by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 5, 2026

The Washington Post Lays Off Hundreds Of Workers, Former Staff Calls It ‘The Darkest Days’

The Washington Post is being criticized by current and former staff after laying off a third of its newsroom.

The Washington Post employees are speaking out after layoffs cut about a third of the newsroom, a move former executive editor says “ranks among the darkest days.”

On Feb. 4, the Jeff Bezos–owned legacy outlet laid off hundreds of workers after weeks of uncertainty, with Editor-in-Chief Matt Murray announcing the cuts during a morning meeting and calling them part of a “strategic reset,” The Guardian reports.

“It’s an absolute bloodbath,” one staffer who spoke anonymously said.

In an audio recording of the meeting, Murray acknowledged that the Post, founded in 1877, has struggled to reach audiences and cited the need to compete in a crowded media landscape as a reason for the layoffs.

“Today, The Washington Post is taking a number of actions across the company to secure our future,” he said.

As part of the shakeup, the Post is ending its current sports desk and reassigning some staff to a new team. The outlet is also restructuring local coverage, scaling back international reporting, eliminating its books desk, and suspending its flagship daily podcast, Post Reports.

Murray said about 12 international bureaus will remain, with a focus on national security coverage.

“We all recognize the actions we are taking today will be painful – most of all, of course, for those of you who are directly affected, but for everybody,” Murray told staffers on the call. “I know that the reset is going to feel like a shock to the system and raise some questions for everybody.”

One editor who was laid off on Wednesday blamed the Post’s publisher, Will Lewis, who remained silent during the morning conference call.

”Will Lewis’s legacy (already pretty bleak to begin with) will be having enabled Bezos to tank an American institution,” the staffer, who spoke anonymously, said, “And he wasn’t even brave enough to face his staffers more than once in his tenure at the Post. Embarrassing to say the least.”

The Washington Post is one of several legacy outlets grappling with shifts in readership and revenue, as major city newspapers like the Los Angeles Times struggle amid audiences’ growing reliance on social media for news.

Murray said the changes were meant to make the Post “more essential to people’s lives” in an increasingly crowded and competitive media landscape. Laid-off employees will remain on staff through April 10 without working and will receive six months of continued health insurance.

Godfrey Wade, Jamaica, soldier, deportation

by Jameelah Mullen

February 5, 2026

U.S. Trying To Kick Out Army Vet Who Risked Life For A Country That Now Rejects Him

The 65-year-old came to the U.S. legally as a teen.

An Army veteran who has lived in the U.S. for over 50 years is in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody and faces deportation. Jamaican-born soldier, Godfrey Wade, has been in ICE custody for nearly five months.

Wade came to the U.S. legally in 1975 when he was a teenager. He served in the Army’s 7th Infantry Division in Aschaffenburg, Germany. The veteran received an honorable discharge before joining the civilian workforce.

“That was his foundation, and he took pride in it and made us believe in the U.S. Army,” Emmanuela Wade, the veteran’s daughter, told CBS News.

“He lived as a lawful permanent resident for decades, working as a chef, tennis coach, and fashion designer. “He’s dipped his hands in everything that makes America good,” Emmanuela said.

On Sept 13, 2025, police pulled Wade over in Conyers, Georgia, for failing to use a turn signal. Authorities then arrested the veteran for driving without a license.

In the days following his arrest, ICE detained him, citing a 2014 removal order stemming from a bounced check in 2007 and a 2006 simple assault charge.

Wade’s attorney tells CBS News that a domestic argument, during which someone knocked over pots and pans, led to the assault charge, but no one was accused of physical assault. The attorney added that Wade paid for the bounced check and related fines. Authorities issued a removal order, but Wade did not appear in court for a 2014 hearing. However, the veteran said he was never notified about the hearing. Court records show that hearing notices sent to an address used by ICE were returned as undeliverable. Because of the 2014 removal order, Wade has not had a hearing. His attorney has filed an appeal to reopen his case.

