The Daily Buzz For Aug 21☕📰☕

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#CELEBFAB: Barbie Celebrates Marilyn Monroe’s 100th Birthday!

Born in 1926, Marilyn Monroe rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most famous actresses of the 1950s and ‘60s. Undeniably the “It Girl” of her era, this blonde bombshell had the winning blend of charisma, iconic style, and pure talent! This year, for what would have been her 100th birthday, we celebrate with a stunning homage to this queen of the screen, dressed to the nines in a gown inspired by an ultra-famous movie look. Elegant and chic, her pink gown gets an extra dose of drama from a massive bow and long opera gloves. With the signature platinum “Monroe bob” and stacks of sparkling jewelry, she’s ready to put on a show.

FAB!

#RHOA: Cynthia Bailey and Shamea Morton discuss the Dallas trip drama.

RHOA star Cynthia Bailey clashed with Shamea Morton and Kelli Potter during her trip to Dallas. Shamea and Kelli said the rooms they were assigned were dirty. As the trip went on, Cynthia became irritated because she thought the besties were dragging the situation.

This will be discussed in the final part of the Season 17 reunion. In a preview, Andy Cohen reads a fan’s question about the Dallas trip. It gets testy between Cynthia and Shamea.
“Kelli and Shamea, the cleanliness of the rooms in Dallas was out of Cynthia’s control. Why make such a huge deal and go so far as to not go to dinner to prove your point?”
Shamea says, “The room was filthy.”
Andy asks, “But why did the cleanliness of the room impact you going to dinner?”

She answers, “Oh my gosh, we couldn’t even shower.”
Shamea continues, “I said, ‘Cynthia, I know you didn’t intentionally do this, but it is dirty. We are not comfortable.’ It wasn’t until I watched some of the stuff back and I was like ****, she really was like pissed about it.”

Cynthia says, “Yeah. After a while, I was.”
Shamea says, “I was like I’m trying to diffuse…”
Cynthia interjects, “No, no. At that point…”
Shamea, wanting to finish her thoughts, says:
“Hold on, I’m not…one second…”
Cynthia is over it, “Okay, well go head on then ‘cause I would like to respond.”
Shamea says, “Okay, can I please?”
Cynthia replies, “Can you hurry up then? ‘Cause I wanna say something.”

Check out the video HERE: https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-atlanta/season-17/videos/cynthia-bailey-and-shamea-morton-mwangi-revisit-the

#NewMusic from Lalah Hathaway Releases New Single “47th Street”

Five-time Grammy Award-winning  soul singer, songwriter, and producer Lalah Hathaway has officially released her brand-new single, “47th Street.” The track serves as a deeply personal love letter to the Chicago neighborhood where her family’s rich  musical legacy first took root.

“47th Street” paints a vivid sonic portrait of the pavement where Hathaway’s father—the legendary Donny Hathaway—and his family lived. The track opens with vibrant horn sections that emulate the bustling energy of Sunday family dinners, generational musings, and the resilient hopes of Black families navigating the urban landscape.
Adding historical depth to the release, Grammy Award-winning poet J. Ivy opens the song by narrating the story of the Great Migration from the South to Chicago. Ivy’s spoken-word contribution lays the foundation for Hathaway’s tribute, stating: “They headed north down to lay down their root / The train was filled with hope / From the freight cars to the caboose.

“That’s where my father’s family lived,” Hathaway shared regarding the inspiration behind the track. “My grandfather Hosea—we pronounced it Hozee—together with his mom and dad were always welcoming. In my mind, going back to 47th Street regenerated the pulsating urban vibe of my beloved hometown.”
Throughout the song, Hathaway takes listeners on a nostalgic journey through her old stomping grounds. Lyrically, the track nods to her grandfather and father, noting, “If only these streets could talk, That’s where my daddy laid his hat down, Sweet Hosea wore the crown.”

However, the song is also a bittersweet reflection on gentrification and the evolving landscape of her beloved city. Hathaway closes the track with a powerful reminder of an imprint that cannot be erased: “You can occupy these streets, But you can’t evict what lives in me.”A

LISTEN HERE: 

The release of “47th Street” adds another profound chapter to Hathaway’s illustrious career. Armed with a smooth, deep low register and a breathtaking polyphonic technique—a skill peer Jennifer Hudson once noted “no one else is capable of doing”—Hathaway has successfully carved out her own distinct lane outside of her father’s massive shadow.
Since signing her first record deal while studying at the Berklee College of  Music and releasing her 1990 self-titled debut, Hathaway has captivated global audiences for over two decades. Across eight studio albums (most recently 2024’s VANTABLACK), she has shared the stage with icons like Prince, Stevie Wonder, and Herbie Hancock, and collaborated with a diverse array of heavyweights including Kendrick Lamar, Robert Glasper, and Pharrell Williams.

“47th Street” serves as the lead single from Hathaway’s highly anticipated forthcoming studio album, which is slated for release later this fall. The single is available to stream and download now across all major digital platforms.

#HipHopNews: Tyler, The Creator's Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival 2026 Lineup Revealed

This year’s lineup was announced through a coded scramble game on the festival’s official website
Tyler, The Creator has revealed the lineup for this year’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival — originally sharing it as a hard-to-solve word scramble on the event’s official website. But superstars like Future, Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE, Steve Lacy, and Syd are all set to take the stage at the festival, which returns to Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium this year on November 14 and 15.

As with past years, Tyler himself will also perform. JID, Liim, the Alchemist, Vince Staples, Don Toliver, and several more acts are set to appear. Created by Tyler, The Creator in 2012, Camp Flog Gnaw started as a single-day festival with just seven acts. 

Check out the full 2026 Camp Flog Gnaw Festival lineup below:
Tyler, The Creator
Future
Don Toliver
Steve Lacy
Turnstile
Vince Staples
JID
Leon Thomas
Isaiah Rashad
The Alchemist
Earl Sweatshirt & MIKE
Syd
Magdalena Bay
Latin Mafia
Thee Sacred Souls 
Wallows
Jane Remover
Lola Young
2hollis
Quadeca
Lupe Fiasco
Concrete Boys
Domo Genesis
Left Brain
Mike G
Casey Veggies
Audrey Nuna
Not for Radio
310babii
54 Ultra 
NSQK
Liim
Gabriel Jacoby
Natanya
Ama
GENA
Nomi
threetwenty
Wyatt Waddell 

Get them tix!

