Former NFL Player’s Sister Asks For Help Locating Him, He’s Been Missing For Months
"This has been a heavy feeling for months to carry around."
Former NFL player Sam Beal has been missing since July, and his sister has taken to social media for help.
Essence Zhane, Beal’s older sister, posted on her Facebook page to say that her brother has not been seen since July 13, 2025, and that she hopes someone has seen him or can explain what may have happened to him.
She is asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact law enforcement officials in Virginia Beach.
“Tomorrow makes it 7 months since we’ve last heard from or seen my brother. We’ve done everything we could on our end to piece things together, and at this point, we’re in desperate need of support on all ends. I’m not here to answer a bunch of why’s and how’s I just need this to land in the right direction to gain some form of answers or closure. I’m a Big sister, and I need my brother to know that We Love You and miss you, and this has been a heavy feeling for months to carry around.”
In her post, Zhane displayed a missing person report from NamUs.gov, an online database of missing persons, which states that his girlfriend was the last person to have seen him, after he dropped her off and borrowed her car that day.
She said he was supposed to go to work, but instead went to Virginia Beach and planned to return home. He has not been seen since.
A family member of Beal’s girlfriend recovered the vehicle in Virginia Beach and found Beal’s shoes and socks on the passenger side, with sand on the floor.
Zhane also posted a paid parking receipt, with a photo of the parking lot’s location, and a receipt for items purchased that day.
If anyone has any knowledge of Beal’s whereabouts or information regarding the disappearance, contact Kentwood Police Department at 616-698-6580 or the Virginia Beach Police Department at 757-385-4141 or its detective bureau at 757-385-4101.
Gervonta Davis Wanted By Miami Police On Domestic Violence Charge
The undefeated boxer is being charged with attempted kidnapping, battery, and false imprisonment.
The troubled escapades of boxer Gervonta Davis have just added another chapter, as police want him in a domestic violence case.
According to CBS Sports, the Miami Gardens Police Department has issued an arrest warrant for the boxer nicknamed “Tank” for charges of attempted kidnapping, battery, and false imprisonment. The charges pertain to an incident that took place in October 2025.
A press conference by the police department announced the action against Tank. Executive Officer Emmanuel Jeanty stated that they are working with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force to find the undefeated fighter.
“At this time, the Miami Gardens Police Department is actively working with the United States Marshal’s fugitive task force to locate and apprehend Mr. Davis,” Jeanty said. “Domestic violence is a serious crime, and the Miami Gardens Police Department remains committed to holding offenders accountable and protecting victims.”
His former girlfriend, Courtney Rossel, filed a civil lawsuit against the boxer in November, accusing him of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. A report was filed on Nov. 3, with the Miami Gardens Police Department claiming that Davis allegedly assaulted the woman at a gentlemen’s club named Tootsie, where she worked as a VIP cocktail server. The alleged incident occurred in a back room of the club where there were no cameras. She stated that she was dragged through a stairwell, kitchen, and the back exit before being physically assaulted in the parking garage.
A planned boxing exhibition match against Jake Paul was canceled after a lawsuit was filed.
Rossel’s attorney gave a statement to ESPN regarding the arrest warrant related to his client’s accusations: “What the police said is exactly in line with our lawsuit,” Jeff Chukwuma said. “So whatever investigation they did, they determined it was enough to get a judge to sign off on an arrest warrant. The state attorney had to make the determination before, which coincides exactly with our civil complaint.”
Tank has had several brushes with the law. In August, after being arrested in July, following an accusation of striking the mother of his two children during a custody exchange, prosecutors dropped a domestic violence case after she refused to press charges against the boxer.
Kristen Pierce-Sherrod CEO Of Harold’s Chicken Shack Dead At Age 55
Pierce-Sherrod followed in her father's footsteps continuing the legacy of Chicago's famous Harold's Chicken Shack.
Kristen Pierce-Sherrod, the chief executive officer of Harold’s Chicken Shack and daughter of the restaurant’s founder, has died. She was 55.
Pierce-Sherrod’s death was confirmed by her family in a statement, the Chicago Tribune reported. Pierce-Sherrod’s cause of death was not revealed. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. The announcement first appeared on social media but was later removed.
“On behalf of Harold’s Chicken Corporate and the Chicago Children Equestrian Center, we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our Chief Executive Officer, Kristen D. Pierce-Sherrod,” her family wrote in a post. “The family extends their sincere gratitude for the outpouring of prayers and condolences. At this time, we kindly ask that their privacy be respected during this time of bereavement.”
