Luigi Mangione is expected to enter a guilty plea Friday in Manhattan federal court, potentially reshaping his separate New York murder prosecution. A federal hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. EDT. The proceeding appeared on the court calendar earlier this week without advance public notice. Mangione, 28, faces two federal stalking-related counts resulting in death. Each charge carries a potential life sentence. He initially pleaded not guilty to the federal allegations. Multiple news outlets reported Thursday that Mangione is expected to plead guilty. His attorneys have not publicly confirmed the reported plea. The potential agreement could have major implications for Mangione’s pending state case. His attorneys could argue that double-jeopardy protections bar New York prosecutors from pursuing the state charges. New York law generally prohibits successive prosecutions for the same offense. However, exceptions permit separate cases involving distinct elements or conduct. New York’s Luigi Mangione Could Enter Guilty Plea In Federal Court Mangione’s state prosecution includes second-degree murder and weapons charges. Prosecutors could argue those allegations differ materially from the federal stalking counts. “It is incredibly complicated,” defense attorney Paul Shechtman told The New York Times earlier this month. State prosecutors have already signaled concern about a potential federal resolution. Assistant District Attorney Joel J. Seidemann addressed the issue in a July letter. Seidemann wrote that prosecutors could alert the federal court if a plea would undermine “a just outcome” in the state prosecution. He also urged the federal judge to consider that potential consequence. The plea negotiations could still collapse before Friday’s proceeding. Previous discussions reportedly broke down in June. Mangione’s state trial remains scheduled to begin with jury selection Sept. 8. His federal trial is scheduled for January if prosecutors and defense attorneys fail to reach an agreement. The cases stem from the Dec. 2, 2024, shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan. Authorities arrested Mangione days later at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Investigators allegedly recovered writings criticizing corporate power and the U.S. health care system. Federal prosecutors initially sought the death penalty against Mangione. A judge later dismissed the federal murder charges, eliminating that potential punishment. A guilty plea could now become a pivotal development in determining whether Mangione faces trial in state court.

Cardi B reignites her ongoing feud with fellow rapper BIA, bringing BIA’s reported relationship with NBA player Cam Whitmore into the conversation. During an X Spaces session Thursday (Aug. 13), Cardi appeared to reference the 13-year age difference between BIA, 35, and Whitmore, 22. The Washington Wizards forward has been linked to BIA since 2025. “You gotta date n****s half your age, bitch,” Cardi said. Cardi B is once again on spaces ranting about BIA for the 100th time this week. The anger from her single flopping seems to be getting to her. She might be the only rapper that runs to the internet, instead of running to the booth. It’s tiring. pic.twitter.com/BjyYcaYdpM — Unpopular Opinions (@UnpopularAngles) August 13, 2026 She continued by making another pointed comment about the pair’s age difference. “You had your period when your n**** was born,” Cardi said. “When your n**** was born, bitch, you was already getting your menstrual.” BIA appeared to confirm her relationship with Whitmore in October 2025. She shared a video featuring the pair on her Instagram Stories, using her song “+44” as the soundtrack. Two months later, BIA posted footage of herself sitting courtside during a Wizards game. The posts fueled public interest in their reported romance. Rapper Cardi B Disses BIA Over Age Gap In Her Relationship With NBA Star Cam Whitmore Cardi also revisited an earlier disagreement involving her former husband, Offset. She accused BIA of telling one of Offset’s friends that Cardi had been unfaithful during their relationship. “Let’s talk about how months later your dumb ass told one of my ex-husband friend that I was cheating on him,” Cardi said. The Grammy-winning rapper strongly denied the allegation. “When you said that shit, I never flirted with a n****,” Cardi said. “I never kissed a n****. I never had a DM with a n****.” The latest comments followed a social media exchange involving BIA’s music. BIA recently responded to a commenter criticizing her song “Sue Meee?,” which has been viewed as a diss track aimed at Cardi. “Can we talk about this and how awful it is?” the commenter wrote alongside a preview of the track. BIA’s response came before Cardi addressed their feud on X Spaces. The latest exchange shows that tensions between the rappers remain unresolved. It also brings the Boston rapper’s reported relationship with Whitmore into a dispute that has continued to attract public attention.

