The High School “hotness tournament” at Issaquah High School in Washington is kind of like the NCAA’s March Madness tournament. Except that it happens in May, it involves teenage girls, and has absolutely nothing to do with talent.

Every May, the boy’s at Issaquah High School host a “hotness tournament” called May Madness. The boys encourage their female classmates to dress up for school so that they can vote on who is the hottest member of the student body.

KGW reports that the school doesn’t condone the tournament but school officials have said that there is little that they can do to stop it. The tournament is held off school grounds (it’s an online voting system) and if the girls keep their clothes within the dress code there is little that they can do.

Still, May Madness has caused some controversy at the school.

Student Tristan Robinson said: “Almost every teenage girl has self-esteem issues … And doing something like that is absolutely ridiculous.”

The contest has been going on for at least five years. Parents complained to police last year and the website was shut down. Well, temporarily. The organizers of the high school hotness tournament have started a new website for this year and they’ve added a few security features to limit accessibility.

Sarah Niegowski, the district’s spokesperson, doesn’t condone the competition but she did compliment the boys on putting together a well-organized contest.

Niegowski said: “These are pretty smart folks behind this. They know their first amendment rights. They’re very quiet about who it is and the group behind it.”

What do you think of the High School hotness tournament?

High School ‘Hotness Tournament’ Sparks Controversy In Washington is a post from: The Inquisitr

Delaware passed a bill on Tuesday that paves the way for the state to become the 11th to allow gay marriage. The bill’s approval came after a lengthy debate in the state Senate, along with the surprise votes of two lawmakers.

Governor Jack Markell signed the bill on the main stairs in the lobby of Legislative Hall just 30 minutes after the 12-9 Senate vote. Senators Bethany Hall-Long (Democrat) and Catherine Cloutier (Republican) provided the yeses needed to swing votes in favor of the bill.

Cloutier was the only Republican yes vote in the Senate and one of just two in the General Assembly. Thanks to the new bill, Delaware will allow same sex marriage starting July 1.

The law will also provide a mechanism for converting the existing same-sex civil unions established in the state into marriage. After the vote, Markell commented, ”I think this is the right thing for Delaware. It took an incredible team effort.”

Rights activists and their supporters erupted in cheers and applause following the vote for same sex marriage. The bill was first introduced in the Democrat-controlled legislature in April, just one year after the state started recognizing same-sex civil unions.

Opponents across the state argued against the bill, saying it would destroy a centuries-old institution that is also a building block of society.

While the gay marriage law in Delaware doesn’t give same-sex couples any more rights than they would have in civil unions, supporters argued that same-sex couples should have the dignity and respect given to married couples.

They noted as well that, should the US Supreme Court strike down the Defense of Marriage Act, civil unions would not be granted protections or tax benefits under federal law.

While the bill does allow gay marriage in Delaware, it does not force clerics to perform same-sex marriages that conflict with their religious views. However, business owners who refuse to provide marriage-related services would be subject to discrimination claims.

[Image via ShutterStock]

Delaware Passes Gay Marriage Law is a post from: The Inquisitr

Justin Bieber’s long-awaited cameo in The Simpsons debuts this Sunday.

To celebrate this much needed lighthearted Bieber news, Fox have released the first photo of the cartooned Canadian as he will appear in the show.

Plot details for the episode —“The Fabulous Baker Boy” — are scant, but last year Al Jean, the show’s executive producer told Entertainment Weekly:

“He tries to get into a talent show that Bart is playing piano in and they won’t admit him,” he teased. “Draw your own conclusions.”

Jean also warned fans the singer’s cartoon face-time would be brief, saying:

“It’s a cameo. But all of his fans should watch every minute of the show, before and after he’s on.”

The teen star, complete with thowback ‘bowl cut,’ will be playing himself in the episode.

First reported back in August that the teen singer had recorded a voice over for his Springfield appearance. A then 18-years-old Bieber delightedly tweeted:

“just did a voice over for the SIMPSONS!!! #swaggy.”

Fans have been tweeting the Simpsonized Biebs picture since it arrived online and will no doubt be tuning in on Fox on Sunday at 8 pm when the show airs.

Justin Bieber pops up in Sunday’s episode of ‘The Simpsons’ insidetv.ew.com/2013/05/07/sim… twitter.com/bieberarmy/sta…

— Justin Bieber Army (@bieberarmy) May 7, 2013

Frankly, it’s a welcome change of pace from speeding fines in Dubai, potentially life-threatening stage attacks, monkey troubles, Swedish police tour bus raids — and the rest.

In other news, according to Radar Online, another Fox series is about to get a dose of Bieber Fever.

American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe is reportedly planning to replace this season’s crop of judges with the Canadian teen superstar, Selena Gomez, Pink and Diddy to boost flagging ratings.

