TRI-CITIES, Tenn./Va. (WJHL) — This weekend, beloved community events are making a return across the region, offering a mix of entertainment and cultural celebration.
In Roan Mountain, the much-anticipated annual Rhododendron Festival is set to take place, providing locals and visitors with a chance to immerse themselves in vibrant festivities. Additionally, the Tri-Cities area offers numerous events to honor and celebrate Juneteenth, reflecting the region’s rich culture and history.
In Frisco, Texas, the legal battle of Karmelo Anthony continues as he has enlisted the services of a new attorney to challenge his murder conviction. Anthony, who was recently sentenced to 35 years in prison, was found guilty of fatally stabbing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet.
Following his conviction earlier this month, Anthony took swift legal action by filing a notice of appeal. According to court records from Collin County, his case is now in the hands of criminal defense attorney Lara Bracamonte Davila, who has been appointed to represent him in the appeal process.
Anthony’s journey through the legal system has seen a change in representation. Prior to Bracamonte Davila taking over, the court had initially appointed Donny Perales as his defense attorney. However, Perales is no longer part of Anthony’s legal team.
A recent image shows Anthony after being transferred into the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, now residing at the Pack Unit near Navasota, Texas, as the appeal unfolds.
Before Bracamonte Davila was appointed, News Media learned that the court briefly appointed criminal defense attorney Donny Perales. He is no longer representing Anthony.
While Bracamonte Davila is the current court-appointed appellate attorney, in an email to News Media, Perales said, “It is expected that the Anthony family will be retaining an attorney for the appeal.”
Court records indicate days after his June 9 murder conviction, Anthony applied for what is known as a TDFA Indigent Packet in his appeal, which, according to the Texas Fair Defense Act, is where a defendant can apply for a court-appointed attorney if he or she is eligible.
A court sketch shows Karmelo Anthony in a courtroom shortly before jurors began deliberations in Collin County, Texas, on June 9, 2026. (Pat Lopez)
To qualify, a defendant must prove he or she cannot afford legal representation. Anthony said he was “penniless, destitute, and indigent person, too poor to employ counsel to represent me on the appeal,” in a court document he filed on his own.
WATCH: Austin Metcalf’s father remembers his son’s childhood
News Media previously reported that records indicate the Anthony family was tied to several businesses in Louisiana and Texas, and even opened a business weeks after their son murdered Metcalf.
Despite the appeals process, the Anthonys have yet to speak to the Metcalf family following the verdict, according to Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf.
Meghan Metcalf and her son Hunter speak out after 17-year-old Austin Metcalf was killed in a deadly altercation in Frisco, Texas. (Jeff Metcalf/Meghan Metcalf/Fox news)
Metcalf said in a sit-down interview with News Media, “I don’t forget what he did to my son.” He went on to say, “I don’t have sympathy, but I gave him forgiveness, and the forgiveness was for me, of course, so I don’t carry the rage and the hate.“
News Media has reached out to Bracamonte Davila and the Anthony family for comment.
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On Friday, hostilities intensified in Lebanon as officials reported 18 fatalities resulting from Israeli air raids in the southern region. Meanwhile, Israel confirmed that four of its soldiers had lost their lives.
This surge in violence marks the gravest escalation since a U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at curbing broader Middle Eastern conflict was established. The pact was intended to also quell tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
In response to the soldiers’ deaths, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, expressed outrage, declaring that “Lebanon must burn.”
The Lebanese health ministry described the strikes as “intensive,” indicating they led to an initial count of 18 casualties and 33 injuries across at least 10 different villages and towns.
According to Israel’s military, numerous targets were struck throughout the night and into the morning hours.
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“The IDF (military) struck more than 80 command centres, terrorists, launch positions, and additional terrorist infrastructure sites in the area of Nabatieh and additional areas in southern Lebanon,” an army statement said.
“Furthermore, during the strikes, dozens of Hezbollah terrorists operating in the command centres were eliminated.”
Iran-backed Hezbollah, meanwhile, said it was attacking Israeli forces around the southern town of Nabatieh.
Other Israeli strikes targeted the Baalbek region in the east of the country, which had been largely spared since the start of the conflict on 2 March.
Israel said its strikes in Baalbek and the Bekaa Valley were in response to “repeated violations of the ceasefire by Hezbollah”, which it said “continues to prepare and carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli soldiers”.
Earlier its military announced that Lieutenant Colonel Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon had “fallen in combat” along with three other soldiers whom it did not immediately identify.
