Medi-Cal, program, California, healthcare, insurance, coverage, undocumented, Senator, Alexis Donald, menopause, — (Photo: Prostock-Studio/Getty Images)

by Mitti Hicks

December 10, 2025

GOP Senator Proposes Healthcare Plan That Turns ‘Patients Into Consumers’

The subsidies for Obamacare, which were extended at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, are set to expire on Dec. 31.

As the deadline inches closer to find a solution for the millions of Americans who rely on Obamacare subsidies for healthcare, one Republican is proposing a plan that gives Democrats what they want and what Republicans desire.

Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) has proposed “the Marshall Plan,” which would extend the enhanced subsidies for one more year and then convert the subsidies into health savings accounts (HSAs), according to details posted on the senator’s website.

Republican lawmakers are reluctant to extend government subsidies, a central issue for the Democrats during the 43-day government shutdown, the longest in the nation’s history.

Americans use subsidies, also known as tax credits, to lower the cost of health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These subsidies, extended at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, are set to expire on Dec. 31. This means millions of Americans will face high health insurance costs if Congress fails to act. GOP lawmakers vowed to work with Democrats to reopen the government, but there have been few details on a cohesive proposal.

Marshall ‘s proposal is an effort to bridge what both parties want.

“My plan doesn’t impact just the 24 million people on Obamacare. It’s going to impact everybody’s cost of healthcare,” the senator told Fox News Digital. “So, if we pair bumping up savings accounts with price tags, we’re going to turn patients into consumers again, and they’ll do magic things out there. I think of this being like the magic shopping weeks, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.”

According to Marshall, the plan delivers five core reforms that will lower costs, increase access, and put patients back in control of their care, including a crackdown on fraud by requiring ID verification and minimum monthly payments. The plan would also implement price transparency reforms to enable Americans to compare costs and shop for care.

While Senate Republicans are expected to discuss a number of health care options in a closed-door meeting on Thursday, time is running out to present a plan. The Senate is expected to vote on subsidies on Thursday, Dec. 11, 20 days before subsidies expire.

Notorious BIG, Touré, Notorious B.I.G., Netflix, Sean Combs: The Reckoning — (Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 10, 2025

Touré Disputes Biggie Footage In Netflix’s Diddy Doc Was Filmed Right Before He Was Killed

'That clip is way out of context. It’s from years earlier.'

The Netflix docuseries “Sean Combs: The Reckoning” has created more narratives than twists on a roller coaster ride. Another one is being debunked by writer Touré, who clarified that a video clip showing The Notorious B.I.G., aka Biggie, admitting that he fears someone will kill him was actually from an interview he had conducted years before his actual death.

In a recent TikTok video he posted to his account, Touré stated that the way the clip was introduced in the doc made it seem like the Brooklyn rapper stated those words right before he was killed in a drive-by shooting in California on March 9, 1997. Touré says that was from an interview he did with the “Ready to Die” lyricist early in his short rap career, while he was promoting his debut album.

The doc shows that particular clip right before talking about and showing scenes from the murder that night.

“So I did that interview, he’s talking to me,” Touré reveals in the video clip. “The doc places this right before the Peterson Auto Museum, March 9th. But you know what? We did that interview on the first album.”

Touré explained that Biggie made those statements regarding street life, especially since he was getting out of “the game” when his debut album dropped in 1994. It could be interpreted, the way the scene cuts to the murder scene, that it may have implied fear from Biggie being in Los Angeles right before he was killed.

“That’s him talking about the street, not the game,” Touré said. “That’s him saying, ‘I’m afraid of getting knocked off on the street.’”

“If anyone started walking up, somebody from the crew would go down with a hammer. Big said to me, ‘I am afraid, afraid of the street. But I gotta be out here. I gotta live. I gotta show ‘em my music. I gotta show ‘em I’m not afraid, but I am definitely afraid.’”

He goes on to say that the doc was slightly deceiving in how the interview was placed right before discussing his murder.