Kevin Durant paid tribute to his former teammate Russell Westbrook who retired after 18 seasons in the league. Taking to X(formerly Twitter), Durant shared his thoughts on Westbrook’s “iconic career.” “I remember asking assistant coach Mo Cheeks, what’s harder to do? Workout after practice or before?? I only asked cuz by time I would get to the gym, Russ was already done in the morning and I usually got mine in after practice,” Durant wrote. “Mo like, “coming in before practice is probably harder”…since then, it’s been my routine. “A lot of people looked at the emotions on the court and thought Russ was loud. Nah to me, he was quiet and methodical. He (led) by example and once the lights were bright, he let everything out and experienced pure freedom,” Durant continued.. “It was inspiring as his teammate and everywhere I went, I seen it inspire people from all walks of life. Crazy thing is, he didn’t say much, he just showed up. For 18 years.”  I remember asking assistant coach Mo Cheeks, what’s harder to do? Workout after practice or before?? I only asked cuz by time I would get to the gym, Russ was already done in the morning and I usually got mine in after practice. Mo like, “coming in before practice is probably… — Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 13, 2026 Durant then spoke about the sacredness of pro ball. “This basketball life is sacred to us as professionals, what we put into that court means everything. Some of us wish we could go back and do things with a little more intent and some can just wipe their hands and be satisfied with the time spent. Who u gonna be? We know what zero was on…keep inspiring in the next phase of life champ,” said Durant. “I don’t care what happens, can’t erase what it was…” durant reflected on westbrook’s legendary career “The first YNs, finals run in our early 20s, all star games, seeing each other get injured,” Durant said. “Bounce back, the bus rides, plane rides, card games, jokes and arguments, the whole thing, memorable!! …to the whole Westbrook family, Nina, the kids, mama Westbrook, big Russ, Ray, Donnell, everybody from luezinger high and ucla and many more that I’m forgettin. Much love and Congratulations on a iconic career.” Durant and Westbrook spent eight seasons building one of the most dynamic superstar partnerships in NBA history with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Complementing Durant’s effortless scoring with Westbrook’s relentless intensity, the duo spearheaded a thrilling young squad that reached the 2012 NBA Finals and established OKC as a perennial contender.

Chris Paul may be heading to the Los Angeles Lakers in a new position. According to the Bleacher Report, Paul, who has close ties to the Lakers’ new owners, could be in line for a front-office role. Following the high-profile purchase of the Lakers by an ownership group featuring Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, league insiders have highlighted CP3’s deep personal connection with Iger as a potential bridge to a front-office position.  For a player famously denied the chance to wear purple and gold in his prime, moving into dynamic management for the iconic franchise offers a poetic full-circle moment.  “There’s a couple of names you should pay attention to: Chris Paul, a very close friend of Bob Iger’s. He’s sort of a mentor to Chris Paul,” Shelburne said on NBA Today. “Chris recently retired. He’s available; incredible basketball mind. I don’t know what that means for him, but I expect they’ll be talking.”  Bringing Paul into the Lakers’ front office injects world-class basketball IQ directly into operations. His two decades as an elite floor general translate seamlessly into roster construction, talent evaluation, and player development. Whether advising or taking on an executive role, Paul bridges court vision with modern team building, instantly boosting the franchise’s credibility in player relations and free-agent recruitment.  PAUL’S HALL OF FAME CREDENTIALS Paul stands as one of the most masterful floor generals in basketball history. For his play, he earned the moniker “Point God” through two decades of elite playmaking and relentless leadership. The 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year built a Hall of Fame resume highlighted by 12 All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA honors, and nine NBA All-Defensive Team nods.  Renowned for his floor vision and perimeter defense, Paul led the league in assists five times and steals a record six times, cementing his legacy on both ends of the floor. 

Boston rapper BIA is extending an olive branch to Doja Cat after the music superstar praised her latest collaboration with Fred again. The moment unfolded Wednesday (Aug. 12), when Doja mentioned the new track during a livestream. She praised BIA’s performance while sharing her reaction to the song with viewers. “I just played this earlier,” Doja said. “It’s Fred Again, and BIA is rapping on it. It’s so fucking nasty. It’s just nasty.” THANK YOU @DojaCat . I genuinely apologize for anything i ever said that was shady. I appreciate u playing my songs. I’ve always liked your music as well. Wishing you nothing but peace love and blessings — BIA (@BIABIA) August 13, 2026 Doja’s unexpected co-sign appeared to prompt the Boston rapper to revisit their history. On Thursday (Aug. 13), BIA addressed Doja directly on X and apologized for previous remarks she characterized as “shady.” “THANK YOU @DojaCat,” BIA wrote. “I genuinely apologize for anything i ever said that was shady.” BIA also acknowledged Doja’s support and expressed appreciation for her music. Rapper BIA Extends An Apology To Music Superstar Doja Cat Over Past Shade “I appreciate u playing my songs,” she continued. “I’ve always liked your music as well. Wishing you nothing but peace love and blessings.” The public apology quickly sparked another conversation among BIA’s followers. One X user compared the situation with BIA’s past comments involving Nicki Minaj. The user suggested BIA had fallen into a similar pattern after previously believing Minaj was authentic. BIA pushed back against that comparison. “I didn’t repeat SHIT,” she responded. “This ain’t that.” She then made clear that her position regarding another artist had not changed. “whatever tf I said about that other bitch. I STILL STAND ON & never taking it back,” BIA wrote. She ended the response with, “Thankgyaaaa.” Bianca’s comments draw a distinction between her past issues with Doja and her unresolved position toward the unnamed artist. The exchange marks a warmer moment between BIA and Doja after their relationship generated public attention in previous years. Doja’s praise of Bianca’s new music appeared to create an opening for reconciliation. For the controversial rap star, the message was direct. She apologized for what she previously said about Doja while refusing to retract separate remarks involving another artist. Doja has not publicly responded to Bianca’s apology.

