Singer Adele is one of the few major A-list celebrities to extend public support to Megan Thee Stallion in the wake of her high-profile shooting case with Tory Lanez.

After Lanez was found guilty and convicted of shooting Megan on Friday, Adele sent her love to the “Body” rapper during her Weekends with Adele residency concert in Las Vegas later that night, People reports. During the live show, Adele referenced an old viral video that showed Megan performing the choreography to her 2020 hit “Body” that fans dubbed over Adele’s “Water Under the Bridge” from her album 25.

“Someone said, ‘Why doesn’t Adele have back-up dancers?’ and then someone made a video of ‘Water Under the Bridge’ with Meg Thee Stallion doing the dance to it,” Adele, 34, told her live. “Remember that?”

The Grammy Award-winning singer then seemingly referenced Lanez’s nine-day trial where he was found guilty of shooting Megan in July 2020.

“Well today, tonight, I would like to wish Meg Thee Stallion a very, very, merry, merry Christmas,” Adele said. “Girl, get the peace. Do whatever you want now, baby. I love you.”

❤Adele @Adele wishes Meg Thee Stallion @theestallion a "A very very Merry Merry Christmas" and sends her love & support ❤#WeekendsWithAdele pic.twitter.com/exXpjzJdpU

— Adelettes (@Adelettes2) December 24, 2022

The special shout out came hours after Lanez, real name Daystar Peterson, was found guilty of all three charges—assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence, in the 2020 shooting of Megan.

Lanez opted out of testifying but Megan did take the stand and became emotional recalling all the scrutiny she’s been under since the traumatic shooting. At one point, Megan even wished death on herself.

“I wish he would have just shot and killed me (rather than) have to go through this torture,” Megan said according to Rolling Stone reports.

She recalled making a comment about his music career that really set the Toronto native off.

“Tory was basically telling me I wasn’t s**t, and I said, ‘Actually, You ain’t s**t. This is where you at in your career,” she explained. “This is where you at with your music.’ And I feel like that really rubbed him the wrong way. He kept yelling and cursing.”

“I start walking away from the car, and I can hear Tory say, ‘Dance, b***h!’ I don’t have to turn all the way around. I didn’t have to use my feet to turn around,” she said. “I literally turned like this, and I could see him with the gun.”

Lanez is set to be sentenced on Jan.  27. He faces up to 22 years in prison.

Former child star Orlando Brown was back in police custody last week after he was arrested on misdemeanor assault charges.

The former That’s So Raven star was arrested on Thursday in Lima, Ohio, and held on a $25,000 bond, NBC San Diego reports. Police were called to a residence where they witnessed a verbal dispute they feared would turn violent.

Brown was arraigned on Friday in Lima Municipal Court and charged with aggravated menacing. He pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor assault charges, Fox News reports. According to an arrest report, a relative said Brown was acting “crazy” and “came at him with a hammer and knife in a threatening manner.”

The relative said Brown had been staying with him for about two weeks because the actor is homeless and they “did not want him to go to a homeless shelter.”

Brown is no stranger to run-ins with the police. The Major Payne star has been arrested in the past for domestic battery, resisting arrest, and drug possession.

During a 2018 appearance on Dr. Phil, Brown opened up about his battle with substance abuse including drinking, drugs, and even using and selling crystal meth at one point, People reports.

“Just the influence and the demons that come with that drug kind of took over,” Brown told Dr. Phil.

“A lot of drinking is what happened,” Brown continued.

“I was drinking a lot. I just found myself in a dark place because I couldn’t really find everybody. It’s kinda like looking for your keys, when you stop looking, they’re right there type of deal. I started to realize what was in front of me. From there, now I’m good.”

Brown expressed his desire to change for his kids. When asked how many children he has, Brown said he wasn’t exactly sure.

“Quite a bit, but four that I know of,” he said.

NBA alum Matt Barnes is ready to walk down the aisle again after proposing to his longtime girlfriend and child’s mother, Anansa Sims.

Barnes was one of three NBA-related engagements over the Christmas weekend, including a Philadelphia 76ers cheerleader and a couple who attended the Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers matchup, as noted by Landon Buford.

On Monday, Barnes and Sims shared a post announcing their engagement on Christmas Day.

 

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A post shared by Anansa (@anansasims)

Barnes and Sims have been going strong despite their messy breakup in 2020. The pair met shortly after Barnes split from ex-wife Gloria Govan, The Blast reports.

