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UCLA has reached an agreement to hire James Madison head coach Bob Chesney, securing him on a five-year contract and ending a months-long search for new leadership.

Sports Illustrated‘s Bryan Fischer reported Monday that the Bruins have finalized the deal, though the 48-year-old coach will continue guiding the Dukes through their postseason — including Friday’s Sun Belt Championship matchup with Troy and any College Football Playoff appearance (should JMU qualify).

UCLA has been hunting for a permanent coach since dismissing DeShaun Foster in September following an 0–3 start. Interim coach Tim Skipper finished out the schedule, but the Bruins slid to a 3–9 record, extending their struggles since joining the Big Ten. Over two seasons in the conference, UCLA is 8–16 — far behind fellow former Pac-12 members Oregon, Washington and USC, each of which posted winning years.

As one of the first major programs to fire its coach this season, UCLA had time to evaluate the market. Chesney arrives in Westwood after an impressive two-year stretch at James Madison, where he went 20–5 and built an 11–1 regular-season record this fall. JMU made a significant push to keep him — including an offer that would have placed him atop the Sun Belt salary ladder — but the chance to lead a Big Ten program proved more compelling for Chesney.

Over 16 seasons as a head coach, Chesney has amassed a 131–51 career record, reached conference championship games at each stop — Salve Regina, Assumption, Holy Cross and James Madison — and collected multiple coach-of-the-year honors. His first season at JMU included nine wins despite roster turnover after Curt Cignetti’s departure. His second season vaulted the program into contention for the Group of Five’s CFP bid.

Before joining James Madison, Chesney delivered consistent winners at Holy Cross (44–21 with four playoff appearances), Assumption (44–16) and Salve Regina (23–9). His tenure with the Dukes marked his first opportunity at the FBS level, and his rapid success quickly elevated him into the national spotlight. Penn State was among the high-profile programs linked to him during this hiring cycle.

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Cardi B has dropped AM I THE DRAMA? (The Snow Mix), teaming up with Jeezy and Latto for a new remix to her song, “ErrTime,” which she originally released on her album, Am I The Drama?, in September.

with a brand new collab with Jeezy, who joins Cardi and Latto on a new version of “ErrTime” (Remix).

Cardi posted on X: “Time to make the club fun again… ERRTIME The AM I THE DRAMA? (Snow Edition) is OUT NOW https://CardiB.lnk.to/AITDTheSnowMix”

Cardi just received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Rap Performance for her single “Outside,” from her platinum-certified sophomore album AM I THE DRAMA? – which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and has remained on the chart for seven weeks. The release also marked 2025’s biggest week for an R&B/hip-hop album by a female artist.

Cardi is also gearing up to embark on her first-ever North American arena tour. ‘The Little Miss Drama Tour’ kicks- off February 11 in Palm Desert, CA, with additional shows added in New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. Tickets are available at CardiB.com.

Stream AM I THE DRAMA? (The Snow Mix) – HERE.

Stream ‘ErrTime (feat. Jeezy & Latto)’ –  HERE.

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Authorities say a family celebration at a banquet hall in Stockton, California turned deadly Saturday evening when gunfire left four people dead and ten others wounded. The shooting took place shortly before 6 p.m. along the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.  Stockton, a city of roughly 320,000 residents, is located about 45 miles south of Sacramento.

Spokesperson Heather Brent said guests had gathered for a family event when shots were fired, describing the attack as “unfathomable.” Officials confirmed that both children and adults were among the victims, though specific ages and conditions were not immediately released. Several of the wounded were taken to nearby hospitals, and one medical facility briefly went into precautionary lockdown following the incident.

While investigators have not identified a suspect, Brent said early evidence suggests the attack “may be a targeted incident,” adding, “Our No. 1 priority right now is identifying the suspect in this incident.” It remains unclear whether the gunfire came from inside or outside the venue, and no arrests had been made as of Sunday morning. Sstate and federal authorities remained on the scenes alongside investigators, with the surrounding area still closed off while evidence teams continued processing the site.

Local officials expressed grief and frustration at the violence, with Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee stating on social media that the shooting occurred “at a child’s birthday party,” though Brent would only confirm that it was a family gathering. “It’s unfathomable that there were young children that were harmed,” she said.

Mayor Christina Fugazi, speaking at the scene, emphasized the shock of such violence occurring just days after Thanksgiving. “Families should be together instead of at the hospital standing next to their loved one praying that they survive,” she said. San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas added that “Tragedy of this nature is unthinkable,” and urged the public to come forward with any information.

