12-Year-Old, Off Campus, Fight

Investigator Reveals Unused Burn Cage Incinerator At Property Rented By Murder Suspect D4vd

Private investigator Steve Fischer discloses information via social media


Now that recording artist D4vd has been named a suspect in the killing of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, there has been a reported discovery of a “burn cage” incinerator on the property of a home he was renting.

According to Complex, a private investigator named Steve Fischer was hired to search the Hollywood Hills home the singer rented from the property’s landlord, Mladen Trifunovic. Trifunovic had summoned him because he had not received any updates from the Los Angeles Police Department regarding its search of the home. In an X post, Fischer revealed that he had found the incinerator after he took to social media to clarify earlier statements attributed to him.

After saying he had been “misquoted by some,” he reiterated what he stated originally about things he found at the property. He wrote that some of the things seen were “items you would expect to find on a farm rather than in a home in the Hollywood Hills.”

He continues, “One of those items was a Burn Cage incinerator, advertised to burn at 1,600 degrees. Human cremations are typically performed at approximately 1,400 degrees. An incinerator is not legal to use within city limits and serves no legitimate purpose at a residential property in the Hollywood Hills.”

Fischer went on to state that some may have said the incinerator was to be used as a prop in a video, which he disputes. “Why would a 55-pound burn cage be delivered to a private residence instead of directly to a prop designer or production house?”

After asking several questions about that theory, he considered the relevance of sending it to personal property rather than a professional space, especially right before he was heading out on a world tour. According to him, the burn cage was a new item and had never been used. He also revealed that it was delivered there under a false name. He became skeptical because the Tesla in which Hernandez’s remains were discovered was registered to D4vd and used the same address as the residence.

Fischer even attached a photograph of the Burn Cage incinerator that was at the property, along with an image from the manufacturer’s advertising materials.

D4vd has been listed as a suspect months after Hernandez’s remains were discovered in the Tesla registered to the recording artist (in September). He reportedly was in a relationship with the underage Rivas Hernandez. Her decomposing body was found dismembered in the back of the vehicle, and authorities think it had been in the trunk for several weeks before discovery.

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healthcare, House, GOP, ObamaCare

House Republicans Pass Healthcare Package That Does Little For Medical Costs

The Republican-led healthcare bill, the 'Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act,' passed in the House 216-211.


House Republicans passed a healthcare package that does little to address Americans’ concerns about rising medical costs. The Republican-led healthcare bill is called the “Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act.” It passed in the House 216-211.

The vote comes after a fiery battle between both parties, which became the central issue for Democrats during the recent government shutdown. The approved bill, however, does not extend the tax credits that would have prevented an increase in premiums for Affordable Care Act enrollees, subsidies that Americans use to lower monthly health insurance premiums, which will expire on Dec. 31.

Instead, the House GOP package allows small businesses and self-employed individuals to band together to buy a plan of their own to lower premiums. The plan would also provide another kind of subsidy to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for enrollees.

One priority for Republicans has been transparency. The approved plan would require pharmacy benefit managers, who act as middlemen between drugmakers and insurers or employers, to provide employers with data on drug prices, CNN reports.

House Republicans’ Healthcare Plan Now Heads To The Senate

The bill will now head to the Senate, which Politico reports is likely dead on arrival as millions of Americans face uncertainty just weeks before new policies begin on Jan. 1, 2026. Democratic senators would have to side with GOP lawmakers to send the bill to the President’s desk.

As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, premium payments will increase by an average of 114% for 22 million Americans enrolled in ObamaCare. In the latest KFF poll, researchers found that a majority of those who buy health insurance in the Marketplace will find it very or somewhat difficult to afford. The Congressional Budget Office estimates 100,000 people will become uninsured each year if the bill passes.

There’s no word yet on when the Senate will take up a vote on the House’s bill. Lawmakers are set to head home for the holidays by the end of the week.

RELATED CONTENT: The Myth About Obamacare And Small Businesses

TikTok, The Danish Deception, Black women

Police Investigating Death Of TikTok Star Riziki Ilenre After Fans Suspect Suicide

Police are investigating the death of beloved TikTok creator Riziki Ilenre after fans claim she took her own life during a livestream.


Police are investigating the death of TikTok creator Riziki Ilenre following allegations from fans that she took her own life during a livestream.

The Montgomery Police Department in Alabama confirmed they are investigating the circumstances surrounding Ilenre’s death on Dec. 12, TMZ reports. The inquiry comes amid a surge of social media reports claiming she took her own life during a TikTok livestream after facing ongoing harassment from other creators.

