accident, livestream, tiktok — (Image: iStock.com/kali9)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 9, 2025

Driver Apparently Livestreamed On TikTok When She Fatally Struck Pedestrian

The woman was seen saying 'I just hit somebody' before she cut off the livestream.

A driver who hit and killed a man on Nov. 3 may have been filming a TikTok while driving through a suburb in Zion, Illinois.

Authorities continue investigating the 43-year-old woman, who goes by Tea Tyme on TikTok. According to The Guardian, the video shows her driving the vehicle and before a sudden thud occurs. Another TikTok account released a screen recording of the clip.

@live.catch.up WHOA!!! Teatyme went live Monday while driving and HIT a pedestrian?! There are more rumors but for now we are hoping it’s not true & everyone is going to be okay. GET OFF YOUR PHONES WHILE DRIVING PEOPLE!!!! #teatyme #LiveCatchUp #tiktoklive #crash ♬ original sound – Live Catch Ups

She reacted to the noise by saying “F-ck, f-ck, f-ck … I just hit somebody.”

The victim, 59-year-old Darren Lucas, was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A coroner confirmed he death stemmed from blunt-forced injuries sustained in the crash.

The livestream shut down quickly after the revelation. A child was also overheard asking what happened.

First responders determined it was a crash involving a pedestrian. The woman stayed at the scene to speak to the police. Zion police department investigations commander Lt. Paul Kehrli told the Lake and McHenry County Scanner that drugs and alcohol were not considered factors in the crash.

While the woman’s exact identity and further information remain unknown, the incident has sparked conversations among those who watched the initial livestream. TikTok users launched a Reddit thread to discuss how the woman was acting, and how her diverted attention to the livestream could have resulted in the man’s death.

One claimed she “wasn’t paying attention to the road because she was reading comments and grinning at her phone”.

According to the National Highway Safety Administration, 3,275 people died in crashes caused by distracted driving in 2023.

Mariah Carey, Hot 100 — Mariah Carey attends the Recording Academy Honors presented by The Black Music Collective during the 66th GRAMMY Awards. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

by Mary Spiller

November 9, 2025

Mariah Carey’s Sephora Holiday Ad Faces Backlash Over ‘Anti-Worker’ Message

The singer’s annual Christmas kickoff faced criticism after partnering with Sephora, with fans accusing the ad of mocking real-world labor issues.

Mariah Carey’s beloved “It’s Time” tradition—the annual declaration that the holiday season has arrived—struck a sour note this year. The pop icon’s Nov. 1 announcement, long a festive staple for fans, has sparked debate after doubling as a promotional spot for Sephora.

In the ad, Carey appears in a flowing white gown with angel wings, cheerfully declaring, “Halloween slayed! But now, it’s ti…,” before stopping short when she discovers her Sephora products have gone missing. Moments later, comedian Billy Eichner, dressed as an elf, is revealed as the culprit.

THAT was the ad that Sephora and Mariah Carey decided to go with?? In THIS climate??? pic.twitter.com/kRw3zI3P3z
— Asst to the Regional Manager (@MaeLiing) November 3, 2025

“Busted! Bad news, Mariah Carey: the elves are striking this year,” Eichner quips. “Elf revenge for putting us through holiday hell! Santa’s helper quit. I’m pawning all this so I can afford elf therapy.”

Carey snaps back, “That’s my blush, elf boy!” to which Eichner fires back, “Your lipstick? I’m taking it. Christmas is cancelled. No bells, no cheer, no glam. Bye, sweetie.”

The “All I Want for Christmas Is You” singer quickly restores the holiday spirit, responding, “You can’t cancel Christmas,” before launching into her iconic “It’s tiiiiiime!”—instantly freezing Eichner’s elf into a snowman. Carey then appears in a Santa-style outfit, riding a sleigh and dropping a Sephora bag into a chimney.

Still no apology from Sephora or Mariah Carey for that holiday commercial? Tone deaf as heck.
— christine, esq. (@ChristineEmilyy) November 5, 2025

While some fans praised the collaboration as lighthearted fun and “iconic,” others found it tone-deaf, calling it “disturbingly out of touch” given the current economic and labor climate.

“Time to boycott the folks at Sephora who thought it was funny to make fun of real struggles people are facing nationally right now,” one critic commented on Carey’s Instagram post.

Another added, “Tone deaf diva reminds the hungry what the oligarchs will be doing this year.”

Beauty influencer Jasmine Hinton also weighed in on TikTok, noting that Carey’s biggest hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” has long been interpreted as a rejection of materialism.

“She’s singing about wanting to spend time with people you love, not focusing on material possessions,” Hinton said. “Yet somehow, this ad does the exact opposite…it’s a dig at consumers for boycotting all these corporations.” Hinton further suggested the video plays into broader class tensions. “It’s really just ragebait,” she said. “Having Mariah Carey dress up as an angel and then having the elf be ‘the thief’ —this is a class war, and it’s right in front of us.”

