VIA CNN:
(CNN) — Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, the patriarch of the first family of Democratic politics, died late Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. He was 77.
“We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever,” a family statement said. “We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice.”
President Obama learned about Kennedy’s death at 2 a.m. Wednesday, according to a senior administration official. Obama later called Kennedy’s widow to offer condolences.
In a statement, Obama says: “An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.”
VIA PEOPLE:
TLC, the record-breaking, four-time R&B Grammy winners who were a mainstay on the Billboard charts in the 1990s, are set to play a show on U.S. soil for the first time in seven years – as part of a benefit concert hosted by Justin Timberlake.
Playing the “Justin Timberlake and Friends” concert, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, the two remaining members of TLC – Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes was killed in a 2002 car accident – will play Las Vegas’s Mandalay Bay Events Center on Oct. 17.
Along with Timberlake and TLC, country sweetheart Taylor Swift and vocalists Alicia Keys and Ciara have also been added to the ticket. Tickets go on sale Saturday.
The benefit concert highlights a weeklong golf tournament to be hosted by Timberlake in Sin City Oct. 11-18 – the 2009 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
VIA TMZ:
Chris Brown was just sentenced to 5 years probation and 6 months hard labor, and she threatened Brown by talking about the “chatter” she hears.
Judge Patricia Schnegg said during the sentencing, “I am not immune to the chatter on the airwaves.” It’s unclear if she was saying that she’s heard reports that Brown and Rihanna are still talking … or if she was just saying he needs to be careful because she watches TV and reads TMZ. To us, it sounded like the former.
Down to business, the judge sentenced Brown to perform hard labor at the Commonwealth Catholic Charities in Richmond, VA, where he must also take a 52-week domestic violence course.
The judge ruled Brown — who pleaded guilty to felony assault — must stay 100 yards away from Rihanna, unless they are both at an entertainment-related event, in which case he must stay 10 yards away. The protective order lasts 5 years.
He must provide DNA samples as requested by authorities.
Brown must also keep in touch with the Probation Department and is subject to search and seizure 24/7 for the next 5 years. He can’t own any dangerous weapon, including guns or knives.
Brown must pay $2,500 in restitution and another $2,500 in probation expenses. He must also pay a $30 criminal conviction fee –BARGAIN! He must also pay $400 that goes into a domestic violence fund.
Brown must get prior approval before leaving the country.
