State Champ Radio GALLERY
Page: 2
Vance Boelter, the suspect wanted in the shootings in Minnesota that left one state representative dead, has been apprehended by authorities. Gov. Tim Walz shared the news via his social media feeds, as other major and local outlets shared details they had obtained.
Local outlet Fox 9 reports that Vance Boelter, 57, was apprehended in Green Isle after authorities launched an area and statewide manhunt in attempts to bring Boelter to justice. The outlet writes that the suspect, who shot and injured Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife in their Champlin home, later went to the home of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and assassinated her and her husband Mark Hortman.
CNN writes that Gov. Walz addressed Minnesotans about the arrest of Boetler, who has been revealed to be a former security guard who recently appeared to be struggling to make ends meet. Boelter posed as a police officer when he visited Sen. Hoffman’s home, and used the guise again at Rep. Hortman’s home. Driving an SUV that was fashioned to look like a law enforcement vehicle, investigators on the scene uncovered a manifesto that seems to illustrate Boelter was out for blood and had a hit list to settle.
Online, the chatter of Boelter is focused on his alleged right-wing political ties. A rumor that has since been debunked attempted to connect Walz to Boelter, and some tried to frame Boelter as a hard-left Democratic Party voter.
As the news is still developing, there are sparse reactions on the X social media platform regarding the arrest of Vance Boelter. We’ll share those comments below and will make updates as needed.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, were shot and killed by a gunman on Saturday (June 14) in what is being framed as a politically motivated attack. Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were targeted and shot by the same suspect, but are expected to survive their injuries after completing surgery.
As reported by local outlet Bring Me The News, Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were gunned down at their Brooklyn Park home around 3:35 AM local time, according to the still-developing accounts from local authorities. Earlier in the evening, the suspect, reportedly dressed as a police officer, went to the Champlain Park home of Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman, where he and his wife, Yvette, were shot and injured.
The suspect fled the Hortman home out of the back door on foot, and the region is on lockdown as police attempt to locate the suspect. The suspect is described as a white male with brown hair wearing body armor, a police officer’s uniform, complete with badge and Taser device, along with driving a vehicle fashioned like one used by officers.
After carrying out tte crime, officers arrived at the Hortmans’ home where the suspect reportedly opened fire on the arriving officers and fled out the back of the home. Authorities have enacted a shelter-in-place as police search for the gunman.
In the suspect’s SUV, a manifesto was reportedly found featuring the names of other lawmakers and state officials. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz held an emotional press conference Saturday morning, calling the deaths of the Hortmans a “politically motivated assassination.”
President Donald Trump, via a statement shared by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, which read, “I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.”
On X, formerly Twitter, the reaction to the news of the shooting deaths of Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, is spreading. We’ve captured a few of those comments below.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Father’s Day is this Sunday (June 15), and hopefully, folks have already gotten the dads in their lives a proper gift. But in case Dad is into cannabis, we’ve whipped together a new gift guide that might help inform your choices.
As I always like to share with readers, cannabis has transformed my life for the better by providing me with a variety of ways to consume products. Further, the innovation that some of the brands we’re featuring is astounding. I sometimes have trouble falling asleep, and there are brands out there addressing those who suffer from sleeplessness. As someone who struggles with ADHD, there are even products that bring life into focus.
I don’t want to come off too square here as I believe that we should also enjoy cannabis for relaxing and leisure, and do so responsibly. As much as I am a cannabis enthusiast, I do not encourage overindulgence. However, I believe in finding products that work best in one’s life, and I hope this gift guide will help you find the right path. You’ll see some familiar brands from past coverage, and we thank them for allowing us to highlight their wares.
In full transparency, I wanted to get this guide up earlier in the week, but life got in the way as it typically does. There will be opportunities for interviews, profiles, and even reviews in the coming months. The next roundup I’ll do will be Halloween, then onto the Thanksgiving holiday, then closing the year out with a holiday-themed guide.
Please check out our latest cannabis gift guide, and Happy Father’s Day to all the dope dads out there.
—
Photo: Getty
1. BRĒZ
Source:BRĒZ
BRĒZ specializes in drinks featuring hemp-derived THC combined with mushroom blends to help with focus, balance, and relaxation. For those who want to play around with their infused spirits to create functional cocktails, the brand’s Spirit release is boosted with THC, CBD, and Lion’s Mane mushrooms with flavors of agave, lemon, and elderflower. Grab a good tonic, fill up a highball glass with good ice, and have a sensible pour.
Learn more here.
2. Betty’s Eddies
Source:Betty’s Eddies
Betty’s Eddies remains one of the best-tasting edibles around, and they’re consistently switching things up with new flavors and functionality. For the summer season, the brand is proud to highlight its Beachtime Betty’s Strawberry Lemonade chews. Packed with both THC, CBG, and vitamins C and D, this sounds like something you’ll want to take along for the next trip to the sands.
