• News

by Niko Mann

December 10, 2022

Kentucky Man Kills Wife And Two Daughters In Apparent Murder-Suicide

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A Kentucky man shot and killed his wife, his two daughters and himself on Dec. 2 in Louisville, according to WDRB News.  

Gary Stanton. 60, killed his wife, 49-year-old Mary Stanton, and his two daughters; 17-year-old Andrianna Stanton and 11-year-old Brianna Stanton.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed the cause of death for each was from a gunshot wound. Officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department found the family at their home on East Pages Lane at approximately 8:45 a.m. Brianna was shot once, Mary and Adrianna were shot multiple times.  

LMPD Maj. Micah Scheu said he was sure the deaths were a murder-suicide committed by Stanton.  

“We feel pretty confident that the incident is going to be a murder-suicide situation where the adult male was the primary aggressor who shot the three females,” said Scheu.  

“Obviously, this is a very tragic situation, especially during this time of year. It’s very difficult anytime lives are lost, [and] juveniles are involved. 

Mary was a registered nurse who worked at an adult daycare center in Louisville. Her sister, Emily Muchemi, said nothing seemed out of the ordinary leading up to the deaths.  

“Nothing seemed off. We talked and joked every day,” she said.  

“Family was important to her and she worked hard to lift everyone up in the family,” said the grieving sister. 

Muchemi also said that her niece, Adrianna, was a senior at DuPont Manual High School and was an active student involved with numerous organizations. She would have graduated next spring.  

“She was a smart and responsible young lady with a bright future ahead of her,” said Muchemi. 

Brianna was a student at Noe Middle School.  

“Brianna was full of life,” added Muchemi “She got along well with everyone.”  

A GoFundMe was set up to help with funeral expenses. Muchemi said that she and Mary had just buried their father in November. “Our hearts are not even healed from dad’s sudden death and now this.” The police said they don’t yet know why Stanton killed himself and his family.  

Viola Brands, the cannabis company founded in 2011 by former NBA star Al Harrington, is now offering edibles. Harrington partnered with Puff Cannabis to introduce  a line of cannabis-infused gummies called Grandma’s Kitchen on Dec. 8.

Harrington was inspired to create the cannabis company by his grandmother, Viola, who suffered from glaucoma. After Harrington suggested she try cannabis to alleviate her symptoms, Viola reluctantly agreed and was moved to tears when she was able to see clearly while reading her Bible.

“Established in 2011 by NBA veteran Al Harrington, Viola was inspired by his grandmother, who had long suffered from glaucoma.”

“Al convinced her to try cannabis, from which she found relief, demonstrating to him the power of the plant. This pivotal experience inspired Al to name his company after Viola and begin his journey as CEO of Viola Brands.”

The cannabis-infused treats include four flavors; Uptown Espresso, Auntie’s Punch, Paradise Island, and Big Apple Dreamin, inspired by Viola’s apple pie. “We’re calling it Grandma’s Kitchen. We’re focused on all products or flavors that my grandmother really loved or that she made. She loved coffee in the morning. So, we have a coffee flavor and different things like that,” said Harrington.

Grandma’s Kitchen is currently available in Puff Cannabis locations in Michigan including Hamtramck, Madison Heights, and Utica. Harrington also plans to expand into Arizona, California, and Colorado. The gummies are vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO.

Harrington shared the news on Instagram.

 

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A post shared by Viola (@viola)

According to Forbes, Viola Brands raised $13 million for its expansion into Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania and is now valued at more than $100 million. The company is also expanding into Canada and Missouri. Harrington owns approximately 40 percent of the company, and several of his NBA friends  also investors, including Josh Childress, Ben Gordon, J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin, and DeMarcus Cousins.

Harrington’s goal is to provide generational wealth for Black people and to right some of the wrongs caused by the drug war. The entrepreneur hopes to help create 100 Black cannabis millionaires.

Dr. Umar Johnson is serving out “50,000 lashes” to Deion Sanders for leaving the HBCU Jackson State University for a coaching position in Colorado.

While appearing on The Breakfast Club on Friday morning, the well-known pan-Afrikan psychologist couldn’t wait to direct the conversation around Sanders’ recent decision to leave JSU after three seasons to take a head coaching position at a PWI.

Dr. Umar argued with Charlamagne Tha God while explaining why Sanders’ decision is “bigger than football” and could’ve sparked a “movement” that could’ve reshaped the funding that goes into HBCUs across the country.

“Deion Sanders used, abused and exploited HBCU Jackson State just to be given an opportunity to show predominately white institutions that he could coach,” Johnson said.

He went on to explain why he is “so personally disappointed in Deion” because he thought Sanders decided to coach at JSU “for a movement and not for money.”

https://twitter.com/nojumper/status/1601266401322610689?s=20&t=xGkpBiR1HQiZex3kvm3lAA

When Charlamagne tried to defend Sanders saying he was only one man who shouldn’t be responsible with such a plight, Dr. Umar drove his point home.

