June 21, 2024
Donna Smith, from Charlotte North Carolina, is now a couple hundred thousand dollars richer after leaning into her intuition after feeling the urge to purchase a lottery scratch-off ticket.
Donna Smith has always loved playing the lottery, and a recent trip to the convenience store left her blessed by Lady Luck’s grace, and it was all because she trusted her intuition.
After a trip to the Run-In store in her Huntersville neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina, left Smith wanting to purchase a scratch-off ticket for $10, she soon learned she had won $700,000 from playing the Triple 777 game. In this case, a small dollar went a long way, and she still relishes that she won such a large amount after years of trying her luck with the lottery.
“I thought I was going to have a heart attack,” said Smith during an interview with the N.C. Education Lottery. “I had to calm myself down.” On Wednesday (June 19), officials revealed that Smith “could barely contain her excitement” when she realized that listening to her gut had paid off.
“This was just what my mind told me to buy,” she expressed.
Despite winning the prize worth $700,000 after taxes, Smith only walked away with $500,503, which she notes is still more than enough to allow her to fulfill her dreams of paying off her house and car as well as being a blessing to others.
While a person may be celebrating learning that they’ve won the lottery, so is Uncle Sam. A 2024 Turbo Tax reports that lottery agencies usually must withhold roughly 24% of the winners’ jackpot if the amount exceeds $5,000 in taxes.
Additionally, if hitting the jackpot places you in a higher tax bracket, the winner is responsible for the difference between the withholding amount and their total tax.
Now that her taxes are out and she’s walked away with the big bucks, Smith plans to take care of her own expenses while sharing her winnings with her family and church.
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June 21, 2024
There's a new podcast hitting airwaves soon and it is dedicated to authentic storytelling. "True Stories" will recognize and champion the work of renowned authors like Roxane Gay through hosts, fellow writers, Kiese Laymon And Deesha Philyaw.
If you have an affinity for authentic storytelling and uncovering stories that invoke emotion while also teaching invaluable lessons, this new podcast is made just for you!
Award-winning national news organization, Reckon and Ursa Story Company will partner with critically acclaimed writers Kiese Laymon and Deesha Philyaw to bring the True Stories podcast to listeners.
The show, which will focus on essays and journalism, has quite the lineup for its first season. Guests include The Heartbreak Years author Roxane Gay as well as prominent writers like Samantha Irby, Imani Perry, Alexander Chee, and a host of other notable storytellers whose work reflects the desire to share stories that leave an impact on the culture.
Philyaw, who authored The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, has also officially been named co-founder of the Ursa Story Company; and to celebrate the news, the team announced the launch of the podcast on social media.
“We knew we wanted to make something different with Ursa, and as Deesha says in an upcoming podcast, ‘Why do something on somebody else’s terms?’” read a post shared by Ursa Story Company via X.
“As we’ve seen with recent shakeups in the publishing and podcasting industries, it’s more critical than ever that we build our own communities and platforms outside of the traditional gatekeepers,” said Philyaw in an official statement. “Dawnie (Walton), Mark, and I are thrilled to keep building Ursa as a home for the great storytelling that we want to see and hear in the world, and keep doing it on our own terms.”
The Reckon True Stories platform commemorates refreshing and new nonfiction by focusing on essays, journalism, and memoirs that hone in on inspiration, changing the world while helping people to connect further.
Season one is set to launch on July 9.
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June 21, 2024
Turks and Caicos parliament has amended the ammunition law previously in place that would have left five Americans facing at least 12 years in prison after they were found with a handful of stray bullets in their luggage.
After a vacation to Turks and Caicos left five Americans behind bars, the island is revising its law regarding ammunition that put them in jail in the first place.
In May 2024, it was revealed that five Americans had been sent to jail within the past six months due to strict gun control laws in the 40-island chain that sits just southeast of the Bahamas. Michael Lee Evans, Sharitta Grier, Bryan Hagerich, Ryan Tyler Watson, and Tyler Wenrich were all detained at some point for having ammunition in their luggage.
While some were let out on bond and allowed to return to the States while they await trial, Oklahoma resident Ryan Tyler Watson was released but ordered to remain on the island until his court date.
