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NFL star Josh Norman says he expects to split $500k worth of donations ... and give it to hundreds of small businesses in Buffalo who have been devastated by COVID-19.

TMZ Sports talked to the 33-year-old star CB about the fundraiser he created to assist small businesses that have been decimated by the shutdowns associated with the pandemic.

Josh has donated $25k of his own money -- and countless hours of his time organizing the fundraising -- and says he's already received hundreds of applications.

"With Buffalo Business Blitz, what we're doing with that was pretty much helping out small businesses that closed down during the holiday season, during the pandemic time," Norman tells us.

So, in about 3 weeks, how many businesses have asked Josh for help?

"About 650 applications. It's crazy, but the thing is, a lot of people need help. A lot of people are struggling right now and it's pretty sad."

Of course, small businesses across the country have been badly affected by COVID-19 lockdowns ... and many are on the verge of going out of business.

Every dollar matters and Norman says BBB already has a healthy chunk of change in the coffers ... but believes there's a lot more on the way -- courtesy of some larger corporate donors across the country.

"Right now, we're probably at like $80 grand but that's just accounted into the box. There's other things that are coming on -- couple hundred thousand dollars, so we'll probably be at half a mil, probably a little more than that. Depends on if the donors come through."

Come January 1st, Josh will comb through the applications and select hundreds of businesses -- as many as the donations will allow -- and mail out checks.

Socks, gift cards, a knit sweater and even one of those fruitcakes are all some of the classic holiday presents people found under the tree yesterday, but these stars are all celebrating with a special gift this year ... the gift of life!

This year has been filled with new babies in the celeb world and stars like Lea Michele, Gigi Hadid, Evan Ross -- and a bunch more Hollywood parents -- have shared their new beautiful babies with the world via social media.

A vile woman whose son was being taken into custody did everything she could to make a simple arrest turn violent, as she ordered her son to escape the cops and then hurled obscenities at the officers.

This all went down in Valencia, about 35 miles north of L.A., where Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Deputies were searching for a stolen Tesla in the area -- and happened upon another stolen vehicle ... a Chevy Camaro.

Cops descended on a cul-de-sac with guns drawn, ordering the driver out of the Camaro.  He was taken into custody, but then cops set their sights on a passenger -- the woman's son.

She comes out of the house with her daughter and then gets crazy ... telling her son to come in the house, defying the cops. Remember, police had their guns drawn.

Her kid mouthes off to the cops, swearing at them ... "I see the bitch in all of your f***ing eyes." He then orders cops to unload their guns ... seriously.

His mother then totally loses it ... hurling epithets at the cops. They tried explaining to her they were investigating a crime, and she fired back ... "I don't give a s*** about your f***ing investigation."

She then orders the cops to "get the f*** out of here." When they approach her she screams, "Get the f*** out of my f***ing face." Oh, there's more ... "F*** you and your f***ing mother who birthed your f***ing ass."

BTW ... the woman recklessly let her dog out without a leash in the middle of all of this, and it sure looks like a pit bull.  It walked up to the officers, and she's lucky the dog wasn't shot.

Incredibly ... the mother, who gives Karens a bad name, was not arrested. Her son was arrested on weapons charges.

Cincinnati cops are taking no chances ... they've just closed several streets to investigate a suspicious RV ... in wake of the explosion that rocked Nashville.

At this moment it's unclear if cops are dealing with a serious threat or an all-too-coincidental RV with its engine running in downtown Cincinnati near the federal building on Sixth Street. Cops are making it clear ... the street closures are out of an abundance of caution.

Cops are using explosive-detective K9s to identify anything that might detonate.

The closures come just hours after an RV exploded in downtown Nashville in the early morning hours of Christmas Day. The RV there rocked scores of buildings ... leaving several with significant structural damage.

It appears the Nashville explosion was intentional. Whoever did this was pretty clearly going after property and not people, because a recording blared out in the 15 minutes before the explosion to clear the area.  Plus, choosing Christmas Day insured few, if any, people would be in the business district at 6 AM.

