by Kandiss Edwards

February 18, 2026

Florida Pastor Says It Was His Stepson’s Idea To Recant Abuse Allegations

McNutt's response to the public perception of his son's apology is sparking anger as opposed to settling the storm.

Florida pastor TD McNutt is speaking out after his 15-year-old stepson recanted his claims of physical abuse by the hands of the pastor.

McNutt was charged with felony cruelty and is attracting renewed public attention after a Facebook Live video showed the teenager publicly retracting allegations. The recent controversy centers on a live Facebook broadcast in which a person identified as McNutt’s teenage accuser stood between McNutt and the teen’s mother and apologized publicly for prior statements about police involvement and disrespect. Clips from the broadcast were widely shared across social media platforms.

McNutt responded to the backlash in a post on his personal Facebook page. However, his response is sparking anger as opposed to settling the storm. As the video begins, McNutt proclaims “glory to god” multiple times before apologizing for his son’s video recanting his story. He makes sure to tell the audience the video reversal was his son’s idea, yet he is sorry “for whatever it’s worth.”

“For all of the discomfort that you all have felt in the matter with my son, I deeply apologize. It was [his] idea. I guess the intensity I displayed, I deeply apologize. He is deeply cared for, he is loved in every way. For whatever it’s worth to you, I deeply apologize for how that made you feel, what you got from that,” he said.

According to Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office records, McNutt, leader of Transformation Empowerment Worship Center, was arrested on Dec. 3, 2025, Times Now reported. According to reports, the 15-year-old victim reported his alleged abuse to school authorities. McNutt was subsequently arrested then released on a $5,000 bond after his arrest.

In the teen’s video, he speaks to the social media audience and says he was “not being a good son” by reporting his alleged abuse.

“I apologize to everyone… for the disrespect… manipulation… lying on dad… not being a good son,” the boy says in the recording, flanked by McNutt and the boy’s biological mother, Carisha Irons.

It is unclear whether or not the investigation into McNutt will continue now that the young man has walked back his claims. Unfortunately, videos of disturbing interactions with McNutt and the teen have gone viral as well as his apology.

Sherrone Moore, Michigan football, Arrest

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 18, 2026

Judge Orders Hearing In Sherrone Moore Case Over Concerns Of Due Process Violations

A judge wants to hear more in the Sherrone Moore case over concerns the former University of Michigan football coach may have been denied due process.

A judge has approved a hearing in the case of Sherrone Moore, amid concerns the former University of Michigan football coach may have been denied due process.

On Feb. 17, Judge J. Cedric Simpson scheduled a March 2 hearing, raising concerns that a police detective failed to disclose Moore’s employer-employee relationship with the woman he’s accused of stalking when a magistrate approved an arrest warrant in December. Simpson said the hearing will examine how the investigation that led to the charges against Moore was handled, WWMT reports.

“Defendant’s due process may have been violated,” Simpson said, calling the lack of context a “glaring” omission.

Moore was arrested shortly after being fired amid scrutiny over his relationship with an executive assistant. He faces charges that include felony home invasion, stalking, and illegal entry after allegedly entering the woman’s apartment without permission and threatening self-harm. Investigators say he blamed her for losing one of college football’s top coaching jobs, while his attorney is now seeking to have the case dismissed.

The police report states that the executive assistant had not responded to Moore’s calls and messages for two days before his firing. Defense attorney Ellen Michaels argued that, given that Moore was preparing for a bowl game, the volume of calls and texts was reasonable.

“It’s not stalking if the communication has a legitimate purpose,” Michaels said.

Moore gained national attention as head coach of Michigan’s Wolverines football, succeeding Jim Harbaugh, who left after a national championship run to coach the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers. But that all came to a head when Moore was fired Dec. 10 over what the university called an inappropriate relationship and dishonesty during the investigation, with longtime Utah coach Kyle Whittingham later named as his replacement.

Moore is now fighting the charges in court, with his attorney accusing the woman’s legal team of sharing information with police to “villainize” him and strengthen a potential financial claim against the university.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 18, 2026

Los Angeles Lakers Center DeAndre Ayton Detained In The Bahamas After Allegedly Being Caught With Weed

The incident took place at Lynden Pindling International Airport

Los Angeles Lakers player DeAndre Ayton was recently detained in the Bahamas, but was released on Feb. 16 after he was suspected of possessing a small amount of marijuana at Lynden Pindling International Airport.

