Deion Sanders
by Derek Major

November 17, 2023

Former ESPN Pundit Jason Whitlock Throws Shade At Colorado Football Coach Deion Sanders

Former ESPN pundit and current Fox Sports Radio host Jason Whitlock continued his attacks on Colorado Head Coach Deion Sanders

Former ESPN pundit and current Fox Sports Radio host Jason Whitlock continued his attacks on Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, comparing him to Lavar Ball.

“If LaVar Ball had coached his sons in college, this is what it would look like,” Whitlock said, according to Sports Illustrated. “Deion is nothing more than LaVar Ball with someone who is foolish enough to give him $5-$6 million to coach their team.”

Ball, the outspoken father of NBA stars Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo, became a well-known name in sports as CEO of the Big Baller Brand and pushed his sons to the Lakers and Knicks franchises.

Sanders’ Buffaloes got off to a hot start this season with big wins over TCU and Colorado State as a bevy of celebrities attended their games and praised him as a great coach ready to turn around a program that had just one win last year.

However, the team and Sanders have returned to earth and are now in second to last place in the PAC-12 conference at 4-5 overall and 1-6 in the conference. The Buffaloes are also in danger of not qualifying for a bowl game.

Whitlock has attacked Sanders numerous times, calling him a false God and saying the former Dallas Cowboy has no idea what he’s doing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQD1QS0FvwQ

Sanders has taken ownership of Colorado’s shortcomings this season, telling the media in September, “You better get me right now, this is the worst we’re going to be, you better get me right now, ’cause I like what I see.”

Once a well-respected sports journalist, Whitlock is no stranger to courting controversy and criticizing people seemingly unbothered by him, including ESPN host Stephen A. Smith and football analyst Mina Kimes. 

Colorado can become bowl-eligible if they win their next two games against Washington State and No. 16-ranked Utah. The Buffaloes’ offensive line has struggled to protect quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who’s been sacked 45 times this season. Additionally, the Buffaloe’s defense has had difficulty stopping opponents, giving up an average of 33.9 points per game this season. 

The struggles of Colorado are expected, considering this is Sanders’ first year at the helm and the major overhaul the team went through entering this season. After Sanders was hired, he immediately replaced 41 scholarship players, adding 46 new players to the team.

RELATED CONTENT: Coach Prime Deion Sanders Scores Guinness World Record With Massive Football Lesson

Kid Cudi, Diddy, Cassie
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 17, 2023

Kid Cudi Confirms Cassie’s Story That Diddy Allegedly Blew Up His Car

The "Day 'n' Nite" rapper says, “This is all true"

Former “Bad Boy” recording artist Cassie has filed a lawsuit against her former boyfriend and label owner, Sean “Diddy” Combs. In one of her accusations, she claimed that Diddy allegedly blew up the car of an artist that she was seeing at the time. Kid Cudi has confirmed that her version of events.

According to The Huffington Post, in the lawsuit that Cassandra Ventura, aka Cassie, filed, she stated that Diddy purportedly threatened to blow up Kid Cudi’s car, and shortly after that, his car allegedly exploded in the driveway of his residence. This took place in 2012.

“In February 2012 … Mr. Combs told Ms. Ventura that he was going to blow up Kid Cudi’s car and that he wanted to ensure that Kid Cudi was home with his friends when it happened,” the complaint says. “Around that time, Kid Cudi’s car exploded in his driveway. Ms. Ventura was terrified as she began to fully comprehend what Mr. Combs was both willing and able to do to those he believed had slighted him.”

In a statement published by The New York Times, through a spokesperson, the “Day ‘n’ Nite” rapper stated, “This is all true.”

Social media users on X, formerly known as Twitter, reacted to the news of Diddy carrying out this alleged act.

An old post from Gavin Godfrey was seen on the site, confirming that this isn’t the first time this story has been told. The post is from 2014.

Some users took to humor with their posts.

There’s an ironic twist to the next post since Diddy dressed as the Joker for Halloween last year.

“After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships,” Cassie said in a statement.

The New York Times reported that she filed the suit in Federal District Court in Manhattan and claimed the abuse against her started not long after meeting Diddy in 2005 when she was 19.

