lawsuit, JaMarcus Russell,,Connie Bobo,, Missouri,

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 23, 2025

That’s Rich! Missouri Nonprofit Anti-Hunger Boss Allegedly Stole $10 Million To Fund Luxury Lifestyle

The woman spent millions meant to feed low-income children on properties and gifts for family and loved ones.

A nonprofit boss in Missouri heads to trial over accusations that she stole $10 million in funding to serve her own luxurious needs.

Connie Bobo served as executive director of the New Heights Community Resource Center in Bridgeton, Missouri. The nonprofit helped provide meals for low-income families and received millions in taxpayer dollars to fulfill this mission.

However, a large sum of the money was never allocated to feeding the underprivileged youth. Instead, it allegedly went to Bobo’s shopping habit.

According to iHeart, Bobo swiped the money from her nonprofit after enrolling in two U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded programs. The funding is meant to reimburse organizations like New Heights for their meal allocations. The resource center gained around $11 million from the USDA.

Of that number, prosecutors claim Bobo used $10 million on herself, as detailed in the October 2023 indictment. The prosecutor also alleges that the 46-year-old falsified reports that they served over 3 million meals from February 2019 to March 2022. Bobo currently faces charges of three counts of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and obstruction for allegedly falsifying food vendor invoices. A grand jury subpoenaed the evidence.

Bobo allegedly used the hefty payday to live out her wildest dreams. She reportedly spent $4.3 million on a mansion for herself while misappropriating funds to secure her family’s other homes.

She allegedly spent another $2.2 million on a commercial real estate investment. Bobo also allegedly made sure her significant other cashed in on the scam. She gifted her boyfriend $1.4 million, some of which was used to buy a Mercedes-Benz G550 Wagon. The luxury vehicle cost $212,000, according to the indictment against Bobo. According to the New York Post, the thieving boss bought seven properties in total.

The prosecutor claimed she listed family and friends as members of the organization’s board in an attempt to validate her spending on them.

“[She bought] a mansion for herself, houses for her family and a bright yellow Mercedes for her boyfriend,” Assistant US Attorney Jonathan Clow told jurors at her fraud trial Tuesday, per STL Today. “As her lies were discovered, the defendant used forged documents to try and cover up her crimes.”

Bobo’s lawyers claim she tried to rectify the matter before getting caught, a claim prosecutors refute. Although offered a plea deal, the defendant decided to go to trial. If convicted, the nonprofit boss could face a 20-year prison sentence.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 23, 2025

76ers Rookie VJ Edgecombe Breaks 2 NBA Records In Debut Game

Edgecombe broke LeBron James' record, ends with 34 points for most in an NBA debut in 51 years.

With the NBA season just getting underway, Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe has already broken two scoring records in just his first regular-season game.

According to NBA.com, the shooting guard got his professional career off to a record start when he scored 14 points in the first quarter, breaking LeBron James’ record of 12 points in the first quarter when the former Cleveland Cavaliers forward played his debut game. LeBron accomplished that feat in 2003.

However, that wasn’t all.

Edgecombe ended the contest with 34 points, making it the highest total a rookie scored in his debut game for the 76ers, besting Philly legend Allen Iverson. When Iverson, AKA “The Answer,” played in his first game for the 76ers in 1996, he finished with 30 points, setting the now-broken record. Coincidentally, while in high school, Edgecombe was named the 2024 Allen Iverson National High School Player of the Year.

But, wait, there’s more.

Edgecombe scored the third-most points in his debut NBA regular-season game. The only two players to score more in their first rookie games were record-holder Wilt Chamberlain (Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors), who dropped 43 points in his first game in 1959. Frank Selvy (Milwaukee Hawks) scored 35 when he suited up for his first NBA game in 1954.

VJ Edgecombe of the @sixers scored 34 points tonight, the third most ever by a rookie in his NBA debut.

