Deion Sanders
by Niko Mann

December 4, 2022

Deion Sanders Accepts Head Coaching Job With The Colorado Buffaloes

Deion Sanders accepted a position as the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, according to ESPN. The former Dallas Cowboys star is currently the head coach for the Jackson State Tigers.

Sanders is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. The head coach played for 14 seasons in the NFL and won two Super Bowls. Sanders also played Major League Baseball from 1989 until 2001.

The Colorado Buffaloes announced the news on Twitter on Dec. 3.

“AD Rick George has named COACH PRIME @DeionSanders to be the 28th full-time head football coach at CU. Welcome Coach Prime to Colorado!”

 

Sanders told his team the news in a video shared on Instagram after their Saturday win against Southern University at the SWAC Championship Game. He has coached the team for three years and they went undefeated the entire season. Sanders will still coach the team at the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 17.

“I know you all have been hearing the rumors,” he said. “I’d like you all to hear it from me and not from anyone else. Either in coaching, you either get elevated or you get terminated,” said Sanders. “I’ve chosen to accept a job elsewhere next year. I’m gonna to finish what we’ve started, we’re going to dominate.”

Sanders, 55, also said there has only been a few Black head coaches.

“I feel like I have to do something about it,” he said.

“My challenge is still to provoke change, no matter where I am. I’m 55 and don’t plan on changing anytime soon. God made me like this, and I think God is pleased with what he created.”

He captioned the post, “A Coach gets Elevated or Terminated! Ain’t no in-between. The hardest part about this whole thang is These young men, coaches, admin, trainers, equipment team, Photography team, Video team, housekeeping, Security, Johnny T’s , Fans, Alumni, Friends and whoever that were truly a blessing to our Program. Colorado it’s Time baby! Let’s Go @cubuffsfootball! #WeComing (posted by @deionsandersjr).”

 

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15-Year-Old Boy Dies After Subway Surfing In New York City
by Niko Mann

December 4, 2022

15-Year-Old Boy Dies After Subway Surfing In New York City

A 15-year-old boy died after he slipped and fell off a train while subway surfing in New York on Dec. 1, according to ABC7 News. Ka’Von Wooden was riding on top of the J-train going over the Williamsburg Bridge in Brooklyn when fell.

According to the New York Police Department, the accident happened at 11:23 a.m. as the train was heading southbound. Wooden fell under the car and hit the third rail near the Marcy Avenue station in Williamsburg. A train conductor reportedly saw Wooden on the top of the train and called for help but unfortunately, it was too late. Wooden was pronounced dead at the scene.

Subway surfing is a trend in which teenagers ride on top of a train while recording themselves and later post the video on social media. Wooden’s mother, 53-year-old Y’Vonda Maxwell said her son was on the spectrum and was bullied into subway surfing on the train.

“It’s not something he would do on his own,” she said. “He was a kid on the spectrum. He got in on the wrong crowd. He was bullied because he was autistic.”

NYPD Chief of Transit Jason Wilcox also noted the dangers of subway surfing during a MTA board meeting back in June.

“Riding on the outside of a subway car is not only illegal, but incredibly dangerous,” he said. “Each year we see teens killed engaging in so-called subway surfing. We enforce rules prohibiting moving between the train cars in order to combat this dangerous behavior.”

Community leader Craig Housen said that a lack of resources for Black and Hispanic teenagers in the community leads to bored teenagers finding ways to entertain themselves.

“This is not the first or second occurrence, and this is largely due to the fact that we are not making resources available to our Black and Hispanic youths of Williamsburg,” he said. “What happens is they find other ways and means to entertain themselves, and most of the time it’s not usually safe.”

A GoFundMe page set up for Ka’Von’s family on Dec. 2 to help with expenses noted his sweet nature.

“Ka’Von was a bright, smart, charismatic, and caring individual,” wrote Maxwell. “He showed a lot of love to the people he cared about, let alone anyone. Shy as he could be, he was a friendly soul.”

