YouTuber, Meta, Google, social media addiction — (Photo: Szabó Viktor/Pexels)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 26, 2026

Meta And YouTube’s Loss In Social Media Addiction Lawsuit Hailed As ‘Big Tobacco Moment’

Meta and YouTube were found liable in a young woman’s social media addiction lawsuit—a decision one advocate called Big Tech’s “Big Tobacco moment.”

Parents and advocacy groups pushing for stricter social media rules are celebrating a landmark ruling that found Meta and YouTube liable in a young woman’s lawsuit over her childhood social media addiction.

On March 25, Meta and YouTube were found liable for intentionally designing addictive features that keep young users engaged at the expense of their well-being, CNN reports. The plaintiff, identified as Kaley (KGM), said compulsive use of the platforms led to anxiety, body dysmorphia, and suicidal thoughts.

“For the parents whose children died as a result of social media harms, today’s verdict is a huge step toward truth, justice, and accountability,” said Sarah Gardner, the CEO of Heat Initiative, a group that says it exists to “turn up the heat on Big Tech.”

Gardner sees the verdict as “social media’s Big Tobacco moment,” she added. “The harm these companies intentionally cause children has been proven in a court of law.”

Jurors found that Meta—which owns Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp—and Google, the parent of YouTube, deliberately designed addictive platforms that harmed the 20-year-old plaintiff’s mental health. Both companies say they have invested heavily in youth safety tools and dispute claims that their platforms are responsible for teen mental health issues, adding they plan to appeal.

Meta said “teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be tied to a single app,” while a Google spokesperson argued the case mischaracterizes YouTube as social media rather than a responsibly built streaming platform.

The plaintiff was awarded $6 million in damages, $3 million in compensatory damages, and another $3 million in punitive damages, finding that Meta and Google acted with “malice, oppression, or fraud” in how they ran their platforms. Meta is expected to cover 70% of the award, with Google responsible for the remaining 30%.

Advocates say the decision could influence hundreds of similar cases moving through U.S. courts. The Los Angeles verdict came a day after a New Mexico jury also found Meta liable for exposing children to harmful content, including sexually explicit material and contact with predators. Another case against Meta and other social media companies over alleged harm to minors is set to begin in June in federal court in California.

stroke, Snoop daughter, Cori Broadus, baby, death — Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for TBS

by Kandiss Edwards

March 26, 2026

Cori Broadus Holds Somber Birthday Celebration For Late Daughter

As she moves forward into 2026, Broadus continues to balance her creative pursuits and business ventures and health with grace.

Cori Broadus, the daughter of rap legend Snoop Dogg, took to social media to commemorate what would have been her late daughter, Kai Love’s, first birthday.

On Instagram, Broadus shared the day’s events with her followers. Family and friends gathered at Kai’s gravesite, bringing flowers and balloons. The event, though somber, was filled with over a dozen loved ones. After honoring the late infant, the group gathered on a yacht. Children and loved ones smiled and danced as they celebrated a life gone too soon.

The tribute is a continuation of Broadus’s public journey as she navigates her grief. She has shared openly with her followers over the past year. She continues to post videos and photos of Kai and reflects on the “bittersweet” nature of her new personal milestones.

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A post shared by Cori Broadus (@princessbroadus)

The past year has been one of immense physical and emotional challenges for Broadus. In addition to the loss of her daughter, she has been vocal about her ongoing battle with Lupus. The autoimmune disease disproportionately impacts Black women, who are three times more likely to develop the condition than white women, according to the Lupus Foundation of America.

Additionally, the disease also tends to be more aggressive for Black women. For instance, the prevalence of lupus nephritis (kidney inflammation) is roughly 50.7% in Black women compared to 25.4% in white women. This increased severity often leads to a higher rate of progression to end-stage renal disease, or kidney failure.

Unfortunately, for Broadus, the disease has required aggressive medical intervention, including a stroke recovery period in early 2024. As she moves forward into 2026, Broadus continues to balance her creative pursuits and business ventures.

nursing school, Tuskegee University, Alabama,HBCU Nursing Apprenticeship Program — (Photo: CarlosDavid.org/Getty Images)

by Jameelah Mullen

March 26, 2026

Moving On Up! Former Janitor Becomes Doctor At The Same Hospital She Worked At Cleaning

It's a full-circle moment at Yale for this soon-to-be doctor.