Multiple agencies — including the FBI, ATF, and Stockton police — are assisting with the investigation. California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said the governor had been briefed on the “horrific shooting,” and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is coordinating with law enforcement as the case unfolds.

Authorities are asking anyone with video, information, or eyewitness accounts to contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. A local nonprofit, the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, announced it is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said this weekend that investigators believe Rahmanullah Lakanwal — the Afghan national charged in last week’s ambush of two National Guard members near the White House in Washington, D.C. — was likely radicalized after he came to the United States. Lakanwal, 29, allegedly opened fire near the White House, killing one guard and critically wounding another; federal prosecutors have charged Lakanwal with first-degree murder. Noem made the claim during multiple interviews on Sunday, including NBC News’ “Meet the Press” as federal prosecutors moved forward with murder charges in the case.

Noem told interviewers she believes Lakanwal “was brought into the country by the Biden administration through Operation Allies Welcome. And then, maybe vetted after that, but not done well, based on what the guidelines were put forward by President Biden,” and added, “And now, since he’s been here, we believe he could have been radicalized in his home community and in his home state.” She repeatedly argued that the vetting framework used when he arrived required revision, and said pending cases would be reexamined under the current administration’s standards.

Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum in April 2025; he previously worked with U.S. forces in an agency-backed Afghan partner forces — described in reporting as a “zero unit” — that worked alongside American troops in Kandahar before the U.S. withdrawal in 2021. Many members of those units were evacuated to the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome and later faced legal, economic and mental-health challenges while resettling.

The Trump administration, which approved Lakanwal’s asylum application in April after earlier vetting steps, has responded to the attack by pausing asylum decisions and ordering expanded reviews of visa and green-card cases from countries it deems “of concern.” Noem and other officials have said they will reexamine pending cases under new screening standards and pursue removals where appropriate.

Those assertions about inadequate vetting have been disputed by former officials and independent analysts. ABC News and other outlets report that Afghans evacuated under Operation Allies Welcome underwent multiple checks — including biographic and biometric screening — at overseas processing sites and were subject to additional reviews once in the U.S. A senior official told ABC that the suspect “was clean on all checks” when reviewed by the National Counterterrorism Center at one point. Experts caution, too, that the vetting process is not predictive of future violent acts. “Let’s be clear on what the vetting system is and it isn’t,” one counterterrorism official noted.

Noem has said investigators are probing Lakanwal’s contacts and local ties to determine where possible radicalization occurred. “We do believe it was through connections in his home community and state, and we’re going to continue to talk to those who interacted with him,” she said.

Advocates for Afghan partners said sweeping measures risk harming people who worked with U.S. forces and who face legal uncertainty, joblessness and mental-health strains after evacuation. A representative for former Afghan “zero unit” members warned that treating these allies like “pariahs” will worsen an already fragile situation; one former commander wrote, “Without your help, we are trapped,” and cited suicides and despair within the community tied to delayed immigration assistance.

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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans after suffering a non-contact injury to his left calf on Houston’s second offensive snap; the Colts went on to lose the game against Houston, 20-16.

The Pro Bowl defender went down while in coverage away from the play and stayed on the turf as trainers evaluated him. He was eventually helped off the field, unable to put weight on the leg, and taken to the locker room following a brief check in the medical tent. Gardner was later spotted on the sideline in a walking boot and was officially ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Early indications suggest the injury may be a calf strain. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, “Colts CB Sauce Gardner is believed to have suffered a calf strain, per sources. Those can be tricky injuries and he’ll have more tests. But Gardner’s Achilles appears intact, so there’s optimism he avoided a major injury.” Gardner will undergo additional tests to confirm the diagnosis.

The injury comes in Gardner’s third appearance for Indianapolis since being acquired from the New York Jets on Nov. 4 in a blockbuster deal involving two first-round picks and receiver Adonai Mitchell. The former No. 4 overall pick and two-time first-team All-Pro had recorded 13 tackles in his first two outings with the Colts, bringing his season total to 33.

Editorial credit: Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock.com

Lane Kiffin ended weeks of speculation on Sunday by officially announcing his departure from Ole Miss to become LSU’s next head football coach, after a successful six-season stretch in Oxford. Kiffin’s move follows LSU’s decision to fire Brian Kelly in late October after a 34–14 run that made him the first Tigers coach since the 1990s not to win a national title.