A military official said the incident involved an impact from “a suspicious target” on an Israeli tank, with Israeli military correspondents reporting it had been hit by “a suspected drone or anti-tank missile”.
In a separate statement the military also reported that a reserve officer was severely wounded “as a result of an explosive drone impact in southern Lebanon”, with four other soldiers lightly injured.
The soldiers’ deaths prompted a strong response from Israeli politicians.
“With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not up for bargaining. All of Lebanon must burn,” Ben Gvir said in a statement.
“For every tear shed by an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep,” he added.
US officials including president Donald Trump have expressed frustration at Israel’s campaign in Lebanon, which it has pursued in spite of US negotiations with Iran and a separate ceasefire agreed in April that was meant to halt the fighting there.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday, that Israeli troops will stay in Lebanon “as long as necessary”, as he vowed to make Iran-backed Hezbollah pay a “heavy price” for its attacks.
“Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or our territory, and it will exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for these attacks,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
“Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary for the protection of the communities of the north.”
Defence Minister Israel Katz had also said the military would stay in Lebanon, adding it would respond “with considerable force” to any attack.
Hezbollah said early Friday that it had targeted Israeli troops “with a barrage of rockets and mortar shells” near the Ali al-Taher hills, a strategic feature overlooking Nabatieh.
It had also reported attacking Israeli tanks, saying forces “consisting of an armoured platoon and an infantry platoon (tried) to infiltrate towards the northern side of the Ali al-Taher hills”.
“The clashes are still ongoing,” it said.
Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war in early March by attacking Israel to avenge the killing of Iran’s supreme leader at the start of the US-Israeli military campaign.
Israel retaliated with broad strikes across Lebanon and a ground invasion in the south, which borders Israel and has long been under Hezbollah’s sway.
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To truly grasp the significance of this day and the enormity of this championship for Knicks fans, who have anticipated such a triumph for 53 long years, it’s insightful to step away from the iconic Canyon of Heroes.
Away from the televised and streamed images that captured the franchise’s inaugural ticker-tape parade, which culminated in Mayor Zohran Mamdani bestowing the keys to the city.
The story perhaps begins better at the intersection of Park Place and Church Avenue, where a sea of fans donning Jalen Brunson jerseys and clad in orange and blue gathered. They strategized tirelessly, hoping for just a fleeting glimpse of their beloved Knicks. Many perched atop sanitation trucks, hoping the added height would offer a better view of the floats as they passed by. Others engaged in impromptu geography lessons of New York City, gauging the distance to City Hall and accepting the challenge, or impossibility, of securing a vantage point.
Despite not securing prime spots along the barricades—a position some fans had claimed in the early morning hours—these dedicated Knicks supporters filled the streets of Lower Manhattan with jubilant energy, joining in a celebration that resonated far and wide.
Salma Hayek is marking a double celebration this Valentine’s Day, as she also commemorates 15 years of marriage to Francois-Henri Pinault, a prominent billionaire businessman.
The celebrated 57-year-old actress became engaged to the 61-year-old CEO of Kering back in March 2007. Pinault, who boasts an impressive net worth of approximately $7 billion, has been a significant figure in Hayek’s life ever since.
After enjoying nearly two years of engagement, the couple exchanged vows on a romantic Valentine’s Day in Paris on February 14, 2009. Their love story continued with a vow renewal ceremony held a few months later in Italy, further solidifying their commitment.
This milestone anniversary arrives shortly after Hayek shared a charming photo of herself on social media. The image, which features the actress cooking pancakes while donning chic silk pajamas, highlights her vibrant personality and her domestic bliss.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Hayek also shared a nostalgic black-and-white photograph, expressing her enduring love for Pinault. This personal touch offers a glimpse into the cherished bond they share.
Salma Hayek is not only celebrating Valentine’s Day, but the 15th anniversary of her marriage to billionaire businessman Francois-Henri Pinault
‘After 18 years together and 15 years of marriage, you still make loving you easy, fun, deep and fresh like a gentle breeze. Happy anniversary mi amor,’ Hayek said in her post
‘After 18 years together and 15 years of marriage, you still make loving you easy, fun, deep and fresh like a gentle breeze. Happy anniversary mi amor,’ Hayek said in her post.
Last month, she shared some stunning snaps from her trip to Italy, where she got to reconnect with nature.
She visited Procida, where she picked fresh strawberries, lemons and tomatoes off the vine at a local farm.