On her now-deleted TikTok account, Ilenre frequently shared her experiences with mental health challenges and her disability, along with adventures with her service dog, Chief. Following her death, a Change.org petition has been launched calling on lawmakers to pass the Riziki Ilenre Act, with the petition alleging that she endured “relentless harassment from various creators on TikTok.” The petition urges stricter penalties for cyberbullying and the implementation of systems to help victims report abuse more easily.

“They mocked her, they made fun of her disabilities, and in the deepest cruelty, they told her to kill herself,” the petition starter continued. “This relentless bullying and cyber attacks led to a devastating loss, not only for her family and friends but for all of us who witnessed another life taken too soon by such heartless acts.”

Tributes have poured in for the social media star following her death. A spokesperson for Church Without Walls in Carrollton described Ilenre on Facebook as a “bright and brilliant young woman” preparing to attend law school. Pastor Walter D’Andre Green of her local church also mourned her, calling Ilenre his “daughter—not biologically, but absolutely spiritually.”

“I had the privilege of watching her grow from an awkward sophomore in college into a young woman preparing to take on the world as a law student,” his Facebook post read. “She was brilliant, driven, and fearless in thought.”

Green noted Ilenre worked as a social media director, photographer, and a ministry intern at the church before her death.

“One thing about Rizi — she loved to debate,” he added. “She thrived in apologetics and theological discourse, and I think that’s part of why we were so close. She loved truth, and she wasn’t afraid to wrestle with it.”

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Mortgage Lender, Black Borrowers, Home

Timely Rent Payments Are Now Considered In Home Loan Evaluation

One of the most impactful shifts is the removal of the minimum credit score requirement for conventional loans.


Credit score rules for mortgages are undergoing significant changes in 2026. The changes could open the door to homeownership by broadening how lenders assess risk.

One of the most impactful shifts is the removal of the minimum credit score requirement for conventional loans under Fannie Mae, a long-standing system. Beginning Nov. 16, 2025, Fannie Mae no longer enforces a hard 620 FICO score for new mortgage applicants. This allows lenders greater flexibility to evaluate borrowers based on their overall financial situation instead of a single score.

Similarly, Freddie Mac has already moved away from strict minimum scores through its Loan Product Advisor. The Loan Product Advisor is an automated underwriting system that enables consideration of credit histories that might otherwise be excluded under older models. Both Freddie Mae and Freddie Mac have updated their websites to reflect the assessment change.

Due to the updates, lenders may consider alternative credit information and other risk factors. Other factors for consideration include income stability, debt-to-income ratio, and a positive payment history. This approach will, hopefully, allow applicants to prove their creditworthiness beyond loan repayment data and credit cards. This will reveal a more complete picture of a borrower’s creditworthiness beyond traditional credit card and loan repayment data.

The removal of a minimum credit score requirement could especially benefit first-time homebuyers, younger borrowers, and people with “thin” credit files. While credit scores themselves will still be reviewed, the expanded evaluation criteria may allow more applicants who previously fell short of rigid cutoffs to qualify.

Mortgage lenders and underwriters will still evaluate applicants on the strength of their financial profiles, and individual lenders may set their own internal score requirements. Individual lender requirements may differ from the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines. Higher scores typically still translate into more favorable interest rates and loan terms.

Similar to home loan rules, credit scoring models themselves are also evolving. Newer versions, such as VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T, incorporate “trended data” and nontraditional credit factors, including rental and utility payment history. The news systems will also take into account “Buy Now Pay Later” history from platforms such as Klarna and Affirm, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported. While the changes are helpful to potential homebuyers, there are still barriers. Lenders will continue to consider debt levels, income stability, and payment history as part of risk assessment.

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State courts to consider blocking Trump from 2024 ballot under the ‘insurrection’ clause

Comedian Leslie Jones Sounds Off On Trump For Calling Reporter ‘Piggy’

Jones questioned why journalists haven't clapped back at Trump for his offensive comments.


Comedian Leslie Jones has had it up to here with President Donald Trump’s reckless comments against women journalists and decided to tell the world how she would handle him. 

During an appearance on “The Best People” podcast with MS NOW host Nicolle Wallace, Jones put herself in the shoes of Bloomberg White House correspondent Catherine Lucey, whom Trump referred to as “piggy” while questioning him aboard Air Force One in November 2025. “I don’t mean no harm. If he would have said ‘Shut up, piggy’ to me, I’d be like you fat motherf*****,” she said in an expletive-filled rant that had to be bleeped out.  

