J.D. JD Vance, Donald Trump, vice preisdent

by Sharelle Burt

July 16, 2024

Donald Trump Passes Over Black Potential Running Mates For Ohio Senator J.D. Vance

Oh well....back to where they started!

In a significant GOP upset, former President Donald Trump announced his vice president nominee as Ohio’s Republican Senator J.D. Vance.

Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform just hours into the first day of the Republican National Convention on Jul. 15.

“After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio,” Trump said.

The GOP senator met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club on Jul. 13 before a rally where the former President was an alleged target of a gunman.

According to THe Associated Press, Vance received criticism for pushing blame on President Joe Biden for the act of violence. “The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs,” Vance wrote on X.

“That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”

Days later, Vance walked onto the convention floor to Merle Haggard’s “American First” to formally receive his party’s nomination for Vice President.

The selection ends rumors that Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fl.) were in the running for the job. During a Fox News town hall event in February 2024, Trump announced the two could potentially make the cut. “Honestly, all of those people are good. They’re all good. They’re all solid,” he told host Laura Ingram.

Scott and Donalds were seen alongside Vance as loyal allies during Trump’s criminal hush money trial in New York City. As the trial wrapped up, Trump whispered a potential endorsement for Donalds if he were to run for governor of Florida, allegedly telling the congressman, “He will have many friends in the race” if he ran.

Scott, who pushed a failed presidential campaign against his former nemesis, continued to champion for Trump saying “we have the right candidate” in March 2024. “This is our time to stand up for what America is today, not this utopian American dream that is our nightmare,” he said.

Social media users jumped at the opportunity to poke fun at Donalds and Scott for not being selected. “Trump really made Tim Scott get married only to NOT pick him as VP,” @adamjsmith said.

Trump really made Tim Scott get married only to NOT pick him as VP pic.twitter.com/uytSIi5bzz
— Adam (@AdamJSmithGA) July 15, 2024

Another user pointed out that both lawmakers made “interesting moves” for nothing in return. “Byron Donalds and Tim Scott did all that tap dancing, shucking, jiving, and twerking for Trump, and for what?” @notcapnamerica wrote.

Byron Donalds and Tim Scott did all that tap dancing, shucking, jiving, and twerking for Trump, and for what?
— chris evans (@notcapnamerica) July 15, 2024

Vance’s selection further pushes Trump’s populist agenda but promotes a different tone from how Vance viewed Trump years prior. In 2016, the venture capitalist was a key advocate in the “Never Trump” movement and has been on public record with heavy opposition to the 45th President. Vance was seen liking a variety of tweets criticizing Trump’s policies and was once rumored to potentially serve in a Hillary Clinton administration.

After the release of his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, the 39-year-old rose to national fame and then received an endorsement from Trump during the 2022 Ohio Republican Senate primary.

by Sharelle Burt

July 16, 2024

Bombshell Ruling: Federal Judge Dismisses Trump’s Classified Documents Case Just Hours Before The RNC

There could be an appeal.

A federal judge has dismissed the indictment in the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump by ruling special counsel Jack Smith’s appointment by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland was unconstitutional.

The bombshell ruling was handed down by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by Trump, on July 15, just hours before the Republican National Convention kicked off in Milwaukee. Cannon’s ruling states appointing Smith to prosecute the case violates the Constitution’s appointment clause, which states “Officers of the United States” can only be appointed by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Trump jumped to his Truth Social platform immediately following the announcement to celebrate. In his post, he called for the other “witch hunts” to be dismissed including “the January 6th Hoax in Washington, D.C., the Manhattan D.A.’s Zombie Case,” and more. “The Democrat Justice Department coordinated ALL of these Political Attacks, which are an Election Interference conspiracy against Joe Biden’s Political Opponent, ME,” Trump said.

“Let us come together to END all Weaponization of our Justice System, and Make America Great Again!”

According to CNBC, the four-time indicted businessman was accused of retaining hundreds of classified government documents illegally and harboring them at his Mar-a-Lago club after he left the White House in January 2021. After government officials attempted to have them returned, the 45th President tried to hold on to them.

Cannon also ruled that Smith’s use of “permanent indefinite appropriation” or funding for his office violated that constitutional clause. “Both the Appointments and Appropriations challenges as framed in the Motion raise the following threshold question: is there a statute in the United States Code that authorizes the appointment of Special Counsel Smith to conduct this prosecution?” Cannon wrote.

“After careful study of this seminal issue, the answer is no.”

