Paula Deen -- Dropped By Publisher

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Paula Deen
Dropped By Publisher

The demolition derby known as Paula Deen's empire rolls on -- she's just been dropped by one of her publishers, which says it will no longer release her next project ... which was expected to be a best seller.

In a statement released Friday, Ballantine Books announced it has cancelled the publication of "Paula Deen's New Testament: 250 Favorite Recipes, All Lightened Up".

But get this ... even though the book wasn't set to come out until October, it's already #1 on Amazon with pre-order sales.

Ballantine adds its name to the long list of companies abandoning ship in light of Deen's n-word controversy ... The Food Network, QVC, JCPenny, and Smithfield Hams, etc ...

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Paula Deen -- Dropped by Walmart

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Paula Deen
Dropped by Walmart

Another one bites the dust ... Paula Deen has just been dropped by Walmart.

The retail giant just released a statement, saying, "We are ending our relationship with Paula Deen Enterprises and we will not place new orders beyond those already committed."

Walmart is Paula's latest business partner to sever ties with the celebrity chef in the wake of her n-word scandal ... a list that includes the Food Network, the Caesars casino company, and the ham company Smithfield.

Deen appeared on "Today" this morning, offering a tearful apology -- saying, "If there's anyone out there that has never said something that they wish they could take back ... please pick up that stone and throw it so hard at my head that it kills me."

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Aaron Hernandez -- DROPPED as Spokesman for Muscle Milk

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Aaron Hernandez
DROPPED
As Muscle Milk Pitchman
Aaron Hernandez can say goodbye to one of his sponsors -- Muscle Milk is jumping ship in the wake of the NFL star's legal troubles.

CytoSport -- the company behind the popular supplement -- said it was dropping the Patriots' tight end immediately ... in the light of the ongoing investigation.

Police searched Hernandez's Massachusetts home and the area around it ... while investigating the homicide of Odin Lloyd ... who has connections to Hernandez.

Hernandez -- who has not been arrested or named a suspect in Lloyd's death -- is also being sued for allegedly shooting a man in Miami.

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Neil Patrick Harris -- Sounds Like He Dropped N-Word at Tony Awards

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Neil Patrick Harris
Sounds Like He
Dropped N-Word at Tonys

8:55 AM PT -- NPH just tweeted ... strongly DENYING he dropped the N-word.

"I would NEVER be so disrespectful," he wrote.

So what DID Neil say? Still unclear.

Neil Patrick Harris opened the Tony Awards by bringing Mike Tyson out on stage and dropping the N-WORD right in Tyson's face ... or at least that's how it sounds.

Tyson joined NPH while he was singing a song where he repeated the lyric ... "we're going bigger" -- but about 10 seconds after Tyson came out ... NPH sang something that sounds A LOT like the n-word.

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We've played it back dozens of times, and can't come up with another explanation (listen for it at :16). We've called NPH and the Tonys. So far ... no word back.

So, we've gotta ask ...

Rob Kardashian -- Criminal Charges DROPPED In Alleged Photog Assault

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Rob Kardashian
CRIMINAL CHARGES DROPPED
in Alleged Photog Assault Rob Kardashian's topless paparazzi drama is officially over -- the judge has officially dismissed the charges against RK for allegedly attacking a female snapper who took shirtless pics of him back in March.

We broke the story ... RK was charged with battery and theft after Andra Viak claimed an angry Rob got physcial with her and swiped her memory card when she took photos of the 26-year-old leaving  a West Hollywood gym without a shirt.

Besides the criminal charges -- Viak sued Rob over the incident ... but she dropped the lawsuit last week when Kardashian agreed to pay for the camera equipment.

The only remaining formality was those 2 misdemeanor charges ... but Andra didn't want to pursue them ... and today, the judge officially dismissed the case.

Interesting note -- the prosecution DID NOT WANT TO DROP THE CASE -- but in light of the settlement agreement between Rob and Andra, the judge ignored the prosecution's objection and tossed the charges anyway.