Source: CBS Photo Archive / Getty MusiCares Reveals The Mac Miller Legacy Fund The Mac Miller Legacy Fund has officially been launched by MusiCares, and will set out to help young people who are struggling with substance abuse, according to their website. MusiCares, which was created by the Recording Academy back in 1993, announced the non-profit on Thursday in Los Angeles during its annual MusiCares Concert for Recovery. Mac Miller’s very close friend Vince Staples was in attendance to reveal the news during a tribute to the late musician. The Mac Miller Fund—which was founded at the Pittsburgh Foundation by the rapper’s family—will grant $50,000 to help establish the MusiCares Mac Miller Legacy Fund. The site also shares that the legacy fund “is dedicated to helping members of the music community age 27 and under who are facing addiction.” The Mac Miller Fund currently has assets of nearly $1 million, which has been accumulated from donations via the Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life concert that took place last October, along with some contributions from the public. Mac’s family issued a statement after the MusiCares’ announcement saying the following: “These grants celebrate Malcolm’s life and legacy by funding two respected organizations that provide opportunities for young people to realize their talents and potential. It’s critically important to our family to fund a safety net for artists and musicians who are struggling with substance addiction. No life should be cut short for lack of expert help.”
Source: MARK RALSTON / Getty Man Arrested After Beating A Woman With An Electric Scooter A man in California was arrested and charged in the murder of an elderly woman after he allegedly beat her to death with an electric scooter, according to reports from KTLA . 27-year-old Amad Rashad Redding was indicted on Wednesday on one count of murder in the death of 63-year-old Rosa Elena Hernandez. Authorities say that Redding approached Hernandez in Long Beach on Monday afternoon, knocking her to the ground and then proceeding to stomp on the woman’s head. When a bystander tried to help, that is when Redding reportedly took an electric Bird scooter and bludgeoned her to death. Officers who responded to the horrific incident found significant injuries to Hernandez’ upper torso and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Police don’t believe that Redding actually knew his victim prior to this incident, and prosecutors described him as a transient who “randomly attacked” Hernandez. One resident did tell the station, however, that she had seen Redding in the neighborhood before. “I’ve seen him, he walks around, I’ve seen him walk around a few times by our house actually,” said Misty Velasco. Hernandez was a local babysitter who had lived in Long Beach for almost 40 years. “She knew everybody in the community, she would walk around, talk to all the Latinas and Latinos who lived in the neighborhood,” Dennis Fitzgerald said. “She did not drive, so she just walked every place.” Redding fled following Monday’s assault but was found about four hours later inside of a business, according to the Los Angeles Times . He was previously arrested back in February for allegedly setting a fire inside his family’s home in Louisiana, as reported by the Louisiana State Fire Marshal . Redding is currently being held on a $2 million bond and faces a possible sentence of 25 years to life in jail if convicted.
The Duggar family has been at the heart of countless controversies over the course of their many years in the public eye. Of course, they've always maintained the position that only God can judge them, but considering how many times the word “neighbor” comes up in the Bible, well … Jim Bob and company might want to spare some concern for the folks who live near them and what they have to say. If you follow the family closely, you're probably aware the Duggars and their neighbors don't always get along. In fact, Jim Bob has been derided as a greedy, status-seeking, wannabe tyrant. But is that a fair assessment, or is the family-man-turned-media-mogul being judged too harshly? Take a look at the evidence and decide for yourself: 1. The Power Couple Jim Bob and Michelle may have started their relationship under humble circumstances, but 19 kids, millions of dollars, and one semi-failed political career later, it’s clear that they always had big aspirations. 2. More Than a Media Mogul Jim Bob is many things: a former state senator, a father of 19, and the overseer of a burgeoning media empire — but he still aspires to more. 3. Aspiring Land Baron Jim Bob’s tendency to buy up large tracts of land for commercial use has frequently caused him to clash with his neighbors. 4. The Family Business Jim Bob and several of his children are involved in the business of flipping cars and properties. 5. Bucking Tradition Though working women are rarely seen in the evangelical world the Duggars inhabit, Jim Bob has permitted some of his daughters, including Jana, to take part in these ventures, which should serve as an indication of how serious he is about this aspect of his empire. 6. A Conservative Crowd Obviously, both real estate development and selling used cars require large tracts of land. And so, Jim Bob is constantly buying up acres, much to the chagrin of some of his neighbors, who may be resistant to change. View Slideshow
