by Sharelle B. McNair

November 6, 2025

Delta’s CEO Slammed By U.S. Reps Over AI That May Hike Flight Costs

If airlines were caught using AI to gauge prices, Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the agency would investigate.

A group of two-dozen Democratic members of Congress is getting to the bottom of Delta Air Lines’ use of generative A.I. to set ticket prices, raising consumer privacy concerns in a letter to CEO Ed Bastian, Reuters reports.

In a letter dated Nov. 5, lawmakers, including Reps. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, (IL) Jerrold Nadler, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Dan Goldman (NY) asked Delta to disclose if its decision to use AI is to boost prices through “individualized, surveillance-based price discrimination.”

First raising the issue in July, lawmakers feel that airline’s use of AI could expose personal data or consumers’ internet usage. For example, if a potential flyer visits a resort website, the airline could identify when people want to travel most, leading to higher ticket prices.

The Democratic group is stepping in as they feel the airline didn’t properly address their initial concern. And with the government shutdown plaguing the airline industry, lawmakers feel consumers deserve answers.

“At a time when Americans are struggling to afford necessities, the airline industry is already highly concentrated, and generative AI is being deployed throughout the economy with limited transparency. This move could drive up prices for consumers and result in individualized, surveillance-based price discrimination,” the letter read, according to a press release from Garcia.

“And while Delta claims it has ‘strict safeguards to ensure compliance with federal law, it has not explained what those safeguards are, provided any meaningful transparency into its agreement with Fetcherr or the data that is being used to train the generative AI-powered algorithms, or otherwise provided evidence that it is not moving towards surveillance pricing.”

In response, the airline said “there is no fare product Delta has ever used, is testing or plans to use that targets customers with individualized offers based on personal information or otherwise.” But in early 2025, the airline announced plans to adopt a AI-based revenue management technology for 20% of its domestic network by the end of the year by working with AI pricing company Fetcherr.

Other airlines have announced plans for AI usage, but not for pricing. Luxury airline Emirates said it is using the software to predict bumpy turbulence on flights, as experts claim that climate change is increasing the likelihood of severe turbulence.

Democratic lawmakers Greg Casar and Rashida Tlaib, who also signed the letter, introduced legislation that would ban companies from using AI to set prices based on the personal data of American consumers—specifically targeting the airline industry. The letter highlighted how Delta President Glen Hauenstein previously stated the airline would use generative AI-powered pricing to guarantee airfares are tailored to “that flight, on that time, to you, the individual.”

If airlines were caught using AI to gauge prices, Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy said the agency would issue an investigation. “We would engage very strongly if any company tries to use AI to price their seating individually,” Duffy said.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 6, 2025

Charlamagne Urges Democrats To End Government Shutdown: ‘They Lost, It’s Over’

Charlamagne urges Democrats to end the government shutdown since health insurance premiums have already risen.

As the government shutdown continues, Charlamagne Tha God is urging Democrats to succumb to the GOP and call a truce, since health insurance premiums have already gone up.

The Breakfast Club host spoke on the radio show on Nov. 3, urging action to end the ongoing government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history. According to Charlamagne, Democrats should meet with their Republican counterparts to end the shutdown and alleviate the impact on American families, including lost wages for federal workers and disrupted SNAP benefits for over 40 million recipients.

Citing Donald Trump’s recent “60 Minutes” interview, Charlamagne argued that Democrats appear to be fighting over healthcare issues that were already settled earlier this year upon the passing of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.

“The healthcare is going to go up anyway because of the ‘big beautiful bill,’ because that didn’t include the extension of the tax credits to keep the costs down,” Charlamagne said around the 4-minute mark. “So, if it’s going up anyway, what’s the point of Democrats taking the stand to keep the government still closed?”

He continued, “And the premiums are set for a year. So at this point, if the premiums have already gone up, if they’re set for a year, at least give the people some relief and get the government back open.”

