by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 10, 2025

Harlem’s Rucker Park Designated As National Commemorative Site

'Rucker Park is known across the world as a special place that represents New York City’s rich basketball heritage, streetball culture, and authentic love for the game,' said Senator Schumer.

Harlem’s famed basketball playground, Rucker Park, has recently been designated as a National Commemorative Site after local politicians proposed the acknowledgment, leading to President Biden signing the bill into law.

New York Democratic Senator Charles Schumer and Democratic Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) announced that the popular New York City playground was recognized through the Holcombe Rucker Park Commemorative Site Act. It was passed in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, with President Biden signing it into law on January 4.

“It has been my esteemed honor to introduce federal legislation recognizing the tremendous impact of the Harlem community, designating the Holcombe Rucker Park as a national commemorative site,” said Congressman Espaillat. “Thank you to my colleagues, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, for their collaborative efforts to secure passage of the bill in the U.S. Senate and to each of the community advocates who helped get this bill across the finish line. I am deeply appreciative to President Biden for signing this historic bill into law, enshrining Harlem as the mecca of Black culture, the legacy of Holcombe Rucker to America’s basketball history, and empowering New York City youth and families for generations to come.”

The Harlem park is named after Holcombe Rucker, who was a World War II veteran, scholar, mentor, and coach. Many iconic New Yorkers took to the basketball court to showcase their skills to those in attendance. Rucker, through his contributions, helped nurture some of basketball’s most talented players while helping deliver over 700 scholarships. The coach hosted numerous pro-am (professional-amateur) tournaments at the famed basketball court and assisted with helping players develop their talent through the sport.

“Rucker Park is known across the world as a special place that represents New York City’s rich basketball heritage, streetball culture, and authentic love for the game,” said Senator Schumer. “From NBA stars to local legends, Rucker Park has hosted generations of basketball icons and visionaries. Holcombe Rucker dedicated his life to serving the Harlem community and furthering the game of basketball, and I’m glad we can honor that legacy through the national commemoration of Rucker Park.”

The famed park is located on 155th Street and Eighth Avenue, steps from the Polo Grounds Housing Projects (the former site of the old Polo Grounds stadium that housed Major League Baseball’s New York Giants before they moved to San Francisco, the New York Mets, and the New York Yankees). Over the years, while the Entertainers Classic (known simply as the Rucker’s) held a summer league, many NBA players took flight on the courts, including Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Rod Strickland, LeBron James, Allen Iverson, and many others. The tournament was also known for bringing out top rappers from the New York City area, including Fat Joe and Jay-Z, among others.

small business, big business, operate, corporate, FedEx, FedEx

by Kandiss Edwards

January 10, 2025

White Men Charged With Shooting At Black FedEx Driver Granted Dismissal Of All Charges

Brandon and Greg Case cannot be tried again for allegedly shooting at FedEx driver.

Charges against two Mississippi men who allegedly shot at FedEx driver D’Monterrio Gibson have been dismissed, the Associated Press reported.

Gregory Case and his son, Brandon Case, stood trial for the incident in a Lincoln County court. The two men allegedly shot at Gibson as he worked for FedEx delivering packages along his delivery route. Both men were charged with attempted murder, conspiracy, and shooting into a motor vehicle for the January 2022 incident.

On Jan. 6, Mississippi Circuit Court Judge David Strong suggested that state prosecutors made “intentional errors” that violated the rights of the Cases and declared a full dismissal of all charges with prejudice.

“Having conducted a hearing and reviewed the record and all pleadings, the court finds that the investigator in the case intentionally withheld evidence from the defense, and even from the district attorney, on numerous occasions, resulting in egregious discovery violations by the state,” Strong’s order says. “These repeated intentional errors are a clear violation of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, as well as well-established case law, justifying the dismissal of the indictment with prejudice.”

The January 2025 dismissal came the same day a retrial was set to begin, as the first trial ended in a mistrial on Aug. 17, 2023.

