Judge, Las Vegas, gavel,Herman Whitfield III, Indianapolis police, David Merryman, racist landlord,

by Daniel Johnson

December 10, 2024

Indianapolis Police Officers Acquitted In Death Of Herman Whitfield III

It took almost a year for the officers to be indicted and for the police to release the complete and unedited body cam footage following repeated calls from Whitfield's the family.

Adam Ahmad and Steven Sanchez, the two Indianapolis police officers charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, and misdemeanor battery charges regarding the 2022 death of Herman Whitfield III, were acquitted on all charges on Dec. 6.

According to The New York Times, the two men were the responding officers on a call for a wellness check after it was reported that Whitfield was having a mental health crisis.

The call to the police department was placed by Whitfield’s mother, Gloria, and according to the bodycam footage, the 39-year-old Whitfield was walking around her house fully nude.

The footage also showed Whitfield running. One of the officers deployed a taser and stunned the man, which caused him to fall down, and the officers handcuffed Whitfield while one pushed his face into the floor; Whitfield told the officers, “I’m dying,” and said that he couldn’t breathe.

Later, in the footage, the two officers performed CPR on Whitfield.

It took almost a year for the officers to be indicted and for the police to release the complete and unedited body cam footage following repeated calls from Whitfield’s family to do so.

According to The Associated Press, the family also called for the firing of up to six of the police department’s officers.

According to a statement from Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears, “In April 2022, Herman Jr. and Gladys Whitfield reached out for help, hoping that the police would protect their son in a moment of desperate need, and the result of what ensued was a tragedy.”

In court, Daniel Cicchini, the chief trial deputy for the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, argued in his opening statement on Dec. 2 that the officers acted “recklessly” in restraining Whitfield longer than necessary.

“Essentially, his heart and lungs could no longer function properly,” Cicchini told the jury. “When they kept him in that position, they did so recklessly,” as a result of the officers’ actions, Whitfield was “unable to breathe.”

Following the acquittals of the two Indianapolis police officers, they will be allowed to return to their normal duties after completing a refresher course.

Per the department’s standard protocol, the officers had been placed on administrative leave after their indictment.

The next opportunity for the family to receive some justice for the death of their son will be through a civil suit, which is set to begin in July 2025.

Per The Associated Press, the suit seeks unspecified damages.

According to the lawsuit, Whitfield “died because of the force used against him” and says that he was the target of “unreasonable and excessive” force. It also argues that “Mr. Whitfield needed professional mental health care, not the use of excessive force.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 10, 2024

Stephen and Ayesha Curry Provide $2M In Resources Through Annual Christmas With The Currys

Every elementary school student in Oakland also received a holiday gift.

NBA superstar Stephen Curry and his wife, Ayesha’s 12th annual Christmas with the Currys celebration provided more than $2 million in resources and support for the students and families, the couple’s Eat.Learn.Play charitable foundation reports.

“Each year, our creative and talented community of volunteers and supporters come together to bring the magic of the holiday season to life for more than 18,000 elementary school students in the Oakland Unified School District,” Stephen and Ayesha Curry said in a press release. “Through the hard work of our team and our amazing partners, we’re excited to revitalize libraries throughout the new year and beyond to give kids a destination to read, learn, and dream.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation (@eatlearnplay)

Eat. Learn. Play. has helped Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) students and families through various events and functions via holiday events and pop-up book fairs.

Students received gifts from Eat. Learn. Play.’s partners, including a $200,000 gift from Safeway Foundation for 1,000 Oakland families needing Safeway gift cards for this holiday season. As they have for the previous four years, Eat. Learn. Play. gave a holiday gift to all 18,000 elementary school students in Oakland.

The festivities started with a special holiday event at Madison Park Academy on Dec. 4, where the Currys surprised over 200 elementary school students with activities such as an on-site book fair, a schoolyard design session guided by artists from Pixar, a holiday-themed petting zoo, and fun field day games.

