by Sharelle B. McNair

March 6, 2024

Michelle Obama’s Team Confirms Former First Lady Is Not Running For President 

How many times does she have to say it?

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Former First Lady Michelle Obama has no plans to run for President in 2024. 

Democrats have been calling on Obama to play a bigger role in politics, but in a statement from her office, her team confirms Obama is placing politics behind her, but is supporting her friends’ campaign. 

“As former First Lady Michelle Obama has expressed several times over the years, she will not be running for president,” Crystal Carson, director of communications, said. “Mrs. Obama supports President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ re-election campaign.”

Inside sources say the former First Lady will be assisting Biden and Harris with their 2024 campaign, but in a limited capacity. A little closer to Election Day, the Biden campaign is expected to maximize Obama’s star power. 

According to a senior advisor on Biden’s team, there have been conversations with the Obama family on campaign engagements, including being involved with her “When We All Vote” voter registration group, promoting organized turnout and closing the registration gap between young voters and people of color. 

Biden’s campaign spokesperson, Kevin Munoz, recognizes how beneficial the Obamas were in helping the former VP secure the office in 2020 and hopes the same will happen in November 2024. “President and Michelle Obama were enormously helpful in the fight to beat Donald Trump and elect President Biden and Vice President Harris the first time, and we are grateful to have their voice and support in the fight for the fate of our democracy this November,” Munoz said. 

Mrs. Obama’s announcement isn’t just hurting Democratic voters but Republican officeholders as well. According to The Hill, GOP leaders such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), Sen. Ted Cruz (TX) and failed presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy publicly pushed the narrative that Obama was set to replace Biden on the upcoming ballots – without any evidence. But some Republican-leaning voters seem happy that Obama’s name won’t appear. 

Following her announcement, a voter from Texas reacted to the news on Fox, saying, “Thank God. Yes!” Seeking a reaction from a woman ahead of the March 5 primaries, the voter doubled down on her response, claiming she wouldn’t vote for a woman regardless. “I wouldn’t vote for a woman. And especially, you know, Nikki Haley, I’m just going to say this: she’s probably menopausal,” she said. 

“We don’t need that.”

As mentioned in her statement, this isn’t the first time Obama shut down campaign rumors. In 2019, she said there was “zero chance” she would run for President. During an interview with BBC, Obama said she “detests” the questions she receives about running for office. 

Most recently, as a guest on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, Barack’s wife said the upcoming election results keep her up at night. “Our leaders matter. Who we select, who speaks for us, who holds that bully pulpit – it affects us in ways that sometimes I think people take for granted,” she told Shetty. “I am terrified about what could possibly happen.”

• News History

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 6, 2024

Wisconsin GOP Leaders Block Task Force To Find Missing and Murdered Black Women, Girls 

Y'all know who NOT to reelect, right?

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Republican Sen. Duey Stroebel says he won’t schedule a hearing to vote on legislation to find missing and murdered African American women and girls.

Bi-partisan Assembly Bill 615 (AB-615) would create a task force of law enforcement officers, lawmakers, legal experts, and violence-focused groups to create policy recommendations on improving safety measures for Wisconsin-based Black women and girls by December 2024.

Created in 2023 by State Rep. Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison), the legislation is supported by several, but without a Senate committee hearing, it is unlikely to receive a vote during the Senate’s final floor session at the end of March 2024. 

Stubbs was inspired after meeting with mothers of missing daughters like Georgia Hil, whose daughter, Lasheky, has been missing since March 2023. After Stubbs said she “heard Ms. Georgia’s cry,” Hill thought it would be ideal for someone to do something. “That would be great if they can do that because a lot of Black girls are just left out of here being statistics,” Hill said. 

According to Fox 6 Milwaukee, Black women and girls made up 36% of total missing women in the U.S. in 2022. Stubb’s idea for the task force would be comprised of 17 members with the responsibility of examining factors that contribute to violence against Black women and girls.

“We want to look at patterns, underlying factors, to explain why its disproportionate higher levels of violence that occurred,” she said. 

