#MAGFAB: Sora Choi's Grace and Beauty Cover Vogue Italia January 2023
Top model Sora Choi covers the January 2023 issue of Vogue Italia. How great for this South Korean born, consistently gracious and on point, fashion pro to cover Vogue Italia — in the spirit of Franca Sozzani. It’s a choice she would have made. Read the editor’s letter.
Choi is styled by Imruh Asha and lensed by Carlijn Jacobs [IG] in artistic images to launch 2023, with input by Juan Costa Paz, Vogue Global Creative Director. / Hair by Jawara; makeup by Jen Myles
#RHOA: Melody Shari Says People Are Trying to Pit Her & Sheree Whitfield Against Each Other
“Love & Marriage: Huntsville” stars Melody Shari and Martell Holt‘s split was very controversial. Melody said the marriage fell apart because Martell refused to be faithful. In fact, she has accused him of cheating on her with multiple women. And he did end up fathering a child with his longtime mistress, Arionne Curry. Melody had no idea that Arionne was pregnant when she filed for divorce. She later confirmed to her supporters that Martell broke the baby news to her after she filed. Melody felt like she and Martell had reached a point of no return. So when she was asked if they could ever reconcile at some point in the future, she said it’s not happening.
Martell has been a lot more hopeful about his future with Melody. In fact, he was very moved when she invited him and his mother on her family vacation to Destin, Florida. Martell said it felt good to be around Melody, his mother Miss Marlene, mother-in-law Miss Van, and their children again like old times. So in a green screen interview, he said he didn’t rule out getting back together with Melody in the future.
Well, Martell has since moved on to “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Sheree Whitfield. Since the pairing happened, people have had a lot of interest in what Melody thinks of the romance. Marsau Scott even told LaTisha Scott that Sheree is “leveling up” for Martell.
Interestingly enough, Melody addresses all of this on the upcoming episode of LAMH. And she calls people out for wanting to create drama between her and Sheree.
Melody Shari has no problem with Sheree Whitfield.
In a preview, Stormi Steele asks Melody about Martell’s romance with Sheree.
“So what’s this that’s happening on social media with the whole him and Sheree situation?”
Melody answers, “I’ma keep it all the way 100. I wasn’t gonna say **** cause I really don’t care like that. I told people too in my interviews, y’all acting like this is the first woman I’ve seen him with. Let’s keep in mind he had a whole girlfriend that I didn’t know about in a marriage. And had a baby.”
She had more to say in a green-screen interview. Melody thinks that certain people want her to be messy and take shots at Sheree. But she’s not going to do that.
“I don’t know her. She’s never done anything to me. I ain’t got no beef with her. She’s beautiful. I have nothing bad to say about her. I think people wish I did because people like what? Drama.”
Melody continued, “They can keep asking me the same question. I’m gonna keep giving them the same answer.”
#MusicNews: #RIPAnitaPointer of the Pointer Sisters Dies at 74
Anita Pointer, who rose to fame in the 1970s as a member of the hit sibling singing group the Pointer Sisters, died Saturday at age 74. No cause of death was given, but her publicist said she died surrounded by family.
“While we are deeply saddened by the loss of Anita, we are comforted in knowing she is now with her daughter, Jada, and her sisters June and Bonnie, and at peace,” said a statement jointly attributed to her four closest survivors — a sister, Ruth, brothers Aaron and Fritz, and her granddaughter Roxie McKain Pointer. “She was the one that kept all of us close and together for so long. Her love of our family will live on in each of us. Please respect our privacy during this period of grief and loss. Heaven is a more loving beautiful place with Anita there.”
Anita was with the Oakland-based group from its formation in 1969 until she was forced to retire due to unspecified health reasons in 2015.
The Pointer Sisters had a hit album right out of the gate in 1973 as their self-titled debut release reached No. 13 on the album chart. Their first major hit single was a recording of Allen Toussaint’s “Yes We Can Can,” which narrowly missed the top 10, peaking at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 12 on the R&B chart.
As they abandoned the nostalgic look they’d started with, the sisters had their first and only No. 1 R&B chart hit in 1975 with “How Long (Betcha Got a Chick on the Side).” It would still be a few more years before they cracked the top 10 of the Hot 100, but once they did, the floodgates opened.
That phenomenal pop success got seriously underway with a version of Bruce Springsteen’s “Fire” that reached No. 2 on the pop chart in 1978. Recalled Anita in an interview with Goldmine about the Springsteen song, “I told Richard Perry that there was such a big voice on this song that maybe he wanted Ruthie to sing lead as she had the big voice, but he said, ‘No. I want you to sing it.’ So I did and it became our first gold single and I was just so thrilled.”
