SNAP, NYC bodega, Dia Alqalisi,Dawood Kassim
(Photo: Nick Sherman/flickr)
by Kandiss Edwards

January 9, 2025

SNAP Increases Income Eligibility Requirements

More Americans will qualify for SNAP benefits as income requirements increase.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has slightly increased its income eligibility limits for 2025.

The guidance, released by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, was adjusted based on national poverty levels. The program helps individuals and families living at or below the poverty line. The amount of aid provided depends on income, location, and household size.

2025 (NET) Income requirements: 

Single-person household:

  • $1,255 – 48 states, District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands
  • $1,568 – Alaska 
  • $1,443 – Hawaii 

Two-person household:

  • $1,704  -48 states, District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands
  • $2,129 – Alaska
  • $1,959 -Hawaii

Three-person household:

  •  $2,152 – 48 states, District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands
  •  $2,690 – Alaska 
  •  $2,475 – Hawaii 

The increase in food benefits comes at a crucial time for American citizens. According to the Inflation Calculator, the current inflation rate for goods and services is 2.7%, a 0.1% increase from 2023.

In October 2024, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported that hackers had stolen Georgia’s SNAP food benefits. Many recipients have reported not receiving their monthly allotments of funds. Following an investigation by the local USDA, it was revealed that hackers had been obtaining benefit information through a phone scam.

“Children hungry,” Branaita Jones, a SNAP recipient, said. “I want to cry so bad. It hurt my feelings so bad when they took my stamps.”

DHS Commissioner Candice Broc said the scam had been ongoing. Initially reported in January 2023, Georgia’s Department of Human Services (DHS) issued an advisory to beneficiaries after receiving multiple reports of criminals using fraudulent text messages to obtain EBT card numbers and PINs to steal SNAP benefits.

Because the federal government partially funds SNAP benefits, Georgia sought and received approval to replace the stolen benefits, which was announced in October 2023.

RELATED CONTENT: Food Insecurity Plagues Atlanta’s Elderly Population, Mayor Andre Dickens Takes Action

Thaksin_Shinawatra, Thailand, racist, noses, African
Office of the Secretary, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
by Sharelle B. McNair

January 8, 2025

Former Thailand Prime Minister Faces Backlash For Alleged Racist Jab Toward African Women 

African women are beautiful regardless of what anyone says!

The former prime minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, is under fire for alleged racist undertones by describing African women as “black with flat noses,” South China Morning Post reported. 

During a political rally on Jan. 5, Shinawatra spoke about the struggle that women in the country go through to become models – since Thai women look better than African women. The billionaire politician highlighted the desire for his Pheu Thai party to promote “pretty” Thai women as runway icons in the fashion industry, as African women with “black with flat noses” land modeling gigs first. 

“African people, who have black skin and flat noses that make it difficult to breathe, are hired for millions of baht to be models,” he allegedly said while claiming Thai girls are prettier without a need for plastic surgery. 

“It’s time to encourage more Thais, including those from ethnic groups like the Karen, who possess natural beauty, to become international models.”

Thai leadership issued a statement demanding that the former Pheu Thai leader issue an apology, as the nation doesn’t stand for discrimination. Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit called the remarks a “serious matter internationally” and called for Shinawatra’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who took over the ranks of prime minister in August 2024, to push for the comments to never be repeated again. “Discrimination against an individual based on their skin color is a big problem. I want Thaksin to apologize for his remarks,” Angkhana said. 

“I hope the prime minister will not ignore the issue and let it pass.” 

However, Paetongtarn issued a statement defending her father. She pushed that her father’s intentions were to encourage Thai women not to waste money on cosmetic surgery in order to be deemed eligible for beauty contests when he allegedly said, “Teenage girls here are prettier.”

“They need no cosmetic surgery on their noses or chins,” the former prime minister allegedly said at the rally, according to The Nation Thailand. 

Paetongtarn claimed that if people would just listen to what he is saying, they would realize he wasn’t being racist. “I’m 100% confident that he had no intention of making a racist comment. Dad has always said that Thai women don’t need plastic surgery, as we have our own unique style of beauty,” she said.

“This was his intention. You must listen to the entire original clip. I’m confident that Dad has never looked down on [African women]. He does not normally look down on other people.”

His comments don’t seem to be bothering any members of the Pheu Thai party, as they are excited about Shinawatra’s return to the political world. He returned to the kingdom in August 2023 after 15 years of self-exile.

