Latest news with #CaliforniaLove
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tupac Murder Suspect In Some Serious Trouble...But Not For What You Think
Duane 'Keefe D' Davis, the man accused in the fatal shooting of rapper Tupac Shakur, managed to get himself in more trouble while awaiting trial behind bars. The jury verdict is finally in determining whether he'll face prison time for a crime unrelated to the famous shooting. The jury's April 9 verdict stems from a December 2024 incident. Davis was in custody when he got into a brawl with a fellow inmate after a personal visit, per KTNV. Video footage of the scene shows Davis walking with a security guard past the other inmate and pivoting toward him. Davis appeared to then restrain the inmate in a headlock. The two punched each other while dragging themselves to the ground. The security guard appeared to grab something from his pocket, presumably pepper spray, and point it at the two while they fought on the ground. Davis asserted to officers he was standing his ground, per Complex. However, there are little to no details as to why he had beef with the other inmate. Regardless of the reason, a jury found Davis guilty of two counts: battery by a prisoner and issuing challenges to fight. He'll return to court for sentencing on May 27. However, he's still up for trial for the shooting death of the 'California Love' rapper from back in 1996. Prosecutors are holding on to his prior interviews where he confessed to being part of the murder as part of a 'proffer agreement.' Davis is also the last man alive out of the group of men who were allegedly in the vehicle when the shots were fired. However, in an interview with ABC News from behind bars, he maintained his innocence. 'I'm innocent. I ain't kill nobody. Never killed nobody. They don't have no evidence against me. Prove that I orchestrated this. You're key witness orchestrated this. Their top witness is the lead suspect,' he told the outlet. The Shakur murder trial is set to begin in February 2026. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Associated Press
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Emergent Media's Original Social Series Honored for Video & Film in the 29th Annual Webby Awards
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Emergent Media announced today that its exclusive creator-led original video series, 'The Hype,' has been honored in the Video & Film category in the 29th Annual Webby Awards. Hailed as the 'Internet's highest honor' by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet. 'The Hype' debuted in May 2023 as a monthly original video series on Emergent's California Love channel. Hosted by creator Jake Toohey, each 60-second episode dives into a popular California attraction, destination, or activity and shows the audience whether it's worth 'the hype.' Over 24 episodes, our intrepid host has explored Hearst Castle, trekked through the super bloom, eaten his way through Downtown Disney, and experienced the US Open of Surfing in partnership with Pacifico® and Constellation Brands. 'Honorees like Emergent Media are leading the charge in pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation online,' said Nick Borenstein, General Manager of The Webby Awards. 'Being chosen from nearly 13,000 entries this year is a remarkable accomplishment and a true testament to their excellence.' 'We're thrilled to be recognized by The Webby Awards for something we're truly passionate about—leveraging the power and scale of our proprietary creator network to bring innovative stories to life in the digital space, both for our lifestyle publishing brands and our incredible brand partners,' said Jen Klawin, Chief Business Officer at Emergent Media. About The Webby Awards Established in 1996, The Webby Awards is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites and Mobile Sites; Video & Film; Advertising, Media & PR; Social; Podcasts; and Creators. The awards saw nearly 13,000 entries from all 50 states and over 70 countries last year. About Emergent Media Emergent Media is a creator-led digital publisher and branded content studio. Powered by our global community of creators and informed by data and insights, we create and distribute content that delights consumers and drives results for brands.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sweet Spot: Compartés Celebrates 75 Years in L.A.
