News

A Las Vegas entertainment company is sending a cease and desist letter to Beyoncé after taking issue with the singer’s visual interlude created for her Cowboy Carter tour. In the visual interlude, Beyoncé towers over Las Vegas like a giant and walks across the city’s iconic sites before crouching down to pick up the popular venue known as the Sphere. Sphere Entertainment Group has now ordered Beyoncé to stop depicting the Sphere during her tour.

Why did Sphere Entertainment Group issue a cease and desist letter to Beyoncé?

Many of Beyoncé’s supporters are taking to social media to slam Sphere Entertainment Group CEO James Dolan, saying that he remains bitter after the singer declined to perform at the venue during her Cowboy Carter tour.

“Imagine being mad that you can’t get Beyoncé so you sue her company for picking up a sphere,” one person wrote on X. “EMBARRASSING!”

Imagine being mad that you can’t get Beyoncé so you sue her company for picking up a sphereEMBARRASSING! pic.twitter.com/CSE9K5KCtw— ★ I SAW MUVA TWICE ★ (@Asmr_Unique) May 3, 2025

However, Sphere Entertainment Group said in a statement that Beyoncé needed to get permission to depict the Sphere.

“(Sphere Entertainment Group) is sure that multiple aspects of the interlude video, including other brands, clips and music, were duly cleared by the tour with rights permissions from the rights holders whose works were used in the video, as is common practice,” the company stated, per The Daily Beast. “SEG, however, was never asked, and the prominent appearance and manipulation of SEG’s Sphere venue in the video is unauthorized.”

What is the order Sphere Entertainment Group is giving to Beyoncé?

The company has addressed the letter to Parkwood Entertainment, Beyoncé’s production company, telling the Grammy-winning artist to stop using the brief clip from her concert, which she already held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Beyoncé is also told to “refrain from using this imagery on any merchandise, promotional or marketing materials, or in tour movies, etc.,” Billboard reported.

“Should you fail to do so, SEG reserves all rights to take further action as SEG deems appropriate without notice to you,” the company stated.

After declining to perform at the Sphere for her Cowboy Carter tour, Beyoncé decided to instead play at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on July 25 and 26. Beyoncé has not yet commented on the cease and desist letter.

An Ohio man who is grieving after his son was fatally shot by police is now accused of purposely striking and killing a sheriff’s deputy.

Police said Rodney Hinton Jr. struck the officer in Cincinnati, Ohio, the day after his 18-year-old son, Ryan Hinton, was killed. Hinton Jr. is now charged with aggravated murder.

What are prosecutors saying about Rodney Hinton Jr. allegedly striking a deputy on purpose?

Prosecuting attorney Ryan Nelson said the father’s plans were “calculated and premeditated.”

“He lined up his car, deliberately accelerated his car and purposely caused the death of an on-duty deputy sheriff,” Nelson said on Saturday, per ABC News.

What are Hinton Jr.’s representatives saying about the tragedy facing the family and the charges against the father?

Hinton Jr.’s attorney said that his client is facing a “very serious, very terrible charge,” but he doesn’t have any felony record to worry about.

“I understand that this is an emotionally charged situation,” the attorney said, noting the death of Ryan, per ABC News. “I understand that there is a lot of sadness and a lot of anger in this room right now and in the community at large.”

Attorneys for the Hinton family said they were hired to investigate Ryan’s case. The representatives said Rodney Hinton and other family members met with police on Friday to see body camera footage of the fatal incident involving the teen.

“Ryan Hinton’s family, including Ryan’s father, was present at the meeting and they were understandably distraught as they watched the bodycam video,” the attorneys stated. “After the meeting with the police department, Ryan Hinton’s father left in his own vehicle and that was the last we heard from him until learning about the tragic incident involving a law enforcement officer who was working a traffic detail near the University of Cincinnati.”

Although the department hasn’t identified the officer who was killed, police said it was a recently retired officer who was serving in a special capacity.

What happened in the fatal incident between Ryan Hinton and police?

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge spoke about the fatal incident during a press conference on Friday. Theetge said four suspects jumped from a car that was believed to be stolen as they were being pursued by police. One of the four people, according to Theetge, was identified as Ryan Hinton. A still image from the body camera footage showed that Hinton fell near two dumpsters as he was trying to run away, WCPO reported.

Theetge said the teen was carrying a gun and officers heard the metal of the gun hitting the ground as he fell. As Ryan tried to hide between the two dumpsters, the officer who fired the shots yelled, “gun.” The officer fired about five shots and struck Ryan with two of those bullets, Theetge said, also noting that the footage was blurry.

