Author: business

Crossword Blog & Answers for March 20, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher
There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today’s puzzle before reading further! Bumpy Landing
Constructors: Olivia Mitra Framke & Sally Hoelscher

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Comments from Today’s Crossword Constructors

Olivia: It’s always a pleasure to work with Sally! This puzzle marks our 20th published crossword collaboration. We have a great rhythm going, and I truly love every minute of our process together… you know it works well when it feels easy and breezy, and it certainly does in this case! Thanks also to Amanda for astute editing (as always), and I hope you enjoyed this especially gamer-friendly puzzle!

Sally: Last November when our puzzle “We Finish Each Other’s Sandwiches” was published, I mentioned that PINK PONY CLUB was one of four phrases Olivia had sent me that she’d like to use as theme answers in puzzles. With the inclusion of SILLY GOOSE in today’s puzzle, we’ve now used all four of the phrases. The other two phrases were STUDIO GHIBLI and MARBLE OLYMPICS (which turned into MARBLE RUN). It’s always a joy to receive messages that lead to hours of delightful collaboration. Thanks, Olivia, for bringing me along for the ride.

Random Thoughts & Interesting Things

OBOES (1A: Orchestra tuning instruments) In an orchestra, the other instruments tune to a concert A played by one of the OBOES (the first OBOE). The bright, penetrating sound of the OBOE is easy to hear, and it has a stable pitch, making it a good choice to be used for tuning.

ESPANOL (6A: Lengua de Barcelona) The clue written in Spanish alerts solvers that the answer will be a Spanish word.

We (and by we, I mean Olivia) managed to get a few gaming references in this puzzle:

INSTALL (16A: Button pressed after a Steam purchase) Steam is a distribution service and storefront developed by the Valve Corporation. Users may purchase games on Steam, which they then INSTALL on their devices.

PELT (63A: Sabretooth reward in The Bazaar) The Bazaar is a free-to-play hero-builder game for PC and Mac. PELT is a reward that can be obtained after fighting the Sabretooth, one of the monsters that may be encountered in the game.

BOSS (2D: Major Dark Souls villain, e.g.) Dark Souls is a fantasy role-playing video game series. As with many video games, in order to win the game, one must defeat a major villain known as the BOSS. A BOSS battle is characteristically fought at the end of a game level or stage.

ORE (11D: Material gathered with a pickaxe, in gaming) ORE is used as a resource in many video games (and board games).

NEW GAME (33D: Menu choice that starts a Legend of Zelda journey) The Legend of Zelda is a video game franchise. The original Legend of Zelda was released by Nintendo in 1986.

SAM (21A: “Gloria” artist Smith) Gloria is SAM Smith’s fourth studio album, released in 2023.

DIORAMA (22A: Shoebox project) When I was in school, if making a DIORAMA was one of the choices for a project, that was the one I would choose. There was so much room for creativity! I still have a tendency to hang onto shoeboxes. You just never know when you’ll need a good box for a DIORAMA.

UNKNOWN (32A: “Into the ___” (“Frozen 2” song)) Do you need an earworm today? Though not quite as catchy (in my opinion) as “Let It Go” from Frozen, “Into the UNKNOWN” from Frozen 2, still has the potential to get stuck in your head. “Into the UNKNOWN” is sung by the fabulous (in my opinion) Idina Menzel (who voiced Elsa), and features Norwegian singer and songwriter Aurora as The Voice.

PETE (48A: Folk singer Seeger) PETE Seeger (1919-2014) was a folk singer-songwriter and social activist. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

CAMP (49A: Spot to sleep outdoors) and GUEST ROOM (50A: Spot for visitors to sleep) and SPA (53A: Spot for a sand bath) Many thanks to Amanda for keeping our consecutive trio of “Spot…” clues!

FREE SPIN (58A: “Press Your Luck” bonus) I have previously written about the game show Press Your Luck. Contestants answer questions to earn SPINs, and then SPIN a wheel to accumulate money and prizes and FREE SPINs, while trying to avoid the Whammy.

EVA (4D: “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” cast member Marcille) In 2004, EVA Marcille was the winner of the third season of the reality TV series America’s Next Top Model. This win launched her modeling career. She returned to reality TV as a cast member on The Real Housewives of Atlanta (2018-2021).

