balloons, Mylar, Latex, Channa Kelly, Alexandra

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 16, 2023

Tennessee Mother Gives Warning After 7-Year-Old Daughter Dies After Popping Balloons

After celebrating her 7-year-old daughter’s birthday on Sept. 24, a Tennessee mother is grieving after the young girl’s body was discovered in the living room.

Alexandra Kelly died while deflating helium balloons from her birthday party. Now, her mother is warning others “about the dangers of not only latex balloons but also Mylar balloons.”

According to a Facebook entry, the child’s mother, Channa Kelly, explained that Alexandra deflated the latex balloons, filled with helium, a week after her birthday party. After that, Kelly went to bed, leaving her daughter with the Mylar balloons. Alexandra then asked if she could “pop her large 7 balloon.” Kelly agreed.

After briefly falling asleep, Kelly returned to the living room to find her daughter face down and unconscious. “I thought for a second that she fell asleep but then noticed the Mylar balloon was around her head,” Kelly wrote.

She he removed the balloon, called 911, and started CPR right away. When police arrived, they, along with firefighters and paramedics, tried and failed to revive her daughter. Kelly said she doesn’t know the cause of death because she was told that results from tests could take four to six months.

“I hope by sharing our story that, I can bring awareness and educate parents about the dangers of not only latex balloons but also Mylar balloons. I hope and pray that this will prevent and save the [lives] of other children. I wouldn’t want anyone else to experience the pain and devastation that the loss of a child brings.”

According to the St. Louis Children’s Hospital website, “Latex balloons are not recommended for children younger than 8 years old. If a balloon breaks, collect the pieces immediately and dispose of them out of the reach of children. Shiny foil balloons, commonly known as Mylar balloons, can be a safer choice, but adult supervision is recommended with any type of balloon.”

According to WVLT, the incident that took place in Clinton is being investigated by police.

by Derek Major

October 16, 2023

New York Jets Defeat Philadelphia Eagles For First Time Ever

Six weeks ago, New York Jets fans watched their season crash to earth as star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the team’s huge offseason acquisition, sat on the ground with a torn Achilles tendon, his season done after four plays.

On October 15, they watched their team climb to an unlikely 3-3 after the Jets beat the Philadelphia Eagles 20-14 for the first time in 12 contests.

The Jets, playing without their top two cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed, out with concussions, forced Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts into his worst performance of the season: 28-of-45 for 280 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. Running back D’Andre Swift also lost a fumble as the Eagles lost their first game of the season.

Hurts looked uncomfortable all day as the Jets defensive line kept him under pressure, especially after Eagles tackle Lane Johnson exited the game with a high ankle sprain.

Meanwhile, Jets quarterback Zack Wilson had a turnover-free game, completing 19-of-33 passes for 186 yards. Jets wide receiver was Wilson’s favorite target Sunday, catching eight passes for 90 yards.

The turning point in the game came with the Eagles up 14-12 with two minutes left when Tony Adams intercepted a Hurts pass and returned it inside the Eagles 10-yard line. Jets running back Breece Hall ran for a touchdown on the next play.

The Eagles (5-1) had one more chance to win but turned it over on downs. Last season, Hurts threw six interception. This year, he has already thrown seven, leading all NFC East starting quarterbacks.

The Jets managed to win despite going 2-for-11 on third downs and 1-of-4 in the red zone. They now head into their bye week on a high note before facing the reeling Giants (1-5) Oct. 29 in an intracity tilt.

The Eagles, who blew a 14-9 halftime lead, have tough test next week: a Sunday night battle with the AFC East-leading Miami Dolphins (5-1) and their high-powered offense.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 16, 2023

Sergio Brown Resists Arrest During Extradition To Face Murder Charges in United States

Former NFL player Sergio Brown put up a fight during his extradition to the United States to face charges in the murder of his mother.

Brown fought with Mexican officers on an airplane in Mexico City last week as they tried to extradite him back to the United States, CBS 8 reports. The arrest took place on Sunday, October 8. Passenger Michelle Williams, who was returning from a family vacation in Cancun, recorded the melee.

Officers were trying to get him to Tijuana where he would be handed off to U.S. officers to face murder charges in the death of his mother, Myrtle Brown, 73. Brown claimed that he was being kidnapped.

“They’re kidnapping me… I’m from Chicago,” Brown yells inside the air craft. “I should not be going to Tijuana.”

https://twitter.com/nojumper/status/1713214437111234920

Two Mexican immigration officers are seen in the video fighting with the former NFL defensive back as he continues to claim he’s being kidnapped.

“Let me go. This is kidnapping,” Brown said.

Williams was more concerned as to why Brown, 35, wasn’t handcuffed while on the jet plane.

