by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 17, 2025

Barack And Michelle Obama Had Plans With Rob And Michele Reiner On Night Of Murders

Michelle Obama shared the plans she and Barack Obama had with Rob and Michele Reiner on the night the couple was tragically murdered.

Michelle Obama shared her sorrow over the recent deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, revealing the plans she and Barack had with the Hollywood couple on the night of the tragic murders.

The former First Lady appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Dec. 15, where she shared that she and her husband, former President Barack Obama, were supposed to see the Reiners the same day they were discovered stabbed to death in their California home.

“We’ve known them for many, many years, and we were supposed to see them that night when we got the news,” Michelle said, before seemingly pushing back at Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about the Reiner’s deaths, saying that Rob suffered from the “crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.”

“Let me just say this, unlike some people: Rob and Michele Reiner are some of the most decent, courageous people you ever want to know,” she told Kimmel. “They’re not deranged or crazed. What they have always been are passionate people. In a time when there’s not a lot of courage going on, they were the kind of people who were ready to put their actions behind what they cared about. And they cared about their family. And they cared about this country.”

BREAKING: Michelle Obama on Jimmy Kimmel talking about Rob Reiner, and taking clear swipe at Trump. .

“We’ve known them for many, many years and we were supposed to be seeing them that night, and we got the news. Let me just say this, unlike some people: Rob and Michele Reiner… pic.twitter.com/vCkrzheaxx
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) December 16, 2025

Police are investigating the Reiners’ deaths as an “apparent homicide,” and on Monday, authorities confirmed that their son, Nick Reiner, is in custody as a suspect. He has been charged with murder and is being held without bail.

Rob Reiner was a longtime advocate for progressive causes, frequently hosting fundraisers and supporting Democratic initiatives. He was also a vocal critic of Donald Trump, which prompted the president to make pointed remarks about him on Truth Social following Reiner’s death.

“Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS,” Trump wrote.

Despite fierce criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, Trump stood by his remarks during a medal presentation Monday, telling reporters in the Oval Office that he “wasn’t a fan of Reiner at all.”

“He was a deranged person as far as Trump is concerned,” Trump said.

fentanyl, los angelos county, overdose, drug, resident

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 17, 2025

Trump Formally Classifies Street Fentanyl As A Weapon Of Mass Destruction

Trump labels fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction, though experts doubt it will curb U.S. overdose deaths.

Donald Trump is taking aim at the opioid epidemic by proposing to classify the street drug fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.

On Dec. 15, the president signed an executive order designating illicit fentanyl and its key precursor chemicals as weapons of mass destruction, NPR reports. While the immediate impact of the order remains unclear, it aims to curb the devastation fentanyl has caused American families—losses Trump said surpass those of many U.S. wars.

“Two to three hundred thousand people die every year, that we know of, so we’re formally classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction,” Trump said.

Although CDC data shows fentanyl caused about 48,000 deaths in the U.S. last year—a 27% decline from the previous year—Trump announced the executive order as part of his broader militarized approach to the war on drugs. He presented it while awarding medals to service members for their “central role in protecting our border.”

“Today I’m taking one more step to protect Americans from the scourge of deadly fentanyl flooding into our country with this historic executive order,” Trump said, adding, “No bomb does what this is doing.”

Most drug policy experts say labeling fentanyl as a WMD is unlikely to reduce street availability or U.S. overdose deaths. Globally, there is only one recorded case—Russia in 2002—of fentanyl being weaponized as a gas, with no such incidents reported in the U.S. Jeffrey Singer, a physician and Cato Institute drug policy expert, noted that U.S. fentanyl deaths result from widespread opioid addiction, not intentional weaponization by cartels.

“I don’t know how you can equate smugglers meeting market demand and selling something illegal to someone who wants to buy it as an act of war,” Singer said.

The executive order expands Trump’s military combat strategy to the U.S. war on drugs, including recent military strikes on suspected drug-running boats and labeling cartels as terrorist groups. There have been 22 strikes in the Caribbean near Venezuela and the eastern Pacific that have killed over 80 people this year.

During a recent appearance in Pennsylvania, Trump claimed the strikes are making Americans safer.

“Every boat that gets hit, we save 25,000 American lives, and when you view it that way, you don’t mind,” Trump said.

However, most experts on criminal cartels and street drugs say that military strikes on speedboats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific are unlikely to significantly reduce overdose deaths in the U.S.

“Killing a drug mule has minimal effect on the flow of drugs, or the systems of criminal organizations,” said Vanda Felbab-Brown, an expert on drug trafficking and addiction at the Brookings Institution.

