Baker Mayfield Slams Cleveland Media ... 'I'm Not Your Puppet!!!'

Baker Mayfield's list of enemies is growing -- this time, the Browns quarterback is taking aim at Cleveland media ... saying it's filled with "drama stirring reporters."

The 26-year-old signal-caller unleashed on Twitter just minutes ago ... after a report from cleveland.com claimed he could request a trade out of town if changes weren't made during the offseason.

But, according to #6, that's apparently not true ... and he's accusing the reporter of spicing up the story to get clicks.

"Clickbait," Bake said Thursday. "You and many other Cleveland local media continue to be drama stirring reporters with no sources or facts."

"Don’t put words in my mouth so you can put food on your table. I’m not your puppet."

The clapback comes on the heels of the Browns' recent elimination from playoff contention ... which capped off a disappointing season.

The 2021 campaign was filled with drama -- Baker recently called out head coach Kevin Stefanski over his play-calling ... and has reportedly taken issue with how the offense isn't utilizing his strengths.

On top of that, Odell Beckham's dad publicly campaigned for the receiver's trade out of Cleveland due to missed targets back in November ... which worked, as OBJ was released shortly after.

Just a few weeks later, Jarvis Landry spoke out about his role with the team ... saying he had no idea why he wasn't getting the ball.

Baker's been known to speak his mind with folks in sports media -- he's had a popular beef with Colin Cowherd in the past ... but the FS1 star told us back in 2019 he "loves" the guy.

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DON'T GET IT TWISTED
TMZSports.com

It's unclear if the Browns will try to fix the relationship with their quarterback in the offseason ... but if they do, Baker's media availability is gonna be pretty awkward, to say the least.

Crazy Canadian Flight Passengers Still Stranded Organizer Says They Took COVID Precautions

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MILE HIGH DEBAUCHERY
@nathanielolivanaud/Instagram

The organizer of the Canadian party flight says passengers are still stranded in Mexico, and he understands why millions -- including PM Justin Trudeau -- are pissed off.

James Awad, the founder of 111 Private Club -- who put the trip together -- says everyone was tested for COVID prior to getting on the flight, and the only travelers on that plane were from his group ... he chartered an entire Sunwing Airline plane solely for the event.

Awad states, "As I thoroughly reviewed the current situation, I understand why many fellow citizens are upset about the current situation."

He goes on to explain he's worked tirelessly to try to get passengers back to Canada, discussing a plan with the airline which included no food or beverage service, masks, no standing in the aisles as well as proof of a negative PCR test.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

However, Awad said he couldn't come to an agreement with Sunwing because he felt passengers would need a meal on the 5-hour flight. Awad says he's attempted to charter a plane from other airlines but is also hitting a wall.

As we reported, the flight -- from Montreal to Mexico filled with Canadian partiers featured vaping, open container drinking and loud music.

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UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR
CTV News

Canadian PM called the event a "slap in the face" to citizens who had followed the rules and worked to try and stay healthy.

To that, Awad says, "I have significantly learned, and I am still learning from this experience. Learning from them is what makes the difference."

Tinsley the German Shepherd Saves Owner by Flagging Down Cop After Highway Crash

Lassie lives!!! Or at least the spirit of Lassie lives on in a German shepherd named Tinsley -- the pup not only survived a car accident but helped flag down first responders to rescue his hooman!

Cops in New Hampshire say they got a call around 10 PM Tuesday for a loose German shepherd on a highway near the NH/VT border. When officers responded, the dog refused to come close to them, and it ran away. Cops followed the dog, who led them to the scene of a nasty crash.

It turns out Tinsley and his owner had been in a terrible truck accident. Tinsley was able to escape, but police realized 2 other people had been ejected from the truck and were seriously injured.

Cops called for an ambulance, and all involved were taken to the hospital for further treatment.

Tinsley was miraculously uninjured. Not-so-miraculously, the pooch is being hailed as a hero. Good boy, Tinsley!

George Floyd 4-Year-Old Niece Shot at Home ... Survives Gun Attack

George Floyd's young niece is on the mend after what seems like a targeted attack on family members in his hometown of Houston.

Four-year-old Arianna was struck with a bullet in her torso Saturday while she slept in her bed at home. The bullet was fired by an unidentified suspect, or suspects, who opened fire into her family's house ... according to Houston's ABC13.

She was taken to a hospital where she underwent surgery and was stabilized. Arianna's father says she suffered a punctured lung and liver, as well as 3 broken ribs, but she's recovering.

As for who might've done this ... no arrests yet, and cops aren't saying anything about possible culprits -- however, Arianna's family tells ABC13 they know the shooter ... but, for some reason, they believe the incident was "just a coincidence."

