Atlanta Hawks, State Farm Arena, Job Fair

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 7, 2025

Ex-Atlanta Hawks Executive Accused Of Embezzling Nearly $4M From Team

Lester T. Jones Jr. has been accused of stealing almost $4 million from the team

Lester T. Jones Jr., a former executive of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, has been accused of stealing millions of dollars from the team and using the funds to pay for travel, luxury apparel, jewelry, car expenses, and tickets to concerts and sporting events.

According to The Associated Press, federal prosecutors have charged the former exec with a single count of wire fraud, after claiming he arranged for the NBA team to pay American Express nearly $230,000 for “fraudulently incurred personal expenses.” The filing states that he altered an email to make it appear that the reimbursement request was for expenses incurred while in Las Vegas at the Wynn Hotel during the NBA Emirates Cup.

In a court appearance on Oct. 29, Jones pleaded not guilty and was granted bond. He was ordered to notify the court within 15 days whether he would enter a guilty plea to the charge or go to trial.

Jones is also accused of embezzling almost $4 million while employed by the Hawks. He allegedly submitted dozens of fraudulent expense reimbursement requests, which included fake and altered invoices, while charging millions of dollars in personal expenses to corporate credit cards. Some of the expenses included travel to foreign locales such as the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, and Thailand. He is also accused of purchasing Louis Vuitton apparel and incurring expenses for a Porsche. Prosecutors say that he embezzled more than $3.8 million.

Jones, who is no longer with the Hawks, had been employed in the accounting and finance department since March 2016, overseeing the company’s corporate credit card account with American Express and the electronic expense reimbursement program until June 2025.

A spokesperson for the Hawks declined to comment on the allegations.

USA Today reported that Jones has also been charged with federal wire fraud for allegedly faking emails and altering reports to cover his alleged activities.

by Kandiss Edwards

November 7, 2025

ICE Agents In Chicago Enter Daycares And Senior Living Facilities

At the North Side Spanish-immersion daycare, Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center, a teacher was taken into custody.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents carried out arrests at a daycare center and a senior living facility in the Chicago area on Nov. 5.

At the North Side Spanish-immersion daycare, Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center, agents took a teacher into custody. The woman, identified as Diana Santillana from Colombia, was apprehended in front of children as parents dropped off their youngsters.

A video of the incident was shared rapidly by individuals and multiple news outlets. The footage shows two officers affecting the “arrest.” Both ICE agents appear to wrestle with Santillana as they attempt to bring her arms behind her back. Once the daycare worker appears to be subdued, one of the agents reenters the facility.

@nirvanatyler
ICE Agents detain teacher during class today from Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center at 2550 W. Addison St. in Chicago, Illinois of USA
♬ original sound – Nirvana ⚡️

“These are the nicest, kindest people. They don’t deserve, these children don’t deserve to be living through this,” Esmeralda Rosales told the Associated Press.

In a post on X, the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said its agents were acting in connection with a targeted traffic stop and pursuit of a “female illegal alien” who fled into the daycare. DHS contends the target was not the facility itself, though parents and staff dispute the claims.

Along with targeting youth facilities, ICE is also targeting elderly homes. The agency entered a senior retirement complex in Evanston, Illinois. Agents followed landscapers on the grounds and temporarily detained residents.

One resident, 89-year-old Don Rogan, was particularly disturbed by the incident. Speaking to Reuters, Rogan appeared to have flashbacks, saying it “brought back” an attack by authorities on the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

Since the launch of Operation Midway Blitz in September, the DHS says more than 3,000 people have been arrested in the Chicago area. The operations are often highly visible, which some argue targets nonviolent immigrants and creates fear among residents.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 7, 2025

Black Dems End GOP Super Majority In Mississippi State Legislature With Election Night Wins

Multiple seats in the Mississippi Legislature were flipped to the left following Tuesday's special election results.

