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Man Kicked Down Apartment Door and Killed Ex-Partner’s New Lover

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Inset left: Stuart Beck (Clearwater Police Department). Inset right: Michael Conrad (obituary). Background: The now-closed Bay Cove Apartments in Clearwater, Fla., where Beck shot and killed Conrad (Google Maps).

A Florida man has been sentenced to decades in prison for fatally shooting his former girlfriend’s new partner during a late-night confrontation.

Stuart Beck, 25, was convicted by a Pinellas County jury in July of second-degree murder in connection with the July 2022 death of 20-year-old Michael Conrad.

This week, Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Philippe Matthey sentenced Beck to 30 years in prison.

The shooting happened in the early morning hours of July 6, 2022, at the Bay Cove Apartments, located at 19135 U.S. Highway 19 North in Clearwater, roughly 20 miles west of Tampa.

Beck and Conrad became involved in a confrontation whose details remained sharply disputed by prosecutors and the defense. What was not disputed was that Beck fired the shot that killed Conrad.

However, Beck’s account of what happened shifted over time, according to a courtroom report from the Tampa Bay Times.

From the time of his arrest through the start of his trial, Beck maintained that the gun discharged accidentally. While testifying, he acknowledged that he intentionally caused the weapon to fire, but said he never intended to kill Conrad.

“I didn’t mean to kill him, but I meant for the gun to go off,” Beck reportedly told jurors.

Beck claimed he acted in self-defense, saying Conrad and two friends had beaten him previously. He testified that he feared for his life during a final struggle in a bedroom.

“We were basically wrestling for the gun and moving around the general area,” Beck said. He testified that he tried to raise his hand to make Conrad release the weapon, then attempted to strike him with the gun after he began losing his grip. Beck said he believed shooting Conrad was the only way to stop him from taking control of the firearm.

Prosecutors rejected that version of events, focusing on Beck’s actions immediately before the shooting. They said he kicked in the apartment door before entering.

“You cannot break down a door, break into an apartment, point a gun at someone who has nothing on him,” a prosecutor told the jury. “That’s not self-defense, members of the jury, that’s murder. You don’t get so close to somebody and put a pistol up against their chest as an accident.”

The violence appeared to stem from Beck’s anger over his former girlfriend’s relationship with Conrad, although the people involved offered different accounts of the circumstances.

The woman testified that she and Beck had ended their relationship months earlier, though his name remained on the apartment lease. She said she had begun dating Conrad but still spent time with Beck occasionally.

“This is a heat-of-passion shooting; this is a love triangle,” defense attorney Scott Tremblay argued. “This is a manslaughter case at best.”

Beck denied knowing Conrad was inside the apartment when he arrived. Prosecutors countered with testimony from the woman, who said Beck called her and told her he knew Conrad was there after spotting the victim’s truck outside.

The jury ultimately sided largely with the prosecution, convicting Beck of murder while determining that the killing was not premeditated. That finding ruled out a first-degree murder conviction.

At the sentencing hearing, one of Conrad’s aunts described the lasting impact of his death, the Times reported.

“You didn’t just kill him; you killed laughter in our home,” she said. “You killed quiet moments that should have been filled with his voice. You condemned us to a lifetime of grief, and I hope you carry that same burden.”

White House Slams New York City’s ‘Reckless’ Sanctuary Policies

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The White House on Saturday criticized New York City’s sanctuary policies, arguing that limits on cooperation with federal immigration authorities have contributed to violent crime and disorder.

“Radical Democrat politicians must stop releasing criminal illegal aliens from jails into our communities,” White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said angrily.

“These reckless policies have consequences and far too often they are the death of innocent Americans. Extreme Democrats must stop putting criminal illegal aliens above American citizens.”

The Trump administration is forcefully defending the ICE agents who shot 28-year-old migrant Oscar Belgal in the Bronx on Thursday. Officials argue the confrontation might have been prevented if the NYPD had transferred suspects to immigration authorities before releasing them.

According to sources and court records, the Dominican migrant had an extensive criminal history but remained on the streets under New York’s bail and sanctuary policies.

Belgal is believed to have entered the United States illegally around 2022. The following year, he was convicted of robbing someone at gunpoint in Fordham Heights. Within months, he was allegedly arrested for selling drugs, and sources say he has ties to a violent street gang.

The administration has cited Belgal’s case alongside several other high-profile incidents involving suspects who had previously been arrested and released by the NYPD.

D’Angelo Caraballo and Sneider Mejia Bautista, the illegal aliens accused of stabbing off-duty NYPD Detective Jose Mercedes last week, had each been arrested previously on separate charges and released. Authorities say the pair approached Mercedes on an e-bike and attempted to steal his gold chain. When he resisted, they allegedly stabbed him seven times.

Cristian Aybar-Berroa, 22, and Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, 21, are accused of shooting an off-duty Customs and Border Protection agent during a July moped robbery in Manhattan’s Fort Washington Park. Both men had previously been arrested by the NYPD and released.

Aybar-Berroa entered the country illegally in 2022 amid a surge in migration during the Biden administration. After a federal immigration judge ordered his deportation in 2023, the NYPD handcuffed him eight times, yet he was released on each occasion.

As The Post previously reported, Mora Nunez had been arrested multiple times in New York, including twice in August 2024 after allegedly assaulting a pregnant woman. He was also wanted in Massachusetts on weapons and kidnapping charges.

Richard Williams, an 83-year-old Air Force veteran, died of a brain bleed after a Honduran illegal immigrant allegedly shoved him onto the F/Q subway tracks in Manhattan in March. The suspect had reportedly been deported four times.

Police described the suspect, Bairon Posada-Hernandez, as a “serial criminal” with at least 15 charges on his record. The allegations included simple assault, domestic violence and obstruction of justice.

The year before Tren de Aragua member José Antonio Ibarra murdered 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley while she was jogging at the University of Georgia in 2024, the NYPD had arrested and released him for riding a scooter with his 2-year-old child, who was not wearing a helmet. He was also wanted on an arrest warrant in Georgia.

