Merle Haggard Dead at 79

LONESOME FUGITIVE

Updated Apr. 13, 2017 4:18PM EDT / Published Apr. 06, 2016 1:22PM EDT

Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Country legend Merle Haggard reportedly passed away Wednesday—the day of his 79th birthday. The pioneer of both outlaw country and the Bakersfield sound was best known for his 1969 hit “Okie From Muskogee,” which satirized small-town America’s reaction to the counterculture and anti-Vietnam War movement while also giving voice to those who felt the military was inadequately supported. Haggard was one of the most popular and prolific performers of his era, having recorded and released more than 50 top-10 country hits. Several months ago, Haggard experienced a health scare when he was hospitalized for 11 days for double pneumonia.

Read it at The Bakersfield Californian

NBC’s Wacky Plans to Earn More Olympics Viewers Revealed

NBC’s novel approach will be a change from the relatively sober coverage garnered by past Olympic games.

Ted Kaczynski Was Depressed, Had Rectal Cancer Before Death

Kaczynski’s autopsy report says he “was noted to be depressed and sent for psychiatric evaluation” before his death last June.

Quentin Tarantino Is Scrapping ‘The Movie Critic’: Report

The director “simply changed his mind” on the project, which was set to shoot this year with Brad Pitt in the leading role, according to Deadline.

Texas Water Hack Likely Linked to Russian Spy Agency: Report

The infamous hacking group Sandworm may be branching out, a Mandiant report finds.

Dutch Princess Reportedly Fled to Spain Over Kidnap Fears

Alarming threats interrupted her studies at Amsterdam University.

Menendez May Blame His Wife During Bribery Trial: NYT

He will likely argue that she “withheld information” and “led him to believe that nothing unlawful was taking place,”according to a newly unsealed filing.

Olivia Munn Told Docs to Do ‘Smaller’ Breast Reconstruction

“Even as the anesthesia was making its way into my body, the last thing I said was ‘Please go smaller,’” she recalled.

Scorsese Eyes Sinatra Biopic With DiCaprio and J. Law

The aging director wants to make a movie about Frank Sinatra’s life, but he’ll have to go through Sinatra’s daughter Tina, who controls his estate.

Merle Haggard Dead at 79

Mario Anzuoni/Reuters