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National/Entertainment
Impeachment Trial To Keep National Guard Troops At Capitol
L.A. Pays Tribute On Anniversary Of Kobe Bryant’s Death
Former President Donald Trump’s upcoming Senate im- peachment trial poses a security concern that federal law en- forcement officials told lawmak- ers last week requires as many as 5,000 National Guard troops to remain in Washington through mid-March, according to four people familiar with the matter.
The contingency force will help protect the Capitol from what was described as “im- peachment security concerns,” including the possibility of mass demonstrations coinciding with the Senate’s trial, which is slated to begin the week of Feb. 8.
Despite the threat, the citizen soldiers on the ground say they have been given little informa- tion about the extension, and wonder why they are being forced to endure combat-like conditions in the nation’s capi- tal without a clear mission.
“Quite frankly this is not a ‘combat zone,’ so combat condi- tions shouldn’t apply,” said one Guard member on the ground in D.C. who has deployed twice to Afghanistan.
NATIONAL GUARDS
Several National Guard units have been seen their deploy- ments extended involuntarily, though a majority of Guards- men remaining in Washington will do so on a volunteer basis. Around 7,000 troops will con- tinue to provide riot security through the beginning of Febru- ary, with that number decreas- ing slightly to 5,000 by the time Trump’s impeachment trial begins.
“We are not going to allow any surprises again,” said one Guard member, referring to the widespread lack of preparedness for the insurrection on Jan. 6.
One year ago last Tuesday (January 26), Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gi- anna, and seven others boarded a helicopter at John Wayne Airport in Orange County to travel to a youth bas- ketball tournament at the Sports Academy (then named the Mamba Sports Academy, after Bryant) in Thousand Oaks.
But amid extremely foggy weather conditions, the helicop- ter slammed into a hillside in Calabasas, killing everyone on board.
An icy chill filled the still air Tuesday on that hill. At the spot where the helicopter went down, a white rose was placed upright in the soil next to rocks piled in afigureeight—8isoneoftwo
KOBE BRYANT TRIBUTE
jersey numbers Bryant wore during his 20-year NBA career.
On a nearby hiking trail, a purple-and-gold tarp with a massive 24 — Bryant’s other
playing number in the Lakers colors — paid tribute to the fallen star. Farther along, a pair of purple and gold carnations were laid out.
Lauren Simmons, Youngest-Ever Female Stockbroker On Wall Street, Is ‘Going Public’
LAUREN SIMMONS
When Jared Leto let his freak flag fly as the Joker in "Suicide Squad," the Method- mad actor sent his castmates taunting gifts – a live rat, even a dead pig.
Denzel Washington makes clear that definitely did not hap- pen while filming "The Little Things," even though Leto plays cagey murder suspect Albert Sparma and Washington is the law as Deputy Sheriff Joe Deacon in the psychological thriller.
"He didn’t do any of that with me," says Washington, 66, shutting down the question even before it's fully finished. "Nah. He’d have been paid a visit. That wouldn’t happen."
But the two-time Oscar win- ner makes it explicitly clear that he relished the opportunity to
RAMI MALEK, JARED LETO AND DENZEL WASHINGTON
Denzel Washington Throws Down With Jared Leto, Rami Malek In 'Little Things;' Opens Friday
Pioneering Wall Street stock- broker Lauren Simmons will be the face of the new digital se- ries, Going Public. This 10-part series will give diverse entrepre- neurs a chance to win over in- vestors and become a publicly-traded company. With viewer support, entrepreneurs will be one step closer to ringing the bell at Nasdaq.
“The moment I heard about this project, I knew I had to be a part of it,” said Simmons in a statement. “America’s entrepre- neurs are so much more than just the Silicon Valley tech guys who get most of the attention – and most of the investment. I can’t wait to share the untold stories of exciting and ambitious founders from across the coun- try who, like me, are paving the way doing something com-
pletely out of the box.”
Going Public Simmons’ will be the host
of the reality show Going Pub- lic. Her experience as a stock- trader and growing media accolades made her a top can- didate to host the interactive series. Everyday Americans will have a chance to invest in Reg A+ Initial Public Offerings (IPO).
From Stockbroker to Media Maven
Simmons made history when she became the youngest full-time female trader on Wall Street at age 23. She’s also the second African American woman in the 226-year history of the New York Stock Ex- change (NYSE) to hold that title, according to Simmons’ LinkedIn.
mix it up onscreen with two co- stars who have a strong case for inclusion in the next generation of American acting greats: fellow Oscar recipients Leto ("Dallas Buyers Club") and Rami Malek ("Bohemian Rhap- sody"), who plays slick lead de- tective Jim Baxter in "The Little Things" (in theaters and streaming on HBO Max Friday).
"There’s a whole crop of these
younger actors, and it's fascinat- ing to watch them coming up be- hind me," says Washington. "Unfortunately, we lost one with Chad Boseman (who died of colon cancer last year). But Jared is one, obviously, and Rami is doing great work. It’s inspiring and like a wake-up call. It’s like, I have to get my act to- gether here. These guys ain’t playing."
Tyler Perry COVID-19 Vaccine Special Airs On BET
BET and media mogul Tyler Perry have announced an ex- clusive news special, “COVID-19 Vaccine and the Black Commu- nity A Tyler Perry Special,” pre- miering Thursday, January 28th, at 9 PM ET/PT on BET and BET Her.
In the midst of a world health crisis, Perry sits down with top medical experts Carlos del Rio, MD, Executive Associate Dean, Emory School of Medicine at Grady Health System and Kimberly Dyan Manning, MD Professor of Medicine at Grady Health System to address the public’s concerns and fears about the COVID-19 vaccine.
TYLER PERRY
“The half-hour special pro- vides helpful and factual infor-
mation for viewers looking to protect themselves and their families from this unprece- dented crisis.
Tackling issues head-on, Tyler asks the hard-hitting questions to help the community gain insight into this new vac- cine.”
“COVID-19 Vaccine and the Black Community A Tyler Perry Special” joins BET’s roster of in- formative specials that address the impacts of COVID-19 on the Black community and answers questions about the vaccine.
The Special is Executive Pro- duced by Tyler Perry for Tyler Perry Studios.
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