After his arrest, authorities took Wade to Atlanta’s ICE field office and then transferred him to Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, where he stayed for several months. In a phone interview with 11 Alive News, Atlanta Wade discussed his ordeal.

“For 52 years I’ve lived in this country and raised my children, worked hard, paid my taxes,” he said. “A lot of the processes of immigration I didn’t know about. I’m learning more while I’m in here,” Wade told the outlet.

ICE’s online detainee database shows Wade currently listed as “in ICE custody” at Richwood Correctional in Louisiana. According to his attorney, Wade is on a flight manifest to Jamaica this week.

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 5, 2026

During Black History Month?! Trump Administration Alleges Nike Discriminated Against White Staff

The news of the probe sent shockwaves through social media

One of the biggest supporters of Black athletes, Nike, is being investigated by the Trump Administration for alleged discrimination against white employees.

On the fourth day of Black History Month, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced the investigation into unspecified claims that the retail conglomerate discriminates against white employees, CNN reported. While the Feb. 4 filing failed to mention individual victims, the investigation claims to be at the benefit of “all White employees, former employees, prospective employees, and current and prospective training program applicants and participants who have been, continue to be, or may be in the future adversely affected by the [alleged] unlawful employment practices.”

The probe puts the spotlight on “NIKE’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-related 2025 Targets and other DEI-related objectives” with the agency seeking information from Nike dating back to 2018 for “race-based workforce representation quotas” in addition to information on layoffs and promotions they allege were in part due to race.

Nike, the world’s largest sportswear and apparel company, the birthplace of the iconic Jordan brand, and home of LeBron James and A’ja Wilson’s sneakers, called the allegations “a surprising and unusual escalation” and seemingly said they have nothing to hide, saying they already “shared thousands of pages of information.” “We are committed to fair and lawful employment practices and follow all applicable laws, including those that prohibit discrimination,” the company said in a statement.

“We believe our programs and practices are consistent with those obligations and take these matters seriously. We will continue our attempt to cooperate with the EEOC and will respond to the petition.”

Court filings push the allegations as a continuation from May 2024 when EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas, then-commissioner, presented the charge herself in May 2024. Since being appointed chair by President Donald Trump in November 2025, Lucas has spearheaded an uptick in claims of white discrimination, putting a battery in the back of employees who feel discriminated against. “Are you a white male who has experienced discrimination at work based on your race or sex? You may have a claim to recover money under federal civil rights laws,” she wrote in a X post.

Employment advocates like Sam Mitchell says the probe is evidence that no one is too large or small to be the subject of scrutiny. “Nike is being made an example of,” the Chicago based lawyer said.

The news of the probe sent shockwaves through social media as some allege Nike has faced discrimination allegations in the past. “White Employees at Nike really saw Black People getting promoted & said “can’t have that” & sued the company during BLACK HISTORY MONTH lmao…I always heard racism was rampant at the Swoosh but yikes,” @sneakerphetish said.

White Employees at Nike really saw Black People getting promoted & said “can’t have that” & sued the company during BLACK HISTORY MONTH lmao…I always heard racism was rampant at the Swoosh but yikes. pic.twitter.com/n1eVlhTBKf
— Kari (@SneakerPhetish) February 4, 2026

Another user posted a past campaign with NFL blackballed quarterback Colin Kaepernick, seemingly supporting Nike.

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 5, 2026

OpenAI President Exposed As Mega MAGA Donor. Now There’s A Growing Campaign To Cancel ChatGPT

Brockman’s exposure as a Trump supporter is just another example of some of the world’s most profound tech leaders cozying up to the president as American voters witnessed the likes of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta and TikTok’s Zhang Yiming cheering him on.

Reports reveal Greg Brockman, co-founder and president of ChatGPT’s parent company OpenAI, and his wife, Anna, made massive donations to President Donald Trump and “MAGA Inc.” super PAC, equaling $25 million, The Verge reports.