Then through the mid-1980s the hits kept coming. In 1980, “He’s So Shy” hit No. 3. “Slow Hand” went to No. 2 in 1981. “Neutron Dance” went to No. 6 in 1984, and “Jump (for My Love)” reached No. 3 that same year. Another essential hit of the era, “Automatic,” peaked at No. 5 in 1984. “I’m So Excited,” a track with lead vocals by Anita, was only a minor hit for the sisters in 1982, but was re-released in remixed form in 1984 and this time went as high as No. 9.
The group also had success on the legit stage and screen, touring with “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” based on the Fats Waller song catalog, and appearing in the hit 1976 film comedy “Car Wash.”
The pop hit streak came to an end in the mid-’80s, as the 1985 single “Dare Me,” at No. 11, marked the last time the Pointer Sisters reached the top 20. After being off the charts entirely since the early ’90s, the sisters had one last chart hit in 2005 with “Christmas in New York,” which reached No. 21 on the adult contemporary chart.
For as often as the sisters got held at No. 2 or 3 in their run of still-ubiquitous songs, they did have a brush with No. 1 as featured participants in the all-star “We Are the World” charity single in 1985.
Their biggest single album by far was 1983’s “Break Out,” which was certified three-times platinum; it was the LP that included “Neutron Dance,” “Jump” and “Automatic.” In 1984 it was reissued with the new version of the Anita-sung and co-written “I’m So Excited” added to the lineup.
The group received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.
The group’s three Grammys include one in a country category, for the 1974 song “Fairytale,” a point of trivia that often comes up as the lack of Black representation in that genre is discussed. Anita explained that a love of country music came naturally to them because they spent summers with relatives in Arkansas, where that was all they heard. “I only remember listening to one Arkansas radio station,” Anita said. “All they played was country music: Hank Williams’ ‘Your Cheatin’ Heart,’ Tex Ritter’s ‘Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darlin” and Willie Nelson’s ‘Funny How Time Slips Away.’ The only time I heard Black artists was when I snuck out to the local juke joints and pressed my ear to the door …. To me it was all good music. With country, the short story format really resonated with me.” The group legendarily performed on the Grand Ole Opry in ’74.
Pointer and her brother Fritz collaborated on a family memoir, titled “Fairytale,” in 2020.
Two other sisters who were with the group for most of its existence preceded Anita in death — June Pointer in 2006 and Bonnie Pointer in 2020.
Ruth Pointer is the longest-standing member of the group, having joined in 1972, three years after June, Bonnie and Anita began performing together. Ruth now tours under the Pointer Sisters banner with two younger members, Issa Pointer, who first joined in 2002, and Sadako Pointer, who joined in 2009. In a 2019 interview, Anita signaled her approval of the group continuing without her. “Yhey are doing some great shows and have been all over the world, without me,” she said. “I worked with Issa and Sadako, so they got a good feel for what I do until I had somewhat of a forced retirement, due to health reasons, but Ruthie can still sing so strongly and loves it.”
Pointer’s only daughter, Jada Pointer, who had inspired the 1973 Pointer Sisters song “Jada,” died of cancer in 2003, after which Anita dedicated herself to raising her only grandchild, Roxie.
“This has been a wonderful career. I didn’t plan any of this,” she told Goldmine. In 1969, she pointed out, “I was planning on continuing to being a secretary in a law office, like I was doing, when I heard Bonnie and June singing in the Northern California State Youth Choir, performing ‘Oh Happy Day,’ with Edwin Hawkins and Dorothy Morrison, and I just loved it. So I quit my job and said that I had to do this too.”
#HipHopNews: Westside Gunn Is Retiring From Rap: ‘I Don’t Have Nothing Else 2 Prove’
Westside Gunn has announced that 2023 will be the last year in which he releases new music of his own, citing a number of career accomplishments warranting his early retirement.
The Griselda Records co-founder made the announcement with a series of tweets on Friday (December 30) that saw him listing out a number of his past collaborators and the milestones he’s achieved since launching his imprint in 2012.
“23’ def my last year doing this shit,” Westside Gunn tweeted. “I don’t have nothing else 2prove, I put my team on, I put my city on, I worked w/everybody I ever wanted to work with, plus MFs still don’t even understand 1-10, FLYGOD, Awesome GOD, or Pray for Paris(mind u Virgil did the cover) im the [goat emoji] [shrug emoji].”
What followed was a number of tweets shouting out the Hip Hop luminaries he has worked with during his career, starting with securing partnerships between Griselda and both Eminem‘s Shady Records and JAY-Z at Roc Nation. He also listed off the rappers and producers he has collaborated with, paying homage to fallen comrades MF DOOM, Prodigy, DMX, Sean Price and Combat Jack.