The organization just announced a new initiative to renovate elementary school libraries throughout Oakland Unified School District in 2025 and beyond. Libraries throughout the district will be refreshed with books, new library furniture, and grants that provide additional support in spaces they are excited to be in.

Eat. Learn. Play recently committed $25 million to advance the literacy movement in Oakland through one-on-one, professional tutoring, and other literacy initiatives.

RELATED CONTENT: Stephen Curry Makes NBA History Once Again

Robert F. Kennedy Jr, American Academy Of Pediatrics , vaccines

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 10, 2024

Nobel Prize Winners Put Pressure On U.S. Senate To Reject RFK Jr. Confirmation

Who else is against Kennedy leading HHS?

More than 75 esteemed Nobel Prize winners are urging U.S. Senate leaders to push back against Robert Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation as head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), The Hill reports.

Seventy-seven winners, to be exact, in the fields of medicine, chemistry, physics, and economics issued a letter to Capitol Hill with a list of concerns regarding Kennedy’s lack of “relevant experience” and some of the public stances he has taken. “In addition to his lack of credentials or relevant experience in medicine, science, public health, or administration, Mr. Kennedy has been an opponent of many health-protecting and life-saving vaccines, such as those that prevent measles and polio; a critic of the well-established positive effects of fluoridation of drinking water; a promoter of conspiracy theories about remarkably successful treatments for AIDS and other diseases; and a belligerent critic of respected agencies (especially the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, and the National Institutes of Health),” the letter read.

“The leader of DHHS [Department of Health and Human Services] should continue to nurture and improve — not threaten — these important and highly respected institutions and their employees.”

The Nobel laureates are added to the list of public health figures and leaders who pushed back against Kennedy soon after President-elect Donald Trump nominated the controversial pick for the position. Some expressed concern about how Kennedy could mess with key government agencies, heighten vaccine hesitancy, and direct agency funding toward his preferred views. Prior to being nominated, in October 2024, Kennedy pushed back on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on X, claiming the agency’s “war on public health is about to end.” “If you work for the FDA and are part of this corrupt system, I have two messages for you: 1. Preserve your records, and 2. Pack your bags,” he wrote.

Despite the outcry, Trump has yet to step back on his decision and insists the former presidential nominee will “restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!”

According to Forbes, the letter, signed by 2024 winners in economics Simon Johnson and Daron Acemoglu, medicine winners Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, and immunologist Drew Weissman, who won in 2023 for medicine after curating the way for one type of COVID-19 vaccine, is labeled as the first time in some years that winners came together to reject a Cabinet choice.

By taking a deep dive into his record, the Nobel laureates feel “placing Mr. Kennedy in charge of DHHS would jeopardize the public’s health in jeopardy and undermine America’s global leadership in the health sciences, in both the public and commercial sectors.”

In response to the letter, a Trump transition team spokesperson said, “Americans are sick and tired of the elites telling them what to do and how to do it.” “Our healthcare system in this country is broken; Mr. Kennedy will enact President Trump’s agenda to restore the integrity of our healthcare and Make America Healthy Again,” the statement continued.

If Kennedy is confirmed, he would be responsible for a department that oversees 13 separate agencies with a budget of nearly $2 trillion and handles federal health programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. HHS and sub-agencies are collectively tasked with responding to diseases and public health threats like COVID-19 and the bird flu and approving new drugs and vaccines.

Hot 97, 'Ebro in the Morning,' As Host, Progressive Views

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 10, 2024

Cornel West, Jesse Jackson Jr., Tavis Smiley, And D.L. Hughley Lead KBLA Talk 1580 Weekday Schedule

KBLA Talk 1580 has a bold lineup of Black male figureheads leading its weekday schedule in 2025.

KBLA Talk 1580 has a robust lineup of Black male figureheads leading the station throughout the week in 2025.