SALMON (5D: Atlantic ___ (one of 152 fish in Finspan)) I have previously written about the board game Wingspan, which features birds. Finspan – which I have not played but Olivia has and recommends – features fish, 152 types of fish, in fact, including the Atlantic SALMON.

PUMA (8D: Big cat, or a shoe brand) and LEO (62D: Feline zodiac sign) We managed to work in not one, but two cat references for my furry friend, Willow. The other day I walked into my office to discover Willow had decided to take my place. She does try to type at times, which is less than helpful.

MOOSE (24D: Large mammal with a dewlap) A dewlap is a flap of skin that hangs beneath the lower jaw. MOOSE have dewlaps. Male iguanas also have dewlaps, though they don’t fit the description of being a large mammal.

DWARF (29D: Thorin Oakenshield, for one) Thorin Oakenshield is a DWARF in J. R. R. Tolkien’s 1937 novel The Hobbit. In fact, he is the leader of the Dwarves.

REBEL (30D: ___ Alliance) and REY (36D: “Star Wars” sequel trilogy protagonist) A nice pair of Star Wars clues to pair with the two cat clues. True collaboration.

COLE (57D: Nat King ___) Nat King COLE (1919-1965) was a jazz singer and pianist. He was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990, and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

Crossword Puzzle Theme Synopsis

HAND OVER FIST (20D: Quickly and in large amounts)

PICK UP SPEED (26D: Get faster and faster)

SILLY GOOSE (31D: “You goofball!”)

BUMPY LANDING: The bottom word of each vertical theme answer can be paired with the word BUMPS, giving us FIST BUMPS, SPEED BUMPS, and GOOSE BUMPS.

Hopefully you had a smooth LANDING with this puzzle, in spite of its name. This was a fun puzzle to put together. Thanks for solving! Thank you to Amanda, for fantastic editing, as usual.

For more on USA TODAY’s Crossword Puzzles
March 20, 2025
'O'Dessa' stars Regina Hall, Kelvin Harrison Jr. talk Sadie SinkEntertain This!

‘O’Dessa’ stars Regina Hall, Kelvin Harrison Jr. talk Sadie SinkEntertain This!

March 20, 2025
Charity Lawson hopes ‘Bachelorette’ makes ‘tweaks’ while on break

Former “Bachelorette” lead Charity Lawson has weighed in on the show reportedly going on pause this summer.

While she and her fiancé Dotun Olubeko walked the red carpet at Monday’s iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles, they spoke with USA TODAY about the latest in the “Bachelor” franchise and feeling “bright-eyed and bushy tailed” about this season of their lives.

When asked whether the show’s reported break this summer is an unfortunate development or necessary for the franchise, Lawson and Olubeko replied, “A little bit of both.” Lawson added: “The show itself, obviously, contributed to our love story being what it is, so it’s always something special to us.”

The couple has been engaged since Olubeko proposed to the former child and family therapist at the end of her “Bachelorette” season, which aired its finale in August 2023.

Lawson said, “But I do think that they should take a break to figure out, maybe, where they should make some tweaks and, hopefully, come back stronger.”

Charity Lawson calls Jenn Tran’s ‘Bachelorette’ finale ‘heartbreaking’

Lawson also acknowledged that most of the seasons that aired after hers have ended with relationships that are still going strong.

“It was us, then Joey (Graziadei) and Kelsey (Anderson) followed, and Jenn (Tran) — I hated that for her,” she said, referencing the disastrous ending to Tran’s season last summer that saw her struggling with the aftermath of a breakup with the man she’d proposed to. “So Grant (Ellis), we don’t know how his (‘Bachelor’ season) will end, but we’ll see.”

How last season failed Jenn Tran: ‘Bachelorette’ boasted an empowered Asian lead — then tore her down

Tran’s finale “was heartbreaking to watch,” Lawson said. “I would’ve went and grabbed her, like, ‘Let’s get out of here.’”

What happened to ‘The Bachelorette’ 2025?

Most of the drama that has come out of Ellis’ “Bachelor” season, which airs its finale March 24, has happened off-screen, with various trade outlets publishing reports on shake-ups that have happened on the production side over the past month.

