#MAGFAB: Teyana Taylor for Vanity Fair - Winter 2026
FABULOUS!
#RHOA: NeNe Leakes Returning to Bravo 6 Years After Exit — But Not on RHOA
NeNe Leakes is reportedly making her return to Bravo six years after she exited The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
NeNe, 58, however, won’t be coming back as part of season 17 of RHOA. Instead, the actress will be part of Bravo’s upcoming series The Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip, TMZ reported on Tuesday, January 13.
NeNe, who was last seen on season 12 of RHOA in 2020, will not be a full-time cast member on the spinoff, per the outlet. She will, however, have a “notable presence” when Ultimate Road Trip makes its way to Atlanta, where NeNe lives.
While the show will include an unnamed list of Housewives stopping in different locations throughout the U.S., NeNe is reportedly only going to be featured during the Georgia portion of the road trip.
The Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip was previously announced by Andy Cohen during 2025 BravoCon. At the time, Cohen, 57, didn’t share the cast list but teased a crossover of epic proportions.
“Guys, Ultimate Girls Trip is back and it’s on Bravo coming in 2026. It’s The Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip celebrating 20 years of the Real Housewives,” he revealed in November 2025. “We will have iconic Housewives taking the road trip of a lifetime to the Housewives’ cities where they will be joined by iconic Housewives past and present from the span of two decades.”
Cohen promised fans, “This is going to rock your world.”
The spinoff is the latest iteration of The Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip, which began in November 2021 and featured different women from the Real Housewives franchises traveling together for lavish and wild vacations.
“For two decades, The Real Housewives has amplified women’s voices, spotlighted their ambition, humor, and strength, inspiring millions with their unapologetic authenticity,” Bravo and Peacock Unscripted chairman Frances Berwick said in a November 2025 statement. “The Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip is a love letter to the women who turned a reality television show into a cultural phenomenon — and the fans who’ve been there for every laugh, gasp, toast, and table turn.”
The new show will show a yet-to-be announced cast starting out in Orange County, California, home of the original Real Housewives series. The women will end up on the East Coast with several stops along the way.
NeNe, for her part, is one of the most iconic Housewives in history, having been part of the Real Housewives of Atlanta cast when it debuted in 2008.
She was on the show for seven seasons before opting out of season 8. NeNe returned for a cameo on seasons 10 and 12 before leaving the franchise for good in 2020.
NeNe has since teased a possible return to RHOA and the Bravo universe on more than one occasion.
“I don’t know, if the opportunity was right and the check was on point, why not?” NeNe told TMZ in January 2025 when asked if she’d ever pick up her peach again.
Six months later, NeNe revealed that if she came back, it would have to be in a full-time capacity.
“If I were to ever step back on that platform, would I be [the] friend? I really kind of feel like I don’t know that I would be a friend,” she confessed during a July 2025 episode of the “Humble Brag” podcast. “I just would think, NeNe, season 1, the first Housewife, and I’m a friend? I don’t know.”
When rumors about season 17 cast of RHOA surfaced in August 2025, fans were excited and optimistic that NeNe would finally be a Housewife again. However, she quickly shut down the speculation and claimed producers didn’t reach out to her. (Us Weekly previously reached out to Bravo for comment.)
“They have NEVER offered me to return!” NeNe alleged via an Instagram comment written on RealityBlurb’s Instagram story about the upcoming season.
NeNe hinted that she was OK with the situation, adding, “Good luck to season 17 cast. We will be watching 👏.”
NeNe, 58, however, won’t be coming back as part of season 17 of RHOA. Instead, the actress will be part of Bravo’s upcoming series The Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip, TMZ reported on Tuesday, January 13.
NeNe, who was last seen on season 12 of RHOA in 2020, will not be a full-time cast member on the spinoff, per the outlet. She will, however, have a “notable presence” when Ultimate Road Trip makes its way to Atlanta, where NeNe lives.
While the show will include an unnamed list of Housewives stopping in different locations throughout the U.S., NeNe is reportedly only going to be featured during the Georgia portion of the road trip.
The Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip was previously announced by Andy Cohen during 2025 BravoCon. At the time, Cohen, 57, didn’t share the cast list but teased a crossover of epic proportions.
“Guys, Ultimate Girls Trip is back and it’s on Bravo coming in 2026. It’s The Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip celebrating 20 years of the Real Housewives,” he revealed in November 2025. “We will have iconic Housewives taking the road trip of a lifetime to the Housewives’ cities where they will be joined by iconic Housewives past and present from the span of two decades.”
Cohen promised fans, “This is going to rock your world.”
The spinoff is the latest iteration of The Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip, which began in November 2021 and featured different women from the Real Housewives franchises traveling together for lavish and wild vacations.
“For two decades, The Real Housewives has amplified women’s voices, spotlighted their ambition, humor, and strength, inspiring millions with their unapologetic authenticity,” Bravo and Peacock Unscripted chairman Frances Berwick said in a November 2025 statement. “The Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip is a love letter to the women who turned a reality television show into a cultural phenomenon — and the fans who’ve been there for every laugh, gasp, toast, and table turn.”
The new show will show a yet-to-be announced cast starting out in Orange County, California, home of the original Real Housewives series. The women will end up on the East Coast with several stops along the way.
NeNe, for her part, is one of the most iconic Housewives in history, having been part of the Real Housewives of Atlanta cast when it debuted in 2008.
She was on the show for seven seasons before opting out of season 8. NeNe returned for a cameo on seasons 10 and 12 before leaving the franchise for good in 2020.
NeNe has since teased a possible return to RHOA and the Bravo universe on more than one occasion.
“I don’t know, if the opportunity was right and the check was on point, why not?” NeNe told TMZ in January 2025 when asked if she’d ever pick up her peach again.
Six months later, NeNe revealed that if she came back, it would have to be in a full-time capacity.
“If I were to ever step back on that platform, would I be [the] friend? I really kind of feel like I don’t know that I would be a friend,” she confessed during a July 2025 episode of the “Humble Brag” podcast. “I just would think, NeNe, season 1, the first Housewife, and I’m a friend? I don’t know.”
When rumors about season 17 cast of RHOA surfaced in August 2025, fans were excited and optimistic that NeNe would finally be a Housewife again. However, she quickly shut down the speculation and claimed producers didn’t reach out to her. (Us Weekly previously reached out to Bravo for comment.)
“They have NEVER offered me to return!” NeNe alleged via an Instagram comment written on RealityBlurb’s Instagram story about the upcoming season.
NeNe hinted that she was OK with the situation, adding, “Good luck to season 17 cast. We will be watching 👏.”
#MusicNews: Marques Houston Announces ‘It’s All Because of You Experience’
Marques Houston has announced his headlining It’s All Because of You Experience.
