had faced No. 1 receivers at the NFL’s highest rate (minimum of 125 matchups), according to Next Gen Stats. He’d also forced tight window throws at the highest rate in the league (52%). Ralph Vacchiano: The real beauty of DeJean is that he might eventually be good and versatile enough to land on this list and the top 10 safeties too. He has mostly played slot corner for the Eagles, but he’s dabbled at safety and the Eagles seem intent on playing him there even more in their base defense in 2026. It’s hard to take him out of the slot, though, where he’s emerged as an All-Pro and still hasn’t allowed a touchdown in his two NFL seasons. DeJean exploded last season with two interceptions and 16 passes deflected, and that’s after he showed off his big-game chops as a rookie with his Super Bowl pick-six. With his speed, range and instincts, the Eagles can play him literally anywhere in their defensive backfield. And they probably will. Greg Auman: Horn, 26, had as many interceptions last year (five) as in his first four years in Carolina combined, with two games with two picks. The Panthers gave the former first-round pick a four-year, $100 million contract last year, and he’s made the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons. Carolina’s defense was middling last year — 16th in points and yards allowed — and that will need to improve if they want a winning record in 2026 or a repeat as NFC South champs. Horn staying healthy is ultimately the key — he played in just 22 of 51 games his first three years in Carolina, but has missed just three games in the last two seasons. Bucky Brooks: The crafty CB1 is a masterful technician who routinely blankets elite wideouts on the perimeter. Ward can match speedsters stride for stride while mixing in enough physicality to disrupt their flow and rhythm on the outside. He also shows outstanding instincts, awareness, and ball skills contesting throws in his area, whether playing bump-and-run or sitting and clueing the quarterback from distance. Ward’s consistency and steadiness in coverage make it easy to build a game plan around his talents on the island. Vacchiano: Mitchell gets overlooked a lot, even on his own team, but it’s only a matter of time before everyone knows him. He finished second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting two years ago and was an All-Pro last season, even though he’s still looking for his first regular-season interception. Don’t let that stat quirk fool you, though. He has four interceptions in five career playoff games, and in the regular season, he has 29 pass deflections in his 32 starts. And opposing offensive coordinators and quarterbacks are wising up and doing their best to avoid throwing in his direction. The public recognition will come when the interception numbers increase. But Philly’s secret is out all over the NFL, where they know he soon may be in the conversation for the best corner in the league. Eric D. Williams: Part of a handful of significant offseason acquisitions that include trading for Myles Garrett and signing teammates Jaylen Watson, McDuffie offers versatility for the Rams, with an ability to play on the perimeter and inside as a slot defender. A two-time All-Pro, McDuffie won two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs, totaling three interceptions, 34 pass breakups, and eight forced fumbles in four seasons. A Southern California native, McDuffie joins his hometown team and a Rams squad that was in need of a significant upgrade in the secondary. The Rams allowed Sam Darnold to throw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game. Williams: The Illinois product recently signed a new deal, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history ($33 million annually). On the field, Witherspoon is the tone setter for one of the best defenses in the league, with an ability to impact the game as a sticky coverage defender, a sure tackler in the running game and an effective blitzer. With the help of Witherspoon, the Seahawks held opposing quarterbacks to a league-low six yards per completion in 2025. Henry McKenna: Look no further than the Super Bowl to see Gonzalez’s value. Look no further than his insane, layout pass breakup on Rashid Shaheed. That game was an absolute rout — with really one exception: Gonzalez was dominant. And because quarterback Drake Maye’s play declined in the playoffs, it’s safe to say that Gonzalez was the Patriots’ best player in 2025 when including the postseason. In 21 games last year, he allowed 55 catches on 117 targets (second most in the NFL) with a 47% completion rate, two touchdowns and one interception. Teams kept testing him. He kept denying anything that came his way. Arthur: After injury issues plagued the end of his LSU tenure and start of his NFL career, few defensive players have been more dominant than Stingley. He’s the ultimate playmaker — 14 interceptions and 46 pass breakups since 2023 — and has been virtually unstoppable in coverage. The former No. 3 overall pick allowed a completion rate of just 37.9% when targeted in zone last season, the lowest mark by any qualified defender since at least 2018, according to Next Gen Stats. Stingley played arguably the best ball of his career last season during the Texans’ nine-game winning streak, allowing zero yards three times (!) and not more than 45 in any of the other six. Brooks: There aren’t many shutdown corners in today’s game, but the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year meets the criteria with his sticky coverage and versatile game. Surtain is a rare find: a high-IQ defender with A-plus man-to-man skills, plus exceptional zone awareness and playmaking ability. As a scheme-friendly playmaker who is comfortable shadowing WR1s or playing strictly on the outside, the two-time All-Pro is a defensive coach’s dream as a CB1.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
Bunnie Xo is giving fans a glimpse into what life looks like two months after news broke that she and her husband, Jelly Roll, had filed for divorce.
The Dumb Blonde podcast host recently joined TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones to discuss her New York Times bestselling memoir Stripped Down, its upcoming film adaptation and the new chapter she is embracing following the end of her marriage.
During the conversation, Bunnie made it clear that she is doing well and feels excited about everything ahead of her.
“Ladies, they should have never let me back out in the streets because I love it here. I love it here and I’m never going back,” she stated honestly.
She went on to reflect on how the difficult experience has pushed her to prioritize herself in every aspect of her life, something she hopes to now encourage other women to do while reminding them that even the hardest chapters can eventually lead to something better.
