Shedeur Sanders Remains Resilient As CU Football Faces Challenges
by Rafael Pena

December 1, 2023

Shedeur Sanders Remains Resilient As CU Football Faces Challenges

In a season marked by challenges for the University of Colorado Buffaloes, quarterback Shedeur Sanders isn't going anywhere.

University of Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who experienced a staggering number of sacks in 2023, recently had to sit out the final game against Utah on Nov. 25 due to a fractured back.

Colorado lost 23-17, the team’s sixth straight loss after a blazing start that captured the attention of college football fans everywhere.

Sanders, who has been through a tough year both on and off the field, took to social media to convey a message of reassurance to the fans amid a flurry of player departures and recanted commitments. The team has witnessed a wave of players and recruits expressing their intentions to leave or not join the Colorado football program.

The quarterback’s optimistic post not only provided fans with a glimpse of the player’s resilience but hinted at the team’s positive atmosphere. Shedeur Sanders, following in the footsteps of his renowned head coach, father Deion Sanders, has embodied the spirit of “We coming,” a phrase that set the tone for Colorado’s football season.

https://twitter.com/ShedeurSanders/status/1729338340548268145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1729338340548268145%7Ctwgr%5Eacb00fa26e9685e3381eac755c038a3c7704fbd7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fcolorado%2Fbuffs-social%2Fshedeur-sanders-sends-colorado-fans-a-short-but-powerful-message

As the Buffaloes navigate the complexities of a transitional season under Coach Prime, Shedeur’s message provides a glimmer of hope for the future. With the transfer portal set to open on December 4 and the early signing day for recruits scheduled for December 20, the team anticipates positive developments and potential additions to bolster its ranks.

Keep in mind, Coach Prime’s first season in Boulder after a wildly successful tenure at Jackson State was extremely promising, even if the 4-8 record (after a 2-0 start) doesn’t reflect it. Last year’s team went 1-11, so the Buffaloes won four times as many games as last season and turned the campus into a destination for the media and celebrities. It’s easy to understand why Coach Prime was named the 2023 Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated.

George Santos, Campaign
by Sharelle B. McNair

December 1, 2023

New York Rep. George Santos Gets The Boot As House Makes Historic Vote To Expel Him

Santos is the sixth House member to ever be expelled in U.S. history and the third since the Civil War.

CNBC reports that Rep. George Santos (R-NY) was expelled from Congress on Dec. 1 for alleged financial crimes and campaign deception.

Lawmakers from both sides of the House aisle voted 311-114 to have the controversial congressman ousted, making him the sixth House member in U.S. history to be given the boot. Now, with Santos no longer in office, the number of House Republicans drops to 221 versus 213 Democrats, narrowing the Republican’s slim lead, which makes it slightly more difficult for the majority to have legislation passed without Democratic support.

According to The Hill, Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Nikema Williams (D-GA) were the only Democrats to vote against his expulsion, while Reps. Al Green (D-TX) and Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) voted present.

It also gives the state of New York a chance to redeem itself with a New Democratic candidate to lead them. According to state law, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) has 10 days to announce a special election to fill Santo’s seat, with a vote coming in late February 2024.

On Twitter, Hochul said she is prepared to do right by the people of the third district. “I am prepared to undertake the solemn responsibility of filling the vacancy in New York’s 3rd District,” the governor wrote. “The people of Long Island deserve nothing less.”

Santos is facing a federal indictment on 23 counts of wire fraud, identity theft, and several other campaign finance charges. Controversy overshadowed his leadership as fellow Republicans looked at him as dragging down the party’s image.

On Nov. 30, fellow New York congressman Rep. Marc Molinaro referred to Santos as his “future former colleague” on the House floor. “Dear God, Mr. Speaker, my future former colleague is divorced from reality,” Molinaro said. “He has manufactured his entire life to defraud the voters of his district and on his choice, for a member of Congress. He has lied to donors and to colleagues, taking advantage of election law, using campaign funds to personally benefit himself. And he has defamed not only his office but the institution itself.”

The vote comes just 24 hours after Santos announced he wanted to issue a resolution to have fellow New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman expelled from Congress, which Bowman called a “meaningless stunt.”