NETFLIX'S ‘A Different World’ Trailer Premieres

Netflix has officially dropped the first trailer for its highly anticipated A Different World sequel series.
​The sequel is ringing viewers back to the iconic halls of Hillman College. Premiering September 24, 2026, the new series shifts the spotlight to Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), the free-spirited youngest daughter of original fan favorites Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy).

WATCH HERE:

​As Deborah attempts to step out of her legendary parents’ shadow, the trailer previews a vibrant blend of campus drama, messy romances, and college growing pains. Beyond a fresh generation of students—including the son of Ron Johnson (Darryl M. Bell)—the preview promises a heavy nostalgic pull with appearances from original cast members Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Cree Summer, Jada Pinkett Smith, and executive producer Debbie Allen.

​In June, Allen spoke about how A Different World has been so influential and why the timing is perfect for the sequel.
“We passed the torch rather easily,” Allen said at Netflix’s American Black Film Festival. The time right now, it couldn’t be better than right now to hear and see where young Black America is. What do we think about? What are our dreams? What are our hopes? What are our brick walls, our glass ceilings?”

“We’re still out there on the ground fighting,” Allen said.
“We got a Supreme Court turning laws around. We have a president that is starting wars, fighting at the gas pump, we’re fighting [for] education, what books our kids can read,” Allen continued. “We’re still in battle, and we were in battle then. We thought we kind of moved the needle, and now it’s kind of trying to roll back, but in the middle of all of that is a different world.”

Also, Brandy has officially been tapped to sing the theme song for the sequel series. Stepping into the legendary shoes of Aretha Franklin—who famously voiced the anthem during the original sitcom’s golden era—the “Vocal Bible” brings her signature layered harmonies to a track practically burned into our cultural memory.

Gunfire Erupts Near Las Vegas Courthouse During Tupac Trial As Witnesses Get Hostile

Tupac Shakur’s murder trial entered its second day on Tuesday with graphic autopsy photos and a witness who refused to cooperate, while gunfire erupted near the courthouse in a chaotic scene out of a movie.
According to 8 News Now, Metro police responded to a report of gunfire at a Starbucks near the Downtown Las Vegas courthouse around 1 P.M.

Officers rushed to the 500 block of Casino Center Boulevard but found no victim. The investigation is still ongoing, but the incident didn’t disrupt the trial proceedings.
The trial of Duane “Keefe D” Davis, the man prosecutors say orchestrated the legendary rapper’s 1996 killing, has already delivered the kind of raw courtroom drama that’s been missing from Hip-Hop’s biggest unsolved mystery for three decades.

On Monday, August 17, prosecutors laid out their case that Keefe D served as the on-the-ground, on-site commander of the effort to kill Tupac, claiming he ordered the hit in retaliation for an assault on his nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson.
Keefe D pleaded not guilty, and prosecutors made clear they’re not alleging he pulled the trigger himself. Instead, they’re building a conspiracy case around his alleged role in orchestrating the entire operation.

The opening statements set the tone for what’s expected to be a month-long trial that’ll finally put the details of that September 1996 drive-by shooting into a courtroom record.
By Tuesday, August 18, the prosecution shifted to the evidence. Prosecutors displayed graphic autopsy photos of Tupac’s body, showing multiple chest wounds that left the courtroom silent. Some of Tupac’s family members walked out, unable to handle the images, while others stayed to witness the painful evidence.

Tupac’s cousin Zayd Akinyela told reporters afterward that seeing the photos, as difficult as they were, actually helped him process 30 years of grief. I think we’ve been waiting 30 years to grieve properly, he said.
The day’s most memorable moment came when James “Mob James” McDonald, a former associate of Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight, took the stand and immediately told attorneys, “You better treat me as a hostile witness.
McDonald refused to fully cooperate, saying “Me or anybody else bringing up the dead is wrong,” and emphasizing he was only there because he’d been subpoenaed.

The trial resumes Wednesday, with more witness testimony expected to continue building the prosecution’s case against Keefe D.

Progressive Senate Candidate Angie Nixon Shakes Up Florida With Stunning Primary Victory

Angie Nixon was not supposed to be the name coming out of Florida’s Democratic Senate primary with the nomination. That changed Tuesday night.
The Jacksonville state representative and longtime community organizer defeated Alex Vindman, the nationally known former Army lieutenant colonel and Trump impeachment witness, despite entering the race with a fraction of his campaign money. Vindman raised more than $16 million while Nixon’s total remained below $1 million, making her victory one of the more striking Democratic primary upsets of the 2026 cycle.

Nixon has represented Jacksonville in the Florida House since 2020 and built her political identity around organizing, economic issues and progressive causes. A member of the Democratic Socialists of America, she has backed Medicare for All, expanded social programs and policies aimed at working-class Floridians.

That DSA affiliation immediately became part of the conversation after her victory.
Appearing on Morning Joe, Nixon was pressed about positions associated with the organization, including abolishing prisons. She clarified that her own position centers on ending for-profit prisons, arguing that private incarceration creates financial incentives around imprisonment, cheap labor and the school-to-prison pipeline. She did not advocate eliminating prisons altogether.

The distinction matters because private prisons represent only a portion of America’s incarcerated population. Groups including the Prison Policy Initiative have long argued that the larger machinery of mass incarceration exists predominantly inside publicly operated jails and prisons. Nixon’s answer placed her focus specifically on corporations generating revenue from incarceration rather than removing imprisonment from the criminal justice system.

Now comes the considerably larger test.
Nixon advances to November against Republican Sen. Ashley Moody in a Florida electorate that has moved sharply toward the GOP in recent election cycles. Her primary victory already delivered its own political message. Money, national recognition and assumptions about electability were not enough to overcome a grassroots candidate whose voters appeared more interested in ideological clarity.

Whether that formula can scale statewide will define the next chapter of one of 2026’s most unexpected Senate campaigns.

Tuskegee University Makes History With Launch of First Men’s Soccer Program

Tuskegee University is adding another chapter to its athletic legacy, and this time the action is happening on the soccer pitch.
The historic Alabama HBCU has officially launched its first men’s and women’s soccer programs, expanding its NCAA Division II athletic footprint and entering a sport where HBCU representation remains limited nationwide. The men’s team has already taken the field, hosting Enterprise State Community College in an early scrimmage as the Golden Tigers begin building their new program from scratch.

Head coach Matthew Tarpley has been tasked with creating something that extends beyond a first season. His goal is to establish Tuskegee as a model soccer program at a time when only 19 HBCUs nationwide currently field men’s teams.

