News

11:40 AM PT -- Don Lemon posted a statement from his attorney, Abbe Lowell, on his official IG account Thursday after the judge rejected the DOJ's attempt to charge him … noting journalists' First Amendment rights were properly reinforced by the federal judge.

The statement concludes … "Should the Department of Justice continue with a stunning and troubling effort to silence and punish a journalist for doing his job, Don will call out their latest attack on the rule of law and fight any charges vigorously and thoroughly in court."

Don Lemon looks like he's off the hook in Minnesota ... because a judge reportedly swatted away the U.S. Department of Justice's first attempt to charge him with a crime over an anti-ICE protest that tore through a church service.

CNN reports a federal magistrate judge rejected the DOJ's bid to bring charges against the former CNN host, who reported live from Sunday's protest at Cities Church in St. Paul.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is in meeting with federal prosecutors in Minnesota, is reportedly "enraged" at the judge's decision.

Kelsey Clark cooked up a little trouble for herself in Alabama ... the "Top Chef" winner was arrested for DUI after plowing into a mailbox in Alabama, TMZ has learned.

Here's the scoop ... Dothan PD officers responded to a call Wednesday night to a residential street after Clark drove her vehicle into the mailbox, police said. Officers noticed Clark reeked of booze and showed several other indications of driver impairment, cops said.

Clark was given field sobriety tests, which included walking in a straight line and standing on one foot, according to police. Her performance wasn't great, leading officers to believe she was impaired, cops said.

A lawyer and activist who allegedly helped organize a protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, earlier this week has been arrested.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Nekima Levy Armstrong was taken into custody at her direction Thursday morning, writing in a social media post ... "Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP."

Bondi said Chauntyll Louisa Allen was also arrested.

Bryan Kohberger's killing spree in Idaho left a blood-soaked mess behind ... and newly released photos from the crime scene show just how gory this quadruple murder really was.

Idaho State Police released the photos from the November 2022 murders ... and you see blood all over the rooms of the home shared by Kohberger's victims, who were students at the University of Idaho.

Blood is splattered all over the place ... on sheets, mattresses, walls, furniture, doors, walls, floors and household items.

Renee Good was shot in the left forearm, right breast and left side of her head during an encounter with ICE training officer Jonathan Ross earlier this month in Minneapolis, an autopsy commissioned by her family has revealed.

The information was released by the family's lawyers at Romanucci & Blandin, according to the New York Times, as the family awaits the results of an autopsy being conducted by Minnesota's Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office. Last week, the Minneapolis Fire and Police departments found she had been shot four times.

The results reveal the forearm and chest gunshots were not immediately life-threatening, while the third shot to her head is what ended her life. The autopsy reportedly says the fatal shot entered near her left temple and exited the right side of her head. A fourth graze wound that did not penetrate her body was also reported.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee was briefly detained at LAX on Wednesday night after returning from South Korea without proper documentation ... but the athlete has since been released from immigration detention after resolving the issue.

Lee was flying back stateside to attend the Giants FanFest event in San Ramon on Saturday, when he ran into a hiccup the team called a "paperwork issue."

"The matter was quickly clarified with the appropriate authorities, and he has since been cleared to continue his travel," the team said in a statement. "We appreciate the professionalism of all parties involved."

Kim Jong Un is over the moon as he tours his shiny new hot springs resort in North Korea ... bursting with glee, with a giant grin on his face!

The North Korean dictator was all smiles as he swooped in to get a first-hand look at the Onpo Workers' Recreation Center at the ribbon-cutting. The center stands as North Korea's biggest hot springs resort and -- get this -- it's now been designated as a natural monument.

Check out the video ad ... Kim is all bundled up in his coat as he walks around the facility, entering two spa rooms with hot tubs where his fellow citizens are enjoying the water in their bathing suits.

President Donald Trump is damaging the United States in the eyes of the international community, but it goes so much deeper than that ... so says actor Boris Kodjoe.

We caught up with the star at LAX Wednesday ... and we asked him what he thinks of the current state of American politics. Kodjoe's originally from Germany but came to the United States in the '90s -- so, he's got a unique perspective on the political system.