The Trump campaign filed a motion to have the case dismissed in early July 2024, shortly after the Supreme Court ruled U.S. presidents have some immunity from prosecution. Justice Clarence Thomas issued the question of whether Smith was lawfully appointed in his concurring opinion. “If this unprecedented prosecution is to proceed, it must be conducted by someone duly authorized to do so by the American people,” Thomas wrote.

“The lower courts should thus answer these essential questions concerning the Special Counsel’s appointment before proceeding.”

Cannon quoted Thomas several times in her decision.

While Smith has yet to respond to the case’s dismissal, his office is open to appeal the ruling. Cannon’s ruling also clears Trump’s valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago worker Carlos De Oliveira from pending charges.

Gen Z, credit, money, parent trap, adult, housing

by Sharelle Burt

July 16, 2024

Nearly Half of Adult Gen-Z Parents Are Financing Their Lifestyles, According To A Study From Bank Of America

At least they are doing something about it.....

A new study from Bank of America revealed almost half of Gen Z are receiving financial assistance from their parents.

The study from Bank of America’s Better Money Habits financial education team, called “The State of Gen Z’s Financial Health,” released on Jul. 10, found that 46% of Gen Zers, ranging between ages 18 and 27, still rely on their parents for financial help due to not making enough money and blame the rising cost of living. The Better Money Habits research team found that 52% of survey participants admit to not making enough money to sustain their lifestyles, and many are putting off major milestone achievements. More than half of the survey participants claim to not have enough emergency savings to cover three months of expenses.

While some say they are working towards them, 50% say they aren’t saving to become homeowners, 46% don’t have retirement savings, and 40% aren’t on track to begin investing. However, some are adapting different changes to offset inflation.

Forty-three percent are cutting back on eating out, and 24% now shop at more affordable grocery stores. Twenty-seven percent are forgoing events with friends in a new trend called “loud budgeting,” which involves being vocal with friends about which events they can and cannot afford.

Banking analysts call this strategy “trading down” on fighting rising costs, something that more Gen Z and millennials are doing in hopes of gaining financial freedom. “Though faced with obstacles driven by the cost of living, younger Americans are showing discipline and foresight in their saving and spending patterns,” Bank of America’s President of Retail Banking, Holly O’Neill, said.

“It is critical that we continue to empower Gen Z to work toward achieving financial health and meeting their long-term goals.”

The road to financial freedom is taking a toll on the bank of Mom and Dad. Fifty-four percent of adult Gen Zers still live at home and don’t pay for their housing. Of the 46% that do, close to two-thirds admit to spending over 30% of their monthly paycheck on housing. Two-in-10 report that more than 51% of their monthly paycheck goes towards housing costs.

According to The New York Post, “loud budgeting” has been effective for late teens and 20-somethings who struggle to be strict about financial boundaries. It is also helping them create healthy boundaries with their friend groups, as 63% no longer feel pressured by friends to overspend.

Most Gen Z respondents said they feel prepared to tackle financial basics thanks to some lifestyle changes. Seventy percent now stick to a budget and 66% are working towards better credit management.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 16, 2024

Former Vibe Editor Reveals Death Threats By Diddy Over 1997 Cover Dispute

The incident shared deeper insights on the unchecked power Diddy had.

Vibe magazine’s former editor recently revealed how a 1997 cover dispute with Sean “Diddy” Combs led to threats on her life. Her recount further exposed Diddy’s terror over the industry.

In a personal essay for The New York Times, Danyel Smith recalled the tense moment where a refusal of Combs’ request revealed his darker side. The story shed light on his alarming reign over the music industry, leading to years of his abusive nature.

The modern-day reckoning of Combs continues, with lawsuits, accusations, and FBI investigations now swarming the media mogul. However, Smith offers a deeper perspective on how far Diddy would go to maintain his now-broken image.

After Combs’s shoot for Vibe‘s December 1997/January 1998 issue, he demanded to see the final print before it hit newsstands. Diddy alluded to the magazine needing his approval, or else he’d shut the release down.

The cover page itself hinted at Diddy’s ominous persona, with the tagline being “The Good, The Bad, and The Puffy.” Smith, however, denied the accommodation, citing their policy as the reason.

However, Combs continued to insert his will, showing up with his crew at Vibe’s offices to stop the rollout. Luckily for Smith, her team diverted his efforts by removing her from the building just in time. Unfortunately, that did not stop Combs’ pursuit, calling her the next day with death threats. Diddy went so far as to say she’d be “left dead in the trunk of her car.”

Immediately, Smith took legal action, informing her lawyer of his threats. The hip-hop star faxed an apology soon after.

