The 2023 CMT Music Awards have announced their nominees list and the spotlight is on Lainey Wilson, who has garnered a total of four nominations. Among the categories, Wilson's "Heart Like A Truck" is nominated for the Video of the Year, Female Video of the Year, Collaborative Video of the Year alongside HARDY, and CMT Performance of the Year. Other top artists with three nominations include Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, first-time nominee Jelly Roll, and Awards co-host Kelsea Ballerini. The program also chose to recognize out-of-genre talent, giving first-time nominations to Emmy Russell, Jake Scott, and Black Pumas. This year's Breakthrough Video of the Year category will have male and female distinctions for the first time, with Avery Anna, Kylie Morgan, MacKenzie Porter, Megan Moroney, Morgan Wade, and Tiera Kennedy as the nominees for the female category, and Bailey Zimmerman, Corey Kent, Drake Milligan, Jackson Dean, Jelly Roll and Nate Smith fighting in the male category. The biggest award of the night is Video of the Year where 16 artists, including 25-time winner Carrie Underwood, are in the running. For the first time, the show will air on CBS from Austin, Texas' Moody Center on April 2, and will also be available on Paramount+.

Country star Lily Rose and her wife Daira Eamon made a statement at the 2023 CMT Music Awards in Austin, Texas, turning heads with their bold fashion choices. The newlyweds attended the event in sharp, coordinated outfits, with Rose sporting a western-style ensemble that perfectly complemented her reptilian boots. Eamon opted for a feather-trimmed black blazer, sparkling earrings, and sleek pants. The couple's chic outfits were perfectly suited to the superstar-studded night, which featured performances by major country icons like Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, as well as appearances by celebs like Dixie D'Amelio and Megan Thee Stallion. Underwood, who has already established herself as an all-time legend in country music, received yet another nomination at the CMT Awards, cementing her place among the greats.

The CMT Music Awards are decided by fans, making the event an important barometer of country music's most popular artists. The event serves as a reminder of the genre's enduring influence and popularity, and the fact that rising stars like Lily Rose have in recent years helped to build an increasingly diverse and inclusive community of country music fans.

Jelly Roll, the rapper nominated for three awards at the 2023 CMT Music Awards, had a fan moment when he saw Gwen Stefani on the red carpet. He revealed that he almost fainted as he watched Stefani ahead of her performance. Jelly Roll also mentioned that he has seen a sneak peek of Stefani's performance, describing it as a real throwback. Jelly Roll is nominated for Male Video Of The Year, Male Breakthrough Video Of The Year, and CMT Digital-First Performance Of The Year, all for his hit song "Son Of A Sinner." He shared his excitement over his first ever live TV performance, at the CMT Awards, saying, "This is a big night of firsts for me." Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini hosted the awards show and were also nominated for Video of the Year, with Lainey Wilson leading in nominations. The night also saw performances from Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Cody Johnson, and many more. The show aired live on CBS and was streamed on Paramount+. Keep checking back for a full list of winners from the 2023 CMT Music Awards.

This year's CMT Music Awards will be full of surprises, one of which will be an all-star tribute performance to the legendary band, Lynyrd Skynyrd. The tribute will feature some of the world's most renowned guitarists, such as Slash, Billy F. Gibbons, and Warren Haynes, along with vocalists Paul Rodgers and Cody Johnson, Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band members, and Rolling Stones' keyboardist, Chuck Leavell. In addition, Wynonna Judd and LeAnn Rimes will contribute to the show as backup singers, filling in for Skynyrd's backup singers, The Honkettes.

The tribute comes as a celebration of the band's founding member, Gary Rossington, who passed away recently, and marks the 50th anniversary of the band's debut album. The band's current members, Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlock, will be in attendance, along with Rossington's widow, Dale Krantz Rossington.

The 2023 CMT Music Awards will take place live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, on April 2, 2023. This year's show boasts a star-studded lineup of performers and presenters, including Shania Twain, Blake Shelton, and Gwen Stefani, among many others. Country music fans can watch the show on CBS, Paramount+, or various streaming services.

Speculation has increased following Pearce’s opening act for Blake Shelton’s Back to the Honky Tonk Tour, where Stefani gave Pearce some of her beauty products. Pearce also hinted that her next single, a surprise commercial shift, may feature the world-renowned singer.

Pearce and Stefani will join other artists, such as Ingrid Andress and Lainey Wilson at the event, where the female-empowerment anthem “You Oughta Know” will premiere. Highlights also include Shania Twain winning the prestigious CMT Equal Play Award for promoting underrepresented voices in country music.

