#MAGFAB: Sir Anthony Hopkins for Icon Magazine Italia #79
It’s Sir Anthony! More HERE!
Dame Vivienne Westwood, Iconic fashion designer and style icon, Has Died at 81
British fashion designer and style icon Vivienne Westwood has died aged 81. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at her home in London on Thursday, according to an official statement from her eponymous company.
To the media, she was "the high priestess of punk" and the "Queen of Extreme." To the fashion world, she was a beloved character who energized and pushed the boundaries of the industry until her death.
She twirled sans culottes for photographers after receiving her Order of the British Empire from the Queen in 1992. In April 1989, she made the front cover of Tatler magazine, dressed in an Aquascutum suit she said was intended for Margaret Thatcher.
Westwood, frankly, didn't give a hoot. As the oldest of ingénues with periodically orange-tinted hair and alabaster complexion, she rose disgracefully to the revered status of British national treasure.
"I have an in-built perversity," Westwood's reported to have said, per Jon Savage's seminal "England's Dreaming: The Sex Pistols and Punk Rock," "a kind of in-built clock which always reacts against anything orthodox."
Vivienne Westwood at Buckingham Palace, after receiving her OBE from the Queen in 1992. Scroll through the gallery to see more of her life and career. Credit: Martin Keene/PA Images/Getty Images
She was born Vivienne Isabel Swire in Derbyshire, England on April 8, 1941. Her mother worked as a weaver at local cotton mills; her father came from a family of shoemakers. She began making clothes for herself as a teenager.
After a term at Harrow Art School, she worked as a primary school teacher, and married a factory worker, Derek Westwood, in 1962.
But everything changed when she left her husband, and met Malcolm McLaren in 1965.
"I felt as if there were so many doors to open, and he had the key to all of them," she told Newsweek in 2004.
It's impossible to imagine 1970s Britain without their creative partnership. McLaren managed the Sex Pistols and from a shop on London's King's Road, Westwood helped develop a visual grammar for the punk movement.
The shop changed names — Let It Rock; Too Fast to Live, Too Young to Die; Sex; Seditionaries — but you couldn't escape its impact on the street.
"It changed the way people looked," Westwood told Time magazine in 2012. "I was messianic about punk, seeing if one could put a spoke in the system in some way."
Her clothes ranged from fetishistic bondage gear to massive platform shoes and slogan T-shirts. Seditionaries famously sold a t- shirt showing the Queen with a safety pin through the royal lip.
Westwood eventually moved on. In 1981, at 40, Westwood launched her first catwalk collection with McLaren. The gender neutral clothes evoked the golden age of piracy, highwaymen, dandies and buccaneers. Westwood studied old tailoring techniques and subverted them, an approach later imitated by other British designers like John Galliano and Alexander McQueen.
Over the course of the decade, Westwood drew inspiration eclectically from Keith Haring, "Blade Runner" and the French Foreign Legion.
She introduced the mini-crini (combining the tutu and Victorian crinoline), flesh-colored tights with modesty fig leaves and signature corsetry worn as outerwear; she designed frocks for women with breasts and hips (ask Nigella Lawson or Marion Cotillard, who both wore Westwood to dramatic affect); she would experiment with Harris tweed and tartan.
John Fairchild, then the all-powerful editor of Women's Wear Daily, conferred his blessing in 1989. In his view, she was one of the six most influential designers of the 20th century, along with Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Giorgio Armani, Christian Lacroix and Emanuel Ungaro. Westwood was the only woman, the only Brit, and the only designer on his list who was not already a multi-million-dollar brand. (In 1989, she was still living in an ex-council flat in South London and was "virtually bankrupt," according to Jane Mulvagh's 1998 biography, "Vivienne Westwood: An Unfashionable Life.")
Style writer Peter York summed her up in a 1990 documentary: "All the things that fuel her, and all the obsessions she builds her work around are typically British: The whole thing about class and sex, the particular obsession with the Queen. You couldn't develop those anywhere else."
In 1992, Westwood married an Austrian design student, Andreas Kronthaler, 25 years her junior. They worked as co-designers, before he took over her ready-to-wear line in 2016. In a statement released with the announcement of her death Kronthaler said, "I will continue with Vivienne in my heart. We have been working until the end and she has given me plenty of things to get on with. Thank you darling."
Tributes began pouring in Thursday night from around the world. Model Bella Hadid posted photos taken with the designer on Instagram and wrote, "I will forever be grateful to have been in your orbit, because to me and most, in fashion and humanity, you, Vivienne, were the sun." British Vogue editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful, also paid tribute on his Instagram, describing the designer as "a true icon of British fashion and an irreplaceable force in the industry." And on Twitter, singer Boy George wrote "R.I.P. to the great and inspiring Vivienne Westwood who lead us through punk and beyond," adding, "she is the undisputed Queen of British fashion."
Westwood was a passionate activist on issues that ranged from the climate to free speech.
Westwood was an outspoken advocate for the planet, often promoting quality over quantity when it came to fashion consumption. For her Fall-Winter 2019/2020 show at London Fashion Week, Westwood sent models, actors, and activists down the runway with political signs — one of which read "What's good for the planet is good for the economy."
She often took part in environmental demonstrations, and in 2015, memorably rode a tank to then British Prime Minister David Cameron's constituency home to protest against hydraulic fracking. In June 2020, Westwood, dressed in yellow, suspended herself in a giant birdcage to protest the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange outside Britain's central criminal court.
Pelé, Brazilian soccer star and only player to win the World Cup three times, dies at age 82
Pelé, the Brazilian soccer icon who brought the World Cup trophy to his home country three times, becoming an international superstar and the highest-paid team athlete in the world at the time, has died. He was 82.
His daughter Kely Nascimento announced his death Thursday on Instagram.
Pelé’s health had been deteriorating as he aged. Doctors at Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo said in late December that he was receiving “elevated care” related to “kidney and c
ardiac dysfunctions” stemming from the cancer he had been fighting for more than a year. He also had a respiratory infection, and his family said he would be staying in the hospital over the Christmas holiday.
“Inspiration and love marked the journey of King Pelé, who peacefully passed away today,” a statement on his organization’s website read. “On his journey, Edson enchanted the world with his genius in sport, stopped a war, carried out social works all over the world and spread what he most believed to be the cure for all our problems: love. His message today becomes a legacy for future generations.”
Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on Oct. 23, 1940, he was almost exclusively known as Pelé — a nickname he supposedly earned after he mispronounced another footballer’s name.