According to the Tribune, Pierce-Sherrod played a central role in guiding the family-owned business in recent years, including during preparations for the company’s 75th anniversary in 2025. She was responsible for corporate operations and worked to expand and oversee franchised locations while preserving the brand’s identity.
Pierce-Sherrod led Harold’s Chicken Shack, overseeing the iconic Chicago-based fried chicken brand founded by her father, Harold Pierce, in 1950. The first Harold’s Chicken Shack opened on the South Side of Chicago and grew into a locally rooted chain known for its fried chicken and mild sauce. It has become a popular tourist attraction and local staple.
Kristen Pierce-Sherrod, the CEO of Harold’s Chicken and the daughter of the famous Chicago staple’s founder, has died. She was 55. pic.twitter.com/HkqsDRmxxK
Pierce-Sherrod was an avid and consistent steward of her father’s legacy. The Black-woman CEO served as a visible representative of one of Chicago’s most recognizable Black-owned restaurants. In an interview with ABC, she spoke about the responsibility of sustaining a family business long-term and preserving its authentic identity. She emphasized the importance of remaining authentic to the family-built brand.
“We’ve never done commercials,” Pierce-Sherrod said. “That goes back to my dad. He wanted everything to be word of mouth. And when you hear all those rappers mentioning Harold’s, that’s all word of mouth, too.”
Harold’s Chicken Shack has long been referenced in Chicago culture, including in music and popular media, as part of the city’s South Side food tradition. Pierce-Sherrod’s leadership kept the business under family control decades after its founding, the Tribune reported.
The company did not announce plans for succession or memorial events in its statement. Family members asked for privacy as they mourn, according to the Tribune.
WNBA, Players Union Agree To Moratorium But Will Negotiate Players’ Salaries
Both sides will continue to negotiate in good faith.
With both sides still at odds over the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) and the WNBPA (Women’s National Basketball Players Association) have agreed to a moratorium after failing to reach a deal by the proposed Jan. 9 deadline.
According to The Associated Press, there will be no business dealings until the two sides reach an agreement on how the league will compensate the players. The recent CBA had been extended twice after it originally expired on Oct. 30, 2025—first to Nov. 30, and then to Jan. 9.
Both sides will continue to negotiate in good faith. The WNBA has never had a work stoppage in its existence.
There will be no signings or player transactions, as before the moratorium was issued, the WNBA, under U.S. labor law, had an obligation to allow teams to extend qualifying offers under the expired CBA. The issue appears to stem from differing views on salaries and revenue sharing.
Although the WNBA’s current offer provides players with a substantial increase in average annual salaries, the union believes it still isn’t enough.
The most recent offer guarantees a maximum base salary of $1 million, starting this season, that could rise to $1.3 million through revenue sharing. The last CBA had a maximum cap of $249,000.
With the latest proposal, players would receive more than 70% of net revenue. That would be after expenses are paid. Those expenses would include better amenities for players, such as upgraded facilities, charter flights, and five-star hotels.
The average salary would be more than $530,000, which is more than the current $120,000, and grow to more than $770,000 over the life of the agreement. The minimum salary would be up from $67,000 to approximately $250,000 in the first year.
The union countered with a proposal that players receive approximately 30% of gross revenue. The player’s cut would be from money generated before expenses for the first year, while giving teams a $10.5 million salary cap to sign players. They would also want the revenue-sharing percentage to go up each year.
Memphis Widow Speaks After Husband Fatally Shot After Pulling Into Stranger’s Driveway
A Memphis widow is speaking out after her husband was fatally shot after the couple briefly pulled into a stranger's driveway.
A Memphis woman is grieving the loss of her husband after he was fatally shot when the couple pulled into a stranger’s driveway to avoid a traffic ticket.
Sheila Booker recounted the moments leading up to the Jan. 9 killing of her husband, Rodriguez Poplar, who was fatally shot outside a stranger’s home where the couple had briefly parked to avoid a police encounter, Fox 13 Memphis reports. Officers nearby quickly arrested the suspect.
“The police came so fast,” Booker said. “If it weren’t for them, I think I’d be dead. They saved my life.”
Booker said that when she and her husband spotted police lights on North Trezevant Street, he steered her into a driveway because their car had a broken headlight and expired tags. She says that’s when the homeowner emerged armed, demanding they leave.
