12/18/24

The Daily Buzz For Dec 19☕📰☕

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#FASHIONFILES: The DOLL Michelle Obama in Bottega Veneta on The Jennifer Hudson Show
Michelle Obama stopped. by Jennifer Hudson’s place to have a little chat and also to model the most kickass pair of boots you ever saw in your life.
Chelley O continues to be the most un-FLOTUS-like former FLOTUS in the history of FLOTUSes and we love that for her. But those boots are fire!


#RHOA: Kim Zolciak Details Traumatic Marriage To Kroy Biermann
RHOA alum, Kim Zolciak is detailing her traumatic marriage to Kroy Biermann. The two were married for over a decade before they called it quits and it has been a disaster ever since. So, what is Kim saying now that the marriage is officially coming to an end? Keep reading for further details.
When Kim Zolciak met Kroy Biermann, it was love at first sight and RHOA viewers saw that. They got to witness the moment the two met and watched their courtship. Kim and Kroy tied the knot and even landed their own spinoff, Don’t Be Tardy. Though he was younger than her, it did not faze him that she had two daughters from previous relationships. He embraced Ariana and Brielle and eventually adopted them. Kim and Kroy went on to have four more children together and truly seemed very happy.

Unfortunately, his NFL career ended and their reality show was canceled. She also allegedly had a gambling problem as well as a penchant for the lavish things in life. Therefore, they had money problems. They owed over one million dollars to the IRS and their Georgia mansion faced foreclosure. Though they have been able to dodge an auction, the couple filed for divorce in 2023 and it has been anything but amicable. The police have been called but now, Kim has finally left the home.

According to People, she is sharing her experience being married to Kroy and she claims it was horrid:
“Nobody has any idea what I’ve dealt with the last two and half, three years of my life. I’m trying to take the high road.”

The police were called when Kim Zolciak was trying to leave their home. She had a moving truck that Kroy attempted to block with his car. Yet, he moved it when he was told to and they did use the non-emergency line.  She noted her estranged husband caused issues and “there’s a track record of Kroy being the problem.” Yet, she hoped they could get along.

Mixed Messages
Though Kim Zolciak claims that Kroy Biermann is the problem, he has said the same thing about her. On September 9th, Kroy shared this of his ex:
“I will never stop praying for her. But I will no longer stay silent. I was isolated, imprisoned and silenced for almost 13 years. What’s been mentioned in motion is only the tip of the iceberg. In the [TMZ] you are witnessing narcissistic shaming abuse.”
Despite all of this, Kim maintains that the years she was married to Kroy were “torture.” Furthermore, she added he was controlling but does not think he is capable of becoming a better person:

“He has changed, and it didn’t work. Not for the good.”
Their Georgia mansion was scheduled for auction in early December but that was allegedly postponed again. Yet, Kim was leaving their home so it is unclear if she finally had enough and has found a new place to live.

Do you believe what Kim is saying about Kroy or are they equally at fault? 


#NewMusic from Chrisette Michele Releases New Song ‘Hallelujah’

Chrisette Michele is back with a new track, “Hallelujah.” She co-wrote the inspirational song with its producers Antwan “Amadeus” Thompson, Darren “Champ” Jenkins, and Esteban “Cito” Crandle.
On “Hallelujah,” Michele sings about going to her place of worship for a spiritual renewal. 

“Find me a seat Sunday morning at the pew / Might have a little bit of life residue / I need a blessing so you might have to move / I’m goin’ to church and I’m singing Hallelu…,” she sings in the chorus. 
“Hallelujah” is the follow-up to “Home,” which was released in August. Speaking on the latter, Michele shared, “My hope is that people will feel the joy I feel in my heart and sing along. There’s been enough heartbreak. Pain is just a season; it’s not forever. I finally feel ‘At Home’ on the stage… I’ve waited for this feeling for a long time.”

LISTEN HERE:

“Home,” Michele’s first single in four years, became her first song in six years to land on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart. 
Before “Home,” Michele released her uplifting single, “Wait,” in 2020. “I hope the lyrics in the song ‘Wait’ bless you. Listen to it for YOU. Hear the words for YOU. All the chatter in your pretty little mind, all the worry and fear. Let it melt away,” Michele wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post.

