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Good morning and a warm welcome to your show, Sunny Mornings in Boston.

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We're the daily podcast that gets you started on the right foot and always with a positive

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vibe.

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I'm your host, Melissa, and it's Saturday, February 17th.

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Welcome to your bonus episode.

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In this episode, we'll recap all the best news from the week with local news, top sports

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news, tech and science news, as well as business and entertainment.

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But first, we'll start with the weather.

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Here we go.

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This morning, it's cloudy skies and feels like 21 degrees with 5 mile per hour wind.

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The sunset will take place at 5.18 p.m. and it will rise again tomorrow at 6.37 a.m.

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It looks like we're in for a slight chance of snow after 10 a.m., then mostly cloudy

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with a high near 37 and southwest wind 6 to 9 mile per hour in the afternoon.

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Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tonight, partly cloudy with a low around 20 and wind of 8 to 10 mile per hour.

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The first low tide Saturday will be at 11.30 a.m. with a high tide just before 6 p.m.

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The nearshore buoy at Cape Cod Bay reads 39 degrees for the water temperature.

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Looking ahead in the weather, we'll see a chilly, partly sunny Sunday with highs around

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36 and brisk southwest wind cooling to 28 degrees at night.

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Washington's birthday and Tuesday will be sunny with highs gradually warming to 40 degrees.

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Nights remain clear with lows in the low to mid 20s.

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Wednesday turns partly sunny with a slightly warmer high near 43.

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Now let's check out the local news.

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In Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, a stunning event called Bostonhenge occurs where the

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sunset aligns perfectly with east-west streets.

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This year, the best viewing is around Steward and Beacon Streets facing west.

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The phenomenon, reminiscent of Stonehenge's alignment with solstices, creates a striking

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orange glow.

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Local meteorologist Dave Epstein suggests Sunday's sunset at 5.08 p.m. offers the

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ideal angle with the effect lasting for about 15 minutes.

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If you missed it, another chance arrives in late October.

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This natural spectacle also occurs in New York City known as Manhattanhenge.

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Mark Wahlberg, renowned for his acting career, is expanding his footprint in the fitness

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industry by opening two new, F-45 training studios in the Boston area.

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The first gym is already welcoming fitness enthusiasts on Summer Street, while the second

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is slated to open in the North End later this year.

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Wahlberg, a Boston native, views this venture as an opportunity to positively impact the

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lives of locals.

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He's committed to visiting the gyms whenever he's in town, aiming to connect with the

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community that's close to his heart.

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In a thrilling Beanpot final at TD Garden, Northeastern secured a 4-3 overtime victory

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against Boston University, marking their fifth title in six years.

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Benner Wolf Fontaine emerged as the hero, scoring the decisive goal in the last minute

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of overtime.

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The Huskies' triumph was fueled by goals from Matt Demilus, Justin Rikowian, and Jack

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Williams alongside Fontaine's game winner.

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Northeastern's goaltender Cameron Whitehat was out there standing on his head with 30

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saves.

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Boston University's efforts included goals from Macklin Celebrini, Devin Kaplan, and

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Lane Hudson.

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But their goalie, Matthew Caron, faced challenges, allowing four goals.

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In the consolation match, Boston College achieved a decisive 5-0 win over Harvard.

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Go Huskies!

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Audyssey's fund management, founded by billionaire George Soros, is set to become the largest

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shareholder in Audyssey, a bankrupt radio station owner, which includes ownership of

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WEEI in Boston.

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Soros' firm holds over $414 million of Audyssey's debt, as revealed in a U.S. bankruptcy court

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filing.

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The firm's investment comprises $280 million in term loans and $135 million in revolving

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credit.

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Audyssey, facing a steep decline in radio ad revenue, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

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earlier this year.

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Despite these challenges, an Audyssey spokesperson expressed confidence in the company's future

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and its ongoing business operations.

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Audyssey, parent company of WEEI, anticipates emerging from bankruptcy following regulatory

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approval from the Federal Communications Commission.

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Boston's financial stability faces a significant threat due to a drop in commercial property

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values largely caused by the ongoing popularity of remote work and high interest rates.

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This situation, described as an economic act of God in a report by the Boston Policy Institute

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and Tufts University, could lead to a $1.5 billion deficit in commercial property taxes

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by 2029.

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With commercial taxes comprising a major part of Boston's revenue, the city must consider

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difficult solutions, such as raising residential taxes, introducing new taxes, or reducing

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services to avoid a serious financial crisis.

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Now on to sports.

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Manny Machado is intensifying his training following off-season surgery for tennis elbow.