“You stanking bastard. You wouldn’t be able to talk to me like that. Who you calling ‘piggy,’ you fat f***?….I mean, like how are yall not losing you s*** like that?”  

Lucey suffered the harsh words after asking the indicted president about his actions if he wasn’t guilty regarding his association to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, “if there’s nothing incriminating in the files,” referring to the Epstein files, required to be released to the public Dec. 19. In a viral video, Trump pointed at her and said: “Quiet. Quiet, piggy.”

Trump’s behavior toward female journalists covering the administration hasn’t stopped at Lucey, including attacks against Black female reporters. 

Weeks later, he was criticized for labeling NBC News correspondent Yamiche Alcindor as “very aggressive.” Days before that, the president called ABC News reporter Rachel Scott “the most obnoxious reporter in the whole place” — the second attack she endured after hearing similar allegations during a National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference panel in 2024. 

On social media, he referred to CNN Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins as “stupid and nasty.”

Jones feels it’s time for some reporters to clap back, and social media users feel the same. As her expletive-filled interview went viral, users said she is speaking on behalf of everyone. “Leslie is all of us at this point,” @bravebones wrote. 

@millvillain_ called on the media to let her in on the press conferences. “Get her a press pass,” the IG user said. 

The former “Saturday Night Live” cast member didn’t stop at Trump in her interview. According to Fox News, she is focused on the upcoming midterm elections, which could give the Democratic Party control of the House. Jones hopes that if that were to happen, lawmakers’ first line of business is arresting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. “You can’t continue to keep doing something wrong, you know, and you’re not gonna pay for that,” the comedian said.

“I’m hoping, this is what I’m hoping, that midterms, people come out and vote like crazy to switch it over, and then the reckoning comes. That’s why I want all, everybody that works for ICE, I want them in jail. I just want a reckoning. I want a reckoning. Y’all know y’all did wrong stuff. You know some of the stuff you did was so wrong. I need a reckoning. Because that’s, to me, that’s the only thing that’s gonna make it right.”

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AfroFuture Detroit, African diaspora, Bedrock, Douglass Site, Detroit music, Afrobeats, Amapiano, Motown, Techno, African heritage

Rema And KiDi Join Asake As Headliners For AfroFuture Ghana 2025

Rema and Ghana's own KiDi are joining Asake as headliners at AfroFuture Ghana 2025.


Rema and Ghana’s own KiDi have joined the lineup of Afrobeat stars taking the stage to close out the year in style at AfroFuture Ghana 2025.

Culture Management Group (CMG), the visionary team behind AfroFuture, has unveiled the second wave of performers for AfroFuture Ghana 2025, returning to El Wak Stadium on Dec. 28–29. The new lineup features Rema, the Nigerian Afrobeats sensation behind global hits like Calm Down and Dumebi, alongside Ghana’s KiDi, whose fusion of highlife and Afropop has won fans across Africa with songs like Touch It and Odo.

The newly added acts join an expanded lineup of international DJs, including Skyla Tylaa, DJ L.A.J, DJ RBnice, Flygerian, DJ Mohogany, Afrolektra, TMSKDJ, and DJ Oreo, alongside acclaimed MCs like MC Lola, Kojo Manuel, Princess AJ, and Michael Nichols. Previously announced performers include Asake, TxC, Moliy, King Paluta, Mavo, and sets from Obi’s House, ADDJ, DJ Loft, and K-Dwawg & EZPass.

Together, this star-studded roster solidifies AfroFuture 2025 as one of the year’s most anticipated cultural events, celebrating connections between Africa and its global diaspora.

“Each year, AfroFuture is guided by our commitment to showcasing the depth, range, and innovation of African artistry,” Abdul Karim Abdullah, CEO & co-founder of CMG, said in a press release. “With the addition of Rema, KiDi, and an incredible slate of DJs and MCs, we’re continuing to expand the story of African Nostalgia, honoring the memories that connect our communities while celebrating the evolution of our sound and culture. This year’s festival will be a powerful reminder of the influence Africa holds on the world.”

Sponsored by Afreximbank, a leader in African trade and connectivity, and Martell, AfroFuture’s official spirits partner, AfroFuture Ghana 2025 celebrates Africa’s creativity through music, art, food, fashion, and cultural experiences. Beyond main-stage performances, the festival features immersive installations, wellness programs, and cultural programming, including the AfroFuture Foundation x Black Health Connect 3rd Annual Community Fair: Mind Matters, a curated wellness series with 7even, The Future Makers masterclass series, and panels, book talks, and film screenings. Fashion Night Out at Nubuke returns, showcasing over 15 designers from across the diaspora exploring this year’s theme, African Nostalgia.

