Chicago House Party Building Owner Cited & Fined ... Adult Son Was to Blame!!!

Published
House Party 4/25/2020
BLIND RAGER

The Chicago house party that streamed live with at least 1,000 guests potentially spreading the coronavirus is gonna cost the building's owner.

TMZ confirmed Chi-Town officials have hit the owner with fines, and cited her for disorderly conduct -- namely, violating the state's stay-at-home orders. The fees will be determined by the court at a later date ... and a city alderman said the owner's been put "on notice."

Reports also say the woman's adult kid was to blame for the dangerous party. Apparently he had keys to the place and disarmed the alarms for the rager. Unclear if his ma knew what he was doing, but officials say he's previously thrown at least one other party this size.

Chicago's mayor, Lori Lightfoot, had some strong words for everyone who attended the event, saying eventually everyone who participated will be held accountable. She hammered the partygoers, saying ... "What happened in that scene was just foolish and reckless. There’s got to be a level of personal responsibility for that. Millennials aren’t children."

Mayor Lightfoot added, "Millennials -- many of `em -- are in their 20’s. They’re fully functioning adults. And, we expect adults to act responsibly -- particularly at a time of a pandemic."

Kim Kardashian Accepts All in Challenge ... Down for Lunch with Me & Krew?!?

Published | Updated
Kim Kardashian
KEEPIN' UP WITH THE CHALLENGE

Kim Kardashian is unleashing her army of followers on the All in Challenge -- which is sure to raise a ton of cash, but it's also setting up one fan with the deal of a lifetime.

Kim accepted Gisele Bündchen's challenge Monday by announcing to her more than 167 MILLION followers on Instagram she's joining the fundraiser to help feed people amid the economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The opportunity's insane -- win lunch at a top spot in L.A. for a winner and a guest with the Kardashian sisters. The deal also includes a 1-night hotel stay and 2 roundtrip coach airfare tickets to L.A. The winner and guest will also be included in the filming of the upcoming season of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians."

As you know by now ... 100% of the proceeds will go to relief efforts through Meals on Wheels America and America's Food Fund, which benefits Feeding America and celebrity chef Jose Andres' remarkable efforts through his World Central Kitchen.

As we reported ... 76ers partner Michael Rubin, who created the All In Challenge, told us he thinks Tom Brady's about to draw a 7-figure donation to the cause thanks to his first-ever game-worn Buccaneers jersey.

BTW, in addition to challenging Kim to join ... Tom's model wife is raffling off a trip to her next Dior photoshoot in NYC.

Things are definitely heating up. 🔥

Coronavirus New Shocking Video of Wet Markets ... Animal Rights Group Demands Shutdown

Published | Updated
042620_wet_market_kal_v2 NEW YORK CITY 4/27/20
HORRIFYING CONDITIONS
UPDATE

12:58 PM PT -- New York State Assemblywoman, Linda Rosenthal -- who's working hard to get wet markets in the Big Apple shut down -- tells TMZ ... "COVID-19 is an unprecedented public health crisis, and it demands, at the very least, that we take a close look at what we can do to prevent the next pandemic. Top among our priorities must be closing New York’s unsanitary live markets, that’s why I will be introducing legislation in the coming days to do just that."

UPDATE

She goes on to say these slaughterhouses are operating smack-dab in the middle of residential neighborhoods -- where kids and families are -- with little to no oversight and not to mention without following basic sanitary standards, which is a huge problem for her.

UPDATE

Rosenthal finishes by saying, "Given the poor conditions, it’s no wonder that COVID-19 and other deadly zoonotic diseases before it originated in live markets. We have a responsibility to save lives by closing the live markets now."

Forget the danger wet markets pose in China ... there are 80 of these markets in New York City -- the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic -- and the animal rights group that shot this shocking, undercover video says the images make it clear ... they need to be shut down.

NYCLASS Executive Director, Edita Birnkrant, went on "TMZ Live" Monday and said 2 of the markets are in the Bronx and Queens ... packed to the gills with caged live fowl ... many of which were being mercilessly tossed into a trash can by one of the workers, who was plucking them out for slaughter.

Edita says these markets -- which many scientists say could have caused the outbreak out in Wuhan, China -- are NOT foreign to the States ... they're everywhere, and they pose a massive health risk to the public as breeding grounds for infectious diseases.