According to Reuters, the center was making a return to the United States after visiting his native Bahamas during the NBA All-Star break. Initial reports claimed that he had been arrested by police officers from the Central Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, but his attorney, Devard Francis, told the media outlet that he was not arrested, only detained, before police allowed him to leave the airport. A small amount of marijuana was discovered on him after he was seen smoking at the airport.

Marijuana is illegal in the Bahamas.

“The investigators saw that the actual very small amount of marijuana wasn’t in Deandre’s bag, but they still went through their investigations, and he was released expeditiously,” Francis said. He also mentioned that police officials found the marijuana in someone else’s bag.

The 27-year-old is currently playing his first season with the Lakers, after he signed a two-year contract for $16.6 million last year. He is averaging 13.2 points on 67.5% shooting and a team-high 8.5 rebounds per game. He is a former No. 1 NBA draft pick who, before joining the Lakers, played for the Phoenix Suns and the Portland Trail Blazers.

The New York Post reported that Ayton played for the Bahamian National team during Olympic qualifying in 2024. While on the team, he averaged a double-double of 19.5 points and 11.8 rebounds, joining current NBA players Buddy Hield and VJ Edgecombe Jr., as well as former NBA player Eric Gordon.

Upon his return, Ayton is expected to be back at practice and faces no punishments or penalties since the NBA no longer has marijuana on its banned drugs list. The Lakers will be back in action Feb. 20 when they play their hometown rivals, the L.A. Clippers.

NFL, Brian Flores, discrimination lawsuit

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 18, 2026

NBCUniversal Accuses Group Black Of Breach of Contract In Massive $35.8M Lawsuit

Despite selling over $30 million in advertising on NBCU’s streaming platform, Peacock, the suit claims Group Black agreed to shift its revenue share to zero in effort to pay down the shortfall.

Group Black, a firm created to push ad dollars toward Black-owned and Black-led media, has a $35.8 million lawsuit filed against it by Comcast’s NBCUniversal for breach of contract, unpaid invoices, and guaranteed payments, Business Insider reported.

Filed Feb. 11 in the New York Supreme Court, the lawsuit alleges Group Black failed to fulfill the terms of the contract after the firm predicted NBCU would be its largest source of revenue in 2024 after more than 30 brands signed on to the partnership in its first year, starting September 2023. Despite selling over $30 million in advertising on NBCU’s streaming platform, Peacock, the suit claims Group Black agreed to shift its revenue share to zero in an effort to pay down the shortfall.

The company says co-founder Bonin Bough acknowledged liability several times, even saying at one point he took it “very seriously.”

Despite the partnership ending in September 2025, in a statement, the Black-owned company says they “dispute the claims made by NBCUniversal and intend to respond through the appropriate legal process.”

“Group Black remains focused on its mission and serving its partners,” the firm said.

However, this isn’t the first time the firm has been hit with legal troubles, stemming from nonpayment accusations.

In 2024, two Essence Ventures-owned companies sued Group Black over accusations of the company owing close to $20 million. In the ongoing lawsuit, the firm claimed Essence loaned it money but denied the allegations in the suit.

Another ad agency, Audiomob, that provided mobile app advertising inventory for Group Black to push for their clients, demanded roughly $181,000 in invoices from Group Black, alleging the company had failed to pay. However, the suit was dismissed after Audiomob announced the company had made a “partial payment” of the funds owed.

Group Black launched in 2021 in response to the uproar amid the killing of George Floyd. When major advertisers sought to increase their spending on Black-owned media, the firm answered the call. But then the company dealt with internal challenges like market struggles and executive departures, forcing them to pivot to catering to a broader audience with the launch of a new venture, Portrait Media Group.

According to AInvest, Peacock’s ad partnership strategy vulnerability is put under the spotlight with the lawsuit, relying on third-party partners and giving them the responsibility to sell premium ad inventory and spread the wealth. Financial strain can come when the projected revenue stream becomes uneasy.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 18, 2026

Drake Connects With McDonald’s Canada For ‘Afters Meal’

Select McDonald's locations carry the limited edition meals.

Drake may no longer bet on sports, but the rapper has placed a bet that a collaboration meal with McDonald’s will work. The fast-food franchise has launched the “Afters Meal” in Canada in partnership with Drake’s company, OVO (October’s Very Own).