“It’s been a lackluster season for Idol and everyone involved with the show is well aware of it, so that’s why producers are frantically working on lining up big name stars for season 13,” a source told Radar Online.

“There’s more drama going on behind the scenes of the show than on the stage, and that’s why there’s a major overhaul in the works.”

The website also said a “telling sign” of producers desperation to revive interest in the show was the online leak of Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj’s face-off even before the season aired.

Idol executives are thinking outside the box for where to go next with the show say Radar and apparently believe Bieber and co have the right chemistry.

“That’s why they want to go big next season, and you can’t get any bigger than Justin Bieber,” Radar’s source explained.”The executives are calling it their dream team because who wouldn’t tune in to see Justin and Selena, Pink and Diddy?”

Radar goes on to report that Pink and Diddy turned down previous Idol offers, but Fox are prepared to pay fortune to get the show back on track.

“Idol is not the water cooler show it used to be – it’s not hip and become really boring,” said the source.”If producers have it their way, Justin, Selena, Pink and Diddy will be sitting at the judges’ table next season and that’s a powerhouse group and everyone would tune in to see.”

So what do you think — Bieber, Gomez, Pink and Diddy for Idol — bad idea or could the show do a lot worse?

Justin Bieber To Debut On ‘The Simpsons,’ More ‘American Idol’ Rumors is a post from: The Inquisitr

Serena Williams has responded to Sloane Stephens’ criticism of her after the young rising star implied Williams was unfriendly.

“They think she’s so friendly and she’s so this and she’s so that — no, that’s not reality!” Stephens told ESPN The Magazine, adding that Williams hadn’t said a word to her since the pair had met in January’s Australian Open (where Williams lost).

“She’s not said one word to me, not spoken to me, not said hi, not looked my way, not been in the same room with me since I played her in Australia,” ranted Stephens in the unusually frank interview. “And that should tell everyone something, how she went from saying all these nice things about me to unfollowing me on Twitter.”

Serena Williams’ response was, perhaps typically for a modern sports professional, far less candid. When Sports Illustrated asked the 31-year-old about Stephens’ comments, Williams seemed keen to put the dispute behind her:

“I don’t really know. I don’t have many thoughts. I’m a big Sloane Stephens fan and always have been. I’ve always said that I think she can be the best in the world. I’ll always continue to think that and always be rooting for her.”

She continued:

“I really just always wish her, and anyone, really, especially from America, the best. We don’t have that many American players, so it’s always exciting to see so many young players doing so well.”

Williams’ comeback doesn’t exactly address Stephens’ comments (the unfriendliness, the Twitter unfollow), and there’s a sense she’d prefer to stop this tiff from escalating.

What do you make of Serena Williams’ response? Disingenuous fence-sitting or level-headed diplomacy?

Serena Williams Responds To Sloane Stephens Outburst: ‘I’ve Always Been A Fan’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

True love knows no age, and no one proves it better than Marjorie Hemmerde and Gavin Crawford. She has 106 years to his 76, and even though she was rounding 30 when his biggest concern was diaper rash, these two are a match made in heaven.

News.au reports that Hemmerde and Crawford met three years ago in a nursing home. Neither had ever married, presumably because they had never found that special someone (each other), and neither expected to fall head over heels in love so late in life.

“We just sort of melted into each other,” Hemmerde sweetly said. “We get along like old friends, the age gap doesn’t seem to matter.”

The two are absolutely inseparable, exchanging romantic glances and pecking each other on the cheek like teenagers. Their relationship is the swan song of Hemmerde’s already storied life. At the plucky young age of 96, she traveled abroad for the first time and set a record as the oldest person to kiss the Blarney Stone in Ireland.

For Crawford, his most meaningful kisses are those he shares with his sweetie.

“Marjorie is very outgoing and has good outlook in life,” he said. ”She is always very cheerful and appreciative and we laugh together all the time. I think we both have learned that life is far too short not to enjoy it.”

Despite her advanced age, Hemmerde humorously doesn’t plan on marrying Crawford. It’s not that she doesn’t love him, it’s that after 106 years on this earth, she feels that making it official isn’t key to a happy life or relationship.

“I’m too irresponsible,” she joked. “I quite like living in sin.”

Vicki Fraser, the social life manager of the Kew Gardens Aged Care center, said that the duo’s relationship has been heartwarming to watch.

“That they found each other is beautiful,” she gushed. “It’s so positive for them both and so genuine. It proves it’s never too late.”

What do you think? Is it ever too late to find love?

[Image via: Polianskyi Igor, Shutterstock]

106-Year-Old Cougar Cradle-Robs Young Stud, 76 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Willis-Ekbom Disease (WED) – first acknowledged by neurologist Dr. Thomas Willis in 1685 and later described as a syndrome by Dr. Karl Ekbom in 1944 – is a neurological condition associated with an abnormal sensation in the extremities. The disruptive condition is commonly known as Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).