The list of stellar collaborations alone took up two separate tweets, in which he touched on having earned guest verses from Slick Rick and had music produced by DJ Premier, Pete Rock, and RZA.
He also made note of his 2023 Grammy nomination, thanks to an appearance on Mary J. Blige’s latest studio album, Good Morning Gorgeous.
“My music played at Fashion Shows in Paris, Japan, countless Tattoos, Countless murals,” FlyGod added. “I’ve never taken longer than 10-14days to make ANY project.. not 1x a year either multiple albums a year and I elevated every single time.”
Westside Gunn admitted that some fans may expect him to go back on his decision, as he has before; but explained that his early retirement was inspired as much by the struggles he’s experienced in the music industry as the heights he has attained.
“I know I say I’m a retire all the time so ppl might be like he always say this,” he wrote. “Seriously I been thru so much with this shit behind closed doors y’all would never know, it’s brought more pain than joy I’m just so G that I make it look super easy but I fight these devils everyday.”
He continued: “What makes me also the [goat emoji] is not only have I made the best albums personally in the last decade but I also executive produced the best albums in the last decade and they all sounded diff and made every artist sound immaculate listen to them all again the beats are all NEXT LEVEL.”
Elsewhere in his open letter to the fans, which he delivered in 20 separate tweets over the course of at least two hours, Westside Gunn detailed some of the challenges he has faced due to his dedication to his craft and his determination to fight for all artists to be allowed creative freedom.
He also acknowledged the controversy behind his Hitler Wears Hermes series, explaining that he had been warned to abandon the concept after its fifth iteration for fear of how it might impact his future success.
“I was told I wouldn’t get any endorsements,” he explained. “I would never be nominated, I will only get so far if I kept it going but I knew my heart was pure and my life is ART and explained how I even thought ofthe [sic] name I chose my fate.
“Ofcourse [sic] I would be 10x bigger if it wasn’t for that name,” he went on, “but again I knew my heart &I stuck to my script and did it my way, I can live with that decision many ppl would’ve folded & played the game.”
Before ending the conversation, W.S.G. assured fans that some of his most highly anticipated projects would see the light of day before the end of 2023, including his cryptic MICHELLE RECORDS project. He also added that he will continue to curate and serve as an executive producer for others and confirmed upcoming projects by several artists on the Griselda roster.
“YES ARMANI Dropping again, YES ROME dropping again, YES me and BOLDY gonna cook, YES ME and JAY WORTHY about to cook, NACKSAW JIM DUGGAN is halfway done, the ADOLF movie &Soundtrack &whatever else GOD wants me to do but I’m a go hard all year but after that I’m raising my babies.”
Fans will also have plenty of opportunities to see Westside Gunn before he retires from the rap game, as he announced his first international tour earlier this month.
The first leg of the God Is Love Tour will kick off in Amsterdam on January 13 and see him visit 12 cities in Europe before coming to a close in Lisbon on February 10.
Pope Francis to lead funeral for Benedict XVI, a first in modern history
For the first time in modern history, a sitting pope will preside over his predecessor's funeral next week, with Pope Francis leading a "simple" ceremony for Benedict XVI, who died Saturday.
Benedict, the first pontiff to resign since the Middle Ages, had renounced the papal throne -- but lived within the Vatican and still wore white.
The 95-year-old would have a "solemn but simple" funeral on Thursday, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told journalists at a briefing following his death.
The sudden deterioration of the ex-pope's health earlier this week had sparked questions over what would happen next.
The death of a Roman Catholic pope usually sets in motion time-honoured traditions, but would someone who had given up the papacy get papal treatment?
Unlike when previous popes have died, there is no need to call a conclave to elect a new pontiff, as Francis -- chosen to succeed Benedict in 2013 -- remains very much in the post.
Under rules set out in 1996, a pope must be buried between four and six days after his death.
How and when he is buried is usually decided by cardinals who gather from around the world, and who also organise the Vatican's nine days of mourning, known as novemdiales.
They decide because the death of a pope traditionally creates a power vacuum at the top of the church.
However, no such vacuum exists in this case, as Francis is in charge.
Last rites
The ex-pope's funeral will take place in St Peter's Square, the vast square in front of the basilica, on Thursday at 9:30am (0830 GMT).
"As the Pope Emeritus wished, the funeral will be simple," Bruni told journalists.
In his first public comments since the death of his predecessor, Francis on Saturday paid tribute to Benedict, calling him "a noble, kind man who was a gift to the Church and the world".
"It is with emotion that we remember his person, so noble, so kind. And we feel in our heart such gratitude, gratitude to God for having gifted him to the Church and the world," Francis said.
Francis had alerted the world to Benedict's frailness on Wednesday, when he called on the world's Catholics to pray for him.