▪️ Wilt Chamberlain: 43 PTS in 1959
▪️ Frank Selvy: 35 PTS in 1954
▪️ VJ Edgecombe: 34 PTS in 2025

Edgecombe broke Allen Iverson's 76ers record for points in a debut (30). pic.twitter.com/HXGkQOuzSQ
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) October 23, 2025

Although he had a great game and the team emerged victorious, Edgecombe’s coach, Nick Nurse, feels he needs improvement in his game, according to CBS Sports.

“It was pretty good,” Nurse said. “Opening night. I think that there was some space for him to shoot. … I think he took some drives. Certainly a great start. There’s tons of room and different things he needs to do. I’d like him to be a little more aggressive in the open floor. I think he really has that in his game. That’s an amazing first-game performance. It really is.”

The 76ers beat their Eastern Conference Division rivals, the Boston Celtics, on their home court 117-116.

As much as Edgecombe scored during the game, he had help from veteran Tyrese Maxey. Actually, Edgecombe helped Maxey, who scored a game-high 40 points. With that total, he tied with Hal Greer for the franchise record for most points scored in a season opener.

The stats lines for Edgecombe and Maxey were 13-for-26 and 13-for-24, respectively.

Amazon, lawsuit, worker, injuries, warehouse

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 23, 2025

Amazon Has Plans To Shift 600K Jobs To Robots, Replacing Need For Warehouse Workers

Amazon has denied many of the leaked report's details.

Amazon warehouse jobs may become scarce within the decade as the e-commerce giant has plans to automate its operations.

The company has plans to increase its warehouse automation through the incorporation of more robots. An internal report published by The New York Times confirmed that this could impact over 600,000 jobs.

With additional plans to sell more products through its online marketplace, its implementation of these robots will reduce the need for human workers. According to Bloomberg, the company has approximately 1.56 million full-time and part-time employees globally. Only 350,000 of these people work in its corporate offices. The company currently reigns as the second-largest employer in the United States.

Amazon will shift to a heavier focus on robotic operations over the next few years, leading to fewer hiring opportunities within the company. By 2033, they expect hundreds of thousands of previously human-filled jobs to be replaced by technology. Amazon reportedly saves 30 cents on each item it ships when not using human employees.

Upon the news leaking, an Amazon spokesperson denied that the plan was to reduce the need for human workers.

“Leaked documents often paint an incomplete and misleading picture of our plans, and that’s the case here,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel told The New York Post. “In this instance, the materials appear to reflect the perspective of just one team and don’t represent our overall hiring strategy across our various operations business lines – now or moving forward.”

Nantel also emphasized the company’s plan to bring 250,000 employees on during the holiday season. However, the company did not state how many of these opportunities would become permanent.

The looming threat of the reduction in warehouse jobs has already alarmed communities that depend on it. The Times reported that Amazon workers in the U.S. are three times more likely to identify as Black. California also has the most Amazon jobs, with the largest fulfillment center based in Ontario, per Damotech.

The leak also showed Amazon’s plans to mitigate backlash by increasing its initiatives for corporate responsibility. It also introduced terms such as “co-bot,” in lieu of terms like “AI” and “automation,” to suggest the work will aid human workers. A spokesperson also denied the validity of this.

Another concern lies in other major corporations following suit to curb expenses. Amazon has tried to suggest the job curation will come with automation. On the other hand, others view the matter as an inevitable disruptor of the job market.

Pennsylvania African Methodist Episcopal Church , Black History Museum,, Marvin Winans

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 23, 2025

Pastor Marvin Winans And Church Member Clear Up Viral Donation Backlash, ‘He Absolutely Did Not Rebuke Me’

Pastor Marvin Winans is responding to the viral moment involving a church member’s $1,200 donation that drew widespread backlash.

Bishop Marvin Winans and a member of Detroit’s Perfecting Church are addressing their interaction in a viral video that drew widespread backlash.

Winans has been under fire after a clip from Perfecting Church’s “Day of Giving” appeared to show him scolding a woman who donated less than the $2,000 he requested from the congregation. However, according to Winans and Roberta McCoy—the woman who gave $1,235—donations were intended to help complete the church’s new sanctuary and support community programs.

