Thousands ring in new year at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

“I’m excited for the fireworks and the drones,” said Summer Gonzalez.

Baltimoreans and visitors of all ages were ready for New Year’s Eve at the Inner Harbor with live music and ice skating preceding the big fireworks show. And, new this year, there was a choreographed drone show.

“It’s kind of a modern way to do it. I think it’s a nice way to customize it and make it about Baltimore,” said Todd Yuhanick, interim CEO of the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts.

As the promenade filled up Sunday, all anyone could talk about was the major win at The Bank.

“I think this team’s different than 2019,” Ravens fan Nate Ritter said.

“It’s a beautiful game, and what a nice New Year’s present,” another fan said.

The same goes for Miami Dolphins fans, with the phrase “new year, new me” taking on a new meaning for the Gonzalez family.

“I’m tired of the Dolphins. My heart is broken. I’m born and raised in Miami, and they let me down too much, so I switched it up. Wherever there’s Florida players is where I represent, so Lamar Jackson is from Florida, and that’s what I represent today. Go Ravens,” Dolphins-turned-Ravens fan Chico Gonzalez said.

“I decided to take off that jersey, throw it away and put some Lamar Jackson on there,” Dolphins-turned-Ravens fan Chico Gonzalez Jr. said.

They’re just some of the many visitors choosing to ring in the new year in Baltimore.

“It was nice to travel for the holidays. It’s New Year’s Eve. We’re somewhere different. We’re together and that’s all that matters,” visitor Priscilla Gonzalez said.

This New Year’s Eve, the flock, including its newest members, is bringing in 2024 with one common call: “Happy New Year! Let’s go Ravens!” Chico Gonzalez said.

Monica Appears to Pass Out at Houston Show

TMZ has obtained footage that appears to show singer Monica passed out backstage at her show in Houston on Saturday (December 30) night. Footage from the concert shows Monica singing “Angel of Mine” while sporting bright blonde hair. Later, someone with the same hair, assumed to be Monica, is seen being carried backstage by security. There were rumors that she was taken away from the venue in an ambulance, but nothing has been confirmed.

Monica has been open about living with a heart condition called mitral valve prolapse. She was diagnosed with the condition after collapsing while she was on tour at 18. Speaking about the incident, Monica explained, “Everything in front of me basically began to go from color to black-and-white, fading in and out. I walked to the side of the stage to ask for help and collapsed into one of our staff people’s arms.”

Source: TMZ

Cardi B and Offset Seen Partying Together on New Year’s Eve

Last week, Cardi B went off on her fanbase for speculating about her and Offset reconciling after she announced that they have separated. In her initial statement, Cardi told her fans, “I’ve been single for a minute now, but I have been afraid to like… not afraid… I just don’t know how to tell the world.” Cardi would later go on Instagram Live and call Offset a “B**** a** n****,” and she accused him of taking her for granted during their marriage. Fans speculated that Cardi and Offset would reconcile again, but she passionately told them that wasn’t the case last week. 

Now, Cardi and Offset were seen partying together on New Year’s Eve after she made an appearance on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” Cardi stood next to Offset as they threw stacks of cash in a packed club. You can check it out in full above.

Source: Instagram 

Toni Braxton Shoots Down Birdman Marriage Rumors

Over the weekend, rumors surfaced of Birdman and Toni Braxton tying the knot. However, Toni took to social media to deny the rumors.

On Sunday (December 31), Toni wrote, “My dear friend @birdman and I are not married…never been married. We are both single.” 

While Birdman hasn’t commented on the situation, Toni’s sister, Tamar Braxton, initially went on Instagram Live to reveal that she was curious about the rumors herself. Tamar told viewers that she had been “blowing up” Toni’s phone to ask her if she and Birdman got married.

However, after Toni made her announcement, Tamar commented on The Shade Room’s post, writing, “My dear friend is wild. 🤧 And ima mind my business and ride for my sister till the wheels fall of and then we walking or someone to drive us 📍✨”

Source: Instagram

DJ Kid Capri Reveals He is Cancer-Free After Year Long Battle

Recently, legendary DJ Kid Capri took to social media to speak about his health journey, revealing that he beat cancer. 

Via Instagram, Kid Capri said, “3 days ago, I found out that I’m cancer-free! Been dealing with it all year while I was doing everything I was doing for hip hop 50! I had two surgeries and never said anything publicly about what I was going through, I’m not an attention whore, so I didn’t want to say anything.”

