The Daily Buzz For May 21

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Bruno Mars Covers ‘Entertainment Weekly’ With His Black Leopard

Pop star Bruno Mars covers the Summer Music Preview issue of Entertainment Weekly which his supporting his new Jungle Tour.

(By the way: If you guessed that his cover photo with his big-cat co-star, a black leopard named Whoopi, is a nod to Moonshine Jungle’s name, you’re correct!)

DEVASTATING OKLAHOMA TORNADO DISASTER FLATTENS TOWNS DEATHS AND INJURIES REPORTED!

At least 40 people were killed and a number of other people were injured when a storm with a massive tornado struck an area outside Oklahoma City on Monday afternoon, officials said.

At least one school in Moore, Oklahoma, appeared to have been hit by the tornado. Emergency personnel were scouring the school's rubble Monday evening, video from CNN affiliate KFOR showed. The footage also showed a number of other leveled buildings.

The tornado was estimated to be at least 2 miles wide at one point as it moved through Moore, in the southern part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, KFOR reported.

-- President Barack Obama told Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin the federal government "stands ready to provide all available assistance" as part of the response to a series of deadly storms that have struck the Oklahoma City area, including Monday's devastating tornado.

A White House statement said the Federal Emergency Management Agency has deployed a team to assist state operations, and additional personnel are ready to be dispatched as necessary. Obama told Fallin that "the people of Oklahoma" are in the first family's "thoughts and prayers," the statement said.

-- The bodies of 10 people who died as a result of the storm that hit he Oklahoma City area Monday were being sent to Oklahoma's office of the chief medical examiner, the office's Amy Elliott told CNN.

-- Hospitals in metropolitan Oklahoma City are treating a number of people injured in the storm that hit the area Monday afternoon.

Twelve adults and eight children are being treated at the Oklahoma University Medical Center and The Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City, OU Medical Center spokesman Scott Coppenbarger said. "We expect more patients to arrive this evening," Coppenbarger said.

Elsewhere, the Norman Regional Hospital and the Healthplex in Norman, Oklahoma, are treating an unspecified number of people with "signs of trauma, lacerations and broken bones," spokeswoman Melissa Herron said.

-- The preliminary rating of the Moore tornado is at least EF-4 (166 to 200 mph), the National Weather Service said on Monday afternoon.

-- About 38,000 customers of utility OG&E were without power in metropolitan Oklahoma City after Monday afternoon's storm, utility spokesman Brian Alford said.

Alford also said the storm knocked out power to the Oklahoma City area's Draper Water Treatment Plant.

OG&E is working to restore power to the plant. City officials are asking residents to turn off their sprinkler systems and postpone washing dishes and clothes, according to a message on the city government's website.

-- Interstate 35 in Moore, Oklahoma, was closed as a result of debris from the tornado that hit the area Monday afternoon, Oklahoma Department of Transportation spokesman Cole Hackett said. Crews were headed to the north-south highway to start the cleanup process, Hackett said.

-- "People are trapped. You are going to see the devastation for days to come," Betsy Randolph, spokeswoman for Oklahoma Highway Patrol, told CNN late Monday afternoon. She did not say how many people were trapped. "Send your prayers heavenward because there are people fighting for their lives."

Heartbreaking scenes in Oklahoma City area after twister

-- The National Guard has been activated in response to the tornado, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Ann Lee said.

-- Will Rogers World Airport reopened around at about 6 p.m. ET, spokeswoman Karen Carney said. All flights are delayed, and at least six flights have been canceled, she said.

-- Lance West, a reporter for CNN affiliate KFOR, said people late Monday afternoon were pulling students from a classroom at an elementary school heavily damaged by the tornado that hit Moore. There are no immediate reports on the condition of the children.

-- Congressman Tom Cole, who lives in Moore, told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Monday afternoon the damage he saw on TV looks as bad as a 1999 tornado that destroyed more than 1,000 houses in his hometown.

