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Jennifer Hudson and Common aren't doing a good job of defusing all the buzz that they're a couple -- they hit the town together for what certainly looks like a romantic date night.

They were out in Malibu Wednesday night for a dinner at celeb hot spot Nobu -- and they didn't exit with a group of friends ... so it's got all the markings of a cozy night out for 2.

While they avoided any PDA ... their outing won't be a big surprise to fans who've been speculating for months they're a thing.

J Hud and Common have been spending more time together after connecting on the set of the upcoming flick "Breathe."

Back in November, Jennifer was seen riding shotgun with Common after he picked her up from a long day of filming at her talk show studio.

It's been a minute since either was publicly linked to anyone -- the singer and WWE wrestler David Otunga called off their 10-year engagement back in 2017 ... and the rapper famously split from Tiffany Haddish back in 2021.

If they are dating, they're dangerously close to being entertainment's first-ever EGOT couple! Jennifer earned hers with a Tony Award last year, and Common is just a Tony shy of the honor.

A Florida TV journalist broke down in tears live on camera while covering a shooting that claimed the life of both a 9-year-old and a reporter.

WESH correspondent Luana Munoz was doing a live shot outside an Orlando hospital Wednesday night after she had gotten word that fellow journalist Dylan Lyons was one of 3 victims fatally shot in the savage attacks that left 2 others critically wounded. The surviving victims had been rushed to the hospital.

Munoz opened her report with her voice cracking and wiping a tear from her eye. She said, "I apologize. This is really difficult to cover. This is every reporter’s absolutely worst nightmare. We go home at night afraid that something like this will occur and that is what happened here."

She also got choked up talking about Lyons' fianceé, saying they had embraced earlier as other journalists stood in solidarity with their fallen colleague.

Munoz ended with ... "So again we are at Orlando Regional Medical Center where we have learned that one of our own, a fellow reporter, has died while out covering a shooting. There are members of his family here along with his fiancée who are just incredibly distraught tonight."

Orange County Sheriff John Mina said Keith Melvin Moses began his shooting spree late Wednesday morning when he murdered a woman -- with whom he was acquainted -- inside a vehicle and then fled.

Mina said Lyons and a photographer then showed up at the scene to cover the slaying for Spectrum 13 News. While they were doing their jobs, Moses allegedly returned to the scene and shot the journalists, killing Lyons and critically wounding the photog.

But, Moses wasn't done. He allegedly slipped inside a home nearby and shot a mother and her 9-year-old daughter. The mother was critically injured. Her daughter died.

The parents of one of the Black elementary school students targeted with heinous racist drawings are blaming it on the parents of the offending classmates, making a fairly compelling case ... the racism comes from somewhere.

The crayon drawings are shocking ... one read, "You're my favorite monkey,' and another reads, "To my favorite cotton picker." Another student was told she would get a drawing with the image of a black person hanging from a tree, with the caption, "You're my favorite slave."

The drawings were supposedly passed out by students during Black History Month at Pepper Tree Elementary School in the Southern California town of Upland.

Parents of the children targeted are outraged, but not necessarily at the kids. They point to the parents, because what child knows these words and phrases?

The Upland School District called the incident "racially insensitive" ... a remarkable understatement.

Quavo's dropped another Takeoff tribute track ... one that seemingly puts a cap on the Migos legacy while honoring his slain nephew at the same time.

The superstar rapper dropped a new song and video Wednesday entitled "Greatness" -- and it compiles clips of him playing basketball with Cordae, behind-the-scenes footage of his recent Grammys tribute and older images of Takeoff during the group's come-up days.

Quavo also answers questions about the Migos' future later on the track, "Came in, swept the game like a storm with the muthaf***ing flow, n***a, Take did that/ So don’t ask about the group, he gone, we gone, young n***a it can’t come back, damn!"

He also hoists up the group's collective chain they all copped to celebrate the release of 2021's "Culture III" album.

News of the legendary group's conclusion comes as little surprise to fans, especially considering the story TMZ broke about the Grammys -- Quavo and Offset had a backstage spat ahead of the Takeoff tribute.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are highlighting their modern family as they celebrate her 2 kids turning 15 with a bunch of pics ... some showing Ben in full stepdad mode.

J Lo posted a video Wednesday for her twins Max and Emme's birthday, and the reel has a ton of images throughout their years -- some younger pics and some more recent where they're clearly bonding with Ben.