“We are waiting for his confirmation. We want him to help campaign for votes as he did in Chiang Rai,” a contestant in the Sisaket provincial election, Hotrawaisaya Wiwatchai, said.

RELATED CONTENT: Power Restored To 98% Of Puerto Rico After New Years’ Eve Blackout

Bourbon Street , Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, New Orleans, New Year's Eve,
(Photo: Infrogmation, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)
by Kandiss Edwards

January 8, 2025

New Orleans Moves Forward With Hosting Super Bowl LIX And Mardi Gras With SEAR-1 Security

President Biden give New Orleans SEAR-1 rating for Mardi Gras season.

President Joe Biden has granted the city of New Orleans a Special Event Assessment Rating of 1 (SEAR-1) ahead of hosting Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 3 and the annual Mardi Gras celebration following the New Year’s mass tragedy, according to MSN.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced the designation on Jan. 6 during the 2025 Mardi Gras season kickoff at Mardi Gras World. The SEAR-1 designation allows the city to receive federal resources to enhance security.

The SEAR-1 rating is granted based on national security importance. While New Orleans typically receives a SEAR-2 designation due to the large crowds during Mardi Gras, the recent New Year’s attack that killed 14 innocent people will increase the federal assistance provided to the city.

Cantrell discussed the designation during the kickoff of Carnival season, emphasizing her commitment to ensuring the city’s safety for residents and visitors.

“Mardi Gras 2025 is going to be the safest ever,” Cantrell said.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick supported Cantrell’s statement, adding that the show must go on to honor “the spirit of the city.” With proper safety measures, Kirkpatrick and Cantrell hope to keep their promises.

The Department of Homeland Security outlined several measures that will be implemented to support local law enforcement, including:

  • Explosive detection canine teams
  • Cyber risk assessments
  • Venue screening and field intelligence teams
  • Air security and tactical operations support

Cantrell has been seeking a SEAR-1 rating for Mardi Gras since 2019. Mardi Gras is a major carnival event that attracts tourists worldwide. An estimated 100 million people are expected to visit the city during the 2025 season. Super Bowl LIX will be held at the Caesars Superdome, which has a seating capacity of 73,000.

RELATED CONTENT: New Orleans Terror Attack Suspect Filmed Previous Visit To City On Halloween

Express Newark, Jasmine Mans, Poetry
(Photo: 7713Photography/Getty Images)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 8, 2025

Newark Starts Search For Its First-Ever Poet Laureate 

'Verse and spoken word is in our blood – and I am proud that Newark is adding this Poet Laureate program as a heartbeat at our center,' said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka

Newark, New Jersey, is looking for its first Poet Laureate, and if you are in the area, now’s your chance to apply.

The City of Newark has just announced that it is accepting applications for its inaugural Poet Laureate. This will be the first time the Jersey town is looking for someone whose primary role is to promote the literary arts for the residents of Newark.

“Poetry is something Newarkers celebrate when we come together, and it’s a valuable part of our culture as a community,” said Mayor Ras Baraka in a written statement. “Verse and spoken word is in our blood – and I am proud that Newark is adding this Poet Laureate program as a heartbeat at our center.”

Through this new program, every two years a local poet will serve in the Laureate role. That person will be summoned to inspire and encourage Newark residents in their creative expressions through their writing and personal expression, while bringing attention to poetry in less traditional settings. They will also start and incorporate dialogue between local poets, cultural organizations, and community institutions.

Professional poets who are based in Newark have until Monday, February 3, to be considered for the 2025-26 Poet Laureate role. A selection committee will evaluate all entries and choose top candidates based on the excellence of their poetic work, their experience with community engagement, and their capacity to encourage public appreciation and participation in poetry. The final candidates will be interviewed, and a selection will be made in March.

The person selected will serve a two-year term as Poet Laureate for calendar years 2025-26. They will receive an honorarium of $5,000 per year while working with a programmatic budget of up to $10,000 per year, which is to be administered by the City’s Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs.

“The Newark Public Library is thrilled to support a Poet Laureate for our city. Newark’s literary history is significant, and you only have to walk into the library to see it,” said Newark Public Library Director Christian Zabriskie, “We hope that this program will bring a new generation of poetry alive in our city and will create new songs and stories for our shelves for years to come.”

