Taco Bell 2 little girls use Wi-Fi for school Get Help from Community
4:55 PM PT -- In a previous version of this story, a social media post stated the children were almost taken from the mother by local law enforcement for possible child endangerment and neglect.
A rep for the Salinas Police Department says that was inaccurate. The rep states, "The Salinas Police Department has never responded to the residence where the two girls live, and the Salinas Police Department had no contact with the mother regarding child endangerment, welfare check, or any other type of call for service."
They continue, "This family has endured a lot and it is fantastic that the community is willing and able to help."
A Taco Bell proved critical for two little girls who were briefly using its Wi-Fi for school -- something that sparked some true help from the community.
A photo of two young girls sitting outside of a Taco Bell in Salinas, CA -- just outside of Monterey -- recently went viral ... which shows them plopped down on the concrete with their laptops and notepads out, while two TB employees come out to talk to them. It's quite sad.
Two students sit outside a Taco Bell to use Wi-Fi so they can 'go to school' online.
— Kevin de Leόn (@kdeleon) August 28, 2020 @kdeleon
This is California, home to Silicon Valley...but where the digital divide is as deep as ever.
Where 40% of all Latinos don't have internet access. This generation deserves better. pic.twitter.com/iJPXvcxsLQ
The photo prompted a two-pronged response -- one group was utterly outraged at the lack of resources these kids had, understanding this is the best they could do in a desperate situation. On the other hand, some folks were concerned ... thinking it was neglect.
On that first part, a handful of elected officials spoke out on the photo ... pointing out the digital divide among certain underrepresented communities. Salinas City Elementary School District copped to the fact the kids were their students and said they were already working to remedy the situation by providing them a hot spot with internet access.
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The fam was allegedly about to be made homeless by their landlord because of renovations scheduled on their unit.
Fortunately, enough people in the community pulled resources together and put them up in a hotel for the time being while they get back on their feet. They've even started a GoFundMe for them too.
Originally published -- 7:10 AM PT
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Meghan and Harry Montecito Move Causes Headaches ... New Neighbors Already Fed Up
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Here's what Montecito residents are finding out about their new neighbors, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ... wherever they go, tourists, helicopters and paparazzi follow.
The quiet little town outside Santa Barbara is still buzzing about its newest residents, who moved into a multi-million dollar mansion, but some locals are already getting fed up with the area's new normal.
Harry and Meghan haven't even been seen in public, and their mere presence is driving folks wild ... not because of them, but because of the influx of paparazzi on the hunt for the shot.
The scene on the ground is pretty hectic, especially for an affluent area that's supposed to be an enclave for celebs looking to escape the limelight ... choppers are zooming over Harry and Meghan's hood, sometimes 4 times a day, and paps are staking out their home and a nearby shopping center.
The wayward royals are also attracting tourists ... we're told more visitors are showing up in town and asking local shop owners if they've seen Harry and Meghan.
Montecito is famously known as a no-paparazzi zone -- Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah, Rob Lowe, Carol Burnett, Jane Lynch and the Kardashians have no problem dining out and shopping in on the low -- but everything's changed since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved in.
Most locals tell us they want the paps to give it a rest, because they feel things are getting to the point where everyone's privacy is being compromised, and they're super annoyed.
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As we reported ... Harry and Meghan surfaced in Los Angeles last week, working with a charity to help children in need ... but they still haven't been seen in Montecito.
Locals are bracing for the worst ... they're expecting Harry and Meghan to finally venture out after the pandemic, which they fear will amp things up in a big way.
Word to the wise ... if you visit Montecito, don't regurgitate anything you read about Harry and Megan putting the town on the map. Locals say it's been a high-society town long before the royals came knocking.
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Tony Hawk Got McTwist?!? Pulls Stunt While Holding Glass of Milk!!!
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Did Tony Hawk just one-up Katie Ledecky?!
The skate legend is now part of the new viral Got Milk ad campaign -- and man, the milk people are getting their money's worth!!
After Ledecky swam across a pool with a glass of milk on her head -- and didn't spill a drop -- Hawk decided to take the moo juice to the skate ramp!
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Hawk bombed down while holding the glass of milk -- pulled off a McTwist -- and just like Katie, NO SPILLAGE!
Hawk explained how the trick came to be ... noting he was inspired by the U.S. Olympic swimmer.