On Feb. 7, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety reported the franchise would not be following its usual format of plucking a female lead from the “Bachelor” contestant pool to star in her own “Bachelorette” season, which usually airs in spring through summer on ABC.

The outlets then followed this news with reports of several high-ranking departures from the production team.

USA TODAY has reached out to “Bachelor” reps for comment.

When are Charity and Dotun getting married?

As for Lawson and Olubeko, while the couple has posed for plenty of wedding-inspired photoshoots and engagement shoots, they have yet to walk down the aisle.

“The wedding is coming; I know that’s everyone’s biggest question. We don’t have the actual date to give to the public yet, but it’s coming,” Lawson said.

“It’s been a crazy past year coming off the show and (I’m) just excited to see what comes. But (I’m) just feeling very blessed that things worked out so much in both of our favors, because it doesn’t always,” Olubuko said. “(I’m) very bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and just excited to see what life continues to have for us.”

March 20, 2025
Actor receives loving tributes from family

Bruce Willis’ biggest fans are the ladies he calls family.

The award-winning actor and action-hero icon, who has retreated from the spotlight in recent years amid his battle with dementia, received an outpouring of love from his wife and daughters for his 70th birthday on Wednesday.

Willis is married to model Emma Heming Willis, with whom he shares daughters Mabel Ray, 12, and Evelyn Penn, 10. He also has three daughters — Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 31 — with ex-wife Demi Moore.

Tallulah paid tribute to Willis in an emotional Instagram post, which featured a photo of the father-daughter pair standing by side by side. “I love this Jersey boy, who combed my hair in baths, and always made sure I layed a towel down before eating on his bed,” she wrote.

“Throughout my childhood I was so frequently asked what it was like to have capital B Bruce Willis as a dad, that somehow these people thought that when they saw him jump off buildings via a 20ft screen he remained EXTRA LARGE,” Tallulah reflected.

She concluded: “For years I would get red in the face when people found out my ‘full’ name. but I’m pretty damn proud to be Tallulah Belle Bruce Willis.”

What happened to Bruce Willis?

Following his retirement from acting in 2022 due to an aphasia diagnosis, Willis’ family revealed in February 2023 that the actor had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a brain disorder caused by degeneration of the brain’s frontal lobe.

In a rare appearance, Willis was spotted in January interacting with law enforcement officers in Los Angeles amid the city’s devastating wildfires. He could be seen shaking hands and speaking with first responders battling the blaze, according to social media footage shared by Heming Willis.

Emma Heming Willis: Bruce Willis’ wife says ‘caretakers need care’ amid Gene Hackman death

Emma Heming Willis and Rumer Willis pay tribute to ‘King’ Bruce Willis

Heming Willis gave a heartfelt shoutout to her hubby on Instagram Wednesday, sharing an outdoor photo of Willis excitedly standing atop a four-wheeler vehicle.

“It’s Bruce’s birthday, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that there’s no greater fan than a Bruce fan,” Heming Willis wrote. “So flood him with all the love today — he will feel it, I swear he will. You are one powerful bunch. I love how you rally for him, and I’m so grateful that he has you ✨”

Rumer Willis posted what appeared to be a throwback video of Willis and ex-wife Moore on Instagram, which showed the former couple playfully dancing around in the kitchen.

“To the King…I love you Daddio,” Rumer captioned the post. “Happy 70th Birthday papa.”

Moore shared a short-and-sweet message of her own on Instagram, accompanied by a series of family photos. “Happy birthday, BW! We love you ♥️,” she wrote.

Bruce Willis: Actor visits LA wildfire first responders in rare video amid dementia battle

Scout Willis gushes over ‘greatest’ father Bruce Willis, reflects on grief

Scout Willis posted a pair of bittersweet tributes to Willis on Instagram. The first post featured a nostalgic carousel of previous family photos.

“Happy birthday to the Greatest of all time. 🐐,” Scout wrote. “Every day I thank the Gods that 50% of my DNA is from him. The music I make, the magic I create, and the magnetic mischief I incite, that’s my father’s legacy alive in the world.”