In one instance, Ben is cradling Max in his arms while the family's out for a drive.

Now, the video also features other behind the scene family moments with Jennifer and Marc Anthony's twins ... such as shots of the twins' and their new step-siblings -- Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel ... Ben's kids with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner.

J Lo's note to her kids read, "Happy birthday to my beautiful, brilliant coconuts 🥥🥥 I am so proud of you both in every single way. You bring so much joy and happiness to my heart and soul..."

Aaron Rodgers is out of the darkness -- the NFL superstar ended his spiritual getaway on Wednesday ... and now, fans will patiently wait for him to announce his football future.

The 39-year-old spent the past few days completely disconnected from the world at Sky Cave Retreats in Oregon ... where he stayed in a 300-square-foot room that had zero natural lighting.

The facility's owner, Scott Berman, told ESPN Rodgers' room was partially underground and included a queen-sized bed, bathroom and a meditation mat.

Rodgers previously said he was going to spend four days and four nights off the grid and out of the light ... in an attempt to clear his head before deciding what to do with his career.

He explained to "The Pat McAfee Show" that the retreat wasn't solely about football ... as he's been wanting to have the experience for some time.

"I've had a number of friends who have done it and had some profound experiences and it's something that's been on my radar for a few years now and I felt like it'd be awesome to do regardless of where I was leaning after this season," Rodgers said earlier this month. "So, it's been on the calendar for months and months and months."

Of course, Rodgers -- who's slated to make nearly $60 million in 2023 -- could return to the Green Bay Packers, request a trade to a new team, or ride off into the sunset with Tom Brady in retirement.

Former Department of Energy Official Sam Brinton could be in even more hot water regarding stolen bags ... this time a fashion designer claims she saw Brinton wearing an outfit from her missing suitcase.

Fashion designer Asya Khamsin dragged Brinton on Twitter, saying her luggage went missing back in 2018 at the Ronald Reagan Airport in Virginia ... and it wasn't until she heard about Brinton's prior alleged luggage stealing that she became suspicious.

Check out the side-by-side Asya showed, which she says shows Brinton wearing one of her custom-made dresses a year after she claims her bags were swiped.

Asya told Fox she was heading to D.C. to put her clothes on display for an event when the bag went missing ... and lost out on the opportunity as a result. She said her husband filed a police report at the time, but nothing was found.

Asya says she filed another report this December after seeing pics of Brinton in what she claims is her outfit -- and says she was then contacted by the FBI the next month regarding the complaint ... but says nothing much has happened since then.

As you know, Brinton's been accused of stealing suitcases from airports on 2 separate occasions ... getting charged in both Nevada and Minnesota. Brinton appeared in court last week in Minneapolis for one of the alleged incidents.

A longtime hairstylist for KISS says the rock band didn't act fast enough to help a COVID-stricken guitar tech while they were on tour, leading to his death.

According to a new lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, David Mathews accused KISS' manager Doc McGhee, of mishandling the grave situation involving Francis Stueber. KISS legends Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are also named defendants in the suit.

Mathews claims the group was on a tour stop in October 2021 when he learned Stueber had contracted a severe case of COVID while staying in an Illinois hotel room.

He says he urged Stueber to contact Stanley to arrange being sent to the hospital, and  Stueber agreed to do so.

Mathews says he then went to Stanley's dressing room and told him, "Call Fran. He's very sick. I can hear the fear in his voice. He needs to go to the hospital."

Stanley allegedly responded, "I get it. I was afraid too when I was sick with COVID." The rock star, according to the docs, phoned Stueber and advises him to go to the hospital, explaining that the disease was "nothing to mess around with."

But, hours later, Mathews says McGhee told him Stueber didn't want to go to the hospital, which conflicted with Stueber's earlier statements to him.

Still, Stanley called Stueber again and told him to go to the hospital, the docs say.  Stueber apparently agreed, and McGhee promised to have a Live Nation rep take him to the medical center.

That allegedly never happened. Nearly an hour later, according to the docs, Matthews inquired about Stueber with McGhee, who said Stueber was being tested with an oxygen meter to see if he really needed to go to the hospital.

Matthews says, "Unfortunately, it was apparent that Mr. McGhee did not act in a timely manner. The Live Nation representative did not arrive until the following morning. When visitors entered Mr. Stueber's room at about 1 a.m., he was found dead."

