Kim Jong-un 'Alive and Well' ... Or Dead???

Kim Jong-un is 'alive and well' ... and you can take that to the bank, if you believe a South Korean official.

A South Korean foreign policy adviser squarely disputed various reports that the North Korean dictator's condition ranges from grave to dead.

Senator Lindsey Graham said Saturday he would be shocked if Kim was not dead or incapacitated.

A Japanese publication reported Kim's in a vegetative state after heart surgery gone wrong.

Several other reports claimed the dictator is dead.

There are numerous signs something is amiss ... Kim's personal jet has sat on a runway for way longer than normal. His train remains at a station near a resort where he and his family typically stay, but there has been no recent sign of the dictator.

Kim has not been seen -- at least publicly -- since April 11. The South Korean official who says Kim is alive says "No suspicious movements have so far been detected."

If Kim is dead, his sister would probably take the reigns until his kids grow up.

'Tiger King' Likely to Have Major Pull On Vote to Save CA Mountain Lions

UPDATE

9:59 AM PT -- TMZ spoke to Tiffany Yap of the Center for Biological Diversity -- one of the CA-based orgs spearheading the effort to get mountain lions protected -- and she tells us while it's great that 'Tiger King' has gotten people talking about big cats again, the issue has been at the forefront of Californians' minds for a while ... well before Joe Exotic was intro'd.

UPDATE

She tells us that protecting wildlife is something Californians have shown time and again is of value to them, so she firmly believes the measure on Thursday will pass -- especially because the threat to mountain lions is so very real ... something residents here are not oblivious to.

UPDATE

Tiffany points out that Californians have already passed a previous measure in the '90s to ban the sport hunting of mountain lions, which was a grassroots initiative. Bottom line ... she says Californians have long shown protecting big cats is important to them, and suggests the type of animal exploitation portrayed in 'Tiger King' ain't something that'd fly here.

UPDATE

 She stops short of saying we're ahead of the curve on the issue -- but let's just say California knows what's up. Here's hoping that same spirit carries through in Thursday's vote.

California officials will vote on a renewed hot button issue -- protecting local big cats -- and you gotta imagine ... 'Tiger King' will be at the forefront of everybody's minds for it.

The California Fish and Game Commission is scheduled to have the matter before them on Thursday, where they'll decide if mountain lions in Southern and Central California deserve state-mandated protections afforded to animals under the Endangered Species Act.

The effort to get these West Coast big cats that protection has been in the works for about a year, with several environmentalists, zoologists and different animal foundations having submitted petitions to move the item forward. Now, it's on the Commission's agenda.

Of course, the vote probably couldn't have at a better time ... seeing how Joe Exotic and co. just swept the nation and has most everyone -- especially Californians -- talking about tigers, lions and the like. Long story short ... we fully anticipate hearing 'Tiger King' on Thursday.

As for what these protections will do if passed by the CFGC ... it'll actually be a great boon to keeping mountain lions alive as humans continue to build out our own world. According to the Center for Biological Diversity -- which is helping spearhead the vote -- mountain lions could potentially get their own wildlife crossings built ... above freeways.

There are other protections the big cats would receive, and frankly ... it sounds like a great idea. The question now ... how much thanks would Joe and his tigers get if this goes through?

Originally Published -- 8:10 AM PT

Mississippi Emergency Officials Take Shelter from Tornadoes ... Also, Try to Social Distance

Several states down south are dealing with tornadoes and tornado warnings -- forcing officials to tell residents to take cover, while also social distancing ... if possible. Trying times, to say the least.

With tornadoes having already touched down in Texas and Louisiana this weekend, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency sent out a tweet Sunday showing staffers monitoring the volatile weather patterns that's coming their way soon.

The agency says, "Director Michel and our team are monitoring the weather and standby ready to assist."

They also add a directive regarding social distancing, saying ... "If you go to a public shelter please wear a mask, bandanna, or scarf around your nose and mouth. Practice social distancing. We will get through this!"