Scout, a singer-songwriter, followed up the touching birthday shoutout with a more reflective post about her grief for Willis. “I cried a lot this morning, because I’m a baddie and grief is non linear and I am so full of love,” she wrote.

“It’s the price I pay to get to feel this depth of love and I would never give my grief away,” she continued. “I’m in Nashville making a record right now and I’m just so deeply aware that the music I make is a direct result of the musical education my dad made sure I got.”

She added: “It was his absolute joy to share what he loved with me. Every time I smirk and audaciously ask for more and every time I feel so (expletive) insatiable that I want to devour the entire world because I am so GODDAMN in love with life, I am my father’s child.”

Contributing: Jay Stahl, USA TODAY

March 20, 2025
Who’s voted out after a tribe swap?

For the first time on Season 48 of “Survivor,” players dropped their buffs.

In the fourth episode, titled “The House Party’s Over,” the remaining 15 castaways playing the 26-day game in Fiji for $1 million abandoned their original tribes after the Vula tribe’s dismal performance in the first three episodes. The shakeup formed three new groups of five.

While the swap proved to be advantageous for some, one tribe still lost the immunity challenge, guaranteeing a date with longtime host Jeff Probst at tribal council, and another player had their dreams of becoming “sole survivor” dashed and their torch snuffed.

Here’s who went home this week on “Survivor” Season 48.

‘Severance’ Season 2: When does the finale come out? How to watch and stream the final episode

Who went home on ‘Survivor’ Season 48, Episode 4?

While the three tribe names – Civa, Vula and Lagi – remained the same, the players making up those tribes changed dramatically.

Morale was high leading into the episode’s immunity challenge, where the first and second finishers were guaranteed safety and a much-coveted reward of fresh fruit to bring back to camp. But as players had to heave sandbags, move through an obstacle course, toss balls and complete a puzzle, the Vula tribe (with no original Vula members on it) were once again the last team to finish.

Heading to tribal council with three original Lagi members and two Civa, the Civa members pretended to not have a tight alliance with each other in hopes of not becoming the target of the majority. Kamilla Karthigesu (a Civa) even told other members she suspected Thomas Krottinger (a Lagi) of lying about not having an advantage from a “journey” he had taken a few episodes prior, further sowing distrust.

Just before tribal council, original Lagi member Shauhin Davari searched Kyle Fraser’s bag (a Civa) for a hidden immunity idol. Luckily, Shauhin did not find the idol, which Kyle did in fact have.

Kyle correctly guessed he was the target of the vote and played his hidden immunity idol, nullifying the three votes from Thomas, Shauhin and Joe Hunter (a Lagi) cast against him. Kyle and Kamilla voted for Thomas, thus making the 34-year-old music executive living in Los Angeles the fourth person voted out of the game.

‘Survivor’ Season 48 cast: Meet the 18 new castaways hoping to win $1 million in Fiji

Who went home last week on ‘Survivor’ Season 48?

Only the Lagi and Civa tribes won the immunity challenge, as they have in the two previous weeks, leaving Vula to face tribal council and vote out a member for the third time. But before they headed to tribal council, the Lagi tribe was forced to send three people, one from each tribe, on a special “journey” with an unknown fate.

Bianca Roses, Justin Pioppi and Kamilla Karthigesu from the Lagi, Vula and Civa tribes, respectively, were selected. Once on the “journey,” each contestant was forced to play a game of chance with dice. If they rolled a certain number of dice with flames, they could gain an extra vote, but if they rolled a certain number with skulls, they lost a vote at the next tribal council.

Of the three, only Kamilla was victorious, meaning Bianca and Justin both lost their votes. And as Justin is a member of the losing Vula tribe, he was heading into the four-person tribal council with no vote.

Certain that she was the target, Mary Zheng played her “shot in the dark,” or a one-in-six chance for safety in exchange for her vote at tribal council. And for the second time since the feature was added into the show, Mary was lucky, guaranteeing her safety for the night.

And since Justin lost his vote, that meant that only Sai Hughley and Cedrek McFadden could cast votes. After they tied twice with one vote each for Sai and Justin, Probst told them about the historic nature of the evening. Typically in “Survivor,” after two tie votes, the players up for elimination cannot vote and it is up to the rest of the tribe to talk it out and come to a consensus. But because Justin and Mary had lost their votes and Sai was up for elimination, only Cedrek could make that decision.