Charlamagne praised Democrats for holding firm in their efforts to preserve health insurance subsidies that will help an estimated 20 million Americans avoid higher premiums. Still, he argued that the public deserves some “relief,” adding that he feels Democrats have already lost the fight.

“Democrats, you fought,” he said. “It seems like you lost the fight. At this point, you know, go on and give it up. At least give the people some relief by getting the government back open. Let these people get these SNAP benefits. Let these government workers get their checks. We don’t need all this craziness at the TSA during the holidays. Like, I think you lost … I feel like they lost. It’s over.”

During a later segment of the show, Charlamagne highlighted the challenges that everyday Americans are facing as the government shutdown approaches 40 days.

“I really don’t think people get it,” he said. “67 percent of the country is living paycheck to paycheck. People really be taking for granted the blessings that they have when they don’t have to live paycheck to paycheck.”

Negotiations between GOP and Democratic leaders continue as Democrats work to strike a deal to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Some Democratic senators, buoyed by recent election wins, are pressing to secure tangible health care gains before conceding to the GOP.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture revised its SNAP reduction plan to provide more partial benefits in November, though some recipients may still see significantly reduced aid. The Trump administration also announced a 10% cut in air traffic at 40 airports—including major hubs—starting Nov. 7 if no agreement is reached, potentially affecting thousands of flights.

by Kandiss Edwards

November 6, 2025

Girl, Bye! Megyn Kelly Weighs In On Michelle Obama’s Hair—And No One Asked Her To

The Megyn Kelly Show thought it prudent to comment on Michelle Obama’s life experiences.

Megyn Kelly has thoughts about former first lady Michelle Obama’s comments on wearing natural hair while in the White House.

During the Nov. 4 episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, Kelly thought it prudent to counter points made by Obama on a press tour for her new book, The Look.

In The Look Obama writes about feeling pressure to straighten her hair to meet public expectations.

“As women of color, the way our hair naturally grows out of our head is beautiful, but if we struggle to make it look like the standard, that means we are spending thousands of hours and lots of money straightening out what is naturally curly hair,” Obama said. “And that takes time out of your life. It costs money.”

Michelle Obama describes the struggle many women of color face

Having to straighten "naturally curly hair" to fit in. pic.twitter.com/qCjJcmNxqF
— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) October 29, 2025

Kelly countered on air, calling Obama’s perspective “bull—”

With no clue about the Black experience, Kelly took the “All lives matter” approach in her retort. She believes the issue of hair is universal.

“Black women can walk around with whatever hair they want.” She added, “Virtually every woman I know spends a ton of time on her hair and wants it to look better than God made it. It’s not a Black thing. It’s a human thing, and it’s especially a woman thing.”

"She acts like she was persecuted after being the First Lady of The United States…”@walterkirn on Michelle Obama's new book tour full of racial complaining and talking about her hair.

Watch below, and subscribe:https://t.co/Y12z2uLeBJ pic.twitter.com/Eg29QCNarK
— The Megyn Kelly Show (@MegynKellyShow) November 3, 2025

To Black women and others who cared to embrace the nuance of the conversation, Obama’s point was clear. As the first Black first lady, she faced increased public scrutiny.

Legislation such as the Crown Act exists to expressly combat discrimination based on one’s hair, which is proven to occur. The Crown Act bans hair-based discrimination in workplaces and schools.

Obama’s The Look was released on Oct. 29. In the book, she revisits her fashion choices as symbols of visibility and resilience.

“It became clear that I was being held to a very different standard,” she writes. “Yet the upside was the number of women who told me they felt more comfortable showing their arms after seeing me in these dresses or tops.”

Kelly’s remarks only further Obama’s point. Long after the first lady has left the White House, her public image remains a topic of discussion.

IRS, Taxes, IRS tax, changes, deductions, 401k, IRA, paychecks,

by Sharelle B. McNair

November 6, 2025

Here’s What Taxpayers Need To Know About IRS Direct File Ending In 2026

The Direct File program was one of the targets of the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency, under the leadership of billionaire Elon Musk, as soon as the group took over the White House.

