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Live Nation Revives San Diego’s Iconic Wonder Bread Factory into Vibrant Cultural Hub

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In an exciting development for downtown San Diego, a historic Wonder Bread factory is poised for a dynamic revival. Live Nation has announced its vision to transform the venerable site into a state-of-the-art music venue capable of accommodating 4,000 people.

The entertainment giant revealed its ambitious blueprint to revitalize the century-old structure, located near Petco Park. The project’s goal is to infuse the industrial landmark with modern energy, turning it into a stylish destination for music lovers.

Scheduled to open in 2028, this adaptive reuse initiative seeks to address a significant gap in San Diego’s music scene. By providing a mid-sized venue, it will cater to tour sizes that sit comfortably between intimate clubs and expansive arenas, thereby attracting a wider array of artists.

“The absence of a venue this size has been evident, and this project will not only help draw a diverse lineup of touring artists but also boost the number of shows in the area,” remarked John Schalk, Vice President of the San Diego Market at Live Nation. “This will contribute significantly to the vibrant growth and buzz of downtown.”

Rather than demolishing the historic site, Live Nation plans to restore the building’s original brick exterior, which has long been concealed under layers of concrete. In collaboration with Gensler, their in-house Blueprint Studio aims to seamlessly blend the building’s historic charm with cutting-edge acoustics, optimized sightlines, and advanced production facilities, along with enhanced backstage amenities.

The building dates back to the late 1800’s and grew over the years into four interconnected structures before becomes associated with the Wonder Bread brand.

Live Nation reportedly shelled out $16.8 million for the property. The building’s longtime owners said they backed the vision because it offered a way to keep the old landmark standing while giving it an entirely new life.

Once the doors swing open, the old bread factory won’t just host concerts, but will also be a place for private, corporate and community events. An analysis by Oxford Economics for the project estimates the venue could generate roughly $97 million in annual economic impact, have some 316,000 fans a year and back 660 jobs. The project is also expected to bring in $12.6 million in state a local tax revenue.

Uncover the Disturbing Truth Behind Hayden Panettiere’s Tragic Death

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This is where the true performances begin.

In the wake of another young celebrity’s tragic passing, the reaction from her well-known contemporaries has been a dramatic display of shock and sorrow.

Spare me.

Hayden Panettiere’s recent press tour, meant to promote her memoir three months ago, was telling to any attentive observer. Her demeanor was off, raising clear red flags about her well-being.

Nevertheless, as she engaged with Gayle King, conversed with the panel on The View, and was interviewed by the motivational personality Jay Shetty, the collective pretense was that nothing was amiss with Panettiere.

She spoke in a low monotone, as if she were utterly detached from life itself. She slurred her words. Her eyes were glassy. She looked and sounded profoundly depressed and under the influence – and this was a woman with an open history of drug and alcohol abuse, which she wrote about in This is Me: A Reckoning.

Anyone who saw Hayden Panettiere (on Jay Shetty's podcast) on her press tour just three months ago, promoting her memoir while looking and sounding out of it, knew that this woman was in trouble.

Anyone who saw Hayden Panettiere (on Jay Shetty’s podcast) on her press tour just three months ago, promoting her memoir while looking and sounding out of it, knew that this woman was in trouble.

Her eyes were glassy. She looked and sounded profoundly depressed and under the influence. (Pictured on CBS Mornings in May).

Her eyes were glassy. She looked and sounded profoundly depressed and under the influence. (Pictured on CBS Mornings in May).

One passage concerned her struggling through postpartum depression while trying to get to work on her network drama Nashville.

‘I rolled over and wiped my eyes, and a dull pain seized my head,’ Panettiere wrote. ‘My stomach turned over, and I sat up, feeling the room start to spin. Oh my God, I need a drink, I thought. If I get a drink now, I can get out of bed and make it to work. It’s 6am, I thought, and I’m trying to get buzzed. The first thing I’d thought of when I woke up was alcohol. I needed a drink to function — at 6am. If I didn’t get some help as soon as possible, I was screwed.’

To suspect that Panettiere may have been using again strikes me as a logical thought. Did anyone say anything in the moment?

It seems not.

King interviewed Panettiere on CBS Mornings on May 18 and asked how she was feeling as she launched her book tour.

Hayden, visibly struggling to enunciate and keep her eyes open:

‘Honestly, I’m always nervous, but this time I’m the rawest version of myself that I’ve ever been.’

That’s one way to put it.

‘I’m not walking out, you know, promoting a project or a character that I played or able to hide behind anything.’

King played along during this lengthy interview. But on Monday, as the news of Panettiere’s death at age 36 dominated the cycle, King had new insight to share.

