#MAGFAB: Kim Kardashian For Sports Illustrated
Businesswoman, reality TV star and mother Kim Kardashian made her Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Cover model debut in the 2022 issue released Monday. You can check out her photoshoot here.
Kardashian, who is best known for her role in the reality TV series Keeping Up With The Kardashians, was photographed by Greg Swales in the Dominican Republic for the feature. She is one of four cover models, joining Ciara, Maye Musk and Yumi Nu.
In addition to building a multi-faceted business empire, Kardashian has maintained strong relationships with her sisters, Khloé, Kourtney, Kendall and Kylie, her brother Rob and her mother Kris. She discussed the importance of her tight-knit family as she made her SI Swimsuit debut.
“It was hectic all the time with six kids in the house. But, a fun chaos,” she said. “I had the best childhood ever, so it’s really fun to see now that that’s the daily routine in my house with all the hecticness and getting everyone ready for school and getting everyone in the car; it’s a really crazy hectic life that I somewhat feel very calm in.
“Me and all my family we pretty much all live in the same gated community. I remember one time I was having a hard time and you just don’t know does your baby have a fever or is it a rash? I called Khloé and it’s 10 p.m. at night and said ‘I’ll be there.’ Three minutes later she walks in the door. Those nights when you’re up late and your babies are sick and you don’t know what to do and you have that family support— that’s the best thing ever. But, then it’s also so fun that all my sisters have kids the same ages so we all are going through it at the same time. Family’s just the best.”
Kardashian is also a mother to four children: daughters North and Chicago, and sons Saint and Psalm. She spoke with SI Swim about balancing a successful career while being a parent.
“Unless you’re a parent, you really don’t get how challenging it is,” Kardashian explained. “There are night’s where you just are like ‘I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to adult anymore. This is really hard every kid is crying and no one will go to bed.’ The most stressful time as a parent is when I do a photoshoot with the kids. Every time after I attempt to do a Christmas Card I’m just like, ‘I’m never doing this again’. I’ll individually do a shot with each kid and have to photoshop it together. I say that every year and then every year I attempt it I’m like, ’Nope, they’re a year older we got this! We’re not going to fight! We’re going to get through it. No one’s going to cry today.’ And then it’s a nightmare and I’m like, ‘I’m never doing that again.’”
Kardashian also discussed what it was like to make her SI Swimsuit debut at age 41.
“Every girl has been obsessed with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers. They’re iconic,” she said. “Every time I would see magazines like this, especially in the 90s when I was growing up, it’s always these perfect, tall, thin women and I just have never been that.
“I vividly remember Tyra Banks on the cover and women with curves. I remember thinking that is so cool. But, I still didn’t think I would have—I thought you had to be a professional model and a runway model. It was always really young girls. I don’t want to date myself or sound old, but in my 40s? That’s crazy!”
#RHOA: 'The Real Housewives of Dubai' Trailer Drops And Phaedra Parks Makes A Splashy Appearance
The Real Housewives of Dubai trailer has dropped and Phaedra Parks pops up!
Bravo’s latest Housewives franchise is premiering on June 1. Bravo confirmed the cast in April. The show makes history for the popular franchise.
Who makes up the cast?
Former Ladies of London star Caroline Stanbury is on the show and is now married to 27-year-old former pro soccer player Sergio Carrallo, with the wedding being shown in the trailer. Caroline was previously married to Cem Habib for 17 years, and the former couple share children together.
Also on the show: Lifestyle content creator Nina Ali, supermodel Chanel Ayan, real estate agent Caroline Brooks, public speaker Dr. Sara Al Madani, and former Miss Jamaica winner and fashion designer Lesa Milan.
It’s the first official international ‘Housewives’ franchise at Bravo and its primary production company
Per Bravo’s logline: “The Real Housewives of Dubai follows a powerful group of lavish women as they run business empires and expertly navigate a highly exclusive social scene within this ultra-luxe Billionaire’s Playground. Whether they’re dining on a mountainside overlooking a valley of 1,000 camels or hosting the wedding event of the year, these ambitious and glamorous women prove everything is more extravagant in the ‘City of Gold.’ When new group dynamics threaten long-standing friendships, tensions inevitably reach a boiling point.”