Pelé joined the Santos Football Club in Brazil in 1956 at age 15 as an inside forward. The club won the São Paulo league championships and, in 1962 and 1963, both the Libertadores Cup and the Intercontinental Club Cup.
The forward, who operated as a second striker, made his international debut just a year after joining Santos, in 1957, and played at the World Cup the following year at age 17 — the youngest player ever. He picked up a hat trick in the semifinal against France and scored two goals in the championship game against the 1958 tournament host, Sweden.
After bursting onto the world stage and dazzling with his ability to land difficult shots in the net, Brazil declared that Pelé was a “national treasure,” a move to prevent him from being scooped up by wealthier European teams. Instead, Santos went on an international tour to give fans a chance to see the star.
Pelé tore a muscle at the next World Cup tournament in 1962 and had to sit out after the second match, but the Brazilian national team prevailed and picked up back-to-back titles. Brazil lost in the first round at the next World Cup, in 1966, after Pelé and others suffered injuries.
He considered retiring from international play, but made a triumphant return in 1970 to win it all once again. Pelé closed out his World Cup career netting 12 goals in 14 games and remains the only soccer player to win the trophy three times.
Pelé retired from Santos in 1974 after scoring a mind-boggling 643 goals in 659 games.
He was coaxed out of retirement a year later to join his second-ever team, the New York Cosmos. At 34, he signed a three-year $7 million deal to play for the U.S. team, which The New York Times reported at the time made him the highest-paid team athlete in the world. He ended up playing for the Cosmos for two years, helping them win the North American Soccer League trophy, and he was widely credited with increasing popularity in the sport in the United States.
His last-ever game was an exhibition match between Santos and the Cosmos. He played the first half with the Cosmos and the second half with his beloved Santos. When the time expired, his teammates lifted the emotional Pelé onto their shoulders and paraded him around the field.
“In simple terms, Pele made soccer cool,” Shep Messing, a goalkeeper for the Cosmos, told ESPN 40 years after that last game. “Mick Jagger, Elton John, Robert Redford at the games. Muhammad Ali, he was there on the field for that final game, and at that time, the two most recognizable people on the planet were the two of them.”
Pelé scored more than 1,000 goals in the course of his career, earning a Guinness World Record.
#RHOA: #TWIRL: Kenya Moore Sounds Off About Ramona Singer's Exit, Says 'No Housewife Ever Leaves'
Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore reacted to news of Ramona Singer's exit, questioning if the outspoken TV personality was ever offered a spot on the beloved reality series' forthcoming Legacy reboot.
"It was time for her to go," Moore said after Singer revealed she's leaving the franchise following 13 seasons.
Singer claimed her departure from Real Housewives of New York was for her own reasons, while Moore has since casted doubt on her remarks.
"I do not want to do the show any longer," Singer previously told Page Six. "It's not for me at this time."
However, insiders claimed the decision was not left entirely in her hands.
"You think she 'left'?" the "Shade Assassin" joked to the outlet in response. "No 'Housewife' ever leaves."
RadarOnline.com previously confirmed the producers of RHONY had found the first new cast member for the reboot.
Social media influencer Lizzy Savetsky was also previously locked in to refresh the show. She runs a matchmaking company and is married to a plastic surgeon named Dr. Ira Savetsky.
Shortly into filming, however, news broke of her sudden exit from the show following anti-Semitic comments.
Singer, for her part, had become a regular Bravo fixture over the years as a longtime member of the cast who had been with the show since it launched in 2008.
Prior to Moore's statements, Singer had spoken briefly about her potential return, hinting that she wasn't keen or opposed to coming back.
"I've been there for a long time. I mean, never say no, never say never," Singer said during an appearance on Reality with the King podcast.
"But I also feel like the Legacy [show], how could it be really good? The people they are gonna bring back are the people they didn't want to renew anyways."
Earlier this year, producer Andy Cohen announced the networks' plans to change the show after 13 seasons, revealing they would be "rebooting and recasting" the series, and launching a second series featuring former stars.
#MusicNews: Daddy Yankee Has Officially Retired From Music With The End Of His ‘Legendaddy World Tour’
After helping globalize reggaeton music over 20 years ago, Daddy Yankee has officially retired. With the end of his Legendaddy World Tour, the Puerto Rican icon reflected on his final concerts and said his goodbye on Friday (December 23).
In 2004, Daddy Yankee was the spark that lit the fuse for reggaeton music with his breakthrough hit “Gasolina.” His album Barrio Fino became a landmark release for the genre with further hits like “Lo Que Pasó, Pasó” and “No Me Dejes Solo.” In March, Daddy Yankee shocked the Latin music world with the announcement of his retirement. Before stepping away from the spotlight, he embarked on the Legendaddy World Tour. Daddy Yankee also released his Legendaddy album with features from reggaeton’s new stars like Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro, and Myke Towers.
Daddy Yankee kicked off the Legendaddy World Tour in July. In arenas across the US, Canada, and Latin America, he performed in 85 sold-out concerts. Over 1.9 million people went to see Daddy Yankee on his farewell tour. He closed out 2022 with the second highest-grossing Latin tour of the year behind Bad Bunny’s World’s Hottest Tour. Daddy Yankee’s tour wrapped up in Miami on Thursday night.
“To all my fans worldwide, I want to thank you very much for your support and for opening the doors not only to me but to a whole movement from scratch,” Daddy Yankee said during his final show. “I remember when I was 13 or 14 years old, I was a kid with a vision, many dreams and aspirations, and as time went by, I saw beautiful audiences worldwide. Looking back, I can say it was worth the effort and sacrifice.”
Following the concert, Daddy Yankee reflected on his retirement in an Instagram post. He continued to express his appreciation for his around the world.
“It was you who gave me the keys to open the doors to make this genre the biggest in the world,” Daddy Yankee said. “I finally see the goal. I retire with the greatest of thanks to my fans, my colleagues, all the producers, radio, press, television, digital platforms and to you, especially you, who have been with me from the underground.”
#HipHopNews: Theophilus London's family files missing persons report, says he hasn't been seen since July
Representatives for Theophilus London revealed to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter that the NYC-based talent has been missing since July of this year. On Tuesday (Dec. 27), London’s family filed a missing persons report in Los Angeles and asked the public for any clues on the “Flying Overseas” rapper’s current whereabouts.
The statement provided to the aforementioned outlets also included a short message from London‘s father, Lary Moses, who shared words of love and support for his missing son. He also made it clear that “friends and relatives” have joined in on what has become an exhaustive search for the Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago-born talent.