Now, there is a growing call to cancel the beloved AI system for good.

Brockman’s exposure is just another example of some of the world’s most prominent tech leaders getting on the president’s good side, as American voters witnessed the likes of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, and TikTok’s Zhang Yiming cheering Trump on during the 2025 inauguration. There were similar campaigns to have those platforms crossed off as well, but for ChatGPT, the stakes are a little higher.

AI has provided positive resources for many, but with popularity comes the risk of harmful exposure. For example, AI has been used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to attack and harass both legal and illegal immigrants as well as U.S. citizens. A recent report revealed that Amazon’s Ring secretly dialed back its privacy policy, which banned police access to private videos, and that footage was made accessible to federal agencies.

OpenAI is doing something similar—ICE is using its technology to screen job applicants for its deportation operations. Historian, author, and co-founder of The School of Moral Ambition, Rutger Bergman, sounded the alarm about the initiative and offered ways to stop it.

In a video posted on LinkedIn, Bergman says, “one of the most impactful things you can do to fight ICE and stand up to Trump is to cancel your ChatGPT account.” He also exposed how OpenAI has led efforts, with other Silicon Valley leaders, to oppose stricter AI laws and attacked politicians who favor them.

In a lengthy post, Bergman offered alternatives to ChatGPT and highlighted the damage already done, given Brockman’s support for Trump.

“They’ve already dropped from 87% market share to 65% in a single year. They spend three dollars for every dollar they bring in. Their entire business model depends on you believing there’s no alternative,” Bergman wrote.

“But Claude exists, Gemini exists, open-source alternatives like Confer, Alpine, and Lumo exist, and most people who try them say they’re just as good or better.”

Social media influencer Blakely Neiman Thornton also touched on why the world should dial back its reliance on software. In hilarious ways, Thornton pushed the narrative that ChatGPT sponsors illiteracy and Nazis as another reason to cancel the platform.

“They are our dementia-riddled dictator’s biggest donor and currently collaborating with his cadre of murderous, insecure bigots to terrorize hardworking immigrants, detain children and murder U.S. citizens,” he said.

He also exposed how OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has put the company in $96 billion in debt, with the software not far behind.

“Much like that ragged, chlamydia-riddled Chucky doll, ChatGPT is deep in debt. Extremely vulnerable to boycott,” the influencer said.

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A post shared by Blakely Neiman Thornton (@blakelythornton)

“Even if you’re too goddam lazy to Google, you can still f*** these bastards over by using Gemini or Claude. Delete ChatGPT….if you’re too lazy to stop using a Nazi-sponsored chatbot, well then you, much like our democracy currently, can rot!”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 5, 2026

Inglewood Daycare Worker Axed After Throwing Shoe At 5-Year-Old

Three women were fired from an Inglewood daycare center after video caught one woman throwing a shoe at a 5-year-old girl.

Three daycare workers in Inglewood, California, were fired after a video showed one woman hurling a shoe at a 5-year-old girl.

Michelae Jones said she was outraged after viewing surveillance video that showed a worker at Destiny Development Center throwing a shoe at her five-year-old daughter, who has special needs, KTLA reported. The now-viral video shows the worker throwing the shoe as two other employees looked on, one of them appearing to laugh.

Jones said the school was slow to respond after she demanded to see the footage when her daughter came home and described the incident the same night it occurred.

“I’ve been with these people for three years,” Jones said. “I really thought my baby was safe with them.”

https://twitter.com/slausongirlnews/status/2019117495681159565

Jones said she contacted the school’s director, Danielle Williams, immediately after learning of the incident, but didn’t hear back for two weeks, prompting the child’s aunt, Kira Townsend, to question the school’s protocols.

“I want to know how often are they reviewing the footage?” Townsend said. “How do you have a business and you don’t review the footage unless a parent says something? Why do we have to wait for my niece to come and tell us, ‘Hey, my teacher hit me in the ear with a shoe.’”