Former The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks makes a cameo in the trailer as she grabs lunch with one of the ladies.
Parks’ appearance coincides with her Housewives return on season 2 of Peacock’s The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.
Watch the trailer HERE:
And learn about the cast:
Nina Ali is a lifestyle content creator
Born in Lebanon and raised in Texas, Nina Ali is a lifestyle content creator who moved to Dubai in 2011 with her husband, Munaf. After facing significant challenges growing up, Nina values authenticity and prides herself on being the “real deal,” especially when it comes to raising her three children. Though she is supportive of her husband’s lucrative business endeavors, they must decide if the penthouses and personal drivers are worth the many sacrifices.
Chanel Ayan is Dubai’s first black supermodel
Chanel Ayan is a glamorous socialite known for her elegance and enviable style. A fashion and beauty expert, Chanel is a boss on and off the runway. While running her successful talent agency, she is juggling motherhood and a highly anticipated makeup and skincare launch. When Chanel is confronted by demons from both her past and present, she realizes she can only hide behind couture for so long.
Self-made real estate agent Caroline Brooks
The daughter of two immigrant parents from Honduras, Boston-born Caroline Brooks is a proud first generation American and Afro-Latina with an appetite for business that is larger than life. With the nickname Caroline DXB, she is well-known in the Dubai real estate world and dreams of opening an inclusive spa. Self-made and hyper-driven, she will use any connections – including her ex-husband’s – to cement her and her son’s future.
United Arab Emirates native Dr. Sara Madani
Born and raised in the UAE, Dr. Sara Al Madani straddles two worlds: modern and traditional. After starting her first business at the early age of 15, Sara has become a prolific public speaker and inspiration to young women in the region. Despite all her success, this twice-divorced mom of one is intent on finding the one thing that’s missing in her life: love.
Fashion designer Lesa Milan
Originally from Jamaica, Lesa Milan is living out her dreams in Dubai as a successful fashion designer, devoted wife and loving mother to three. Queen of her household, Lesa is fiercely loyal and puts family first over everything. The former Miss Jamaica winner is proud of her luxury maternity fashion line Mina Roe, but fears the success of her brand may come at the cost of her personal life.
Former reality star Caroline Stanbury
A stylist turned reality star on Bravo’s former series “Ladies of London,” Caroline Stanbury returns to the network with expanded horizons as a luxury brand ambassador and host of the popular relationship podcast “Divorced Not Dead.” After her break-up, the mother of three found happiness in Dubai with former Real Madrid soccer player Sergio Carallo. However, marrying someone much younger comes with its own set of challenges, especially around the topic of expanding their family.
#NewMusic: Teedra Moses & The Colleagues – 90’s Kinda Love
The Colleagues Teedra Moses 90s Kinda Love
Production team The Colleagues link up with Teedra Moses for the brand new single “90’s Kinda Love”.
The smoothed out feel good jam featuring Teedra’s sultry vocals was produced by The Colleagues along with Frank Rose.
LISTEN HERE
The Colleagues are known to us from their work with Raheem DeVaughn over the years, notably handling production on his recent album “What a Time To Be In Love”.
The Colleagues are gearing up to release their upcoming album “Love Lust Vulnerability” on May 6th, 2022. The project will include additional features from DeVaughn, Devon Culture and more.
#HipHopNews: Migos Sparks Breakup Rumors After Unfollowing Each Other On Instagram
Is Migos going their separate ways?Offset, Quavo, and Takeoff have fans in a panic about their future as a group after they appeared to unfollow each other on Instagram. Offset no longer follows Quavo and Takeoff on the social media platform. Quavo does not follow Offset, but Takeoff still follows Offset. Additionally, Offset’s wife Cardi B no longer follows Quavo and Takeoff.
The group has yet to address the breakup rumors, but that didn’t stop social media from speculating that there could be trouble in paradise for the “Walk It Talk It” trio.
Amid the speculation, Quavo and Takeoff are set to drop their new collaboration “Hotel Lobby” on Friday as their new duo “Unc and Phew.” Quavo shared a teaser for the video featuring his nephew.