Said statement also provided London’s age and physical attributes, along with instructions to contact either his cousin, Mikhail Noel, or the Los Angeles Police Department if there are any pertinent tips. You can read the aforementioned statement in its entirety below:
“Over the last few weeks, friends and family of Theophilus London have been working together to piece together his whereabouts. The last time someone spoke with him reportedly stretches back to July 2022 in Los Angeles.
On December 27th, family members of Theophilus London traveled to Los Angeles to file a missing persons report with the LAPD. They are now seeking the public’s help with any information as to London’s whereabouts:
‘Theo, your dad loves you, son. We miss you. And all your friends and relatives are searching for you. Wherever you are, send us some signal. No matter what, we will come get you, son.’ – Lary Moses London, father of Theophilus London
London is 35 years old, Black, 6’2″, 175 pounds, with dark brown eyes. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts or well-being, please reach out to his cousin Mikhail Noel at his instagram account @iamdjkellz, or the LAPD.”
Federal and State Prosecutors looking at George Santos amid lies, questions about his wealth
Federal prosecutors have started looking into public filings by congressman-elect George Santos amid questions about the source of his wealth, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.
The sources were careful not to characterize this as a formal investigation and stressed that prosecutors, at this stage, are only looking at publicly available filings.
An attorney for Santos referred ABC News to his press team, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office for the Eastern District of New York, which encompasses New York's 3rd Congressional District in Queens and Nassau County that Santos will represent, declined to comment.
In 2020 when he first ran for Congress, Santos listed no assets and a salary of $55,000 in his personal financial disclosure report filed as a House candidate.
But his 2022 personal financial disclosure report filed as a candidate subsequently showed his fortunes had drastically changed: He owned assets valued between $2.6 million and $11.25 million, including an apartment in Rio de Janeiro, a checking account and a savings account.
According to the 2022 disclosure, he reported earning millions between January 2021 through December 2022 from his New York-based company, Devolder Organization. He also reported having a car loan worth between $15,001-$50,000.
Santos did not identify any clients of Devolder on his disclosure form and the company does not appear to have a public presence, such as a website. His campaign website previously called it his "family firm," where he oversaw $80 million in client assets as the managing principal.
According to his campaign disclosure filed with the Federal Election Commission, Santos reported loaning his congressional campaign $705,000 between 2020 and 2022, including $500,000 in March 2022 and a last-minute injection of $125,000 in the final weeks of the 2022 election cycle.
Last week, the FEC sent a letter to the Santos campaign asking to properly itemize the $125,000 loan.
His seemingly sudden wealth, along with other discrepancies in his biography that were first reported by The New York Times, drew the attention of congressional Democrats, including New York Rep. Ritchie Torres, who tweeted this week that "George Santos, a former call center employee falling behind on his rent, lent his campaign a staggering $705,000. Where did all that money come from?"
Santos has admitted to fabricating parts of his background, including his education and employment history, and also exaggerating his Jewish ancestry. But he's insisted in interviews that he's "not a criminal," suggesting he was guilty merely of "embellishing."
"I think humans are flawed, and we all make mistakes," Santos said during an interview with Fox News on Tuesday. "I think we can all look at ourselves in the mirror and admit that once in our life we made a mistake. I'm having to admit this on national television for the whole country to see."
But Santos seemed to backtrack on some of his admissions of actual falsehoods on his resume during the Fox News interview, saying that his claim that he worked for Goldman Sachs and CitiGroup is "debatable," saying Link Bridge, a firm he served as vice president for, did "extensive" business with the two Wall Street giants.
Santos continued to defend himself on Fox News, saying he's "not a fraud" and that he worked "damn hard to get where I got my entire life."
He told the news outlet Semafor that he made his money in part by matching sellers of luxury goods like planes and yachts with potential buyers and taking a cut. He described Devolder as working in "deal building" and "specialty consulting" and his clients as "high net worth individuals."
"If you're looking at a $20 million yacht, my referral fee there can be anywhere between $200,000 and $400,000," Santos told Semafor.
The site said he did not answer questions about his past clients.
To questions about his Jewish ancestry, Santos, who had once called himself a "proud American Jew" told the New York Post: "I never claimed to be Jewish... I am Catholic. Because I learned my maternal family had a Jewish background I said I was 'Jew-ish.'"
Separately, the New York attorney general is looking into an animal rescue charity tied to Santos along with an address in Queens where Santos was registered to vote, sources previously told ABC News.
The Nassau County District Attorney's Office is also looking into Santos, a spokesman for the office told ABC News.
District Attorney Anne Donnelly, a Republican who was elected a year ago, said in a statement that "the numerous fabrications and inconsistencies associated with Congressman-Elect Santos are nothing short of stunning. The residents of Nassau County and other parts of the third district must have an honest and accountable representative in Congress. No one is above the law and if a crime was committed in this county, we will prosecute it."
While Santos has acknowledged fabricating parts of his resume, after previously pushing back on the scrutiny about his background, he has said he doesn't intend to resign.
"This [controversy] will not deter me from having good legislative success. I will be effective. I will be good," he told the New York Post this week.
Republican leaders in the House have not commented.
Rep.-elect Nick LaLota, a fellow incoming New York Republican, called for an ethics investigation. Another incoming New York Republican representative, Anthony D'Esposito, tweeted that Santos should "pursue a path of honesty" and a "spirit of sincerity."
Dem Rep. Jamie Raskin Reveals Cancer Diagnosis
Via press release from Rep. Jamie Raskin: After several days of tests, I have been diagnosed with diffuse large B cell lymphoma, which is a serious but curable form of cancer.
I am about to embark on a course of chemo-immunotherapy on an outpatient basis at Med Star Georgetown University Hospital and Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Prognosis for most people in my situation is excellent after four months of treatment.
I plan to get through this and, in the meantime, to keep making progress every day in Congress for American democracy.
Bill Cosby would like to tour in 2023
In a surprise radio interview today, disgraced comedian Bill Cosby announced that he intends to take a show on the road in 2023.
“Yes, because there’s so much fun to be had in this storytelling that I do,” Cosby responded when asked if he plans to tour again during an appearance on “WGH Talk,” per Variety. “Years ago, maybe 10 years ago, I found it was better to say it after I write it.”