Tickets for AfroFuture Ghana 2025 are available at www.afrofuture.com.

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U.S. Virgin Islands,lawsuit, gun rights

U.S. Justice Department Sues U.S. Virgin Islands Over Alleged Gun Rights Violations

The U.S. government alleges the Virgin Islands violated Second Amendment rights by denying American citizens the right of possessing and carrying guns.


The United States government is starting a rift with the U.S Virgin Islands with a lawsuit alleging a Second Amendment violation for denying American citizens the right to possess and carry guns, the Associated Press reports. 

The federal government launched a suit against the U.S. territory, police department, and Police Commissioner Mario Brooks, claiming law enforcement “denies firearms licenses to otherwise qualified applicants whenever it deems that the applicant has ‘too many’ firearms.” The Caribbean nation requires gun permit applicants to demonstrate “good reason to fear death or great injury to his person or property” in addition to having “two credible persons” who can expound on their need for a gun. 

It also required applicants to have “good moral character” to receive a gun permit, which, if obtained, is good for a single weapon and is valid for up to three years. 

Applicants are also required to “submit to intrusive and warrantless home searches” as an additional condition to having a firearm permit. If a person refuses, which is subject to take “several months to a year to schedule and complete,” the government won’t process the request. 

The suit from the U.S. federal government under the Trump administration cites the claims as defying “binding Supreme Court precedent to frustrate the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding American citizens” and feels citizens “have a fundamental right to possess guns in their homes.” 

While the suit claims applicants are required to “unnecessarily spend money to install a safe” and have it bolted to the floor or wall of their residence, the U.S. Virgin Islands government released a statement saying Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and Lt. Gov. Tregenza A. Roach “is committed to protecting constitutional rights while maintaining public safety.”

The Dec. 16 lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in the U.S. Virgin Islands is an added push from the Trump team to expand gun rights following President Donald Trump’s 2024 allegation that the Second Amendment was “under siege” and labeled himself as “the best friend gun owners have ever had in the White House,” according to CBS News

Interestingly enough, the administration’s suit and allegations against the Islands are similar to its own requests in the immigration probe. In early December, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a notice suggesting tourists from certain countries should submit personal information, in addition to five years of social media history, to gain entry into the country. Critics feel the proposed changes will do more harm than good, negatively impacting tourism and scaring tourists away. 

The next step is submitting DNA as proposed changes by CBP to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which suggests “high-value data fields” being added, including biometrics such as facial scans, fingerprints, and iris data. 

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Nigeria, Dr. Awele Elumelu, Chair Of Transcorp Hotels Board

Nigeria’s Richest Female Investor Dr. Awele Elumelu Named Chair Of Transcorp Hotels Board

The seasoned healthcare executive and philanthropist will be at the helm of a globally recognized luxury brand.


Dr. Awele Vivien Elumelu, Nigeria’s richest female investor, has been appointed chair of the board at Transcorp Hotels Plc, one of Africa’s leading hospitality companies.

Transcorp Hotels Plc, a leading Nigerian hospitality company best known for the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, announced the appointment on Dec. 17, with Dr. Elumelu set to assume the role on Jan. 1, 2026, Business Insider Africa reports. Known for her global health advocacy and work advancing economic empowerment for women and children, the move marks a major milestone, placing a seasoned healthcare executive and philanthropist at the helm of a globally recognized luxury brand.

Her appointment follows the planned retirement of current chair Emmanuel N. Nnorom. Her extensive resume in healthcare and business leadership includes serving as chair at Avon Healthcare Limited, Nigeria’s leading health maintenance organization, and Avon Medical Practice, a network of hospitals and clinics. She also leads Heirs Insurance Brokers and is a founding director of Heirs Holdings Limited, with executive education from Harvard Business School, IMD Switzerland, and the London School of Economics.

Elumelu’s appointment adds to her stake in the company, giving her a 5.1% stake in Transcorp Plc, valued at about ₦87 billion ($230 million). The move underscores her growing influence in Nigeria’s male-dominated corporate sector.

Transcorp Hotels, the hospitality arm of Transnational Corporation Plc, has seen its stock rise 34.1% year-to-date, reaching a market capitalization of more than ₦1.59 trillion ($1.1 billion). The company operates the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Aura by Transcorp Hotels, and the newly launched 5,000-seat Transcorp Event Centre, and earned multiple national and international honors this year, including recognition as Africa’s leading business hotel and Nigeria’s top hospitality brand.