The incidents have become a focal point in the broader battle over sanctuary-city policies. Federal officials contend that when local authorities decline to cooperate with immigration enforcement, dangerous suspects can remain free in the community.

White House border czar Tom Homan attacked sanctuary-city policies during an appearance on Fox News on Saturday. He also defended the ICE agents who opened fire on Belgal’s vehicle while his 5-year-old son was sitting in the back seat.

“They performed exactly as they were trained. This man tried to run an officer over. He feared for his life, so he took action,” Homan told the network.

“Many of these instances could be avoided if they’d simply give us access to the bad guy in the safety and security of the jail rather than release him into the community.”

The NYPD has said that its ability to act is constrained by the law.

Law enforcement experts warn that the consequences of these policies may extend beyond the courtroom.

“Several states have challenged federal immigration enforcement in ways that, in my view, create unnecessary risks for civilians,” said Michael Alcazar, retired NYPD detective and adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

“By prohibing local police from assisting ICE during operations, they limit the ability to maintain a safe and controlled environment.”

Additional reporting by Tina Moore

Trump Floats Renaming Atlantic or Pacific as ‘Trump Ocean’ to Cheers

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President Donald Trump has suggested renaming either the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, raising the possibility of labels such as “Trump Ocean” as supporters cheered his latest proposal to reshape America’s geographical identity.

Speaking at a rally in Clarksville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Trump said one of the world’s two largest oceans could be given a new name: “Trump Ocean” or “Ocean of the Americas.”

He indicated that he wanted another prominent landmark renamed before his time in the White House ends.

Trump has already ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be referred to as the “Gulf of America” for US federal purposes and renamed Lake Ontario “Lake America,” signaling that his campaign to alter familiar place names may not be over.

At the Tennessee rally, however, the 80-year-old commander-in-chief suggested that his ambitions extend well beyond another lake or waterway.

“So we’ve got the Gulf. We’ve got a beautiful lake. Now somebody you need a river,” Trump told the cheering audience.

He quickly ruled out changing the name of the Hudson River, praising the explorer after whom it was named. “I don’t want to change the name of the Hudson River. That’s too much. Henry Hudson did a good job setting up that sucker a long time ago,” Trump said.

Instead, the president revealed that he was considering a far more sweeping geographical change.

President Donald Trump floated renaming the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean 'Trump Ocean' or 'Ocean of the Americas' during a MAGA rally in Clarksville, drawing cheers from supporters

President Donald Trump suggested renaming the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean “Trump Ocean” or “Ocean of the Americas” during a MAGA rally in Clarksville, prompting cheers from supporters

Could the Pacific Ocean soon be renamed the Trump Ocean? Pictured  in San Diego on Friday

Could the Pacific Ocean eventually become the “Trump Ocean”? The ocean is pictured near San Diego on Friday

“So we need a river and we need an ocean, so I was thinking of either the Atlantic or the Pacific,” Trump told the crowd.

“We’ll call it Trump Ocean or Ocean of the Americas.”

The idea was met with an enthusiastic reaction from MAGA supporters as Trump considered placing his name on one of the planet’s largest and best-known bodies of water.

He also made clear that he would prefer to see the change take place before his presidency concludes.

“We should have — before I get out, I think we should have an ocean or we need a great river,” he continued.

Despite his willingness to revisit several landmark names, Trump said one major American river would not be affected.

“Now I’m not changing the name of the Mississippi,” he declared.

The comments add a new dimension to Trump’s growing effort to rename some of the United States’ most recognizable geographical features.

Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly shown that he is prepared to challenge long-established place names, reigniting debates about history, national identity and America’s ties with neighboring countries.

President Donald Trump is photographed in February 2025 with a 'Gulf of America' sign. He changed the name from the Gulf of Mexico on inauguration day

President Donald Trump is pictured in February 2025 beside a “Gulf of America” sign after changing the name from the Gulf of Mexico on Inauguration Day

In August, Trump changed the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America

In August, Trump changed the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America

Republicans were quick to celebrate the move to rename Lake Ontario

Republicans were quick to celebrate the move to rename Lake Ontario 

One of his first major moves came shortly after his second inauguration, when he ordered federal agencies to adopt the name ‘Gulf of America’ instead of Gulf of Mexico.

The sweeping change, which quickly became a symbol of his America First agenda.

‘We’re going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America,’ Trump told reporters at the time.

‘Which has a beautiful ring. That covers a lot of territory. The Gulf of America, what a beautiful name. And it’s appropriate. It’s appropriate.’

The move attracted international attention, particularly because the enormous body of water borders not only the United States but also Mexico and Cuba.

Although Washington can determine the terminology used by its own federal agencies, it cannot compel foreign governments to recognize its preferred geographical names.

In August, he turned his attention to Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes shared by the United States and Canada.

In a video posted to TikTok on August 26, Trump announced his intention to give the lake a distinctly American identity.

‘We’re gonna make a little change, we’re gonna call it something different than Lake Ontario,’ he declared.

‘We’re gonna call it Lake America. And all it takes is a good pen and some intelligence.’

The president then demonstrated his proposal by taking a Sharpie to a map, crossing out the existing name and writing ‘LAKE AMERICA’ above it.

Trump also reversed a landmark decision made under former President Barack Obama by restoring the name Mount McKinley to North America's tallest mountain

Trump also reversed a landmark decision made under former President Barack Obama by restoring the name Mount McKinley to North America’s tallest mountain

Trump also reversed a landmark decision made under former President Barack Obama by restoring the name Mount McKinley to North America’s tallest mountain.

The Alaskan peak had officially been known as Denali since 2015, when the Obama administration adopted the name long used by Alaska Native communities.

Denali has deep cultural and historical significance to Indigenous Alaskans, while Mount McKinley honors William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States.

Trump’s decision to restore the McKinley name reignited a decades-old dispute over which historical legacy the mountain should commemorate.

The Daily Mail has contacted the White House for comment. 

