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There IS something worse than a SoCal traffic jam -- try getting caught behind a semitruck as powerful wind tosses it like a rocking chair, nearly tipping it over right in front of you!!!

The incredible footage shows the big rig leaning and rocking in the wind, and as you can see, at one point the entire trailer was lifted up on one side as it came oh so close to falling over.

Erik, the guy who shot the video, tells us he was driving onto the 210 Freeway Monday in Fontana, CA -- an hour east of L.A. -- when he noticed the semi struggling to cut through the strong Santa Ana winds, which gusted up to 96 MPH that day.

Erik says he started filming the semi, thinking it was only a matter of time before it blew on its side. He was dangerously close to being right.

The worst part for Erik was there was already bumper-to-bumper traffic on the freeway due to multiple other semis flipping in the wind.

Hollywood's Halloween costume parties will be looking like a ghost town this year ... so instead, let's take a stroll down memory lane and try to guess who's behind these sexy costumes!!!

Here's a few hints ... the babe in the Miley Cyrus costume is a hotel heiress. The hottie dressed as Poison Ivy loves to rap about sex. Oh, and the bombshells dressed as Karl Lagerfeld and a Victoria's Secret angel are sisters in a super famous fam.

Check out the gallery for some of the hottest costumes from Halloweens past ... and good luck making your best guesses.

Before this Halloween-ready runt was famous for his comedy on a popular Netflix show, he was just another playful kid acting out a gory horror scene in Le Mars, Iowa.

This ketchup covered kid became famous after starring alongside Hayden Panettiere in a romantic comedy film named after her captivating character. Looking for love became a common trend in his work after he scored a role exploring the trials and tribulations of his relationship with his girlfriend, played by Gillian Jacobs.

Even though he is a hilarious comedian on-screen, this funny fella is also known for his career as a writer.

The World Series Champs are headin' to the City of Angels ... with the Dodgers currently on a flight back to Los Angeles.

And, oh yeah, they got the Commissioner's Trophy with 'em!

The travel plans back home were up in the air after star Justin Turner tested positive for COVID-19 during the game ... but most players and family members were able to catch the flight back on Wednesday.

Unclear who all is on the plane -- we're assuming Turner isn't on board -- but players like Alex Wood and Austin Barnes have been documenting some of the trip.

As we previously reported, the league said both the Dodgers' and Rays' travel parties would receive nasal swabs multiple times prior to heading home as a safety precaution.

BTW -- Dodgers co-owner Magic Johnson has already touched down in L.A. on a separate plane.

As for the team plane ... it is decked out in Dodger Blue, newspaper clippings from articles covering the huge win ... and all the Chick-fil-A they can eat!!!

No one's laughing about the rising COVID death toll, which is why this is a total WTF moment -- a senior health official announcing grim numbers ... while rocking a clown costume.

Try not to be distracted by the full clown makeup, red tie, polka dot shirt and yellow pants the official was wearing as she somberly rattled off the tally for COVID cases and deaths in Oregon.

The answer to your question -- who's this clown? She's reportedly Claire Poche from the Oregon Health Authority. We know it's Halloween and all, but Claire never addresses her attire in the video.

Officials are reportedly dismissing it as just a costume, but that doesn't square with the fact the video was recorded Oct. 14, making it 2 weeks old now and pretty early for a Halloween. Plus, the sign language interpreter isn't in a costume ... so, Claire really stands out.

Darnella Frazier -- the teenager who captured George Floyd's final minutes and started a worldwide movement -- is getting an award from a prestigious nonprofit.

PEN America announced Tuesday they were honoring 17-year-old Darnella with its annual PEN/Benenson Courage Award. The org's CEO, Suzanne Nossel, says, "With nothing more than a cell phone and sheer guts, Darnella changed the course of history in this country, sparking a bold movement demanding an end to systemic anti-Black racism and violence at the hands of police."

Nossel adds, "Without Darnella’s presence of mind and readiness to risk her own safety and wellbeing, we may never have known the truth about George Floyd’s murder. We are proud to recognize her exceptional courage with this award."

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump -- who reps George's family now -- praised Darnella as well on Twitter, saying she showed tremendous courage and the award was well-deserved.

As we reported ... Darnella went through a lot of backlash in the immediate aftermath of her video being posted, with many questioning why she didn't do more than record it. Her family told us they were seeking therapy to help Darnella cope with the emotional trauma.

Chris Harrison may have just earned himself a World Series ring from the Dodgers ... after coming in clutch for the players and their wives and girlfriends!!!

The 'Bachelorette' host joined "TMZ Live" on Wednesday and revealed he sent the team an advance copy of Clare Crawley's 'Bachelorette' premiere. Why? Well, turns out the premiere was going up against Game 1 of the World Series.

Check out the clip ... Chris says the ladies -- and some of the players too, we're sure -- didn't want to miss last week's premiere, so he took it upon himself to hook up the Boys in Blue. The players, along with their families, were quarantined in a "bubble" in Dallas since the League Championship series and through the World Series.