Student Found Dead Inside Car At Jackson State University In Mississippi
by Niko Mann

December 4, 2022

Student Found Dead Inside Car At Jackson State University In Mississippi

A student was found dead inside a car at Jackson State University in Mississippi on Dec. 2, according to WLBT News. Flynn Brown was found dead of an apparent gunshot wound around 8 a.m. in a parking lot on campus.

The 22-year-old student from New Jersey was found inside of a Dodge Challenger. Bailey Martin from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation confirmed that 20-year-old Randall Smith was in custody after being arrested for killing Brown. No other details were provided.

“Smith has been arrested in connection to the JSU homicide that occurred yesterday,” said Martin.

Brown played football in New Jersey at Mount Olive High School before going off to college. His former coach, Brian O’ Connor, announced his death on Twitter.

“It is with a heavy heart that I am sad to say the Mt. Olive community and football family have lost one of their own. Flynn Brown, was killed yesterday morning while attending Jackson St. More info to come when I have. Thoughts and prayers to the Brown family.”

After Brown graduated from high school in 2019, he played football for Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pennsylvania before beginning college at Jackson State in 2022. He did not play football for the school but had earned a roster spot on the team for the next season.

“He’s a very talented athlete, a quiet kid, hard worker,” said O’Connor. “It seemed like he had things going in the right direction, and was trying to get his degree.”

The president of Jackson State University Thomas Hudson, J.D. also announced the sad news on Dec. 2.

“JSU family, it is with a heavy heart that I confirm the death of a JSU student. The loss of a young person is always a devastating circumstance for our campus community. Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.”

T.J. Holmes Jokes With Amy Robach On Air About It Being ‘A Great Week’ Amidst Relationship Revelation
by Niko Mann

December 4, 2022

T.J. Holmes Jokes With Amy Robach On Air About It Being ‘A Great Week’ Amidst Relationship Revelation

GMA3: What You Need To Know host T.J. Holmes joked with his co-host Amy Robach about it being “a great week” during the show’s broadcast on Friday. News of the host’s romantic relationship was revealed by the Daily Mail two days earlier.

The outlet published several pictures of the two married co-hosts looking cozy and holding hands in the back seat of a car as well as a video of Holmes handling Robach’s buttocks outside a cottage in upstate New York. Both Holmes, 45, and Robach, 49, are married but reportedly split from their spouses in August.

On Friday’s show, Holmes greeted the audience.

“Hey there, everybody. Good afternoon. Welcome to ’GMA3: What You Need to Know’ on this Friday. You know, it’s too bad it’s Friday.”

“Is it?” questioned Robach.

“It’s been a great week. I just want this one to keep going, and going, and going,” said Holmes. “Just enjoying it. Take it all in.”

“Speak for yourself,” laughed Robach. “I am very excited about the weekend, and I’m sure everyone else is too. We all love our Fridays around here — some of us do, at least.”

Holmes is married to attorney Marilee Fiebig, and Robach is married to actor Andrew Shue. According to People, Robach and Shue were nearly finished finalizing their divorce when the news broke. The co-hosts reportedly planned to announce their relationship when Robach’s divorce was finalized.

“Amy was going through a heartache and TJ was very much there for her and helpful, and that is when they started something,” said the source.

“This was two consenting adults who were each separated. They both broke up with their spouses in August within weeks of each other. The relationship didn’t start until after that.”

Page Six claimed that Holmes’ wife was blindsided by the relationship but also noted that the GMA3 host moved out over the summer.

Video: Florida Police Officer Unable To Swim Jumps Into Pond To Save Drowning Baby
by Niko Mann

December 4, 2022

Video: Florida Police Officer Unable To Swim Jumps Into Pond To Save Drowning Baby

A police officer from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Me’Atia Sanderson, jumped in a pond to save a drowning baby in Jacksonville, Florida despite being unable to swim, according to WTSP News.   