Duke Rancic: What to Know About Bill and Giuliana Rancic’s Son

After years of fertility struggles, Bill and Giuliana Rancic welcomed their first child together, a baby boy named Edward Duke Rancic, on August 29, 2012. Their son, who goes by Duke, was delivered in Denver, Colorado, via surrogate, and the parents’ excitement was clear, with Bill posting on X, “G & I feel blessed beyond words…We did it!” As Giuliana would later tell People in 2024, “It was such a hard time in our lives when we were going through IVF and even opening up about it.” That’s why she considered becoming a parent and having a healthy child nothing short of a blessing. “We’re so lucky,” she enthused.

As Duke grew up, he brought his parents even more happiness than they had imagined. “He’s a good kid. He’s always laughing,” Bill told People when Duke was 2. “Just the happiest kid I’ve ever met.” Although he appeared on his parents’ reality show and made the cover of Life & Style at only 2 weeks old, Duke’s exposure to the public has steadily declined. Bill and Giuliana have continued to share occasional details about his childhood while carefully protecting most of his private life. Here’s what is known about their son.

Duke Rancic was involved in cord blood banking

Giuliana Rancic’s journey to motherhood was marked by profound challenges. The television personality has openly discussed undergoing IVF, experiencing a miscarriage and eventually turning to a gestational carrier. After years of emotional and medical difficulties, Duke Rancic was born. Giuliana told E! News that she held their son first, while Bill cut the umbilical cord.

Because of their difficult path to parenthood, the couple chose to preserve Duke’s umbilical cord blood through the Cord Blood Registry. The new parents also wrote about the decision for People in an effort to explain the potential benefits to other families. They said Giuliana’s sister had banked the cord blood stem cells of all four of her children and that they had first heard about the process more than a decade earlier. “It was a no-brainer for us,” they wrote, adding that although they hoped never to need them, Edward Duke’s stem cells would be available if necessary. According to the registry’s website, cord blood stem cells can be used to treat 80 conditions and counting.

Duke Rancic was the reason his parents left reality TV

The Rancics’ marriage became a public story when “Giuliana & Bill” premiered on the Style Network in 2009. The series, which later completed its seven-season run on E!, offered viewers an unusually close look at their relationship and its less conventional moments. Their struggle to become parents became one of the show’s most meaningful storylines. When Duke was born in August 2012, cameras documented the experience, including the delivery room.

Duke appeared in two additional seasons of his parents’ series, though Giuliana said they had initially debated whether to put him on camera. Speaking with “Today,” she explained that it felt unusual to share their fertility struggles without allowing viewers to see the child who came from that journey. Bill said Duke might appear for one or two seasons, and the couple ultimately kept to that plan.

When “Giuliana & Bill” ended in 2014, Giuliana said the decision centered largely on their son. “We needed to pull back a little bit just because our son is 4,” she told The Huffington Post. She did not want cameras following Duke to preschool or recording every milestone before he was old enough to have a say. While she left open the possibility of filming again someday, she added that the family wanted to protect him in the meantime.

Duke Rancic was raised away from technology

Even while building highly visible careers — including launching a podcast in 2026 — Bill and Giuliana have emphasized the importance of being present for Duke. In a 2014 interview with Psychology Today, Giuliana said she was working to separate her professional and home lives so she could give her then-1-year-old son her full attention. That meant putting away her phone and turning off her computer, a habit Bill was also trying to adopt. Two years later, she shared a backyard photo with Duke on Facebook, writing that it was nice to put down their phones and reconnect.

Giuliana’s approach to limiting technology also shaped the way she raised Duke. In a 2019 blog for educational toy company Learning Resources, she cautioned that screens can easily become a pacifier. Instead, she encouraged families to turn to educational play and STEM toys. The Rancics had replaced some of Duke’s screen time with hands-on science experiments, which Giuliana said helped him learn about the real world in an enjoyable, engaging way.

He inspired the Rancic family’s move to Chicago

Duke was only 10 months old when he appeared with his parents on “Today” in 2013. Bill said the family intended to limit his television exposure to roughly one or two years. He also made clear that the long-term plan was to raise Duke in Chicago, where the boy would attend school and remain away from the Los Angeles-Hollywood scene.

The couple followed through in 2015, announcing that they would make Chicago their permanent home. The move came as Giuliana’s career faced mounting controversy and shortly before she temporarily left “E! News,” but she insisted the decision was motivated by Duke’s needs. She told ABC News that he was beginning to notice when she was away and that it was the right time to slow down. She also told People that Duke was about to start school and needed stability, friendships and a consistent community rather than a life spent moving from city to city.

Duke Rancic speaks multiple languages

Soon after the family settled in Chicago, Giuliana offered OK! a glimpse into their new routine. She said 4-year-old Duke was adjusting well to the city and developing fresh interests. He loved singing, played a small guitar and was also enjoying the process of learning languages.

By that time, Duke was learning Italian, Spanish and English, and Giuliana told People that his accent was “amazing.” She spoke Italian to him because it was the language she grew up using at home. In a 2009 interview with Stay Tuned, she said she had never spoken English to her parents. Bill supported the family’s multilingual household and even hired a tutor so he could communicate with his in-laws.

Duke’s linguistic curiosity extended beyond those three languages. Bill told People that a woman who helped the family spoke Albanian, and Duke began singing in the language as well. Giuliana applauded his ability, while Bill said his son had an exceptionally good ear.

His education focused heavily on STEM

At age 6, Duke’s enthusiasm for STEM toys became one of the interests Giuliana shared publicly. In her 2019 post for Learning Resources, she said he especially enjoyed Beaker Creatures and that his interest in science had appeared early. Giuliana also viewed his curiosity as a family trait, noting that Bill’s parents were teachers and that Duke seemed to share their love of learning.

For his seventh birthday, Duke reportedly wanted a 3D printer — a more unusual request than the typical gift for a child his age. Giuliana said he often took gadgets apart to understand how they worked and asked questions like a young engineer. The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry and the Public Library Maker Lab became favorite destinations. In keeping with his interests, the Rancics chose a school program that focused on STEM for half of each academic year.

Duke’s schedule was not limited to science and technology. Giuliana said he might attend coding class one day and basketball practice the next, allowing him to stay active while continuing to develop his mind.