RELATED CONTENT: Disgraced Congressman George Santos Wants To Force A Vote To Expel Rep. Jamaal Bowman

Ghostface Killah, Wu-Tang Clan, Keurig
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 1, 2023

Ghostface Killah Releasing Autobiography In 2024

"Rise of a Killah: My Life in the Wu-Tang" will be released on May 14, 2024

If you haven’t gotten enough of the Wu-Tang Clan, an upcoming memoir will whet your appetite. According to the Macmillan Publishers website, Ghostface Killah, born Dennis David Coles, will release a book on St. Martin’s Press titled Rise of a Killah: My Life in the Wu-Tang next year.

The memoir, which will retail for $35, will also be available in an audio format. The scheduled release date is May 14, 2024.

The book is described as an autobiography that takes us back to his childhood in the Shaolin, as the popular supergroup calls their Staten Island hometown. He will talk about the trials and tribulations he faced growing up on the island as he and his fellow emcees took the world by storm at a time when hip-hop was making its metaphoric rise to the top of American culture.

According to the website, he writes about his family life and how crime and violence in his neighborhood contributed to his life, along with his brothers-in-rhyme. It also features his art and discusses “a formative touring trip to Japan in 1997.”

The recording artist and entrepreneur has just completed a tour with the group, along with Queens legend Nas and Long Island’s own De La Soul.

Last year, in May 2022, Ghostface returned to Staten Island to open a coffee shop, Killah Koffee Shop, in West Brighton, according to SI Live. The opening took place a year after Ghostface and his business partners, Ross Filler and Shawn Wigs, started selling their line of artisanal coffee online. If you can’t make it to Shaolin, order the coffee from the Killah Koffee website. The coffee is made with 100% Arabica beans that are considered reminiscent of the smooth, flamboyant style Ghostface has branded himself since the early 90s.

“Killah Koffee is made with 100% Arabica beans and is reminiscent of the smooth, flamboyant style one can only expect from Ghost,” reads the description of the beverage on the website. Flavors include Marble Cake, Supreme Dark Roast, Marvelous Medium Roast, or Vanilla Milkshake.

RELATED CONTENT: WU TANG’S GHOSTFACE KILLAH OPENS KILLAH KOFFEE SHOP IN STATEN ISLAND

LSU, Tigers, Angel, Reese, four games, sit out, Las Vegas, college, basketball, bayou barbie
by Iman Milner

December 1, 2023

‘I’m A Human, Too’: Angel Reese Returns To LSU

The LSU standout is back and happy, she says.

National champion and elite college basketball player Angel Reese has returned to the LSU Tigers following a controversial absence.

The All-American poured in 19 points in a defeat of Final Four opponent Virginia Tech before hinting at her mental health as a possible reason for her four-game hiatus during the start of the season, USA Today reports.

Before playing on Nov. 30, Reese had missed the previous four games after being benched during the second quarter of the team’s Nov. 14 game against Kent State on Nov. 14.

The 21-year-old addressed the media following the Virginia Tech win. “I’m just super happy to be back with the team” before addressing the pressures that have come with her newfound celebrity.

“I want to people realize that I’m not just an athlete. I’m a human, too. I go through things,” she said. “My mental health is the most important before anything and I’m gonna make sure I’m OK before anything because I don’t wanna cause any harm or cancer in the locker room.”

The six-foot-three forward was thrust into the national spotlight last year due to her athletic prowess and undeniable leadership of a program that faced lofty expectations under the tutelage of storied head coach Kim Mulkey.

After averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds in the 2023 season, Reese earned All-American honors and led her team to a national championship while racking up an unprecedented number of NIL deals. Growing concerns over whether her growing popularity and earning power would negatively affect her focus on basketball came to a head when Mulkey decided to bench the superstar player. However, the newly minted Reebok spokeswoman seemed unfazed by the rumors surrounding her absence from the team.

“Whatever stories that were wrote or written, don’t believe everything you read,” Reese said. “I’m back and I’m happy. I’m here and I’m moving forward. I’m going to take this team and help take this team as far as I can.”

RELATED CONTENT: Angel Reese Back In The Game After Absence

Fat Joe, Trump Sneakers
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 1, 2023

Fat Joe Presents Autistic Fan A Gift Of $20K

Joey Cartegena, or Fat Joe, returns to his hometown in The Bronx to give a special fan a gift.

Fat Joe and his generous giving have struck again!

The lovable Bronx rapper returned to his hometown to give a gift to an autistic teenager who has dreams of being a successful artist like Joey Cartegena, according to Hip Hop DX. Joe went to the home of Jilian, who is autistic like his namesake son, Joey, Jr., to present her with a $20,000 check from him and the auto brand Lexus. He posted a video of the interaction on his Instagram page.

