Viewers Angry After ESPN Neglects To Air National Anthem, Moment Of Silence During Sugar Bowl
Fans took to social media to express their disappointment that the network did not show either event.
When the Sugar Bowl took place Thursday, January 2, after it was postponed due to the New Year’s Day mass shooting in New Orleans, football fans took to social media to express their dismay that ESPN did not show the national anthem or the moment of silence prior to kickoff.
Look at this!
ESPN didn’t even shown the national anthem, no memorials, no tributes, no silence, no nothing! I haven’t even seen something such as a great national anthem sung to help gather our country around in unity and respect those who passed away
ESPN is being blasted for not airing the moment of silence, national anthem, and then chants of USA, USA, during the Sugar Bowl broadcast from New Orleans on Thursday afternoon. The network said it was due to an awkward break. ESPN didn’t comment. https://t.co/daQ3IiJHmG
What made the situation worse was that, according to The New York Post, the ESPN-owned SEC Network aired both moments in their entirety on “SEC Nation.”
The Post reported that a source close to the matter said several factors may have contributed to excluding both moments. ESPN’s SportsCenter was conducting an on-air interview with former University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, which ended as the show went into a commercial break coinciding with the moment of silence.
When the commercial break ended, the national anthem was playing, “making it awkward to cut it” at that moment.
ESPN did air the moment of silence on social media.
A moment of silence was held prior to the Allstate Sugar Bowl to honor the victims and those impacted by Wednesday’s attack in New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/GOv5F6n2VG
The network aired a pre-recorded message from outgoing President Joe Biden and commentary by announcer Sean McDonough about the New Year’s Day tragedy in New Orleans. A montage of football fans, police officers, and the city was played on the screen.
Fifteen people were killed and dozens injured after 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar allegedly struck multiple people with his vehicle. After shooting several shots at police officers, Jabbar was shot and killed.
Apple Settles $95 Million Class Action Lawsuit For Siri Feature Breach Of Privacy
Siri are you listening?
On Dec. 31, Apple agreed to settle a $95 million class action lawsuit regarding a breach of privacy by Siri’s voice-activated feature, according to Business Insider.
The plaintiffs allege that Siri recorded users’ conversations after they accidentally activated the feature and sold the recorded data to third-party affiliates and advertisers.
The settlement was approved in an Oakland, California Federal Court.
Apple cellphone users claim Apple obtained recordings from the Siri feature for over a decade, from Sept. 17, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2024.
Plaintiffs in the case claimed to receive ads about restaurants and clothing shortly after having private discussions about the topics.
One plaintiff received an advertisement for a surgical procedure after what he believed was a private discussion with his doctor.
Apple customers with Siri-enabled devices can receive up to $20 per device. The company currently has five devices and multiple models, each capable of Siri assistance.
Claimants must swear under oath that Apple recorded their private conversations unwittingly.
The glitch that allows customers’ phones to eavesdrop was allegedly unintended. As part of the settlement, the company will be required to ask permission before acquiring external data, such as private audio snippets.
“Apple would be required to publish a webpage to explain how users can opt-in to improve Siri and what information will be stored. Additionally, Apple must confirm that it has permanently deleted individual audio recordings from Siri collected before October 2019,” Business Insider reported.
The invasion of privacy was first revealed in 2019 during the “Hey, Siri” grading program. The program uses contractors to rate Siri’s efficiency, accuracy, and overall performance.
The Guardian reported that during the “grading,” contractors discovered the private and personal recordings.
The ruling handed down by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals on Jan. 2 stated the FCC lacked the authority to restore certain net neutrality rules from 2024 that would speed up access to others that pay extra fees. Providing a thorough explanation of their decision, the three-judge panel referred to a Supreme Court decision from June 2024 that dialed back on executive agencies’ power by overturning a legal doctrine called the Chevron deference that instructed judges to defer to agencies in cases where the law may be ambiguous.
