COVID Lockdowns San Diego Strip Clubs Threatened with Legal Action ... Stop the Entertainment, Or Else!!!

San Diego strip clubs are intentionally violating California's stay-at-home order, and one of Joe Biden's cabinet picks is laying down the gauntlet ... shut down, or else.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who will become the Secretary of Health and Human Services next month, fired off a letter to the owners of Pacers Showgirls International and Cheetahs Gentlemen’s Club, making it clear they have crossed the legal line.

The letter reads, “Specifically, the Regional Stay at Home Order requires that restaurants, including your clients’ restaurants, may continue to operate for carry-out and delivery services but may not offer indoor or outdoor dining or other services that cause people from different households to come into contact for extended periods of time and thereby increase the risk of transmission of COVID-19.”

We're told Becerra and his office were acting on behalf of orders from CA Governor Newsom and the California Dept. of Public Health ... aka they weren't carrying out the orders independently.

Now the threat ... “Therefore, MIDWAY AND F-12 are hereby ordered to cease and desist from operating in violation of the Regional Stay at Home Order.”

Becerra promises the State will go to court to shut the strip clubs down if they don't comply.

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Fact is ... not all judges are sympathetic to the State. A Superior Court judge issued an injunction last month, siding with strip clubs that were prohibited from providing live entertainment under a public health order.

As for what goes on inside ... let's just say masks are few and far between.

Eddie Van Halen Cremated, Ashes Delivered to Son ... To Be Scattered Off Malibu Coast

Eddie Van Halen now has a final resting place, TMZ has learned ... the beautiful Pacific Ocean off the coast of Malibu.

The late rock star's body was cremated 22 days after he died ... this according to Eddie's death certificate obtained by TMZ. The ashes went to Eddie's son, Wolfgang Van Halen.

Sources tell us, one of Eddie's final wishes was for the ashes to be strewn off the coast of his beloved town, and Wolfgang will almost certainly honor his dad's wishes.

TMZ broke the story ... Eddie died October 6 at Providence St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica following a long battle with cancer.

The death cert also reveals the immediate cause of death was stroke. He also suffered from other health ailments, including skin cancer on his head and neck.

The doc lists music as his occupation -- having been in the biz for 42 years, he certainly qualifies.

Eddie is survived by his wife, Janie, and his son. He was 65.

COVID Cure Pfizer Begins Shipping Vaccines ... FedEx and UPS Shun Competition

These images could foretell the end of the pandemic -- trucks have never looked so awesome!!!

FedEx and UPS trucks rolled out of Pfizer's Kalamazoo, Michigan parking lot, carrying massive amounts of vaccine doses.

Fact is ... FedEx and UPS are competitors, but they've put all that on ice ... speaking of which, the vaccine vials are being kept in sub-freezing temps to maintain their efficacy.

The trucks will be headed to 145 sites that will receive their shipments between Monday and Wednesday. If you've got Xmas presents you're sending by FedEx or UPS ... they are behind all the vaccines in priority ... and thank God for that.

The precious cargo is being guarded by U.S. Marshals, just in case.

There aren't nearly enough vaccines yet to inoculate all Americans ... that will happen sometime in the spring. Problem is, to achieve herd immunity, 70% of Americans must get the shot, but it looks like around 40% aren't going to do it ... at least that's their current thinking -- because of safety issues and mistrust -- and both issues are real and have to be addressed.

Fingers crossed.

Celebrity Scramble Guess Who!

Hidden within this stretched out snap is an award-winning actor who has also directed and produced throughout his career.

This talented star got his start in theatre and later went on to star in television shows and movies. Some of his most memorable projects have included, "Glory," "The Equalizer," "Training Day" and "Remember the Titans."

The father of four has also inspired his children to join the entertainment industry.

Use the clues above and put your celeb skill to the test by seeing if you can uncover the mystery as to which famous face has been hiding in this warped photo!