In a statement, Kiffin said the decision came after extensive personal reflection: “After a lot of prayer and time spent with family, I made the difficult decision to accept the head coaching position at LSU,” he wrote, adding that he had hoped to remain with the Rebels through the postseason but the school blocked the request, saying both he and the players had sought permission for him to continue coaching: “My request to do so was denied by [Ole Miss athletic director] Keith Carter… Unfortunately, that means Friday’s Egg Bowl was my last game coaching the Rebels.” He closed by expressing deep appreciation for his time in Oxford and said he will “forever cherish” his six years at the school.

LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry praised the hire, calling Kiffin a coach equipped for the modern era.
“We shared when we began this search that LSU would secure the best coach in the country and Lane Kiffin is just that,” Ausberry said, adding that his creativity and adaptability make him an ideal fit for the Tigers’ long-term vision.

Kiffin’s career has included stops across the college and NFL landscape — from early assistant work under Pete Carroll at USC, to a short stint as head coach of the Oakland Raiders, to single-season tenures at Tennessee and later USC again. He rebuilt his reputation as Nick Saban’s offensive coordinator at Alabama before leading Florida Atlantic to two Conference USA titles and then taking over at Ole Miss in 2019. Across 14 college seasons, he holds a 117–53 (.688) record.

The announcement came shortly after Ole Miss wrapped an 11–1 regular season — a campaign that likely positions the Rebels for their first College Football Playoff appearance. Over six years, Kiffin transformed the program into a national contender, going 55–19 with four double-digit win seasons, multiple top-15 finishes, and a 2023 Peach Bowl victory. Since 2021, Ole Miss recorded a 50–14 mark and became one of the SEC’s most consistent teams, boosted by strong transfer-portal strategy and aggressive NIL investment.

Also on Sunday, Ole Miss promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding — a former Alabama assistant in his third year with the Rebels — to permanent head coach, avoiding an extended outside search.

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Metro Boomin has dropped the video for his latest single “Loose Screws”, featuring Skooly, Shad Da God, & DJ Spinz].

The video, directed by Hidji World, features Skooly, Shad Da God, and DJ Spinz trading verses to the camera in front of a massive American flag backdrop.

Loose Screws is part of the St. Louis-born artist’s latest project Metro Boomin Presents: A Futuristic Summa (Hosted by DJ Spinz), which debuted in the Top 25 on the US Billboard 200 and Top 10 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, generating 177 million total streams to date.

On the project, he throws it back to the 21st century’s golden age of Atlanta hip-hop, particularly the era of 2010-2012.

See the video for ‘Loose Screws’ – HERE.

Editorial credit: Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock.com

Lil Baby revealed that his new project The Leaks will be released on December 3rd, which also happened to be his 31st birthday.

The artist posted on Instagram: “I’m Dropping “The Leaks” next week for my birthday 12/3 to celebrate with the fans who kept these leaks & snippets alive. Presave link in bio. And its still WHAM Wednesday…new song & video at 12PM ET #whamenwednesday”

The Leaks is a compilation of full versions of songs that had previously only existed as online snippets and ‘leaks,’ and features past “Wham Wednesdays” singles like “Try To Love,” “Otha Boy,” “Real S**t,” and most recently, “Middle of the Summer.”

During PlaqueBoyMax’s livestream back in August, Lil Baby explained what fans can expect from the new project: Baby shared: “I really just took a couple of songs that I already got leaked and just created a whole album around it. Most of the leaks [aren’t even] the real versions of s**t anyway, but people already got it, so we just called it ‘The Leaks’”

Earlier this year, Lil Baby dropped his fourth studio album, WHAM, with features from Young Thug, GloRilla, Rod Wave, and 21 Savage.

Presave ‘The Leaks’ – HERE.

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The Trump administration on Thursday ordered an extensive review of green card holders from 19 countries the government classifies as security concerns, announcing the move just one day after two National Guard members were ambushed near the White House.

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said the directive came directly from President Trump. In a statement on X, Edlow wrote, “At the direction of @POTUS, I have directed a full scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern.” He added that safeguarding the country “remains paramount” and that the U.S. would not continue “the prior administration’s reckless resettlement policies.”

The list of nations flagged for heightened screening was outlined in a June administration memo and includes Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Venezuela, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Burundi.

