Detroit Cop Shoots, Kills Fenced-In Dog ... Police Dept. Sides with Cop

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UPDATE

3:14 PM PT -- The Detroit PD just told us, the officer who shot the dog did nothing wrong. They say the cop was looking for a gun an armed suspect had discarded, and was with her police dog that was on a leash. Short story -- the law required the cop to control her dog and stay away from a fence where a dog was legally on the other side -- contained on its property, but she didn't and the dogs began fighting.

UPDATE

The PD says the only way the cop could extricate her dog from the pitbull's mouth was to shoot it. The law couldn't be clearer -- the cop -- who had her dog on a leash -- did not have control of her dog, because she should have kept it away from the fence. And, get this ... the PD is saying the fence was illegally constructed ... as if that mattered.

UPDATE

6:52 PM PT -- Bottom line ... this was a tragedy on all sides of the fence. The police officer's dog was badly hurt and we're told she is distraught over the whole incident. She clearly did not intend for the dogs to fight, so it's sad all around.

A police officer caught on camera shooting and killing a fenced-in dog on its own property after it tangled with her own K-9 through a gate ... and the footage is horrible.

This incident was captured on a home security cam somewhere in Detroit, and it shows a medium-sized white pooch on his property behind a fence, following a cop and her K-9 walking on the sidewalk ... until they reach the end, and the two dogs get into it.

From the looks of the clip, it appears the cop did not have control of her dog ... and its snout gets latched onto by the white one through the rails. Rather than try to pull her dog away -- or literally anything else at all -- the officer is seen pulling out a weapon of some sort and discharging it right in the white dog's face.

People online are claiming she shot it with her gun, and that the dog died. Before that, however, you can see it twitching violently on the ground as other officers surround the scene. The video cuts shortly after that.

At a bare minimum, the cop is in clear violation of the leash law ... the dog was on a leash, but the officer did not adequately control the animal by keeping it away from the fence.

But, it's already catching national attention -- ex-Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro is demanding answers and accountability ... as are many others.

Originally published -- 12:33 PM PT

Georgia Cop Tasers Black Woman ... Fired for Conduct, Broke Dept. Values

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THE BRUTAL TAKEDOWN

The Georgia police officer who used his Taser on a Black woman and continued to use what many consider excessive force afterward is now without a job ... according to his bosses.

Officer Michael Oxford was terminated this week from his job at the Gwinnett County Police Dept. after viral video surfaced showing him tasing and forcibly arresting an African-American woman on her front porch while surrounded by family members.

GCPD says they canned Oxford Friday for conduct they considered to go against their core values -- even though they do say he was technically in the right to try and arrest the woman, Kyndesia Smith. She was reported as a potential suspect who'd allegedly vandalized a neighbor's car and threatened them and their kid ... Oxford responded to check it out.

The department writes that while Oxford did have probable cause to detain and arrest Smith for obstruction of a law enforcement officer, they disagreed with how he went about doing it ... despite them saying his use of force was within their policy. Seemingly contradictory, but the bottom line here ... he didn't take the proper steps to try and keep the peace.

GCPD says their investigation looked into whether proper de-escalation techniques were used and whether Oxford had violated their standards in handling things. They add, "Our policy states that each member of this department shall consider it his or her duty to be of service to the general public and to render that service in a kind, considerate, and patient manner." Basically, they're saying he went above and beyond to be a jerk.

Another telling line from the department ... "One of our core values is courtesy. We strive to conduct ourselves in a manner that promotes mutual respect with the community and our peers." They went on to say that Oxford simply didn't meet that, so they cut him loose.

Smith was ultimately booked for simple battery against an officer and willful obstruction of law enforcement. Unclear if she was even involved in the initial incident that sparked this.

AOC on USPS Appreciate the Spirit, Cher But Do This Instead of Volunteering!!!

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SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is back in town to help save the Postal Service from being gutted -- and she's got a word of advice for those who wanna help, including Cher.

We got AOC Saturday on Capitol Hill, where she and other House Dems convened a rare session to pass a $25B emergency relief bill to keep the tattered USPS intact through November ... this after alleged attempts at dismantling under the Trump administration.

