Newly released nanny cam footage shows the moment an apartment building collapsed in Brooklyn as children played inside. The November 11 collapse killed eight people and injured at least 18 others.
Published On 15 Nov 202615 Nov 2026
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NEW ORLEANS — A tanker struck the American Heritage river cruise paddleboat in New Orleans on Friday with 129 passengers aboard, partially submerging the boat. Rescues were underway on the Mississippi River, officials said.
Authorities did not immediately release whether there were injuries or deaths.
Video from the scene showed the much larger Atlantic Asphalt tanker hit the paddlewheel cruise boat while it appeared to be docked as metal and glass crashed and crunched.
More than a dozen people in lifejackets were being dragged from the 66-degree river onto nearby ships. Others were standing near the railing as the other side of the American Heritage listed further into the water.
Devon Flanagan was at his job nearby at the Port of New Orleans when workers began rushing down the dock. He got out of his truck and noticed the American Heritage on its side and passengers in the water.
“It was just chaos,” he said. “You had all types of ships, like other barges and other companies down there trying to help out, which also was a little convoluted because you had people still in the water.”
The cruise ship was built in 2015 and operated by American Cruise Lines. It is five stories and can hold up to 150 passengers.
The American Heritage was finishing an eight-day cruise to several Mississippi River destinations in Louisiana and Mississippi.
The cruise line said it was working with the Coast Guard and would share more information when it can.
The tanker involved in the crash specializes in carrying large quantities of asphalt and bitumen, a semi-solid substance that is often used for road construction and roofing, according to the live shipping tracker MarineTraffic.
Ships carrying asphalt and bitumen are often heated well above 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius) to prevent the asphalt from solidifying on the ship, according to the maritime periodical Marine Insights. It is not immediately clear whether the ship was carrying any materials when the crash occurred.
The 520-foot long vessel had a final destination in New Orleans, according to MarineTraffic, and was sailing under a flag for the Marshall Islands.
Brook writes for the Associated Press.
CHRISTMAS just wouldn’t be Christmas without Mariah Carey’s high pitched falsetto and the opening strains of her tireless festive hit.
But the singer appeared to have other things on her mind while signing autographs for loyal fans during a recent public appearance in Brazil.
Video footage captured Mariah, 57, as she erratically climbed from her chauffeur driven car and approached a gathering of placard wielding fans this week.
The singer appeared to be in good spirits as she signed autographs and posed for selfies, but her shaky hands and vulnerable demeanour prompted inevitable concern from those who subsequently viewed the clip on social media.
Commenting on TikTok, one fan wrote: “Should we be worried?”
Elsewhere, a second added: “She looks like she’s in pain.”
While a third shared: “Praying and sending health wishes for our Christmas queen.”
Referencing the closeness of Mariah’s female assistant, whose arm is seen clutching the singer’s waist as she unsteadily works her way along a line of eager fans, another reasoned: “1: it’s raining 2: they are on a slant 3: she is wearing heels 4: she doesn’t want to fall.”
Meanwhile, British fans have been left fuming over “diabolical” ticket prices for her Christmas shows.
The Sun previously confirmed that Mariah’s Christmastime tour will touch down in Birmingham, London and Manchester across November and December this year.
These are Mariah’s first dedicated UK Christmas shows on this side of the Atlantic in eight years.
However, fans were stunned when they realised just how steep the ticket prices were, with some seats costing a jaw‑dropping £577.
Taking to social media, one wrote: “I think the prices are awful.”
A second added: “£325 for the first few rows in Birmingham. I paid less for Celine Dion on the front section.”
One scene features Ayesha and Daddario sharing a five-second kiss. Naturally, folks on social media had some very mature reactions, such as “I’ve never seen her look at Steph like this,” and “can’t believe my goat Steph gotta go through this” and “grounds for a divorce.”
Ayesha even jumped into one of the threads. “It’s not even real,” she wrote, adding a laughing emoji, “you guys are annoying.”
The kiss also became a topic on several podcasts. Arenas and Young discussed it Sunday on their “We Said What We Said” podcast, with Arenas doing most of the talking and Young, who played with Stephen on the Warriors during the 2017-2018 season, mainly expressing agreement.
Former Wizards player Gilbert Arenas is honored during a 2022 halftime ceremony in Washington, D.C.
(Nick Wass / Associated Press)
“When you’re talking about an American family, [Stephen] is the definition of what everybody sees as a father,” Arenas said. “Got the best kids. The only blemish in the family is the wife in a sense ‘cause she doesn’t act like the other superstars’ wives.
“We don’t want to hear you,” Arenas said of the public’s feelings on star athletes’ significant others. “We just want to know you’re there, you’re fine, you are taking the pictures. But we don’t want to know you.”
In another video, posted Tuesday, Arenas tried explaining that he had been talking about Ayesha‘s behavior only in comparison with that of her husband.
“She’s not doing anything wrong as for just women themselves. She’s not,” Arenas said. “But you’ve got to remember, he’s 100% clean. … Like he’s, he is the pope in a sense, right? You make one mistake, you are the worst out of the two, is basically what I’m saying.”
In an episode of the “Speakeasy” podcast titled “VIDEO: Steph Curry’s Wife KISSES ANOTHER MAN!” the unmarried Acho states he wouldn’t be OK with a significant other kissing someone else in a movie.
“It wouldn’t be me and it couldn’t be me,” Acho said. “Here’s the thing. I don’t think people were meant genetically, physically, anatomically, spiritually designed to watch their partner kiss another person, whether it’s done in the name of acting or not. I just do not think that we were like physically and emotionally designed for that.”
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has given a top award to the service member who scolded him and his staff at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier following a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
On social media Thursday, Hegseth posted photos that show him pinning the award and shaking hands with a soldier. His post says, “We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist.”