The real story. Not the fake one she helped promote back in May.

‘It was hard when she was here that day,’ King said on air. ‘When she was here in the studio… and I was talking to her off-camera, she was saying she felt that she was in a good place. But she was still, clearly still, struggling’.

Of course she was. We all saw it.

Just as we all see Ariana Grande in her new music video looking skeletal.

Her rib cage is protruding through her skin. Somehow, her record company and management thought it advisable to release said video, only for the public to express revulsion and horror.

In the immediate aftermath, her representative issued a flowery statement to People magazine saying that ‘Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility’ – after she completes her Eternal Sunshine tour, currently in London.

After she completes the tour. Money is still to be made, it seems.

If Rod Stewart can cancel his tour over health issues, as he has just done, so can Ariana Grande.

But this is the entertainment industry’s sick ecosystem, propped up by the likes of celebrity-friendly outlets such as People magazine.

It’s all about access. If anyone really told the truth, or dared venture to ask the obvious questions, access to celebrities would be cut off.

Remember Matthew Perry’s press tour for his memoir in late 2022, which was all about how he got clean and sober?

We learned, after his death, that Perry had been an active addict the entire time – which we all knew, because he was slurring his words and was barely able to sit up straight in every TV interview he did.

Not that a single reporter, including the esteemed Diane Sawyer, asked Perry about any of that.

So Jenna Ortega, 23, gives an interview to Esquire in which she says that as a child actor, age nine, she was so afraid to be considered problematic – clearly, so desperate to make it in the industry – that ‘I wasn’t asking for a sip of water. I would go all day without eating, drinking, whatever, because I wanted so badly to not be in the way of anybody.’

How was no one looking out for that little girl? Where were her parents? What about an on-set guardian?

Instead, Ortega – who, like Grande, now seems dangerously thin – blames herself.

‘Maybe that was my mistake,’ Ortega says. ‘Not actually looking after myself.’

She was a child.

Former Nickelodeon child star Jennette McCurdy, who came up at the network alongside Grande, wrote of the alleged abuse she suffered as a child star – and Panettiere was one as well, starting work at 11 months old – in her bestselling memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died.

‘No child is psychologically, emotionally, mentally equipped for the obstacles of child stardom,’ McCurdy told Canada’s CBC in 2022. ‘Even if they have the greatest support system around them.’

Panettiere, who was publicly estranged from her stage mom and was with her abusive boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, at the time of her death, clearly did not have a support system.

Her celebrity peers, however, would like to take this moment to remind everyone that they’re still here – and maybe even attempt a little reputational rehab.

Blake Lively, fresh from attempting to destroy Justin Baldoni’s career: ‘Be. Kind. You never know what others are going through.’

Is she for real?

Panettiere, who was publicly estranged from her stage mom and was with her abusive boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, at the time of her death, clearly did not have a support system.

Panettiere, who was publicly estranged from her stage mom and was with her abusive boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, at the time of her death, clearly did not have a support system.

Actress Connie Britton, whose relationship with Panettiere on the set of Nashville was ‘deeply complicated’ according to the late star’s memoir – because, Panettiere suggested, her character was more popular with the audience than Britton’s – wrote this on Instagram:

‘Bursting with brilliance, shining so bright. I have no words for this sad song. Just heartbreak. I love you girl. Sleep easy now.’

Perhaps nothing can top Selma Blair’s tasteless post:

‘Don’t be gone… I’m dying.’

Even in literal death, Panettiere suffers competition for the spotlight. She may be dead but Blair is dying.

If only the industry told the truth about what that spotlight costs. Assuredly, no one in their right mind would want it.

Tyler Robinson’s Fight to Stop Death Penalty in Charlie Kirk Murder Trial Faces Heavy Criticism from Prosecutors

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Prosecutors in Utah are advocating vigorously to ensure Tyler Robinson stands trial for every charge linked to Charlie Kirk’s murder. They argue that the amassed evidence compellingly points toward Robinson’s guilt, countering the defense’s attempts to eliminate the death penalty as a feasible outcome.

This Tuesday, in a detailed 19-page response, the prosecution addressed the defense’s request. They appealed to Judge Tony Graf to dismiss the defense’s plea to discard the aggravating factor that might lead to Robinson facing capital punishment.

The defense team challenged the prosecution by claiming that they failed to prove the shooting posed a significant risk of death to anyone beyond Charlie Kirk.

Tyler Robinson, charged with killing Charlie Kirk appears in court.