“It was crazy just to hear him start yelling that he was being kidnapped, that these men were kidnapping him. And I’m just thinking, what is going on?” Williams said.

Brown is facing first-degree murder charges in his mother’s death, Fox News reports. Myrtle’s body was found on September 16 in a creek near the Chicago home she shared with her son. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death a homicide by assault.

The former New England Patriots player had been missing since his mom’s death and shared an Instagram post claiming that reports of her murder were fake news. Early this month, a video surfaced showing Brown partying in Tulum, Mexico.

A warrant was issued for his arrest and he was taken into custody after trying to re-enter the United States into California from Mexico by the San Diego Police Department Threat Management Unit.

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 16, 2023

Floyd Mayweather Sends Personal Plane To Israel With Over 5,000 Pounds Of Supplies

Boxer Floyd Mayweather is doing his part for the people of Israel.

The retired heavyweight champion arranged for a jet to deliver over 5,000 pounds of supplies on Oct. 15, TMZ reports.

Several volunteers and Mayweather’s bodyguards loaded the plane in Los Angeles to head to the Middle Eastern country in collaboration with friends Jona Rechnitz, Maya Sinai, and David and Gitel Rubin, who sourced the supplies and the trip.

The plane made several stops before landing in Tel Aviv, miles away from cthe haos. Since Oct. 7, over 1,200 Israelis have been killed and more than 150 people—including Americans—have been held captive.

“When I called Floyd and asked him if he would be willing to send his plane to Israel with necessary supplies for soldiers, Rechnitz said, ‘Of course. I got your back. I don’t care how much it costs. Make it happen.”

The legendary boxer is one of the most vocal celebrities in support of Israel. After making several posts about the turmoil, Mayweather made it clear on what side of the fight he stands on according o TMZ.

“I stand with Israel against the Hamas terrorists,” he wrote. “Hamas do not represent the people of Palestine but are a terrorist group that are attacking innocent lives! I stand for all humans and wish for the safe return of all Americans and Israelis and any human that were kidnapped as hostages during these horrific war crimes.”

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A post shared by Floyd Mayweather (@floydmayweather)

On the same day that the jet took the journey overseas, according to Los Angeles Magazine, Mayweather participated in a march to the Museum of Tolerance in L.A. in support of Israel. The half-mile march started at the Orthodox synagogue Young Israel of Century City and ended at the museum for a program where Gov. Gavin Newsom sent a solidarity video.

by Daniel Johnson

October 16, 2023

St. Louis Youth Football Coach Shot By Angry Parent Is Recovering

A 30-year-old youth football coach who was shot at one of his team’s practices during a dispute with a parent is recovering from his wounds.

Fox 2 reported that Shaquille Latimore was shot on Oct. 10 after 43-year-old Daryl Clemmons became upset that his son was not starting. Clemmons is currently being charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office.

“I was overjoyed [and] overwhelmed,” said Latimore of the support he has received. “Kind of just lets me know that I’m doing something right. It still kind of brings me to tears. I didn’t know I had this much support doing something this small, just coaching kids [and] just trying to get them in the right direction.”

SeMiko Latimore, Shaquille’s mother, created a GoFundMe to help with his medical expenses and help the family.

The GoFundMe page reads, “This fundraiser has been set up for those that want to donate or be a blessing to Coach Shaq! He is a husband and a father. And due to the severity of his injuries, he will be out of work for an undetermined amount of time. The funds raised will assist him in continuing to provide and care for his family, as well as help with medical expenses. Thank you in advance for contribution, big or small!!!”

Over the last four days, the coach has received $9,526 toward the goal of $15,000. In addition to this, some of his players held a rally on Oct 12 at Forest Park in St. Louis alongside SeMiko Latimore.

It’s just amazing, all of the…” SeMiko said, overcome with emotion. “God, I can’t even talk–the outpouring of love and support that we’ve had.”

Latimore, like other youth football coaches for the BadBoyz, volunteers their time and energy to give something positive to their community. Assistant volunteer coach Jennifer Perkins, told Fox 2, “We just want to give back to our community. The streets are taking our children, and we just want to give back and make sure they have a better path.”

Counseling was also made available for the players. The shooting happened at a team practice, and some kids likely witnessed it.

“I’m just trying to give back and get my blessings, that’s all,” said Latimore. “Yeah, I will [return to coaching]. I might take a little break, but I’ll definitely be back coaching.”

by Iman Milner

October 16, 2023

Texas Woman Goes Viral After Mistakenly Driving To Mexico, ‘I Didn’t Mean To Do This’

A Texas woman has gone viral after detailing how a wrong turn in a search for a local Home Depot resulted in a quick trip to the border of Mexico, Yahoo News reported.

