Demi Lovato Fro-Yo Shop Denies She Donated $100k ... Cold War Still On

The L.A. frozen yogurt shop Demi Lovato called out over its sugar-free items is debunking the rumor she made amends with a large donation ... and it says it doesn't want one.

The Bigg Chill claims online messages and photos suggesting Demi donated $100k to the shop and wrote a private letter of apology for her behavior are fake and Photoshopped.

The fro-yo store adds ... "We have not heard anything from Demi since her 'sorry, not sorry' apology on Monday. We have not heard from her team." Finally, The Bigg Chill says it's not changing its menu ... and thanked everyone for their support.

As we reported ... the "Dancing with the Devil" artist picked a fight with the fro-yo shop over the weekend, publicly calling it out Saturday for its placement of sugar-free items, which she claims are triggering for folks with eating disorders.

I'M SORRY

After The Big Chill defended itself, Demi doubled down Monday by complaining about the store's "diet culture" cookies and dropping a "customer is always right" DM on them.

Ultimately, Demi sort of apologized for seemingly using her celeb status to take down a small business. She says that's not her intent, she just wanted to start a dialogue on the issue.

The Big Chill says it's been hurt by Demi's remarks and feels unfairly attacked ... and it's clearly not backing down either.

Melissa Rivers 'Mrs. Maisel' IS Joan Rivers ... It Hurts Series Won't Admit It!!!

NOBODY REACHED OUT
Behind The Velvet Rope with David Yontef

Melissa Rivers says she feels violated and hurt the folks behind "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" won't cop to the fact her legendary mom is the inspiration for the Amazon Prime series.

Melissa hopped on the "Behind the Velvet Rope with David Yontef" podcast and said to this day she has not watched a single episode of the critically acclaimed comedy series because she says the show never acknowledged Joan Rivers' influence on the standup comedian main character.

She told Yontef ... "I wish I had gotten a note saying, 'Your mother was one of the inspirations for this and we hope you enjoy it. Here's a t-shirt. Here's a link to the first episode, to the pilot.' You know?”

Fans of the series have taken note of the vast similarities between Joan and Rachel Brosnahan's character, Mrs. Maisel -- both born in New York to Jewish parents who were skeptical of their careers in comedy. Both also attended prestigious schools ... but it's their comedic rhythm delivery coupled with being self-deprecating and vulgar that immediately drew comparisons.

Melissa says she didn't need 'Mrs. Maisel' showrunners to straight-up come out and say 'Mrs. Maisel' is completely her late mother but at least SOMETHING. What's more ... she says she "felt so violated" because "one of the writers [on the show] and I had the same agent, you know, so my whole thing is, reach out."

The only person, Melissa says, who acknowledged her late mother is Jane Lynch, who portrays the comedian Sophie Lennon. Melissa said the nod to her mother left her in tears ... and moved her to the point of sending Jane flowers the next day.

Melissa does admit maybe the show feared a possible lawsuit if it came out and said Joan was the inspiration, but she's adamant -- all she ever wanted was a "thank you."

Virginia Tech Women's Soccer Ex-Star Sues Coach ... You Forced Me Off Team For Refusing To Kneel

An ex-Virginia Tech women's soccer star is suing her former coach ... claiming she was benched, berated and ultimately forced off the team because she refused to kneel.

Kiersten Hening -- a 21-year-old midfielder/defender who played for the Hokies from 2018 to 2020 -- spelled it all out in a federal lawsuit filed last month ... saying her former head coach, Charles "Chugger" Adair, straight-up hated her political views.

In the docs, Hening claims at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement last summer ... she had differing opinions on social justice protests than most on her Hokies team.

Hening said in her suit that she "supports social justice and believes that black lives matter," but claimed she "does not support BLM the organization."

In the docs, Hening said she disagrees with BLM's "tactics and core tenets of its mission statement, including defunding the police."

As a result, Hening says she was subject to ridicule from Adair ... which only grew louder after she refused to participate in a pregame kneeling demonstration on Sept. 12, 2020.

Hening claims many of her teammates knelt before their match with Virginia during a reading of a "unity statement" ... but she remained standing, and insists she was ultimately singled out for it.