The roster itself quickly drew attention online. Photos showing a squad made up primarily of Black players, along with several white athletes, generated everything from celebration of the milestone to questions about the team’s racial makeup. Supporters pushed back on that conversation, pointing out that historically Black colleges and universities have never been institutions exclusively for Black students and remain open to qualified applicants of all backgrounds.

For Tuskegee, soccer is another addition to an institution already carrying more than a century of history.
Founded in 1881, Tuskegee has long been associated with figures including Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver while developing nationally recognized programs in engineering, veterinary medicine, science and military education. Its College of Veterinary Medicine remains the only HBCU program offering a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and has produced a significant share of the nation’s Black veterinarians.

The university has recently continued expanding academically and across campus, adding new doctoral programs, research facilities and student resources.

Now athletics is getting its own expansion.
Launching soccer gives Tuskegee another recruiting lane, another opportunity for student-athletes and a chance to increase Black representation in a sport where HBCUs have historically had a relatively small footprint.
The first scrimmage was only the beginning. Tuskegee is building something it has never had before.

Big Tigger’s Ex-Wife Sues Cops, Claims Radio Host Orchestrated Her I-85 Traffic Stop For Kidnapping

Big Tigger is facing serious questions about whether his connections to law enforcement played a role in his estranged wife’s wrongful arrest on I-85 this summer.
Alicia Brown filed a federal lawsuit against Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat, claiming the erroneous kidnapping warrant that led to her high-risk traffic stop violated her constitutional rights and that the whole situation stinks of conspiracy.

The case has exposed what she thinks is a troubling pattern: Brown alleges that Big Tigger received preferential treatment from the sheriff’s office while she has been targeted repeatedly.
Brown was stopped near Exit 177 on Interstate 85 in July after Hart County deputies flagged an active Maryland kidnapping warrant in their system.

Georgia State Patrol assisted with the high-risk felony stop, and two children in her vehicle were safely recovered.
The problem? The warrant was erroneous, and officials later acknowledged the mistake.
Despite that admission, Brown spent time in custody, humiliated and emotionally distressed from an arrest that never should have happened.
A Fulton County judge had already issued a protective order on June 24 granting Brown custody of her minor children, which she argues made the arrest even more questionable.

The real issue Brown is raising is whether Big Tigger used his relationship with Sheriff Labat to orchestrate her arrest.
She alleges that Big Tigger had unusual access to the sheriff’s office during their contentious domestic proceedings and that he communicated with law enforcement about her movements on I-85 around the time of the stop.

Meanwhile, Big Tigger was arrested on June 20 on charges of aggravated battery and third-degree cruelty to children stemming from a May domestic dispute.
He was released in less than three hours. Brown’s questioning whether his connection to Labat resulted in special handling that she never received.

The domestic conflict between them has been brutal and public.
Ring camera footage went viral on two separate occasions, showing Brown and Big Tigger in physical altercations, including one incident in which they wrestled over his phone.

The footage allegedly captured a dispute about infidelity, and now, according to court filings, those allegations have expanded into a defamation lawsuit.
Big Tigger’s V-103 co-host Francesca Amiker claims Brown falsely accused her of having an affair with him on social media.

The situation gets darker when you factor in Brown’s missing daughter Ailea, who disappeared from Maryland foster care in May 2019.
Durrell Williams, Ailea’s father and the custodial parent at the time, has spoken out, claiming someone in a white SUV picked up his daughter from care and he hasn’t seen her in years.

Brown’s lawsuit includes claims of unreasonable seizure, unlawful detention, malicious arrest, civil conspiracy, and deprivation of due process, seeking compensatory and punitive damages plus litigation expenses.

K. Michelle Denies Dubbing Kandi Burruss A ‘Mean Girl

K. Michelle is clearing up Kandi Buruss‘ “mean girl” claims, and sending shade while doing it. After Kandi addressed the perceived #RHOA shade on The Big Tigger Morning Show, the country crooner pointed out that she never actually called Kandi a mean girl before turning her attention to co-host Francesca Amiker and tossing a messy allegation into the mix.

“I personally feel that mean girls can’t call other girls mean girls, it doesn’t work,” she told Amiker, referring to K. Michelle, who Amiker alleged directly called her a mean girl.”
“We’ve seen her literally go in on people multiple times on camera,” the RHOA alum continued. “Calling people out their name, doing all the things, and I have to say she was a mean girl, too.”

In other words, Kandi’s philosophy is pretty simple: if you’re “not nice to me, I’m not nice to you.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Moving Back to the U.K.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their two children will soon head back to Britain.
Per People, six years after relocating to the United States due to the intense media scrutiny and tensions with the royal family, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan on staying in the U.K. for an extended period of time, which includes having their kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, attend school starting next month.

The move comes after Harry and Markle brought Archie and Lilibet to the U.K. last month, where the children reunited with their grandfather, King Charles, for the first time in four years. It is believed that Charles has been aware that the couple will not resume their royal duties as part of their return.

It is unclear where the family will reside.
It remains to be seen if their return to the U.K. could pave the way to reconciliation between Harry and his brother Prince William. The Duke of Sussex claimed in his memoir that he was attacked by William during a disagreement centered around Markle.
Harry also called William his “arch nemesis” in the book.
Harry and Markle plan on keeping their home in Montecito, California, as well as their vacation property in Portugal.

Judge Removed from Karmelo Anthony Appeal Case

Karmelo Anthony scored a major court victory as the judge who presided over his murder trial has been removed from the case.
Collin County Judge John Roach was set to preside over Anthony’s appeal hearing on Thursday, August 20.
Anthony’s supporters cheered in the courthouse hallways and outside the building after the order to remove Judge Roach was announced. A new judge will be assigned for Thursday’s hearing on the retrial request.

Anthony, 19, is currently serving a 35-year prison sentence for the stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet in Frisco, Texas, in 2025.
Judge Roach sparked controversy when he defended Anthony’s guilty verdict after the murder trial.
Anthony’s high-profile appellate lawyers, led by Attorney Russell Wilson, claim Judge Roach’s public statements raised questions about his ability to remain neutral.

In an interview with WFAA News, Judge Roach defended his handling of the trial and not allowing cameras inside the courtroom. He said he believed Anthony received a fair trial.
“Yes, it was an easy decision,” Roach said. “I’ll tell you why, my primary goal in every case is to make sure the defendant and the prosecution get a fair trial. Period. I know I made people mad but I’m not here to make them happy either.”

