Wayne, Murray, NY lottery, TICKET, 10, million

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 8, 2023

Brooklyn Man Wins Second $10M Prize In New York Lottery

Wayne Murray of Brooklyn scratched off another $10 million top prize a year after buying the winning ticket at his local convenience store.

Lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place. Apparently that doesn’t apply to winning lottery tickets.

According to The New York Lottery, a man who won $10 million last year in Brooklyn off a scratch-off ticket has done it again. Wayne Murray scratched off another $10 million top prize when he bought the winning ticket at H&A Gas & Convenience located at 4102 Ave. H in Brooklyn—where Murray bought his first winning ticket in August 2022!

Murray spent $30 on the winning ticket for New York Lottery’s 200X scratch-off game. He cashed in on the $10 million in 2022 when he selected the Black Titanium ticket (also $30). Murray opted for the lump sum option. He received $6,122,400 after taxes.

The New York Post spoke to Murray after the win was revealed. “Some of us just like to be discreet,” Murray said. “I just want to be discreet; that’s all it is.”

“Twice in a row—what are the odds? You can’t even think about it. It’s not comprehensible,” Hassan Nabil, a clerk who works at H&A Gas & Convenience, told The Post.

“He’s a super regular guy here,” Nabil said. He’s very friendly with the locals and very generous with his time. He could have moved out of the neighborhood after winning the first time, but he stood his ground. Money changes a lot of people, but he doesn’t show off or anything. He keeps it real, keeps it honest. It’s a game for him, so he just keeps playing. If you win, you just want to win more.”

Lottery officials said that the odds of winning the 200X scratch-off game are 1 in 3.64 million, and the odds of winning the Black Titanium game are 1 in 3.53 million.

The New York Post Murray if he is a religious man.

“Extremely,” he said.

inflation, credit, Americans, debt, loans, interest, rates, credit score, credit report

by Derek Major

December 8, 2023

Credit Card Debt Hit Record-High $1.3 Trillion In October As Inflation Squeezes Household Budgets

U.S. credit card debt hit an all-time high in October.

Investopedia reports credit card debt in the U.S. has hit a record high of $1.3 trillion, even though the $2.9 billion in debt that was added in October was the smallest rise since credit card debt declined in June.

Credit card debt is the fourth-highest debt Americans carry after mortgage debt, home equity debt, and auto loans. According to Wells Fargo, U.S. credit card debt has grown at a rate seven times higher than it did between the end of the Great Recession and the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that many Americans have no choice but to charge it to pay expenses that have risen significantly due to the pandemic and inflation.

“The run-up in revolving debt over the past few years may indeed reflect a devil-may-care attitude on the part of some consumers, but it is also simply a function of inflation that has flared up in ways that haven’t been seen in decades,” economists Tim Quinlan and Shannon Seery Grein said, according to Investopedia. “When your expenses are growing faster than your paycheck, credit cards are not an indulgence, they’re a lifeline.”

In addition to inflation, online spending has grown significantly. According to a CNBC report, Black Friday shoppers spent a record $9.8 billion in U.S. online sales, a 7.5% rise from 2022. That trend will likely continue as more people shop from home as opposed to going to brick-and-mortar stores.

According to a separate report by the Federal Reserve, a growing number of Americans, especially those under 40, are falling behind on their credit card payments. Rising credit card debt isn’t scaring economists at this point because it coincides with a growth in salaries and workers are still in high demand, boosting consumer spending and debunking almost two years of recession predictions.

Texas, Cox, abortion, trisomy 18, abortion, pregnancy, roe v. wade

by Iman Milner

December 8, 2023

Texas Woman Granted Permission By Judge To Have An Abortion, AG Warns Of Potential Charges Against Doctor

The ruling only applies to Cox.

A Texas woman has been granted the right to have an abortion after suing the state over its ban of pregnancy terminations. The 31-year-old mother of two, identified as Kate Cox, received a fatal diagnosis for her fetus at 20 weeks and petitioned the court to approve the procedure, CNN reported.

Cox is reportedly the first woman to ask a judge for permission for an oportion since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the historic Roe v Wade decision in 2022. The ruling only applies to Cox, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned the woman’s physician that criminal and civil penalties could follow the completed procedure.

The ban is lifted for 14 days and allows for the Dallas woman to face no charges for going through with the potentially life-saving abortion.