Hening says at halftime of the game, Adair unloaded on her, claiming he "verbally attacked her."

Hening claims Adair pointed a finger "directly in her face" and denounced her for "'bitching and moaning,' for being selfish and individualistic, and for 'doing her own thing.'"

Hening says Adair continued to target her in the ensuing days with verbal rants, and ultimately benched her. She says things got so "intolerable that she felt compelled" to eventually leave the team.

Hening is now suing for undisclosed damages claiming her constitutional rights have been violated. She also wants the judge to order Adair to get training on the First Amendment and let her back on the team.

Hening had been one of the best players on Virginia Tech's squad ... she started 19 games as a true freshman in 2018 and 18 more as a sophomore in 2019.

She said in her suit she had "played more minutes than any other player on the team" entering the 2020 season.

Paris Jackson Set to Appear in 'American Horror Story'

How's this for scary good -- Paris Jackson just upped her acting game after landing a role in the upcoming season of 'American Horror Story.'

Production sources tell TMZ ... Paris will appear in at least 1 episode of the popular FX anthology horror series. The highly-anticipated series, which was delayed in 2020 due to the pandemic, is being dubbed "American Horror Story: Double Feature." Series creator Ryan Murphy recently teased it and said there will be 2 horrifying stories in one season.

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Yes, season 10 will be split into 2 mini-seasons. Murphy already confirmed, "One set by the sea" already has its cast ... featuring Sarah Paulson, Macaulay Culkin and Kathy Bates. Murphy said the cast for the second mini-season, "A second by the sand," will be announced soon.

But, we know Paris will appear in the second mini-season.

BTW ... this is not Paris' first acting gig. She's had several already ... including appearing as Rachel Wells in the FOX series "Star" and appearing in the comedy film, "Gringo."

News of Paris' new TV role comes on the heels of her and the UK band, The Struts, dropping the music video to their first single, "Low Key in Love."

Jeffrey Epstein Palm Beach Mansion Demolished

The infamous Palm Beach mansion where Jeffrey Epstein sexually assaulted many of his young victims has been reduced to rubble.

The demolition came 5 months after Florida real estate developer Todd Michael Glaser inked a deal to buy the waterfront property for $18.5 mil. He vowed to obliterate the 14,000 square-foot mansion.

Proceeds from the sale will go to a Victims' Compensation Program, which will distribute the funds to some of Epstein's victims. Epstein had been locked up in a Manhattan federal jail for sex trafficking when he killed himself behind bars back in August, 2019.

Palm Beach real estate broker Lawrence A. Moens told the Palm Beach Daily News he only got involved "to ensure it would be wiped off the map of Palm Beach."

Glaser plans to build a new home in the swanky community. The compound is about a mile away from Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort.

Eric Andre ATL Cops Racially Profiled Me ... I'm Not Transporting Meth!!!

4/21/21
HERE'S THE RUNDOWN ...
BACKGRID
UPDATE

6:03 AM PT -- 4/22 -- The Clayton County PD claims it was their officers who interacted with Andre, calling it a "consensual encounter." The cops claim Eric volunteered his travel plans and also offered officers the chance to search his luggage, but they did not.

UPDATE

Eric was quick to respond to Clayton County PD's statement, saying, "I did NOT volunteer to a search and I did not volunteer to talk. You guys flashed your badge and detained me with no probable cause except for racism. This is JIM CROW RACISM."

UPDATE

5:55 PM PT -- Eric's still stewing about the alleged incident now that he's off the plane ... he says law enforcement asked if he was transporting meth.

UPDATE

Andre just landed at LAX and told photogs it's the third time he's been racially profiled in airports ... claiming every incident was over drugs.

UPDATE

In the wake of APD's denial, Eric thinks it could have been DEA agents who allegedly stopped him and tried to search his bag.

UPDATE

Eric says he was clearly profiled and says there was NO meth in his bag ... and he's even got "Breaking Bad" jokes.

UPDATE

Eric's looking for an apology from law enforcement ... or at least a reprimand.

UPDATE

1:41 PM PT -- The Atlanta Police Department tells TMZ ... their officers were NOT involved in the interaction with Eric. APD says multiple law enforcement agencies operate at the airport, and it appears the incident involved another agency.

