The two monkeys who went missing this week from the Dallas Zoo have been found ... cops say they were left in the closet of an abandoned home.
Law enforcement tells TMZ ... the emperor tamarin monkeys were found Tuesday afternoon at a home in Lancaster, Texas, and the animals have been returned to the zoo.
We're told Dallas Police received a tip the monkeys were possibly at an abandoned home in Lancaster ... with cops from Dallas and Lancaster following up on the tip and finding the monkeys in one of the empty home's closets.
As we reported ... the zoo notified Dallas PD Monday a couple of their emperor tamarin monkeys were missing from their habitats ... with the zoo also claiming there was evidence the monkeys were taken.
Cops put out an alert earlier Tuesday, saying they wanted to speak with a man who was spotted munching on a bag of chips at the zoo around the same time the monkeys vanished.
The Dallas Zoo issued a statement after the monkeys were found, saying they are "thrilled beyond belief" the animals were located. The zoo says the monkeys will be evaluated by veterinarians.
Police say no arrests have been made and an investigation is ongoing.
Damar Hamlin is kickstarting a campaign to spread CPR awareness and training following his on-field medical scare earlier this month ... teaming up with the American Heart Association to create the "3 For Heart" challenge.
The Buffalo Bills safety announced the move in an Instagram video ... saying, "Once again, I want to thank everybody for their love and support over these past few weeks."
"As you know, CPR saved my life earlier this year on the field, and CPR could easily save your life or someone you love."
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To help the raise awareness for the procedure, Hamlin and the AHA came up with the social media campaign ... which includes three steps: learn hands-only CPR, donate to the AHA to fund CPR awareness and education, and challenge three people to do the same.
As we previously reported, the medical staffers who immediately took action and performed CPR on Hamlin during Monday Night Football were credited with saving his life after suffering cardiac arrest on the field on Jan. 2.
Hamlin has been on the road to recovery ever since ... and continues to improve by the day.
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The 24-year-old spoke on camera for the first time over the weekend ... thanking his fans and supporters for all the love directed his way in the weeks following the medical scare.
The charges against Amar'e Stoudemirestemming from an alleged domestic violence incident at his home in December have been dismissed ... after prosecutors say the victim did not cooperate with the investigation.
As we previously reported, STAT was accused of striking one of his teen daughters across the face at least twice ... leaving her bloody from the hits.
But the 40-year-old adamantly denied the accusations ... saying he would never lay a finger on another human being.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office confirmed to CBS Miami on Tuesday, the charges related to the Dec. 2022 incident have been dropped "due to the failure of the victim to cooperate in the prosecution of the criminal case."
Stoudemire tells TMZ Sports ... "A little over a month ago, my family’s world was turned upside down as I faced allegations that we all knew to be untrue – which I instantly and publicly denied."
"Today, I’m grateful that after a full investigation, all charges were dismissed. Fortunately, my family and most importantly, my incredible children are all doing well. My faith in the goodness we all possess has never wavered and has never been greater. My love for my family is without limits."
He continued ... "I am appreciative of all the respect and support received from family, friends and colleagues. Now that this chapter is closed, I look forward to all the great moments ahead with my family."
Amar'e's attorney, Alexander Fox, added ... "After a full investigation, the case was dropped at failing to prove the false accusations. The court’s vindication of Mr. Stoudemire underscores who he is and always has been – a person of faith and integrity dedicated to his family and community."
Tyre Nichols was NOT having a relationship with the wife of one of the Memphis police officers involved in his brutal beating ... according to his stepdad, who is addressing a rumor that's all over the Internet.
Fox 13 Memphis
Tyre's stepfather, Rodney Wells, denied the scandalous accusation Tuesday during a prayer vigil outside the Nichols' home, saying ... "My son was not messing around with one of the officer's wives. That's just a rumor."
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Memphis Police Department
For those unaware, there's been a rumor gaining traction online and on social media recently ... folks are claiming, without evidence, Tyre worked at FedEx in Memphis with one of the officer's wives and had a relationship with the woman.
The implication ... the cops were out for revenge. There's also unsubstantiated rumors the officer in question sent the woman a picture of Tyre after the beating.
