by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 13, 2025

U.S. Ethics Officials Ousted Amid Investigation Into Access Of Letitia James’ Mortgage Records

The recent removal of Fannie Mae ethics officials comes amid probes into improper access to mortgage records of Letitia James and other Democrats.

Fannie Mae’s abrupt removal of ethics officials is drawing scrutiny amid probes into whether Trump allies improperly accessed mortgage records for Letitia James and other Democrats.

Experts are raising concerns about William Pulte, a strong Trump supporter and head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), who has accused James, Rep. Adam Schiff, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook of mortgage fraud, The Guardian reports. All three deny the claims, and analysts are viewing the cases as a possible attempt by Trump to target political opponents.

Mortgage data is highly sensitive, and fraud investigations are rarely handled by the FHFA inspector general, whose office typically acts as an internal watchdog. After Pulte made the referrals, former officials and experts have been noting how unusual they are.

Amid the review, Fannie Mae ethics officials who investigated Pulte’s potential improper access to mortgage records were removed. Acting Inspector General Joe Allen was asked to step down, leaving the office vacant, while roughly a dozen ethics and internal investigations staff, including Chief Ethics Officer Suzanne Libby and General Counsel Danielle McCoy, were fired or resigned under pressure last month.

Fannie Mae ethics and internal investigations officials had received complaints that FHFA senior officials ordered employees to access the mortgage records of James and others. They referred the matter to the inspector general, who then sent it to the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Trump recently installed ally Lindsey Halligan in that role. According to a source, Halligan was reportedly displeased to receive the information, which could become part of the discovery for James’s lawyers, and allegedly forwarded it to the White House. Halligan denies this, calling the claim false.

“This is more Fake News from people who are trying to impede the criminal justice system,” a spokesperson for FHFA said in a statement.

Pulte says the employees were fired as part of a broader effort against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Still, many note the suspicious timing of removing internal watchdogs investigating his potential access to mortgage records.

Falcons,James Pearce, Arrested , Domestic Dispute

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 13, 2025

This Guy! New Mexico Man Claims Cockroach Whispered Deadly Commands Before He Allegedly Killed Two Men

Alexis Hernandez has been arrested after being accused of killing two men

A man, Alexis Hernandez, has been arrested in New Mexico after being accused of killing two men. The suspect allegedly told police officials that he had “received an encrypted message in a cockroach” to kill one of the men in the residence.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office posted to its social media page that police officers responded to reports of gunfire in the area on Nov. 7 at around 10:27 p.m. Deputies arrived at the residence to see two dead men with apparent gunshot wounds. There were also three other adults and two children at the place, unharmed. The police detained the three adults for questioning, while the children were removed from the scene.

One of the men was taken into custody as the investigation is ongoing.

According to People, the suspect is 25-year-old Alexis Hernandez, who was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on Nov. 8 and is facing charges for two open counts of murder in the first degree. The affidavit states that when deputies arrived at the residence, they were confronted by Hernandez, who met them at the front door. He was observed with “a firearm on his waistband and a Marine Corps Sabre on his hip,” and told officers that he was in the Marines and “had to do what he had to do,” because of said cockroach.

He claimed that the property owner was stalking him and had cameras in the lights, and he heard “creepy voices coming from the vents.”

He stated that he had “been getting signs” to kill the property owner. He also told them that he had “received an encrypted message in a cockroach because [the property owner] did not like cockroaches.”

The message was verification, in Hernandez’s mind, that he needed to kill the owner. He also said that he was “seeing signs all around him that he saw and couldn’t ignore,” before carrying out the alleged crime.

Hernandez said that he previously bought a Glock for protection, and had it with him because he was “afraid for his life” when the two men reportedly took him to the back room of the house. The property owner was shot in the head, and the other victim, unidentified, was shot in the kitchen. He allegedly shot both men again after he went to his vehicle to reload his gun.

He acknowledged that he knew that there were two children in the home, but he had no intentions of taking or doing “anything to them,” although they did witness the shootings.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 13, 2025

Guadeloupe And Martinique Seek Compensation And Justice From France For Pesticide Poisoning

Guadeloupe and Martinique residents exposed for years to a toxic pesticide are demanding justice from the French government.

Residents of Guadeloupe and Martinique are demanding financial compensation and accountability from the French government over years of forced exposure to toxic pesticides.

