Cassie Will Continue ‘Healing’ After Diddy Handed 50-Month Prison Sentence
Cassie Ventura is focused on "healing" in the wake of Diddy's prison sentencing.
Cassie Ventura continues her journey of healing following her testimony that contributed to Sean “Diddy” Combs receiving a 50-month prison sentence on Oct. 3.
Ventura’s lawyer, Doug Wigdor, released a statement on behalf of the singer, and ex-girlfriend of Combs, following his conviction on two prostitution-related charges. Having served as a key witness in the high-profile trial, where she shared graphic details about their alleged “Freak Offs,” Ventura expressed gratitude that the prison sentence holds the hip-hop mogul accountable.
“While nothing can undo the trauma caused by Combs, the sentence imposed today recognizes the impact of the serious offenses he committed,” Wigdor told ABC News. “We are confident that with the support of her family and friends, Ms. Ventura will continue healing knowing that her bravery and fortitude have been an inspiration to so many.”
The “Me and You” singer stayed vocal throughout the trial, testifying for four days in front of Combs and the jury while pregnant, and later writing a letter to Judge Arun Subramanian, urging him to consider her and other victims’ experiences during sentencing. In the letter, she recalled her decade-long relationship with Combs as one that put her “in a constant state of hypervigilance.”
“I still have nightmares and flashbacks on a regular, everyday basis, and continue to require psychological care to cope with my past,” she wrote, before sharing the fear she lives in after speaking out against the Bad Boy founder.
“My worries that Sean Combs or his associates will come after me and my family is my reality,” Ventura said. “I have, in fact, moved my family out of the New York area and am keeping as private and quiet as I possibly can because I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution towards me and others who spoke up about his abuse at trial.”
After the sentencing, Gloria Allred, who represents Combs’ alleged victims, said Combs’ prison sentence will allow him to “pay the price for what he did.”
“Many of my clients were very concerned that he might walk free by the end of this year, time served, and then a couple more months,” she said.
“And they were very much afraid that he would retaliate against them,” Allred said. “And so I think that they will be happy that he will be at least in prison for a number of years.”
The footwear represented an initiative between the NFL and the American Cancer Society called, 'Crucial Catch.'
In the last game that Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter played, he was wearing some pink cleats, but it wasn’t done for fashion purposes; it represented an initiative between the NFL and the American Cancer Society.
According to the Jacksonville, Florida Times-Union, the former Colorado Buffaloes’ two-way player was seen wearing his adidas “Shock Pink” adizero Electric II cleats. Hunter wore the footwear during warmups before the Jaguars faced the Kansas City Chiefs.
The initiative is bringing awareness to cancer this month with the NFL’s “Crucial Catch.”
The league has partnered with the American Cancer Society to help people detect cancer in its early stages, thereby saving lives. Hence the name “Crucial Catch.”
The program was launched in 2009, with a focus on early detection and prevention. Crucial Catch has raised over $35 million and reached nearly two million people with interventions aimed at increasing cancer screenings and improving outcomes.
Grants are distributed to health centers in the markets of all NFL team to give greater access to cancer screenings and preventive treatments. These grants have supported more than 840,000 cancer screenings in communities with the greatest need.
Maybe the cleats gave him an unexpected edge in the game against the Chiefs, which ended in a Jaguars victory.
According to Pro Football Talk, Hunter had his biggest game on offense. He caught three passes for a career-high 64 yards, including a 44-yard reception that put the team in line to score a touchdown in the third quarter. Another catch, for 12 yards, helped the Jaguars get a first down, while another pass he caught, for eight yards, set the team up for a 52-yard field goal.
Before this game, Hunter, who also plays defense, averaged less than 30 receiving yards. The Jaguars came away wth the victory, 31-28.
Pastor Tony Evans Ends Yearlong Absence, Reclaiming Pulpit After Undisclosed Moral Failure
Pastor and radio host Tony Evans has been reinstated at the church he founded after stepping down last year over an undisclosed sin.
