TRAYVON MARTIN: ZIMMERMAN HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY CHARGED WITH 2ND DEGREE MURDER!
George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch captain who shot an unarmed teen in what he said was self-defense, was charged today with second-degree murder in the killing of Trayvon Martin. Special prosecutor in the case Angela Corey made the announcement during a press conference yesterday in Jacksonville, Florida. It comes six weeks after Martin's killing. Corey confirmed that the 28-year-old Zimmerman turned himself in, but she wouldn't reveal where he was being held due to safety concerns. Zimmerman was later seen being transported to the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center in a black SUV, wearing a plaid shirt with a black cloth covering his head. A hearing the in the case is expected as early as today to determine if Zimmerman will be held with the general inmate population or if he'll be put in protective custody. To prove Zimmerman committed second-degree murder, prosecutors must show that he created a criminal act when he caused Martin's death without regard for human life. If convicted, Zimmerman faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. In announcing the charges, Corey went to great lengths to explain that it's her job "to find out the full truth" about the February 26th incident in Sanford, Florida that resulted in Martin's death and has caused a national debate about hoodies, racial profiling and Florida's controversial "stand your ground" law.

 
THE REACTIONS STARTED TO ROLL IN OF COURSE…
The families, legal representatives and supporters of the late Trayvon Martin and his shooter George Zimmerman were quick to comment after Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder yesterday in Martin's death. Martin's mother, Sybrina Fulton, and father, Tracy Martin, said they were just happy that Zimmerman was arrested and suggested that the charge was not about race, but simply doing the right thing. Zimmerman's brother, Robert Zimmerman Jr. said on CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight that his family is "devastated," adding, "There were no winners in this already. Our brother could have been dead. Our brother literally had to save a life by taking a life." Zimmerman's new attorney Mark O'Mara said that Zimmerman will plead not guilty and he'll be seeking his release. O'Mara added, "I am hoping the community will calm down. We have to have faith in the justice system."

 
DAMN, 3 EARTHQUAKES RATTLED MEXICO, INDO AND THE U.S. YESTERDAY!
Major earthquakes struck Mexico and Indonesia yesterday, with smaller quakes striking off the coast of Oregon and the coast of central California. The Mexico shaker, which had a magnitude of 7.0, stuck at 5:55 p.m. local time, and had buildings shaking and people running into the streets of Mexico City. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. Almost simultaneously, a 5.9 quake hit the coast of Oregon, followed a minute later by a smaller shaker off the coast of Central California. Those were relatively small compared to the 8.7 quake that struck beneath the sea southwest of the Indonesian province of Aceh. That spurred tsunami warnings in India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Thailand, and an 8.3 aftershock a few hours later. 
 
HOW COME WE DIDN’T HEAR THE STORY ABOUT THESE TRAPPED MINERS IN PERU? LUCKILY THEY’RE OK!
It was a miracle rescue yesterday, as nine workers were pulled out safely from inside an abandoned Peruvian mine. The men had been stuck underground for six days after the copper-and-gold mine partially collapsed last Thursday. They had been receiving oxygen and liquids through a giant hose that was in place before the accident. Heavy digging equipment was used to remove the 26 feet of collapsed earth and rock blocking the entrance of the mine. All of the men are healthy, but are dehydrated and dizzy, according to Peru’s President Ollanta Humala.
 
THANK THE SWEET LORD BABY JESUS CHARLES MANSON GOT DENIED FOR PAROLE FOR THE 12TH TIME YESTERDAY…
Charles Manson lost his latest and probably his last bid for parole yesterday, which means the 77-year-old killer will likely die behind bars. Manson, who now sports long gray hair and a beard, is next eligible for parole in 15 years. Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Patrick Sequeira told CNN, "When you think a person will be 92 years old, it's very likely that there will be no further parole hearings for Mr. Manson." John Peck, a member of the parole panel, quoted statements Manson made to prison psychologists that likely influenced the parole board's decision. "'I'm special. I'm not like the average inmate,'" Peck said, quoting Manson. "'I have spent my life in prison. I have put five people in the grave. I am a very dangerous man.'" Manson was originally sentenced to death for murders of several people, including actress Sharon Tate, the pregnant wife of director Roman Polanski. When the California Supreme Court found the state's death penalty unconstitutional, his sentence was changed in 1977 to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
 
