by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 9, 2025

Gloria Gaynor Is The Proud Recipient Of Medal Of Honor From Trump

Gloria Gaynor was all smiles while receiving her Kennedy Center Honors medal from Donald Trump.

Gloria Gaynor was all smiles at the Oval Office while receiving a 2025 Kennedy Center Honors medal from Donald Trump.

The “I Will Survive” singer was front and center alongside Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, members of KISS, and Michael Crawford, all of whom received custom Tiffany & Co. gold medals on the newly introduced blue ribbon after the Trump administration replaced the traditional rainbow ribbon used in previous Kennedy Honors ceremonies, The New York Post reported.

“This is a group of icons whose work and accomplishments have inspired, uplifted and unified millions and millions of Americans,” Trump, the Chairman of the Kennedy Center, told the room. “This is perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class of Kennedy Center Honorees ever assembled.”

Outside the Oval Office, the Rose Garden played classics like Gloria Gaynor’s 1978 anthem “I Will Survive” and KISS’s “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” along with other hits from the performers. In a follow-up Instagram post, the Kennedy Center honored “the Queen of Disco” Gaynor and announced that the ceremonies will air on Dec. 23.

“The Queen of Disco herself, Gloria Gaynor, winner of the first-ever Grammy for Best Disco Recording, arrives on the Kennedy Center red carpet as we celebrate her induction into the 48th Honors class,” the Kennedy Center wrote.

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The comments section showed mixed reactions to Gaynor being dubbed “the Queen of Disco,” with some arguing that the title rightfully belongs to the late Donna Summer.

“The Queen of Disco is Donna Summer. Put some respect on her name, a One Hit Wonder could never. So shut up, please,” one user wrote.

Another user defended Gaynor, calling her a “pioneer” of disco music. The mixed reactions to her Kennedy Center Honor follow reports of her support for the Republican Party, revealing donations of about $22,000 since 2023 to right-leaning politicians, including Mike Johnson, Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz, and Marsha Blackburn. Gaynor—who made the donations under her birth name, Gloria Fowles—processed many of the contributions through WinRed, a Republican fundraising platform.

After skipping the honors during his first term amid artist protests, Trump said he was “heavily involved” in this year’s selection process and personally filtered out some potential honorees, a task traditionally handled by a bipartisan committee. The 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors will air nationwide on CBS and Paramount+ on Tuesday, December 23, at 8 PM ET/PT.

William McNeil, viral video, Recording The Police

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 9, 2025

D.C. Police Chief Resigns After 2 Years Amid DOJ Investigation And Criticism From Metro Police

On Dec. 8, Smith announced her resignation alongside D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, following Bowser’s earlier declaration that she would not seek reelection, NBC News reports

Pamela Smith, the first Black woman police chief to lead D.C.’s Metropolitan PD, has resigned after just two and a half years in the role.

On Dec. 8, Smith announced her resignation alongside D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, following Bowser’s earlier declaration that she would not seek reelection, NBC News reports. Smith’s departure comes two years after her 2023 appointment, which occurred during a 26-year high in homicides.

“I am deeply humbled, grateful, and deeply appreciative of my time with the District of Columbia,” Smith said in a statement. “Serving as Chief of Police has been the greatest honor of my career, and I want to extend my sincere thanks to Mayor Muriel Bowser for appointment me to this position and to the DC Council for their steadfast support throughout my tenure.”

Bowser noted that Smith was appointed during a “challenging time” for D.C., with a focus on reducing crime. She highlighted Smith’s achievements, including the opening of the Real-Time Crime Center, while “navigating unprecedented challenges and attacks on our city’s autonomy.”

“Chief Smith dramatically drove down violent crime, drove down the homicide rate to its lowest levels in eight years, and helped us restore a sense of safety and accountability in our neighborhoods,” Bowser said. “We are grateful for her service to Washington, DC.”

Smith’s resignation comes amid mounting criticism and investigations, including Trump’s takeover of the MPD and inquiries by the DOJ and House Republicans into whether MPD supervisors misclassified certain city crimes to inflate statistics, which led to a police commander being placed on leave in May. Some residents have also voiced frustration over what they perceive as MPD’s cooperation with ICE, citing instances where ICE agents arrived at scenes shortly after MPD arrests.