She tells us what her party wants to see with the money they hope to get passed -- and it goes beyond just stopping any more drastic changes than what has reportedly taken place ... AKA, removing mailboxes and sorting machines, cutting overtime for employees, etc.

AOC says this bill seeks to bring all of those things BACK to handle the influx of mail-in ballots and other Postal Service products people usually expect to be up and running ... especially ahead of a crucial presidential election. Time will tell if it passes the Senate.

Now, as for what people can do on the ground to help the cause -- like Cher recently expressed interest in doing -- Rep. Ocasio-Cortez keeps it real ... but practical too.

Volunteering probably ain't it when it comes to assistance, but there's something else she says we all can afford our mailmen and small business alike. Hint ... it's a virtue 😉

Ireland Baldwin Attacked by Crazed Lady 'On Drugs' ... Pics of Bruised Up Face

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Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger's daughter, Ireland Baldwin, says she got roughed up by an alleged druggie who beat her and robbed her ... but luckily, this story has a just ending.

The model posted two gnarly photos of her injuries this weekend, and they show just how bad the attack really was out in NYC. Her entire right side is completely bruised ... it looks like the woman left behind a massive shiner with what Ireland describes as a sucker punch.

She writes, "Yesterday in the late afternoon, I was attacked by a woman who was high out of her mind on drugs and desperate for cash," adding," She decked me in my face in a parking lot and took my belongings and jumped in a getaway car while her husband took off."

It appears the case is well on its way to justice -- Ireland says she alerted cops and they've already made an arrest. She also says police told her this is happening quite a bit these days since folks are strapped for money during the pandemic, and resorting to violence.

Ireland says she posted this just as a warning to others that they should be mindful of their surroundings. She finished her thoughts with, "These are really difficult times and we need to look out for one another."

Well said, IB. Feel better ...

LeBron James Plays Up 'It's Our Ball' Viral Moment ... Funniest Caption Ever

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LeBron James could quit the NBA and get hired as a caption editor somewhere -- 'cause he knows a funny clip of himself when he sees one, and what to say about it too.

The King played up a viral moment that was captured during Thursday's game between the Lakers and the Blazers -- during which a hyped up LeBron got up from the bench after realizing it was his team's ball after a play by Damian Lillard. It goes from 0-100 real quick.

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Watch ... LeBron -- at first, not sure if it is in fact the Lakers' ball -- questions whether they get the possession or not. He soon realizes it may, in fact, be their ball and jumps up from his seat on the bench and starts screaming it with certainty, and all the Lakers agree.

It was hilarious to see it live during the game, especially since LBJ was mic'd up and his enthusiasm came through so clearly on TV sets at home. Well, LeBron took notice of the memes and jokes ... and did one himself that takes the cake.

He captioned the clip, "How you act when someone take your ball at the park when you with your suburban white friends COMPARED to when you’re with your friends from the hood! 🤣🤣🤣🤣."

His words got rave reviews ... celebs like Quavo, DaBaby, Jamie Foxx and Steph Curry and others approved in the comments with a ton of laughing emojis. Good one, Bron!

Coronavirus Germany Experiments with Indoor Concerts ... How Many Volunteers Will Get Sick?!?

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This is both frightening and interesting ... Germany is putting thousands of volunteers in harm's way in the middle of the pandemic, to see if indoor events -- like concerts --can resume.

The research study -- sanctioned by the government -- solicited 4,000 folks between the ages of 18 and 50 ... all of whom are healthy. They have agreed to attend one of 3 concerts performed by singer Tim Bendzko.

The stated purpose of the concerts ... "to investigate the conditions under which such events can be carried out despite the pandemic."

The volunteers will get face masks and they will have tracking devices to determine if they have socially distanced and if not ... how close they got to others. They are also using some sort of electronic device which is supposed to show how aerosolized particles spread.

The first concert went down Saturday in Leipzig, Germany, where 2,000 people showed up.