As a personal issue to her, the lawmaker believes Black women and Black girls not only deserve to grow up in Wisconsin but be safe as well. “Those missing Black women look like me. Those little missing Black girls look like my daughter,” Stubbs said.

However, Strobel, the committee chair overseeing the legislation, says there are barriers to his decision.

“First and foremost, the creation of a task force within the state Department of Justice is not contingent on the enactment of legislation — Attorney General Josh Kaul has the power to do this already, as he has in the past,” Stroebel said, referring to the task force on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Kaul created in 2020.

Pointing out that he has spoken to bill authors, Strobel added that the facts that led to the bill’s creation “omit critical context regarding crime victimization.”

“I believe that every person who is missing or murdered deserves equal justice under the law,” he continued. 

“I have a difficult time legislating in a way that allows the government to prioritize justice based on a victim’s race or gender…I simply do not support advancing legislation to create a state government task force focused on only one facet of a much broader societal problem.” 

A number of state-supported entities, including the City of Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, have issued their support of the bill. With that level of support, Stubbs said Strobel’s comments were shameful, but his reasoning was an added reason for the task force’s need. “Let the experts go to work, to begin to look at the data, to begin to look at what’s happening. Something is happening,” Stubbs said. 

“I want to be clear that Black women and Black girls experience violent crime victimization at higher rates than white women, despite making up less of the population of the state of Wisconsin, in the United States, and … I believe that my effort should be taken seriously, and I want to make sure that this legislation gives us greater accountability, transparency and closure for African American female victims of violence.”

• Sports

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 6, 2024

Denver Broncos Are Done With Russell Wilson After 2-Year Run

It's goodbye to the Broncos for Russell Wilson.

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After trading for him to join the Denver Broncos as the team’s quarterback, the NFL team has decided to cut ties with Russell Wilson after two lackluster seasons.

The Broncos released a statement from the team’s general manager, George Paton, and head coach, Sean Payton, that as of March 13, Wilson will no longer be a member of the Broncos.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 6, 2024

Miami Beach ‘Breaks Up’ With Spring Breakers In New PSA Video

The City of Miami Beach is officially breaking up with spring breakers in a new video, following the aftermath of the violence that occurred last March.

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Miami Beach is done with the constant crowds and recklessness that spring breakers plague the city with annually. The city released a new commercial telling the partygoers that the fun is no longer in South Beach.

After last year’s spring break festivities led to shootouts that killed two people, Miami Beach is setting a boundary with the many college students who flock to the area for its nightlife and beaches.

The campaign, “Miami Beach is Breaking Up With Spring Break,” warned reckless vacationers that their trip to South Florida would be much different if they chose to travel there.

“You just want to get drunk in public and ignore laws,” one actor shared.

Provided by the City of Miami Beach, the video referred to the violence that occurred last March, showing headlines of the shootings that led to an overnight curfew to contain the large crowds.

“That was our breaking point, so we’re breaking up with you,” expressed another.

Announcements of spiked parking fees, restricted beach access, and bag checks will be among the many new provisions to the area. To combat drunk driving, DUI checkpoints will also be initiated throughout the city to ensure people are not intoxicated behind the wheel.

Furthermore, they emphasized that a more substantial police presence and repercussions for drug possession and violence will be enacted, as the city government wants to ensure the onset of brutality faced last year won’t happen a second time.

According to Today, the city intends to close the beach at 6 p.m. and charge out-of-state patrons exorbitant parking garage fees.

The new regulations intend to make Miami Beach a less-than-ideal option for those who indulge in such activities. The PSA suggested they “rekindle” relations with spring breakers only when they grow out of this reckless period.

• Celebrity News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 6, 2024

Michelle Williams Shades Herself In New Uber Eats Australia Commercial

Michelle Williams jokes on being an unrecognizable celebrity in a new commercial for UberEats.

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Michelle Williams joked that she was unrecognizable in a new commercial for UberEats.

In the new video that dropped on March 3, Williams referenced herself as being a lesser-known member of Destiny’s Child, in which the ’90s girl group also included Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé. The commercial, which will air for Australian audiences, shows Michelle walking around the park, recalling how she’s rarely recognized as a celebrity.