“But the doc makes it like, that bite about his fear relates to the Big/Pac situation and his fear ahead of going to L.A. He may have been afraid because he knew he was in danger of being in L.A. in that moment, but that clip is way out of context. It’s from years earlier.”

Straight from the source @toureshow pic.twitter.com/CT8IK7tYzA
— Meidas_Charise Lee (@charise_lee) December 9, 2025

mansion — (Photo: Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 10, 2025

Florida Homeowner Nears Foreclosure As Squatter Lives Rent-Free, ‘It’s Deceitful, It’s Hurtful’

A Florida homeowner trying to sell her Winter Haven house is now facing foreclosure after a squatter moved in and has been living there rent-free.

A Florida mother is now facing foreclosure after listing her home for sale and getting duped by a man who’s been living there rent-free.

Charlotte Brown attempted to sell her Winter Haven, Florida, home after falling into financial hardship following her husband’s illness, WFTV reports. But instead of closing a sale, her property has been taken over by a stranger who has lived there rent-free for more than a year.

“It’s terrible… It’s deceitful, it’s hurtful,” Brown said.

Brown purchased the Winter Haven, Florida, home in 2021, drawn to the wooded lot as the ideal spot for her family. When her fiancé’s health declined, she became his full-time caretaker, straining their finances. To avoid falling further behind on mortgage and HOA payments, she listed the home for sale in 2023.

“I just had the opportunity to sell. So, that was definitely a plus, especially with the increase in, you know, the market,” she explained.

Brown soon found a prospective buyer, Obed Torres, a real estate agent from California. A company assisting Torres requested the keys to clean the carpets before his move-in, but that’s when trouble began. Torres switched title companies multiple times, and the sale never closed. By spring 2024, he had moved in anyway and has been living there rent-free ever since.

Brown filed reports with the sheriff as well as two court cases to evict Torres, but missed hearings, and both cases were dismissed. Torres claimed he was acting in good faith and said the property was abandoned. Texts show he once agreed to move out, yet as recently as April 2024, he asked the judge for an extension due to health issues.

Investigators observed and heard signs that he was living there, and neighbors confirm he and his family remain in the home. Meanwhile, Brown’s mortgage company has filed for foreclosure as she can’t keep up with payments while living elsewhere. She said she is “absolutely” afraid that she could lose her house.

Attorney Mark Lippman, who reviewed Torres’s living rent-free for over a year, agreed to represent Brown pro bono.

“His answer was garbage. So, the fact that he said that she had abandoned the property is incorrect,” Lippman said.

Florida’s recently strengthened anti-squatting law (HB 621) could help Brown. The law allows law enforcement to act faster, treating illegal occupants as criminal trespassers rather than tenants. Lippman believes this tougher statute may give Brown the legal leverage to prove Torres is living in her home without permission and reclaim it.

“If you can show that somebody’s squatting, they can actually be arrested. It is a criminal offense in Florida now. So, we are looking at that as well,” Lippman said.

Brown’s foreclosure hearing is scheduled for January, though she hopes to have the squatter removed before then. Lippman advises homeowners to prevent similar situations by never giving keys before a sale closes, attending every court hearing, keeping detailed records of all interactions during a home sale, and verifying title transfers through trusted companies.

Jamaica, Jamaican patois, Parliament — Photo by aboodi vesakaran: https://www.pexels.com/photo/flag-of-jamaica-13913322/

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 10, 2025

She Deserves! Sister Nancy Enters ‘Billboard’ Year-End Chart In First For Legendary Dancehall Artist

Sister Nancy has remained a pioneering figure for women artists in the dancehall scene.

Sister Nancy continues to impact the Dancehall scene four decades into her career.

The “Bam Bam” singer hit the Billboard Year-End Reggae Albums Artists chart for the first time. She placed in the top 10 with the reissue of her 1982 debut album, One Two. Sister Nancy was the only woman to make the list.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by WMV® (@worldmusicviews)

According to World Music Views, the re-release hit No. 3 on the Billboard Reggae album chart. Despite her legendary influence in Dancehall, she revived her fame with this limited-edition vinyl of the album.

