SNAP, NYC bodega, Dia Alqalisi,Dawood Kassim

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 7, 2025

SNAP Benefits To Drop to 65% In November As Trump Administration Appeals Court Order For Full Payments

SNAP recipients will get 65% of their November benefits, up from 50%, as the Trump administration appeals to release full payments during the government shutdown.

When November SNAP benefits are finalized, recipients will receive a larger portion of their monthly payments than originally expected, as the Trump administration appeals a judge’s order mandating full coverage of food stamp benefits for tens of millions of Americans.

On Nov. 5, Patrick Penn, a U.S. Department of Agriculture official overseeing food and nutrition services, including SNAP, stated in a court declaration that maximum allotments for food-stamp recipients will be reduced by 35% this month, rather than cut in half, CBS News reports. This means beneficiaries will receive up to 65% of their benefits, higher than the 50% initially directed for states to implement earlier this week.

However, amid the daily changes in information regarding the benefits, received by over 40 million Americans, by Nov. 7, the Trump administration made an emergency request to the First Circuit Court of Appeals, a day after a federal judge in Rhode Island said the U.S. Department of Agriculture must find additional money to make the payments, a rejection of the administration’s decision to only partially fund the food benefits program this month.

Addressing the change in partial SNAP benefits from 50% to 65%, the Justice Department stated in a separate filing that the USDA “realized this error” after further calculations. On Nov. 4, the agency initially notified states of the November benefits reduction but later issued updated guidance to help states determine the correct allotments for each eligible household, according to government lawyers.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department, representing the USDA in court, told the Boston-based appeals court that U.S. District Judge John McConnell exceeded his authority with his Nov. 6 order to secure additional funds for full SNAP benefit payments. The DOJ argued that McConnell’s decision “thrust the Judiciary into the ongoing shutdown negotiations and may well extend the lapse in appropriations, worsening the problem the court was attempting to address.”

“This unprecedented injunction makes a mockery of the separation of powers. Courts hold neither the power to appropriate nor the power to spend,” they wrote. “There is no lawful basis for an order that directs USDA to somehow find $4 billion in the metaphorical couch cushions.”

Late last month, the Trump administration warned states that November SNAP payments would be delayed due to the ongoing government shutdown. After a coalition of municipalities and nonprofits filed a lawsuit, a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the USDA to use a contingency fund to cover the benefits gap.

Amid the legal dispute and the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, the USDA has now provided enough funding for states to issue partial November benefits, following Judge McConnell’s order, which has since been appealed to the First Circuit. Nearly 42 million Americans rely on food stamps, with payments issued on a staggered schedule throughout the month. States are processing partial benefits at different speeds, with some indicating recipients may start receiving assistance next week, while others warn it could take longer.

by Jameelah Mullen

November 7, 2025

New Study Links Melatonin Use To Heart Failure, Here’s What You Need To Know

Is melatonin bad for your heart?

A preliminary study suggests melatonin may pose risks to heart health. The American Heart Association reported.

In a review of medical records, thousands of adults with chronic insomnia who took melatonin for a year or longer faced a 90% higher risk of heart failure over the next five years compared to those with chronic insomnia who did not take melatonin, the Nov. 3 press release noted. Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland and helps regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle. Synthetic versions of the hormone are used to treat insomnia.

The American Heart Association advises caution before viewing melatonin as a threat. The study had notable limitations and wasn’t designed to establish cause and effect, which conflicts with earlier research indicating potential heart health benefits.

“The findings are certainly provocative and warrant attention, especially given the widespread perception of melatonin as a benign, ‘natural’ sleep aid,” Muhammad Rishi, an associate professor of clinical medicine and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, who was not involved in the study, told the Washington Post. “However, the study is observational and based on electronic health record data, which limits its ability to establish causality.”

Dr. Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi, the lead research author and chief resident in internal medicine at SUNY Downstate/Kings County Primary Care in Brooklyn, NY, expressed his surprise about the study’s findings.

“Melatonin supplements are widely thought of as a safe and ‘natural’ option to support better sleep, so it was striking to see such consistent and significant increases in serious health outcomes, even after balancing for many factors,” Dr. Nnadi said in a press release.

The study hasn’t undergone peer review or journal publication yet, but researchers will present it at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025 in New Orleans from November 7–10.

The American Heart Association defines heart failure as a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body’s organs for them to function properly. According to the 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, heart failure affects 6.7 million adults in the United States.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 7, 2025

Studio Museum In Harlem To Celebrate New Home With Community Day

The ceremony will take place Saturday, Nov. 15.

