CA Governor Gavin Newsom Here's How You Can Help People in Need ... Without Spending a Penny

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California Governor Gavin Newsom has a big new idea that he's launching ... and it could be the beginning of a New Deal-like revolution in America.

The Guv came on "TMZ Live" to unveil his latest initiative -- Californiansforall.ca.gov. The idea is pretty simple ... jump on the website and you'll be hooked up with someone who will help you figure out how you can best volunteer your time to help people.

It could be delivering food or medicine to a senior's center, or helping feed the homeless. There are a thousand ways to help, and the program matches people's talent with the needs of those who are living on the edge.

You know, when you watch people like Jeff Bezos contribute $10 billion or Oprah plunking down $10 million, a lot of people figure they can't really make nearly that kind of difference, so why bother?

Well, Governor Newsom has an answer to "why bother?" People -- especially young people -- have the energy and unique talents to help others. Think about it ... with everything in our economy changing, what if this becomes like the New Deal and we start turning volunteer work into a profession? So, people who volunteer could make a living and help others live well in the process.

And, one more thing. Crises like the coronavirus pandemic create heroes, and Newsom is among them. He's been a steady, smart leader who has captured national attention by the way he's handled the crisis, and this latest move is just another great initiative by the Governor.

Rob Gronkowski Traded to Bucs ... Reuniting W/ TB12

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3:40 PM PT -- More from Gronk via Jay Glazer, "I’m back. I always said when I have that feeling and it feels right, I will be ready to take the field again. And I have that feeling. I’m ready."

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Gronk tells Jay Glazer he has already passed his physical and added, "I'm baaaaackkkkkk!"

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1:22 PM PT -- Rob Gronkowski is officially coming back to the NFL -- reuniting with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay ... and the deal should be done in less than 24 hours.

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Gronk had been coy about a possible comeback, but he's made up his mind -- and will return to the league for the 2020 season.

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The issue -- Gronk is still technically a member of the New England Patriots -- but the team has been in contact with the TB Bucs and worked out a deal to ship the future Hall of Fame tight end to Florida.

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The deal ... the Patriots are sending Gronk and a 7th-rounder to Tampa Bay for a 4th-round pick.

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Jay Glazer has already spoken with Gronk ... who says the deal should be wrapped up by Wednesday ... pending the results of a physical.

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Gronk had been dealing with back injuries -- but recently had been bragging about his recovery ... and proved he's back in playing shape by jumping off the Jumbotron at WrestleMania 36 earlier this month in a high-risk stunt.

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Speaking of which, Gronk is the reigning WWE 24/7 Champion -- but we're guessing that won't get in the way of an NFL contract.

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We're guessing it's Tom Brady who pushed for the trade ... the guys have become super-tight friends over their 9 seasons together in NE ... where they won 3 Super Bowls.

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Tampa Bay is quickly becoming the TB Patriots ... all they need now is Julian Edelman.

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Get ready, Tampa!!!

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12:48 PM PT -- IT MIGHT ACTUALLY BE HAPPENING!!!

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Gronk has informed the New England Patriots he's interested in making a return to football with the intention of seeking a trade to play with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

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"The #Patriots and #Bucs have had some communication, from what I’m told," Rapoport added.

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Of course, Gronk and TB12 played together for YEARS in New England ... and became one of the greatest QB-receiver duos EVER.

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And, with the Bucs shopping their current starting tight end O.J. Howard ... there would be room for Gronk if a trade went through.

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It would also make sense for Gronk personally ... as we've previously reported, he's owned property in Florida in the past -- and has spent time in the Tampa area recently for his WWE gig.

Just call Rob Gronkowski the pancake man ... 'cause he's flipping AGAIN on retirement talk -- this time saying he's "not totally done" with football after all!!!

The NFL's greatest-ever tight end has been in a tug-o-war almost since the day he quit the NFL in 2019 ... going back and forth on whether or not he's officially done.

The latest? Gronk told Andy Cohen this week on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen" that a reunion with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay ain't totally out of the question.