UPDATE

We're also told APD's Airport Drug Interdiction Unit does not randomly approach travelers and ask to search them.

Eric Andre says he was the victim of racial profiling during an interaction with police inside the Atlanta airport ... and now he's asking Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms for help.

The comedian claims he was singled out by two plainclothes officers Wednesday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, saying the cops stopped him on the jet bridge for a random drug search as he was trying to board his flight.

Eric says he did not consent to the search and claims he was the only person of color in line to board the flight. He believes it was a classic case of racial profiling and what he calls the racist war on drugs.

EA's warning other travelers passing through ATL to "be careful" and he's asking folks in the airport to track down the officers' names. He also says he's already talking to his lawyer.

Eric, who says he was in Atlanta for work, was able to make his flight ... but he's telling Mayor Bottoms, "I know this isn't the PD you want representing in your airports."

Originally Published -- 1:26 PM PT

Pretty Ricky's Baby Blue Tried to Grab Gun During Robbery ... Still in ICU but 'On the Road to Recovery'

UPDATE

6:51 AM PT -- Baby Blue just tweeted his own update, saying he's still in ICU but the good news is ... he's on the road to recovery.

UPDATE

According to the rapper, the bullet that went through his lung is stuck in his back and he has to "learn to breathe & walk again." He says he has a great medical team at the hospital and thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

UPDATE

Blue adds ... "God Got Me."

Baby Blue was trying to protect his cousin when he got shot during a robbery attempt, and the bullet pierced his lung and sent him to the ICU ... this according to his brother and fellow Pretty Ricky member, Spectacular Smith.

Smith tells TMZ ... Blue is still in the ICU and has been hooked up to a breathing machine due to his injury, and so far only his mom and dad have been able to see him in the hospital due to COVID restrictions.

We're told during the confrontation at SpareZ Bowling Alley in Davie, Florida ... Baby Blue tried to grab the gun from one of the suspects in the attempted robbery to keep his cousin from getting shot, and he got shot instead.

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Smith says the bullet went through Blue's shoulder and pierced his lung, and a graphic video of the scene -- posted by Hollywood Unlocked -- immediately afterward is terrifying and chaotic ... with the cousin screaming out for help.

As we reported ... cops say the rapper was shot during a physical altercation with 2 armed male suspects who approached to try to steal a gold chain necklace. The suspects fled before police arrived and so far no arrests have been made.

Originally Published --  12:40 AM PT

UFC's Rose Namajunas Pumped for Ronda Rousey 'Gonna Be a Great Mom!!!'

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
TMZSports.com

"I think they're awesome people and I can't wait to see what the baby's gonna look like!

That's UFC star Rose Namajunas sending big love to Ronda Rousey and Travis Browne on their newly announced pregnancy ... telling TMZ Sports, "She's gonna be a great mother!"

Rose and Ronda go way back ... in fact, Namajunas posted a pic with Rousey way back in 2014 (before Rose shaved her head!).

The two have had a friendly relationship ever since, with Ronda even showering Rose with praise after her 2018 victory over Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

And, now that Ronda and Travis are expecting, Rose couldn't be more excited for them -- "I'm really happy for them and their family."

Meanwhile, Rose is gearing up for a highly anticipated showdown with Zhang Weili for the UFC strawweight title at UFC 261 on April 24.

Weili hasn't lost a fight since her pro debut back in 2013 -- since then she's been on a 21-fight win streak with victories over stars like Jedrzejczyk, Jessica Andrade and Tecia Torres.

Rose tells us she's got the right skillset to break the streak.

"My movement, the way that I move, the way that I think and my fighting spirit. They're all unique."

So, how does she see the fight going?

"My game plan is the same every time. I go in there and punch their face, take their back and choke 'em out. It may manifest differently each time but that's my goal and that's what I'm focused on."

You fired up yet!?!

Kitana in 'Mortal Kombat' 'Memba Her?!

Brooklyn-born model and actress Talisa Soto was in her 20s when she landed the role as the butt-kicking Outworld's Princess Kitana -- who aligns herself with the Earth warriors and helps save mankind -- in the classic 1995 action film "Mortal Kombat."

