by Sharelle B. McNair

September 5, 2025

Is NYC Mayor Eric Adams Dropping Out Of Race To Join Trump Administration?

Close sources claim the mayor told a small group of friends and advisers that he is looking closely at job opportunities that would result in him suspending his re-election bid.

It appears that New York City Mayor Eric Adams is telling two different stories, as rumors swirl about him ending his reelection bid to join the Trump administration in Washington, D.C., according to The New York Times.

During a Sept. 4 press conference, Adams stood outside City Hall and claimed he is in it to win it. But in private, he is singing a different tune, the Times reports

Close sources claim the mayor told a small group of friends and advisers that, looking closely at job opportunities, he would suspend his re-election bid. Some of those conversations have occurred with Steve Witkoff, a New York real estate investor who is one of President Donald Trump’s closest advisers.

Rumors escalated when Adams and Witkoff took a trip to Florida. City Hall claimed it was to celebrate his 65th birthday, while Adams said he met with political figures, including the Republican Mayor of Miami, Francis Suarez.

Former New York governor David A. Paterson, Adams’s close friend and recent endorser, admitted that Adams has mentioned exploring other options, but dropping out of the race was not one of them.

“He said something like, ‘That’s what I want to do, but I’m listening,’” Paterson said. “But of course, what ‘I’m listening’ means is that he realizes the odds of winning aren’t what he’d like them to be, so there might be another alternative for him.”

According to CNN, Trump aides have floated the idea of Adams coming to the White House in an effort to block Zohran Mamdani, the city’s Democratic mayoral candidate and a democratic socialist, from securing the mayor’s seat.

Trump, a native of Queens who is registered to vote in Florida, has taken a strong interest in the race especially after Mamdani, a 33-year-old state assemblyman, secured a shocking primary victory over former New York governor Andrew Cuomo.

While nothing has been offered to Adams yet, the president has indicated that he would like to see Adams in an administrative role.

If Adams steps aside, there is limited space to stop Mamdani. Several polls show the assemblyman floating in the lead for the Democratic-majority city. Even members of the Republican Party are rooting for Mamdani, in hopes that Adams and the Republican mayoral candidate, Curtis Sliwa, will get out of the way.

During the celebration of the 1,500th anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, the former New York City police officer reiterated that he is focused on the race and nothing else.

“My life has been pressure,” Adams said. “No pressure, no diamonds.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 5, 2025

50 Cent Leads New True-Crime Show ’50 Ways To Catch A Killer’

50 Cent is set to host and produce a new true-crime series with Fox Nation.

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is growing his media empire as host and producer of Fox Nation’s new true-crime series 50 Ways to Catch a Killer.

The rapper and hip-hop mogul inked a partnership between his G-Unit Film & Television company and Lionsgate Alternative Television to bring the new crime series to Fox Nation, Fox News reports. The six-part series takes viewers inside gripping murder mysteries and law enforcement’s pursuit of breakthroughs that could finally deliver justice.

Fresh off the success of Power and the growth of his media empire in Shreveport, Louisiana, the Get Rich or Die Tryin’ rapper is bringing his proven track record to helm the ship on his latest crime-based series. It’s a project Jackson is excited for crime drama fans to dig into.

“True crime is powerful because it’s real cases, real people, and real justice,” he said in a statement. “With this series, I want viewers to experience the intensity of these investigations and the relentless work it takes to uncover the truth. We’re bringing these stories to life in a way that’s both gripping and authentic.”

The season premiere, titled “Fake ‘em Out,” follows the chilling case of Maryland teacher Laura Wallen, who vanished on the first day of school. With her engagement just days away, detectives raced to determine whether they were dealing with a disappearance or a murder.

The series debuts Sept. 16, with new episodes dropping weekly. Network executives say Jackson’s involvement will strike a chord with true-crime fans.

“We are thrilled to partner with Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson to bring his distinctive voice and perspective to this gripping investigative series,” said Jason Klarman, Fox News Media chief digital and marketing officer. “With his cultural influence and talent for storytelling, he offers a front-row seat to the dogged investigations that lead to justice.”

Up next, Jackson will step into the role of Balrog in the highly anticipated live-action Street Fighter reboot, joining a star-studded cast that includes Jason Momoa as Blanka, Andrew Schulz as Dan Hibiki, and WWE Champion Cody Rhodes as Guile.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 5, 2025

Former Boxing World Champions Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr. Will Meet In Exhibition Bout In 2026

'This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen,' Tyson said.