-- McClain County Undersheriff Bill Shobe reported Monday afternoon there is significant damage near Newcastle, Oklahoma. Shobe went on to say there are a lot of structures with damage north of Newcastle and in the town of Tuttle. Most of the damage is parallel to Highway 37, he said.

-- Moore Medical Center in Oklahoma was evacuated after it sustained damages from the tornado, a hospital spokeswoman told CNN's Sarah Baker. All patients are being evacuated to Norman Regional Hospital and Health Plex Hospital, and residents injured in the storm are being told to go to those centers as well.

-- A tornado struck just Moore, Oklahoma, south of Oklahoma City on Monday afternoon, ripping apart homes and other buildings in populated areas. The National Weather Service issued a rare tornado emergency for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, meaning that significant and widespread damage and fatalities were likely.

Meteorologists warned residents to go underground to survive a direct hit from the tornado.

PRAY FOR OKLAHOMA!

Judge Throws Out Charges Against NYPD Officer Accused In Ramarley Graham Shooting Death

A Bronx judge has thrown out the criminal case against an NYPD officer accused in the fatal shooting death of an 18-year-old. The manslaughter indictment was tossed due to a mistake made by the district attorney, ABC News reports.

Officer Richard Haste fatally shot Ramarley Graham last year, allegedly believing that he was armed and dealing drugs. The teen was cornered in his grandmother's Bronx home.

"I am angry and cannot express my feelings along," said Constance  Malcolm, mother of the slain youngster. "I am ready to take it to the streets and the highest of the highest. Please be prepared for a major protest."

Graham's family is prepared to exhaust all options, if necessary. "If it means going back to the grand jury or if we have to ask the federal court to deal with this case, we are going to keep fighting, no matter what," Ramarley's father, Frank Graham, said. "Wherever it leads us, we will go there. We will never stop until justice is served in this case, until Richard Haste goes to prison for murdering our son. If we start over, we will start stronger."

In building a case against Haste, prosecutors stand accused of not providing a grand jury  with adequate information to bring about an indictment.  They are expected to present the case again.

Rev. Al Sharpton, who has been aiding in the family's battle, released a statement via his National Action Network calling the turn of events an "outrageous miscarriage of justice and an insult to the family and supporters of Ramarley Graham." Sharpton and the NAN will hold a protest this Saturday (May 15).

Haste pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the shooting.

Chicago Gospel Music Festival Reception

Gospel artist Donald Lawrence and music producer Aaron Lindsey during the Chicago Gospel Music Festival Opening Reception in Chicago, Illinois.

Nice

Britney Spears Wants A Baby Girl

In a recent interview with Extra’s Mario Lopez, Spears said her two boys, Sean Preston, 7, and Jayden James, 6, are “Little comedians” and “like attention.” Lopez, who has a two-year-old daughter, told Spears he was “very jealous” of her boys. ”Awww, I want a girl!” she said.  Lopez asked “You do want a girl!” So later on, maybe a little girl?” ”Yes!” she replied.

The Celebs Flock To Niecy Nash's Book Launch

Niecy Nash is pushing her brand new book It's Hard To Fight Naked.  And while the semi-newly married woman gives relationship advice to couples on how to argue, and how not to argue, she hosted her book launch party in Beverly Hills

Brandy and "Hollywood Exes" star Sheree Fletcher posed it up with their girl, actress Niecy Nash, as she celebrated the release of her new relationship advice book at the Luxe Rodeo Drive hotel.  Niecy's looking great these days.  Loving the brown & blonde tresses.

"The Game" star Brandy looked super cute in a Camilla And Marc multi-colored striped and floral peplum dress with pink pumps.

Niecy's hubby Jay was there to support, along with newly engaged couple Kat Von D and her fiance, Deadmau5.

"Basketball Wives: LA" stars Gloria Govan Barnes and her sis Laura Govan came out to support.  Doesn't seem like they're taping a new season anytime soon so why not hit up a few parties...

