Latest news with #Jackass
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
DeSantis rages at open investigation into Hope Florida Foundation, calls it ‘manufactured'
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis touts the Hope Florida program during an April 1, 2025, press conference in the Capitol in Tallahassee. (Photo by Jackie Llanos/Florida Phoenix) Gov. Ron DeSantis called the investigation by a state attorney into First Lady Casey DeSantis' Hope Florida Foundation a manufactured political operation during a press conference Wednesday afternoon, The governor spoke at more length Wednesday than he'd done Tuesday when the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald first reported the open investigation by State's Attorney Jack Campbell in Tallahassee into the transfer to the foundation of $10 million from a $67 million Medicaid overpayment settlement with the state. After signing three bills in Winter Haven, DeSantis answered questions about the Hope Florida investigation by insulting Pensacola Republican Alex Andrade, chair of the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee, who launched a legislative probe into the settlement during this year's legislative session. 'You have one Jackass in the legislature — I'm sorry, it's true — who's trying to smear her, smear good people, and just understand what happened,' DeSantis said. 'He took documents and he dropped them in a prosecutor's office that is not an organic investigation, that's a manufactured political operation. That's all this is: Somebody with an agenda dropped off documents, and that's all that.' Hope Florida Foundation steered the funds to two groups that sent a combined $8.5 million to Keep Florida Clean, a political action committee created to oppose Amendment 3, the failed 2024 ballot measure that would have legalized marijuana. The governor's then-chief of staff and current attorney general, James Uthmeier, chaired that committee. Andrade responded to DeSantis' comments on X, stating, 'I can feel the love…' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WATCH: Burglars Ransack Bill Maher's Swanky LA Weed Shop
A cannabis dispensary and lounge co-owned by political pundit Bill Maher and actor Woody Harrelson was burglarized by a team of masked thieves. Surveillance footage posted to social media shows five hoodie-clad men smashing through a glass window to The Woods in West Hollywood and then haphazardly stuffing sacks with merchandise. The same video shows the crew hitting a different LA dispo that night, although the operation ran less smoothly. At ERBA Markets, which shares minority owners with The Woods, the robbers encountered an armed security guard, who quickly opened fire. The men can be seen fleeing the gun shots. They dove into a black SUV, which sped away. KTLA 5 reported that no one was hit and that the robbers were unable to take anything from ERBA. At Maher's and Harrelson's shop, however, they absconded with as much as $3,000 in merchandise, ABC 7 reported. 'They went in and they just randomly took stuff off the shelves,' Michael Berman, another co-owner, told the outlet of the Thursday robbery. 'While there was a lot of mess from the broken glass, nobody was hurt. They got merchandise, but they didn't actually damage too much inside.' The Los Angeles Police Department told the Daily Beast that the suspects are still at large and that an investigation into the incidents is ongoing. The Woods launched in 2022 with Harrelson, 63, as the majority owner and Maher, 69, as one of its minority owners. The tropical-themed shop sells a wide range of cannabis products and features several cabana-style lounges where patrons can get stoned. Maher, who hosts the HBO politics show Real Time, and Harrelson, known for starring in hits like Zombieland and The Hunger Games, have both emerged as high-profile advocates for the legal cannabis industry. Maher has made a habit out of smoking weed while recording his podcast, Club Random. Last year, Maher admitted to losing out on an interview with Jackass star Steve-O—who is long sober—because he refused to abstain from weed for the episode. Maher called Steve-O's request 'ridiculous.' In a 2024 interview with Los Angeles magazine—conducted at The Woods while Maher was high—he opened up about his marijuana habit. 'I don't smoke every day and never have,' he said. 'I'm a situational pot smoker. I would never get high to do Real Time. I can do stand-up high because I don't have to worry about a clock. I like it for sex. And I like it for writing.' Harrelson told CBS in 2023 that he became a proponent of cannabis despite a conservative upbringing—and against his mother's best wishes. 'She'd be sitting there, she'd have her coffee and cigarette and everything in the morning, you know,' he recalled of his mom. 'And she'd be like, 'Son, if I ever hear that you're smoking marijuana …it'll just kill me!'" Nevertheless, he's proud to own The Woods, calling it 'just a little dream of what a great dispensary could be.' Neither Maher or Harrelson has addressed the burglary publicly, and representatives for each did not immediately return the Daily Beast's requests for comment.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Have laptop, will travel: Our top Wanderers League One away trips this season