She goes on to explain NY State Assemblywoman, Linda Rosenthal, is whipping up legislation to get these animal sweatshops closed down for good in New York, and similar efforts are underway here in California. Edita tells us it's well overdue -- and while it, unfortunately, took a pandemic to bring attention to the unsanitary (not to mention inhumane) ways these curbside factory farms run ... it's good folks are paying attention now.

Bottom line ... wet markets leave behind blood, feces, limbs and other potentially harmful remnants, which we don't need flooding our streets right now. Can't ignore this anymore.

Originally Published -- 11:25 AM PT

LaMelo, Lonzo And Gelo Ball We're Signing To The Roc!!! Repped By Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports

Published | Updated

The Ball Brothers are joining a new family -- the Roc Nation Sports fam -- with LaMelo, Lonzo AND LiAngelo Ball all planning to sign with Jay-Z's sports management company.

Melo's business partner, Jermaine Jackson, went public with the decision on Monday ... saying the whole family is on board.

"This was a family decision," Jackson said in an interview with ESPN. "This is now an extended family. They put together a beautiful game plan with Jay-Z."

Jackson says the family had been shopping for an agency and spoke with "several agents" -- but ultimately, "The family had good vibes with Roc Nation."

Jackson added ... "I've known Jay-Z since I played for the Knicks, but this is what the kids wanted to do. Jay-Z is a master at what he does. He's global. It's power beyond power."

Roc Nation will take the lead on marketing deals for the Ball bros -- including LaMelo's shoe deal.

Of course, LaVar Ball has put tons of work into rebuilding the Big Baller Brand ... but Jay-Z is the creative director for Puma Basketball ... so it'll be interesting to see how that shakes out.

Jackson says there are multiple sneaker companies targeting Melo -- a top 2020 NBA Draft prospect.

"He's still wide open," Jackson said ... "He hasn't signed with anyone. Everyone is kicking in the door. Melo is open to whatever. With this pandemic going on, we don't know what things are going to look like."

The Ball Bros join a HUGE roster of sports superstars signed to Hov's agency ... including Kyrie Irving, Jaire Alexander, Spencer Dinwiddie and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Jay-Z has been a longtime supporter of the Big Baller Brand -- he was one of the first big stars to say he bought the $495-per-pair ZO2s when they launched a few years back.

Kristin Cavallari, Jay Cutler Kristin Accuses Jay of 'Marital Misconduct' in Divorce

Published | Updated
UPDATE

8:03 AM PT -- 4/27 -- Kristin has filed legal docs, obtained by TMZ, in which she alleges "misconduct" on the part of Jay and claims that's what triggered the divorce. She says Jay "is guilty of such inappropriate marital conduct as renders further cohabitation unsafe and improper."

UPDATE

It's puzzling because Kristin also insinuates Jay has accused her of misconduct ... "any misconduct alleged or implied against her in the complaint for divorce was in response to and/or as a result of misconduct on behalf of the Husband." Jay, who filed for divorce, never mentioned "misconduct" against Kristin in his petition.

UPDATE

Kristin is asking for primary physical custody and wants Jay to have visitation. He wants joint custody of their 3 kids.

UPDATE

She also wants child support and wants Jay to pay for their kids' health insurance and maintain a life insurance policy where she is listed as sole beneficiary.

UPDATE

Kristin says the grounds for divorce are both "inappropriate marital conduct" and "irreconcilable differences." Something must have happened during their quarantine, because Kristin lists the date of separation as April 7, the day they came back from the Bahamas. Jay lists the date of separation as April 21.

UPDATE

She's asking for primary custody, claiming Jay has been something of an absentee father ... "She denies that Husband has always been the available at home parent and primary caretaker of the parties' minor children. Wife would show that she has been the primary residential parent ..." Jay says in his petition, "Husband has always been the available at-home parent and the primary caretaker of the parties minor children."

Kristin Cavallari just dropped some sad and actually shocking news ... she and Jay Cutler are throwing in the towel on their decade-long relationship.

Kristin just said, "With great sadness, after 10 years together we have come to a loving conclusion to get a divorce.  We have nothing but love and respect for one another and are deeply grateful for the years shared, memories made, and the children we are so proud of."

She wanted to make it clear ... nothing untoward happened -- "This is just the situation of two people growing apart."