Boxing greats Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. will meet for an exhibition match in 2026, according to a press release from CSI Sports/Fight Sports.

A date for the match has not been set, but Tyson is already throwing shots at the undefeated Mayweather, saying he was shocked the former world champion agreed to it.

“When CSI came to me about stepping in the ring with Floyd Mayweather,” said Tyson in a written statement. “I thought, ‘No way this happens,’ but Floyd said yes. This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen. However, boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable—and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets. I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really do this. It’s going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it’s signed and it’s happening!”

The fight should entice boxing fans and sports enthusiasts worldwide even though Tyson, the youngest heavyweight world champion, is 59. Mayweather is 48.

“I’ve been doing this for 30 years, and there hasn’t been a single fighter that can tarnish my legacy,” said Mayweather. “You already know that if I am going to do something, it’s going to be big and it’s going to be legendary. I’m the best in the business of boxing. This exhibition will give the fans what they want.”

Both boxers have had controversies throughout their careers while creating a legacy that has excited boxing fans and intrigued the general public. Both men have also been successful in their entrepreneurial pursuits outside the sport.

No details have been released regarding the date of the bout, location, rules, or whether the fight will be regulated in the city it may take place in.

RELATED CONTENT: Netflix Readies Mike Tyson Docuseries

by Mitti Hicks

September 5, 2025

ChatGPT Adding Parental Controls After A Family Says AI Led To Teen’s Death By Suicide

The family spent several days reading over thousands of messages shared with ChatGPT

ChatGPT is adding parental controls to its technology after the family of a teen says its chatbox feature led the teen to commit suicide.

Adam Raine died at the age of 16 on April 11. His parents, Matt and Maria Raine, said they spent several days reading over thousands of messages he shared with ChatGPT between Sept. 1, 2024, and the moment he took his life, The Independent reports.

“During his early teen years, Adam faced some struggles,” his parents wrote on the foundation page named and dedicated to him. “His grades slipped, and he began having difficulties at school. During this time, he began to complain of stomach pain, which we believed may partially be related to anxiety.”

The teen’s family said that as a result of his struggles, they switched him to online school about six months before he died. While they noticed his grades and passion for school quickly improved, the online environment led to a significant amount of isolation.

“After Adam’s passing, we came to understand more deeply — through his private communications with Artificial Intelligence — just how profoundly he struggled,” his family writes. “His social anxiety had grown far more severe than we realized, becoming so overwhelming that even everyday conversations with those who loved him most sometimes felt unbearable.”

The family is now suing the developer behind ChatGPT, OpenAI, and its CEO, Sam Altman, in a wrongful death lawsuit filed in California Superior Court in San Francisco.

ChatGPT Announces Parental Controls Following Suicide

In a blog post, ChatGPT announced sweeping changes that will give parents more control. The company said that young people are among the first to use AI in their daily lives, and that there are opportunities for support, learning, and creativity, along with supporting families that need support in “setting healthy guidelines” for teens.

Within the next month, parents will be able to link their account with their teen’s account with a minimum age requirement of 13. Parents can control how ChatGPT responds to their teens with age-appropriate model behavior rules that alert families when the system detects that their teen is in a moment of acute stress.

“These steps are only the beginning,” the company said. “We will continue learning and strengthening our approach, guided by experts, with the goal of making ChatGPT as helpful as possible. We look forward to sharing our progress over the coming 120 days.”

Lawsuit, Miami hotel records, Sean Diddy Combs, Subpoena

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 5, 2025

Diddy Seeks Acquittal ‘Real Bad,’ Claims Feds Prostitution Charge Was A Stretch

Diddy is making another push for acquittal before his Oct. 3 sentencing.

Sean “Diddy” Combs is continuing his fight for freedom as his legal team seeks to overturn his Mann Act conviction.

The disgraced hip-hop mogul remains in custody as he awaits his Oct. 3 sentencing after being convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. With each charge carrying a maximum 10-year sentence, Combs’ legal team is scrambling to lessen the potential prison time.

Their latest attempt includes asking Judge Arun Subramanian to vacate Combs’ Mann Act conviction or grant him a new trial, TMZ reports. The Bad Boy founder’s lawyers are making a bold argument, claiming prosecutors stretched the modern definition of “prostitution” to secure his Mann Act conviction.

