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WTHI-TV
Local TV Meteorologist And Anchor Say Tearful Goodbye After Being Replaced By Weather Channel Feed
Jan 22, 2025
A sweeping wave of budget cuts coupled with evolving information technology in the U.S. broadcasting industry has led to a tearful goodbye for two beloved TV news personalities who have become household names during their time at a local station in Indiana.
Patrece Dayton, a news anchor in Terre Haute, and chief meteorologist Kevin Orpurt appeared together on the air for the last time.
Their farewell statement came as their positions at WTHI News covering Wabash Valley were eliminated as a result of local weather forecasters being replaced with coverage beamed to local stations by The Weather Channel feed.
“Kevin and I have come into your homes for decades, nearly 37 years for me,” said Dayton, to which Orpurt added, "And more than 40 for me."
Dayton explained:
"For those of you who don’t know, both of our positions are being eliminated here at WTHI-TV."
"The television business in general is changing nationwide and budget cuts are happening everywhere.”
Orpurt said that they had hoped to "go out on our own terms...to celebrate...but that's not the case."
"But we do want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts," Orpurt continued, and expressed the outpouring of love and support in the form of messages and social media posts have been "very overwhelming," "uplifting," and "kind."
After the duo asked viewers to extend well wishes to their remaining colleagues at the station, Dayton grabbed Orpurt's hand and said, "All right, here we go," before she got choked up. "Hey, we made it this far."
"Yeah, we did," assured Orpurt as he held onto her hand. After regaining composure, Dayton addressed viewers and said:
"For the final time, goodnight and sleep well."
- YouTubeyoutu.be
People were saddened over the departure of the revered duo.
Allen Media Group, which owns several local news stations, announced there would be a series of layoffs affecting around 100 meteorologists across more than two dozen states after it partnered with The Weather Channel to provide weather information to all of its local news markets.
Tom O’Brien, President of Weather Group/The Weather Channel, stated in a news release:
“Allen Media Group is leveraging the full resources and expertise of The Weather Channel to make our local weather news the very best."
“We are one hundred percent committed to delivering next-level weather news to our local television stations 24/7.”
The Weather Channel was acquired by Byron Allen‘s Entertainment Studios in 2018 for about $300 million.
"The acquisition of the Weather Channel is strategic, as we begin our process of investing billions of dollars over the next five years to acquire some of the best media assets around the world," said Allen.
The Weather Channel headquarters in Atlanta will be producing forecasts for each news station from a team led by meteorologist Carl Parker.
Local meteorologists affected by the layoff will either be eliminated or reassigned to a regional team in Atlanta, according to the news release.
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Ariana Grande Likes Post Shading Carrie Underwood's Inauguration Performance—And Fans Love It
Jan 22, 2025
Fans of Wicked star Ariana Grande loved her seemingly throwing shade at Carrie Underwood's flubbed performance at Republican President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony on Monday.
For her "America the Beautiful" performance, Underwood experienced technical difficulties inside the Capitol rotunda where Trump was sworn in for his second non-consecutive term in the White House.
The American Idol alum stood in awkward silence in front of the new administration and other political leaders for nearly two minutes as the pre-recorded backing track experienced false starts.
She eventually mouthed the words, “I’ll just sing it," to a person in a headset and sang the patriotic tune a cappella after addressing the crowd, “If you know the words, help me out here.”
Though Underwood did her best under the circumstances, her performance received lackluster reviews on social media, including one from an Instagrammer who mentioned former Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Drag Race's Coco Montrese.
Writer Evan Ross Katz shared a snapshot of Underwood, mic in hand, with Harris in the background appearing to muster enough enthusiasm to sing along.
In the post's caption, Katz observed:
"Kamala Harris evoking Coco Montrese ('Girl, find the note') watching Carrie Underwood at today’s chilling Inauguration."
The Coco Montrese comment referred to the drag performer's confessional in RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 2 when she dragged fellow contestant Phi Phi O’Hara, suggesting she needed to “find the note” when singing a cappella during a talent show challenge.
The post received thousands of likes, including one from Grande.
The "Thank U, Next" singer's casual engagement with the post instantly signaled to Arianators that their idol hurled some major shade at Underwood without words.
Social media ran with this hot take.
The internet cattiness had fans of Underwood defending her.
Underwood lost a significant portion of her LGBTQ+ fanbase after it was revealed she would be singing at Trump's inauguration.
Many in the community felt they were being invalidated and abandoned, especially after Underwood had previously expressed support for LGBTQ+ causes before the legalization of same-sex marriage.