When a reporter asked Roach if the jury got it right, he responded, “Yeah, they did.”
Anthony’s appellate lawyers also want a new trial for their client. The lawyers are working pro bono since Anthony is indigent and has no money to pay for his legal defense.
Three Black potential jurors were dismissed before the trial began. Anthony’s supporters argued that a non-Black jury could not deliver a fair verdict.

Wendy Williams Believes Her Guardianship Ordeal is “Karma” for Mean Celebrity Gossip

Wendy Williams believes her past career as a celebrity gossip queen is the reason for her guardianship ordeal.
Charlamagne and Loren LoRosa discussed their private dinner with Wendy during a recent episode of the “Brilliant Idiots” Podcast.
Charlamagne was Wendy’s cohost on her popular syndicated radio show on WBLS in New York City.

“She feels like everything she’s going through right now is God getting her back for all of the things that she said, you know, about people,” Loren explained.
Charlamgne said Wendy’s statement made him reflect on his own past approach to broadcasting.
“That sh*t that Wendy Williams said to us at dinner is exactly where my energy was,” he said.
The former talk show host, now 62, was forced to retire from her TV show in 2021 after being diagnosed with dementia and aphasia. She has spent the past several years at Coterie, a luxury assisted living facility in New York. She previously lived on a locked ward at the same facility.

Wendy Williams was spotted in New York City, wearing a bold Gucci outfit on Sept. 15, 2025. Photo by PCNY / BACKGRID
But media attention and public scrutiny of the judge who appointed her guardianship has resulted in relaxed restrictions over her movements.
She is now allowed to leave the facility for outings with family and friends.

“Look, I go to church every Sunday. It’s the Christian Cultural Center… I go with a personal aide,” she said in an interview last year. “Understand, I did a daily TV show for 14 years. This watching over me also deals with dresses. I was tall. Looking gorgeous. Now all my good stuff’s in storage.”
Describing her luxury assisted living home last year, Wendy said, “There’s grass, trees, two floors, no cars around. Can’t even do the elevator to go down. It, too, is locked. I once was a food connoisseur, and now sometimes I’ll just have meals in my room. And I don’t drink.”

Wendy later said she only drinks on her birthday.

The Blind Side’s Quinton Aaron Hasn’t Spoken to Wife Since Learning She Was Married to Another Man After Coma

The Blind Side actor Quinton Aaron shared he hasn’t spoken to his now-ex-wife Margarita DeLeon since learning she was still legally married while he was recovering from a stroke in January.
Quinton Aaron was blindsided by his wife’s relationship status.
After the Blind Side actor woke up from a four-day coma in January following a spinal stroke and pulmonary embolism, he said he learned that his then-wife Margarita DeLeon—with whom he had tied the knot in December 2024—was still legally married to a man she married in 1992.

However, Aaron, 42, said he “absolutely” believed DeLeon was divorced.
“We would’ve never spoken if I knew she was married,” he told Us Weekly in an interview published Aug. 19. “I’m not the type of person that messes with married women. She kept telling me she was divorced for 10-plus years.”
DeLeon told ABC News in April that she “wasn’t aware” that she was still legally married. Her estranged husband Eric Guzman also told the outlet he thought the divorce filing had successfully gone through years before. He said at the time that he had since filed for divorce.

Since learning the news of her marital status, Aaron said he “needed to completely remove” DeLeon from his life and hasn’t spoken to her in months. 
“[Not] since the day we went to the hospital,” he said in his latest interview. “There were times I remember seeing her in the room, but I was in and out of consciousness, and I didn’t speak to her because I was intubated.”
And as Aaron sees it, “I don’t need to speak to her ever again.”

Plus, Aaron noted that his marriage is over in the eyes of the state. 
“Thankfully, the marriage was voided,” he explained. “I didn’t need to annul it because we weren’t legally married. I dodged a bullet there.”
And now, Aaron is focused on moving forward.
“I really do wish her well,” he said. “I hope she gets the help she needs.”

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES

Courtesy of P.O.Wm

Most disrespectful shoplifter Ever

I mean, at least she makes up for it with her bubbly personality.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!

EFREM

The Daily Buzz For Aug 20☕📰☕

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#MAGFAB: Celine Dion for Harper's Bazaar US - September 2026

Beautiful!

#RHOA: Peter Thomas Debuts New Girlfriend, Talks 32-Year Age Gap

Peter Thomas is putting his personal life back in front of the cameras. In a new appearance on Carlos King's Reality with the King, the former RHOA personality introduced his new girlfriend, Alex, while also revisiting unresolved tension with his ex-wife, Cynthia Bailey.

The interview marked Thomas' first in-person sit-down since his prison stint, and the conversation moved quickly from his legal troubles to his relationships. Thomas said he and Alex began dating before he reported to prison, and he acknowledged the 32-year age gap between them. "She's much younger," he said, adding, "I don't know what's going to happen."

When King asked directly about the difference in age, Thomas answered, "Thirty-two years."
Later in the episode, King formally brought Alex into the conversation. Before she appeared, Thomas addressed anyone criticizing the relationship.

"When nobody was there for me, the only person that drove four hours to come and visit me, four hours to go back and help me keep my sanity in that prison… there was this woman," Thomas said. "She might be younger than me, but she is a woman."
He added, "If my daughters are okay with it, then I couldn't give a two what the rest of the world think about it. She's over 30, so it's all good."
Alex also defended the relationship on the podcast, saying her interest in Thomas was not about his public profile. "It's not even about who he is, honestly," she said. "For me, it's more so the character opposed to his name."

The girlfriend reveal came after a lengthy discussion about Bailey, Thomas' former wife and longtime RHOA co-star. King noted that some viewers felt Bailey had not publicly spoken negatively about Thomas and did not deserve past criticism from him.
Thomas pushed back on that, saying, "Those must be Cynthia fans because Cynthia did do something that hurt me."

Thomas claimed the issue centered on a property matter tied to their divorce and said he felt abandoned after previously choosing not to pursue money from Bailey. "I thought we were good. I thought I didn't take nothing from the divorce. I thought we were friends," he said. "Now I lost my house because she didn't stand up for me like I stood up for her."

He also said the RHOA narrative around their marriage affected how the public viewed him. "I took for years… people were saying I'm broke, she support me, I am living off of her and all of that and none of that was true," Thomas told King.
The interview arrives as Thomas continues reshaping his public image after his federal tax case. He previously pleaded guilty in 2024 to one count of failure to pay over trust fund taxes tied to several businesses, including Bar One Baltimore, Bar One Miami Beach, Sports ONE, Club One CLT, and PT Media.