"Inspired by @katieledecky, I tried to do a bunch of basic tricks without spilling to little success," Hawk said.
"So I tried this as a joke... and it worked (yes, it’s real). Got McTwist?"
They're calling it the #GotMilkChallenge -- and it's one of the best ad campaigns we've seen in a while.
Hell, with all of the "Hamilton" hype these days, they probably could have just brought back that famous Aaron Burr ad ... but we're glad they're innovating.
Who's thirsty?
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British Prankster Backlash Over Prank Too Far ... Dyed GF's Skin Blue!!!
A British TikTok and YouTube star totally blue it with his latest stunt he pulled on his GF ... and while he thinks it's hilarious, he's getting a ton of backlash from just about everyone else.
Kristen Hanby "pranked" his girlfriend, Jasmine Woodward, by pouring a bunch of blue fabric dye in her bath ... which, of course, left her looking like Smurfette.
After sharing the video of himself cracking up while pulling off the bathtub prank with his millions of followers, Hanby sparked outrage as many felt it was just plain stupid at best ... or totally humiliating to Jasmine, at worst.
Many pointed out the harmful effects the dye could have on Jasmine -- both physically and mentally -- and called it "low-key abuse" instead of a good-humored prank.
Others pointed out even if the prank was fake or Jasmine was in on it -- as she's been for several other Hanby vids -- pranks like this normalize hurtful behavior that clearly oversteps personal boundaries.
So, what do you think?
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White Cop Suspended for Repeating N-Word ... Rant Caught on Video
A white police officer in South Carolina dropped the n-word twice during an absurd argument -- claiming he was justified to say it because a Black man used it, and now he's been suspended.
The cop -- Sgt. Chad Walker -- went on a tirade against a group of patrons outside a bar Saturday night after being called out for the way he was treating some of the people of color ... specifically, the Black guy he claims called him the n-word.
After loudly repeating the n-word twice, Sgt. Walker doubles down on his belief it's okay for him to say it ... despite protests from the crowd for him to stop saying it. He was finally led away by another cop.
The full body cam footage shows Sgt. Chad in the bar, ordering a few patrons to put their drinks down and leave or face arrest ... while enforcing the governor's order to stop serving alcohol at 11 PM amid the coronavirus pandemic.
As one table leaves, the cop accuses the Black man in the video of being "colorblind" for directing the n-word at him, though it's not clear that he did.
Sgt. Walker's been suspended by the Columbia PD and its Chief has apologized, saying the officer failed to fulfill the standards of the department.
The Chief added ... "The repetition of the racial slur and failure to de-escalate the situation were inexcusable." Sgt. Walker will remain on suspension until the department concludes his disciplinary conduct review.
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Alaskan Anti-Masker Epic Meltdown at Walmart Staff ... 'You Cannot Stop Me!!!'
An Alaskan who refused to wear a mask at his local Walmart didn't go quietly ... he left the building practically kicking and screaming -- and it's absolutely bonkers.
Check out this guy -- a Texas Longhorns fan, no less -- being escorted out of a Walmart last week in Anchorage, where he tried doing a little shopping without a face covering. That's a big no-no at just about any establishment these days, so the staff asked him to leave.
Just as he was getting near the door, this old fella completely lost it and started screaming in people's faces at the top of his lungs ... with droplets of spit presumably launching in the air.
He starts talking about his rights as a consumer and how they can't refuse his business -- certainly they can -- but then goes on this whole thing about they aren't going to stop him from yelling. A real freedom fighter this one is ... he even squares up a few times to a couple of staffers, one of whom is a woman -- who completely kept her cool. Well done.
One last thing -- before he eventually storms out, he tells the Walmart crew they can get back on their highway to hell ... and to get out of a godly man's face.
Living easy, living free ... season ticket on a one-way ride!!! Damn, now we got it stuck in our heads too.
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Rapper G Herbo 'Police Want To Kill You' ... Be Extra Careful, Kids
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G Herbo says the police will kill black people at any moment ... and he's warning black youth to learn this lesson early so they know how to act in certain situations.
We got the Chicago rapper Friday at LAX and asked how he's coping with the Jacob Blake shooting, and how it's affecting black kids across the country.
8/23/20
G Herbo says there's a harsh reality to be learned from what happened in Kenosha and elsewhere -- he says cops want to kill black people, so you gotta take that into account during interactions with them.