“This was bigger than football, this was about the survival of the HBCU,” he quipped.

“That one man could have been a catalyst for a movement that would have revolutionized the survival of HBCUs,” Johnson said.

He went on to use analogies by naming a few prominent Black leaders throughout history who served a crucial role within a bigger movement that they alone didn’t cause.

“The abolition wasn’t just about Frederick Douglass, but if Frederick Douglass would have pulled out, he would have hurt it,” Johnson said. “The underground railroad wasn’t just about Harriet Tubman, but if she would have pulled out, it would have failed.”

“For [Sanders] to pull out of Jackson State the way that he did before making sure the HBCU system survived, to me, was selfish. He chose money over the movement,” he continued.

“[Sanders] had a chance to help and he hurt and y’all wanna condone that because you Black celebrities are not committed to the best interest of Black people.”

Meanwhile, Sanders is moving full speed ahead into his new role at Colorado University while finishing his duties in Mississippi at JSU. Sanders is preparing to rebuild CU’s 2023 class before the early signing period begins on Dec. 21, Colorado Buffalos Wire reports.

The bricks are still falling out of Ye’s house as California has stated that his brand, Yeezy owes the state over half a million in taxes.

According to NBC News, the artist formerly known as Kanye West has tax issues in California. The state is claiming that his brand, Yeezy Apparel, over the past two years allegedly owes more than $600,000.

The company has been sent a series of state tax lien notices stating the amount is for unpaid tax debt. Yeezy Apparel has been sent three separate notices. The initial letter was sent in July 2021, another was sent earlier this year in February, and the latest was this past September.

His troubles are related to several high-end companies separating themselves from the combative recording artist over the past several months. He has also been spewing anti-Semitic and anti-Black statements that have affected his finances.

Yeezy Apparel has been operating as a business in California since 2017. As recently as January 2022, according to public business records in California, the company was listed as being active and in “good” standing. Yeezy Apparel is one of five Yeezy limited liability corporations managed by Ye in the Golden State.

NBC News discovered 17 government-imposed liens in California listed against three of the businesses that Ye owns. Four have been labeled active, with no signs of any being resolved.

On Thursday, the controversial music producer had an honorary degree rescinded due to his recent controversies spewing anti-Semitic views. He received the honorary college degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in 2015. The school stated on Dec. 8 that the honor bestowed upon him had been taken away due to his recent behavior.

“The School of the Art Institute of Chicago condemns and repudiates Kanye West’s (now known as Ye) anti-Black, antisemitic, racist, and dangerous statements, particularly those directed at Black and Jewish communities. Ye’s actions do not align with SAIC’s mission and values, and we’ve rescinded his honorary degree.”

Keke Palmer is posted up at home preparing for her latest role…being a mother.

The Nope star took to Instagram on Tuesday to promote the latest episode of her Baby This Is Keke Palmer podcast. Palmer sported a white bathrobe and her signature glasses while addressing her fans.

With the post coming amid her surprise pregnancy announcement on SNL, Palmer kicked off the video with a nod to the big news.

“Excuse the bathrobe,” Palmer joked. “I’m getting into character for my newest role — being a mother!”

 

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Pregnancy jokes aside, Palmer purposed her post around the focus of her latest podcast episode, self-identity.

“It cut me off! But the episode from last week was about identity!” she captioned the post. “I had a great conversation with Jaleel White, and in general we covered what it’s like to break identities and certain roles in life that other people give you.”

“Let me know tho, what is a red flag to you and what is a simple human flaw? How do you decide to leave or give someone a second chance?” she continued. “Get into the podcast where relationship expert Kristie Overstreet gives some amazing tips on how to distinguish between the two.”

The promo post comes days after Palmer surprised SNL‘s live audience by debuting her baby bump during her monologue.

“I’m especially glad to be here, though, because there’s some rumors going around,” Palmer said at the start of the show.

“People have been in my comments saying, ‘Keke’s having a baby, Keke’s pregnant,’ and I want to set the record straight — I am.”

Palmer then opened up her jacket to reveal her adorable baby bump. Her boyfriend, Darius Jackson, followed up the big announcement with a photo showing a pregnant Palmer, teasing their 2023 due date.

Trevor Noah bid farewell to “The Daily Show” audience on Thursday and made sure to give “a special shout-out to Black women” before signing off.

Noah, who’s hosted the nightly talk show since 2015, filmed his final episode on Thursday and became emotional while addressing his team, audience, and viewers for the last time.

“I’ve often been credited with having these grand ideas. People say, ‘Oh Trevor, you’re so smart.’ I’m like, ‘Who do you think teaches me? Who do you think shaped me, nourished me and formed me?'” Noah said.

