by Kandiss Edwards

March 21, 2026

No More Wild Fits: Houston Rodeo Tightens Dress Code After Viral Backlash

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo drilled down on its new dress code for all patrons, effective immediately.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) drilled down on its new dress code for all patrons, effective immediately.

The policy change was announced by the organization March 17 as the final week for the 2026 season commences. New guidelines follow a wave of social media backlash regarding inappropriate attire and a series of security incidents that forced an early closure of the carnival grounds earlier this month.

Rodeo officials emphasized that the updates to the Guest Code of Conduct are designed to preserve the event’s nearly 100-year legacy as a “family-friendly” environment. The move comes after viral videos on TikTok and Instagram sparked a city-wide debate over the increasingly adult tone of the rodeo, with many attendees calling for clearer boundaries on acceptable clothing.

Under the revised guidelines, HLSR reserves the right to deny entry or remove any individual wearing clothing that “detracts from the experience of other guests.” The specific prohibitions include obscene material, gang related apparel, and face coverings. However, to explicitly address the risqué aspects of rodeo attire, the HLSR drilled down on specifics.

“Appropriate for the HLSR Show grounds includes, but is not limited to, clothing with objectionable material
(including obscene language or graphics), excessively torn cloth, visible undergarments, and/or clothing which, by nature, exposes excessive portions of the skin that may be viewed as inappropriate for a family environment.”

Supporters argue the rules are necessary to maintain decorum. In a statement, the organization said the atmosphere of the event is centered around family.

“This is a family-friendly event,” said HLSR leadership, according to Click2Houston. “We’ve had more concerns, complaints, and questions about the dress code this year than in previous years, and we felt we had to clarify our stance.”

The 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is scheduled to conclude on March 22.

RELATED CONTENT: Essence Festival Of Culture Unveils 2026 Lineup

Trump, approval polls, immigration policies

by Mitti Hicks

March 21, 2026

Wrecking Ball Politics: New Global Study Finds Trump Torched Democratic Norms At Record Pace

V-Dem, an institute at Sweden's University of Gothenburg, has lowered the country's democracy ranking from 20 to 51 out of 179 countries.

Three major reports have found that President Donald Trump has damaged American democracy at a remarkable speed since returning to office.

In a report from V-Dem, an institute at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg, researchers concluded that democracy in America has deteriorated so much that it has lowered the country’s democracy ranking from 20 to 51 out of 179 countries. The United States now resides between Slovakia and Greece.

Bright Line Watch’s survey of over 500 U.S. scholars concluded that the U.S. system now falls between a liberal democracy and a dictatorship. In a report from Freedom House, a D.C.-based democracy think tank, researchers said that among free countries, the U.S. joined Bulgaria and Italy in registering the largest declines in political rights and civil liberties last year, according to NPR.

“The developments in the United States are moving towards dictatorship, [which] the founders wanted to avoid,” Staffan Lindberg, founding director of V-Dem, told NPR. “It’s the most rapid decline ever in the history of the United States and one of the most rapid in the world.”

The White House Pushes Back On The Reports

White House Spokeswoman Olivia Wales dismissed V-Dem’s analysis, describing the report as “a ridiculous claim made by an irrelevant, blatantly biased organization.”

V-Dem, which stands for Varieties of Democracy, collected analysis from more than 4,000 scholars, which is the largest of its kind.

Wales added Trump is a champion of freedom and democracy and the most transparent and accessible president ever. “His return to the White House saved the legacy media from going out of business,” Wales told NPR.

According to Lindberg, V-Dem downgraded America’s rating on several factors, including the Trump administration’s prioritization of executive power, overstepping the law, and attacks on the news media and freedom of speech. What’s most striking for the political scientist is the speed at which Trump has implemented the changes.

“Under the Trump administration, democracy has been rolled back as much during just one year as it took Modi in India and Erdogan in Turkey 10 years to accomplish, and Orban in Hungary four years,” he added.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 21, 2026

Kenya’s Capital Gives Women 2 Days Off Per Month For Menstrual Pain

County government employees in Nairobi are welcoming a new policy that grants them two days off each month to manage their menstrual health.

County government employees in Nairobi, Kenya, are welcoming a newly passed policy that grants them two days off each month to manage the pain and discomfort of menstruation.

