by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 28, 2025

Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Diddy Dismissed

A New York City judge dismissed the suit citing statute of limitations

Sean “Diddy” Combs secured a legal victory in one of the many lawsuits filed against the entertainment mogul, as a judge dismissed a sexual assault claim.

According to USA Today, a judge has dismissed a sexual assault case against Diddy as it was ruled that the statute of limitations for the claims had expired. The suit was filed by a John Doe in February, claiming that Diddy assaulted him in 2015 at an afterparty in Los Angeles. He also stated that he was drugged by the Bad Boy CEO during the alleged incident.

The complainant alleged that he was promised a record deal with the convicted executive and that he would have “studio time with Combs himself.” In the legal paperwork, the alleged assault left him with a series of personal damages, such as “pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and emotional torment.”

New York County Supreme Court Judge Leslie A. Stroth announced her decision Aug. 26, ruling that the dismissal was granted to the lawsuit that was filed Feb. 3. The allegations are “untimely under New York law,” according to Stroth. She stated that the New York State law, “in effect at the time of the alleged conduct in 2015 provided a five-year statute of limitations. Although the statute was later amended in 2019 to extend the period to 20 years, Courts have held that (Civil Practice Law & Rules § 213-c) is not retroactive.”

The plaintiff’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, has vowed that this suit is not over and will be filed in California.

“These cases can be filed in California or New York. New York has a savings statute, but the New York court says it doesn’t apply,” Buzbee said in a written statement to the media outlet. “We will thus sue in California. This is a procedural issue. Not a dispositive one. Any suggestion that this is some kind of victory for Combs is ignorant.”

Diddy, who has been imprisoned at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since September, was found guilty of two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted of charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. He is slated to learn if he will receive jail time on Oct. 3.

RELATED CONTENT: Diddy Makes Another Attempt To Get Out Of Prison

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 28, 2025

Warner Bros Picks Up Script For Story On Nets Potentially Drafting Kobe Bryant In 1996

'With the 8th Pick' tells the story of the New Jersey franchise trying to make moves to draft Bryant in the 1996 NBA Draft

Warner Bros. Pictures has picked up the rights to the script of With the 8th Pick, which tells the story of the New Jersey Nets trying to land Kobe Bryant as their 1996 NBA Draft Pick.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the story, by screenwriters Alex Sohn and Gavin Johannsen, will focus on the process taken by the New Jersey Nets to try to acquire Bryant, who ended up on the Lakers. The team was able to obtain Bryant in a trade after he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th pick of the draft. There had been interest in the project from other studios

before Warner Bros. stepped in to agree to produce it.

With the 8th Pick will be about the efforts by the New Jersey Nets and then-general manager John Nash, who had the eighth pick of the 1996 NBA Draft, in considering picking Bryant from high school. No details have been released about when the film will be completed and/or an expected air date. No director has been assigned to the project yet.

Variety reported that, although Nash was trying his best to draft Bryant, the Nets coach at the time, John Calipari, did not agree with his assessment and nixed the idea of bringing Kobe Bryant to the Nets. Although Bryant was highly sought after, he wasn’t chosen until the Hornets selected him as the 13th pick. The Hornets then traded him to the Lakers for Vlade Divac, setting up the legacy of Bryant’s time in the NBA.

Bryan spent his entire career with the Los Angeles franchise, where he won the NBA championship five times, was a two-time Finals MVP, and was the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player. He made the All-Star team 18 times during his career and became the youngest player to reach 30,000 points. Bryant retired in 2016 and scored an NBA season-high 60 points in his last game. The 41-year-old basketball legend died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others on Jan. 26, 2020.

Black, breastfeeding, mental health, babies, maternal, Black women, Black mother, pregnant

by Keka Araújo

August 28, 2025

Healing A Generation: The Intertwined Crisis Of Black Maternal Mental Health And Infant Well-Being

The solution requires more than just clinical intervention; it demands a radical reimagining of how care is delivered.