She added, “God is sovereign. That means He has intentions behind everything He allows. You’re going to get thru this. Your prayers weren’t in vain.”
In other Chrisette Michele news, the Grammy-nominated singer scored two solo awards from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) this year. 
In January, Michele will perform at City Winery locations across the U.S., including in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Atlanta. A full list of tour dates is available at chrisettemichele.com.


#HipHopNews: Snoop Dogg makes peace with Kendrick Lamar after social media mix-up
In the ever-evolving landscape of hip-hop, a simple social media share by Snoop Dogg inadvertently created waves within the music community. The veteran rapper found himself at the center of attention after sharing Drake’s Taylor Made Freestyle on his Instagram Stories, a track that employed AI-generated vocals of both Snoop and the late 2Pac. This incident not only highlighted the delicate nature of artist relationships but also raised questions about social media responsibility in the digital age.

Behind the unexpected share
The incident unfolded when Snoop, focused on promoting his Gin & Juice brand collaboration with Dr. Dre, shared content without thoroughly reviewing it. This oversight led to the posting of Drake’s controversial track, which later caught the attention of Kendrick Lamar. The Compton native addressed this situation in his album GNX, expressing his disappointment through carefully crafted lyrics. The situation underscores the importance of mindful social media management, especially for influential figures in the industry.

A mentor’s swift response
Upon learning about Lamar’s reaction, Snoop took immediate action to rectify the situation. The Long Beach icon, known for his mentorship role in west coast hip-hop, personally reached out to Lamar. This direct communication demonstrated the importance of maintaining strong relationships within the hip-hop community, especially among artists who share deep California roots. Snoop’s response reflects his maturity and understanding of his position as a veteran in the industry, showing younger artists how to handle misunderstandings with grace and accountability.

The AI factor in modern hip-hop
The incident highlights a growing concern in the music industry: the emergence of AI-generated content. The unauthorized use of Snoop’s voice in Drake’s track raises questions about artistic integrity and consent in the digital age. As artificial intelligence technology advances, the music industry faces new challenges in protecting artists’ intellectual property and maintaining authenticity in musical expression. This situation has sparked important discussions about establishing guidelines and regulations for AI use in music creation, particularly when it involves replicating artists’ voices without explicit permission.

Maintaining peace in the community
The veteran rapper’s approach to conflict resolution reflects his evolved role in hip-hop. By actively avoiding involvement in artists’ disputes and focusing on resolution, Snoop continues to set an example for younger generations. His handling of this situation emphasizes the importance of direct communication and accountability in maintaining healthy relationships within the industry. This approach has earned him respect not only as an artist but as a mediator and elder statesman in hip-hop culture.

The broader impact on hip-hop culture
This incident has created ripples throughout the hip-hop community, prompting discussions about generational relationships and respect within the genre. The way both artists handled the situation demonstrates the evolution of conflict resolution in hip-hop, moving away from prolonged feuds toward more mature and constructive dialogue. This shift represents a positive change in hip-hop culture, where veterans and younger artists can navigate misunderstandings with mutual respect and understanding.

Moving forward
This incident serves as a teachable moment for artists navigating the complexities of social media and relationship management. By acknowledging his oversight and taking responsibility, Snoop demonstrates how established artists can maintain their integrity while adapting to the changing landscape of music promotion and social media engagement. The resolution between these two influential west coast artists reinforces the strength of hip-hop’s community bonds, showing how misunderstandings, when addressed with humility and respect, can lead to stronger relationships within the music industry.

The situation also highlights the importance of being mindful of content sharing in the digital age, where a simple post can have far-reaching implications. As the music industry continues to evolve with technological advancements, maintaining authentic human connections and clear communication becomes increasingly crucial.


‘Black Panther 3’ Officially Confirmed By Marvel After Denzel Washington Revealed A Role Was Being Written For Him

Black Panther 3 has officially been confirmed by a studio exec, shortly after Denzel Washington hinted at his role in the upcoming sequel.
Nate Moore, a top creative executive at Marvel, made the reveal while discussing his departure from the company after 14 years. Moore confirmed that despite his exit, he will continue working on the Black Panther franchise for at least one more film, stating:

“I couldn’t be more excited to apply my experience and passion for film towards theatrical movies in all genres, including returning to the world of Wakanda for Black Panther 3.”
Ryan Coogler is expected to direct the film. There are no further details about the project at this time.