Apparently, Arianna had attended some protests last year to honor her slain uncle. She's technically his great-niece ... being the daughter of his niece, Bianca, whose mother is George's sister, LaTonya.

Story developing ...

KSDK News Anchor Michelle Li 'Very Asian' Reference on Broadcast ... Criticized by Viewer

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#VeryAsian
@MichelleLiTV / Twitter

A news anchor made a reference to her Asian heritage during a New Year's broadcast, which drew the ire of what sounds like a good old-fashioned Karen ... who called in to complain.

Reporter Michelle Li of NBC affiliate KSDK in St. Louis posted a video of herself listening to the disgruntled viewer at home, who seems to have phoned the station to criticize Li's mention of dumplings while she was talking about go-to New Year's Day grub.

Li was plugging food like cornbread, black-eyed peas, pork and other greens -- delving into the metaphysical significance of each ... kinda like an astrology reading of sorts.

Once she'd finished, she added a fun line ... "I ate dumpling soup. That's what a lot of Korean people do." She later wrote, "It's subtle but people do notice! Something small but representation matters... we are not all eating cornbread, my friends... though it is delicious."

Apparently, though, that quip pissed off one woman who dialed in and left a VM ... saying she didn't appreciate Li's explicit mention of her culture, calling it "very Asian" while adding ... "She can keep her Korean to herself."

The argument this woman was making ... a white anchor plugging food that they/white people liked to eat on NYD, specifically, would be considered offensive -- and this lady was speaking about a hypothetical double standard she preemptively perceived.

In any case, Li is now getting an outpouring of support from several different colleagues in the field -- including Asian journos, who are giving her props for sharing her story.

Derek Chauvin Dismal Prison Life for Murderer

Derek Chauvin is experiencing the consequences of his actions, leading a dismal life in prison, under intense security and with few freedoms ... a fate he sealed for himself.

Chauvin's been locked up for 8 months now in the Administrative Control Unit, a sector of restrictive housing with extensive security inside Minnesota Correctional Facility-Oak Park Heights. He's got surveillance cameras on his every move, and the prison staff checks on him every 30 mins.

A rep for the facility tells us Chauvin remains isolated, without job opportunities, educational programs or contact with other inmates. Not only that ... he showers, eats, goes to the bathroom and sleeps all in the same cell. We're told he gets about an hour each day outside his cell for exercise.

While life behind bars may suck, it fails to create sympathy considering what he did to George Floyd in May 2020.

In June 2021, Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years for the killing of George Floyd. He pled guilty in a corresponding federal case and is awaiting sentencing for violating Floyd's civil rights, and that crime carries a maximum of 25 years. Once he's sentenced, he'll be placed in a permanent facility.

Burlington Coat Factory Tragedy Celebs Reach Out to Cover 14-Year-Old's Funeral ... LAPD Has Not Offered to Foot Bill

A number of celebrities have reached out to the family of Valentina Orellana-Peralta, the 14-year-old who was shot and killed during the standoff at an L.A. Burlington Coat Factory, offering to pay their funeral expenses.

The family's lawyer, Ben Crump, tells TMZ celebs in the Hispanic community and beyond have offered to foot the bill for Valentina's funeral, and to a person they wanted their names to remain confidential. But he says the support the family has been receiving is overwhelming.

Crump says so far, neither the LAPD nor the City of Los Angeles has made a similar offer.

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TERRIFYING ATTACK

As we reported, LAPD cops rushed to the Burlington Coat Factory last week after getting a 911 call of a possible shooting inside the store. When police arrived they found a man swinging a bicycle chair with a lock attached as he swung at shoppers, striking 3 women and brutally bloodying one of them.

One of the cops fired 3 shots with AR-15, killing the suspect, but one of the bullets ricocheted off the floor and into the dressing room where Valentina and her mom were hiding.  The bullet struck Valentina in the chest, and she died in her mother's arms.

We reached out to the LAPD to find out if the Dept. or the City had plans to cover the funeral.  So far, no word back.

Learjet Crash Pilot Screams 'Oh S***' Just Before fatal Impact

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DESPERATE SCREAMS

Horrifying audio has surfaced, chronicling the final seconds of a failed landing that left everyone on board a Learjet dead.

The jet crashed Monday night on its final approach to landing at Gillespie Field in San Diego County.

Everything appears normal as the pilot is speaking to the tower. The pilot seems relaxed and everything appears business as usual, but then -- abruptly -- panic sets in.

The pilot screams, "Oh s***, Oh s***, Oh S***!"  His words are followed by a scream, and that's the last transmission.

All 4 on board were killed. The plane all but disintegrated upon impact, leaving a fireball.

It was raining at the time and the plane struck several power lines. The cause of the crash, however, has yet to be determined.

The crash caused a power outage in the area.

Names of the victims have not yet been revealed.