On Tuesday, KBLA Talk 1580 unveiled its new lineup of progressive and bold talk show hosts with new and returning faces set to launch on Jan. 6, Morning Star reports. The updated roster features renowned scholar and former presidential candidate Dr. Cornel West, former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., and KBLA White House Correspondent Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey, who will join returning nationally syndicated hosts Tavis Smiley and D.L. Hughley for their weekday slots on the Los Angeles-based flagship station of SmileyAudioMedia, Inc.

“I am both humbled and deliciously proud that Dr. Cornel West, Nina Turner, and Jesse Jackson Jr. have decided to join us at KBLA Talk 1580 as we continue to build the most innovative and empowering Black talk media platform in the nation,” said Smiley, founder of SmileyAudioMedia, Inc. and chief visionary officer for KBLA Talk 1580.

“No talk station in America can match the intellectual firepower that we will be launching on Monday, Jan. 6. KBLA Talk 1580 is proud to have more Black women hosts than any talk station in the country, including Dominque DiPrima, the first Black woman to host her own radio talk show in L.A. morning drive, and Adrianne Shropshire, executive director of BlackPAC.”

Dr. Cornel West and former Ohio State Sen. Nina Turner will work alongside each other as co-hosts of “Truth Time,” a refreshing news show offering their daily commentary on current events from an unapologetically progressive perspective. Meanwhile, “The Jesse Jackson Jr. Show” will feature the former congressman offering his take on trending topics and hosting a diverse lineup of guests for lively discussions.

“A More Perfect Union” with Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey will deliver a daily blend of pop culture, political news, and candid conversations that get guests to address unspoken truths. From the headlines shaping the world to the trailblazers influencing the culture, Dr. Quartey offers a sharp, insightful take on the day’s events—free from fluff, fear, or favoritism.

The new weekday schedule kicks off on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, with “Tavis Smiley” broadcasting weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. It is followed by “Truth Time” with Cornel West and Nina Turner at noon, “The Jesse Jackson Jr. Show” at 1 p.m., “The D.L. Hughley Afternoon Show” from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and “A More Perfect Union” with Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., all times Pacific.

“After all the bickering about Black men during the recent presidential campaign, now is the time to pass the mic to more Black men of different generations to facilitate conversations you won’t find anywhere else,” Smiley said.

“It’s going to be a rough four years. This is what resistance looks like.”

Listeners can catch KBLA Talk 1580 live daily by downloading the KBLA1580 app, streaming online at the KBLA1580 website, or watching on the KBLA1580 YouTube channel. Following the live broadcasts, all shows hosted by Tavis Smiley, Cornel West, Nina Turner, Jesse Jackson Jr., and Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey will also be available on major podcast platforms.

Domestic Labor Braces For Trouble As Trump’s Massive Immigrant Deportation Plan Looms

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 10, 2024

Domestic Labor Braces For Trouble As Trump’s Massive Immigrant Deportation Plan Looms

What would the solution be?

Occupations where companies have struggled to find domestic labor are worried about how President-elect Donald Trump’s deportation plan will affect their workforces, CNBC reports.

Foreign-born workers have been taking open positions in industries including construction, agriculture, technology and healthcare. Now, leaders and advocacy groups are worried that hiring companies will face difficulties if Trump’s massive immigration deportation plan comes to life.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, immigrant workers made up 18.6% of the workforce in 2023.

“American companies are going to feel the strain on labor costs, and we’re going to be—depending on the skill level of the individual you are talking about—we’re going to be losing the fight for labor,” Jennie Murray, CEO of the National Immigration Forum, said.

There is a certain belief that the indicted businessman won’t be able to execute his plan without weakening the workforce. A Brookings Institution study outlined the potential effects on the 2025 labor market and U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in both high- and low-immigration scenarios. It is estimated that Trump’s immigration policy could reduce the GDP growth in 2025 by 0.1 to 0.4 percentage points‚ or $30 billion to $110 billion.

“The consequences of a more extreme mass deportation policy would be economically disruptive in unpredictable ways and are not modeled here,” the writers observed.