Democrats are celebrating a monumental win in the Mississippi Legislature with Election Night working in their favor.

The Nov. 4 special election resulted in the collapse of the Republican supermajority in the state legislature. Voters exercised their right after a court-ordered redistricting measure, which ultimately helped Black Mississippians gain more representation in state government.

According to The New York Times, Democrats won two highly anticipated elections for seats within the State Senate. Despite being an off-year, voters flocked to the polls to change the leadership landscape, even if marginally.

A former Democratic nominee for governor, Johnny Dupree, beat GOP opponent Anna Rush for a newly drawn seat representing Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Dupree, also the city’s former four-term mayor, was able to secure for residents a familiar face that reflected their area. Black people account for over 50% of Hattiesburg’s population, numbers confirmed by Data USA.

Another win came from retired nurse Theresa Gillespie Isom. Gillespie Isom beat out a local Republican opponent to represent a new suburban district below the border of Memphis, Tennessee.

The election results broke the supermajority State Republicans formerly held in the Senate, leaving GOP lawmakers with only a 34-18 divide. While the GOP still owns the majority, these wins signal to the Democratic Party that growth is still possible in the Mississippi Legislature. This news is especially significant amid political shifts away from a Voting Rights Act provision that authorizes the creation of majority-minority districts.

With these districts, often the only ones led by Democrats, at risk, securing even a few seats in the state legislature is considered a major win for the left and a major blow for the right. State Republicans intend to “come back even stronger,” presumably for the midterms next year, according to the Party Chairman Mike Hurst.

Other southern states have also followed suit, with crucial wins for the left, such as Georgia, which made historic appointments of two Democrats to the Public Service Commission. In light of the 2024 general election, those disappointed by Trump’s win have evidently decided to fight back at the state and local levels.

A$AP Rocky, CDFA, Fashion Icon, Ray Bans

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 6, 2025

A$AP Rocky Sued Over NYC Condo Damage Attributed To ‘Catastrophic’ Flooding From His Unit

The Harlem rapper is being sued for $1.1 million.

Rapper A$AP Rocky has been sued by a Manhattan neighbor for $1.1 million after a leak made the person’s condo, located below the Harlem rappers, “completely uninhabitable.”

According to The Independent, the paperwork was filed Oct. 30 in Manhattan Supreme Court by Chez Ni, LLC (listed in public records as Annie Kang). In the lawsuit, the former A$AP Mob lyricist is named as well as ADE Painting, the building’s condo board, and Tyson Beem, Rocky’s business manager.

The plaintiff says the leak in Rocky’s $11 million condo caused “catastrophic” flooding that extended to the apartment below, destroying it.

The incident took place last December, with Chez Ni, LLC blaming he “devastating water intrusion” on the “negligence of the putative owner of Unit 5N, Rakim Athelaston Mayers (a/k/a A$AP Rocky),” and a local contractor, ADE Pro Painting.

According to the lawsuit, Unit 4NF “suffered damage and destruction” to its “fixtures, furnishings and improvements,” as well as to “furniture, clothing, and personal items” costing $700,000. The plaintiff has also incurred approximately $200,000 in alternative living arrangements and other out-of-pocket expenses since the Dec. 23, 2024, incident.

Chez Ni LLC is seeking a minimum of $900,000 from the parties named in the lawsuit, a minimum of $200,000 from the condo board, and a judgment declaring all defendants responsible for the $42,000 remediation, which the condo is attempting to charge back to Kang and her LLC.

In an email, the owner of ADE Pro Painting, whose name was not given, provided a statement to The Independent. “I signed an NDA with the rapper, so that prevents me from providing certain details. I want to say that we are also affected from this situation, and we did not get pay [sic] for certain services provided.”

Elizabeth Warren, Kroger's, Digital Price Tags, Surge Pricing, grocery stores, grocery prices

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 6, 2025

Philadelphia Grocery Stores See Sales Decline With SNAP Benefits Cut: ‘People Are Very Stressed’

Grocery stores in North Philadelphia see a drop in sales amid cuts to SNAP benefits.

