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Barack Obama is staying warm while most of the country is dealing with extreme weather .... hitting up a golf course in Hawaii ahead of the holidays.

The former prez was spotted getting in a Round of Golf in Hawaii on Thursday ... sporting a pink shirt, white shorts and a pair of sunnies.

Barack appeared to be with pals, but still had his game face on ... as he set up his swing. Unclear if the whole family is in Hawaii, but they're certainly known to spend time there.

You'll recall, Barack and Michelle Obama had a mansion built on the island of Oahu back in 2015 after dropping $8.7M on the property ... but it came with some pushback from environmentalists over a seawall.

The Obamas seem to be enjoying the place they can now call home ... and it very well could be where they plan to spend their retirement years.

A small plane crashed on the crowded beach near the famous Santa Monica Pier, killing the town's former mayor ... and it's all on video.

The fatal wreck happened Thursday afternoon, when a single-engine Cessna took off from the Santa Monica airport and a few minutes later crashed on a famous stretch of sand.

Video shows the plane trying to make an emergency landing on the shoreline just south of Santa Monica Pier, but the plane flips over on its top as the pilot tries to land in the waves.

Former Santa Monica Mayor Rex Minter was the lone passenger on the plane, and he died in the crash. The pilot survived the crash, but has yet to be identified.

The pilot reportedly made a distress call shortly after takeoff, saying there was an issue with the engine ... and he risked the beach landing, saying he thought it was the only option.

Beachgoers were stunned as the plane crashed right in front of them ... and lifeguards, police and firefighters rushed to the scene.

95-year-old Minter was elected Santa Monica mayor way back in the day ... serving between 1963 and 1967 before going on to be a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge.

It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of year -- but not if you've got to travel this holiday season -- 'cause extreme weather has rocked the U.S. and canceled thousands of flights in the process.

Parts of the country have experienced everything from hurricane-strength winds to blizzards and a bomb cyclone ... causing power outages in nearly 1.5 million homes.

The Midwest has been hit hard with freezing cold weather, and some of those temperatures are said to get even colder than temps on Mars!!!

The winter weather has caused nearly 2/3 of the U.S. to be placed under a winter weather alert.

Of course, this weather isn't ideal for folks trying to get home for the holidays ... more than 3,000 flights have been already been delayed or canceled around the country on Friday morning alone.

From NYC to Chicago the winter weather is wreaking havoc in the U.S. ... and the worst is supposedly still to come.

"Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Jen Shah should be behind bars for 10 years after pleading guilty in her wire fraud case -- at least that's what federal prosecutors want the judge to order.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the feds are seeking a 10-year sentence against the "RHOBH" alum, insisting she's the "most culpable person charged in this case."

The docs go through a laundry list of reasons why prosecutors think she's deserving of the lengthy lockup ... saying the reality star used the money from her fraud to "live a life of luxury."

Prosecutors say Shah attempted to "conceal her role in the scheme," but was very involved in the day-to-day operations. In the docs, prosecutors say Shah was upset with the amount of money coming in around June 2018, and texted her coworkers, "“I’m coming in to set appts for these guys tomorrow. Please get my 24 karat gold headset with diamond encrusted mouthpiece ready. Papi needs money for the weekend and [a co-conspirator] needs baby mama money.”

They also say her post-arrest conduct shows she deserves a long time in prison -- pointing out she went "on a public offensive against the charges and tried to profit off the charges by selling 'Justice for Jen' merchandise."

As we reported, Jen finally took a deal in July, pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing ... and as part of her deal, prosecutors dropped one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Ex-NFL star Willie McGinest is sharing his deep regret for attacking a man at a restaurant earlier this month ... saying the incident never should have happened.

"First and foremost, I want to offer my deepest apology for my lapse in judgment and behavior on December 9 at a restaurant in West Hollywood," the New England Patriots legend said. "To my family, community, friends, and youth I mentor, please know I feel horrible for my actions and take full responsibility."

51-year-old McGinest was involved in an altercation at Delilah ... with video, obtained by TMZ Sports, showing he not only punched a man -- but bashed him in the head with a bottle as well.

The former football player, who was inducted into the Pats Hall of Fame in 2015, turned himself in to cops on Monday over it all, and was booked for assault with a deadly weapon. He eventually posted bond ... and was released.

McGinest -- who also serves as an analyst for NFL Network -- was later suspended from his TV gig following the incident.

"To my colleagues at the NFL Network and those I work closely with as an advisor to professional and community-base organizations, please know I am embarrassed and regret what occurred," McGinest added.

"Most of all, I am disappointed in myself, as I know this is an isolated incident and is not reflective of my faith, role as a father, life's body of work, or the role model I've worked hard to become. It is personally devastating that decades of community service, youth engagement, mentoring, and professional development would become an afterthought in a single moment that should have never happened."

"This incident has prompted me to deep self-reflection -- mind, soul, and spirit. I know that violence is never the answer to such situations, no matter how intense the provocation. Rest assured, I will take whatever steps necessary to restore the public trust, mend damaged relationships, and ensure this never happens again."