FAIL TURNED AWESOME: A STILLBORN BABY WAS FOUND ALIVE IN THE MORGUE BY THE PARENTS IN ARGENTINA!
As they viewed the body of their stillborn baby in a hospital morgue last week, two Argentinian parents were shocked to discover that the tiny girl was actually still alive. Five doctors at the Perrando Hospital in northern Argentina have been suspended after declaring the infant dead and placing her inside a sealed coffin in the refrigerated morgue room for 12 hours. The baby's father, Fabian Veron, 31, and mother, Analia Bouter, 29, visited the morgue April 3rd to say their last goodbyes, but when they opened the coffin, the baby stretched and let out a cry. Bouter said it looked as though she was just waking up. The child, who was named Luz Milagros (meaning “Light Miracle”), was suffering from hypothermia but is now doing just fine. She had been born three months premature and had a low heart rate, which could explain why doctors mistook her for dead.
 
CONGRATULATIONS, YOU’VE BEEN ACCEPTED TO UCLA! OH WAIT, NEVERMIND
 
STUDY: WOMEN ROCK THE SHORTEST SKIRTS AT 23
This story’s got legs!  A survey found that while women in their 20s rock the shortest hemlines, 40-something ladies are wearing shorter skirts than 30-year-olds.  It’s a common belief that certain styles should come with an age limit (and that miniskirts, like Ugg boots and midriff-baring tops, have no place in an older woman’s wardrobe), but this data suggests that attitude may be changing.  After all, we don’t hear anyone telling 40-something celebs with killer pins to cover up. J. Lo, we’re looking at you!
 
HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE ‘BRO-ZILIAN’ WAX? *SHUDDER*

 
TAX DAY IS AROUND THE CORNER AND APPARENTLY YOU NEED TO STAY OFF THE FRICKIN’ ROAD…
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but tax day is just around the corner.  Buckle up on your way to the post office- fatal car crashes increase by six percent on income tax day in the U.S. Experts say when people are worried or under pressure, they’re more likely to be distracted and drive recklessly.  It’s obviously a stressful time of year, but maybe it would be a little less so if 20% of people didn’t wait until the last minute to file!
 
WHO’S YOUR DADDY? BRITISH MAN FATHERS 600 BABIES DONATING HIS SEED
A British man who owned a fertility clinic in the 1940s might have fathered as many as 600 children -- while keeping his donations a secret. Bertold Wiesner and his wife, who operated the clinic, were responsible for helping more than 1,500 families conceive. But recent DNA tests of some of the people who were conceived through clinic donations found that more than a third matched Wiesner's DNA. This all happened before England passed laws against "bulk donations." These days, British donors can only make 10 deposits. But here in the U.S., it's a free-for-all. Unlimited donations!
 
GOOD EXCUSE TIME: GAMBLING HELPS MEN LOSE WEIGHT!
A new study has shown that men are four times more successful than women at weight loss when weight loss programs are based on a bet. Guys respond to the competition of a cash prize based approach -- like many "biggest loser"-style contests that workplaces sponsor. Researchers found that 63 percent of male participants in a weight loss "betting" program were able to lose 10 percent or more of their body weight. On the other hand, only 15 percent of women were so successful. 
 
USE CAUTION WITH THIS ONE FELLAS, BUT A NEW STUDY SAYS WOMEN ARE LAZY…
Talk about THIS around the dinner table tonight. A new study out of Oregon State University found that women are far less likely to exercise for 30 minutes every day than men. While men got 30 minutes, women averaged 18. One could argue, and one may have a point, that women are constantly moving at home picking up after Mr. Fitness while getting the kids fed and dressed. So that may balance out the equation a big.
 
