Happy 2019 Chroniclers!
My Hope For You.
In the coming year may you find,
happiness, use your abilities to solve problems and challenges; hope, may you always have it, never lose this; goals, to keep you focus on your dreams; and, success, by solving your problems, focusing on your goals, and always having hope, good fortune will find you.
Make 2019 Your Best EVER!
Efrem #thankyouforfollowing #happynewyear #hugs #blessingstoall
#RHoA: Due to LOW RATINGS! Phaedra Parks & Kenya Moore: Would They Return To ‘RHOA’ If They’re Asked?
Phaedra Parks and Kenya Moore left ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ fans saddened when they left the series and now that ratings are slipping, according to a source at Hollywood Life whether there’s a possibility they will return.
Things just haven’t been the same on Real Housewives of Atlanta ever since two of its key cast members, Kenya Moore, 47, and Phaedra Parks, 45, left the show, and now that they’re extremely missed by fans of the popular series, the ratings are reportedly turning up a lot lower than what they were in the past. Could this convince the two stars to try and boost the numbers by returning to the show? It turns out, anything is possible!
“Kenya and Phaedra are loving knowing that they are missed on RHOA, They’re aware that ratings are down this season, and both ladies feel that a huge reason is because of them. They know they really help make the show.” As diehard fans of the Bravo reality series know, Phaedra left after a drama-filled season in which she was involved in a rumor about fellow co-stars Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker allegedly trying to drug Porsha Williams and take advantage of her, and Kenya left after a longstanding feud with co-star NeNe Leakes that even seemed to go on even after the birth of Kenya’s baby this year.
“Phaedra feels that Kandi had a hand in her firing and Kenya feels NeNe had a hand in hers as well, but neither Kandi nor Nene feel that is true,” the source continued. “Kenya felt that she had a great story line with the baby and her marriage and Phaedra felt the same with ex Apollo Nida away, so it’s only natural that they’re feeling a little good knowing that they’re missed. It’s always possible for a return and both ladies are open to the idea at some point.”
#Empire: Where does Empire stand for FOX’s best Shows this season?
Now that they’ve wrapped their fall runs, let’s see how each network’s shows are stacking up thus far for the 2018-19 season, closing things out with Fox.
Listed below is the average Live+Same Day DEMO RATING for each series on Fox. Beside that is the PERCENT CHANGE versus each program’s previous full-season average (or its time slot predecessor’s performance, if indicated among NOTES). Each program’s RANK refers to the most critical measure — how it is faring compared to other shows on Fox, since come springtime heads must roll to make room for shiny-and-new pilots.
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THE LINE: Inching ever closer to its post-Disney deal future, Fox has made some smart moves with current programming. The ever-aging Sunday slate is holding steady (though working a live-action comedy into the mix remains a nut to crack), as is Wednesday’s Empire/Star combo. Thanks in large part to 9-1-1, Monday is up year-over-year; the acquisition of Thursday Night Football quadrupled Gotham and The Orville‘s Fall 2017 averages; and reviving Last Man Standing fueled a Friday-night improvement. Tuesday, though, is tanking, with both The Gifted and the embattled Lethal Weapon down sharply from their previous seasons and barely on par with any of the far-less-expensive sitcoms they replaced.
#MusicBox: Leela James Covers ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman
Leela James is ending 2018 in a showstopping way. The soul singer has released her rendition of “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.
Accompanied by a dramatic production, James controls listeners attention with her beautifully flawed voice as she sings the inspirational score.
LISTEN HERE
James shared that she felt compelled to record a studio version of “This is Me” after she performed the powerful anthem at this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
#NewHipHop: WATCH IT! 8Ball & MJG "Take A Picture"
Legendary Hip Hop duo 8Ball & MJG has resurfaced with a new video for “Take A Picture.” Like 8Ball spits, his “vocabulary is bigger than Shaq”.
Produced by Corey Mo, the mellow, guitar and piano-infused beat allows both 8Ball and MJG’s voices to take centerstage, proving they’ve retained the lyrical prowess that made them leaders of the Memphis Hip Hop scene throughout the ’90s.