Judge Richard Allen Griffin and Judge John K. Bush stated that broadband must be considered an “information service,” not a “telecommunications service,” something the FCC mentioned in its order in 2024.
The rules were first approved during former President Barack Obama’s second tenure in 2015 but were later repealed under then President Donald Trump’s first term in 2017. Under FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel’s leadership, the commission voted in April 2024 to restore the rules. In a statement, Rosenworcel put pressure on Congress to make moves in response to the ruling. “Consumers across the country have told us again and again that they want an internet that is fast, open, and fair,” she wrote.
“With this decision, it is clear that Congress now needs to heed their call, take up the charge for net neutrality, and put open internet principles in federal law.”
Advocates of net neutrality argue that internet service is a vital utility in modern life and feel providers should be regulated in order to stop such abuses like speed advantages to those who pay more. Vice President of Policy at Free Press, Matt Wood, denounced the ruling, according to CBS News, claiming the ruling will allow the FCC under the new Trump administration to “abdicate its responsibility to protect internet users against unscrupulous business practices.” “It’s rich to think of Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s hand-picked FCC chairman characterizing light-touch broadband rules as heavy-handed regulation while scheming to force carriage of viewpoints favorable to Trump on the nation’s broadcast airwaves and social media sites,” he said.
Commissioner Brendan Carr is expected to take over as FCC chair in January 2025 as the commission is switching to a GOP majority. Carr voted against restoring the rules in 2024, stating the agency “offers up a laundry list of bogus justification” for bringing broadband service under Title II of the Communications Act.
Passengers Claim Turkish Airlines Flights Have A Bedbug Problem, Staff Reportedly Is Unbothered
The best way to avoid bedbugs when traveling is to keep your luggage off the bed and wash your clothes in high heat.
Passengers on multiple Turkish Airlines flights have reported bedbugs crawling on their seats, blankets, and pillows and falling from the cabin. To add insult to injury, some passengers say the carrier has brushed off their concerns.
In one instance, passenger Patience Titcombe said she noticed a tiny bug crawling on her seat as she boarded her flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul.
“I almost flicked it away,” she told the New York Times. “But my friend stopped me and said, ‘That’s a bedbug.’”
Titcombe told the publication that while the flight attendant got rid of the bedbug, she dismissed her concerns.
“I had to strip down at the airport and change clothes because I have kids — what if I brought bedbugs home?” said Titcombe.
Other People Share Bedbug Experiences on Turkish Airlines
What’s even more alarming is when Titcombe posted about her experience in a Facebook travel group other travelers chimed in with similar experiences on the same airline. Other travelers claim they were dismissed as well, according to the Times.
In October 2024, Mattew Myers and his girlfriend were traveling from Istanbul to San Francisco. He said another passenger tapped him on the shoulder during the flight to inform him bedbugs were crawling on the seats and falling from the cabin. Myers said he saw bugs fall onto his neighbor’s lap.
“Multiple passengers were asking to move seats after discovering bugs,” Myers told the Times.
He said a flight attendant told passengers she had filed an official complaint during their flight. Myers said the airline later offered him a 10% discount on future flights through the end of the year.
Kristin Bourgeois had a different experience during her 10-hour flight from the D.C. area to Istanbul. She noticed a bug crawling on her blanket before departure and later found another on her pillow.
“I realized it was a bedbug,” she said, adding that she had taken photos of at least 13 bug bites on her skin after the flight.
She filed a complaint and claimed the airline demanded her to submit a “medical report approved by a doctor with a signature, stamp, and date.”
When she followed up, a representative told her they couldn’t find her reservation at first, before finding i and then hanging up the phone.
Bourgeois told the Times that she checked her flight history and saw the flight was removed from the airline’s app. Bourgeois said the airline later offered her 5,000 frequent flier miles.
The airline did not immediately respond to BLACK ENTERPRISE‘s request for comment.
Preventing Bedbugs While Traveling
Bedbugs have been around for thousands of years. While the insects feed on blood, they are not known to spread diseases to humans. People, however, can be allergic to their bites.