A silent epidemic is plaguing one of America’s most resilient communities. The health of Black mothers is in crisis, and the ripple effects are impacting a new generation.

Nearly 40% of Black mothers experience a maternal mental health (MMH) condition, yet they are twice as likely as their white counterparts to be impacted and half as likely to receive care. With suicide and overdose now the leading cause of death for women in the first year after pregnancy, this issue has become a matter of life and death, deeply intertwined with the ability of new mothers to bond with and breastfeed their infants.

This crisis is a direct consequence of a health care system that fails to adequately support Black women, necessitating a deeper look at the systemic barriers and the strategic solutions being championed by community leaders and organizations.

The chasm in care is a product of deeply rooted issues. From the cumulative toll of systemic and interpersonal racism to a widespread distrust of the health care system built on a history of mistreatment, Black women face unique and formidable obstacles. A 2022 study, “Black Perinatal Mental Health: Prioritizing Maternal Mental Health to Optimize Infant Health and Wellness,” highlighted the longstanding work that still needs to be done regarding Black maternal mental health.

These barriers are compounded by the cultural pressures of the “Superwoman Schema,” a framework where Black women feel compelled to manifest strength and suppress their emotions, often to the detriment of their own well-being.

As perinatal social worker Monica noted, “Infant mental health is a conversation I feel like that should couple with maternal health as well, because mothers need to know how their mental health stressors and the stressors of the environment may play a role in how that child develops.”

This interconnectedness is often lost in a system that still disproportionately screens with tools based on white research participants, failing to account for the nuanced ways depression manifests in Black women, such as through physical symptoms like fatigue and irritability.

The solution requires more than just clinical intervention; it demands a radical reimagining of how care is delivered. Practitioners and advocates are calling for a systemic shift to center Black mothers and birthing people, valuing their experiences and healing as a foundational step for healthy infant development.

Birth equity frameworks and the Reproductive Justice movement, championed by figures like Loretta Ross, provide the intellectual scaffolding to address the root causes of these disparities.

As one expert, certified breastfeeding specialist and parenting coach, Tayler, explained, “There’s this overuse of being trauma-informed… but not acknowledging where that trauma has come from and the root causes of that trauma.” True healing, she suggests, comes from addressing the very systems of oppression that create the problem.

This cultural shift is taking place on multiple fronts. From the celebration of Black Breastfeeding Week, which raises awareness and normalizes the practice in Black communities, to the incisive journalism of publications like BLACK ENTERPRISE, which tackles complex issues of health and wealth equity, a new narrative is being forged.

These platforms create the space for an honest dialogue about the barriers and celebrate the solutions. The goal is to move beyond mere survival to a place where Black mothers and their children can truly thrive.

As licensed mental health therapist Morgan shared, a simple question like, “How are you feeling about parenthood these days?” can open the door to healing, empowering mothers to use their unique strengths to build a secure attachment.

By prioritizing equitable access to care and empowering Black women to find their voice, we can begin to mend the generational trauma and foster a healthier, more vibrant future for all.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 28, 2025

Former NFL Player Charged After Accusations Of Financially Exploiting Women Via Dating Apps

Darryl “Buster” Skrine faces multiple charges, including deposit account fraud, identity fraud, financial transaction card fraud, theft by taking, and criminal attempt to commit theft

A former NFL player, Darryl “Buster” Skrine, has been arrested on 18 charges after being accused of bilking women he met on dating apps.

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, the 36-year-old man was arrested Aug. 27 and faces multiple charges, including deposit account fraud, identity fraud, financial transaction card fraud, theft by taking, and criminal attempt to commit theft. Police officials have described his crimes as an extensive financial fraud scheme involving multiple women in several states.

The total losses from the alleged crimes were about $300,000, and police state that there are at least three victims in Wisconsin, North Carolina, and New York. Detectives also feel he has more victims across the country.

