Luigi Mangione
photo credit: wikkimedia
by Kandiss Edwards

December 11, 2024

Suspected Shooter’s Capture Leads To Influx Of Online Merchandise

Luigi Mangione merchandise is flooding online retail stores.

Luigi Mangione, the alleged shooter of the UnitedHealthcare CEO BrianThompson, was apprehended on Dec. 9. Since his arrest, the heinous nature of the crime has taken a back seat to the public’s fascination—and capitalism. 

Online vendors have begun creating merchandise and taking advantage of the spectacle, according to Fast Company.

Manufacturers are merging the image of the popular Nintendo game character Luigi with messages supporting the suspected gunman. The internet’s fascination with the shooter and his distinct name has led to the creation of mugs, “Free Luigi” shirts, tote bags, and more.

While these items are acceptable on independent e-commerce sites, larger online retailers, like Amazon, are removing the merchandise.

The University of Pennsylvania graduate is suspected of walking up to Brian Thompson as the CEO was on his way to a board meeting and using a silenced weapon to kill the CEO.

Mangione was taken into police custody after evading law enforcement for five days.

He was later spotted at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s employee, which led the concerned citizen to call 911. Law enforcement claims that at the time of the arrest, Mangione possessed a weapon, fake identification, a silencer, foreign and American currency, and a manifesto. Mangione is charged with murder, forgery, and illegal weapons possession.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement praising law enforcement for their efforts to get the shooter off the streets:

“I’m deeply grateful to the men and women of law enforcement whose efforts to solve the horrific murder of Brian Thompson led to the arrest of a suspect in Pennsylvania. I am coordinating with the District Attorney’s Office and will sign a request for a governor’s warrant to ensure this individual is tried and held accountable. Public safety is my top priority and I’ll do everything in my power to keep the streets of New York safe.”

The suspect will be extradited to New York, the location of Thompson’s murder, within the next 30 days.

In a press conference, Thomas Dickey, attorney for Mangione, reminded the public that Americans are innocent until proven guilty.

If you’re an American, you believe in the American criminal justice system, you have to presume him to be innocent,” Dickey said. “None of us would want anything other than that if that were us in those shoes.”

RELATED CONTENT: Law Enforcement Officials: Alleged UnitedHelathcare CEO Gunman Captured

J. Cole, North Carolina
(Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 11, 2024

J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival Next Year Will Be The Fifth And Final Event

It will be taking place in Raleigh, NC on Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6, 2025.

Recording artist J. Cole and his Dreamville company have recently announced that the 2025 Dreamville Festival will take place in Raleigh, North Carolina, on April 5 and April 6, 2025. They added that it is the fifth and final year for the well-attended event.

“April 5 & 6, 2025 will be the Fifth & Final Dreamville Fest 🌻 What a ride it’s been… We can’t thank y’all enough for all the memories we’ve shared. From the very beginning, the idea behind the fest was creating a place where our fans, the Dreamville community, could spend time together, a place where they could see themselves reflected, a place to share in experiences. Let’s run it back one more time in April! ☁️”

Presale tickets offer several general admission and various VIP packages that can be purchased right now at DreamvilleFest.com. The packages offered now will be the least expensive tickets available to the general public, with prices increasing as the event date approaches.

Last year, 100,000 people from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and 20+ countries visited the Dreamville Festival. The event is returning to Dorothea Dix Park to celebrate the spring festival season with music, culture, and community.

Fans can expect to engage in various activities, including site-wide art installations and education about local community organizations through Dreamville Foundation’s Nonprofit Row. The iconic Dreamville Ferris Wheel shows off skyline views of downtown Raleigh and the festival grounds while enjoying many surprises throughout the festive weekend.

Organizers will later list featured performers, and you can find out all the information about the Dreamville Festival on its social media channels.

J. Cole originally launched the Dreamville Festival in 2018 in Raleigh, NC, to help shine a light on the place that helped shape him into the successful and creative artist he is today.

RELATED CONTENT: J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival Generated More Than $6.7 Million For Wake County, North Carolina

BioLab, Georgia, fire
Q9k2C6J3, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
by Kandiss Edwards

December 11, 2024

Rockdale Residents Advocate For Information On BioLab Fire

Due to ongoing litigation, Rockdale County remains mum on the progress of the BioLab chemical fire resolution.

