Charlamagne Tha God, Krystal Burger Chain, South Carolina

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 7, 2024

Charlamagne Tha God Brings Krystal Burger Chain To South Carolina

The radio host is opening the first of several Krystal burger joints in the state in Orangeburg.

Charlamagne Tha God is returning to his home state of South Carolina to open his first Krystal fast-food restaurant.

The popular radio and TV personality has teamed up with Atlanta-based burger chain Krystal to open several locations in South Carolina, starting with a location in Orangeburg, Post and Courier reports. The first restaurant will soften on Dec. 9 at 1486 Chestnut St.

Charlamagne, whose real name is Lenard McKelvey, and his wife, Jessica Gadsden-McKelvey, will attend the grand opening event of the restaurant on Dec. 20. It’s a homecoming of sorts for The Breakfast Club radio show host, a native of Charleston, South Carolina.

“Orangeburg is special to us because it’s the home of South Carolina State University, my mother’s alma mater, while my wife’s father is an alumni of Claflin University,” Charlamagne said. “I also have an honorary degree from SCSU, where I established the Ford Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, so it’s a blessing to continue this mission of providing opportunities and jobs to South Carolinians.”

He added, “It’s always an amazing feeling to come back and give back. I hope the community will enjoy my favorite eats from Krystal for years to come!”

The new location will be part of nearly 300 Krystal restaurants across the Southeast. It will be the fourth franchise in South Carolina, joining existing stores in Aiken, Gaffney, and North Augusta. The Orangeburg location will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Charlamagne’s cultural impact speaks for itself, and bringing his energy to Krystal’s newest location is a game-changer,” said Krystal’s parent company SPB Hospitality CEO Josh Kern.

The grand opening event will feature local officials, performances by school cheer teams, mascots, and the marching band. Exclusive Krystal and Charlamagne Tha God merchandise and special menu items will be available at the restaurant ahead of the Dec. 20 event.

by Mary Spiller

December 7, 2024

Beloved Radio Host And Entertainment Reporter Robin Ayers Dies At 44

Her death was confirmed by fellow KBLA radio host Tavis Smiley.

Well-known radio host and reporter Robin Ayers died on Dec. 5. The KBLA host was 44.

Ayers’ death was confirmed by fellow KBLA radio host Tavis Smiley, who wrote on X, “It is with profound sadness that KBLA Talk 1580 announces the passing of our beloved colleague Robin Ayers.”

He continued, “Robin was a bright light. You could see her radiant smile through the radio. We all respected her immense talent, loved her jovial spirit.”

Ayers has been a part of the KBLA team since March of 2022 as host of “The RA Report with Robin Ayers.” Her segment ran through the weekdays and reported on entertainment news and interviews with celebrity guests.

The KBLA team is reportedly planning a memorial for Ayers following her passing.

Although Ayers’ cause of death has not yet been confirmed, the beloved journalist did reveal that she was diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma, or LMS, in 2023. LMS is an aggressive form of cancer that only affects the soft tissues and muscles in the body and is most often found in the abdomen or the uterus of women. Despite her rare diagnosis, Ayers used her platform to advocate for women’s health by sharing her battle with her diagnosis. She used her platform to encourage her followers to always listen to their bodies.

According to People, Ayers has also worked with BET, Fox, and OWN and was a co-host for the YouTube-based podcast Afterbuzz TV. Most notably, Ayers was a reporter for the news outlet EURweb and worked as an entertainment correspondent for the company for nearly four years.

Lee Bailey, EURweb’s founder and publisher, posted a statement on the outlet’s website offering his condolences. He wrote, “With heavy hearts, the entertainment journalism community mourns the passing of Robin Ayers. Robin, known for her vibrant personality and passion for storytelling, died leaving a significant void in the world of entertainment journalism and broadcasting.”

More personally, he added, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Robin Ayers. Her passion for storytelling and unwavering commitment to truth brought depth and authenticity to her work. She was not just a colleague but a friend, and her impact on EURweb and the lives she touched will never be forgotten.”

Ayers is survived by her husband, Rob, and her twin daughters, Brooklyn and Madison, to whom she just dedicated a post six days before her passing. She shared an Instagram post celebrating Thanksgiving and Brooklyn and Madison’s 18th birthday. She captioned the post, “With the fam! Celebrating Thanksgiving and the twins’ 18th bday! Whoa.”