The Trump administration has confirmed that the electronic tax filing system, known as IRS Direct File, won’t be offered in 2026, Associated Press reports.

Internal Revenue Service official Cynthia Noe sent a note to state comptrollers that participate in the Direct File program announcing that “IRS Direct File will not be available in Filing Season 2026. No launch date has been set for the future.” During a Nov. 5 press conference, Treasury Secretary and current IRS commissioner Scott Bessent said there are “better alternatives” to Direct File and claimed it wasn’t used very much.” “And we think that the private sector can do a better job,” he continued.

Users say the opposite. Users credited the former President Joe Biden-era program for making tax filing efficient, easy, fast, and, most importantly, economical. As a pilot program, Direct File was rolled out in 2024 following the agency’s tasking with exploring ways to create a “direct file” system using funds from the Inflation Reduction Act that Biden signed into law in 2022. The Democratic-led administration spent millions of dollars developing the program, and it was made permanent in May 2024.

But the successful program faced criticism from Republican lawmakers, who claimed it was a waste of taxpayer dollars because free filing programs already exist from commercial tax preparation companies. In addition to being difficult to use, the companies also cashed in on these programs, making billions by charging people for usage.

The Direct File program was one of the targets of the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency, under the leadership of billionaire Elon Musk, as soon as the group took over the White House in January. Keeping their April 2025 promise of eliminating the program, the Direct File website states that “Direct File is closed. More information will be available at a later date.”

According to Forbes, Bessent once committed to keeping the program available for the 2025 tax season, but things changed once the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed in May 2025. The Act’s final version includes a provision that will create a task force to report on the “cost of enhancing and establishing public-private partnerships which provide for free tax filing for up to 70 percent of all taxpayers calculated by adjusted gross income, and to replace any direct e-file programs run by the Internal Revenue Service.”

In addition, the team will scope out the public opinions on “a taxpayer-funded, government-run service or a free service provided by the private sector.” The task force’s creation has a hefty price tag of $15,000,000, just as the Inflation Reduction Act did for the Direct File.

Industry experts don’t seem surprised by Trump’s team’s moves. Adam Ruben, vice president at the Economic Security Project, said this administration is all about the rich.

“Trump’s billionaire friends get favors while honest, hardworking Americans will pay more to file their taxes,” he said.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 6, 2025

Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Hosts ‘Demo Day’ In Miami To Celebrate Future Entrepreneurs

The two-day festivities will showcase the future of entrepreneurship.

Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition will host its fifth annual Demo Day to champion diverse entrepreneurs and innovators.

The Pharrell-founded initiative will bring a cohort of trailblazing founders, visionaries, icons, and investors to connect with those next up to change their industries. The two-day festivities, starting Nov. 14, aim to amplify the work and vision of Black and Brown entrepreneurs. For Pharrell, this platform offers diverse leaders the spotlight and funding often denied them.

The Demo Day will award the 2025 Black Ambition Prize. With almost 2,500 entrepreneurial applicants, 25 finalists will receive awards of over $1 million in funding. The top prize winner will earn $100,000, with 19 other finalists securing $50,000 each for their ideas. The prize will also award 5 HBCU Pre-Accelerator winners with $20,000 each, with a People’s Choice Award winner earning $25,000.

Day One, emceed by comedian Jay Pharoah, will feature founder showcases and alumni spotlights of previous winners. Attendees will also witness a fireside chat between Pharrell and Mellody Hobson, President and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments. At the Fundable Founders Forum taking place the following day, its schedule will include masterclass experiences focused on uplifting and connecting this network of thinkers and founders, while further exploring the rise of previous Black Ambition prize winners.

Pharrell released a statement on the “brilliance” of these underrepresented visionaries. He also emphasized how Black Ambition has built a pathway to bring their ideas to life.

“There’s so much brilliance out there that never gets seen, Pharrell shared in a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“So many ideas that could change the world if they just had a chance. That’s why we built Black Ambition — to make sure talent doesn’t stop at potential. It has the chance to be seen, funded, and believed in. It’s about turning vision into reality, and making opportunity something everyone can touch.”

