Luigi Mangione’s defense team is seeking to livestream his upcoming state murder trial as his attorneys adjust their strategy amid separate state and federal prosecutions. Mangione faces charges stemming from the December 2024 fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. His New York defense team previously considered an extreme emotional disturbance defense but withdrew it earlier this summer. JUST IN: photos of Luigi Mangione at his court hearing today. pic.twitter.com/tGl06u9Pm3 — Luigi Archive (@Luigi_Archive) August 11, 2026 Sources cited by TMZ attributed the decision to the timing of Mangione’s state and federal cases. The defense cannot use that specific defense in federal court. Raising it in state court could also create complications for the later federal proceedings. TMZ host Harvey Levin reported that Mangione’s lawyers are now considering other ways to present evidence concerning his mental and emotional state. One issue could involve a diary investigators seized after Mangione’s 2024 arrest. Prosecutors have characterized the writings as evidence that Mangione planned Thompson’s killing. Luigi Mangione Asks The Judge If His Upcoming Trial Can Be Viewed On Livestream Other passages reportedly describe Mangione’s anger toward the health care industry. His attorneys could seek to use those writings to provide jurors with context surrounding his state of mind. Whether jurors see the diary will depend on evidentiary rulings by the court. The defense is also reportedly seeking a livestream of the proceedings. Levin said Mangione’s attorneys believe broader public access could benefit their client. The proposal comes amid significant public interest in the case and support for Mangione among some younger observers. Any livestream, however, would remain subject to court rules governing courtroom proceedings. The defense’s strategy could face additional scrutiny because jurors must decide the case based on evidence presented in court. Outside public reaction cannot substitute for admissible evidence. The state prosecution is scheduled to proceed before Mangione’s federal case. That sequence has influenced the defense’s decisions regarding potential arguments and evidence. Mangione’s attorneys now appear focused on preserving their options across both cases. Their approach may include presenting evidence about his state of mind without formally relying on the withdrawn defense. Both prosecutions remain pending, and the court has not ruled on the proposed livestream. The proceedings could provide an unusually public view of a closely watched criminal case if the request is granted.

Jaylen Brown is excited to begin his tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers. Bronw was all smiles duing his introductory new conference at the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center in West Philadelphia. At the news conference, Brown assured the Sixers fans base that he’s not concerned with a role but winning a chip. “It doesn’t have to be anybody’s team,” Brown said. “We have to be a team of respect. I’m about winning. I want to come in and do whatever it takes to win.” Brown also has been in contact and is looking forward to teaming up with LeBron James. “I’m looking forward to learning from LeBron,” Brown said. “I’m looking forward to learning from all these guys. But, LeBron, just everything that he’s endured during his career, on and off the floor. One of my favorite things to do is learn. I can’t wait to soak up as much information as I can and apply that to myself.”  “For me, the work has started already,” he said. “I’m looking forward to doing whatever it is I need to do, whoever I need to talk to, to make sure that we get on the same page, and that everybody’s focused on the same thing. If we do that, then we’ll be where we want to be.”  In a blockbuster 2026 offseason reshuffle, the Philadelphia 76ers transformed into an instant championship favorite by acquiring both Brown and James. Joining forces alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and V.J. Edgecomb. Brown—arriving via trade from the rival Boston Celtics—and James—signing a team-friendly contract after contemplating retirement—have both expressed a willing readiness to adapt their roles, sacrifice individual stats, and do whatever it takes to deliver a title to Brotherly Love.  On opening night, the new-look Sixers take on the defending champion New York Knicks.

Mayor Ray Giacobbe of Rahway, NJ sits down with DJ Drewski on HOT 97’s Midday Movement with DJ Drewski for a wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond politics. They talk about the Mayor’s Summer Concert Series (featuring Jim Jones, Maino, Memphis Bleek, and more), Rahway’s hip-hop roots, and why the city is embracing — not banning — rap events. Then things get real: Mayor Giacobbe opens up about losing his 22-year-old daughter Bella in 2022, how fitness helped him battle depression, and what keeps him going every single day. He also discusses the Bella Kind Foundation, Rahway’s booming redevelopment, and what it really means to lead a community. This one hits different. Mayor’s Summer Concert Series — Every Thursday in August at Union County Performing Arts Center Learn more about Bella Kind Foundation Rahway, NJ — Come experience it for yourself

