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A synthetic marijuana drug known a K2 landed 33 people in the hospital in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, on Tuesday. According to reports, the group of individuals who consumed the drug suffered from overdose symptoms, leaving several people laid out on the streets. “It was like a scene out of The Walking Dead. They were zombied out,” said Brian Arthur, a local resident. “It was a horrible scene. They were laid out twitching on the floor. Some of them were motionless. This is nothing you’d want your kids to see.” Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics arrived on the scene after a 911 call was made claiming there were several people with an “altered mental status” on Stockton St. near Myrtle Ave. All of the patients were transported to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center and Woodhull Hospital. In October 2015, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill that made it illegal to sell K2. “K2 is a poison,” said the mayor. “It is a poison that threatens public safety and public health, and it’s taken a toll on too many New Yorkers.” In July 2015, there were 1,200 hospitalizations related to K2. Read more.


Twitter Makes a Mockery of Rich Homie Quan’s Lyrical Mistake with #RichHomieKaraoke

After forgetting the words to one of the most iconic rap verses at VH1’s Hip Hop Honors on Monday, rapper Rich Homie Quan has received a lot of negative backlash. While performing the Notorious B.I.G.’s hit song “Get Money,” he stumbled over the lyrics. Following his performance, the rapper took to Instagram to issue an apology. “I assure you that I never intended to disrespect Biggie Smalls. I have long respected his work and his contribution to the rap game. I greatly apologize not only to Biggie Smalls, but also to all of my fans and to New York. The city of New York has been nothing but good to me,” he posted. “I felt honored to stand on stage with artists I grew up listening to. Once on stage I had some technical difficulties and must admit I got nervous. I will forever be sorry to New York, my fans, Biggie Small [sic], Lil Kim, and all the Hip-Hop community for my performance. I hope you can accept my apology. To Lil Kim, Thank you for the opportunity. Rich Homie Baby.” Twitter users have decided to make a mockery of the rapper’s mistake with the hashtag #RichHomieKaraoke, which features a bunch of lyrical blunders. “I was … Running thru the 6 ….with a stove,” posted one user. “I got a Role’ on my arm & I’m rockin’ Sean John & I roll the best dough cuz I work at Papa Johns #RichHomieKaraoke,” posted another. Read more.


Nation’s Oldest Park Ranger Returns to Work After Being Attacked

After being harmed during a burglary, the country’s oldest park ranger is finally back at work. Ninety-four-year-old Betty Reid Soskin, who works at the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park near San Francisco, said she wanted to return to work to “get back in to routine life.” On June 27, an intruder physically harmed Soskin and stole a laptop, phone, and jewelry from her house. The person also took a coin that was given to Soskin by President Barack Obama. Upon her return, Soskin was greeted by her colleagues and volunteers. “It’s so good to see you all and feel the support of the community,” she said. Soskin, who blogs about her family’s roots and details her experience as a wartime shipyard clerk while giving tours at the park, will reportedly receive another coin from the president. Read more.


President Obama Delivers Remarks at Memorial Service Held for Dallas Police Officers

During his speech at a memorial service in Dallas held for five police officers who were slain last week, President Barack Obama said the country shouldn’t feel hopeless during these trying times. “We turn on the TV or surf the internet, and we can watch positions harden and lines drawn and people retreat to their respective corners,” he said during an interfaith memorial service at the Morton Meyerson Symphony Center. “Politicians calculate how to grab attention or avoid the fallout. We see all this, and it’s hard not to think sometimes that the center won’t hold. And that things might get worse. I understand. I understand how Americans are feeling. But, Dallas, I’m here to say we must reject such despair.” He also touched on the strained relationship between law enforcement officials and communities of color. “So much of the tensions between police departments and minority communities that they serve is because we ask the police to do too much and we ask too little of ourselves,” said the president. “As a society, we choose to underinvest in decent schools. We allow poverty to fester so that entire neighborhoods offer no prospect for gainful employment. We refuse to fund drug treatment and mental health programs.” President Obama also said that the tough circumstances will create a better tomorrow: “I believe our sorrow can make us a better country. I believe our righteous anger can be transformed into more justice and more peace.” Read more.


Disney Media Networks to Host Town Hall Discussion With President Obama Surrounding Shootings

In the wake of the tragic shootings that transpired last week in Baton Rouge, Minnesota, and Dallas, Disney Media Networks is stepping up to utilize their platform as an outlet to have an open discussion surrounding the incidents. The media company will air a town hall discussion titled The President and The People: A National Conversation, which will be featured on ABC, ESPN, and FREEFORM, as well as Yahoo and ABC Radio. Anchor David Muir and President Obama will sit down to discuss issues related to racism, police brutality, and equality. The president will listen to the thoughts and concerns of students, parents, local community leaders, and officers. A National Conversation will air on Thursday, July 14 at 8 p.m. ET. Read more.


Beyoncé and Jay Z Top Forbes’ Wealthiest Celebrity Couples List

Beyoncé and Jay Z are #RelationshipGoals. The two topped Forbes’ list for 2016’s highest paid celebrity couple. Their combined net worth was $107.5 million over the past year. Beyoncé garnered $54 million and Jay Z brought in $53.5 million. Bey’s Lemonade album was very lucrative for the couple, since it was streamed on Jay Z’s TIDAL. Beyoncé also brought in a lot of revenue through her world tour. Jay Z is collecting checks from his various ventures, which include Roc Nation and D’USSE cognac. “There was a time in music where a hit solved everything,” said Jay Z in a 2010 interview. “That’s no longer true. I think the music business is still stuck in that place because we haven’t figured it out. One of the biggest things in business is to open yourself up for change.” Beyoncé once told Forbes she hasn’t come across anyone with the same drive as her in the music industry. “I’ve never met anyone that works harder than me in my industry,” she said. Read more.

PHOTO CREDIT: Getty

NEWS ROUNDUP: 33 People Hospitalized For K2 Overdoses In Brooklyn…AND MORE  was originally published on newsone.com