“The individual is running with a firearm in his hand and the officer is running, so the body camera is jolting and what that leaves us with is a very blurred image, unfortunately,” Theetge said.

The police chief added that the officer was believed to be in danger because Ryan allegedly had the gun pointed at him.

Marlon Wayans opened up about his relationship with his son as he sat down for an interview with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson on the IMO podcast. Wayans, who appeared on Wednesday’s episode alongside his brother Damon Wayans, said he really understood the meaning of unconditional love after his son came out as trans.

What did Marlon Wayans say about showing unconditional love for his son?

Wayans said he was initially in denial about his son being trans, but it didn’t take him long to come to terms with the reality.

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“When they went through the transition, I actually went through the transition,” the actor said on the podcast, per Them. “I went from denial to complete acceptance, and it took me a week to get there.”

Wayans affirmed that no matter what happens from this point forward, he will continue to love Kai.

“If that’s a mistake and we get to heaven and God don’t let my child in, I’m going to shave a beard and sneak them in through the back,” Wayans said as he expressed his love for his son with some humor. “I’m going to love my baby… I’m a father, and I’m always going to defend them. I’m always going to protect them. I’m always going to respect them. And there’s nothing anybody could ever tell me.”

Damon Wayans also affirmed that he will love his nephew unconditionally.

“I love Kai,” Damon said on the podcast, per The Rickey Smiley Morning Show. “I never want him to feel judged by me.”

What is Marlon Wayans saying about the public reaction he faces for supporting his trans son?

The White Chicks star made it clear that he is not really worried about how people judge him for accepting his son.

“I lost people that are small-minded, small-hearted, and self-loathing,” he said. “So, goodbye… For every one I lose, I gain 150 more.”

Wayans previously faced criticism from people like Soulja Boy, who insulted him with a transphobic slur. Still, the Hollywood star doesn’t seem fazed.

“You know you can get cancelled for transphobic slander like this,” Wayans said on social media in response to Soulja Boy. “Fortunately for you that you don’t have a career. Apparently, you BEEN cancelled for the last 17 years. Crank That was 2007. We waiting.”

Investigators in Frisco, Texas have launched a probe after perpetrators allegedly doxed Collin County Judge Angela Tucker, who reduced the $1 million bond for 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony.

He’s accused of fatally stabbing his peer, Austin Metcalf, at a track meet. According to Fox 4, the unidentified hackers have been publishing the judge’s personal address on social media following her decision to reduce the bond to $250,000.

How are the authorities handling Judge Angela Tucker’s doxxing?

The Collin County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that their “priority remains ensuring the judge’s safety and appropriate security measures have been implemented.” Former Dallas County assistant district attorney Russell Wilson said judges are especially at risk in high-profile cases such as the one involving Anthony and Metcalf as investigators continue to see an increase in the number of private information being leaked online.

“Certain information is publicly available. But judges and individuals in law enforcement do have a statute that allows them to remove some of their information from being publicly available. And so publication of that information with the intent to cause harm or for them to get a threat is a crime in Texas,” Wilson said, per Fox 4.

The sheriff’s office added that it’s “coordinating with the FBI and our Fusion Center to monitor for any concerning rhetoric or propaganda that could incite violence.” 

What happened between Karmelo Anthony and Austin Metcalf?

Metcalf, the 17-year-old Memorial High School student-athlete, was killed at a track meet on April 2. Witnesses said Anthony, who is from Centennial High School, had a confrontation with Metcalf. As the confrontation broke out between the two teens, Anthony allegedly reached into a bag and stabbed Metcalf. Anthony, now charged with first-degree murder, is on house arrest after the judge reduced his bond to $250,000.

More than 100 children in India have become sick after eating a school lunch that was poisoned by a snake. According to the BBC, the cook at the school still served the food to the children after removing the snake. At least 500 children ate the food, per the National Human Rights Commission.

What is the public’s response to children in India eating food poisoned by a snake?

Residents of Mokama, India, blocked the road in protest as they aimed to bring justice for the children. The NHRC is standing with protesters, saying the incident is a serious concern.

“The commission has observed that the contents, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of the human rights of the students,” the organization said, adding that it will demand a “detailed report” from senior state officials, including “the health status of the children.”

The commission stated it has “issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna, Bihar.”

What are previous issues that came up with school lunches in India?

