New Year's Eve Times Square Ball Drop Going Virtual ... Party On???

It seems 2020 will alter one final tradition before it wraps up, and there will even be a countdown for it -- New York's iconic ball drop for New Year's Eve is going virtual.

Organizers of the annual festivities in Times Square have announced that in order to say good riddance to this year and ring in 2021 ... it will have to be a "virtually enhanced celebration."

According to the Times Square Alliance, there will still be some scaled-back and COVID-cautious live events ... but the goal this year, for obvious reasons, is to pull off festivities like the ball drop safely.

The Alliance says ... "One thing that will never change is the ticking of time and the arrival of a New Year. On December 31st, the Ball will drop in Times Square."

Sadly, there just won't be anyone physically present to see it.

Alliance President Tim Tompkins is staying positive though, and says 2020 will go out with a bang of "significantly new and enhanced virtual, visual and digital offerings."

Mayor Bill de Blasio is also praising the innovation in order to keep the long tradition going, adding ... "A new year means a fresh start, and we’re excited to celebrate."

You can say that again.

Coronavirus Texas Tech Student Bragging About COVID Infection ... Resigns from Sorority

UPDATE

10:05 AM PT -- 9/11 -- The woman who partied and bragged about having COVID-19 apparently belonged to the university's Alpha Phi sorority ... or at least she used to, 'cause a spokesperson for the sorority tells TMZ the student has resigned. The spokesperson said, "The behavior in that video is appalling. When chapter leadership learned of this member's behavior, the chapter immediately initiated judicial proceedings. The member has since chosen to resign outright."

UPDATE

The sorority says it will fully cooperate with university officials and will do all it can to support contact tracing to protect the other students. The sorority will also ensure those who were exposed are immediately quarantined. The spokesperson added, "We expect our members to do their part to minimize the spread of the coronavirus, and behavior like this will not be tolerated."

Colleges are having serious problems with the coronavirus -- Texas Tech says it's investigating a viral video showing a young woman at a house party flippantly admitting she has COVID-19.

In the video, which is spreading on social media, the woman says people at the shindig keep asking her if she has coronavirus and her response is alarming ... "Yes, I f**king have COVID, the whole f**king world has COVID."

The young lady then turns the camera around to show everyone drinking and partying near her without face coverings and suggests "all of these people have COVID."

The university's dean of students says they received a report and are aware of the video, and it's being investigated.

It's unclear if the woman in the video actually has COVID-19 or if she is enrolled at TTU. The Twitter account that posted the clip says some of the party people are Tech students.

Texas Tech says it has 612 active coronavirus cases as of Wednesday, including 571 cases involving students, and university president Lawrence Schovanec attributed the rise in positive cases to off-campus parties and social gatherings.

Didn't we all see this coming?!?

Originally Published -- 9/10 11:57 AM PT

Miami University Students We All Have COVID, Let's Party!!! Cops Bust Shindig

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SHUTTIN' IT DOWN
Oxford Police Department

College kids really are feeling COVID invincible ... as one absolutely shocked police officer discovered at a house party thrown by a bunch of guys who know they have the virus!!!

The Oxford Police Department says it cited 6 men who were at the daytime rager at Miami (OH) University ... one of whom admitted, on camera, he's supposed to be in quarantine. Apparently, they haven't covered that word in class yet.

As you can see in this body cam footage, the officer was blown away at the student's admission not only he had COVID, but so did everyone else living in his house. Let's just say the kid was struggling to get the point of quarantine.

Cops say 6 of the partygoers were hit with $500 fines for the gathering -- which included people from outside their house.

As we told you ... Texas Tech is dealing with a similar situation where a young woman who allegedly attends the school flippantly admitted she had the virus as she partied next to lots of other students.

Miami University says more than 1,000 students have tested positive for COVID-19, including 55 cases Monday, but the school is still on schedule to start in-person classes Sept. 21.

The officer in the video says it best ... they're struggling to keep their town open, and students like these aren't helping matters.

Ahh, school daze.

Burning Man SF Mayor Slams Partygoers ... Beyond Irresponsible During Pandemic, Wildfires

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RECKLESS AND SELFISH
@svqjournalist

The Mayor of San Francisco is livid at a thousand people who attended a rager Saturday night to commemorate what would have been Burning Man's 34th event.