Shay Taylor‑Allen found out last week that she matched with her first‑choice residency program at Yale School of Medicine, a hospital that has literally been part of her life since the day she was born.

Not only was she born at the prestigious hospital, but she also worked there as a janitor at 18. The medical student shared a video clip of her reaction to being matched with her dream school on Instagram, which went viral with more than 3.7 million views.

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A post shared by Shay Taylor-Allen | Med Student ⚕️ (@shayy.taylor)

The 32-year-old woman, who attends Howard University College of Medicine, says she is excited to return to her hometown for her upcoming residency, which she describes as a “surreal” experience.

“I am still just feeling like I’m in a dream, because I could have never imagined that I’ll be going back to the same hospital I was not only born at, but a janitor at, to be a doctor for my community,” she told ABC News.

The aspiring doctor said she didn’t always plan to pursue medicine, but she was inspired to attend medical school during her sophomore year of college while caring for her sick mother.

Dr. Lisa Leffert, chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at Yale, said they are “thrilled” to have the former janitor back in a new role.

“She will join a community of talented colleagues who are dedicated to patient care, education, investigation, and service to our community,” Dr. Leffert said in a statement to ABC News.

Taylor-Allen shared some words of encouragement for other minorities interested in joining the medical field.

“We can do anything that we put our minds to — and people of color specifically, we’re needed in [the medical] field,” she said. “People that look like us [are] needed, and our patients are waiting for us to do it.”

Taylor-Allen is expected to graduate from Howard in May and start working in Yale’s Department of Anesthesiology later this year.

motion, dismiss, reposession — (Photo: Katrin Bolovtsova/Pexels)

by Kandiss Edwards

March 26, 2026

Victims Of ‘Wrong Door’ FBI Raid Headed To Appeals Court

In June 2025, all nine Supreme Court justices voted unanimously that the family is entitled to move forward with the lawsuit.

Atlanta residents Trina Martin and Toi Cliatt are heading back to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in an attempt to hold FBI agents accountable for raiding their former home.

The appearance follows a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruling that reinstated their right to sue the FBI over a “wrong-door” raid in 2017.

The ordeal began in October 2017, when a flash-bang grenade and an FBI tactical team awakened the then-couple. At the time of the raid, both Cliatt and Martin believed they were being robbed. However, they were instead met with FBI agents who smashed down their door and interrogated them at gunpoint. Martin’s son, Gabriel Watson, who was only 7 years old at the time, recounted his terror when he was interrogated at gunpoint.

“They ran in my room, pointing guns at my face,” Watson told Channel 2 Action News.

Only after agents had already entered the home, did they realize the mailbox number did not correspond to the address on the warrant. Though Cliatt and Martin are no longer together, they are united in their quest for justice, Channel 2 Action News reported. The plaintiffs have been fighting for nearly a decade to hold the FBI agents accountable for “personal injuries and property damage” caused by their error.

Historically, federal law enforcement has been protected by a form of immunity. Still, the legal journey of Martin and Cliatt has explored the boundaries of the Supremacy Clause and the Federal Tort Claims Act, which grant the federal government immunity for such errors. Initially, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that constitutional immunity clauses barred the lawsuit, but the family successfully appealed to the nation’s highest court.

In June 2025, all nine Supreme Court justices unanimously ruled that the family may move forward with the lawsuit. While plaintiffs cannot pursue legal action against the agency, they can challenge individual FBI agents. Cliatt stated that the legal system had legitimized her claim and that she would continue to pursue the case.

“The highest court in the land sides with you, it lets you know you’re doing the right thing,” Cliatt told the outlet.

Cliatt’s and Martin’s continued efforts to attain justice serve two purposes. If successful, not only will both parties receive personal restitution, they will also set a path forward to challenge historical immunity that often shields federal agents from the consequences of botched raids.

Cardi B, Atlanta, tour — PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 06: Cardi B. attends the Fendi Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2023/2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 06, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/WireImage)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 26, 2026

Cardi B’s ‘Am I The Drama’ Album Rollout Heads To Class At Howard University

The course will dive into Cardi B's unique marketing strategy to secure her second album's success.

