A medical examiner in Michigan says an autopsy has determined that Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks died of chest trauma from an errant fireworks mortar blast & not a fall as authorities previously reported.
Police in Novi, Michigan, said the mortar-style firework tilted slightly & started to fire toward people nearby Sunday night. The 24-year-old Kivleniek was in a hot tub & tried to get clear with several other people, police Lt. Jason Meier said.
The fire department & EMTs got to the private home shortly after 10 p.m. & took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Meier said. The Oakland County Medical Examiner’s office reported preliminary autopsy results Monday afternoon.
The Blue Jackets and Latvian Hockey Federation announced Kivlenieks’ death, with the NHL club saying it resulted from an apparent head injury in a fall. The team’s statement made no mention of fireworks.
Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen tweeted: “Life is so precious & can be so fragile. Hug your loved ones today. RIP Matiss, you will be dearly missed.” Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson called it a “devastating time” for the team.
The Latvian Hockey Federation called Kivlenieks’ death “a great loss not only for Latvian hockey but for the entire Latvian nation.”
Kivlenieks most recently represented Latvia this spring at the world hockey championship in which he played four games. He played two games for the Blue Jackets and eight for the American Hockey League’s Cleveland Monsters this past season.
Gilbert Burns earned his shot at the UFC welterweight title with a dominating performance over former champion Tyron Woodley in May. Burns faces Stephen Thompson in the co-main event of UFC 264 on Saturday, July 10.
Damien Cash was the DJ Drama of Chicago, plying his trade in the Little Village neighborhood during the late 1990's. While making $5,000 a week selling mixtapes... and hustling grams on the side, he met with and became friends and business partners with some of Chicago's most infmous and powerful gangsters of the era- Rudy "King Kato" Rangel and Pedro and Margarito Flores- the Sinaloa Cartels biggest customers in the entire country at one point.
In this episode of "People's Party With Talib Kweli," Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with author, professor, activist, and historian of race and discriminatory policy in America:
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
Here's what was discussed with one of today's most influential voices in anti-racist activism:
• Black Liberation Theology and varying depictions of Jesus Christ. • Martin Luther King's 'I Have A Dream' speech pushed as the standard live by. • Anti-immigrant sentiments from ADOS and others embracing a nationalist agenda. • How the lasting effects of slavery is dividing black Americans. • Ibram challenging an African student speaking down on an African-American student. • His favorite Queens rappers, anthems and things special about his hometown. • Euro-American slave trade vs. the African slave trade. • Right-wing influencer Dinesh D'Souza and reaction to his words. • Claims of black/white test score gaps being based on genetic inferiority/superiority. • How the '94 crime bill failed black Americans. • Distinguishing the differences between "racism" and "racist". • Discussion on if an oppressed group can be racist/sexist against a group in power. • Racists as enablers vs. Anti-racists taking action. • People attempting to turn the word racist into a slur. • Ibram's take on why children should be taught anti-racism at as young an age as possible. • What we can expect from Ibram's 'Be Anti-Racist' podcast. • The burden of black people having to represent the whole race.
DJ Stickz linked up with Rochester, New York heavy spitter, Eto, and his longtime associate Jai Black for a fire freestyle over Mobb Deep's "Paid in Full" instrumental.
A leaked recording of a phone conversation from last year has created a difficult situation at ESPN, pitting two of the network's most visible female broadcasters against each other.
The dispute goes back to last year's broadcast of the NBA Finals, when ESPN executives selected Maria Taylor over Rachel Nichols to be the primary host for the network's coverage.
An unhappy Nichols discussed her frustration with not being chosen in a phone call with Adam Mendelsohn, the longtime adviser of L.A. Lakers star LeBron James. During the call, Nichols expressed her opinion that Taylor got the assignment because the network was feeling pressure to improve its record on racial issues.
“I wish Maria Taylor all the success in the world — she covers football, she covers basketball,” Nichols said in an audio excerpt published by the Times. “If you need to give her more things to do because you are feeling pressure about your crappy longtime record on diversity — which, by the way, I know personally from the female side of it — like, go for it. Just find it somewhere else. You are not going to find it from me or taking my thing away.”
