by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 26, 2025

New York City Commuters Will Hear Cardi B’s Voice While Riding Subway

'Ride safe, keep it cute, and keep it moving.'

New York City commuters will hear the voice of Cardi B., even if they don’t purchase her latest album, “Am I the Drama?” as the Bronx-bred recording artist has recorded some public service announcements for the New York City transit system.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the country’s largest transportation system, serving a population of over 15 million people, has informed its riders that the woman named Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, a former reality TV star, has recorded messages that will be heard throughout the subway system. The “Bodak Yellow” recording artist, who came out the gate in 2017 with a Billboard No. 1 single, will be directing commuters to do the right thing as they travel through the subway.

“Hey, New York! It’s Cardi B., I’m here at the MTA recording some PSAs you’ll be hearing in the subway stations.

“We’re walking here! Steps are for stepping, not sitting.”

“Move it, bucko!”

“These trains don’t move without you, so make sure you pay that fare and keep it real.”

“Stop subway surfing!”

“Ride safe, keep it cute, and keep it moving.”

“Okurrrr!”

“Love you guys!”

We teamed up with NYC’s own @iamcardib on PSAs that will play in subway stations across our system. pic.twitter.com/Kie7b7L2q0

— MTA (@MTA) September 23, 2025

Cardi, who is never afraid to speak her mind, recently hit the Billboard charts with another No. 1 album after her latest project was released Sept. 19. With a tie-in promotion with retailer Walmart, the album created a new Guinness World Record when the company made 176 drone deliveries in one hour.

“I can’t even believe this getting my album from my album has been literally flying off the shelf from Walmart, because Walmart has been delivering my album in drones in the Fort Worth part of Dallas, Texas. . .I’m so thankful because we even broke the most deliveries in one hour.”

We really just broke a Guinness world record 😩 pic.twitter.com/COVsqTRBSl

— Cardi B (@iamcardib) September 19, 2025

RELATED CONTENT: ‘Am I the Drama?’ Soars: Cardi B Breaks Guinness Record With Drone Album Deliveries

by Kandiss Edwards

September 26, 2025

Power Play: Louisiana Parish Scrutinizes Meta’s Impact On Utility Costs

Under the contract, Meta will pay only half of the plant construction.

A rural stretch of northeast Louisiana is now at the center of a fierce debate involving Meta.

Richland Parish is questioning the cost in relation to infrastructure and public risk as Meta builds one of the world’s largest data centers. The facility requires a $3 billion upgrade to the region’s electric grid. Critics warn that the state and its residents may ultimately bear a significant portion of the cost, according to the Associated Press.

Once active, the multibillion-dollar Meta facility will demand more electricity than New Orleans, the state’s most populous city. To make that possible, power company Entergy, in partnership with Meta, will construct three gas-fired power plants. Each plant is capable of producing 2,262 megawatts of energy. The company will also build a $550 million transmission line. Much of that infrastructure is being constructed under confidentiality arrangements that shield cost details and future liabilities.

Under the contract, Meta will pay only half of the plant’s construction costs. The full scope of the project will take 15 years. While the mega corporation will pay any costs associated with project overrun, Entergy and the state will still bear responsibility for maintenance, operation, and the transmission line. Because nondisclosure agreements prevent complete transparency, consumer advocates have been unable to audit the estimates or test how costs will be allocated if Meta leaves or renegotiates terms.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission approved the plan in August, with some concessions aimed at protecting consumers. However, dissenters remain skeptical. Devante Lewis, a Richland Paris commissioner, vehemently opposes moving forward with so little information.

“There’s certain information we should know and need to know but don’t have,” Lewis said.

Adding further tension, Meta was granted sales tax exemptions under a 2024 law. The exemption raises concerns about lost public revenue even as new power plants are being built on public credit. Critics and residents worry that if Meta fails to renew its contract or faces financial difficulties, the plants may become a financial burden on the rural farming community of only 20,000 residents.

As local businesses and residents weigh the possibility of new jobs against infrastructure risks, Louisiana’s deal is increasingly seen as a test case in how much power Big Tech should have over local energy futures.

by Kandiss Edwards

September 26, 2025

Jackson State University Jumps 6 Spots In HBCU College Rankings

Jackson State has risen from its No. 21 ranking in 2024.