Evangelical pastor and radio host Tony Evans has returned to the ministry at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas, Texas, one year after stepping down over an undisclosed sin.
“As you know, this last year has been an extremely challenging time – a time of being separated from what I love most – the proclamation of God’s word,” Evans said in a video statement shared on YouTube. “A lot of that was due to my own fault, and I had to go through a period of repentance and restoration so that healing could take place.”
Associate Pastor for Outreach, Chris Wheel, welcomed Evans to the stage during a service billed as “Restoration Sunday,” where the congregation greeted him with a standing ovation and lively applause.
“In alignment with biblical principles and unanimous affirmation of the elder board, Dr. Evans has successfully completed this restoration journey,” Wheel said.
Evans, a former chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Mavericks, stepped down in June 2024 after 48 years of leading the church he founded in 1976. The veteran pastor admitted he had fallen short of biblical standards years earlier and deemed it a serious enough failure that required him to step away from ministry.
“A number of years ago, I fell short of that standard. I am, therefore, required to apply the same biblical standard of repentance and restoration to myself that I have applied to others. I have shared this with my wife, my children, and our church elders, and they have lovingly placed their arms of grace around me,” Evans said in his confession. “While I have committed no crime, I did not use righteous judgment in my actions. In light of this, I am stepping away from my pastoral duties and am submitting to a healing and restoration process established by the elders.”
During Sunday’s service, church leaders commended Evans for the humility and accountability he showed in addressing his moral failure.
“Dr. Evans acknowledged in a public statement falling short of God’s standard and a need to submit to the church’s discipline and restoration process,” Wheel said. “We are pleased to report that Dr. Evans has fully submitted to the church’s discipline and restoration process.”
Evans’ son, Rev. Jonathan Evans, is expected to be officially confirmed as the church’s new lead pastor soon. When his father confessed last year, Jonathan revealed that the family learned of his shortcomings just days before the public announcement and was told only what was shared with the congregation.
Trump Says He’s Open To Extend Healthcare Subsidies With Democrats – But Shutdown Has To End First
The president said he is open to working with his Democratic colleagues as he wants to see a deal on the expiring subsidies for lower-income families in ACA, also known as Obamacare.
On day six of the 2025 government shutdown, President Donald Trump claimed he had a deal in place with congressional Democrats on healthcare policy extensions, as well as an agreement on expiring health insurance subsidies, to end the shutdown impasse, according to USA Today.
During a press conference in the Oval Office, Trump highlighted that “good things about healthcare” are taking place. “We have a negotiation going on with the Democrats that could lead to good things,” he said as blue-sided lawmakers have pressed Republicans to include the reversal of Medicaid cuts and extended subsidies in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), in the bill that would end the shutdown.
The president said he is open to working with his Democratic colleagues, as he wants to see a deal on the expiring subsidies for lower-income families under the ACA, also known as Obamacare, perhaps even more so than his liberal counterparts. “We’re talking to the Democrats,” Trump said.
“I’d like to see a deal done for great health care ‒ yeah. I’m a Republican, but I want to see healthcare, much more so than the Democrats.”
The president’s comments show some signs of hope for collaborative efforts, as negotiations between the feuding parties have been seemingly nonexistent for weeks leading up to Sept. 30 — the end of the federal fiscal year. If ACA subsidies are not renewed, premiums are expected to double the current cost. However, just after showing signs of collaboration, Trump slightly changed his tune on his Truth Social platform, demanding the reopening on Oct. 6.
Leaders on both sides of the aisle have given their take on the shutdown and the Obamacare extension. On X, Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene pushed a narrative that “all insurance is a scam” and how the Affordable Care Act affected her family, making it unaffordable. “As a matter of fact, the ACA made health insurance UNAFFORDABLE for my family after it was passed, with skyrocketing premiums higher than our house payment.
Let’s just say as nicely as possible, I’m not a fan,” she wrote in a lengthy post.
Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren posted a video to X, speaking to a federal worker who was terminated from her post in early 2025. Warren, an avid outspoken critic of the Trump administration, is focusing on how the president is using the shutdown to harm government employees, saying they “deserve so much better.”
On top of ripping away Americans' health care, Donald Trump is using this shutdown to hurt federal workers.
Federal workers like this one, who told me her story after being needlessly fired earlier this year, deserve so much better. pic.twitter.com/gZtAzwcnTl
According to the Associated Press, Trump suggested that layoffs on the federal level were already underway. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claims that employees would be furloughed, meaning workers would not be able to report to work, but would be paid upon their return following the end of the shutdown.
However, it appears that a decision is still pending, as leaders on both sides seem indifferent about the next steps. Democratic Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer says his colleagues are ready to work with the GOP to “reopen the government and end the health care crisis that faces tens of millions of Americans.” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters, “There’s nothing for us to negotiate.”
HBCUs are well-equipped to provide students with the skills they need for today’s evolving economy.
Written by Dr. Reynold Verret
As college tuition rises and the job market evolves, many recognize that many valued occupations do not require a four-year degree. Today’s most in-demand jobs – from electricians to nurses to solar installers – often require specialized training, not a traditional four-year degree. The Educational Data Initiative has reported that tuition and fees at private colleges have increased by over 180% in the past 20 years, far outpacing the rate of inflation. Tuition at public colleges more than doubled in the same period. While the nation’s largest tech companies once prized Ivy League applicants, some are now ignoring college transcripts and GPAs in favor of skills assessments. Among these massive cultural and economic changes, it’s understandable that many young people are asking the question: Is a college education really worth it?
Photo by Stella/Getty Images
Yet, as more students grapple with the tradeoffs of pursuing a degree, HBCUs continue to demonstrate their value on all fronts. HBCU graduates have higher salaries than Black students from predominantly white institutions, report better mental health, and are less likely to develop chronic diseases over their lifetimes. Not to mention, at a time of significant challenges – both at home and abroad – HBCUs remain essential for the vitality of democracy and the pursuit of justice and equality. HBCUs excel at producing leaders and equipping students for the jobs of tomorrow – both of which drive social mobility.
HBCUs are well-equipped to provide students with the skills they need for today’s evolving economy. STEM jobs, from AI to medicine, are in high demand and offer competitive salaries. While HBCUs make up only 3% of the nation’s colleges and universities, they produce nearly 30% of Black graduates of science and engineering doctorate programs. These careers, whether in medicine or other creative fields, are not only well-compensated; they are also essential to society.
HBCUs excel at cultivating future STEM leaders in large part because we provide a supportive classroom environment. These talented graduates are in high demand by the economy and society. Sadly, a significant number of public high schools attended by the majority of Black and Hispanic students do not offer STEM classes in calculus, computer science, or physics. Though no fault of their own, Black students often start college without the rich academic experiences afforded to their white peers. That’s where HBCUs, like Xavier, step up to the plate, providing an environment where Black students don’t just catch up, but excel to become academic equals.
(Photo: 2C2K Photography, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
I am often reminded of a physician who, despite graduating at the top of his high school class in Chicago, struggled immensely during his first year at Xavier. He had not received the education necessary for the rigors of a university classroom. As is Xavier’s way, his professors stepped in to help, ensuring he had the support to succeed in the classroom and reach his goals. Now, he is a nationally recognized surgeon who has dedicated his life to fighting against healthcare disparities and creating pathways for those who will follow. His story is a powerful reminder that, with the dedicated support and nurturing environment of an HBCU classroom, talent will shine and potential will become purpose, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
HBCUs like Xavier do not only excel in STEM; they cultivate contributors and leaders across all sectors of the economy. Thus, 80% of Black judges, 50% of Black professors at predominantly white institutions, and 50% of Black members of Congress have graduated from HBCUs, including Xavier. Many of our nation’s most influential leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., Toni Morrison, Spike Lee, Oprah Winfrey, Thurgood Marshall, and Kamala Harris, are all proud graduates of HBCUs.