Learn more here.
3. Blazy Susan
Source:Blazy Susan
Blazy Susan has everything from their super fresh spinning rolling trays, dabbing essentials, rolling papers, and more. Now, they’re promoting their new Peach Tea Leaf Cones, similar to the previous Honey Lemon release. But whatever you cop from Blazy Susan, you can’t go wrong.
Learn more here.
4. Cake She Hits Different
Source:Cake She Hits Different
CAKE She Hits Different bills itself as the top AIO (all-in-one) THC vape cart in California, and it’s not hard to see why with its handy device pulling off big, flavorful clouds.
Learn more here.
5. Cornbread Hemp
Source:Cornbread Hemp
Kentucky is certainly known for its bourbon. Leave it up to Cornbread Hemp, and the Bluegrass State might have a claim to having some of the best hemp-derived cannabis products on the market. Their THC-infused seltzers are very crushable.
6. Fable
Source:Fable
Fable produces a line of hemp-derived THC-infused canned cocktails that come in three delicious varieties. Swap out the beer for one of these beauties and trust us when we say it’ll be a better time in the morning.
Learn more here.
7. ILGM
Source:ILGM
If Dad has a “green thumb” and is ready to grow his a harvest of his own, introduce him to ILGM’s Blue Dream autoflower seeds. ILGM bills itself as the largest cannabis seed bank in the United States.
8. Lumibloom
Source:LumiBloom
We’ve featured Black and woman-owned Lumibloom in past guides, and we’re excited to share that this is the real deal. With CBD growing as a means to treat rest and recovery efforts, inflammation, and more, Lumibloom would be a great place to shop for Dad.
Learn more here.
9. Nature’s Heritage
Source:Nature’s Heritage
Nature’s Heritage produces a wide range of cannabis products, including flowers, pre-rolls, and edibles. Their latest drop is the Myrcodose pills, which combine mushrooms with unique THC and CBD compounds for varying effects.
Learn more here.
10. Puffco
Source:Puffco
Puffco is for experienced users of concentrates and for those who both like to dab at home or on the go. The brand’s Pivot device is one of their portable options and a handsome conversation starter.
Learn more here.
11. STIIIZY
Source:STIIIZY
STIIIZY has achieved notoriety for its flowers, edibles, and pods among other items. The brand is pushing out its STIIIZY BAR, which works with the brand’s pods and achieves a dual flow effect that puts it above a lot of vape carts out there. Also, the brand has some amazing hemp-based drinks that shouldn’t be missed.
12. Treadwell Farms
Source:Treadwell Farms
We’ve featured Treadwell Farms in previous gift guide roundups, and the Florida-based brand focuses on a variety of hemp products, including its Citrus Spice CBD extract featuring turmeric and ginger to address health needs such as relaxation and inflammation.
13. Vessel
Source:Vessel
Vessel is, in my opinion, creating some of the sexiest looking devices on the market. The brand’s attention to detail, lavish style points, and general affordability make this a fantastic choice for the Dad in your life. Check out the new Sage drop for their Compass Rise device.
14. Weedgets
Source:Weedgets
Folks who smoke flower are well aware of how the heat, resin, and tar can accumulate not only in devices but also in our noses and lungs. Weedgets head off those harmful components with their patented filtration technology that cools the smoke and stops the gunk while delivering the benefits of smoked flower. We’ve been using the Maze-X pipe, and there is nothing on the market that we’ve seen quite like it.
Learn more here.
15. Wynk
Source:WYNK
Wynk is one of the leaders in the THC seltzers game, and they thankfully come in dosage options for those who want a social buzz or deeper relaxation vibes. We’re very fond of their lemonade line, especially as the weather continues to warm.
Learn more here.
16. Zen Cannabis
Source:Zen Cannabis
Zen Cannabis has the edibles game on lock with gummies, tinctures, and their infused chocolate bars. The brand is available in a handful of states, so tap in and grab Dad some tasty treats. Be sure to check out their effective Nite Nite gummies.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Israel carried out a massive military strike that was aimed at taking out Iran’s nuclear and top Iranian military officials. Iran has retaliated against Israel, with the world watching to see if this will escalate into an all-out war between the two nations.
Tensions between Israel and Iran date back to the South Lebanon conflict in the mid-1980s and have persisted at varying levels since. This latest offensive from the IDF and Mossad was aimed at taking down Iranian nuclear, missile, and military sites, and Israeli officials have reportedly taken out an Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) leader along with two other top commanders, which Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei confirmed.
As reported by several outlets, including CNN, Reuters, and The Hill, the attack comes after months of negotiation between the United States and Iran to complete a new nuclear deal. While most major nations have largely agreed to scale down nuclear weapons production, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) discovered that Iran was fast-tracking the enrichment of uranium, which set off warning signals to Israeli leaders.
