CDC REPORTS 1 AND 4 BABIES ARE BORN TO UNWED PARENTS

Health officials say nearly 1 in 4 babies are born to unmarried couples who are living together, a significant jump from a decade ago.

The government previously said more than 40 percent of births are to unwed mothers. But a report released Thursday offers new detail showing most unwed births occur in cohabiting couples.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study was based on face-to-face interviews with more than 22,000 men and women during 2006 through 2010.

About 23 percent of the reported births were to unmarried heterosexual couples who were living together when the child was born. That was up from 14 percent when a similar study was done in 2002. The CDC did not speculate on reasons for the increase.

GEORGE ZIMMERMAN TO APPEAR IN COURT TODAY

With breaking news last night on the Trayvon Martin case with George Zimmerman being charged with 2nd degree murder, Zimmerman is set to appear in a Florida court today 45 days after the murder of Martin.

“It is the search for justice for Trayvon that has brought us here,” special prosecutor Angela Corey told a packed news conference in Jacksonville, Fla. “We did not come to this decision lightly. We do not prosecute by public pressure, nor by petition.” Zimmerman surrendered at the state police office in Jacksonville. He will plead not guilty at his initial appearance Thursday, his lawyer said.

Zimmerman faces 25 years to life for the killings and could place bond today as well.

RIP Trayvon

BRANDY AND MONICA "IT ALL BELONGS TO ME" VIDEO!

After almost 12 years of the hit "The Boy is Mine" Brandy and Monica are back with their new video for the new single "It All Belongs to Me." The song which is the sequel to their once number hit is currently number 41 on the R&B charts but will get a big boost after this video release. Monica's "New Life" hits shelves April 10th while Brandy's "Two Eleven" will be available in June.

CHRIS BROWN DEBUTS "FORTUNE" WEBISODE

Chris Brown is has release his first video of his "Fortune" websiode as the singer takes over Florida, shows backstage of him at the Univisions Latin awards, performing at last weeks NBA All-Star game and partying it up in Orlando. Check it out...

Fortune Webisode I from Mechanical Dummy on Vimeo.

WHITNEY HOUSTON COVERS ESSENCES MAGAZINE

Essence Magazine will be paying tribute to the late singer putting Whitney Houston on it's April cover.

When she burst onto the scene in 1985, her self-titled album sold 10 million copies in the U.S. alone. With her second album, Whitney, she became the first woman to enter the Billboard album charts at number one.

Whether singing sophisticated pop ballads or soul-stirring gospel, her songs moved us to dance and to tears. Her unparalleled talent influenced an entire generation of young performers: Mariah. Beyoncé. Christina. Alicia. To millions she was pop royalty. But to those who knew her and loved her, she was the girl from Newark who was blessed with one of the greatest musical instruments of our time.

FUNERAL HOME OWNER DENIES LEAKING WHITNEY HOUSTON PHOTO

New Jersey funeral home owner has denied leaking photos of Whitney Houston to the Enquire magazine while the late singer laid in her coffin.

EDDIE MURPHY DENIES DATING TONI BRAXTON

Eddie Murphy has denied that he's dating Grammy award winning singer Toni Braxton. Reports from Page Six:

Eddie Murphy has denied reports that he is dating “Another Sad Love Song” singer Toni Braxton.

When asked if he had a new paramour, Murphy told “Access Hollywood” in an interview last night, “I don’t even know who the new love is. I know I’m single and I’m just up at the house, playing the guitar and being a single dad.”

When asked specifically about reports that he and Braxton were “getting very serious,” Murphy said the rumors aren’t true.

“Toni and I are just friends,” Murphy claimed. “I went to her show, and we’re friends and she’s a very, very sweet girl, but we’re just friends.”

Murphy also took a moment to give his thoughts on the 84th annual Academy Awards, which he was slated to host until his pal and “Tower Heist” director Brett Ratner pulled out of producing the event after making a homophobic comment during a press conference.

“It’s still something that I would like to do one day, because all the best comics have done it,” said Murphy of the awards show. “It’s one of the few things I haven’t done in my 35 years in this business, so I would like to have that be part of my resume as well … If they ask me again, maybe I’ll do it.”