After making rivals Mary and Sai promise to get along, Cedrek sent home Justin, a 29-year-old pizzeria manager from Winthrop, Massachusetts.

He became the third Vula member in a row to exit the game, leaving only three people remaining on the tribe.

How to watch ‘Survivor’ Season 48

Season 48 of “Survivor” will air Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and stream on Paramount+ for subscribers of the Paramount+ with Showtime plan.

Episodes can be streamed the next day for subscribers of any Paramount+ plan.

The previous 47 seasons of the show are all available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription.

Watch every season of Survivor with Paramount+

Who is the host of ‘Survivor’?

Jeff Probst has hosted all 48 seasons of the show, which has been on the air since 2000. He also serves as an executive producer.

‘Survivor’ 50: Jeff Probst talks casting all-stars season, whether he’d play ‘Traitors’

Who won ‘Survivor’ Season 47?

Rachel Lamont won Season 47 of “Survivor,” in a 7-1-0 vote against Sam Phalen, who got one vote, and Sue Smey.

Lamont, a 34-year-old graphic designer from Southfield, Michigan, was originally on the Gata tribe and became the fifth woman ever to win four individual Immunity Challenges in a season.

Where is ‘Survivor’ filmed?

While “Survivor” previously took contestants to remote locations around the world, from the Pearl Islands to the Philippines and Guatemala, the show has been filmed in the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji for the past 15 seasons.

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

March 20, 2025
Carrie Underwood, more stars attend 'Opry 100' celebrationMusic

Carrie Underwood, more stars attend ‘Opry 100’ celebrationMusic

March 20, 2025
Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena were separated when he died

Three months after filmmaker Jeff Baena’s death at 47 years old, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Department has made public some new information from its investigation.

An investigative summary report from the medical examiner obtained Wednesday by USA TODAY stated that Aubrey Plaza and Baena had been separated since September, per a witness statement Plaza provided to police.

People was first to report the news.

Baena was pronounced dead at his LA residence at around 10:39 a.m. on Jan. 3, according to the medical examiner’s case on his death. The cause of death was determined to be suicide, and no foul play was suspected.

“This is an unimaginable tragedy,” a statement on behalf of Plaza and the Baena family, issued Jan. 6, read. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”

The couple started dating in 2010 and were quietly married in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baena and Plaza have collaborated on numerous projects, including the 2014 dark comedy “Life After Beth,” which Baena wrote and directed. The film was nominated for the grand jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival. The couple most recently worked together on the 2022 romantic comedy “Spin Me Round,” which featured Plaza alongside stars Alison Brie, Jake Picking and Stella Chesnut.

Baena is survived by Plaza, mother Barbara Stern and stepfather Roger Stern, father Scott Baena and stepmother Michele Baena, brother Brad Baena and stepsiblings Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call 988 any time day or night, or chat online. Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.

Contributing: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY

March 20, 2025
How to watch ‘Good American Family’: Premiere date, episode schedule
A new Hulu series inspired by the shocking story of Ukrainian orphan Natalia Grace Barnett starring “Grey’s Anatomy” Ellen Pompeo was officially released Wednesday.
“Good American Family” was inspired by “multiple stories, perspectives, threats, interpretations and accusations” surrounding a Midwestern couple who took in a child with a rare form of dwarfism, not unlike Natalia.

Natalia and her adoptive guardians, the Barnett family of Indiana, were thrust into the spotlight in 2012 after they claimed she was an adult, not a child. The Barnetts, like the adoptive parents in the series, begin to grow suspicious of the girl, claiming that she was a lot older than they believed her to be and that she posed a threat to their physical safety.

Though the Natalia and the Barnett family are not mentioned in the show’s description, it is a dramatization of the real events that played out between Natalia and her adoptive parents. Natalia and her former adoptive family remained in the public eye for years amidst ongoing legal battles.

Natalia’s story has become the focus of multiple televisions projects in recent years, including Investigation Discovery’s documentary series “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace,” which premiered in January.

