RIP

Bill Rasmussen -- the founder of ESPN -- has died at 93 years old from the effects of Parkinson's disease, the network announced Tuesday.

Rasmussen was credited with creating the first 24-hour television network when he launched the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network with his son, Scott, in 1979 ... which would change the medium forever.

Rasmussen was the network's inaugural president and CEO ... and was able to form relationships with sports leagues, investors and cable operators to set the network up for years to come.

An Illinois mother saved her 7-year-old son from a river ... but lost her own life moments after getting him to safety.

Angelina Khalimendik was fishing with her three children Sunday evening at Independence Grove Forest Preserve when her youngest son got swept into the Des Plaines River.

Officials say Angelina jumped into the water and managed to help her son reach another family member ... but she then went underwater herself.

At least six people have died after severe storms and major flooding battered Indiana ... and President Donald Trump has approved an emergency declaration to help the state respond.

The federal declaration, approved on Saturday, makes assistance available to support Indiana's response to severe storms, damaging winds, tornadoes and flooding that began August 11. The aid is expected to help with emergency operations, including evacuations, rescues and critical supplies.

The federal response comes after Indiana Gov. Mike Braun issued a statewide emergency as communities across the state dealt with widespread destruction. Northwest Indiana was hit by powerful winds, while central parts of the state were slammed with torrential rainfall and significant flooding.

Jason Arday -- the former Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism who was found dead in London Friday -- feared leaving the house amid the media scrutiny just before he died ... according to a longtime friend.

Simon Baron-Cohen, the director of the Autism Research Center at the University of Cambridge, appeared on BBC Radio 4's "Today" Saturday ... and he discussed his last conversation with Arday, which he says took place hours before he passed.

Baron-Cohen says Arday confided in him that he was afraid to leave home ... because he felt "bombarded" by the media calling him a fraud.

Jason Arday, the Cambridge professor who resigned after being accused of plagiarism, has died, according to the university.

In a statement Friday, Deborah Prentice, the Vice-Chancellor Professor at the University of Cambridge, confirmed Arday's death, saying "we are desperately saddened to hear this tragic news" and "our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."

The Metropolitan Police in London said officers responded to a man's home Friday afternoon after receiving a report that he was found unresponsive. Police declared the man dead at the scene and notified his next of kin without releasing Arday's name publicly.

Former boxer Prichard Colón, once a rising star, died after more than a decade battling the devastating effects of a traumatic brain injury suffered in the ring.

He was only 33.

Colón's dad and former trainer, Richard, announced the heartbreaking news on social media, writing ... “Good morning, everyone. I regret to inform you of the passing of my son Prichard from this earthly world. He is now in a better place.”

He continued ... "Thank you for so many years of love and prayers. As much as you can, please keep us in your prayers."

Lionel Messi is heartbroken over his father's death ... admitting he has no idea how to move forward without him -- on and off the pitch.

Jorge Messi -- who also served as Lionel's agent -- passed away in Argentina last weekend after battling an illness ... and the soccer superstar shared a heartfelt goodbye on social media.

"Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone," Lionel said. "It hasn’t sunk in, or rather, I don’t want it to. It’s very difficult for me to imagine that I won’t see you anymore, that we won’t talk anymore. I know you were suffering and that it’s for the best, but you left too soon. We still had so much to enjoy together."

California bald eagle Jackie may soon soar over Big Bear once again ... with local officials considering several public tributes following the beloved bird’s death ... TMZ has learned.

A spokesperson for Visit Big Bear tells TMZ ... officials are working to incorporate Jackie into the community's Labor Day drone show, potentially illuminating her likeness and name in the sky.

We're told officials are also discussing a sunset memorial at Big Bear Lake and a permanent statue honoring Jackie, who became a local icon alongside her longtime mate, Shadow.

Christian Obumseli's attorney is explaining why his family approved Courtney Clenney's plea agreement ... and he says it's the first step towards holding her accountable.

Larry R. Handfield tells TMZ ... Christian's family would have liked to see Courtney receive more prison time for pleading guilty to manslaughter -- she was sentenced to 6 years -- but they recognize no amount of prison time could ever bring Christian back.

He says the guilty plea not only makes Courtney a "convicted felon" ... but also "completely undermines the narrative that has been presented over the last four years, that she acted in self-defense when she took Christian's life."

Oklahoma State Senate candidate Barry Christian died from a gunshot wound to the head ... and his death has been ruled a suicide.

TMZ has obtained the Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner's summary report, which lists the gunshot wound as Christian's cause of death. No other contributing conditions are listed.

As we reported ... Christian was found dead inside his 2024 gray Ram pickup truck at the Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area in Beckham County on April 30.

A child's playtime inside a Kansas home turned deadly ... when a 4-year-old was allegedly electrocuted by a clothes dryer.

The Allen County Sheriff's Office says the child was playing at a residence in Savonburg on Thursday when they reportedly received an electrical shock from a 220-volt dryer.

Deputies responded to a report of a child not breathing shortly after 9:30 PM ... but by then, the parents were already racing their unconscious child to Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute.

Chandler David Hendry has died following a three vehicle crash in Utah.

The popular Mormon influencer and podcaster was involved in the deadly collision Friday morning in Lehi, according to local authorities.

A spokesperson for the Lehi Police Department told KSL witnesses reported Hendry ran a red light before crashing into two other vehicles. Police say he was not wearing a seat belt at the time.

Famed, record-breaking climber Jake Whisenant died from blunt force trauma, after falling during a climb ... TMZ has learned.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office Coroner tells TMZ ... Jake's preliminary cause of death has been determined, but the toxicology results are still pending -- the manner was ruled an accident.

We're told the witnesses saw the fatal fall ... and Jake's death was instant.

Beloved California bald eagle Jackie is dead ... just weeks after suffering a brutal attack carried out by two other eagles ... ending weeks of hope that the iconic Big Bear bird would pull through.

The Ojai Raptor Center announced Monday that Jackie died early Monday morning after more than three weeks of intensive medical treatment.

The facility shared a remembrance photo of Jackie on Facebook, writing, "Our team is heartbroken. It has been an extraordinary privilege to care for her."

12;06 PM PT -- The death toll has now risen to at least 111 people.

10:29 AM PST -- The death toll in the aftermath of 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia has risen -- at least 74 are dead.

A massive 7.4 magnitude earthquake rocked western Colombia on Monday ... killing at least 22 people, collapsing buildings and leaving others trapped beneath the rubble ... and video shows the heartbreaking aftermath.

The quake struck near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region, with powerful shaking felt across the country, CNN reports.

Footage from several cities shows clouds of dust filling the streets as building facades crumble and residents race for cover.

Reuters reports 18 people were killed in Pereira, while 3 others died in Manizales, and 1 death was reported in the region of Antioquia. Rescue crews are searching damaged buildings for more victims.

08/09/2026 11:53 AM PST -- TMZ has obtained dispatch audio from the tragic accident.

A man has been arrested after an overcrowded boat capsized in New York Harbor, killing a mother and her 5-month-old daughter, TMZ has confirmed.

A NYPD spokesperson confirms to TMZ ... Manuel Hernandez, age 46, was hit with 13 counts of reckless endangerment following Saturday night’s deadly incident -- and additional charges could be filed in connection with the deaths.

According to sources, Hernandez was operating the vessel when it overturned near Liberty Island shortly before 10:30 p.m. The boat reportedly had 14 people aboard at the time.