LET'S get one thing out of the way right off the bat, ranking football grounds as a journalist as opposed to a paying supporter is a very different thing. I can hear the sound of teeth grinding now, and yes, I don't pay for a ticket, I'm there on a matchday to jobs" target="_blank">work. And yes, in some places I even get fed, although not as often as some people seem to think, and certainly not in any great luxury. My ethos has always been that if you can see the pitch, plug in your laptop and file your copy, that's an acceptable start, a solid five out of 10. If you happen to get a voucher entitling you to a free pie and/or hot drink, then happy days indeed. I am extremely lucky to have covered this great club in all four divisions. As the late, great Dusty Rhodes said: 'I've wined and dined with kings and queens and slept in the alley eating pork and beans.' In this analogy, pork and beans was the curious cabbage soup served up at Crystal Palace several years ago in the Championship. Eating it felt like a dare on Jackass. If Wanderers' four years at League One level has taught me anything, it is to be thankful that the Toughsheet is a lovely place to work. The staff look after the media suite well, and aside from complaints about the number of steps up to the press box, opposition journalists are usually very complimentary. There have been more austere times – occasions where me and the other local press clubbed together to buy the tea, coffee and milk so that everyone could at least have a brew, but those stories are for another time. Following Bolton away from home is always an adventure and with all the content we put together on a matchday, I always try and bring something of the flavour of the stadium and the atmosphere. And, yes, I am aware that I spend far too much time talking about the matchday music. The sights and sounds of a ground do add to the enjoyment, and so does the football, believe it or not. I have to write the same number of words about a 0-0 draw on a Tuesday night in Crawley as I do about a 4-3 thriller, but it does help if there's a bit of colour and excitement to throw in there. These days, I'm also recording the Last Word podcast right after the game, so if nothing has happened, that can be quite the chore at 2am, I assure you. I decided to rank all 23 'other' grounds in League One based on my experience this season. I scored them out of 10 on four criteria – the standard of the game, the atmosphere, how easy/difficult the place was to work within, and lastly, the welcome and general helpfulness of folk at the ground. Will Forrester just fails to convert a chance at Bristol Rovers - but then it's not an easy place to work (Image: CameraSport - Ian Cook) 23. Bristol Rovers – Apologies to the Gasheads but the Memorial Ground is an awkward place to work, not least because there is no boundary between the home fans and the working press box. Can get really awkward at times. 22. Shrewsbury – A neat little ground smartened up by UEFA after they hosted European football for Welsh club TNS Solutions but a tepid atmosphere and a health and safety nightmare in the press box, which really needs a rethink on layout. 21. Mansfield – A dire game spoiled the trip to Field Mill so they have been done a little with the scoring system. Pretty basic place to work, although they did manage to furnish me with the best parking spot I've had this season. 20. Cambridge – Much older ground than Shrewsbury, so you can forgive some of the cramped conditions. Didn't see some of the friendly faces this season that we had in the past, which coupled with the football made for a disappointing day. 19. Crawley – A really tight little press box and troublesome wi-fi kept me on my toes with this season's visit and even though Wanderers came up with a 2-0 win, this ended up being really long day thanks to technology. 18. Leyton Orient – Quirky, but for some reason the club chose to put anti-pigeon netting across the press balcony, high up on the third floor. Quite a stale game too but three points, nonetheless. Bolton Wanderers fans celebrate a goal at Northampton Town (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker) 17. Northampton – Shout out to one of the friendliest stewards on the gate, who always creates a good impression of the club. Poor press box, though, needs an update. 16. Peterborough – Ordinarily one of my favourite places away from football but not an especially glamorous ground to work within. Sam Inwood's performance on the day earns Posh an extra point. 15. Barnsley – Oakwell, I know you so well. Spent a lot of time in that part of South Yorkshire, and the facilities are miles better than they used to be, even if the view is a bit dodgy and Wanderers were dreadful on the day. 14. Exeter City – A long, long way to go. A unique ground and always a good atmosphere, with a bit of drama thrown in by Aaron Morley this season. Spoiled a bit by the fact I tripped on some netting after the final whistle and did my shoulder! 13. Charlton – A press box borrowed from the 1980 Moscow Olympics and steel folding tables that have claimed many a finger, laptop wire or radio cable. There is something nice about The Valley, though, and the folk there are ace. 12. Reading – Clearly the club has fallen on hard times but still a smart place to work and a great atmosphere in the away end for Steven Schumacher's first game, even if the scoreline somehow ended up 1-0 to the Royals. 11. Rotherham – Would be in my top five places to work in League One, and it's always nice to see old mates in the small, busy press room next to the tunnel. Wanderers were awful that cold January day, though, and the fans were rightly unamused. Great scenes at Huddersfield as Julian Darby claimed a win as interim boss (Image: CameraSport - Alex Dodd) 10. Huddersfield – Some wonderful scenes after the game with Julian Darby and his grandson, and a cracking match. A proper battle against the wi-fi and the glaring sunshine, though, which made the job of match reporting tougher. 