Latest news with #Irresistible
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Musk, billionaires took over Wisconsin Supreme Court race. The joke is on us.
Imagine for a second that Wisconsin's supposedly "nonpartisan" Supreme Court race — which is likely to surpass $100 million and has been transformed into a sensational proxy war waged by national political players — is actually an elaborate ruse. Picture waking up after today's election to discover that Wisconsinites tolerated months of crass attack ads, political mudslinging and endless fundraising emails, not because we enjoy partisan theatrics, but because we had a secret plan all along. What if all that cash pouring into our state wasn't just evaporating into the deep pockets of media conglomerates, dark money groups and consultants with questionable fashion choices? Instead, imagine that Wisconsin had willingly volunteered as the nation's off-cycle battleground, slyly goading billionaires into spending absurd amounts of money on this spectacle, only to divert those millions toward something meaningful — like funding a comprehensive cleanup of toxic PFAs and providing drinking water filtration systems for our most affected communities? Now that would be an April Fools Day prank. But that's not what's happening. Instead, that is actually the (slightly edited) plot of Jon Stewart's mediocre 2020 political comedy, 'Irresistible.' If you subjected yourself to the terrible pronunciation of 'Wisconsin' and watched that movie, you might remember that the joke was that partisan political operatives descended on a small Wisconsin town, only to see their money wasted because — surprise, surprise! — the residents of 'Deerlaken' had actually used the consultants and their money to save their town. At the time when I watched it, I remember being really bothered that they chose a mayoral race because in Wisconsin, our mayoral races are nonpartisan. But that was before our record breaking nonpartisan Supreme Court race in 2023. And obviously also before our current nonpartisan Supreme Court race that is expected to double what was spent two years ago. So the joke isn't on the out-of-state consultants or the billionaires. It's on us. Because all that money is being spent on us. Not for us. Come tomorrow, that money might as well have evaporated into thin air, leaving behind a trail of division, frustrations and, frankly, nausea from having to explain to our kid, who is just trying to watch a March Madness game, what a 'rape kit' is. Think about what real problems that much money could solve across our state. Mental health services in schools. Affordable housing initiatives. Child care support. Job training programs. Imagine potholes getting fixed, roads and bridges improved and public transportation made more accessible and efficient. Opinion: Elon Musk petition in Wisconsin Supreme Court races makes mockery of free speech Imagine if it could help increase Medicaid reimbursements rates or find solutions to Wisconsin's water-quality crisis. Instead, that much money is used to pit neighbors against neighbors and floods our screens with relentless attack ads until we are numb to them. This election showcased the worst of politics: a nonstop circus of negativity complete with dark money groups secretly pulling strings and presidential endorsements inflaming tensions. These battles seem designed to alienate us further from our neighbors, making cooperation nearly impossible. But brace yourselves, because we don't even get the luxury of taking a breather after this. Editorial: Elon Musk's despicable disinformation tampers with WI Supreme Court election We're going to have to do it all over again in 2026. And again in 2027. And 2028. And 2029. Six consecutive years of Wisconsin Supreme Court races, and that's not even counting the regular chaos of everyday politics and the 2026 midterms or the 2028 presidential election. We've become the perpetual battleground where sanity goes to die. But it doesn't have to be this way. Every system in place has been imagined into being by human beings. We can imagine something new. It starts with us demanding meaningful reforms around campaign finance from our state legislators. Opinion: I'm the father of son with Down syndrome. Using the 'R' word is never acceptable. Wisconsinites deserve a system where judicial candidates don't owe their seats to wealthy donors or special interest groups, but instead represent the broad electorate as intended. Research consistently shows that judicial elections influence how judges preside over cases and the decisions they ultimately make, fundamentally undermining the principle of judicial impartiality itself. Wisconsinites deserve transparency and accountability in how these races are funded. The current model of endless financial warfare benefits few and exhausts many. It's time to put people over profits and community over conflict. I can confidently say, Wisconsinites across the political spectrum are weary and have an appetite for change. Can we dare to imagine a world where April 2 marks the start of something better — or will it simply be another frustrating day in an endless loop of costly political games? The joke's on us, Wisconsin — but it doesn't have to stay this way. Kristin Brey is the "My Take" columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: WI Supreme Court election has become billionaire playground | Opinion