Tyler Robinson, who is charged with murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk, was seen making his first in-person court appearance on December 11, 2025. (Pool/KSL-TV)

Prosecutors said the evidence shows otherwise, arguing Robinson allegedly fired his grandfather’s high-powered rifle toward a crowd of thousands, with several people in the line of fire or close to Kirk.

They rejected the defense’s argument that the bullet traveled above the crowd, saying people near Kirk were still within the “zone of danger” created when Robinson allegedly fired the rifle.

“The evidence here easily establishes at least probable cause” that Robinson knowingly created a great risk of death to others, prosecutors wrote. They said the evidence is “more than sufficient to support a finding beyond a reasonable doubt.”

The state also took aim at the defense’s broader challenge to the evidence presented during Robinson’s preliminary hearing.

Tyler Robinson sitting in court.

Tyler Robinson, accused in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, listens during a preliminary hearing at the Fourth District Court on July 8, 2026, in Provo, Utah. (Tess Crowley – Pool/Getty Images)

“Defendant does not challenge the substance of the evidence demonstrating that he was the person who crawled to the sniper’s perch on the Losee Building rooftop, fired the fatal shot that killed Mr. Charlie Kirk, hid the rifle in a wooded area, got rid of some of the clothing he was wearing, and told his roommate to delete their texts about the shooting,” prosecutors wrote.

Prosecutors also accused Robinson’s attorneys of relying on case law that was later rejected by the Utah Supreme Court while failing to alert the judge to those later decisions.

“This blatant omission violates counsel’s duty of candor to the court,” prosecutors wrote.

The filing also defends a witness-tampering charge involving Robinson’s roommate and an allegation that Robinson committed a violent offense in the presence of a child.

Charlie Kirk throwing hats to crowd at Utah Valley University in Orem Utah.

Charlie Kirk throws hats to the crowd after arriving at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10, 2025. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his “American Comeback Tour” when he was shot in the neck and killed. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

Prosecutors also argue there is evidence Kirk was targeted because of his political expression, pointing in part to a cartridge engraved with the words “Hey fascist, catch.”

Robinson, 23, is accused of fatally shooting Kirk, 31, as he spoke at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. Robinson has not entered a plea.

Graf is expected to decide at a Sept. 1 hearing whether prosecutors have shown enough probable cause to send the case to trial.

Meta Faces Multistate Lawsuits Over Teen Well-Being: A Legal Storm Brewing

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Outside the federal courthouse in Oakland, parents stood clutching pictures of their children as Meta faced a pivotal trial, accused of intentionally getting kids addicted to their social media platforms.

Inside the court, emotions ran high with the commencement of opening statements. A coalition of 29 states, spearheaded by California, has charged Meta with designing Facebook and Instagram to captivate young audiences while obscuring the potential dangers of these platforms.

Amid a sea of worried parents, a large white sign carried the names of nearly 600 children reportedly harmed by social media’s grip, including young Giovanni, aged 11, and Bubba, aged 13, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Among those present was Mary Rodee, whose heart still aches following the tragic suicide of her 15-year-old son, Riley Basford, in 2021—an event connected to a predator exploiting Facebook.

“They label it as spontaneous suicide,” Rodee explained to Reuters. “I see it as a foreseeable consequence of a system that prioritizes corporation security over the well-being of our children.”

The mother of 14-year-old Alexander Neville was also at the courthouse. Her son died from fentanyl after she said he was tricked by a drug dealer on Snapchat.

“We want Meta, in short, to stop hurting our kids, stop knowingly hurting our kids, stop using features that you know create mental health harms to kids,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta told NPR.

Inside the courtroom, California Deputy Attorney General Megan O’Neill told the eight-person jury that Meta’s business model was to “hook the users, hold them for as long as they can, harvest their data, and then hide the truth from the ⁠public.”

“It worked especially well for kids,” O’Neill added. “Meta needed kids, and it needed to reassure the people who cared about those kids that the kids are safe.”

Meta pushed back hard, arguing there is no clear evidence that social media use causes poor well-being among adolescents.

Meta attorney Paul Schmidt said there was “no dispute” that some users struggle with social media, but argued the company does not believe its products are dangerous.

“They don’t believe they’re going to do well if people don’t like their service,” Schmidt said.

The case could have massive consequences for Meta, with the company warning that penalties could reach as high as $1.4 trillion if it loses.

The states are also seeking sweeping changes to Facebook and Instagram, including eliminating likes and infinite scrolling, imposing time limits on younger users and enforcing restrictions designed to keep children under 13 off the platforms.

Former Meta safety engineer Arturo Bejar, the states’ first witness, testified that “move fast and break things” was a mantra at the company and that safety was sometimes an afterthought.