Combs’ legal team points to the Mann Act’s origins in 1910, when it was known as the White Slave Traffic Act and defined a prostitute as any woman engaging in sex outside of marriage. They argue prosecutors applied a modern interpretation, sex-for-hire, that doesn’t align with the statute’s original intent.

Combs argues there’s no proof he ever paid male escorts to sleep with his girlfriends. He maintains the men were only compensated for their time and insists he was merely a voyeur, while his exes arranged the so-called “freak offs.”

This marks Combs’ second bid for an acquittal since his July 2 conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, a lesser charge compared to the racketeering and sex trafficking allegations he initially faced. Combs’ high-profile trial featured testimony from his ex, Cassie Ventura, and rapper Kid Cudi, who claimed Combs orchestrated the bombing of his car after Cudi started dating Ventura.

The former billionaire-turned-incarcerated-mogul remains behind bars at New York City’s notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, after Judge Subramanian denied bail last month, citing Combs as a flight risk and a danger to the community. The judge pointed to a 2016 hotel surveillance video showing Combs violently assaulting Ventura.

Florida, Dollar General Store, Florida Dollar General Store, jacksonville

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 5, 2025

Customers Filmed Being Locked In Chicago Dollar General Store While Thieves Were Actively Stealing

While no one was hurt, customer feel Dollar General should be held accountable for putting customers’ safety at risk.

Chaos erupted in a Chicago Dollar General location after customers were locked in the store by an employee during an active robbery, ABC 7 Chicago reports.

The takedown went viral on social media, as customer Kizzie Davis filmed the entire ordeal, showing the group being locked inside the South Side location. Davis was at the checkout line when suddenly she said the store’s metal security gate came down. Davis said roughly three masked thieves rushed into the store while she and others rushed to the back of the store to call the police.

“One of the robbers came running down the aisle we all were in, and he brushed past us like, ‘move out the way,’” she said.

However, once she and the fellow shoppers came back to the front, they were not permitted to leave until officers with the Chicago Police Department arrived, remaining locked in.

If some Dollar General employee thought they were locking ME in a store? Naaaaaah, I'm walking right out the emergency exit out back. Play in someone else's face holding me hostage with some robber STILL INSIDE. Do better, Chicago @DollarGeneral pic.twitter.com/CPpNEZRph8
— Sunglasses x Sneakers 🍹🕶️👟👟 (@SceneByAshlix) August 31, 2025

It wasn’t long before the police arrived at the scene, revealing the anxiousness of the customers to get out.

“It could’ve been a hostage situation. Somebody could’ve had a gun,” Davis said.

As the video circulated on social media, users seemed to take the customers’ side, citing that there was nothing in the store of significant value to prompt employees to lock the doors.

“Aint nothing in there worth enough to keep me locked in there,” @marylovesbennie said on X.

Another user said he would sue for potential bouts of PTSD, while another said locking customers in the store could have had grave consequences.

“WTF, the customers don’t want to be there if it cracks off, and neither do the employees. Dollar General has money & they’re insured, don’t die for someone who will replace you the next day,” @Ken73624588 wrote.

WTF the customers don't want to be there if it cracks off and neither do the employees dollar general has money & they're insured don't die for someone who will replace you the next day
— Ken (@Ken73624588) August 30, 2025

Eventually, all the customers, including Davis, were released, and two men were arrested and taken into custody. While no one was hurt, she still feels Dollar General should be held accountable for putting customers’ safety at risk. “It’s a slap in my face as a customer, like my safety was in jeopardy, and they didn’t care,” Davis said.

The viral incident comes as Chicago has been the latest target of President Donald Trump’s schedule of sending National Guard troops to combat crime. According to ABC News, during a press conference from the Oval Office, Trump said “we’re going in” to the Windy City but failed to say when.

He touched on some gun violence that took place over the 2025 Labor Day weekend as the reason behind federal intervention, issuing false claims that Black women from the area are pleading with him to come and help. “It won’t even be tough. The people of Chicago… are screaming for us to come,” he said.

“African-American ladies, beautiful ladies, are saying, ‘Please, President Trump, come to Chicago, please.’ I did great with the Black vote, as you know. They want something to happen.”

