January 18, 2024

Elon’s Muff: Chicago Drivers Stranded As Tesla Charging Stations Falter In Cold

"I have seen at least 10 cars get towed away from here because the cars, they died, they've run out of battery."

If electric cars replace gas-based vehicles in the future, some kinks need to be worked out first.

According to ABC 7 News, with the Chicago area in a cold snap, many charging stations are not working properly, inconveniencing drivers who need to recharge their batteries.

“Our batteries are so cold it’s taking longer to charge now, so it should take 45 minutes; it’s taking two hours for the one charger that we have,” said Brandon Welbourne, who owns a Tesla. “I have seen at least 10 cars get towed away from here because the cars, they died, and they’ve run out of battery. It’s too cold; it uses too much of the energy to try to keep the car somewhat reasonable temperature, so everybody is getting towed away, and we have nowhere to charge.”

Other drives became stranded waiting for other drivers to attempt to have their batteries recharged in the cold weather.

“Right from outside the highway, there’s a whole line of cars, about over 20 cars, all Tesla cars, and you can look around here. Every single car is a Tesla car, full with Tesla cars this whole parking lot. And we’re waiting and waiting for over an hour,” said Sajid Ahmed, a Tesla driver. “It’s unfortunate that these cars are sitting dead in the spots.”

Fox 32 Chicago received some advice for owners of electric vehicles from Mark Bilek of the Chicago Auto Trade Association.

“Like any new technology, there’s a learning curve for people. It’s not plug-and-go. You have to precondition the battery, meaning that you have to get the battery up to the optimal temperature to accept a fast charge,” Bilek said.

He added that all-electric vehicles can have issues when dealing with extremely cold weather.

Tesla did not respond to Fox 32’s request for comment.

Defense Submits Tape In Tupac Murder Case Alleging Diddy’s Involvement

by Rafael Pena

January 18, 2024

Defense Submits Tape In Tupac Murder Case Alleging Diddy’s Involvement

Duane 'Keefe D' Davis claims that hip-hop mogul Diddy offered him a million dollars to assassinate Tupac.

In the ongoing court case related to the murder of iconic rapper Tupac Shakur, defense lawyers have submitted a tape featuring the key suspect, Duane “Keefe D” Davis, claiming that hip-hop mogul Diddy offered him a million dollars to assassinate the West Coast legend, according to The Source. The tape, submitted on Jan. 11, reportedly has Keefe D laughing about his alleged involvement with Vegas police, while Diddy’s voice is absent in the recording.

According to The U.S. Sun, the submitted tape reveals Keefe D‘s assertion that Sean Combs, known as Diddy, wanted Tupac and rival Suge Knight eliminated due to escalating tensions between the East Coast and West Coast factions in the hip-hop industry. While the clip lacks Diddy’s voice, it forms part of the defense’s strategy to introduce various suspects into the case.

This latest accusation against Diddy adds to a series of longstanding rumors and speculations regarding his potential involvement in the Tupac murder case. In 2011, LAPD Detective Greg Kading alleged that Diddy played a role in the conspiracy to commit the murder, based on Keefe D’s statements during their investigation. Kading explained that the conspiracy was said to have developed in Los Angeles during conversations between Keefe D and Puffy Combs.

“We got Keefe D’s back up against the wall,” Kading recalled, detailing how they began to piece together the information. The detective emphasized that protecting Keefe D as a witness was crucial to advancing the investigation and tying it to other alleged conspirators. Diddy has consistently denied any involvement in Tupac’s murder.

The accusations and speculations surrounding Diddy’s role in this historical case have persisted for years, contributing to ongoing discussions and gossip within the hip-hop community. As the court case unfolds, the defense’s submission of the tape adds another layer to the complex narrative surrounding Tupac Shakur’s death, keeping the spotlight on the enduring mystery that has captivated the music world for decades.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 18, 2024

Fourth Grader Wins MLK Day Oratory Competition In Houston

Nine-year-old Montoia Murray wins Houston's Oratory Competition centered on Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech.