Are you excited about the next BP installment?


Michael Vick Named Head Coach At Norfolk State
Michael Vick, former Falcons star and four-time Pro Bowler, has been named head coach at Norfolk State, per The Virginian-Pilot.
This marks the 44-year-old’s first coaching role, taking over a program that went 15-30 in the past four seasons under Dawson Odums, who was fired in November.

An introductory press conference is expected within a week. Michael Vick, who played at Virginia Tech and retired in 2015, has worked as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports and played under coaches like Andy Reid and Mike Tomlin during his career.


Megan Thee Stallion Files for Restraining Order Against Tory Lanez Over Harassment

Megan Thee Stallion has filed for a restraining order against Tory Lanez, who she claims is harassing her from behind bars as he serves a 10-year sentence stemming from a July 2020 incident where he shot at her feet.
In the substantial 194-page document, lawyers for the rapper (aka Megan Pete) describe Lanez (aka Daystar Peterson) as a “violent and dangerous criminal” with an “established pattern of behavior [demonstrating] the reasons this civil harassment restraining order is necessary to protect Ms. Pete and her wellbeing.” They claim that from prison, Lanez “continues to terrorize Ms. Pete” and that she lacks any protection against his attacks due to a protective order that was only in effect from 2020 through 2023.
Megan’s legal counsel claims that she is “left without protection at a time where she needs it most.” Without the restraining order, she is worried that she will not have protection when Lanez is released from prison, causing her emotional distress and making her fearful for her life.

The document also accuses Lanez of employing third-party “bloggers” to defame her while he is in prison. It names Elizabeth Milagro Cooper, who Megan sued for harassment in October, as one of Lanez’s proxies and says that he asked his father during prison calls about payments to Cooper for her continued harassment.

Lanez was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Dec. 2022 on three felony counts. Megan recounted the trauma of the incident in her Prime Video documentary “Megan Thee Stallion: Her Words,” which released in late October.
“I really thought that once he got sentenced and once he went off to jail, I was going be a new woman and I thought I was going to be great and I could just go be the Megan Thee Stallion I always wanted to be,” she said in the doc. “No. I still, every day, have to deal with people mad at me because I said what happened to me.”


Nelly And Ashanti Remain Tight-Lipped On Baby No. 2 Reports
Nelly and Ashanti, the music power couple, are making headlines once again with exciting news about their growing family. Despite playfully dodging questions about baby No. 2 at the annual Black and White Charity Ball in St. Louis, Missouri, sources confirmed that they are indeed expecting.

When journalist Damon Arnold directly inquired about the rumors, the couple chose to remain tight-lipped. Ashanti responded with a lighthearted "Don't do that," while Nelly added, "I'mma stay quiet."
Despite their silence, an insider shared with PEOPLE that the night was filled with joy and playful moments, especially when the two took to the stage to perform their hits, including a special rendition of Ashanti's "Baby", where they playfully altered the lyrics to "We made a baby, baby, baby, baby, baby."

The couple's first child, Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, born on July 18, earlier this year, has already brought immense joy to their lives. Ashanti opened up about the emotional experience of motherhood in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, stating, "I cried-it was just so emotional and spiritual at the same time. Having a vision of this moment for so long ... it was such an electrifying feeling." She further expressed her long-time desire to become a mother on Instagram.

Nelly and Ashanti's love story is just as captivating as their music. They first met in 2003 at a Grammy Awards press conference and collaborated on numerous projects, including "Body on Me" (2008) and their recent 2024 single, "This Lil' Game We Play". After a decade-long relationship, they parted ways in 2013. However, destiny brought them back together in 2023 during a Las Vegas boxing match, and by September, Nelly confirmed their renewed romance, stating, "Sometimes being separate, you understand one another more."

The couple secretly tied the knot on December 27, 2023, in Nelly's hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. Their enduring love and the news of their second child on the way have continued to keep fans cheering them on.
With another bundle of joy on the horizon, Nelly and Ashanti are preparing for the next chapter of their lives, cementing their status as one of music's most beloved couples.