But, Tyre's stepdad says the rumors simply aren't true ... and it's the first time the family's addressed the claims, which, frankly, are reckless.
Latto nearly had the last laugh on "panty police" haters who accused her of repeatedly wearing one pair of animal print undies, but eBay is deflating her auction dreams!!!
A spokesperson for eBay tells TMZ Hip Hop ... used and worn underwear is a direct violation of their "used clothing policy," and that's why it's yanked Latto's link to auction off her underwear.
The company says it uses multiple layers of AI technology in addition to its professionally trained eBay investigators to sniff out errant sales like Latto's, and ensure they're upholding its health and hygiene standards ... which of pair of panties containing "big energy" ... do not!!!
The Grammy-nominated rapper saw her worn cheetah prints nearly earn her $100K before the eBay takedown. She only started the auction in order to school fans on the fact she does indeed have more than one leopard print thong th-thong thong thong!
Ahead of the auction, Latto actually took time to explain to the trolls that she keeps healthy stashes of undergarments during tour time.
Losing out on $100k sucks, but maybe Latto should just switch her platform -- OnlyFans models are pushin' panties as fast as they can bag 'em up these days.
Alec Baldwin has now officially been charged with a crime over the fatal shooting of cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins on his "Rust" movie set, and the D.A. listed a litany of safety lapses which she says sit squarely at Baldwin's feet.
According to the charging document, the D.A. says Baldwin knew the drill ... that the armorer should have been present, checking the gun to make sure it was safe, and Baldwin knew that ... yet he relied on the assistant director who had no authority to clear the weapon for use.
The D.A. says Baldwin was supposed to undergo firearms training but failed to do so. Adding Baldwin was then supposed to get minimal training for 30 minutes, but was on his cell phone for most of that time speaking with his family.
The D.A. honed in on TV interviews Baldwin did, where he claimed not to have fired the weapon ... something the FBI and prosecutors dispute. The D.A. states there are multiple photos and videos that clearly show Baldwin with his finger on the trigger.
The district attorney goes on to say, as the producer of the movie, Baldwin should never have allowed the production company to hire Hannah Gutierrez-Reed as she lacked the requisite certifications and experience for the job.
And, the D.A. lays the numerous safety lapses on the set at Baldwin's doorstep, saying he did not address those issues, which even resulted in crew members walking off the set in protest.
The D.A. says Baldwin violated the first rule of gun safety -- never point a firearm, loaded or not, at another person.
And, the D.A. says Baldwin was in 40 films in which guns were an integral part, so he should have known all the protocols.
Prosecutors in Santa Fe County, NM have formally filed involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's head armorer, is also charged with involuntary manslaughter. They're both facing up to five years in prison if convicted.
As for assistant director Dave Halls, he's already agreed to plead guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon -- a misdemeanor. Per the deal, Halls will receive a suspended sentence and six months probation.
CNN
Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, announced earlier this month Alec and Hannah would be prosecuted for the fatal shooting... with special prosecutor, Andrea Reeb saying, "The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for safety on the 'Rust' film set. In New Mexico, there is no room for film sets that don't take our State's commitment to gun safety and public safety seriously."
Reeb added ... "If any one of these three people - Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed or David Halls - had done their job, Halyna Hutchins would be alive today. It's that simple."
Alec denies any wrongdoing, insisting he was just following instructions during a rehearsal where he was practicing how to position the pistol for a "cross draw" scene in a chapel ... as director, Joel Souza and Halyna figured out camera angles.
AP
Halls told Baldwin it was a "cold" gun ... meaning it was unloaded and safe, and Baldwin says he relied on that assurance.
Hannah was not in the chapel at the time of the shooting ... but Alec has said it was her job to prepare and check the prop guns.
The shooting occurred back in October 2021 and Alec was visibly torn up immediately after the incident. Alec repeatedly claimed he bore no responsibility for what he called a tragic accident, insisting he did NOT pull the trigger that fateful day.
The FBI disagreed with Alec ... the feds issued a report concluding the pistol would not fire without someone pulling the trigger ... and the D.A. has said she trusts the FBI's analysis.
