Kim Petras and Sam Smith win at the 2023 Grammy Awards (screen capture)Some news items you might have missed:
• Variety: Pop star Kim Petras made Grammy history last night winning in the category of Best Pop Duo/Group Performance alongside Sam Smith for their #1 hit “Unholy,” which Kim also co-wrote.
Sam graciously turned the mic over to Kim as she became the first openly transgender solo artist to win in the category.
"Sam [Smith] graciously wanted me to accept this award, because I'm the first transgender woman to win this award." Watch Kim Petras' acceptance speech from the #Grammys: pic.twitter.com/jQ52Sq0t6f
— Variety (@Variety) February 6, 2023
• The Advocate: The horror film Knock at the Cabin — a movie centered on a male couple and their daughter — was victorious at the box office, overcoming lukewarm word of mouth to knock Avatar: The Way of Water from the top of the box office.
• CBS News: Add traffic and parking tickets to the growing list of legal and political woes facing embattled Rep. George Santos (R-NY), who may owe more than $3,400 in unpaid citations in New York City and Florida.
• F**ked Around, Found Out: Joshua Dillon Haynes, 40, was sentenced to 32 months in prison for his part in the violent Jan. 6 riots. Haynes pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding and destruction of property. In text messages he bragged about destroying “tens of thousands of dollars” worth of CNN’s camera equipment – “broke lotsa stuff…LOL”
Joshua Dillon Haynes sentenced to two years and eight months in federal prison in his Jan. 6 case. https://t.co/hrkqwI4u9L
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) February 2, 2023
• LGBTQ Nation: Derek Myers, who has admitted to recording his firing from the staff of Rep. George Santos (R-NY), has accused the truth-challenged congressman of sexual harassment in the days before he was terminated.
Myers has filed a complaint with the Capitol Police and the Congressional Ethics committee. Santos, of course, denies the allegations.
As stated in the filings, my complaint pertains to violations of House Ethics in which I was an unpaid volunteer performing staff duties with the promise of employment and compensation, only to be released after several days of work without compensation.
— Derek Myers (@DerekMyers) February 3, 2023
These matters will not be litigated on social media or through news media. They are serious offenses and the evidence and facts will speak for themselves if the committee takes up the matter. This tweet is being made public in light of transparency. pic.twitter.com/oSs4F3xyqc
— Derek Myers (@DerekMyers) February 3, 2023
George Santos denies sexual harassment allegation from a prospective staffer who filed an ethics complaint accusing him of making unwanted sexual advances.
He told @KitMaherCNN he "100%" denies allegations.
"It's comical," he said. "Of course, I deny that claim"— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 6, 2023