Atlanta Transit Authority Leaves Disabled Passenger Stranded At Bus Stop For Hours
A transit operator for MARTA was dismissed after abandoning disabled passenger Latieria Jackson late at night at a station.
A transit operator for MARTA in Atlanta has been fired after he left a disabled passenger stranded for hours at the Vine City Station..
Latieria Jackson, who has cerebral palsy, said she was forced to wait from around 10 p.m. until past midnight before finally securing help from another MARTA driver, WSB-TV reports.
Jackson said she had used the MARTA app, which showed a bus was expected at 10 p.m., but no vehicle arrived. She waited until around 2 a.m. before another driver agreed to transport her.
“Nobody was out here. I was in the dark. But when I got out here, they were nowhere to be found. It was too late for me to be out here. I was terrified,” she told WSB-TV.
MARTA’s interim general manager, Jonathan Hunt, acknowledged the bus operator left their post. Leaving “is a clear violation of our work rules. That driver has been terminated,” Hunt told WSB-TV.
He also apologized “directly to Ms. Jackson,” and announced new training for mobility staff and plans to increase oversight.
MARTA officials noted they are reviewing their scheduling, dispatch, and monitoring practices to prevent future failures. The transit authority is reportedly considering expanded the number of active buses and availability. Additionally, the Atlanta public transportation company is looking into improving tracking systems. Their goal is simple: to make sure no rider is left behind, especially the city’s most vulnerable.
For MARTA, the incident is a blow to public trust. The agency must now balance repair of that trust with structural reforms to prevent repeat harm in a system residents rely on every day.
Nas Scores Queens, NY, Casino Win As Jay-Z’s Times Square Bid Gets Knocked Down
Nas led a bid for a $5.5 billion expansion for the Resorts World Casino.
Barely a week after former rival Jay-Z lost a bid to open a casino in Times Square in Manhattan, Queensbridge native Nas learned that the community board had unanimously approved his bid to expand the Resorts World Casino in Queens.
According to AllHipHop, the “Hip-Hop is Dead” recording artist was successful in getting the board to approve a $5.5 billion expansion that will make it the largest in the United States. After getting a 6-0 vote from the Queens Community Advisory Committee, the Resorts World New York City expansion will appear near the Aqueduct racetrack. An entertainment complex will also be built featuring a 7,000-seat venue, 2,000 hotel rooms, and more than 30 dining spots.
The expansion will also include 3,000 units of workforce housing, over 50 acres of new parkland, with upgraded transit connections to JFK Airport and Manhattan. The $50 million commitment will help launch the Genting Innovation Campus, a wellness center and a STEAM institute aimed at youth in Southeast Queens.
Page Six reported that Robert DeSalvia, president of the gaming and hospitality group, Genting Americas East, released a written statement after the committee revealed its decision.
“On behalf of the entire Resorts World team, I want to thank the Community Advisory Committee for recognizing the impact we will have not only on Queens but all of New York City and State.”
“We are incredibly grateful to the large number of residents, partners, and supporters who touted this project, without a single person speaking against it. This is a testament to our mission — solidified over the last 15 years — to be the best neighbor possible here in Queens.”
Another Queens legend, NBA champion Kenny “The Jet” Smith, is also involved in the project and is backing “The Jet Center,” a state-of-the-art sports and media complex that will serve as the centerpiece of the Resorts World Innovation Campus.
Sylvia Rhone Helped Launch The Music Careers Of Some Of Your Favs
Rhone has defined the musical landscape for several generations
Sylvia Rhone’s career is a remarkable example of vision, determination, and cultural significance. As the first Black woman to lead a major record label, she has made a lasting impact. Serving as chairwoman and CEO of Epic Records, Rhone has defined the musical landscape for several generations. Her influence reaches from the iconic era of 1990s R&B and hip-hop to today’s chart-topping artists.
Missy Elliott, a pioneering artist, signed with Elektra Records in the mid-’90s. Her groundbreaking debut single, “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” released in 1997, not only established her as a creative powerhouse but also marked Rhone’s dedication to innovative artistry. Elliott’s remarkable success as one of the most accomplished female rappers of all time can be largely credited to Rhone’s early support and encouragement.
Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes, who joined Elektra Records in 1996 as a solo artist, scored his first hit with “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check” that same year. Under Rhone’s guidance, Busta moved from being part of Leaders of the New School to a solo sensation. His dynamic energy and distinctive style matched Rhone’s eagerness to challenge conventions in hip-hop.
En Vogue
En Vogue, a female group celebrated for their chic style and strong vocals, found remarkable success during the 1990s. Rhone was instrumental in their achievements. Their debut single, “Hold On,” launched in 1990, soared to the top of the R&B charts, and marked a pivotal moment for contemporary girl groups.
Brandy
Brandy, who signed with Atlantic Records in the early 1990s, made her mark with the hit single “I Wanna Be Down” in 1994. This debut track propelled her to stardom as a new voice in R&B. With Rhone’s guidance, Brandy swiftly rose to become a teen icon and a leading figure in the genre throughout the decades.
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman, a singer-songwriter, signed with Elektra Records in the late 1980s. Her first hit song, “Fast Car,” was released in 1988. Despite her folk-soul style, Chapman’s music was often associated with hip-hop and R&B acts. However, Rhone supported her early on. “Fast Car” went on to become an enduring classic.
Ol’ Dirty Bastard
Ol’ Dirty Bastard, a member of Wu-Tang Clan, launched his solo career in the 1990s, signing with Elektra Records. His debut hit, “Shimmy Shimmy Ya,” came out in 1995. As a solo artist, ODB’s success flourished under the mentorship of Rhone, who saw his distinctive and eccentric style and developed a space for it within the hip-hop scene.
MC Lyte
MC Lyte, a highly regarded trailblazer in hip-hop, joined Atlantic Records in the early 1990s. Her collaboration with Rhone at Atlantic Records led to her gaining mainstream acclaim with her gold-certified single “Ruffneck” in 1993.
Slipknot
Slipknot, a masked heavy metal band, signed with Roadrunner Records in the late 1990s under Elektra’s umbrella. Their major breakthrough occurred with the release of their debut single, “Wait and Bleed,” in 1999. Rhone’s influence reached beyond R&B and hip-hop, and her backing of Slipknot at Roadrunner Records was vital in turning the band into one of the most successful hard rock acts of their generation.
Jason Derulo
Jason Derulo, who joined Warner Bros./Elektra in the 2000s, rose to global prominence with his hit single “Whatcha Say” in 2009. Rhone’s sharp talent recognition remained evident as she found Derulo, reinforcing her status as a hitmaker during the 2000s.
Future
Future, signed to Epic Records in 2011, achieved his first hit under Rhone in 2012 with “Turn On the Lights.” Future has become one of the most influential rappers of his generation, pioneering a melodic trap sound that Rhone supported and amplified through Epic.
Travis Scott
Travis Scott, a global superstar, signed with Epic Records in the mid-2010s. His first hit under Rhone was “Antidote” in 2015. Before becoming an international superstar, Scott found a powerful partner in Rhone, who helped turn his experimental sound into mainstream success.
Camila Cabello
Camila Cabello, following her departure from Fifth Harmony, launched a thriving solo career with Rhone’s support. Her debut hit, “Havana” (2017), turned into a worldwide sensation and established her as a significant presence in pop music.
21 Savage
21 Savage, who signed with Epic Records in 2017, gained worldwide recognition with the debut hit, “Bank Account,” thanks to Rhone’s mentorship. Rhone was instrumental in evolving 21 Savage from a local Atlanta rapper into a Grammy-winning artist, demonstrating her exceptional ability to cultivate untapped talent into enduring success.
Assata Shakur, Political Activist And Black Liberation Army Member, Dies At 78
The activist was granted political asylum in Cuba after escaping from a New Jersey prison in 1979.
Assata Shakur, the famed political activist and former Black Liberation Army member who escaped prison and spent decades in exile in Cuba, has died at 78.
Shakur died on Sept. 25, according to a Cuban news outlet.
She was convicted in 1973 for killing a New Jersey State Trooper, but escaped thanks to the aid of a fellow Black Liberation Army member. Shakur was granted political asylum in Cuba under Fidel Castro, where she lived until her death.
Born JoAnne Deborah Byron in Queens, New York, Shakur became active in civil rights protests and sit-ins while attending Borough of Manhattan Community College and City College of New York. After graduation, she adopted the name Assata Olugbala Shakur—Assata meaning “she who struggles,” Olugbala meaning “the one who saves,” and Shakur meaning “the thankful one.”