He later visited him at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery inside the Vatican gardens which became Benedict's home when he retired.
Bruni said the ex-pope had that same day received "the anointment of the sick", or "last rites" as it is often called, a Catholic tradition in which a person's soul is cleansed of sins in preparation for the afterlife.
That was performed at the end of a mass at his home, in the presence of the Memores Domini, four lay women similar to nuns, who lived with him.
The body of the German pope, whose birth name was Joseph Ratzinger, will stay at the monastery until early on Monday morning.
Then it will be taken to lie in state at St Peter's Basilica, where the faithful can pay their respects over three days.
In 2005 the body of John Paul II, the last pope to die, also lay in state before a funeral mass in St Peter's Square presided over by Ratzinger, then a senior cardinal.
An estimated one million people attended, alongside heads of state from around the world.
'Fisherman's Ring'
The Vatican said official delegations from Italy and the ex-pope's native Germany would attend the funeral.
Afterwards, "the coffin of the Supreme Pontiff Emeritus will be taken to St Peter's Basilica, and then into the Vatican Grottoes for burial", the Vatican said.
The body of the beloved Polish pope was moved to the upper part of the basilica when he was beatified in 2011. He was confirmed a saint in 2014.
Traditionally, when a pope dies, his "Fisherman's Ring" -- a signet ring specially cast for each new pope which once was used to seal documents -- is also destroyed.
When Benedict left office, the face of his ring was etched with a "X" to make it unusable.
Oprah Winfrey, Bob Iger, Lynda Carter and More Remember Barbara Walters: ‘A True Legend, a Pioneer’
News media and entertainment personalities were quick to react to the news of Barbara Walters’ death on Friday evening. The TV interviewing icon was 93.
Her colleagues in the news business, from ABC News and “The View” to the many actors and entertainers who were inspired by her pioneering journalism, remembered her as “breaking the glass ceiling” and “paving the way for so many,” as Rosie Perez said.
Disney CEO Bob Iger was among the first to post on Twitter, saying, “I have sad news to share today. Barbara Walters passed away this evening at her home in New York.”
Fellow TV icon Oprah Winfrey paid tribute to Walters on Instagram, writing: “Without Barbara Walters there wouldn’t have been me — nor any other woman you see on evening, morning, and daily news. She was indeed a Trailblazer. I did my very first television audition with her in mind the whole time. Grateful that she was such a powerful and gracious role model. Grateful to have known her. Grateful to have followed in her Light.”
Former “The View” host Meghan McCain said, “Her hard hitting questions & welcoming demeanor made her a household name and leader in American journalism.”
Actor Lynda Carter said, “As the first female national news anchor, she opened the door to endless possibilities for so many girls who wanted to work in TV, myself included.”
Jake Tapper said, “Sending love and prayers to my friends at ABC and to Barbara’s family and friends.”
Her “20/20” colleague Deborah Roberts wrote, “What an honor to share the set @ABC with the inimitable trailblazer when I joined @abc2020.”
WABC anchor Sade Baderinwa called her “a trailblazer, a true pioneer.”
“RIP to a great soul,” wrote Keith Olbermann.
“Barbara Walters never flinched when questioning the world’s most powerful people. She held them accountable,” wrote Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Police Recover Meek Mill's Stolen Phone; Suspect Arrested
The police have recovered Meek Mill's mobile phone which was stolen on Thursday night and also have in custody a suspect.
The police in a press statement gave a brief fact about the suspect and the incident.
The suspect Nuhu Sule alias Ababaawa was arrested Friday, December 30, 2022, at his hideout in Accra.
He is currently in Police custody and will be taken through the due process of the law.
The victim, Meek Mill, reported his phone stolen in Accra on December 29, 2022.
The award-winning US rapper Meek Mill is in Ghana for the first time and has been singing praises about his first experiences on African soil, confessing his undying love for Ghana.
However, on Thursday night, he publicly announced on social media, his frustration with a stolen mobile phone prior to his performance as the headline artiste for day one of this year’s Afro Nation festival, which took place at the Marine Drive of the Independence Square.
In the middle of his performance, he paused and said, “I found love in Ghana and I really appreciate all the love.”
Meek Mill is the first American artiste to feature on Afro Nation Ghana which is his first major appearance in Africa, following years of talk about visiting Ghana.
And truthfully, he lived up to all the hype around his brand as the headline artiste with performances of a slew of some of Hip-Hop’s biggest smash hits of his collections such as Rico, Freestyle, Eyes on You and Dreams and Nightmares among many others.