Prosecutors said the businesses failed to pay more than $2.5 million in employment taxes, including more than $1.7 million withheld from employees' wages.
Thomas was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and later said in court filings that he had been approached about a reality project centered on rebuilding his life after prison.

#MusicNews: Boney James Taps Ledisi for ‘I Belong to You,’ Announces 20th Album ‘A Simple Man’

Grammy-nominated saxophonist Boney James has joined forces with Ledisi for his new single “I Belong To You.”
Over a lush, horn-infused backdrop, Ledisi sings of unwavering devotion to her significant other as she craves more time together amid her demanding schedule.
“Lately, I’ve been busy, I need to see your face / Let’s find the time we need more days and hours, yeah / I love it when you take care of me,” she sings in the first verse.

“I Belong To You” marks James’ and Ledisi’s first collaboration since teaming up for Luther Vandross’ 2004 tribute album, Forever, For Always, For Luther, on “My Sensitivity (Gets in the Way).” The former will appear on James’ 20th album, A Simple Man, set to release Oct 2 via Concord Records.
Speaking on his new album, James said, “I don’t need a lot of things to make me happy. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve wanted to drop the extraneous things. The simple life is something I crave, and that spirit found its way into this album. A Simple Man is about getting closer to what feels essential, both in the music and in my life.”

A Simple Man will include additional collaborations with Marquis Hill and Larry Carlton. Boney’s upcoming LP will follow 2024’s Slow Burn, which included the October London-assisted “All I Want Is You.”

Regarding the latter album, Boney shared, “When I mentioned the phrase ‘slow burn’ to people as a possible title, they said, ‘That also refers to your whole career in a way. This is my nineteenth record and I feel like I’m just hitting my stride.”

Listen to Boney James and Ledisi’s “I Belong To You” HERE:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSv3xM9B6s0

See the tracklist for A Simple Man below.

Boney James’ A Simple Man Album Tracklist
Dreams
Morocco feat. Marquis Hill
The Midnight Sun
I Belong To You feat. Ledisi
Things Are Looking Up
The Wire
Storybook feat. Larry Carlton
In A Sentimental Mood
A Simple Man
Birdsong

#HipHopNews: LL Cool J, Lil’ Kim, Method Man, and Redman to Headline Rock the Bells Festival 2026

The Rock the Bells Festival 2026 will bring a star-studded lineup of hip-hop and R&B veterans to Newark, N.J., this Thanksgiving weekend as headliners LL Cool J, SWV, Lil’ Kim and Method Man & Redman take the stage.
Taking place at the Prudential Center on Nov. 29, the “Home for the Holidays”-themed concert will double as a sendoff for Hip-Hop History Month and feature a set by DJ D-Nice featuring The LOX, LeToya Luckett and David Banner. Additional performers and surprise guests will be announced at a later date.

LL Cool J’s presence carries particular significance. The pioneering rap star and Rock the Bells expressed his excitement in preserving and celebrating hip-hop culture and bringing the annual festival back to New Jersey.

“Hip-hop has shaped the world for more than five decades, and Rock the Bells exists to honor the people who made that history and keep the culture moving upward,” the Queens native said in a statement announcing the show.
“There’s something special about seeing artists and fans from different generations come together under one roof. Bringing that energy back to Newark over Thanksgiving weekend feels right. We’re going to celebrate music, show love to the community and close out Hip-Hop History Month together.”

Shelby Joyner, President of Black Promoters Collective, which is producing the event in partnership with Rock the Bells, also spoke on the cultural celebration. “
The Black Promoters Collective was built to produce world-class live experiences that celebrate Black culture at the highest level. Rock the Bells embodies that mission. Together with LL Cool J, we’re producing an experience that honors hip-hop’s pioneers, celebrates its influence, and brings generations together through the music that continues to shape culture around the world.”

Presale tickets are available Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. ET through Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. ET. The local, venue and promoter presale begins Thursday, August 20, at 10:00 a.m. ET and concludes at 11:59 p.m. ET. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, August 21, at 10:00 a.m. ET via Ticketmaster.

#HipHopNews: Racist Snoop Dogg Hanging Doll Incident Ends In City Manager Getting Fired

A city manager was fired after the council deemed his response to a racist incident involving a Snoop Dogg doll was inadequate.
A Golden, Colorado, city manager is out of a job after the city council voted unanimously to fire him over his handling of a racist incident involving a Snoop Dogg doll at the fire department.

Scott Vargo got the ax on Tuesday after the council decided his response to the March incident didn’t cut it.
That’s when a “Snoop on a Stoop” doll, a parody of the “Elf on the Shelf” toy designed to look like Snoop Dogg, was found hanging by its neck from a rope in a fire station stairwell.
The city moved fast initially. They launched an investigation right away and fired the employee who put the doll there.

But when other city workers found out about it weeks later, they weren’t happy with how leadership handled things. That’s when the real fallout started.
“This is an extremely difficult moment for our City, but maintaining trust is fundamental to leadership,” Mayor Laura Weinberg said. “We are committed to accountability, meaningful change, and doing the work necessary to rebuild trust.”

City officials admitted they messed up. In a July statement, they said their response “fell far short” and “failed” employees and residents.
They acknowledged the doll wasn’t just some dumb workplace prank; it carried serious historical weight tied to racial violence and terror.
“It can undoubtedly cause fear, anger, grief, and a profound loss of trust. No one should ever question whether they are respected, valued or safe in a City workplace or while receiving services from the City of Golden,” the city said.

The council voted to bring in an interim city manager effective immediately.
They’re also moving forward with an independent third-party investigation to dig into what happened, how leadership responded, and what needs to change in the organization’s culture.

ABC Sues Trump’s FCC Over Free Speech

On Tuesday (August 18), ABC filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) in federal court, claiming that regulatory actions and an investigation was part of the Trump administration’s agenda to restrict its free speech.
“Acting through the Federal Communications Commission, the Administration has waged a retaliatory campaign against ABC for a single reason: it disapproves of what ABC broadcasts,” the lawsuit filed in Washington D.C. read. It names FCC Chairman Brendan Carr along with its two commissioners, Olivia Trusty and Anna Gomez.

The lawsuit includes references to the many attacks against ABC by President Donald Trump, including his demands for it to lose its license as well as his attacking a network reporter who questioned him about the Epstein files and his grievances over the 2024 Presidential debate that the network hosted.

It also brings up Carr’s threat to ABC after late night host Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about the investigation of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last September, in which Carr said on a podcast that “we can do this the easy way or the hard way,” adding that companies can get involved “or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.” Kimmel would be off the air for several days afterward after two major station groups with affiliates claimed they wouldn’t air Kimmel’s show.