Last year, drug overdose deaths in the United States fell to their lowest level in five years, though synthetic opioids, mainly fentanyl, contributed to most cases.

by Kandiss Edwards

December 17, 2025

911 Calls Released After Police Say Homeowner Shot 2 Teen ‘Porch Pirates’

Both victims, ages 15 and 16, were shot and are expected to survive, according to Atlanta police.

Newly released 911 calls reveal residents’ concerns after a southwest Atlanta homeowner allegedly shot two teenagers he believed were “porch pirates.”

DeKalb County investigators said homeowner Rakim Bradford opened fire Dec. 16 after seeing what he thought was a package theft outside his home in the Villages of Cascade community.

Both victims, ages 15 and 16, were shot and are expected to survive, according to Atlanta police.

Fox 5 released the 911 calls. According to the outlet, one caller told the operator he found a teenager bleeding from a gunshot wound and relayed advice and offered assistance to the wounded child before he ran away.

“So when the other boy said it was his arm, I told him to take his shirt to go wrap around his arm, you know, to put pressure on him till y’all get here. That’s why I called. I don’t really know what went on,” the caller said.

Police charged Bradford with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to court documents. Officers say Bradford left the scene after the shootings but later surrendered to police with the firearm.

“We believe a property crime was occurring, that some packages were being taken off of a front porch,” Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum told reporters “The homeowner did discharge his weapon to stop that theft of the packages.”

DeKalb County police have not yet charged the teens in the incident.

Investigators said that since the theft of property is not a life-threatening crime, Bradford is not free to walk away.

“Anytime a child is injured in our city, we take that very seriously,” Schierbaum said.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 17, 2025

Lights, Camera, Litigation: Diddy Heads To The Hot Seat For January Video Deposition

The deposition is slated to take place at Fort Dix federal prison on Jan. 26, 2026.

Sean “Diddy” Combs will be in front of the cameras in January for a videotaped deposition for a civil lawsuit against the shamed entertainment mogul.

According to AllHipHop, the “Press Play” music producer will have attorneys visit him at Fort Dix federal prison in New Jersey, where he is currently serving a 50-month prison sentence after being convicted on two counts of transporting individuals to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act.

The visit is to obtain testimony from Diddy in connection with a civil lawsuit filed by April Lampros, who has accused him of sexual assault, coercion, and abuse of authority.

The video deposition is slated for Jan. 26, 2026.

In her suit, Lampros alleges that Diddy threatened her with retaliation and humiliation if she revealed her accusations to anyone. The threats also included the release of intimate pictures or videos that he may have allegedly recorded without her permission.

Lampros’ attorneys, who cited New York civil procedure rules that allow the deposition of jailed defendants, coordinated the sit-down with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to secure a legal visitation room for the testimony.

Diddy will be questioned about allegations made against him by Lampros dating back to the 1990s.

The lawyers plan on asking him about his relationships with other women, the allegations of intimidation tactics and coercion, as well as his control over his record label, Bad Boy Records, and related entities. An inquiry will be placed about testimony and documents related to the 1996 transfer of Bad Boy co-founder Kirk Burrowes’ ownership interest.

All video footage must be filmed in its entirety.

Diddy is embroiled in multiple lawsuits, including one he filed seeking $100 million from NBCUniversal and Peacock following the release of the Diddy: Making of a Bad Boy documentary earlier this year. In November, the broadcasting giant argued that it wants the suit dismissed based on the entertainment mogul’s own words.

The broadcasting company, which premiered the doc Jan. 14 on Peacock, claims that at Diddy’s sentencing, he said, “Because of my decisions, I lost my freedom. I lost my career. I totally destroyed my reputation.”

That one sentence is why the “No Way Out” producer cannot blame NBCUniversal for his portrayal in the documentary, NBC Universal says.

by Mary Spiller

December 17, 2025

Wisconsin Lawmakers Consider Task Force To Address Violence Against Black Women & Girls

Proposed legislation draws emotional testimony from families and backing from law enforcement as supporters urge action on a long-standing crisis.

Wisconsin lawmakers are weighing a bill that supporters say could bring long-overdue attention to the disproportionate violence faced by Black women and girls across the state. The proposal, introduced by Democratic State Rep. Sheila Stubbs of Madison, would establish a 17-member task force charged with examining the root causes of violence against Black women and girls and recommending policy solutions. The measure was the focus of testimony Tuesday during a public hearing before a state Senate committee.