Rapper Yella Beezy, whose real name is Markies Conway, is asking a Dallas County judge to force prosecutors to narrow their witness list ahead of his upcoming murder-for-hire trial. The “That’s On Me” hitmaker‘s attorney, Toby Shook, filed the four-page motion Monday with the Dallas County Clerk. The filing challenges a State of Texas witness list that now names 264 potential witnesses. State of TX v. @YellaBeezy214: Yella Beezy’s attorney Toby Shook (@toby_shook) filed a motion with the Dallas County Clerk on Monday, August 10, asking Judge Chika Anyiam to force prosecutors to narrow their 264-name witness list before trial. In 4-page motion, Shook argues… pic.twitter.com/8B30m0dVPK — Bryson “Boom” Paul (@brysonboompaul) August 10, 2026 Prosecutors initially identified 194 potential witnesses in a filing submitted July 27. The list included Brandon Rainwater, manager of slain Dallas rapper Mo3, Conway’s girlfriend DeAndrea Harris, rappers Trapboy Freddy and Jose Bodega, and alleged co-conspirators Jerry Johnson, also known as Maserati, Devin Brown and Kewon White. The State later filed an amended witness list Aug. 3. The filing added 70 names, bringing the potential witness total to 264. Prosecutors Tommy Adams, Ricardo Vela and Sharonda Davis are handling the case for the State. Dallas Rapper Yella Beezy Asks Court To Force Prosecution To Downsize 264-Named State’s Witness List Shook argues the expanded list does not provide meaningful notice of whom prosecutors actually intend to call. Instead, the defense says the disclosure resembles an investigative file rather than a focused trial list. According to the motion, requiring the defense to investigate 264 people would consume limited time and resources. Shook argues that many listed witnesses may never testify. The defense contends that a narrowed list is necessary for adequate trial preparation and a fair proceeding. Shook is asking Judge Chika Anyiam to order prosecutors to provide a “good-faith” narrowed witness list by Aug. 14. The defense also wants prosecutors to separately identify potential rebuttal witnesses. Shook asks the court to bar undisclosed witnesses from testifying unless the State establishes good cause and provides reasonable notice. The State has not responded to the motion as of Monday afternoon. Anyiam has not ruled on the request. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Aug. 21. Jury selection and trial are scheduled to begin Aug. 24 in Dallas County Criminal District Court No. 7. The dispute comes as prosecutors prepare to present their case against Conway, while his defense seeks clearer limits on the witnesses it must investigate before trial.

Dallas rapper and Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta reality star Erica Banks goes viral over the weekend when a social media clip surfaces of her buying children ski masks and hair bundles in Dallas, Texas, for back-to-school preparation. The clips surfaced on Instagram Aug. 8. One video shows Banks inside a Dallas department store surrounded by children and teenagers. Her hit song “Buss It” plays through the store as several young fans hold ski masks. Banks described the encounter as an impromptu meet-and-greet. “Y’all, so I’m walking around the store. Doing my little meet-and-greet,” Banks said. “Three musketeers pulled up on me and said, ‘Uhhh can you buy me something?’” View this post on Instagram She said she asked the children what they wanted before showing viewers their purchases. “And guess what I’m doing? Show them the ski masks, ayyyyyyeeee!” Banks said. The ski masks quickly became the focus of online discussion. Several commenters questioned whether they were appropriate purchases for children during back-to-school season. “We lost they already killing us in our ski masks and arresting us for nothing if we have one in public and this is what you do what about back to school shopping,” one commenter wrote. Another person suggested a different approach. Love & Hip-Hop Rapper Erica Banks Goes Viral Buying Children Ski Masks & Hair Bundles For Back-To-School Supplies In Dallas, Texas “lol I literally would’ve said no cause what that got to do with back to school. I’ll buy yall backpack ,” the commenter wrote. A third commenter took a more pointed approach, asking, “Ski mask for school???? what school is that??? robbery, murder, and assault school ????” Another added, “They got them ski mask to rob you girl stay woke.” Banks later appeared at The Hair Depot, where she bought hair bundles for several teenage girls. “Y’all she just got her some bundles,” Banks said. She recalled one girl asking, “Can you get me these?” Banks laughed before responding, “You want me to buy you some bundles, girl?” After asking the girls to greet the camera, Banks joked about the unexpected spending. “Y’all, they just broke my pockets — real bad,” she said. Banks later defended the spirit of the outing through her Instagram captions. “Asking me to buy bundles was so bold bruh. LMAO, she ain’t wrong tho. I love my city, anything for them,” she wrote. She added, “Brought everybody what they wanted today.” The videos show Banks supporting young Dallas fans while also highlighting a debate over the appropriateness of ski masks for children during back-to-school season.