Derrick Parker, the former NYPD detective known as the “Hip-Hop Cop,” died July 24 at 65, his family said. Parker’s brother, Ralph, told Fox News Digital that the longtime detective died unexpectedly at a Nassau County hospital. He did not disclose a cause of death. A funeral is scheduled Thursday at J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home in Jamaica, Queens. Parker gained prominence during hip-hop’s explosive growth in New York during the 1990s. He headed the NYPD’s rap intelligence unit, where he monitored artists, entourages and potential conflicts. His approach emphasized prevention and intelligence gathering. Parker worked with nightclub operators and law enforcement agencies to track artists and groups entering New York. “You have to watch and see who’s coming to your city,” Parker told Fox News Digital in 2024. “Who’s there and who’s what.” “We can’t track everybody,” he added. “But when certain people come to the city, you should know who.” Parker spent more than two decades with the NYPD. His assignments included homicide and cold-case investigations. He also worked alongside the U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, DEA and FBI. NYPD’s Derrick Parker, Legendary Hip-Hop Cop, Dead At 65 His career intersected with several pivotal moments in hip-hop history. Parker participated in the 1999 investigation into the Club New York shooting. Sean “Diddy” Combs faced charges stemming from that incident before his acquittal. Jennifer Lopez was also briefly detained and released. Parker later described his relationship with Combs as professional. “I was the law, so he was always friendly,” he said. “I’m never hard on these guys.” His investigative career became the subject of his book, “Notorious C.O.P.” The memoir detailed investigations involving Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G. and Jam Master Jay. Parker retired from the NYPD in 2002. He later worked in executive protection and event security. He remained active as a commentator on major criminal cases. Days before his death, Parker followed the Las Vegas prosecution of Duane “Keffe D” Davis. Parker also hoped to publish another book. “I want to really tell a big, big story about a lot of stuff,” he said. His death came before a planned birthday dinner with Ralph. “We were supposed to go out to dinner for my birthday,” Ralph said. “Well, I won’t be able to go eat with him.”

Music legend Lionel Richie took a shot at R&B superstars Usher and Chris Brown during a performance in Arizona this week, contrasting his generation’s behavior with the legal and social media troubles of modern artists. Speaking to a crowd at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Tuesday night, the 77-year-old singer suggested that the younger generation’s attempts at innovation are actually echoes of the past, albeit with more controversy. Richie, who is currently navigating his own headlining arena tour, referenced the “R&B Tour,” a massive joint stadium venture between Usher and Brown. The “All Night Long” singer told the audience that while the pair are attempting to “do something new,” his former bands already set the blueprint decades ago. He noted that the primary difference between his era and the present day was a lack of criminal records and the absence of constant digital scrutiny. “Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire, we were doing that back 40 years ago,” Richie said in fan-recorded footage shared on social media. “Only difference is, between then and now, we didn’t go to jail! We’re fine Christian men.” Richie’s comments appeared to target the long history of legal issues surrounding Brown, 37, as well as recent viral mishaps involving Usher, 47. The “R&B Tour” has been plagued by a string of unusual headlines, primarily centered on Usher. The singer recently faced backlash in Nashville for an awkward onstage interaction with a fan and sparked rumors in New Jersey that he had utilized a body double for portions of his set. Richie suggested that the immediate nature of platforms like TikTok and Instagram has amplified modern celebrities’ ability to spread misinformation or have their mistakes broadcast globally. “See, we didn’t have that Instagram and that TikTok and that go out and tell a lie and they go and post it,” Richie said during his Phoenix set. Chris Brown responded to the now viral video. “[Laughing emojis] “Damn, unk. We love ya paw paw.” View this post on Instagram

Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors are currently working on an extension ahead of next season. The Athletic reports that Mike Dunleavy Jr., Warriors general manager, told reporters that the two sides are negotiating. “I think there are two things I’m confident about with Steph,” Dunleavy said. “He really, really wants to win. And he wants to finish his career as a Warrior. And I don’t think that changes tomorrow, Aug. 29, the start of the season, the middle of the season, the end of next season. I think those things are gonna be consistent.” “That’s always been the message,” Dunleavy continued. “And that’s always been sort of what we’ve discussed. I think that’s tracking quite well. Obviously, he’s eligible for an extension coming up at the end of this month, and we’ll talk through all that stuff and can’t speak on it much right now, but I’m pretty confident Steph will finish his career here.” According to Dunleavy, the ball is Curry’s court. “But ultimately, it’s his call, his decision. Whether that’s allowing his contract to run out and move on… Tf he comes to me and wants to be moved, (Warriors owner) Joe (Lacob) and I will talk it through,” he said. “We wouldn’t love it, but he’s earned the right to (go) where he wants and do those things. But as far as the messaging or any idea that he would be anywhere else. That’s not a thing we’re looking at or he’s looking at.”  Last season, Curry battled health issues that limited him to just 43 regular-season games.  Despite a lingering knee injury, Curry remained elite when on the floor. He earned his  12th career All-Star selection. He also averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game while firing near 40% from three-point range.

Russell Westbrook has announced his retirement from the NBA after 18 seasons in the league. Westbrook confirmed his retirement on social media on Wednesday. “Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end,” Westbrook’s captions read. “You had to be there. And now it’s over.  Sometimes you don’t even know when you’ve already watched the end. You had to be there. And now it’s over. pic.twitter.com/6YoOW8WyIV — Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) August 12, 2026 According to ESPN, Westbrook “had offers this offseason with the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards.” Instead, he leaves the game on his own terms. WESTBROOK’S HALL OF FAME CAREER Defined by his hyper-athleticism and competitive fire, Westbrook built a historic NBA legacy as one of the most explosive point guards to ever play the game. Westbrook’s 11-season run with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2008–2019) remains one of the most explosive, relentless, and transformative eras for a player and a franchise in modern NBA history.  Drafted fourth overall as the franchise transitioned to Oklahoma City, Westbrook quickly formed a dynamic duo alongside Kevin Durant, leading the Thunder to four Western Conference Finals appearances and a trip to the 2012 NBA Finals. However, his legacy in OKC reached iconic status after Durant’s 2016 departure, when Westbrook embraced sole leadership of the franchise with unmatched ferocity.   In the  2016–17 season, he won the League MVP and became the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double across an entire season. He would repeat the feat he went on to repeat three more times. Eventually, he surpassed Robertson as the NBA’s all-time leader in career triple-doubles.  Selected as a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, Westbrook’s resume features nine All-Star selections, nine All-NBA Team honors, two All-Star Game MVPs, two scoring titles, and three assist titles, solidifying his spot among the league’s all-time premier playmakers.  Westbrook also played for the Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and Sacramento Kings. 

Comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish pleaded guilty Tuesday to a driving under the influence charge in a Georgia court, concluding a legal saga that began with her arrest more than four years ago. The negotiated plea deal allows the “Girls Trip” star to avoid additional jail time in connection with the January 2022 incident. Haddish, 46, entered her plea via video conference, admitting to one count of DUI driving less safe. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped all other pending charges against her. The court sentenced the comedian to 12 months of probation and a 24-hour jail term. Because Haddish had already spent a day in custody following her initial arrest, the judge credited her for time served. The case originated in Fayetteville, located south of Atlanta, when officers responded to reports of a driver asleep behind the wheel. The resolution of this Georgia case follows a similar legal incident in California. In early 2024, Haddish reached a separate plea agreement regarding a November 2023 arrest in Beverly Hills, where she was also found asleep in a vehicle. During the Tuesday proceedings, the court finalized the terms that will keep the actress under supervision for the next year. Haddish has been open in the past about her personal growth and her commitment to sobriety following her high-profile legal challenges. By pleading to the lesser “less safe” charge, Haddish avoids the more severe penalties associated with a standard DUI conviction while still being held accountable under the state’s traffic laws. The Emmy and Grammy-winning entertainer has remained active in her career despite the ongoing litigation. With the Georgia case now closed, Haddish is expected to continue her upcoming projects without the looming threat of a criminal trial.