‘Grateful for these moments of connection with Mother Nature,’ wrote Salma, who shared photos from the farm with her 28 million Instagram followers.
Rocking a makeup-free face, Salma looked stunning in a casual blue jumpsuit, glasses and her curly hair worn down.
‘Every bite tells a story of sun, soil, and water,’ she continued. ‘And yes, that lemon is as big as my head – nature’s own sense of humor!’
She added that she was blown away by the land’s incredible history that dates back to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and beyond.
‘I feel an undeniable connection to the world that existed centuries ago,’ she shared on Instagram.
Last month, she shared some stunning snaps from her trip to Italy, where she got to reconnect with nature
She visited Procida, where she picked fresh strawberries, lemons and tomatoes off the vine at a local farm
Her post included two selfies taken amid the impressive stone that’s largely preserved under the ash.
The Oscar-nominated actress most recently starred in Magic Mike’s Last Dance and an 2023 episode of Black Mirror.
She is also starring in Angelina Jolie’s next film as a director, Without Blood, which is in post-production.
She stars alongside Demian Bichir in the war drama, though plot details are being kept under wraps.
Hayek and her husband Francois-Henri Pinault, 61, a billionaire businessman originally from France, spend much of their home life in London, England with their daughter Valentina, 16, in recent years.
Get ready to join Woody, Buzz, and the gang once again as Toy Story 5 hits theaters this weekend, marking another chapter in Andy’s treasured toy saga.
This latest installment builds on the beloved Toy Story series, which has captivated audiences for over three decades. Expect to meet some fresh toy characters alongside the familiar faces we adore. As the film garners enthusiastic reviews, why not indulge in a nostalgic movie night at home before heading to the cinema?
Fans can stream all four Toy Story movies, along with several entertaining shorts and specials, on Disney+.
Disney+ provides multiple subscription plans to cater to different needs. The basic plan with ads is priced at $11.99 per month, while the ad-free option is available for $18.99 monthly or $189.99 annually.
For those looking to maximize their entertainment options, Disney+ also offers bundles with Hulu, HBO Max, and ESPN+, allowing you to subscribe to up to three services at a discounted rate. These bundles start at $11.99 per month for Disney+ and Hulu with ads, and can go up to $32.99 per month for a package that includes ad-free Disney+, Hulu, and Max.
In 1995, the world first met soon-to-be best friends Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen). The first Toy Story follows Woody and the rest of Andy’s toys as a new toy joins the toybox and immediately becomes Andy’s favorite. Despite his jealousy, Woody must work with Buzz to escape the clutches of Andy’s new neighbor and reunite with their boy.
We caught back up with Woody, Buzz and the gang just in time for Woody to be kidnapped by Big Al, a greedy toy collector. As Andy’s toys work to save him, Woody meets Jessie, a cowgirl doll who is part of his Roundup gang.
As Andy heads off to college, his toys are accidentally donated to a daycare center. The uncontrollable kids (and the toys in the daycare center) do not play nice, so Woody make plans for a great escape and the rest of the toys must decide where their loyalties lie.
Andy’s toys embark on a road trip with their new owner, Bonnie and a new toy she made, Forky. The adventurous journey turns into an unexpected reunion as Woody’s detour leads him to his long-lost friend Bo Peep.
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Decider, the New York Post, and Page Six. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, how to watch your favorite sports teams and movies on each streaming service and the very best in tech, like soundbars, to enhance your viewing experience. Not only does Angela test and compare the services, devices and merch she writes about, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and the New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
For more like this, check out the Decider Shopping section.
On Thursday night, Jelly Roll took a moment on stage to address his estranged wife Bunnie XO’s recent tell-all podcast discussing their divorce. The country music star, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, paused his performance in Saratoga Springs, New York, just hours after the podcast’s release to tackle some of its explosive revelations.
Earlier in the evening his wife Bunnie, 46, addressed the split news for the first time on the latest episode of her Dumb Blonde podcast.
Despite the split, Jelly Roll reassured his audience of thousands that there was no animosity between him and Bunnie, whom he has been married to for nearly ten years. He supported her narrative by affirming, “Every word of it is the truth,” demonstrating a surprising level of harmony amid their separation.
Bunnie’s podcast episode contained several shocking disclosures, including the unexpected revelation that she and Jelly Roll are planning to have a child together, despite the end of their romantic relationship.