This Not Exactly Just In: Jenelle Evans is not the best mother on the planet. Anyone who has tuned in for any episode of Teen Mom 2 or surfed the Internet for any amount of time is likely aware of this fact. But Jenelle’s fitness as a parent has never been called further into question than it has been at the moment, with Child Protection Services having recently gone into her North Carolina home and removed her three kids. Following a court hearing on Thursday, Ensley, Jace and Kaiser were all hauled away by the authorities — and it’s unclear when, if ever, they will be returned to their mom. (Jenelle’s husband, David Eason, is the biological father of Ensley, while Jenelle’s shares Jace with Andrew Lewis and Kaiser with Nathan Griffith.) It’s a very ugly and sad situation all around. Evans, of course, has often made headlines for her controversial parenting techniques and decisions . But CPS finally intervened after Eason admitted to shooting and killing his family’s dog, Nugget, because it allegedly snapped at little Ensley and placed her in danger. According to various reports, Eason beat the dog bloody and senseless with his bare hands before putting it out of the misery he brutally inflicted upon it. This story made national news. No one has come to the defense of Eason because his actions were indefensible — but is it time someone stepped in and defended Jenelle as a mother? We’ve been at the forefront of Jenelle’s mockery and we’ve penned one article after another about the dangerous environment in which Jenelle has placed her kids, merely by putting them around Eason, his guns, his temper and his penchant for violence. And yet: it’s a huge deal for a mother to actually, truly, literally lose her kids. With this in mind, we’ve asked members of The Hollywood Gossip editorial team to chime in and respond to the following question: DOES JENELLE EVANS DESERVE TO LOST CUSTODY OF HER CHILDREN? YES by Tyler Johnson Put this one alongside “Is the Pope Catholic?” And “Does a bear sh-t in the woods?” on the list of questions that are so easy to answer they can be used rhetorically. Jenelle’s kids should have been taken away years ago for myriad reasons: She’s been arrested dozens of times — often for violent offenses — her youngest daughter was born with drugs in her system, and through it all, Jenelle has never shown any remorse or willingness to seek help. But, for whatever reason, the powers that be in the state of North Carolina didn’t act until David traumatized the kids by murdering their pet dog. It’s shameful that the authorities allowed those children to remain in such a dangerous environment for so long. But now they have an opportunity to make things right by ensuring that Jenelle is never again granted primary custody of her children. Perhaps if she leaves David, she can one day prove herself worthy of visitation rights. But Evans has demonstrated time and again that she’s not capable of providing a stable home life for a child — especially as long as that monster remains in her life. YES (PLEASE) by Simon Delott Jenelle Evans is, all by herself, a bad enough parent that no child should be condemned to her care. This is a woman who makes Farrah Abraham look like a model reality star – nay, a model human being! – by comparison. To those unfamiliar with the Teen Mom franchise, I describe Jenelle as “Worse Kenny’s Mom,” for those familiar with South Park. It’s a convenient shorthand that gives people a very clear picture of what a disaster she is. On a more serious note, Jenelle has an addiction that makes one almost nostalgic for her erstwhile fondness for needles. That addiction is David Eason, a scary, terrible person and, according to the local sheriff, “the most dangerous man in three counties .” David has served time in prison, but neither it nor the spotlight of fame has made him less of a violent menace. The man should not be trusted to watch a houseplant, let alone a child. I’ve been saying that since poor Nugget was still alive. Will CPS rescue these poor children on a permanent basis? That’s for a court to decide. Unfortunately, we won’t hold our breath. Our legal system places much more value on a parent’s “rights” than it does on a child’s well-being. The only thing that our courts care about less than children is non-human animals. David Eason may be a dog-murderer