Halyna's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Alec and others involved in the production, claiming Baldwin and others were responsible for the lapse in safety protocols that led to Halyna's death on the set.
Baldwin and the Hutchins settled the lawsuit, agreeing to finish filming "Rust" ... with Halyna's widower, Matthew Hutchins, becoming an executive producer on the film.
Alec is suing 4 crew members -- Gutierrez-Reed, Halls, Sarah Zachry and Seth Kenney -- claiming they failed to adequately provide safety on the film set.
Kylie Jennerand Travis Scott may well be dunzo, but she's keeping her wits about herself -- heading down to the Caribbean for a little R&R ... and a lot of made-ya-look.
The beauty mogul was down in Turks and Caicos Sunday, where she hit the beach in a black two-piece bikini for what looks to be a solo outing where she caught rays and waves all at the same time ... and all for the camera's benefit, too, of course.
KJ walked up flaunting her toned physique, with a green wrap covering her lower body as she set up shop on the sand. Eventually, the makeshift skirt disappeared ... and her derriere was out in full view. A friendly reminder that she is, indeed, Kardashian-adjacent.
There's much to marvel at here ... a spray down in the shower, and then a dip in the ocean. There's even a nice shot of a tattoo she's got inked on her booty, which reads "sa-nə-tē" ... the phonetic pronunciation of "sanity." She's said it keeps her grounded.
Of course, Kylie hasn't really exposed her bod like this in quite a while -- not so out in the open, anyway. It makes one wonder if the split rumors about her and her baby daddy are true.
If they are ... Kylie's showing what's being left on the table. A whole lot of jelly and cake.
Cops say they want to speak with a man spotted munching on a bag of Doritos at the Dallas Zoo around the same time two monkeys went missing.
The Dallas PD just put out an alert expressing its interest in the hooded man -- including a photo and video taken of him walking around the zoo on Sunday. Law enforcement sources tell us at this point, he's not a suspect ... but someone who they clearly believe might have some info.
Dallas Police Department
As we reported, Zoo officials noticed two of their emperor tamarin monkeys were missing Monday from their habitats ... and there was reason to believe the animals were taken from restricted areas that house them. The Dallas PD has since taken over the investigation.
It was only a few weeks ago when a clouded leopard went missing at the same zoo, causing the whole place to shut down temporality and officials to do a massive search.
Eventually, the leopard was located inside the zoo.
As far as these 2 primates go, authorities are still on the lookout and they say anyone with information should call 214-671-4509.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson gave Travis Kelce a ringing endorsement ... after the NFL superstar ripped the Cincinnati mayor, calling him a "jabroni" following the Chiefs' victory over the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game!
Of course, Kansas City's 6x Pro Bowl tight end channeled The Rock during his on-field postgame interview, telling Cincinnati mayor Aftab Pureval -- who trolled the Chiefs and their QB Patrick Mahomes before the game -- to "Know your role and shut your mouth, you jabroni!"
Well, the WWE legend and A-list movie star clearly got a kick out of Kelce's clap back, going to Twitter Monday night to show his appreciation for Travis.
"My boy said what he said," The Rock wrote. "I appreciate the venomous 'shut yo' over formal 'shut your' 🤣👊🏽🏆."
My boy said what he said. I appreciate the venomous “shut yo” over formal “shut your” 🤣👊🏾🏆@tkelcehttps://t.co/U2Ef4xoVWK
Kelce's speech was brilliant ... and anyone familiar with The Rock's signature punchlines knows not everyone can pull off the impersonation!
When The Rock was a WWF/WWE Superstar, he routinely made fans laugh by calling fellow wrestlers "jabroni's" and telling opponents ... "it doesn't matter what your name is!" He'd also threaten to take them to the "Smackdown Hotel." 😅
Kelce earned the right to trash talk after his performance Sunday ... he had 7 receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown, making big plays for his team, as has become routine for the league's best pass-catching TE.
Now, the 33-year-old tight end will face off against his brother, Eagles star Jason Kelce, at Super Bowl LVII in Arizona ... a.k.a. the "Kelce Bowl", a.k.a. the "Andy Reid Bowl."