As a result of great work at Xavier, 93% of graduates are employed or attending graduate school within six months of graduation. While we’re proud of this success, our efforts to help students find employment are about so much more than just a first job – it’s about economic and social mobility. It is about lifelong careers. In June 2025, Xavier received a Carnegie Opportunity College or University (OCU) classification for our social mobility success and the superior earnings of graduates compared to their peers upon graduation. Xavier’s leadership is not unique. The average mobility rate for HBCUs is more than double the national average for colleges overall. In other words, HBCUs are successful in helping more low-income students transition into the middle class. HBCUs, whose designated purpose was to educate Black students and equip them with the skills necessary to excel in the workforce, have been enormous engines of social mobility for Black Americans. These graduates build communities and strengthen the nation.
Rising tuition and a changing job market have left many young people – especially Black students – doubting the value of higher education. And yet, an HBCU degree may be the most significant investment they can make. HBCUs prepare students for future careers, drive social mobility, and serve as the greatest example of what higher education can do – not just for graduates, but for all of us.HBCUs prepare students for future careers, drive social mobility, and serve as the greatest example of what higher education can do – not just for graduates, but for all of us.
Beyond Awareness: 7 Black-Owned Businesses Aiding The Breast Cancer Community
Breast‑cancer journeys often involve seeking a plethora of treatment and recovery aids
Breast cancer journeys often involve seeking a plethora of treatments and recovery aids, including comfort garments, wigs, and skincare. For individuals trying to identify items that address changes in hair texture, challenges with skincare, and other specific healing needs that might be helpful during and after breast cancer treatment, it can be especially daunting. A growing number of Black-owned businesses are stepping into the space for breast cancer care items, delivering dignity and tailored products. Discover these Black-owned retailers that offer valuable items for individuals navigating a breast cancer diagnosis.
Cherry Blossom Intimates, a boutique located in Glenarden, Maryland, creates custom prosthetics, bras, lingerie, shapewear, and other intimate pieces for breast cancer survivors. Since opening its doors in 2019, Cherry Blossom Intimates has been serving the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, offering both a welcoming storefront and a stocked online shop. Its founders set out to design garments that respect the shapes and skin tones of women after surgery, aiming to preserve dignity, comfort, and self-confidence throughout and after the treatment process. In 2020, Cherry Blossom Intimates secured over $12 million to expand access and scale up.
Coils to Locs
Coils to Locs, an enterprise birthed by Dianne Austin, retails wigs for women who have been impacted by hair loss as a result of chemotherapy to treat breast cancer. Coils to Locs serves the afro‑textured demographic. They have wigs with coils, tight curls, and loc textures, making sure the wear is seamless. After Coils to Locs’ winter‑2019 debut, the brand has stretched its reach into niche medical hair‑loss boutiques nationwide. Austin’s own breast cancer journey in 2015 led her to design a wig line that could genuinely echo her hair.
Nature Girl Cosmetics is a Black-owned brand founded by Charisma Declouet, who is also a breast cancer survivor. Nature Girl Cosmetics offers vegan, non-toxic makeup and beauty products. While not a direct supplier of surgical bras or wigs, their products appeal to women seeking safer skincare and cosmetic options during or after treatment. The brand, which gained attention in 2023, sells its products online nationwide and focuses on the clean beauty market. Declouet’s personal experience with cancer motivated her to create safer, health-conscious beauty options for vulnerable women.
Based in Texas, Shades of Melanin Hair is a boutique specializing in wigs and extensions designed for textured hair. While not a medical supplier, its line serves women confronting hair loss, specifically those undergoing chemotherapy who want wigs that mimic the texture of Black hair. The brand debuted in 2019 and ships its products nationwide. Founder Katrina Scott launched the venture after witnessing a family member’s battle with breast cancer and recognizing how hard it is for Black women to find wigs that honor both their hair’s natural curl pattern and cultural identity.