and an all-around monster, but I don’t have enough faith in the system to count on them recognizing that. He’ll probably just be forced to take some anger management classes and will get to go on living his life. Those poor children deserve better than what our society is willing to do for them. YES (AS SOON AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE) by Hilton Hater I really wanted to play Devil’s Advocate here. I really racked my brain and tried to come up with some angle in which I could argue that Eason may be a violent bigot but he’s never harmed any of the kids himself. Or that Jenelle has clearly leared her lesson at this point and will re-dedicate herself to being a responsible parent and will always put the well-being of her young ones first and that it’s a really huge deal to actually take away children from their biological mother. But I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t get there. This isn’t an instance where one can even try to make jokes or quips or puns or pretend like it’s not a big deal. This is a massive deal. The lives of two boys and one girl, all under the age of 10, are at stake. Yes, their lives are at stake. Eason has murdered a dog in cold blood. He has almost definitely broken his wife’s collarbone . He cannot control his anger and Jenelle cannot control herself around him; she has proven time and again that she’s incapable of leaving the marriage and, as noted by my colleagues above, she has often shown little regard for her kids even when on her own. This is an easy one and also a tragic one all around: Every day those kids live under Jenelle’s roof, they are in danger. WHAT DO YOU THINK? VOTE BELOW: SHOULD JENELLE EVANS LOSE CUSTODY OF HER CHILDREN? And the Winner is? No, She’s Their Mother! Click Here To Vote for NO! Yes, They’re in Danger! Click Here To Vote for YES! Child Protection Services has taken Jenelle Evans kids out of their home. Should the Teen Mom lose them forever? View Poll »
Source: Jon Kopaloff / Getty via MadameNoire.com : By signing into law one of the most restrictive abortion bills in history, Alabama has solidified itself into a Draconian state. On Wednesday evening Governor Kay Ivey, a white, female, conservative, signed into law the Alabama Human Life Protection Act (HB 314), which would classify abortion as a felony. Doctors could face up to a maximum prison sentence of 99 years if found guilty, while an attempted abortion holds a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Text “RICKEY” to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. ( Terms and conditions ). The only “exemptions” include an ectopic pregnancy, or if the unborn child is a “lethal anomaly.” Democratic members of the state Senate attempted to re-introduce an amendment that would add rape and incest victims to the list of exemptions, but the motion failed on an 11-21 vote, CNN reports. On Thursday singer and global entrepreneur Rihanna delivered a swift and smooth critique of the 25 white, male, conservative state senators who voted in favor of the bill. “Take a look. these are the same idiots making decisions for WOMEN in America. Governor Kay Ivey…SHAME ON YOU!!!!” the singer wrote under a caption of their individual photos. take a look. these are the idiots making decisions for WOMEN in America. Governor Kay Ivey…SHAME ON YOU!!!! pic.twitter.com/WuAjSVv6TH — Rihanna (@rihanna) May 16, 2019 We stan an outspoken queen! Rihanna joins the legions of critics who have spoken out regarding the overall harmful effects of the bill, which aims to strike down the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision. Sign Up For Our Newsletter! Close Thank you for subscribing! Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. Email Submit Alabama’s law follows and precede a series of conservative led state houses who have passed restrictive abortion legislation including Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky and Missouri. Many of these bills are a direct affront to Black women and women of color who lack access to sufficient health care due to income inequality and health care access through full-time employment. However, many are fighting back including the American Civil Liberties Union, who have filed federal lawsuits to contest each state that has passed anti-abortion bills. [ione_media_gallery src=”https://rickeysmileymorningshow.com” id=”1831078″ overlay=”true”] ALSO TRENDING ON RICKEYSMILEYMORNINGSHOW.COM : Young Money Rapper Gets Life For Double Murder Radio Host Fired After Comparing The Royal Baby To A Chimp Queen Latifah Mothers Child With Longtime Partner [PHOTOS] Follow @TheRSMS