The trio, whose last album Culture III dropped in June, has been working on solo music. Back in October, Quavo revealed plans for his sophomore solo album and also teased a Migos tour, but dates were never announced.
Quavo previously announced that Culture III would be the last in the series. “That was the last Culture chapter. The next thing’s gonna be something different. We have to turn the page,” he told Complex. “I feel like we did our job with that.”
However, Quavo vowed that they would always stick together. “All of the great groups that we’ve seen have never let their group be what they could have been,” he told XXL. “Ain’t nothing gonna stop us but us and God. Everything else is in this water.”
Migos is currently slated to perform at upcoming festivals including Governors Ball next month, as well as Rolling Loud Toronto and Life Is Beautiful in September.
Netflix Lays Off Around 150 Employees, Speculations That The Cuts Are Mainly From Its Diversity Departments Have Surfaced
Streaming service Netflix recently confirmed they will be letting go of employees from its workforce.
According to reports, about 150 mostly US-based employees will be laid off across the company. The removed positions reflect less than 2% of the platform’s 11,000 staffers.
The cuts come shortly after the company reported their first subscriber loss, resulting in the streamer’s “slowing revenue growth.” A Netflix representative said in a statement:
“As we explained on earnings, our slowing revenue growth means we are also having to slow our cost growth as a company. So sadly, we are letting around 150 employees go today, mostly US-based. These changes are primarily driven by business needs rather than individual performance, which makes them especially tough as none of us want to say goodbye to such great colleagues. We’re working hard to support them through this very difficult transition.”
As expected, the staff reductions comes less than a month after Netflix reported its global subscriber base fell by 200,000. The sharp drop occurred in the first quarter of the year from where the company ended in 2021 — their first drop in more than a decade.
Since the streaming service made its announcement, speculation that the cuts are mainly from its diversity departments have surfaced on social media. Netflix has been trending on Twitter as people react to the layoffs.
What are your thoughts on Netflix’s layoffs?
Lizzo Lands Her Own Documentary On HBO Max
It looks like fans will get a deeper look into the life of Lizzo! The 34-year-old singer/songwriter has her very own documentary heading to HBO Max. According to reports, the documentary will follow the pop star and explore her humble beginnings and give an intimate look into the moments that shaped her rise to fame.
The doc is directed by Doug Pray–exec producer of HBO’s The Defiant Ones and director of Seattle grunge doc Hype! It is also executive produced by Lizzo via her production company Lizzobangers. It comes from Warner Music Entertainment and Live Nation Productions and is an Atlantic Films production in association with Boardwalk Pictures and Diamond Docs.
A summary of the upcoming project reads,
“Every once in a while, an artist changes not only music, but culture as well. Lizzo has done both. This is the journey of a trailblazing superstar who has become the movement the world desperately needed just by being herself.”
Reflecting on the documentary, Lizzo said in a statement:
“Growing up I never dreamed I’d get to experience all of the things I’ve accomplished in my life, and I’m just getting started. I’m so excited I get to share and relive my journey with my fans and HBO Max. From ‘Cuz I Love You’ to my dramatic world tour, losing and gaining love, and creating my new album ‘Special,’ y’all get to see the amount of time, patience, blood, sweat and tears that went into this process. It takes ten years to become an ‘overnight success,’ and hopefully I can inspire other young creatives to keep going.”
Lizzo’s documentary is set to premiere on HBO Max this fall!
What are your thoughts? Will you be watching?
Lil Meech Arrested For Allegedly Stealing $250K Richard Millie Watch
Lil Meech, the BMF actor and son of Big Meech, has been arrested for grand theft after allegedly stealing a $250,000 Richard Mille watch.
via: Hot97: According to TMZ, Demetrius ‘Lil Meech’ Flenory was arrested on two counts of first-degree grand theft and a separate count of organized fraud back on March 14. Lil Meech is best known for his role in 50 Cent’s ‘BMF’ series. Lil Meech plays the character of his father, Big Meech.
Reportedly, authorities say the actor walk into Miami’s Haimov Jewelers in February and put a down payment on the Richard Mille using his $80,000 platinum Rolex. It was reported that he actually failed to pay his remaining balance of $200k and never returned the watch.
The actor is also being accused of attempting to trade the Richard Millie in for different watch at a different location. He was released on bond the same day he was arrested.