Founded by Black‑female entrepreneurs Shante Frazier and Lauren Mitchell, WellCapped delivers a wig‑subscription and rental experience. Customers can borrow premium human‑hair wigs on a trial basis, while chemotherapy patients qualify for complimentary memberships. The service runs online. Wigs ship nationwide. WellCapped’s mission is to ease the strain of wig ownership, grant users the flexibility to switch styles at will, and extend dignity and support to anyone undergoing treatment.
Based in Toronto, Canada, and owned by Chantal Carter, Love & Nudes is a fashion lingerie and underwear brand that puts inclusivity front and center. Their Stage Zero series, a bra collection conceived as a breast cancer awareness initiative, visually maps the manifestations of the disease on deeper skin tones, effectively serving as an early-detection cue. Debuted in 2023, the range and its associated educational push have since spread throughout North America. The series tackles a public health gap that reveals the lack of Black and brown women represented in medical textbooks and photographs that illustrate symptoms on skin.
PillowScript, a brand founded by Dihandria Bright, designs specialty pillows, including hypoallergenic options. Though rarely spotlighted, pillows serve as a comfort tool for positioning and pain relief and are extremely useful post-mastectomy and during breast cancer treatment. Since its 2021 launch, the brand has secured placements, attracted press, and now ships nationwide.
SIAC Suspends 20 Football Players From Fort Valley State, Central State, After On-Field Brawl
The conference also suspended the head coaches of both teams
Following a brawl that occurred after a football game between Fort Valley State University and Central State University on October 4, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) announced that 20 players and the head coaches of both schools have been suspended.
The SIAC levied punishments due to the dispute and stated that, following an investigation, both universities had violated the league’s code of ethics and conduct by engaging in acts of unsportsmanlike behavior. The conference indicated that it has a zero-tolerance policy for acts deemed unsportsmanlike.
Fort Valley State and Central State football teams got into a massive brawl at the conclusion of Fort Valley’s homecoming loss: pic.twitter.com/IfjYkarhBD
“Acts of unsportsmanlike conduct have no place in intercollegiate athletics or within the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference,” said SIAC Commissioner Anthony Holloman, Ed. D. in a written statement. “I am extremely disappointed that this event has overshadowed what was otherwise a very competitive football game.”
Nine students from Fort Valley State were suspended, while 11 from Central State were penalized for their roles in the incident. The two head coaches for the school were also suspended. Both schools were also fined, but the amount of the fine was not disclosed.
Fort Valley State released a statement via social media, apologizing for the behavior of its players during the incident between the teams.
“We extend our sincere apologies to the Fort Valley State University community, as well as CSU, their student-athletes, coaches and fans. The actions that took place do not reflect the values of sportsmanship, integrity and respect that we uphold as an institution, athletic program and conference.
“We do not condone behavior that falls short of these standards, and we are taking the necessary steps to ensure that our student-athletes understand the importance of representing the University with Wildcat pride and professionalism on and off the field.”
Fort Valley was recently in the news for an alleged hazing incident that led to two students being arrested. The school ultimately lost to Central State by a score of 18-14.
LeBron James Announcement For ‘The Second Decision’ Spikes Ticket Prices For Lakers Last Home Game Of The Season
'The decision of all decisions.'
Future NBA Hall of Famer LeBron James is about to start his 23rd season in the NBA, another record-breaking feat for the Los Angeles Lakers forward. However, a recent announcement on social media, labeled #TheSecondDecision, has sparked a surge in ticket prices for the Lakers’ last game of the season.
The post has caused speculation that this might be LeBron’s final hurrah as a professional basketball player. This led to sports fans believing that, if that is the announcement, then the last game of the Lakers’ regular season for 2026 — against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena, taking place April 12, 2026 — could be the last game of LeBron’s career.
LeBron has teased that the announcement will be made on Oct. 7 at 12 p.m. EST.
