What Made Thousands Of Birds Fall From The Sky?

It has become one of the strangest stories to come out of the New Year and one of the most puzzling for scientists and local officials: Just what caused 5,000 birds to fall from the sky just before midnight New Year's Eve in Beebe, Arkansas?

As news of the story spread across the globe, so did speculation about what caused the Hitchcockian scene. And as officials wait for the official necropsy (animal autopsy) report, we're taking a look at some of the theories that officials and scientists have suggested.

Mad Max Goes Down

LONG BEACH - A 32-year-old Long Beach man who was arrested on suspicion of using an incendiary-destructive device in a neighborhood west of downtown was arraigned in court Monday.
Garret Lengyel was charged with three felony counts, possession of a destructive device, arson of property and possession of a deadly weapon, according to court documents.
He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
Lengyel was arrested Thursday in the 400 block of Crystal Court in connection with at least one explosion near an apartment building Nov. 5 near 430 Daisy Ave., said Steve Yamamoto Long Beach Fire Department spokesman.
Multiple pieces of evidence linking Lengyel to the explosion were found in his apartment. Arson investigators uncovered evidence suggesting Lengyel may have been involved in other arsons, too, Yamamoto said.
The explosion, which occurred around 4 a.m. and was caught on the building's surveillance cameras, rocked sleeping residents who told investigators these types of explosions were becoming more and more frequent, Yamamoto said.
The surveillance video shows a man believed to be Lengyel arrive in the alley with the device. A short time later the man leaves the alley, and within six seconds a large flash and fire are seen on the video. The device exploded outside the bedrooms windows of occupied apartments and homes, Yamamoto said.

One Way To Promote Lipo

Yes their shirts say BEFORE and AFTER. Thats cold blooded.

Nickelodeon Fires Back At 'Dora the Explorer' teen Caitlin Sanchez Lawsuit

As if puberty weren't tough enough, it also may have cost a New Jersey teen her gig as the voice of "Dora the Explorer."

Nickelodeon, which Caitlin Sanchez contends in a lawsuit "swindled" her out of millions of dollars, fired back Thursday that the 14-year-old girl's pay was fine, but that her voice was not.

"Unfortunately, Caitlin's voice changed and she was no longer able to portray the Dora character, as happened with the actress who originated the role," the kids cable network said in a statement.

 The Daily News early Thursday broke the story of Sanchez's stinging claims against Nickelodeon, which she says duped her into inking a "bizarre, impenetrable, unconscionable" contract that left her overworked and underpaid.

The suit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, accuses Nickelodeon and corporate parents Viacom and MTV Networks, of stiffing the teen on residuals and merchandising in a 2007 contract that failed to "adequately" compensate the girl who gave voice to the adorable, Spanish-speaking Dora.

In a 41-page complaint, Caitlin contends she worked more than 100 "Dora the Explorer" promotional events for free, and traveled around the country while getting a mere $40 per-diem.

A Nickelodeon source countered that she and her parents were treated to first-class hotels on the road, had their air and ground transportation paid for by the cable network and that the $40 was for incidental expenses.

"She was well-compensated for her work and for personal appearances," Nickelodeon said in a statement.

Her lawyer, John Balestriere, countered   that the teen's family often lost money on the trips because they had to spend more money on food and airline baggage charges than the "meager $40 stipend."

"We are not suing because they claim her voice changed," Balestriere said. "She is not suing to stay on as Dora.

"She is suing because they paid her nothing for residuals, a few thousand dollars for merchandising and ended up making her spend most of her time - uncompensated - promoting the $11 billion Dora brand rather than performing as a paid actress."

Hilarious

Tweet Of The Day: Carmelo Anthony

Woman Sues American Airlines For $5 Milli Over Lost Luggage

When most of us lose our luggage, we get mad, maybe throw a temper tantrum and ask the airline in question for help. Not Danielle Covarrubias. First she paid $25 to check her bag on American Airlines. Then they lost it and refused to refund her $25. In turn, she is suing them for $5 million, according to ABC News.

Covarrubias filed a class action lawsuit in her native Pierce County, Washington against the airline when they lost her luggage on a Seattle-Grand Rapids, Mich. flight. It’s the first lawsuit since American started charging for bags in 2008 (it was also the first major carrier to impose checked baggage fees).

“It just goes to show you how enraged people are by the lack of common-sense regulation in the airline industry,” George Hobica, an aviation expert and creator of airfarewatchdog.com, told ABC News. “It doesn’t make any sense at all that somebody should charge for a service and then screw up and not give you your money back.”

Covarrubias waited for the next flight to arrive but her bag–with more than $800 of her possessions–wasn’t on it, according to court papers. She spent more than $300 on new clothing and toiletries and then waited another 24 hours for news from the airline. “In her last conversation with American Airlines … she was told nothing could be done,” the lawsuit said. The airline refused her demand for a refund of the baggage fee.