Sure, Dodgers star shortstop Corey Seager earned NLCS and World Series MVP hardware ... but maybe Chris should be right up there with Corey?

Chris also talks about Clare's awkward one-on-one date with Zach J., and how it'll all come full circle with next week's episode. As 'Bach' nation knows ... Clare felt uncomfortable after Zach grabbed the nape of her neck after a cringe-worthy kiss attempt.

Lizzo has voted ... and she REALLY made it count.

The singer submitted her ballot for the 2020 election in West Hollywood, and she made her presence felt ... by strutting her way to the dropbox in an American flag tank top, white booty shorts and glittery golden boots.

It looks like the modern Miss Liberty carries a Maison Margiela foldover patent-leather clutch, too. Naturally.

Lizzo's scored her voting vid with a little ditty about it being "time to vote" ... something several celebrities have been promoting lately.

Unlike Chris Rock, Chelsea Handler, Mark Ruffalo, Sarah Silverman and Lil Dicky, Lizzo didn't get naked for her voting reminder ... but she still made it sexy with some celebratory twerking.

She says this is the third time she's voted in her life, and she believes "this is the beginning of making voting ACCESSIBLE and FAIR so that this country reflects its people."

MLB is throwing Justin Turner under the bus -- placing ALL of the blame on the Dodgers star for not following COVID protocol after testing positive during the World Series.

Turner was pulled during the 7th inning of Game 6 on Tuesday and told to isolate -- but MLB says he "emphatically refused to comply" and returned to the field to celebrate after the Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays.

Turner was seen hugging and interacting with several players, staffers and family members ... at one point he sat down next to Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts (a cancer survivor) without a mask on his face.

MLB is now going hard at Turner for his conduct -- and announcing a full investigation.

"Immediately upon receiving notice from the laboratory of a positive test, protocols were triggered, leading to the removal of Justin Turner from last night’s game," MLB says.

"Turner was placed into isolation for the safety of those around him. However, following the Dodgers’ victory, it is clear that Turner chose to disregard the agreed-upon joint protocols and the instructions he was given regarding the safety and protection of others."

"While a desire to celebrate is understandable, Turner’s decision to leave isolation and enter the field was wrong and put everyone he came in contact with at risk.  When MLB Security raised the matter of being on the field with Turner, he emphatically refused to comply."

MLB says the Commissioner’s Office is beginning a "full investigation into this matter and will consult with the Players Association within the parameters of the joint 2020 Operations Manual."

MLB says players from the Rays and Dodgers were tested directly after the game on Tuesday and again Wednesday.

Travel plans for the teams to return home will be contingent on the results of those tests.

"Travel back to their home cities will be determined after being approved by the appropriate authorities.”

Here's an odd one -- a woman was arrested at an Ohio Applebee's after getting ticked off the restaurant refused to give her 2 high chairs for 2 babies ... and she streamed the encounter live.

Shannel Malcolm hit record when she and her family -- consisting of 5 people total -- allegedly got a hard time Sunday evening from the staff ... all because, she says, she wanted 2 high chairs for her twin 1-year-olds. Seems like a simple request, right?

Well, the Marion County Sheriff's Department tells TMZ ... Applebee's told responding deputies they denied Shannel the high chairs because she wanted them at a booth, which the restaurant told her would cause a fire hazard.

So, cops say the staff told them they offered to seat her at another table that could safely accommodate the 2 high chairs ... but it doesn't sound like that went over well.

The Sheriff's Department says they tried calming down Shannel, who they say was acting unruly and wasn't cooperating. There's no evidence in the video she posted ... in fact, she was complimentary to the cops. However, they ended up arresting her after cops first tried to resolve it by just giving her a court summons.

She was booked for disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice, and released later that evening.

One last thing about this ... in her disbelief at the situation, Shannel -- who is Black -- does make mention of 2020 being "real," and her eyes being "open" in light of this. Unclear if she was insinuating racism was in play here .... but if so, she never explicitly says so.

Now there's a movement growing to boycott the Applebee's over the episode. We've also reached out to the restaurant for more clarification ... so far, no word back

Breonna Taylor's mother says the case KY Attorney General Daniel Cameron presented to the grand jury was flawed and biased ... and she's pushing for a do-over.

Tamika Palmer's filed legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- seeking to have an independent prosecutor appointed to her daughter's case in order to give a brand new grand jury an "unbiased" presentation of the evidence.

Ironically, Cameron had taken over the case back in May, as a special prosecutor, to avoid the appearance of impropriety arising from the local Jefferson County D.A. investigating Louisville cops.

Palmer's asking the Kentucky Prosecutors Advisory Council to begin the process to "restore the confidence in the grand jury process" in the state ... according to her lawyers.

The request comes on the heels of multiple grand jurors speaking out against AG Cameron, claiming he neglected to present a case for possible homicide charges against the police officers who shot Breonna.

According to the jurors, they were never given the option to even consider homicide charges because Cameron told them they wouldn't hold up in court. The jurors say they felt otherwise.

