by Sharelle B. McNair

March 10, 2025

Haiti’s Antoine Simon Airport Welcomes International Flights Amid Port-Au-Prince Unrest

As an additional transportation hub, the Antoine Simon Airport is expected to heighten the local economy as well as provide new ways for aid distribution

Antoine Simon Airport in the southwest city of Les Cayes in Haiti is prepared to take on international flights as commercial airlines have paused flights to Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince amid growing gang violence, NBC News reports.

Nonprofits and travel leaders call the addition “really exciting” as Antoine Simon is Haiti’s third international airport. A number of groups that provide aid to Haitians have had to stop their work as the capital city has been stricken with gang violence and political turmoil. In addition, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration extended a ban on U.S. flights to Port-au-Prince until March 12.

The Executive Director of the Colorado-based nonprofit Locally Haiti, Wynn Walent, says it is important for work in the southwest region to be done as many people focus on work in Port-au-Prince. “It’s really exciting. For understandable reasons, folks are focused on the challenges in Port-au-Prince, but there is so much that can be done in the south,” Walent said.

“This could be a big step in that direction.”

Mercy Corps’ Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Hugh Aprile, agrees with Walent, saying, “Much of the needs are in the southern peninsula.” “For us, this will be helpful,” he said.

According to the Associated Press, the airport is named after the Haitian president who led a rebellion in the early 1900s. After operating fully for close to 20 years, renovations for a runway extension started in 2013. As an additional transportation hub, the development is expected to heighten the local economy as well as provide new ways for aid distribution. Other leaders see the development as a ploy for tourism growth. “Infrastructure is the basis of a country’s economic development,” the president of Haiti’s transitional presidential council, Leslie Voltaire, said when he visited the airport for the renovation unveiling.

Toussaint Louverture International Airport remains open, but commercial flights are banned from flying in as violence has injured a number of people. In November 2024, a Spirit Airlines flight was allegedly struck with gunfire, injuring a flight attendant. The incident resulted in the U.S. State Department issuing a warning of “gang-led efforts” in Haiti and cautioned Americans not to travel there.

With gangs controlling close to 85% of the capital city, main roads have been blocked, making it difficult for aid organizations like Action Against Hunger, which lost funding for a nutrition and feeding program that served 13,000 people in Haiti’s rural northeast and south due to recent USAID cuts, from getting in and out.

Miami Heat,Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers' Head Coach, Chauncey Billups

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 10, 2025

Savannah State University Men’s Basketball Wins SIAC Championship, Clinches NCAA II Tournament Spot

The team is riding an eight-game winning streak.

Savannah State University men’s basketball’s eight-game winning streak has come at the right time. On Saturday, March 8, it won the SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) Tournament Championship, the team’s second since 2022.

The Tigers beat Tuskegee University, 67-66 at Forbes Arena on the campus of Morehouse College after Javonte Landy hit a free throw with two seconds left in the game.

“Congratulations to THE @savannahstate University, the 2025 @thesiac Champions! #SavannahStrong #SSU #WeHailYou”

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A post shared by Mayor Van R. Johnson, II (@mayorjohnsonsav)

The Tigers were down by eight points with less than five minutes remaining in the game, but went on a 14-3 run to beat Tuskugee in the closing minutes. Landy led the team with a season-high 23 points, making four of six shots from behind the three-point line and making five of six free throws.

On their way to winning the championship, Savannah State avenged losses during the season by beating Spring Hill College, Miles College, Central State University, and Tuskegee. In three of the four games, the Tigers lost by double digits.

The Tigers’ record is 18-11, with a 12-9 conference record. They also took home the conference championship in 1970 and from 1979 to 1981.

The team now heads to the NCAA II Men’s Tournament. They have been selected as the No. 8 seed in the South Region and will play No. 1 seed, Nova Southeastern University on Saturday, March 15, in South Florida at 5:00 p.m.

The school also announced that Landy was honored as HBCU National Player of the Week by BOXTOROW. The junior averaged 19 points with 48 percent shooting from the field. Landy led the team to a 4-0 record in the SIAC Tournament. .

by Mitti Hicks

March 10, 2025

Memphis Petition Pushes Back On Elon Musk’s ‘Supercomputer’ Due To Health Concerns

The petition criticizes the majority of city and county leaders who allowed the 'supercomputer' without considering the impact on residents' health.

A petition to move billionaire Elon Musk’s xAI supercomputer out of Memphis has more than 4,000 signatures.

Memphis resident Hailey Thomas, an educator, launched the “Push the Supercomputer Out of Memphis” petition on Feb. 19.

In the petition, Thomas criticizes the majority of city and county leaders who allowed the “supercomputer” without considering the impact on residents’ health.