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Currently in spring training, Machado's primary concern is building arm strength for the upcoming

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season.

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Despite a challenging year marked by his first injury list appearance in nine years and a

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lower OPS, Machado remains focused and optimistic.

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The pondrays after missing last season's postseason have undergone significant changes,

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including trading Juan Soto to the Yankees and losing key players like Josh Hader and

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Blake Snell.

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Machado, alongside Fernando Tatis Jr. and others, is confident in the team's potential,

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emphasizing the need for collective performance improvement.

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The pondrays are still seeking to strengthen their roster, with general manager A.J. Preller

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exploring trade options, especially in the outfield.

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Come along with me and jump in my time machine back to February 15th, 1978.

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The joke's on you, Leon Spinks said.

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The man upstairs made it come true.

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The boxer from St. Louis was speaking to reporters after one of the most stunning sports upsets

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in history.

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He just snatched away Muhammad Ali's world heavyweight boxing crown Wednesday night at

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the Hilton Pavilion.

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In the capital of gambling, there had been no official odds posted on such a possibility.

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It would have been tantamount to Poland beating Germany in World War II, or to the cost of

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living receding.

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Besides divine providence, Spinks had an indomitable spirit, furiously flying fists and absolute

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confidence.

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Muhammad Ali had been a champion for all ages.

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This was the 20th title defense for the 36-year-old Ali.

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Think of it, Muhammad Ali, an ex-champion, again.

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You're still my champion, Spinks said to Ali in the press conference after the nationally

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televised match.

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It was a press conference to remember because Ali, the people's choice, instead of sulking

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because the championship had been lost, Ali magnanimously gave Spinks the credit he deserved.

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The 24-year-old challenger seemed almost sorry he put an old man out to pasture.

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I'm glad for you because you did.

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What I did, said Ali, referring to his startling upset of then-champion Sonny Liston in 1964.

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You proved the people all wrong, Ali said.

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I wasn't robbed, he said of the split decision.

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He landed some of the best punches I've ever been hit with.

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Spinks, a refugee from the trouble-infested Prud Eigo housing development, had begun boxing

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when he was 14 years old just to stop neighborhood bullies from messing over me, he said.

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But last night he was on the offense all night long, while Ali seemed content to lie on the

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ropes for the early rounds, as was his famous rope-a-dope custom.

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Spinks who fights as if a red blanket is being waved in his face piled up points with a relentless

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assault to Ali's shoulders, head, and kidneys.

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After six rounds, Spinks became world champion after only seven professional bouts to become

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the fastest heavyweight in history.

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This article was written in 1978 by the great Hall of Fame baseball writer, Rick Hummel,

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of the Post-Dispatch.

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Caitlin Clark has made history by becoming the all-time leading scorer for Division I

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women's basketball.

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In a game against Michigan, Clark scored the record-breaking point early in the first quarter

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with a long three-pointer, elevating her total to 3,521.

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This achievement places her third in the all-time NCAA scoring list for both men and women.

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Beyond her scoring prowess, Clark is also known for her all-around skills, being the

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first Division I player with over 3,000 points, 900 assists, and 800 rebounds.

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Her impact extends beyond the court, significantly boosting attendance at games and contributing

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to the growth of women's basketball.

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This remarkable feat underscores Clark's exceptional talent and influence in the sport.

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In top news, in Tarp, Sweden, archaeologists discovered an ancient stone burial chamber

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from around 3,500 BC, making it one of Scandinavia's oldest.

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The site revealed a peculiar finding.

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All skulls and most large bones were missing from the remains, which is an unusual deviation

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from typical burial patterns.

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This absence has baffled researchers, who initially thought the site's significance

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lay in its age and construction.

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The chamber contained remains from infants to elderly individuals, with no signs of violent

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death.

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Investigations continue, focusing on DNA analysis, to uncover possible causes of death.

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The researchers suspect ritual practices might explain the missing bones, but the mystery

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remains unsolved.

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Recent research reveals a significant overdiagnosis of melanoma in the US.

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Some concerns about the implications of unnecessary cancer diagnoses.

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Over 80,000 Americans annually are told they have melanoma, a six-fold increase from 40

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years ago.

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However, this rise is attributed more to overdiagnosis than to environmental risks or detection improvements.

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The study, focusing on white individuals more prone to melanoma, found 65% of white women

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and 50% of white men are overdiagnosed.

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The majority of these cases involve stage zero cancers, which are unlikely to cause

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health problems.

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Overdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary treatments and long-term psychological impacts.

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Experts suggest a need for better standards in diagnosing melanoma and caution against

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routine full-body checks without symptoms.