NBA ROUNDUP: BYNUM SCORES 30 BOARDS AND THE THUNDER FELL TO THE CLIPPERS!
Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum was human Windex on Wednesday, cleaning up on the glass for a season league-best 30 rebounds in L.A.’s 98-84 wipeout of the San Antonio Spurs. With Kobe Bryant still sidelined with a sore shin, Metta World Peace picked up his scoring pace, finishing with a season-high 26 points. With the Spurs losing, the Oklahoma City Thunder had an opportunity to move two games up on San Antonio in the Western Conference but failed to get it done after losing 100-98 to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Boston Celtics cashed in on yet another Rajon Rondo triple-double performance, beating the Atlanta Hawks 88-86 in overtime. Rondo finished with 10 points, 20 assists and 10 rebounds. Here are all of Wednesday night’s NBA finals. 
 
THE LAST OF THE UNDEFEATEDS IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FELL YESTERDAY…
The Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks dreams of having a perfect season (we’re kidding of course) came to a screeching halt on Wednesday as the Tigers lost their first game of the year 4-2 to the Tampa Bay Rays and Arizona finally fell 2-1 to the San Diego Padres. Meanwhile, both Northern California teams were involved in wild games, with the San Francisco Giants scoring 7 runs in the 4th inning to take a 7-6 lead only to see the Colorado Rockies plate 3 in the bottom of the 4th and 7 in the bottom of the 5th on their way to a 17-8 victory. In Oakland, the A’s won 5-4 in 12 innings thanks to a walk-off hit batter with the bases loaded. Here is the entire MLB scoreboard. 
 
JOHNNY DAMON IS “EXCITED” TO JOIN THE INDIANS?
Veteran Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Johnny Damon is expected to sign with the Cleveland Indians soon, a move intended to fill the hole left by the loss of center fielder Grady Sizemore, who is not eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list until June 3. The terms of the agreement have not yet been disclosed. The 38-year old Damon owns a .286 career average with 231 home runs, 1,120 RBIs, 404 stolen bases and 2,723 hits. 
 
BAYLOR GETS 3 YEARS PROBATION!
Baylor University had already slapped penalties on its own men’s and women’s basketball programs after an investigation revealed men’s coach Scott Drew and the national champion women’s coach Kim Mulkey combined racked up 738 texts and 528 phone calls to recruits that were against the rules. On Wednesday, the NCAA put both programs on three years of probation but decided to leave it at that and not add additional sanctions.
 
CHARLES BARKLEY SAYS LAMAR ODOM’S SALARY WAS “A JOKE”
The always opinionated Charles Barkley feels sorry for the Dallas Mavericks who are on the hook for the remainder of Lamar Odom’s annual salary. In an interview with ESPN, Barkley said, “I always pull for the players, but the fact that they’ve got to pay him, I think is a joke. I like Lamar as a person, but I’m disappointed about everything that happened in Dallas. And it’s a shame that the Mavs got to pay him…because he doesn’t deserve to get paid for what he put out there this year. He doesn’t deserve it, plain and simple.”
 
NASCAR GREAT AL UNSER JR. PLEAD GUILTY TO DUI YESTERDAY
Like a former boxing champion getting into a bar brawl, two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Al Unser Jr. on Wednesday pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and drag racing on a New Mexico freeway. A judge sentenced him to 364 days of supervised probation. Last September, the former racecar driver was arrested for racing another car and driving over 100 mph near Albuquerque. Police officers said Unser smelled of alcohol and his blood-alcohol level turned out to be twice the legal limit of 0.08.