Soto traded punches with an epic cast of actors including Bridgette Wilson as the military fighter, Sonya Blade, Christopher Lambert as the thunderous fight ref, Lord Raiden ... and of course Robin Shou as the good guy and love interest, Liu Kang.

Soto also played Kitana in the 1997 follow-up film "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation."

Guess what Talisa Soto looks like now in her 50s!

LeBron James Under Fire For 'You're Next' Post ... 'Disgraceful & Dangerous'

UPDATE

4:55 PM PT -- LeBron is explaining his decision to delete the controversial tweet ... saying his message was "being used to create more hate."

UPDATE

He added ... "This isn’t about one officer.  it’s about the entire system and they always use our words to create more racism."

UPDATE

"I am so desperate for more ACCOUNTABILITY."

A U.S. senator is accusing LeBron James of "inciting violence" against a police officer after the NBA superstar shared a photo of the cop with the caption "you're next."

LeBron posted -- and has since deleted -- a picture of the police officer who shot and killed 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant during a violent incident Tuesday outside of a home in Columbus, Ohio.

Body cam footage shows Bryant in a physical altercation with two other people ... and it appears as if she's trying to lunge with a knife at one of the other girls.

KNIFE IN HAND
Columbus Police Department

That's when one of the officers pulled his gun and fired four shots at Ma'Khia -- killing her.

When questioned at the scene about why he opened fire, the officer responded, "She had a knife. She just went at her."

Clearly, LeBron felt the officer used excessive force, and feels the situation could have been resolved without fatal gunfire.

LeBron posted a photo of the officer with the caption, "YOU'RE NEXT #ACCOUNTABILITY" ... insinuating that he should be prosecuted just like Derek Chauvin.

But, LeBron's post has sparked a backlash, with the largest police union in the country condemning the Lakers star's message as "disgraceful and extremely reckless."

The National Fraternal Order of Police tweeted that LeBron "should educate himself and, frankly, has a responsibility to do so, on the facts before weighing in."

"The officer saved a young girl's life. No amount of gaslighting will change that fact."

The message was echoed by Sen. Tom Cotton from Arkansas, who said, "LeBron James is inciting violence against an Ohio police officer. This is disgraceful and dangerous."

Even ex-MLB star Lenny Dykstra is going in on LeBron, saying, "Hey, @nba, have you disciplined #LeBronJames for making a real and ongoing threat to the life of the brave officer in Columbus who prevented a knife attack from being even worse?"

As for the officer in question, officials have said the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation will launch a full investigation into the incident.

Originally Published -- 3:30 PM PT

Ex-North Carolina Cop Dodges Charges for K-9 Choking

3/4/21
K-9 ABUSE

The former North Carolina cop captured on video hanging a K-9 by its leash will not face criminal charges for the horrifying incident that already cost him his job.

The Rowan County District Attorney’s Office just announced its decision not to bring charges against James Hampton, the former officer who came under fire last month when video surfaced showing him manhandling the hell out of Zuul, the police dog with which he was partnered.

The D.A. says a review of the incident didn't turn up enough evidence to warrant criminal charges, but they admit the optics for Hampton don't look great. In fact, the D.A. added that while the video might show a "bad act," and a controversial one that violates police procedures ... that doesn't mean they had sufficient evidence of a crime.

During its investigation, the D.A.'s Office interviewed Hampton's fellow officers, who said Zuul was disciplined incorrectly, but they didn’t believe Hampton acted with malice or bad intent -- despite the video evidence.

The D.A. also says Hampton's former supervisor said he loved his previous K-9s, and paid thousands out of his own pocket for veterinary bills.

As we reported ... Hampton ended up resigning after the video came out, but it seems his fellow officers didn't want to cross the thin blue line.

Brett Favre Chauvin Didn't Mean To Kill Floyd ... But He Went Too Far

INEXCUSABLE ACT
Bolling with Favre

Brett Favre is weighing in on the Derek Chauvin verdict ... saying he truly believes the ex-cop did NOT intentionally kill George Floyd, but his actions were downright inexcusable.

Chauvin was found guilty on all 3 charges stemming from the May 2020 incident on Tuesday ... and is now facing up to 40 years behind bars.