“I feel like us as women, we put ourselves aside so much for partners, friends, kids, and it’s like we don’t pour into ourselves. And sometimes you need to be selfish, and you need to pour into yourself. And I just hope my journey can show people like, ‘hey, you know what? It doesn’t matter how hard of a situation you’re going through, you’re going to get through that. You’re going to rise up and you’re going to be an even better version of yourself.’”
Comparing herself to a racehorse, Bunnie says that she has continued to keep her blinders on and just get to the finish line in an attempt to ignore the constant opinions and commentary being thrown at her amid the very public divorce.
“I know when something like that, that’s deeply personal happens, it’s beautifully tragic, but at the same time there’s always a silver lining and there’s always something better to look forward to,” she continued. “I mean, there’s so much more to talk about with me especially and with women than their past levers and people in their lives. And I mean my book, my movie, this new deal that I just signed with Audacy. There’s just so much.”
While enjoying a “baddie Bunnie summer,” the author reveals she has gotten her smile back and has received countless DM’s from potential love interests, claiming it’s a “boy buffet.”
“I’m having the freaking time of my life and I’m just thriving. And I never thought that it would turn out to be such a blessing, but it’s such a blessing and I’m so thankful.”
Bunnie has been staying busy simply enjoying her life and all the new people she meets along the way while celebrating her New York Times Best Selling memoir, Stripped Down and even more projects ahead. The podcast host revealed that her deeply personal life story is being adapted into a movie and even joked that she would love to see Danny McBride portray her.
“So crazy because when they told me that it was going to become a movie, it was just another thing where I was just like, oh my God, I cannot believe this is happening. The universe is just rewarding me so much. And I’m just so thankful.”
On top of that, she is also going to be attending school online at Arizona State University. She chose not to say too much about what she will be studying but hinted that it has something to do with her mission to create her own line of biochemical hormones to help women. This is a subject close to her heart as she has been going through her own difficult IVF journey.
“After going through the IVF journey and stuff like that and realizing how much it really does mess up women’s hormones, that’s what I’m going to school to study. I don’t want to say exactly what it is, but I definitely want to come out with my own line of biochemical hormones to help women because I think people need to talk about hormones for women.”
Just days after news of her divorce from Jelly Roll went public, Bunnie Xo dropped a new episode of the Dumb Blonde Podcast, where she addressed rumors surrounding the split, opened up about what led to the end of their marriage, and discussed she and the country star’s plans to continue growing their family.
When hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones asked if she still plans to have a baby, Bunnie explained, “I definitely still want to have a baby, and that’s going to be one of the newest chapters in my next book. And I can’t wait for you guys to read about it because it has been one hell of a journey, let me tell you.”
Back in June, TMZ reported that the hitmaker filed for divorce in Tennessee in May, citing court records obtained by the publication.
According to sources who spoke with the outlet, the decision to end the marriage was mutual and remains a private family matter.
The couple first met in 2015 at one of his concerts on Fremont Street in Las Vegas and quickly formed a connection. They went on to tie the knot on August 31, 2016.
The post Bunnie Xo Admits She’s ‘Thriving’ Two Months After Jelly Roll Divorce appeared first on Country Now.
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Dolly Parton was honored with the ACM Poet’s Award on Wednesday, Aug. 20, recognizing her extraordinary contributions as one of country music’s most gifted and influential songwriters.
Although Parton was unable to attend the ACM Honors ceremony in person, she accepted the prestigious honor virtually through a special video message.
“Dolly here! And I just want to send a very special thank you to the Academy of Country Music for honoring me with the Poet’s Award. You know, I’ve been able to do many things throughout my life, but at my core, songwriting has always been the most important part of who I am creatively. Every dream I ever had and all the dreams that I’ve been able to see come true in life, well they all started with a song.”
Parton continued, “Songwriting has been my therapy; songwriting has been my release, my joy. Songwriting has been a gift from God that has allowed me to touch people with words and music. So thank you God, and thank you fans around the world and everyone at ACM for giving me this very special award.”
Prior to the award presentation, hosts Carly Pearce and Parker McCollum helped kick off the evening with a special tribute to Parton. The pair joined forces to perform her iconic Kenny Rogers duet, “Islands in the Stream.” Pearce then teamed up with Kaitlin Butts and Carter Faith for a performance of “9 to 5.”
The ACM Poet’s Award recognizes the lasting impact Parton has made on country music through her extraordinary songwriting career. The 13-time ACM Award winner and three-time ACM Awards host has spent decades turning personal experiences, heartbreak, faith and everyday life into songs that have become part of the fabric of country music.
Parton’s songwriting legacy includes some of the genre’s most recognizable and enduring songs, including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Throughout her career, Parton has also received multiple ACM Song of the Year nominations for songs including “You’re the Only One,” “9 to 5” and “When I Get Where I’m Going.”
The ACM Poet’s Award adds another major honor to a career already filled with them, celebrating not just Parton’s success as an artist, but the words and stories that have made her music timeless.
The 19th ACM Honors, presented by TennPop, also recognized Eric Church, Ella Langley, songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon, and many more.
The post Dolly Parton Misses ACM Honors but Accepts Prestigious Poet’s Award Via Video appeared first on Country Now.
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The brand Smithfield has some of the best meats on the market, and these meats from that brand are perfect for your next barbecue, from ribs to pork loin.
Food Republic – Restaurants, Reviews, Recipes, Cooking Tips