You wouldn't know there was a pandemic by looking at the scene ... crowds squeezed together with partygoers in wild outfits, as music blares and lights flash.

There were also a number of bonfires ... something that is prohibited and really irresponsible given the terrible air quality from the raging California wildfires.

Mayor London Breed was enraged, saying, “This was absolutely reckless and selfish,” Breed tweeted. “You are not celebrating. You are putting people's lives at risk. You are putting our progress at risk. No one is immune from spreading the virus.”

Burning Man festival was 86'd this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Chanel West Coast Berates Cops Who Shut Down Her Birthday Party

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ON THE ATTACK
TMZ.com

Chanel West Coast berated cops who dared to interrupt her birthday party because it was packed to the gills in the middle of the pandemic.

We're told somewhere between 100 and 200 people showed up to celebrate the rapper's 32nd birthday, and by 10 PM the neighbors had had it. Eleven of them called the cops. It's unclear if the neighbors were objecting to the noise or the fact Mayor Eric Garcetti has made it his mission to shut down party houses that host big crowds because of the virus.

CWC wasn't having it, and she verbally attacked the cops, calling them losers. She told them her ex-BF was murdered years ago and it's still an unsolved case, and she just couldn't understand why they weren't solving that case instead of hammering her over her party.

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HUSHIN' THE CROWD
TMZ.com

She says there was a bigger party up the road and if they were really concerned about the coronavirus spread they should go there.

Looks like cops shut the party down. Chanel was cited for the party ... and we can't wait to hear Mayor Garcetti's reaction.

COVID-19 S.C. College Bar Packed To The Gills ... Not The Corona You Want

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GIVIN' IT THE OLD COLLEGE TRY
@SGTVNews4/Twitter

This does not look good.

Hundreds of college students crammed into a tiny sports bar near the campus of the University of South Carolina, and it was apparently the place to be because of looser COVID-19 safety guidelines.

TLC Sports Bar, just outside Columbia city limits, was wall-to-wall with revelers Thursday night, and as you can see ... there was nary a mask in sight and no regard for social distancing.

It's the proverbial packed-in-like-sardines scenario, where folks are drinking, talking, laughing and maybe the occasional cough or sneeze. None of this is good in terms of spreading the virus.

Richland County, where the campus is located, is reporting 455 cases per 100,000 tests.

The adults in the room finally put a stop to the potential super spreading event ... cops arrived and shut down the bar, forcing hundreds of students to leave the venue.

The bar is a short walk away from Williams-Brice Stadium, where the university got state approval for 20,000 fans at Gamecocks football home games in a coronavirus-shortened season. The stadium has a listed seating capacity of 80,250.

Maybe the students and bar should take a cue from the football situation. Full capacity is not a good thing these days.

UofSC says it's "disappointed" with Thursday's bar scene ... urging students to wear face coverings, social distance and avoid large in-person gatherings. In other words, the opposite of what you see in the video.

Report: Neymar Tests Positive for COVID-19 ... After Ibiza Yacht Vacation

Neymar -- one of the most famous athletes in the world -- has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 after a holiday in Ibiza.

Neymar's pro soccer club Paris Saint-Germain confirmed Wednesday that 3 members of the team tested positive -- but the organization did not release the names of the players.

However, media outlet L’Équipe and ESPN say sources have confirmed the 28-year-old Brazilian superstar is one of the players who tested positive ... along with his PSG teammates Angel Di Maria and Leo Paredes.

All 3 men were recently spotted out in Ibiza after PSG's August 23 loss to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League final.

PSG has issued a statement on the situation saying, "Three [PSG] players are confirmed positive after a Sars CoV2 test and have undergone the appropriate health protocols."

"All players and staff will continue to be tested over the next few days."

The team has been off since the loss in the finals -- but are scheduled to pick back up on Sept. 10.

Neymar was in hot water last month for breaking COVID protocol when he swapped jerseys with Leipzig defender Marcel Halstenberg following their August 18 game.

Players have been banned from the jersey swap -- and there were fears Neymar would be blocked from competing against Bayern Munich in the final, but he ultimately was allowed to play.

Story developing ...