A graphic video of Officer Sanderson jumping into a retention pond on June 9 to save the drowning baby was released by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on Nov. 22. Sanderson, who was the first on the scene, was responding to an emergency call about a lost baby near the retention pond. The body cam footage captured Sanderson jumping out of her patrol vehicle and sprinting towards the water as the child’s frantic mother also waded into the pond. 

“Where’s the baby at? Where? Where? Where? Where? Where is he at? Oh, s—t! Oh, s—t! Oh, Lord,” she exclaimed as she rushed into the water.  

The bodycam footage showed Sanderson going underneath the water to look for the drowning baby. A good Samaritan also jumped in to save the baby and is seen hurriedly carrying him from the water. Sanderson yelled for the man to lay the baby down as she ran to him and began performing CPR until the paramedics arrived and took over.  

“C’mon, baby. C’mon, baby,” said Sanderson as she performed chest compressions.  

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said that the baby survived. They posted a video of Sanderson’s heroic efforts on Facebook noting she could not swim. “Ofc. Sanderson was the first to arrive on the scene and was alerted that the infant was still in the water,” read the post.

“Ofc. Sanderson, who does not know how to swim herself, without a second’s hesitation, entered the pond to retrieve the child and performed CPR until she was relieved by other responding officers.” 

Captain Christopher Scott from the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department said that Sanderson saved the baby’s life.  

“Ofc. Sanderson, who does not know how to swim herself, without a second’s hesitation, entered the pond to retrieve the child and performed CPR until she was relieved by other responding officers.” 

Sanderson became a police officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in 2019. 

by Kia Morgan Smith

December 4, 2022

SURPRISE! Keke Palmer Announces She’s Pregnant During Saturday Night Live Monologue

Keke Palmer is known for being that girl who keeps a job and now she’s got a whole new job on the horizon as a mama!

The 29-year-old “Nope” star made the big announcement that she’s expecting a baby, by baring her robust belly during her opening Saturday Night Live monologue, Page Six reports.

“There’s some rumors going around. 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,” the actress said while showing off her baby bump by opening up her blazer.

The audience roared after Palmer’s reveal.

“You know, I gotta say though. It is bad when people on the internet spread rumors about you y’all, but it’s even worse when they’re correct.”

“But honestly this has been the biggest blessing, and I am so excited guys — I’m gonna be a mom!”

Palmer admitted that rumors took flight after filming the Jordan Peele hit movie, “Nope” and when she attended the CFDA awards glowing in a Carolina Herrera ballgown, folks got a little suspicious and fans alluded to her likely hiding something.

 

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Palmer”s been dating her beau Darius Jackson since 2021, and the two have kept their relationship on the low.

Back in August 2021, Jackson made a declaration of his love for Palmer and credited her for their tight bond.

“You’ve been a blessing from above,” Jackson captioned a since-deleted Instagram post.

“Never would have expected summer 2021 to turn out the way it did, but here we are,” he continued. “I’m glad we were able to help each other throughout our lowest of times & show one another that what we are bringing to the table is everything that we got.”

CLEVELAND, OH – FEBRUARY 19: Actress, Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson attend the NBA x HBCU Classic Presented by AT&T as part of 2022 NBA All Star Weekend on Thursday, February 19, 2022 (Photo byJuan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)

Congrats lil’ mama!

Trial For Ex-Fort Worth Police Officer Who Shot and Killed Atatiana Jefferson Has No Black Jurors
by Niko Mann

December 3, 2022

Trial For Ex-Fort Worth Police Officer Who Shot and Killed Atatiana Jefferson Has No Black Jurors

The jury selection is complete for the trial of ex-Forth Worth, Texas police officer Aaron Dean, and no Black jurors were selected, according to WFAA News. Dean shot and killed Atatiana Jefferson on Oct. 12, 2019, inside her home.

Body camera footage showed Dean, who is white, shoot and kill 28-year-old Jefferson, who was Black, in her home after a neighbor called the police to say Jefferson’s front door was wide open.