A possible Cosby tour would be his return to “storytelling” following his release from prison in June of last year. In 2018, Cosby was found guilty of three counts of aggravated sexual assault; however, the sentence was vacated in 2021 when judges ruled that the one-time comedian had been denied a fair trial. During a 2005 suit, Cosby admitted to giving women quaaludes with assurances from then-Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor Jr. that the information would be used to prosecute him. When the information was used in the subsequent trial about a decade later, it was ruled that Castor’s successor Kevin Steele had not honored the agreement.
However, Cosby is not out of the legal woods yet. Earlier this month, five more women filed a lawsuit alleging that the former Cosby Show star had forced them into sexual acts or raped them in the 1980s and 90s, according to Variety. Andrew Wyatt, Cosby’s spokesman, said in response, “Mr. Cosby continues to vehemently deny all allegations waged against him and looks forward to defending himself in court.”
Perhaps he also seeks to defend himself in the court of public opinion. Wyatt confirmed this morning that Cosby is “looking at spring/summer to start touring.” For his part, Cosby said, “When I come out of this, I feel that I will be able to perform and be the Bill Cosby that my audience knows me to be.”
Gervonta Davis denies abuse allegations in since-deleted post: ‘I’m not a monster’
On Tuesday, undefeated professional boxer and WBA Lightweight champion Gervonta Davis was charged with battery causing bodily harm and arrested in Parkland, Florida. He allegedly struck a woman on the right side of her head, causing some damage to her right lip.
ESPN obtained audio of the 911 call, in which the woman could be heard saying, “Please help me; I need help, please. I’m trying to go home, I have a baby in the car and attacked me ... He’s going to kill me.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Davis posted $1,000 bail. He then went on Instagram to release a statement, though the post was quickly deleted. In his post, he strongly denies putting his hands on anyone, and mantains that he is not the monster in this situation.
“Do no let these people misguide you all on this bulls—t. This was just yesterday moments before me and my child mother had (an) argument! Watching frozen with my oldest daughter. I never put my hands on my child mother nor my f—kig daughter are you f—king crazy, I’m not a monster. I been quiet for too long,” Davis wrote (h/t Cole Shelton). “I don’t have media team, PR, good lawyer spokesman, nothing off that. That’s the only reason I’m doing this now! Just to clear my name! I been doing s—t on my own since I started this s—t. These people done put out so much stuff aired this everywhere and have a f—king helicopter flying over my house now as I write this becuz they look at this s—t as money to them and trying to get as much money as possible.
“They rush to my child mother offering her 50k just to pressure charges. Like they did with my first child mother, so bad they couldn’t get her so they got a lady they calmed she was into the mess also a lady that known for her suing people for money reason. They got her! Which I have to pay 300k to and I didn’t lay a finger on her or even know what this lady looks like! They doing this for money to and also to destroy me! I am not a monster, I have two beautiful daughters that have to grow up someday and see this bulls—t! They post this bulls—t worldwide before anything. They even post a snippet of the police call which my child mother was crying on becuz I wouldn’t give her my truck! SHADEROOM, goospinthecity itonsite and the rest of the internet bogs. Y’all don’t care if it true or false. He did or didn’t. Y’all just want to put it out there becuz it’s beneficial to y’all businesses,” Davis concluded.
Currently, Davis is scheduled to headline a Jan. 7, 2023, Showtime pay-per-view (PPV) event in Washington D.C. against Hector Luis Garcia. If victorious, Davis is expected to square off vs. Ryan Garcia in a very high-profile bout that has been discussed for quite some time. This is not Davis’ first issue with the law, but it remains to be seen if either of those boxing matches are delayed or canceled as a result of this latest charge.
T.J. Holmes Divorcing Wife Of 12 Years Marilee Fiebig Amid Amy Robach Affair
T.J. Holmes is about to make his split from his wife Marilee Fiebig official amid his affair scandal with his co-worker Amy Robach. The "Good Morning America" anchor is in the process of divorcing his estranged wife, months after they separated in August.
According to various outlets, the 45-year-old journalist filed the paperwork on Wednesday, December 28 in New York City, seeking to end his nearly 13 years of marriage to the Atlanta-area attorney. The pair married on March 1, 2010 and have a daughter, Sabine, who was born in January 2013.
Though T.J. and Marilee had separated for a while before his romantic relationship with Amy was exposed in late November, the attorney was reportedly "blindsided" by her husband's affair with his on-air colleague. "She's devastated. She had no idea," a source told Page Six, adding that the two "were just together for T.J.'s birthday [on August 19]."
T.J. was previously also married to Amy Ferson before their divorce in 2007. The former spouses have two children together, daughter Brianna and son Jaiden.
As for Amy, she is still legally married to former "Melrose Place" star Andrew Shue when she started having romantic relationship with T.J. They, however, have reportedly separated since August. The 49-year-old has two daughters, Ava and Analise, from her previous marriage to Tim McIntosh.
T.J. and Amy were recently spotted traveling together to Atlanta ahead of New Year's Eve. The two were photographed touching down at the airport in Atlanta on Monday. Not trying to go incognito, T.J. was seen putting a protective arm around his girlfriend as they strolled through the busy terminal.
The "Good Morning America" co-anchors looked giddy with excitement as they were smiling and chatting at the airport. The two were also seen standing close to each other as they checked Amy's phone.
Amy and T.J. are enjoying the holiday together while they await the results of ABC's internal investigation into their relationship. The pair have been taken off the air since early December, days after news of their romantic relationship broke, and the network has not announced whether they will return to co-host "GMA3".
Lil Nas X Reveals He Has A Secret Son, Shares First Photos
Is Lil Nas X trolling or not? The 23-year-old rapper has revealed that he has become a father for a while now as he announced that he has a secret son, which he is no longer hiding from "this cruel world."
The Grammy Award-winning star dropped the surprise baby news on Wednesday, December 28 via Instagram. On his Story, he shared a photo of a baby boy, seemingly his son, posing with a plush toy that is almost his size.
It remains to be seen if Lil Nas was telling the truth or if he was joking, but some social media users suspected that the "Rodeo" emcee is simply continuing the fake narrative that he created when he was promoting his debut album "Montero" last year. At the time, he announced his fake pregnancy by sharing photos of his "baby bump."
The "Old Town Road" hitmaker, who is openly gay, went as far as filming a video depicting him giving birth to the album to celebrate the release on September 17. In the video, he was rushed into his hospital room where he's helped by two nurses who instructed him to push. Eventually, he pushed out "Montero", which he then cradled lovingly in his arms.
