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12:15 PM ET, February 21, 2025

WeSmirch

 Top News: 
Maureen O'Donnell / Chicago Sun Times:
Jerry Butler dead at 85; singer known as ‘Iceman’ also had a long career in Cook County politics  —  The future politician who later served on the Cook County Board became famous performing with The Impressions, which also included Curtis Mayfield.  “Their music was the sound of the Civil Rights Movement …
Discussion: The Wrap, Rolling Stone and Variety
RELATED:
TMZ.com:
Jerry ‘The Iceman’ Butler Dead at 85  —  JERRY ‘ICEMAN’ BUTLER DEAD AT 85 … Jerry “The Iceman” Butler, a legendary R&B singer and long-time Illinois politician, has died.  —  Marty, Jerry's assistant and “niece at heart,” tells TMZ ... he passed away from natural causes on Thursday night at his home in Chicago.
Discussion: Daily Mail and Metro.co.uk
People:
Meghan Markle Has an ‘Open Invitation’ to Return to Suits, Says Show Creator Aaron Korsh (Exclusive)  —  Korsh spoke to PEOPLE about the possibility of the Duchess of Sussex making a cameo during the premiere of the show's spinoff ‘Suits LA’  —  Meghan Markle has an open invitation to step back into Rachel Zane's shoes!
RELATED:
Julie Jordan / People:
Bryan Greenberg Reveals What Items He Saved Before Losing His and Jamie Chung's House to L.A. Fire (Exclusive)
Discussion: Daily Mail
TMZ.com:
‘Ugly Betty’ Actor Eric Mabius Arrested for Battery  —  1:35 PM PT — TMZ has obtained the arrest report ... A Nassau County sheriff's deputy responded to a call about a fight at a bar in the city of Yulee, Florida at about 2:13 Thursday morning.  The deputy says a male at the scene was trying …
RELATED:
Olivia Evans / E! Online:
D.C. Plane Crash: NPR Host Adrian Ma Details “Emotional Hell” Nearly One Month After Girlfriend's Death  —  NPR Host Adrian Ma, whose girlfriend Kiah Duggins died in the D.C. plane crash late last month, detailed the emotional aftermath of her death.  —  The loved ones of those who died …
Discussion: Us Weekly and NPR
People:
Blake Lively Asks Judge for Stronger Protective Order After Receiving ‘Violent’ Messages amid Justin Baldoni Legal Battle  —  The request comes after Lively filed an amended complaint with “significant additional evidence and corroboration of her original claims,” per her lawyers
RELATED:
Benjamin VanHoose / People:
No, Ryan Reynolds Didn't Pitch That SNL Joke About the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Saga
Vanessa Serna / Page Six:
Grimes accuses ex Elon Musk of ignoring their child's ‘medical crisis’: ‘This is urgent’  —  Grimes publicly begged Elon Musk to respond to one of their three children's mysterious “medical crisis” and accused the latter of ignoring her calls.  —  “I am sorry to do this publicly …
Barbara Broccoli Daniel Craig / FemaleFirst:
Daniel Craig responds to Amazon takeover of James Bond franchise  —  Daniel Craig has heaped praise on outgoing James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli after it was confirmed Amazon MGM Studios are taking creative control of the franchise, and he ho
RELATED:
Tom Bryant / Mirror:
Quentin Tarantino could be the man to rip-up the James Bond rule-book
Nick Romano / Entertainment Weekly:
Marvel ‘for sure’ wants Agatha All Along season 2: 'But let's not rush it' (exclusive)  —  Marvel TV head Brad Winderbaum also says they're “looking for opportunities to do” “Hawkeye” season 2.  —  Patti LuPone has been our go-to source of information on Agatha All Along from the moment …
Discussion: Just Jared and Comic Book
Tionah Lee / E! Online:
The Bachelor's Arie Luyendyk Jr. Undergoes Vasectomy Reversal  —  The Bachelor's Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Lauren Luyendyk are making plans for baby No. 4 as he revealed he had his vasectomy.  —  Arie Luyendyk Jr. reversed the snip.  —  More two years after the Bachelor alum revealed …
Discussion: Page Six and People
People:
Alec Baldwin Asks 'Why Couldn't It Have Been Me?'  After Fatal Rust Shooting: 'I'm Happier When I'm Asleep'  —  Alec Baldwin opened up about the aftermath of the ‘Rust’ shooting during the Feb. 23 premiere of his new TLC show, ‘The Baldwins’  —  Alec Baldwin is shedding light on how he is coping …
TMZ.com:
Aaron Rodgers Gives Wish List for Next NFL Team  —  AARON RODGERS HERE'S MY WISH LIST FOR NEXT NFL TEAM … NFL general managers looking to have Aaron Rodgers on their team in 2025 better listen up ... he just revealed what he's looking for in his next squad!!!
Daily Star:
Deadwood and Karate Kid star dies as director John Carpenter pays tribute  —  Veteran Deadwood star Peter Jason has sadly passed away at the grand age of 80.  The beloved actor, famed for his role as Con Stapleton, has left fans and peers alike in mourning after a sad week for the acting industry.
James Vituscka / Daily Mail:
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck's daughter Violet felt like a ‘pawn’ during Jennifer Lopez's split from her dad as she stops contact  —  Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck's daughter Violet chose to take a step back from her former stepmom, Jennifer Lopez, after being left feeling …
Discussion: Cosmopolitan, SheKnows, Mirror and RADAR
TMZ.com:
DJ Khaled Receives Casket at Florida Home Days After Tekashi 6ix9ine Got One  —  DJ KHALED MARKED FOR DEATH OR COFFIN-CON?  Tekashi 6ix9ine Also Targeted … DJ Khaled has become the latest celeb to receive a spooky black coffin at his Florida home — this after Tekashi 6ix9ine got one himself …
Discussion: The Sun and The Hollywood Gossip
Michael Callahan / Town & Country:
Angela Bassett Takes Command  —  Longevity in Hollywood can be elusive—unless you're Angela Bassett.  With Zero Day, a smart new series that puts her in the Oval Office, and a Mission Impossible movie on the horizon, she delivers a master class in both elegance and endurance.
RELATED:
Clara Harter / Los Angeles Times:
Nicolas Cage's ex is suing him and their son.  She says Weston Cage beat her and dad shares blame  —  An ex-girlfriend of Nicolas Cage is taking legal action against the actor and their son, Weston Cage, alleging that Weston — whom she describes as a 300-pound professional fighter …
RELATED:
Charmaine Patterson / People:
Nicolas Cage's Ex-Wife Sues Him and Their Son for Assault, Says Actor Enabled Alleged Attack
 