The meal is currently available and includes either a junior chicken or McDouble sandwich, a regular-sized poutine (a Canadian dish of French fries topped with cheese curds and smothered in brown gravy), and The Nite Sprite, a blue-raspberry-flavored Sprite, in a limited-edition OVO cup.

The cup features the OVO owl.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Food Blog Canada (@foodblogcanada)

While Drake is reportedly preparing to release his long-awaited project, Iceman, he has other projects.

Hypebeast reports that the OVO owner released his collaboration with Nike, the NOCTA x Nike Cardinal Stock Spring 2026 collection on Feb. 18 on NOCTA. There was an even wider release the next day via the Nike SNKRS app and select retailers.

The Spring 2026 collection includes the NRG NOCTA CS Hoodie, Crewneck, and Sweatpants, all with a “Wash” treatment that imparts a lived-in, vintage feel to the fabric.

NOCTA, a joint venture between Nike and Drake, launched in 2020, according to Complex. NOCTA refers to Drake’s “nocturnal creative process.”

When the brand launched, Drake said, “This moment is full circle for me. I mean, growing up, Nike was everything. It felt like every shoe I wanted, every athlete I liked, everything I owned was Nike. It didn’t mean anything unless it had a Swoosh.

“With NOCTA, we were trying to make the hardest jacket, the hardest tracksuit, the hardest gloves. Just the best of that world.”

The brand had its official worldwide launch on Dec. 18, 2020.

by Kandiss Edwards

February 18, 2026

George Special Education Teacher Killed In Crash By Man Fleeing ICE

The crash occurred around 7:45 a.m. near Herman W. Hesse K-8 School, where Dr. Linda Davis, 55, worked as a special education teacher,

Georgia special education teacher Dr. Linda Davis was killed Feb. 16 when a man fleeing a federal immigration stop in Savannah crashed into her vehicle.

The crash occurred around 7:45 a.m. near Herman W. Hesse K-8 School, where Dr. Linda Davis, 55, worked as a special education teacher, the Associated Press reported. Officials said Oscar Vasquez Lopez, a 38-year-old Guatemalan national, was responsible. Lopez has been sought by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since 2024 in order to execute a deportation order. Lopez fled officers after the traffic stop attempt. He made a U-turn, ran a red light, and collided with Davis’s car, according to the Chatham County Police Department.

Lopez was taken into custody and faces multiple charges, including first-degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and driving without a valid license. After receiving due process for the death of Dr. Davis, he will be subject to deportation.

In a statement shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Davis’s family praised the “magnificent” woman Dr Davis was in life.

“Linda was a devoted wife, mother, sister, colleague, friend, and teacher. She understood that life is a divine gift, and she believed that all God’s children deserve compassion and respect. An educator for nearly 18 years, she devoted her life to serving others, and her impact extended far beyond the classroom. She poured herself into her community, mentored countless individuals and students, and led with grace, integrity, and deep care for people. One act at a time, Linda built a life of extraordinary meaning and influence. Much of her legacy will live on in the lives of those she touched. She was magnificent.”

A tragic crash in Chatham County, Georgia, claimed the life of beloved teacher Dr. Linda Davis when a driver fleeing ICE struck her vehicle.

Authorities have arrested the suspect, and the community mourns the loss of an inspiring educator. pic.twitter.com/AHJwlJ7jmH
— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) February 17, 2026

School officials identified the victim as Davis, describing her as a teacher “who dedicated her career to ensuring that every child felt supported, valued and capable of success.”

In a post on Facebook, Principal Alonna McMullen said the school has “implemented a plan” that will help support students in processing their emotions.

“Our teachers and counselors have been briefed on our plans and have received guidelines for discussing about death and reactions to it. There will be district counseling personnel available to students and staff who need special attention and support,” the statement read.

Chatham County police said they were not notified of the ICE traffic stop or pursuit before the crash, and that local law enforcement did not participate in the chase.

Savannah Mayor, Van Johnson, also questioned the necessity of the pursuit near a community school. “What this individual was wanted for, did it necessitate the end result?” he asked reporters.

Many echo Mayor Johnson’s sentiments, blaming ICE and its blanket tactics in regard to immigrants, criminal or not.

Conversely, other interested parties blame Dr. Davis’s death on the growing anti-ICE sentiments sweeping the nation. On X, @WellsJorda89710 called the perceived lack of outcry for Dr. Davis an example of “BLMHypocrisy.”

“No marches, no protests, crickets from BLM. If a cop were involved, streets would burn. But illegals get a pass?” he wrote.