Black Santa Experience
by Jameelah Mullen

November 17, 2023

The Black Santa Experience Returns to Lansing, Michigan

This event will provide visibility to local Black-owned businesses.

The second annual Black Santa Experience will take place in Lansing, Michigan, on Saturday, November 25 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at The Venue by Eleven 11 Events  located at 5660 W Saginaw Hwy.

In celebration of Small Business Saturday, the experience will feature a vendor marketplace where shoppers can purchase gifts from over 25 small Black-owned businesses, including the  Socialight Society Bookstore, which features titles that are “predominantly authored by Black women, who often lack representation in traditional bookstores.”

The bookstore will host the Socialight Storytime Stage, an hourly storytime for children, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

According to Lansing.org, the experience was created out of the need for a culturally inclusive holiday party where Black children can see a Santa Claus that represents them.

“Representation matters and The Black Santa Experience is all about creating a magical holiday atmosphere where we celebrate our culture,” cofounder Karla Wagner said in a press release.

The all-day soiree will also host a silent auction in which proceeds will go to purchase gifts for children that will be delivered by Black Santa (George Smithers) on Christmas Eve. Gifts will be delivered on a “sleigh” courtesy of Sundance Chevrolet in Glen Ledge, MI.

With packages starting at $12, families can take photos with Black Santa at the event by booking an appointment.

This family friendly event also has something special for the parents. Adults can enjoy a pop-up lounge hosted by The Comfort Zone cigar lounge. Patrons can experience  “a sneak peek into the luxurious ambiance” of the lounge.

The Comfort Zone will also host an after party in which proceeds will benefit the Black Santa Experience.

For more information about the Black Santa Experience or to inquire about donations, sponsorship or vendor opportunities contact Wagner at karla@theblacksantaexperiencetm.com or visit The Blank Santa Experience’s website.

Morgan State Heads To Howard University Saturday With Shot At MEAC Title On The Line
by Derek Major

November 17, 2023

Morgan State Heads To Howard University Saturday With Shot At MEAC Title On The Line

The Morgan State Bears will take on the Howard Bison with a shot at the MEAC championship and an invite to the Celebration Bowl on the line.

The Morgan State Bears and the Howard Bison will resume their rivalry Saturday at Greene Stadium with a chance at the MEAC conference title on the line, according to The Baltimore Sun. 

Morgan State enters the game on a three-game winning streak, defeating Norfolk State, Delaware State, and South Carolina State. The wins put the Bears in a three-way tie for first place with North Carolina Central and Howard.

The Bears (4-5 overall, 3-1 in the MEAC) are led by a two-headed rushing attack in J.J. Davis and Jabriel Johnson with 750 yards rushing and three touchdowns combined. The Bears also sport three quarterbacks with at least two touchdowns this season. On the outside, the Bears will feature wide receiver Treveyon Pratt, who has 24 receptions for 326 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Davis told the Baltimore Sun the Bears expected to be in this position and are ready for the challenge.

“We always had these expectations,” redshirt junior running back J.J. Davis said. “Our coach always likes to break it down and say that we have two seasons. We have our non-conference schedule in basically the first five games, but the true season starts when we begin playing conference games. So we’ve always had expectations of winning the MEAC.” 

The true hallmark of Morgan State football this season is their defense. They’ve given just 19.5 points per game during MEAC play. Linebackers Elijah Williams and Erick Hunter are a formidable duo as Williams leads the Bears with five and a half sacks, and Hunter has a team-high 49 tackles.

The Bison (5-5 overall, 3-1 in the MEAC) have won three of their last four games, including a 50-20 drubbing of North Carolina Central. Quarterback Quinton Williams is the leader of the Bison’s offense, with 2,015 yards passing and 16 touchdowns this season. At running back, the Bison sport a committee of runners as Jarett Hunter, Eden James, and Ian Wheeler all have at least 300 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Wideout Kasey Hawthorne leads the team in receiving with 452 yards and five touchdowns, but the Bison spread the ball around as a bevy of backs, receivers, and tight end Gavin Davis have caught passes this season.

Defensively, the Bison don’t get to the quarterback much, but they make up for it on the back end as cornerback Kenny Gallop Jr. leads the team in tackles with 50 and has a team-high three interceptions.