"I'm feeling good right now," the Patriots legend said. "I'm happy where I'm at. You just never know, man. You just never know. You never know. I'm not totally done."

Gronk says the only thing that's holding him back is a passion for the game ... adding, "I like to stay in shape, but I've gotta get that feeling back."

Rob retired in March 2019 ... and has said injuries -- including roughly 20 concussions -- played a big role in him calling it a career at the age of 29.

The rumors of a return haven't stopped, though ... with Gronk playing a big role in the whispers -- flipping publicly between "I'm done" and "You never know" often.

As for those close to him ... TMZ Sports spoke with Gronk's brother, Chris, just a few weeks ago, and he said he'd be surprised to see the tight end come back.

032320-chris-gronkowski-kal MARCH 2020
EXPECT TO BE ENTERTAINED

Originally published -- 7:23 AM PT

Chipotle Agrees to Fork Over $25 Million ... For Food Poisoning Cases

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Chipotle may need to start charging even more for guac -- the company is paying the largest fine EVER in a food safety case stemming from more than a thousand instances of food poisoning.

The Justice Department announced Tuesday, Chipotle's been ordered to pay a whopping $25 million fine to settle criminal charges over foodborne illness outbreaks at its restaurants.

You'll recall, more than 1,100 people across the U.S. claimed they got sick from Chipotle restaurants between 2015 and 2018. The feds charged Chipotle with 2 counts of violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for selling tainted food.

According to the DOJ, Chipotle admitted to more than several instances that resulted in outbreaks. For example, in December 2015 an ill employee in Boston was ordered to continue working after vomiting inside the restaurant -- a clear violation of company policy.

The feds say 2 days later, the employee returned to work and helped package a catering order for a Boston College basketball team, whose members were among customers sickened by the outbreak.

Chipotle was also accused of failing to hold food at appropriate temperatures to prevent and control the growth of foodborne pathogens.

Aside from the 8-figure fine, the company also has to be under a food safety compliance program for 3 years.

J Lo & A-Rod Buying the Mets is All About $$$ ... Not a Vanity Purchase

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Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez are angling to join the movement among celebs to own a sports franchise -- like Magic, Jay-Z and Derek Jeter -- but insiders tell us it's strictly a business decision ... and we're told A-Rod has a vision for the New York Mets that will handsomely line his and his fiancee's pockets.

Sources familiar with the deal tell us ... A-Rod's weakness is also his strength -- he knows he doesn't have a background in business so he's going to leave the business part of running the team to people who know better than him. He's more of a "people manager" -- meaning his strength is inspiring players, but he's leaving the business part to people who know better than him.

We're also told A-Rod and J Lo are putting up a relatively small percentage of the cash necessary to make a deal. We're told they're looking for big investors who might put up somewhere between $25 million and $50 mil. At which point they could get financing from a bank for the balance.

As it was put to us ... the Mets have been "so mismanaged" that there is nothing but upside if he can right the organization. The danger -- we're told A-Rod has an interest in working with the players. The conventional wisdom ... Hall of Fame-level players typically screw up when they try to mess with the roster.

Our sources say it all comes down to money. There are reports the Mets are worth around $2.4 billion, but some of the financial people we've spoken with say that's way too high, and the team is worth more in the $1.5 billion range. Hedge fund manager Steve Cohen was previously in negotiations to buy the Mets in a deal valued at $2.6 billion, but that fell apart in February. Lots of people felt the offer was way over market.

As for A-Rod and J Lo, they've reportedly retained JPMorgan Chase to raise capital.

The man in charge of finding the money is JPMorgan Chase managing director Eric Menell, according to Variety.

Menell runs the company's North American media investment banking.

As we previously reported, the Wilpon family -- which currently owns the Mets -- are looking to sell in a big way.

If A-Rod and J Lo DID get the sale, it would be VERY interesting considering Alex played for the rival NY Yankees for years and Lopez brags about being from the Bronx, typically Yankees country.

One person who's NOT interested in buying the Mets -- superfan Jerry Seinfeld, who told us it's too much work!

Jerry Seinfeld
I'LL STAY IN THE BLEACHERS