The New York Police Department is searching for Travis Scott after the rapper allegedly punched a sound engineer and caused over $10,000 of damage to a nightclub.

Police responded to Club Nebula at around 3:25 a.m. on Wednesday after a sound engineer said “he was involved in a verbal dispute with” Scott, NBC News reports. The “SICKO Mode” rapper is accused of turning the dispute “into a physical altercation” by punching the victim “with a closed fist on the left side of the face.”

Scott is accused of causing $12,000 worth of damage to a speaker and a video screen before fleeing the scene in a car. The rapper was at Nebula for the official afterparty of Don Toliver’s show at Irving Plaza.

The “Goosebumps” rapper’s lawyer claims the incident was just a “misunderstanding” that was blown out of proportion.

“While this is clearly a misunderstanding being blown out of proportion by clickbait and misinformation, we are actively working with the venue and law enforcement to resolve and set the record straight,” Scott’s attorney, Mitchell Schuster, said.

“We are confident our client will be cleared of any wrongdoing.”

Ritchie Romero, the managing partner of Club Nebula, also claims the dispute was “blown completely out of proportion,” ET reports. “It was a great night.”

Scott is no stranger to controversy. He came under fire in 2021 following a mass casualty at his Astroworld Festival in his hometown of Houston.

The “Butterfly Effect” rapper recently parted ways with reality star and beauty mogul Kylie Jenner after six years and two children. He shares daughter Stormi, 5, and 12-month-old son Aire with the Kylie Cosmetics founder.

The two continue to co-parent their children after years of an off-and-on relationship.

“Being a dad is better than what I thought it would be,” Travis told XXL Magazine in 2021. “Stormi is one of the best human beings I know. She’s like my best friend. She just inspires me and she surprises me every day with how she’s thinking.”

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 2, 2023

The Big Payback: NYPD and the City Settle with George Floyd Protestors for a Massive $7 Million

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Protesters who joined the George Floyd protests in New York City are getting ready to receive a huge payout.

ABC News reported the city and New York Police Department have agreed to pay millions of dollars to protesters who were arrested and detained during a 2020 protest in the Bronx.

The court filing claimed police used a crowd control tactic known as “kettling” to confine over 300 protesters into a small space. The total cost of the settlement is estimated to be close to $7 million, with each protestor receiving $21,500, believed to be the highest per-person settlement award in a mass arrest class action lawsuit. One plaintiff’s attorney, Ali Frick, is excited for this victory. “We are really pleased with the settlement,” Frick said. “This was essentially a premeditated show of force against people who were demonstrating against police violence.”

According to the lawsuit, NYPD used bicycles to surround protesters, while other officers, some in riot gear, attacked demonstrators. Some were beaten with batons, kicked, punched, and pepper sprayed. USA Today reported at least 61 people were hurt and sustained injuries, including a broken nose, lost tooth, sprained shoulder, broken finger, split lip, black eyes, and bruises.

The use of “kettling,” also known as “trap and detain,” has been heavily criticized by several city and police department leaders nationwide. Human Rights Watch, a civil rights organization, says the incident violated international human rights laws. Some activists have compared it to “Bloody Sunday,” when state troopers viciously attacked peaceful protestors marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, AL in March 1965.

“The violence unleashed upon us that night was intentional, unwarranted, and will be with me for the rest of my life,” plaintiff Charles Henry Wood said. “What the NYPD did, aided by the political powers of New York City, was an extreme abuse of power.”

The NYPD blamed COVID-19 for the outburst, saying protests in the midst of it were “challenging” and claimed they have revised how they respond to protests.

Evidently, in this era of the NBA, a basketball player can’t have a career game without explanation.

According to USA Today, shortly after having a career game where he scored 71 points, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard had to take a drug test.

Lillard’s 71 points were not only a career-high, but also set a franchise record for the Portland Trailblazers. It also matched the most points scored this season, which was done by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell. In scoring 71 points, the Trailblazers guard is now tied for the eighth-most points scored in a game in NBA history. He is currently tied with Mitchell and two NBA Hall-of-Famers, Elgin Baylor (who did it in 1960) and David Robinson (who achieved the feat in 1994).

His performance was evidently so spectacular that the league felt it necessary to have him drug-tested. When asked what his reaction was to the drug test, Lillard said he was less than thrilled.

