Kansas Chiefs’ Rashee Rice, Dallas Police
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 3, 2024

Kansas Chiefs’ Rashee Rice Is Cooperating With Authorities Regarding Car Accident In Dallas Over The Weekend

The car crash involved a Lamborghini and a Corvette allegedly speeding and losing control injuring four people

The Dallas Police Department was searching for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice about an accident that involved several vehicles, which took place on March 30.

His attorney, Royce West, has confirmed that the football player “is cooperating with authorities” regarding the collision, according to NFL.com.

The car crash that involved two luxury cars, a Lamborghini and a Corvette, were allegedly speeding and lost control as the “Lamborghini traveled onto the shoulder and hit the center median wall, causing a chain reaction collision involving four other vehicles.”

Four individuals suffered minor injuries, with two of them being taken to a local hospital. Police have also stated that the people who were in the luxury vehicles ran from the scene of the accident “without stopping to determine if anyone needed medical help or providing their information.”

West said Rice’s thoughts are with the people who were impacted by the collision, and the wide receiver will “take all necessary steps to address this situation responsibly.”

The Dallas Morning News reported that one of the vehicles is either registered or leased by Rice and that the accident occurred on the North Central Expressway in Dallas at approximately 6:20 p.m.

Chiefs president Mark Donovan spoke to KCMO-AM on Monday regarding the circumstances.

“In all these situations, you have to wait until you have all the facts; frankly, we don’t have all the facts at this point. The one comforting fact that we do have is that there was a multi-car crash in Texas, in Dallas, and fortunately, it doesn’t appear that anyone was hurt, and we should be grateful for that. We’ll get to the bottom of it, we’ll gather the facts, and we’ll react accordingly.”

Rice, who just finished his rookie season, was selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. This past NFL season, he caught 79 passes for 938 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

P.J Tucker, Draft Kings, NBA fans, Sports betting
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 3, 2024

NBA Fans Are Heckling Players Over Losing Bets On Games

Heckling by fans over losing bets has NBA teams and players concerned for their safety on the court.

While the expansion of sports gambling has led to millions in profits, a growing downside lies within the spectatorship at games. A looming issue of fans heckling players over their lost bets is causing some concern, especially in the NBA.

Trash-talking at NBA games is as prevalent between players as among fans. However, attendees are now veering into verbal abuse toward coaches and players due to losing money over certain stats. Access to sports gambling sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel allows fans in the stands to make bets constantly. Incorporating more wagers, and even parlays that rely on multiple wagers at once, allows them to know if they won big in the midst of the action.

And when fans don’t get their payoff, the insults start to fly, with players taking notice of the uptick in verbal assaults.

“It’s getting outrageous,” said LA Clippers forward P.J. Tucker, as reported by The Athletic. “It’s getting kind of crazy. Even in the arenas, hearing fans yelling at guys about their bets. It’s unreal. It’s a problem. I think it’s something that’s got to be addressed.”

Regardless of the increased awareness of fans’ frustration with failed wagers, the NBA has yet to make provisions to combat the problem. Some franchises have therefore taken matters into their own hands. The Athletic reported that some teams increased the security detail along their benches at games. Others even beefed up cybersecurity to protect players from the online hate.

While players try to shrug it off, there is a concern that it impacts their performance. One player said he felt like a “prop” who existed to make those in the crowd money.

“To half the world, I’m just helping them make money on DraftKings or whatever,” Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said to a reporter last month. “I’m a prop.“

However, the relationship between betting and professional sports leagues like the NBA is not slowing anytime soon. With more franchises and tournaments launching in Las Vegas, the seemingly symbiotic move must address its downfalls before the heckling becomes an uncontrollable problem.

RELATED CONTENT: Jeff Teague Calls Out ‘Weirdo’ NBA Referee Who Called His Mom And Sister A Derogatory Slur

Shark Tank, JILEA HEMMINGS, JAMIE HEMMINGS
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 3, 2024

Atlanta Grocers, Nourish + Bloom, Continue Mission Despite ‘Shark Tank’ Bust

Nourish + Bloom provides a technological twist on food shopping

The owners of autonomous Black-owned grocery store Nourish + Bloom are steadfast in their mission. Despite leaving Shark Tank with no investments, they’re continuing their quest to remedy food deserts in communities of color.