Winans asked those giving $2,000 or more to come to the front first, followed by others in descending order of donation amounts, down to as little as $1.62. McCoy’s donation fell below the $2,000 threshold, and she reportedly ended up in the wrong line to present her contribution to the pastor.

“He absolutely did not rebuke me. Now there’s a difference. There was a correction because let me clearly state that the pastor gave instructions on the lines to get into,” McCoy told WXYZ.

Pastor Marvin Winans and church member Roberta McCoy are both speaking out following a viral video from a church fundraising event: pic.twitter.com/0ZqPgbwJOf
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) October 22, 2025

Winans says his actions during the event were intended to maintain order and prevent elderly members from standing for long periods.

“I was calling because the whole church was giving, and it was our day of giving, and the whole church was coming, and we didn’t want people standing, the mothers and all that, so I was calling them by increments,” Winans said. “And we had someone who had given out before, and I corrected it, and I told everybody to listen and come when you call, and that’s all that was.”

In the now-viral clip, Bishop Winans is seen interrupting McCoy as she offered her $1,235 donation, noting that he had requested $2,000, not the amount she contributed.

“Now that is only $1,200,” Winans said. “Y’all not listening to what I’m saying.

“If you have a thousand plus a thousand,” he began to say as McCoy argued she was going to “work on getting” the other $800.

“That ain’t what I asked you to do,” Winans said as the congregation murmured.

McCoy said Bishop Winans personally apologized to her after the incident. A member of Perfecting Church since 2013, she says, despite the exchange being misinterpreted, she has been a consistent donor over the years and plans to continue her support.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 23, 2025

Rihanna May Lose Partner Owner Of Fenty Beauty As LVMH Explores Sale Of Its Shares

The luxury goods conglomerate is reportedly exploring the sale under a confidential process.

LVMH may want to part ways with Rihanna and her Fenty Beauty brand.

The luxury conglomerate is reportedly exploring the sale of its 50% stake in the singer’s flagship business. Reuters reported that the confidential process includes investment bank Evercore.

While half of Fenty Beauty’s ownership belongs to Rihanna, Kendo Brands, the beauty incubator under LVMH, owns the other. They helped launch the trailblazing makeup line in 2017. Its signature product, the Pro-Filtr foundation, has remained a popular and beloved item from the brand, by fans and makeup industry experts alike.

When first bursting onto the scene, the makeup line fleshed out the traditional industry. Upon its launch, it marketed itself as a new wave of inclusive beauty, known for its wide shade ranges and pigments that worked especially for deeper skin tones. It is not only sold at makeup retailers like Sephora and Ulta, but also available on Amazon.

The brand has proven quite successful, with sources telling the news outlet that its value is estimated at between $1 and $2 billion. It also reportedly earned around $450 million in revenue in 2024. With its profits, Rihanna was able to grow her business empire to include a lingerie brand, Savage X Fenty, and expand Fenty Beauty to skin, fragrance, and haircare.

However, its main backer, outside of Rihanna, now has plans to seek a profit from the sale. LVMH, which stands for Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, owns several other global brands within its portfolio. This includes companies across the beauty and luxury industry, such as Benefit Cosmetics, Fresh Beauty, and Christian Dior.

This would not be the first time LMVH pulls out of a Rihanna-backed business. Rihanna’s first entry into the luxury fashion sphere, titled Fenty, was founded by the singer under the luxury goods giant. However, the brand shut down in 2021.

What LVMH hopes to gain from the sale remains unknown. Neither Rihanna nor LVMH has spoken about the supposed sale.

RELATED CONTENT: Rihanna Expands Empire With New Fenty Hair Line

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 23, 2025

Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers’ Head Coach Chauncey Billups Arrested After Gambling Investigation

Thirty-four people were indicted in connection with two separate federal gambling investigations.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested on Thursday, Oct. 23, as part of a federal gambling investigation, CNN reports.

Rozier was arrested in Orlando. Billups was in Portland.