Wendy Williams' Ex Kevin Hunter Accuses Her Guardian Of 'Practicing Law Without License' In Their Divorce
Wendy Williams's ex-husband Kevin Hunter has filed a complaint about her guardian Sabrina Morrisey. In his filing to the Grievance Committee, Kevin accused Sabrina of "practicing law without license" in his divorce from the former TV show host.
Kevin alleged in the October complaint, obtained by The U.S. Sun, that Sabrina presented herself to the Jersey court "as a 'pro se' litigant in my Motion to Enforce Litigants Rights Case in New Jersey." He added, "Ms. Morrisey is not and has not been legally appointed as Guardian of my ex-wife in New Jersey, yet Ms. Morrissey has filed motions, cross motions, and responses to motions, as well as testified in court in a jurisdiction that she has no legal standing."

He continued, "Ms. Morrissey is practicing law without a license in the State of New Jersey." Sabrina fired back at the accusation, saying that she's "appointed Temporary Guardian for [Wendy] by Hon. Lisa A. Sokoloff in Supreme Court, New York County."
She noted, "I thereafter appeared pro se in place of [Wendy] in New Jersey litigation brought by Mr. Hunter to collect payment from [Wendy] in their previously settled divorce proceeding," adding, "I have never appeared as an attorney in any Court for my ward, Wendy Williams Hunter."

Sabrina cited a New Jersey Court Rule that stated, "A person not qualifying to practice pursuant to the first paragraph of this rule shall nonetheless be permitted to appear and prosecute or defend an action in any court of this State if the person (1) is a real party of interest of the action or the guardian of the party." She claimed, "Without question, based on the statute, the guardian of a party is authorized to appear in a proceeding in New Jersey, in place of her ward."

"On the second issue raised by Mr. Hunter… [he] argued that [Wendy's] guardianship should be transferred from New York to New Jersey," Sabrina continued. "Under no circumstances would the guardianship be transferred to New Jersey, unless WWH moves there."


Mariah Carey Signs Rihanna's Chest During Final Christmas Concert in Brooklyn
All Rihanna wants for Christmas is Mariah Carey's autograph.The Fenty Beauty founder attended the final show of Mariah's Christmas Time Tour at Barclays Center in Brooklyn Dec. 17 with boyfriend A$AP Rocky and Jason Lee. The trio stood on the floor for the show, during which Rihanna was spotted singing along to "We Belong Together," as well as "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and "My All."

Later in the concert, the "Umbrella" singer, 36, and the Hollywood Unlocked founder moved up to the front row, where Mariah noticed Rihanna while climbing a set of stairs onto the stage.
"Is that her?" the "Heartbreaker" singer asked. "Oh my gosh!"
In another angle of the moment, Rihanna took off her sunglasses and waved her hands, beckoning Mariah over, "It's me! I want an autograph!"

So, instead of continuing her ascent back to the stage, Mariah reversed course and walked backwards down the stairs to greet her.
"Doing this while walking backwards is a niche feat," she joked to the crowd. "I don't ever want someone to say I'm a diva again!"
Meanwhile, as she walked over to Rihanna, the "S&M" singer told Jason's camera that "my man told me to do this" before he reiterated that "Rocky made us do this."

The singer was visibly excited and asked her friend, "Should I have her sign my shirt or my t-t?" to which he suggested the latter.
"I need a signature!" Rihanna asked as Mariah approached. "Who has a Sharpie?"
"Who has the shades? Can I buy 'em?" the "Always Be My Baby" singer asked back, to which Rihanna replied, "Yeah, you can have them for free."
After receiving a marker from someone, Rihanna pulled down her shirt and Mariah asked the Savage X Fenty founder what she wanted her to write on her.
"'Mariah,' the f--k you think?" she joked. "Whatever you want. Wow, this is iconic!"
As the Glitter actress inscribed her signature on Rihanna's chest, the singer grabbed the mic from her other hand and addressed the cheering audience, saying, "Mariah Carey is signing my t-t, y'all! This s--t is f--king epic. Look at that s--t! Look at that s--t, y'all! I love you."
The two singers them embraced as Mariah returned to the stage and Rihanna walked back to A$AP Rocky—with whom she shares sons RZA, 2, and Riot, 16 months—and gave him a big hug when she got back to their original seats.