ABC’s lawsuit also declares that the FCC would use the time after a period of public comments on whether to renew the licenses for eight stations, declaring that “Any FCC adjudication would be a charade.” Carr called for the investigation last spring. None of the eight stations, which cover New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles among other cities, were up for renewal yet.

It then outlined how the FCC could use the adjudication as a weapon to prolong an investigation to cost ABC and its parent company, Disney, money or to outright “deny license renewal or immediately revoke the Stations’ licenses,” which would take ABC off the air entirely.
No other network has challenged the FCC directly via litigation, even as Carr and the FCC has launched multiple investigations against them, including CBS over its editing of an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Madonna celebrates 68th birthday in Corfu

Madonna has celebrated her 68th birthday with a party in Greece.
In a carousel posted to Instagram on Tuesday, the superstar shared photos from the 16 August festivities in Corfu, surrounded by her kids, her reported boyfriend of two years, 30-year-old footballer Akeem Morris, and a whole host of friends.

"It's My Birthday! Eat, Pray, Love, Drink, Dance, Break plates, Feed Cats! Thank you G*D!" the Confessions II singer wrote alongside the carousel.
Madonna's children Lourdes, 29, Rocco, 26, Mercy, 20, and 13-year-old twins Stella and Estere joined the al fresco dinner at the Atzardo taverna in Kouramades, a small village on the Greek island.
After dinner came musical performances, plate-smashing, and a heart-shaped cake decorated with the evil eye.
To close out the evening, they danced to music by Terraròss, an Italian folk band that has performed at Madonna's private birthdays in the past, W Magazine reported.
Madonna has this week been announced as the leading nominee for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, receiving 11 nods, including the coveted Artist of the Year and Video of the Year categories.

The Like a Prayer hitmaker is also nominated for Song of the Year for her collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter, Bring Your Love, as well as Video of the Year for her 14-minute project Confessions II - The Film.

Hayden Panettiere’s Mom Lesley Vogel Releases Statement on Her Death, Calls Out Brian Hickerson

Hayden Panettiere‘s mother, Lesley Vogel, has released a statement on the death of the 36-year-old Nashville star.
Just a few months ago, Vogel revealed that she and Hayden had become estranged.
Lesley Vogel called out Brian Hickerson directly in her statement about Hayden Panettiere’s death

“This person in her life that we have been trying to get rid of for quite some time was with her at her death, and that was Brian Hickerson,” she told NBC News. Hickerson was Hayden‘s on-again/off-again boyfriend, and was with her when she was pronounced dead.
“I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments and I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry — it is a struggle and it’s a very challenging industry and it’s not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path,” she said.

Hayden Panettiere had a tumultuous relationship with her mother
Earlier this year, Hayden opened up about a conversation she had with her mom where she wanted to cut things off professionally, but have a personal relationship instead.
“She came into my trailer during lunch when we were filming ‘Heroes,’ and I said to her, ‘I don’t want us to work together anymore; I just want you to be my mom,’” she said on Jay Shetty‘s podcast. Her mom’s response? “You owe me.”

She said, “And that’s all she said, and she walked out. And part of me was like, ‘Oh, I’m relieved that it was short, like, rip the Band-Aid off.’ But then it was like this dark looming cloud over my head going, ‘What does she mean by I owe her? What form of payment is she expecting?’”
“Once the business aspect was removed, I was hoping that there [would] be no reason for her to be anything other than my than my mom. And the fact that it seemed like she didn’t want to — didn’t care to — have a relationship with me was a tough pill to swallow.”
“I’ve desperately [sought] her approval for my entire life. You know, she was the person after every take that I looked to. I wouldn’t look to the director or the producers or anybody else. The only person that existed and the only person whose opinion mattered to me was hers,” she added.

Lesley Vogel claimed she was no contact with Hayden Panettiere as of May of 2016
She told Page Six, “After 20 years of trauma, I took the advice of professionals and chose the no-contact route. As many parents of entertainment children [know], we are all too familiar with the painful observation of watching the self-destructive paths they sometimes choose. No parent hopes for this scenario; we want our children to be the best of themselves and live a peaceful, joyful life!”

“Sadly, this is out of our control. You cannot save someone who does not want to be saved. Radical acceptance is the most difficult challenge any parent must embrace. Unfortunately, I have seen a great deal of such in my life experience,” she added. “When someone leaves, the smear campaign begins; accusations, anger, belittling, gaslighting, etc. are the classic signs of this behavior style. The craving of drama and punitive action is traditional and to be expected.”

“Unfortunately, we don’t have a relationship right now. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t leave the door open for the opportunity to present itself one day,” Hayden said as well of their relationship to Us Weekly.

‘Reading Rainbow’ Star Mychal Threets Shares He Is Checking Himself Into the Hospital: ‘I Am Not Okay’
“Reading Rainbow” star Mychal Threets revealed online Monday that he was “not okay” and would be checking himself into a hospital.
Threets was heading to the hospital for some mental health care, after posting to his Threads account that he was “seeking help.” The actor appeared as Mychal the Librarian for years on Sony Pictures Television’s reboot of the PBS children’s program.

“I am not okay. Maybe I’ll never be okay. I’m seeking help. Going to the hospital tomorrow. In this moment I am safe. By God’s grace,” Threets wrote. “No matter what happens to me, I will always be thankful for the extraordinary people in my life who worry, who help me. Thank you for your care. I will always love you.”

The nature of the social media post unsurprisingly alarmed fans when it went up Monday. Many made their support heard whether they were everyday fans or more high-profile. “Community” alum Yvette Nicole Brown suggested that if Threets was feeling that low that he go to the hospital earlier.

“If you need the help, maybe go tonight, friend,” she posted.
“Reading Rainbow” first premiered in 1983 and ran until 2006. It was designed to use television to inspire children’s love of reading and build lasting connections between kids and books. It was revived in 2025 on Kidzuko in an effort to motivate, help and encourage kids to become avid readers with new episodes, new friends, new projects and new books. Threets hosted the revival, which had another 24 episodes ordered in February.

“When I saw the response to the relaunch of ‘Reading Rainbow’ and the enthusiasm for Mychal as host, it was clear there is a passionate audience that truly values educational children’s programming,” executive producer Michael Davies said in a statement about the renewal. “This series offers more than entertainment—it empowers viewers through reading, which feels especially critical at a time when literacy rates are in historic decline.”

Representatives for Threets did not immediately return a request for comment.