“I’ve been watching you, Lexus has been watching you; today’s gonna be the best day ever. We love what you’re doing with hip-hop, and we love that you representing the autistic community.”

He then told Jillian that his son is also autistic.

“My son Joey’s autistic so we’re proud [of] how brave you are, and I got a big surprise here from Lexus… really for you, but mommy’s gonna watch this one.”

He wrote in the post, “I am proud to team up with @lexususa to highlight the importance of Autism Acceptance and to brighten this family’s day in a special way.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FAT JOE (@fatjoe)

Joe is no stranger to giving back, especially to his hometown of The Bronx in New York City.

On Sept. 2, according to ABC 7 NY, the rapper returned to his old neighborhood and donated sweatsuits, tracksuits, t-shirts, shorts, and sneakers when he hosted a back-to-school clothing drive at The Eagle Academy for Young Men. He also did the same thing when he went to I.S. 219 New Venture School and at the elementary school he attended growing up in The Bronx as a youngster, P.S. 146 Edward Collins.

“What we’re telling them is that you can become successful, but you don’t have to leave where you’re from. You can be in your community, and you can also inspire the youth because every now and then, all they need is a little push. They need a little inspiration,” Fat Joe told ABC7 at the Eagle Academy.

Last year, the “Lean Back” rapper teamed up with Pepsi Stronger Together and Gamesa Cookies for a national scholarship search, which rewarded four students with $25,000 scholarships toward an education in music and arts.

RELATED CONTENT: Fat Joe Returns To Bronx To Donate Over $100K In Clothes To Students

Bronny James
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 1, 2023

Bronny James Ready To Ball After Being Cleared To Play For USC

The coach has given no indication of when Bronny will make his debut.

The legacy of future Hall of Famer LeBron James continues as his oldest son, Bronny, has been cleared to start his collegiate basketball career.

According to CNN, Bronny, who suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this year while practicing with his college team, USC, has been cleared to return to playing basketball. A statement by his family was released after the good news for the freshman player.

“Bronny James is now cleared by his doctors for a full return to basketball. Bronny will have a final evaluation with USC (University of Southern California) staff this week, resume practice next week, and return to games soon after. The James family would like to express their gratitude to the incredible medical team, the entire USC community, and especially the countless friends, family, and fans for their love and support. Fight On!”

The incoming freshman had a cardiac arrest on July 24. He was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where it was revealed that a congenital heart defect was the probable cause for the health scare.

ABC News reported that although Bronny was cleared to play, he did not participate in pregame warmups on Wednesday night. He did join the team after the game started on the bench. His skills could have been used that night as the USC Trojans were blown out in a 106-78 loss to Eastern Washington. The Trojans (5-2) have a game against No. 11 Gonzaga in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 2. If Bronny makes his debut, his father will be there, as he stated he told the Lakers that he is not missing his son’s first college game, citing his “family over everything” motto.

After Thursday night’s Los Angeles Lakers game against Oklahoma City, LeBron told the media, “I already told my teammates that if they play on the same day we’re playing, I’m going to have to catch them the next game,” James said. “Family over everything. Definitely got to see Bronny’s first game whenever he’s cleared and ready to go.”

The coach has given no indication of when Bronny will debut.

RELATED CONTENT: Bronny James And Shedeur Sanders Top-Earning NCAA Athletes In NIL Contracts

Disgraced Congressman George Santos Wants To Force A Vote To Expel Rep. Jamaal Bowman
by Sharelle B. McNair

December 1, 2023

Disgraced Congressman George Santos Wants To Force A Vote To Expel Rep. Jamaal Bowman

Santos wants Bowman ousted over the latter's fire alarm pull.

Rep. George Santos (R-NY) is facing the first likely expulsion from Congress in 20 years and he wants company.

The disgrace politician wants to force a vote that can expel fellow New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman from Congress, Business Insider reports. During a Nov. 30 press conference, Santos said his idea is all about “consistency” as Bowman, a Democrat, took a plea deal after pulling a fire alarm on Capital Hill.

Santos predicted that if a Republican did the same, they would be “charged with obstructing a congressional hearing.”

“He took a plea deal for pulling a fire alarm, a fire alarm which obstructed and delayed an official hearing and proceeding on the House floor,” Santos said. “That’s why, today at noon, I’m going to be introducing a privileged motion for expulsion of convicted and guilty-pleaded Congressman Jamaal Bowman.”