The video clip attached to the post is reminiscent of the time he became a free agent for the first time (he was drafted by his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers), and with speculation of where he would land, it led to the basketball player and ESPN making it a big televised production that was labeled The Decision. It was then, in 2010, that he told the world that he was taking his talents to South Beach to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat team.
According to ESPN, the social media post has caused the price of tickets for the last home game for the Lakers to skyrocket in anticipation of the milestone, if he were to announce his retirement from the game.
Before LeBron posted that announcement on social media, the lowest price for one ticket for that game was listed at $82, according to Vivid Seats. After word got out, that amount shot up to $850 for a single ticket.
For a pair of tickets to be purchased together, the lowest cost of admission is now $760.
The Lakers will start their regular season on Oct. 21 against their Western Conference rival, the Golden State Warriors, at Crypto.com Arena.
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Will Impact Your Credit. Here’s What To Know
FICO recently announced that it will begin factoring BNPL information into its credit scoring model this fall. Experian also announced it will add data from Affirm.
BNPL is an appealing payment option for Americans because it allows consumers to spread out the cost of a purchase over multiple payments. According to Money Wise, an overwhelming majority of Americans (86%) say they trust BNPL as a payment method, and three out of four users trust BNPL more than credit cards.
In the past, credit bureaus didn’t consider BNPL until now. FICO recently announced that it will begin factoring BNPL information into its credit scoring model this fall. Experian also announced it will add data from Affirm.
How Will Buy Now Pay Later Impact Credit
More than 30% of Americans have reportedly used a BNPL service. In 2024 alone, more than 86 million Americans used a BNPL service, up from nearly 50 million in 2021. Analysts predict that over 91 million American consumers will use a BNPL loan or service by 2025.
With FICO and Experian planning to factor in BNPL, this means late payments will impact your score now. It’s unclear at this time if using a BNPL will help your score.
FICO scores range from 300 to 850, and the five main contributing factors are payment history, credit utilization, credit length, credit mix, and the number of hard inquiries.
There are two main types of BNPL plans, according to the Consumer Protection BC. There are equal payment plans, which means you make minimum payments by set dates until the full balance is paid off. There are also Deferred payment plans, which means consumers must pay the full balance by a certain due date with no set payment amounts.
Like credit cards, it’s important to be responsible when using BNPL. Pay your bills on time and in full, and avoid taking out multiple bills at once. People fall behind simply by forgetting a payment is due.
Spencer Haywood Says He Missed Out On Billions By Selling Nike Stock
Haywood said he cashed out in 1973.
The first basketball player to rep Nike, Spencer Haywood, said his agent sold his stake in the company way too early, resulting in him missing out on a massive windfall.
On a recent episode of All the Smoke, Haywood said before Nike became the behemoth it is today, his representative, strapped for cash, convinced him to sell his shares thinking the brand wouldn’t be worth that much.
Nike’s founder, Phil Knight, asked the Seattle SuperSonics star if he would wear the sneakers on the court. Haywood agreed. but Knight offered Haywood stocks instead of cash, as Nike was still a startup company.
“First of all, I was young, too. And I’m thinking, livestock?” What kind of stock? What stock? What are you talking about?”
Haywood said his agent convinced him sell his stake back to Nike.
“So I get the stock and my boy, that I let do the negotiation, he was struggling, you know have them bills taken care of,” Haywood said on the podcast. “So he was like, convincing me that the shoe is never going to work because, look at what happened. Because when I was walking, running down the floor, guys would come behind me and pop my shoe off…It was new. It was a running shoe.
“So I said, “OK, man. I’ll give you the power of attorney. Let me just go play. I got to play. I got to focus on this game now because this is my chance. When I came back, he had sold that s**t. He said, ‘Man, I got the cash right here: $100,000.’”
Co-host Matt Barnes asked Haywood how much the stock would be worth today.
“It was up around $2.7 billion,” the NBA Hall of Famer replied.