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The USDA has announced a nationwide recall of certain charcuterie meats by Fratelli Beretta

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USA due to potential under-processing in foodborne pathogens.

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Affected packages are sold under brands like Appleton Farms, Dietz & Watson, and Hublix.

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They have been distributed to stores including Aldi, Costco, and Sam's Club.

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This follows a previous recall for Salmonella contamination.

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Customers and businesses are advised to dispose of or return the products.

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Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning may include, but are not limited to, prolonged dehydration,

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sleeping in an empty bathtub, and death.

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Let's talk about something healthy today.

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A recent study reveals Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese martial art, outperforms aerobic exercises

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in reducing blood pressure for individuals with pre-hypertension.

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Pre-hypertension is a condition where blood pressure is elevated, but not high enough,

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to be classified as hypertension, signaling potential heart disease risk.

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The study, published in JAMA Network Open, involved 342 adults with pre-hypertension,

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averaging 49 years old.

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They were divided into two groups, one doing aerobic exercises, like jogging, and the other

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practicing Tai Chi.

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Both groups had hour-long sessions four times a week.

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After a year, the Tai Chi group showed greater blood pressure reduction, with 22% achieving

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normal blood pressure levels, compared to 16% in the aerobic group.

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Tai Chi, described as meditation in motion, activates the parasympathetic nervous system,

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promoting relaxation and stress reduction.

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Besides lowering blood pressure, Tai Chi is also known for enhancing balance, reducing

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fall risks, and improving mental health among older adults.

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Regular practice is key in maximizing these health benefits.

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NIT scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the behavior of heat in superfluid

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quantum gas, observing for the first time the phenomenon known as second sound.

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Unlike typical materials where heat spreads out, in superfluid quantum gases, heat moves

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in waves.

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This was visualized using a novel thermography technique that tracks temperature changes

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via radio frequencies.

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This research, important for materials science and astronomy, could shed light on high-temperature

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superconductors and the physics of neutron stars.

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The findings offering new insights into the unique properties of superfluids were recently

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published in the Journal of Science.

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In business news, this week at TechCrunch Mobility Conference, major updates abound.

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Uber achieves a full-year profit, a first for its operations.

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In electric vehicles, Ford's secretive low-cost EV project in California and Fiskars Woes

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take center stage.

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Also, Joby Aviation plans to launch their air taxi services in Dubai by 2026.

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Finally, the EV landscape sees dynamic movements with arrival, electric delivery vans, facing

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financial challenges in the UK and Rydian, set to unveil a new, more affordable SUV.

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In a significant crypto development, Bitcoin surpassed $50,000 for the first time since

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December 2021, triggering a rally in crypto-related stocks and funds.

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This surge is partly due to robust demand for new-spot Bitcoin ETFs.

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Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, has experienced a 13% rise in the past week and an 11% increase

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this year, building on a 150% gain in 2023.

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Despite this, it's still about 28% below its peak from November 2021.

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Leading-spot Bitcoin ETFs, like Grayscale Bitcoin Trust and BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin

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Trust, saw gains around 5.6%, while Bitcoin futures like ProShare's Bitcoin Strategy

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also climbed.

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Fears in Coinbase and MicroStrategy rose significantly, reflecting broader market optimism.

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Experts attribute the rally to increased spot market demand, and some investors viewing

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Bitcoin as a safe haven amid global uncertainties.

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However, its price volatility remains a concern.

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Future predictions are optimistic, with expectations of Bitcoin reaching up to $160,000 by end

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of 2024 and potentially $350,000 by mid-2025.

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Intuitive machines, a space startup, experienced a perplexing 7% drop in their stock following

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the SpaceX delay.

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Originally the SpaceX launch was set for Tuesday, but they encountered an issue with fueling

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while the rocket was on the launch pad.

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The new launch is rescheduled for today.

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This minor delay in their moon landing mission seems to have disproportionately affected

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their market value, wiping out over $30 million.

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The market's short-term reaction to a mere two-day postponement raises questions, especially

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considering SpaceX's strong track record of successful launches, having conducted nearly

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100 in 2023 and 11 this year.

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While SpaceX, valued at about $175 billion, isn't publicly traded, it's recognized

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as a leading aerospace and defense entity.

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The impact of this brief delay on intuitive machine stock highlights the often unpredictable

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nature of stock market responses.

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Atlanta Fed President Rafael Bostic indicates that interest rate cuts anticipated by investors

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may not occur until at least the third quarter of 2024.

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This revised timeline is earlier than his initial forecast, prompted by faster-than-expected

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inflation slowdown.