The Rancics put their son to work at age 11

Bill and Giuliana also entered the hospitality business in a major career expansion. In 2012, while both were still prominent in their respective careers and three years before Giuliana left “E! News” amid controversy, they partnered with Chicago’s Melman family to open RPM Italian. The restaurant initially seemed like an unexpected venture, but more than a decade later, RPM remains in operation and has expanded to additional locations and cities, including Las Vegas and Washington, D.C.

The culinary venture would also eventually offer a learning opportunity for the next generation of Rancics. Speaking with Page Six in 2024, Bill shared how a then-11-year-old Duke Rancic was getting an early taste of his parents’ hustle. “He’s starting to work at the restaurants a little bit here and there,” Bill revealed. He explained that he wanted to teach Duke the importance of hard work. “I tell my son, ‘Put your head down, keep your mouth shut and let your actions speak louder than your words,'” Bill said, musing, “That’s in everything — in sports, in school, everything.”

Duke Rancic loves working on fashion with his mom

As a toddler, Duke’s favorite subject was airplanes. His nursery featured the aircraft, and Giuliana told LA Mag in 2015 that he loved visiting Santa Monica Airport. At an airplane museum there, he could sit inside a real cockpit, push buttons and hear the aircraft’s sounds.

As Duke moved from reality-TV baby to teenager, his early fascination with planes developed into a broader interest in STEM. He also showed a creative side through fashion. In 2019, when he was 6, he and Giuliana worked on a gender-neutral collection for Abercrombie Kids. Giuliana told People that Duke helped select colors and offered opinions on the designs, adding that he enjoyed the entire process.

That interest continued into his tween years. In 2024, Giuliana told People that she once returned home to find Duke surrounded by products from her HSN collection. He asked her to film him on her phone while he presented her skincare line, then joked, “Make sure it gets on TV.”

Does his future include Hollywood?

Duke Rancic spent the first few years of his life in front of the camera, but as his parents told “Today” back in 2013, they had no plans for him to stay in the limelight long-term. As Giuliana Rancic revealed, she and Bill Rancic were against their son having a career in Hollywood. “If he goes to medical school or law school, then he can do whatever he wants after he has the degree,” Bill joked about the possibility of Duke becoming an actor.

Bill doubled down on his stance when he spoke to ABC News that same year, underscoring the fact that once the family moved to Chicago, Duke would no longer be filmed for TV. “He’s not going to be a Hollywood kid, I can promise you that,” Bill said, adding that he planned to give Duke as normal an upbringing as possible. “My son’s going to have a job,” he vowed. “And if he wants to get a car when he gets his license, he’s going to pay for it on his own like I did.”

Even so, it seems Duke may not have gotten the memo because in 2018, Giuliana told E! News how her then-5-year-old loved to watch her interview celebs on the red carpet. He was especially drawn to her bedazzled mic, which he asked her to bring home. “Maybe he’ll be the next Jason Kennedy,” she quipped.

Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber Hold Hands After Presley’s Death

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Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber were photographed holding hands during a subdued walk at the beach, three weeks after the death of their 27-year-old son, Presley.

The model died following a suspected overdose after suffering cardiac arrest on September 20 at Resolutions Living, a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica.

Crawford and Gerber, who also have a daughter, Kaia Gerber, 25, stayed out of the spotlight as they walked together at Zuma Beach in Malibu.

Both wore baseball caps to shield their faces from the sun, while Crawford added oversized dark sunglasses.

The couple remained close throughout the outing, with Crawford holding Gerber’s left hand as they took in the sea air near the Malibu community they have called home for decades.

Their beach appearance came one day after longtime friend George Clooney publicly addressed Presley’s death. Clooney had reportedly regarded Presley as a “second son.”

Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber were seen holding hands during a somber beach outing three weeks after their son Presley died aged 27Zuma Beach in Malibu

Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber held hands during a somber outing at Zuma Beach in Malibu, three weeks after the death of their 27-year-old son, Presley

Their son died of a suspected overdose after going into cardiac arrest on September 20 while staying at a Santa Monica rehab facility called Resolutions Living

Presley died following a suspected overdose after suffering cardiac arrest on September 20 while staying at Resolutions Living, a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica

His grief-stricken parents, who also share daughter Kaia Gerber, 25, kept a low profile when they surfaced for a walk together at Zuma Beach in Malibu

The grieving couple, who also share daughter Kaia Gerber, 25, kept a low profile during their walk along Zuma Beach

Clooney spoke about the tragedy while attending The Albies awards ceremony in London on Friday, offering his support to the Gerber family.

‘Quite honestly, it’s one of the most devastating things that’s happened to our family,’ he told Entertainment Tonight. ‘And their family is just as you can imagine.’ 

The 65-year-old actor said, “It’s the worst thing that could ever happen with family.”

The Daily Mail said it contacted representatives for Clooney and the Gerber family for comment but had not received a response.

A source previously told the publication that Clooney was “deeply saddened and sick over this” following Presley’s death.

A separate source told People that George and Amal Clooney, along with several close friends, had been “taking shifts staying with the family so they aren’t alone.”

George and Amal Clooney traveled to Los Angeles to be with Presley’s family “after learning of Presley’s death.”

“They’re helping with arrangements and whatever else the family needs. George has always been very close with both Kaia and Presley,” the source said.

Clooney and the couple have maintained a close friendship for many years.

In 2013, Clooney and Gerber co-founded Casamigos Tequila with real-estate developer Mike Meldman. The partners sold the company four years later for $1 billion.

Before his death, Presley documented his final hours in a video recorded at Resolutions Living, the sober house where he was staying on the night before the suspected overdose.

The son of supermodel Crawford and Gerber had entered the Santa Monica facility only the night before he was found dead on Sunday, September 20, after suffering cardiac arrest.

Presley had documented his final hours in a video taken at the Resolutions Living sober house, on the evening before he died of an apparent overdose; seen in January in L.A.

Presley had documented his final hours in a video taken at the Resolutions Living sober house, on the evening before he died of an apparent overdose; seen in January in L.A. 

