Atlanta, Black History Month, Martin Luther King,

by Ahsan Washington

February 2, 2026

Black History In The Homes Dr. Martin Luther King Lived In

These historic addresses are of great importance as they document the personal and political development of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up in Atlanta before becoming a religious figure and the most iconic leader of the modern Civil Rights Movement. These historic addresses are of great importance as they document the personal and political development of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from his upbringing in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood before moving to Montgomery, which led to the historic bus boycotts, and then to Chicago’s West Side, where he faced Northern segregation.

The various homes that King resided in mark his journey in activism, organizing and rallying Black communities. The reverend and father of civil rights rested his head in the communities he worked in. He lived with his family among the people he advocated for. These addresses were homes and headquarters.

501 Auburn Ave.

Martin Luther King Jr. lived in this two-story Queen Anne–style home in Atlanta, Georgia, from his birth on Jan. 15, 1929, until age 12. It served as the cradle of his formative years, shaping his understanding of racial inequity and early religious inspiration. His upbringing took place in the modest yet beloved home, which provided him with faith and community ties, and connected him to the Black cultural heritage of Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood.

193 Boulevard

The King family established their second Atlanta residence at 193 Blvd., which represented their social advancement in Atlanta’s Black middle class. Martin Luther King Jr. and his family relocated to this brick house during summer 1941 after they outgrew their previous home on Auburn Avenue. The new home stood three blocks away from their original birthplace but provided bigger living areas for King’s teenage years.

Dexter Avenue Parsonage

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King lived with their daughter in the Dexter Avenue Parsonage at 309 South Jackson St., Montgomery, Alabama, from 1954 to 1960. During his time as a pastor and during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement, the parsonage served as the main location for important civil rights planning which led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The house experienced the oppressive conditions of segregation, while a bomb attack in 1956 tried to scare the King family from their home. The Dexter Parsonage Museum now maintains the historic site where Dr. King formed his nonviolent resistance philosophy.

Dexter Parsonage Museum

1550 South Hamlin Ave.

During his January 1966 campaign in Chicago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his family stayed in a third-floor walk-up apartment at 1550 South Hamlin Ave. The apartment exemplified the inadequate housing that Black residents endured in northern cities while King fought for open housing and equal access to quality neighborhoods. The building got destroyed during the post-assassination riots but the Dr. King Legacy Apartments now stand on the site to honor his work in Chicago.

234 Sunset Ave.

During the Civil Rights Movement, MLK and Coretta Scott King lived with their children at 234 Sunset Ave. in the Vine City neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia. The family lived at this location between 1964 and 1968 when King was assassinated. The property became historically important because it functioned as both a family home and a place where civil rights activities and strategic planning took place under King’s leadership of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Coretta Scott King founded the King Center at the location after his death. The National Park Service acquired the property and currently works to restore it for public interpretation.

stroke, Snoop daughter, Cori Broadus, baby, death

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 1, 2026

Cori Broadus, Snoop Dogg’s Daughter, Mourns Loss Of 10-Month-Old Baby Girl

The young mother had dealt with a life-threatening health condition, which resulted in her giving birth prematurely.

Snoop Dogg’s daughter, Cori Broadus, is grieving the loss of her 10-month-old child after a lengthy-stint in the NICU.

Broadus relayed the unfortunate news Jan. 31, announcing the death of her baby girl to her Instagram Story. In the heartbreaking post, the 26-year-old also shared a picture of her and the daughter, named Codi Dreaux.

“Monday I lost the love of my life. My Codi,” she wrote to social media, as reported by People.

Just three weeks before the infant’s untimely death, Broadus was celebrating the release of her child from the hospital. Broadus revealed that she had given birth three months prematurely in February 2025, leading the child to spend several months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

However, things had begun to look up, with doctors allowing Broadus to take her baby girl home.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cori Broadus (@princessbroadus)

Now, Broadus and the child’s father, Wayne Deuce, are reeling from the death of their baby girl. Both grieving parents shared photos from the infant’s life, with her father stating it’s the “saddest” time of his life.

“I been the saddest since u left me Codi Dreaux. But I know u at peace. Daddy will always love you,” shared Deuce.