“So, he pulled the gun in my face, and that’s when my husband got out, and my husband got out trying to protect me, and that’s when he shot my husband right in front of me,” Booker said.
The widow said the police arrived on the scene in under a minute, with officers reporting that they found the suspect, Tommy Applewhite, still armed. Applewhite is facing multiple charges, including second-degree murder.
His criminal history in Shelby County dates back to 2001, with the most serious prior incident in 2007 when he shot a man twice at a Frayser apartment complex following a fight. He pleaded guilty to attempted murder and served three years in prison. Court records also show multiple drug- and gun-related offenses. At the time of the 2026 shooting, Applewhite was on active probation for a 2022 gun charge, according to Tennessee Department of Corrections records.
Booker has started a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of her husband’s funeral and burial.
“I am asking for help to cover funeral and burial expenses so that I can lay my husband to rest with dignity and peace,” she wrote in the campaign description. “Any funds raised will go directly toward funeral services, burial costs, and related expenses during this incredibly difficult time.”
The U.S. Indefinitely Shuts Down Immigrant Visas For 75 Countries
There are several Caribbean and African countries on the list, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, and Nigeria.
The Trump administration has announced it would suspend immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries, who the administration said are likely to require public assistance while living in the U.S.
The freeze will begin on Jan. 21 and targets applicants who State Department officials deem likely to become a “public charge,” or people they believe will rely on government assistance for basic needs.
“The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” the department said in a statement obtained by the Associated Press. “Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”
Trump Administration’s Crackdown on Immigration
According to The Guardian, the Trump administration has beefed up immigration enforcement at unprecedented levels. In addition to immigration and travel bans on nearly 40 countries, the State Department has reportedly revoked more than 100,000 visas since Trump took office for a second term. The Department of Homeland Security said more than 605,000 people have been deported, and an additional 2.5 million have reportedly self-deported.
The administration’s latest effort of pausing immigration visas comes amid heavy scrutiny geared toward Somali Americans in Minnesota over fraud allegations. Over the past year, 98 people in Minnesota have been charged with fraudulently obtaining federal funds to subsidize the cost of caring for low-income children. Of those charged, approximately 90 are of Somali descent, The Washington Times reports.
There are several Caribbean and African countries on the list, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, and Nigeria. Applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, temporary tourist or business visas, who make up the vast majority of visa seekers, will not be impacted by the halt. According to the AP, demand for tourist visas will increase in the coming months due to the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics being hosted in the United States.
Journalist Exposes Janky ICE Recruitment Process, Revealing She Was Hired Without Background Check
Editors at Slate stand by the story.
As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents continue to be under fire for their aggressive actions, Laura Jedeed, a journalist, poured salt in an open wound by exposing the agency for hiring her without a proper background check.
Jedeed tested the ICE recruitment process by submitting a fake application, only to be hired, much to her surprise.
The process started when she visited an ICE Career Expo event at the ESports Stadium Arlington in Texas in August 2025. The agency was offering deportation officer candidates positions on the spot.
Despite being anti-ICE and a President Donald Trump critic, she applied to test the expanding theory that many agents are not only properly trained but also improperly hired.
Jedeed claimed she received a Sept. 3 email with a “tentative offer” of employment, but she never accepted it. So she was surprised to get a follow-up with a request for a drug test—and consent for a background check to take place.
Her curiosity piqued, she took the drug test but admitted to engaging in legal cannabis a few days earlier, thinking she would fail, but that wasn’t the case.
“I was curious, ‘had they processed the drug test yet?’ So I logged into the ICE hiring portal, and what I found was that not only did the drug test seem to be relevant, I was listed as having joined ICE three days earlier,” she revealed.
Independent journalist @LauraJedeed recounts how she was hired as an ICE agent despite never completing a background check, likely failing a drug test and publicly sharing her opposition to Trump. pic.twitter.com/8vMStB957a
“By all appearances, I was a deportation officer,” Jadeed wrote in her Slatepiece, “You’ve Heard About Who ICEIs Recruiting. The Truth Is Far Worse. I’m the Proof.”
“Without a single signature on agency paperwork, ICE had officially hired me.”
According to the ICE website, those who want to help the country that “has been invaded by criminals and predators” don’t need an undergraduate degree. The agency is also “looking for individuals with integrity and courage” and “law enforcement personnel who aspire to the highest standards of performance, professionalism and leadership.”