Here’s how to watch the new Hulu drama series “Good American Family.”

Review: Hulu’s Natalia Grace series ‘Good American Family’ is pure exploitation

How to watch ‘Good American Family’

The first two episodes of “Good American Family” were released on Hulu March 19, and the series’ weekly episodes are available to stream with a Hulu, or on a Disney+ subscription with a Hulu add-on.

The first two episodes of the Hulu drama series dropped on premiere day, followed by weekly releases on Wednesdays.

‘Good American Family’ cast

A handful of Hollywood stars, including Pompeo, were tapped to star in the series:

Ellen Pompeo: Natalia’s adoptive mother, Kristine Barnett

Mark Duplass: Natalia’s adoptive father, Michael Barnett

Imogen Faith Reid: Natalia Grace

Dulé Hill: Det. Brandon Drysdale

Sarayu Blue: Daycare parent named Valika

Christina Hendricks: Cynthia Mans

Who is Natalia Grace?

Natalia Grace Barnett is a Ukrainian orphan who was adopted by Indiana couple Kristine Elizabeth Barnett and Michael Barnett in 2010. The Barnetts believed Natalia was either 6 or 7 years old when they first took her in.

Natalia was diagnosed with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a rare genetic disorder that affects the bones and spine, resulting in small stature and other skeletal abnormalities.

The Barnetts claimed, not long after bringing her home, that Natalia was not the age reflected on her birth certificate, because Natalia allegedly had pubic hair, a menstrual cycle and a mental illness. The couple not only claimed that Natalia’s genetic disorder made her appear far younger than she was, but that she was also scamming them and putting their safety at risk due to violent tendencies.

Doctors, DNA evidence, genetic professionals and a Ukrainian woman claiming to be Natalia’s biological mother were called in in an attempt to help determine her real age as the Barnetts contested Natalia’s age and respective claims in court.

In 2012, a Marion County judge altered Natalia’s Ukrainian birth records to say she was 22 years old, as opposed to age 11, the age she was previously believed to be, despite medical reports confirming that Natalia was in fact a child and a lack of solid evidence to prove otherwise.

The Barnetts later signed Natalia up for public assistance, moving her into a Lafayette, Indiana apartment by herself in July 2013. The couple and their other children relocated to Canada, where their oldest son planned to attend college. Natalia was evicted from the apartment a year later and the couple was hit with accusations of abandonment and several charges related to the neglect of a dependent.

Both the Barnetts, who are now divorced, have denied the claims and the charges have since been dismissed.

More: Neglect charges based on Natalia Grace Barnett’s age dismissed against mom accused of abandoning her in Lafayette

What is ‘Good American Family’ about?

The Hulu series, told from “multiple points of view,” takes inspiration from “disturbing stories surrounding a Midwestern couple who adopts a girl with a rare form of dwarfism,” the show’s official logline reads.

“But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, mystery emerges around her age and background, and they’ve slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is,” according to the show description. “As they defend their family from the daughter they’ve grown to believe is a threat, she fights her own battle to confront her past and what her future holds, in a showdown that ultimately plays out in the tabloids and in the courtroom.”

Though the show’s description does not mention Natalia Grace or her former adoptive family directly, the situation does seem to serve as inspiration.

Watch the ‘Good American Family’ trailer

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY and Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar.
March 20, 2025
Eminem engineer accused of songs leak by FBI

Two months after a batch of unreleased Eminem songs mysteriously surfaced online, a former employee of the rapper has been charged by the FBI with leaking the music.

Joseph Strange, 46, could face up to 10 years in prison after being charged Wednesday with criminal copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods. The agency says Strange was paid about $50,000 in Bitcoin online by a Canadian man who raised the funds with a group of fellow Eminem fans in exchange for the unreleased song tracks.

Representatives for Eminem on Wednesday described the unauthorized music leak as “significant damage caused by a trusted employee.”

Officials with the FBI’s Detroit office say Strange was responsible for at least 25 unreleased Eminem songs that were distributed online in January, all of it material in “various stages of development” and recorded by the rapper between 1999 and 2018.

If convicted on the copyright infringement charges, Strange would face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A conviction for interstate transportation of stolen goods has a maximum 10-year prison sentence.

