KIM POTTER Found Guilty of Manslaughter ... In Daunte Wright Shooting

UPDATE

1:49 PM PT -- We've obtained Potter's mugshot, it was apparently clear to her she knew she'd be locked up, cuz she kept a smile while the pic was taken.

UPDATE

11:52 AM PT -- Potter has been taken into custody without bail ... her sentencing is scheduled for February 18.

Kim Potter -- the MN cop on trial for shooting and killing Daunte Wright -- has just been found guilty of manslaughter.

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READING THE VERDICT
Fox 9

The jury returned the verdict Thursday after starting deliberations Monday, finding Potter guilty of one count each of first-degree manslaughter and second-degree manslaughter.

Kim Potter Cries On Stand Describing Shooting, Killing Daunte Wright 12/17/21
EMOTIONAL ON THE STAND

As we reported ... Potter took the stand Friday and was emotional as she was questioned about what happened in the moments leading up to Wright's fatal interaction with cops.

Potter started sobbing and grabbing for tissues as she fought back tears to tell the court, "I remember yelling Taser, Taser, Taser and nothing happened. And then, he told me I shot him."

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SHOT POINT-BLANK
Brooklyn Center Police

Remember ... Potter always maintained she thought she was reaching for her Taser, when in fact, she pulled out her firearm.

Wright's shooting death back in April was captured on police bodycam footage, which showed the exchange between Potter and 20-year-old Wright, who was trying to flee from police after cops made a traffic stop for an outstanding warrant.

As we reported ... Potter resigned from the police force after the fatal shooting, but she was arrested following mass protests and riots.

Tesla Drivers Play Video Games While in Motion!! Feds Launch Investigation

Tesla is under fire and under federal investigation for a feature that allows riders to play video games while driving.

On Wednesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shared docs that say the video games that appear on the dashboard touchscreen are supposed to be for passengers -- hence its name "Passenger Play" -- but there is nothing stopping drivers from playing while the car's moving.

According to the investigation docs, this feature became available to drivers back in December of 2020 ... but before it only worked if the car was in park.

Well-known YouTuber AndrewSchrock made a video sharing this unique feature and playing all the video games in his Tesla ... you can see that he did have to wear his seatbelt, in order to play the video games. But ... despite precautions like this one, Tesla has gotten a lot of backlash over the safety concerns of its cars.

The high-tech vehicles known as "self-driving" cars have gotten criticism for features that allow drivers to slow down, speed up and switch lanes without even touching the wheel ... basically, without even having to be in the car!

Tesla insists that it intends for drivers to stay safe and keep their hands on the wheel, even when these features are on ... but their track record hasn't been all clean.

In fact, the NHTSA is now investigating the car company for at least 11 accidents that lead to a crash while using the "autopilot" or self-driving feature.

Kyle Kuzma, Winnie Harlow We're Dating Again!!! ... 5 Months After Split

Love isn't dead after all -- NBA baller Kyle Kuzma and supermodel Winnie Harlow are officially dating again ... just five months after breaking up.

TMZ Sports has learned ... Kuz and Harlow picked up right where they left off earlier this month, deciding to give their relationship another try.

We're told the split wasn't ugly to begin with -- both sides kept in touch and remained friends during their time away from each other.

We broke the story -- the Wizards forward and former "America's Next Top Model" contestant ended things back in August after more than a year of dating.

They were one of the biggest quarantine couples to develop during the pandemic ... after Harlow says Kuz successfully slid into her DMs on Instagram.

Their love remained strong during the NBA bubble in Orlando ... with Winnie sending a plane over the Disney campus on Kuz's birthday to give him a special message.

No word on what caused the breakup to begin with ... but it happened right around the time Kuz was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Washington Wizards.

Jeff Bezos & Lauren Sanchez All Hands on ... Each Other!!! PDA Vacay in St. Barts

Jeff Bezos and his GF Lauren Sanchez are getting back down to Earth for their Christmas vacay -- well, as much as you can when you're the second richest man in the world.