“I mean, honestly, I was like ‘Are y’all serious?’ I did the urine test yesterday and then they backed it up with the blood draw tonight after the game. That was actually the first time in my career getting tested after a game. And then aside from that, they know I am scared of needles. I know I got a lot of tattoos, but when you’re doing a blood draw it is different than tattoos.”

“It brought me down up from here to the floor, all the way until it was done. And then once they finished it I was like, ‘Alright, I got that out of the way, so.’”

Dame said TONIGHT was the first time he had been blood-draw drug-tested following a game in his entire career.

His full thoughts on it: pic.twitter.com/ZKu5vIKmrd

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) February 27, 2023

Oh, the Trailblazers won the game against the Houston Rockets, 131-114.

Lillard’s stat line for the game also included six rebounds and six assists. He made 22 of 38 shots overall and made 13 of 22 from 3-point range.

• Politics

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 2, 2023

Beyoncé Honored at the House of Representatives: ‘She’s an Icon, She’s a Legend’

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Who knew that there was a dedicated faction of the BeyHive currently in political office?

According to The Hill, a freshman congressman made a statement on the floor that honored R&B Queen Diva, Beyoncé, in two separate ways. On Wednesday, Rep. Robert Garcia of California stated that he wanted to end Black History Month, as well as start Women’s History Month, with an acknowledgment  honoring Beyonce.

On the floor of the House of Representatives, Garcia said, “Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the end of Black History Month and the beginning of Women’s History Month by honoring an individual who represents both so well. She’s an icon, she’s a legend, and she is now and forever the moment. I wanna celebrate none other than who I believe is the undisputed queen of pop and R&B: Beyoncé Knowles Carter.”

This speech may get Garcia into the much-hyped upcoming Renaissance Tour, which will be her first world tour since 2016’s Formation world tour.

Garcia mentioned the fact that the “brown-skinned girl” out of Houston recently won her 32nd Grammy, making her the most decorated winner of the coveted award.

“She’s a creator and an artist. When the radio said to speed it up, she went slower. And I’ll never forget the time I saw Destiny’s Child perform for the very first time. It was life-changing for me and the way I experienced music,” Garcia said. “I became an instant fan then and have been a huge fan ever since.”

U.S. House tribute to Beyoncé … via @RepRobertGarcia pic.twitter.com/GgpgHXDYyF

— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) March 1, 2023

This is a much different call-out than what Tiphani Montgomery, a public speaker and published author, did last month. She went in the opposite direction when she accused Beyoncé of using her fame and power “for the kingdom of darkness.”

Yet, The Shade Room reposted various clips of Montgomery’s rant along with screenshots of two old tweets she sent out after attending an earlier Beyoncé concert.

Hoda Kotb has been missing in action from her Today show post for nearly two weeks. But the famed news anchor is fine and is dealing with a personal family matter.

On Wednesday, Jenna Bush Hager addressed Kotb’s absence at the start of Today with Hoda & Jenna, amid mounting concern from fans who haven’t seen the famed anchor on a live show since Feb. 17, Page Six reports.

“Willie [Geist] is in for Hoda, and we just want to let you all know that we heard you, and Hoda is OK,” Bush Hager said.

“She just has a family health matter she is dealing with.”

Fans have speculated about Kotb’s absence from the NBC morning show and an earlier slot she typically appears.

“We know a lot of you have been wondering how she’s doing. We can tell you that Hoda is OK, [but] she’s got a family health matter that she’s been dealing with,” said Craig Melvin, who has been filling in for Kotb’s 3rd Hour of Today slot in the wake of her absence.

Melvin noted how much they are all looking forward “to seeing Hoda and Savannah [Guthrie] back here at the desk very, very soon.”

Guthrie left in the middle of the live show on Tuesday after testing positive for COVID-19. Kotb has been silent about her absence but started to alarm fans after they took notice of the inspirational quotes she has been sharing on social media instead of her usual work and family photos.

In the last week, Kotb posted six inspirational quotes on her page with messages about being “brave,” moving on from “dark clouds,” being “strong,” and “hope.” Kotb shares her two daughters — Haley Joy, 5, and Hope Catherine, 3 — with her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb)

Fans have flooded her comments with supportive messages and asked her to return to the show.

“Today show just isn’t the same without you! I hope you’re ok,” one fan wrote.

“I know you have a right to privacy, but your truest fans have noticed your absence and these posts…worried about you,” added someone else.

