• Lifestyle

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 31, 2025

Birmingham’s New Chief Of Police Michael Pickett Has Social Media Going Wild

Birmingham's new chief of police has social media going wild over how "fine" he is.

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Since being appointed Birmingham, Alabama’s new Chief of Police, Michael Pickett has drawn attention on social media for the physical appeal he brings to the job.

A quick search of his name on social media reveals numerous accounts praising Michael Pickett, the Birmingham Chief of Police, who was appointed to the role in April, for his looks.

“Birmingham, Alabama, police chief so damn fine yall omg,” one X user wrote.

“You ever wanted to know what “my type” is? Please see the Chief of police in Birmingham,” another user tweeted.

X user Te’Erika went a step further, sharing details of his background while nominating him as a “fine specimen of a Black man.”

“Michael Pickett, pick me!” she exclaimed. “Look at him. Oh my gosh!”

Pickett has gained renewed attention in Birmingham following his appointment as Chief of Police. The title came after serving as Interim Chief since December, following Chief Scott Thurmond’s retirement. A 20-year department veteran and graduate of Ramsay High School and Miles College, Pickett began his career as a patrol officer in the West Precinct.

Throughout his career, Pickett has served in various roles, including undercover work and overseeing safety and security for major events like The World Games. As Deputy Chief of Special Operations, he launched Operation Knight Rider to combat illegal and dangerous exhibition driving in the city.

During his time as interim chief, Pickett strengthened partnerships with Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway and with federal and state law enforcement agencies. Now, under his leadership, the Birmingham Police Department aims to focus on recruiting the next generation of law enforcement officers.

“I want to thank Mayor Woodfin for his confidence in me and support for the Birmingham Police Department,” Pickett said. “From the mayor and council’s support of the $16 million police recruitment and retention plan to a commitment to new resources, and investment in a comprehensive violence reduction strategy, we are working to create the next generation of effective law enforcement in Birmingham.”

RELATED CONTENT: Two Police Chiefs: How We Must End Police Brutality

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 31, 2025

Maryland Man Arrested On Peeping Tom Charges After Being Busted Dressed As Woman In Women’s Locker Room

Forty-four-year-old Tshikundi Taty will appear in court Nov. 14 on several charges

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Police have arrested Tshikundi Taty, who is accused of disguising himself as a woman and recording images of women in the showers of locker rooms in two fitness clubs in Maryland.

According to The Washington Post, the 44-year-old suspected voyeur was arrested Oct. 29 in Montgomery County after he was followed into a women’s locker room at a health club by undercover police officers who discovered him in disguise. Taty has been charged with two counts of video surveillance “with prurient intent” and two visual surveillance counts known as “peeping tom,” court records reflect.

Police officials have stated that the suspect has allegedly recorded at least four unsuspecting women inside health club showers in two different counties, Montgomery and Prince George’s (Onelife Fitness in Germantown and LA Fitness on Belcrest Center Drive). “Detectives are concerned there may be additional victims,” Montgomery police stated. 

At the initial court hearing on Oct. 20, Judge Aileen Oliver was shown pictures by Assistant State’s Attorney Caitlin Murphy of Taty dressed in women’s clothing after his arrest. Prosecutors requested that Taty be held without bond, citing a potential danger to the community. Taty’s defense attorney, Clayton Hough, asked that his client be released, noting that he lives with his wife and two children and, as the sole provider, works at a local food market. The children are four months and two years old.

Hough said, “These are not violent crimes. They’re problematic, obviously, as alleged, but they’re not violent.”

Oliver disagreed with the defense attorney, stating that he represented a public safety risk and “that people cannot feel safe going to the gym and taking a shower is a problem.”

The Maryland man is also facing charges in Prince George’s County, a peeping Tom count and a trespassing count. In that case, he is being represented by the Maryland Public Defender’s Office.

Taty’s next scheduled court date is Nov. 14, where he faces trial for both cases. He faces a potential sentence of anywhere from up to 30 days to a year in jail if found guilty of any of the charges, with a minimum fine of $500 and a maximum of $2,500. The peeping tom count carries a penalty of up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Trespassing private property carries up to 90 days in prison and up to a $500 fine, according to court documents. Meanwhile, the prurient intent video recording charges in Montgomery carry a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

RELATED CONTENT: San Antonio Confirms Status As U.S. Dia De Los Muertos Epicenter After Record Festival

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 31, 2025

Sean Paul To Match $50K In Donations For Hurricane Melissa Victims In Jamaica

Sean Paul is providing support to his native Jamaica following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

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Sean Paul is supporting his native Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa by matching donations up to $50,000.