A fourth grader won Houston’s Independent School District Oratory Competition in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Montoia Murray won out of 165 fourth- and fifth-graders across 20 schools in the area in the Jan. 12 MLK competition.

The competition showcased students’ speeches in reflection of Dr. King’s famous words. This year’s theme was “How Would Dr. King Reflect on the 60 Years Since His ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech” for all students to incorporate into their performance. The competition has been in place for months, with its finale event taking place in the weekend ahead of the federal holiday, Houston Public Media reported.

Its series of rounds were held in fall 2023, leading to 12 finalists to take the stage. Murray ranked the highest on account of her delivery, stage presence, and content interpretation, among other factors. The nine-year-old won the top prize of $1,000, with all participants winning a backpack and iPad for their hard work.

Of the importance of this annual event, one of its sponsors spoke of how it carries on King’s legacy.

“This weekend is about remembering Dr. King,” said Claude Treece, a partner at sponsoring law firm Foley and Lardner. “We think it’s important to do something that takes that into account and to get kids to think about him. Then to get speeches where they are out there and people hear them and they think about them. They hear how Dr. King continues to matter in our kid’s lives.”

While the competition initially started in Dallas in 1993, it expanded to other cities such as Houston in 1997, with a Chicago contest founded in 2020. For nearly two decades, it has been a time-honored tradition and event for young students to sharpen their speaking and writing skills, while also remembering the history and advocacy of Dr. King.

With her win, Murray is making her parents proud as she honors the words of the civil rights icon through her own speech.

“I’m elated,” said Chadanet, Murray’s mother. “I knew she was a star. I knew from very young.”

X formerly known as twitter, charging, social media, engagement, initial. tagging, sell, over post, social media, management, NYPD

by Kandia Johnson

January 18, 2024

How To Respond To Negative Customer Feedback On Social Media

Nowadays, if you're a business owner, your customers expect and demand an immediate response. Meet the answers to their prayers: social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter or review sites like Yelp. So, do you know how to respond to customer complaints on social media?

Originally Published Apr. 19, 2018

Long gone are the days when customer complaints went directly to a customer care call center or cluttered email inbox. Nowadays, if you’re a business owner, your customers expect — and demand — an immediate response. Meet the answers to their prayers: social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter/X or review sites like Yelp. So, do you know how to respond to negative customer feedback on social media?

From losing money and potential customers to not getting investors and positive media coverage, ignoring comments can be a recipe for disaster for your business. And take note, this rule applies to businesses of all sizes. Even mega brands and companies such as Delta Airlines have adapted to the new way of responding to customer complaints. On top of everything else, most customers make purchasing decisions based on reviews found online. Even if the review is negative, when customers see that management is responding in a professional and timely manner, it may humanize your company and influence them to still invest in your services.

Embracing customer feedback is a priceless way to improve your services, get new product ideas and set innovative trends in your market. Look at it this way; customer complaints are simply insights to help you level up in business — especially when it comes to recurring feedback regarding quality or level of service.

How to Respond to Negative Customer Feedback: Four Tips

Monitor when your business name is mentioned online

Simply set a Google Alert for your name or business name and you’ll receive an email when your name is published in the news. Mention is another insightful business and media monitoring application that collects data from social media. Beyond providing a list of when your name, business name, or product or service is mentioned, it can also analyze competitors, and generate reports.

Have a short statement prepared

Use a prepared statement to respond to customers via social media as well as a sentence, which directs them to continue the conversation offline (e.g., customer care number or Direct Message). In a customer’s eyes, a lack of response is a decision to ignore them. So try to respond within an hour. For instance, “Hey Danielle, thanks for letting us know! Can you… Apologies for the inconvenience.”

Own your mistakes publicly

In extreme cases where something went terribly wrong and a customer complaint has gone viral on social media, apologize and communicate with specific ways that you will improve. Lack of accountability sets the foundation for distrust and can create a domino effect of failure for your business.