Judge Strong agreed that Detective Fernando’s testimony of finding guns in the home of one of the defendants and his claim of discovering shell casings at the scene were contradicted by a video interview of Gibson after the event. Continuing the trial would have violated the Cases’ right to a “speedy trial” and exposed them to “double jeopardy.”

Gibson shared photos of bullet holes in his delivery truck to the Mississippi Free Press in February 2022. The Cases were indicted in November 2022, 11 months after the incident. Brandon Case’s lawyer, Dan Kitchens, and Gregory Case’s lawyer, Terrell Stubbs, declined to comment on the case.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 10, 2025

Deion Sanders Will Coach An NFL Team Under One Condition

"The only way I would consider is to coach my sons.”

With his coaching success thus far, many are speculating that Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders could be heading to the National Football League, but in a recent interview, he revealed there is only one way he’d take a job in the NFL.

Sanders appeared on Good Morning America on Wednesday, Jan. 8, to promote his latest Coach Prime series. While discussing the Amazon Prime show, he was asked if he intended to take his talents to the league he once had significant success in. While laughing at the question as pundits tried to line him up with several possibilities in the NFL, he gave a more definitive response instead of sidestepping it.

He stated that his current path into the NFL would be if his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, who played for their father at Jackson State University and the University of Colorado Boulder, were on the team he would be coaching.

“You know what?” Sanders responded, “The only way I would consider is to coach my sons.”

Ending all speculations that he would join any NFL team looking to utilize his expertise. He added that he is enjoying his time in Colorado.

“I love Colorado,” Sanders stated. “Now I love my Buffaloes. I love everything that we’re building. I love everything that we’re doing, and I love Boulder, Colorado. I do, immensely.”

Coach Prime on the chance of possibly coaching his sons in the NFL👀:

“ The only way I would consider, is to coach my SONS.”

🎥@GMA pic.twitter.com/Ye5FyvmtOC

— GUCCE🦬🐦‍⬛ (@gucceCU) January 8, 2025

With the success of the football programs he’s headed at Jackson State and Colorado, three of his players could play in the NFL next season. His quarterback son, Sheduer, is projected to be the No. 1 quarterback picked in the draft, while two-way player Travis Hunter is anticipated to be a Top 5 pick. His other son, Shilo, could also be drafted.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 10, 2025

Nearly 1,000 Incarcerated Firefighters Are Battling California Wildfires For $10 A Day

Prison firefighters are four times more likely to sustain injuries than trained firefighters.

A number of incarcerated individuals from California state prisons are working for up to $10 per day to battle the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, ABC News reports.

People who sign up with the Conservation (Fire) Camps program have been seen working alongside members of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection crew members (Cal Fire). The incarcerated firefighters have been working nonstop to assist with cutting fire lines and getting rid of fuel from behind structures in hopes it will slow the spread of the fire.

Their pay: between $5.80 to $10.24 a day.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) labeled the 800 incarcerated firefighters as “crucial support” during emergencies. The Fire Camp Program operates within 35 minimum-security facilities in 25 counties, including two camps for incarcerated women.

“CDCR Fire Camp Program firefighters are proud to be embedded with CAL FIRE personnel to protect lives, property, and natural resources in Southern California,” the agency said in a statement.

The five wildfires have destroyed homes, businesses, and iconic landmarks throughout the LA area. The largest of the fires in the Pacific Palisades has destroyed more than 19,000 acres, setting ablaze thousands of structures

This isn’t the first time incarcerated people have been called on to battle fires.

They have have been fighting fires since the program’s establishment in 1915. However, the program progressed during World War II once forestry staff left to fight in the war, according to NPR. Imprisoned people were tapped to volunteer and 41 camps were created.

While some enjoy the work, claiming to have a true calling as a first responder, data “it comes at a pretty steep cost,” said Bianca Tylek, executive director of criminal justice advocacy organization Worth Rises.

An investigation from 2018 found that prison volunteers are four times more likely to sustain cuts, bruises or broken bones compared to trained firefighters. Data also show they are eight times more likely to struggle with injuries as a result of inhaling smoke, ash, and debris.