Addressing the crowd during a break in his set, Jelly Roll candidly shared, “I wasn’t going to talk about this tonight, but while we’re discussing liars, the internet is a liar too.” He added, “This is the only time and the only city where I’ll speak on this, so make sure you have your camera phones ready.” His openness was met with palpable interest from his attentive fans.
‘I wasn’t gonna talk about this tonight, but while we’re talking about liars, the internet is a liar too,’ Jelly Roll said during a break in his concert. ‘It’s the only time and the only city I’m going to speak about this, so break your camera phones out now.’
Jelly Roll took the stage Thursday night and delivered a staggering response to his estranged wife Bunnie XO’s tell-all podcast on their divorce; pictured February at the Grammys
He stopped the show to bare his soul about his divorce to the audience, then shared footage of the speech to his Instagram Reels
He assured the crowd: ‘Me and my wife are best friends. We will always be best friends. We just got off the phone earlier today.’
Jelly Roll then addressed the part of Bunnie’s podcast in which she denied the rumors of her infidelity with Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger.
‘Nobody cheated on nobody,’ he confirmed. ‘She just did a whole podcast about it. Every word of it is the truth. That will be my best friend forever. This is the only time I will ever speak about it. Bunnie, I love you, baby.’
Jelly Roll added: ‘Thank you for those 10 years. They were incredible. Thank you for the next 10 years of friendship and 20 beyond that.’
News broke Monday that Jelly Roll had filed to dissolve his marriage to Bunnie – real name Alisa DeFord – back in May.
On her podcast Thursday, Bunnie also shared whether or not Jelly Roll is ‘dating again’ amid wild rumors he was romantically linked to a 21-year-old pop star.
‘[Jelly Roll] and I have never really been good at having disagreements,’ Bunnie admitted of their relationship dynamic.
She described her and Jelly Roll as ‘the type of couple who never argued.’
Bunnie her silence on their shock divorce in the podcast episode, as she revealed the fight that finally ended their 10-year marriage for good
‘So, he would be holding things in. I would be holding things in, and that’s a recipe for disaster.’
Bunnie teared up at several points as she detailed the tension in her 10-year marriage with Jelly Roll and why it ended up being a ‘recipe for disaster.’
Things between the couple came to a head on Mother’s Day of this year, with Bunnie detailing her and Jelly Roll’s final explosive argument before he filed for divorce.
‘On Mother’s Day, we had a little bit of an argument, which I don’t think the details are necessary,’ Bunnie revealed.
‘And, in that argument, I was so fed up and so tired that I just looked at him and said, ‘Well, then file the f**king divorce papers.”
She said the argument ended with her packing up her belongings and leaving their home, which led to her and Jelly Roll ‘not speaking for weeks.’
‘In our relationship, that is the one cardinal thing that you don’t say, even though my husband has said it numerous times ’cause he’s the runner,’ Bunnie said.
‘But, when I say it, it really holds weight because I’m not the type of person who says what I don’t mean.’
However, Bunnie did admit that she only said it ‘out of anger’ and that she was ‘blindsided’ when she learned that Jelly Roll had actually filed for divorce.
Although the divorce is ‘not mutual’ in her eyes, Bunnie acknowledged that it was ‘necessary.’
The baby revelation came later in the podcast, with Bunnie calling herself and Jelly Roll ‘the most unconventional couple that you guys have ever encountered.’
She said that they are in the midst of ‘settling our divorce’ and that they’ve gotten it done in just weeks.
‘We’re still having a baby together,’ she revealed. ‘We’re going to co-parent together. J is my best friend. Like, this isn’t what you guys think this is.
‘Nobody cheated on the other person. It’s literally just we served our purpose for each other.’
The blonde bombshell, 46, addressed the split news for the first time in the new episode of her Dumb Blonde podcast , which was released Thursday; seen in February
Bunnie XO teared up at several points as she detailed the tension in her relationship with her now-estranged husband and why it ended up being a ‘recipe for disaster’
Bunnie kicked off the bombshell tell-all podcast by addressing the divorce immediately, telling fans that she feels as though she is ‘living life again.’
She admitted she is ‘relieved the news is out’ after having to keep the split a secret for nearly a month and a half. ‘It was rough,’ she told listeners.
Before explaining the demise of their marriage, Bunnie took the time to shutdown online speculation that her ex is ‘dating’ singer Jessie Murph, 21.
She called the rumors ‘disgusting’ and noted that Murph is only a few years older than Jelly Roll’s 18-year-old daughter Bailee Ann.