Big Scarr, an up-and-coming artist in the rap game, has died ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources say Scarr, real name Alexander Woods, was pronounced dead Thursday. We're told the case is an ongoing death investigation, but there are no signs of foul play.

Gucci Mane, who heads the label Scarr was signed to, posted about his death, saying, "I'm a miss you."

Big Scarr was a member of Gucci's 1017 Records ... and he was recently named to the 2022 XXL Freshman List.

The guy collaborated with big acts like Offset, Pooh Shiesty ... and he's best known for his song "SolcyBozy" with Shiesty, Foogiano and Tay Keith.

Big Scarr's debut mixtape, "Big Grim Reaper," was released on April 16 of last year and it reached the top 25 on the Billboard charts.

As for how Big Scarr got his stage name ... he was badly scarred in a scary car accident when he was only 16 years old, with the accident causing him to be thrown through the windshield of his friend's ride, leaving lasting damage.

Big Scarr was reportedly shot back in 2020, with a bullet traveling up his spine ... and he needed surgery to have his appendix taken out.

He was 22.

A local Iowa news broadcaster was EXTREMELY bent out of shape over his assignment -- covering the blizzard -- and he let his bosses know on live TV -- and it's hilarious.

KWWL reporter Mark Woodley was dispatched onto the snow-covered streets in Waterloo, IA, during Thursday's hours-long morning show. Right from the get-go, Woodley had a 'tude, snarkily delivering a weather report about the sub-zero temps.

He kicked things off this way ..."I normally do sports, uh, everything is canceled here for the next couple of days so what better time to ask the sports guy to come in about five hours earlier than he would normally wake up and go stand out in the wind and the snow and the cold and tell other people not to do the same."

It gets funnier ... Woodley joked that a co-worker named Clint cut a better deal because he's allowed to stay warm in the Storm Chaser vehicle. "I feel like Clint got the better end of that deal. That thing's heated. The outdoors currently is not heated."

Woodley also cracked this doozy ... "This is a really long show. Tune in for the next couple hours to watch me progressively get crankier and crankier."

He wasn't done yet ... "I've got good news and I've got bad news. The good news is that I can still feel my face. The bad news is I kind of wish I couldn't."

Hours later, Woodley couldn't take it anymore and addressed the TV host named Ryan, who was enjoying the warm studio ... "Can I go back to my regular job? I'm pretty sure Ryan that you guys added an extra hour to this show because somebody likes torturing me."

One thing's for sure ... Woodley should try stand-up comedy -- after he warms up with some hot chocolate.

Bono's daughter is clapping back at New York Magazine's owners after putting "nepotism babies" on blast  -- because she says the president of the entire company fits the bill, too.

Actress Eve Hewson, daughter of the U2 frontman, took to Twitter Thursday ... pointing fingers at Vox president Pamela Wasserstein -- who is in charge of New York Mag and Vulture -- saying she's been informed Pamela "is a nepo baby herself. Her dad bought the magazine in 2004."

For those unaware, Pamela was appointed to CEO of New York Media LLC in 2016, years after her pops Bruce passed, before becoming Vox prez ... and Eve -- as well as many online -- are seeing a TON of irony in that.

Nate Jones, the writer of the trending Vulture article, wrote about how "A lot of the children of famous people are not good" ... but Eve played defense online -- saying the company blasted Lily-Rose Depp, for example, just "to get clicks."

FYI -- Eve wasn't among the other "nepo babies" in the article, but they sure as hell have her in their corner!

As we reported ... Lottie Moss, Kate's little sister, didn't defend herself on the subject of nepotism -- she instead embraced it, firing back a simple thought ... life isn't fair.

Nick Cannon was spending some quality time with one of his kids and his baby mama, who put up a heartwarming post about it -- just hours after many believe she was throwin' some SERIOUS shade at Nick.

Model LaNisha Cole -- mother to 3-month-old Onyx -- took to social media Thursday, showing Nick and her taking their kiddo to "her first class" ... saying "Co parenting is a breeze when you see eye to eye."

It's a pretty sweet post ... but Lanisha put up a lengthy post less than a day prior, seemingly about Nick -- talking about being "surrounded by so much love - and it's not fake IG photo op love - it's real day in and day out love."

FYI -- she said this as Nick was featured in Christmas posts with some of his other kids by moms Abby De La Rosa and Bre Tiesi.

She also wrote about putting herself through unnecessary heartbreak -- and talked about getting out of "toxic relationships."

It's a doozy of a post ... and while it's unclear who specifically she's referring to, many online are betting on a connection to Nick.

Lizzo has a rags-to-riches story right out of "Annie" ... from sleeping in her car to living in a mega-mansion in ritzy Bel-Air ... and she's more than proud to talk about it.

Lizzo got emotional when "CBS Sunday Morning" reporter Tracy Smith asked about her journey of couch surfing in search of a warm place to sleep. The singer said she's never really had a place of her own until recently, and it excites and fulfills her.

As for the $15 million home ... well, it's got a pedigree. None other than Harry Styles used to lay his head on a pillow in the same bedroom.