In a landmark March 2025 ruling, a French court held the state responsible for the reproductive issues of two women and nine men who developed prostate cancer, acknowledging that France had knowingly exposed them to a toxic pesticide with lifelong consequences, Inside Climate News reported. With over 90% of Guadeloupe and Martinique’s populations carrying traces of chlordecone in their blood — and both islands reporting some of the world’s highest prostate cancer rates — residents are demanding recognition and justice from the French government.

“We were exposed to this chemical that was known for its harmful effects, daily and constantly. And it has ruined lives,” said Georgina Lambert, a native of Guadaloupe who suffered six consecutive miscarriages before realizing her reproductive struggles were because of her forced exposure to the toxic pesticide.

Lambert, now living in France, grew up in Guadeloupe, swimming in rivers and playing among banana trees rooted in soil contaminated with chlordecone. The French government continued using the toxic pesticide on banana plantations until the mid-1990s, despite its known danger, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banning it in 1976 and the World Health Organization labeling it a carcinogen three years later.

Today, much of Guadeloupe and Martinique remains covered in banana fields bordered by homes and schools where chlordecone was once heavily used. The chemical continues to seep into soil and water with each rainfall, contaminating streams, livestock, and crops, with its toxic effects expected to linger for up to 600 years.

“The food chain was contaminated,” said Luc Multigner, one of the lead researchers at Iserm, who spent two decades studying the pesticide. “As a result, contamination wasn’t limited to banana plantation areas only.”

Recent studies from France’s National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) show that chlordecone is an endocrine disruptor linked to prostate cancer, premature births, and developmental issues in children. New research published on Oct. 16, 2025, found it also reduces women’s fertility — those with high blood levels were 25–28% less likely to conceive.

However, the journey to justice continues as French Caribbean residents residing over 4,000 miles from Paris endure the scars of this environmental disaster. Each call for justice reignites long-held resentment over France’s colonial legacy, inequality, and neglect of its overseas territories.

In 2019, Lambert learned of a lawsuit filed by nearly 1,300 Guadeloupe and Martinique residents seeking compensation for chlordecone exposure. She joined the case, and in March 2025, a court ordered the state to pay her and 10 others up to €10,000 each. Though few plaintiffs succeeded, the ruling could set a precedent for future claims. As a result, the French government has appealed the decision, drawing criticism from the victims’ lawyer, Christophe Leguevaques.

“The state is engaging in double-talk. The president and some ministers have publicly acknowledged the state’s share of responsibility, so why does it bother them when the courts agree?” Leguevaques said.

“[The state] claims it wants to improve the situation for its citizens, yet when there is a tool that allows them to do so, they challenge it. It’s incomprehensible to the residents of the French Caribbean.”

In response to the crisis, France has introduced measures such as free “chlordeconemie” blood tests and government-funded soil testing through groups like Jafa in Guadeloupe. A “maximum residue limit” policy also permits food with low chlordecone levels to be sold — an approach often criticized by locals.

“They’re trying to contain the problem, not solve it,” said Josiane Jos Pelage, a pediatrician who hosts community meetings to help residents better understand chlordecone and its dangers. “It’s not ambitious enough.”

by Jameelah Mullen

November 13, 2025

USAA Commits $500M To Help Veterans Achieve Financial Security

USAA Celebrate Veterans Day with programs that offer year-round support to the military community.

In its more than 100-year history, United Services Automobile Association (USAA), a member-owned financial services company, has been a leader in serving the military and their families. The company is now expanding its advocacy to help active-duty military members transition more smoothly into civilian life.

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Under the leadership of new CEO Juan Andrade, who took on the role in April 2025, the company launched Honor Through Action, a $500 million commitment over the next five years aimed at helping military families transition into rewarding careers and secure financial stability through various partnerships across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

“One of the things that takes place when you leave the military is that you lose your tribe,” Andrade told CNBC News. “We get that, and this is about helping them find a new tribe.”

Each year, about 250,000 active-duty military members transition to veteran status in the U.S. According to the Department of Defense, fewer than one in five transitioning service members feel fully prepared to find civilian jobs, and once employed, they typically stay in the same position for less than a year. Additionally, the unemployment rate for military spouses is 4 times the civilian average, according to Blue Star Families.

Job insecurity can lead to financial strain. Moreover, some veterans experience emotional struggles and culture shock as they adjust to civilian life, Andrade notes. The CEO highlights the importance of not only helping them find new jobs but also matching them with careers that suit their individual needs and personalities.