With only 3,000 copies of the blue vinyl made, fans and music enthusiasts led to the collectible selling out. In addition to the original cover art, the vinyl included new liner notes by reggae scholar John Masouri. Alongside a special sticker sheet, its track listing also features “Bam Bam,” a timeless reggae anthem.

The 63-year-old celebrated the re-release of the album that cemented her status in Dancehall with a Record Store Day event in Queens in April. Fans flooded the store.

The Jamaica-born singer continues to pave the way for women artists in Dancehall. The former Ophlin Russell got her start in the clubs of Jamaica before moving to New Jersey in 1996. Remarkably, she worked as an accountant until 2016 while releasing music.

Her signature track has stood the test of time, remaining a popular sample for Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé. The single has surpassed 200 million Spotify streams, earning silver certification, and appeared in classic media from James Bond films to Netflix hits like Ozark.

Throughout her career, Sister Nancy has made strides in the male-dominated music genre, inspired by her brother and fellow DJ, Brigadier Jerry. She even hit the road with her sibling, becoming the first female Jamaican deejay to tour internationally.

Widely regarded as the first woman dancehall DJ, Sister Nancy has released several albums, including her latest, Armageddon, released this year. Her impact was highlighted in a 2025 documentary about her heavily-sampled track.

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 17: NBA player Matt Barnes attends GQ Celebrates The 2018 All-Stars In Los Angeles at Nomad Hotel Los Angeles on February 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 10, 2025

Former NBA Player Matt Barnes Targets ‘Bottom Of The Barrel-A** Blogs’ For Spreading Rumors Of Him Being Bilked By AI Model

'You guys believe that I got played by AI model and I’m suing ‘em?'

Former NBA player and current podcaster Matt Barnes took to his social media page to address a rumor that he was swindled out of more than $50,000 by a purported AI model from a dating app.

As the “All the Smoke” co-host speaks to the camera, he reflects on 2025 as it draws to a close. After revealing that he had hit rock bottom, he states that he had “a lot of negatives, a lot of positives” throughout the year. He is glad that his children are healthy, that business is doing OK, and that he is getting his life back in order, amid family healing. He addresses several rumors, but focused on one that says his pocket was separated from $61,000 because an AI model bilked him.

He addressed the rumor that stated he filed a lawsuit against an alleged AI model. He followed up with the blogs that reported the news and checked them on not bothering to confirm if the rumors were true. He directly lashed out at them.

“And all these little bottom of the barrel-a** blogs pick it up. Shout-out to the ones who are real and know the bulls**t, or at least check. Some of you, bottom of the barrel a** motherf**kers keep running the same garbage, but you guys believe that I got played by AI model and I’m suing ‘em?”

“Where the f**k did you guys get this from? For real. Seriously.”

He also mentioned that he had a conversation with another fellow former NBA player-turned-podcaster, Gilbert Arenas, who also reported the “news” on his show. He was disappointed that, since they knew each other, he hadn’t directly contacted him to find out whether the rumor was true.

“I told him, ‘Bro, after all we been through, bro, like, tap in with me and see if it’s real,’” Barnes said. “And, he said he apologized, he didn’t know it was that deep, but someone I’m close with addresses the lie and it catches fire.”

He said you can’t believe everything you hear.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Matt Barnes (@matt_barnes9)

doorDash — Photo by RichLegg/Getty Images

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 10, 2025

Hold The Pepper Spray! DoorDash Driver Banned After Being Caught On Camera Tampering With Food Order… Allegedly

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana is investigating the incident

A DoorDash driver in Indiana has been banned from the app after a customer’s doorbell camera revealed that she had allegedly pepper-sprayed the order before dropping it off.