Taylor Swift's status in Nashville just took a hit ... she's been bumped from one of Music City's landmark attractions, and replaced by Brad Paisley.

Taylor's held court for a while now with some of country's biggest superstars on the iconic mural at Legends Corner on Lower Broadway in Nashville. The mural features 14 icons ... including Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton.

But, artist Tim Davis is making some changes ... out with the old and in with the new. The artist reportedly said Taylor's image is being retired and 3 other stars, including Brad, will join the mural. At this point, it's unclear who else will appear on the mural.

The news, of course, did NOT sit well with Swifties. One person tweeted her disgust about the news, saying ... "Nashville really just PAINTED OVER @taylorswift13 in the legends corner mural on Broadway... she is a country music legend and so what if she moved over to different genres?? Confused why they didn't just make the mural bigger."

Sir Elton John's showing Santa how it's done ... slipping into an over-the-top version of St. Nick's suit to spread some holiday cheer by reminding fans he'll be back in 2021.

The Rocket Man went all out, adding a cape and mini Christmas wreath glasses to the typical jolly man's getup -- and with a real jingle bell in hand he delivered some highly anticipated news about his postponed final tour.

Elton wished everyone a safe Christmas, but then added he can't wait to get back on the road. Remember ... his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. He says he hopes he can resume in September 2021 in Berlin and then the U.S. and Canada. #CrossYourFingers.

You'll recall back in 2018, Elton announced it would be his last tour ... which would include 300 dates across 5 continents and go all the way through 2023.

Getting in the holiday spirit's nothing new for Elton. Earlier this month, he rocked this same outfit, accompanied by his 1974 holiday classic, "Step Into Christmas" ... for an epic TikTok clip. That one featured his whole fam getting into their holiday attire.

Mariah Carey's got the world celebrating Christmas like it's 1994 ... her classic song, "All I Want for Christmas is You," just set a record on Spotify.

Her iconic Xmas track on Christmas Eve set the all-time record for the biggest, single-day stream in Spotify history with 17.223 million streams, according to Chart Data which provides daily music stats from various sources.

Needless to say ... Mariah woke up to the news pretty stoked. She tweeted on Christmas Day and said, "I know people think I'm making "coin" (lil secret: artists make very little from streams) but the real reason I'm sitting here in astonishment & gratitude is seeing the joy this little song I wrote brings to people. THANK YOU & MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!"

The track was a smashing success when she dropped it in 1994 as part of her "Merry Christmas" album. While Mariah said artists make very little from streams one thing's for sure ... the track has brought her TONS of coins since its release.

Back in 2017, the song made Mariah a whopping $60 mil. That would be roughly $2.6 million per year. It's unclear if Mariah's hauling in the same amount every year ... but millions worldwide are undoubtedly still hitting play.

After all, it's a classic.

Downtown Nashville was rocked by an explosion on Christmas Day, and authorities think the blast was intentional.

The explosion shook the area at around 6:30 AM, damaging a number of buildings. Incredibly, only minor injuries were reported, although 3 people were taken to local hospitals.

It looked like a war zone, with cars on fire, plumes of smoke and debris scattered everywhere.

It appears the explosion may have come from an RV that blew up in the area.

The Nashville Fire Dept. evacuated the area, fearful of more explosions.

Although authorities say they believe the blast was intentionally set, they have not been more specific. They have not suggested terrorism -- domestic or otherwise -- but they do believe it was not an accident.

An investigation is underway.

Joe and Jill Biden are all about family, but they wanted to make it clear this year that the way to show real love for your family is to stay away from them this year.

The President-elect and the soon-to-become First Lady delivered a somber Xmas message, noting there are millions of people this year mourning the loss of a family member who succumbed to COVID.

The Bidens have said it before and they said it today ... they understand the pain of losing a loved one. They've been there.

They also said they typically have huge Christmas dinners with family, but not this year. The best way to show love in 2020 is to keep your distance to keep your family safe.