Update your audience on progress

Now more than ever, people buy into people, not companies, So it’s incredibly important to engage regularly with your audience. Whether you tweet, hop on Instagram Live with updates, or send newsletters to your audience, make sure there is a plan to show how the key players behind the scenes of your business are committed to providing customer service excellence

Levar Burton, Finding Your Roots, Louis Gates

by Rafael Pena

January 18, 2024

LeVar Burton Kept It Cute After Discovering His White Ancestry On ‘Finding Your Roots’

In a surprising revelation on Jan. 16 episode of "Finding Your Roots," renowned host LeVar Burton discovered a previously unknown aspect of his family tree – his part-white ancestry.

In a surprising revelation on the Jan. 16 episode of Finding Your Roots, Rolling Stone reported that renowned host LeVar Burton discovered a previously unknown aspect of his family tree – his part-white ancestry. Known for his roles in PBS’s Reading Rainbow and iconic series like Roots and Star Trek: The Next Generation, Burton was stunned by the unexpected findings during the genealogy exploration led by Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Burton, who was raised by a single mother, Erma Gene, alongside his two sisters in Sacramento, CA, approached the show with questions about his family history. Dr. Gates, the host of the PBS genealogy series now in its tenth season, provided Burton with insights into his lineage. The revelation unfolded on his mother’s side, where Burton’s great-great-grandfather, James Henry Dixon, was discovered to be white.

Dixon had an extramarital relationship with a Black woman, a former slave, resulting in the birth of Burton’s great-grandmother, Mary. The revelation left Burton visibly shocked, exclaiming, “I’d have fought you five minutes ago if you had told me that I had a white great-great-grandfather… What?! Kunta has white ancestry. What?! Come on now, Skip!”

Amidst laughter and surprise, Burton, when asked by Gates if he had ever considered having a “white direct ancestor,” responded with a resounding, “No! No, I had no idea! So, granny was half-white?”

Adding to the complexity of the revelation, it was unveiled that Dixon, born in 1847, served as a teenager in the North Carolina Confederate Junior Reserves – a subset of the Confederate Army that fought to defend slavery.

The episode showcases the profound impact of genealogical exploration on individuals’ understanding of their heritage, with Burton’s journey taking an unexpected turn and shedding light on the intricate tapestry of his family history. Finding Your Roots continues to uncover compelling stories and connections, providing a deeper understanding of the diverse backgrounds that shape the lives of its featured celebrities.

Eric Adams, Al Sharpton, mayor, clothes, New YHork City, NYC

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 18, 2024

Al Sharpton Calls Eric Adams’ Wardrobe Criticism ‘Racist’ After Revealed He Keeps Changes of Clothes For Photos

Like Jay-Z said: "Change clothes and go!"

NYC Mayor Eric Adams likes to wear a fresh fit when making appearances, so there was no shock when it was revealed he keeps numerous changes of clothes in his SUV, the New York Post reported.

Sources claim Adams keeps “at least four changes of clothes” to change into during the day for photos. His wardrobe includes the basics —shirts, jackets, and ties — that hang in the back seat of his car.

It sounds on-brand for the stylish leader, but some people feel it’s a little much for a dignitary living on a civil servant salary. After a piece was written by The New York Times about Adams’ fashion-forward ways, Howard Wolfson, a former aide to former mayor Mike Bloomberg, side-eyed how Adams was able to afford all the luxury clothes.

Civil rights leader Al Sharpton was feeling the criticism and decided to speak out about it.

During an event on MLK Day, the reverend called “nonsense” after Wolfson compared Adams’ sense of style to former mayor David Dinkins’. “This nonsense about who pays for his suits and what kind of suits he wears. That’s the same game y’all played with David Dinkins,” Sharpton said.

“When he was wearing too many tuxedos and going to too many events, I guess Black men are supposed to walk around with ripped jeans and showing their underwear?” he continued. “Let us judge the man the way you judge any other man in the United States by his work and his wardrobe.”

Vogue published an op-ed on the mayor’s fashion sense on full display during 2023 New York Fashion Week. During a cocktail hour held at Gracie Manor, Adams alluded to the fact that someone once asked him if he would ever consider walking the catwalk.

“I was just asked a bit ago if I would ever walk in a fashion show,” he said to the crowd. “And I said, ‘Only if I can wear swimwear.’”