The decision follows Wednesday’s attack in downtown Washington, where National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot near the Farragut West Metro station. President Trump announced Thursday night that Beckstrom had died, while Wolfe remained in critical condition.

Authorities identified the suspected gunman as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, the Biden-era resettlement program for Afghans who had assisted U.S. forces during the war.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said her office is reviewing the suspect’s immigration record and the vetting conducted prior to his arrival. The administration later confirmed that Lakanwal was granted asylum this April, after Trump returned to office.

FBI Director Kash Patel said investigators are examining the suspect’s past ties to U.S.-partnered Afghan units, noting that “This subject had a relationship in Afghanistan with partner forces.” The CIA also confirmed he previously worked with a U.S.-supported team in Kandahar before the 2021 withdrawal.

Family members told NBC News that Lakanwal had served alongside U.S. Special Forces for a decade and was living with his wife and five children in Bellingham, Washington, before driving cross-country shortly before the attack.

In response, the Trump administration immediately suspended all pending immigration requests involving Afghan nationals. Homeland Security officials said they are also reviewing all asylum approvals issued under Biden-era policies and an earlier court settlement that sped up Afghan asylum processing.

Separately, the administration this week ordered USCIS to “re-interview” roughly 200,000 refugees who entered the United States in recent years—part of a broader effort to reassess vetting procedures. Officials indicated that refugee protections could be revoked if new concerns surface.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Lakanwal. He has been charged with multiple counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, though additional charges are expected following Beckstrom’s death.

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President Donald Trump announced Thursday evening that one of the West Virginia National Guard soldiers wounded in what authorities have described as a deliberate attack near the White House has died.

U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, succumbed to her injuries hours after she and fellow Guardsman Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot while patrolling near the Farragut West Metro station on Wednesday afternoon. Beckstrom’s death, he said, occurred just before his planned holiday call with deployed U.S. troops. Calling her a “highly respected, young, magnificent person,” Trump told service members, “She’s just passed away. She’s no longer with us.” Wolfe, he added, “is fighting for his life” and remains in critical condition.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro issued a statement shortly afterward, honoring Beckstrom as a hero who “volunteered to serve DC on Thanksgiving for people she never met.” She wrote, “May she rest in peace. It is now time to avenge her death and secure justice.”

Beckstrom enlisted in the West Virginia National Guard in June 2023, where she served as a military police soldier with the 863rd Military Police Company. The commander of the Joint Task Force District of Columbia confirmed Army National Guard Spc. Sarah Beckstrom’s death in a statement Thursday night, hailing her as “a hero.”  Col. Larry Doane said in a statement: “This is a devastating loss to our National Guard family. Spc. Sarah Beckstrom came to the District from West Virginia to make our nation’s capital safe and beautiful. She is a hero and we mourn her passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones and with the West Virginia National Guard.”

Federal officials say the shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday when the suspect — identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal — allegedly approached the Guardsmen and opened fire with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. Pirro said the shooter first struck one soldier at close range, leaned over, fired again, then shot the second Guardsman repeatedly. Nearby National Guard members responded immediately, confronting and ultimately wounding the attacker before taking him into custody. Lakanwal, 29, was hospitalized under guard.

Authorities described the attack as both “brazen” and “targeted,” noting that investigators believe the suspect drove from Washington state with the intention of harming Guard personnel. FBI Director Kash Patel said the shooting is now part of an “ongoing investigation of terrorism.” Patel confirmed that investigators have executed multiple search warrants across the country, including at the suspect’s residence in Bellingham, Washington, where he lived with his wife and five children. Agents have interviewed family members and associates both there and in San Diego.

According to federal officials, Lakanwal is an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 through a Biden administration resettlement initiative and was granted asylum in 2024. CIA Director John Ratcliffe said Lakanwal previously worked with “a partner force in Kandahar” alongside U.S. government personnel before the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Patel said authorities are scrutinizing the suspect’s background and any potential connections overseas or within the United States. Evidence from the scene has been sent to the FBI laboratory in Quantico as part of what he described as a “coast-to-coast investigation.”

The National Guard remains a major component of the administration’s security strategy for Washington, with more than 2,000 personnel assigned to the city.  Trump said “millions of Americans” were praying for the soldiers’ families. “Unfortunately,” he added, “two families are shattered and destroyed and torn apart as the result of the actions of one man.”

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