Rihanna isn't the only surprise guest that has appeared during Mariah's holiday tour. Their viral moment together came one week after Mariah's 13-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe—who she shares with ex Nick Cannon—surprised her with flowers onstage in celebration of "All I Want for Christmas Is You" returning to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Thank you. Wow!” Mariah said at her Dec. 9 show in Raleigh, North Carolina. "That was the perfect moment to find that out. It's from the Hot 100? Well, thank you, everybody who helped make that possible. Thank you so much."


Daddy Yankee Alleges Mireddys González Took $100 Million Amid Divorce

Daddy Yankee is going through divorce trouble.
After the musician announced he and Mireddys González were separating following 29 years of marriage, he filed multiple motions against his estranged wife, citing she had withdrawn a cumulative $100 million from company accounts without his authorization.

In documents filed Dec. 13 obtained by Billboard, Yankee (real name Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez) alleged that González—along with her sister Ayeicha González Castellano—had taken $80 million from the El Cartel Records account, and filed a second motion later that same day citing that an additional $20 million had been taken from the Los Cangris music account.

The 47-year-old labeled González taking the money as a “desperate attempt” that went against “warnings received and express requests that she put a stop to any management and initiative that would compromise the company’s finance,” per the outlet, who cited the documents.
“It now becomes evident why she has wanted to keep him in the dark,” the filing states, per Billboard, “and deny him information about the withdrawals and cash movements that she and her sister make behind his back.”

In the dual filings, Yankee requested the “immediate” removal of González and her sister from the accounts and administrative duties of the companies. The filing further notes that González and her sister’s actions to remove the money from the accounts without proper authorization “disregarded formalities and requirements of the corporate legislation.”

E! News has reached out to reps for Yankee, González and Castellano regarding the recent filing but has not yet heard back.
The “Gasolina” singer’s filings came a little less than two weeks after he announced his separation from his estranged wife.
"With a heart full of respect and honesty, I want to share some important news about my personal life,” Yankee wrote in an Instagram Story Dec. 2 in Spanish. “After more than two decades of marriage and after many months of trying to save my marriage, which my wife and I share, today my lawyers responded to the divorce petition received from Mireddys.”
At the time, Yankee—who shares kids Jesaaelys, 28, and Yamilet, 27, and Jeremy, 26 with González—noted that he had “respect” for her decision to end their marriage.


Gospel Singing Sensation Le'Andria Johnson Arrested on Drunk and Disorderly Charges
BET's, "Sunday Best," winner Le'Andria Johnson was arrested in Greenville, SC for pubic intoxication...
From Greenville Online
An award-winning gospel music singer was arrested Monday in downtown Greenville.
According to arrest documents from the Greenville Police Department’s Sgt. Diana Munoz, Le’Andria Johnson was arrested at about 2:42 p.m. and charged with public intoxication and having an open alcohol container on a public street.
Police were called to BrickTop's restaurant on North Main Street after reports of Johnson “causing a disturbance," including screaming at other patrons. According to the report, she left BrickTop and walked west on West Washington Street.

Officers found Johnson walking on North Laurens Street while screaming profanities at a man, police did not identify, who was with her. According to the incident report, Johnson handed a styrofoam cup to the man and attempted to conceal it when an officer approached.
Police reported that Johnson smelled of alcohol, swayed while attempting to stand still, had slurred speech, and adding the cup she handed over contained an amber-colored liquid that smelled strongly of an alcoholic beverage.
Johnson was the season three winner of BET's Sunday Best gospel music competition show and best known for her song "Better Days" which currently has 32 million views on YouTube and nine million streams on Spotify.

She paid a $257.50 bond Tuesday afternoon and was released from the Greenville County Detention Center. Records did not show a court date.