The policy went into effect in December 2025 after the county governor and his cabinet ministers discussed a colleague’s menstrual pain, the Associated Press reports. Since its passing, advocates say these policies have helped menstruation become a legitimate workplace health issue.

“The feedback we have gotten, especially from the staff that work in public service management, is that it’s very refreshing. And when they come back, they are able to work even better,” said Nairobi County Human Resource Manager Janet Opiata.

The move is already drawing comparisons to Zambia, the only African country with a nationwide menstrual leave law allowing one day off per month without a doctor’s note. Japan was the first country to introduce menstrual leave in 1947, with Spain among the most recent in 2023. Other countries with similar policies include Indonesia and South Korea.

There has been little public pushback, though some critics argue the policy could discourage employers from hiring women. Governor Johnson Sakaja, who led the initiative and oversees a workforce of more than 18,000 employees—over half of them women—disagrees, saying women perform better when they are properly supported.

“A lot of labor policies were written many years ago by men,” the governor said. “Women’s rights are not anti-productivity—they are an input that creates productivity. It’s actually an investment in your workforce.”

Women currently head Nairobi County’s business and health departments, and Sakaja said the policy will have no financial impact since roles are supported by multiple staff members.

“It will not be a train smash if three or four people in a department are not there for a day or two,” he said.

The governor noted that Kenya’s national government and other county leaders are closely watching how the policy unfolds.

“Your biggest asset is your staff,” said Sakaja. “It starts with dignifying your own staff, for them to feel that they’re respected and dignified.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 20, 2026

Planned Parenthood, EEOC Settle For $500K Amid Allegations Of Different Treatment Toward White Employees

The EEOC has spearheaded efforts to stand up for discrimination against white employees, using the historic legislation, created to protect Black Americans after witnessing egregious atrocities against them, as a ploy.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will stop an investigation into Planned Parenthood of Illinois after settling for $500,000 in a lawsuit accusing the Planned Parenthood Federation of America affiliate of discrimination against white employees with DEI efforts, NPR reported.

The federal agency, led by chair Andrea Lucas, claimed Planned Parenthood of Illinois violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 amid claims it “segregated employees by race, subjected white employees to harassment, and engaged in disparate treatment against white employees regarding terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.”

The investigation started after a number of employees said they were required to attend “affinity caucuses” sessions, segregated by race, or DEI-related training sessions that “involved repeated harassing and derogatory statements targeting white employees, including that they ‘are White and do not feel racism the same way non-White patients feel,’” on an alleged weekly basis.

In a statement, Lucas said segregating employees by race violates “the core promise of our nation’s civil rights laws.”

“Title VII guarantees equal treatment for every employee and prohibits race discrimination in America’s workplaces,” she said, according to the Chicago Tribune.

To seemingly put the allegations to rest, the affiliate president and CEO, Adrienne White-Faines, released a statement acknowledging the settlement, noting that the training sessions took place under past leadership.

“In the time since this complaint was filed, and since I came on board as President and CEO in 2025, I have overseen significant change at the organization, including across the leadership team,” White-Faines wrote.

“[Planned Parenthood of Illinois] has now come to an agreement with the EEOC about a path forward that will allow us to put this matter behind us and continue providing critical health care services to our valued patients from Illinois and across the country.”

The EEOC has spearheaded efforts to stand up for discrimination against white employees, using the historic legislation created to protect Black Americans after witnessing egregious atrocities against them, as a ploy.

“Those protections equally apply to white workers,” Lucas continued in her statement.

In late 2025, she released a call to action video for more white men to come forward with workplace discrimination claims. The video was supported by Vice President JD Vance, who, before posting, had shared an article titled “The Evil of DEI and Its Consequences.”

But it seems the agency is really pushing for corporations and nonprofits to remember their obligations under the landmark civil rights law and new legislation.

The Trump Administration has made several attempts to pull funding from Planned Parenthood organizations for some care practices after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July, included a provision keeping federal Medicaid dollars from being spent on specific reproductive health care providers that perform abortions.