Just days shy of his scheduled appearance in court, Turks and Caicos’ parliament announced its decision to repeal the law in place that required a 12-year minimum prison sentence for any firearm-related incidents. The move was made after what officials said was a “great amount” of back and forth with American lawmakers who have been negotiating with the country to ensure that its citizens are receiving what they believe is a fair trial.
Watson, among others who were also arrested and still awaiting trial, said that he had no intentions of bringing the handful of stray bullets that were recovered from his carry-on luggage when he arrived in Turks and Caicos. During an interview with Fox News Digital, the 40-year-old told reporters that the ammunition must have been left over from a previous hunting trip.
While Watson is still waiting to learn what his fate will be, it is important to note that the others charged were able to return home.
After 100 days in jail, the court allowed Pennsylvania resident Bryan Hagerich to return home after agreeing to allow him to skip time in prison under the condition that he pay a $6,500 fine.
Similarly, 72-year-old Michael Lee Evans was able to return home to Texas due to serious illness after pleading guilty to the possession of seven rounds of ammunition. Virginia native Tyler Wenrich was let go after paying a hefty fine amounting to $10,000.
Along with Watson, Florida resident Sharitta Grier is also awaiting her sentencing.
“We had no intentions of ever bringing anything into this country,” Watson said. “It was just trying to pack board shorts and flip-flops, and that was all we were concerned about bringing,” Watson previously told Fox News Digital. “So… it never dawned on us to research any of these things. And there are a lot of locals that have been just such a blessing and have had such gracious hearts.”
At the time of his arrest, the law around ammunition would have required Watson to prove that his arrest took place under “exceptional circumstances” to potentially prevent facing a severe punishment. The amended law leaves it in the hands of the courts to impose a lesser sentence.
In Watson’s case, a final decision will be made by the court on June 21.
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June 21, 2024
All content will be required to be in place by the start of 2025 and will be paid for via donations - as state funds will not be used towards the mandate.
Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed a bill into law that the Ten Commandments must be displayed in every public school classroom in Louisiana – making it the first state to do so.
The GOP-curated legislation was signed on June 19 – celebrated as federal holiday Juneteenth – and requires a poster-sized display of the Ten Commandments in “large, easily readable font” to be placed in all public classrooms ranging from kindergarten to state-funded universities. Landry credited the move as having “respect for the rule of law.”
“If you want to respect the rule of law, you’ve got to start from the original lawgiver, which was Moses, who got the commandments from God,” he said.
Along with the posters, students, teachers, and staff will be subjected to seeing them paired with a four-paragraph “context statement” describing how the Ten Commandments “were a prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries.”
All content will be required to be in place by the start of 2025 and will be paid for via donations — as state funds will not be used towards the mandate.
Religious freedom and civil rights advocacy groups are pushing back on the move. According to Fox 8 Live, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation released a joint statement on plans to file a joint lawsuit challenging the new law. “We are preparing a lawsuit to challenge HB 71. The law violates the separation of church and state and is blatantly unconstitutional,” the statement read.
“The First Amendment promises that we all get to decide for ourselves what religious beliefs, if any, to hold and practice, without pressure from the government. Politicians have no business imposing their preferred religious doctrine on students and families in public schools.”
The groups continued to highlight their thoughts on how “the government should not be taking sides in this theological debate.”
“Even among those who may believe in some version of the Ten Commandments, the particular text that they adhere to can differ by religious denomination or tradition,” the joint statement read.
However, supporters of the legislation claim the move isn’t based on religious purposes, but on the Ten Commandments’ historical significance. The law verbiage describes the Ten Commandments as “foundational documents of our state and national government.” Within the law, schools are authorized — but not required — to display the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance.
This won’t be the first state facing battles of religious elements being present in the classroom. In 1980, Kentucky lost a battle with the U.S. Supreme Court after ruling a similar law was unconstitutional and violated the U.S. Constitution clause, which says Congress can “make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” The high court found that the law served no secular purpose and served strictly a religious purpose.
As the mandate is added to a growing list of laws issued under conservative leadership, laws mirroring the legislation have been proposed in other states, including Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah.
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June 21, 2024
Kendrick Lamar broke the internet on Juneteenth with his Amazon Prime special "The Pop Out - Ken & Friends Concert."