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
In the Dock: Man caught with drugs two days before Christmas among cases heard
The following cases were heard at Southampton Magistrates' Court: MATTHEW LONG, 36, of Burgess Road, Southampton, admitted theft after he jointly stole four Moncler coats worth £5,840 from Flannels in Southampton on November 11, 2024. He will next appear before the court on July 10. HAILEY ROSS, 45, of Church Lane, Southampton, admitted making threats to kill a man in Southampton on February 22. She will appear before the same court on April 11. PIOTRY PRUSZAK, 44, of Paynes Road, Southampton, admitted assault by beating a man in Southampton on July 1, 2024. He also admitted theft of items worth £30.44 from The Range, Southampton, on July 1, 2024. He was ordered to pay a fine of £293 and £50 compensation. He must also pay prosecution costs of £100 and a £117 surcharge. READ MORE: Man accused of serious assault of boy at train station appears in court JORDAN ROBINSON, 24, of Wilverley Place, Blackfield, admitted assault by beating after assaulting a man in Southampton on July 28, 2024. He is now subject to a 12-month community order and must complete 80 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay prosecution costs of £85. ELENA SCIRTU, 27, of Kingsley Road, Southampton, admitted criminal damage after she damaged the window and windscreen of a vehicle belonging to a man, in Kingsley Road on November 10 of last year. She will next appear before the same court on May 16. COLIN WOOD, 42, of Shakespeare Avenue, Southampton, admitted a charge of possession of a Class B drug after he was found with 22 grams of cannabis in Southampton on December 23, 2024. He also admitted a charge of theft after he stole two 'Irresistible' cheese packets, one beef burger, one cabbage, two packets of beef mince, one onion and one packet of cherry tomatoes worth £25.50 from Co-op in Southampton on December 9, 2024.
Fox News
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Jessica Simpson was 'afraid' of herself before finding sobriety seven years ago
Jessica Simpson is reflecting on a fearful time in her life. In a new interview with The Cut, Simpson – who recently split from husband Erik Johnson – opened up about the positive impact her sobriety has had on her personal and professional life, and shares why she was "a little afraid" of herself while drinking alcohol. "Around 2016, '17, I was writing out here in Los Angeles with some of the biggest hitmakers. I have songs from those times that I never released because they just didn't feel like me," she said. "Every time I would write, I was a little afraid of myself. It was almost too much, especially because I was drinking at the time." "But once I gave up the alcohol, the fears just diminished. They went away. And it was so much easier for me to access myself artistically," she continued. "I overthought it when I drank," she added. "Making this record wasn't about having a hit. It was just about having a vibe. There's really not a lot of that in Los Angeles right now. It's formulaic. I wanted to break that mold for myself personally. I don't care if anything's a hit. I'm not with a record label. I don't expect it to even be on the radio." A representative for Simpson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Simpson celebrated seven years of sobriety in November. "7yrs ago today I walked myself into the light of being alcohol free," she wrote on Instagram. Her post was met with a wave of support from fans and friends. "So brave for sharing your honesty! Addiction has touched everyone I know… Keep up the battle," one user commented. "Bravo," John Stamos wrote. In 2023, Simpson told E! News, "Not drinking has been the best thing I've ever done for myself. I have so much clarity." She continued, "I like to be present when I'm in conversation with people. I like to absorb what other people are thinking, and I like to listen. That kind of blocked me from feeling my life. I'm feeling it now, and I love it." "It's also good to keep the extra pounds off, I will say," Simpson added, "especially during the holidays." Since her split from Johnson, the "Irresistible" singer recently told People magazine that she's created "sexy" music as her latest project, "Nashville Canyon, Part 1," is a collection of five soul- and rockabilly-infused tunes. "Discovering this music is something I did on my own," Simpson said. "Thank God I had Nashville, it was just a way of me owning myself and declaring it." Simpson described her first single, "Use My Heart Against Me," as "a sexy song to write." "I woke up with that lyric in my head," she said. "It's kind of craving someone that you want again, and you don't care if your heart is used against you – if it's just for one night. Like, give it over, just for the experience again." "I didn't necessarily want it at the beginning of writing this record. I was in a different place," she continued. "I am a woman now, and I can do what I want and to have freedom in music – I think that's what you're going to feel in 'Nashville Canyon.'"