Bunnie also addressed wild rumors that she is dating Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger, which she vehemently denied, after she posted a TikTok featuring one of the rock band’s breakup songs.
However, Bunnie did confirm that her estranged husband is ‘dating again’ and insisted she is ‘happy for him.’
She encouraged women to ‘send him a DM’ and said that she would proudly play the role of his ex-wife.
Bunnie then reflected on her and Jelly Roll’s over decade-long romance, calling him her ‘twin flame’ and ‘soulmate.’
‘He is my best friend. I love that man more than life itself,’ Bunnie began, adding that she will ‘always ride’ for him regardless of if he’s her husband or not.
‘When I said those vows with him, I really meant them,’ said Bunnie, who has been married three times. ‘Obviously I am not f***king good at marriage.’
Bunnie began to cry as she told fans that she ‘really truly feels’ that ‘if [she] had not got with [her] husband that [she] would be dead,’ as she recalled the rough early days of their relationship when she worked as an escort and was addicted to drugs.
‘I truly feel that my husband saved me. He was the catalyst for me becoming the woman I am today. Without him, I would not be where I am.’
She also said that Jelly Roll ‘would not be where he is today’ without her as she recalled supporting him on his long, tough journey to country superstardom.
The episode contained several bombshells, including Bunnie’s reveal that she and the country singer are ‘still having a baby together’ despite no longer being a couple; seen in February
She also shared whether or not Jelly Roll is ‘dating again’ amid wild rumors he was romantically linked to a 21-year-old pop star
Bunnie then spoke about Jelly Roll’s daughter Bailee Ann, who she helped raise when the child’s biological mother gave the singer full custody in 2016.
‘[Bailee Ann] has been through so much stuff with us. I didn’t know how to be a f**king mom. I was popping pills when I got in that family,’ she admitted, adding that Jelly Roll ‘was doing the same thing’ at that time.
The couple eventually got sober and Bunnie credited Bailee Ann for helping them finally ‘grow up.’
Bunnie shared that Bailee Ann is currently ‘mad’ at the both of them over the divorce.
‘And she deserves to feel that way. She’s going to have emotions. She’s going to unfollow me on Instagram. And then she’s gonna text me the next day telling me to follow her back,’ she explained of her current dynamic with Bailee Ann.
‘That’s just how it is right now. I don’t care. That’s my baby [and] I love her.’
Bunnie said that her and Jelly Roll’s relationship began to crumble about two years ago when they made the decision to have a baby and she began IVF treatment.
‘It is not a beautiful journey. It wrecked me,’ she said, adding that IVF turned her into a ‘shell’ of who she used to be.
Due to Jelly Roll’s ‘low sperm count,’ Bunnie said that he also had to ‘get on a bunch of hormones.’ She said the hormones turned him into a ‘nightmare to be around.’
They began their respective hormone therapies just as both of their careers were taking off, which only added to the tension brewing at home.
The couple also suffered private heartbreak, with Bunnie revealing for the first time that they have ‘lost four embryos’ and endured three failed transfers.
‘Anybody that is going through that and has to deal with these miscarriages, it’s gut-wrenching.’
She teared up while voicing frustration over the fact that she and Jelly Roll are ‘two people who really want a child but can’t have it’ and that they kept facing ‘roadblocks’ in their IVF journey.
‘That takes a toll on a relationship.’
She also said that the differences in her and Jelly Roll’s personalities also played a part in their split.
‘I don’t like fame. I don’t have a good relationship with it,’ said Bunnie, adding that she’s more ‘reserved’ and ‘laid back’ than Jelly Roll.
‘My husband is the complete opposite. I always say he is a politician. He likes to shake hands and kiss babies and that’s his personality.’
These differences between them became more apparent over the last ‘year and a half’ as the couple ‘stopped communicating together.’
Bunnie described herself as the ‘glue’ that held her and Jelly Roll together as she claimed she always loved him ‘a little more than he loved [her].
Jelly Roll filed for divorce in May and cited ‘irreconcilable differences’ in the filing, which lists May 9 as the couple’s date of separation
The last time they were seen together in public was Bunnie’s book tour stop on February 24 where he made a surprise appearance and performed for the sold-out crowd; Jelly Roll is pictured on June 4 in Nashville
After years of being the ‘chaser’ in their relationship, Bunnie said that she stopped ‘chasing’ Jelly Roll as their communication disintegrated over the last year and a half.