The programs have been listed as controversial to advocates and state lawmakers across the country due to the lack of payment prisoners receive. California and Nevada voted on whether to ban the use of the imprisoned as unpaid labor in 2024. Nevada voters approved the measure, but California rejected it.

“The ongoing Southern California wildfires really illustrate why that effort was so important,” Tylek said. “As hundreds of incarcerated people take to the front lines of these wildfires to defend the personhood and property of people around the Los Angeles area and California, I hope that Californians can start to realize their value.”

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 10, 2025

Marcus Freeman Becomes First Black Head Coach To Lead Team To National College Football Championship Game

Notre Dame beat Penn State, 27-24 to advance to the College Football Championship

History was made on Thursday, Jan. 9 when Notre Dame beat Penn State to advance to the College Football Championship, making the Fighting Irish coach, Marcus Freeman, the first Black man to lead his team to the championship at the FBS level (NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision).

According to CBS Sports, the No. 7 seed, Notre Dame, with a record of 14-1, narrowly defeated the No. 6 seed, Penn State, who ends the season at 13-3, with a game-ending field goal to make the final score, 27-24. The victory propelled the team to the championship game, which will be led by Freeman, whose father is Black and whose mother is South Korean, giving him the distinction to not only be the first Black head coach to make it to the championship game but also the first Asian as well.

Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman the first Black College Football Head Coach to make it to the National College Football Championship Game pic.twitter.com/dSuXkJZ6ez

— HBCU Premier Sports & More (@HBCUSports1) January 10, 2025

“I’ve said this before: I don’t ever want to take attention away from the team,” Freeman said. “It is an honor, and I hope all coaches — minorities, Black, Asian, white, it doesn’t matter, great people — continue to get opportunities to lead young men like this. But this ain’t about me. This is about us. We’re going to celebrate what we’ve done because it’s so special.”

With the victory, Freeman’s team is also the first team in history to win two bowl games in a single postseason, as they compete for the national championship for the first time in more than a decade, since last playing in the national championship in 2012.

Since becoming the head coach in 2021, Freeman has won 34 games against nine losses in three full seasons leading the Fighting Irish.

The Fighting Irish will wait to find out who their opponent is for the championship game that is taking place on Monday, Jan. 20 in Atlanta. Ohio State is taking on Texas in the 2025 Cotton Bowl on Friday, Jan. 10. The winner of this contest will play against Notre Dame.

50 Cent To Host A Superbowl Comedy Block Party In New Orleans

Fox 8 reported that Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson will perform a comedy show in New Orleans the weekend of Superbowl LIX.

The Superbowl Comedy Block Party will occur Feb. 9, one day before the Superbowl. The event will feature D.C. Young Fly, Chico Bean, and veteran comedian Bill Bellamy. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at MahaliaJacksonTheater.com.

The veteran entertainer is taking a backseat for this production, as the rapper has just completed a Vegas residency. On Dec. 27, the rapper began performing at the PH Inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. It is reported that the star earned $15 million for six live shows.

While the rapper’s catalog is full of popular tunes, nostalgia did not save his show from criticism. BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on the fan criticism that began on the first day of the residency.

Jen G, also known as Vegasstarfish, posted on her Instagram account after attending the first show. The content creator believed the production value for such a famous rapper was severely lacking. Jen G wrote that the sound was unbalanced, and the hypemen were lackluster.

“I’ve seen 50 Cent perform in warehouses in Memphis, TN (where I’m from) decades ago, and it was pure magic. His limited-time residency in Las Vegas was the opposite of that. The sound was balanced poorly, making it impossible to hear the performance. His hypemen were unrelenting and overbearing, making it difficult to hear anything,” she wrote.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jen G. (@vegasstarfish)

Initially, Jackson did not respond to the criticism. But 50 Cent wouldn’t be 50 Cent if he remained silent. In a video posted to X by an attendee, the Power producer sounded off on the haters. The In Da Club rapper reminded fans that his catalog is gritty. As far as 50 Cent is concerned, the street sounds do not require theatrics, and fans should be pleased that, at his age, he is showing up and giving his best.