Together, Barnes and Sims share their son, Ashton Joseph Barnes, who was born in December 2018. The pair experienced a dramatic breakup in 2020 that spilled onto social media.

But since then, Barnes and Sims have managed to work out their differences and remain a solid couple. On Christmas, Barnes took the big step by popping the big question to Sims.

The proposal came two days after a 76ers cheerleader got engaged during the Sixers and Clippers game on Friday night. Jackie Murtha was shocked when her boyfriend got down on one knee and proposed to her in front of a large crowd.

“This was truly the biggest surprise,” Murtha wrote on her Instagram story Saturday morning. “Thank you to everyone who helped pull this off! I can’t believe this is real life.”

https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1606464505617285120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1606464505617285120%7Ctwgr%5Ef3e52ce3e9beecaca92c14024f561d284f32d62d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flandonbuford.com%2F2022%2F12%2F26%2Fnba-champion-matt-barnes-sixers-cheerleader-jackie-murtha-couple-at-mavs-lakers-game-get-engaged-over-xmas-weekend-watch%2F

After the proposal made its way to Twitter, some trolls criticized Murtha’s boyfriend, Chris Girard, claiming the NBA cheerleader was out of his league. Girard clapped back in a separate tweet.

https://twitter.com/chris_girard13/status/1606458771487744000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1606458771487744000%7Ctwgr%5Ef3e52ce3e9beecaca92c14024f561d284f32d62d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flandonbuford.com%2F2022%2F12%2F26%2Fnba-champion-matt-barnes-sixers-cheerleader-jackie-murtha-couple-at-mavs-lakers-game-get-engaged-over-xmas-weekend-watch%2F

On Christmas day, another couple got engaged during the Mavericks and Lakers game in Dallas.

Dude popped the question and by all indications the answer was yes. pic.twitter.com/QgA9OTx32u

— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) December 25, 2022

Christmas is the perfect holiday to celebrate love and pop the big question ahead of Valentine’s Day.

• Politics

by Stacy Jackson

December 27, 2022

VP Kamala Harris Recalls Growing Up Celebrating Kwanzaa in Holiday Message From White House

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The White House kicked off the first day of Kwanzaa on Monday with warm wishes to all the families celebrating the seven-day holiday that salutes African heritage and Black American culture.

According to HuffPost, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris joined their spouses to extend the holiday wishes.

“Jill and I wish everyone a happy Kwanzaa,” Biden said in a Twitter video beside first lady Jill Biden, expressing his thanks to the heritage of African Americans, which he said “is deep in the story of our nation.”

“During this celebration, millions will gather with their families to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of the past and look towards a brighter future,” first lady Jill Biden said. “With each candle you light, we hope your home is warmed by the laughter of your family and friends, your hands are inspired to creativity, and your heart is filled with determination, faith and love.”

“In 2023, it’s our hope that we will all remember the wisdom of the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, especially the values of unity and faith, as we work to make the promise of our nation real in the lives of every American,” the president said.

We wish all those celebrating a peaceful, joyous Kwanzaa. pic.twitter.com/m1AZvzPcSB

— President Biden (@POTUS) December 26, 2022

Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff celebrated by posting their own video to Twitter, as the vice president reflected on her family memories celebrating Kwanzaa.

When I was growing up, Kwanzaa was a special time in our home. Today, my family and I are reflecting on the seven principles. Happy Kwanzaa! pic.twitter.com/w1pFOIUU9G

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) December 26, 2022

“My favorite principle was always the second ― Kujichagulia, self-determination,” Harris said. “The power to design your own life and determine your own future. And it is a deeply American principle, one that guides me every day as vice president.”

According to the Washington Examiner, families who celebrate Kwanzaa light one of the seven candles each day, from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, that represent the seven principles of pan-African culture: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).

• Politics

by Derek Major

December 27, 2022

Congressional Black Caucus Expects Rep. James Clyburn to Land No. 4 Rank for House Democrats

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As Democrats get set to take minority status, there is a dispute about who is set to be the fourth-ranking member of the party.

The Hill reports most in the Congressional Black Caucus “presume the ranking will fall to Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.).,” a 30-year veteran politician who is set to become the assistant leader in the next Congress. Clyburn was paramount in President Joe Biden’s selection of Kamala Harris as his vice president and his nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson for the Supreme Court and receiving the support of Black voters.