Brooke Bailey was also there.

Comedienne (and Kevin Hart's ex-wife) Torrei Hart had some fun with Niecy's "Soul Man" costar Cedric The Entertainer and her comedy partner Simone Shepherd.

Jill Scott made a supportive appearance.

And all the ladies snapped pics together while having some outdoor springtime fun. 

Congrats on the book Niecy!

Lance Gross Was Almost A Gladiator In A Suit

Lance Gross almost became a gladiator in a suit on ABC’s hit drama, Scandal. In a recent interview with Hot 97 radio host Angie Martinez — Lance revealed he audition for the role of Harrison on Scandal. “I was up for that role. Yeah, it hurts,” Lance said with a laugh before congratulation Columbus Short on scoring the role. “He’s killing it. He was right for it.”

Lance doesn’t harbor any hate for Columbus, and he’s since moved on to snag the starring role in an NBC pilot where he’ll play a secret service agent.

Lance said he’s usually up against the same roster of guys when he goes on auditions — but it’s no hate against one another.

 “I feel like everybody uplifts everybody,” the actor told Angie, adding that he thinks women are far more likely to get snippy over a lost role. “I feel like the girls do that more so than guys–getting catty about the roles. It’s friendly competition. It’s just like sports.”

Ladies and Gents I present to you The Ramsey Burger

A Cleveland burger joint is helping to make Charles Ramsey - the man who famously helped rescue kidnapping victim Amanda Berry - even more of a household name.

Hodges restaurant in downtown Cleveland has added the 'Ramsey burger' in honor of the 43-year-old hero, who has worked as a dishwasher at the restaurant.

The $12 burger is eight ounces of Certified Angus Beef with lettuce, cheddar cheese, bread and butter pickles, and a 'secret sauce' on a toasted sesame seed bun.

The owner of the restaurant, Chris Hodgson, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the burger is a 'play on a Big Mac, which is what he was eating [when the rescue occurred].'

Hodgson has also been selling T-shirts that honor Ramsey, raising more than $17,000 so far.

Unlike the burger, the proceeds of the shirt sales are going to the kidnapping victims, Hodges said.

Ramsey won hero status across the nation for breaking into his neighbor's home to rescue Berry, who had been kept inside the house for years against her will along with three other victims - including Berry's young daughter.

Hodges restaurant has also been selling these T-shirts and the proceeds are going to help the kidnapping victims

Hours after the rescue, he catapulted to Internet fame for the series of colorful television interviews that he gave on the ordeal.

Hodges patron Melissa Rush tried the burger on Monday afternoon and told the Cleveland Fox affiliate it was 'delicious.'

When asked what she thought about Ramsey, she said, 'Oh, I’m obsessed.  I’ve been following it. I think the guy is great. I’m really proud to know that he’s from Cleveland.'

Former NFL Player, Warrick Dunn Gives Single Mom New House

Ex-NFL Baller Warrick Dunn gave Kimberly Kindel and her three children their first home as part of his charity’s “Home for the Holidays” program on Tuesday,  Fox 5 News Atlanta via All News 106.7 reports. In addition to the home being fully furnished, Dunn gave Kindel $5,000 to help with the down payment.

In addition to the home being fully furnished, Dunn gave Kindel $5,000 to help with the down payment. The ex-NFL player gave Kindel the home through his charity, Warrick Dunn Charities. He has been helping single parents get into their first home since 1997. Atlanta Habitat for Humanity and Aaron’s, Inc. partnered with Dunn to get Kindel and her children into the house.

While it brings Dunn joy to give Kindel this wonderful Mother’s Day, the holiday evokes bad memories for the former NFL star. His mother, Betty Smothers, was a Baton Rouge, La., police officer when she was killed in the line of duty. Dunn was just 18-years-old at the time.