Mississippi's guidance on how to properly take shelter in public is similar to what emergency agencies in other states have provided. The common guideline for all is ... socially distance if you can, but hunkering down against something like a tornado -- which could kill you instantly -- is job 1.

Oklahoma said just that in its own directive ... "The need to practice social distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19 brings added complications to taking shelter from severe weather." Again, they're giving top priority to tornado protection over the virus.

It's the perfect storm of problems, really. People trying to keep their distance, to survive, while a more typical natural disaster pushes them closer together ... for survival.

Kansas Supreme Court Justices Hear Arguments Via Zoom ... Uphold 10 or Less in Church

UPDATE

6:32 AM PT -- 4/12 - Governor Kelly wins. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled the Legislature lacked the authority to override Kelly's resolution. The Court's decision was based solely on the language of the resolution. The Justices did NOT address the Legislature's claims Gov. Kelly had infringed on religious freedom.

UPDATE

Bottom line: Easter services -- and all church services during the state's safer-at-home order -- must, legally, have 10 or fewer people.

UPDATE

Kentucky had a similar ruling, upholding the Governor's plan to ban mass gatherings for church with one exception ... a drive-in Easter service being held in Louisville

The Kansas Supreme Court will decide today whether Kansans can flock to church for Easter, and they're deliberating on webcam ... just like the rest of us.

The surreal scene went down Saturday morning as all 6 state Justices hopped on a Zoom conference from their homes to hear oral arguments in a case that will have major ramifications in the state -- and perhaps in others too.

The case is between Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas State Legislature -- the latter overturned Kelly's executive order banning religious gatherings of 10 or more people.

Gov. Kelly didn't take that sitting down -- she sued the state body and now the matter's being discussed by the highest court in the Sunflower State. Gov. Kelly wanted this figured out before Easter, and she'll get it too. A decision is expected later today.

That's essentially what a Louisiana pastor is saying if any of his church members die from the virus ... adding they'll at least have done so in the name of God and freedom.
WORTH THE RISK
TMZ.com

It's just the latest installment in pastors vs. coronavirus. As you know, several church leaders -- including Tony Spell in Baton Rouge -- insist they can and will continue holding services that violate social distancing. Spell told us his parishioners would be happy to die from the virus if it means they can go to church.

Of course, all the other people they could infect outside his church don't get a say in the matter.

Anyway, point is ... a lot of eyes are on Gov. Kelly and the Kansas Supreme Court.

Originally published -- 12:27 PM PT

Playboy Mansion New Look, Who Dis? ... Grotto Drained!!!

The Playboy Mansion doesn't look like your father's dream house anymore ... because it's completely unrecognizable these days, as a massive construction project ramps up.

Ya gotta check out these aerial shots of Hugh Hefner's former masterpiece ... the Playboy Mansion is covered in scaffolding and the roof is hidden under massive tarps.

The beautiful lawns are no more ... instead of lush green scenery, there's mounds and piles of brown dirt.

Perhaps the biggest change going on right now at the Playboy Mansion ... the world-famous grotto is looking like a shell of its former self, because the water's gone and the pool's been drained.

For context, here's a refresher on what the Playboy Mansion used to look like back in its heyday.

The luxury cars are all gone too ... now, the driveway is littered with cars from the construction crew.

As we first reported ... the Mansion is getting a massive facelift under billionaire owner Daren Metropoulos, who bought it from Hugh for $100 million. As part of the sale deal, Heff was allowed to live in the mansion until he died in 2017.

Linda Tripp Clinton-Lewinsky Whistleblower Dead at 70

UPDATE

1:54 PM PT -- Linda died Wednesday according to her family. We're told she passed in the morning. There are reports she'd been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer ... although the family has not confirmed that. Linda was 70.