Williams told Jones she was investigating the incident, later claiming the caregiver was tossing shoes into another room and that the child was accidentally struck in the head.

”My school, what we stand for, it’s not child abuse,” Williams said. “We don’t hire child abusers.”

Following an investigation, the caregiver, only identified as “Ms. Emily,” was fired, while the other two caregivers were put on suspension for not reporting the incident. But after finally reviewing the footage, the other two caregivers were also terminated.

“This is not a representation of my school,” Williams said. “It’s a representation of a bad hire. It’s not what we stand for. We don’t approve of abuse. I’ve been doing this for too long. I have a heart for kids. I love what I do. I love children.”

Jones said an apology and the caregiver’s firing aren’t enough, and is calling for criminal charges against Ms. Emily for assault and child abuse.

”You need to be in jail like any other child abuser,” she said. “That’s what I want. Justice.”

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is reportedly investigating the incident.

“People send their children to daycares and to schools, thinking that our children are safe, that they’ll be protected, you know, they’ll be loved, they’ll be treated with kindness,” Townsend said. “In this video, that did not display that at all.”

by Mitti Hicks

February 5, 2026

NY Gov. Kathy Hochul Selects Adrienne Adams As Running Mate, Forming First Women-Led Ticket

Adams was first elected to the City Council in 2017. She served as the first Black Speaker of the New York City Council from January 2022 through the end of 2025.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has selected former City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate for re-election. By adding Adams to the ticket, this is officially the first all-women ticket for the state’s top offices.

“I’m grateful to begin building the next chapter of New York’s future with Adrienne Adams, our next lieutenant governor,” Hochul said in a statement. “Raised by two union workers, Adrienne knows what it means to work hard and stand up for those who need it most.”

Hochul is facing current Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado in the June Democratic primary. Delgado selected India Walton as his running mate, who identifies as a Democratic Socialist.

Gov. Kathy Hochul Faces Delgado In The New York Democratic Primary

Whether it’s Hochul or Delgado, the Democratic nominee for New York governor will face the likely Republican nominee, Bruce Blakeman, who is the current Nassau County Executive.

Adams was first elected to the City Council in 2017. She served as the first Black Speaker of the New York City Council from January 2022 through the end of 2025, after reaching the term limits for her seat. She ran for New York City mayor but was unsuccessful.

“There’s too much on the line for us to let Donald Trump raise costs, rip away child care, and wage war on New York families — and Gov. Hochul and I are ready for this fight,” she said. “Let’s get to work.”

Recent polling by Siena University in January found that Hochul is the most favorable candidate at 49%. The poll shows that Hochul would defeat Blakeman and Delgado by more than 50 percentage points.

According to reporting from Politco, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expected to endorse Hochul in her reelection. While Mamdani’s endorsement could be a near-fatal blow to Delgado, it has sparked some criticism.

Hochul has not budged on her stance to raise income taxes on millionaires, something Mamdani is pushing to address New York City’s $12 billion budget deficit. The governor has not reportedly embraced Mamdani’s priority of free bus services.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 5, 2026

Speedskater Erin Jackson Picked As US Flag Bearer For Winter Olympics

After winning gold and making history at the 2022 Beijing Games, Erin Jackson has been selected as a US flag bearer for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Speedskater Erin Jackson, the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at a Winter Olympics, is returning to the winter games and will represent the country in a major way.

Jackson, along with bobsledder Frank Del Duca, an Army sergeant from a family with deep Italian roots, was chosen to carry the U.S. flag at the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, AP News reports. Jackson, 33, and Del Duca, 34, were selected by their fellow Olympians, marking Jackson as the eighth U.S. speedskater to lead the team into the Games and Del Duca as the first bobsledder in 70 years to do so.

“Being chosen to represent the United States on the world stage is a tremendous honor,” Jackson said in a statement.“

Speaking to reporters, Jackson recalled practicing with her team when she got the news, which she described as “a really cool moment.”