WATCH HERE
“Take A Picture” coincides with their Classic Pimpin live album and follows their induction into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.
Look Who Performed at NYC's Stonewall Inn on New Year's Eve! The one and only Madonna!
Madonna surprised fans by giving a special New Year’s Eve performance at the Stonewall Inn on Monday night (December 31) in New York City.
The legendary entertainer was just named an ambassador of the venue, ahead of its 50th anniversary. The Stonewall Inn is the site of the riots that helped launch the LGBTQ movement back in 1969.
Madonna, who wore a leather jacket, ripped jeans, and a New Year’s Eve bow on her head, spoke from rainbow printed cards.
WATCH HERE
@Madonna, activist and friend, gave a surprise performance at stonewall. And she was everything you imagined to be. ❤ #ally #hiv #UEqualsU #madonna pic.twitter.com/Y7p5fffWdi— Plus Magazine (@HIVPlusMag) January 1, 2019
“I stand here proudly at the place where pride began, the legendary Stonewall Inn, on the birth of a new year. We come together tonight to celebrate 50 years of revolution,” Madonna told the crowd (via Variety). “If we truly took the time to get to know one another we would find that we all bleed the same color and we all need to love and be loved. Let’s remember who and what we are fighting for — ourselves, for each other, but truly and most importantly, what are we fighting for? Let’s take a minute to reflect on how we can bring more love and peace into 2019, let’s look at how we can bring random acts of kindness. Maybe we can find an opening to bring the light in. Are you ready to do that?”
Madonna performed “Like a Prayer” and a cover of Elvis‘ “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” FAB!!!
Penny Marshall’s Cause of Death has been Revealed
Penny Marshall died from heart failure at age 75 on December 17, resulting from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and diabetes, according to Us Weekly.
According to a death certificate the former Laverne & Shirley star’s body was cremated on December 26 and her remains were given to her sister, Ronny Hallin, the following day.
Marshall died at her Hollywood Hills home at 9:10 p.m., according to the document. (The Blast was the first to break the news of Marshall’s cause of death.)
The legendary actress’ family released a statement after news broke of her death.
“Our family is heartbroken over the passing of Penny Marshall,” the statement read. “Penny was a tomboy who loved sports, doing puzzles of any kind, drinking milk and Pepsi together and being with her family. As an actress, her work on Laverne & Shirley broke ground featuring blue-collar women entertaining America in prime time. She was a comedic natural with a photographic memory and an instinct for slapstick. When Penny directed Tom Hanks in the movie Big she became a pioneer as the first woman in history to helm a film that grossed more than $100 million. She did it again with A League of Their Own. She directed many stars including Geena Davis, Robert De Niro, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, Madonna, Denzel Washington, Rosie O’Donnell and Whitney Houston. She even gave Mark Wahlberg his first acting job. Penny was a girl from the Bronx, who came out West, put a cursive ‘L’on her sweater and transformed herself into a Hollywood success story. We hope her life continues to inspire others to spend time with family, work hard and make all of their dreams come true.”
Marshall made her television debut on NBC’s The Danny Thomas Hour in 1967. She was best known for her role as Laverne DeFazio in the popular sitcom Laverne & Shirley, which aired from 1976 to 1983.
Singer Ricky Martin & Husband welcome a New Baby Girl!
LOS ANGELES — Ricky Martin is starting the new year with a new bundle of joy.
The Grammy-nominated singer announced the arrival of his daughter with an Instagram post showing off the infant’s tiny hands. Martin says the girl is named Lucia.
Martin’s post didn’t include any additional details, other than that the baby girl is healthy. Martin’s post says his family, which includes husband Jwan Yosef and 10-year-old twin sons, have “fallen in love with Lucia.”
The “Living La Vida Loca” singer garnered an Emmy nomination earlier this year for his supporting role in the FX series “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.”
Master P to Cover Funeral Costs of 13-Year-Old Boy Killed in Police Crash
Master P is paying for the funeral of a 13-year-old Kentucky boy killed in a car crash after a police chase, a boy the rapper met three years ago after he was shot in the leg by a stray bullet.