Fox News
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Jessica Simpson admits her 'heart gets tossed around' one month after split from husband
Jessica Simpson made a candid confession about where her relationship landed with her estranged husband one month after they decided to call it quits. As Simpson, 44, and ex Eric Johnson, 45, made the decision to split after 10 years of marriage, the singer opened up about how creating new music has helped her heart heal. "I've grown up so much. I can handle so much," she told People magazine. "Maybe I'm just meant to love a lot of people in my life." "I don't know why my heart gets tossed around, but I'm one of the lucky ones," she added. "At least I have my children and I still have Eric. He's still very much a part of my life and will always be." The couple tied the knot in 2014 and share three children — daughters Maxwell and Birdie and son Ace. "I don't know why my heart gets tossed around, but I'm one of the lucky ones." In January, Simpson shared that the couple "have been living separately," but did not reveal any details on the timeline of their split. "Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage," Simpson said in a statement to People. "Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family." Since the couple's breakup, the "Irresistible" singer shared that she's created "sexy" music as her latest project, "Nashville Canyon, Part 1," is a collection of five soul- and rockabilly-infused tunes. "Discovering this music is something I did on my own," Simpson told the outlet in the new interview. "Thank God I had Nashville, it was just a way of me owning myself and declaring it." Simpson described her first single, "Use My Heart Against Me," as "a sexy song to write." "I woke up with that lyric in my head," she said. "It's kind of craving someone that you want again, and you don't care if your heart is used against you — if it's just for one night. Like, give it over, just for the experience again." She added, "I didn't necessarily want it at the beginning of writing this record. I was in a different place." The pop star reflected on her illustrious music career, telling the outlet, "I am a woman now, and I can do what I want and to have freedom in music — I think that's what you're going to feel in 'Nashville Canyon.'" Johnson was spotted without his wedding ring in November, as Simpson began working on a musical comeback. In December, Simpson shared a glamorous photo of herself sitting next to some musical gear while wearing a white romper with a black fishnet midriff paired with matching black fishnets and platform boots. "I can't wait for y'all to hear the soundtrack of my soul," she wrote on social media.
Buzz Feed
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Jessica Simpson Revealed Where She Stands With Ex Eric Johnson After Their Separation
Jessica Simpson is starting a new chapter. In anticipation of the release of her new single "Use My Heart Against Me" from her EP Nashville Canyon, Jessica opened up about her relationship with Eric Johnson following their separation. After 10 years of marriage, Jessica told People earlier this year that they had been "living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage." The singer and former NFL player began dating in 2010 and were married four years later. They share three children, Maxwell "Maxi" Drew, 12, Ace Knute, 11, and Birdie Mae, 5. "Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family," Jessica told People back in January. On Feb. 19, Jessica shared with People how creating music in Nashville has helped her process the separation and rediscover her voice. "I've grown up so much. I can handle so much," she told the publication. "Maybe I'm just meant to love a lot of people in my life." Regarding her relationship with Eric after their separation, Jessica remains optimistic. "I don't know why my heart gets tossed around but I'm one of the lucky ones," Jessica recollected. "At least I have my children and I still have Eric. He's still very much a part of my life and will always be." According to People, Jessica and Eric continue to co-parent their three kids while she's creating her EP, which is described as "five soul and rockabilly infused songs." "Discovering this music is something I did on my own," she added. "Thank God I had Nashville, it was just a way of me owning myself and declaring it." From her pop music, like her second studio album Irresistible (2001), to the country sound of her sixth Do You Know (2008), Jessica's been in the game for a minute; she's come a very long way. "I am a woman now and I can do what I want and to have freedom in music — I think that's what you're going to feel in Nashville Canyon." Theo Wargo / WireImage, Bruce Gifford / FilmMagic