“I knew that I was kind of in a list of maybe seven or so people,” she said in a clip shared on Instagram. “I didn’t know what my chances were because there were a lot of really heavyhitters and really worthy people to carry the flag. So yeah, it was definitely a surprise.”

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A post shared by Yahoo Sports (@yahoosports)

Jackson, a Florida native, rose to sports fame when she won a gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Games in the 500 meters, making history as the first Black woman from any country to win gold in any event at any Winter Olympics, something she found to be very surprising.

“It was just really surprising, I guess, because I felt like ‘How could that be?’” she said ahead of the Milan Cortina Games. “When you think about how many Winter Olympics we’ve had, I just thought it was really strange. I hope people can see my story and the stories of other Black women in winter sports and then, hopefully, we’ll have more coming up soon.”

She now regards her role as a flag bearer as a “tremendous honor,” proud to represent both her family and her country on such a grand stage.

“It’s a moment that reflects far more than one individual — it represents my family, my teammates, my hometown, and everyone across the country who believes in the power of sport,” Jackson said. “The Olympics remind us of the power of sport to connect and inspire, and I’m proud to carry that forward on the Olympic stage.”

by Ahsan Washington

February 5, 2026

These Iconic Celebrities Stood 10 Toes Down During Civil Rights Movements

They leveraged their fame to fight for justice

Throughout Black history, there have been celebrities who have leveraged their fame to fight for justice. A number of entertainers and athletes have used their influence to fight inequality and support civil rights movements while humanizing these struggles.

Cultural icons who chose conviction over comfort have proven through their actions to be major forces within social progress. When we analyze these figures beyond celebrity, we see how their intentional public influence changed legislation and public opinion to inspire future freedom fighters.

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder used his voice, songs and visibility as a music legend and civil rights advocate to fight for justice. Through his song “Happy Birthday,” he led a campaign to establish a national Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The celebratory track kept King’s dream and mission in the public eye and the call to action pressured Congress. The King holiday became official in 1983, thanks to Wonder’s dedicated efforts.

Harry Belafonte

During the 1950s and 1960s, Harry Belafonte supported the civil rights movement as an award-winning singer, actor and activist. He provided financial support to the movement, took part in major protests, helped with bail for arrested demonstrators and used his celebrity status to back civil rights initiatives in the United States and abroad. Belafonte used his fame to confront and dismantle racial barriers. The famed actor supported liberation movements through action instead of seeking recognition while facing personal and professional setbacks.

Lena Horne

Through her fame as a singer and actor and civil rights advocate, Lena Horne used her platform to fight segregation in the South. At rallies and through her support of the NAACP, she appeared at the 1963 March on Washington to motivate people to fight for equality. Her actions demonstrated how celebrity influence could create social change and disrupt racial inequality.

Jim Brown

In 1967, Jim Brown organized the Cleveland Summit which united leading Black athletes to back Muhammad Ali’s decision to resist the Vietnam draft. Brown established economic empowerment organizations to support the Black community. Brown felt athletes should fulfill responsibilities outside of sports even if doing so puts their careers at risk.

Aretha Franklin

The legendary singer and civil rights supporter Aretha Franklin used her artistic talents and financial resources to fight for justice during the 1960s and 1970s civil rights movement. Franklin performed at movement concerts, provided financial support to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and defended Angela Davis when others hesitated. Franklin stressed the need to challenge existing social order when peace did not respond.

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali, the world’s most notable heavyweight champion, became a movement icon for refusing to be drafted into the Vietnam War for moral and racial reasons. The choice to reject the draft resulted in Ali losing his best boxing years and facing legal disputes. Ali’s resistance occurred between the 1960s and 1970s during national protests and courtroom proceedings. Ali’s Islamic beliefs connected directly to civil rights activism.