The couple couldn't keep their hands or lips off each other while hiking in St. Barts. The PDA fest went down while there were plenty of other folks on the trail ... but looks like they're too chill to give a damn.

The scenic stroll seems pretty pedestrian compared to what Jeff's been doing a lot of lately ... either riding into orbit himself aboard his Blue Origin spacecraft or greeting his companies astronauts -- like Michael Strahan and William Shatner -- when they touch down.

As you may know, the former journalist and the big-time billionaire went public with their relationship back in January 2019... after Bezos and his ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott announced their high-profile divorce.

Lauren and Jeff have come a long way since then -- and by that we mean they've traveled tens of thousands of miles together. Fabulous trips like this one to the Caribbean island are kinda their thing.

This winter vacation seems like the perfect time for the couple to let their hair down... and turn the love up.

'Wheel of Fortune' Contestant Gets New Audi, After All ... After Massive Fan Outrage

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FAILED FORTUNE

"Wheel of Fortune" fans can rest easy knowing all their outrage toward how one contestant's show ended has actually paid off ... in the form of a new Audi!

If you missed it, a woman named Charlene made it to the final round and caught a nice break when the standard "RSTLNE" and her guessed letters "GDHI" nearly filled out the entire puzzle.

The winning phrase was, "CHOOSING THE RIGHT WORD." At first, Charlene guessed, "CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARD," but when that was wrong, she shouted out "CHOOSING THE RIGHT" before taking a 4-5 second pause and yelling out "WORD!"

The crowd thought she had won, but Pat Sajak delivered the tough news ... telling her she took too long to say the word "Word," and that the phrase needed to have been said all at once to be a winner. It was then revealed Charlene lost out on a $40,000 Audi Q3.

Lucky for Charlene, both "WoF" and the people at Audi took notice of her blunder ... and Charlene is getting an Audi after all!

Audi's Chief Marketing Officer Tara Rush tells us, "In the spirit of the holidays, we are thrilled to gift Charlene with an all-new Audi Q3. It is the season of giving after all and, technicality or not, we are always eager to share a bit of Audi magic and cheer!"

Kim Kardashian CO Truck Driver Thankful for Support ... Victim's Wife Calls Her Uninformed 'Loudest Mouth'

Kim Kardashian is getting very opposite emotional reactions after lending her support to a man sentenced to 110 years behind bars for an accident that killed 4 ... getting praise from the driver himself and blasted as an uninformed loudmouth from the victim's family.

Kim recently posted about Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, a 26-year-old Colorado truck driver, who in 2019 caused a pile-up crash that killed 4 when his brakes went out. Rogel was given a mandatory minimum sentence of 110 years for the accident.

Rogel's attorney, Leonard Martinez, says while he hasn't spoken to Kim directly, they're aware she's spoken in support of reducing Rogel's sentence. Martinez says the legal team is very thankful Kim has lent her voice to the cause and understands how important it is to get the word out.

On the other hand, we spoke to Kathleen Harrison, whose husband, Doyle, was killed in the crash. Kathleen certainly didn't mince words ... she thinks Kim is just a loudmouth who has no clue about the case. Kathleen says the accident was avoidable, but Rogel just threw caution to the wind.

For instance, the trial laid out Rogel lied about his experience in getting the trucking job, noticed earlier in his trip that his brakes were smoking -- yet proceeded -- and failed to yield onto a truck ramp and avoid a collision.

Kathleen thinks 100 years is harsh, suggesting 20, but says this of Kim -- "I don't think that we want our local proceedings in any state taken over by who has the loudest mouth out there, because people don't know all the details, they are running on emotion."

Kim's not alone in her advocacy ... millions have signed a petition asking Rogel's sentence be reduced ... and the local D.A. has also asked the judge to reconsider.

'Spider-Man's Jacob Batalon Loses 112 Pounds!!! ... Shows Off New Look

Jacob Batalon looks and feels like a whole new man after dropping an astounding 112 pounds!!!