“This facility is going to have a detrimental impact on not South Memphians, but Memphians as a whole,” she wrote.

“South Memphis has a history of experiencing environmental racism,” Thomas continued. “The neighborhood has been targeted by environmental polluters. South Memphis’s cancer rate is 4 times higher than the national average. We also see effects such as an elevated asthma rate, failing air quality, and a life expectancy that is 10 years lower in contrast to the rest of the city.”

Thomas is not wrong. According to a report from Science Direct, Southwest Memphis is surrounded by fossil fuel-burning, steel, refining, and food-processing industries that pose higher risks to residents. Scientists who tested the air toxins in Memphis found concentrations of “many compounds” in the sample collections higher than those measured in many industrial communities throughout the U.S.

The Concerns With Musk’s xAI Supercomputer in Memphis

Thomas’ most significant concern is that the facility runs on gas turbines.

According to the Commercial Appeal, the Memphis City Council approved a 13-acre land deal with CTC Property, an affiliate of xAI. The land will be used to build the company’s estimated $80 million “Colossus Water Recycle Plant.”

In September 2024, the 100,000-chip supercomputer Colossus officially went online. The facility requires significant energy, including a reported 300 megawatts of electricity to power the facility. Initial estimates for the site were half of that. As a result, Memphis Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW) is building a substation to meet the initial demand of 150 megawatts. In the meantime, xAI is using temporary gas turbines so the facility can meet its energy demand. CTC Property filed an application for an operating permit for 15 gas turbines with the Shelby County Health Department earlier this year.

The permit would allow for 24/7 usage of the gas turbines, the Commercial Appeal reports. CTC filed the application for the turbines and cites the reason as MLGW failing to meet its facility needs. According to CTC’s application, the turbines have an emissions output for controlled and uncontrolled hazardous air pollutants (HAP) of 11.61 tons per year.

If approved by the Shelby County Department of Health, gas turbine usage will increase from 364 days to continuous from June 2025 through June 2026.

That’s a problem for Thomas, who says air pollution from the xAI facility has substantial health implications for a region already plagued with air quality issues from other processing industries.

“These turbines essentially omit smog into the atmosphere,” said Thomas. “Overall, the air quality, water access, and grid stability will be compromised.”

Haiti, france, reparation, Haitians, Haitian Heritage Month

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 10, 2025

This Haitian Immigrant Overcame Chronic Illness To Become A Business Success With Her Healthcare Practice

Despite her own health obstacles, Dr. Solange Vivens rose to success by owning a fleet of nursing home facilities.

A Haitian immigrant’s triumphant journey from sickly child to a success entrepreneur in healthcare facilities makes her an inspiration this Women’s History Month.

Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Dr. Solange Vivens knew that a successful life was possible despite her circumstances. A childhood with rheumatoid arthritis left her in constant pain. However, her father’s effective home-grown remedies led to her own dedication to wellness and healthcare.

Her parents’ wish for a better future resulted in Vivens leaving her homeland at 19 years old during the rise of the Tonton Macoutes. The secret police force, led by Haiti’s then-president, Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier, forced his dictatorship for nearly three decades. Due to the political strife, Vivens sought her higher education in America.

“I graduated school in June and in July, I was exiled,” she told theGrio. “They said, ‘You better not come back.’”

She transitioned through multiple jobs, including as a hospital aide while her immigration lawyer worked on her visa.

“America used to take care of its own,” Vivens said. “America understood that immigrants make this America we live in today.”

She saw the more opulent lives of wealthy Americans, which encouraged her own vision to find success. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing and obtained her master’s in health services management at Georgetown University. Having a knack for managing nursing homes, she co-founded and eventually bought out a fleet of nursing home facilities.

After becoming the sole owner of Vital Management Team, Long Term Care Inc., Vivens sold the Washington, D.C.-based geriatric nursing facilities in 2018. Now, she is detailing her rise while inspiring the next generation of young Black girls through new projects. Alongside creating Vivens Media Group, the registered nurse also authored a memoir, Educated Girl, Empowered Woman: The Art of Living with Grace, Joy & Dignity.

“We as women take care of people every day–and we forget we exist,” said Vivens. “The first thing I ask women to do is look in the mirror. Love the girl in the mirror. Let her know you will do anything to protect her because if you don’t protect her, she can’t protect anyone else.”