The currently scheduled one-night engagement, which could turn into a tour, is set for April 25 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
Houston will be joined by special guests Tamar Braxton, Day26, Sammie and JayDon. Tickets for the show go on sale Jan. 16 at ticketmaster.com.
“Today is such a special day for me! I’ve waited so long and have been planning this for a while now behind the scenes. I’m beyond grateful and excited to announce the official first date, venue and city, the Toyota Arena in Ontario California, April 25th,” Houston wrote in an Instagram post shared Sunday (Jan. 4). “I can’t wait to see you all! We about to party!”
Houston’s It’s All Because of You Experience is named after his 2005 classic, “All Because of You,” featuring Young Rome. Tha Cornerboyz production was the lead single from Houston’s sophomore album, Naked.
In 2023, Naked was certified gold by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies in the U.S. In an interview with Rated R&B, Houston reacted to his plaque. “It means a lot to me because it’s my first solo album that has gone gold,” he said.
“Going gold and platinum with the group was always an amazing accomplishment but going solo, there are sometimes those insecurities and doubts. I believed in myself enough to branch out. For it to have paid off 17 years later is a testament in itself. So thank you to everyone involved and all the fans that made that happen. Keep streaming all my old stuff (laughs).”
Circling back to the It’s All Because of You Experience, fans can expect Houston to revisit material from his IMx days and his solo discography.
Marques Houston has announced his headlining It’s All Because of You Experience.
The currently scheduled one-night engagement, which could turn into a tour, is set for April 25 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
Houston will be joined by special guests Tamar Braxton, Day26, Sammie and JayDon. Tickets for the show go on sale Jan. 16 at ticketmaster.com.
“Today is such a special day for me! I’ve waited so long and have been planning this for a while now behind the scenes. I’m beyond grateful and excited to announce the official first date, venue and city, the Toyota Arena in Ontario California, April 25th,” Houston wrote in an Instagram post shared Sunday (Jan. 4). “I can’t wait to see you all! We about to party!”
Houston’s It’s All Because of You Experience is named after his 2005 classic, “All Because of You,” featuring Young Rome. Tha Cornerboyz production was the lead single from Houston’s sophomore album, Naked.
In 2023, Naked was certified gold by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies in the U.S. In an interview with Rated R&B, Houston reacted to his plaque. “It means a lot to me because it’s my first solo album that has gone gold,” he said.
“Going gold and platinum with the group was always an amazing accomplishment but going solo, there are sometimes those insecurities and doubts. I believed in myself enough to branch out. For it to have paid off 17 years later is a testament in itself. So thank you to everyone involved and all the fans that made that happen. Keep streaming all my old stuff (laughs).”
Circling back to the It’s All Because of You Experience, fans can expect Houston to revisit material from his IMx days and his solo discography.
#HipHopNews: Cardi B Preps For “Little Miss Drama Tour” With Rehearsal Footage Drop
Cardi B dropped exclusive rehearsal footage ahead of her 2026 “Little Miss Drama Tour.”
Behind-the-scenes clips reveal her intense training and creative process.
The tour promises a high-energy experience across major U.S. cities.
As the arrival of Cardi B’s “Little Miss Drama Tour” creeps closer, fans are surely wondering what the Bronx rapper has planned. Luckily, on Monday (Jan. 12), Bardi gave her followers a peek into what to expect with behind-the-scenes footage of her preparation for the tour.
The “Outside” rapper blessed Instagram with a video — soundtracked by her song “Hello” — that offers a glimpse into what looks like an intense rehearsal process. Rocking sweats, a white tank top and a bonnet, the mother of four is seen exercising, stretching and tightening up her choreography. She’s also observed taking measurements for wardrobe and making sure everything is going to according to plan.
"Working from day to night… no excuses, no complaining, no half-stepping!!! Can’t wait to see y’all at the ‘Little Miss Drama Tour,’” she captioned the post.
The tour kicks off Feb. 11 in Palm Desert, California, and will hit cities like Houston, Detroit, Phoenix, Chicago and her native New York City before it wraps up in Atlanta in April.
Recently, Cardi revealed that the tour was already over budget. During an Instagram Live on Jan. 6 she relayed that, “We redid the budget, so now it’s just, like, I gotta go find the f**king money, or I would have to put [up] some of my own money for things that I want.” She added, “I feel like we keep doing the budget every other week and s**t, so it’s just a lot.”
Bardi also mentioned that she was feeling homesick while in Los Angeles and having to learn a lot of dance moves. As the footage shows, she wasn’t kidding about getting her steps coordinated.
The “Little Miss Drama Tour,” in support of her 2025 AM I THE DRAMA? album, will be the Hip Hop star’s first headlining tour.
Behind-the-scenes clips reveal her intense training and creative process.
The tour promises a high-energy experience across major U.S. cities.
As the arrival of Cardi B’s “Little Miss Drama Tour” creeps closer, fans are surely wondering what the Bronx rapper has planned. Luckily, on Monday (Jan. 12), Bardi gave her followers a peek into what to expect with behind-the-scenes footage of her preparation for the tour.
The “Outside” rapper blessed Instagram with a video — soundtracked by her song “Hello” — that offers a glimpse into what looks like an intense rehearsal process. Rocking sweats, a white tank top and a bonnet, the mother of four is seen exercising, stretching and tightening up her choreography. She’s also observed taking measurements for wardrobe and making sure everything is going to according to plan.
"Working from day to night… no excuses, no complaining, no half-stepping!!! Can’t wait to see y’all at the ‘Little Miss Drama Tour,’” she captioned the post.
The tour kicks off Feb. 11 in Palm Desert, California, and will hit cities like Houston, Detroit, Phoenix, Chicago and her native New York City before it wraps up in Atlanta in April.
Recently, Cardi revealed that the tour was already over budget. During an Instagram Live on Jan. 6 she relayed that, “We redid the budget, so now it’s just, like, I gotta go find the f**king money, or I would have to put [up] some of my own money for things that I want.” She added, “I feel like we keep doing the budget every other week and s**t, so it’s just a lot.”
Bardi also mentioned that she was feeling homesick while in Los Angeles and having to learn a lot of dance moves. As the footage shows, she wasn’t kidding about getting her steps coordinated.
The “Little Miss Drama Tour,” in support of her 2025 AM I THE DRAMA? album, will be the Hip Hop star’s first headlining tour.
#RIP: Unsung US civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin dies, aged 86
Claudette Colvin, who helped to ignite the modern civil rights movement in the US after refusing to give up her seat to a white woman on a segregated bus, has died aged 86.
Colvin was 15 when she was arrested on a bus in Montgomery, nine months before Rosa Parks gained international fame for also refusing to give up her seat.