Iran has launched over 200 drones in retaliation against the overnight Israeli strikes, setting the stage for more military offensives from both nations. President Donald Trump told the Wall Street Journal that he was aware of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the United States had no involvement in the strikes.
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said Thursday night (June 12).
“Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” Rubio continued.
On X, formerly Twitter, most are pointing out the impetus of a large-scale war between Israel and Iran, while also aiming barbs at President Trump over his foreign policy aims. We’ve got those reactions below.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Sen. Alex Padilla of California was removed from a press conference and handcuffed, then placed on the ground in a video that has since gone viral. Sen. Alex Padilla was attempting to address Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who held the press conference to address the volatile immigration enforcement standoff in Los Angeles.
Homeland Security’s Kristi Noem hosted the press conference at the Federal Building in Los Angeles on Thursday (June 12), where Sen. Alex Padilla is from. When Padilla attempted to interject and push back against Secretary Noem’s depiction of the actions undertaken by ICE and supported by armed forces, he was approached by a pair of Secret Service agents.
As noted in the video footage and social media posts, Sen. Padilla was heard saying, “I am Sen. Alex Padilla and I have questions for the secretary” ahead of being handcuffed and put face down on the ground.
Noem used her time at the podium to take jabs at Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has clashed with President Donald Trump over the operation, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
“We’re not going away,” Noem said. “We are going to liberate the city from the burdensome leadership, mayor, and governor.”
On X, formerly Twitter, some users are expressing shock at the way that a sitting United States senator was manhandled. We’ve got those reactions below.
—
Photo: MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
On Monday (June 9), the Atlanta Hip-Hop community lost one of its legends in Andre “Dres Tha Beatnik” Lett, who passed away after battling an illness. The news of Dres Tha Beatnik’s passing spread throughout the community he helped guide, shape, and connect, and we look back on the life and legacy of Andre K. Lett.
I can’t recall my first time meeting Dres Tha Beatnik, but I can pinpoint it to one of the many times I visited Atlanta to attend and cover the A3C conference and music festival. One of the things that stood out immediately was Dres’ signature hat, which I’ve only seen him without once in person. Along with his hat, Dres’ infectious smile, charm, and energy were just as magnetic in one-on-one conversations as he was onstage hosting events.
Like most people of significance, when they leave this physical plane, several of Dres’ peers, including some of my close friends, such as legendary rapper and producer J-Live and Full Plate Records honcho and rapper Dillon, all shared glowing tributes to Dres on their social media timelines. Others, such as Killer Mike, Mike’s Run The Jewels partner Trackstar The DJ, and many more communicated similar sentiments.
Mayor Andre Dickens of Atlanta also posted a message honoring Dres’ life and legacy with moving words that completely illustrated what he meant to Atlanta and Hip-Hop culture overall.
From Mayor Dickens:
“Atlanta has lost a cultural icon. Dres tha Beatnik was a unifier, a creative force, and a true champion of Atlanta’s hip-hop and arts community. For decades, Dres tha Beatnik brought energy, soul, and authenticity to every stage he graced. His voice uplifted countless artists and inspired a generation. His urban showcase Arts, Beats, and Lyrics helped craft our cultural landscape and uplifted countless artists. We are grateful for his legacy and the light he shared with our city.”
As he shared in this interview with A3C, Dres was a native of Philadelphia who honed his skills early on as a rapper but picked up the art of beatboxing as he bided his time, becoming adept at providing the platter for his rapping compatriots. During his hosting gigs, Dres would showcase his beatboxing along with his deep knowledge of Hip-Hop history. It was mesmerizing to witness the control Dres had over the crowd, proving himself just as vital as the acts he would welcome to the stage.
In full transparency, Dres and I were planning to work together on having him speak on the history of Hip-Hop music and culture with Hip-Hop Wired. Like most grand plans, we could never find the right time to do so, and he began sharing candid updates regarding his health online. Despite his struggles, Dres never muted his joy and always presented his usual affable nature.
In moments such as this, I find it difficult to find the words to honor Dres properly. I feel like I’m coming up short in that regard. I’m also deeply affected by the loss because it highlights how finite time is. Still, if there is something I can positively capture from this moment is that I can choose to live my life like Dres did: loving, loud, and proud, and all under the banner of Hip-Hop.
Andre “Dres Tha Beatnik” Lett, may you rest powerfully in peace.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Sly Stone, a legendary musician who helped propel funk to its elevated heights in the realm of Black music, has died. Hip-Hop artists of various eras have sampled Sly Stone’s work over the years, and we’ve got a playlist highlighting some of those audio classics.