Nourish + Bloom provides a technological twist on food shopping. While being a smaller-scale market in the neighborhood, this corner store has got some tricks up its aisles. Unlike the traditional grocery experience, this one is fully functioning without a cashier ringing items up, as reported by Bloomberg.

Instead, they use a digital tablet with an artificial intelligence software – who prefers to go by Rosie. Rosie, placed at the entrance of Nourish + Bloom, greets customers and provides them with insight into the innovative store. The concept is similar to Amazon Go, where customers use a QR code to track what items they purchase as they place them in weight-sensitive carts. The transactions happen digitally as they leave the store. However, Rosie is not working completely alone.

The store’s first location in metro Atlanta gains help from its owners, Jilea and Jamie Hemmings. The husband-and-wife duo can be found in the upscale convenience store helping customers and preparing meals. With Nourish + Bloom, the grocers intend to curate not only a faster, smoother shopping experience, but one that brings healthy, nutritious options to these areas. They believe their concept, alongside reduced operating costs, “[makes] groceries sexy again” to investors.

“Historically, grocery has not been a lucrative investment opportunity, unless you’re at the big box scale,” says Jilea Hemmings. “However, this technology, because you’re able to reduce your operating costs, does make groceries sexy again, because now you’re able to reduce your overhead and operate for a longer period of time.”

However, Shark Tank investors did not believe in its profitability when the couple pitched their idea in March. Despite this, Nourish + Bloom seeks to prove that eradicating food deserts can be lucrative with the help of grocery tech. Currently, three more stores are set to open across Atlanta, starting this summer.

Small but mighty, Nourish + Bloom hopes to keep expanding as its values remain the same: to provide better access to healthy foods, one community at a time.

Attorney Olayemi Olurin, NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Police Brutality
by Sharelle Burt

April 3, 2024

Attorney Olayemi Olurin Drags NYC Mayor Eric Adams On Police Brutality

Adams sat in the hot seat while Olurin touched on the staggering statistics facing New Yorkers

Things got heated between defense attorney and political commentator Olayemi Olurin and New York City Mayor Eric Adams during an interview on Power 105’s The Breakfast Club.

Olurin presented troubling numbers based on analysis from federal monitors. Back in 2023, reports show controversial “Stop-and-Frisk” teams made unlawful stops that targeted Black and Latino people, finding 24% of the stops were unconstitutional. 

Adams sat in the hot seat while Olurin touched on the staggering statistics facing New Yorkers when it comes to being protected by the NYPD. She checked him on the revival of disbanded units in 2020 that were accused of pushing disproportionate abuse against Black and brown New Yorkers. 

The attorney claimed that of ten different precincts, 97% of the neighborhood safety teams reported stops of Black and Brown citizens:

“They did an analysis of over ten different precincts and of the stops of ten different precincts, they found that 97% of them, by the way of the Neighborhood Safety Teams that were disbanded in 2020 because of their disproportionate use against Black and Hispanic people that you revived,”

She continued. 

“And a quarter of them are unconstitutional. That’s what the federal monitor said, not me.” 

The exchange went viral on social media and Adams was called out repeatedly for his numerous attempts to interrupt, but fans looked at it as guilt.

“The way he keeps trying to speak over you and interrupt you!! They know their guilty just never been held accountable like this!! I love to see it!!!” @LaurenJauregu wrote. 

Another commended her for remaining calm during the exchange. “I wanted to climb the table. I dunno how you maintained the calm,” @yuhline tweeted. 

NYPD recorded more stops in 2023 than it has in close to ten years – and according to the ACLU of New York, 89% of those stopped are Black and Hispanic. Under Adams’ leadership, he has pushed that “Stop-and-Frisk” is a key element in driving down crime in the Big Apple, but the math doesn’t match. 

Records show between 2011 and 2014, after stops decreased by 93%, so did the number of serious crimes, including murder. 

Due to the number of allegations of police misconduct, Olurin called Adams out on his claims that he turned those stigmas around. “You’re saying that you’ve turned things around, NYPD’s abuses but just last year, we paid out $150 million dollars in settling police misconduct from NYPD,” she said. 

“And that was double the number in police misconduct since you became mayor.” 

In February 2024, an analysis of government data revealed NYPD misconduct lawsuits cost the city over $540 million the last six years. To get into specifics, lawsuits have totaled $548,047,141 since 2018, including $114,586,723 in 2023 alone.