Restless legs is characterized by a persistent, irresistible urge to move one’s body in an effort to cease an uncomfortable or abnormal feeling – described as an unscratchable itch, tickling, or crawling sensation – permeating throughout the legs. Often times the disorder can also affect the arms, torso, head, and even in rare cases phantom limbs. Moving the affected body part provides temporary relief. Some suffers can have periodic limb movement disorder – where the limb involuntarily jerks or kicks.

The sensation typically begins or intensifies during points of relaxation – while sitting, reading, or trying to sleep – and is found to be most disruptive during nocturnal hours. RLS/WED affects an estimated five percent of the general population, and 10 percent of those over 65.

Several theories suggest the condition may be part of a spectrum, as people can suffer from an infrequent, minor version versus those who suffer to the point where the restlessness impairs their sleep and quality of life significantly.

In the last 20 years, a substantial amount of research has been dedicated to RLS/WED, defining its pathology in hopes of determining the cause and improving treatment options.

Johns Hopkins researchers believe they may have discovered an explanation for the sleepless nights associated with restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease, according to their news release.

From the preexisting research, there appears to be three factors which are pertinent to the disease: concentrations of iron in the brain, dopamine concentrations, and genes.

It’s been long thought by neurologists that RLS/WED is related to a dysfunction in the way the brain uses the neurotransmitter dopamine, a neurochemical used by brain cells to communicate and produce smooth, intentional movements. Disruption of these signals results in involuntary movement. Drugs that increase dopamine levels are used to treat RLS/WED, but studies have shown they don’t significantly improve sleep.

A study – published in the May issue of the journal Neurology – led by Richard P. Allen, PhD, an associate professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, suggests there is a link between glutamate and restless legs.

Using an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to scan the brains of participants, Allen and his associates found abnormally high levels of glutamate – a neurotransmitter involved in arousal, a major mediator of excitatory signals associated with cognition, memory, and learning – in the images of those with the restless condition.

Researchers specifically measured the glutamate activity in the thalamus – the area of the brain associated with regulation of consciousness, sleep, and alertness – and reviewed the images of 28 people with moderate symptoms of RLS/WED and 20 without, taken during a two-day sleep study. It was found the higher the levels of glutamate the worse the RLS/WED suffers sleep.

According to Allen, “We may have solved the mystery of why getting rid of patients’ urge to move their legs doesn’t improve their sleep. We may have been looking at the wrong thing all along, or we may find that both dopamine and glutamate pathways play a role in RLS.”

The study was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the National Institute on Aging, and the National Center for Research Resources.

[Image via Shutterstock]

Researchers May Have An Explanation For Restless Legs Syndrome is a post from: The Inquisitr

Mark Sanford is going back to Congress.

The quirky former governor of South Carolina making a political comeback has won the special election for state’s 1st Congressional District.

Sanford, a Republican, easily defeated Elizabeth Colbert Busch, the Democrat who is Stephen Colbert’s sister. He currently has 57 percent of the vote with about 75 percent of the precincts counted. “Sanford, waging a bid for political redemption three years after his fall from grace, went into Election Day with a head of steam. Polls showed the former governor closing on and then eclipsing Colbert Busch …”

Before becoming governor, Sanford served three terms in the  US House of Representatives, representing the same district (although its boundaries have since been somewhat redrawn).

The seat in Congress became vacant when Rep. Tim Scott was appointed by Gov. Nikki Haley to the US Senate to replace incumbent Jim DeMint who resigned and went to work for the Heritage Foundation think tank.

Normally in this solid Republican district, a Democrat would have no chance, but Sanford’s personal baggage made it up for grabs.  In June 2009, he disappeared for about week from the state (and his duties as governor). It turned out that he was having an extramarital affair with an Argentinian woman who is now his fiancee rather than hiking in the Appalachian Trail as he initially claimed. Despite the scandal, Sanford managed to finish out his term of office.

Late in this special election campaign, news surfaced that he had been charged with trespassing at his ex-wife’s home on Super Bowl Sunday 2013, which caused the skittish national GOP to pull any funding for Sanford’s bid.

According to reports, Sanford was substantially outspent by Colbert Bush, who for a time was significantly ahead in the polling.

Apparently the voters decided that a personally flawed fiscal conservative was a better choice than a so-called moderate Democrat who when push came to shove would generally go along with the Obama agenda. “Try as hard she might, Colbert Busch was unable to convince voters that she wouldn’t support Democratic leadership, or what policies she might vote against … Over and over again in the district, the message from voters was the same: Sanford’s not great, but he’s a Republican.”

Worth pointing out: Colbert Busch ran a laconic campaign. Few appearances, little access. Sanford ran hard, like an underdog. #sc01

— Karen Tumulty(@ktumulty) May 8, 2013

Are you surprised that Mark Sanford won the special election in South Carolina?