Woman says Gervonta Davis didn't harm her after boxer's domestic violence arrest
Gervonta Davis has seen a litany of legal issues over the last few years, including one that still threatens him with years of jail time. (Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The mother of boxer Gervonta Davis' daughter posted a statement Friday saying he did not hurt her after his arrest for alleged domestic violence earlier this week.
Davis had been facing a misdemeanor charge of battery causing bodily harm after an incident Tuesday in which he allegedly hit the woman with "a closed hand type slap," leaving her with a small abrasion to the inside of her upper lip. She reportedly called 911 seeking help, the audio of which was obtained by ESPN:
"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."
Moments later, the call ended. She reconnected with police 50 seconds afterward, crying, and said, "I need to go. I'm in danger right now."
Three days later, she posted the following message to Instagram, claiming both she and Davis were at fault, the call to 911 was unnecessary and Davis had not harmed her or their daughter. She said they would be seeking counseling:
"These past few days have been hurtful and extremely exhausting for all parties involved. I pride myself on being extremely private; this situation was the last thing I wanted to be made public.
"The state of our relationship has been in a fragile space and Gervonta and I were both at fault for the argument. While the emotions were running high I made an unnecessary call to law enforcement in an intense moment while I was frantic. Gervonta did not harm me or our daughter.
"Today, we have sought the help necessary to move forward with our lives. I am confident that we will succeed within our co-parenting dynamic with the counseling provided to us."
The woman's attorney reportedly confirmed her identity on Instagram to ESPN.
Davis was released Wednesday afternoon with bail set at $1,000. Soon after, he posted a tweet claiming he never laid hands his daughter or her mother. The tweet has since been deleted.
Around the same time the woman posted her statement, Davis Indicated his fight against Hector Luis Garcia was still scheduled to take place on Jan. 7, as part a Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view event on Showtime. It's unclear if that means the event's organizers have given the all-clear or if Davis is expressing his own hopes.
This incident was far from Davis' first legal issue, and far from the first time he's had charges dropped after an arrest for assault. He was arrested for aggravated assault in 2017, with the charges later dropped. He was also arrested in 2018 for getting into a fight in Washington, D.C., with an unclear resolution. In 2020, he was arrested for alleged domestic violence against a former girlfriend, with the case eventually discharged.
Later in 2020, Davis was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run and accused of fleeing the scene. He is set to go to trial on Feb. 16, 2023 after a plea deal stemming from the hit-and-run arrest was rejected in September. He faces 14 misdemeanor charges from the incident, each of which carry a potential jail sentence of one year.
Soulja Boy And Boosie Badazz Feuding Online Over Gay Rappers Comment
Soulja Boy and Boosie Badazz (Lil Boosie) got into an online back-and-forth over the former's controversial comment about gay rappers. The exchanges between the two rap stars took place after Boosie appeared to be offended with Soulja claiming during Instagram Live that he's "one of the last straight rappers in the game."
Slamming the "Pretty Boy Swag" emcee, Boosie wrote on Twitter on Friday, December 30, "EVERYBODY AINT GAY @souljaboy." The "Wipe Me Down" rapper continued, "U KNOW WHO STAND ON BUIZNESS FOR THE REAL GANGSTERS #boosiebadazz CANT LET U SAY THAT MY N***A U KNOW IM [100 emoji] MY G #onbleek."
Upon catching wind of the post, Soulja didn't hesitate to clap back. Writing back to the Baton Rouge icon, the "Crank That" spitter tweeted, "I said what I said. You know what I meant. You wanna do something? I say what the f**k I want to. Didn't you let a n***a just b***h u on a diss track? U ain't stand on S**t n***a."
In a follow-up tweet, Draco went on to say, "I feel like @BOOSIEOFFICIAL don't even like me b***h don't call my phone."
Later on that day, the two appeared to have squashed their beef as Boosie tweeted back to Soulja with a laughing emoji, "U JOCIN BRA. I AINT F**KING WITH YOU TODAY. HELLNA." The Louisiana native added in a separate post, "N ANY N***A SAY MY NAME I SNAPBACK EVERTY TIME no [cap] U ON ONE TODAY."
Soulja also extended an olive branch as he responded, "U know I f*k wit u OG, but I'll crash out. Let's just keep it koo and get this money." He continued, "Lol I know OG. I just expected you to go harder. But u see me. Say my name I respond too. We def know u not gay Boosie come on now."
During his Instagram Live on Thursday, Soulja made the initial comments while seemingly firing a series of subliminal shots at NBA YoungBoy (YoungBoy Never Broke Again). Even though he didn't name names, Soulja shaded an unspecified rapper who paints his nails, labeling him and others like him "gay."
"I'm one of the last straight rappers in the game, n****. Everybody gay, n***a," Soulja said at the time. "We promoting beef. We promoting violence. We not painting our fingernails, n***a."