They are among 34 people indicted in connection with two separate federal gambling investigations that were announced by the Eastern District of New York.

Billups, a Hall of Fame player, is alleged to have participated in “rigged” poker games that took place in Manhattan, Miami, Las Vegas, and the Hamptons, according to officials. The games were attended by members of at least three of New York’s mafia families.

Authorities say Billups and Damon Jones, a former NBA player, were paid for their participation, with Jones requesting a partial prepayment of $2,500 before attending one of the poker games. Jones was also arrested.

Rozier, who was cleared by the NBA of gambling accusations, was accused of sharing information about players on a team’s roster with bettors before games were played.

According to CNN, investigators allege between December 2022 and March 2024, Rozier tipped people about his availability for games. They cited seven specific games including one, against the New Orleans Pelicans, already flagged by sportsbooks for irregular activity.

“We have represented Terry Rozier for over a year,” his lawyer, Jim Trusty, told CNN. “A long time ago, we reached out to these prosecutors to tell them we should have an open line of communication. They characterized Terry as a subject, not a target, but at 6 a.m. this morning, they called to tell me FBI agents were trying to arrest him in a hotel.

“…(Authorities) appear to be taking the word of spectacularly incredible sources rather than relying on actual evidence of wrongdoing. Terry was cleared by the NBA, and these prosecutors revived that non-case. Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning this fight.”

The NBA, the Trail Blazers, and Heat have yet to comment on the arrests.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 23, 2025

DNC Pays Off $1.6M Debt From Kamala Harris’ $1B 2024 Campaign

The Democratic National Committee is still paying off debt from Kamala Harris $1.5 billion presidential campaign.

The Democratic National Committee paid $1.6 million in September to cover debt from Kamala Harris’ $1.5 billion 2024 campaign.

So far, the DNC has spent over $20 million, and counting, covering debts from Harris’ 107-day campaign, Axios reported. Party officials remain uncertain about the total remaining liabilities as invoices continue to roll in.

The DNC was managing about $12 million in cash on hand at the end of September, after allocating to campaigns in Virginia and New Jersey, as well as other state party efforts. The party typically assumes campaign debts after a presidential race, but such obligations can hinder a losing party’s ability to rebuild for the next election cycle.

After Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection, for example, the party accrued over $20 million in debt. Even with Obama’s fundraising efforts in the following years, the DNC didn’t fully pay off the debt until 2015, leaving the committee in a vulnerable position heading into the 2016 election, which Hillary Clinton ultimately lost to Donald Trump.

As the country approaches the midterm elections, the stakes are high, with outcomes set to shape the balance of power in Congress and potentially influence the remainder of Trump’s term. In response, the DNC is making what it calls “a new, historic investment” to support the Mississippi Democratic Party’s organizing ahead of the November 4 special elections, which include 14 seats.

Primaries were held in August, following a federal court order requiring lawmakers to redraw House districts in Chickasaw County and Senate districts in Hattiesburg and DeSoto County, which had been diluting Black voting power. Although the DNC hasn’t disclosed the exact amount being invested in the races, Chair Ken Martin said it totals six figures.

He shared how the funds will be used to reach more voters in the Republican-controlled state through on-the-ground efforts, paid programming such as direct mail and TV ads, and preparations for the 2026 midterms.

“When you organize everywhere, you can win everywhere – that is my mantra, and that’s why we’re investing six figures into Mississippi in an off-year,” Martin said. “At this DNC, we aren’t simply focused on battleground states or one single election cycle. We can chew gum while we walk, and that means building for both the short and long term by creating new opportunities for Democrats to win elections everywhere.”

Tunisia, Rights Activist Saadia Mosbah, Financial Crimes

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 23, 2025

What Employers Need To Know After A Return-To-Work Policy Resulted In Major Lawsuit Verdict

A major ruling in a return-to-work policy lawsuit may hold dire implications regarding lawsuits between employers and employees.