They end with optimism, saying brighter days are ahead.

Across the pond, Queen Elizabeth said she's inspired by all the Brits who have volunteered in their communities, saying, “In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit.”

The Queen acknowledged the frustration of families who must be apart for the holidays, "when all anyone wants is a simple hug."

And, like the Bidens, the Queen's Xmas message ended on an optimistic note ... "Even in the darkest of nights there is hope in the new dawn."

Shia LaBeouf is in terrible shape and needs inpatient treatment for addiction and psychological issues ... and not just inpatient treatment ... but longterm treatment.

Shia's lawyer, Shawn Holley, tells TMZ, "Shia needs help and he knows that." Holley, who first told Variety about Shia's intentions, adds, “We are actively seeking the kind of meaningful, intensive, long-term inpatient treatment that he desperately needs."

This isn't happening in a vacuum. This comes shortly after ex-GF FKA Twigs sued him for physical, emotional and mental abuse.

She claims Shia once tried to strangle her after slamming her against a car. She says there were other incidents of violence ... she says he once pulled out a gun and told her he had killed stray dogs in the past because he wanted to know what it felt like to take a life.

Shia, who has struggled with addiction for years, had his name removed recently from a Netflix awards consideration page.

Iggy Azalea isn't in the Xmas spirit, mainly because the father of her child bailed on their Christmas plans ... and he spent it with his alleged mistress instead.

Iggy called out Playboi Carti, whom she said had made a plan to spend the holiday with her and their 6-month-old son, Onyx.

Iggy grouses Playboi Carti decided at the last minute to throw an album release party. She tweeted, "Imagine not flying out your family on Christmas but you have the girl you cheated on my my entire pregnancy at your album party and magically me and my son can’t come for Christmas any more? TRASH."

Iggy also had words for his alleged mistress, writing, "This man had a whole family vacation to planned 48hrs ago & I hope this message gets to you girl. Although you hid in a whole closet from my house keeper so it’s not like you have any dignity I guess."

Playboi Carti dropped his "Whole Lotta Red" album on Xmas Eve.

Iggy had more to say ... "To clarify this man was literally at my house last night telling me he loves me. So this is very much NOT me being bitter, it’s me not ducking with trifling ass shit that happens at the expense of my son."

One of the COVID vaccines is just swell for folks who dabble in face fillers ... but this is the bad kind of swell.

Turns out some people who got cosmetic facial fillers have had unique side effects to the Moderna vaccine ... swelling and inflammation.

A few patients had cheek fillers 6 months before getting inoculated. One patient had lip fillers 2 days after getting the vaccine.

As for why it happens, doctors say the vaccine puts your immune system into overdrive, and when it spots a substance that is not a natural part of the body it attacks, and that's what causes the inflammation.

Although this info is sure to send L.A. into panic mode, fear not, because the symptoms subside with steroids and anti-histamines.

Doctors say the side effects are not severe and should in no way inhibit people from getting the vaccine.

Michael Alig, the wild club promoter who served time for killing a man -- and who was the subject of the movie "Party Monster" -- has died, and authorities believe the cause of death was a heroin OD.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, a friend dropped by Michael's New York City home just after midnight and found him dead in his bed.

Our law enforcement sources say they found empty vials and other containers on the bed ... and they believe they found heroin. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was 54 years old.

Michael was notorious in the '90s club scene ... his life displayed in the 2003 flick starring Macaulay Culkin.

Michael was the co-founder of the Club Kids ... a group comprised of a bunch of young folks whose lives revolved around clubs in the late '80s and '90s. It was definitely a thing.

As for Michael, his nickname was "the king of drug-addled club kids."

He had a troubled life. In 1996 he killed a drug dealer named Andre "Angel" Melendez, dismembered his body and threw it in the waters off Staten Island. He served 17 years in prison and was released in 2014.

Michael was 54.

Lori Loughlin and Joe Exotic are in for a bittersweet Christmas ... it's their first Xmas in federal prison, but at least they get to feast on fancy fowl.