“Many products were shipped into the world,” including Reels, “and safety was not a consideration in how it was initially deployed,” Bejar said.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri are expected to testify during the trial, which is scheduled to last six weeks.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel Shine in New Unified Family Photo

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In a rare moment of sharing his personal life, Justin Timberlake recently took to social media on a Tuesday to showcase a strong united front with his wife, Jessica Biel. This comes after he faced a challenging two-year period in his career.

The 45-year-old pop star – who boasts 178.4 million social media followers – captioned his 10-photo Instagram slideshow: ‘Been outside.’

Hailing from Minnesota, Timberlake also delighted fans with an abundance of photos featuring their sons, six-year-old Phineas and 11-year-old Silas, adding a personal touch to the heartfelt post.

One image captures a candid moment of little Phineas playing golf alongside his Grammy-winning dad, while another playful shot shows Silas smiling behind an indulgent hot-fudge sundae adorned with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry on top.

The couple is set for a milestone on October 19, as Timberlake and the 44-year-old Emmy nominee, Biel, prepare to celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary, marking over a decade of love and partnership.

The story of Timberlake and Biel dates back to 2007, when the No Angels singer first met the Tennessee-born actress on a snowboarding trip with friends in Park City, Utah. The rest, as they say, is history.

Justin Timberlake put on a united front with his wife Jessica Biel in a rare snap he posted on Tuesday following a difficult two years for his career

Justin Timberlake put on a united front with his wife Jessica Biel in a rare snap he posted on Tuesday following a difficult two years for his career

Before The Better Sister producer-star, Timberlake reportedly romanced the likes of Fergie, Britney Spears, Jenna Dewan, Alyssa Milano, Emma Bunton, Tatyana Ali, Cameron Diaz and Lindsay Lohan.

Meanwhile, Biel was said to have previously dated her 7th Heaven co-star Adam LaVorgna, her Cellular/London co-star Chris Evans and retired New York Yankee Derek Jeter.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the inseparable couple’s reps for comment but did not immediately hear back.

On July 30, Timberlake concluded his $205.2M-grossing, 121-date The Forget Tomorrow World Tour after receiving backlash about his viral low-effort performances wherein the audience appeared to sing more lyrics than he did onstage.

The Selfish singer had canceled or postponed several concerts due to the flu, bronchitis, laryngitis, an ankle injury and an ongoing back injury.

Last year, Timberlake announced he was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which he called ‘relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.’

Other celebrities suffering from the tick-borne illness include Yolanda Hadid, Bella Hadid, Anwar Hadid, Justin Bieber, Ben Stiller, Amy Schumer, Alec Baldwin, Shania Twain, Debbie Gibson, Avril Lavigne, Riley Keough, Ramona Singer and Kelly Osbourne.

In 2024, the Oscar-nominated songwriter pled guilty to driving while impaired, paid $760 in fines, agreed to do 25 hours of community service at a non-profit of his choice and had his New York license suspended for 90 days.

Timberlake, who refused to take a breathlyzer test, successfully avoided a criminal DWI charge and infractions for running a stop sign and failure to keep in his lane stemming from his arrest in Sag Harbor, New York.

The 45-year-old pop star - who boasts 178.4 million social media followers - captioned his 10-photo Instagram slideshow: 'Been outside'

The 45-year-old pop star – who boasts 178.4 million social media followers – captioned his 10-photo Instagram slideshow: ‘Been outside’

Minnesota-born Timberlake also included lots of pictures of their six-year-old son Phineas and 11-year-old son Silas

Minnesota-born Timberlake also included lots of pictures of their six-year-old son Phineas and 11-year-old son Silas

In one shot, little Phineas played golf with the 10-time Grammy winner

In another shot, little Silas posed behind a hot-fudge sundae with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry on top

In one shot, little Phineas played golf with the 10-time Grammy winner and, in another, little Silas posed behind a hot-fudge sundae with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry on top

On October 19, Timberlake and the 44-year-old Emmy nominee will impressively celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary (pictured June 21)

On October 19, Timberlake and the 44-year-old Emmy nominee will impressively celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary (pictured June 21)

On July 30, the No Angels singer concluded his $205.2M-grossing, 121-date The Forget Tomorrow World Tour after receiving backlash about his viral low-effort performances wherein the audience appeared to sing more lyrics than he did onstage (pictured in 2025)

On July 30, the No Angels singer concluded his $205.2M-grossing, 121-date The Forget Tomorrow World Tour after receiving backlash about his viral low-effort performances wherein the audience appeared to sing more lyrics than he did onstage (pictured in 2025)

Last year, Timberlake announced he was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which he called 'relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically'