Study author and senior fellow at the institution’s Hamilton Project, Wendy Edelberg, said it will be more expensive for companies in certain sectors to provide goods and services since there will be eye-opening reductions in labor supply, which will lead to higher inflation. In other cases, inflation will ease.

“If we’re talking about what we might see in aggregate for inflation, we have to think about …another side of the ledger, which is we’re going to have less demand for goods and services because immigrants are going to not be here,” Edelberg said.

“And moreover, the immigrants who stay, particularly the recent immigrants who stay, my assessment is that they’re going to pull back on their spending, as, you know, they’re trying to figure out what their future holds.”

However, the incoming Trump administration is standing down on their promise to execute “the largest deportation operation” in U.S. history while “simultaneously lowering costs for families and strengthening our workforce.”

“The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin, giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail, like deporting migrant criminals and restoring our economic greatness,” Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. “He will deliver.”

A number of Republican-led states are on standby to help Trump facilitate his deportation plan.

According to the Associated Press, lawmakers in states like Missouri have issued proposals that will give local officers the authority to arrest people suspected of entering the country illegally. Missouri state Sen. Curtis Trent, who is sponsoring one of the proposals, said state officials will be “hand-delivering them to the nearest port of deportation so that they could be removed in a safe and orderly fashion.”

Trent’s bill would empower local police officers to arrest people as a result of a new state crime labeled “improper entry by an alien,” which is punishable by a fine up to $100,000 and a court-ordered ride to the U.S. border.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 10, 2024

Young Thug Files Motion To Visit ATL, Regrets Plea Deal After Co-Defendants’ Acquittal

Keith Adams reveals regret after Yak Gotti and SB were found not guilty.

After YSL co-defendants Deamonte Kendrick and Shannon Stillwell were found not guilty of charges related to Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute, an attorney for Young Thug now regrets the YSL founder taking a plea deal in his case.

Young Thug’s attorney, Keith Adams, appeared on a recent podcast to discuss Thug’s co-defendants being found not guilty and was asked how Thug felt about that decision since the rapper took a plea deal on Oct. 31. Fulton County Judge Paige Reese Whitaker allowed the rapper to go free, with conditions.

“The total sentence is 40 years, to serve the first 5 years in prison but commuted to the time you’ve already served.”

Adams told TheFitLawyerATL podcast that Thug contacted him when he heard the news of his co-defendants’ acquittal. He did state that the “Go Crazy” rapper was happy for Yak Gotti (Kendrick) and SB (Stillwell) but mentioned that maybe they should have waited for a verdict instead of accepting the plea deal.

“He was happy for Kendrick and for Stillwell. Very happy. He was happy that they’re coming home. There was a part of him, I think, that was thinking, ‘You know what, we probably should have gone all the way ’cause we would have been walking out of there with a not guilty verdict as well.’”

“I agree, we would have, and we wanted to. There came a point where Jeffery made a decision to enter that plea and go home that day, and he did. So his reaction, he was happy for them but there was a little bit of regret on his part.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)

Fox 5 Atlanta reported that Thug’s attorneys have filed a motion to amend one of the terms in his plea deal. One of the conditions that Thug agreed to included that he no longer reside in Atlanta for the first 10 years and not be present in the city unless it is essential for family functions like weddings and/or funerals. His lawyers request permission to visit family, friends, and business associates in the area.

“Mr. Williams has family in the metro Atlanta area, specifically in the Atlanta, Georgia area and respectfully requests the ability to reside/visit at times, in his home located in the city in the attached, under seal, document so that he can have family gatherings for holidays and other lawful reasons with his family, friends, and business associates, which is a home already owned by Mr. Williams,” the motion states.

It’s been reported that Thug’s probation officer has no issues with the request.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 10, 2024

James Harden’s Restaurant Sued By Family Of A Man Killed By Driver Who Was ‘Overserved’ Alcohol

The family of Taylar Jackson blames '13 By James Harden' of overserving driver who caused an accident that killed him and six others.