TMZ's obtained prison menus from across the country, and some of America's most notorious inmates are being served some pretty decent Christmas fare ... with individual Cornish game hens for both Lori and Joe.

Mossimo and guys like Suge Knight, Mark David Chapman and C-Murder are getting more run-of-the-mill birds. Scott Peterson's not so lucky, but he's still filling up on meat, potatoes and dessert. Here's a breakdown of their spreads:

Lori at California's FCI Dublin:

• Cornish game hen with pan gravy, roasted jerk roast beef with horseradish sauce, au-gratin potato or baked potato, herb rice pilaf, dinner roll with honey apple butter, Brussels sprouts with brown butter, pumpkin cheesecake, fresh fruit
• If Lori doesn't want to avoid the bird and the cow, she can choose the no-flesh entrée ... stuffed winter squash and stuffed bell peppers with beans

Exotic at FMC Fort Worth:

• Baked Cornish hen or spinach quiche, cornbread dressing, macaroni and cheese, sweet peas, pumpkin pie

Mossimo at California's USP Lompoc:

• 1/2 Chicken, 4 oz roast beef, baked mac and cheese, yams, green beans, 2 rolls, pecan pie
• If Mossimo wants to go vegetarian ... there's a 4 oz soy chicken patty and 4 oz soy beef patty

Suge at San Diego's Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility:

• Turkey, turkey ham, sliced beef, mashed potatoes, chicken gravy, green salad and dressing, mixed vegetables, cornbread, chicken patties, American cheese slices, fruit pie
• Knight can enjoy dinner and a superhero movie ... the institution's movie channel is playing a Marvel movie festival during the holidays.

Mark at New York's Wende Correctional Facility:

• Baked chicken breast, seasoned chicken gravy, whipped potatoes, seasoned zucchini with sauce, dinner rolls and margarine, ice cream sundae

C-Murder at Louisiana's Elayn Hunt Correctional Center:

• Roasted turkey, roast beef, rice dressing with gravy, sweet peas, cranberry sauce, fruit salad, roll, sweet potato pie

Scott at California's San Quentin State Prison:

A police dog took a bite out of crime -- literally -- on Xmas Eve.

The incident went down Thursday afternoon in Ontario, CA, just outside L.A. Cops spotted a stolen car on the 15 freeway and tried stopping the driver, to no avail.

The car eventually stopped on the freeway and cops tried negotiating with the suspect for at least 10 minutes ... before unleashing the K-9.

You see the dog leap through the driver's side window and latch on to the suspect's arm.  The suspect tried fighting off the dog, but the dog had other ideas. A bunch of officers came in for the assist and took the suspect into custody.

Rowdy Rebel's glowing since his release from prison, and we're not just talking bout his mood -- the diamonds hanging around his neck glow in the dark!!!

The Brooklyn rapper -- one of Bobby Shmurda's homies -- was released from prison last week and, as a gift to himself, purchased this INSANE diamond-encrusted demon chain ... which was ready and waiting fro him moments after getting out.

The demon diamond is the work of none other than NYC's authority on bling ... Eric the Jeweler. The shiny pendant features 50 carats of diamonds and 400 grams of gold ... making this extra shiny gift worth a cool $100k.

You can see when the lights go out ... the chain still commands all the attention thanks to an eye that glows blue in the dark and the inside of the demon's mouth glowing green. Gnarly.

Rowdy was cooking this up while he was on the inside ... we're told he and ETJ talked a lot over the phone, and decided he'd need a sick new pendant to to celebrate his release. The demon was initially sketched by Rowdy.

The rapper was recently seen shining like crazy while wearing the chain in NYC outside the Goose Country Jacket Store. And, with COVID being COVID ... he took no chances and masked up his demon.

He was joking. We think.

Rowdy -- along with Shmurda -- was arrested in 2014. They copped a plea deal to conspiracy to possess weapons and possession of a weapon. Rowdy got 6 to 7 years in prison and served almost 4 years before getting out on parole.