Last year, Timberlake announced he was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which he called ‘relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically’ 

In 2024, the Selfish singer pled guilty to driving while impaired, paid $760 in fines, agreed to do 25 hours of community service at a non-profit of his choice and had his New York license suspended for 90 days

In 2024, the Selfish singer pled guilty to driving while impaired, paid $760 in fines, agreed to do 25 hours of community service at a non-profit of his choice and had his New York license suspended for 90 days 

Biel will next portray Aimee in Sam Hargrave's spy comedy Matchbox: The Movie - premiering October 9 on Apple TV - alongside John Cena, Sam Richardson, Danai Gurira and Corey Stoll

Biel will next portray Aimee in Sam Hargrave’s spy comedy Matchbox: The Movie – premiering October 9 on Apple TV – alongside John Cena, Sam Richardson, Danai Gurira and Corey Stoll

The four-time Emmy winner continues to pull 57.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify after selling over 32 million solo records and 80 million records with his former boyband *NSYNC.

But Timberlake first found fame at age 12 as a Mouseketeer in the Disney Channel variety show revival, The All-New Mickey Mouse Club, which aired for seven seasons spanning 1989-1996.

Biel will next portray Aimee in Sam Hargrave’s spy comedy Matchbox: The Movie – premiering October 9 on Apple TV – alongside John Cena, Sam Richardson, Danai Gurira and Corey Stoll.

The Fatal Destination producer-narrator’s other upcoming acting projects include Kyle Marvin’s Yosemite mountain climbing drama Batso and Anthony Sparks’s reboot of her sitcom 7th Heaven at CBS Studios.

Lucky’ Season 1 Episode Guide: Discover If Episode 8 Unfolds the Saga Further

As the final credits of Lucky Episode 7 roll, fans of Apple TV’s gripping crime series may find themselves yearning for more.

In Episode 7, titled “All Good Things,” tension spirals as promised by the official synopsis: “Everything is on the line as Lucky navigates an explosive confrontation.” Viewers were on the edge of their seats, eager to discover the fate of John Armstrong (played by Timothy Olyphant) following that nail-biting cliffhanger in Episode 6. The episode also saw dramatic face-offs between Lucky, Priscilla Masterson (Annette Bening), and Wayne Whittaker (William Fichtner), while Agent Rand (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) finally found some closure in her ongoing case. With all these culminations, is this truly the end for Lucky? Or is there more in store?

Wondering about the complete episode count of Lucky Season 1? Does an Episode 8 await eager viewers, or does Episode 7 mark the season curtain call? Moreover, can fans hope for a Season 2 return on Apple TV? Stay with us as we delve into the prospects for Lucky, covering everything from the Season 1 finale schedule and episode numbers to insights on a potential Season 2.

How Many Episodes Are In Lucky Season 1? Will There Be A Lucky Episode 8 On Apple TV?

Season 1 of Lucky is composed of a concise seven episodes—no more, no less!

Is Lucky Over? Lucky Finale Premiere Date:

Lucky Episode 7, aptly named “All Good Things,” not only concluded the first season but left fans pondering: Was this also the series finale?

Will There Be A Season 2 of LuckyOr Is Lucky A Limited Series?

Curious if Lucky‘s Season 1 finale marked the end of our time with Lucky, Priscilla, and John, or if the Apple TV series is returning for a Season 2? From the start, Lucky was marketed as a limited series. Apple TV also called Episode 7 the “series finale” and referred to it as “the gripping conclusion of limited series Lucky,” so as it stands right now, there won’t be a Season 2.

Anya Taylor-Joy in "Lucky"

Photo: Apple TV

Lucky Ending Explained: Lucky Episode 7 Recap

Need a refresher on how Anya Taylor-Joy’s thrilling crime drama wrapped up? Decider will have a detailed Lucky finale recap at your service after the coverage embargo lifts on Wednesday, August 19.

How To Watch Lucky Online: Apple TV Streaming Info

Since Lucky is an Apple TV original series, you’ll have to subscribe to the platform to watch.

Apple TV comes with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers and has just one ad-free streaming plan available for $12.99/month.

Amazon Prime members can also subscribe to Apple TV directly through Prime Video and take advantage of a $5.99/month deal. A bundle with Apple TV and Peacock is also available, offering $10/month in savings.

Stay tuned for more Lucky coverage from Decider.

Meta Faces Historic Lawsuit Over Child Exploitation Claims

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In a pivotal legal showdown, a U.S. federal court was presented with accusatory arguments on Wednesday, asserting that Meta consciously crafted Facebook and Instagram to ensnare and exploit young users’ attention spans.