‘I stopped everything and went into myself,’ she explained, adding that she also experienced ‘depression’ as she was forced to mourn their IVF losses alone.
Bunnie said she has now gotten her ‘sparkle back’ and that she ‘immediately got on HRT’ after learning that Jelly Roll was going to divorce her.
She also shared that she is currently in therapy but has lost 15 pounds as a result of her marriage ending.
While she would have liked to have ‘worked things out’ in therapy with her now-estranged spouse, Bunnie confirmed that they are ‘ending this marriage on the best possible terms.’
She hinted at a generous divorce settlement as she praised Jelly Roll for being a ‘king’ who is ‘taking care of her in the divorce.’
As for the ‘dream home’ the couple has been building, Bunnie said that Jelly Roll is giving it to her ‘because he knows how special it is to me.’
The massive compound has three houses on it and sits on a large piece of land.
Now that she’s single, Bunnie claims that her DMs are ‘filled’ with verified accounts belonging to men who want to date her.
‘I’m ready to have fun,’ she gushed. ‘I want women to know that you can reclaim your power, you can be sexy again.’
At the end of the podcast, Bunnie decided to address several current headlines floating around about her and Jelly Roll’s split, including his decision to remove her name from his Instagram bio.
‘Guys, I did it first,’ said Bunnie. ‘The hour [the divorce news dropped] I was like, “Bye bye.”‘
The star filed for divorce from Bunnie last month in Tennessee, according to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail.
He cited ‘irreconcilable differences’ in the filing, which was lodged on May 18 and lists May 9 as the couple’s date of separation.
Sources told TMZ the split was a ‘mutual decision’ and remains a ‘private family matter.’
The singer is being represented by Rose Palermo, who has handled some of the most difficult and complex divorces in Nashville and was retained by Kristin Cavallari in her divorce from Jay Cutler.
The news broke on Monday night, sending shocked fans into a frenzy as they tried to pinpoint signs of trouble in past social media posts.
That same day, a moving truck was pictured in front of the couple’s $6.5 million home near Nashville and boxes were seen leaving, though it is unclear which of the two was moving out.
They bought the five-bedroom, seven-bath mansion in late 2023.
Bunnie first fueled speculation hours before Monday’s split news broke as she posted a lip-syncing video to the 2001 Nickelback breakup song How You Remind Me.
The couple have been very candid about how his former size and weight made intimacy extremely difficult, with Jelly Roll once describing their sex life as ‘horrible’; pictured in February 2024 in Los Angeles
Bunnie recently opened up about the ups and downs of the couple’s marriage revealing it’s important to love someone even when they are ‘at their lowest’ because ‘everybody deserves a second chance’; seen in February
Then on Wednesday night, two days after the news broke, she followed up by mouthing the lyrics to Jelly Roll’s 2018 song No Limit (Freestyle).
She also hinted that she would be discussing the divorce news on her podcast as she captioned, ‘Podcast coming..’
The last time they were seen together in public was Bunnie’s book tour stop on February 24 where he made a surprise appearance and performed for the sold-out crowd.
Jelly Roll and Bunnie were married in 2016 and their relationship wasn’t always smooth sailing.
The three-time Grammy winner publicly admitted that he cheated on his wife in 2018. He called the affair ‘one of the worst moments’ of his adult life, attributing the infidelity to substance abuse and a toxic circle of friends at the time.
Bunnie recently opened up about the ups and downs of the couple’s marriage revealing it’s important to love someone even when they are ‘at their lowest’ because ‘everybody deserves a second chance.’
‘When you are with somebody for a long time, you are going to have to love them at their lowest. And I truly believe that true love is not about so much as accepting things that you shouldn’t, but I do think that everybody deserves a second chance,’ she told People earlier this year.
‘Loving somebody at their lowest is one of the most beautiful things you can do, especially if they bloom and they blossom like my husband has.’
Back in February, Jelly Roll made a moving speech at the 2026 Grammy Awards as he accepted the prize for Best Contemporary Country Album for Beautifully Broken, and crediting his wife with saving his life.
‘I would have never changed my life without you. I’d have ended up dead or in jail. I’d have killed myself if it wasn’t for you and Jesus,’ he said.
Jelly Roll has also changed his life over the last few years by embarking on a weight loss journey and he recently confessed he has ‘lost [his] way’ but vowed to get back on track.
The father-of-two weighed over 500lbs in 2023 but had slimmed down to 265lbs on the day he shot a Men’s Health magazine cover last November.