“The people of Wisconsin have realized that we cannot wait one more time for another African American woman to go missing or be murdered,” Stubbs said as she urged lawmakers to move the bill forward, according to Fox 6 Milwaukee.

Advocates say the legislation is meant to address a pattern of harm that has too often gone unexamined. Stubbs has championed the issue since 2021, citing the lack of comprehensive data and coordinated response surrounding violence targeting Black women and girls.

The hearing also featured emotional testimony from family members who have lost loved ones to violent crime. Sheena Scarbrough, whose teenage daughter Sade Robinson was killed in April 2024, told lawmakers that the grief has reshaped her life and perspective.

“This has been very draining spiritually, mentally, for your soul, for your spirit to lose your child,” Scarbrough said.

Robinson’s death, which involved a lengthy investigation and a subsequent criminal trial, became a rallying point for advocates pushing for systemic change. Scarbrough said navigating the justice system exposed gaps that families often face alone, which would be addressed by Rep. Stubbs’ bill.

As previously reported, Robinson was reported missing in April 2024 after going on a first date with Maxwell Anderson at a Milwaukee restaurant. Prosecutors say that later that night, Anderson killed her inside his residence on the city’s south side.

According to investigators, Anderson later transported Robinson’s body to Warnimont Park in Cudahy, where authorities allege he dismembered her remains. Prosecutors also say he intentionally set Robinson’s vehicle on fire in an effort to conceal evidence.

Law enforcement officials later recovered portions of Robinson’s remains from multiple locations across the region. Her head has not been recovered.

“I learned in these past 20 months about the criminal justice system, about everything with how a lot of things move,” Scarbrough told lawmakers.

Stubbs said the bill is gaining traction beyond Wisconsin, noting increased national attention to similar efforts.

“Today, I am proud to report that this bill has received 11 letters of support,” she said, adding that momentum for such legislation continues to build.

Law enforcement officials also voiced support during the hearing. Madison Police Chief John Patterson emphasized that the task force should be viewed as a collaborative effort rather than a critique of policing.

“The creation of this task force should not be considered as a criticism of law enforcement,” Patterson said. “It is an investment in better outcomes, and continuous improvement must be a virtue of every one of our police agencies in our state.”

Several states, including Minnesota and Illinois, have already established comparable task forces. The Wisconsin bill must still clear additional legislative hurdles before it can advance to the governor’s desk.

SUSIE WILES, Susan Wiles, Donald Trump,, Vaniity Faiir

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 17, 2025

Sometimes It Be Your Own People: White House Chief Of Staff Susie Wiles Airs Out Trump And Others

As soon as word of the interview hit mainstream, Wiles took to X to claim the article was “a disingenuously framed hit piece."

A bombshell Vanity Fair interview featuring White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is sending shockwaves after airing out members of the Trump administration cabinet and comparing President Donald Trump’s personality to that of an alcoholic, CNN reports.

In a series of 11 interviews, Wiles discussed her experience working in Trump’s White House, saying the 47th president “has an alcoholic’s personality.” However, he doesn’t drink, which is easy for her as she grew up with an alcoholic. (Her late father, Pat Summerall, was an NFL player and legendary sports broadcaster for decades.)

She came in hot by admitting that Trump has a tasty appetite for revenge, with a number of pending or dismissed cases against “political enemies” being proof of her experience.

“I mean, people could think it does look vindictive. I can’t tell you why you shouldn’t think that,” Wiles said, according to the story. “I don’t think he wakes up thinking about retribution. But when there’s an opportunity, he will go for it.”

She also spoke out about Vice President JD Vance and his journey from Trump hater to his second-in-command. Wiles labeled him as “a conspiracy theorist for a decade” and made allegations about his sudden switch-up as a politician amid his voyage from Ohio senator to VP, once calling his boss “America’s Hitler.”

Wiles highlighted several instances when Trump ignored her advice, even though Secretary of State Marco Rubio told VF writer Chris Whipple that the bond between her and the president is an “earned trust.” “I don’t think there’s anybody in the world right now that could do the job that she’s doing,” he said.

Despite Wiles not bad-mouthing her counterparts throughout the series, as soon as word of the interview hit the mainstream, Wiles took to X.

“Significant context was disregarded, and much of what I, and others, said about the team and the President was left out of the story. I assume, after reading it, that this was done to paint an overwhelmingly chaotic and negative narrative about the President and our team,” she wrote.

“The truth is the Trump White House has already accomplished more in eleven months than any other President has accomplished in eight years, and that is due to the unmatched leadership and vision of President Trump, for whom I have been honored to work for the better part of a decade. None of this will stop our relentless pursuit of Making America Great Again!”