No parade will come with the L.A. Dodgers' World Series ring -- at least not yet -- the team says it's postponing the celebration due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Dodgers made the announcement Wednesday ... saying it's just not safe enough to have fans pack Los Angeles streets for a party.

"While the wait for a World Championship is finally over," team officials said, "a celebration worthy of our great fans and the City of Los Angeles will unfortunately have to wait until it is safe to do so."

No makeup date has been scheduled for now ... but the team added, "We can’t wait to celebrate together!”

Of course, the decision to delay World Series celebrations comes just a few weeks after the L.A. Lakers announced they're postponing NBA Championship parade plans as well.

But, there still might be hope for at least SOME kind of joint-title festivities ...

After LeBron James BEGGED city officials for a parade Tuesday night ... L.A. mayor Eric Garcetti said he's open to figuring out something.

"Let's talk," Garcetti told the Lakers superstar. "I'm down for anything safe."

Music to L.A.'s ears!

Now go celebrate SAFELY for now.

This young activist is going viral for roasting a bunch of police commissioners, and ya gotta see the video ... she's not holding anything back!!!

Keiajah Brooks went OFF at a recent meeting with members of the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners, dragging them for using Black kids as photo ops ... at least that's how she sees it.

With the election drawing near, Keiajah is sick and tired of seeing politicians and city officials using folks in her community to try to look woke for cameras.

Keiajah starts out swinging, telling the commissioners she's done being nice and respectable and, "y'all can't and won't be both my savior and my oppressor."

She added the kids cops pose with today will be seen as suspects by the same officers 10 years from now.

NASCAR driver Kyle Larson will have a NEW team when he returns to the track in 2021 -- signing with Hendrick Motorsports, 6 months after his infamous n-word incident.

The 28-year-old driver had been fired by his old team, Chip Ganassi Racing, after he hurled the n-word during a virtual race back in April ... and many wondered if he would ever race again.

But, Hendrick Motorsports announced Wednesday they've signed Larson to a multi-year contract to drive the #5 car in 2021.

As we previously reported, NASCAR had initially suspended Larson for the incident -- but later announced he was reinstated and eligible to race again beginning on Jan. 1, 2021.

"Hendrick Motorsports is a championship organization that has set a high bar for performance and for how its drivers represent the team and its partners,” Larson said in a statement.

"My goal is to win races, be a great teammate, continue my personal efforts to grow, and hold myself to that high standard personally and professionally."

Larson says he knows there is a high bar for him to be successful both on and off the track. He also says team owner Rick Hendrick was one of the few people who stood by him in the aftermath of the racial incident.

"Mr. Hendrick is one of the people who extended a hand to me over the past 6 months. Our initial conversations were not about racing. He cares about me as a person and wants to see me succeed beyond driving."

"I can’t put into words how grateful I am for the commitment, the faith and the confidence from him and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports."

For his part, Rick Hendrick says Kyle is "unquestionably one of the most talented race car drivers in the world."

"More importantly, I have full confidence that he understands our expectations and will be a tremendous ambassador for our team, our partners and NASCAR."

Adele's got a new main squeeze ... a fellow Brit who's also big in the music biz -- Skepta.

Rumor has it the 2 have been hanging out a lot in recent months ... but are now officially a couple. They're both from Tottenham, and according to a report by People, they've been spending a lot of time together around the London neighborhood.

The singer and the rapper have been friends for years too ... as Skepta revealed in a 2016 interview when he said she texts him a lot to see how he's doing.

Adele's been single since early 2019, when she and her husband of 7 years, Simon Konecki, announced they had split up. Adele filed for a divorce a few months later in September.

Both Adele and Skepta have children from their previous relationships too. She and Konecki have an 8-year-old son, Angelo ... and he has a 2-year-old daughter named River.

Adele's been making headlines in 2020 for her remarkable weight loss -- something she recently joked about on 'SNL' -- but now ... there's something else to talk about.

Khloe Kardashian contracted COVID-19 earlier this year -- and the symptoms were so bad, Kris Jenner called every doctor she could think of for help.

Khloe's diagnosis is included in a new "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" trailer ... where she says she quarantined in her room because the symptoms were "really bad for a couple of days." She says she was vomiting, shaking and had hot and cold flashes. She said she also got some terrible headaches and her chest burned from all the coughing.

The clip shows the family tension as they waited for Khloe's results -- Kim said, "I mean, my gut tells me she does, just because she's so sick. And, that really scares me for her, 'cause I can tell that she's now getting scared and that she's really nervous about it."

This is not the first time Kim's had a scary encounter with the potentially deadly disease. Kanye West revealed back in July during a Forbes interview he contracted the virus and suffered from similar symptoms. Earlier this month, Kim revealed Kanye got sick around the same time Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson announced their diagnosis back in March.

Kim said taking care of Kanye was scary at the time because the virus and its effects were largely unknown to the population. She said taking care of Kanye included changing his sheets while wearing gloves and a face shield.

Khloe's urging fans to follow precautions and stay safe. She's clearly back to her old self ... after recently hitting up Kim's 40th birthday extravaganza on a private island.