Washington, Montgomery County, Hopper, grandfather

by Kandiss Edwards

September 5, 2025

95-Year-Old Granddad Robbed Of Over $260K, The Alleged Culprit Will Shock You

Erica Hopper is now facing felony charges after being accused of stealing from her grandfather to fund her lifestyle.

A Washington, D.C., woman is now facing felony charges after being accused of stealing from her grandfather.

Allegedly, Erica Hopper stole more than $266,000 from her 95-year-old grandfather. Prosecutors say the 45-year-old exploited her position as the near centenarian’s Power of Attorney to fund her lifestyle.

Hopper reportedly received legal control of her grandfather’s funds when he was about 90-years old, December 2020. The scheming granddaughter immediately began accessing the funds, for personal use, without permission late 2021. An investigation was launched into Hopper’s activities when a family member filed a report with Montgomery County police.

For nearly four years, Hopper has been accused of spending her grandfather’s funds on maintenance and upkeep of her personal life. Charges include more than $25,000 in car payments, over $49,000 on credit card bills tied to cosmetic surgeries, designer goods, and concert tickets. Additionally, Hopper spent over $35,000 on rent for a luxury apartment in Washington.

On Aug. 27, she was arrested and booked. Hopper’s charges include theft over $100,000, a theft scheme exceeding $100,000, embezzlement, fraudulent identity theft in the $25,000–$100,000 range, and exploitation of a vulnerable adult. After processing at the county’s central unit, Hopper was released on an unsecured personal bond.

Unfortunately, the elder abuse precipitated by Hopper is not isolated. A 2024 study done by the Federal Reserve shows that elder financial abuse often goes undetected and can result in losses exceeding $3 billion annually nationwide. Maryland and D.C. authorities have responded by bolstering protections—requiring banks to flag suspicious large withdrawals by caretakers and offering family members expedited access to account reviews when abuse is suspected.

Legal experts note that misuse of a Power of Attorney, while legally enabling assistance for aging loved ones, can also be abused to detrimental effects. Sentences, if convicted, could include decades behind bars and restitution to compensate for the stolen funds.

Advocacy groups urge families to routinely audit account statements, establish oversight protocols, and consult elder law attorneys when reviewing POA arrangements.

She is scheduled to appear in Montgomery County District Court for a trial on Oct. 14. The case remains under active investigation.

Angel Reese, Chicago Sky, players, security, harassment, camera, fan

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 5, 2025

Angel Reese Apologizes To Chicago Sky Teammates After Chastising Team’s Efforts This Season

'I really didn't mean to put down my teammates because they've been through this with me throughout the whole year.'

The frustrations Angel Reese has with her Chicago Sky team have hit a boiling point, with the second-year player threatening to leave the franchise if they don’t “get great players” on the team during the upcoming offseason. She has since apologized to her teammates for the comments.

According to The Chicago Tribune, Reese, who has had a good year statistically (despite being sidelined several games due to injuries), but the team has had a bad year with a 9-30 record, and she is beyond frustrated. With only four games left in the season and missing the playoffs for a second straight year, Reese is demanding that the Sky go out and get better players for the team.

“I’m not settling for the same s**t we did this year,” Reese told the media outlet. “We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me. I’m willing and wanting to play with the best. And however I can help to get the best here, that’s what I’m going to do this offseason. So it’s going to be very, very important this offseason to make sure we attract the best of the best because we can’t settle for what we have this year.”

Reese feels that the team doesn’t play as hard as they could, and although she ranted to the media outlet, she has since apologized to her teammates after the article was released, according to CBS Sports. She specifically mentioned several players like Courtney Vandersloot, Rachel Banham, and Hailey Van Lith, while empathetically stating that she and Kamilla Cardoso are the only guaranteed players to return to Chicago next year. She told CBS Sports that her remarks were taken out of context.

After the team lost its most recent game against the Connecticut Sun, Reese apologized to her teammates about the comments, and she also tried to explain what she really meant when she made her statements.

“I probably am frustrated with myself right now. I think the language is taken out of context, and I really didn’t mean to put down my teammates because they’ve been through this with me throughout the whole year. They’ve busted their ass just like I busted my ass; they showed up for me through thick and thin, and in the locker room when nobody could see anything.

“So I would apologize to my teammates, which I already have, about the article and how it was misconstrued about what was said.”