This Valentine's Day, many in Los Angeles are choosing to show love and affection for their hometown as well as each other, especially in the wake of the California wildfires. Which makes Compartés gourmet chocolatier the sweetest choice in town. From its uniquely beautiful packaging to its delectable flavors and recipes, the chocolatier's 75-year history and growth is a true local success story.'We're a homegrown L.A. brand, here since 1950,' owner and CEO Jonathan Grahm says of his company, which built its local fanbase in beloved retail stores in Brentwood and West Hollywood (they closed during the pandemic) and its profile as a national brand via collaborations with fashion houses and pop culture figures. 'Our chocolate factory in Culver City is still standing and I'm happy we're able to come to work and make chocolate, which makes people happy. It's kind of a nice thing in this moment of not-so-nice things.' Grahm, who started at the company at the age of 15, designed a special new bar, called 'I Love L.A.,' while watching the fire coverage on TV last month. He's donating 100% of its proceeds to wildfire relief.'As an L.A. brand, it's so important,' he says. 'People see our packaging not only all over town, but all over the country and worldwide. We're sold in 3,000 shops all over the U.S. Compartés is really emblematic of Los his signature dark chocolate with a sprinkling of gourmet sea salt, the new vegan, gluten-free L.A. bar joins his other hometown homage, the popular 'California Love' bar, which he created 15 years ago. Boasting a pink-hued sunset and swaying palm trees graphic, it's become famous for its design as well as the rich dark chocolate and San Francisco sourdough pretzel candy inside. Graham was 21 when he bought the family company and rebranded. Driven by a fashion-forward, artisanal approach, his confections now stand out amid other more typical boxed chocolate offerings on the market. Compartés is a special and luxurious choice to give loved ones for birthdays, anniversaries and holidays, both for its aesthetics and its flavors — which whimsically blend creamy smooth cocoa in dark, milk and white chocolate with a variety of other ingredients, like strawberries, potato chips, coffee and donuts (an ode to Grahm's favorite L.A. donut shops). Just in time for Valentine's Day, Compartés offers new bars packed with pieces of red velvet cake and strawberry cheesecake, the latter featuring a tie-dye heart design. The brand also boasts decadent new collections, in boxes adorned with florals, swans and peacocks. Try chocolate-covered fruit; pink chocolate-covered Oreos and hearts; and its popular take on the classic heart-shaped box, a sumptuous crocodile-textured design available in shades of crimson red and dark green. While Grahm's goals to transform Compartés into a chic, elevated chocolate brand have been achieved, he hopes that his commitment to using local ingredients and printing facilities convey the deep connection and community that have inspired him since he took the company's helm.'I've been in L.A. my whole life,' he says. 'I went to Beverly High and I grew up on the Westside. I love L.A; it's my inspiration. It's my heart and it's my home. All of those things come through when you look at the brand.'5735 W. Adams Blvd., Culver City,
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Yahoo
Don't get scammed after a disaster
Richard Kipling loved his sweet 1926 Spanish-style house in the Altadena area of Los Angeles. 'We entertained in that home. We had our children come to visit us in that home. It was home, capital H-O-M-E,' he said. Kipling and his wife, Alison Sowden, were out of town Jan. 8 when they heard about the Eaton fire and texted their neighbor that morning. By noon, their house had burned to the ground. To make the sting of losing photos and journals even worse, when Sowden and Kipling called FEMA to receive their initial $770 cash payment for incidentals two days later, they were told someone had already applied for help under their address. They were transferred to the fraud department, where they waited on hold for more than an hour before giving up. They later received their payment and assume the record has been corrected. Scammers are like cockroaches: You might be able to get rid of some of them, but they're always out there, lurking in the dark, waiting for the next opportunity. There are only 4,500 species of cockroaches, but an infinite number of scams. 'We know for sure that there are scammers impersonating FEMA officers and impersonating the Red Cross,' said Steph Carroll, directing attorney for Consumer Rights and Economic Justice for Public Counsel, a nonprofit public-interest law firm in Los Angeles. Together, the Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed more than 16,0000 and damaged about 2,000 homes, schools and businesses, leaving residents to compete for services and resources. One of the first calls displaced people make is to their insurance company — but as in Kipling's case, someone else may have gotten there first by mining their information, possibly from a data breach, third-party blacklist or by using phishing tactics, said Loretta Worters of the Insurance Information Institute. Scams can also target those who want to help their neighbors in need. Fr. Marcos Gonzalez of St. Andrew Church in Pasadena says that after the fire, an email soliciting donations went out under Gonzalez's name — but from an IP address in the United Kingdom. 