“She’s back.”

That’s the message business mogul Rihanna sent to followers on Tuesday in an advertisement announcing the return of her Fenty x Puma collaboration with the design company – a partnership that began almost a decade ago.

According to Puma, a new collection with the Fenty CEO is coming soon.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by PUMA (@puma)

Footwear News reported that fans are hoping for the platformed Creeper sneaker to make its comeback.

Put more luxe in your life. The velvet #FENTYxPUMA Creepers are here: https://t.co/eM1Vq91hTG. pic.twitter.com/ouZbOz15ay

— PUMA (@PUMA) December 8, 2016

“Bring back the creepers, I was young,” one social media user wrote. “I’m crying I knew that the story wasn’t over,” another user commented. “IM FINALLY GETTING THE CREEPERS OMFG.”

The Fenty Puma Creeper was awarded Shoe of the Year 2016 by the outlet, which described the sneaker as a “blockbuster hit” that had “universal appeal to both men and women.”

“In my wildest dreams, I never would have imagined an honor like Shoe of the Year,” Rihanna said at the time. “It means so much to me to make a mark like this in the shoe and sneaker industry and to have so many people share my love for the Creeper.”

Reportedly, the Creeper was the most searched shoe on the online shopping site Lyst at the time, and the global seller crashed the Puma website during its initial release. Even Hollywood A-listers such as Cara Delevingne, The Weeknd and Gigi Hadid purchased the shoes.

Rihanna began her business ventures with Puma back in 2014 when the company appointed her as its creative director, racking up positive feedback from critics and customers who raved over the series of sell-out sneakers that were released under her efforts, in addition to her work staging several New York Fashion Week shows.

In late 2017, after developing her Fenty Puma fashion lines, Rihanna stepped away from the design company to pursue her lingerie brand Savage X Fenty. In 2019, she teamed up with LVMH to release a full Fenty fashion line.

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 2, 2023

BREAKING: Former ‘Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s’ Star Tim Norman Sentenced to Life in Prison

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Tim Norman, former star of the hit show, Welcome To Sweetie Pie’s, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire in the death of his nephew, Andre Montgomery Jr.

KSDK reported Norman was sentenced to life in prison. In September, Norman was found guilty on all charges, including murder-for-hire resulting in death and mail fraud. He received two life sentences for the murder-for-hire counts, and a 240-month sentence for the count of mail fraud. In September, a jury spent over 17 hours deliberating before reaching a verdict.

Last week, the disgraced reality star took to Instagram to proclaim his innocence. “Thank you for all the prayers. I’m still in disbelief. The feds know 100% I did not do those insurance policies,” Norman said. “But the jury didn’t get to hear that. And not one person got on the stand and said that I told them to hurt my nephew. They destroyed my name and image so you guys wouldn’t search for the truth.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tim Norman (@the_timnorman)

BLACK ENTERPRISE reported updates for the case after Norman was accused of orchestrating the murder to get $450,000 in insurance money. U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming said Norman started the process of getting the insurance company to pay the claim shortly after his nephew’s murder.

Co-conspirators in the case were sentenced earlier this year. Trigger man, Travell Hill, was sentenced to 32 years in prison, according to Fox 2, and Terica Ellis was sentenced to three months.

Norman’s attorneys and character witnesses tried to move the judge to a reduced sentence. Attorneys claimed Norman “has been touched by violence and tragedy” and he was raised in a single-parent household by his mother. Court documents, obtained by KSDK, claimed Norman is looked at as a role model, helper, and leader in the community.

Twitter has a request. They want to see new Disney characters featuring people of color.

Fans weren’t pleased about the new Black Tinker Bell after Disney released a trailer for the upcoming live-action Peter Pan & Wendy film, on Tuesday.

According to TMZ, Twitter users expressed they were ready for Disney to create new characters based on people of color, instead of casting them in the recycled plots. The new Tinker Bell, played by Black actress Yara Shahidi, stirred up complaints from fans who thought Disney’s choice focused more on image than on inclusivity.

“Disney loves to race swap these days instead of creating original and new characters that are POC,” one user wrote about Shahidi’s role.