Police stated that they started an investigation on Skrine after receiving a complaint from a woman in July who accused him of financially exploiting her. They discovered that he may have been targeting women through online dating platforms. He would allegedly tell them fictional tales about him being in financial trouble and offering to repay the money using his NFL annuity. However, instead of using the money to pay bills, he used it to fund a lifestyle of luxury, including Airbnb rentals, travel, and gift cards.

Skrine is not a stranger to police officers. He’s a wanted man in Canada. In August 2023, he was arrested by Durham Regional Police (in Whitby, Canada) in a $100,000 check fraud case. He was released in April 2024, on bail with GPS monitoring, but fled back to the States after he removed his device.

The former professional football player grew up in Cherokee County in Georgia, and played football for Etowah High School in Woodstock, Georgia. He went to play for the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, and was picked in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played for four other teams: the New York Jets, the Chicago Bears, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Tennessee Titans, before hanging up his cleats for good in 2022.

Miami Heat,Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers' Head Coach, Chauncey Billups

by Kandiss Edwards

August 28, 2025

Inaugural HBCU Hoops Invitational Is Coming To Disney

Disney World will host the first-ever HBCU Hoops Invitational from Dec. 4-7 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

The event will feature eight HBCU teams. This includes four men’s teams from Florida A&M University, Tuskegee University, Florida Memorial University, and Barber-Scotia College. Additionally, the invitational will host four women’s teams: Bethune-Cookman University, Hampton University, Edward Waters University, and Cheyney University. Teams will compete in a single-elimination format and crown inaugural champions in both brackets, according to Walt Disney World Resort.

The nonprofit organizing the event, HBCU Hoops Global, Inc., aims for more than on-court competition. The tournament will include a college admissions fair, scholarships, academic assistance, and year-long career development opportunities.

“The HBCU Hoops Invitational is far more than a basketball tournament—it’s a powerful celebration of heritage, excellence, and the limitless future of HBCU athletics,” said Haywoode Workman, vice president of HBCU Hoops Global and a former NBA referee.

https://twitter.com/GoFmuLions/status/1956361838565708005

Disney is also embracing the event with enthusiasm. Disney’s Director of Sports Planning and Development, Jorge Senior, invites all sports fans to be a part of the celebration.

“We are excited about the opportunities to bring thrilling, family-friendly events to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and this HBCU Hoops Invitational adds to our lineup of high-caliber youth and college events,” said Senior in the press release. “If you’re a college basketball fan, there’s no better place to be during the holidays than at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.”

Florida A&M’s participation in the event will draw attention. The school recently hired Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward as head coach. Ward boasts multiple appearances in the NCAA Division I tournament. On the women’s side, Cheyney University carries historic weight as the only HBCU to reach the NCAA Division I Final Four in 1982.

Tickets are now on sale at hbcuhoops.org. Hopefully, the partnership marks the beginning of a new tradition, one where the community comes together to spotlight the next generation of HBCU excellence.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 28, 2025

Gloria Gaynor’s MAGA Donations Surface After Trump Names Her Kennedy Center Honoree

Gloria Gaynor has donated thousands of dollars to Republican candidates in recent years, records show.

President Donald Trump’s choice of Gloria Gaynor as a Kennedy Center honoree has spotlighted her donations to Republican politicians.

The “I Will Survive” singer was personally selected by Trump earlier this month to receive a prestigious Kennedy Center honor.

.@POTUS announces @gloriagaynor as a 2025 Kennedy Center Honors nominee pic.twitter.com/YPztXwvCeZ
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 13, 2025

Gaynor, 81, has donated nearly $22,000 to right-wing candidates and conservative organizations since 2023, according to The Independent.

“My hope is that in accepting this honor, I can continue with the inspirational phenomenon that began with ‘I Will Survive,’” Gaynore said in a statement to the Daily Mail, confirming her acceptance of the honor.

“Sharing my music and art on a global level to provide encouragement, hope, empowerment, inspiration, understanding, and unity is the core of my purpose.”

With Gaynor’s 1978 disco classic becoming an LGBTQ+ anthem, many questioned whether she would attend the Dec. 7 ceremony. After she confirmed her acceptance, attention quickly turned to her past political contributions.