Jason Kelce Calls Himself An 'Overweight White Guy' In Philly Lookalike Contest

Retired NFL star Jason Kelce made fun of his own appearance during Philly's Lookalike Contest.
During an appearance on ESPN's "Monday Night Countdown," the Ohio native gave his thoughts on the competition.
Jason Kelce Jokes That He's An 'Overweight White Guy With A Beard'

On December 16, the former Philadelphia Eagles Center watched a clip from the Jason Kelce lookalike competition, but didn’t seem too impressed with what he saw!
The competition took place at Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square Park on Saturday, December 14. Two days later, on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown,” the 37-year-old gave his thoughts on the competition.
“Newsflash! Any overweight white guy with a beard looks just like me,” he joked in comments transcribed by People magazine.

Jason Felt That It Was An ‘Easy Competition’
After watching the clip, Jason felt that it wasn’t much of a challenge to replicate his signature look.
“It’s an easy competition. There is absolutely nothing unique about any of these gentlemen other than they are large people with beards,” he added.
However, he told host Scott Van Pelt that there was one man who caught his attention. The contestant was wearing a Fairisle zip-up and sported Jason’s signature beard. “That guy is spot on,” Jason said, adding, “That’s my new profile picture.”
For fans wondering just what that man looked like, Jason was true to his word and indeed made that man’s photo his new profile picture on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Jason Kelce Did Not Approve Of The Winner of the Contest
Unfortunately, the man that he had selected did not actually win the contest. Instead, Jason wanted “the sweater guy” to win the prize.
After the clip, Jason said that it was “disheartening” to see that “thousands” of people look just like him, but it seems that they might have gotten a little help from his wife, Kylie Kelce, who had offered contestants advice on how to look like Jason on the second episode of her new podcast, “Not Gonna Lie.”

In the episode, which premiered on Thursday, December 12, she advised contestants to wear “a heavy sweater” with “some kind of design.” If they didn’t have such a sweater, she also assured them that a velour tracksuit with an Italian flag would also score major points.


Chloe Bailey & Burna Boy Hold Hands After Outing in Nigeria
Does Chloe Bailey have a new romance on her hands?
The “Treat Me” singer recently stepped out with Burna Boy, fueling dating rumors by holding hands as they exited a nightclub together his native Nigeria.
The 26-year-old wore an orange and black long-sleeve minidress as well as chunky heels and dark sunglasses as she left the venue hand-in-hand with the rapper, 33, who paired a Union Jack sweater and blue jeans with a matching denim cowboy hat and a diamond-encrusted “ODG” chain.

Burna Boy previously dated U.K. MC Steflon Don, while Chloe has been linked to rapper Quavo, with whom she costarred in the 2023 musical comedy Praise This. However, she was quick to shut down rumors that she and the Migos member were more than just colleagues.

“I don’t know where that came from,” she said in a March 2023 interview on Latto’s 777 Radio, but added, “He’s a really nice guy.”


Pastor Jamal Bryant Calls Critics of His New Marriage “Hecklers from the Peanut Gallery”

Pastor Jamal Bryant and his wife, Dr. Karri Turner, recently had an open and honest conversation about the skepticism some people expressed regarding his suitability as a husband.
On a recent episode of the Bryants’ podcast, the couple addressed the criticism. Dr. Turner posed the question: “Can you imagine thousands of people speaking against your marriage before it even began? If there was no intercession in the both of us, I don’t even know where we would be. But I want to ask you, how does that make you feel when people say that?”

Pastor Bryant shared that such negativity does not affect him, nor does he give it much energy.
“It doesn’t make me feel anything because these are people who don’t know me. There are people who have not been around us to experience our chemistry and mutual admiration and love and affection. So I haven’t been able to capture any of it. Those are hecklers from the peanut gallery,” he explained.

This marks Pastor Bryant’s second marriage. He was previously married to “Real Housewives of Potomac” star Gizelle Bryant from 2002 to 2009, and they share three daughters. In May 2024, Bryant announced his engagement to Dr. Turner, and the couple tied the knot in November.

Elsewhere in the conversation, Dr. Turner asked her husband if he felt ready for married life. Pastor Bryant’s response was both confident and thoughtful.
“You haven’t found a person more genetically equipped and psychologically endowed and spiritually calibrated to operate this role than me. I’m telling you. I pray for you every morning,” he reaffirmed.