“I do not want to continue the pain and suffering that has plagued this pregnancy or continue to put my body or my mental health through the risks of continuing this pregnancy,” Cox said. “I do not want my baby to arrive in this world only to watch her suffer.”

Cox’s baby was diagnosed with trisomy 18 and is not expected to live more than a few days outside the womb, The Associated Press reports. Democratic State District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble granted a restraining order of the state’s restriction to Cox. “The idea that Mrs. Cox wants desperately to be a parent, and this law might actually cause her to lose that ability is shocking and would be a genuine miscarriage of justice,” Gamble said. “So I will be signing the order and it will be processed and sent out today.”

Cox, who has already had two deliveries by cesareans sections, would be at high-risk of “uterine rupture and hysterectomy” if she were to have an induced labor. Molly Duane, Cox’s attorney, said they are considering “the fastest way to get her abortion care” but did not disclose the details of their next steps, citing safety concerns over the controversial decision.

RELATED CONTENT: Abortion Rights Bring Ohio Voters To Polls Early

town homes, 20 million, San Francisco, downturn, crime, luxury home, house, Russian hill

by Rafael Pena

December 8, 2023

San Francisco Luxury Home Sold For $20M In 2020 Sells For $9.9M In November 2023

A luxury home located in the upscale Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco sold for almost half of its initial $18 million asking price.

According to Daily Mail, a luxurious row house located in the upscale Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco sold for nearly half of its initial $18 million asking price in November 2023. The sale reflects the dwindling value of San Francisco real estate market as the city grapples with rising crime, open-air drug use, and homelessness.

Tech CEO Leslie Stretch acquired the property in 2020 for $20 million. However, after facing challenges in finding a buyer for the expansive four-bedroom, eight-bathroom home at 2626 Larkin St., Stretch decided to make a significant price cut.

Despite initially listing the home for $18 million in May 2020, according to the New York Post, Stretch struggled to attract buyers, leading to gradual reductions in the asking price. The property, complete with a helix staircase, media room, wine cellar, elevator, guest apartment, and rooftop terrace, eventually sold for $9.9 million in early November.

The real estate downturn in San Francisco, particularly in Russian Hill, aligns with broader issues the city faces. According to data from the city’s police department, Russian Hill experienced 839 incidents, ranging from robberies to drug offenses, in 2023 alone.

A surge in crime has contributed to a challenging environment, with one in eight home sellers in San Francisco reportedly taking losses on their properties. The average loss: around $100,000

The broader impact is visible in numerous stores in downtown San Francisco closing since 2020, driven by rising crime rates and homelessness. The once-vibrant Westfield mall witnessed the closure of 45 out of 97 retailers and 16 of 36 food vendors in just over three years. The subsequent closure of anchor tenant Nordstrom, which left due to “unsafe conditions” and “lack of enforcement against rampant criminal activity”— further signaled the mall’s demise.

Major retailers, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, and Microsoft also abandoned the struggling mall. Beyond the mall, Whole Foods, Old Navy, Gap, and Office Depot closed, contributing to a 47 percent drop in operating retailers in San Francisco’s Union Square area since 2019.

The city’s technology sector, once a hallmark, is also experiencing an exodus, with companies like Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Airbnb downsizing their office spaces or leaving altogether.

San Francisco’s challenges extend beyond its real estate and retail sectors. Homelessness, with nearly 8,000 people counted in 2022, and a 41 percent surge in drug-related deaths in the first quarter of 2023, have created a complex environment for residents and businesses alike.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 8, 2023

Angela Bassett, Beyoncé, and Quinta Brunson Among Hollywood Reporter’s ‘100 Most Powerful Women In Hollywood’

"The Hollywood Reporter" has released its list of the "100 Most Powerful Women in Hollywood." A number of phenomenal Black women made the cut.

The Hollywood Reporter has released its annual list of the “100 Most Powerful Women in Hollywood” and a number of phenomenal Black women made the coveted list.

Among them include entertainers Angela Bassett, Beyoncé, Quinta Brunson, and Viola Davis. Producers and studio executives like Nicole Brown, Michelle Obama, and Ayo Davis also secured spots on the list.

Bassett, who portrayed the first Marvel character nominated for an Academy Award, landed a spot on the list for her starring and producer role on Fox’s 911. The proof of her power is in her salary for the show: a staggering $450,000 an episode.