An American Airlines spokesman said the carrier was reviewing the lawsuit and offered no immediate comment.

Tweet Of The Day: Lindsay Lohan

the only "bookings" that i'm familiar with are Disney Films, never thought that i'd be "booking" into Jail... eeeksabout 14 hours ago via web

Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner Dead at 80

(CBS/ AP)  George Steinbrenner, who rebuilt the New York Yankees into a sports empire with a mix of bluster and big bucks that polarized fans all across America, died Tuesday. He had just celebrated his 80th birthday July 4.

Steinbrenner had a heart attack, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Fla., and died at about 6:30 a.m, a person close to the owner told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not disclosed those details.

His death was the second in three days to rock the Yankees. Bob Sheppard, the team's revered public address announcer from 1951-07, died Sunday at 99.

For more than 30 years, Steinbrenner lived up to his billing as "the Boss," a nickname he earned and clearly enjoyed as he ruled with an iron fist.

In 1987, Steinbrenner told 60 Minutes' Ed Bradley that he hated to lose and he didn't care if his players liked him.

"I'd like them to respect me and sometimes that doesn't happen," he said. "What I like to do is instill a sense of discipline in my players. I don’t want players going out there and being treated like heroes if they don’t act like heroes." 

Jesse Jackson Says Cavs’ Owner Is Treating Lebron James “Like A Runaway Slave”

Rev. Jesse Jackson is callin’ out Cavs’ owner Dan Gilbert for acting like a slave master angered at losing his runaway slave! Pop the hood for Jackson’s explosive retort to Gilbert’s comments regarding Lebron James signing with the Miami Heat.

A Letter From Dan Gilbert- Cleveland Cavaliers Owner & Bitter Ex Girlfriend

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his “decision” unlike anything ever “witnessed” in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

Ouch! “Cowardly betrayal”…..read the rest after the jump. Get your tissue out Cavaliers fans….

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

“I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER ‘KING’ WINS ONE”

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our “motivation” to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that’s simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown “chosen one” sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And “who” we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called “curse” on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former “King” will be taking the “curse” with him down south. And until he does “right” by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day….

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue….

If what LeBron did (placed himself in a position to win and further his brand- like he should have) showed cowardly betrayal, what would this be classified as? Grown men shouldn't behave like little girls. Its not a good look.

F*ck The Police

(CNN) -- A former police officer who is white was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter Thursday in the killing of an unarmed black man in Oakland, California.

Johannes Mehserle, who was a Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer at the time of the incident, was convicted in the shooting of 22-year-old Oscar Grant on a California train platform on January 1, 2009. Mehserle, who was on duty at the time, said at the trial that he intended to draw and fire his Taser rather than his gun, CNN affiliate KTVU reported.

The shooting was captured on a bystander's cell-phone video camera. The video was widely circulated, and it spurred several protests and riots in and around Oakland.

New Technique of Using Family's DNA Led Police to 'Grim Sleeper' Suspect

It wasn't a witness or informant that tipped off law enforcement to the identity of the "Grim Sleeper" serial killer, who had eluded police for more than two decades, but DNA from the suspect's own son.

A new technique called familial DNA led police to 57-year-old Lonnie David Franklin Jr., who was charged with 10 counts of murder and one count of attempted murder Wednesday in the infamous "Grim Sleeper" slayings.

Police said that the technique could prove more revolutionary than fingerprinting in solving crime.

"This is a landmark case. This will change the way policing is done in the United States," said Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck at a press conference today.

The high-profile case had languished unsolved, and had haunted the files of the LAPD cold-case unit for years. According to the attorney general's office, the suspect's son was arrested and convicted in a felony weapons charge and swabbed for DNA last year. When his DNA was entered into the database, detectives were alerted to a partial match to evidence found at the "Grim Sleeper" crime scenes.

Police began investigating Franklin's son's relatives, and found a match in Lonnie Franklin. Police said he had never been a suspect until now.

Quote Of The Day: 50 Cent On Diddy

“You know how an ugly b*tch always has pretty friends. That's how he built his group. He wants to be the hot b*tch in the group...he wants to make sure the n*ggas wanna holla at him...he'll tell you himself that what happens in Miami stays in Miami…” *ouch*

Rumor is that the recent beef between the two arose from Diddy aligning himself with 50's rival Rick Ross and forming a super-group with Ross using the name "The Supreme Team" which coincidentally is also the name of the Queens, NY crew that 50 had an on-going beef with. Diddy has since changed the group's name to "The Dream Team"....

Mel Gibson At It Again

Looks like Mel Gibson’s baby momma Oksana Grigorieva – mother of his months old daughter has released tapes to the court of an angry argument she had with the actor/producer where he said some rather derogatory things.  Oksana currently has a restraining order, but according to reports is still fearing for her safety after splitting with Mel.  Read an excerpt of the tape recording below:

You’re an embarrassment to me. You look like a fucking pig in heat, and if you get raped by a pack of n***ers, it will be your fault.
“How dare you act like such a bitch when I have been so fucking nice.”