“What, you thought I was gon’ be out here rollerblading like Usher and s**t? I seen some **it [where] Chris Brown was flying in Africa. I don’t have records that require me to fly in Africa,”

50 Cent responds to backlash about the audio at his Las Vegas residency. pic.twitter.com/p93C3GyJS8

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) January 5, 2025

Now that the residency has ended, Jackson can focus on events like the Super Bowl Comedy Block Party. Hopefully, the production value of the event will meet fans’ lofty expectations.

wildfires, California, Los Angeles, fire, Hollywood, insurance

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 10, 2025

Paper Trails, Cash Advances, And More Insurance Settlement Insight For Those Who Lost A Home Or Business In The LA Wildfires

An overview of the prolonged insurance claim process for those affected by the LA wildfires.

Three active fires have blazed in Los Angeles, California, displacing over 80,000 people and destroying more than 2,000 structures. For those facing the long road to rebuilding after losing everything, the first step for many will be navigating the process of working with their home insurance providers.

As The LA Times cites, filing an insurance claim is a lengthy and often complex process. However, it’s one of the many steps necessary after losing a home or business. Resolving a claim can take months — or even years — and the significant reductions many insurance companies have made in coverage for fire-prone areas only add to the stress and uncertainty.

California’s Department of Insurance offers a top 10 list of tips for wildfire victims, including thoroughly reviewing your insurance policy, tracking living expenses, and documenting all correspondence with your provider. Other recommendations include obtaining a contractor’s rebuild cost estimate and considering legal assistance to navigate the claims process.

Once in a safe location, victims should contact their insurance company to file a claim and provide a detailed account of the incident. An insurance adjuster will assess your claim to determine the insurer’s liability and the payout amount.

If your property was destroyed, insurance providers are obligated to immediately pay at least one-third of the estimated value of your personal belongings (known as contents) and a minimum of four months’ rent based on the local rates in your area. Michael Soller, a spokesperson with the California Department of Insurance, confirmed that the payments are required if an adjuster has inspected your home.

Claimants can request cash advances from insurance providers to cover living expenses, including renting furniture. Some companies even offer services to fully furnish temporary homes, including towels, sheets, and kitchen utensils.

Annie Barbour, a coordinator for United Policyholders, a nonprofit focused on insurance and consumer rights advocacy, advises maintaining a detailed paper trail. Documentation should include records of conversations with specific personnel and their timestamps, photos of receipts for expenses like hotel stays and pet boarding, images taken before any cleanup or debris removal, an inventory of damaged or destroyed property, and follow-up emails after speaking with your adjuster.

“You want that paper trail: ‘I talked to you on this date, this is what I heard you say,’” Barbour said.

“That’s huge. It keeps you from having to take two steps forward and one step back,” especially as adjusters often get reassigned midway through the process.

After an adjuster’s inspection, Barbour suggests seeking a second opinion from an experienced construction professional or an independent public adjuster. However, the Department of Insurance advises attempting to settle your claim directly with your insurance company before considering hiring a public adjuster or lawyer.

What claimants receive depends on their insurance policy and the specific coverage benefits included. Generally, insurance companies are obligated to cover damage on a “like and kind” basis, meaning you are entitled to the amount necessary to rebuild or repair a home of comparable quality and value.

“So if you had an older home and it didn’t have any crown molding, it didn’t have wood floors, they’re not going to give you an upgrade,” Barbour said.

Local assistance centers are available to help replace essential documents lost in the fires, such as passports, driver’s licenses, and birth, death, or marriage certificates. They can also assist with having your property taxes reevaluated.

For renters, the rental policy will likely cover the cost of lost belongings and temporary housing. However, it depends on the policy; some only cover house fires, not wildfires.