“Disney couldn’t care less about making new stories with Poc characters, they just put poc ppl to play white characters, and that shows 1) how lazy Disney is 2) how racist this is, it’s like they don’t think poc ppl deserve their own stories (beside like 3 animated movies?),” another user tweeted.

https://twitter.com/JayneTheory/status/1631035281359921156

Some fans argued that the role should have been given to someone who reflected the original character of a white girl with blonde hair and blue eyes.

https://twitter.com/twiggywitch/status/1630638135884300322?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Twitter users added that Disney should be casting people of color for live-action movies featuring characters such as Princess Tiana, from The Princess and the Frog, or even Moana and Pocahontas.

“Instead of re-making these classics and putting black characters into what originally was white characters. Why not remake the Disney movies that already had POC representation such as princess and the frog, Moana, Pocahontas ect…,” a third user chimed in.

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Disney made a similar decision when the company previously cast singer Halle Bailey for the role of Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Bailey received her own batch of backlash from critics after the release of the film’s trailer.

According to the official Peter Pan and Wendy Instagram page, the live-action flick will be available to stream on Apr. 28 on Disney Plus.

Drew Sidora and Ralph Pittman were apparently on a mad dash to the Atlanta courthouse to see who could file for divorce first!

Reports first surfaced about Pittman’s divorce filing in Gwinnett County Superior Court on Monday, People reported. But records showed Sidora had already beat her husband to the punch and filed for divorce 61 minutes earlier.

The former couple had different dates listed as the official date of separation, with Pittman citing Feb. 19 as the day of the split and Sidora claiming they have been separated since Feb. 23.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta had documented the couple’s marital woes, including Sidora’s concerns about Pittman taking trips to Miami without her knowledge, and hiring an attractive female assistant.

The Bravo stars released separate statements confirming the split after eight years of marriage and three children.

“Unfortunately we have made the difficult decision to move on to our next chapters, independent of each other,” Pittman said.

“Drew and I have decided to file for divorce. We have three amazing young children, and their mindset and growth is what is most important. As we navigate this difficult time, I ask that you please respect our privacy.”

Sidora noted how hard she worked to make her marriage work before acknowledging the “agonizing” decision to dissolve the relationship.

“After eight years of wholeheartedly fighting for my marriage, I have made the agonizing decision to release my husband with love,” she said.

“Although Ralph and I have decided to move forward separately, the hope is to remain friends so that we can co-parent responsibly. In spite of our very public life, I am asking for privacy during this difficult time as my children and I learn how to navigate through our new beginnings.”

In the White Chicks star’s amended divorcing filing, she accused Pittman of being a “serial cheater and adulterer” who abused her mentally, and financially, and even got “physically aggressive” with her.

Sidora’s and Pittman’s filings say “there is no chance or hope of reconciliation” between the former spouses. The Step Up actress is seeking joint legal custody of their three children, but temporary and permanent primary physical custody.

Pittman requested joint legal and physical custody of their children, son, Machai, 8; and daughter, Aniya, 5. Sidora also has an 11-year-old son, Josiah, from a previous relationship.

Conversations about Pittman adopting Josiah were a topic of conversation on RHOA, among other questionable activities from Sidora’s husband.

The National Football League and three of its teams must face claims by Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores of racist hiring practices in open court, a U.S. judge in New York ruled on Wednesday while sending other aspects of the case to private arbitration.

U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni ruled that the NFL, the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Houston Texans must face Flores’ claims of systematic discrimination against Black coaches in the league. Flores formerly served as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

The lawsuit seeks to force the NFL to make a series of changes, incentivize teams to hire Black coaches and general managers, and require them to explain hiring and termination decisions in writing.

Caproni sent Flores’ retaliation claim against the Dolphins to private arbitration, along with claims by two other coaches who joined Flores in the suit.

Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for Flores, said in a statement he was pleased that his client’s claims of “systematic discrimination” by the NFL would proceed to a jury but was disappointed that other elements of the suit will now be arbitrated in-house by the NFL.

“We look forward to pursuing all these claims to trial in their various forums,” Wigdor added.

A New York Giants spokesperson declined to comment.

Lawyers for the NFL and representatives of the other teams did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The NFL has denied claims of racial discrimination and said it is committed to diversity and equitable employment practices.

Flores sued the NFL and its 32 teams in February 2022 after being fired as head coach of the Dolphins, alleging systemic discrimination against Black candidates for top coaching and management jobs.

The league has argued the case should be dismissed because the claims lacked merit, or be sent to arbitration pursuant to the coaches’ employment contracts.