He admitted he had been ‘avoiding the scale’ over the last few months after deciding to ‘enjoy the holidays’ and indulge in ‘big meals,’ as well as being less active due to an injury.
He was scared to have a new weigh in ahead of returning to his diet.
Speaking in a YouTube video, Jelly Roll said: ‘We hit the goal and it was right before the holidays, so I was like, ‘You know what man, I’ve been working hard for the last three years losing this weight, I’m going to enjoy the holidays.’
‘I had a big Thanksgiving meal, I had a big birthday meal, I ate a big Christmas meal. Kinda got off the rails and I broke my collarbone… a few days before Christmas.’
Jelly Roll and Bunnie have been very candid about how his former size and weight made intimacy extremely difficult, with Jelly Roll once describing their sex life as ‘horrible’ on The Joe Rogan Experience.
His transformation, however, made him feel like he had ‘the sex drive of a 17-year-old’ again, as he told Men’s Health.
News of the divorce comes on the heels of Bunnie’s admission that they’d found a potential surrogate in their quest to expand their family.
Jelly Roll is already dad to two children from previous relationships, daughter Bailey Ann, 18, and son Noah Buddy, nine.
‘Now that we’re finally stable financially and somewhat emotionally after all the healing we’ve done over this decade together, we’re talking about the future – including growing our family,’ Bunnie wrote in her memoir, Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic, which was released on February 17.
‘J and I have a surrogate, the sweetest woman ever, and soon I’ll be starting my IVF stims,’ she said, adding that she waited a long time ‘to have kids with someone I knew would be a great father.’
FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) — An Army sergeant faced conviction for attempted murder on Thursday following a shooting spree last summer at a southeastern Georgia military base that left five individuals injured.
According to local news reports, a military judge at Fort Stewart delivered the guilty verdict in Sgt. Quornelius Radford’s court-martial. Army prosecutors argued that Radford targeted the leaders of his supply unit, using a personal handgun for the attack that took place in August last year.
The 29-year-old sergeant injured four comrades and his then-fiancé, Raekwon Smith. Smith, who testified over the two-day trial, recounted following Radford onto Fort Stewart, fearing he might harm himself. He claimed Radford shot him in the torso before moving into the unit’s office building to continue his assault.
In March, Radford confessed to the shootings, pleading guilty to charges of aggravated assault and domestic violence. Despite his admission, he maintained that he had no intention of killing anyone, prompting Army prosecutors to continue pursuing attempted murder charges.
Witnesses during the trial depicted Radford’s movements through two offices and a conference room as he attacked four soldiers. However, he reportedly instructed others to vacate the area, as reported by WSAV-TV. His rampage was halted when military police arrested him after fellow soldiers managed to restrain and disarm him.
A radiologist who examined X-rays of the soldiers’ injuries testified one was shot in the face and another in the chest, while bullets stuck other victims in the back and abdomen. Dr. Morgan Williamson said any of those wounds could have been fatal, WTOC-TV reported.
Prosecutors argued that Radford knew from his military firearms training never to shoot at anyone unless he meant to kill them.
Defense attorneys said Radford was suicidal and opened fire to provoke a showdown with police, hoping they would kill him.
“Radford only wanted one person to die that day, himself,” said Lt. Col. Dylan Mack, one of Radford’s Army lawyers.
Radford opted for his trial to be decided by a military judge rather than a jury of soldiers. The judge scheduled a sentencing hearing for Monday. Under military law, attempted murder carries a potential penalty of life imprisonment.
The largest Army post east of the Mississippi River, Fort Stewart is home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division. It is located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Savannah.
Radford served as a supply sergeant in the division’s 2nd Armored Brigade. Army records show he enlisted in 2018.
MUNCIE, Ind. (WCIA) — Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond alumna Kenli Nettles capped her collegiate track and field career on a high note at Ball State, showcasing an impressive performance at the outdoor nationals held in Eugene, Oregon.
Competing in the heptathlon, Nettles secured a tie for 16th place, achieving four personal bests during the event. She notably claimed fourth in the heptathlon shot put and consistently placed within the top 16 across the final five events.
Her efforts culminated in a remarkable total of 5,703 points, marking the second-best score in the history of the school.
Complete results are available for those interested.
Throughout her athletic journey, Nettles made stops at Iowa and Illinois, navigating through several injuries. However, this season, the Arthur native enjoyed a relatively injury-free campaign, allowing her talents to truly shine.