Cardi B’s “Am I The Drama?” will head to the classroom with a new course at Howard University.

Titled “The Cardi B: Am I The Drama? The Art, Production, Marketing and Cultural Impact,” the HBCU course will dive into the rollout of the acclaimed album. Listed under the school’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, the class will count toward an elective for the university’s Hip Hop Studies minor.

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A post shared by Warner Music/ Blavatnik Center at Howard University (@warnermusicathu)

Also facilitated by the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music Business, the class is in session starting in the Fall 2026 semester. According to WBLS, the course will dissect the album’s success and its accompanying campaign, helping push the long-awaited project to sell over 200,000 units in its first week.

The class will focus on the strategy behind the album’s marketing, from Cardi’s own grassroots campaign through social media and the public frenzy that follows the boisterous rapper—despite releasing her first project since her 2018 debut, “Invasion of Privacy,” Cardi and her team kept the momentum going despite the years-long break.

Given Cardi’s own affinity for the spotlight, the Bronx-born rapper was able to keep her name in the comments and the charts. She turned courtroom battles, such as her legal case with a former security guard for an alleged assault, into her own marketing ploy. Cardi’s facial expressions during the trial were later used as cover art for special CD versions of “Am I The Drama?,” demonstrating her willingness to think outside the box for publicity.

The mother of four also stepped back into her community, hosting a “Bodega Baddie” event at a corner store in New York City’s Washington Heights neighborhood. She continued to use the media circus surrounding her personal life and upbringing to drive conversation about her album, creating a unique rollout strategy to prove she was more than a one-album wonder.

The class contributes to a growing trend of hip-hop-focused studies in higher education. At another esteemed institution, Princeton University, Cardi B and other “Ladies of Hip Hop” have undergone their own academic dissection. The course investigating hip-hop from the women who helped shape the genre began this spring.

As for Cardi B specifically, her masterclass in turning viral moments into marketing campaigns will get the academic treatment at Howard. Students can register now to take part in this historic class this fall.

Bishop OC Allen Morehouse College — Photo credit: Prince Williams/ATLPICS.net

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 26, 2026

Morehouse College Unveils Portrait Of 1st Openly Black Gay Bishop Displayed At The HBCU

The school recognizes the legacy and impact of its alumnus as a Black gay clergyman.

Morehouse College has unveiled a new portrait signaling a diversity milestone at the HBCU.

The latest image bestowed at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel is of Bishop O.C. Allen, the first openly Black gay bishop to have a portrait at the establishment. The all-men’s HBCU revealed the painting during the Bayard Rustin Crown Forum on March 19.

This unveiling marks a greater shift toward equality and the uplift of human rights within the HBCU community. Created by artist Dwayne Mitchell, the painting celebrates Bishop Allen as a religious leader and advocate for gay rights. The Neighborhood Talk shared an image of the trailblazing artwork.

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A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

The portrait will also add to a long line of storied leaders honored at the institution, including queer visionaries such as civil and gay rights activist Pauli Murray and Rustin himself. In recognition of the historic reveal, Bishop Allen was joined by other queer clergy leaders, Rev. Dr. Brandon Crowley and Father Darrell Tiller, to further highlight this community’s existence and resilience.

The Morehouse alum has paved the way for Black gay clergy members and the community. He began this work as an undergraduate student, helping form one of the first spaces for Black gay men on campus.

From there, he continued to bridge his activism with spirituality. He currently serves as founder and senior pastor of the Vision Cathedral of Atlanta, while also holding leadership as presiding bishop of the United Progressive Pentecostal Church Fellowship.

Outside the pulpit, Bishop Allen has served the national community on causes that impact the queer community. A member of the Board of Directors for the Human Rights Campaign, he continues to shape his platform toward civil rights advocacy. Through his national initiative, Prevention from the Pulpit, Allen helps reduce HIV/AIDS stigma while championing public awareness and education on sexual health.

