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Disco legend Donna Summer has died after a battle with cancer, TMZ is reporting. She was 63 years old.

Insiders say she wanted to keep the disease quiet, and a friend said that as recently as two weeks ago, Summer seemed okay and was even finishing up work on a new album.

The five-time Grammy winner shot to fame in the 1970s with songs like ‘Love to Love You Baby,’ ‘Hot Stuff’ and ‘Bad Girls,’ and continued her reign on radio airwaves into the ’80s with hits including ‘She Works Hard for the Money’ and ‘This Time I Know It’s for Real.’

Summer was also the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach No. 1 on the US Billboard chart.

[TMZ]

Zach, an undergrad from Reed College, was recently a contestant on Wheel of Fortune. He did well through all the rounds and ended up in the “Bonus Round”. It was there that he failed miserably. Vanna turned around all the letters and to you and me, it is obvious what it is supposed to be. This guy went through the alphabet of every possible answer EXCEPT the right one!

I guess when you are under the gun, you really do space out.

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When you go to the garden shop at your local Wal-Mart, you wouldn’t expect to run into a rattlesnake. Unfortunately, one Washington man did and might sue the retail giant.

Mica Craig went into the garden center in Clarkston, Washington looking for a bag of mulch. He moved what he thought was a stick. That turned out to be a rattlesnake that turned and bit his hand.

Fortunately, another shopper rushed him to the hospital where he got six rounds of anti-venom that saved his life. Unfortunately, his hand may be disfigured for the rest of his life.

Reports say he is “weighing his legal options”. Now that’s the one statement I personally have a problem with. You got bit by a snake that you picked up. Now you are thinking about suing Wal-Mart? Why? Because they had a snake in their outdoor garden center? Seriously?

I understand that businesses have to take precautions to protect their customers. They have to make sure they are rodent free, bug free, spill free and trip hazard free. Who would have thought a rattlesnake would come into a garden center? That’s the last place I would have expected to see one!

So really, this guy is going to file a lawsuit against Wal-Mart. Here’s a scenario – this same guy is in his own garage and mistakes the same rattlesnake as a stick and picks it up. The snake bites him. Who does he sue? Himself? The city? Maybe the snake?

These types of lawsuits really get under my skin. They take up time in the courtroom that should be dedicated to the real offenses against mankind. Wal-Mart didn’t plant the snake in their garden center. They didn’t put mice out there to lure it in. I’m sure if they knew it was there, they would have called someone to come get it out immediately – which they did once this guy was bit.

Maybe I’m in the minority. So you tell me – Should Wal-Mart be held liable for his bills or is this case a waste of the court’s time?

The commercial features the group under the stage getting ready to go back out for an encore. Hillary says, “Pass me some of that Lipton” to quench her thirst. Dave and Charles also enjoy a cold tea.

The point behind the ad is that if Lady A can enjoy tea and put on a stellar performance, imagine what it could do for you.

Did they sell you on Lipton Tea?

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You remember Carrie Underwood‘s Before He Cheats song right? She smashes up his truck while he’s out for a night on the town. What happens next? Carrie and Jimmy Kimmel tell you in this funny video!

Jimmy and Carrie team up for Before You Freak. In the video it is discovered that Carrie has bashed the wrong truck in the parking lot and she should really think “Before You Freak”.

Carrie stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live to perform and while she was there they two teamed up for this hilarious spoof on her own song.

You can see Carrie live on the road when she visits Minnesota later this fall. Until then, enjoy a laugh on us!

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Canadian geese are notorious for protecting their young – whether they are just eggs or have actually hatched. They don’t care who you are or where you are going – even if it’s just to work.

People make the mistake all the time of getting too close to the nest or the babies and the male will come after you hissing, flapping his wings and trying to attack you to get you to leave the area. Kids get flogged most of the time because they want to play with the geese – not a good idea!

Recently, this guy was just going to work, minding his own business, when a goose started to attack him. Luckily he had a newspaper handy and thwarted off the goose. His friends were upstairs, in the office, and captured it all on film to share with the world!

But wait, there’s more! Someone decided to have them fight with light sabers and the video is just a little more funny!

Warner Bros.

Limited releases aside, there’s only one movie you need to worry about seeing this weekend — Tim Burton’s ‘Dark Shadows.’

Johnny Depp revises the role of cursed vampire Barnaby Collins, originally portrayed by Jonathan Frid. After a jealous witch (Angelique Bouchard) casts a spell on Collins and imprisons him inside a coffin, he awakens centuries later to find that his family’s once-grand estate is in shambles. Not only must he help save his family and business before they fall into bankruptcy, but he also has to deal with the crazy-obsessive sorceress.