The fire alarm was pulled in September 2023 while House members were prepping to vote on a bill that would prevent a potential government shutdown. Bowman insisted it was an accident and that he was confused by the signage, mistaking it for an emergency exit. Critics and other elected officials felt he knew better. He later pleaded guilty and paid a $1,000 fine.

The outspoken Congressman, also from New York, caught wind of Santos’ plan, calling it a “meaningless stunt” in a statement. “No one in Congress, or anywhere in America, takes soon-to-be former Congressman George Santos seriously,” Bowman said. “This is just another meaningless stunt in his long history of cons, antics, and outright fraud.”

Santos may lose his elected seat after his scathing House Ethics committee report housed some troubling finds. The Ethics Committee found “substantial evidence” that Santos used campaign funds for personal reasons, according to CNN. They also said he willingly engaged in violations and concluded that Santos “sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit.”

After the report was released, Santos announced that he would not run re-election.

RELATED CONTENT: Congressman Jamaal Bowman Pleads Guilty To Fire Alarm Incident

Covid, mask New Jersey, court
by Atiya Jordan

December 1, 2023

Are Masks Really Working Against The Spread Of Viruses?

Are masks effective against the spread of COVID-19?

In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, many people believed that wearing masks did not work due to the lack of scientific evidence. Experts continue to echo that masks do not slow the spread of COVID-19 as different strains have emerged.

In 2020, CNN reported that the World Health Organization found a lack of evidence that masks were effective. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended well-fitting masks to help combat COVID-19. 

At the time, Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organization health emergencies program, said there was “no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any potential benefit. In fact, there’s some evidence to suggest the opposite in misusing wearing a mask properly or fitting it properly.”

In February 2022, the CDC published a study that found that consistent mask-wearing in public settings reduces the risk of COVID between 56% and 83%, depending on how they’re worn and the efficacy of cloth masks. Though the data determined that any mask is better, cloth masks have the lowest efficacy.

During the last two weeks, cases of the COVID-19 variant, Omicron BA.2.86, also known as Pirola, have tripled in two weeks, comprising between 5% and 15% of all infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Among the regions with adequate samples reported from testing laboratories, BA. 2.86’s prevalence is the largest in the Northeast, with 13.1% of cases in the New York and New Jersey region. 

In recent weeks, scientists have analyzed a sharp increase in a BA.2.86 descendant called JN.1, which quickly became the fastest-growing sub-variant worldwide. Many cases have been reported in Europe, which has witnessed increasing cases from BA.2.86 and its descendants. 

British physician Jenny Harries, the chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, told the Daily Mail that it is challenging to prove the efficiency of the masks from other COVID strains. For instance, she called out the government’s advice in 2020 on “how to make a mask using two pieces of cloth” for being “ineffective.” She noted previous research that supports that at least three pieces of cloth had a minor effect on spreading viruses.

“What was being conceived was if you wear a face covering and reduce everything to a meter, the face covering will make up for the difference, and the answer was no, it won’t, and it definitely won’t if it’s ever not evidence-based,” Harries explained.

She added: “The anxiety was that if people just thought they could get a bit of T-shirt, put it around the face, and that would solve all the problems, and we could go back to normal, that was not going to be a good public health intervention.”

RELATED CONTENT: CDC Says Life Expectancy In The U.S. Rose In 2022 Due To Fewer Covid-19 Deaths

Vice President, kamala, harris, McCarthy, negotiation, skills, Biden age, president, democrat, republican
by Sharelle B. McNair

December 1, 2023

That’s Her President And She’s Gonna Stand Beside Him: Vice President Kamala Harris Defends Biden Attacks

The vice president calls out former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy over Biden jabs.

Vice President Kamala Harris took some time to set the record straight–again–when it comes to officials attacking the president.

Harris addressed comments made by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy regarding President Biden’s age affecting his negotiation skills during the DealBook Summit, The Hill reports. When The New York Times journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin asked the VP about his criticism, she decided to remind the people about McCarthy’s last political drama.

“With all due respect, when anyone who has had the experience McCarthy just had, I don’t think he’s a judge of negotiations,” Harris said. “Age is more than a chronological fact. I spent a whole lot of time with our president, be it in the Oval Office or the Situation Room and in other places, and I can tell you … not only is he authoritative in rooms around the globe but in the Oval Office meeting with members of Congress, meeting leaders in industry, meeting with community leaders.”

Harris’s response refers to McCarthy being ousted from his Speaker post in October 2023 after eight Republicans sided with Democrats to relieve him of his duties.