The Bears must defeat the Bison on Saturday and hope for the biggest upset this season in the conference to capture their third MEAC title and an invite to the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 16 at noon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in New Orleans. If the Bears can defeat Howard, their hopes rest on Delaware State (1-9, 0-4) upsetting North Carolina Central (8-2, 3-1).

Ohio mom, Michigan, Darren, Dawson, Ohio, tortured closet, social security, Juvenile jails, ex cons for trump
by Stacy Jackson

November 17, 2023

Florida Teacher’s Aide Requests 30-Year Sentence for Student Who Brutally Beat Her

A teacher's aide is requesting a student receive the maximum 30-year sentence after he attacked her in class.

A teacher’s aide in Florida has released photos following an altercation that turned violent between her and a student.

Joan Naydich suffered brutal injuries after being attacked by one of her students at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast, Florida, where she worked as an aide, Daily Mail reported. The student, Brendan Depa, a 270-pound, 6-foot 6-inch teen, attacked Naydich after she asked him to stop playing his Nintendo Switch. According to the outlet, Naydich says the student was upset with a different staff member who would not allow him to play his Nintendo Switch, but she did not take his device from him.

Depa, who was 17 years old at the time of the incident and is autistic, pleaded no contest as an adult for first-degree aggravated battery. He faces charges after kicking and punching the aide in the back and head until she was rendered unconscious. 

Naydich suffered extensive injuries: five broken ribs, a concussion, and a loss of hearing. Newer images reveal gashes on her cheek, bruising around her eyes, a bloodshot eye, a tear on the back of her ear, and a dent on her nose, the outlet reported.

Depa faces sentencing on Jan. 31. Naydich is requesting the judge give him the maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The student’s family was hoping to reduce or eradicate all prison time to allow them to focus on his treatment; however, the defense team has not budged. 

“Unfortunately, a lot of my injuries that are not visible I’m going to have for the rest of my life,” Naydich said in an interview with Fox Orlando. Naydich returned to work in August in a different position, where she was placed on unpaid leave. To support her financially, she has been surviving off of charitable donations from the community, according to Daily Mail.

“I was attacked on February 21st and I feel like I’m just constantly being attacked,” Naydich said to Fox Orlando. 

According to Daily Mail, Naydich has expressed that she does not feel supported by the Flagler County School District and has been battling to get her workers’ compensation case approved. Naydich has been working with physicians who are seeking a diagnosis for her neurological symptoms, according to the outlet.

After a court-appointed psychologist determined Depa’s competency to stand trial, he awaits his sentencing by Circuit Judge Terence Perkins early next year. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 31.

Depa is being held at the Flagler County Jail on a $1 million bond.

RELATED CONTACT: Middle School Violence: Student Arrested for Aggravated Battery

Angel Reese, Mental Health, NCAA Championship
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 17, 2023

Rumors Swirl Over Angel Reese’s Limited Playing Time

There is growing speculation about Angel Reese's limited playing time in LSU's last game

There is growing speculation about Angel Reese being benched during LSU’s last game.

Reese was noticeably absent from the second half of LSU’s game against Kent State on Tuesday, Nov. 14. When LSU women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey was asked why Reese didn’t return to the court despite being in the starting lineup, Mulkey offered a cryptic response, as noted by Clutch Points.

“I could, but I won’t,” Mulkey said. “It was just a coach’s decision.”

Reese is a key player for the LSU Tigers and played most of the first quarter, but only played 13 minutes in the game. But a source close to the team says her recent benching might be the result of an “attitude adjustment,” according to OutKick the Coverage.

When asked about Reese’s status for Friday’s game at Southeastern Louisiana, Mulkey issued another cryptic response.

“I guess you better have a ticket to see, huh,” Mulkey said with a smile. “All right, you better get a ticket and see.”

The LSU star’s benching comes amid a social media war between her mother, Angel Web Reese, and the mother of her teammate Flau’jae Johnson. Reese’s mom recently shaded Johnson for poor grammar choice on social media, which Johnson’s mom, Kia Brooks clapped back with some shade of her own.

“You definitely know about grammar errors when your daughter got a 2.0-or-less grade point average,” Brooks said. “Stop being petty, fake and hateful, and take responsibility for you and your daughter’s actions.”