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Bostic anticipates two rate cuts in 2024, but emphasizes caution, prioritizing true signals

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of inflation decline over volatility.

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Despite the easing of inflation in January, it remains above expectations, with consumer

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prices up 3.1% year over year.

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The Fed's main focus is bringing inflation down to its 2% target.

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Bostic stresses the need for a cautious approach to rate cuts to avoid reigniting inflation,

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and advises against relying on past economic patterns to predict current monetary policy

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impacts, highlighting the uniqueness of current economic conditions.

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Moving on to a more local vibe.

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In our community spotlight on health and wellness, we are working with a national Pilates studio

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to bring you some free classes, so listen up.

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Check out Club Pilates with several locations in the Boston area.

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Pilates presents a comprehensive wellness approach, cultivating strength, reducing tension,

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and elevating mental well-being.

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Scientific research affirms its benefits.

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So now you can check out Club Pilates for a free class, with locations in Canton, Wellesley,

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Pangham, Brookline, and Framingham.

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Just be sure to tell them Sunny Morning sent you by.

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And now back to the show.

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Let's talk tech.

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The latest iPhone software update, still in beta testing, introduces a significant update

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for Apple Cash users.

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It now allows the generation of a virtual card number, enabling payments even in places

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where Apple Pay isn't accepted.

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This feature addresses a major limitation of Apple's payment service, now making it

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more versatile.

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Users can easily set up this virtual card through a simple two-step process in the Wallet

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app.

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The virtual card includes an expiration date and security code, while maintaining a separate

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number for Apple Pay transactions.

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This enhancement offers greater convenience, especially since there are still numerous

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locations that don't support Apple Pay.

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Additionally, it eliminates the need for transferring money to a bank, which could incur a fee for

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instant transfers.

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In a significant move, Google has rebranded its AI offerings under a single-name Gemini.

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This change sees the previous barred chatbot and Duet AI features integrated into Google

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Workspace, all unified as Gemini.

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Notably, Google has also launched Gemini Ultra 1.0, a more advanced version of its language

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model.

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Gemini, blending the roles of an assistant, chatbot, and search engine, is now accessible

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via a dedicated Android app, replacing Google Assistant in some functions.

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However, there's no iOS app yet.

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Some users can access Gemini through the Google app.

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Gemini's introduction marks a shift in Google's focus, indicating a strong commitment to AI

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as it competes with other leading AI developers.

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For enhanced features, users can subscribe to Gemini Advanced, part of Google's $20

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per month Google One AI Premium plan, which also includes 2 terabytes of Google Drive

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storage.

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Last night's SpaceX launch could mark a historic moment in U.S. space travel, being

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the first return to the moon since 1972.

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Funded privately and crafted by intuitive machines, the mission aims to deliver scientific

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instruments to the moon's south pole.

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This is crucial for SpaceX and Elon Musk's vision of making humanity multiplanetary with

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Mars as a key target.

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Although SpaceX has excelled in satellite deployment and astronaut transportation, planetary

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travel is a new frontier.

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The mission's success, hinging on today's launch from Florida's Kennedy Space Center,

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could pave the way for future interplanetary travel.

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However, risks remain, as highlighted by recent propulsion issues in similar missions.

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SpaceX has made specific technical adjustments for this launch, acknowledging the challenges,

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but remaining hopeful for a successful mission.

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A groundbreaking experiment on the International Space Station involves MIRA, a compact surgical

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robot performing a simulated surgery.

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Weighing just 2 pounds, MIRA is significantly lighter than existing robotic surgery technologies.

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Developed by Virtual Incision Corporation, it's a product of 20 years of work by Shane

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Faradar and his team.

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The experiment, funded by a NASA grant to the University of Nebraska, aims to explore

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the feasibility of remote surgery in space, which could be vital for long missions to

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the moon or Mars.

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Interestingly, this technology also holds immense potential for remote areas on Earth,

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like rural regions or war zones, where access to surgeons is limited.

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In the U.S. alone, about one-third of counties lack a surgeon, with a projected shortfall

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of up to 30,000 surgeons in the next decade.

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MIRA's space mission is a step towards realizing the broader vision of remote surgery, potentially

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revolutionizing medical care in both extraterrestrial and terrestrial settings.

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Apple's latest tvOS beta code hints at the development of two new HomePod devices with

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screens, one nearing production.

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The code reveals a new tvOS device, code named Z314, featuring an A15 processor, a significant

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upgrade from the current HomePod's S7, and Mini's S5 processors.

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This implies enhanced capabilities beyond audio, likely supporting a display.