Jefferson was upstairs playing video games with her 8-year-old nephew, Zion Carr. Dean and another officer arrived on the scene around 2:25 a.m. to find the front door wide open but the screen door closed. As the officers moved around her backyard, Carr said that Jefferson heard noises outside and grabbed her handgun from her purse.

The graphic body camera footage showed Dean pointing his gun at Jefferson through the window as he yelled, “Put your hands up! Show me your hands!” He immediately began firing without advising Jefferson he was a police officer or giving her a chance to lower her weapon. Dean was arrested a few days later and charged with murder.

At least 200 people were randomly selected as potential jurors but dozens were excused due to scheduling conflicts or because the judge deemed them to be biased. The jury consisting of six women and eight men is majority-white and does contain several minorities. However, none of them are Black. According to WFAA News, several jurors said they could not convict Dean for doing his job.

“I am sick and tired about the way police officers are treated and how they do their jobs,” said one. “You could present your case but I am not going to be unbiased. I couldn’t convict any law enforcement of murder while involved in a shooting because they are doing their jobs and trying to come home to their families.”

Fort Worth community leader Cory Session the outlet that the jury’s makeup was concerning.

“It’s just mind-boggling that this would happen at this date and time given the circumstances,” said Session.

“If he’s found not guilty of the charges, race will be brought up and it could be a bad day for the city of Fort Worth and race relations. But the people who are the custodians of the judicial process are the ones who should answer for how this jury pool ended up this way.”

Judge George Gallagher said that Dean told the court he wants the jury to decide his sentence if he is convicted. Dean’s lawyers filed a request for probation should he be convicted of murdering Jefferson.

The trial is expected to last for about two weeks. Opening statements for the trial are scheduled to begin on Dec. 5 at 9 a.m.

 

‘All Alone In a Tiny Hospital Room’ Nick Cannon Battles Pneumonia
by Niko Mann

December 3, 2022

‘All Alone In a Tiny Hospital Room’ Nick Cannon Battles Pneumonia

Nick Cannon is in the hospital with a bout of pneumonia. Cannon shared the news on Instagram on Dec. 2 with a picture of himself in his hospital bed.

Cannon was in New York City for a show at Madison Square Garden with his Wild ‘N Out tour.

“Okay, so I guess I’m not Superman,” he wrote. “I promised myself I would never be back at this place again… But this is a great lesson to take care of YOU or YOU won’t be able to take care of everyone else.”

Cannon went on to say that he had pneumonia and would soon recover after he had some rest.

“Don’t trip though, I don’t need any well wishes or prayers, just some solid rest and I will be back on the journey to becoming stronger than ever… it’s just pneumonia, nothing I can’t handle.”

“Crazy thing is, last night we was just rocking a sold-out crowd at Madison square garden in front of thousands of fans, now I’m all alone in a tiny hospital room. Life is definitely a rollercoaster! #LupusWarrior.”

 

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Although Cannon said he wasn’t soliciting sympathy, he did point out that he was “…all alone in a tiny hospital room.”

Cannon stays busy to support his growing family.

He has twins Moroccan and Monroe with his ex-wife, singer Mariah Carey. The 42-year-old is also expecting his 12th child next year, his second with model Alyssa Scott. Their first child, 5-month-old Zen, died tragically in 2021 from a brain tumor.

Cannon also has three children with Abby De La Rosa; twins Zillion Heir and Zion Mixolydian, and a newborn daughter, Beautiful Zeppelin. The talk show host also shares a daughter, Powerful Queen and sons Golden Sagon and Rise Messiah with Brittany Bell; Cannon also has a son, Legendary Love, with Bre Tiesi; and a daughter, Onyx Ice Cole, with LaNisha Cole.

 

Two Far-Right Operatives Who Robocalled Black Voters During 2020 Election Must Register New Voters
by Niko Mann

December 3, 2022

Two Far-Right Operatives Who Robocalled Black Voters During 2020 Election Must Register New Voters

Two right-wing operatives have been ordered to register new voters in Washington, D.C. after they pled guilty to targeting Black voters during the 2020 election, according to The New York Times. Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl admitted to scamming voters across five states by lying to them about voting by mail.