RELATED CONTENT: Candace Parker Wants To Return To WNBA But Only If Her Foot Heals Completely: ‘I Can’t Play In Pain’

business credit report, score, build, building business credit, FICO, KEEP BALANCES LOW
by Jeffrey McKinney

November 17, 2023

Multiple Ways To Help Boost Your Credit Score As 2024 Approaches

Improving your credit score is a goal that you should certainly consider before the ball drops.

Losing weight, quitting smoking, and getting organized are among many Americans’ most popular New Year’s resolutions. 

However, with 2024 approaching soon, improving your credit score is another goal you should consider adding to the top of your list before the ball drops.

Strong credit can be invaluable whether you’re a Gen Z, millennial, or baby boomer. For instance, it can help you bag a home mortgage, auto loan, and financing to pay for college. Simultaneously, bad or poor credit can make you a risky borrower, reducing your chances of getting approved and obtaining a good or lower interest rate.

BLACK ENTERPRISE has reported Black Americans are less likely than white Americans to know their credit score. Yet, being aware of that is vital as you cannot act to improve the problem until you have the details. And that can be a game-changer as a stronger credit score can also lead to better insurance rates and credit card interest rates and rewards. Further, it can even influence where you live and work. According to this report, the nation’s average credit score is 696 using the VantageScore model. So, that means the average American is barely under the good 700 credit range. The ideal score is a minimum of 750, the start of the top-notch credit range. A chart here shows states with the highest and lowest credit scores.

To help improve your score, there are several actions to consider taking. One of the first is getting copies of your credit report to ensure the information is correct. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to get a free report from each of the three national credit reporting firms every 12 months.

Further, analyze your credit report for mistakes and check it regularly. The reason: There could be details that should not be there and reduce your scores. Be assertive and ensure an account in decent shape is included in your report.

And very importantly, pay bills by the due date. That action is among the most significant factors affecting your credit score. Paying bills timely can even help boost your score. Consider a system where bills are paid automatically, erasing the risk of missing a payment and incurring late fees.

A new report here and this information offers more tips to help enhance your credit score.

RELATED CONTENT: Is The Credit Score System Holding Black People Back? Dr. Bernice King and Ashley Bell Think So

Tyler Perry’s Dream Retirement Includes ‘Getting As High As I’ve Ever Wanted To Be’
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 17, 2023

Tyler Perry’s Dream Retirement Includes ‘Getting As High As I’ve Ever Wanted To Be’

If Tyler Perry could have it his way, he'd be off on a sunny beach "getting as high as I've ever wanted to be."

If Tyler Perry could have it his way, he’d be off on a sunny beach “getting as high as I’ve ever wanted to be.”

The billionaire media mogul made the admission on Kelly Ripa’s Let’s Talk About It Off Camera Sirius XM podcast. For Perry, who’s always hard at work pushing out films and television shows throughout the year, he would like to slow down and relax.

“I think my retirement will be more like Clint Eastwood, you know, so instead of doing 12 movies in four years, I’ll probably be doing one movie in six months or something like that,” Perry said.

“Right. One movie in six months. I love that. So, a real slow down,” Ripa said in response.

“A real slowdown, yeah, but ideally, I’d love to be on a beach smoking weed. Just no cares. Just smoking as much as I want. Just getting as high as I’ve ever wanted to be and just say whatever’s on my mind, so that’s my retirement days,” Perry added.

Perry currently has four projects in the works or slated for an upcoming release. His Netflix film Mea Culpa is currently in post-production. The film follows an ambitious criminal defense attorney who takes on the murder case of an artist in his fight to become a partner.

As part of his Amazon first-look deal, Perry has Black, White and Blue” and the upcoming Divorce in the Black. The latter stars Meagan Good, Cory Hardrict, Debbi Morgan, Richard Lawson and tells the story of Ava, a young bank professional who is devastated when her husband Dallas abandons a marriage she is determined to fight for.

Perry has been hard at work writing and directing Six Triple Eight, a period film about the all-Black, all-female battalion during World War II starring Kerry Washington, Sam Waterston, Susan Sarandon, and Oprah Winfrey.