All eyes are on Memphis rapper Pooh Shiesty right now with the release of his new album, All Eye On Shiest, which debuted at #1 across the Apple Music charts on Monday, August 10. The achievement arrives as Shiesty continues navigating his federal criminal case. Released Friday, the 16-track project features a heavyweight lineup of Southern rap talent. GloRilla, Sexyy Red, BIG30 and K Carbon all appear across the album. Pooh Shiesty’s ‘All Eyes on Shiest’ has now reached #1 on US Apple Music across all genres It dethrones Ariana Grande’s ‘Petal’. pic.twitter.com/8SXCHmovga — Hip Hop All Day (@HipHopAllDay) August 8, 2026 For Shiesty, the Apple Music milestone lands without the usual machinery behind a major rap release. He remains incarcerated and cannot promote All Eyes On Shiest through traditional appearances or performances. Instead, his music and supporters are carrying the rollout. The project continues Shiesty’s gritty Memphis sound while expanding his palette through high-profile collaborations. One standout is “Mane,” featuring GloRilla, another major voice from Memphis. The album also includes “FDO” and “Last Man Breathin.” Both tracks helped build momentum before the full project arrived. Memphis Rap Star Pooh Shiesty’s New Album, All Eyes On Shiest, Soars To #1 Across The Apple Music Charts Shiesty’s latest success has also resonated beyond Memphis. His music has developed a strong audience across Southern hip-hop markets, including Dallas, Texas, where his hard-edged style has found a receptive audience. That connection reflects the broader reach of Memphis rap. Shiesty has helped carry the city’s street-centered sound into a national conversation. All Eyes On Shiest reaching No. 1 also places Shiesty above releases spanning multiple genres. Apple Music’s overall chart includes hip-hop, R&B, pop, rock and country. The accomplishment carries added significance given his circumstances. Shiesty cannot host release events, appear on radio shows or perform concerts supporting the album. His absence, however, has not slowed the response. The rapper remains incarcerated while awaiting trial, which is currently expected in February 2027. His legal situation has kept him away from the spotlight during a pivotal moment in his career. Still, All Eyes On Shiest shows his audience remains locked in. For Shiesty, the message is clear. The music continues traveling, even when he can’t.

James Harden’s misdemeanor charge has been dropped by theHarris County (Texas) District Attorney’s Office. According to The Athletic, the motion to dismiss the charges was officially filed on Thursday. Harden “completed an alternative resolution agreement,” per a court document.   ​Details of the “alternative resolution agreement” remain unclear. The Athletic has contacted the district attorney’s office for comment and will update this report once more information becomes available. ​Police arrested Harden, 36, early on the morning of June 13. He was booked into the Harris County Jail and freed after posting a $100 bond. According to court records, the terms of his release bar him from owning firearms and consuming alcohol, marijuana, or other controlled substances without a prescription. Additionally, he must submit to random urine tests. HARDEN’S REMARKABLE CAREER ​Widely regarded as one of the most dynamic offensive forces in basketball history, Harden built an elite NBA resume defined by scoring brilliance and elite playmaking. After winning the 2011–12 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Harden blossomed into a perennial superstar following his trade to the Houston Rockets. ​His prime reached its peak during the 2017–18 season, when he was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) after leading the league in scoring. Over the course of his career, “The Beard” has earned 11 NBA All-Star selections, seven All-NBA Team honors (including six First Team selections), three consecutive scoring titles (2018–2020), and two assist titles (2017, 2023). ​Known for revolutionizing the step-back three-pointer and mastering isolation play, Harden is one of only a few players in league history to record a 60-point triple-double. He was also named to the prestigious NBA 75th Anniversary Team as one of the 75 greatest players of all time. ​Currently, Harden is a free agent, but it is expected to resign with the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason.

Undisputed world champion Claressa Shields is opening up about her desire to start a family, revealing she is eager to balance her championship boxing career with motherhood. During a candid appearance on Cam Newton’s “Funky Friday Podcast” on Aug. 7, Shields joked about her surprise that she has not yet become pregnant given her close relationship with partner and hip-hop artist Papoose. The 31-year-old boxing star, known as the “G.W.O.A.T.” (Greatest Woman of All Time), told Newton that she and Papoose spend significant time together whenever she is not away at training camp. Shields said that when she visits his home for weeks at a time, their focus shifts away from the ring and toward their personal life, leading to her lighthearted comment about their efforts to conceive. “I think we enjoy eating together and a lot of times we just enjoy lounging around,” Shields said during the interview. “Like, I’m surprised that I haven’t been pregnant yet. Seriously. Like, no. Like, for real.” Shields has been vocal for months about her intention to have children sooner rather than later. She previously told “The Pivot Podcast” that she has no interest in waiting until her 40s to start a family. She said she wants to be an active mother who can run at the park with her children, even if it means taking a brief hiatus from her dominant run in the professional boxing ranks. The relationship between Shields and Papoose has evolved from a friendship into a deep romantic and professional partnership. The boxer credited Papoose with being instrumental in her business dealings, including helping her secure a lucrative four-fight deal with Wynn Records. That agreement includes an $8 million minimum, ensuring her financial future as she prepares for life outside the ring. Despite her domestic aspirations, Shields remains a formidable force in sports. She is currently focused on her upcoming bout on Aug. 15 in Atlanta, where she will attempt to add two more world titles to her already historic collection. She said she remains “locked in” for the fight, maintaining the discipline required to stay at the top of the sport. Shields has made history as the first boxer in the four-belt era to hold undisputed titles in two different weight classes simultaneously. While she plans to briefly step away for a pregnancy in the future, she has expressed confidence that she can return to the sport and continue her legacy after becoming a mother. Papoose, who was formerly married to rapper Remy Ma, has been a constant fixture at Shields’ recent fights and training sessions. The couple has frequently shared their journey on social media, blending their lives in the entertainment and sports worlds. For now, Shields remains focused on the immediate task in Atlanta before turning her full attention to the next chapter of her personal life.

Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has reportedly paid between $7 million and $8 million to defend himself against federal criminal charges, according to sources cited by TMZ. The reported legal bill covers nearly two years of litigation following Combs’ September 2024 arrest in New York. His defense team has included attorneys Marc Agnifilo, Teny Geragos, Brian Steel and Nicole Westmoreland. Diddy has reportedly paid his lawyers $8 million to defend him against racketeering and sex trafficking charges He was facing life in prison but ended up getting only four years. pic.twitter.com/IRlaaK6YHb — My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) August 5, 2026 The attorneys represented Combs through an eight-week federal trial and subsequent appellate proceedings. Their work addressed allegations that initially exposed Combs to a potential life sentence. Federal prosecutors charged Combs with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. A Manhattan jury acquitted him of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking in July 2025. Jurors convicted Combs on two counts under the Mann Act. Those counts concerned transporting male escorts across state lines for prostitution. Hip-Hop Mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs Paid $8 Million For Legal Team To Fight Cases Prosecutors presented evidence involving sexual encounters between Combs, his former girlfriends and male escorts. The government described some of those encounters as “Freak Offs.” The trial also featured allegations involving singer Cassie Ventura and other women. Combs denied the most serious allegations against him throughout the proceedings. A federal judge sentenced Combs to 50 months in prison in October 2025. He is serving the sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution at Fort Dix in New Jersey. The sentence marked a substantial reduction from the potential punishment associated with his most serious charges. A conviction on the racketeering and sex trafficking counts could have resulted in life imprisonment. Combs’ legal battles have continued during his incarceration. His defense attorneys are pursuing additional challenges to his conviction and sentence. Last month, prison officials reportedly placed Combs in solitary confinement following an altercation with another inmate. Sources said the dispute began after the inmate allegedly insulted Combs. The men reportedly exchanged pushes and punches before prison staff intervened. Sources said Combs “held his own” during the confrontation. The reported legal fees highlight the financial stakes of defending a high-profile federal prosecution. They also reflect the resources required for complex litigation involving extensive discovery, trial proceedings and appeals. Combs remains incarcerated while his attorneys continue litigating his case. His reported legal spending adds another dimension to a federal prosecution that has drawn sustained attention from the music industry and legal community.

A Los Angeles judge has dismissed the divorce case filed by Raina Chassagne against incarcerated singer Tory Lanez, ending the proceeding without a final judgment on the couple’s marriage. The court dismissed the case after finding insufficient activity to move the proceeding toward a final judgment, according to court documents obtained by TMZ. The dismissal does not establish that Chassagne and Lanez reconciled. Chassagne filed for divorce in June 2024, less than a year after marrying Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson. She cited irreconcilable differences and sought legal and physical custody of the couple’s son, Kai. The divorce proceeding unfolded while Peterson was serving a 10-year prison sentence for his conviction in the 2020 shooting of rapper Megan Thee Stallion. A Los Angeles County jury convicted Peterson in December 2022 of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Jurors also found him guilty of possessing a loaded and unregistered firearm and negligently discharging a firearm. Prosecutors alleged Peterson shot Megan Thee Stallion, whose legal name is Megan Pete, after an argument following a gathering in the Hollywood Hills. Peterson has maintained his innocence and pursued challenges to his conviction. Judge Dismisses Singer Tory Lanez & Wife Raina Chassagne’s Divorce Case A judge sentenced Peterson to 10 years in prison in August 2023. Chassagne has continued facilitating contact between Peterson and their son during his incarceration. She has taken Kai to visit his father in prison and previously shared photographs from their visits. Chassagne also marked Father’s Day with throwback photographs of Peterson and Kai, highlighting the family connection despite the pending divorce case. The dismissal closes the divorce proceeding but does not resolve the parties’ marital status through a substantive ruling. The court instead terminated the case because it had not progressed toward a final judgment. The development adds another legal complication to Peterson’s personal affairs while he remains incarcerated. His criminal conviction and sentence remain separate from the family law proceeding. Representatives for Peterson have not publicly commented on the dismissal. Chassagne’s attorney also did not immediately provide a statement. Peterson remains incarcerated while continuing to challenge the legal consequences of the 2020 shooting. The dismissed divorce case leaves any future action between the spouses to a separate proceeding.