Kendrick Lamar broke the internet on Juneteenth with his Amazon Prime special The Pop Out – Ken & Friends Concert.
The Grammy-winning rapper hit the stage for a 90-minute set that concluded with him performing his smash hit Drake diss “Not Like Us” five times in a row. Kendrick appeared intentional about his 22-track set list, which spanned his library of music dating back to his 2011 debut studio album Section 80.
Kicking off with his first direct Drake-aimed diss, “Euphoria,” the Compton native went on to perform a string of his fan favorites, including “DNA,” “Alright,” “Swimming Pools,” “m.a.a.d City,” and “Humble.” There was even a reunion of his old rap group, Black Hippy, consisting of Kendrick, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and Ab-Soul.
Kendrick performed three of his Drake diss tracks, “Euphoria,” “6:16 in LA,” and “Like That,” before bringing out L.A. legend Dr. Dre for a two-song set comprised of “Still Dre” and “California Love” before the Aftermath founder gave a surprise intro to “Not Like Us” that kicked off a legendary finale to the Juneteenth show.
If fans were expecting Kendrick to go easy on Drake, they had another thing coming. The “Element” rapper kicked off the show with his scathing Drake diss “Euphoria,” which included a new verse Kendrick introduced during the live show.
“Give me Tupac’s ring back, and I might give you a little respect,” he rapped.
The lyric comes in response to Drake buying a ring designed and worn by Tupac Shakur during his last public appearance before his death in 1996. The Toronto rapper purchased the ring in August 2023 at a Sotheby’s sale for a little over $1 million — over three times the presale estimate of $200,000 to $300,000.
Then came Kendrick’s now-viral performance of “Not Like Us” five times in a row. After having Dr. Dre kick off the song, Kendrick performed it up until his infamous “A Minor” line before running it back to the beginning.
After four consecutive performances of the hit diss track, Kendrick ended the show by bringing up a variety of friends, famous faces, and members of the Bloods and Crips gang for an iconic moment of unity, Black pride, and Black Boy Joy that was seen and celebrated by the masses.
NBA stars and L.A. natives Russell Westbrook and Demar DeRozan hit the stage to dance and sing along with Kendrick as well as rappers who performed opening sets for the show like YG, “Not Like Us” producer DJ Mustard, Tyler The Creator, Steve Lacy, Schoolboy Q, and many more.
The crowd loved every bit of it and exited the Kia Forum, singing “Not Like Us” as it played in rotation after Kendrick belted it out five times in a row.
The show was Kendrick’s first live performance since he and Drake traded numerous diss tracks last month. Drake has been pretty silent in the wake of the show, which is clearly in response to his ongoing feud with Kendrick. A member of his OVO crew shared a photo of the rapper wearing a “Revenge” t-shirt, which could hint at his plans for a comeback.
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June 21, 2024
"Bridgerton" is under fire for its queer storylines that some think are producers way of meeting a "diversity checklist."
“Bridgerton” is receiving fierce backlash to its introduction of queer storylines in its newest season with some accusing producers of trying to meet a “diversity checklist.”
The second half of “Bridgerton” Season 3 premiered on Netflix over the weekend and sparked division among die-hard fans of the book series and lovers of the Netflix-only version. The television version has always strayed away from the straight white male-dominated characters introduced by novelist Julia Quinn in the “Bridgerton” books.
With a diverse cast of Black and white royal suitors, Shonda Rhimes took the beloved book series in a new direction with her colorful television adaption. However, devotees of the book series appear to be taking serious issue with the newly introduced queer storylines of Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd).
A Reddit mega-thread captures many of the strong opinions fans are having about Benedict finally exploring the bisexual traits he’s teased since Season 1 and expanding them into steamy threesomes with women and men. Francesca’s storyline has surprised many after striking a flame with John Stirling, Lord Kilmartin (Victor Alli), up until she met his gorgeous cousin Michaela (Masali Baduza).
Now, seeing Francesca fall in love with Michaela instead of Sterling and Benedict transitioning toward a queer storyline has some fans in an uproar. From the looks of it, book devotees are more bothered by the main cast being used to introduce queer romances rather than secondary characters.