Canadian Police Cop Who Issued 'Revenge Ticket' ... History of Combative Behavior

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POWER TRIPPIN'
Trisha Stranger/Facebook

The Canadian cop who was caught on camera issuing a revenge ticket to a motorist who dared to call him out for not wearing a mask has a history of getting confrontational.

TMZ's obtained a video of an incident back in November 2019 ... showing the same Winnipeg cop stopping a motorist in Winnipeg. The woman who videotaped the incident says her fiance saw the cop peering into the window of their vehicle, so she asked, "Why were you looking into my truck."

That apparently set the cop off ... he gets in the man's grill before threatening to arrest him, saying, "If I count to 5, you're in cuffs."

The woman claims the cop put her fiance in the back of his squad car and threatened to arrest her if she kept filming. She says the cop eventually let her fiance go ... but more than a year later, she says she recognized him issuing that revenge ticket on the news.

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TICKETED FOR WHAT

We reached out to Winnipeg Police for comment about the November 2019 video and an official tells TMZ ... both videos are now the subject of a Winnipeg Police Services Professional Standards Unit investigation.

As we reported ... the WPS says it "dealt with" the cop's recent incident but added no other details, except it's trying to get in touch with the motorist who got the revenge ticket.

Dwight Howard Sued Hired 2 Women to Care for His Giant Snake ... & Then Stiffed 'Em (Allegedly)

Dwight Howard has a HUUUUUGE snake -- we're talking a 200-pound constrictor -- but the 2 women tasked with caring for it say the NBA star screwed them when it came time to pay up.

It's all in a lawsuit filed by Armica Nabaa and Kamisha Shelman -- who say they were hired by Howard in Dec. 2018 to provide personal management services.

Initially, the women thought they would be handling Dwight's business affairs and administrative tasks ... but as time went on, the women claim Howard put more responsibilities on their plate.

In fact, the women claim Dwight fired his groundskeeper, butler and maid -- the people who run his 35,000 square foot home -- forcing the women to pick up the slack.

One of their new tasks, according to the suit, including caring for Howard's exotic snake collection.

In their suit, the women say the collection is "comprised of a number of large snakes" including one named Cleopatra -- "a constrictor that can grow to a final length of 25 feet and over 200 pounds."

FYI, Howard's snake collection was once featured on the show "Tanked."

The problem ... the women claim Howard suddenly fired them without warning in January 2020 while still owing them a TON of money for services rendered.

What's worse ... Nabaa claims she helped revive Dwight's NBA career -- using her "network and contacts to connect Mr. Howard with individuals that resulted in his lucrative and unexpected contract with the Los Angeles Lakers."

She says Howard even thanked her and gave her partial credit for helping land the deal during a national television interview.

Now, the women are demanding at least $50,000 in unpaid wages -- plus other fees and damages.

We reached out to Howard for comment -- so far, no word back.

Singer Ann Marie Released on Bond .... Anything BUT Free

R&B singer Ann Marie is no longer behind bars for the alleged shooting of a male friend -- but the judge put her on a tight leash while she's awaiting trial.

Ann posted a $60k bond to get out of jail ... and into her living room. The judge placed her on house arrest, and said she can only travel for work ... with prior approval.

She's got a bunch of other restrictions too. Ann Marie has to give the court a 24-hour heads up for any appointments, and she'll have to provide proof of said appointment. They'll know if she's breaking the rules because she has to wear an ankle monitor.

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THE FRANTIC CALL

She's also been ordered to have ZERO contact with the alleged victim, Jonathon Wright, or any of his family members and close associates. If, for some reason, she just happens to run into him, she's been ordered to leave the premises immediately and stay 200 yards away.

She can't possess a firearm, either.

As we reported ... Ann was arrested earlier this month after cops got a call to a hotel in Buckhead, GA where she told officers Wright had been accidentally shot in the forehead.

The 911 call didn't shed much light but Ann can be heard overcome with emotions ... screaming and crying and heard saying, "I love you" to Wright.

