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Dianna Russini was in "clear violation" of The Athletic's newsroom standards because of her relationship with Mike Vrabel ... an internal investigation found.

The Athletic's editorial director, Mike Semel, published the findings Thursday, saying ... "Russini's relationship with Vrabel was in clear violation of The Athletic's standards. Regardless of whether the relationship was romantic, it was a breach and should have been disclosed."

Semel went through 903 videos, 77 videos, 204 episodes of her "Scoop City" podcast -- he also interviewed her coworkers and listened to her off-platform appearances and interviews -- and says he didn't find "a clear link" that shows Russini used her position to give Vrabel a leg up.

Semel write ... "That said, there are examples of Russini writing glowingly of Vrabel that in hindsight are awkward or even uncomfortable."

Kroy Biermann Jr. is asking a judge to release him from jail on bond as his criminal case proceeds ... arguing he's no flight risk and his stellar academic and athletic record is evidence of his good character.

Lawyers for Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann's son filed documents requesting his release in a Georgia court Wednesday afternoon ... insisting he is a good kid and there's no danger of him fleeing.

The attorney points out Kroy Jr. is "a high school student in good standing who has demonstrated strong academic achievement" and is also receiving scholarships for his athletic prowess.

Alphonso Smith Jr. appeared to be in good spirits just days before his death ... knocking repeatedly on a door while offering to buy a family breakfast.

In a video posted to the late athlete's Facebook, Alphonso can be heard telling the family he was going to buy them whatever they wanted for breakfast ... even continuing to holler from outside as he looked for "#3."

Alphonso captioned the post, “Oh nothing, JUST TRYING to see what #3 & his family want for BREAKFAST THIS MORNING...” -- offering a glimpse into his final days before his death.

Marvel's Black Widow apparently isn't the only one with the moniker in Orlando, Florida ... because while the costumed character might be running around Disney World, a woman from the city may be taking several men for a ride.

Here's the deal ... Samantha Adams -- a 39-year-old woman from Orlando -- was arrested last week at a shopping mall in Davenport, FL.

According to authorities, she allegedly mixed Benzodiazepine into a 69-year-old man's drink while at his home ... which resulted in the man's hospitalization.

Sean "Diddy" Combs is getting even closer to being a free man ... his prison release date was moved up again!

The music mogul will now be sprung on February 5, 2028, from the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey, according to the Bureau of Prisons.

Last month, TMZ reported that Diddy was most recently scheduled for release on February 20, 2028, which means he's getting more than two weeks shaved off his release date.

Aryna Sabalenka -- the world's No. 1 women's tennis player -- is kicking ass on and off the U.S. Open courts ... blasting a reporter for asking what she views as a ridiculous question about NYC parties.

Sabalenka talked to the media Wednesday night after beating Polina Iatcenko 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the third round ... and one journalist dared to ask about her mood at the tournament after she was seen partying last week. Wrong move, pal, 'cause Sabalenka lost it.

Like a calm before the storm ... Sabalenka sighs, shakes her head, rolls her eyes and then lit into him, saying, “You guys are, like, a joke. Parties, fun. Like, why would you even say that? Why would you even think about that? Like, what kind of question is that?"

She went on ... "Just because I posted some, like, activities with brands and you think I've been partying, not training?

Rumer Willis scored a legal victory in her ongoing custody battle ... because a judge ruled her ex's visits with their daughter will remain supervised for now.

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled that Rumer's ex Derek Richard Thomas' visitation time with their 3-year-old, Louetta, will still be monitored, and the remaining issue of whether he can have overnight visits without a monitor will be addressed at a hearing on September 10.

For now, the judge says both parents should work together to agree on a monitor they trust to watch the visits ... and, if they can't do that, then the judge says a professional monitor will handle it.

Can you guess the actress bustin' out of her tank? We'll give you a few hints, but then it's up to you to match the cleavage with the hot actress.

This busty actress is best known for her role in "The Boys," but she has also starred in other shows like "True Detective" and Marvel's "Jessica Jones."