Colvin died of natural causes in Texas, according to a statement from her legacy foundation on Tuesday.
Colvin was detained on March 2, 1955, after a bus driver called the police to complain that two Black girls were sitting near two white women in violation of segregation laws. Colvin refused to move when asked, leading to her arrest.
“I remained seated because the lady could have sat in the seat opposite me,” Colvin told reporters in Paris in April 2023.
“She refused because… a white person wasn’t supposed to sit close to a negro,” Colvin said.
“People ask me why I refused to move, and I say history had me glued to the seat,” she added.
Colvin was briefly imprisoned for disturbing public order. The following year, she became one of four Black female plaintiffs who filed a lawsuit challenging segregated bus seating in Montgomery.
The case was successful, impacting public transportation throughout the US, including trains, aeroplanes and taxis.
Colvin’s arrest occurred at a time of growing frustration over how Black people were being treated on Montgomery’s bus system. The arrest of Parks in December 1955 triggered the start of the yearlong Montgomery Bus Boycott.
The boycott propelled the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr into the national limelight and is considered the start of the modern civil rights movement.
“She leaves behind a legacy of courage that helped change the course of American history,” the Claudette Colvin Legacy Foundation said in a statement.
‘Too often overlooked’ Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said Colvin’s action “helped lay the legal and moral foundation for the movement that would change America”.
Colvin’s role in helping to trigger the modern civil rights movement is often overshadowed by the actions of Parks, and Reed said her bravery “was too often overlooked”.
“Claudette Colvin’s life reminds us that movements are built not only by those whose names are most familiar, but by those whose courage comes early, quietly, and at great personal cost,” Reed added.
While Colvin’s arrest helped to bring an end to racial segregation in the US, there are concerns from civil rights groups that President Donald Trump is looking to roll back policies on social progress.
On Tuesday, the largest civil rights group in the US said that Trump was being deceptive in his claims that civil rights hurt white people.
In an interview from last week published by The New York Times, Trump said he believed civil rights-era protections resulted in white people being treated unfairly.
The comments came after Trump was asked whether protections that began in the 1960s with the passage of the Civil Rights Act resulted in discrimination against white men, according to the newspaper.
“It accomplished some very wonderful things, but it also hurt a lot of people – people that deserve to go to a college or deserve to get a job were unable to get a job,” Trump was quoted as saying.
“It was a reverse discrimination,” he said.
In response, NAACP President Derrick Johnson said Trump was “lying through his teeth”.
“Trump does this all the time. He deliberately invents a false reality to lay the groundwork for policies that further benefit the top one percent by privatising government services and stripping resources away from underserved communities,” said Johnson.
Claudette Colvin, who helped to ignite the modern civil rights movement in the US after refusing to give up her seat to a white woman on a segregated bus, has died aged 86.
Colvin was 15 when she was arrested on a bus in Montgomery, nine months before Rosa Parks gained international fame for also refusing to give up her seat.
Colvin died of natural causes in Texas, according to a statement from her legacy foundation on Tuesday.
Colvin was detained on March 2, 1955, after a bus driver called the police to complain that two Black girls were sitting near two white women in violation of segregation laws. Colvin refused to move when asked, leading to her arrest.
“I remained seated because the lady could have sat in the seat opposite me,” Colvin told reporters in Paris in April 2023.
“She refused because… a white person wasn’t supposed to sit close to a negro,” Colvin said.
“People ask me why I refused to move, and I say history had me glued to the seat,” she added.
Colvin was briefly imprisoned for disturbing public order. The following year, she became one of four Black female plaintiffs who filed a lawsuit challenging segregated bus seating in Montgomery.
The case was successful, impacting public transportation throughout the US, including trains, aeroplanes and taxis.
Colvin’s arrest occurred at a time of growing frustration over how Black people were being treated on Montgomery’s bus system. The arrest of Parks in December 1955 triggered the start of the yearlong Montgomery Bus Boycott.
The boycott propelled the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr into the national limelight and is considered the start of the modern civil rights movement.
“She leaves behind a legacy of courage that helped change the course of American history,” the Claudette Colvin Legacy Foundation said in a statement.
‘Too often overlooked’ Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said Colvin’s action “helped lay the legal and moral foundation for the movement that would change America”.
Colvin’s role in helping to trigger the modern civil rights movement is often overshadowed by the actions of Parks, and Reed said her bravery “was too often overlooked”.
“Claudette Colvin’s life reminds us that movements are built not only by those whose names are most familiar, but by those whose courage comes early, quietly, and at great personal cost,” Reed added.
While Colvin’s arrest helped to bring an end to racial segregation in the US, there are concerns from civil rights groups that President Donald Trump is looking to roll back policies on social progress.
On Tuesday, the largest civil rights group in the US said that Trump was being deceptive in his claims that civil rights hurt white people.
In an interview from last week published by The New York Times, Trump said he believed civil rights-era protections resulted in white people being treated unfairly.
The comments came after Trump was asked whether protections that began in the 1960s with the passage of the Civil Rights Act resulted in discrimination against white men, according to the newspaper.
“It accomplished some very wonderful things, but it also hurt a lot of people – people that deserve to go to a college or deserve to get a job were unable to get a job,” Trump was quoted as saying.
“It was a reverse discrimination,” he said.
In response, NAACP President Derrick Johnson said Trump was “lying through his teeth”.
“Trump does this all the time. He deliberately invents a false reality to lay the groundwork for policies that further benefit the top one percent by privatising government services and stripping resources away from underserved communities,” said Johnson.
Mike Tomlin steps away from Steelers after 19 seasons and a Super Bowl title
For just the third time since Chuck Noll was hired in 1969, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be hiring a new head coach. Mike Tomlin's run with the Steelers is over.
Tomlin's run as the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL, a title he grabbed after the New England Patriots parted ways with Bill Belichick, is finally over. After 19 seasons, the 53-year-old Tomlin is ready for something new, having informed the team he is stepping down from his position as head coach after Monday night's blowout wild-card loss to the Houston Texans.
The Steelers confirmed the news Tuesday, with team president Art Rooney II saying Tomlin "decided to step down as our head coach."
Rooney thanked Tomlin for his "hard work, dedication and success" over the past 19 years. And said it was "hard for me to put into words the level of respect and appreciation I have for coach Tomlin."
Tomlin released his own statement, thanking Rooney and Steelers players, coaches and fans for their support during his near-two-decade tenure as Pittsburgh's coach.
"While this chapter comes to a close, my respect and love for the Pittsburgh Steelers will never change," Tomlin said. "I am excited for what the future holds for this franchise, and I will forever be grateful for my time coaching in Pittsburgh."