According to 14 News, the incident was caught on camera at an Evansville, Indiana, house sometime after midnight Dec. 7. Mark Cardin, who placed the Arby’s order that night and brought it into the house, says that his wife, as she started eating, had trouble breathing. When he saw her struggling, he went to investigate the bag.

“I noticed my wife had started eating, and she started choking and gasping, and after she had a couple of bites of her food, she actually threw up,” he told the media outlet. “I had a look at the bag and seen that there was some kind of spray or something. The bag had been tampered with.”

What he saw on the video surprised him.

“So I pulled up my doorbell camera and seen that the lady who dropped the food off had actually tampered with it on purpose for some reason.”

Cardin contacted DoorDash, and his next contact was with police officers. He said the food delivery company issued a refund, but did not seem to take the accusation seriously; however, they did ban the driver. The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the driver and is expecting to bring charges against her. He posted a video showing her spraying liquid, now known to be pepper spray, on the bag before leaving it for the house’s occupants.

Cardin said the deliverer blocked him on the app when he tried to contact her, so he posted on his Facebook page to identify the pepper-spray bandit and hold her accountable.

“Hey everyone, check out my Dasher Kourtney that sprayed stuff all over my food that I have no idea what it is, and that could poison my family because I have no idea what it is. DoorDash thinks it’s a joke. Kourtney already blocked me on the DoorDash app. I couldn’t even message her. Somebody’s getting sued.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 10, 2025

WNBA Powerhouse A’Ja Wilson Is The Time Magazine 2025 Athlete Of The Year

Wilson is the second Black women to receive the lauded status.

A’Ja Wilson, one of the greatest athletes in the history of basketball, has a new title to add to her resume.

The WNBA champion is Time Magazine’s 2025 Athlete of the Year. Wilson stands as the second Black women to earn the coveted title. Famed gymnast Simone Biles also received the marker in 2021.

Her recognition marks a significant milestone for Black women athletes, as Wilson has dominated the WNBA with her skillset and multiple championship titles. As she celebrates her third WNBA Finals win with the Las Vegas Aces, the all-star and four-time league MVP has another achievement under her belt.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TIME (@time)

However, the honor seems more than deserved given Wilson’s stacked list of accolades. She remains not only a three-time WNBA champion, but also reigns as a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, six-time WNBA All-Star, and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist. According to ESPN, the 29-year-old is also the first player in WNBA history to win a championship, Finals MVP, league MVP, and DPOY in the same season.

While the awards remain abundant, Wilson lets her work on the court do most of the talking. She does not let the crown get to her, but also believes in giving credit where credit’s due.

“When you’ve collected everything, that’s Thanos,” shared Wilson in an interview with Time. “I mean crap. I kind of let my game do it. This was my biggest moment of doing it, because no one’s ever done what I’ve done. And I think people really needed to understand that.”

At the beginning of this year, many doubted that Wilson could continue a legacy that had already been solidified. Despite proving the naysayers wrong, the criticism drove her to reach new levels of her game.

“Sometimes you’ve just got to get knocked down to get built back up,” expressed Wilson. “I think 2025 was a wake-up call that I needed, to let me know that I can’t be satisfied with anything. There’s somebody out there that’s going to try to take your job. You need to make sure you’re great at it, every single day.”

The 6-foot-4-inch center faced similar opposition in a different capacity. She faced bouts of racism while growing up as a young Black girl in Columbia, South Carolina. She also navigated a learning disability, struggling with her dyslexia until a diagnosis at age 16.

Understanding what it means to overcome obstacles, Wilson remains a vocal advocate for WNBA players to receive just pay for their elevation of the sport. A leader off the court, she hopes to help charge a new era where women’s sports collects the big checks.

“All of us are going to be at the table,” says Wilson, “and we’re not moving until we get exactly what we want.”

Haiti, france, reparation, Haitians, Haitian Heritage Month — (Photo: Manuel Augusto Moreno/Getty Images)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 10, 2025

SAK PASE? New York City Declares July 26 As Haitian Konpa Day

New York City will now celebrate Haitian Konpa Day every July 26, honoring Haiti’s iconic dance and music genre.