@thetrinityjacksonA mistake you only make once for sure♬ original sound – Trin

TikTok user Trinity Jackson, who was visiting her mother in El Paso, TX at the time of her harrowing experience, shared her video with the caption, “a mistake you only make once for sure” before explaining that missing a highway exit led to her run-in with Border Patrol officials. By the time Jackson realized she was headed towards the Port of Juarez, it was already too late to turn back. “Mind you, at this point, I’m already way too close to the sign to put two and two together, and I realize I am now exiting America and heading to Mexico,” she said.

Upon arriving at the border, Jackson faced a language barrier between her and the patrol officers.

“I said I need to understand how I can get back into my country,” Jackson explained. “I didn’t mean to do this; this is an accident; this is a missed exit to the extreme.”

Due to being in her mother’s vehicle, the woman didn’t have the required documents for the car’s registration; however, as fate would have it, Jackson did have her American passport. After having the underbelly of her car searched by mirrors and dogs, the woman was allowed to start her journey back to Texas, armed with a valuable lesson that she won’t soon forget.

“Whole time in my head, one thing’s for sure, two things for sure, this is never happening again. This is a mistake you make once. Once,” she said.

@thetrinityjackson Replying to @LlamaYess ♬ original sound – Trin

With the fear of being stranded in a foreign country with her dogs far behind her, Jackson was able to find humor in her situation, while also emphasizing that her concern had nothing to do with Mexico itself, as she and her mother had taken an intentional trip to the country earlier the same day.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 16, 2023

Freeway Rick Ross Advises Tory Lanez To Pay For Prison Bodyguard

If there’s anyone who could offer Tory Lanez some advice for surviving prison, it’s former drug kingpin Freeway Rick Ross.

Lanez was recently transferred to the general prison population at North Kern State Prison in California with no added security. With Ross having served 15 years, he’s expressing his concern for Lanez considering how much “rougher” state prisons are compared to federal.

“He in the state—the state could be rough. Y’know the feds is rough but the state is even rougher because you got different guys in the state than in the feds,” Ross told TMZ.

“You got guys who in there for robbery, sexual assault and stuff like that. It’s a little different in the state, but hopefully Tory will be alright, man.”

Another concern Ross has is the fact Lanez, real name Daystar Peterson, is a native of Toronto, Canada, and not the United States and might not have a pre-existing clique to hold him down.

“Him being a foreigner and all, y’know, it’s definitely gon’ be a little different for him,” he said. “Not having a clique that he runs with, definitely it’ll be—could be some issues.”

Reflecting on his time in prison, Ross had protection from the Hoovers set of the Crips gang. But he’s not sure Lanez has the same option.

“Y’know, like with me, I didn’t really run with a particular gang, but the Hoovers always felt like they was supposed to protect me when I was in the joint,” he said.

He’s also worried that Lanez’s celebrity status will work against him rather than to his benefit.

“His background is going to be the biggest detriment to him, y’know, because guys are gonna think that he’s got money and they also gonna be saying that he’s from another country and that he’s not from here. It could be rough on him,” Ross explained.

When the cameraman encouraged Lanez to “clique up” while in prison, Ross explained how that could also work against him.

“If you clique up now, you responsible for that gang, y’know, you have to take care of ’em,” Ross said.

“If they get into something then you have to get into it, so it’s definitely got some issues. Y’know, I just hope that he can figure everything out, y’know, for himself.”

Lanez has been trying to get released on bail amid his attempts for an appeal. But in the meantime, the “Say It” singer is serving out his 10-year sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in July 2020.

Cardi B, Birkin, Bag, Property, Miami, Los Angeles, Dominican republic, gift, Offset

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 16, 2023

Cardi B Prefers Birkins Over Property Since Tenants Haven’t ‘Paid F**king Rent In, Like, 9 Months’

If you leave it up to Cardi B, she prefers Birkin bags for gifts rather than a property filled with tenants who don’t pay their rent!

The “Bodak Yellow” rapper recently celebrated her 31st birthday with her husband, Offset, and was gifted a Birkin bag. The luxury items range in price from $10,000 to $40,000 and are the preferred gift of choice for Cardi compared to a rental property that comes with “stress.”

During a recent Instagram Live session, the Bronx native vented her frustrations with being a landlord.

“We have tenants that haven’t even paid f**king rent for, like, nine months!” Cardi shared in frustration. “Nine months!”

Cardi B talks about her properties and some of the responsibilities she has as a home owner. pic.twitter.com/Q6FhFRC0R0

— Cardi B | Updates (@updatesofcardi) October 15, 2023

“And sometimes, we be so busy, and our house managers, they’ll be so busy that we like, ‘You know what? Don’t even f**king take them to court,’ because we just be so f**king tired. Like, we don’t even have time for that because we be doing so much s**t.”