Not content with merely forcing Bethenny Frankel to reveal her sexual history in court , Jason Hoppy’s attorney is trying a new tactic. He tried to catch her in a lie under oath — using a clip from The Real Housewives of New York City , of all things. Bethenny defended herself by pointing out that reality television is, well, super fake. Page Six reports that Bethenny Frankel was once again in court for her ongoing custody battle against her despised ex. At the May 13 hearing, Jason Hoppy’s attorney brought up something that she had said in an April episode of RHONY . “I kept in the middle of the night waking up and asking my friends, ‘Is [Dennis] really dead?’” Bethenny said on the episode. “I [was] going through denial,” she confessed on Bravo. Bethenny explained: “because I would imagine a sudden death from an overdose is extremely different than just knowing someone is going to die from cancer.” While testifying in court, Bethenny said that she did not know for a fact that Dennis Shields had died of an overdose. On the one hand, that could illustrate that Bethenny allegedly knew with certainty that her ex had died of an overdose, but refused to say so in court. On the other hand, people sometimes choose different words for reality television than they would in real life. “I wonder why he’s working late” becomes “he is CHEATING on her,” because you know that cameras are rolling. It’s would not be unprecedented in the reality television business for certain scenes to be aired out of order to make a more cohesive story. When Jason’s attorney brought up her exchange, Bethenny wanted to know what his point was. “What is it you want me to answer?” Bethenny asked. “About the show or about my life?” She was already making it clear that these are different, often separate things. Bethenny also pointed out that the show is heavily edited because it exists to entertain, not to merely document. If Jason decides to challenge that, she could call in no shortage of celebrity witnesses who have made the exact same statement. In court, Bethenny elaborated upon how shows like RHONY operate. “[It’s] a show you shoot for seven days to get 40 minutes,” Bethenny explained. As a result, she reasoned, “I can never specifically say that’s what happened.” Cameras can cut away at any moment and audio can be mixed in. “Even if you have a transcript,” Bethenny shares. “It might not be what I said.” Jason’s attorney continued to quiz Bethenny about the show, causing her to reply with exasperation. “I don’t know,” Bethenny quipped. “You are more of a fan than I am.” He continued to press the issue, suggesting that the court could spend its time watching reality television. “I would have to show the witness the episode of the show,” the attorney suggested. “We can have a viewing party.” Thankfully, that sort of theatrical nonsense is up to the judge to decide. Judge Katz gave Jason’s attorney’s idea big ol’ thumbs down. “I do think it is bizarre [to ask about the show],” Katz stated in court. “We are taking this reality television show that was meant for entertainment value,” Katz continued. “And supplanting testimony.” We cannot speak to Katz’s full judicial record, but that is some sound reasoning. So many people seem to think that reality television is some sort of candid camera, akin to surveillance footage. It is anything but. It’s entertainment. View Slideshow: Bethenny Frankel: Quitting The Real Housewives of New York City Over Dennis Shields’ Death?
Whether she likes it or not, Lori Loughlin will probably go to jail for the college bribery scandal. Felicity Huffman has pleaded guilty . It’s expected that both famous women will spend time behind bars. But what will that be like for them? Abby Lee Miller recently learned this for herself, and is offering Lori and Felicity some advice. In the new issue of Us Weekly , Dance Moms star Abby Lee Miller is speaking about Lori and Felicity’s current plight. “I have a lot of advice for them,” Miller expresses. Miller was famous — more or less a household name — when she was sentenced to one year in prison for bankruptcy fraud. She reported to prison in the summer of 2017, and was released to a halfway house in early 2018. Miller feels that she has a lot of wisdom to offer “and I would love to talk to them face-to-face.” At least some of that advice, however, they can find in print. “They shouldn’t hire one of those [prison] consultants,” the Dance Moms villain insists. There are consultants for everything. Some of them are invaluable. Some are basically just con artists. Miller had two. “My attorneys in Pittsburgh hired one,” she shares. “And Lifetime hired another one.” According to Miller: “Both were completely wrong on everything.” In terms of less specific advice, Miller has one major suggestion. “My advice would be, ‘Take a deep breath,'” she expresses. And she’s not ruling out all consultants. “‘And if you need a consultant,'” Miller promises. “‘I’m your girl.’” Someone, please make this into a TV special — even if Lori and Felicity don’t seem likely to accept any offers right now. But Abby Lee Miller’s experience