Both of them shaded their faces with baseball caps, while Crawford kept her eyes concealed behind a pair of large dark sunglasses

Both of them shaded their faces with baseball caps, while Crawford kept her eyes concealed behind a pair of large dark sunglasses

Her right hand was gently clasped in her husband's left as they ventured out for a breath of sea air in the neighborhood they have called home for decades

Her right hand was gently clasped in her husband’s left as they ventured out for a breath of sea air in the neighborhood they have called home for decades 

Their sighting on the beach came the day after their longtime friend George Clooney, who reportedly saw Presley as a 'second son,' broke his silence on the tragedy

Their sighting on the beach came the day after their longtime friend George Clooney, who reportedly saw Presley as a ‘second son,’ broke his silence on the tragedy

The troubled son of supermodel Crawford and Gerber had checked into a Santa Monica rehab facility just the night before he was found dead on Sunday, September 20

The troubled son of supermodel Crawford and Gerber had checked into a Santa Monica rehab facility just the night before he was found dead on Sunday, September 20

Clooney, who co-founded the tequila brand Casamigos with Gerber and Mike Meldman, described Presley's death as 'the worst thing that could ever happen with family'

Clooney, who co-founded the tequila brand Casamigos with Gerber and Mike Meldman, described Presley’s death as ‘the worst thing that could ever happen with family’

In footage obtained by TMZ just days after his death, the model was seen giving a solo tour of the sober home while wearing a white undershirt that showed off his prominent tattoos, a silver chain necklace and a pair of black eyeglasses.

Presley appeared visibly under the influence in the clip, taken around 10pm on Saturday night, as he stared into the camera with noticeably glazed eyes.

Throughout the video, he panned the camera around a bedroom and multiple areas of the residence. He appeared to be on his own.

Presley reportedly ‘got high’ on Saturday afternoon and became concerned he was losing control, insiders claimed to TMZ. 

His sober coach called the sober living facility and asked if he could bring Presley in, though he made it clear that Presley was high on drugs, sources with direct knowledge alleged to the publication.

The facility’s admissions officer reportedly agreed to take him in, as per TMZ.

The sober coach had reportedly planned to take Presley to a rehab facility the following Monday, but needed a temporary hold for the weekend and ended up leaving him at Resolutions Living, insiders claimed.

Insiders further alleged that Presley continued using drugs inside the sober home, presumably viewing the weekend as his final chance to indulge before entering rehab on Monday. 

Clooney has had a close friendship with Crawford and Gerber for many years; seen in 2025 in L.A.

Clooney has had a close friendship with Crawford and Gerber for many years; seen in 2025 in L.A. 

Presley reportedly 'got high' on Saturday afternoon and became concerned he was losing control, insiders claimed to TMZ

Presley reportedly ‘got high’ on Saturday afternoon and became concerned he was losing control, insiders claimed to TMZ

The sober coach had reportedly planned to take Presley to a rehab facility the following Monday, but needed a temporary hold for the weekend and ended up leaving him at Resolutions Living, insiders claimed; Presley and sister Kaia seen in 2018

The sober coach had reportedly planned to take Presley to a rehab facility the following Monday, but needed a temporary hold for the weekend and ended up leaving him at Resolutions Living, insiders claimed; Presley and sister Kaia seen in 2018 

Presley was found dead the next morning, and sources connected to Resolutions Living reportedly claimed to TMZ that the admissions officer who allowed him into the facility has since been fired.

Per TMZ, Presley had been staying in a separate house on the grounds of the Los Angeles sober house, and had roommates.

The three-story luxury residence features spacious living quarters, outdoor seating areas, an in-home movie theater and a fitness gym.

The website boasts that residents will receive daily chef-prepared meals, fully stocked pantries, and says an on-site staff is there to support patients 24 hours a day so that they can focus primarily on working toward recovery.

There are also planned communal gatherings, including dinners, movie nights and other outings with fellow residents.

Presley’s remains were ‘cremated’ just days after his passing, per a death certificate obtained by TMZ.

He was cremated at the Rose Family Funeral Home, with his occupation being described as an entrepreneur who worked in mental health. Crawford and Gerber will reportedly keep their son’s ashes at their residence.

Presley had been open about his decade-long struggle with drug addiction and mental health.

Presley's remains were 'cremated' just days after his passing, per a death certificate obtained by TMZ; seen in 2021 in L.A.

Presley’s remains were ‘cremated’ just days after his passing, per a death certificate obtained by TMZ; seen in 2021 in L.A. 

Sources described as being close to the investigation said Presley had allegedly been found in a bedroom at the high-end rehab house, according to TMZ.

The insiders also alleged that Presley’s body was not on the bed, but instead was found nearby in the room, though they did not specify an exact location.

The sources additionally told the publication that the potentially deadly narcotic fentanyl has not been a focus of the investigation into Presley’s death at this time.

However, final confirmation of any substances that may have played a role in his death will have to wait until the Medical Examiner’s toxicology report is released.

The Daily Mail previously obtained audio of the 911 emergency dispatch call made from the Santa Monica rehab, in which an automated voice could be heard saying ‘cardiac arrest’ followed by ‘overdose.’

Perhaps the most chilling detail from 911 dispatch audio is how rapidly Presley’s condition worsened within minutes.

The first call was made on Sunday, September 20 at 9.35am regarding a cardiac arrest, however, just three minutes later it was upgraded to an ‘overdose,’ then finally at 9.40am the priority was upped once again as it was ‘upgraded.’

Shortly after the release of the 911 audio, sources close to the model told TMZ on Tuesday that a physician had been prescribing him ketamine despite knowing his past problems with the drug.

Sources described as being close to the investigation said Presley had allegedly been found in a bedroom at the high-end rehab house, according to TMZ; seen in 2019 in NYC

Sources described as being close to the investigation said Presley had allegedly been found in a bedroom at the high-end rehab house, according to TMZ; seen in 2019 in NYC 

Ketamine can be used to treat drug addiction; however, that is not the use approved by the FDA.