“That starts creating that sense of belonging, which I think is very important from a mental health standpoint, and it’s also very related to the financial side,” he said to CNBC News. “If you don’t feel that you belong somewhere and if your finances are not in a good place, you’re going to have incredible stress, and we want to focus on solving some of those problems before they become real issues.”

Andrade said one of Honor Through Action’s main focuses is strengthening relationships with companies seeking to hire veterans. It also aims to provide resources for reskilling and childcare to help veterans and their spouses overcome barriers and improve their chances of securing meaningful career success.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 13, 2025

Student-Founded NonProfit Transforms Communities By Feeding School Children In Kenya

The nonprofit empowers community members to get involved in its mission.

A college student from Kenya has turned her education into a mission to feed young scholars.

At just 20 years old, Wawira Nijiru serves as CEO of Food4Education. The international student founded the nonprofit to provide meals to hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren in her home nation in East Africa.

Her passion comes from her own academic background as a nutritionist and food scientist. She wants the nonprofit to address the hunger issue directly in the region. Since its inception, it has given out over 100 million meals to help children avoid hunger.

Nijiru spoke on the CNBC “Changemakers and Power Players” podcast about Food4Education and her homegrown values that help her facilitate this service. The 20-something started the first-ever meal service by cooking it herself. She wanted to do something for her local community, starting with a meal to feed 80 people.

While she remembers the burnt rice, what was launched was a greater purpose to feed her country. Others began donating to her cause, which she believes is the first step toward inspiring others.

“When you give someone food, the first thing, and the first motivation that I have, is to give them dignity,” she said.

Although a nonprofit, she does not run Food4Education as a charity. Instead, she allows parents to pay what they can so they can feel empowered by this system.

“Our kids, our parents, we treat them like our customers,” continued Nijiri. “They’re not beneficiaries, because they do contribute a subsidized amount, and they do have ownership.”

The process works through small digital wallets attached to wristbands that the children wear during lunchtime. During their meal break, children scan their wristbands to pay for meals submitted through mobile platforms.

While parents may not always be able to pay the full amount, the meals are often subsidized through donations and government support. Local kitchens have also chipped in to create the nutritious meals, while parents also clock in as staff.

“They’re treated like heroes, because the people there know that these are the people who bring us food every single day. And I think that local ownership, that being from a place and serving a place is really, really critical,” she added.

However, Nijiru says this level of participation is crucial and makes everyone feel responsible and helpful in ensuring the kids eat.

“The anchor of this financing system is a child. Everyone is participating to make sure that the child is able to eat, and by bringing in smart ways where the government can contribute, parents can contribute. Philanthropy can cover the gaps, we’re really able to shift how school feeding happens,” Njiru said.

Sustainability is another core tenet of Food4Education. The kitchen is part of its ecosystem, aiming to maintain a zero-waste policy, further amplified by the technologies used. The wristband not only keeps things on track financially but also provides crucial insights to keep Food4Education’s operations tight. Nijiru has already seen the results, including less truancy and better test scores.

Kids are attending school more regularly, and then their performance goes up as a result. … they’re healthier, they’re falling sick less often,” she said.

However, the transformation of communities across Kenya remains one of her most significant accomplishments. She now hopes to make more plates for the hundreds of millions of food-insecure school children across Africa.

by Jameelah Mullen

November 13, 2025

Mariah Carey’s Early Recording Heads To Auction, And It Probably Won’t Come Cheap

Here’s your chance to earn a rare piece of Mariah history.

A rare Mariah Carey demo tape will soon go up for auction. Just in time for the holidays, someone could own a one-of-a-kind music collection from the Queen of Christmas. Experts estimate the rare recording could sell for $20,000.

The 7-track cassette, recorded in the late 1980s and recently discovered in producer DJ Arthur Baker’s personal collection, will be auctioned in December through the music magazine and merchandise site Wax Poetics. It features early versions of songs from Carey’s debut album, including “Vision of Love,” “Someday,” and “Alone in Love,” as well as several unreleased tracks.

Baker recalls the night he met Carey at a holiday party. The then-19-year-old was working as a backup singer for Brenda K. Starr when she handed Baker the tape. When he listened to it later that evening, he knew he had discovered a gem.

“I stick the cassette in and the first three songs are all hits, and I’m thinking ‘Holy s**t it’s Madonna meets Whitney. She writes like Madonna, sounds like Whitney. This is it, I’ve discovered gold,’” said the producer, who has worked with artists such as Afrika Bambaataa, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper, and Prince.