According to the Times, the call was recorded by a camera Nichols had in her hotel room that enabled her to appear on-camera from the NBA bubble. The contents were recorded to a video server at ESPN headquarters, where any number of employees could have accessed it.
At least one person recorded a copy of the call on a cellphone, the Times reports, and the contents soon spread throughout the company.
The only person disciplined over the incident, the Times said, was a digital video producer who told ESPN's human resources department she shared the video with Taylor. The producer, a Black woman, was suspended two weeks without pay and has since left the company.
Nichols explained to the Times she was “unloading to a friend about ESPN’s process, not about Maria.” She said she reached out to Taylor via texts and phone calls, but never received a response.
The tension between the two remained throughout the current NBA season, as Taylor has continued to host the network's "NBA Countdown" pregame show, with all of Nichols' segments prerecorded so they were not forced to interact.
Rachel Nichols: “If you need to give her more things to do because you are feeling pressure about your crappy longtime record on diversity — which, by the way, I know personally from the female side of it — like, go for it. Just find it somewhere else.” pic.twitter.com/aB5MifujuX
Bill Cosby has weighed in on the drama over his one-time costar, Phylicia Rashad, & her new bosses at Howard University ... agreeing that if they can her, they gotta refund him.
The freshly-released Cosby tweeted about the fallout from Phylicia's controversial comments last week -- in which she ecstatically celebrated Bill's conviction being overturned, calling it "justice" - & he did so by simply concurring with another person's POV on the sitch.
Singer/actress Stephanie Mills actually spilled on how she felt about it, writing ... "I love you @phyliciarashad. If it’s true that Howard University wants to terminate her Position because they feel her comments about Mr. Cosby were insensitive, then they should give back the millions of dollars that he donated to the university."
Cosby responded to that quite simply, writing ... "Thank you @iamstephaniemills your voice has always been powerful!" So, in other words, he seems to be fully in her corner on that.
A quick note ... it's not entirely clear how much, if any, dough Cosby has given Howard -- there doesn't seem to be any hard numbers on a donation. That doesn't mean he hasn't chipped in though - & we know he's been generous when donating to HBCUs.
He famously gave Spelman College $20 million in 1998 -- also, he's an honorary degree holder at Howard. So, it's not outside the realm of possibility he's lined their pockets before.
The funny thing about Bill rushing to Phylicia's defense here ... we're almost certain she doesn't want it -- at least not publicly anyway. She low-key put this matter to bed this past week ... removing her "FINALLY" tweet & even apologizing to the Howard student body.
So, BC reopening the scab like this probably isn't doing her any favors. If anything, she probably doesn't want Bill's name and Howard brought up in the same sentence around her at all. BTW ... it doesn't look like Howard will fire PR ... they admonished her and that's it.
As of late, Jay-Z and his Roc Nation puppet masters have been busily building S dot Carter’s brand by throwing around the phrase “social justice” a lot. They produced an elaborate multi-part series for Amazon on the extremely minor legal troubles of Meek Mill. Prison reform is a central pillar of their marketing plan, but I wonder if any of the people that Roc Nation co-founder Desiree Perez put in the Federal penitentiary got released early or if they were pardoned by Donald Trump… a man whom Jay and Bey professed their disdain for every chance they got. I guess when you’re a billionaire you get to have your cake and frosting and get to it all, too. Hashtag wealthy celebrity privilege.
This is a quote from the official Biography of Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez: As one of Roc Nation’s five founders, Perez has shaped the company’s course at every step of the way. When hip-hop-artist-turned-business-mogul Jay-Z—a fellow Roc Nation founder—appointed her as CEO in 2019, Perez gained the designation to match her level of impact. Perez, however, places little emphasis on the change in her title. Her focus remains the same as it always has been: doing what’s right, for the company and for the world.
According to The New York Daily News in March 2015, after Perez was arrested in 1994 for possession of 35 kilos of cocaine, she struck a deal with the feds, agreeing to wear hidden wires to record her meetings with major cocaine traffickers. She was a major asset for the DEA in Puerto Rico and down into Colombia itself.
Perez was the wife of longtime Jay-z’s partner in the old 40/40 clubs- Juan Perez, who is now the head of Roc Nation Sports. Desiree Perez was the manager of the 40/40 club in Manhattan. In 2013, a year after Biggs Burke got his nickel in the Feds, New York Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez hired Perez to help him deal with his steroid scandal.