Trump Judge Mathis, election, Black voters

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 7, 2024

Los Angeles City Worker Threatens To Move Forward With Lawsuit Against Judge Greg Mathis

Mathis' attorney replied, 'Should Mr. Acosta pursue this lawsuit, we will not only vigorously defend the case, we will file cross-claims against Mr. Acosta for his illegal conduct and repeated defamation of my client.'

Popular TV judge Greg Mathis may soon face a judge himself after a Los Angeles man has threatened to sue him after accusing Mathis of pulling a gun out on him in 2023.

According to The Los Angeles Times, Ricardo Acosta has hired an attorney stating that Mathis allegedly threatened to shoot him while he was working as a dump truck Acosta was driving blocked the judge’s driveway in Los Angeles. The complaint, if filed, would sue Mathis for assaulting the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power employee and inflicting emotional damage during a confrontation that took place on July 25, 2023.

Meanwhile, Mathis’ attorney, Anahita Sedaghatfar, stated that the lawsuit was an attempt to extort from her client and contained a misrepresentation of what happened that day. She says that the Los Angeles Police Department did not even investigate Acosta’s accusation.

“That the LAPD did not even investigate Mr. Acosta’s claims speaks to their lack of merit,” she said. “Should Mr. Acosta pursue this lawsuit, we will not only vigorously defend the case, we will file cross-claims against Mr. Acosta for his illegal conduct and repeated defamation of my client.”

In Acosta’s complaint, he claimed that Mathis yelled, “Move the f**king truck out of the way,” while he stood behind Acosta’s truck. Acosta said he asked Mathis to move out of the way while he backed up the truck, claiming he was concerned since the dump truck was on an incline and could roll when put into drive.

He stated that Mathis refused and warned him that he “did not give a f**k and to run him over and see what happens to him.” He then said that the judge ran into his home, came out with a gun, and threatened him by saying, “I will bust a cap.”

The city worker says that the incident has caused him emotional and financial damage as he sought medical treatment and retained an attorney. He is requesting compensatory damages for lost wages, earnings, commissions, retirement benefits, and other employee benefits. On top of that, he wants general damages for mental pain, emotional distress, and loss of earning capacity.

by Mary Spiller

December 7, 2024

Sonya Massey’s Father Speaks Out About Sean Grayson’s Potential Pre-Trial Release

James Wilburn, the father of Sonya Massey, said he's "going to fight to keep my daughter’s killer in a jail cell.”

James Wilburn, the father of Sonya Massey, spoke out after the appellate court declared former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson should be released pre-trial. Wilburn addressed a crowd at the Illinois Capitol on Dec. 5.

Wilburn said, “Until an undertaker puts an embalming fluid in this body, I’m going to fight to keep my daughter’s killer in a jail cell.”

Massey was a 36-year-old Black woman shot and killed by Grayson, a white sheriff’s deputy, in her home in Woodside Township, Illinois, on July 6. Grayson shot Massey in the face after she moved a pot of water from the stove at their request.

Recently, an Illinois appellate court ruled against Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser. The appellate court denied that Grayson would be a threat to the public if released, and opposed him being reprimanded until his trial. The court ordered his release with a few behavioral conditions in just 35 days.

Grayson has been in jail since his arrest, but after this appellate court decision, Grayson could be released before his trial.
“Will it ever make sense? If these three appellate court justices think that Sean Grayson is not a danger to society, move them into their house. Let’s see if their wife and kids would allow him to move and live in their house with him,” Wilburn said.

As reported by WCIA, Wilburn also said, “My friends, my family, they try to keep me busy so that I’m not alone. It’s when I’m alone that I really, really meditate on the conversations that we used to have.”

Massey’s cousin, Shadia Massey, also spoke out, stating, “I think will hurt my auntie real bad. So I’m just asking (the appellate court) to do anything to not let him out of jail.”

Wilburn made it clear that he wouldn’t stop fighting for his daughter, no matter what the court said.

“I’m going to be in the face of those leaders in Washington, D.C. I know that we need to pass the George Floyd Policing Act. We need to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. We need to close up these holes in the safety here and our doors. Those are the kinds of things that I’ve dedicated my life to, to make those kinds of changes, whatever it takes.”

GeneralMotors, charging stations, EV, electric vehicles

by Kandiss Edwards

December 6, 2024

Georgia’s Black Drivers Paying As Much As 25 Percent More In Auto Insurance

Black Georgians are paying more to sit in that awful traffic.