Here’s a sneak peek:

‘Dark Shadows’

Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, Bella Heathcote, Chloë Grace Moretz
Get Tickets & Showtimes

I found this video today and it sums up everything that is good about being a kid. You get to nap, you get to eat ice cream, you don’t have to worry that you have a sticky mess on your face. Why did I want to grow up again?

Abby Faulkner

It was just another day for Eric Johannes of St. Joseph, until he heard the cue to call and dialed the 11 digits that changed his week!

Eric was listening to 98.1FM, heard the cue to call and decided to give it a try. He dialed 1-877-854-9467. It was busy. He tried again. Still busy. The third try did the trick and he won $1000 instantly. Eric said he couldn’t believe that he actually won and is still in a bit of shock since scoring his cool grand.

You can win too every day in the month of May (except Memorial Day). Listen from 7am-7pm each weekday. When you hear the cue to call, you dial the number above. If you are caller 25 like Eric, you’ll win cash from Kia of St. Cloud on 98.1 FM – 98 Country!

Good Luck!

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Wynonna Judd has been one of my favorite singers since I was a young boy growing up in North Alabama. She is heading to 98 Country Bash on August 19 and bringing her new band The Big Noise with her.

One of my first memories of Wynonna was when she was performing with her mom, Naomi, as The Judds. The mother/daughter duo that helped pioneer women into country music. I remember sitting and listening to The Judds with my mom every chance we could. I had a cassette tape of their album Wynonna and Naomi and listening to it until the tape literally wore out.

I also remember seeing a Behind the Music type special on them several years later and it showed where Wynonna and her mom were constantly at each others throats on the road, they were fighting like mothers and daughters do and I just remember thinking, I couldn’t work with my mom or dad like that every day.

Why Not Me and Rockin’ With The Rhythm were their next two albums and those cassettes were also worn out from listening too much. Not only did I enjoy the sound of Wynonna and Naomi together, I felt a kindred spirit to Wynonna as the kid that didn’t get along with their parent.

Fast forward to a few years ago, Wynonna had come to town and I was able to go backstage to meet her. What a wonderful human being she is. Not only is she friendly and just real, she’s compassionate and caring. When she hugged me, it felt like I was hugging a long-lost friend and I didn’t want to let go.

CMT did a great piece on Wynonna last year as part of their 20 Greatest Women in Country Music.

Wynonna has had some big news over the last couple years. She’s getting married and has a brand new band that is touring with her. Check out Wynonna talking about how she named her band The Big Noise and see them performing together. If that doesn’t pump you up to see the show, I don’t know what else will!

Here’s Wy performing with The Big Noise and she’s playing the heck out of that harmonica!

And just this past New Year’s Eve, Wynonna performed at Mystic Lake Casino. One of my favorite songs from Wy is Why Not Me! Check it out!

Be sure to catch Wynonna on stage with Rodney Atkins, Craig Morgan, Sammy Kershaw, Steve Holy and more on Sunday, August 19 in Royalton at the 98 Country Bash!

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Before Carson Daly began ticking off the results of the second season of ‘The Voice,’ he told Jermaine Paul that “You are not a background singer anymore.” Of course the longtime Alicia Keys vocalist had proven himself as a featured act before being announced the winner on Tuesday night but, his win vindicated a career’s worth of hard work and sacrifice.

From the very first week of the NBC reality series, Paul seemed to be on a mission. He took each challenge a bit more seriously than the rest of his competition, often coming across as arrogant or cocky when in truth it was just intense focus. He cemented his win by singing ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ and then ‘Soul Man’ with his coach Blake Shelton on Monday night.

Less than four percentage points separated Paul and runner-up Juliet Simms. Tony Lucca finished third, just one-quarter of one percentage point ahead of Team Christina Aguilera‘s Chris Mann. It was a suspenseful finish to a two-hour long episode that featured pedestrian collaborations and superstar cameos like a performance from Lady Antebellum.

“Thank you for everybody that voted for me!” Paul shouted between tears after Daly read his name as the winner. He was soon joined on stage by his entire family, including a wife that hugged his neck while he tried to get through his victory song, an encore of ‘I Believe I Can Fly.’

“God bless y’all man. Nobody but Jesus man! Nobody!”

By winning the singing competition, the New York born Paul receives a $1 million recording contract. It’s likely Shelton will bring him to as many shows as time allows like he did with his season one finalist Dia Frampton. Although Paul’s schedule may be significantly more full, he’s already booked for the ‘Today’ show on Friday. Perhaps he’ll be able to get a few hours of sleep before the whirlwind begins, but he may not want to.

Watch Jermaine Paul React to Winning ‘The Voice’

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Hemker Park and Zoo in Freeport picked up this pair from two different zoos and hope to allow them to breed and add more pups back into the world.