Broadus was prompted to give birth 6 months into her pregnancy after she began to develop a series of health issues. The illness, HELLP syndrome, is a life-threatening health condition, considered to be a more severe form of preeclampsia. Prior to this pregnancy-related issue, Broadus had publicly struggled with other illnesses, including a stroke and lupus.

Despite the early arrival, Broadus delivered her daughter safely at 25 weeks. She also shared to Instagram about her “nicu baby,” stating that divine protection kept both mother and child healthy.

“I’ve cried and cried, I’ve compared and compared, blaming myself because I wasn’t able to give her all that she needed,” wrote Broadus at the time. “But no matter what God always shows me that He got me! Baby girl came at 25 weeks today and she’s the best!! Thank You God for getting me this far.”

Her family has banded together to support the grieving mother as she grapples with this heart-wrenching loss. The family’s patriarch, Snoop Dogg, also posted a picture, letting his following know that they remain united through the grief.

Michelle Obama, Becoming, Melania, Trump, Netflix, TikTok

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 1, 2026

Black TikTokers Rally During ‘Melania’ Opening Weekend To Boost Michelle Obama’s ‘Becoming’ To No. 1

The 'cultural power move' would show the Trump administration that the people are not buying the marketing scheme for 'Melania.'

Some Black TikTokers are making it their mission to make Michelle Obama’s Becoming the #1 film on Netflix amid Melania Trump’s movie premiere weekend.

Several TikTokers have pledged their participation to stream the documentary as the Republican party has their own movie night with the release of Melania. The film is a documentary about the life of the current First Lady, which has garnered polarizing, but primarily negative, reactions from viewers. The movie scored just a 10% on Rotten Tomatoes.

While the GOP encourages people to flock to the movies to see the film, Black social media users have sparked their own plan to resist. Many began to post videos, telling people to rate the 2020 feature so that it can rise in Netflix’s rankings.

@jama420.3 #becoming #MichelleObama on Netflix MAKE IT #1 https://#Michellhttpsom ♬ original sound – Jama420 🍁

@dannied01 Skip Melania. Watch Michelle Obama’s Becoming This Weekend on Netflix. #fyp #foryou ♬ Surprise Surprise – I Green Screen Things

Deeming it a “cultural power move,” Black TikTokers want the world, and the Trump Administration, to know the people still have the power, even at the box office.

@jamesonpoint1 Stream Becoming This Weekend: A Cultural Power Move Against the Melania Documentary – #BecomingNetflix #StreamBecoming #MichelleObama #CulturalPower #BlackHistoryMonth ♬ original sound – jamesonpoint1

“What happens when the country tries to hype a Melania documentary, and we answer by pushing “Becoming back into Netflix’s Top Ten,” questioned TikToker JamesonPoint1, also noting the marketing ploy by the GOP for others to watch the film.

He added, “Here’s the thing, we don’t have to sit on the sidelines watching the narrative get shaped for us, we can actually shape one of our own. The Michelle Obama documentary is already a cultural touchstone. It’s about growth, resilience, community and the power of owning your story… It’s the opposite energy of the PR-polish political rollout.”

Other TikTokers began to take note, sharing the initiative on their platforms as well. One content creator called the move a “moral victory” for the Democrats as Republicans head to the movies.

@nathancjun
WE CAN DO THIS!! STREAM BECOMING ON NETFLIX
♬ original sound – remy

“We need a moral victory this weekend,” shared Nathan C Jun, telling followers this is way to combat the Trump administration on top of the national shutdown that occurred over the weekend.

Jun continued, “You know how Melania’s documentary is premiering this weekend, and it is tanking. Theaters are not even selling a single ticket right now. Let’s make “Becoming” #1 this weekend… It would be so embarrassing for “Melania” to simultaneously tank.”

As news spread, Black TikTokers responded with a “say less” to the request.

@stevevonandbritt Say less… Let’s make Becoming number 1!#becomingovermelania #becoming ##michelleobama #netflix #greenscreensticker ♬ original sound – SteveVon and Britt

Some TikTokers are even holding streaming parties, while commenters shared how they will keep the documentary on repeat throughout the weekend to ensure it hits the charts.

“Just finished the first walk through, about to turn it on again to play while I nap and sleep good knowing I’m part of the petty,” wrote another TikToker in the comments.

While Mrs. Obama usually strives to go high, Black TikTok has opted to get petty to overshadow the Melania premiere weekend.