Lil Meech is undeniably a fan favorite and a breakout star- YET, he does have a few haters lurking. We previously reported that a woman called Meech out for being “musty” and smelling “like a bag of onions.” Meech denies those claims and said the woman was “lying straight thru her teeth feigning for a picture.”
“@llimeechbmf getting so fly the hating is starting,” 50 wrote on Instagram. “She said you smelled like a bag of onion’s LMAO Nah dat’s Creed baby the gold bottle. LOL.”
'P-Valley' Star Tyler Lepley, Miracle Watts Announce They're Expecting Their First Child Together
Congratulations are in order for actor Tyler Lepley and Miracle Watts. In the cutest Instagram video, the actor and the Instagram personality/actress/entrepreneur announced that they’re expecting their first child together.
The P-Valley stars (she is joining Season 2) reenacted a scene from The Notebook and sprinkled some melanin on top. It starts with them professing their love for one another and then driving off in a convertible to the sounds of “Zoom” by The Commodores. Once the car stops, Watts hops out in a two-piece crop top and skirt, her beau opening the door for her to exit the vehicle. As she turns, she reveals her baby bump.
The stunning pair started dating in the summer of 2021. Apparently, they met one other on the set of P-Valley while shooting Season 2.
Shortly before this pregnancy announcement, Watts revealed that they were moving in together, which left fans speculating that a bundle of joy was on the way.
Although this is her first child, Lepley has two children from a previous relationship with his rumored ex-fiancée and talent agent April King.
Over the past year, Watts and Lepley have kept the Instagram community thoroughly engaged with humorous TikTok videos, sexy red carpet appearances, and vacation antics. In a birthday tribute Watts dedicated to Lepley in March, she called him the “love of her life” and revealed their matching tattoos.
All that to say, now we feel like we’re having a baby too. Congratulations to the couple! We’re hoping they enjoy all the blessings babies and the journey to birthing them can bring.
Remy Ma honored with her own street on Bronx Walk of Fame
Remy Ma is being honored where it all started in her home state of New York. The Castle Hill native received her own street sign as a part of the Bronx Walk of Fame.
“Today I was given my own street sign in The Bronx!” said Remy via Instagram. “I’ve come so far from the girl that used to take the 6 train and ride the Bx22 bus. I’ve had to go to court across the street from where that sign is, I’ve lived in a shelter down the block from where that sign is, I’ve went to high school a few lights up from where that sign is.”
She was joined by her fellow Terror Squad family, Fat Joe, as well as her husband and fellow emcee Papoose. The “Conceited” emcee was given the honor by Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. The Deputy President, Janet Peguero, was also in attendance.
“I debuted one of the biggest songs of my career is the stadium behind where that sign is… I appreciate & am so thankful for where I am, I wouldn’t change a thing about where I’ve come from, and I’m excited to see where I’m going,” Remy Ma continued. “Thank you Bronx Borough President, @msvanessa77 and Deputy Borough President @jpegnyc for this honor.”
In 2012, Fat Joe was honored on the Bronx Walk of Fame. The “All The Way Up” lyricists are joined by other honorees which includes the late Luther Vandross, Grandmaster Caz, Swizz Beatz, KRS-One, Kool DJ Red Alert, Kurtis Blow, Rita Moreno, Kid Capri and more.
The Bronx Walk of Fame was created in 1997 by former borough president Fernando Ferrer after he wanted to honor people with Bronx ties who made notable contributions to society.
Remy Ma’s rise to fame began in the early 2000s under the guidance of the late Big Pun. She was signed to the infamous Terror Squad record label following his death in 2000 and went on to hop on Grammy-nominated tracks like “Lean Back”
The New Yorkers who helped identify Brooklyn shooter in danger of being deported
As previously reported, accused gunman Frank R. James has been indicted for allegedly carrying out an attack in a Brooklyn subway on April 12.
New reports state that a woman who has asked to be identified only by her last name of Flores is now being being threatened with deportation due to her immigration status after helping authorities identify James.
Flores was on the train when the attack happened and recorded video of the incident with her phone. Despite being an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, she still did her part to help seek justice for the victims and turned her phone over to police to catch the gunman.