Records obtained by MeidasTouch under Gaynor’s real name, Gloria Fowles, indicate she made few political donations until 2016, when she gave $235 to Republican Ben Carson. She did not contribute during the 2020 election but ramped up her Republican support in 2023-2024, donating multiple times to right-wing candidates and groups, totaling nearly $22,000.

Gaynor’s donations to GOP figures include $2,160.57 to House Speaker Mike Johnson, $476.18 to Texas Senator Ted Cruz, $114.10 to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, $1,219.14 to Vivek Ramaswamy, and $1,190.53 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Other contributions the singer has made include support for political action committees, such as New Journey PAC, which targets Black voters in support of MAGA candidates, including Trump and Byron Donalds.

In this year’s Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, Gaynor will join George Strait, KISS, Sylvester Stallone, and Michael Crawford. Trump will host the event.

by Mitti Hicks

August 28, 2025

Most Remote Workers Were Ordered Back To The Office. They’re Still Working From Home

Before the pandemic, remote work was hardly a requirement, as the five-day workweek was the norm. However, when millions were forced to work from home, people found solace in avoiding long commutes and in-office politics.

More employers are ending remote work arrangements and calling their staff back into the office. Even with the orders, that doesn’t mean they’re complying. New research indicates that an increasing number of people are defying company expectations by working from home.

According to Brian Elliott, the CEO of Work Forward and publisher of the Flex Index, the average number of days employees are required to be in the office rose by 12% over the year. Attendance, however, increased by only 1% to 3%.

“The harsh return to the office mandate is like the law against jaywalking. It exists, everybody knows about it, and nobody obeys it because it makes little sense,” Stanford University Economics Professor Nick Bloom, who studies remote work, told USA Today.

Before the pandemic, remote work was hardly a requirement, as the five-day workweek was the norm. However, when millions were forced to work from home, people found solace in avoiding long commutes and in-office politics.

Why Employees Are Attracted To Remote Work

According to an August 2020 Upwork study, the average American who was able to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic saved approximately $2,000 between March and August 2020 by not commuting to work. This represented a total savings of over $90 billion for all remote workers during that period.

It wasn’t just money but time. Remote workers saved an average of 49.6 minutes per day from not commuting. The most significant time savings were achieved in the nation’s capital and New York City, where workers spend an average of 70 minutes or more per day commuting to work.

There was a consensus that people felt a better work-life balance when working from home (WFH). Employers, however, argued that WFH hurt collaboration and innovation from in-person interactions.

As more companies mandated that employees return to the office, employees voiced their frustrations. Many said that the long commutes actually increased stress, reduced productivity, and hurt family budgets, as reported by USA Today.

Not all is lost as companies demand that people return to the office. Studies consistently show that employers will have to offer remote and hybrid options to attract and retain top talent.

by Kandiss Edwards

August 28, 2025

SHOCKER! Study Says Working From Home Makes People Happy

A four-year study by the University of South Australia has found that remote work benefits productivity and keeps employees happy and healthy.

A four-year study by the University of South Australia tracking participants’ physical and mental well-being has found that remote work not only benefits productivity but makes employees happier and healthier.

The study also suggests flexible work arrangements foster improved sleep, better eating habits, and stronger work-life balance.

According to the study, people working from home slept an average of 30 minutes longer each night. Additionally, employees can prepare healthier meals and engage in more physical activity daily. The study also found that remote work reduced stress levels by cutting commuting time and offering employees greater autonomy.

Dr. Daniel Caprar, one of the lead researchers, said the project aimed to examine remote work beyond productivity metrics.

“Working from home is not a one-size-fits-all approach and appears best positioned as one choice among many to support a better, more inclusive, and flexible work environment,” Caprar told My Modern Met.

The research carries broader implications for workplace policy. In Canada, the Evidence Network summarized the findings, noting that working from home boosts employee autonomy and reduces the risk of burnout. A study conducted by Nature found that 75 percent of hybrid workers reported feeling less burned out, and many noted improvements in their sleep, diet, and overall well-being.