"Yea, you guys don't remember he was pregnant???? Duuuuh!" one person reacted to Lil Nas' baby announcement. Another similarly commented, "I love him, he trolls y'all and you eat it every time!"
‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ Rapper Coolio Died Without a Will, 7 Children Listed On Probate
Coolio, the iconic rapper who rose to fame thanks to his hit song, “Gangsta’s Paradise,” sadly passed away earlier this year without a will in place to dictate how he wanted his possible fortunes divvied up among his large family.
He was just 59 years of age. According to the documents obtained by The Blast, Coolio died intestate, meaning he had no will. A probate has been filed by his former manager in order to begin the process of appraising the late rapper's estate. Coolio's 7 adult children are also listed as the next of kin and probable beneficiaries.
According to the petition, the value of the Estate is believed to be over $300,000, which seems to include "personal property and demand deposit accounts, financial accounts, insurance policies and royalties." However, the exact value is yet to be determined.
Coolio, whose legal name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr., suddenly passed away in September of this year while at the Los Angeles home of his friend and longtime manager Jarez Posey.
Emergency responders received a call at approximately 4 p.m. PST for a medical emergency, CNN reported at the time. When they arrived at the scene, they found Coolio unresponsive on the bathroom floor and performed “resuscitation efforts for approximately 45 minutes,” Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed.
Scott said the patient, Coolio, “was determined dead just before 5:00 p.m." and he appeared to have suffered cardiac arrest.
The 59-year-old rapper was cremated in a private ceremony with no funeral service.
Shortly after the news broke about the passing of Coolio, many fans, friends, and musicians released statements to pay tribute to the "Gangsta's Paradise" rapper.
Sheila Finegan, Coolio’s talent manager, released a statement on Coolio's sudden death and the legacy the rapper has left.
“We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, Coolio, who passed away this afternoon,” she told CNN. “He touched the world with the gift of his talent and will be missed profoundly. Thank you to everyone worldwide who has listened to his music and to everyone who has been reaching out regarding his passing. Please have Coolio’s loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.”
A rep for the "Gangsta's Paradise" rapper also spoke to US Magazine, saying, “We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, Coolio, who passed away this afternoon. He touched the world with the gift of his talent and will be missed profoundly. Thank you to everyone worldwide who has listened to his music and to everyone who has been reaching out regarding his passing. Please have Coolio’s loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.”
Rapper Ice Cube ReTweeted the news of Coolio's passing at the time, adding, “This is sad news. I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace.”
“Bad Boys” actor Martin Lawrence also took to social media, Tweeting, “My deepest condolences and prayers go out to the family of @Coolio 🙏🏾 #rip.”
And rapper and friend, Vanilla Ice, who toured with Coolio last year, Tweeted, “I’m freaking out I just heard my good friend Coolio passed away.”
#RIP: Bob Marley's Grandson Jo Mersa Marley Dead At 31
Bob Marley’s grandson Joseph “Jo” Mersa Marley has died.
The reggae star passed away Tuesday at the age of 31. The specifics surrounding his death remain unclear, but he was reportedly found in his car and died from asthma-related conditions, according to Miami’s WZPP Radio.
Joseph, the son of Stephen Marley, grew up in Jamaica and went on to study audio engineering at Miami Dade College.
Like his father and legendary grandfather, Marley was a musician. In 2014, Joseph released his EP Comfortable. He was best known for his 2016 hit “Burn It Down” featuring his brother Yohan Marley. His EP Eternal was released last year.
In the wake of his death, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, shared his condolences.
“My heartfelt sympathies to Joseph’s friends and associates and to the Reggae music fraternity and fans everywhere,” he tweeted. “His untimely passing at the young age of 31y.o. is a huge loss to the music as we look to the next generation.”
According to an Instagram post, Jo’s last performance was in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Nov. 13. Following the sad news, fans and friends shared their condolences including DJ Khaled, who wrote, “My deepest condolences. My prayers are with you and your family @jomersamarley.”
Marley leaves behind a wife, Qiara, and daughter, Sunshine.
Houston company settles $250,000 lawsuit claiming boss joked about shooting Black people
The Black former employee worked at American Piping Inspection, Inc. from 2017
Oklahoma-based testing and inspection services company American Piping Inspection, Inc. will pay a former employee $250,000 after the Black male claimed he was racially discriminated against. The lawsuit announcement was made last week by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Court filings show the former employee, whose identity was withheld, is a Black radiographer who worked at the company’s Midland, Texas location. The lawsuit revealed that the derogatory comments started as soon as the man began working for the business in 2017. By 2018, he was fired. The plaintiff believes his position was terminated because he spoke up for himself and reported his boss’ behavior to higher-ups like the company’s vice president. In one instance, the Black male’s white supervisor “used the ‘N-word’ to refer to the radiographer and to other minority employees,” as reported by the EEOC. The supervisor also allegedly asked him, “What is the best way to see a Black man?” before responding, “At the end of a scope.” During this conversation, the white man gestured at him “as if aiming a firearm,” according to documents.
On another occasion, the same supervisor “made highly offensive racist ‘jokes‘ in the presence of the radiographer and other employees.” The lawsuit alleges that the plaintiff took his concerns to upper management, but nothing was done to rectify the ongoing situation. The former employee said after he brought his supervisor’s behavior to American Piping Inspection, Inc.’s attention, he began facing harsher punishments than non-Black coworkers who would make the same mistakes. Eventually, he was fired.
Included in the $250,000 settlement is a consent decree for three years which has already been approved by the federal court requiring the business to revise its anti-discrimination policies. The company must also distribute those updated guidelines to anyone offered employment with American Piping Inspection, Inc. Rudy Sustaita, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Houston district office, gave a statement regarding the lawsuit: “This case is a strong reminder that unlawful race discrimination and retaliation continue to permeate our workplaces. Other employers should take heed and review their practices and policies to ensure compliance with federal law. Otherwise, the EEOC will enforce the law against violators and seek redress for aggrieved employees.”
NFL Hall of Famer Ed Reed hired as Bethune-Cookman's new head football coach
The HBCU community lost one high-profile coach and gained another in less than a month. The Super Bowl champion, Pro Football Hall of Famer and nine-time Pro Bowl selection for the Baltimore Ravens Ed Reed has agreed to be the next head football coach at Bethune-Cookman.
The university, located in Daytona Beach, announced the news Tuesday (Dec. 27) afternoon that Reed “entered an agreement in principle… to be its 16th head football coach.”