The DJ noted he didn’t want to mention his battle because he didn’t want anyone to pity him, saying, “Now that it’s over, I figure I let my fans and friends know, I’m very happy, this year I did a lot, but come 2024, I’m getting even crazier than I did in 2023!!” 

‘American Idol’ Producer Denies Paula Abdul’s Sexual Assault Claims

‘American Idol’ star Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit against British TV executive Nigel Lythgoe, accusing him of sexually assaulting her during their collaboration on two popular talent shows. According to court documents, Abdul alleges that Lythgoe assaulted her in an elevator during the early seasons of American Idol. Now, Lythgoe has fired back at the claims, calling them “False and deeply offensive.”

While speaking to TMZ, Lythgoe said, “To say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement. For more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear — and entirely platonic — friends and colleagues.”

He continued saying, “Yesterday, however, out of the blue, I learned of these claims in the press and I want to be clear: not only are they false, they are deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for. While Paula’s history of erratic behavior is well known, I can’t pretend to understand exactly why she would file a lawsuit that she must know is untrue. But I can promise that I will fight this appalling smear with everything I have.” 

Source: TMZ

Police: UPS driver shot outside Mondawmin Mall

Police said a UPS driver was shot outside Mondawmin Mall Friday. According to Baltimore City police, officers responded to the 2400 block of Liberty Heights Avenue at around 6:10 p.m. to investigate a reported shooting.

Police said two groups of juvenile males got into an altercation in the parking lot outside the mall Friday evening.

The groups began shooting at each other. A nearby UPS driver, who was not involved, was shot in the ankle.

Police are still investigating how many shooters there were and what exactly led to the incident.

Mondawmin Mall was not evacuated, Det. Vernon Davis said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 410-396-2477 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

Ravens honor Ray Rice before game against Miami

The Baltimore Ravens honored Ray Rice before Sunday’s game against Miami, a decade after the running back played his final game with the team before a domestic violence scandal derailed his career.

Rice was with the Ravens from 2008-13, but he never played in the NFL again after video surfaced of him striking his fiancée in the elevator of a hotel.

Rice has been back at M&T Bank Stadium since then. Last season, he was honored as part of Baltimore’s 2012 team that won the Super Bowl.

On Sunday, he was on hand as the team’s “Legend of the Game” — a role that involved appearing on the field for a few seconds and acknowledging the crowd before kickoff.

“After Ray’s incident he owned it. On his own accord, Ray undertook critical work within himself and to bring awareness to and educate others on domestic violence,” Ravens president Sashi Brown said for a story on the team’s web site. “Nothing will change his past or make it right, but Ray’s work has allowed him to atone for his actions and rebuild relationships personally and professionally, including with the Ravens.”

Before being recognized for his many feats Ray Rice and his children made a stop at Ravens Walk to chat with Kirk and Valerie of 98 Rock.

The two were lucky enough to hear many of Rice’s feelings on the celebration and his time spent playing.

Lamar Jackson’s perfect passer rating helps Ravens beat Dolphins 56-19 to clinch top seed in AFC

In what may have been his final bid for the MVP award, Lamar Jackson threw for 321 yards and five touchdowns, finishing with a perfect passer rating and helping the Baltimore Ravens clinch the top seed in the AFC with a 56-19 rout of the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Isaiah Likely caught two TDs for the Ravens, who won their sixth straight game and also wrapped up their first AFC North title since 2019, Jackson’s first MVP season. Now Baltimore (13-3) can rest Jackson — and anyone else it chooses — in the regular-season finale against Pittsburgh.

Miami (11-5) is also postseason bound, but now the winner of next weekend’s Dolphins-Bills game will take the AFC East. Miami was without two offensive stars in receiver Jaylen Waddle (ankle) and running back Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle).

And now the Dolphins face another potentially significant injury. Linebacker Bradley Chubb — with his team down 30 points — had to be carted off with a 3:05 remaining after hurting his knee.

Serenaded with periodic “MVP!” chants from the home crowd, Jackson went 18 of 21 passing, meaning he finished the game with more touchdown passes than incompletions. That’s a feat Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa also accomplished in a 70-20 win over Denver in Week 3.

Stretch and get some natural light

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