[Image credit: John Wollwerth / Shutterstock.com]

BREAKING: Mark Sanford Wins South Carolina Special Election is a post from: The Inquisitr

That partially melted penis candle and Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries dislikes the idea of fat people wearing A&F’s overpriced hoodies is not news, as the mall store head has long been laboring under the delusion that people who are in any way “cool” shop at the mall and his store in particular.

Jeffries (who seems to be exhibiting the horrible effects of a combination of cash, possible Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Jocelyn Wildenstein excessive levels of plastic surgery) may not be much to look at, but as Abercrombie CEO, he does wield a certain amount of power over teen markets before teens can go off to college and not be forced to don mallwear.

Does he use it for good? Nah, the middle-aged wannabe perma-teen instead has long been employing his position as Abercrombie head to be a total jerk to kids who don’t fit in — mainly fat kids, and mainly girls. Because men who marginalize and shame female children are always the most secure and not-evil.

In the past, the following words fell out of Jeffries’ grossly misshapen mouth as he discussed A&F’s marketing strategy, which amounts to “no fatties.” (Though given the cost of Abercrombie clothes relative to their quality, one might be tempted to call it a “cruelty tax.”)

Jeffries said last year:

“We hire good-looking people in our stores because good-looking people attract other good-looking people … And we want to market to cool, good-looking people. We don’t market to anyone other than that.”

No mention of fat people, but a definite looks binary that seems to exclude variation in what is “good looking” overall, as if there’s one way — though we have to ask, how did Jeffries get the job then, because … ?

Anyway, Jeffries wants you and your fat ass to know that no matter how much further removed from the hell that was high school you are now, people like him still want to enforce the primitive social structure and also, screw you fatties.

That the Abercrombie CEO doesn’t like fat women is fine, everyone is entitled to an opinion and a marketing strategy. That he’s working out this body hate (after moving on from his own deformed face) to diffuse it over teen girls? Not so much.

Here’s what Jeffries said back in 2006 about the A&F marketing strategy — which works so well the brand is floundering right now:

“In every school there are the cool and popular kids, and then there are the not-so-cool kids … Candidly, we go after the cool kids. We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary?”

He continues:

“Absolutely. Those companies that are in trouble are trying to target everybody: young, old, fat, skinny. But then you become totally vanilla. You don’t alienate anybody, but you don’t excite anybody, either.”

Generally, excitement over excluding people results in Klan rallies and racist country clubs, but okay, Mike Jeffries.

The issue is at hand again this week after the author of The New Rules Of Retail, Robin Lewis, confirmed that Jeffries’ ugly marketing strategy is meant particularly to exclude fat girls — because fat guys can be like, athletes or something:

“He doesn’t want larger people shopping in his store, he wants thin and beautiful people … He doesn’t want his core customers to see people who aren’t as hot as them wearing his clothing. People who wear his clothing should feel like they’re one of the ‘cool kids.’”

Lewis concludes:

“Abercrombie is only interested in people with washboard stomachs who look like they’re about to jump on a surfboard.”

Do you think Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries’ stance on fat girls is harmful to teens as a whole?

Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Slams ‘Uncool’ Fatties, Looks Like His Face Melted is a post from: The Inquisitr

File this in your undoubtedly thick “What the hell are you doing, CNN?” file. This morning, the struggling cable news giant aired a strange split-screen interview between two anchors standing in the same parking lot. Seriously, the same vehicles go by in the background and everything.

The Atlantic Wire (and others) noticed the odd report hours ago, between Ashleigh Banfield of CNN and Nancy Grace of Headline News. They were both giving updates on the ongoing Cleveland kidnapping story (Amanda Berry, catch up here), and the graphics below each said that they were currently in Phoenix.

Once that tips you off, you’ll probably notice that they’re both standing in front of the same building.

If you watch closely, paying special heed to the vehicles passing behind each reporter, you’ll notice that not only are they in the exact same parking lot, they’re facing the same direction. Dashiell Bennett and Philip Bump hypothesize in their article that Banfield and Grace are probably only standing about 30 feet apart.

Which begs the question: Are they aware of each other’s presence and just going with it, or are they truly oblivious to each other? They have to at least be overhearing each other’s voices in their respective periphery, right?

Now, both anchors are indeed reporting for separate networks (owned by the same parent company, but whatever). Additionally, split-screen reporting, even from the same general location, does happen. But you’d think given their obvious proximity to each other, one of them would have at least awkwardly acknowledged the other in a cute “off the cuff” moment instead of waiting for the Internet to do it for them.

Alas, that was not the scene in Phoenix today.

I only wish there was video of this report so that we could confirm what we all fear about this story, but regrettably, a ten-minute search of Google did not avail it to me. It really looks from the GIFs (one is posted below, you can see the rest here) that Grace might actually be blue-screened into the report, because the lighting on her and on Banfield is not the same.