Ki’Anthony Tyus died on December 22 when a Lexus SUV he was a passenger in crashed into a utility pole following a police chase in Louisville. The SUV had been reported stolen.
Tyus had become an anti-violence activist after he was struck by a stray bullet while playing basketball in 2015. That is when he first met Master P, who wrote about Tyus’ death earlier this week.
“My 13 year old lil soldier didn’t make it,” P wrote. “He got shot 2 years ago and got Killed 2 days ago. We need to stop this black on black crime. Rip Ki’Anthony Tyus. #weallwegot Just know that every decision comes with consequences and no one is too young to die. My prayers go out to his family 🙏🏾 ”
A memorial for Tyrus was held on Sunday and a funeral is scheduled for later this week.
Why K. Michelle Says She’ll Never Be Cool with Nicki Minaj
K. Michelle said she wants to make up with Meek Mill but not Nicki Minaj.
Michelle recently dropped by TMZ’s “Raq Rants,” hosted by Raquel Harper, and spoke about Nicki’s 2014 song “Buy a Heart,” featuring Meek.
K. Michelle said she wants to make up with Meek Mill but not Nicki Minaj.
During the interview, the R&B singer said Meek played her the song, and it was supposed to be hers, but he later gave it to Nicki. In the past, Michelle said the Young Money rapper thought she and Meek were having sex, so she didn’t want her to have the record. The “Love ‘Em All” crooner also claimed that Nicki sent her fans to attack her back then.
“The only reason I had ‘Anyone Wanna Buy a Heart,’ is because you played me the record to get my opinion and you didn’t keep the record so they gave me the record,” Michelle explained. “Why do me like that and you in jail? … She telling people to take my Dream Chaser’s chain, and I wasn’t even wearing it.”
Harper then asked if Nicki ever got the chain back, and Michelle said she didn’t.
“Hell naw, bitch.” Michelle stated.
The singer then said that although she’s no longer mad at Ms. Minaj, they can never be cool with each other. But she feels totally differently about Meek.
“I want Meek to do well,” stated Michelle. “We were friends, and I always thought you were extremely talented, and they need you out here in the streets helping the kids, we don’t need you back in jail, so stay on your sh–.”
The Barbz have already attacked Michelle online for the TMZ interview.
“The Nicki obsession has got to stop,” someone wrote on her Instagram page.
“You act like that record was about to do something for your non-existent career,” wrote another person. “Stop using Nicki and Meek for clout.”
Andy Cohen Goes “Jim Acosta” When Authorities Pull Umbrella During CNN New Years Eve Coverage
Andy Cohen stood up to authority about 80-minutes into CNN’s New Year’s Eve coverage, when the Times Square Alliance forced him to close up his clear umbrella in the pouring rain.
“Andy has taken a turn,” co-host Anderson Cooper warned viewers of his commercial-break transformation.
“It’s more than drizzling in Times Square,” Cohen complained. “I’m not putting a damper on anything, but I will say this: I had this umbrella. The lady from the Times Square Alliance came over said, ‘You have to get rid of the umbrella’!”
“This has been going on for for an hour and a half,” chuckled Cooper who, like Cohen, was now getting drenched, only Cohen’s jacket had a hood.
“I said I won’t do it,” Cohen told viewers. “I said, ‘Get the paddy wagon, cause that’s what it’s going to take.’ But now they are threatening to pull CNN’s spot from the credentials from Times Square for next year!”
Cooper compared it to the White House pulling Jim Acosta’s credentials when Acosta scolded President Donald Trump and would not turn over his microphone, during Trump’s morning-after-midterms meltdown presser.
Cohen agreed. He then held up the clear umbrella for viewers to see.
“This umbrella is such a threat to the Times Square Alliance?! And what does the Times Square Alliance do besides F with my New Year’s Eve?! So, fine! Univision has their umbrellas over there. We stand with Univision!”C
Cooper reported the Univision reporters in Times Square had been forced to fold up their umbrellas too.
“Oh great!” Cohen groused. “This is some grade A BS!”
“At least you have a hood,” Cooper said, looking at the bright side.