The "Spider-Man: No Way Home" star says he knew he had to make a change starting back in 2019, "I felt like I could barely walk upstairs without being out of breath, and this one day I kind of just saw myself without a shirt on and it was just ridiculous ...”

Jacob says COVID-19 and the lockdown that followed really helped him to work on himself, hiring a trainer and hitting the gym 6x a week for hour-and-a-half sessions.

Not only did Jacob hit the gym hard, but he says his girlfriend introduced him to a plant-based diet as well ... and the results have been huge for him.

The 'Spider-Man' star isn't the only one with a recent weight loss story, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo looked nearly unrecognizable after recently revealing all the lbs he dropped.

Blac Chyna Getting On a Plane, Get Vaxxed!!! Wants Ban on 'Selfish' Fliers

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TAKING EVERY PRECAUTION
TMZ.com

When it comes to vaccinations, Blac Chyna is downright tired of people she calls 'selfish' making travel miserable for everyone else ... and believes it's high time for a government mandate.

We caught up with Blac Chyna right after she'd landed at LAX, and was clearly fed up with the experience ... which included ridiculously long lines. She said, "It's way too much. People need to get vaccinated and start thinking about everybody else ... the s*** is annoying!”

She showed us the 2nd layer of clothing she wore for added protection -- although we haven't heard Dr. Fauci (or even Joe Rogan) suggest that's a COVID defense. BC is, however, wholeheartedly for getting the "vaccine mandate popping" ... so everyone can travel with peace of mind.

Chyna was slightly calmer this time than she was the last we saw her in an airport -- she completely lost it on a fan back in October because they asked for a photo. Let's just say, she's not taking ANY chances!!! Seriously.

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TERMINAL TANTRUM
TMZ.com

She started off by yelling, "Go get f**king vaccinated" ... and it escalated from there, with Chyna eventually telling a passenger to "stop being stupid, hoe!"

Her rage about this is partly out of concern for King -- her son with Tyga -- who's 9 and not yet vaccinated. At this point, she's ready for the federal government to boot all unvaccinated people off commercial flights ... controversy be damned.

COVID Massive Lines for Testing ... During Omicron Crisis

Picture, meet 1,000 words ... because this mega-line shows the depth of the problem getting tested for COVID.

This is not a packed-to-the-gills airport parking lot ... it's a line Wednesday at a Miami testing site, filled with folks who wanted to know if they're COVID positive.

This is not a one-off ... there are massive lines all around the country with people struggling to follow the CDC's advice to get tested before traveling or sitting down at the XMAS table.

Miami-Dade is testing somewhere between 40,000 and 50,000 people every day. Some of the sites are operating 24/7 to keep up with demand.

Fact is ... there aren't nearly enough tests out there. In many areas, they're almost impossible to get and the wait time is sometimes 5 days and even longer. Given the rapid spread of Omicron, that doesn't cut it because as people wait for results they can and probably will infect others.

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NOT GOOD, BUT BETTER
ABC

President Biden talked about testing during an interview Wednesday with ABC News, and said his testing program has not been a failure. Biden is promising a massive number of tests will be rolled out soon, but critics say the Administration was unprepared for the inevitable ... variants that will try like hell to evade the vaccine.

Kanye West Courtside to Watch His Academy Hoop

If Kanye West is upset about Pete Davidson hanging out with Kim in L.A. this week, he certainly isn't showing it on his face ... Ye was all smiles while he watched his Donda Academy team hoop from the best seat in the house.

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CENTER OF ATTENTION
BACKGRID

Ye sat courtside next to his buddy French Montana and chatted with O.T. Genasis Wednesday night during the Donda Doves Homecoming matchup in Whittier, CA. While he was seated for most of the contest, at one point, Ye got up and chatted with some of the team's players.