Democrat, Christian Menefee, Special Election, Texas, Threatens, GOP Majority, U.S. House

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 1, 2026

Democrat Christian Menefee Wins Special Election Seat In Texas, Threatens GOP Majority In U.S. House

The election has narrowed the majority within the GOP-controlled House of Representatives.

A Democrat has won in the Texas special election for the U.S. House, threatening the GOP majority in the congressional body.

Christian Menefee won the House Runoff for Texas’ 18th Congressional District. The former county attorney secured the months-long vacant seat after defeating another Democrat, Amanda Edwards, for the position. Edwards previously served as a Houston city councilmember.

The special election was held following the former Representative’s, Sylvester Turner, death in March. According to CNN, no one had occupied the seat for the majority of last year, further cementing a GOP majority in the House.

However, Menefee’s storied win creates a new dynamic on the House floor. Now, Speaker Mike Johnson has a smaller majority in the U.S. House, with just a soon-to-be 218 Republicans to 214 Democrats makeup upon the swearing-in of the newly-elected official. This leaves more leeway for legislation to not go the Republicans’ way, as only one vote can thwart the passing of new bills.

Despite the spark of hope for Democrats’ influence in the House, the congressional breakdown may change once again with new special elections underway. Following the resignation of Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a special election will occur in the Peach State in March. While Republicans hope to keep that seat Red, Dems will also by vying to maintain a seat previously held by a New Jersey Rep. Mikie Sherrill. Sherill had to leave the position upon her appointment to lead her state as Governor.

The months-long vacancy of Texas’ 18th congressional district stemmed from multiple factors, including the July 2024 death of its previous leader, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. After her successor died just two months into office, the state’s GOP leadership scrambled to secure another seat through redistricting efforts.

The redistricting measure secured the district’s blue-leaning base, but paved the way for more GOP-leaning seats. Despite opposition from a federal court on using the map for the midterms, the U.S. Supreme Court overruled the decision.

“Because of the way President Trump and Governor Abbott pushed through these new congressional maps, we’re in a rare situation where campaigning for the special election and the March primary is taking place all at once,” Menefee said to the news outlet.

While Menefee will currently represent the district, his position is not wholly solidified. Despite just winning the special election, he will have to return to the campaign trail again with the March primaries beginning in just weeks. Edwards also intends to run in the primary. The two will run in the newly-revised district maps to earn a full two-year term in 2027.

Menefee will face more opposition as well from another storied politician, Rep. Al Green. With his district absorbed into the 18th, Green has plans to seek leadership under this new domain.

In the meantime, Menefee will showcase his leadership through the end of 2026, at the very least.

by Mary Spiller

February 1, 2026

FAA Enters Another Shutdown As Funding Lapse Raises Fresh Concerns For Air Travel

Though expected to be brief, the FAA shutdown renews anxiety among lawmakers, airlines and controllers after last year’s prolonged disruptions.

The Federal Aviation Administration entered a partial shutdown Jan. 30 after Congress failed to finalize a funding package, reviving concerns about air travel reliability less than three months after a prolonged spending lapse caused widespread flight disruptions across the country.

While this FAA shutdown is expected to be short and possibly limited to the weekend, aviation leaders and federal employee unions warned that even brief interruptions place added strain on an already fragile system. Air traffic controllers, deemed essential employees, are continuing to work without pay as negotiations stall.

“I am concerned about the impact on the Department of Transportation,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), highlighting the potential risks tied to another funding interruption. Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) echoed that sentiment, adding, “Let’s hope it’s a very short shutdown.”

As reported by Politico, funding for the FAA and the broader Department of Transportation is included in H.R. 7148, a sweeping appropriations bill the Senate approved on Jan. 30 by a 71–29 vote. However, because senators made changes to a version previously passed by the House, the measure must now return to the lower chamber, which is out of session until Monday. As a result, funding lapsed early Saturday. President Donald Trump has voiced support for the bill, raising expectations that the shutdown may be resolved quickly.

The timing has heightened concern on Capitol Hill, particularly as the FAA continues to grapple with long-standing issues such as staffing shortages, outdated equipment, and heightened scrutiny following a federal investigation that recently placed significant blame on the agency for last year’s deadly air crash in Washington.