in the slammer wasn’t all bad. She says that she made the acquaintance of a number of “lovely and wonderful” women while she was behind bars. “[They were] some of the most intelligent, intuitive, wonderful people that I’ll ever meet,” Miller gushes. That makes a lot of sense. Our nation’s incarceration rate may be absurdly, immorally high, but that doesn’t mean that all or even most of the people behind bars are evil. Some crimes reflect momentary lapses in judgment that harm no one. Some “crimes” shouldn’t be crimes at all. Miller went to prison for brankruptcy fraud. Fraud is bad, though she of course disputed the veracity of the charge. But Lori and Felicity are accused of using their wealth to try to game the system to sneak their children into college. This is so outrageous because it flies in the face of countless marginalized people who overcome great odds to apply. How many deserving people from disadvantaged backgrounds have been waitlisted to make room for a rich kid? College is a great experience, but it’s not for everyone, and if you can’t get in on your own merit, you’re not going to have a great time. Ultimately, their kids would have been better off and probably happier with a hefty cash gift. But fortunately, Lori and Felicity are probably looking at similar — and, in Felicity’s case, probably shorter — prison experiences to Miller’s. It’s no fun. Someone else decides when you wake up, when you go to bed, and you’re stripped of your freedom and dignity. But it should be the sort of experience that they can survive. View Slideshow: Abby Lee Miller: I Was Abused in Prison!
Bethenny Frankel has had enough. Wednesday’s episode of The Real Housewives of New York City found her confronting someone she helped save not too long ago. If you watch The Real Housewives of New York City online , you know that Bethenny was instrumental in helping co-star Luann de Lesseps realize she needed to seek help for alcohol abuse. Bethenny revealed during the new installment that she thought Luann was being obnoxious, and not caring about any of the other ladies. She also took aim at her cabaret show. Bethenny was not impressed to learn that Luann was bashing her for leaving her cabaret show early. The show in question went ahead hours late, and Luann did not tell her co-stars about it being late. To everyone, Bethenny showed up for as long as she could. Luann, on the other hand, could not say a nice word about Bethenny. Luann said that she wished Bethenny would have stayed for the show. “I mean, I love you, but I was there for three hours. I had to let my babysitter go,” Frankel replied said, before going for the jugular. “[Dorinda] told me you said, ‘Why is she leaving to go home and watch Bryn sleep?'” “Well, because I imagine a child at 8 years old by 11:30 is sleeping,” Luann shot back. “Right, but then guess what? Tomorrow’s school,” Bethenny added. “So I would like to watch her wake up. And also, I don’t have a nanny. I have a housekeeper that I have babysit, so I don’t like to keep her there until 1 o’clock in the morning if she has to be there the next day.” Luann went on to say that Bethenny was there for her when she needed it, in her sad times, but she also wanted her to be there during the happy times. “Luann, I’m a mother of an 8-year-old in third grade. It’s Halloween. I was trick-or-treating after school,” Bethenny said. “Really, hear me. I need you to actually receive this. I’m a mom, I come home…” “I know that. I’m a mom, too. Don’t talk to me like I’m not a mom! I know what it is,” Luann yelled. Bethenny wanted Luann to understand that her kids were not 8, but Luann said they once were. “You told me when we were in Miami for Art Basel that I should just get somebody to take care of my kid at night when I don’t wanna do that,” Bethenny fired back. “Well, yeah,” Luann complained. “When you wanna go out, sure.” “But I don’t wanna go out at 11:30 at night!” Bethenny said, completely shocked at the way Luann was acting. “I wouldn’t go see Madonna at 11:30 at night!” “You always say you have to get home for Bryn. At 11 o’clock at night, the child is sleeping!” Lu continued. “But I have to wake up with her to make her breakfast and take her to school!” B shouted. “This is my life. You’re doing your cabaret and your life, and I respect that. I was there supporting that. I’m living my life, and you’re not supporting it by saying to somebody, ‘She left to watch her daughter sleep.’ This is my life the way that I’m living it right now.” “Who do you think you are?!” Bethenny screamed in a confessional. “This is how I’m choosing to do this as a single mom, and I don’t like to be f–ked with on it — at all!” Ugh. That was wild. What are your thoughts on the argument? RHONY continues Wednesdays on Bravo. View Slideshow: Bethenny Frankel: Quitting The Real Housewives of New York City Over Dennis Shields’ Death?