New York opens state's first legal recreational marijuana dispensary
It’s a joyous occasion for lovers of cannabis in New York. For the first time, weed smokers can legally indulge in purchasing the green as the Big Apple has debuted a recreational marijuana dispensary.
Yesterday (Dec. 29), Housing Works Cannabis Company, located on Broadway and Eighth Street in Manhattan, officially opened its doors to customers over 21. “We’re absolutely thrilled to be the first and hopefully setting a model that other folks will have to follow,” said Charles King, the chief executive officer of Housing Works, a minority-controlled nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the homeless and assisting people living with HIV/AIDS.
While the ceremonial grand opening took place at 4:20 p.m., according to ABC News channel 7, the first sale came hours prior.
After a Thursday morning press conference where they announced the store’s opening, Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director Chris Alexander became the company’s first customer when he bought watermelon-flavored gummies and a tin of marijuana flowers. The purchase happened at 11:45 a.m.
“It is a privilege and an honor to be here today, as we said we would earlier this year, to make history with the first-ever legal retail sale of cannabis in New York State,” said Alexander. “This is a significant part of the battle to end cannabis prohibition that we can say has finally been won. Thank you Governor Hochul for your unwavering support in bringing the vision of New York’s cannabis law to life and thank you to all our farmers and CAURD licensees for believing in that vision and working with our agency to build what will be the most equitable cannabis market in the nation.”
The dispensary will sell products ranging from $20 edible containers to flowers or plants between $40-$95. Marijuana vape kits will also be available for $95. Housing Works said the money will go toward a good cause. “All proceeds from purchases go back to fund our services and advocacy, which include housing, health care and people living with HIV and chronic illness,” Housing Works Creative Director Elizabeth Koke told NBC New York. “So many communities have suffered under cannabis criminalization,” she added.
Housing Works Cannabis Company might be the first to break through the legal cannabis distribution trade in New York, but it’s certainly not the last. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Dec. 21 that the Empire State will have 35 more licensed dispensaries legally opening soon.
“We set a course just nine months ago to start New York’s adult-use cannabis market off on the right foot by prioritizing equity, and now, we’re fulfilling that goal,” Hochul said. “The industry will continue to grow from here, creating inclusive opportunity in every corner of New York State with revenues directed to our schools and revitalizing communities,” the governor explained.
Pop Smoke mural vandalized in Brooklyn
A mural of Pop Smoke was defaced in his hometown of Canarsie, Brooklyn. On Wednesday (Dec. 28), a screenshot began making its rounds on social media, which shows said mural — located on the side of a deli shop at 8125 Flatlands Ave — vandalized with the spray-painted message “Woo K.”
Los Angeles-based Hattas Studios was commissioned to create Pop Smoke‘s sprawling mural some months after the rapper’s passing. The artist collective also created a work of art showing the drill star alongside fellow fallen peers King Von and Nipsey Hussle.
As previously reported, vandals damaged Pop Smoke’s gravesite at Green-Wood Cemetery last year. NYPD responded to a break-in at that location to find that the rapper’s marble plaque had been broken. A black concrete slab was also taken out of his gravesite, confirming that the troublemakers managed to get into his tomb.
Pop Smoke — real name Bashar Jackson — was tragically shot and killed during a home invasion at a Hollywood Hills Airbnb back in 2020. He was quickly rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Hollywood, where he was pronounced dead. According to a testimony provided by LAPD Detective Carlos Camacho, the artist was shot and killed by a 15-year-old, who raided the residence along with four others. Camacho also stated that the intruders were looking for a Cuban link chain, but were only able to find his Rolex which was later sold for $2,000.
Pop Smoke‘s mother, Audrey Jackson, spoke to the Daily News following the aforementioned revelation:
“I didn’t know any of this. It’s all new. I just knew my boy was gone. Now it really feels like he’s not coming back. I don’t know what I thought being here would do. I thought something would happen that would help me feel differently. But to hear they kicked him when he was down. It’s so disrespectful and dishonorable.”
Elon Musk's Net Worth Decreases $200 Billion, Setting New Record
Elon Musk is going into 2023 $200 billion dollars poorer. The 51-year-old Twitter owner’s net worth took a historic hit two years after he became the second person to be worth more than $200 billion.
His estimated net worth is now well below that number, according to a new report.
According to Bloomberg, Elon is worth an estimated $137 billion after his portfolio decreased by more than $200 billion. He is officially the first person to ever experience such a meteoric drop in wealth.
At his wealthiest, the controversial star was worth approximately $340 billion.
One of the causes of his record-breaking losses appears to be dwindling stock prices for his company Tesla. The publication noted that his stock in the company is actually now worth less than what he owns in SpaceX.