The article published early this morning is a disingenuously framed hit piece on me and the finest President, White House staff, and Cabinet in history.

Significant context was disregarded and much of what I, and others, said about the team and the President was left out of the…
— Susie Wiles (@SusieWiles) December 16, 2025

Trump himself didn’t seem to be bothered by the banter.

“I didn’t read it, but I don’t read Vanity Fair—but she’s done a fantastic job,” Trump said, who often refers to Wiles as the “most powerful woman in the world.”

The damage may already be done. Soon after Wiles claimed the story was fictitious, Whipple joined CNN’s Anderson Cooper to reveal he had receipts. “Everything is on tape,” he said.

by Black Enterprise

December 17, 2025

Young Thug Benefit Concert Takes A Romantic Turn As The ‘Hometown Hero’ Proposes To Mariah The Scientist

The Atlanta native proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Mariah the Scientist, while onstage at the State Farm Arena.

During a Dec. 16 concert in Atlanta, recording artist Young Thug became a “Hometown Hero” when he proposed marriage to his girlfriend and fellow Georgia native, Mariah the Scientist.

The two artists have been dating for year since 2021, with Mariah standing by Thug’s side during his years-long Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) trial.

The proposal took place at the State Farm Arena, where Thug headlined the charity event, “Hometown Hero: Young Thug & Friends.”

A video clip shot showed Thug getting down on one knee to “pop the question” to Mariah while both were on stage. As he presented her with the ring, the backdrop behind him read “Will You Marry Me?” in pink lettering. As the crowd cheered for the couple, he appeared to propose.

When he stood up, Thug asked her, “What you say?

“Put it on!” said Mariah, who extended her finger.

After several seconds, she turned to the crowd and said, “Guess I’m getting married.”

Young Thug proposed to Mariah the Scientist during his "Hometown Hero" concert in Atlanta 🙏💍 pic.twitter.com/g80RbOetOp
— Kurrco (@Kurrco) December 17, 2025

Young Thug is getting back into the swing of things after being on trial for over two years and being in police custody for more than 900 days. After pleading no contest to racketeering and leading a criminal street gang, he was sentenced to time served and released from custody following Fulton County’s (GA) longest trial in history.

The “Stoner” rapper also hosted a free concert at a rally at the Fulton County Courthouse on Sept. 28.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 17, 2025

TSA Warns Travelers Of Thousands In Fines For ‘Unruly Behavior’ At Security Checkpoints

The TSA wants bad behavior at the airport—and in the air— to hit stop.

As holiday travel ramps up again, and set to break records, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is warning passengers about the hefty fines for bad behavior on the ground or in the air.

“Passengers who engage in unruly behavior at the checkpoint or in-flight may face substantial penalties and possible prosecution on criminal charges,” wrote TSA in a Dec. 8 post, as reported by The Sun.

The reminder comes as air travel-related passenger incidents remain relatively high, as they did before the pandemic.

Although the FAA reported that 2025 numbers, roughly 1,500 incidents, have lessened compared to 2021, which saw a peak of nearly 6,000, the TSA still aims to reduce these figures.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of yearly incidents remained well under 1,000, averaging 860.

The agency emphasized the “zero tolerance” policy regarding treatment of TSA officers and flight personnel: “No threats…No verbal abuse. No physical violence of any kind,” detailed the post.

If a traveler violates this ruling, they could pay well over $10,000 and could face jail time.

“If you threaten, endanger, or harm Transportation Security Officers during screening, TSA will pursue criminal penalties and fines of up to $13,910.”

A post this week confirmed that assaulting a TSA officer could come with a fine of just over $17,000.

There is zero tolerance for assaulting our officers. Make no mistake, violators who threaten, endanger, or harm our officers will face severe penalties and legal action, with fines of up to $17,062. https://t.co/neSX0CyslB
— TSA (@TSA) December 15, 2025

But recent in-flight incidents between passengers and flight attendants left passengers with even pricier fines to pay. Fines of up to $45,000 have been issued to passengers who harass and harm flight attendants or other travelers while on board aircraft.

reparations, slavery, governor, Wes Moore

by Mary Spiller

December 17, 2025

Maryland Lawmakers Override Governor’s Veto, Approve Commission To Study Slavery Reparations

The Democratic-led legislature moved forward despite the governor’s objections, saying a formal study is necessary to determine how reparations could be implemented.