Throughout the trials of previous seasons, she learned how to deal with adversity.
“Not everything is going to go your way every single day, and like there are going to be a lot of ups and downs, whether you want them to be or not… so just trusting the process, trusting your coaches, and just knowing that everything will ultimately work out in the end,” Nettles said.
While at Ball State, Nettles was also a two-time MAC champion.
DALLAS (AP) — As Americans across the nation come together to honor Juneteenth this Friday, a significant milestone will occur with the public unveiling of former President Barack Obama’s presidential center.
Situated on an expansive site on Chicago’s South Side, this center dedicated to the nation’s first Black president is crafted to motivate individuals to pursue transformative actions within their own communities. This resonates with the spirit of Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the abolition of slavery in the United States.
Juneteenth marks the historic date of June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers reached Texas, concluding the Civil War with an order that proclaimed freedom for the state’s enslaved individuals, affirming “absolute equality” over two years following the Emancipation Proclamation’s liberation of enslaved people in the Southern states.
“Juneteenth is more than a celebration of slavery’s end; it symbolizes the persistent pursuit of complete equality and the realization of that ideal within American society,” explained W. Caleb McDaniel, a Rice University scholar and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Sweet Taste of Liberty.”
The inauguration of the Obama Presidential Center is set to feature several days of events, kicked off by a dedication ceremony on Thursday.
The center’s public opening also arrives as a symbolic convergence of legacy and liberation. The nation is grappling with deepening political division and renewed questions about the arc of racial progress as the Supreme Court hollowed out the Voting Rights Act, endangering Black political representation in Congress.
The nearly 20-acre (8-hectare) campus includes a museum featuring a life-sized replica of the Oval Office, a garden designed by former first lady Michelle Obama complete with lettuce and strawberry plants, a professional-grade basketball court, a picnic area with grills and a new branch of the Chicago Public Library.
In addition to spaces designed to bring people together, the campus that’s expected to draw as many as 1 million visitors annually aims to also encourage personal reflection. Louise Bernard, the museum’s director, has said they’re “inviting people to bring change home, however change may be defined, both small or large.”
The museum lets visitors experience high-tech and hands-on exhibits spanning the campaigns, key moments of Obama’s presidency and life at the White House.
This is the fifth year since Juneteenth was designated as a federal holiday by former President Joe Biden, who served as Obama’s vice president. But the celebrations, which began in Texas and then spread across the country, have a rich and long history in Black America, with the day often spent gathering for picnics and cookouts.
The holiday — a combination of “June” and “nineteenth” — marks the day that U.S. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger and his troops arrived in the Texas port city of Galveston with the declaration of freedom in General Order No. 3.
As the third year of the Civil War neared, President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring the freedom of “all persons held as slaves” in the still rebellious states of the Confederacy. Though, for many, it did not mean immediate freedom but a promise of freedom with a Union victory.
“It really required the force of arms and the success of U.S. armies to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation,” McDaniel said.
About six months after Granger’s arrival in Galveston, the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery was ratified.
Galveston, the birthplace of Juneteenth, is celebrating with a daylong gathering at a park with music and fireworks, a parade and a worship service in a historic Black church. In nearby Houston, there will be a lineup of musical artists and a domino tournament at Emancipation Park, established in 1872 by a group of formerly enslaved men.
Other events across the U.S. over the long weekend include a parade in Atlanta, a bike ride in Los Angeles and a festival on Martha’s Vineyard.
Several cities across the U.S. will host walks named for Opal Lee, the Texas woman who pushed for years to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. Participants will walk 2 1/2 miles to symbolize the 2 1/2 years it took for the Emancipation Proclamation to be enforced in Texas. Lee, known as the “grandmother of Juneteenth,” turns 100 this year.
Black Texans embraced the date of Granger’s arrival as one to celebrate, and by the 1880s, “it was difficult to find a significant community in Texas where it wasn’t being marked by African Americans,” McDaniel said.
“They made it a community celebration, they made it a celebration of not only freedom but also a demonstration of community empowerment and institution-building,” he added.
Corey D. B. Walker, dean of Wake Forest University’s divinity school, said the holiday offers a way to recognize the nation’s “complex history” and what it means to be a U.S. citizen, especially amid efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to undermine the retelling of Black history.
“I think it really reminds people the importance of understanding a fuller, more robust portrait of our nation’s history and the many contributions of many individuals who have contributed to America’s experiment with democracy,” Walker said.
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