Additionally, his purchase of Twitter and transition to owner has been rocky and expensive to say the least.
His takeover has been unpopular enough that Twitter users voted that he give up his position as CEO of the company.
Sara Bareilles & Longtime Boyfriend Joe Tippett Announce Engagement - See the Ring!
Sara Bareilles and Joe Tippet are ringing in the new year with a very special sort of ring!
The couple of five years are engaged, and they confirmed the exciting news in the early hours of January 1!
Sara shared a pic of them on social media and wrote about their plans for the future!
Sara and Joe smile at each other in a precious selfie that shows off her gold engagement ring on Instagram.
“Yes to marrying this man. It’s an easy, earned, relaxed YES. [Joe Tippett] you are exactly who I want,” she wrote. “The more I know you the more I know I love you…and you have introduced me to parts of myself I was afraid to love. And now I love ME more because of you. So really this is all about me. Just kidding. What a gift you are. Let the games begin. Onward into absolutely everything with you.”
LaKeith Stanfield Accused Of Hiding Secret Family; His Child’s Mother Exposes Him A Day After He Proposed To His New Girlfriend
LaKeith’s child’s mother, Tylor Hurd, shared a post on Instagram collaging photos and videos of her, her daughter, LaKeith and friends. In Tylor’s caption, she said, “Decided to leave being someone’s secret family in 2022 [red heart emoji]. Meet Apollo Stanfield.”
Tylor and LaKeith ended up arguing in her comments. LaKeith called her out for exposing him. In part he wrote, “Thanks for respecting my not wanting to blast my child out to the internet. Very considerate of you.“
Tylor responded, “Value your privacy is why you lied to people saying she wasn’t your baby or that I was just a random? You value your privacy but your girlfriend post everything y’all do lol, okay.”
LaKeith said, “I never once in life said she wasn’t my baby. I hope this does whatever it was supposed to do for you. My adult relationship privacy and children are two different things. I’m sure you realize that.”
Tylor continued to clear things up in her Instagram Story and over on Twitter. On her Story she wrote:
“just to clear a few things up i’m not jealous that’s he’s engaged to a woman he’s known for 5 months, I tried to meet the girl and everything and she ignored me when i tried.
what I’m upset about is that he’s made more time to spend with this woman than he’s spent with Apollo her whole life and has been actively ignoring me when i’m trying to figure things out for our child, and those clips of him and her together are all i have in general cause he barely sees her.”
Doja Cat Receives ‘Death Threat’ From A fan Following ‘Tinychat’ Bullying Accusations — Online Incident Sparks Criminal Investigation
Doja Cat is known for having interesting interactions with her fans on Twitter, Instagram, and sometimes even in chat rooms. Just recently, she appeared on a “tinychat” which some people weren’t too pleased about.
As she participated in a chat earlier this week with some of her supporters, one guy started getting weird and Doja gave him the boot. The man was so angry that he returned to the platform and threatened to kill the star, and ‘claimed he would see her soon,’ TMZ reports.
Doja took the threat seriously and reportedly called the police to file a report, which has now sparked a formal investigation. TMZ notes that the unnamed male fan lives outside the state of California, where Doja resides.
While Doja didn’t respond to those bullying claims but people online were quick to remind her why it’s in her best interest to stay off those kind of platforms.
As many can remember, Doja Cat was nearly canceled in 2020 after a screen recording from an old chat room resurfaced online. Fans accused her having a racist behavior and even sparked the #DojaCatIsOverParty across Twitter.
Despite that, Doja Cat apologized twice for causing “hurt and embarrassment” to her fans with her past remarks.
“There’s no better apology than me doing what I’ve always done, being on live, telling you guys my f*****g truth, and being completely honest,” she stated during the Instagram Live. “It’s a hard time right now, but recording myself apologising and recording myself sounding perfectly f*****g diplomatic is the biggest lie I can make to you. “My behaviour isn’t something that always needs to be followed, I’m not perfect – I shouldn’t be doing dumb s**t. But also I need to stand up for myself instead of making a video that’s diplomatically and politically correct.”
President Biden Issues Pardons for Six Individuals, Including Some With Drug Offenses
President Biden on Friday granted full pardons to six individuals who had already completed sentences for their offenses.
CNN reports the individuals were granted clemency through a “deliberative process” that was coordinated closely with the Department of Justice. The list of those pardoned include five people who were convicted of drug or alcohol offenses: Charlie Byrnes Jackson, 77, Gary Park Davis, 66, Edward Lincoln De Coito III, 50, John Dix Nock III, 72, and Vincente Ray Flores, 37.