Jackson State University has earned its highest spot in nearly a decade on U.S. News & World Report’s list of top historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Jackson State has moved to No. 15 in the 2026 edition of Best Colleges. This marks a six-spot leap from last year’s No. 21 position. The acceleration reflects the university’s progress in retention, graduation outcomes, and faculty resources. For JSU leaders, the new ranking is more than a number. University leaders note the school’s position as a recognition of the work to sustain academic rigor and open doors for students from diverse backgrounds. In a statement, Interim President Denise Jones Gregory, Ph.D., said the ranking affirms the university’s mission.

“To be recognized as one of the top 15 HBCUs in the nation while also ranking among the strongest universities for social mobility shows that Jackson State is excelling in both academic quality and student success. This recognition affirms that JSU is setting The Standard in higher education and will continue advancing opportunity and excellence for the students and communities we serve,” Jones Gregory wrote.

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A post shared by Jackson State University (@jacksonstateu)

JSU also earned a tie for No. 65 in Social Mobility among all national universities. That category measures how effectively colleges serve students from underserved backgrounds who receive Pell Grants. Nearly 70% of JSU’s undergraduates are Pell recipients, a marker of economic need, making designation especially meaningful for the institution.

Faculty and staff credit programs, such as expanded academic advising, student support initiatives, and research opportunities, can help boost retention rates. Additionally, the university emphasizes its soaring community engagement.

“Rankings are only one measure, but they tell a story about progress,” said Preselfannie McDaniels, Ph.D, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Our focus on advising, mentoring, and academic support is helping to strengthen student outcomes while positioning more students to complete their degrees. That is the real success behind these numbers.”

For alumni and supporters, the climb in rankings is seen as momentum toward restoring JSU’s stature as one of the South’s flagship HBCUs. While challenges remain, such as securing more state funding and maintaining facilities, the latest recognition has energized the campus ahead of homecoming season.

facial recognition, Burlington Coat Factory, AI

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 26, 2025

Burlington Coat Factory’s Alleged Use Of Facial Recognition Sparks Concern

Burlington Coat Factory is under fire for allegedly using facial recognition in its stores.

The public is speaking out over Burlington Coat Factory’s alleged use of facial recognition technology to enter its stores.

A video circulating on social media shows one shopper recording as another is seemingly forced to have his photo taken to enter a Burlington Coat Factory in Brooklyn, New York, according to News 12 Brooklyn.

”You have to let them take a picture before you can enter into Burlington,” the woman who filmed the video can be heard saying before exiting the store.

TikTok user Robby Harvey reposted the video, tagging the mega-retailer to ask whether it was true that they were “forcing customers to take photos.”

@therobbieharvey @Burlington ♬ original sound – Robbie Harvey

Critics quickly took to the comments, expressing outrage and pledging to boycott the store over its heightened security measures.

”No more Burlington for me,” one person wrote.

“My local Burlington recently added a fully armed security guard,” another user shared. “He lets you through the little gate like a bouncer at a club. There is nothing in Burlington that I need that bad that I have to feel like a criminal before I even get in the store. No thanks, Burlington. Good luck.”

A News 12 reporter who visited the Gateway Center location observed a loss prevention staffer taking shoppers’ photos before they entered the store, alongside cameras at the entrance. A worker claimed the cameras could identify individuals with prior theft incidents.

However, a Burlington Coat Factory spokesperson stated that none of their stores use facial recognition technology. BLACK ENTERPRISE also reached out to the retailer for details on its public security policies and is awaiting a response from the communications department.

There remains a mixed response to Burlington’s possible ramp-up in security measures, with some shoppers saying they don’t mind.

”I feel by them monitoring people in and out, people have an extra sense of security while they’re shopping,” one customer said. “It might deter people from doing something wrong.”

”Depends on how you look at it,” another customer added. “But, I think it’s a good thing.”

Studies have noted a rise in the use of facial recognition technology in retail, reportedly aimed at preventing theft, improving operations, and boosting security. However, its use has raised significant concerns and calls for greater transparency and regulatory compliance.

Although its use surged during the pandemic for contactless services, the technology continues to evolve as a tool to identify known offenders and enhance overall store security. In August, Home Depot was hit with a class-action lawsuit over its use of facial recognition technology in Illinois. Burlington’s use of the technology has reignited debates over its ethical implications.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 26, 2025

Brooklyn Nets Michael Porter Jr. Still Pays Half Of Ex-Girlfriend’s Rent, ‘She Needs to Act Right Month-to-Month”

Although they split up, he agreed to pay half the rent for a year.

Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets, who is slated to earn $40 million this upcoming season, is footing half the rent for his ex-girlfriend’s apartment.

Porter Jr. discussed the complicated situation Respectfully The Justin Laboy Show. The podcast host was agog.