Burlington Coat Factory Shooting Body Cam Footage Shows Cops Fire ... Stray Bullet Kills Teen Girl

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TERRIFYING ATTACK

The LAPD just released police body cam footage showing the moment cops fired a round of fatal shots inside a Burlington Coat Factory ... killing the suspect and a teenage girl hiding in a dressing room.

The incident went down Thursday at a Burlington Coat Factory in North Hollywood, CA ... where police responded to a call about an assault and fatally shot the suspect, who was attacking shoppers with a bike lock and chain.

In the police footage released Monday, you see cops armed to the teeth walking through the store in search of the suspect, when they come across blood on the floor and a woman writhing in pain, with the suspect standing in an aisle.

The video shows an officer with an assault rifle firing what appears to be 3 shots ... and the suspect crumples to the floor.

However, police say they were unaware there was a 14-year-old girl cowering in a dressing room behind the suspect ... and one of the bullets struck her in the chest, killing her.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the girl's death a homicide. She was identified as Valentina Orellana-Peralta and she was in the store shopping for a dress for her upcoming birthday party.

There's an LAPD regulation that says an officer can use deadly force against a fleeing suspect if the suspect poses a grave danger to others. In this case, the suspect had attacked 3 women with the lock and chain, drawing blood. In addition, the initial 911 call was for possible shots fired.

But, there's another part of the regulation that says when officers use their guns they must be aware of their surroundings. Here, shoppers had been in the store, and the walls -- especially those in the dressing rooms -- are paper thin. That could be problematic for the officer.

It's a sad story all around ... and the video paints an even bleaker picture.

The Pope Declared Dead By Mistake ... During TV Blunder

The Pope has died while discussing Covid-19 -- at least that's what one broadcaster almost had her viewers thinking ... when she mistakenly said the guy had croaked.

Francis' Christmas day remarks were being recapped Saturday by ITV broadcaster Kylie Pentelow, who was plugging along nicely ... until a little slip at the end when she said, "His death was announced ..."

Pentelow caught herself before she said anything more, and then apologized briefly before doing a hard pause and moving on to the next story.

There didn't seem to be any explanation as to why she said that -- but the obvious answer seems to be that she was reading off of a teleprompter, which must've said something to that effect. Indeed, a true Ron Burgundy moment in real-time.

Of course, the Pope isn't dead -- he's alive and kicking. And as for what he had to say about 'rona during his speech at the Vatican ... it was all about praying the pandemic away, and lamenting those who've suffered through the era of Covid.

He spoke from a balcony looking down onto St. Peter's Square ... which was filled with just a fraction of the crowd it might normally draw.

Outta This World!!! Most Powerful Telescope Launched ... Gimme Some Space!!!

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TO INFINITY AND BEYOND
NASA

There's gonna be less space in space, because the newest clutter is the most powerful telescope ever hurled into the heavens, and it promises a new, never-before-seen look that could alter the way earthlings live.

We're talkin' The James Webb Space Telescope, which lifted off early Xmas morning from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

NASA described the launch this way ...  "At 7:20am ET (12:20 UTC), the beginning of a new, exciting decade of science climbed to the sky. Webb’s mission to #UnfoldTheUniverse will change our understanding of space as we know it."

That may not be an overstatement ... the telescope is the most powerful and most complex ... a space observatory that will study exoplanets -- those are planets outside our solar system.

Thing is ... scientists think some of the exoplanets could be habitable, and that means 1) is there existing life on any of them? And 2) could we live there either by choice or necessity?

There have been years of delay in launching the scope for various reasons. As for specs -- its mirror can extend more than 21 feet, which gives it the ability to capture more light from the objects it's photographing ... and that will enhance the details scientists will study.

The mirror has 18 hexagonal, gold-coated segments ... fancy!

Bottom line ... scientists should be able to see things, including planets, they've never seen before.

BTW ... to give you an idea of the effort that went into this ... for the last 17 years, scientists and engineers from 14 countries have invested 40 million hours getting the telescope up and running.

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.

Green Bay Packers Players, Coaches Donate $270k To Parade Tragedy Victims

Players and coaches on the Green Bay Packers put their wallets together to make a huge donation this week ... in an effort to help the victims of the Christmas parade tragedy in Waukesha that left several people dead and others injured.

The team announced the gesture Tuesday ... saying 42 players and coaches teamed up to donate $135,525 ... with the Packers Give Back program matching that amount to make it $270,650 for the United for Waukesha Community Fund.

Packers prez Mark Murphy spoke about the efforts in a statement ... saying, "We were all heartbroken after the senseless tragedy in Waukesha and we worked with our players to help determine the best way to have an impact as an organization."

"After receiving pledged donations from our players and coaches, the organization was proud to match their donations. Our thoughts remain with the victims, along with their families and the Waukesha community, as they continue to grieve and heal from this horrific event."