The Grammy-winning dancehall artist took to Instagram on Oct. 30 to announce his campaign to provide relief for Jamaicans affected by Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. As part of the effort, Sean Paul is asking for donations, which he’ll match through his foundation.

“Right now, my island of Jamaica is going through a really tough time,” Paul captioned a video announcement. “Hurricane Melissa has caused serious damage, and many of our brothers and sisters are struggling — families displaced, homes destroyed, and communities in need of help.”

“Through the Sean Paul Foundation, we’ve partnered with Food For The Poor Jamaica to bring relief directly to those affected,” he continued.

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Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on Oct. 28 as a Category 5 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned the impact could be “catastrophic,” and one cyclone expert called it “the storm of the century.”

In the aftermath of the devastating storm, Sean Paul is stepping up to provide aid and encouraging others to support relief efforts.

“I’m asking all my fans, friends, and supporters worldwide, if you can, please give what you can,” Paul said. “Every donation counts, no matter how small. Together, we can make a big difference. And to show how much this means to me, I’ll be matching every dollar raised, up to fifty thousand dollars. Together, we can double the impact and help even more families get back on their feet.”

The Jamaican government reported that roughly 140,000 people were cut off as the island endured the storm. In the aftermath, authorities recovered at least four bodies in heavily affected St. Elizabeth Parish, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force confirmed eight additional deaths in Westmoreland, Hanover, and St. James. Three more people died while preparing for the storm.

Hurricane Melissa is reported to have led to at least 30 deaths after wreaking havoc across the Caribbean, marking one of the strongest Atlantic storms in over 150 years. Heavy rains and powerful winds caused widespread destruction in Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas, though the full extent of the storm’s devastation may not be known for days or even weeks.

RELATED CONTENT: Fernando Edwards Releases Latest Collection, ‘Legacy Continues’ From Jamroc Dept

• Arts and Culture

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 31, 2025

Righting Wrongs: MFA Boston Compensates Heirs Of Enslaved Artist, Returns 19-Century Vessels

One of Drake’s great-great-great-great grandsons, children’s book author and producer Yaba Baker, says the restitution process helps to answer his ancestor’s question seen on one of the vessels.

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In a rare move, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Boston did the right thing, agreeing to return two 1857 vessels by Black enslaved potter David Drake to his descendants, The Art Newspaper reports.

A museum spokesperson stated that Drake’s works were stolen, depriving him of his creations without compensation. “This marks the first time that the museum has resolved an ownership claim for works of art that were wrongfully taken under the conditions of slavery in the 19th-century US,” the statement read.  

The artwork in question is two vessels created by Drake, born into slavery around 1800 in Edgefield, South Carolina. The agreement between the descendants and the museum keeps one of the vessels on loan to the museum for at least two years. The other is described as a masterpiece known as the “Poem Jar.” It has a heartbreaking inscription on the vessel from the artist in light of Drake’s forced separation from a woman historians believe to be his wife, and her two sons. Housed at the Greenville County Museum of Art, it reads: “I wonder where is all my relation.”

One of Drake’s great-great-great-great-grandsons, children’s book author and producer Yaba Baker, says the restitution process helps to answer his ancestor’s question. He celebrated MFA for “showing integrity and leadership” and giving the family the opportunity to connect to Drake’s legacy, saying, “to go from being slaves to having a family of engineers and doctors and people in executive positions is a testament to Dave’s legacy in a different way.”

The “Poem Jar” also features hints of Drake’s financial exploitation, with another inscription reading, “I made this Jar = for cash/Though its called Lucre trash.” MFA originally purchased the work in 1997 from a South Carolina dealer. The museum purchased it back from the heirs for an undisclosed sum and includes “a certificate of ethical ownership.”

Attorney George Fatheree, representing the Drake’s family, labeled the agreement as “groundbreaking in the art world.” “The application of principles of ethical restitution to artwork created by enslaved Americans, this is the first time that has ever occurred to my knowledge,” he continued, according to CNN. Chair of the art of Americas at the MFA, Ethan Lasser, said the museum learned its lesson after restituting artwork rooted in Nazi culture. 

After saying the museum became “very expert in Holocaust restitution,” he learned of issues regarding African and Native American collections. “And we want to bring the same standard to the fullness of our collection,” he said.