It's a huge shift, for Tomlin, the NFL and definitely the Steelers. The Steelers' only three coaches since the start of the 1969 season are Noll, Bill Cowher and Tomlin.
Tomlin had a successful run as Steelers coach, which included a Super Bowl championship at the end of the 2008 season and the AFC title in the 2010 season. But while Tomlin famously never posted a losing season in Pittsburgh, Steelers fans grew impatient with the lack of playoff success. That continued at the end of the 2025 season, when Tomlin's Steelers lost 30-6 to the Texans in the wild-card round. It was Tomlin's seventh straight playoff loss, tying Marvin Lewis' NFL record.
Tomlin shouldn't have much of a problem getting another head-coaching job whenever he wants it — if he wants to keep coaching with another team. Tomlin reportedly had two years left on his contract so the Steelers still hold his coaching rights and could negotiate a trade with another team if Tomlin wanted to coach as soon as next season.
Tomlin reportedly indicated to the Steelers in Monday's meeting that he planned to take at least some kind of break from coaching. TV offers reportedly await him if he wants to transition to media. In fact, Fox Sports, ESPN, NBC and CBS all will have interest, according to The Athletic's Andrew Marchand, who pointed out that Fox Sports has not replaced Jimmy Johnson on "Fox NFL Sunday," and that CBS' "NFL Today" just lost Matt Ryan to the Atlanta Falcons' president of football position.
Tomlin has a Super Bowl ring and another Super Bowl appearance. He is a respected leader and has a fantastic résumé as a head coach. He won almost 63% of his games with the Steelers, going 193-114-2 in the regular season. It was just time for a change in Pittsburgh.
Tomlin's final few Steelers seasons were barely above mediocre, which is why the fan base grew restless. Tomlin's critics would point out that the team had not won a playoff game since the end of the 2016 season. The Steelers won either nine or 10 games in each of the past five seasons, and weren't a real threat in the playoffs.
The 2025 season summed up the frustration. The Steelers took a big lead in the AFC North, with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, as the rest of the division struggled. But the Steelers struggled themselves at times. Late in the season, there were even "Fire Tomlin" chants during a blowout home loss to the Buffalo Bills. Tomlin said he understood the fans' frustrations over the Steelers not winning as many games as they'd like.
The Steelers won the AFC North on the final play of the regular season, when the Baltimore Ravens missed a field goal. But then came yet another lopsided playoff loss, in which the Steelers didn't score one offensive touchdown. Even though the Steelers won the division, the way in which the playoff loss went made a change seem inevitable.
Tomlin's résumé stacks up with plenty of Hall of Fame coaches. Steelers fans grew frustrated with his lack of recent postseason success — they won just three playoff games since the AFC championship game at the end of the 2010 season — but he's still a top coach who had a great career with the Steelers. The highlight was a 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.
The Steelers' extreme patience and stability will make it an attractive job opening. There are roster issues, however. Rodgers could retire at age 42, meaning the Steelers have to figure out a solution at quarterback. Many key players, especially on defense, are aging. The Steelers had another winning season, but there are still issues with the roster as a whole for the new coach. But if history is an indicator, the new coach will have plenty of time to work through those issues.
It's strange to have the Steelers be in the head-coaching carousel. Tomlin is the only head coach they've hired since Cowher took over in 1992. Whoever does land the Steelers job will hope to have the same type of run that Tomlin did.
Tomlin's run as the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL, a title he grabbed after the New England Patriots parted ways with Bill Belichick, is finally over. After 19 seasons, the 53-year-old Tomlin is ready for something new, having informed the team he is stepping down from his position as head coach after Monday night's blowout wild-card loss to the Houston Texans.
The Steelers confirmed the news Tuesday, with team president Art Rooney II saying Tomlin "decided to step down as our head coach."
Rooney thanked Tomlin for his "hard work, dedication and success" over the past 19 years. And said it was "hard for me to put into words the level of respect and appreciation I have for coach Tomlin."
Tomlin released his own statement, thanking Rooney and Steelers players, coaches and fans for their support during his near-two-decade tenure as Pittsburgh's coach.
"While this chapter comes to a close, my respect and love for the Pittsburgh Steelers will never change," Tomlin said. "I am excited for what the future holds for this franchise, and I will forever be grateful for my time coaching in Pittsburgh."
It's a huge shift, for Tomlin, the NFL and definitely the Steelers. The Steelers' only three coaches since the start of the 1969 season are Noll, Bill Cowher and Tomlin.
Tomlin had a successful run as Steelers coach, which included a Super Bowl championship at the end of the 2008 season and the AFC title in the 2010 season. But while Tomlin famously never posted a losing season in Pittsburgh, Steelers fans grew impatient with the lack of playoff success. That continued at the end of the 2025 season, when Tomlin's Steelers lost 30-6 to the Texans in the wild-card round. It was Tomlin's seventh straight playoff loss, tying Marvin Lewis' NFL record.
Tomlin shouldn't have much of a problem getting another head-coaching job whenever he wants it — if he wants to keep coaching with another team. Tomlin reportedly had two years left on his contract so the Steelers still hold his coaching rights and could negotiate a trade with another team if Tomlin wanted to coach as soon as next season.
Tomlin reportedly indicated to the Steelers in Monday's meeting that he planned to take at least some kind of break from coaching. TV offers reportedly await him if he wants to transition to media. In fact, Fox Sports, ESPN, NBC and CBS all will have interest, according to The Athletic's Andrew Marchand, who pointed out that Fox Sports has not replaced Jimmy Johnson on "Fox NFL Sunday," and that CBS' "NFL Today" just lost Matt Ryan to the Atlanta Falcons' president of football position.
Tomlin has a Super Bowl ring and another Super Bowl appearance. He is a respected leader and has a fantastic résumé as a head coach. He won almost 63% of his games with the Steelers, going 193-114-2 in the regular season. It was just time for a change in Pittsburgh.
Tomlin's final few Steelers seasons were barely above mediocre, which is why the fan base grew restless. Tomlin's critics would point out that the team had not won a playoff game since the end of the 2016 season. The Steelers won either nine or 10 games in each of the past five seasons, and weren't a real threat in the playoffs.
The 2025 season summed up the frustration. The Steelers took a big lead in the AFC North, with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, as the rest of the division struggled. But the Steelers struggled themselves at times. Late in the season, there were even "Fire Tomlin" chants during a blowout home loss to the Buffalo Bills. Tomlin said he understood the fans' frustrations over the Steelers not winning as many games as they'd like.
The Steelers won the AFC North on the final play of the regular season, when the Baltimore Ravens missed a field goal. But then came yet another lopsided playoff loss, in which the Steelers didn't score one offensive touchdown. Even though the Steelers won the division, the way in which the playoff loss went made a change seem inevitable.