On Dec. 10, Georgia’s Rockdale County Board of Commissioners refused to speak with members of the public about the aftermath of the BioLab chemical fire.

During the board meeting, Rockdale County Attorney M. Qader A. Baig informed residents that, because of the current litigation, BioLab would not be a topic of discussion. 

“Matters of active litigation are expressly forbidden,” Baig stated. Board Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr, seconded the county attorney’s proclamation.

“If you want to conversate about BioLab, then I’m going to ask you to remove yourself from the podium.” He continued, “The board acknowledges the impact that our community has suffered from the BioLab incident. However, we’re not going to discuss that.”

Community members understood that the county representatives would not comment but refused to be silenced, advocating for an opportunity to speak. 

“Because of the seriousness of the situation, they should want to hear from the citizens,” Corlis Turner said.

This is not the first time since the incident that community members come together to speak about their frustrations and demand accountability from the county and BioLab. 

On Dec. 4, a community forum was held for county residents. Multiple individuals spoke about their experiences and hardships following the chemical fire. 

Porch’se Miller spoke about the medical toll the toxic chemicals have caused her body. After the initial fire, Miller received a medical evaluation. She claims that inhaling the plumes caused damage to her organs.

“They checked my blood pressure and diagnosed me with lung damage,” Miller recalled.

Miller questions the hesitation in revoking BioLab’s business license. 

“Do you really care for our lives, or do you care about your money?” Miller asked.

A joint task force with the Environmental Protective Agency, Rockdale County, and BioLab have been working to address the community’s concerns. A command center on Main St. was established to allow residents to file claims with the company. 

RELATED CONTENT: Georgia Lawmakers To Hear From Residents Impacted By Biolab Chemical Fire

remote, work, job, employees employer, work from home, worker, remote
(Photo: Morsa Images/Getty Images)
by Sharelle B. McNair

December 11, 2024

Millennials Out Of Luck After Study Links Longer Life Expectancy and Homeownership To Older Generations 

Millennials...time to get on the homeowner bandwagon!

A new study from Oxford University ties homeownership to living longer, Fast Company reports. 

The study, performed by the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science and Department of Sociology under the leadership of Dr. Casey Breen, explored the benefits of men owning a home with a core look into census reports and Social Security mortality records from 1920 and 1940 to document the disparities of homeownership rates between Black and white people. 

After estimating the homeownership effect on longevity, it was revealed that owning a home was linked to the heightened life expectancy of 0.36 years for Black American males and 0.42 years for white American males born in the early 20th century, prompting bad news for millennials. An analysis of government data by Apartment List found ownership for the younger generations has dropped. The 2024 report revealed that by age 30, only 33% of millennials owned their homes compared to 42% of Gen Xers, 48% of baby boomers, and 55% of the silent generation. 

Longevity is sparingly linked to wealth accumulation, as the study reads, “A home is the single largest component of nonpension wealth in the United States.” However, there are three other components. First, homeownership decreases the costs related to housing — saving thousands on high rent rates along with tax benefits like mortgage tax deductions. Homes gaining value over time come in second place, while monthly mortgage payments encouraging savings sit at third place.

According to the study, living longer can also come from improved home conditions that come with homeownership. Research found renters have higher rates of infectious diseases, injuries, and chronic conditions, partly due to issues dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries. Back then, rental units were seen as overcrowded and unsanitary, with poor ventilation. These issues built on the spread of tuberculosis, influenza, pneumonia, and more. 

The psychological benefits are also worth highlighting. Homeowners tend to feel more in control over their lives since their environments can be labeled as predictable and dependable compared to renters. Owning a home can guarantee a lower fear of eviction and relocation, conquering anxious feelings or other elements of mental health. 

According to CBS News, the average age of first-time homebuyers has increased from 31 to 35 over the last 10 years, and several new trends, like co-ownership, have expanded. A survey from early 2024 found that close to 15% of Americans have co-purchased a home with someone other than a romantic partner. Forty-eight percent said they would be willing to look into it. 

Another trend is living in multi-generational homes, where close to two adult generations live in the same house. Pew Research found that 1 in 4 Americans between the ages of 25 and 34 live in such homes, and financial reasons are a major factor.

