Student Loan, credit score, Laptop, stress, FICO Credit Score, bank account

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 24, 2025

Trump Administration To Begin Wage Garnishment On Defaulted Student Loan Borrowers In January

Under U.S. Law, the government can take up to 15% of a defaulted loan borrower's after-tax income for wage garnishment.

Student loan borrowers beware: if your loans have defaulted, you may see slightly smaller paychecks next year.

The Trump administration expects to garnish wages from defaulted student loan borrowers beginning in January. This move could impact millions of borrowers as the federal government intends to collect on these payments through the controversial method. It has not been in practice since before the COVID-19 pandemic, when the practice was paused.

A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of Education confirmed the update to CNBC. Starting Jan. 7, approximately 1,000 defaulted borrowers will receive notices of their incoming wage garnishment. As the weeks pile on, the number of borrowers subject to this payment seizure will increase.

According to the Department of Labor, wage garnishment is a legal process by which the government can withhold a portion of an employee’s wages to pay certain debts. Often, the move typically went toward child support payments. However, the Trump administration has since authorized its usage for student loans.

With over 5 million student loan borrowers in default and with millions more expected, many are at risk of losing a significant chunk of their paycheck. The news outlet reported that the government can withhold up to 15% of a borrower’s after-tax income. They can also take this payment from various sources, including tax refunds, disability benefits, and even Social Security checks.

So long as borrowers earn at least 30 times the federal minimum wage per week, totaling around $217, the process remains legal. However, this could result in borrowers feeling cash-strapped as the new year gets underway.

The impact of the incoming wage garnishment on the economy also remains a concern. With limited access to relief and job layoffs still prevalent, the payment seizure may affect even more individuals among the over 42 million Americans with student loans.

In the meantime, those with defaulted loans can still try to prevent wage garnishment by finding loan rehabilitation programs. Borrowers can also formally object to the notice and potentially refute the garnishment with a loan hearing.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 24, 2025

Ghana’s Move To Pivot From ‘Detty December’ To Heritage Tourism

One Ghana official is speaking out about the country's association with Detty December.

One Ghana official has taken issue with the “Detty December” association, not wanting the country to be known for the party label.

“Detty December” has become the go-to term for the end-of-year party season across multiple African countries, particularly Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana. However, a government official has deemed its affiliation with the label as not something to take pride in.

In fact, Ghana’s officer of diaspora affairs called its alignment with “Detty December” uncomfortable.

“On a personal level I don’t want the word ‘detty’ to be associated with anything Ghana… that’s something I’m not very comfortable with,” shared the officer, Kofi Okyere-Darko.

The name’s origins itself, however, are not the most honorable. According to the BBC, the term “Detty” is technically West African Pidgin for “dirty.” However, with more colloquial context, the word symbolizes “unrestricted fun” as one enters the new year.

The association, albeit controversial in Okyere-Darko’s eyes, does come with benefits to Ghana’s economy. Over 125,000 visitors flock to the coastal nation each year, offering an influx of tourism to the West African region.

While Ghana does not officially claim “Detty December,” it still indulges in the tourism boost. Instead, it would like the movement called “December in Ghana.” However, not many have adopted the more formal title for the winter celebrations.

“The young people somehow prefer ‘Detty December’, but officially, that’s not the name,” added the officer.

Despite the popular influence of the “Detty December” experience, the Ghana official is still promoting his “D-I-G” alternative. While he continues to change the narrative, the flocking of Diasporans to Africa remains strong with the promise of culturally infused celebration until the sun rises.

This year’s festivities have already begun to take shape. Each day across the countries brings new events from festivals to concerts, often featuring major stars like Busta Rhymes and local artists like Samini. However, natives have expressed some pushback regarding what the month’s growing popularity has brought to the country. Price gouging and overcrowding have become a more prevalent issue.

Meanwhile, Black diasporans have already visited Ghana, even outside the holiday party spree. The country’s “Year of the Return” initiative also encourages them to reclaim their ancestral roots no matter the season.

Alongside this push to return to one’s heritage, the “Detty December” movement is expanding its impact as well. Many organizers want to include more than just nightlife, offering networking events and cultural immersion to make the trip more than a traditional “turn up.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 24, 2025

Big Sean Tapped As Detroit Pistons’ Creative Director Of Global Experience

The rapper will assist in the team's push for creativity, cultural connection, and global fan growth.