Tomlin's résumé stacks up with plenty of Hall of Fame coaches. Steelers fans grew frustrated with his lack of recent postseason success — they won just three playoff games since the AFC championship game at the end of the 2010 season — but he's still a top coach who had a great career with the Steelers. The highlight was a 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.
The Steelers' extreme patience and stability will make it an attractive job opening. There are roster issues, however. Rodgers could retire at age 42, meaning the Steelers have to figure out a solution at quarterback. Many key players, especially on defense, are aging. The Steelers had another winning season, but there are still issues with the roster as a whole for the new coach. But if history is an indicator, the new coach will have plenty of time to work through those issues.
It's strange to have the Steelers be in the head-coaching carousel. Tomlin is the only head coach they've hired since Cowher took over in 1992. Whoever does land the Steelers job will hope to have the same type of run that Tomlin did.
John Forté, Grammy-Nominated Recording Artist and Fugees Collaborator, Dead at 50
John Forté, a celebrated recording artist who worked closely with the Fugees, has died. He was 50.
The musician died on Monday, Jan. 12 in his home in Chilmark, a town on Martha's Vineyard, according to MV Times. A cause of death has not been determined.
According to the outlet, the Chilmark police department said a neighbor discovered Forté alone on the kitchen floor and called the police at 2:25 p.m. on Monday. By the time police arrived, he was not responsive and not breathing. He pronounced dead at the scene and no foul play was suspected.
"It is such a small community, this death hits close to home. It’s the upside and the downside to living on such a small Island," Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin told the outlet.
The outlet also reported that the musician suffered a serious health setback one year ago when he was hospitalized after a seizure.
Growing up in Brooklyn, the musician's journey with music began when he picked up the violin and enrolled in New Hampshire’s Phillips Exeter Academy. Later enrolling in New York University, where he roomed with rapper Talib Kewli, Forté dropped out to work for the underground hip-hop label Rawkus Records.
In the early 1990s, he was introduced to the Fugees by Lauryn Hill — and he went on to co-write and produce several songs for the group's Grammy-winning 1996 album The Score. The album earned him his first Grammy nomination at 21.
From there, Forté toured with the Fugees and contributed to Wyclef Jean's debut solo album The Carnival in 1997. In 1998, Forté released his debut solo album Poly Sci, which was produced by Jean.
However, just two years later, Forté was arrested at Newark International Airport with liquid cocaine and charged with possession and intent to distribute. In 2001, a judge sentenced him to 14 years in prison under mandatory minimum drug laws.
While serving time at a low-security prison in Pennsylvania, he continued writing and recorded his second album I John, which featured collaborations with Carly Simon and Herbie Hancock.
Simon and her son Ben Taylor became vocal supporters for Forté and drew national attention to his case, calling his punishment excessive. His sentence was then cut short by President George W. Bush in November 2008 and he was released from prison four weeks later.
In a 2008 essay published in Vanity Fair, Simon called Forté her "godson." "I first met him through Ben Taylor, my son, who conveyed all the buzz: Brooklyn-born Forté had worked with the Fugees and recorded a tour de force debut solo album," she wrote at the time.
She added, "But then, life changed things. A 14-year prison sentence, on drug charges, came down on him, and I got involved, convinced the punishment was hugely unfair. Soon, my daily routine revolved around working for his freedom."
In the years before his death, Forté became a prominent member of the music scene in Martha's Vineyard, where he lived with his wife and two children. He also did the original score for the Breonna Taylor documentary Bree Wayy: Promise, Witness, Remembrance. In 2021, he released his latest album Vessels, Angels & Ancestors.
"Unlike past projects, I wasn’t burdened down by self-doubts like 'I don’t know if I can do this,'" Forté told Billboard of the album in 2021. "Early on, I realized I had to get out of my own way and ride downstream with the experience."
John Forté, a celebrated recording artist who worked closely with the Fugees, has died. He was 50.
The musician died on Monday, Jan. 12 in his home in Chilmark, a town on Martha's Vineyard, according to MV Times. A cause of death has not been determined.
According to the outlet, the Chilmark police department said a neighbor discovered Forté alone on the kitchen floor and called the police at 2:25 p.m. on Monday. By the time police arrived, he was not responsive and not breathing. He pronounced dead at the scene and no foul play was suspected.
"It is such a small community, this death hits close to home. It’s the upside and the downside to living on such a small Island," Chilmark Police Chief Sean Slavin told the outlet.
The outlet also reported that the musician suffered a serious health setback one year ago when he was hospitalized after a seizure.
Growing up in Brooklyn, the musician's journey with music began when he picked up the violin and enrolled in New Hampshire’s Phillips Exeter Academy. Later enrolling in New York University, where he roomed with rapper Talib Kewli, Forté dropped out to work for the underground hip-hop label Rawkus Records.
In the early 1990s, he was introduced to the Fugees by Lauryn Hill — and he went on to co-write and produce several songs for the group's Grammy-winning 1996 album The Score. The album earned him his first Grammy nomination at 21.
From there, Forté toured with the Fugees and contributed to Wyclef Jean's debut solo album The Carnival in 1997. In 1998, Forté released his debut solo album Poly Sci, which was produced by Jean.
However, just two years later, Forté was arrested at Newark International Airport with liquid cocaine and charged with possession and intent to distribute. In 2001, a judge sentenced him to 14 years in prison under mandatory minimum drug laws.
While serving time at a low-security prison in Pennsylvania, he continued writing and recorded his second album I John, which featured collaborations with Carly Simon and Herbie Hancock.
Simon and her son Ben Taylor became vocal supporters for Forté and drew national attention to his case, calling his punishment excessive. His sentence was then cut short by President George W. Bush in November 2008 and he was released from prison four weeks later.
In a 2008 essay published in Vanity Fair, Simon called Forté her "godson." "I first met him through Ben Taylor, my son, who conveyed all the buzz: Brooklyn-born Forté had worked with the Fugees and recorded a tour de force debut solo album," she wrote at the time.
She added, "But then, life changed things. A 14-year prison sentence, on drug charges, came down on him, and I got involved, convinced the punishment was hugely unfair. Soon, my daily routine revolved around working for his freedom."
In the years before his death, Forté became a prominent member of the music scene in Martha's Vineyard, where he lived with his wife and two children. He also did the original score for the Breonna Taylor documentary Bree Wayy: Promise, Witness, Remembrance. In 2021, he released his latest album Vessels, Angels & Ancestors.
"Unlike past projects, I wasn’t burdened down by self-doubts like 'I don’t know if I can do this,'" Forté told Billboard of the album in 2021. "Early on, I realized I had to get out of my own way and ride downstream with the experience."