Cohen was comforted:
“I really hope the Times Square Alliance is thrilled that I am now completely soaked. I’ve ruined this coat. it’s like a joke. What do they care about an umbrella. I was so happy before.
“Tweet them!” Cohen urged viewers.
“That’s right. Let’s get America tweeting ‘Let Andy Have His Umbrella,” Cooper joked.
They did. Lots and lots.
Cohen’s umbrella returned briefly, during their interview with Faye Dunaway. After she left, umbrella down.
Tiffany Haddish’s New Year’s Eve Concert Had Folks leaving out of Boredom!
Tiffany Haddish had a difficult New Year’s Eve during her show in Miami … especially when the crowd started to disperse mid-show.
Tiffany, who’s almost always hilarious and on point, was performing at the James L. Knight Center to a packed house. But, her set wasn’t connecting with the audience, and she clearly knew it. At one point, as some people started leaving, she said, “This is weird for me. Now, this is going to be on TMZ or whatever.”
During her routine, Tiffany talks about her mom getting out of a mental institution … she says she told her mom to punch her in the back and burp her. She also griped about her family asking her for money. She says her sister wanted a refrigerator and a new stove, but Tiffany said she told her sister she had just paid her rent, so she just gave her a cooler.
Tiffany changed things up, cracked open a bottle of Ciroc and started drinking with the audience.
Watch Here.
J.Lo’s Fuse Channel has been Dropped by Comcast
Fuse criticized Comcast for it’s decision explaining that it
“met Comcast’s financial demands and no other requirements were ever communicated to us.”
Fuse president-CEO Michael Schwimmer stated,
“By removing our network from its consumer offering, Comcast is silencing yet another independent media company, in this case one that is devoted to providing a platform for inclusive voices and authentic representation at a uniquely important time in our society. A commitment to diversity is an enduring value, not a politically expedient card for Comcast to play until such time as consent decrees or business objectives no longer require it. Comcast’s behavior leading to its decision to drop Fuse reveals an agenda inconsistent with their public statements, giving further credence to the merit of ongoing DOJ oversight.”
No word on how many subscribers Fuse will lose from Comcast, the nation’s largest MVPD. The number of Fuse subscribers has decreased. According to Nielsen, it reached about 74 million cable households a few years ago. As of February, it was down to 60 million.
Kanye West Is Going At Drake Over Kim Kardashian Again
Kanye West was heated on Saturday (December 30) when he realized Drake followed his wife Kim Kardashian on Instagram. After ending yet another Twitter tirade on a peaceful note, ‘Ye apparently has one final warning for the 6 God before 2018 is over.
On Monday (December 31), ‘Ye hopped on Twitter with some more choice words for Drake. Not only did he bring up Drake’s subliminal shots on Travis Scott’s chart-topping single “Sicko Mode” again, but he also revisited the controversial IG follow that made him so mad.
“This man tried to used my family’s song to get at me,” he tweeted. “He been trying to pick a fight since the pool line. He dodged me for months when I extended olive branches to talk and then called to threaten me. I’ve never mentioned or touched anything related to family when it came to Drake. He followed my wife on Instagram he mentioned Pusha’s fiancé in a song.”
“You could have been sat down with me. I don’t need to score no points off of drake. If that was the case I wouldn’t have reached out in the first place. Ima focus on my family. And you keep my family out of all this wrestling foolishness. I don’t have beef with no one. Love everyone but don’t follow my fucking wife on Instagram. Who’s bright idea was it to tell Drake to follow my wife on Instagram This person is not Drake’s friend.”
Kanye has been spouting off about Drake on Twitter for weeks. Earlier this month, ‘Ye accused Drake of mistreating people with mental illnesses, showing fake love, texting his mother-in-law Kris Jenner and threatening him.
The rift seemed to grow following Pusha T’s “The Story of Adidon” diss track, which was released in May. The G.O.O.D. Music president revealed Drake had a “secret son” he’d been hiding, ultimately forcing the Toronto superstar to admit he’d fathered a child with former softcore porn actress Sophie Brussaux.