Business owners filing a claim must complete a proof of loss form or schedule an appointment for an adjuster to assess the property. Gather all relevant business records, including documentation of the value of damaged inventory, equipment, or structures.

Depending on the policy, you may receive coverage for commercial property damage, loss of income, and relocation expenses. Claimants must access the property to document the damage in detail, secure it, and make temporary repairs to prevent further harm.

by Mitti Hicks

January 10, 2025

Trump To Become 1st Felon In Executive Office After Supreme Court Rejects Bid To Postpone Sentencing

In a last-minute attempt, Trump asked the Supreme Court to consider whether he was entitled to an automatic stay of his sentencing. Justices rejected his application narrowly, 5-4.

President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced in his hush money case, making him the first felon to hold the executive office. Trump faced up to four years in prison, but New York State Judge Juan Merchan did not impose any punishment. Instead, Merchan sentenced him to ” an unconditional discharge,” meaning his conviction stands with no further penalties.

Trump briefly addressed the court by video, stating his criminal trial and conviction have “been a very terrible experience.”

The President-elects sentencing comes one day after the Supreme Court denied President-elect Donald Trump’s request to delay sentencing in his criminal hush-money case. In a last-minute attempt, Trump asked the Supreme Court to consider whether he was entitled to an automatic stay of his sentencing. Justices rejected his application narrowly, 5-4.

In May 2024, a jury of 12 unanimously found Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide reimbursements of $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The payments were disguised as legal expenses.

Two of the Supreme Court’s conservative justices — John Roberts and Amy Coney Barrett — joined the three liberals on the high court in denying Trump’s request for a delay. The remaining four justices, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Clarence Thomas, would have allowed Trump’s bid to postpone sentencing, according to the BBC.

Three lower courts in New York rejected Trump’s legal team’s request for a delay, prompting Trump’s legal team to petition the Supreme Court to intervene on Wednesday. The Supreme Court decided on Thursday. Justices in the high court reportedly denied Trump’s petition and said his concerns should be addressed during his appeal.

Trump Hints at Appeal

Its decision surprised many, especially since last year, the 6-3 conservative majority handed Trump a significant victory by ruling 6-3 that US presidents have immunity from criminal prosecution for “official acts” undertaken in office.

This ruling ultimately ceased federal prosecution against Trump on charges that he illegally interfered in the 2020 election. Since then, Trump’s lawyers have tried to use the Supreme Court’s ruling to convince judges that presidential immunity protections should also apply to the president-elect in the Manhattan criminal case.

Manhattan prosecutors have pushed back on that idea, stating, “It is axiomatic that there is only one President at a time.”

Judge Merchan sentenced Trump ten days before his Inauguration. Trump will make history as the only president sentenced on criminal charges.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Trump made remarks to the media from his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, alluding to further appeals.

“So I’ll do my little thing tomorrow. They can have fun with their political opponent,” he said.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 10, 2025

The Golden Globes Gift Bag Is Basically Filled With $1M Worth Of Excess

This year’s Golden Globe winners and presenters received luxurious swag bags valued at $1 million.

Golden Globe winners and presenters walked away with more than just trophies and screen time — details have emerged about the luxurious $1 million swag bags gifted to every winner and presenter.

The Robb Report curated $1 million gift bags featuring 28 luxury items for the awards show winners and presenters, People revealed. Highlights from “The Ultimate Gift Bag” include a $40,000 facelift and a $60,000 yacht trip, among other extravagant offerings.

“It’s a privilege to collaborate with the Golden Globes® in creating a one-of-a-kind gift that mirrors the prestige and glamour of ‘Hollywood’s Party of the Year,’” said Luke Bahrenburg, President of Robb Report and Head of Luxury Sales at PMC.

Recipients were treated to an array of exclusive vacation options, including a luxury yacht excursion through Indonesia’s Coral Triangle, a private flight and stay in Finland to witness the Northern Lights, and the most extravagant offering — a three-night stay in a beachfront villa in Turks and Caicos valued at $507,492.