Black Georgia drivers may be paying up to 25% more in vehicle insurance depending on ZIP code, according to a study by ValuePenguin.

The study looked at the insurance costs for majority Black and white neighborhoods. The analysis indicates that the higher the percentage of Black people in any given zip code, the higher the insurance premium.

“In areas where Black residents make up at least 50% of the population, annual auto insurance premiums average $3,929. That compares with $3,537 across all Georgia ZIP codes—a difference of 11.1%. In areas with 70% or more Black residents, the disparity jumps to 25.1%.”

Other variables considered when setting the price of an insurance premium are projected yearly mileage, make, model, and year of the vehicle, and whether or not the vehicle will be used for work purposes. Still, the evidence overwhelmingly suggests electric vehicles, owned in majority-white neighborhoods, will yield the cheapest results.

Average premiums for five vehicle types were analyzed in three different categories: ZIP codes with 50% or more Black people, ZIP codes with 70% or more Black people, and the average premium for every ZIP code in the state. The Toyota Rav4 is the most expensive vehicle to insure overall, 16.4% more expensive to insure in a 50% or more Black-populated neighborhood and 33.9% more expensive in a 70% or more Black-populated neighborhood.

The Tesla Model Y Long Range was the least expensive vehicle, but it was still 14% more expensive to insure in a 50% or more Black-populated neighborhood and 29.5% more expensive in a 70% or more Black-populated neighborhood.

While insurance companies continue to dictate the parameters of premium calculation, Black people need to look at options. Finding cheaper insurance or driving fuel-efficient vehicles so they can take advantage of lower premiums and taxes.

According to the study, the cheapest insurance companies for Black neighborhoods in Georgia were Farm Bureau and Farmers Insurance. The premiums are still much higher in other neighborhoods, but even a small percentage decrease is one penny less spent.

Electric vehicles are fuel-efficient, and the state of Georgia provides tax incentives, including the removal of the Ad-Valorem tax typically applied when registering a vehicle yearly. Electric vehicles can also save money on gas, one way to offset the “Black tax” associated with insurance.

CommScope, Settlement, Data Breach, Tyre Sampson

by Kandiss Edwards

December 6, 2024

Parents Of 14-Year-Old “FreeFall” Victim Receive $310M ‘Band Aid’ Settlement

Tyre Sampson died in March 2022.

The family of Tyre Sampson won a $310 million verdict from Funtime Handels GmbH. after the 14-year-old fell to his death on an amusement park ride in March 2022.

Funtime Handels GmbH. is the Austrian manufacturer the jury held liable for faulty construction of the ride, the Orlando FreeFall.

“This verdict is a step forward in holding corporations accountable for the safety of their products,” said Ben Crump, an attorney for teh family. “The jury’s decision confirms what we have long argued: Tyre’s death was the result of blatant negligence and a failure to prioritize safety over profits.”

Sampson’s father, Yarnell, tearfully spoke to reporters about his feelings after the Dec. 5 verdict.

“Ain’t no money going to solve this problem,” he said. “It won’t solve it; it’ll put a band-aid on it, maybe. But every day I wake up, and I still can’t see him.”

According to investigators, Sampson’s death was the result of an equipment malfunction. He was visiting ICON Park in Orlando on spring break with his Missouri football team when he decided to ride the Orlando FreeFall. The attraction hoists riders 400 feet into the air then plummets toward the ground.

Sampson weighed 383 pounds. The ride’s limit was 285 pounds and had no seat belts, according to the lawsuit. While suspended in the air, Sampson’s restraints released, causing the young man to fall at least 100 feet from the ride.

After Sampson’s death, Icon Park decided to permanently close FreeFall.

“We are devastated by Tyre’s death. We have listened to the wishes of Tyre’s family and the community and have made the decision to take down the FreeFall,” said an Icon Park representative.

The ride’s manufacturer did not send a representative to court, NBC affiliate WESH of Orlando reported. No attorney was listed in court records.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 6, 2024

50 Cent Will Share His Favorite Films And TV Series From Lionsgate On Ad-Free Roku Channel

50 Cent is curating a new action-packed channel of Lionsgate content on Roku.

50 Cent is lending his talents to Roku, where he’ll curate an ad-free channel featuring his favorite films and TV series from Lionsgate’s 20,000-plus titles.