Rolling Stone magazine then ran an article about Stueber's death, blaming KISS for having lax COVID protocols while on tour. The band was allegedly furious and blamed Matthews for the anonymous leaks to the R.S. reporter.

Although Mathews denied being the source of the information, the band apparently didn't believe him and allegedly ended up canning him the following May after 30 years of service.

Mathews is suing the group for wrongful termination, retaliation in violation of labor code and failure to pay all wages.

Not only is Don Lemon thankful to be back on the air at CNN, he wants to remain there for the foreseeable future, and worked hand-in-hand with the network on his return apology ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, Don was in contact with CNN honchos throughout his entire time off, with a common goal, get back to work and apologize for his wrongdoing.

In fact, we're told it was agreed upon by both Don and the network that he would tweet out an apology before getting back on-air Wednesday. Our sources say Don never refused to apologize on-air ... everyone, including the network, thought it would be best they get back to reporting the news and move on from Don's mishap.

Additional sources say there was never an impression, internally, Don would be fired -- despite many outside CNN calling for that. We're told both he and the network are looking forward to continuing a long-term working relationship. We're told Don really enjoys working on 'This Morning' and is fully committed.

Our network sources say Don feels awful he said something dumb and made the mistake, but he's now acknowledged it and apologized publicly and internally.

Nipsey Hussle's pal Cowboy is satisfied with the sentence that came down on the rapper's murderer, but still believes the wound left by Nip's death is one that will never heal.

We got Cowboy outside the DTLA courthouse where the judge gave Eric Holder 60 years to life. He told us it's a big win for those closest to the superstar rapper, but he also filled us in on why it's a bittersweet moment.

While the sentencing brings an end to the tragic saga of Nipsey's murder ... Cowboy says he'll still have Nipsey's family's back -- just as he did through the trial -- because they all made an impact on his life.

As we reported, Holder was handed his lengthy sentence Wednesday after a jury found him guilty last year of 1st-degree murder. He gunned down Nipsey back in 2019.

We also got activist Najee Ali after Holder's sentencing, and he echoes Cowboy's feelings ... saying any amount of time behind bars could never bring back Nip, but he too calls 60 years fitting for the crime.

Actor Ray Buffer is officially going up against prosecutors for his comic book theft debacle ... which includes surveillance video of him allegedly swiping merch.

A rep for the San Diego City Attorney tells TMZ ... Ray's been charged with one count of misdemeanor petty theft over the October 2022 incident. We're told the actor pled not guilty at his arraignment in January, and a further court hearing is scheduled next week.

As we reported, Southern California Comics claims Ray took $600 worth of comic books, and handed cops security cam footage of the whole caper.

Another comic shop -- this one in L.A. County -- said it had similar footage from their store of Ray attempting to swipe comics. That owner was seen on camera booting him out of the store over it.

The owner of Southern California Comics tells TMZ … he was told by the City Attorney's office that Ray's lawyer is attempting to cut a deal to handle the matter by paying restitution to the shop and entering a diversion program -- but the shop owner doesn't think such a slap on the wrist is enough.

Ray has more than 100 acting credits to his name, appearing in TV shows like "ER" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and most recently "Into the Wild Frontier".

We reached out to Ray for comment ... so far no word back.

Get ready "Outer Banks" fans ...  the Netflix hit is back for a 3rd season, and we've got a behind-the-scenes sneak peek ahead of all the antics from the cast.

As expected, Chase Stokes is returning to the teen drama series as John B. Routledge -- aka ringleader of the Pogues gang -- along with Rudy Pankow as JJ Maybank.

The cast seemingly took plenty of time to hang while on breaks from shooting ... posing like old friends in a series of photos we've obtained.

Madelyn Cline will be making a comeback as Sarah Cameron and Jonathan Daviss will return as Pope Heyward ... ditto Carlacia Grant as Cleo, who will now be a regular on the show.

By the looks of the BTS pics, the cast was sure to mix in some fun while working all those hours to deliver the drama to fans.

Netflix has already announced some new faces in the cast, including Andy McQueen, Lou Ferrigno Jr., and Fiona Palomo.

CeeDee Lamb is heading into the 2023 season with a new look ... TMZ Sports has learned the Cowboys star just got a massive back tattoo featuring an image of Kobe Bryant -- and it's incredible.

The 23-year-old Dallas receiver went to artist Andres Ortega out at Onder Ink in Arizona this week to get the piece done ... seeking work that covered everything on his backside from the top of his traps to the top of his glutes.