For decades, museums, both stateside and internationally, have been accused of stealing artwork, literature, and more from African nations, the formerly enslaved, and more. Actor Michael B. Jordan, who played villain Killmonger in Marvel’s Black Panther, made reference in the film, stealing back a mask featured in later scenes. In May 2025, Harvard University’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology agreed to finally return 175-year-old photos believed to depict early enslaved people to the International African American Museum (IAMM) in South Carolina after a 15-year legal battle.

RELATED CONTENT: Family Of Former Slaver Apologizes For Role In Guyanese Slave Trade

• Technology

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 31, 2025

NFL Star Saquon Barkley Invests In Startup AI Data Center

This is the running back's latest investment in a startup

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Former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley has joined a group of investors backing the AI data center startup Crusoe. The company has announced that it has completed the initial closing of a $1.375 billion Series E round, raising its expected valuation to over $10 billion.

Crusoe describes itself as a global leader in AI infrastructure, spanning rapid energy sourcing, AI-optimized data center design and construction, and a high-performance AI cloud platform. Barkley was involved in the latest funding round, which included 30 other companies, such as NVIDIA, Salesforce Ventures, and Fidelity Management & Research Company.

This news comes in the same week he scored two touchdowns (one on a 65-yard run and another on a catch), ran for 150 yards, and helped the Philadelphia Eagles blow out his former team, the Giants, 38-20, ESPN reported. His play earned him the Player of the Week award. 

Barkley, who, earlier this year, became the highest-paid running back in NFL history when he extended his deal with the Philadelphia Eagles after helping the team in a Super Bowl victory. His contract extension is worth $41.2 million, with $36 million guaranteed, including $15 million in incentives. Yet, he is banking on making more money off the football field with several investments in his portfolio.

According to The Profile, he has an extensive portfolio of private startups, which have typically received checks between $250,000 and $500,000 from the record-breaking athlete. The companies in his list of investments are Anthropic (currently valued at $183 billion), Anduril ($30.5 billion), Ramp ($22.5 billion), Cognition ($9.8 billion), Neuralink ($9 billion), Strike (~$1 billion), and Polymarket (~$1 billion). He has also invested in and partnered with Founders Fund, Thrive Capital, Silver Point Capital, and Multicoin Capital.

In other news, Barkley suffered a slight groin injury, but the team has a bye this week, so he should be fine by the time the Eagles return to the field Nov. 10 against the Green Bay Packers.

RELATED CONTENT: Depo-Provera Risks and Racial Disparity: As Brain Tumor Lawsuits Mount, Critics Recall History Of Targeting Black Women

• News

by Kandiss Edwards

October 31, 2025

‘Brick Lady’ Gets 90-Day Jail Sentence For $42K GoFundMe Scam

The Texas woman claimed that after she refused to give Olan Douglas her phone number, he assaulted her with a brick.

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On Oct. 29, Roda Osman, a 36-year-old who claimed a man struck her in the face with a brick, was found guilty of theft after she scammed $42,000 on GoFundMe. 

Osman has been sentenced to 10 years’ probation and 90 days in jail. Additionally, she will need to comply with other conditions, including full restitution of $42,302 and a social media ban for the length of her sentence, The Houston Chronicle reported.

Osma’s conviction comes after a Sept. 3, 2023, incident. The Texas woman claimed that after she refused to give Olan Douglas her phone number, he assaulted her, hitting her in the head. She launched a GoFundMe campaign, and sympathizers contributed thousands of dollars to help cover medical bills.

Though many believed Osman’s story, prosecutors presented surveillance footage showing the woman did not truthfully represent the events of that night. Video of the incident shows Osman in a verbal altercation. During the incident, Osman can be seen attacking Douglas before he struck her with what appeared to be a plastic water bottle. The incident occurred outside a Houston nightclub. Court evidence revealed the funds raised on the crowdfunding campaign were spent on luxury rides, restaurant visits, and spa trips to New York City and Jamaica. 

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Osman’s defense has not commented on the outcome. However, the legal team filed for a $50,000 appeal bond, which was subsequently denied.

After the trial, Douglas spoke to Click2Houston about the toll Osman’s lies took on his life.

“It seems like she gets on social media and just, you know, manipulates and scams people,” he said. “She kind of made the couple months that happened in my life a living hell.”

Douglas is pleased with the sentence. He believes many people needlessly lie on social media, and there are little to no consequences for the behavior. In this instance, he is glad some form of justice is being served.