The EEOC event followed their investigation of Nike, one of the biggest supporters of Black athletes. With unidentified claims, the agency launched an investigation into “NIKE’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-related 2025 Targets and other DEI-related objectives.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 20, 2026

International Energy Agency Encourages Working From Home And Traveling Less As Global Oil Crisis Grows

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global supply chains, pushing oil prices above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022.

The International Energy Agency has issued new guidance encouraging remote work and less travel as conflict in the Middle East drives up oil prices.

On March 20, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a list of 10 immediate measures for governments, businesses, and households to help curb rising oil demand. Recommendations include working from home, lowering highway speed limits by at least 6 miles per hour, carpooling, reducing air travel, and increasing public transportation use.

According to the IEA, reducing business travel can quickly ease pressure on jet fuel demand. The agency also recommends using electric cooking where possible and shifting to biofuels or converted vehicles from liquid petroleum gas, or LPG, to gasoline.

The IEA issued guidance to member countries—including the U.S., U.K., and Australia—urging immediate action following military strikes on Iran that have triggered one of the largest supply disruptions in the global oil market. The guidance comes as Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, surged to about $106 per barrel on March 20 after briefly nearing $120 the day prior, following an Iranian attack on a major liquefied natural gas facility in Qatar.

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global supply chains, pushing oil prices above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022.

“The war in the Middle East is creating a major energy crisis, including the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market. In the absence of a swift resolution, the impacts on energy markets and economies are set to become more and more severe,” IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said in a statement.

Birol warned that without a swift resolution to the Iran conflict, “the impacts on energy markets and economies are set to become more and more severe.”

The IEA noted that governments are already taking steps to curb demand and support households, with countries like Austria and Greece capping fuel retailers’ profits, while the U.K. is offering aid to cover heating oil costs. Some governments have also limited official travel and launched campaigns urging reduced energy use.

Birol said the recommendations offer a “menu of immediate and concrete measures” for governments, businesses, and households to help shield consumers from the crisis.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 20, 2026

Barry Bonds Joins Netflix As Analyst For Major League Baseball’s 2026 Season

He will be with Netflix when it livestream on select dates.

Major League Baseball’s home run king, Barry Bonds, will join streaming giant Netflix as an analyst for the upcoming 2026 season.

The company announced that the controversial figure will make his when the New York Yankees open their season on the road at Oracle Park in San Francisco to take on the San Francisco Giants. Bonds played for the Giants from 1993 to 2007 and made history, though not everyone agrees.

Barry Bonds is in the building.

The Home Run King, 7x NL MVP, Single Season Home Run Leader and Giants legend joins the crew for MLB Opening Night: Yankees vs. Giants.

LIVE on Netflix March 25 with special coverage beginning at 7PM ET | 4PM PT. pic.twitter.com/XT12G00up2
— netflix⁷ (@netflix) March 19, 2026

The 2026 MLB season starts March 25.

This broadcast is Netflix’s first. It’s part of a three-game deal that will also see the streaming company livestream the Home Run Derby on July 13 and MLB at Field of Dreams on Aug. 13. Bonds is slated to be part of all three events.

Bonds will be joined by two-time World Series champion and three-time National League MVP Albert Pujols, World Series champion Anthony Rizzo, and Emmy Award–winning host Elle Duncan at the pre- and postgame desk.

Controversy has surrounded Bonds after he was suspected of using steroids during his career, bringing heat to baseball and Bonds during that time. Many players were accused of using steroids and other performance enhancing drugs in the early to mid-2000s. Many viewed that as cheating in a sport that required them to use their natural talents to perform.

Bonds’ steroids use was never proven, and he has remained mum on the subject, but it has prevented his entry into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, despite a record-breaking career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Giants.

Bonds broke records for the most career home runs (762) and the single-season home run record, when he 73 in 2001. In his career, he appeared in 14 All-Star Games, won 12 Silver Slugger awards, and took home eight Gold Gloves.

Morehouse College of Medicine, Match Day, livestreamed

by Kandiss Edwards

March 20, 2026

Morehouse School Of Medicine Match Day Will Be Live Streamed

Nearly half of the institution's graduates, approximately 45% to 50%, enter into primary care specialties.

On March 20 at 12 p.m., the Morehouse School of Medicine will stream its Match Day ceremony, the institution announced. Family and friends will join the incoming class for celebration and reflection of their journeys thus far.