“The absolute DISRESPECT done to John Stirling by having Francesca marrying him as what is essentially her beard,” one Reddit user wrote. “It feels incredibly cheap. Write an original queer story. Give us more, Brimsley! Bring in a queer character! Stop. Fu*king. With. The. Main. Cast.”
“I think more people would have been fine with the Michaela change if it wasn’t for the fact that in the books Francesca was so devoted and in love with John,” added someone else.
The backlash was so fierce that it resulted in a Change.org petition demanding showrunners “Restore Michael Stirling of Kilmartin in the Bridgerton Series!” One week after its launch, the petition received over 22,000 signatures toward its 25,000 goal.
One fan expressed her outrage at having the book series character Michael changed to Michaela, who happens to be played by a Black woman.
“Some minor changes to enhance the story can be excused, but changing Michael to Michaela is 100% ruining the essence of the original plot,” the critic wrote. “And for what? This is just so they can check boxes on their diversity checklist.”
“Bridgerton” is no stranger to criticism over the changes made in the Netflix series. But having the main cast go queer and with a Black woman at the forefront has seemingly thrown the book devotees over the edge.
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June 20, 2024
Jayson Scott was picked up on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, reckless endangerment, and criminal possession of a weapon.
Jayson Scott, who is the son of recording artist Remy Ma, has been arrested in connection with a killing that took place in Queens, New York, in 2021.
According to NBC News, the 23-year-old son of the “Lean Back” rapper was picked up on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, reckless endangerment, and criminal possession of a weapon. Scott was arrested in connection to a June 7, 2021, fatal shooting of Darius Guillebeaux in Queens, New York. A second man, Richard Swygert, was also arrested and charged with murder according to the NYPD.
TMZ reported that Remy Ma gave a statement proclaiming that her son is innocent of the accusation.
“We stand by Jayson’s innocence and pray that the NYPD will conduct a complete and thorough investigation to reveal the truth. This is undoubtedly a difficult time for my family and me. While we sincerely appreciate the love and support we have received from all of you, we kindly ask for privacy as our legal team works to prove Jayson’s innocence.”
Officials told NBC News that police officers were summoned to a call regarding shots being fired at 148 Street and Rockaway Boulevard, which is near John F. Kennedy Airport, on June 7, 2021. The 47-year-old Guillebeaux was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds to his head and chest. He was transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Remy Ma is no stranger to prison having spent six years for a 2007 shooting that took place in New York. She was convicted on charges of assault, weapons, and attempted coercion charges.
AllHipHop reported that Scott’s attorney, Dawn Flori also represented Remy Ma after she was charged with striking another Love & Hip-Hop castmate in 2019. Florio also represented the recently sentenced Bishop Lamor Whitehead, who was just given a prison term of nine years on fraud charges.
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June 20, 2024
A judge ruled McDonald liable for over $3 million and the DOJ says he could face up to 20 years in federal prison for each fraud count.
Once a familiar face on CNBC as a financial analyst, James Arthur McDonald has found himself in the hands of law enforcement after he was arrested for fraud in Port Orchard, Washington, on June 15 after becoming one of the FBI’s Most Wanted for white-collar crimes.
Federal prosecutors announced his arrest on Monday, ending a manhunt that the U.S. Department of Justice reported began in November 2021 when McDonald failed to testify before the SEC regarding investor fraud allegations. Prior to his disappearance, McDonald reportedly terminated his communication channels and expressed intentions to “vanish.” In January 2023, a federal grand jury in Los Angeles indicted him on seven counts, including securities fraud, wire fraud, and investment adviser fraud.
McDonald, who frequently appeared as an analyst on CNBC, was CEO and chief investment officer of Hercules Investments LLC and Index Strategy Advisors Inc. The Department of Justice revealed that McDonald’s troubles stemmed from a risky investment strategy in late 2020. McDonald lost tens of millions of dollars of Hercules’s client money after adopting a risky short position that effectively bet against the health of the United States economy in the aftermath of the U.S. presidential election, a news release stated. Subsequently, he allegedly misled investors about a capital raise for Hercules, concealing previous losses.