CFDA Chairman Thom Browne, who sported a vibrant red suit, described Adams as “the most stylish mayor in New York City’s history.”

face transplant, Robert Chelsea, Full face, burn victim

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 18, 2024

Burn Victim Speaks On Being The First Black Person With A Full Face Transplant

A 73-year-old burn victim is making a documentary as the first Black person with a full-face transplant.

A 73-year-old burn victim from California has been living in his truth with an entirely new face. Robert Chelsea shared how an innovative surgery has changed the trajectory of his life following a severe tragedy.

Chelsea was left with burns all over his body in 2013 after a drunk driver crashed into his car, which caught fire immediately. Although he was able able to escape and save his own life, his physical presence was left “mangled.”

“My lips burned off and part of my tongue as well,” he told NBC Miami. “The impact of my car and his truck, my car went up in the air, came down, and a couple of seconds later, blew up. I was all mangled. I looked like a Halloween mask before.”

Chelsea was left to deal with this condition until 2019, when he was able to fly to Boston for a revolutionary surgery that would result in a brand-new face. BBC News covered his story on the procedure that took 16 hours and used another person’s facial features, including nose, cheeks, and lips, to create the look.

He is currently in South Florida to shoot a documentary on his journey with a full-face transplant. While he had to endure multiple procedures in his healing process, alongside therapy and daily medications, he remains grateful for the opportunity to live and tell his story.

He is also using his voice to advocate for transplant surgeries, noting that he has been “enlightened” by the opportunity not to be marked by his burns.

“I have been enlightened, my life has been enhanced,” Chelsea said. “This having a face transplant is one aspect of something new and great that can help so many people.”

As Chelsea continues to film his life’s journey, he is still raising money to cover ongoing costs for his postsurgery needs. Additional information can be viewed on his website for those who wish to learn more about his story.

by Lauren Nutall

January 18, 2024

New Proposal Could Eliminate Excessive Overdraft Bank Fees For Americans

A recent proposal from the Biden administration targeting overdraft fees could help Americans save money.

The Biden administration has proposed a new regulation that could significantly decrease overdraft bank fees for Americans.

The rule, proposed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), could reduce overdraft fees by more than half and save families across the country up to $150 annually. According to CBS News, if passed, this resolution would permit banks to either charge consumers the actual cost to cover an overdrawn account or abide by a set limit from the CFPB, therefore removing the automatic $35 overdraft fee as it currently exists.

“Decades ago, overdraft loans got special treatment to make it easier for banks to cover paper checks that were often sent through the mail,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra in an official statement. “Today, we are proposing rules to close a longstanding loophole that allowed many large banks to transform overdraft into a massive junk fee harvesting machine.”

President Joe Biden also issued a statement about the decision on Jan. 17: “My Administration took new actions to tackle these hidden fees by proposing a rule that would end excessive overdraft fees. For too long, some banks have charged exorbitant overdraft fees—sometimes $30 or more—that often hit the most vulnerable Americans the hardest, all while banks pad their bottom lines. Banks call it a service—I call it exploitation.” This proposal is part of a larger plan to reduce financial strain on American families and, if passed, it would go into effect in October 2025.

The Biden administration has already met with pushback. President and CEO of the American Bankers Association Rob Nichols disapproved of the motion on its website.

“Today’s proposal from the CFPB marks the Bureau’s latest attempt to demonize and mischaracterize highly regulated and clearly disclosed bank fees for a service that surveys consistently show Americans value and appreciate,” he wrote. “In an effort to score political points, the CFPB is seeking to eliminate a valuable service and push consumers who need overdraft protection into the hands of less-regulated, more-costly alternatives,” he said.

RELATED CONTENT: CFPB Speaks Out Against High Overdraft Charges

by Stacy Jackson

January 18, 2024

High School Students From Gary, Indiana, Set To Achieve Bachelor’s Degrees This Spring

Abram Lewis and Khaya Njumbe, students at Geo Academy’s 21st Century Charter School, will receive their bachelor's degrees this spring.