Kristin and Jay met during a Chicago Bears preseason game back in 2010. They married in 2013. They had a son, Camden Jack, who was born in 2012 and another son, Jaxon Wyatt, who was born in 2014, followed by a daughter, Saylor James, born the following year.

This isn't the first split for the couple, remember back in 2011 Culter called off their engagement. However, they reconciled and got married in June 2013.

Both Kristin and Jay have been super successful. Obviously, he made a fortune -- $122 mil -- QB'ing for the Bears and the Miami Dolphins, and she's got a reality show, a jewelry company and lots of other stuff.

They were really a fun couple ... notably, Kristin showed off Jay's butt during a vacation.

They live in Nashville, but they were chronicling their self-isolation in the Bahamas over the last few weeks with their kids. They couldn't get a flight off the island. They finally went home last Monday.

Originally Published -- 4/26 10:27 AM PT

Kylie Jenner Check Out My $36.5 Million Estate ... New Pics!!!

Published | Updated

Kylie Jenner has just expanded her empire ... because TMZ has learned she just bought a massive, new estate in one of the best areas of L.A., with a price tag of $36.5 million.

It's an interesting move because Kylie's become something of a land baroness in Calabasas, but this is miles away in the heart of L.A. -- Holmby Hills.

The house is 15,350 square feet and it's billed as a resort compound. It's a single-story, modern compound with a dedicated guardhouse. The house has a chef's kitchen, an outdoor projection screen, home theatre, bars and game rooms, a gym and a championship-level sports court with pickleball/basketball.

The house also has 2 guest apartments, so she's got ya, Stassi.

Kylie negotiated well ... the house was listed at $45 mil.

The seller has a connection to Kylie. He also sold her land in the Palm Springs area where she's building a home.

Originally Published -- 4/24 3:10 PM

Tulane's Teshaun Hightower Arrested For Murder Attorney Claims Innocence

Published | Updated
UPDATE

4:30 PM PT -- Hightower's attorney is vehemently denying his client was the shooter ... claiming it was his brother, Jeffery, who fired the gun out of self-defense.

UPDATE

"(Teshaun is) innocent," attorney Averick Walker tells ESPN. "He didn't shoot anybody."

UPDATE

"It's sad that this detective sought to make him out to be a monster and he's not. When it's all said and done, it will come out in the wash that the person who did fire the gun shot the gun to protect Teshaun."

UPDATE

The attorney claims the victim came out of the house with a gun pointed at Teshaun ... and Jeffery took action.

UPDATE

"That's why the victim was shot himself."

UPDATE

9:07 AM PT -- Cops have just released more information on the shooting to TMZ Sports ... saying Hightower and 5 other men showed up at the victim's house at around 10:49 AM on April 8.

UPDATE

A spokesperson for the Henry County Police Department tells us a dispute broke out shortly after they arrived ... and gunshots were fired.

UPDATE

Law enforcement officials add the victim, ID'd as 24-year-old Devante Long, was struck by the gunfire and rushed to the hospital ... where he later died.

UPDATE

Cops say five of the six suspects in the case have been arrested.

Teshaun Hightower -- a Tulane men's basketball star who just declared for the 2020 NBA Draft -- was arrested this weekend for felony murder, records show.

Officials believe the 22-year-old is involved in the April 8 shooting death of a man in Stockbridge, GA. Cops say the Green Wave star is one of six people who they believe contributed to the murder.

Law enforcement has not yet released further details surrounding the shooting.

Hightower was arrested Saturday at 9:50 PM, according to jail records, and was booked on 8 charges, including felony murder and felony aggravated assault. No bond was listed for the NCAA star.

Tulane announced in a statement shortly after his arrest, "Upon learning of Teshaun’s arrest this afternoon, he was immediately dismissed from the Tulane basketball program."

Hightower had just declared himself eligible for the NBA draft on April 18 ... this after he posted a monster season in 2019-20.

The shooting guard/point guard started 29 games for the Green Wave, averaged 34.3 minutes per game and posted a team-high 15.9 points per game.

Hightower also logged 4.6 rebounds per game ... and had intended to come back to the school if his NBA draft prospects weren't favorable.

Originally Published -- 6:31 AM PT

'Duck Dynasty' Willie Robertson Drive-By Shooting Suspect Arrested ... Allegedly Drinking Vodka During Incident

Published | Updated
UPDATE

10:03 AM PT -- According to a police affidavit, the officer claims King was the passenger in a white Ford F-250 and in possession of a .380 caliber. According to the docs, a juvenile witness in the car told cops King did, in fact, put the gun out the window and fired multiple rounds from the moving vehicle.