Druski’s Mega Church Skit Goes Viral, Sparks Debate
If you thought Druski‘s “White Boy Accepted in the Hood” or “Whiteface Nascar Fan” skits were funny, then his latest skit will have you on the floor laughing.
In true Druski fashion, the comedian randomly hit the social media streets on Monday with his latest skit, “Mega Church Pastors Love Money.” At the beginning of the nearly 3-minute clip, the 30-year-old viral sensation is seen in a designer fit, harnessed above the pulpit and his congregation as smoke blasts to the tune of Kirk Franklin’s 1998 hit, “Revolution.”
“Wanda told us earlier this month that she could not have a baby anymore,” he shares with his satirical congregation at Collect & Praise Ministries after telling the elderly woman to make her way to the front. “So I impregnated her with the Word of God. I’m going to impregnate everyone with the Word of God! You gon’ get pregnant with the Word of God! You gon’ get pregnant with the Word of God!” A praisebreak ensues, everyone chants “impregnate,” and Pastor Druski does the worm on-stage.
In true Druski fashion, the comedian randomly hit the social media streets on Monday with his latest skit, “Mega Church Pastors Love Money.” At the beginning of the nearly 3-minute clip, the 30-year-old viral sensation is seen in a designer fit, harnessed above the pulpit and his congregation as smoke blasts to the tune of Kirk Franklin’s 1998 hit, “Revolution.”
“Wanda told us earlier this month that she could not have a baby anymore,” he shares with his satirical congregation at Collect & Praise Ministries after telling the elderly woman to make her way to the front. “So I impregnated her with the Word of God. I’m going to impregnate everyone with the Word of God! You gon’ get pregnant with the Word of God! You gon’ get pregnant with the Word of God!” A praisebreak ensues, everyone chants “impregnate,” and Pastor Druski does the worm on-stage.
WATCH:
The skit then shifts back to Druski delivering his sermon mid-air (like Bartholomew “Flying Preacher” Orr), touching on the sometimes-over-the-top sermons in today’s mega church.
“I had somebody in the congregation ask why I’m wearing Christian Dior and Christian Louboutins,” he says before raising his heel above the congregation. “‘Cause I’m a Christian, and I walk in the blood of Jesus! I’m a Christian first! Give Him some praise!”
Druski is then seen standing before the congregation, sharing news that Collect & Praise Ministries is branching out into Motherland, before encouraging tithes and donations for the cause.
“So we are raising funds for a project in Zimbabwe. Yes, we’re trying to get our congregation over in Africa. Amen,” he solemnly tells them. “We wanted to raise $4 million for that. Amen, yes, hallelujah… That needs to appear today. We are not letting anyone leave until we reach our goal, amen? Life savings here! Give him praise for that! Giving his last savings up!”
The skit ends with Druski counting money from the day’s donations and tithes while singing to Franklin’s 2005 single, “Looking for You.”
Although the clip has garnered over 200k comments in less than 24 hours on Instagram and received nearly 3 million likes, the satirical skit has struck a nerve amongst Christians and churchgoers who feel as though he’s disrespecting Christianity and mocking God. One X user replied to Druski’s post, saying, “You don’t make jokes about God. It shows just how disrespectful and ungrateful you are. He is our creator, and you ought to revere him, not deride him…You can’t make a career from rubbishing God’s name and what He stands for.”
On the other hand, many see the skit as a humorous portrayal of the common actions of pastors in today’s mega churches. (Pastor Lamor Miller-Whitehead, anyone?) “Keep in mind that if there wasn’t even a little bit of truth to this skit, it wouldn’t have people offended,” commented one Instagram user. “It’s a skit that holds up a mirror to the nonsense we let run rampant. Laugh and then hold our ‘fellow believers accountable.'”
Points were made. Either way, Druski blessed us all with some spot-on comic relief this week.
The skit then shifts back to Druski delivering his sermon mid-air (like Bartholomew “Flying Preacher” Orr), touching on the sometimes-over-the-top sermons in today’s mega church.
“I had somebody in the congregation ask why I’m wearing Christian Dior and Christian Louboutins,” he says before raising his heel above the congregation. “‘Cause I’m a Christian, and I walk in the blood of Jesus! I’m a Christian first! Give Him some praise!”
Druski is then seen standing before the congregation, sharing news that Collect & Praise Ministries is branching out into Motherland, before encouraging tithes and donations for the cause.
“So we are raising funds for a project in Zimbabwe. Yes, we’re trying to get our congregation over in Africa. Amen,” he solemnly tells them. “We wanted to raise $4 million for that. Amen, yes, hallelujah… That needs to appear today. We are not letting anyone leave until we reach our goal, amen? Life savings here! Give him praise for that! Giving his last savings up!”
The skit ends with Druski counting money from the day’s donations and tithes while singing to Franklin’s 2005 single, “Looking for You.”
Although the clip has garnered over 200k comments in less than 24 hours on Instagram and received nearly 3 million likes, the satirical skit has struck a nerve amongst Christians and churchgoers who feel as though he’s disrespecting Christianity and mocking God. One X user replied to Druski’s post, saying, “You don’t make jokes about God. It shows just how disrespectful and ungrateful you are. He is our creator, and you ought to revere him, not deride him…You can’t make a career from rubbishing God’s name and what He stands for.”
On the other hand, many see the skit as a humorous portrayal of the common actions of pastors in today’s mega churches. (Pastor Lamor Miller-Whitehead, anyone?) “Keep in mind that if there wasn’t even a little bit of truth to this skit, it wouldn’t have people offended,” commented one Instagram user. “It’s a skit that holds up a mirror to the nonsense we let run rampant. Laugh and then hold our ‘fellow believers accountable.'”
Points were made. Either way, Druski blessed us all with some spot-on comic relief this week.
Joseline Hernandez Celebrates 3 Years Of Sobriety: ‘I Didn’t Lose My Life To The White Girl’
Joseline Hernandez is celebrating a major milestone.
The Puerto Rican Princess marked 3 years of sobriety! Reflecting on how far she’s come and the life she fought to reclaim, she wrote, “My mind is clear and the body is Strong. I thank god everyday I didn’t loose [sic] my life to the white girl.” Warning fans to stay away from dr*gs, she added, “Young girls it’s not a game and it’s not worth it. Thank you guys also for those silent prayers for your fave!”
Joseline Hernandez is celebrating a major milestone.
The Puerto Rican Princess marked 3 years of sobriety! Reflecting on how far she’s come and the life she fought to reclaim, she wrote, “My mind is clear and the body is Strong. I thank god everyday I didn’t loose [sic] my life to the white girl.” Warning fans to stay away from dr*gs, she added, “Young girls it’s not a game and it’s not worth it. Thank you guys also for those silent prayers for your fave!”