Abram Lewis and Khaya Njumbe, both high school students from Gary, Indiana, are poised to achieve a significant milestone this spring: earning their bachelor’s degrees.

The two Geo Academy’s 21st Century Charter School students, ages 15 and 17, exceeded their required secondary academic coursework to achieve such a high level of success. Lewis and Njumbe shared their journey and thoughts about entering college life as high schoolers with WISH.

The head start in college the teens received was “surreal,” Lewis said. “Around campus, a lot of people were shocked when they saw me, especially when I was much younger,” Njumbe told the outlet, adding that fellow students often thought he was the “professor’s son or something of that sort.” Little did the collegegoers know that he was their peer.

The young scholar’s mother was not surprised with the success and high honor because of the opportunities available in America, she said.

Lewis noted that juggling the course load had been rigorous for them both. However, while dedicating time to attend and study for high school and college courses, the teens balance their academic careers with their lives outside school. Njumbe plays basketball and is involved in gymnastics. “It’s all down to time management I guess,” he said.

Between them, the two students have four associate’s degrees and received high honors from a coalition of Black leaders in Indianapolis. Lewis followed in the footsteps of his sister, who also received her associate’s degree in high school.

Both teens have their eyes on medical school. Njumbe told the outlet that his next step is to enroll in a Master of Public Health program; he eventually wants to become an orthopedic surgeon.

Bronx Food Pantry, Food Pantry, Albanian American Open Hand Association, AAOHA

by Rafael Pena

January 18, 2024

Bronx Food Pantry Struggles To Meet Surging Demand Amid Food Shortage

In the heart of Pelham Parkway, the Albanian American Open Hand Association, a Bronx food pantry, is grappling with an unprecedented challenge as its shelves have remained bare for the past two weeks.

The New York Post reports in the heart of Pelham Parkway, the Albanian American Open Hand Association (AAOHA), a Bronx food pantry, is grappling with an unprecedented challenge as its shelves have remained bare for the past two weeks, exacerbating food insecurity for New Yorkers at the outset of the New Year. Before the pandemic, AAOHA provided sustenance for approximately 800 individuals weekly, which has since doubled to 1,600, according to the outlet. However, for the first time in a decade, the pantry finds itself compelled to turn people away, leaving a stark reminder of the heightened food crisis in the region.

Bronx residents have been lining up outside AAOHA on Thursdays and Fridays, days earmarked for food distribution, hoping to secure a vital lifeline. Food pantry President Alexander Nilaj, residing two blocks from the pantry, shared the disheartening reality of having to turn away patrons who persistently wait from dawn until dusk, yearning for a “miracle” in the form of a delayed food shipment. Nilaj describes the situation as “very heartbreaking” and emphasizes its firm message to those in line: “Don’t wait; we have no food today.”

In response to the dire circumstances, New York Congressman Ritchie Torres has offered support by wiring $5,000 to AAOHA. This contribution is expected to provide enough food for over 1,200 people during the upcoming Thursday and Friday distributions. Torres acknowledged the urgency of the situation, stating, “Upon finding out that a Bronx food pantry no longer had food for the first time in a decade, I contributed, via my campaign, $5,000 to the food pantry’s sponsor.”

However, the future remains uncertain for AAOHA. Nilaj, expressing gratitude for the immediate assistance, notes that they have always managed to have some food before, but he wonders about sustaining their operations beyond the immediate influx of support. As a privately owned business, AAOHA receives no state or city funding and relies heavily on donations, local business support, and the dedication of 30 volunteers assisting Nilaj in food distribution.

The food pantry, known for serving families, single mothers, and vulnerable populations across the five boroughs, faces an overwhelming demand exacerbated by job losses and increasing living costs. Nilaj, an Albanian immigrant who has lived in the U.S. for 18 years, has seen the shelves dwindling since Christmas, forcing him to turn away hundreds in need. He is now appealing for donations and seeking assistance from state and city governments to ensure AAOHA can continue its mission of providing sustenance to hungry New Yorkers.

As Nilaj focuses on securing enough food for the upcoming distribution, he remains hopeful that the community will rally together to support the pantry and prevent any New Yorker from being turned away in their time of need.