Francisco Puebla is another undocumented immigrant who was in the area at the time of the attack and was able to give authorities information on the crime. Puebla is the manager at Saifee Hardware and Garden store and happened to be installing security cameras at the very moment that James walked past.
The police were alerted and James was then arrested.
The New York Times spoke with the lawyers of Flores and Puebla, who stated that they are trying to get visas intended for victims, witnesses and informants who help law enforcement. They are also investigating the chance of receiving humanitarian aid and political asylum.
New York Mayor Eric Adams held a ceremony at police headquarters where those who aided in James’ arrest were called heroes. On May 5, Puebla was given an official proclamation at a city event honoring Mexican Americans.
Flores is currently applying for a U visa. The document is designed to help victims of violent crimes, including attempted murder. For her to not be deported, the city would have to expedite her paperwork.
James faces life in prison for counts of perpetrating a terrorist attack and violence against a mass transportation system. He pleaded not guilty.
Kanye West's Donda Academy is looking for new talent with choir auditions
Kanye West’s Donda Academy is looking for the best of the best to join their gospel choir.
This Friday (May 20), the Donda Academy gospel choir will hold auditions from 3-7 p.m. PT and Saturday (May 21) 9 a.m.-1 p.m. PT at Eighty Eighty Studios, 11105 Weddington St. North Hollywood, California. The auditions will be open to students between the second and 12th grades and are for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Registration for this weekend’s event can be completed online at Donda.org. The audition form says, “We are looking for kids who love to sing and lift up the name of Jesus to audition for the Donda Academy Gospel Choir.”
According to the website, the Donda Academy helps students become the next generation of leaders, thinkers and innovators, promising to give them a world-class education including a rigorous core curriculum with an emphasis on sustainability, creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving.
The site also mentions that students enrolled at the academy grow in their faith and community through daily worship and also celebrate at Sunday Service.
West began Sunday Service in 2019 to combine his love for music and religion. The choir is led by Jason White.
In a past episode of Netflix’s “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman,” West joined the show’s host to discuss the story behind the weekly gathering.
“It’s just an idea we had to open up our hearts to make music that we felt was as pure and as positive as possible and just do it for an hour every Sunday, and have something where people can just come together and feel good with their families,” West said.
For youth interested in enrolling at the academy outside of the choir auditions, the application deadline is June 10. The school is tuition-based, but scholarships and financial aid packages are available to those who qualify.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs Clears Up All the Confusion Surrounding His Name
Sean “Diddy” Combs is FINALLY revealing the name he goes by.
On Wednesday (May 18), the 52-year-old rapper and entrepreneur made his 17th and final appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
During the interview, Diddy put an end to all the confusion and decided to reveal the name he goes by.
“What is your name?” Ellen point blankly asked Diddy, referencing all the times he has changed his name over the years.
“I feel it’s very important that I clear that up,” Diddy answered. “I decided that I’m just going to go with the name Diddy.”
Over the years, Diddy has gone by several names, including Sean Combs, Puff, Daddy P. Diddy, Diddy, Puffy, and he even legally changed his name to “Love” in 2021.
“Love is my real name,” Diddy explained. “So, I just changed my name to Sean Love Combs. That’s what it says on my driver’s license. That is my official name. Love.”
He added, “I’m Love. I am Love. I have made it.”
Trevor Noah & Minka Kelly 'Officially Over,' Sources
Trevor Noah and Minka Kelly have decided to end their relationship.
On Wednesday (May 18) sources revealed that the 38-year-old The Daily Show host and the 41-year-old Euphoria actress have broken up after dating on and off for nearly two years.
“Minka is single now,” a source told People, before adding Minka “has the best attitude.”
“She is very happy,” the source continued. “She’d rather be single than waste her time with the wrong guy.”
Another source confirmed the split, saying, “They have been broken up for a while.”
Minka and Noah have been dating on and off since August 2020. They briefly split up in May 2021, but got back together several weeks later.
Back in January, Minka shared the first photo of she and Trevor on social media while they were on vacation together in his native South Africa.
'Top Gun: Maverick' Cast Were Surprised By Fighter Jet Flyover at Cannes Film Festival Premiere
Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, and Jennifer Connelly gather up for a giant group photo at the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick during the 2022 Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday (May 18) in Cannes, France.