A disappointed Instagrammer wrote:
“Don’t ever call yourself an LGBTQ ally again, you’re supporting the man that wants to abolish LGBTQ rights, you should be ashamed."
Her anthemic 2018 ballad "Love Wins" was also interpreted as a positive reinforcement of her support for marginalized groups whose rights are repeatedly under attack by the MAGA mob.
In his inauguration speech as the 47th President, Trump declared that the “golden age of America begins right now” and he would "Very simply, put America first."
As part of that endeavor, Trump mentioned several executive orders that would be effective immediately, including the scrapping of DEI initiatives.
His administration ordered all federal employees in diversity, equity, and inclusion roles to pack their bags no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to a memo from the Office of Personnel Management.
The employees would be on paid administrative leave while agencies prepare to shut down all DEI-related offices and programs.
Trump also said that the U.S. would only recognize two genders, "male and female" and would end “the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life.”
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Dave Simpson/WireImage/Getty Images
Chris Martin Divides Fans After Thanking India Concertgoers For 'Forgiving' British Colonialism
Jan 22, 2025
It's always important to remember our history, take responsibility for our ancestors' actions, and try our best to improve. But there's a time and a place for discussing historical events and conflicts.
As fans of Coldplay pointed out, bringing up intense political conflict during a concert might not be the best choice.
While performing in Mumbai, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin surprised and confused his audience by not only thanking the audience for being so welcoming of the British band but for "forgiving" them for "British Colonialism."
In between sets, Martin exclaimed to the crowd:
"This is our fourth visit to India, and the second time to play."
"This is the first time we played a long show, and we could not have asked for a better audience. Thank you for coming today, everybody!"
"Thank you for welcoming us even though we are from Great Britain. Thanks for forgiving us for all the bad things Great Britain has done."
One X (Twitter) user recorded the event:
"Not Chris Martin apologising for colonialism at Coldplay Mumbai."
Chris Martin at Coldplay Mumbai yesterday:
“Thank you for forgiving us for all the bad things Britain has done and (still) welcoming us to your home”
British meltdown incoming 🤣 pic.twitter.com/3A15HEtFhH
— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) January 19, 2025
An Instagrammer was similarly confused when they shared their recording of the moment:
"Screaming fr"
The two videographers' confusion spread throughout the comments section, leaving fans and onlookers unsure of what to think.
Some found Martin's comment to be ridiculously funny or just plain ridiculous.
@hunar_anand/Instagram
@hunar_anand/Instagram
@hunar_anand/Instagram
@hunar_anand/Instagram
@hunar_anand/Instagram
Most Indian Genz's don't even know wat he is talking abt! 😂
— Just a guy! (@deb_pramanik) January 19, 2025
Lmao what a clown
— Ingestohter 🇦🇹 (@Welten_Mutter) January 20, 2025
Others were much more critical of the comment and suggested it was an empty gesture.
@hunar_anand/Instagram
@hunar_anand/Instagram
@hunar_anand/Instagram
@hunar_anand/Instagram
@hunar_anand/Instagram
He's not saying this out of his heart!😂
His pr team is just good
— Abhay Vaviya (@abhi4real_) January 21, 2025
He’s mistaken. Nothing is forgiven
— Ravi Baldev Singh (@Ravi__Baldev) January 20, 2025
However, some were touched by the comment and were grateful that Martin was trying to make a change, however small.
@hunar_anand/Instagram
@hunar_anand/Instagram
@hunar_anand/Instagram
@hunar_anand/Instagram
chris martin knows the real history
— Ruchi Jain (@ruchi_twt) January 19, 2025
This may not be the apology tour India deserves but it’s better than nothing. Let’s this be a lesson to all. Money and power talks loudest. They are appeasing India. Continuing economic development is the only way.
— Gaurav (@realg88) January 20, 2025
It's great to see cultural connections like this! Music has a way of healing divides. Excited to see how this influences global interactions!
— sofhia_fx (@sofhia_v1) January 21, 2025
While Martin might have meant to simply recognize a country welcoming him and the rest of his band despite past political conflict, the comment did not land how he might have hoped.
Some appreciated the gesture, but for most, past actions spoke far louder than current words.
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A24
'The Brutalist' Director Speaks Out To Defend Film's Use Of AI After Igniting Backlash
Jan 22, 2025
Another day, another industry grappling with the use of AI.
Director Brady Corbet had to clarify and defend his film's artistic choices to use AI in his low-budget, high-profile movie about a Hungarian architect in post-war America.
The movie, starring Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, features some Hungarian dialogue that Corbet said was smoothed over in post-production with Respeecher to help with some notably difficult Hungarian pronunciation.