She spent a short time with the Black Panther Party before joining the Black Liberation Army, where she denounced capitalism and advocated for socialism.
“There was not a single liberation movement in Africa that was not fighting for socialism. In fact, there was not a single liberation movement in the whole world that was fighting for capitalism,” she wrote in her 1988 autobiography. “The whole thing boiled down to a simple equation: anything that has any kind of value is made, mined, grown, produced, and processed by working people. So why shouldn’t working people collectively own that wealth? Why shouldn’t working people own and control their own resources? Capitalism meant that rich businessmen owned the wealth, while socialism meant that the people who made the wealth owned it.”
Shakur, the step-aunt and godmother of legendary rapper Tupac Shakur, rose to national attention in 1973 after a shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike left State Trooper Werner Foerster and fellow B.L.A. member Zayd Malik Shakur dead.
Wounded in the incident, Shakur was arrested and later convicted of Foerster’s murder, receiving a sentence of life plus 33 years, though she maintained her innocence. Supporters argued that systemic racism, targeted policing of Black nationalist and liberation groups like the B.L.A. and Black Panther Party, and a flawed criminal justice system influenced her trial.
In 1979, Shakur escaped from Clinton Correctional Facility for Women with the help of armed allies. Though she was beyond the reach of U.S. extradition efforts. Shakur was listed on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list (the first woman to make the list) from 2013 until October 2024, when she was removed after being deemed no longer an active threat.
Shakur’s legacy is that of a fearless activist who challenged systemic racism, police brutality, and social injustice. Her life, writings, and speeches continue to inspire generations of activists and artists, cementing her as a powerful symbol of empowerment, resistance, and the ongoing fight for racial equality.
Kanye Udoh And Jordan Crook Partner With ClipDart In Groundbreaking NIL Deal
The athletes will help raise funds to provide culturally competent haircuts for underserved students and local Phoenix communities.
Two student-athletes at Arizona State University, Kanye Udoh and Jordan Crook, have agreed to a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with ClipDart to help pay for haircuts for underserved students at the university, as well as in the surrounding Phoenix communities.
Udoh and Crook will help raise money for the company founded by Kyle Parker, who aims to ensure that everyone can overcome haircare inequities. This initiative stems from Parker’s own experience, as a student at Grinnell College in Iowa, where he was unable to access culturally competent haircare. The deal is a first-of-its-kind initiative that will use the athletes’ platforms to raise funds for ClipDart, which will fund the free, on-site haircuts for those in need.
“I’m proud to use my platform to support communities who don’t have access to these essential resources,” said Udoh in a written statement. “This NIL deal is different because it helps me serve others in a revolutionary way—and it shows that ASU stands for lifting others up.”
ClipDart has been at the forefront of tackling haircare inequity since 2021, when Parker, as founder of the company, delivered more than 40,000 free haircuts across 30 states. The company collaborated with over 200 organizations, including schools, senior centers, shelters, and other community-based groups.
“This NIL deal is much bigger than sports—it reimagines how student-athletes can directly impact their communities,” said Parker.
Both Udoh and Crook will participate in content campaigns and community activations to help amplify the message ClipDart has been delivering since its inception, making sure that access to culturally competent haircare is essential for mental wellness. The first-year goal of the NIL partnership is to raise $10,000. That would be enough to provide more than 150 free haircuts for ASU students and people in shelters in Phoenix.
With the launch of this NIL deal, ClipDart continues to grow throughout the country, having recently secured several public health grants, making it the first haircare organization in Arizona to be awarded county-level funding.
Kamala Harris Visits Howard University To Promote New Memoir ‘107 Days’
Former Vice President Kamala Harris made an unannounced stop at her alma mater, Howard University, as part of her 18-city book tour for '107 Days.'
Former Vice President Kamala Harris made an unannounced stop at her alma mater, Howard University, as part of her 18-city book tour for “107 Days.”
Harris met with students and signed copies of her memoir at the campus bookstore. The visit came the day after her stop in Philadelphia. The Instagram post, shared by Howard’s Auxiliary Enterprises Office, showed Harris behind the signing table, smiling and posing with students.
“Just a typical Friday at the Bookstore. Thank you to [Kamala Harris] for stopping by,” the post read.