This lawsuit, reminiscent of the infamous “big tobacco moment,” sees a coalition of U.S. states demanding $200 billion in damages from Meta. The allegation: using psychologically manipulative technology to addict children, drawing parallels with the strategies employed by the tobacco industry.

California prosecutor Megan O’Neill laid out the accusations during opening statements, arguing that Meta “manipulated how kids’ brains function.” She described the tech giant’s business model as one focussed on engaging users intensely, retaining them consistently, collecting their data, and subsequently “hiding the truth from the public.”

Representing Meta, attorney Paul Schmidt conceded that some users have indeed suffered negative impacts from the platforms. However, he contended that the company has actively developed tools aimed at mitigating these effects and offering support.

The company, prior to the trial, staunchly refuted all claims. Meta asserted it has engaged collaboratively with parents, industry experts, and law enforcement agencies to integrate child safety measures into their platforms.

Mothers rally

This is not the first case seeking to hold tech companies — including Meta — accountable for these types of issues, but it could become one of the most consequential if it leads to sweeping changes on the platforms.

Meta founder and chief Mark Zuckerberg is among the star witnesses expected to testify, along with Instagram head Adam Mosseri.

A group of protesters holding signs addressing youth mental health and social media safety outside a building entrance.

Activists, including mothers of children they say were driven to suicide by their social media usage, rallied outside court.

One mother, Lori Schott, called out Zuckerberg and Mosseri, saying they “built one of those most powerful and richest companies in the world… But power does not excuse harm.”

First of many?

This is the first federal trial in what is expected to be a tidal wave of lawsuits also targeting TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube as families, educators and state governments charge them with harming the mental health of young people.

Meta, which has more than three billion users worldwide, is the sole defendant in this case.

In addition to financial penalties, the states are demanding changes to Meta’s apps to protect young users, including limits to screen time.

Four states — California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey — are representing a coalition of 29 states that first sued Meta in 2023.

The charges are three-fold: that Meta lied to the public about how dangerous its apps are for minors; designed some features specifically to get them hooked and stay online, including screen time-limiting ones that are easy to get around; and gathered data on children under age 13 without parental consent, in violation of federal law.

The trial is expected to last six weeks, with a verdict expected by October.

For Meta, “the huge issue here is reputational harm” and being forced to make major changes to its social media platforms, Vincent Joralemon, a director at Berkeley’s Life Sciences Law and Policy Center, told the Agence-France Presse news agency.

Experts see parallels with a three-decade-old settlement between dozens of US states and tobacco companies.

“It really feels like tobacco in the 1990s,” Joralemon said.

While cases about social media harms revolve around the intersection of technology and addiction, the case against Meta focuses on its business practices, similar to when US regulators sued tobacco companies, Joralemon said.

Dozens of US states sued four major tobacco companies for downplaying the harmful health impacts of their products, and won a 1998 landmark settlement that included financial penalties and changes to product marketing.

Those tobacco companies have paid over $176 billion since, according to data from the National Association of Attorneys General.


Young Mastermind Surrenders: Shocking Turn in Penn State Cocaine Ring Case

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A man accused of orchestrating a purported cocaine trafficking operation at Penn State University has reportedly turned himself in. This development comes after authorities charged over a dozen individuals on Monday morning.

The suspect, 24-year-old Agostino Abbatiello, surrendered alongside two others on Tuesday morning. The arrests followed an investigation that exposed the alleged drug network operating through two off-campus fraternities, Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi, according to the attorney general’s office.

Attorney General Dave Sunday announced, “We are pleased to report that the most significant members of this cocaine-trafficking organization are accounted for and will have their fair process in court.”

“These are very serious charges and the next steps will be preliminary hearings,” Sunday continued.

Abbatiello now faces arraignment on multiple alleged felonies, including several counts of possession with intent to deliver and conspiracy, General Sunday confirmed.

The Long Island native and Thomas Robinson are the two people accused of being at the ‘very top of the chain’ in the alleged drug ring.

Both allegedly made regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for ‘large quantities of cocaine,’ according to the Attorney General.

‘This was a coordinated and highly profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers and pledges,’ Sunday previously said. 

Agostino Abbatiello, 24, surrendered on Tuesday after an investigation uncovered an alleged drug ring running through two off-campus fraternities at Penn State, prosecutors say

Agostino Abbatiello, 24, surrendered on Tuesday after an investigation uncovered an alleged drug ring running through two off-campus fraternities at Penn State, prosecutors say

More than a dozen Penn State students in two off-campus fraternities face drug-related charges after members allegedly cut and packaged cocaine and distributed it to others

More than a dozen Penn State students in two off-campus fraternities face drug-related charges after members allegedly cut and packaged cocaine and distributed it to others

Both Robinson, above, and Abbatiello allegedly made regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for 'large quantities of cocaine'

Both Robinson, above, and Abbatiello allegedly made regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for ‘large quantities of cocaine’

‘In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.’ 

