Macklemore announces a ‘Free Palestine’ tour after being removed from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour

FILE -- Recording artist Macklemore performs on ABC's "Good Morning America" Summer Concert Series in Central Park on Friday, July 22, 2022, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Macklemore is launching a “Free Palestine” tour after his removal from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour following pro-Palestinian comments he made onstage earlier this month.

The Grammy Award-winning rapper took to social media Thursday to announce his new upcoming tour plans.

“So, as you all know, my schedule freed up a bit ... what happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “I’ve spent the last week reaching out to artists who have shown up and used their stages to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

The Washington state native whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty noted that proceeds from the tour would go to organizations supporting Palestine.

Currently, the tour is slated to kick off in Dublin on Oct. 26, with a stop in Paris on Oct. 29, followed by a performance in London on Oct. 30.

Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian comments were made at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium while on the Loop Tour.

The rapper shared that following that appearance, several U.S. venues said they would prohibit him from performing as Sheeran’s opening act for the tour.

Other opening acts for the Loop Tour subsequently dropped out on their own following Macklemore’s removal.

At that time, Sheeran shared that the decision to cut Macklemore from the tour was the promoter’s and not his own.

Macklemore has also announced he would be donating $1 million of his net earnings from his two appearances on the Loop Tour to six organizations helping Palestinians.

‘Home Improvement’ star Jonathan Taylor Thomas allegedly arrested following traffic stop

FILE -- Jonathan Taylor Thomas shown prior to a screening of Showtime's "Common Ground" in January 2000. (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)

Los Angeles

Actor Jonathan Taylor Thomas was reportedly arrested following a traffic stop in Malibu on Monday.

According to multiple outlets, Thomas, 45, was a passenger in a car that was pulled over by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies near Westlake Boulevard.

People reported that deputies were conducting a DUI investigation involving the driver, and that’s when Thomas became uncooperative.

Law enforcement shared that Thomas failed to follow orders and was arrested for obstruction and being drunk in public.

The former child star was said to be booked into jail on suspicion of felony obstruction and resisting an executive officer.

KNBC reports that the driver ended up being arrested on suspicion of DUI, with Thomas being released from custody on Tuesday.

Thomas is best known for his role as Randy Taylor on the show “Home Improvement” in the 1990s. He also appeared in several movies in the same decade, such as “Man of the House” and “Tom and Huck.”

Lionel Richie undergoes heart procedure; cancels shows amid health concerns

FILE - Lionel Richie performs at MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Lionel Richie is taking some time off after undergoing a medical procedure.

The R&B legend recently underwent a heart procedure for atrial fibrillation following heart issues while touring.

“Lionel underwent a common procedure for atrial fibrillation (AFib),” a representative for the singer shared in a statement. “Lionel is doing great but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon.”

Richie’s appearances on tour with Earth, Wind & Fire scheduled for Sept. 26, Sept. 30 and Oct. 2 have been said to be canceled following his recent hospital stay.

Over the summer, the 77-year-old also reported health concerns while performing.

In June, Richie was rushed to the hospital after feeling sick on stage during a concert in Minnesota, Rolling Stone reported. He told the crowd he felt “dizzy” and “strange” before cutting his set short.

Last month, the Alabama native additionally found himself in the ICU after performing in St. Louis. TMZ reported that fans at the concert said Richie appeared to be struggling toward the end of his set, asking his team to bring him a chair so he could perform his final song, “All Night Long,” while sitting down.

Richie thanked everyone for their support in a social media message in July.

“Thank you for every message, every kind word, and for all your love. I’m doing well, and I’m grateful for all of you,” his message read.

AFib is an irregular heart rhythm that begins in the heart’s upper chambers. Symptoms include fatigue, heart palpitations, trouble breathing and dizziness, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

In-N-Out Burger managers now earn more than $200,000 a year, spokesperson says

FILE -- In-N-Out sign shown in this image. (Maynard Binaday via MGN)

Irvine, Calif.

In-N-Out has been known for treating its employees well when it comes to pay and it appears those perks are only going up, especially for managerial positions.

A spokesperson for the classic California fast-food chain recently revealed to Inc. that store managers now earn more than $200,000 a year on average.

“Our founders, Harry and Esther Snyder, believed not only in taking great care of our customers, but also in taking really great care of our associates,” the publication quoted the spokesperson. “Their philosophy was to treat associates like family and strive to be an outstanding employer and paying higher-than-normal wages was one important part of that philosophy.”

The average In-N-Out manager was making about $163,000, as reported by Forbes in 2018.

According to In-N-Out, its managers usually start as hourly employees and work their way up through its training program.

Managers are said to typically stay with the company for about 15 years, a number that is higher than normal in the industry, with a study reporting higher turnover rates for quick-service positions.

The spokesperson said In-N-Out continues to see lower turnover numbers for both management and staff positions, something that strengthens its ability to serve customers at a high level consistently.

“We’re deeply grateful for our exceptional family of associates and the excellent job they do taking care of our customers every day,” the spokesperson told the publication.

In-N-Out has been known for paying above minimum wage for many of its positions. The fast-food chain has credited this strategy with helping it attract and retain workers at every level of the business.

The burger chain also often touts its “commitment to quality” when it comes to the product, using fresh, high-quality ingredients in its meals, something that has been attracting its fans for decades.

In-N-Out has previously announced expansion plans, with more locations currently slated for grand openings in Arizona, Utah and Tennessee.

NFL officially eliminates Pro Bowl game

FILE -- The NFL logo is shown on the field prior to a preseason football game. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)

The NFL’s Pro Bowl game has been canceled.

The league announced Wednesday the elimination of the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl game, which featured the league’s top players in an exhibition matchup that dated back decades.

Instead, the NFL said it would place greater emphasis on the players being selected, limiting the Pro Bowl honors to 88 players, without any replacement selections.

“The Pro Bowl has always been about recognizing the players who distinguish themselves as the very best in the NFL,” NFL executive Peter O’Reilly said. “We want that distinction to carry even greater meaning for the players, their families, their clubs and our fans.”

By limiting the Pro Bowl honors to those originally selected, the league said it would return focus to recognizing the league’s most outstanding performers and reinforcing the significance of the achievement.

The Pro Bowl has waned in popularity in recent years, with the league ending its Pro Game tackle edition in 2022.

That version of the long-running Pro Game was replaced with the Pro Bowl Games in 2023, featuring skills competitions and AFC-NFC flag football games.

According to the league, while no AFC-NFC game will now be held, the players selected as Pro Bowlers will still be invited to attend an in-person celebration for a traditional Pro Bowl weekend.

“This direction came directly from our continued conversations with players and what they value most about the Pro Bowl,” NFL executive Troy Vincent said. “Being selected by your peers, coaches and fans as one of the very best at your position carries tremendous meaning.”

The Pro Bowl roster for this year is expected to be revealed in late December, with the league’s first regular-season game set to kick off on Sept. 9, featuring last year’s Super Bowl matchup of the New England Patriots vs. the Seattle Seahawks.