4/20/21
GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY
Fox 9

The NFL legend spoke about Floyd's death on his "Bolling With Favre" podcast on Wednesday ... condemning Chauvin's handling of the situation, but explaining why he feels it's "hard to believe" he intended to kill the 46-year-old man.

"I’m aware of the outcome. I find it hard to believe, and I’m not defending Derek Chauvin in any way. I find it hard to believe, first of all, that he intentionally meant to kill George Floyd," Favre said on Wednesday.

"That being said, his actions were uncalled for. I don’t care what color the person is on the street, you do not, I don’t know what lead to that video that we saw, where his knee is on his neck, but the man had thrown in the towel."

Favre continued ... "It was just uncalled for. Much like the video that surfaced last week of the cop who pulled over the African-American service man, who was afraid to pull over in the dark and chose to ride it out until he got to a gas station. Understandably so, especially in today’s world."

"And the cops actions, of course he was fired immediately, was uncalled for. Just absolutely uncalled for, and wrong. So Derek Chauvin, I obviously don’t know him, know anything about him, but he should not, he should’ve gotten up.

"Long before that. I didn’t watch the day-to-day ins and outs of the trial, but I’m really not surprised at the outcomes. Fair or not, he deserves something. What, I don’t know, but he was absolutely wrong."

Favre also addressed the backlash he faced last week after his comments about wanting to keep politics out of sports ... saying he stands by what he said.

"I just gave my opinion. I'm certainly not a racist, despite what people think. I'm for unity. I just feel like there's a better way to unify our country."

Jacob Blake Elated Over Chauvin Verdict ... 'Let's Get the Rest of 'Em'

MORE WORK TO DO

Jacob Blake's reaction to Derek Chauvin being found guilty of George Floyd's murder is joy for Floyd's family, admiration for the people who fought for the verdict ... and hope that it's the first big step in changing the world for the better.

Blake -- who's paralyzed after a Kenosha, Wisconsin cop shot him -- told TMZ he's "extremely happy" justice was served in Floyd's death, and gives shout-outs to everyone who helped ensure the outcome ... family, friends, lawyers, advocates, protesters and the judge and jury in Chauvin's trial.

4/20/21
GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY
Fox 9

Jacob says of Chauvin being convicted of murder, "We got one ... let's get the rest of 'em."

Though Blake's elated over the outcome, he's mindful there's a long way to go when it comes to police brutality, adding ... "Y'all gotta stop killing us. You have to. If you don't, this world ain't gonna last."

8/23/20
SHOCKING AND BRUTAL
Raysean White via TMX.news

As you know ... stories of police brutality and fatal shootings have definitely not stopped after George Floyd's death, and Blake's shooting in August was another lightning rod situation that sparked mass protests and criticism of policing in America.

Blake was shot 6 times at close range in the back by Kenosha Officer Rusten Sheskey as he was walking away, leaving him paralyzed. Last week it was announced that Sheskey, who is white, is back on his beat in Kenosha. He did not face any discipline for shooting Jacob.

George Floyd 'Just Another Dead Man' Without Video ... Brother Thanks Teen Who Recorded

THE UNSUNG HERO
TMZ.com

The world would know nothing of George Floyd's death without the civilian video showing his murder at the hands of then-Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin ... so say George's brother and family attorney.

Philonise Floyd and Ben Crump joined us on "TMZ Live" Wednesday and we asked if they believe Floyd's murderer would still be on the police force if 17-year-old Darnella Frazier hadn't stopped and hit record on her camera phone.

5/25/20
EXCESSIVE FORCE
Facebook/ Darnella Frazier

Philonise says his brother would be "just another dead man" if not for Darnella's video, which Crump says has been viewed over 50 million times around the world.

Crump believes Derek Chauvin may never have been prosecuted without the shocking footage, because as he points out ... police departments often try to sweep critical details under the rug in cases like George's, or omit them completely.

Before Darnella posted the video of what really happened, the initial police report made no mention of Chauvin pressing his knee on George's neck for over 9 minutes ... and Crump says the teen is the unsung hero in the Floyd family's fight for justice.