The Studio Museum in Harlem is continuing its legacy of celebrating art across the African diaspora with the unveiling of a building.

On Saturday, Nov. 15, the museum will host a Community Day celebration to welcome visitors into its new home, according to a press release. Designed by Adjaye Associates with Cooper Robertson as executive architect, the seven-story, 82,000-square-foot building marks the first purpose-built home in the Studio Museum’s 57-year history, made possible through a holistic campaign that has raised over $300 million.

“With deep gratitude to our visionary founders, who dared to create the Studio Museum amid the ferment of 1968, and to all the Trustees, staff, campaign supporters, artists, curators, educators, architects, community members, and partners in the City of New York who have made the Studio Museum into what it is today, we welcome Harlem and all the world into the home we have dreamed of having,” said Thelma Golden, Ford Foundation Director and the museum’s chief curator. “Our mission as champions of artists of African descent and their practices is as urgent today as it ever was and is made all the more possible because of our remarkable new building.”

As part of its Nov. 15 unveiling, the Studio Museum will offer free admission, inviting the public to explore its inaugural exhibitions, participate in art-making workshops, and enjoy performances, games, giveaways, and DJ sets throughout the day.

The celebration continues the next day with the premiere of Studio Sundays—a weekly day of free, family-friendly programming featuring art workshops, guided tours, gallery talks, and storytime sessions.

The museum’s inaugural exhibitions will include a major showcase of Tom Lloyd, the pioneering artist featured in the Studio Museum’s first-ever exhibition in 1968; From Now: A Collection in Context, a rotating display of works from the museum’s 9,000-piece permanent collection of artists of African descent spanning the 1800s to today; From the Studio: Fifty-Eight Years of Artists in Residence, featuring new works on paper by over 100 program alumni in an intergenerational dialogue; and To Be a Place, an archival exhibition highlighting photographs and ephemera from nearly six decades of the museum’s history, tracing its evolution through eras of cultural and political change.

Founded by a collective of artists and activists in 1968, the Studio Museum closed its 125th Street location in 2018 to begin construction on its first purpose-built home. The museum originally opened on Fifth Avenue before relocating in the 1980s to 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, occupying the former New York Bank of Savings building.

The new state-of-the-art facility features expansive galleries, a spacious lobby, flexible program areas, and a dedicated Education Workshop—designed to deepen community engagement and enhance the museum’s service to artists, visitors, and Harlem alike. The new space also expands exhibition areas and doubles the size of the artist-in-residence program, while increasing indoor and outdoor public spaces by 60%.

by Kandiss Edwards

November 7, 2025

Michael Jackson Fans Can’t ‘Get Enough’ Of The Trailer For ‘Michael’ Biopic

In the trailer Jaafar moonwalks in the iconic red leather Thriller jacket, donning Micheal’s signature fedora and commanding the stage.

The official trailer for the Michael Jackson biopic Michael dropped Nov. 6, and social media is in a frenzy.

Audiences received their first look at actor Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of Michael Jackson. The young Jackson will take on the much-anticipated performance-heavy tribute to the King of Pop’s legacy. The film is set for release in April 2026 and is directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King.

In the trailer, Jaafar moonwalks in the iconic red leather Thriller jacket, donning Michael’s signature fedora and commanding the stage. Michael’s voice echoes the opening of Don’t Stop till You Get Enough. The supporting cast includes Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as attorney John Branca.

According to the trailer’s synopsis, the film traces Jackson’s early days with the Jackson 5, his rise to global fame, and the behind-the-scenes struggles that shaped him.

As the King of Pop is one of the most notable figures in Pop history, his loyal fanbase is ecstatic. Many took to social media to express excitement at what appears to be a historically accurate depiction. Fans have created side-by-side comparisons of Jaafar and Michael’s performances.

X user @ofanoftherI9ver commented about the detailed performances and how they honor the late musician.

“Video comparison of the new MJ biopic, their dedication and accuracy to nailing down the costumes, dance moves, and cinematography is deeply admirable and is truly a love letter to Michael Jackson himself.”

https://twitter.com/ofanotherl9ver/status/1986464217730588781?s=46

@bigfairee expresses the depths of her fandom and vows to fall apart exiting the theater “both times” for what is rumored to be a two-part biopic.

“Y’ALL DON’T UNDERSTAND! I’VE LOVED THIS MAN FOR MY WHOLE LIFE. I’M READY TO LEAVE THAT THEATER A F*CKING MESS BOTH TIMES.”