Kanye, who produced Pusha’s DAYTONA album, denied he gave Push any information about Drake’s personal life. In the months since, ‘Ye has tried to make peace with Drake but clearly, those attempts have failed.
Manhunt Underway in Texas for Man Who Gunned Down 7-Year-Old Girl
Police in Texas are searching for an unidentified white man who allegedly opened fire on a black family leaving a Walmart parking lot on Sunday morning, killing a 7-year-old girl in front of her mother and three other young girls believed to be her sisters. In a statement on Twitter, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez identified the slain child as Jazmine Barnes. Her mother, identified as 30-year-old LaPorsha Washington, was wounded in the incident but expected to survive, while one other girl was injured by shattered glass.
“A total of 5 occupants in the car witnessed this innocent child, their loved one, shot and killed before their eyes. So senseless. It’s never easy, and extra hard during the holiday season,” Gonzalez said. The suspect has been identified only as a white male in his 40s who was driving a red pickup truck. Police have not yet determined a motive, saying only that the gunman pulled up next to the family’s vehicle and began firing inside as they were leaving the parking lot.
"I urge you, whoever did this, you know who are, please turn yourself in," said Major Jesse Razo. "Because we will be looking for you, we will locate you and we will find you."
If you have any information on the suspect please call HCSO at 713-221-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
REPORT: Wendy Williams to Divorce Husband Over Illegitimate Child
Wendy Williams is reportedly divorcing her longtime husband, Kevin Hunter, after he allegedly impregnated his mistress.
A source close to the talk show host told lovebscott.com that Hunter’s mistress is ” allegedly pregnant and still living just down the street from their house. Word around the show is that they’re going to divorce sometime now that little Kevin has gone college.”
According to the gossip blog, sources close to Williams are worried that her husband’s alleged affair is stressing her out.
The broadcast personality is reportedly “wobbly all the tie and has been cussing out Whoopi Goldberg behind-the-scenes— without Whoopi being anywhere near.”
The alleged peculiar behavior has sparked rumors that Williams is self-medicating to deal with her hurt.
“[People close to Wendy] suspect she might be self-medicating (either with opioids or prescription pills),” the source continued. “[The staff] is routinely having to adjust to her health issues — i.e. not walking out for the beginning of the show, zoning out during segments, etc. They’re really embarrassed about the whole situation.”
Williams’ health has been a topic of discussion for the past year. She addressed the struggles of living with Graves’ disease and has changed the set up of her eponymous show to allow her to sit to accommodate her health.
Usher shows off new Pompadour hairstyle for 2019
The Grammy-winning singer, who was born 40 years ago in Dallas before establishing his musical legacy in Atlanta, hopped on Instagram Live to show off his new perm and haircut. It is a very similar style that the “It’s Going Down” rapper Young Joc rocked on “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” in 2017.
Usher let fans know right up front on the IG Live post that this was a new look that he wanted to rock and he is not concerned about what they might think about it.
Usher explained that it took a lot to achieve his hair, but it makes him look and feel good as if he’s a “pimp” or the “Black Superman.”
Perhaps this was the “U Got it Bad” singer’s way to change things up for the new year after he filed for divorce from his estranged wife, Grace Miguel.
Pete Davidson Claims Louis C.K. Tried to Get Him Fired From ‘Saturday Night Live’
Pete Davidson didn’t hold back during a killer stand-up performance at Boston’s Chevalier Theatre on Monday, December 31. The Saturday Night Live star spoke frankly about his split with Ariana Grande Opens a New Window. and took aim at disgraced comedian Louis C.K.
Davidson, 25, who wore a green jacket, baseball cap and black sweatpants, told the audience about his tattoos, explaining that after he got a Harry Potter tattoo, actor Alan Rickman, who played Professor Snape, died, and then he got a Willy Wonka tattoo and Gene Wilder, who played the character in a 1971 film, passed away. It made him think that everyone he gets a tattoo of will die. “So I’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo of Louis C.K., what do you guys think?” he asked the audience, prompting laughs.
The former Louie star, 51, was accused of sexual misconduct in 2017 and made headlines earlier this week when he mocked the victims of the Parkland school shooting, prompting major backlash on social media.