On Nov. 29, McCarthy told Sorkin that he “could not negotiate the debt ceiling with Biden” and continued, saying the president isn’t “the same person he was when he was vice president.”

“We kind of rammed around him; he said he was going to do it. Schumer then comes in and says, ‘Don’t do anything with Kevin; he can’t pass anything,’” McCarthy said. “And then I went for 97 days, I went to the media every day. And it wasn’t till I passed something that he could start negotiating.”

The Republican California state representative said he would definitely not be jumping party lines and supporting the Democratic president during the 2024 presidential election, adding that even if he were a Democrat, Biden would not be his choice.

“I’m explicitly saying if I had a choice of who I would pick, if I was a Democrat to be my nominee, to run the greatest country in the world, I would not give him — I would not reelect him,” he said.

But Harris is not worried about McCarthy’s nay-saying remarks. While she addressed Biden’s rating dropping in recent polls, she highlighted some numbers voters should pay attention to, like record-low unemployment and falling inflation, according to Deadline. Other issues like the cost of insulin dropping and student debt reduction are still on Biden’s list of things to do.

“These are also macro-economic measures and don’t necessarily connect with the heart and the experience and the feelings of the American people,” she said. “For many Americans, prices are still too high, and we still have work to do to address that.”

RELATED CONTENT: Sen. John Kennedy’s Remarks About Vice President Kamala Harris’ ‘IQ’ Viewed As Racist

LSU, Tigers, Angel, Reese, four games, sit out, Las Vegas, college, basketball, bayou barbie
by Stacy Jackson

December 1, 2023

Angel Reese Back In The Game After Absence

After being absent from four games, star forward Angel Reese is returning to the LSU Tigers as they face the Virginia Tech Hokies.

The No. 7 LSU Tigers are getting ready to take on the No. 9 Virginia Tech Hokies, and after four missed games, star forward Angel Reese is making her return to the team for the rematch.

According to The Associated Press, Reese, one of the most popular players in college basketball, was absent from four games with the team for reasons the coach did not specify. However, the return of the powerhouse forward is right on time after the Tigers coach revealed on Nov. 29 that power forward Sa’Maya Smith would not return for the rest of the season due to a ligament and meniscus tear in her right knee during the Nov. 24 matchup against Niagara in the Cayman Islands Tournament.

Mulkey confirmed Reese will be playing in their Nov. 30 game against VT.

“It’s a boost having her back, period. It’s not just against Virginia Tech. It’s just for our team. She’s just a tremendous player, one of the best players in the country,” Mulkey said.

LSU defeated the Hokies in Dallas last season in the 2023 Final Four. 

“I really think Angel will just be like Angel,” Mulkey said as she spoke on Reese’s “really good” performance in practice. 

In regards to Smith’s injury, Mulkey said, “Timing is everything in life, and the timing of her injury is just so sad for her because she has improved by leaps and bounds. The timing of Angel being back kind of helps, but there’s no substitution for the value that Sa’Maya has to our team and what she’s meant thus far.”

As Reese has been confirmed to play with the team in their game against the Hokies, coach Mulkey attributed the athlete’s absence for the past two weeks to “locker-room issues” and described it as an internal team matter that was unnecessary to publicize. However, the LSU coach expects an easy return for Reese, noting her relationship with her teammates and coaches. “We’re past it… We’ve been past it. It’s just we have to come in here and answer questions and that becomes aggravating,” the Tigers coach said and added, “I’m going to protect my players.”

Reese missed the last four games against Southern Louisiana, Texas Southern, Niagara, and Virginia. The team was able to collect victories at each of the games while Reese was absent. The Tigers have not been defeated since their game in Las Vegas against the Colorado Buffaloes. 

Last season, Reese was a leading player on the court with an average of 23 points and 15.4 rebounds. She also holds an NCAA record with 34 double-doubles in a season. Reese helped the Tigers take home the program’s maiden national title. The Tigers defeated the Hokies in the Final Four before defeating Iowa to win the championship game. Reese has garnered a lot of media attention and secured over $1 million in endorsements. The star basketball player, who is known as Bayou Barbie, is stylish on and off the court and has expressed her interest in modeling. She is also a 2023 Black Enterprise 40 Under 40 honoree.

The star player has been known for her strong personality, staying true to herself and not shying away from critics.

RELATED CONTENT: Rumors Swirl Over Angel Reese’s Limited Playing Time

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