Stefani continued to make musical waves despite being a newbie in the country scene, bringing back her 1995 No Doubt hit “Just a Girl” during her performance with Pearce. The performance was an instant hit, leaving fans eager for more of her unique blend of pop, rock and country music.

Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger is back in control, having returned to the helm in November 2022 after a period of instability following Bob Chapek's dismissal. Since then, the company has undergone significant directional changes and operational improvements, with a renewed focus on making end-consumers happy. One notable change saw Iger announce layoff plans in February 2023, with this week marking the first round of notifications to affected employees. The company aims to lose around 7,000 jobs in total by the beginning of summer. Changes are also expected for core assets like ESPN and Hulu, and there have been rumors that Disney may sell its majority stake in Hulu in order to fund ESPN's over-the-top network initiatives. In a challenging economic environment, Iger has emphasized the need for a more cost-effective, coordinated and streamlined approach to operations. Disney now has three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. Iger is expected to face questions at the upcoming annual shareholder meeting on April 3, however, he remains bullish on ESPN and believes it is vital for Disney’s future success.

The 2023 CMT Music Awards took place on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The fan-voted event was co-hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown. The night featured performances by Keith Urban, Gwen Stefani, LeAnn Rimes, and Alanis Morissette, among others. Carrie Underwood remains the all-time winner with 25 total wins, and she was nominated alongside Blake Shelton, Gabby Barrett, Luke Combs, Little Big Town, and more for the night's coveted Video of the Year Award. The deserving winner was Luke Combs for "The Kind of Love We Make."

Tyler Hubbard, former Florida Georgia Line singer, performed his latest single "Dancin' In The Country" at the awards show. The performance marked a milestone after just releasing his solo debut album "Tyler Hubbard," which included the first solo single "5 Foot 9." Additionally, country music icon Shania Twain received the 2023 "CMT Equal Play Award," and Stevie Ray Vaughan and Lynyrd Skynyrd were honored with tribute performances by various artists.

The CMT Awards’ full list of nominees and winners can be found above, with the night's big winners highlighted in bold. Like all award ceremonies, the CMT Awards showcased artists deserving of recognition in the country music industry.

Carrie Underwood turned heads on the red carpet at the 2023 CMT Music Awards in Austin, Texas. The country music star and nominee for Video and Female Video awards arrived wearing a Dolce & Gabbana silver crystal-encrusted long-sleeved jacket and short shorts. Underwood's ensemble was paired with a set of layered diamond rings, drop earrings, and a crystal-coated bar clutch. However, it was her metallic silver, pointed-toe platform heels with a thin stiletto heel that finished her outfit with dynamic flair.

The CMT Music Awards ceremony featured several star-studded performances, including Underwood's performance of her song "Hate My Heart". The event is about celebrating the artists who have made an impact on the country music industry. Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown, the ceremony included performances from Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Keith Urban. Celebrities, including Dixie D'Amelio, Megan Thee Stallion, and Travis Kelce, were also in attendance as presenters for the categories. Underwood has long been admired for her musical talents but has also taken the fashion world by storm, and her latest appearance at the CMT Music Awards with her sparkling silver ensemble has only added to her fashion icon status.

Paul Heyman, the current "Special Counsel" to Roman Reigns, has expressed pride in the work of WWE superstars Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and Sami Zayn in a recent podcast interview. Heyman spoke of Reigns' ambition, his desire for greatness, and how he matches Heyman's own mindset. Heyman also praised Reigns' ability to tell a story, stating that the story takes precedence over everything and that Reigns' promotion of it is like something out of a movie scene. Heyman further showcased his history with The Bloodline, calling it the greatest faction in the history of pro wrestling, and expressed pleasure at being the Wiseman for Reigns, Rikishi's sons The Usos, and Solo Sikoa. He stated that this bond makes them unbeatable and that they defend the legacy of those who paved the way for them. Lastly, Heyman expressed pride in the WWE Hall of Fame including ECW originals, stating that it elevates the status of the Hall. Heyman's words will serve as inspiration for fans and wrestlers alike, as they look forward to the upcoming WrestleMania event.