Smith, however, denies that her officers assist with immigration enforcement. The MPD has also shrunk to just 3,200 officers, some of whom have criticized her management style, claiming she regularly berated staff during crime briefings and meetings, allegedly embarrassing commanders over minor errors or perceived challenges to her authority. Additionally, some officers allege that high-ranking officials who raised concerns about her policies were reassigned to less desirable shifts or positions, creating a “chilling effect” across the department.

In her resignation statement, Smith described the role as both challenging and rewarding, thanking D.C. residents for their “trust and partnership.” She added that the city has made “tremendous progress” while noting that “there remains work ahead.”

“I am confident that the department is in a strong position and that the great work will continue, moving in a positive trajectory to combat crime and enhance public safety,” Smith said. “Washington, DC, is an extraordinary place to live, visit, and work, and I remain inspired by the resilience and spirit of this community.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 8, 2025

Keffe D’s Tupac-Related Murder Trial Pushed to August 2026

The trial was supposed to start June 2024

Because of a flood of new evidence in the trial of former gang member Duane Keith “Keffe D” Davis, who is accused of being involved in the killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, the trial has been pushed back again, to August 2026.

According to KSNV, the trial, which was initially scheduled to start on June 3 last year, was postponed to Nov. 4, 2024, and then, after Keffe D began using new attorneys, it was set for Feb. 9, 2026. Now, it’s been pushed back again until Aug. 10, 2026.

The accused suspect’s attorney, Robert Draksovich, requested that the trial be delayed due to the volume of discovery they need to access, which he described as “voluminous.” Vegas prosecutors did not object to the delay before District Court Judge Carli Kierny granted it.

Draskovich and Michael Pandullo started representing Keffe after the inmate was found guilty of fighting another inmate while in the Clark County Detention Center. He was sentenced to 16 to 40 months in prison, but was given credit for time served.

Keffe D has been incarcerated since he was arrested on September 29, 2023, in Henderson, Nevada, as prosecutors allege that he was involved in the killing of Tupac. The former gang member has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder for allegedly being involved in the killing of the Juice actor. The popular rapper and actor was killed when he was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996, after he was seen attending a Mike Tyson fight that evening. He died six days later at the age of 25.

Las Vegas prosecutors say they have strong evidence that Keefe incriminated himself in a book that he wrote and released back in 2019, Compton Street Legend, as well as during many interviews he has given to police and media outlets since 2008.

If found guilty of the charges against him, Keffe faces life in prison.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 8, 2025

Former Diddy Security Guard Roger Bonds Explains How Diddy Video Reached Netflix

'This is business'

After the world kept its attention on the Diddy RICO trial earlier this year, it’s now turned its interest to the Netflix docuseries, Sean Combs: The Reckoning. As viewers of the documentary are curious about how the footage featuring Diddy as he prepared for the trial was gathered, Roger Bonds, a former security guard for the embattled entertainment mogul, offered a theory about how the video could have been sold to Netflix.

During the documentary, scenes of Diddy speaking with his attorney were recorded, alongside other clips from the Netflix series. Bonds, who was once on the protection team for the No Way Out producer, explained in a viral video how a clip could have gotten into the hands of someone who wasn’t working with Diddy or his team. He explained that the business antics of Diddy involved hiring people who were either hungry to get into the game or naive to the business practices of Diddy, who is said to have allegedly taken advantage of them. Either leading to them working for much less than they agreed to, making the amount they were promised, but having to work substantially more than the agreed-upon time frame, or no payment at all.

“When these young boys come in, first of all, [Diddy] only deals with young videographers. Because he wants to rob them, and he knows that they want the opportunity to follow Puff Daddy. So they get them at a low price anyway. But when you stay out so many hours a day… Puff wants a videographer with him 24 hours a day. Whether we on a yacht, whether we on a ship. Wherever we’re at, he wants to videotape that, right? So now, they come to an agreement, whatever the pay is gon’ be.”

Bonds said that discontent from workers who weren’t paid or were deceived about the amount they would be paid, possibly in retaliation, will sell footage gathered during that time to get paid for their work and time. “Particularly, people who are not as enamored with Diddy as other young people may be, looking for a chance to work with someone like diddy.”