Anyone who thinks they can perform in that role can submit an application at https://cityofnewark-arts.submittable.com/submit. If there are any questions about the position, the City of Newark Arts & Cultural Affairs Director, Fayemi Shakur, can be contacted at shakurf@ci.newark.nj.us.

RELATED CONTENT: Power Restored To 98% Of Puerto Rico After New Year’s Eve Blackout

Beyonce, Unreleased music, jury trial
(Photo: Getty Images)
by Mitti Hicks

January 8, 2025

Judge Orders UnitedHealth To Pay Millions For Misleading Insurance Customers

The history of this case dates back to 2006 when the then-Attorney General sued HealthMarkets for reported misleading marketing tactics. 

A judge has ordered three UnitedHealth-owned insurance companies to pay more than $165 million following a lawsuit that alleges the companies misled customers into paying for additional health insurance.

Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Helene Kazanjian said HealthMarkets, acquired by UnitedHealth in 2019, and two subsidiaries deceived thousands of Massachusetts customers into buying supplemental policies. Judge Kazanjia said the insurers intentionally targeted “vulnerable customers who could least afford their products” and described their actions as “particularly egregious,” InsuranceNewsNet reported.

The lawsuit against UnitedHealth companies dates back to 2006, when the then-Attorney General accused HealthMarkets of misleading marketing tactics. The state reopened the case in 2020, alleging that the company violated the state’s consumer protection law. The state charged the insurance companies with deceptively leading consumers into buying more than $43.5 million in insurance products and violating a prior consent judgment that protected consumers.

Judge Orders Insurance Company To Pay Millions Following Lawsuit

The Superior Court found the insurance companies liable for violating the consent judgment and the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act in 2022. According to the court, the insurance companies deceived consumers about their sales agents, insurance products, advertisements that claimed sales agents were objective, and misrepresentation that sales agents represented all insurance carriers involved in the suit when they did not.

All three companies are based in Texas but have operated in Massachusetts and other states. The court ordered the companies to pay $50 million in restitution for consumers and $115 million in civil penalties.

The judge’s ruling comes after UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson was murdered outside a New York City hotel. Since his death, there has been an outpouring of criticism from Americans toward the insurance industry. Social media users voiced their frustrations about a “broken system,” accusing insurance companies of denying medical claims.

In a statement to Insurance NewsNet, UnitedHealthcare said it plans to appeal the judgment.

“We disagree with the Massachusetts court’s latest ruling in the litigation involving the HealthMarkets companies,” a spokesperson said. “The fundamental errors in this ruling compound those already made by the trial court earlier in this case and have resulted in a decision unsupported by the evidence and contrary to established Massachusetts law.”

RELATED CONTENT: Power Restored To 98% Of Puerto Rico After New Year’s Eve Blackout

Tasha K., Cardi B
Lauren Goldstreet, Wikimedia Commons CCA (Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV)
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 8, 2025

Tasha K Accuses Cardi B Of Lying After Rapper Claims She’s Hiding Money

Tasha K filed bankruptcy a year after being ordered to pay $3.4 million to Cardi B.

Tasha K is firing back at Cardi B after the rapper accused her of hiding money to avoid paying their court settlement.

TMZ reports the infamous blogger claimed Cardi was bullying her and attempting to interfere with a bankruptcy case she filed in 2023. Tasha K filed for bankruptcy a year after losing a defamation case launched by the “Bodak” rapper.

Cardi took legal action after Tasha K repeatedly slandered her name on social media. Cardi shared how Tasha falsely stated she had a drug addiction and multiple STIs, as well as called her a prostitute. A judge ordered Tasha K to pay the $3.4 million she still owes to the New York native. However, she says she cannot deliver this number.

Cardi, however, is not letting Tasha off the hook that easily. She filed a motion for a judge to dismiss the bankruptcy case. Her team claimed Tasha transferred assets and additional income to her husband’s name. She alleges that the blogger has some money stored in offshore accounts.

Cardi also called out the perception of wealth Tasha seemingly displays on social media. She urged the judge not to allow Tasha to finesse her way out of paying the lofty sum on these allegations.

In response to the motion, Tasha believes Cardi is trying to thwart her from presenting the bankruptcy case to court. Moreover, the blogger claims that Cardi wants to drain her bank account and halt how she makes a living. She says the mother of three hopes to set conditions restricting what she can say publicly on her blog and other pages.