Kelsea Ballerini turned heads at the Prabal Gurung runway show during New York Fashion Week in a daring black outfit with strategic cutouts at her midsection, giving fans a sneak peek of her fashion motto, "the fashion assassin." The outfit featured a sheer skirt over her short black bottoms, shiny latex gloves stretched up her arms, and skinny red-bottom heels, accessorized by dangling diamond earrings, giving the star a high-fashion moment. She opted for a slicked hair and a dark smoky eye to complete the look. Ballerini's fans went wild for her daring and glamorous outfit shared on Instagram, garnering love and praises for her unique style. With names like Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton set to appear at the 2023 CMT Music Awards, fans are excited to see Ballerini host and see what she'll wear next.

Wynonna Judd is set to perform at the 2023 CMT Music Awards, which will air live on CBS from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. This will be the first time she performs at the event since her and her mother's iconic final performance at last year's show, just weeks before Naomi Judd passed away. For her return to the stage, Wynonna will team up with Ashley McBryde for their debut television performance. The two recently kicked off the 2023 leg of The Judds: The Final Tour, which also included Brandi Carlile, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town and Tanya Tucker for select dates.

At the 2022 CMT Awards, Naomi and Wynonna wowed the audience with "Love Can Build a Bridge". Just three weeks after that performance, Naomi died at the age of 76. Fans were left wondering if Wynonna would perform a touching tribute to her late mother, and their wish was granted. During the emotional cover of Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is," Wynonna paid tribute to Naomi, saying, "Mama, you should be here tonight. I miss you. And I love you." Wynonna and her mother were a part of the musical duo The Judds, and the 58-year-old honored her late mother with a final tour under The Judds name to celebrate their musical legacy.

Country music singer Lainey Wilson is preparing for the 2023 CMT Music Awards, where she is nominated for four awards, including Video of the Year and Female Video of the Year. The up-and-coming artist spoke to HELLO! about one of her dear friends and mentor, Miranda Lambert, whom she described as one of the first people she contacts during tough times. Wilson discussed the competitive nature of the country music industry, and noted that while some people in the community put up an act of being friendly and supportive, others are genuine in their support of other artists. In terms of winning an award, Wilson stated that it's "kind of like they got no reason to not cheer you on" when people know how much work has gone into an artist's career. Wilson has picked up her first-ever CMT award for Collaborative Video of the Year along with HARDY for "wait in the truck", an accolade she is extremely proud of as it highlights how powerful the song is.

On April 2, the biggest event in wrestling, WrestleMania 39, will feature a main event between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, with Reigns defending his undisputed championship title. This match will be the culmination of a story that began seven years ago when Rhodes left the company, feeling disheartened by the lack of opportunities given to him. Since then, he has worked his way up, spending time on the independent scene, and becoming a significant figure in the formation of All Elite Wrestling, the biggest competitor to WWE since WCW in the late '90s.

Rhodes' return at last year's WrestleMania was met with a hero's welcome, and despite a torn pectoral muscle last June, he won the Royal Rumble in late January, securing his place in the main event against Reigns.

Speaking to various media outlets, including The Associated Press and WrestleJoy, Rhodes discussed his match with Reigns, his career journey that led him back to WrestleMania, and the support of his wife, Brandi Rhodes. Reigns, who is peaking in his career, will not be an easy opponent, but Rhodes believes that Reigns may not know much about him and his journey. As WrestleMania approaches, fans eagerly wait to see if Rhodes will become the undisputed champion.

Former US Attorney General William Barr has advised former President Donald Trump against testifying in the Stormy Daniels hush money case. Barr believes Trump's "all self-control" could hurt him under cross-examination, according to anonymous sources. The ex-president faces over 30 counts, including a felony charge for his alleged role in arranging the payment made to Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election. Trump denied the charges on social media, and he appeared at ease playing a round of golf at his Mar-a-Lago estate over the weekend while his supporters expressed their support.

Trump is set to fly out to New York City today for his arraignment on Tuesday. He will be fingerprinted and photographed following the charging process before the court unseals the details of his indictment. As for security, the Secret Service will handle it. According to retired Secret Service Agent Robert Sica, Trump would arrive via motorcade to a non-public entrance and be escorted to his arraignment. The protective detail will be scaled down considerably while field agents from around the country will augment it.

Two of Trump's potential Republican primary opponents in the 2024 election took different positions concerning his indictment. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for his indictment, which he believed was a political persecution. Meanwhile, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu believes that Trump "shouldn't be the nominee" and that he "can't win" the 2024 election. The former president is yet to announce his candidacy.