“From my mom, my grand[mom], my aunt, all these Black women in my life, but in America as well.”

The South African native went on to encourage others to “talk to Black women because, unlike everybody else, Black women can’t afford to f— around and find out.”

 

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Noah went on to name a few Black women who he seeks guidance and clarity from including Roxane Gay, Tressie McMillan Cottom and activists like Zoé Samudzi and Tarana Burke.

“Black people understand how hard it is when things go bad, especially in America … When things go bad, Black people know that it’s worse for them,” he continued.

“Do yourself a favor, if you truly want to know what to do or how to do it? Or maybe the best way or the most equitable way? Talk to Black women.”

“They’re a lot of the reason why I’m here and so I’m grateful to them,” he said. “I’m grateful to every single one of you.”

Elsewhere, Noah thanked the audience and dedicated viewers who watched and engaged with the show, even in negative ways.

“I wanna say I appreciate those people,” Noah said. “Even the people who hate-watch, you still pulled up the ratings so thank you, I’m eternally grateful to you.”

No replacement has been announced for Noah, as fans anxiously await the next host who will carry the show’s legacy, CBS News reports.

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 9, 2022

Her Hands Are Tied: Wendy Williams Reportedly ‘Can’t Do Anything About’ Son’s Eviction

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Wendy Williams’ publicist is responding to the recent news of her son’s eviction from his Miami apartment and says it is out of Wendy’s hands.

This week, The Sun unearthed reports revealing the $70,000 lawsuit launched against Wendy’s 22-year-old son Kevin Hunter Jr. back in August. The suit claims Kevin Jr. agreed to move out of his Miami pad in September after falling behind on the rent once his lease ran out.

In the wake of the claims, Wendy’s publicist Shawn Zanotti explained how her conservatorship is preventing her from releasing funds without approval.

“At this point, Wendy is under a conservatorship that was ordered by a federal New York judge,” Zanotti told The Neighborhood Talk. “All expenses must be cleared by her guardian via the courts.”

“There is a process where her expenses have to go through being verified and cleared before being paid.”

Zanotti went on to note how long the approval process can take and how it can cause Williams to miss deadlines, like her son’s rent.

“Wendy’s hands are tied and there is really nothing she can do right now. It’s a process that tends to go beyond the deadline of certain invoices,” the publicist continued. “She, honestly, can’t do anything about that.”

“It’s really sad how some outlets take headlines and misconstrue information just to get clicks and likes,” Zanotti added.

Kevin Jr. appeared in court to respond to the suit, where he blamed his mom’s financial woes for the back-owed rent.

“All this happened suddenly and all the financial support that she has always gave (sic) me stopped, including my housing,” Kevin Jr. told the courts.

The son of Wendy and her ex-husband Kevin Hunter admitted that his mother had paid in advance for a full year of rent for the $ 2 million luxury pad. But once his lease ran out and Wendy’s Wells Fargo accounts were frozen, he landed on hard times.

“When I moved, in my mom, Wendy Hunter, rented the apartment for me, paying for a full year plus security,” Kevin Jr. said, adding that Williams intended to purchase the home at the end of the lease.

• News

by Niko Mann

December 9, 2022

Chicago Woman With Dementia Deceived Out Of $400K By Financial Adviser

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A Chicago woman suffering from dementia was deceived out of more than $400,000 by her financial advisor, according to NBC Chicago.  

A lawsuit filed with the Cook County Probate Court contends that 76-year-old Priscilla Eddings was defrauded by the financial advisor at her bank, beginning in 2017. The lawsuit was filed last month.  

Just a few months after Eddings, a retired certified nursing assistant at St. Joseph Hospital, began working with Helen Caldwell, she moved out of her Hyde Park home and into an assisted living facility. The retired CNA also began writing Caldwell large checks made out to the financial advisor’s film company, Canal Productions. The checks totaled $400,500 within a two-year time period. According to Eddings’ Public Guardian, Charles Golbert, the amount equaled half of Eddings’ estate and savings.  

“She moves into assisted living and all of the sudden large checks start getting made payable to Canal Productions, checks running as high as $75,000,” said Golbert. “We believe she did not have cognitive capacity at that time.” 

“It’s outrageous. Caldwell had a fiduciary duty to Ms. Eddings, who did not receive any benefit whatsoever from the checks she wrote to Canal Productions. And where’s the oversight by her employer at the time?” 

He also noted Eddings’ job as a CNA and said she deserved better.  

“That’s a hard job and a giving job, and this is what happened to her after taking care of others during her working life, and by someone she was entitled to think she could trust,” he added. 

Golbert also said the money was meant to support Eddings throughout her final years as she battles dementia. Caldwell was caught after Eddings’ granddaughter discovered the checks made out to Canal Productions and sought out legal guardianship over her grandmother.  