The Minister of Economics and Science said, "As long as there is a risk of infection, major concerts, trade fairs and sporting events cannot take place. This is why it is so important to find out which technical and orginisational conditions can effectively minimise the risks."

You know who will surely be watching.

MGK Cowabunga, Dude!!! ... Wakesurfing in Lake Powell

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Machine Gun Kelly has mad skills on a wakeboard ... as he proved Friday on a famous Utah lake.

MGK and his daughter were vacationing at Lake Powell, and Dad showed off his moves behind a boat that created a respectable wake.

He's up for a while before eating it, but he definitely wins bragging rights. It's pretty impressive.

It's unclear if MGK's GF, Megan Fox, joined him and his 11-year-old daughter on the trip. BTW, if you haven't been to Lake Powell, put it on your list. The scenery is indescribable.

Anyway ... fun video.

Black Lives Matter Police Shoot and Kill Black Man ... As He Walks Away from Them

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UPDATE

8:56 AM PT -- The police department said the shots were fired just as the victim was about to enter the convenience store, armed with a knife. What they did not explain ... why 11 shots?

A Black man was fatally shot and killed by cops -- shot 11 times -- as he walked away from them, and it was all caught on video.

The man was at a gas station in Lafayette, Louisiana when someone called police to report a disturbance. At least half a dozen police arrived, and according to the eyewitness --who shot the video -- he appeared to be holding a knife.

You hear cops order the man on the ground, but he continues to walk. The woman who shot the video says she saw police tase him, but he was still upright.

As the man reaches the door of the gas station convenience store, shots ring out -- 11 shots, and the man is dead.

A spokesperson from the Louisiana State Police says the man was involved in an altercation in an intersection. It's unclear from police reports, but it appears cops may have followed the man for half a mile before the fatal encounter at the gas station.

The officers have all been placed on administrative leave with pay pending an investigation.

Originally Published -- 6:23 AM PT

California Wildfires Driver Perilously Tries to Escape Flames

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California is on fire ... and these images show the panic, desperation and sheer scope of the tragedy.

Check out this dash cam footage from the Hennessy fire in Northern California's Napa County, which has burned around 200,000 acres and is only 7% contained.

The car is barreling down the road, flanked by flames that are almost licking the vehicle as the driver tries to escape.  Among the dangers ... trees toppling to the ground after being engulfed in flames.

There are around 560 flames burning in the state ... many started by some of the nearly 12,000 lightning strikes.  There are thunderstorms all around Northern Cal and sweltering temps, making firefighting next to impossible.

The scope of the fires is unprecedented, and, as Governor Newsom said during the DNC ... it underscores the climate crisis.

And in the Gulf of Mexico ... there are 2 tropical storms converging on the Gulf at the same time ... something that has never been seen before in the area.

Kendall and Devin Out on the Town Again ... 'Just Friends' Theory Further Tested

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Kendall Jenner and Devin Booker were out again Friday night, making it hard to believe it's just a friendship thing.

They looked super stylish leaving the super exclusive Giorgio Baldi restaurant in Santa Monica.

They've been out on the town since Devin left the Orlando bubble a week ago. His first stop -- Nobu in Malibu with ... Kendall Jenner.

They were also seen on the beach in the 'Bu this week, and it looked pretty cozy.

With road trips, dinners, beach excursions, even ordinary things like taking Devin's dog to the vet ... not that tough to connect the dots.

Of all the Kardashians, Kendall's far and away the most private, and it's not like she's flaunting it now.  Nevertheless, it sure seems Kendall and Devin are a thing.

John Travolta Dances with Daughter ... In Honor of Kelly

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John Travolta paid homage to his late wife, Kelly Preston, Friday, with the help of their daughter.

John and 20-year-old Ella hit the dance floor ... something John says was Kelly's favorite thing ... dancing with him.

As we reported, Kelly died last month after a 2-year, very private battle with breast cancer. She was only 57 when she passed away. She and John were married for nearly 29 years.

John posted, "My daughter @ella.travolta and I dancing in memory of momma. One of Kelly's favorite things, dancing with me."