1:12 PM PT -- Civil rights attorney, Ben Crump confirmed that Kamala Harris will also be in attendance at Tyre's funeral.
Tyre Nichols' family is getting support from the one family that probably best understands their pain ... TMZ has learned George Floyd's loved ones will be at Tyre's funeral for a face-to-face meeting.
Famed civil rights attorney, Ben Crumpis representing the Nichols family -- just as he did for George's -- and he tells us, several members of the Floyd family will be at the ceremony Wednesday in Memphis.
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Memphis Police Department
We're told the Floyds sent their condolences to Tyre's family after he was so badly beaten by Memphis police, he ended up in a hospital and died -- but the families have yet to meet in person.
That will change when they meet up at the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis for the funeral.
Meanwhile, Crump tells us Tyre's family has been invited to join ongoing efforts to get the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act passed by Congress ... and they're all on board.
We're told President Biden -- who spoke to Tyre's mom, RowVaughn Wells, and stepfather, Rodney Wells, Friday -- is trying to get Congress to turn its focus back on federal police reform legislation. He's invited Tyre's folks to be part of the push to get it signed into law.
A White House official tells TMZ ... the administration is sending 4 dignitaries to the funeral, including senior advisor, and former Atlanta mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Earlier today in the Oval Office, I met with George Floyd’s family. They’ve shown extraordinary courage over the last year, especially his young daughter Gianna, who I met again today. The day before her father’s funeral, she told me, “Daddy changed the world.”
Crump says Tyre's kin will schedule meetings with lawmakers and continue speaking out in favor of police reform -- 2 things the Floyd family's been doing since George was murdered by Minneapolis police.
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act passed the House in 2021, but stalled in the Senate. Biden renewed his call to pass the act Friday -- after the Tyre arrest body cam was released -- and is urging Republicans in Congress to help Democrats pass police reform.
R. Kelly is no longer facing sex-abuse charges in Chicago, where a prosecutor's decided to drop several pending charges, but that news isn't swinging his mood ... the singer still has plenty of other troubles.
Kelly's attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, tells us she spoke with Kelly after Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announced she no longer would pursue the case because the disgraced R&B star has already been convicted in 2 federal courts of similar crimes and "is looking at the possibility of never walking out of prison again."
Bonjean tells TMZ, “There is no real sense of relief. He is still fighting for his life. He is facing decades in prison." But, she added that Foxx made "the right move" with her decision.
Foxx held a presser Monday to make the announcement, acknowledging that some of the accusers may be disappointed, but "we believe justice has been served."
As we reported ... Kelly was accused of sexually abusing 4 people, 3 of whom were minors, in the Chicago case. Foxx says she will ask the judge Tuesday to dismiss the charges against Kelly.
Kelly has already been convicted by federal courts in New York and Illinois with a smorgasbord of federal crimes, including child pornography, enticement, racketeering and sex trafficking. He was sentenced to 30 years in the NY case and could get anywhere between 10 to 90 years in the Illinois case when he's sentenced in February.
12:10 PM PT -- TMZ Sports has confirmed Arlisha Boykins, the junior varsity coach AND varsity head coach were all fired as a result of the incident.
UPDATE
We also spoke with a rep for the Virginia High School League -- the organization that oversees H.S. athletics in the state -- and while the VHSL is aware of the situation, it is letting the two schools involved handle all punishment.
UPDATE
A spokesperson for Churchland tells us school officials were not present for the away game ... and were not made aware of Boykins' participation in the game until the following Monday.
UPDATE
Churchland administrators held a meeting with the parents and students of the JV and varsity teams ... and the athletes for both squads ultimately decided to scrap the season.
Here's a new one -- a 22-year-old high school basketball coach is out of the job after trying to pass as a 13-year-old player in a junior varsity game earlier this month.
According to local reports, Arlisha Boykins -- an assistant for the Churchland H.S. Truckers in Virginia -- impersonated one of her players who was away from the team for a club basketball tournament on Saturday, Jan. 21.
Instead of playing with one less hooper, Boykins apparently took matters into her own hands and suited up as the student-athlete ... and footage obtained by WAVY10 shows the full-grown adult balling out against the competition -- driving the lane for a layup, getting a block and nailing free throws.