Multiple videos of student excitement have gone viral. On TikTok, a user posted a video that could be viewed as a stampede of students sprinting across campus to catch a glimpse of Harris.
@nevionneee captioned the post: “Oh you know, just Howard student things.”
Another user, @user2869456782, posted a video of Harris encouraging the young minds to stay vigilant and actively engaged in furthering democracy.
“This is a moment in time in our country and the world where I hope everything you’re seeing tells you we need you. We need you to lead. We need you to be strong. You are leaders right now, you were born leaders…As a very proud Bison, I am counting on you,” Harris said.
Harris’s memoir “107 Days” delves into her rise as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee after President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 primary race. Harris’s visit was not widely promoted in advance, adding a spontaneous feel to her connection with the university community. For many students at Howard, Harris’s return holds symbolic power. As an alum, she represents the intersection of political ambition, public service, and the role of HBCUs in shaping national leadership.
“107 Days” is now available for purchase. Click here for more information on the former VP’s book tour.
Florida Mother Arrested After Trying To Drown Her Three Children
Shaniece Willingham has been arrested and charged after trying to take the lives of her three children in a Tampa community pool.
A 24-year-old mother, Shaniece Willingham, has been arrested and charged after trying to take the lives of her three children in a Tampa, Florida, community pool.
The young woman is facing multiple charges after police officials allege that she threw the three kids into the pool of water after she had posted on social media about her intentions to harm herself and her children. Authorities stated that family members saved the children, aged 8 months, 2 years, and 3 years. They were alerted to what she was doing after being notified by Willingham’s Instagram Stories on social media.
The incident took place Sept. 24 at 1:28 a.m. Police officers were summoned, and they responded to the call, finding the 24-year-old woman on the pool deck. The family members who saw the social media postings rushed to the scene and pulled the children from the pool after witnessing Willingham taking the children into the pool and holding them underwater. They were able to rescue them and took them away from the scene.
Officials discovered that right before the attempted suicide and murders, she had been at her parents’ home with the children and left after having a dispute.
The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue arrived on the scene and evaluated the children, and determined that they did not show any significant injuries. Willingham was taken into custody.
“This incident is nothing short of horrific,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister in a written statement. “The fear and betrayal these innocent children must have felt, at the hands of the one person meant to love, care for, and protect them, is unimaginable. This decision was not a cry for help, it was a deliberate act of cruelty. Mental health challenges may provide an explanation, but there is no excuse, no justification. These children were failed by their own mother, and it is only by the quick actions of their family that they are alive today.”
Poll Shows Majority Of Black Women Voters Are Unhappy With Direction Of The Country
Since the Highland Project began this polling in 2021, dissatisfaction with the country's direction has increased by 52% among this voting bloc.
A new poll shows that an overwhelming majority of Black women voters are not happy with the direction of the country. The Highland Project’s poll, conducted in partnership with Brilliant Corners Research and Strategies, reveals that 88% of Black women voters believe the country’s economic conditions are worsening.
In fact, Black women believe economic conditions are worse today than at the height of COVID-19. Since the Highland Project began this polling in 2021, dissatisfaction with the country’s direction has increased by 52% among this voting bloc.
For Black women in particular, their dissatisfaction comes as economists warn that, as the Black unemployment numbers continue to rise, it’s a telltale sign that the economy will worsen.
The unemployment rate for Black men is 7.1% and 6.7% for Black women.
Black Women Voters: A Look At The Numbers
There are several key indicators that Black women report are signs of a collapsing economy. Fifty-five percent of Black women feel their wages are falling behind the cost of living, 50% said they are impacted by job cuts either personally or through a family member, and 48% do not feel financially prepared to retire.
However, the concerns for Black women extend beyond financial matters to include dignity and care.
Eighty-three percent of Black women are afraid of the erasure of Black history, 81% are concerned about the impact of tariffs on the costs of goods, and 77% are worried about the cost of higher education and uncertainty about the economy.
The current state of the country means Black women are delaying major financial decisions such as having a child, buying a car, buying a home, switching careers, investing in the stock market, and more.
“Given the $2 trillion in buying power in the Black community, this is not just a personal financial issue: it’s a national economic warning sign,” researchers warn in the study. “If Black women reduce spending, there will be an economy-wide slowdown.”