Reddish-brown in color, bedbugs hide during the day on beds, in cracks, crevices of walls, floors, furniture and more. According to the New York Health Department, they can spread into your home from luggage, purses, backpacks, or other items.
Getting rid of them can be frustrating.
The best way to avoid them when traveling is to keep your luggage off the bed and floor but use luggage racks instead. Unpack in the bathroom to easily spot bedbugs. Wash your clothes in high heat, check for signs of infestation in your room or body, and keep your luggage sealed.
www.allproreels@gmail.com -- from the Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 3rd, 2021 (All-Pro Reels Photography)
Woman Claims Washington Commanders’ Jeremy Reaves Cheated On New Fiancée With Her Months Before Viral Proposal
The woman's post called out Jeremy Reaves for allegedly flying her out and having sex with her months before the viral proposal.
The excitement surrounding Washington Commanders’ safety Jeremy Reaves’ proposal to Mikaela Worley didn’t last very long before drama got involved. After a video of the proposal went viral, another woman claimed on X on Dec. 30 that the NFL player flew her out to him recently for extracurricular activities outside of his relationship.
The internet drama began after Reaves went viral in a clip proposing to his girlfriend Mikaela on Sunday, Dec. 29, following a Commander’s win over the Atlanta Falcons earlier in the day.
The clip, shared on the NFL’s official social media page, shows Reaves getting down on one knee and proposing to Mikaela right after the game’s conclusion. Mikaela and Reaves shared a heartwarming embrace as she said yes to the big question and shared a kiss as the stadium fans cheered them on.
Following the viral release of the heartwarming video, another woman responded to Reaves’ proposal and accused him of cheating on Mikaela with her.
The woman, whose account identifies her as Kia, hopped on social media the very next day and called out the Commanders’ safety.
She claimed Reaves rolled up with her a few months before he proposed to Mikaela and that the NFL star even flew her out to him.
She reposted the NFL’s video of the newly engaged couple on X and wrote in response, “Not the same man who was in my DMs trying to fly me out & f*** I think the f*** not.”
Not the same man who was in my DMs trying to fly me out & fuck I think the fuck not https://t.co/6KW9A5St7f
Kia continued to stir the pot in the comments under her repost as she responded to one commenter under her post who called her out for trying to be messy with no reward.
The user wrote, “Well, you missed out lol.”
Kia responded quickly by writing, “Lol no, I flew out there, got f****d, ate good, got some money & came home.”
Reaves has since responded to Kia’s allegations, Although he didn’t tag or mention her post directly on X. His response post came just a few hours after hers on Dec. 30.
Reaves wrote on X, “It’s some weird people in the world, man. Always love on this end, though.”
It's wicked in the world everywhere, but there's so many genuine good people out here! I'm so grateful for yall! ❤️
Beyoncé Finally Given Approval To Trademark Blue Ivy’s Name
Beyoncé has finally been given the green light to trademark her daughter Blue Ivy's name.
After 12 years of legal wrangling, Beyoncé finally got the go-ahead to trademark her daughter Blue Ivy’s name.
A successful challenge against a Wisconsin-based retail store using the “Blue Ivy” logo since 2011 has worked in Beyoncé’s favor. The boutique never opposed Beyoncé’s trademark application for her daughter’s name.
Since then, an examining attorney has updated the application, which was approved for publication in the Trademark Official Gazette on Dec. 31.
“Within 30 days of the publication date, any party who believes it will be damaged by the registration of the mark may file a notice of opposition (or extension of time) with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board,” the documents said.
If no objections are filed, Beyoncé’s attorneys will receive a Notice of Allowance—a positive outcome for the “Cuff It” singer. According to The U.S. Sun, the singer has already trademarked Blue Ivy’s name to cover a wide range of products, including toys, sporting goods, furniture, and computer software.
The most awarded artist in Grammy history has been working to trademark her daughter’s name since 2012, when her company, BGK Trademark Holdings LLC, applied with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. However, according to court documents, the effort initially faced opposition from wedding planner Veronica Morales, whose business, Blue Ivy Events, had been operating under that name since September 2009.