Nina Simone

During the 1960s civil rights era, Nina Simone, a vocalist, pianist and unapologetic civil rights activist, used her music to bring awareness to the nation’s racial issues through songs such as “Mississippi Goddam” and “To Be Young, Gifted and Black.” Simone’s music exposed injustice and rallied resistance. She transformed her individual suffering into political art through performances in concert halls and demonstrations.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 5, 2026

Lil Jon’s Son, DJ Young Slade, Has Been Reported Missing

'The family is asking for privacy at this time. We are also asking for continued prayers for Nathan to come home safe.'

Sad news coming from Georgia regarding Atlanta music producer Lil Jon’s son, Nathan Smith. The Milton Police Department has put out a missing person alert for Smith, also known as DJ Young Slade.

The 27-year-old entertainer has been reported missing since Feb. 3, as the alert states that he may be in a disoriented state. He has not been seen since he reportedly left his home at 6 a.m. that morning. He did not have his phone on him, and his friends and family are very concerned about his whereabouts.

The police department has described Young Slade as 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds, with brown eyes and short black hair.

People reported that Lil Jon’s publicist has released a statement: “The family is asking for privacy at this time. We are also asking for continued prayers for Nathan to come home safe. Thank you”

Young Slade is the son of Lil Jon and his former wife, Nicole Smith, who were married from 2004 until their “amicable split” in February 2024. Slade is trying to follow in his father’s footsteps and released a single, “Feels,” last March.

The young DJ was featured last year on MTV’s Family Legacy.

During an interview with The Quintessential Gentleman, he expressed his desire to follow in his father’s footsteps as he finds his own way in the music industry.

“I produce my own beats, I record and mix my own songs. In the future, that’s what I plan to do. Just rapping, singing… and just creating my own sound, creating my own genre, creating my own fan base,” he said. “Just trying to do something different that nobody’s done before.”

The Milton Police Department asks anyone with information or who has seen Slade or knows his whereabouts to contact the non-emergency Milton Police dispatch line at 678-297-6300, option 1.

by Jameelah Mullen

February 5, 2026

Sparkle Shuts Down Grooming Allegations, Says She Tried To Shield Niece From R. Kelly

Sparkle’s niece, Reshona Landfair, alleges her aunt was partly responsible for her abuse in a new memoir.

R&B singer Sparkle, a former R. Kelly protégé, is speaking out against new allegations from her niece, Reshona Landfair, who claims she was groomed and abused by Kelly as a teenager. Landfair asserts that her aunt, whose real name is Stephanie Edwards, played a role in introducing her to Kelly and her subsequent abuse.

Landfair is the 14-year-old girl in the sexually explicit video that became key evidence in his federal court case. Kelly was later convicted on several charges, including child pornography, bribery, sex trafficking, and multiple Mann Act violations. The singer was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

In her memoir Who’s Watching Shorty?: Reclaiming Myself from the Shame of R. Kelly’s Abuse, Landfair accuses her aunt Sparkle of encouraging her to get closer to R. Kelly. According to Landfair, the encounter led to years of physical and mental abuse.

Sparkle, who is best known for her 1998 duet with Kelly, “Be Careful,” responded to the allegations on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sparkle (Stephanie Edwards) (@isparklei)

“Any suggestion that I groomed, facilitated, or enabled harm to my niece is untrue and deeply painful, especially given my documented history at the time and throughout,” the R&B singer wrote.

She explained that after discovering her niece was spending time with Kelly unsupervised, she contacted DCFS and cooperated with authorities. She also mentioned that she testified against Kelly in his 2008 child pornography case, even though she was advised not to. Sparkle said she testified against the disgraced musician because she prioritized her niece’s safety over her career.

The singer sent her niece well wishes and mentioned that Landfair might still be trying to understand what happened to her and who could be responsible for the harm.

“I wish her continued healing and peace as she continues to not only find her voice, but hopefully require accountability from those closest to her.”

Released on Feb 3, 2005, Who’s Watching Shorty? Reclaiming Myself from the Shame of R. Kelly’s Abuse is available for purchase in audio or hard copy formats.