However, the hierarchy is being questioned by Rep. Ted Lieu (Calif.), the incoming Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus. The vice chair has typically been ranked just below the caucus chair, which will be the No. 3 position in the next Congress.

However, Democrats moving to the minority has led to a reshuffling of its leadership after the midterm elections. Rep. Pete Aguliar (Calif.) is now in the No. 3 spot behind Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) and Katherine Clark (Mass.). The three will replace Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), Steny Hoyer (Md.), and Clyburn as the new Democratic leadership.

Time Magazine reports this marks the first time in U.S. history the party’s leadership will not include a white man.

While Pelosi, who announced she would step down following the attack on her husband, and Hoyer have stepped away from Democratic leadership, Clyburn ran successfully for assistant leader, a position created by Pelosi when Democrats lost their majority in 2010.

Clyburn’s decision caught the party off-guard and forced Aguliar to run for the caucus chair position and Rep. Joe Neguse (Colo.) to take a position with the party’s messaging arm rather than run against Aguliar.

Amid all the movement, it was never determined who the leadership would consist of below Jefferies, Clark, and Aguliar, and Democratic leaders have largely avoided the subject. Neither Lieu nor Clyburn has commented on the situation, as the duties and titles of the vice chair and the assistant leader wouldn’t change based on the rankings.

However, the rankings could become significant in the future if a vacancy emerges within the leadership team or if Democrats retake the House.

• News

by Stacy Jackson

December 27, 2022

Pastor Struck, Left Dead on Christmas Eve After Delivering Presents to Children in Los Angeles

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The holidays are a peak time for hit-and-run incidents, and many drivers have left their victims’ families mourning the loss of their loved ones this season.

Trina Newman-Townsend, a community activist and pastor in Los Angeles, is dead after a hit-and-run driver reportedly struck her on Christmas Eve while delivering presents to needy children at a local community center.

According to Daily Mail, Newman visited a local community center on Broadway near 88th Street at around 3:25 p.m. on Saturday to distribute gifts to the children for the holiday. A driver hit the 62-year-old as she left the sidewalk to get inside her car.

A Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) news release reported that the vehicle that struck Neman-Townsend was traveling north on South Broadway.

KTLA reported that the LA minister was pronounced dead at the scene, where her family gathered in grief as police sectioned off the area.

“I was trying to run through the yellow tape to her. I just couldn’t believe what I heard over the phone,” Newman’s daughter, Amarrie Nicasio, said.

“She helped everybody she gave back to the community in every way she could. She’s a good person. Whoever did this needs to step up and turn yourself in,” Nicasio said.

“Everybody is heart-stricken for this moment,” said Pastor Kenneth Pitchford, a friend of Newman’s. “Words can’t describe what she means to this community.”

Nicasio shared her mother’s contribution to children’s lives. Independent reported that she raised six other foster children.

According to the LAPD, the description of the vehicle that allegedly struck Newman was a blue, mid-sized sedan that sustained significant front passenger side damage.

No arrests have been made, and the driver who struck Newman has not yet been identified.

Police reported that a reward of up to $50,000 is being offered to anyone with information leading to the offender’s identification, apprehension, conviction, or resolution through a civil compromise.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 27, 2022

Watch: Two White Men Assault Black Teenage Boys in South Africa in Racist Attack

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An alleged racist incident has been caught on video in South Africa, showing two white men attacking Black children at a swimming pool.

A woman with the Twitter handle @Tumii_Frost, stated that her two brothers were assaulted at a swimming pool in South Africa at Maselspoort Resort and Conference Centre and posted a video of the confrontation on Christmas. The video shows a larger white man approaching a young Black boy and trying to pull him out of the pool. As the young boy gets out of the pool, the white man pushes him back in forcibly. As he gets out of the pool again, a second white man grabs the boy’s brother by the neck and pushes him toward the fence.

More white men are seen coming to attack the two boys. One of the brothers is pushed into the pool and jumped by two white men, where it seemingly looks like the men are trying to drown the boy.

The buses that dropped off more than 120 migrants at the D.C. residence of V.P. Kamala Harris on Christmas Eve was a politically motivated stunt, according to the White House.

ABC News reported that three buses carrying migrants arrived outside Harris’ home in sub-freezing temperatures Saturday night. No politician or official took credit for the buses, however, earlier this summer, Texas Gov. Greg Abbot, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, and Florida Gov. Ron Desantis sent buses of migrants to Democratic-led cities, including New York and Chicago, to protest President Joe Biden’s lack of action on immigration reform.