Details on the hiring are yet to be revealed, but the decision came after Bethune-Cookman fired its head coach Terry Sims in late November. Sims finished 2-9 in back-to-back seasons, and the last time the Wildcat won the MEAC came in 2015.
Reed, 44, is the biggest name to hit the HBCU market since Deion Sanders, who spent three years at Jackson State University before leaving for Colorado earlier this month. Bethune-Cookman will look to replicate the success Sanders had at JSU, where he finished with an overall record of 27-6.
Previously, the former defensive back served as a senior football adviser at his alma mater, the University of Miami, under head coach Mario Cristobal. Miami’s athletic director Dan Radakovich spoke on Reed becoming a head coach.
“We are excited to hear that Ed has been named the head football coach at Bethune-Cookman,” Radakovich said. “Ed is one of the best to ever wear a Miami Hurricanes uniform, and he has served as a great mentor to our student-athletes [over] the past three years. He will do a tremendous job leading the Wildcats program, and the entire Miami family wishes him all the best.”
Reed, who is from Louisiana, was part of the Hurricanes’ 2001 national championship team, and before joining the their staff, he served as an assistant defensive backs coach with the Buffalo Bills in 2016.
In 2002, the Baltimore Ravens selected Reed in the first round of the NFL draft. He played safety there until the 2012 season. During his time in the pros, he led the league in interceptions three times. He holds the NFL record for interception return yards. He also won the 2004 AP Defensive Player of the Year award.
Diddy Shares First Photos of Newborn Daughter Love's Face
Meet baby Love Combs! After sharing a glimpse of his two-month-old daughter on Christmas, Sean “Diddy” Combs took to social media on Tuesday (December 27) to share the first photos of Love‘s adorable little face.
“Baby Love 💖” the 53-year-old rapper and businessman wrote on Instagram.
The first photo shows Love sitting in a car seat and in the second photo, Diddy is sitting with a sleeping Love laying on his chest.
Diddy shocked fans earlier this month when he announced the birth of Love, his seventh child.
It was then revealed that Love was born on October 15 and that her mom is Dana Tran.
If you missed it, Diddy‘s girlfriend Yung Miami opened up about the news, revealing if she knew that he was expecting a baby with another woman.
Trisha Paytas Fuels Speculation She's Joining 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,' Bravo Rep Responds
Trisha Paytas has Real Housewives freaking out. For the past few weeks, the 34-year-old YouTuber and influencer has been teasing that she has joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Then on Wednesday (December 28), a Real Housewives fan account on Twitter tweeted that Trisha had “signed on” to join the cast for the upcoming 13th season.
Trisha retweeted the post and then took to TikTok to seemingly confirm the announcement.
“Breaking news, Trisha Paytas has signed on to join the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” Trisha started in the video, with tweets about her joining the cast in the background.
“Everyone thinks this is my big announcement, it’s an announcement, but it’s not my big announcement,” she continued.
“My tagline for the show will be this – I may be the old beyotch on TikTok, but I’m the youngest Housewife in this zip code, 90210,” Trisha added. “I also have the most talent. Watch out Erika Jayne. It’s even more expensive to be me.”
Trisha then concluded with, “Are you going to be tuning in? Let me know.”
After Trisha‘s “announcement” went viral, a rep for Bravo spoke out saying that Trisha is not joining the RHOBH cast.
“There is no truth to this at all,” Jennifer Geisser, the executive vice president of communications and talent relations for NBCUniversal, shared with Insider in a statement.
Kel Mitchell’s Daughter Blasts Him For Being An Absentee & A Narcissist
Kel Mitchell’s daughter is the latest celebrity child to break their silence and call out their father for being an absentee and narcissist. Kel’s daughter, Allure Mitchell, took to her TikTok and said she’s done being silenced, she’s telling her truth about her famed father.
While jumping on a recent TikTok trend that reportedly has users call out their parents or those who’ve hurt them, Allure posted a quick set of photos with a conversation she says really happened between her and her dad.
The conversation apparently included her asking her dad why she doesn’t see him more. She claims Kel told her that he’s not a normal dad with a 9-5…he’s an actor.
Allure then left a lengthy caption detailing how her father wasn’t there for her for 10 years of her early life. She says from age 5 to age 15, she didn’t have any physical or emotional support from her father.
She says only financial, which she says she could’ve done without. Allure also says that her father allegedly wouldn’t give her medical insurance out of fear her mother would use it for herself.
While calling out her father for being an absentee and narcissist, Allure wholly wrote in her caption:
“I guess ten years without your children could do this to you. I am done being silenced. My father is the type of man to fake as if he’s in my life but he’s not. He was there “financially.”
What I mean by that is he only paid for what in my eyes looked good on paper. He helped pay for my first car, my high school tuition, and my housing on campus until I cut him off for exactly this.
I now live completely independently without any parental help I did this to prove to my father that his money was never what I needed, and growing uptake way I had to it boggles me that’d even think that’s what I cared about.
But then I have to remember he doesn’t even know me, how could he? He wasn’t there. A father should also be there emotionally. A father should be there for their daughters in need. A father should provide. A father should just simply care.
I was at one point “homeless” in college and my father not once made steps to open up his home to me as a forever home but instead got me a dorm on campus during that time. Even though that was much appreciated, I needed my father.
My father refuses to get me medical insurance of any sort out of fear my mother would use it, I don’t live with my mother. And so how my mother would get access to that idk. He lives in this delusional world that my mother is “out to get him” no she’s out to get what’s owed to her. You owe my mother so much.
While you got to live your greatest life for the ten years without out us, building your career and selling the house your ex wife and your children were living in. The same house
that was actually bought with the help of my grandparents.
I had to experience unimaginable degrees of abuse due to this I never really got the chance to be just a child. He never asked me why I wanted to be lawyer but the reason I do is because I had to watch my mom research law to help her keep our house over our head.
In the end she lost and we were without a home, still without a home. Yet Kel Mitchell, my father, gets to live in a five bedroom house in the valley. Yet in his eyes I’m ungrateful. I never cared about your money. I busted needed my dad.“
Judge keeps bond at $1M for suspect in rapper Takeoff's murder despite attorney's request
Despite expectations from attorneys, the man accused of the murder of Migos rapper Takeoff will remain in jail on a $1 million bond.
Judge Josh Hill decided during a bond reduction hearing on Wednesday morning.
"We're very surprised by (that decision)," Patrick Clark's attorney, Letitia Quinones, said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
ABC13 reported on Tuesday that 33-year-old Clark could be out of custody within 24 to 48 hours if his attorneys complete a few more requests coming from the judge.