The Detroit Pistons have announced that hometown recording artist and hero Big Sean is officially the franchise’s creative director of Global Experience.

The organization stated that, in his new role, he will assist in the team’s push for creativity, cultural connection, and global fan growth. To celebrate World Basketball Day (Dec. 21), the team also announced a new initiative with the rapper, ‘Creatives Across Continents.’ This is a first-of-its-kind global creative initiative for designers, artists, and cultural tastemakers to produce original work inspired by Detroit Basketball.

“It’s been an honor to serve the Pistons community, and stepping into this expanded role as Creative Director of Global Experience allows me to do it on an even bigger scale,” said Big Sean in a written statement. Detroit has always been rich with talent and culture, and my mission is to keep opening doors and hiring our city’s creatives to shine alongside one of the most iconic franchises in sports. I’m grateful to the Pistons for trusting me to help define what the culture of Detroit Basketball really means.”

Big Sean took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to also announce the news to his nearly 12 million followers.

Been building with the @DetroitPistons for the last few years and it’s been a dream from winning an Emmy together to designing city edition jerseys worn in game, and other pieces of incredible merch, while also linking local designers and creative with the Pistons to collaborate… pic.twitter.com/vR3250cxgJ
— Sean Don (@BigSean) December 22, 2025

In this role, Big Sean will work closely with the team on community engagement and global fan development efforts. He will do so by leveraging his platform to introduce Detroit Basketball to new audiences worldwide.

“Big Sean’s influence reaches far beyond music — he’s a global creative visionary who already brings Detroit wherever he goes,” said Detroit Pistons EVP, Chief Marketing Officer Alicia Jeffreys. “As Creative Director of Global Experience, he brings authenticity, reach, and imagination to the Pistons brand. ‘Creatives Across Continents’ is the next step in introducing Detroit Basketball to the world, and we couldn’t imagine a better partner to lead that vision.”

by Kandiss Edwards

December 24, 2025

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Gut Archewell Operations Amid Staggering Revenue Loss

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex describe the decision as part of efforts to preserve and expand their philanthropy.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say staff reductions are “inevitable” as their charitable organization undergoes restructuring.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex describe the decision as part of efforts to preserve and expand their philanthropy. In a statement, the couple announced that the Archewell Foundation, launched in 2020, is being rebranded as Archewell Philanthropies. The new model uses a fiscal sponsor to streamline administration and support long-term global outreach, People reported.

A spokesperson said the shift will allow the organization to focus on mission strategy and partnerships while leaving compliance and financial administration to another nonprofit entity.

While the couple said they are not closing the organization, Page Six reported that three employees of the charity’s staff have been let go as part of the restructuring and cost-saving measures. A spokesperson acknowledged that some staff losses, especially in junior administrative roles, were “inevitable” as part of the transition.

“We will not be discussing these personnel details further,” the spokesperson said in a statement to People, adding that the organization remains committed to its mission and is honored to have worked with its former team members.

The restructuring reflects serious concerns about the foundation’s funding and sustainability amid years of alleged financial imbalance, with donations failing to keep pace with expenses. Some staff departures followed reports that Archewell’s expenses exceeded revenue in recent years. The lack of funds led the charity to consider models such as a fiscal sponsor or partnership with another organization to manage costs.

The move toward a fiscal sponsor operating model is intended to give the organization “more flexibility and less administrative weight,” and to allow the couple and their family to remain actively involved in guiding its priorities without handling day-to-day compliance and financial management, according to the Duke and Duchess’s spokesperson.

The rebrand and staffing changes come as Archewell marks its fifth anniversary, and the couple emphasized their long-term commitment to global philanthropic work that reflects their family’s values and goals, including community service and partnerships with other charitable efforts.

Tunisia, Rights Activist Saadia Mosbah, Financial Crimes

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 24, 2025

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. Cleared of Abusing Daughter, Calls Allegations Politically Driven

Small Sr. and his wife have denied the allegations.

The mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey, Marty Small Sr., has denied allegations of abusing his teenage daughter, saying that there were “political forces” against him and his wife.

Small, Atlantic City’s mayor since 2019, was acquitted on charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, and endangering the welfare of a child on Dec. 18. His wife, La’Quetta Small, also received the latter charge. Her case is ongoing.

The mayor called the case a trial against the city. He and his wife adamantly denied any wrongdoing against their daughter. His trial lasted over a week.