Hegseth welcomed to the Pentagon the Army unit that guards the tomb and awarded Spc. Thomas Iglesias with the Joint Service Commendation Medal “for the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 2026,” the Pentagon said.
Iglesias reprimanded Hegseth and a group of his staffers when a loud laugh was heard after they took photos at the site following a ceremony that included President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Video showed Hegseth taking photos on the empty steps in front of the tomb on Wednesday with his wife, Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh.
The tomb is considered to be one of the most solemn and revered war memorials in the U.S., being the final resting place of unidentified soldiers from World War I, World War II and the Korean War. It has been guarded around the clock — rain or shine — by a soldier from the Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as “The Old Guard,” since 1948.
The Joint Service Commendation Medal is considered to be one of the higher awards in the military and is not typically issued to junior enlisted service members.
Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s top spokesman, said soon after video of the reprimand emerged that the soldier “correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”
The scolding drew attention once more to the embattled defense secretary, who had survived an impeachment attempt the day before.
The effort was led by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and backed by Democrats. While Hegseth’s critics were not successful in Tuesday’s vote, Republicans may have only delayed a bid to impeach him. With Democrats set to take control of the House and Senate in January, those efforts are likely to be renewed.
Hegseth rebuked the move Tuesday in his first news conference in months, arguing that he had committed none of the high crimes required in the Constitution for his removal and framing the effort as an indictment against the nation’s service members and their successes.
“This is not patriotism,” Hegseth argued. “This is sabotage.”
Toropin writes for the Associated Press.
MAYA Jama has plenty of reasons to celebrate after signing a bumper Netflix deal – and she shimmied in a plunging silk frock to celebrate.
The in-demand telly anchor, who quit her Love Island hosting role at the weekend before we revealed her big-money contract with the streaming giant, flashed a pout in a sexy video filmed in her bathroom.
Maya opted for a racy two-tone frock with a plunging neckline as she strutted her stuff.
A clip posted to her Instagram Stories showed her lip syncing to a track as she panned the camera up and down her body.
Maya – who narrowly missed out on a spot in the Celeb Traitors final after being banished by fellow Traitor King Kenny – styled her brunette locks into curls and added a pop of pink lipstick.
She then documented her night out with DJ Skylermyler including dinner.
It is an exciting time for the broadcaster after she penned her seven figure global Netflix deal.
She is set to work with Netflix on a multi-project deal with details on each of the projects set to be unveiled in due course.
A source told the The Sun: “Maya has signed a deal with Netflix, with a number of exciting new projects in the works.
“She’s become a huge pull for them on The Gentleman and she is excited to throw herself into something new with the leap.
“It’s a huge 7 figure global deal.
“Further details of the specific projects are being kept under wraps for now.”
Maya said of the deal: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be working with Netflix!
“There are some really exciting things coming and I can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve been working on.
“I can’t give too much away just yet, but I’m so excited for this next chapter. Watch this space!”
Meanwhile, The Sun has now revealed meetings with potential frontrunners for her Love Island role are happening immediately.
A source told The Sun: “ITV are wasting no time and are starting meetings with potential new hosts immediately within the next couple of days”.
Maya – who is also a judge on The Masked Singer – first took over as Love Island host in 2023.
She shared an emotional statement to Instagram formally announcing her departure from Love Island.
She wrote on Instagram this weekend: “What an incredible era and what an unforgettable time I’ve had, it’s been far too much fun to put into words or a video… but as all good things must come to an end, it’s my time to step down as the host of my beloved Love Island.
“Firstly, I want to thank all of the people who rooted so hard for me to host the show in the first place. I wouldn’t change a thing.
“To the fans of the show, thank you for every supportive message and every single time you’ve tuned in during my time as host, I’m forever grateful to you all. The show really does belong to the people who watch it and embrace it year after year.
“Biggest thanks to the incredible production team, I’ve seen firsthand how you work your asses off for months every year to bring this iconic show to life.”
Picking out her iconic slow-motion struts into the villa ahead of fire pit dumpings as a highlight of her time as host, she continued: “I started hosting the show aged 28 and during the 9 incredible series met the most wonderful humans along the way. I’ve loved every slow-mo walk, fire pit and live show. I’ll forever be grateful for the experience.
“But I’ve always believed that to truly grow, you have to take a leap every now and then, and now is my time to throw myself into something new.
“While my own Love Island journey has come to an end, I wish the show and the team all the success in the world, I’ll be cheering you lot on from the sidelines forever.”
Mathias Licharz calls for the ‘unconditional’ release of ousted politicians, including former leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Published On 10 Nov 202610 Nov 2026
Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the head of mission at the German embassy in the country over a Facebook video calling for authorities to “unconditionally release” ousted politicians such as former leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that Mathias Licharz in the video “appeared to fuel opposition to the host country and its Government, thereby inciting internal unrest”.
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Licharz met Deputy Foreign Minister Ko Ko Kyaw, was “warned against the video” and handed an aide-memoire, the ministry said.
“The Deputy Minister strongly warned against recurrence of such act and informed him that any similar conduct would be treated with utmost seriousness and would take appropriate actions,” the ministry said.
Licharz posted the video on Sunday, standing outside the former Yangon residence of Win Myint, the figurehead president of Aung San Suu Kyi‘s government that was removed in a 2021 coup.
The German diplomat said in his message, marking Win Myint’s 75th birthday, that the United Nations still regards him as the “legitimate president” of Myanmar.
In the video, he called for authorities to “unconditionally release all those who are arbitrarily detained, including Win Myint and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi” – using the affectionate term by which Aung San Suu Kyi‘s supporters refer to her.
Germany’s embassy in Myanmar did not immediately comment.
