DC passes bill to legalize sports betting, expected to be signed soon

CatLane/iStock(WASHINGTON) — Sports gambling is coming to the city where a historic ruling earlier this year made it legal nationwide.

The Washington, D.C. City Council approved legalized sports betting by a vote of 11-2 on Tuesday, according to Washington ABC affiliate WJLA-TV. The passage leaves residents of the nation’s capital just one step away from studying point spreads and over/unders.

Mayor Muriel Bowser was involved in drafting the bill and is expected to sign it soon. Officially titled the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018, the bill was introduced by Councilman Jack Evans.

Customers will likely be able to put their money down in mid-2019.

According to the bill, submitted on Dec. 4, the city will receive 20 percent of “gross sports wagering revenue” from online outfits and 10 percent of revenue from facilities, such as stadiums or horse racing venues. It will also collect money on license fees.

Gambling is expected to be allowed at city sports arenas like Capital One Arena and Nationals Park, however, RFK Stadium, where D.C. United played until last year, is on federal land and gambling will not be allowed.

Using July 1, 2019, as a start date, the city estimates it will take in a total of $6.5 million in 2019, $8.5 million in 2020, $9.7 million in 2021 and $9.5 million in 2022.

The money will go toward various programs in the city, including gambling addiction, the Birth to 3 program and violence prevention. Each is earmarked a certain percentage of the profits.

The Office of Lottery and Charitable Games will run operations for sports gambling.

Introduction of the bill was made possible by a Supreme Court ruling in May. In a case brought by the state of New Jersey, the justices ruled that a federal law banning states from legalizing sports gambling, called the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), was partially unconstitutional because the federal government cannot tell states what laws they can enact.

Congress can regulate sports gambling, but “if it elects not to do so, each state is free to act on its own,” according to the court’s opinion.

Congress is not expected to intervene in Washington, D.C.’s passage of the bill.

The district joins eight states where sports betting is legal. Sports betting has long been legal in Nevada, including Las Vegas, but seven other states have joined since the Supreme Court ruling: Delaware, New Jersey, Mississippi, West Virginia, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

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Scoreboard roundup — 12/18/18

iStock(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Tuesday’s sports events:

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Cleveland 92, Indiana 91
Brooklyn 115, L.A. Lakers 110
Atlanta 118, Washington 110
Denver 126, Dallas 118

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Florida 5, Buffalo 2
Philadelphia 3, Detroit 2
Toronto 7, New Jersey 2
NY Rangers 3, Anaheim 1
San Jose 4, Minnesota 0
Dallas 2, Calgary 0
Chicago 2, Nashville 1
St. Louis 4, Edmonton 1
NY Islanders 3, Arizona 1
Tampa Bay 5, Vancouver 2
L.A. Kings 4, Winnipeg 1

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
(1) Kansas 89, South Dakota 53
(2) Duke 101, Princeton 50
(8) Gonzaga 89, Texas-Arlington 55
(14) Buffalo 71, Syracuse 59
(15) Ohio St. 75, Youngstown St. 56
(20) Marquette 92, North Dakota 66
(23) Iowa 78, W. Carolina 60

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Meek Mill shares footage of his grandmother's home being vandalized with “racial remarks”

Miller Mobley

Meek Mill isn’t backing down, especially when it comes to protecting his loved ones. 

On Tuesday morning, the Championships rapper tweeted that an unidentified white man had spray painted “racial remarks” on his grandmother’s home. Meek shared with fans that the perpetrator had spelled out the word “ACORN” in graffiti on the South Philly residence.

The term is reportedly hate speech associated with the white power and neo-Nazi movement. 

“The crazy part is this was a[n] all black neighborhood 20 years ago,” Meek tweeted in the wake of the ordeal. “It was gentrified and now this! Just don’t let us catch you coward!”

A few hours later, the “What’s Free” rapper shared footage of the vandal in the act and issued a warning.

“The funny part is we just bought this house…after it’s remodeled more blacks coming soon,” he said.

According to TMZ, the Philadelphia police have taken an official report and are now investigating the incident, which occurred on Monday night. 

