Independence Brings Trouble in Barcelona 

Catalonia may be one step closer to independence after a contentious vote by its citizens. Violence marred the referendum with more than 900 people hurt as Spanish police attempted to stop voters after the Spanish government's top court ruled on a ban of the vote.

Catalan authorities have claimed that more than 2.2 million people out of 5.3 million registered voters made their voices heard on the issue of whether Catalonia should stand alone as independent from Spain. 

Catalan President Carlos Puigdemont backed away from an earlier statement when he claimed Catalonia had won the right to statehood and "the door was now open to a unilateral declaration of independence." He later said, "We don't want a traumatic break... We want a new understanding with the Spanish state".

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OJ Simpson Gets Out of Jail 

After serving nine years in a Nevada jail for his conviction of armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and 10 other charges, OJ Simpson is a free man. Simpson's fame as an NFL superstar and actor was eclipsed by his 1995 acquittal of the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman. 

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Fixer Upper Downer 

Chip and Joanna Gaines have decided to go out on top by announcing that they will not continue their top rated show Fixer Upper after its fifth season. 

People magazine reported, “The announcement comes as a shock to viewers who have followed the couple on their journey from a small-town construction and decorating duo in Waco, Texas, to international celebrities."

If you want to get your shiplap fix, you'll have to travel all the way to Waco, Texas to get a glimpse of the couple at one of their many design oriented businesses that have put the town on the map as a tourist destination for HGTV fans.

Read more here.