1. Idol Reboot News

Katy Perry is officially IN as a judge on ABC’s American Idol reboot. There was quite a bit of speculation in recent days before the network made it official at its annual Upfront presentation. Perry is no stranger to the show, having been a guest judge during Season Nine. I personally like the pick as I know Perry is extremely talented and I’m sure she has the ability to discover new talent. We’ll see how it goes.

In Other Judge News: Although there has been no official word from Idol or ABC execs, it appears Season Five alum, Chris Daughtry, will be joining the panel as well. Yet another great choice if it comes to fruition! 

2. Bulls Partnering with Miracle League

The Durham Bulls and its parent company, Capitol Broadasting, announced a partnership with the Miracle League of the Triangle with plans to build a new Miracle League facility near the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in downtown. Plans are to open the facility in 2018.

The Miracle League is an organization that serves children and adults with special needs through the game of baseball. This is such an amazing opportunity and a great way to serve the community!

3. A (Very) Personal #STATEment

N.C. State Swimming and Diving has been doing a series on its athletes and what N.C. State means to them, called Personal #STATEment. This week, Alexia Zevnik published hers and it was incredible to read. In it, Zevnik describes N.C. State as a place where she found a family connection with her peers despite being far away from home in Canada. That particularly came true when her mother said she had a resurgence of a cancer that almost took her life before. Throughout her piece, Zevnik mentions a saying that is found everywhere on campus: “For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.”

That saying is true for Zevnik and it was true for me as well. Most of the people I still call my friends today, I met at N.C. State. When I was going through a tough time with my grandmother (mom’s mom) passing away, my Wolfpack peeps were there for me – even the professors. I wouldn’t trade my time there for anything and I know Zevnik feels the same.

4. Texting at the Movies

Ever go see a movie and get annoyed by that person who can’t seem to put their phone down for two hours? Yea, me too. A Texas man didn’t like it either, so much so, he’s suing his date over it.

Brandon Vezmar, is suing his date for $17.31 after discovering his girlfriend texting while they were watching Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2. According to an article from CNN, Vezmar alleges in the small claims court petition that he’s demanding his date give him a refund for the movie after looking at their phone numerous times throughout the movie to read and send text messages.

While I don’t think I’d go this far, I do get very aggravated when people in the movie theater don’t put their phones down. In my view, it’s just as distracting – or even more so – than talking. Please, people. Put your phones down for two hours. Everything will be okay.

5. Two Projects, Lots of Great Music

A couple pals of mine, Tyler Barham and Ben Rue, have new music out today. And I have to give a big congrats to them because both albums are doing excellent on the iTunes Charts, checking in at No. 8 and No. 13, respectively. Congrats guys!

Be sure to check out Tyler’s new music here and Ben’s here.

Thanks for Reading