Y’ALL DON’T UNDERSTAND! I’VE LOVED THIS MAN FOR MY WHOLE LIFE. I’M READY TO LEAVE THAT THEATER A FUCKING MESS BOTH TIMES #MichaelMovie pic.twitter.com/3NBuCaguXf
— JazzTheGenre (@bigfairee) November 6, 2025

@ugust_moon points out the details, calling them “biblically accurate.”

“Him being the only one w/ orange juice?! This is biblically accurate, I’m going crazy.”

https://twitter.com/ugust_moon/status/1986453109867225231?s=46

Another X user, @ScottDMenzel, predicted a mass turnout and monetary payout for the film.

“If you grew up with the music of Michael Jackson, it’s almost impossible to watch this trailer and not get goosebumps. This movie is going to make so much money. “

If you grew up with the music of Michael Jackson, it’s almost impossible to watch this trailer and not get goosebumps. This movie is going to make so much money. #MichaelJackson #Michael https://t.co/UCYeKofp0A
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) November 6, 2025

Fans are in a frenzy. The King’s story has been told, to some extent, in the 1992 mini-series The Jacksons: An American Dream, co-produced by Margaret Maldonado Jackson, and in other unsanctioned films. However, the story stopped shy of Jackson’s early career. For fans, the ability to relive such an exciting time in music history is irresistible. Michael, the biopic, will hit theaters on April 24, 2026. Plan accordingly.

by Jameelah Mullen

November 7, 2025

Prince Hall Freemasons Retain Historic Site In Washington, D.C.

This historic landmark stands tall despite gentrification.

The Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons and Eastern Stars of the District of Columbia has won the right to retain ownership of its historic location in the District’s U Street corridor, a neighborhood once known as the hub of Black business, arts, and culture.

The organization, through its charity, the Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons and Order of the Eastern Stars Educational Charitable Foundation, received approval from the D.C. Council to retain its tax-exempt status of its building, located at 10th and U..

The temple’s tax-exempt status was at risk due to a name change and required reapplication. In 2022, the former Prince Hall Freemason and Eastern Star Charitable Foundation became the Prince Hall Free & Accepted Mason and the Order of the Eastern Star Charitable Educational Foundation (PHFAMOESCEF).

“In 2022, we at the foundation wanted to keep the tax exemption, but when we changed the name, the exemption did not come with that,
Marquis McCants, president and CEO of Prince Hall, told the Washington Informer.

The Foundation leaders had to then reapply for a tax exemption with assistance from D.C. Council member Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1). They applied for the exemption in 2024 and reintroduced it this year.

The neighborhood, which once had over 200 Black-owned businesses, has gone through significant gentrification in the past decade, forcing out Black residents and erasing the vibrant history and culture of what was once a self-sustaining Black community.

Founded in 1825 by both enslaved and free Black people, Prince Hall Masonic Temple became the meeting place of the nation’s first and largest Black fraternity. The group purchased the lot on U Street and built the temple in 1929. The building once housed a restaurant, a bowling alley, and a ballroom, and rented office space to Black businesses.

Glenn Ruffin, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Prince Hall Masons, said “the U Street Building has a historic value to Black people.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 7, 2025

Soulja Boy, Safaree Among Celebrities Trying To Persuade Trump to Pardon Sean Kingston

Kingston is currently serving a three-and-a-half year prison sentence.

Sean “Diddy” Combs is not the only celebrity seeking a pardon. TMZ Hip Hop reports that recording artist Sean Kingston is seeking one and that several of his famous friends have written to President Donald Trump in an effort to secure his release and his mother’s release from prison.

The media outlet reports that hip-hop recording artist Soulja Boy, reality TV star and songwriter Safaree, and streamer Jack Doherty have all written letters to Trump.

Among the highlights, according to TMZ Hip Hop: “Soulja Boy calls the situation heartbreaking and wrong, having endured his own legal issues in the past … while Safaree, who long bonded with Sean through their Jamaican heritage, pointed out to Trump this is the type of injustice he’s been trying to combat.”

TMZ Hip Hop obtained a pardon application that was filed by Kingston’s legal team. Along with the application were the letters from the aforementioned personalities. It was submitted to the White House in July.

Janice Turner was sentenced to five years in prison in July, while her son was given three-and-a-half years in August. U.S. District Judge David Leibowitz ordered Kingston and Turner to pay $38,500 in restitution to a victim identified as “B.C.”

Kingston and his mother were found guilty March 28 of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud after being accused of defrauding a handful of different businesses, including a jewelry business, a luxury bed company, a used luxury and exotic car dealership, and a luxury microLED TV company. The pair’s crimes totaled more than $1 million.

6 South Florida reported that Turner may face deportation to her home island of Jamaica after she completes her sentence.