The family of a man killed in a deadly crash in Houston is suing Los Angeles Clippers player James Harden‘s restaurant after blaming the establishment for overserving the driver of the vehicle that caused the accident.

According to Click 2 Houston, the incident occurred around 2 a.m. on the morning of Nov. 11, 2023. Seven people died after Christian Herrera ran a red light and T-boned another vehicle. Police stated that three former UH (University of Houston) football players, D.J. Hayden, Zach McMillian, and Ralph Oragwu, died after being struck by a black Chrysler 300 that 25-year-old Christian Herrera was driving when the accident occurred. Herrera hit a black Acura SUV driven by Lauren Robinson, with Taylar Jackson as a passenger. Both were killed in the crash. Frank Johnson, who was a pedestrian, was also struck and killed by the Chrysler.

Taylar Jackson’s family is suing Harden’s restaurant, “13 By James Harden,” alleging that Herrera was overserved alcohol, leading to the tragedy that happened that morning. According to the lawsuit, they are requesting compensation of more than $1 million due to the overserving accusation.

“He was served past the point where he was obviously intoxicated to the extent that he presented a clear danger to himself and others,” the lawsuit claims.

KHOU reported that the lawsuit accused the restaurant of not properly training the employees and had no practices to keep track of how much customers were consuming.

The restaurant’s Chief Operating Officer, John Ricks, sent a written statement to the media outlet on Dec. 9.

“We cannot imagine what the family of Taylar Jackson has gone through this past year and offer our deepest sympathies to them and everyone whose lives were deeply impacted by that tragic accident. We were just made aware of the filing of this lawsuit. We ask for your patience as we gather more information on this filing and will make a more formal statement as soon as possible.”

model, stabbing, nyc, ice cream truck, Detroit,

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 10, 2024

Family Of Missing Army Vet In Columbus, Georgia, Asks For Public’s Help, Hires Private Investigator

The lack of leads led to Wheeler's mother hiring a Metro Atlanta-based private investigator, Robin Martinelli, to advance the search.

The family of a missing Army veteran in Georgia has called upon the public to help in their search as they hire a private investigator.

Portia Wheeler was last seen on Dec. 1 as she left a friend’s home in Phenix City, Alabama, five minutes from her residence in Columbus, Georgia. According to the missing report obtained by WSB-TV, Wheeler left the house around 6 p.m. that Sunday afternoon. Her mother, Emmie Wheeler, grew concerned after her daughter did not answer the phone that Sunday evening. Columbus sits on the west-central border of Georgia.

Wheeler was officially reported missing on Dec. 4. It has now been a week, and there have been no leads as to where the 37-year-old veteran could be.

“I tried to call her Sunday night, but no answer,” said the mother. “It’s been hard because we don’t know anything. We just know something is not right.”

While the police are investigating the matter, the lack of answers led Emmie to hire a Metro Atlanta-based private investigator to advance the search. The investigator, Robin Martinelli, has over 25 years of experience in this role, per her website. She hopes to assist the police in Columbus as she embarks on her mission to find Wheeler.

“We assist the police department in any way that we can; we do not interfere with their investigation,” Martinelli told the news outlet.

According to the Columbus Police Department, Wheeler is 5-foot-3 and weighs 189 pounds. Her features include Black hair and brown eyes. However, what she wore the night she went missing remains unknown.

The police also believed she was driving a blue Honda Odyssey with an Alabama tag.

The family has also implored the Columbus community to keep an eye out for Wheeler. Those with any information should call 911 or contact the city-county’s Special Victims Unit at (706) 225-3449.

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 10, 2024

Nadja Bellan-White Appointed CEO Of M&C Saatchi North America Group, Will Continue To Lead M&C Saatchi SS+K

Bellan-White reminisced on the ways she has helped businesses embrace a new way of thinking.

Global creative solutions company M&C Saatchi Group SS+K announced that Nadja Bellan-White has been appointed as the new CEO of M&C Saatchi North America Group and will continue in her role as CEO of SS+K.

