Legislators in three states — Idaho, Iowa and South Carolina — are seeking to end special pension perks that USA TODAY revealed in a September investigation. That story described how more than 4,100 legislators in 33 states were positioned to benefit from special retirement laws they and their predecessors enacted.

Gov. Nikki Haley and nine South Carolina lawmakers are pushing to close the legislators-only retirement plan, which lets lawmakers collect a legislative pension while remaining in office. Haley, a Republican, called for an end to the practice after USA TODAY disclosed it in September, and said last month in her State of the State speech, “We need to shut down the General Assembly’s own retirement system.”

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A police report says the 18 teens, all under the age of 20, were at a party on Ebenezer Avenue around 1 a.m. Sunday when officers responded to reports of loud music.

The report says officers standing outside the residence could plainly see people inside the home who were not of age.

The two residents, 21-year-old William and Ben Johnson, were cited for transferring beer to minors.

Randy Travis photo courtesy of Webster & Associates.

According to NBCDFW.com, Randy Travis was arrested Monday morning in Sanger on a charge of suspicion of public intoxication.

Randy was spotted in front of the First Baptist Church in Sanger with an open bottle of wine, police said.

“A report of a suspicious vehicle was called in to Sanger police. Police go to investigate and find him smelling like alcohol and [he] had an open bottle of wine,” said Tom Reedy, with the Denton County Sheriff’s Department.

Reedy said Sanger officers took Randy to Denton, where he was booked into the county jail at 1:30 a.m. Monday and released a few hours later.

“They take you to jail for at least four hours, time to sober up,” Reedy explained about the Class C misdemeanor, for which Randy was cited.

“I apologize for what resulted following an evening of celebrating the Super Bowl,” Randy said through his publicist Monday afternoon. “I’m committed to being responsible and accountable, and apologize for my actions.”

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Dierks Bentley's 2012 CD, Home. Photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

On his last record, 2010’s Up On The Ridge, Dierks Bentley went Appalachian while pursuing his love for bluegrass, amidst earthy tones and Americana-influenced songs. Though the album was critically acclaimed and garnered Country Album of the Year nominations from both the Grammys and CMA, the singles didn’t achieve quite the same success at radio as his previous releases. On Home, his first mainstream set since 2009’s Feel That Fire, Dierks returns with 12 contemporary songs that showcase the singer/songwriter firmly entrenched in his element and building on established strengths.

With the album’s first single, “Am I The Only One,” already reaching the top spot on the country charts, and follow-up single “Home” currently in the Top 10, it’s clear the new work is already connecting. These two songs also highlight the diversity of Dierks’ songwriting and continued artistic drive. “Am I The Only One” is a rowdy stomp through a wild night that has Dierks seeking out someone to party with, while “Home” is an introspective and vast power ballad celebrating our differences with elegant patriotism. Dierks’ ability to maneuver between lighthearted and openly emotional from song-to-song has been a key aspect to his career — and he continues to execute it flawlessly here.

Songs like the quick “5-1-5-0,” punctuated by sharp acoustic riffing and tight banjo, illustrate Dierks’ sense of humor and penchant for entertaining twists. 5-1-5-0, just this side of loco/ I’m goin’ crazy / Think I love you, baby, he sings through lyrical dips and dives. On the hard-driving “In My Head,” distorted guitars roll along while Dierks shows off his ability to develop engaging melodies over an entire song. Flowing through verse and chorus, melodies build to a powerful refrain complete with rhymes inside rhymes. You’re still in that t-shirt on my bed/ You’re every song that’s on, you’re gone, but you’re in my arms in my head, he sings with an emotional punch.

On the swaying “Tip It On Back,” Dierks cleverly alters the carefree nature found in other songs on the album with a desire for being free from troubles when faced with tough struggles. With epic-sounding production supplied by Brett Beavers and Luke Wooten, ringing guitars and twinkling mandolin lay a foundation for forgetting about Main Street closing and miles of “for sale” signs with a good old-fashioned night at the bar. It’s a smart emotional swap that gives the song extra depth.

Home features guest spots from bluegrass players Sam Bush and Tim O’Brien on “Heart of a Lonely Girl,” and Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild adds beautiful dynamics to the bluesy “When You Gonna Come Around.” However, it’s Dierks’ three-year old daughter Evie who provides the most touching collaboration, singing the final chorus of “Thinking Of You” and creating the album’s most tender moment. On Home, Dierks masterfully pulls these different elements together, creating an album that succeeds in both its artistic vision as well as its mainstream appeal.

Key Tracks – “When You Gonna Come Around,” “Home,” “In My Head,” “Diamonds Make Babies”

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Billy Ray Cyrus photo courtesy of Walt Disney Records.

Billy Ray Cyrus is planning to release his memoir, reports Music Row. Hillbilly Heart will be available in hardback and ebook editions in the spring of 2013 through Amazon Publishing. Billy Ray will open up about his career, his family, and being a parent to superstar daughter Miley Cyrus.

“This is my chance to set the record straight,” Billy Ray said. “I realized that over the years that there have been untruths and misconceptions about me, my music, my life, my family and our dreams. I’m going to lay out the facts starting from August 25th, 1961 and work my way to the present, even if it stings a little.”

The book will begin with a five-year-old Billy Ray taking the stage alongside his father’s gospel quartet, The Crownsmen, and wind through his career and personal life, including when he listened to an inner voice that told him he’d find his purpose in life through music. Billy Ray found he was ‘too country’ for L.A., but despite being considered ‘too rock’ for Nashville, still reached No. 1 with his breakout hit, “Achy Breaky Heart” and later returned to stardom playing the TV father of real-life daughter Miley on Disney’s Hannah Montana. 