Rosie O’Donnell Credits ‘Oompa J. Loompa’ Trump for Her TV Comeback: ‘Couldn’t Have Done It Without You’

Rosie O’Donnell issued a tongue-in-cheek thank you to Donald Trump for her TV comeback, joking the president brought her back like he “did with fascism and the measles.”
The comedian took aim at Trump during Tuesday’s monologue for “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” where she is serving as guest host while the eponymous host is on summer break.

“I’m so grateful to be filling in for Jimmy and to be hosting a talk show on network TV once again,” O’Donnell, who notably had her own show, “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” for six seasons between 1996 and 2002, said at the start of her monologue. “This has been, kind of, a strange experience for me, because all of a sudden I’m re-famous.”

She continued: “I’m back in the spotlight all thanks to President Oompa J. Loompa, who is watching us this evening from inside a catering cart.”
“You know, I couldn’t have done it without you, sweetie,” she went on. “You brought me back just like you did with fascism and the measles.”

While O’Donnell said “enough about him,” she did take one more shot at Trump later in her monologue, calling him “Velveeto Corleone” when sharing a Strait of Hormuz update.
“We also learned today that the United States could be acquiring some new land soon,” she said. “Velveeto Corleone was up bright and early at 7 a.m. this morning to post an image of a map listing the Strait of Hormuz as a U.S. territory, which makes literally no sense. I’ll put it this way. If the U.S. is in charge of the Strait, then I’m also straight. And let’s face it, I’m not.”

“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET on ABC.

#RIP ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen Dies at 93

Bill Rasmussen, the visionary entrepreneur whose idea for a 24-hour sports network led to the creation of ESPN and transformed how fans consume sports, has died. He was 93.
ESPN announced Rasmussen's death on Tuesday, Aug. 18, describing its founder as a “game-changer for the ages.” According to the network, Rasmussen died from the effects of Parkinson's disease.

“ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen, whose out-of-the-box idea of a 24-hour cable sports network forever changed the landscape of sports media, died today at the age of 93,” the network said. “A game-changer for the ages. Thank you for everything, Bill.”
ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen, whose out-of-the-box idea of a 24-hour cable sports network forever changed the landscape of sports media, died today at the age of 93.

A game-changer for the ages. Thank you for everything, Bill ❤️
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro also paid tribute to Rasmussen and the entrepreneurial spirit that helped turn an ambitious concept into a sports media institution.

"Bill was a remarkable man – a visionary and an innovator who conceived the idea of a network entirely devoted to sports," Pitaro said. "Quite simply, none of us would be here today if it wasn't for Bill's passion and all the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit he put into building ESPN in the late 1970s."

Rasmussen's idea began taking shape in 1978 after his tenure as communications director for the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association came to an end. While traveling through Connecticut with his son Scott Rasmussen that August, the two began discussing programming possibilities for satellite television. What initially centered on regional sports coverage eventually grew into a national network dedicated to sports around the clock.

With financial backing from Getty Oil, an NCAA programming agreement and a major advertising commitment from Anheuser-Busch, ESPN officially launched on Sept. 7, 1979, reaching approximately 1.4 million homes. The network's first program was SportsCenter, hosted by Lee Leonard and George Grande.

Rasmussen served as ESPN's founder, first president and later chairman before leaving an active role with the company in 1980. What he helped start in Bristol, Connecticut, ultimately grew from roughly 80 employees at launch into a global sports media powerhouse.

His impact earned him numerous honors over the decades. Sports Illustrated included Rasmussen on its 1994 "Forty for the Ages" list of figures who transformed sports, while USA Today dubbed him "The Father of Sports Television." He was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2025.

Earlier this year, ESPN revisited Rasmussen's groundbreaking vision with the documentary Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN, chronicling how he and his son turned the unlikely idea into reality.
Rasmussen is survived by his sons Scott and Glenn, daughter Lynn, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His wife of 56 years, Lois, died in 2011.

Vin Diesel Reunites With Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster & Meadow Walker for ‘Fast & Furious’ 25th Anniversary

The Fast & Furious family is celebrating 25 years since the movie that started it all!
Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Meadow Walker, and more stars reunited at a special anniversary screening of The Fast and the Furious on Monday (August 17) in Los Angeles.

The group posed together outside the event, where several cars were displayed alongside a backdrop celebrating the movie’s milestone. Meadow, whose late father Paul Walker starred as Brian O’Connor, also shared photos with Vin and Jordana.
Inside the theater, Vin, Michelle, and Jordana joined longtime franchise producer Neal H. Mortiz to address the audience before the screening.

The original movie opened in theaters on June 22, 2001. It introduced Vin as Dominic Toretto, Paul as undercover police officer Brian, Jordana as Mia Toretto, and Michelle as Letty Ortiz, launching a franchise that has continued for more than two decades.
Several stars from across the film series joined the celebration, including Tyrese Gibson, Nathalie Emmanuel, and original movie stars Noel Gugliemi and Chad Lindberg. Montana Tucker and producer Brandon Birtell were also photographed at the event.

Fans will soon have another opportunity to watch the first installment on the big screen. The Fast and the Furious returns to participating theaters beginning Friday, August 21, as part of its 25th anniversary celebration. Showtimes and availability will vary by location.

Beyoncé Was 19 And Sitting On A Producer’s Lap When Michael Jackson Called The Studio

Beyoncé and Michael Jackson footage from 2001 is circulating again, and the part everybody is stuck on is not the phone call. In the clip, a 19-year-old Beyoncé, still in Destiny’s Child, takes a call from Jackson while sitting on the lap of producer F. Marc Schaffel. Rap-Up reposted it on August 17, asked followers whether it read as a harmless industry moment or questionable optics, and the comments have not stopped since.

The footage itself is genuine, and it is not brand new. TMZ published it in April 2026. It comes from Schaffel, a longtime Jackson associate who filmed him extensively between 2000 and 2003 for a reality series that was never released. The project fell apart after Neverland Ranch was raided in 2003, and the tapes sat. Schaffel has since assembled the archive into a three-part documentary he is shopping to streaming services, which is exactly why pieces of it keep landing on the timeline.

The Beyoncé segment was shot in 2001, in the weeks after September 11, during work on “What More Can I Give,” the all-star charity single Jackson organized to raise money for victims. Beyoncé was one of the artists brought in to record. In the clip, she is in the studio hearing the song for the first time. Jackson’s people tell her she is the legitimate new thing and that Michael is a fan of her work. She gets visibly flustered and says don’t tell me that. Then Jackson calls the studio himself to thank her for participating, and she thanks him back repeatedly, clearly overwhelmed. It is a real moment of a teenager meeting her hero, two years before “Crazy in Love” made her one.