“But then it be so many hours on that invoice that he don’t want to pay,” Bonds said. “He gets in touch with the office, the chief of staff, ‘Yo, what is this I’m paying?’ You know what you paying, you was outside all of these hours. It’s 160-something hours in a week. You was outside 140. Being if you got a contract, and he don’t stand to that contract, guess what happens? [The videographer] can do whatever he wants to do with that footage. So now that footage goes to the highest bidder. And 50 had to be the highest bidder. This is business. Everybody ain’t in love with you. Everybody ain’t dedicated, everybody ain’t loyal to the point of stupidity. Trust me.”

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Nigerian teen, inventor, glasses, visually impaired, Khalifa Aminu

by Ahsan Washington

December 8, 2025

Black Designers Will Keep You Warm In The Latest Outerwear

Check out the winter coat vibes

The sharp cool breezes of autumn are now shifting into a winter chill, and this season’s outerwear does more than just add warmth. Coats and jackets are a proclamation of identity and style.

These Black designers are unveiling outerwear that weaves functionality and style into statement pieces and delivering an even colder style to the outdoors.

Check out the winter coat vibes of these seven Black designers to keep an eye on.

The Brooklyn Circus

Ouigi Theodore’s Brooklyn Circus marries the glow of vintage Americana with a contemporary cultural lens. Its wool‑and‑leather varsity jackets and tailored outerwear read like chapters of a living legacy, each item deliberately woven as a story and retailing for $765.

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Advisry

Keith Herron founded Advisry, a label that blurs the line between art and urban streetwear. The collection’s outerwear, ranging from bomber jackets to wool coats, offers individual expression and a touch of insurgent creativity. These jackets are fashioned for the mind and the inventive spirit, delivering warmth at around $204.

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Daily Paper

Daily Paper sprang from the collaboration of three friends of diaspora descent. Each season, they unveil collections that marry silhouettes, eye‑popping prints, and puffers sculpted with rigor, fusing the restless energy of global streetwear with a visual language that screams vibes. The mid-length puffer coat retails for $375.

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House of Aama

House of Aama, the label launched by mother‑daughter duo Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka, infuses folklore and ancestry into its designs. Their sweeping trench coats, tailored dusters, and elongated jackets are fashioned from fabrics that echo historic influences. These outer pieces transcend clothing; they become stories, draping the wearer in a regal narrative. The duster coat is quite stylish and runs $900.

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Hope for Flowers

Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese is a Detroit‑based label that delivers crafted coats and jackets. The pieces showcase fine tailoring, a palette of inviting tones and textiles that marry eco‑consciousness with style, demonstrating that sustainability can be effortlessly chic. It’s the pick for anyone after timeless outerwear that fits an environmentally aware lifestyle.

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The Rad Black Kids

From the sun‑soaked streets of California, Rad Black Kids stitch together sustainability and the free‑wheeling world of surf and skate. Their recycled‑fabric outerwear jackets sit just right, and plush fleece pieces that feel like a warm hug and fuse an eco‑conscious mindset with a bold, youthful rebellion.

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Public School NYC

Public School NYC, co‑founded by Maxwell Osborne, has become a benchmark for streetwear, constantly showcasing its signature aesthetic. Its outerwear, heavy‑duty jackets, utilitarian coats, and the like, fuse utility with a distinctly high‑design sensibility.

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Jason Derulo Vows To ‘Never’ Be Alone with Female Colleagues After Dismissed Sexual Harassment Case

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 8, 2025

Jason Derulo Vows To ‘Never’ Be Alone with Female Colleagues After Dismissed Sexual Harassment Case

'There's truth in every joke. But it's a sad truth.'

Jason Derulo says he will no longer be alone with female colleagues after his sexual harassment case with a singer was dismissed for a second time.

The singer and TikTok star appeared on the Dec. 4 episode of In Depth with Graham Bensinger, where he discussed the sexual harassment lawsuit repeatedly filed by singer Emaza Gibson. Dismissed twice in two states before being refiled in New York, the case continues to shadow Derulo.

“Never work with women,” Derulo said when asked what he’s learned from the ongoing legal battle.“I will never be alone in a room with a woman that I work with… ever, ever again. There’s truth in every joke. But it’s a sad truth.”

Gibson, known professionally as Emaza Dilan, originally filed the lawsuit in California and Nevada. Both cases were dismissed. In September, she refiled the suit in New York.

Her lawsuit claimed Derulo sexually harassed her and became “deeply hostile” after she rejected him.

According to Gibson, Derulo contacted her in 2021 about signing for his joint venture with Atlantic Records, promising mentorship and collaborations that left her “over the moon.”