Win Myint was jailed in the February 2021 military coup, ending Myanmar’s decade-long democratic experiment.
Since then, pro-democracy rebels rose up and long-simmering ethnic minority rebellions challenging central rule boiled over.
Authorities said in April he had been pardoned of his post-coup convictions – charges that supporters and analysts say were confected to oust the government.
However, Licharz said in his video message his efforts to meet Win Myint had been unfruitful.
“There is only one conclusion,” he said. “U Wint Myint is not a free man. He’s not allowed to meet with whom he would like to meet, and he’s not allowed to communicate independently,” he added, using a male honorific.
The military leadership behind the coup organised elections, installing a nominally civilian government this year, although analysts regard it as a fig leaf for ongoing military rule.
“Should the Charge d’Affaires choose to recognize U Win Myint as President and wish to discontinue his service in Myanmar, the Ministry would have no objection,” the Foreign Ministry statement said on Tuesday.
Aung San Suu Kyi remains detained but was moved to house arrest in the capital Naypyidaw this year, authorities say, where access to the 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate remains tightly controlled.
Viewers may find this video disturbing.
A video showing two people engulfed in flames as spectators laugh and revel during a party has prompted Ohio State University to suspend a fraternity while they investigate.
Published On 10 Nov 202610 Nov 2026
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Jordon Hudson is suing the owners of a Massachusetts rental property for their alleged connection to the release of a video that showed her then-boyfriend Bill Belichick shirtless and outside the home while Hudson was renting it in 2023.
In a civil lawsuit filed Friday in Suffolk County Superior Court, Hudson accuses the couple of invasion of privacy, breach of contract and unfair and deceptive conduct after the video, which was captured on a porch security camera, and “personal and private information about Ms. Hudson” were leaked online.
According to the complaint, that leak in November 2023 was the reason the public found out about the romantic relationship between the then-22-year-old former college cheerleader and the then-70-year-old coach of the New England Patriots, who now coaches the North Carolina Tar Heels.
“These outrageous violations of Ms. Hudson’s privacy have, among other things, resulted in significant unwanted publicity and scrutiny of Ms. Hudson and her relationship with Mr. Belichick, which they had intended to remain private, and led to the ridicule and denigration of Ms. Hudson through numerous tabloid stories published by the media,” the complaint states.
“This unwanted scrutiny and the ensuing media stories, which contain false information, has caused significant damage to Ms. Hudson, which would not have occurred had Defendants not leaked Ms. Hudson’s personal and private information.”
The Times was unsuccessful in attempts to reach the defendants for comment.
The complaint states that Hudson booked the rental house for four days through Airbnb in or around June 2023. During her stay, the filing states, Hudson received a text from one of the owners reminding her not to park in front of a neighbor’s property. According to the complaint, the owner also texted Hudson “a link to a Ring video of a shirtless Mr. Belichick walking to and from the Property, which had been captured and saved without the knowledge or authorization of Mr. Belichick or Ms. Hudson (the ‘Ring Video’).”
Hudson then informed the defendant that privacy was important to them and asked if she could delete the video, the lawsuit states, to which she received the response: “We will delete it from ring, but as you know, unfortunately, videos are never totally deleted.”
After the video was leaked and the relationship became public, the complaint states, the same defendant told Hudson, “I absolutely did not leak this video to twitter or anyone.” But in May 2025, according to the filing, the owner told Hudson in a text that while they didn’t release the video publicly, “we had sent it to a few people initially wondering is this him [Mr. Belichick], isn’t it him and I don’t know what happened from there.”
The complaint also accuses the defendants of giving a second porch video of Belichick to journalist Pablo Torre, who aired it on his podcast that same month.
Hudson is requesting a jury trial and seeks unspecified damages and an order “enjoining Defendants from disclosing or disseminating any personal and/or private information related to Ms. Hudson to any third-party.”
Multiple media outlets reported last month that Hudson and Belichick quietly ended their romantic releationship in late 2025 but remain close friends and business partners.
Nicole Taylor, one of Christian country band Taylor Red’s identical triplets, has died. The singer and musician succumbed to breast cancer on Sept. 28 in Nashville. She was 35.
“We are shocked and heartbroken to announce the passing of our sister Nicole Taylor. This isn’t the video we thought we’d ever be making,” Natalie said in a video posted to YouTube.
Nika continued, “We thought she would be here sharing her story of earthly healing, but instead we’re here sharing her story of heavenly healing, and she’s at peace and no longer suffering, so we’re thankful for that.”
The surviving sisters explained that Nicole was diagnosed in 2022 with Stage 3 breast cancer. Treatment put the disease into remission, but it returned as Stage 4 cancer. Eventually, doctors said Nicole had three months, Nika recalled in the video with Natalie revealing, “She lived around a year later after that prognosis.”
In between telling their sister’s story, Nika and Natalie read Bible verses they turned to in their grief.
“Nicole told us even before she passed that she had peace, and we were really thankful for that,” Natalie shared.
Nika continued, “Yes, things did not turn out as we hoped. We lived every day expecting full miraculous healing here on Earth and lived every day in hopes of that. Of course, we all had our moments of fear and doubt, but we fought it and fought it. And God gave us so much peace and hope in him along the way. We were so shocked and still shocked of her passing.”
The Mississippi natives are also known for their social media presence, with 16.7 million subscribers on YouTube and 13.5 million followers on TikTok.
The sisters created viral videos capitalizing on their red-haired identical-triplets identity. Using humor and social trends, the sisters filmed themselves wearing matching outfits, dancing in sync or playing instruments, including the guitar, banjo, fiddle and mandolin. They appeared in a national Sonic Drive-In commercial and also partnered with major commercial brands, including Crocs, Lipton, Skittles, Redken and Frito Lay.