RELATED CONTENT: Charlotte Initiative Aims To Be A National Model In Supplying City Contracts To Black Businesses

Jackson, Ketanji Brown
U.S. Supreme Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson waves during a photo opportunity outside the U.S. Supreme Court following an investiture ceremony for Justice Jackson at the court in Washington, U.S., September 30, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 11, 2024

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Heads To Broadway For One-Night Performance In ‘&Juliet’

The Supreme Court judge will appear in a walk-on role during the Dec. 14 evening show.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson will perform in a one-night performance of “& Juliet” on Broadway.

The first Black woman appointed as a Supreme Court judge will hit the stage for the 8 p.m. show on Dec. 14, appearing in a walk-on role. According to the post of the jukebox musical announcing the special event, Jackson will also host a talkback after the performance.

Moreover, Brown Jackson detailed her “unabashed love” of theater in her new memoir, Lovely One. She even wrote about her dream of performing on Broadway in her application essay to Harvard. She also took theater classes at the Ivy League school, revealing that she once acted a scene out with Matt Damon.

“I, a Miami girl from a modest background with an unabashed love of theater, dreamed of one day ascending to the highest court in the land—and I had said so in one of my supplemental application essays [to Harvard],” wrote Jackson in the book. “I expressed that I wished to attend Harvard as I believed it might help me ‘to fulfill my fantasy of becoming the first Black, female Supreme Court justice to appear on a Broadway stage.’”

Now, Jackson’s dream will come to fruition. She already completed the first step when she was confirmed to serve on the Supreme Court in April 2022. It followed a nomination by President Biden that February.

The post also captioned, “Let’s make that teenage dream come true, Justice Jackson.”

Her inclusion in “& Juliet” also aligns with her values, as the musical evokes themes of female empowerment. The musical is a modern take on the Shakespeare classic “Romeo & Juliet.” It also includes pop hits from artists such as Britney Spears and Katy Perry. However, this reimagining focuses on Juliet’s life if she did not die alongside her star-crossed lover. The show takes place at the Stephen Sondheim Theater, and a U.S. tour is ongoing as well.

The exact role Jackson will take remains under wraps. However, Deadline reports that production created an ensemble role specifically for her. Her memoir, Lovely One, is available for purchase at multiple retailers.

RELATED CONTENT: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Surprising Harvard Drama Class Moment With Matt Damon

Tupac Shakur, Brenda's Got A Baby
(Photo: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 11, 2024

Tupac’s ‘How Do U Want It’ Enters TikTok Billboard Top 50

The song debuts on the chart 28 years after his untimely killing.

Tupac Shakur died Sept. 13, 1996, and 28 years later, one of his hit singles entered one of Billboard’s charts.

According to Forbes, the single “How Do U Want It” was released three months before his untimely death and just debuted on the TikTok Billboard Top 50. The chart lists the most popular, most-heard, and most-used tracks on the social media app, and Tupac’s entry, featuring one-half of the R&B group Jodeci, K-Ci & JoJo, came in at No. 16.

When the single initially came out, it appeared on the B-side of another hit record, “California Love,” on the album All Eyez On Me. Both songs reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart that year.

Although the talented rapper and actor was killed almost 30 years ago, no one was convicted for his killing. That may change next year when former gang member Duane “Keffe D” Davis is scheduled to go on trial on March 17, 2025.

The 60-year-old Davis was arrested in Henderson, Nevada, on Sept. 29, 2023. He was apprehended after Las Vegas police officers searched his residence on July 17, 2023. He was charged with first-degree murder for his alleged role in Tupac’s murder and pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. If found guilty, he faces a life sentence in prison. He is presently jailed at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas.

Tupac was shot several times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas after attending a boxing match that featured Mike Tyson on Sept. 7, 1996. The beloved yet controversial rapper died six days after being shot at 25. Davis, who wrote the book Compton Street Legend and did many interviews over the years, has previously stated that the killing of the “Me Against the World” lyricist was committed by his nephew, Orlando Anderson, who was killed two years later.