Which is actually even worse, because it means some idiot from Headline News was standing next to a CNN cameraman pointing his camera at nothing.

[Top image via: CNN, Atlantic Wire]

CNN Airs Split-Screen Interview Between Two Anchors In The Same Parking Lot is a post from: The Inquisitr

James Holmes is expected to use an insanity defense in relation to charges for the Aurora movie theater shooting last July. Holmes allegedly killed 12 moviegoers during a violent rampage on opening night of The Dark Knight Rises.

The insanity plea comes in court records released on Tuesday, in which Holmes’ public defenders say he “intendeds to tender a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity” under Colorado state law.

The hearing to enter his plea will come on May 13. The insanity defense is not a surprise for Holmes, whose lawyers have previously hinted in court filings that they would pursue the defense. Neither prosecutors or attorneys for the accused have commented publicly on the case, because of a gag order imposed by a judge.

A visibly annoyed Judge William Sylvester, who is presiding over the case in Colorado’s 18th Judicial District, entered a standard not guilty plea on Holmes’ behalf last month when defense attorneys said they were not ready yet to make a decision.

Sylvester has since stepped aside. He was replaced by Judge Carlos A. Samour Jr. James Holmes is charged with 166 counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and weapons charges for the rampage that took place on July 20, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. He faces the death penalty if he is convicted.

However, by law Holmes cannot be put to death if he is deemed insane or suffering from a mental defect. Defense attorneys filed a potential plea deal in March, saying they would offer to let Holmes plead guilty without the possibility of parole, as long as the district attorney’s office took the death penalty off the table. That offer was rejected.

The change of plea is set to happen on Monday at 9 am. After that, the clock will start for Holmes to undergo extensive psychiatric evaluation at a Colorado state hospital. The insanity plea does not mean the defendant didn’t plan the crime or show premeditation. Rather, it refers to his mental state at the time the crime occurred.

James Holmes trial is scheduled to begin in February 2014. However, the combination of the death penalty and an insanity plea could add months, or even years, to the process.

James Holmes Will Use Insanity Defense is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Powerball jackpot in Wednesday’s lottery drawing has rolled over to a mighty $222m, sparking a ticket-buying frenzy. Almost as impressively, the Mega Millions jackpot has hit $139 million.

When the Wednesday, May 8 drawing is done, the winner of the Powerball jackpot will be permitted to take a $144.5 million cash prize.

The Mega Millions jackpot will be decided on Tuesday, May 7, with an instant $104.8 million cash prize up for grabs. The top prize has grown since March 15, and has now rolled 15 times.

Should the winners take the annuity option, the Powerball jackpot can be paid over 29 years in 30 graduated payments, while the Mega Millions jackpot can be paid out at a rate of $5.3 million a year for 26 years.

Both hauls are amongst the largest jackpots in 2013, though are dwarfed by the $640m bonanza that appeared in March 2012.

The Powerball has seen its share of huge jackpots recently, many aided by last year’s decision to raise ticket prices to $2. Jackpots are growing bigger faster.

As Andi Brancato of the Michigan State Lottery told MLive at the time of the rise: “Before everyone thinks we’re ripping them off, (players) are getting a huge exchange for this.”

Powerball tickets are sold in 43 states, as well as Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Mega Millions tickets are sold in 42 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with drawings held on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Do you usually play the lottery? If not, will Wednesday night’s colossal Powerball jackpot lure you in? Sound off in the comments!

[Image via Shutterstock]

Powerball Jackpot Rolls Over To $222m, Mega Millions At $139m is a post from: The Inquisitr

Imran Khan was injured on Tuesday after he fell from a makeshift lift that was taking him onto a stage at a Pakistan political rally. The gathering was meant as a campaign rally for Khan, a leading Pakistani politician.

Khan, along with several others, fell from the lift platform, which was about 15 feet high at the time. Despite his visible head injury, a spokesman for the Shaukat Khanum hospital said that the former cricket player’s condition was stable.

Khan later spoke from his hospital bed, urging Pakistanis to vote in Saturday’s parliamentary elections. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Khan’s rival, announced he would suspend his campaign for a day out of respect for his opponent.

Video footage captured Imran Khan’s scary injury as some of his fellow lift-riders appeared to fall on top of him. Later, photos showed supporters carrying Khan to a car, which took him to a local hospital. After initial treatment, the former cricket player was taken to Kahore’s Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, which Khan founded.

Along with Khan’s stitches on his head, he also suffered a hairline compression fracture on a vertebra on his back. Dr. Faisal Sultan, the hospital’s chief executive, added, “Imran has a head injury, but he is stable, talking and recognizing people. We will conduct some tests and further examinations.”

Despite his campaigning, Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is not expected to win the poll on May 11. However, it could end up being a major partner in a coalition government. Khan promised to cut down on tax evasion and corruption that have worked together to drain Pakistan’s treasury dry.