'Every single priest I know has the same problem because our names, telephone numbers and emails are all very public, and so people can just go on any parish website,' he said. The church is offering grants for fire victims, but because so many fraudsters try to get a piece of that action, Gonzalez says they only honor in-person requests with ID and a full application. Generous shoppers might also want to participate in charity offers from companies offering to support relief efforts through sales. Some things that seem questionable might actually be a cause for good. Life Unplugged, a charity-driven apparel company based in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, created 'California Love,' a special line of shirts that supports the Salvation Army's wildfire recovery work with $40,000+ in donations. Owner Dylan Banagis says they frequently get questions about the veracity of the mission, but giving is part of the company's DNA. He advised wary consumers to check out customer reviews, social media and items sold by a company. A poor webpage design or scant internet presence are red flags. And if you're truly in doubt about where your purchase profits go, you can always donate directly to the organizations you like. When the threat of mass deportations collides with a demand to replace and repair nearly thousands of structures all at once, people might be anxious to begin rebuilding — but often, buyers are separated from their cash once they pay the contractor. California law states that contractors can only charge $1,000 or 10% of the project cost for a down payment, whichever is less, but panicked homeowners may skip over that to get going faster. Atlanta attorney Ted Spaulding advises folks to make sure the contractor they hire is licensed and insured with workers' comp and general liability — and verify it. 'Even licensed contractors can cause problems. If a contractor is unlicensed, there is more risk because they likely haven't paid for proper insurance and therefore the homeowner could be on the hook if someone gets injured on your property,' he said. It's confusing if your insurance company or FEMA is contacting you to get the ball rolling on recovery — it could be legitimate, or maybe not. Rigorous checking in the form of visiting their official websites, searching for the person's name and number online and checking with a representative you've previously worked with are all ways to vet for the truth. Worters, of the Insurance Information Institute, suggests contacting the National Insurance Crime Bureau if you feel you've been taken by an insurance scam. You may also feel hounded by lawyers who want to set up a lawsuit on your behalf. 'You should be dealing with your insurance company, but nobody right now could need a lawyer,' Carroll from Public Counsel said. Research the attorney, ask people you know for referrals and check the websites of the state bar and the National Association of Consumer Advocates. Don't sign anything right away without thoroughly understanding the contract. If you feel pressured, walk away. Kipling and Sowden attended a 'public meeting' for fire victims, but it was actually a pitch by law firms to join a class-action suit in which the firm would take 25% of the awards — a discount from their usual 35%. They walked out. 'It comes back to caveat emptor,' Kipling said. 'It's a situation most people have never been through before, and hopefully we'll never have to confront again. But it's really pretty dangerous out there.'
Euronews
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga and Nirvana reunion: The biggest moments from FireAid
It was a night of electrifying performances and emotional moments as the world of music came together to honour those affected by the devastating California wildfires. More than 20 artists took to the stage for the epic five-hour show, held simultaneously at two large venues in the city: the Kia Forum and the Intuit Dome. The online stream switched between the two arenas throughout the night. Green Day kicked off the monumental show at the Kia Forum with a rendition of 'Last Night on Earth' and were soon joined by Billie Eilish for the first surprise of the night. After their set, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong hugged actor Billy Crystal, who was there to welcome the crowd at the Kia Forum. 'Our goal is simple tonight, to spend more money than the Dodgers spent on free agents,' he joked. He told the audience U2 offered the first big donation of the night: $1million. Crystal said he was wearing the clothes he had on when he evacuated. He lost his home in the in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood that he lived in for 46 years. 'Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can't be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this,' the Crystals wrote in a statement early this month. California served as a central theme throughout the night: The Red Hot Chili Peppers rocked hits like 'Dani California' and 'Californication', while Dr. Dre delivered an unforgettable performance of 'Still D.R.E.' alongside Anderson .Paak and Sheila E. before transitioning into 'California Love'. Laurel Canyon folk legend Joni Mitchell graced the stage with a poignant rendition of 'Both Sides Now', all while sitting on a gold throne. Katy Perry performed a euphoric set, beginning with 'Rise' alongside the Pasadena Chorale, followed by 'Roar' and 'California Gurls'. Eilish and her brother Finneas, who've called Los Angeles home for their entire lives, performed beautiful acoustic versions of her recent hits 'Wildflower', 'The Greatest' and 'Birds of a Feather'. Behind the early performances, moving images of firefighters and the devastation caused by the fires were displayed on the big screen. And throughout the event, viewers and attendees were encouraged to donate to the cause via In perhaps the biggest surprise of the night, the remaining members of 90s rock band Nirvana - Dave Grohl, Pat Smear, and Krist Novoselic - reunited with a lineup of guest female vocalists stepping in for the late Kurt Cobain, including St. Vincent, and Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth. Together, they performed iconic tracks like 'Breed' and 'Territorial Pissings'. Elsewhere, Olivia Rodrigo, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Pink, Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks, and Earth Wind & Fire also delivered memorable performances. Closing the night, Lady Gaga powered through the Oscar-award winning 'Shallow' and 'Always Remember Us This Way' from A Star Is Born, before playing a new song on the piano. 'It's just for tonight, it's just for you,' she said of the song she wrote with fiancé businessman Michael Polansky. 'All I need is time,' she sang in the folk-y pop chorus. 'To heal my broken wings and then I'll soar.' At least 29 lives were lost, and more than 16,000 homes and businesses were destroyed in the fast-moving, destructive fires that erupted in early January. Proceeds from the concert, along with donations made throughout the event, will support the rebuilding of communities and efforts to prevent future fires in the region.