The actors did work extensively with a dialect coach, he said, and the AI program was used just to refine those performances.
“...specifically to refine certain vowels and letters for accuracy… The aim was to preserve the authenticity of Adrien and Felicity’s performances in another language, not to replace or alter them and done with the utmost respect for the craft.”
In addition to clarifying exactly when and where the AI program was used, Corbet defended his choices based on budget and also that, well, everyone else is doing it too. He said that it's just another evolution in movie making and wants a larger discussion about its (to him, inevitable) use.
He said:
“We should be having a very open discussion about what tools AI can provide us with. There’s nothing in the film using AI that hasn’t been done before. It just makes the process a lot faster.”
Many people were less than impressed with his choices.
Others pointed out that Blender, a program often employed by SFX artists, could have done much the same thing while actually employing a person.
Folks were curious about how this revelation will affect the film's chances at the Oscars.
Some agreed with Corbet.
No matter where you come down in this debate, it sure will be a gnarly, ongoing mess.
The Brutalist is in wide release in cinemas.
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Julia Demaree Nikhinson - Pool/Getty Images
Carrie Underwood Reportedly Had A 'Hissy Fit' After Her Glitchy Inauguration Performance
Jan 22, 2025
Country singer Carrie Underwood's rendition of "America the Beautiful" inside the Capitol rotunda after Republican President Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday hit a technical snag when she was forced to sing a cappella.
The American Idol alum managed to do what any other trained, professional singer would under the circumstances and expertly sang live without the expected backing music track.
The show must go on, as they say, and the "Jesus, Take the Wheel" hitmaker navigated the roadblock smoothly to the end, from "sea to shining seaaaaa."
- YouTubeyoutu.be
However, Underwood was reportedly not pleased with the overall experience.
According to The Daily Mail, sources divulged that Underwood allegedly pitched a "hissy fit" after singing and complained of not being "afforded the same level of respect" as other artists like fellow chart toppers Lady Gaga and Beyoncé.
The outlet was informed that the singer was also "furious" that she wasn't provided with an elevated "stage or platform."
This may have been due to scrambling with last-minute logistics.
Because Monday's inauguration day was expected to drop to frigid temperatures, the ceremony was moved indoors from its original location outside at the west front of the U.S. Capitol, facing the National Mall.
The decision was made apparently with input from Trump's bestie, musician Kid Rock, over a phone call.
While anything can happen with live performances, the venue switcheroo didn't help with any anxiety Underwood might have faced, and she wound up feeling slighted while performing on the same level in front of the sworn-in President and his cohorts, as well as the former Democratic President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The insider continued:
"Carrie was dissatisfied with her performance at the event, primarily due to the limited space she was given, which left her feeling cramped and uncomfortable."
The source added:
"Her anxiety was high throughout the performance, and she felt that she was not afforded the same level of respect or admiration that previous performers, such as Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, had received."
"She felt as if she was ushered in and out and had a mini hissy fit afterwards."
Lady Gaga sang the National Anthem at Biden's 2021 inauguration ceremony while Beyoncé sang the patriotic tune in 2013 for Democratic President Barack Obama's second inauguration.
Both performances were not necessarily on stages or platforms but at a prominent position on the first landing at the steps outside the US Capitol.
The insider noted that Underwood was "used to playing at massive venues with a stage to herself," and the situation made her feel like she was "literally just in a room with people all around her and a microphone."
"This threw off the acoustics," the source added.
A second source weighed in, telling the news outlet:
"Though her performance wasn't ideal, nor was it what she wanted it to be as she wanted it to go down without a hitch, the fact that there was some awkwardness getting things going just added to the unique nature of it all."
They stated that Underwood would "eventually laugh" about the experience in retrospect and "take it for what it was."
"But she is disappointed that it wasn't more of a moment as the moment she was searching for got altered with the technical difficulties," the source said.
They added:
"Though it isn't her day, and she just wanted to add to the day and not upstage anything, she was annoyed of how it turned out."
One fan ignored the hubbub and focused on Underwood's good performance despite its rough start.
Underwood faced backlash after her performance at Trump's inauguration for a second term as President was announced.
Former fans who expressed disappointment in her support of Trump canceled the singer and flooded her social media with hateful messages.
“You showing support for this clown has been a huge gut punch and I am just so disappointed. No thanks," wrote one fan.
She also lost some of her LGBTQ+ fanbase. “Don’t ever call yourself an LGBTQ ally again, you’re supporting the man that wants to abolish LGBTQ rights, you should be ashamed," wrote an incensed Instagrammer.
Before her appearance in Washington D.C., Underwood did not publicly endorse either candidate in the 2024 election.
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