9. Stockport – Considering this was Bolton's worst away performance of the season, it speaks volumes for the atmosphere and welcome you get at County these days that they are in my top 10. Great place to work, and one I know well. 8. Wycombe – A smart ground these days and though a goalless draw in December wasn't the prettiest game to watch, there was a great Friday night atmosphere. A good cup of tea there too. 7. Stevenage – Yes, they got a couple of extra marks because Bolton turned up on the night and scored four goals but, all in all, a friendly club who have always made us welcome. 6. Blackpool – A graveyard for Bolton Wanderers results down the years and has never previously been one of my favourites but this year things were much improved, at least off the pitch. The football was still dire but it felt safer to work. Wanderers fans doing the thunderclap for Jon Dadi Bodvarsson at Burton (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker) 5. Burton – Another ground we are getting to know quite well and one which has always been neat, tidy and well-run. Bolton rolled up their sleeves for three points and I was delighted to see the Brewers fight on after that to clinch survival for Gary Bowyer. 4. Birmingham – Lots of happy memories at St Andrew's, if not necessarily this season, where Wanderers rather surrendered with their line-up. Still a marvellous atmosphere when the old place is pumped up. 3. Wrexham – Despite a curious low position which means fans obscure your view if they nip down early for a half-time pint, they have put some classy touches to the old Racecourse and the staff were first class. 2. Lincoln – If Sincil Bank were closer, it would be my favourite away ground at this level of football. Same guys have been running the show for years, everything works, and even a woeful Wanderers performance couldn't spoil our day this time around. Wanderers fans celebrate the win against Wigan Athletic (Image: CameraSport - Alex Dodd) How my ratings stacked up in the end... (Image: NQ) 1. Wigan – Yep, you read that right. A rare occasion where everything went right against the Latics, even in the press box. A decade of hurt ended on the pitch, a sold-out away end that was in scintillating form and a last-minute winner, sparking a furious re-write. Even the pre-match entertainment put an Ozone Bounce in my step, with hindsight. Cheers MC Finchy!
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Inside Bam Magera's comeback: Troubled Jackass star looks healthy as he plots to turn his life around
made a surprise return to the spotlight this week, hitting the red carpet looking healthy, happy, and back in action. The 45-year-old skateboarder, once known for his wild antics on MTV's Jackass, has spent recent years battling addiction, legal troubles, and public breakdowns. In 2021, he was fired from Jackass Forever after reportedly violating a wellness agreement tied to his role in the film. Two years later, Margera was arrested twice—first for allegedly kicking his girlfriend during a domestic dispute, then weeks later for causing a drunken scene at a Burbank restaurant where his estranged wife, Nicole Boyd, and their son Phoenix were dining. Following a DUI parole violation, he was released from prison in September and entered short-term treatment. Now, fans are hopeful again as he stepped out Thursday night for the launch party of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4, celebrating the reboot of the beloved game alongside Tony Hawk himself. Not only is he featured in the upcoming release, but he brought along his new wife, model Dannii Marie, and the pair looked completely smitten. The brunette beauty stunned in a sleek black gown as the couple posed for photos before heading to a private dinner in Los Angeles. For longtime fans, the sight of Bam smiling and reuniting with Hawk sparked hope that the skater-turned-stuntman may finally be back on his board—and back on track. Rumors had swirled for. months that Bam had been cut from the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 reboot—until a supposed last-minute intervention from Tony Hawk himself reportedly got him back in. Even then, nothing was confirmed until Margera surprised fans by hitting the red carpet at the game's official launch, looking healthy and beaming alongside his wife. Given Margera's troubled history with addiction—and his firing from Jackass Forever —many doubted whether Activision would want to work with him again. But insiders say Hawk had the final word, and Margera had already been seen frequenting Hawk's personal skatepark in recent months, raising hopes for a comeback. His appearance at the launch came just months after a turning point in his ongoing legal saga. In September, following a DUI parole violation, Margera was released from jail and entered short-term treatment. His lawyer, Michael T. van der Veen, told 'He is back on the road to his successful career and wonderful life with his wife.' Van der Veen said Margera had passed all drug and alcohol screenings for over a year and was 'interested in getting better' and 'getting this case behind him.' The court sentenced him to six months of probation tied to a guilty plea on two counts of disorderly conduct, with terms that included random drug testing and mental health treatment. Following the plea, Margera told the judge, 'I just want to say thanks for this whole situation. It lets me clean up my life. 'It is a blessing in disguise.' In an interview with MediaNews Group that same month, he added, 'With the path I was on with alcohol and drugs, I needed to hit some rock bottom to turn things around.' The charges stemmed from a string of incidents in 2023, including an alleged physical altercation with his brother Jess. Margera was arrested twice—first for allegedly kicking his girlfriend during a domestic dispute, then weeks later for causing a drunken scene at a Burbank restaurant where his estranged wife, Nicole Boyd, and their son Phoenix were dining. Jess testified that Bam had punched him repeatedly and threatened multiple family members, including his girlfriend and parents. 'He was threatening everybody. The whole house,' Jess told the court. 'My girlfriend looked like she had just gotten back from Afghanistan, with PTSD.' An arrest affidavit stated that Margera fled into nearby woods before he was apprehended. Margera has struggled with addiction and been in and out of rehab since 2009.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