“That’s crazy, that’s wonderful,” he said. “Usually nothing happens. I’m very much happy.”

RELATED CONTENT: ‘Brick Lady’ Roda Osman Posts Bail For Theft By Deception Charges 

• News

by Jameelah Mullen

October 31, 2025

CBS Addresses Gayle King’s Rumored Departure

King has appeared on the network’s morning show for nearly 14 years.

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Rumors began circulating about Gayle King’s future with CBS after Variety reported that the anchor may leave the morning news show when her contract expires in May 2026.  However, a CBS spokesperson refuted portions of the report.

“There have been no discussions with Gayle about her contract that runs through May 2026,” a CBS News spokesperson said in a statement to People.

The spokesperson added, “She’s a truly valued part of CBS, and we look forward to engaging with her about the future.”


Sources at Variety indicated that King might assume a new role at the network, which is currently undergoing internal restructuring amid Paramount’s $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. The company’s corporate ownership will shift from the Redstones, the former controlling shareholders, to the Ellisons, who, according to Variety, plan to steer CBS News away from content they believe leans too far to the left. In Oct 2025, CBS named Bari Weiss, founder of the conservative opinion site The Free Press, as editor-in-chief of CBS News. 

During her over 40-year career as a journalist, King has interviewed prominent figures such as President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Cardi B. One of her most unforgettable interviews was in 2019 with R. Kelly, during his legal battle over federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges. During a tense exchange, Kelly became visibly upset, stood up, and started yelling. King was praised for staying calm as she called him by his first name, “Robert,” repeatedly.

King said that she was surprised by the unexpected change in Kelly’s demeanor, which she described as “0 to 200.” 

“When he jumped out of the chair, and he’s hitting, and he’s screaming, and spit is flying because he’s angry, I just thought, ‘You can’t respond in kind to that.’ If you respond in kind to that, then we’re both off the rails.” King told People in 2019.

RELATED CONTENT: San Antonio Confirms Status As U.S. Dia De Los Muertos Epicenter After Record Festival

• News

by Jameelah Mullen

October 31, 2025

Foundation Seeks Support To Rebuild School Devastated By Hurricane Melissa

A Category 5 hurricane, which also swept through Cuba and Haiti in the Caribbean, made landfall in Jamaica as the strongest recorded storm to ever hit the island.

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Category 5 hurricane Melissa, which also swept through Cuba and Haiti in the Caribbean, made landfall in Jamaica as the strongest recorded storm to ever hit the island. 

As Jamaican residents continue to recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, a nonprofit organization is rallying support to help rebuild a local public school.

The Rockhouse Foundation, a nonprofit based in New York City that seeks to improve education in Jamaica, has launched the Rockhouse Foundation Hurricane Recovery Fund. The foundation, which focuses on supporting teachers and improving learning environments across the island, built the Sav Inclusive School, which the storm has severely damaged. 

“The storm made landfall less than ten miles from our campus. Roofs were torn off, classrooms flooded, therapy rooms and learning materials destroyed, and our grounds left badly damaged. Many in the surrounding community suffered even greater loss,” the organization notes on its GoFundMe page.

“Every act of kindness brings us closer to reopening our doors and continuing to change young lives through inclusion, love, and learning.” 

The organization noted that the fund will not only assist with repairs but also support broader recovery efforts in the surrounding community.

The Sav Inclusive School is a public school where children with disabilities can learn in a fully inclusive environment. Currently, the school has 265 students from ages 3 through grade 6. Following its success, The Rockhouse Foundation and Jamaica’s Ministry of Education have pledged to expand the school through the 12th grade. The organization plans to add one new grade each year over the next seven years. 

Launched in 2004, The Rockport Foundation has invested over $11 million in building schools. The Sav Inclusive School is one of six educational facilities on the island established by the organization, including Moreland Hill Primary School, Little Bay All Age and Infant School, and the Negril Public Library. 

The Rockhouse Foundation is both a registered Jamaican charity and a New York–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To find out how you can support the organization and its hurricane relief efforts, visit the GoFundMe page or Rockhouse’s website.

RELATED CONTENT: Famed Jamaican Runner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Retires As Most Decorated 100M Sprinter In History

• Sports

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 31, 2025

Laila Ali Says ‘Absolutely Not’ To Claressa Shields $15M Fight Offer

Laila Ali says "absolutely not" to Claressa Shields' $15 million fight offer.

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Laila Ali has put to rest rumors about a potential comeback to face Claressa Shields for $15 million, and her answer is a firm “absolutely not.”