Their ongoing dispute led to a tribunal in 2020, where the USPTO dismissed Veronica’s complaints, ruling that the two names were not sufficiently similar. Although Beyoncé ultimately prevailed, her attorneys did not proceed with the application, which was eventually abandoned.
When filing for the second time, Beyoncé encountered a dispute with a Wisconsin clothing store that had been using a Blue Ivy logo since 2011. According to The U.S. Sun, documents revealed concerns that Blue Ivy Carter’s name was “confusingly similar” to the boutique’s branding.
When opposing the previous ruling, which sided with the Wisconsin retail store, Beyoncé’s team argued that “no reasonable consumer would ever suffer any form of confusion when encountering the Cited Logo, which is used with one small shop in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 997 people.”
After performing alongside her mother on the Renaissance World Tour and dancing with Beyoncé at the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens NFL game on Christmas Day, which aired on Netflix, Blue Ivy has seemingly demonstrated her worthiness of having her name trademarked.
Meghan Markle Joins Instagram To Promote Her New Netflix Show ‘With Love, Meghan’
Meghan Markle finally joined Instagram ahead of premiering her new Netflix show "With Love, Meghan."
Meghan Markle kicked off 2025 with her first-ever Instagram post ahead of announcing her new Netflix series With Love, Meghan.
The Duchess of Sussex is officially an Instagram user. On Wednesday, she shared an intimate beach video shot by her husband, Prince Harry, in which she ran along the beach to write “2025” in the sand with her finger.
She followed up on Jan. 2 with the official trailer for her Netflix series, With Love, where she “reimagines the genre of lifestyle programming, blending practical how-to’s and candid conversation with friends, new and old,” a press release shared with People states.
“Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection, and highlights how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected. She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond and invite you to do the same,” the release added.
It was a labor of love for Markle, who expressed her excitement to finally premiere the show on Jan. 15.
“I have been so excited to share this with you! I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it,” she wrote in her Instagram caption.
“Wishing you all a fantastic new year! Thanks to our amazing crew and the team @netflix. Beyond grateful for the support – and fun!”
With Love is an 8-episode series, each episode lasting 33 minutes and featuring a lineup of Meghan’s closest friends. Her friends/guests include her longtime makeup artist, Daniel Martin, and photographer Delfina Blaquier, wife of polo star Nacho Figueras, a close friend of Prince Harry. Actress-producer Mindy Kaling makes an appearance, Tracy Robbins (wife of Paramount CEO Brian Robbins), veteran literary agent and Godmothers Bookstore co-founder Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, Tatcha Founder Vicky Tsai, her former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer, and Kelly McKee Zajfen, co-founder of Alliance of Moms also make appearances.
Renowned chefs and restaurateurs Roy Choi and Ramon Velazquez join the journey, bringing a foodie flair to the show alongside farm-to-table pioneer Alice Waters, who shares her expertise and passion for culinary excellence. With Love marks the Duchess’s first solo hosting project for Netflix, part of the Royals’ reported $100 million deal with the platform.
The new show offers an intimate and personal glimpse into her world and passion for lifestyle and cooking. It follows her now-defunct lifestyle blog, The Tig, and her partnership with the Hubb Community Kitchen on a fundraising cookbook when she first joined the Royal family.
This comes after Meghan and Harry’s five-part docuseries Polo, which premiered in December 2024 but struggled to gain traction on Netflix’s top 10 charts. In contrast, their 2022 documentary Harry & Meghan was a hit and became Netflix’s most-watched documentary premiere.
Inmate Robert Brooks’ Death Linked To Brutal Beating At Marcy Correctional Facility, Autopsy Suggests
Robert Brooks, an inmate at Marcy Correctional Facility, died after a violent beating.