While the PTI has had a marginal showing in previous polls, it has benefited from a groundswell of support this year, headed by young, urban voters frustrated by the Middle Eastern nation’s corruption.

It is not clear how long Imran Khan’s injury will keep him in the hospital.

[Image via Stephan Röhl]

Imran Khan Injured At Pakistan Political Rally is a post from: The Inquisitr

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will be taking on a new job soon: Morning show host.

The popular pol will co-host the second hour (that the 8am slot, mind you) of TODAY on May 24 when the struggling morning show comes to his home state. NBC said in a statement that the TODAY show is going on the road for its “Great American Adventure” tour during sweeps season.

The cast and crew of the program will go coast to coast and everywhere in between, hitting five major U.S. destinations in one week. They’ll start in Hawaii and end up in the Jersey Shore, still recovering from Hurricane Sandy.

Christie’s gig on the TODAY show isn’t the first time that NBC has solicited the help of a political figure for hosting. Republican Sarah Palin hosted the program back in April of 2012.

Though this is a fun piece of news for the New Jersey governor, he’s actually in headlines this week for a completely different reason. The New York Post revealed that Christie underwent an outpatient lap-band procedure in February, which is meant to help the 50-year-old lose weight.

Though Christie stresses that he made the choice to undergo surgery for his family and for his health, many political analysts also take it as evidence that he is indeed planning a presidential run in 2016, part of which would involve changing his image.

“I’ve struggled with this issue for 20 years,” he said. “For me, this is about turning 50 and looking at my children and wanting to be there for them.”

Are you a fan of Chris Christie?

[Image via: L.E.MORMILE, Shutterstock]

Chris Christie To Guest Host On ‘Today’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Edin Dzeko scored the only goal of the game as Manchester City squeezed past West Bromwich Albion 1-0 in Premier League action at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

The Bosnian international broke the scoreless deadlock in the 35th minute and City kept a clean a sheet the rest of the way to increase its lead over third-placed Chelsea to seven points.

The Baggies were the better side in the opening 10 minutes but Romelu Lukaku spurned a number of good chances to fire the visitors ahead.

The hosts took their time settling into the encounter but had two good chances to score via Carlos Tevez. The 29 year old played a one-two with James Milner before his curling effort flew just inches wide of the target.

Tevez then came close to opening the scoring when he pounced on a loose ball and unleashed a ferocious shot that rattled the crossbar.

It was all City at this point and the home side’s persistence paid off in the 35th minute when Dzeko volleyed in from a pinpoint cross from Tevez to give them a 1-0 lead.

Man City had a glorious chance to double its advantage nine minutes later but Milner hit the post from 20-yards out.

West Brom was on the ropes and its players were more than relieved to hear the half-time whistle.

The visitors came out with guns blazing and were unlucky not to draw level when Rosenberg’s free kick caromed off the bar before Billy Jones’ follow-up was saved by Joe Hart.

It was quite a scare for the hosts and they almost conceded in the 55th minute but once again Hart was up to the task as he pushed Morrison’s effort around the post.

The Baggies had another good opportunity to tie things up but Shane Long could not hit the target with only Hart to beat in the 80th minute.

Edin Dzeko’s goal stood up as the game winner as Manchester City clinched a Champions League spot with the 1-0 win.

Edin Dzeko Leads Manchester City To 1-0 Victory is a post from: The Inquisitr

Three bodies found on a farm in Kansas this week could be linked to a recent missing persons case. The grisly discovery has prompted widespread speculation that one of the victims may be 21-year-old Kaylie Bailey, who was last seen six days ago.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that three bodies were found on farm property situated west of Ottawa on Monday. According to authorities, the victims — two adult males and one adult female — were likely the victims of foul play.

“This is three homicides on one very large scene,” Sheriff Jeff Richards stated during a news conference on Tuesday. “We have more than 40 detectives here with various agencies to investigate this crime.”

Police have chosen not to release specific details regarding the three bodies, including the exact time or cause of death for each victim.

“The manner of death is going to be something…it’s going to be important to this investigation,” Richards explained. “So, I don’t want to reveal anything that might be to crucial to helping us solve this case.”

Sheriff Richards also declined to confirm any possible connection to the disappearance of Kansas City resident Kaylie Bailey.

The 21-year-old woman was reportedly last seen on April 30, accompanied by her one-year-old daughter, Lana. Both were officially reported missing on May 3.

Although police will not confirm if Bailey was one of the vicitms found on the farm, the person who first discovered the female body claims she recognized the missing woman immediately.

Kortni McGill and Corey Scholtzhauser visited the farm on Sunday. They had grown concerned about Andrew Stout, a friend residing at the property, after failing to reach him for nearly two weeks. According to McGill, she and Scholtzhauser quickly noticed a foul odor coming from the home.