The trio were joined by a lot of their co-stars in the flick, including Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Jon Hamm, Jay Ellis, Danny Ramirez, and Greg Tarzan Davis, along with director Joseph Kosinski, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie.
While on the red carpet Miles and his wife Keleigh Sperry, shared a couple of sweet kisses, before fighter jets flew over the carpet in tribute to the film.
Tom also received a surprise Palme d’Or award at the event.
Viola Davis and her husband Julius Tennon, Elle Fanning, Eva Longoria, Wallis Day, Jasmine Tookes, Josephine Skriver, pregnant Adriana Lima, Toni Garrn, Katherine Langford, Pom Klementieff, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were also at the premiere.
Student racial slur photo sparks outrage and investigation in Martin County
The Martin County School District says a photo showing a group of six students holding up a letter to spell out a racial slur in front of a school is authentic.
"Complete shock," said district spokeswoman Jennifer DeShazo, on Tuesday afternoon.
A parent of a student at Hidden Oaks Middle School in Palm City first reported the photo to the school district.
School district to determine what to do with students behind racist photo, Denise Sawyer reports, May 17, 2022. (WPEC)
The photo is of six middle school students posing with large, colorful letters spelling out the N-word. Screenshots of the post began circulating within hours on Facebook.
Jennifer DeShazo, the director of Public Information and Community Relations at Martin County School District, told CBS12 News that school officials are reviewing surveillance video and conducting a thorough investigation to see if the photo is authentic and who's behind it. (WPEC)
In an interview with CBS12 News Tuesday morning, a district spokesperson spelled out its zero-tolerance policy for harmful and discriminatory behavior by students.
DeShazo said the students involved could face the highest level of punishment possible under the student code of conduct, a punishment that could extend into next year.
"We don't tolerate this," said DeShazo.
The district said the photo came from an annual art project involving 3D letters from the names of students. In this incident, the students rearranged the letters to spell out the racially insensitive word.
District officials told CBS12 News Treasure Coast reporter Denise Sawyer the photo does appear to have been taken on school property.
Hidden Oaks parents spoke out Tuesday morning, condemning the behavior depicted in this photo.
One family saying their middle-school-aged daughter was deeply hurt by the image.
NY Senate Passes ‘Rap Music On Trial’ Bill Preventing Song Lyrics From Being Used As Evidence In Criminal Cases
On Monday, the New York State Senate approved the “Rap Music on Trial” law, a bill that prevents song lyrics from being used as evidence in criminal cases, developing protection for all artists and content creators, including rappers.
Artists such as Jay-Z and Fat Joe recently signed their names on a letter supporting the legislation intended to secure the freedom of creative expression in New York, banning prosecutors from interpreting rap lyrics as evidence against defendants in courtrooms.
“Rap should not be treated differently from any other art form; yet in courtrooms across the country, artists have been unfairly targeted for simply exercising their right to creative expression,” said Senator Bailey. “Presuming a defendant’s guilt based solely on musical genre or creative expression is antithetical to our foundational rights and perpetuates the systemic racism that is embedded into the criminal justice system through discriminatory conflations of hip-hop and rap with criminality.”
University of Richmond Professor Erik Nielson researched that at least 28 cases of New York criminal prosecutors we’re striving to use rap lyrics as proof of criminal activity since 2017. As recently as last week, the Fulton County District Attorney in Atlanta allowed prosecutors to use rap music from Young Thug in a gamble to prove the rapper’s share in a criminal operation.
“Art is creative expression, not a blueprint of criminal plans. Yet we’ve seen prosecutors in New York and across the country try to use rap music lyrics as evidence in criminal cases, a practice upheld this year by Young Thug’s prosecutors. It’s time to end the egregious bias against certain genres of music, like rap, and protect the First Amendment rights of all artists. I’m proud the New York senate passed this legislation so that New York leads the way in treating artists fairly, no matter their race or gender.”
Ex-Minneapolis Cop Thomas Lane Pleads GUILTY to Manslaughter in George Floyd’s Death
*(CNN) — The former Minneapolis Police officer who held down George Floyd‘s legs during his fatal restraint pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter Wednesday as part of a plea deal, attorneys said.