Robert Brooks, an inmate at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County, New York, died last month, one day after reportedly being beaten by corrections officers. According to newly filed court documents, Brooks sustained multiple injuries, including bruises, fractures, and internal trauma, prompting allegations of misconduct and abuse.
An Emergency Risk Protection Order filed by the New York State Police implicates Corrections Officer David Kingsley in the attack, citing evidence from an autopsy performed by the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office. Brooks, a resident of Greece, New York, was found to have suffered significant injuries, including facial and extremity bruising, a broken nose, and severe hemorrhaging in his neck, genital area, and internal tissues.
The autopsy details indicate Brooks’ injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma and potential asphyxiation. Specifically, the document cites “multiple soft tissue hemorrhage of the muscles of the anterior right and left sides of the neck, hemorrhage overlaying the thyroid cartilage, and hemorrhage of the genital area soft tissues, the penis, and both testes.” While the full autopsy report has not yet been released, preliminary findings suggest the cause of death may be asphyxia “due to compression of the neck.” The medical examiner further described Brooks’ death as the result of “the actions of another.”
Investigation and Fallout
The Emergency Risk Protection Order filed against Kingsley states concerns that he could harm himself or others, given his alleged role in the violent incident. Kingsley is one of 12 correction officers suspended without pay following Brooks’ death. Additionally, one nurse has been suspended without pay, and another officer involved in the case has resigned.
New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office has taken over the investigation, releasing limited body camera footage related to the case. The footage and court filings are expected to play a crucial role in determining how events unfolded at Marcy Correctional Facility leading up to Brooks’ death.
The autopsy findings underscore the severity of the alleged assault. Advocacy groups and Brooks’ family have called for accountability and transparency as they await the results of the AG’s investigation.
A System Under Scrutiny
This incident sheds light on ongoing concerns about the treatment of inmates within New York State correctional facilities. Brooks’ case, involving allegations of excessive force and failure to intervene, has reignited calls for criminal justice reform and increased oversight of prison staff.
Marcy Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison, has faced criticism in the past for alleged staff misconduct. The suspension of multiple officers and medical personnel in connection with Brooks’ death further highlights systemic issues that advocates argue require immediate attention.
What’s Next?
The full autopsy report, which will confirm Brooks’ cause of death, is expected to be pivotal in the AG’s investigation. If the findings substantiate claims of asphyxiation due to excessive force, criminal charges against the officers involved could follow. For now, Brooks’ death remains a reminder of the vulnerabilities inmates face within the corrections system.
As the investigation continues, Brooks’ family and supporters demand justice, urging authorities to hold those responsible accountable.
Robert Brooks’ Beating Captured on Video
The incident unfolded in Marcy’s infirmary and was captured on silent body camera footage, released by New York Attorney General Letitia James on Dec. 27. The 30-minute video, recorded in standby mode, shows a series of violent acts against Brooks, including officers beating, restraining, and humiliating him. The sustained attack left Brooks limp and unresponsive, allegedly leading to his death shortly after.
According to the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s preliminary findings, Brooks’ death was caused by asphyxia due to neck compression. These findings align with the brutal treatment captured in the video, further intensifying calls for justice.
Implications and Investigations
Brooks’ death has led to significant fallout at Marcy Correctional Facility. Twelve corrections officers have been suspended without pay, one officer has resigned, and a nurse has also been suspended. Among those implicated is Officer David Kingsley, who is accused of taking part in the assault.
An Emergency Risk Protection Order filed against Kingsley by New York State Police cites concerns that he could harm himself or others due to his alleged role in the attack. Court documents reveal the extensive injuries Brooks suffered, including bruises on his face and extremities, a broken nose, and severe hemorrhaging in his neck and genital area.
NCAA Student-Athlete $2.8B Settlement Expected To Be Finalized In April
Previous restrictions prevented students from potentially making millions from their name, image and likeness.
In the changing landscape of college athletics, the term amateur will no longer apply to student-athletes in the new year due to the landmark decision from the Supreme Court in 2021 that allowed the current environment of students to be compensated for their name, image, or likeness.