Cracker Barrel Issues An Apology After A Group Of Special Needs Students Were Denied Entry Into Its Maryland Location
Cracker Barrel Fires Three Employees, Including General Manager, After Special Needs Students Were Denied Service
Cracker Barrel has issued an apology after a group of Maryland special needs students were denied service during a field trip to one of its locations. According to reports, the incident occurred at the Waldorf restaurant when students who are a part of the Charles County Public Schools‘ (CCPS) community-based instruction (CBI) program was on a field trip that was aimed to improve their life skills. CCPS Superintendent Maria Navarro stated that Cracker Barrel was on the list of approved venues for the group that consisted of 11 students and seven faculty members.

The situation led to frustrations amongst the parents of the students and community members, resulting in many calling out the restaurant chain for how they handled the incident. In an open letter, Navarro explained that the program leaders had reached out to the restaurant before the field trip and were told that a reservation wasn’t necessary. But unfortunately, when the group arrived, they were met with resistance from Cracker Barrel staff. The restaurant claimed that they were unable to accommodate the group due to being short-staffed and capacity limits, offering takeout as an alternative solution. However, when the group inquired about splitting up and sitting at smaller tables, they were allegedly turned away.

“The alleged treatment of CCPS students, and staff, at Cracker Barrel is one that no one should experience. However, it is encouraging to learn that the district manager said the business would be willing to work with CCPS to do better,” Navarro wrote
Cracker Barrel later responded to the mishap in an official statement to apologize for the situation but also clarified that the incident did not have anything to do with the students’ disabilities.

“Our missteps last week were unfortunate but were unrelated to the students’ capabilities,” the company said. “They were due to our inability to accommodate a party of 18 that arrived when we were facing unexpected staffing issues and had partially closed our second dining room.”
Additionally, the restaurant acknowledged its mistake in following proper operational protocols and mentioned that poor communication led to “misunderstandings and misperceptions.” In efforts to fix the situation, Cracker Barrel also stated its willingness to collaborate with the school district in the future to ensure another incident doesn’t occur.

Nonetheless, despite Cracker Barrel issuing an apology, many parents were left unsatisfied. Dustin Reed, a local parent of a nonverbal student who was in attendance for the field trip, expressed his frustrations and said the students were “pushed off to the side, and just not even paid attention to. The only thing they wanted to go in there to do was eat some food and enjoy their time there and learn from it.” Since then, Reed has organized a protest against the Waldorf location.


Diddy’s Christmas Plans Revealed As He Prepares For Holiday In Jail

Diddy is preparing for yet another holiday behind bars, and his possible plans for Christmas have been revealed. US Weekly spoke to a federal prison consultant at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn named Sam Mengel, who revealed what Sean Combs could expect for his first Christmas behind bars. And for the most part, the jail hallways and walls will not be full of holiday cheer. “There are no decorations,” Mangel expressed.

The consultant also detailed how family visitation works, with inmates being allowed to meet with their loved ones in person for a maximum of 30 minutes. Meanwhile, talking to family on the phone is hard-capped at 15 minutes. “When their family leaves, inmates become very solemn,” Mangel added. “It becomes very depressing.” A former inmate told the outlet that the food offering is a bit festive, with the prisoners all being given goody bags of snacks and goods like Reese’s candy, coffee, provolone, pepperoni, and drink mixes.

While no specifics of Combs’ dinner were revealed, Mangel predicted that he would be eating his Christmas meal with another famous inmate, Sam Bankman-Fried—the infamous crypto mogul convicted of fraud.
“I think they’ll probably eat together and discuss what part of the world they were in last year with their families,” Mangel stated. “They’re from higher socioeconomic backgrounds before coming in there. So they can reminisce [about] what island they were on last year.”

As Christmas quickly approaches, Diddy has been doing his best to stay in his usual upbeat and energetic light. A sources close to the jail facilities states that Combs is “trying to stay positive,” without his loved ones and usual holly jolly luxuries. “The holidays will be especially hard for the [Combs] family without their father.”
The outlet states that Diddy’s family will celebrate Christmas this year by honoring their father. Sean’s mother Janice has picked up the baton and has been handling party planning and decorating to keep the light of the holidays alive in her son’s kid’s lives. “Diddy’s mom is based in Los Angeles but has been back and forth visiting,” the source told the outlet. “The family will be honoring [Diddy] on Christmas [and] they’re trying to speak to him as much as they can.”