Lizzo's on a roll, she's already won 3 Grammys and her latest album, "Special," has been nominated for 4 more. She made history this year, playing a crystal flute once owned by James Madison. Unfamiliar ... plz Google.

More trouble for "That's So Raven" star Orlando Brown ... the actor's been arrested for domestic violence in Ohio.

A spokesperson for the Lima Police Department tells us they got a call about a fight in progress Thursday ... when they arrived, they came upon the former Disney star and arrested him for misdemeanor domestic violence.

It's unclear who called 911, but cops say Brown's conflict was with either a family member or another person living in the home. He's apparently been in the Ohio town for over a month -- with fans tweeting about seeing him around Lima.

Brown's online booking record shows the charge as "domestic violence - cause belief of imminent physical harm by threat of force."

As we've reported, OB's had a lot of problems with the law over the last few years. You'll recall he was busted in his underwear on an outstanding warrant back in 2018. He was also arrested previously for narcotics possession and alleged burglary.

He's also had some dealings with Dr. Phil -- including a time when some friends tried to stage an intervention for the actor.

Yung Miami is coming clean following Diddy's pop-up baby that disrupted their relationship flow ... revealing that Brother Love did indeed give her the heads up that he was expecting another child.

The City Girl had taken much heat online -- especially from Akademiks -- over the child's arrival that we revealed happened in October ... but G Herbo pushed Miami to give up the deets on her award-winning "Caresha Please" series!!!

Miami assured the Chicago rapper that she and Diddy have healthy communication within their relationship, which can be considered polyamorous by numerous definitions.

She also sounded open to being in the delivery room next ... if it should come to that!!! 😁

If it's any consolation, Diddy defended his love for Miami when the baby news broke ... silencing Akademiks and other social media pundits who referred to her as a "side chick."

G Herbo didn't go unscathed in the interview, either -- he admitted to cheating on his ex Ari Fletcher with his new wifey Taina Williams.

Being held hostage at gunpoint during work is not enough for Jessica Redfern to leave her front end team lead position at Walmart ... she tells us she's willing to return to her post.

Jessica, the Walmart employee seen on video being held hostage by a woman wielding a gun inside a Mississippi store, tells TMZ ... she's rightfully taking a few days off work after the scary incident, but doesn't have any plans to quit and look for a new job.

As we reported ... the hostage situation played out on video Wednesday night at a crowded Walmart in Richland, MS ... with Jessica being held against her will at gunpoint before police responded and ultimately shot and killed the suspect.

Jessica tells us Walmart is offering counseling services to her and the coworkers who had a front-row seat to the traumatic experience ... but she hasn't decided if undergoing counseling is the right move for her.

In the meantime, Jessica is dealing with police ... giving cops a statement. But, she's not ready to publicly address the hostage situation.

Jessica, who's worked at Walmart for 10 years, tells us one of her managers called her Thursday to check up on her ... and she's simply not ready to give up on the only job she's ever known.

Turns out ya can't keep Lamar Odom out of Los Angeles ... because we've learned the former Lakers star is settling back into California, and he's picked up a swanky bachelor pad after spending some time in ATL.

A manager for Lamar tells TMZ ... he moved into his $15K-a-month rental Wednesday, just in time for the holidays. We're told he signed a 1-year lease on the home, located in The Oaks in Calabasas -- aka Kardashian territory.

The 4,445 square foot home is decked out with custom walk-in closets, a built-in BBQ area, a spa and waterfalls. The common areas are pretty awesome ... a gym, tennis courts and a clubhouse.

The house is big enough for Lamar's security and his kids, and he's excited to start a new life in this new place. FYI, when he and Khloe Kardashian tied the knot in 2009, they moved into a $4M home in Tarzana, not far from his new place.

Lamar was in Georgia for about a year ... and we're told he came to LA and was living with a friend the past few months, finally planting roots back in Cali.

Christina Hall just had a major health scare .. .and it might be tied to her passion for real estate and flipping houses.

Hall -- best known for her HGTV show "Flip or Flop" --- took to Instagram Thursday, claiming test results show she's suffering from mercury and lead poisoning, possibly from renovating old houses over many years.

She wrote, “My scan said I have mercury and lead poisoning. Most likely from all the gross houses I’ve been in (all the bad flips) and I have small intestine bacteria overgrowth.”

She added, “So we are first detoxing all of this through herbs and IVs and then [we’ll] see how I feel and tackle implants."

You may recall ... Hall discussed some of her other health issues last week, stemming from her breast implants or so she says.

“Been super exhausted lately so [I’m] on a kick to get back into my body," Christina said on IG. "I’ve had some unexplained health stuff for years, and now I’m considering the thought that this could be breast implant related." She also revealed she removed her under-eye filler because it caused an "inflammatory reaction.”

Her medical woes don't end there ... Hall also experiences “inflammation, autoimmune issues (Hashimoto’s disease, PCOS, Raynaud’s syndrome), unexplained skin rashes, joint and muscle pain, dry eyes, GI issues, SIBO, acid reflux, brain fog, hormone imbalances, swollen lymph nodes and adrenal fatigue.”