Bills Mafia COVID Won't Stop Wild Tailgates ... Clean Table Smashing!!!

Think Bills Mafia will let COVID-19 stop 'em from smashing through fiery tables before kickoff?!!

NOPE!!!

The tailgates will happen -- the Zubaz will be worn, chaos will reign, TMZ Sports has learned.

Here's the deal ... with fans blocked from attending NFL games in person at stadiums around the country, people are still looking to gather in groups to tailgate safely.

Bills fans -- known for being insane maniacs -- are among those (since the team has said no fans will be allowed at the first 2 home games) ... but the good news for them, they'll get their chance to tailgate, with COVID protocols in effect.

We're told one option is a tailgating "bubble" sponsored by MyBookie, which claims it will create a completely sanitized, clean zone for Bills fans in the Buffalo area where they can rage before games, while adhering to COVID safety measures.

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GETTIN' WILD

Fans must register to get inside the tailgating area (they're trying to limit the number of people) -- but once inside, fans will enjoy food, booze and all the sanitizer they can squirt.

There are also plans to bring in a van for Mafia members to climb as a launching pad for table jumps.

The exact location is still being worked out. Masks and social distancing will hopefully be enforced.

It's not a true "bubble" like the NBA environment in Orlando -- where people are tested and quarantined before being allowed to enter. But, hey ... it's better than nothing!

The Bills' first home game is scheduled for Sept. 13 against the NY Jets.

Please ... please ... please -- stay safe, everyone.

LeBron James Birthday Love Note to Wife ... From NBA Bubble

He's got a lot going on right now -- but LeBron James found time to write a love note to his wife on her birthday.

"My beautiful strong ambitious driven committed loving amazing woman I call my queen, my best friend, my love, my wife," Bron wrote Thursday evening in an IG post to Savannah James.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

"I scream from the damn bubble happy birthday! Please enjoy your day, your weekend, your moment in time! I love you!"

35-year-old LeBron and 34-year-old Savannah were high school sweethearts back in Akron, Ohio. They got engaged back in 2011 and married in 2013. They have 3 kids together -- Bronny, Bryce and Zhuri.

LeBron has had his hands full lately -- not only leading the Lakers during the NBA playoffs in the bubble in Orlando, but taking on President Trump and others who have been critical of his social justice action over the past few weeks and months.

Earlier this week, LeBron reportedly spoke out against continuing the NBA playoffs the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting -- but has ultimately agreed to take the court when play resumes.

Usain Bolt Tests Positive for COVID-19 ... After Bday Bash

The results are in ... and Usain Bolt has COVID-19, officials say.

Jamaica's minister of health -- Dr. Chistopher Tufton -- confirmed Bolt's test results with the media late Monday, according to multiple outlets.

Bolt had been self-isolating since taking his test on Saturday -- and will continue to do so until he tests negative.

Earlier in the day, the 34-year-old Olympic legend had posted a video responding to a premature report he had COVID ... saying he had been tested but was awaiting results.

Bolt says he had chosen to quarantine himself out of an abundance of caution ... and now, it seems that was the right move.

There is still major concern about Bolt's massive 34th birthday party, thrown by his girlfriend Kasi Bennett in Jamaica on Friday.

The event was MASSIVE -- with tons guests, including a bunch of Jamaican celebrities.

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UPDATING THE FANS

The concern ... video purportedly taken at the event appears to show a bunch of people dancing close without wearing masks or taking any real precautions to avoid spreading the virus.

Usain's girlfriend just gave birth to their daughter, Olympia Lightning Bolt (greatest name ever), back in May.

Jamaica hasn't exactly been a hotbed for COVID so far -- with only 1,413 reported cases and 16 reported deaths since the pandemic began.

Originally published -- 8/24, 9:57 AM PT

TikTok Star Bryce Hall I Regret the Rager I Threw ... Power Deserved to Be Shut Off

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POWER TO the people ... except me
TMZ.com

TikTok star Bryce Hall is owning his mistakes because he says squarely ... he wishes he would never have thrown the wild party that pissed off L.A.'s Mayor so much, the power to the house got shut off.

Bryce was leaving BOA restaurant in WeHo Friday night when our photog asked about the rager he threw that was packed with people who weren't wearing masks or social distancing.