As Hip-Hop Wired reported earlier, Sly Stone, born Sylvester Stewart in Denton, Texas, passed away Monday (June 9) at the age of 82. After establishing his roots in the Bay Area as a musical prodigy, Stone ventured into becoming a front-facing artist with his Sly and The Stones in the 1960s with the late Cynthia Robinson, the trumpeter who was a founding member of Sly and the Family Stone, the band that catapulted Stone into the annals of music history.
Alongside fun pioneers such asJames Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic, Stone and his band enjoyed a successful run of album releases extending into the late 1970s. Stone’s life was captured in the 2023 biography, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), written with Ben Greenman, featuring a foreword from Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. Thompson also produced the stirring 2025 documentary centered on Stone’s life and legacy, Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius).
Hip-Hop artists such as LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, The Jungle Brothers, Public Enemy, and scores more dug into the crates to grab bits of Stone’s music to form the backdrop of their works. Below, we’ve got a handful of those songs featured in the playlist below.
Long live Sly Stone. May he rest powerfully in peace.
—
Photo: Michael Putland / Getty
1. LL COOL J – “Mama Said Knock You Out
Samples “Trip To Your Heart.”
2. Queen Latifah – “Dance For Me”
Samples “Dance to the Music.”
3. Jungle Brothers – “Because I Got It Like That”
Samples “You Can Make It If You Try.”
4. Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg – “Deep Cover
Samples “Sing A Simple Song.”
5. Cypress Hill – “Insane In The Brain”
Samples “Life.”
6. Arrested Development – “People Everyday”
Samples “Everyday People.”
7. A Tribe Called Quest – “Skypager”
Samples “Advice.”
8. De La Soul – “Description”
Samples “Poet.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
In its early stages Rap was largely populated by African-Americans. Over the years the game has seen many biracial rappers, all shades of races share the spotlight in Hip Hop. Some of our favorite MC’s have been the product of parents of differing races.
Elon Musk‘s alignment with President Donald Trump‘s administration is coming under scrutiny after the world’s richest man criticized a massive bill that could add trillions to the United States’ debt. Via his X social media platform, Elon Musk blasted Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” by labeling it a “disgusting abomination.”
On Tuesday (June 3), Elon Musk took to X and aimed his critique at the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” becoming the first Trump ally to decry the bill and its well-documented flaws publicly.
“I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore,” Musk began. “This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”
What was curious about the South African businessman’s missive was that it was completely backed by the Republican Party members of the House, which is public knowledge. Some have pondered why Musk didn’t aim his vitriol towards those elected officials instead of painting his disdain for the budget bill with a wide brush.
Via Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the White House’s response to Musk’s jabs was succinct, and that Trump is all in on getting the bill through the Senate.
“This is one big, beautiful bill, and he’s sticking to it,” Leavitt said, responding to a reporter in the press room who asked if the president would be upset by Musk’s comments.
Musk has the support of some Republican Party officials such as Sen. Rand Paul, who wrote on X, “I want to see the tax cuts made permanent, but I also want to see the $5 trillion in new debt removed from the bill. At least 4 of us in the Senate feel this way,” which was retweeted by the Tesla founder. He also shared other supporting statements from others who feel similarly to him about the bill.
This isn’t the first time Musk, who reportedly exited DOGE and the White House last week, has railed against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, doing so in a CBS News interview last month.
“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,” Musk said in May.
On X, the reactions to Elon Musk seemingly breaking with the Trump administration and Republican Party members of Congress were plentiful. We’ve got some listed below.
—
Photo: The Washington Post / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
President Donald Trump has a penchant for using nicknames and hurling insults at folks, especially those who aren’t politically aligned with him or his administration. TACO, an acronym that stands for “Trump Always Chickens Out,” is gaining traction online, and as a result, TACO is getting the meme treatment across social media.
TACO, coined by Financial Times columnist Robert Armsrong, made its way to the ears of President Trump during a press event on Wednesday (May 28). A reporter asked Trump about the acronym, sparking a furious reply from the president, who demanded that he never get asked about the acronym again.
Because of Trump’s visible distaste for the acronym, savvy social media users and those who oppose President Trump seized upon the opportunity to dig in their heels with jokes, commentary, and memes as mentioned above.
In an interview with CBC Radio’s As It Happens, Armstrong was asked if it were a dream that the acronym got floated during the midweek press event at the White House.
From CBC:
It’s not the dream, it’s the nightmare. The thing about Trump chickening out is that it’s good.
Trump’s tariff policies are very bad and destructive, right? When I talk about TACO and Trump chickening out, I’m like, “There’s this good thing happening where he doesn’t follow through on these bad ideas.”
I don’t think this is gonna happen, but I have this slight worry that now he knows the phrase, and it’s banging around in his head, he’ll stop chickening out, which is exactly the outcome I don’t want.
As it stands, TACO is growing legs, especially on social media apps like X and Blue Sky. We’ve got some of those memes listed below.
—
Photo: The Washington Post / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