She hopes to adapt her novel, Girls Can Move Mountains: Rewriting the Rules of Female Entrepreneurship, into a film to continue her mission to empower women across the Diaspora.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Trump, ballroom, DC Hillbillies

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 10, 2025

Is Crossing The U.S. Border Legal? Rep. Jasmine Crockett Says ‘It’s Not A Crime’

Several comments on social media attacked Crockett for seemingly not knowing the law as a licensed attorney.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Tx.) sparked backlash for claiming that illegal immigrants entering the United States is “not a crime,” although federal law says differently.

During an interview on MSNBC’s “The Katie Phang Show,” the Texas lawmaker and lawyer talked about Republican leaders’ focus on crimes allegedly committed by illegal immigrants and said they shouldn’t be labeled as such since crossing into the United States illegally isn’t a crime. “They continue to say things like ‘the illegals’ and that they broke the law coming in. But what they’re not telling the American people is that it is a civil violation. It is not a criminal violation to enter the country illegally. It’s not. It’s not criminal. It’s not a crime,” Crockett said.

“It’s not a crime. Which is why they’re so frustrated because they really want our local law enforcement to go out and round up people when they could be looking out for the murderers and the sexual abusers, as well as the robbers. They want them to go and round people up on civil accusations.”

CLOSED BORDER: Democrat leader Rep Jasmine Crockett, in a groundbreaking legal opinion, explains that breaking the law is not illegal. She went to the University of Houston Law School. pic.twitter.com/u4cpr9YOM7

— @amuse (@amuse) March 10, 2025

Several laws say differently. Under 8 USC 1325, crossing into the U.S. improperly is considered a federal misdemeanor crime where first-time offenders can face fines and up to six months in jail. Repeat offenders can face similar fines and an extended two years in prison. For illegal immigrants who have been removed from the country after being convicted of three or more misdemeanor crimes and returned, 8 USC 1326 pushed up to 10 years in prison.

Those convicted of felony crimes and return face up to 20 years in prison.

Several comments on social media attacked Crockett for seemingly not knowing the law as a licensed attorney. Comments included, “Are you sure she didn’t get her degree off the internet?” and highlighting the case of Laken Riley, a nursing student from Georgia who an alleged illegal immigrant murdered. “Tell that to Laken Riley’s mother,” @chillguyrec wrote.

However, according to Fox News reporting, “unlawful presence,” or overstaying a “period of stay” authorized in the U.S., such as a work visa, is not considered a criminal offense.

Tell that to Laken Riley’s mother

— Rec (@ChillGuyRec) March 10, 2025

Crockett, who has been an outspoken opponent of President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies, called out her Republican colleagues for having such a focus on immigrant crime while supporting Trump, who she called “the biggest criminal” of them all. “That’s why I wanted to point out, don’t give me this fake outrage about criminals roaming our streets when you guys stand 10 toes down for the biggest criminal that we have ever seen go into the White House,” she continued.

Back in February 2025, Crockett said, “We have a thug in charge of the United States,” while criticizing Trump’s move of firing top FBI officials and federal prosecutors who worked on Jan. 6 cases, according to KTSM. She said the president is trying to eliminate the concept of checks and balances that the U.S. has banked on for decades. “Let me tell you: We have a thug in charge of the United States,” the congresswoman said.

“And if we don’t wake up, we may not have a United States because right now, he has only been successful in being a divider in chief.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 10, 2025

Baltimore Doctor Known For Providing Free Services Given $100K By Community After Cancer Diagnosis

Over 1,000 people contributed to the crowdfund to help Dr. Zollicoffer cover his cancer treatment.

A Baltimore community gave back to the benevolent doctor in their lives by donating $100K toward his cancer treatment.

Dr. Michael Zollicoffer has tended to his patients throughout Baltimore for decades, refusing to charge those who could not afford the medical service. However, when he needed his own support after a recent cancer diagnosis, his community poured back into him. The Neighborhood Talk reposted footage of his interview with CBS News.

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Although the man known by his patients as Dr. Z has limited funds, he does not regret aiding those with similar financial strains. For him, medicine is as much about the practice of medicine as it is about his love for his community.

“I just love people,” Zollicoffer told the news outlet. “I love to see a rash. If you say you got a rash, I’m going to find you because I love a bump on your head.”

Even if one cannot afford a visit to the doctor, Dr. Z is willing to see anyone, no matter their financial situation. Moreover, Dr. Z has made himself available to see patients at any time of the year, skipping vacations to ensure patients can call when needed.

“Forget that dollar bill,” added Zollicoffer. “I’m going to see you no matter what. You walk in that door, you will be seen. You bring your grandma with you; I’ll see her, too.”

However, with renal and rectal cancer diagnoses in the last few months, Dr. Z’s own care was in jeopardy. Alongside issues with his Medicare plan, Zollicoffer was left with limited options for treatment.

Unable to afford his own radiation treatments, his community refused to see the man who always treated them with no way forward.