Martin Lawrence Pushes Back Against Ari Lennox’s Claims That “Martin” Jokes Were Rooted In Colorism: ‘Black People, That’s The Way We Joke’
Martin Lawrence has entered the chat. The actor and comedian recently addressed viral comments made by R&B singer #AriLennox, who sparked debate after criticizing the jokes aimed at Tichina Arnold’s character, Pam, on the beloved 1990s sitcom #Martin.
Ari argued that the humor was rooted in colorism, saying, “While I feel that the show was incredible…and I adore Martin, it would just piss me off, the joking on Pam. I didn’t like that.”
Speaking with FOX anchor Marissa Mitchell, Martin responded to Ari’s remarks, acknowledging that she’s entitled to her opinion but emphasizing that the jokes were never meant to cause harm. “That’s the way Black people joke. We go hard. Me and Tichina were just having a lot of fun and we were just keeping it real,” he said, adding, “There was no malice intent.”
His comments come after #TichinaArnold also weighed in, claiming her close friend and co-star #TishaCampbell experienced what she described as “reverse colorism” during the show’s first season from live studio audience members who were there to support Martin. “The whole first season, every time Tisha would walk out, you would hear groans. They wouldn’t laugh; they treated her horribly,” she said. Tichina later issued an apology, explaining, “I was speaking too fast, just speaking from experience, but I never want to insult anyone for no reason. I misspoke, I spoke too soon.”
Ari argued that the humor was rooted in colorism, saying, “While I feel that the show was incredible…and I adore Martin, it would just piss me off, the joking on Pam. I didn’t like that.”
Speaking with FOX anchor Marissa Mitchell, Martin responded to Ari’s remarks, acknowledging that she’s entitled to her opinion but emphasizing that the jokes were never meant to cause harm. “That’s the way Black people joke. We go hard. Me and Tichina were just having a lot of fun and we were just keeping it real,” he said, adding, “There was no malice intent.”
His comments come after #TichinaArnold also weighed in, claiming her close friend and co-star #TishaCampbell experienced what she described as “reverse colorism” during the show’s first season from live studio audience members who were there to support Martin. “The whole first season, every time Tisha would walk out, you would hear groans. They wouldn’t laugh; they treated her horribly,” she said. Tichina later issued an apology, explaining, “I was speaking too fast, just speaking from experience, but I never want to insult anyone for no reason. I misspoke, I spoke too soon.”
Timothy Busfield's Mug Shot Released After Arrest for Child Sex Abuse Charges
Timothy Busfield‘s mug shot has been released after the actor surrendered to the police.
The 68-year-old actor best known for playing Danny Concannon on The West Wing is facing two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
An arrest warrant was filed over three days ago by the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), but Timothy was unable to be located. He finally turned himself in on Tuesday (January 13).
Timothy is being accused of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys, with one of them alleging the incidents started when he was 7. The allegations claim he met them while he was a director on the set of Fox series The Cleaning Lady. The two boys were reportedly actors in the show.
The actor was booked at Bernalillo County Metro Detention Center in New Mexico.
Timothy‘s wife, Little House on the Prairie actress Melissa Gilbert, has not spoken publicly about her husband’s arrest, but his lawyer has shared a statement
Timothy Busfield‘s mug shot has been released after the actor surrendered to the police.
The 68-year-old actor best known for playing Danny Concannon on The West Wing is facing two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
An arrest warrant was filed over three days ago by the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), but Timothy was unable to be located. He finally turned himself in on Tuesday (January 13).
Timothy is being accused of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys, with one of them alleging the incidents started when he was 7. The allegations claim he met them while he was a director on the set of Fox series The Cleaning Lady. The two boys were reportedly actors in the show.
The actor was booked at Bernalillo County Metro Detention Center in New Mexico.
Timothy‘s wife, Little House on the Prairie actress Melissa Gilbert, has not spoken publicly about her husband’s arrest, but his lawyer has shared a statement
Evan Peters Talks Returning For 'American Horror Story' Season 13, Admits He Was 'Shocked, But Thrilled' at Jessica Lange's Return
Evan Peters is speaking out about the forthcoming season of American Horror Story.
The 38-year-old actor, who has appeared in nine seasons of the anthology series, will be returning once again, alongside an all-star cast of past stars, including Jessica Lange.
In a new interview, Evan teased the new season and reacted to the Oscar-winning actress saying yes, despite previously saying she wouldn’t return.
“First of all, it’s working with Ryan [Murphy] again, but second of all, he’s assembled the cast from all the different seasons,” he told THR. “It’s sort of an alumni, and we’re all getting back together to do this greatest-hits season. So we’ll see what he writes and what it brings. But just the chance to be able to work with Sarah [Paulson], Jessica, Kathy [Bates], Angela [Bassett] again and everybody involved. I’m interested to see what the scenes are and how it all plays out.”
As for if he was surprised about Jessica‘s return, he said, “Yes! Yeah, Ryan knows how to have those dinners. He will get you in a second. I was definitely shocked, but thrilled, honestly.”
On the show, Evan and Jessica starred in the first four seasons together, and she appeared in two episodes of season eight, Apocalypse.
If you missed it, find out all the AHS stars who are returning, and which star is joining the cast for the first time!
Evan is also starring in the upcoming Ryan Murphy series, The Beauty,
The 38-year-old actor, who has appeared in nine seasons of the anthology series, will be returning once again, alongside an all-star cast of past stars, including Jessica Lange.
In a new interview, Evan teased the new season and reacted to the Oscar-winning actress saying yes, despite previously saying she wouldn’t return.
“First of all, it’s working with Ryan [Murphy] again, but second of all, he’s assembled the cast from all the different seasons,” he told THR. “It’s sort of an alumni, and we’re all getting back together to do this greatest-hits season. So we’ll see what he writes and what it brings. But just the chance to be able to work with Sarah [Paulson], Jessica, Kathy [Bates], Angela [Bassett] again and everybody involved. I’m interested to see what the scenes are and how it all plays out.”
As for if he was surprised about Jessica‘s return, he said, “Yes! Yeah, Ryan knows how to have those dinners. He will get you in a second. I was definitely shocked, but thrilled, honestly.”
On the show, Evan and Jessica starred in the first four seasons together, and she appeared in two episodes of season eight, Apocalypse.
If you missed it, find out all the AHS stars who are returning, and which star is joining the cast for the first time!
Evan is also starring in the upcoming Ryan Murphy series, The Beauty,
Kiefer Sutherland arrested after allegedly assaulting ride-hail driver in Hollywood
Actor Kiefer Sutherland was arrested early Monday after police said he assaulted a ride-hail driver in Hollywood.