We're told Lamb wanted things that symbolized the fight and will it took to make it from childhood to the NFL ... and Ortega's team of four artists immediately went to work.

At some points during the tattoo process, the ink masters worked on his back simultaneously -- and when they all finished up, the final product came out spectacularly.

An iconic photo of Kobe chewing on his jersey now sits on Lamb's right shoulder blade, accompanied by a black mamba with its tongue out. On his left shoulder blade, there's a huge image of a jaguar. Just below that, there's a Spartan warrior -- and to the right of that, there's an I-45 sign that represents the highway that runs through Dallas. There's also a crucifix, a crown and the words "My Story Isn't Over."

Ortega says it all took about eight hours to complete -- and it isn't hard to see Lamb loved it.

In fact, the two-time Pro Bowler even got another tat done at the shop on his leg!!

Before this kid curled up on the couch turned into a musical genius and a fan favorite to millions, he was braving the Canadian cold, becoming fluent in French and dreaming of making it big one day in La La land.

This guy does not mess around when it comes to fashion ... One might argue his signature look is a red suit jacket and black pants, but when he first appeared on the scene you'd probably recognize him by his tied-up locs and sleek goatee.

Need one more hint? He's headlined at Coachella and even stayed "After Hours."

Kim Zolciak's kiddos are denying the family's Georgia mansion is in foreclosure and heading to the auction block ... claiming it's all a misunderstanding.

The "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star's daughters, Brielle and Ariana Biermann, tried to clear the air Wednesday ... telling photogs at LAX the family is still living in their Alpharetta estate with no plans on moving out.

Brielle and Ariana say all the family's belongings are still in the home and they're not concerned about losing the house ... saying they even slept there before traveling across the country.

Kim's daughters don't go into depth on what the so-called misunderstanding is ... but as we reported last week, a public notice stated the home is scheduled to be auctioned off March 7 at the Fulton County Courthouse.

A law firm previously told us they were handling the foreclosure for Kim and Kroy Biermann's home, which rests along the 18th hole of the Manor Golf & Country Club.

Kim's kids say the house is already saved and their mom hasn't said anything to them about an upcoming auction, though they admit they've asked Kim about all the news reports.

Remember ... Kim and Kroy bought the home way back in 2012 for $880,000 and it's been heavily featured on 'RHOA' and the couple's own reality show, "Don't Be Tardy." The estate has an elevator, pool, waterfall, spa and basketball court.

Truist Bank reportedly began foreclosure proceedings on the property back in August after Kim and Kroy defaulted on their mortgage.

Univ. of Alabama star forward Brandon Miller is expected to play on Wednesday night ... one day after cops testified he was the one who brought the gun that was used in the killing of a woman in Tuscaloosa last month.

The school's athletic director, Greg Byrne, said in a podcast just hours before the Tide were set to tip off against the Univ. of South Carolina that Miller did make the trip with the team to Columbia, S.C. and is scheduled to play in the game.

The contest is slated to begin at 8 PM CT.

Of course, the impending move comes as a surprise to many ... as on Tuesday, police said Miller had a connection to the murder case involving his ex-teammate, Darius Miles.

Cops alleged in testimony that Miles had contacted Miller on Jan. 15 about bringing him Miles' gun, which he'd left in Miller's car earlier in the night. Police said Miller eventually arrived on the scene with it -- and the firearm was ultimately used in the killing of 23-year-old Jamea Harris.

Miles' friend, 20-year-old Michael Davis, is the one actually accused of pulling the trigger.

Following the new police testimony, Alabama head coach Nate Oats said Miller was not facing any punishment from him or the school. Oats told reporters, "Brandon hasn't been in any type of trouble nor is he in any type of trouble in this case. Wrong spot at the wrong time."

Miller's attorney, in a lengthy statement released Wednesday afternoon, said Miles' gun was in Miller's car when Miller went to pick up the former Tide basketball player ... but Miller insists he "never touched the gun, was not involved in its exchange to Mr. Davis in any way, and never knew that illegal activity involving the gun would occur."

The attorney added, "Brandon does not own a firearm and has never even handled a firearm. Moreover, he had no knowledge of any intent to use any weapon."

Miller has not been charged with any crimes. He is fully cooperating with authorities in the case, his attorney said.

Miles and Davis, meanwhile, are both facing capital murder charges.