With mentorship, programming, and funding opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs, Demo Day continues to change the tide and diversify business in all sectors. Celebrating five years of fostering change, Black Ambition also seeks to be the difference for Black and Brown entrepreneurs, helping them get the support they need to revolutionize their industries.

Access changes everything,” added Felecia Hatcher, CEO of Black Ambition. “Five years proves that our impact is real, but the future demands more. More scale…More courage…More investment in founders who are rewriting what’s possible. In this climate, scaling isn’t just growth, it’s survival, power, and legacy.”

Free registration is available for Demo Day at The Sacred Space Miami. Tickets are also available for the Fundable Founders Forum.

FAMU, Florida A and M University,DI, Black History Month

by Jameelah Mullen

November 6, 2025

Nephew Tommy’s ‘Black College Quiz’ Reruns Bring FAMU Student’s Historic Win And Heartfelt Story Back to Life

The history-making Rattler graduated from the HBCU in 2024.

Florida A&M University alumna Jalauria Mills is back in the spotlight after reruns of the Black College Quiz television show, hosted by Tommy “Nephew Tommy” Miles of the Steve Harvey Morning Show, resurfaced online.

Mills was the first FAMU student to appear on the academic quiz show featuring college students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The series showcases students who demonstrate their knowledge of Black history and culture in hopes of winning scholarship prizes.

During her fall semester at FAMU, Mills, a history major, took a class taught by her department chair, Tiffany Packer, Ph.D., who approached her about the chance to appear on College Quiz.

Mills noted that after getting accepted on the show, she received a 200-page study guide and had one month to prepare.

“I did feel a bit overwhelmed. I’m usually pretty good when it comes to studying. I am great at committing things to memory because I’m a musician, and I came to FAMU on a choir scholarship… so one of the things I learned over the course of years is that I can remember things better if I turn it into a song,” Mills told FAMU News.

A week after receiving her acceptance letter to the show, Mills’ friend and former roommate died unexpectedly. Her grief caused her to take two weeks off from studying. However, she noted that her friend would want her to participate in the show. Drawing strength from her friend’s memory to carry on, Mills resumed her studies.

The competition started with 36 contestants, and Mills reached the final eight. She said she is proud of her achievements on the show and of securing funds to help pay for her college expenses. She notes that her experience on the show taught her a lot about HBCU culture.

The 2024 FAMU graduate expressed her gratitude for competing amid anti-DEI initiatives that have sought to remove Black history from educational curricula.

“I felt honored to compete, she said. “Especially at a time like this, where history is undervalued and people don’t see the importance in educating themselves in HBCU history or Black culture, so it felt honoring to bring light to our history,” Mills told the outlet.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 6, 2025

Emagine Theater’s Sale Directly Complicates Big Sean’s Mission To Bring A New Theater To Detroit

The Sean Anderson Theatre Powered by Emagine will not be built after the sale to Kinepolis Group NV

A planned movie theater, to be called the Sean Anderson Theatre Powered by Emagine, named after Detroit rapper Big Sean, who was a partner in the venture, will not come to fruition after a Belgian movie theater chain, Kinepolis Group NV, purchased the Emagine theater franchise.

According to Crain’s Detroit Business, the planned venture between Sean and Emagine was announced in 2018, with the expectation that the venue would combine a movie theater and a music venue. However, with the recent acquisition by the Kinepolis Group, the company, along with Emagine’s chairman and CEO, Paul Glantz, states that it does not expect to build any new movie theaters.

After COVID-19 hit the world, the prospect of building the venue decreased as people chose not to attend the theater as they had before. Glantz said the movie theater business has excessive supply, making construction of a new theater unlikely.

“The industry is 35% attendance compared to pre-COVID,” Glantz said. “There is a thought that more capacity needs to come out of the market as opposed to being added to the market, and that works against new builds and expansion.”