New York City has designated July 26 as Haitian Konpa Day, an annual celebration honoring the rich legacy and cultural influence of Haiti’s signature dance and iconic musical genre.

On Dec. 4, the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations, led by Council Member Erik Bottcher, approved Resolution 987-2025, honoring konpa’s deep roots in Haitian culture and its strong presence throughout New York’s Haitian communities, the Haitian Times reports. With this resolution, July 26 will now be celebrated each year in NYC as a tribute to Haiti’s beloved music and dance tradition and its lasting influence on the city.

“Haitian culture has long been part of the rich and diverse fabric of our great city. Our food, dance, and music have helped make New York City what it is today,” said Council Member Rita Joseph, who sponsored the measure. “Haitian contributions are everywhere, and I am delighted that we are formally recognizing and celebrating Haitian Konpa music today.”

Sometimes spelled compas, kompas, or konpa, the genre stands as one of Haiti’s most cherished and commercially successful musical art forms. Nemours Jean-Baptiste is the pioneer who created konpa in 1955 by fusing a slowed-down merengue with American big-band elements and rasin rhythms. Jean-Baptiste debuted the sound that July at a concert at Place Sainte-Anne in Port-au-Prince.

Webert Sicot, an early collaborator of Jean-Baptiste, later introduced “cadence rampas,” a faster variation that ignited a friendly musical rivalry between the two. As konpa evolved, bands streamlined the big-orchestra setup for nightclub stages, helping the genre capture wider audiences. Now, Haitians worldwide celebrate kompa with pride.

New York City’s move to establish an official Haitian Konpa Day marks another major cultural milestone for the genre, coming on the heels of konpa earning a favorable review from UNESCO’s technical committee—putting it on the path toward recognition on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.

With the new designation, New York City joins Haitians worldwide in celebrating the genre on July 26 each year. Supporters say the day will give the Haitian diaspora a moment to come together around the music that has shaped generations and remains central to Haiti’s cultural identity. An important milestone as the community continues to navigate challenges stemming from Donald Trump’s past remarks, including Haiti in his infamous “s—hole countries” slur, his move to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants, and the recent “permanent pause” on migration from the country to the U.S.

“Despite the negative narratives that have come from the highest office in the land, we will never forget our resilience and our strength to stand up for justice and our rights,” Joseph said.

ilhan, Omar, ICE, Minnesota — Photo by Jacquelyn Martin-Pool/Getty Images

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 10, 2025

Trump Launches Racial Attack Against Rep. Ilhan Omar And Her ‘Little Turban’ At Pennsylvania Rally

Trump has launched a number of rants against Omar and other Black women in Congress.

Another day, another racist attack from President Donald Trump against Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar.

During what was supposed to be an affordability rally in Pennsylvania, Trump went on a vicious tirade against Omar — again — claiming she should get out of the country since she “does nothing but bitch.” “Ilhan Omar, whatever the hell her name is. With her little turban. I love her. She comes in, does nothing but bitch. She’s always complaining. She comes from her country where…I mean, it’s considered to be the worst country in the world … they have nothing,” he said.

“We oughta get her the hell out. She married her brother in order to get in.”

Trump: "Ilhan Omar, whatever the hell her name is. With her little turban. I love her. She comes in, does nothing but bitch … we ought to get her the hell out … she's here illegally."

The crowd in Pennsylvania then starts chanting "send her back!" pic.twitter.com/Otk0o5PAWE
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 10, 2025

His tirade was met with chants of “send her back!” from the crowd — similar to those heard when Trump first ran in 2016 against former first lady Hilary Clinton. Trump’s rallies produced the now-infamous phrase, “Lock her up!”