“The entire Atlantic City was on trial, and this is a win for everyone,” Small told ABC6 after the hearing. He also promised to take care of issues at home.

“My daughter’s lost right now, but like I said, when we win this case, we’re gonna get things back on track as the man of the house,” Small said. “If I can be the man of the city, I can be the man of the house, and I’m gonna get my daughter back in check.”

Prosecutors alleged that Small and his wife verbally and physically abused their daughter multiple times between December 2023 and January 2024. They claim Small hit the teenager with a broom until she passed out. La’Quetta Small, on the other hand, allegedly punched and dragged the girl, leaving her with several bruises.

“During one incident, on Jan. 13, 2024, Marty Small, Sr. is alleged to have hit his daughter multiple times in the head with a broom causing her to lose consciousness,” prosecutors wrote in a statement. “Another incident on Jan. 3, 2024, alleged that Marty Small, Sr., during an argument with his daughter, continuously threatened to hurt her by ‘earth slamming’ her down the stairs, grabbing her head and throwing her to the ground, and smacking the weave out of her head.”

An arrest affidavit did note the girl’s reported confessions of faking the abuse claims over the senior Smalls prohibiting her from going out with friends. Despite this, she sent photographic evidence of her reported injuries to her boyfriend, who later sent them to authorities. The girl reportedly said she did not feel safe at home.

by Kandiss Edwards

December 24, 2025

The DOJ Fails To Release $90M Allocated To Help Trafficking Victims

Congress had earmarked the money for programs assisting survivors of sex and labor trafficking.

The U.S. Department of Justice has failed to distribute nearly $90 million appropriated by Congress for more than 100 organizations that provide support to survivors of human trafficking.

The funding, which Congress had earmarked for programs assisting survivors of sex and labor trafficking, was not spent by the Justice Department, The Guardian reports. Many organizations that expected those resources say the cutbacks have forced them to reduce services or close operations. The loss of support jeopardizes counseling, emergency housing, and legal services for those who have escaped exploitation.

“The Justice Department can remain focused on two critical priorities at the same time: support victims of human trafficking and prosecute criminals who exploit children and ensure the efficient use of taxpayer dollars,” a DOJ spokesperson told the outlet.

Senators from both parties expressed outrage, saying the department should be held accountable. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said the pattern of withholding appropriated funds raises serious concerns about the federal government’s commitment to combating trafficking and supporting survivors.

Kristina Rose, who previously led the department’s Office for Victims of Crime under President Joe Biden told The Guardian, that the failure to spend the money “is extremely irresponsible, and maybe even immoral,” as it hinders efforts to protect those most vulnerable.

As of now the lack of funds means thousands of survivors will go without critical federal assistance. Some organizations said the cuts have already resulted in layoffs and the suspension of outreach programsThe Life Link and Reformed Church of Highland Park (NJ) Affordable Housing Corporation told the outlet its has not been able to perform services at the same capacity. Employees have been laid off; victims have been turned away.

The DOJ told the The Guardian the allocated funds will be distributed to organizations though no clear timeline has been revealed.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 24, 2025

Mike Tyson Sues Former Cannabis Business Partners For $50M

Tyson and wrestling legend Ric Flair are suing ex Carma execs for damages, attorneys' fees, and other associated costs.

Two legendary sports figures, boxing’s Mike Tyson and wrestling’s Ric Flair, have filed a lawsuit against former executives and a shareholder of Carma, alleging fraud, breach of contract, and other claims related to cannabis businesses that use their likenesses.

According to Front Office Sports, the lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Illinois By Tyson, Flair, Carma, and LGNDS alleging that Chad Bronstein, Adam Wilks, Nicole Cosby, and James Case were involved in a “brazen RICO conspiracy involving criminal wire fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and extortion, as well as securities fraud and shameless self-dealing that enriched the Defendants to the tune of tens of millions of dollars.”

The plaintiffs request a jury trial and more than $50 million in damages, attorneys’ fees, and other associated costs.

Bronstein was formerly Carma’s president and chairman; Wilks was the company’s CEO; and Cosby served as the chief legal and licensing officer. Case is a shareholder in the company. The cannabis products named after Tyson (Tyson 2.0) and Flair (Ric Flair Drip) were distributed by Carma and LGNDS.