Beyoncé won the 32nd Grammy of her career, an all-time high for a recording artist. In October, she wrapped her Renaissance world tour which is currently hailed as the highest-grossing of all time, with $579 million worldwide. This month, she debuted her self-directed film about the tour which received the highest early December box office open in 20 years with $21 million in North America.

Nicole Brown, president of TriStar Pictures, backs original films by people of color including Gina Prince-Bythewood’s The Woman King in 2022 and the upcoming The Book of Clarence from Jeymes Samuel.

Quinta Brunson was the breakout star of 2022 with her smash hit ABC series, Abbott Elementary. The show’s second season earned an astounding eight Emmy nominations, including Best Comedy Series and Best Actress in a Comedy.

Kathryn Busby, head of programming at Starz, continues to grow subscribers by championing successful franchises like Outlander and Power, along with women-centered shows from underrepresented voices like Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall’s P-Valley.

Writer Akela Cooper made the list for creating the $181 million box office smash M3GAN; the killer-doll thriller’s sequel is slated for 2025. Her other horror writing credits include The Nun II, which grossed $268 million at the box office.

Ayo Davis currently serves as president of Disney Branded TV, where she leads Disney’s kids and family unit. Her role touches many of the brand’s biggest hits, including Star Wars Young Jedi Adventures and Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends.

Former first lady Michelle Obama made the list alongside Tonia Davis for serving as head of motion pictures and co-founder at Higher Ground. Her production company, led by Davis, has been behind Oscar-winning documentaries like American Factory, biopics like Netflix’s Rustin, and kid-friendly programming like Waffles + Mochi.

View the full list HERE.

Cherokee Women Have Mixed Emotions About Barbie Doll Honoring Late Leader Wilma Mankiller

by Stacy Jackson

December 8, 2023

Cherokee Women Have Mixed Emotions About Barbie Doll Honoring Late Leader Wilma Mankiller

Cherokee women expressed their disapproval of the doll's appearance.

Multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment company Mattel faces backlash after releasing a Barbie doll in honor of late Cherokee Nation leader Wilma Mankiller.

The Associated Press reported that Cherokee Nation women expressed mixed emotions around the release of the Barbie doll honoring the chief as a part of Mattel’s “Inspiring Women” series.

Felicia Olaya, one of Mankiller’s children and her only living child, told the news outlet that she had no idea about the Barbie doll until just one week before it was released. Olaya told The AP that she doesn’t have any “issues with the doll” or with “honoring [her] mom in different ways.” Mankiller’s daughter continued, “The issue is that no one informed me, no one told me. I didn’t know it was coming.”

Olaya also said she wouldn’t know how her mother would feel about being made into a plastic Barbie doll if she were still alive. “I heard her once on the phone saying, ‘I’m not Princess Diana, nor am I Barbie,’” Olaya said to The Associated Press. “I think she probably would have been a little conflicted on that because my mom was very humble. She wasn’t the type of person who had her honorary degrees or awards plastered all over the wall. They were in tubs in her pole barn.”

Other Cherokee women expressed their disapproval of the doll’s appearance. Cherokee basket weaver Regina Thompson said the doll’s appearance is far off from what Mankiller was like when she was living.

“Wilma’s name is the only thing Cherokee on that box. Nothing about that doll is Wilma, nothing,” Thompson shared with the news outlet. She also told the outlet that a symbol on the toy’s packaging was used incorrectly, as it translates to “Chicken” rather than “Cherokee.” The outlet reported that Mattel was already aware of the error.

Stacy Leeds, another Cherokee woman and a former Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Justice, is conflicted by the positives and the negatives about the doll.

“Mixed emotions shared by me and many other Cherokee women who have now purchased the product revolve around whether a Wilma Barbie captures her legacy, her physical features, and the importance of centering Cherokee women in decision-making,” Leeds said.

According to the news outlet, the toy company worked with Mankiller’s husband, Charlie Soap, and her friend, Kristina Kiehl, to create the doll. Soap and Kiehl are in charge of the late chief’s estate.

Mom Says 11-Year-Old Son Had Gun Pulled On Him, Was Forced To Fight After School

by Rafael Pena

December 8, 2023

Mom Says 11-Year-Old Son Had Gun Pulled On Him, Was Forced To Fight After School

An 11-year-old Houston boy was forced to fight a group of teenagers after a gun was pulled on him after school, his mother says.