The way G Herbo sees it ... the only way to solve the problem is to face the facts ... he says black people are at a disadvantage in dealing with police, and they've got to realize the odds are stacked against them if they want to survive.
It's a concept that's sobering and really tough for a lot of folks to fully understand ... but G Herbo says kids are better off learning early that it's better not to tempt cops into doing something he thinks they really want to do -- kill.
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The Weeknd Demands Justice for Breonna Taylor & Jacob Blake During MTV VMAs Speech
The Weeknd hit the stage multiple times at the MTV VMAs, but his message remained the same ... demanding justice for Jacob Blake and Breonna Taylor.
The Weeknd demands justice for Jacob Blake and Breonna Taylor after winning 'Best R&B' at the #VMAs pic.twitter.com/3aNexwkVWL
— HipHopDX (@HipHopDX) August 31, 2020 @HipHopDX
The singer took home awards for Video of The Year and Best R&B Video Sunday night during MTV's virtual show. Both trophies came courtesy of his song, "Blinding Lights." However, Abel was somber when accepting his awards, saying there wasn't much to celebrate given the climate of the country.
At the end of each acceptance speech, he demanded justice for Breonna Taylor, who was gunned down by cops while she slept, and Jacob Blake -- who was shot 7 times in the back by cops -- while getting into his vehicle.
The Weeknd also took the stage -- hundreds of feet in the air above Manhattan -- to perform the hit song.
The Weeknd has been extremely charitable over the last few months, donating more than $2 million to COVID, Beirut relief and social justice causes.
The show also opened with a tribute and dedication to Chadwick Boseman.
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Chadwick Boseman Honored at Virtual MTV VMAs 2020 ... Show Dedicated to Him
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Chadwick Boseman just received a shout-out at the MTV Video Music Awards -- and the way they did it was by harkening back to a speech he once gave at the ceremony.
Sunday's show -- which was completely virtual this year because of the pandemic -- was a full-on tribute to the late actor ... with the VMAs official Twitter account saying they were putting it on in his honor.
RIP Chadwick Boseman.
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) August 31, 2020 @vmas
Tonight's #VMAs is dedicated to him.
The main host, Keke Palmer, also made sure to shout out Chadwick right from the top of the show, with her saying, "We dedicate tonight’s show to the man whose spirit touched so many. He is a true hero, not just on screen but in everything he did. His impact lives forever."
Keke Palmer honors Chadwick Boseman at the #VMAs “We dedicate tonight’s show to the man whose spirit touched so many. He is a true hero, not just on screen but in everything he did. His impact lives forever.” pic.twitter.com/Gs3IZYXa2c
— Alyssa Bailey (@alyssabailey) August 31, 2020 @alyssabailey
Not too long into the broadcast, MTV played a full-on tribute to Chadwick ... by replaying his acceptance speech at the 2018 VMAs when he won for Best Hero for his portrayal as the Black Panther. The opening title card to the clip read, "The World Needs More Superheroes" ... and then it launched into Chadwick's remarks.
The world needs more superheroes, and we all deserve to see ourselves in them. Chadwick Boseman helped make that happen. Rest in power. pic.twitter.com/d05kkkQR6b
— MTV (@MTV) August 31, 2020 @MTV
At the time, he actually took a moment to honor a real-life superhero he wanted to acknowledge ... one James Shaw Jr., who stopped a gunman at a Waffle House in Tennessee. The fact that Chadwick shared the spotlight was incredible and clearly not forgotten by the folks at MTV.
They ended his segment with another title card reading "Rest in Power." Indeed.
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Terrell Owens Odell Beckham Criticism Is Unfair Baker Needs To Be Better!!!
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Terrell Owens says Odell Beckham doubters are in for a rude awakening ... telling TMZ Sports the superstar receiver is destined for a huge year ... as long as his quarterback doesn't stink up the place.
Of course, the narrative is that OBJ had a pretty disappointing season in 2019 -- he battled a sports hernia injury as the Cleveland Browns posted an underwhelming 6-10 record.
FYI -- Odell still managed to rack up more than 1,000 yards and caught 4 touchdowns a year ago.
T.O. says the media wrongfully pushed a storyline that Odell was declining ... and believes it was "unfair."
"Obviously, Odell is a great talent," T.O. tells us. "It's very misleading for somebody to say that he had a down year."