When the planned venue was announced over seven years ago, there wasn’t a site for the movie theater. There was speculation that it would be built in various areas of Detroit, including Michigan Central Station and land owned by Wayne State University. Yet, when COVID hit two years after the partnership was announced, theaters across the country shut down to prevent the spread of the pandemic among the public.

The Sean Anderson Theatre Powered by Emagine was slated to have 10 to 12 screens, with an expected capacity of between 1,000 and 1,300 people.

The Belgian movie theater chain announced on Nov. 4 that it was acquiring 14 Emagine theaters for a reported $105 million, with the price potentially rising to $120 million based on U.S. box office performance. The sale is anticipated to be done by year’s end.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 6, 2025

Lawsuit Accuses Spotify’s Discovery Mode Of Being A ‘Modern Form Of Payola’

Spotify faces a second lawsuit this week, alleging that its Discovery Mode feature constitutes payola.

Days after facing a lawsuit over allegedly inflated Drake streams, Spotify is now being named in a class-action lawsuit that labels its Discovery Mode feature as a “modern form of payola.”

In a lawsuit filed in New York on Nov. 5, Spotify’s Discovery Mode tool is accused of functioning as a “deceptive pay-for-play” system, enabling record labels and artists to secretly pay for promotion while misleading users into believing the recommendations are unbiased and tailored to their personal tastes, Billboard reports.

“Spotify exploits that trust by marketing itself as a platform that offers organic music recommendations — whether through its algorithmic or curated playlists — only to secretly sell those recommendations to the highest bidder,” the lawsuit states.

Subscriber Genevieve Capolongo is spearheading the class-action lawsuit on behalf of the “millions” of users allegedly misled by Spotify’s recommendation tools. Her attorneys claim that despite using the platform’s personalization features for years, she “kept hearing the same major-label tracks” that “bore little resemblance to her listening habits.”

The lawsuit centers on how clearly Spotify discloses the mechanics of Discovery Mode to users. Introduced in 2020, Discovery Mode lets artists and labels boost their presence on Spotify in exchange for reduced royalties. Despite initial concerns—including a Congressional investigation over its resemblance to payola, the practice of secretly paying for radio airplay—it has become a widely used marketing tool in the music industry, especially for new releases. While listeners can access an “About Recommendations” link, Capolongo’s attorneys argue that this explanation is insufficient.

“Telling users that ‘commercial considerations may influence’ recommendations does not reveal which songs are being promoted commercially and which are being recommended organically,” her lawyers wrote. “Without that specificity, users cannot distinguish between genuine personalization and covert advertising.”

The latest lawsuit adds to claims that major labels are buying placement on Spotify to boost their artists. A high-profile 2024 case filed by Drake over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” accused Universal Music Group of using bots and payments to inflate the song’s popularity across multiple platforms, including Spotify. Earlier this week, another lawsuit alleges that Spotify has “turned a blind eye” to bots and other fraudulent streams used to artificially boost artists like Drake.

Spotify has responded to Capolongo’s lawsuit, calling the claims “nonsense” and offering clarity on how the Discovery Mode tool works.

“Not only do they misrepresent what Discovery Mode is and how it works, but they are riddled with misunderstandings and inaccuracies,” the company said. “Discovery Mode is a feature artists can use to flag priority tracks for algorithmic consideration in limited contexts: Radio, Autoplay, and certain Mixes. It doesn’t buy plays, it doesn’t affect editorial playlists, and it’s clearly disclosed in the app and on our website.”

by Jameelah Mullen

November 6, 2025

The Ride Stops Here : Six Flags America Closes After More Than 50 Years

The end of an era in the DMV

After 50 years, Six Flags America has officially closed its Bowie, Maryland, location. The park, located in the Washington, D.C. metro area, welcomed its last visitors on Nov. 2. The park employed over 70 full-time employees.

Six Flags Entertainment merged with Cedar Fair in July 2024 amid financial struggles. The newly merged company now owns more than 20 amusement parks, water parks, and resorts across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The decision to close the park is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to restructure and manage its existing debt.