She was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm during commission of a felony and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Bruce Smith Stefon Diggs Has Changed Bills' O ... He's Been Amazing!!!

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THE BILLS ARE BACK
TMZSports.com

The Bills absolutely did NOT give up too much to get Stefon Diggs ... so says Bruce Smith, who tells TMZ Sports the wide receiver has completely changed Buffalo's offense!!

"[He's] doing an outstanding job," the Bills legend said of the former Vikings star. "I mean, he's making everyone around him better."

Buffalo gave up quite the haul to steal Diggs away from Minnesota this offseason ... trading away a shipload of picks -- including its 2020 1st-rounder -- for the 27-year-old.

And, at the time, many thought that was way too much to give up for a guy who hadn't necessarily proven he was a legit #1 wideout in Minnesota.

But, Smith says Diggs has been worth all of it AND more ... telling us the receiver is one of the biggest reasons Josh Allen and the whole Bills offense has lurched forward this season.

"He's making [Cole] Beasley better," Smith says. "He's making the running game better. He's making the offensive linemen better."

In fact, Smith praised the hell out of the Bills' brass for pulling the trigger on a trade not everyone loved initially!!

Diggs is tied for the NFL lead in catches with 90 and he's also 5th in the league with 1,037 receiving yards ... which, as Smith says, sure seems worth all those picks to us!

By the way, Bruce also gave us his pick for Sunday night's HUGE Bills vs. Steelers game ... and the dude is confident Buffalo will secure the victory to get to 10-3!

Taylor Swift Good Genes or Good Docs?!

Taylor Swift's gorgeous good looks are just as amazing as her vocals!

Here is a 17-year-old version of the ten-time Grammy winner showing off her classic curls at an award show in Nashville, Tennessee back in 2006 (left). This was the same year she released her self-titled debut album.

And, 14 years later ... The singer just released her 9th studio album this past week, in celebration of her 31st birthday. She was photographed with her classic red lip, looking better than revenge, at an award show in London, England earlier this year (right).

Her beauty remains for evermore.

The question is ...

Taylor Swift ...

Offset on Snoop Dogg Love Ya SD, But on 'WAP' Stuff ... Let Ladies Do Their Thing

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stay outta their biz
TMZ.com
UPDATE

5:16 PM PT -- Cardi's husband, Offset, just weighed into the controversy over Snoop criticizing Cardi B for being too openly sexual on 'WAP' -- and his message is basically this ... dude, pause.

UPDATE

We got the Migos rapper Saturday in Bev Hills, and asked him about the tiff Snoop caused by saying Cardi shouldn't be so vulgar in her music -- and he tells us that while he loves Snoop and respects him like no other ... he says the Doggfather's got it wrong here.

UPDATE

Check out Offset's rationale ... he makes some very valid points. For starters, he says men should NOT be telling women what to do period -- but especially as it pertains to their own business and bodies. He says that's been going on for way too long throughout history, and Offset thinks we should uplift ladies now more than ever and let them shine.

UPDATE

More importantly, Offset points out the double standard of male rappers being able to rap in often pretty filthy terms -- including promoting violence, etc. -- but don't catch any flak that a female rapper might when she crosses a line in a man's mind. Offset also points out that he, too, has children ... but that on this front, ya gotta acknowledge it's entertainment and not a moral compass.

UPDATE

Here's hoping they can all break bread after this -- sounds like Offset's cool enough with Snoop to call him up anytime.

Snoop Dogg thinks Cardi B needs to rein it in a little when it comes to talking about and showing off her lady parts -- which has a lot of people scratching their heads.

The legendary rapper -- who's no stranger to getting raunchy -- sat down for a virtual interview recently with Central Ave and gave his honest thoughts about Cardi's hit song 'WAP,' which he says is a bit much on the explicit front ... and not a good look.