But Gibson alleged the dynamic shifted when Derulo pressured her to drink during late-night meetings and made explicit comments on Nov. 2, 2021—even suggesting she’d need to participate in “ritualistic sex acts” to succeed. After she refused, she said Derulo grew distant and stopped supporting her career.

In his interview, Derulo addressed some of the more shocking accusations in the lawsuit, including one claim ,that he “sacrificed a goat in a sexual ritual,” which he flatly rejected.

“That case was dismissed twice,” Derulo said. “And I lost so many brand deals, relationships off of a story that was not even slightly believable.”

The “Talk Dirty” singer also questioned the media’s handling of the case, noting how the dismissals received far less coverage than the initial allegations. “Why didn’t they post the dismissal at least?” he asked. “Wouldn’t that be fair? G*d d*mn. None of that? It’s crazy.”

When it comes to responding to what Derulo called the “distasteful” allegations, no matter how he responds “there’s no winning.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 8, 2025

Former NBA Player Elden Campbell Found Dead In Pompano Beach

The 57-year-old's drowning death was ruled as an accident

Former NBA player Elden Campbell was discovered dead when his body washed ashore in Pompano Beach, Florida, after authorities received an emergency call stating that it “looked like a dead person on the floor in a white casket.”

“The NBA mourns the passing of Elden Campbell (1968-2025). The No. 27 overall pick in the 1990 NBA Draft, Elden played 15 NBA seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Hornets, Seattle SuperSonics, Detroit Pistons, and New Jersey Nets. Campbell won an NBA… pic.twitter.com/fHVe7DJV8b

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) December 3, 2025

According to The New York Post, Campbell, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers as a center during his NBA career, was found dead on Dec. 1. Officials ruled his drowning death “an accident,” but, according to Broward County Chief of Investigative Services Thomas Steinkamp, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the incident.

A caller who noticed Campbell’s body phoned police officers to inform them of his discovery.

The media outlet obtained the 911 call made at the time the person reported it.

“It looks like a casket,” the man can be heard telling the operator on the call. “It looks like a human body on the floor — like, dead.

“I didn’t get close to it. But I put on my camera, and I zoomed in, and I was zooming in, and it looked like a dead person on the floor in a white casket.”

Carey Todd, a spokesperson for the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, stated that the investigators arrived on the scene before 8 p.m. and found Campbell dead “next to a jet ski.”

He also told the media outlet that “the information about the casket was inaccurate,” Todd said.

“At this time, there is no foul play suspected, and the death investigation is ongoing.”

The 57-year-old played college basketball at Clemson and was selected with the 27th overall pick by the Lakers in the 1990 NBA Draft. During his 15-year career, he averaged 10.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while playing for the Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Hornets, Seattle SuperSonics, Detroit Pistons, and New Jersey Nets. He helped the Pistons win an NBA championship in 2004.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Trump, ballroom, DC Hillbillies

by Mitti Hicks

December 8, 2025

Jasmine Crockett Announces Senate Run In Texas

Crockett faces an uphill battle in Texas. Texas has not elected a Democrat for the U.S. Senate since 1988.

After weeks of speculation, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett has launched a Senate bid on Dec. 8 ahead of the 6 p.m. candidate filing deadline. Her bid comes after she publicly stated that she was exploring a Senate run through her own internal polling.

She now joins a March 3 Democratic primary field, alongside Texas State Rep. James Talarico of Austin. Former Texas Rep. Colin Allred suspended his Senate campaign Monday and said he will run for Congress in Rep. Julie Johnson’s seat.

“In the past few days, I’ve come to believe that a bruising Senate Democratic primary and runoff would prevent the Democratic Party from going into this critical election unified against the danger posed to our communities and our Constitution by Donald Trump and one of his Republican bootlickers, Paxton, Cornyn, or Hunt,” Allred said in a statement. “That’s why I’ve made the difficult decision to end my campaign for the U.S. Senate.”

Crockett, 44, currently represents District 30 in the Dallas area. She won her seat in 2022 after Eddie Bernice Johnson hand-picked her as her successor, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Her Senate bid comes after the state’s controversial mid-decade redistricting that moves her out of District 30. The Supreme Court recently sided with Texas, saying the new map could be used for the 2026 election.

If elected, Crockett would be the first Black woman and first person of color from Texas to serve in the Senate.