 
AXL ROSE WILL NOT BE ATTENDING THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME  INDUCTION!
They're won't be any Guns n' Roses reunion at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction this weekend because Axl Rose isn't showing up. Rose penned a lengthy open letter to the Rock Hall, sent it to the Los Angeles Times and posted it on Facebook. It's addressed "To the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Guns n' Roses Fans and Whom It May Concern," and in it Rose even says, "I respectfully decline my induction as a member." Other highlights of the letter: Rose criticizes ex-drummer Steven Adler for a 2007 interview in Billboard about a possible reunion: "Steven was at our show at the Hard Rock, later in '06 in Las Vegas, where I invited him to our after-party and was rewarded with his subsequent interviews filled with reunion lies. Lesson learned." There will never be a reunion: "In regard to a reunion of any kind of either the Appetite or Illusion lineups, I've publicly made myself more than clear. Nothing's changed." He thinks no one wants him there: "Taking into consideration the history of Guns n' Roses, those who plan to attend along with those the Hall for reasons of their own, have chosen to include in "our" induction (that for the record are decisions I don't agree with, support or feel the Hall has any right to make), and how (albeit no easy task) those involved with the Hall have handled things...no offense meant to anyone, but the Hall of Fame induction ceremony doesn't appear to be somewhere I'm actually wanted or respected."
 
THE CHILI PEPPERS WILL HOWEVER BE THERE MINUS ONE MEMBER…
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's class of 2012 will be inducted Saturday in Cleveland. Guns n' Roses, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Donovan, Laura Nyro, The Small Faces/Faces and Beastie Boys are the main performers going in this year. Today we preview The Red Hot Chili Peppers: They'll be inducted by actor-comedian Chris Rock, who directed their video for "Hump de Bump" in 2007. Those being inducted are current members Anthony Kiedis, Flea and Chad Smith, as well as former guitarist John Frusciante, former drummers Jack Irons and Cliff Martinez, and late guitarist Hillel Slovak. All of the living members except Frusciante will be on hand and will perform with the band and current guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. Kiedis, Slovak, Flea and Irons formed The Red Hot Chili Peppers while they attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. But that lineup appeared together on only one album, 1987's Uplift Mofo Party Plan. The Chili Peppers have released 10 studio albums, and all of them since 1991's Blood Sugar Sex Magick have gone the Top 10. Flea inducted Metallica into the Rock Hall in Cleveland in 2009.
 
THE WHITNEY HOUSTON 911 CALL IS OUT AND BOBBI KRISTINA GOT CAUGHT HITTING THE BONG!
The 911 call made moments after Whitney Houston died in February was released to the public yesterday. In the call, a Beverly Hilton hotel security guard tells the operator that an "irate" woman, possibly Whitney's assistant, called security but "kept hanging up" before they could get the whole story. The caller said, "Apparently I've got a 46-year-old female found in the bathroom. That's all I've got right now, but they're requesting paramedics." Also yesterday, the LAPD announced that they've concluded their investigation into the singer's death and have determined that it did not involve foul play. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be accidental drowning. Meanwhile, Radar Online has obtained a video allegedly showing Whitney's daughter Bobbi Kristina smoking marijuana from a three-foot-tall bong.
 
DESPITE HIS BEST EFFORTS, THE SHRIVER/SCHWARZENEGGER DIVORCE MOVES ON…
It doesn’t look like Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger will be reconciling. TMZ reports that while Arnold would love his estranged wife to give him a second chance, he’s come to terms with the fact that she will likely go through with their divorce. Maria had reportedly been reconsidering, mainly because of her religious beliefs, but the couple has been living separate lives for a while now and it looks like the divorce is going to happen. Arnold believes Maria’s friends have been pushing her to stay away from him in order to make sure she goes through with it. Sources say the couple is “very close” to working out a financial settlement, and they are both doing their best to make the split easy on their kids.
 
BRITNEY SPEARS IS GONNA GET $15MIL TO BE ON X FACTOR AFTER ALL!
It's almost official -- Britney Spears is very close to signing on to be an X Factor judge. According to E! Online, after weeks of negotiations, Britney's team has agreed to a $15 million fee for the role. And fiance Jason Trawick will be along for the ride, too. The former agent will become a producer on the Simon Cowell-led show. The deal will make Brit the highest paid judge on reality television, surpassing Jennifer Lopez's $12 million deal for American Idol.
 