Sky head coach Tyler Marsh stated that the organization would handle the matter “in-house.”

by Mitti Hicks

September 5, 2025

U.S. Coast Guard Repatriates Nearly 200 Undocumented Haitian Immigrants

Since the beginning of fiscal year 2025 on Oct. 1, the DHS says U.S. Coast Guard crews repatriated over 600 undocumented Haitians compared to 857 aliens to Haiti in FY24.

The Department of Homeland Security says the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Spencer repatriated nearly 200 undocumented Haitian immigrants after intercepting a dangerously overloaded vessel about 40 miles north of Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. The group of Haitians was attempting to escape a country that has been plagued by violence and instability.

According to the DHS, Spencer’s crew notified the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast District about an overloaded vessel that was disabled in international waters. Once aboard the Coast Guard cutter, the Haitians were processed to determine their identities and provided with food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention before being transported back to Haiti days later.

“The Coast Guard is committed to our mission to safeguard America by securing our maritime borders and preventing illegal entry into the United States and its territories,” Lt. Cmdr. Cory Arsenault, Coast Guard liaison officer to the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, said in a statement. “Anyone attempting to enter the United States illegally by sea will be interdicted and repatriated, consistent with U.S. law and policy.”

Haitian Immigrants Looking To Flee Escalating Violence

According to the Human Rights Watch, the crisis in Haiti has reached catastrophic levels as criminal groups united under the “Viv Ansanm” coalition intensify large-scale and coordinated attacks in the country. These incidents have severely impacted public services, including electricity, water supply, sanitation, health care, education, and more.

Data from the World Food Program shows that Haiti has one of the highest proportions of acutely food-insecure people in any crisis worldwide. In a report covering August 2024 to February 2025, more than five million people require humanitarian assistance. In addition, more than five million people are facing acute food insecurity, including two million experiencing emergency levels. According to the United Nations, nearly 1.7 million people in Haiti are displaced and require humanitarian aid.

Since the beginning of fiscal year 2025 on Oct. 1, the DHS says U.S. Coast Guard crews repatriated over 600 undocumented Haitians, compared to 857 aliens to Haiti in FY24. However, U.S. officials warn that these numbers could significantly increase as Haiti’s crisis worsens.

by Kandiss Edwards

September 5, 2025

6 Louisiana Residents Arrested For Certifying Fake CDL Licenses

Louisiana authorities charged six individuals involved in a commercial driver’s license (CDL) bribery conspiracy in Louisiana.

On Aug. 28, Louisiana authorities issued an indictment charging six individuals involved in an alleged commercial driver’s license (CDL) bribery conspiracy in Louisiana, according to an affidavit.

At the center of the scheme was restaurant owner Mahmoud Alhattab. Alhattab is accused of accepting payments from CDL applicants in exchange for helping them circumvent three CDL licensure requirements. Applicants bypassed the written knowledge test, the federally mandated entry-level driver training, and the road skills examination.

The bribery scheme concentrated on two Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) staffers from Donaldsonville, Jenay Davis and Shakira Millien. Davis and Millien are accused of taking CDL knowledge tests on behalf of applicants. The pair reportedly searched the internet for test answers during the exam.

To sidestep the training portion, Alhattab allegedly enlisted the services of two truck driver training business operators, Christopher Bryan Burns and Jonathan Parsons. Parsons and Burns falsely documented that individuals had completed the required classes, though they had not.

Additionally, Burns and Parsons, both certified examiners, submitted fraudulent passing results for the skills test. On some occasions, Parsons is said to have enlisted Marline Roberts, another skills tester, to fabricate score sheets supporting the false results.

All six are now facing federal charges. Charges include conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. Charges vary for each individual. Some are facing multiple counts for wire fraud and bribery tied to federally funded programs.

“All six defendants are jointly charged with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. Alhattab and Parsons are each charged with two counts of honest services wire fraud. Burns, Davis, and Roberts are each charged with one count of wire fraud involving honest services. Alhattab, Millien, and Parsons are each charged with four counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Burns, Davis, and Roberts are each charged with one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds,” the statement read.

The wire fraud violations carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, while the bribery counts each carry a maximum sentence of up to 10 years behind bars. Fines may reach $250,000 per count, and additional penalties include supervised release and special assessment fees.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson reminded the public that “the indictment is merely a charge, and that each defendant’s guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”