Residents of Little Rock, Arkansas have started to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of a strong EF3 tornado that hit the area on Friday, April 1. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the tornado had winds of up to 165 miles per hour. The tornado caused significant damage to the Walnut Valley neighbourhood in west Little Rock, where dozens of homes lost their roofs or were crushed by falling trees. Despite the destruction, no missing people have been reported. The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has been working closely with the NWS to determine the extent of the damage. The OEM will now focus on restoring utility lines, while Pulaski County will work with the state and federal government to clear up the debris in Little Rock. The storm’s winds knocked out power lines, creating road blockages, so residents are urged to stay home and avoid travelling unless it is an emergency. Despite the devastation, the community has pulled together with volunteers assisting those in need with food and clearing fallen trees and debris.

Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist and Wall Street Journal reporter, was detained by Russia's federal security service on Wednesday on charges of espionage. The Biden administration has called the charges "ridiculous." Gershkovich, who is the son of Soviet immigrants, has been living in Moscow since 2017 and joined the Wall Street Journal's staff last year. The details of the charges and evidence against him are being kept secret, and he will be detained until May 29. This marks the first time that an American journalist has been arrested and accused of spying in Russia since the Cold War.

People all over the world, including basketball star Brittney Griner, are calling on the Biden administration to do everything in its power to bring Gershkovich and other detained Americans home. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Gershkovich's detention and urged his Russian counterpart to release him immediately. This comes as tensions between the US and Russia are already high due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Gershkovich's arrest highlights the risks that journalists face in Russia, where even foreign reporters with government accreditation are not safe.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, the Justice Department has collected new evidence of former President Donald Trump's possible obstruction of justice. Investigators believe that Trump may have looked through boxes of documents in his Mar-a-Lago home after receiving a subpoena requesting their return, which could amount to obstruction of the DOJ’s investigation into Trump's handling of national security papers. Sources stated that the Justice Department and FBI have found that Trump examined boxes that contained classified documents after the subpoena had been issued, hoping to keep some of them with him. Trump eventually turned over the documents in January, but he had withheld some, forcing authorities to conclude that he had hidden some papers. Special Counsel Jack Smith has focused on the possible obstruction attempts in his investigation of Trump's mishandling of classified papers at his Florida home and private club, a distinction that sets Smith’s probe apart from the Justice Department’s investigation into President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents found at his office and home. Trump is also facing three other criminal investigations, including one concerning the payment of hush money to pornstar Stormy Daniels. Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung, however, has dismissed the charges, calling them witch-hunts that have no basis in facts or law.

Finland's National Coalition Party (NCP) has won a closely contested parliamentary election, with 20.8% of the votes, overtaking Prime Minister Sanna Marin's Social Democrats, who secured 19.9%. Petteri Orpo's NCP is expected to lead efforts to form a coalition government. Marin has been in power for three and a half years, gaining an international reputation for her vocal support of Ukraine and her country's successful application to join NATO. However, her domestic opponents have criticised her government's increased public spending and costly pension plans. The NCP accused Marin of eroding the country's economic resilience. The Finns Party, a right-wing populist contender, secured 20.1% of the votes. The NCP's victory may end Marin's tenure as prime minister following her coalition's defeat. The poll was seen as a referendum on Finland's public debt as all the main parties supported NATO membership. Finland's proportional representation system requires parties to gather more than 100 seats in the 200-seat parliament to form a government, which is achieved by forming coalitions.

A Manhattan grand jury has indicted former President Donald Trump for charges related to hush-money payments made to Stormy Daniels. This marks the first criminal charge against any former American president in history. Common Cause, a political watchdog group set the ball rolling with a complaint to the Department of Justice and the Federal Election Commission regarding alleged campaign finance law violations committed in 2016 by Trump. The news of Trump’s indictment highlights accountability and raises questions around America's political and legal future.

Most recently, speculation has been rife surrounding Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's investigation, with reports stating that his case is likely to involve hush-money payments made to both Daniels and model Karen McDougal. Furthermore, Special Counsel Jack Smith's federal investigations have taken dramatic steps towards holding Trump accountable for classified documents discovered at his Mar-a-Lago estate and for his role in the events leading to the January 6 insurrection.

The charges leveled against Trump will undoubtedly send a message to elected and non-elected officials that no one is above the law. However, they also raise questions about the future of democracy, accountability, and the impact of new legal precedents.