Sutherland was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats after officers responded to reports of an assault on a driver in Hollywood early Monday.
The "24" and "Stand by Me" actor, 59, was taken into custody after Los Angeles police answered a radio call about 12:15 a.m. about an assault near Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, a Police Department spokesperson said in a statement.
"The investigation determined that the suspect, later identified as Kiefer Sutherland, entered a rideshare vehicle, physically assaulted the driver (the victim) and made criminal threats toward the victim," according to an LAPD statement.
Sutherland was arrested at the scene and booked into the LAPD jail and later released on $50,000 bail with a court date set for Feb. 2, records show.
According to Los Angeles police, the driver did not sustain any injuries requiring medical treatment at the scene.
The investigation into the incident by Hollywood Division detectives is ongoing. Sutherland's representatives did not immediately respond to a call from The Times for a statement.
Sutherland is best known for playing Jack Bauer in the Fox drama "24" and President Tom Kirkman in "Designated Survivor," after decades of big box-office movies including "The Lost Boys" "Flatliners" and "A Few Good Men."
The Canadian actor has had previous run-ins with the law, including drunk driving charges in 2004 and 2007. The Golden Globe winner spent 48 days in jail in 2007 for driving under the influence and a probation violation. There was also an assault charge in 2009 that was later dropped. He was most recently arrested in 2020 on suspicion of driving under the influence after making an illegal U-turn in Hollywood.
Actor Kiefer Sutherland was arrested early Monday after police said he assaulted a ride-hail driver in Hollywood.
Sutherland was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats after officers responded to reports of an assault on a driver in Hollywood early Monday.
The "24" and "Stand by Me" actor, 59, was taken into custody after Los Angeles police answered a radio call about 12:15 a.m. about an assault near Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, a Police Department spokesperson said in a statement.
"The investigation determined that the suspect, later identified as Kiefer Sutherland, entered a rideshare vehicle, physically assaulted the driver (the victim) and made criminal threats toward the victim," according to an LAPD statement.
Sutherland was arrested at the scene and booked into the LAPD jail and later released on $50,000 bail with a court date set for Feb. 2, records show.
According to Los Angeles police, the driver did not sustain any injuries requiring medical treatment at the scene.
The investigation into the incident by Hollywood Division detectives is ongoing. Sutherland's representatives did not immediately respond to a call from The Times for a statement.
Sutherland is best known for playing Jack Bauer in the Fox drama "24" and President Tom Kirkman in "Designated Survivor," after decades of big box-office movies including "The Lost Boys" "Flatliners" and "A Few Good Men."
The Canadian actor has had previous run-ins with the law, including drunk driving charges in 2004 and 2007. The Golden Globe winner spent 48 days in jail in 2007 for driving under the influence and a probation violation. There was also an assault charge in 2009 that was later dropped. He was most recently arrested in 2020 on suspicion of driving under the influence after making an illegal U-turn in Hollywood.
Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee Cleared in Investigation
An independent probe examining claims connected to the “Wild ‘N Out Live” event has wrapped up, delivering a definitive outcome for Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee. Per the news release, investigators determined no state law violations, Political Reform Act breaches, City Charter infractions, prohibited financial conflicts, or improper governmental influence occurred.
The inquiry cost Stockton taxpayers over $50,000 despite Lee’s opposition to funding what he characterized as an unwarranted expense. Lee stated he “welcomed transparency and an independent review because I knew the facts mattered,” while also noting he “voted against wasting taxpayer money on an investigation that was politically motivated and unsupported by evidence.” He criticized forcing residents to fund a probe that confirmed “there was no wrongdoing.”
According to the report, no legal obligation for recusal existed, and investigators found no evidence that Lee worked against municipal interests. The document separates concrete legal determinations from subjective ethical observations, acknowledging that the latter exceed statutory requirements.
Lee traced the matter’s origins to political turbulence rather than legitimate concerns. “This matter did not originate from a credible enforcement referral or verified misconduct,” he explained, noting it “emerged during a period of internal political conflict and leadership transition” before being shared with journalists by the departing interim city manager.
The vice mayor condemned what he views as weaponized oversight. “Investigations should be tools of accountability, not political weapons,” Lee stated, calling taxpayer-funded pursuits of “a predetermined narrative” both “an abuse of authority and a failure of fiscal stewardship.” He revealed colleagues privately acknowledged his innocence while publicly supporting the investigation, contributing to diminished “public trust in City Hall.”
Lee challenged news organizations to provide balanced coverage. “Every media outlet that reported on the initial allegations has an obligation to report the outcome with the same prominence,” he insisted.
With elections approaching, Lee emphasized voter empowerment. “This is an election year,” he observed, suggesting “the most powerful accountability tool isn’t another investigation—it’s the ballot box.”
He pledged continued dedication to transparency, responsible spending, and producing outcomes for Stockton’s community.
The inquiry cost Stockton taxpayers over $50,000 despite Lee’s opposition to funding what he characterized as an unwarranted expense. Lee stated he “welcomed transparency and an independent review because I knew the facts mattered,” while also noting he “voted against wasting taxpayer money on an investigation that was politically motivated and unsupported by evidence.” He criticized forcing residents to fund a probe that confirmed “there was no wrongdoing.”
According to the report, no legal obligation for recusal existed, and investigators found no evidence that Lee worked against municipal interests. The document separates concrete legal determinations from subjective ethical observations, acknowledging that the latter exceed statutory requirements.
Lee traced the matter’s origins to political turbulence rather than legitimate concerns. “This matter did not originate from a credible enforcement referral or verified misconduct,” he explained, noting it “emerged during a period of internal political conflict and leadership transition” before being shared with journalists by the departing interim city manager.
The vice mayor condemned what he views as weaponized oversight. “Investigations should be tools of accountability, not political weapons,” Lee stated, calling taxpayer-funded pursuits of “a predetermined narrative” both “an abuse of authority and a failure of fiscal stewardship.” He revealed colleagues privately acknowledged his innocence while publicly supporting the investigation, contributing to diminished “public trust in City Hall.”
Lee challenged news organizations to provide balanced coverage. “Every media outlet that reported on the initial allegations has an obligation to report the outcome with the same prominence,” he insisted.
With elections approaching, Lee emphasized voter empowerment. “This is an election year,” he observed, suggesting “the most powerful accountability tool isn’t another investigation—it’s the ballot box.”
He pledged continued dedication to transparency, responsible spending, and producing outcomes for Stockton’s community.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Courtesy of P.O.Wm
I'd say call OSHA but I think they just ran out of money
Check out what's holding up the lower shelves all the way down the aisle at my local Walmart.
I'd say call OSHA but I think they just ran out of money
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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