However, according to Baker, another copy of the tape ended up with Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, who signed Carey to a record deal in 1989, propelling her into superstardom.

Wax Poetics CEO Alex Bruh describes the tape as one of the most sought-after items the company has acquired and estimates it could sell for up to twenty thousand dollars.

“It captures the exact moment an era-defining artist was emerging, before the world knew her name,” Bruh said in a statement obtained by Billboard.

The auction, which runs Dec. 2-11, will include a certificate of authenticity, archival notes, and materials from Wax Poetics’ collection. Fans can register to bid on the tape via the Wax Poetics website.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rainbow coalition, Black men xcel

by Kandiss Edwards

November 13, 2025

Prayers Up! Reverend Jesse Jackson Hospitalized Amid Battle With Neurodegenerative Disease

Jackson has been battling the rare neurodegenerative disorder Progressive Supranuclear Palsy for many years.

Civil-rights icon Reverend Jesse Jackson has been hospitalized and is “under observation” at a Chicago hospital.

On Nov.12, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition announced Jackson has been battling the rare neurodegenerative disorder progressive supranuclear palsy for many years. The coalition revealed the 84-year-old’s condition is currently being treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, with additional updates pending.

“He has been managing this neurodegenerative condition for more than a decade,” the Rainbow PUSH statement read. “He was originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease; however, last April, his PSP condition was confirmed. The family appreciates all prayers at this time.”

Progressive supranuclear palsy affects movement, balance and eye-tracking. Unfortunately, the neurodegenerative disease progresses more rapidly than other commonly known degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease.

The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) states there is no cure or treatment able to slow the progression of symptoms. Consequently, most patients develop significant disability within three to five years. Symptoms are far-ranging and impact one’s ability to function independently. According to the NINDS, symptoms include:

Unexplained falls caused by “axial rigidity”
Speech impediments and complications due to swallowing
Unique eye movement problem: specifically, difficulty looking up and down.

It is important to remain vigilant if a person in your life is experiencing multiple indicators of the disease. Some of the signs of PSP can be mistaken for regular signs of aging, happenstance, or a freak accident. However, along with the physical symptoms, be on the lookout for changes in mood and disposition, including:

Depression
Lack of motivation
Changes in judgment, insight, and problem-solving
Difficulty finding words
Forgetfulness
Loss of interest in activities the person used to enjoy
Increased irritability
Sudden laughing, crying, or angry outbursts for no apparent reason
Personality changes
Slowed, slurred, or monotone speech
Difficulty swallowing
Mask-like facial expressions
Sleep problems

There is no word on the severity of Rev. Jackson’s condition or when he will be released from observation.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 13, 2025

Female TikToker Allegedly Kidnapped And Killed In Public Square In Mali Sparks International Concern

A suspected reason for the shooting was the TikToker's alleged support of Mali's military.

A known TikToker was allegedly kidnapped and killed by armed men in Mali. The grave act of violence sparks international concern.

According to reports, unidentified men took Mariame Cissé, a content creator in Mali who garnered fame on TikTok, and allegedly killed her in plain sight. Cissé had occasionally posted videos of herself in army fatigues, a suspected reason for her killing, to her over 140,000 followers.

Before her passing, Cissé posted short vlogs about her daily life in Tonka. News outlets believe her growing platform caught the eye of the assailant, thus endangering her life. According to AJ+, the Mali TikToker appeared to be in her 20s.

@ajplus A Malian TikToker was publicly executed by an armed group. Mariam Cissé was livestreaming when she was kidnapped by armed men. #MariamCisse #Mali #Tonka #PublicExecution #Africa ♬ Incredible_Breaking News, Press, verification VTR, Disaster Prediction, Disaster Prevention, Earthquake, Emergency (1204983) – Ney

The Associated Press confirmed her death with the mayor of Timbuktu, a major and ancient city in the West African country. The city official described the scene as a public horror. The men reportedly snatched the influencer and returned her to the town square in Tonka the next day, where they fatally shot her.

“The young TikTok user Mariame Cissé was abducted by armed men on Friday while she was at the weekly market in Echel … The following day, at dusk, the same men brought her back to Independence Square in Tonka and executed her in front of a crowd,” explained Mayor Yehia Tandina.

His fellow mayor in Tonka, Mamadou Konipo, also confirmed the incident’s validity. However, he did not provide further details on the tragedy. An al-Qaida affiliate, Jama’at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, reportedly operates out of the city, located around 93 miles from Timbuktu.

