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Quinton Aaron is still in the hospital ... but it sure sounds like things are looking up, as TMZ just got a great update from his family.

As you know ... "The Blind Side" star is recovering in the hospital from a spinal stroke ... and for a while there, it was sounding not so good. But, it seems he is on the mend.

The Aaron family tells TMZ ... “Quinton is in a jovial mood, now laughing and smiling and is communicating to the best of his ability while he continues to recover. He’s watching tv and is excited to watch the Super Bowl from his hospital bed this weekend."

There is also an update on the woman by his side, previously making medical decisions for him, who claimed to be his wife -- but his family has called BS on all that.

The California man facing federal charges for allegedly texting Nancy Guthrie's family about the bitcoin ransom payment has been granted bond by a judge -- and may be outta federal custody in no time.

Derrick Callella, a 42-year-old man from Hawthorne, made his first court appearance Friday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen E. Scott ordered Callella to be released on $20,000 bond ... and he's been ordered to not to contact the alleged victims or witnesses.

Federal prosecutors claim Callella texted Nancy's daughter Annie and her son-in-law Tommaso Cioni, "Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction."

President Trump is posting racist videos taking shots at the Obamas on social media ... and the Obamas are responding by posting loving videos about their relationship.

Barack and Michelle's Obama Foundation seemingly fired back at Trump with a super cute social media post looking back on their love story.

The post comes on the heels of Trump posting a video on his social media platform depicting the Obamas as apes ... which was met with swift blowback and condemnation on social media.

François Arnaud might be choking on that "none of your f***ing business" line he tossed at Andy Cohen ... 'cause the rumors about him dating Connor Storrie are getting louder, steamier, and a lot harder to dodge!

TMZ snagged photos of the two actors settling in for a cozy dinner at the old-school, fancy Smoke House in Burbank ... and while there wasn’t full-on PDA, the energy was very much date night. Dim lighting, nonstop laughs, and that locked-in, only-you-exist vibe said plenty.

There’s no denying the chemistry here -- and if this is the real deal, François better brace himself for even more backlash from diehard "Heated Rivalry" fans who seriously struggle separating fantasy from real life. Even NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has said he is a big fan.

4:20 PM PT -- Mary Coleman, anchor for Arizona-based KOLD 13 News, told CNN Friday ... it seems the new note was written by the person who sent the initial, which TMZ received. She said the new note is shorter than the alleged ransom note -- and there was no mention of a deadline.

As you know, the initial note had two deadlines, one which passed yesterday -- and the second is Monday. The new note appears to be a response to the videos made by the Guthries saying they needed proof of life ... and wanted to communicate directly with their mother's captor(s).

A new communication regarding Nancy Guthrie's abduction was sent to a media outlet in the Tucson area ... though the outlet hasn't said yet what it entails.

KOLD-TV reported they received a new message "regarding the Nancy Guthrie disappearance."

The outlet does not say if it is another ransom letter or what kind of communication it is ... but, they immediately alerted the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

Darron Lee -- a former first-round draft pick for the New York Jets -- was arrested and charged in Tennessee for allegedly murdering his girlfriend.

According to multiple outlets ... cops were dispatched to a home near Ooltewah -- about two and a half hours outside of Nashville -- for a report of CPR in progress.

After arriving on the scene, cops say they located the victim and attempted life-saving measures, but she later succumbed to her injuries.

Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes have broken up ... and, if you're getting déjà vu by reading that, you're not alone -- but our sources say it's completely over this time.

Sources with direct knowledge tell us the relationship has run its course and now it's over between the singer-songwriter and the actor.

As you know ... the two broke up in the fall -- but they got back together not long after. Our sources say the two tried to make it work, but they ultimately decided it wasn't meant to be.

Kylie Jenner posted a new makeup tutorial on Friday ... but there were a couple of reasons why many viewers were super distracted.

KJ shot the video in her car while talking about her beauty line and what she likes to mix and match ... but her massive boobs took center stage.

Of course ... she totally knew what she was doing with a low-cut black top -- and the way she was moving when pushing them together ... which was so obvious, it was borderline hilarious.

The Winter Olympics are here, and celebs took it upon themselves to turn the slopes into a star-studded playground packed with speed, style, and zero F's for the cold ...