Court documents obtained by Fox News alleged the suspect made tens of thousands of dollars in profit from the trafficking ring. 

A co-defendant told investigators that, in one transaction, he purchased over $50,000 worth of the drug from Abbatiello through cash and digital transactions, the outlet reported. 

Neighbors of the alleged drug ringleader told Fox News that Abbatiello ‘had a good job in accounting.’

‘His father said he had a nice job in accounting. He was doing well,’ they added. 

The neighbor added that Abbatiello and his siblings were ‘spoon-fed.’

‘They weren’t the kind of kids to take the garbage out or shovel the snow,’ they said.  

Abbatiello was said to have failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment on Monday morning, according to the attorney general’s office. 

Mohammed Hurabi

Lars Zeepvat

Mohammed Hurabi (left) and Lars Zeepvat (right) were charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and other offenses

Robert Zanolla was charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility as well as other misdemeanor charges

Paul Robinson, Thomas Robinson's father, was charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstructing the investigation

Robert Zanolla (left) was charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as other misdemeanor charges. Paul Robinson, Thomas Robinson’s father (right), was charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstructing the investigation

Michael Church, Sigma Chi's executive director, said in a statement that the allegations are 'an egregious violation of our values' and all three members charged have been suspended

Michael Church, Sigma Chi’s executive director, said in a statement that the allegations are ‘an egregious violation of our values’ and all three members charged have been suspended

He and Robinson were two of four charged; Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat were charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and other offenses. 

A fifth person, Robert Zanolla, was charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as other misdemeanor charges, the release stated. 

Paul Robinson, Thomas Robinson’s father, was charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstructing the investigation. 

‘In all, 13 defendants were Penn State University students at or around the time of the alleged conduct, in 2023 and 2024,’ the release from the attorney general’s office stated.

Of those charged, four are current Penn State students, according to the attorney general’s office. 

Andrea Dowhower, vice president for Student Affairs at Penn State University, said: ‘We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students.

‘Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can.’

Agostino Abbatiello

Thomas Robinson

Abbatiello (left) and Robinson (right) stand accused of being the main suppliers for the frats

‘We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organizations,’ Dowhower added.

The university said in a statement that Delta Upsilon would be placed on interim suspension, and that Sigma Chi operates outside of the university and is not recognized as an organization. 

Michael Church, Sigma Chi’s executive director, said in a statement to the outlet that the allegations are ‘an egregious violation of our values’ and that all three members charged in the investigation have been suspended. 

The Daily Mail has approached representatives for Abbatiello, Delta Upsilon and the attorney general’s office for comment.

Tragic Accident: Mother of Three Killed by Falling Tree on Highway

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A tragic accident claimed the life of an Ohio mother of three when a large tree fell onto her SUV as she drove on a highway this past weekend, according to authorities.

Bridget E. Reagan, 35, from Minerva, was in her 2023 Jeep Wagoneer heading west on U.S. Route 30 in Paris Township late Saturday afternoon. At approximately 5:24 p.m., a tree from a nearby wooded area suddenly fell, landing on her vehicle, as reported by the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP).

Officials pronounced Reagan dead at the scene, according to the OSHP.

Lt. Johnnie Maier of the Ohio State Highway Patrol explained to WEWS, “We’re investigating whether the ground was saturated, or if the tree was rotted—essentially considering whether this was just an unforeseeable act of God.”

Bridget Reagan, a mother of three and owner of Chic Haven in Minerva, Ohio

Bridget Reagan, 35, was not only a devoted mother to her three children but also the owner of Chic Haven, a popular clothing and home décor boutique located in Minerva, Ohio. (GoFundMe)

“This could have happened to anybody, but in this case, it happened to a young lady with a family,” Maier told the outlet.

Reagan was a small-business owner and well-known member of the Minerva community, where she owned Chic Haven, a clothing and home décor boutique.

Reagan’s sudden death prompted an outpouring of grief from family, friends, fellow business owners and members of the tight-knit Minerva community.

The Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce offered its “deepest and most heartfelt condolences” to Reagan’s family, friends and loved ones, describing her as a valued member of the local business community who brought “an incredible amount of energy, warmth, and joy” to those around her.

Bridget Reagan poses for a photo with a young person

Bridget Reagan, 35, was a mother of three and business owner in Minerva, Ohio. (GoFundMe)

“Her presence touched so many people, and the impact she made throughout our community will not be forgotten,” the chamber said, adding that the loss “will be felt for a very long time.”