Our videographer, Abby, and I visited the zoo and discovered a nice little zoo right in our backyard. While doing the story on the singing dogs, we saw penguins, zebra, camel, several breeds of monkeys, lots of birds and one very randy ostrich. He took quite the liking to Abby.

Check out the really cool singing dogs and all the other animals that you can see right now at Hemker Park and Zoo.

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On Monday we announced the 98 Country Bash coming to Royalton on Sunday, August 19. This morning Chris and Ricky announced a couple of more names to the lineup.

Rodney Atkins, Wynonna and Craig Morgan is already a strong lineup for the first ever country concert in the St. Cloud area. Now the lineup gets even better with the addition of Sammy Kershaw and Steve Holy.

Tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10am for the general public at the 98 Country Studios at 640 Lincoln Ave. SE in St. Cloud or online at redtrucktickets.com. You can also charge by phone at 515-657-6128.

98 Country Club Members will be able to purchase tickets on Friday at 10am online only with a special pre-sale pass code. On Thursday, an email will be sent to all 98 Country Club members. Make sure your account is up to date now with your correct email address to insure delivery of the Country Club email.

Ticket Prices:

The first 1000 GA tickets will be $24.98

After the first 1000 tickets are sold, GA tickets will be $32.50 with price increases as we get closer to the show.

The 98 Country Club Section Seats will be reserved seating in front of the stage. Those tickets are $55 each.

VIP tickets will be available for $125 each and will include 6 drinks, VIP seating and 2 meals – including a steak dinner.

*All prices are base price, additional tax and fees apply.*

The venue is the concert grounds on Highway 10 in Royalton (Halfway Jam Grounds).

Don’t miss your chance to be at the biggest end of summer BASH Central Minnesota has EVER seen! 98 Country Bash – August 19 in Royalton only with 98.1 FM – 98 Country!

Abby Faulkner

A few weeks back, we held a contest for Prom Relief. Ashley and Patrick were our winners after the vote. Saturday night was their prom night and Abby and I were along to capture it all.

The evening started with grand march at the high school. Abby (our videographer) and I caught up with Ashley and Pat before they hit the floor for grand march. They looked absolutely fantastic! The dress was perfect for Ashley and the pink actually looked good on Pat. They always say it takes a real man to wear pink and Pat certainly pulled it off.

Ashley told us she had a great time shopping for the dress and getting a tan at Ocean Breeze. The flowers they picked out from St. Cloud Floral complimented everything just perfectly.

The couple got a taste of the VIP treatment before prom, but I don’t think they were really ready for the attention a couple of cameras and a couple of crazy radio people will grab. As we were talking to them after grand march, we quickly became the center of attention of everyone exiting the gym.

The funniest part of the night for me was when everyone was getting into the limo. Between Ashley and Pat’s family, me and Abby, there had to be 20 cameras going off at the limo. Some random guy walked over thinking they were someone famous and started taking pictures. I heard him ask Abby, “Who are these people?” I had to laugh.

I can honestly say that Ashley and Patrick are two of the nicest young adults I have met. It was a pleasure to spend some time with them and share one of their biggest nights with them.

Abby Faulkner

On this week’s episode of “Outdoors Tip of the Week,” Jerry breaks down his strategy for finding the best pan fish spots on area lakes using maps.

Outdoors Tip of the Week is brought to you by Del-Tone Luth Gun Club.

The band has confirmed that their new album ‘Uncaged’ will be in stores this July, and I can’t wait! 2 years is too long to wait for new music from these guys.

Now kick back and relax while you watch this new video, because that’s exactly what this song is all about.

Jamie Squire/Rob Carr/Jamie Squire, Getty Images

One of the sporting world’s most anticipated events is the Kentucky Derby, set to open its gates this Saturday for the 138th running of the classic race, making it the oldest sporting event in American sports history.

Every inch of Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky is steeped in hallowed tradition that has made it one of the most iconic sporting events on the calendar, from the massive infield to the endless supply of mint juleps in silver cups. These traditions are so old and revered that you can argue American sports fans have made the Kentucky Derby more respected than the Super Bowl, the Masters and even the World Series. So how did it get its start and who or what shaped its many sights and traditions that have made it the jewel in horse racing’s highly coveted Triple Crown?

Where did Churchill Downs get its name?

Rob Carr, Getty Images

The famous track that hosts the oldest race in sports history got its start well before the first inaugural run of the Kentucky Derby. The first recorded horse races in Kentucky date back to 1783 on downtown Market Street and later in 1789 in public places like The Commons, a long stretch of “park-like” grass that made for a perfect racetrack for horses. These races led to the formation of more organized races over concerns for the public’s safety and the famed Kentucky Jockey Club in 1809.