The clergyman also uses his legacy to promote diverse storytelling through media platform Soul Work, tying spiritual lessons with queer-led dialogue and experiences. As a facilitator of Black queer engagement, helping organize Atlanta Black Pride and other cultural gatherings, he remains a pivotal voice in barrier-breaking conversations regarding queer livelihoods within faith circles.

by Mitti Hicks

March 26, 2026

Top Civil Rights Attorney Joins NAACP In Voting Rights Fight

Former assistant attorney general for civil rights, Kristen Clarke, will serve as general counsel for the NAACP.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has hired one of the nation’s most respected civil rights attorneys and legal advocates to serve as the association’s general counsel in its voting rights fight.

Former assistant attorney general for civil rights Kristen Clarke is joining the organization as it continues its fight against the Trump administration, which it said is “eroding democratic institutions” and dismantling civil rights protections. In a statement, the NAACP said that the organization is expanding its capabilities and ramping up its investment in legal advocacy by hiring Clarke to fight back.

“Kristen Clarke is exactly the legal mind this moment demands,” said Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP. “Her record of fearless advocacy, leadership, and deep commitment to justice makes her the ideal General Counsel to help chart our path forward.” “As we face unprecedented attacks on voting and civil rights, having Kristen Clarke at the helm of our legal operations brings strategic vision, disciplined leadership, and innovative advocacy. It’s a new day at the NAACP’s Office of General Counsel.”

Clarke To Lead NAACP’s Voting Rights Fight

Most recently, Clarke was the 19th Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice under the Biden administration. She was the first woman and Black woman to be confirmed by the Senate to hold the position.

In that role, she led the nation’s largest civil rights law enforcement office. She oversaw landmark enforcement actions that protected voting rights, fought against hate crimes, advanced police accountability, and more.

“The NAACP has stood on the front lines of justice for over a century, and I’m deeply honored to join this historic organization at this critical moment in our democracy,” said Clarke. “Our communities are under relentless attack—from the ballot box to their wallets—and this moment demands that we use the full weight of the law to promote justice and accountability.”

The NAACP also announced that Janette McCarthy Wallace, who has served as General Counsel for nearly five years and on the NAACP’s legal team for over nine years, has transitioned to the role of Special Counsel.

Florida Prosecutor, Police-Made Crack,, off-duty cop, Milwaukee, shooting — (Photo: Katrin Bolovtsova/Pexels)

by Jameelah Mullen

March 26, 2026

South Fulton Police Officer Arrested For Alleged On-Duty Sexual Assault

The 30-year-old South Fulton police officer in the metro Atlanta area is currently in custody.

A South Fulton Police patrol officer is facing charges after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman while on duty, officials say.

According to the South Fulton Police Department, 30-year-old Michael Cockran faces charges of sexual assault by a person with supervisory or disciplinary authority and violation of oath of office related to the alleged assault that occurred on March 21.

In a press conference, South Fulton Interim Public Safety Director Dr. Cedric Alexander said Cockran was accused of sexually assaulting a 28-year-old woman after he had arrested her.

Dr. Alexander explained that Cockran responded to an initial call about a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, he turned off his body camera and spoke with the victim. When he learned she had outstanding warrants in DeKalb County, he cuffed her and placed her in his vehicle.

Alexander noted that vehicle cameras and tracking data indicated that, on the way to the DeKalb County Jail, Cockran deviated from the expected route, stopped for a period of time, and then resumed the route.

The victim reported the assault to personnel at the DeKalb Jail. Alexander stated that South Fulton PD is now reviewing Cockran’s arrest records to determine whether there is evidence of any prior incidents.

“No one is above the law. These actions represent a serious violation of the law, department policy, and the trust placed in our officers by the community. The South Fulton Police Department holds its personnel to the highest standards, and we will not tolerate conduct that betrays the badge or the public we serve,” said Alexander in a statement posted to the department’s social media page.

“We are also sharing this information, along with the suspect’s photo, to ensure full transparency and to encourage anyone who may have had an encounter or may be a victim to come forward.”

According to records from the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council obtained by 11 Alive News, Cockran has been employed by the department since September 2024 and has no prior history of disciplinary concerns or investigations.

If you have any information or want to report an incident, visit the South Fulton County PD website or call (470) 809-7300 .