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Jhene Aiko alludes to a break-up on new single “Wasted Love Freestyle 2018”

WireImage/Dave SimpsonJhene Aiko‘s latest effort, “Wasted Love Freestyle 2018,” may provide some answers regarding her questionable relationship status with Big Sean

Monday night, the Trip singer debuted the SoundCloud loosie on Twitter, accompanied by the caption “tis the season,” followed by a series of broken heart and vomiting emojis.

Over the dialed-down production, Aiko reflects on a former romance. which has led many fans to believe she is alluding to a breakup. “You became my life, I never realized,” she sings. “You were my life. Without you by my side that just don’t feel right.”

The arrival of the mellow single follows news of Aiko covering up a tattoo of Big Sean’s face with a large colorful depiction of a dragon last month. Aiko’s new ink immediately triggered rumors that the formerly loved-up couple was on the outs.

If Aiko’s freestyle is indeed about her relationship with Big Sean, it’ll be the second song of 2018 inspired by the rapper. Ariana Grande‘s #1 hit “thank u, next” refers to their relationship, with Ari singing, “Thought I’d end up with Sean/But he wasn’t a match.”

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Offset's alleged father reportedly defends rapper, blasts Cardi B for ongoing family drama

ABC/Image Group LA As if Offset‘s public campaign to win back his estranged wife Cardi B wasn’t enough, now the rapper’s alleged father has jumped on the #TakeOffsetBack train. 

On Monday night, a man by the name of Tony Cephus shared how the couple’s unraveling drama has allegedly torn his family apart in a loaded Facebook post.  It’s not clear if Mr. Cephus is actually Offset’s dad, whose birth name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus.

Multiple screenshots of the lengthy rant find Cephus blasting Cardi B for using social media to broadcast her breakup with his alleged son.  

“Right now, my family is going through a tumultuous time,” Cephus began the tirade. “What you see in the media is only the tip of the iceberg. Social media is a powerful tool, but certainly no place for family situations; however, our youth, specifically my son’s wife doesn’t understand that.” 

Cephus added, “She seems to want to take everything to social media without regard to the devastation it has on others, past present and future or specifically what it does to the other children.”

While Offset’s alleged dad admitted that the rapper “has done his share of dirt,” he continued to take jabs at Cardi B. According to Cephus, the Grammy-nominated rapper is “a hot headed female that thrives off of social media attention.” He also claimed Cardi released the first photo of daughter Kulture on Instagram “out of spite.” 

Cephus further revealed that he decided to go public with this information in order for people to “get a glimpse” of his life.

“My whole family is in an uproar right now and I can’t fix it,” he wrote. “I would not wish this on anyone. I would give anything to go back to simply being a school teacher and coach.”

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Beyonce reflects on headlining Global Citizen Festival: “I am still in awe”

Zoe Ghertner

Beyonce and her husband JAY-Z have been circling the globe for the greater portion of the year, but now Bey is taking a bit of time to reflect on her travels. 

The superstar has taken to Instagram to share a bunch of photos and video from her headlining performance at the Global Citizen Festival in South Africa.

She writes, “After settling in at home from a beautiful trip to South Africa and India, I am still in awe that 7.1 BILLION dollars was raised to aid Global Citizen in its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty…the money raised will help improve education, healthcare, sanitation, women’s rights, and countless other causes for millions across the globe.”

The singer continued, “I felt so much positivity and pride in the audience at Global Citizen: Mandela 100. Madiba, Johannesburg, and all of my African sisters and brothers, we hope we made you as proud as you all make us. South Africa was an extraordinary trip for me and my family.”

Bey then went on to share a series of photos that highlighted her stylish steez during her trip, writing“Thank you to the talented African designers who kept me feeling fresh. Y’all go so hard.”

In another post, the Houston loyalist shared images from her technicolor stage performance

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Travis Scott announces second leg of “Astroworld: Wish You Were Here” tour

David LaChapelle Travis Scott has expanded his Astroworld: Wish You Were Here tour.  The new leg of the trek, which gets underway January 25, in Vancouver, concludes March 24 in Charlotte.

Travis shared the news with fans, via Instagram, on Monday afternoon. “LEG 2,” the “Sicko Mode” rapper captioned a promotional photo, along with ticket purchase information.

Beginning today, American Express card holders can purchase tickets to the show; the sale for the general public goes live on Dec. 20 via Ticketmaster

Additionally, fans who have previously purchased tour merch will receive an exclusive code via email granting them access to the second leg’s wide range of t-shirts, hoodies and more. 