“Hold on,” Laboy said. “I know you not worth $200 million and was splitting rent with your ex-girlfriend.”

Porter, 27, said his former girlfriend was looking for an apartment—for herself, as Porter refused to share an apartment with a woman unless they were married. She found a place that she liked, but the price was well above her budget.

The NBA star, who joined the Nets after a successful stint with the Denver Nuggets, offered a solution: “This is really nice. I want you to be able to stay here… what can you afford and…I’ll pay the rest.”

Not only did Porter do that, he agreed to continue doing so for a year, even if the couple broke up. Porter‘s instincts were on point. The two broke up after several months.

Now that they are not together anymore, he said his ex keeps “asking for the bread. But Porter is sticking to his promise. “I don’t blame her because she went into that apartment not being able to afford it, and I gave her my word,” he said.

Laboy asked why Porter doesn’t just give her the remaining months’ rent in a bulk payment and just be done with it.

Here was Porter’s logic as to why he’s not changing a thing: “Because she needs to act right month to month, I’m just saying. So, if I’m paying the remaining months—and I see she’s wilding—like, bro, it’s going to be hard to continue that agreement. That’s going to be tough because if you’re out here wilding, get that next dude to pay that rent.”

Check out the full interview below:

by Kandiss Edwards

September 26, 2025

St. Thomas University College Of Law Ruled Out of Compliance by ABA; Accreditation at Risk

St. Thomas university is on notice after violating Standard 205(c). The standard mandates non-discrimination and equality of opportunity.

The American Bar Association (ABA) has officially found that the St. Thomas University College of Law, formerly Benjamin L. Crump College of Law, has fallen out of compliance.

The college was cited with a violation of Standard 205(c), which mandates non-discrimination and equality of opportunity. The ABA council issued the finding after its August meeting, triggering a correction process before any accreditation decisions can change.

At its August 21–23, 2025, session, the ABA’s Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar reviewed St. Thomas’s status and concluded the school failed to meet the listed requirements.

The council has posted a notice allowing the institution to respond. The law school must submit a written report by October and appear before the council in early 2026.

Standard 205 is categorized by the ABA as one of its Core Standards, meaning that compliance is essential to maintaining accreditation status. It is unclear how the college has failed to meet the “non-discrimination and equality” mandate.

Although St. Thomas’s accreditation is currently approved, the council has warned that formal noncompliance can lead to disciplinary measures if the school fails to meet the requirements. If the school’s response demonstrates full corrective action, the council could cancel the hearing initially scheduled for February. If not, further steps may include probation or removal of accreditation.

In August, St. Thomas University announced it would change the law school’s name to St. Thomas University College of Law, ending its run as the Benjamin L. Crump College of Law. (The university and Crump said the change was mutual.)

At the same time, the school confirmed plans to launch the Benjamin L. Crump Institute for Environmental and Societal Law this fall.

Loss of ABA accreditation would affect access to many state bar exams and impact the school’s legitimacy. Until the council concludes its review, the law school retains its approval status.

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 26, 2025

Mortgage Fraud Probe Against Letitia James Moves Forward As DOJ Struggles To Build Case

Former lead U.S. attorney Erik Siebert abruptly resigned in mid-September 2025 after admitting there wasn't enough evidence to support charges against James.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is proceeding with its investigation into mortgage fraud allegations against New York Attorney General Letitia James, amid pressure from President Donald Trump, but is struggling to substantiate the claims, Yahoo! Finance reports.

The case will be handled through the Eastern District of Virginia, led by senior Justice Department official Ed Martin, after Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte alluded that James may have committed mortgage fraud due to the residence status listed on applications. Almost identical to the probe against Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook, James has denied any wrongdoing.

However, the proceeding is at a standstill due to a shakeup at the DOJ. One of Trump’s top aides, Lindsey Halligan, took over Virginia’s U.S. attorney’s office after the former lead, Erik Siebert, abruptly resigned in mid-September 2025 after admitting there wasn’t enough evidence to support charges against James. The admission prompted Trump to lash out on his Truth Social platform, calling on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to step in. “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility,” the president wrote.

“JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”

According to CNN, prosecutors are investigating whether James knowingly made false statements on a loan application, listing a property in Virginia as her primary residence, since May 2025. However, nothing seems to be sticking. Collected documentation from James’ legal team proves that James repeatedly stated the property wouldn’t be her permanent residence. One reviewed email showed that the NY attorney general wrote, “This property WILL NOT be my primary residence.”

Other mortgage forms reveal that when asked if the home would be her primary residence, she checked “NO.”