Match Day is a defining milestone where fourth-year medical students across the nation discover where they will spend the next several years of their residency training. This year’s ceremony, held on the MSM campus, will highlight a class of aspiring medical professionals. Due to the trend of MSM receiving high match rates, 96% to 98% in recent years, it’s safe to say both students and the institution are aligned in its goals.

A significant portion of the Class of 2026 matched into primary care and core specialty disciplines. Disciplines include family medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and internal medicine. While the school offers more niche options, its focus on primary care specialties aligns with the school’s mission to address physician shortages in Georgia and beyond.

Class of 2026

Morehouse School of Medicine highlighted upcoming matches on the institution’s student blog.

Dieynabou Diallo (General Surgery): A Guinean-American physician and mother, Diallo pursued general surgery with a focus on “tangible results” and patient advocacy. She balances her medical career with motherhood and global health leadership, having co-founded The Standard, a nonprofit focused on sustainable development in West Africa.
Adrian Day (Emergency Medicine): Hailing from a rural community with limited medical resources, Day was inspired by his time as a medical scribe. He views the emergency department as the “center of the community” and plans to use his platform for mentorship and health advocacy.
Domonique White (Emergency Medicine): A first-generation physician from Norfolk, Virginia, White was driven by a commitment to patient autonomy and clear communication. She will pursue a fellowship in simulation to teach future clinicians how to integrate cultural competence into hands-on training.

Nearly half of the institution’s graduates, approximately 45% to 50%, enter into primary care specialties. The MSM dedicates itself to increasing access to physicians in local areas and many of its students take up the cause. Student dedication is evidenced by the fact that between 35% and 42% of students match into programs within the state of Georgia. Roughly one-fifth of the class chooses to continue their professional training specifically within Morehouse School of Medicine residencies.

Grady Health, Atlanta-Area Medical Campus, South Fulton

by Kandiss Edwards

March 20, 2026

Grady Health Launches $1B Atlanta-Area Medical Campus To End ‘Healthcare Desert’ In South Fulton

The $1 billion investment is supported by $300 million in Fulton County bonds.

The Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation Board of Directors and the Fulton County Board of Commissioners have approved plans for an expansive $1 billion medical campus in South Fulton County.

On March 18, Grady Health Systems announced the project via press release. The project’s multiyear initiative aims to eliminate the “healthcare desert” created by the 2022 closure of Atlanta Medical Center South.

A 200-bed hospital will anchor the new campus on Campbellton Fairburn Road in Union City. According to the strategic plan, the hospital is expected to serve as a Level 3 trauma center and will include critical care units and a surgery center. Additionally, there will be a full floor dedicated to pediatric care provided by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The development will roll out in phases: a freestanding emergency department is set to open in June 2026, followed by a medical office building in 2028 and the full-service hospital in 2031.

“South Fulton County is a recognized healthcare desert,” Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts said in the press release. “For the people of South Fulton, improved access to healthcare is not a luxury; it is a necessity. No longer will families be forced to travel long distances or lose critical time seeking emergency services. Closing this gap will save lives.”

Fulton County leaders have approved a $900 million hospital in South Fulton/Union City to serve an area that has had few hospitals, known as a “healthcare desert.”

The hospital will have 200 beds and an emergency room to make care easier to access for local residents. pic.twitter.com/SSM4iT5E7c
— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) March 19, 2026

The $1 billion investment is supported by $300 million in Fulton County bonds. The remaining $700 million is sourced through Grady’s internal financing and a multiyear philanthropic capital campaign. System leaders estimate the new campus will create more than 2,000 jobs and provide critical care access to roughly 360,000 residents in the southern portion of the metro area.

“As we prepare for the future, this campus signals a new era for Grady,” retiring president and CEO John Haupert said. “We are not just expanding our footprint; we are strengthening the foundation of care for the next generation of Atlantans.”

States,Ban, Federal Agents, Local Police, anit-mask

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 20, 2026

Show Yourself! States Push To Ban Federal Agents, Local Police From Hiding Their Faces

Some state leaders have called face shields 'deeply un-American.'

Bill proposals are flying in from states to ban federal agents — and even local police — from wearing masks covering their faces, with some state leaders calling face shields “deeply un-American,” Associated Press reports.