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Previous leaks showed Apple testing tvOS on the iPad Mini, aligning with rumors of a larger

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display HomePod.

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The lineup may include a model similar to the current generation and a more versatile

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one akin to Amazon's Echo Show.

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Respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts a 7-inch model launch in early 2024, marking

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a step in Apple's revamped smart home strategy.

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And in entertainment news…

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In this year's Super Bowl, country music icon Reba McIntyre was set to sing the national

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anthem, sparking interest in prop bets on the performance's duration.

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The over-under was set to 90.5 seconds.

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Historically, McIntyre's renditions are notably brief, influenced by her distinctive

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yodeling style.

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Yodeling, a vocal technique involving rapid, flexible shifts between chest and head voice,

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often leads to quicker song interpretations.

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McIntyre's past anthem times, like 72 seconds in 1974 and 66 seconds in 1985, exemplify

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this trend.

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However, as she has matured, her times have slightly lengthened due to a mix of increased

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vocal control and decreased physical vocal agility.

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Interestingly, McIntyre's rhythm has been inconsistent in past performances, primarily

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due to her singing a cappella.

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This variability might influence her upcoming Super Bowl performance time.

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In the end, you should have bet the over, because Reba went 95 seconds.

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And if he did go with the over, then winner-winner chicken dinner.

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Gloria Gaynor, I Will Survive, a new documentary by Betsy Schechter, explores the life of

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disco icon Gloria Gaynor.

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The film, getting a one-night theatrical release, dows into Gaynor's journey as she transitions

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from her 70s disco fame to a gospel artist.

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It reveals her struggles with personal and professional adversity, transforming her hit

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I Will Survive into a broader anthem of empowerment.

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The documentary also touches on Gaynor's past challenges, including her relationship

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with ex-husband Linwood Simon and a persistent spinal injury.

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While focusing on her gospel career and the making of her Grammy-winning album Testimony,

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the film has been critiqued for its intimate approach, lacking broader industry perspectives.

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However, it celebrates Gaynor's resilience and musical legacy, underscoring her impact

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on the disco genre and her personal growth.

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This summer, Santana and Counting Crows are embarking on the Oneness Tour, a 29-show journey

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across 28 North American cities.

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Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Santana's Supernatural album, the tour kicks off in

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Toronto and concludes with performances in San Diego and Phoenix.

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Pearl's Santana, a rock and roll hall of fame inductee and 2013 Kennedy Center honoree,

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continues to inspire.

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Fans can buy tickets through various presales and VIP packages, promising a unique concert

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experience.

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The tour features notable stops, including Red Rocks Amphitheater and the iconic Footprint

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Center in Phoenix.

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Marvel's Fantastic Four is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025 with an exciting cast announcement

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that's sure to delight fans.

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Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Eben Moss-Backratch, and Joseph Quinn have been officially cast

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as the iconic superhero team.

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Pascal steps into the role of Mr. Fantastic, Kirby as the Invisible Woman, Quinn as the

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Human Torch, and Moss-Backratch as The Thing.

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The film, directed by Matt Schachman, known for his work on Marvel's One Division, starts

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filming this summer.

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This release marks a decade since the 2015 reboot, which faced harsh criticism.

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The screenplay penned by Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer brings to life the

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first characters created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby for Marvel Comics.

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The anticipation is high for this new adaptation, hoping to redeem the Fantastic Four's cinematic

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legacy.

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Dune, Part II, is receiving high praise in its initial reactions, drawing favorable comparisons

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to iconic films like The Empire Strikes Back and The Lord of the Rings.

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Critics are particularly impressed, with Zendaya's performance as Chani, which is described as

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central to the movie.

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Austin Butler's portrayal of the new antagonist, Fade Ratha, is also being highlighted as a

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standout, transformative performance.

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The film, directed by Denis Villanueva, continues the story of Timothy Chalamets, Paula Treaties,

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and features a mix of returning—and new—cast members.

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The sequel's battle sequences and visual storytelling are being likened to the works

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of Peter Jackson, George Lucas, and David Lean, suggesting a cinematic experience on

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par with some of the most celebrated sci-fi and fantasy epics.

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Dune, Part II, is set to release in theaters on March 1st, further expanding the ambitious

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adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic novel.

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Well, alrighty folks, it's time for the quote of the day.

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And today, our quote comes from the author, William W. Perky.

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You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching.

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Love like you'll never be hurt.

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Sing like there's nobody listening.

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And live like it's heaven on earth.

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And that's a wrap for this morning.

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Have an amazing day, my good friends.

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Thanks for tuning in.