With SNAP benefits reduced due to the ongoing government shutdown, grocery stores in North Philadelphia are reporting a decline in sales.

According to the nonpartisan Center for American Progress, supermarkets in high-poverty areas could see sales decline by 40% to 90% due to SNAP cuts. With SNAP payments not being distributed on Nov. 1 to 42 million Americans, including 2 million in Pennsylvania, 800,000 in New Jersey, and 100,000 in Delaware, Philadelphia grocers are already feeling the impact, NBC Philadelphia reports.

“I really think it’s not going to be a holiday this year,” Alex Ibrahim, the manager of Cousin’s Supermarket in North Philly, said of Thanksgiving. “I think already people are very stressed and only spending the couple of dollars they might have saved.”

Ibrahim noted that his store has experienced a drop in sales since SNAP payments were paused. While prices haven’t increased, he has observed changes in customers’ spending habits.

“I believe it is really affecting all our customers, like our revenue went down 50-60%,” Ibrahim said.

Jose Rodriguez, a North Philadelphia resident, warned that SNAP cuts could push people to take drastic measures to put food on the table.

“It is bad because the parking lot is empty. That means the supermarket is going to make no money,” Rodriguez said. “I think people are going to start stealing. They are going to start doing things just to start putting food on the table. People are capable of doing anything when it comes to hunger.”

With the government shutdown ongoing, the Trump administration announced it will reduce November SNAP benefits by slightly less than initially planned. In updated guidance to states, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said maximum allotments will be cut by 35% rather than the previously proposed 50%.

The administration announced that participants receiving the maximum SNAP benefits will now get roughly 65% of their usual assistance in November. Advocates and policy groups note that most recipients, those with additional income from Social Security, disability, or employment, will see significantly smaller payments.

In a letter to the USDA, Pennsylvania Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh criticized the federal government for “directing states to use the most complex and labor-intensive approach possible.” Pennsylvania is seeking to use a more straightforward, faster method previously allowed for pandemic-related aid, which would provide everyone with roughly half their SNAP payment.

Meanwhile, concerns over delays and missed payments have prompted a coalition of cities and nonprofits to return to federal court in Rhode Island, seeking to compel the Trump administration to resume SNAP aid “expeditiously.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 6, 2025

White Man Fired From Paramount Sues Company Over Alleged Prioritization Of Hiring Minorities

A former white executive is suing Paramount, alleging racial and age discrimination.

A white former Paramount executive has filed a discrimination lawsuit alleging that he was fired last year during a time when the company was pushing diversity.

In a lawsuit filed in California federal court on Oct. 31, Joseph Jerome challenges Paramount’s now-defunct DEI policies, which allegedly linked staffing goals and executive compensation to diversity metrics, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Although some of these guidelines were rolled back earlier this year amid scrutiny of corporate DEI practices, Jerome alleges he was fired because he is not a person of color.

Jerome, a 30-year Paramount veteran from 1994 to 2024, most recently served as senior vice president of business and legal affairs and production counsel to Entertainment Tonight. In his lawsuit, which also alleges age discrimination, he claims he was one of three CBS Media Ventures (CMV) attorneys—all over 50 and white—terminated last year and replaced with younger, minority employees.

According to Jerome’s suit, a 25-year-old Black law school graduate and former CMV intern took his role, while his two former colleagues were replaced by younger Asian attorneys whose previous positions were eliminated in a corporate restructuring, though they have not filed lawsuits over their terminations.

The lawsuit claims that at the start of last year, CMV’s legal team was roughly balanced between white and minority attorneys. It adds that all lawyers let go in 2024 were white and over the age of 50. Jerome references a November 2023 meeting led by then-CBS News president Wendy McMahon, during which she reportedly expressed concern over the older demographics of her division’s shows and instructed staff to hire younger employees to attract younger viewers. Soon after, Jerome claims he was criticized for thinking “old” when he raised a misused legal term in a prospective deal.