Memories of last year’s 43-day shutdown remain fresh. That funding lapse triggered widespread controller absences and eventually forced the FAA to impose mandatory flight reductions at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports. Airline cancellations became a visible symbol of congressional gridlock.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said earlier this week that recurring shutdowns and the constant threat of them place “unnecessary strain” on essential FAA workers and the broader aviation network. According to the union, controllers will miss part of their Feb. 17 paycheck and receive no pay at all on March 3 if the shutdown persists, suggesting staffing impacts could emerge later rather than immediately.

Airlines for America, which represents major U.S. carriers, urged lawmakers to “protect” the FAA, noting that the previous shutdown “negatively impacted more than 6 million passengers and had an economic impact of $7 billion.”

Lawmakers from both parties expressed unease. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), who chairs the Senate aviation subcommittee, said he is “absolutely” worried. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), recalling recent winter travel delays, said, “It’s a tough time of the year to be having even more disruptions — and there’s no good time, but this is definitely not a good time.”

Efforts to prevent similar situations have stalled. Proposed legislation that would ensure air traffic controllers continue to be paid during shutdowns has failed to gain traction. “People thought the shutdown was … two months ago and not now,” Moran said, pledging to keep pushing the issue.

As Congress works toward a resolution for the FAA shutdown, industry leaders warn that repeated funding lapses continue to undermine confidence in the nation’s aviation system — even when disruptions are brief.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 1, 2026

Father-Daughter Duo Prepares To Make History At Grammy Awards With Historic Nomination

If Fyütch and his daughter, Aura V., win, the 8-year-old musician could become the youngest Grammy winner ever.

A father-daughter duo from Maryland are preparing for music’s biggest night with their historic Grammy nomination.

Known by his stage name Fyütch, Harold Simmons II has garnered a new accolade, all with the help of his daughter, Aura V. Together as collaborators on the album Harmony, Simmons and his 8-year-old prodigy have earned a nomination for Best Children’s Music Album at the 68th annual Grammy Awards.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fyütch | Aura V’s Dad (@fyutch)

Now, the two will hit the red carpet in Los Angeles for the Feb. 1 affair. If they take home the trophy, Aura V would become the youngest person to ever win a Grammy. Currently, that title is held by a very famous kid musician herself, Blue Ivy Carter, daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

Simmons II, a family-oriented rapper, began working in children’s music in 2021, venturing into the craft after years of teaching. As he brings his daughter into the love of album curation, he spoke to ABC News about the project and shared this moment with his child.

“We’re a musical family,” said Fyütch. “My dad plays on the album. My grandpa was a trumpeter in the Army. So to pass on this musical legacy to her and get this accolade, you know, it’s really meaningful.”

The LP also began with its titular song, with its name relating to his deep relationship with music. Simmons and his daughter began working on the track together, resulting in the full-length project that warmed the Academy members’ ears.

“I wanted this extended metaphor of musical harmony and harmony amongst people and with nature. And me and her had just kind of started making songs together. So I had the idea of why don’t we hop on the song together,” Simmons added. “And that started our journey and the songs just kept getting bigger. We started shooting videos, they started going viral. Before you know it, we had enough songs to make a whole album.”

Although keeping their hopes up for a win, what the father-daughter duo cherish most is the journey of creating “Harmony.” The opportunity deepened their own relationship, as they will forever remember the unique bonding moment.

Post awards-season, Aura V will return to her third-grade studies while her father continues his own music career. However, the magic they made together is already cemented in Grammy history.

Bill Greason, Negro Leagues, Ron 'Schoolboy' Teasley

by Mary Spiller

February 1, 2026

Kansas City And Seattle Celebrate Negro Leagues And Black History Month With Historic Tributes

Seattle Mariners are honoring Negro Leagues’ 1946 Steelheads by wearing replica uniforms on Sundays.

Major League Baseball organizations in Kansas City and Seattle are spotlighting the legacy of the Negro Leagues through expanded access, historic tributes, and new community investments tied to Black History Month.

In Kansas City, the Royals Foundation will again cover admission costs to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) for the entire month of February. The program marks the fifth straight year the foundation has sponsored free entry, an effort originally launched to honor Black History Month and increase public engagement with the museum.