Rihanna to release new fragrance: Rogue by Rihanna

That Rihanna Reign just won’t stop…. After three very popular fragrances released in the last couple years, Rihanna is ready for another one: Rogue by Rihanna. According to her, the fragrance will come in two installments: first is women‘s, with men‘s following shortly after. And that’s not all. She also revealed that it will have a brand new bottle, it’s a brand new installment. Check out her announcement inside.

WERK BISH!

Oh lawd! 75-Year-Old Pimp Busted For Running Prostitution Ring Out Of Senior Living Complex

A senior citizen was arrested for allegedly spearheading a prostitution ring out of the Englewood, N.J. elderly living complex where he resided. Police said Tuesday (May 14) that James Parham, 75, did everything from putting some of the elderly residents on the payroll, to allowing them (and visitors) to smoke crack out of his unit.

Employing a hybrid of "young women and older residents," Parham provided s-xual services for residents in the Vincente K. Tibbs Senior Citizen Building with the help of "mostly crack addicted women." In addition to pimping, he and  66-year-old neighbor Cheryl Chaney, face paraphernalia and possession charges over the crack.

From NBC New York:

Both are charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a nuisance, and Chaney is also charged with possession of crack cocaine.

In Parham's case, the nuisance charge relates to allowing prostitution in his apartment and in Chaney's case, it relates to allowing drug use in hers.

Englewood Police Chief Arthur O'Keefe told NBC 4 New York on Tuesday that Parham ran the prostitution ring through his apartments, and employed a mix of young women and older residents.

Watch:

None of the alleged prostitutes were arrested.

O'Keefe says there was also s-x and drug use going on in common areas of the complex, and that some seniors were afraid to venture into certain areas because they were afraid for their lives.

Richard Allaway, a resident, says he and others were aware of "a lot of nonsense going on."

A lack of security in the building is believed to have contributed to the problem.

Another woman, 54-year-old Selma McDuffie, was arrested during the bust, and charged with having a crack pipe.

Amid resident complaints of loitering and condoms in the common areas, Englewood cops set up an undercover sting to nab Parham.

Not surprisingly, Parham, his sidekicks, and others who participated in illegal activity, are being evicted from the 152-unit structure.

Kelly Rowland’s Ex Boyfriend, Roy Williams, Denies He Was Abusive: ‘It Wasn’t Me’

Last week Kelly Rowland released a ear-catching snippet of a song called, ‘Dirty Laundry‘. On the track, Kelly shares raw memories of an ex-boyfriend who was abusive to her. She sings:

I was battered, he hit in a window like it was me until it shattered///He pulled me out, he said, ‘Don’t nobody love you but me, not your mama, not your daddy, and especially not B.’

After the track was released, a few folk began to speculate about exactly who was this former boyfriend. Back in  2005, Kelly was engaged to NFLer Roy Williams, but just two months before the wedding, it was called off.

When asked about why she called off the engagement, she told Britain’s Daily:

I wanted that wedding. I wanted to be married. You can just make wrong decisions in life. That was all part of growing up. I just think it’s important to trust your gut. I did a lot of soul-searching afterwards, and I want to be married, so dating is part of that process.

And while that’s a vintage relationship, some inquiring minds were wondering if Kelly was hinting at Roy, in ‘Dirty Laundry’. After hearing the song, Roy took to twitter denying that he is the man being referenced in the song. He wrote:

So Kelly has a new song. Called #DirtyLaundry.. & what ever she’s saying in it ppl thinks it’s me. #wow #imnottheonlypersonshedated #wasntme

Kelly is yet to respond or expand on the lyrics of the song.

I Guess Chics Really Do Love Sosa Chief Keef Engaged

Chief young Keef is getting married and of course it’s to another ratchet who is on the come up, who is a video vixen and goes by the name of Mesha! He has been out of jail 2 months and he is moving forward in his life. You know what I would rather him get married than pop out 5 more kids..