As for his attire, Kanye certainly didn't wear a team jersey ... sporting the look we've become accustomed to seeing him rock over the last few weeks -- boots, black hoodie, gloves, sunglasses and a baseball hat. Fans were also instructed to wear all black, and obliged.

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SWARMED BY FANS
BACKGRID

Kanye advertised the game on his Instagram a few hours before tipoff, and resale tickets ranged anywhere from $25 to $500 ... aka, not your regular high school game prices.

Kanye started his Donda Academy earlier this year, recruiting basketball prospects to the program which mostly centers around hoops -- usually with multiple practices per day -- and online learning for academics.

Kanye and French go way back ... remember, French used to date Khloe Kardashian, and O.T. Genasis has a child with Khloe's bff Malika Haqq.

Of course, the game comes in the middle of Pete Davidson's trip to L.A. where we've seen him and Kim grab breakfast at the Beverly Hills Hotel ... and Pete whipping around town in Kim's crazy expensive Rolls-Royce.

Rep. Madison Cawthorn Divorcing after 8 Months of Marriage

Super conservative Congressman Madison Cawthorn is consciously uncoupling after only 8 months of marriage, and the divorce has political overtones.

Cawthorn and Cristina Bayardelle Cawthorn said in a joint statement, they made the "enormously difficult decision" ... citing the boilerplate irreconcilable differences.

Cawthorn wrote, "When Cristina and I were engaged, I was not a member of Congress. I felt called to serve and we both agreed that I should run. Our victory was unprecedented, but overnight our lives changed."

He went on ... "That change has been both hectic and difficult, it's neither the pace nor the lifestyle we had planned for."

The marriage had a quick beginning as well as ending ... he said he knew he wanted to marry her just months after they started dating.

It sounds like there was trouble almost from the get-go... saying, "From the outset, we committed to make things work, to fight for our marriage, and seek counsel for balancing the enormity of such a transition in life." The word "fight" seems relevant here.

During their engagement, Cawthorn was accused of sexually harassing a number of women during his college years -- he has denied the allegations.

Cawthorn, the youngest member of Congress at 26, and Bayardelle, a 27-year-old anesthesiologist assistant and CrossFit enthusiast, announced their engagement during the pandemic -- October, 2020 to be specific.

'RHOBH' Back To Work ... Lisa, Erika & Garcelle Out Of Quarantine

"The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" are getting some familiar faces back in front of cameras ... now that a trio of cast members finished their COVID-19 quarantines.

Production sources tell TMZ ... Lisa Rinna, Erika Jayne and Garcelle Beauvais are shooting scenes again after testing negative for the virus following a COVID scare, with all 3 women shooting scenes earlier this week.

TMZ broke the story ... 'RHOBH' production came to a screeching halt this month when Lisa, Erika and Garcelle tested positive for the virus ... and the shutdown lasted several days.

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The good news ... we're told all 3 tested negative, opening the door for a production restart, we're told there will be a quick holiday break, and then production will kick back up.

The cast members weren't the only ones battling the virus ... as we first told you, Housewives honcho Andy Cohen is fresh off a 10-day quarantine after his second battle with COVID.

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The return to production also brings new cast members into the fold ... Bravo announced Tuesday 2 new women are joining the franchise, full-time housewife Sanela Diana Jenkins and friend of the cast -- who's also Will Smith's ex-wife -- Sheree Zampino.

Kyler Murray Playing Santa Ain't Cheap ... Golf Gifts For OL Worth $5K Apiece!!!

Making sure his O-linemen were happy for the holidays didn't come cheap for Kyler Murray ... 'cause TMZ Sports has learned the golf gifts he gave to his teammates this week cost $5K apiece!!!

The Arizona signal-caller shelled out the goodies to his personal protectors on Monday -- partnering with True Spec Golf to give them each a custom bag and custom clubs.

The package was sweet -- the bag featured every O-lineman's name and number and came complete with 13 total clubs -- including a driver, woods, hybrids, irons and wedges.