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Rodney Atkins photo courtesy of Curb Records.

Rodney Atkins will headline the post-race concert following the 13^th Annual St. Jude Country Music Marathon and ½ Marathon in Nashville on April 28. The music-themed road race attracts more than 30,000 runners and walkers and 6,000 junior races through ING KiDS ROCK Nashville and puts them on a course that is lined by many of Nashville’s best live bands. Gloriana will also perform.

“For all these people to come out and push themselves to this great of a length for such a good cause is exciting and definitely something to celebrate,” Rodney said. “It will be a fun night and I’m looking forward to being a part of it all.”

“The St. Jude Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon presented by Nissan continues as a marquee event in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series,” Adam Zocks, the event’s vice president and general manager, said. “We are thrilled that Rodney Atkins and Gloriana will perform at this year’s post race concert and are proud that so many participants return year after year to experience the event and everything Nashville has to offer.”

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a charity partner of the Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon. The hospital is celebrating its 50th anniversary of the life-saving mission of finding cures and saving the lives of children.

“Since opening its doors in 1962, St. Jude has changed the way the world treats childhood cancer and other deadly diseases through pioneering research breakthroughs and unparalleled patient care,” Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude, said. “Our lifesaving work would not be possible without the support of the public, including running enthusiasts and our St. Jude Heroes participating in the St. Jude Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon.”

Race weekend will kick off with a free Health & Fitness Expo on April 26-27 at the Nashville Convention Center. Participants will be able to pick up their race numbers, pick up free samples, and attend clinics on fitness-related topics like nutrition and running gear. For more information or to register for the event, visit Competitor.com.

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Nan Kelley & Dierks Bentley on the set of Top 20 Country Countdown. Photo by Jared Spicer.

Top 20 Country Countdown welcomed Dierks Bentley to the set this week to talk about his new album, Home, out February 7th with host Nan Kelley. Dierks also shared the stories behind writing and recording some of his favorite tracks from his new album. If you missed the Friday night premiere, check the schedulefor re-airs throughout the weekend.

On the chart this week, Scotty McCreery remains at No. 1 with “The Trouble With Girls” while Luke Bryan”s “I Don’t Want This Night To End” jumps into the No. 2 position. Alan Jackson’s latest video, “So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore,” debuts on the countdown this week at No. 7 while Keith Urban’s new video, “You Gonna Fly,” also makes its countdown debut in the No. 10 slot.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Scotty McCreery – “The Trouble With Girls”
2. Luke Bryan – “I Don’t Want This Night To End”
3. Taylor Swift – “Ours”
4. Katie Armiger – “Scream”
5. Kellie Pickler – “Tough”
6. Chris Young – “You”
7. Alan Jackson – “So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore”
8. Reba McEntire – “Somebody’s Chelsea”
9. Miranda Lambert – “Baggage Claim”
10. Keith Urban – “You Gonna Fly”
11. Jake Owen – “Alone With You”
12. Toby Keith – “Red Solo Cup”
13. Casey James – “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night”
14. Sara Evans – “My Heart Can’t Tell You No”
15. The Band Perry – “All Your Life”
16. Eric Church – “Drink In My Hand”
17. Zac Brown Band – “Keep Me In Mind”
18. Blake Shelton – “Footloose”
19. Jason Aldean – “Tattoos On This Town”
20. Lee Brice – “Woman Like You”

GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown premieres every Friday night at 9/8c with re-airs throughout the weekend. Click here for a complete schedule.

Vote daily for GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown »

Browse GAC’s All-Star Top 20 Photo Gallery »

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Rock Hill Police Lt. Michael Belk explains how Carlos Luis Pinales-Mejia was located in connection with the shooting death of Amber Marie Schiavone.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Carlos Luis Pinales-Mejia is charged with murder and possession of a firearm during a violent crime.

He allegedly shot the 22-year-old Schiavone with a nine-millimeter semi-automatic handgun.

A Rock Hill police report said 20-year-old Jeremy Encinas and a 16-year-old teenager, both of Rock Hill, went to the Money around 3:15 Friday morning to pick up a friend, and when their friend did not show, another man asked them for a ride home.

Inside the car, the man directed Encinas to stop in Oakwood Acres on Montclair Drive, when he then made Encinas tie up the teenager and Encinas was stabbed several times.

The suspect got away with a set of car keys, 5 dollars in cash and two cell phones. Encinas was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

A Rock Hill police report says officers were called to the store just after 9 Thursday night after a store employee saw the two stuffing merchandise in a bag. Police recovered more thousands of pills of Aleve, Mucinex, Arthritis medicine, Advil as well as a GPS, women’s shoes and a pair of headphones.

31-year-old Jason McGinnis of Gastonia and 30-year-old Tina Hayes of Dallas, North Carolina and they both face charges of first-degree shoplifting.

Among the items stolen (and recovered):

• 5 boxes of 200ct Aleve
• 8 boxes of 100ct Aleve
• 4 boxes of 200ct Aleve
• 10 boxes of 20ct Mucinex
• 1 box of 28ct Mucinex
• 12 boxes 40ct Mucinex
• 3 boxes 60ct Mucinex
• 1 box Equate headache medicine
• 5 Monster “Beats by Dre” headphones.
• 11 boxes of 22ct Aleve
• 4 boxes 20ct Aleve
• 7 boxes 300ct Advil
• 3 boxes 100ct Aleve arthritis
• 3 boxes 45ct Zyrtec
• 1 pair, women’s shoes, black
• 1 Garmin GPS