UPDATE

RIP

UPDATE

11:09 AM PT -- Lewinsky just reacted to the news of Linda's illness, saying, "no matter the past, upon hearing that linda tripp is very seriously ill, i hope for her recovery. i can't imagine how difficult this is for her family."

UPDATE

A rep for the Tripp family tells us they are asking for privacy during this difficult time.

Linda Tripp, whose recorded conversations with Monica Lewinsky led to President Clinton's impeachment -- is near death ... according to her daughter.

Allison Tripp Foley said late Tuesday, "My mommy is leaving this earth. I don't know myself if I can survive this heartache." In her FB post, Allison said she is at her mother's bedside, and she asked for prayers for "a painless process for the strongest woman I will ever know in my entire lifetime."

She has not revealed what illness, or medical crisis, 70-year-old Linda is battling. Allison did confirm to TMZ that it is NOT COVID-19.

Tripp is known as a whistleblower for turning over secretly-recorded conversations with Lewinsky to Ken Starr in January 1998. The recordings exposed Lewinsky's sexual relationship with Clinton.

Linda also told Starr about Lewinsky's infamous blue dress. She was working in the Pentagon when she befriended the 22-year-old White House intern and learned about her physical relationship with the POTUS. The rest is history.

Linda and her husband, Dieter Rausch, have 2 children -- Allison and Ryan.

Originally published -- 10:49 AM PT

NHL's Colby Cave Put In Coma After Suffering Brain Bleed ... 'We Need A Miracle'

UPDATE

3:04 PM PT -- Cave's wife, Emily, says the NHL player is currently in surgery and "needs a miracle."

UPDATE

"Last night and today have been the worst days of my life," Emily said Tuesday. "Colby is currently in surgery and they are fighting to keep him alive. We need a miracle. Please pray for my husband and best friend."

Edmonton Oilers center Colby Cave is fighting for his life after the team says he was placed in a medically induced coma after suffering a brain bleed.

The team made the announcement Tuesday ... saying the 25-year-old became ill overnight and has since been admitted into the critical care unit at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.

"Please keep Colby & his wife Emily in your thoughts & prayers at this time," the Oilers said in a statement.

Cave -- who was undrafted -- made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins in 2017, playing in three games. The Saskatchewan native later joined the Oilers in 2018.

Cave scored a goal for Edmonton this year... and in a tweet Tuesday, the Oilers said, "Colby is an awesome person who scored an awesome goal for us this season."

"The entire #Oilers family is sending you all our love & strength right now, @Cavemn10."

Cave's AHL team, the Bakersfield Condors, added in a statement of their own, "The thoughts of #Condorstown are with Colby Cave, his wife Emily, and his entire family."

Originally Published -- 12:01 PM PT

Queen Elizabeth Hang Tough, Brits ... Weather Coronavirus Storm

Queen's Address
WE WILL ENDURE
@royalfamily

Queen Elizabeth II just delivered an official palace address to the UK about the coronavirus pandemic -- her basic message ... hang in there, y'all!!!

We're being flip, but that's the gist of Her Majesty's broadcast speech. QE2 tells the British to maintain their resolve, keep their good humor and spirits about them and that together ... we'll all come out on the other side of this challenging time, across the pond and beyond.

You can watch the full speech above, but what's interesting about it is the historical nature of the Queen delivering remarks like this at all -- it rarely happens outside of Christmas.

Sunday's address marks just the fourth time Liz has spoken to the public in an official speech -- again, besides her annual Christmas talks -- during her 68-year reign as Queen of England. So yeah, it's a big deal she felt the need to talk now. The 'rona got to her!

One other interesting note ... according to Deadline, the Queen's speech here was filmed with just one cameraman in the room with her (fully decked out in protective gear) while the rest of the crew monitored and tinkered from other rooms in the building.

Considering Prince Charles got hit with COVID-19 himself, the precautions probably a good idea around QE2. She's right in that age group where coronavirus can hit hard.