Cardi’s motion also wants to forbid Tasha from re-filing for bankruptcy for two years if approved. The rapper has remained steadfast in her quest to get every dollar granted from her successful lawsuit.

RELATED CONTENT: Cardi B Subpoenas Tasha K’s Husband

Dwight Howard, Shaq
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Icy Hot
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 8, 2025

Dwight Howard Wanted To Throw Hands With Shaquille O’Neal

Howard recently revealed that at one time, he wanted to go up the TNT Studios to fight Shaq

The on-and-off feud between former basketball players continues as Dwight Howard stated that, at one time, he wanted to go up the TNT Studios to confront Shaquille O’Neal.

Howard appeared on Ray Daniels’ podcast, The Gaudz Show and discussed his beef with Shaq, which has been ongoing for several years. His complaints stem fromf the former Los Angles Lakers superstar making Howard the butt of numerous jokes and Howard saying he was sick of it.

“I was finna roll up to the studio and be like, ‘Yo, what’s the deal?  At this point, it’s like, do we need to throw hands… If we got to fight it out, then let’s fight it out… There’s so many people that we can bring together but yet you have an attitude about what? You are 50-something years old, almost twice my elder,” Howard shared

“Every conversation and every time I hear or see something about you it’s you disrespecting me on some kind of level. You’re not in the NBA, you did your time, and I did my time, and we still going along with pettiness, and at what point does it stop?”

Shaq apparently got wind of Howard’s words and sent him a message via social media. He accused Howard of being a “sensitive big man” who couldn’t take a joke, so he assured him that he will never say his name again and proclaimed him “deleted.”

Howard responded by telling Shaq that he has been “hating and talking sh** for 20 years” and called him insecure, while also saying that Shaq is jealous of other NBA greats like Kobe Bryant, Charles Barkley, Dwyane Wade, and Penny Hardaway.

Shaq hit back by calling him a “podcast boy” and claiming that Howard needed views and Shaq’s validation. He then questioned him by asking, “how will you be remembered.”

Coincidentally, both big men played for the Los Angeles Lakers (both won championships with LA) and the Orlando Magic at different times.

RELATED CONTENT: Dwight Howard Hopes to Rejoin Lakers After Learning Convicted Ex-Agent Lied About $7M Offer

Brittney Griner, return, WNBA, Basketball, court, Russia, captive, all star
PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 18: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury looks on after the game on July 18, 2023 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 8, 2025

Brittney Griner Ready To Resume Offseason Play When Unrivaled Starts Inaugural Season

Brittney Griner returns to playing basketball in the WNBA offseason after her experience in Russia in 2022.

As the Unrivaled season prepares to debut, Brittney Griner will be one of the WNBA players participating in the winter women’s basketball league started by fellow players Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.

According to ESPN, Griner is excited to return to playing basketball in the WNBA offseason after her harrowing experience in Russia, where she was detained in February 2022 after her arrest at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport on drug charges. The Unrivaled Basketball League was started for someone like Griner, who had to play overseas in the offseason to make money while on break from the WNBA.

Griner was held in Russia for 10 months before a prison exchange brought her back to the States later that year in October.

The WNBA veteran is in Miami, ready to play for the Phantom BC team. This will be the first time since her arrest in Russia that she will play during the offseason after vowing not to play overseas again after her detainment in 2022.

“I feel like something was missing in my offseason; I was used to playing year-round,” Griner said. “I wanted to go back to working year-round. This is going to help me stay fresh, knocking all the dust off and being ready for when the [WNBA] comes back around.”

The opportunity allows her to play again while the WNBA preps for the upcoming season later in the year and make money playing a sport that she loves.

“[Unrivaled] is bringing something new to women’s basketball. They’re trying to give us a different look, a different feel. We can bring everybody together in one spot. They’re really pouring in a lot. Unrivaled is showing that you don’t need a lot of time to pull resources together to be able to put a good product out there.”

She also mentions that the chance to play will allow her to work on changing her approach to the game, trying to play differently than we are used to seeing her play in the WNBA.

“It’s going to challenge me to play a little bit differently,” Griner said. “I’ve been trying to evolve my game anyway, not just playing on the low post always. Stretching out, playing on the wing a little bit. I’m looking forward to showcasing that and being challenged as well. And then I’ll be in the best shape ever coming back [to Phoenix].”