Smith later returned to her office to find the magazine’s servers stolen, the crime sending a message to those who disobey the producer. Luckily, the cover was saved and released, thanks to a staff member who kept a personal copy. However, the lack of consequences for Diddy also validated his methods.

Smith looks back at the incident differently now, with the fatigue of bad men in power worn off. Now, she feels empowered to share her story, likely due to Combs’s other alleged victims speaking out. The November 2023 lawsuit of his former partner, Cassie Ventura, spearheaded the effort.

“Considering this nauseating image of myself running and hiding from Combs, of people at work protecting me, made me confront other things I’d possibly repressed about that feral and fantastic time in my life,” Smith explained. “To be a powerful woman in the music industry, and in the Hip-Hop media specifically, exacted a toll I’ve resisted reckoning with.”

by Sharelle Burt

July 16, 2024

Guns Still Allowed Near Republican National Convention Two Days After Assassination Attempt On Trump

Let's just see how this goes....

Security has heightened around the Republican National Convention after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, but guns are still allowed in close proximity.

Due to Wisconsin law, firearms are permitted immediately outside the outer perimeter surrounding the Secret Service-controlled area of the Fiserv Forum convention center in Milwaukee. However, they are not allowed inside or in the immediate security perimeter.

State law grants people permission to openly carry guns and conceal carry with a permit inside what is described as the “soft perimeter,” the grounds surrounding the Secret Service patrolled inner “hard perimeter.” The one item that is allegedly banned indoors is tennis balls.

The situation was scrutinized as city officials admitted to being frustrated with the rules after Saturday’s developments. On July 13, Trump sustained an injury to the ear after an assassination attempt during an election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Blood was seen on his right ear as Secret Service agents escorted him off the stage to a waiting vehicle.

While officials aren’t in agreement with the city’s security measures, there is not much they can do. “It’s utterly ridiculous,” Milwaukee City Alderman Robert Bauman said. “I mean, I could just picture this image of somebody coming up to the entry point with, you know, an AR-15 strapped over one shoulder, a long rifle over another, and two pistols in his belt, and the cops asking him, ‘You got any tennis balls?'”

Bauman is the city leader who suggested adding firearms to a recently passed city ordinance that outlined what is banned in the outer perimeter, including tennis balls and paintball guns. The ordinance does not cover most firearms and only prohibits weapons already outlawed by the state, including fully automatic guns.

Wisconsin is an open-carry state that allows the public to carry firearms, including assault rifles. However, state law prohibits municipal governments from stepping in to change what the state already allows. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said, “We as a city cannot legislate out of that.”

“Unless there’s something that is against state law, we have to respect Second Amendment rights, especially in regards to open-carry and conceal-carry if you’re licensed.”

According to Fox News, the agency and other officials announced on July 14 there are no set plans to expand the security perimeter and there are no known threats. “The arena’s set, the security is here, and we feel very comfortable that we’re working with the Secret Service,” Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley said.

The event kicks off on July 15 in the city that Trump openly expressed a huge disdain for. However, 50,000 delegates, alternates, and guests are scheduled to appear. Wheatley expressed safety as a top priority. “That’s very critical for us,” he said. Trump seems prepared to take center stage after his assassination scare. He made a post on July 14 stating he was going to delay his trip but then decided not to let a “potential assassin” alter his plans.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 16, 2024

Martin Lawrence Preparing ‘Young Martin’ Prequel

The dramatic series will take place in modern-day Detroit.

It looks like Martin Lawrence has taken a page out of his friend Will Smith’s book and will have a dramatic version of his hit show, Martin.

According to Deadline, Lawrence, along with his production company, RunTelDat, and Marvin Peart‘s WonderHill Studios will produce Young Martin, an hour-long drama. Martin, the beloved sitcom, aired on Fox from 1992 to 1997.

“Out of all the hit shows during the ’90s, there was only one Martin—a show that defined culture and positivity. Martin reflected a real group of friends from our community that wound up on TV screens all over the world,” WonderHill CEO Marvin Peart said in a written statement. “I respected and revered Martin Lawrence for creating Martin Payne and what he did for African Americans on television in front and behind the camera. In many ways, he influenced my path in the entertainment industry, and it’s an honor to partner with Martin and his younger self and share him with the next generation of fans.”

The series will be set in modern-day Detroit and will follow a young Martin Payne. The drama will showcase Payne as a spirited and charismatic teenager growing up as he transitions from a boy to the man we eventually saw on the sitcom starring Lawrence and his circle of friends.

The dramatization will be similar to how Smith presented his former half-hour sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, to its current version as an hour-long drama Bel-Air.