One incident involved McDonald obtaining $675,000 from investors on March 9, 2021, which he allegedly spent on luxury items and property rentals. He also reportedly misrepresented his firm, ISA, as a registered investment adviser and provided false account statements to clients. The SEC filed civil charges against McDonald and Hercules in September 2022. On April 21, U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson found McDonald liable for approximately $3,810,346 in illicit profits.
If convicted on all charges, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison for each fraud count, ten years for unlawful monetary transactions, and five years for investment adviser fraud.
The FBI has updated McDonald’s profile to “captured.”
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June 20, 2024
Victim warns others to "be careful" when visiting the Bay area city.
A Florida family has pulled their son out of an Oakland, California university after thieves broke into their rental car and stole their belongings, including their passports and $3,000 in cash.
Rhomel Crossman arrived in Oakland on Saturday to attend Lincoln University, where he was slated to join the school’s football team as a defensive tackle. But the harrowing incident has caused the family to reconsider.
At around 6:15 p.m. Saturday, the family parked their rented Nissan Rogue on the corner of 15th and Franklin, a block away from the University. The family then went into a nearby Jamaican restaurant to pick up some food. They returned approximately 15 minutes later to find the car’s windows smashed and five suitcases gone. Along with their clothes, the thieves took personal documents, including three passports, social security cards, Crossman’s birth certificate, his high school diploma, and a sleep apnea machine. According to the family, a witness saw masked men driving in a car without license plates.
“I didn’t know that these things happen in America so it’s really strange to me,” Crossman’s mother, Nerrisa Murray Watson, told KTVU News.
Recently, San Francisco has earned the name “Bip City.” “Bipping” is slang that comes from the police term “burglary in progress,” according to The San Francisco Standard. Robbers commonly use a small hammer to break car windows without much force. As of March 2024, Oakland has seen a 32% increase in smash-and-grab robberies since last year.
According to Murray Watson, the family called 911 three times but were told that they had to go to a police station to file a report. Murray Watson referred to Oakland as a “lawless” city and she is concerned for her son’s safety.
“I have to bring my son to Florida because it’s not safe here,” she told KTVU News.
The outlet reached out to the University but did not receive a response.
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June 20, 2024
The 33-year-old attorney was not involved in the altercation that police say erupted before the shooting took place.
In a tragic turn of events, Lyndsey Vicknair, a respected attorney and North Texas native, died during a Juneteenth celebration after a shooting took place in Round Rock, Texas.
The incident occurred on June 15 at Old Settlers Park, approximately 20 miles north of Austin, where Lyndsey and her husband, Kevin Vicknair, were enjoying the festivities, NBCDFW reported. The couple was dining when gunfire erupted just before 11 p.m. Kevin recounted the heart-wrenching moment during a press conference: “She said, ‘I’m hit.'” Despite her husband’s efforts to perform CPR, Lyndsey succumbed to her injuries, leaving Kevin to break the news to their three children, ages one to seven, on June 16.
Dr. Michael Evans, senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, expressed shock at the loss of Lyndsey, whom he had known since childhood. “It was a sense of disbelief,” he said about the 33-year-old woman baptized at the church.
Lyndsey’s academic background included degrees from Prairie View A&M University, South Texas College of Law, Southwestern Law School, and the University of Oklahoma. Her commitment to community service was evident through her involvement in fundraisers, food drives, and other outreach events.
The Austin Bar Association extended condolences, stating, “Our prayers go out to her husband, Kevin, and their three children.”
Another victim of the shooting, Ara Duke, was also reported dead. Austin-Travis County EMS reported that six individuals, which included four adults and two children, were transported to trauma facilities with “potentially serious injuries.”
Round Rock Police confirmed that the shooting stemmed from an alleged altercation between two groups, emphasizing that neither Lyndsey nor Duke were involved in the dispute. Authorities are currently in pursuit of the shooter, described as a young African American male, approximately 19 to 20 years of age and about 5 feet 7 inches tall. Law enforcement officials have urged the individual to turn himself in. The department has established an online portal for witnesses to submit photo or video evidence.
A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to support Vicknair’s family. An obituary for Lyndsey states that visitation service is scheduled for June 21 in Mansfield, followed by a celebration of life on June 22, officiated by Pastor Evans.