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Vladlen Tatarsky, a well-known military blogger and supporter of the war in Ukraine, was killed in an explosion in a cafe in St. Petersburg on Sunday. The blast also injured 30 people, including 19 who were hospitalized. Some reports suggest that a bomb was embedded in a bust of Tatarsky that was given to him as a gift. A woman named Darya Tryopova was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the bombing. She had previously been detained for participating in anti-war rallies. The patriotic Russian group that organized the event in the cafe said that it had taken security precautions but that they “proved insufficient.” Investigators have opened a murder investigation, but it remains unclear if Tatarsky was the intended target of the blast. Tatarsky had gained popularity since the start of Russia’s “special military operation” by providing analysis and commentary. He had more than half a million followers on Telegram and had written several books. While he was pro-war, he had sometimes been critical of Russia's setbacks in Ukraine. This tragedy raises important questions about the safety of journalists and political opponents in Russia.

As Finland gears up for the polls on Sunday, Marin is fighting for her political life with the final poll from Finland's public broadcaster Yle showing that the country faces a shift to the right. Petteri Orpo's right-wing National Coalition Party is the frontrunner by a slim margin, followed by Riika Purra's nationalist Finns Party, and then by Marin's Social Democrats party. While all three parties are in the running, fears about rising public debt, a deep-seated concern in Finland, appeared to have undermined Marin's prospects with NCP leader Orpo's messaging on fiscal discipline winning voters to his side.

Marin, who took over as Social Democrat leader in 2019, remains a popular figure both at home and abroad. Her handling of the COVID pandemic was seen as effective and her pivot to supporting Finland's entry into NATO was well received. She has also retained firm support among voters despite opposition claims that she lacked seriousness after she was filmed dancing and singing with friends at a party last summer.

If Orpo fails to form a government, Marin could be offered a chance to build a coalition. She has said she doesn't want to govern with the Finns, a party she has accused of making openly racist statements. In the end, the election results will determine whether Marin will continue to lead the country's Social Democrats party and Finland's governing coalition of five parties.

The New York Police Department has named three individuals in connection with the investigation into a series of deaths and druggings of men at gay bars in New York City. They are seeking Jayqwan Hamilton, 35, Robert Demaio, 34, and Jacob Barroso, 30, who have New York City addresses. Barroso has been arrested and charged with murder, three counts of robbery, identity theft, and other related charges. The other two men remain at large with a new clue being released last in the search. The deaths of John Umberger and Julio Ramirez were ruled homicides after they were given drugs tainted with fentanyl. There have been 17 cases around New York City that may be connected, and it is not clear how the three men who are being sought were connected to the investigation into the men's deaths. Shane Hoskins, who is being charged with robbery, conspiracy, grand larceny, and identity theft, was part of a plot to approach intoxicated people leaving nightclubs, drug them, and rob them of their belongings. The proceeds would then be split with co-conspirators. The investigation is ongoing.

Last week, a Manhattan grand jury indicted former president Donald Trump for his alleged involvement in paying hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016. This indictment sets a historical precedent as it marks the first criminal charge against a former president of the United States. While this indictment is notable in itself, it also raises questions about the political and legal future of Trump. Trump's instinct is to deflect the accusations against him and attempt to rally support from his base under the guise of a political vendetta. Meanwhile, further investigations from both federal and state authorities are expected, including Fulton County, Georgia's investigation into Trump's alleged interference in the state's 2020 election. Such investigations could result in additional charges. Some of the new developments in the Manhattan investigation suggest that the case goes beyond hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels, to hush money paid to model Karen McDougal. However, Trump remains allegiant to his supporters, claiming that the charges against him are an attack on them. The indictment of a former president and the uncertainty surrounding Trump's future will usher in an unusual and tumultuous period in America's political and legal history.

Former President Donald Trump will be arraigned on Tuesday in New York for charges related to the $130,000 hush-money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels. Though the specifics of the indictment remain under seal, sources say Trump will be facing at least 30 charges, including document fraud. This will be the first time a former US president has faced criminal charges. Trump has already disputed the charges and denied having affairs or any wrongdoing. Republicans are largely supportive of Trump and have criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for what they call a politically motivated investigation. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is rumored to be rivaling Trump for the GOP nomination, said that Bragg "weaponized" the law for "political purposes," while Trump himself lashed out at Justice Juan Merchan, who will oversee his arraignment. News organizations, including NBC News and The New York Times, have requested that the indictment be unsealed and cameras be allowed in court. The speech Trump will deliver from his Mar-a-Lago resort following his arraignment remains highly anticipated.