RELATED CONTENT: NYC Mayor Receives Jailhouse Baptism From Al Sharpton On Good Friday

Killer Mike, New York, Blue Note Jazz Club, Michael Render, shows,
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 3, 2024

Killer Mike Hosting Intimate Residency At New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club

After sweeping the Grammy Awards, rapper Killer Mike is ready for an intimate lineup of shows at New York City's famed Blue Note jazz club.

After sweeping the 2024 Grammy Awards, rapper Killer Mike is ready for an intimate lineup of shows at New York City’s famed Blue Note jazz club.

From July 29-31, the “Scientists & Engineers” lyricist will perform six shows alongside the Mighty Midnight Revival as part of his Down by Law tour, Variety reported. Killer Mike, real name Michael Render, will be busy with two shows per night — at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. — as he serves out rhymes from his 20-year catalog, including his Grammy award-winning album Michael.

The special residency comes after the Atlanta native won all three categories he was nominated for at this year’s Grammy awards, including best rap song and best rap performance for his André 3000-assisted track “Scientists & Engineers,” and best rap album. Killer Mike has four Grammys in total, including his 2003 win for best rap performance by a duo or group for his feature on OutKast’s “The Whole World.”

It was an eventful night at the Grammys for Mike as he won big during the Grammys pre-telecast before heading to jail after being arrested for misdemeanor battery following a scuffle with a security guard. Video of the rapper/activist being escorted out of the venue in handcuffs went viral ahead of the televised award show.

When appearing on The View following the Grammys, Killer Mike shared how “overwhelmed” he was that night.

“Backstage was overcrowded, the winners were exuberant and I think security got a little overzealous. It’s water under the bridge for me,” he said.

“All of my heroes have been in handcuffs — [Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Medgar Evers]. I walked out with the same dignity and respect that I walked in with, and I would implore people to just take that from it. Don’t dwell on the bad stuff.”

Killer Mike’s Blue Note residency comes as part of several intimate shows the renowned venue will host in the coming months from jazz, hip-hop, and R&B artists including Robert Glasper, Bilal, Masego, BJ the Chicago Kid, Terrace Martin, and Wynton Marsalis with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Fani Willis, Race, Judge
by Sharelle Burt

April 3, 2024

Fani Willis Talks Boldly About Race Despite Judge’s Warning 

Fani Willis spoke about race after a judge said she should refrain from doing so

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis spoke about race after a judge said she should refrain from doing so. 

During the South Fulton Women of the Shield Awards, hosted by the South Fulton Police Department on Mar. 29, Willis expressed why, despite Judge Scott McAfee’s recommendation, she will continue to speak out about race relations.

“Recently, they tell me they don’t like me to talk about race. Well, I’m going to talk about it anyway,” she said to the crowded room. 

“Truth is, there’s some challenges that come with being Black. And I see so much greatness in this city that has so many great African American leaders. And I appreciate all of the sacrifice that you all have had to make to be in these positions.”

McAfee criticized Willis’ race talk in his decision to allow her to remain as lead prosecutor in Donald Trump’s Georgia election interference case. Willis faced possible expulsion after co-defendants raised concerns about a romantic relationship between Willis and special prosecutor on the case, Nathan Wade. 

The judge touched on remarks the DA made while speaking at Atlanta’s Big Bethel AME Church in January 2024. During her time on the pulpit, she addressed issues surrounding the hearing and the challenges she faced both personally and professionally.

“I appointed three special counsels as is my right to do, but they only attacked one,” Willis said at the time. 

McAfee called her remarks “legally improper” and warned her of a potential gag order in the future.

Willis was amongst “12 extraordinary women who have made remarkable contributions to law enforcement and community impact.” Before receiving this honor, Willis’ father, John Clifford Floyd III, testified that due to receiving death threats, the DA was forced to move from her South Fulton home. 

She was appreciative of the support of the department and thanked Chief Keith Meadows for having “the intelligence to create an event like this where we recognize that you’ve had to go through a little more to serve.” However, her remarks were met with racist undertones on social media.

After saying, “it’s hard out here always having to prove yourself two and three times,” people expressed that she’s been given enough time to prove herself.

“I think she’s “proved” herself one time too many,” @RebeccaCPayton2 tweeted. Another said the only thing she has proven is being a liar.

“Well she’s proved herself 2 or 3 times to be a damned liar..” @peachykeencutz wrote. “…I’m sick of this racism shit by black people all of the time—I’m not saying racism isn’t a problem but goddamn it!!!!”