BTW -- more than $3 million dollars has been donated from various individuals and organizations throughout the world.

As we previously reported, Darrell Brooks Jr. has been hit with 6 counts of first-degree intentional homicide after cops say he ran his SUV through a Christmas parade.

62 people -- including some children -- were injured in the incident.

He's currently behind bars and facing up to life in prison.

Elon Musk Here's My Very Cute Son, X Æ ... If You're Pissed I'm P.O.Y.

Elon Musk can read a room -- getting ahead of potential groans and eye-rolls over him being named TIME's Person of the Year by sprinkling some adorableness on the ceremony ... courtesy of his kid.

The Tesla and SpaceX chief popped in for a Q&A Monday night in NYC, not too long after it was announced he was TIME's number 1 person for the entirety of 2021. His entrance turned out to be a big fat father-son love fest, 'cause EM trotted out X Æ A-12 for the sit-down.

It's pretty hilarious ... as soon as Elon comes into the room with X in his arm, just about everyone lets out the expected "awwwws" that come in the presence of any toddler.

X's appearance definitely softened any would-be tension that might've existed among the reporters and spectators there ... 'cause, as you may have read or heard, not everyone was all that thrilled with Elon getting the huge honor.

Nobody probably would've made a scene or anything, but bringing X along for the ride is definitely a good PR move on Dad's part.

As for the actual interview itself, Elon talked about a lot of stuff -- including whether he considered cars or rockets more important, and whether he'd ever get his ass up into space like his billionaire rival, Jeff Bezos.

Meanwhile, young X was on his best behavior (for the most part) ... not really fussing too much, and listening to his pops chat it up in what was almost certainly a new environment for him.

Speaking of baby X, his mom chimed in on Elon's big cover shot ... writing, "And, he cut his own hair for this pic too - icon." They may not be together anymore, but she seems to still have love for her baby daddy -- unless that was totally sarcastic. 🤔

Alec Baldwin It's Great to Be Out of the House ... Attends First Public Event Since 'Rust' Tragedy

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WORKING THE CROWD
AP

Alec Baldwin is done laying low after the fatal shooting on the "Rust" movie set -- in fact, he put himself front and center as a master of ceremony.

Making his first appearance since the accidental death of cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, in October ... Alec was at the podium Thursday night in NYC for the Ripple of Hope Award Gala -- a Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights charity.

Alec was joined by his wife Hilaria, and feeling lighthearted enough to offer some humor -- he opened the night saying, "Thank you for all coming out tonight. It's great to be together in person. It's great to be with everyone. My wife and I have six kids, anything to get out of the house for 30 minutes.”

The event came a week after Alec's first interview about shooting Halyna aired, and RFK's daughter Kerry Kennedy thanked the actor for being there ... acknowledging he's still coping with tragedy. She said, "He's there in good times and bad, in your good times and bad and his good times and bad, he always shows up. I'm so proud."

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I AIMED AS DIRECTED
ABC News

During the ABC interview, Baldwin said he didn't feel guilt or responsibility for Halyna's death, claiming the blame lays solely with whoever brought live ammunition to the movie set.

He also explained why he was pointing the gun in Halyna's direction and claimed it went off even though he hadn't pulled the trigger.

Lateche Norris Missing Indiana Woman Found Alive ... Petito Family Helped

Lateche Norris -- the young woman from Indiana who vanished after taking a trip to San Diego to visit her BF -- has been found after being missing for weeks ... with an assist from Gabby Petito's family.

TMZ just spoke to the 20-year-old's father, Walter Callum, who tells us Lateche is currently with her mother, Cheryl Walker, somewhere in California. More importantly, we're told she is safe.

No other details about her recent whereabouts have surfaced just yet ... but we're waiting to hear back from Cheryl here in a bit.

If you hadn't heard about this story ... it's pretty crazy, and has echoes of Gabby Petito's case. Word is ... Lateche took a cross-country trip from Indiana in early November to visit her boyfriend, Joseph Smith, who had moved out west to California.

Lateche touched down in San Diego, but was reported missing not too long after ... as her parents lost contact with her, and the local authorities got involved. Her mom has said she believes there was some sort of fight between her daughter and Smith.

SD police posted surveillance video from a local 7-11, which apparently depicted Lateche inside. This is said to be the last time anyone had seen her, way back on Nov. 4.

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TAKE IT SERIOUSLY
TMZ.com

There's also this ... we've learned that Gabby Petito's parents have actually been involved in helping Lateche's family. We're told Gabby's mom and dad have been giving Lateche's parents advice on how to deal with the media, and how to cope with the disappearance of their child. They've also been sharing the story a lot on social media.

We recently spoke to Cheryl and she told us she thinks this story hasn't gotten as much media coverage due to her daughter's race.