The outlet reports Boykins was fired as a result of the stunt ... and the rest of Churchland's JV players and parents elected to opt out of the remainder of the season.
The 13-year-old's father spoke about the situation ... admitting he was "shocked" the coach would do such a thing.
The school is now investigating the incident ... and the student's family is asking for an apology.
Sen. Ted Cruz is standing his ground, refusing to apologize to Paul Pelosi for sharing conspiracy theories about the hammer attack ... even after seeing the shocking police video of what went down.
The Senator was at Reagan National Airport when we got his reaction to the body cam showing David DePape smash Pelosi in the head with a hammer -- he called it the "utterly unacceptable" actions of a "deranged lunatic."
Although he was quick to condemn DePape ... Cruz got much quieter when we asked if he'd apologized to Pelosi for supporting, or at the very least, promoting theories suggesting there was something shady about the details of the attack.
In one instance, he reshared a tweet that shot holes in the idea DePape was "some kind of militant right winger" ... despite reports he actually had been posting on far-right political blogs.
DePape -- who's since been charged with attempted murder -- told the FBI he was planning on shattering the Congresswoman's kneecaps, because he thought she was a liar.
Despite all that information, the body cam and surveillance videos showing DePape smash a back door to enter the Pelosi home ... Sen. Cruz is refusing to even acknowledge an apology might be appropriate.
He told us the "thoughts and prayers" he sent to his fellow lawmaker the day it happened still stand ... and that's all he's got for the Pelosis.
Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka had a night out with her mom in the Big Apple on Monday ... hitting up a Japanese restaurant three weeks after announcing she's preggo with her first child.
The 25-year-old and Tamaki Osaka arrived at Nippon in Midtown for dinner ... one of the few times the mother-to-be has been spotted out in public since her big reveal.
No baby bump in sight, though -- Osaka rocked a baggy brown and green outfit for the occasion.
As we previously reported, Osaka told her fans about the major life update on Jan. 11 ... and TMZ Sports confirmed rapper Cordae is the father.
"I realize that life is so short and I don't take any moments for granted, everyday is a new blessing and adventure," Osaka said in her announcement. "I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future, one thing I'm looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, 'that's my mom,' haha."
Osaka said she will be off the court as she welcomes the baby in 2023 ... but plans to be back for the Australian Open next year.
Real 92.3 radio host J Cruz says he was all set to get married on the Rolling Loud stage -- that is, until Offset made his grand onstage gesture to Cardi Bback in 2018 ... stealing Cruz's thunder!!!
Cruz says his plans were set in stone -- he'd flown in family members, including his siblings and his soon-to-be wife was decked out in her wedding dress ... but the one thing he couldn't plan for was Offset’s impromptu move.
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He shared the sad, yet funny-in-hindsight, story with GloRilla -- the “FNF” rapper's been mentored in the rap game by Cardi, so Cruz figured this was his best shot to unload his old wedding woes.
Cruz says his relative lack of celebrity prompted Rolling Loud officials to cut his nuptials altogether ... leaving him to face the embarrassment of his family and pile on therapy sessions shortly after.
A Polish tourist in Mexico got a crash course in Mayan history after climbing a sacred pyramid ... locals were waiting for him when he got down, and one beat him with a stick.
The wild scene, which was captured on video, played out over the weekend at the famous Chichén Itzá archaeological site in Mexico's Yucatan.
In the viral footage, you see the tourist coming down the Kukulkan pyramid's steps ... and when he gets to the bottom, he's confronted by an angry mob ... including a shirtless man with a huge stick who bonks the tourist on the head as others show their displeasure.
The issue for locals ... the Mayan temple is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and it's illegal to climb the pyramid.
The tourist is reportedly from Poland, and was arrested Saturday and released after 12 hours in custody.
Adding insult to injury, the tourist was also slapped with a fine of $5,000 pesos ... but the stick to the head's gotta hurt worse.
November 2022
TikTok / @angelalopeze
Climbing the pyramid for clout appears to be part of a disrespectful trend ... back in November, a female tourist climbed the same sacred structure and was assaulted by an angry mob.