“OK, OK, my Uber One membership savings don’t disappoint,” Williams expresses in the 45-second clip. “You know what is disappointing? I was in one of the most iconic girl groups, and no one recognizes me.”

The rest of the advertisement pokes fun at the running joke, with multiple instances of someone calling her name but not for the reasons she hopes. While the ad shocked the public with its blatant address of the awkward subject, Williams spoke about her feelings on her Instagram. She touched on how “much fun” the shoot was and how the joke is really on the haters.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 🦋Michelle “Bridgerton” Williams🦋 (@michellewilliams)

“I get to be in on the jokes. Certain jokes y’all know I don’t care too much about, especially 24 years later. There are just certain things I don’t care about anymore,” the 44-year-old said. “So what a cool way to be like, ‘The joke ain’t on me, it’s really on you.’ You know, I don’t care. So that was so much fun.”

She also commented on The Neighborhood Talk’s post about the UberEats ad, letting people know she is truly at peace with others’ perceptions of her.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

“I hollered when I read the script,” shared Williams. “I know that I am loved! There was a time [when] I didn’t feel that way. I am human! When you don’t live for the applause of man, you can truly live a life of peace!”

As her post-Destiny’s Child career continues to blossom, the entertainer is preparing for a new “blessing” in the role of ‘Viola Van Horn’ in Death Becomes Her on Broadway.

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 6, 2024

Electric Vehicles Release More Toxic Emissions Than Regular Gas-Powered Cars

A study showed that brakes and tires on EVs release 1,850 times more emissions than modern tailpipes.

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A recent article in the Wall Street Journal has brought attention to a study released in 2022 stating that electric cars release more toxic emissions in the air than gas vehicles.

According to a study released by Emission Analytics two years ago, newer electric vehicles release more toxic particles and are worse for the environment than gas-powered cars. The report, after analyzing hundreds of new tires, concluded that “comparing real-world tailpipe particulate mass emissions to tire wear emissions” in everyday driving equates to brakes and tires releasing 1,850 times more particulate matter than modern tailpipes that use filters that reduce emissions.

The New York Post reported that most vehicle-related pollution comes from tire wear today. And since electric vehicles, on average, are 30% heavier than regular cars, the brakes and tires on the electric vehicles wear down quicker than the ones on standard cars.

The Biden administration has mandated that two-thirds of new cars in the states be all-electric by 2032.

“You have a tradeoff. At the moment, the political agenda is very strong towards climate change reduction. EVs do deliver about a 50% reduction in CO2 — that [affects] climate change,” Nick Molden, the founder and CEO of Emissions Analytics, told The New York Post. “But you have this downside of EVs that increases particle pollution. Air pollution is about what we breathe and the health effects.”

Emission Analytics also stated that there is an important difference between tire and tailpipe particle emissions. The emissions from a regular car reportedly go straight to soil and water. But, with electric vehicles, the emissions are suspended in the air for a period, negatively affecting the air quality.

Molden offered a solution. He stated that “the best first thing” to do is to “change the recipe, minimize the number of toxic chemicals in the tires — then you got the best of both worlds.”

• Celebrity News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 6, 2024

Chris Brown Must Pay Back Nearly $2 Million Loan Over Popeyes

Chris Brown now must pay back a nearly $2 million unpaid loan to City National Bank, which was supposed to be used to purchase Popeyes franchises.

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Chris Brown has gotten into a sticky situation, this time with fast food staple Popeyes Chicken. The singer must repay a $2 million loan that was supposed to be used to buy two of the franchise’s restaurants.

Brown was supposed to expand his investments into the fried chicken hotspot with partners, such as music producer The Dream. However, their plans never materialized, leading to an unpaid loan that a Los Angeles court finally ordered Brown to repay.

The court confirmed another lawsuit on the matter filed in Georgia, where City National Bank (CNB) first sued the entertainer in September 2023. With both courts now ordering Brown to cough up the over $1.76 million in damages, CNB can now begin the process of obtaining the hefty funds from the 34-year-old entertainer.