The NLBM, founded in 1990, is the nation’s only museum dedicated exclusively to preserving and celebrating the history of African-American baseball and its broader influence on American society. Located in Kansas City’s historic 18th and Vine Jazz District, the museum sits just blocks from the Paseo YMCA, where Andrew “Rube” Foster formed the Negro National League in 1920.

“We can’t thank the Kansas City Royals and The Royals Foundation enough for once again opening the doors of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum free of charge for the entire month of February and we look forward to seeing the turnstiles spinning,” said NLBM president Bob Kendrick. He noted that the initiative makes the museum more accessible, especially for students from underserved communities, while encouraging visitors to learn from athletes who overcame “tremendous social adversity to play the game they loved.”

Since the program began in 2022, more than 50,000 people have visited the museum during Free February, according to the Royals. The foundation’s total contribution tied to the initiative now exceeds $435,000.

Royals chairman and CEO John Sherman called the effort a natural fit for the organization. “That institution – we think it’s an important story that needs to be told, far and wide,” Sherman said. “It’s a pretty simple thing for us to do.” He added that the Royals’ broader investments in the surrounding neighborhood and support for the museum’s expansion made driving attendance “the right thing to do.”

The museum will extend its hours throughout February, opening daily with earlier and weekend access to accommodate increased attendance.

On the West Coast, the Seattle Mariners announced a separate but complementary tribute. Beginning in the 2026 season, the club will wear replica uniforms honoring the 1946 Seattle Steelheads for Sunday home games. The change replaces the cream-colored Sunday uniforms the team has worn since 2015 and makes Seattle the first MLB franchise to incorporate a Negro Leagues uniform into its regular rotation.

The Mariners are also launching the Steelheads Community Fund, committing $500,000 to support Black-led baseball and softball programs and related community initiatives.

“We are proud to honor our game’s history and invest in the future of our community with Steelheads Sundays at T-Mobile Park,” said Kevin Martinez, the Mariners’ president of business operations. “Through the Steelheads Community Fund, we will celebrate the legacy of the Steelheads, while continuing our long-standing effort to advance access to baseball and softball and well-being for underserved communities in our region.”

by Mary Spiller

February 1, 2026

Eve Finally Receives Long-Overdue Grammy Recognition For Classic Roots Collaboration

The Philadelphia artist was honored 27 years later for her uncredited verse on The Roots’ “You Got Me” during the Recording Academy Honors in Los Angeles.

Eve was formally recognized with her second career Grammy on Jan. 29, nearly three decades after her contribution to a Grammy-winning song by The Roots went unacknowledged. The Philadelphia rapper was honored at the Recording Academy Honors presented by The Black Music Collective, held at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the award stems from Eve’s verse on The Roots’ 1999 single “You Got Me,” which earned Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 2000 Grammy Awards. Although her vocals were a key part of the track, Eve was not credited at the time, leaving her excluded when the group originally received the honor. The oversight remained unresolved for 27 years.

Recording Academy President Harvey Mason Jr. addressed the issue during the ceremony, explaining that the decision to correct the record was straightforward. “When we recently learned about the story, it was really simple,” Mason said. “We needed to make it right, and it was a chance for us to make it right. So tonight, the Recording Academy is here to offer a much-deserved respect and recognition.”

At the time “You Got Me” was released, Eve had yet to reach mainstream stardom. Her debut album, Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady, arrived in September 1999, just months before the song’s Grammy win.

The matter resurfaced publicly in October 2024, when The Roots’ drummer and frontman Questlove discussed the omission during an episode of his Questlove Supreme podcast, which featured Eve as a guest. Reflecting on the situation, he said, “We were extremely inconsiderate and so insular and so non-communicative with each other that things like that always spilled on the sidelines. But I never wanted you to think it was a thing where I was like, ‘Let me erase her out of history.’”

Despite the delay, Eve expressed gratitude and humility while accepting the award. “This is actually for little Eve from Philly, the little girl who loved to write rhymes and just wanted to be in the business,” she said. “I’m truly, truly grateful to be in this room with all of you here, all of the greats, people who inspired me, my peers.”

She also recalled the moment she learned she would finally be recognized. “I remember when y’all called me — I was a little tipsy, I had a few martinis out with a friend — and I kind of was like, ‘wow, what is yours never can miss you, even 30 years later.’ So I’m truly grateful for this.”