Wohl, 24, and 56-year-old Burkman were sentenced to 500 hours of community service for lying to voters in Ohio, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois by telling them if they voted by mail, their information would be transferred to a database that police could access.

“Don’t be finessed into giving your private information to the man,” said the robocall. “Stay safe and beware of vote by mail.”

Prosecutors in Cuyahoga County said Burkman and Wohl targeted neighborhoods with high percentages of Black voters. The two men also called a news conference and falsely claimed special counsel Robert S. Mueller III had been accused of sexual assault. Wohl and Burkman also recruited Republican men to falsely accuse openly-gay former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg of sexual assault. According to The Washington Post, the men also scammed the outlet when they staged a fake FBI raid on Burkman’s home in Virginia.

“These two individuals attempted to disrupt the foundation of our democracy,” said a spokesperson from the prosecutors’ office. “Their sentence of two years’ probation and 500 hours of community work service at a voter-registration drive is appropriate.”

 

The men made approximately 85,000 robocalls and also told the voters that voting by mail would cause the release of their information to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as credit card companies. The robocalls claimed to be from “the 1599 project,” which does not exist.

Judge John Sutula called the men’s actions “despicable” during sentencing and compared their scam to the racist efforts to suppress Southern Black voters in the 1960s. Burkman and Wohl were also sentenced to two years of probation and must wear a GPS ankle bracelet for six months. They were also fined $2,500.

Wendy Williams’ Ex-Husband Kevin Hunter Claims He’s Facing Foreclosure Over Missed Alimony Payments
by Niko Mann

December 3, 2022

Wendy Williams’ Ex-Husband Kevin Hunter Claims He’s Facing Foreclosure Over Missed Alimony Payments

Kevin Hunter Sr., the ex-husband of Wendy Williams, has claimed that he is behind on his bills due to a lack of alimony payments from his ex-wife, according to The Sun.

The outlet reported that Hunter’s court filings claimed that he has not received an alimony payment from Williams since February. Williams was placed under financial guardianship earlier this year after her bank suspected she was suffering from “financial exploitation, dementia, or undue influence,” and her accounts were frozen. Williams also recently spent time at a rehab facility in Malibu for substance abuse.

Hunter requested that the court order the 58-year-old’s guardian to make payments as “contractually required” under the MSA and Severance Agreement. Hunter also said in the court filings that he has fallen behind on his bills. He added that he would soon be facing foreclosure.

“I have fallen behind on most of my bills. I currently live in a community that requires payments to the homeowners association and I’m behind on that bill,” he said. “If the homeowners association fees are not paid foreclosure will soon follow.”

“My car insurance hasn’t been paid as a result of not receiving monthly severance payments. I’m behind on credit card payments because I have no money since the severance payments were suspended,” he continued. “My life has been greatly affected since the plaintiff stopped making payments under our settlement agreement.”

According to Williams’ attorney, Hunter is no longer entitled to alimony payments after her talk show, The Wendy Williams Show, was canceled, per the former couple’s divorce agreement.

“On October 15, of 2021 plaintiff was informed by Talk WW that her contract was being suspended and that no compensation shall accrue or be payable to plaintiff for the duration of plaintiff’s disability and incapacity,” wrote the attorney.

“If, for any reason, Plaintiffs contract with Talk WW is not renewed and/or is otherwise suspended, canceled or terminated and Plaintiff does not have any other television show being aired and paying her an equivalent salary, Defendant understands and agrees that all Severance Payment shall be subject to either termination or modification,” the attorney wrote.

The attorney concluded by noting that Williams has no income since October of 2021, and she does not have another show pending or “an equivalent salary.”

Williams filed to divorce Hunter in 2019 after she learned he’d had a child with another woman. Hunter and Williams share a son, 22-year-old Kevin Hunter, Jr.

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