The couple posted pictures of each other on Instagram and confirmed that they are together.  Pretty Mesha tweeted, “Yes me and @ChiefKeef are together,” which Chief Keef retweeted. In other pictures posted, Pretty Mesha was seen wearing an engagement ring.Having made $13,000 a month, Chief Keef will start to pay his 15-year-old baby mama (not Pretty Mesha) $2,600 in child support and $500 in day care expenses. He knows what marriage is? Interesting. I seriously doubt this is anything more than two whores benefiting from each other. He already had one ratchet girlfriend but he probably thinks he upgraded with the video girl and well, we know she is not with him for his intelligence or looks sooooo.

Wendy Williams predicts that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West will split as soon as their baby is born

She's not shy when it comes to saying what she really thinks.

And Wendy Williams once again didn't hold back when she weighed in her opinion about how long Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend Kanye West's relationship would last.

The notoriously outspoken TV chat show host said on a recent episode of Bravo TV's Watch What Happens Live! that she predicts the couple will split immediately after their first child is born, which is said to be in just a few weeks time.

'She and Kanye will not make it and what kind of mom will she be? A single mom,' she said.

'(They will split) 30 seconds after the baby is born. I believe right now there is probably a plan in motion and Kris (Jenner, Kim's mother) is probably helping Kim and Kim is probably asking for the help.'

Wendy said that she thinks that Kanye has already had enough of the Kardashian clan's antics.

'I think Kanye's about sick of all of it and he might think he has invested too much into this family and he is not going to win,' she continued.

'You are not going to pull a Kardashian away from Kardashians. They just don't really understand what it is like to give up for other people.'

There has been considerable speculation surrounding Kim and Kanye's relationship as the pair have been spending a lot of time apart throughout the reality star's pregnancy.

Several weeks ago Kanye was in Paris for weeks while Kim stayed in Los Angeles and also travelled overseas with her family.

The couple have reunited briefly several times, once in Paris and then again in New York and Los Angeles before parting ways again.

Kanye is currently in the Big Apple for work commitments while heavily pregnant Kim has stayed behind in California.

And with her boyfriend Kanye busy with work, Kim recently got some support from her dutiful brother-in-law Scott Disick as she attended baby CPR class in Los Angeles.

Usher to Receive ASCAP Golden Note Award

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will honor eight-time Grammy Award-winner Usher with the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award during its 26th annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.

ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams commented: “Usher’s musical evolution over the years clearly proves his versatility and longevity as an artist, performer and songwriter. The world has moved to his music for nearly two decades. Happily for the rest of us, from the sound of his latest work, it’s clear that the beat will go on and on. Usher is the perfect candidate to receive one of our top honors – the ASCAP Golden Note Award.”

“I take the art of songwriting and music-making very seriously, so to be given the ASCAP Golden Note Award from an organization of my fellow music creators is a huge honor,” said Usher. “I’ve been blessed to have such a wonderful career, working with some of the most talented people in the business, and I am just getting started!”

The invitation-only event will take place on Thursday, June 27th, 2013 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

Kerry Washington DONS Sexy RED LEATHER Marc Jacobs Dress For The ABC Upfronts

Kerry Washington attended a party for the Entertainment Weekly & ABC-TV Upfronts Party at The General in New York City.  For the swanky evening, she wore a Marc Jacobs dress with a Lanvin clutch and black heels. And she rocked it as usual.

Kerry posed with co-star and fan favorite Guillermo Diaz.  Huck!

On the black carpet, Kerry and Guillermo were joined by the rest of their all-star cast including Jeff Perry, Katie Lowes, Bellamy Young, Melissa Mattiace, Jess Cagle, Darby Stanchfield and Joshua Malina.

And later, Kerry shared a few laughs with Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Can this chick do any wrong?

Kerry fans can see her on the silver screen in Peeples and catch the season finale of "Scandal" on Thursday, 9pmCT/10p ET.

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES

‘If You’re Hot, I’m Bothered’

I’m not sure she can grasp the irony of the fact that if those two words are clearly visible back there then it is probably wrong.

HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!

EFREM