Sha'Carri Richardson has handled her disqualification from the Olympics with incredible grace, but she threw a little shade at people who came down on her.
Sha'Carri tweeted, "The support (heart emojis) my community I thank y’all, the negative forget y’all and enjoy the games because we all know it won’t be the same"
"I’m sorry, I can’t be y’all Olympic Champ this year but I promise I’ll be your World Champ next year" And now the shade -- "All these perfect people that know how to live life, I'm glad I'm not one of them!"
As you know, Sha'Carri came in first in the 100-meter race at the U.S. Track and Field Trials but was later disqualified after testing positive for weed. She was honest ... she indulged after learning her biological mother had died, and she didn't make excuses.
President Biden drew a hard line, saying, "rules are rules." But Seth Rogen, who founded the hugely popular House Plant weed brand, had harsher words, "The notion that weed is a problematic “drug” is rooted in racism. It’s insane that Team USA would disqualify one of this country’s most talented athletes over thinking that’s rooted in hatred. It’s something they should be ashamed of. Also if weed made you fast, I’d be FloJo."
Sha'Carri appeared on "Today" Friday, saying, "I want to take responsibility for my actions, I know what I did. I know what I'm supposed to do, [what] I'm allowed not to do and I still made that decision."
It's really a shame. Richardson was a favorite to snag gold in Tokyo, and it would have been the first such medal for the U.S. since 1996.
Richardson could still be allowed to compete on the U.S. relay team. No decision has been made yet.
Brooklyn, New York rap legend Jaz-O aka The Originator releases an official music video for his remastered single "Lookin Like" featuring late, great Los Angeles emcee Nipsey Hussle aka Neighborhood Nip.
@GetatEmFilms. 152nd Music Video Production.
Directed By: Da Inphamus Amadeuz Performance: Jaz-O x Nipsey Hussle Album: "Lookin' Like" [Remastered Single] Film Team: Hazardous Heat & HDTV
"Lookin Like" remastered is available on all streaming platforms:
Watch UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson win a Fight of the Night contest with Vicente Luque at Madison Square Garden in 2019. Thompson will face Gilbert Burns in the UFC 264 co-main event on Saturday, July 10. Order UFC 264 now:https://bit.ly/2vNIBE8(U.S. Only)
UFC 264 Countdown showcases a historic trilogy, as former champs Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier prepare to break the one & one tie on July 10 at UFC 264 in Las Vegas. Plus, former welterweight title challengers Gilbert Burns and Stephen Thompson ready for a co-main event thriller. Order UFC 264 now:https://bit.ly/2vNIBE8(U.S. Only)
Hailing outta Farrockaway Queens Kidrock Dollaz. The queens based MC has a style heavily reminiscent of ’90s New York hardcore rap, while sounding fresh enough to compete with the contemporary hip-hop landscape. Kidrock would find his inspiration in local artist such as stack bundles and chinx drugz. Nicknamed Dollaz as a child. He would later add kidrock no relation to the country singer Im just Kid From The Rock He would say. He is destined for fame with his hard hitting lyricism and soulful flow. His soulful flow might come from his mom who is a singer herself and has worked with some of todays biggest acts in hiphop. With his newly entitled E.P " It Is What It Is" Kidrock dollaz ryhmes his gritty voice over classic samples telling the story of young men raised in the streets of farrockaway queens. A pure lyricist with a touch of todays style Kidrock resonates with todays culture while still giving you a classic feel that only the true lyricist in hip hop would appreciate.
Tidewater, Virginia emcee and DIEHRD MUSICK CEO, Dainja aka Rakki Dennis, drops off an official music video for his new single, "Richard P."
"RICHARD P IS A TERM USED FOR COCAINE ORIGINATED BY DIEHRD. THE VIDEO SHOT IN MIAMI DADE IS A LOOK AT HOW WE VIEW THE MONEY THAT YOU PRAY TO. WE PUT COCAINE ON THAT SAME MONEY AND THUS RICHARD P WAS BORN," - Dainja.