The news has gained international attention for the public violence, especially against a civilian like Cissé. However, the notion of her alleged allegiance and support of the nation’s military sparked an apparent reaction, although the militia group has not claimed responsibility.

Mali has dealt with internal militia conflict for over a decade, as multiple military officials have taken power from one another in subsequent coups. The instability has led to a shaky Mali government, which has threatened the safety and security of civilians. Now, more eyes are back on the conditions in Mali and how they impact its native people.

Kamala Harris, day of unreasonable conversations, 107 Days, book tour, Trump adminsitration

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 13, 2025

Kamala Harris Says Democrats Took Black Women For Granted Last Election

Kamala Harris got candid on her recent book stop

Kamala Harris got candid on her recent book stop, opening up on her thoughts of how the Democratic party treats Black women voters.

Harris spoke on the Nov. 9 episode of Storehouse & Friends during her press tour for 107 Days. During the chat with its host, Tamira Chapman, and panelists Melissa Butler and Kiaira Nixon, the former presidential candidate shared her views on how the Democratic party has “taken for granted” this target demographic.

“The Democratic Party has taken Black women for granted. There are very specific issues that impact Black women in America that should’ve been some of the highest priorities. I made them priorities when I was Vice president [such as] Black maternal mortality.”

Harris made clear she believes the left has slighted Black women in their approach to policy concerns, despite the majority of Black women voting in their favor. Last November, 92% of Black women voted Harris over Trump, the highest percentage out of any other voters by sex and race, NBC News reported.

Despite their overwhelming support, Harris thinks the Dems do not uplift them, leaving Black women subjected to the heightened systemic harm.

Harris has not minced words while on tour or within her book since leaving office earlier this year. The former vice President also emphasized her disappointment with how the Biden Administration handled the entire election season. Previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE, she even deemed Biden’s initial bid for re-election a moment of “recklessness.”

However, she remains strong in her identity and political stances, especially as she reflected on her short presidential campaign. While not counting out nor confirming her re-entry into the political arena, Harris also detailed her discontent with Trump, calling him “this guy in office.” She explained how his crusade against DEI has further marginalized Black women, especially in scientific breakthroughs.

She continued, “And then you look at what’s happening now with this guy in office, and they’re cutting funding for scientific research if it has the word woman or Black in it. So, to your point, I am never going to shy away from who I am. I’m never going to feel burdened that, because of who I am in terms of my race and my gender, that I should pretend not to be.”

As Harris continues to promote her memoir, the private citizen remains vocal about issues prevalent to the group who many deem the “backbone” of the Democratic Party.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 13, 2025

Jaguars Rookie Travis Hunter Out For Season After Knee Surgery

The two-way player had surgery to repair a Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) on his knee

2025 Heisman Trophy Winner and Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter will no longer be playing football this season, as a season-ending surgery has taken him out for the year.

NFL.com reported that the injury that Hunter suffered recently, which has kept him out for the past two games, will now keep him out for the season. The two-way player (wide receiver/cornerback) had surgery to repair his Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) on his knee on Nov. 11. The recovery period is expected to be six months, knocking him out until next season.

Jaguars WR/CB Travis Hunter undergoes season-ending knee surgery. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/aXe934qnsi
— NFL (@NFL) November 11, 2025

He was initially expected only to miss four games when he was placed on the injured reserve list after he suffered the injury in practice two weeks ago.

Hunter has been utilized on both the defensive and offensive sides this season, primarily playing as a wide receiver on offense. In the seven games he has appeared in, he has 28 receptions for 298 yards. On defense, he has broken up three passes and made 15 tackles. The rookie was coming off his best game of his career when he caught eight passes for 101 yards, while scoring a touchdown when the Jaguars lost to the Los Angeles Rams during Week 7.

Hunter has had an interesting year, with one more month to go. After winning the Heisman Trophy during his senior year at the University of Colorado Boulder, he graduated, got married, became a father, bought a new home, and moved to a new state after being drafted No. 2 in the NFL Draft. He also got baptised at a new church during the season.

The Jaguars had placed a lot of stock in Hunter after trading up to obtain the No. 2 Draft Pick from the Cleveland Browns, even sending their 2026 first-round pick to get their hands on the former Colorado player.

The team remains in playoff contention with a 5-4 record and currently holds the No. 7 seed in the AFC.