Presley’s close friends are allegedly angry that the doctor had prescribed the dissociative anesthetic to him while knowing that addiction struggles had been a regular problem for him, according to TMZ.

The model had been open about his decade-long struggle with drug addiction and mental health problems.

Earlier this year, he posted about having a ‘Pre-ibogaine flood dose’ at a Mexican treatment clinic, a single, high-dose administration of the naturally occurring psychoactive substance ibogaine.

Ibogaine is derived from an African shrub and is reported to help with withdrawal symptoms. The high dose is designed to induce a profound ‘reset.’

Presley’s parents and his sister Kaia praised him for his ‘courage’ in response to his post about starting the treatment in March.

Crawford commented: ‘You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud!’ while Kaia added: ‘That’s my brother I am so damn proud.’

And Gerber wrote: ‘I’m so proud of you and your courage. Facing what’s hard takes real strength and watching you find your way back to yourself is everything. I love you so much.’

The model had been open about his decade-long struggle with drug addiction and mental health struggles; seen with sister Kaia, Crawford and Gerber in May in L.A.

The model had been open about his decade-long struggle with drug addiction and mental health struggles; seen with sister Kaia, Crawford and Gerber in May in L.A. 

Presley's parents and his sister Kaia praised him for his 'courage' in response to his post about starting the treatment in March

Presley’s parents and his sister Kaia praised him for his ‘courage’ in response to his post about starting the treatment in March

Ibogaine is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the US, but it is legal or permitted on prescription in countries such as Canada and Brazil, and it is used in specialized clinics in Mexico.

Presley praised the Beond Ibogaine clinic in Cancun, where treatment starts at $12,500 for a ten-day program, for its ‘incredible, caring, kind and on-their-s*** team.’

Presley said in a video caption: ‘I was absolutely terrified, and I knew I would be again if I ever had to face something like this (helps to not go into the situations you do that get ya there but that’s life sometimes.)’

Last November, Presley revealed he had taken a step back from social media to ‘take care of my own mental health for a bit.’

One month later, he opened up about his personal life in a candid social media video. He started sharing ‘Mental Health Mondays’ videos on his Instagram. In one, he listed the medication he takes for ‘night terrors’ and ‘panic attacks.’

He also struggled with mental health at a young age and was arrested for driving under the influence in 2019. 

Presley’s death came just weeks after his younger sister Kaia Gerber opened up about the enormous toll her brother’s struggles had taken on their famous family – admitting the turmoil had effectively ‘leveled everyone.’

‘When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,’ she told Vogue.

Kaia praised her brother's willingness to strip away the secrecy surrounding his struggles; seen in 2024 in L.A.

Kaia praised her brother’s willingness to strip away the secrecy surrounding his struggles; seen in 2024 in L.A. 

Kaia praised her brother’s willingness to strip away the secrecy surrounding his struggles.

She described his honesty and openness as ‘refreshing,’ contrasting it with the intensely private way their parents had traditionally handled family life.

‘My parents for most of our lives were very, very private and didn’t share anything – and now we have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, ‘I’m gonna be very human for everyone.’ There’s only so much you can hide from the world,’ she said.

‘And trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you’re ashamed of them,’ she noted.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, you can also visit 988lifeline.org. You can also call, text or chat with a counselor by texting 988.

Hollywood Executives Discuss Blake Lively’s Reported Isolation From the Industry

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Who Is Trump’s New White House Press Secretary?

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When Donald Trump announced that Katie Zacharia will be taking over the role as White House Press Secretary on Friday, it left many people across the globe wondering: who is the glamorous blonde set to replace Karoline Leavitt? Zacharia, 42, is a lawyer and frequent guest on Fox News and Newsmax, who is known for her unapologetic conservative views and fiercely outspoken personality. She's married to Hollywood producer Tyler Zacharia, and the two share four children together. She first started in politics as a college intern for the Republican National Committee. She earned her undergraduate degree at Pepperdine’s Seaver College before going on to its Caruso School of Law, then launched a career in corporate and political advocacy. She worked in the White House Office of Political Affairs during the Bush administration and spent three years in China working as an outside counsel for the World Bank.

Donald Trump’s announcement Friday that Katie Zacharia would become the next White House press secretary has drawn widespread interest in the California conservative, who is set to succeed Karoline Leavitt. The 42-year-old attorney is a familiar face on Fox News and Newsmax, where she has built a reputation for forceful opinions and an unapologetically conservative outlook. Zacharia is married to Hollywood producer Tyler Zacharia, and the couple have four children. Her political career began with an internship at the Republican National Committee while she was in college. After earning her undergraduate degree from Pepperdine University’s Seaver College, she attended the school’s Caruso School of Law and moved into corporate and political advocacy. She later served in the White House Office of Political Affairs during the George W. Bush administration and spent three years in China as outside counsel for the World Bank.

Zacharia has also been a cable news staple for quite some time, debating tough topics as a prime-time contributor for Newsmax and Fox News. She infamously lasted just six weeks as a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokeswoman earlier this year before abruptly walking out of the job in March. She replaced Tricia McLaughlin in February as the on-camera face of Trump's immigration crackdown. But it was short lived, and her exit from DHS was shrouded in controversy, with reports she was pushed out over her close ties to Corey Lewandowski, Kristi Noem's DHS adviser and rumored lover. Zacharia, at the time, flatly denied that account, claiming she stepped away because constant travel between Washington and her home in California was too hard on her family.

Before being selected for the White House role, Zacharia had become a regular presence on cable news, appearing as a prime-time contributor on both Newsmax and Fox News. Her most recent government position ended abruptly after only six weeks as a Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman earlier this year. Zacharia took over from Tricia McLaughlin in February as the public face of the Trump administration’s immigration agenda, but left the department in March amid controversy. Reports suggested her departure was connected to her relationship with Corey Lewandowski, an adviser to former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and the subject of rumored romantic speculation. Zacharia rejected that explanation, saying instead that the demands of traveling between Washington and her California home had become too difficult for her family.