FOX 26 reports that an 11-year-old Houston boy was forced to fight a group of teenagers after a gun was pulled on him after school.

“They could have killed him, and before the video even started, they put the gun up to my son’s head,” Lucille Longoria, the boy’s mother, told FOX 26.

The episode occurred last week. The boy walked home from Budewig Intermediate School at an apartment complex off Shadowbriar Drive and Richmond Avenue. and was confronted by a group of teenagers. According to Longoria, the teens not only brandished a gun but coerced her son into a physical fight, an ordeal that left him emotionally scarred.

“He was attacked by two random guys…he doesn’t know these boys, at all. He doesn’t know them at all,” Longoria said.

A video of the altercation has surfaced on social media. “Took a hard jab at my son, then he busted his nose. They stomped on him.”

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In response to the incident, Alief Independent School District issued a statement that it was aware of the video and that it did not occur on school grounds. “We worked with local authorities to identify the students in the video and were able to confirm that there were some that were current students in our district,” the statement concluded. “We do not condone bullying of any kind, and we encourage our students to make better choices.”

Longoria, however, insists on holding the responsible parties accountable.

“What those other individuals did to my son is not OK,” she said. “They need to be held responsible. We need to get them off the streets.”

Longoria is looking to her move her son out of Alief ISD.

by Stacy Jackson

December 8, 2023

VP Kamala Harris Makes History With 33 Tiebreaker Votes, Receives Golden Gavel

Vice President Kamala Harris broke an almost 200-year record.

The Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, broke the record for casting the most tiebreaker votes in the Senate with 33 votes.

The first woman and first person of color, the VP received a golden gavel from New York Democrat and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for the accomplishment on Dec. 5, according to The Associated Press. The news outlet reported that her record-breaking 33rd vote went in favor of a new federal judge in Washington, D.C..

That same day, Harris supported the nomination of Loren AliKhan to U.S. District Court judge. The result: AliKhan was confirmed after a few hours, according to The Associated Press. Schumer said Harris is responsible for more people of color and women being confirmed.

Vice President Harris’ response to receiving the gavel was that she was “truly honored” for breaking the record that Schumer referred to as a “great milestone.”

A difference in time between Harris and the previous record holder, former Vice President John C. Calhoun, spans 191 years–meaning Harris broke an almost 200-year record. The Associated Press reported that Calhoun cast 31 tiebreakers during his eight-year term from 1825 to 1832.

The news outlet also reported that Harris achieved her record in much less time than Calhoun – less than half the time it took for Calhoun. The division between Democrats and Republicans in the Senate likely means that Harris will continue to add votes to her record-breaking 33 tiebreakers already made.

The Associated Press noted a record of the number of tiebreakers that former U.S. Vice Presidents made before Harris assumed office in January 2021. According to the graph, former Vice President Calhoun beat out John Adams, who had 29 tiebreakers during his eight-year term from 1789 to 1797.

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 8, 2023

Woman Arrested After Allegedly Dousing Martin Luther King, Jr’s Birth Home With Gasoline

The 26-years-old woman, who is Black, is facing charges including criminal attempt to commit arson and criminal attempt to damage government property.

Sometimes it helps to be nosy. Off-duty New York City police officers and tourists from Utah visiting Atlanta are being credited for stopping an attempt to burn down the birth home of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Atlanta, Fox 5 reports. After reports of vandalism were called in, Atlanta Police rushed to the scene of the tourist attraction on Dec. 7 shortly before 6 p.m. Chief Darin Schierbaum said the tourist witnessed a woman pouring what smelled like gasoline on the plants, porch, and front door of the home.

BREAKING UPDATE: Woman charged with pouring gasoline, trying to burn down Martin Luther King Jr.'s Atlanta birth home, according to police.
Here's what we know: https://t.co/4jdq6B3r8l pic.twitter.com/x7JpHQNAzK
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) December 8, 2023

They immediately stepped in when they saw her pull out a lighter trying to ignite flames. The NYPD officers were able to detain the assailant until Atlanta law enforcement arrived.

https://twitter.com/ATLUncensored/status/1732934585544069399

The woman, who is Black, hasn’t been identified, but according to Schierbaum, she is 26 years old. She is facing charges including criminal attempt to commit arson and criminal attempt to damage government property. Federal charges could be added since the home is considered federal property. Investigators have located her family to inquire about her mental health.