RELATED CONTENT: Gen Z’s Mental Health Struggles Create Catch-22 In Employment, UK Study Reveals

tWitch, Allison Holker Boss
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 12: (L-R) Allison Holker Boss and Stephen tWitch Boss attend the 2022 Industry Dance Awards at Avalon Hollywood & Bardot on October 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images)
by Kandiss Edwards

January 8, 2025

‘tWitch’ Boss’s Family Speaks Out After His Wife Alleges He Was A Drug Addict

tWitch's family members and close friends were forced to sign an NDA to attend his funera;.

Two years after the death of Stephen “tWitch” Boss, his wife, Allison Holker, began a campaign to reveal his personal struggles. tWitch’s family is speaking out about allegedly being forced to sign NDAs at his funeral, his supposed drug problem, and being alienated from his children after his 2022 suicide.

The rehashing of older grievances comes amid Holker’s “tell-all” interview with People magazine. In the interview, Holker reveals that the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” DJ and dancer had what she believed was a serious drug problem.

Taking exception to the characterization, Boss’s cousin, Elle, spoke out in a post on X. Elle denies the allegations, saying she believes Boss’s occasional marijuana use does not indicate a severe drug problem.

“He wasn’t an addict. He smoked weed and was actively trying to quit. He wasn’t some junkie,” she wrote.

Elle also discussed Holker’s attempt to keep the late DJ’s children away from his family.

“She’s been trying to tarnish his legacy and refuses to let the Boss family see the children, only to exploit and lie about my cousin. Hell no,” Elle said. “Yeah, I don’t give a f*** about an NDA. This crazy woman made me and his actual family, including his mother, sign an NDA just to even attend the funeral.”

Elle is not the person close to the Boss who divulged alleged information about Holker’s actions after his suicide. His longtime friend, Emmanuel Hurd, wrote an open letter to Holker. Hurd claims her campaign of slander is baseless and that she is the one suffering from addiction. Hurd says that if Holker continues her campaign, he will release evidence of her addiction and use of Molly, ecstasy, and cocaine.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Emmanuel Hurd (@manny_cross)

The turn of events is unfortunate. Boss died by suicide on Dec. 13, 2022. The popular entertainer’s death sparked a conversation about the disproportionate rate at which Black men are committing suicide.

A 2021 JAMA study revealed that Black men had a more considerable increase in suicide attempts than any other racial group, and the rates of youth suicide attempts also rose by 47%. Though no drugs were found in his bloodstream at the time of his passing, it seems his life is now reduced to rumors, allegations, and speculation.

RELATED CONTENT: Widow Of DJ Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss Puts Family Home Up For Sale For $3.8 Million

grand rapids, police, teen, mother
(Photo: D-Keine/Getty Images)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 8, 2025

New Orleans Woman Has Her Mother To Thank For Surviving Mass Shooting

The advice came from television.

They say a mother knows best.

According to NBC News, an Alabama woman, Alexis Scott-Windham, was shot in the foot during the New Orleans mass shooting that killed 15 people, including the gunman. Scott-Windham’s friends called her mother as she lay on Bourbon Street bleeding from the wound.

Scott-Windham’s mother, Tryphena, instructed her friends to make a tourniquet to control the blood flow in her foot, a move she learned “from watching TV.”

“So I just told my daughter’s friend to just tie her other sock around her leg so she wouldn’t bleed so heavy,” she told NBC News. “I just blurted that out. I was in straight panic mode.”

“So they took my sock off my left foot,”  Scott-Windham, 23 and a mother of a 1-year-old daughter, said. “They tied it around my ankle to cut out the circulation.” A stranger later took her to a local hospital for treatment.

“I’m so thankful to him,” she said. Scott-Windham is now at home recovering.

Fifteen people were killed and dozens injured after 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar struck several people with his truck in the early morning on New Year’s Day. Jabbar was shot and killed after he shot at police officers.

Scott-Windham said she tried to get away but the truck clipped the back of her right foot and she went down hard. Then she heard gunshots.

“That’s when I tried to run, but I couldn’t,” she told NBC News. “I knew something was wrong with my foot. I thought it was just a broken bone or something, but it wasn’t. My feet had started leaking.”

Police and the FBI have said that Jabbar was inspired to commit mass murder by ISIS but that he likely acted alone.

RELATED CONTENT: New Orleans To Receive Maximum Assistance From The Government For Mardi Gras

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