The duo committed multiple crimes between April 2023 and March 2024.

Turner was arrested during a May 2024 raid at the Southwest Ranches mansion that Kingston lived. Kingston was arrested the same day in California after arrest warrants were issued for him and his mother.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 7, 2025

Former NFL Player Antonio Brown Extradited From Dubai To Face Attempted Murder Charge In Miami

The charge came on the heels of an incident that took place at an event in May.

Former NFL player Antonio Brown has been arrested and extradited from Dubai after leaving the country following the issuance of an arrest warrant. The warrant was for an attempted murder charge after an incident in Miami that took place in May.

According to People, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service and transported to New Jersey, where he is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility. He will stand trial after being charged with second-degree attempted murder with a firearm and will be taken back to Miami.

The Miami Police Department released a statement to the media outlet.

“Following a thorough investigation, Antonio Brown (AB) has been identified as the shooter. This is just another example of the relentless work and dedication of Miami Police Detectives, working closely with Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, and U.S. Marshals to identify and arrest those who commit crimes in the City of Miami.”

Miami police issued the warrant after an incident that occurred on May 17 at an event hosted by streamer Adin Ross. According to the warrant, witnesses identified Brown as the shooter in an incident where several shots were fired.

The dispute was between Brown and the man he allegedly shot at, whom he had known since 2022. The man, identified by CBS News as Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, told investigators one of the bullets fired had grazed his neck. He told them that Brown “began to run toward him with a firearm” after the two had fought earlier that night. Nantambu said that after they fought, Brown returned with a gun and fired two shots at him.

Police officers detained Brown on the night of the incident but released him without arresting or charging him. He took to social media, claiming that he was jumped by several people who attempted to steal his jewelry.

Regarding the boxing event that happened last night. I was jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal my jewelry and cause physical harm to me. Contrary to some video circulating, Police temporarily detained me until they received my side of the story and then released me.…

— AB (@AB84) May 17, 2025

Brown played in the NFL from 2010 to 2021. He suited up for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New England Patriots, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning a championship with the Bucs in 2021.

Judge Cites Discrimination, White House Ordered To Bring Back Sign Language

by Sharelle B. McNair

November 7, 2025

Judge Cites Discrimination, White House Ordered To Bring Back Sign Language

Thousands of people in the U.S. communicate solely in ASL

A federal judge has spoken up for deaf Americans, ordering the White House to bring back American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for all press briefings held by President Donald Trump or press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Politico reports.

In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Amir Ali — a Joe Biden appointee — called the Trump administration’s decision to end ASL interpretation an illegal exclusion from crucial government updates on important matters of war, the economy, and public health for deaf Americans. He also cited evidence showing that closed captioning and transcripts are insufficient alternatives.

“Given the nature of the programming at issue here — regularly scheduled briefings on critical topics implicating markets, medicine, militaries, and myriads of other issues — the court finds that denying deaf Americans access to and the benefit of it presents a clear, present, and imminent harm,” Ali concluded, requiring interpretation to resume effective immediately with a preliminary injunction.

According to NPR, the Trump team nixed a Biden-era policy, implemented in January 2025, that used live ASL interpreters during briefings and other public events. As a result, both Trump and Leavitt, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and the offices for president and vice president were sued in May by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and two individual deaf men alleging that not providing ASL services was a violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

The law bans discrimination against people with disabilities in federally funded programs. The litigation also accuses the White House of violating the First and Fifth Amendments, which protect free speech and provide due process.

Data from NAD revealed hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. communicate solely in ASL, in addition to many deaf and hard-of-hearing people not knowing English. ASL has its own vocabulary and grammar set apart from English.

In their puzzling decision, the White House claimed that having ASL interpretation during presidential press conferences would be a “major incursion” on the administration’s rights. Ali said that not being pleased with the idea of having interpreters alongside the president is not a basis to violate laws. “Moreover … ASL interpretation does not require a speaker to ‘share his platform’ with anyone,” the judge continued in his ruling.

“The evidence shows, and the court finds, that the defendants can readily implement remote ASL interpretation without an interpreter present in the same room as the speaker.”

While the judge failed to grant the group’s request for ASL interpretation at briefings and events by the vice president, first and second lady, NAD interim CEO Bobbie Beth Scoggins released a statement celebrating the judge’s ruling, as it will give the deaf and hard of hearing the chance to have access to important government information that concerns them. “American Sign Language and accurate captioning are both essential to ensuring full and equal access to information,” Scoggins said.

“ASL and English are distinct languages, and captions alone cannot meet the needs of everyone in our community. The court’s ruling affirms what we have long known: equal access to information from the White House is not optional. We deserve the same timely, direct access to White House briefings as everyone else.”