RELATED CONTENT: Betting Conglomerate Sues Mike Tyson Following Failed Promo Deal For Jake Paul Bout

Jay-Z, lawsuit, dropped
(Photo: Michael Tran/AFP via Getty Images)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 11, 2024

Jay-Z’s Attorney Claims Tony Buzbee Attempted To Make Woman File False Allegations Against Diddy

Tony Buzbee's firm is accused of attempting to convince a woman to make false claims against the former Bad Boy CEO

The inclusion of Jay-Z in Tony Buzbee’s crusade for alleged victims against Diddy has brought an allegation of the attorney attempting to convince a woman to make false claims against the former Bad Boy CEO.

According to TMZ, Alex Spiro, who represents the “Hard Knock Life” rapper, has stated in court papers that a young woman contacted his law firm to inform them that Buzbee’s law firm tried to encourage her to file a fraudulent claim against Diddy when she went to his law firm for another matter unrelated to Diddy. She said she reached out to his firm to seek representation about allegations of sex trafficking and abuse.

She said she made it clear it had nothing to do with Diddy, but an associate of the firm encouraged her to file a claim against the “No Way Out” recording artist anonymously.

She stated that the Buzbee associate asked, “At what point did you meet Diddy?”

The woman also said she had been discouraged from filing a criminal complaint. She also claims “she felt directed and coached by Mr. Buzbee’s firm to say that someone held her down and put drugs in her mouth when that was not her experience.” After refusing to do so, she was dropped as a client, according to the documents submitted in federal court.

Buzbee has responded to the claim by saying, “This is so ridiculous. If someone calls our intake and has a viable case that we believe has merit and we can pursue we will pursue it. We are currently pursuing hundreds of cases against individuals other than PDiddy. What we won’t do is pursue a case that we don’t believe has merit.”

According to Deadline, Buzbee also made another claim against Jay-Z, saying that he has sent investigators to current clients, offering them money to sue his law firm.

“Jay Z’s team is desperate and seemingly out of control. Their investigators have recently been caught on tape offering current clients of our firm one thousand dollars to sue our firm. This conduct is reprehensible and illegal. There will be consequences coming soon.”

He also took to social media with his accusations.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Tony Buzbee (@tonybuzbee)

 

RELATED CONTENT: Betting Conglomerate Sues Mike Tyson Following Failed Promo Deal For Jake Paul Bout

A$AP Rocky, HOMMEMADE Back.Space.LA
(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 11, 2024

A$AP Rocky To Star In Spike Lee’s New Joint, ‘Highest 2 Lowest’

Although Rocky will lead the project, the plot of the film remains under wraps.

A$AP Rocky continues to build his film résumé. The rapper and entrepreneur will star in Spike Lee’s upcoming film Highest 2 Lowest.

Paparazzi snapped pics that suggested Rocky would play a lead in the feature, which intends to be a reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 thriller, High and Low. After the photos of the set leaked, Indiewire confirmed that Rocky would portray the character of Yung Felon.

While participating in the jury for the Red Sea International Film Festival, Lee later confirmed the casting and details for his version of the Japanese crime thriller. Instead of the original characters, Lee’s take will feature acting heavyweights such as Denzel Washington in a modern interpretation. The rest of the plot remains under wraps, including more insight into Rocky’s character.

“This is not a remake. This is a reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s great film,” said Lee, as reported by Deadline. “In Kurosawa’s film, Toshiro Mifune is a shoemaker. In our film Denzel Washington is a music mogul with his own label and his reputation as the best ears in the business. So, this is the fifth film with the dynamic duo.”

Washington and Lee have collaborated five times throughout their respective careers, with 2006’s Inside Man being their last joint project. Now, the Lee-proclaimed “dynamic duo” is back filming, with Rocky now in the mix.

The film is still in production and has a set release date of summer 2025. However, Rocky is not the only rapper hitting the screen. Ice Spice also reportedly has a role in the feature. It will be distributed theatrically by A24 before heading to AppleTV+ for streaming.

Although Rocky has yet to play a lead, this is not his first acting gig. The father of two had a supporting role in 2015’s Dope and 2018’s Monster, among other films. He also has another A24 project, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, in post-production.

RELATED CONTENT: Jay-Z Named In Federal Lawsuit Alleging 2000 Sexual Assault Of 13-Year-Old Girl

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