The Trainwreck star revealed that when the comedian hosted SNL for the fourth time in April 2017, during Davidson’s first year on the show, Louis C.K. “told all the producers in front of me that all this kid does is smoke weed and he’s gonna smoke his career away.”
Davidson added that the American Hustle actor also told the show’s executive producer, Lorne Michaels, “that Pete smokes so much weed that it makes people uncomfortable.”
“Then five years later this mother—ker’s been locking doors and jerking off in front of people,” he added, referencing the allegations by five women that Louis C.K. sexually harassed them by masturbating in front of them.
In a statement in November 2017, Louis C.K. said, “I have been remorseful of my actions. And I’ve tried to learn from them. And run from them. Now I’m aware of the extent of the impact of my actions.”
Davidson also spoke frankly about his October split with Grande after a four-month engagement, admitting that he cried at the table with his mom following the breakup. “It made me see how ugly people can get, and how cool people can be,” he told the audience on New Year’s Eve.
The New York native’s stand-up appearance comes just weeks after he posted a troubling message on Instagram, writing, “I really don’t want to be on this earth anymore.” The alarming post prompted an NYPD welfare check and Grande headed to the SNL studios to check on her ex, but as Us Weekly previously reported, he refused to see her.
Diddy clowned for getting smacked down by Cassie after expressing his love
Based upon the sampling of responses on social media, very few people have any sympathy for music boss Diddy after he was shot down by Cassie in the rudest of ways. In fact, they took pleasure in mocking him with memes and jokes.
A few days ago, Diddy posted a photo of the “Me & U” singer on his Instagram page in another attempt to publicly profess his love for Cassie. But just hours later, Casandra Elizabeth Ventura, 32, posted a photo on her Instagram page showing her kissing a mystery man that we now know is industry trainer Alex Fine. It was the ultimate smackdown.
The reason there is a void of sympathy from fans is that Sean Combs, 49, had been flossing Cassie as a trophy piece for approximately 10 years without giving her a baby or putting a ring on it. When she tried to leave for the final time to begin a new chapter in her life, Diddy suddenly went on a social media blitz to win her back — and he ended up with egg all over his face.
Not only are fans dragging Diddy for his embarrassing crash in the public realm, but they are almost universally siding with Cassie for standing up to a very rich and influential man who did not look like he was ever going to walk her down the aisle. In fact, Diddy had three children with his former girlfriend, the late Kim Porter, but he did not marry her either.
And that’s why Diddy is being clowned mercilessly on social media
Meet The American Prisoner in Russia, Paul Whelan
His brother, David, says Paul Whelan is innocent of the espionage allegations made by the Russian government.
The American arrested in Russia and accused of being a spy is a former cop and retired Marine, who once described having contacts in law enforcement agencies around the world through his work as a global security chief for private companies
Paul Whelan, 48, of Michigan, is also an avowed Russophile who first visited Moscow over a decade ago, when he made a point of befriending Russian soldiers, calling them on his website “the sneaky Russians who had kept the western world at bay for so long.”
Whelan’s brother, David, confirmed to the Daily Beast on Tuesday that he was the man in custody on espionage charges. In a statement first issued to CNN, David Whelan said the family lost contact with Paul on Dec. 28, “which was very much out of character for him even when he was traveling.”
“We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected.”
— David Whelan, brother of Paul Whelan
“We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected,” the brother said, adding that the family had contacted the State Department and congressional representatives.
The current status line on Whelan’s profile on Russia’s VK social media site reads, “Next stop… Moscow.” The page shows Whelan was last seen by the app at 4:55 p.m Moscow time on Dec. 28, the day of his arrest.
The State Department has not commented on the matter except to say it is aware of the arrest and has requested access to Whelan. “I'm hoping we'll have something from the government tomorrow,” David Whelan said.
The Russian government has offered no evidence that Whelan is a spy. And former CIA officers have told sources that his arrest is likely payback for the U.S. prosecution of confessed Russian agent Maria Butina.