To support the Davis family in their time of need a GoFundMe has been set up in her honor. Donations will “established to provide stability for the family as they navigate this loss and to help preserve Linda’s legacy of mentorship and community care.”

Real estate, black millennial, home, buying, market, home, tips

by Kandiss Edwards

February 18, 2026

Georgia Legislators Seek To Limit Corporate Ownership Of Single-Family Residences

The measure is also taking an America First approach, barring foreign investors purchasing homes under the same rental property rules.

Georgia lawmakers are advancing legislation that would limit how many single-family homes large companies can own.

Under Senate Bill 463, proposed by Cumming Republican state Sen. Greg Dolezal, large corporate investors would be limited to owning no more than 500 homes statewide. Corporations that exceed the limit would lose certain tax incentives.

The bill does not require companies to sell properties they already own, but the limit intends to reduce cash-buying investors who are pricing out regular potential homeowners at an accelerated rate.

It bans natural citizens and corporations from “owning an interest in more than 500 single-family residential properties” and prohibits “foreign investment vehicles from owning any interest in a single-family residential property to be used as rental property.”

Dolezal said the cash component in home buying creates a race against time that potential homeowners cannot overcome.

“These are families who have been priced out of a home,” he said. “They place an offer at the same price point as a hedge fund, but the hedge fund can close in two weeks.”

Homeownership built the middle class.

Now Metro Atlanta leads the nation in hedge funds and foreign wealth funds buying up homes — pricing out working families.

First-time buyers are 41 years old on average.

That’s not sustainable.

Today, I passed my bill in committee to stop… pic.twitter.com/GM7r2SqhWf
— Senator Greg Dolezal (@DolezalForGA) February 17, 2026

The measure is also taking an America First approach, barring foreign investors from purchasing homes under the same rental property rules. There’s bipartisan support for the bill: Nineteen Georgia legislators from both parties have signed on to back SB 463.

The bill also gives individual tenants and homeowners the power to “elicit a private cause of action” against corporations if they suspect or can prove they have violated the law. An individual who brings a lawsuit for perceived violations can receive up to $100,000 in statutory damages if claims prove accurate.

The proposed legislation was received by the Senate committee Feb. 17 and still has a way to go before it becomes law.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rainbow coalition, Black men xcel

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 18, 2026

‘Run, Jesse, Run!’ Could Have Also Referred To Jackson’s Football Career at North Carolina A&T

Jackson was inducted into the North Carolina A&T Hall of Fame in 1984

With the reported death of civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died at 84 after a prolonged illness, people are celebrating his efforts to further the cause of equality amongst people of color, but we also shouldn’t forget about his athletic career at North Carolina A&T University.

According to the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, Jackson was inducted into the North Carolina A&T Hall of Fame in 1984 for his football accomplishments during his first presidential campaign.

Years before earning that honor, he played multiple sports at Sterling High School in Greenville, South Carolina, where he lettered in basketball, baseball, and football (he was the starting quarterback during the 1957-58 season).

After playing spectacularly at Sterling, Jackson was offered and accepted a football scholarship to play at Illinois. After his freshman season, he transferred to North Carolina A&T. In 1962, although he initially played quarterback, he mostly played as a defensive end and occasionally as a fullback on offense. While at the university, his calling led to his election as president of the A&T College Student Government. It was there that he helped lead several demonstrations that year. During the summer, due to his newfound political stance, Jackson was tried for inciting a riot, but it went nowhere as a non-suit was declared due to insufficient evidence.

In 1963, Jackson returned to quarterback, splitting the duties with Cornell Gordon, who went on to play in the AFL and NFL.

A blowout game against Winston-Salem State, which the Aggies won 60-18, the future activist threw for two touchdowns, throwing one for 49 yards and another one to Gordon that went for 23 yards.

Jackson helped the team to a 6-3 record in 1963. They lost the last game of the season in a shutout defeat against Borth Carolina College (now North Carolina Central), 6-0.

As history has shown, Jackson continued to quarterback when he took to the streets, wherever justice was needed, becoming the civil rights icon we witnessed over the years.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 18, 2026

Detroit Police Chief Draws Line, Firing Officers Who Sold Out Individuals To ICE

The calls to immigration officers led to two individuals' detainment.

Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison revealed his plans to fire officers who contacted ICE during traffic stops, a move he says violated the department’s policy.