“I am going to come and burn the fucking house down… but you will blow me first.”

“Look what you did to me… look what you are… look what every part of you is… fucking fake… fucking fake. You are the most synthetic person… who the fuck are you?”

Story/Tweet Of The Day: Lindsay Lohan Punched By A Waitress

Lindsay Lohan was punched by a waitress at L.A. club Voyeur early Friday morning — her 24th birthday.

“A waitress just hit me – punched me for no reason,” the actress Twittered around 1 a.m. PT.

A witness tells UsMagazine.com that Lohan — who sipped Red Bulls and hid her SCRAM bracelet with thigh-high boots — wasn’t exaggerating.

“The waitress has a history with Doug Reinhardt, and Lohan was hanging out with him. She was jealous, and out of nowhere, the waitress punched her in the face!” the insider tells Us. “Doug didn’t want any part of it and went to the other side of the booth. Lohan ran out.”

The night didn’t get better from there.

Lohan went to a party at the nearby Rockstar House — and ran into the waitress again!

“Lohan showed up and cried because the waitress was there as well,” says another source. “Some birthday.”

eLZhi No Longer A Member Of Slum Village, Manager Confirms

Twitter is a unique platform in that it allows anyone to voice their thoughts without a filter. Artists have sometimes used the microblogging site to make announcements. This happened again Tuesday night (June 29), when rumblings surfaced that Detroit MC eLZhi was no longer in Slum Village.

In his first tweet since March 8, eLZhi wrote, “Not sure what’s going on….I hope Slum Village’s label and T3’s manager respect what I do for SV. Either way I appreciate yall support.”

Later in the night, T3 wrote, “1 of all I never kick anyone out the group…” followed by, “2nd there is no new members in slum village! !!!!!” and, “3rd don’t chime in if you don’t know both sides. …..” He then followed up by claiming, “oh yeah one more thing. ..This is the last Slum Village Album…..”

Hex Murda, eLZhi’s manager, issued the following statement on the situation to XXLMag.com: “For all intents and purposes concerning eLZhi, Slum Village is defunct. This is the last SV LP. We look forward to bringing you eLZhi’s solo project, The Feed. Until then, check him out on Black Milk’s new opus, Album Of The Year, [in stores] 9/14.”

Ironically, despite the new line-up, Slum Village’s new studio album, Villa Manifesto, is set for a July 27 release. —Adam Fleischer with additional reporting by Rob Markman

Apple And AT&T Hit With iPhone 4 Class-Action Lawsuit

The iPhone 4 has some reception issues when held a certain way. The problem — which partially stems from iPhone 4’s newly designed external antenna — can be viewed as more or less serious, depending on a number of factors. Is it serious enough to spawn a class-action lawsuit? It appears that it is.

The lawsuit against Apple and AT&T has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland by Ward & Ward, PLLC and Charles A. Gilman, LLC. on behalf of Kevin McCaffrey, Linda Wrinn and a number of other iPhone 4 owners.

The lawsuit accuses Apple of Defect in Design, Manufacture and Assembly, as well as Breach of Express Warranty. It also makes several claims against both Apple and AT&T, including General Negligence, Deceptive Trade Practices, Intentional Misrepresentation, Negligent Misrepresentation and Fraud by Concealment.

Due to the complexity of the issue, and the fact that some other phones exhibit a similar behavior, it’s hard to guess what the outcome of this lawsuit will be. However, it might spur Apple to start working on this problem quickly — before it escalates into something far more serious.

Interestingly enough, another class-action lawsuit for the same issue is in the works; it seems that Apple and AT&T may soon have a couple of these on their hands.

DAAAAAAAAAMN! Tiger Gets Mauled In Settlement

Tiger Woods will pay his soon-to-be ex-wife Elin Nordegren $750 million in a record-setting divorce settlement, U.K. newspaper The Sun reports. Nordegren is expected to file for divorce in the next week.

The terms of the settlement also reportedly grant Nordegren primary custody of the couple's two children, daughter Sam, 3, and son Charlie, 1. Woods also enters into an agreement not to bring any new women into the kids' lives or near them unless he has remarried. 

Besides the kids and the cash, Nordegren purportedly receives the family home in Windermere, Fla. (outside of which Woods crashed his car on Thanksgiving Day, leading to the revelations of his serial infidelity); an apartment in Stockholm; and a new, unfinished estate in Jupiter, Fla.,, all worth multimillions.

In exchange, the 30-year-old Swedish swimsuit model agrees to keep her mouth shut about Woods' numerous extramarital affairs. 

Not only is the settlement thought to be the most expensive in history, but it would wipe out nearly three-quarters of Woods' previously estimated fortune of $1 billion, although the Sun reports that Nordegren's legal team discovered he was worth much more than that to date.