@jasminahinton

This is ridiculous #jasminahinton #sephora #mariahcarey #sephoraad

♬ original sound – Jasmina

Another TikTok user @njml5 weighed in on the video. “The commercial is corny, period. But they are definitely mocking the people, working-class people, who have decided, ‘You know what? I’m not fueling this economy. I’m not spending all this money on Black Friday. I’m not spending all this money on Christmas fueling the economy when the economy is not fueling us,’” she said in the video.

@njml5

What are yall thoughts? #fyp #fyp #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #viral #sephora

♬ original sound – Dio

Carey has posted her “It’s Time! videos annually since 2019.

Revolutionary War, Thomas Campbell, Historic Plaque — Photo by Brett Sayles: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-standing-on-stage-facing-an-american-flag-1340504/

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 9, 2025

Black Revolutionary War Hero Thomas Campbell Receives Historic Plaque In West Michigan

Campbell's story was relatively unknown until records of land request were found.

A Black Revolutionary War hero is finally receiving his due.

Born around 1760 in Culpepper County, Virginia, the once-enslaved Thomas Campbell joined the Continental Army in 1776 to free himself from enslavement, becoming a horse handler for the army. According to Arc West Michigan, he joined George Washington’s Army at White Marsh, New York. He subsequently became placed in General Marquis de LaFayette’s division.

Just a teenager, Campbell endured the harsh winter encampment at Valley Forge in 1778. The following summer, he experienced severe heat stroke at the battle at Monmouth Courthouse. Despite barely surviving the battle, he recovered. He lived out his final years at a farm in the Kalamazoo County, where he owned 160 acres of land.

Now, he has historic marker at the Gilmore Car Museum near his final resting place in Hickory Corners, Michigan. A ceremony took place Nov. 8 by the Joseph B. Westnedge chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, paying tribute to Campbell’s contribution to the war effort.

“We came to celebrate this American hero… He fought for his freedom, but he also fought for our country’s liberty and freedom, and the community has had just a tremendous outpouring of gratitude for him as well as for all the patriots,” Bob Craig, vice president of the Michigan Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, said. “Next year, America is celebrating its 250th anniversary on July 4 2026. 250 years. And it’s just an incredible time, an incredible year, and I think a wonderful celebration.”

Campbell’s plaque unveiling was accompanied by a color guard, wreath laying, and 21-gun salute. The revelation of his service came after the establishment of another historic plaque for a Black Revolutionary war hero, James Robinson. According to Now Kalamazoo, Robinson received his own recognition in Detroit in 2019. However, Campbell’s identity remained unknown until a deeper investigation.

Records of an approved land grant, which helped Campbell and his family move to Hickory Corners, resulted in his historic service being revealed.

Salt n Pepa, Push It — Photo: Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images

by Mary Spiller

November 9, 2025

Salt-N-Pepa Use Rock Hall Induction To Fight For Control Of ‘Shoop’ And Other Hits

Salt-N-Pepa used the moment to call out the music industry over music ownership and fairness.

Hip-hop trailblazers Salt-N-Pepa turned their long-awaited Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction into a rallying cry for fairness and artists’ rights.

As Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton, and Deidra “DJ Spinderella” Roper accepted the Musical Influence Award on Saturday, the trio used their speeches to draw attention to a growing dispute over ownership of their master recordings. “As we celebrate this moment, fans can’t even stream our music,” James said. “It’s been taken down from all streaming platforms because the industry still doesn’t want to play fair.”

The group’s comments referenced their ongoing legal battle with Universal Music Group (UMG), which currently holds the rights to their masters. In May, Salt-N-Pepa filed a federal lawsuit against the label, accusing it of violating the Copyright Act by preventing them from reclaiming control of their music—a right allowed under U.S. law after 35 years.

According to Variety, court documents show the group filed termination notices in 2022 to regain ownership of songs released under UMG’s subsidiaries, including Next Plateau and London Records. In response, UMG argued the group was not eligible to exercise termination rights since they were not the original signatories on the contracts.

A spokesperson for UMG said the company had made “repeated attempts” to “resolve this matter amicably,” accusing the group’s lawyers of using “negative media coverage” as leverage but maintaining that they remained open to a resolution.

Despite the legal tension, the evening was largely joyous—a testament to Salt-N-Pepa’s enduring influence on generations of artists. Missy Elliott, who became the first female rapper inducted into the Hall of Fame two years ago, introduced the group with praise for their trailblazing contributions.

James dedicated the honor “to every woman who picked up a mic when they told her she couldn’t,” while DJ Spinderella reflected on the milestone, saying, “I’ve been DJing for 40 years, and I’m the first female DJ in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”

Their performance brought the crowd to its feet as they delivered a medley of fan favorites, including “My Mic Sounds Nice,” “Shoop,” and “Let’s Talk About Sex,” before En Vogue joined them for their 1993 hit “Whatta Man.”

In the celebration, though, Salt-N-Pepa made it clear their fight for artistic ownership is far from over.