“Country Money,” released in 2021, became one of the band’s most well-known songs with more than 810,000 streams on Spotify, while “Rent Free” has surpassed 664,000 streams. “Fresh off the Farm,” “Bringing Country Back” and “What They Seem” each have over 345,000 streams on the music site.
Nicole was also a Taste of Country morning radio show host. In a tribute on the country music-focused website, her colleague Evan Paul related the story of first meeting Nicole and her sisters and his later interactions with her at the media outlet.
“Nicole was such a warm soul. She was so smart and so talented that it was hard to even share a room with her. Her light was so bright. I am convinced that when you see a star shooting across the sky at night, it’s Nicole giving us a wink and letting us know she’s all right,” Paul said.
“Nicole, the oldest of us three sisters, will be greatly missed,” Nika and Natalie posted on their official site. “She was our leader and our best friend. We are heartbroken, but we know she is in Heaven and will see her again.”
Today’s the day, and the race is a dead heat: The final poll from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies (cosponsored by The Times) found that 40% of likely L.A. voters said they supported incumbent Karen Bass, while another 40% supported progressive challenger Nithya Raman for L.A. mayor.
That leaves 19% undecided — and it might be those voters that celebrities are trying to reach with their recent endorsements. Jane Fonda, Yvette Nicole Brown, Anthony Anderson, Cedric the Entertainer, Samuel L. Jackson, Kym Whitley, D.L. Hughley, Dustin Lance Black, George Lopez and Stevie Wonder have all voiced public support for Bass. Meanwhile Bob Odenkirk, Mindy Kaling, Adam Scott, Joel Kim Booster, Caleb Hearon, Poppy Liu, P. J. Byrne, Adam Conover, Brennan Lee Mulligan and Jaboukie Young-White have done the same for Raman.
“Battling the nationwide homeless epidemic is the hardest job in American government,” Jackson said. “Karen Bass walked toward it in one day. Her opponent chaired the City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee and canceled meetings on it. It’s easy to run a pilot in one district and call it a model. Try doing it in 15 districts with Washington cutting your funding while the whole country watches. That’s the job, and Karen Bass has done it.”
In the other camp, Kaling said: “There’s one issue that I can speak to from experience: Keeping Hollywood jobs in Los Angeles. Yes, it’s actors and directors, but I’m also talking about the crew, electricians, grips, hair and makeup artists, drivers, set builders, editors — and then there’s the restaurants, the dry cleaners and the small businesses that depend on productions being here. And Nithya’s plan is to fight for that work to stay in town. She wants stronger, dependable state tax incentives, and a film office that actively works to keep production in town.”
There have also been a few gray areas: Bass posted a video of drag queen Trixie Mattel‘s voting PSA to her account, but Mattel didn’t explicitly endorse her as a candidate. “I watch, like, 18 hours of news a day, so it was kind of crazy sitting next to Karen; she’s like my third roommate in my house,” Mattel said. “So shout out to Karen.”
Luxury real estate broker Jason Oppenheim, best known for his role on the reality series “Selling Sunset,” had a discussion with Raman, cross-posted to both of their accounts, and also interviewed her on Graham Stephan’s podcast, “The Iced Coffee Hour.” And Arnold Schwarzenegger reportedly held an off-the-record meeting with Raman and figures from Hollywood and other industries at his L.A. office.
Bass’ supporters rolled out a series of coordinated, collaborative videos from her social media accounts somewhat regularly over the past two weeks, several with matching formatting (including Fonda, Anderson, Cedric, Hughley and Lopez). Some of the videos also featured Bass.
In the most-liked celebrity endorsement included here, posted Monday, Lopez said: “Karen Bass is like that tía that shows up with a huge pot of pozole before anybody’s even hungry. She’s gonna keep fighting for us, but también we have to fight for her.”
Raman’s campaign, on the other hand, had a more organic approach, incorporating celebrities into specific events, like National Coming Out Day with Booster (and the drag queen Pickle), “Dungeons & Dragons for the City” fundraiser with gamemaster Brennan Lee Mulligan and an Election Eve Party with Young-White (and comedians Kiran Deol, Jared Goldstein and Brittani Nichols).
Hearon shouted her out while hosting Chappell Roan’s Super Graphic Spectacular fundraiser for the singer’s Midwest Princess Project supporting trans youth and LGBTQ+ communities, and Byrne posted an Instagram story with his son after casting his ballot for Raman.
Raman’s most-liked celebrity endorsement included here was not cross-posted to her account, but rather came from Mulligan’s own get-out-the-vote video. “I am supporting Nithya Raman for mayor in Los Angeles, Marissa Roy for city attorney,” he said with an “I Voted” sticker on his forehead. “And I would say this as well: There’s great candidates all over the country.”
Other celebrities simply encouraged fans to fulfill their civic duty and vote without backing any candidates, while others focused on the California gubernatorial election and key Senate races.
Residents filmed as a house collapsed into a swollen river in Ecuador, where torrential rains and floods linked to El Nino have hit parts of the country.
Published On 1 Nov 20261 Nov 2026
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Liev Schreiber owned up to his intense behavior at the “Nocturne” premiere last week, apologizing for scolding a red carpet reporter.
“I didn’t do well,” the Emmy-winning “Ray Donovan” and “Spotlight” star said while recalling his side of the viral red carpet exchange for “Late Night with Seth Meyers” on Monday.
“She hit my Achilles’ heel,” Schreiber explained later in his late-night segment.
His exchange with an Apple TV reporter sparked headlines last week, with the actor berating the reporter on video for her question during his series’ Hollywood premiere. The 59-year-old star appeared to take issue with the reporter asking him to describe “Nocturne” in three words. He could be seen apparently telling the reporter to “talk to people like they value what they do.”