Strange was an audio engineer at Eminem’s Effigy recording studio in Ferndale, Michigan, where he worked from 2007 until his dismissal in 2021. His brother, Mike Strange, is also a studio engineer who has worked with the rapper for more than two decades and continues to work at Effigy.

Eminem songs leak caused ‘significant damage,’ rapper says

A Jan. 28 search of Strange’s residence by the FBI turned up hard drives with thousands of audio files, including music created by Eminem and artists working with him, the FBI said. Agents also found handwritten lyrics and notes stashed in a safe, along with a videotape containing an unreleased Eminem music video.

Those tracks presumably included the leaked song “Smack You,” which made headlines in January for lyrics attacking hip-hop mogul Suge Knight and rapper Ja Rule. Eminem’s spokesman said at the time it was among “studio efforts never meant for public consumption,” describing the leaked music as “demos, experiments and ideas that are dated and not relevant so many years later.”

In a statement provided Wednesday to the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY network, the rapper’s spokesman said, “Eminem and his team are very appreciative of the efforts by the FBI Detroit bureau for its thorough investigation” leading to the charges against Strange.

“The significant damage caused by a trusted employee to Eminem’s artistic legacy and creative integrity cannot be overstated, let alone the enormous financial losses incurred by the many creators and collaborators that deserve protection for their decades of work,” spokesperson Dennis Dennehy said in the statement.

“We will continue to take any and all steps necessary to protect Eminem’s art and will stop at nothing to do so,” Dennehy added.

Review: On ‘The Death of Slim Shady’ album, Eminem slays his alter ego

Strange was one of four Effigy employees with access to the password-protected hard drives of Eminem music securely housed at the Ferndale facility, the FBI said.

“Joseph Strange helped set up and operate the computer/hard drive system that contains the music created by (Eminem),” the criminal complaint reads. “This system is not connected to the internet and only a few people have access to the system. Joseph Strange had access to the drives while he was employed at the studio.”

Joseph Strange allegedly bartered song leaks with Eminem fans

The FBI says the first break in the case came via Fredwreck, a longtime producer and associate of Dr. Dre and Eminem. In a since-deleted X post in January, he wrote: “To the criminal leaking Eminem’s music: we will find you. Street law will apply.”

Fredwreck was then contacted by an Eminem fan and tipster from the U.K., who revealed message chats between himself and an internet user going by “Doja Rat,” later identified as a 31-year-old Canadian man.

Doja Rat said he had paid Strange about $50,000 for the stolen music and provided a list of songs claimed by Strange to be in his possession, the FBI says. Effigy studio employees confirmed the song list precisely matched the contents of a hard drive long secured at the Ferndale facility.

In a later interview with the FBI, Doja Rat said he initially linked up with Strange on YouTube, where the former Eminem employee ran a channel. Working with a group of fans online, Doja Rat sent Bitcoin payments to Strange starting in August 2024 to purchase about 25 songs.

Grandpa Eminem: Rapper’s daughter Hailie Jade reveals pregnancy in ‘Temporary’ music video

The FBI also interviewed another pair of fans who said they purchased music online from Strange, including one who said he paid about $1,000 for a pair of songs. Beyond their internet pseudonyms, the fans are not named in the complaint and are not charged.

“Protecting intellectual property from thieves is critical in safeguarding the exclusive rights of creators and protecting their original work from reproduction and distribution by individuals who seek to profit from the creative output of others,” acting U.S. Attorney Julie Beck said in a statement provided Wednesday by the Department of Justice.

Eminem is no stranger to shady activities by people online. In the early 2000s, he was among the first major artists to suffer premature leaks of his music — including 2002’s “The Eminem Show,” whose release date was pushed up after pirated copies emerged online.

In 2010, another batch of previously unreleased Eminem music hit the internet, including one song that later prompted the rapper to apologize to his longtime collaborator Rihanna.

March 20, 2025
‘The Breakfast Club’ talks after Jess Hilarious’ complaints on IG live

Comedian and radio personality Jess Hilarious hashed out some issues with her co-hosts on the Breakfast Club Wednesday after a vent session on Instagram live this week.