“As part of our comprehensive review of our park portfolio, we have determined that Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor are not a strategic fit with the company’s long-term growth plan,” Richard Zimmerman, Six Flags president and CEO, said in a May, 2025 press release “After reviewing a number of options, we believe that marketing the property for redevelopment will generate the highest value and return on investment, “ Zimmerman said.

About four months later, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced Zimmerman’s upcoming departure from the company following substantial profit losses.

The park took to social media to thank its longtime supporters.

“Thank you, Six Flags America fans, for 50 years of family fun. We will always cherish the memories made together.”

Thank you, Six Flags America fans, for 50 years of family fun. We will always cherish the memories made together. 💙 pic.twitter.com/8vhHP37bTJ

— Six Flags America (@SixFlagsDC) November 2, 2025

Six Flags fans flooded the comments section with personal memories of the park.

Thank you for the memories. You truly will be missed. I first went back when it was called Wild World, and now it’s closed. So sad.” A fan replied.

“This was my first real job, another follower noted.

Six Flags Entertainment said it is unsure what it will do with the park’s equipment after it closes.

“We have not yet determined what will happen to each ride or attraction after the park is closed, but relocation to other Six Flags parks or selling to other amusement park operators are options that may be considered,” the company told People.

The park opened its doors in 1974 as a drive-thru safari known as The Wildlife Preserve and later relaunched as a Six Flags park in 1999.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 6, 2025

Silence is Pricy: Russell Simmons Settles Sexual Misconduct Claims With At Least Three Accusers

Russell Simmons has reportedly paid more than $3 million to three women who accused him of sexual assault and misconduct.

Russell Simmons has reportedly reached and paid settlement agreements with three women who accused him of sexual assault and misconduct.

For over a year, at least five women who accused Russell Simmons of sexual misconduct were awaiting their settlement payments. According to attorneys for Wendy Franco, Sil Lai Abrams, and Sherri Abernathy, Simmons has paid more than $3 million in outstanding amounts owed to them, Rolling Stone reports.

“The matter has been resolved,” a lawyer for the ladies said while declining to provide any additional details.

Under the settlement terms, the Def Jam co-founder agreed to pay Franco $515,000 and Abrams and Abernathy $1,265,000 each for alleged incidents of rape and misconduct. Abernathy accused Simmons of raping her in 1983, while Abrams alleged a similar assault in 1994. Franco has not publicly detailed her claims, but court documents indicate her settlement involves alleged “physical injuries and sickness.”

Legal documents filed in January 2025 show that Simmons still owed at least $8 million to three other accusers—Tina Klein-Baker, Toni Sallie, and Alexia Jones. The filings stated that, as of earlier this year, he had paid them only $220,000 in total.

The settlements appear to allow Simmons to move forward without admitting guilt. The agreements with Franco, Abrams, and Abernathy omit specific allegations, instead stating that payments were made for “alleged personal, physical injuries and sickness.” Each settlement also clarifies that Simmons’ payments do not constitute “any admission of liability, fault, or wrongdoing.” Similarly, the settlements with Sallie and Jones include no detailed claims and reaffirm that no liability is admitted.

Before the settlements were paid, Franco, Abrams, and Abernathy described Simmons’ delay in payment as another emotional setback in their long legal battle over the alleged assaults and misconduct. After more than a year of waiting, they said his nonpayment felt like an added layer of trauma.

“It was devastating,” Franco said in April. “I just felt so stupid that I thought this person would follow through, that I thought that someone who could do what he did would turn around and acknowledge me and make some type of amends. You exposed yourself to this, and now this person again shows you that it doesn’t matter to him.”

Meanwhile, Simmons continues to pursue a defamation lawsuit against HBO and filmmakers Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick, who produced On the Record, the 2020 documentary featuring interviews with several of his accusers. Simmons’s attorney argues that “credible information, persuasive evidence, and witness statements” supporting him were ignored during production.

HBO’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, has dismissed the suit as lacking “both merit and substance,” affirming its support for the film.