They notified police, who reportedly spent a brief amount of time looking about the property. McGill claims the officers dismissed the smell as garbage and left the scene. Still concerned with being unable to reach her friend, McGill decided to return to the property to further investigate the smell.

McGill, Schlotzhauer, and Shona Osladil arrived at the farm on Monday, this time entering the garage. Within minutes of stepping inside, McGill noticed a tarp held down with cinder blocks resting underneath a table. Taking a closer look, the concerned friend was shocked by what she found.

“I reached down and saw teeth through the square in the cinder block,” McGill said of the horrifying discovery of a female body. She also claims that upon closer inspection, she recognized the victim as Kaylie Bailey. According to McGill, Bailey was romantically involved with Andrew Stout at the time of her disappearance.

McGill and her companions quickly alerted authorities to their discovery. Arriving on scene, police soon found that a total of three bodies were located on the farm.

While Monday’s discovery has yet to be officially linked to Bailey’s disappearance, Sheriff Richards confirmed that multiple males were reported missing in connection to her case. However, he did not confirm if Andrew Stout was one of those men, or if Stout was among the three bodies found on the farm.

[Top image via Shutterstock]

Three Bodies Found On Kansas Farm is a post from: The Inquisitr

Wade Robson has posthumously accused Michael Jackson of molesting him while he was a child at the Neverland Ranch.

TMZ reports that Robson, a dancer and award-winning choreographer who has worked with the likes of Britney Spears, Usher, and Pink, has filed legal documents requesting money from the Michael Jackson Estate for childhood sexual abuse.

Robson and the King of Pop struck up a friendship in 1988, when Wade was just five.

By the time Wade was seven, he was a guest for sleepovers at the Neverland Ranch and Jackson’s homes in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Wade was aged 14 when he finally stopped attending the sleepovers.

TMZ also notes Wade performed to a Michael Jackson song on reality game show Star Search when he was just eight (video of this is embedded below).

The friendship lasted right up until Jackson’s death in 2009, and Wade even testified in Jackson’s 2005 molestation trial, denying that the star had ever abused him. In the very same trial, Blanca Francia, Jackson’s former housekeeper, testified she saw her employer in the shower with an eight- or nine-year-old Wade.

TMZ discovered that lawyers for Wade Robson filed legal documents on May 1, requesting that the 30-year-old be allowed to file a late creditor’s claim against the Michael Jackson Estate. Wade’s legal reps say he submitted a never-before filed complaint “for childhood sexual abuse.”

The documents also state Wade was treated by a psychiatrist, described by TMZ as a “leader in the field of child psychology.”

Footage of a 13-year-old Robson lining up to buy Jackson’s 1995 HIStory album can be seen on YouTube:

What do you think of the new Wade Robson allegations?

[Wade Robson image via Shutterstock]

Wade Robson Makes Child Molestation Claim Against Michael Jackson Estate is a post from: The Inquisitr

Parks and Recreation star Adam Scott has reportedly signed on for Hot Tub Time Machine 2.

The upcoming sequel to the cult 2010 hit Hot Tub Time Machine will reportedly see Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry and Clarke Duke returning to their roles under the director of Steve Pink. While they are nearing the end of their negotiations to star in the film, newcomer Scott is in early talks to join them, reports The Wrap.

The report states that John Cusack, one of the original film’s stars, will definitely not be returning. They say that Scott will play a new leading role, but are vague about what that will entail. He apparently won’t be filling in for Cusack’s character (thank goodness, don’t you hate when they do that?) so it’ll be interesting to see how they write him in and Cusack out.

While a plot synopsis has not been revealed as of yet, the original Hot Tub Time Machine followed four men who discover a magical hot tub and use it to travel back in time to the 1980s, when they were teens. It was more of a cult hit than anything, grossing about $50 million in the U.S. and very well on home video.

Scott has quite an impressive resume lately, having wrapped up starring roles in the comedy A.C.O.D. and Ben Stiller’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Of course, he has a steady job on NBC’s Parks and Rec, as well as the web series Burning Love.

Scott is also co-creator and executive producer of the parody series The Greatest Event in Television History along with his wife Naomi Scott. The sequel will reunite Scott with Amy Poehler and will air June 6 on Adult Swim.

Are you a fan of Adam Scott? Are you looking forward to Hot Tub Time Machine 2?

[Image via: Dan Kosmayer, Shutterstock]

Adam Scott Takes John Cusack’s Place In ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’ Sequel is a post from: The Inquisitr

Stephen Curry. LeBron James. Kevin Durant.

It may seem like one of these things is not like the others, but by the end of the 2013 playoffs it won’t be that strange to hear the sharpshooting Warriors guard mentioned in the same breath as the NBA’s best.

Curry willed the six-seeded Warriors past the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs, and turned in a 44-point performance in a double overtime loss in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal on Monday.