Jess, whose name is Jess Moore, has been a co-host on the Breakfast Club since early 2024, replacing longtime co-host Angela Yee on the popular show discussing culture, music and the occasional beef among celebrities and musicians. But when Moore went on maternity leave last summer, she picked Loren LoRosa − a former TMZ news producer − to fill in for her on Moore’s own segment, called Jess with the Mess, wrote iHeartMedia on its website.

Moore returned to the show on Nov. 8 after giving birth to her daughter, but LoRosa stayed with the company as an on-air personality and eventually began hosting her own segment.

Moore’s main issue, she said, was that LoRosa’s show was pushed to her slot and the news producer was seemingly brought on as a regular for the Breakfast Club without anyone telling her that was the plan.

Made up of Moore, Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy, the Breakfast Club hosts have six million listeners globally. Here’s what to know about the situation.

What did Jess Hilarious say during her livestream?

Since Moore joined the Breakfast Club, some listeners have criticized her talent, saying she’s not funny, doesn’t offer much insight on topics and they find her difficult to listen to.

Comedian Corey Holcomb also spoke out recently and said Moore got the job at the Breakfast Club due to her social media presence, not merit.

“I always said she wasn’t talented,” he said. “She got the job and got knocked up shortly afterwards, and the worst thing in the world happened. They brought in somebody who’s talented.”

He said LoRosa fits in well with the show’s co-hosts and in his opinion, she’s a better presenter and reader than Moore.

While livestreaming Tuesday night, Moore brushed off his remarks and said Holcomb never liked her anyway.

She expressed frustration that she’s no longer hosting the show she pushed for and earned though. She said LoRosa should have her own segment at a different time.

“You try coming back to work and the (expletive) is right there at your desk, and ain’t nobody telling you (expletive),” she said during her livestream Tuesday night. “Before you know it, everybody thinking you’re the villain … like I’m the villain because I didn’t know (expletive). I’m sick of that.”

She said if she had known beforehand that the three-person show would turn into a four-person show, it wouldn’t have been so jarring.

She said she was enjoying being on the show before she got pregnant and had to go on maternity leave, and stressed that there’s never a right time to have a baby in the media industry. She doesn’t regret having a baby and planned to do so, but she also “wanted Breakfast Club.”

She said she didn’t like LoRosa when she first returned to the show, but added that eventually the two made up and she recognizes her talent.

“I compliment this girl every day,” Moore said. “It ain’t forced. She’s a beautiful girl. She knows her (expletive).”

She added that LoRosa’s show is “flawless” but Moore herself fought for that spot.

Moore said studio energy has been ‘weird’ since return

On Wednesday morning, LoRosa and Moore tried to hash out their issues on air. When DJ Envy asked Moore how he and Charlamagne don’t have her back, she said with everything being said about her online, no one stood up for her or cleared things up.

The energy in the studio has been “weird” since she came back, Moore said. Moore said people have made her feel as if her show isn’t good enough anymore now that LoRosa is there. She also stressed that at one point, she was hosting Jess with the Mess while introducing LoRosa to deliver the news. In her mind, they should’ve just given the segment to LoRosa.

Moore also stressed that she was hired as herself, not a reporter like LoRosa.

Charlamagne said the plan was always for Moore to be the host and LoRosa to be a senior news producer.

DJ Envy argued they could have discussed the show issues behind the scenes, rather than on air.

‘You have to be OK for all of this to be OK’

Eventually LoRosa spoke and said she could understand some of what Moore said on her livestream, but some of it caught her off guard. She mentioned that she previously had discussions with Moore to improve their working relationship.

LoRosa later added that she has spoken up publicly to let listeners know there were no issues between the two women. She could tell Moore was upset, but no one talked about it, which did more damage than good.

To work through their issues, conversations will have to happen, LoRosa said, noting that she had to say something when she saw Moore crying.

“It’s happening with love,” LoRosa said. “You have to be OK for all of this to be OK. I’m a producer at the end of the day. You’re my talent. We’re going to be straight. Everything’s going to be fine.”

Those wanting to listen to the full episode can visit www.tinyurl.com/JessandLoren.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at [email protected].

March 20, 2025