The White House has until Nov. 7 to update the court on its compliance. Ali declined to rule on required interpretation for news networks, the White House website, and social media pages, but Scoggins says the organization will continue to fight for those matters of relief.

Saint Augustine University, North Carolina

by Kandiss Edwards

November 7, 2025

Virginia Teacher Shot By 6-Year-Old Student Awarded $10 Million In Damages

The jury found that former assistant principal Ebony Parker acted with gross negligence.

A Virginia jury has awarded $10 million in damages to former first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner, who was shot by a 6-year-old student in January 2023.

The jury agreed with Zwerner that then-assistant principal Ebony Parker acted with gross negligence by failing to respond to repeated warnings that the child had a firearm. Zwerner was injured at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. A bullet tore through her left hand and into her chest, requiring Zwerner to undergo multiple surgeries.

“This tragedy could have been prevented,” attorney Diane Toscano told reporters outside the courthouse. Toscano called the verdict “an acknowledgment of every teacher’s right to be safe at work.”

During closing arguments, Zwerner’s lawyer Kevin Biniazan said Parker “had the entire puzzle” of warning signs but chose to treat Jan. 6, 2023, “like any other day.”

“A gun changes everything,” he added. “You stop and you investigate.”

Parker’s attorney, Sandra Douglas, countered that the shooting was “unprecedented, unthinkable, and unforeseeable” and asked jurors not to “compound that tragedy by blaming Dr. Parker.”

Zwerner, 27, testified that she believed she was dying after being shot. “I thought I was either on my way to heaven or in heaven,” she said. “But then it all got black.” She did remember waking up surrounded by staff.

Parker has been criminally charged with eight counts of felony child abuse with disregard for life. Each charge coincides with the number of bullets in the child’s gun, according to the Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Her trial is set for later this month.

The child’s mother, Deja Taylor, is serving two years in state prison for child neglect. Taylor has also completed a 21-month federal sentence for firearm and drug offenses.

The civil verdict is among the largest school-related negligence awards in Virginia’s history. Education safety advocates say it may set a precedent for greater accountability in U.S. school districts when school staffs fail to act on credible threats.

by Jameelah Mullen

November 7, 2025

Sheryl Lee Ralph Brings The ‘Dreamgirls’ Together To Celebrate 35 Years of DIVAS Simply Singing

The divas reunited for a worthy cause.

Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph brought out Hollywood’s brightest stars for her 35th annual DIVAS Simply Singing Awards Gala.

Ralph’s former Dreamgirls costars, including Gina Taylor, Loretta Devine, and Jenifer Lewis, joined her on the red carpet for a night of entertainment, glamour, and philanthropy. Jennifer Hudson, who won an Oscar as Effie White in the 2006 film adaptation of the hit Broadway play,

Then star-studded Nov. 1 event, held at the Taglyan Complex in Los Angeles, served as a fundraiser for Ralph’s DIVA foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to raise resources and awareness about HIV and other health issues affecting underserved communities.

Ralph founded the organization in 1990 after losing several friends to HIV/AIDS, including Michael Bennett, the producer and director of Dreamgirls during its original Broadway run.

Lewis, who performed at the gala, reflected on her friendship with the Abbott Elementary star. “Sheryl and I have known each other since we were 19 years old. That was back in the 1800s,” the Blackish star joked.

Honorees included Rev. Debra Fraser-Howze, who received the DIVA Honors Inaugural Visionary Award for her advocacy in HIV/AIDS awareness and health equity. The Legacy of Love Humanitarian Award went to husband-and-wife singers Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. for their decades-long commitment to philanthropy.

The foundation posthumously awarded Jewel Thais-Williams the Legend of Distinction Award, recognizing her as a community activist, wellness pioneer, and founder of the historic Catch One nightclub. Dr. Maya Green, Chief Medical Officer of Onyx Medical Wellness in Chicago, received the Honors Wellness Warrior Award. Lula Washington, choreographer and founder of the Lula Washington Dance Theatre, received the Artistic Activism Award for her lifelong commitment to using the arts as a platform for social change.

Performers included Laila Hathaway and Andra Day, who sang her inspirational hit “Rise Up.” South Carolina native 803Fresh performed his summer anthem” Boots On The Ground.”

Gina Taylor and her husband, James Pickens, performed a duet of “It Takes Two.” They donated $10,000 to the foundation to fund a men’s health initiative focused on prostate health. Ralph also took to the stage to perform “I Dream a Dream.”

To learn more about the DIVA Foundation, visit the organization’s website.