Crockett faces an uphill battle in Texas. Texas has not elected a Democrat for the U.S. Senate since 1988, when Lloyd Bentsen won re-election. The last time a Democrat served in the U.S. Senate from Texas was in 1993, when Robert Krueger was appointed to fill Bentsen’s vacancy after he resigned to become U.S. Treasury Secretary.

While a University of Houston Hobby School poll from late September found Crockett leading the primary field against other senator hopefuls at 31%, she loses the general election matchup against each of the three Republican candidates.

However, Crockett believes she has a chance, particularly with turning out unlikely voters.

“I am very formidable, regardless of what people may want to put out into the atmosphere,” she said on MS Now. “The numbers are the numbers.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 8, 2025

Angel Reese, Reebok Prep Release Of ‘Midnight Diamond Dust’

The footwear is the latest Angel Reese 1s

Angel Reese, or at least her products, have been staying in public view, and her latest Reebok release is hitting retailers on December 11.

According to Sports Illustrated, the Chicago Sky power forward’s signature Reebok Angel Reese 1 will release a “Midnight Diamond Dust” colorway just in time for the holiday and winter seasons.

In addition to being available to purchase on the Reebok website, the latest Angel Reese 1s will be available at Dick’s Sporting Goods at 10:00 a.m. on the release date. The sneakers will retail for $120.

https://twitter.com/JustFreshKicks/status/1997761782480519663

“From sunup to sundown, the ‘Midnight Diamond Dust’ colorway represents the long days followed by long nights of putting in the work,” said Reese in a written statement. “Like the original Diamond Dust colorway, this new edition is for all those who hustle to achieve their dreams.”

Earlier this year, during July’s WNBA All-Star Weekend, the Reebok Angel Reese 1 was previewed, and when they went on sale, they sold out on the sneaker giant’s website minutes after their Sept. 18 debut.

This is not to be confused with the expected “Mebounds” sneakers that Reese introduced earlier this year after she patented the term, as basketball fans gave her rebounds the moniker, “mebounds,” because they discounted the number of rebounds she gets in WNBA games, as she typically gets rebounds off her own missed shots during the game.

Reese has been a partner with the brand since before her professional career began, when the company signed her to a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal. At the same time, she played collegiately at Louisiana State University (LSU). When the Sky drafted her, Reebok kept her when it extended her contract, which included a signature basketball shoe and apparel collections.

Reebok Basketball President Shaquille O’Neal (also an LSU alum) has made Reese the face of the brand.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 8, 2025

Thousands Of Crayola Products Recalled Nationwide Over Child Safety Concerns

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled thousands of Crayola CreatOn Pip-Cubes over potential safety risks to children.

Thousands of Crayola’s CreatOn Pip-Cubes toys have been recalled over risks of serious injury or death to children.

On Dec. 4, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of Crayola-branded CreateOn Pip-Cubes, which pose a risk of “ingestion hazard” for children. According to the CPSC, approximately 9,400 units are affected, as the magnetic building cubes “can come loose if the seams separate.”

“When high-powered magnets are swallowed, the ingested magnets can attract to each other, or other metal objects, and become lodged in the digestive system. This can result in perforations, twisting, and/or blockage of the intestines, blood poisoning and death,” the CPSC warns.

The Pip-Cube sets, priced around $20 and made in China, were sold at Michael’s stores nationwide and online at Michaels.com and Amazon.com from May to July. Each cube features the Crayola brand name on the left side, and the model/UPC numbers for the recalled items are located on the bottom of the packaging. The recalled sets include 24- or 27-cube packs in “Bold Colors” (red, green, blue, yellow) and “Glitter” (purple, pink, blue, green) editions.

The CPSC reported that no injuries have been linked to the product so far. Consumers are urged to “immediately stop using the recalled magnetic building cubes” and return them using a pre-paid label provided by CreateOn. Replacement Pip-Cubes are also available.

According to the CPSC, CreateOn will provide a pre-paid mailing label for returning any recalled cubes. A Crayola spokesperson confirmed that the recalled Pip-Cubes are Crayola-licensed products made by CreateOn and that the company is cooperating with the CPSC’s recall.

“CreateOn takes product safety very seriously, and we are fully cooperating with the CPSC on this voluntary recall,” the spokesperson said. “We have implemented all required actions, including notifying consumers, updating our website with recall instructions, and working with our retail partners to remove affected product from shelves.”