The organization’s Global CEO, Zaid Al-Qassab, said Bellan-White’s “breadth of experience” makes her the ideal candidate for the prestigious position. She has held the role since January 2024, responsible for leading the network’s growth within the U.S. and overseeing more integration of its agencies. By working with other U.S. regional leaders, the CEO will uplift the agency’s specific talents to help build and deploy custom teams designed to solve its clients’ most important business challenges.

“This appointment represents the continued evolution of our U.S. businesses and a strategic shift to a region-specific model that we’ve successfully deployed in other parts of the world,” Al-Qassab said.

“Nadja’s breadth of experience as an integrated agency leader, her balance of creative and commercial experience, and overall passion for our clients make her a perfect fit for this role.”

According to Adweek, before joining M&C Saatchi Group, she served as global chief marketing officer at Vice Media Group for three years. However, her agency experience goes back years as a team member at various organizations, including nine years at Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, where she built relationships with clients such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Coca-Cola, LG Electronics, Siemens, and Unilever—with a focus on Dove.

Before leaving, Bellan-White became executive partner and WPP team leader.

Under her new leadership, Bellan-White’s region includes M&C Saatchi Clear, the consultancy that uses data and analytics to help brands unlock growth, M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment, a full-service PR and influencer agency, Saatchi Performance, which serves brands through performance channels, focusing on mobile, digital marketing and experience design agency, M&C Saatchi MCD and Fluency, which is a part of M&C Saatchi Group that delivers insight, foresight, and oversight solutions.

In a statement, Bellan-White reminisced on the ways she has helped businesses embrace a new way of thinking, something she hopes as a new leader she can help M&C Saatchi Group SS+K do.

“Throughout my career, I have led businesses to embrace new ways of working, breakthrough in fast-changing cultural environments, and build teams that can grow and adapt to real-time changes in the marketplace,” she said.

“As M&C Saatchi prepares to really put a stake in the ground in the U.S., I look forward to partnering with our US leaders to pull the best talent from each agency to create new and innovative ways of working across disciplines to provide clients not just with advertising or marketing services but with a full suite of tailored business solutions designed for their unique needs.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 10, 2024

Betting Conglomerate Sues Mike Tyson Following Failed Promo Deal For Jake Paul Bout

Medier, which promotes the betting company Rabona, filed suit on Dec. 9 in London's High Court.

The parent company of a betting conglomerate has filed a lawsuit against former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, saying he terminated an agreement signed earlier this year.

According to The Associated Press, Medier, which promotes the betting company Rabona, filed the legal paperwork on Dec. 9 in London’s High Court. It filed the suit against Tyson and his company, Tyrannic, claiming a deal was made in January, but Tyson terminated the promotional agreement in March.

Rabona is suing Tyson for $1.5 million.

“The true reason for Mr. Tyson and Tyrannic’s hasty and unlawful termination was because Mr. Tyson had agreed to a deal, sponsored by Netflix, to fight the influencer, Jake Paul,” it says in the lawsuit. The company requests that the boxer return more than $800,000 in fees paid to Tyson “in return for which no services were provided” and $729,000 in “wasted production and promotion costs,” according to the filing.

In opposition, Tyson’s attorneys say that Medier breached the contract by failing to obtain Tyson’s approval of promotional materials.

The hype surrounding the fight between Tyson and Paul disappointed boxing enthusiasts and the viewing audience. The 58-year-old Tyson lost a unanimous decision to 27-year-old Paul on Friday, Nov. 15. The fight was lackluster, and Netflix had connectivity issues. Hence, millions of viewers complained about buffering issues, with some unable to enjoy the entire fight.

This led to a Florida resident, Ronald “Blue” Denton, suing the streaming giant for $50 million, according to a report from TMZ. The viewer is suing the company for breach of contract, among other things.

The New York Post reported that Denton wrote, “60 million Americans were hyped to see ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ versus YouTuber-turner-prizefighter Jake Paul. What they saw was ‘The Baddest Streaming on Planet.’”