It’s the end of the month already but weren’t we just celebrating New Year’s the other week? The month has really flown by so in case you missed anything, we have you covered.

Get Well Soon, Damar Hamlin

On January 2, Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin, went into cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals after making a tackle. This frightening moment happened during the first quarter and led the league to postpone the game nearly 90 minutes after kick-off. Following the incident, the NFL released a statement saying that the game would not resume and that a decision had not been made about playing the remainder at a later date. The whole NFL community put aside their differences and came together to send well wishes to Hamlin, who has since recovered and was recently at the Bills’ playoff game against the Bengals on Sunday, January 22. 

Golden Globe Awards 

On Tuesday, January 10, the 80th Golden Globe Awards were held to honor the best in film and American television of 2022. The Banshees of Inisherin was the biggest winner from a film perspective taking home awards for Best Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and Best Screenplay. From the TV side, ABC’s hit-comedy, Abbott Elementary, also walked away with three awards: Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy, Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy, and Best Supporting Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical, Comedy, or Drama. Click here to see the full list of winners from one of Hollywood’s biggest nights. 

A New Congress

On January 3, the 118th United States Congress session formally began following the 2022 midterm elections. Republicans won control of the House by a razor-thin margin (222 – 212) and it took fifteen ballots for Kevin McCarthy to be elected as Speaker of the House. Democrats were able to gain one seat within the Senate and expanded their majority to 51-49. 

Ticketmaster vs. the United States Senate

In the wake of Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour”’ debacle, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Tuesday, January 24 to examine Ticketmaster’s dominance in the ticketing industry. Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee were fearless in flexing their T-Swift knowledge. Senator Blumenthal from Connecticut said during the hearing, “Ticketmaster ought to look in the mirror and say, ‘I’m the problem, it’s me,’” in reference to Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero” off her latest album. See more Taylor Swift references from the hearing in Billboard’s article here.

Make Your February Dreams Happen

Here’s to a new month! Stay tuned for next month’s blog as we share the latest news across the country and in pop culture.