Posts

Posted on

Mailman Admits To Throwing Away Ballots In Democratic Suburbs

Nicholas Beauchene (image via Facebook)
I’m not sure this counts as ‘voter fraud,’ but it’s definitely tampering with the election. A USPS mailman has pleaded guilty to throwing away election ballots from heavily Democratic suburbs in New Jersey. Via Justice Department press release:

A U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail carrier from Hudson County today admitted he discarded mail, including 99 general election ballots sent from the Essex County Board of Elections to West Orange, New Jersey, residents, from his assigned routes in Orange and West Orange, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.

Nicholas Beauchene, 26, of Kearny, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of desertion of mails.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Beauchene admitted that on Sept. 28, Oct. 1, and Oct. 2, 2020, he discarded into dumpsters in North Arlington, New Jersey, and West Orange 1,875 pieces of mail that he was assigned to deliver to postal customers in West Orange and Orange, New Jersey.

This mail included 627 pieces of first-class mail, 873 pieces of standard class mail, two pieces of certified mail, 99 general election ballots destined for residents in West Orange, and 276 campaign flyers from local candidates for West Orange Town Council and Board of Education. Law enforcement recovered the mail on Oct. 2, 2020, and Oct. 5, 2020, and placed it back into the mail stream for delivery.

How “heavily Democratic” are those New Jersey suburbs? Heavy.com reports Hillary Clinton defeated Donald Trump by 9,298 votes to 421 in Orange in 2016, and by 16,757 to 5,201 in West Orange. Beauchene faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. His sentencing has been scheduled for September 21, 2021. (h/t JoeMyGod)

Posted on

News Round-Up: May 27, 2021

Guardians of the Galaxy star Dave Bautista and friends

Dave Bautista and friends (via Instagram)
Dave Bautista and friends (via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • Yahoo News: 52-year-old Guardians of the Galaxy star Dave Bautista (center above) was asked about a shirtless, speedo-clad photo he took while down under in Australia. “I guess, when in Australia!” the retired wrestler joked on during an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. • Outsports: The LGBTQ sports site has compiled a list of all of the 2021 Pride Nights taking place throughout Major League Baseball. Currently, 17 teams have scheduled a Pride Night on their 2021 calendars. • Axios: New studies indicate those who’ve recovered from COVID-19 and got vaccinated won’t need boosters, per the New York Times. However, those who weren’t infected but were vaccinated will likely need boosters. Check out the graphic below tracking the increase/decrease of COVID-19 cases over the past year.
Graphic showing increase/decrease of COVID infections for past year
(graphic via Axios)
• ABC News: Joseph Costello, a high school freshman, will have his college education paid for thanks to getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Joseph, of Englewood, Ohio, was announced Wednesday as the winner of a full-ride, four-year scholarship – with room, board, tuition and books – in Ohio’s Vax-a-Million lottery. Additionally, an Ohio couple won the first weekly million-dollar prize in a separate drawing. • Variety: Oscar winner Vanessa Redgrave is now distancing herself from the proposed Italian film, “The Man Who Drew God,” which has been announced as Kevin Spacey’s return to acting. The actress was reportedly attached to the project which is expected to be directed by her husband of 15 years, Franco Nero. • HuffPost: Lil Nas X says he’ll “never trust pants again” after his SNL wardrobe malfunction. The Grammy winner set the record straight about splitting his pants on “Saturday Night Live” over the weekend, assuring fans the wardrobe malfunction was not a publicity stunt.

Posted on

Tennessee Woman Drives Through Vaccination Tent In Protest

COVIDiot Virginia C. Brown drove through a COVID vaccination site in protest of vaccines narrowly missing workers.

COVIDiot Virginia C. Brown drove through a COVID vaccination site in protest of vaccines narrowly missing workers. Look, I get that some folks don’t want to get a coronavirus shot. So, don’t. But Virginia C. Brown, 36, has been arrested after driving through a vaccination site at a high rate of speed narrowly missing 7 workers. From WSMV in Nashville:

Deputies assigned to assist at the site saw a blue Chrysler SUV traveling at a high rate of speed through a closed cone course and through an enclosed tent with several health department and national guard personnel working under the tent. The deputy observed the Chrysler SUV exit the tent and continue to drive recklessly through the cone course.

A deputy was able to follow Brown after she drove through the site and arrest her. She was charged with seven counts of felony reckless endangerment.

Workers in the tent said the woman in the car was shouting things about the vaccine. They told deputies they thought the woman was yelling “No vaccine,” as she sped by them, narrowly missing hitting seven of the workers under the tent. 

Workers at the vaccination site told deputies they thought the driver was attempting to kill them.

Posted on

Giuliani: ‘No Reasonable Listener’ Would Have Taken ‘Trial By Combat’ Speech Literally

Rudy Giuliani at Trump press conference (screen capture)
Responding to a lawsuit filed by Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) that alleges the incitement of the riot at the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, Rudy Giuliani says his speech to Trump supporters to engage in ‘trial by combat’ was “clearly” hyperbole. From the New York Daily News:

President Trump’s former personal lawyer Thursday asserted his fiery speech was “clearly hyperbolic” and claims that “no reasonable listener” would take it literally, even though that’s exactly what the violent crowd of thousands did.