Young Martin will be executive produced by Lawrence, Rae Proctor, Robert Lawrence, and Stacy Lyles from RunTelDat, along with Peart, Bob Yari, David McPherson, Rosa Peart, and Greg Martin for WonderHill Studios.

Martin, co-created with John Bowman and Topper Carew, earned People’s Choice and NAACP Image awards during its run and established Lawrence as a star.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 15, 2024

Idris Elba And King Charles Tackle Youth Violence In London

The UK-born actor and British monarch are concerned about knife crimes.

Idris Elba and King Charles are connecting with their country’s younger members. On July 12, the monarch invited the popular actor to St. James Palace in London to discuss rising youth violence. While the U.K. has tough gun laws, knife crime remains an issue.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Prince's Trust (@princestrust)

According to ITV News, knife crime has increased by 20% since 2023, with over 14,500 offenses occurring within the past year. Elba has been a vocal advocate for government bans on weapons like machetes and serrated “zombie” knives. At the event, he addressed the growing number of lives lost due to preventable violence.

“This topic has always had a spike in interest when we lose a life,” expressed Elba, per the Associated Press. “I think where we are right now … our country is wanting to have some change and is consistently banging on that door for change.”

Along with newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer, they discussed the Elba Hope Foundation and its “Don’t Stop Your Future” anti-knife campaign. The initiative, in partnership with the King’s Trust, hopes to build opportunities for the country’s younger generation while decreasing the violence threatening their futures.

Youth leaders also engaged in discussions with the nation’s top figures. The partnership is personal for Elba, who received a 1,500-pound grant distributed by the King’s Trust. The financing helped him attend the National Youth Music Theatre, a moment he believes changed his future.

Moreover, the Elba Hope Foundation’s efforts go beyond the British Isles, also in collaboration with the King’s Trust International. In Sierra Leone, they jointly develop educational and employment opportunities, as well as digital skills learning.

As for young Londoners, the event aimed to consider their stories for future endeavors and programming.

by Stacy Jackson

July 15, 2024

Cheers To Tabitha Brown: Social Media Star Debuts Affordable Wine Collection At Target

Circle July 21 on your calendars.

Tabitha Brown is set to unveil her inaugural wine collection exclusively at Target, marking another milestone in her four-year work relationship with the retail giant.

The entrepreneur shared this exciting news at the Essence Festival of Culture, where she graced the Food and Wine stage. “Tab love a lil wine, and I figured, why not share that with everybody else,” Brown enthusiastically told the audience.

The social media sensation’s wine collection will feature two distinct offerings: a red blend aptly named “Hello There!” and a moscato called “Love Y’all!”—the latter a nod to her husband’s preference. Despite their affordability ($7.99 for each bottle), Brown assured the attendees that these wines boast a premium taste.

Brown’s journey into the world of wine began 20 years ago when a friend suggested it as a stress-reliever when her mother was sick. She recounted to Essence, “I started drinking red wine. Merlot was my first, and I was like, ‘Oh, this is bitter. This is strong. It was cheap.'” Her palate has since evolved: “I’m not a sommelier or anything like that, but now I know, oh, I like a blend, or I like a cabernet. I’ll do a merlot if I have to, depending on if it’s South African or if it’s a French wine, different things like that.”

The announcement of Brown’s wine collection has sparked excitement among her fans, with many eagerly anticipating its arrival at Target. Social media platforms are buzzing with anticipation, with one X user imploring Target to “have it together” when the wine collection launches.

@Target store #1819 I need y’all to have it together mmkay? I’ll be there bright and early on 7/21 for both 😊@IamTabithaBrown pic.twitter.com/S6ge68ghUk
— Trese (@Trese84) July 7, 2024

On Instagram, Brown’s followers showered her with congratulations.

One fan exclaimed, “Love it! Auntie Tab stepping into every industry!” while Grammy-nominated TV host Nina Parker pledged to bring Brown’s wines to future game nights. Celebrities like B. Simone, Keisha Epps, and Niecy Nash also joined the chorus of well-wishers.

Some fans are already planning perfect pairings, suggesting Brown’s Parmesan popcorn—another Target exclusive—as an ideal companion to her wine collection. Another follower proposed pairing the red wine with Tab’s “sweet pea and basil ravioli for the next date night.”

Brown’s wine collection is set to hit Target shelves July 21.

by Sharelle Burt

July 15, 2024

Indiana’s 1st Black Woman U.S. Senate Nominee Promises To Push Forward

Dr. McCray has many rooting for her despite the odds.