With those requirements, it may not come as a surprise that Jadeed made the cut. The 38-year-old joined the Army after high school and served two tours in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division.
But as the story began to go viral, a DHS spokesperson claimed it was false.
“Applicants may receive a Tentative Selection Letter following their initial application and interview that is not a job offer. This individual was NEVER offered a job at ICE,” the spokesperson said.
A spokesperson at Slate said that the editors are standing behind Jedeed’s reporting, a refreshing act as journalism and free speech have been under attack.
“Evidence, including video documentation, shows the journalist who reported this story advanced through multiple hiring stages beyond the ‘tentative selection letter,’ including receiving a final offer letter and being given a start date,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Zoe Saldaña Makes History As The Highest-Grossing Movie Actor Ever
The 47-year-old has appeared in 18 feature films over her nearly three-decade career.
It’s official! Zoe Saldaña is the highest-grossing actor in history, according to Variety.
Saldaña has starred in three of the highest-grossing films of all time: Avatar and its sequel, The Way of Water, rank No. 1 and No. 3, respectively. She also played Gamora in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, which dominated box office charts and set records for fastest grossing, highest single-day and weekend openings, and became the second-highest-grossing film of all time worldwide. The star is also the first actress to appear in four movies that have grossed over $2 billion worldwide.
Previously, Saldaña was the third-highest-grossing actor behind fellow Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU ) actors Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson. But her starring role in the third installment of Avatar propelled the actress to the No. 1 spot. To date, the sci-fi film has earned $1.23 billion, according to IGN.
The mother of three took to Instagram to celebrate the achievement.
“I just want to express my sincerest gratitude for the extraordinary journey that has led me to become the highest-grossing film actor of all time today. An achievement made possible entirely by the incredible franchises,” Saldaña said in the Instagram reel.
Saldaña then acknowledged the directors behind her hit films, including J.J. Abrams of Star Trek, the Avengers directors Joe and Anthony Russo, and Avatar’s James Cameron.
“Your faith, your guidance, and your vision shape not only these films, but me as an artist,” the Golden Globe winner said.
Saldaña noted that this achievement was bigger than herself.
“This accomplishment belongs to all of us, and I’m deeply grateful and profoundly humbled. And may the next record breaker be another woman!”
Saldaña began her acting career in 1999 with a role on Law and Order.
Her breakout role was Anamaria in 2003’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). The actress’s other accolades include a BAFTA award, two Critics’ Choice Awards, a Golden Globe, a SAG Award, and a Cannes Film Festival Award.
Youth Leaders Talk Bringing MLK’s Legacy Of Nonviolence To Online Communities
Youth leaders addressed online trolling, bullying, and abuse.
A panel of accomplished young leaders and activists started a week of events leading to the upcoming 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, connecting the violence and abuse experienced by youth in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement with online trolling, bullying, and abuse of young people passionately advocating for change via social media platforms today.
“We’re not here to talk about going viral; we’re here to talk about going brave,” said Dorothy Jeanius STEAM Leadership Institute Founder and CEO Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman, who made headlines in 2023 by earning a doctorate in behavioral health from Arizona State University at age 17. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taught us that courage is not the absence of fear. It’s choosing love, truth, and responsibility anyway. Today, that courage doesn’t just show up on our streets—it shows up on our screens.”
Tillman and Saundra Xiong, a junior at the Savannah College of Art and Design and graduate of the Beloved Community Leadership Academy EmpowHer program, co-moderated the“Streaming Courage—Building Safe Communities Online” panel to start the 2026 Beloved Community Global Youth Summit at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta on Jan. 14.
Amariyanna “Little Miss Flint” Copeny, the youth activist who raised awareness about the ongoing Flint water crisis; Uruguayan-American social media personality and nonprofit director Carlos Eduardo Espina; and music artist and social media influencer Jordan “Mr. Hotspot” Brown served as panel speakers.
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The Beloved Community Global Youth Summit was presented by the Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change. The King Center’s theme for this year’s activations and summit events is “Mission Possible 2: Building Community, Uniting A Nation, The Nonviolent Way.”
The Global Youth Summit was presented before an audience of more than 400 elementary and high school students from the Atlanta metro area.