The track that would host the famous Kentucky Derby wouldn’t come to fruition until a century later after Kentucky’s first public horse race. Land owners John and Henry Churchill sold a stretch of property to their nephew Col. M. Lewis Clark in 1874 after declining stock farms devalued the land for agriculture. Clark turned it into a racetrack and later, a newspaper reporter for the Louisville Commercial covering the ninth Kentucky Derby dubbed the track “Churchill Downs.”

How did the Kentucky Derby start?

Mike Powell/Allsport

Col. M. Clark Lewis, grandson of explorer William Clark of Lewis and Clark fame, toured Europe and the UK in his early 20s and became a dedicated student of the art of horse racing. He returned to Louisville to set down roots and wanted to bring the organized sport he fell in love with to his native land. In 1875, he formed the Louisville Jockey Club and created three races by basing them on three famous races in England: the English St. Leger, the Epsom Oaks and the Epsom Derby.

Who won the first Kentucky Derby?

EquinArt Creations

The inaugural run of the Kentucky Derby on May 17, 1875 awarded the first first-place trophy to a horse named Aristides and his African-American jockey Oliver Lewis. Even though racism and segregation were rampant during these times, many black jockeys rode horses in races. In fact, 13 of the 15 jockeys who rode in the first Kentucky Derby were black.

How did it become the “Run for the Roses”?

Al Bello, Getty Images

The association of roses with the race are almost as old as the race itself. The first derby day saw a number of very posh parties leading to the opening of the starting gate and roses were handed out to the lovely ladies in attendance. Clark loved the tradition so much that he adopted the rose as the race’s official flower. Then in 1896, the tradition was expanded to the racetrack when jockey Willie Simms and his horse Ben Brush received a beautiful bed of white and pink roses for winning the race. They switched to red roses in 1904 when the state of Kentucky made the red rose its official flower. The race received the nickname “Run for the Roses” in 1925 from New York sports writer Bill Corum.

Why do they drink mint juleps at the Kentucky Derby?

Jamie Squire, Getty Images

Actually, it’s the glass that the Kentucky Derby’s most popular drink is served in that helped make it such an iconic part of the race rather than the drink itself. Bourbon and whiskey-based drinks like the mint julep have long been associated with horse racing and the Kentucky Derby was no exception. The first glasses served to patrons at the race in 1938 were just water glasses, but they were so popular that they started disappearing at an alarming rate. So they started charging patrons a quarter if they wanted to keep the glasses as a souvenir.

Race organizers commissioned different styles and types of glasses over the years for patrons to purchase on race day. Churchill Downs was the only place in town to buy the special derby glasses until 1974 when several local retailers made their own to sell to the tourists.

Why is it the first leg of the Triple Crown?

Andy Lyons, Getty Images

The three races in the Triple Crown (the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore and the Belmont Stakes in New York) first ran together after the horse Gallant Fox won all three in 1930. The news prompted a New York Times sports reporter to dub the winner as a “Triple Crown hero,” a term taken from another series of horse races in England.

The race at Churchill Downs always traditionally ran first in the Triple Crown, but the Kentucky Derby was rescheduled in 1923 to the second Saturday in May to prevent a conflict with the Preakness. It continued to run second until 1932 where it has only run second twice since. The moniker Triple Crown helped earn the series of races more prestige in America as the nation’s premiere horse races.

What horse posted the fastest time at the Kentucky Derby?

Perhaps the most famous horse to grace the stage at the Kentucky Derby happened in 1973 when Secretariat posted the fastest time ever at 1:59 and 2/5ths of a second. Not only has his time gone almost 30 years without being broken, but he also took the Triple Crown. His time was almost beaten in 2001 by Monarchos, who went from 13th place to first en route to winning. His time failed to match Secretariat’s by less than a second.

Source: GuySpeed.com

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Whether you’re tight on cash or simply want to shower mom with gifts from the heart, opting for the do-it-yourself route is a great alternative to store bought treats. And even though she’ll love anything you get her, she’ll definitely notice — and appreciate — the extra bit of elbow grease you put into Mother’s Day this year.

Here are a few instructional videos on how to make creative Mother’s Day gifts from scratch.

1. Indoor Mini Planter

Have a mom with a green thumb? She’ll adore this precious planter.

2. Candy Bouquets

Instead of a floral arrangement this year, give mom an edible bouquet.

3. DIY Bath Bombs

Treat your mom to a spa day with these homemade bath bombs.

4. DIY Handprint Flower Card

Get the kiddos involved with this truly handmade card.

5. Paper Flower Gift Bag

Go DIY with the gift wrap, too, by making a decorative bag to hold your gifts for mom.

- Additional reporting by Wendy Gould

Jerry Carlson

On this special mid-week edition of “Outdoors Tip of the Week,” Jerry and fishing pal Charlie showcase how to get suckers ready for the smoking process.

Outdoors Tip of the Week is brought to you by Del-Tone Luth Gun Club.