However, a different decision was made.
Patrick Clark could be out of custody within 24 to 48 hours if his attorneys complete a few more requests -- including turning in his passport card.
Clark was not in the courtroom on Wednesday. Instead, his attorney and the prosecutor appeared over Zoom in a conference with the judge.
Clark's bail was originally set at $2 million, but defense attorneys argued that amount was unconstitutional because he could not afford it.
Hill ruled to reduce the amount to $1 million during a previous court appearance, but some discussions said even that reduced amount would be out of reach for Clark.
"A couple of weeks ago, the judge laid out some conditions and requirements he wanted the defense to meet," Quinones said on lowering the bond. "We believe we've satisfied each one of those requirements."
However, on Tuesday, Hill ruled that previous statements made by Clark indicated that he could pay a $1 million bail and that there are bail bond companies that would take on that risk.
For that reason, the judge denied the request to lower the bond to $300,000, keeping it at $1 million.
The judge said defense attorneys could appeal the decision if they like, which would give him the ability in the future to reduce bail if needed.
"We plan to take every remedy available by law for Mr. Clark," she said. "It's the high-profile nature of this case that's really affected the constitutional rights of Mr. Clark."
Meanwhile, the judge said that Clark's passport card was surrendered to the court today, the judge said.
Clark's attorney said the suspect's family is willing to put up their Houston-area home as collateral to bond him out of jail. In addition, the whole family will co-sign a bond issued by a bondsman if lowered, which Mark Metze, a bail bondsman, said the family has already taken care of.
The man accused of Takeoff's murder may now have a chance of getting out of jail after a judge cut his bond in half.
Prosecutors raised concerns that Clark wasn't being upfront about all his financial assets. They think he has much more money than he claims.
The judge asked Clark to turn in his passport card and also would like to assign him GPS monitoring through a specific bond company that would immediately notify if bond conditions are violated.
Hill said he believes Clark may be a flight risk and requested a deep dive into the suspect's personal finances. He wants to understand why Clark cannot post bond, yet was recorded on a jail phone call saying the $2 million was doable.
Kirsnick Khari Ball, known professionally as Takeoff, was shot to death in the early morning hours of Nov. 1 outside a bowling alley in downtown Houston. Police said he was in a crowd of people and an innocent bystander near an argument over a dice game.
Detectives on the case allege Clark had a gun in one hand and a wine bottle in another when he was caught on camera firing his weapon. Those bullets allegedly struck Takeoff.
Fingerprints on that wine bottle are what detectives say helped identified Clark to authorities.
They went on to say that Clark searched for information about the case online and also searched his name and age in relation to the case. His attorney claims he did not know he was the prime suspect in the rapper's death.
The state says Clark planned to flee to Mexico after obtaining an expedited passport. Prosecutors believe he is also a danger to the community.
Jim Willis, a private investigator who was hired on Clark's team, said the ticket to Mexico was canceled a few days before Clark was arrested. The suspect was allegedly taking that trip with his sister and her friends.
During a previous bond reduction hearing, a timeline detailing Clark's efforts to obtain the expedited passport was laid out. His father testified that this past summer, the family discussed taking a trip together, but he became ill, so they did not go.
A receipt entered into evidence dated Sept. 6 showed that Clark's father paid to obtain a copy of his and his son's birth certificates. A birth certificate is required to obtain a passport.
On Nov. 21, Clark purchased a Southwest flight to Cancun, according to Willis. A flight itinerary is required to obtain an expedited passport. Detectives on the case claim he searched online for fake plane tickets prior to purchasing a real one, which they flagged as a cause for concern.
After requesting the expedited passport, authorities testified that on Nov. 29, Clark canceled his flight.
On Dec.1, authorities arrested Clark after learning he had picked up the passport, authorities arrested Clark.
Clark's defense team claimed he was trying to lease an apartment in the days before his arrest, raising the question of whether this was an act someone who is trying to flee the country would do.
In a search warrant, police cited video and forensic evidence that led to the murder charge against Clark.
Usher Responds to G Herbo Saying He’s a Better Singer
G Herbo recently shared a video of him singing along to Usher and joked that he was a better singer. It didn’t take long for Usher to respond.
In a video posted on Herbo’s Instagram, the Chicago rapper shared his take on Usher’s “Superstar.” After offering his best impression of the Confessions track, which originally released all the way back in 2004, Herbo added, “That was decent wasn’t it, though? That was decent. That boy good!” In the caption for the clip, he added, “@usher can’t fuck wit me on my worse day.”
When The Shade Room reposted the video, it caught the attention of Usher. Instead of laughing off the moment, he posted a simple cap emoji. While it’s evident that Herbo was playing around, it’s not clear if Usher is joking, too.
Usher has always expressed confidence in his abilities, and earlier this year he was asked whether he would agree to do a Verzuz battle with Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, or Trey Songz. "I don’t think y’all ready for nothing like that," teased Usher. "You might be ready for something like that on stage, maybe in the future. Stay tuned.” He also suggested that the only appropriate competition for him would be himself, which isn’t something he would be interested in doing.
Buffalo Woman Saves Man with Severe Frostbite
As a powerful storm battered western New York with blinding blizzard conditions in the early hours of Christmas Eve, a Buffalo woman jumped into action when she saw a man who was caught in the storm.
Sha’Kyra Aughtry said she was home when she heard someone screaming on her street. When she looked out her window, she saw a man calling for help in the frigid cold.
Aughtry’s boyfriend carried the man, 64-year-old Joe White, into the house, and she used a blow dryer to melt the ice off his red and blistered hands and used a “grass cutter” to take his rings off, she said in a Facebook livestream.
When the Buffalo woman tried to call emergency responders for help, no one came, she said. And without a background in medical care, Aughtry said she became worried for his safety.
She took to Facebook to share what had happened and plead for help.
“I’m going crazy because I’m scared,” she said on the livestream. “I’m starting to see his body change too much from the time that I had him — his body has changed rapidly every hour.”
As the storm buried Buffalo in thick snow, emergency responders were unable to respond to calls for hours over the weekend — with ambulances and rescue crews even getting stuck in the snow, Erie County officials have said at press conferences.
At least 31 weather-related deaths have been confirmed in New York’s Erie County, including one attributed to an EMS delay, according to County Executive Mark Poloncarz.
With no one coming to help, Aughtry said she was scared for White’s life.