He says Cardi should "slow down" when discussing her privates, because he feels like a woman's vagina is something that should be cherished and kept secret for whoever's fortunate enough to encounter it. He says he'd like to see more privacy and intimacy, and 'WAP' pretty much epitomizes the exact opposite of that ... in his eyes.

Of course, folks were quick to jump on Snoop and call him out for what seems like hypocrisy -- seeing how he's made a career rapping about women and sex, and sometimes in very explicit terms.

Not to worry, because that irony was not lost on Snoop in his chat -- he acknowledged that if he was a younger man, he'd probably be all about it ... and might even hop on the 'WAP' remix. With that said, he notes that he's just older and sees things differently now.

Snoop mentioned having a daughter changing his perspective on life, but in the same breath ... he says she's "of this generation," so he tries not to flex too much.

Oh, the times ... they are a-changin', Snoop.

Originally Published -- 1:10 PM PT

Las Vegas' McCarran Airport Man Scales Airplane Wing Falls Off Hard, Instantly Arrested

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WINGIN' IT
Storyful

What happens in Vegas didn't stay in Vegas for this one -- a guy climbed onto an airplane wing, and bopped his head after a hard fall ... only to be met with handcuffs down below.

This went down Saturday at McCarran Airport, where an Alaska Airlines flight that was set to take off for Portland got an unwelcome visitor that prevented it from taking off. It was this dude, who's said to have come out of nowhere -- but somehow made his way onto the wing.

People were amused at first, snapping photos of the guy as he sat out there awkwardly. Eventually cops were called and tried intercepting the guy -- but it was tricky, as officers had to scale the plane themselves and get out there on the wing with him.

The man did not want to go quietly, as you can see ... he avoided the cops and went out even further on the wing tip. Then, he removed his socks and shoes -- tossing them on the runway -- and proceeded to try and clip what little wing there was left to grab.

Long story short ... it didn't end well for this fella. He lost his grip and then tumbled down to the ground, where he hit his head first and then fell limp like a rag doll. Cops didn't hestitate though -- they pounced on him and threw on the cuffs. Reports say he was arrested.

The Las Vegas Metro Police Department also says they believe the guy hopped over a perimeter fence at McCarran and ran rampant onto the grounds. They said he might have mental issues too.

No word on his condition -- but all we can say is ... ouch.

Ashanti Guys, I Got COVID Verzuz Battle w/ Keyshia Cole Postponed

UPDATE

4:12 PM PT -- It's official, the Ashanti/Keyshia Verzuz battle will be pushed back a bit so Ashanti can recover.

UPDATE

The official Verzuz account writes, "Unfortunately, we have to postpone tonight’s @Ashanti vs @KeyshiaCole #VERZUZ. Ashanti tested positive for COVID-19 beforehand, and we cannot put anyone at risk in the process. First time this has struck us so close to showtime. We apologize to our incredible audience!

UPDATE

They add, "Get well soon, Ashanti 💜🖤💚 Wear a mask, stay inside, and take COVID-19 seriously. It’s truly affecting our community 😷😪 "

Ashanti and Keyshia Cole may not face off with a hit-for-hit throw-down after all -- because the former says she's contracted COVID-19 ... but not all hope is lost just yet.

Ashanti announced Saturday that she's got the coronavirus, taking to IG to write ... "Hey y'all I can't believe I'm saying this but I tested positive for COVID-19. I'm ok and not in any pain." Then ... a sliver of hope for fans who were dying to see her on Verzuz.

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She says, "I'm actually down to do the verzuz from my house... we're trying to figure it all out!!! No word from Keyshia yet on that front, but if they could salvage the battle and still move forward ... that'd be pretty incredible, as people have been waiting on this for weeks.

Since the announcement that Keyshia and Ashanti would be the next artists to be featured in a Verzuz, the show was getting major pub and attention ... as it might be the most highly-anticipated one to date. Up until now, there haven't been too many females featured on Verzuz -- and the fan base has been clamoring for these two R&B titans to go at it.