IS THAT REALLY BETTY WHITE ON TWITTER?!
Yesterday the 90-year-old started tweeting, sending a flirty message to Ryan Seacrest. But soon after, her Hot in Cleveland co-star Valerie Bertinelli wrote, "Just spoke with Betty and she is VERY upset! @BettyMWhite is NOT her. Don't know how they got verified, but it is not Betty." Then, a little while later, Valerie posted a retraction, saying, "It's all a misunderstanding. @BettyMWhite IS Betty's twitter account! I think @BettyMWhite pranked me but good! #blushing." Perhaps it was part of Betty's new prank show Off Their Rockers.
 
ALICIA SILVERSTONE IS DEFNDING THE WHOLE CREEPY BIRD/BABY FEEDING THING NOW…
Alicia Silverstone doesn't think there's anything wrong with feeding her 11-month-old son Bear Blu like a bird. At a screening of her upcoming film Vamps in Brooklyn, New York, Alicia told reporters, "People have been feeding their kids that way for thousands of years. It's a weaning process. He attacks my mouth and I think it's adorable... It makes me laugh every time he does it." The actress says she didn't intend to "cause such a ruckus" when she posted the personal video on her website.
 
IS FOX RE-AIRING MARRIED…WITH CHILDREN? YUP

 
COURTNEY LOVE IS AT IT AGAIN AND NOW SHE’S ACCUSING DAVE GROHL OF HITTING ON FRANCES BEAN???
From the "who can believe Courtney Love's Twitter rants" department comes a doozy -- she claims that 43-year-old Dave Grohl tried to put the moves on her daughter, 19-year-old Frances Bean Cobain. In the numerous Tweets she sent out Tuesday night from her protected account -- which were compiled by Gawker -- Love said that Grohl shared a limo with Frances and that the driver told her that Grohl had "his hands all over her." Grohl -- who probably can't believe he has to respond to these rants from a crazy lady -- says through his publicist, "Unfortunately, Courtney is on another hateful Twitter rant. These new accusations are upsetting, offensive and absolutely untrue." 
 
GREEN DAY IS RECORDING 3 ALBUMS AT ONCE!
Apparently doing back-to-back concept albums wasn't enough for Green Day. The trio has announced that they're working on three albums at the same time.
Uno! is due out September 25th
Dos! is due out November 13th.
Tre! is due out January 15th, 2013.
The band issued a statement saying, "We are at the most prolific and creative time in our lives. This is the best music we've ever written, and the songs just keep coming. Instead of making one album, we are making a three- album trilogy. Every song has the power and energy that represents Green Day on all emotional levels. We just can't help ourselves."

STP IS SET TO RELEASE THEIR VERY FIRST LIVE DVD!
For the first time in their two-decade career, Stone Temple Pilots are releasing a live DVD and Blu-ray. Alive in the Windy City, due out June 5th, features the band's entire concert from March 27th, 2010 at the Riviera Theater in Chicago. Scott Weiland and company are reportedly planning a tour this year to mark the 20th anniversary of their debut album, Core.
 
RUSH FANS, SET YOUR CLOCKS!
Rush have set June 12th as the release date for their next album, Clockwork Angels. Featuring 12 songs, it will be their 20th studio effort and first since 2007's Snakes and Arrows. The album has a running theme of "a young man's quest across a lavish and colorful world of steampunk and alchemy as he attempts to follow his dreams." Science fiction author Kevin J. Anderson is writing novel based on the album in collaboration with Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. The first single from Clockwork Angels, "Headlong Flight," will hit the airwaves on April 19th. Rush will announce a North American tour in support of the album shortly. Rush received the Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award last night at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles.

Clockwork Angels track list:
Caravan
BU2B
Clockwork Angels
The Anarchist
Carnies
Halo Effect
Seven Cities of Gold
The Wreckers
Headlong Flight
BU2B2
Wish Them Well
The Garden