CNB stated that the loan was initially taken out in 2018, with accrued interest making its updated total over $2.1 million. Brown was listed as a “personal guarantor” who specifically owed over $1.3 million for the loan.

Brown has 30 days to respond and acknowledge the decision upon the filing’s official date. The filing also details a warning about the steps that could be taken if he does not comply, including the potential seizure of his property.

“This court may order that a writ of execution or other enforcement may be issued. Your wages, money, and property could be taken without further warning from the court,” detailed the court document. “If enforcement procedures have already been issued, the property levied on will not be distributed until 30 days after you are served with this notice.”

No further information has been released on why Brown did not move forward with his Popeyes expansion. This is also not his first venture into franchising, owning several Burger King locations throughout his home state of Virginia. However, his latest legal trouble is one that is now non-negotiable, and Brown must deliver the millions or else face further repercussions.

by Rafael Pena

March 5, 2024

Meek Mill And Akademiks Offered $1M To Settle Feud In Celebrity Boxing Match

Meek Mill and Akademiks may have the opportunity to settle their recent beef in the ring, with a $1 million purse awaiting the winner.

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Rapper Meek Mill and internet personality Akademiks may have the opportunity to settle their recent beef in the boxing ring, with a tempting $1 million purse awaiting the winner, according to Complex. Damon Feldman, CEO of Official Celebrity Boxing, extended the offer, revealing May 18 as the potential date for the match in Atlanta.

Feldman, who spoke to TMZ about the proposal, expressed his readiness to facilitate the event, providing a training camp at Gonzalez Gym for Akademiks and securing assistance from business partners at Miami’s King of Diamonds for venue arrangements.

“DJ Akademiks, always starting sh*t — listen, man, you gotta step up,” urged Feldman. “I already have the boxing training camp for you at Gonzalez Gym. Meek Mill, he already has a trainer with Monique Jackson. You gotta make this happen. May 18 in Atlanta. Celebrity Boxing has $1 million on the table.”

The CEO’s proposition emerged following Akademiks’ initial challenge to Meek Mill, accusing him of calling the police to his home and labeling him a “snitch.” Akademiks suggested a public or private fight to settle their differences, stating, “[21] Savage can set it up in private, you can set it up in public. We could get a price. He’s a bully that I think is p*ssy, so let’s settle it with the hands.”

This development comes amid a recent exchange of heated remarks between Meek Mill and Akademiks, sparked by the latter’s suggestion that Meek’s name was redacted in a sexual misconduct lawsuit against Diddy filed by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones.

With the potential for a high-stakes boxing match, fans and onlookers eagerly await responses from Meek Mill and Akademiks to see if they will accept the offer and step into the ring on May 18 for what could be a memorable showdown.

RELATED CONTENT: Meek Mill Overcome With Emotion And Tears Up As Pennsylvania Governor Signs Probation Reform Bill

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 5, 2024

Meek Mill Wants To Migrate To Ghana Because The U.S. Wants Black Men In Check

Meek Mill is ready to migrate to the Mother Land due to how the U.S. is "made to tear Black men down."

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Meek Mill is ready to migrate to the Mother Land due to how the U.S. is “made to tear Black men down.”

The Philadelphia rapper has been sounding off on Twitter amid the release of his new music and his suspected name drop in the latest sexual assault lawsuit involving Sean “Diddy” Combs. Meek remains under fire as many on social media question if he is one of the redacted names in the new bombshell lawsuit.

After denying allegations of being gay last week, the Grammy-nominated artist is now expressing his desire to leave the U.S. and become a citizen of Ghana.

“I wanna get citizenship in Ghana!!!! America made to tear black men down if you don’t follow orders!” Meek tweeted on Monday, March 4.

Meek is no stranger to the West African country as he last performed in Ghana at the Afro Nation music festival. While there, he visited the Jubilee House where he met with Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He received backlash when he filmed portions of a music video at a seat in government. However, he apologized and has continued to show his love for Ghana and desire to work with Ghanaian artists.