The “Streaming Courage” session focused on how the young leaders on the panel face and overcome online violence in response to their social media activism. “This conversation is about building safe communities,” said Xiong, “spaces rooted in dignity, empathy, and accountability—even when the internet rewards outrage instead of care.”
Copeny, who was a pre-teen when her posts about the Flint water crisis gained national attention, was clear that taking a stand on social media can come at a high cost, including being attacked by adults.
“Speaking up did make me uncomfortable, especially on social media, and especially on Twitter [X],” she said. “I honestly don’t like using that platform to spread awareness, because it is full of racism, and it was grown adults who don’t know anything about me, spreading hateful rumors that have literally never been true.”
Echoing the nonviolent philosophies of The King Center, Brown stressed growing a social media audience by overcoming online hate with love and positivity.
“It’s really coming down to showing love to your neighbor,” he asserted. “And from there, you can see some type of growth…you’ll see the viewers going up, realizing that people were listening to your positivity, which will encourage you to keep doing more.”
“Realize that sometimes you hyperfocus on the negative, but the reality is, most people are going to support you,” said Espina. “Even though on social media you get a lot of hateful comments, no one has ever told me anything negative in person. Social media often amplifies negativity, but social media is not always a representation of the real world. If you do stuff for your community, there’s going to be a lot more people who support you, because I believe love multiplies. People feel that positive vibe; that’s what attracts them to you. Just do what you do and stand up for what you believe in.”
Other programming included guided tours of the National Center for Civil Rights; a screening of the short film, mHoops, Hopes & Dreams, about how a young Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. used basketball to activate young people for the Civil Rights Movement; and a panel featuring King Center CEO Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King, music artist and producer 2Chainz and his son Halo, moderated by speaker and TV host Ryan Cameron.
“We need you to understand the movement that my father led,” Dr. King said as she urged the youth in attendance to live out her father’s principles of nonviolence in pursuit of social change. “I want to challenge you all to go a little bit deeper with understanding Dr. King and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, because they left us with some wisdom—more than ‘I Have A Dream.’ They left us with some teachings, and these teachings can help you with your everyday life, with your family, with your friends, with your neighborhood, and in society. We do this summit to connect [young people] with the real legacy, the authentic legacy, of Dr. King.”
Indiana Driver Gets New Car After Photo Of Wrecked Truck Goes Viral, ‘God Is Good’
A driver out of South Bend, Indiana, was gifted a new car after his wrecked pickup truck went viral.
A South Bend, Indiana, driver was gifted a new car after a photo of his battered pickup truck went viral, sparking a wave of community donations.
Marcellus Riles cried tears of joy after being gifted a shiny 2019 Chevrolet Silverado last month, with help from Gates Chevy and Car Guys Professional Auto Detailing, WNDU reports. The replacement comes after Car Guys’ owner, Colin Crowel, saw a now-viral photo of Riles’ original truck, which had a tilted body, a dangling taillight, and damage on both sides.
Moved by the driver’s story, Crowel started a GoFundMe that raised $10,000 in just 48 hours and topped $20,000 by the time Riles got his new car.“
“This whole thing is not about me. It’s about this community bonding together. God is good,” Riles said.
NEW: Community comes together and buys a South Bend, Indiana, man a new vehicle after his beat-up Chevy Silverado went viral online.
Mo Riles says his truck was severely damaged over the years.
Thanks to the fact that Indiana doesn't require routine vehicle inspections, Riles… pic.twitter.com/iOPeXku4zm
Riles, a part-time cashier on South Bend’s south side, had been safely driving his beat-up truck when locals started snapping photos and videos of it. After seeing a post about the vehicle, Crowel rallied the community to help.
“I made a post that same night on social media and said to my friends and acquaintances, business partners, saying, ‘Hey, if I did this, would I have some backing from the community? And it was a resounding yes. Everybody wanted to do this,” Crowel said.
The campaign launched just before last month’s Giving Tuesday, which Crowel said felt especially fitting.
“Yesterday was Giving Tuesday. I had no idea it was Giving Tuesday until someone called me and told me it was,” he said. “And so, it was kind of a Christmas miracle, so to speak, that it fell on the right day at the right time to the right person.”
“Oh, my Jesus. In two days. Oh, wow. Wow. This is just overwhelming. When my neighbor told me, I just cried. And I’m holding back tears now,” Riles said. “And I’m just so thankful. And there’s not a word for the gratitude. That I want to share with everybody. Thoughts and emotions. Thank you so much.”