“Dr. Z will not give up on you, so we damn sure ain’t giving up on him,” emphasized patient Ray Beverly.

His patients began a crowdfunding campaign that took off. With almost 1,000 donors, they raised over $100k to cover the cost of his radiation therapy.

While still dealing with his own health battles, this doctor remains grateful for his journey and the power of community.

“You know what, I’m going to say something that may seem crazy as heck,” Zollicoffer said. “I’m thankful that I got cancer because I am the happiest man on the planet, no matter what the outcome. What we have shown, and why we’re sitting at this table right now, to show America: this is what you’re about! We are about giving! I can’t make it without them, nor can they make it without me.”

However, the good work keeps pouring in. With his insurance issue resolved, Dr. Z is still thinking on behalf of his patients across Baltimore. Now, he plans to put the extra cash where he always has, back into the people.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 10, 2025

Gin & Juice, Upgraded: Snoop Dogg Unveils His Signature Tonic Line

Snoop Dogg partnered with Harmony Craft Beverages to release a hemp-infused adult beverage

Rap mogul Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus has recently introduced his latest hemp concoction, Iconic Tonics.

The “Doggfather” connected with Harmony Craft Beverages in a strategic partnership to release an adult beverage. The hemp-infused product is being described as a premium functional beverage aimed at redefining adult beverage alternatives.

“I’ve always been about innovation, and functional beverages are the next frontier,” said Snoop Dogg in a written statement. “People want drinks that do more than just taste good – they want benefits, and they want choices. Harmony Craft Beverages has been pioneering this movement, and together now as Iconic Tonics, we’re bringing something fresh to the table. This is more than a brand – it’s a lifestyle.”

The brand starts with five different varieties: Lifeblood by Love Yer Brain (co-created with Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips), Klaus, Malus, Herbaceé, and Lift.

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The two brands will work together to make the company successful by combining Harmony Craft Beverages’ expertise in functional beverages, innovation, brand development, marketing, and strategy with Snoop’s global influence, appeal, and presence.

Consumers can purchase Iconic Tonics online and at national retailers like Total Wine & More, regional partners like Woodman’s Markets, and local platforms like DoorDash.

“We’re building a platform that’s bigger than any one brand,” said Evan Eneman, Co-Founder and CEO of Iconic Tonics. “Consumers are moving beyond traditional alcohol and sugar-laden beverages – they want function, flavor, and experience. With Snoop’s cultural reach and our proven ability to develop and launch groundbreaking drinks, we’re setting the stage for the next evolution in beverages. We’re thrilled to have Snoop Dogg as an investor and partner. Snoop’s vision for the cannabis industry aligns perfectly with our mission to create positive change with our functional beverages.”

This is the latest business venture that the “Gin & Juice” recording artist has announced after stating that he is taking his Death Row catalog over to Tune.FM’s music streaming platform Web3.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 10, 2025

Myles Garrett Becomes Highest-Paid Non-Quarterback After Agreeing To Contract Extension With Cleveland Browns

The deal will reportedly pay the defensive back an average of $40 million per year

Another record-breaking contract extension took place in the NFL when Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns agreed to a deal that will keep the defensive end with the team through the 2030 season.

The Browns announced that Garrett signed an extension to stay with the team, after publicly requesting a trade in February following a disappointing 3-14 record. He expressed a desire to win when he stated that he wanted to leave. Garrett met with Andrew Berry, Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager, to discuss his frustration after they spoke during their exit interviews once the season ended.

9️⃣5️⃣ is staying in the 2️⃣1️⃣6️⃣

We’ve agreed to terms on a 4-year extension with Myles Garrett!

📰 » https://t.co/jbP3i6GLU4 pic.twitter.com/Uwn01KdaZi

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) March 9, 2025

Berry knew that having Garrett stay on the team would make him an integral part of the team’s winning, so he offered the extension. The team did not release details on how much the deal was worth, but ESPN reported that he would average $40 million per year. With $123.5 million in guaranteed money, Garrett is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

On Feb. 3, Garrett requested a trade. In a written statement, he said his “goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton; it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl.”

He asked to be traded to a playoff-contending team.

Garrett’s contract includes a no-trade clause, which was negotiated by his agent, Kluth Sports’ President of Football, Nicole Lynn.

Garrett has been with the Browns for eight seasons after being selected No. 1 by the team in the 2017 NFL Draft. The six-time Pro Bowler won the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year and was in the running to win the award in 2022 and 2024.

Although the Browns had a dismal season, he was a bright light for the franchise. During the 2024 season, he became the 45^th player in NFL history since 1982 to have 100 career sacks. Garrett was the fourth-fastest player to achieve that feat when he did it in his 115^th game, and the only player to accomplish that before turning 29.