After 856 'Snake Bites', Man's Blood Could Unlock Universal Antivenom
Self-taught venom expert Tim Friede has voluntarily injected himself with snake venom 856 times across 18 years. Now, in spite of the odds, Friede's extremely dangerous hobby has led scientists to create the most widely effective snake antivenom on record. Collecting pet snakes since his youth, Friede first began to deliberately envenom himself by milking his pets, diluting their venom, and injecting it repeatedly. When he received two separate cobra bites in the space of an hour, the venom almost killed him. "I basically flat-lined and died," he told National Geographic's Dominic Bliss. "It wasn't fun. I had enough immunity for one bite, but not for two. I completely screwed up." Many of us might take such a near-death experience as a sign to find a new pastime, but Friede saw it differently. His self-envenomation regime, he realized, was probably the main reason he survived the incident. He doubled down. In the following years, Friede's immune system faced horrors unknown. Either by syringe or by fang, his B cells – white blood cells that create the pathogen-fighting antibodies that protect us from foreign substances like venom, viruses, bacteria and parasites – were introduced to the toxic bites of Egyptian cobras, water cobras, coastal taipans, Mojave rattlesnakes, even black mambas. And, like any young man doing seemingly foolish things in the early 2010s, he recorded it all on his phone and uploaded it to YouTube. Don't watch this unless you want to see a man bitten by a Papua New Guinea taipan and a black mamba in quick succession. This personal project could have easily earned Friede a Darwin award, or in the very least a guest appearance on Jackass. But luckily, his cells began to produce antibodies that protected him from the toxic regimen. Friede is still alive, and his unique antibodies are actually being put to good use. His YouTube videos attracted the attention of Jacob Glanville, immunologist and CEO of biotech company Centivax. Using Friede's hyperimmune antibodies, Glanville and a team of scientists have now created an antivenom that, in lab experiments, protected mice from the venom of 19 different snake species, all listed by the World Health Organization as category 1 and 2 of the world's deadliest snakes. Usually, antivenom is created by collecting the antibodies produced by sheep or horses that have been repeatedly exposed to venom from just one snake species each. That's why antivenoms tend to be specific to a species and region, which, as any outdoor enthusiasts will know, makes it difficult to pack a comprehensive first aid kit. And because the antibodies aren't from humans, there's always a risk of adverse reactions. An antivenom derived from Friede's blood, on the other hand, could protect against a range of species with fewer complications. The antivenom tested by the team is composed of two different antibodies isolated from Friede. The first, LNX-D09, was effective against six of the snake species tested on mice. When paired with a drug called varespladib, the antivenom barrier shielded mice from the venom of three more species of snake. The second type of Friede's antibodies, SNX-B03, extended at least partial protection to the entire panel of species' venoms. "By the time we reached three components, we had a dramatically unparalleled breadth of full protection for 13 of the 19 species and then partial protection for the remaining that we looked at," says Glanville. "We were looking down at our list and thought, 'what's that fourth agent'? And if we could neutralize that, do we get further protection?" Glanville has universal antivenom in mind: a single cocktail that could save anyone, anywhere, from any species of snake that might have bitten them. What his team has developed so far brings this closer to being realized. This work focused on one major family of venomous snakes, known as the elapids, and it may work against other species in that family that weren't directly tested. In time the team hopes to develop a similarly wide-acting antivenom for the other main family, the viperids. "We're turning the crank now, setting up reagents to go through this iterative process of saying what's the minimum sufficient cocktail to provide broad protection against venom from the viperids," says biologist Peter Kwong at Columbia University. Rigorous clinical testing will be needed before the antivenom could become available to humans. In the meantime, the researchers plan to conduct field trials of the antivenom to treat snake-bitten dogs presented to veterinary clinics in Australia. The research was published in Cell Press. Scientists May Have Found a Natural Alternative to Ozempic Landmark Study Finds Semaglutide Effectively Treats Serious Liver Disease Alzheimer's Could Be Linked to a Common Virus You Already Have