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Many note that the two women have hits for DAYS, and were eager to see who could crank out more ... and which ones would resonate with people more.

The show was supposed to get started later this evening -- at the moment, it's unclear if it'll get canceled, postponed ... or if it'll proceed. Assuming Ashanti's okay and quarantined in her house, you gotta wonder ... why the hell not???

Originally Published -- 3:58 PM PT

Lisa Vanderpump Beloved Dog Giggy Dies

Lisa Vanderpump's Pomeranian dog, Giggy, has died ... leaving a big dent in both Lisa's heart, and the hearts of many others who've encountered the famous pooch over the years.

The Bravo reality star and restaurant owner broke the sad news Saturday ... "We are devastated to say that our beloved Giggy has passed away this morning. He was truly loved, and we know how many of you loved him too."

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Lisa added, "Our sweet Gigolo was such an incredible, unique dog, but mainly, because of him, we started The Vanderpump Dog Foundation and embarked on our mission to save as many dogs as possible."

Finally, she writes, "He inspired us to start our work in rescue, and for that we will always be grateful. Giggy’s legacy will live on, through every dog @vanderpumpdogs saves. Thank you all for your support. Rest In Peace Giggy, we love you. - Ken & Lisa- Dolly"

Giggy was perhaps Lisa's most popular of her eight dogs -- often seen dressed up in little doggy outfits, including mini tuxes and bow ties, sweaters and even hats. The reason for that ... Lisa announced Giggy was actually afflicted with alopecia, which causes patches in a dog's fur and affects the growth of hair (same deal for humans too, BTW).

The disease is not deadly ... and it's unclear if it had any bearing on Giggy's passing. It's possible the pooch died of old age -- the little guy was pushing at least 10.

Giggy will be remembered for his extravagant outfits and his red carpet appearances too -- he would often accompany Lisa for premieres and other events, and would usually be getting carried instead of walked on a leash. Of course, he was also freakin' adorable.

The dog was also known for celeb cameos and photoshoots -- he met Ellen DeGeneres, Drake, 'Real Housewives' cast members ... and countless other stars over the years. Giggy also appeared several times on 'Vanderpump Rules' ... he for sure was a fan fave.

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LAST TIME WE SAW GIGGY ...
TMZ.com

Oh, and BTW ... we got a kick out of him too, especially when we got him on video in 2014, as he posed for photogs with his mom. Yeah, Giggy was a natural, and loved by all.

RIP

Charley Pride Dead at 86 from COVID-19 ... Country Music's First Black Superstar

Charley Pride -- the first Black man to break through in the country music scene -- has died from the coronavirus.

The legendary singer passed away Saturday in Dallas due to complications from COVID-19 -- this according to his PR team, which announced Charley's death. Sources tell us Charley was recently admitted to the ICU of a local hospital, where he was isolated from his family after his health took a turn for the worse.

We're told he was moved to hospice care, where he died with his wife, Rozene, by his side.

Charley was a trailblazer in country -- he's the very first Black artist to be inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame, and quite literally paved the way for other African-Americans in the genre through the '60s, '70s, '80s and beyond.

He's sometimes referred to as the Jackie Robinson of country music, which is apt because ... Charley also played baseball professionally too.

Music-wise, CP broke onto the scene in the late '50s and early '60s with a string of country singles but no major hits. It wasn't until he released "Just Between You and Me" in 1967 that he truly broke through and received recognition, as it started climbing the charts.

Charley was nominated for a Song of the Year Grammy for the song -- and after that, things truly started rolling for him ... as he put out several chart-topping songs between the late '60s and mid-'70s, some of which reached #1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs and charted on the Billboard Hot 100 list too.