“Three words isn’t gonna do anything for anybody and the monkey who f— thought of that is shooting themselves in the foot,” he says in the video. “It’s not a f— sound bite, especially when we’re doing it in-house for our own people.”
He further suggested that the reporter “engage” with the individuals involved in the project, which is an Apple TV production.
During his late-night appearance, Schreiber made it quite clear he has a bone to pick with increasingly reductive language, lamenting the use of emojis to communicate thoughts. The Tony winner, directing William Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” for the USC School of Dramatic Arts, spoke on Monday about “what a responsibility it is to articulate” and joked, “I might not be the best person on the press line that ever was on the press line.”
Schreiber said he’s now “at that age where I don’t do things terribly quickly” and fessed up to his “terrible tirade about monkeys and profanity.”
“I apologize,”he said, adding he and the reporter smoothed things over and ultimately engaged in a “great” conversation about the series.
“Nocturne” stars Schreiber, “Atlanta” alumna Zazie Beetz and Emmy winner Stephen Graham and begins streaming Friday. Adapted from Lars Kepler’s bestselling novel, the series centers on Schreiber’s ex-cop whose move to a small western Pennsylvania town spurs a string of disappearances possibly tied to a serial killer.
As California decides whether to slap billionaires with a special tax, the Golden State’s swarm of social media stars is chiming in — and increasingly getting paid to influence voters.
Unlikely influencers, from foodies to mothers to retirees, are weighing in on Proposition 40, a one-time 5% tax on the assets of the state’s roughly 200 billionaires and on other ballot measures created to cancel it.
Campaigns try to team up with and sometimes compensate key content creators, as their endorsements often hit harder than traditional political ads.
Between cheery Instagram videos about budget-friendly trips to a playground, a Halloween house and zoo with her kids, Bartley Chavez posted a video opposing Proposition 40 to her more than 47,500 followers.
“Look, I’m all for trying new things. A new recipe? Sure. A crazy haircut? Go for it. A quirky movie with the kids. Why not? But when we’re talking about California jobs, our family’s financial future, and the state’s economy, that’s not something I want to experiment with,” she says in the October video.
The video’s caption states the campaign opposing Proposition 40 paid her to post.
Getting political online does come with risks. In the video’s comments, one Instagram user said they unfollowed Chavez’s account, and another called her a “sell out.” Others backed her position. Chavez didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Los Angeles author and political influencer Leigh McGowan has built an audience of more than 3.5 million followers on different platforms with her no-nonsense takes on politics and other issues. She was already a supporter of the wealth tax when the Proposition 40 campaign started to pay for some of her posts.
“No one is punishing the rich. They are doing just fine,” she said in a sponsored video on Instagram. “We are simply asking them to pay an outstanding one-time tax that’ll help the rest of us.”
Campaigns have been paying attention to influencers as younger people turn to them for news, said McGowan, who’s known for pontificating from her kitchen. Many people distrust traditional media and want regular people to break down complex topics.
“We don’t know who to believe anymore, and there are just so many lies out there,” McGowan said in an interview. “The people who take the time to say authentically this is what they believe in, that’s who people believe.
In California, political ad spending in the 2026 election cycle is projected to approach $1 billion, more than any other state, according to political advertising intelligence firm AdImpact. Roughly $114 million is expected to go to digital platforms such as Facebook, Google, Snapchat and X.
The campaign opposing Proposition 40 has plenty of money to spend on political messaging in what’s become one of the most expensive ballot fights in California’s history. Billionaires such as Google co-founder Sergey Brin have donated millions to Building a Better California, a group funding ads against the wealth tax proposal. More than $350 million has been contributed to fight the billionaire tax and support two propositions — 41 and 42 — that could block it.
Campaign finance forms show how much groups spend on digital media, but they don’t say how much of that goes to influencers. While the data are limited, campaign leaders and other experts say social media stars are playing a bigger role in how brands and political movements advertise.
“Any modern campaign that wants to win needs to be active in spaces where voters get information — and that’s exactly what the No on 40 coalition is doing,” said Evan Westrup, a spokesman for the coalition opposing Proposition 40.
Some political influencers broadcast their views independently or talk to campaigns without compensation. Others are paid a few hundred dollars or even up to $30,000 per post, according to an October report from the Center for Democracy & Technology and the Communication Technology Research Lab at the University of Pittsburgh.
Influencers will post content for political campaigns to make money, but “genuine belief in political issues or candidates can — and often does — coexist with compensation,” the report said.
One Los Angeles influencer, The Speech Prof, who has more than 1.7 million combined followers on Instagram and TikTok, said he refused money to stop the billionaire tax.
The creator, also known as Professor Chesko, talks about everything from parenting and misogyny to politics. In September, he posted a viral video in which he says he rejected a large amount of money to oppose the billionaire tax.
This month, he posted a new video backing the billionaire tax, noting that the Proposition 40 campaign paid him to make the content. “It’s not nearly as much, but they’re a healthcare union and not corporate oligarchs. Plus I already said where I stand for free,” he said in the October video.
Professor Chesko didn’t respond to a request for comment.
The storm of new voices chiming in on the political debate, delivered through people’s personalized social media feeds, could be causing confusion, said Ramesh Srinivasan, professor of information studies at UCLA.
“If I’m seeing a completely different reality than you, whether it’s through influencers, AI or social media microtargeting,” he said. “Then it’s impossible to have a common basis for making decisions or choices.”
While the anti-billionaire tax war chest is much bigger, groups behind the tax say they’re still winning on social media.
“Despite being heavily outspent, the Prop. 40 campaign has been beating the billionaires on social media content and impact,” said Suzanne Jimenez, chief of staff for the SEIU-UHW, the healthcare union backing the billionaire tax.
She said influencers support the tax even when they’re not paid because they understand that “California needs functioning hospitals and emergency rooms, not more tax breaks for billionaires.”