She has since been working as a communications adviser to Trump Media and Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social. Her husband Tyler served as a producer on movies like The Irishman, Countdown, The Starling, The Desperate Hour and Homestead, among others. While she often flaunts her glamorous endeavors on her Instagram, where she's racked up more than 42,000 followers, she is fiercely private when it comes to her family life and has kept her kids completely off social media. In addition, she has been outspoken about the backlash she has faced in the past for supporting Trump. 'Being in the world of politics, whether directly or adjacent, is BRUTAL and I personally take DAILY heat for it,' she wrote in an Instagram post in September.

Since leaving DHS, Zacharia has worked as a communications adviser for Trump Media and Technology Group, the company behind Truth Social. Her husband, Tyler, has produced films including The Irishman, Countdown, The Starling, The Desperate Hour and Homestead. On Instagram, Zacharia regularly shares polished glimpses of her professional and personal interests with more than 42,000 followers, while keeping her children out of the public spotlight. She has also spoken openly about the criticism she receives for supporting Trump. “Being in the world of politics, whether directly or adjacent, is BRUTAL and I personally take DAILY heat for it,” she wrote in a September post.

She went on to explain that she tries to 'keep her family away from the flame,' but gushed over how 'proud' she was of her husband's work. She also opened up about being 'bullied' by people 'on the left' as 'a native Californian and lifelong conservative in this deep-blue state' in an essay written for the New York Post in February. She explained in the essay that when she visited her local cardio kickboxing gym wearing a Trump hat it 'triggered an unhinged meltdown.' 'One woman in the back didn’t confront me directly. Instead, she rudely interrupted the instructor mid-routine, turned the class into chaos, harassed the teacher to force me to remove my hat or face the wall so she wouldn’t have to see it, killed the entire vibe, and then stormed out like a petulant child,' she wrote. 'This wasn’t over threats or actual disruption - it was over a hat symbolizing my pride in helping re-elect the greatest president in US history, Donald J. Trump.'

Zacharia said she works to shield her family from the political backlash, while praising her husband and his career. In a February essay for the New York Post, she described being “bullied” by people she identified as being on the left, writing that she is a lifelong conservative from California. She recalled an incident at a cardio kickboxing gym after she wore a Trump hat, claiming it sparked what she called an “unhinged meltdown.” According to Zacharia, another woman interrupted the class, confronted the instructor and objected to the hat, turning the session into chaos before leaving. Zacharia argued that the dispute was not about a threat or disruption, but about a political symbol representing her support for Trump.

She noted that while the instructor didn't force her to remove the hat, 'two additional liberal women wrote emails and waged online smear campaigns behind the scenes, leading to the owner of the gym to ask me not to wear my hat.' 'I responded that I would never take my Trump hat off to appease the left,' she continued. 'This is raw, unfiltered intolerance. Freedom of speech doesn’t evaporate at the gym door. 'The First Amendment has no "discomfort" clause. A Team Trump or MAGA hat isn’t obscenity or hate speech - it is political expression supporting our sitting president. 'This isn’t about a hat. It’s about the right to speak and express yourself without fear - even in "tolerant" California. When private businesses become dissent-free zones, that’s the quiet death of freedom. 'I refuse to stay silent. My constitutional rights aren’t negotiable. Tyranny thrives when good people lack courage.'

She further claimed that two other women later sent emails and launched online criticism, prompting the gym’s owner to ask her not to wear the hat. Zacharia said she refused, framing the episode as a question of free speech and political expression. “The First Amendment has no ‘discomfort’ clause,” she wrote, arguing that a MAGA hat is neither obscene nor hate speech. She said the controversy showed how private spaces can become hostile to dissent and insisted that her constitutional rights were not negotiable. “I refuse to stay silent,” Zacharia wrote. “Tyranny thrives when good people lack courage.”

Trump confirmed the news in a Truth Social post later Friday calling the California native 'outstanding.' 'She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning. She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA,' the president wrote. Leavitt quit at the end of August to spend more time with her two young children, leaving the briefing room without a permanent face for more than a month. Trump consulted Leavitt personally before settling on Zacharia for the role, according to CNN.

Trump confirmed Zacharia’s appointment in a Truth Social post later Friday, describing the California native as “outstanding.” He praised her “unblemished record of support,” calling her a loyal and brilliant backer of his movement and a devoted member of MAGA. Leavitt stepped down at the end of August to spend more time with her two young children, leaving the White House briefing room without a permanent press secretary for more than a month. According to CNN, Trump discussed the decision with Leavitt before choosing Zacharia to take over the high-profile position.

Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey Welcome Their Second Baby

How Christian McCaffrey and Olivia Culpo Celebrated Daughter Colette’s First Birthday

Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey are officially a family of four.

Nearly five months after the former Miss Universe announced her pregnancy, she and the San Francisco 49ers running back welcomed their second child, a baby boy.

“Roman Augustus McCaffrey,” Culpo wrote in an Oct. 10 Instagram post featuring heartwarming family photos. She also shared the date her son was born: “9/29/26.”

Alongside photos from the hospital, the 34-year-old model posted adorable images of her and McCaffrey’s 14-month-old daughter, Colette, meeting her new baby brother.

Before Roman’s arrival, Culpo had already mapped out her birth plan. She previously explained how she intended to deliver baby No. 2 after welcoming Colette in July 2025.

“The plan is I’m having a C-section because I had a C-section in July last year,” she said in a July TikTok video. “So having a VBAC [Vaginal Birth After Cesarean] wasn’t an option.”

Culpo stayed focused on the delivery plan while McCaffrey, whom she married in June 2024, was away at training camp preparing for the upcoming NFL season.

Sacramento Mail Theft Raises Fears Stolen Ballots Could Block Voting

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A daytime mail robbery in Sacramento has raised election concerns after officials said ballots could have been among the items taken, with Election Day drawing near.

The theft happened at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the College Glen neighborhood. Surveillance video reportedly shows a man arriving in a gray SUV, opening the back of a USPS truck and grabbing multiple trays of mail before leaving.

Authorities said a nearby resident witnessed the incident as it unfolded.

Investigators are now working to establish whether any election ballots were included in the stolen mail.