For those following politics closely, some may have lost count of the number of Trump’s inflammatory rants against Omar and other Black women in Congress. But his obsession with the Somali-born leader has grown since he called her “garbage” during a Dec. 2 cabinet meeting. “I always watch her,” Trump said, claiming she “hates everybody. “And I think she’s an incompetent person. She’s a real terrible person.”

Just like the last time – and the numerous times before — Omar seems unmoved by the president’s rhetoric. In fact, she is more concerned for the 79-year-old’s mental well-being. On X, she clapped back at the clip of Trump’s rant, saying he needs help. “Trump’s obsession with me is beyond weird. He needs serious help,” she wrote.

“Since he has no economic policies to tout, he’s resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead. He continues to be a national embarrassment.”

Trump’s obsession with me is beyond weird. He needs serious help.

Since he has no economic policies to tout, he’s resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead.

He continues to be a national embarrassment. https://t.co/sFsGpxOf7o
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 10, 2025

Instead of condemning his unprecedented remarks, the White House seems to condone them. Communications Director Steven Cheung supported the president’s shrewd comments, saying on X, “This is President Trump in his element—with the people and delivering a hell of a speech.”

But fellow Democratic leaders and leaders of color like those engaged in the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) stand by Omar and support her narrative of the president’s smoke-and-mirror performances.

“Rather than focusing on lowering the cost of living for hardworking American families, ensuring that all Americans have access to quality and affordable healthcare, and bringing our country together, President Trump has once again turned to the same racist and ignorant strategy of targeting Black and immigrant communities to distract from his enormous failures and historically low poll numbers on healthcare and the economy,” the group said in a statement.

Barack Obama, library, lawsuit — Photo by Gary Fabiano-Pool/Getty Images

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 10, 2025

Former President Barack Obama Details Official Opening Of His Presidential Center

The former president revealed that the Obama Center aims to open in June.

Former President Barack Obama has the latest update on the opening of his long-awaited presidential center in Chicago.

Forged on the city’s Southside, the presidential center is poised to make a tremendous impact in the area. The yearslong project, which includes amenities such as a world-class library and athletic center, is nearing the finish line. Its namesake offered more details on when visitors can finally step onto its 20-acre grounds.

On Dec. 1, Obama appeared at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, to share the latest developments. While remaining mum on an exact opening day, those in the Windy City should expect a summertime reveal.

“We’re going to open in June so that y’all don’t have to bring your coats up,” he reportedly said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The city known for its brisk winters and sun-soaked summers will debut its grandest attraction yet in 2026. The project, estimated to cost $800 million, is the priciest presidential center to date. However, the funding has provided ample facilities and exhibits to entice all to visit Chicago for the experience.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Obama Foundation (@obamafoundation)

The Presidential Center not only features a 225-foot museum tower, but also multiple gardens and a branch of the Chicago Public Library across its campus. It also hopes to support economic development, particularly in its predominantly Black Southside area, providing jobs and opportunities for community members.

Its location also holds a personal connection to the Obama family, as both the former president and first lady have ingrained ties to the area. The powerhouse couple met in the city, as Michelle Obama, a Chicago native, and Barack Obama got his political start in its diverse neighborhoods.

Now, Chicago is home to their legacy through the Presidential Center. Obama hopes the center fosters new dialogue among community members and change-makers across the nation.

“We want to create a campus, a place where the public gathers for a range of things that puts them face-to-face with each other and gets them to meet and be in dialogue and conversation and exposed to new ideas with each other,” Obama added.

The latest opening date does push back prior reports of a springtime debut, as previously detailed by BLACK ENTERPRISE. However, the lofty project has overcome several delays before, and still aims to deliver on its promises of civic engagement and communal upliftment.

“We’ll create a virtual classroom for civic education, because my bet is that all the issues, problems that we have right now will be solved if old folks get out of the way,” continued the political leader. “We’ll bring those good old-fashioned American values to the new sets of problems that any of us, even my age, you know, we’re not going to experience.”

As it stands, visitors should plan a June trip to witness the Obama Presidential Center’s grand opening.