Some sponsored influencers are avoiding direct criticism of the billionaire tax and instead signaling support for a ballot measure that could nullify Proposition 40 even if voters approve it.
Proposition 42 prohibits new taxes on “retirement holdings, individually-owned assets, and other forms of personal savings,” but it conflicts with the billionaire tax proposal. If voters approve both, the one with the most “yes” votes generally would become law.
Karen Clay-Fenderson, a Los Angeles mom and retired teacher with more than 120,000 Instagram followers, has posted videos about Proposition 42.
“I did my research on 42, and I did see something about the billionaire tax. But I want to keep my retirement and my life savings. I don’t want that taxed,” she said in an interview.
She disclosed that the Proposition 42 campaign paid her for the videos, but didn’t go so far as to tell people how to vote.
“They understand that we have influence, and people listen to what we have to say,” she said. “That’s why I’m very cautious. This is what I’m doing, but you need to make your choice.”
In California, influencers must disclose that they are being paid by a political campaign. In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that would penalize influencers who failed to disclose that they were paid to post political content. Influencers could face fines of up to $5,000 per post.
Social media platforms also have their own rules. Instagram allows paid political ads, but TikTok doesn’t — though enforcement has been an issue.
Nathan Click, a spokesperson for Proposition 42, said their partners disclose they are paid and follow all campaign laws.
“Creators play an important role in the political conversation,” he said. “And campaigns across the country partner with them to ensure their audiences understand what’s at stake in the election.”
Ernie Johnson, the bow-tie-wearing, peace-keeping host of “Inside the NBA,” is leaving the show after 37 years.
“It’s just time,” the 70-year-old broadcaster said in a video posted Wednesday on social media.
“So why now? Total honesty here. I’ve always prided myself on my preparation, the hours I put in every day getting ready for the next show. I’ve always loved that part of my job, but I’ve always vowed that if that ever became more of a challenge than it is a joy, then I’ll know it’s time to step away. And now, after 37 seasons, it’s time.”
“Inside the NBA” started on TNT in 1989, and Johnson became host the following season. Over the years, he was joined by analysts Kenny Smith (1998), Charles Barkley (2000) and Shaquille O’Neal (2011) in a lineup that has become beloved to generations of basketball fans — so much so that the show switched over to ESPN when TNT lost its NBA rights.
“Few people have shaped the way fans experience the NBA as profoundly as Ernie Johnson,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “His brilliance as a broadcaster is matched by his character, compassion and generosity, which have been evident throughout his 37 years as host of ‘Inside the NBA.’ We are grateful for Ernie’s extraordinary impact on our league and look forward to celebrating him during his final season.”
Johnson repeated his announcement to open the crew’s appearance on ESPN’s “NBA Tip-Off” on Wednesday, then asked a clearly emotional Barkley how he was doing.
“That was tough,” Barkley said. “We knew the day was coming — still tough. Been here for 26, 27 years, and it’s been an honor and a privilege to work with you all this time, and Kenny and Shaq and the amazing people behind the scenes. …
“It’s been an amazing journey. You’ve been our leader. Our unquestionable leader. The question I’m asked the most … is, is Ernie Johnson as good a person as he seems? And I say, man, he’s better than that. So I just want to say thank you. Thank you for being our leader for all these years. … All I can say, Ernie, is thank you.”
Smith gave Johnson a standing ovation, and O’Neal said Johnson was the reason he joined the crew.
“You are the controller of this thing people call the circus — the best circus in town, but without you, it’s going to be very, very difficult,” O’Neal said. “Chuck made a great point. All we can say is thank you, and we appreciate you. We’re gonna miss you, and we will see you around, but thanks for the great run.”
In a video posted on X, Golden State Warriors forward and frequent “Inside the NBA” guest Draymond Green perfectly summed up Johnson’s role on the show.
“He is the best point guard I’ve ever played with — that’s no disrespect to the great Steph Curry,” Green said in a video posted Wednesday on X. “Ernie Johnson on a set is as incredible as they come. He sees everything. He’s like, ‘Man, this guy hasn’t spoke for a while. Let me toss it to him. Man, this conversation is going off the rails a little bit’ — as it can on that show — ‘let me rein it back in.’ … This guy is amazing.”
Johnson also shared that he’s been dealing with “heart issues” for almost two years, including undergoing bypass surgery two months ago, and that it was a “contributing factor” in his decision.
“Still trying to get this thing to beat exactly the way it should, and we’re getting it,” Johnson said. “I mean, I feel great. So this isn’t a case where my doctor said you need to stop working. It’s nothing like that. But here’s the deal: Going through that has made me treasure even more every second with my amazing wife of 44 years, Cheryl Ann, and being Poppy to our five grandchildren. So I just want to slow down a bit, spend more time enjoying that.
“Just to be clear, I’m not retiring; just cutting back. I’ll still do March Madness and other projects for TNT and CBS, and I’ve just started a new production company called 32 Bowties, geared toward telling feel-good stories in sports. So this is by no means the end. It’s just a turning of the page.”
Pat McAfee, a co-host of ESPN’s “College GameDay,” doubled down on his criticism of the University of Utah on his sports talk show Monday, referring to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and suggesting he would call in sick if “GameDay” returned to Utah.
“I’ll hopefully never go to that place,” McAfee said. “I think I’ll have COVID whenever ‘GameDay’ goes back, if I’m still a part of ‘GameDay.’ I did not enjoy the morning there.”
Utah issued an apology even as an avalanche of social media reaction was mainly critical of McAfee. The dominant meme theme focused on his perceived softness in reacting so strongly to a short video the university released Saturday ahead of the “GameDay” show from Utah’s Salt Lake City campus that preceded the Utes’ game against Houston.