The lawsuit states, “Throughout their time at CARMA, Bronstein and Wilks treated CARMA as their own personal piggy bank, using more than $1 million to pay for unauthorized personal travel on private jets, costs associated with Bronstein’s personal yacht, renovations to Bronstein’s personal residence, a mortgage payment for Wilks’ personal residence, and lavish entertainment expenditures for Wilks, including exorbitantly priced meals and travel expenditures, as well as excessive and unapproved compensation and bonuses.”

The former executives have been accused of selling licensing rights they were not authorized to sell under agreements with the athletes. Wilks allegedly had an undisclosed “kickback” deal with vape maker DomPen, where he received “concealed payments in exchange for turning a blind eye to DomPen’s unauthorized use of CARMA’s intellectual property.”

The defendants deny the accusations and accuse the plaintiffs of trying to intimidate them in what they refer to as a “shakedown.”

“The complaint is fiction dressed up as a lawsuit,” Jonathan Cyrluk, the attorney for Bronstein and Cosby, told the media outlet in a written statement. “Before filing, the plaintiffs tried to intimidate my clients with settlement demands that read more like a shakedown than a legal claim—demanding millions of dollars and attempting to force others to surrender their Carma shares.”

“My clients won’t be bullied and are prepared to knock out this meritless lawsuit in court.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 23, 2025

Anti-DEI Legal Group Demands EEOC Investigation Into Penguin Random House

The publishing giant is the latest company targeted by a conservative legal group over its DEI policies.

The conservative anti-DEI organization America First Legal is urging the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate alleged “unlawful hiring and promotion practices” at publishing giant Penguin Random House.

On Dec. 16, the group released an open letter calling out the diversity, equity, and inclusion policies on Penguin Random House’s website, which America First Legal claims are “designed to exclude white men,” alleging a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

“By focusing its ‘DEI efforts’ on demographics exclusive of white males, PRH has created policies that appear to effectively exclude this demographic from the favored consideration that other groups receive,” America First Legal wrote.

America First Legal points to the five pillars of Penguin Random House’s DEI strategy, including holding leaders accountable for results and integrating DEI into recruiting and retention efforts, among other measures. Citing the company’s 2024 workforce demographic data that compares white and BIPOC employees, America First Legal claims that Penguin Random House “proudly states that while ‘the publishing industry has made modest progress in increasing racial diversity since 2019, … Penguin Random House surpasses the industry average across most categories.’”

The open letter targeting Penguin Random House is the latest in America First Legal’s campaign against corporate DEI policies, which it claims violate the law. In November 2023, the group alleged that the DEI practices of American, United, and Southwest Airlines similarly breached Title VII by discriminating in hiring and recruiting. While the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs met with the airlines to review OFCCP regulations, it did not indicate that the airlines had broken the law or that any policy changes were required.

America First Legal has also filed complaints or lawsuits against companies, including Target, CBS Broadcasting, and IBM, with several cases pending and some settlements reached. While it’s unclear whether any prior America First Legal complaints to the EEOC have led to agency action, things have a strong likelihood of changing under the second Trump administration.

Are you a white male who has experienced discrimination at work based on your race or sex?
You may have a claim to recover money under federal civil rights laws. Contact the @USEEOC as soon as possible.

The EEOC is committed to identifying, attacking, and eliminating ALL race… pic.twitter.com/BYjbld5zdv
— EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas (@andrealucasEEOC) December 17, 2025

In March, the EEOC released guidance outlining how DEI practices might be considered “unlawful,” and recently, Chair Andrea Lucas took to X, encouraging white men to report alleged discrimination. As a result, many companies have started rolling back DEI efforts, facing backlash and boycotts in the process.

Parents, Timeout Box, NY Elementary Students

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 23, 2025

Parents Outraged Over Images Of ‘Timeout Box’ Allegedly Used For NY Elementary Students

Since the school is on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, community members likened the incident to the historic trauma Native American children faced in boarding schools.

A former school board member in upstate New York sounded the alarm by posting disturbing images of a wooden box in an elementary school classroom allegedly used as a “timeout box” for students with disabilities, the New York Times reports.

The images from a classroom in the Salmon River Central School District–comprising 1,300 students, 60% of whom are of Native American descent–showed a large wooden box in the corner, tall and wide enough for one to two small children to fit in. Inside, the walls are bare with a padded floor. Chrissy Onientatahse Jacobs, who posted the images, says she was in shock; it is still unconfirmed if children were ever placed inside. “I was in shock,” said Jacobs, who is also a district parent.