On Tuesday night’s episode of Little People, Big World , Amy Roloff felt bullied and pressured by her ex-husband. Matt wants her to make a decision, but Amy wants to weigh all of her options with a major decision like giving up her home. But some fans and viewers have grown impatient, and they’re putting Amy on blast for not making up her mind already. “I just want to make the best decision,” Amy explains of her reluctance to commit to either staying or going. “Moving out of a house that I never really thought I’d move out of years ago …” she says. Amy confesses that “to think about that now is a little daunting.” “It is a little scary,” she notes. “It’s a little intimidating” Amy admits that she feels this way “because I’ve never been on my own before.” Matt was feeling impatient, and even accused Amy of being “selfish.” Unfortunately, some very outspoken fans felt the same way. They took to Amy’s Instagram comments to let her know how they really feel about her dragging her heels on making this major decision. “Keep your house. Not fair to have lived with your kids coming back there until they moved on and now you’re alone and don’t want it. You’re selfish” ” You seem mean and controlling even though you divorced Matt you want to try and control his destiny! .” “Watching tonight and all I can say is make up your dam mind,” one angry fan comments. The viewer writes: “even your kids say the same” “And why should Matt have to give up the side of the farm he’s been on for 3 years?” the comment asks. “He didn’t want the DW but had no choice and after 3 years you wAnt it ?” the fan expresses. The comment concludes: “I’d tell you to go pound sand.” “I think you need to move to someplace else,” suggests another comment. “Or,” the fan speculates. “You have FOMO syndrome.” Amy is very clearly experiencing a degree of fear of missing out . “You ask for the divorce and you start dating,” the follower writes. “You have to move on with you life.” The viewer reassures Amy that “you kids always going to be there no matter where you move.” “And,” the fan admonishes. “Stop playing the victim card.” “I watch the show faithfully and I’m a huge fan,” another comment begins. “But I must say that it’s 5 episodes that Matts been waiting for a response on the farm,” the fan notes. “Just settle it and be done,” the commenter demands. “The poor guys been waiting for over a month on your response,” the follower expresses. “And,” the fan accuses. “I think it’s pretty selfish of you to throw Matt out of his current house so you can move in.” Matt is not as mobile as Amy. That’s a fair point. We have to say that we understand where (most) of the comments are coming from. It can be difficult to watch someone be indecisive, especially when it’s drawn out for so long on television. A lot of fans have already decided that they know what is best for both Roloff grandparents. Others have simply chosen sides. But Amy’s point — that this has been her home for a long time, and that she has never been on her own before — makes a lot of sense. Moving is a huge decision for most people. It’s very fair that she doesn’t like feeling rushed. Eventually, though, she will have to decide. View Slideshow: Matt Roloff and Caryn Chandler Share Special Photo, Spark Engagement Chatter
Dennis McKinley On Headline Heat Besides being cute and funny with wife-to-be Porsha Williams on Real Housewives of Atlanta and their spinoff special Porsha’s Having A Baby , it’s rare that we get to hear Dennis McKinley share his side of things regarding the couple’s whirlwind romance. Dennis stopped by to clear up some of the wildest headlines BOSSIP has written about him — and his fiancee— and surprisingly, there were some things he learned about her at the same time the rest of us did. Like the fact that she owed $240K to the IRS before they tied the knot. Fortunately, pretty peach holdin’ Porsha had the coins to take care of it immediately. Dennis also dished on whether or not his reality star sweetie actually did approach some of his ex-girlfriends. Check it out in the video above.