Maryland will establish a commission to examine potential reparations for slavery after state lawmakers voted on Tuesday, Dec. 16, to override a veto from Gov. Wes Moore, marking a significant step in a debate that has divided Democrats nationwide.

As reported by NBC News, the bill, which had been a top priority for the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, calls for a formal study of how the state could address the lasting effects of slavery and systemic racism. Moore, the nation’s only Black governor, vetoed the measure earlier this year, arguing that Maryland had already conducted extensive research on the issue and should instead focus on direct action.

In his veto message, Moore described the decision as difficult but wrote that the time had come to “focus on the work itself.” Lawmakers, however, said a commission is a necessary step toward determining what meaningful and legally sound reparations could look like.

“This topic isn’t easy, but, again, without formal study, reparations risk being dismissed as symbolic or unconstitutional, regardless of moral merit,” said state Sen. Charles Sydnor, a Democrat, during debate on the override vote.

After the legislature reversed his veto, Moore said he disagreed with the decision but signaled a willingness to cooperate. “I am eager to move forward in partnership on the work of repair that we all agree is an urgent and pressing need,” he said in a statement. “I believe the time for action is now — and we must continue moving forward with the work of repair immediately.”

The bill outlines a wide range of potential reparations that the commission could explore, including official apologies, direct financial compensation, property tax relief, housing assistance, tuition waivers, debt forgiveness, and business incentives. It also references possible support for childcare, social services, and reimbursement of licensing fees.

Maryland has one of the largest Black populations in the country, with about 30% of residents identifying as Black — the highest share of any state outside the Deep South.

Momentum around reparations has grown since the 2020 murder of George Floyd, though the issue remains politically sensitive, particularly as conservative opposition to diversity and equity initiatives intensifies. The Legislative Black Caucus praised the override vote, calling it a reaffirmation of “truth-telling, accountability, and meaningful progress for Black Marylanders.”

Maryland now joins a growing list of states and cities examining reparations. California and New York City have launched similar efforts, while Evanston, Illinois, became the first U.S. city to implement a reparations program using cannabis tax revenue.

Public opinion on reparations remains divided. A 2021 Pew Research Center survey found that roughly 70% of U.S. adults opposed providing compensation to descendants of enslaved people, highlighting the political challenges lawmakers continue to face.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 17, 2025

CDC Drops Universal Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendation For All Newborns

The CDC has ended its decades-long policy recommending the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has adopted controversial guidance from its advisory panel, ending a decades-long policy that recommended the Hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns.

On Dec. 26, Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill approved the shift after the agency’s vaccine advisory committee—all members who were appointed this year by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., following the dismissal of the prior panel—voted in favor of the change earlier this month, NBC News reports. With the decision finalized, the CDC now advises women who test negative for hepatitis B to consult their healthcare providers about whether their newborns should receive the first dose of the vaccine within 24 hours of birth.

“We are restoring the balance of informed consent to parents whose newborns face little risk of contracting hepatitis B,” O’Neill said in a statement.

The decision overturns more than 30 years of CDC guidance, as the agency has recommended the hepatitis B birth dose since 1991. The agency is still reviewing a related proposal advising parents to consult healthcare providers about testing children for hepatitis B antibodies before proceeding with later doses of the vaccine, which is typically administered as a three-shot series.

Under the updated guidance, the CDC now advises delaying a baby’s first hepatitis B shot until at least two months of age if the birth dose is skipped, while still recommending immediate vaccination within 24 hours for infants born to mothers who test positive for hepatitis B or whose status is unknown.

Experts warn the CDC’s shift to what it calls individual-based decision-making could leave more children vulnerable to hepatitis B and encourage families to skip vaccination without a clear federal standard. Critics also note that CDC guidance influences insurance coverage and helps doctors determine appropriate care.

Public health specialists say delaying the vaccine could fuel a rise in hepatitis B infections and, over time, increase cases of liver disease and cancer, despite broader changes to U.S. vaccination policy under RFK Jr, a noted anti-vaccine activist.

“This recommendation is ignoring the science,” said Dr. Emily Landon, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Chicago Medicine. “The fact that the acting director of the CDC would sign on to this just continues to reinforce that they are no longer committed to science-based recommendations for improving health.”

Hepatitis B infections in the U.S. have dropped by nearly 90%, falling from 9.6 cases per 100,000 people before widespread vaccination to about one per 100,000 in 2018. Meanwhile, officials are conducting an additional review of the panel’s secondary recommendation that parents consult healthcare providers about antibody testing to decide whether later doses of the hepatitis B vaccine are necessary.