“I’ve called the National Guard. I’ve called 911. I’ve called everybody — they just keep telling me I’m on a list. I don’t want to be on a list,” Aughtry said on her livestream. “I don’t care about nothing else. This man is not about to die over here.”
Eventually, she said, her pleas were answered.
Aughtry posted another Facebook livestream of her and a group of men taking White to a hospital on Christmas night. “I’m in the car with him and some nice Samaritans that came and snowplowed us out,” she said.
One of the men said he saw her first Facebook livestream and came over to help, according to Aughtry.
The livestream shows Aughtry reassuring White in the back of the car on the way to the hospital.
“You’re doing an excellent job, Joe,” she said. “You’ve just got to breathe, right?
Family says frostbitten man is recovering in hospital
White is now recovering in the ICU with fourth-degree frostbite after arriving the hospital Sunday night, his sister Yvonne White told CNN.
“I’m hoping and praying for the best,” she said.
Yvonne White said it was a “miracle” that her older brother, who is developmentally disabled and lives in a group home, remembered her phone number when Aughtry took him in.
White’s employer, Ray Barker, said White got disoriented after leaving his group home on Christmas Eve morning during the snowstorm.
Barker added White may have thought he needed to go to work, even though he had the day off.
“He was in a mess,” Barker told CNN. “And (Aughtry) clearly saved his life.”
White’s sister was also grateful to Aughtry, who she says now feels like family.
“We were all trying to help each other and it was wonderful,” she told CNN. “And now I feel like I have a sister and three nephews,” she said, referring to Aughtry and her sons.”
Barker is the program director of North Park Theater, where White works, and has known him for more than 30 years. White is the longest-serving employee of the theater, having worked there since 1980.
“The theater is really his whole life,” Barker told CNN.
“We’ve been worried sick about Joe,” Barker said. “We know that he’s getting good medical care at the moment and we can’t wait for him to get back to the theater.”
She heard cries for help during deadly winter storm. Her actions saved a life
The theater started fundraisers for Aughtry and for White, which have together raised over $50,000, and the theater honored Aughtry and her boyfriend, Trent, with a message on its marquee.
“Thank you Sha’Kyra and Trent. Get well soon, Joe,” it reads.
Rapper T.I. Sued For Destroying LA. Rental Property
*Rapper T.I. is being sued for damaging a rental home in Los Angeles.
Homeowner Farzin Fazeli claims he rented a residential property to T.I.— real name Clifford Harris on July 11, 2020, in Encino, CA, The Blast reports. The hip-hop star is accused of leaving Fazeli with $100,000 in damages after the rapper vacated the property. According to Fazeli, T.I. also stole a piece of art on his way out.
As The Blast reports, citing the lawsuit, “the house was rented for $25,000 a month and included a $50,000 deposit fee,” the outlet writes. Tip vacated the property on August 31, 2022, and the owner says the damage he left behind totaled $127,182.65!
“After deducting the $50,000 security deposit, the total outstanding damage is $77,182.65, The damages arise from a significant number of alterations done to the property that were done either without the knowledge or some limited knowledge, but all with the agreement that the house would be placed back to how it was when it was originally leased,” the complaint reads, The Blast reports.
“It also includes physical damage, including but not limited to a projector, pool house floor, kitchen pantry door, drywall, and ceiling damage,” per the lawsuit.
The homeowner claims surveillance cameras were ripped out and there was a “punch imprint in the master bedroom,” which also had over $16,000 worth of damage, per the lawsuit.
The legal complaint also notes that the lease agreement states, “The tenant. Clifford Harris, Manager of King of the South LLC, understands and agrees that he is ultimately personally responsible for all obligations under this lease agreement between King of the South, LLC, and Sandy and Farzin Fazeli Family Trust. In the event that King of the South LLC does not first fulfill the obligations agreed upon in the agreement, Mr. Harris understands and agrees that the owners will fully exercise their rights to recuperate any unpaid rent or costs associated with damages to the property directly related to Mr. Harris’ tenancy.”
T.I. is being used for a minimum of $77,182.65 plus interest, fees, and costs, according to The Blast report.
End Of An Era: Eastbay To Shut Down Before 2023
Iconic sneaker and sportswear retailer Eastbay will shut down this week. Shoppers are directed to take their interest to Champs Sports in a message on the Eastbay homepage.
“We’re saying goodbye to Eastbay at the end of December 2022. We encourage you to shop at champssports.com to find great deals for your athletic shoes, clothing, and more,” a message on the FAQ page reads.
Wisconsin Public Radio notes 210 workers will be laid off as a part of the closure. Eastbay began in 1990 by creating its own line of clothing before evolving into team paraphernalia and sneakers from brands like Nike, Adidas, Converse, and more.
Man Who Plotted to Kidnap Michigan Governor Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison
The man that had his hands in the almost-kidnapping of the Michigan Democratic governor was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison, even though prosecutors asked for life in prison.
Federal Judge Robert Jonker explained why it wasn’t a life sentence.
“I’m not somebody who’s willing ever to give up on somebody. And that’s why I think, in particular, life sentences are very unusual. Because, by definition, you’re not giving people a chance to come back into the fold.”
Barry Croft Jr. was a part of the scheme to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer from her summer home, having explosives ready. Croft, from Delaware, traveled to Michigan to work with local militia to surveil Whitmer’s summer home in 2020.
Croft talked about his “grenade launcher and a mounted machine gun to thwart law enforcement response to the scene as a part in the kidnapping plot,” according to CNN, which jurors heard at trial.
Trial evidence also showed that Croft practiced “detonating an explosive-filled with shrapnel at a training event using human silhouettes made of paper.”
Croft’s attorney asked the juror for a practicable sentence that made sense and acknowledged Croft was “a bit more susceptible to fringe ideas.”
Jonker also sentenced another man as a part of the uncanny plot.
Adam Fox was also sentenced to 16 years, and the leader along with Croft. Jonker explained Fox’s sentence as well.
“There is need for public understanding of the cost of this kind of wrongdoing and certainly for specific deterrence as well. And there is impact on our overall governmental system, not just physical threat to our sitting governor. It’s the emotional baggage that now our governor will have to carry and that she’s written about in her report.”
Pete Musico, Joseph Morrison, and Paul Bellar were all sentenced earlier this month. Musico and Bellar must serve a minimum of 12 years, while the group’s alleged “commander,” Morrison, must serve a minimum of 11 years.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘HIGH TIMES’
With a little help from his Walmart friends
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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