You can listen to all of the specifics for yourself ... but, basically, Kodjoe's concerned. He calls recent decisions by the Trump administration "sad" and "disturbing" -- and advocates for a return to compassion.

A contestant on Erica Mena's reality dating show was fatally shot in St. Louis ... and prosecutors have already charged a man with murder in connection with the death.

"Two Ways With Erica Mena" contestant Pee Wee was found shot early Wednesday morning and he died at the scene ... according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

Pee Wee -- government name Jardyn Walker -- had been reported missing Tuesday night and was last seen delivering packages for his job in the University City area ... according to the University City Police Department.

Mitt Romney's sister-in-law left a handwritten suicide note tucked inside a Book of Mormon and had Xanax in her system when she died ... according to the L.A. County Medical Examiner.

The ME's report says detectives discovered a Book of Mormon on the front passenger seat of Carrie's car. In the final pages of the book, authorities say Carrie left a handwritten suicide note. Medications were also found inside the vehicle.

The report states Carrie had 6.3 ng/mL of Xanax in her system at the time of her death. A witness told first responders Carrie was seen pacing on the top level of the parking structure, watching security cameras, and looking over the edge of the parapet. The report also states surveillance footage captured her final moments.

Donald Trump appeared to advocate for dictators at an event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday.

The president was speaking at the CEO reception and dinner event and reflected on his speech from earlier in the day, in which he claimed the United States wouldn't use military force to take control of Greenland.

Trump asserted his address was well-received, stating ... "I can't believe it, we got good reviews on that speech. Usually they say, 'He's a horrible dictator type person. I'm a dictator.' But sometimes you need a dictator."

The man who allegedly shot New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd outside of a restaurant in November 2025 was indicted on several charges -- including attempted murder -- on Wednesday ... as the NFL player continues to deal with complications from the injuries he sustained.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., announced on Wednesday that 20-year-old Frederick Green was charged in the New York State Supreme Court on one count of attempted murder in the second degree, one count of assault in the first degree, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

"As alleged, Frederick Green fired two shots outside of a restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, nearly turning a physical altercation into a fatal one," Bragg said.

Lakers boss Jeanie Buss has reportedly been quietly losing patience with LeBron James … and the spark? Gratitude -- or, the lack of it.

Buss was privately fuming behind the scenes after the team drafted Bronny James with the 55th pick in 2024 ... because King James didn’t exactly show his appreciation, according to an ESPN report on how family infighting drove the $10 billion sale of the iconic franchise.

Buss saw the pick as a major gesture of loyalty to the James family, and she expected a little appreciation from LeBron, but instead, she believes he shrugged it off, and it irked Jeanie.

Dodgers star Alex Vesia and his wife Kayla shared a quiet, yet moving tribute to their late daughter, posing together in front of a glowing sunset, captioning the photo ... “Sterlings mom and dad ♥️".

The serene scene captured a moment of reflection, love and loss for the Vesia family.

Fans and teammates quickly flooded the post with messages of love and support.

A pedestrian was critically injured when he was absolutely plowed by a police cruiser while walking in a crosswalk in the Los Angeles area this weekend ... and the moment was all caught on video.

Check out the footage -- the man is in the crosswalk as the traffic light appears to have changed ... with other cars already rolling by ... he's nearly to the sidewalk when he looks up and starts to trot -- and then he's blasted by a fast-moving Montebello Police Department patrol SUV.

The impact sends the victim flying through the air as he lands yards away ... while the patrol car veers and smashes into the traffic light pole. The dazed officer inside takes a few moments to collect himself before jumping out and running over to the injured man ... other cars stop and one driver gets out to render aid.

Jimmy "Whyte Folkz" McMahan was committed to turning over a new leaf ... before his sudden death in a motorcycle accident at the age of 50 Monday.

McMahan's manager Kentucky Boy tells TMZ ... the late influencer had just gotten out of jail and was excited about working on sobriety in the weeks prior to the fatal crash.

Kentucky Boy said he'd spoken to McMahan not long before the accident ... and the social media star was apparently in good spirits, despite having gone through a recent hospital stay.