As of late 2025, Dr. Elumelu is among Nigeria’s wealthiest female investors, alongside Abolanle Matel-Okoh, Joy Teluwo, and Adaora Umeoji. Her husband, billionaire Tony O. Elumelu, founded Heirs Holdings, a diversified group with interests in financial services, power, oil and gas, real estate, hospitality, healthcare, and technology.

Her appointment as chair of Transcorp Hotels strengthens the Elumelu family’s influence in Nigeria’s corporate sector, particularly in power and energy through Heirs Energies. Since acquiring a controlling stake in Transcorp Plc in 2011, they have expanded the company into the power sector and elevated Transcorp Hotels to a leading hospitality brand in Nigeria and across Africa.

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New York Knicks, NY, NBA Cup

New York Knicks Rally Past The Spurs To Win NBA Cup Championship

It's the team's first trophy since 1973.


It’s not exactly what long-suffering New York Knicks were waiting for, but it’s a start. The Knicks won the NBA Cup, a midseason championship, in the tournament’s third year, after defeating the San Antonio Spurs at T-Mobile Arena.

According to ESPN, the New York team rallied from behind in the fourth quarter to beat the Spurs 124-113 and win the Emirates NBA Cup Championship. The Knicks have not won an NBA Championship since 1973, but this soothes the soul a little as the title hopes for the current season look great, especially after narrowly missing the NBA Finals in 2025.

The MVP was the team’s leader, Jalen Brunson, who scored 25 points, with OG Anunoby leading all scorers with 28. But even the players, albeit happy for the victory, know there is still much to do.

“This is great and we’re going to enjoy this,” Brunson said. “But once we leave tomorrow, we’re moving on.”

The good news for the New York franchise is that since the midseason tournament began three years ago, every team that has played in the finals has made the playoffs that season (the Los Angeles Lakers, the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Oklahoma City Thunder). Last season’s Cup champions, the Thunder, went on to win the 2025 NBA Finals.

“This is a single-elimination tournament when you get to a certain point, so every game counts,” New York coach Mike Brown said. “There was pressure on every game if you expect to be who you think you are. When you’re able to have success, it breeds confidence in everybody in the organization.”

Not only do the winners have bragging rights, but their pockets are leveled up with the winning purse. Everyone with a standard contract was rewarded with an extra $318,560 for winning, bringing the total to $530,933 for reaching the final.

As great as the victory is for the franchise, they have stated that although they did achieve a banner for the arena, they will not be raising it, at least not yet. But there will be a celebration for the fans at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 19.

The Knicks are 18-7, currently atop the Atlantic Division, and No. 2 in the Eastern Conference behind the Detroit Pistons, who are 21-5.

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Dentist, Dr. Jaha Howard, Georgia State Senate Runoff

Local Dentist, Dr. Jaha Howard, Wins Georgia State Senate Runoff

Howard received about 52 percent of the vote.


Dr. Jaha Howard, a pediatric dentist and former member of the Cobb County Board of Education, won a special election runoff Dec. 16 for Georgia State Senate District 35. The win secures Dr. Howard a seat in the state legislature.

Howard received about 52% of the vote, defeating former state Rep. Roger Bruce, who received about 48%, in the runoff election, WSB-TV reports. 

During the campaign, Howard emphasized affordability, public education, and access to healthcare.

“This is about listening to people’s real needs and putting in the work, so we can make sure our kids get funded properly, make sure we have true literacy in Georgia, and make sure that we have affordability in Georgia,” Howard said in an interview with WSB Radio.

The newly elected Georgia senator stressed the need for haste and collective action.

“We’re moving in a sense of urgency to deal with affordability, to deal with our attacks on our freedoms, and we’re going to do it together,” Howard said.

Earlier this year, Jason Esteves resigned from the Senate to pursue a run for governor, leaving the District 35 seat open.

Howard brings experience in both education and healthcare to the Legislature. He previously served four years on the Cobb County Board of Education. Additionally, Howard served on Cobb County’s Transit Advisory Board.

Georgia Democrats welcomed Howard’s victory following the results.

In a statement reported by CBS News, party leaders said, “Senate Democrats welcome our newest partner in the fight to lower prices and uplift communities across Georgia.”

Howard will serve the remainder of Esteves’s term. He is expected to be sworn in ahead of the upcoming legislative session. Just in time to weigh in on education funding, healthcare policy, and transportation priorities. The new state senator says he plans to begin meeting with constituents and local leaders immediately to prepare for his first session in the Senate.

RELATED CONTENT: Jasmine Crockett Announces Senate Run In Texas

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