RELATED CONTENT: All Aboard! Fani Willis Says ‘The Train Is Coming’ Despite Attempts To Slow Trump Interference Case Down 

Guard Jared, Duke, NIL, Sally Hensen, nail polish
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 3, 2024

Duke Freshman Guard Jared McCain Signs NIL Deal With Sally Hansen

'Everybody should do self-care. For me, it's nail painting. I'm sorry if that offends any of you guys.'

Duke University’s Jared McCain’s fondness for painting his fingernails has earned the guard a NIL (Name, image, likeness) deal with American beauty brand Sally Hansen.

The freshman guard took to his TikTok account to explain why he chose Sally Hansen nail polish. Under the video clip, he uses the hashtag #Sally_HansenPartner, while below the post, it’s displayed as a paid partnership.

“Y’all have been asking. @Sally Hansen is the GOAT 🐐! There’s no better nail polish in the game 💅💅 #SallyHansenPartner”

In the short video, he explains why he started painting his fingernails, stating that it helps him not bite his nails. He also says that after going to a salon, he “thought it looked nice.” He’s been sporting them ever since.

“Everybody should do self-care. For me, it’s nail painting. I’m sorry if that offends any of you guys. My favorite nail polish to use is the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri because it only takes 60 seconds to dry. There’s no crazy reason I (paint my nails). It helps me not bite my nails. I went to a salon one time, picked out a color, and thought it looked nice. Many people disagree and don’t like it, but I’m going to be myself and do what I think looks nice.”

He also claims that wearing the nail polish helps him “play better” basketball, and although he admits he’s not “crazy superstitious,” it has become a part of what he does, and he states that it works.

“I’m not crazy superstitious, but I thought it looked nice. I thought it helped me play better,” he said. “So far, it’s worked.”

@jaredmccain24 Y’all have been asking. @Sally Hansen is the GOAT 🐐! There’s no better nail polish in the game 💅💅 #SallyHansenPartner ♬ original sound – Jaredmccain24

Although McCain received great news about his latest NIL deal, it was matched with bad news as his team, the Duke Blue Devils, fell to North Carolina State in their latest game in the NCAA March Madness Tournament, 76-64 on Sunday, March 31. According to GoDuke.com, the freshman led all scorers with 32 points, but it wasn’t enough to get the win. Yet, in the last game of his freshman season, he tied the scoring record for the most points scored by a Duke freshman in the NCAA Tournament, tying with former Duke player and current New Orleans power forward Zion Williamson.

Cameron Sutton #1 of the Detroit Lions, Domestic Violence, Cam Sutton
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 3, 2024

Cam Sutton Turns Himself In After Domestic Violence Accusation

Sutton was wanted for Domestic Battery by Strangulation but prosecutors formally charged him with misdemeanor battery

Former NFL player Cameron Sutton, who has been wanted by the police on allegations of domestic battery, turned himself in on Sunday, March 31.

According to The Associated Press, the former Detroit Lions cornerback surrendered to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Tampa, Fla. Police officers have been searching for him since March 7 after the sheriff’s department responded to a domestic violence call that involved Sutton and a woman around 5 a.m. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office released a statement about the surrender of the 29-year-old.

“After weeks of evading law enforcement, this man has finally made the right choice to turn himself in,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Domestic violence has no place in our community, and no one is above the law here in Hillsborough County. My thoughts are with this woman as she continues to heal from this man’s gruesome actions.”

Sutton was wanted for domestic battery by strangulation, which was listed as a felony, but on April 1, prosecutors stated that he had been formally charged with misdemeanor battery. If convicted of this charge, he faces a maximum of one year in jail. The former Lions player was released on his recognizance, according to the state attorney’s office.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office also stated that on March 25, Sutton’s attorney contacted them to let them know that he was going to turn himself in, but he did not do so until April 1.

Shortly after the sheriff’s office revealed that there was a warrant for Sutton for the allegations of domestic violence, the Lions released him on March 21.

Last year, Sutton signed a $33 million, three-year contract with the franchise. He was instrumental in helping the Lions win the division title this past season, the first time in 30 years.

Angel Reese, Mental Health, NCAA Championship
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 3, 2024

Angel Reese Speaks On Her Mental Health Since Last Year’s NCAA Championship Win

Angel Reese sheds light on her mental health since receiving harsh criticism after her NCAA March Madness win last year.