Charles Barkley, spanking — Photo by Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 26, 2026

Charles Barkley Defends Spanking Children, Sees It As ‘Discipline’ To Prevent Future ‘Brats’

Charles Barkley is all for spanking your child to build discipline and prevent them from becoming "some of these brats" he sees today.

Charles Barkley stirred debate with his latest hot take, defending spanking as a form of discipline and arguing it helps prevent kids from becoming, in his words, “some of these brats” he sees today.

The former NBA star-turned-sports analyst appeared on the March 23 episode of “The Dan Patrick Show,” where he defended spanking as a form of discipline, arguing that some modern parenting lacks firmness and accountability.

“I believe in discipline. I’m not going around telling people to beat their kids,” Barkley said, in a clip shared online. “But I think if you don’t spank your kids and discipline them, they turn into some of these brats that we got today.”

https://twitter.com/JonnyRoot_/status/2036567016396693520

Barkley also anticipated the social media backlash that would come as a result of his comments, telling critics, “You can blast me on social media. I don’t ever read any comments. I don’t care what y’all think.”

He shared his views on discipline while discussing the behavior of today’s NBA players, suggesting that a lack of accountability at home may be why some younger athletes struggle with coaching.

“You can’t even yell at them anymore,” Barkley said. “Yes, hell, you can yell at your kids.”

He later clarified that he was not endorsing abuse, but rather arguing that spanking—when used appropriately—can help children understand consequences.

“I’m not here for child abuse,” Barkley said. “But how are kids gonna know they’re doing something wrong?”

As for those who oppose his take on spanking children, the Alabama native let critics know that, “I’m gonna say what I gotta say,” he said. “Some of y’all gonna like it. Some of y’all are not.”

While many have pushed back on Barkley’s comments, others on social media voiced support, saying the discipline they experienced growing up helped shape them later in life.

“I agree with him 100%, btw. To each their own, but that’s how I was raised, and I know I was better off for it,” one X user wrote.

“Straight facts here. Every generation becomes less and less respectful because people frown against discipline,” another user added.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 26, 2026

Rapper Desiigner Arrested On Domestic Violence Charge

He is scheduled for a bench trial on May 6.

Recording artist Desiigner, once signed to Ye’s G.O.O.D. Music, has been arrested on a third-degree domestic violence charge.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the Brooklyn rapper, born Sidney Royel Selby III, was taken into custody on Monday, March 23, in South Carolina after an alleged incident involving the mother of his child. Desiigner was booked at 11:24 a.m. and was released after posting a $1,500 bond the next day at 1:08 p.m., according to records obtained by the media outlet.

He is scheduled for a bench trial on May 6.

TMZ reported that the victim said the incident occurred when the “Panda” rapper came home that day. She alleged that he was angry and started yelling at her, and threw the car keys. As she prepared to leave to run an errand, she claimed he took the keys from her, ripping her sweatpants in the process. He then grabbed their child, and after placing the child into a car seat outside the home, she was thrown to the ground when she tried to intervene.

She said she suffered minor scratches to her lower back and to her arm during the incident. By the time police officers arrived, Desiigner had left the home. The child did not witness the incident, according to police. The mother of Desiigner’s child said that the incident was caught on video but that she could not access the camera system.

Desiigner’s mugshot has begun circulating on social media following news of his arrest.

Mugshot of Desiigner after he was arrested Monday in South Carolina on domestic violence charges. pic.twitter.com/sd7ivpQmK9
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) March 25, 2026

This is not Desiigner’s first brush with the law. He was arrested in 2023 after the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota charged the recording artist with a misdemeanor charge of indecent exposure on an aircraft. He was flying in first class when he was reportedly seen exposing himself several times while allegedly masturbating in his seat.

Desiigner entered a guilty plea that gave him two years of probation and 120 hours of community service. He had to pay a fine of $5,000, and publicly apologize to the flight attendants.

The rapper was also arrested for drug and gun posseession in 2016.

The rapper has made a comeback. His latest song is, no joke, titled “Relax.” The video was released several weeks ago.

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A post shared by Desiigner (@lifeofdesiigner)

Desiigner became known after independently releasing his hit single, “Panda,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2015.