This year’s Recording Academy Honors also celebrated Pharrell Williams, Kirk Franklin, and Brandy, highlighting influential figures whose contributions have shaped music across genres and generations.

by Ann Brown

February 1, 2026

Is The Kennedy Center Canceling Black History Month? No BHM Events Scheduled

In previous years, the Kennedy Center regularly hosted Black History Month concerts, tributes, and performances honoring African-American history and culture.

While museums and cultural institutions nationwide roll out programming to mark Black History Month, the Kennedy Center’s public calendar currently lists no events dedicated to the annual observance, following a wave of cancellations and artist departures tied to changes in leadership under the Trump administration.

In previous years, the Kennedy Center regularly hosted Black History Month concerts, tributes, and performances honoring African-American history and culture. That tradition now seems to have come to an end. Choirs and organizations that long-anchored those events moved their programming elsewhere after President Donald Trump reshaped the center’s board of trustees in 2025. No comparable programming has been added to replace what left, The Washington Post reported.

Past BHM events and performances can still be found on The Kennedy Center website.

The shift follows a turbulent year for the nation’s premier performing arts venue. After newly installed trustees elected Trump as chairman and named his ally Richard Grenell as president, a number of artists withdrew from scheduled performances and ticket sales reportedly declined. In December, the board voted to rename the institution “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,” prompting additional cancellations.

The upheaval has had ripple effects across the center’s programming and staff, breaking with long-standing traditions. In past years, Black History Month events were clearly labeled on the center’s website. This year, no such designation appears. The Kennedy Center did not respond to The Washington Post to requests for comment.

One of the most notable departures is “Living the Dream … Singing the Dream,” a Black History Month concert that has been presented for decades at the Kennedy Center by Washington Performing Arts and the Choral Arts Society of Washington. Its 38th edition will take place instead at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland.

Chicago, Streamer, Aspen Kartier ,Animal Cruelty , Twitch

by Mary Spiller

February 1, 2026

Chicago Rapper And Streamer Aspen Kartier Arrested In Georgia On Animal Cruelty Allegations

Authorities say a viral video led investigators to the 19-year-old’s home, where a puppy was recovered and placed in protective custody.

Chicago-born rapper and online streamer Aspen Kartier has been arrested in Georgia following allegations of animal cruelty tied to a video that spread rapidly on social media, according to local authorities.

Complex reported that the 19-year-old artist, whose legal name is Aspen Easterling, was taken into custody Jan. 30. Investigators say the arrest stemmed from live stream footage that appeared to show Easterling mistreating a Maltipoo puppy.

Police identified Easterling as a suspect after confirming the address seen in the video matched her residence on Town Boulevard. Officers then secured a search warrant and arrested her at her home shortly after 9:30 p.m., authorities said.

During the search, officers located the three-month-old puppy featured in the video. Police noted the dog appeared to be in good condition at the time. The animal has since been placed in the care of DeKalb County Animal Control “for protection,” while Easterling remains held at the DeKalb County Jail.

Easterling, who performs under the name Aspen Kartier, has built a sizable following online, including more than 71,000 followers on Twitch. Her channel, however, has since been listed as “temporarily unavailable.” The status change followed public criticism and calls for action after the video circulated.

According to TMZ, the clip appears to show Kartier grabbing the puppy and tossing it by the nape of its neck, an action animal welfare experts warn can cause serious pain or injury. In a subsequent video, Kartier denied harming the dog and suggested viewers were misinterpreting what they saw.

“Tell them that you’re fine. Tell them right now,” Kartier said in the clip, addressing the puppy, which could be heard whimpering.
Animal rights organization PETA weighed in after the footage gained attention. When contacted by Complex, a PETA spokesperson said that Twitch “was right” to take action regarding Kartier’s account, though the platform has not detailed the nature or length of any suspension.

“People are rightly horrified by the video in which Aspen Kartier raises her arm several times and appears to strike her dog as he wails, before moving off camera while the sounds of the dog’s distress continue,” the PETA representative told Complex.

The spokesperson added, “Anyone who would beat and terrify their dog should never go near one. Twitch was right to suspend this account. Now we urge authorities to immediately investigate, prosecute if appropriate, and, hopefully, seize this dog so that nothing like this ever happens again and the dog gets a chance at a loving home.”

The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not yet announced whether additional charges could follow.