We want you to be a part of TMZ, so every weekday, between 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM PT, we take you inside our newsroom via live stream.

You never know what you're gonna get ... a big story that breaks, an argument erupts in the room, or someone's just joking around.

Your comments are a big part of the stream, and the staff spends a lot of time speaking directly to you. Every day is different!

Gloria Steinem, the famous feminist activist and writer, has died, according to her foundation's website.

The Gloria Steinem Foundation announced that Steinem died peacefully on Wednesday, surrounded by her loved ones at her home in New York. Her cause of death was not released.

Steinem was a powerhouse in the women's movement for decades, and she got things done where many others failed. She cofounded Ms. Magazine, which is considered the first major publication fully run, owned and written by women.

Taylor Frankie Paul's season of "The Bachelorette" may permanently be on ice ... especially now because she's throwing caution to the wind and spoiling the show's ending!

The shocking news about her time on the show came out during an appearance on Amanda Hirsch's "Get Real" podcast, which also featured Tyler Cameron and Connor Wood ... when they shared a clip from "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" in which she reveals that she accepted a proposal.

She says she didn't realize this dude's initials matched her ex Dakota Mortensen's ... or that he was from Utah -- somehow those things didn't come up before agreeing to spend the rest of their lives together.

The New Level -- Kofi and Austin Creed -- made their debut Sunday night at AEW All In, and the team is already high on their new boss ... Tony Khan.

Kofi -- formerly known as Kofi Kingston -- and Austin Creed -- formerly known as Xavier Woods -- joined the TMZ “Inside the Ring” podcast to discuss their new home ... after spending more than a decade in WWE.

The 12-time tag team champions made their shocking debut at Wembley Stadium alongside Swerve Strickland ... and the trio immediately captured the AEW World Trios Championships.

“There’s a lot of things in there that are very wrestler-friendly ... in terms of being able to go out and do what it is that you want to do, there’s not really a lot of restrictions,” the duo told us.

Singer Anderson .Paak is officially back on the market after hashing out a divorce settlement with his ex, Jae Lin, TMZ has learned. 

Anderson filed court docs on September 2, telling the court he hashed out a deal with Jae over the division of their property and support. 

As TMZ first reported, Anderson filed for divorce in early 2024 after tying the knot in 2010. In his petition, the entertainer did not list a separation date in his filing. 

Tony! Toni! Toné! member D’Wayne Wiggins’ estate was ordered not to distribute any money as the late singer’s family continues to battle in court ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, a judge entered a temporary order prohibiting the estate from sending money from the late singer's estate and trust to any third parties, including in the form of donations to his foundation, scholarships, and other grants to third parties.

But Veleta Savannah -- who is D'Wayne's cousin and claims to be in charge of his trust and estate -- is pushing back in legal docs, claiming D’Wayne was examined by a doctor before his death … and found to be alert and capable of managing his affairs or directing others to do so on his behalf.

Women of the Bay Area, listen up ... if you're considering (allegedly) giving money to any self-proclaimed 49ers, run it by E-40 first!

That's the official word from 40 Water himself, who pulled up to the TMZ offices this week to chop it up with Babcock, who asked the legendary Bay Area rapper about Daejon Love, the most talked-about story in sports.

"If he don't know Water, if he don't know 40 Water, and he claims 49er, if I ain't never heard of him or met him, he's not a Niner," 40 said.

"They should have asked me before they gave him the money or whatever and all the scamming s***."

Alphonso Smith Jr. -- a former NFL player and standout cornerback at Wake Forest University -- has died ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ Sports ... the former cornerback died by suicide on Wednesday at a housing community in Florida.

Alphonso's final Facebook post highlighted his unstable emotional state before his death.

In the post, Alphonso wrote, "Do not cry for me! I tried everything in my power to fight the demons behind the ones that someone put into ME! I did not want to be that WAY! I know I have disappointed so many folks. This is a DEMON in me! But not only me! It’s EVERYONE! I have HURT so many! I needed help & did not get it!"