The lawsuit comes after CBS Studios reached a settlement in April with a SEAL Team script coordinator who alleged that Paramount enforced illegal diversity quotas that discriminated against straight white men. The settlement coincided with a broader Hollywood reevaluation of DEI policies, with Paramount citing federal mandates that required changes in its approach to inclusion. Paramount joins other major media companies, including Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery, in rolling back or rebranding DEI programs following a Trump administration executive order targeting DEI.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 6, 2025

Michigan High School Chapter Of Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA Sparks Student Protest

Student says the values of Kirk's ultra right-leaning organization do not reflect the high school.

A new chapter of Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA at a Michigan high school has already sparked tension amongst its student body.

Hundreds of students at Royal Oak High School staged a walkout in protest of their classmates’ participation in the ultra-conservative organization. According to Click on Detroit, several of the walkout participants argued that Turning Point USA’s conservative values do not align with their high school.

“Turning Point is a nationwide chapter that spreads conservative views and the same views that Charlie Kirk promoted. And those aren’t the things that we promote in our school,” said Leilani Hamilton, a senior at the high school and protest organizer.

Founded by the late alt-right influencer, Turning Point USA had initially popped up at college campuses for those who promote its right-leaning ideals. Especially since Kirk’s fatal shooting in September, the organization has seen a surge in popularity in honor of its controversial founder. Critics of Kirk remember him for his spread of prejudiced rhetoric against many marginalized groups, including the Black community, immigrants, and transgender people.

However, students part of Royal Oak’s Turning Point USA chapter claim that they have faced hatred and bullying for showing interest in the club. The walkout’s organizers, on the other hand, have denounced the harassment.

“That is just promoting the hate that we do not want in our community and making it happen. It is not going to help us get this conversation going if we then put fear in other people’s minds,” added Hamilton.

While tensions have risen among the student body, the school has yet to make any official reports of harm. After the walkout, students on both sides met the district superintendent, escalating tensions.

“Neither our students nor staff have reported any incidents to the administration of violence or physical harassment of any sort,” issued Royal Oak High School. “We will continue to monitor this situation and remain committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and productive learning environment for every student.”

Following the chapter’s first official meeting, expected to take place on Nov. 10, opposing students will speak out against the club, following a school board meeting.

Taylor Edwards, gamecocks, TSU, Tennessee state university

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 6, 2025

Dallas Cowboys Defensive End Marshawn Kneeland Found Dead After Police Chase

Kneeland was 24 years old.

Second-year Dallas Cowboys defensive player Marshawn Kneeland was discovered dead Thursday, Nov. 6, from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The team announced Kneeland’s death that day.

“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend, Catalina, and his family.”

pic.twitter.com/CbP3WAm2IB

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 6, 2025

Kneeland scored his first NFL touchdown after he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone in the Cowboys’ Nov. 3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

ESPN reported that the Frisco (Texas) Police stated Kneeland was found after they responded to a call from the Texas Department of Public Safety to assist in locating a vehicle.

According to police, the person evaded the DPS troopers as the car was being pursued around 10:39 p.m. CT on Nov. 5. The vehicle crashed on the southbound Dallas Parkway, and according to a police report, Kneeland fled the scene as officers searched with assistance from the K-9 and drone units.

Kneeland was found about three hours later. While searching for him, police officers said they received information that the defensive end “expressed suicidal ideations.”

Kneeland was selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Cowboys out of Western Michigan University. This season, an injury kept him out of two games, but he had 15 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, and six quarterback hurries.

His rookie season also saw him miss six games due to a knee injury. For his first year, he recorded 17 tackles, two tackles for loss, 13 quarterback pressures, a pass breakup, and a fumble recovery.