Reagan also used her platform to give back. In a Facebook post last year, she asked friends to mark her birthday by donating to SAVE22 Veterans, an Ohio nonprofit focused on supporting veterans and raising awareness about veteran suicide.

“I’ve chosen this nonprofit because their mission means a lot to me, and I hope you’ll consider contributing as a way to celebrate with me,” Reagan wrote at the time.

Chic Haven Boutique confirmed Reagan’s death in an emotional Facebook post signed by her sister, Kelly.

“There are no words that could ever truly express the heartbreak and emptiness we are feeling,” the post said.

“Bridget poured so much love, time, passion, and pieces of herself into this business, but even more importantly, she touched the lives of so many people along the way,” the post continued.

The family said they would work to preserve what Reagan built.

“We will do our best to honor her memory and the legacy she created,” the post said.

Bridget Reagan smiles while posing outdoors with two children

Bridget Reagan, a 35-year-old mother of three, was remembered by the Minerva community following her sudden death. (GoFundMe)

A GoFundMe created by Reagan’s sister is raising money for funeral and memorial expenses and to support her three children.

“Bridget was a loving mother to three young children, and they were the center of her world,” the fundraiser said.

“She was also a deeply loved daughter, sister, and friend,” the fundraiser continued, saying Reagan’s death “has left an enormous space in the lives of so many people who cared about her.”

Friends and customers also flooded social media with tributes, remembering Reagan as a kind and supportive friend who made time for others and embraced families in the community.

One mourner recalled that Reagan was never too busy to offer a new mother advice or a listening ear, while another said she welcomed their family “with open arms.” Others remembered her as “such a light in our little community” and said she had “the kindest heart.”

One local business is now using Reagan’s memory to help support her family. Gardner Candle Co. announced a memorial candle made in a fragrance Reagan particularly loved, with 100% of the profits going to her family.

“Some people leave a light behind that can never be dimmed. Bridget Reagan was one of those beautiful souls,” the company wrote, saying Reagan had supported the owner’s candle business and often partnered with her on local events.

Ex-Gangster ‘Mob James’ Stays Silent on Rival in Explosive Tupac Shakur Murder Case

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A former gang member known for his notoriety boldly dismissed inquiries from attorneys regarding Tupac Shakur’s murder, defiantly challenging the court with, “treat me as a hostile witness,” during an intense testimony on Tuesday.

James “Mob James” McDonald, once an influential figure within Compton’s Mob Piru Gang and an enforcer for Death Row Records, displayed open contempt toward both prosecuting and defense attorneys as they bombarded him with questions about the infamous gang conflict that culminated in the 1996 slaying of the iconic rapper on the bustling Las Vegas Strip.

“I know about a lot of things. Things that were happening, things people haven’t talked about in decades. Today’s not the day for that,” McDonald retorted when prosecutors sought to implicate 63-year-old Duane “Keffe D” Davis, a member of the rival South Side Compton Crips, in the murder conspiracy.

McDonald once served as a lieutenant under Suge Knight, another Mob Piru affiliate and the influential leader of Death Row Records, which had Shakur at the forefront of its roster.

When pressed to delve into the long-standing animosity that dates back three decades, McDonald firmly stated, “Me or anybody else raising up the dead is wrong,” refusing to resurrect past grievances.

“I don’t want to send [Davis] to prison. Even though we don’t like each other,” McDonald declared before ripping the court for forcing him to dredge up memories of the old life he wants to put behind him and protect his grandchildren from.

McDonald’s testimony seemed to do little to help prove his former rival was the one who orchestrated Shakur’s murder.

Prosecutors say Davis gave a gun to his nephew Orlando Anderson and told him to shoot Shakur as an “act of revenge” after the rapper and his pals beat Anderson up.

It took more than 25 years to arrest and charge Davis, who has acknowledged that his nephew — now dead — was the one who fired the shots, but has denied giving the order.

McDonald had been managing security at Suge Knight’s Las Vegas club, where Knight and Shakur were headed during the ambush.

He said he knew who was and wasn’t present during the attack, but he wouldn’t name names — nor answer questions about the skirmishes that erupted in Compton after the murder.

“You’re asking me something that’s gonna hurt this dude!” McDonald said to Davis’ attorney Michael Sanft.

The testimony ended in a shouting match with McDonald throwing up his hands and saying “I’m not answering nothing. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Then, turning to Davis, he said: “Cover your lawyer, man. That dude is trippin.’”

“I’m not gonna send him to prison. You are,” he said of his old enemy.