Whelan’s currently works as director of global security and investigations for BorgWarner, a large automotive components manufacturer based in Michigan, with 29,000 employees and more than 60 offices and manufacturing facilities located in 18 countries, public records show
Prior to joining BorgWarner, Whelan worked in global security operations for the office staffing firm Kelly Services. A spokesperson for Kelly Services said Whelan left the company in February 2016, but otherwise declined to comment.
But a 2013 deposition in an age discrimination lawsuit filed against Kelly Services provides more detail about Whelan’s time there and background.
Fom 1988 and 2000 Whelan served as a police officer on the Chelsea, Michigan, force, and as a deputy in the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.
His military service began in 1990. He was in the Marines, “active duty on reserve,” from 1990 to 2001, the year he joined Kelly Services as an IT project manager. Two years later, in 2003, he took military leave to serve in Iraq, and didn’t return to Kelly Services until 2008.
In 2010 he was made senior manager of global security and operations, a role he described this way:
“I manage investigations. I conduct investigations. I manage personnel. I am in charge of the campus security group. I manage projects that are security based, security related. I handle some purchasing for global security and investigations. Anything electronic, IT-related access, things of that nature.”
Those investigations included, “Theft, fraud, sexual harassment, workplace violence. Anything, really, that impacts Kelly Services as a global company, whether it is in the United States or the countries that I manage. Anything that really impacts our business, our brand, things of that nature.”
His position at Kelly Services put him in frequent contact with a variety of federal agencies.
“Kelly Services is a global company, and we work with federal agencies all the time, whether it is OSAC or the LEGATT at the foreign embassies, or we work with HUD or DEA, FBI, ATF, whomever in the United States. We work with federal agencies in Canada, and what have you, all over the place. So we come in contact with federal agencies and officers all the time.”
In March 2011 his role was expanded to include campus security, which until then had largely been outsourced. The change was a result of several incidents involving the outside security company’s personnel--one of the security guards, for example, went to prison for stalking a former lover using Kelly Services’ phones. Whelan dropped the company and brought in guards from a firm called Whelan Security, At the time of his deposition, Whelen had 10 staffers under him, all direct reports.
Archives of Whelan’s now-defunct personal website include photos of Whelan and fellow troops apparently on deployment to Iraq. From other sources, Whelan appears to have been a staff sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. At his account on VK, a Russian social media app, Whelan posted a photo of himself in Iraq wearing a Marine uniform.
One associate on the social network showed The Daily Beast a picture of a challenge coin Whelan sent him bearing Whelan’s name and rank as a staff sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserve. A similar challenge coin found for sale on eBay bearing Whelan’s name identified him as a staff sergeant with Marine Air Control Group 38 with service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Marine Corps quoted Whelan for a 2007 article about a Defense Department leave program for deployed troops to take vacation time. Whelan, the article noted, “spent his two weeks of leave experiencing the post-soviet era of Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia.” A photo accompany the piece shows Whelan posed in front of St. Basil’s cathedral in Moscow.
“The Russian language is very difficult to learn, but I've been slowly studying and learning from my friends.”
— Paul Whelan
Whelan also wrote about that first trip to Russia on his website. “Having grown up during the Cold War, it was a dream of mine to visit Russia and meet some of the sneaky Russians who had kept the western world at bay for so long!” he wrote. “I was fortunate enough to meet nice people and had several pleasant excursions throughout the country. … The Russian language is very difficult to learn, but I've been slowly studying and learning from my friends.”
Those friends included “Maxim”, who was then serving in the Russian Army, and “Tovarish”, a sergeant in the Frontier Guard. Both men were stationed in Moscow. Whelan set up web pages for them on his personal site.
On his VK account, Whelan demonstrated some knowledge of the Russian language. He posted selfies wearing a jersey for FC Spartak Moscow, a soccer team from the capital, offered well wishes on various holidays, and tips for Russian speakers looking for help learning English.
AND FINALLY FROM THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART FILES
‘HAPPY NEW YEAR!’
Just need Katy Perry in the background singing “Baby you’re a firework!” to really ring in the New Year!
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Tracy Cub!
Meet Tracy Cub! You can see more when CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSFW!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
Enjoy!
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!
EFREM
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