"Richard P" available now on all streaming platforms:
Eastside of chi-raq stand up it's the mayor of the 9, 79th & essex to be exact it's the uncrowned king of collabo's going from the midwest, to the south, the west, and bringing it back to the east coast the young og of drill has been quite busy trading bar's with known an unknown artist.... featuring g herbo will take you on a journey of some of the standout joints so press play️ an zone out and congratulations on the arrival of baby "essex"
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The mother of a Black man fatally shot by a white former Nashville officer sobbed, screamed and knocked over a courtroom lectern Friday as she begged a judge not to accept a plea deal she says was struck in secret without her knowledge, a chaotic scene that briefly delayed the hearing before the judge accepted the agreement.
Former officer Andrew Delke pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the death of Daniel Hambrick, 25, in 2018 as part of an agreement with prosecutors.
Delke will serve a three-year prison sentence. As part of the agreement, he won’t pursue parole or appeal the case. However, Delke’s defense team said he will likely serve a year and a half in jail with standard credits.
The hearing turned volatile as Hambrick’s mother, Vickie, gave a lengthy statement as family members and others applauded. Other supporters, outside the courtroom in the hallway, banged on the door in support. Delke’s family sat on the other side of the courtroom with security guards.
“I hate you,” Vickie Hambrick screamed over and over again, while also yelling out profanities, directing some at Delke and prosecutors.
In a particularly chaotic moment, the mother knocked over the lectern and a computer monitor and family members rushed to her side. Delke and Judge Monte Watkins were briefly ushered out of the courtroom.
Delke was about to face trial for a first-degree murder charge, but on Thursday, his attorney announced he had agreed to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter.
“I hope this case can contribute positively about the much needed discussion about how police officers are trained and how we as a community want police officers to interact with citizens. I am deeply sorry for the harm my actions caused,” Delke said shortly after entering his plea, his voice cracking at times.
A group of roughly two dozen protesters gathered outside the courthouse, chanting “no racist police” to show their opposition to Delke’s plea deal. Others wore shirts noting that police officers and white people receive lighter penalties for committing the same crimes as Black and brown people.
Hambrick’s family said they were not contacted or consulted and did not know about the plea deal until after it was done.
“I have contempt for this system. I have contempt for this plea. I have contempt for the (Fraternal Order of Police). And I have a special contempt for Andrew Delke. May you all rot in hell,” said attorney Joy Kimbrough, who read the statement of Vickie Hambrick as she wept behind her.
District Attorney Glenn Funk told reporters afterward that he informed Hambrick’s family attorney of the deal Wednesday and met with Vickie Hambrick on Thursday. He said has been in contact with them for three years, knew Vickie Hambrick wanted Delke to be convicted of murder and sentenced to prison for life, and he had to decide what was in the best interest for the state.
He said there was a “very large percentage” chance that the case would have ended in a hung jury, which he said would have meant the emotion seen in the courtroom Friday “would have been played out 100-fold.” Funk also called it “significant progress” that “tonight will be the first night Nashville has had a police officer in jail for shooting a Black man on duty.”
“I was not willing to risk not having a felony conviction, not having him off the force, not having him incarcerated, not having him be able to make a guilty plea where he conceded that he did in fact use deadly force that was not reasonably necessary,” Funk said.
Delke, 27, submitted his resignation Thursday. He had been decommissioned, which means he had to turn over his gun but was able to work a desk job and still get paid.
After COVID-19 delays and pretrial back-and-forth, jury selection was slated to start next week . The trial was going to center on a handgun Hambrick was holding that Delke claims was pointed at him for a moment, which prosecutors dispute and video footage does not show.
Prosecutors focused on surveillance footage that captured the shooting, in which Delke stops chasing and shoots the fleeing man. Defense attorneys have contended there was a 36-foot (11-meter) blindspot and plenty could have happened there. There were dozens of cameras, and defense attorneys contended that it was possible that more footage was caught of that blindspot, but wasn’t reviewed by investigators before it was automatically overwritten on the system.
The month after the shooting, Funk released surveillance footage of the shooting publicly, sparking wider attention and outcry. Delke was charged in September 2018, and the shooting caused enough backlash that voters that November installed a community oversight board for Nashville’s police department.
}