In a statement, James’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, slammed Trump’s probe, calling it a “revenge tour.” “It’s no surprise they are having trouble finding an objective and law-abiding prosecutor who would ignore the facts and the evidence to manufacture sham charges,” Lowell said.

James is also the subject of a grand jury investigation in Albany, facing accusations of deprivation of rights, defined as the violation of someone’s constitutional rights, against Trump. Martin is also leading investigative efforts into a property James owns in New York, personally visiting the property in August 2025 and posing for photos outside.

The attorney general has been a vocal critic of Trump, successfully spearheading cases against him prior to his 2024 presidential campaign. During a Nov. 14, 2024, civil fraud case, Trump lashed out against James, calling her “racist” due to her visibly smirking in court. “Racist A.G. Letitia James is smirking all day long from her seat in Court,” Trump wrote.

“You have a (Trump-Hating!) Attorney General who’s seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages when not a single penny was lost by these banks, and that’s part of this (Unconstitutional!) Law. You can see from the reaction of A.G. James, every morning from that seat, that she is enjoying this, enjoying it a bit too much.”

barbershop, mississippi, historic marker

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 26, 2025

Cleveland Barbershop Receives $10K Grant From Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Foundation

The business was one of 37 chosen for their commitment to their community.

Cleveland barbershop Urban Kutz is celebrating after receiving $10,000 grant from the BeyGOOD Foundation, Beyoncé’s nonprofit organization.

Winners of the grant, distributed through the Cécred x BeyGOOD Fund, were selected based on their community involvement and impact as hair care professionals. Winners were also selected based on their experience of facing financial hardships as a business.

These grants are designed to help companies access resources that can enhance their business success.

“Out of millions of international applicants, WE WERE CHOSEN,” Urban Kutz wrote on Instagram.

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A post shared by Urban Kutz Barbershop (@urbankutzbarbershop)

Aside from the money, the barbershop will gain access to business development tools, mentorship, and resources provided by The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).

News 5 Cleveland spoke with Waverly Willis, owner of Urban Kutz, one of Ohio’s largest minority-owned barbershop chains, with three locations in Cleveland.

One of the great things about Urban Kutz is its health screening offerings at the locations. The barber shop also offers prostate cancer screenings in partnership with Case Western Reserve University.

“We’ve had men in here, their blood pressure has been so high that we would check their blood pressure and we would tell them skip the hair cut and go straight to the ER, and this has happened on more than one occasion they come back to us and say, they didn’t even know how I was walking around,” Willis told News 5 Cleveland.

Urban Kutz was one of 37 businesses that received at $10,000 grant. Here’s a complete list of the winners.

Majestic Beauty Salon (Tuskegee, Alabama)
4TheLoveOfHair (Altadena, California)
Art Beauty Equilibrium (Hawthorne, California)
Thee Hair Life (Los Angeles, California)
Strands Of Life Hair (Los Angeles, California)
Colored By Ernestine (Sacramento, California)
Groom Guy (Washington, D.C.)
Fadeology (Tampa, Florida)
The Cultivation Lair (West Palm Beach, Florida)
Barber Babez Barbershop (Atlanta, Georgia)
Rashad German Studios Shop (Atlanta, Georgia)
Salon Denise (College Park, Georgia)
Zulai Salon (Bolingbrook, Illinois)
Phenom Cuts Barber & Beauty Salon (Chicago, Illinois)
Curlology (Lawrence, Kansas)
5ifth Studio (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Edinburgh Williams Beauty Salon (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Shy Watters Hair Studio (Baltimore, Maryland)
Nossa Beauty Studio (Boston, Massachusetts)
J Cutz Studio (Royal Oak, Michigan)
The BeVel Barber Lounge (Kansas City, Missouri)
Mr C’s All in the Family Barbershop (Omaha, Nebraska)
Yogi’z Plus (Nyack, New York)
Isabella’s Hair Salon & Spa (Staten Island, New York)
Lavish Perception Studios (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Groomed Gentlemen’s Barbershop (Kinston, North Carolina)
Urban Kutz Barbershop (Cleveland, Ohio)
Studio 816 Hair & Beauté Bar (Dayton, Ohio)
Dean’s Beauty Salon & Barber Shop (Portland, Oregon)
Juss Vibes Hair & Beauty Studio (Lemoyne, Pennsylvania)
Hairtique Color And Design (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Desire Designs Hair Studio (Cypress, Texas)
Cheree Napturals (Houston, Texas)
Euphoric Essence Hair Salon (Missouri City, Texas)
Benjamin Avery Salon (San Antonio, Texas)
Rea.Dezell Salon (San Antonio, Texas)
Syncerely Beautiful (Chesapeake, Virginia)

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 26, 2025

Trump Administration Threatens To Withhold Funding From NYC Schools Due To Trans Students Protections

Since the districts failed to meet the demands, Trainor intended to list the schools as not falling into compliance with federal civil rights law, labeling them ineligible for the grants.