A major ruling in a return-to-work policy lawsuit may hold dire implications for lawsuits between employers and employees, HR Dive reports.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon ruled in favor of a train conductor employed by the Union Pacific Railroad Co., who, after injuring his shoulder, was permitted to return to work by his medical team without restrictions following physical therapy sessions. However, Union Pacific blocked his return amid concerns of the possibility of injuring himself again–all without a specialized company evaluation.

The conductor sued Union Pacific for disability discrimination under both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Oregon’s disability discrimination law due to the company’s “1% rule,” which prohibited his return to work. The policy prohibits employees from working in safety-sensitive jobs, in this case, the conductor having to climb ladders, if there is a one percent chance of “sudden incapacitation” each year.

Even with a green light from the employee’s medical team, the railroad company labeled any employee with a shoulder dislocation as having a permanent restriction, preventing them from performing job duties at full capacity.

His legal team argued that Union Pacific’s policies put their client in a bubble of being a disabled employee without an individual assessment of the employee’s ability to perform job duties. He accused the company of giving him automatic restrictions under the 1% rule, despite the doctor’s orders. A judge and jury sided with him, issuing a lucrative award: $952,863 in front and back pay, $1 million in non-economic damages, and $25 million in punitive damages, bringing the total to $26,952,863.

Union Pacific appealed the verdict but ultimately lost as the court ruled the massive award was supported by sufficient evidence.

Legal experts feel the case should serve as a warning for employers and human resources departments to pay attention if ever presented with a lawsuit under the ADA. It could be easy for an employee to obtain such large awards in similar lawsuits, as the court only needs evidence of intentional discrimination to award punitive damages. Given that Union Pacific is earning $18.5 million per day in profit, the court felt $25 million in punitive damages shouldn’t be much of an issue for the company.

Employers have faced a labyrinth of legal issues in navigating return-to-office policies after years of remote work, especially regarding discrimination claims. Ramifications of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act require employers to host “reasonable accommodations,” which include “modifying workplace policies,” resulting in some employers being forced to “waive certain eligibility requirements” or simply modify remote work for employees with a disability who are required to work remotely. However, some challenges come with ADA claims.

According to Forbes, the challenge is identifying what constitutes a reasonable accommodation, especially in today’s new work culture. However, federal agencies and legal experts have stepped in with advice on how employers can navigate through those challenges. After the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) settled a few ADA discrimination complaints and released data on how return-to-office policies affect demographics such as working mothers and employees over 50, the agency updated its guidelines with helpful tips.

It’s recommended that employers provide updated training programs that include relevant examples and scenarios for navigating remote and hybrid work environments in an effort to guarantee that employees understand their rights. Given the prevalence of online harassment, the EEOC asks employers to provide additional training. This training should also cover how to report harassment in remote work settings and the resources available to employees who experience or witness such behavior.

Under the law, eligible employees must have a disability or impairment that limits a majority of life activities and be qualified to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Dr. Wendy Osefo, arrested, Wife Swap, RHOP

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 23, 2025

Wendy Osefo Says She’s Victim Of ‘Illegal Arrest;’ Wants Fraud Charges Dismissed

Wendy Osefo's attorneys filed the motion on Oct. 17.

Wendy Osefo is pushing back against her recent fraud charges by claiming she was the victim of an “illegal arrest.”

On Oct. 17, attorneys for the Real Housewives of Potomac star filed a motion in her Maryland criminal case seeking to have all charges dismissed, citing “defects in the charging document,” Us Weekly reports. The filing states Osefo was unlawfully arrested and that “all admissions, statements, or confessions” should be excluded from evidence because “they were unlawfully obtained.

Osefo, who resigned as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Wesleyan University following the arrest, wants all evidence obtained by police “suppressed because of an unlawful search or seizure.” Also, any wiretapped or recorded communications should be “suppressed because of an unlawful interception.”

The Bravo star also wants her trial be separate her co-defendant, husband Eddie Osefo.

In a separate motion, her attorney demanded that prosecutors hand over all evidence, a list of witnesses they intend to call, and any polygraph results from those interviewed by law enforcement.