John and Kelly had 3 kids together ... Jett, Ella Blue and Benjamin. Jett died tragically in 2009, after suffering a seizure.

Watching the video is both sweet and sad.

TikTok Star Bryce Hall I Regret the Rager I Threw ... Power Deserved to Be Shut Off

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POWER TO the people ... except me

TikTok star Bryce Hall is owning his mistakes because he says squarely ... he wishes he would never have thrown the wild party that pissed off L.A.'s Mayor so much, the power to the house got shut off.

Bryce was leaving BOA restaurant in WeHo Friday night when our photog asked about the rager he threw that was packed with people who weren't wearing masks or social distancing.

Bryce, who threw the bash to celebrate his 21st birthday, told our photog he didn't need time to reflect ... he knew it was wrong when it was happening.

Mayor Eric Garcetti was enraged, saying, "This house has turned into a nightclub in the hills, hosting large gatherings in flagrant violation of our public health orders." The house went dark Wednesday.

It appears the house was not owned by Bryce ... it was a party house that the owner rents out. Not anymore ... at least for now.

Bryce has no beef with the Mayor, although he thinks a boxing match might be in order. Careful, Bryce ... the Mayor's pretty scrappy.

Coronavirus Woman booted off plane ... Weirdly screams, 'Racism at its best'

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A passenger on a commercial airliner was booted off the plane, but not before making a bizarre exit. With the parting words, "racism at its best."

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It's unclear why the woman and her daughter were removed from the flight, but judging from the video it would appear it's because they weren't wearing masks. It looks like the woman has a mask on her arm, but she and her daughter are both maskless when they de-plane.

Now the weird part ... she screams, "racism at its best" in the direction of a woman who is videotaping her. The woman shooting video is white, so it's puzzling. Then again, trying to make sense of this woman may be a futile task.

Her daughter stops as shes being removed to blast the videographer, saying, "Don't talk to my mother like that."

It's unclear what the woman who was videotaping might have said ... but the whole thing is nonsensical. That said, it's just another example of people in the pandemic looking for a fight.

Kanye West Bad News for Presidential Run Key Deadline Missed

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Kanye West may have missed another important deadline in his presidential run, and this one certainly suggests his campaign is on the rocks.

Kanye, the presidential candidate, is required by FEC rules to file a financial report if he raises or spends $100k on his campaign.

The filing deadline was August 20, but according to an FEC official ... the agency hasn't received it.

So this means one of 2 things, and neither is good for Kanye -- either he missed the filing deadline or he didn't raise $100k ... and how do you run for Prez if you can't raise $100k?

As we reported, Kanye really ramped up his campaign in late July after his off-the-rails rally in South Carolina, hiring a third-party group called Let the Voters Decide to help get him on the ballot in several states.  He's also hired a team of political advisors.

Ye spent at least $30k to get on the ballot in Illinois ... but it didn't pay off.

We've reached out to Kanye's team ... no word back so far.

Naya Rivera Lake Where She Drowned Reopens ... No Swimming Allowed

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The SoCal lake where Naya Rivera was found dead after drowning is open to the public again, but her tragedy is having an impact on operations there.

TMZ's learned Lake Piru reopened Thursday, 43 days after the "Glee" star went out for a day of boating and swimming with her son. The man-made reservoir had been off-limits since Naya went missing. After authorities recovered her body, the lake remained closed as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified in L.A. County.

Now that the public can return there are restrictions. For starters, swimming is absolutely banned. Lake officials say that's due to COVID-19, but locals tell us they believe the ban is really about Naya's drowning.

As we reported ... more than 12,000 people signed a petition demanding more effective warnings to swimmers about debris under the water's surface.

As for boating on the lake ... that's back in full swing, along with picnicking, hiking and fishing.

However, the pontoon Naya rented on the night she went missing has been taken out of the fleet and it's been placed in storage.

Remember ... locals had reason to be concerned. Naya's drowning is the 9th death at Lake Piru since 1994.

Stars and Scars You Be the Judge

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The Dems had some strong moments this week ... Lori Loughlin, on the other hand, has definitely had better weeks. So we gotta ask ...