All the while, Meek remains under scrutiny after a footnote in Comb’s latest bombshell lawsuit listed the redacted name of a rapper the Bad Boy founder claimed to have been intimate with as “a Philadelphia rapper who dated Nicki Minaj.” The lawsuit was filed by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, a former producer and videographer for Combs, who accuses the hip-hop mogul of repeatedly sexually assaulting him while he was working on his latest album, The Love Album: Off the Grid, from September 2022 to November 2023.

Amid the criticism coming his way, Meek took to Twitter last week to deny any and all gay allegations surrounding his name.

“I’m from Philly I don’t do coke or freaky a** molly … nobody won’t even offer me coke because I’m that heavy,” he tweeted last Wednesday. “No man or watt would ever approach me about gay activity and the whole place don’t get flipped … woke up seeing this on every blog like they know I’m coming! lol.”

“Yall see these rappers with gay styles they want that look … leave that too (sic) them I come from that gangsta s–t surviving in the jungle!” he wrote in a separate message.

When a fan told Meek that he had the “right to remain silent,” the rapper replied, “I have the right to say I ain’t gay and I’ll trash anybody that play with my manhood lol”.

RELATED CONTENT: Meek Mill Overcome With Emotion And Tears Up As Pennsylvania Governor Signs Probation Reform Bill

• Women

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 5, 2024

Queen Latifah Returns To Host 55th Annual NAACP Image Awards Honoring Amanda Gorman And June Ambrose

Queen Latifah will serve as the master of ceremonies for the 55th annual award show that will honor Amanda Gorman and June Ambrose.

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Queen Latifah is returning to host the NAACP Image Awards for the second year in a row.

The legendary actress, artist, and entrepreneur will serve as the master of ceremonies for the 55th annual award show that will honor Amanda Gorman and June Ambrose, among many others. The awards will air live on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET and CBS.

The NAACP Image Awards announced the news on Tuesday, March 5. With Queen Latifah as host, Gorman will receive the prestigious Chairmain’s Award for her work as an award-winning writer, inaugural poet, and activist. Ambrose will receive the Vanguard Award for her prominence as an award-winning creative director and costume designer.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with groundbreaking megastar Queen Latifah and are elated to welcome her again as this year’s host! We also look forward to honoring changemaker and poet Amanda Gorman and fashion icon June Ambrose for their tremendous impact on culture,” Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET said.

“Queen Latifah, NAACP, and Pastis have been such incredible partners in amplifying Black culture, excellence, creativity, and ingenuity, and this year’s unforgettable show will be no different.”

The Chairman’s Award is granted to individuals who exhibit outstanding public service and leverage their respective platforms to foster catalysts for positive change. Gorman’s honor with the distinguished award follows that of U.S. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, Samuel L. Jackson, the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis and Ruby Dee, Danny Glover, Rev. James Lawson, Tyler Perry, then-Senator Barack Obama, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and former Surgeon General Regina Benjamin.

“Amanda Gorman stands as one of the brightest young voices in our nation and has emerged as a formidable force inspiring a new generation of leaders towards transformative change through her advocacy efforts and poetic brilliance,” Leon W. Russell, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors said.

“With her exceptional talent and unwavering commitment to positive change, Gorman continues to leave an indelible mark on the literary and social landscape, proving that words have the power to shape a better future.”

All the while, June Ambrose will be celebrated for her decades of creating iconic looks for some of the biggest names in music, film, and sports, and her prowess as a businesswoman.

As a fashion icon and cultural pioneer, June Ambrose has not only shaped the visual landscape of pop culture but has also elevated the conversation around the importance of diversity and inclusion in the world of fashion and entertainment,” Karen Boykin-Towns, Vice Chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors, and Chairman of the Image Awards Committee said.

“Her multifaceted contributions have left an enduring legacy that transcends fashion, paving the way for a more representative and dynamic industry.”

Along with Gorman and Ambrose, some categories for the 2024 NAACP Image Awards will be televised. Those who won’t be televised will be recognized March 11-13th during the Awards Dinner on March 14th and Fashion Show on March 15th.

RELATED CONTENT: Keke Palmer Thinks Her Hollywood Retirement Is ‘Around The Corner’