Some anti-mask proposals are coming in after court rulings blocked the first-of-its-kind laws in California. In early 2026, a federal judge blocked a law from taking effect that would have banned federal immigration agents from covering their faces but required them to wear clear identification revealing their agency and badge number.

As pushback against President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration brigade that has cost the lives of U.S. citizens, several Democratic-led legislatures in Oregon and Virginia have spearheaded efforts to ban masked agents who have faced criticism that face coverings encourage them to act aggressively.

One state that is standing on business is Washington, as Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5855, which bans masks immediately for agents, as well as state and local police. He signed the legislation at El Centro de la Raza, a hub created for the local Latino community in south Seattle, saying it’s time for advocacy like this. “I’m convinced that years from now, our children and grandchildren will ask: What were we doing?” Ferguson said, according to the Washington State Standard.

“Whatever our station in life happens to be, we all have a responsibility to speak out peacefully, make our voices heard, and advocate for laws like this one.”

The bill holds exceptions for personal protective equipment, helmets, SWAT gear, and face coverings for religious purposes. It also allows people detained by officers who are illegally masked to file lawsuits against them, potentially resulting in monetary damages. Ferguson, along with bill sponsor Sen. Javier Valdez, described the legislation as one of the most important of the year. Like other states, Washington has seen the damage of federal agents’ presence, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detaining people. “That’s not the Washington that I was born and raised in,” Valdez said.

“We were not going to stand for this.”

But of course, as officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) caught wind of the proposals and moves in Washington, they released a statement, labeling the legislation as “irresponsible, reckless and dangerous.” “To be crystal clear: we will not abide by this unconstitutional ban,” a DHS spokesperson said.

Republican lawmakers have also raised objections amid the rise of anti-masking bills, arguing that they need to adhere to protesters as well and that the ban could invite negative perceptions. “The demonization of public safety officers is something that has a deep impact that reverberates across our citizenry,” Oregon Sen. David Brock Smith said.

“There are individuals that riot and dox these public safety individuals.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 20, 2026

Tina Turner’s Name, Image, Likeness, And Major Share Of Her Music Catalog Acquired By Swedish Firm Pophouse Entertainment

Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment has acquired Tina Turner's name, image, and likeness rights, along with a majority stake in her music catalog.

A Swedish company known for its digital avatars and immersive experiences has acquired the rights to Tina Turner’s name, image, and likeness, as well as a majority stake in her music catalog.

On March 19, Pophouse Entertainment, the Swedish company co-founded by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, announced its acquisition of Turner’s NIL rights as well as a bulk of her music catalogue from music company BMG, AP News reports. With its reputation for creating engaging digital avatars and immersive experiences, Pophouse discussed its interest in its Turner acquisition.

“One of the reasons that we were so interested in Tina is because she has such an incredible visual presence and such an incredible stage energy,” said Pophouse CEO Jessica Koravos. “And so, we’re very much looking at projects that can portray that and try to recreate that to some degree.”

“What we want to do is really help to consolidate her legacy,” she added. “I think that Tina Turner is up there, or is going to be up there, with the Elvises and the Marilyn Monroes of the world.”

Koravos declined to disclose the financial terms of the deal or outline specific plans for the Turner acquisition. She also would not confirm whether a digital avatar is in development, but said Pophouse will share more details within the next six months.

The acquisition comes nearly three years after Tina Turner’s death at age 83. Known as the “Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll,” she rose to global stardom with hits like “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “The Best,” and “Proud Mary.” Over her long and storied career, Turner won 12 Grammy Awards, earned a Lifetime Achievement honor, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, received Kennedy Center Honors in 2005, and sold more than 150 million records worldwide.

Pophouse began discussions for the deal after her passing. Koravos noted that BMG still retains a stake in Turner’s catalog, and while her estate was not a formal counterparty, it was informed and involved in the discussions.

“Tina Turner’s voice and spirit shaped modern music and popular culture,” Alistair Norbury, president of BMG U.K., Continental Europe and APAC, wrote in a statement. “Our responsibility, alongside Pophouse and the Estate, is to ensure her work continues to resonate with audiences around the world, while remaining true to the strength, independence and originality that defined her career.”