The video posted on the university’s official social media accounts asked students to do an impression of McAfee. A microphone was handed to a handful of male students who roared while saying that although they were fans of the irreverent, theatrical analyst, he should stop his weekly “GameDay” routine of taking his shirt off while college students cheer and jeer behind him.
Another student called his antics “corny.” McAfee, apparently already reeling from a column in the Athletic that opined that “College GameDay” has become overwhelmed by McAfee’s “frat-rock prankster” personality, appeared deeply offended.
“The University puts that out as I’m about to go out and do an infomercial for the place?,” McAfee said. “And I’m walking in front of thousands of these people? This is how the university feels about it? It’s an uncomfortable feeling.
“I’m getting a lot of shrapnel from a lot of places. The university is putting this out? That’s something I just had never experienced, really in my entire life. So it kind of set me off a little bit. Made me feel a little bit weird.”
McAfee alluded to the shooting death of Kirk, the conservative activist who was killed in September 2025 during a speaking event on Utah Valley University, about 40 miles from the Utah campus.
“And I thought to myself, ‘Has anything, like, really scary happened at a college gathering in the state of Utah recently?,’” he said. “Do we think we should be amplifying reasons for why people hate my guts, as a university? I don’t know. There were a lot of mixed feelings for me going out there.
“It’s like, all right, I hate this place. I hate this place. They’ve got a good football team, though…. But I’ve never been more uncomfortable, honestly, in my life, walking in front of a group of people after watching their university put out a post, basically dogging me just moments before.”
The video was removed from Utah’s social media accounts and the university issued a statement Monday night saying the goal “was to create lighthearted engagement regarding Pat being back on campus,” but that the video “missed the mark.”
“University staff are responsible for reviewing and posting content on official social media accounts and we take full accountability for that decision,” the school said. “University officials have reached out to Pat to express appreciation and regret. We sincerely apologize for creating any perception that Pat was unsafe or unwelcome on our campus. Nothing could be further from the truth”
Social media was soon littered with memes of McAfee accompanied by rolls of a soft brand of bathroom tissue. But ESPN defended his concern about safety in a statement.
“The safety and security of our on-air team, crew and fans is paramount at ‘College GameDay.’ We are committed to ensuring a safe environment, and given the very real threats that members of our team face, we take issues involving their safety seriously. We support Pat and recognize the very real and valid concerns he has around safety and security.”
A New York City man is facing charges after allegedly pulling out a knife near the set of the latest “Miami Vice” reboot.
On Friday around 11 p.m., the New York Police Department received a call about a man brandishing a knife near the intersection of Avenue N and McDonald Avenue in the borough of Brooklyn.
The caller, identified only as a 42-year-old man, told police that he had been in a verbal dispute with an “unidentified individual” when the man took out a knife, according to a police spokesperson.
The suspect was identified as Brooklyn resident Alex Perez, 23. The police spokesperson said Perez was taken into custody without incident and charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon. There were no reported injuries, she said.
In a video obtained by TMZ, a man the outlet identified as Perez is shown taking out a large butcher’s knife from his black sweatshirt pocket.
The Brooklyn district attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday night. It was not immediately clear whether Perez has a lawyer.
NBC New York reported that “Miami Vice ‘85” had been filming nearby along Bay Parkway and McDonald Avenue, near Washington Cemetery.
Universal, the studio behind the film, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Joseph Kosinski, the director behind “F1” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” is directing “Miami Vice ’85.” The movie, which according to Universal was in production as of Oct. 12, features Michael B. Jordan as Tubbs and Austin Butler as Crockett, according to the company’s social media posts.
The movie is based on Anthony Yerkovich’s iconic 1980s TV cop show. A movie adaptation directed by Michael Mann, also called “Miami Vice,” came out in 2006 but was a box-office flop, The Times reported at the time.
MOLLY-MAE Hague shared an emotional video about ‘blocking out’ the first months after daughter Bambi’s birth.
The former Love Islander, 27, became a mum for the first time when she gave birth to her baby girl on January 23 2023.
Molly-Mae and fiance Tommy, also 27, welcomed their second child, son Midas, into the world back in June.
The new mum has been very honest with fans and shared the ups and downs of motherhood on social media over the years.
The Maebe owner has previously admitted she felt like her ‘life was over’ after giving birth to Bambi and opened up about the ‘really low lows’.
Molly-Mae recently took to her TikTok account to open up about different her two postpartum experiences have been.
The video started with star giving Midas a kiss on the cheek, followed by a clip of a younger Molly-Mae bottle feeding Bambi on the sofa in her pyjamas.
Molly-Mae told fans: “For the mums who need to know that no two postpartums have to look the same.
“I didn’t realised how much of my first postpartum I’d blocked out until having Midas and realising I could barely answer questions about it.”
Fans rushed to the comments section to share the love.
One said: “You’re doing absolutely amazing.”
Another wrote: “The best mummy.”
“This makes me cry, well done mama,” a third chimed in.
A fourth added: “The difference is unbelievable, you should be so proud of yourself Molly. You’re a true inspiration.”
A fifth said: “I love that you’re showing the raw and real side of becoming a mummy.”
Molly and fiance Tommy shot to fame on Love Island in 2019.
The pair placed second on the series and moved in together after returning to the UK.
Then in September 2022, they announced that they were expecting their first child together and she gave birth the following January.
The happy couple got engaged in June 2023.
Then in August 2024, they announced that they had split, but in May 2025, they were back together.
Molly-Mae and Tommy later revealed that they were expecting their second child, and gave birth to Midas in June this year.
The “H3 Podcast” is cutting ties with host Ethan Klein after his wife and co-host, Hila Klein, accused him of having an affair for the past six months.