Here are the tour dates:

1/25 — Vancouver, BC, Rogers Arena
1/27 — Portland, OR, Moda Center
1/29 — Tacoma, WA, Tacoma Dome
2/4 — San Diego, CA, Pechanga Arena San Diego
2/6 — Las Vegas, NV, T-Mobile Arena
2/8 — Los Angeles,CA, The Forum
2/11 — Tulsa, OK, BOK Center
2/13 — Houston, TX, Toyota Center
2/17 — Kansas City, MO, Sprint Center
2/18 — St. Louis, MO, Enterprise Center
2/20 — Indianapolis, IN,  Bankers Life Fieldhouse
2/21 — Chicago, IL, United Center
2/22 — Milwaukee, WI, Fiserv Forum
2/24 — Columbus, OH, chottenstein Center
2/26 — State College, PA, Bryce Jordan Center
2/28 – Buffalo, NY, KeyBank Center
3/2 — New York, NY, Madison Square Garden
3/3 — Brooklyn, NY, Barclays Center
3/5 — Montreal, QC, Bell Centre
3/7 — Toronto, ON, Scotiabank Arena
3/9 — Hartford, CT, XL Center
3/12 – Washington, DC, Capital One Arena
3/14 — Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
3/15 — Orlando, FL, Amway Center
3/17 — Tampa, FL, Amalie Arena
3/20 — Nashville, TN, Bridgestone Arena
3/22 – Atlanta, GA, State Farm Arena
3/24 — Charlotte, NC,, Spectrum Center 

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Bobby Brown inserts himself into “king of R&B” debate: “They gotta battle me”

ABC/Rick Rowell The muddled debate over the reigning “king of R&B” has apparently reached Bobby Brown‘s radar. 

Spawned nearly two weeks ago by Georgia crooner Jacquees, the conversation continues to pick up steam with a word from the original “bad boy” of the genre. On Monday night, TMZ caught up with Brown outside of a Los Angeles eatery to hear his opinion on the Cash Money signee’s bold proclamation. 

“They want the title, they gotta battle me,” the “Don’t Be Cruel” singer began. When asked if he was still the king of R&B, he responded matter-of-factly, “That’s where it was said.”

Brown continued: “To me it’s like… you want the title, battle me. Live on stage. Me versus anybody. It doesn’t matter who it is.”

While the R&B vet didn’t hesitate to shoot down Jacquees’ claim, Bobby also made sure to highlight a few notable acts, including Chris Brown and Usher

“Chris Brown’s a bad boy. Usher’s a bad boy,” Brown said. “I think, if anybody deserves the title it would be one of them.” 

“I turned 50. So, I need to relinquish the title anyway,” he added. “I’d give it to Usher. That’s like my son. He’s that good.”

DiddyTank and Keith Sweat have also spoken on the matter, in addition to the fans across the nation who have shared their opinions via social media.

 

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Reports: Astros reach deal with outfielder Michael Brantley

Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images(NEW YORK) — The Houston Astros have reportedly reached a deal with free agent outfielder Michael Brantley.

Multiple reports say both sides have come to an agreement on a two-year contract for $32 million.

Brantley, 31, has been with the Cleveland Indians since he made his MLB debut in 2009. He ended the 2018 season with a batting average of .309, 17 home runs and 76 RBIs before electing to become a free agent.

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Scoreboard roundup — 12/17/18

iStock(NEW YORK) — Here are the scores from Monday’s sports events:

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Milwaukee 107, Detroit 104
Phoenix 128, NY Knicks 110
Oklahoma City 121, Chicago 96
Minnesota 132, Sacramento 105
Houston 102, Utah 97
San Antonio 123, Philadelphia 96
Portland 131, L.A. Clippers 127
Golden State 110, Memphis 93

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Columbus 1, Vegas 0
Anaheim 4, Pittsburgh 2
Boston 4, Montreal 0
OT Ottawa 4, Nashville 3
NY Islanders 4, Colorado 1

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
New Orleans 12, Carolina 9

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
(11) Florida St. 85, SE Missouri 68
Vanderbilt 81, (18) Arizona St. 65

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