BLACK ENTERPRISE also reported on how the shift has particular resonance for workers of color, who often report that flexibility eases stress tied to workplace inequities. For companies, the report suggests that hybrid or remote options could help attract and retain talent while fostering a healthier staff environment.

The study concludes that remote work should remain a permanent part of employment models. While not without challenges, the data suggest it offers a pathway toward workplaces that are both more humane and more productive. As the workplace continues to evolve, work-from-home options may be central to long-term employee health and productivity.

Drake, rapper, drake curse, super bowl bets, betting, gambling

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 28, 2025

Queens Woman Arrested For Wrecking Drake’s OVO Manhattan Boutique

Shauna Stoner allegedly caused more than $23,000 damage in the store and claims that Drake stole some of her designs.

A 31-year-old woman from Queens was arrested Aug. 27 after allegedly thrashing the boutique of Canadian rapper Drake’s OVO (October’s Very Own) brand in the NoHo neighborhood of Manhattan.

According to Page Six, Shauna Stoner, was seen breaking items in the store with a hammer before she calmly left. Police estimate that she created $23,000 worth of damage at the high-end store. She was charged with suspicion of criminal mischief and arson.

A video clip on TMZ showed Stoner in the act—albeit at a distance. The video, taken outside, revealed the windows on the store’s doors had been cracked, and shows her lifting what appears to be a large item and crashing it into other items. She walked out with a pink bag, looking back at the OVO store, as if nothing had just taken place.

Later in the video, three police officers head down the block toward Stoner; someone on the street informed them of her location. As they approach her, she is seen with her hands behind her back, anticipating the arrest. She talks to the cops. Before she is taken away in a squad car, she apparently explains why she went on her rampage.

“It was just to cut up his clothes that he stole. My designs!” she blurted out. Stoner work a black bra as a top. She had entered wearing a jean jacket.

Page Six reported that Stoner entered the store around 4:35 p.m. and began spraying paint across the merchandise. She turned over racks of clothing, while tearing items from the store hangers, before she used a hammer to smash the windows around the store.

A source told Page Six that Stoner has no connection to the store.

Annunciation Catholic School,, Minneapolis, school, shooting

by Jameelah Mullen

August 28, 2025

2 Children Dead, 17 Injured In Minneapolis School Shooting

Following the tragedy, activists are calling for stricter gun control laws.

A shooter fired through the windows of a Minneapolis Catholic School, killing two children and injuring 17 others, most of whom were students at Annunciation Catholic School. The Aug. 27 shooting occurred during the students’ first week of classes.

The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Westman graduated from the school in 2017.

Police say Westman shared a “manifesto” on YouTube that is currently under investigation. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara told KSTP News that investigators believe Westman did, in fact, post the video.

YouTube removed the video, which showed an arsenal of guns and what appears to be a handwritten four-page manifesto.

“I have wanted this for so long. I am not well. I am not right. I am a sad person, haunted by these thoughts that do not go away. I know this is wrong, but I can’t seem to stop myself. I am severely depressed and have been suicidal for years. Only recently have I lost all hope and decided to perform my final action against this world,” the letter reads in part.

At the end of the manifesto, Westman requests prayers for the victims’ families and friends. The shooter used three guns, all of which were purchased legally.

The Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Blaise Cupich, called on the government to take steps to protect citizens’ safety through gun control measures.

“The facts are clear. Guns are plentiful and common sense attempts to limit their availability have been largely rejected in the name of a freedom not found in our constitution,” Cupich said in a statement.

“Cutbacks in funding for healthcare and social service programs will only exacerbate a national mental health crisis and increase alienation,” he wrote. “We therefore pray for those who hold the power to make the safety of our people a national priority.”

The shooting marks the fourth fatal shooting in Minneapolis within 24 hours, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. The U.S. has seen at least 44 shootings at K-12 schools in 2025, CNN reports.