Wendy Osefo also requested disclosure of any confidential informants involved in the investigation and copies of all official police reports. Eddie Osefo, an attorney, has yet to retain his own legal representation in the case.

The filing comes after the couple’s Oct. 9 arrest on fraud charges connected to a home burglary they reported in April 2024. Authorities allege the couple filed multiple insurance claims for the same items and listed goods as stolen that were later found to be worn or returned for refunds. The pair was arrested in Westminster, Maryland, and released on $50,000 bond each following a grand jury indictment on charges of insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, and making false statements to police.

Wendy’s Osefo’s episode of Wife Swap was initially pulled after her arrest, but Peacock has since decided to air it as originally scheduled.

by Ahsan Washington

October 23, 2025

It’s National ADHD Awareness Month: Tap Into These Helpful Apps

Here are six solid ADHD-specific apps.

The statistics around ADHD diagnoses in Black communities mimic many other disabilities that impact Black lives disproportionately. Roughly 15.5 million adults have ADHD. About 7 million children in the United States are diagnosed with ADHD between the ages 3 and 17, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Black children have a higher percentage of diagnoses than most racial groups.

With National ADHD Awareness Month well underway, a a growing number of adults, parents, and caregivers are seeking treatment and coping methods.

Here are six solid ADHD-specific apps.

Keep in mind that no single app will cure ADHD. A well‑chosen digital tool can add a boost of structure, insight, and steadiness to your routines. Try a couple. See which one clicks with your attention style. Think of them as sidekicks to complement the strategies you have received from medical professionals and coaches.

Inflow

Built around cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) techniques, Inflow is an app that aims to sharpen focus, improve planning, and curb procrastination for both adults and adolescents with ADHD. Developed by clinicians, the app presents itself as a “science‑based” tool. It’s available on iOS as well as through its website. In addition to CBT‑based content, Inflow offers psycho‑education, interactive modules, and a community space. It is an all‑in‑one resource for ADHD users.

Forest

Forest, a focus‑timer that doubles as a game, is designed to keep phones out of the way and boost motivation for any task. The setup works well for work study sessions or any activity that benefits from bursts of attention. Offered on both iOS and Android, Forest mixes cues with gamified rewards to curb distractions and encourage longer uninterrupted stretches of productivity.

TickTick

TickTick bundles reminders, priority tags, and a calendar into one package. It proves handy for sketching out schedules, breaking down assignments, and monitoring upcoming deadlines. Available across iOS, Android, and web browsers, it also hooks into a range of third‑party services.

racial Tensions, Therapist ,Mental Health, AI theraphy — (Photo: FatCamera/Getty Images)

Bearable

Bearable serves as a symptom‑tracking, habit‑logging tool that maps behaviors onto states. It works well on charting moods, symptoms, routines, and possible triggers for anyone with ADHD. Users regularly log details, ranging from symptoms and mood shifts to sleep quality and medication dosage. Available on iOS and Android, under a freemium model, the app helps users spot patterns.

Focus To-Do

Focus To‑Do pairs a Pomodoro‑style timer with tools that deliver a compact solution for anyone who thrives on time‑boxing. It’s especially helpful for those who respond well to short work bursts, slipping easily into a day at the office, a study marathon or a mountain of looming tasks. The app runs on both iOS and Android, offering a mix of functionality and premium upgrades. By chopping work into bite‑sized intervals and inserting breaks, it dovetails nicely with the ebb and flow of ADHD attention rhythms.

Due

Due, a reminder‑and‑timer application, acts as a safety net for the forgetful or anyone who needs that extra nudge to keep the day on track. It bundles auto‑snooze, lightning‑quick task entry, and alerts that refuse to be ignored. Whether it’s a grocery list, a looming deadline or a morning routine the app keeps slip‑ups at bay. On iOS, it’s been crowned the reminder app in Healthline’s ADHD app roundup. Its stripped‑down design, paired with nudges, makes it a solid companion for managing your life.