On Thursday, Lionsgate announced its partnership with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, which will launch Dec. 10 on The Roku Channel, Variety reports. The 50 Cent Action Channel will dig into Lionsgate’s library of content, including films like The Expendables, The Hitman’s Bodyguard, and Rambo, and titles 50 Cent starred in himself like Expend4bles. The new channel will also play episodes of 50 Cent’s hit series Power, which spawned the Power Universe.

The channel will also integrate its programming with 50 Cent’s music, including a heist-themed lineup inspired by his iconic album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, featuring films like Empire State, Reservoir Dogs, and Man on a Ledge. Additionally, a female-led action showcase, inspired by his 2008 single “I Like the Way She Do It,” will feature titles such as Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Volume 2, The Protégé, and Haywire.

“Roku’s reach and success in the free TV space make them the perfect launch partner for 50 Cent Action,” the rapper said in a statement. “My channel created in partnership with Lionsgate will deliver exactly what my audience loves to watch all in one place. We’ll be number one in no time.”

The hip-hop mogul donned his signature bulletproof vest and white T-shirt to announce the new venture in a video trailer Roku released as part of the official announcement.

“I’ve launched a new channel called 50 Cent Action. It’s where you gotta be,” he says.

Roku executives expressed enthusiasm for partnering with 50 Cent on the new channel designed to cater to action film enthusiasts.

“We’re excited to collaborate with our longstanding partner Lionsgate and Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson on this innovative channel,” said Jennifer Vaux, vice president of content acquisition and programming at Roku. “50 is one of the biggest stars in the world, with a massive audience and an unmatched impact in the content space. Viewers are going to love this fun, unique way to explore Lionsgate’s awesome lineup of action programming, as well as behind-the-scenes content from 50 Cent.”

Autistic Teen, Prison, Jail, beating elderly

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 6, 2024

D.C. Teenager Sentenced For Role In Fatally Beating Elderly Disabled Man

She was 13 when she and four other teens beat 64-year-old Reggie Brown to death.

One of the three teenage girls responsible for beating an elderly and disabled man to death in Washington, D.C., in October 2023 has been sentenced to eight years in a juvenile facility.

According to FOX 17, the unidentified teenager, who was 13 when the incident took place, was found guilty of second-degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit assault. She was also found guilty of tampering with physical evidence (made of a lie) and conspiracy to commit tampering (deleting video).

When the crime took place, she reportedly took a selfie.

According the Metropolitan Police Department, on Oct. 17, 2023, at approximately 12:54 a.m., officers responded to a call and found the victim, Reggie Brown “with trauma consistent with an assault.” Brown died at the scene. An autopsy from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma, and it was ruled a homicide.

The Washington Post reported that the attack was caught on mobile phone footage, and the clip revealed a group of five girls running after Brown. As he attempted to escape, he tried to climb up a chain fence, but the teenagers pulled him off and stomped his head into the concrete. They then pulled his pants down around his ankles, took off his belt, and beat him with it.

As he lay on the concrete, surrounded by blood, the girls were laughing, and one of them was heard saying, “He’s leaking.”

“During two days of hearings, D.C. homicide detective Harry Singleton testified that Brown was disabled, had mental health issues, and had a metal plate in his head and only two fingers on each hand,” The Washington Post reported.

During the court hearing on Dec. 4, the girl’s attorney asked if she could be committed until she was 17. However, the judge sentenced her until her 21st birthday, in restrictive commitment at DYRS (Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services).

According to NBC Washington, the judge described the girl’s action as “horrific” and that she was in “desperate” need of services.

The girl spoke to Brown’s family in court. “This is not like me,” she said, adding that she should have walked away. “I am so sorry.”

“It saddens me that these young girls could be so brutal and do something so severe,” Brown’s sister, Malda Brown, said after the sentencing. “But I’m just grateful that the judge did give the time that D.C. commits until 21.”

Two of the girls, ages 13 and 14, were found guilty of second-degree murder and other charges. All pleaded guilty in the case, including one who stated she participated in the beating because they were bored. A 14-year-old girl pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit assault.

Authorities say five girls and an unidentified man attacked Brown.

by Kandiss Edwards

December 6, 2024

50 Cent’s G-Unit Studios’ Lease Reveals Commitment To Shreveport Residents

50 Cent is pouring into the Shreveport community according to lease details.

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is taking the next step as a mogul with the lease of Millennium Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana. A local news outlet obtained a copy of what’s now named G-Unit Studio’s lease and revealed how the studio intends to support the local community.