“The statement was clearly hyperbolic and not literal,” the filing said. “And even if it were to be perceived literally, Giuliani was clearly referring to an event in the future after evidence of election fraud is collected.”

CNBC also reports on a second lawsuit brought by Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and 10 other House Democrats, which accuses Giuliani, Donald Trump, and extremist groups the Oath Keepers, the Proud Boys and Warboys, of violating the federal Ku Klux Klan Act on Jan. 6 by firing up the MAGA cultists to stop Congress from confirming President Joe Biden’s electoral victory. Separate motions to dismiss the suit on Thursday argued that Trump’s and Giuliani’s remarks at a pre-riot rally near the Capitol were protected under the First Amendment. Trump and Giuliani have asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit saying they were just exercising free speech.

Posted on

Legendary Rocker Melissa Etheridge Offers ‘One Way Out’

Melissa Etheridge in the music video for "One Way Out"

Melissa Etheridge in the music video for "One Way Out"
Melissa Etheridge in the music video for “One Way Out”
Out singer/songwriter, activist and Grammy Award winner Melissa Etheridge has released her new single and music video, “One Way Out”, a powerful rock anthem which sees the singer return to the studio almost a decade ago with her original band. “One Way Out” is the first single off her upcoming album of the same name coming this fall. The song is part of a collection of music written by Etheridge in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s that never made the cut….until now. “I’m so excited to bring these songs to my fans,” says Etheridge. “Years later I am still moved and can’t wait to share these tracks live.” The legendary rocker’s vocal and musical powers are at their peak, and the music video deftly captures the crackle and energy of creativity in the studio.
Melissa Etheridge in the music video for "One Way Out"
Melissa Etheridge in the music video for “One Way Out”
“One Way Out” is one of nine tracks that will be featured on the full length album – One Way Out ­– to be released on September 17, 2021 via BMG. Fans will get to hear “One Way Out”LIVE when Melissa performs from the Theatre at the Ace Hotel in Downtown LA for her “One Way Out….Of The Garage” concert special. The concert will stream LIVE on May 29 so consider this event part single release party and part Birthday celebration!

Posted on

The Randy Report Honored Among ’20 Best Entertainment Podcasts Of 2021′

Photo of a podcasting studio

The Randy Report podcast delivers the week's top stories in a quick, convenient podcast - 'the 60 Minutes of gay news - only shorter' I received a totally unexpected surprise in my email today informing me my podcast, The Randy Report, was named one of the 20 Best Entertainment Podcasts of 2021 by Welp Magazine. How cool is that??? Not only is it flattering for the podcast to be acknowledged, but The Randy Report was recognized alongside major podcasts in entertainment reporting including Entertainment Tonight! I mean…. seriously. I really, really appreciate the inclusion in the list more than I can say. The podcast began as an extension of this here blog thingy. During the early days of The Randy Report blog, I co-hosted an online radio show called The Candi & Randy Show. It was something I’d never thought about doing, but the host, Candi Fox, asked me to join her after I’d done an interview and it was a lot of fun. I eventually had to step away because my plate was getting waaaay full between blogging and writing for other outlets. But I missed the vocal part of sharing LGBTQ news. So a couple of years later, I launched the podcast. Photo of a podcasting studio If you are a regular listener, you may have noticed that, unlike most podcasts, I have no advertising on the show. I set out to offer a succinct LGBTQ news magazine that would be convenient to listeners, and I didn’t want the clutter of ads. Fortunately, I’ve been able to do that for more than 200 episodes. And every episode sees continued audience growth which really makes my gay heart leap up. While we’re on the topic, I’ll add I was very proud when Metrosource included me in its “15 LGBTQ Podcasts To Keep You In The Know.” That, too, was super-cool. Thanks to all of you listeners who join me for what I like to call “the 60 Minutes of gay news…only shorter.” If you don’t already, check out some episodes – a mix of celebrity interviews and weekly news round-ups – everywhere you get your podcasts including iTunes, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud and Spotify.

Posted on

Channing Tatum’s Naked Selfie “I’m Flexing So Hard I Got A Cramp”

Channing Tatum on the red carpet
Channing Tatum's naked selfie
Magic Mike star Channing Tatum (photo: Depositphotos)

Channing Tatum’s naked selfie posted in his Instagram stories totally wins Hump Day.

Tatum snapped the totally Hump Day-worthy pic before heading out to the set of his upcoming film, The Lost City of D, co-starring Sandra Bullock and Daniel Radcliffe.

No, we don’t know what the ‘D’ stands for…yet.

The selfie was accompanied with the message, “You know when you in the make-up trailer as*hole naked holding a towel over your junk you about to do some shit on set that you gonna have to prepare ya mama for before she see the movie.”