Thomas Lane, 39, was one of three former officers to face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter and aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder related to Floyd’s death in May 2020.
In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the murder charge, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office said. State and defense attorneys jointly recommended to the court a sentence of 36 months, according to his office.
“I am pleased Thomas Lane has accepted responsibility for his role in Floyd’s death,” Ellison said. “His acknowledgment he did something wrong is an important step toward healing the wounds of the Floyd family, our community, and the nation. While accountability is not justice, this is a significant moment in this case and a necessary resolution on our continued journey to justice.”
Defense attorney Earl Gray said Lane agreed to plead guilty because he faced a mandatory 12-year sentence if he were to be convicted of the murder charge.
“My client did not want to risk losing the murder case so he decided to plead guilty to manslaughter with a 3-year sentence, to be released in 2 years, and the murder case dismissed,” Gray said. “The sentence will be concurrent with his federal sentence and he will serve his time in a federal institution. He has a newborn baby and did not want to risk not being part of the child’s life.”
Lane is scheduled to be sentenced on September 21 on the state charge, according to the court.
He was among three former officers already convicted in a federal court in February of violating Floyd’s civil rights. A sentencing date has not been set in that case.
In a statement, Floyd family attorneys Ben Crump, Antonio Romanucci and Jeff Storms praised the guilty plea but said there was still more to be done.
“Today’s guilty plea by former officer Thomas Lane brings the Floyd family another step towards closure for the horrific and historic murder of George Floyd,” they said. “While today is a step in the right direction, we only need to look to the recent and tragic killing of Amir Locke to understand that the City of Minneapolis has a long journey ahead to regain the trust of its citizenry.”
In early February, a Minneapolis Police officer fatally shot Locke, a 22-year-old Black man, within a few seconds of entering his apartment after Locke emerged from a couch with a handgun and raised it toward an officer, prosecutors said. The officer and others on the Minneapolis SWAT team were there serving a warrant in a homicide investigation.
Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman last month declined to file charges against any officers involved in the shooting.
What Lane did during the Floyd’s arrest
Former officers Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng faced state and federal charges for their actions — or lack thereof — as their colleague Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into the neck and back of Floyd, who was handcuffed and lying on his stomach, for over nine minutes.
During the arrest, Lane held down Floyd’s legs, Kueng held down Floyd’s torso, and Thao stood nearby and kept a crowd of upset bystanders back. Harrowing video taken by a bystander showed Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, desperately pleading for them to let him breathe and calling for his mother before he lost consciousness and died.
Outrage over the incident led to an international protest movement against the ways that police treat Black citizens. All four officers were fired and charged after Floyd’s death.
Lane, Thou and Kueng had pleaded not guilty to the state charges and rejected a plea deal with prosecutors last month, the attorney general’s office said. Thao and Kueng are still expected to face state trial next month.
Chauvin was convicted in state court last year of murder in Floyd’s death and was sentenced to more than 22 years in prison. As part of a plea agreement, Chauvin pleaded guilty in December to federal civil rights charges related to Floyd’s death and the restraint of a teenager in a separate incident.
In the federal trial, Lane testified that he was on his fourth day on the job, while Chauvin had worked for the department for over 18 years. Lane twice asked Chauvin to reposition Floyd during the restraint but was denied both times, according to his testimony and body camera footage.
The first time, Lane asked Chauvin whether they should put Floyd’s legs up, as they are taught in the academy. “No, we’re good,” Chauvin said, according to Lane’s testimony.
Lane then said he asked Chauvin whether they should roll Floyd on his side. “No, we’re good like this,” Chauvin responded, according to Lane’s testimony.
At Chauvin’s state trial, a series of medical experts testified that Floyd died of “positional asphyxia,” or the inability to sufficiently breathe due to his prone position and the pressure on his back.
An ambulance eventually arrived and first responders lifted Floyd, who was limp at that point, into the vehicle. Lane joined them in the ambulance and did CPR on Floyd.
First case of Monkeypox confirmed in US this year in man who had traveled to Canada
This first US case of monkeypox this year was confirmed in Massachusetts Tuesday as health officials said an adult man who recently returned from Canada contracted the disease.