"He had some great catches, there were some flashes of that. But again, playing with an injured hip ... I can't imagine what that feels like, trying to play through that but it's not all of his fault."
Owens puts part of the blame on Baker Mayfield ... saying OBJ would have made more plays if #6 was hitting his targets.
"You break down the game tape, like yeah, the guy was open and the ball was thrown high, thrown behind him, thrown low," Owens says. "This guy's catch rating is equivalent to Julio Jones."
"Heir season is gonna ride on [Odell] and [Jarvis] Landry. So, hopefully, they're working through those things and they're healthy, Baker is better than he was last year."
"That offense and that team is not gonna go anywhere if Baker is not being the leader there."
T.O. believes the Browns can turn things around if every aspect of the offense clicks ... and offers some solid advice for Odell.
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Guess Who This Brace Face Turned Into!
Before this dolled-up darling was a reality television star known for her oceanside antics, she was just another beauty with braces born in Santiago, Chile.
You may better know this family-oriented famous face -- now married with three children of her own -- by her popular nickname heard from shore to shore. She and her roommates immediately became a global phenomenon ... leading to multiple seasons, fun vacations, plenty of drama, and the perfect Halloween costumes.
This Italian meatball is also best known for her historical hairstyle she coined as "the poof."
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Manhattan Beach 'Karen' Calls Cops on Black Woman in Racist Rant
"Karens" are all across this country lately, from Manhattan to Manhattan Beach. Case in point, this woman ... who's oozing racism from her pores.
Check out this wild scene captured on camera this weekend in the South Bay beach community in Los Angeles County, where a Black woman started filming another woman along the bike path who was having an absolutely racist meltdown.
You can hear the "Karen" in question claiming that the Black woman accosted her, and that she was going to call the police ... which she eventually does. The videographer fires back, saying this lady called her the n-word ... which the woman in question doesn't deny.
What she does do ... constantly call the woman of color an "African" in an utterly condescending tone. She goes on to ask why "you people are so violent" and then actually gets on the line with a 911 operator and continues her racist spiel.
May 25, 2020
She doesn't attempt to make up an actual emergency -- like that one "Karen" did in Central Park earlier this year. The lady simply says her "environment" is being threatened by "an African" and she needs assistance STAT. It's just absurd to it see play out.
As for what precipitated this ... who knows, who cares. The reaction by the woman on camera is outrageous. The one thing we do know is that the brother of this Black woman was absolutely infuriated. Brandon Crockett writes, "I’ve had enough of seeing my own people being accosted in the middle of their daily activities for quite literally, just being black. And I most certainly have had enough of seeing us being slaughtered in broad daylight. I can hardly explain how infuriating this s*** is."
He goes on to say that anyone who sees stuff like this -- blatant acts of racism -- and doesn't speak up is part of the problem ... even if they think it doesn't affect them.
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Chadwick Boseman Amazing Rose-Painted Mural ... Whipped Up by Artist
The Chadwick Boseman tributes continue to pour in, but none stand out quite like this one ... which started out upside down.
A Senegalese artist named Bou Bou posted a moving video of himself whipping up a mural of the late Marvel actor, but he did so in his signature style -- starting from a completely inverted point on the canvas -- and not just that ... he did it with just 4 roses and paint.
The video goes through a time lapse of Bou Bou doing his work, and before you know it ... he has a picture-perfect recreation of Chadwick's face and upper body -- only you can't really tell at first ... at least not until he flips it around.
It's quite the reveal ... you gotta see it for yourself. Afterward, Bou Bou does a Wakanda Forever sign across his chest. He captioned his post, "#R.I.P @chadwickboseman ❤️🕊 #ripchadwick."
As we reported ... Chadwick's passed away Friday after a 4-year battle with colon cancer. His death came as a shock to millions of fans, as he kept it his illness private ... and continued to work regularly through what turned out to be grueling and painful treatments.
Chadwick was 43, and had more of an impact than he could've ever imagined. RIP
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Adele Rocks Bikini Top ... Hellooo, Lovely!!!
Now here's a side of Adele we don't get to see that often ... and boy, it's awesome!
The singer just posted a photo of herself in a Jamaican flag-themed bikini top with her hair curled up in Bantu knots and feathers popping out from the back of her head. She's also got a pair of yoga pants on ... the whole outfit is kinda wacky, but it fits the event she shouted out.