According to The Associated Press, as of April 7, 2025, the $2.8 billion lawsuit settlement from which several lawsuits were filed fighting for compensation for student-athletes, including a class-action lawsuit, House Vs. The NCAA should be finalized. The settlement offer covers three antitrust cases that challenged how the NCAA compensated its student-athletes dating back to 2016. The plaintiffs filed the lawsuits because they said that the rules implemented by the NCAA denied thousands of athletes the opportunity to earn millions of dollars from using their names, images, and likenesses.
The settlement being approved lays the foundation for student-athletes to be compensated directly from the schools they attend.
David Schnase, the NCAA’s vice president for academic and membership affairs, states that the change will focus more on the “experiences and circumstances” of the students.
“You can use the word ‘pro,’ you can use the word ‘amateur,’ you can attach whatever moniker you want to it, but those are just labels,” Schnase said. “It’s much less about labels and more about experiences and circumstances. Circumstances are different today than they were last year and they are likely going to be different in the foreseeable future.”
This change was made when the Justices, in a unanimous decision, sided with the students, who wanted the cap removed from whatever the compensation limit was prior to the decision.
One of the judges, Brett Kavanaugh, wrote: “Traditions alone cannot justify the NCAA’s decision to build a massive money-raising enterprise on the backs of student-athletes who are not fairly compensated.”
“Nowhere else in America can businesses get away with agreeing not to pay their workers a fair market rate on the theory that their product is defined by not paying their workers a fair market rate. … The NCAA is not above the law,” wrote Kavanaugh, who, as a college student, played on Yale’s junior varsity basketball team.
The parties responsible for bringing these cases to this conclusion were former athletes, including West Virginia football player Shawne Alston. That was brought to the court system after several other former student-athletes, including former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon and NBA legends Oscar Robertson and Bill Russell, filed a lawsuit, and an appeals court concluded that the rules implemented by the NCAA rules aren’t exempt from antitrust law.
‘Haters’ Are Making ‘Ladies’ Night’ A Gender-Based Discrimination Issue
'Ladies' Night' promotions reportedly violate public accommodation laws in states that prohibit businesses from gender-based discrimination.
Due to public accommodation laws upheld in certain states, “Ladies’ Night” promotions have landed some business owners in court fighting gender-based discrimination lawsuits.
Over 20 states, one territory, and the District of Columbia have public accommodation laws that explicitly prohibit discrimination by business establishments based on sexual orientation and gender identity, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Rebecca Nieman, a business law and ethics professor at the University of San Diego, told CNN, “A lot of these small mom-and-pop-type bars honestly might not know about this law…Which is why you see these lawsuits still happening with these extremely small proprietors.”
“Most gender discrimination lawsuits against small businesses get settled outside of court,” Nieman said, and fighting discrimination lawsuits in court may be difficult for small businesses due to financial constraints.
For chef John Marquez, owner of Lima restaurant in Concord, California, a “ladies’ night” promotion that offered discounts to female customers forced his family-run establishment to close its doors permanently after he settled a discrimination lawsuit.
Fresno, California’s minor league baseball team, the Fresno Grizzlies, was slammed with a lawsuit earlier this year after hosting a “Ladies’ Night” promotion that granted females free admission to a game at Chukchansi Park on May 25, 2023. The lawsuit alleged the team’s promotion was “blatant gender discrimination” and violated The Unruh Civil Rights Act, The Fresno Bee reported. San Diego lawyer Alfred Rava, who represented the plaintiffs, said he has won several lawsuits alleging similar promotions, including a 2009 lawsuit where clients reached a $5000,000 settlement with the Oakland A’s, who hosted a Mother’s Day promotion at the time.
‘Ladies night’ lawsuit targets Fresno Grizzlies baseball team. Plaintiffs seek $5 million https://t.co/kIImY87gNg
Law experts noted that businesses should make sure they understand what their insurance policies cover. Nieman added that liability insurance does not protect against discrimination.