Ariana Grande Explains Why She Won’t Be Touring ‘Anytime Soon’
Ariana Grande currently has no plans to tour for her Eternal Sunshine album.
While attending the Golden Globes First-Time Nominees luncheon on Tuesday (Dec. 17), the 31-year-old told Variety that while “music will always be a part of [her] life,” she’s focusing on acting instead of her music career. When asked about a potential 2025 tour, Ariana said:

“I don’t see it coming anytime soon.I think the next few years, hopefully, we’ll be exploring different forms of art, and acting is feeling like home right now. I am appreciative of [my fans’] understanding. I’m so grateful for the ways in which we’ve grown together over this whole journey with Wicked.”
Her decision follows a statement from Republic Records, which clarified there are no plans for a 2025 tour, despite earlier hints during the Eternal Sunshine album rollout.

Ariana also expressed excitement over her first-ever Golden Globe nomination, alongside Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus, who all began their careers in the 2000s on Nickelodeon and Disney Channel.
Are you sad to hear Ariana won’t be touring in 2025? 


Pornhub will block access for Floridians on Jan. 1

No one in Florida will be able to access Pornhub, the most trafficked pornography website worldwide, as of Jan. 1.
Officials with Aylo, the parent company to the site, confirmed it will deny access for all users geo-located in the state. An email from the company made clear the restriction will happen in protest of new age verification requirements imposed by a state law (HB 3) going into effect at the start of 2025.

“Unfortunately, the way many jurisdictions worldwide, including Florida, have chosen to implement age verification is ineffective, haphazard and dangerous,” reads an email from Aylo. “Any regulations that require hundreds of thousands of adult sites to collect significant amounts of highly sensitive personal information is putting user safety in jeopardy. Moreover, as experience has demonstrated, unless properly enforced, users will simply access non-compliant sites or find other methods of evading these laws.”

The new statute imposes age verification requirements on pornography websites and any other publishers of content known to be “harmful to minors.”
Lawmakers scoffed at the web publisher’s tactic.
“The fact that they’ve chosen to shut down instead of complying to ensure that children aren’t accessing their site tells us exactly who their real target audience is,” said state Rep. Chase Tramont, a Port Orange Republican and the prime sponsor for the age verification bill passed this year.
“To be clear, Aylo has publicly supported age verification of users for years,” the email reads, “but we believe that any law to this effect must preserve user safety and privacy, and must effectively protect children from accessing content intended for adults.”

Pornography sites have previously restricted access to content in protest of similar laws. Aylo noted that Pornhub has also tried to comply with laws in other states only to see users in those jurisdictions flock to less reputable sources for titillation.
“We have seen how this scenario plays out in the United States. In Louisiana last year, Pornhub was one of the few sites to comply with the new law,” Aylo’s email reads. “Since then, our traffic in Louisiana dropped approximately 80%. These people did not stop looking for porn. They just migrated to darker corners of the internet that don’t ask users to verify age, that don’t follow the law, that don’t take user safety seriously, and that often don’t even moderate content. In practice, the laws have just made the internet more dangerous for adults and children.”

Aylo reiterated a position it held as Florida’s law was being debated, that age verification requirements should occur at the device-level, such as requirements for smartphone manufacturers to limit access.
“The best solution to make the internet safer, preserve user privacy, and prevent children from accessing adult content is performing age verification at the source: on the device,” the Aylo email reads.

“The technology to accomplish this exists today. What is required is the political and social will to make it happen. We are eager to be part of this solution and are happy to collaborate with government, civil society and tech partners to arrive at an effective device-based age verification solution. In addition, many devices already offer free and easy-to-use parental control features that can prevent children from accessing adult content without risking the disclosure of sensitive user data.”
Rep. Fiona McFarland, a Sarasota Republican, questioned the company’s sincerity in terms of Florida’s best interest.
“If a company can’t abide by Florida laws, then they can’t do business here,” she said.


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