In part two of her “Set the Record Straight” message on her Laila Ali KO podcast, the undefeated boxing champion addressed Shields and explained why she won’t come out of her nearly 20-year retirement to face her. Ali stated that Shields has repeatedly disrespected her name and legacy as Muhammad Ali’s daughter, and she has no intention of giving Shields the “opportunity” to earn a big payday at her expense.

“So did her plan work? Did she make me mad enough to come out of retirement after 18 years and start training again to make her dream of fighting me and having a big payday courtesy of Laila Ali come true? Absolutely not,” Ali quipped in a reposted clip of the podcast.

“After years of blatant lies and vile disrespect, making unsolicited negative remarks about me, questioning the legitimacy of my boxing legacy, and having the audacity to cross the line by disrespecting my deceased father, trying to use his name to discredit his daughter.”

Ali also shared a clip of Shields referencing the late Muhammad Ali and seemingly suggesting that Laila doesn’t have the “genes” to match her skill in the ring.

“Muhammad Ali would never. Her daddy would never,” Shields said in the throwback clip. “Maybe she don’t have the genes.”

Following the clip, Ali made it clear why she has no plans of ever seeing Shields in the ring.

“She will not be rewarded with the opportunity to share the ring with me or anything else. There’s your answer,” Ali said.

Ali competed professionally from 1999 until retiring undefeated in 2007, capturing the WBC, WIBA, IWBF, and IBA female super middleweight titles, as well as the IWBF light heavyweight title. Shields, meanwhile, has won 18 major world championships across five weight classes and holds the record for becoming a two-, three-, four-, and five-division world champion in the fewest professional fights.

The Flint native has openly expressed her desire to face Ali, most recently offering a $15 million payday after Ali mentioned she might fight Shields for the right price. However, Ali has made it clear that she has no intention of accepting Shields’ challenge.

RELATED CONTENT: Claressa Shields Announces Free Agency After Heavyweight Championship Win

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 31, 2025

BREAKING: Judge Rules SNAP Benefits Must Remain During Shutdown

The Oct. 31 oral ruling by Judge Jack McConnell of Rhode Island came just 24 hours before the Department of Agriculture (USDA) was set to cut off the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

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Just in the nick of time, a federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration must keep SNAP benefits going during the government shutdown, as 42 million Americans depend on the program, CNBC reported. 

The Oct. 31 oral ruling by Judge Jack McConnell of Rhode Island came just 24 hours before the Department of Agriculture (USDA) was set to cut off food stamps of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.  Department of Justice attorney Tyler Beckler argued that the program no longer exists because there were no further congressionally allocated funds for it due to the shutdown.

Following conversations among numerous attorneys general and members of Congress about the $6 billion in a contingency fund that could be used for SNAP benefits, Beckler claimed the decision on its use was at the administration’s discretion.

“There is no SNAP program and, as a result, the government cannot just provide SNAP benefits,” Becker argued.

But McConnell had the affected American people to consider, finding the SNAP suspension arbitrary, according to ABC News, and likely to cause irreparable harm, as Americans are fearful of how they will meet their basic nutritional needs without it.

“There is no doubt, and it is beyond argument, that irreparable harm will begin to occur—if it hasn’t already occurred—in the terror it has caused some people about the availability of funding for food for their family,” he said during the emergency hearing. “The court is orally at this time, ordering that USDA must distribute the contingency money timely, or as soon as possible, for the November 1 payments to be made.”

The ruling also included a temporary restraining order against the plaintiffs—a coalition of local governments, nonprofits, small businesses, and workers’ rights organizations—in a lawsuit filed against the Trump administration to keep the benefits flowing. The group celebrated McConnell’s ruling, saying it sets a precedent that no administration is above the law.

“Today’s ruling is a lifeline for millions of families, seniors, and veterans who depend on SNAP to put food on the table,” the coalition said in a statement. “It reaffirms a fundamental principle: no administration can use hunger as a political weapon. This victory is about more than one program — it’s about the American values of fairness, compassion, and accountability that hold our democracy together.”

Other federal judges stood firm alongside McConnell’s ruling. Minutes before, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani of Boston ruled in a separate case that the administration’s suspension attempt was “unlawful,” but did not order the program to be funded. However, she did not issue a temporary restraining order and pushed for the Trump team to decide whether they would adhere to reducing November SNAP benefits. 

The administration has until Nov. 3 to decide.

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