Bettison said the officers called ICE for translation services on two separate occasions. According to CBS News, the call to federal agents at the scene resulted in each individual’s detainment.

Bettison disclosed at a Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting on Feb. 12 that the officers will face further consequences for their actions.

“Contacting Border Patrol, ICE, or other federal agencies for translation services is strictly prohibited, as it subjects individuals to extreme scrutiny,” Bettison said.

The wrongful procedures reportedly occurred within a few months of each other: the most recent on Feb. 9, and the prior one on Dec. 16 last year. During the February incident, a sergeant arrived at a traffic stop after an officer asked for a supervisor. After learning that the person being stopped did not speak English, the sergeant called Border Patrol, which took the person into custody.

The 2025 incident came to light through an audit of body camera footage. An officer investigated one individual regarding a felony warrant and later determined the person was not a U.S. citizen. The finding sparked their call to immigration enforcement. ICE agents subsequently detained the person.

Of the officers’ actions, Bettison condemned their use of the federal agency at the traffic stops. The calls occurred at the height of ICE raids and subsequent resistance protests across multiple U.S. cities.

He added,” There’s absolutely no reason to contact federal law enforcement agencies to assist with translation services.

Although the officers initially received suspensions without pay, Bettison has now called for their permanent termination from the Detroit Police Department. The police chief hopes the firing will hold them accountable for a violation that ultimately changed two families’ lives.

“I will say this to everyone that 98, 99% of our officers do it the right way each and every day. They’re out there working hard. But I do have 1-2% who decide to violate our rules, policies, and procedures. And to those officers, I will hold them accountable,” he added.

The issue heightened tensions surrounding ICE agents’ presence in U.S. cities and the safety of all people, regardless of their legal status. One local official, City Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero, also released a statement urging Detroit residents to band together.

“This moment requires us to listen and to be intentional, in order to not cause greater harm,” wrote the councilwoman. “We, as a beloved community, above all else, need to practice mutual aid. I call upon residents across this great city to join together and build communities of care, whereby folks of all backgrounds support one another, care for one another, and love one another.”

While Bettison has asserted his intent to fire the officers, the Board of Police will still decide whether the cops violated policy in their actions.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 18, 2026

R. Kelly Reportedly In Solitary Confinement For Having Retired Warden’s Phone Number

"His only reason for having the phone number or contact with that prison official is because he was involved in a mentor program at the jail," Kelly's attorney told People.

R. Kelly’s time in prison just got a lot harder. The disgraced singer was placed in solitary confinement after officials learned he had a former warden’s phone number.

According to his attorney, Beau Brindley, the incarcerated singer, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, was placed in isolation at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina, after officials said he had a retired warden’s phone number in his cell, TMZ reports.

R. Kelly will reportedly remain in solitary confinement while the investigation continues.

The situation started when R. Kelly’s cellmate was caught with a contraband cellphone. Brindley said officers then searched the shared cell and discovered a notebook belonging to R. Kelly that contained the retired warden’s phone number.

Prison officials then moved R. Kelly to the Special Housing Unit (SHU) while they investigate how the former warden’s number ended up in his possession, according to his attorney.

“For privacy, safety, and security reasons, we do not discuss the conditions of confinement or internal security procedures for any inmate or group of inmates,” a rep for the federal Bureau of Prisons said.

Brindley said R. Kelly was participating in a mentoring program for inmates at FCI Butner Medium I, overseen by the warden, and that the retired warden had given him R. Kelly’s phone number so he could reach out for guidance on the program.

“His only reason for having the phone number or contact with that prison official is because he was involved in a mentor program at the jail,” Brindley said, according to People. “And so he’s involved in a mentor program, and because of that, he has a relationship with the prison official. That official retired and left the phone number for Mr. Kelly, and then, as a result of that, now Mr. Kelly’s locked up in special housing, for what they call an investigation.”

Brindley said it’s unclear how long the investigation, or R. Kelly’s stay in isolation, will last, adding that the experience has been “devastating” for his client.

“They will not give us that timeframe, so we don’t know. We’re trying as hard as we can to make it as short as possible, but we don’t know how long he’s going to be held in there on this, unfortunately,” Brindley said.

R. Kelly is serving a 30-year federal sentence following convictions in New York and Chicago between 2021 and 2022 on charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, and child pornography.

He was transferred to the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina, in April 2023 after beginning his sentence at Chicago’s Metropolitan Correctional Center earlier that year.