“Texas’ busing strategy has successfully provided much-needed relief to our border communities overwhelmed by the historic influx of migrants caused by President Biden’s reckless open border policies,” Abbott said in a statement last month, according to ABC.

Abbott also sent migrants to Harris’ home earlier this fall.

Amy Fisher, an organizer with the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network, told ABC that the buses started to arrive around 7:45 p.m. on Saturday and included about 30 families, as well as spouses and people traveling alone from Columbia, Cuba, Ecuador, and Peru.

While most of the migrants had blankets, Fisher said they were woefully unprepared for the bitter cold that gripped the nation’s capital and most of the country. The migrants were taken to a local church where they were provided with warm meals, clothes, and hygiene kits. Some were picked up at the church by family members.

Fisher added that the buses were sent by Abbott, but neither he nor his office has taken responsibility for the buses, as they have in the past. A spokesman for Ducey told ABC that he had no part in the buses traveling to Washington D.C.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot have denounced the buses and said they have caused a strain on their city’s services.

• Celebrity News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 27, 2022

Meek Mill and The Reform Alliance Pay Bail for 20 Philadelphia Women

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Meek Mill has given a great present to 20 women in Philadelphia for the holidays.

According to a post on the REFORM Alliance Instagram account, the Philly rapper and the organization he started with Jay-Z, paid bail for 20 women so that they could be home for the holidays with their loved ones.

“For families impacted by the criminal justice system, the holidays can be an extremely challenging time. No one should have to spend the holidays in jail simply because they can’t afford bail, and no child should be without their parents during this time if we can do something about it. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help these women be with their families and loved ones during this special time of year,” Mill said in a statement on the account.

The women that the organization bailed out were located at Riverside Correctional Facility in Philadelphia. The amount of bail he paid wasn’t revealed.

Paying for the women to spend time with their families was not the only thing the REFORM Alliance did. Initially, five of the imprisoned women were released just in time for Christmas, with the “goal of 15 more women” leaving the facility this week. The 20 women being released will also be able to purchase groceries and/or presents with a gift card given to them when they leave Riverside Correctional Facility.

Earlier this summer, Meek announced that he was leaving the Jay-Z-helmed Roc Nation to form an alliance with William Morris Endeavor (WME).

Variety reported that the partnership will focus on Meek’s new initiative, Culture Currency. The strategic collaboration will make WME the agency of record and represent the rapper as they work together to bring in talent. The resources and reach of the agency span film, television, music, books, digital, endorsements, and more.

• Celebrity News

by Stacy Jackson

December 27, 2022

Weatherman Al Roker Shares Cozy Christmas Photo with Family

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The holiday season seems like it has been very festive so far for Today weatherman Al Roker.

Roker posted a heartfelt photo on Dec. 25 of him and his family gathered around the table in matching pajamas.

“From our family to yours, #merrychristmas,” the caption read.

 

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A post shared by Al Roker (@alroker)

According to Today, pictured around the table with Roker was his wife Deborah Roberts, their son Nick, and daughter, Leila. Roker’s older daughter Courtney also joined the breakfast feast with her husband, Wesley Laga. The menu included a veggie gruyere frittata, arugula, bacon, and Courtney’s homemade cinnamon buns.

The family and their dog Pepper appeared in matching green pajama sets, designed with images of Snoopy and Woodstock.

Roker shared photos of all the meals they enjoyed over the holiday weekend, including Christmas Eve dinner, where ham, asparagus, brown rice, and a salad were on the menu for the family. The following day, the family enjoyed a spatchcock turkey basted with mayonnaise.

 

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A post shared by Al Roker (@alroker)

Roker revealed his new favorite holiday tradition with the Today staff: everyone not fighting.

“If that happens — you can get your adult children together and their significant others and everything is fine? Win-win,” Roker said.

The weatherman expressed his appreciation for his three older children that make the season easier.

“Now it’s, ‘Oh, we’ll get up around 9 o’clock.’ And that’s just great,” he said, reflecting on when he used to have to get up at 6 a.m. to check for presents when his children were younger.

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the weatherman has received much support and joy this holiday season, including a visit from Today colleagues, who serenaded him outside his New York City abode.

Roker has been battling health issues this year and has been in recovery since finding blood clots in his legs and lungs.