4/20/21
GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY
Fox 9

In the end, Darnella's video was crucial in the family getting some justice with Chauvin's guilty verdict, which Philonise tells us was bittersweet.

It's a powerful conversation ... and Crump tells us why the upcoming trial of the other officers involved in Floyd's fatal arrest could be enormously significant in terms of police reform.

The full interview will air on TMZ Live on Wednesday night. Check your local listings.

George Floyd's Brother 'Not Offended' By Raiders 'I Can Breathe' Post

UPDATE

12:56 PM PT -- Philonise issued a statement reinforcing the family's position regarding the Raiders' statement.

UPDATE

"On behalf of our family, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Las Vegas Raiders organization and its leadership for their support of our family and for our nation’s ongoing pursuit of justice and equality for all."

UPDATE

"Now, more than ever, we must come together as one and continue on in this fight. For the first time in almost a year, our family has taken a breath. And I know that goes for so many across the nation and globe, as well."

UPDATE

"Let’s take this breath together in honor of my big brother who couldn’t. Let’s do it for George."

George Floyd's brother, Philonise, has a message for the Las Vegas Raiders -- he's not offended by the team's "I Can Breathe" post and is not demanding they take it down.

We spoke with Philonise moments ago ... and he told us he does not believe the message was intended to be negative and he hasn't had any negative thoughts about it all.

In fact, Philonise kind of agrees with the post -- explaining how the world can finally take a breath now that the man who killed his brother has been convicted and will be held accountable.

4/20/21
"WE ARE ABLE TO BREATHE AGAIN"
Fox 9

As we previously reported, Raiders owner Mark Davis took responsibility for posting "I Can Breathe" on the team's social media accounts on Tuesday, moments after Derek Chauvin was found guilty on 3 counts in the murder of George Floyd.

Davis has said the post was inspired by the comments Philonise made at a news conference following the conviction when he explained, "Today, we are able to breathe again."

David and the Raiders have been getting a TON of pushback online from people who feel the post was insensitive -- considering Floyd told officers "I can't breathe" more than 20 times during the May 2020 encounter with Chauvin.

On Tuesday evening, Davis said he's sorry IF the tweet hurt the Floyd family ... "If I offended the family, then I'm deeply, deeply disappointed."

Clearly, Philonise feels no apology is necessary.

Originally published -- 9:23 AM PT

Marshon Lattimore Gun Arrest Video ... Cops Warned NFL Star 'You're Gonna Shoot Your Dick Off'

3/26/21
ARREST VIDEO
Cleveland Police Department

A cop was so concerned for Marshon Lattimore after finding a gun near his groin during a police stop last month that he straight-up warned the NFL star, "You're gonna shoot your dick off."

... and the whole incident was caught on police video obtained by TMZ Sports.

Lattimore and three others were stopped in Cleveland on March 26 after cops say the driver of the vehicle had committed multiple traffic violations.

In video of the stop, you can see officers swarmed the car immediately ... and confronted Lattimore right away.

In the clip, cops say they smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car ... and then asked Lattimore if there were firearms inside the ride.

Eventually, Lattimore revealed he DID have a gun on his person ... and told cops it was located in the groin area of his jeans.

"You're gonna shoot your dick off," one officer said as he removed the firearm from Lattimore's pants.

"Get yourself a holster, brother," another cop told the New Orleans Saints corner.

As cops were conducting searches around the car, one of the officers apparently realized Lattimore was an NFL player ... and said out loud, "You play for the Saints?!"

The cop then scolded the 24-year-old for putting himself in the position ... explaining, "It's not like you're a, you know, f***ing chump out there, bro!"

Ultimately, cops say they found Lattimore's gun showed up in the system as stolen ... and they arrested him, booking him on charges of failure to notify and receiving stolen property.

FYI, the stolen property charge is a 4th degree felony -- which carries a maximum punishment of 18 months in prison. So yeah, that's a big deal.

The other three passengers in the car were also arrested.

Lattimore's case is currently playing out in the court system.

Lattimore is one of the best defensive players in the NFL ... and is expected to ink a massive contract extension with the Saints when his rookie deal expires after the 2021 season.

Before his NFL career began, Lattimore -- who grew up in the Cleveland area -- was a star at Ohio State.

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