According to KLSA, the lease requires ” G-Unit Studios to assist with internships and job training to unemployed and underemployed people in Shreveport as part of the American Rescue Plan.

On Nov. 20, Shreveport’s Mayor, Tom Arceneaux, announced the deal. On the surface, Jackson received the better end of the agreement as he negotiated a yearly rent of $2,400. Mayor Arceneaux, however, believes the deal heavily favors the city’s residents. The operation of G-Unit Studios will provide jobs and added income to locals. The new workforce will also stimulate the local economy. Providing internships, as required under the lease terms, will create pathways for Louisiana residents to enter the film and entertainment industry.

While these incentives have not yet yielded fruit, leasing the building is a concrete way to save the city of Shreveport money on studio upkeep.

“This will relieve the city of about $180,000 per year in maintenance and upkeep expenses,” said Arceneaux. “I’ve been asked why the low rent; the low rent is because of the savings to the city.”

Louisiana is one of the first states in the nation to provide significant tax breaks to the film industry. The potential savings might have made the state an attractive option for Jackson.

Recently, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on the Louisiana legislature’s vote to remove the $150 million tax credit for the film industry.

In light of the news, Jackson kept a positive attitude while encouraging Louisiana residents to keep the faith.

“I know people in Shreveport are sick right now; stay positive everything happens for a reason.” He continued, “I’m committed to the people of Shreveport; they held me down. Do you know a place in the world where you can stop violence for 16 days? There are things more important than money; you will find out when you get a bunch of it.”

Eventually, the Louisiana legislature modified the bill to reflect a reduction in the incentive to $125 million. Jackson seems to be able to keep his commitment to the people of Shreveport by providing career opportunities.

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 6, 2024

Investigation Reveals Law Enforcement Officials Nationwide Sold Restricted Weapons Illegally

No one is above the law.

A CBS News investigation has revealed dozens of law enforcement leaders, ranging from sheriffs to police chiefs, bought and illegally sold firearms, including weapons of war.

A statewide review of government audits and court records from the last 20 year found that there were at least 50 cases of police officers accused of illegally selling their weapons online. In Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 23 states, weapons were sold to dealers out of the officers’ homes or the back of their cars. In some instances, the weapons were sold to gun enthusiasts for prices 10 times higher than ther original price.

The former chief of police at the Adair Police Department in Iowa, Bradley Wendt, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison in July 2024 after he was convicted by a federal jury of conspiring to make false statements to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and illegal possession of a machine gun. Prosecutors argued he knowingly used his position of power in the department to acquire machine guns for himself and his for-profit business.

“This chief (of) police gig is awesome,” Wendt wrote in an email to an associate in 2019. “Send machine guns to my own gun store. LOL.”

Red flags were raised after an audit found the small department, consisting of three people to police a town of 794 people, sought to buy 90 machine guns from regulators, including an M134 Gatling-style minigun with the ability to shoot up to 6,000 rounds of ammunition per minute. Wendt wrote close to 40 similar letters with requests to purchase or demonstrate 90 machine guns for the Adair Police Department between July 2018 and August 2022.

Prior to being convicted, Wendt told CBS News, “If I’m guilty of this, every cop in the nation’s going to jail.”

In a number of the cases prompted by the investigation, guns wound up in the hands of violent felons and were used to commit crimes such as international arms dealing and drug trafficking. One weapon was used in a case involving the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old boy attending a high school football game. A police chief, mayor, and village trustee in New Mexico were busted in 2011 for a smuggling ring involving the delivery of automatic firepower and tactical gear to a Mexican cartel.

Years later, more law enforcement officers with high rankings—three police chiefs, one sheriff, and a Delta Force veteran—were caught by prosecutors for being linked with a sanctioned Russian arms dealer who sold machine guns to a criminal trafficker directly. After all pleaded guilty, the name of an alleged co-conspirator then working as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was brought up. However, he denied any wrongdoing.

Close to 26,000 guns from crime scenes in the United States were traced back to a government agency, law enforcement, or the military between 2017 and 2021. Out of the 58 cases listed in the investigation involving law enforcement criminally charged with illegal weapon sales, 56 of them admitted guilt or were convicted.