Adele posted the pic -- which appears to have been shot last year -- as a tribute to a canceled event in the U.K. this year ... the annual Notting Hill Carnival, which brings out folks dressed just like this, if not even more eccentric.
She writes, "Happy what would be Notting Hill Carnival my beloved London 🇬🇧🇯🇲." Based on that, it seems she went out there in 2019 with this getup, seeing how it ain't going down this year on account of the pandemic. Still, Adele sends her love to the would-be partygoers.
Adele looks absolutely INCREDIBLE, once again showing how she transformed herself over the past year or so. First, it was a show-stopping appearance at Drake's party, then a showcase on the beach, a 32nd birthday looking spectacular ... and then the Beyonce twinning.
Adele's on fire lately ... and she hasn't even put out a new album!!!
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Sylvester Stallone I'm Scrapping Paulie's Robot From New 'Rocky IV' Cut
Sylvester Stallone is re-releasing "Rocky IV" with a fresh set of eyes -- in his own pure vision, no less -- but one thing that won't be in the new version ... Paulie's iconic maid robot.
Sly made the announcement Sunday on Instagram, saying he's gonna be putting a director's cut of the '80s cult classic film ... which sees his character fighting Ivan Drago in Russia to avenge the death of Apollo Creed. Oh, and that's a big spoiler alert too BTW ... sorry!!!
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Stallone writes, "For the 35th anniversary Rocky 4 Is getting a new DIRECTORS cut by me. So far it looks great. Soulful.. Thank you MGM For this opportunity to entertain."
Fans flooded his comments to show their excitement, but also their curiosity. Folks wondered whether he'd be adding new scenes, deleting old ones ... and possibly giving more of a backstory to the relationship between Rocky's right-hand man Paulie and his AI love interest in the flick, SICO ... which has been widely panned, but also revered over time.
Well, don't plan on seeing that robot in the Sly's cut ... 'cause the guy says he's scrapping it from the plot completely. In fact, it sounds like he straight up doesn't like SICO at all.
Sly responded to some fans' queries about the bot, and he says, "The robot is going to the junkyard forever. No more robot," while adding to another fan, "I don't like the robot anymore." So, yeah ... it would appear Stallone's getting rid of that subplot, which was campy anyway.
The interesting thing about that robot is that it actually played a role in Sly's real life ... with his own kid, no less. The robot's actual designer, Robert Doornick, said as recently as 2016 Sly caught wind of the robot (before production on "Rocky IV" had started) and hit him and his team up, wondering if it could help with his son Seargeoh, who is autistic.
According to Doornick, they loaned the Stallone family the robot ... and supposedly, it was a huge hit with the kid. So, as a favor to his boy, Sly wrote the robot into the movie for a cameo role. He also cast his other son, Sage, as Rocky's son in the flick.
We're sure Stallone appreciates everything SICO has done, but hey ... it ain't crucial to the story. No harm, no foul ... we think?
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Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron We Got Ballistics on Breonna Taylor ... But It's Not Conclusive
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Kentucky's Attorney General says his office has finally received the ballistics report he's been waiting for in the Breonna Taylor case ... but he says it's not conclusive and it seems there's still no end in sight.
Daniel Cameron revealed Sunday on CBS's "Face the Nation" that he's now gotten hold of a crucial FBI ballistics report he's been saying for weeks was one of the last things he needed before deciding if he'll bring charges against the cops that shot and killed her. He said the report was not "the end-all, be-all," though he would not elaborate.
Cameron made it seem like he was still a ways away from coming to any sort of conclusion. He says he still needs to meet with the FBI to review the report, on top of going through further witness testimony and other analysis ... with no clear end in sight.
Cameron did say he and his team will be meeting with the FBI this upcoming week but didn't indicate how long it would take to review the ballistics, or anything else that might follow. It's been 5 months now since Breonna was killed, and yet ... the waiting continues.
Her family's attorney, Ben Crump, said Sunday ... word of Cameron receiving the ballistics report was welcome news, but he also made it clear, he's expecting this to come to an end with a final decision sooner than later, adding Cameron's hyped up this report as damn near the last piece of the puzzle.
Cameron says he wants to do a thorough investigation before any announcement on possible charges. Just recently, Breonna's family told us they were reassured to Cameron's commitment to resolving her case and getting justice after finally meeting with him.
Unclear how they might feel now that he's saying he's actually not all that close after all.