Indiana’s first Black woman nominee for a U.S. Senate seat, Dr. Valerie McCray, is determined to “keep pushing” forward despite trailing in the polls.

With 35 years of experience in the field of psychology, many would agree McCray is more than qualified to address the increase of systemic issues happening within the U.S. government. She has worked with U.S. veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but felt there was something missing in her work.

This sparked an interest in heading to Washington, D.C.

“It was a matter of, do I continue to keep feeling as if I am just not enough to go around, or do I go to Washington, D.C.,” McCray said. “Keep pushing, trying to get to Washington, D.C., to change the gun laws, to change the policies, to try to get health care, to try to get wages and policies that make sense, so that we have less of these issues coming down the line.”

McCray, 65, secured the Democratic nomination in May 2024, and is set to challenge Republican Congressman Jim Banks for the open seat to represent Indiana. According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, she led the Democratic primary with about 65% of the statewide vote at the time the race was called. McCray said the numbers prove the state is ready for a change.

“The fact that I can claim victory in the primary says one thing: the people of Indiana are ready for someone who understands their struggles who will fight for mental health care, breathable wages, and reproductive rights,” she said.

However, the nominee understands that defeating Banks, who has served Indiana’s 3rd congressional district since 2017, won’t be an easy feat. “Defeating Jim Banks will be a huge mountain to climb,” she continued. “It will take more money, more hard work and more volunteers than ever before.”

McCray first launched her campaign in 2022 but did not receive enough voter signatures to make it on the ballot. This time, she reached the 4,500 signatures needed “with time to spare.”

Poll numbers from The Hill show Banks has a 97% chance of winning Indiana, but that isn’t stopping her from trying.

McCray’s son, Ryan Ely, thinks his mom’s campaign that focuses on milestones that have yet to be achieved, is what will take her over the top. “Our country is getting close to being nearly 300 years old. For one of the 50 states to have never nominated a Black woman to be a senator…it feels like we should have gotten past that before,” he said.

Some of the important issues McCray hopes to tackle if elected are immigration, reinstating abortion rights, and finding common ground for the “Israeli-Palestine issue.” She also wants to combat women’s issues as a champion of mental and reproductive healthcare.

Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl wrote a statement endorsing McCray, calling her a “lifelong champion.”

“Dr. McCray will be a vote to codify Roe v. Wade as the law of the land, and protect women’s healthcare on the federal level. It stands in stark contrast to Republican nominee and Trump sycophant Jim Banks, who is pushing a nationwide ban on medication abortion, and restricting access to birth control for millions of families,” Schmuhl wrote.

“She will be a voice for solutions as Indiana’s next senator. She will work across the aisle to tackle the scourge of addiction, support comprehensive immigration reform, and bring good, high-wage, union jobs to Indiana.”

Murder, Crime, Prison, Arrest, second degree murder, 25 year old, one year old, juvenile

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 15, 2024

Louisiana Mother Faces Murder And Cruelty Charges After 4-Year-Old Son Discovered Dead In Lake

Aaliyah Jack, 25, of Louisiana was charged with failure to report a missing child and charges of cruelty to a juvenile and second-degree murder.

After the dead body of a 4-year-old boy was discovered in a southwest Louisiana lake, and his 1-year-old brother was found crawling near a highway, the mother of the children was arrested and charged with numerous charges.

According to The Associated Press, 25-year-old Aaliyah Jack was arrested in Mississippi on a Louisiana charge of failure to report a missing child. Several days later, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office added the charges of cruelty to a juvenile and second-degree murder. The mother is currently in custody in Mississippi after her arrest in the city of Meridian.

An announcement by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office stated that police officers went to the Vinton Welcome Center to investigate the lifeless body of the 4-year-old boy on July 8. The boy was reportedly last seen with his mother and his 1-year-old brother.

A warrant was issued for Jack after an investigation into the children. The mother was charged with failure to report a missing child. When the Meridian police officers caught up with Jack in Mississippi, the 1-year-old child was not with her. After searching for the missing child, deputies from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office were summoned to I-10 eastbound near mile marker 10 on July 9 after someone saw the baby in a ditch.

Officers identified the child as Jack’s missing son.

“Although we have upgraded charges on Jack, our detectives still have a lot of work to do,” Sheriff Stitch Guillory said in a written statement. “The investigation will continue while we wait for the autopsy results of the victim.”

Jack is now charged with two counts of failure to report a missing child, cruelty to a juvenile and 2nd-degree murder. Judge Tony Fazzio set her total bond at $9.1 million.