On the beauty front, guests were treated to high-end treatments, including a $40,000 non-surgical stem cell facelift for one lucky recipient and a $1,400 oxygen facial at The Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills, offered to 25 attendees. The luxury wellness gifts continued, including personalized dance and workout sessions from FORWARD__Space valued at $25,000, a $15,000 NordicTrack Ultra 1 treadmill, and La Prairie’s Pure Gold Radiance Concentrate serum, priced at $935.

This year’s luxury gift bag, which doubled in value, featured the centerpiece Atlas Bespoke Weekender Bag, a curated selection of cigars and premium alcohol, including rare vintage Liber Pater wines valued at $34,800. It also included extravagant excursions, such as a $272,000 wine-tasting and dinner experience in Bordeaux, France, and a $5,500 trip to the Komos Foundation in Tequila, Mexico.

“This year’s collection embodies the pinnacle of luxury, offering recipients an extraordinary journey through bespoke craftsmanship, exclusive experiences and iconic brands that define excellence,” Bahrenburg said. “Every detail reflects our commitment to celebrating the best in class, from meticulously curated travel adventures to rare, indulgent treasures.”

by Jameelah Mullen

January 10, 2025

Ayesha Curry and Michael Mina’s MGM Grand Restaurant Is Closing After 5 Years

The popular eatery says goodbye to the Sin City.

International Smoke, Ayesha Curry and Chef Michael Mina’s Las Vegas restaurant will close on Jan. 19. The Barbecue restaurant, located inside the MGM Grand, opened in December 2019.

The restaurant features a variety of delectables curated by Curry and Mina, such as Ayesha Fresh-Baked Cornbread, Miso-Braised Chilean Seabass, and black truffle Ceaser salad, as well as several vegan options. In a 2022 interview with People, Curry said she wanted to provide an inclusive culinary experience for guests.

“I was like, ‘We need to create some sort of full, vegan spread where somebody can come in and say, ‘I’m going to do the vegan tasting menu,’ and it’s just as good if not better than everything else that we’re offering,” Curry said.

“So, just really focusing on being inclusive of all of the customers and guests that come through the door.”

Mina found inspiration for the restaurant through his travels. In 2020, Curry’s business partner told Haute Living in 2020, “The restaurant concept stems from both Ayesha’s and my own personal travels around the world. First the start of all cooking, and every country shares this culinary spark.”

Fans of International Smoke are not out of luck; the restaurant’s San Francisco location will remain open. The Michelin-award-winning chef Michael Mina owns five other restaurants in Las Vegas, including Bardot Brasserie, located at the Bellagio Hotel.

International Smoke appears to be the latest casualty of MGM’s restaurant shake-up. In October of last year, the hotel giant closed Della’s Kitchen; the following month, Avenue Cafe permanently closed its doors to make room for a Netflix-themed restaurant. Despite the restaurant’s closure, Curry still has plenty on her plate. The businesswoman owns the lifestyle brand Sweet July, which includes a skincare line, a coffee and tea line, and a flagship store in Oakland, California. The mother-of-three also hosts a cooking show, Ayesha’s Home Kitchen, on The Food Network and has authored three cookbooks.

Harlem’s Rucker Park Designated As National Commemorative Site

White Men Charged With Shooting At Black FedEx Driver Granted Dismissal Of All Charges

Deion Sanders Will Coach An NFL Team Under One Condition

Nearly 1,000 Incarcerated Firefighters Are Battling California Wildfires For $10 A Day

Marcus Freeman Becomes First Black Head Coach To Lead Team To National College Football Championship Game

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Paper Trails, Cash Advances, And More Insurance Settlement Insight For Those Who Lost A Home Or Business In The LA Wildfires

Trump To Become 1st Felon In Executive Office After Supreme Court Rejects Bid To Postpone Sentencing

Trump Hints at Appeal

The Golden Globes Gift Bag Is Basically Filled With $1M Worth Of Excess

Ayesha Curry and Michael Mina’s MGM Grand Restaurant Is Closing After 5 Years