In another attack against trans youth, the U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights under the Trump administration has threatened New York City public schools with holding back $24 million in funding for failing to change a policy that protects trans students, CNN reports.

In a letter dated Sept. 16, the agency gave New York City Schools, in addition to Chicago Public Schools and Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, until Sept. 23 to change a policy that permits students access to locker rooms and restrooms that correspond with their gender identity or risk losing funding for specialty magnet schools. The Education Department’s acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Craig Trainor, claims the policy violates Title IX, forbidding discrimination based on sex in education.

Since the districts failed to meet the demands, Trainor intended to list the schools as not falling into compliance with federal civil rights law, labeling them ineligible for the grants.

According to Chalkbeat New York, city officials requested 30 days to decide whether to appeal the administration’s decision to withhold the funding, as the timing was so short. Department of Education spokesperson Madison Biedermann said the tight timeline was due to the federal government’s requirement to certify compliance with civil rights laws before the end of the fiscal year, which is Sept. 30.

The threat prompted responses from NYC mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani and Mayor Eric Adams, who questioned the city’s policies. “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.

“I’m just not going to support that.”

“Little boys should not be sharing bathroom showers with little girls,” Mayor Eric Adams told PIX11 News.

Read more: https://t.co/jjdh48RdOn pic.twitter.com/rQA1qROtyz
— PIX11 News (@PIX11News) September 22, 2025

Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, appointed by Adams, defended the district’s decision to keep policies in place. “To date, you know, those policies remain in place, and we’re going to continue to uphold them as part of our values here in New York City Public Schools,” she said during a recent podcast appearance.

School districts across the country have been targeted for some of their policies that appear to conflict with the values of the current administration. In Chicago, schools were pressured to shut down a program that provides academic resources to Black students. Trainor described the program as “textbook racial discrimination.”

Texas Corrections Officer, Chicken Wings,

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 25, 2025

2 Black Men Wrongly Accused Of Killing Pregnant White Woman Given $150K Settlement

Boston to pay $150K to two Black men wrongfully accused

The city of Boston, Massachusetts, is paying $150,000 to two Black men who were wrongfully accused of the murder of a pregnant white woman, a crime later determined to have been committed by her husband.

On Sept. 23, city officials approved a $150,000 settlement for Alan Swanson and Willie Bennett, two wrongfully identified suspects in the 1989 killing of Carol Stuart, NBC News reports. Stuart’s husband had claimed she was shot during an attempted carjacking by a Black gunman. But it was later determined that he orchestrated the murder after leaving a birthing class.

Bennett will receive $100,000, while Swanson will receive $50,000. The case prompted a police crackdown in a predominantly Black neighborhood and intensified racial tensions in the city.

During the orchestrated attack, Carol Stuart was shot in the head and died the following day, while her baby, delivered by cesarean section, survived for 17 days. Police initially arrested Swanson, then ruled him out, before taking Bennett into custody.

Charles Stuart, who was shot in the chest but survived, later identified Bennett as the gunman, though neither man was ever formally charged. Months later, Stuart died by suicide after his account of the crime unraveled.

The settlement comes two years after Mayor Michelle Wu apologized to Swanson and Bennett for the wrongful labeling of them as suspects and the harm and turmoil it caused the Black community.

“We are here today to acknowledge the tremendous pain that the city of Boston inflicted on Black residents throughout our neighborhoods 34 years ago,” Wu said at the time. “The mayor’s office, city officials and the Boston Police Department took actions that directly harmed these families and continue to impact the larger community, reopening a wound that has gone untended for decades.”

Police only turned to the real suspect after Matthew Stuart revealed that his brother, Charles, was responsible for Carol’s death. Before he could be arrested, Charles Stuart jumped from Tobin Bridge. The case has since drawn renewed attention with the release of the HBO docuseries Murder in Boston.

“There was no evidence that a Black man committed this crime,” Wu added. “But that didn’t matter because the story was one that confirmed and exposed the beliefs that so many shared…At every level and at every opportunity, those in power closed their eyes to the truth because the lie felt familiar. They saw the story they wanted to see.”