According to the BBC, the free lunch served in the school is part of a program known as the Mid-Day Meal. The program, which was established in 1925, was first provided for children in the southern city of Chennai who come from low-income families. However, India has seen some issues with school meals. According to CBS News, 23 children in the Saran district of Bihar died from food poisoned with pesticides in 2013.

“It was the high quantity of monocrotophos insecticide found in the food which proved fatal for the school children,” police official Ravindra Kumar said at that time, per the BBC.

The BBC added that there have been several complaints about school lunches in India through the years.

As the world waits to see who will take the seat of Pope Francis, who died on April 21, Donald Trump went to social media to post what appeared to be a bizarre, AI-generated picture of himself as the next pope. The President posted the photo on his Truth Social account without providing any commentary. As the White House shared the photo on its official social media accounts, many more people saw the image and became baffled by what appeared to be a mockery of the Catholic faith.

Donald Trump just posted a photo of himself as the Pope.It’s full-on lunacy at this point. pic.twitter.com/7be1cIgUwK— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) May 3, 2025

What are social media users saying about Trump posting a photo of himself as the pope?

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele condemned the image and described Trump as a narcissist.

“During this period of Novemdiales (mourning the loss of Pope Francis) I’ll set this offense aside because Trump in his narcissism gets off on our being offended,” Steele wrote on X. “More to the point, this affirms how unserious and incapable he is. At 78 he remains a 10yo child, emotionally scarred and broken while desperate to prove he could be somebody. His problem: he can’t grow up to prove it.”

During this period of Novemdiales (mourning the loss of Pope Francis) I’ll set this offense aside because Trump in his narcissism gets off on our being offended. More to the point, this affirms how unserious and incapable he is. At 78 he remains a 10yo child, emotionally scarred… pic.twitter.com/FLZGRuKHyE— Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) May 3, 2025

Film producer Morgan J. Freeman echoed the sentiment of many others, saying Trump has turned America into a “joke.”

The USA is a fucking joke — a joke that will get millions killed if we don’t course correct NOW!This post is a massive insult to Catholics, Pope Francis’ family, friends & devotees, and to the present conclave. Only thing potentially accurate is that Trump is a sexual… pic.twitter.com/8JlMTjAiAJ— Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) May 3, 2025

What did Donald Trump previously say about becoming the next pope?

Days after the death of Pope Francis, Trump told reporters that he would like to be the next leader of the Catholic church.

“I’d like to be pope. That would be my No. 1 choice,” Trump said, per Variety.

The President also name-dropped Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, in the midst of his statement.

“I must say we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who is very good,” he said. “So we’ll see what happens.”

In a 2020 interview with Religion News Service, which was published on the White House website, Trump said he “was confirmed at a Presbyterian church as a child,” but he now consider himself “to be a non-denominational Christian.”

Kirk Medas, one of the stars of the former MTV reality show Floribama Shore, has died. He was 33 years old.

Medas was one of the most popular and beloved members of the Jersey Shore spinoff’s cast, both by fans and amongst the cast members themselves. The show ran on MTV from 2017 to 2021.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Kirk Medas, a beloved member of the Floribama Shore family. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and fans during this difficult time,” MTV said in a statement.

How did Kirk Medas die?

His death comes after he spent almost two weeks in a hospital’s intensive care unit, per TMZ. It was reported earlier this week that he had been hospitalized and was “fighting necrotizing pancreatitis.” Per TMZ, his cause of death was liver failure.

‘Floribama Shore’ stars raised money for Medas before his death

Prior to Medas’ death, several co-stars had begun helping to crowdfund to support Medas’ health issues and expenses.

Aimee Hall shared on Instagram in part, “Our friend Kirk has been in the ICU for over two weeks now, battling a severe case of necrotizing pancreatitis. He’s currently on a ventilator, and the situation is incredibly serious. Nilsa has been flying back and forth to Miami to be by his side, and I’ve been lucky enough to stay connected through FaceTime with his roommates and close friends who’ve been keeping us updated daily. Kirk does not have medical insurance, and his sweet, strong mother has created a GoFundMe to help with the overwhelming expenses.”

Nilsa Prowant also wrote in part on her Instagram, “Thank you all so much for the overwhelming love, prayers, donations, messages, and support for Kirk. He’s been in the ICU on a ventilator for two weeks now, fighting necrotizing pancreatitis and sepsis. Watching someone you love go through something so painful and uncertain is heartbreaking, but your messages, prayers, and kind words have truly lifted us in this dark time.”

Candace Rice also said on Instagram, “We’ve been praying so much and truly speaking a miracle over his body. @kirkmedas GoFundMe is in my bio and in my IG stories! Love you so much Kirk and if you cannot donate (understandable) please send prayers and covering over Kirk’s body, health, and over his mom.”