The crew agreed to not continue working with Ethan or profiting in any way, sharing, “We stand with Hila and will support her every step of the way,” an “H3 Podcast” Instagram post read late Thursday evening.
The podcast’s indefinite hiatus comes shortly after Hila accused her husband of infidelity on her own Instagram account late Thursday night.
“I am living in a nightmare I can’t wake up from. …,” she stated on her Instagram post. “I have been fed lie after lie for months. I am tired of lies. Here’s the truth.
“I could sense something was wrong. I tried to ask him questions and share my concerns and hurt feelings. But I was met with dismissive answers and no action. Things that bothered me continued to bother me, and he did nothing about it,” Hila wrote.
Ethan and Hila have been together for 20 years and married for 14. They met while Ethan was on a Birthright trip to Israel where Hila was doing mandatory military service in the Israel Defense Forces. They maintained regular contact via Skype before Hila moved to Ethan’s college town of Santa Cruz, according to a 2017 video uploaded by the pair to their YouTube channel, h3h3Productions.
“The betrayal I feel is immeasurable. The person I loved and trusted for 20 years evaporated overnight. He was my safe place, my partner in marriage, parenting, and business. My only family on this side of the world. How do I even begin to make sense of this?” the post continued.
Hila shared that she does not know what comes next, adding, “I’m in survival mode, trying to navigate separation, co-parenting, and unthinkable heartbreak.”
Ethan didn’t immediately respond on Friday to The Times’ request for comment. He did, however, post on social media.
”I know a lot of people are understandably looking for a comment from me,” a post to his Instagram Stories read, “but I ask that you please respect my family’s privacy and do not contact them looking for me or asking for their comments. They have nothing to do with this and share in your outrage and disappointment. Thank you.”
Hila and Ethan share three sons ages 7, 4 and 2.
“All I can do right now is focus on taking care of myself and my children, one day at a time,” Hila said. “You’re not crazy. Trust your instincts. Trust yourself. If you’re not being treated right, get up and leave.”
The couple first rose to internet fame through their popular YouTube channel h3h3Productions, which often featured Ethan and Hila in sketches and vlogs. Around 2013, the channel picked up steam as the couple began posting reaction videos to viral social media clips. As of today, they have amassed over 5 million followers.
“H3 Podcast” began in 2017 and first featured guest interviews with internet personalities such as PewDiePie and Jake Paul.
Many online sleuths were quick to pull out clips from Ethan’s past that might have foreshadowed this incident, including in Oct. 2020 when Ethan’s former “Frenemies” podcast co-host Trisha Paytas said to him: “I feel/lowkey wish you could be single while you’re famous and rich because I feel like you didn’t get that out of your system. Like knowing that every girl wants to f— you because you’re famous and rich.”
Ethan responded: “I mean, it would be fun to date, but I’m not interested in that. I’m very happily married.”
The “H3 Podcast” subseries fizzled out in 2021 due to revenue disputes. Paytas married Hila’s brother, Moses Hacmon, in 2021.
Mississippi released bodycam footage of the fatal shooting of 1-year-old Kohen Wiley, who was in a moving car when a police officer on a shoplifting call opened fire. The officer was cleared of criminal wrongdoing, but the boy’s family says the shooting was unjustified.
Published On 23 Oct 202623 Oct 2026
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50 Cent, the king of petty hip-hop feuds, strikes again.
On Wednesday, Fitty shared a video on his Instagram account of a 20-year-old man identified in police filings as Don Roberts, who is accused of pistol-whipping William Roberts III, the 21-year-old son of Miami-raised rapper Rick Ross.
“I appreciate everyone who believed in me, my family and my friends. I’m out and I’m innocent. The Lord know I’m innocent,” said Don Roberts in the video clip. “50 [Cent] I appreciate you for everything you’re doing for me and believing in my innocence, much love.”
It is unclear if the “Many Men (Wish Death)” rapper posted bail for Roberts — which inmate records indicate was $50,000 — although the rapper was public about his support for the suspect after news broke about the incident.
For context, there’s a longtime beef between Rick Ross and 50 Cent, which dates back to the late 2000s. Both artists released diss tracks aimed at each other, including Ross’ 2009 music video of “Cold Blood,” which showcases the rapper at 50 Cent’s fictional funeral.
On Tuesday, 50 Cent posted Roberts’ inmate information to his Instagram account saying that the Florida man “will be out tomorrow.”
The “21 Questions” singer wrote in the Instagram caption that he was “sending” Drew Findling — the trial lawyer involved in the acquittal of Chicago rapper Lil Durk (Durk Banks), who in September was found not guilty of murder for hire, conspiracy and stalking in the 2022 killing of a rival’s cousin.
“This is a big misunderstanding that can easily be resolved,” continued the rapper, who also used the incident to tease his 2026 film, “Street Fighter.”
The incident involving William Roberts occurred earlier this month, per People, who alleged Don Roberts attacked him at gunpoint at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fla.
William alleges he was speaking to a woman on a street corner on Oct. 11 when Don exited his vehicle and yelled at her, “That’s what we doin’,” per the affidavit. According to William, Don and the woman were previously involved in a romantic relationship.
William claims that Don approached him with a tan handgun in his right hand and said, “I don’t care who your daddy is, I’ll kill you right here.” According to the affidavit, William alleged that Don hit him on the right side of his head with the firearm.
Although this led to minor swelling, William did not seek medical attention and claimed that he waited to contact police because he was afraid.
Don Roberts was arrested Oct. 16 on charges of aggravated assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
An Israeli settler was filmed shouting at and assaulting a Palestinian child during an attack on a family east of Yatta, in the occupied West Bank, where settler violence has surged in recent years. Rights groups say perpetrators are rarely held accountable.
Published On 21 Oct 202621 Oct 2026
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