The sixth person, Beverly Ann Ibn-Tamas, now 80, was convicted of second-degree murder for killing her husband 47 years ago. Ibn-Tamas was pregnant at the time of the incident, and later testified that her husband had been abusing her.
“Today, President Biden is granting six full pardons for individuals who have served their sentences and have demonstrated a commitment to improving their communities and the lives of those around them,” the White House said in an official statement.
“President Biden believes America is a nation of second chances, and that offering meaningful opportunities for redemption and rehabilitation empowers those who have been incarcerated to become productive, law-abiding members of society.”
The news come a few months after President Biden announced pardons for thousands of people convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law.
How These Three Artists Made the Most of Art Basel With Some Help from Toyota’s Creator Studio
In October, Biden’s administration confirmed that approximately 6,500 people convicted of simple possession of marijuana from 1992 to 2021 would be pardoned. Thousands of others who received the same conviction in the District of Columbia also received pardons, with Biden encouraging governors across the country to allow pardons for those convicted on state charges.
Tory Lanez Jail Call To Megan Thee Stallion’s Ex-Friend Kelsey Harris Leaks
Though Tory Lanez has been found guilty in the trial surrounding the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion, new information continues to drop. A phone call that the 30-year-old made from jail to the Grammy winner’s ex-friend, Kelsey Harris, has leaked online this week.
On Thursday evening (Dec. 29), YouTuber Nique At Nite posted recorded audio from the phone conversation which appears to have taken place soon after the alleged shooting happened and the Sorry 4 What rapper was taken into custody. The Brampton, Canada artist sounded weary over the phone, inquiring as to how the “Savage” rapper was doing and what hospital she and Harris were at.
“Megan’s still in the hospital. I’m outside the hospital,” Harris said before later telling him “Cedar Medical,” the medical facility where the Houston rapper was being cared for. In between his questioning of their location, Lanez attempted to explain the circumstances for why he acted the way he did, though he does not specifically mention the alleged shooting. The “Say It” artist also apologized repeatedly.
“Bruh, I know [Megan] prolly never, ever gonna talk to me ever again, but, I just want you to know, bruh, I was just so f**kin’ drunk that I ain’t even know what the f**k was going on.” He continued, “I ain’t never do some sh*t like that […] I didn’t even understand what the f**k was going on. Regardless, though, that’s not gonna make anything right, and it’s not gonna make my actions right. I’m just deeply sorry, bruh.”
Harris echoed his distraught tone, replying “I don’t know. There’s a lot…There’s a lot that happened.” Tory then offers more context as to his reported intoxication, saying “When I got to the house, I assure you, off the top ni**as, they gave me like five shots off the door. I was outta there.” He later reveals that he didn’t even remember what they were arguing about.
Finally, Lanez requests Harris contact his security so he can be bailed out of jail. Harris replies that she will reach out in an effort to handle the situation before news begins to spread. She adds that Megan Thee Stallion’s team was already working on keeping the situation low, and Tory responds that the backlash will likely all fall on him and not the Traumazine rapper.
Though he does not specifically mention what exactly happened beyond the argument and what he did, his tone throughout the phone call sounds both guilty and defeated. Tory Lanez was found guilty on all three charges and could face up to 22 years in prison plus deportation when sentencing takes place in January 2023. Fans are currently petitioning for his verdict to be appealed via Change.org, and have amassed over 48,000 signatures.
Alabama Will Allow People To Carry Without Getting A Permit Starting Jan. 1
Alabama will soon allow people to carry a concealed handgun without a state permit which requires a background check.
The new state law goes into effect on Jan. 1 and ends the requirement for a person to apply for a permit to carry it in public legally, ABC News reported.
Before being approved, the proposal had been shut down for years in Montgomery. The legislation was pushed and supported by gun rights advocates who believe in “constitutional carry,” referring to the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.
However, many, including state sheriffs and others in law enforcement, opposed the idea, saying that permits help fight crime and enhance public safety.
The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action lobbied for the state legislation. There are now 26 states that allow permitless carry.
“It’s going to be a big step to help the average law-abiding citizen to keep them from having to go through the hoops of getting a permit to carry their weapons,” Rep. Shane Stringer, the legislation’s sponsor, said. Stringer noted the law only impacts the permit requirement. “It’s not going change who can and cannot carry a gun. People that are prohibited now are still prohibited.”
The Alabama Sheriffs Association also opposed the legislation. “Alabama sheriffs are clear on the law taking effect Jan. 1 and have adjusted accordingly,” said Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones, president of the Alabama Sheriffs’ Association.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
WAISTIN’ AWAY.
I see California is gearing up for their summer full of Jimmy Buffet concerts
New day - new start; new you, New Year! It’s never too late to start anew, merely throw out the old and bring in the new.
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
No comments:
Post a Comment