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PARTY FOUL

Bryce, who threw the bash to celebrate his 21st birthday, told our photog he didn't need time to reflect ... he knew it was wrong when it was happening.

Mayor Eric Garcetti was enraged, saying, "This house has turned into a nightclub in the hills, hosting large gatherings in flagrant violation of our public health orders." The house went dark Wednesday.

It appears the house was not owned by Bryce ... it was a party house that the owner rents out. Not anymore ... at least for now.

Bryce has no beef with the Mayor, although he thinks a boxing match might be in order. Careful, Bryce ... the Mayor's pretty scrappy.

TikTok's Bryce Hall L.A. Mayor Shuts Off His Lights ... After House Party Violation

Bryce Hall and a crew of his fellow TikTok and YouTube stars who got turnt up last week for his 21st birthday now face consequences ... his water and power have been turnt off.

As we reported ... Hall hosted a massive rager at his Hollywood Hills home Friday night in defiance of repeated warnings by the City of L.A. to stop doing so amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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PARTY FOUL

So, Mayor Eric Garcetti authorized the city to disconnect Hall's utilities Wednesday, saying ... "This house has turned into a nightclub in the hills, hosting large gatherings in flagrant violation of our public health orders." The mayor added these gatherings can quickly spread the coronavirus and put communities at risk.

Hall lives in the home with fellow TikTok stars Noah Beck and Blake Gray, and has hosted numerous raucous parties there leading up to Friday's ... with little to no regard for COVID safety or precautions.

He also had a big bash at a rented Encino property recently, but that home's still got power.

Garcetti announced L.A. would be cracking down on COVID party houses earlier this month by shutting off utilities ... Hall's one of the first to find out he ain't bluffing.

TikTok's Bryce Hall Hosts Sway House Rager in L.A. ... Packed, Viral Stars Galore

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PARTY FOUL

TikTok might be on the verge of shutting down in the U.S., but its American stars are far from winding down -- in fact, they're doing the opposite ... dangerously turning up.

Check out these videos that were captured Friday night from a massive house party out in the Hollywood Hills, celebrating the 21st birthday of TikToker and YouTube personality Bryce Hall. It's ridiculously packed, and of course ... no one is wearing a mask or distanced at all.

Just looking at the raucous scene -- which was full of dancing, drinking and eventually stripping too -- it's clear this isn't safe, but it doesn't look like Bryce and the rest of the (new) Sway House inhabitants really give a damn, and neither do their guests.

It's crazy ... because you literally see a lot of famous faces here -- tons of other TikTok stars and viral personalities and even some reality TV stars too, like Harry Jowsey from 'Too Hot to Handle.' Looks like it was a who's who of Gen Z fame, really. And, yes ... things got wild.

At one point, some male strippers dressed as cops come in and dance on Bryce -- and then later, the female strippers are brought in and do more of the same. Finally, real cops showed.

Word is the shindig got shut down around 4 AM or so, when LAPD rolled through and kicked everyone out. You see this and wonder ... maybe a TikTok ban ain't that bad of an idea.

Just sayin' ... 🤷🏽‍♂️

MMA's Valerie Loureda Power Twerk Sesh After Inking New Bellator Contract

MMA fighter Valerie Loureda was so stoked to sign a contract extension with Bellator, she made a twerk video to celebrate ... and it's pretty damn good!

The 5'4" flyweight is coming off a wild violent knock out victory over Tara Graff at Bellator 243 on Friday ... and has now revealed that she was rewarded with an exclusive multi-fight extension.

Obviously, the 22-year-old fighter was excited -- and danced out her emotions to the new Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion track, "WAP."

There's A LOT of booty shaking and various displays of flexibility. All in all, impressive stuff.

"Just signed an exclusive multi-year, multi-fight extension with @bellatormma," Loureda said ... "not going anywhere."

Loureda -- from Miami -- is 3-0 as a pro and building a solid following. In fact, her post-fight victory dance was viewed more than 11 million times on social media!

And get this, her manager, Abe Kawa, revealed Loureda was involved in a car accident just days before her fight -- and still was able to focus and dominate.

No word on when Valerie is gunning to fight next -- but expect a quick turnaround considering she doesn't appear to have any injuries after that 2nd-round win.