Reactions to Kirk Medas’s death

Tributes poured in from Floribama Shore co-stars in honor of Medas.

Hall confirmed Medas’ death in an Instagram post, writing in part, “We lost our brother, our best friend, our heart—Kirk. I was at the beach when I felt it. Before the call even came, a dolphin kept coming up to me, as if to say goodbye. Kirk and I shared a love for dolphins and the ocean, and in that moment, I just knew.”

She continued, “Though my heart is shattered, I find peace in knowing he’s no longer in pain. He’s in heaven now—free, whole, and making everyone laugh the way only he could. Kirk had the kindest soul, a heart full of love for everyone he met, and a spirit that brought people together. He truly was the glue that held us all close. I’ll never forget the moment they placed him on the ventilator, before the coma took hold. I told him I loved him, and tears rolled from his eyes. That memory will stay with me forever. I already miss his voice, his laughter, his presence. The world feels a little dimmer without him—but I know I’ll see my best friend again someday. Until then, I’ll carry him in my heart. Always”

Prowant wrote on Instagram, “A picture is worth a thousand words and these are my favorite. Kirk was one of my favorite people in the whole world. Anytime you needed a friend, Kirk was always there. His laugh was contagious, you always wanted to hear more. He loved and lived life to the fullest. Our story is unique. A once in a lifetime chance of meeting. 8 strangers from all over the south who probably would’ve have crossed paths if we never had taken that crazy opportunity and I’m forever grateful we did. You were more than a roommate to me (and all of us) you were our brother. You saw the good in every person you met. Made light in dark times. Showed up every single time.”

She added, “My heart is broken…things will never be the same. The world lost the most beautiful, kind, and genuine person. Uncle Kirk to many, friend to all. I love you forever. I just know my dad is going to love hearing your stories. Rest in paradise, Kirk ♥️ please keep his family and friends in your prayers.”

Mattie Lynn Breaux wrote, “I’m struggling with finding the right words, but the reality is that they don’t exist. This is still difficult to comprehend. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have known you, work with you, and call you a friend. You were a deeply loved individual who will be profoundly missed by many. My heart is heavy with grief. Processing this news has been a challenge. You’ve had a profound impact on numerous lives! You were an exceptional individual, friend, colleague, and human being. May you rest in peace. Praying for all of your friends, family, colleagues, and anyone who had the privilege of knowing you.Until we meet again friend, RIP @kirkmedas.”

Codi Butts said, in part, “I love you so much. It is with a heavy heart I have to say goodbye to my best friend. I love you so much. My heart is absolutely broken. I wish this was a bad dream that I could just wake up from. Thank you Kirk for giving me some of the best years of my life. You have made me a better person. I will forever love you and cherish our friendship!”

Subway employees across the country are expressing outrage as the fast-food chain continues to close many of its restaurants.

According to The Mirror U.S., Subway has closed over 600 stores since 2024, angering many employees who say they were not warned about the closures. The company, which once had 27,000 locations 10 years ago, is now down to about 20,000 locations, per The Mirror.

What are Subway employees saying about the store closures?

Joanne Kennedy, a store manager at a Subway in Oregon, said the news came as a shock to her and many of her colleagues.

“No warning, no heads up, no transparency, completely and totally blindsided, every one of us,” Kennedy told KPTV in 2024.

Kennedy said she first noticed something was weird when the food orders she put in stopped coming.

“There was no communication, there was just ‘keep doing your job, business as usual,’ that’s what I was told, business as usual, they’re looking for a resolution for the food order,” Kennedy said at that time. “We were all trading food in between stores trying to keep everyone’s doors open, and then no food came.”

Crystal Eang, another Subway manager, said she had a similar experience.

“Monday rolled around it was like you guys are not getting paid, we don’t have the money to pay you,” Eang said.

What is Subway saying about its store closures?

A Subway spokesperson said the company is still focused on growth despite the closure.

“In the US, we are optimizing our footprint using a strategic, data-driven approach to ensure restaurants are in the right location, image and format and operated by the right franchisees,” the spokesperson told QSR Magazine.

They added that Subway is also continuing to grow globally: “Subway achieved positive global net restaurant growth for the second consecutive year. With nearly 37,000 locations worldwide, our focus remains on ‘Smart Growth.’”

Subway operates about 37,000 restaurants worldwide, per QSR — making it the world’s third-largest restaurant behind McDonald’s and Starbucks.