Remote Workers. Work from home, Laptop, remote work

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 10, 2025

California and Texas Are The Latest States To Push For The End Of Remote Work For Federal Employees

Despite research proving that in-office requirements make employees less productive, states are pushing efficiency as the reason behind the change.

If you are a federal employee in California or Texas, remote work life could be ending as state leaders are pushing for workers to return to the office, The Associated Press reports.

Democratic and Republican-led states are mimicking policies handed down by President Donald Trump, who mandated that still-employed federal employees return to the office full-time after years of hybrid or remote work. Several Fortune 500 companies like Amazon and AT&T have followed suit.

Federal workers in California are mandated to return to office life at least four days a week starting July 1 under the direction of Gov. Gavin Newsom, who says it’s about productivity and collaboration. Employees like Jonah Paul, who has to take the train two days a week to the office in the capital city of Sacramento, aren’t thrilled about the change. He says he’s lucky if he is home by 7 p.m. with the heavy commute.

He said, “People have been really upset” over the order. “The governor’s executive order kind of blindsided everybody,” the president of the Sacramento chapter of SEIU Local 1000 said.

Despite research proving that in-office requirements make employees less productive, state leaders in Missouri, Ohio, and Indiana — mainly with GOP leadership — push the efficiency narrative as the reason behind the change.

In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott pushed the narrative of guaranteeing “taxpayer dollars are being utilized efficiently” in an email federal employees received in early March 2025, according to NBC DFW. “Any remote work policies must ensure taxpayer dollars are being utilized efficiently,” Abbott spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris explained.

“With remote federal workers returning to the office where possible, it’s important that state agencies ensure they do the same.”

While over 50% of California’s 224,000 full-time employees, such as highway patrol officers, have already returned to in-person work, some employees aren’t used to the change. Experts say the change will not likely lead to mass resignations, but companies and agencies shouldn’t count it out. UCLA Professor of Urban Planning Chris Tilly, who studies labor markets, said states will have to develop a heightened reason for employees to return.

“States are going to have to increase salaries or fatten up the benefits package in other ways if they’re asking people to forgo this flexibility,” Tilly said.

Paul and Texas state employee Rolf Straubhaar said another concern is space and those with medical needs not receiving the exceptions they need, adding to reasons why some employees may opt out. “There’s a physical space constraint that makes this order even more absurd,” Paul said.

“It’s not really realistic to force everyone to come back.”

Eddie George, Tennessee State, Bowling University

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 10, 2025

Eddie George’s New Gridiron: Tennessee State University Exit, Bowling Green State University Era Begins

He takes the job after winning the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year

Former NFL player-turned-college football head coach Eddie George is leaving Tennessee State University to take over the reigns of the Bowling Green State University football team.

The school announced the hiring Mar. 9, as George vacates the position at TSU that he has helmed for the past four years. He became the 21st head football coach for the Falcons, returning to the state where he played during his collegiate career.

“I am truly excited to be the head coach at Bowling Green State University,” said George in a written statement. “Bowling Green is a wonderful community that has embraced the school and the athletics department. We are eager to immerse ourselves in the community and help build this program to the greatness it deserves. I am overwhelmed with excitement and joy for the possibilities this opportunity holds. I’m also thrilled to be back in the great state of Ohio, where I played my college football. I look forward to meeting the team, the coaches, everyone in the athletics department, and everyone in the BGSU and Bowling Green community.”

After leading TSU to back-to-back winning seasons, George took over a losing program that averaged just over three wins per year in the previous four seasons before he came on board. The 2023 and 2024 seasons were the team’s first consecutive winning seasons since 2016-17. The team ended the regular season with a 9-3 record, the best record for the program since 2013, leading the team to a conference title, the first one in 25 years. George was also recognized for his coaching prowess as the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year. He was the runner-up for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year award.

The Nashville Tennessean reported that the former coach of TSU addressed the team to inform them that he was leaving.

“There is never a good time for retirement or making a transition, moving on to a new coaching position. I had to really weigh my options and look at what I was walking away from and where I was going toward. There’s a lot of reasons why I made this decision. I intended to stay here at Tennessee State with hopes that things would improve and so forth. And they will, eventually. But just not in this time frame. And I understand that.”

George isn’t new to the Buckeye State. He played at Ohio State University, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1995. In 1996, the Houston Oilers (Now the Tennessee Titans) drafted him in the first round, and he played in the NFL for eight seasons (his last season with the Dallas Cowboys) before playing his last game during the 2004 season, retiring in 2006.