The patient has been hospitalized in good condition and “the case poses no risk to the public,” according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
The department said it was working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other local health boards to contact and trace any individuals who may have been exposed to the patient.
Cases of the virus have been surging worldwide.
On Wednesday, officials confirmed five cases of monkeypox in Portugal and were investigating over a dozen others — all of which were men, most of them young.
Earlier in the week, UK officials said they identified four cases of monkeypox spread in London among gay and bisexual men around London. Nine cases have been confirmed in the country since May.
The disease is uncommon outside of central and west Africa and is part of the same family of viruses that includes chickenpox and smallpox.
Typical symptoms of monkeypox include fever, chills, a rash and lesions on the face or genitals resembling those caused by smallpox.
“Illness could be clinically confused with a sexually transmitted infection like syphilis or herpes, or with varicella zoster virus,” MPDH said. Infections typically last 2-4 weeks.
People are believed to be exposed to the virus in Africa through bites or scratches from rodents and small mammals, preparing wild game, or having contact with an infected animal or possibly animal products, officials said.
However the virus “does not spread easily between people,” MPDH said. Transmission through contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores, or clothing, or bedding contaminated with fluids or sores. It can also be exchanged through “respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact.”
A vaccine developed against smallpox has been approved for monkeypox, and several antivirals also appear to be effective.
According to MDPH, this is the first case confirmed in the United States in 2022. In 2021, cases were reported in Texas and Maryland in two people who had recently traveled to Nigeria.
Officials said people should be tested if they: develop an unexplained rash; have traveled to a country where monkeypox has been reported in the last 30 days; have been in contact with those with confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox; or are men who have sex with other men.
With Post Wires
Convicted Pharma Exec Martin Shkreli Released To A Halfway House
Former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli has been released from prison early and will serve the rest of his sentence at a halfway house.
In case you forget, Shkreli was the infamous CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, later called Vyera. In 2015, he obtained exclusive rights to Daraprim and jacked the price from $13.50 to $750 per pill. The lifesaving drug is used to treat a rare parasitic disease that affects pregnant women, cancer patients, and AIDS patients. The price gouging sparked outrage from medical professionals and even opposing presidential candidates during the 2016 campaign. Both Hillary Clinton and future President Donald Trump agreed that his decision was morally wrong.
Shkreli resigned as Turing’s CEO in 2015 after being arrested for defrauding investors by lying about the financial performance of his two failed hedge funds, MSMB Capital Management and MSMB Healthcare. He was found guilty of two counts of securities fraud. Shkreli was also charged with and convicted of securities fraud for manipulating stock shares of Retrophin, a pharmaceutical firm he founded. Shkreli was sentenced to seven years in federal prison and banned from working in the drug industry again.
On Wednesday, Martin Shkreli shared a photo of himself on Facebook with the caption, “Getting out of real prison is easier than getting out of Twitter prison.”
His attorney, Benjamin Brafman, confirmed that Shkreli completed several programs behind bars that allowed him an early release.
The pharmaceutical CEO was also well known for rubbing elbows with some of the biggest rappers. He even leaked an unreleased Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar track from “The Carter V” in 2017 as the album was experiencing delays. He was also embroiled in a beef with Wu-Tang Clan for secretly purchasing their private album “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” for $2 million
McDonald’s Introduces New Chocolately Pretzel McFlurry
McDonald’s is giving its consumers a new McFlurry: a Chocolately Pretzel McFlurry.
The ice cream might not always be working but it looks like the burger joint is going to make it up to us in the form of a new McFlurry. The new flavor is called Chocolately Pretzel McFlurry, and it hits Mickie D menus starting May 25 at participating locations. The new item will only be available for a limited time only.
McDonald’s says the McFlurry is “made with McDonald’s creamy vanilla soft serve, mixed with chocolate-covered pretzel bits and topped with a rich caramel swirl.”
The original classic McFlurry and McDonald’s M&M McFlurry are also still available for purchase.
What’s your favorite McFlurry, or what kind of McFlurry would you want McDonald’s to come up with next?
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
'This Guy Is Definitely Safe'
Meet Dino Flintstone!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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