US Postal Inspector Jonathan Lanning confirmed that ballots could have been affected.

“Mail was stolen, and there may have been ballots affected by the theft,” Lanning told KCRA.

The robbery occurred shortly after Sacramento County began mailing ballots ahead of Election Day, prompting concerns that some voters may not receive their materials in time.

Sacramento resident Mary Brown told KCRA that a USPS delivery containing ballots for her great-grandchildren never arrived as expected.

“I looked at my informed mail, and it was supposed to have my great-grandchildren’s ballot,” Brown said. “It was mailed. It should’ve been in my mailbox that day.”

Brown said she discovered the mail theft through a neighborhood app and was left wondering whether the ballots had been taken with the rest of the mail.

The possibility that the ballots were stolen caused her to fear that her great-grandchildren might lose their opportunity to vote.

“I was panicked because they weren’t going to be able to vote,” Brown said.

Election officials, however, say voters have a way to address missing ballots.

Ken Casparis of the Sacramento County elections office told KCRA that voters who do not receive their ballots can contact the office and ask for replacements.

“You can contact our office to request a replacement ballot,” Casparis said. “You can do that either by phone or email. And we’ll go ahead and reissue your ballot for you.”

Casparis said the county will count only the first ballot returned with the voter’s valid signature.

As the investigation continues, postal inspectors are advising voters to monitor ballot deliveries through the California Secretary of State’s website and watch for any missing election mail.

The US Postal Inspection Service is offering up to $100,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact postal inspectors at 1-877-876-2455.

Kemi Badenoch: Conservatives Ready for a Christmas General Election

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Kemi Badenoch has warned the Conservative Party to prepare for a possible general election before Christmas, as speculation grows that Andy Burnham could call a snap poll.

The Opposition leader, who energised Conservative supporters with her conference address in Birmingham, told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I’ve instructed the Conservative Party to be ready for an election at any point.’

Mrs Badenoch has dismissed Mr Burnham’s claim last month that there would be ‘no election any time soon’. She believes he could instead act while his party is enjoying a boost in the polls and the Green Party and Liberal Democrats are facing internal turmoil.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski suffered a setback on Thursday after failing to win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. He is also under increasing pressure over anti-Israeli activism, while the party’s poll rating has been cut in half this year, with most of the lost support moving to Labour.

Sir Ed Davey is meanwhile fighting to retain his position as Liberal Democrat leader after MP Charlie Maynard resigned from the front bench on Friday in what appeared to be an effort to force a leadership contest.

A senior Conservative source said: ‘We think the election will come sooner rather than later, possibly before the end of the year.’

Mrs Badenoch’s strategists were placed on standby during the Labour conference in case Mr Burnham used his speech to launch an election contest. The Conservatives have held campaign meetings since July and already have a draft manifesto and election ‘grid’ setting out the seats Mrs Badenoch would visit and the public appearances she would make.

Speaking on Saturday night, Mrs Badenoch said: ‘We know there’s a battle of ideas coming in British politics and I’ve instructed the Conservative Party to be ready for an election at any point. When that election comes there will be a simple choice between Conservative plans to get Britain working again and a Labour party that keeps putting up taxes, refuses to cut welfare and won’t fund our defence.’

Kemi Badenoch has put the Tory Party on notice for a pre-Christmas general election, amid growing speculation that Andy Burnham will call a snap poll

Kemi Badenoch has told the Conservatives to prepare for a possible pre-Christmas general election as speculation mounts that Andy Burnham could call a snap poll

Green Party leader Zack Polanski was humiliated on Thursday when he failed to win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, and faces mounting pressure on his leadership over anti-Israeli activism

Green Party leader Zack Polanski suffered a major setback after failing to win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election and is facing growing pressure over anti-Israeli activism

Mrs Badenoch’s team was encouraged by the response to her Birmingham conference speech, in which she signalled a return to traditional Conservative priorities including lower taxes and wider home ownership. She also pledged to abolish inheritance tax on main residences as part of what she called a ‘battle for the soul of the nation’.

Mr Burnham is not required to call an election until 2029. However, the Left-wing measures outlined in his conference speech, including the creation of a national care service, would require tax increases that were ruled out in the 2024 manifesto.

The worsening economic outlook ahead of this month’s Budget has also exposed the challenge of balancing the books while Chancellor John Healey remains bound by commitments on income tax, VAT and National Insurance.

Potential changes to the triple lock pension system, reversing Brexit and introducing electoral reform have also been cited as reasons why the prime minister might seek a personal mandate from voters at the ballot box.

As The Mail on Sunday reports today, the Conservatives’ target voter has been dubbed ‘Waitrose Woman’. She is described as ‘aspirational – not necessarily a millionaire’ and as someone who ‘wants to work hard, get on and pay less tax so she can have more money in her pocket’.

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is also preparing for a snap election, appointing a senior Armed Forces figure as its defence spokesman. Several other military figures are expected to join the party as defence funding is likely to become a central campaign issue.

The party is also seeking a prominent health policy expert, alongside further recruits from the private sector and public services.

Mrs Badenoch does not believe Mr Burnham's claim last month that there will be 'no election any time soon', suspecting that he might strike while he is enjoying a bounce in the polls and both the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats are in disarray

Mrs Badenoch has rejected Mr Burnham’s claim that there will be ‘no election any time soon’, believing he could act while his poll ratings are improving and the Green Party and Liberal Democrats are in disarray

It was reported yesterday that Mr Farage is launching an eight-page newspaper, The Reformer, which will be delivered to 15 million homes in an effort to ensure his ‘message is heard by the masses’.

The publication will feature articles on Reform’s policies and commentary from Mr Farage, who is undertaking a ‘general election tour’ this month. He is visiting Red Wall constituencies where Reform hopes to unseat Labour.

The latest polling suggests that if an election were to be held now, Labour would win 313 seats – down 99 on their 2024 performance – while the Conservatives would win 123 – up two – and Reform would get 95. 

That would leave Labour just short of an overall majority, but could easily form a Government in coalition with the Liberal Democrats.