In a side note, the actor added, “And yes I’m flexing so hard I got a cramp.”

Channing Tatum's naked selfie
Channing Tatum (image via Instagram)

In a May 6 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Tatum admitted the pandemic had led his famously-fit physique astray a bit as he gained what he described as his “college ten.”

“For the first week or two weeks,” he said, “I definitely was just drinking beers and riding dirt bikes and I was like, ‘I can’t do this for two months – this is bad.’”

But then he shook it off and got back to daily training with a buddy sharing, “It was great – I came out a completely new person.”

Not only did Tatum come roaring back physically, but creatively as well.

The 41-year-old recently hit #1 on the New York Times Best Sellers list for the children’s book he wrote for his daughter, Evie, titled “The One and Only Sparkella.”

“Say what?!?! #1 on the #NewYorkTimes #Bestseller list!! I’m literally speechless right now!!! Ten year old me would never believe this.”

Here’s his celebratory post about hitting the top of the chart, plus a few more posts from his Instagram proving he knows how to make the ‘magic’ last.

Channing Tatum’s naked selfie makes my Hump Day all the better. https://www.instagram.com/p/COywk23Fd1W/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CNgB3halb4X/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CPOgU4shqcd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Posted on

2020 Tony Awards To Air 9/26 On CBS & Paramount+

The 2019-2020 Tony Awards will take place on September 26, 2021

The 2019-2020 Tony Awards will take place on September 26, 2021 The 2019-2020 Tony Awards – titled THE TONY AWARDS® PRESENT: BROADWAY’S BACK! – will take place on Sunday, September 26 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) with two separate events. As theater fans know, the annual awards ceremony was originally scheduled for June 7, 2020. But the coronavirus pandemic not only ended the 2019-2020 Broadway season on March 12, 2020, but also postponed the Tonys as well. The long-awaited celebration will begin with the presentation of the American Theatre Wing’s 74th Annual Tony Awards® at 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT live exclusively on Paramount+. The streaming presentation will honor the outstanding shows, performances and artistry of the 2019-2020 Broadway season, which was brought to a halt by the COVID-19 pandemic. Immediately following, THE TONY AWARDS PRESENT: BROADWAY’S BACK! will air on the CBS Network, bringing the excitement of Broadway to viewers through a live concert event, featuring superstar Broadway entertainers and Tony Award winners re-uniting on stage to perform beloved classics and celebrate the joy and magic of live theatre. The re-opening of Broadway will be further celebrated with special performances from the three Tony nominated Best Musical contenders, followed by the live presentation of three Tony Awards, including Best Play, Best Revival of a Play and Best Musical. Other winners will be celebrated throughout the broadcast. Performances on the Great White Way are set to resume September 2 with the return of Hadestown. September 14 will see the reopening of Broadway blockbusters Wicked, Hamilton and The Lion King, to be followed by more in the following weeks.

Posted on

News Round-Up: May 25, 2021

Former Army Captain Roberto Portales

Former Army Captain Roberto Portales
Former Army Captain Roberto Portales and friends (via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Former Army Captain Roberto Portales (above) says his pups love the head massages. The Brody and Miss Scarlett happily concur with that sentiment. #DogsRule • The Advocate: Ten days after coming out as a lesbian on Facebook, Private First Class Kaylie Harris filed a complaint after allegedly being sexually assaulted by a fellow service member. But when the military removed a protective order that let her come into contact with her alleged rapist, the encounter left Harris reeling. Days later, she bought a handgun and died by suicide. • Deadline Hollywood: Samuel E. Wright, whose vocal portrayal of Sebastian the crab in Disney’s The Little Mermaid included the Oscar-winning “Under the Sea,” died yesterday at his home in the village of Walden, New York, of prostate cancer. The Broadway veteran (Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin, The Lion King) was 74.

• Washington Post: 64.4 million Americans have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, covering 58.7% of the eligible population, 12 and older and 49.5% of the total population. • The Guardian: Bloggers and influencers have been offered money by a PR agency with apparent Russian connections to falsely tell their followers the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is responsible for hundreds of deaths. The company has since closed its website and made its Instagram account private. • Kansas City Star: Kansas Rep. Mark Samsel (R-Wellsville) is facing 3 misdemeanor battery charges involving two 16-year-old student while substitute teaching last month. One student told police Samsel kicked him in the testicles. Samsel reportedly told investigators he was following instructions from God.

Posted on

Grand Jury Convened To Consider Indictments Against Trump

Donald Trump
The New York City prosecutor overseeing a criminal investigation into Donald Trump’s business practices before he became president has convened a grand jury to consider evidence. From the Washington Post:

Manhattan’s district attorney has convened the grand jury that is expected to decide whether to indict former president Donald Trump, other executives at his company or the business itself should prosecutors present the panel with criminal charges, according to two people familiar with the development.

The move indicates that District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr.’s investigation of the former president and his business has reached an advanced stage after more than two years. It suggests, too, that Vance believes he has found evidence of a crime — if not by Trump then by someone potentially close to him or by his company.