UPDATE

The officer claims King admitted he was the shooter and adds King said, “he was attempting to see if the gun was on safety or no." And, get this ... the officer also claims King admitted he "had been drinking Vodka during this incident.”

UPDATE

6:26 AM PT -- 4/27 -- Daniel Dean King has been arrested in connection with the alleged drive-by shooting and taken to Ouachita Correctional Center ... TMZ has confirmed. King was booked on 1 count of felony assault by drive-by shooting and 1 count of misdemeanor criminal neglect of family. His bond's been set at $150k.

UPDATE
UPDATE

3:35 PM PT -- TMZ has gotten a hold of a still shot from the surveillance footage that captured the suspected drive-by vehicle in action, and it looks like it's built for heavy-duty driving.

UPDATE
UPDATE

As you can see, it's one of those lifted pickups ... and you can even see it's got a license plate on the front, but it's hard to make out. The Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office tells TMZ ... it was actually two different properties at the same address that were fired upon on, not just one. Sounds like he has multiple homes on the property.

UPDATE

We're also told no arrests have been yet, and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with relevant information is asked to call 318-329-1200.

"Duck Dynasty" star Willie Robertson's home was the center of a massive shooting this week, where someone drove by and sprayed his home with bullets ... in broad daylight.

The drive-by took place Friday at Willie's estate in West Monroe, Louisiana -- where several of his family members are staying right now during the coronavirus, including his wife, Korie, his son, John Luke, and his wife and infant child ... as well as Willie's daughter, Sadie, and her own husband. He told local media 8 to 10 bullets hit the home.

Luckily, nobody was harmed during the shooting -- for which Willie himself says he was out at the store at the time -- but one bullet went through a window. He says witnesses told them a truck drove up to their gated property and just started shooting.

Willie says he's pretty sure whoever it was, they knew they were firing upon his place specifically, although he didn't elaborate on why beyond that. He also says his family saw the suspected vehicle drive by at least once before unloading in the middle of the day at 2:33 PM.

The truck in question is described as a white on brown Ford F-250 pickup with large aftermarket tires and rims. The driver was described as a white male in his 20s, and other passengers were said to be inside as well. The truck was reportedly caught on surveillance video. Cops are investigating, and Willie says he's in close contact with investigators.

Originally Published -- 4/26 2:39 PM PT

NYC Wet Markets Still Up and Running, Live Fowl ... Bad Idea, No???

Published | Updated
042620_wet_market_kal_v2 NEW YORK CITY 4/27/20
HORRIFYING CONDITIONS

Here's a sneak peek at a wet market with live poultry, which might remind you of something you'd see in China ... even though it's right here in our own backyard.

This footage was shot at two different wet/live animal markets in NYC -- one is called One-Stop "Vivero" Live Poultry Market in the Bronx and another is called Flushing Live Poultry in Queens. Both are currently open and operational, killing and selling the chickens and meat in the same location -- with what appears to be little regulation.

In the clip, you see a woman walking in without any trouble and getting up-close shots of chickens crammed in cages ... and she asks the workers if they're open. They say yes. Later in the video, you see pigeons are also cooped up in the same small space -- there are feathers and feces everywhere ... frankly, it's gross and definitely NOT sanitary.

Now, a little context ... the video here was shot by an animal rights org called NYCLASS, and they tell us there are more than 80 wet markets in the New York area ... which haven't seen increased oversight since the pandemic began ... they don't fall under the NYC Dept. of Health's purview. Instead, these wet markets fall under the USDA and State Agriculture Dept. ... state and federal orgs, which NYCLASS believes poorly manage these markets.

Of course, its reminiscent of the wet markets in China -- where some scientists believe the coronavirus pandemic got started. Some reports suggest bats were at the center of this, but all the same ... having live animals exposed in markets like this ain't healthy.

Of these markets, NYCLASS executive director, Edita Birnkrant, says ... "Their existence poses a public safety risk to the New Yorkers who live and work in these areas. Market floors and even public sidewalks are often covered with blood, feces and other biohazards that put everyone in danger."

State reps in CA and NY are working on legislation to get them shut down.