The “I Like It” rapper used the experience to explain why she prefers more lavish gifts rather than investment properties since handbags don’t disappoint.

“People be like, ‘Oh, get property, get property, get property.’ Let’s not even talk about the Dominican Republic Airbnb that this ni**a bought me,” Cardi said.

“Always something! Please! I don’t want properties as a gift. I love me a good a** Birkin.”

Cardi shared her and Offset’s plans to invest in property in Los Angeles and Miami since they’re tired of renting. “But that’s no walk in the park either,” she said.

“Whether it’s home properties or investment properties. No, I love me a good f**king Birkin.”

Offset gifted Cardi with a rental property in the Dominican Republic for her 29th birthday in 2021. The Dominican/Trinidadian rapper shared her excitement for the gift after telling her husband about her desire to own property in the country.

“I just can’t believe this 🥺! This was sooo amazing to me,” she wrote in her caption. “For one, I’m so happy that you were actually really listening to me and not just smiling and nodding your head so I could stop talkin to you about it 😂. Two, you don’t think my investment ideas are wack 😩 and three, I love that you asked my dad to work with you on this.

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A post shared by Cardi B (@iamcardib)

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 16, 2023

Third-Grade Students Hospitalized After Ingesting THC-Infused Edibles

According to NBC San Diego, four third-grade students at North Broadway Elementary School in Escondido, California, were hospitalized after ingesting THC-infused edibles and becoming ill on Oct. 11.

“The widespread availability and commercialization of THC-infused ‘edibles’ is a growing concern for school communities statewide, including ours,” the Escondido School District said in a statement

Edibles can take the form of various treats like candy and cookies and some of these products have inherently appealing packaging to young children. Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego has seen an alarming increase in children falling ill due to consuming edibles, numbering in the hundreds annually.

“You take your average dose of an edible cannabis, which might be somewhere between 5 and 10 to 20 milligrams for an adult—that dose can make a child critically ill,” said Dr. Natalie Laub, a pediatrician at the the hospital, who works in the emergency department and sees these cases.

The average age of children admitted to the hospital for edible consumption is 3-and-a-half years old, reflecting the need for awareness and safety measures.

This trend isn’t limited to California alone. Last week in Lauderhill, Florida, six children at a Boys & Girls Club were hospitalized after consuming candy believed to be THC-infused. According to PEOPLE, eight children ingested the candy; six were hospitalized. The children have since been released from the hospital, according to the police.

A child brought the candy to the center, People reported.

All parents were notified of the incident and there are now “no concerns” for the health of the children, Lauderhill police said in a statement, according to People. As of Oct. 6 its investigation is ongoing and the substance the candy was “potentially infused with” remains unconfirmed, police said. No charges had been filed as well.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 16, 2023

Halle Berry Was Allegedly Tricked Into ‘X-Men’ Movie Under Guise Storm Would Help Starving Kids In Africa

Halle Berry might’ve been tricked into appearing in the third “X-Men” movie under the guise Storm would be feeding starving kids in Africa.

Director Matthew Vaughn recently opened up about why he decided to turn down X-Men: The Last Stand in the mid-2000s after learning how execs planned to dupe Berry. While Vaughn went on to direct X-Men: First Class in 2011, he was first tapped to direct the 2006 installment and replace Bryan Singer, he told The Hollywood Reporter.

Vaughn backed out after learning how studio execs planned to deceive Halle Berry.

“One of the main reasons I quit ‘X-Men 3,’ and this is a true story,” Vaughn said.

“I went into one of the executive’s office and I saw an X3 script, and I immediately knew it was a lot fatter. I was like what the hell is this draft. He went, ‘Don’t worry about it,’ and I’m like, ‘No, no. I’m the director. I’m worrying about this draft,’” he recalled. “He wouldn’t tell me, so I grabbed it literally—it was like a crazy moment—opened the first page, and it said, ‘Africa. Storm. Kids dying of no water. She creates a thunderstorm and saves all these children.’”

After reading it, Vaughn thought it was a “pretty cool idea,” to have it in the film. But he was turned off once he learned about the execs’ plans to cut it after Berry signed on to the film.

“[I went,] ‘What is this?’ [They said,] ‘Oh, it’s Halle Berry’s script. I went, ‘OK, because she hasn’t signed up yet.’ ‘But this is what she wants it to be, and once she signs up, we’ll throw it in the bin,’” the director said.

The Kickass director was instantly taken aback.

“I was like, ‘Wow, you’re gonna do that to an Oscar-winning actress who plays Storm? I’m outta here.’ So I quit at that point.”

Berry did go on to appear in X-Men: Last Stand and no scene of Storm feeding starving kids in Africa was included. She also returned for the fourth film in the franchise which Vaughn directed.