Despite their concerns, Black women are investing their resources in other ways. Eighty-three percent report they are out in the community, encouraging people to vote. More than half report going to therapy, investing in vocational training, or returning to college, taking a vacation, and participating in a protest or march.
“Their message is clear: dignity, well-being, and care are not secondary issues. They are at the core of what will move this country forward,” researchers add.
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Loses Federal Funding After Refusing Anti-DEI Grant
As part of a $37 million federal package the funds were set aside for Hartsfield-Jackson upgrades.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has lost $37 million in federal funding.
The world’s busiest airport, by passenger volume, declined funding after city officials refused to sign off on new grant language. The language would have required them to abandon diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
As part of a $37 million federal package, the funds were set aside for upgrades, including taxiway pavement replacement and restroom renovations. Additionally, funding was set to expand sustainability initiatives. However, to receive it, the airport had to agree to terms added by the Federal Aviation Administration. City leaders opted not to comply, and the funding was withheld, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
According to the AJC, the airport could still recoup about $19 million in future allocations if it agrees to the new restrictions.
Mayor Andrew Dickens told the AJC that the federal funding is a fraction of the airport’s robust budget. Federal grants make up less than 10% of Hartsfield-Jackson’s $2 billion capital program, much of which is financed through bonds, airline fees, and concessions.
“The City of Atlanta’s airport is the busiest and most efficient on the planet, with large and complex staffing, operations and capital improvements, supported by an annual capital and operating budget of over $2 billion.
We are confident that the airport will be able to pursue alternative funding to advance these projects without impacting customers or airport service providers.
Federal funding for the airport, while important, represents less than 10%, approximately $1 billion, of the airport’s total capital program over the next six years.
“The city is currently evaluating all options to ensure alignment with our long-held values, local policy, and federal law and we are confident that the airport will be well-positioned to receive federal funds in the future,” Dickens stated.
For Hartsfield-Jackson, the decision has both symbolic and practical consequences. The airport is a key economic driver for the state of Georgia. The company supports nearly 63,000 jobs on-site and contributes more than $66 billion annually to the state’s economy. Losing the $37 million in federal funding is an example of how harmful DEI legislation can directly affect infrastructure projects.
City leaders have not ruled out the possibility of litigation or further negotiations with the FAA. In the meantime, Atlanta remains committed to continuing its DEI work, even if it means absorbing the loss in federal support.
NYC Mayor Clashes With Schools Over Trans Student Bathroom Policies
Adams admitted he will explore his executive rights to have the policies changed.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is in an uphill battle with Education Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos over bathroom policies that protect transgender students after saying he’s “just not going to support that” in an interview, the New York Post reports.
Adams has suggested that the policies permitting transgender students to use bathrooms aligned with their gender identities should be changed. Aviles-Ramos says they will stay put, as they align with the department’s values. “To date, those policies remain in place and we’re going to continue to uphold them as part of our values in New York City public schools,” Aviles-Ramos said during a segment of the Max Politics podcast.
However, Adams feels differently. “I don’t know what parent of a little girl would be comfortable with a boy walking into the shower where their baby is,” Adams said during an interview on PIX11.
“Little boys should not be sharing bathroom showers with little girls,” Mayor Eric Adams told PIX11 News.
During a Sept. 25 news conference in front of the United Nations’ headquarters, Adams seemed to indicate his support for the policies, stating, “We are going to always respect how one identifies themselves,” but continued to push the narrative that it creates safety issues for young students. “I do not believe a safe environment is allowing boys and girls to use the same facility at the same time,” Adams continued, according to the New York Times, adding he will explore his executive rights to have the policies changed.
Trans rights have been under the microscope for years, but since the Trump administration took over the White House for a second time, things have turned up a notch. In August 2025, attorneys general from 15 states, in addition to the District of Columbia, and the governor of Pennsylvania, issued a lawsuit against the administration over the ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
While New York Attorney General Letitia James labeled the action as “a cruel and targeted harassment campaign,” under the state’s Human Rights Law, denying facility usage due to a person’s gender identity is considered unlawful discrimination. City guidelines also support trans kids, stating students can’t be forced to use restrooms that conflict with their gender identity. The guideline supports Aviles-Ramos, saying school policy is in accordance with state law.
The conversation comes as the Trump administration threatened to withhold $24 million in funding after sending a letter expressing being “deeply concerned” about the city’s transgender policies.