Some of those hits included 'All I Have to Offer You (Is Me),' 'I Can't Believe That You've Stopped Loving Me,' '(I'm So) Afraid of Losing You Again,' 'Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone,' 'I'd Rather Love You,' 'I'm Just Me,' 'Wonder Could I Live There Anymore,' and then perhaps his biggest hit ever ... 'Kiss an Angel Good Mornin' ... which became his pride and joy.

The song won him several accolades and went on to be covered by other huge country stars like Conway Twitty, Percy Sledge, Roy Clark and others.

As his career rolled on, Charley racked up three Grammy wins and was honored with a Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. He was inducted in the CMHOF in 2000 ... and is considered one of the most influential artists of any genre for his contributions to music.

Dolly Parton shared some kind words of remembrance for Charley shortly after news came down he'd died, writing ... "I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It’s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you."

She ended by saying, "Rest In Peace. My love and thoughts go out to his family and all of his fans."

Charley leaves behind his wife, his three children and several grandchildren. He was 86.

RIP

Leo & J. Law Don't Look Up, But Peep These Shields Matt Perry Looking Good

Leonardo DiCaprio is being shielded almost as much as the new movie he's in these days -- 'cause he's on location ... and has a forcefield around his mug.

Leo was seen this weekend boarding a one-time naval battleship in Massachusetts next to his costar, Jennifer Lawrence, who was following closely behind ... while in full makeup and costume for the upcoming Netflix film, "Don't Look Up," in which they play scientists trying to warn the world that a meteor is on its way to blow up the Earth. Talk about timely, huh?

As you can see, both LDC and J. Law had protective face shields on -- so this is clearly them getting ready to shoot ... with coronavirus on-set guidelines in full swing.

It's interesting -- based on other photos from the production ... it appears a lot of the talent and crew members have opted for shields rather than traditional masks. Granted, it's probably a lot less obstructive ... and has less of a chance at ruining somebody's foundation.

In any case ... good to see they're being safe on set, and that Hollywood appears to be back in full swing. It's also good to see that one Matthew Perry -- who's one of several A-listers is in the star-studded film -- back in good health and hard at work. He was photographed on the 'DLU' set as well a couple of days ago alongside fellow costar Jonah Hill -- plus a Kid Rock look-alike to boot -- as they filmed a scene that looked like a political rally.

Remember, he had emergency surgery a couple years ago for a serious gastrointestinal issue that left a hole in his stomach. He's also battled drug addiction for years -- but now seems to be on an upswing ... he's got a 'Friends' reunion on the horizon, and just recently got engaged.

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Matt's also been promoting a new line of Chandler merch that he's hawking for charity. So the dude's doing really well these days, which is heartening to see.

As for this new movie everyone's buzzing about -- but also being hush-hush with -- something tells us it'll be pretty good. Like we said, the cast is second to none as far as star power -- it includes names like Meryl Streep (who plays POTUS), Timothee Chalamet, Chris Evans, Ariana Grande (yes, in an acting role), Kid Cudi (also acting), Ron Perlman, Cate Blanchett ... and a whole lot more. So yeah, the cards are stacked for this one.

Don't look now ... it's Oscar bait season 😅.

Sarah Fuller 1st Woman to Score in Power 5 Game ... Makes History with Vandy

Sarah Fuller went from being the first woman to play in a Power 5 college football game to now becoming the first woman to score in a Power 5 game ... this after putting her kicking skills to good use.

The Vanderbilt University athlete trotted out to the gridiron Saturday in a game against the Tennessee Volunteers, where she kicked a field goal for an extra point in the first quarter to help tie things up 7 to 7.

Fuller showed no hesitation ... she shot the ball straight through the goalposts, and made history in the process. You could tell she was pretty excited, as were male teammates ... all of whom gave her props and dabbed her up after scoring. It was an awesome moment.

Just a few weeks ago, she made history by becoming the first female player to partake in a Power 5 game -- kicking off to the opposing team, but failing to score at the time.

She was named the SEC Player of the Week after that -- a huge honor -- and something tells us she'll get it again now.

Congrats!!!