Anok Yai, 2025 Model Of The Year, — Photo by Marcus Queiroga Silva: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-a-black-dress-on-a-fashion-show-16234532/

by Mary Spiller

November 9, 2025

Anok Yai Named 2025 Model Of The Year, Cementing Her Legacy As A Global Fashion Icon

The Sudanese-American supermodel received the honor ahead of the British Fashion Awards ceremony, marking a new era in representation.

The British Fashion Awards have announced their 2025 Model of the Year weeks before the actual ceremony — and the honor belongs to Sudanese-American supermodel Anok Yai, whose meteoric rise continues to reshape the global fashion landscape.

“A defining force in today’s fashion landscape, Anok’s impact transcends the runway—from redefining beauty standards to championing artistry and representation on a global stage,” the British Fashion Council (BFC) said in a statement on Instagram. “Her influence continues to shape culture and inspire the next generation.”

View this post on Instagram

For Yai, 27, the recognition marks a full-circle moment in a journey that began by chance. In 2017, while attending Howard University’s Homecoming, a candid photo of her glowing in the crowd went viral — catapulting the then-college student into the world of high fashion. That viral moment led to modeling contracts and a string of opportunities that transformed her into one of the industry’s most recognizable faces.

Since then, Yai has dominated runways and campaigns across the globe. As reported by Dazed, this year alone, she opened shows for Ferragamo, Coperni, and Hugo Boss, and closed for Ralph Lauren, Fendi, Vetements, and Messika. Her presence has been equally commanding at Saint Laurent, Mugler, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, and Chanel under Matthieu Blazy’s direction.

South Sudanese-American model Anok Yai has made history after being named Model of the Year 2025.

Anok first captured the world’s attention in 2018 when she became the first Black model to open a Prada show since Naomi Campbell in 1997, a moment that catapulted her into global… pic.twitter.com/ebm9oxRzrd
— NBG Africa (@nbgafrica) November 8, 2025

Beyond the runway, Yai continues to shape modern fashion imagery. She has fronted Mugler’s Alien fragrance campaign, appeared in Gap’s latest ads, and featured in the revived Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Her editorial presence has been equally powerful, with recent covers for Vogue France, Perfect, and Allure — the latter shared with last year’s winner, Alex Consani.

Breaking with tradition, the BFC did not release a shortlist this year. Instead, a private panel of industry insiders — including BFC CEO Laura Weir, photographer Campbell Addy, and stylist Carlos Nazario — unanimously selected Yai as the winner.

Yai now joins the ranks of fashion legends like Bella Hadid, Paloma Elsesser, and Kate Moss, who holds the record with three wins. As only the second Black model to ever open a Prada show, following Naomi Campbell, Yai’s success has been pivotal in broadening representation for dark-skinned Black women in luxury fashion.

With her latest accolade, Yai’s influence reaches far beyond modeling — solidifying her status as a cultural trailblazer and a symbol of modern beauty.

flights, Government Shutdown, Staff Shortage — Photo by LT Chan: https://www.pexels.com/photo/flight-schedule-screen-turned-on-2833379/

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 9, 2025

Thousands Of Flights Canceled, Delayed Amid Government Shutdown Staff Shortage

Ticket-holders should be wary of mass flight cancellations ahead of holiday travel.

Flight cancellations skyrocket to over 1,500 as the government shutdown continues.

With thousands of delays as well, air travelers are feeling the woes at the airport. Many feel worried before and after arriving at the airport about whether they will make it to their destination on time, or even at all.

The late evening of Nov. 8 saw 1,521 flights nixed from the schedules of major airlines such as Delta, United, and American. According to ABC News, this figure has already surpassed the previous day’s 1,024 cancellations. With over 6,400 additional delays, flying during this typically popular travel season has felt like a nightmare to many.

The cancellations follow a government order to reduce flight traffic by 10% in the skies, as the shutdown has sparked staffing shortages, particularly in Air Traffic Control. By that same evening, more than 40 ATC staffing triggers occurred across the United States, sparking delays amid the mandated cancellation.

However, experts warned that further reductions could occur if the government does not reopen. As America prepares for its busy holiday travel, increased flight cancellations could cause chaos at airports nationwide. Thus far, the mandate has primarily affected 40 major airports, including airline hubs at ATL, LAX, and JFK, among others.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shared his hope of getting the government back on track to avoid further decline. Duffy warned that the agency could require airlines to reduce flights by over 10% if the shutdown continues.

“My hope is that this government shutdown will end soon and we can get back in the business of letting Americans travel,” Duffy said in a Nov. 7 interview with ABC News Live.

Airport workers from TSA to the ATC have gone without a full paycheck since the Oct. 1 shutdown. The lack of pay has resulted in many calling out, often due to the inability to afford reporting for duty.

This has primarily impacted the top airlines within the U.S. Delta has seen the most flight cancellations, axing 7% of its initial flight roster. American, United, and Southwest have had 3% of their flights cancelled. All airlines have reported delays ranging from 25% to 30% of total flights.

Fortunately, those flying internationally will have their trips prioritized and less affected by the reduction mandate. Duffy said agreements with international hubs have prevented them from removing these flights from airline schedules.