In a statement, the NFL said it was “deeply saddened” by Kneeland’s death and that it has “offered support and counseling resources” to the Cowboys.

by Kandiss Edwards

November 6, 2025

‘One For The Books’: Jeezy Residency Breaks Guinness World Record

Jeezy’s performance, held Nov. 1 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, featured a 101-piece orchestra.

Jay Jenkins, also known as rapper Jeezy, broke a Guinness World Record with a Las Vegas orchestral performance.

He’s earned his Guinness World Record entry for performing with the largest orchestra ever assembled for a hip-hop concert, according to Guinness. Jeezy is a current headliner for a Las Vegas residency. The Atlanta rapper was surprised on stage at the Thug Motivation:101 Live when Guinness adjudicator Andy Glass presented the certification.

The performance, held Nov. 1 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, featured a 101-piece orchestra arranged by Derrick Hodge and conducted by Adam Blackstone. The event also celebrated the 20th anniversary of Jeezy’s debut album, Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101.

In an Instagram post, Jenkins expressed his gratitude and acknowledged his place in history.

“It is always been my purpose to motivate and inspire my culture. Thank you to everyone involved for believing in my vision. Couldn’t have done it without you. This one’s for the books… literally,” he wrote.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @jeezy

Guinness officials later confirmed the record on their website, noting that orchestral participation was independently verified under standard rules for ensemble size and synchronization.

Jeezy’s Las Vegas residency continues through Dec. 21. The buzz surrounding the show has led to added dates following record demand. Jeezy’s performance shows the growing demand for live-band hip-hop experiences.

Other legacy hip-hop acts have preceded him in the space. Jay-Z’s 2012 orchestral show at Carnegie Hall was one of the first instances of a hip-hop artist fusing classical instrumentation with the art form.

Nas’s symphonic tour is the latest example. The icon performed Illmatic: Live at Synovus Bank Amphitheater in Atlanta. Like Jeezy, Nas’s performance drew on deep nostalgia, charm, and beautiful string arrangements. The successful pairing of classical and hip-hop may be a way to keep the genre at the forefront. Subsequently, the merger can create a new experience for audiences who have been appreciating the original offerings for more than two decades. Only time will tell if this new companionship of sound has legs.

by Jameelah Mullen

November 6, 2025

In This Economy? Maryland’s New Speed Cameras Could Cost You $425

Think twice before exceeding the speed limit or lending out your car.

The state of Maryland implemented a new law that may put a hefty dent in drivers’ wallets. A law that went into effect on Oct 1 introduced a new provision that beefed up speed camera fines to up to $425.

Before the law went into effect, all drivers caught on camera violating speed limits received a flat $40 fine. Fines will now depend on how fast the driver was going. Those who exceed the posted speed limit by 15 mph or more will get a $40 ticket. A driver going 16 mph to 19 mph over the limit faces a $70 fine. This increases to $120 for drivers exceeding the limit by 20 mph to 29 mph. For 30 mph to 39 mph over the limit, drivers face a $230 fine, which jumps to $425 for exceeding the posted limit by 40 mph or more.

The controversial law is introduced as the state seeks to crack down on “super speeders,” defined as drivers who exceed the speed limit by large margins and are sometimes repeat offenders. Lawmakers point out that super speeders pose a danger to the entire community.

“The math is simple; the higher the speeds, the higher the injury, whether you’re in a car, walking, or riding a bike,” Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich stated in a press release.

The camera will snap a photo of the speeding vehicle and automatically send a ticket to the registered address associated with the license plate, so drivers are most likely unaware they have a ticket until they receive it in the mail. Vehicle owners are responsible for the fines if they lend their car to someone else.

Last month, another new law took effect in the state, increasing penalties for reckless driving. Reckless driving is defined as going at least 30 miles per hour above the speed limit, meaning drivers can now be charged if they are caught going at least 30 mph over the limit.

Those accused of reckless driving can face up to 60 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, and six license points.