And through the entire call, she is on Schaffel’s lap. That is the frame that took over. Schaffel’s history came right back with the clip. During a 2006 court case, Jackson testified that he ended Schaffel’s involvement with the charity project after learning Schaffel had previously produced adult films. That detail is now attached to every repost.

Being clear about what is and is not here matters. The footage does not show misconduct. Nobody has accused Schaffel of anything involving Beyoncé, and Beyoncé has never said anything about it. She was 19, a legal adult, in a working studio full of people. What the clip actually captures is a young artist who had not yet learned to control a room, in an industry where an executive can pull a teenager onto his lap during a business call, and nobody present treats it as unusual. That is the conversation people are having, and it is a fair one to have without turning speculation into an allegation.

The song at the center of it never really got its moment either. “What More Can I Give” was recorded with a lineup that included Beyoncé, but it was shelved, with many attributing that to Jackson’s feud with Sony at the time. It was set for release again in 2003 in both English and Spanish, and a video was shot, but it got pulled a second time as Jackson’s legal problems mounted.
Beyoncé released “Dangerously in Love” in 2003 and never looked back. Twenty-five years later, a few seconds of tape from before any of it happened is doing numbers, which says as much about how completely she won as it does about the clip.

Penn State Students Accused Of Running Cocaine Ring Through Fraternities And Using Pledges To Package Drugs

A sprawling drug case tied to two Penn State fraternities took a major turn Tuesday when the man prosecutors describe as the operation’s top cocaine supplier surrendered and was denied bail. The alleged cocaine trafficking ring has now resulted in charges against 14 people, including 13 current or former Penn State students and the father of one accused student. According to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, investigators say the operation centered around members of Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon and primarily unfolded in 2023 and 2024.

Agostino Abbatiello, 24, of Westbury, New York, surrendered Tuesday morning after failing to appear for his scheduled arraignment Monday, according to an update from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office. Abbatiello was arraigned on numerous felony charges, including multiple counts involving possession with intent to deliver cocaine and conspiracy. A judge denied him bail. Attorney General Dave Sunday said, “Abbatiello was at the very top of the chain,” according to WABC Eyewitness News.

The allegations behind the cocaine trafficking ring go far beyond recreational drug use at fraternity parties. Court records released by the Attorney General’s Office say a State College police investigation began in September 2024 and included controlled cocaine purchases. Investigators said Thomas Robinson, then associated with Delta Upsilon, was arrested after multiple controlled purchases and later identified Abbatiello, a Sigma Chi member, as a source of cocaine.

Grand jury records allege Robinson described several large transactions with Abbatiello during 2024, including purchases involving hundreds of grams and, on separate occasions, one kilogram of cocaine. The records also allege fraternity pledges helped divide cocaine into smaller bags for distribution. Sunday described the alleged practice in especially stark terms, saying, “Cutting and bagging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities,” according to WABC.

Investigators contend the cocaine trafficking ring expanded as drugs were sourced through contacts in Philadelphia and New York. The grand jury presentment says Larz Zeepvat, a Sigma Chi member, testified that Abbatiello eventually obtained a New York source and began purchasing larger quantities. Zeepvat also alleged he and Robert Zanolla made three trips to obtain cocaine for Abbatiello, with the drugs brought back to State College.

The same presentment says witnesses described Abbatiello as the largest cocaine distributor at Penn State during the period under investigation. Prosecutors allege he expanded distribution beyond fraternity members to other students and continued distributing cocaine among friends as recently as February 2026. Those claims remain allegations and have not been proven at trial.

Prosecutors also accuse Thomas Robinson of playing a major role in the operation. The Attorney General’s Office says Abbatiello and Robinson served as the main suppliers while Mohammed Huraibi and Larz Zeepvat were also charged with felony offenses connected to the organization. Robert Zanolla faces felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility charges along with related misdemeanor counts. Eight additional defendants face misdemeanor drug possession and paraphernalia charges.

The cocaine trafficking ring investigation also reached outside the student population. Paul Robinson, Thomas Robinson’s father, is accused of interfering with the investigation. Describing those allegations, Sunday said, “…Who we allege took steps to conceal evidence including a safe containing drugs and cash,” according to WABC. Prosecutors have charged Paul Robinson with offenses that include evidence tampering and hindering apprehension.

Zanolla, 24, of Manhasset, New York, is accused by investigators of helping transport cocaine from New York. When WABC reporters approached a residence connected to him, a person who answered the door declined to discuss the case, saying, “Yeah, I’m not talking.”

Penn State has moved to distance the university from the alleged conduct. In an official university statement, Penn State said Delta Upsilon was placed on interim suspension while its student accountability office investigates. The university also said Sigma Chi is not a recognized Penn State organization and operates outside university support and oversight.

Andrea Dowhower, Penn State’s vice president for Student Affairs, said, “We are horrified by these serious allegations,” and added that “criminal activity, including hazing such as this, has no place at our institution.” The university said it intends to cooperate with law enforcement while separately reviewing potential student and organizational misconduct.

Sigma Chi has also taken action as scrutiny surrounding the alleged cocaine trafficking ring intensifies. According to NBC10 Philadelphia, Sigma Chi executive director Michael J. Church said members charged in the case had been suspended pending the investigation and that the chapter was placed on interim suspension while the organization determines whether the allegations involved individuals or broader chapter activity.

Sunday has framed the case as a warning that being part of college social life does not insulate anyone from serious criminal consequences. “Just because you’re at college and you’re making money, and you think that this is something you can get away with … it’s not,” he said, according to WABC. Following Abbatiello’s surrender, Sunday said the most significant alleged members of the organization were accounted for, and that preliminary hearings would be the next stage of the case.

For families watching the case unfold as students return to campuses, the allegations also raise questions about how dangerous behavior can become normalized inside closed social circles. Manhasset resident Trish Dessi told WABC, “If you’re not in a good place, call your parents, call somebody that you love that will help you; that’s really what it’s about. It’s unfortunate, and I hope these boys are OK and their future’s OK.”

The charges now place the alleged cocaine trafficking ring in the hands of Pennsylvania’s court system, where prosecutors will have to prove the accusations against each defendant and those charged will have the opportunity to contest the government’s case.

AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES

Courtesy of P.O.Wm
Walmart Ninja Thief Apprehended

Bro is dressed for summer attire

HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!

EFREM