Following LSU’s loss to Iowa on April 1, Angel Reese shared that she’s been unhappy after receiving death threats after her own March Madness win last year.

The LSU women’s basketball player got emotional as she spoke about the massive internet hate. Since winning the NCAA March Madness tournament in 2023, Reese has faced racialized criticism from fans and professional critics alike. At the postgame conference, Reese shared how her happiness took a significant hit with all the negative comments toward her. NBA Central reposted the tearful moment.

“I just try to stand strong. I’ve been through so much, I’ve seen so much, I’ve been attacked so many times,” shared the 21-year-old college student. “Death threats, I’ve been sexualized, threatened…so many things, and I’ve stood strong. Every single time. And I just try to stand strong for my teammates because I don’t want them to see me down and not be there for them.”

Reese emphasized that she is just a human through the hate. The NCAA champion continues to endure extreme cases of cyberbullying for her performance and attitude on the court.

“I just want them to always know I’m still human. All this has happened since I won the national championship. And I said the other day I haven’t had peace since then,” she continued.

However, “Bayou Barbie” is keeping her head high. Reese further stated she is “unapologetically” herself despite others’ opinions on how she should behave.

“And it sucks, but I still wouldn’t change. I wouldn’t change anything, and I would sit here and say I’m unapologetically me. I’m going to always leave that mark and be who I am. And stand on that. Hopefully, the little girls that look up to me, hopefully, I give them some type of inspiration. Keep being who you are…Don’t back down, and just be confident.”

While the Caitlin Clark-led Iowa Hawkeyes eliminated the LSU Tigers from this year’s tournament, Reese’s impact on women’s sports is far from over.

Minneapolis, George Floyd, settlement
by Sharelle Burt

April 2, 2024

Lawsuit Accuses George Floyd Scholarship of Violating Federal Civil Rights Law 

Anything to stop Black students from having an opportunity....

The George Floyd Memorial Scholarship offered at a college in Minnesota is facing a lawsuit after being accused of violating the Civil Rights Act. 

According to a complaint filed by the conservative nonprofit Equal Protection Project of the Legal Insurrection Foundation, the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship at North Central University in Minneapolis violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits “discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.” 

According to the school’s website, applicants must “be a student who is Black or African American, that is, a person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa” in order to be eligible. Applicants who don’t fall into that racial category are automatically disqualified from ineligibility for the scholarship. 

At the time of the scholarship’s implementation in 2020, North Central President Scott Hagan said it was created to “invest like never before in a new generation of young black Americans, who are poised and ready to take leadership in our nation.”

However, foundation leadership is looking at it from a different viewpoint. “The George Floyd Scholarship eligibility requirements are openly racially discriminatory,” founder William Jacobson said, according to Fox News. “Regardless of the purpose of the racial discrimination, it is wrong and unlawful.” He proposed a plan that would “compensate students shut out of the George Floyd Scholarship due to discrimination.” 

The Legal Insurrection Foundation says its mission is to be an advocate for the advancement of free expression and academic freedom on college campuses, and its suit claims the scholarship may even have criminal consequences, since it “defies the civil rights protections of Minnesota’s Human Rights Act, which makes it a criminal offense for an educational institution to limit access to any educational program on the basis of race.” 

Jacobson touched on the Supreme Court’s controversial overturn of affirmative action in 2023. On June 29, the Supreme Court decided that the race-conscious admissions systems of Harvard College and the University of North Carolina (UNC) were unconstitutional. That marked the end of affirmative action admission policies at colleges and universities.

Liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was one of the three justices who filed a dissenting opinion. Jackson and Clarence Thomas, the two Black justices sitting in the high court, disagreed with each other, with Thomas saying that Black people should be treated as the sum of their experiences and challenges. Jackson countered, saying Thomas was the one who “demonstrates an obsession with race consciousness.” 

“Our country has never been colorblind,” Jackson wrote. 

Meanwhile, the Legal Insurrection Foundation’s Jacobson favored Chief Justice Roberts’ view: “Eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it.”

“NCU knows better than to run educational scholarships that exclude students based on race,” the founder stated. 

“NCU’s nondiscrimination policies absolutely forbid racial discrimination. Why isn’t NCU living up to its own rules?”

While the lawsuit is pending, the scholarship is still accepting applications for the 2024-25 academic school year. The recipient will be selected by June 2024.

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