Let's be honest, no one rocks a red-hot 2-piece in the snow like Chelsea Handler ... Benny Blanco kept it chill, flashing a peace sign between runs, and Sydney Sweeney ripped through the snow on a snowmobile like a total pro!

There may not be medals to be won, but the vibes are golden! Check out the gallery!

Former Los Angeles Dodger Yasiel Puig was found guilty of obstructing justice and lying to federal officials in a Los Angeles courtroom on Friday ... in connection to an investigation into an illegal gambling operation.

The 35-year-old now faces up to 10 years in federal prison on the obstruction of justice charge and up to five years in prison for the false statement charges.

He remains free on his own personal recognizance.

6:53 PM PT -- The Fulton County Medical Examiner tells TMZ ... Nathan's cause and manner of death are currently undetermined.

DJ Young Slade -- Lil Jon's son -- has died ... his father announced in a statement Friday.

Lil Jon tells TMZ ... "I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother, Nicole Smith, and I are devastated. Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet. He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted -- he loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest."

Jon said, "He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU. We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him. He was loved and appreciated, and in our last times together we're comforted in knowing that we expressed that very sentiment to him."

Jon thanked the Milton Police Department for their help searching for his son.

Nathan was reported missing on Tuesday this week ... earlier today, searchers pulled a body from a pond in the area. Police said there was no indication of foul play. Milton, Georgia is about 30 miles north of Atlanta.

Nathan Smith was 27.

Vice President J.D. Vance doesn't seem like he has a lot of support over in Italy ... because the veep was booed when he was shown at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony!

J.D. and his wife, Usha Vance, were in the house Friday night at Milan's San Siro Stadium, where Olympians from around the globe were being introduced on the first night of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics ... and the boo birds were flying when the Vances were shown on the jumbotron.

NBC is airing the Olympics, and the network's commentators said the Vances were also being hissed at.

9:09 AM PT -- Trump has since removed the post from his Truth Social page.

It's no secret President Donald Trump and the Obamas don't get along ... but DT has now taken their bad vibes to a whole new level, posting a short video of Barack and Michelle depicted as apes.

Trump uploaded the shocking clip on his Truth Social platform Thursday night ... and it begins with a voice speaking about alleged fraud in the 2020 presidential election over a chart. As you know, Trump lost to Joe Biden in the 2020 race, but Trump has always maintained the election was stolen from him.

Then the video cuts a brief scene showing Barack and Michelle's heads superimposed on apes dancing in a jungle as The Tokens 1961 classic, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," plays in the background.

The most dramatic event in sports -- with top-notch athletes, big-time plays and tons of anticipation behind it -- returns Sunday ... and it's certainly got our tails wagging!

That's right -- the Puppy Bowl is back for its 22nd edition -- and we had a pair of the puppies taking part join us on "TMZ Live" ... as well as beloved PB referree Dan Schachner.

Harvey and Charles ask Dan why they should tune into the Puppy Bowl ... and he says that "pound for pound" -- no pun intended -- the game offers more drama than the Super Bowl, and the puppies leave it all out on the field when they go and compete.

Savannah Guthrie was heavy on her colleagues’ minds this week ... with the NBC team covering the 2026 Winter Olympics taking time on-air to honor her as her family faces a nightmare back home.

As expected, "Today" show host Savannah pulled out of the Milan-Cortina coverage, with Terry Gannon and Mary Carillo stepping in Monday and making it clear their "important, beloved" teammate was deeply missed at the Opening Ceremony.

Carillo got emotional while speaking about Savannah’s love for covering Olympic opening ceremonies, adding, "Right now, of course, Savannah and her family are in unspeakable, unfathomable pain. We know in the U.S. that her extended family is legion. Savannah, my friend, it’s the same way here."

Radio host Tommy Sotomayor says he's not offended in the slightest by President Trump posting a short video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes.

Tommy joined us on "TMZ Live" Friday, and we asked how he felt seeing Trump share a blatantly racist video clip ... and he explained why he thinks Black people shouldn't be outraged.

The radio host's reasoning here was enough for us to stop him right in his tracks for a quick history lesson ... but Tommy really dug his heels in and tried to bring up some other issues ... and the conversation even veered off into colorism.