“I was shaking. Because I know a lot of people throw around the words ‘intergenerational trauma.’ But our DNA has memory.”

https://twitter.com/DougSmithNY/status/2003185275787456528

Since the school is on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, community members likened the incident to the historic trauma Native American children faced in boarding schools.

Following the days after the uproar, the school board hired attorneys for a formal investigation, resulting in the district’s superintendent being reassigned to “home duties” and other leaders, including a principal and the district’s special education director, being placed on leave. The investigation also revealed the posted box wasn’t the only one — two others were installed in schools and have since been removed.

Classes within the school district were held remotely on Dec. 19 “out of an abundance of caution for student and staff safety.” Parents were outraged by the images and even challenged the district’s theory that the boxes had never been used. T.J. Hathaway, who has a special needs third grader in the district, said “this is not OK” and said his mostly nonverbal son told him he “felt bad for one of his friends that had to go in there.”

While Hathaway called for “new, fresh blood in our administration,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul sympathized with affected parents and called for the state Education Department to take “swift action to investigate and rectify this situation.” “The reporting coming out of the Salmon River Central School District is highly disturbing and raises serious questions regarding the safety of children at this school,” Hochul said in a statement, according to Olean Times Herald.

“As a mom, I know firsthand the trust parents place in our schools, and the teachers and administrators who work with our children. School should be a place where every child is safe, respected and supported.”

State law prohibits seclusion in public schools, and state education officials have promised to visit local schools to reassure parents and community members that all timeout boxes were removed. However, some of the damage may not be so easy to clean up as the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council, which presides over the reservation, says it has lost faith in the school board and district’s “gross mismanagement” and leadership.

The council has pushed for “everyone involved in the decision to construct and install these inhumane devices” to face accountability. “It is clear what transpired should have never happened, and our children deserve better from those in charge of their care,” the council wrote in a statement.

“Trust has been broken.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 23, 2025

Several State Attorneys Sue Trump Administration Over Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Closure

The consumer watchdog will run out of funding early next year if the Federal Reserve does not grant the money for its operations.

New York Attorney General Letitia James and several other state attorneys have sued the Trump administration over its efforts to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Twenty other state and district attorneys joined James in the lawsuit, specifically against the Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, filed Dec. 22. Since the beginning of Trump’s re-election as U.S. President, Vought has taken up the task of dismantling and shuttering the CFPB. He currently serves as the acting director of the consumer watchdog.

Politico reports that the Bureau will run out of funding in January 2026, leaving the agency’s protection efforts in jeopardy. Vought has already attempted to slash 90% of the Bureau’s staff, a move that a district court ruling has paused thus far.

This stunted mass firing has been further heightened by Vought’s more recent refusal to request more funding for the CFPB’s operations. The majority of its funding comes from the Federal Reserve. However, Vought has considered the funding request “illegal” while the Reserve has not run a profit. However, as it currently stands, the U.S. Central Bank has returned to profitability.

These efforts by Vought have sparked the legal action by James and her fellow Democratic attorneys from states such as California, Colorado, New Jersey, Maryland, and more. They deem Vought’s actions as unlawful, given the CFPB’s legal duty to work with states on consumer issues.

“Defunding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will make it harder to stop predatory lenders, scammers, and other bad actors from taking advantage of New Yorkers,” said Attorney General James in a statement regarding the suit. “My office and attorneys general across the country rely on the CFPB for consumer complaints and other data to get justice for consumers. The administration’s actions are a handout to those who drive up costs by cheating hardworking Americans, and I will keep fighting to ensure they follow the law and our Constitution.”

In partnership with states, the CFPB also holds financial institutions accountable, helping U.S. consumers gain back millions in restitution. If the watchdog were to shut down, banks and lenders would face less federal oversight, leaving borrowers more vulnerable to unfair and predatory practices, as reported by U.S. News.

“Scammed consumers will no longer be able to contact the CFPB to investigate and pursue financial institutions that cheated them,” explained consumer attorney Danny Karon, a lecturer at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, to the news outlet. “Smoking out financial abuse was the CFPB’s bread and butter, having recovered over $21 billion for people cheated by Wall Street and others.”

The case regarding the legitimacy of Vought’s actions to shut down the Bureau will be heard in February of next year.