The proceedings prompted a judge to assign a review by a court-appointed investigator. Golbert was granted guardianship, and he filed a lawsuit requesting the court force the bank and Caldwell to provide him with all information pertaining to Eddings’ assets in an attempt to have the money returned.  

Eddings’ guardian also said the authorities have been contacted regarding Caldwell, who is no longer employed by the bank.  

Former Howard University Professor Dr. Grant Warner has been named the executive director of the Center for Black Entrepreneurship.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports the Center for Black Entrepreneurship is an initiative developed by Spelman College, Morehouse College, and the Black Economic Alliance Foundation with a $10 million grant from Bank of America (BoA).

Warner has more than 15 years of experience in higher education and business, having served as the director of innovation and professor at Howard University, where he developed the HowU initiative, which teaches how to become tech startup founders.

The former Howard professor is also the co-founder of the social analytics platform, ConnectYard, and startup consulting firm, XediaLabs.

“I am honored to join the CBE, to build on Spelman’s and Morehouse’s strong legacies of innovation and partner with the Black Economic Alliance to achieve the CBE’s mission,” Warner said in a Spelman release.

“I have dedicated my career to identifying and implementing new opportunities for Black entrepreneurs, particularly at HBCUs. I strongly believe in the CBE’s vision of developing commercial pathways for Black entrepreneurs and building an ecosystem of investors and business leaders to support them, and I am excited to help bring the vision to life.”

The center was established in 2021 to grow the number and abilities of young, Black entrepreneurs, and builds on current entrepreneurship programs at the two HBCU schools. It also provides academic opportunities for non-students and students of other HBCUs, and will act as an intermediary between businesses and Black founders. In addition to being the center’s executive director, Warner will also serve as the BoA-endowed professor of entrepreneurship.

The Center will be located at the Arthur M. Blank Innovation Lab at Spelman College. The new space was made possible by a $10 million donation from Blank, who owns the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta United MLS franchise.

In addition to Blank’s donation and BoA’s initial $10 million donation, Cisco Systems has donated $4 million, Visa has pledged $5 million, and BoA has invested an additional $5 million.

Black entrepreneurship skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic as millions of Black men and women who lost jobs took their finances into their own hands. However, according to Lending Tree, the percentage of Black businesses in the U.S. is just 2.4%, proving the center is needed.

Additionally, the Propel Center, located at Clark Atlanta University will also provide HBCU students with entrepreneurial and technological skills to grow the number of Black entrepreneurs.

• Lifestyle

by Niko Mann

December 9, 2022

Meghan Markle’s Mother Speaks Out for First Time in Netflix Documentary ‘Harry & Meghan’

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The Duchess of Sussex’s mother, Doria Ragland, is speaking out for the first time in her daughter’s Netflix documentary, Harry & Meghan.

The docuseries dropped on Netflix on Thursday, and in Part I, Ragland said she was happy to finally have the chance to be heard. In the series, Ragland recalled meeting Prince Harry and schooling Duchess Meghan on racism.

Ragland said that when she met her son-in-law for the first time, she thought he was a “handsome man with red hair,” who had “really great manners.” She added she knew “he was the one” for her daughter.

“He was just really nice.”

Ragland described advising her daughter that race was about to be a major factor in her life. Duchess Meghan explained in the documentary that while she’d witnessed her mother being called the N-word, she herself didn’t experience extreme racism until she began dating Prince Harry. She said that she wasn’t treated like a minority or a Black woman, so a talk about racism wasn’t necessary.

“I’d say now people are very aware of my race because they made it such an issue when I went to the U.K,” Meghan said.

Ragland noted her regret in not schooling her daughter sooner about racism. She said she began advising Meghan about racism as the press became aware of the couple’s relationship.

“As a parent, in hindsight, I’d like to go back and have that kind of real conversation about how the world sees you,” she said. “They would take different parts of Skid Row and say that was where I lived, and that was where she was from.”

“I said to her, I remember this very clearly, ‘This is about race,'” Ragland saID. “Meg said, ‘Mommy, I don’t want to hear that.’ I said, ‘You may not want to hear it, but this is what’s coming down the pike.'”

She also recalled the British press saying Duchess Meghan was “Straight Outta Compton” in a headline. The 66-year-old also noted that she felt “stalked by the paparazzi” and that it had been a difficult five years.

“I felt unsafe a lot. I can’t just go walk my dogs. I can’t just go to work. There was always someone there waiting for me,” Ragland said.

 

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Ragland also noted that she remained silent leading up to the wedding, despite attempts by the press to pay her large sums of money.

“This is my child. Like, I have nothing to say.”

The second part of Harry & Meghan streams on Netflix on Dec. 15.