RELATED CONTENT: Tyler Perry Dishes On Helping Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Through Royal Family Turmoil; ‘It Was A Beautiful Moment’

Dwight Howard, military service
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 17, 2023

Dwight Howard Wants Primary Custody Of 13-Year-Old Daughter After Seeing Her ‘Inappropriate’ TikTok Videos

Former NBA player Dwight Howard wants to have primary custody of his 13-year-old daughter with Tiffany Render.

Former NBA player Dwight Howard seems to be in the news more these days than when he was on the basketball court. Radar Online has acquired documents stating that the former Orlando Magic center wants primary custody of his 13-year-old daughter.

The legal paperwork reveals that Howard has filed a petition to have the current custody arrangement and child support modified for his daughter, Layla Lo’Ren Howard. Howard wants his daughter’s mother, Tiffany Render, to lose custody after their daughter posted some “inappropriate” TikTok videos and filmed a reality television show.

The former couple agreed to Howard lowering the amount of child support payments he made from $12,000 a month to $3,000 earlier this year due to a “substantial change” in his income. With that arrangement, they agreed to Render having primary custody while the former player got visitation rights. They both have joint legal custody, allowing them to be included in important life decisions for their daughter.

Now, with the current petition, Howard wants primary custody of Layla, to have the child support arrangement terminated, and wants Render to pay him child support, the outlet reports.

His reasoning for the change is due to Render relocating to Florida with Layla and not notifying him of the move. This took place in July, according to the outlet. He then claimed that she has “failed and refused” to talk to him about issues that affect his daughter, including education, healthcare, and her general well-being.

The paperwork states that she “failed and refused to provide access to the Minor Child and failed and refused to discuss, in good faith, the Minor Child’s relocation, unenrollment in her prior school or enrollment in her new school in Florida.”

What made the matter worse was when Howard saw TikTok clips posted by his daughter. In them, she is “flipping off” the camera, and there were “videos of the Minor Child, scantily clad and/or in age-inappropriate clothing, with vulgar, sexual songs playing in the background, wherein which the Minor Child is making sexually inappropriate gestures and innuendo.”

Howard says she demonstrated “an inability to maintain a healthy home environment in which to raise the Minor Child.”

According to the media outlet, Render has not responded to the petition.

Memphis Man Faces Charges for Repeated Home Depot Heists Totaling Over $5,000
by Rafael Pena

November 17, 2023

Memphis Man Faces Charges for Repeated Home Depot Heists Totaling Over $5,000

A Memphis man is now facing charges for allegedly pilfering goods worth over $5,000 from Home Depot not once but twice.

A Memphis man is now in police custody on Nov. 13, facing charges for allegedly stealing goods worth over $5,000 from Home Depot not once but twice, according to the Memphis Police Department, as reported by Action News 5.

Gary Johnson, 34, stands accused of orchestrating two separate thefts from the Home Depot on Truse Parkway. The first incident unfolded on July 30, when Johnson reportedly strolled into the store and navigated his cart through various departments, ultimately focusing on the plumbing and kitchen sections.

During this spree, police contend that Johnson loaded his cart with a considerable haul, including a kitchen sink, cabinets, and light fixtures, accumulating a total value of $1,565. Boldly, he exited the establishment without settling the bill.

Not content with his first haul, Johnson, three days later, on Aug. 3, allegedly revisited the Truse Parkway Home Depot for another round of illicit shopping. This time, he strategically guided his cart to the farthest reaches of the store, where he seized two water heaters. To add to his loot, he snatched up a kitchen sink and faucet, brazenly exiting the premises again without bothering to pay.

The Memphis Police Department estimates the cumulative value of both thefts to be an astounding $5,212, emphasizing the audacity and scale of Johnson’s alleged criminal exploits.

Following an extensive investigation, Johnson was apprehended and formally booked on Nov. 13, marking a significant development in the case. Authorities are now working to build a case against Johnson, whose repeated actions have raised concerns about the vulnerability of retail establishments.

The Memphis Police Department has yet to release details about Johnson’s charges. Still, given the significant value of the stolen items and the repeated offenses, legal consequences are anticipated to be substantial.

This incident underscores the challenges faced by retailers in maintaining security and preventing theft, prompting a broader discussion about strategies to deter and address such criminal activities in commercial establishments throughout the city.

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