A rep for True Spec Golf tells us every players' clubs were properly fitted to them ... and in its entirety, the gift cost over $5,000 per bag.

Don't worry, the guys all appeared to love the presents from Murray ... smiling ear to ear while tagging balls at the True Spec Golf location in Scottsdale.

"It was a privilege to host Kyler Murray and his teammates at True Spec Golf," said the President of True Spec Golf, Ryan Richardson. "Similar to our everyday customers, some of the guys came in with years of experience and others were brand new to the game."

"It was great to show them how our data-driven, brand-agnostic approach at True Spec can improve anyone’s game regardless of skill level.”

At the moment, it's unclear if Murray -- who's previously gifted his O-linemen with scooters and paintings in the past -- will make this a yearly tradition, but we're told he will be coming back for a club fitting of his own following the season.

Take notes, Santa.

Guess Who This Christmas Girl Turned Into!

Before this Christmas kid was awkwardly entering into the television world, she was just another festive girl hanging her ornaments onto the tree in Los Angeles, California.

This decorating darling isn't unfamiliar with the ins and outs of acting on television ... that's because her famous father has been doing it for decades! He must have taught her tons of his tricks because this actress is a natural on a popular MTV comedy series that ran for 5 seasons.

Now, this blonde beauty is waiting for the release of her newest project in which she stars alongside Kristin Davis.

Can you guess who she is?

Georgia H.S. Football Star QB Dead At 18 ... After Complications From Surgery

Robbie Roper -- a star high school quarterback from the 2022 class in Georgia -- tragically died on Wednesday after complications from surgery.

He was only 18.

Roper's family made the devastating announcement via Twitter ... saying, "We just wanted to update everyone on Robbie. Robbie just passed."

"He was the biggest joy to our family. We are proud of the young man he has become."

"He will be missed by his friends and family dearly."

Roswell High School football coach, Chris Prewett, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Roper was in the hospital on Sunday after suffering complications from a routine surgery.

"Robbie fought hard," Coach Prewett said, "and battled until the very end like he did everything else."

Roper was a dual-threat QB who had 3,010 yards and 37 touchdowns this season -- in one of those games, he had 447 yards and 6 TDs.

The 6'4", 215 pound QB led Roswell High to a 10-3 winning record and was named Georgia's Region 5 Class 7A Player Of The Year.

Roper received several college offers including Massachusetts, Morehead State and recently the Florida Gators who were informed of the terrible news.

"During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with the Roper family," the Florida team said.

Roper was also a great student and earned a 3.9 GPA.

#RIP

Britney Spears Belts it Out, Teases New Music ... Bashes Her Family Too

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MUSIC IN THE MIRROR
@britneyspears / Instagram

Britney Spears is reminding fans what kinda voice she has -- and while she's looking forward to using it again in a studio, she's not ready to let go of her past anger at her family.

Britney posted a video Wednesday standing in front of her mirror and singing at the top of her voice -- not many lyrics, mostly an R&B-style vocal run. Her caption, though, is pure venom for her family ... she wrote, "I just realized this today guys … after what my family tried to do to me three years ago … I needed to be my own cheerleader 🤷🏼‍♀️ !!!! God knows they weren’t."

She posted a bunch of her accomplishments, apparently after a little Googling, she found she's sold 100 million records, 33 million albums and logged billions of online streams. That's the good news.

On the other hand, she says, "I’m here to remind my white 'classy' family that I haven’t forgotten what they did to me nor will I ever forget !!!!⁣"

As for what happened 3 years ago, Brit's likely referring to when her family allegedly put her back into rehab in 2019. Remember, she was just about to start her Vegas show, but needed to postpone it ... and her dad, Jamie Spears, had become very ill.

Britney also teased fans, saying ... "Pssss new song in the works … I’m gonna let you know what I mean 😉 !!!!!"

TMZ broke the story, Britney's told people close to her she's interested in a music comeback. Last we heard, she hadn't locked down a producer, studio or writer ... but it sounds like she's getting closer.