Those following the NBA closely already know the record-setting year Stephen Curry had. He set a record for 3-pointers in a season with 272, bettering anything Ray Allen or Reggie Miller has ever done.

To beat the record, Curry had to make up some ground late in the year, hitting 19 3-pointers in the final three games.

“The one thing I know about Steph Curry — he’s not afraid when the lights are brightest,” Warriors coach Mark Jackson said.

For the Warriors the emergence of Stephen Curry has been a fulfilling process. Drafted No. 7 overall in 2009, the son of former NBA player Del Curry turned in a sensational rookie year before struggling with injuries in the next two years.

Stephen Curry broke out in 2013. He led the Warriors to only the team’s second playoff berth in the last 19 seasons, coming up clutch in some of the biggest games of the year.

Curry had a career-high 54 points under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden on February 27, though the Warriors lost to the Knicks. He also hit for 47 points in a loss to the Lakers late in the year.

He now has the team in position for a potential playoff upset. Though the Warriors dropped Game 1, the Spurs are an older team that has been prone to playoff collapses of late, especially against an upstate like Golden State.

No matter what the Warriors do the rest of the playoffs, the  team has a bright future with Stephen Curry.

Stephen Curry Is The Next NBA Superstar is a post from: The Inquisitr

“Baby Got Back” turned 21-years-old today. In other news, “Oh, my God, Becky … we are so old.”

The catchy hit courtesy of Sir Mix-a-Lot’s obsession with phat booty began as a humble dance tune on May 7, 1992 before working its way to becoming one of the top songs of the ’90s and still firmly embedded in pop culture today.

For five, glorious weeks, “Baby Got Back” sat at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 1. The following year, it took home a Grammy Award. Decades later, it is still listed as No. 6 on VH1′s 100 Greatest Songs of the ’90s.

The song has been used in movies, TV shows and commercials and has inspired parodies of every variety.

In a 1992 interview, Mix shared his interpretation of his famous song, which is quite a bit more touching than what you’d expect from a guy who wrote the lyrics “My anaconda don’t want none unless you’ve got buns, hon.”

“The song doesn’t just say I like large butts, you know? The song is talking about women who damn near kill themselves to try to look like these beanpole models that you see in Vogue magazine.”

Sir Mix-a-Lot never surpassed the success of “Baby Got Back,” but remained an active musician in the 1990s with three subsequent albums. Not like it matters. “Baby Got Back” will literally take care of him for life.

But a guy needs to stay busy, and Sir Mix-a-Lot is definitely that. He’s in charge of Rhyme Cartel Records, which helps emerging artists. He uniquely takes advantage of technology to find new acts through social means, and will possibly be using Skype to allow his fans to contribute vocally to his upcoming album “DUN 4GOT ABOUT MIX.”

In celebration of its 21st birthday, here’s Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back.”

‘Baby Got Back’ Turned 21 Today (Yes, We’re All Old) is a post from: The Inquisitr

A Mississippi death row inmate was granted a stay of execution just hours before he was scheduled to die for the killings of two college students.

The inmate, Willie Jerome Manning, was originally scheduled for execution by lethal injection at 6 pm CDT at the state prison in Parchman, Mississippi.

However, the Mississippi Supreme Court infinitely delayed Manning’s execution over questions involving evidence in the case. Manning was convicted in 1994 of shooting John Steckler and Tiffany Miller to death. Their bodies were discovered in a rural area in December 1992.

In recent days, the RBI has said there were errors in their agents’ testimony about ballistics tests and hair analysis in the case. Willie Manning’s lawyers also argued in recent filings before the Mississippi Supreme Court that the execution should be blocked. They cited the US Justice Department’s disclosures on testimony that it admitted exceed the limits of science.

The court ruled for a stay of execution for Manning by a vote of 8-1.  The court was previously split 5-4 in decision on Manning’s case. An FBI letter on Monday admitted there was incorrect testimony given in the death row inmate’s case related to tests on bullets in a tree near Manning’s house.

They were compared to bullets found in the victims. The letter stated that that kind of examination “is not based on absolute certainty but rather a reasonable degree of scientific certainty. FBI expert Chester E. Blythe testified at Mannings trial in 1994. But the FBI admitted Blythe overstated the ability of examiners to trace hairs to a particular person.

Blythe also improperly claimed that hairs at the crime scene came from an African American. While his victims were white, Manning’s hair is black. While Manning’s attorneys stated that they welcomed the stay of execution for the death row inmate, they are awaiting further word on what will happen next.

In postponing the execution of Willie Jerome Manning, the court did not give a reasoning for the decision. It also did not say what further action may be taken in the case or when it could happen. It is likely that the court will either grant relief from execution for Willie Manning, or they will order a retesting of the DNA evidence.

Mississippi Death Row Inmate Granted Stay Of Execution is a post from: The Inquisitr