Battalion Chief Jerry DeBerry of the Atlanta Fire Department credited the bystanders for stepping in, because it could have been a lot worse if they didn’t. “It could have been a matter of seconds before the house was engulfed in flames,” DeBerry said, according to WSB-TV.

The King Center released a statement on what could have been a tragic event for the city of Atlanta and Black history.

“Tonight, an unfortunate incident occurred at the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as an individual attempted to set fire to this historic property. Fortunately, the attempt was unsuccessful, thanks to the brave intervention of good Samaritans and the quick response of law enforcement,” the statement read.

“We thank the Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta Fire Department, the National Parks Service, and Mayor Andre Dickens for leading the efforts to ensure the safety of our cherished national landmark and its adjacent neighbors. Our prayers are with the individual who allegedly committed this criminal act.”

Built in 1895, the birth home of the civil rights leader has been undergoing renovations for several weeks. While fire department’s HAZMAT team will work to clean up the gasoline spill, current renovations are scheduled to wrap up by the end of 2025 and the home will remain closed until the project is completed.

Business, mentor, mentorship, franchising, entrepreneur, franchise, industry, high income

by Kandiss Edwards

December 8, 2023

If You’re A Small Business Owner In These Industries, It Might Be Time To Start A Franchise

Members of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) talk about the industries that currently lend themselves to franchising and doing it well.

Originally Published Mar. 24, 2017

The following answers are provided by members of Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, YEC recently launched BusinessCollective, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.

Concierge Services

It would be good to have city-based concierge services for travelers and people new to cities that could offer assistance in finding anything they may need. While people can do this online to a certain extent, it’s not as personalized as it could be. This could be a way for a brand to bring together many types of services under one franchise brand.

– Murray Newlands

Green Energy

As the “Enernet” grows in popularity, a lot of companies should take advantage of the demand in even the most remote areas. Instead of leveraging capital to meet the demand, franchising and licensing aspects of the business to construction companies and stand-alone shops can help meet the demand and further persuade more consumers to make the switch from fossil fuel and nuclear-based energy.

– Cody McLain

Tattoo Parlors

I’ve always wondered why tattoo parlors have no franchise options, especially with an eye toward bringing respectability to the business with an emphasis on hygiene, safety, no-pressure sales, refusing to tattoo minors, and other options that would take tattoo parlors out of the medieval mindset they seem to enjoy. They should guarantee a certain skill level, mandated classes, and certification, etc.

– Brandon Stapper

Wearable Technology

Now that we’ve figured out how to make wearable technology that’s stylish, it’s probably going to be in stores a lot more. But having a franchising business dedicated to new tech could appeal to a certain demographic.

– Thomas Smale

World Travel

Gone are the days when you had to walk into a local mall or travel agent to book your vacation. Now it’s all online and automated. However, this is still a very personal and usually expensive decision. The world of booking travel is one that could easily be franchised to independent brokers or agents who can work out of their homes while focusing on being great salespeople.

– Zac Johnson

Healthy Fast Food

Fast and convenient will always sell in the food industry. Even big box brands are introducing organic and all-natural versions to stay competitive within the marketplace. The younger generation is starting to demand healthier options and many smaller drive-thru restaurants and ready-made fitness food restaurants are thriving concepts, presenting a great opportunity for a franchise model.

– Hillary Hobson

Anti-Aging and Wellness Centers

Men, particularly successful entrepreneurs between 30-40, are taking care of themselves. Gone are the Don Draper health routines of the past. The anti-aging space from botox to floatation tanks is booming after an initial beachhead in large metro areas. Clinics and spas are popping up across smaller “micro-urban” towns across the country, and the demand is stirring.

– Ryan Bradley

On-Demand Car Wash

Automated car washes did it already. On-demand car washes are leaning that way. The Uber-type business model is picking up quickly. Few companies out there are trying to break ground outside their state and, in some cases, their country. I think that “on-demand” businesses will go the franchise way and be better off.

– Adrian Ghila

BusinessCollective, launched in partnership with Citi, is a virtual mentorship program powered by North America’s most ambitious young thought leaders, entrepreneurs, executives, and small business owners.