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 More News: 
TMZ.com:
Xzibit's Estranged Wife Seeking $30K Monthly Support to Boost Lifestyle
Discussion: Vibe and Bossip
People:
Ayesha Curry Says Her Relationship with Husband Steph Curry ‘Always’ Comes Before Being Parents (Exclusive)
Discussion: SheKnows
Joe Otterson / Variety:
‘Nobody Wants This’ Season 2 Casts Leighton Meester, Miles Fowler (EXCLUSIVE)
Nellie Andreeva / Deadline:
‘9-1-1’ Spinoff Set In Nashville Gets ABC Series Order For 2025-26 Season
 Earlier Picks: 
Ingrid Vasquez / People:
The Summer I Turned Pretty's Gavin Casalegno Reflects on How Marriage Allowed Him to ‘Understand’ Belly and Conrad's Romance
Discussion: Just Jared
Ryan Hudgins / Us Weekly:
Tom Schwartz Says He's ‘Not Formally Dating Anyone’: ‘I Am Just Hanging Out’ (Exclusive)
Discussion: E! Online and Cosmopolitan
TMZ.com:
Kim Kardashian Sued for Posting Wrong Photo of Death Row Inmate
Discussion: Rolling Stone and Us Weekly
Rachel DeSantis / People:
What's Next for Rihanna, A$AP Rocky and Their Sons After He's Found Not Guilty, Avoiding 24 Years Behind Bars (Exclusive)
 

 
From Mediagazer:

Jonathan Vanian / CNBC:
Trump says he signed an executive order to keep TikTok running for 75 more days, as “the deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed”

Charles Martin / AppleInsider:
The BBC complains to the UK CMA that Apple and Google's news aggregators weaken its relationship with the public by downplaying the BBC branding

Joseph Bambridge / Politico:
OpenAI and Google reject the UK's proposal to allow training AI on copyrighted work without permission unless rights holders opt out to “reserve their rights”

 
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